My first drinks of choice were either a Sun-Rise Orange, Nehi Grape or NuGrape. When I was a little older, my favorite became Coca-Cola. The one I loved most came in a green-colored, 6.5-ounce, thick glass bottle. Maybe it is just my imagination, or my sentimental nostalgia, but I...
“Laughter is the best medicine” is a cliché everyone knows. And it is based on the truth. Studies have shown that laughter relieves stress, releases endorphins and helps your overall well-being. But in the case of cancer, I don’t think it’s true. If my doctor wants to treat me...
Editor's note: A post on a local Facebook page Saturday afternoon used a second-hand quote from Cullman physician Dr. Adam Harrison regarding in-person worship services without context or verification from Harrison himself. Sunday, Harris responded due to the heated debate that ensued as a result.
Below is a letter,...
Dear Coach Saban,
Since I wrote a letter to Kalen DeBoer a few weeks ago and gave him some pointers about the South, I thought it was only fair to drop you a note and give you a tip or two about the strange new world that you are in...
CULLMAN - St. Bernard Preparatory School’s production of “Cinderella” was held recently and their talented students and staff presented the story like no other. “Cinderella”, a Rodgers & Hammerstein Production, is a timeless classic enjoyed by many for generations. The junior version of the timeless tale, performed by the...
It has become very common for electronics and media to be incorporated into children’s everyday routines. Highly stimulating shows, for example, are used as enrichment. They are often categorized as “children’s educational entertainment,” though recent controversy proves otherwise.
Excessive screen time is known to have negative effects on adults, let...
“Of Women and Salt” by Gabriela Garcia, follows Jeanette, a young woman who is battling addiction and in search of the deeply hidden truths about her family's history. Her desperate quest for answers takes her from Florida to Cuba, Cuba to Mexico, and even further into South America. This...
Continued from www.cullmantribune.com/2025/07/06/column-south-dakota-is-amazing
Almost 221 years ago, in 1804, Lewis and Clark headed west under the commission of President Thomas Jefferson, to see what we had bought in the Louisiana Purchase. In the fall of that year, the explorers had made their way westward to what would eventually become North...
Decorating with food is fun and although some vegetables can become very complicated, others like the ones I’m about to show you, are relatively simple.
Artichokes are an architectural marvel. They come tightly woven but with a little preparation you can safely maneuver to the inside of the vegetable that...
Too Young to Be Seventy—by Judith Viorst*
Deep in my heart I believe I’m
Too young to be seventy.
There are times when I’m wearing my baseball cap and my jeans
That I even can imagine that, glimpsed from the rear, I might be mistaken
For someone who could still be in her...
Here are three books to consider adding to your summer reading list, reviewed by Cullman County Public Library Director Sharon Townson.
"Daisy Jones & The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In the 70s Daisy Jones is a well-known party girl on the Sunset Strip club scene. She is a songwriter and singer,...
There’s an extremely antiquated mindset of masculinity that was passed down by our fathers, grandfathers--including our matriarchal figures that have embraced that men have to choose what type of life to live. Men must dominate professionally where money and status often carry more importance over family, spirituality and friendships....
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 part of the world, we...
Publisher’s note: Some stories aren’t about answers. This is one of them.
I don’t think about her death first. That’s what I didn’t expect.
It’s her smile.
That big, effortless smile that showed up before anything else did. The kind that didn’t ask for attention but took it anyway.
And her laugh. The kind that filled a room without trying.
That’s what hits me first.
For a...
The doctors call it “COVID fog,” and it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as respiratory issues and ventilators. It is a very real effect of COVID-19, though, and it can be difficult to define as it strikes different victims in different ways, including striking some not at all.
This...
The Cleaning Agent That Has Superpowers
With the many uses and capabilities of vinegar, it’s astonishing that there hasn’t been an infomercial about this amazing product. I can see the video reel now: “It cleans, it shines, it disinfects, it deodorizes, it protects. But wait, there’s more! It’s naturally derived...
