Homewood Life, September/October 2018

REMEMBERING SHANNON BURGESS • BROADWAY FARMHOUSE TOUR • COLLEGE CHOICE FOUNDATION

MEET THE CLASS OF ’48 TALES FROM SHADES CAHABA HIGH

THE COLORS OF O’CARR’S FROM AN ICE CREAM PARLOR TO TODAY

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 HomewoodLife.com Volume Two | Issue Five $4.95

FALL fashion guide

Elevate your event with an artful atmosphere designed to inspire your guests even after the party ends. Surrender to temptation with a grand celebration in one of our elegant ballrooms or make it an intimate gathering in our luxury Billiards Room. Enjoy eclectic spaces, unique catering and intuitive service that will set you up for success.

CALL 205.414.0505 OR VISIT GRANDBOHEMIANMOUNTAINBROOK.COM

WE’LL GIVE YOU UP TO

1 000

$,

FREE PLAY

20 $ 10

Present this ad to PLAYER SERVICES and receive:

NEW MEMBERS, $ WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Sign up for Wind Creek Rewards, the most generous loyalty program in the Southeast, and get up to $1,000 FREE Play based on your first day’s play. To get you started, we’ll give you $20 FREE Play and a $10 Food Credit. Plus, you can now earn and win trips to our casino resorts in the Caribbean, the Renaissance Aruba and Renaissance Curacao Resorts & Casinos.

FREE PLAY

MENTION CODE: MBMHL$20FP

FOOD CREDIT

Offer expires 10/31/2018. Limit one FREE Play redemption per new Rewards account. May not be combined with other coupons.

WindCreekMontgomery.com • 1801 Eddie L. Tullis Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117 ©2018 Wind Creek Hospitality. A minimum of $75 loss is required for FREE Play rebate. FREE Play will be added 7-10 days after initial visit.

Must be 21 or older. Offer valid for new Rewards Members only. See PLAYER SERVICES for details.

m o r e t o e x p l o r e a t h o m e:

205.879.3510 2921

18 T H S T ,

HOMEWOOD AL 35209

ATHOME-FURNISHINGS.COM

The best memories are made at

The Ridge.

Russell Lands On Lake Martin is a breathtaking lake community with 25,000 acres of forest set among Lake Martin’s 40,000 plus acres of pristine water and nearly 900 miles of shoreline. The largest premier neighborhood at Russell Lands On Lake Martin is The Ridge—where ownership comes with an array of extras – The Ridge Club, a 10-acre recreation complex, miles of hiking and walking trails as well as nature and waterfront parks, and a state-of-the-art Ridge Marina -- all designed to connect you with family, friends, nature, and always, the lake.

RUSSELLLANDSONLAKEMARTIN.COM

HOMES & HOMESITES AVAILABLE

256.215.7011

LAKE MARTIN, ALABAMA

FEATURES

52

THE FALL FASHION GUIDE What’s trending this season at Homewood boutiques—and where to find it.

60

REMEMBER WHEN Tales from back when Shades Cahaba was a high school, as told by those who remember them best.

68

College scholarships and financial aid are right at the fingertips of qualified students, but they might not know it. Here’s how two Homewood moms are bridging those gaps.

4 HomewoodLife.com

PHOTO BY LINDSEY CULVER

PAYING IT FORWARD

17

43

PHOTO BY GRAHAM YELTON

arts & culture

in every issue

17 Reminiscing in Acrylic: The Creativity of Karen Marcum 23 Five Questions For: Castaways Star Robbie Gibbons 24 Read This Book: Little Professor Recs for New Classics

schools & sports

34 Five Questions For: Creative Writing Teacher Amy Marchino

& drink

35 Setting the Standard Since ‘75 at O’Carr’s

7 From the Editor 9 #HomewoodLife 10 The Question

25 Remembering Mrs. Burgess: A Legacy at Edgewood & Beyond

food

6 Contributors

11 The Guide 74 Chamber Connections 76 Out & About

HW 86 Marketplace

88 My Homewood

42 Five Questions For: Ono Poké Mastermind Vihn Tran

home

& style

43 The Farmhouse on the Corner: A Broadway Story 51 At Home: How to Style a Bar Cart

HomewoodLife.com 5

contributors EDITORIAL

Graham Brooks Stephen Dawkins Alec Etheredge Briana Harris Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner

CONTRIBUTORS

Abby Adams Jessica Clement Jake Collins James Culver Lindsey Culver Mary Fehr Ashley Kappel Melanie Peeples Madison Primm Elizabeth Sturgeon Lauren Ustad Timothy Wooley Graham Yelton

DESIGN

Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan

MARKETING

Kristy Brown Kari George Rachel Henderson Daniel Holmes Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Lindsay Milligan Viridiana Romero Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Katie McDowell Stacey Meadows Tim Prince

Abby Adams, Stylist

Abby Adams runs Peeptoes and Pineapples, a fashion and lifestyle blog.

She also works full time at ServisFirst Bank, and when she is not working, you’ll find her blogging at local coffee shops (yes, Caveat is one of her faves), eating tacos and traveling. You can find her blogging at peeptoesandpineapples.com or on Instagram @peeptoesandpineapples.

Jake Collins, Writer

Jake grew up on Roxbury Road in Mayfair and graduated from Homewood High School in 2001. He teaches 10th grade US History at Mountain Brook High School, where he also coaches varsity football and girls’ soccer. When he’s not teaching and coaching, Jake spends time with his wife, Katy, daughters Emily Ruth and Margaret Ann, and their beloved dog, Colonel Frederick Hambright.

Lindsey Culver, Photographer

Originally from the Midwest, Lindsey is a photographer who lives in Homewood with her husband, Chris, and two mischievous children, Smith and Roland (along with their dachshund puppy, Sweeney Todd).

When not working as a baby and child photographer, she can be found with her hands in the dirt of her flower and vegetable garden, with a cup of coffee in hand around the clock, hosting hot tub parties for her friends and attending every local musical theater performance. Lindsey loves Homewood and getting to know more of its residents through her work with Homewood Life.

Madison Primm, Writer

Madison first moved to Homewood when she was 11 years old and has loved everything about it. She is a freshman at the University of Alabama at Birmingham this fall. She plans on studying English with a concentration in creative writing. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing short stories and dabbling into whatever else inspires her heart.

Homewood Life is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Homewood Life 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, Homewood Life, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

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

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

6 HomewoodLife.com

from the editor

A

ON THE COVER

Style Statement Maker

Sumintra Leonese models a black jumpsuit and accessories from local boutiques on 18th Street.

Photo by Mary Fehr Design by Kate Sullivan

“Acknowledge that you remember,” I jotted in my notebook.

“Remember anniversaries. Grief is always in the background.” I was soaking up what author Nancy Guthrie was saying as she spoke about her experiences with the loss of not one but two infant children. She’s well acquainted with grief, I am not, and I wanted to be able to best walk that tough road with friends and family when it took that turn.

What I wasn’t thinking about in that moment was how I might be able to help remember someone with the power of written words— someone I didn’t know firsthand. I’d been at the finish line of the Mercedes half marathon in 2012 to cheer on a friend whose running partner just so happened to be Shannon Burgess, and I’d heard wonderful things about Shannon as a faithful friend, caring teacher and fighter of cancer over the years.

But when we decided to write about Shannon’s legacy at Edgewood Elementary and beyond for this issue, I came to know her in new ways. Each friend and colleague I spoke to about her had a different lens into the same Shannon, competitive as she was caring.

As I tried to capture the extraordinariness of what I had learned about her in writing, I thought back to the words Nancy had shared.

“When losses are not spoken of, it diminishes them,” my journal reads. “Acknowledging them esteems them.” That is what we hope Shannon’s story does just as so many in the community have so thoughtfully done and no doubt will continue to do as year after year passes. Of course I hope you read all of this issue to your heart’s content, but if you read nothing else, read Shannon’s story. And be sure to have a Kleenex on hand, I certainly needed them as I wrote.

There is so much other Homewood goodness in these pages too!

We got to meet members of the Shades Cahaba High School Class of 1948 at their reunion this summer (yes, it used to be a high school) and share some of their tales. We had tons of fun dressing up some awesome Homewoodians for our first fashion photo shoot, and the stories of how O’Carr’s has evolved from an ice cream shop and how the students connected with the College Choice Foundation have so bravely ventured into “dream” schools made me stop and think— and take all the more pride in this place we call Home(wood).

As always, I love to hear your feedback on the magazine and your ideas for what we should write about. Thanks for reading!

madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com

HomewoodLife.com 7

M O D E R N N E W B O R N + C H I L D + FA M I LY P O R T R A I T U R E INFOAPEPPERMINTPHOTO.COM | 205.807.6431 H E I R LO O M A L B U M S | A R C H I VA L Q UA L I T Y P O R T R A I T S

W W W . A P E P P E R M I N T P H O T O . C O M

#HomewoodLife

Tag @HomewoodLife in your Homewood photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.

@abigailavery3

Early morning swim #goHPR #realmenwearpink #NFA #RHA

@mycitycricket

All things American on our block today. Happy 4th neighbors @edgewoodboulevardlife #americana #southerncharm #freedom #goodtobehome #photofunday

@instabirminghamagram #raisingalexander registered for K5!

@rebeccahaynie

Preach it Sister! We love our @more_alike_than_different tees!

HomewoodLife.com 9

“ ” THE QUESTION

Homewood is full of awesome streets and neighborhoods, but why do you love yours?

Morris Blvd. The people are our street’s best feature! We also have a wonderful, cohesive blend of old homes and new.

-Brynnan Yeager Muller

There may be a mayor, a beer club, and a few queens of Dixon Ave. I have witnessed some of the greatest acts of human kindness between neighbors on this street.

-Mary Forsyth Biggs

-Gina Lazenby-Lindsey Grantham

Oh my, Edgewood Boulevard rocks! We do a lot of good ol’ front porch sitting, carpooling, impromptu potluck meals and sharing.

-Hannah Johnson

Acton Ave! Always someone willing to lend a hand or an ear. Kids making memories. And walking distance to Gian Marcos so you don’t have to deal with parking.

Windsor Blvd. is a hidden gem in Hollywood/Mayfair area. It’s super quiet, tucked away from all the hustle and bustle but just a quick walk away to be a part of it!

Edgewood Boulevard, Hillwood Drive & South Forrest! I have the joy to lead a team of to create what we call Edgewood Winter Wonderland!

Lathrop Avenue! I grew up on this street and now live here with my husband and child. Impromptu play dates and baby strolling happen daily. So many kids and a wonderful dead end street.

-Jamie Crow

-Lois Razek

10 HomewoodLife.com

At the very top of Ridge Road we have a view so cool that we almost live on our back porch! We have owls, hawks, raccoons, foxes, opossums and cottontail bunnies!

-Brett Cole

-Holleigh Taylor

THE GUIDE

VARSITY PATRIOT FOOTBALL Bring on the Friday night lights.

Don your red and blue, and we’ll see you at Waldrop Stadium. All games take place at 7 p.m. Here are the all the games from now ‘til playoff season:

SEPT. 7: Vs. Pelham SEPT. 14: At Helena SEPT. 28: Vs. Center Point OCT. 5: Vs. Minor OCT. 12: Vs. Chelsea OCT. 19: At Carver OCT. 26: At Jackson-Olin NOV. 2: Vs. Bryant HomewoodLife.com 11

THE GUIDE OCT. 29

WHAT TO DO IN HOMEWOOD

Homewood Witches Ride + Fall Festival

SEPT. 11 Patriot Day Ceremony Held with Cities of Mountain Brook & Vestavia Vestavia Hills City Hall

FESTIVAL 2-5 P.M. WITCHES RIDE REGISTRATION 4:30 P.M. WITCHES TAKE FLIGHT 5:45 P.M. HOMEWOOD CENTRAL PARK

SEPT. 13 Alabama Bicentennial: Author Verna Gates Homewood Public Library 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Witches will take on the streets of Homewood via bike, but don’t worry, they are good witches—candy-tossing witches, in fact. Find their route to catch some treats, or ladies, don your costume and show up for the start to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Plus, it all kicks off with inflatables, face painting and more family fun at the park that afternoon.

Register at homewoodwitchesride.com.

SEPT. 14-15

Lil’ Lambs Consignment Sale FRIDAY 9 A.M.-2 P.M. SATURDAY 9 A.M.-NOON TRINITY UNITED METHODIST GYM

Gutsy the Flying Fox will get you pumped up for reading with his acrobatic tricks. Sign up for summer reading, decorate your own pet rock and eat a snack while you are there.

OCT. 14

HANDMADE ART SHOW & PICKIN IN THE PARK 10 A.M.-5 P.M. HOMEWOOD CENTRAL PARK

All the arts come to the park in one day thanks to the Homewood Arts Council and City of Homewood, and it’s sure to be a good time.

Check out eclectic local art on display and on sale, hear acoustic performances by local musicians, and/or bring your own instrument to join in on the music-making.

12 HomewoodLife.com

SEPT. 18 Homewood Chamber Annual Legislative Update and September Membership Luncheon The Club 11:30 a.m-1 p.m.

SEPT. 20 Teen First Aid Class Homewood Public Library 4-6 p.m.

SEPT. 27 Homewood High School Homecoming Parade Downtown Homewood 4 p.m.

SEPT. 30 National Eating Disorders Association Awareness Walk Homewood Central Park 2:30 p.m.

OCT. 5 Homewood Library Ghost Tours with S.C.A.R.E. Homewood Public Library 7-10 p.m.

OCT. 11 Homewood Chamber Golf Classic RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley 9 a.m. Shotgun Start OCT. 11 Astronomy 101 for Teens Homewood Public Library 6:30-7:30 p.m.

