Alabama Afternoons is a collection of portraits of many remarkable Alabamians, famous and obscure, profiled by award-winning journalist and novelist Roy Hoffman. Written as Sunday feature stories for the Press-Register in Mobile with additional pieces from the New York Times, Preservation and Garden & Gun, these profiles preserve the individual stories - and the individual voices within the stories - that help to define one of the most distinctive states in the union.

About the Author

Roy Hoffman is a staff writer for the Press-Register whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Southern Living, Fortune, and Esquire. He is the author of the nonfiction collection Back Home: Journeys through Mobile and the novels Almost Family, winner of the Lillian Smith Award for fiction, and Chicken Dreaming Corn, a BookSense pick.

Wonderful Wednesday programs are free for Members of the Friends of Bellingrath. Gardens Admission ($12.00 for adults & $ 6.50 for children 5-12) is charged for non-members attending programs. There are additional charges to tour the Home and/or to take the River Cruise. Call 251.973.2217 for reservations.

Join Bellingrath Museum Director Tom McGehee in the Home to learn the tales behind many of Mrs. Bellingrath's favorite pieces of porcelain.

Wonderful Wednesday programs are free for Members of the Friends of Bellingrath. Gardens Admission ($12.00 for adults & $ 6.50 for children 5-12) is charged for non-members attending programs. There is an additional charge to take the River Cruise. Call 251.973.2217 for reservations.

It is a pre-season showdown for Auburn and Alabama fans at Bellingrath on July 27th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Authors of new cookbooks - Auburn University Cookbook by Missy Mercer and The University of Alabama Cookbook by Browne Mercer - will be in the Magnolia Cafe signing books and giving visitors a chance to taste some special TEAM Treats from each book.     

About the Authors   

Missy Mercer is a graduate of Auburn University and California Culinary Academy.  She is also a culinary instructor at Williams-Sonoma.  Browne Mercer attended the University of Alabama and is involved with the Delta Water Fowl Committee where he frequently caters banquets and events. Together the couple own Tomatino's Pizza, Café Louisa and Louisa's Bakery. They reside in Montgomery, Alabama.    

Auburn University Cookbook   

Get ready for a tasty pregame party with these Tiger-licious treats. Fans can show their true colors with Kick'em in the Butt Big Blue Chili washed down with a swig of Orange and-Blue Passion. And if that's not enough to get the spirit up, Sis Boom Bah! Sausage Balls and The Tiger's Den Lemon Bars should do the trick.  

The University of Alabama Cookbook   

Roll on up to the tailgate and be prepared to watch that Crimson Tide! The crowd will be delighted to dip their chips into some Rollin' with the Tide Salsa and munch Red Elephant Snacks before settling down to nosh on Bama Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin and Rammer Jammer Baked Beans. Big Al's Peanut Butter Bars and some Yellow Hammer will have the fans cheering in no time. Let the game begin! "