As we celebrate the completion of our 26th year of publishing, we invite you to come and celebrate with us at our 7th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo brought to you by White Lily. Saturday September 12, 2026, at the Hoover Met Complex Finley Center enjoy four full hours of free fun activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. while browsing 50 plus exhibits where you will learn about resources right here in our community designed to help meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the family. You’ll also have the opportunity to shop for unique gift items and purchase a tasty lunch from Lil Bougie and Eugene’s Hot Chicken. New this year- the Wonders Center & Science Museum Kids’ Zone and live music performed by The Magic City Big Band. Back by popular demand is the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage featuring five different celebrated Alabama chefs. Click here for a rundown of all the activities. You can also visit BirminghamChristian.com/Expo for the most up to date and detailed schedule.
GIVEAWAYS. You don’t want to miss out on our Expo Giveaways! The first 200 families attending will receive an Expo Swag Bag filled with items families will enjoy and use. All attendees will have the opportunity to play Expo Bingo in Celebration of 26 Years of spreading Good News. We will give away Bingo prizes throughout the event including gift cards, t-shirts, cases of Bud’s Best Cookies, and so much more.
We look forward to seeing you and your family as we Celebrate the Family and 26 Years of Free Good News!
Isabella Painter(BB), an 8th-grade graduate from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, was selected to attend the prestigious United States (U.S.) Naval Academy Summer STEM Program in Annapolis, Maryland, earning a place in one of the nation’s most competitive academic enrichment camp programs for rising 9th-11th grade students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School graduate Isabella Painter attended the United States Naval Academy Summer STEM Program and hopes to one day become a Navy pilot.
Each year, the program receives approximately 5,000 applications from students across the country, with only about 800 students selected to participate. Admission is based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, standardized test scores when applicable, and a personal essay demonstrating a strong interest and potential in STEM-related fields. BB’s acceptance into the program reflected both her outstanding academic performance and her passion for STEM. During the week-long residential experience, she joined other high-achieving students from across the nation for an engaging introduction to life at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Throughout the program, she lived in a campus residence hall and participated in structured activities designed to mirror aspects of midshipman life. She experienced the Naval Academy’s traditions, collaborative culture, and leadership-focused environment while engaging in hands-on learning and team-based projects. “BB demonstrated the curiosity, determination, and academic excellence that made her an outstanding candidate for this highly competitive program,” said OLS School Principal Mary Jane Dorn. “We are incredibly proud of her accomplishment and know this experience will inspire her as she continues to pursue her dreams.” Motivated by her interest in serving in the military, BB said she applied to the program because she wanted to experience life at her dream college while exploring the many STEM opportunities the Naval Academy offers. “I hoped to learn everything I could about engineering, science, coding, technology, and how math and science work together in real-world applications,” she said. “The week exceeded every expectation I had! Meeting students from across the country, participating in hands-on activities, and experiencing life at the Academy made me even more excited about my future.” BB will be a freshman at John Carroll Catholic High School this fall and hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, become a Navy pilot, and one day earn the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels. “A year ago, I never imagined I would be spending a week at my dream college as a rising high school freshman,” she exclaimed. “I know reaching your goals takes hard work, dedication, and patience. This program gave me confidence that my dreams are possible, and I know the experience will have a lasting impact on the path I choose.”
Visit birminghamchristian.com/education to find great educational resources, including Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, in our Education Guide! †
Need some inspiration in the kitchen? The Celebrate the Family Expo brought to you by White Lily will once again welcome Alabama chefs onto the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage hosted by Janice Rogers of WBRC 6 News. Five chefs will share some of their favorite recipes with the audience, answer questions, and share samples! You don’t want to miss it. Here is a peek at the incredible lineup of chefs.
To kick off the day on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage, Debbie Goldsmith of the Lil Boogie Foodie will be creating one of her famous “Bougie Burgers” from scratch. Goldsmith is a brain tumor survivor who turned her battle with dysphagia into a food truck business. She struggled for several years with not being able to eat and her love for food led her to opening her own business in the food industry. She provides savory and tasty meals for customers wanting to wake up their taste buds! Her culinary career began as a child in Jamaica where she prepared Caribbean cuisines for her family at just eight years old. She has always enjoyed cooking and viewed eating delicious meals as the gateway to happiness and as a result she is sharing that happiness with the world one customer at a time. You can more than sample her delicious food at the Expo. The Lil Bougie Foodie truck will be at the Expo entrance where you can purchase a meal or a snack.
