December 2022 | Volume 10 | Issue 8
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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VESTAVIA HILLS’ COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VESTAVIAVOICE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
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Serving those who serve Vestavia Hills community lends support to 2 emergency responders
By NEAL EMBRY
I
n the past year, members of the Vestavia Hills police and fire departments have joined with residents to take care of two of their own. In October of this year, firefighter Jonathan Vickery lost his own home in McCalla to a fire. In the weeks since, his colleagues have picked up his shifts, collected money and started a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $10,000 with the help of numerous city residents. While there is still a long road ahead, Vickery said he wants to thank the people of Vestavia Hills for helping his family. Police officer Alice Miller was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in October 2021, and over the past year her colleagues have taken up money, brought food to her family and adorned their uniforms and cars with all things pink to support her in her fight.
See SUPPORT | page A22 Jonathan Vickery, a firefighter with the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, points to where he and his wife were sleeping the night of Oct. 19 when the Vickery’s home caught fire, as he stands in the rubble of his McCalla property. Photo by Erin Nelson.
When in Rome: VHHS band, choir headed to Rome New Year’s Day Parade in 2024 By NEAL EMBRY The Vestavia Hills High School band and choir will have a unique New Year’s Day experience in 2024, as they ring in the new year with the people of Rome. The band has been invited to participate in the Rome New Year’s Day Parade, the latest in overseas trips for the band, which participated in the London New Year’s Day Parade in 2010 and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin in 2018. This will be the first international trip for
the choir which is set for Dec. 27, 2023-Jan. 3, 2024. Being able to go on the trips gives students an advantage and different perspective on life and performing. The students are exposed to international travel along with a great performance opportunity, band director Jerell Horton said. During the past trip to London, students visited Buckingham Palace, and Stonehenge, Horton said. “This trip, students will visit the
Bob Bone, director of the Rome New Year’s Day Parade, at left, poses for a photo with Vestavia Hills High School choir director Taylor Stricklin, associate band director Heather Palmer and band director Jerell Horton on Oct. 20 while delivering invitations to the 2024 parade. Photo by Erin Nelson.
See ROME | page A21
INSIDE
Sponsors............... A4 News....................... A6
Business................ A9 Chamber.............. A12
Community.......... A13 Events................... A17
Schoolhouse......... B4 Sports.................... B6
Opinion................. B12 Calendar............... B15 facebook.com/vestaviavoice
‘Tis the Season
Bouncing Back
Check out the lineup of holiday events taking place this month.
Basketball season is back, and the Rebels are looking to come out on top.
See page A18-20
See page B8-10
they’re still here
...somewhere Call The Best to Fight The Pest
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