Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader - May/June 2026

Debrecht

About Us

Who We Are

The Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader is a bi-monthly magazine published by JBMC Media, a Bluff Park-based, family-owned publisher of magazines in the Birmingham metro area. The magazine is mailed to more than 4,300 homes and businesses in the Bluff Park area.

Subscriptions are available to anyone outside our immediate mailing area for $30 per year. Email subscribe@jbmcmedia.com for details on how to subscribe or send a gift subscription. Does your business want to connect with Bluff Park residents? Call or email us: (205) 883-1877, advertise@jbmcmedia.com, and let’s talk!

All content in this magazine remains the property of JBMC Media, LLC. Any requests to reprint or republish should be directed to matthew@jbmcmedia.com.

Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.

With an emphasis on swim safety, Mrs Beth helps kids discover the magic of water.

(205) 883-1877 matthew@jbmcmedia.com

381-1311 michelle@jbmcmedia.com

junebugwrites@gmail.com

hollie@jbmcmedia.com

Editor’s Note

As the days grow longer and summer approaches, Bluff Park is alive with stories celebrating our neighbors, passions, and the season’s joys. People are out walking, kids riding bikes, or playing sports in their front yards. The community comes alive during this season, provided you can breathe through the pollen.

Our cover story features beloved swimming coach Beth, who has just released her first children’s book about swimming. Her journey from pool deck to published author is both inspiring and a perfect way to encourage young readers to dive into the water with confidence.

Don’t worry, I found him! Bluff Park’s own Lightning McQueen. I tracked down the teen whose eye‑catching ride turns heads wherever it goes. You’ll meet Bess Hale Hatcher in Through the Lens with George Elliott. And in Bluff Stuff, Kyle Foshee shares memories of his very first car. To round things out, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite summer books for travel and cooking—perfect companions for Alabama travel and summer grilling.

Thank you for reading, and for being part of the Bluff Park story.

Bash Bash Bash

Storybook Splash

Discover the Magic of the Water

BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS

Long before she ever sat by the pool with her trusty oversized pool floats, Puff the Dragon and Lulu the Swan, Beth Debrecht was a baby in her father’s arms, splashing in the water before she could even walk.

“He always joked that I learned to swim before I could walk,” she said.

That early start set the course for a lifetime in and around the water — as a swimmer, a coach, a physical education teacher and, most of all, as an instructor devoted to helping children feel safe and confident when they swim.

Beth, who was born in Indiana and later spent decades in south Florida before retiring to Birmingham, believes the water holds “a special kind of magic.” It is a phrase she returns to often, and one she recently brought to life in her first children’s book about learning to swim and staying safe.

The Magic of Water follows Ms. Beth, a gentle swim teacher who helps children find their bravery in the pool. With calm encouragement and a focus on water safety, Ms. Beth shows her students that the water will hold them up when they learn to trust it.

A lifetime in the pool

Swimming has been a central part of Beth’s life. In college, she earned her Water Safety Instructor certification and spent summers teaching others to swim. After earning her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, she taught in Indiana for four years, then moved to South Florida, where she spent 36 years working in the school system.

With over 40 years as a physical education teacher, she aimed to introduce children to lifelong activities. At the top of that list was swimming.

“Swimming is a lifetime sport,” she said. “Once children experience success in the water, they develop a confidence that is wonderful to witness.”

Outside the classroom, she coached competitive swim and dive teams, led synchronized swimming, and taught swim lessons. In every role, her focus remained the same: building lasting skills and ensuring children’s safety.

“I prioritize positive reinforcement and focus on progress,” she said. “While children may cry during the first few lessons, that hesitation usually disappears once they understand the rewarding results of their hard work.”

The Magic of Water — and safety first

For Beth, The Magic of Water isn’t just about fun. It’s about what happens when skill, safety and confidence come together. Beth believes the water is a special place to belong. With an emphasis on swim safety, she helps kids discover that the water will hold them up when they relax, practice, and trust the skills they are learning. The story, like her real-life lessons, shows that the pool can become a place of courage rather than fear.

The most important lesson, she said, is also one of the simplest: the back float.

“Most importantly, they become safe by learning essential survival skills, such as the back float, which is perhaps the most critical skill to master,” she said.

Beth has taught swimmers of all ages, guiding children and adults through the same process: anxiety, effort, then achievement.

“Helping children overcome anxiety to discover the magic of the water has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Guidance for families

Beth offers clear advice for families beginning the swim-lesson journey.

Her first message is to not panic if they start out rocky.

“Do not get discouraged during the first few lessons if a child is resistant,” she said. “It is a new environment with new skills, and the eventual outcome makes the initial struggle worth it.”

She encourages parents to start getting children used to water early, well before their first official lesson.

“I encourage parents to introduce ‘water in the face’ early during baths or showers to help expedite the acclimation process,” she said.

Her third piece of advice focuses on selecting the proper instruction.

“Find a qualified instructor and a program that sets clear goals,” she said. “While water play is fine, structured instruction is what manifests real results.”

Those results, she said, are measured not only in strokes and kicks but in growing self-belief.

“The message I want children to take away is that every lesson and practice session leads to improvement,” she said. “As their skills grow, so will their confidence.”

From the Pool to the Page

Beth retired from teaching in 2018, when she moved to Birmingham. But leaving the classroom did not mean leaving teaching behind. For years she had talked about writing a children’s book that captured the emotions and experiences of learning to swim.

The result is a story that reflects her philosophy: patient guidance, clear goals, and the celebration of every small victory. In the book, Ms. Beth’s students

simple joy that mirrors the kind of incentives she uses in her real lessons.

“Children love relating to the swimming skills mentioned in the book and the idea of riding on a float as a reward,” she said.

Her favorite reactions come from families who tell her the book has become a shared experience at home.

“My favorite is hearing that older siblings are reading the book to their younger brothers and sisters,” she said.

