Trussville Living, June/July 2026

FEATURES

At 100 years of age, Lorene Billups looks back with gratitude and keeps on moving.

TRUSSVILLE’S

You voted. We tallied. Now see who you said Trussville’s best retailers, restaurants, community events and more are.

The Grand Canyon, known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, stands at 277 miles long and a mile deep, all contained in the state of Arizona. Carved over many years by the Colorado River, its rich layers reveal a stunning glimpse at history.

EDITORIAL

Michaela Bankston

Anna Grace Breedlove

Dave Domescik

Daniel Locke

Tyler Raley

Andrew Simonson

Noah Wortham

CONTRIBUTORS

Kathleen Ivy

June Mathews

Sydney Pulliam

Blair Ramsey

Angie Ruiz

Ashley Tiedt

DESIGN

Sydney Allen

Jamie Dawkins

Morgan Lockhart

Lavens Maginnis

MARKETING

Evann Campbell

Octavia Campbell

Rachel Henderson

Rhett McCreight

Lauren Morris

Tori Smith

ADMINISTRATION

Carlee Chappell

Anna Marie Cleckler

Mary Jo Eskridge

Alec Etheredge

Stacey Meadows

Kayla Reeves

Leslie Reeves

Brittany Schofield

Kathleen Ivy, Photographer

Kathleen is a Trussville-based photographer specializing in weddings, business branding and lifestyle newborn photography. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Kathleen crafts photos that reflect genuine emotion and artistic vision. She also loves traveling to theme parks, playing mahjong and being silly with her two kids, Ben and Annie. Kathleen’s work can be found at kathleenivy.com and on Instagram at @ kivyphoto.

June Mathews, Writer

June Mathews is an award-winning feature writer who has written for various local and regional publications for 26 years. A resident of Trussville from age 10, she enjoys discovering and writing the stories of the people, places and things of her hometown. She and her husband, Jimmie, live with rescue mutts Bitsy and Moxie and a grumpy parrot named Murray.

Blair Ramsey, Photographer

Blair is a Vestavia Hills-based photographer whose company, Southern Intrigue Photography, specializes in sports action, portrait and commercial images. Blair has two sons, Cooper and Cameron, who have both had the privilege of being Auburn cheerleaders. Blair’s work can be found at southernintriguephotography.com, on Instagram @southernintriguephotography and Facebook @southernintrigue.

Ashley Tiedt, Writer

Over the last 15 years, Ashley Tiedt has contributed more than 100 articles to various publications in Alabama. From debutants to tattoos, and addiction recovery to local artists, Ashley specializes in telling unique stories that engage and inform audiences. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Ashley started her career in broadcast journalism. She resides in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with her family.

Trussville Living Magazine is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newsmedia Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Trussville Living Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newsmedia Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Trussville Living Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Trussville Living Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Trussville, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit TrussvilleLivingMag.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting TrussvilleLivingMag.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

Let’s Get Together

II’ve always had somewhat of a competitive nature. Not the kind that made me a sore loser, but the kind that encouraged me to push myself to be better if I lost.

Over the years, I’ve realized there’s a healthy balance in pushing to be my best while accepting that won’t always be the best, but we all like to win sometimes, right?

As many of you have anticipated, this issue reveals the winners of our annual contest. After weeks of promotion or voting for your favorite retailers, community places and more, the time has come to see who will hold the title of Trussville’s Best 2026 and who will have to wait until next year to try again.

Before you get to those winners, this issue is filled with winners and achievers in their own lanes.

On page 19, Hewitt-Trussville cheerleaders reflect on winning the school’s first national title, what it took to get there and how they hope the program continues.

While it doesn’t come with a trophy, Lorene Billups (page 41) recently reached a milestone birthday as she celebrated a century of life.

On page 11, four men who met in a business networking group are preparing for their 19th anniversary show later this month, commemorating nearly two decades of playing music and pursuing their passion together since their chance meeting.

On the note of anniversaries, you’ve likely heard of the upcoming semiquincentennial of this country. Page 25 has just what you need to prepare for July 4th festivities. John Haines went through several rounds of trial and error to perfect the barbecue sauces, rubs and ways to use them found in these pages.

Win or lose at whatever you’re doing, I hope you keep striving to be better. Many of the people in this issue, didn’t earn it all on their first try, but they also didn’t give up.

That’s the real win. Keep going, even when it’s difficult, and try to find joy in the process.

Enjoy the ride, folks,

michaela@trussvillelivingmag.com

@trussvilleliving

Tag us in your Trussville photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.

@mapleavenuecoffeehouse

Summer staples! New tees are here! Choose from 5 new colors in sizes S-2XL. Have you grabbed yours yet?

@hewittathletics

STATE CHAMPIONS! Led by Head Coach Jeff Mauldin, the Hewitt-Trussville Huskies are bringing home the Blue Map! Hewitt-Trussville defeated Auburn 8-0 on Friday at Rudy Abbott Field to claim the AHSAA 7A State Championship. The Huskies combined dominant pitching, timely hitting, and flawless defense to complete the shutout victory. @sbowlesphotography

Harper Looney | 447 pitches | 33 IP | 6-0 | STATE CHAMPION @hewittsoftball

@odannyboybama

We’re sorry for all the racket… Roofing your neighbors is noisy business!!

THE GUIDE

TRUSSVILLE FREEDOM CELEBRATION

JULY 4

6-9 P.M.

301 Parkway Dr, Trussville, AL 35173

Presented by First Baptist Church Trussville, Trussville Freedom Celebration will have food, music and of course, fireworks. Food vendors will open before music begins at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks begin right before 9 p.m.. For more information, visit trussvillefreedomcelebration.com.

JUNE 1-JULY 19

Summer Reading Challenge

Trussville Public Library

Join the Trussville Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge, where you can track your reading and attend fun events to win prizes all summer long! This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story!” so get ready to travel back in time this summer

with crafts, classes, competitions and clubs. Some of this year’s programs include Jurassic Park Trivia, a baby dinosaur party, science and fossil programs and crafting classes. All ages are welcome. For more information or to register, visit trussvillelibrary.com, or drop by the library today.

AROUND TOWN

TUESDAYS

Summer Movie Nights

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 8-11

Sculpture Camp (5-12 yrs) Artsy Studio

JUNE 8

Books & Brews: “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton

Presented by Trussville Public Library

Ferus Artisan Ales

JUNE 12

Here I Come Again: A Dolly Parton Tribute

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 14

Magic City Magicians

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 20

Story Time Bookmarked

JUNE 20

Summer Solstice Pottery Night See wildgoosegarden.com.

JUNE 20

Department: The Journey Tribute Band

Fine U Foundation Fundraiser

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 22-25

Trussville Farmers’ Market

8 A.M.-NOON 101 Beech St.

The Trussville Fresh Farmers’ Market has returned and will take place every Saturday until Thanksgiving. A variety of vendors arrive each morning with their handmade and homegrown products. For more information and to see specific vendors each week, find Trussville Fresh Farmers Market on Facebook. EVERY SATURDAY

Dollhouse Building (5-12 yrs) Artsy Studio

JUNE 26

Cashback: A Johnny Cash Tribute Show

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 27

Lovesong: The Cure Tribute

Trussville Entertainment District

JUNE 29-JULY 2

Welcome to Artsy Summer Camp (5-12 yrs) Artsy Studio

JUNE 30

USA! Cookie Decorating Class

Ferus Artisan Ales

JULY 10

End of the Line: A Tribute to The Allman Brothers

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 11

Art Fair

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 11

Freebird: The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 13-16

Out of this World Art Camp (4-12 yrs)

Artsy Studio

JULY 13

Books & Brews: “The Devil

Aspect” by Craig Russell

Presented by Trussville Public Library

Ferus Artisan Ales

JULY 17

The Reflex: A Tribute to Duran Duran

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 18

Travolta: A Tribute to Studio 54 and More

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 24

Slippery When Wet: The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 25

The 77 Experience: A Night of Yacht Rock

Trussville Entertainment District

JULY 27-30

Art Animals Camp (5-12 yrs)

Artsy Studio

JULY 31

Brotherhood: A Tribute to The Doobie Brothers

Trussville Entertainment District

AUG. 1

Trussville Dog Daze

10 A.M.-4 P.M.

East Mall

Hosted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Trussville, this free event is full of summer fun for the entire family. Visitors can expect food trucks, booth vendors, kids’ activities and live music. For more information, visit trussvillechamber.com.

JUNE 7

Royal Princess Tea Party

1-3 P.M.

Ferus Artisan Ales

Royalty will be at Ferus Artisan Ales on June 7, and little princesses (and an accompanying adult) are invited to join Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine and Belle for a tea party. Tea (signature sparkly pink lemonade) and light snacks will be served. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ferusales.com/events.

Share your news and events! Email submissions to Michaela@TrussvilleLivingMag.com to be considered for our next issue.

ARTS CULTURE&

AN “EVERLONG” BOND

The members of sideCar look back as the band prepares for 19th anniversary show this month.

BY ASHLEY TIEDT

WWhat began in a business networking meeting 19 years ago has become a reliable, raucous ritual of rehearsals, laughter and shows that aims to be “the best damn rock and roll band that’s playing in your town that night.”

“We started off as four guys that wanted to play music, and we’ve ended up as four friends who just enjoy what we’re doing,” said Lee Huffstutler, the bassist for sideCar, a Trussville-based band.

“IT’S TRICKY” BUT BEGINNINGS USUALLY ARE

The band first started rehearsing in June 2007. Four men juggled careers and families: Huffstutler, bassist and insurance agency owner; Scott Stearns, drummer and mortgage broker; Kyle Hendrick, guitarist and owner of a lawn fertilization and pestcontrol company; and Kelly Anderson, guitar player in commercial sales.

The group met in a Business Network International (BNI) group. The casual exchange after a meeting soon morphed into weekly jam

sessions that were more than just a “Rebel Yell,” turning moments of reflection into original music.

The band’s individual influences include Rush and Cheap Trick for Huffstutler, Dave Matthews Band and Pearl Jam for Hendrick, My Bloody Valentine and Jimmy Eat World for Anderson and Elton John and Richard Marx for Stearns. This inspiration feeds a sound that mixes classic rock muscle with alternative textures, giving the band its own unique sound that makes them a little “Hard to Handle.”

