Shelby Living, March/April 2020

SURPRISE HOMECOMING AT SPHS • MEETING MISS HEART OF DIXIE• CLEAN COOKING BY COLLEGE CHEFS

MAKING TIME KAREN INGRAM’S CERAMIC CLOCKS

FIRST HOME A FARMHOUSE FIXER UPPER

down at

DREAD RIVER MARCH/APRIL 2020 ShelbyLiving.com Volume 11 | Issue 2 $4.95

A NEW DISTILLERY WITH LOCAL ROOTS ShelbyLiving.com

1

IN AN EMERGENCY,

MAKE SHELBY BAPTIST YOUR FIRST STOP. A COMMUNITY BUILT ON RESPONSIVENESS In an emergency, you have the power to choose where to receive expert care. Insist on going to Shelby Baptist Medical Center. As your community of care, take comfort in knowing we’ll always be here when you need it the most.

To learn more, visit ShelbyBaptistMedicalCenter.com For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 2 March/April 2020

FEATURES

46

SURPRISE HOMECOMING Jamie Langford McQueen’s unexpected reunion with her twin brother was equal parts long-awaited and emotional.

54

TIME TO HELP Instead of dwelling on the sadness of losing his dogs, Brandon Pockstaller decided to make the lives of other dogs— and the shelter workers who care for them—a little easier.

61

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

With spring comes spring cleaning and more. Here’s your guide to home décor, organizing and other resources.

2 March/April 2020

PHOTO BY EMMA SIMMONS

BUILDERS & BUYERS

21

29

PHOTO BY KEITH MCCOY

arts & culture

in every issue

13 Hours of Art: Karen Ingram’s Hand-Built Ceramic Clocks

4 Contributors

20 Springing Ahead: Tribute Bands and Art Exhibits at the SCAC

5 From the Editor

food & drink

6 #ShelbyLivingMagazine

21 Smooth Spirits: John Cubelic’s Role at Dread River Distilling Co.

school & sports home & style

37 Work in Progress: A Newlywed Couple’s North Shelby Home

12 The Simple Life 67 Business Connections

29 Creative Cooking: Jeff State’s Class Rooted in Healthy Techniques 36 Read This Book: Selections from Chelsea Library’s Lynn Thomas

7 The Guide

75 Out & About

SL 86 Marketplace

88 Why I Love Shelby County

ShelbyLiving.com

3

contributors EDITORIAL

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

CONTRIBUTORS Lindsay Dyess Dawn Harrison Lisa Phillips Jeremy Raines Lindsay Schluntz Emma Simmons Lynn Thomas

DESIGN

Angela Caver Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan Green Connor Martin-Lively

MARKETING

Kristy Brown Darniqua Bowen 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

Lindsay Dyess, Writer Originally from south Alabama, Lindsay Dyess moved to Shelby County in 2008 to finish her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Montevallo.

She began volunteering at the Shelby County Arts Council shortly after college and joined the staff part-time in 2016. She now works full-time with the SCAC as the Education Coordinator. In her spare time she enjoys printmaking, selling art, photography and playing the ukulele.

Jeremy Raines, Photographer Jeremy grew up in the small community of Cottonwood, just south of Dothan. He lived in the Wiregrass region his entire life before moving to Shelby County in December 2017. He lives with his wife, Madison, and their spoiled Maltipoo puppy, Zoey, in Helena. Jeremy freelances as a photographer with Shelby Living and a photographer and sports writer for the Shelby County Reporter. Jeremy is a multi-program coordinator for the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging in Alabaster.

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 evening web girl at ABC 33/40, 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.

Lindsay Schluntz, Writer A Nebraska native now living in the Birmingham area, Lindsay Schluntz is a creative copywriter with a heart for people and a zeal for words! When she isn’t spending time with friends, traveling to the Cornhusker state to enjoy her family or serving at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, she enjoys writing B2B marketing blogs, ghostwriting books and providing localized content for area magazines.

Shelby Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living 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, Shelby Living Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

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

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

4 March/April 2020

from the editor

N ON THE COVER

Nothing tugs at my heartstrings quite like seeing soldiers reunite with their families after long deployments. You’re likely familiar with these scenes, too – a mom surprising her kindergartener in a school assembly, a husband surprising his wife at a get-together. For the Langford family, however, it was a brother surprising his twin sister during what she thought was just a light-hearted gift wrapping game before Christmas. John Tyson “JT” Langford wanted to make sure his early homecoming was as special as it could be for his sister, Jamie Langford McQueen. So JT and his co-conspirators—Jamie’s coworkers, students and others—planned a big reveal before a basketball game at Spain Park High School, where Jamie works as an athletic trainer. When photographer Dawn Harrison called me a month or so beforehand to tell me about the plans, I knew it had the makings of an unforgettable moment. But it’s really about the other big and little moments leading up to it; the years of these two siblings growing up together and forging a bond strong enough to withstand long periods of separation. You’ll see what I mean when you read Alec Etheredge’s story and see Dawn’s photos from what I’m calling the big reveal in the SPHS gym.

I hope you’ll also take a look at Emma Simmons’ feature on Dread River Distilling Company, co-founded by none other than Oak Mountain native and former Auburn football player John Cubelic and Jeff Dugas, a managing partner at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center. This pair is the driving force behind Birmingham’s first distillery, and they’re ready to share their sweet and smooth spirits with the masses. Another feature, written by Lindsay Schluntz and photographed by Jeremy Raines, on Karen Ingram and her hand-built ceramic clocks is a must-see piece, too. And there is plenty more to enjoy in this issue, including a North Shelby home feature and our Builders & Buyers special advertising section.

As we press further into 2020, I would love to hear from you with any feedback or story ideas you want to share for future issues. Thank you for making Shelby Living a part of your day!

Dread River Distilling Co.

Oak Mountain native John Cubelic, pictured on page 27, is co-founder of this new Birmingham distillery.

emily.sparacino@shelbyliving.com

Photo by Emma Simmons Design by Kate Sullivan Green

ShelbyLiving.com

5

#ShelbyLivingMagazine

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

@ardent_preschool_valleydale Today is National Hat Day!! So we all wore our

@roverchase Snowy River the English Cream Golden pup is enjoying his stay at Roverchase!

He’s 7mo old and is spending time in our training program to work on impulse control, manners, and puppy mouthing.

He’s making so much progress, we are very proud of this boy!

6 March/April 2020

@mrsalabamaamerica Mrs. Alabama had the honor of judging the Miss Spain Park pageant tonight. What a beautiful, well spoken group of young women!

Congratulations to the new Miss Spain Park 2020!

@ballantraegc PGA Cup winners 2019. PGA Show on Wednesday morning ceremony.

THE GUIDE

EASTER EGG HUNT AND SPRING MARKET MARCH 28 Oak Mountain State Park 9 a.m.

Hop on over to Oak Mountain State Park’s 14th annual Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market. The Easter Bunny will be there, plus complimentary hay rides will be going all day. The event will also feature inflatables, feathered friends from the Alabama Wildlife Center, yard games for the family, pony rides, food trucks and lots of local vendors. Don’t forget your Easter basket!

ShelbyLiving.com

7

THE GUIDE WHAT TO DO IN SHELBY COUNTY MARCH 1 Reading with a Ranger Oak Mountain State Park 2 p.m.

MARCH 2 Watercolor Basics North Shelby Library 6 p.m.

MARCH 3 Writer’s Workshop Parnell Memorial Library 6 p.m.

APRIL 4

Paws for the Cause 5K 8 A.M. Veterans Park in Hoover Shelby Humane Society invites the community to the Paws for the Cause 5K and 1-Mile Tail Waggin’ Trek to raise money for the shelter, which cares for more than 5,000 lost, homeless and unwanted pets every year.

APRIL 18

Mt Laurel Spring Festival 10 A.M. Town of Mt Laurel The Town of Mt Laurel will celebrate its Spring Festival with a street fair, dishes from local food trucks and live music on the Bryson Square Stage. Festivities will last until 3 p.m.

8 March/April 2020

MARCH 5 Mt Laurel Book Club Mt Laurel Library 7 p.m.

MARCH 7 Oak Mountain Color Run Oak Mountain State Park 8:30 a.m.

MARCH 7 3rd Annual Barks & Brews for Shelby Emergency Assistance Oversoul Brewing in Helena 2 p.m.

MARCH 7 La Hora Del Cuento North Shelby Library 10:30 a.m.

MARCH 10 Writer’s Workshop Parnell Memorial Library 6 p.m.

MARCH 13 Kid’s Cooking Club Parnell Memorial Library 3:30 p.m.

MARCH 16 Mt Laurel Knitting Club Mt Laurel Library 6 p.m.

MARCH 16 Make Your Own Soda North Shelby Library 6:30 p.m.

THE GUIDE

MARCH 17 Preschool Kitchen Science: Leprechaun Magic North Shelby Library 10:30 a.m.

MARCH 17 Homeschool 4-H Club Pelham Public Library MARCH 19 Mt Laurel Tie-Dye Teddy Bear Mt Laurel Library 10:30 a.m.+4 p.m.

MARCH 21 Family Play Group Parnell Memorial Library 10 a.m.

MARCH 24 Create and Move Workshop North Shelby Library 4 p.m.

APRIL 2 Code Club Parnell Memorial Library 3:45 p.m.

APRIL 8 Toddler Easter Egg Hunt Parnell Memorial Library 10:15 a.m.

APRIL 9 Easter Egg Hunt for K-5 Parnell Memorial Library 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 11 Teen Volunteer Day North Shelby Library 10 a.m.

APRIL 14 Jewelry Class Parnell Memorial Library 6 p.m.

APRIL 16 FOES Fest Forest Oaks Elementary School 4:30 p.m.

APRIL 22 Teen Homeschool Hangout: Woodworking North Shelby Library 1 p.m.

MARCH 23-APRIL 19

Student Juried Art Exhibit Shelby County Arts Center The Shelby County Arts Council’s 2020 High School Student Juried Art Exhibit will be on display March 23-April 19 in the

APRIL 11

Judy M. Merritt 5K and Egg Hunt 9 A.M. Veterans Park in Hoover Jefferson State’s sixth-annual spring 5K race and Easter egg hunt promises a morning of family fun. More than 10,000 eggs will be up for grabs. Visit Jeffersonstate.edu/5K for registration information.

EBSCO Fine Art Gallery. Artists’ work will represent different categories, such as drawing, painting, 3D, mixed media and photography.

APRIL 11

Angel Warriors Foundation Eggstravaganza 10 A.M. Larry Simmons Stadium The Angel Warriors Foundation invites individuals with special needs and their families to come to the fourth-annual Eggstravaganza to meet the Easter bunny, hunt eggs and hang out with each other.

The fun will take place at Larry Simmons Stadium (the TMS football stadium) in Alabaster.

ShelbyLiving.com

9

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN THROUGH MARCH 8 Ways of Seeing: Portraits Birmingham Museum of Art MARCH 2 Friends of Hoover Library: Hoover’s History with Author Heather Skaggs Hoover Public Library 10 a.m.

MARCH 5-8 STARS Presents: Macbeth Virginia Samford Theatre

SCHOOLS

Exploring Coastal Conservation A group of University of Montevallo students received firsthand experience in managing conservation efforts in the Florida Keys in December. Dr. Susan Caplow, assistant professor of environmental studies, Dr. Meredith Tetloff, associate professor of social work, and Dr. John W. Stewart III, UM president, led an eight-day trip to the Florida Keys as part of a one-credit class titled “Coastal Conservation Education.” Students

explored strategies and content of coastal conservation education. Excursions included programs at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, Everglades National Park, Frost Science Center, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Windley Key Geologic State Park, Theater of the Sea, Aquarium Encounters, the Turtle Hospital, University of Miami’s Rosenstiel’s School of Atmospheric and Marine Sciences and a visit with the Miami Waterkeeper.

MARCH 7 Arbor Day Aldridge Gardens 9:30 a.m.

MARCH 7-8 Red Mountain Theatre Company Conservatory Showcase RMTC Cabaret Theatre MARCH 11-15 Tartuffe Virginia Samford Theatre MARCH 12+13 Annie Moses Band in Concert Hoover Public Library 7:30 p.m.

