By Emily Williams-Robertshaw North Shelby County tech executive Martha Underwood took her time during quarantine to step out of her box. While in lockdown with her family, she fulfilled a longtime dream of writing a children’s book. The book is inspired by her youngest son’s experiences and reactions during the pandemic. “He was so worried that because of COVID, we weren’t … [Read more...]
Hygge, Hygge, Hygge — Merry Christmas!
By Sue Murphy Hygge. Wikipedia says it’s a “Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.” Immediately, “hygge” went to the tippy top of my Christmas list. As I already put in my request for world peace, I decided any hygge I might experience would be a DIY project. According to the article, I needed … [Read more...]
‘Exercising Caution’: Churches Altering Christmas Programming Due to the Pandemic
By Rubin E. Grant For years, as part of Mountain Brook Community Church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service, senior pastor Tim Kallam has had young children come to the front to quiz them. He would ask them questions such as what is their favorite Christmas song or what is their favorite Christmas present. But this Christmas Eve, Kallam will do his fun interviews beforehand, … [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...]
Rebel’s Basselin, Springs’ Underwood Claim State Championships: Future Teammate Denies Briarwood’s Mathias Three-Peat in Boys State Swim Meet
By Rubin E. Grant If not for his future college teammate, Briarwood Christian senior Mason Mathias would be a three-time state swimming champion. Mathias finished second in both the boys Class 6A-7A 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle behind Daphne junior Drew Jordan in the Alabama High School Athletic Association State Swimming and Diving Championships, held Saturday … [Read more...]