The origin of sideCar’s name itself is a story they’ll tell “Time After Time.”

“Our friend put in the name of the band that I was playing in at the time to come see us with his BlackBerry and misspelled the word,” Huffstutler explained. “We started out with the name Sprotica. We used that name until our friends started calling us Spartacus. We’d had enough of that after about six months. We just wanted something that was easy, that was not trying to be too cool, and just kind of just something that would be easy for people to remember.”

“HOME SWEET HOME” - JUGGLING FAMILY AND FANFARE

These four busy fathers whose children are now grown have lives that allow them to practice once a week. While infrequent, practices usually last two to three hours and then linger over stories and fellowship after the amps go quiet.

“About 80 percent of our time together is spent laughing,” Huffstutler said. “That laughter builds trust. It strips away ego, and reminds you that we’re just a group of guys that are sharing time and finding joy in what we really love to do.”

There are moments behind the music that give the band depth beyond riffs and choruses. Huffstutler recounted a profound personal loss that

changed his relationship with the band.

“In December of 2023, my wife of 30 years suffered a massive stroke and died,” he said.

For Huffstutler, the band’s return after a hiatus became more than a hobby.

“This became my lifeline to happiness,” he said. “These guys became more than bandmates. They showed their true friendship there.”

“ALL

THE SMALL THINGS” MAKE THE BIG THINGS POSSIBLE

Crowd-pleasing covers have been the backbone of sideCar’s public persona. The setlists consist of anthems that transport listeners back to college days and formative summers.

“ ” About 80 percent of our time together is spent laughing. That laughter builds trust. It strips away ego, and reminds you that we’re just a group of guys that are sharing time and finding joy in what we really love to do.

–Lee Huffstutler

“We take some of these cover songs, and we arrange them to make them a little bit more interesting for the crowd and for ourselves,” Huffstutler said. “You’ve probably heard a lot of bands play Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” but you’ve never heard it the way we play it.”

Through the years, the band has played around 250 shows, including private parties, festivals and the occasional club, but as the men have aged, the private parties and the club circuit have gone the way of the “Summer of ‘69.”

“We take pre-planned events like festivals and entertainment district gigs that provide PA systems now. That way we don’t have to worry about hauling gear around,” Huffstutler said.

Stage presence matters to sideCar.

“There’s a lot of movement on stage. We are loud and in your face,” Huffstutler admitted. “We probably get after it a little bit stronger than most bands.”

That energy is their differentiator: They don’t just stand around and play. It’s an attitude that can thrill festival crowds even if it made the band less suited to some wedding gigs over the years.

Technology and attention have changed since sideCar began, but their point in playing music has not.

“We started off with a MySpace page, and then a couple of years later, it turned to Facebook,” Huffstutler recalled. He later added, “We’re not out there trying to create content to change the world. We’re just trying to do what we do and find joy in the process. The audience sees our finished product, the songs, the performance, but what they’re really experiencing is the byproduct of the chemistry the four of us have. We’ve been together 19 years, and

“IN THE AIR TONIGHT,” AT EVERY SHOW

The chemistry of four men who have weathered careers, families and life’s curveballs is the band’s secret sauce. They still write original material and have recorded enough material for an album, but they know the music industry is ever changing, as is their place in it.

“Even if we wrote the best album in the world, it wouldn’t matter,” Huffstutler said. “The music industry has changed so much. I’m proud of what we present.

The band’s goal is an honest performance, not overnight superstardom, so they hold originals back during sets because audiences respond best to familiar anthems.

“We don’t try to be anybody other than who we are,” Huffstutler said.

They aren’t looking to climb any charts; they’re just chasing good shows for fun crowds and the kind of nights that stay with someone for years to come.

To keep up with sideCar, follow the band on Facebook (sideCar).

SIDECAR’S 19TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

The band will celebrate their 19th anniversary at Ferus Artisan Ales on June 19, 7-9 p.m. This article tips off nearly half of their setlist, and the rest of the songs will be a surprise that night. They can’t wait to see everyone there!

READ THIS BOOK

250 Summers

Recommendations from Katie Calvert

Circulation Supervisor at Trussville Public Library

Broken Country

By Clare Leslie Hall | Historical Fiction

Until April 2026, Katie Calvert was the circulation supervisor at the Trussville Public Library after starting as a part-time staff member in 2018. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. Since leaving the library, she can be found working with her husband at their family business or chasing her 2-yearold daughter around. Here, she recommends her choice reads for this summer ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial.

This book follows Beth, a happily married woman, as she is forced to confront the difficulties of her past trauma throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She must face the grief of losing her son years ago in an unexpected incident, but when a series of events brings a past relationship back into her life, a new truth is uncovered. It is a perfect combination of suspense as well as romance, set among the atmospheric English countryside. Blending both passion and pain, this book keeps the readers eager to learn the truth across the entire story.

The Inmate

By Freida McFadden | Psychological Thriller

Brook Sullivan takes a nursing job at a maximum-security prison where she unexpectedly learns her high school boyfriend is currently being held. He was incarcerated for trying to kill her years before, but when the book shifts perspective back to the night of the attempted murder, the reader learns there may be more to the story. Brooke is forced to face her past, but doing so may bring her to even bigger trouble in the end. McFadden’s work is perfect for a quick read to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Tom Lake

By Ann Patchett | Contemporary Fiction

This is a beautiful story of lives lived as young adults, before getting married and having children. Lara shares her young life with her daughters while they are sheltering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She speaks in reverence of her acting career and all those who crossed her path while she was in it, reminiscing on her work at the titular Tom Lake with a special fondness. This is a summertime story of romance, nostalgia and love for life.

A Girl Called Samson

By Amy Harmon | Historical Fiction

Based on a true story, this historical fiction novel follows the journey of a girl named Deborah Samson, who is left to provide for her family after her father abandons them. Despite already dealing with a world of difficulties at home, she never gives up on what she wants and disguises herself as a man to join the Revolutionary War to fight for the independence she craves. This novel is a mix of romance, adventure and history, and it will leave even the most seasoned readers in awe of the strength and dedication of Samson.

Alexander Hamilton

By Ron Chernow | Biography

This excellent biography of the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton expands upon the little information most know of him. This book delves into the details that put into perspective the grand impact he had on the formation of the United States. It is a must-read for those who enjoy the beloved musical, which the book inspired.

SCHOOL SPORTS&

PRAYER & PRACTICE

Hewitt-Trussville cheerleaders recall the effort and peace that culminated in first nationals win.

BY SYDNEY PULLIAM

OOn the evening of Feb. 7, the Hewitt-Trussville varsity cheer team found themselves back on the blue mat they had previously performed on. While some stood and others sat on their feet, all were still with their eyes closed and hands clasped with the girls on either side of them as they awaited to hear which team came in second at the DI Super Varsity National Championship.

It wasn’t them.

Girls fell to the floor as excited screams and happy tears collided before the team jumped up and around. Celebratory streamers landed on them as reality set in: The team had just won its first national championship in school history.

The Hewitt-Trussville cheer team didn’t greet the win with nerves. They were calm and steadfast, as if they had already decided long before they ever stepped onto the mat at the competition that they would take home the national title.

“I was like, ‘They’re not nervous,’” assistant coach Lesley Muncher recalled. “I mean, they were doing their divisionals. They were hyping each other up. They were smiling. Nobody was sad. It

was a different atmosphere than I’ve experienced in all the years that I’ve been to nationals with this team.”

That confidence, unusual for a sport defined by pressure-packed, two-and-a-half-minute routines, became the defining trait of this Hewitt-Trussville team.

Seniors Ava Claire Foster and Kali Cahalan remember the win starkly, but their journey to get there was not always as direct.

“(The win) was definitely a defining moment for our program,” Foster said. “Me and Kali (Cahalan), we’ve cheered together for 13 years. I feel like, when I was a freshman, the thought of winning nationals was just kind of wishful thinking.”

The program had been building toward this for years, but the final step always felt just out of reach. Even this past season brought its share of uncertainty.

“We had two teams to begin with, and we had some injuries and some people that moved, and we had to combine into a super varsity, which we knew was going to be tough,” Muncher said.

The seniors and Muncher credited God with a large part of the overwhelming sense of calm they felt the day of competition.

“I felt peace,” Cahalan said. “We’ve done this routine more times than I could ever count. We were peaceful because of God, and then, we put in all the work, so it’s not like we were going on empty prayer. We were praying, and we had our work and our faith. It all just clicked.”

Cahalan and Foster said numerous Bible studies bonded the team together from early on in the season to the night before their last time taking the stage.

“As we got into a more intense season—normally January is like the worst month ever because you’re die hard cheer, cheer, cheer—we would always go

in that little circle right there in that room and pray,” Foster said, gesturing to a room near the gym at Hewitt-Trussville High School.

By nationals, the team had grown closer and more confident than ever. These results became clearest on the mat. The routine they were working for nationals demanded precision, and it wouldn’t be just skill that got them there. It would also be confidence.

“By the time we were competing, we were so confident in our technique,” Foster said. “We weren’t timid.”

Cahalan agreed with the sentiment.

“When we hit a stunt, we came down so sharp,” she said. “Showing our confidence made the technique in everything ten times better.”

After they hit their final stunt in their last performance at nationals, the team gathered together and waited. Foster recalled feeling hopeful in that moment.

“I didn’t want to jinx it, but I was like, ‘We won,’” she said.

Then came the announcement.

“We heard second place, and it wasn’t us, and I collapsed,” Foster said. “I remember I was on the floor.”

The moment marked the culmination of years of dedication, love and skill from the HewittTrussville cheer team. That unity carried the team through it all, and it’s what the graduating seniors hope continues on after they graduate.

“I just hope the traditions stay,” Cahalan said,

noting back to the Bible studies.

For the seniors, this season was the scene at the end of a movie.

“This season was just so perfect to me,” Foster said. “It made me love cheer with my whole heart.”

As the seniors prepare to move on, the legacy they helped shape is already taking form. Muncher said that the team they have formed for the upcoming season already “wants to win again.”