OCT. 13-14 ACT Weekend Workshop Homewood Public Library

THE GUIDE OCT. 16 Homewood Chamber Membership Luncheon The Club 11:30 a.m-1 p.m.

OCT. 18 Alabama Bicentennial: Haunted Sloss Furnace Homewood Public Library 6:30-7:30 p.m.

OCT. 27 Alabama Bicentennial: Charles Ghigna 10:30-11:30 a.m.

OCT. 27 Grace House Pumpkin Festival Homewood Central Park 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Mac + Cheese Festival 1-4 P.M. BROOKWOOD VILLAGE

Who wouldn’t want to eat all kinds of noodles and cheese from local restaurants, food trucks and caterers? All proceeds from the Magic City Mac+Cheese Festival benefit Community Grief Support to fund free-of-charge grief counseling, grief support groups and community grief education.

shoes

accessories

apparel

B I R M I N G H A M ,

A L

OCT. 27 Hall-Kent Fall Festival Hall-Kent Elementary School 3-7 p.m.

SEPT. 9

birmingham’s newest women’ s bou ti q u e

3920 crosshaven drive cahaba heights

bbgardens.org/antiques or 205.414.3950 Presented by Art by Mila Hirsch

HomewoodLife.com 13

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN SEPTEMBER

HOMEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS FACULTY ART EXHIBIT MONDAY-FRIDAY 9 A.M.-4 P.M

ROSEWOOD HALL LOBBY

Come out to view artwork by your favorite Homewood school art teachers at the Homewood Art Council’s Community Art Gallery.

DR. CAROLYN MCDONALD – Homewood High School art teacher retiree

CAROLYN WARREN – Homewood High School ERIC SWOPE – Homewood Middle School CELIA CASTLE – Edgewood Elementary School LISA LUCAS – Shades Crest Elementary School BROOKLYN MCMANUS – Hall-Kent

Elementary School

SEPT. 13-30 Hello, Dolly!

Virginia Samford Theatre SEPT. 21-22+28-29 At Home Presented by Alabama Ballet Alabama Ballet Center for Dance SEPT. 27-29 St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival St. George Greek-Catholic Milkite Church SEPT. 28-29 Broadway Night at the Cabaret Red Mountain Cabaret Theatre SEPT. 29 Irondale Whistle Stop Festival Historic Downtown Irondale SEPT. 29 Fiesta - Linn Park SEPT. 30 Cahaba River Fry-Down Benefits Cahaba River Society Railroad Park OCT. 4-6 Greek Food Festival Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral OCT. 4-7 Antiques at the Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

OCT. 6

Homewood Health & Safety Day 10 A.M.-1 P.M. HOMEWOOD CENTRAL PARK

Come out and learn what health and wellness Homewood has to offer for its citizens— from physical fitness to emergency preparedness. Last year the fire department smoke trailer was on site for demonstrations, the police department brought its canines and vehicles, and an ambulance and lifeguard helicopter were there too.

14 HomewoodLife.com

OCT. 4-7 Southern Women’s Show BJCC OCT. 6 Bluff Park Art Show Bluff Park Community Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

OCT. 6-8 Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival Barber Motorsports Park OCT. 13

THE GUIDE Susan G. Komen North Central Alabama Race for the Cure Regions Field OCT. 14 Breakin’ Bread Sloss Furnaces OCT. 17-28 Shop Save Share Benefitting Junior League of Birmingham Community Projects OCT. 19-21 Alabama Ballet Presents La Sylphide BJCC Concert Hall OCT. 20-21 Fall Plant Sale Birmingham Botanical Gardens Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday noon - 4 p.m.

OCT. 26-28 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Virginia Samford Theatre

THEATRE

NEW THEATRE SEASON The new season of Homewood’s very own theatre has kicked off. Season Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at homewoodtheatre. com. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale six weeks prior to each specific production. Catch each play Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

OCT. 25-28 Funny Little Thing Called Love A Southern comedy from the folks who used to write for The Golden Girls.

JAN. 10-13 The Red Plaid Shirt

This will be its Alabama premier of a story of two friends approaching retirement in different ways: extra-careful versus traveling on a motorcycle.

APRIL 4-7

The Underpants Steve Martin puts his wild and crazy spin on this classic German play.

MAY 16-19 The World Goes ‘Round A musical revue showcasing favorites from Cabaret, Chicago, Woman of the Year, Funny Lady, and New York, New York.

Ensley Fairfield Mattress Company

is Birmingham's oldest, most trusted, mattress company since 1915. That title didn't come by accident, it was earned each day and promises were delivered over decades.

ELHAM ALSO IN P Pkwy #D, am 3186 Pelh AL 35124 Pelham,

OUR EXCLUSIVE MATTRESSES ARE MADE WITH ALL NATURAL MISSISSIPPI COTTON Homewood (SoHo) 1831 28th Ave. South, Suite N160, Homewood AL 35209

205-848-8005

efmattress.com HomewoodLife.com 15

Please Join the BBVA Compass Bank local team as we host our monthly socials, drinks and Hors d’oeuvres provided.

Join your fellow business owners, expand your network, and grow your business!

Katrina Porter Designs Katrina Porter

Please Reply Rebecca Hughes Trifusion

Snoozy’s Kids George Jones

Mountain Brook

Chamber of commerce

Bromberg's Ricky Bromberg

Eleven Eleven Meredith Fuller

Vino Al Rabiee

&CULTURE

ARTS

REMINISCING IN ACRYLIC

In her soft strokes and hues, Karen Marcum uses paint as her form of remembering.

BY ELIZABETH STURGEON PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER HomewoodLife.com 17

“

I enjoy painting things that bring a kind of nostalgia or feelings of special times, and barns remind me of when I was growing up.

–Karen Marcum

18 HomewoodLife.com

”

B

Barns and flowers lined her path to the lake. When they would drive along North Georgia roads, Karen Macrum remembers sketching what she could see out the window, trying to catch the image in time.

Her mom was drawn to the landscapes they passed, too. “I remember pulling over, and she would always pick wildflowers off the side of the road and make her arrangements,” Karen recalls.

Here lies some of her first artistic inspiration, her early memories with pencil and paper, and her first barn, now one of her favorite subjects.

It’s not surprising that Karen wanted to draw.

“Creativity was always in our house,” she says. Using metal scrap or other discarded things found on the road, her dad would repurpose the material to create metal sculptures, and her mom loved photographing the flowers and the scenery around her. “She was

always taking pictures, and I was fascinated with them.”

Although she’s now putting the sketchbooks aside for wood panels and acrylic paint, Karen’s work still reflects the nature she grew up around and the old photography she studied. “I’ve always loved going through my grandparents’ old albums,” she says.

Karen once painted from a photo of her friend’s grandmother hula hooping, transforming a black and white photo to a colorful image with the same vintage feel.

Karen painted a shot from one of her family’s old home videos too, one of her mom riding a unicycle in Miami. With fitting Florida pastels, there’s an energy in her work that emerges with color and an expressive style in her strokes. “I was always trying to paint so tight, and I’m trying to loosen up,” Karen HomewoodLife.com 19

says. “I’ve realized that I end up liking it better if it doesn’t look perfectly realistic, and sometimes it’s fun to break the rules.”

Her style has changed over years of painting, but it all began with her children’s bedrooms. “I started painting for their walls, and that’s when I fell in love with it,” she says. She painted baseball gloves and soccer cleats for her son Zack, now a senior at Homewood High School, and his childhood bedroom and continued for her son Spencer, a sophomore, and her daughter Avery, an eighth grader. Covering the counters with paint, she worked in her kitchen, placing her studio in the heart of her home around her kids and husband Bart. “I loved getting to paint in the same room as everyone,” she says.

Only a year ago, she moved from working in the kitchen to her upstairs studio. Completed paintings and prints rest near each other in the space, displaying the many forms Karen paints in. With her use of modeling paste underneath the color, her larger works rise from the surface of the wood with every brush of paint. Her nests carry lots of blues, and she fills her barns with airy color. As the textured strokes move to create the picture, you feel like you’re driving past the barn when you get this magical glimpse of it, just like

Misty Joseph Finding a new home or condo should be an enjoyable experience. Neighborhoods in Homewood abound with options, and because this is my hometown and I have family roots in the real estate industry, I promise to find the best options for you.

Looking to sell a home or condo in Homewood? You deserve the best marketing to yield the best market price. Assessing your home, staging it and addressing questions before they become problems are part of my process. And because I work with buyers and sellers, I have unparalleled leads.

Let’s talk about your home...

ARC REALTY GALLERY BROKERS

(205) 807-2090 misty@mistyjoseph.com mistyjoseph.com

20 HomewoodLife.com

2718 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village arcrealtyco.com

Karen Marcum paints in the upstairs studio of her Homewood home.

HomewoodLife.com 21

Liberty Animal Hospital Welcomes Dr Clair Woodalland A native of Mountain Brook Claire is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. After studying abroad she is happy to return home and is ready to care for your furry friends.

3810 River Run Drive, Birmingham

205-970-0411 www.libertyah.com

Karen did as a child.

Then, her Birmingham and Homewood scenes jump out with color. Either in a print or a notecard, they sport brightness and present this ideal little town, vibrant and filled with people.

When you look up from the stack of prints on the table, the walls of Karen’s studio hold more color in the collection of her three children’s art from Edgewood Elementary and other classes. She photocopied their work and printed all the pieces together, lined up in little squares in front of the white walls.

“They all have a different style that comes through,” she says.

Zack is precise in his detail, Spencer focuses on realism in his charcoal sketches, and Avery brings out energy in her lines and colors.

Once she started painting more, Karen and some of her friends held an art show in her backyard, their first attempts at selling. “We just brought our work, brought some food and let our friends know,” she says, and from that led to more home shows and became Homewood Creatives. For Karen, that group of artists encouraged her to participate in more shows like Handmade, the Bluff Park Art Show and the Moss Rock Festival.

Although she’s always experimenting with different techniques and subjects, there’s a common thread beyond her impressionistic style—a realness and comfort, like each piece is a memory (or a beloved old photo). “I enjoy painting things that bring a kind of nostalgia or feelings of special times, and barns remind me of when I was growing up,” she says. “I love hearing stories from others about how something I painted brought up some connection they have to what they see.”

To learn more about Karen’s art, visit karenmarcumart. com or find her on Instagram @karenmarcum_art.

Gentlemen's haircuts Hot lather shaves Beard grooming Men's facial waxing

205-703-8076

22 HomewoodLife.com

ARTS & CULTURE

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Robbie Gibbons

Castaways Star + Homewood Middle School PE Teacher PHOTO BY TENSPEED TV

Lately, Robbie Gibbons feels like he “kind of gets looks at the gym.” It might be because people have seen him on commercials for the new Castaways TV show, and it might be because when the trailer aired he weighed 170 pounds more than he does now. The reality show follows Robbie, a HMS PE teacher, and 11 others as they’re dropped alone throughout various islets in Indonesia and challenged to survive. Catch the show on ABC Tuesdays at 9 p.m. this fall, but first see what Robbie has to say about his journey on screen and at home.

How did you get cast for the show?

Four years ago The Biggest Loser came to Birmingham, and I went down there for the casting call for people who were past athletes. They liked me enough to where I got a call back, but then it fizzled out. The Casting Duo kept my information, and I got an email about a new show. I thought it would be a way for me to lose some weight and inspire others. I wanted to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone, so I embraced my fears and took at leap of faith.

What can people expect to see on Castaways?

Visually the show is going to be unbelievable, so I hope it catches fire and becomes the Wednesday morning water cooler talk and that it raises questions.

Twelve ordinary people were stranded, and I want people to be able to relate to one or two or three of them and to fall in love with them and pull for them. It’s not a last man

ends for me because I battle with my weight and battle with my addiction. Weight loss happens in the kitchen, and transformation happens in the mind. I start my mornings at the gym at 4:30 a.m. When it comes to How did being on Castaways start your food, I am into clean eating, so no sauces. I eat fish, fresh vegetables, chicken and weight loss journey?

I have always been a bigger guy, but I ground turkey. When I shop at the grocery gained a lot of weight over the past five store, I only shop the perimeters, not the years and was up to 390 pounds. Before the aisles.

I still get in these moods where I binge show, I would start a diet every Monday, eat, but I am working on it. I know what to and by Wednesday I’d decide to wait until the next Monday. I’d do that religiously. order when I go out, to order a salad or Being a teacher and coach you’d think you grilled meat with nothing on it. Where I am work out with them, but it was hard for me still struggling is inside my house. We have to work out at work. What the show did is taken out all the junk food to eliminate the show me who I was and what I was meant mind game. Now if I eat, it’s vegetables or I to be and what my relationship with food have to cook meat or an egg. was. Now I see myself and how we were living as a family, and I realize it wasn’t me. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring?

I would bring a fishing rod, a net and a What does your life look like now musical instrument. I won’t say sunscreen versus before weight loss?

Whatever happened on that island never because you can find shade. standing show, so drama isn’t created by elimination. It’s more of a social experiment to look at yourself and see how far you can go.

HomewoodLife.com 23

READ THIS BOOK

The New Classics Recommendations from

Drew Williams Little Professor Adult Book Buyer

The man who selects the books for Little Professor Book Center’s shelves also has a new novel of his own that came out in August: The Stars Now Unclaimed. When he is not curating the shelves of the book store—a Homewood institution for more than 40 years that now makes its home in the center of 18th Street—Drew has been crafting a fast-paced sci-fi adventure. Here he shares his list of the five novels most likely to be taught in school in 20 years’ time.

All The Light We Cannot See

By Anthony Doerr Richly deserving of its Pulitzer Price, Anthony Doerr’s dual narrative—following a young blind girl during the evacuation of Paris as the Germans approach in World War II, and a young German soldier conscripted into the Nazi war machine against his will—is a masterwork of pacing and tension, though be warned: it has one of the most divisive endings we’ve ever seen at LP!