For Beth, that image, a big brother or sister reading about swim safety and courage to a younger child, is another kind of magic.

From those first infant splashes to her book launch, Beth’s mission has stayed steady. She wants children to feel safe in the water, to respect it, and to find joy there.

Her work, in and out of the pool, is about more than teaching a skill. It is about building a kind of confidence that extends beyond the water’s edge.

“As their skills grow, so will their confidence,” she said. “They become safe, and they learn that the water can be a wonderful place to be.

Books available at localbooknook.com

Alabama Travel, Place, Southern Life

• Rick Bragg - All Over but the Shoutin’, Where I Come From

• Angela Hall Alabama Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit!

• Owen Earthly - Alabama 200+ Things to Do – 2026 Travel Guide

• Steven Weinberg - The Fly Fishing Book: An Artful Guide to Angling

Summer Cooking & Grilling Books

• Brandon Hurtado Barbacoa: The Heart of Tex Mex Barbecue

• Jack Lawson - Pit Boss Smoker Cookbook for Beginners

• Meathead Goldwyn The Meathead Method: A BBQ Hall of Famer’s Secrets and Science on BBQ, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking

• Frank Stitt - Frank Stitt’s Southern Table, Bottega Favorita

• Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock - The Gift of Southern Cooking

• Brian Skinner - Alabama BBQ Legends

‘KACHOW’

In The CuldeSac

Story and Photos By Heather Jones Skaggs

When Hoover High School junior Gabriel McCollum pulled into his driveway last December in a bright red Nissan 350Z decorated with stickers to resemble Lightning McQueen, even he wasn’t sure what he’d gotten himself into.

“I used to drive my granddad’s Ford Ranger, but needed to replace it once it stopped running. I was looking at Facebook Marketplace… and it obviously caught my eye as I was scrolling through,” Gabriel said.

The car, complete with racing decals, a custom wrap, and even Lightyear printed on the tires, had been built by its previous owner for his 3-year-old son. When the boy outgrew the Cars theme, Gabriel stepped in.

At first, his mom, Wendy, didn’t think he was serious. “When he first showed me the car, I thought it was fun, but didn’t think he was serious about it,” she said. “Is it the most practical? No. But it is a lot of fun.”

Gabriel bought the car, but it quickly became more than transportation. “I showed the listing to my friends and asked, ‘Should I get this?’ They all said 100%.”

On the drive home from Jasper, people were already rolling down their windows to take photos. “The very first interaction I had was in the parking lot when I was buying it,” he said. “Some guy pulled up and said, ‘Dude, I love the car. Can I take a picture?’”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

FUN FACT

Since then, the reactions haven’t stopped. One of his favorite reactions was from a Hoover Police Officer who pulled behind him and, over his loudspeaker, said “Ka Chow.” Drivers honk and wave. Kids shout from the back seats. Parents ask for birthday-party appearances.

But Gabriel says the best moments happen when he parks and steps out. “That’s when you can actually talk,” he said. “I’ve had some good conversations with people… not necessarily related to Lightning McQueen, but sparked because they came up to me.”

The car sits in the McCollums’ front yard, right beside a stop sign.

“It’s fun to be in the house and hear shouts of kids’ surprise and excitement and to watch people linger a little longer at the stop sign to take a picture,” Gabriel and his mom agree.

“He works hard, two jobs, school, running, I love that he has this extra piece of fun, that he gets to see the smiles that his car gives to others,” Wendy said.

For Gabriel, that joy is the whole point.

“I think it’s important to find small things that can make your day a little better and brighten someone else’s day,” he said. “I like it when you stop at a stop sign and there are people smiling, kids smiling in the back seat.”

Despite the attention, Gabriel insists he’s not a car enthusiast. “I wouldn’t even consider myself really like a car guy,” he said. “It’s fun to drive, and it’s fun seeing people’s reactions.”

He’s done basic maintenance—a brake job that turned into more work than expected—but he plans to keep the car “until it runs into the ground.”

What started as just a search for a new set of wheels has become a small but steady source of delight in Hoover. Kids walking home from the park stop to stare. Neighbors pause at the stop sign a little longer. Birthdayparty invitations keep coming.

MORE FUN FACTS

The Cars franchise is packed with hidden details that bridge the gap between automotive history and the Pixar universe. Here are five fun facts about the series:

1. Real-Life Inspiration for Radiator Springs

The fictional town of Radiator Springs and its surrounding landscape are love letters to historic Route 66. The “Cadillac Range” mountains in the background are modeled after Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas—an art installation featuring ten Cadillacs buried nose first in the ground.

2. Lightning McQueen’s Number and Name

The Number: Lightning’s famous #95 is a nod to 1995, the year Pixar released its first feature film, Toy Story.

Compiled from Mental Floss and Pixar Wiki CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Gabriel doesn’t mind. In fact, he welcomes it.

“It’s just fun,” he said. “I enjoy driving it, but I really enjoy the reactions. That’s the best part.”

The Name: He was named in honor of Glenn McQueen, a Pixar animator who passed away in 2002.

3. Hidden “Toy Story” Connections

Lightyear Tires: The tires on the Piston Cup racers are branded “Lightyear,” a direct reference to Buzz Lightyear.

Dinoco: The primary racing sponsor, Dinoco, is the same gas station where Buzz and Woody get stranded in the original Toy Story movie

4. Real Racing Royalty

The franchise features voices from legendary professional racers, often playing versions of themselves or characters inspired by their careers:

Richard Petty voices Strip “The King” Weathers.

Michael Schumacher, Mario Andretti, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all have cameos as cars in the films.

5. Character Matters

Lightning McQueen: While not a single model, his design is widely considered a “hybrid” stock car. His front end mirrors the Chevrolet Corvette C6, while the rear adopts the aerodynamic “lip spoiler” of a Ford GT40.

