The Town of Arley prepares for 49th Annual Arley Day festival taking place May 21
ARLEY, Ala. - The Town of Arley’s 49th Annual Arley Day community festival will be Saturday, May 21. The all-day event will last from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Hamner Park kicking off with a parade line up in the Dollar General parking...
Hard at work: Blue collar Alabama in photographs
Each and every job is different and unless you have done that occupation, you may not realize the challenges involved. My page, Alabama at Work, is a salute to the hardworking people of this state.
An Alabama power crew of men, all leaning on a...
83rd Annual Cullman Strawberry Festival has record number of attendees
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 7 was packed with people looking to buy farm fresh strawberries and enjoy the many festivities. Farmers began selling produce at 7:00 a.m. and most were sold out by the middle of the day,...
Confederate Memorial Park to host Civil War Living History & Skirmish
Marbury, Ala. - Confederate Memorial Park, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, will host a special living history event on Saturday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Using authentically reconstructed Civil War barracks, living historians will present outdoor demonstrations on a...
The halls of knowledge: Cullman County Public Library
CULLMAN, Ala. - When you walk into the Cullman County Public Library, you are greeted by a rush of cool air and quiet, but do not be deceived by the silence. There is so much going on! The several dedicated employees of the Cullman...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Trick or Treat Birthday Party
The invitation for “The Trick or Treat Birthday Party” this Halloween weekend suggested fun costumes inspired by the American West—“YEEHAW, y’all come as your favorite singing cowboy or cowgirl.” This was “come as you are” for Roy Rogers, Will Rogers and Kinky Friedman but...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The O Happy Day Birthday Party
“Oh Mickey, you so fine.” At “The O Happy Day Birthday Party,” we’ll see ya round like a doughnut with Mickey Mouse, Georgia O’Keeffe, P.J. O’Rourke and Whoopi Goldberg as Sister Deloris sings, ‘O Happy Day.’”
Our party destination is the “Concrete Donut.” That’s what...
Miss Alabama to compete in Miss USA pageant Nov. 29
TULSA, OK - Miss Alabama, Alexandria Flanigan of Cullman, will be competing in the 70th annual Miss USA pageant to be held on Nov. 29 at the Paradise Cove Theatre of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event will be broadcast at...
Time-honored tradition Decoration Day observed across Cullman County
CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. - Decoration Day, an annual observance still common throughout Cullman and North Alabama, has a history steeped in tradition, honor and homecoming.
With many family traditions falling to the wayside in the busy 21st century, Cullman is fortunate to have a stronghold...
Strawberry Festival returns tomorrow! Miss Strawberry Festival Pageant tonight
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman Strawberry Festival, one of the city’s oldest celebrations, returns tomorrow after a year of COVID shutdowns, with a promise of crafts, entertainment and, of course, strawberries! The Festhalle Farmers Market will open at 7 a.m. Saturday and, since selling...
Comic book artist Tone Rodriguez to visit Camelot Books and Comics on April 21
CULLMAN, Ala. - Tone Rodriguez, comic book artist, writer and creator best known for his work with Bongo Comics on titles like Futurama, The Simpsons and hit series Stray Dogs, will be visiting Camelot Books and Comics Thursday, April 21 from 11:00 a.m. –...
52 ODES TO JOY: BLOOMIN’ JOY
ODE TO BLOOMING
Stealthily, they commanded the hill,
Though no cannons nor bombs were booming.
No movement detected, all seemed deadly still.
Then, victorious as any army, all the flowers were blooming.
The earth is blooming with the joyous laughter of flowers. In my...
The City of Cullman celebrates German roots with Christkindlmarkt Dec. 17-18
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman hosted its first German-themed Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) on Friday, sponsored by the Town of Cullman. The German theme is an homage to Cullman’s German heritage, much like the Weihnachtspyramide, which has been assembled and displayed next to the Cullman County...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The JOY to the Max Birthday Party
The Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, NC is our destination for “The Joy to the Max Birthday Party.” Completed in 1917, this 34,000-square-foot historic home was created for Katherine Smith and R.J. Reynolds, founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Reynolda is...
Arab’s 2nd Annual Sugarfest sees great weather and huge turnout
ARAB, Ala. - The 2nd Annual Sugarfest was held Saturday, Sept. 4 at Arab City Park. The festival kicked off at 8 a.m. and lasted until 10 p.m., with many events including the Sugar Rush 5K, Cornhole Tournament, Sugar High Rides and Amusements, Sweetie...
Local charitable organizations announce upcoming golf tournaments
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman charity clothing boutique Curt’s Closet and Cullman Child Advocacy Center Brooks’ Place both recently announced plans for fundraising golf tournaments this summer.
