During pandemic shutdowns, residents of Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen found ways to take advantage of the lockdowns to accomplish long-time goals and find new hobbies. Betty Hagel, a Somerby resident since 2014 who is legally blind, was inspired by her family to sit down and write a book recounting her life story. From April to November, Hagel compiled what became a … [Read more...]
Light in the Eyes: Seasoned Performers Adapt to COVID While Keeping Creativity Alive
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw The motto for the Seasoned Performers is a quote from Victor Hugo: “Fire is seen in the eyes of the young, but it is light that we see in the eyes of the seasoned.” The performance group has a long history in Birmingham. The group dates back to the late 1980s, and it joined the Red Mountain Theatre Company in 2016. Throughout the years, the … [Read more...]
Colorful Characters: Cissell’s Festive Display in Mountain Brook Is a Must-See on the Wacky Tacky Tour
By Rubin E. Grant Bob Cissell might be 90 years old, but he has the heart of a child. Perhaps, that’s why the quirky, funny Christmas village at his home in Mountain Brook, on 4125 Brook Way, appeals to kids and adults alike. This is the third consecutive year Cissell has decorated his yard as part of the Wacky Tacky Light Tour, which runs Tuesday-Thursday this week. The bus … [Read more...]
Distinguished Service: Col. Channon Among Honorees for Military Service During Hoover’s Veteran’s Week
By Rubin E. Grant Col. Bob Channon, U.S. Army retired, has been asked many times whether he fought in World War II. Channon, 95, is old enough to be a member of what some American historians call the “Greatest Generation,” even though he didn’t get the chance to fight in “The Big One.” “He would have loved to have gone to the war, but he was still at West Point,” said Lyn … [Read more...]
A Spectacular View: The Howards Can Look Back at 63 Years of Family Memories
By Emily Williams Throughout their 63 years of marriage, Jack and Connie Howard have always liked a view. Jack proposed to Connie in 1965 atop Red Mountain beneath the Vulcan statue. After their marriage at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on May 4, 1956, the couple lived in a downtown Birmingham apartment before moving to their first family home atop Shades Mountain in … [Read more...]