Homewood Star April 2026

Saving Savage’s

By LAUREN H. DOWDLE

By APRIL COFFEY

Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley

The month of April is a great one.

Hope springs anew that this will be the year for the Atlanta Braves. The memories of that 2021 World Series title are littered throughout my home.

However, with each year that passes, I fear that those memories are going to linger. Braves fans don’t have the same experience as Alabama football fans while Nick Saban had the dynasty humming, when Tide fans had a new national championship seemingly every year and the fresh memorabilia and tokens that come along with that.

Even though disappointment is sure to follow over the course of the 162-game grind, I will be the eternal optimist that this could be the year they make another magical run.

The weather is warming up and sources tell me my birthday is coming up as well.

Thank you for reading the paper, and please email me at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com with any ideas or tips.

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Please submit all articles, information and photos to: kparmley@starnesmedia.com

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Advanced Turf (2)

Ambrose Kitchen & Bath (17)

Aqua Systems of Birmingham (27)

Art of Drawers (9)

Barlow Wealth Advisory Group (15)

Brandino Brass (13)

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Budget Blinds (18)

Central Avenue Dentistry (21)

Children’s of Alabama (9)

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Dan Starnes

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Contributing Writers:

Homewood Parks and Rec (29)

Issis & Sons (22)

Iter Financial Wellness (7)

Jefferson County Commission (19)

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (4)

Lakeshore Foundation (7)

One Man & A Toolbox (16)

Opera Birmingham (21)

Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (10)

Renew Dermatology (32)

Sikes Children’s Shoes (10)

South Dallas Turf Farm, Inc. (5)

Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (24)

TherapySouth (23)

TrustMark Bank (25)

UAB Medicine Enterprises (31)

Lauren H. Dowdle

Emily Reed

Amasico Rainer

April Coffey

Jordyn Davis

Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Joshua Gleason

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DID YOU KNOW?

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provides autism awareness decals free of charge to the public. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to serving every family in our community with understanding, compassion, and proactive care.

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To obtain your decals please stop by our office to register or visit our website. Alerts first responders Promotes safer interactions Encourages understanding Reduces misunderstandings Supports better assistance

Mayor’s Minute

By Jennifer Andress

I have been honored to represent Homewood for a decade — as a city councilor and now as mayor. In this time, I have seen real progress in regional cooperation efforts across Jefferson County.

The Birmingham area is unique in that our county has 35 separate municipalities. For a long time, everyone operated in their own city limits, but about the time I was elected to my first term, real efforts began by mayors and commissioners to work together across the county. We are all facing similar challenges and welcome regional economic opportunities; it makes sense to collaborate.

The Jefferson County Mayors Association for all mayors in the county began meeting regularly and passed the Good Neighbor pledge, agreeing to refrain from poaching businesses from one another. After that, then-Commissioner Steve Ammons and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham used the JCMA model to create the Jefferson County Councilors Coalition, which I chaired in my second council term. Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry initiated regular meetings with the Over the Mountain mayors (including Hoover, Mountain Brook and Homewood), and those continue to this day. Irondale Mayor James Stewart hosts the East Jefferson County Mayors for a regular breakfast. Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and Homewood’s fire and

police departments have agreements to work calls together when needed.

Our networking and professional relationships are a benefit to all our citizens. We can work together to navigate complicated projects and pursue opportunities that cross municipal lines.

One example is our under-engineered bridge at Hollywood Boulevard over U.S. 280, which is frequented by pedestrians and cars alike and earns an “F” rating at high traffic times. This bridge is in Birmingham, connecting Homewood and Mountain Brook over a state highway. We have an incredible team with representatives from each city and excellent leadership from Jefferson County and, with the support of our state representatives and senators, we are finally moving forward with a much-needed solution for improved traffic flow and safe pedestrian access.

Homewood is the best place to live in Alabama. But as Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight remarked at our press conference announcing our bridge project’s timeline and funding from U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, we are competing with Huntsville for economic development opportunities, workers and funding for quality-of-life amenities. Regional cooperation and collaboration help to move us forward. A strong Jefferson County means a greater quality of life for all our citizens.

At Crestline Pharmacy, we welcome your family to ours. We’re proud to personally know each of our customers and offer them the best service with minimal wait time. Welcome to the family, we can’t wait to meet you!

CITY

Homewood mayor’s persistence pays off with Hollywood Boulevard bridge announcement

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

The Feb. 23 press conference announcing a pair of local road projects was near its end when state Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, spoke.

Not from the podium, as others who talked about the plan to improve the Hollywood Boulevard bridge from Homewood to Birmingham and Mountain Brook, and the expansion of Trussville’s Deerfoot Parkway. In fact, Faulkner never left his seat on the front row in the Jefferson County Commission chamber.

Faulkner didn’t want the spotlight, he said, because Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress was more deserving.

“I don’t like to speak when I’m not a speaker, but I just felt compelled to say that [something about Andress],” Faulkner said. “The people were thanked, and they should be. But she needed to be singled out, in my opinion, because Jennifer has been on this project. She’s the only person that, in my opinion, has been on the project from start to finish.

“Through every step of the way, she’s been involved and it [was] before she was even in elected office when she started,” the state representative said. “Now she’s the mayor of Homewood, and here we see it coming. It’s finally coming and happening. But I just felt like we had to single out Jennifer for her work. A lot of us in this room have played a part, but no one has played the role all the way through, from start to finish, and put in the time and effort that she has. That just had to be [said]. She had to be recognized, in my opinion.”

Faulkner wasn’t alone as everyone in the chamber stood and applauded Andress for having shepherded the bridge project to where it is today.

Andress and her fellow mayors from Trussville, Mountain Brook and Birmingham, and dozens of other regional and state officials assembled at the Jefferson County Courthouse to announce the major federal and state investment in long-planned regional infrastructure improvements.

The projects include the expansion of Deerfoot Parkway in Trussville, as well as critical safety and connectivity upgrades along the Hollywood Boulevard bridge over U.S. 280. Improvements to that bridge, which links Homewood, Mountain Brook and Birmingham, will include installing a new traffic signal and enhancing pedestrian access across the bridge corridor.

The projects will be done in partnership with Jefferson County.

Andress said her chest tightens every time she drives over the Hollywood bridge.

“I see people there every single day,” she recalled. “” go to the YMCA there [and] drive through there every single day. I just see people every single day. Sometimes they’re pushing strollers. Sometimes they have dogs. Sometimes they’re two abreast. Sometimes it’s pitch black dark because it’s 5 o’clock in the morning.

“It’s beyond frightening,” the Homewood mayor said. “It’s a miracle that nothing has happened tragic there so far.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Mike Bolin recalled growing up in Homewood.

“It just really makes my heart glad that this has come into fruition and I’ll live long enough to walk across that bridge,” he said as he jokingly knocked on the wooden podium. “Our citizens want and expect from us as elected representatives that we work together and that we work together to find solutions to improve the quality of life. We’re doing that here, whether it’s making it safer to go across Highway 280 or ensuring a smoother connector to the morning commute.

“By focusing on projects like this, we’re not just building infrastructure,” Bolin said. “We’re building opportunity, accessibility and a stronger community for everyone.”

Andress thanked U.S. Sen. Katie Britt for securing the federal funds for the projects and

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt for his support of the project, which Assistant County Manager Heather Carter described as “relatively small but very complicated.”

“Indeed, it is,” Andress said, “running through three municipalities, over a state highway [and] adjacent to a cemetery.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said, “Somebody got something right when they made us nonpartisan because when you are nonpartisan in your position, you wake up every single day [and] you only focus on the solutions. You wake up every single day you solve problems. You don’t necessarily think about this side or that side.

“There’s one side,” he said, “and that is the people we serve, so kudos to every single person, every mayor, every state representative, every state senator, every city councilor, our federal partners, state partners with ALDOT, every person and organization making this project possible.”

Trussville Mayor Ben Short was going to say Feb. 23 was a great day for Trussville. “Really,” he said, “it’s a great day for the region.

“These projects have crossed to different administrations and continue today,” he said, thanking federal and state delegations as well as the Jefferson County Commission and the county manager’s office. “I appreciate all of the work you’ve put into this over the years. … It just shows the importance of regional cooperation.”

Chris Nicholson, director of the Jefferson County Roads and Transportation Department, explained that the widening of Deerfoot from Interstate 59 to U.S. 11 and intersection improvements on U.S. 11 are funded through Britt’s appropriations of $4 million in transportation funds. The overage will come from county roads and bridge dollars, with the total project costing around $5 million to $5.5 million.

Nicholson said Hollywood Phase One, which is the sidewalks on either end of the bridge — but no bridge work — is being funded by the Hollywood Cooperative, the city of Homewood, the city of Mountain Brook and Bolin’s office. The cost is around $1.2 million, he said.

Hollywood Phase 2 is the bridge widening

with a sidewalk on the bridge and a third lane and intersection improvements. It is estimated to cost $3.5 million to $4.5 million and has funding coming from the Alabama Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organization and Jefferson County.

Money for the bridge was initially earmarked from when Steve Ammons was the District 5 commissioner, Nicholson explained. It has been held by Bolin, Ammons’ successor, specifically for the Hollywood project.

The match money for the Hollywood bridge and the Deerfoot overruns will come from Jefferson County’s general fund for roads and bridges, he said.

Commissioner Joe Knight summed up the gathering, saying that working together, you can get so much more done.

“We’ve got competition in Huntsville. We’ve got competition in Mobile,” Knight said. “We need to galvanize Jefferson County, Birmingham and all the municipalities [and] continue to work together. Projects like this will be great, and there’ll be more coming. The more we work together, the better it’ll be.”

Lakeshore Foundation’s aquatics program offers fun, fitness, healing for all ages

Lakeshore Foundation offers a wide variety of fitness and recreation opportunities for all ages, but its aquatics program is perhaps its most popular.

At the Aquatics Center, adults can choose independent exercise and lap swimming or group classes ranging from beginner lowimpact exercise to advanced cardiovascular exercise. Private lessons are also available.

There are classes and programs for children ages six months to 18 years with a wide range of ability levels. Lakeshore also sponsors youth and adult swim teams.

“Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise, “ says Aquatics Director Emily Mallard. “It includes all major muscle groups in a low-impact way. Our participants include children as young as 6 months and adults up to 100, and aquatics can be adapted to all abilities.”

The facilities are top-notch, including two large pools with varying temperatures, the therapy pool and lap pool.

“We offer several entry and exit options – a zero entry, pool lift, stairs, ladder and poolside entry for individuals using wheelchairs,” Mallard says. “These allow participants to participate in aquatics while being as independent as possible.

“There are no other facilities I know of that offer this kind of overall experience,” she says.

“The value a member gets is unmatched.”

