By Madoline Markham KoonceShelley Grissom vividly recalls the first time she took note of the house on La Prado Place. At the time, she was a senior in high school, and one day while babysitting she noticed the brick Tudor cottage across the street was for sale. “I wish I could live in that house one day,” she remembers thinking. Little did she know that one day … [Read more...]
‘Validated’: Hoover’s Pate Earns Regional Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Award
By Rubin E. GrantHoover senior pole vaulter Collin Pate felt a sense of accomplishment when the 2024 regional winners were announced for the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program in March.Pate was selected as the Class 7A, Region 3 Scholar-Athlete.“I was really excited,” Pate said. “I didn’t know what to expect cause there were so many people nominated. I felt very … [Read more...]
‘A Different Deal’: Young Vestavia Hills Baseball Team Searching for Consistency
By Rubin E. GrantVestavia Hills captured the 2023 Class 7A state baseball championship, ending a 23-year drought without a title for the Rebels, but please don’t call them defending champions this season.At least that’s the viewpoint of Vestavia Hills coach Jamie Harris.“I’m not sure you can say we’re defending champs,” Harris said. “If we had all the guys from last … [Read more...]
‘Tiny but Mighty’: Oak Mountain’s Hawkins Takes After Her Mom on Softball Field
By Rubin E. GrantOak Mountain senior Emma Hawkins couldn’t help but become an athlete and, in particular, a softball player.Her mother, C.J. Urse Hawkins, played softball at Ohio State and won more than 900 games as a high school coach at Clay-Chalkville and Spain Park.But coach Hawkins didn’t insist that her daughter become a softball player. It just naturally … [Read more...]
Inspiration Starts Here: Parade of Homes Showcases the Latest Home Trends
By Madoline Markham KoonceWondering what the latest trends are in home design? You can see them for yourself at this year’s Parade of Homes April 26-28 and May 3-5. The tour will feature more than 56 homes built by 22 builders in 15 communities across Birmingham and at Lake Martin.“It’s an opportunity for the builders and suppliers and tradespeople to showcase … [Read more...]