Tow Mater: Mater’s distinctive look is rooted in a 1951 International Harvester L 170 and rear fenders and headlights borrow from mid-1950s Chevrolet trucks.

Doc Hudson: Perhaps the most historically accurate, Doc is a 1951 Hudson Hornet. His Piston Cup victories mirror the real Hornet’s dominance in NASCAR during the early ‘50s.

Bluff Stuff with Kyle Foshee

My first car and its revitalizer,“Animal”; may he rest in peace

CARS, MAN.

BY KYLE FOSHEE

You’ve smelt it before. The malodorous scent of spinning tires on asphalt. And you probably hated it.

I love it.

I think I was born loving it. I knew the differences in year models of Camaros and Chevelles from the sixties and seventies before I was ten, and my dad found me a 1970 Chevelle when I was twelve.

Before you get all “can’t hide money” on me, I’m pretty sure Pops was paid to get this car out of the woods. He had a wrecker service at the time, and I remember pulling the car home and smoke pouring out of it. Mind you, it didn’t crank, and I have no idea where the smoke was coming from.

It was not a super sport, it had a meager 307 cubic inch engine in it, the floorboards were rusted through in spots, there were holes and dents in all quarter panels, the trunk was green while the rest of the car was faded tan, and I don’t recall the front seat being one that was supposed to be in it. When Pops did get it running, it drove like it was trying to move to the closest ditch it could find. But I was foolishly granted a 4 barrel Holley for juice and true dual exhaust for show, and I waited patiently for years before I became the proudest owner of any car that anyone ever knew.

And the heaviest footed.

I’ve yelled at so many people driving too fast down my street. It isn’t just me; my neighbors have a hand in it too. I don’t think I’ve seen a teenager drive

down Park Terrace in years because we scared them all off. Granted, there are a thousand children running around in the street, half clothed and fully unaware, and I don’t want one of these young drivers to have their entire lives upturned by an accident. But it isn’t fair. Those poor teenage dreamers. They don’t mean anything by it.

And who am I to speak up?

Long ago, before I wrapped that old Chevelle around a tree and cried like a baby, I was driving through the neighborhood that led to McKelvey Park, where we all played baseball growing up and a prominent feature of Dadeville, Alabama back in my day. I guess I was driving too fast through there, and an older gentleman yelled at me. Now, I don’t think I was driving that fast. It just sounded like it. But I don’t fault the good sir. I was probably showing off to people who could not have cared any less.

I’m the recipient of countless speeding and seatbelt citations, as well as lectures from Pops, the latter of which I still don’t get, as if he’s unaware from whence it came. I’m not the ideal spokesperson or proponent for speed bumps and red lights.

That old car sat for years before Pops, also known as Burnout, was able to hang out and swap favors with a bunch of friends with similarly weird nicknames and lots of time on their hands. “Animal” fixed it up cheerfully, like it was his own, and I drove it one more time several years ago before Pops sold it.

Animal just recently rode off into the sunset, himself.

Cars, man.

Through the Lens with George Elliott

George Elliott is a Bluff Park-based photographer whose other careers have included being a public relations executive with BellSouth and the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama. An accomplished photographer, you can find his work at art shows around central Alabama. Contact him at gbjt68@att.net

Bess Hale-Hatcher

Throughout Bluff Park’s history, one family name stands out…the Hales.

Early on, the Hales began visiting the Bluff and named it Hale Springs. They managed a resort hotel and built a wonderful community for themselves and for generations to come.

I had heard about the Hales. Gardiner Cole Hale, his son George Gardiner Hale, Sr., and his son William Marable Hale, and the “Hale Boys” William, Evan and George, Jr., all of whom were instrumental in building houses on the Bluff.

I’d heard of the Hales but I’d never actually met one. Now, I have, and that person, Bessie Hale Hatcher, is making a positive difference in our community.

“Bess,” as she is affectionately known, is a diminutive, delightful, caring, and formidablein-her-own-way southern lady who believes that helping others and being a friend are the keys to a happy, meaningful life.

With her bright eyes and a sparkling smile, she opened her door and welcomed me in.

“Come see my porch,” she said. “We can look

out for miles and see some of the very finest views. In the springtime, when all the flowers are blooming, I just love to sit out here each day and watch the sun set. We can talk out here, too… it’s my favorite place!”

Born December 13, 1938, Bess is the daughter of O.B. “Bill” Hale and Bessie Jones and the granddaughter of William and Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Hale. Her mother died within months of Bess’s birth, so Bess was raised by her Dad and her aunt and uncle, Bob and Ruth Hale Hutcheson, especially while her Dad was overseas during World War II.

“My friends and I used to play all around Bluff Park. That’s just what you did every day when you were a kid,” she said. “You visited the fire tower. You rode your horses down what are now Tyler Road and Park Avenue. Sometimes we even had breakfast and lunch on the Bluff’s “big” rocks, right where I live today.”

“Everywhere you went, you would run into aunts, uncles, and cousins who, like me, were descended from the Hales.”

“I went to the original Bluff Park Elementary School, where two grade levels were

taught in one room. My aunt, Ethel Hale, taught there for many years.”

“Later, I rode the school bus to Shades Valley High School and attended Auburn for a year,” she said.

“No one had a house with an air conditioner in those days. So, on hot days and nights, the floor fans were running, the windows were open, and only the screen doors were closed to keep out the bugs, mosquitoes, and dogs. The coffee was hot, and homemade pound cake or cookies were always in the kitchen. Cards were on the table to play Liverpool rummy,” said Bess.

“We had picnics at Green Springs Park and played games. Sometimes we all went to Daddy’s farm in Shelby County to find a tree to cut for Christmas. We loaded them onto the truck bed and delivered one to each cousin’s house in Bluff Park.”

“One really exciting thing was when a cousin on Park Avenue got a television… black and white, of course. We all had to go see it.”