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

By Haruki Murakami If Haruki Murakami’s career is defined by a uniquely off-kilter approach to surrealism, then The WindUp Bird Chronicle is his magnum opus—a disappearing cat (and then a disappearing wife) leads a Japanese everyman into an increasingly bizarre distortions of reality, where the world becomes a cracked mirror, reflecting truths otherwise incapable of being found.

Bel Canto

By Ann Patchett Ann Patchett’s lyrical wonder of a novel—a hostage crisis in an unnamed South American country— throws two worlds, those of high culture and desperate poverty, into a crucible of potential violence, asking whether the humanity that binds us all together is a greater force than the ideological, cultural and ultimately venal differences that divide us.

Motherless Brooklyn

By Jonathan Lethem Jonathan Lethem offers a fascinating twist on the ‘noir’ detective novels of the late ’40s, following a Tourette’s-afflicted young man as he attempts to find justice—or at least vengeance—for the mentor who taught him how to survive the petty-criminal underworld from which he seems incapable of escape.

Everything Matters!

By Ron Currie Jr. Ron Currie Jr.’s masterpiece—not a word I use lightly—is everything a novel should be. Funny, incisive and deeply moving, Currie begins with a simple question: what would you do if you knew the world was ending? From there, he spins one of the most powerful humanist fables ever written, making Currie an heir to both Vonnegut and Twain, in an unmissable—and criminally under-read—modern classic.

24 HomewoodLife.com

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

REMEMBERING MRS. BURGESS

Teacher, mentor, friend, mother—Shannon Burgess’s legacy lives on at Edgewood and beyond.

BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LINDSEY CULVER & CONTRIBUTED HomewoodLife.com 25

Wes and Isabel Burgess, a sixth grader and 11th grader, look through scrapbooks their mom Shannon, the “scrapbooking queen,� made.

26 HomewoodLife.com

Shannon Burgess was fiercely loyal. If you ever needed something, she was going to do it for you or your children.

She felt like she was put on the earth to serve others— and that’s just what she did every day of her life, in sickness and in health.

The longtime Edgewood Elementary teacher, who passed away in May 2016, was completely dedicated to the students she treated like her own children, but Shannon always left school right at 3:30 p.m. so that she could be heavily involved in all her two kids’ activities and with the teams her husband, Bryan, coached. “She loved teaching those kids. You could see it on her face every day,” Bryan says. “But she wouldn’t bring work home with her.”

Shannon was also very matter of fact. “She hated purple,” her best friend Brook Gibbons will tell you. “If you wore purple, she would tell you it was the ugliest color in the world. And she would fight you to the death if it had to do with her children. She loved them more than anything in the world.” To Brook, Shannon was a pit bull—one of the very best breeding who also loved race cars and drove “like a mad woman.”

In her reign as “the scrapbooking queen,” Shannon not only carefully documented her own kids’ lives, but she also put together the Gibbons’ family memories (Brook, admittedly, is not a big picture taker or book

maker). “(Shannon) did all (my kids’) baby books and loved every minute of it,” Brook says. “My kids only have pictures because she took them and put them together.” That carried over into her unofficial title as the “Crafty Mom” on her fourth-grade teaching team at Edgewood too. Shannon loved to lead kids in projects that would be become gifts for their parents.

SHANNON THE TEACHER In the classroom, Shannon was never afraid to do complicated math or a science experiment if it meant the kids would learn more from it. Each of her students still remembers things she said and how she instilled a love of reading in them with the stories of Gregor in The Underland Chronicles and books by Bleu Balliett.

“No matter where a child was academically when they came to her, she was able to help them grow tremendously and be challenged,” says Christen Sloderbeck, who taught fourth-grade with Shannon.

“A lot of teachers might be good with one type of kid, but she could help all of them. That’s pretty incredible as a teacher.”

Teaching wasn’t just about academics for her either.

HomewoodLife.com 27

WHY WE LOVE MRS. BURGESS Lindsey Martin asked her 2017-2018 fifth-grade class at Edgewood, including Shannon’s son Wes, about their memories of Mrs. Burgess as their L.E.A.D. teacher, and they wouldn’t stop talking.

Here’s what they had to say: “She hated the color purple and would never let us sit on the purple dots on the rug.”

–Trust Darnell “Well yeah that’s because she had a purple car when she was in high school and it broke down on the interstate.

The car was named Barney. She always named her cars.”

-Wes Burgess “She taught us how to do math different ways. It was awesome.”

-Whit Armistead

28 HomewoodLife.com

“When she was in a wheelchair, she still came to the Turkey Trot to cheer everyone on.”

-Audrey Biggs “She did the fun projects. We would blow up baking soda in balloons, and she would explain it in a good way, not a scientific way.”

-Trust Darnell “She used to smile all the time. I never saw her frown.”

–Phillips Ydel “One time we did a penguin test and put butter on one of our hands to test in an ice bucket. She won. She would always beat me in everything. I could never win against that lady.”

-Wes Burgess “I feel so bad for the people who never had her as a teacher.”

-Whit Armistead

“We brought in bottles to make lava lamps. It was so cool.”

–Paola Ceron “Every month she made a calendar and each day had a different problem.

If you completed the calendar you got a homework pass and a polymer animal.”

-Luke Binet “She always let us watch the Berry Eagle Cam!” -Wes Burgess “She was genius.”

-Hutton Spears

“She was the best specials teacher ever.”

-Yulissa Cuenca “I don’t remember her ever raising her voice. She was just always laughing.”

-Hutton Spears

“She was really good at seeing a kid as a whole person, helping with their academic needs but also understanding their emotional needs and their physical needs,” Christen says. Brook, now an assistant principal herself, affirmed that about Shannon too: “You can talk to any of her kids she taught. If they were struggling or needed something, she was there, whether it was school-related or family-related. She made it happen. She was an advocate for them.”

Shannon’s competitive nature won extra victories the year Genny Pittman, a 2014 Homewood High graduate, had her for fourth grade. That year their class won the spelling bee, softball tournament, geography bee—anything they could win.

But their relationship didn’t stop there. Years later Shannon would text Genny a Bible verse every morning, and when Genny went on to swim at Auburn, Shannon knew the results of every one of her meets and sent her words of encouragement before and afterward. “She was a mentor for me all along,” Genny says. “She always told me she was my number one fan and texted that to me a lot.” Shannon wouldn’t be there to text Genny before her wedding day last December (although she did get to meet her now-husband), but Bryan along with his and Shannon’s children Wes and Isabel were there to celebrate and still keep in touch.

No doubt Genny wasn’t the only one of Shannon’s students to take more than a love of reading from their fourth-grade year with Shannon. “What they learned from her, not only education but about life and service and life and family, they have now taken to their families,” Brook says. “A lot of them are now married. It’s because of what she did that’s what made them who they are.”

After several years teaching fourth grade, Shannon stepped into a new role at Edgewood as the L.E.A.D. teacher, a once-a-week specials class that focuses on math and science. “That required a person who was resourceful and creative, who could really get to the heart of children and cause them to wonder and want to dig deeper and find out more about the whys and hows of science and its relation to math,” recalls Tricia Simpson, the Edgewood principal at the time. “She was the perfect fit for that particular position. She believed in hands-on approaches long before the education community knew the importance of all of that. That was just her style of teaching.”

Shannon was much beloved in that role too. “It’s rare a fifth grader is super excited to do things at school, but they loved to go to her class,” fifth-grade teacher Lindsey Martin recalls. “You can tell when a teacher is passionate about her work. She wanted them to have fun and enjoy the day.”

Shannon’s hands-on approach reached new levels after Tricia dreamed up the idea for a pond at the school to serve as an outdoor classroom. Shannon, naturally, was all in her role as L.E.A.D. teacher. “I remember Shannon putting on long, tall boots and getting in the pond because it would have to be cleaned once a week,” Tricia recalls. “She’d wade through all this muck so they kids could get good visuals. It was a labor of love for her. I had such an appreciation for her tenacity, and her willingness to do it spoke volumes of who she was. Shannon gave us her best, and she did that in everything that she did.”

We’re here for you

Caring Our unique ~CareSteps~ care management system and highly experienced team Comfort Intimate, one-level setting inspired by the best southern lifestyle designers Family Family Owned with 30 years of dedication to families just like yours

FREE ~CareSteps~ Plan - Just for You

Call Now - 205-909-6585

Cottages The

3776 Crosshaven Drive Birmingham, AL 35223 Located just north of The Summit

VISIT US FOR SMOOTHIES AND ACAI BOWLS. We give all gym member %15 off all smoothies must show proof of membership

DON'T forget about us for your catering events.

HomewoodLife.com 29

THE FACE OF A

CURE

In the spring, Edgewood fifth graders held a Cancer Awareness Party in honor of a classmate and in memory of Shannon Burgess.

ChildrensAL.org/committedtoacure

THE ALABAMA CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS is committed to finding a cure for Ashley Kate and the more than 1,500 children each year who come to us for care. At our Center, more than 300 dedicated pediatric healthcare professionals provide exceptional patient care, education and research.

We are a founding member of the Children’s Oncology Group * — a worldwide clinical trials organization supported by the National Cancer Institute.

PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT FOR A CURE l 84% of children diagnosed with cancer in 2018 will be cured. l State-of-the-art screenings have reduced the rate of stroke in sickle cell patients by 90%. (Sickle cell disease is the leading cause of stroke in children). l Expanded programs help children re-enter school and normal life. l We are limiting the late effects of treatments and developing innovative therapies — making real progress in the fight against childhood cancer and blood disorders.

We are COMMITTED to a CURE for all children — down the street and around the world.

*The Children’s Oncology group is a clinical - translational trials organization with more than 9,000 experts worldwide dedicated to finding better cures and improving the outcomes for all children with cancer.

30 HomewoodLife.com

THE DIAGNOSIS AND BEYOND Outside of Edgewood, Shannon was seemingly always there for the John Carroll High School cross country and track teams that Bryan coached. When one athlete’s mom Robin Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer, Robin suspects that Shannon was the driving force behind the team’s shirts that year being pink instead of John Carroll grey or green. In fact, when Robin received her diagnosis, Shannon was one of the first people she called. What Shannon couldn’t have known is that not too many years later in 2013, she’d be calling Robin, then in remission, with news that the pain she thought was residual from running was a softball-size tumor on her pelvis. She too had cancer. Roles reversed, and Robin cared for Shannon.

“In the end she so far outdid me in the will to survive and battle,” Robin says. “Shannon 100 percent role modeled for (her kids) how you live and how you die. You don’t freak out, you maintain your faith in God, you do everything for your family until the end because in the end that’s all that matters.”

Shannon’s life was unceasingly about others. That never changed. “She accepted it with open arms and kept moving forward,” Genny says. “She wasn’t afraid. She took the journey that was placed in her hands and let everyone else learn and grow from it.”

Ashley McCullars, a fellow Edgewood teacher and friend,

remembers one night after Shannon had to leave her job due to cancer treatments when Isabel’s homecoming dress needed to be hemmed. She came over to Ashley’s house to work on it. “She made a huge point to get it the perfect length and fit her petite frame,” Ashley recalls. “I just The Edgewood remember thinking she has a lot on her plate to Civics Award worry about but the thing that was most was created important to her was making sure Isabel’s in memory of Shannon dress fit.”

Burgess.

And she was never without gratitude, even Pictured is the 2018 on her sickest days. “Shannon was really winner Knox grateful for the time she had,” Christen says.

Chapman.

“She fought hard and did everything she could, but she was so grateful to do what she loved as a teacher and having two amazing kids and a loving husband. I heard her say that a lot. She said of course she wanted more time, but she had everything she wanted.” Shannon also never asked, “Why?” “She always said the cancer would bring us closer to God,” Christen says. “She chose to see it through the eyes of faith.”

Years of building relationships in Homewood came into play at this time too. “Because Shannon was so loved and respected it was not difficult for teachers to gather on their own time to pray for her,” Tricia says. “It was not difficult for parents to want to

support her and ask what they can do. It all flowed because of everyone’s love for Shannon. Everyone knew how much she loved her husband and her children, and we had teachers who would take her kids home and pick them up from events. Parents would volunteer to do the same thing.”

Always the planner, Shannon outlined her entire memorial service ahead of time. But most her planning for the future focused on her kids. She had a long talk with Tricia, and with Shannon determinism, told her exactly what she wanted her to do. “Everything she wanted was centered around the protection of her husband and her kids, and she knew she could trust me to do exactly that,” Tricia recalls.

Likewise, Shannon talked to her closest friends about how to take care of her kids and Bryan after she was gone. In her absence, she wanted to make sure they would be happy and healthy and doing what they love to do.

She wanted to make sure they continued to go to Disney World and to the beach. She wanted to make sure that Isabel could handle driving and that she always had a birthday party, the things she had always done that sometimes dads forget about.

HomewoodLife.com 31

Shannon always made a point to schedule time with then Rep. Paul DeMarco for her fourth grade class’s trips to Montgomery.

It’s those who were close to Shannon who remember her most vividly, but her legacy lives on with even those who didn’t know her. A Homewood Swim Team award for service and leadership is now named after Shannon. After all, she spent several years in leadership roles for the team and served as the president of the Jefferson Shelby Swim Council. “But her ultimate goal was to get more kids involved and to give them an activity to do that was fun and with their friends,” Brook says.

