Deepen Your Faith at Ave Maria Grotto

Ave Maria Grotto structures 2

Are We There Yet?

Are you looking for opportunities to learn more about the history of the faith? Look no further than the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Ala. where you will find 125 intricate structures depicting the Ten Commandments, the crucifixion, the resurrection and much more. Roger Steele, Director of the Ave Maria Grotto, explains that Brother Joseph Zoettl is to thank for the beautiful structures visitors can view today.

Ave Maria Grotto structures 2
For a guided tour of the Ave Maria Grotto, call ahead, 256-734-4110.

“He was one of the first-generation monks that came here from southeastern Germany when he was 14 years old,” Steele explains, adding that Brother Joseph was unable to become a priest, so he eventually started shoveling coal in a steam plant. He suffered a back injury that left him hunched for most of his life. “Long story short, he started to make things with his hands,” Steele says, which eventually led him to make depictions of religious structures from around the world. He placed his creations out in the woods near the monastery and it became a tourist attraction. “Eventually, the visitors bothered the monks, so they moved Brother Joseph’s creations to where the Grotto is now in 1934,” Steele says, adding, “He created all of this starting in the early 1900s and the last one he created in 1958,” Steele says. Brother Joseph died in 1961. 

Ave Maria Grotto structures
Visitors of Cullman’s Ave Maria Grotto are invited to browse the intricate creations of Brother Joseph Zoettl seven days a week. Learn more at www.avemariagrotto.com.

Ave Maria Grotto is located on the campus of St. Bernard Abby and visitors stroll through the grounds to see the intricate details of Brother Joseph’s 125 structures. “We have roughly 35,000 visitors a year,” Steele shares. The Grotto welcomes visitors seven days a week Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. “If anyone wants a guided tour from a monk or me, they need to call us in advance,” Steele says. The standard rate of admission is $10 for adults, children four and under get in free. Group rates are also available.

Why visit the Grotto? “You come to the Grotto and get two things. You get natural peace – nature, hearing God speak through the creek at the bottom of the Grotto or the woodlands you are in. Also, the peace that you experience by looking at Brother Joseph’s work,” Steele explains. The Grotto also has a beautiful gift shop where you can purchase gifts, fresh bread and cookies made on the property, honey, pecans, and more. “It is Cullman’s oldest tourist attraction by far,” Steele says. Visit www.avemariagrotto.com to learn more.

-Melissa Armstrong

 

Danna holding cookbooks in kitchen

Special Feature

The 50th Annual Birmingham Home Show will feature hundreds of top local experts with the latest home products and services, special guest Ati Williams from Netflix’s Hack My Home and a cooking stage with a lineup of chefs that include none other than Birmingham Christian Family cover story and contributor Danna Standridge. The three day show will be February 16-18, 2024 at the BJCC. 

Ati Williams
Host of Netflix’s Hack My Home and former host of HGTV’s DC Flippers, Ati Williams will appear at the 2024 Birmingham Home Show. BCF readers receive $3 off advance ticket prices, CODE Family.

Hack My Home host Ati Williams will be on stage Friday February 16, 2024 at 5 p.m. and Saturday February 17, 2024 at Noon. Guests will have the chance to get renovation advice from the self-proclaimed “Renovation Ninja” who is a licensed general contractor and designer. On her show, she and a team of design wizards work magic on homes with space-maximizing solutions and ingenious engineering. 

The show will also feature a Design from the Decades exhibit highlighting throwback interior design trends that have dominated over the last five decades. The show’s 50th anniversary will also be celebrated with gifts for guests. Each day, the first 50 people through the door will receive a special gift from participating vendors. “We’ll have lots of surprises for guests to mark our milestone and show our appreciation for the Magic City every day of the show,” said Mari Franco, Show Manager. “And as always, we’re bringing hundreds of experts together under one roof to simplify and streamline the process for homeowners…” 

Danna holding cookbooks in kitchen
Danna Standridge will be one of the featured chef’s on the Hometown Flavor Cooking Stage at this year’s Birmingham Home Show. Top area chefs are featured throughout the three day event. Danna will appear Saturday February 17, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

The show offers free admission all three days for active military personnel, veterans, EMTs, nurses, healthcare workers, firefighters, police and medical personnel. Friday, February 16 is Seniors Day. Guests aged 60+ receive a discounted $7 admission. Sunday, February 18, all educators receive free admission. For all specials, bring a valid ID with you to the box office.

