October 2026 | Volume 17 | Issue 7
MOUNTAIN BROOK’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VILLAGELIVINGONLINE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
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Third annual Harvest on Hoyt returns to fund student-led community projects
T
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA hey had a gleam in their eyes — the look of young people who have just been told yes, and who haven’t yet learned to pretend it doesn’t matter. Juniors and seniors, filing into the Mountain Brook Board of Education building on
a weekday afternoon, having just found out they made the cut. Waiting for them were the mayor, city officials, chamber staff and the teachers who run the program. Nobody handed out a syllabus. What the students got instead was a welcome, and a fairly direct piece of instruction: pay attention, because you are about to see how this city actually works.
See LEADERSHIP | page 25
The participating students in Leadership Mountain Brook. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
The heart behind the jewels: The life and legacy of Ricky Bromberg By KELLI S. HEWETT Frederick Wilkinson “Ricky” Bromberg never chased attention, even though his name was on the door. As the sixth-generation head of Bromberg’s jewelers and president of Bromberg & Co., he sat at his grandfather’s old desk and carried a family business, one that began in 1836, through a pandemic and the start of a transformational renovation with the conviction that
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the job was less about him and more about everyone else. “It’s astonishing that it survived world wars, the Great Depression, the Civil War, and it continued on,” said Brian Hood, the newly named president of Bromberg’s, who worked closely alongside Bromberg for 20 years. “For Ricky, it was important to continue that legacy. In the jewelry industry, the name Bromberg means something, and it matters. And that’s what was a lot of what drove him — to be
Business..................10 Schoolhouse...........14
Sports......................17 Events.....................20
Live-fire training facility Mountain Brook firefighters now have a new place to train.
See page 8
respectful of that reputation.” Bromberg died Sept. 2 at the age of 67, serving 43 years with the company before becoming president after his father, Frank Bromberg Jr. Many of those who spoke of him had catches of emotion in their voices and shed tears as they remembered him. Bromberg impacted people.
See BROMBERG | page 26
Life..........................24
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2 • October 2026
Village Living
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4 • October 2026
Village Living
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley Did you know that this newspaper is just one of the six monthly publications we produce at Starnes Media each month? The Cahaba Sun covers Trussville, Village Living covers Mountain Brook and we also put together the Hoover Sun, Vestavia Voice, Homewood Star and 280 Living papers on a monthly basis. One of my favorite things about overseeing the production of each of these publications is the unique identity each community possesses. Different things are important to different towns and residents are far more interested in certain topics than others. But one thing that is not unique to any of these places is how much the people
Published by:
Village Living LLC P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 villagelivingonline.com
care about the place they live, the amount of interesting people all around them. Know of an event we need to highlight? How about that man or woman in town that has such a cool story? We’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com with any thoughts and ideas. Thanks for reading!
Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness (22) Amy Smith Gardner, State Farm (11) Aqua Systems of Birmingham (7) ARC Realty Mt Laurel (17) Barlow Wealth Advisory Group (11) Birmingham Zoo (22) Bromberg’s (14, 28) Budget Blinds (27) Children’s of Alabama (6) Crestline Pharmacy (16) Cummings Jewelry Design (1) Door Restore (21) Dupree Mutual Funds (12) ENT Associates of Alabama (4) Etc. (13) Foxhound Bee Company (6) Gardner Landscaping (3) Grit Land Company (7) Guin Service (1)
Publisher: Dan Starnes Managing Editor: Kyle Parmley News Editor: Jon Anderson Staff Writer: Kelli S. Hewett Production Assistant: Jenn Moon Project Manager: Amanda Kreklau For advertising, contact: Client Success Specialist: Warren Caldwell dan@starnesmedia.com Business Development Exec: Don Harris Operations Specialist: Sarah Villar
Gunn Dermatology (19) Harbin Pharmacy (14) Issis & Sons (18) Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (23) Katie Crommelin, Ray & Poynor (12) Leavell Investment Management (15) Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (10) One Man & A Toolbox (9) Piggly Wiggly (5) Preservan Birmingham (5) Ray & Poynor (8) Ritch’s Pharmacy (4) Senior Placement Services (20) Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (16) TherapySouth (2) Trustmark Bank (24) United Way of Central Alabama (9)
Find Us
Contributing Writers: April Coffey Solomon Crenshaw Jr. Lauren H. Dowdle Kristi Sellers Karim Shamsi-Basha
Scan the QR code (or go to qrco.de/ villageliving) to read the latest news on our website, find where to pick up the latest print issue, follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter.
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Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/ photos submitted become the property of Village Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.
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6 • October 2026
Village Living
CITY
City Hall ‘air traffic controller’ set to retire By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR. Janet Forbes has been the assistant to the city manager in Mountain Brook — and so much more. The Mountain Brook native and resident wears a lot of hats as the City Hall greeter, ambassador and record keeper. Seated at her desk outside the city manager’s office, Forbes has been so involved in all aspects of city operations that at least one acquaintance calls her Mountain Brook’s air traffic controller. It may feel like that sometimes as she points people in the right direction, but the job is much more than that, including handling media inquiries, addressing resident issues submitted through TextMyGov, and sharing city news and developments with the public. “It’s constantly changing all day long,” said Forbes, who’s set to retire Oct. 30 after nearly 11 years with the city. “I go from one thing to another. I try to be as thorough as I can on each thing I’m doing, each item I’m working on, to help the residents or the other employees or whatever it is I’m working on.” Forbes previously worked in the human resources department of The Birmingham News, communicating with employees and retirees, a skill that carried over well to working with city residents and city employees. “You had to be patient and help people and understand what their needs are and what they really wanted,” she said. “You can’t make everybody happy. I learned that quickly, but I covered a lot of different things, from just basic benefits to safety issues and stuff like that.” City Manager Steve Boone said Forbes tends to downplay the roles she plays in the city, but he knows better.
Janet Forbes, assistant to the city manager of Mountain Brook, fields a question at her desk at Mountain Brook City Hall in September. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
“I would say she’s very good at what she does,” he said. “She’s part of the team, … but she’s a focal point. She deals with residents and businesses. She deals with the chamber, department heads and employees. She’s very well connected to the community and internally. What she does is vitally important to what we do.” Boone said Forbes plays a gatekeeper role, figuring out who is the best city employee to handle whatever issue comes up. “Sometimes that’s me. Sometimes it’s police. Sometimes it’s public works,” Boone said. “But
because of her connections and her experience, she knows who’s most suitable to answer those issues.” Former Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston hired Forbes after she filled in when his previous assistant took some time off. From the beginning, he knew he wanted her as a permanent staffer. “[Forbes] was trying to get back into the workforce full time after raising her two sons, and she had been working part time at a local retail shop,” Gaston said. “She was doing some work with the Chamber of Commerce, and so
they brought her over because my assistant was going to be out two different times within a couple months of each other. “I was very impressed with her, how she handled the job and her demeanor and her professionalism,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m going to hire this young lady one day.’” Two years later, Gaston brought Forbes on board, first as an executive assistant and six months later as assistant to the city manager. Eventually, the role of public information officer was added to her job description. “I knew she was going to be very good, but she even exceeded my expectations,” Gaston said. “It’s amazing how well she took to the job and to the position.” Other longtime city employees are set to retire as well. Senior accountant Karen Fowler, administrative supervisor Donna Nix and building inspector David Boyanton are among those stepping away before the end of this year. Forbes said a lingering back problem prompted her retirement. Otherwise, she might press on because she still loves what she does. “I’m incredibly grateful for the support, collaboration and friendships I found here, from the daily challenges to our shared successes,” she said. “I will truly miss the work family that makes this city run so effectively. I’ve enjoyed working with Steve this year, and Sam was a pleasure to work with over the past 10 years.” Forbes said she’s thankful for the mayors, City Council members and residents with whom she’s worked and interacted. “They truly care about making Mountain Brook the best it can be,” she said. “They’re just great people, and they care. They were fun to work with no matter what we were doing. I enjoyed being their support.”
