By Donna Cornelius Most people heading for the beach take along sunscreen, beach towels and swimsuits. Cissy LeMoine and her mother, Phyl Smith, used to pack something extra: empty olive oil bottles. “We clanked when we walked,” said LeMoine, laughing. The reason the two Vestavia Hills women toted the bottles to Destin, Florida, was also the incentive for LeMoine’s new … [Read more...]
Music for Students – and the Community: OTM Couple Makes Music Happen for Young Learners Through St. Francis Music Academy
By Sarah Kuper St. Francis Music Academy began in 2015 as an extension of the Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Indian Springs. Now, as registration begins for fall courses, the academy’s leadership and music power couple, Dr. Alina Voicu and Daniel Szasz, are offering not only education on many types of music, but, for the first time, partial scholarships to … [Read more...]
Feels Like the First Time: Local Students Take the Stage with Legendary Band
By June Mathews Some kids can only dream of taking the stage with a world-famous rock band. But that dream became a reality for some John Carroll Catholic High School choir members when they sang with legendary rock band Foreigner during the group’s recent appearance at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Choir director Maria Wilson said the experience was the thrill of a lifetime … [Read more...]
Vestavia Hills Superintendent Announces Plans to Retire
By Emily Williams Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sheila Phillips will be retiring from her position effective Sept. 1. Phillips announced her plans to retire during a Vestavia Board of Education meeting July 31. She informed the board of her plans to leave the posi- tion she has held since 2014 in a letter submitted July 20. “Thank you for the opportunity … [Read more...]
‘This Is A New Team’: Young, Inexperienced Hoover Volleyball Team Renews Title Quest
By Rubin E. Grant The Hoover volleyball team is not in the habit of making excuses, but the Bucs are still wondering whether they would have been 2016 Class 7A champions if they had gone into the state tournament completely healthy. The Bucs lost starting setter Jamie Gregg to a knee injury before the season began and, just before the start of the Elite Eight state … [Read more...]