With this first win under their belts, the program faces new expectations, but the foundation has already been set by a group of hardworking girls, who found peace in between prayer and practice.

To keep up with the Hewitt-Trussville cheerleaders, follow the team on Instagram (@hewittcheer).

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Barret Trowbridge

Kindergarten Teacher at Paine Elementary School and Trussville’s Best Teacher 2026

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Barret Trowbridge grew up in Cahaba Heights and graduated from Shades Valley High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Auburn University and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She just completed her fourth year teaching at Paine Elementary School and has spent all 18 years of her teaching career at the kindergarten level, which is where her passion truly lies.

What led you to your career in elementary education?

I’ve known I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher since I was a kindergartener myself! I was drawn to elementary education because I’ve always enjoyed working with young children and helping them build confidence. Seeing how quickly kids grow and how much impact a supportive teacher can have on their curiosity and self-esteem made this career feel very meaningful to me. I also value the creativity involved in teaching younger students. Finding engaging ways to explain concepts and making learning fun while helping lay the foundation for students’ future success is simply the best!

What does a day in the life look like for you as an kindergarten teacher?

A typical day is structured but lively, starting with welcoming students into the classroom with a hug. It includes short, engaging lessons in reading, math and writing, mixed with hands-on activities, play-based learning and movement breaks to keep students focused. I spend a lot of

time guiding social skills, teaching students to resolve conflicts and encouraging teamwork. Reading to the kids is one of my very favorite things. By the end of the day, I’m sending students out the door with another hug.

What is your most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is watching students grow both academically and personally over the course of the year. Seeing a child go from not recognizing letters to reading simple books, or from being shy to confidently participating, is incredibly fulfilling. I love the genuine excitement and curiosity children bring to learning! It makes each day feel meaningful and reminds me why I chose this profession. I also love the lifelong connections I get to make with families.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is balancing the wide range of needs in one classroom. Students come in with different

academic levels, attention spans and social/ emotional skills, so it takes constant adjustment to keep everyone engaged and supported. Managing behavior while maintaining a positive, structured environment can also be demanding. On top of that, there’s the behind-the-scenes work. Planning lessons and assessing progress can make the job feel nonstop at times. There’s really nothing like “kindergarten-teacher tired,” but I truly love it so much!

What would you like people to know about your job that many do not already know?

What many people don’t realize about teaching kindergarten is how much intentional planning and expertise it requires. It’s not just playtime. Every activity is designed to build foundational skills in literacy, math and social development. Teachers are constantly assessing progress, differentiating instruction, and supporting students’ emotional needs while managing a full classroom. It requires a lot of patience, energy and adaptability that people often underestimate.

FOOD DRINK&

SAUCES & CAUSES

John Haines develops barbecue products to taste and do good at the same time.

BY JUNE MATHEWS

SSeveral years ago, barbecue aficionado John Haines desperately wanted a certain, “very expensive” smoker, a longing his wife was all too aware of.

“I want a smoker; I want a smoker,” the selftaught Trussville home chef continually campaigned.

She finally agreed to buy it for him, on the condition that spending that much money would take her off the hook for his birthday and other giftgiving occasions for the coming year. Haines took the deal.

And, oh, how he loved that smoker. He smoked everything he could think of, and then he smoked some more.

“I got pretty good at it,” he said. “I got to where I

had mastered some of the meats I had been cooking for years. Then I started smoking other meats and proteins. Even when I didn’t think I had mastered something, it was still delicious.”

Then came the day his beloved smoker was no longer enough. Haines was bored.

“I’m thinking to myself that it had only been a couple of years since I got this expensive smoker, and if I tell my wife I’m bored, and I quit using it, she’s going to be mad,” he said.

So, he began to spice up his cooking life by experimenting with different side dishes, seasonings, and condiments, and he wound up creating an original Kansas City-style—thick, sweet, tomato-based—barbecue sauce.

“I knew I was onto something when friends would invite us over for parties or cookouts, and I would ask what we could bring,” he said. “They would say, ‘You don’t need to bring anything except your barbecue sauce.’”

Thus encouraged, Haines used his original sauce as a basis for experimenting with other flavors, eventually creating sauces with mouthwatering names such as Peach Honey Bacon and Maple Bourbon. He also began developing seasoning blends and rubs.

At that point, Haines had not yet realized that in addition to giving him a key role at the neighborhood potlucks, his barbecue products could become a source of assistance for people in need. That moment came in the latter part of 2022. Just when it seemed the COVID-19 pandemic had loosened its grip on the U.S., the virus struck a close family member.

“My brother, Bob, got a severe case of COVID and ended up needing a double lung transplant, and he’s still dealing with the health and financial effects today,” Haines said.

Fortunately, his brother’s medical insurance covered hospital and doctor bills. It did not, however, help with the various incidental costs of aftercare, and when a medical crisis involves an extended period of aftercare, those costs add up.

“For example, Bob has to go from (New) Jersey, over the bridge, and into Philadelphia to see his transplant doctor at the University of Pennsylvania,” Haines said. “He has to pay a toll for the bridge and for parking once he gets to the hospital. And since he hasn’t been able to work for several years due to his condition, sometimes paying these extra expenses on top of the household bills can be tough.”

With the support of a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization called Help Hope Live, Bob is able to put financial worries aside and concentrate on his health. For more than 40 years, Help Hope Live has raised funds for people needing help with unmet medical expenses and other costs related to transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.

“They don’t pay for prescriptions or copays, things like that,” Haines said. “It’s the peripheral costs.”

In return, the organization asks that individuals benefiting from their assistance join in their fundraising efforts. Within that request, Haines found an opportunity to use the sale of his barbecue sauces to give back, prompting him to establish Small Batch Barbecue Company.

“I knew I was onto something when friends would invite us over for parties or cookouts, and I would ask what we could bring. They would say, ‘You don’t need to bring anything except your barbecue sauce.’

”

–John Haines

“Bob has his own campaign page on the Help Hope Live website, so I figure this is a great way to do something that I love and help my brother too,” Haines said. “I contribute in his name to his campaign, but the funds he raises go into one giant pool of money, so it helps a lot of other people too.”

Though Help Hope Live is Small Batch’s main charitable cause, the company also contributes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and to breast cancer research. Since Myranda lost a sister to breast cancer, contributing to breast cancer

JOHN’S BAKED BEANS

Add a spark to your July 4, Semiquincentennial celebration with this special side dish recipe from the kitchen of the Small Batch Barbecue founder John Haines.

INGREDIENTS

3 cans of Campbell’s Pork & Beans

1/4 cup ketchup

1/8 cup yellow mustard

4 tablespoons Small Batch Peach Honey Bacon BBQ sauce*

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 onion, chopped

1 pound of bacon (cooked but not crispy)

1 stick of butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by cooking the bacon down until it is cooked but not crispy. Chop the strips into half-inch pieces. Chop the onion. Put the beans in a crockpot and add the wet ingredients. Mix well. Add the onions, bacon and dry seasonings. Fold into the beans. Place the stick of butter on top and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir in butter before serving. Enjoy!

*Small Batch’s Maple Bourbon or Kicked Up Kansas City sauces are excellent with this recipe as well.

research is important to the Haineses as well.

Meanwhile, the Small Batch product line that supports those causes keeps growing. Haines recently added a spicy all-purpose seasoning to the menu, but for him, developing new flavors of seasonings and sauces is an ongoing process.

As for his favorite sauce, Haines named the spicy version of his original Kansas City-style sauce. However, customers have a different choice they keep coming back to buy.

“Our most popular flavor is Peach Honey Bacon,

which is a great balance of its three major ingredients,” he said. “We use a peach puree and organic honey, so it doesn’t have that overpowering, refined-sugar sweetness you get with a lot of sauces.”

What about his favorite meat and a little advice for cooking it?

“Ribs are my favorite, and they’re good with any of my sauces,” he said. “My best advice is low and slow at a temperature of about 225 to 250 degrees for five or six hours, depending on what method

you’re using. And the beautiful thing with ribs is I can cut a rack in half and use different sauces. My wife likes the peach on hers, and I like the spicy on mine.”

On a personal note, the Haineses moved to Trussville six years ago and have two grown children. While their son lives in California, their daughter is a student at Jacksonville State University and serves as Small Batch’s vice president of media and marketing.

“Trussville has been very supportive of Small

match his found Anders

Anders was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that was affecting his immune health and significantly impacting his overall development. His doctors determined his best treatment option was a bone marrow transplant, and luckily Anders found his match and received his transplant. Now Anders is reaching new developmental milestones and is starting to get back to being a normal kid.

Batch, so I have a lot of great customers right here close to home,” he said.

Childrens AL •org

We are here in your neighborhood at Pediatrics East. To schedule an appointment at either the Trussville or Deerfoot locations visit www.pediatricseast.org

As he continues to expand his list of product offerings, he hopes to expand his customer base accordingly. To that end, he now works full time to make it happen.

“I’d like to take Small Batch Barbecue Company as far as I can,” said Haines, a U.S. Navy veteran, who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. “I’m following my dream at 58 years old, so I feel really blessed. Not a lot of people get this kind of chance.”

To learn more about Small Batch Barbecue Company or purchase products, visit smallbatchbarbecuecompany.com.

HOME STYLE&

CLOSE

BY

Leigh and Lauri Bennett often host their family and friends, which inspired the design of their home.

BY MICHAELA BANKSTON

Face of the Home

The white house with black accents has a distinct look, effectively softened with the natural wood door and beams.

BBefore they fell in love, Leigh and Lauri Bennett attended rival schools. Lauri, whose family moved to Trussville when she was 2 years old, attended Hewitt-Trussville High School, and Leigh attended Huffman High School.

Despite the rivalry, the two were introduced by mutual friends near the end of high school and began dating. In 1993, they married and bought their first home in the historic Cahaba Project.

When adding on to that home, Leigh somewhat accidentally began to do some construction work. Over time, his new hobby turned into a business that came in handy down the road.

Between 1993 and 2004, Leigh and Lauri brought home all four of their children to that house, before moving to Carrington and later, a different house in Carrington. In 2014, they purchased their current home in the Cahaba Project, but at the time, they used it as a rental property.