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October 2026 • 7
CITY
Mayor’s Minute By Graham Smith The financial strength you don’t see: As we begin Mountain Brook’s 2027 fiscal year, our community is in excellent financial health. While worth celebrating, it’s also worth taking a moment to ‘nerd out’ with me about one of the least discussed and most important strengths of our city: pre-funded municipal depreciation. Lloyd Shelton, City Councilor and finance committee liaison, recently spoke about our depreciation strategy at the State of the City luncheon. It may not be the most exciting topic, but it is one of the clearest examples of how Mountain Brook thinks differently about financial stewardship. Simply put, depreciation is the reality that everything a city owns eventually wears out. Roads need resurfacing. Buildings need roofs. Police cars and fire equipment need replacing. Parks, sidewalks, drainage systems and other infrastructure require significant investment over time. Many municipalities largely address those needs when the time comes. They’ll rely on future revenues, debt or difficult budget decisions. Mountain Brook’s approach is different — we plan for the expense before it arrives. Each year, the City makes a depreciation-based transfer into its Capital Fund. That means we are essentially setting aside money today for the eventual replacement and renewal of the assets we already own. It’s the municipal equivalent of responsibly saving for a future expense rather than waiting until the bill arrives. And this is not simply a year-to-year strategy.
Through careful leadership and planning, Mountain Brook looks 20 to 30 years ahead. Our annual depreciation transfer has grown from $4.08 million in 2023 to $6.48 million in 2027. As a result, by Sept. 30, 2027, our Capital Fund reserves are projected to reach approximately $36 million — roughly three years of average annual net capital spending. It’s an impressive position for any municipality, and the approach itself is relatively uncommon. Few cities consistently and systematically fund depreciation in this manner. It requires discipline because it means choosing to set aside money today for something that may not need to be replaced for five, 10 or even 20 years. We believe the payoff is flexibility, stability and independence. When a major capital need arrives, Mountain Brook is far better positioned to address it without dramatically raising taxes, cutting services or taking on unnecessary debt. Even our 2026 results demonstrate this discipline. General Operations finished with an approximate $500,000 surplus, even after transferring $1.5 million to the Capital Projects Fund. That doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of conservative budgeting, careful management and a willingness to think beyond the next budget cycle. So, yes, depreciation may not be the most exciting subject in municipal government. But in Mountain Brook, saving for tomorrow is one of the reasons tomorrow looks so good.
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Village Living
CITY
Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills fire departments raise joint live-fire training building By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Firefighters from Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills spent this week watching a training building go up like a Lego set — steel sections lifted, turned and bolted, four stories of it, on the training ground on East Street. When it’s finished, they will set it on fire and walk in. Somebody must practice the worst day of your life before you live it. Ordered from Lonestar Tactical Buildings of Magnolia, Texas, the live-fire structure is the centerpiece of the Over the Mountain Regional Training Center, which the two cities share. Built from repurposed shipping containers, it covers roughly 5,000 square feet. Five rooms are rated for live fire, with burn boxes that vent to the outside. Inside is a purpose-built obstacle course: forcible-entry doors, standard and commercial stairwells, a balcony, a roof prop, a hotel-style corridor, rope rescue anchors and mannequins staged on beds and couches. The layout can simulate a single-family house, a multifamily building or a commercial structure, including the large homes that fill both cities. “Ten years ago, we started training together with Vestavia Hills and it morphed into Auto Aid when both fire departments are dispatched automatically to the same fire,” Mountain Brook Battalion Chief Justin Baker said. “We dispatch together. It makes sense to train together.” The departments train together quarterly. “This new facility gives us company training, officer training, live-fire, hazmat, rope rescue and much more,” Baker said. Mountain Brook carries a Class 2 Insurance
Justin Baker, left, chats with Christian Elliott, who designed the new training building. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Services Office rating and Vestavia Hills a Class 1 — both near the top of the state — and training hours help earn them. The site holds another burn building that opened in 2017. Before that, the departments relied on the Alabama Fire College’s mobile live-fire unit rolling into town. “It’s a huge improvement,” said Vestavia Hills training officer Christian Elliott, who designed the building alongside Lonestar. “We knew what we needed: different scenarios, different levels of expertise, all in one building.” The center has been an Alabama Fire College training site for four years, and the departments teach the 400-hour recruit school together. “Four hundred hours covers everything: forcible entry, fire attack, search and rescue, ventilation,” Mountain Brook Fire Chief Chris
The Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills fire departments came together to make the new training building a reality.
Mullins said. “Now we can simulate all of it for recruits and for veterans.” Paying for it took both City Councils. Vestavia Hills approved slightly more than $1 million toward construction, and Mountain Brook contributed the site and the new classroom. “Our city manager and mayor met with every fireman, and the need for a training building came out of that,” Vestavia Hills Fire Chief Marvin Green said. “Mayor Curry heard the firefighters and secured the funding. This is a great example of what happens when two cities come together for their citizens.” “It will help with recruitment,” Mullins said. “Young guys want to be in a burn building. It’s a draw.” They need one. Mullins said the applicant pool has thinned over his career.
“In 1992, you had thousands of people in Jefferson County sitting for the test,” he said. “Now it’s a fraction of that.” The danger is part of it. “A hundred firefighters die nationally every year,” Mullins said. “You do this to serve the community, to be part of the brotherhood, part of something bigger than yourself.” Deputy Chief Brent Cooper put it this way: “The calling to be a firefighter is almost religious. You’re called to do this, to serve your city and your community. But you must have the passion to do it.” Crews start running the structure in late August — mannequins on beds and couches, smoke rolling down a hallway toward a door that opens only for a shoulder. Two cities’ crews learning the way in the dark, so on the night it’s real, they already know it.
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October 2026 • 9
CITY
Revised plans for Shades Valley Presbyterian site headed to council By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR. The Mountain Brook City Council soon will consider a proposed change in plans for the Hollywood Gateway planned unit development along Montevallo Road. The Montevallo Road Development Group is proposing to remove 26 stacked flats from the plans for the 3.8-acre property that once was home to Shades Valley Presbyterian Church and replace them with seven more townhomes. This would mean a total of 10 townhomes along Montevallo Road and 13 single-family homes behind the townhomes. The proposed zoning change was recommended by the Mountain Brook Planning Commission on Sept. 8 and was expected to go before the City Council either on Sept. 28 or Oct. 12. Residents of Chester Road, which leads from Mountain Brook Village to the development site, said they were concerned about how the proposed changes would impact the tranquility of their street. “My concern is still the traffic onto our little road,” resident Jane Grant told the Planning Commission. “The original condominium building did not have any access to it. It was going in and out of Montevallo Road.” The revised proposal would open up traffic from the townhomes to Chester Road as well. Dan McCreary, another resident on Chester Road, recalled the point being made that Chester Road residents should take comfort in the fact that the 26 stacked residential units that were in the upper portion of the development had no access to their street. “That was offered as a conciliatory measure. That was specifically noted as
something that should give us some comfort,” he said. “This redesign takes away that comfort and exposes us to another 10 residences that could choose to come down our street. Obviously, we don’t know whether they’ll take it or not. We don’t know exactly what these houses are going to do to our street now because they haven’t started using it yet. But the mere fact that you would increase by another 10 residences the potential for vehicular — and I guess pedestrian — traffic also is a great concern to the neighborhood, as I think you can tell from the turnout.” Dana Hazen, Mountain Brook’s director of planning, building and sustainability, suggested that perhaps a gate could be installed to limit access. Elizabeth Coleman liked that idea. “I heard some conversation earlier about how you don’t know why anyone would want to go to all that trouble to go around that way [onto Chester Road], but that’s speculation,” Coleman said. “I would think, in order to be fair to the original agreement, these townhomes that face Montevallo would also not have access to our road.” Victor Hanson III renewed the suggestion that the development would mirror their homes on Chester Road, with minimum 10-squarefoot lots and similar setback requirements. That would have allowed seven or eight houses instead of the 13 that were approved, he said. Now, this plan adds traffic from 10 townhomes on top of that. The Planning Commission recommended that the developers be required to put the most parking possible — preferably angled parking — along Montevallo Road. Additionally, the commission suggested that there be controlled access from the development to Chester Road.