While bullying between school children has rightly received much attention in recent years, other types of school-based bullying are rarely discussed. Bullying of students by their teachers remains a significant problem and is every bit as dangerous as peer-to-peer bullying.
Teacher-on-student bullying takes many forms, ranging from physical to verbal...
I’m not exactly sure how he managed to live in this world this long, especially in the South, and never experience one of the sweetest treats of life. Some of you have watched my grandson, Drew, grow up… if not in person, at least through my writings. He is...
Jean and I are frequent visitors at antiques shops and malls. We often find treasures there that end up either in our house or in my own antiques booth. I love to find items I can rebuild, refinish or repurpose and then pass them on to someone else.
Recently, we...
Left to right: Jamie Brown, Carol Berry and Barbara Whitehead (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
Jamie Brown is my guest this week on Community with Carol. Jamie founded the Senior Outreach Organization back in April of 2018. I have personally attended the Outreach and enjoyed watching Jamie serving the...
CULLMAN, Ala. - In its April 2022 term, the Grand Jury of Cullman County issued felony and misdemeanor indictments in 257 cases with a total of 492 counts. Several defendants have multiple cases, and many cases include multiple counts. Here is a breakdown of the counts for each of...
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” is once again directed by “Spider-Man: Homecoming’s” Jon Watts, written by Chris McKenna II and Erik Sommers and of course stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker. Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury is on-hand for this adventure and the new addition to the cast is Jake...
A new Department of Homeland Security regulation published last Monday will harm the health and well-being of thousands of Alabama families. The so-called public charge rule also will threaten access to health and human services programs for U.S.-born citizen children.
When proposed last fall, the regulation drew more than 266,000 public...
Jeremy Hogan, founder of Saving Forgotten Warriors (Carol Berry)
Saving Forgotten Warriors’ mission statement is “Advocating for the health, safety and wellbeing of our military veterans no matter the era or conflict.” This statement was exactly what Jeremy Hogan described in our interview this week.
Jeremy didn’t really set out...
Back in Business: Alabama blows out Bulldogs. Despite a slow start offensively Alabama was able to turn a 21-6 halftime lead into a 49-9 blowout. Quarterback Bryce Young’s Heisman campaign continued with a 20 for 28 night for 348 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Mississippi State head coach Mike...
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 sit down and read or...
Following is an opinion/guest editorial piece- Part 3 of 3: The American Church – The path to effectiveness- submitted by Pastor Tom Fillinger, IgniteUS Ministries- info@igniteus.net.
The decline of the American church is an issue that is beyond dispute. That being the case, what is the cure for what ails...
There was an article concerning the Alabama Legislature 2021 Session in The Cullman Tribune on January 2, 2021. Garlan Gudger and Randall Shedd commented on whether or not to allow gambling and in which forms it might take. I am concerned that the article did not mention that there...
The collector’s edition of “WUNDERGARTEN,” the folktale I set in 1870s Colonial Cullman, was birthed this week. (Signed copies available at Leldon’s in the Cullman Warehouse District by April 25, in time for Mother’s Day gifts.) Saluting the forested hills of north Alabama, it has an engraved wood binder,...
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” is written and directed by Michael Dougherty and stars Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown alongside this franchise’s returning star, Godzilla himself. The film picks up five years after the events of 2014’s “Godzilla” and introduces to a host of...
Dear Supporters,
On Oct. 1, 2019, Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation, Inc. held the (inaugural) Little Pink Dress (LPD) Benefit. It was a huge success! From that event, and because of your contributions, the Foundation raised over $22,000.
We are very grateful to you for making this event such a big...
Kristin Hannah’s latest book is historical fiction set in 1966 during the Vietnam War. The first part of the book takes place in Vietnam. The second part is about the return home to the United States.
Frances “Frankie” McGrath has just completed nursing school. Her golden boy brother, Finley, has graduated from the Naval...
Ah, Thanksgiving — the holiday built around gratitude, family and, of course, food. I could add football to the list, but most games on Thanksgiving are so dull they just hasten the inevitable post-meal nap.
It’s definitely an American holiday that’s based on abundance. Every November, families gather around dining...