Many of my family from Birmingham, Georgia, and Florida met at the beach each summer. Today, I go to Orange Beach with family, friends, and my dog, Ellie.

“Now I am the oldest of about fifty cousins, many of whom live in Bluff Park,” said Bess. “We get together every December 23 to celebrate Christmas. We have homemade eggnog, the same recipe my aunt used when I was little. We have good food, play games, sing Christmas carols, tell stories, celebrate Family, and give each other lots of hugs.”

“The latest Hale Reunion was held on April 25 at the Hale Joseph House in Bluff Park,” said Bess.

“Family has always been of great importance to me. I’ve been able to laugh in the good times and cry in the not-so-good times, and I’ve always felt their loving support.”

“My husband, Jim, and I married in 1958. He was an Auburn graduate. Most of our careers were spent running Putt-Putt golf courses in Anniston, Birmingham, Roebuck, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. I managed the Roebuck course, and I turned it around into a profit center.”

“We had two boys, Jay and Steve,” Bess said. Today, Jay has a cattle farm in Greensboro, Alabama, and his daughter, my only grandchild, recently graduated from Auburn as a “full fledged veterinarian.” Jay has been my “rock” over the years, always looking out for and caring for me.

“Our second child, Steve, had Down syndrome, and much of my life has centered on ensuring he

A wooden chair that Bess’ grandfather had made by hand and had sat in a goodly portion of his life. She also has two beautiful blue and white serving/tea sets…one hers; one her mother’s. Finally, I was shown two pieces of oak furniture…a mirrored armoire and a curio shelf.

received the best education and on his assimilation into friendships and opportunities that the “growing up” years and adulthood can offer,” said Bess. “Jim and I wanted Steve to live as normal a life as he could, and he did. With our help, he lived in his own apartment. He drove his car. He had a job in Food Services.”

“Steve had lots of friends during his life, and Jim and I always tried to help nurture those friendships. He was active in a Sunday School class at Dawson Memorial Baptist, and, even now, I sit through the church service with “The Happy Class.”

”It also meant I’ve spent many, many hours with the ARC and other parents, keeping up with legislation affecting Down syndrome and disabilities in general. I worked with parents of children with disabilities and with legislators in Montgomery and across the United States. We made some positive strides… but not nearly enough. We saw progress in education and housing, and a bill was passed ensuring “curb cuts” to make it easier for people with disabilities to get around. Steve died on December 15, 2023, at age 62.”

“Along the way, I also developed breast cancer, and part of my regimen to fight it was exercise. My interest in exercise led me to teach an exercise class for breast cancer survivors at Brookwood Hospital and at various churches. It also helped me prepare, at age 65, to run and complete four half marathons, including the Mercedes Benz Half Marathon. In one race, I finished second in my age category.”

Bess still walks about three miles daily in the Bluff Park community with her dog, Ellie, and a good friend, Rosie Sullivan.

When I asked Bess to pinpoint five words that

Family heirloom silver spoons, crafted in England in 1866 from U.S. silver dollars brought over by Ann Susan Hale while traveling with her husband, Gardiner Cole Hale, on a trip to purchase equipment for the Daniel Pratt Cotton Gin Factory, are displayed in the home of Bess Hale Hatcher

best described her, modest as always, she asked her friends in her Tuesday ‘Sara Finley Memorial” Sunday School Class at Dawson Memorial Baptist what those words might be.

“Bess is a strong and generous person,” said Mary Kate Clements. “She’s kind and enjoys sharing her views with many different people,” emphasized Frances Owens. Rosie, her walking buddy, said that Bess is a lady with many interests and talents, not the least of which is being a good friend.

When asked what she likes best about Bluff Park, Bess says, “Bluff Park has always had its own sense of community. It’s the wonderful people, always willing to pitch in and help out. It’s the old folks living side by side with the young people and their families. It’s family in a broader sense, one that was primarily blood-related at the beginning, but one that has now expanded to include the elderly, outof-towners, young families with toddlers and young children, families with teenagers, and people of different races and nationalities…living in a place that we all love.”

As we ended our conversation, I asked Bess what her secrets for a happy life were. She said, “You’ve got to stay busy, always help other people, and treasure your friendships by always being a good friend.”

Our interview ended, and on the way out, she gave me a jar of her peach preserves. As I wrote this story, I realized how fortunate I’d been to get to know a lady whose family founded our community and who takes her role in its continued success seriously. Even more, I’d found a lady who smiles, loves her family and friends, and one who has much to teach us through the life she has lived. Much like her peaches, she has made all our lives sweeter.

Five Tips to Prep Your Home For Summer

1. Service Your HVAC System Before the Heat Arrives

A quick pre summer tuneup keeps your system running efficiently and helps prevent mid season breakdowns. Replace filters, clear debris from around the outdoor unit, and have a technician check refrigerant levels and coils. A well-maintained system cools better and costs less to run.

Tips from Joseph Cummings and our friends at JC Heating and Cooling.

Keep your HVAC equipment running as efficiently as possible. To prevent breakdowns in warmer weather, get a preventative maintenance cleaning on your AC systems.

Also, make sure your air filters are changed as needed. It’s more cost effective to do preventative maintenance than to repair AC breakdowns in the middle of summer due to a lack of it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Home Maintenance

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

2. Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Heat and Storms

Walk your property and look for cracks in siding, peeling paint, or gaps around windows and doors. Sealing and repairing these areas improves energy efficiency and helps keep pests out. It’s also a good time to test sump pumps, clean gutters, and secure outdoor furniture ahead of summer storms.

Tips from Jordan Erwin and our friends at Alabama Professional Services

Get ahead of pests before the heat hits. As temperatures rise, ants, termites, and mosquitoes become much more active. A preventative pest treatment now can help avoid bigger (and more expensive) issues later in the summer.