A proposed revised site plan for the 3.8-acre site that formerly was home to Shades Valley Presbyterian Church would replace 26 stacked flats with seven townhomes. That would mean a total of 10 townhomes along Montevallo Road with 13 single-family homes behind them. Site plan by Nequette Architecture & Design.
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10 • October 2026
Village Living
BUSINESS
Business Happenings
PERSONNEL MOVES Bill Brunson joined the Still Waters Counseling and Education Center at 400 Office Park Drive, Suite 230, in Mountain Brook, as a pastoral counselor, expanding the nonprofit organization’s ability to serve adults who want their Christian faith to be a part of their counseling conversation. Brunson brings more than 35 years of ministry experience, having most recently completed a 14-year tenure as senior pastor of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church. Brunson is also an author and keynote speaker on faith, leadership and purposeful Christian living. He has also served as pastor of Trussville First United Methodist Church and later Southwest District Superintendent. He will provide pastoral counseling for adults in person at Still Waters’ Mountain Brook office and by secure video throughout Alabama. The practice also has locations in Dothan and Madison, and they provide services online anywhere in Alabama, Florida and Virginia. They provide mental health therapy for individuals, couples and families for all ages and stages. 205-825-1423, mystillwaters.org
Bromberg & Co., Alabama’s oldest retailer, has named Marlin “Brian” Hood as president, succeeding the late Ricky Bromberg. Hood, a 20-year company veteran and former manager of the Mountain Brook store, will lead the sixth-generation business alongside longtime vice president Kathryn C. “Kitty” Lovelady, working closely with the Bromberg family. The move comes as the company continues a renovation of its Mountain Brook store, expected to be complete in fall 2027, alongside its location at The Summit. 205-871-3276, brombergs.com
ANNIVERSARIES Hufham Orthodontics, located at 120 Euclid Ave., is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Dr. David Hufham and his staff said they are grateful for their patients and look forward to continuing to provide personalized orthodontic care for years to come. They provide traditional orthodontics, sports dentistry, Invisalign, and post-treatment care for children and adults. Dr. Hufham also has a satellite clinic at 420 Walker Drive
Do you have business news to share? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings
in Springville where he’s been practicing for more than 15 years. The Mountain Brook location is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer). 205-871-8881, hufhamortho.com Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is celebrating its fourth anniversary at 4 Office Park Circle, Suite 109, in Mountain Brook. The organization raises funds to fuel breast cancer research across Alabama and has raised more than $17 million since its founding in 1996. They strive to recruit and retain world-class breast cancer researchers, look for opportunities for groundbreaking discovery and receive sustaining grant dollars. To get involved, people can donate, attend or sponsor an event, volunteer or become a fundraiser. 205-413-4600, bcrfa.org
Harvest ON HOYT
Crestline Bagels recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village at 66-B Church St. Originally named Chesapeake Bagel, Crest-
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VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 11
BUSINESS line Bagels offers authentic artisan food including bagels, breads, spreads and specialty sandwiches. Owners Tommy and Lizzie Hiltz took over the bagel shop last year. They also have locations in Cahaba Heights and downtown Birmingham. Crestline Bagels is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 205-871-4583, crestlinebagel.com Located at 42 Church St., Champion Cleaners is celebrating its sixth anniversary at its Crestline store. They offer dry cleaning services that include hand-pressing the clothes, on-site cleaning, executive shirt service with add-ins, complete repair, alteration services and other add-on services. Owners David and Sherry Whitehurst opened the first location on Rocky Ridge Road 24 years ago, and their son, Mark, became the general manager in 2017. Champion Cleaners is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. They also have locations in Vestavia Hills, Greystone and Calera. 205-871-2962, championcleaners.com
recreational programs. Linda Dobbins Dance also offers summer camps, a competitive company, a private academy and a variety of dance trips. The studio is open Monday through Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m. 205-902-3013, lindadobbinsdance.com
Joel Barlow, CPA, CFP®, CPWA®
Kara Barlow, CPA
Vino, located at 1930 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook’s English Village, celebrated 15 years of serving upscale American and Mediterranean cuisine. They offer a variety of wines, martinis and beers, as well as dishes like smoked salmon, toasted ravioli, salads, pasta, fresh fish, lamb, hanger steak, pork chop and desserts. Vino is open Monday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4-10 p.m. 205-870-8404, vinobirmingham.com
Located at 4901 Old Leeds Road, Highlands School is celebrating its 68th anniversary in Mountain Brook. An independent private school, Highlands School serves infants through eighth grade. The school’s culture embraces the living principle that children learn and grow best in a supportive, close-knit community where each student is inspired and motivated by a successful and meaningful early education experience. The main office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 205-956-9731, highlandsschool.org
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Linda Dobbins Dance, located at 525 Office Park Drive in Mountain Brook, has been training dancers for 32 years to help students reach their goals and dreams. The studio has garnered international recognition for training beginners through professional dancers. They offer classes including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, tap, acting and
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3900 Montclair Road Ste 350 Mountain Brook, AL 35213-2430
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12 • October 2026
Village Living
BUSINESS
Lawyer balances banking law and Woodhill Cottage jams By KELLI S. HEWETT Jenny McCain didn’t set out to become the face of a small-batch conserves and jams company. In fact, the banking attorney has been making the same recipes since “forever,” long before Woodhill Cottage ever had a label. It began as a creative outlet, developing into a favorite among family and friends. When they encouraged her to share her talents, she created Woodhill Cottage. She sells the strawberry, peach and tomato creations in dozens of stores from Mississippi to Virginia to Connecticut. “I love to create and produce,” McCain said. “I like to be working towards a goal, even in my personal time. Woodhill Cottage brings me a lot of joy.” The brand honors her grandmother, Ruby, co‑founder and chief operations officer of the family’s World War II-era children’s clothing company, McCain Manufacturing Co. It was one of the largest in the nation at its peak. “She would talk to me as if we were the same age,” McCain said. “We loved to cook together. She would explain why she did things a certain way or why she made a specific decision, weaving life lessons into everyday conversations.” When McCain decided before the pandemic that it was time to put those labels on jars, she discovered that what she’d always called “jam” didn’t fit neatly into the
government’s idea. “Under the FDA’s guidelines I would have to greatly increase the sugar in my strawberry and my peach flavors in order to label them ‘jams,’” McCain said. “Apparently, the requirements are based on the type of fruit.” Rather than load in more sugar from her carefully balanced flavors, she pivoted. “My strawberry and my peach recipes were ‘conserves,’ so that’s what we label them,” McCain said. “Our strawberry conserve and our peach conserve taste like the actual fruit itself. The fruit flavors come through.” The products have developed a cult following. “The best seller is going to be the tomato jam because you can use it in so many different ways,” said Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s, a long-established Mountain Brook specialty gift and home decor boutique. “You don’t even know you’re eating a tomato, and it’s got that just special taste to it.” McCain’s approach to the business draws on the mindset of her legal career. “There are some very real similarities,” McCain said. “The most obvious one is that I am constantly problem solving, whether I’m helping one of my banking clients or working on Woodhill Cottage matters. Everything is ‘figure-out-able,’ so to speak,” McCain said. “When a challenge comes up in either arena, I try to take a breath and tell myself ‘We’ll figure it out.’”
Lawyer and jam creator Jenny McCain took favorite childhood experiences and translated them into her small-batch enterprise, Woodhill Cottage jams and conserves. The peach, strawberry and tomato creations are sold in dozens of stores in multiple states. Photo courtesy of Jenny McCain.
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2717 Caldwell Ave. S - Highland Park
Katie Crommelin 205-901-3730 Jane Huston Crommelin (205) 527-4251
Your real estate resource for all things home.
VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 13
BUSINESS
Recently sold homes in Mountain Brook
► ADDRESS: 205 Euclid Ave. ► BED/BATH: 4/4.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 5,095 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Crestline ► LIST PRICE: $1,949,000 ► SALE PRICE: $2,050,000
► ADDRESS: 2617 Cherokee Road ► BED/BATH: 4/4.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,618 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Cherokee Bend ► LIST PRICE: $1,750,000 ► SALE PRICE: $1,750,000
► ADDRESS: 4400 Fredericksburg Drive ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,494 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Cherokee Bend ► LIST PRICE: $1,395,000 ► SALE PRICE: $1,501,150
► ADDRESS: 3706 Mountain Park Circle ► BED/BATH: 3/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,723 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Crestline ► LIST PRICE: $995,000 ► SALE PRICE: $1,250,000
► ADDRESS: 4225 Shiloh Drive ► BED/BATH: 4/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,031 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Cherokee Bend ► LIST PRICE: $765,000 ► SALE PRICE: $880,000
► ADDRESS: 3640 Oakdale Road ► BED/BATH: 5/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,332 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Near Mountain Brook High School ► LIST PRICE: $549,000 ► SALE PRICE: $650,000 SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
14 • October 2026
Village Living
SCHOOLHOUSE
Will Davis appointed to Board of Education By STAFF The Mountain Brook City Council appointed Will Davis to the Mountain Brook Board of Education on July 27. Davis replaces Jeffrey Brewer, who left the board in June. Davis is the managing partner of Starnes Davis Florie LLP, where his practice focuses on health care litigation and regulatory matters, commercial and business litigation, and personal-injury litigation. He is a 2004 graduate of Mountain Brook High School and has three children in the district. Davis also serves on the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation’s board of directors. Superintendent Dicky Barlow said Davis brings a history of supporting the district to his new role. “I look forward to Will joining our tremendous board and supporting our schools and school community,” Barlow said. “Will has been a longtime advocate for our schools, and I know his passion for furthering our purpose as a district will be reflected in his time on our Board of Education.” Davis said his background as both a graduate and a parent in the district will shape his approach to the position. “I am honored to join the Board of Education and serve alongside my fellow board members as well as school and district leadership to support the excellence that is Mountain Brook Schools,” Davis said. “As an MBHS graduate and now parent of three students, I look forward to using my experience to advocate for the continued success of our students, faculty, staff and school system at large.” Brewer, the CEO of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, had served on the Board of Education since 2019. During his tenure, the school district and city of Mountain Brook pursued a 2019 millage increase that led to more than $75 million in
construction and renovation across district buildings and campuses. Brewer also supported school administrators, teachers and staff through the pandemic and served as a community advocate for the schools during that period. Barlow credited Brewer’s business background and experience as a parent of four now-former students for shaping his contributions to the board. “I am thankful for the service Jeffrey has provided over the years to our school system,” Barlow said. “He had wonderful insight as a parent to four [now-former] students, business leader and supporter of our schools. Jeffrey brought his expertise to the board and had a service-based mindset of how to move our district forward and empower our people and processes. We are a better place because of his contributions.” Brewer reflected on his seven years on the board and the relationships built along the way. “Serving on this board for the past seven years has been one of the greatest honors of my civic life,” Brewer said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated board members, outstanding administrators, talented educators and engaged parents who share a commitment to providing an effective, challenging and engaging educational experience for the students of Mountain Brook.” Brewer said his own children’s experience in Mountain Brook schools shaped his view of what the board needs going forward. “After watching my own children grow and flourish through their Mountain Brook education, I see the benefit of having board members with children in the school system,” Brewer said. “There is simply no substitute for the connection and perspective you gain with our schools through being a parent.”
Will Davis is the newest member of the Mountain Brook Board of Education. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 15
SCHOOLHOUSE
Martha Wright Haley wants her second graders to feel known and loved By APRIL COFFEY Martha Wright Haley grew up in Mountain Brook and earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Auburn University in 2022, later completing her master’s degree in elementary education from the University of West Alabama. She teaches second grade at Mountain Brook Elementary and cherishes being part of the school’s community. Outside the classroom, she enjoys trying new restaurants around Birmingham, spending time with family and friends, reading and taking workout classes. She’s also getting married to her fiancé, Parker, in February. Q: What first inspired you to become a teacher, and what keeps you in the classroom today? A: Growing up, I was always a student who had to work really hard in school. I was fortunate to have incredible teachers who believed in me, encouraged me and helped me succeed even when things felt difficult. Their impact on me is a huge part of why I wanted to become a teacher. I have also always known that I wanted a career where I could work with children, and I truly feel like I am the best version of myself when I am around kids. As I went through college and began teaching here in Birmingham, I quickly fell in love with teaching itself — helping children grow, reach their goals and realize what they are capable of. That is what continues to keep me in the classroom. I also believe that meaningful relationships are at the heart of teaching, and that students learn best when they know their teacher truly knows and cares about them. Q: Is there a particular student, classroom moment or school-year memory that has stayed with you over the years?
Martha Wright Haley with her family (From left to right are Peyton Haley, Robert Haley, Grayson Gallinghouse, Jane Haley, Martha Haley, Martha Wright Haley, Parker Bolton). Photo courtesy of Ball of Roses.
A: This is my first year teaching in Mountain Brook, but before coming here I taught second grade at another school in Birmingham for three years. One moment that has always stayed with me happened on a particularly hard day. As teachers, we do our best to put a smile on and be present for our students even when we may be having a difficult day ourselves. That day, one of my students wrote me a note telling me how much they loved me and how thankful they were that I was their teacher. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant so much. It reminded me that these little people can have such a big impact on the adults around them, too, and they have a way of making even the hard days feel worth it. Q: Every teacher has those little classroom
traditions or tricks that make their room special. What’s one of yours? A: This year, each student in my class got to adopt a “desk pet,” which is a tiny animal-shaped eraser that lives in a little container on their desk. They adopted their first pet for free, and throughout the week they can earn “pet money” to buy things for their pet and its home every Friday. They absolutely love it! It has been so cute to see how attached they are to their little pets, and it has also been a fun way to encourage responsibility, hard work and positive choices in the classroom. Q: What do you hope your students remember most about their time in your classroom? A: More than anything, I hope they remember
Martha Wright Haley with her fiancé Parker Bolton. Photo courtesy of Preslee McGough Photography.
how they felt in my classroom. I hope they leave feeling known, loved, safe and excited to come to school. Of course I want them to grow academically, but I also want them to know that I care about them not only as students, but as people. Once I am their teacher, I will always be their teacher, and I will always be rooting for them. See the full Q&A at villagelivingonline.com.
16 • October 2026
Village Living
SCHOOLHOUSE
Mountain Brook High School ranks among Alabama’s best, national rankings show By STAFF Mountain Brook High School has again earned a spot among the top high schools in the country, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for the 2026-27 school year. The school placed No. 215 in the national rankings and No. 3 among Alabama high schools, part of a national list that evaluates nearly 18,000 public high schools on state test performance, graduation rates and college preparation. Mountain Brook also ranked No. 2 among high schools in the Birmingham metro area and No. 246 among STEM high schools nationally. The rankings reflect strong performance across multiple measures. Mountain Brook posted an overall score of 98.8 out of 100. The school’s Advanced Placement participation rate stands at 70%, with 64% of students passing at least one AP exam. Students also performed well on state-required testing, with proficiency rates of 81% in mathematics, 66% in reading and 86% in science, each well above the statewide averages of 20%, 20% and 30%, respectively, in those subjects. Mountain Brook’s college readiness index, a measure U.S. News uses to gauge how well a school’s coursework and testing results translate into college preparedness, came in at 65.7 out of 100. The school ranked No. 2 in Alabama in both the College Readiness Index and College Curriculum Breadth Index categories and tied for No. 1 in the state in State Assessment Proficiency. The school serves grades 10-12, with a total enrollment of 985 students and a
Mountain Brook High School. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.
student-teacher ratio of 10:1. Mountain Brook is the only high school in the Mountain Brook City school system, and the district’s 98 full-time-equivalent teachers serve a student body evenly split between male and female students. Just 3% of Mountain Brook’s students are classified as economically disadvantaged, and the school participates in the
free and reduced-price lunch program at a similarly low rate. The rankings are calculated using data from the 2024-25, 2023-24 and 2022-23 academic years and are part of U.S. News’ broader Best High Schools project, which this year evaluated more than 17,900 nationally ranked schools. The methodology weighs factors including
state assessment performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation outcomes. Mountain Brook’s ranking places it in strong company locally. Homewood High School ranked No. 2 in the state, while Vestavia Hills High School came in at No. 4, giving the Birmingham area several schools among Alabama’s top four.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 17
SPORTS
Spartans turn to back half of region schedule in October By KYLE PARMLEY Mountain Brook High School’s football team opened Class 5A, Region 4 play in September against Homewood, Helena and Chilton County. The Spartans now turn to the second half of the region schedule in October.