Decisions, decisions. What was I going to eat for supper? That’s always an important question for me, but today is a special day. Today was the first day that my taste has come back since I had Covid (my fourth time, by the way). In addition, my wife’s out...
Editor’s note: Heather Mann is a reporter for The Cullman Tribune who recently returned to campus at Auburn University for her junior year.
Classes at Auburn University started Monday, but events have been taking place since Aug. 10 (the start of the university's Welcome Week). With more than 30,000...
Since the early part of 2020, Covid-19 has been a major element in our daily lives. It’s rare to speak to a neighbor, coworker, family member or church member that hasn’t lost someone to the Covid-19 virus. Altogether, the U.S. has had 80 million documented cases with over 984,000...
The Lincoln Lawyer is back with the eighth novel of the Mickey Haller (Lincoln Lawyer) series.
Mickey Haller is the half-brother of Harry Bosch, a Los Angeles homicide detective. The Harry Bosch series has 24 books. Harry met his father when he was an adult and is surprised to find out...
One of the best singers Britain has produced in decades, Corinne Bailey Rae is a breath of fresh air. She's gonna guide you right on in to work with a smile on your face this morning! Here's "Put Your Records On."
Bio from www.corinnebaileyrae.com:
From Leeds, England, artist Corinne Bailey Rae...
Today, April 22, is Earth Day! www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023
Sustainability can be a hot topic these days, and in a world as busy as ours, it's typically not on the top of our to-do lists. Between the day-to-day of school drop-off line, work, shopping and family time, convenience is king. Convenience often...
Ben Johnson South (Cullman Tribune file photo)
The following is a guest editorial by local author Ben Johnson South, who offers Gov. Kay Ivey his suggestions on how to save Alabama for the next 200 years as we celebrate our state's Bicentennial. See more about the Bicentennial at www.alabama200.org.
Dear Governor...
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there lived a young lady named Mary. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. Before they were wed, and while she was still a virgin, Mary was found to be with child. God sent an angel named Gabriel...
How do you have a reunion with a group of people when you have never met most of them? You can do that when the group is made up of people with whom you have something special in common.
Many reunions are with people who attended school together and maybe...
When in the process of moving forward in life, do you ever find yourself gravitating toward what you ran from in the first place? Maybe not the exact circumstances or person, but the recognition of patterns you were trying to break reemerging?
Maybe you left a job due to mistreatment...
I have been tasked with the insurmountable feat of summing up motherhood, in honor of
Mother's Day. For reference, I like to call myself an "amateur" mom. My journey of motherhood began in February 2021 when I found out I was pregnant, and I have considered myself a mother ever...
Christmas is my favorite season of the year. Christmas music is one of things about the season that I love so much. I love the story of the birth of our Savior, and the best Christmas music tells that wonderful story through song.
Some of the most beautiful songs that...
It may not have sounded like it on the surface, but Gov. Kay Ivey recently made one of her most encouraging comments yet about Medicaid expansion. “It would be irresponsible,” Ivey told reporters Tuesday, “to think about expanding Medicaid just for the sake of expanding Medicaid without having a...
Tide escapes disastrous upset. Alabama’s season almost came to an end Saturday as LSU returned to Tuscaloosa for the first time since beating the Tide behind a monstrous game that helped seal a Heisman trophy for Joe Burrow. No, their season wouldn’t literally be over had they lost, but their shot at...
I consider myself quite lucky after discovering a fire in my living room Monday afternoon. For anyone with older homes with built-in electric wall heaters, please pay attention. Even if you think the heater doesn’t work, do not put anything in front of the heaters unless you know they...
For Memorial Day, several of my gym fitness friends and myself ventured to the Cotton Row 5K in Huntsville.
What an experience!
The 5K event featured 1,257 finishers in the race. Several friends and I also completed the race.
Fairview teachers Whitney Haynes and Leslie Arnold, as well as track athlete Jack...