In addition, people really enjoy the program. “Not all our participants are swimmers, but they all love the water,” Mallard says. “There’s something special about those first few seconds in the pool – pain reduces, muscles relax, moods improve.”

When you join the aquatics program, you receive a one-on-one orientation with one of the well-trained staff members, all of whom hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in kinesiology or related fields.

“We go over their health history and goals and develop a program for them,” Mallard says.

Lakeshore Foundation Fitness Center

• Where: 4000 Ridgeway Drive

• Call: 205-313-7400

• Web: lakeshore.org/activity/aquatics

Mallard has worked at Lakeshore for 16 years, has a degree in exercise science from Samford University and holds several certifications, including pediatric aquatic fitness and inclusive fitness training. She’s also Lakeshore’s head swim coach and a coach for the U.S. Paralympics swimming team.

The aquatics program also offers therapeutic benefits.

“Many participants have experienced injuries or surgery, and we help them get back to their desired ability and independence,” Mallard says. “We often continue what they’re doing in physical therapy and give them additional activities.”

The classes provide a valuable social outlet.

“Many of our members live alone, and taking a class allows them to be a part of a group and fellow members who encourage and hold them accountable,” Mallard says.

For details, go to lakeshore.org/activity/ aquatics.

Business Happenings

COMING SOON

Foo Hai, an authentic Chinese food offering from Atlanta’s Urban Hai, is expected to open this spring in the lower level of Aloft at 1903 29th Ave. S., Suite 101, in downtown Homewood. The restaurant was first announced in 2024 when Urban Hai shared plans to open in the space. Urban Hai, based in Midtown Atlanta, serves dishes from several regions of China, including noodles, wontons and dumplings.

Big John Buffet, a comfort food restaurant serving Southern dishes buffet-style, plans to open this spring at 162 Oxmoor Road in West Homewood. The restaurant will take over the former Cantina Tortilla Grille building, which closed in 2024. Owner John Yoon plans to transform the space into a buffet style restaurant focused on classic Southern comfort foods.

Project LeanNation is set to open in May at 2809 18th St. S. The performance-based nutrition company will offer chef-prepared meals, protein shakes, supplements and in-store scans to help customers understand body composition and support their health goals. 205-784-2000, projectleannation.com

NOW OPEN

Birmingham Wellness Massage has opened a new location at 2120 16th Ave. S., Suite 203, the company’s fourth in the Birmingham area. The business offers massage therapy services seven days a week. Appointments can be scheduled online. 205-953-1513, birminghamwellnessmassage.com/ homewood

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

Glow by Gabby, a locally owned tanning salon founded by Gabby McWhorter, has expanded from its original location on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham to a new studio at 2807 18th St. S. in downtown Homewood. Located next to Soho Retro, Glow by Gabby offers in-studio luxury spray tans as well as mobile spray tanning services for weddings and events. 205-543-0841, glowbygabby.com

Construction on the Dawson Memorial Baptist Church parking deck is now complete at 1114 Oxmoor Road, adding more than 300 public parking spaces. It has opened as part of a lease agreement with the city to help ease

parking in the Edgewood business district. The second, third and fourth deck levels are available to the public Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight. The parking deck is reserved for church use on Sundays.

Dunn Real Estate LLC has bought 111 Broadway St. for $1 million. The three-suite property includes Kat Bailey Interiors, artist Emily Morgan Brown’s studio and James Pierce Salon. Dunn Real Estate is a division of Birmingham-based Dunn Cos., which also owns other Homewood properties, including 1818 28th Ave. S., a two-building property with 12 suites, and 2721 19th Place S., a 4,774-square-foot retail building leased to The Optimist Pilates, Jack N’ Jill Shop and Sikes Children’s Shoes.

PERSONNEL MOVES

Realtor John Tidwell has joined the RealtySouth Homewood office at 1690 Reese St. 205-207-7200, realtysouth.com/bio/johntidwell

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Homewood Public Library received a $3,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Homewood to purchase sewing machines and supplies for hands-on learning programs at the library. The machines were recently used in a Teen Sewing Class series and will be available for patrons to check out after completing sewing instruction. The library will host a Tween Sewing Class for ages 9-12 on Mondays April 27 and May 4, 11 and 18 from 4:305:30 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of sewing machine anatomy and sewing skills, as well as complete a hands-on project. Advance registration is required. homewoodpubliclibrary.org

ANNIVERSARIES

Bustle, an all-sample wedding gown shop, is celebrating two years at 1823 27th Ave. S., Suite C. The boutique was designed to provide an elegant experience for brides searching for the perfect wedding dresses. Appointments are required for fittings. 205-502-7484, bustlegowns.com

Buka, a neighborhood wine shop, market and takeaway cafe, is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The business opened at 186 Oxmoor Road, Suite 100, in West Homewood in April 2021 and now hosts pop-ups, wine tastings, dinners and more. 205-527-8007, bukabhm.com

Farrell-Calhoun Paint, a family-owned paint retailer, is celebrating two years at 2704 19th St. S. The company

Do you have business news to share? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings

has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1905 and specializes in paint products, including Green Wise products for environmentally friendly building projects. 205-245-8150, farrellcalhoun.com

The Collective salon has now been open for one year at its second location at 169 Oxmoor Road in West Homewood. The business offers the same services as its original Pepper Place location, including haircuts, styling, color, hair treatments, hair removal and more. 205-558-9541, thecollectivebham.com

Han’ei Kaya Sushi Grill at 1017 Oxmoor Road in Edgewood has marked its first anniversary. The restaurant serves traditional sushi and grilled Japanese dishes with a modern twist. 205-490-1024, haneikayasushigrill.com

Indian Kitchen House at 22 Green Springs Highway is marking its first anniversary. The restaurant specializes in authentic Indian cuisine with a modern twist and serves dishes such as chicken biryani. 205-563-2068, ikhbhm.com

Luca Lagotto is celebrating its second anniversary at 1722 28th Ave. S. The restaurant, named after a beloved family dog, serves Italian cuisine inspired by the idea of enjoying a meal with neighbors. The menu includes pasta, pizza and other traditional Italian dishes. 205-624-0086, eatluca.com

Venue 197, the event space operated by 1918 Catering at 197 Vulcan Road, is celebrating its first anniversary. The venue is available for events and is run by 1918 Catering, a full-service food company founded in 2016 by brothers Jason and Jamal Johnson that specializes in catering, concessions and food trucks. The menu offers a range of Southern comfort food with innovative flavors. 205-518-5711, 1918catering.com

CLOSINGS

Maple Street Biscuit Company in downtown Homewood has closed after six years in operation. The Cracker Barrel-owned breakfast restaurant was located at 2801 18th St. S. and was known for its biscuit variations. It failed to meet sales expectations. One of its most popular menu items was “The Squawking Goat,” a biscuit with fried chicken, a fried goat cheese medallion and house-made pepper jelly that was featured on Food Network’s “Guilty Pleasures.”

Homewood shop puts Alabama makers on the shelf

By AMASICO RAINER

In an era when most storefronts look the same from one state to the next, Alabama Goods built its identity on a simple but uncommon premise: everything inside has an Alabama story.

Step through the doors of the Homewood shop and you’ll find shelves lined with pottery shaped by local hands, glass blown in small studios, specialty foods crafted in family kitchens and even coasters cut from reclaimed carpet in the shape of the state itself. But the store’s real inventory isn’t just merchandise — it’s relationships.

Sherry Hartley co-founded Alabama Goods in October 2007 with business partner Beth Staula after the two realized there was no single retail source dedicated exclusively to Alabama-made products. “We believed there would be a demand from retail customers and businesses for items made in Alabama,”

Hartley said.

They started with a website, testing the concept online before committing to brick and mortar. The Homewood location came next — a natural fit. With its walkable downtown and loyal support of locally owned businesses, the neighborhood offered exactly the kind of environment where a curated, Alabama-centered store could take root.

Neither Hartley nor Staula came from a retail background. What they shared was a love for their home state and a desire to showcase its talent. That passion became the filter through which every product is evaluated. The team travels to art shows and craft fairs, fields daily inquiries from hopeful makers and carefully vets each item. Only about 10 percent are accepted.

The standard is clear: quality, creativity and authenticity. The goal is to represent the best of Alabama craftsmanship, not simply fill shelf space.

One vendor Hartley often points to is Carpet Chunks, a small company that repurposes leftover commercial carpet into highly absorbent coasters, many cut in the unmistakable outline of Alabama. The product is practical, sustainable and unmistakably local, a small example of how ingenuity across the state finds a platform inside the store.

Over time, Alabama Goods has grown beyond Homewood, adding locations in Huntsville and Hoover. Expansion felt both validating and complex for Hartley. Growth meant new logistics, new staff and broader reach, but it also meant the opportunity to support more makers across the state.

An unexpected evolution came through corporate gifting. Businesses began approaching Alabama Goods looking for curated, locally sourced gifts for clients, employees and board members. What started as occasional requests has become a significant division, complete with a dedicated operations center assembling

custom gift boxes filled with Alabama-made products. For Hartley, it’s an extension of the same mission: connecting people through thoughtfully crafted goods.

The typical Alabama Goods customer values originality and craftsmanship. Many are local shoppers looking for meaningful gifts. Others are visitors — sometimes from out of state or even overseas — surprised to discover the depth of creativity concentrated within Alabama’s borders.

At a time when national chains and online marketplaces dominate retail, Hartley believes Alabama Goods stands apart by preserving something increasingly rare: direct connection between maker and buyer.

When a customer walks out with a bag in hand, she hopes they carry more than a purchase. She hopes they leave with a piece of Alabama’s character — its resourcefulness, artistry and hospitality — thoughtfully wrapped and ready to be shared.

Where glamour meets giving back

Own the Red Carpet Boutique offers dress rentals, accessories and a mission to support local causes

By JORDYN DAVIS

Debbie Morris keeps the notion of giving back at the forefront of everything she does, whether it be supporting her family, participating in community events or, most recently, owning a rental dress boutique. What started out as a simple solution for her two daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, quickly became a business venture centered around giving back. Morris, along with her husband Jason, brought Own the Red Carpet Boutique to life — a solution to those wanting to look “red carpet ready” at a fraction of the cost.

“I saw firsthand how quickly the cost of special occasion dresses can add up, especially when they are only worn once. I wanted to create something different: a way to enjoy the luxury and excitement of finding the perfect dress without the guilt of a one-time wear,” Morris said.

Nestled on Linden Avenue, Own the Red Carpet currently has 150 dresses and a variety of styles. Morris also included accessories

such as gold and silver earrings, necklaces, bracelets and purses to pair with any dress selected.

“I want people to know I’ve worked very hard to curate a wide selection of styles, colors and sizes,” Morris said. “I want this to be a fun shopping experience for a beautiful dress without the expense for a one-time wear and the hassle of returning something that doesn’t fit.”

