Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
Volume 7 | Issue 8 | November 2016
STAYING strong 1 year after teen’s death, Sid Ortis’ friends, family honor his final prayer By ERICA TECHO
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efore Mountain Brook resident Sid Ortis died, he said a prayer with his close friends. In that prayer, the 16-year-old encouraged everyone to do two things: remain strong in their faith by
Gifting Hope
following the path of righteousness and to live prosperous lives. That sentiment is carried on today through his friends and through the Sid Strong Foundation, established in July 2016. Ortis’ battle with osteosarcoma gained
Sharing Life Lessons
national attention as the city of Mountain Brook, a place where Alabama and Auburn are easily the most supported teams, was covered in purple and gold ribbons. It was the community’s way
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Sid Ortis’ family and friends wear Sid Strong Foundation bracelets as a show of support. Photo illustration by Sarah Finnegan.
Joiner heralding in new era By KYLE PARMLEY
Doctor and longtime author publishes first children’s book just in time for holiday season.
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After years of helping a child in Kenya, one local family is raising funds and awareness to benefit orphanage.
INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 News...................A6 Business .......... A10 Chamber.......... A14 Events .............. A14
Community .... A23 Faith ................ A28 School House ...B4 Sports ..............B22 Calendar ..........B26
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Strewn across Mountain Brook High School head football coach Chris Yeager’s office are pieces of mail from various institutions across the country, all wanting one thing: a look at his tall, gifted running back, Harold Joiner. When Joiner walks into Yeager’s office, he is handed the stack of letters, which nearly clean off an entire portion of Yeager’s desk. Joiner sits and leafs through them: Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Ole Harold Joiner’s size and strength make him a tough running back to tackle. Photo by Ted Melton. Miss, and on and on the story goes. The 6-foot-2 junior running back has been a big reason for Mountain Brook’s been very humble about it,” Yeager said. “There turnaround in 2016, bouncing back from consec- was a stretch where he had an injury, and now he’s utive 3-7 seasons in 2014 and 2015 to a playoff on the good side of things.” berth this fall. Joiner is one of those football players who, as “As far as his personality and his character, he’s See JOINER | page A29 quiet, and he’s handled all the attention and has