At Edgewood, a fourth-grade civics award is now given in Shannon’s memory. Former state Rep. Paul DeMarco, who started the award, recalls that Shannon was always the first elementary school teacher to call A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON to setup a time for him to speak when her class visited Williams Gibbons’ earliest memories of Shannon Montgomery for a field trip. “It was telling how were of sneaking up to her and Bryan’s apartment as a important civics education was to her,” Paul says. “She 2-year-old to eat salt and vinegar chips, drink Coke was so enthusiastic about her students’ understanding and watch TV, when his parents lived a few floors of the governmental process and democracy and how beneath in Samford faculty housing. Today at age 21 our government works in the state of Alabama. It he is playing Shannon’s favorite sport, baseball, at her shows what kind of teacher she was.”

In May Edgewood fifth graders planned a Cancer alma mater, Berry College in Georgia. “He was so proud that that was where she went and that she loved Awareness Party “CAP” in memory of Shannon and in baseball,” William’s mom Brook says. “She was his honor of a fellow student undergoing cancer treatments. Students wore caps out of solidarity with best friend.”

She wanted to make sure Isabel had a mother’s presence on her wedding day and that her high school friends remained close knit. She wanted Wes to remember that when it rained that she was there. “She did not want them to mourn and be sad she was gone,” Brook says. “She wanted them to know she was always with them and that they were going to be okay.”

Today, more than two years after she passed away, Shannon’s close friends Wynn Jones, Kathy Wood and Brook all get together once a month to ask the same question: “If Shannon were here, what would she be doing?”

32 HomewoodLife.com

their classmate, who had lost his hair, and, as any event that honored Shannon should, competed in an obstacle course and other events.

The idea for the party, not surprisingly, started with Wes. “It was just so cool that he chose to research cancer and he wanted people to be aware because it took his mom,” his teacher Lindsey Martin says. “I think that was a huge mature step for him to choose to do that on his own.”

Ask anyone who knew Shannon, and they’ll affirm that her legacy first and foremost lives on in her family. They bear her same determination, her same strong spirit. They embody the strength that Shannon so wanted them to have. Teachers see Shannon in Isabel, and they see Shannon in Wes. Both kids are competitive and good at math—and quick to tell you who they get it from, smiling as they speak of their mom. And they look just like her too.

“When (Wes is) smart in math it reminds me of (Shannon), being competitive,” Lindsey says. “He was captain of our class softball team, and she would have loved that. He’s determined and competitive and wants to win. That’s Shannon Burgess all over.”

Bryan, Wes and Isabel Burgess

Christen Sloderbeck with Shannon and Isabel Burgess

HomewoodLife.com 33

SCHOOLS & SPORTS

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Amy Marchino

HHS English/Creative Writing Teacher + Teacher of the Year PHOTO AND TEXT BY MADISON PRIM

Throughout the hallways of Homewood High School, you are sure to hear sounds of excitement and laughter coming from the creative writing class of Amy Marchino. She illuminates the classroom with her funky personality, enrapturing her students as she teaches. She not only inspires them, but she also motivates them to find their own voices as writers. This all earned her the 2018 Teacher of the Year award at the high school. What is her secret?

Well, keep reading and you might just find out. such as types of poetry or line meter or vocab. I just want my students to experience the words and feel like they can write. I think that sometimes if you get caught up in the curriculum and exposing to students what is “correct,” then they lose interest. I like to expose my students to their own voice.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?

I would definitely be on SNL or I would have my own reality show. I kind of already do in my head. I would also be a sketch comedy actor or be in a Broadway musical somewhere.

Besides being teacher of the year, what would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment as a teacher?

Each year you have this clean slate, a clean What do you get most excited about exposing your students to in the whiteboard if you will, and you start with these students you don’t know at all. You classroom?

Things that are relevant, but can connect don’t know if they’re gonna jive to what to timeless classics. For instance, we read you’re putting down. When I first started, it Hamilton in my classroom, which is the was like “Alright, the circus is in Mrs. story of a founding father made it into a hip Marchino’s room.” But now I feel that my hop musical. As far as creative writing goes, I accomplishment has been settling into my really try to keep my ear to the ground and own skin as a teacher, and I’m confident in listen to what students are talking about. the structure that I provide in the class.

What I expose my students to is driven by Some students buy into it and some don’t, what they are going to be most interested in. but I have accomplished not taking that too For creative writing, I don’t teach things personally.

When you aren’t busy teaching and inspiring students, what do you do in your free time?

Well, I’m a mother. This summer I have been learning a lot about the Marvel superheroes. I know a lot about Captain America. My kids and I like to play pretend at our house. I’m also currently into Downton Abbey even though I know I’m way behind the eight ball on that. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and going to the public library, constantly thinking, “Wow these books are free, man!”

Stepping away from the classroom sometimes refuels me and makes me a better teacher and mother.

Why did you choose to become a creative writing teacher?

Well logistically, when I got to Homewood High School in 2012, the teacher who had taught it before me was no longer going to be teaching it. Since I was a new teacher, they decided to give the position to me. I also teach 10th grade English, but teaching creative writing gives me the opportunity to not be tied down to a certain curriculum.

34 HomewoodLife.com

&DRINK

FOOD

SETTING THE STANDARD SINCE ‘75 From ice cream parlor to lunch behemoth, the Carrs are masters of Homewood hospitality.

BY ASHLEY KAPPEL PHOTOS BY MARY FEHR HomewoodLife.com 35

36 HomewoodLife.com

F

For a place that turns a lunch crowd in a 50-seat restaurant like O’Carr’s Restaurant does, owner Cameron Carr loves going slow. He prefers to mash his potatoes with antique potato mashers from his collection dating from the 1860s.

When making cakes, he beats his eggs with beaters that date from 1820s. Holiday crowds at his home don’t make him break out paper plates; he pulls from one of 20 sets of holiday china he inherited from his mother. And neither his home nor either of the O’Carr’s locations have dishwashers; every dish, glass and piece of cutlery is cleaned by hand. For a man accustomed to catering to a frenetic lunch crowd, Cameron is more than happy to slow down and enjoy the moment.

O’Carr’s, the restaurant Cameron and his wife June run together, has been a Homewood institution for 43 years. It opened as an ice cream parlor in November 1975.

“We realized quickly that wouldn’t work,” Cameron says.

“It was winter!” The duo, who lived in an apartment off Green Springs, quickly added a soup and sandwich to the menu, and sold them for 99 cents each. “That’s great,” he says. “But even a great day with 100 people only brought you $99.”

They didn’t have a phone at first, so customers would call Little Professor and with their orders, which the bookstore owners would run down to the restaurant. But no, Little Professor no longer takes phone orders for O’Carrs, so stick to calling the restaurant directly.

From there, O’Carr’s expanded to offer specialty grocery items, then catering. In the 1970s, O’Carr’s regularly catered HomewoodLife.com 37

Chicken salad plates, here served with greens, are quintessentially O’Carr’s.

38 HomewoodLife.com

June and Cameron Carr started O’Carr’s as an ice cream parlor in 1975.

for major concerts happening up to three times a week in the Birmingham area, feeding the crew, roadies and the band. “We did that as long as we could, but then the restaurant grew busier,” Cameron says. “That was a great thing, but it meant we couldn’t do 20-hour days catering.”

Throughout the changes to the menu of the Homewood restaurant, which now offers a full lunch spread and a variety of desserts including its signature milkshakes and warm cheesecakes, one thing remained the same: June and Cameron’s bond. “June ran the dining room while I was in the kitchen,” says Cameron, who married in June 1973, just two years before starting O’Carr’s. “We added staff one by one, and they’ve each become family.”

The Carrs currently live in a loft above the downtown O’Carr’s, so going to work means going downstairs. Working and living so closely could cause problems for some couples, but the Carrs have thrived. “Problems at work don’t get better at home,” Cameron says. “Gotta get problems solved quick and put a moratorium on knee-jerk reactions. You can always say ‘I’m sorry,’ but you can’t unsay it.”

To keep a balance, the Carrs keep Sunday, their only day off, sacred. “We work when other people play,” Cameron says.

“Sunday is precious to us.”

Welcome

Mollie Seymour Argent Trust is pleased to introduce our newest Trust Officer, Mollie Seymour.

Mollie has 13 years of experience in the trust industry helping families manage, protect, grow, and often transfer wealth from one generation to the next. Argent is committed to delivering unbiased, fiduciary-based wealth management services and is proud to welcome Mollie to the team.

Contact Mollie at (205) 558-6520 or mseymour@ argenttrust.com, or stop by our office to meet Mollie and the rest of our outstanding Birmingham staff: Ken Alderman, President Lynda Lewis, Trust Officer Amy Benefield, Trust Officer Audrie Shannon, Trust Assistant Stephanie White, Trust Assistant 600 University Park Place, Suite 200 • Birmingham, AL 35209

HomewoodLife.com 39

40 HomewoodLife.com

While running the restaurant over the decades, the two raised a daughter too. Cameron would leave for the farmers’ market at 4 a.m., then see his daughter when she stopped by the restaurant for breakfast before school at Hall-Kent.

“And we always had dinner together,” Cameron recalls. “We never got babysitters. We couldn’t afford it, but we also felt it shortchanged our daughter because we had so little time together.”

June and Cameron now have, in addition to their daughter, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

As their family and restaurant has grown and changed, so has Homewood. “When we opened, there were eight restaurants in a four block area. Now there are 49.” Cameron ticks the local retailers off on his fingers. “Shaia’s can tell you what threads go into your shirts, and how they’re twisted. Mantooth has really nice furniture. At Home has great furnishings.” And while much of Homewood has changed, some things haven’t. “We’re comfortable enough that if we have a problem or an attaboy, you can just walk to City Hall,” Cameron says.

The next time you walk into the classic restaurant and place an order, take a minute to look around. You’ll likely notice June seating regulars and Cameron telling the crew to pull the turkeys out. When you take a seat, you’ll feel like family. And while nothing at O’Carr’s feels particularly styled, that one element is completely by design.

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR CAMERON CARR

Years in Homewood? We got our first apartment in 1973.

Favorite menu item? Asparagus Salad

Best milkshake flavor? Peach or Blackberry Favorite fruit? Pears

What to try on your first visit? Of course the chicken

salad, but also the turkey or roast beef—we roast them every morning, just like Thanksgiving.

Chicken salad sold per week? Up to a few thousand pounds per week

Favorite musician? Chuck Mangione. When I was

catering, I was so excited to cook for him before the concert, then he wanted no food! He requested a sixpack of Diet Coke and Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

HomewoodLife.com 41

FOOD & DRINK

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Vihn Tran

Ono Poké Mastermind PHOTO BY ADELAIDE MATTE

In early 2017 Vihn Tran introduced Birmingham to the poké of his childhood years spent in Hawaii.

Now he’s bringing the concept Over the Mountain to Edgewood in the former Sash and Beau storefront.

As of printing time, he was planning to open for lunch and dinner by the end of August. Like a few of its new neighbors, Ono Poké will have burritos on their menu, but not of the Mexican sort. Read on to hear what Vihn had to say about it all.

How did you get from your first introduction to poké to opening a poké concept?

In fifth grade I moved to Hawaii from San Diego with my siblings, and we stayed at our uncle’s house. He used to make poké all the time. Poké is served everywhere Hawaii, so we had it other places as well. I later moved everywhere.

I knew a lot about sushi because my brother owns sushi restaurants. I worked in restaurants and other jobs until I could make enough capital for this opportunity. It was all about taking a risk.

How would you explain what poké is to a newbie?

Poké means “chunks of fish.” We marinate it in reduced soy sauce, ginger, sesame seeds and sesame oil to balance out the fish. It’s like the taste of Hawaii.

You can customize it with either salad greens or rice, and then with fresh 42 HomewoodLife.com

toppings and our sauces if you want.

You were the first poké concept to open in Alabama. What was the reception like?

It was hot at the time. People eat it for the first time, and they are hooked. I knew it would be busy, but I didn’t know it would be this busy. Now at lunch time Monday to Friday we can serve almost 200 orders at the Pizitz Food Hall. We gained a brand and a clientele base. If you are doing good, you have to expand.

Homewood has always been a charming community that I love, and a space in Edgewood came open. We have customers who work downtown and want to go at night and take their family.

There is a lot of buzz about the new location.

white theme for our space, and we will have about 45 seats. It will be fast casual, and a food runner will bring your order out to you. It will be the same menu, but we are doing a burrito as well, like a sushi burrito with a base of seaweed and white rice. We will have a small menu for beer and wine for a good price, and we will do sake too. We might add cooked shrimp and scallop options at the new location as well.

What should we order from your current menu?

Everyone likes the half brown rice and half mixed greens with ahi tuna, our top seller. The Crunch toppings are the most popular: cucumber, edamame, scallions, crunch and jalapeño with our spicy mayo and Samurai sauce, a sweet soy sauce.

You can also have something lighter like What will the new Edgewood location the 808 bowl. We are also coming out with a Green Bowl that will have every be like?

We’re still going with our black and green ingredient that’s possible.

&STYLE

HOME

THE FARMHOUSE ON THE CORNER With the right team and some natural light, No. 548 became that house on Broadway.

BY ELIZABETH STURGEON PHOTOS BY GRAHAM YELTON HomewoodLife.com 43

A

A stop sign had just been installed, right in front of the new lot. That meant the new house at 548 Broadway had to be worth slowing down for. With that in mind, builder Mitch Bradford and interior designer Jessica Conner cased it in windows, giving those passing by a glimpse into the warmth of a Homewood house—particularly the dining room, which you can see from the street.

“We wanted something that stood out but also fit,” Mitch says, noting that they also had to give it a personality distinct of the home next door that he and his business partner David Saunders completed recently.

At the same time, the team knew the new home still needed to fit into the rest of the neighborhood. What resulted is a modern farmhouse that Jessica calls “quintessentially Homewood,” complete with a wraparound stone porch and custom iron railing.