While Own the Red Carpet strives to create an enhanced shopping experience, they also want to continue serving the community through the boutique. Morris hopes to partner with local high schools for proms and offer

special incentives for renting dresses.

“Part of the bigger purpose of the business is to give back. Right now we support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Night to Shine. We are always looking for new ways to

while also

partner with the community,” Morris said. Own the Red Carpet officially opened its doors on Tuesday, March 3. You can find them located at 2902 Linden Ave., open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Sam Daibes, owner of Sam’s Deli, prepares food behind the counter at his longtime restaurant on the Edgewood strip, where he has served the Homewood community since 2002. Photo by April Coffey.

Edgewood restaurant Sam’s Deli marks more than 20 years

By APRIL COFFEY

Walking into Sam’s Deli, everything feels familiar. The smells of freshly chopped parsley, lemon and a burger sizzling on the grill always greet you, as does the ready smile of owner Sam Daibes, known to customers as Mr. Sam, multitasking behind the counter.

A staple of the Edgewood strip in Homewood, Sam’s Deli has been serving the community award-winning burgers and Middle Eastern cuisine since opening in 2002. Every afternoon at 3 p.m., students from the nearby Edgewood Elementary and Homewood Middle schools crowd the strip, flooding into Sam’s for burgers, chicken fingers, french fries and freshly baked baklava. “The most popular items are the number one burger and the chicken special,” said Daibes as he chopped parsley to make more tabouleh. “But my favorite is the mushroom swiss burger

with some jalapeños.”

Sam’s Deli has become a virtual landmark in Homewood, and that is just the way Daibes likes it. The homey backyard and patio area at Sam’s encourages both children and adults to gather. “It is wonderful to work in this community. I am so grateful for their support. This business really is all about family,” said Daibes. He also shared that he loves being able to give back to the community, frequently hosting Edgewood Night Out to raise money for the school and donating food for community events.

After more than two decades on the Edgewood strip, Sam’s Deli remains a place where good food and a strong sense of community go hand in hand. Whether it’s students stopping by after school or neighbors gathering on the patio, Sam’s continues to be exactly what it set out to be: a welcoming spot where everyone feels like family.

We offer same-day, early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Call 1-888-ENT-5020 (1-888-368-5020), visit entalabama.com, or scan the QR code to connect with us online.

Home & Garden Spring Guide

Discover local businesses that specialize in keeping your home and garden at their best

Closets by Design transforms homes with custom storage solutions

Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a great reputation for customer satisfaction.

From no-obligation, in-home

consultations to custom designs and quality construction, their products offer value and function.

Closets by Design simplifies life by designing and installing closets, garage cabinets, home offices, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and more — all floorbased and adjustable.

They offer three closet systems, each maximizing space and creating organization for clothes and beyond.

Customers also enjoy a customized look with a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware.

“We build each closet with the customer in mind,” General Manager Tyree Melton said. “We help customers transform their garage into a workshop, garden center, or arts and crafts room with plenty of storage.”

Melton’s favorite product is the home office system. “In this digital age, your home workspace is becoming one more refuge in your home sanctuary.”

For small spaces, Closets by Design offers the foldaway designbedTM system — customizable, multi-functional and

CLOSETS BY DESIGN

► 205-777-4000 ► closetsbydesign.com

ideal for saving space.

Pantries are another popular solution, with easy-to-reach shelves, long and short storage, and options to complement laundry rooms.

Garage systems cut clutter dramatically, with counters and storage space for hobbies.

Mudrooms can also be customized with shelves, drawers, hooks and baskets to help families stay organized.

“I love giving our customers great service and creating their dream closet,” Melton said.

HOME & GARDEN

Brandino Brass helps every home shine with the perfect details

Decorative and architectural hardware, when chosen carefully, isn’t merely utilitarian. It elevates the look and feel of a home and expresses the owner’s personality.

Renee Genereux, co-owner of Brandino Brass, enjoys seeing fine products work their magic for clients. “I always say that hardware is the jewelry of the home,” she says.

Brandino Brass is known throughout the Southeast as a go-to destination for top-quality door and cabinet hardware, fireballs, custom-brass shelving, bathroom accessories, interior and exterior lighting and more.

The store carries unique, high-end makers and vendors, with some products available only at Brandino Brass, and their customers aren’t the only people taking advantage of this selection.

The store’s employees — including Renee and fellow co-owners Eric Brandino and Jessie Isom — rely on the incredible stock at Brandino Brass in redoing their own houses.

Renee and husband Anthony Smith redid the 1970s-vintage house in Inverness where they live with daughters Grace and Joelle in mid-century modern style.

In their kitchen, they used handcrafted cabinet hardware from Classic Brass in Jamestown, N.Y.

“For clients, I typically do traditional knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, but for my house, I went with all pulls to get a contemporary look,” Renee says.

For door hardware, Renee used chrome levers by Deltana, another contemporary touch. “It’s a simple, sleek lever, as opposed to a knob,” she says.

Renee and Anthony went with Ashley Norton hardware in their master bath and Alno in their daughter’s hall bath.

For exterior lighting, Renee chose copper lights made by 14th Colony Lighting in Memphis. “The lights have clean lines and a beautiful patina,” she says.

The home uses electronic deadbolts from Emtek. “It’s easy for me and my family,” Renee says. “We don’t have to keep up with keys anymore.”

The renovation reinforced Renee’s conviction that hardware is the home’s jewelry. “Friends and family notice the door or cabinet hardware,” she says.

“Being an owner of this company, it makes me proud that someone notices the beauty and quality.”

Jessie Isom and wife Leigh live in Alabaster in a two-story home with Emtek door hardware and 14th Colony Lighting. However, they’re moving to a one-story home in Wilsonville after completing renovations there.

The new home will have Ashley Norton door hardware, Classic Brass cabinet hardware and 14th Colony Lighting.

“I chose the materials in both houses based on quality and pricing,” Jessie says. “The materials in each house complement the style and bring cohesion to the home.

“It’s interesting to see the difference

small changes can make,” he says. “Selecting the right hardware changes everything.”

When Jessie bought the Alabaster house, it had “cheap door hardware,” which he upgraded. “Now it’s the first thing guests notice and comment on when they visit.”

The Brandino selection “makes it difficult, because there’s so many options,” Jessie says. “I try to keep myself in check so I can stick to my budget.”

Eric and partner Sharon Bolt live in a 1940s-era bungalow in Bluff Park where they added a 1000-square-foot master wing with a bedroom, bathroom and closets, and a bar in the bedroom.

The vanity hardware is from Ged Kennett Contemporary Metals, a U.K. manufacturer. “They’re hand-forged, polished stainless steel, made in a custom size for us,” Eric says.

For the entry doors, Eric chose hardware from U.K.-based Frank Allart. Brandino Brass is known for its custom work, including brass shelves in Eric’s bar.

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“They’re scraps from a metal shop that works for us,” Eric says. “They look really good.”

Eric and Sharon also did a basement bar and used pulls from Omnia and knobs from Turnstyle Designs. “We needed commercial-size appliance pulls that weren’t too big, and the Omnia just fit,” Eric says.

In doing the project, Eric got to see the design process through a customer’s eyes. “It’s difficult to pick out your own stuff — more difficult than you think,” he says.

He sees things more objectively when helping customers. “When you do it for yourself you get blinders on,” he says.

It’s fun for the Brandino Brass staff to work in a store with so many beautiful, high-quality products.

“That’s what gets me up to go to work every day — helping people find the jewelry for their house,” Renee says.

“It’s gratifying to educate my clients on the options available and explain in detail the quality of each manufacturer,” Jessie says. “That allows the customer to make the best decision for their home.”

Even after 27 years in the industry, Jessie enjoys the process.

“I get to work on projects all over the country because Birmingham is a hotbed of talented architects, designers and contractors,” he says. “Many people around the country come here for their custom hardware needs.”

“We have a really good team,” Eric says. “It’s easy coming to work. It can be challenging, but it’s fun. We like it, and each day is different.”

SCHOOLHOUSE

Better together: The Giffin family's journey of faith and adoption

By APRIL COFFEY

On Broadway Street in Homewood, there is a house where the dinner table is always full, the rooms are brimming with chatter and the Christmas pajamas read “Better Together.”

It’s more than a holiday slogan for the Giffin family — it’s a testimony.

At the center of this lively household are parents Sam and Janie Giffin. Sam is a financial planner with Edward Jones in Hoover. Janie teaches eighth grade science at Homewood Middle School and was recently named Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year.

Together, they are raising — and cheering on — six children whose lives stretch from Alabama to Utah. Robinson, 25, works for Hillrom, a medical equipment supplier, in Salt Lake City and is the proud father of 2-year-old Ian. Jack, 23, and Lily, 21, are both engineering students at Auburn University. Angela, 22, is a nursing student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Samantha, 19, and Jefferson, 18, are both seniors at Homewood High School. Samantha plans to pursue a career in cosmetology, while Jefferson intends to study business cybersecurity at the University of Alabama.

Robinson, Jack, Angela and Lily are all graduates of Homewood High School — a school and community the family credits with loving them well through every chapter.

“From the schools, to the churches, to our neighbors, our children have been loved and cared for,” said Janie. “We are so grateful that we moved to Homewood prior to walking through the adoption process. It has been the absolute best place to raise a family.”

A SISTER’S PRAYER

Adoption was always part of Sam and Janie’s story.

“From our early years of marriage, we discussed the possibility of adoption,” Janie said. Inspired by her own mother’s adoption story and relationships close to their family, the idea lingered for years.

But it was their daughter, Lily, who turned conversation into calling through persistent prayers for a sister.

“Lily would pray for a sister every day and even signed us up for a foster care seminar at church,” Janie said. “She was the driving force behind our decision to dedicate several months to praying about the reality of growing our family through adoption.”

After family meetings and prayer — including work with Lifeline Children’s Services — they felt led to pursue international adoption. Mission trips to Central and South America had already shaped their hearts, and eventually they connected with a program serving waiting children in Costa Rica. Though they felt ready as a family to adopt children waiting for a permanent home, the road was not easy.

“Adoption paperwork involves a lot of jumping through hoops,” Janie said. “It is an emotional rollercoaster.” The matching process, she said, carried both extreme highs and lows. “These kids have waited their entire lives for a family. You long to have them home.”

A DIFFICULT MORNING, AND A FOREVER BOND

Angela and Jefferson were 11 and 7 years old, respectively, when the Giffins traveled to Costa Rica to bring them home. Sam, Janie, Jack and Lily learned Spanish, stocked their shelves with bilingual books and prepared their hearts. Despite their deep commitment and dedicated efforts, they still experienced an unexpected heartbreak.

