Photo: Photos by Jo
Paws, Backpacks & One Last Splash
Dear Readers,
There’s nothing more Cullman than this: two little girls in matching seersucker, big white bows, and a sweet poodle who’s clearly part of the family. Our cover this month says everything we love about August — kids and pets, side by side, soaking up the last lazy days before backpacks and bus schedules take over.
This issue is our love letter to that in-between season. The bows are pressed, the school shopping lists are growing, and somewhere between one more pool day and the first morning drop-off, our families are holding on tight to summer — kids, dogs, and all.
We’re celebrating the four-legged members of the family too. Our feature story takes you behind the scenes at East Point Animal Clinic, where compassionate care meets small-town heart. Whether your “kid” has two legs or four, their team has been a trusted part of so many Cullman families’ lives — and their story is one of dedication, community, and genuine love for the animals (and people) they serve.
We’ve also got you covered as backpacks come back out — tips, local favorites, and a few reminders that the best part of back-to-school season is still the people (and pups) doing it alongside you.
So here’s to bow-tied curls, wagging tails, and one more golden afternoon before the routines roll back in. Cullman, this one’s for your whole family — fur and all.
Warmly,
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Missy Gurley | missy.gurley@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Cullman City Lifestyle
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Memories by Maddie
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY
Brandy Thomas
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Photography: Memories by Maddie On the Cover
Dr. Payden Smith’s daughters Elayne (4) and Emersyn (2) posing with their dog, Dolly who was a rescue. Dr. Payden Smith is the veterinarian at East Point Animal Clinic in Cullman
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Amy Burdette-Gray, CRNP at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Annual National Conference. 2: Congratulations on your new office Hometown Medical Group! 3: Our favorites - Two Local Favorites… One Family. Karmas Coffee and Jubilee Kitchen and Bar 4: D&S Pools are keeping pools sparkling with their amazing service. 5: Tami & Tommy Rawls at Cottonfield Bar & Grill 6: Photographer Jay Betts at the Blue Angels practice at Perdido. 7: Alfa Insurance Agents Stefani Nelson and Kathy Sims were at Cullman’s 2nd Friday
TAMI RAWLS - REVIVE
1: Lefty the bulldog enjoying a summer day 2: Cullman County Library’s Amber Thorton and Dr. Rebekah Lloyd at the Author Expo 3: Missy Gurley with her book, The Front Porch, at the local Author Expo
business monthly
A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AUGUST 2026
King Fish Aquatics
With more than 40 years of combined experience, King Fish Aquatics specializes in tropical and marine fish, coral, aquarium supplies, and custom orders. From new tank setups to compatible fish, plants, and décor, we’re here to help. Owners Boyd and Regina Posey are living their lifelong dream—let them help create yours.
601 A Graham St. SW, Cullman, AL 35055 • (256) 636-5771
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
East Point Animal Clinic
Since 1946, East Point Animal Clinic has been Cullman’s trusted “other family doctor” for pets. Led by Dr. Payden Smith, the team cares for dogs, cats, small ruminants, backyard poultry, and select exotics with skilled hands and southern hospitality. From wellness exams to laser therapy, every patient is treated like family. Schedule your pet’s next visit today! ? 724 US Hwy 278 E, Cullman, AL 35055 ? (256) 734-6060 ? eastpointvetclinic.com
Scan to read more
Big Boom Coffee Company
Real food. Great coffee. Greater purpose. Proudly nominated Cullman’s Best Coffee Shop just three months after opening. Enjoy real breakfasts, fresh-baked biscuits, muffins, and scones. Also serving premium sandwiches and salads, handcrafted coffee, espresso, Lit Teas made with Lotus Energy, and smoothies. Drive-thru, dine-in or delivery- we’ve got breakfast and lunch covered. 181 AL Hwy 69 Hanceville 205-353-3306 Mon-Fri 5am-2pm Sat 6am-2pm
Photography by King Fish Aquatics
Photography by Memories By Maddie
Photography by Big Boom Coffee Company
The Ballet Bus | En Route Dance Company
We provide high-quality dance education for ages 3–18 with professionally trained instructors and a top-tier program in Cullman County. We offer ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and gymnastics while building strong technique, confidence, and lifelong skills. Registration is now open at Cullman Christian School, Sacred Heart, St Paul’s, and Grandview Community Center. Follow us on social media for registration updates. Contact theballetbus@gmail.com or 256345-5205 to learn more about classes, parties and enrollment opportunities.
Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden
Cullman’s newest literary destination has arrived. Housed in a historical home, Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden invites visitors to linger from room to room and along the garden path—a place for wandering hearts and curious minds, where stories truly take root. Don’t miss the charming children’s selection and cozy reading room, perfect for little bookworms. A book club is coming soon. Located at 104 4th Ave. NE, Cullman 35055, online at arboreadum.com, or call (256) 727-3807
The Front Porch Stories and Tales from a Sweeter Time
Local author Missy Gurley invites you to pull up a chair with The Front Porch, a heartfelt collection of reflections celebrating faith, family, and Southern life. Missy, publisher of Cullman City Lifestyle, brings her warm, story-centered voice to every page.
Please visit her website to shop MissyGurley.com and to sign up for updates and local events.
Photography by The Ballet Bus
Photography by Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden
Photography by Missy Gurley
DOGSHOWER
A Canine Spa Experience The Hansgrohe DogShower caresses the four-legged friend clean with water. This novel dog shower leaves dogs big and small – as well their humans –completely relaxed Relaxing Harmonious Efficient Ergonomical Easy to Install
EAST POINT ANIMAL CLINICA 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 years shaped more than his love for animals — they showed him the deep impact this work can have on a community.
He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences from Auburn University in 2017, followed by his veterinary degree from Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. After graduation, he spent three years working alongside his father, assuming he would one day take over that practice. But life had other plans. After many conversations with Dr. Dennis Haynes, the opportunity to purchase East Point Veterinary Hospital came along, and it just felt right.
In January 2025, Dr. Smith took the helm of the clinic many in Cullman still remember as East Point Veterinary Hospital, now East Point Animal Clinic. While the name has changed, the heart of the practice hasn’t. Today, Dr. Smith carries forward decades of relationships, trust, and service, building on a legacy that has cared for generations of local families and their animals. It’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly, especially now that he’s raising two young daughters of his own, surrounded by a household full of pets.
East Point Animal Clinic holds the distinction of being the oldest active veterinary clinic in Cullman, established in the 1940s by Dr. Harry Farr. Over the decades, the practice evolved from mixed-animal care to a focus on small animals, all while holding onto what matters most: compassionate, dependable care. For
Dr. Payden Smith with patients
Dr. Payden Smith
Dr. Smith, honoring that legacy means blending modern veterinary medicine with the personal relationships that have made East Point a trusted name in Cullman for generations.
Ask Elayne and Emersyn Smith who their best friend is, and they won’t hesitate: Dolly, the family’s rescued Standard Poodle. For Dr. Smith and his wife, Caitlyn, watching that bond grow between their daughters, ages 4 and 2, and the family dog has been one of the unexpected joys of parenthood — and a living example of everything he believes about pets and kids.
Dr. Payden, Caitlyn Smith family
Dr. Payden and family
“Pets can play an incredibly important role in a child’s life,” Dr. Smith says. “They teach responsibility, compassion, patience, and empathy.” But he’s quick to add that bringing a pet into the home is a commitment, not a whim. Raising children already keeps a household plenty busy, and adding an animal means adding time, training, and consistency to the mix. Not every family’s lifestyle is suited to a dog, he says, and that’s perfectly fine — the goal is finding the right fit, whether that’s a dog, a cat, or even a leopard gecko.
When it is the right fit, though, Dr. Smith believes the payoff is immeasurable. It’s a lesson he and Caitlyn live out daily at home, where their two daughters are growing up alongside not just Dolly, but the family’s two other dogs, Hiro the Yorkie and Rose the Doberman Pinscher.