At 11 a.m., catch Karah Skinner of Rock House Farms on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage. Skinner is a first-generation cattle farmer, wife, homeschooling mom, and the creator behind Rock House Farms, where she shares simple family recipes, life on the farm, and encouragement with more than 75,000 followers across social media. What began as a way to market her family’s farm has grown into a passion for helping families feel confident in the kitchen while celebrating the people who grow our food. As a Sweet Grown Alabama ambassador, Skinner enjoys highlighting fresh, locally grown ingredients and creating approachable recipes that anyone can make. Whether she’s preparing a weeknight dinner or sharing life from the pasture, her goal is to inspire others to gather around the table, support local agriculture, and enjoy the blessings found in everyday moments. Her journey in the kitchen began with her mother and grandmother, who taught her that sharing a meal is one of the simplest ways to care for the people you love. While she always enjoyed cooking, her passion for it truly grew after she married and started raising a family. Read about how her faith has impacted her as a wife, mom and business woman in the August issue of Birmingham Christian Family(BCF).
Stephen Ritchey of Christo’s Confections will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 11:45 a.m. Ritchey is the owner and chocolatier at Christo’s Confections, Birmingham’s local supplier of handcrafted artisan chocolates, truffles, caramels, and other gourmet goodies. When Ritchey was in the fifth grade, his teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without hesitation, he answered, “I want to own a chocolate shop.” Chocolate made him happy, and he couldn’t imagine a better career than bringing that same joy to others. Ritchey continued to pursue his dream over the next fifteen years, earning a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in Entrepreneurship at UAB while also attending culinary school at Jefferson State for Baking and Pastry Arts. After graduation, he was asked to develop a dessert menu and serve as the Dessert Chef for Scuola Pizza in Gainesville, Florida. Eventually, Stephen returned home to Birmingham, and his fifth grade dream finally came true when Christo’s Confections – named after his father, Christopher – opened in 2024. Today, Christo’s Confections’ handcrafted sweets have been enjoyed by thousands of chocolate lovers across the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe. Ritchey’s vision remains the same as it was in fifth grade – to make people happy, one bite of handcrafted artisan chocolate at a time.
At 12:30 p.m., author, social media sensation, and BCF contributor Danna Standridge will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage. Standridge is a Southern spark with a storyteller’s soul and a rolling pin in her hand. Whether she’s showing how to whip up biscuits or visiting with her 172,000+ Facebook followers (she calls them her FB family), or checking on the cows on Standridge Farm, Standridge blends warmth, wit, and creativity like a perfect Sunday supper. She’s the cookbook author of What’s Cooking with Danna, Y’all, Time to Eat, Y’all and Happiness is Homemade, Y’all, a culinary teacher with heart, and a hostess of heritage- where every dish tells a story, and every story comes with a smile. Equal parts charm and know-how, she makes you feel like family before the cornbread’s even done. Click here to read her faith story. We are also privileged to have her share a great story and recipe every month in the “Home Front” section of Birmingham Christian Family magazine.
Beloved Southern cook Brenda Gantt will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 1:15 p.m. Gantt became a social media sensation during 2020 when she began posting videos of herself cooking Southern cuisine in her kitchen in Andalusia, Ala. What started as a video for some of her church family wanting to know how to make biscuits quickly went viral. She is known for her delicious recipes, including biscuits, lacy cornbread, and tomato pie. Gantt is the author of several cookbooks: It’s Gonna Be Good Y’all, Linger Around the Table Y’all, and Live Each Little Moment Y’all plus The Southern Mirror coffee table book. In addition, Gantt runs The Cottle House Bed and Breakfast in Andalusia. Whether she is recording a cooking video or talking with her nearly 5 million followers on Facebook @CookingWithBrenda Gantt, Gantt strives to share the love of Jesus. “I always bring some Scripture into my videos… I follow God’s lead and give what I can,” Gantt said. Learn more about how her faith has impacted her life here. At the Expo, you can meet Gantt, grab a copy of her latest book, and watch her make fried apple pies on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage.