“The morning we were flying home, we were told that Jefferson’s U.S. visa was not ready,” Janie said. Sam remained in Costa

Rica with Jefferson while the rest of the family returned to Alabama. “Angela’s grief was overwhelming. Angela and Jefferson slept apart for the first time in their lives.”

Eventually, Sam and Jefferson were reunited in Alabama with the rest of the family. For Angela, staying with her little brother was everything.

“Adoption means the world to me,” Angela said. “It brought me my forever family and friendships that will last a lifetime. It gave me the chance to stay with my little brother.”

That bond — forged long before Alabama became home — remains one of the family’s greatest treasures.

ONE FAMILY, NO DISTINCTIONS

Life inside the Giffin home is full, fastpaced and hectic.

“Lots of schedules, a variety of needs to meet, money flying out the door … but lots of laughter and never a dull moment,” Janie said. “It is fun — but exhausting!”

“Adoption brought my smile back and put light back into my eyes,” Angela said. “It gave me hope and the realization that God never gave up on me.”

Today, Angela is studying nursing and

looking ahead to the future and creating her own family. “One day, I want to adopt so I can give children the same love that I received and be someone that they can always count on,” Angela said. “No child deserves to feel unwanted or unseen.”

A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO CHANGED LIVES

Janie is quick to correct a common misconception faced by many families that encompass adopted children. “The biggest misconception that we have encountered is when people refer to our biological children as ‘our kids’ and our adopted children as though they are not ‘our kids.’ All six Giffin kids are ‘our kids,’” Janie said. “We honestly cannot remember life before they were here.”

The Giffins have been intentional about ensuring each of their children feels recognized and valued as an individual. They set aside monthly one-on-one “date nights” with a parent and celebrate each child’s “gotcha day” — the day they officially became part of the family — with their favorite meals. Sam and Janie also honor their adopted children’s connections to their birth cultures, allowing them to determine how closely they wish to

maintain those ties.

Adoption, Janie said, has reshaped everything.

“A strong family unit can do hard things. The hard work is completely worth it. Loving people well requires a daily sacrifice to self. The meaning of ‘family’ is much deeper than simply ‘blood-related.’”

Perhaps no moment captures that transformation more than Angela’s junior year at Homewood High School, when the once painfully shy girl who “hardly smiled for the first 11 years of her life,” as Janie described, won the school’s 2021-2022 Miss Heritage pageant.

“It’s those moments that warm our hearts the most — we have had a front-row seat to four completely changed lives,” Janie said. If there is one message the Giffins hope readers carry with them, it is this: “It’s hard, but it’s worth it. Every child deserves a forever family.”

On Broadway Street — where rice and eggs are still a staple, where UNO games once helped bridge languages and where six children are simply “our kids” — the words on those Christmas pajamas ring true year-round. They are, without question, better together.

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A look inside the Homewood Middle School dance team

Building confidence, community and school spirit

By APRIL COFFEY

Under the lights at Waldrop Stadium, at pep rallies buzzing with excitement and in parades winding through downtown Homewood, the Homewood Middle School dance team delivers more than polished choreography. For coach Leslie Tanner, the team represents something deeper: belonging, confidence and a place where middle school students can discover who they are — sometimes before they even realize they’re searching.

Tanner’s journey to leading the HMS dance team began with a longing she couldn’t ignore. After years of coaching cheer at HMS, Tanner stepped away following the birth of her third child. While the break was necessary, the absence of coaching left a noticeable gap. “I missed coaching and the relationships that developed with the kids I coached,” she said.

That gap became an opportunity about five years ago when Tanner spoke with a parent who shared a wish for a dance team at HMS — one that would give students a chance to pursue dance before high school. When Dr. Justin Hefner stepped into his role as superintendent of Homewood City Schools, Tanner brought the idea forward. “He met with me and entrusted me with starting the program,” she said. “That belief

meant everything.”

Tanner’s first step was finding the right partner. She found that in Mackenzie Epps, a lifelong dancer and former Samford University dance team member. “Mackenzie had the fundamentals and skills that I lacked,” Tanner said. Together, they launched a pilot group open to any HMS student interested in dance, regardless of experience.

“We wanted the group to be a walking advertisement for the program we were creating,” Tanner explained. Some dancers came from competitive studios, while others had never taken a formal class. That March, HMS held its

first official dance team tryout, drawing more than 40 students. This spring marks the fifth tryout in the program’s short but meaningful history.

At the middle school level, Tanner believes the most important outcome is connection. “First and foremost, we want the students to feel a sense of community and belonging,” she said. “Second, we hope they grow in confidence and belief that they can do hard things.”

Starting a new team hasn’t been easy. Fundraising, purchasing uniforms and carving out a place within the school took time and patience. “It’s been baby steps and a labor of love,” Tanner

“ ”Middle school is the perfect time to try new things. Dance wasn’t part of my life until a coach encouraged me — and it became something I quickly fell in love with.

LESLIE TANNER

said. Support from parents, local businesses and the Homewood community has helped the program grow each year.

Some of Tanner’s most rewarding moments have come years later. “Watching the Star Spangled Girls [the Homewood High School dance team] perform brings me immense joy,” she said. This year is especially meaningful as members of the first HMS dance team are now juniors and seniors. “Those girls took a chance on a new idea, and they led the way for everything we’ve built.”

Looking ahead, Tanner hopes the program continues to strengthen dance at both the middle and high school levels. For students unsure about trying out, her message is personal and encouraging. “Middle school is the perfect time to try new things,” she said. “Dance wasn’t part of my life until a coach encouraged me — and it became something I quickly fell in love with.”

GET TO KNOW

Homewood High chemistry teacher Jenny Firth

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.

A: I’m from Tennessee and came to Birmingham to attend Samford University. I’ve been married to my husband, Josh, for almost 22 years, and we have three sons (Winston, Thatcher and Shepard). Our family is all in when it comes to Homewood. It’s where we all live, work, go to school and shop. We even helped plant a church, Grace Fellowship, in Homewood that we’ve now been attending for over 10 years.

Q: What do you teach at Homewood High? How long have you been teaching there?

A: This is my 10th year at Homewood High School. I teach general chemistry and currently serve as the head of the science department.

Q: What do you think is special and unique about the Homewood community? Why is it a great place to live and work?

A: There are so many special things about Homewood, but maybe the best thing is its inclusivity. A real community shares life, celebrates each other and even struggles together. It’s not because it’s comfortable or easy or because we’re all alike. Homewood — the city and the school — embraces people like no other place I’ve ever seen. Everyone can find a place to belong in Homewood, and in times where there is so much division, what we have here is so unique and such a blessing.

Q: Did you have a particular teacher that made an impact on you?

A: I had some good teachers when I was in school, but I’ve been impacted much more by some of the teachers my own children have had and by my colleagues that I see do amazing

things every day. Two teachers that my family and I will always be indebted to are Andrea McCormack at Homewood Middle School and the late Molly Remmert Rossell, formerly at Homewood Preschool at Hall Kent. These ladies walked alongside us during such hard times. They were life changers. Life savers. They were part of our family for those seasons, and I honestly don’t know how we would have made it without them.

Q: What is the most important lesson that you hope students learn from you?

A: I hope all of my students learn that their

value is not found in their grades. Success is not making an A. It is so easy to get caught up in your GPA and your ACT score. It’s easy to do as a parent, and I know better. Everyone has their own gifts and talents. I want them to find theirs and appreciate other people’s. We aren’t meant to be masters of everything.

Q: What is next for you and for your family?

A: We do have some changes coming and a few things we are involved in. My youngest son will start high school next year, and my middle son will graduate and head to college in

2027. My husband and I are very involved with a Homewood based nonprofit, ourHOME, which is working to create independent living opportunities and social community for adults with developmental differences. Our oldest son is an active member of the ourHOME social community, and we hope he’ll be able to transition to independent living in the future. The second annual “Mustache Bash” benefiting ourHOME is Friday, April 17, at The Edge, and we’re excited to see how this amazing, inclusive community shows up to support these unique individuals.

Author, artist Elizabeth Hubbard

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.

A: I was born with 96% hearing loss in both ears. I am able to hear in one ear with a hearing aid. I don’t like to talk about myself as deaf — I just have a hard time hearing. I grew up in Mountain Brook and went to Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia. I got married, and we lived in Georgia for a while before moving back to Alabama. We settled in Homewood, and our children grew up in the schools there. I’m now a grandmother to five grandchildren between the ages of 1 and 6 — whew. I’ve spent my career as an artist in different mediums. I’ve done Raku pottery, painted abstracts, taught children’s classes and hosted networking events for other artists.

Q: “Summertime on West Moncrest” is inspired by your childhood in Mountain Brook. What memories from growing up there most shaped this story?

A: We played outside all the time. We rode our bikes, went to the creek, made dandelion crowns and played [in] each other’s yards. We’d go inside for lunch, and then it was back outside. There were no cell phones — it was a different experience than many kids have today. We loved the Crestline shops that had candy, hot dogs and Coke floats. Every Christmas, all the neighborhood kids would go to Ms. Reese’s house to make and decorate sugar cookies. We loved all the time

we spent together.

Q: How did your experience growing up with a disability in Mountain Brook influence Lizzie the Lion’s character?

A: I went to speech and hearing therapy every day until fourth or fifth grade. Doctors weren’t sure if I’d ever learn to speak and thought I might need to go to a special school. My parents were very determined that I would be able to do anything I put my mind to. I learned to speak up for myself and others, and Lizzie the Lion portrays that characteristic in the book.

Q: How did working with illustrator Michelle Hazelwood-Hyde shape the final look and feel of the story?

A: She really brought my characters to life. They’re based on my sister and best friends growing up. I really wanted the animal characters to mirror the real people in my life. Michelle did a beautiful job of showing how our differences are beautiful. We worked together to pick the colors and flow of the visuals. She also helped me to include some special themes and messages, like the rainbow and diamonds on the end sheets, as a thank you to friends who’ve been there for me through the years.

Q: What would it have meant to you as a child to read a story like this — one where a character with a hearing aid is simply part of the adventure?

A: I would have loved having a story about

someone who looked like me. I would have felt less alone. I think disabilities are more prominent than we even realize. Some people’s might not be as obvious or visible, but so many kids

Elizabeth Hubbard, a Homewood artist and author, draws on her childhood in Mountain Brook and her experience with hearing loss to create inclusive stories that reflect belonging and resilience.

are feeling different in some way. I wanted everyone to feel included and recognized. And I wanted kids to see that what all kids really want is to play, have fun and belong.

GET TO KNOW

Homewood Middle art teacher Eric Swope

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Tell our readers about yourself.

A: Though I grew up in Colorado, most of my adult life has been spent within Homewood. Most days, I ride my bike to school and can often be seen walking our golden retriever around the Edgewood neighborhood.

Q: How long have you been teaching art at Homewood Middle School? What do you love most about teaching at HMS?