OCT. 2 VS. RAMSAY
Mountain Brook holds a 2-1 edge in the series, but the teams have not met since 2017, when Ramsay won 28-7. Mountain Brook earned a 14-0 win in 1974, the only time the teams met until 2016, when the Spartans earned a 19-13 win. Ramsay went 6-4 last season and advanced to the first round of the playoffs. Ramsay was in 5A last year and is in 5A this year after reclassification, essentially moving
up a class. The Rams have made the playoffs 12 years in a row.
OCT. 9 AT CALERA
Mountain Brook and Calera have never met. Calera went 2-8 last season under head coach Scott Rials. The Eagles are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The two teams are region foes for the first time.
OCT. 16 VS. CHELSEA
Mountain Brook has won the two previous meetings between the teams, including a 25-0 win in 2021, the last time the teams played. In 2020, Mountain Brook won 35-21. Chelsea is led by first-year head coach Tad Niblett. The Hornets last made the playoffs in 2024, but have not won a playoff game since 2007.
Mountain Brook OL John Bradford (54) and Mountain Brook LB Graham Smith (10) get ready for the coin toss before a game between Mountain Brook and Hueytown on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Hueytown High School Stadium.
OCT. 22 VS. PELHAM Mountain Brook holds a 13-3 edge in the series, but the teams have not met since 2011, when Mountain Brook won 35-7. The Spartans have won 10 straight meetings in the series, one that dates back to 1982. Pelham is in its second season under head coach Ross Newton, a former UCF and Auburn assistant. Newton led the Panthers to the playoffs last season.
OCT. 30: OPEN
Mountain Brook WR Brock Wilkinson (14) catches a pass one handed during a game between Mountain Brook and Hueytown on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Hueytown High School Stadium. Photos by Mike Jackson.
Mountain Brook’s game against Pelham marks the Spartans’ 10th game in 10 weeks, and the Spartans have an open date ahead
of a hopeful playoff run beginning in November.
LOOKING AHEAD
Mountain Brook finished 9-4 last season and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals under head coach Chris Yeager, extending the program’s playoff streak to 10 straight years. Region 4 is entirely new for Mountain Brook this season, part of the AHSAA’s move to split public and private school classifications, and October’s four games against Ramsay, Calera, Chelsea and Pelham will shape the Spartans’ playoff seeding as that race plays out.
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18 • October 2026
SPORTS
Early-season highlights By KYLE PARMLEY There’s nothing quite like high school football season in Alabama. Bands play, crowds roar and rivalries reignite as teams take the field for another year. The players, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders and many others help showcase the pageantry and personality that define Friday nights across the area. Photos by Mike Jackson.
Village Living
VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 19
SPORTS
Taking it outdoors By KYLE PARMLEY Mountain Brook High School volleyball stepped outside its usual gym setting Aug. 29, taking part in what’s believed to be the first outdoor high school volleyball event in the area, if not the state. The Spartans faced Spain Park at Wald Park in Vestavia Hills, with matches played on a portable court set up on the park’s turf baseball fields as part of a full day of ninth
grade, JV and varsity action that also brought together Vestavia Hills and Thompson. The inaugural event was organized by Vestavia Hills head coach Ashley Hardee and athletics director Laura Casey, who drew on outdoor exhibitions in other sports and at the college level in putting the event together. Hardee said he hopes to grow the event in future years, with other area programs potentially joining in. Photos by David Leong.
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20 • October 2026
Village Living
EVENTS
Save the Date
► For more events news, connect with Village Living online by scanning the QR code. ► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
ANTIQUES AT THE GARDENS
GIRL DINNER AT HABITAT FEED & SOCIAL
THYME TO READ BOOK CLUB GATHERING
FALL COMMUNITY HARVEST
► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road ► When: Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 1-4 p.m.; general admission 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. ► Cost: General admission is $15 per day or $30 for a weekend pass; lectures, workshops and the Oct. 1 Gala in the Gardens ticketed separately. ► Details: Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Antiques at the Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ nationally recognized antiques and design event. Guests can browse antiques, fine art, jewelry, silver, rugs, textiles, home décor and garden accessories while supporting the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. ► Contact: 205-414-3950 ► More Info: bbgardens.org/antiquesat-the-gardens
► Where: Habitat Feed & Social, Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook, 2655 Lane Park Road ► When: Thursday, Oct. 1, 5-9 p.m. ► Cost: $60 for two ► Details: Gather your friends for a Thursday night out on the rooftop at Habitat Feed & Social. The Girl Dinner special for two includes two Caesar salads, shareable truffle fries and a choice of two strawberry spritzers or two glasses of Cava. Guests can also enjoy live music from rotating local musicians throughout the evening. ► More Info: grandbohemianmountainbrook.com
► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library, 2612 Lane Park Road ► When: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4-5 p.m. ► Details: Join the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ monthly Thyme to Read book club for a discussion of “Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life” by Jason Roberts. The acclaimed nonfiction book follows the competing efforts of 18th-century naturalists Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon to identify and understand the living world. The gathering offers readers a chance to connect over books inspired by nature, science and the environment. ► Contact: 205-414-3950 ► More Info: bbgardens.org
► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Bruno Vegetable Garden, 2612 Lane Park Road ► When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to noon ► Details: Roll up your sleeves and help bring in the season’s bounty during the Fall Community Harvest at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Participants will gather in the Bruno Vegetable Garden for the Gardens’ end-of-summer harvest, helping collect fresh produce while learning more about the work that goes into growing and maintaining a productive vegetable garden. The handson event offers a fun way to spend time outdoors while contributing to a community-focused gardening effort. ► Contact: 205-414-3950 ► More Info: bbgardens.org
HOME & GARDEN
Senior Placement Services offers seniors personalized help finding a retirement community For seniors looking to choose a retirement community, the process can often be overwhelming. That’s where Senior Placement Services steps in. Founded by Tim Meehan, Senior Placement Services is a Birmingham-based company that helps clients tailor their search to the communities that best fit their budget and care needs. This includes independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Senior Placement Services arranges tours of these communities and accompanies their clients on the tours. Tim and his staff see themselves as advocates for their clients. Their number one priority is to help the client get the information he or she needs to make the best possible decision. “We work with our clients throughout the process,” Tim says. “We’re local, and we know the various communities and what they offer.” And it’s all at no cost to the client. Instead, the retirement community pays Senior Placement Services a finder’s fee.
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“I get to help people for free,” Tim says. ““I feel blessed that I can make money doing something I enjoy and help lots of people at the same time.” Tim has worked in senior healthcare in Birmingham for 17 years and started Senior Placement Services in 2018. “I learned this first-hand through practical experience,” he says. “I know all the people at the retirement communities in town, and they know me. For details, call 205-913-3902 or visitseniorplacementservicesllc.com.