$1K To The YMCA

MARCH 12-15 Human Rights New Works Festival Red Mountain Theatre Company

MARCH 13-15 Romeo & Juliet Alabama Ballet BJCC Concert Hall

MARCH 14 Gaither Vocal Band Samford University Wright Center

Shelby County AL Tuskegee Alumni Club President William Mathis, Scholarship Fundraiser Chairperson Walter Mathis and Alumni and Greystone Board Member Anthony Weston presented a $1,000 check to Kristen Harris, executive director of the Greystone YMCA, and Tonya Fewell, Youth Development Program director, in December.

MARCH 17 Hoover Historical Society Meeting Hoover Public Library 1 p.m.

MARCH 20+22 Opera Birmingham Presents Cinderella Samford University Wright Center

COMMUNITY

10 March/April 2020

MARCH 20-22 Waitress Presented by Broadway in Birmingham BJCC Concert Hall

THE GUIDE SCHOOLS

MARCH 26 Destination Motown featuring Sensational Soul Cruisers Samford University Wright Center

MARCH 26-APRIL 5 The Fantasticks Virginia Samford Theatre MARCH 28 Rumpshaker 5K Regions Field

MARCH 31 Patti Callahan Henry: 2020 Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series Samford University Wright Center

APRIL 3-5 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Barber Motorsports Park

APRIL 9-14 Birmingham Barons vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas Regions Field

APRIL 16-26 Love, Linda Virginia Samford Theatre

APRIL 10-19 You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theatre

APRIL 19 BHM26.2 Marathon, HalfMarathon, Team Relay and Fun Run Railroad Park

APRIL 20-24 Birmingham Barons vs. Tennessee Smokies Regions Field

APRIL 17-18 Lebanese Food and Culture Festival St. Elias Maronite Church

APRIL 24-26 Magic City Art Connection Linn Park

Music To Their Ears More than $19,000 in grant money was used to purchase teaching tools and classroom supplies at Mt Laurel Elementary School, including keyboards and headphones for the school’s music program. About $1,000 of the funding went toward the purchase of 14 keyboards and 14 headsets that will be used to teach piano labs. A small amount

from the school’s general music account was used to make up the difference. The grants were made possible by a 1-percent sales tax increase approved by the city of Chelsea in August 2019. The ordinance, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2019, meant an estimated $1.5 million per year would go toward programs at the city’s five schools, including MLES.

PHILANTHROPY

Putting On a Show Westminster School at Oak Mountain students sang and danced to help their peers during the annual Variety Show in January—all to benefit the Rachel Green Fund, which supports Westminster students and their families in need. The fund’s namesake was an eighth grade student at Westminster who died from leukemia at age 16. The Variety Show featured 20 acts performed by about 100 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Ticket sales and donations yielded $8,000 for the Rachel Green Fund.

ShelbyLiving.com

11

For all your backyard playground needs!!

CALL

205-408-4386 for more info!

NOW ALSO SELLING AY COMMERCIAL PLAY EQUIPMENT! 86 CALL 205-408-4386 FOR MORE INFO!

3165 CCahaba h b VValley lle RRoadd Birmingham, AL 35124

www.backyardalabama.com

12 March/April 2020

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Keeping Up “It’s easier to keep up than catch up!” You may need to reread that a couple of times to let that sink in. Google says procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something. So, if procrastination is your enemy, your friend is a mindset of “you can do it.”

A couple of months ago, you made resolutions, new habits and promises with enthusiasm and determination.

But 60 days is a long time to keep running full steam ahead. How hard is it really to go to the gym every day or to cut out sugar or to do a load of laundry every night? The thought of those things isn’t hard. What tends to get complicated is the space between thinking and doing.

We tend to make things too hard.

Period. So how do you “keep up” Owner of SimpleWorks, Simpleworks.guru when you really want to throw up lisa@simpleworks.guru your hands and say, “I’ll do it 205.981.7733 tomorrow?” Here are some tips to help you stay ahead and not have to play catch-up.

•Baby steps. To avoid starting a project and not finishing it, watch biting off more than you can chew, or in other words, match the project with the time you have. If you only have 20 minutes, don’t attempt to clean out the entire garage. Use those 20 minutes to focus on one area, like the sports equipment.

Most disorganization comes from projects that are abandoned and left to finish later.

•Containerize. “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Simple. Think about a silverware tray. Whether you’re 5 or 85 years young, if a fork was found in the bathroom, you’d know it didn’t belong there. You would know exactly where to put it. Think of your closets, desks, laundry room; do you have a place for everything? If an item doesn’t have a home, that item is out of place and becomes clutter. Make sure you communicate where that “home” is to your family.

•Time. “Do it now … ‘later’ is already booked!” Take that extra three seconds and put things back where they belong. It’s easy to do because you have created a place for it; you know where it goes, and it’s easy to follow through. Resist the temptation to put something down and hope it finds its own way home. It won’t.

No matter how big of a task, you accomplish it by doing a little bit at a time. Keeping up is like stretching yourself to do just two more squats even when your legs are so shaky you can barely stand. Do what it takes every day to keep up. No one wins when playing catch-up. It’s that simple.

Lisa Phillips

&CULTURE

ARTS

MAKING TIME

Karen Ingram’s love of pottery and clocks come together in her elaborate pieces.

BY LINDSAY SCHLUNTZ PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES ShelbyLiving.com

13

C

Creativity and emotion flow through Karen Ingram’s hands into each of her pieces of artwork, and nowadays, she has more time to savor the process. Although she earned a degree in education from Auburn University, her love of art and drawing drew her toward learning drafting and civil design. But after working in the civil engineering field designing shopping centers for more than 30 years, she retired in 2010. “At that point, my hobbies really took off,” she says. “There are so many things that I would love to do, but I have to keep reining myself in so I don’t spread myself too thin. My main hobbies are painting, pottery and making wooden lazy susans.”

As a Meadowbrook resident, Karen was familiar with the Shelby County Arts Council and eventually became involved with the organization by submitting paintings for juried art shows. While at

14 March/April 2020

a reception at SCAC for such a show, she was told that the organization offered classes for both wheel-thrown pottery and hand-built pottery, and she could sign up. “Since I had just retired, I had lots of time on my hands. I took the beginner hand-building class and fell in love! Pottery is something I have always wanted to do because I love using my hands to make things.”

Now a member of SCAC’s Pottery Collective – a group of potters that have taken pottery classes at SCAC – she sells her work at events like artist markets in December and the SCAC’s Celebration of the Arts luncheon in February. “Candye Lundy teaches the hand-building class at SCAC and she is wonderful. I love the camaraderie and laid-back atmosphere of the class and have made many new friends.”

Karen Ingram combines her love of clocks and pottery into detailed works of art.

ShelbyLiving.com

15

Karen also creates other ceramic pieces, such as trays and decorative sculptures, and she paints.

16 March/April 2020

Independently

hilarious

“

There is nothing more exciting than opening my kiln after a firing and seeing all those clocks sitting inside. It is better than Christmas morning.

- Karen Ingram

”

Something about Somerby sparks your funny side.

Kirby loves Independent Living at Somerby. She’s got a great apartment, much more dining variety than when she lived by herself and she’s made many new friends. They appreciate what a card she is every time they get together. Somerby is Full of Life. What will it spark in you?

Call us today to learn more or schedule

DEVELOPING AN ARTISTIC SPECIALTY

a personal visit.

Some of Karen’s favorite memories growing up were of spending time with her dad in their old garage making or fixing things. “I remember there was a lady in Wilsonville who had a lot of antique clocks and Daddy helped her get a lot of them working again. I was always looking over his shoulder and was fascinated by their mechanics.”

After she had been doing pottery for a while, she started thinking about how she could combine her love of clocks with her love of pottery. “I have a book where I jot down painting or pottery ideas and designs and, over time, ended

INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

S O M E R B Y S PA R K .C O M • 8 0 0 . 8 1 5 . 3 6 3 3

ShelbyLiving.com

17

18 March/April 2020

KAREN’S CANVAS You can find Karen Ingram’s work at Brass Bear Antiques, located at 2652 Valleydale Road, and online at Facebook.com/KarensCanvas.

up developing ideas for patterns and styles for clocks out of clay.”

So far, she has created five different mantel clock designs including a pendulum clock. She anticipates her designs will continue to evolve. “With clay, you can’t get in a hurry.

It is fragile in the green stages and you need to handle it carefully – it needs to dry slowly, fire slowly, and it takes days and weeks to complete,” she explains. “You never know what will happen in the kiln…will the piece explode?

Will the glaze be what I expected? Will it crack? You just never know…. when it happens (and it will), you just have to shrug your shoulders and move on. That is life.”

INCLUDING ‘PURR-FECT’ DETAILS From 2014 to 2017, Karen was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for cancer two different times.

“Pottery was my therapy. When I felt able, I would create angels in clay and each angel would be holding and praying over animals. Some of my clients said these were their most favorite pieces as they had so much emotion in them.”

Karen includes animal themes in her artwork and in every clock she builds. “Most of my clocks feature a tiny mouse peeking out or a bluebird and bluebird nest. My favorite is one has a tiny mouse and a cat peeking at one another.”

Whether it is a sweet animal portrait, a portrait of a person and their pet or a sneaky mouse peeking out from a hole in the clock, she hopes people feel the emotional connection she has with each piece. “To me, that is the fun part. There is nothing more exciting than opening my kiln after a firing and seeing all those clocks sitting inside. It is better than Christmas morning.”

2016

ShelbyLiving.com

19

ARTS COUNCIL CORNER

SPRINGING AHEAD Tribute bands and the statewide student juried art exhibit are coming to the Shelby County Arts Council.

BY LINDSAY DYESS PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED Calling all art and music lovers: The Shelby County Arts Council has a full schedule of events lined up for the spring that should appeal to many people’s interests.

Coming to the Black Box Theater in March are two must-see tribute acts.

Take a trip down memory lane on Saturday, March 7, with the Johnny Cash tribute act, CashBack. Led by singer/drummer Leif Bondarenko, CashBack pays homage to the legendary musician with their energetic performances.

Accompanied by bandmates Gary Edmonds, Eric Onimus, Adam Guthrie and Tommy Bowan, CashBack puts on an authentic performance.

Tickets are $15 and up.

Also joining us in March is the Allman Brothers tribute band, Eat A Peach. These Birmingham-based musicians are dedicated to re-creating all things Allman Brothers. Will Cash, Matt Casey, Aaron Branson, Mark Lanter and Peyton Grant will perform in the Black Box Theater for the first time on Friday, March 13. This will be a great show whether you grew up listening to their music or you’re experiencing them for the first time. Tickets are $15 and up.

Premiering in the SCAC’s EBSCO Fine Art Gallery in March will be the 2020 Alabama Statewide Student Juried Art Exhibit. Each year this art exhibit gives high school students from across the state the opportunity to show off their artistic talents in a professional gallery setting at no cost to the students or schools. Previous years have seen up to 400 works of art entered into this competition with less than 100 making it into the 20 March/April 2020

final round of judging.

Students enter work in the categories of drawing, painting, mixed-media, 3D design and photography.

Students receive a cash prize for the best in each category as well as an overall Best of Show winner. This show is sponsored and judged by representatives of the University of Montevallo’s Art Department and UAB’s Department of Art and Art History. The show will be on display starting March 23 and close with a gallery reception and awards ceremony on Sunday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. The EBSCO Fine Art Gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The closing reception and weekday gallery entry is free and open to the public.

There is always something fun happening at the Shelby County Arts Council in Old Mill Square.

Visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com to purchase tickets to events, to view the upcoming calendars and class schedules, and to learn more about the organization.

&DRINK

FOOD

SWEET & SMOOTH John Cubelic pours his creative energy into making Dread River Distilling Co. a household name in the Magic City.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY EMMA SIMMONS ShelbyLiving.com

21

Thanks to Dread River’s distilling savant Carl White and his custom modifications to a hybrid, 5,000-liter German-made pot still, the distillery can produce a range of spirits, including whiskey, vodka, rum and gin.

22 March/April 2020

E

Entrepreneur. Designer. Event coordinator. Travel agent. Courier. Environmental risk manager.

Metaphorical Guinea Pig. The hats worn by Dread River Distilling Company co-founder John Cubelic, an Oak Mountain native, are piling up. Always on the offense, the former Auburn Football wide receiver is masterfully running the Birmingham business’ game plan, according to Dread River cofounder and board chairman Jeff Dugas. A managing partner at the nationally renowned Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Dugas’ hands are full, so the brunt of the daily grind falls onto Cubelic’s shoulders—the right of which Dugas claims to have surgically repaired.

