By Rubin E. Grant Esther Levy will never forget and she hopes no one else will, either. Levy is a second-generation Holocaust survivor and heard stories of the horrifying events of the World War II tragedy from her mother, Tobi Kamornik Gerson, who lived through it. “We can’t forget the lessons of the Holocaust,” Levy said. “Humanity can’t let something like that happen … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Chris Biggins is no ordinary two-sport athlete. He has battled cerebral palsy, a permanent movement disorder, since he was practically a baby. “My family found out when I was 1 or 2,” Biggins said. “My development was slow and they figured something was wrong. “I’ve had to have several surgeries, physical therapy and a treatment plan so I can function in … [Read more...]

By June Mathews When Alison Berman became the chief development officer of United Ability in 2015, she discovered the 67-year-old agency was lacking a signature event and set out to change that. “We wanted to do something different,” she said, “so three years ago, we chose to do a theater-style event where people could be entertained yet learn about the organization and … [Read more...]

By June Mathews Celebrating the past comes naturally to Bonny Hanna Picard. It’s been her business for 40 years. The founder and president of Hanna Antiques, Picard has long lived her passion through buying, selling and often restoring treasures from bygone eras. Still in her 20s when in 1979 she established a small furniture refinishing business in an oversized building on … [Read more...]

By Lauren Helmer My father changed my life one day when he wrote me a note, and the significance of that note really set my compass for the rest of my life,” said Oak Mountain resident Billy Ivey. “When I was 14, he was diagnosed with ALS, and when I was 15, I got cut from the basketball team. And I was devastated, because my father was a great athlete,” Ivey said.  “I … [Read more...]