When she was three years old, Betty Ehrlich lost her mother to breast cancer. Today, Betty is herself a three-time cancer survivor. Her daughter Elaine has been by her side through all three struggles. The duo shared what they’ve each learned and how prayer and positive thinking have proven powerful weapons in all of Betty’s … Read More
Find out how leaving bitterness behind and forging ahead with forgiveness can positively impact your health. English poet Alexander Pope famously wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” And for many spiritual people, the notion of forgiveness is a central tenet of their faith, a selfless act bestowed upon someone who has wronged them … Read More
When the pandemic put parties and other gatherings on pause, Meredith Reaves started missing the charcuterie boards she’d create for entertaining at home or to take over to a friend’s house. She decided to continue the tradition, even it was just for her and her husband’s at-home date nights. “I started thinking, if we were … Read More
Plenty of people can draw or paint a likeness of another person. But when a portrait is more than an accurate depiction of someone’s physical appearance, when it captures and conveys not just how they look but who they are – that’s art. For Montgomery artist Elana Hagler, there’s a bit of science in it … Read More
Birmingham-based Ginger Lily Southern Teacakes’ creations are not your average cookie. With intricate designs, a unique brownie-like texture and a more subtle sweetness, the tea cakes (a specific type called springerle) are what baker Cherri Jones calls a “grown-up” cookie. They’re also the result of cross-cultural pollination, based on European traditions but stirring in some … Read More
Alabama is a state rife with rivers. Our vast collection of rivers, creeks, streams, bayous and lakes contributes to our economy, is foundational to our cultural heritage and creates a valuable recreational resource. Anniston jeweler Fred Couch already knew and loved the state’s rivers; the avid paddler had spent plenty of time traversing them. But … Read More
A quick glance inside MGM Greens’ rectangle shipping containers brings to mind a disco, thanks to the intense purple glow, light emitted from thousands of tiny blue and red LED bulbs, filling the small space. The illusion quickly fades; there’s no music or dancing. And yet, there is life, energy and excitement all the same. … Read More
Considering the multi-layered decadence of cheesecake, the simple story of the Cheesecake Empori-Yum’s start may surprise you. Owner Monique Williams has always enjoyed baking, but when she needed some extra cash for her dream wedding, she started selling cupcakes. The effort worked, but after the wedding, the extra income wasn’t necessary, so she stuck to … Read More
I turned 40 years old, so I scheduled my mammogram. I’m very thankful I didn’t wait! Hayden McDonald is a Montgomery native who has spent her life being active and helping others improve their health by doing the same, working as an exercise physiologist with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Baptist Medical Center South for … Read More
(Jackie is pictured above (left) with co-worker Evelyn.) Love is a great healer! Be generous with it! For more than a decade, Jackie Butler has been a valuable member of the Joy to Life Foundation team, working as its book keeper. But she’s dedicated to far more than keeping the foundation’s finances in order. As … Read More