With severe storms brewing across Alabama Jan. 12, Alabama Power Distribution Specialist Reid Buster was listening to weather reports on the radio as he drove back to Selma after attending a morning safety meeting in Montgomery. About that time, the forecaster said a tornado was tracking toward Selma Country Club, in the heart of Buster’s neighborhood. […]

Spring is in the air and the excitement is building around incorporating fresh produce into our seasonal recipes. There is one key element necessary in ensuring that produce is bought at its best: timing. It is important to consider the season and what is currently being harvested when deciding which fruits and vegetables to include […]

  The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts, most often referred to as The Kelly, is a cultural gem in the heart of Wetumpka. With a vision to “engage, inspire, and educate artists and the public at large by promoting local and regional visual arts,” The Kelly intends to stoke the embers of creativity and […]

ATHENS – Ride ‘em cowboys and cowgirls! Rodeo lovers from all over North Alabama will see plenty of rodeo action hit the dirt next month at the 41st annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo. The popular event is May 19-20 in Athens. The rodeo is a symbol of the American frontier with a touch of skill, bravery, […]

It was like watching a familiar movie, knowing the ending already and feeling dread. I read Shelby Foote’s account of the Battle of Gettysburg years ago, but read it again this month. As I got closer to his account of day three, I began to feel sadness at the coming slaughter of my countrymen. Both […]

Every culture has its own special crowd-pleasing baked sweets such as cookies, cakes, pastries, and breads. In Mexico, and to people worldwide with Mexican roots, these treats are collectively known as pan dulce (literally, sweet bread). European-style baking with wheat flour was introduced by the Spanish and French occupiers who once ruled Mexico. But the […]

It’s the season that’s a’pleasin, when super-ripe spring strawberries play a starring role in one of the South’s favorite cakes. Strawberry cake is beloved across Alabama and in neighboring states. A 2022 analysis for the jewelers Shane Co. rated it the second-most-popular nationwide based on Google searches, winning seven states in this tasty take on […]

Within the shadow of Easter, our nation has experienced yet another senseless shooting. Another act of a single person that sends shock waves through our country. The Christian community has celebrated the greatest event in history. An event where a man rose from the dead. This event reflects the power and authority of God over […]

If you want the freshest locally grown vegetables for your family, there’s no easier solution than joining a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture programs give small family farms a crucial economic boost and allow consumers to develop relationships with the people who grow their food. Here’s how it generally works: Customers buy shares of what the farmers […]

MADISON — Beating out more than 90 competitors, Joe Carlucci was recently named the best pizzamaker … in the WORLD. And mama mia! Bronx-born Carlucci is owner and founder of the Original Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar on Huntsville Brownsferry Road in Madison. His titles as Best Pizza Maker and Best Non-traditional Pizza came at […]

Recently, North Alabama has been stepping up its game. Flourishing downtowns, burgeoning local businesses, and vibrant food scenes make this region worthy to be explored. If you haven’t been to the area lately, or if you’re unfamiliar with North Alabama, it’s time to get acquainted. We recommend starting with Gadsden. Located along the Coosa River […]

Spring is in full swing and for those making their way to The Plains to catch some spring football action, there will be plenty of things to do surrounding Auburn Football’s annual A-Day game set to kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. First-year Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze […]

The wind in my face was bitterly cold in downtown Dallas a few years ago since the winter weather was yet lingering. My continuing education classes had ended at the seminary in nearby Fort Worth, so the afternoon was free for some sightseeing. A chill came over me independent of the temperature when I walked […]

It was interesting to read in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recent autobiography that his children were baptized with water from the Sea of Galilee. The family was out of water when their third child was born, so kindly Israeli officials sent a fresh supply. This is unusual since in other cases I’ve known it’s Jordan […]

They were a great family who had no denominational underpinnings. I knew them as Presbyterians who became Baptists who became Methodists. I once heard a pastor remark, “It doesn’t hurt to change the label on an empty bottle.” Ouch. I think I’d just say, more charitably, that denominations don’t have the appeal they once did. […]

When Kim Lawkis looks at Arlene Mitchell and Camille Bonura, she recognizes the long line of women students, professors and administrators who helped build the University of South Alabama. Mitchell is the first woman to serve as chair pro tempore for the USA Board of Trustees, while Bonura is the fifth female in a row to […]

In early spring, when the weather grows warmer and the rain picks up across southern Louisiana, the farmed and wild crawfish that grow there reach a perfect balance of size and flavor. Whether you call them crayfish, crawdads, crawdaddies, ecrevisse, mudbugs, or crawfish, these small lobster-looking freshwater crustaceans reach their peak around then in Louisiana, […]

It’s prime time for farmers markets to open across Alabama. A few may start earlier in the year, generally when the first strawberries grown nearby are ripe enough to pick. But April is the most popular month for market seasons to begin. At the beginning, you’ll see more arts and crafts, cut flowers, and prepared […]

Today flags are flying at half-staff. Another wound has been opened on the American conscience. In what seems to be a random act of intentional evil, six souls lost their lives in a senseless shooting in Nashville. My heart is torn for each family member who is mourning such a needless loss. What happened? I […]

Every senior adult knows if you have a computer or cellphone issue you talk with a grandchild. However, my grandson was stumped and suggested I go to the local dealer. I found a link on their website suggesting they could help by phone, so I called. Michelle was very helpful. She asked to screen share […]

Corey Cooper ’05 walks to the edge of the roof of his guest house and stares down at the pool below. His wife, Magda Cooper ’05, lounges on an inflatable dock and faces the poolside photographer, who is waiting to see what Corey will do. Will he jump in the pool? Corey looks again and […]

Several years ago, my wife, Denise, and I were traveling out west. We had driven through miles of beautiful country as we approached a long desolate stretch of two-lane curves. Signs warned us that there was no service for over 100 miles. We stopped and topped off the tank and stocked up on necessities like […]

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to breakfast, that certainly seems to be the case. Morning meals in the Lone Star State are all about supersized cinnamon rolls, hearty Southern classics like biscuits and gravy, and above all, the breakfast taco. The concept is simple, but delicious—and thanks to Ladybird Taco, […]

Some friends at church asked me to describe my near-death experience. I light-heartedly told about traveling through a long tunnel, seeing light at the end and, suddenly, a heavenly figure bathed in glorious light. Soon I recognized St. Peter standing at the gates of heaven. He reached for my hand and said, “Welcome home, my […]