By Sarah Kuper This fall, Samford University students in the theatre for youth program will produce and perform the children’s book-turned-play “How I Became a Pirate.” Samford is one of only a handful of universities that offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre for youth. Undergraduates in the program learn the ins and outs of performing, producing and teaching children’s … [Read more...]
A Dedicated Life: United Ability Participants Help Founder Celebrate 105th Birthday
By Emily Williams More than 60 children sang “Happy Birthday” for United Ability founder Dorothy Levy as she arrived at her 105th birthday celebration June 16 at the organization’s Hand in Hand Learning Center. At her request, the party was held on the playground, and Levy was able to witness firsthand just how far the organization has come since its early days. “This makes … [Read more...]
A Taste of Freedom: Director of Equestrian Program Uses Horses to Help Disabled Riders
By June MathewsKathleen Claybrook has been around horses her whole life. She had a horse of her own growing up, and she credits horseback riding with helping her shine as a youngster.“It gave a small kid like me the opportunity to be athletic,” she said.For the past 24 years, Claybrook’s horsemanship has served her well as the executive director of Special … [Read more...]
Lemonade for Luisa: Vestavia Hills Family Raising Money to Cure Rare Disease
By Sarah KuperOn April 22, a little girl will have a lemonade stand in her Vestavia Hills yard.But this won’t be your average lemonade stand, just like 4-year-old Luisa Morlandt isn’t your average little girl.Diagnosed a few months shy of her second birthday, Luisa has Rett Syndrome. Her lemonade stand, which will include games for kids and offer arts and goods for … [Read more...]
Back in the Saddle: Mountain Brook Woman Finds Her Calling After Carpool
By Sarah Kuper By her own admission, Joy O’Neal had no horse sense. “I never rode a horse growing up. I never even touched a horse until one of my kids wanted to take riding lessons,” she said. But now, the Birmingham native is the founder and executive director of The Red Barn, a therapeutic equine riding center in Leeds.A self-proclaimed “barn mom,” O’Neal is using … [Read more...]