Check for early signs of foundation trouble

Spring rains can lead to soil movement. Walk around your home and look for small cracks in brick, drywall, or uneven floors. Catching these early can prevent costly repairs down the road.

Make sure your crawlspace or basement stays dry

Warmer weather plus humidity can create the perfect environment for mold and moisture problems. Check for standing water, musty smells, or excess humidity—and consider a professional inspection if anything seems off.

3. Inspect Your Roof for Winter Wear

Spring storms and winter weather can loosen shingles, open small leaks, or clog gutters. A roof inspection now can prevent costly water damage later. Look for missing shingles, soft spots, or granule buildup in gutters, and schedule repairs before summer storms roll in.

4. Refresh Your Landscaping for Heat and Growth

Trim back overgrown shrubs, clean up winter debris, and add fresh mulch to help soil retain moisture. Early summer is also the perfect time to check irrigation systems for leaks or misaligned sprinkler heads. Healthy landscaping boosts curb appeal and protects your home’s foundation.

5. Check Outdoor Living Spaces for Safety and Comfort

Inspect decks, patios, and fences for loose boards, rusted hardware, or signs of rot. Powerwash surfaces, reseal wood if needed, and make sure outdoor lighting is working. A little prep now makes your outdoor spaces safer and more enjoyable all season long.

The Write Stuff

This author has what it takes to spin a tale

BY JUNE MATHEWS

Bobby Mathews has what many would consider a problem: People are living in his head.

But for Mathews, a writer of short stories and novels, it’s just part of the job. Those imaginary souls – otherwise known as characters – are an important part of his livelihood, and the input they offer is vital to his success.

“It’s one of the things I love about my writing process,” he said. “I’m always being surprised by these weirdos in my head.”

An award winning writer of crime and Southern noir fiction, Mathews regularly creates troubled characters leading hapless lives. Having encountered some of those types in his youth lends a certain credibility to the stories he tells.

“I tend to write about gritty, down-and-out protagonists because that was my experience growing up dirt poor in the Wiregrass region of the state,” he said. “I joke that we weren’t really dirt poor because we’d have had to pay to truck dirt in, and we couldn’t afford that. Some authors can write about wealthy people with authenticity. I write about hungry-eyed people who want what they can’t have or sometimes don’t even know what they want.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Mathews’ first novel, Prodigal, a story about a rock guitarist who loses the use of an arm in an accident, was published in 2010. His second, Living the Gimmick, is a fair-play murder mystery (meaning the reader is given all the clues to solving the crime) set in the pro-wrestling world.

His third novel, Magic City Blues, published in 2023, tells a twisty tale of a man hired to protect the daughter of a dangerous crime lord. Nominated for a prestigious Anthony Award for crime writing, Magic City Blues was also named one of the top detective novels of the millennium by Thrilling Detective magazine.

Mathews also won a Derringer Award, one of the highest honors given for mystery short story writing. His fourth book, Negative Tilt is a collection of his short stories.

“It may be the work I’m most proud of so far,” he said.

Mathews is now at work on his fifth book, a novel tentatively titled False Prophet, which like his other three novels, is set in Alabama and built around down-to-earth characters, each with their own problems, attitudes, and reasons for appearing in the story.

Mathews credits his 20-year career as a journalist for preparing him to write fiction.

“I know that sounds weird, but what I mean is that it absolutely helped me figure out story structure, pacing, punctuation, and – probably most importantly – how to hit a deadline,” he said.

And having also been a bartender, college lecturer, PR flack, carpenter’s helper, retail worker, line cook, and delivery person, Mathews may well be his own best source for characters.

“I contain multitudes,” he said.

As far as story writing is concerned, he considers his weak point third person omniscient and his strengths action and dialogue.

“Action is easy because you have characters in motion,” he said. “Dialogue

is easy because I have a pretty good ear for it and try to make characters sound as close to real life as possible.”

Mathews and his family, which includes wife Misty and their two sons, ages 11 and 14, have lived in Bluff Park for eight years. He gives his wife major kudos for the role she plays in his writing career.

“Spouses are invaluable to any working writer,” he said. “Having a working and supportive spouse is often the difference between whether a writer ‘makes it’ or not. Misty is my rock, and I really couldn’t do any of this without her support.”

As the father of boys, Mathews spends a fair amount of time at the ballpark, not only as a parent but as a volunteer coach of youth baseball. Coaching allows him to serve the community while sharing his love of the game with the next generation.

“My hope is that one day, they’ll look back on their time in uniform in the same way that I look back at mine: fondly and with no small sense of sweet nostalgia,” he said.

Mathews’ workplace is at home, where on a typical workday, he rises at 4:30 a.m., grabs a cup of coffee, and sits down to write. His standard goal is writing 1,500 to 2,000 words a day.

“No phone, no social media, no internet,” he said. “Afternoons are normally when I edit because I hate editing, so I put it off. But it’s necessary if you want to be a professional at this.”

But that first draft, when the words are flowing, the people in his head are cooperating, and the story is coming together, is the part he loves best.

“There’s nothing else that satisfies me in the same way that writing does,” he said. “It fills a need for me to be creative and to take the stories locked up in my soul and share them with the rest of the world.”

Bobby Mathews’ books are available online and at local bookstores. To learn more, visit his website at www.bamawriter.com.

Creative Classrooms & Community Artists: Daniel Vann

BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS PHOTOS COURTESY DANIEL VANN

Meet Daniel Vann, long-time Bluff Park resident and Art teacher at Rocky Ridge Elementary School. Daniel has the second art project in our new series, Creative Classrooms & Community Artists. This is a super fun shadow art lesson just for you! Follow these steps to create your own beautiful shadow artwork.

SHADOW ART

By the end of this project, you’ll have a unique piece of art made entirely from the shadows you discovered around you—a fun way to explore the outdoors and see the world in a new way.

