Laurie Stroud
Help Bring History to Life as an American Village Junior Interpreter
Education Extra Help bring history to life by applying for the American Village Junior Interpreter Program. Each summer, up to 25 students ages 12-17 (rising 7th – 12th graders) receive professional training at the American Village in Montevallo and assist our educational interpreters in presenting the customs and times of the 18th Century. American Village …
2023 Christmas Services & Events
Special Feature Looking for Christmas services and events to attend this holiday season? Click on the links below for details on great local options. December 24: Christmas Eve Services at First Methodist Church Trussville December 24: Candles, Carols & Communion December 24: Christmas Eve Services with The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills December 24: Christmas …
Treat Your Holiday Guests to this Irresistible Pecan Pie Bread Pudding
The Home Front The Christmas trees are decorated, the lights are twinkling, a plethora of packages are on everyone’s doorsteps, and homes are buzzing with friends and family. It’s that time of year again to think about what you’re going to serve your guests that will wow them and leave their bellies full of cheer. …
The Woodshop and The Bakery
Special Feature It started with a birdhouse. Lowell Shipp, known as Bud to all his friends, and Pawpaw to his family, did not like to sit still. What he did love to do was create things. He built antique cars. He built barns, garages, and sheds. He built farm solutions for his tractors and lawnmowers. …
Preparing Your Family for Jesus’ Arrival
Parenting Points As December approaches, Christians worldwide embark on a special journey of faith known as Advent. This season, lasting four weeks and leading up to Christmas, is a time of reflection, anticipation, and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent offers a beautiful opportunity for families to draw nearer to God and one …
How to Fix Your Marriage Before It Breaks
Special Feature Irv Gordon was the original owner of a 1966 Volvo P1800. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest mileage recorded—3.25 million miles. What was the secret to this astonishing accomplishment? According to Hotcars.com, “He claimed that his secret to longevity was regular oil changes, closely following the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines, and …
Seven Year-End Financial Moves
Money Matters How do we honor the Lord with our stewardship at Christmas and as we plan for the new year ahead? Here are seven year-end financial moves to consider. Rest your heart. Contentment grows as we trust God’s leading. I’ve found that Galatians 5:16 presents a wise heart posture for biblical stewardship as Paul …
A Christmas Carol and Estate Planning
Legal Matters The season for watching and reading Charles Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol has arrived. Let’s take a moment to review this oft-viewed tale in the context of estate planning. With some prodding, Mr. Scrooge spent Christmas Eve reflecting upon his life and the shape of the world when he would no longer be …
Danna Standridge: Happiness is Homemade
Cover Story The title of Danna Standridge’s latest cookbook proclaims that “happiness is homemade,” and that message is something she conveys in her recipes, stories, and social media presence. Standridge and her husband David, an Alabama state representative for District 34, believe in the importance of family togetherness–and, in many cases, that starts in the …