Ultimately, they sold their house in Carrington with plans to renovate and move into their rental

home. While it was not their original plan, a renovation was not feasible for the space they desired. So, the home was torn down, and the one that stands in its place was built to suit the family’s needs.

That project, managed by Leigh’s business, salvaged some of the original house and reincorporated it in the new one. Brick, wood and vents from it are seen throughout this house. While their plan to also use the original roof did not pan out, they added a metal roof that blends with the other historic ones.

During the design process, the Bennetts thought about the things they liked in their previous houses and made sure to include enough room for their large family and the many events they host.

“We designed this down here because we have such a large family for entertainment,” Leigh said of the open-concept, living-and-dining area.

The build was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2022, the Bennetts moved into the new

Sitting Area

The sitting area is set apart from the kitchen by only a rug, further adding to the large, open area. Through the brick archways, another use of the original house, are these framed photos that pay homage to where the Bennetts have been. The bottom one is of Leigh and Lauri’s first house in the Cahaba Project, and the top one is of the original house that sat where they currently live. The nativity painting farther back is one of several nativity scenes left out year round as part of Lauri’s collection.

home, located just a few houses down from one of Lauri’s sisters and a few blocks from her parents.

“This is why we’re here is this area, and our family is still here,” Leigh said.

Beyond family, the Bennetts were drawn back to the historic district for the walkable and convenient “lay of the land” that is nearby almost any place they would want to go.

“It’s just a fun place to be and raise your kids,” Lauri said.

At this point, their children have grown up, and their two oldest no longer live with them. However, like much of their family, they are close by. That is good news for the couple as their oldest daughter is expecting their first grandchild, a boy named Bennett.

Butler’s Pantry

The large pantry can be closed off from the kitchen with an antique door, originally from Bryce Hospital. The brick wall is one place the materials from the original house were used, and the shelves are decorated with the Franciscan Desert Rose dishes they received as a wedding gift and steins Leigh’s dad acquired while stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

Dining Room

Unlike many open-concept spaces, the dining room has three halls that set it apart just enough to offer an intimate setting when there is not a larger gathering.

Kitchen

The living room opens to the kitchen, further enlarging the space for guests to hang out. The dark barstools accent the mostly-white kitchen similarly to the home’s exterior.

Master Bathroom

Above the antique French doors that lead to the bathroom is one of the original vents. Inside the bathroom, the baby blue wallpaper with lighter flowers and birds offers a welcoming, clean atmosphere that contrasts nicely with the coinciding bedroom.

Master Bedroom

The two large windows allow plenty of natural light in the bedroom that makes the dark furniture a distinguished focal point without darkening the room as a whole. These photos of each of the Bennett children taken at 3 years old at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens rest on the wall opposite the master bathroom, adding a more personal, sentimental touch from the past.

Living

Side Porch

This porch is one of the couple’s favorite parts of their home. The heaters and fireplace allow them to stay out here most of the year, but it is especially popular this time of year—after pollen has settled—and into the fall.

Mahjong Room

The family began playing Mahjong almost a year ago, and they play often. The recent hobby gave the longtime bonus room a new, specific purpose and décor style.

100 YEARS CONNECTING

At 100 years of age, Lorene Billups looks back with gratitude and keeps on moving.

By Ashley Tiedt |

by Kathleen Ivy, Carlie Shivley & Contributed

WWhen Lorene Billups celebrated her 100th birthday, she did so the way she’s lived most of her life, surrounded by a crowd, smiling and ready to talk about the next thing on her calendar. The party was a celebration of a life thoroughly lived thus far.

Born March 7, 1926, Billups grew up in Birmingham and spent stretches of her youth moving with her family wherever her father’s railroad work took them.

“My daddy was an electrician with the railroad,” she recalled, describing a childhood that included stints in Chicago and Pensacola and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Those early moves taught her adaptability. She remembers being “the new girl” repeatedly and learning to make friends quickly and to find work and purpose wherever she landed.

Lorene met her husband in Birmingham shortly after he returned from four years in World War II. While waiting for a bus with a friend, they struck up a conversation with a group of men. The men invited the women to a movie that night, and what began as a chance meeting quickly turned into

courtship and then marriage the following August, in 1946.

The couple had one daughter, who married John Floyd, Southern Living’s former editor. His circle connected Billups to many of her longtime friends. Her family includes five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Gatherings with her friends and family, including birthdays, church events and Friday-night card games with the girls, are the activities that bring her the most joy.

A career in hospital administration placed Billups at the center of Birmingham’s medical community. She worked in the dean’s office for the Medical College of Alabama, now the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s school of medicine, and served as administrative assistant to the chairman of pediatrics and director-level staff for Children’s of Alabama.

Those roles gave her quiet influence behind the scenes, organizing, coordinating and keeping systems running, so clinicians and families could focus on care. She remembers the work fondly.

“I enjoyed working,” she said, and she still keeps

1926

A. A. Milne publishes Winniethe-Pooh.

mementos of a life that mixed professional responsibility with neighborly deeds, such as the time she and a friend found a lost dog outside of the hospital, traced its tag to California and arranged to fly the animal back to its owners.

The particulars of her days, gardening, tending orchids and sharing desserts with friends, sound ordinary, but they are the practices that Billups credits for a long life.

“I think it’s just being busy,” Billups said. “It’s

staying active.”

When computers arrived, she wanted to learn, so she had her grandson teach her. That appetite for learning has made staying connected to family and community feel effortless rather than onerous.

Her faith and resilience surfaced most clearly when she described recovering from serious injuries. After each setback, she framed recovery as part of a larger plan.

“Each time I would think, ‘Well, this is God’s plan

HISTORY THROUGHOUT LORENE BILLUPS’ LIFE

1928

Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin.

1927

Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight.

1960

The first televised U.S. presidential debates occur.

1959

Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba.

1930 Mahatma Gandhi leads the Salt March in India.

1931

1932

Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected U.S. president.

Japan invades Manchuria.

1958 NASA is established. 1934

1956 Elvis Presley becomes a national sensation.

1933

Mao Zedong begins the Long March in China. 1954

The U.S. Supreme Court rules on Brown v. Board of Education.

1935

1936

Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics.

1938

Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds radio broadcast airs.

1940

Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of the UK.

1942

The Manhattan Project begins.

1961

The Berlin Wall is built.

1962

The Wall Street Crash triggers the Great Depression. 1949 NATO is formed. 1937

1939

The Cold War begins. 1929

1941

1943

1963

The Cuban Missile Crisis takes place.

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik.

1965

1952

Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom.

1950

The Social Security Act is signed into law in the U.S. 1955

Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany. 1953

Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat.

1967

DNA’s doublehelix structure is discovered.

The Korean War begins.

The Hindenburg disaster occurs. 1957

The UN headquarters opens in New York City.

Germany invades Poland; World War II begins.

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the United States enters World War II.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising occurs.

1946

1948

The State of Israel is established.

The first meeting of the UN General Assembly is held.

John F. Kennedy is assassinated. 1945

U.S. troops escalate involvement in Vietnam.

The Civil Rights Act is signed into U.S. law.

The first human heart transplant is performed. 1970

1966 Mao launches China’s Cultural Revolution.

1969 Woodstock Music Festival is held.

1968

Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy are assassinated.

The first Earth Day is celebrated. 1971

1973

The microprocessor is invented. 1974

1972

1975

1944

D-Day landings take place in Normandy.

The United Nations is founded.

The Vietnam War ends for the U.S. 1976

The Watergate scandal begins.

The Vietnam War ends.

Richard Nixon resigns as U.S. president.

Apple

1977

“Star Wars” is released.

Computer is founded.

2013

Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs.

for me,’ and each time I would go ahead and do what I could to stay here,” she said.

That blend of practical action and spiritual steadiness helped her rebound from surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation. Plus, it kept her showing up for her social life afterward, even when mobility was limited.

People are drawn to Billups simply because she fills a room with warmth and curiosity. Neighbors and church friends from Huffman United Methodist

Church and around Trussville came to celebrate and sit with her at gatherings, big and small.

At her birthday, guests clustered for turns to speak with her; great-grandchildren ran circles in the room while adults waited their turn to hold court with the centenarian. The scene was less a display of celebrity and more a testament to relational labor: years of listening, hosting, remembering names and baking the pound cake people still ask for.

2026

1978

Pope John Paul II is elected. 1979

Same-sex marriage is legalized nationwide in the U.S.

The first gene-edited babies are announced in China.

The UK votes to leave the EU (Brexit). 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral suffers a major fire.

2009 Bitcoin is introduced.

The Arab Spring begins.

Margaret Thatcher becomes UK prime minister. 1981

The first Space Shuttle launch occurs.

1980

The Iran hostage crisis ends.

Barack Obama is elected U.S. president.

The COVID-19 pandemic spreads globally.

The internet’s TCP/IP protocol is adopted. 2017

The first iPhone is released.

2021 COVID-19 vaccines are widely distributed.

2005 Hurricane Katrina strikes the U.S.

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurs. 2012 London hosts the Summer Olympics.

The #MeToo movement gains global attention. 1984 The Los Angeles Summer Olympics are held. 2014 Russia annexes Crimea.

Facebook is founded.

1987

2023

Generative AI tools achieve widespread public adoption.

2025

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Taylor Swift wraps up her record breaking “Eras Tour” in Vancouver.

2001

The Berlin Wall falls. 2011 Osama bin Laden is killed.

The Falklands War takes place.

September 11 terrorist attacks occur.

1999

The euro currency is introduced.

The Iraq War begins. 1998

The euro enters circulation.

Vladimir Putin becomes President of Russia. 1983

Live Aid concerts are held worldwide.

The Paris Summer Olympics are held. 1990 Germany is reunified. 2008

The IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty is signed.

Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 1988

The LA riots occur. 2006 Twitter is launched.

1991

The World Wide Web becomes publicly accessible. 2007

Hong Kong is returned to China.

1996

Dolly the sheep is cloned. 2002

Google is founded.

The Soviet Union collapses.

1992

The Seoul Summer Olympics are held.

