By Lee HurleyIn 2004, a precocious Mountain Brook High School student named Mason McCulley was asked by Portico magazine about his career aspirations. “Acting and t-shirt design,” he offered. As Meatloaf sang, “One out of two ain’t bad.” Mason McCulley did indeed become an actor, and among the many roles he has played, the one he is playing most recently is … [Read more...]
Silence and Swing: How McGowin Miller turned adversity into an Olympic reality
By Sarah OwensPhotos by Jordan Wald and Sarah OwensWhen McGowin Miller lines up a putt, he doesn’t hear the cheers, the wind or the crack of the club. What he hears—through years of practice, patience and perseverance—is focus. Born with profound hearing loss, the Mountain Brook golfer has spent his life adapting to a world that doesn’t always meet him halfway. Now, … [Read more...]
48th Annual Birmingham Boys Choir Christmas: A Fathers and Sons Legacy
When the big red curtain raises, fathers and sons stand together, becoming a formation ground for young men and a living picture of legacy. The Birmingham Boys Choir (BBC) partners with families to raise boys into men through music, mentorship and modeled values. Every other year dads and father figures sing alongside their choristers, and the impact runs … [Read more...]
Choosing Success: The College Choice Foundation helps students make their education dreams come true
By Barry Wise Smith Photos courtesy of College Choice Foundation and Brittany SturdivantIn the almost 12 years that College Choice Foundation (CCF) has existed, 283 students have come through the program, collectively amassing more than $132 million in financial aid and scholarships, gaining admission to a variety of colleges across the United … [Read more...]
Through Light and Darkness: Interior designer Dana Wolter’s new book is layered with not only decor showcased in her clients’ homes but also her journey with cancer.
By Madoline Markham KoonceThe year 2022 opened a dark chapter in Dana Wolter’s life. She received a diagnosis no one wants to hear: Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She was in excruciating pain from a tumor on her spine. During treatment, her immune system was wiped out, she faced complications and she was hospitalized multiple times.As she was coming out of treatment, … [Read more...]