BCF Publisher Laurie Franklin joined Janice Rogers on the set of Good Day Alabama on August 4, 2026 to discuss the upcoming Expo in detail. Watch the segment here. Franklin also recorded a PSA to air on WBRC 6. Thank you to WBRC 6 News for being our Expo Media Sponsor!
Westwood Baptist Church in Alabaster recently hosted Senior Adult Vacation Bible School. About 150 senior adults attended for worship, entertainment, activities, crafts and of course snacks. The theme for the week was “In God We Trust” honoring America’s 250th.
Kudos!
Congratulations to Thaxter Pittman, owner of Total Power Electric for completing Birmingham Business Alliance’s Small Business intensive. “What an incredible opportunity, and I am truly grateful to have completed this 15-week journey.”
Perfect Pitch!
BCF recently hosted two Faith and Family Nights at the Birmingham Barons. Jacky Gann, Director of the Foundry Ministry’s Men’s Program helped us out with a first pitch throw in one game and Ashley Good with Gooch Dental fired off a great first pitch for us at the other. Join us for the final Faith and Family Night of the season August 14, 2026.
I Love America!
Vestavia Chamber’s I Love America event included lots of exhibitors including our friends Christo’s Confections, the Birmingham Boys Choir and the Jimmie Hale Mission who will also be joining us at the Celebrate the Family Expo September 12, 2026 at the Hoover Met Finley Center.
America’s 250th birthday celebration at American Village in Montevallo included Alabama musicians like The Blind Boys of Alabama and Taylor Hicks, fireworks and so much more.
Kaboom!
Great to witness the visible first step Foundry Ministries has taken to clear land on their Bessemer campus to build a new men’s dorm scheduled to open next year.
My daughter Bay and I rose at the crack of dawn. She was not the most pleasant sunrise I’ve ever experienced… but still, I think the anticipation of our trip excited her enough that she tempered her disgruntled demeanor. I did have to rouse her twice, though, since the first time she insisted, “I’m up. I’m UP!” So, as any good dad would do, I said, “Okay,” and kissed her on the forehead, and told her we’d be leaving in 30 minutes. It was 4:15 a.m. True to any Merrell family adventure, 30 minutes was more like 45, so we left out of Andalusia, Ala. at 5 a.m. that Sunday morning, headed to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. where church service starts immediately following Sunday School, which begins promptly at 10 a.m.
Walt Merrell and his daughter Bay in front of Marantha Baptist Church.
I was told repeatedly not to be late. “It is a small church.” “It will fill up fast.” There was also an orientation at 9 a.m., and apparently, like most Southern Baptist committee meetings, it is frowned upon if you miss it. By now, you may have figured out that Maranatha Baptist and Plains, Ga. have one major thing in common: they are both home to the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Bay and I were excited about meeting President Carter. I pondered what questions I might ask. Bay asked me if I thought we’d get to take a picture with him. I felt sure we would figure out some way to accomplish that objective, so I reassured her. I told her a little about his Presidency and more about his efforts after leaving the White House. She was sincerely interested and excited. Driving through the rolling hills of east Alabama, the sun crested the horizon somewhere near Eufaula. Bay had been asleep for a little while, so I tried to navigate the curves and hills without causing the car to lurch or shift too hard because I didn’t want to wake her up. We crossed Lake Eufaula and the Chattahoochee River, and a sign that read “Eastern Time Zone” blurred by in my peripheral vision. I immediately lifted my foot off the gas in exasperation. Then my mind raced, doing calculations on conversions of time and rates of speed. “I can’t believe I forgot about the time change,” I muttered to myself. The plan was that we were going to be an hour early. That was not to be, though.
Walt and his daughter Bay traveled to Plains, Ga. to meet President Jimmy Carter and hear him preach.