1995 Windows 95 is released.

Nelson Mandela becomes President of South Africa.

Among those who know Lorene well is Kendall Jno-Finn, founder and principal of M3 Performance and Physical Therapy. Jno-Finn first met her through Floyd, treating Billups as a patient who became a friend through periodic check-ins over the years.

“She always had this mindset,” said Jno-Finn. “She’s focused on what was possible.”

He knows a woman who defies expectations. She’s still driving, still meeting friends for weekly dinners, still arranging hair appointments and gatherings, even though she’s reached 100 years of age.

Jno-Finn’s admiration is rooted in personality and practice. He described her as small in stature but expansive in presence.

“Not a big woman, but big in life,” he said. “She always has a positive outlook that alters the energy of any room she enters. She doesn’t talk about the negative side of adversity. If she walks in the room, the room is not going to change her mood; she’s going to change the mood in the room.”

For Jno-Finn, Billups embodies the virtues his practice seeks to build in others—grit, determination,

and a mindset oriented toward possibility. Those traits, he said, are what keep people moving well and living well.

As with many who reach centenarian ages, gratitude is threaded through her memories.

“I’ve been blessed that God has left me with all my faculties,” she said, in recognition that life’s gifts—family, friends, health and small pleasures— are fragile and to be tended.

For those who know her, Billups is a living example of what aging can look like when it is communal, curious and active.

“She embodies what grit looks like, what determination looks like and what a positive mindset can lead to,” Jno-Finn said.

In other words, longevity is less a solitary feat than a social one, shaped by relationships, routines and an appetite for life that refuses to quiet down.At 100, Lorene Billups isn’t interested in the limelight. She’s focused on conversations, card tables and the next slice of pound cake.

Her life is a reminder that the ordinary, when shared, makes up the tiny piece of joy that showcases a life well lived. For friends, family and neighbors, the lesson is clear and enduring: Keep moving, keep connecting, and the years will follow.

TRUSSVILLE’S BEST WINNERS 2026

Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in our 2026 Trussville’s Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorites in Trussville.

BEST ART STUDIO Artsy Studio

ARTS, CULTURE, PLACES

BEST ART STUDIO

Artsy Studio artsystudio.co 205-410-5258

Runners Up: Wildgoose Garden + Pottery, Paint All the Things

BEST ATTRACTION

Ferus Artisan Ales ferusales.com 205-508-3001

Runners Up: Spare Time Trussville, Scarlet Raven Gaming

BEST CITY PARK

Trussville Veterans’ Memorial Park 55 Parkway Drive

Runner Up: Civitan Park

BEST COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Mayor Ben Short trussville.org 205-655-7478

Runners Up: Alan Taylor - First Baptist Church Trussville, Taylor Stephens - The Pound Fitness & Barbell

BEST COMMUNITY HUB

The Gateway - Trussville Entertainment District trussvillegateway.org

Runners Up: Trussville Public Library, The Pound Fitness & Barbell

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

AmFirst amfirst.org 205-655-3360

Runners Up: Hattie’s Toyland, Taco Mama

BEST EVENT/WEDDING VENUE

Mathews Manor matthewsmanor.com 205-467-3935

Runners Up: Ferus Artisan Ales, The PHNX Collective

BEST FESTIVAL

Trussville Dog Daze trussvillechamber.com

Runners Up: Trussville Freedom Celebration, Community Caroling and Tree Lighting

BEST LOCAL CAUSE

Turn Trussville Pink turntrussvillepink.com

Runner Up: Friends of the Trussville Library

BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY

Chad SummersHewitt Trussville High School hths.tcsk12.us 205-228-4000

Runners Up: Mayor Ben Short, Alan Taylor - First Baptist Church Trussville

BEST NEW BUSINESS (OPEN ONE YEAR OR LESS)

Valley Dental Family and Implant Dentistry valleydentalal.com 205-774-1823

Runners Up: Magnolia Soap & Bath Co, True40

BEST PASTOR

Pastor Buddy ChampionFirst Baptist Church Trussville fbctrussville.org 205-655-2403

Runners Up: Pastor Steve McCarty - Faith Family Fellowship, Pastor Ryan Whitley - CrossPoint Church

Trussville Children’s Theater trussvillechildrenstheater.com 205-577-9809

Runners Up: Ferus Artisan Ales, Spare Time Trussville

BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY

Pump it Up pumpitupparty.com 205-661-5557

Runners Up: Spare Time Trussville, Trussville Playstation

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Hattie’s Toyland hattiestoyland.com 205-603-0856

Runners Up: Taco Mama, Ferus Artisan Ales

BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP

First Baptist Church Trussville fbctrussville.org 205-655-2403

Runners Up: Faith Community Fellowship, CrossPoint Church

BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL

Paine Elementary School pes.tcsk12.us 205-228-3200

Runners Up: Cahaba Elementary School, Hewitt-Trussville High School

BEST SENIOR LIVING FACILITY

Legacy Ridge at Trussville atlasseniorliving.com/legacy-ridgetrussville 205-537-9735

Runners Up: Salterra at Peachtree, Cavalier Healthcare

BEST TEACHER

Barret TrowbridgePaine Elementary School pes.tcsk12.us 205-228-3200

Runners Up: Abbey WrightCahaba Elementary School, Tara Nardi - Hewitt-Trussville Middle School

BEST PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM

Trussville Children’s Theater trussvillechildrenstheater.com 205-577-9809

Runner Up: ACTA Theater

DINING & NIGHTLIFE

BEST ASIAN CUISINE

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: Mr. West’s Asian Kitchen, Thai Basil & Sushi

BEST BAKERY

Edgar’s Bakery edgarsbakery.com 205-987-0790

Runners Up: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe, Cahaba Breads & Bagels

BEST BARBECUE

Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q jimnnicks.com 205-661-3100

Runners Up: Moe’s Original BBQ, Full Moon Bar-B-Que

BEST BARTENDER

Megan BeaneWalk-On’s Sports Bistreaux walk-ons.com 205-289-8333

Runners Up: Taylor Prior - Corbeau Wine Bar, Laura Dewberry - Ferus Artisan Ales

BEST BEER SELECTION

Ferus Artisan Ales ferusales.com 205-508-3001

Runners Up: Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

BEST BRUNCH

Edgar’s Bakery edgarsbakery.com 205-987-0790

Runners Up: Metro Diner, Trussville Social

BEST BURGER

Ferus Artisan Ales ferusales.com 205-508-3001

Runners Up: Five Guys, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

BEST CAJUN CUISINE

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux walk-ons.com 205-289-8333

Runners Up: Half Shell Oyster House, Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT

Taco Mama tacomamaonline.com 205-905-8226

Runners Up: Ferus Artisan Ales, Henrietta’s Deli

BEST CATERER

Meals by Misty mealsbymisty.com 205-508-5993

Runners Up: Taco Mama, Full Moon Bar-B-Que

BEST CHEF

Misty Westover - Meals by Misty mealsbymisty.com 205-508-5993

Runners Up: John FinneyHenrietta’s Deli, Randall Norman - Ferus Artisan Ales

BEST BARTENDER

Megan BeaneWalk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

BEST COCKTAILS

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: Corbeau Wine Bar, Ferus Artisan Ales

BEST COFFEE

Maple Avenue Coffee House facebook.com (Maple Avenue Coffee House)

Runners Up: Ellianos Coffee, Starbucks Coffee

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: Corbeau Wine Bar, Ferus Artisan Ales

BEST ITALIAN CUISINE

Capella Pizzeria capellapizzeria.com 205-895-4679

Runners Up: Papa Sal’s Italian Restaurant, Costa’s Mediterranean Cafe

BEST

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: Ferus Artisan Ales, Pinchgut Pies

BEST LUNCH SPOT

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: The Three Earred Rabbit, Taco Mama

BEST MARGARITA

Taco Mama tacomamaonline.com 205-905-8226

Runners Up: Munoz Mexican Grill, Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT AND BEST MARGARITA

Taco Mama

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

La Cazuela Mexican Cuisine facebook.com (La Cazuela Mexican Cuisine) 205-537-1085

Runners Up: Munoz Mexican Grill, Casa Fiesta

BEST MILKSHAKE

Chick-fil-A chick-fil-a.com 205-661-0544

Runners Up: Bendy’s Cookies & Cream, The Three Earred Rabbit

BEST PATIO DINING

Ferus Artisan Ales ferusales.com 205-508-3001

Runners Up: Corbeau Wine Bar, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

BEST PIZZA

Capella Pizzeria capellapizzeria.com 205-895-4679

Runners Up: Pinchgut Pies, SanPeggio’s Pizza

BEST SEAFOOD

Half Shell Oyster House halfshelloysterhouse.com 205-598-5009

Runners Up: Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar, Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill

BEST SMOOTHIE

Tropical Smoothie Cafe tropicalsmoothiecafe.com 205-537-1058

Runners Up: Smoothie King, Planet Smoothie

BEST SUSHI

Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar konomisteakandsushi.com 205-661-1821

Runners Up: Umami, Rock N Roll Sushi

BEST SWEET TREATS Edgar’s Bakery edgarsbakery.com 205-987-0790

Runners Up: Bendy’s Cookies & Cream, Pastry Art Bake Shoppe BEST UPSCALE RESTAURANT

Corbeau Wine Bar corbeaubar.com 205-508-3750

Runners Up: Half Shell Oyster House, Mizu Japanese Steak House

BEST WINE SELECTION

Corbeau Wine Bar corbeaubar.com 205-508-3750

Runners Up: Konomi Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar, La Farre Markt

FINANCIAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

BEST ACCOUNTANT

David Bowers - Trussville Tax & Accounting, LLC. trussvilletax.com 205-655-4270

Runners Up: Dennis Mark Wright CPA, PC, Sheri C Harbison, CPA

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

Trussville Tax & Accounting, LLC. trussvilletax.com 205-655-4270

Runners Up: Dennis Mark Wright CPA, PC, Durrett & Associates P.C

BEST ATTORNEY

Shami MaloneChamblee & Malone LLC alabamalawyer.org 205-856-9111

Runners Up: Chesley PayneMassey, Stotser & Nichols, PC Attorneys, Rick Stotser - Massey, Stotser & Nichols, PC Attorneys