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Tim provides a concierge service Designed Around Families, Not Facilities. Your guide at every step: The Conversation: We listen to your needs, budget, and preferences to understand what matters most. The Recommendation: We identify the local communities that best match — from independent living to memory care. The Tours: We arrange visits, accompany your family, and advocate for you at every community. The Transition: We stay by your side through the move and the adjustment that follows.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 21
EVENTS
HOOTS & HOWLS AT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO ► Where: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road ► When: Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and 31 ► Details: Celebrate Halloween with the animals during Hoots & Howls, the Birmingham Zoo’s annual daytime Halloween festival. Families can dress in costume and enjoy a festive zoo experience filled with seasonal fun, entertainment and Halloween activities throughout the grounds. The popular event returns for seven dates in October, including Halloween day. ► Contact: 205-879-0409 ► More Info: birminghamzoo.com
MOUNTAIN BROOK CHAMBER BOARD MEETING ► Where: Pre-Council Chambers at Mountain Brook City Hall ► When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:30-8:30 a.m. ► Details: The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce board will hold its October meeting in the Pre-Council Chambers at City Hall. ► Contact: Lizzie Maymon, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce ► More Info: mtnbrookchamber.org
FLIPPIN’ FRIDAYS
HARVEST ON HOYT
► Where: Mountain Brook Gymnastics, off Liberty Parkway behind Mountain Brook High School ► When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m. ► Cost: $35 for the first child; $25 per sibling ► Details: Give the kids a fun night out — and parents a few hours to themselves — during Flippin’ Fridays at Mountain Brook Gymnastics. Boys and girls ages 4 and older can spend the evening enjoying food, games and plenty of fun in a supervised setting. The monthly event is designed as an easy date-night or parents’ night out option, and advance registration is available through the Mountain Brook Gymnastics customer portal. ► Contact: 205-969-4889 ► More Info: mountainbrookgymnastics.com
► Where: Hoyt Lane, Crestline Village ► When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m.; cocktail hour 4-5 p.m., supper 5-8 p.m. ► Details: Presented by Finch Fine Wines, the Mountain Brook Chamber’s signature community supper brings neighbors together in the heart of Crestline Village for an evening featuring a meal by Dyron’s Lowcountry, fine wine and plenty of time to connect. The event serves as the chamber’s annual fundraiser benefiting Leadership Mountain Brook, a program in which Mountain Brook High School juniors and seniors develop projects designed to strengthen the community. Seating is limited and advance reservations are encouraged. ► Contact: Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, 205-871-3779 ► More Info: mtnbrookchamber.org
HOME & GARDEN
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Bring beauty back to your doorway with Door Restore An attractive entry door can make a great first impression and boost your home’s curb appeal, but sunlight, rain, and frost can damage and leave signs of wear on wood and iron doors. Fortunately, Door Restore in Birmingham restores and maintains doors. “We only work on doors. They’re our specialty,” said owner Van Etheridge. A former art major who loves working with his hands, Van formerly painted murals and did wall finishes while also restoring iron and wooden doors. “When the economy crashed in 2008, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals while restoring iron doors on the weekends,” Van said. “When the pharmaceutical company was sold and laid off its sales team, I officially started Door Restore.” The company is a family affair. Three years ago, Van began working with his son Griffin, who earned his business degree from The University of Alabama. A year later, he hired Griffin’s twin brother, Skyler, who also earned his business degree at UA. “It’s fun watching them take what they learned and apply it to the real world, especially in all the facets of owning your own business,” Van said. Door Restore offers customers a money-saving maintenance program that keeps doors looking their best.
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► 1920 Indian Lake Dr, Birmingham ► 205-492-5866 ► doorrestore.org “Wood doors weather quickly and need a new top coat every year or two, depending on exposure, sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “We provide maintenance once a year, including a topcoat to save customers money in the future. Iron doors have a special oil-rubbed bronze or other metal hues in them. We’re able to restore your door to the original finish.” Door Restore now also sells and installs custom iron and steel doors. The National Association of REALTORS’ 2025 Remodeling Impact Report estimated that a new iron or steel front door recovers 100% of its cost at resale. For details or a free quote, call 205492-5866 or visit doorrestore.org.
22 • October 2026
Village Living
EVENTS
Mardi Gras meets Halloween: Mystics of Mountain Brook parade returns on new date By KELLI S. HEWETT In 2002, at age 36, Trent Wright rolled a small, improvised parade past his Crestline house with borrowed trailers and leftover Mardi Gras beads. Today, that experiment has grown into a 1.2‑mile Halloween tradition that fills Church Street and Crestline Village with floats, costumes and crowds of up to 8,000. For the first time, this year’s event will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m. instead of on Halloween. “Knowing that Saturday football is king in the South, we don’t want people to have to decide,” Wright said. “Since there’s no high school football game that Friday night for Mountain Brook, we’re like, let’s just do it on Friday.” Wright, who grew up in Mobile, said parades are in his DNA. “I’m originally from Mobile and that’s the birthplace of Mardi Gras,” he said. “Parades are in my blood. Some people have certain talents and I like to always make sure everyone’s having a good time.” As the parade grew, he received a warning from the city that he’d need a police escort and a parade permit. That didn’t come close to stopping him. “I said OK, I’m going to double down. I’m going all in,” Wright said. Today, the route starts at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, goes down Montevallo Road, turns down Church Street and into Crestline Village. “The energy is almost palpable,” said Wright, whose family float wraps up the parade each year. “I love my community, and I’m always of the mindset that you try to enhance where you are. I’ve always tried to make where I am the
Thousands of people lined Church Street in Crestline Village on Oct. 31, 2024, for the 22nd annual Mystics of Mountain Brook parade. Staff photos.
place to be.” Wright and his sister, Casey Wright Horn, are the longtime co‑organizers of the event. “My love for this town, the people in it, Mardi Gras and Halloween are why I continue to make this parade happen each year,” Horn said. Their mother’s birthday is also on Halloween. The pair work with local businesses to sponsor and stock the event. They throw more than 2,000 T‑shirts each year, along with beads, MoonPies and trinkets. Prizes are awarded to the best floats. “Of course it makes you feel good,” Wright said. “We’re just doing our part. I do truly believe our community is extremely special because a lot of people do a lot of things like this.” The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce sees the direct impact on the city. “The parade is a wonderful community tradition that brings an incredible sense of energy and vibrancy to Crestline Village,” said Lizzie Maymon, executive director of the Mountain
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Parade-goers get into the Halloween spirit for the Mystics of Mountain Brook parade, which began in 2002.
Mystics of Mountain Brook co-organizers Trent Wright and his sister, Casey Wright Horn. Photos courtesy of Casey Wright Horn.
Brook Chamber of Commerce. “It brings people into the village and encourages them to stay, grab a bite, enjoy a drink, shop and support our local businesses. Events like this create a
sense of tradition and connection to Crestline that keeps people coming back year after year.” For more, visit Mystics of Mountain Brook on Facebook.
VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 23
EVENTS
15th Annual Beauty Week Bingo set for first week of October By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA The doors open at 5:45, and by 6:30 the tent outside Village Dermatology is loud. Several hundred women, two bingo cards each, prizes on the line, hors d’oeuvres circulating. The first week this October will mark the 15th Annual Beauty Week Bingo, and for Dr. Jenny Sobera it is the night the whole year anticipates. “This event benefits The WellHouse, and it’s the one I look forward to all year,” Dr. Jenny Sobera said. “It started as one night — hundreds of women competing over prizes and helping a local charity. It became such a good night that we eventually built a whole week around it, so patients could celebrate with us and take advantage of our best pricing of the year. But Bingo is still the heart of it, and it’s still. ” The event has grown into a Mountain Brook fixture, held in October at the practice’s Office Park Circle location. Registrants receive two bingo cards, picked up at the event, good for all games. Sponsored VIP tables seat eight and include reserved placement and Village swag. Two other pieces run alongside the games. A silent auction offers skincare and treatments from the practice, with bidding in person at a tent during the event and winners announced that evening. And a limited run of mystery boxes — skincare, assorted goodies and a neurotoxin treatment — sells until it is gone. Every dollar from those boxes goes to The WellHouse. The Alabama nonprofit provides emergency shelter and long-term restorative care to women
Village Dermatology provides patients with a wide range of skin care products. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
who have survived human trafficking. It has expanded steadily over the past decade, including a home for trafficked minors, the first of its kind in the state. “Our work is about helping people feel confident and at home in their own skin,” Sobera said. “The WellHouse does that at a level we deeply admire. They take women who have survived trafficking and give them safety, dignity and a real path forward. Supporting them felt less like picking a charity and more like supporting an organization already doing what we care about.” It is an unusual pairing on its face — a dermatology practice and a trafficking shelter
Participants in last year’s Beauty Week Bingo celebrate good times. Photos courtesy of Village Dermatology.