Show hours are Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Tickets are $11 for adults and free for children 12 and under. On Friday only, the show offers special $5 tickets after 5 p.m. Advance $9 tickets are available when purchased before the show weekend at www.birminghamhomeshow.com and BCF readers who use the CODE Family can purchase advance tickets for $8. †

Birmingham Home Show logo

George Washington's birthday

Are We There Yet?

Celebrate Washington’s Birthday. In a day of family fun, patriotic music and birthday cake, the American Village in Montevallo will celebrate the 293rd birthday of the Father of our Country, George Washington, on Monday, February 19, 2024. Washington’s Birthday holds special meaning for the American Village. The land on Highway 119 in Montevallo where the American Village campus is located was purchased on Washington’s Birthday, and their first school program began on Washington’s Birthday. 

George Washington's birthday
Join the American Village in celebrating George Washington’s 293rd birthday on February 19, 2024. The American Village is located at 3727 Hwy. 119, Montevallo, 35115.

Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington’s Birthday of February 22, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. Visitors to the American Village on President’s Day will enjoy family-friendly activities with their staff of costumed historical interpreters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can share birthday cake with George Washington at noon.

Watch the video below for more details on the celebration!


8th Annual Festival of Tulips. Over 100,000 tulips were planted for this year’s festival, in early, mid and late-blooming varieties. The Festival is expected to open in mid to late February, but check the American Village website, Facebook or Instagram pages for an exact date.

Little girls in tulip field
The Festival of Tulips is coming soon! Visitors can stroll through the field of tulips and take their favorites home.

During the Festival of Tulips, American Village will be open seven days a week as long as the flowers are in bloom (weather permitting). Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the Festival of Tulips is $5 per person with children ages 4 and under and veterans admitted free of charge. Tulips are $2 each, bulb included, and can be purchased at the tulip field. (The flowers last longer if left on the bulb until you get them home.) Coca-Cola products, water and American Village merchandise will also be available for sale at the tulip field. In addition to experiencing the tulips, there will be scheduled entertainment in the tulip field by American Village costumed historical interpreters.

Watch the video below to find a sneak peek at the tulip field.

To learn more about the Presidents’ Day celebration or the Festival of Tulips, visit www.americanvillage.org. †

IGSquarHoHo (1)

Ho Ho Hoover-Randle Open House is a holiday extravaganza with Heart! Experience the magic as Hoover nonprofits, organizations and entities “Deck the Halls of Hoover-Randle House” with over a dozen beautifully decorated trees, each telling a unique story of love and support for our community. Hoover Helps is having its annual Ho Ho Hoover-Randle fundraiser at the Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens (2255 Tyler Rd, Birmingham, AL 35226) on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be over a dozen trees decorated by local organizations and nonprofits, pictures with Santa Claus and performances by local community members and children under 12 are admitted free! Hoover restaurants will provide refreshments and Hoover community members will provide the entertainment. Join the fun and help your community, too!

One ticket gets you Pictures with Santa Claus, Local Community Performances and Appearances by the Spain Park Dazzlers, Hoover High Buccannettes, Hoover and Spain Park choirs and special guests, including Miss Hoover Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover Teen Ali Mims, Mrs. Senior Alabama Kathy Paiml. It’s a day filled with talent, warmth and the spirit of the season.

Local Hoover restaurants will tickle your taste buds with delicious bites, homemade hot chocolate from Grace Klein, homemade chocolate goodies from Michelle’s Chocolate Lab and other treats, adding to the festive atmosphere. Don’t miss the exciting moment when City of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato announces the winners of “Deck the Halls of Hoover-Randle House” tree competition. It’s a competitive and festive showdown of creativity!

Tickets for this family-friendly affair are just $15, and every purchase helps Hoover Helps in its mission to provide food and clothing to needy children in Hoover. Join the festivities, make a meaningful impact and celebrate the spirit of giving during this holiday season. Your presence can change lives and make the holiday season brighter for children in our community.

Hoover Helps is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the basic needs of students in the Hoover area. Founded on the principles of compassion and community, the nonprofit works tirelessly to ensure that no child in Hoover goes without the essentials they require to thrive. Through partnerships, initiatives and the unwavering support of the community, Hoover Helps continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.hooverhelps.org. 

b4tw

7pm-9:30pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Concert benefiting Built for the Wild Association – non-profit organization providing programs & conferences for underserved youth to build their faith life. Showcasing three Christian artists/bands: The Hedgerow Folk from Auburn; JustCordell from Birmingham and Andrew Morris and Band from Birmingham. Tickets can be purchased by phone 205-988-5004, at the church office, 611 Riverchase Parkway West, Hoover, AL, Monday-Friday 10am-1pm; or at the door. $10 in advance; $15 at the door.  200 tickets available.