“Jeff swears that he operated on me. But I wouldn’t really know. That’s at least partially how we know each other. My brother (Cole Cubelic, now an ESPN and SEC college football analyst) was far

more injury prone than I was, so he knew him more intimately…fortunately for me,” Cubelic jests.

Fortunately for Dugas, the mass communication major stayed in touch during his stint in New York’s film industry. Eventually, Dugas lured him back home, to the real land of opportunity, to spearhead the Birmingham distillery’s creative vision and oversee everything he couldn’t. Dugas knew the jack-of-all-trades, who also boasts a background in experiential marketing and an upbringing in the wholesale alcohol industry, was perfect for the job.

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.

“It just felt like there was something very culturally important happening in Birmingham.

And when this came up, it was an interesting ShelbyLiving.com

23

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

24 March/April 2020

opportunity to be part of something other than someone else’s vision,” Cubelic says, unregretfully.

The pair shared a vision, but it was Dugas’ chemical engineering background, knack for problem-solving, and vacation preferences that propelled them to the historic understanding 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, a doable six-hour drive from Birmingham. 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. “If I have to give credit to anybody in the city of Birmingham for making this happen, it strongly goes to Lisa Cooper. She took the football and ran with it,” says Dugas, who unconsciously sprinkles his speech with copious sports metaphors. No harm, no foul.

Cooper convinced the mayor and his entourage to join Dugas and Cubelic 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 well-circulated tale concocted by a 19th century con artist).

Having gotten the greenlight, Dugas and Cubelic trotted across the country to pick the brains behind 50 different distilleries, in search of best— and worst—practices. Having traversed outside the geographical bounds of Southern hospitality, the business partners weren’t expecting the warmest of welcomes to their research study, an uncommon approach to starting a distillery.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“The collegiality that was afforded to us by other distilleries is nothing short of phenomenal,” Dugas says, tipping his glass back to savor the last few drops of Dread River’s smooth-sipping vodka.

“They rolled out the red carpet for us and opened their hearts, their minds and their histories. And

TASTE. SIP. REPEAT. TICKETS: www.CorksandChefs.com

N E W !

Sunday Brunch

Restaurants & Chefs, Wine, Craft Beer, Cocktails, Seminars & Special Tastings 23rd annual April 25 & 26 12-3pm Linn Park @ the 37th annual Magic City Art Connection

HOOVER’S VESTAVIA HILLS MOUNTAIN BROOK

HOMEWOOD LIFE

SHELBY LIVING ShelbyLiving.com

25

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

26 March/April 2020

CURRENT CONCOCTIONS

Dread River Distilling Company co-founder John Cubelic

DISTILLER’S SELECT STRAIGHT WHISKEY – A vanilla, caramel flavor with a nice butterscotch and chocolate finish with a sweet and smoky aroma GIN – A predominantly citrus flavor with hints of grapefruit, lemongrass, cucumber, with a delightful juniper finish VODKA – Sweet, floral, with a hint of citrus—a lingering vanilla flavor with a smooth, clean finish RUM – Tropical nose with melon and fruit notes and a finish of dark brown sugar molasses Bourbon, rye whiskey, and agave spirits 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.

they did it without any sense of holding back. I didn’t expect it.”

Early on, Cubelic and Dugas developed a close relationship with the Birmingham Fire Department, who was “nothing shy of incredible,” in helping them out of a pickle or two with the regulatory “goalies.” And as it turned out, Bell was very right about needing an event space. Dread River would become the first distillery to apply for an event space license at the same time as their distilling license, eventually landing 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.

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 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.

White, Dread River’s distilling savant, 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 exmaster distiller of Woodford Reserve.

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 ShelbyLiving.com

27

Company.

While the distillery’s spirits each have a distinctive personality, they inherited an admirable character trait from their maker: they don’t bite.

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.

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 (which will remain an in-house production solely) 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. As Cubelic would say, this stuff isn’t just good for Birmingham. It’s real good.

28 March/April 2020

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

CLEAN COOKING

Students in Jeff State’s culinary program are mastering health-conscious techniques that don’t skimp on flavor.

BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY KEITH MCCOY ShelbyLiving.com

29

Students in Chef Joseph Mitchell’s Advanced Nutrition class at Jeff State prepare a four-course meal for guests as an end-of-semester project.

30 March/April 2020

A

A four-course meal served on a white tablecloth is not a normal lunch for most people, especially in the middle of a workday. But it’s what the students in Chef Joseph Mitchell’s Advanced Nutrition class at the Jefferson State Community College ShelbyHoover Campus whipped up for guests as an endof-semester project and served with a side of scrupulous notes about the nutritional value of each dish. And—spoiler alert—it ended with many in attendance pausing their praises of the students’ work only to ask for the recipes.

The meal was more than just a fancy lunch for guests, although it did carry the quality and presentation of a fine dining experience, complete with attentive table service. The four-course medley of gourmet cuisine was also an experiential presentation through which the students tested

their cooking skills and shared what they had learned about ingredient selection and nutrition with a new audience—a diverse group comprised of administrators from dietetics departments at local universities, students with a culinary background studying dietetics, and other members of the community connected to the initiative Mitchell is leading at JSCC to strengthen nutrition education.

What better way to prove that healthy food doesn’t have to be bland than to recruit a few taste-testers to try it?

With their task before them, students Maya Hawkins, James Brantley and their classmates rolled up their sleeves and got to work, planning and executing the luncheon from start to finish.

Maya and her three group members prepared and served a blueberry tarragon tart with hazelnut crust ShelbyLiving.com

31

for dessert. For Maya, the project mirrored her experiences working as a line cook at The Club in Birmingham. “It was very similar to how we would present some other dishes at The Club,” she says.

“We were working on timing, and that was a nice practice. Some people might not have had all the work experience, but for me, it was something I was comfortable with.”

James was comfortable with the project, too, mostly because of his work at another Birmingham restaurant. He and his group members were responsible for making and serving the main entrée of the luncheon: ricotta and goat cheese gnocchi with Tuscan kale sauce. “We had a textbook that broke down the healthy cooking,” he says. “We had previously cooked several of the entrées. We came to an agreement as a class that that was our favorite entrée, and a good one to choose for the luncheon.”

James’s group modified the recipe a bit, using some whole wheat flour and adding red pepper flakes to the kale sauce for extra seasoning. For the most part, however, they followed the recipe as it was written since it met the group’s high level of nutritional

32 March/April 2020

criteria.

As director of Hospitality and Culinary Management at JSCC, Mitchell was eager to share an overview of the changes he is spearheading in the post-secondary culinary curriculum “to reflect the modern challenges of the foodservice industry,” and the need for culinary professionals to partner with members of the government, academic and medical communities, to strengthen nutrition education.

Along with the addition of Advanced Nutrition classes, the name for the degree option is now Culinary Nutrition Management from Food Service/ Culinary Management. JSCC has also added a certificate in Culinary Nutrition Management and formed articulation agreements with Montevallo’s nutrition program, plus a path for Samford University nutrition students to take Culinary Nutrition Certificate at JSCC. “We are changing our philosophy position on how we approach nutrition in our curriculum development,” Mitchell says. “We have modified our program’s mission statement to reflect this: ‘We advocate sustainability in food preparation practices and strive to educate

Mitchell, far right, talks to students before they start serving the meal they prepared for guests in December.

ShelbyLiving.com

33

“

We’re not trying to eliminate, but we are trying to make the dishes healthier.

”

– Hospitality and Culinary Management Director Joseph Mitchell

34 March/April 2020

our students both personally and professionally of an understanding of how healthy food choices and food preparations affect both themselves and society.’”

In less formal terms, the new curriculum aims at giving students a foundation in healthy cooking techniques (steaming rather than frying foods, for instance), and how seemingly small changes can combat health conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. The curriculum also allows students to compare ingredients and calculate the nutritional value of meals based on ingredients’ components. “It’s a journey,” Mitchell says. “We’re not trying to eliminate, but we are trying to make the dishes healthier.”

And in the spirit of professionalism, students weren’t just focused on the taste and nutritional value of each dish they served at their luncheon. They plated the gnocchi, blueberry tart and the other two courses (tortilla soup and red salad) as if they were being served to the most prestigious of food critics.

“Presentation is huge when it comes to working in the restaurant industry,” James says. “They say you eat with your eyes first. Not only do you want to execute the taste, but the presentation as well.”

Maya says she has always been interested in making food for people with special diets, so the Advanced Nutrition class was a natural fit for her interests. Plus, it showed her the benefits of certain ingredients used in moderation and how a variety of foods served in smaller portions can be just as filling as one large portion of something in a meal. “I think it was really eye-opening for me,” she says. “It was great to get hands-on experience with it and learn what ingredients I can use to make a variety of dishes.”

James says he learned he didn’t have to sacrifice flavor—or presentation—for better nutrition. “Cooking on the healthier side doesn’t have to be bland,” he says, with all the confidence of someone who just aced his final exam—or, in this case, final meal project. “I thought we executed it well.”

4th Annual

NOW OPEN!

• 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 us online at www.americanvillage.org/TulipWatch ShelbyLiving.com

35

READ THIS BOOK

Community Bonds Recommendations from

Lynn Thomas

Chelsea Public Library Adult Book Club Coordinator

My favorite thing about a book club, whether it gathers in a coffee shop, a library, a home or elsewhere, is that it provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in interesting conversation and build community, often among people of varied backgrounds and points of view. While the community and sense of place aspects are diverse across these book selections, each story uniquely reminds us that regardless of where we have been or where we are headed, we really do need each other.

If the Creek Don’t Rise

by Leah Weiss In a North Carolina mountain town filled with moonshine and trouble, Sadie Blue is only the latest girl to face a dead-end future at the mercy of a murderous drunk. But when someone with new and different ways of doing things moves to Baines Creek, Sadie begins to think there might be more to life. This is a bold and beautifully layered first novel about a dusty, desperate town finding the inner strength it needs to outrun its demons with heart, determination, and courage.

Beartown (Book 1)

by Fredrik Backman People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the everencroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. The ice rink is why people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals. Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to take a stand.

This Tender Land

by William Kent Krueger 1932, Minnesota—During one unforgettable summer, a tragic series of events causes four orphans to steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own. Along the way, they cross paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds. With the feel of a modern classic, this heart-felt epic reveals how the magnificent American landscape and the search for a place to belong connects people, places, and their stories.

The Hideaway

by Lauren K. Denton After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags’s rundown B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead, she learns Mags has willed The Hideaway to her and charged her with renovating it with the help of her grandmother’s best friends, who still live there. Sara begins to piece together the mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed her grandmother’s destiny, and hers.

Dimestore: A Writer’s Life

by Lee Smith Set deep in the mountains of Virginia, the Grundy of Lee Smith’s youth was a place of coal miners, tent revivals, mountain music, drive-in theaters, and her daddy’s dimestore. There, listening to customers and inventing adventures for the store’s dolls, Smith became storyteller. Even when she was sent off to college to earn some “culture,” she understood that perhaps the richest culture she might ever know was the one she was driving away from–and it’s a place that she never left behind.

36 March/April 2020

(Book synopses adapted from Goodreads.com)

&STYLE

HOME

WORK IN PROGRESS

With family pieces and some DIY work, Shelby and Jim Boozer are turning their first house into the coziest of homes.

BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES ShelbyLiving.com

37

N

Newlyweds Shelby and Jim Boozer share a knack for giving old furniture a second life. If you walk through their North Shelby home, you’ll see at least one piece in nearly every room that’s a product of their handiwork—which, more than anything else, has made their first house as a married couple undeniably theirs.

They bought the house, originally built in 1988, in March 2019, just four months before they were married. Jim says one of the biggest draws for them was the spacious, fenced-in backyard, which has quickly become a haven for Bailey, the couple’s young black Lab. They also saw the home’s potential with some time and sweat equity on their end. “It was cute, but we knew we wanted to do some stuff to it,” Shelby says.

Their big-picture to-do list included replacing all of the windows, repainting the whole interior with more neutral tones, changing out old sink fixtures and redoing some of the landscaping in the front

38 March/April 2020

yard. “It still needs some work,” Jim says, and Shelby ticks off unchecked items on their list, such as painting the basement and tilework in the upstairs bathroom.