Outside the clinic, life for the Smith family centers on faith, family, and the outdoors. They’re active members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and spend much of their free time together outside, often with their pets in tow. Dr. Smith, an avid runner who competes in half marathons, also treasures quiet weekend trips with Caitlyn and the girls — when his on-call schedule allows.
And yes, the pets do have a say in how the household runs. Plans, schedules, and routines often bend around Dolly, Hiro, and Rose, each of whom expects to be included in whatever the family is doing. For the Smiths, that’s simply part of the deal. The pets aren’t just animals in the house — they’re family, full stop, and Dr. Smith wouldn’t have it any other way.
East Point Animal Clinic
• Founded: 1940s by Dr. Harry Farr — the oldest active veterinary clinic in Cullman
• Owner: Dr. Payden Smith, a Cullman County native and Auburn University graduate
• Services: Wellness exams, vaccinations, in-house bloodwork, digital radiology, ultrasonography, laser therapy, dental care, and routine surgical procedures
• Patients: Dogs, cats, sheep, goats, pigs, backyard poultry, and select exotic species
• Dr. Smith and his wife, Caitlyn, are raising daughters Elayne (4) and Emersyn (2), alongside three dogs — Dolly the Standard Poodle, Hiro the Yorkie, and Rose the Doberman Pinscher
• East Point continues to welcome new and longtime patients alike, carrying forward decades of trust built across generations of Cullman families724 US Hwy 278, Cullman 35058 256-734-6060 eastpointvetclinic.com
East Point Animal Clinc
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Catching Myopia Early
Dr. Spencer Boozer on why early detection of childhood myopia matters more than ever.
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 younger children, especially those under age 12.” Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes distant objects blurry while up-close vision stays clear. Left unmanaged, it doesn’t just mean a stronger prescription down the road — it raises a child’s lifetime risk of serious eye disease.
That’s where myopia management comes in. Unlike standard single-vision glasses, which do nothing to slow the condition’s progression, today’s options — including FDA-approved specialty spectacle lenses, hard and soft contact lenses, and eye drops — can meaningfully slow how fast a child’s nearsightedness worsens. “When diagnosed early, nearsightedness has more treatment options than ever before,” Boozer says. His message to Cullman parents is direct: don’t assume your child just has to “live with it.” That was the only option when Boozer himself was growing up. Now, early diagnosis and a personalized management plan can make a real difference in a child’s adult years. “Embracing myopia management now will pay off in their adult years by reducing
ARTICLE BY CULLMAN CITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOOZER EYE CARE
the risk of diseases that can appear later,” he says. It isn’t surgery, and no treatment promises to fully stop progression — but slowing it down is a meaningful win worth pursuing.
The takeaway for parents: regular eye exams matter, especially before age 12, when myopia progresses fastest and intervention has the most impact.
Boozer brings deep roots to this work. A Cullman native and 2009 Cullman High School graduate, he earned his Doctor of Optometry from UAB in 2017 and joined his father at Boozer Eyecare that same year, making it Cullman’s first second-generation optometry practice. He purchased the practice from his dad in 2023, and the two still work together today, continuing a shared vision for comprehensive, full-scope eye care.
Today, Boozer Eyecare’s team of four doctors and more than a dozen staff offer everything from diabetic eye exams to dry eye treatment, glaucoma management, and a full optical and skincare boutique — all with one goal: catching eye problems early, in kids and adults alike, right here in Cullman.
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.
Cullman County Public Library System
Start with the Cullman County Public Library System. The downtown main branch hosts Storytime every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m., where toddlers and preschoolers gather for songs, crafts, and read-alouds that make books feel like playtime. Come summer, the library’s Summer Reading Program keeps the momentum going with challenges, prizes, and guest readers that turn reading into a friendly competition. And because the system includes five branches plus bookmobile service stretching across the county, families in every corner of Cullman County have a library card — and a storytime — within easy reach, no matter how far they live from downtown.