And they had a lot of freedom to bring their design dreams to life. Mitch and David’s company set out for it to be a spec house, one built and designed from scratch to go on the market. “I want people to say, ‘I never would have thought of that, but I love it,’” Jessica says.

It’s not often that they can work with this kind of freedom, focusing on fun, unique designs and their own personal tastes. “When you see it in your head and you know it’s going to be awesome, that’s so fun,” Jessica says. There are a lot of aspects of the house that a homeowner may not have liked immediately, but Mitch and Jessica knew would turn out perfectly.

Take the powder room, for example. “That’s where all your guests go, so you should show it off. I like to make that the ‘wow’ factor,” Jessica says. It’s definitely a statement maker, complete with scalloped tile and metal sconces.

Even with all its stand-out qualities, Mitch and Jessica still made the Broadway project a liveable home.

Whether the potential owners would be a large family or newlyweds, they wanted a range of people to look at the completed, staged home and picture their lives there.

“It’s the whole package with a spec house,” Jessica says.

“You want them to come in and take it all.”

Another key ingredient to getting there was the team itself. Mitch and Jessica not only share an office, but they also share a lot of the same tastes. “She and I think a lot alike. She can start to describe something, and I get it,” Mitch says.

The story behind the dining room’s arch opening is a product of their similar thinking. Jessica quickly sketched her idea of the arch and the detailing and texted a picture to Mitch. An hour later, it was complete in the home. “We don’t need to baby that relationship very much. We see eye to eye on a lot of things,” Jessica says.

44 HomewoodLife.com

HOME & STYLE

Dining Room An arch with scalloped detailing welcomes guests into the room, with French doors that open to the side porch. With light pouring in, the room has an airy feel and an eye-catching gold fixture.

“That’s the first thing you see when you walk up to the house,” Jessica says.

Den Reclaimed oak beams line the ceiling of this room that opens to the screened-in porch. With its tapered shape, the stained concrete fireplace stands at the end of the room and incorporates the same oak beam.

HomewoodLife.com 45

Master Bathroom Marble is the star of this space in both the custom shower and countertops. With scalloped detail, the mirror echoes that from the dining room arch. The hardwood floors and freestanding tub bring warmth to the space.

46 HomewoodLife.com

Kitchen A stained pecky cypress hood pops in the room in front of a limestone slab backsplash. The open kitchen demanded a large Indiana limestone island, which Mitch refused to split into two pieces. “These are the kind of little details that stand out,� he says. Adjacent to it, a geometric gold fixture makes a statement in the breakfast nook.

HomewoodLife.com 47

Powder Room Tucked under the stairwell, this room’s arabesque concrete tiles recreate that scalloped detail again as the backsplash. It also features two gold sconces and limestone countertops.

OCTOBER 4-7

birmingham-jefferson

c onvention c omple x nor th e x hibi t ion hall

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP all weekend long

MEET MONTE DURHAM from say yes to the dress

CLIP OR CLICK & SAVE $5

you buy your ticket online USE PROMO CODE when OR buy your ticket at the box office with this

SHOPPING18 coupon and save $5 off adult door price **

48 HomewoodLife.com

FIREFIGHTER FASHION SHOW heats up the stage

ENJOY COOKING CLASSES and demonstrations

SOUTHERNWOMENSSHOW.COM PROUD SPONSOR *While supplies last. **Discount valid on one adult admission with this card at show. Not valid with any other discount.

800.849.0248 A Southern Shows, Inc. Production

Master Bedroom A small nook behind one of the walls was turned into a home office complete with a custom-made barn door.

BEHIND THE SCENES Contractor: Saunders Bradford Interior Design: Jessica

Conner Design & Interiors Architect: Joe Ellis

Staging: Set to Sell

Lighting: Feiss, Gabby and Mayer Countertops: Alabama Stoneworks

Hardware: Brandino Brass

Tile and Plumbing: Fixtures & Finishes

Landscaping: Curb Appeal HomewoodLife.com 49

October

Make time for your mammogram.

2018 MAMMOTHON

Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day for your busy schedule. But the last thing that should be neglected is your health.

According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will develop breast cancer, and mammograms are the most effective form of early detection. Ask about special pricing and extended hours during October, and make time for your mammogram today.

Brookwood Baptist Medical Center 2006 Brookwood Medical Center Drive Women’s Medical Plaza, 1st Floor Birmingham, AL 35209 Week of October 22-26

CALL (833) 214-6659 TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

*3D Mammography Available

Princeton Baptist Medical Center Breast Care Center 833 Princeton Avenue SW POB III, 1st Floor Birmingham, Alabama 35211 Month of October, M–F

Walker Baptist Medical Center Breast Care Center 3400 Highway 78 E POB, Suite 218 Jasper, Alabama 35501 Mondays in October

Citizens Baptist Medical Center 604 Stone Avenue Talladega, AL 35160 Mondays in October

Shelby Baptist Diagnostic Center 1004 First Street North Alabaster, AL 35007 Month of October, M– F

Diagnostic Center – Hoover 5295 Preserve Parkway, Suite 110 Hoover, AL 35244 Month of October, M– F

*3D Mammography Available

Diagnostic Center – Hwy 119 7131 Cahaba Valley Road Hoover, AL 35242 Week of October 22-26 *3D Mammography Available

Visit BrookwoodBaptistHealth.com/MyMammo or call (833)214-6659 for appointments at any of our facilities.

how to style

AT HOME

a Bar Cart

Photo & Text

By Jessica Clement

2 1 3

4

A bar cart doesn’t just have to be functional, it can also be a wellcrafted design element in your room. Think of it as the focal point of your next party. First, organize groups of glassware, bottles and mixology essentials onto trays. Then, incorporate your personality with a piece of art, a floral arrangement and quirky accessories. To create interest, be sure to mix materials and finishes like a marble tray with smoke glassware.

Cheers!

6

5 7

Jessica Clement is an interior designer and stylist who believes that welldesigned interiors should tell the story about the people who live there.

1. Champagne Bowl- Domicile, $59 2. Smoke Wine Glass- Ambiance, $11.99 3. Smoked Collins Glass- Kellum & Company, $18 4. Marble Twig Tray- Kellum & Company, $125 5. Black Clay Pot- Ambiance, $12.99 6. Gold Urchin- Kellum & Company, $26 7. Set of Nesting Horn Bowls- Kellum & Company, $180

HomewoodLife.com 51

the fall

fashion guide

WHAT’S TRENDING THIS SEASON AT HOMEWOOD BOUTIQUES—AND WHERE TO FIND IT. PHOTOS BY MARY FEHR || STYLING BY ABBY ADAMS & JESSICA CLEMENT

Gray Suede Moto Jacket- Hemline, $98. White T-Shirt- Fabrik, $30. Black Floral Maxi- Shoefly, $68. Blush Leather Shoe- Hemline, $120. Gray BackpackAmbiance, $56.99. Natural Stone Earrings-Hemline, $20.

Dark Green Tied Blouse- Soca, $79.50. Black and White Ruffle Skirt- Ambiance, $42.99. Camel Leather Clutch- Shoefly, $88. Gold Drop EarringsSoca, $54.

52 HomewoodLife.com

BOOTIES ARE A TRANSITIONAL SHOE THAT CAN EASILY BE PAIRED WITH ANY OUTFIT.

Dark Green T-Shirt Dress- Theodora, $149. Natural Leather Jacket- Ambiance, 98. Grey Suede Bootie- Hemline, $160.

Geometric Necklace- Soca, $85.

HomewoodLife.com 53

A LEATHER JACKET IS THE PERFECT TRANSITIONAL PIECE FOR FALL.

Flying Monkey Jeans- Fab’rik, $78. Striped HiLo Top- Fab’rik, $51. Blank NYC Leather JacketHemline, $98. Black Statement Earrings- Fab’rik, $23. Gold Cuff- Fab’rik, $28. Lain Gold Chunky Heels- Fab’rik, $39.

54 HomewoodLife.com

Black Jumpsuit- Soca, $112.50. Black and White Stripe Duster- Ambiance, $46.99. Natural Suede Heels- Shoefly, $120. Gold Coin Statement Necklace- Theodora, $238. Thin Leather Belt- Soca, $29.99. Gold Bangles- Soca, $16.50-$35.

HomewoodLife.com 55

Mystree Olive Sweater- Shoefly, $65. Manifesto Gold NecklaceShoefly, $54. Gold Feather Earrings- Handmade and Suede, $20. Clear Mingle Mingle MiniSoca, $195. Kelsey Dagger Wesley Bootie- Shoefly, $175.

56 HomewoodLife.com

A TAILORED BLAZER IS A VERSATILE PIECE TO DRESS UP OR DOWN.

Gray and White Blazer- Ambiance, $99. Vanilla Tank Top- Shoefly, $65. Skinny Ankle Jeans- Soca, $235. Gray Suede Booties-Theodora, $160. Round Camel Leather Bag- Hemline, $160. Green and Gold Feather Earrings- Handmade and Suede, $20.

HomewoodLife.com 57

Misa Floral DressHemline, $348.

Butterfly Neely Earrings- Hemline, $63.

Chinese Laundry Lash Suede Heels- Hemline, $160. Able Fozi ClutchShoefly, $118.

58 HomewoodLife.com

meet the stylists JESSICA CLEMENT

ABBY ADAMS

@JMCSTUDIODESIGN JMCSTUDIODESIGN.COM

@PEEPTOESANDPINEAPPLES PEEPTOESANDPINEAPPLES.COM

You are an interior designer. How do you think your style with interiors and your fashion style connect?

I like for every design and style, whether it’s a room or clothes, to look timeless and crisp with a pop of something unexpected for interest.

What are your favorite fall wardrobe staples?

I cannot live without a black leather jacket and cognac booties.

They’re classic and instantly make your outfit look put together and chic.

What’s trending right now that you are most excited to wear?

The boyfriend blazer! It’s such a versatile piece in my wardrobe.

I can dress it up with statement earrings for my meetings with clients, but can also pair it with leather leggings for a relaxed night out.

How would you describe your style?

I pick out what I am wearing according to my mood. Yes, most days you’ll probably seeing me wearing pink. What can I say, I am a happy human.

What do you most look forward to about fall?

It’s football season (GO CLEMSON), but I love rocking my booties. Side note: Candy corn pumpkins are my fave.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

I splurged on a pair of Marc Fischer wedges for summer/fall.

It’s the best purchase I have made this season.

Where do you find style inspiration?

I started following @loverlygrey on Instagram, and honestly she inspires me along with several other fashion and lifestyle bloggers.

MODELS: JENNIFER ANDRESS (P. 54), SARAH ANNE ELLIOTT (P. 56), MACY GANN (P. 52), REED JEFFRIES (P. 58), AMBER KELLEY (P. 53), SUMINTRA LEONESE (P. 55), MAKIYAH SILLS (P. 52), ANDREA SNYDER (P. 57). DRESSING ROOM: ALOFT HOTEL

Caring for your Family

Celia Davenport, DMD 2940 Clairmont Ave S, Birmingham 205-277-2297 davenportdentalandwellness.com HomewoodLife.com 59

remember when Tales from back when Shades Cahaba was a high school, as told by those who remember them best.

By Jake Collins | Photos by Lauren Ustad 60 HomewoodLife.com

HomewoodLife.com 61

T

Today we know Shades Cahaba as an elementary school, but it’s really much more than that. In 1920 Shades Cahaba High School became a place that brought people together from all over Shades Valley: Edgewood, Irondale, Crestline, Shannon, Oxmoor, Patton Chapel and Cahaba Heights. It gave people in a rural area an opportunity to get a great education. It created an identity. It gave people something to be proud of. You can’t look through the old yearbooks and not get a sense of the enthusiasm that people “Over the Mountain” had for their school. And 70 years later, you still get that

Herb Griffin holds a photo from his high school years at Shades Cahaba.

62 HomewoodLife.com

sense from its alumni.

Almost every summer since 1988 Shades Cahaba High School graduates gather in the now-elementary lunch room to harken back to a time when Shades Cahaba was considered a “country” school. Formally the June event this year was the Class of 1948’s 70th reunion, but an invitation was also extended to anyone who attended Shades Cahaba High School around that time.

On this hot summer afternoon, 22 classmates entered the “new front” of the school. (The “old front” of the school faces Hollywood Boulevard, and if you stand

SHADES CAHABA THROUGH THE YEARS 1916 Zelosophian Academy graduates Will

1920s

Franke and William Acton convinced

In the 1920s, the football and

the Jefferson County Board of

baseball teams were coached by

1930s

Education of the necessity of a public

Sidney Malloy. After Malloy, Oren

Shades Cahaba continued to thrive

elementary school, and high school

school south of Red Mountain in

“Piggy” Mitchell ran the program

through the Great Depression and

students who previously went there

Shades Valley. A three-mill tax was

before moving to the new Shades

relied heavily on the citizens of the

began attending Shades Valley

passed that covered the cost of

Valley High School.

valley to meet the needs of students.

High School.

1949 Shades Cahaba became an

building the new school.

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

1920

1927

1940s

Under the leadership of Principal

Mrs. Margie Cross and Mrs. Ida H.

By 1940, Shades Cahaba was the

James. M. Ward, Shades Cahaba

Tyler ran a new lunchroom until

only school in the state that had an

High School opened with four high

1955. As more people began to pour

athletic field with lights, speakers

school grades, five teachers and 156

into Shades Valley in the 1920s, the

and an electronic scoreboard.

students. Ward stayed at Shades

school had continued to add onto

Throughout the ‘40s, the school

Cahaba until he took an new

the main building.

achieved high academic and athletic

administrative position in 1943.

Q

successes.

