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Culture

Profiles of artists, writers and musicians, to coverage of topics that affect the world around us, explore some of my writing on culture.

Moody Living Magazine • September 8 2025

The Irish Dream - Moody Living Magazine

Since its opening two years ago, Oh Sherri Pub has become one of Moody’s coolest places to hang out. Whether dropping by for a cold beer after work or hungry for some authentic Irish fare, like shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash, Oh Sherri is the spot.
However, the story about how Oh Sherri Pub came about is much cooler.

Trussville Living Magazine • August 8 2025

An Engineered Path - Trussville Living Magazine

Melanie Dimler jumped into teaching on a whim.
A highly-respected AP physics teacher at Hewitt-Trussville High School, Dimler spent the early part of her professional life as a mechanical engineer before stumbling into the world of teaching, practically by accident.

Lakeside Living • August 1 2025

Modernized disco-era home reflects the whimsical personalities of its owners

The Daily Home • June 19 2025

LMLPA brings Frog & Turtle Night to Lakeside Park

PELL CITY — As the sun sets and the sky begins its transition to pitch black, there is a bit of a commotion coming from Lakeside Park: blood-curdling screams, high-pitched squeals, and a bunch of kids laughing themselves silly.
There is a frog on the loose.

Alabaster Connection - The official magazine of Alabaster, Alabama • May 1 2025

Game Definitely Not Over

“I got a pocket full of quarters, and I'm headed to the arcade.”
If you’re of a “certain age,” you undoubtedly know the opening line by heart to that 1980s novelty song, Pac Man Fever, by the one-hit wonder duo Buckner & Garcia. The song paid tribute to the game that ushered in the first wave of classic video games like Galaga, Space Invaders, and QBert, just to name a few.

Lakeside Living • February 1 2025

Enjoy a weekend – and a few hands of Queen Nazarene – at Hartman Castle

If you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you probably wouldn’t believe it. After snaking your way through the narrow roads of Alpine Bay, you’ll eventually encounter it, like some sort of mid-70s Sid and Marty Krofft meets Monty Python fever dream - a castle.
That’s right a castle — Hartman Castle, to be precise.

Lakeside Living • February 1 2025

I’m living On The Air In Pell City... Pell City, WFHK

It’s been 25 years since Pell City High School graduate, Navy veteran, and well-known Birmingham radio personality Adam Stocks bought WFHK, one of the last remnants from the staticky, crackly days of AM radio. Since then, Stocks has transformed WFHK into a unique voice for Pell City, packing some of the old music and programming in mothballs, transitioning the station to FM, branching into video, and rebranding the station as The River 94.1, St. Clair County’s only commercial FM station.

Daily Home • January 26 2025

Michael's Men's Wear still anchors the square after more than half a century

A beloved anchor of The Courthouse Square in downtown Talladega, Michael’s Men’s Wear has been one of the city’s key businesses for 56 years.

Over the Mountain Journal • January 22 2025

Katherine McRee: Leading Cahaba Heights To New... Heights - Over the Mountain Journal

Katherine McRee is a leader who doesn’t think of herself as one. At least that wasn’t on her radar screen when she and her sister, Susan Day, opened the Lili Pad, a popular children’s boutique in Cahaba Heights two decades ago. However, in recent years, McRee has emerged as one of the most significant and highly respected civic leaders in Vestavia Hills, sparking a renewed sense of community and creativity taking root throughout the city.

Lakeside Living • January 1 2025

Christmas On The Square

It’s around 4 p.m., and, as late afternoon fades into early
evening, downtown Talladega simply dazzles. The decorations add touches of festive color, the Christmas lights sparkle in the darkening air and bounce off the architecture, and children try to keep their balance on the skating rink just steps away from the Talladega County Courthouse, all making The Square the perfect setting for a Christmas celebration.

Lakeside Living • December 1 2024

Lakeside living In Modern Ranch style on the Pell City shoreline

Tracey and Wade Cole’s stunning home in Mays Bend has been a work in progress for the better part of a
decade. The couple purchased the home and moved from Pelham to Pell City in 2014 following several years of owning a weekend home in the area.

Lakeside Living • November 1 2024

Relocated Arizonans love lakeside living on Logan Martin

Lakeside Living • November 1 2024

Relocated Arizonans love lakeside living on Logan Martin

Discover St. Clair • October 3 2024

Hiking Big Canoe Creek Preserve

Located just off of St. Clair County 9 in Springville, Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve can make you forget you’re just a mile or two away from the highway’s busy intersection of U.S. 11 in the middle of town.
As you drive along the winding, two-lane road covered with trees, you can already feel the temperature drop, even on this hot-as-molten-lava day in mid-August.

Lakeside Living • October 1 2024

The Annual Rock Paper Scissors Regatta

The Birmingham Sailing Club is humming with activity on a late-summer Saturday. It’s high noon and the day actually feels pleasant. The temperature is in the low 90s, there is a nice breeze stirring, and the humidity is blessedly low.

Birmingham Lifestyle Magazine • October 1 2024

Gus's in Good Hands

Gus’s Hot Dogs is one of a handful of Birmingham’s original Greek-owned restaurants still standing and is the last of the original hot dog joints in town following the demise of such places as Tony’s Terrific Hot Dogs and Lyric Hot Dogs.

Lakeside Living • September 1 2024

A Riverside Treasure For 176 Years

Lakeside Living • September 1 2024

A Magical Evening

There is a quote attributed to the 20th century actress and comedian Fanny Brice that goes something like this: “Love is like a card trick. After you know how it works, it’s no fun anymore.”

Lakeside Living • August 1 2024

Georgia Couple Goes Rogue On Anglers Point

Birmingham Lifestyle Magazine • August 1 2024

Handprints of Purpose

The Kellymoss Racing crew is busy preparing the Racing for Children’s Porsche for the final race of the day — the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, GT3. The car’s driver, Efrin Castro, is checking out the green and white racing machine, decked out with the Children’s of Alabama logo and, more importantly, handprints from children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood disorders.

Daily Home • July 20 2024

Talladega High Sports Standout Honored by AHSAA

Daily Home • July 20 2024

State Champion Wrestler To Study Political Science In Nation's Capital

Birmingham Lifestyle Magazine • July 1 2024

Wheelchair Rugby's Team USA

It’s a Saturday morning in early May, and the gymnasium at Lakeshore Foundation is buzzing with activity. The music on the PA system is loud - very loud. At 9 a.m. on the dot, the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby team takes the floor to begin workouts. Before long, the team members are crashing into each other, dripping sweat, and breathing heavily as they prepare for this summer’s 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

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