Shopping

If The Shoe Fits

Walking Alongside Cullman Families, One Perfect Pair at a Time Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Photography by Brooke Kelly Jordan, Caroline Sexton & Contributors. When Sara Beth Norrell graduated from Samford University in 2013, she imagined a career in the classroom — not behind the counter of a beloved children’s shoe store. But after eight years of teaching and the birth of her second child, Ruthie, Sara Beth felt God nudging her toward something new. That nudge turned...

Shopping

Timeless by Design

Southern Accents blends history, craftsmanship and family into one extraordinary destination. Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Joelle Brooks and Lisa Jones There are stores you visit for inspiration, and then there are places that become part of your story. Southern Accents has been doing just that for generations, welcoming visitors into a world where craftsmanship still matters, history is celebrated, and every salvaged treasure is waiting to begin a new chapter. Located...

Entertainment

Take A Bow

For more than a decade, local talent has found a home on stage at the Cullman County Theatre. Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Jay Betts Long before the curtain rises and the audience settles into their seats, there is a different kind of performance unfolding behind the scenes. Scripts are studied, sets are built, costumes are fitted, music fills rehearsal spaces, and volunteers dedicate countless hours to bringing a story to life. For the members of Cullman Community...

Shopping

Rooted in Style

Werner’s Trading Continues to Grow While Staying True to Its Small-Town Roots Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Werners Trading Company For generations, Werner’s Trading has been more than just a place to shop—it’s been a trusted destination where quality products, friendly faces, and hometown values come together. As the business continues to grow, so does its commitment to offering customers the best brands, exceptional service, and an experience that keeps them coming back...

Entertainment

Front Porch Sitting with Missy Gurley

The heart behind The Front Porch and its timeless stories. Article and Photography by Cullman City Lifestyle Cullman City Lifestyle’s own publisher and local author, Missy Gurley, shares the inspiration behind her debut book, The Front Porch, and why preserving Southern stories matters more than ever. Q: What inspired you to write The Front Porch? A: The idea came from a desire to preserve the simple moments that shaped my childhood. Front porches were a huge part of my life growing up. They...

Local Services

East Point Animal Clinic - A Legacy of Care

Dr. Payden Smith blends decades of trust with a father’s heart for family and pets Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Memories By Maddie For Dr. Payden Smith, veterinary medicine was never just a career path — it was the family business. A Cullman County native and 2014 graduate of Holly Pond High School, Dr. Smith grew up showing cattle and sheep, raising backyard chickens, and tagging along with his father, also a veterinarian, on house calls across the county. Those early...

Professional Services

Catching Myopia Early

Dr. Spencer Boozer on why early detection of childhood myopia matters more than ever. Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by Boozer Eye Care If your child squints at the board, sits closer to the TV, or struggles to see street signs from the car, it may be more than a phase — it could be myopia, and Cullman optometrist Dr. Spencer Boozer wants parents to catch it early.   “The rate of myopia is rapidly growing around the world,” says Boozer, “and myopia progresses fastest in...

Education

Turn the Page

Cullman’s Best Spots to Raise a Reader Article by Cullman City Lifestyle | Photography by various Skip the screen time — Cullman has no shortage of places to fall in love with a good book this season. It starts with a story. Long before kids master math facts or memorize state capitals, the foundation for school success often comes down to something simpler: a love of reading. With the new school year on the horizon, there’s no better time to build that habit at home — and Cullman makes it...

Sports + Recreation

Making waves

How Russell Marine is shaping the future of Smith Lake Article by Wendy Sack | Photography by Russell Marine, Jay Betts On the surface, Russell Marine looks like a premier boating dealership — a place to buy a wake boat, schedule a service appointment or grab gear before a day on the water. But talk to Emily Sprayberry, director of marketing, and a different picture emerges. Russell Marine isn’t just selling boats. It’s building culture. It’s fueling local economies. It’s shaping the way...

Health + Wellness

Prioritizing wellness

Gray Urology Wellness helps patients feel better physically and mentally Article by Wendy Sack | Photography by Brooke B Photography When the Cullman Urology office closed in early 2025, many patients wondered where they would turn for specialized, compassionate urological care. For Amy Burdette‑Gray, CRNP, CUNP, the closure marked not an ending, but the beginning of something deeply personal, and deeply needed. In March 2025, she opened Gray Urology Wellness LLC, a practice built on a decade...