A: I have been teaching art at HMS for 17 years. Since the beginning of my tenure at HMS, it has always felt like family. The staff has always been encouraging of one another and so professional. I’ve enjoyed and treasure the lifelong friendships that I have made over the years.

Q: What do you think students gain by participating in fine arts?

A: I believe they get to tap into their creative side and spend time sitting in that, especially in a world that is rushing by us too often on a screen. I love to challenge my classes at the beginning of each quarter with this quote from Thomas Merton: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

Q: What is next for you and the art program at HMS? What are your goals for the art program?

A: Community collaborations. Two years

ago, we teamed up with Hibbett Sports for the release of the Nike Air Max and did a project with them at HMS. Last year, we teamed up with Jon Croy and Finish Line Events for three installation pieces for the XTERRA races at Oak Mountain State Park. This included using old bike gear from Cahaba Cycles and old running shoes from Trak Shak to upcycle some amazing art. Currently, we are working with Homewood graduate Gary Asher on a music instrument piece that we hope will be housed at HMS or somewhere in the community.

April 25 8-11:30 AM

Household Hazardous Waste/ Electronics/TVs/Paper Shredding

Site 1: City of Bessemer Laydown Yard 1205 15th Ave N, Bessemer, 35020

Site 2: First Baptist Church of GardendaleSouth Location 940 Main St, Gardendale 35071

Site 3: Classic Car Motoring 3900 Grants Mill Rd, Irondale 35210

ACCOLADES

Homewood High School’s Megan Wadsworth named 2026 ALA-CASE special education teacher of the year

By APRIL COFFEY

On March 11, Homewood High School teacher Megan Wadsworth was named the 2026 ALA-CASE special education teacher of the year. The Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education works with school leaders to provide leadership to advance the field of special education through professional learning, policy and advocacy.

OTHER NEWS

► Homewood Middle School hosted author Jordan Sonnenblick on March 4 for grade-level

assemblies and a book signing. Sonnenblick spoke to students about pursuing their dreams and using their talents to serve others.

► Six Homewood City Schools’ teachers received National Board Certification in February. National Board Certification is a multiyear process that is rigorous and reflects a true dedication to the teaching profession. Newly certified teachers are: Sims Brown (HallKent), Mary Helen Douglas (Edgewood), Adam Oliver (Homewood High), Jamie Wilson (Shades Cahaba), Emily McGuire (Shades Cahaba) and Lily Walker (Homewood High).

PLEASE SORT YOUR ITEMS USING THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

Electronics / TVs / Paper to Shred are ACCEPTED at ALL EVENTS:

Electronics & TVs: Cable Boxes, Cameras, Cell phones, Computers, Cords, E-Cigarettes, Ink Toner, Cartridges, Laptops, Modems, Monitors, Printers, Remotes, Security Equipment, Small Appliances (co ee makers, hair dryers, irons, microwaves, toasters, vacuums) Tablets, Televisions, Smart Watches, Vapes

On-site Paper Shredding: Regular Paper (5 box limit). NO Binders, Clips, or Wet Paper

HHW & Recyclables are ONLY ACCEPTED at the April and October Events:

Automotive: Batteries, Cleaners, Degreasers, Filters, Fluids, Fuel Additives, Gas, Oil, Rust Removers, and Tires without Rims – (8 tire limit)

Household: Aerosols, Batteries (every type), Ballasts, Chemicals, Cleaners, Fire

Extinguishers, First Aid, Gas Cylinders, Light Bulbs/Tubes, Smoke Alarms

Mercury: Mercury and Mercury-Containing Items (thermometers, thermostats)

Paint: Adhesives, Epoxy Fillers, Paints, Removers, Resins, Sealants, Stains, Solvents, Thinners, Turpentines, Varnishes, Wallpaper Cements

Large Appliances: Freezers, Machinery, Refrigerators, Water Heaters

*Rinsed Recyclables: Aluminum Cans, Glass Bottles, PET #1 and HDPE #2 Plastics

Items

Asbestos, Explosives, Medical Waste, PCBs, Radioactive/Unidentified Materials

SPORTS

All-South Metro Basketball

Kaleb Carson named Player of Year

By KYLE PARMLEY

Every high school basketball season has its own twists and turns (except for Hoover’s girls, who just keep on winning). New players step up and teams make magical runs.

The 2025-26 season had both of those, and the annual Under the Lights All-South Metro Basketball Team aims to highlight the top performers from an entertaining year.

Hoover’s boys had their three-year state championship streak snapped, but head coach Scott Ware took a brand-new starting lineup back to the state final and is the Coach of the Year on the boys side. Briarwood’s Lorie Kerley is the Coach of the Year for the girls after leading the Lady Lions to the final four for the first time since 2001.

Kaleb Carson continued his stellar senior year for Homewood. After winning Offensive Player of the Year honors in football, he is the boys Player of the Year after leading his Patriots to a great campaign. In the girls Player of the Year battle, Hoover’s Khloe Ford reasserted herself as one of the most dominant players in the state this year, while Chelsea’s Caroline Brown had a fantastic year as well to lead a retooled Chelsea team back to the final four.

► Coaches of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover; Lorie Kerley, Briarwood

► Players of the Year: Kaleb Carson, Homewood; Khloe Ford, Hoover; Caroline Brown, Chelsea

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Khloe Ford, Hoover: The Missouri signee averaged 18 points and nine rebounds for the state champs.

► Caroline Brown, Chelsea: Led the area in scoring with 18.4 points per game, leading her team to the final four.

► Maddie Walter, Mountain Brook: A first-team selection for the second straight year, going for a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

► Emma Kerley, Briarwood: Led her team to the final four with 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

► Aaliyah Blanchard, Hoover: Made the first team again, finishing her career with 16 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Ryleigh Martin, Hewitt-Trussville: The

UAB commit scored 15 points per game.

► Kimora Brewster, Clay-Chalkville: Averaged 15 points per game for one of the top Class 6A squads.

► Kristen Winston, Hoover: The freshman is the next star player for the Lady Bucs, going for 13 points and nearly six assists per game.

► Avery Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the area with 81 3-point makes this season.

► Olivia Pryor, Chelsea: One of the top guards in the area, going for four assists and four steals each game.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Caroline Kester, Oak Mountain: Capped off her career with 12.5 points per game.

► Emily Williams, John Carroll: Went for 14 points and nine rebounds each night.

► Lauryn Holley, Hewitt-Trussville: Surpassed 1,000 points in her career with 15 points per game.

► Ann Tatum Baker, Briarwood: Capped off a tremendous career with 12 points per game as the Lady Lions point guard.

► Mackenzie Hale, Clay-Chalkville: Nearly had a double-double each night, with 12 points and nine boards.

GIRLS

HONORABLE MENTION

Chenelle Hunter, Spain Park; Sophia Lee,

John Carroll; Juliann Bass, Chelsea; Devyn Hudson, Homewood; Lily Burch, John Carroll; Gabby Garcia, Chelsea; Lemmie Floyd, Chelsea; Kate Bakken, Mountain Brook; Zy Walker, Oak Mountain; Ella Grace Stricklin, Vestavia Hills; Lynlee Franks, Spain Park; Lane Crowe, Homewood; Marley Cowan, Vestavia Hills; Teagan Huey, Spain Park.

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Drew Mears, Briarwood: Led the area in scoring for the third straight year with 22 points per game.

► Kaleb Carson, Homewood: Carried the Patriots to the regional final with 18 points and five rebounds per game.

► Demar Hinton, Clay-Chalkville: One of the top scorers in the area, finishing with 18 points per game.

► Jackson Sheffield, Hoover: The Vanderbilt signee was a force, averaging 17.7 points and eight rebounds.

► Emory Bear, Vestavia Hills: Despite missing time with an injury, finished with 16.5 points and seven rebounds.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Johnny Towry, Vestavia Hills: Went for 15 points and six rebounds to help the Rebels win the area championship.

► Patton Knight, Oak Mountain: Set Oak Mountain record with 81 3-point makes for the

year.

► Evan Moller, Chelsea: Led the Hornets with 14 points and seven rebounds each game.

► Trey Davis, Mountain Brook: The sharpshooter averaged 12 points per game.

► Michael Glass, Hoover: The regional tournament MVP averaged 12 points per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Dalton Black, Hewitt-Trussville: The Huskies’ leading scorer went for 13 points each contest.

► Tommy Morrison, Spain Park: Helped the Jags to a strong season with 11.6 points and six rebounds per game.

► Charlie Caldwell, Briarwood: Averaged 12 points per game for the Lions.

► Blake Weise, John Carroll: Averaged 16 points and shot 45% from 3-point range.

► Josh Wilkerson, Spain Park: Went for 13.7 points each night.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

Kasen Lemons, Oak Mountain; Sam Fox, Spain Park; Rashad Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Sean Johnson, Chelsea; Gray Carrington, Oak Mountain; Braden Little, Mountain Brook; Jace Harden, Homewood; Messiah Millin, Hoover; Clay Mills, Oak Mountain; Harrison Stewart, Spain Park; Daniel Vinson, Homewood; Ryan Phelps, Hewitt-Trussville; Drew Vail, Homewood; Cooper Gann, Spain Park.

Patriots wrap up basketball season in regional final

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Homewood High School boys basketball team ran into the top-ranked team in Class 6A and fell short in the Northeast Regional final to No. 1 Oxford at Jacksonville State University.

Oxford went on to win its first basketball state title, cementing its legacy as the best team in 6A for the 2025-26 season.

The 55-22 loss ended what was a tremendous season for Homewood in Elijah Garrison’s second year as head coach. Homewood finished with a 25-8 record, losing only twice in its last 20 games. The Patriots won the area in the regular season, along with the area tournament, and won a sub-regional game against Shades Valley and a regional game against Mountain Brook to get to the final eight.

“We win 13 games in a row, win an area tournament, get to the regional final,” Garrison said. “It sucks that that’s how it ends, but I’m super proud of them. They’re a special group of young men.”

Homewood was unable to get anything going in that game, but the Patriots’ win over Mountain Brook in the opening round of the regional tournament was a special one.

Homewood had been eliminated at the hands of the Spartans each of the last two years, and the Patriots returned the favor this time around.

The Patriots defense locked down

the Spartans much of the game, allowing nine or fewer points over the second, third and fourth quarters.

“That’s a quality opponent that we just played, and I have all the respect for Coach [Tyler] Davis and what he has done and is doing at Mountain Brook,” Garrison said following that game. “Everybody knows the success that they have had, and so that’s a good win for us.

tales of

betrayal,

We didn’t come in here thinking that we were the underdogs, though. We thought we could play in that game.”

Kaleb Carson led all scorers with 19 points in the contest, adding four assists and four rebounds to his line as well. Jace Harden had a standout game, going for a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Oxford never allowed Carson to get rolling, though.

