Travel

Holidays In NYC

Glittery windows of 5th Avenue, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, giant light shows at Saks Fifth Avenue, and street performers belting out Last Christmas Article and Photography by Amy Bailey My first holidays in New York I had moved there the same year, my office was right beside Rockefeller Center so many days were spent walking around watching the city come to life with pure holiday magic. In 2023, twenty years after leaving the city I was able to take my daughter so she could experience...

Local Services

Building A Village

Lincoln Village is transforming lives and building community Article by Casey Creque Just outside of downtown Huntsville, the historic Lincoln Mill community once stood as an area overwhelmed by poverty and hopelessness. In 2002, Mark Stearns was called to bring the light of Christ into the darkness after getting a first-hand look into the devastating conditions that families were living in just minutes away from the most affluent parts of town. He felt that it was unreasonable that there...

Life + Culture

The Monark Effect

How two Vietnam Veterans found friendship at Monarch Grove Article by Casey Creque Friendship often forms in the most unexpected places, and sometimes the bonds of shared experience resurface years later in surprising ways. At Monark Grove Retirement Community, where neighbors quickly become friends through lively programs and events, two veterans discovered their paths had crossed long before they met in Madison, Alabama. Lieutenant Colonel Bert Amidon and Colonel Bill Tillman arrived at...

Life + Culture

Rooted in Resilience

A look inside Aum and their mission to empower the next generation of women Article by Casey Creque Aum was born from Alka Burghav's journey of resilience. It became her mission to give girls the tools she once needed herself. Through education, mentorship, and holistic support, Aum empowers young women to rise above barriers, step into confidence, and create lasting impact in their communities. What inspired the creation of Aum? The purpose behind Aum is deeply personal to me. When I came...

Local Services

Making It Matter

Providing stability, mentorship, and hope for youth as they transition into adulthood. Article by Casey Creque | Photography by Madison Martin Photography For teens in foster care, the journey to independence often feels uncertain, filled with challenges that can shape the course of their lives. Make It Matter: The Collective steps into that space with a mission to provide stability, mentorship, and hope for youth as they transition into adulthood. Through life skills training, healing...

Health + Wellness

Making Wishes Come True

How a local family was given hope through Make-A-Wish Alabama Article by Stefanie and Trey Phillips December 1, 2023. The start of, arguably, the happiest 31 days on the calendar. Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas music, Santa Claus, snow, and a cancer diagnosis. This is the date that our lives changed forever. The date that our baby, Maizy, received a cancer diagnosis at just 2 years old. This always gleeful month very quickly became a month of hurt, sadness, anger, tears, fears...

Education

Honoring Veteran Legacies

Helping elderly veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War or during the Cold War era. Article and Photography by Those entering the doors of Hope Church on the first Tuesday of every month can hear the harmonious camaraderie spilling from the church’s recreation room. The chatter, mixed with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sweet treats, comes from the gathering of veterans from around North Alabama. Honoring Veteran Legacies, a local nonprofit, serves...

Food + Beverage

Sweet Potato Pie

My grandmother's recipe for this Southern staple Article and Photography by Amy Bailey Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth chimes in my head sang by the Southern band Alabama, and since I was a kid there was no better Thanksgiving dessert than my grandmother's sweet potato pie.  Ingredients 1 (1-pound) sweet potato, with skin 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground...

Food + Beverage

So Fresh And So Good

Article and Photography by Sally Ham As an avid foodie I try to be very mindful in what I fuel my body with. Don't get me wrong, I sure do love devouring a scrumptious bowl of ice cream when given the opportunity. But I also feel very refreshed and pleased after I enjoy a health filled salad or bowl. So I bring to you my favorite salads, as well as bowls and where they can be found in the Rocket City! Oh and don't worry, none of these are boring or plain- all are full of flavor and color. Let's...

Arts + Culture

Lara Isbell

Painting what makes you happy Article by Amy Bailey | Photography by Will Jenkins What makes you happy? In graduate school, Lara Isbell was fascinated with the human form and attempting to master this type of figurative art. However many of her critiques, both professors and other students, felt that my paintings were too cold or impersonal.Lara recalls, "A favorite professor at that time recognized I was feeling down and losing my desire to create. He asked me a pretty simple question  What...