— and Sobera does not smooth over the distance between the two. “It’s humbling,” she said. “We spend an evening playing bingo and eating hors d’oeuvres, and it turns into safe housing, counseling and second chances for the women of The WellHouse. Knowing our patients showed up for that is what stays with me long after the night is over.”
Fifteen years in, the format has not changed much. The doors open, the cards go out, someone shouts bingo and a room full of women in Mountain Brook spends an evening laughing and playing a game that pays for somewhere safe to sleep. Registration and details are available at villagedermatology.net.
24 • October 2026
Village Living
LIFE
Levite JCC at 120 still opens its arms to Birmingham By KELLI S. HEWETT The Levite Jewish Community Center has been part of Birmingham life for 120 years, but for families like Amy Weil Saag’s, it feels especially personal. “I was actually brought up at the JCC,” Saag said. “It was a safe place to hang out and to be with friends. The parents knew where we were.” This month, the organization celebrates its 120th anniversary. On Oct. 18, the center will mark the occasion by exploring the decades from its opening, with a look at how it served a critical role during each decade. The Montclair Road campus, built around the time Saag was born in the mid-1950s, quickly became the backdrop of her childhood. As a teenager, she remembers heading to Saturday night socials in the basement, where high school bands played under black lights — in a time when local sororities and fraternities didn’t allow Jewish students to join. Countless other families have shared similar memories and history there. But it all began in 1906, when a small group of young Jewish men founded the YMHA — the Young Men’s Hebrew Association — in North Birmingham. A century and two decades later, its successor, the Levite Jewish Community Center, known as “The J,” is still shaping everyday life for families. From the beginning, that family feeling has been part of the mission, said Brooke Bowles, chief executive officer of the LJCC. “From the time we opened in 1906, our focus has always been ‘kehillah’ or community,” Bowles said. “We strive to be a place of belonging. Initially, we served as that place for Jewish immigrants assimilating to life in Birmingham.” Later, the J welcomed female members and even female board members, considered
The original founders of the Young Men’s Jewish Association in 1906, dressed in their basketball uniforms. “The Y,” as it was first known, eventually evolved into the Levite Jewish Community Center, or “The J.” The organization is celebrating its 120th anniversary this month. Photos courtesy of the Levite Jewish Community Center.
progressive for the time. During the civil rights movement, it was one of the first institutions to integrate facilities and pools. During COVID, it opened its preschool to essential workers and their families. Today, The J counts about 2,000 families representing diversity of race, economic background, sexuality and religion. “Everyone is not only welcome at The J, they are embraced,” Bowles said. That welcome extends to swim lessons and fitness classes, but also to learning about Jewish life. “This is a place for the non-Jewish community to really experience Judaism,” Bowles said, pointing to new programs like Questions with the Rabbi, Southern Jewish Voices and an introduction to Shabbat series. Connection isn’t unique to Saag’s generation. All three of Saag’s children went through preschool and day camp at The J. Her parents were equally rooted there. Her late father, Leonard
The Levite Jewish Community Center traces its history to 1906, when it began as the YMHA — the Young Men’s Hebrew Association — in North Birmingham before moving to Montclair Road in the 1950s.
The current Levite Jewish Community Center facility opened in 1957.
Campers at the Levite Jewish Community Center, known for its inclusivity to Jewish and non-Jewish members and guests.
Weil, served as JCC president in the early 1990s; her mother, now approaching 97, took everything from jazzercise to low-impact aerobics and even learned mahjong at the center. Today, Saag serves on the board and still volunteers at the annual Jewish food and cultural fair.
“I feel like the JCC is this place on Montclair Road that opens its arms and says, ‘Come be part of the family,’ and because of that, it fosters community bridges,” Saag said. “It fosters understanding. It fosters a sense of we’re more alike than we are different.” For more, visit bhamjcc.org.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 25
LEADERSHIP
CONTINUED from page 1 That afternoon was the opening of Leadership Mountain Brook, and it is also, in a roundabout way, the reason there will be a very long table down the middle of Hoyt Lane this fall. The third annual Harvest on Hoyt brings neighbors, business owners and city officials together for a community supper outdoors in the heart of Crestline Village. The event is a fundraiser for to the projects those students will spend the year building. “Harvest on Hoyt was created with a simple idea: bring the Mountain Brook community together around one table,” said Lizzie Maymon, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has always believed its role extends beyond supporting local businesses. It serves as a connector for people to meet, build relationships and strengthen the sense of community that makes Mountain Brook unique.” Chamber staff working out of the office on Hoyt Lane realized the space outside had the potential to become something more than a street. It could become a gathering place. “We thought we could close it off, put a table down the middle of it and gather the community around it,” Maymon said. Then the chamber pushed the idea further. A dinner is pleasant. A dinner that funds something is a purpose. Leadership Mountain Brook already asked its students to identify and complete a project that improves the city, and the chamber saw a way to tie the two together: an evening that would not only bring people together but invest in the next generation of community leaders. “Leadership Mountain Brook is a program designed to introduce local high school students to civic leadership, community engagement and the organizations that help shape Mountain Brook,” Maymon said. “Throughout the program, students learn about local government, businesses, nonprofits, public safety, education and other aspects of the community while developing leadership skills and completing a class project that benefits Mountain Brook.” The supper pays for the projects, and the students who dreamed them up help serve the meal. Last year’s Harvest on Hoyt funded the Leadership Mountain Brook Class of 2026, and the list of what they built is worth reading. They updated the Tot Lot. They created a children’s coloring book for the Mountain Brook Library. They designed a Bee Trail Scavenger Hunt, coming soon. They redesigned the visitor pamphlet for the Alabama Veterans
Last year’s Harvest on Hoyt was a celebration of community. Photo courtesy of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
Memorial Park. None of it is a ribbon cutting. All of it is the kind of small, specific improvement that a resident notices for years without ever knowing where it came from, which may be the most useful lesson a seventeen-year-old can learn about civic work. Mayor Graham Smith spoke to the new class at the Board of Education, and her remarks were less ceremony than assignment. She congratulated them, said she was proud of them and then told them what they were actually there to do: learn how the city operates. “I visit other cities and come back home humbled by how well our city of Mountain Brook runs,” Mayor Smith said. “And you are about to find out the why and the how.” Then came the part that landed. She asked the students to raise their hands. They did. “When something in this community needs doing, someone must do it,” Smith said. “Someone must raise a hand. Somebody must be the person who says that needs to happen, and then makes it happen. That’s you.” She also told them she wanted to hear what their project would be. Not a report at the end of the year. The idea, as it forms. Getting into Leadership Mountain Brook is not easy. The program is a partnership between the chamber, the City of Mountain Brook and Mountain Brook City Schools, is
Mountain Brook High School students chat with Mountain Brook Mayor Graham Smith.