“He’s a special kid,” Garrison said of Carson, who led Homewood to special seasons on the football field and basketball court this year.

“He’s grown up a lot and really matured. He’s a very unselfish kid and wants what’s best for his friends and teammates. I saw him grow up a lot in the last year.” Carson and his teammates echoed each other, saying last

season’s loss to Mountain Brook in the sub-regional round fueled the Patriots to put together a special season.

“It’s not every day you get to play this game with your best friends for the last three months,” senior Hayes DeCoudres said. “When you’re hanging out with people you love and playing a game you love, you get close.”

Sean McBride gets to 400 career wins

By JOSHUA GLEASON

Scotland-to-Alabama is not the typical soccer pipeline you see, and Homewood High School girls soccer coach Sean McBride never expected a milestone like 400 wins and eight state titles to be the result of it.

Born in Wishaw, Scotland, McBride idolized the most popular professional soccer team in the country: Celtic FC. His boyhood dream of playing for his favorite club became a reality when he was a 16-year-old and able to leave school to play for “The Bhoys” reserve team.

“When you grow up in Scotland, soccer is like a religion,” said McBride. “When you get the opportunity to do it, you hope you can for the rest of your life.”

But injuries ended his professional playing career at age 20.

McBride came to the United States following that. After playing junior college soccer at Massasoit Community College near Boston and earning NJCAA All-American honors twice, McBride transferred to Birmingham-Southern College.

As team captain in 1997, he recorded 17 assists and earned TranSouth Athletic Conference Player of the Year and NAIA All-American honors. These exploits with BSC won him the attention of the USL A-League, where the Cincinnati Riverhawks selected him in the third round of the 1998 draft.

Yet it was at Birmingham-Southern that McBride discovered his true calling, sticking around as a graduate assistant coach. Influenced by longtime BSC head coach Preston Goldfarb, McBride realized there was more to it than “just kicking the ball” and that he loved coaching as soon as he got into it.

He began teaching history and coaching boys

soccer at Homewood High School in 2000. The success on the field started nearly immediately, as McBride and the Patriots won their first state title in 2003. He led his players to win more than 300 games and further state championships in 2005, 2006, 2014 and 2018.

McBride spent a period coaching the girls soccer team at his alma mater and was inducted into the BSC Hall of Fame in 2003.

McBride’s wife Mindy used to run the Homewood girls soccer program, and the two coaches won the school’s first state titles on the girls side in back-to-back years in 2019 and 2020, Mindy leading the program the first year and Sean the

following year. Mindy likes to joke that she is a better coach in part because her title came first.

Sean added two more state titles in 2022 and 2023 and has followed with section championships the last two seasons.

A major highlight? Coaching his daughters, Mary Siena and Annie.

“They would go back home to their mother and tell her that Dad was rather loud and angry sometimes, and I would be in the doghouse,” McBride said. “They wanted me to coach the girls the same way I coached the boys, though, and I think that’s the only way to do it otherwise you’re cheating one of them. I had the time of

my life.”

Homewood head coach

Sean McBride talks with the Lady Patriots after the AHSAA Class 6A girls State Championship game against

Annie now plays at Samford, which means McBride can step outside his classroom and watch her train across the street.

Despite his accomplishments, McBride remains humble about his 400-win milestone. “It comes down to the players more than me,” McBride said. “Four hundred wins just tells everybody I have been doing this for a long time.”

From a boy chasing a dream in Scotland to a coach shaping generations in Alabama, McBride found something even more meaningful than the professional career he once envisioned.

Patriots finish 9th at state wrestling

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Homewood High School wrestling team finished ninth in the Class 6A state tournament on Feb. 14 in Huntsville.

Athens won the state title, with McAdory, Spain Park, Pell City and Mountain Brook finishing in the top five.

Among the competitors for the Patriots:

► Imad Almansoob won two matches in the 106-pound division.

► Britton Miner competed at 113 pounds.

► Ben Treadway finished sixth at 120 pounds.

► William Booker won a match at 132 pounds.

► Cooper Bailey won a first-round match at 138 pounds.

► Graham Henninger competed at 157 pounds.

► Edwin McBride placed fifth at 175 pounds.

► Randall Jaquez finished third at 215 pounds.

► Bardon King was fifth at 285 pounds.

Jaquez had an impressive run in the tournament. He started off with a win over Mountain Brook’s Will Ellis. He followed that up with a win over Quinten Lowe of Clay-Chalkville. Jaquez’s only loss was in the semifinals against Porter Schott. But he rebounded to beat Hunter Brown of Pell City and Lowe once again to finish third.

McBride lost in the quarterfinals but rebounded to win twice in the consolation bracket. He fell to Israel Anders of Spain Park in the consolation semifinals before winning

the fifth-place match over Saraland’s Demari Johnson.

King won in the opening round, suffered a loss in the quarterfinals, but won twice in the consolation round before another loss in the consolation semifinals. King then defeated Helena’s Dashawn McClain in the fifth-place match.

John Carroll’s Alex Plaia and Charlie Boone each finished as the state runners-up in their respective weight classes. Hugh Tighe and Isaac Kelley each finished seventh in their classes, giving the Cavs four state qualifiers.

EVENTS

Historic Hollywood Home Tour returning April

By EMILY REED

Homewood’s Hollywood Tour of Homes is returning this year on April 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. sponsored by the Hollywood Garden Club.

“This is a really popular event for people who are interested in the history of Homewood as well as getting the opportunity to see some of the homes in person,” said Amanda Timko, Hollywood Garden Club home tour chair. “We have people who love to come to this each time we have it and really look forward to the homes we have on the tour.”

The tour originally began in the 1980s as a way for people to explore the historic charm within the homes of the Hollywood neighborhood.

Timko said the tour has consistently been a well-attended event and guests look forward to coming back year after year.

This year, the Hollywood Garden Club has also put together a centennial cookbook made up of recipes from residents in the neighborhood to sell at the event.

The history of Homewood’s Hollywood dates back to 1924 when real estate developer Clyde Nelson had a vision for a portion of Homewood to resemble Hollywood, California.

Nelson incorporated the Hollywood Land Co. with a community of Spanish-style houses. He paid $109,800 for the land.

Nelson hired Harvard University-trained landscape architect Rubee J. Pearse to develop a plan for the 750-lot neighborhood, including lot lines, green spaces, housing placement and roads. Birmingham-based architect George P. Turner designed most of the original houses.

Individual lots at the time sold for $1,800 to $3,700 and completed homes sold for $15,000 to $35,000, according to information provided

by The Hollywood Garden Club.

Nelson was very particular with what he would allow lot owners to build, eventually allowing popular Tudor Revival-style homes. However, he insisted on strict design codes in keeping with his vision for the community.

At the end of 1926, Hollywood was incorporated as a township. In 2002, the Hollywood Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Each year, four homes are featured on the tour. The decision on which homes to feature is

largely based on the Garden Club.

“We start with our Garden Club, crowdsourcing for anyone that would be interested or if they have a neighbor or friend that would be willing to open their doors for the tour,”

Timko said. “We are lucky to have the tour as a longstanding tradition, so people are excited and willing to be on tour to showcase our unique 100-year history.”

Currently, 220 members make up The Garden Club, and proceeds from the event go to beautification for the neighborhood or to

Shades Cahaba Elementary. Tickets are $40, which provides an entry to the four homes. There is no limit on tickets, and they are available for advance purchase. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the tour via cash or Venmo only.

The homes on tour this year are: 5 Pamona Ave., 323 La Prado Circle, 232 Poinciana Drive and 206 Malaga.

For more information about the tour and to purchase tickets, visit hollywoodgardenclubbham.com.

16th annual Mutt Strut planned for April 11

By EMILY REED

The 16th annual Mutt Strut invites fans of the 90s sitcom “Friends” to embrace a favorite character or theme from the show and join the festivities planned for April 11.

The event will be from 8 a.m. until noon at Homewood Central Park and is hosted by Hand in Paw’s Junior Board.

“This year’s theme is based on the sitcom ‘Friends,’” said Michael Hansen, director of advancement for Hand in Paw. “This year marks the 30th anniversary as an organization, and that milestone inspired the theme. It is a way to celebrate our 30th birthday and honor the ‘friends’ we have made over the past three decades of delivering animal-assisted therapy services across the Birmingham area. Two years ago, we did ‘disco’ and last year, the theme was ‘80s fitness.’ So this theme also fits nicely with that recent trend.”

There will be a 5K and a 1-mile fun run inviting runners, walkers, dogs on leashes and kids of all ages to participate.

There will be a costume contest, race awards, and “good vibes guaranteed.”

Hansen said the event is very family friendly, and while the organization promotes health with the walk/run, the atmosphere is more like a community celebration than a serious marathon or athletic competition.

“We will also have music, vendors, food trucks, a coffee cart and prizes,” Hansen said.

In 2025, the event raised about $55,000 with proceeds going to Hand in Paw’s animal-assisted therapy services, which are provided at no cost to the organization’s program partners throughout central Alabama.

“Events like Mutt Strut help keep those program services free for all who need them,” Hansen said.

In 1996, animal-assisted therapy existed on a very limited number of radar screens and was not being used in Birmingham, according to information provided by Hand in Paw.

Beth Franklin, founder of Hand in Paw, created animal-assisted therapy teams in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.

From Hand in Paw’s earliest days as a 501(c) (3), Franklin and the board of directors shared a vision to train and evaluate all volunteers and their animal partners, something that is still a

mainstay with the organization.

Now more than 100 professionally-trained volunteers carry out Hand in Paw’s mission.

Mutt Strut, presented by Creative Dog Training, is a family-friendly fundraiser that supports Hand in Paw’s mission to improve human health and well-being through animal-assisted therapy across Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa.

Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. with the 5K beginning at 9 a.m. and the one-mile fun starting at 9:45 a.m.

Online registration is open until April 10 with in-person registration available on race day.

Following the event, Good Dog Bar and Park will host the official Mutt Strut “after party” beginning at noon.

Live music, a kid’s area, a food truck and a safe fenced space to relax with drinks while dogs play will be available. Admission is free for registered Mutt Strut participants.

For more information about the event, visit handinpaw.org.

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EVENTS

Save the Date

WAY OF THE CROSS PROCESSIONAL

► Where: Homewood Central Park Amphitheater, 1632 Oxmoor Road

► When: Friday, April 3, 2 p.m.

► Cost: Free

► Details: Christian churches across Homewood will gather for the annual Good Friday event. The prayer walk, which began in 1994, will start at the Homewood Central Park amphitheater, following a route along Oxmoor Road. Stops will include All Saints Episcopal Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. The procession will conclude at Edgewood Presbyterian Church.