Materials You’ll Need

• A piece of paper

• A hard surface (clipboard, piece of cardboard, or a book)

• Drawing tools like markers (choose at least three colors), crayons, or paint.

Step 1 Get Set Up

Place your paper on a hard surface like a clipboard, cardboard, or a book. Use three different colors of markers or other drawing tools.

Step 2 Explore the Outdoors

Go outside to a place where the sun is shining. This could be your yard, a park, the zoo, or even a neighbor’s yard (with permission). Look around for interesting objects that cast shadows, such as tree branches, toys, or outdoor decorations.

Step 3

Find Your First Shadow

Position your paper so that the shadow falls clearly onto it. Make sure you can see the outline of the shadow on your paper.section, leaves in another, and flowers in the remaining two sections.

Step 4

Trace the Shadow

Choose one of your colors. Carefully trace along the edges of the shadow on your paper. Fill in the shape however you like—solid color, patterns, or leaving some white of the paper peeking through.

Step 6 Finish Your Artwork

Keep adding and combining shadows until you are happy with how your artwork looks. When you’re finished, take a moment to look at all the shapes and patterns you created from real shadows around you. Send us a photo of your Shadow

Step 5

Add More Shadows

Once dry, draw a vase in one section, leaves in another, and flowers in the remaining two sections.

Reader

Elizabeth Moultrie Finds a Home at Hoover Country Club

BY LOYD MCINTOSH

For many people, spending each day on a golf course is only a dream - or at least a delayed reality until the Shangri-La of retirement finally comes into view. However, for Bluff Park resident Elizabeth Moutrie, that dream is a reality.

The Head Golf Pro at Hoover County Club didn’t so much set out on the highway of life with her sights set on a specific destination. On the contrary, Moultrie more or less wandered into one of the top teaching pro positions in the area.

“In relation to this job, it was never on my radar screen,” admits Moultrie, who is also a bit of a trailblazer as one of the few - if

not the only - female head golf pros in Alabama.

Her love for the game of golf began in middle school while playing regularly with a friend. Over the next few years, her game developed, earning a spot on the Hoover High School varsity golf team. “I started to love and stuck with it and, once I got into high school, I was fairly solid,” Moultrie says. “I wasn’t a great player, but I turned out to enjoy it a whole lot.”

Moultrie is being humble. She was, in fact, a very good high school player, helping the Lady Bucs win two consecutive state championships in 2014 and 2015, and many Top 5 finishes along the way.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

After high school, Moultrie attended Auburn, opting not to play on the Lady Tigers’ squad. Instead, she continued to play recreationally as time allowed, but got her first taste of coaching as a volunteer coach at Auburn High School. She wasn’t aware of it yet, but that experience lit a slow-burning and subconscious passion for coaching.

Moutlied graduated from Auburn with a Bachelor’s degree in fitness, conditioning, and performance in 2019, but still had no clear vision of a career path. She moved back home to Hoover and found a job working part time in the Hoover Country Club pro shop while also spending a few months as the Tournament Director for the Alabama Junior Golf Association (AJGA).

Despite the experience as a volunteer coach, working in the pro shop, and her work with the AJGA, Moultrie still hadn’t reached the conclusion that a career in golf was a possibility. However, as summer gave way to fall, the club let her keep working in the pro shop until, eventually, that slow ember turned into a raging fire.

“Summer came to an end, and I was still enjoying it here, so I asked my Pro if I could keep working in the shop while I figured out what I want to do with my life,” Moultrie says, adding that she began to learn the ins and outs of a teaching pro from the assistants while on the job.

“I just kind of observed and absorbed their roles and started doing some of the assistant golf professional roles,” Moultrie said. “Towards the end of that year, I was like, ‘I think I can actually do this job.’”

Again, just as she showed at Hoover High School, Moultrie has more than simply done her job - she has excelled. After learning the ropes and paying her dues, Moultrie moved up the ranks, working as an assistant pro from 2019 until early 2026, winning the PGA Alabama-Northwest Florida Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2002.

Primarily focused on teaching golf to adults and youth, Moultrie still finds a little time to compete on a circuit of tournaments featuring teaching pros from Alabama and northwest Florida. However, after officially obtaining her PGA Golf Pro accreditation and earning the position of Head Golf Professional at Hoover Country Club, Moultrie is focused on providing a great environment for members and promoting. and overseeing golf instruction from the club’s assistant golf pros.

Now, after almost a decade of developing her passion for golf and finding her way, Moultrie is exactly where she belongs. For many months of the year, a typical day can begin around 7 am - maybe earlier - and end after 7 pm, but it’s a dream come true for the Hoover High School graduate and long time Bluff Park resident.

“I have an office here in the golf shop, and I have an office outside,” she said.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding work,” added Moultie. “It’s a lot of hours, but one of the coolest jobs ever.”

TO THE FINISH

Photos by You!

McCollum, Robinson Lead the Field at High Country 5K

The High Country 5K brought runners back to the Bluff on Saturday, April 11, drawing a competitive field and a strong showing from local athletes.

Gabriel McCollum won the race in 17:43.2, securing the overall title. Thomas Dickinson placed second in 19:33.1, and Taylor Stinson finished third in 19:55.2.

McCollum was the top male finisher, while Mary Robinson earned top female honors.

Hosted by Shades Crest Baptist Church, the annual event also featured the Elementary School Challenge and a post-race pancake breakfast, continuing its long tradition as a community favorite.

Hoover City Schools Honors Finley Award Winners for Outstanding Character

Hoover City Schools has named seniors Dilberlyn “Didi” Garcia Gonzalez of Hoover High School and Lexie Beard of Spain Park High School, along with Deer Valley Elementary School faculty member Trumi Wilkinson, as the 2026 Finley Award winners for outstanding character.

The honorees were recognized March 19 at The Finley Center.