Nathanael Dauphin from Finch Fine Wines, right, and Dyron Powell, from Dyron’s Low Country, will provide the Harvest on Hoyt supper this year. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
open to juniors and seniors at Mountain Brook High School, and the application process is competitive. Over the course of the year, participants go behind the scenes of local government, public safety, schools, businesses and nonprofits — the departments and organizations most residents deal with only when something has gone wrong. Caitlyn Caley, Curran Quinn and Makenzie
Summers are among this year’s class. “This is an amazing opportunity for us,” Caitlyn Caley said. “The selection process is very competitive, and I am thrilled to get to go behind the scenes and know how my city works.” Margaret Ann Denton, who teaches digital marketing at the high school and works with Leadership Mountain Brook, has watched several classes come through. “I love this program,” Margaret Ann Denton said. “The students will get to collaborate with the chamber of commerce and with the city to produce projects and improve life for the residents of Mountain Brook.” Caleb Johnston, a senior at Mountain Brook High School, sees the year ahead as preparation for the work he already wants to do. “I want to become a lawyer and work with municipalities, and this program will give me expertise in how a city works,” Caleb Johnston said. For this year’s Harvest on Hoyt, Dyron’s Lowcountry will prepare the supper and Finch Fine Wines returns as presenting sponsor. Seating is limited, sponsorships remain available and the chamber recommends reserving early. But ask anyone who has been, and the detail they come back to isn’t the menu. “One of the most meaningful moments each year is looking down the long community table and seeing neighbors talking with neighbors, business owners meeting residents, and people from across Mountain Brook sharing a meal together,” Maymon said. “That simple image captures exactly the purpose of Harvest on Hoyt.” Everything else — the wine, the supper, the closed street, the students in aprons moving between the chairs — is in service of that purpose. And when the students fill your glass at this year’s Harvest on Hoyt, look into their eyes. You’ll see the gleam still there.
26 • October 2026
Village Living
BROMBERG
CONTINUED from page 1 His widow called her Eagle Scout husband “a Boy Scout in every way.” “I often said, ‘I wish I could clone you,’ because he was just honesty and goodness and kindness, all wrapped into one,” said Nancy, his wife of 39 years. The pair met at the jewelry store when she came in to visit a girlfriend who worked there. Bromberg is repeatedly described as a man of integrity, style, kindness and impeccable standards. He often said that at Bromberg’s, they were “ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.” Bromberg’s new Vice President Kathryn “Kitty” Lovelady, who worked with Bromberg for 40 years, still repeats one of his mantras to her own children. “He said, ‘I’ve never regretted doing the right thing,’ and that is how he lived,” Lovelady said. “It might not be the easiest way, but it was the right way.” She said his standards seeped into everything from personnel decisions to how a gift bag was tied. “Anything that represents Bromberg’s, he wanted it to meet a certain standard, because it represents him, his family, but also our stores,” Lovelady said. Bromberg, like his family before him, always looked for ways to meet the future with intentionality. “He was a true Southern gentleman with such warmth, grace and genuine kindness,” said Alexis Padis of the American Gem Society. “I feel grateful to have known him, and the legacy he leaves behind is truly special. This one hits hard.” Bromberg’s public life stretched well beyond the jewelry cases. He was a fourth-generation member of Cathedral Church of the Advent, where his grandparents were among the founding members. This year he was asked to serve as senior warden — the dean’s trusted lay leader and “voice of the laity,” a role he called the
Pictured at the March 2024 Monopoly Birmingham board game kickoff party are Kathryn “Kitty” Lovelady, new vice president of Bromberg & Co., Brian Hood, the new president, the late president Ricky Bromberg and his wife, Nancy. Photo courtesy of Kitty Lovelady.
Ricky and Nancy Bromberg were married for 39 years. Photo courtesy of Nancy Bromberg.
Ricky Bromberg (right) in 2025. Photo courtesy of Bromberg Jewelers.
Floral cross wreaths adorned the doors of Bromberg’s in the days after president Ricky Bromberg’s death. Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
greatest honor of his life. He poured the same sense of duty into the wider community, through his work with organizations including the downtown City Action Partnership, Alabama Goodwill Industries, the Birmingham Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club of Birmingham. As a past president and longtime member of the Alabama Retail Association, Bromberg helped pass the Inventory Reduction for Charitable Purposes Relief Act in 2006. It changed Alabama law so that donations of retailer inventory to qualified charities weren’t subject to state sales tax. “His voice mattered,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association.
What’s next for Bromberg’s jewelers By KELLI S. HEWETT Bromberg & Co. leaders say customers at their jewelry stores can expect stability and the same high standards after the death of president and CEO Ricky Bromberg on Sept. 2. The focus is on continuity rather than change at the 190-yearold family-owned jewelry company, with local stores in Mountain Brook and The Summit. “As far as what their experience is going to be, their experience won’t be different,” said Nancy Bromberg, Ricky’s widow. “As far as their customer service, the vendors, the merchandise that we carry — will all just be excellent as it has been.” Day-to-day leadership of the 190-year-old business now rests with newly named president Brian Hood, a 20-year Bromberg’s
“He made a difference in his community and across retail.” That dedication was evident locally as well — he was an original member and past president of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Bromberg also spearheaded the yearly towering community Christmas tree, right down to the specific optimal lighting plan and individual breaker box. He called it a “gift to the community,” and his wife and associates took up working on this year’s tree within days of his passing. “Ricky cared deeply about Mountain Brook and stayed invested in what was happening here throughout his life,” said Lizzie Maymon, executive director of the Chamber. “We are
employee and manager of the Mountain Brook location, and new vice president Kathryn “Kitty” Lovelady, a key Bromberg’s employee for 40 years. Ricky’s brother Clayton Bromberg Sr. is serving as chairman. Nancy said her son, Wil Bromberg, and her nephew, Clayton Bromberg Jr., are seventh-generation family members who are directors and will remain in place as the next custodians of the legacy. The multimillion-dollar expansion of the Mountain Brook location, which began in 2025, is continuing as planned. The mid-century modern architectural design, dating to the building’s construction in 1959, will carry through as the building space nearly doubles. The original architectural firm, Henry Sprott Long and Associates, also designed the expansion. The store will remain open through the expansion, expected to be complete in 2027. Hood said Ricky called the project a “generational renovation” and promised the rebuilt Mountain Brook store “will be the best-looking jewelry store in the country when we get finished.”
so thankful he will always be a part of the Chamber’s story.” Countless businesspeople spoke of Bromberg’s personal interest in their own ventures. “Ricky was the elder statesman of Mountain Brook Village,” said Radcliff Menge, co-founder of Tom Beckbe clothing in Mountain Brook. “We’ll truly miss him.” Mayor Graham Smith called Bromberg a believer in craftsmanship. “He treasured the beauty and uniqueness of the objects at Bromberg’s, but he also recognized the craftsmanship each of our local business owners brought to our community,” said Smith, who also knew Bromberg through church. “He saw people the same way he saw beautiful objects: each one uniquely made, worthy of appreciation and deserving of being valued.” Those who spent time with Bromberg said faith and family framed his life — and he considered Bromberg’s employees to be part of that family. When COVID-19 shut doors and shook nerves, the conversation was clear: they would stand by their people and keep them paid and working. “I observed and was impressed, and motivated, by his steadiness — the solid character he had in every decision he made, and his commitment to seeing that — particularly with regard to the business that he ran, that it stayed successful and the traditions of the Bromberg business and name continued,” said longtime friend and Bromberg’s attorney Billy Pritchard, who is also president of the City Council. At home, on lazy lake weekends, Nancy said “Poppy” was happiest with a grandchild in his arms. She said what lingers now is his imprint more than the loss, because they know he believed where he would spend eternity, which helps ease the pain. “We were so fortunate to know him and have him for the length of time we did,” Nancy said. “He left a great mark, and we’ll just do everything we can to honor that.”
Bromberg’s planned renovation will continue, and is expected to be complete in 2027. Rendering courtesy of Bromberg Jewelers.
VillageLivingOnline.com
October 2026 • 27
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28 • October 2026
Village Living
GOLD JEWELRY IS MORE VALUABLE THAN EVER SELL YOUR JEWELRY, WATCHES, AND DIAMONDS
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