HOMEWOOD LIBRARY FOUNDATION BLOCK PARTY

► Where: Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road

► When: Saturday, April 25, 4-6:30 p.m.

► Cost: $25 ages 21 and older, $10 ages 4 to 20, free ages 3 and younger (with purchase of adult ticket)

► Details: The Homewood Library Foundation Block Party will feature music, food and family-friendly activities supporting the Homewood Public Library. Tickets will include food tastings and activities and will be available at the door. The event will be held rain or shine. Learn more at homewoodlibraryfoundation.org.

MAGIC HOUR FILM CLUB — “DINNER IN AMERICA”

► Where: Homewood Public Library, Room 201, 1721 Oxmoor Road

► When: Thursday, April 9, 6:30-9 p.m.

► Cost: Free

► Details: The Homewood Public Library will host a screening of the indie film “Dinner in America,” which follows an on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with a local band as they embark on an unexpected journey through the American Midwest. The film blends humor, music and coming-of-age themes while exploring friendship and self-discovery. Register at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

20TH ANNUAL SPRING SCRAMBLE 5K

► Where: Trak Shak Homewood, 2839 18th St. S.

► When: Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m.; pre-race party 3:30 p.m.

► Cost: $35 for 5K, $8 for fun run (ages 8 and younger)

► Details: Hosted by the UAB Pediatric Residency Program’s Coat of Arms outreach initiative, proceeds will support programs addressing food insecurity, literacy, education and health promotion. The event will include an in-person 5K, a virtual option, a fun run for kids 8 and younger and a pre-race party. Register at runsignup.com/race_al_birmingham_20thannualspringscramble5k.

Jefferson County Homeowners

► For more events news, connect with the Homewood Star online by scanning the QR code.

► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.

DOLORES HYDOCK: COMPANIONS, BUDDIES AND BFFS

► Where: Homewood Public Library, Large Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Road

► When: Friday, April 10, 6:15-8:45 p.m.

► Cost: $25

► Details: Storyteller Dolores Hydock will present her 20th annual Spring Story Concert at the Homewood Public Library, featuring stories celebrating the friends who make life richer and more interesting. Known for her engaging stage presence, she blends humor, warmth and insight in an evening of memorable stories. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Homewood Public Library. Register at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

HOMEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

April 1-30: Monthly Spice Club: Dill, pick up a free spice kit with recipes and cooking inspiration beginning April 1 at the Adult Services Desk, while supplies last.

April 1, 15: Live Yoga with Jackie Tally, 3-4 p.m., Large Auditorium. Bring a mat if available.

April 2: Read It & Eat Book Club — “The Secret Book Society” by Madeline Martin, 6:30-8 p.m., Real and Rosemary, 1922 29th Ave. S.

April 3: Confidence Under Pressure with Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead, 1-2 p.m., Room 102.

April 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Library Yoga with Jackie Tally, 2-3 p.m., Zoom. Free classes open to all fitness levels.

April 7: That’s Lit: A Booklover’s Event, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Large Auditorium, with trivia, games and crafts.

April 8: Ancient Mariners: Native People of the Pacific Islands, 2-3 p.m., Large Auditorium.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS

► Where: The Valley Hotel, 2727 18th St. S.

► When: Tuesday, April 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

► Cost: $45 for non-members

► Details: The Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s April luncheon will feature the annual Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by Regions Bank. The program will recognize Homewood City Schools students for outstanding character, scholarship and service. Honorees are nominated by teachers, principals and peers for leadership, academics and community service. Register at homewoodchamber.org.

April 9: Magic Hour Film Club — “Dinner in America,” 6:30-9 p.m., Room 102.

April 12: Book Signing with Poet Kathleen Finerty, 3-4 p.m., Round Auditorium.

April 14: Masterpiece Makers — Book Page Art, 6:30-8 p.m., Room 109. Supplies provided.

April 16: Painting Large with September Reed, 6:30-8 p.m., Room 109.

April 18: Open Studio Time, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Room 102.

April 19: Rough Draft — Birmingham Writer’s Club, 3-4:30 p.m., Room 102.

April 21: Retired Physicians Symposium, 10-11 a.m., Large Auditorium.

April 25: Homewood Library Foundation Block Party, 4-6:30 p.m., Library Parking Lot.

April 27: Dixie’s Pet Loss Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Room 106.

April 30: Adult DND, 6-8 p.m., Room 109.

Local author and artist collaborate to create children's book

By EMILY REED

Homewood resident Jim Brown is a storyteller. Many of his stories are based on real-life experiences over the years, one of which he has decided to turn into a children's book "Alison in Wonderland: The Strangest Week at the Beach."

"I have four grandchildren, and this book is written off of an experience we took as an extended family vacation at St. George Island years ago," Brown said. "I wrote this particular book for my oldest granddaughter, Alison."

The book centers around a character named Alison, who is 9 years old and travels to the beach where she changes in size and shape to help her learn about various beach and shallow-water creatures.

Some of the questions Alison asks in the book include "Are half-moons always up for exactly half a night, and if so, which half?"

"When flying a kite in the daytime, why do you most often have to fly it back over the house instead of out over the ocean?"

The book is designed for children between second and eighth grade. It also highlights visits to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, Florida, the Atchafalaya Swamp nature center in Louisiana, and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Mississippi.

"I think that trip really stood out in my mind when we went as a family, and I used a lot of those experiences to help shape a children's book," Brown said. "My granddaughter, Alison, is now 23, a chemical engineering graduate of Auburn living in Birmingham and is preparing for her MCAT. She is bright and funny, and has an interesting take on her former self being the heroine of this beach week book."

The book also features illustrations by Jane Reed Ross, who formerly lived in Homewood. It is printed by Rocky Heights Printing in

Homewood.

"This was definitely a team effort and everything was produced here in Homewood," Brown said. "I think what really makes the book come alive are the beautiful watercolor drawings that Jane Reed Ross put together when she heard the story and really made all of the ideas come to life."

The book is made up of 32 watercolor pictures and 31 pages of Brown's text.

Brown, who moved to Alabama from Tennessee in 1971 to take a position at Samford with a specialty in Russian and modern European history, has written several other books. This is his first children's book.

One of his books, "Distracted by Alabama: Tangled Threads of Natural History, Local History and Folklore" was selected as the 2025 Library of Congress Book Festival's Great Reads from Great Places for the state of Alabama.

When Brown wrote the children's book for his granddaughter, he said one of the common questions from his other three grandchildren was will he write a book for them?

"I guess those are my next projects because they are eager for me to write something for them, and I am excited at the opportunity to do so," Brown said. "I think it is fun to think up ideas that would make a good children's story."

Brown's good friend, George Elliott, who has been friends with Brown since the early 1970s, said Brown is a wonderful storyteller filled with an immense amount of knowledge on just about everything.

"The thing about Jim is he is always up for a good adventure and can always tell a good story," Elliott said. "He is a real Renaissance man. He has his fingers in just about everything which is what makes him incredibly fascinating. He is one of the few people in life where my wife will let me go anywhere in the world because she knows Jim can bring me back."

To purchase a copy of Brown's book, visit localbooknook.com or call 205-983-8040.

SAVAGE’S

CONTINUED from page 1

Opened in 1939, Savage’s was originally on Highland Avenue before moving to its current location, where it has become a beloved part of downtown Homewood. Van Scott Jr. purchased the storefront in 1978 when he was 27 years old, pouring himself into the business for nearly five decades before deciding to retire.

He closed Savage’s Bakery & Deli on Feb. 7, but not before the community lined up for hours to get one last taste of their favorites, like cookies, petit fours, cakes, meltaways and rolls. One customer who stopped by the day before it closed was Kenneth Rhodes, owner of O’Carr’s Delicatessen across the street.

Rhodes was placing his order for sugar and smiley face cookies when he saw Scott’s daughter, Kitty. She asked him if he wanted to buy a bakery, and Rhodes jokingly told her not to say that too loud because he was already hearing the same request from customers. Still, he gave her his number, not taking the proposition too seriously considering he wasn’t overly familiar with the business — or looking to add a new one.

“I just knew it was at the top of the hill, and everyone loved it,” Rhodes said.

But the more he thought about the idea, the more he said he realized the bakery was somewhere he could see himself working as he grew older. A few weeks went by, and as customers continued reaching out to Rhodes about buying the bakery, he couldn’t shake the thought. He spoke with Savage’s owner and quickly learned how much Scott loved the bakery — and how much Rhodes was falling for it too.

A few weeks after the bakery closed, Rhodes purchased all of Savage’s — including the recipes, equipment and location. Though he’d only known Scott for 10 days at that point, Rhodes said he was passionate about continuing the past owner’s legacy.

And Rhodes didn’t waste any time getting that legacy back to life. He called all of Savage’s former employees, and 10 out of the 11 were on board to come back, with one declining due to health issues. He also added new staff to the team and refreshed the storefront to be ready for customers again.

“When I care about something, I put in 150%,” Rhodes said. “I really want to grow and do the same thing with this business.”

Rhodes reopened Savage’s Bakery & Deli on March 16 to the delight of customers and the community.

“It’s all been God’s will. I have the power of the community and everything behind me. It’s fate and perfect timing,” Rhodes said. “There’s a bright future for Savage’s, and I think it will be a household name in the future.”

Throughout this whirlwind of events, Rhodes said Scott has been a fountain of knowledge and inspiration.

“Van told me, ‘I’ve worked my entire

“You

can go anywhere and get a cake. But when someone loves what they’re doing, you can taste the difference.

KENNETH

RHODES

”both of his restaurants.

O’Carr’s and Savage’s will operate as separate businesses, but the community can expect to find the same level of quality at both. Rhodes has spent the past three and a half years as owner of O’Carr’s preserving the previous family’s work, and he told Scott that he would do the same with Savage’s.

“I am carrying the O’Carr’s legacy and have never claimed it to be mine. They created all of those things on their own, and I give them the same respect as I do Savage’s,” Rhodes said. “This is the history they’ve made.”

The menu, products and quality that Savage’s is known for will stay the same, so customers can still find all of their favorite desserts and bakery items. Rhodes also reopened the deli area, which had been closed for about a year. He said they might offer dinner service in the future, as well.

“I love what I’m doing, and I think it’s going to be successful because I care about the brand,” Rhodes said. “Everyone that comes and visits can tell that when they taste it.”

Savage’s has more than 500 recipes, with 50 that are used daily — from bear claws to macaroons. Rhodes said he especially enjoys the flavors of their cakes, which are made from scratch like everything else on the menu.

“You can go anywhere and get a cake,” Rhodes said. “But when someone loves what they’re doing, you can taste the difference.”