Their room-by-room to-do list, however, is where the creativity and fun have come into play. “I started redoing furniture when I got to college,” Shelby says. “I just like to stain and paint.” Exhibit A: The kitchen table where she sits, a special piece because it once belonged to her great-grandmother. And, for Jim, working with his hands is a skill he developed as a child helping his father on projects on their 12 acres of land in Selma. “My dad has always been the handyman,” Jim says. “Watching my dad and helping him out, I just learned from him.”

Now, when they walk through the house, they see the progress they’ve made, from redone heirloom pieces to freshly painted walls. “It’s been an adventure,” Shelby says. “It’s pretty good for our first go-round.”

Breakfast Area Back to that kitchen table. Once it left Shelby’s parents’ attic, she got to work on revamping it and the chairs, a process she says was “a big undertaking.”

Meanwhile, Jim built three floating shelves to display Shelby’s grandmother’s 1800s-era books and other knick-knacks.

ShelbyLiving.com

39

Entryway Shelby filled the space right inside the couple’s front door with just enough pieces for it to feel welcoming but not cramped.

40 March/April 2020

Living Room Shelby applied her preferred color palette of blues and grays in the living room, all the way down to the coffee table, which she painted and distressed to give it an antiqued look.

ShelbyLiving.com

41

Kitchen Shelby and Jim were excited to find granite countertops already in the kitchen when they moved in. White cabinets and subway tile give the room a clean look.

MORE HEAD-OUT EXAMS

42 March/April 2020

Dining Room

FIND ART

Shelby and Jim repainted his grandmother’s hutch white and were also given her dining room table and chairs. They won the large cabinet from a raffle at Urban Home Market.

April 24-26, 2020 Linn Park, downtown Birmingham 200 Artists • Corks & Chefs • Live Performances Imagination Festival for Kids • Cafe & Lounges Special Exhibitions SPONSORS: PLATINUM City of Birmingham • Starnes Media • This is Alabama GOLD Birmingham Magazine Hoover’s Magazine • Joe Piper SILVER Alabama Power • Bell Media • Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • Kinetic Communications BRONZE Bham Now • BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau • Over the Mountain Journal STEEL Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • Babypalooza Bancography • Birmingham Business Journal • B-Metro • Event Rentals Unlimited • EXCURSIONSgo.com Jefferson County • Mountain Brook Magazine • Over the Mountain Journal • Publix Super Markets Charities • Royal Cup Coffee Shipt • Unclaimed Baggage • WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm • Yarbrough Festival Food Service

Image: Ellie Ali

www.magiccityart.com

ShelbyLiving.com

43

Guest Room Shelby curated a mixture of old and new pieces she hopes make guests feel cozy and welcome.

44 March/April 2020

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

Master Suite

HAVE DREAMS.

Shelby used a window from Jim’s parents’ old farmhouse and photos of her and Jim to make a piece to display at their wedding, not knowing it would eventually hang above their bed. It coordinates with the white and gray color palette of the room and bathroom, too.

Powder Room New silver fixtures, paint, and wall décor and shelving have done much to freshen up this space on the main level.

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

ShelbyLiving.com

45

SURPRISE HOMECOMING

BY ALEC ETHEREDGE | PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON AND CONTRIBUTED

Thinking she was playing a Christmas wrapping game on the basketball court, Spain Park High School athletic trainer Jamie Langford McQueen fumbled around with paper, trying to wrap an item while blindfolded. She knew the gym was crowded with students and teachers on this school day in December, but she had no idea one of the most important people in her life she hadn’t seen in nearly two years was standing just feet away from her.

As she stood up and removed the blindfold, Jamie saw her twin brother, John Tyson “JT” Langford, standing in front of her. She fell to her knees, overcome with emotion. But she quickly returned to her feet as JT wrapped her in a hug. Painting a background behind them was an American flag held up by Spain Park students to celebrate the homecoming for JT, who had been deployed overseas in the United States Army for the last two years.

Twins Jamie Langford McQueen and John Tyson “JT” Langford have grown close over the years, making JT’s surprise homecoming before Christmas all the more special.

“We talked and he acted like it would be a few more weeks before we would see each other,” Jamie says.

With her in the dark, the group got to work and set up the perfect distraction to get her to the school without being suspicious. “Honestly, I didn’t expect a single thing,” Jamie says. “Looking back on it, it was a little weird. There were some hints. I thought I was there for a Christmas game, which was normal THE BEST PRESENT EVER because everybody knows I love Christmas.”

But after a tough day of work, Jamie was on the Jamie hadn’t seen her brother since he was sent to Alaska 18 months earlier and then deployed fence about wanting to even show up. “But overseas. After such a long separation, JT wanted to everybody convinced me to stick around,” she says. show his sister how much he cared. Their mom told When the blindfold slipped off and she saw JT, the Spain Park’s head athletic trainer, Sara Lynch, bad day instantly became one of the best of her life. about JT’s plans to come home early, and Sara said, “I realized how loved I was by all of the people around here,” she says. “My love for them just feels “Don’t worry, I’ll handle the rest.”

Sara recruited the help of Rachel D’Amico, Dawn reciprocated. I’ve only been at Spain Park since Harrison, Fischer Harrison and Sarah Ashlee July, but have made great friendships. To feel like Barker to put together the surprise of a lifetime. they could do something like that for me was “Best Christmas ever!” Jamie posted to Facebook after the game. “Thank you to everyone who made this so special to me. I am the worst at being surprised because I nag until someone tells me, but I swear, I had no idea this was coming. My bubby is home for Christmas.”

48 March/April 2020

extremely special.”

RIVALRY-TURNED-HARMONY The love between Jamie and JT runs deep, and their youth featured a spirited sibling rivalry. “As twins, we were super competitive. We wanted to be the best twin that day no matter what we were doing,” Jamie says. “We were never super close growing up because of that, but we always had each other’s best interest at heart.”

Whether it was karate, playing cards or any other games, there was no love lost when they competed.

“Usually it was sports,” she adds. “We both did karate, and I’d always try to one-up him on whatever color we were on and get to the next stripe.”

But eventually they grew out of that phase as they got older and realized what their relationship meant to one another. “Once I went off to college, he hung around for a few years and we were super close,” Jamie says. “He would always come see me and come to my softball games. We were forced to reach out and make it a habit to be there for one another.

That’s what became really important for us. We wanted to be there for one another.”

• • • •

Preventative Care Surgery Boarding Grooming

We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet.

Check out our 55 5-star reviews on Google!

Bring in this ad for a free new client welcome bag.

Oak View Animal Hospital, 127 Old Montgomery Highway, Pelham, AL 35124

988-3559 • OAKVIEWAH.COM

A SUPPORTIVE SISTER Just as they had become extremely close throughout Jamie’s college years, it wasn’t long after that JT decided to enlist in the military at age 22—a decision Jamie fully supported. “Honestly, I was super excited for him that he found his calling,” she says. “If that’s what he wanted to do, I wanted to support him. He was giving the greatest sacrifice to give up his life for our country. I can’t be selfish of that. I want to be super supportive of that.”

The two weren’t sure what that meant for their relationship, but it didn’t take long for the messages and Snapchats to start flowing. Jamie also adopted her brother’s dog and looked after him while he was gone, which helped with JT’s absence.

About a year-and-a-half after he enlisted, Jamie was set to be married in November 2018, which created a sad dilemma with JT unable to come home. Leading up to the big day, Jamie wasn’t sure she’d get to talk to her twin brother, but she was messaging him non-stop to work something out.

Knowing that she at least wanted him there in spirit, she created a big cutout of him in a suit and made sure everybody knew that her brother was there in paper, even if not in person. “I wasn’t sure if I would get to talk to him, but I had a prop for him at the DJ stand to make sure if he was on Facetime, he was ShelbyLiving.com

49

JT Langford wanted his early homecoming from his military deployment overseas to be special for his twin sister, Jamie Langford McQueen, so he conspired with her coworkers and students at Spain Park High School to organize a big reveal in the gym. OPPOSITE: Since JT couldn’t attend Jamie’s wedding in 2018 in person, she created a cutout of him to have on her big day.

50 March/April 2020

able to see everything and everybody,” she says. “I didn’t even care if I talked to him, I just wanted him to feel like he was there.”

Sure enough, the wedding planner was able to get him on the phone the day of the wedding, and he got to see a large portion of his twin sister’s big day. And then, for a brief moment as she was walking out the back door of the venue, she was shocked to see her brother’s face on the phone. “It was super brief, but I got to talk to him,” she says, beaming.

“He told me, ‘I love my new brother and I’m happy for you.’ It wasn’t a long conversation, but I’m glad we got to say something to each other.”

IT’S NOT GOODBYE, IT’S SEE YOU SOON A little more than a year later, JT was surprising

Jamie at that early-December basketball game.

Throughout his three-week visit, the two hung out with family, saw friends, ate a lot of barbecue and just spent as much time together as possible. JT also got to be reunited with Daisy, the dog Jamie was watching while he was away.

“They didn’t miss a beat despite not seeing each other for two years,” she says.

But then, Jan. 2 came and it was time for JT to pack up and ship back out. The two have since picked back up with Snapchatting every day, which brings some comedic relief when JT calls in some “funny outfits” because of the below-zero temperatures. “It was really hard to see him leave,” she says. “We don’t know when we are going to see him again, but I try not to worry about it too much. I focus on the time we spent because we got to make up for a lot of lost time.”

P AT C H W O R K FA R M S

NOW OPEN

Tour

Today

SCHEDULE A ENROLL

3030 Healthy Way, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 patchworkfarms@ardentpreschool.com ArdentPreschool.com | 205-834-9190 ShelbyLiving.com

51

52 March/April 2020

ShelbyLiving.com

53

TIME TO

HELP Instead of dwelling on the sadness of losing his dogs, Brandon Pockstaller decided to make the lives of other dogs—and the shelter workers who care for them—a little easier.

By Emily Sparacino | Photos Contributed

ShelbyLiving.com

55

“

My volunteer work is very important to me because I know that I’m helping homeless dogs and cats feel loved. I want to keep as many dogs wagging their tails and cats purring as possible until they can find a home.

”

–Brandon Pockstaller

56 March/April 2020

B

Before meeting his fifth-grade teacher at Briarwood Christian School last fall, 11-year-old Brandon Pockstaller and his mother squeezed in a special delivery at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

All Brandon could think about as he helped staff members unload two carloads of items his family and friends had donated was how many animals would benefit from the supplies, from newspapers that would line puppies’ and kittens’ kennels to large dog beds that would spare several canines from sleeping directly on the hard floor. But, for Brandon, the delivery was also the weight of loss becoming a little lighter.

In 2006, Brandon’s parents adopted two terriers, Trudie and Jimmie Dean, from the GBHS, two years before Brandon was born. As he grew, so did the bond between him and the dogs. He was heartbroken when Jimmie Dean died first from complications related to canine diabetes and heart problems in 2018, and then again when Trudie died from canine cancer in July 2019. “After Trudie’s death, our family was griefstricken, and our days of mourning seemed especially long since Brandon was out of school for summer vacation,” Susan Pockstaller says. “Our home felt so lonely and sad without Trudie there to greet us, and without her almost legendary begging antics.”

Susan talked to her son about how to cope with his grief, suggesting he channel his emotions into work that could help other shelter animals like Trudie and Jimmie Dean as they await adoption. “I explained to Brandon that this was a time in our lives that we could choose to turn our sorrow into service by volunteering at the Humane Society since that was where we found Trudie and Jimmie Dean. It was mid-July when Trudie passed, so our upcoming travel plans prevented us from being able to adopt immediately, but we could still volunteer our time to help at the shelter.”

Brandon decided to volunteer at GBHS as a “Paper Pal,” shredding and stacking newspapers for the kennels, and then interacting with the animals. “In some ways, it was overwhelming to see so many dogs and cats who needed a home, but my mom and dad had already talked to me about that part and reminded ShelbyLiving.com

57

HOW TO HELP Shelby Humane Society has an Amazon Wish List of items needed for its Canine Enrichment Program. Along with items like Kongs and other puzzle toys, cardboard tubes from paper towels, toilet paper and giftwrap rolls are needed.

For more information about this or other programs at SHS, you can visit Shelbyhumane.org or call (205) 669-3916.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, contact Volunteer Manager Kate Hollingsworth at KHollingsworth@gbhs.org.

me that we should just focus on the ways that we can make their lives better while they wait to be adopted,” he says. “All of the shelter animals deserve a loving home.”

