By Emily Williams Karen Odle is seeing the fruits of her 13 years of work as the president and CEO of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce. The chamber this year reached 1,150 members, making it the largest chamber in the Birmingham metro area, according to a study by the Birmingham Business Journal published July 26. Vestavia’s chamber outpaces even its counterparts in … [Read more...]
Old Glory: Retired Hoover Firefighter Says Military Service Was Worth the Sacrifice
By Kaitlin Candelaria Michael Thorin has been asked more than once whether his service to the United States was worth it. The veteran and retired Hoover firefighter spent four years as an active member of the army before joining the Alabama Army National Guard, where he served for 20 years. He’s done multiple stateside tours and spent time in Afghanistan as an Army medic and … [Read more...]
Aldridge Gardens Hosts Groundbreaking on Veterans Project
By Kaitlin Candelaria Aldridge Gardens in Hoover recently broke ground on its Veterans Memorial Arbor project. According to the gardens’ website, the arbor will span the 125-foot dam on the lake. “It will include a ceremonial area overlooking the water and will feature all of the service branch flags, as well as the U.S. flag,” the website said. “The arbor will have … [Read more...]
Turkey Time: Chef Joseph Mitchell Shares Thanksgiving Tips
By Kaitlin Candelaria Chef Joseph Mitchell knows a thing or two about preparing a big meal. The director and advisor for the Culinary and Hospitality Institute at Jefferson State has worked in restaurants, country clubs and hotels just to name a few. And of course, he’s cooked a holiday meal or two for his family. When it comes to Thanksgiving, Mitchell says he and his … [Read more...]
Treating the Table: Do’s and Don’ts for Thanksgiving Tablescapes
By Emily Williams Marsha Baker may be a registered nurse, but her business these days is coming up roses. As the holidays approach, she has a few tips to help hosts and hostesses festively decorate their homes and tables for Thanksgiving. After giving birth to her children, Baker quit nursing professionally to stay home with the kids. “I started doing flowers through my … [Read more...]