If you grew up in Alabama or have spent any amount of time in the state, then you likely know a little about Helen Keller’s life here. After suffering a severe illness at 19 months, she was left deaf and blind. For the next five years, her world was dark, lonely, and utterly silent until Anne Sullivan entered her life. On a spring day in 1887, the teacher made a breakthrough when she successfully taught Helen the word “water” by repeatedly pumping cool well water into her hand while tapping out an alphabet code spelling the word into her other. By the end of the night, Helen had learned 30 words.

Christy and Cal Breed are fluent in the language of fire. In 2002, the couple opened a hot shop and gallery to practice and teach others about the ancient art of glass blowing. Since then, Orbix Hot Glass, located on 26 acres bordering Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, has become an established business—attracting visitors from near and far to see Cal’s extraordinary pieces and the fascinating process of creating them. We sat down with Christy to learn more about Orbix, glass art, and the Alabama maker community.  

It may be best known as host to one of the Southeast’s biggest music festivals, but The Hangout in Gulf Shores has been showing crowds a good time for far longer than the Hangout Music Festival’s 10-year tenure.

If you’ve ever visited the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and stared up at the translucent marble ceiling, you’ve witnessed a piece of Alabama history. The ceiling is made of white marble mined in Talladega County’s Sylacauga (appropriately known as the Marble City). 

Hope you’re ready for an extra-long seventh-inning stretch because Minor League Baseball is back after a season off due to COVID-19. This summer brings the long-awaited return of home runs […]

Excited voices and laughter rang in the air as community volunteers, led by Tres Taylor and his paintbrush, transformed a blank white wall in downtown Marion into a magical tale of hope and light. […]

It’s a star turn for Wetumpka as the small town along the Coosa River in Elmore County takes center stage in “Home Town Takeover,” a new HGTV show. Small town revitalization and renovation super heroes Erin and Ben Napier are giving a whole town makeover to Wetumpka in a new six-episode series premiering May 2. 

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines—your boat engines that is. On Saturday May 15, Russell Medical is hosting a scavenger hunt on Lake Martin for anyone who would like to […]

When it comes to artists and makers, there’s no shortage of talent in Alabama. From Huntsville to Mobile and everywhere in between, our state’s rich history in arts and culture is alive and well. In Alabama’s Black Belt, a region traditionally known for its plight due to a lack of education, resources, and socioeconomic opportunity, Black Belt Treasures is working to bring attention to the area’s artists and keep the Black Belt part of the state’s art conversation.

Governor Ivey declared April 11–17 “Embrace Alabama Kids Week,” and communities across the state have stepped up to create a mural to commemorate the occasion. The week, which is an […]

It’s the 20th anniversary of the Old 280 Boogie, which might be the most unlikely music festival held twice a year in the tiny town of Waverly, Alabama. This year’s […]

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When it comes to lighthouses, Alabama isn’t exactly the Northeast, where around 150 of the country’s 1,000 lighthouses reside. Nor are we Michigan, where 115 lighthouses stand along the Great […]

There are few things as awe-inspiring as the warm glow of golden hour on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. With gorgeous scenery at every turn, from blue-green waves crashing against white-sand shores […]

Justin Hill, a fourth-generation farmer, found sweet success when he turned his bee-keeping hobby into the Eastaboga Bee Company in 2009. Now his bees’ honey is sold to many of […]

If you’re feeling like you could use a little bit of luck this year, don’t fret! Alabama has you covered with several ways to safely celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all […]

For anyone who’s ever experienced a lost bag when traveling, here’s a comforting stat: Only 0.03 percent of checked luggage ends up unclaimed. But what happens to that remaining 0.03 […]

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded through 2020 and live shows were cancelled left and right, the music industry took a hit. With tours delayed and stay-at-home orders in place, many […]

It all started with compost. When Connor Knapp decided to give up a job in Antarctica to move home to Huntsville, he launched a business with his family to sell […]

While many associate Mardi Gras with the revelry and debauchery of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, the holiday actually began right here in Alabama. Mardi Gras was first celebrated in 1703 […]

It’s officially Carnival season — the period of time after epiphany (January 6) and before Lent (starts Ash Wednesday) — which means Mardi Gras celebrations are beginning to kick off. […]