He gave a dog named Ellie tummy rubs and played fetch with another named Omega. He played with the cats, too, and even read books to them. He gave them the gift of his full attention, and they returned the favor. “I think it helped both of us feel better to spend time together,” he says. “Seeing dogs like Ellie and Omega wag their tails made me see that I could make a difference and help them feel better, and in turn, that helped me feel better too.”

Helping at the shelter was not enough for Brandon, though. He wanted to do more, so he coordinated a donation drive in his North Shelby neighborhood. He typed a letter for his mother to post for him on social media, and he decorated a plastic bin to place in their yard for donated items the shelter needed most.

The response was overwhelming. In just a 58 March/April 2020

week, Brandon amassed more than 500 newspapers, 137 towels, 11 fleece blankets, 38 cleaning rags, 35 sheets, 29 pillowcases, two pet carriers, two large dog beds and a variety of new pet toys—a load of supplies so large that it required two vehicles to deliver it to the shelter.

He took the time to write thank-you notes to more than 30 known donors, plus a general letter to all of the anonymous donors. “It was fun getting phone calls and messages from people who wanted to donate and traveling with my parents to pick up the donations,” Brandon says. “It made me feel really good to see that so many people love animals as much as I do and to imagine how many animals we could help by working together.”

In the past several months, Brandon has continued to collect newspapers from his neighbors for local shelters. He has also volunteered with Shelby Humane Society’s WoofPack dog training program, which teaches basic obedience skills to shelter dogs in an effort to increase their chances at being adopted. “He

Be your own kind of beautiful

Brandon Pockstaller stands next to the 9-foot tower of donated newspapers he collected for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society last year.

FROM SKINCARE TO INJECTIONS DERMAPLANES, COOLSCULPTING, AND MORE, WE WANT YOU TO FEEL

beautiful

Brandon spends a portion of his volunteer time at local shelters playing with the animals awaiting adoption.

250 Inverness Center Drive Hoover, Alabama 35242 (205) 995-5575 skin@invernessderm.com www.invernessderm.com ShelbyLiving.com

59

TOP: Brandon delivers toilet paper tubes and new toys to the shelter.

BOTTOM: Brandon works with a dog in Shelby Humane’s WoofPack training program.

60 March/April 2020

worked with a dog named Freckles,” Shelby Humane part-time foster coordinator Meredith Dempsey says of his first session with WoofPack.

“He taught her the basics, ‘yes,’ ‘sit,’ ‘watch’ and ‘touch.’ He is more quiet and reserved, which translates well to working with dogs. He is more observant and patient, and less impulsive.”

And Brandon says he was impressed with how quickly the shelter dogs can be trained. “Most shelter dogs can learn the ‘sit’ command in just one session, which has a huge impact on making them more adoptable,” Brandon says. “It makes me really happy to help them learn such an important skill that increases their chance of finding a good home.”

Perhaps it was also a good refresher for Brandon for what—or who—was to come.

Brandon’s family recently adopted an energetic 2-year-old pug named Berkley. “She has stolen our hearts and filled them with joy,” Susan says.

But this has not slowed Brandon down in his volunteer work. He’s still helping at the Greater Birmingham Humane and Shelby Humane societies. His newest outlet is Shelby Humane’s new Canine Enrichment Program, which provides daily enrichment items to dogs in their kennels.

“One of my first jobs for this program was filling rubber Kong toys with peanut butter, and it was a lot of fun handing those out and watching how excited the dogs got about playing with their new tasty toys.”

Brandon says he wants to continue to help Shelby Humane grow the enrichment program, even adding supplies the shelter has requested for it to his Paper Pals Collection Bin list in case his neighbors want to add to their newspaper donations. What new needs will surface next? He might not know now, but he’ll start chasing them as soon as he finds out. In the meantime, there is always work to be done—dogs to be trained, cats to be visited, newspapers to be sorted, adoptions to be completed. “My volunteer work is very important to me because I know that I’m helping homeless dogs and cats feel loved,” he says. “I want to keep as many dogs wagging their tails and cats purring as possible until they can find a home.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING

2020 BUILDERS AND BUYERS GUIDE

Real Estate • Interior Design • Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Outdoor Living • Organization

ShelbyLiving.com

61

BUILDERS AND BUYERS

Vulcan Pest Control 115 Commerce Drive • Pelham Alabama 35124 205.663.4200 • www.vulcantermite.com Protect your most valuable assets! Don’t let termites cause destruction on your property – get them gone quickly with professional termite pest control.

If you’re looking for the best termite company in Central Alabama you’ve found it. Vulcan’s Termite Division has over 120 years of combined experience providing commercial and home termite treatment.

Our staff works diligently to provide inspections and necessary reports in a timely manner so the stress of buying or selling your home is minimized.

Schedule your FREE termite inspection today!

One of our termite exterminators can evaluate the situation and suggest the best treatment method.

Homewood Carpet & Flooring 813 Green Springs Hwy • Birmingham 35209 205-518-6423 • www.homewoodcarpet.com “Our slogan is “Foo and You!” because it’s all about you getting the floor and service you want at a fair price,” says Fuad “Foo” Shunnarah. Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers the best selection of carpet, hardwood, and tile in Birmingham for your home or business without costing you a fortune. Foo and his team specialize in consulting with clients in their home or business to find the perfect floor for any application.

They provide samples to match your decor, as well as offer professional advice about the type of flooring that will work best for you. They bring many years of experience to your project and will make sure that you get a great installation of a quality product from some of the biggest names in the industry. If your hardwood floor is starting to show its age, we will transform your hardwood into something that will make you proud.

They also offer specialty floors including rubber flooring, which is a great option for gyms, recreational facilities and basements.

62 March/April 2020

A name you can trust!

BUILDERS AND BUYERS

A Better Closet 1031 14th Street • Calera, 35040 205-621-1638 • Abettercloset.net • Sales@abettercloset.net A professional design and installation service, A Better Closet delivers custom storage solutions to help organize every room of your home.

A Better Closet is a locally owned, family-operated business, and we have been building custom storage for over 30 years. Our designers and craftsmen will transform every area of your home (floor to ceiling) to the custom storage of your dreams – with beautiful, lasting results that are guaranteed over the life of your home. At A Better Closet, exceptional service is built in to the equation. When you schedule a free in-home consultation, we focus on finding the plan that is best for you, because we know your home, family, preferences and needs are unique. A Better Closet wants to maximize every inch of space to increase your home’s storage potential and value. Whether you want to make the most of a walk in closet, custom storage, kitchen pantry or home office, A Better Closet can help.

Vinyl Designs, LLC 243 Victoria Station • Alabaster, AL 35114 205.222.2230 • Shapiro8@bellsouth.net The widespread popularity of vinyl siding continues to surprise virtually everyone involved in residential construction including Builders, Contractors, Architects, and Homeowners.

Once considered a cheaper option to wood siding, vinyl has made tremendous strides in the past decade with improved quality, better installation systems and advances in color retention offering new vibrant colors.

Redesign of overhang systems has allowed vents to be concealed, while quadrupling airflow. These Soffit systems are perfect for stylishly completing the maintenance free goal of brick or stone home exteriors.

Styling Innovations have added popular Board and Batten or Cedar options. These are designed so it’s unlikely you recognize them as vinyl in passing. Fiber cement is gaining in popularity, and we also carry this product.

However, when comparing with the new generation of vinyl products, there are few occasions when it’s the best solution. Consultations and estimates are free and assist you in making the most informed decision. We would be proud to show you some of the new options available for your next project.

Vinyl Designs, LLC opened in 1992 and continues a family tradition that spans over 50 years.

ShelbyLiving.com

63

BUILDERS AND BUYERS

Desjoyaux Pools by DSLD Land Management 5485 US-280 • Birmingham, AL 35242 205-437-1012 • www.dsldland.com • dsldsocialmedia@gmail.com DSLD Land Management has been building custom swimming pools since 1983. We recently became a certified Desjoyaux Pools dealer with exclusive building rights in the Birmingham area to the world’s largest swimming pool company. Desjoyaux Pools provides custom pools for our clients. You choose the shape, size and design of your pool.

Our pools are built using recycled materials and a pipeless filtration system that uses less than half the energy of traditional pools. DSLD Land Management provides turnkey installation of your swimming pool, requisite construction and all landscape elements.

Pantone 294 Pantone 109

Pantone Process Blue

The Painting Company of Birmingham 5151 Cahaba Valley Rd • Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-5559 • birminghampaintingco.com Why choose the Painting Company of Birmingham?

You have many choices of companies offering painting services, so why should you choose us over the rest?

First and foremost, it is our commitment to quality and workmanship. We are a professional painting company, not a home improvement company which offers painting as one of their many services. Our professional painters are experts in their field and adhere to our mission to provide only the highest level of quality and service for every project we undertake.

At The Painting Company of Birmingham, we are never satisfied with a mediocre job for our customers and it shows. Read our reviews and testimonials from our happy customers. We know that every job we do, big or small, contributes to our reputation and success.

By putting our customers first, we have become the premier painting company in the greater Birmingham area.

64 March/April 2020

BUILDERS AND BUYERS

Cahaba Glass 160 Chandalar Place Drive • Pelham, 35124 205-621-7355 • Cahabaglassco.com • Cahabaglass@hotmail.com Cahaba Glass is your ultimate resource for any automotive, residential and small commercial glass needs.

For the home, we specialize in the installation of custom shower enclosures, mirrors, glass shelving, furniture top glass, cabinet door glass and specialty glass. Our glazier will replace unsightly window units and patio door glass to give your home that “like new” look. If your small commercial building needs updating, we offer a full range of glass and architectural products to meet your needs.

Our experienced staff will assist you with your automobile insurance claims to make the necessary repairs or replacements due to breakage.

When you choose Cahaba Glass Company, you are choosing a proven leader in the glass business.

Let us help you make your project shine!

Ray & Poynor 2629 Cahaba Rd • Birmingham, AL 35223 205-879-3036 • www.raypoynor.com Ray & Poynor Properties is a trusted real estate firm serving the Birmingham metro area for more than a decade. With an average of 17 years in the industry, our residential real estate experts are equipped with the knowledge to 205-879-3036 guide you through the buying, selling and relocation process. As your neighbors in Birmingham, we know the market and are invested in our clients and in our community.

We work in the best interest of our buyers and sellers.

Our clients rely on us to be responsive and communicate with them openly and honestly. We recognize that a home is often our clients’ largest investment, and we serve as a real estate resource beyond a single transaction.

Call us today— we’ll guide you home.

ShelbyLiving.com

65

VOTE TODAY! SHELBY LIVING’S

BEST OF THE

BEST 2020 WINNER

SHE

LBYLIVING.CO

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE Best Coffee Best Sweet Treats Best Barbecue Best Cocktails & Drinks Best Pizza Best Patio Dining Best Ethnic Food Best Lunch Spot Best Kid-Friendly Dining Best Date Night HEALTH AND BEAUTY Best Family Doctor Best Dermatologist Best Dentist Best Orthodontist Best Eye Doctor Best Chiropractor Best Pharmacy Best Hair Salon Best Nail Salon Best Spa Best Fitness Center

M

ONLINE VOTING OPENS MARCH 1-15 Winners will be announced in the May/June 2020 issue of SHELBY LIVING MAGAZINE

SERVICES Best Veterinarian Best Florist Best Kid-Friendly Dining Best Landscaping Company Best Customer Service PLACES Best Event/Wedding Venue Best Farmers Market Best Place to Worship Best Home Improvement Store Best Dance Studio Best Community Center Best Public Library Best City Park Best Place for a Family Outing Best Place for a Kids’ Birthday Party Best Golf Course Best Senior Living Facility ARTS AND CULTURE Best Local Festival Best Local Museum Best Local Cause

SHOPPING Best Gift Store Best Jewelry Store Best Home Store Best Consignment Store Best Store for Kids Best Clothing Store EDUCATION Best Teacher Best Public School Best Private School Best Daycare HOME AND FINANCE Best Insurance Agent/Agency Best Real Estate Agent Best Real Estate Company Best Financial Services AUTO Best Auto Service Best New Car Dealer Best Used Car Dealer Best Car Wash Best Oil Change

SHELBYLIVING.COM/BEST-VOTE

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

MARCH 2020 BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

2020 Montgomery Drive-In Scheduled For March 11 Newsletter

The Chamber’s 2020 Montgomery Drive-In will be held on March 11 at various locations in our state capitol.

