By Emily Williams At 104 years of age, Helen Hudgens has traveled the world collecting art and experiences. But for her wish of a lifetime, she stayed closer to home. On March 10, Hudgens visited pieces of her own art collection that she donated to the Birmingham Museum of Art and her old friend, senior curator Dr. Donald Wood.Upon learning that Wood will be retiring … [Read more...]
Take the Lead: Competitive Ballroom Dancing Keeps Ann Rich on Her Toes
By Emily Williams Ann Rich’s relationship with ballroom dancing can’t be called kismet. The Birmingham resident didn’t start ballroom dancing until her early 50s. The first time she stepped into the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hoover, she didn’t fall in love with ballroom dancing. In fact, it didn’t spark any kind of resounding emotion. “Initially, my husband and I went to … [Read more...]
Spring Break Close to Home: Alabama Offers Plenty of Hometown and Day Trip Options for Vacationing Families
By Lynn Grisard Fullman If for a minute you feel a twinge of envy that your friends are packing to go to faraway places during spring break, don’t despair. There are plenty of interesting places closer to home to keep you and your family entertained. “There is a joke among tourism professionals called ‘the inverse law,’ which means the closer you are to an attraction, the … [Read more...]
Exploring in the ‘Ham: The Birmingham Area is Full of Places to Go and Things to Do
By Lynn Grisard Fullman People travel hundreds of miles to explore Birmingham, which has a wealth of places to visit, to learn and to frolic. Lucky you, these attractions are mere minutes from your home. Here are a few suggestions: • With its scores of creatures and critters, the Birmingham Zoo always is a favorite. Even better, spring break activities, slated for March 25 … [Read more...]
A Tailback Looks at 50: Ex-Tide Star Humphrey Is a Community Pillar
By Lee Davis As a youth growing up in inner-city Birmingham more than 30 years ago, Bobby Humphrey’s weekends in the fall offered a familiar routine. On Friday nights, he would play running back for the Glenn High School Hawks in front of small crowds at Fair Park or Lawson Field. On Saturdays, he would sell soft drinks to capacity college football crowds at Legion … [Read more...]