By Lee HurleyMay is a busy time for Moondance Adventures founder Hayes Hitchens and his 180 leaders. They are in staff training at Camp Wayfarer, in North Carolina, preparing themselves mentally, physically and philosophically for the nearly 2,000 students they will lead on a cornucopia of travel adventures this summer from Alaska to Zanzibar. This may … [Read more...]
Color Queen: Homewood Librarian Aaliyah Taylor Creates Bold Designs in Jewelry and Fashion
By Madoline Markham KoonceAaliyah Taylor’s style is vibrant. It’s eclectic. It’s quirky. And each day, she looks like a walking piece of art she’s created by drawing inspiration from the styles of the 1960s and ‘70s. By day, you can find the jewelry and fashion designer talking with kids about books as a librarian at the Homewood Public Library, where she sees … [Read more...]
Restoring Hope for a Bright Future: WellHouse Volunteer Programs Help Victims of Human Trafficking Heal
By Donna CorneliusIn a cheerful kitchen, a group of women laugh, talk and ask questions. Some are giving instructions, while others try their hands at peeling potatoes or mixing a salad dressing. It’s a scene that could play out in any cooking class, but this one’s a little different. The enthusiastic teachers are members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s … [Read more...]
Outdoor Rooms With Views
By Susan SwaglerAs an interior decorator, Mary Finch is used to creating beautiful, comfortable, livable rooms. So, it made perfect sense for her to do the same with her garden – especially since the walls were already there.When Finch and her husband, Ed, bought their Redmont Park home in 2003, the 1.5-acre property was overgrown with wisteria, kudzu and privet. Once … [Read more...]
Sharing the Journey: Ovarian Cancer Survivor Who Went From Death Sentence to Lifeline Participates in Upcoming Motherwalk
By June MathewsIt was March 2020, and Mary Scott Israel wasn’t feeling well. But in those early days of COVID-19, not feeling well was often attributed to the stresses and fears of the coming pandemic. So, the University of Alabama sophomore brushed off some nagging stomach problems she had been experiencing, and she and her roommate embarked on a long-awaited … [Read more...]