The program includes: transportation to and from Montgomery, a luncheon with our Shelby County Legislative Delegation, presentations from various Alabama state departmental heads and agency directors and a legislative reception in conjunction with the Business Council of Alabama.

The cost for participants is $50 per person. For additional Chamber via e-mail at kirk@ information on this event, or shelbychamber.org or by to make a reservation, please phone at 205-419-3361. contact Kirk Mancer at the

PRESENTING SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

“Eggs & Issues” Breakfast with Congressman Gary Palmer On Thursday April 9, U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer will join us for an “Eggs & Issues” Breakfast event from 7:30AM9:00AM at Birmingham Marriott Hotel, 3590 Grandview Parkway.

Congressman Palmer will

provide a Washington Update.

Time permitting we will open the floor to questions from those attending.

This event is cohosted by the

Homewood, Hoover Area, Greater Irondale, Montevallo, Mountain Brook, Shelby County and Vestavia Hills chambers of commerce.

The investment for a full breakfast is $25 per person..

Registration is required, so please contact the Chamber via e-mail at info@shelbychamber. org, by phone at 205-663-4542 or register online at www. shelbychamber.org.

ShelbyLiving.com 67 Shelbychamber.org

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

CELEBRATING GROWTH Congratulations to the city of Columbiana on the grand opening of Taco Bell. The franchise was happy to re-open in the city.

We would like to welcome Tuffy Tire and Auto to the city of Pelham, AL! Located conveniently on Highway 31, stop by for all of your auto care needs.

Congratulations to The Rental Men on the grand opening of their facility in the city of Calera, AL. Look for their storefront as you drive by on Highway 31.

Looking for an easy place to stop for a quick fix? Beignets and Lattes in Helena, AL is the place for you. All of the fresh beignets and coffee that you can handle at a great price!

Congratulations to Birds and Burgers on their grand opening in Alabaster, AL. Fresh and fast really can go together and they definitely do at Birds and Burgers - open breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Legacy Community Federal Credit Union their relocated Meadowbrook/ Hoover branch in December off of Highway 280 in Hoover, AL. Stop by to see their all new branch concept.

We would like to welcome The Yak Shak to the city of Pelham, AL. If you are into outdoor/water activities you need to stop by!

Enterprise Holdings held the grand opening for their all new facility in December in the city of Hoover, AL. Congratulations on the grand opening!

Congratulations to the town of Harpersville on their continued growth.

Burger King and PopeyeĂ­s opened their doors in December right off of Highway 280 on the town of Harpersville, AL

Newsletter

Congratulations to Space Cadets on relocating to the Brookhighland Plaza off of Highway 280 in Hoover, AL. Stop by to see what all they have to offer.

68 March/April 2020 Shelbychamber.org

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

WORKING ON YOUR HEALTH:

Water Safety Tips Whether it is a day at the beach, boating, visiting a waterpark or going to a neighborhood pool party, do not let the good times distract your focus. Staying safe in, on and around the water is no accident— it takes knowledge and forethought. General Water Safety Tips

Alabaster Y started offering Safety Around Water program to all summer day camp participants. The Y served around 50 kids per week throughout the summer.

ShelbyLiving.com 69 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

STUDENT OUTCOMES The program builds upon individual skills to create two core skill sequences to help children be safe in and around GENERAL WATER SAFETY water: swim, float, swim and TIPS jump, push, turn, grab. uSwim only in areas uSwim, float, swim. In supervised by a lifeguard. receiving swim this skill sequence, children inexperienced swimmers should children uNever swim alone. uRead and obey all rules and stay in water less than chest instruction annually, and with swim a short distance on their deep). Young children should more than 2,600 locations in front, turn to their back to float, posted signs. uOnly swim in designated have an adult in the water with 10,000 communities, the Y is then turn to their front to them within arm’s reach at all one of the few organizations in continue swimming, if they are areas. the country positioned to bridge able. Children may choose to uDo not mix alcohol with times.

The more informed people the gap between the delivery of stay in a back float. Rolling onto boating, swimming or diving. uAlways wear a life jacket are, the more aware they will be swim lessons and water safety their back periodically allows of hazards as well as safe education in the United States. them to rest and breathe. The when boating.

We can help kids and families sequence helps children stay It is important to apply practice. learn to be safe in and around afloat until someone arrives to general water safety practices help them or they are able to get water. whenever you and your family DROWNING IS to safety using the combined are in, on or around water.

PREVENTABLE Nobody should ever swim alone.

Through the Safety Around SAFETY AROUND WATER skills. uJump, push, turn, grab.

Safety Around Water is for all Always swim with a buddy—a Water program, the Y helps person who helps another prevent drowning. Two children children, but it especially targets In this skill sequence, a child person follow the rules and who die every day as a result of underserved populations who jumps into the water, pushes off can get help in an emergency. drowning. Drowning is the are at higher risk for drowning the bottom, turns around to face Have young children or leading cause of death for than other populations. The the wall, grabs the wall, and inexperienced swimmers take children ages 1 to 4. It is the program teaches kids and their safely exits the pool. The simulates the extra precautions, such as second leading cause of death families water safety skills to sequence wearing a U.S. Coast Guard– for children ages 5 to 14. As an prevent drowning. It is typically experience children have if they are submerged in water approved life jacket, when organization dedicated to delivered in eight lessons.

The Alabaster Y began unexpectedly. After learning the around the water. creating Designate a responsible safe spaces for all, the Y has an delivering this community- sequence, children have the individual as the person to watch opportunity to make a difference. based drowning prevention skills to get back to the side of over children whenever they are Research has shown that program by partnering with the the pool or to safety. in, on or around any body of participation in formal schools. Every school year water, even if a lifeguard is swimming instruction can around 430 second grade Megan Allen, Aquatics Director present. Set specific swimming prevent drowning. The Y is the students obtain water safety 117 Plaza Cir Alabaster, Al 35007 rules for each individual in a nation’s leading provider of knowledge at the Y. With the success of partnering 205.663.7240 family or a group based on community-based swim lessons. swimming ability (for example, With more than 1 million with the school system the mallen@ymcabham.org

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

Newsletter

Congratulations – Co-Ambassadors of the Year for 2019 Congratulations to Vicki Everett, Juice Plus+ Franchise Owner, for earning Co-Ambassador of the Year. Vicki has been an Ambassador with the Chamber for more than 9 years and loves promoting Shelby County, the great county she lives and works in daily!

She is a former teacher whose passion is educating and counseling children and adults about the role whole food nutrition plays in our health and our lifestyle. Juice Plus+ has been a daily part of Vickiís life for more than 20 healthy years and she feels ethically and professionally responsible to share it with others.

Juice Plus+ is a 25 year old global business, reaching 20+ countries, and is the most thoroughly researched brand name whole food nutritional product in the world with 30+ studies published in peer reviewed medical journals.

Juice Plus is not a vitamin. Most importantly, Juice Plus+ is 32 vine ripened vegetables, fruits,

berries and 2 grains picked fresh from THE FARM to CAPSULE or SOFT CHEW FORM. Additionally, THE TOWER GARDEN by JUICE PLUS, an aeroponic vertical gardening system for the patio or poolside, serves from THE TOWER to THE TABLE. Vicki is active in her community and throughout Shelby County with her church, professional and community organizations.

Ultimately, Vicki’s passion is giving back to the community with her time and talents.

For more information about Juice Plus+, call Vicki at 205-3325255 or visit vickieverett.juiceplus. com.

Congratulations to Mark Teachman on earning CoAmbassador of the Year for 2019 and Ambassador of the Month for January 2020. Mark worked for 42 years at AT&T, retired in 2016 and then received training in coaching, leadership and speaking by the John Maxwell Team. He started Mark Teachman Coaching in the Chicago area, then married and moved to Shelby County in 2018.

Mark helps businesses and organizations develop and sustain

a high-level performance culture that leads to improved efficiency and effectiveness.

This in turn leads to higher profits and improved morale for businesses and higher giving and improved morale for non-profits.

He does this through leadership training and performance coaching.

Contact Mark at 630-408-6275 or by web at www.

JohnMaxwellGroup.com/ markteachman

70 March/April 2020 Shelbychamber.org

Presenting Sponsor

TSCC Board of Directors (as of 1/16/20)

OFFICERS Chamber Chair Ms. Kathy Copeland White Rock Quarries–Vincent Hills Chair-Elect Mr. Chris Grace Barge Design Solutions, Inc. Vice Chair, Business Development & Support Dr. Jay Crisman 280 Animal Medical Center Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing Ms. Carol Bruser University of Montevallo Vice Chair, Community & Career Development Mr. Daniel Listi Shelby Baptist Medical Center Vice Chair, Finance & Administration Mr. Bill Keller Renasant Bank Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs Mr. Brian Massey St. Vincent’s Health System Vice Chair, Investor Relations Ms. Alison Howell Steineker Alabama Power Company Vice Chair, Tourism & Recreation Mr. Alex Dudchock Shelby County Immediate Past Chair Mr. Bill Connor America’s First Federal Credit Union DIRECTORS Mr. John Collier Regions Bank Mr. Lee Dorrill Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Ms. Kelly Thrasher Fox Hand Arendall, Harrison, Sale LLC Mr. Kevin Morris America’s First Federal Credit Union Mr. Tim Benefield Buffalo Rock Company

Ms. April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC Keith Richards Taziki’s Mediterranean Café’ Mike Swinson Spire Alabama, Inc. Ms. Mechelle Wilder ARC Realty Mr. Paul Barber Valent Group Mr. Matthew Hogan Bama Budweiser of Shelby County Ms. Brittani Morris State Farm Insurance - Brittani Morris Agency Mr. Casey Morris McLeod Software Mr. Fred Smith Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Mr. Rux Bentley Rux Carter Insurance Mr. Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College Ms. Laura Clarke Synovus Bank Mr. Jeff Purvis A. C. Legg, Inc. Ms. Bridgette Jordan Smith City of Vincent Mr. Craig Sorensen SouthWest Water Company Mr. Daniel Holmes Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. Ms. Khiari McAlpin Vinehouse Nursery Ms. Diane Thomas PostNet of Chelsea (*) Serving a one-year term in 2019

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

MARCH COMMUNITY LUNCHEON

An Economic Update from Shelby County’s 58INC.

Mark your calendars for an informative presentation on March 18 at the Chamber’s Community Luncheon. The Existing Business & Industry Work Group has invited Yvonne Murray, Managing Director of 58 INC. to provide attendees an in-depth view of how Shelby County’s economic entity is serving all of Shelby County, Alabama.

58 INC.’s purpose is to advance economic prosperity and business health through a collaborative partnership among stakeholders focused on targeted initiatives and business recruitment to assure a robust economy in Shelby County, Alabama. The primary focus is balanced job growth in the commercial, retail, and industrial sectors.

The

organization serves as the lead for industrial, commercial, and retail recruitment, retention and workforce readiness initiatives within all of Shelby County, Alabama and its municipalities.

The Community Luncheon will be held from 11:00AM 1:00PM on Wednesday, March 18 at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, 500 Amphitheater

Road, Pelham.

The cost is $20 per person for Chamber investors and $30 per person for “Future” investors and includes a luncheon buffet.

Reservations requested by noon on Monday, March 16 so please contact the Chamber at info@ shelbychamber.org, by telephone at 663-4542 or register online at www. shelbychamber.org.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 24 and plan to join us at the Chelsea Community Center from 8:30AM until 9:30AM for Coffee with Tony Picklesimer, Mayor of Chelsea. The morning meeting, co-sponsored by Cahaba Valley Computer Services and Shelby

CO-SPONSORS

County Reporter, is designed for

the community to enjoy networking, coffee and a city update -- all before heading to

the office.

There is no cost to attend however reservations are requested by noon on Monday, March 23 to assist in preparation.

Please contact the Chamber by phone at 663-4542 or register online at www.shelbychamber. org.

KEEPING IT REAL:

Volunteers Needed to Assist 9th Grade Students at “Keeping It Real” Program

The Chamber is seeking volunteers for Chelsea High School on March 20. This program teaches 9th grade students about “real world” life choices by having them choose a random “life scenario” which includes marital/family status, education, job and salary. They learn how fast money can be spent just on basic necessities.

It’s been an eye opening experience for the past few

2020 PRESENTING SPONSOR

years for the 9th graders and volunteers alike!

Volunteers are asked to spend a half or whole day at the school.

