Month: January 2021

Southern Thing Column

Do you have a ‘potluck’ dish? A history of potlucks in the South

Kelly Kazek

Below is an excerpt from a column that originated on It's a Southern Thing. Click here to be immediately directed to the full column. “What’s your potluck dish?” Here in the South, it’s a question one might ask of a potential employee, church committee member or even a spouse. It’s nearly as important as the… Continue reading Do you have a ‘potluck’ dish? A history of potlucks in the South

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

Turns out, the birthplace of Superman is right here on earth

Kelly Kazek

It was at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, that two self-described geeks met and changed the comic book industry forever. The boys, Canada-native Joseph Shuster and Ukraine-born Jerry Siegel, teamed up to create Superman, the very first superhero, in 1932. Superman, who debuted in Action Comics No. 1, was the creation of Siegel, who… Continue reading Turns out, the birthplace of Superman is right here on earth

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The forgotten Alabamians who helped save Texas: Dr. Jack Shackelford’s Red Rovers

Kelly Kazek

Below is a guest blog from Sweetums and some photos we took on a trip to historic Courtland several years ago. By Wil Elrick Downtown Courtland, Ala., plays host to an often-overlooked historical marker about a nearly forgotten event. The marker is dedicated to a group of soldiers known as the Red Rovers, and I… Continue reading The forgotten Alabamians who helped save Texas: Dr. Jack Shackelford’s Red Rovers

(ODD)yssey, Blog Post

A look at beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery

Kelly Kazek

If you've never taken a stroll through Birmingham's Oak Hill Cemetery, you should put it on your list. It's a beautiful place with a great view of the city and some gorgeous funereal art. The cemetery was founded in 1871. The website says: "In 1871 the City of Birmingham purchased from the Elyton Land Company… Continue reading A look at beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery

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This is a story about the love of a good dog, but mostly it’s about life

Kelly Kazek

Hi, readers. Below is a touching guest blog by my husband, Sweetums, about the death of our dogs in December 2020. I wrote about the death of my Trusty Sidedog Lucy in a column here. Here is Sweetums' ode to his beloved German Shepherd, Neeko. - Kelly Kazek By Wil Elrick This is sort of… Continue reading This is a story about the love of a good dog, but mostly it’s about life