We arrived at Maranatha Baptist Church at 8:45 a.m. Forgetting that the time changed at the state line didn’t help our ambitions to arrive early, and we were, in fact, two of the last people to walk into the building. Soon enough, the orientation began, and President Carter walked into the room. It was a pretty special experience. I eagerly tapped Bay’s leg to get her to look up from the church bulletin, pointing toward him, as if my finger was saying, “He’s here, he’s here!” She sat up, almost at attention, as President Carter made his way to his seat. Soon enough, he began teaching the lesson. That was, after all, why I’d brought my daughter, wasn’t it? To hear a great teacher teach God’s Word. “Today, I’ll be teaching from Deuteronomy Chapter 6,” he began. A moment or two later, he began reading from verses 4 and 5: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” He continued then with verse 12, “then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” On our way out the door after the service, a nice lady offered to take our picture in front of the church. I gladly accepted her offer. We did have our picture taken with the Carters, but this, the church, and all it represents, seems so much more appropriate now. Walking out of the church and back to the car, I looked at Bay and said, “It’s ironic that we just drove three hours to meet a man who then taught us not to worship false idols, isn’t it?” She agreed, and we discussed how our priority and focus had been wrong that morning. We went to meet the President, not to receive the Word. Perhaps that was all by design, though. We both agreed that it was fun to meet him and visit, but we both had a profound understanding that, on that trip, our focus on God had easily been diverted to the shiny distraction. Thank you, President Carter, for refusing any sort of ovation in God’s house. Thank you for being a servant to the Lord even after all those years and for holding firmly to your convictions. And thank you most of all for speaking truth to us, who came to meet a rockstar and forgot about the Cornerstone.
-Walt Merrell is a Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com.
Every great story has one character you’ll think about long after you’ve turned the last page. At Two by Two Rescue, his name is Potter.
Potter is looking for his forever adventure buddy.
Potter was the lone survivor of his litter, bottle-fed around the clock by those who refused to give up hope. He fought. He grew. He flourished. Then adoption day arrived, and everyone believed the hardest chapter was finally behind him. But life had other plans. Through circumstances beyond anyone’s control, Potter found his way back to the rescue when the family who loved him could no longer keep him. The remarkable part? Potter hasn’t let disappointment steal an ounce of his joy.
Always smiling, he believes every day deserves something fun. A splash in the creek. A trail to explore. A car ride with his head out the window, feeling the breeze. If you’re adventuresome, he’s convinced he is part of the plan. This balanced player is a friend to dogs, cats, and everyone lucky enough to know him. When it’s time to wind down, this good boy is just as happy leaning into you for ear scratches, hugs, and simply being by your side. Togetherness is his favorite place to be! Now he’s hoping for the one thing that he’s been waiting to hear: “Come on, Potter… let’s go home.” If your story has room for one unforgettable character, Potter is ready for his favorite chapter yet! Applications are open at www.twobytworescue.com.
Two by Two Rescue is a 501(c)(3) faith-based rescue whose mission is to give life to abandoned, abused, and unwanted companion animals. Saving animal lives for more than 23 years, the rescue is foster home based and operates out of Birmingham, Ala. †
Being a retired high school teacher, I have quite a few memories that occasionally come to mind and bring out a chuckle. One such memory that bubbled to the surface recently was when I passed a large truck from a well-known company. This company is a successful business that employs well over 7,500 people. What does this have to do with teaching? You see, one of my fellow teachers was the daughter of the founder of the company. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent. For the sake of this story, I’ll call her Joan.)
As part of the teaching job, we teachers met with incoming students and their parents before the school year began. We advised them on their options, answered questions, sold them a locker, and, hopefully, helped them easily acclimate to the high school environment. We teachers were spaced out at tables in the school library, and my table was located right next to Joan’s. As I was waiting for my next student to arrive, I could hear what was transpiring at Joan’s table. A sweet young lady was accompanied by her father. After the niceties and introductions were said, Joan got down to business filling out the family’s information on the official documents. When asked about employment, the father stated where he worked. Joan proudly stated, “Oh, that’s a wonderful place to work! My Dad started the company years ago and still runs it to this day. I do hope you like working there.” The young girl looked pleased, and the father expounded on his love and adoration for the company and how he enjoyed working there. All were happy and content, and then the gentleman’s phone rang. Loud and clear, we all heard the song belting out at top volume: Take this job and shove it! Oh, the look on Joan’s face as the man frantically fumbled with his phone and the young girl sank down low in her seat. I don’t have a recipe for humble pie, but please enjoy this easy and delicious corn dip recipe.