Expo crowd photo from above

Special Feature

Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) celebrated 23 years of GOOD NEWS at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023. Here are just a few of the highlights from the free day of family fun at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex’s Finley Center.

Click here to watch a quick recap of the fun filled day!


Laurie with Mark and Mayor BrocatoCity of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato (R) helped us kick off the day of fun. Special thanks to our Expo Emcee Mark Harvard (Center) who is a pastor and media specialist at Clearbranch Methodist.


Expo swag bags on tableThe first 250 attendees to the event received an Expo swag bag packed full of great giveaway items from Expo sponsors.


Chick fil A Herd with Mayor Brocato and JTThe Chick-fil-A Herd of Cows danced with Expo attendees and handed out plush cows. Plus, JT with 105.5 WERC joined the fun.


Expo crowd photo from aboveEach attendee received a Birthday Bingo sheet when they arrived. Every booth had a special stamp and if attendees filled out six rows of stamps by visiting each booth, they were entered to receive great prizes like a $100 Walmart gift card courtesy of WAY-FM, Christmas Village tickets, three 100% executive leather padfolios courtesy of Vapor Ministries and their Kisanni Market, two $50 Publix gift cards courtesy Alabama Credit Union, and so much more.


Kevin Derryberry performingLive praise and worship music was enjoyed by all thanks to Kevin Derryberry.


Child with face paintedChildren enjoyed getting their faces painted for free, courtesy of Painted Personalities.


Hoover bellesThe Hoover Belles joined us for the fun day and took photos with attendees.


Inflatables at ExpoInflatables and interactive games from River of Life Church were a huge hit in the Expo’s Kids Zone.


Southern Coffee and Waffles Food TruckExpo attendees enjoyed delicious food from Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Krazy Good BBQ, Lil Bougie Foodie, and Southern Coffee and Waffles.


Gone for Good TruckThanks to Gone for Good (a program of United Ability), free shredding and recycling was onsite at the Expo.


Alabama Wildlife Bird Two by Two Animal Rescue DogAdorable adoptable dogs with Two by Two Animal Rescue and feathered friends from Alabama Wildlife Center joined in on the fun day.


The Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage was a crowd favorite! The stage welcomed a great lineup of celebrity chefs including Hannah Sparks, owner of Psalm 34 Bakery and Catering; Danna Standridge, author of  Happiness is Homemade, Y’all; Katrina Adams of In the Kitchen with K Marie and BCF contributor; Ashley McMakin, owner of Birmingham favorite Ashley Mac’s; BBQ Pitmaster Van Sykes of Bob Sykes Bar B Q; Lee Pantazis owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs; and Brenda Gantt, beloved southern cook and her son-in-law Alabama outdoorsman and author Walt Merrell.

Ashley McMakin on Chef Stage Danna Standridge on Chef Stage Walt Merrell and Brenda Gantt on Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage


Special thanks to our Expo sponsors for making the event a reality and sharing great family resources and giveaways with attendees.

Children's of Alabama boothMajor Sponsors: Children’s of Alabama and Crumbl Cookies Vestavia Hills, Alabaster and coming soon to Mountain Brook and Greystone.

Crumbl Cookies BoothEvent Sponsors: Alabama Credit Union, Bham Now, EXIT Realty Cahaba, Jefferson Credit Union, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Reignite Chiropractic, Renewal by Andersen, Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, Thrivent, Vapor Ministries, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, and Wellcare.

To view more photos of the fun day, click here.

Plans are already underway for the 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo! to be held September 14, 2024 at the Hoover Met Finley Center. If you are interested in having your company be a sponsor and/or exhibitor, email expo@chrisitanfamilypublications.com and you will be added to the list to be the first to receive registration details. Space is limited.

Alabama Wildlife Center bird in woods

Celebrate the Family Expo

During the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023, attendees met feathered friends from the Alabama Wildlife Center (AWC)!

AWC is Alabama’s oldest and largest rehabilitation center. For over 45 years, the center has been dedicated to protecting Alabama’s native wild birds. The nonprofit organization has a dual mission of providing medical and rehabilitative care for Alabama’s injured and orphaned native birds and educating people to heighten awareness and appreciation of Alabama’s native wildlife. AWC provides a variety of services such as a wildlife helpline, educational programs, and a rehabilitation clinic.

Alabama Wildlife Center bird in woods
The Alabama Wildlife Center is located at 100 Terrace Drive, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, 35124.

