Arts + Culture

Not Home for the Holidays

Article by Casey Creque | Photography by Nadia Kidd Officer Tanius Scott- HPD  How long have you been a Huntsville City Police Officer?  Eight years in February. My stepfather was a police officer for HPD and my mom used to to tell me all the cool stories about his job. I love the idea of being a hero for somebody who needs me.   Have you missed a major holiday because of your job?  I worked 3rd shift for 7 years and missed a lot of events because I had to sleep or was too exhausted...

Shopping

Holiday Gift Guide

For her, for him, for kids, for home, and for stockings Article by Casey Creque and Amy Bailey For Her 1. Squeeze Massage, $129-$159 Help her relax after the stresses of the holiday season with a massage from Squeeze. Better yet, a membership would make for the perfect monthly treat for the new year, squeezemassage.com. 2. Go Clove sneakers, Mountain High Outfitters, $145 Have her walking into the new year in style with the hottest new comfortable sneakers. Located off Bob Wallace...

Home + Design

Deck The Halls

It's all in the details in decorating a Southern home for the holidays Article by Amy Bailey A wreath on the door and every window, red velvet ribbons, big bows, Tartan ribbon running down trees, fresh flower arrangements, candelabras, bowls of vintage Christmas ornaments, garland running down a staircase, and of course poinsettias, all these elements can be seen as people deck the halls for a Southern Christmas. Christmas in the South is truly unique, marked by long standing traditions and...

Arts + Culture

Holidays Under Palm Trees

How one Huntsville family celebrates the holidays at their home in the Florida Keys Article and Photography by Amy Bailey Amanda and Travis Howard both grew up in South Florida. It is where they met, got married, and even welcomed one of their daughters in Jupiter. From early on, they knew that once they became empty nesters, they would want to return to South Florida or, at the very least, be near the ocean again. As they raised their daughters in Huntsville, their love for the Florida Keys...

Food + Beverage

The Chocolate Factory

A look inside award-winning chocolatier, Pizelle's Article by Hannah Kanfer | Photography by Nadia Kidd Walking into Pizzelle’s, you're immediately greeted by the hum of activity, from the rhythmic whirl of mixers, the soft hiss of spray painters, and the clinking of bowls in the open kitchen at the heart of the store. As you step further inside, it hits you: the rich, unmistakable smell of chocolate. When you reach the counter, it feels less like a chocolate shop and more like a jewelry...

Life + Culture

Tartan Holidays

Article by Amy Bailey | Photography by Joe Davis "Clan means family," says Nancy Van Valkenburgh, a seventh generation Scottish American, as we sit next to each other at the annual Burns Night during the festival of Saint Andrews. It is a beautiful, blustery night outside and the room we are celebrating in is filled with an array of tartans. Saint Andrew's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle and the beginning of the Advent season. It...

Entertainment

Dreaming with your Feet

The Magic of Merrimack Hall Article by Hannah Kanfer When you walk into Merrimack Hall, “happy” is a central theme that shines through all its activities. Whether it’s the after-school “Happy Hearts” program or the “Happy Camp” summer program, there’s no shortage of smiles, laughter, and the sound of music echoing from its walls. Merrimack Hall, located in West Huntsville’s aptly named Merrimack neighborhood, isn’t your typical performing arts center. It is dedicated to providing visual and...

Life + Culture

35th Anniversary of the 1989 Tornado

Rising out of destruction stronger and better Article by Amy Bailey It was November 15, 1989, I was a 6th grade student at Whitesburg Middle School. I was in the after school care program, but because the weather was getting bad and I lived less than a 2 minute walk from the school, they let me walk home. French horn in one hand that toggled my 5 ft frame making me lean to the right. I noticed it wasn't raining or lightening but the sky was eery unlike anything I had seen before. A mixture of...

Food + Beverage

Craft Coffee Trail

The best part of waking up Article by Hannah Kanfer November brings with it cool weather and earlier nights—the perfect time to curl up with a nice cup of coffee. With the sound of crunchy leaves underfoot and Thanksgiving just around the corner, autumn is officially in full swing. The aroma of fresh roasted coffee beans from Huntsville's oldest coffee shop fills the crisp downtown air. If you are looking for the best drip coffee in town, it is hard to top a blend from The Kaffeklastch, but...

Food + Beverage

Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

Article and Photography by Jeanne Allen- Legend Realty My favorite side is broccoli casserole because my mom used to make it.  Brandy Smith- Renasant Bank A few years ago I wanted to learn to make apple pie, so my friend Anne planned to come teach me how her mother made them. Some ladies in the neighborhood heard about it and joined us. It has become our tradition to get together and make pies for Thanksgiving now, and its nice to have a little piece Anne's mom with us on the holidays...