BEST BANK

Bryant Bank bryantbank.com 205-661-5900

Runners Up: Regions, Synovus

BEST CREDIT UNION

AmFirst amfirst.org 205-655-3360

Runners Up: eCo Credit Union, Legacy

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISING GROUP

AmFirst amfirst.org 205-655-3360

Runners Up: Hitchcock Maddox Financial Partners, Falkner Financial Advisors

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Trussville Tax & Accounting, LLC. trussvilletax.com 205-655-4270

Runners Up: Ian MaddoxHitchcock Maddox Financial

Partners, Falkner Financial Advisors

BEST LAW FIRM Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C. msnattorneys.com 205-838-9000

Runners Up: Chamblee & Malone LLC, Hornsby & Hornsby, Attorneys at Law

BEST LOCAL INSURANCE AGENCY

Bo MurphyState Farm Insurance Agent statefarm.com 205-661-6305

Runners Up: Alfa Insurance - Brian Bozeman Agency, Chas BrownState Farm Insurance Agent

BEST LOCAL INSURANCE AGENT

Bo Murphy - State Farm statefarm.com 205-661-6305

Runners Up: Brian Bozeman - Alfa Insurance, Chas Brown - State Farm

BEST LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY

Exit Realty Crossroads exitrealtycrossroads.com 205-352-3160

Runners Up: RealtySouth, Keller Williams Trussville

BEST LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT

Lee Marlow - RealtySouth leemarlowhomes.com 205-913-9559

Runners Up: Carlie ScrogginsKeller Williams Homewood, Kellie Usry - RealtySouth

BEST LOCAL REAL ESTATE TEAM

Keller Williams Trussville kw.com 205-661-0662

Runners Up: RealtySouth, Susan Weber, Pro Home Team Realty

BEST MORTGAGE AGENT

Kristi Graham ScottKristi G. Scott Group kristigscottgroup.com 205-702-0025

Runners Up: David MarkleAssurance Financial, Marco Turner - Prosperity Home Mortgage

BEST MORTGAGE GROUP

AmFirst amfirst.org 205-655-3360

Runners Up: Kristi G. Scott Group powered by Premier Mortgage Resources, Integrity Mortgage Brokers, LLC

BEST PRINT AND VINYL SHOP

Cahaba Sign & Design cahabadesignco.com 205-508-3333

Runners Up: Sister Shirts, Minuteman Press

HEALTH & FITNESS

BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Discover Chiropractic discovertrussvillechiropractic.com 205-661-6600

Runners Up: Trussville Chiropractic, P.C., Pillar Chiropractic and Rehab

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Peter RiddleDiscover Chiropractic discovertrussvillechiropractic.com 205-661-6600

Runners Up: Dr. Jody Gray - Pillar Chiropractic and Rehab, Dr. Stephen Edwards - Trussville Chiropractic, P.C.

BEST DANCE/GYMNASTICS STUDIO

Miss Kelley’s School of Dance misskelleys.com 205-655-7776

Runners Up: Ark Wings, Trussville Academy of Gymnastics

BEST DENTAL PRACTICE

Valley Dental Family and Implant Dentistry valleydentalal.com 205-774-1823

Runners Up: Millington Plagenhoef Dentistry, Toups Family Dentistry

BEST DENTIST

Dr. Josh Headley - Valley Dental Family and Implant Dentistry valleydentalal.com 205-774-1823

Runners Up: Dr. Margaret ToupsToups Family Dentistry, Dr. Alex Plagenhoef - Millington Plagenhoef Dentistry

BEST DERMATOLOGY PROVIDER

Heidi Essig, PA-CTotal Dermatology totalskinandbeauty.com 205-380-6161

Runners Up: Dr. Melanie AppellTotal Dermatology, Dr. Courtney M. Robbins - Associated Dermatologists

BEST DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE Total Dermatology totalskinandbeauty.com 205-380-6161

Runners Up: Associated Dermatologists, Southern Skies Dermatology & Surgery

BEST DOCTOR

Dr. Christopher CarterAndrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center andrewssportsmedicine.com 205-528-3414

Runners Up: Dr. Josh HeadleyValley Dental Family and Implant

Dentistry, Dr. Brian GrayGrandview Medical Group

BEST ESTHETICIAN

Ashton Taylor MooreAesthetics by Ashton aestheticsbyashton.com 205-617-3985

Runners Up: Dr. Melanie Appell - Total Dermatology, Brittany Phalen - Illuminate Lashes and Beauty

BEST FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE

Complete Health completehealth.com 205-655-3721

Runners Up: Birmingham Integrative Health, Premier Urgent & Family Care

BEST FITNESS CENTER True40 true40studio.com 205-684-2979

Runners Up: Recharge Fitness, 24e

BEST MASSAGE STUDIO

Mockingbird Day Spa mockingbirddayspa.com 205-508-3611

Runners Up: Alabama’s Healing Hands, Reflect Massage Therapy

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

Kadee VinesReflect Massage Therapy 205-440-3323

Runners Up: Jill CopelandHenderson - Mockingbird Day Spa, Karen Keigwin - Mockingbird Day Spa

BEST OPTOMETRIST

Dr. Kenneth PairPair Vision Center 205-655-1335

Runners Up: Dr. Mark McClintock - TriaVision, Dr. Sarah BerryTriaVision

BEST OPTOMETRY PRACTICE

Eyes on Main visionsource-eom.com 205-520-9002

Runners Up: Pair Vision Center, TriaVision

BEST ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE

Hometown Orthodontics hometownbraces.com 205-749-1242

Runners Up: Great Smiles Orthodontics, Brooks Orthodontics

BEST ORTHODONTIST

Dr. Greg Rape & Dr. Jared TeeplesHometown Orthodontics hometownbraces.com 205-749-1242

Runners Up: Dr. Christy Jebeles Savage - Great Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Michael Brooks - Brooks Orthodontics

BEST ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICIAN

Dr. Daniel SmithAndrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center andrewssportsmedicine.com 205-5283414

Runners Up: Dr. Bradly Goodman - OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, Dr. Quoc Jonathan TranOrthoAlabama Spine & Sports

BEST ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Dr. Marcus RothermichAndrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center andrewssportsmedicine.com 205-5283414

Runners Up: Dr. Zane HydeOrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, Dr. Perry Savage - OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports

BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

Pediatrics EastChildren’s of Alabama childrensal.org/pediatrics-east 205-836-8691

Runners Up: Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics, Urgent Care for Children

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

Dr. Rebecca WebsterPediatrics EastChildren’s of Alabama childrensal.org/pediatrics-east 205-836-8691

Runners Up: Dr. Steven BarronTots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics, Dr. Gigi Youngblood - Tots ‘N’ Teens Pediatrics

BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Natalie PerkinsRecharge Fitness rechargefitness.co 205-440-2195

Runners Up: Taylor Stephens - The Pound Fitness & Barbell, Mike Davis - 24e

BEST PHARMACY

Nelms Pharmacy nelmspharmacy.com 205-655-6133

Runners Up: Publix Super Market at The Shoppes at Deerfoot, Carroll Pharmacy

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Stacey Cole - M3 Endeavors m3endeavors.com 205-508-3811

Runners Up: Kendell Jno-Finn - M3 Endeavors, Breana Richardson - M3 Endeavors

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE

M3 Endeavors m3endeavors.com 205-508-3811

Runners Up: EW Motion Therapy, TherapySouth

BEST PSYCIATRIC PRACTICE

Noonday Therapeutic Center noonday.org 205-588-6527

Runner Up: Shepherd Counseling LLC.

BEST SPA

Mockingbird Day Spa mockingbirddayspa.com 205-508-3611

Runner Up: The Salt Spa

BEST THERAPY/COUNSELING PRACTICE

Ben DeBell Counseling and Consulting debellcounseling.com 205-810-9335

Runners Up: Noonday Therapeutic Center, Kelly Dorr Moates, LMFT, LLC

BEST URGENT CARE

Complete Health completehealth.com 205-655-3721

Runners Up: American Family Care, OS1 Orthopedic & Sports Injury Clinic

BEST WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC

Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology birminghamobgyn.com 205-933-8334

Runners Up: CrossFit Trussville, Drip

BEST WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINICIAN

Dr. Susanna CarterBirmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology birminghamobgyn.com 205-933-8334

Runners Up: Dr. Melanie MillerBirmingham Integrative Health, Beth Taylor, CRNP - Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology

BEST BOUTIQUE Tula J

BEST WOMEN’S HEALTH PRACTICE

Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology birminghamobgyn.com 205-933-8334

Runners Up: Birmingham Integrative Health, After Hours

BEST WORKOUT CLASS

True40 true40studio.com 205-684-2979

Runners Up: Recharge Fitness, CrossFit Trussville

HOME & AUTO

BEST AUTO SERVICE A+ Tire & Auto Repair aplustireandautorepair.com 205-661-3828

Runners Up: Vulcan Tire & Automotive, Murdock Tire & Auto Repair

BEST ELECTRICIAN

Legacy Electrical Service mylegacyelectrical.com 205-615-2722

Runners Up: Gospo Electric, Hemphill Services

BEST HVAC SERVICE

Hemphill Services hemphillservices.com 205-229-2090

Runners Up: Polar Bear Services, Standard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

BEST HOME BUILDER

Gregory Dream Homes ibuyhousesinbirmingham.com 205-965-3148

Runners Up: Darden Homes, Forehand Construction Group, Inc.

