By Lee Davis When Natalie Davis accepted a position as a political science professor at Birmingham-Southern College in 1972, she never saw it as a long-term proposition. “I had gotten my undergraduate degree from Stetson University in Florida,” Davis recalled. “I thought I’d teach at Southern for two or three years and go back to Florida. Instead, my husband and I fell in … [Read more...]
The Adventures of Fred Norrell: Homewood Man Pens Memoir of Boyhood on Lake Martin
By Sarah Kuper Fred Norrell said he wasn’t looking to pen a bestseller when he began writing his book, “A Boy’s Adventures on Lake Martin.” Rather, his goal was to put in writing for the next generation stories of a bygone era, of a childhood spent outdoors. “I really wrote it for my son,” Norrell said. “He didn’t have the childhood adventures I did – he wasn’t as interested … [Read more...]
Trophy Case: Spain Park Staff Earns National Award
By Lee Davis A decade ago, C.J. Hawkins left a successful program at Clay-Chalkville to become the new softball coach at Spain Park. On her first week at her new job, Hawkins realized the challenge she faced. “We were cleaning out the dugout and found an award they had been giving to players for diving for a fly ball – just diving for it, that’s all,” she said. “We knew then … [Read more...]
Learning by Doing: VHHS Exceptional Education Parners With Local Businesses
By Emily WilliamsAt Vestavia Hills High School, students with special needs are not enrolled in “special education,” their courses are a part of the school’s Exceptional Education Department. According to officials with the department, the team of educators and support staff work to create a comprehensive learning experience that often takes students out of the … [Read more...]
50 Shades of Green
I was late getting out to walk this morning. The sun already was well up in the sky and I found myself looking ahead to the patches of shade, using them as a series of cool stepping stones back to my house. Thank goodness for the trees! It made me sad for the good people of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, whose golf course was purposefully deforested before the 2016 U.S. Open. A … [Read more...]