HomewoodLife.com 63

64 HomewoodLife.com

nov 3-4 the preserve, hoover mossrockfestival.com

Giant th by

rd Mo

Leopa

Joan Eddleman Kopp

MOSS ROCK

avis

rah D

Debo

under the door, you can see where “Shades Cahaba High School” used to be carved into the stone.) As they enjoyed refreshments and reminisced, they flipped through a collection of Shades Cahaba yearbooks that span from 1926-1951 that are now a part of the library at Shades Cahaba Elementary School. Because of the education they received at Shades Cahaba, many of these students had gone on to pursue jobs and careers that their parents probably never dreamed of, but today most conversations center on an earlier era.

This year Inice Carlisle Tarrant, Class of 1945, had driven up with her daughter, Neecie Tarrant, from Dothan for the reunion. Her grandfather Binion Waller, a leader of the Freemasons at the Shades Valley Lodge and an employee of the Birmingham Electric Company, ran a dairy farm in what is now the Mayfair neighborhood in Homewood. His original farm house is still located at 1749 Oxmoor Road.

Nearby are Billie Johnson Hayes and her sister, Charlotte Johnson French, who grew up near Patton Chapel in what is now Hoover. They used to pray for snow knowing that the school bus couldn’t make it down Shades Mountain on Old Montgomery Highway in the snow and ice.

It’s quickly obvious who the ringleader of the group is: Joan Eddleman Kopp. It was she who collected the yearbooks they are all perusing, and she has kept scrapbooks and notes from every reunion so that she can make sure she invites everyone each and every summer.

Joan grew up on Sutherland Place in Edgewood and attended Edgewood Elementary School before moving to Shades Cahaba in ninth grade. Her sophomore year she took the street car to Phillips High School before returning to Shades Cahaba in the middle of her junior year. Joan was active in the choir and Jewell Y-Teens,

13th ANNUAL SPONSORS ● Homewood Life • Alabama Power Joe Piper • USS Real Estate • RealtySouth • Avadian • Pathway Gardens PNC Bank • Pursell Farms • Event Rentals Unlimited SPOTLIGHT PARTNERS ● AARP Ala • Beer Hog • City of Hoover • Durante FOR | BHM • Hargrove Engineers • LeafFilter • McDowell Security • Royal Cup Saiia Construction • ThinkData Solutions • Weil Wrecker

HomewoodLife.com 65

Dr. Raleigh B. Kent

A HALL-KENT NAMESAKE Dr. Raleigh B. Kent Jr.’s grandfather, John A. Kent, operated a large dairy farm in what is now West Homewood. Today Raleigh can still point out where gypsies used to live, the site of their hog pen, and the where the old “OddFellows” home was.

During World War II Raleigh was sent in his father’s 1941 Hudson to make extra milk deliveries to customers. In his teenager years to get to Hollywood from West Homewood for a date, Raleigh saddled up two horses, rode up Saulter Road and along Bald Ridge to pick up a young lady for an afternoon of horseback riding through Homewood.

Raleigh’s parents moved in 1950 and the old Kent Dairy Farm became a new subdivision, but his childhood home still stands at 613 Cobb Street.

helped write the school newspaper, and was voted “biggest flirt” of her senior class. In 1948 she starred in the senior class play, “Every Family Has One,” as the grandmother. As one of the most social students at Shades Cahaba, she spent her free time hanging out at the Pig Trail Inn, Dunn’s Drug Store and Hollywood Country Club.

Joan also has the distinction of being the only undefeated football coach in the history of Shades Cahaba School. There was quite a rivalry between Shades Cahaba and Edgewood Elementary, and Shades Cahaba couldn’t find a coach. Joan volunteered her services and managed to beat Edgewood twice that year. One of her former players, Charlie Lane, still lives in Homewood and stays in touch with her.

Back in eighth grade, Joan visited her Edgewood classmate Herb Griffin every day after he was hit by the Edgewood Electric Car while chasing his brother’s dog Flossie behind what is now Dawson Family of Faith. The two remain close today. For Herb, like Joan, Shades Cahaba wasn’t too far beyond the route 66 HomewoodLife.com

he’d walked on logging trails to elementary school, or where he fish bream, bass and crappie in Griffin Brook and traveled to downtown Homewood to go to the theater on Friday and Saturday nights.

(Side note on Griffin Brook: Herb’s paternal great grandfather, Phillip Thomas Griffin Sr., had purchased roughly 160 acres in Shades Valley in 1858 and established a homestead that was on the west side of Columbiana Road where Publix is now. Today Herb still lives on Sterrett in the same house that he grew up in.)

One of Herb’s most vivid memories of Shades Cahaba is traveling east on Oxmoor on the way to school and seeing Mrs. Clausen sweeping her yard on the corner of 18th street and Oxmoor, where a funeral home is now. Herb loved everything about Shades Cahaba and had a way (and still does) of making everyone he knew feel special.

Dr. Raleigh Kent’s Shades Cahaba ties also started in Edgewood. In the summer after seventh grade, he rode his bicycle to Edgewood School to meet Shades

Cahaba Coach Piggy Mitchell for baseball practice. They practiced every day from 8 a.m. to noon before taking a break to go down to Timmerson’s in Edgewood for a sandwich. At 1 p.m., the boys would play a game that only lasted about an hour because many of the boys had paper routes they needed to tend to. That summer, they played baseball all over Birmingham, against Ramsay, Phillips and Ensley. Six to eight boys would pile in Coach Mitchell’s pre-WWII black four-door Ford, with two to three mothers in toe to assist with transportation.

Raleigh would go on to become Shades Cahaba’s best pitcher as well as play guard and linebacker on the football team. He was named the football team MVP in 1948. He’d continue to play baseball on lunch breaks at Avondale Park when he worked for Continental Gin after high school, and in the summers through studying at Auburn University and then UAB Medical School before being his practice as a surgeon.

Raleigh and his classmates would become some of the last Shades Cahaba graduates before it became an elementary school, paving the way for three to four generations of families who have now walked its hallways. (In fact, one of Joan’s daughters, Steffayne Riley Giardina, taught elementary classes at Shades Cahaba for nine years.) In 98 years of existence, Shades Cahaba has long upheld values of education that were newly minted back in 1920 and deeply held by 1948. And now in 2018, there’s still plenty for people to be proud of.

Stacy Flippen I understand that your home isn’t just an investment, it’s a part of your family. And I want to be there for you as your house matures and your community grows. From Edgewood to Lakeshore and Hall Kent to Hollywood, you want to know how the Homewood market is developing. Whether you are buying, selling, or staying – I know it’s important to make informed decisions about your family and your home.

It is an exciting time to be a homeowner in Homewood! Let me show you why!

Call (205) 966-8406 or email sflippen@arcrealtyco.com.

2718 Cahaba Road—arcrealtyco.com

ARC REALTY GALLERY BROKERS

HomewoodLife.com 67

68 HomewoodLife.com

PAYING IT FORWARD

College scholarships and financial aid are right at the fingertips of qualified students, but they might not know it. Here’s how two Homewood moms are bridging those gaps.

BY MELANIE PEEPLES PHOTOS BY LOVE MOVES CREATIVE & CONTRIBUTED

H

Homewood moms Josephine Lowery and Nancy Hale are accustomed to running long distances.

They met at church and began training for triathlons, and even ran the Boston marathon together. A few years ago, when their oldest daughters were getting ready for college, they weren’t sure how to go about finding exactly the right fit. They hired Samford professor Mark Bateman to help them navigate the college admissions process, and select the right school for their daughters. Along the way, he told them what

he really wanted to do was offer the service to kids whose parents couldn’t afford it.

Together, they created College Choice Foundation, based right here in Homewood, in Josephine’s basement playroom.

Josephine, a retired real estate attorney, knew exactly the kind of kid Mark wanted to help. She had been one herself. “My mom was an alcoholic, and we were on free lunch and food stamps. All I ever knew that I could do to escape that environment was to do well in school.”

HomewoodLife.com 69

JOSHUA NDEGWA HOMEWOOD HIGH CLASS OF 2018

Joshua Ndegwa just graduated from Homewood High and is entering his freshman year at Vanderbilt, his dream school. He was able to apply to close to 20 schools thanks to College Choice. “It’s a lot easier to write when you have a deadline and someone else is expecting it as opposed to when you have to drive yourself,” he says. “They probably drove me a lot harder than I would have driven myself.”

But he’s used to that. Joshua’s mother immigrated to Birmingham from Nairobi, Kenya, when he was not quite 4. She had applied for a green card in the lottery and was the only one in her extended family to get it. She has worked as a nurse ever since, taking the night shift so she could be home when Joshua got out of school. “She wanted me to go far,” he says. “She said, ‘See something different.’”

ANGELICA EVERSON HOMEWOOD CLASS OF 2017

Angelica Everson was born in California, but grew up struggling with poverty, racism and homelessness in Birmingham. She couldn’t wait to leave the state.

“I didn’t like being in Alabama,” she says over a Facetime interview, wearing her American University sweatshirt. “I didn’t like being in the South.”

Angelica says she always knew she wanted to go to college because she knew she didn’t want to go through the same struggles she saw her mother go through. She just needed some help navigating the path to college. And that’s what Josephine, Nancy and the other volunteers with College Choice did for her.

“I had no one in my life to guide me through that process,” she says. “My mother works all the time.

Like, ALL the time. And whenever I needed a ride home from band practice or rides to ACT prep, they would be the ones to get me there, pick me up, make sure I was okay, fed and got home safely.”

And she’s glad she made it through. “For me, personally, I had to get out of the South. And I’m really happy I did because I would say right now I am living my best life.”

She grew up in Auburn and so she planned on going environment she was in, and made all the difference to school there. But then a guidance counselor said in her life. “This, College Choice— Mark’s vision — was she didn’t understand why a gifted and hard-working MY opportunity to give back, to pay it forward, so to speak, the kindness student like Josephine that someone did to wasn’t applying Homewood parent Cassandra Joseph with CCF Founders Mark me.” anywhere else.

Bateman, Nancy Hale and Josephine Lowery The three of them Josephine told her she started College Choice couldn’t afford to go Foundation in 2014 anywhere else, and the and are on their fifth counselor told her she “generation” of could probably get students. Many of the scholarships or kids, like Josephine, financial aid. She didn’t just don’t know what understand. “But I kind of opportunities can’t even afford to are out there. “They apply,” Josephine told don’t even know there her. are schools that will Josephine says even meet their needs,” she back then it cost says. around $75 to apply to And those schools each school. Long story usually turn out to be short, Josephine’s some of the most elite counselor got those application fees waived and she ended up getting a full schools in the country. Small, private colleges have scholarship to Vanderbilt, Emory University, Sewanee endowments that allow them to help these kids of and Birmingham-Southern. She chose Sewanee and students above and beyond the kind of federal aid the says it offered her a fresh start away from the difficult federal government and state schools can offer.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

S LEGACY

PAT SULLIVAN’

CH MERGER

KMONT CHUR

• TRINITY-OA

OPPABLE

• THE UNST

Your Stories.

Your Community.

Your Magazine.

HES

DR. WINC

Front cover

Back cover HOMEW OOD LIFE

Back cover

RCOLORS

LLARS’ WATE

ASHLEY MCCU RSPACE •

BA MAKE

SHADES CAHA

• DAWSON

Visit Homewood Life.com or call 205-669-3131 to subscribe for $16.30 (6 issues) a year.

ECTION

KIDS CONN

K & THREE

GREEY’S JAMES

JOHNN MINATION BEARD NO

Front cover

IPT LIFNE THE SHOD -GROW OD THEATRE

HOMEWO

ON STAGE

HOUSE 2.0

• URBAN COOK

S’ WEDDING

ARIA • SHERRI

ARTISTRY

HOMEW OOD

HOMEWO DELIVERY GROCERY LIFE

TORY OF

A BRIEF HIS H omewood L ife . com

ROSEDALE TEAM AIDAN

OBER SEPTEMBER/OCT HomewoodLife.com $4.95

2017

GOLD AT GOING FOR OLYMPICS THE DWARF

H omewood L ife . com

OBER 2017 SEPTEMBER/OCT HomewoodLife.com $4.95

ecember

2017 J anuary /f ebruary

2018

1802 29TH AVE HOMEWOOD, AL 205.802.9252 | @hemlinebirmingham

N ovember /d

FRENCH CONNECTION | HUDSON | SAYLOR | SOFIA | MISA

2017 /DECEMBER NOVEMBER .com HomewoodLife | Issue Two Volume One $4.95

RUARY 2018 JANUARY/FEB .com HomewoodLife | Issue One Volume Two $4.95

CLEAN&

SIMPLE SWEETon SAVAGE’S THIS PEEK INSIDE SE MHOU MODERN FAR

IND FAMILY BEH MEET THE CENTRAL E COOKIE SMILEY FAC

2018

W E D D IN G

S

GS L WEDDIN S | 11 REA ISTRY IDEA GUEST LOCAL REG T DRESSED BE THE BES

HomewoodLife.com 71

Maddie Bald, right, with two fellow members of the Class of 2017 at graduation

meet our top producers of 2018

Shelley Clark

Blair Moss

Jane Huston Crommelin

Julie Harris

Katie Crommelin

Ray & Poynor

Tracy Patton

Betsy French

Betsy Dreher Mary Evans

Judy Horton

We understand that we are in a relationship business. Our clients' needs are our priority and we work hard to find them what they are looking for.

Our agents are here to make a difference.

Honesty, Integrity, Knowledge.

That is what sets Ray & Poynor apart from the rest.

Henry Ray

72 HomewoodLife.com

But first, they have to get there, and the admissions process to private colleges is a much more arduous task than applying to state schools. So, once the foundation selects its scholars, they pay for them to go to ACT prep courses, retake the ACT to increase their scores, help them create a list of colleges that seem like a good fit, and then pay for them to apply to at least 12 to 15 colleges each.