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER

Caroline Price - Nona Ruth’s nonaruths.com 205-655-6599

Runners Up: Laurie BrookerInterior Style LLC, Carlee BennettNona Ruth’s

BEST LANDSCAPING COMPANY

The Southern Landscape Firm thesouthernlandscapefirm.com 205-635-6986

Runners Up: Beauti-Scapes, Triple Care Lawn & Landscape LLC

BEST OIL CHANGE

A+ Tire & Auto Repair

aplustireandautorepair.com 205-661-3828

Runners Up: Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Vulcan Tire & Automotive

BEST PEST CONTROL

Alabama Professional Services alabamaprofessional.com 205-905-6327

Runners Up: Waynes Pest Control, Cook’s Pest Control

BEST PLUMBER

Ace Services, LLC aceservicesbham.com 205-568-5134

Runners Up: Hemphill Services, Standard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

BEST REMODELER

Gregory Dream Homes ibuyhousesinbirmingham.com 205-965-3148

Runners Up: Angeles Innovations LLC, Darden Homes

BEST TIRE SERVICES

A+ Tire & Auto Repair aplustireandautorepair.com 205-661-3828

Runners Up: Vulcan Tire & Automotive, Harbison Tire & Auto Service

PERSONAL & FAMILY

BEST BARBER SHOP

Bodean’s Classic Cuts & Color bodeansclassiccuts.com 205-508-3283

Runners Up: Thom’s Barber Shop

BEST CHILDCARE

Wee CenterFirst Baptist Church Trussville fbctrussville.org 205-655-1328

Runners Up: Faith Academy - Faith Community Fellowship, The Cross at Clay Academy

BEST HAIR SALON

The Phoenix Salon callphoenixsalon.com 205-655-4888

Runners Up: Salon Swag, Salon 2000

BEST HAIR STYLIST

Lexi Rae MooreThe Phoenix Salon callphoenixsalon.com 205-655-4888

Runners Up: Morgan Hudgens Lutfi - Cahaba Roots, Erin Johnson Davis - Southern Hairitage Salon

BEST KIDS’ ACTIVITY

Trussville Children’s Theater trussvillechildrenstheater.com 205-577-9809

Runners Up: Artsy Studio, Hattie’s Toyland

BEST LASH/BROW STUDIO

Aesthetics by Ashton aestheticsbyashton.com 205-617-3985

Runners Up: Illuminate Lashes and Beauty, The Sugar Bar

BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Alishia Photography facebook.com (Alishia Photography) 205-540-7523

Runners Up: Hunter Jane Photography, Alex Sparks Photography

BEST MOTHER’S DAY OUT PROGRAM

Wee CenterFirst Baptist Church Trussville fbctrussville.org 205-655-1328

Runners Up: Noah’s ParkNorthpark Baptist Church, Clearly Kids Academy - Clearbranch Methodist Church

BEST NAIL SALON

Pearl Nails pearlnailsal.com 205-508-3555

Runners Up: Pro Top Nails & Spa. Trussville Nail Spa

BEST NAIL TECH

Cindy - Nail Salon

Runners Up: Joseph - Pearl Nails, Lena - Trussville Nail Spa

SPECIALTY STORE

BEST PET BOARDING/TRAINING

Alabama Dog Trainer alabamadogtrainer.com 205-365-8879

Runners Up: The Dog Stop, Eat Play Love

BEST PET GROOMER

Ashley’s Loving Touch Pet Grooming LLC facebook.com (Ashley’s Loving Touch Pet Grooming LLC) 205-208-9341

Runner Up: Scenthound, Deerfoot Animal Clinic

BEST TRAVEL AGENT

Lena CollinsImagination Travel imaginationtravel.net

Runners Up: Brandon PetersVacation Guru, Bethany Childress – Favorite Grampy Travels

BEST VET/ANIMAL CLINIC

Little Cahaba Animal Hospital littlecahabavet.com 205-655-9999

Runners Up: Grayson Valley Pet Clinic, Argo Animal Clinic

BEST VETERINARIAN

Dr. Wendy FraserLittle Cahaba Animal Hospital littlecahabavet.com 205-655-9999

Runners Up: Dr. Carl GrimmettGrayson Valley Pet Clinic, Dr. Scott Russell - Deerfoot Animal Clinic

SHOPPING & SERVICES

BEST BOUTIQUE

Tula J Boutique tulajboutique.com 205-655-3333

Runners Up: Sister Shirts, Anderson Ave

BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE

Wildflowers Children’s

Resale Boutique wildflowersboutique.com 205-577-1472

Runner Up: Plato’s Closet

BEST FLORIST

Shirley’s by Norton’s nortonsflorist.com 205-655-1600

Runners Up: Wildgoose Garden + Pottery, Sunnie Leigh Floral Design

BEST GIFT SHOP

Wrapsody shopwrapsody.com 205-508-0682

Runners Up: Nona Ruth’s, Hattie’s Toyland

BEST HOBBY STORE

Grant’s Tools & Hobby Shop grantstoolsandhobby.com 205-508-3113

Runners Up: Hattie’s Toyland, Bookmarked

BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE

Ace Hardware acehardware.com 205-494-0012

Runners Up: Home Depot, Lowe’s

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Agnew Jewelers facebook.com (Agnew Jewelers) 205-661-3422

Runners Up: Alabama Wholesale Diamonds, Wrapsody

BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE

Kaldi Kollective kaldicollective.com

Runners Up: Lloyd Candle Company, A Fresh Coat of Fabulous

BEST LOCAL VENDOR

Hilltop Farms & Market facebook.com (Hilltop Farms & Market) 205-452-2563

Runners Up: La Farre Markt, Hattie’s Toyland

BEST PLANT NURSERY

Wildgoose Garden + Pottery wildgoosegarden.com 205-369-3459

Runners Up: Keith Landscaping Company and Nursery Sales LLC, Crawford Nursery

BEST SPECIALTY STORE

Magnolia Soap & Bath Co magnoliasoapandbath.com 205-508-3237

Runners Up: Nona Ruth’s, Hattie’s Toyland

BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DÉCOR

Nona Ruth’s nonaruths.com 205-655-6599

Runners Up: Barnett Furniture, Wrapsody

BEST TOY STORE

Hattie’s Toyland hattiestoyland.com 205-603-0856

Runners Up: Grant’s Tools & Hobby Shop, Scarlet Raven Gaming

Unto the Great Depths

The Grand Canyon, known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, stands at 277 miles long and a mile deep, all contained in the state of Arizona. Carved over many years by the Colorado River, its rich layers reveal a stunning glimpse at history. The South Rim of the canyon is open year round, while the North Rim is usually open May 15-Oct. 15 each year.

where to stay

The accommodations at the Grand Canyon all provide rich access to the beauty of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. The best place to stay to access the Grand Canyon is within the park itself. South Rim lodging is available year round and books up quickly during the busy summer season. Most lodges are within walking or shuttle distance from the canyon’s South Rim. The free shuttle buses allow you to park near your lodge and take the shuttles all around the park.

About a half-mile walk or shuttle ride from the South Rim is Yavapai Lodge, providing a homey, quiet atmosphere for visitors to relax after a day of exploring and sightseeing. Nearby is also Trailer Village RV Park with hookups within a mile of the rim. Note that a backcountry permit is required for those wanting to camp inside the canyon.

In the Grand Canyon Village Historic District, El Tovar Hotel stands as “the Crown Jewel” of the Grand Canyon and National Park hotels. First opened in 1905, it has opened its doors to esteemed guests such as President Teddy Roosevelt and Sir Paul McCartney. It sits on the canyon rim, and its grand entrance is a treat for guests and the visitor who wants to take a peek.

Four other lodges are offered in Grand Village, such as Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins—a historical building designed in 1935 by Southwest architect Mary E.J. Colter, who designed eight major landmark buildings at the Grand Canyon.

For your most adventurous stay, stay inside the canyon itself at Phantom Ranch, by either hiking down or taking a mule ride. Booking these coveted cabin spots requires a 15-month-advance reservation awarded through a lottery system.

Outside the National Park, in the nearby town of Tusayan, Arizona, is The Squire at Grand Canyon, minutes from the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village.

where to EAT

Although you may be out in the rugged desert of the Grand Canyon, that doesn’t mean your dining must suffer. The Grand Canyon offers a variety of tasty meal options for every type of traveler: from the luxury stay to the nomadic road trip.

Yavapai Lodge offers Yavapai Tavern and Yavapai Cafe, which serves Starbucks Coffee, as well as their spacious dining hall with Southwest-inspired American comfort food.

The park offers multiple shops that sell groceries and made-to-order sandwiches for campers and on-the-go diners. Desert View Market & Deli serves pizza alongside their souvenirs. Desert View Trading Post & Ice Cream will satisfy your sweet tooth, and Canyon Village Market & Deli makes sure you never go hungry.

The El Tovar Dining Room offers a world-class dining experience where former presidents have dined. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for lunch.

Harvey House Cafe is a casual, family-friendly restaurant at Bright Angel Lodge. Arizona Steakhouse features the taste of Arizona on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

The most adventurous meal you can eat is at Phantom Ranch Canteen at the bottom of the canyon. You must have a reservation and can reach it by mule ride or hiking down the Bright Angel Trail, 9.6 miles, or the Kaibab Trail, 7.8 miles.

HIT THE ROAD WHAT TO DO

The Grand Canyon offers activities for every style of trip and traveler. Visit buildings in the Historic District including Hopi House Next to El Tovar, it sells authentic Native American arts and crafts, and it displays museum items, too. Lookout Studio is a historic building on the edge of the rim, and Kolb Studio shows art and photography.

Hiking, of course, is a main attraction. The Rim Trail is mostly paved and is wheelchair accessible in some parts. Hikers can walk as far as they want on this 13-mile trail along the top of the rim and take the bus back to the village. Non-hikers can take the bus stops to every major lookout along the Rim Trail. Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trail descend into the canyon. Bright Angle is 8 miles and considered a moderateto-challenging trek, and South Kaibab is considered challenging at 7.1 miles. Bring plenty of water for the way back up on a hot summer day!

The Grand Canyon offers tours galore, from helicopter tours to guided hikes, bike tours and white water rafting trips. On guided bus tours, you can learn the history and geology of the Grand Canyon and even take sunrise and sunset tours to get the best views and iconic photos. The Railway Express Tour provides a Wild West experience on a train ride powered by 1950s diesel locomotives.

The Grand Canyon is a certified International Dark Sky Park with constellations and the Milky Way regularly visible even to the naked eye. Avid stargazers can attend the regular,

An adventurous option is Mule Rides around or into the canyon. Travel along the rim of the canyon on the back of a mule on a 4-mile, three-hour trip (two hours in the saddle). Alternatively, join a seven-hour round trip to Havasupai Gardens, and enjoy lunch at the oasis in the middle of the canyon. If the trails are open, ride five and a half hours to Phantom Ranch in the canyon, eat at the canteen, spend the night and ride back up. For all trips, riders must be at least 9 years old and in good physical condition.

