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Volume 2 | Issue 8 | December 2014
Rooted in tradition
Boy Scout tree sale celebrates more than 50 years in community By KATIE TURPEN A 16-year-old boy sped down U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills, burning rubber in his 1979 Trans Am. The car caught the attention of Boy Scout Tree Sale Chairman Bo Young, who contacted police and had Patrick Vacarella apologize. Vacarella was then given the option of receiving a ticket or coming to work for the duration of the sale that year.
Two years later, in 1989, Vacarella had worked his way up to become the lot manager. Today, he is still in the position. He has never missed a season and has no plans to quit anytime soon. He works tirelessly from open to close for the five-week duration of the sale. Committee members refer to him as the heart and soul of the operation. “If you don’t see me around the lot, just assume I’m no longer here,” Vacarella said.
INSIDE
(Above) Lot Manager Patrick Vacarella stands with members of Boy Scout Troop 110 at the site of the Over the Mountain Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale off of U.S. 31. Photos by Katie Turpen and courtesy of Stasi Bara.
A familiar scene come Thanksgiving, the Over the Mountain Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale has been a tradition in Vestavia Hills for more than 50 years. The sale funds activities for 10 Boy Scout troops in the Over the Mountain area. “There’s so much that goes into it. There’s a lot of us working in the background all year long,” said Vacarella, who was once a Scout himself. “My biggest enjoyment from the sale is Sponsors .......... A4 City...................... A5
knowing everything that it provides the Scouts.” The history of the sale dates back to the 1950s, when Vestavia Hills was still a young community. Jimmy Coleman, the founding scoutmaster of Troop 4, began the sale in 1959 in his backyard. In 1960, Coleman moved the sale to the undeveloped parking lot at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church after the sale outgrew his home.
Business.......... A8 Food .................A12
School House ... B2 Community ...... B9
Later, the sale moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe King, which is now the site of the Rite-Aid on U.S. 31. In the late 1960s, developer Charles Byrd wanted to improve the medians on U.S. 31, so the sale had to move down the hill. The moves continued until the current Scout Square location was acquired.
See SCOUTS | page A21 Sports ............... B13 Calendar ........... B18
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Holiday in the Hills Check out our list of 12 fun holiday activities to do in Vestavia Hills this month inside this issue.
See page A14
Back on track Local snowstorm survivor and hero Kelly Garner is training for the Mercedes Half-Marathon and even writing a book about his experience.
See page B1