By June MathewsIn 1999, breast cancer patient Jan Bolla saw a need and set out to meet it. Through her own experience, she realized that women newly diagnosed with breast cancer would benefit from interacting with women like her who had traveled the same road. Spurred on by her motto, “Do not waste your journey, and leave a legacy behind,” Bolla worked … [Read more...]

By Ana GoodIn Mountain Brook, Suzan Doidge has been known for her vibrant spirit and unwavering commitment to her community. Having worked as executive director for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade, Doidge is a well-known figure in the city she’s called home for more than 42 years. Four years ago, Doidge was a familiar face at … [Read more...]

By Anne RuisiOver the Mountain communities marked the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11 with events to memorialize the nearly 3,000 people killed that day when terrorists hijacked four commercial aircraft and crashed them into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Terrorists crashed that fourth plane into the … [Read more...]

By Susan SwaglerTom Dameron is a realist – in his artwork and in his approach to life.“I believe I was blessed with an art gift, and that gift came from above,” he said. “Nothing I say is meant to be vain, but I feel it’s wrong if I don’t use this gift.”Anyone who sees his art, especially his impossibly realistic watercolor flowers, would agree he has a gift that … [Read more...]

By Lee HurleyIt had been a busy month for Elliott Callaway, who lives in Los Angeles, a mere 2,100 miles from his hometown of Mountain Brook. The 33-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist had already played 10 gigs in August with a week left to go. “I’ll play any gig as long as it seems appealing,” Callaway said. “I’ve played senior living facilities, … [Read more...]