“Everybody has a different and unique story,” Josephine says.

“They’re not just low income and smart. There’s usually some sort of narrative that goes along with them because of their circumstances that is compelling and heart-wrenching.”

“They get stressed and they need our help just to support them,” says Nancy Hale. So Nancy and Josephine effectively hold their hands throughout the entire process. They help them with essays, take them to visit schools, buy interview outfits if they need them, and match them with a mentor who meets with them at least once a week. “We spend thousands of dollars to get these kids through the process,” Nancy says. “It takes so much time and money for just one child.” They estimate it takes $5,000 to $7,000 per student.

But the result is so worth it.

Take Maddie Bald for an example. She is a student who was undoubtedly bound for college. No way around it. She scored a 35 out of 36 on the ACT, graduated from Homewood High with a GPA of 4.41, and was third in the Class of 2017.

But even an elite student like Maddie couldn’t go anywhere she wanted. Her father died three years ago, after years of battling alcoholism. “There was a period when my mom was like, ‘Look, you have $5,000 for like all four years. Not $5,000 a year, but like $5,000 for all four years,’ so she was like basically, ‘You get a

FOUNDATION FACTS THE NUMBERS

COLLEGES SCHOLARS

HOW TO SUPPORT

ACT score for CCF Scholars

American University

Visit collegechoicefoundation.org

Boston College

to make a donation or call 205-

4 Points: Average increase in 100 Percent: CCF Scholars who

HAVE ATTENDED

THEIR MISSION

have received scholarships and

Trinity University

financial aid covering 90 percent

401-4212 for more information.

University of Alabama

or more of their total direct and

Attend their Wild West Roundup

Vanderbilt University

indirect college expenses

Fundraiser, held annually

Washington University in St. Louis

in the spring.

awarded to CCF Scholars since

WHAT IT COSTS

$8 million: Total financial aid the organization’s inception

High-School Scholar Support:

Find more details closer to then on their website.

$7,500

College Scholar Support: $2,000

scholarship or you can’t go.’”

Surely, if any student had a shot at getting a scholarship, Maddie would be it, but it’s incredibly competitive and it takes casting a wide net to get the kind of scholarship she needed.

“I knew I wanted to apply to a lot of different places, and we just couldn’t afford to pay $70 an application fee,” she says.

Maddie ended up applying to 17, and one of the last schools she decided to apply to ended up offering her a Presidential Scholarship. It was an offer she couldn’t turn down, so she is a sophomore now, at Boston College. And that scholarship? It’s so elite, only 15 students a year are offered it. With it comes personal attention from the faculty, and programs like an overseas language immersion program she’ll complete next summer. The program has already paid to send her to Venice, Italy, and requires her to do service work along the way.

In the beginning she had been thinking about Auburn and the University of Virginia. And while both of those are fine schools, with an undergraduate enrollment at Auburn at 24,000, and 16,000 at the University of Virginia, there are only 9,000 students at Boston College, meaning Maddie really has a chance to stand out.

Like Mark Bateman asked her the first time he sat down with here: “Maddie, do you want to live in color or black and white?”

She chose color, and wants to be a doctor, either an OBGYN or pediatric specialist, and she plans to come back to the South when she’s done with school.

It’s a long haul, but Josephine and Nancy, and all the other members of College Choice Foundation are there for the long run.

“It’s been fun to take them to that door and watch them walk through it and take off,” Nancy says. “And they’re going to change other lives with it. They’re gonna do great things with their educations. I KNOW they are. They’re already doing it.”

Maddie has already been tutoring children with autism and worked with adults in prison in the Boston area. Other College Choice Foundation scholars have spent a semester in Japan, earned a spot on an archaeology dig in Spain, and been elected class president.

The only thing Nancy and Josephine wish is that they could reach more students. “We had to turn down a senior (in high school) this year who would have been great,” Josephine says.

“We’d love to help more. We just don’t have the resources right now.”

HomewoodLife.com 73

Homewood Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S

Happenings Tuesday, Sept. 18th Annual Legislative Update and September Membership Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Club

Thursday, Oct. 11th Homewood Chamber Golf Classic 9 a.m. Shotgun Start, 8 a.m.

Registration Robert Trent Jones Oxmoor Valley

The Homewood Chamber Golf Classic is in its second decade, and over the years the Tournament has raised thousands of dollars for economic development, community events and scholarships for Homewood High School students. As the Chamber’s largest fundraiser, the Golf Classic not only provides a tremendous opportunity for our Members to spend the morning together, but also proves to be a valuable investment as all proceeds aid in the Chamber’s efforts to promote our community. The day begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start, but prior to tee-off participants are encouraged to grab a coffee and a

biscuit during registration (which begins at 8 a.m.). After playing a full 18 holes of golf and networking with several different chamber Members, participants will enjoy lunch catered by one of our Member restaurants, as well as the chance to win several door prizes donated by Chamber businesses. The Chamber believes in the importance of investing in the community’s future business leaders, and the Homewood Chamber Golf Classic helps us do just that! For more information about the Homewood Chamber Golf Classic and to secure your team or sponsorship today, visit www.homewoodchamber.org or call our office at 205-871-5631.

Tuesday, Oct. 16th October Membership Luncheon Featuring Greg Powell of Fi Plan Partners sponsored by Homewood Life 11:30 a.m.-1p.m.

The Club

New Member Spotlight

Thursday, November 8 Holiday Open House Beginning at 5 p.m.

Downtown Homewood

7 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD 74 HomewoodLife.com

Shades Valley Presbyterian Church

Kindler Enterprises 205-644-1570

205-871-7309

Nothing Bundt Cakes 205-972-9222

Hydralive Therapy 205-960-6964

Bricktop’s Restaurant 205-518-0772

Vulcan Imaging Associates 205-824-8000

HOMEWOOD, ALABAMA 35209

F i n d U s O n l i ne

Sign up for our weekly newsletter | Access our member directory Purchase Buy Local Homewood eGift Cards

Save The Date

Welcome To Homewood

Holiday Open House

Ensley Fairfield Mattress Co

Friday, August 3rd 1831 28th Ave. South, Suite N160 Homewood, AL 35209

The Merchants of 18th Street and surrounding areas invite you to kick of the holiday season with extended store hours, holiday specials, refreshments and other treats. Enjoy your first taste of the Holiday Season while you stroll through the streets, hop on the Homewood for the Holidays Trolley to be transported throughout the downtown area, and bring your little ones for a picture with Santa!"

Ensley Fairfield Mattress Co.

Food Allergy Treatment Center Wednesday, June 20th 509 Brookwood Boulevard, Suite 101 Homewood, AL 35209

Blo blow dry bar 205-948-4888

205-848-8005

Amedisys Hospice

The Horizons School 205-322-6606

205-868-9221

Maya Mexican Restaurant 205-434-0608

Lori Zucco Insurance 205-942-4448

205 - 871 - 5631

Birmingham Museum of Art 205-254-2565

Hydralive Therapy

Friday, July 20th 3036 Independence Drive Homewood, AL 35209

WWW.HOMEWOODCHAMBER.ORG HomewoodLife.com 75

OUT & ABOUT

WEST HOMEWOOD STREETFEST

1

PHOTOS BY TIMOTHY WOOLEY

Inflatables, face painting and more took over Patriot Park on June 2 for this annual festival.

1. Molly Sellers, Leigh Ellen Herring, Brittan McClusky, Braxton McClusky, Leah McClusky and Patrick McClusky 2. Virginia Shubert and her daughter of Swann Soap Company

2

3. Natasha Wood and Emily Tidwell of Alabama Juice Bar 4. Judie Jones, Krista Robinson, Cynthia Eldredge and Ernie Eldredge 5. Joy Smith, Greg Smith and Olivia Smith of Sorelle 6. Lucca Maccari, Nicolas Maccari and Ava Barco 7. Tressa Vandercamp, Morgan Sims and Paola Amaya 8. Warren Riddle, Quinton Riddle, Shelby Riddle, Eliza Riddle and Sophie Ogger

4

9. Yao Wang, Julia Wilson, Claire Sparkman, Nghi Dang, Beth Clarkin and Talitha Ractor

205-447-3275 • cezelle@realtysouth.com

76 HomewoodLife.com

3

OUT & ABOUT

5

8

6

7

9

HomewoodLife.com 77

OUT & ABOUT

1

WEST HOMEWOOD FARMERS MARKET

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Local produce vendors and more gathered in the Shades Valley Community Church Parking lot on Tuesday evenings this summer.

1. Jamie Rhodes and Katie Ross 2. Matt, Dante, Cassie and Xavian Hall, with Trista Wolverton 3. Sarah, Michael and Ellie Annunziata

5

4. Tommy, Wendy, Addie and Luke Ray 5. Janet, Emma Kathryn and Dennis Jones 6. Karen and Randy 7. Oliver and Katie Pearman 8. Rachel, Brandon and Graham Bass 9. Emma Grace Clark, Juliana McMullan and Demi ShamsiBasha 10. Evelyn and Devincia Caver 11. Alex Martinez, Meg Davis and Xavi Martinez-Davis 12. Jeanna Weygand, Ami Ross and Caroline Grant

78 HomewoodLife.com

6

7

OUT & ABOUT

8

11

10

9

12

November 3-4 | The Preserve | Hoover, Alabama 65+ Brews | Cask Garden | Beer Snacks | Football | Wooded Venue Advance tickets get Belgian Glass | $25 Early Bird (purchase by Sept 15) | mossrockfestival.com SPOTLIGHT PARTNERs

beer hog • mr. mancave HomewoodLife.com 79

OUT & ABOUT

1

FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVAL

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Homewood streets filled with fun, games and music before the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show.

1. DJ Steve Sills 2. Ben, Lane, Bailey and Adalyn Landers 3. Sharon, Evan and Rhett Cooper 4. Kayla, Kristof and Christian Adkins

5

5. Sarah Preston and Mary Hodgetts 6. Kasey and Kylie Long 7. Karen, Karly and Kelly McCollum, and Susan Stevens and Marti Carter 8. Ely, Ana, Arleth, Cesar and Alexandra Escobar 9. Elizabeth and Olivia Finney, Libby and Evie Nash, and Mims and Bennie Pate 10. Ella Scott Barry and Hadley Gunnells 11. Joie and Pepper Ustad, James Culver III, and Jackson Ellis

80 HomewoodLife.com

7

6

OUT & ABOUT

8

10

9

11

HomewoodLife.com 81

OUT & ABOUT

1

OLS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

2

3

4

5

6

PHOTOS BY FRANCES SMITH/OLS

The 69th annual festival at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, held on July 4, welcomed parishioners past and present, priests of the diocese, and visitors from the community.

1. Associate Pastor Father Balta with festival attendees 2. Angela Kolar 3. Samantha Chriesman 4. John Tighe 5. John Hardin 6. Provy Richards 7. Festival cooks 8. David Handra 9. John Klug and Greg Pierre 10. Teresa Pitts and Kina Handra 11. Greg Pierre, John Paul Pierre and Jonathan Huang

7

82 HomewoodLife.com

OUT & ABOUT

8

9

10

DESCENDED FROM HEROES They came from all walks of life, from rural farms, from small towns to big cities, to answer their country’s call.

— Senator Bob Dole

11

HWY. 119 MONTEVALLO, AL

Free Teach ers: Reg classister of H r o o m ki onor avail t a dow ble for nloa d

To find out how to include the veterans in your family in the Register of Honor, visit:

WWW.VETERANSREGISTEROFHONOR.COM

HomewoodLife.com 83

OUT & ABOUT

HOMEWOOD LIBRARY BLOCK PARTY

1

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

The Homewood Library Foundation hosted its fifth annual Block Party of fun on Aug. 11.

1. Victoria Dinkins, Audrey Reeves and Alexis Dinkins 2. Callie Culver and Lori Nichols 3. Matthew and Steph Whitaker 4. Leeza, Brian and Fletcher Naugle, and David, Eleanor, and Carlisle Dyer

2

3

5. Paramedic Joseph Patton and Homewood Fire Lt. Alexander Glover 6. Robyn Aycock, Beth Ryan and Dory Serotsky 7. Alisha Johnson and Jeremy Bernstien 8. Jessica Cox, Steven McIntyre and Brittani Lawley

4

r

Front cove

ULLARS’

LEY MCC

r

Back cove

HOME WOOD

CAHABA

SHADES

ACE • ASH MAKERSP

OLORS

WATERC

• DAWSON

NECTION

KIDS CON

LIFE

SUBSCRIBE NOW! Your Stories.

Your Community.

Your Magazine.

STORY OF

A BRIEF HI H omewo od

E ROSEDAL AN ID A M A E T FOR GOLD AT

L ife . com

S GOING F OLYMPIC THE DWAR

N ovembe r /d ecembe r

2017

84 HomewoodLife.com

BER 2017 ER/DECEM NOVEMB ife.com HomewoodL | Issue Two Volume One $4.95

SWEETo’nS SAVAGE

BEHIND E FAMILY MEET TH OKIE CENTRAL CE CO

SMILEY FA

Visit HomewoodLife.com or call 205-669-3131 to subscribe for $16.30 (6 issues) a year.

OUT & ABOUT

5

6

7

8

Brought to you by www.sidewalkfest.com HomewoodLife.com 85

MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Homewood Life • 205.669.3131

Acceptance Loan Company.

Personal Loans! Let us pay off your title loan!

224 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham. 205-663-5821

LAWN CARE • Large Properties • Lake Properties • Property Cleanups - Great Rates!

Free Estimates! - Shelby and Chilton Counties 10% DISCOUNT for Military & Senior Citizens.

Call Alex 205-955-3439 Class-A CDL Driver.

