By Laura McAlister Journal EditorFor many Christians, Lent is the season to give something up, but some Over the Mountain area churches are using it as an opportunity to give something back.Lent is the period between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week that prepares Christians for Easter. It’s a time of reflection and self-denial, as well as a time of almsgiving or giving … [Read more...]
Open Mike
By Donna Cornelius Journal Features WriterWhen Mike Thompson played golf with his father, he kept his eye on the ball and his mind on one objective: to play the first hole well.“That’s because Dad would always pick on the worst player in the foursome,” said Mike about his father, the late Hall Thompson. “My goal was to beat the other two guys so he’d pick on … [Read more...]
Digging It
By Laura McAlister Journal EditorThe Vestavia Hills Men’s Garden Club is looking for a few more good men to help keep an almost 30-year tradition flourishing.The garden club, one of the only (if not the only) men’s garden’s clubs in the area, was formed in 1984 by a few retired residents led by Henderson Walker. Over the years, members have been responsible for the … [Read more...]
Take a Break on a Budget
By Donna CorneliusOh, this pesky economy. It has most families looking for ways to trim their budgets, especially when it comes to non-essentials like vacations. And you never know, when you pull up to the pump, if you’ll need a second mortgage to pay for your gas.With that in mind, is it any wonder that the term “staycation” has quickly found … [Read more...]
Back in the Game
By Laura McAlister Journal EditorRuss Arthur has been retired for years. But about once a week come spring, he gets to feel like a kid all over again.That’s when he meets up with fellow senior citizens to play softball with the Central Alabama Senior Softball Association’s daytime league.“I used to play Little League,” … [Read more...]