AWC is open year-round and welcomes tours. The center is a self-guided tour and comes with free admission upon entry into Oak Mountain State Park. AWC is home to more than 14 educational birds of prey at the main facility along with six species of owls, hawks, and vultures located at Treetop an ADA-friendly elevated boardwalk located a quarter mile hike or less than a 2-minute drive from the Center.

At the main facility, meet Shelby the Bald Eagle, and Atlas the Eurasian Eagle Owl! Have the chance to learn about the various native songbirds and raptors of Alabama from Northern Cardinals to American Robins, Downy Woodpeckers to Chimney Swifts, Red-tailed Hawks to Barn Owls.

Alabama Wildlife Center showing bird to group of children
The Alabama Wildlife Center is dedicated to protecting the state’s native birds. Learn more at www.alabamawildlifecenter.org.

Additionally, the main facility has various educational displays and exhibits throughout with informative information. The TV Room features an 85” television with various nature documentaries continuously playing. Additionally, a corner of the TV Room features a Kids Nest where kids can relax and read a variety of children’s books about animals. A quarter mile from the AWC main facility, the Treetop Nature Trail Boardwalk features six enclosures that are detailed with information about each species and their individual stories. Come meet Princess, the albino Turkey Vulture, and Ollie, the Black Vulture and longest resident at AWC.

AWC performs over 500 educational programs each year connecting people to nature and promoting conservation for wildlife and the natural world. The programs are designed to create a greater understanding that each of us is a member of an ecosystem. AWC’s educational mission is focused on building a connection between the people and the wild birds of Alabama and aims to help educate the public on Alabama’s native wild birds and AWC’s role in wildlife conservation. †

 

 

Hear more about the work of the Alabama Wildlife Center in this video.

Sanchez Tanniehill Singing

Celebrate the Family Expo

Sanchez Tanniehill is a gospel singer with an amazing story. Tanniehill was born a healthy child but at the age of 6 weeks old, he had a stroke as a result of complications with spinal meningitis. He was not expected to live. His parents were told he would never walk or talk, that he would be deaf and blind, that he would never be able to do what other kids can do. But his mother said, “You don’t know my God.” Tanniehill’s mother began to pray for a miracle and shares she often prayed 1 Samuel 1:28 over him as a child.

Sanchez Tanniehill
Sanchez Tanniehill is a native of Alabaster, Ala. but is often on the road sharing his message of how “God Did It.”

Fast forward 39 years. Despite his disability, Tanniehill has performed on stages all over the United States and in El Salvador. He made it to the second round of American Idol, has released three albums, and was named Gospel Music Artist of the Year by the NAACP. “For many years now, I have been blessed to travel around and share the testimony of what God has done for me through my music,” Tanniehill shares. His single, “God Did It” is his testimony set to music.

God Did It Children's Book
God Did It: The Children’s Book is designed to encourage children with disabilities that they can overcome anything.

In addition to his music, he is the author of two books- God Did It and God Did It: The Children’s Book. The mission of God Did It is to help others overcome any adversity that may try to stop them from living the victorious life God desires. The children’s version of God Did It: The Children’s Book, which tells Tanniehill’s life story, is meant to teach children with disabilities that you can overcome anything. Every day Tanniehill lives his life thanking God for the blessings that He continues to pour on him. He praises God that He answered his mother’s prayers for a miracle. You can learn more about the God Did It Ministries at www.sancheztanniehill.com.

Having endured the loss of his steadfast and faithful mother, he carries her message of Jesus’s enduring love and miracle working power in every note he sings, on every stage in which he performs and on every page of his books. †

God Did It Cover Image
You can grab a copy of God Did It at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023.
Birdhouses

Special Feature

Alabama’s premier, all-woodworking art festival will celebrate “Shavings, Smoke, and Sound” during its 5th year in Montevallo’s Orr Park on September 9, 2023. This All Star Shelby County Tourism and Recreation Award winning event will be held from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is free.

Enjoy a uniquely Montevallo event with live chainsaw wood carving, woodworking artist vendors, Tim Tingle’s Whittling Contest, and a wooden boat race. Festival-goers will find everything from knives, wooden bowls, vases, jewelry, and toys, to handcrafted furniture, bird houses, ornaments, and more!

People walking around the Tinglewood Festival
Entering its fifth year, Tinglewood Festival brings thousands of people to Orr Park annually. Photo by White Rose Film & Photo.

There will also be a classic car show—the 21st Annual Cars by the Creek—a variety of children’s activities, and food vendors on site. New this year, a showcase of International Harvester antique tractors called “Tractors in the Trees” will be added.

