Ann Cipperly
Columnist
Ann Cipperly is an award winning journalist whose career includes being a lifestyle and food editor, feature writer, columnist and photographer for newspapers and magazines
Ann Cipperly's Latest
BY ANN CIPPERLY With Christmas over and the decorations tucked away, the cold days of January settle into a quiet, cozy time of resting from the rush of the holidays. After so much rich food for weeks, plan on comforting soup meals for your family....
OPINION — Seventy-five years ago, Elton Trueblood dared to publish a book titled “The Future of the Christian.” At the time many insisted that theirs was a post-Christian age because the Christian worldview had lost its influence in the...
OPINION — A friend of mine and his wife walked into a gift shop while on vacation in California. As they opened the door, causing a little bell to jingle, what they saw was breathtaking. Before them was a large picture window looking out on...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION —Words are precious. We communicate our needs, our dreams and our feelings with words. Since it’s Christmas time, let’s reflect on some choice words of the Christmas season.“Clearance” is one. I like it. My wife loved it....
BY ANN CIPPERLY With a towering 12-foot decorated Christmas tree, the mantel embellished with ornaments on a garland, tables set with festive décor and stockings hanging from the staircase, the home of Joy and Bobby Samford is ready for Christmas...
All creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also...
When the tornado hit Beauregard in 2019, Carol Clemmons, who had worked with disaster relief organizations, volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse in Opelika. She was so impressed with the outpouring of care and love from the community that Carol...
One of the signs that you belong to Jesus is a strong desire to pray. You want to commune with the one who made you a new person. You want to thank God for your salvation and keep your spirit open to the Spirit’s guidance. Jesus did not see prayer...
OPINION — As sudden as a lightning strike, a severe pain in my lower abdomen got my complete attention. One minute I was watching a football game; the next I was focused entirely on the sudden pain in my stomach. Assuming it would soon pass,...
OPINION — With tables polished to a rich patina and the good china washed, plans are underway for gathering family and friends for a festive Thanksgiving. This year, prepare most of the dishes ahead of time and spend more time with your...
OPINION — When I read something that I like, I claim the author as my friend. It’s an idea I picked up from my friend, Elton Trueblood. One day, when we were talking together, he shared a quote by “my friend Samuel Johnson.” Remembering that...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — My voice was steady. I was calm and composed as I explained to my friends that like the Apostle Paul, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). I wanted them to know that, with the...
OPINION — When Dean and I were enjoying a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, I thought about that day when Peter and Andrew, and James and John, heard the call of Jesus. They were ordinary fishermen, fishing for a living, tending their...
BY ANN CIPPERLY With a wreath covered in colorful fall leaves on the front door and a stack of pumpkins flanking the steps, Charlotte Below enjoys decorating her home to reflect the season and gathering family for a get-together. She invites her...
OPINION — O ver the years I have often found solace in the words of Thomas A'kempis. With the exception of the Bible, “The Imitation of Christ” has been the most popular of all Christian writing for the past 500 years. My habit is to...
With scarlet, orange and yellow hues on foliage and an abundance of apples in the markets, autumn is a favorite time of year. After a long, hot summer, everyone welcomes warm, freshly-baked pies, breads, cakes and other apple treats. For some in...
Whether you are tailgating at the Auburn-Georgia game, watching it or cheering on another favorite team on television this weekend, plan to serve a variety of scrumptious foods. Prepare most of the recipes ahead of time to keep the refreshments...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — Questions abound in our daily lives. We communicate with questions: “How are you?” “How’s the family?” “What have you been doing?”Jesus used questions brilliantly in his teaching. Spend a few minutes with me imagining...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — I cringe every time I hear someone spit out the bitter words, “I will never forgive him (or her) for what he (or she) did to me!” And yet over the years I have heard those angry words more than once. I wince because I...
BY ANN CIPPERLY On a recent sunny morning, Penney Varner was in her spacious kitchen in the Northside Historic District preparing a pot of green chili to serve with hominy and pinto beans that were simmering on the stove. Penney and her husband,...