By Wendy Wallace JohnsonBill Ireland jokingly calls himself a “reluctant gardener,” but as he scrolls through photos of flowers in bloom and freshly cut boxwoods in the English-style gardens at his recently purchased Redmont Park home, it’s clear that an appreciation for gardens was passed down from his mother, Fay, a prodigious gardener with deep roots in Birmingham … [Read more...]

By June MathewsWhen Thomas Henry sought a meaningful way to serve his community, he discovered it in BridgeWays, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people learn how to “care, connect and contribute.”Henry, who is serving his third year as president of the BridgeWays junior board, is a motivating force behind the junior board’s primary fundraiser, … [Read more...]

By June MathewsWhen an M-60 helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus in November 2023, five members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), also known as Night Stalkers, lost their lives.No sooner had word reached their base at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, than the process of caring for their bereaved families was set in … [Read more...]

Most popular musicians who have been around for awhile are known for their greatest hits. You name it, country, rock, R&B. But opera? Yes, opera has its greatest hits, too, and Opera Birmingham is sponsoring a concert to showcase opera’s most cherished melodies and moments, according to a release from the group. “Opera Unveiled: A Concert of Greatest Hits” … [Read more...]

By June MathewsNature often inspires the work of mixed media artist Sarah Mason. Known for her quietly colorful Abstract Florals and ethereal Mysterious Forest collections, her art has morphed into a style that’s all her own. Over the years her work has undergone subtle changes in technique and materials, and she’s learned to look to her inner self for creative … [Read more...]