By June MathewsWhen Thomas Henry sought a meaningful way to serve his community, he discovered it in BridgeWays, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people learn how to “care, connect and contribute.”Henry, who is serving his third year as president of the BridgeWays junior board, is a motivating force behind the junior board’s primary fundraiser, … [Read more...]
A Time-Out for Mom
I realized something this month, as I found myself facing all my kids’ culminating end-of-the-year events, including recitals, banquets, graduation, first communion and multiple mother-daughter trips. Though some parents thrive around such busyness, I realized I am not one of them. In fact, it all makes me feel like I’m being buried alive. I therefore become … [Read more...]
Keep the Memories Alive: Vestavia Woman Shares Her Experience With Grief to Help Other Gold Star Families
By June MathewsWhen an M-60 helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus in November 2023, five members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), also known as Night Stalkers, lost their lives.No sooner had word reached their base at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, than the process of caring for their bereaved families was set in … [Read more...]
Learning to Drive
When I was a teenager, turning 15 meant a summer of learning how to drive a car. Yes, they had already invented cars way back then. Some places called it Drivers Education and some called it Drivers Training. I don’t even think it was optional whether to take it. Here’s how it worked.The “trainers” were almost always school teachers who could earn a little extra money by … [Read more...]
Outdoor Rooms With Views
By Susan SwaglerAs an interior decorator, Mary Finch is used to creating beautiful, comfortable, livable rooms. So, it made perfect sense for her to do the same with her garden – especially since the walls were already there.When Finch and her husband, Ed, bought their Redmont Park home in 2003, the 1.5-acre property was overgrown with wisteria, kudzu and privet. Once … [Read more...]