While he will continue honoring the work of the past owners in both restaurants, Rhodes said there is an opportunity to create something of his own in the future. There’s a separate kitchen in Savage’s where he could start a catering company to provide food for weddings, graduations and other special events.

life, and I never thought in my whole life anybody could do what I do with my hands in the dough and running a business. I never found that person, and that’s why I closed it. I couldn’t find the person who did what I did and cared about it like I do until I met you,’” Rhodes recalled. “That’s probably the biggest compliment I’ve gotten in my life. I immediately knew it was going to be my

baby, and I’d let it grow to the sky. It’s a part of me now.”

That dedication is something Rhodes possessed long before taking over the bakery or O’Carr’s in 2022. Coming from a lower-class family with 13 brothers and sisters, Rhodes said he learned from an early age the importance of hard work. That’s something he’ll continue to prioritize with

“I can put a brand of my own in place over time with the knowledge I have from what I’ve done, and that could be my legacy for Homewood. If it’s in God’s plan, it will happen,” Rhodes said. “I believe I’ll have a spot in Homewood history.”

Open Monday through Saturday, Savage’s Bakery & Deli is located at 2916 18th St. S. in Homewood. For more information, visit shopsavagesbakery.com.

Central Barre

Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. & Saturday at 8:15 a.m.

Homewood Community Center

Central Barre is a small group fitness class incorporating barre, core, cardio, balance, strength training and stretch to give you a complete workout in 55 minutes. We use a variety of small equipment such as weights, resistance bands, balls and sliding discs to increase variety and provide real results.  ellyngagnon@gmail.com

Dance Trance

Saturday, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Homewood Community Center

Dance Trance is a high-cardio, high-energy dance fitness experience that leaves participants soaking wet! It is a nonstop workout that feels more like a party than an exercise class. www.dancetrancefitness.com

Fun For All Line Dancing

Tuesday, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Homewood Community Center Fitness Studio 2

Beginner and Beyond Beginner line dance instruction encompassing a variety of music genres, e.g., pop, country and R&B. You will learn line dance terminology, line dance steps and, of course, line dances to specific music.

Cost: $5.00 per person per visit funforalllinedancing@gmail.com

Homewood Parks & Recreation

Classes & Activities

North Star Martial Arts

North Star Martial Arts’ primary focus is to make a life-lasting impact on our students and their families. Classes range from beginners to adults. For detailed class listings and times, please visit the park’s website or www.northstarma.com. 205-966-4244 • info@northstarma.com

Bench Aerobics Step & Line Dance

Monday, 5-6 p.m. (Step Aerobics) Tuesday, 4:15-5:15 p.m. (Step Aerobics) Thursday, 4:15-5:15 p.m. (Cardio Line Dance) Homewood Community Center Fitness Studio 2

Cost: Classes are FREE (with donations). For more information, contact Rosa at 205-253-9344 or benchaerobics@bellsouth.net.

Royce Head Personal Training

Affordable personal training available to members in the Fitness Center at the Homewood Community Center. Workouts are fast, fun, safe and effective, and each person is started with a program to fit their fitness level. Call Royce for more information: (205) 945-1665.

Tai Chi Classes

All classes are suitable for anyone who is willing to take the time to learn these beautiful, liberating and empowering sets of movements (forms). For additional information about Tai Chi Classes, contact Galina at: galinawaites@gmail.com.

Sun Style: Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.

Arthritis and Fall Prevention: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

Yang Style: Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Chair Fitness

Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 10:45 a.m.

Great for individuals with stamina or balance issues. Focuses on joint mobility, stretching, strength and balance.

We Love Homewood Day 2026 Saturday, May 2, 2026 Save the date and come celebrate Homewood! Find event information at www.homewoodparks.com/WLHD

YoLimber

Wednesday, Noon to 1 p.m. - Warrior Sculpt Friday, 8-9 a.m. - Basics Class Friday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Regular Class Friday, 4-5 p.m. - BroYo (Men’s Yoga) Enjoy Vinyasa yoga classes in an energetic environment using upbeat music at Homewood Community Center. All levels welcome. Contact Marla: 205-223-8564 • mac@yolimber.com

Fast Track Line Dance

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Homewood Community Center Fitness Studio 2

We learn the current and classic intermediate-advanced line dances.

*This class is not for beginners. Jackie Tally - jgtally@aol.com (or) Helen Woods - aquafool@aol.com

FIT4MOM

FIT4MOM Birmingham provides fitness classes and a network of local moms to support every stage of motherhood. From pregnancy through postpartum and beyond, we serve our community by offering our fitness and wellness programs to help keep moms strong in body, mind and spirit. View our website for membership plans, passes and schedule. https://birmingham.fit4mom.com

Senior Lunch Program

Weekdays, Noon to 12:30 p.m. – The lunch program does not require membership but does require enrollment (for ages 60+).

Upcoming Educational Session: Saving Money on Medicare

Wednesday, April 8 at 10:15 a.m.

The Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, personalized and unbiased education & consultation to Medicare recipients and their families. Open to members as well as the general public. Please contact the Senior Center if you plan to attend: 205-332-6500 or seniorcenter.staff@homewoodal.org

For all your summer pool information: membership, hours of operation, swim team, party rentals, swim lessons, etc. Please visit: www.homewoodparks.com/Pools

JACKSON CONTINUED from page 1

For 18 years, he has helped keep Homewood Middle School clean, safe and ready for learning.

But somewhere between the sweeping and mopping, he has done something far greater: He has built trust, offered encouragement and quietly shaped character.

“When I leave here each night,” Jackson said, “I feel good because I know I’ve given the school my best. And that’s all you can do — come in and do your best.”

At 74 years old, Jackson is more than a custodian. He is a servant leader, a humble mentor and, as generations of students will tell you, the quiet heart of Homewood Middle School.

Jackson has been married for 43 years, and he and his wife share two children and four grandchildren. Last year, he endured the heartbreaking loss of his eldest grandson, Jaheim, a 2019 graduate of Homewood High School. Yet this grief, unimaginable to many, deepened rather than diminished his faith.

“We all have ups and downs in life,” he said gently. “That’s part of it. But you can’t stop living. When you get knocked down, you have to brush yourself off and keep pressing forward.”

He paused, and his words hung in the air like something meant not just for adults but for the students he cares for so deeply.

“Through it all, it shapes us into being better people,” Jackson said. “I’m thankful God has allowed me to live to 74. I know it’s because of His grace and mercy, and I’m forever grateful.”

A deacon and longtime Sunday school teacher, Jackson has spent decades guiding young people. When he first came to Homewood Middle, he knew how to clean, but he didn’t yet know how much the school would shape him.

“I knew what it meant to clean up,” he said with a smile. “But as far as the process here, I learned on the job.”

What he brought with him, however, was already fully formed: kindness, humility, consistency and a deep belief in the potential of children.

Each day, Jackson begins his shift between noon and 12:30 p.m., sweeping the sixth- and seventh-grade hallways before moving into the lunchroom and stairways. At 3 p.m., he heads to the main office to clean the principal’s and assistant principals’ areas, then works his way down the eighth-grade hallway, mopping carefully, scanning for scuffs and scraping gum from the floor.

Schools are not easy places to keep pristine. By morning, yesterday’s spotless hallways may look much different — the victims of bustling, lively middle schoolers.

“You can leave the school spotless and come back the next day and it looks like a train wreck,” Jackson said with a knowing grin. “Don’t let that get to you. That took me time to learn.”

Instead, he focuses on effort.

“Anything you do, you take pride in it and value it,” he said. “It may take a while, but don’t give up.”

Even the physical demands have become a blessing. “All this walking, health-wise, has been a tremendous help to me,” he said.

To Homewood City Schools Administrator Matt Kiser, Jackson’s impact extends far beyond maintenance.

“Mr. Jackson is the perfect example of a servant leader,” Kiser said. “He has served students, staff and families for many years and made an incredible impact through his example, dedication and wisdom.”

That leadership often shows up in quiet, practical ways. When teachers stay late, Jackson urges them to park closer to the building.

“And if they don’t,” he said, “I give them my phone number and tell them to call me. I don’t mind walking them to their car.”

If someone carries heavy boxes, he offers to help. “I just try to be available,” he said. “Go the extra mile. Be prepared to help wherever I’m needed.”

Jackson’s dedication is well known to students.

“Mr. Jackson is always helping people, and he is so kind,” said eighth grader Carys

Coffey. “We all know that he cares about us and wants us to do our best.”

Violet Potts, another eighth grader, added, “He is always smiling. He is so nice to all of us.”

Some of Jackson’s most meaningful moments happen with students in in-school detention.

“Every time I see one of those students, I shake their hand,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t know how. I tell them to give a firm handshake and look me in the eye. Don’t look down.”

He asks their name, establishes a connection and guides them to avoid future mistakes.

“Mistakes happen every day — not just for

kids but adults, too,” he said. “We learn from them and try not to repeat them.”

He shows genuine interest in academics and celebrates achievements.

“I tell them I want to see them again,” he chuckled, “but not under bad circumstances.”

Then he plants something deeper, letting students know he believes in them.

“I tell them I see good things coming in their life,” Jackson said. “Even if I don’t see it happen, those words give them a positive feeling. If someone sees something in them, maybe there is something there, and they will believe it.”

Sometimes, “All it takes is just a few words.”

When asked what brings him the greatest pride, Jackson didn’t hesitate.

“The best part is when children come to school and I give them a clean and safe environment,” he said. “Those go hand in hand.”

He understands that environment matters. “A child notices if there are no paper towels, no tissue, or if the floor is sticky,” he said. “Since I’m responsible, I try my best to keep everything at the level the students deserve.”

Because when students walk into a space that feels cared for, they feel cared for.

“If they’re in a healthy, clean, safe environment,” Jackson said, “they have a stronger potential to learn.”

Former students often return — not for textbooks, but for him.

“There have been several students who came back looking for me,” Jackson said. “That made me feel good. You can tell you made an impression on them.”

He has watched sixth graders grow into eighth graders, taller and more confident.

“I say, ‘Wow, I remember when he was so small,’” he said.

He believes each child carries purpose.

“We were all put here for a purpose,” Jackson said. “The key is finding it. When you find it, go for it.”

Adults in the school have a responsibility to remind students of that truth. “We need to let them know we love them and want what’s best for them,” he said. “They are our future. You’ll hit hard roads, but they’ll make you stronger. Keep your head up.”

As evening settles over Homewood Middle, Jackson makes one last round. He checks floors, scans corners, wipes glass and stocks bathrooms. Tomorrow, new footprints will mark the tile and fingerprints will cloud the doors. New mistakes will be made and new lessons learned.

And Jackson will be there again — smiling, sweeping, extending his hand and instilling positive character traits.

In a hectic middle school filled with incredible adults, some of the most lasting lessons come quietly outside the classroom. They feel like a firm handshake, a warm smile and the knowledge that someone truly cares. They look like Roy Jackson, who shows up — every single day — with his whole heart, enduring commitment and unwavering faith.

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