Volunteers would manage a station and assist 9th grade students as they “pay bills” and make “life choices”

CO-SPONSORS

based on the randomly drawn life situations. If you or your colleagues, are interested in being a volunteer, please call Pari Barzegari at 205-6634542 ext. 106, email at pari@ shelbychamber.org or sign up

online at www.shelbychamber. org. Volunteers would arrive at the schools as early as 7:30AM and the program would conclude by 3:00PM. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers.

ShelbyLiving.com 71 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

Join the Chamber for Coffee with the Mayor of Chelsea

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

Welcome New Investors (as of January 1, 2020 - January 31, 2020)

MEMBER NAME Helena Hardware A True Value Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Helena Dog House Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids Pita Mediterranean Street Food UAB Callahan Eye Hospital & Clinics

CITY Helena

Automobile Repair

Pelham

Pet Grooming ServicesPet Sitting Service

Helena

Beauty Salons

Birmingham

Restaurants

Columbiana

Eye Care, Health Care

Birmingham

Calera Orthodontics

Dental, Orthodontics

Calera

Grow V Landscapes

Irrigation, Land Management, Lawn Care Services, Lighting

Helena

Hammer & Stain Birmingham Maya Mexican Restaurant Alabaster Waste Corporation of Alabama -- WCA Compact2020

Art & Painting Classes Restaurants Construction, Industry Community/Service Organizations

Columbiana Alabaster Childersburg Pelham

Bella Blooms and Designs

Florists

Pelham

The Fresh Market - Inverness

Grocers

Birmingham

Donut Joe’s

Newsletter

CATEGORIES Agriculture & Farming Supplies, Retail

Bakery, Beverage, Food

For a complete listing of all current Chamber investors please visit our Online Business Directory at business.shelbychamber.org/list.

72 March/April 2020 Shelbychamber.org

Pelham

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Holding “Ready to Shred” Recycling Day on April 17

GO & GROW WORKSHOP

How I turned by $350.00 Investment into $1,000,000 in Revenue On March 17, the Chamber’s Go & Grow Workshop will be an interactive workshop with a presentation on make the most of your Chamber investment with key points: uHow to build win, win, win relationships from your Chamber activities uHow to ust the Chamber events and programs to build your own business uHow to be very deliberate in how you use the Chamber to grow your clients, prospects

and the Chamber.

The workshop, facilitated by the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Michael Smith, will be from 11:30AM-1:00PM at the Chamber. There is no cost to attend, but lunch is available for $10 per person for Chamber investors ($20 for “Future” investors).

To register: email info@ shelbychamber.org, call 6634542, or register online at shelbychamber.org.

storage bins of acceptable recyclables For more information on this event contact Pari Barzegari at 205-663-4542, ext.

106 or pari@ shelbychamber.org.

MONTHLY CHAMBER “CONNECTIONS LUNCHEON”

Speaker: Lemeshia Chambers, Shelby Baptist Brookwood Baptist Health Join us for the March Chamber Connections Luncheon, scheduled for March 5, 2020 featuring the Health Services Work GroupHealthy Living Expo from 11:30AM until 1:00PM at Old Mill Square- Grande Hall. The Luncheon will feature comments from Lemeshia Chambers of Brookwood

Baptist Health - Shelby.

The event will be held on Thursday, March 5, Old Mill Square- Grande Hall, 105 West College Street Columbiana, AL 35051.

RSVP requested to assist in preparation by noon, Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Admission: Investors $15 and future investors $25.

ShelbyLiving.com 73 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

The Shelby County 2020 PRESENTING SPONSOR Chamber’s Existing Business & Industry Work Group is holding its 5th Annual “Ready to Shred” Recycling Day from 9:00AM until 2:00PM on Friday, April 17. The event, uComputers/Laptops presented by Gone For Good uCell Phones/PDAs Document & E-Waste uDVD Players/VCR Solutions, (founded in 2006 uLaptops

by United Cerebral Palsy now u Communications known as United Ability) Equipment encourages safe and secure uOffice Machines recycling of items, is being uPrinters hosted by the Pelham Civic uStereos Complex & Ice Arena, 500 uServers/Routers uRefrigerators Amphitheater Road, Pelham. uTVs and Monitors (FLAT The Work Group is planning SCREEN ONLY) uLimit of 3-4 “Banker to have an on-site mobile truck Boxes” of paper items for document destruction, We are unable to accept: uLimit 3-4 lawn/leaf bags E-Waste recycling drop off uTubed TVs area. Below are items that are uTubed Computer Monitors of acceptable recyclables uLimit 3-4 medium plastic acceptable E-Waste items: uBatteries

CHAMBER Events

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

Read more details or register for events online at www.shelbychamber.org or the Chamber office 663-4542. Unless otherwise noted events listed will be held at 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham 35124. CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER: Cancellation for a paying event must be made TWO days prior to the event.

Newsletter

March 2020

3 4 4 4 5 6 10 11 11 12 13

Network280 4:30PM-6:00PM Dreamland Bar-B-Que Career Readiness Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM The Shelby County Chamber

Ambassador Work Group 11:30AM - 1:00PM Small Business Work Group 4:00PM-5:00PM The Shelby County Chamber Chamber “Connections Luncheon” 11:30AM - 1:00PM Old Mill Square - Grande Hall Tourism and Recreation Work Group 9:00AM - 10:00AM Locations Vary Women’s Business Council Social 6:00PM - 8:00PM Pinspiration Existing Business and Industry Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Iberia Bank of Pelham Montgomery Drive-In All Day Various locations thoughout Montgomery, AL Governmental Affairs Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Sain Associates Health Services Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM The Shelby County Chamber

74 March/April 2020 Shelbychamber.org

17 17 18 19-20 20 24

Entrepreneur in Residence Coaching Appointments 8:00AM - 11:00AM The Shelby County Chamber Go and Grow Workshop 11:30AM - 1:00PM The Shelby County Chamber “Community Luncheon” 11:30AM - 1:00PM Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena AIDT Leadership Training II All Day The Shelby County Chamber

Keeping it Real 7:30AM - 3:00PM Chelsea High School Coffee with the Mayor of Chelsea 8:30AM - 9:30AM Chelsea Community Center

FOR INFORMATION ON CHAMBER WORK GROUPS AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED VISIT SHELBYCHAMBER.ORG OR EMAIL INFO@SHELBYCHAMBER.ORG

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK (January 11, 2020 – February 15, 2020)

Responded to 47 requests for business & community information.

Notarized 5 documents for Shelby County Companies. uFacebook: 17 “new likes”, 402 “views”, 5,296 “post reaches” and 3,654 “total likes”. uTwitter: 62 “tweets”, 9,152 “tweet impressions”, 27 “profile visits”, 9 “mentions” 3,084 “followers”, uInstagram: 1,225 “posts”, 1,099 “followers”. uLinkedIn: 426 “followers”

OUT & ABOUT

1

2

4

3

CHRISTMAS IN COLUMBIANA CONCERT PHOTOS BY SCOTT MIMS

It was standing room only as the Shelby County High School and Columbiana Middle School Band and Choral Departments performed “Christmas in Columbiana” on Dec. 12.

5

6

1. Jamie Bentley, Tracy Bentley and Jamison Bentley 2. Krista Smith with McKinley and Morgan Smith 3. Vera Britton and Brooks Kuyrkendall 4. Keith Gobel, Caroline Gobel and Gracie Nichols 5. Gail Brasher and Ryan Tallie 6. Anita and Frank Massey 7. Maria Garcia and Jeannette Garcia 8. Faith Reece, Darlene Reece, April Roberts and Mason Reece 9. Travis Maples, Robert Johns and Johnny Johns

7

8

9

ShelbyLiving.com

75

OUT & ABOUT

1

VINCENT CHRISTMAS PARADE

2

3

4

5

6

7

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The city of Vincent held its annual Christmas parade on Dec. 2, beginning at Vincent Municipal Park. A preparade program featured Vincent Elementary School’s choir and others, along with free refreshments.

1. Denise Bartee and Kathy Copeland 2. Heather Smith and Andrew Shew 3. Jennifer Patrick, Sheryl Lemons and Kathy Touchstone 4. Rebecca and Eliana Harold 5. Patti Copeland 6. Becky and Burl Landers with Parker and Paisley Jones 7. Bridgette Jordan Smith 8. Brandy Wallace, Mandy Harris and Sam Harris 9. Vincent Elementary School choir 10. Peggy, Evelyn and Bob White; and Arvil Cooper 11. Marie Jews, Tear Lee and Michelle Hamilton 12. Mike Kane, Susan Kane, Richard O’Neil, Janet O’Neil and Bessie Bell

76 March/April 2020

8

OUT & ABOUT

9

BARIATRIC HEALTH & WELLNESS

Do you need to lose a little or a lot ?

10

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

• Dr John Morgan has helped over 30,000+ people lose over 150,000 lbs.

• Lose up to a pant size in 2 weeks • Free Consultation • Experienced Staff

11

• On line protocol available If you are ready for a healthier body and mind, Bariatric Health and Wellness is for you!

12

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

77

OUT & ABOUT

1

WILSONVILLE TREE LIGHTING

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY SCOTT MIMS

The town of Wilsonville held its Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 2. There were performances by the Wilsonville Elementary Choir and more.

1. Alana and Blake Ray with Anna Kate and Ainsley 2. Lacey Gray with Jake and Caroline

5

6

3. Robin Griffin and Melissa Rosetta 4. Bethany Davis, Sara Davis, Annastyn Towndrow, Alicia Towndrow, Audyn Towndrow and Santa Claus 5. Lakely Morris and Monika Hutchison 6. John and Amy Harris 7. Landon Keller, Timothy Morris, Kian Holmes and Jennifer Shakelford 8. Nancy Hall and Ethan Hall

7

78 March/April 2020

8

OUT & ABOUT

1

2

3

4

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY PARADE PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

In the spirit of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, the city of Columbiana hosted its first Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Parade on Dec. 20.

1. Sandy Crumpton

5

6

2. Peggy Cannady, Karen Jensen, Brenda Sands, Ali Payne, Sandy Crumpton, Dianne Edwards, Patsy Ellis, Amber Bolton, Donna Higgins, Chuck Jensen and Ouida Mayfield 3.

Peggy Cannady

4. Amber Bolton 5. Patsy Ellis 6. Ouida Mayfield 7. Ali Payne 8. Chuck Jensen 9. Dianne Edwards

7

8

9

ShelbyLiving.com

79

OUT & ABOUT

1

HELENA CHRISTMAS PARADE

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

PHOTOS BY GRAHAM BROOKS

Thousands turned out for the 49th annual Helena Christmas Parade on Dec. 7.

1. Amanda Lewis and family members 2. Bonnie, Stella and Josie Malec 3. Sarah and Isaiah Smith 4. Robert and Stephanie Fisher 5. Bradley Larrington and Taylor Price 6. Gabe Merchant and Emily Kole 7. Katie Grass and Addison Walker with Ryder 8. Chris and Ed Britton 9. Jennifer Whatley with Caleb and Zoe 10. Mary, Luke and Kate Petersen 11. Sonja Fincher, Martha McGary, Amy Nichols, Elisa Handley and Robert and Linda Gaddy 12. The Helena Belles

80 March/April 2020

OUT & ABOUT

9

10

11

WE ARE NOW OFFERING

Orthopaedic Urgent Care Services • Walk-in, same-day, and evening treatment options • Prevent Emergency Room costs • Sports injuries

12

• Sprains, Strains, minor dislocations

Thursday, Friday 4:30pm-8pm Saturday 8am-Noon

• Swollen, painful, or injured joints

CONTACT US! 205-985-4220

www.southlakeorthopaedics.com

4517 Southlake Pkwy Hoover, Alabama 35244

ShelbyLiving.com

81

OUT & ABOUT

1

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS LUNCHEON

2

3

PHOTOS BY SCOTT MIMS

The Shelby County Chamber held its Chamber Connections Luncheon on Jan. 9 at Old Mill Square in Columbiana. The featured speaker was Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego.

1. Lisa Berry, Dawn Carden, Donna Gannon and Chase Gannon

4

2. Kathy Copeland and Neely Haynes 3. Allen Young, Brandy Hamilton, Elise Hearn and Will Norwood 4. Jackie Batson and Tawanna Robinson 5. Kendall Williams and Carol Bruser 6. Mike Oakley, Commissioner Robbie Hayes, Clay Hammac, Doug Adair and Alison Howell

6

82 March/April 2020

5

OUT & ABOUT

1

2

CHELSEA BUSINESS ALLIANCE LUNCHEON PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS

The Chelsea Business Alliance held its monthly luncheon on Dec. 11 at the Chelsea Community Center.