Garcia Gonzalez was cited for leading with purpose and making a positive impact on her school and the broader community. Beard was selected for her exceptional character and integrity.

Named in memory of longtime coach Bob Finley, the Finley Awards represent the highest honor given to students and employees in the Hoover school district. Each year, the

Finley Committee selects one senior from Hoover High School and Spain Park High School, along with one Hoover City Schools faculty member, to receive the Finley Award. These individuals are chosen for the way they lead with character, demonstrate integrity, and make a lasting impact on those around them.

Elementary Finley Recipients from Bluff Park Elementary:

• Kindergarten: Turan A.

• First Grade: Jude C.

• Second Grade: Melody H.

• Third Grade: Emerie R.

• Fourth Grade: Elizabeth S.

• Fifth Grade: Bryce R.

Freshwater Land Trust Releases New Interactive Red Rock Trail System® Map, Featuring 15 New Miles of Hoover Trails

The Freshwater Land Trust (FLT) has released a new interactive map of the Red Rock Trail System®, now including 15 miles added through a project with Hoover. The redesigned “Find a Trail” map highlights trails, greenways, parks, and bike lanes, featuring six popular and emerging trails in Hoover. With these updates, the system now totals 175 miles across Jefferson County.

The Red Rock Trail System® is a planned 750-mile network of trails, parks, and streets connecting neighborhoods, communities, and outdoor destinations across Jefferson County. Its goal is for all residents to be within one mile of a trail or greenspace. The new Hoover trails are part of the city’s Parks and Public Spaces Plan, which expands outdoor recreation for residents and visitors, including access to the 20 miles of Cahaba River flowing through the city—the most in the Cahaba River watershed.

New Hoover Trail Additions

The following trails and parks are now part of the Red Rock Trail System®:

• Loch Haven Park and Nature Trail

• Black Creek Mountain Bike Park

• Cahaba Riverchase Greenway and Nature Trail

• Hoover East Nature Trail

• Inverness Nature Park

• Another Step Toward Preserving Hale Springs

Hale Springs/ Forever Wild Update

In April, the Birmingham City Council approved an agreement with the Friends of Shades Mountain and the city of Hoover, under which the city will work with these groups to create a public nature preserve on 18 acres of Shades Mountain/ Hale Springs. This agreement, along with the Memorandum of Understanding approved by the city of Hoover last December, brings the project a step closer to meeting the requirements set by the Forever Wild Land Trust.

Hosmer Named Assistant Principal at Hoover High

Hoover City Schools has named longtime teacher and coach Trent Hosmer as assistant principal of Hoover High School.

Hosmer has spent 11 years at Hoover High, teaching World History, U.S. History and Government and serving in multiple basketball coaching roles. He has also led the school’s summer school and winter credit recovery programs and served on the budget committee and as director of basketball operations.

“Mr. Hosmer has a deep understanding of our school community and a proven ability to support both students and staff,” Principal Kristi Sayers said.

As assistant principal, Hosmer will help oversee student services, instruction, safety and discipline, as well as school programs and scheduling. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.School.

Alfa Insurance Franklin Agency Earns Distinguished Service Award for Alabama

Alfa Insurance® Franklin Agency Inc was recently honored with the Gold Distinguished Service Award for Alabama during the company’s annual awards ceremony in Montgomery. The ceremony recognized the company’s best agents and managers for their dedicated service and commitment to policyholders.

Arbor Day Tree Planted at Bluff Park Elementary in Memory of Ben Gibbs

A very special Arbor Day tree-planting took place in March at Bluff Park Elementary School. This year’s tree was planted and dedicated in memory of Ben Gibbs, who would have graduated from Hoover High School. Several of his former BPES classmates, family, and friends attended the tree planting, an annual event hosted by the Hoover Beautification Board.

Calendar and News

BUSINESSES NEWS

New Businesses

Opening a business in Bluff Park? Let us know!

Business and Organizations Updates

• In April, Good Neighbor Baking moved its operation out of Bluff Park Coffee Collective for a time of renewal.

• Little Luna Pizza held its soft opening.

• After 10 wonderful years, the Bluff Park Parade Committee is officially retiring. The search is on for a new committee to continue the tradition.

MAY/JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2: Strawberry Day

Brock’s Gap Brewing 8:00am - 12:00pm

Live music, free face painting for the littles, chocolate strawberry dipping bar, and more.

May 4 - 6: Scholastic Book Fair

Hoover Public Library 9:00am 9:00pm

Choose your next favorite read for the whole family from our Scholastic Book Fair. Purchases will help the library earn books to benefit Little Free Libraries.

May 8: Bash on the Bluff - Folk Fest

Oris & Oak 5:00 - 9:30pm

The annual festival is a family friendly event featuring live performances by The Goat Hill String Band and Three on a String, plus local food trucks. Food trucks begin serving at 5:00pm followed by The Goat Hill String Band at 6:00pm and Three On A String at 7:30pm. Snacks and coolers are allowed, but it is encouraged to the support local food trucks.

Living well happens

May 19-24: SEC Baseball Tournament

Hoover Metropolitan Complex

May 9: Mother’s Day Market

Brock’s Gap Brewing 8:00am - 12:00pm

Join The Farmers Market at Brock’s Gap for a special Mother’s Day Market dedicated to honoring mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers for their invaluable contributions and for shaping lives!

The annual tournament will feature all 16 SEC teams (including Oklahoma and Texas) in a single-elimination format, with the championship game on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online.

Living with a chronic health condition doesn’t mean childhood has to stop. At Children’s of Alabama, we make sure kids can keep doing what they do best—laughing, playing, and simply being kids. With expert care, advanced treatments, and a team that never stops believing in brighter days, we help families navigate their healthcare journey with confidence, strength, and hope.