Curt’s Classic at Cross Creek, July 31
The “Curt’s Classic” tournament will take place at Cross Creek Golf Course, 2321...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The God Bless America Birthday Party
We’re partying at 167 West 12th Street in New York City, in the cookbook-lined library of The James Beard House. Mr. B was “The Dean of American Cooking.” Across one wall is a giant version of Keith Haring’s graffiti poster, “America’s Music Festival—NYC Ballet,”...
Editorial: Summer recommended reading list
Something magical happens when you first reach for a book. The possibilities become endless and worlds you knew nothing about become visible- fallen cities, lost loves, thrilling challenges around every corner. This summer, allow yourself to explore a book or two--whether it be to...
Local author and former CHS teacher holding book reading and signing at Karma’s Coffeehouse
CULLMAN, Ala. - Retired Cullman High School teacher and now, best-selling author, Dorenda Doyle, will present a reading and signing of her newly published memoir “How I Learned to Like My Mom: Forgive Those You Love Before it’s too Late” on Friday, June 17...
Chambers 1st Annual Fall Festival has strong first-time turnout
CULLMAN, Ala. - Chambers Farm & Garden Supply held their 1st Annual Fall Festival Saturday with over 50 total vendors present. The event saw a steady stream of attendees from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
First-time vendor Adeline Dinehart featured her business, Hart Designs, which...
‘So creative’
CULLMAN, Ala. - When it comes to art, inspiration can come from anywhere. For Cullman City Primary School student Wilson Carter, he only had to look as far as the name at the top of his classroom.
Wilson, who just finished kindergarten at CCPS, won...
Oktoberfest announces the 2021 Burgermeister: Casey Harbin
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman High School teacher and coach Casey Harbin has been passed the baton as Burgermeister for the 2021 Cullman Oktoberfest. With Cullman’s German heritage and history, Oktoberfest is an annual event that brings members together from all across the community with...
Upcoming Memorial Day weekend events
CULLMAN, Ala. - There are several events happening around Cullman County this Memorial Day weekend. While Memorial Day has become a time that many choose to hit the lake or host a fun barbeque or party, let’s not forget the reason for the holiday....
52 ODES TO JOY: SMILE-MAKING
ODE TO SMILE-MAKING
When you’re smiling, the muscles it takes are 17.
But, when you’re scowling, it takes 43 and looks so mean.
When you’re smiling, you look better even on frumpy days with bad hair.
Smiles are always in fashion, it’s the very most important thing...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Elements of Style Birthday Party
The most famous “kettle hole” in America is the setting for “The Elements of Style Birthday Party.” It was formed by retreating glaciers 10,000-12,000 years ago near present-day Concord, Massachusetts. This “kettle hole” is Walden Pond where Henry David Thoreau lived in an intentionally...
Editorial: Rock The South 2021- Grey skies and happy times
There is a nearly constant negativity in the Cullman community surrounding the mere existence of Rock the South. This year was no different and the naysayers are having a field day after this year’s festival. Yes, it rained. It rained a lot. What they...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The I Love Saturday Night Birthday Party
We are in Bedford, New York about an hour north of Manhattan for “The I Love Saturday Night Birthday Party.” Set amid 250 acres of rolling lawn and woods, this is the home of Ricky and Ralph Lauren. The popular, “RL” branded towels in...
Sacred Heart Church holds annual Turkey Bazaar
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church Knights of Columbus held their annual Turkey Bazaar Saturday evening, awarding parishioner Andy Gravemen the special prize, a five-foot hanging porch swing donated by Nathaniel Lynn, owner of Lynn's Woodworks.
The long-standing bazaar featured frenzied...
Hank’s Sport Bar and Rumors Deli hosts nationwide talent Jermaine ‘Funnymaine’ Johnson
CULLMAN, Ala. - Saturday night saw two best of the bests putting on a show for Cullman that was full of one-of-a-kind entertainment, specialty drinks and cathartic laughter.
Hank’s Sports Bar and Rumors Deli presented comedian and Alabama football aficionado Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson and Rod...
Hanceville emergency personnel give demonstrations at the Library’s Summer Reading Program
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - The Hanceville Fire and Police Department’s with the Cullman Air Evac team visited the Hanceville Library on Wednesday during their Summer Reading Program to tell them about some of the services they provide and show them their equipment and emergency vehicles.
Firefighter...
Do you believe in the Metal Man?
FALKVILLE Ala. – Alabama certainly has its fair share of urban legends and strange occurrences. Recently, on an adventure through the backroads of Cullman and Morgan counties, I heard mention of the “Falkville Metal Man.” Though I had never heard of him before, I...
Cullman County Public Library to hold a Strawberry Festival book Sale May 7
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman County Public Library is holding a Strawberry Festival Book Sale on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The sale will take place inside the library and books will be 50 cents each. Most of the books...
Friends of the Library to host Author’s Night on April 21
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County are hosting an Author’s Night on April 21 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Traditions Bank Processing Building at 107 3rd Ave NW. 15 different local authors will have tables...
