Business Spotlight: General Pest Control

Terry Freeman owns General Pest Control and has recently started a new business, Wildlife Management. Photo by Craig Kleimeyer.

By CRAIG KLEIMEYER

Terry Freeman has been capturing wildlife since he was a child in the late 1950s. Growing up on the bayous in Gulfport, Miss., he quickly realized his love for hunting and capturing animals. Today, he owns and operates General Pest Control and his newest business endeavor, Wildlife Management.

Freeman got into the business in 1987. A friend suggested Freeman open a cable company, but he started a pest control business instead.

“I thought that I just needed a truck and a sprayer and to put some flowers out, and I could go to work,” Freeman said. “But, I ended up having a difficult time.”

He soon learned he needed certification and licensure by the State Department of Agriculture and took a crash course from Purdue University on pest control technology.

HCS given wellness award

Homewood City Schools was named a silver winner in the 2011-2012 School Employee Wellness Awards Program sponsored by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE).

Homewood was one of nine school districts to be recognized for their excellence in implementing school employee wellness programs that promote employee health, lead to improved workforce productivity, and reduced costs of employee absenteeism and healthcare.

School employee health is one area that DHPE has focused its work on with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In 2009, DHPE implemented an awards program to recognize schools/districts that have implemented school employee wellness programs.

Bi-level Target to open by 2013

By ALLIE KLAUBERT

The Target under construction next to Colonial Brookwood Village will be two stories and other features visible in this rendering. Image courtesy of Target.

Construction has begun on the new Target in Colonial Brookwood Village. The store is scheduled to open in March 2013.

“We are excited,” said Mayor Scott McBrayer. “I believe that Homewood will be an excellent fit for Target.”

The new store, located in the southwestern end of the development, will be two levels and 135,000 square feet. It will carry brands and essentials that customers expect from Target, but it will also feature an expanded fresh food section.

“The nice thing about the expanded fresh food layout is that guests can find an extended selection of fresh fruit, meat and perishables in addition to the typical offerings,” said Meghan Mike, associate specialist for Target.

Homewood mother, Sarah Paulk, is excited to have Target closer to home. “I love the quality and variety of items that Target carries, in addition to the clean and comfortable atmosphere,” she said.

The back side of the new Target, as rendered for completed construction. Image courtesy of Target.

“It will be a convenience for the residents of Homewood,” said City Councilman Hunter Payne. “Instead of leaving Homewood to shop in another city, they can now stay here.”

Edgewood Catering/What’s 4 Supper

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

Rob and Kelly Bright started Edgewood Catering in 2003. Photo by Anna Cate Little.

Pharmaceutical sales don’t usually conjure up images of food, but for Kelly and Rob Bright, it was their meal ticket, so to speak. In 2003, when pharmaceutical reps were luring in doctors by way of catered, in-office lunches, the Brights found their livelihood emerging from their very own kitchen. They knew they liked to cook and must have been pretty good at it, because at a moment’s notice they agreed to cater a 25-person lunch for a drug-rep neighbor and friend. The chicken tetrazzini was a hit, and from there the calls started rolling in.

Homewood-based interior designer works nationwide

By CRAIG KLEIMEYER

Interior designer Tammy Connor. Photo courtesy of Jean Allsopp.

Tammy Connor grew up rearranging her room in as many ways as she could. Today she arranges homes for clients across the country from her business, Tammy Connor Interior Design, on Oxmoor Road.

The apartment she is currently working on in New York City will soon be added to her list of completed projects: a cabin in Tennessee; an apartment in Chicago; and houses in Pennsylvania, Charlottesville, Virg., and Winter Park, Colo.

Making Homewood home again

By ASHLEY BERKERY

Back row: Kevin and Elizabeth Studinka, Leslie and Carter Doyle. Front row: Henry, Frank and Grace Studinka, Crawford Doyle. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Studinka.

Sisters Leslie Doyle and Elizabeth Studinka have fond memories of growing up in Homewood—so much in fact that they have chosen to raise their own families here. They grew up in Forest Brook with the maiden name Bugg but were not annexed in Homewood schools until Elizabeth was in second grade, when she then attended Hall-Kent elementary and Leslie was at HMS.

As the “new kid” in middle school, Leslie remembers making friends quickly by joining the show choir. Music was an important part of their childhood with their father directing the Opera Department at Samford University for 33 years.

Easter Event Round-Up

All Saints Episcopal Church
Thursday, April 5, 6:30 p.m. —Maundy Thursday Service
Good Friday, April 6, 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. services
Saturday, April 7, 7 p.m. —Easter Vigil Service
Easter Sunday, April 8, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. services

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church
Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.—Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Palm Sunday, April 1
8:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. — Contemporary Worship Services
9:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. —Traditional Service
11 a.m. —Español Worship
Thursday, April 5, 6:30 p.m.—Easter Week Communion
Good Friday, April 6
2 p.m.—Way of the Cross, Homewood Park
7 p.m.—Hispanic Good Friday Service
Easter Sunday, April 8
8:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m— Contemporary Worship Services
9:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. —Traditional Service
11 a.m. —Español Worship