500 Sign-on Bonus.

25+yo w/good MVR. 6+months flatbed experience. $.38-46cpm (based on experience) On actual miles driven +$.20d/h.

Paid tarp/stopover/layover/ detention. 205-642-9186.

Application at: www. angelswaytransportation.com INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES $17.68 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 Pre-employment 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.

Walk-in applications accepted.

Clanton (205)280-0002.

Pelham (205)444-9774.

Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13/hour. Must be able to pass background screen.

Please apply at www.bc.com

86 HomewoodLife.com

B & J Metal Fabricators Offering more than roofing!

• Metal roofing • Portable metal buildings • Custom sizes available Customize your own!!

Montevallo (205)665-4687 (205)296-9988

Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits.

Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Maintenance Electrician needed. 10-years experience in motor controls, troubleshooting, programming frequency drives, soft starts, computer skills and electrical installations. Contact Cahaba Veneer at 205-926-9797 Galleria Woods Senior Living JOIN THE GALLERIA WOODS TEAM Are you tired of 12 hour-shifts?

Asst Dir Nursing-Reqs RN nursing degree and current AL RN license/2-4 yrs related exp. Prefer long term care exp. $3000 sign-on bonus.

Cert Dietary Mgr-FT Day. Reqs Diet.Mgr-cert & 4-yrs of exp. $1000 sign-on-bonus. Servers and dishwashers Restaurant exp & strong customer service skills. LPN and Certified Nursing Assistants-All shifts To apply:www.brookdale.com Or visit us at 3850 Galleria Woods Drive Birmingham, AL 35244. For more Info contact Jeff Prince 205.985.7537.

Carroll Fulmer Now Hiring Class-A CDL Drivers. Overthe-road positions available.

Dry vans. No hazmat. Must have one year over-the-road.

Experience and a clean MVR. Competitive pay and bonus package. Good home time.

Call 800-633-9710 ext. 2

HomewoodLife.com

Bent Creek Apartments.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom.

On-site Manager.

On-site Maintenance.

3001 7th Street. North Canton, AL 35045.

TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) 800-548-2546(T/A) bentcreek@morrowapts.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer

Birmingham,AL based Transportation Company looking for Class-A CDL drivers • Average 22,500/ miles-wk • Must be at least 23yrs old • Starting pay at .43/mile increase to .45 in 6-months • 18-months driving exp.

Please Call:205-925-1977 Ext:2309 or Email: recruiting@ churchtransportation.net City of Clanton is Hiring.

Detailed job descriptions on file at City Hall. EOE. Drug screening/physical required.

NOW HIRING!!!

• Director, Pharmacy Services • Director, Material Management • RN-ER RFT 7pm-7am • RN-ICU RFT 7pm-7am Email resume to: Blaine.Green@cvhealth.net or go to www.cvhealth.net EEO Employer M/F/D/VDrug-freeWorkplace Full Time and Part Time RN’s Needed for home health in Bibb, Shelby and Chilton counties. Excellent Salary and Benefits. Please send resumes to jobs@rubic.com or call 866-273-3984 DCH Health System Caring.

For Life. $5,000 *Sign-on Bonus for full time RNs *For More Info Contact Annie.Miller@dchsystem.com.

Apply online at: www.dchsystem.com

PT/FT Farm Equipment Operator, Lawn Maintenance and Fork Lift Driver Needed.

Drug and Background Check Required. Call 205-688-0258 to set up Interview.

$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.

MECHANICS NEEDED Evergreen Transport LLC has two immediate openings for Class B Mechanics at its terminal in Calera, AL. One for night shift and one for day shift. Call Jason at 205-668-3316. Job duties include repairing, maintaining and overhauling of heavy duty fleet truck/trailers and other tasks assigned by supervisor.

Franklin Iron Works Now Hiring. Grinders & Laborers.

Must apply in person: 146 Tommie Drive, Thorsby.

Mon-Fri. 10am-3pm.

Taking applications for waitresses for growing business in Clanton Call Teresa: 334-235-0228 or call the restaurant between 4-10pm: 205-280-4949

Outbounds loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp. Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. Air Ride Trailers. Home weekends. Low cost BCBS Health & Dental Ins. Matching 401K. Qualifications: 18 months Class A CDL driving experience with 6 months flatbed; Applicants must meet all D.O.T. requirements.

Contact recruiting at 1-800-634-7315 or come by HTL office at 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE LPN’s, RN’s, CNA’s Full-time & part-time • 2nd & 3rd Shift Apply in person: Hatley Health Care 300 Medical Ctr Dr Clanton, AL 35045 Road and Parking Lot Striping Company NOW HIRING LABORERS. Must be 18+ and have valid driver’s license. Monday-Friday.

BCBS/Paid Holidays/Sick days/Vacation/401k. Apply in person: 1110 Highway 31, Calera. 205-663-1511 Does your loved one need help at home? Licensed, bonded, insured, affordable homecare offered. Approved Veteran Service Contractor & LTC Insurance accepted.

Live-in-Care Available. Call us today! 205-453-4285

ONLINE AUCTIONS www.GTAOnlineAuctions.com 205-326-0833 Granger, Thagard & Assoc.

Jack F. Granger #873

Industrial Coatings Group, Inc. is hiring experienced sandblasters and industrial painters. Must be able to pass a drug test & E-verify check. Professional references required. Must be willing to travel. Please send resume to icgsecretary@hotmail.com or call (205) 612-2064.

DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers. 53 cpm No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 51 cpm, 52 cpm at 6 months, 53 cpm at 1 year. 100%

Need FREE help with your Medicare? Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) today at (800)AGE-LINE (800)-243-5463.

MARKETPLACE Soon the Mark of the Beast Will Be Enforced. Free Book & Bible Study.

PO Box 171 • Samantha, AL 35482 205-339-4837 Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com Kelly Educational Staffing® We’re hiring! • Substitute teachers • Aides • Cafeteria • Clerical • Custodial positions Shelby County School District & Alabaster City Schools.

Please call 205-870-7154 -Equal Opportunity EmployerM&M Trucking Company hiring experienced trailer and tractor trailer drivers.

Minimum three years verifiable experience required.

Tanker and dump experience a plus. Apply in person w/ MVR at M&M Trucking Company. 980 Lee Road.

Auburn, AL 36830.

Now Hiring!!

• Caregivers-ADL’s, assist with medications and some lifting 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7pm • Activity Director Part-Time • Cooks-some 12/ hr shifts Call Shay McNeal 205-620-2905 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) •800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.

Equal Opportunity Provider/ Employer Are you a motivated professional? Are you looking for a dynamic career?

Are you ready to control your own level of success? See why McKinnons’ is an exciting place to work and grow.

Now accepting applications for Sales, Service, and Detail Shop. Apply with the receptionist. 205-755-3430 NOW HIRING Class-A CDL Driver Must have clean driving record, two years experience Will train drivers on tank Drivers home nightly Contact Keith at: 205-438-4959

Class A CDL Drivers Needed Immediately for Dump Trailer Hauling • $2000 Retention Bonus • Local Hauling • Home Nights APPLY ONLINE: www.perdidotrucking.com Perdido Trucking Service, LLC 251-470-0355 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 Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son’s in Clanton. Call Lane at 205389-4530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-965-8657 Production Jobs. Willing to Train. AAM in Columbiana is HIRING for multiple shifts.

Email resume to dcurtis@grede.com or apply in person: 130 Industrial Pkwy, Columbiana, AL 35051 INDUSTRIAL CLEANING IN VANCE Requirements: • 18 Years Old • HS Diploma/GED • Able to work variable shifts/ weekends/holidays • Able to lift up to 50lbs constantly, stand on your feet for 8hrs • Able to pass drug screen/ background check Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Immediate Positions!!!!

Positions needed: Warehouse • Sales Reps • Assistant Manager • Delivery Drivers • Customer Service. Laid back atmosphere, good pay, plenty of hours available!

Company vehicles to qualified individuals! Call Andrew 9am7pm • Mon-Sat at (205)490-1003 or (205)243-6337 Production / Manufacturing Vance, Alabama Starting pay: $12.00 – $14.50 /hr. • Have 2 years+ Production/ Manufacturing experience.

• Have Recently Lived in Alabama at least 2 years. • Have A High School Diploma or GED. • Are at least 18 years old. Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com

LIQUIDATION AUCTION August 4, 10:00AM 610 7th St, Clanton,AL Liquidating contents of BrenWils Flea Mkt. www.auctionzip.com ID#8507 Ken Yates, Auctioneer Lic. #1782 256-276-8091 256-396-5381 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 inquires only.

Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www.Oxfordhealthcare.com Move in Special! 3/2 Garden Home w/garage. Dishwasher, Fenced backyard, Great Room w/vaulted Ceiling. Calera Schools. Rent $1150. FLAT SCREEN TV!! (205)433-9811 Order Selectors Food Dist.

Center in Pelham DayShift: Mon-Fri. 40+ hours/ week 10:00AM until finished (varies). Salary: $16-20/hr after training. Benefits: Medical, vision, dental, vacation & 401k. Requirements: • Reading & math skills • Lift 40 lbs. repetitively • Work in -10 Temperature Apply in person: 8:30AM-5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 resume@southeasternfood. com White Oak Transportation is hiring CDL-A drivers in your area. Great Pay! Excellent Benefits! Visit our website www.whiteoaktrans.com for more information EOEM/F/D/V Warehouse Team Member Call (205) 912-7365 or visit www.Hibbett.com Great Benefits LARGEST SELECTION OF WHOLESALE VEHICLES IN THE SOUTHEAST Over 350 vehicles available for direct sale daily! Live auction every Thursday 6:30p.m. (205)7444030 birminghamautoauction. com

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.

TaylorMade Transportation Hiring CDL Drivers for Flatbed Regional Division! BCBS Insurance After 30 Days. To apply call: (334)366-2269 or email: s.smith@taylormadeinc. com The Painting Company of Birmingham Immediate openings for professional residential and commercial painters. Must be able to speak English.

Call 205-995-5559 University Baptist Substitute Teachers for Pre-K Class • 19yrs • HS Diploma/GED • Child care exp. preferred Part-time Secretary • Clerical responsibilities • Assisting Pastor/church committees • Preparing/editing bulletins/ newsletters • Assisting w/ bookkeeping Send resumes: University Baptist Church PO Box 3 Montevallo,AL 35115 universitybaptistcdc@gmail. com Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!

WCA • Roll Off Drivers needed for our Alpine, AL location. Class A or B CDL is required along with one (1) year of verifiable equivalent commercial truck driving experience. Must have a valid and safe driving record. We offer competitive wages & a comprehensive benefits package which includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Paid

Holidays and PTO. Please apply through our website at www.wcawaste.com EOE M/F/D/V WARRIOR MET COAL NOW HIRING Located in Brookwood, AL Immediate need for experienced: • Underground Miners • Electricians • Maintenance Foreman • Supervisors Apply online: www.warriormetcoal.com NOW HIRING: •Master Plumber •Experienced Plumber’s Helper •Experienced Plumber Call 205-755-8555 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.A-1Appliance.com Housing Authority of the Birmingham District Hiring: Homeownership LeasePurchase Facilitator Resident Services Coordinator-ROSS Human Resources Specialist Compliance Data Analysis Application Data Entry Clerk Assistant Vice President ofHousing Operations Director of Public Safety Custodian View complete description and apply at www.habd.org or 1826 3rd AvenueSouth Birmingham, Al 35233 EXPERIENCED CONCRETE FOREMAN REV Contruction seeking Experienced Concrete Foreman. Benefits include BCBS Medical Insurance, 401k, paid holidays & vacation time. Email resume: mcole@revconstructioninc. com Fax: 205-349-1862 Call: 205-349-1860 HIRING EXPERIENCED PIPE LAYERS REV Construction seeking Experienced Pipe Layers Benefits include: BCBS Medical Insurance, 401k, Paid holidays & vacation time.

Email resume: mcole@revconstructioninc. com Fax: 205-349-1862 Call: 205-349-1860

HomewoodLife.com 87

MY HOMEWOOD SUSIE ANKENBRANDT

Young Life Staff + HMS Assistant Cross Country & Track Coach

For My Sweet Tooth

Dot’s Cookies Jodi Cavin makes the best cookies. It is especially fun when you can buy them fresh out of the oven from her cute salesman.

These delicious sugar cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Follow Jodi on Instagram @dots_ cookies.

The Energizer Bunny

Homewood Middle School’s Principal Jimmie Pearson is AMAZING. I call him the Energizer bunny cause he never stops! You can find him at every sporting/ school event and after school hours with a broom and dustpan in his hands keeping HMS spotless. He cares deeply for the students and loves to have fun with his teachers. He will even pose in costume with them!

Pups Galore

Ankenpups I breed golden retrievers, and of the 28 golden pups that have been born into our care, 16 of those live in Homewood with their families. My favorite thing is seeing these precious goldens and their families all around the Homewood area. Follow them on Instagram @ankenpups.

Ties That Bind

Homewood Cross Country and Track Program The coaching staff led by Eric Swope (HMS) and Tom Esslinger (HHS) are some of the finest people that I know. Our athletes are pretty special too.

Nothing makes me happier than running into past and present athletes around Homewood. We have a bond that is unique and lasting.

Friendly Faces

Photo by Liz Young Photography

88 HomewoodLife.com

Homewood Post Office Wanda Whitsey made the Homewood Post Office a happy and cheerful spot for 40 years. I go to the post office on a daily basis for my job, and the day she retired after working was a sad one for me. We still keep up by sending Christmas cards. Thankfully, Janet and Alicia (pictured) have kept things going and are pretty sweet too!

2279 VALLEYDALE RD #100 BIRMINGHAM HomewoodLife.com 89

90 HomewoodLife.com