52 ODES TO JOY: BOOK JOY
ODE TO BOOK JOY
Books are magic transportable.
Free libraries make them quite affordable.
It is well-known but still reportable,
Libraries need us to stay supportable.
John Grisham hoped he could make a living as a writer. I wasn’t so sure of his career...
365 JOY-GIVING AMERICANS for 2021: The Playin’ With Fire Birthday Party
When fire-hot lightning strikes sandy beaches, naturally occurring glass sculptures are often created below the melted sand. Sandy beaches surround all sides of Seattle, so it is a perfect place to locate the most comprehensive collection of works by northwest glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly.
“The...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021—The April Shower of Stars Birthday Party
The lush, verdant setting for our “April Shower of Stars Birthday Party” is in Kentucky. Loretta Lynn proudly hails from this state, but instead of her old stomping grounds in Butcher Holler, we are picnicking on a beautiful, finely laid, closely mown stretch of...
52 ODES TO JOY: FLANEUR JOY
ODE TO WANDERLUST
I long to walk there, maybe there and then there.
More joy-filled I’ll return, you may surely trust.
In my lifetime, I shall flaneur everywhere,
Just my feet, my daydreams and wanderlust.
“I love to go a-flaneuring” just doesn’t have quite...
Colony holds Black History Month celebration
COLONY, Ala. - The town of Colony on Saturday, Feb. 27 concluded Black History Month with a celebration at its educational complex, inviting members of the community to bring photos and other artifacts to create a temporary museum, tell their families’ stories and commemorate...
Two enter novitiate at St. Bernard Abbey
CULLMAN, Ala. - The journey of two men, which began with an inquiry to St. Bernard Abbey Vocation Director, Fr. Joel Martin, OSB, has entered into a new phase.
Becoming a monk doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process that takes several years. At St....
Launching the Alabama Arts Recovery Program
MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Alabama State Council on the Arts announces a special grant application opening on Thursday, July 1. The Alabama Arts Recovery Program is supported by recent American Rescue Plan stimulus funding for arts organizations.
$814,100 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts...
52 ODES TO JOY: S.U.N.S. AGE JOY LIBRARY
I LOVE LIBRARIES and I have a dream of a beautiful, FREE, public one with happy colors, patron-selected seating, art murals, craft/study/activity areas, cubbies, tall windows for lots of daylight, tech/STEM assistance, an array of books + lots of integrated programming.
This innovative library in...
The people behind the Hay People
CULLMAN, Ala. - Each fall, Cullmanites mark the times with colorful mums around downtown, and the annual appearance of the hay people is a public reminder that Oktoberfest is almost here. The two practices share a common origin.
In 1999, Cullman residents Pat and Philip...
52 ODES TO JOY: LAUGHTER
LAFF EVRY DAY!
Laff, laff for your brain and your heart.
Laffing makes you strong.
Laffing makes you smart.
Laffter is good for us in evry way.
Laff evry nite and laff evry day!
“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.”—Lord Byron
“He...
City of Hanceville preparing for warm-weather events
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - Though winter's chill will be for another month at least, some cities in Cullman are already working to spread the word about summer events in the works. Amy Moctezuma, assistant park director for the City of Hanceville, recently announced two such...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Ringy-Dingy Birthday Party
It’s late-August and we are cooling off with the joy-giving, cool kids on a giant ice ring at “The Ringy-Dingy Birthday Party.”
The United States has hosted the modern Olympic games, which started in 1896, in six locations: Atlanta (Summer, 1996), Lake Placid, New York...
52 ODES TO JOY: ZEST FOR ZZZ
ODE TO ZZZ
ZZZ are A-okay methinks,
Each regarded with great esteem.
A long sleep or just 40 winks,
To doze, perchance to dream.
There is some irony in the fact I started a luxury brand which sold many thousands of silver-topped casters of...
Editorial: Has Generation X been lost in the shuffle?
Over the past several years, there’s been plenty of chatter about generational differences between the boomers, millenials and Generation Z. It's been mostly insults and finger pointing as those involved in the ongoing conversation duke it out over who is to blame for everything...
Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nelly, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Ingrid Andress, Flatland Cavalry, Laine Hardy, Drew Parker, DeeJay Silver, Trey Lewis and Alex Hall among artists announced...
CULLMAN, AL. - What’s billed as the “The South’s biggest party”, Rock the South announced Monday morning what the concert promoters are calling “an incredible lineup of musicians for Pepsi Rock the South in Cullman, Alabama on August 13-14, 2021.”
This year’s lineup is packed...
Pet adoptions during the holidays—the pros and cons
CULLMAN, Ala. – Gifting adopted pets for Christmas can often be a wonderful and creative idea for the holidays. However, though some people would be excited to receive a pet for Christmas, others may be unprepared. Some adoption shelters are of the opinion that...