1. Diane Thomas, Georgia Lay and Tyler Rutledge 2. Barbara Zieba, Cherie Hinz and Tony Picklesimer

3

4

3. Georgia Lay, Jesse Williams and Kelly Page 4. Robbie Hayes, Jonathan Avila and Danny Dombro

ShelbyLiving.com

83

OUT & ABOUT

1

EHES THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

2

3

PHOTOS BY SCOTT MIMS

On Nov. 20, the kindergarten students at Elvin Hill Elementary made and dressed up in festive outfits for Thanksgiving. Many parents and grandparents also joined them for lunch on that day.

1. Kate Bullard, Alexander Hardy, Jules Hague, Alex Etress and Kennedi Turner

4

2. Amarion Martin Macbeth and Quinn Felder 3. Colby Butler, Archer Hutton, Brylie Elmore, Audrey Gibson and Charli Edwards 4. Daniel Philyaw, John Asher Dorough, Ameila Sandlin and Emily Roberts 5. Abbriella Wynn, Stephen Pinion, Amanda Quintana, Brooklyn Reeme and Cameron Scoggins 6. Kenley Garren, Harper Finklea, Emma Gail Grier, Dallas Overton and Dagoberto Garcia Ramirez 7. (Front) Caroline Gobel, Landen Smith, (back) Nevaeh Carlton, Emma Holcombe, Anna Calhoun and Presley McClendon 8. (Front) Loftin Goodwin, Katy Keahy and Luke Horton with (back) Mrs. Gibson and Mr. John 9. Lastyn Sipes, Ayden Grier, Zoey Harris, Bell Smith, Ali Beane and Bradley Worthen

84 March/April 2020

5

OUT & ABOUT

6

8

7

9

ShelbyLiving.com

85

MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Shelby Living • 205.669.3131

Need appliance or air conditioner parts?

How about a water filter for your refrigerator?

We have it all at A-1 Appliance Parts! Call 1-800-841-0312 www.A1Appliance.com

Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007

Mechanic needed. Must have own tools and five years experience. Apply in person: 1105 7th St N, Clanton. Or call for appointment 205-7554570

Bent Creek Apartments.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom. On-site Manager. On-site Maintenance. 3001 7th Street. North Clanton, AL 35045. TDD#s: 800548-2547(V) 800-5482546(T/A) bentcreek@ morrowapts.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer

INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES $18.38+/ hour + production & safety $$$ incentives.

Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets. Apply online at AGSOUTH.COM or call Charlie Seagle at (205) 808-4833 Preemployment drug test required.

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

Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walkin applications accepted.

Clanton (205)280-0002.

Pelham (205)444-9774.

Avanti Polar Lipids is looking for full and part time employees.

Submit resume to jobs@ avantilipids.com •Highly proficient math skills required. •High school diploma required.

86 March/April 2020

Immediate need for LPN's. Full time LPN Position with sign on bonus. BMC Nursing Home. Responsible for patient care and supervision of CNA staff. Will also provide treatment and meds for residents. Apply online or call Human Resources at 205-926-3363 bibbmedicalcenter.com Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13.66/hour. Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at www.bc.com Core Focus Personnel 205-826-3088 • Now Hiring Production Mill Worker, Jemison. 12hrs (days/nights), ability to pass drug test, background check, physical. Positions working in outside temperature conditions.

Previous manufacturing experience required. $11.75/hr to start.

ShelbyLiving.com

ETS RESTORATIONS •Retaining Walls •Concrete Work •Demolition •Landscaping •Construction •Tree Removal •Tree Trimming •Bobcat Work •Hardscapes •Hauling Residential & Commercial FREE ESTIMATES!!! CALL NOW (205)209-7787 $2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area.

Must have Class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316.

Now Hiring Heavy Equipment Operators and CDL Drivers Competitive pay and benefits. Pre-employment drug test required Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Call: 205298-6799 or email us at: jtate@forestryenv.com Industrial Coatings Group, Inc. is hiring experienced -Sandblasters -Industrial Painters - Helpers. Must be able to pass drug test and e-verify check.

Must be willing to travel.

Professional references required. Please send resume to: icgsecretary@ hotmail.com or call (205)688-9004

Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com

Lancaster Place Apartments. Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205-668-6871.

Or visit hpilancasterplace. com

Medical Assistants with at least 2yrs of experience We are looking to fill fulltime & part-time positions at our Pelham and Birmingham locations.

We’re always looking to hire qualified personnel Open 7 days a week 8am-8pm Monday-Friday 8am-6pm Saturdays 1pm6pm Sunday Qualified Applicants should apply at: www.medhelpclinics. com

Now Hiring!!

•Caregivers-ADL’s, assist with medications and some lifting 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7pm •Activity Director PartTime •Cooks-some 12/ hr shifts Call Shay McNeal 205-620-2905

Shake up your career!!!

Are you looking for something new and FUN? Milo’s is always looking for great managers to come join our growing and dynamic team. Apply online at miloshamburgers.com

Marble Valley Manor.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga.

256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer

Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son's in Clanton.

Call Lane at 205-3894530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205965-8657

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. 205-7553430 MedHelp Clinics Now Hiring •Front Desk Receptionists with billing experience •Certified

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.

Oxfordhealthcare.com

MARKETPLACE Specializing in all your hair care needs SERENITY SALON Barber/Stylist Chairs Available for Rent 2 Convenient Locations •2005 Valleydale Rd. •Pelham •3000 Meadow Lake Dr. Suite 107 Call Nichole 205-240-5428 Nursing assistant to care for high functioning quadriplegic home health patient in Jemison.

Must have valid drivers license. Part-time. Call Mr. Wilbanks 205-908-3333 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother's clock.

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.

Wilton Water and Gas Board HIRING WATER TECHNICIAN •Fulltime position available •We offer BCBS health insurance & state retirement •Starting pay $12/hr depending on exp. Duties include but not limited to: •Reading Meters •Repair Leaks •Installing Water Lines •Repair & Replace Flush Plugs •Replace Gas/Water Meters •General Maintenance of Gas System •Cutting Grass •Maintain Town Properties and Main Buildings •Generally Available to Respond Within 30/min to Emergency Call-Outs, at Anytime of Day/Night Year Round •Skilled Operation of Backhoe & Variety of Hand Tools Requirements: •Valid AL DL

•HS Diploma/GED Apply In Person or Contact Melissa with questions:205-665-2021 Email resumes: melissa@ wilton-al.org

Acceptance Loan Company, Inc. Personal loans! Let us pay off your title loans! 224 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham 205663-5821

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting. com or call (205)5618118 and get your career started!

NOW HIRING Part-Time Bookkeeper Position in Alabaster, AL 9am-1pm with flexibility Send Resume to: Human Resource Dept. PO Box 947 Columbiana, AL 35051

White Oak Transportation is hiring CDL-A drivers in your area. Great Pay! Excellent Benefits! Visit our website www.whiteoaktrans.com for more information EOE-M/F/D/V

Pharmaceutical Grade Pharmaceutical Grade CBD Oil, a unique concept for sublingual absorption. Helps pain, anxiety, energy & more. Order from home 205-276-7778. www.CiliByDesign.com/ BrendaGlaze

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

Call 205-682-7082 for more information. -Equal Opportunity EmployerPopeyes Seeking friendly, motivated, dependable Crew Members. OPEN INTERVIEWS DAILY 2:00pm-5:00pm 3300 Pelham Parkway.

Immediate Openings!

Start work this week! Apply online: work4popeyeskitchen. com GENERAL LAWN CARE Specialist in large yards 2+ acres. Serving Chilton, Coosa & many more areas. Bi-weekly, weekly or one-time services available. SPRING CLEANUP SPECIALS FOR FEBRUARY! Call Alex today for details: 205-955-3439 ~Military & Senior Discounts~

$Cash Paid For Used RV's!$ Motor Homes, Travel/Enclosed trailers, consignment welcome, Cars and Trucks, Pick up available, Mccluskey Auto and RV Sales, LLC 205833-4575 Construction Workers Needed for Local Construction Company.

Must be experienced and dependable. Job is five days a week. Salary based on skills. Must have remodeling experience.

Call Adam 205-863-9059 Pop & Sons Demolition & Junk Removal (205)948-8494 junkguys2014@gmail.com •Junk Removal Services •Demolition•More!! FREE QUOTES!! ALSO WITH THE MENTION OF THIS AD GET $20 OFF!!!

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 7am-4pm, MondayFriday •2nd Shift- 4:30pm Finish, Sunday–Thursday $11.00/hr Packers-1st shift 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday $11.00/hr Replenisher1st Shift 6am-3:30pm $12.00/hr Standup Forklift Operators 1st Shift-6am3:30pm $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 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 Sign-On-Bonus! Hiring SOLO & TEAM CDL Drivers •2yrs Exp•Pass D.O.T Physical/ Background Check •Hazmat Endorsement Apply Online: www. drive4western.com EOE Experienced Termite Technician or someone experienced in routeservice work and wants to learn new profession.

Work-vehicle/equipment provided. Must drive straight-shift, have clean driving record/be 21/ pass background/drug test. Training provided.

Insurance/401K offered.

M-F 7:00-4:30 + 1 Saturday/month. Pay $13hr. Send resume to facsmith@charter.net Brian's Tree Service Trees cut from the top down!

Safe tree removal in confined areas.

Stump grinding!

General liability and wokers comp.

205-281-2427" SHELBY WOODS APARTMENTS Columbiana's Finest Affordable Senior Living Community •Great Location •Peaceful Setting •Comfortable Living -Spacious One Bedroom Homes Now Available- Rent based on income, 62 years or older, or under 62 who are mobility impaired. Call us today to find out more about Columbiana's best kept secret! Call 205-6690066. 100 Collins Street, Columbiana AL 35051.

Office Hours Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Closed Sat & Sun. Roof Repairs Years of Experience with all types of roofs.

Dependable.

I WILL fix your leak!

Call Don (205) 266-5178

ShelbyLiving.com

87

WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

Mary Elizabeth Madden Miss Heart of Dixie’s Outstanding Teen

PHOTO BY SOUTHERN EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Mary Elizabeth Madden, 15, is a sophomore at Oak Mountain High School. The daughter of Tim and Tammy Madden, she is a member of the Oak Mountain Show Choir Singers and the Junior Varsity cheer squad.

Why did you decide to participate in the Miss Heart of Dixie’s Outstanding Teen competition?

There are so many reasons why I wanted to do the pageant, but one of the main ones was that I would love to get the opportunity to represent the Walker County area and the Shelby County area in the state pageant this March.

What were memorable parts of this experience?

There were so many memorable parts of the whole competition. I loved getting to see some familiar faces throughout the day and meeting some new faces. We are honestly like a big happy family.

How are you preparing for Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen in March?

I am preparing for the pageant by rehearsing my talent and keeping my voice healthy for the talent portion of the competition. My talent is a new musical theater vocal, and I’m so excited to be able to perform it this year!

What is your platform?

My platform is Into the Light, bringing awareness to depression/mental illness and suicide. With my platform, I want to inform people that it is okay to speak up about your problems. You shouldn’t be silenced or ashamed about any troubles that you may be going through.

88 March/April 2020

What do you hope to accomplish in this competition?

This year, I hope to represent Walker County and Shelby County the best that I can, but truly, to show my true self in each and every portion of competition.

amazing opportunity to have. And I actually learned to say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” backwards!

Do you have any pre-competition rituals?

Honestly, my only pre-show ritual is to stay calm and to remember to stay confident. When you are calm and confident, I feel like you perform so much better than when you are nervous.

What would you like to do after you graduate?

I would love to either go to Troy University or the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to pursue a major in sports medicine/physical therapy to become a physical therapist. But I would also love to have a minor in musical theater.

What’s something interesting people might not know about you?

I have been doing theater for over eight years, and I have actually performed the part of Mary Poppins twice, once at my old school, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, and once at the Leeds Arts Council.

Both were such a blessing and such an

What do you love about Shelby County?

There are so many things that I love about the Shelby County area: the people, the places, the food, everything! So I’m definitely over-the-top blessed to be representing my county, Shelby County, and basically my second county, Walker County.

Comfortable Medical Waiting

Dedicated Spa Check-in Area

Private Spa Lounge

Birmingham’s Only Float Pool