By Emily Williams Winston Carl of Mountain Brook can recall nearly the entire history of Birmingham’s Beaux Arts Krewe, because her mother was there for its beginning and then passed along her position to Carl. After holding the slightly undefinable job of corresponding secretary/liaison between the ball’s king and queen, Carl is retiring from the volunteer position she has … [Read more...]
Boys Club No Match for Sisterhood: Homewood Runner Reflects on Her Time as First Female President of the Birmingham Track Club
By Sarah Kuper On any given day Over the Mountain, dozens of runners tackle steep hills and brave the heat or cold to stay fit and have fun. But Melinda Underwood, first female president of the Birmingham Track Club, in 1982, said it wasn’t always that way – especially with regard to women. “Back then, women weren’t doing much of anything like that. No one would just go out … [Read more...]
The Gift of Giving: Local Nonprofits Offer Holiday Gifts That Give Back
By Emily Williams The holiday season revives fond memories of pumpkin-spiced beverages, homes dressed in lights and a general cheeriness in the air. Then there are the less fond memories, most notably of shopping. It’s a time of year when you are scrambling to cross off every item on your list and drum up a gift idea for that friend or relative who “has everything.” Local … [Read more...]
Patrick’s Day: New Rebel Coach Hopes for Big Things in New Year
By Lee DavisPatrick Davis knows what it takes to win in big-time high school basketball. He won 121 games in seven years as head coach of the Thompson Warriors, claiming three area titles in the process. For his efforts, Davis was named Coach of the Year in 2013 by the Birmingham Tip-off Club. Last spring, Davis took on a new challenge when he accepted the head … [Read more...]
All in the Family: Third-Generation Dancer Plays Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy
By June MathewsMost little girls only dream of wearing a pink tutu and dancing with a handsome prince. But for the upcoming production of Birmingham Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” that fanciful scenario is Katherine Free’s reality. A 17-year-old senior at Hoover High School, Katherine danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the queen of the Kingdom of Sweets, this … [Read more...]