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March 2026 | Volume 13 | Issue 11
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New Traditions The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off moves to Liberty Park
Vestavia Hills schools Superintendent Todd Freeman welcomes people to the Vestavia Hills City Schools Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center on Feb. 3. Photo by Jon Anderson.
Leaving a legacy 4 teachers enter Vestavia Hills City Schools Hall of Fame
By EMILY REED The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off is moving locations this year — from Homewood to Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills. The event, which is celebrating its 22nd year, will be held March 7 at The Urban Center from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “As Brookwood Village has new construction plans, it was time for the Chili Cook-Off to find a new location after 20 years in Homewood,” The Exceptional Foundation Marketing Coordinator Callie Puryear said. “Proceeds from the cook-off provide a significant source of funding for programs at The Exceptional Foundation, where we promote lasting friendships, healthy living, life skills and community involvement for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities.” Puryear said this will be the first year the location will change in roughly 20 years. Organizers of the event are hopeful it will draw crowds from both Homewood and Vestavia Hills, making it larger than previous years.
By JON ANDERSON Scenes from previous Chili Cook-Off events at Brookwood Village. File photos and courtesy of The Exceptional Foundation.
See CHILI COOK-OFF | page A16
Vestavia Hills High School is known for having an outstanding debate team, with many state and even national titles under its belt. Those things don’t happen by accident, and school officials recently took time to honor one of the debate teachers who guided students to excellence for more than two decades. Marilee Dukes, who taught English and debate at the high school from 1983 to 2007 and led the debate team to national prominence, was one of four former teachers inducted into the Vestavia Hills City Schools Hall of Fame in February. Others were: Frederick Jones, who taught social studies at Pizitz Middle School from 1970 to 1989; Carolyn Lytle, who taught in Vestavia from 1988 to 2008 as a third-grade teacher and reading coach at Vestavia Hills Elementary West; and Mary Bice Williams, who taught in multiple elementary schools and Pizitz Middle School between 1970 and 1997 and then worked part time in an academic support position for another 20 years.
See HALL OF FAME | page A18
INSIDE
Sponsors............... A4 City......................... A6
Business...............A10 Real Estate.......... A12
Schoolhouse..........B2 Sports.................... B8
Events................... B12 Life........................ B15
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