Culture

Discover the soul of Alabama through exclusive SoulGrown stories about its rich culture

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Crimson Dynasty, the Napa Valley-crafted wine label rooted in Alabama pride and tradition, has officially begun shipping its much-anticipated 2024 Chardonnay. The new release expands the brand’s growing portfolio and […]

Crimson Dynasty adds Chardonnay marking a new era for Alabama wines

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January 16, 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers an annual opportunity to engage thoughtfully with the ideas that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and continue to inform conversations about justice, equity, and […]

Dr. King in Washington DC

Martin Luther King Jr. Day across Alabama

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January 15, 2026

“There’s so much to do!” Emma Gilbert responds when I ask how the new year is going for her–and that, she believes, is a good problem to have. Gilbert has […]

Emma Gilbert

How Emma Gilbert is painting a more colorful Alabama

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January 13, 2026

Tucked away in the charming city of Cullman, Alabama, lies a site that inspires awe in visitors from near and far: the Ave Maria Grotto. This peaceful and artistic destination […]

Ave Maria Grotto

A Pilgrimage to the Ave Maria Grotto: A North Alabama Treasure

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January 12, 2026

Each January, thousands of cranes return to Alabama’s winter wetlands, and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur becomes the perfect place to witness them. From January 9–11, 2026, the […]

Cranes next to water

Experience winged wildlife at the 2026 Festival of the Cranes

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January 8, 2026

If you’re craving an unhurried, peaceful start to the new year, it’s best to begin with a cozy new book. But what makes a book cozy? It’s the kind of […]

bookstore interior

Six cozy winter reads to ease into the new year

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January 5, 2026

For those looking to begin the new year outside, Alabama State Parks offer an easy and beautiful place to start. On January 1, Alabama State Parks will host First Day […]

Sunrise hike

Start the new year outdoors with Alabama State Parks First Day Hikes

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December 30, 2025

Tucked away in the heart of Florence, the Rosenbaum House is an architectural treasure designed by none other than the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. This home is more than just […]

A Closer Look at the Historic Rosenbaum House

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December 22, 2025

Whether you love the holidays or loathe them, chances are you feel a little extra stress this time of year—which is why it’s so important to protect your mental health. […]

Christmas Tree

Stress-free holidays: tips for supporting your mental health

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December 18, 2025

Meet Dawn Diehl, owner of Birch Tree Day Spa and our trusted esthetician, whom we’ve consulted to advise how to keep our skin healthy during the winter months. Although Alabama […]

Birch tree exterior

Skincare for an Alabama winter from Birch Tree Day Spa

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December 17, 2025

As we talk, Tammy West of Glow Floral Event Design is doing what she does best: decorating a Christmas tree. This is the second attempt of the day (the first tree […]

White House interior

An Alabama florist’s journey to the White House

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December 15, 2025

When you arrive at Jubilee Suites on the Eastern shore of Mobile Bay, you feel it immediately: a sense of being welcomed. Dana and Jim Maloney have filled the inn […]

Jubilee Suites

SoulGrown Stays: Jubilee Suites Boutique B&B

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December 15, 2025

As winter settles over North Alabama, Cullman transforms into a place where Christmas comes to life. Each year, this small Southern town of just 20,000 people transforms with remarkable intention […]

Cullman Christkindlmarkt

A Winter Wonderland Comes to Life at Cullman Christkindlmarkt

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December 12, 2025

A major expansion of Alabama’s entertainment tax incentive program is turning heads in the music industry. Representatives of the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Alabama Entertainment Office have been […]

Fame studios sound booth

A new way Alabama is investing in its music community

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December 10, 2025

The Black Jacket Symphony brings Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ to life at McWane Science Center’s dome theater. For the first time ever, experience a live concert […]

Black Jacket Symphony

Black Jacket Symphony Brings Dark Side of the Moon to McWane IMAX

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December 10, 2025

One of my earliest connections to Southern food was in my great-grandmother’s kitchen, on a chicken farm in rural Alabama. We’d make the drive up from Birmingham and arrive in […]

Field sunset

Baguettes and Biscuits: The French-Southern Connection

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December 9, 2025

It’s December, and that means it’s time to gather around the table for a holiday meal—and perhaps sip on something delicious. With so many components to seasonal feasting, choosing wines […]

Kady with wine bottles

The perfect holiday wine pairings with Golden Age Wine

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December 5, 2025

In the heart of downtown Decatur, The Princess Theatre stands as a beacon of history, culture, and community. Over a century old, the Princess has grown from a humble livery […]

Princess Theatre

The Princess Theatre: Decatur’s Crown Jewel

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December 4, 2025

At The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, traditions are enthusiastically celebrated year-round. Each day, the resort honors the military with a lobby procession ending in the firing of a […]

The Grand Hall

A grand tradition: Christmas magic returns to The Grand Hotel

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December 3, 2025

I am excited to introduce to you all our newly named Editor, Holly Swafford. Over the last two years Holly has worked with the SoulGrown team as a contributor. Her […]

Holly Swafford

A new chapter at SoulGrown: meet the Editor, Holly Swafford

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December 1, 2025

Pediatric dental practices are more than healthcare settings; they’re community touchpoints where families, local businesses, and neighborhood institutions naturally intersect. Fireside, a Birmingham-based technology company, was founded on the belief […]

Dr. Bart Yancey

The business of Communion: Fireside’s community-centered model

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November 28, 2025