We are here in your neighborhood at Greenvale Pediatrics - Hoover. Call 205-987-4444 to schedule an appointment.

Calendar and News

May 22: Summer Reading Kick Off

Hoover Public Library 1:00 4:00pm

Celebrate the start of summer with crafts, activities and treats for the whole family.

May 29: Blakgraz LIVE

Brock’s Gap Brewing 7:00 - 10:00pm

Blakgraz is bringing 112+ original songs, 5 guitars with names, and 11 genres of genre-bending music to Brock’s Gap Brewing. Whether your tastes lean toward rock, blues, country, folk, jazz, pop, rap, or genres in between, Blakgraz delivers a sound that is both distinctly original and comfortably familiar. Guests can enjoy more than three hours of continuous live music, featuring crowdfavorite sing-alongs, high-energy selections ideal for dancing and occasional surprise giveaways—all in a welcoming and lively atmosphere.

May 30: Magic City Wine Fest

Hoover Metropolitan Complex 6:00 9:00pm

The Cahaba Dermatology Magic City Wine Fest is back at the Hoover Met for an evening of wine, beer and music. Taste from over 100 different wine and beer samples. Food will be available to purchase. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

June 4: Girls Only Wrestling Camp

Hoover High School 9:00am 3:00pm

The 3rd Annual Girls Only Wrestling Camp featuring Aniyah Griffin is open to girl wrestlers of all ages. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased on GoFan.co

June 7 & 21: Mah-jongg - Absolute Beginner Class

The House at Aldridge Gardens 2:00 4:00pm

Learn how to play American Mah-jongg! Space is limited to 8 per class. Supplies for learning are provided and books available for purchase. The class will be broken into the following segments: Absolute beginners - Players with no exposure to the game. Beginners - Lessons will focus on the Charleston and selecting a hand. Register at aldridgegardens.com

June 13: Brain Chats

Hoover Public Library 11:00am 12:00pm

The Comprehensive Neuroscience Center aims to advance interdisciplinary neuroscience research, clinical care and education at UAB. The CNC’s outreach, Neuroscience for All, makes brain science accessible year-round through hands-on learning and community connection. These Brain Chats help people understand how the brain works and why that matters.

June 13: Hydrangeas Under the Stars

Aldridge Gardens 6:00 - 10:00pm

Hydrangeas Under the Stars at Aldridge Gardens is an evening event showcasing hydrangeas in the garden under nighttime lighting. Tickets include dinner and access to a silent auction, giving attendees the chance to enjoy the garden, a meal, and support the gardens through the auction. For more visit aldridgegardens.com

June 20: Father’s Day Weekend at The Market

Brock’s Gap Brewing 8:00am - 12:00pm Shop for unique, high-quality man items for Father’s Day at The Market at Brock’s Gap.

June 28: Locke and Key Singles Event

Brock’s Gap Brewing 7:00 - 9:00pm

Single women get a lock, single men get a key. Meet and mingle as you try to

unlock and win prize tickets - but the real prize is all the people you’ll meet as you try to match with everyone in the room. You’ll meet 20-50 potential matches of the opposite gender. Make new friends, meet your match....or just have a great time. You’ll meet way more people than at speed dating, and you can talk to those you like for as long as you like.

Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com

CHURCH EVENTS

June 1-5: Illumination Stations VBS

Shades Crest Baptist Church 9:00am - 12:00pm

This free event is open to all children who have completed K3 6th grade. A week of shining the light on who Jesus really is. Register online and purchase T-Shirts at shadescrest.org

June 13-17 Rainforest Falls VBS

Bluff Park United Methodist Church will host its 2026 Vacation Bible School, VBS 2026: Rainforest Falls, July 13–17 from 8:30am to noon. The free program is open to rising 4K through 5th‑grade children and offers a week of worship, music, Bible lessons, crafts, and recreation designed to help kids learn about God’s love in a fun, engaging environment. Families can register at bluffparkumc.org/kids

June 20-24: Ascend Camp

Shades Mountain Community Church

Ascend Camp is a ministry of Mission Road Bible Church in Kansas City that brings Equipped Ministry (High School) to Carlinville, Illinois for a five day camp retreat. The week is filled with high energy games, impactful teaching and meaningful worship. Students join over 20 churches and more than 1,000 students from across the country for a powerful time of growing together. Ascend Camp provides a unique opportunity for students to deepen their relationship with Christ and build strong connections with one another. Register online at smcc.church

CITY AND COMMUNITY NEWS

City Of Hoover Approves Ordinance Supporting Central Alabama Home Building Academy

The Hoover City Council has approved an ordinance to help launch the Central Alabama Home Building Academy, making the city one of the first in Alabama to act under new workforce legislation.

The measure adds a $20 fee to residential building permits, with proceeds funding no-cost training for people 17 and older in trades such as plumbing, electrical work and HVAC. City officials estimate the fee will add about $100 to the cost of a new home.

Council President Casey Middlebrooks said the program is aimed at creating “sustainable, respectable careers” while ensuring accountability for taxpayers. The academy is modeled after a Huntsville program with strong job placement rates and is intended to address a shortage of skilled tradespeople.

Mayor Nick Derzis said the initiative will help stabilize construction costs and create “meaningful career pathways for the next generation.”

“...workouts challenge me to be better than I was the day before.”

“I appreciate the emphasis on our whole selves, not just our bodies!” “every session feels tailored to our individual needs.”

Christ-centered fitness for the community

767 Shades Mountain Plaza between Benchmark Physical Therapy and Sampson Dentistry

Group fitness classes for men and women of all ages

Strength, cardio, metabolic conditioning, athletic training, and more

solideogloriafitness.com

@sdgfitness_health

@solideogloriafitness

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for weekly class schedules

Mon-Thurs: 5am, 6am, 8:30am, 4:30pm Fri: 5am, 6am, 8:30am Sat: 6am, 7am, 8am