By Addison Lusco Abby McGee is constantly turning trials into triumphs. Twenty-one years ago, Abby’s older brother Wyatt was born at just 23 weeks while her parents were vacationing in New Orleans. The doctors in New Orleans did everything they could to ensure that Wyatt would survive his premature birth, although Abby’s parents were … Read More
Author: Alabaster Connection
Alabaster Beautification Board
FALL GARDENING TIPS According to green-thumb gardeners, a fall vegetable garden is a must-plant in the South. The heat starts to subside (compared to July and August), and winter is still a long way off. So there’s plenty of time to grow plenty of things. WHAT TO GROW IN A SOUTHERN FALL GARDEN In … Read More
Councilor Corner: Sophie Martin
Ward 1 By Barry Wise Smith Veteran Alabaster City Council member Sophie Martin is the Ward 1 representative for the area that includes Highway 11, Old Highway 31, Weatherly, and Saddle Lake Farms. Last August, Martin was elected to her fourth term as Ward 1 representative—she has served for 13 years. S Sophie … Read More
Q&A With the Founder of the Alabaster Business Alliance
By Lee Hurley Leigh Hulsey has been a small-business owner in Alabaster for the past nine years. She owns and operates CrossFit Alabaster. She is currently serving her fourth term on the Helena City Council. Leigh has been married to her husband Dennis for 24 years, and they have three children, Bradon, Cade, and … Read More
Becoming Better; Not Bitter: The Story of Noah Galloway
Noah Galloway lives post-combat life with No Excuses. Story and photos by Cara Clark and courtesy the Galloways As the early days of August bore down with heat and humidity on Alabama, Army veteran Noah Galloway joined fellow soldiers and the nonprofit organization Sheep Dog Impact Assistance to ascend Tanzania’s famous Mount Kilimanjaro, … Read More
Jubilee No. 1: Alabaster’s New Fall Music Festival
The City of Alabaster introduces a new fall music festival. By Barry Wise Smith, photos courtesy of Black Jacket Symphony Jamie Cole, Ward 5 City Councilor, is ready for the music to play again in Alabaster after a long two-year absence of Alabaster’s popular spring music festival CityFest, due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “CityFest … Read More
Thompson High School Celebrates 100 Years
A Century of Warriors Story by Barry Wise Smith. Photos by Brit Huckabay and courtesy of Margaret Dawson This year, Alabaster City Schools awill celebrate 100 years of Thompson High School. What started as a small community school has grown to be the second largest high school in the state with over 2,100 students. … Read More
Alabaster All Stars
The Thompson High School Warriors football team is coming off back-to-back 7A State Championships going into the 2021 season with the expectations high for a three peat. The Warriors are firmly at the top of the pre-season football rankings, and are ranked fifth on the MaxPreps national high school football rankings. The Warriors won the … Read More
A Chat with the Mayor
Story by Barry Wise Smith and photos by Brit Huckabay Scott Brakefield reflects on the first nine months as Alabaster’s mayor while looking to the future. Scott Brakefield, a lifelong Alabaster resident—was elected mayor last August after serving three terms as the Ward 6 representative on the City Council, serving as Council president for two of those. “It’s about service … Read More
Back to School Health Tips From Dr. Schroder
Story by Barry Wise Smith and Photos by Brit Huckabay Courtesy of Alabaster Pediatric Drs. Patti Schroder, Dianne Matheson, and Paula Johnson founded Alabaster Pediatrics in 2005 with the goal of providing excellent personal care for patients through a smaller private practice setting. Alabaster Pediatrics serves children from infancy through adolescence. Dr. Patti Schroder, originally … Read More