Most people think estate planning is about what happens after death. That is certainly part of it, but a complete plan also protects you during your lifetime. In fact, only one of the four foundational documents, the will, primarily operates after death. The other three become important if illness, injury, or incapacity prevents you from managing your own affairs. These documents are not only for older adults or people with substantial wealth. An unexpected accident or medical emergency can make them important at any age.
1. Last Will and Testament: A Last Will and Testament direct how property in your probate estate should be distributed. It also allows you to nominate the person who will administer your estate and, for parents of minor children, to nominate a guardian. Without a valid will, Alabama law will determine who receives probate property and who has priority to handle the estate. Also, your surviving spouse will not automatically inherit everything after your death.
2. Durable Power of Attorney: A durable power of attorney allows a trusted person, called your agent, to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf. Depending on the document, the agent may be able to pay bills, handle banking, manage real estate, work with insurance companies, address tax matters, or operate a business. The word “durable” is critical because it means the authority can continue even if you become incapacitated. Without this document, family members may have to seek a court-appointed conservatorship to manage your affairs, which is an expensive and lengthy process that could be avoided.
3. Advance Directive for Health Care: An advance directive for health care addresses medical decisions. It allows you to state your wishes concerning life-sustaining treatment and to name a health care proxy to make medical decisions for you if you cannot communicate or make informed decisions yourself. This document gives your family and medical providers guidance during an already difficult time and reduces the likelihood of conflict or uncertainty.
4. HIPAA Authorization: A HIPAA authorization allows the people you designate to receive protected medical information from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers. It does not give them authority to make medical decisions; instead, it gives them access to information. This can be especially helpful when a family member needs to speak with providers, coordinate care, obtain records, or understand your condition. This situation could arise even before a health care proxy’s decision-making authority has been triggered.
These documents work together and are different pieces of your estate planning puzzle. The will addresses what happens after death, while the durable power of attorney, advance directive, and HIPAA authorization help protect you while you are alive. Every adult should have all four, review them after major life changes, and make sure the appropriate people know where the documents can be found. A relatively small amount of planning now can prevent delay, expense, and uncertainty later.
Watch the video interview below to learn more about the importance of estate planning.
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for legal advice regarding a specific situation; it does not create an attorney-client relationship. No representation is made that the quality of the legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers.
Since its opening in 2015, Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home has served families in Central Alabama in their time of need with compassion and a helping hand. Funeral Director Kari Minyard explains that through the years, Deerfoot has become an integral part of the Trussville area, and for many families, using Deerfoot has become a family tradition due to word of mouth. “That’s really what has gotten us to this point, because we have those relationships with families, and different churches and communities, not just in Trussville, but even the surrounding communities,” Minyard says.
Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home is located at 5360 Deerfoot Parkway, Trussville, AL, 35173.
Pre-planning. Deerfoot Memorial offers pre-planning options for funeral services. Minyard explains that one of the main values of pre-planning is that it takes the stress off of families. “They don’t have the stress of going ‘I don’t know what she would like’ or ‘I don’t know what his favorite color was.’ With pre-planning, it’s all there for the family. They don’t have that stress of picking things out and feeling like it was wrong,” Minyard explains. Pre-planning also relieves the family of the financial stress of funeral and burial costs as well as service decisions. Deerfoot Memorial gives families a variety of service options including traditional services and memorial services at the funeral home, at churches, and more.
Click here to watch a video interview with Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home Director Kari Minyard.
A Helping Hand. Minyard is passionate about guiding and serving families in their time of need. As the Funeral Director, “I do anything from taking the first call, meeting with families, and walking them through our facility. I take care of pre-planning with families, too,” she says. In addition to these services, Minyard also does the preparation and embalming process. She strives to be there for families any time – day or night. Her faith impacts how she interacts with every family she serves. “I couldn’t do this job without God. One of the things that I do is I pray for my families,” Minyard says.
Learn More. The easiest way to find details about pre-planning with Deerfoot Memorial is to call 205-655-3444. You can also visit deerfootmemorialfuneralhome.com to find a pre-planning checklist, information on all the services offered, such as traditional burials and cremation, and more. †
In the video interview below, Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home Director Kari Minyard shares more on how they serve area families with compassionate care and trusted guidance.
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