Terrific Teen: Abby McGee

November 21, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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

Alabaster Beautification Board

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

  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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

  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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

  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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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

September 12, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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 

September 11, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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

September 11, 2021By Alabaster Connection

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