By Emily WilliamsFor more than 30 years, Tom Cronier of Homewood has devoted his free time to a lady in red. Big Bertha, the acclaimed Wurlitzer pipe organ that resides in the Alabama Theatre, has led Cronier, and subsequently his wife, Loretta, to a life of service to Birmingham’s growing Theater District. His love of the instrument has been a lifelong passion, and … [Read more...]
Late in Life Librarian: Lifelong Love of Books Prompts Retirees to Give Back
By Sarah Kuper The bookstore on the lower level of the Homewood Library is home to hundreds of used books, movies and magazines. Most cost one dollar or less. The store is almost completely staffed by volunteer members of Friends of the Library – a group of individuals who believe in the importance of a quality local library. Sue Thomas says she is spending her retirement … [Read more...]
Love at First Sight: A Stroll in the Wildflower Garden Led to a Passion for Volunteering
By Rae PattersonA walk through the Wildflower Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens one Sunday afternoon 25 to 30 years ago was all it took. Janice Williams said she “fell in love with the place,” and she’s been volunteering with the Botanical Gardens ever since. She started out working with the group that raises plants for sale and eventually worked her way into … [Read more...]
Tedder-Ball: Spain Park Senior off to Impressive Start
By Lee Davis Mary Katherine Tedder already was a softball veteran when she earned a spot on the Spain Park varsity team as a mere seventh-grader five years ago. Tedder was a softball prodigy as a child, having first played at the age of four. By her eighth birthday, she was playing travel ball. So by the time Tedder was 12, she was ready for the rigors of the game at the high … [Read more...]
Renaissance Fan: Edgar Welden Has Served Sports at All Levels
By Lee Davis In 2007, Edgar Welden was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. As Welden is quick to say, the induction was not because of his playing days at Wetumpka High School in the late 1950s. "I did set one record," he said, laughing. "As a quarterback, I threw a 99-yard completion that didn't go for a touchdown." Maybe Welden didn't score that … [Read more...]