Brianna Whitney Womack and Joshua Brock Champion were married May 14 at Church of the Highlands Chapel. The Rev. Danny Wood of Shades Mountain Baptist Church officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Starr F. Womack of Decatur. The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Greg L. Champion of Vestavia Hills. Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a … [Read more...]
Three-Wheeled Calling: Former Spartan Track Coach Leads Local AMBUCS Non-Profit
By Lee Davis After leading Mountain Brook to 68 state championships in track and field over a four-decade career, Greg Echols decided to retire. But at the relatively young age of 60, Echols still needed a path for the rest of his life. Last February, he found it. Echols, now 61, became executive director of the Greater Birmingham chapter of AMBUCS, a non-profit … [Read more...]
From Dairy Farm to Entertainment District: Rocky Ridge to Host First Fridays Events this Summer
By Sarah Kuper The Rocky Ridge shopping area will come alive this summer as local merchants, artists and performers showcase all the area has to offer during the First Fridays series. Beginning June 3 at 5 p.m., visitors can walk or drive to Rocky Ridge, off of Morgan Drive and Rocky Ridge Road, and see through new eyes a vibrant and eclectic community. The area was … [Read more...]
Reluctant Hero: First Alabama Vietnam Veteran Reflects on Real Tragedy of Any War
By Lee DavisJim Lawrence’s professorial looks and soft-spoken manner give him the appearance of a college dean or a teacher. In fact, Lawrence has been both. But he is much more than that. The Vestavia Hills resident is a war hero – even though he disputes that description. Lawrence, a Troy native, had just graduated from The Citadel in South Carolina when he decided … [Read more...]
A Life in Politics: OTM Legislator Looks Back on 50 Years but Isn’t Done Yet
By Sarah KuperSen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, has served the Over the Mountain area in an elected capacity for 50 years, but his political aspirations began before he ever ran for office. “My father served on the city commission in the 1950s, so we would all sit around the dinner table and talk politics and government,” Waggoner said. At the recent Jubilee for … [Read more...]