Live music runs all day during the festival with a wide variety of styles. Musical acts include the Montevallo High School Jazz Band, Swanglish, The M-80s, The Chuck King Band, and Chase Stewart! The chainsaw carving exhibition will include a panel of well-known artists: Heather Bailey of Alabaster, Alabama; Justin Bailey of Alabaster, Alabama; Corey Lancaster of Princeton, North Carolina; Dave Marshalek of Shelbyville, Tennessee; and Dayton Scoggins of Heidelberg, Mississippi. Artwork created during the festival will be available for purchase. The fifteen freshly-completed sculptures will be available for a “Buy it now” price, and any remaining pieces will be auctioned off at 3 p.m. by Emcee “Dollar” Bill Lawson. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local non-profits Boys & Girls Club, Montevallo Athletic Club, and Shelby Emergency Assistance.

Car show at the Tinglewood Festival
Classic cars of all makes and models are invited to participate in the 21st Annual Cars by the Creek Car Show. Photo by White Rose Film & Photo.

The 21st Annual Cars by the Creek car show welcomes all years, makes, and models of cars. Children’s activities will include a “make and take” art project, the “Balloon Guy,” Dr. Bob’s Traveling Snake Show, Alabama Wildlife Center, Music with Mr. Mac, inflatables courtesy of JAC’s Rentals, a petting zoo, games courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club, and more.

Tinglewood Festival is inspired by a special section of Orr Park, where local artist Tim Tingle has carved faces and creatures into the dead parts of living cedar trees since a fateful ice storm in 1993. The festival is organized by the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Montevallo Main Street, and the Montevallo Arts Collaborative as a signature event for the City of Montevallo. For more information, visit tinglewoodfestival.com, or visit the “Tinglewood Festival” Facebook Page. †

The Anointed graphic

Special Feature

Birmingham-based Bible video game publisher, Foundation for Intelligent Media & Design (IMD Interactive), has developed and published a free Bible based video game for youth ministries to increase Scripture engagement. The Anointed: David Saves Keilah, is a third person action-adventure RPG following the early life of David from shepherd to king. The Anointed is the franchise dedicated to telling stories of the Bible’s mightiest heroes through gameplay, cinematography, and scripture.

The Anointed Graphic
To learn more about The Anointed: David Saves Keilah, visit imdinteractive.org.

According to the State of the Bible, published by Barna Group and the American Bible Society, Americans are less engaged in the Bible and only 5% of adults read their Bible 4-6 times a week in 2021. In contrast, the gaming industry continues to expand its footprint. IMD Interactive President Drayton Cosby believes that daily Bible reading is at an all-time low in America and that is contributing to the increased amounts of fear, anxiety, depression, and anger. “We want the Church and its members to know that IMD Interactive is fighting for them,” Cosby said, adding, “Showing future generations that God is searching for them is a big reason why we were led to merge the Bible and video games. To redeem the gaming space for His kingdom.”

The Anointed: David Saves Keilah delivers the narrative of 1 Samuel Chapter 22-23 in an interactive game play environment. The player is David, loyal servant, and military leader for king. Saul, who discovers the king’s jealousy has now turned to rage and is in hiding from the king and his army. The player can run, climb, scale walls, swing from ropes and ride a horse through their journey to save Keilah. The game play requires stealth, combat, and strategy to fulfill God’s plan and save the people from the Philistines, while being hunted by Saul.

David Ely photo
Before beginning his work at IMD Interactive, Reverend David Ely served as a high school Bible teacher. Additional ministry experience includes six years with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) as the Furman University Campus Minister in Greenville, S.C., and as the youth pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church near Augusta, Ga.

IMD Interactive recently filled a new position for Director of Ministry. Reverend David Ely brings over 10 years of experience in development, fundraising and ordained ministry to help support IMD Interactive’s mission of delivering the Bible to generations of video gamers. “As a husband and father of four, I look forward to serving our churches and parents in particular in providing the opportunity to engage in God’s grand Story in such a unique and personal way,” Ely said.

The Anointed: David Saves Keilah is an early access release of the upcoming franchise blockbuster The Anointed: Heart of David, which is available for free on Steam. Steam is a video game digital distribution service and storefront. The service is the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming. The David Saves Keilah Steam store page showcases an in-game trailer, photos, and mapping, among other features. To subscribe, donate or keep up with the latest information about IMD Interactive, visit imdinteractive.org.

 

Get MORE
Good News!

E-subscribe to

Birmingham Christian Family

birmingham christian family logo