Laurie Stroud
Read & Vote for Your Favorite Faith Stories from Area Youth
Publisher’s Note Nearly 200 area high school seniors recently shared with us how their Christian faith has impacted their decision to attend college. Each student shared these details with us in an essay they submitted as a part of the 8th annual Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) Scholarship program sponsored by Alabama Credit Union, ALFA Farmers, American Village, The Center, …
Good Dirt
The Great Outdoors Early spring, my daughter Banks and I planted red potatoes and Vidalia Onions. I confess, I should remember the particular type of red potato, but they had no marquee value. I just know they are red. Vidalia, on the other hand, is the Corvette of onions. Sweet and saucy, the Vidalia, a …
Bringing Families Together: The Multi-Talented Kathleen Phillips
Cover Story The Magnolia Festival is one of the Birmingham area’s most anticipated Spring events, and coordinator Kathleen Phillips leads it with a passion for families and her community of Gardendale. “We fully put our faith into the event,” she said. “It takes a lot of work from so many people in the community, and …
Love Blossoms on the Farm
The Home Front David and I both grew up on family farms. On the Standridge farm, David’s family had row crops and raised feeder pigs. On the Swann farm, my family had cattle and grew a large vegetable garden every year. So, along with delicious farm-fresh vegetables and beef in the freezer, we Swann children …
Treating People Right: The Taylor Burton Company
Our House The old saying goes that home is where the heart is. Since 1986, the Taylor Burton Company has dedicated itself to building custom homes with lots of heart all across the Birmingham area. Descending from two generations of builders, Taylor Burton has been honing his craft since the age of five years old, …
Breaking Barriers & Building Futures: Will Bright Foundation
Special Feature Following the loss of her 25-year-old son to addiction in 2012, Trussville, Ala.’s Lisa Bright started the Will Bright Foundation (WBF) to ensure stable next step recovery resources and support for men who have maintained up to six months of sobriety following rehabilitation. “We knew we wanted to serve in the space of …
Fun Awaits at the 15th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ & BLUES Festival
Music Notes Enjoy almost six hours of great live jazz music and delicious barbeque at the 15th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ & BLUES Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The event takes place at DeBardeleben Park in historic downtown Bessemer and gates open at 11am. Be sure to bring your chair, or blanket and set …
Q&A with Pastor Rick Malugani, Valley Christian Church
Church Leaders Each month, Birmingham Christian Family highlights a local church leader who is making a difference in our community. Pastor Rick Malugani of Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) earned his Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary and has been serving the congregants of Valley Christian Church since January of 2024. 1. What …
Looking for “Some Bunny” to Love? Meet Winter!
The Family Pet How can we describe Winter? Let’s see… Go-anywhere adventure buddy. Snuggle bunny. Certified joy dispenser. This sweet sugar cube happily soaks up every ounce of love you have to give. She won’t bark when the doorbell rings or get anxious with thunder. After all, Winter is a rock star. Haven’t you heard …
Seen & Loved at Big Oak Ranch
Miracle Moments Brought to you by: Community Partner Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth.” 1 John 3:18 I was 13 years old when my brother and I were placed at Big Oak Ranch. I felt like I was stuck without a …