4 FUN FACTS

1

The Grand Canyon creates its own weather. The North Rim is the coldest, and the bottom of the canyon is the hottest. At times, they differ by up to 20 degrees.

2

The Grand Canyon is larger than Rhode Island—in some places. The drive from the North Rim to the South Rim is about four hours and 200 miles.

3

Supai village inside the canyon is home to 208 people. It’s the most remote community in the lower 48 states, and mail is delivered by pack mule.

4

The Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake is only found in the Grand Canyon, and it blends in with the surrounding environment.

Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce

Board Members

Sandra Vernon, President Trussville City Schools

Viriginia Morris, Vice-President Hitchcock-Maddox Financial Partners

Laura Williams, Treasurer Courtesy GMC Birmingham

Amanda Short, Past-President Trussville To Go

Greg Armstrong Armstrong Services, GEICO

Brian Bozeman

The Bozeman Agency

Lee Marlow RealtySouth

Ashli Posey

Tula J Boutique

Tony Riley

Trussville Gas & Water

Ross Silas Bryant Bank

Shelly Mitchell-Talley The YMCA Trussville

Kimberly Farr City Council Liaison

Chuck Bradford Public Safety Liaison

Chamber Staff

Melissa Walker, Director

Heather Weems, Assistant Director

Ambassadors

Fran Aldridge Keller Williams

Dr. Kristi Bradford Leadership Trussville

Casey Hall Bryant Bank

Randy Jinks SunRize Advertising & Marketing

Donna Lowery The Mortgage Firm

Travis Loyd Abide Roofing

Natalie Norton Spott Bryant Bank

Edra Perry Keller Williams

Brittany Phalen Illuminate Lashes and Beauty

Dave Reynolds SYSCO Foodservice

Tandi Smith Re/Max Realty

Amber Spindler Avadian Credit Union

Alicia Tibbs The Lioce Group

Jeff Walker

Prestige Alarm

Jennifer Welch Target

Taste of Trussville

A Night of Flavor and Community

The 2026 Taste of Trussville, hosted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Sysco, brought another unforgettable evening to the Trussville Civic

Center on May 12. Guests enjoyed sampling dishes from local favorites and had the chance to vote for their favorite vendor of the night.

Many thanks to our sponsors, vendors,

volunteers and every ticket holder, this annual event continues to get better and better each year. Trussville is truly blessed with great food and great people.

Chamber Scholarship Recipients

The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Chamber Scholarships, awarding a total of $12,000 to seven exceptional local students. With close to 40 applications received, this year’s selection process was highly competitive, reflecting the impressive caliber and accomplishments of all applicants.

Six students were awarded the $1,500 Academic Scholarship for their outstanding academic achievements and contributions to their schools and community. The Chamber Champion scholarship honors a student who demonstrates active community involvement, their parents’ involvement in the chamber and academic performance.

Academic recipients: Ava Claire Foster, Rachel Purnell, Jayda Hammonds, Clara Hansen, Avery Snuggs and Marlo Lolley Chamber Champion recipient: William Bozeman

Find Us Online

Past Events

Chamber Golf Tournament

The 19th Annual Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament was a great success, held on a beautiful day at The Silo’s Golf Club. The Chamber is grateful for the support of sponsors, teams, prize donors, and volunteers who helped make the event memorable. Special thanks go to presenting sponsor M3 Performance and Physical Therapy and gold sponsors Avadian Credit Union, Abide Roofing, Southern Energy Credit Union, and McCullough Oil Company.

Top honors went to Servpro (1st), JT Smallwood Team (2nd) and AmFirst (3rd), with Orangetheory Fitness named Most Honest Team. Contest winners included Ian Evans (Closest to the Pin), Dante Graham (Longest Drive) and Michael O’Kelley (Wilbur’s Pink Putt). Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Chamber’s scholarship fund for local high school seniors.

JUNE 18 June Chamber Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Trussville Civic Center

JUNE 25 Business After Hours 5:30-7:30 p.m. Spare Time Entertainment AUG. 1 DOG DAZE 10 a.m.-4 p.m. East Mall

AUGUST 14 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Speaker: Lulu Gribbin 6:30-8 a.m. Trussville Civic Center

AUGUST 20 August Chamber Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Trussville Civic Center

PET ADOPTION EVENT

BY

On Saturday, April 11, at Ferus Artisan Ales, Full Circle Rescue and Sanctuary brought a variety of pups looking for their forever home.

1. Kylee Jaye, Emmalyn Ryan and Alissa Hasley

2. Shannon Johnson with Butters

3. Heather Wyatt with Dinky

4. Will Segars and Jasmine Roegner

5. Bill, Sandy and Josh Davies

6. Summer Davis with Butters

7. Elizabeth Price and Celia Price

8. Jennifer Cain with Tate

9. Alivia Christian and Savannah Davis

10. Gail Daniels

11. Josh and Kate Billingsley

12. Ava Biddy and Anna and Rose Marlow

13. Josh and Brooklyn Overton

14. Mily Lee with Nova

15. Katie Chancellor and Cathy Prellwitz

16. Holly Treese with Beefy

17. Jamie and Alan Starns with Flower and Archie

18. Shelley Sims with Hercules

CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

BY MICHAELA BANKSTON

On Tuesday, April 21, at The Silos Golf Club, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce held its 19th annual golf tournament.

1. Tandi Smith, Amanda Short and Casey Hall

2. Chad Goodwin, J.T. Smallwood, Patrick Daniel and Kevin Johnson

3. Courtney West and Calvin Calloway

4. Pat Rowser, Ben Muranaka, Reginald Smith and Reed Elkins

5. Heather Weems and Melissa Walker

6. Chip Neal and Kathryn Westbrook

7. John Walker, Mike O’Kelley, Alec Etheredge and Will Diggs

8. Ian Evans, Sam Reid, Bailey Smith and Avery Barnett

9. Brian Limbaugh, Joe Waller, Eric Mason and Jonathan Cantrell

10. Joseph Calvert, Chris Mills, Jason Parsons and Justin Ferguson

11. Davis Shoemaker and Chad Rhodes

12. Heather Weems and Abby Diggs

13. Jack Blanton, Brian McCarver, Dennis Hyche and Brad Parsons

14. Nick Leopard, Chris Robinson, Clint Smith and Allen Cravens

15. Jeff Rougeaux and Meagan Welch

16. Joel Nix, Brett and Jordan Miller and Wes Gilmer

17. Steve Patrick, Chris Maze, Kendall Jno-Finn and Ben Horton

GIVING RESTORATION

On Tuesday, April 21, at Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook, the Will Bright Foundation held its annual Giving Restoration luncheon, featuring guest speakers Bruce and Steven Pearl.

1. Lisa and Bill Bright

2. Jana Smith, Kayton Weldon, Jennifer Lamar, Lisa Jones, Josh Bowden and Mickey Trimm

3. Terry and Pat Allen

4. Lindsay Sinor and Liz Reed

5. Lauren Tatum, Taylor Powell, Lisa Zeig and Melissa Jones

6. Janice Rogers and Tammy Rogers

7. Mary Anne and Ken Kelley

8. Mike and Amanda Till

9. Jan and Lamar Smith

10. Mila, Julie, Vinny and John Paul

11. Preston Smith and Buck Poole

12. Judd Drake and Josh and Jeff Dyer

13. Sarah and Harrison King and Lori Elmore

14. Alec Lacey, Sean Russell and Tony Montanaro

15. Brock Murphy and Elaina Burt

16. Ralph and Mary Jane Clark and Alisa Hutto

17. Gracia and Jeff Denton

TRUSSVILLE FRESH FARMERS MARKET

On Saturday, April 25, at the Trussville Entertainment District, a variety of vendors served patrons at the weekly Trussville Fresh Farmers Market.

1. Sandra Reaves

2. Kendall Gadie

3. Donny Harwell

4. Ben, Bethany and Katie Fleming

5. AJ Corley

6. Tamara Rashleigh and Wesley Gooch

7. Evelyn Sherard

8. Kyle Holton

9. Ana Kelly

10. Cindy McClellan and Hannah Barfield

11. Fred Phillips

12. Cathy Butts

13. Heather Manning

14. Paula Tucker and Amanda Gulledge

15. Jimmy McDuffee

16. Steve Bearss

17. Kyle Conner

18. Aaron Rainey

MY TRUSSVILLE

BEN SHORT

Trussville Mayor

Local Eats

Butterfinger Peanut Balls

It is hard to pick just one favorite because Trussville has so many great local restaurants. I often enjoy meals from Full Moon Bar-B-Que and La Calle Tacos & Snacks. One of my favorite “insider” treats is the Butterfinger peanut balls from Meals by Misty that I talked Misty Westover into creating for me.

Community Fellowship

Trussville Christmas Parade

My favorite community event is the Trussville Christmas Parade. Seeing families line the streets and children enjoy the tradition really captures the spirit of Trussville. A close second is the Freedom Celebration hosted by First Baptist Church Trussville, which brings the community together in a meaningful way.

Making Memories

Election Day

Sentimental Spots

Alabama Fallen Warriors Monument

The Alabama Fallen Warriors Monument is one of the most meaningful places in Trussville to me. Coming from a military family and having lost friends in service, it is a place of reflection, gratitude and remembrance. I am proud our city honors those sacrifices in such a meaningful way.

Outdoor Sites

Disc Golf & Trussville Greenway

One of my favorite ways to unwind is spending time on Trussville’s disc golf courses or running along the Trussville Greenway. These spaces offer a great way to stay active, enjoy nature and step away from the pace of daily life.

Picking a favorite memory is difficult because there are so many meaningful moments tied to this community. I could talk about great memories from high school or the experience of bringing my children home from the hospital. One recent memory that stands out and will always stay with me was getting the Election Day results. Getting to share that moment with my wife and later with friends and neighbors is a moment I will never forget and one I remain deeply grateful to the people of Trussville for every day.