By Barry Wise SmithFor the past 30 years, starting in 1994, a group of Homewood churches, from different denominations, have gathered on Good Friday to honor the walk of Christ to the Cross. This year, to mark the 30th Homewood Way of the Cross, the churches—All Saints Episcopal Church, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Edgewood Presbyterian … [Read more...]
Seniority: Evelyn Popwell sets the standard at Piggly Wiggly River Run.
By Barry Wise SmithPhoto by Jordan WaldEvelyn Popwell is a fixture on her stool in the checkout line at Piggly Wiggly River Run. Popwell, who turns 92 this October, has been at the store since opening day on November 15, 2006.“Evelyn is an unbelievable worker,” says supervisor Saba Shunnarah. “She’s always on time and never calls out. You don’t see too many … [Read more...]
Partners in Rhyme: Jimmy Gauld and Laine Poole share bonds of friendship and music.
By Brent ThompsonAs with many musicians, the inception of Laine Poole and Jimmy Gauld’s musical journey involved a girl. “We went to the same school. I didn’t know him, and he didn’t know me,” Poole, sitting in a local brewery, recalls.. “We both knew the same girl that lived across the street from me. Per usual, I headed over to Molly’s, and there … [Read more...]
Home Sweet ourHome!: Amanda Owens creates an organization to enable independent living for adults with cognitive disabilities
By Barry Wise SmithPhoto by Jordan Wald and courtesy of ourHomeGrowing up, Amanda Owens did not enjoy sharing a bathroom with her younger brother Chris Clark. But as Chris, who has cognitive disabilities, got older, Owens worried if he could ever expect to have his own bathroom. Chris was fortunate to live with his parents, and his sister when it became … [Read more...]
It’s A Family Tradition: Teen Pilot Perry Stringfellow Takes to the Air
By Anne RuisiPhoto courtesy the Stringfellow familyNot too long ago, Allen Stringfellow watched his teenaged son, Perry, guide a green and white Cessna 172 in for a landing at the Shelby County Airport. The 16-year-old’s flight instructor standing next to him quipped, “I wouldn’t trust most 16-year-olds with a weed whacker, much less an airplane.” While most … [Read more...]