Chanel Cleeton is the author of several novels centered around the Hispanic culture. My favorites are “Next Year in Havana” and “The Last Train to Key West.” “The House on Biscayne Bay” is an enjoyable read. Her other novels center around the Perez family either in Cuba, Miami or Barcelona. This novel...
While it sounds simple, creating places where neighbors get to know neighbors is the key to growing a thriving place to live. That’s what Dr. Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, describes in his book, “The Great Good Places.” If first places are our homes, and workplaces are second places,...
Alabama Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview
Winning football coaches tell their teams to celebrate victory for 24 hours then get back to work.
We're ready to get back to work in Montgomery!
As I make my plans for the new legislative term, I have three number one legislative goals in no particular order;...
There comes a moment, sometimes quietly and sometimes after damage has already been done, when you realize your level of self-respect was never where you believed it to be.
I learned that recently, not through a single event, but through patterns I kept excusing. Low self-esteem mixed with depression has...
My beloved father Randy Wilkerson died March 22, 2010, 13 years ago at the age of 61.
My father's love was unconditional, and he always wanted the best for me. He encouraged my dreams, my passions, and when I would suffer through the darkest nights of my soul in the...
When residents of Cullman County open their wallets to donate or when city and county entities contribute significant funds to local organizations, there’s an expectation: that these funds will be used responsibly, and that donors will be informed about where their money goes. Many organizations in our community proudly...
The road to a healthier you starts with your nutritionally-sound diet choices and making those choices a habitual lifestyle. Along with elevating your heart rate by exercising at least 30 minutes a day, three times weekly, your nutrition is key in your overall health and wellness. Managing your micronutrients,...
“When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.You will assume you know the anatomy of...
A Follow-Up on Fort Hood
Last week a horrible event repeated itself. A lone gunman attacked the army base of Fort Hood, killing three and injuring 16 others. This was less than five years after Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 people and injured another 32. Both events involved...
By now, I’m sure most of you have your Christmas tree and home decorations up. Not me - I’m a world class procrastinator. Think I’m kidding? I still have a rotten jack o’lantern on my front porch. Of course, soon I will be forced to give in to my...
Sonder, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “the awareness that other people all have their own complex set of feelings and experiences.”
As a child I had this overwhelming sadness when I saw pictures of my grandparents when they were younger. It was odd to think of them so little...
"Major broadband legislation will be addressed again in my committee (House Urban & Rural Development) this coming week.
A working group of legislators met with Governor Ivey this past week to make final changes to SB215 carried in the House by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville.
This legislation would build upon my...
Dear Editor:
Registration (alagames.com) for the 40th Alabama State Games is now open, and we are expecting a record-setting 6,000 participants to flood Jefferson County to participate in the Games. The Alabama State Games - founded in 1982 at the request of the US Olympic committee - are inclusive, encouraging...
The late gospel singer and writer Andre Crouch had a popular song back in the 70s titled, “To God Be the Glory.” The opening verse says, “How can I say thanks for the things God has given me? Things so undeserved, yet he gave to prove his love to...
This is a story that deserves to be spoken about with respect. Author Julie Kibler transports you back and forth through time as you hear stories exchanged between the two main characters, Isabelle McAllister and Dorrie Curtis. Isabelle is an elderly white woman in her 90s with no surviving...
My Fellow Republicans,
My name is David Andrews. I am a loyal supporter. Tomorrow is primary day. We will go to the polls and select our favorite candidate for president. I am proudly supporting Marco Rubio. Some people are supporting other candidates. That is okay, because it's part of the...
As we all get ready to remember or celebrate Mother’s Day May 14, my memories of my mother will always remain special to me. I will never forget the moment she passed away and how green her eyes were as she lay still in death.
She always told me she...
Cullman County desperately needs to vote to keep an appointed superintendent in the next election for Cullman County Schools.
I have heard so many people say they don’t have a voice or vote at all with what happens in the school system. We have a county school board where everyone...
Well, it’s official and it feels weird. So weird, that I dug up my old fraternity jacket to see if it fits. Not even close, by the way. I’m sure you are asking why I would do such a thing. Because after almost a half century, I’m headed back...
