Doors close, one after another, in the opening moments of Katherine Dudley Blair’s documentary “Making Room: Faith in Action.” The meaning of this imagery is unmistakable. For children shuffled from place to place, stability can disappear with the swing of a door.
“The doors get closed in their faces over and over,” Blair said.
For the Mentone filmmaker, the sequence is more than a visual device. It leads into a story she understands in a personal way: what it means for a child not to know where home will be.
“Making Room,” now streaming nationally on Angel, follows the work of Cedartown, Georgia’s Safe Haven, a Christian ministry created to give children from difficult circumstances a » Read More
October is packed with opportunities to explore, learn, and enjoy the outdoors at DeSoto State Park. From guided hikes and campfire talks to creative workshops and Halloween fun, there’s something for nearly every age and interest. Oct. 1 — Junior Ranger Adventure — Kids ages 5–12 can explore nature and work toward their » Read More
Redevelopment by Rick and Mary Gresham Barr will include an expanded home for Elevation Restaurant Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were (l-r) Dr. Brett Johnson, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority; John Dersham, executive director of DeKalb Tourism; Rick and Mary Gresham Barr, property owners; » Read More
DeSoto State Park will get visitors into the Halloween spirit with its annual Spookapalooza celebration on Saturday, October 24, offering an afternoon of family-friendly activities throughout the park. The popular fall event will feature trick-or-treating, games, animals, storytelling, and other activities. Events are free and open to all ages, and » Read More
Town officials, state legislators and community development leaders gathered at Brow Park Sept. 22 for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the first phase of improvements to the popular Mentone overlook. Mayor Rob Hammond joined Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, state Sen. Steve Livingston, DeKalb County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Brett Johnson, » Read More
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and we hope you will join us for the numerous activities we have planned. Our annual Trunk or Treat will be Saturday, Oct. 24, in conjunction with Hot Rods in the Valley. It will begin at 4 p.m. and last until 6 p.m. If » Read More
Taking a few lessons from the life of Dolly Parton Do you ever think about what you’ll leave behind in the years after you draw your last breath? Will this world be any different for me having walked through it? In the aftermath of Dolly Parton’s passing last month, we » Read More
It’s grant season here at MERF, and though we’ve been busy amidst our internal transitions — welcoming new board members, spearheading fresh committees, and, well, my learning the ropes as the new executive director — we’ve still managed to participate in the time-honored tradition of filling our grant stockings with every variety of statement imaginable (from financials to missions).
While the work MERF does for our community is very public, none of it could » Read More
We can all look forward to the construction of the new Hitching Post, a cherished cornerstone of Mentone’s history and » Read More
A New Home for Moon Lake Arts Collective At last, we can share the news! Moon Lake Arts Collective is » Read More
After singer/songwriter Dolly Parton died on August 25, tributes poured in from around the world. The little girl born into » Read More
It’s fair time and flower show time again! The event is sponsored by the Northeast Alabama Federation » Read More
By Lisa Ridgley Greetings! We have so many things coming up! First, we are very excited about our upcoming Miss » Read More
Like everyone else, we’re excitedly waiting to feel that first touch of fall in the air. If you haven’t been » Read More
Sallie’s Ashes,” a documentary about the late Sallie Smith’s passion about Mobile Bay and the safe removal of a toxic » Read More
Class of 2026, here is some great news! Help is available from people who have been where you are; some have even walked the very same hallowed halls their senior year. We know this is a busy, and often overwhelming, time as you prepare for the next exciting stage of » Read More