Día de Muertos: La Tradición Cuando la Noche Cobra Vida
Read the English version here.
La celebración del Día de Muertos es una costumbre que empezó en el siglo 16 en México y que comparte la historia de tradiciones que se formaron debido a la integración de dos culturas.
Estudios históricos y antropológicos han permitido constatar...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Breakfast at Tiffany’s Birthday Party
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is now a literal “thing,” not just the title of a Truman Capote novella and an Audrey Hepburn movie. Inside Tiffany & Company’s iconic, flagship jewelry store at 727 Fifth Avenue in New York City, is The Blue-Box Café.
This is our...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Giant Steps Birthday Party
“Destination Moon” is our destination for “The Giant Steps Birthday Party.” We are being given a preview of this exhibition which promises to be a major blockbuster coming to the National Air and Space Museum in 2022.
Building on the Washington, D.C. museum’s unrivaled collection...
Celebrating our history: Colony will hold Black History Month celebration Feb. 27
COLONY, Ala. - The Town of Colony will celebrate Black History Month Saturday, Feb. 27 by creating a temporary community history museum at the town’s Educational Complex to “reflect the many milestones and accomplishments of our ancestors,” according to a notice from Colony’s Black...
Ben South and the ‘perpetual gift of curiosity’
CULLMAN, Ala. - Over the course of its history, Cullman has been home to many great creators and artists in all mediums. One hometown “consummate creative,” as he put it, has been drawing inspiration from the natural world and the concept of “southernness” here...
52 ODES TO JOY: NEIGHBORING
ODE TO NEIGHBORING
Neighbors come in lots of flavors;
Lovers, haters, givers, takers.
Not to belabor, though no message greater,
Love all neighbors on God’s green acres.
The surest way to add more joy to your life is to add joy to others. “Those who...
Spring break: local events
CULLMAN, Ala. - With spring break next week, many families will be looking for fun things to do. Of course, there are the beaches of Alabama and the mountains of Tennessee, but there are also many great and inexpensive events happening around north Alabama.
N.E.A.C.A...
Dreher’s plays host to Chamber event ‘Burgers and Brews’
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman Chamber of Commerce held its Burgers and Brews event at local Dreher’s Cocktail Bar & Restaurant Monday evening. While the $30 tickets were exclusive to Chamber members, this event was built around the idea of bringing people together for...
2nd Friday downtown celebrations return June 11
CULLMAN, Ala. - After the 2020 hiatus, people are ready to head back out, and the City of Cullman is eager to accommodate. On Friday, June 11, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism, Cullman Downtown Merchants Association and...
52 ODES TO JOY: UNITING
ODE TO UNITING
(Dedicated to John Lennon and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
I have a dream and I’m inviting
All to end the fighting and begin uniting.
Imagine a dream of no more dividing, black and whiting;
A bit of history rewriting, one world uniting.
I have...
Bloomin’ Festival returns April 17-18
CULLMAN, Ala. - After a year of COVID shutdowns, St. Bernard Prep’s annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair is returning April 17-18, 2021.
The school describes its festival as “a two-day juried arts festival attracting more than 25,000 visitors to the beautiful campus of...
Welti’s Preston Cook receives $500 scholarship in NASP National Virtual Archery Tournament
WELTI, Ala. - Welti Elementary School’s Preston Cook was selected to receive a $500 scholarship this week following his participation in the National Archery in Schools Program National Virtual Archery Tournament.
Of 15,683 archers who participated in the virtual shoot, 100 were randomly...
Grilled Cheese wins the day at Hanceville’s inaugural Grilled Cheese Festival
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - A huge crowd came out Saturday to Hanceville’s Downtown to enjoy a day dedicated to America’s go-to comfort sandwich. The inaugural Grilled Cheese Festival, hosted by the Hanceville downtown merchants, was wildly popular and successful.
By noon on Saturday, the downtown area...
Cullman Forge meets every first Sunday at Peinhardt Living History Farm
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Alabama Forge Council is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 by Jim Batson to teach and promote the art of blacksmithing. Mr. Batson wanted to have groups all over the state to make it more accessible. The Cullman chapter was...
2nd Annual Doggy Pawgeant taking place at Strawberry Festival May 7
CULLMAN, Ala. - The 2nd Annual Doggy Pawgeant is one of the many events to take place the day of the Strawberry Festival, with a start time of 1:00 p.m. It will be right after the baking competition on the mini-stage located right in...
365 AMERICAN JOY-GIVERS for 2021: The Starry Starry Night Birthday Party
“Starry Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, one of the most joy-giving paintings in the history of art, is a major crowd-pleaser at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art, NYC). Hold on, mama, MOMA is our destination for “The Starry Starry Night Birthday Party.”
Mr. van...
