Students in North Alabama who envision themselves as a chef in a bustling restaurant or a caterer for a special event have an extraordinary opportunity to acquire many of these skills while in high school.  The Culinary Arts Academy at Career Academies of Decatur is a unique program for 9th through 12th-grade students to fully […]

Founded in the heart of Birmingham, the legendary establishment, Full Moon BBQ, stands as one of Alabama’s most-loved bar-b-que joints. Here, a long and delicious history of excellent Southern-style ‘que is made in the time-honored, traditional way – with quality meats cooked low and slow over a hickory wood-fired pit and spiced with mouthwatering, award-winning […]

Childhood is for dreaming—for pretend magic potions, princess fairy dresses, and dragons in enchanted castles. But even with all of the wishes in the world, many children struggle with their “happily ever after.” Enter Storybook Farm—a peaceful, 51-acre farm in Opelika, Alabama, whose mission is to “give childhoods back to children” through the unique and […]

When I was a little girl, while my friends were dressing Barbie and parading her around her Dream House or swaddling their Cabbage Patch kids and rocking them to sleep, I was outside in the ditch behind our house (we called it a creek, but it was a straight-up drainage ditch) coaxing crawdads out of […]

Jordan Hughes hasn’t always been a stationery designer, but perhaps it was in the cards for her all along. The Alabama native is the owner and creator of Stately Made, a paper goods business that celebrates and inspires a sense of place for her home state. She began the business in 2013, and while it […]

Barber Motorsports Park has made a name for itself in the Southeast as a premier racing destination in the heart of the South. From museumgoers to motorcycle enthusiasts and dedicated racing fans, thousands of visitors come to Barber each year to enjoy the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, the Porsche Track Experience, and a number of […]

Alabama’s Dauphin Island is a place with a fascinating and extensive history that dates back to roughly one thousand years B.C. Luckily, the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce and the Encyclopedia of Alabama have woven together much of the area’s recorded history. The first supposed visitor to the area was Prince Madoc of Wales, who […]

I double-checked my email with anticipation. Check-in at 4:00 p.m. I thought I had it right. I looked up from my phone to an antique piece of silver jewelry and caught the strong perfume of a classically Southern grandmother strolling one grandchild with the other anxiously tugging at the linen on her hip. Our lunchtime […]

Chef Jacob M. Stull recently announced his return to Birmingham for his new French fine dining pop-up tasting menu experience. The concept behind Rêve is one steeped in the desire to create something meaningful from his French heritage and extensive experience in the culinary space. Through Rêve, Chef Stull marries two worlds—Southern and French cuisine. […]

On farms across Alabama this month, winter crops are giving way to early spring’s harvest of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Strawberries are in abundance this year. April also marks the unofficial start of farmers market season in the Yellowhammer State. While a few pop-up markets get an early start, opening days pick up pace for […]

The expansion of outdoor fitness courts across the state is helping make high-quality workouts accessible to all, regardless of age, fitness level, or economic status. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, along with the National Fitness Campaign, are working to deliver these outdoor wellness infrastructures to every county in the state—and they are well […]

Known as the “rowdiest party in the SEC,” the 2024 Auburn Rodeo is “going to be one hell of a year.” Combining a rodeo, tailgate, and all-star concert, Auburn Rodeo is set to be an unforgettable experience once again. Back for another year, Auburn Rodeo will take place on April 20, 2024, at Sistrunk Farms […]

The University Club, a beloved special events and private dining facility with a fascinating history, is slated to reopen its doors to the public in May. The prestigious establishment with its iconic Greek revival structure and towering columns sits atop Queen City Avenue on The  University of Alabama campus, and has remained a cherished University […]

When you first hear the name Project Horseshoe Farm, images of livestock and agriculture may first come to mind. And while the image of a rural setting isn’t altogether wrong, it also isn’t a complete picture of all that Project Horseshoe Farm is about. “We wanted a name that was intentionally somewhat ambiguous and that […]

Alabamians have held Easter as an important holiday from the beginning of the state’s history. Luckily, local sources have held on to small, sentimental pieces of this extensive history that give us a glimpse into the past. Below are two such pieces shared by Wilcox Historical Society and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. […]

I’m instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia and the smell of hairspray as soon as I open the doors to Classic Cut—a small hair salon in Attalla, Alabama where I grew up getting my haircut alongside my mother and grandmother. Much of it is still the same. The gravel road leading up to the […]

Springtime is prime time for festivals celebrating Alabama food and drink. Whether it’s Middle Eastern food, Southern barbecue, or good old gumbo, you won’t leave hungry. There are gatherings to enjoy chocolate, grits, wings, tacos, and even poke salat. Quench your thirst with margaritas, beer, wine, and mimosas. You’ll find something to tickle your tastebuds […]

Every year, sounds of bluegrass and old-time music drift through the Athens State University campus at the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. The annual event brings hundreds of contestants to what has become affectionately known as the “Granddaddy of Mid-South Fiddlers Conventions.” Additionally, musicians and fiddle enthusiasts gear up for the October convention […]

When picturing The Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, one of the first things that comes to mind is the eye-catching artwork found throughout the space, from the lobby to the rooftop bar. Curated largely by Blair Plott, a member of The Alamite’s ownership group, the collection features works by many talented local artists and each […]

On March 23rd, The Wilcox Historical Society Tour of Homes will take place in Oak Hill and Camden, Alabama. Featuring seven homes, two churches, and other historic sites, the annual event draws visitors from around the state to appreciate the well-preserved architecture. The area has a rich and fascinating history. According to the Wilcox Area […]

When looking for the first signs of spring, some folks point to early flowers—blooming peach and cherry trees, daffodils, hyacinths, and the lot. For me? The first fresh-picked, perfectly ripe Alabama strawberries mark the transition from dreary winter to the bounty of spring and summer. From south to north, strawberry plants are now in full […]