Little Free Libraries
For something more spontaneous, keep an eye out for Cullman’s growing network of Little Free Libraries. These small, charter-registered book boxes — many maintained by the Friends of Cullman Libraries — are tucked into front yards, school campuses, and community parks throughout the county. You’ll find them at Art Park and Sacred Heart School, in neighborhoods like Rosemont and Vinemont, and in towns from Bremen and Hanceville to Eva and Baileyton. The concept is simple: take a book, leave a book. No library card, no due dates — just a steady rotation of stories waiting to be discovered. Turn an evening walk or a Saturday car ride into a treasure hunt, and let your child pick the next read.
Little Free Libraries
Cullman County Public Library
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 remarkably easy to find a child’s next favorite book without ever leaving town.
Four stops, one mission: make reading part of the family routine this season. Pick just one this week — a library card, a free book box, a new bookshop — and watch a love of stories take root.
Karma’s Coffee House
Even a coffee run can double as a book hunt at Karma’s Coffee House, where shelves of books for sale sit right alongside the espresso machine. The books are provided by local book collector, Josh Freeman and are available for purchase. Karma’s is the kind of cozy, locally owned spot where a child can curl up with a hot chocolate and a picture book while parents enjoy their own cup — proof that a love of reading and a love of good coffee go hand in hand.
Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden
And the newest stop on the list: Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden , which just opened in a charming historic home near downtown Cullman. Owner Shanen Cottingham has filled the space with new books across every genre, plus a cozy children’s reading corner designed to make young visitors feel right at home. Step out back, and the bookshop becomes a garden — plants, flowers, and quiet paths perfect for an audiobook stroll. Cottingham has plans to grow the space into a true community gathering spot, with book clubs and garden walks already in the works. It’s a reminder that stories and nature can live side by side.
Karma’s Coffee House
The children’s area at Arboreadum
DIY At Home Theater
Our family had so much fun creating this At-Home Movie Theater party for our son Ezra’s 8th birthday. All you need is a projector and an outdoor space, but I wanted to jazz it up just a little bit more.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY LEANN PARKER
TICKET BOOTH
I created a ticket booth and concession stand for a full movie theater experience to ensure that our movie night felt like our guests were actually going to a movie theater and not just our house. In an attempt to achieve that, we set up a ticket booth at the front door using our kids’ old puppet theater.
Materials:
• Tickets
• Ticket Booth (optional)
Before entering our theater (aka our backyard), I set up a shadow box for guests to place their entry ticket.
PEGBOARD DISPLAY WALL
I love displaying food in a creative way at our parties. I made this simple DIY Popcorn Display Wall as a statement piece in our concession stand. We have also used it in many other ways for other parties such as a donut wall, bagel wall, pretzel wall and more. You can easily recreate your own for your next party.
Materials:
• Pegboard. I chose the 4ft square size at Lowe’s for $10 and spray-painted it white.
• Frame (optional). I bought two 1x4’s for $5 each, cut two pieces 4ft long and two pieces 3.5ft long, stained Minwax walnut, attached to pegboard with screws through the back.
• Twine to string popcorn bags. Or, if you’re using the pegboard display for donuts, bagels or pretzels then use golf tees hot-glued into holes from behind!
• Clothespins to hang popcorn bags.
• Popcorn bags
CONCESSION STAND
My daughter handed out tickets for guests to use to “purchase” their popcorn, candy and drinks at the concession stand.
Materials:
• Popcorn Machine (optional)
• Popcorn
• Popcorn flavors for guests to get creative!
• Candy - Use boxes rather than bags for movie theater vibes!
• Soda - Use bottles rather than cans
• Napkins
• Cupcake toppers & plates (if it’s a birthday celebration)
• Reused boxes and spray-painted them white for guests to easily carry their snacks
SET THE SCENE!
FINISHING TOUCHES
I cut out red stars (from foam sheets) and stuck them to the floor (with adhesive putty) to lead guests through the house to the concession stand and back outside to where our movie was going to take place. Finally, our guests could choose their seating on chairs or blankets around our yard. I also set up a little bug-spray table for people to grab as needed. Dramatic play, even as an adult, is so much fun! Who says staying home can’t be just as entertaining?
I hope you have as much fun at your party as we did! I’d love if you tagged me @silvertoothfarmhome so I can see your At-Home Movie Theater too!! In reflecting on the party, my son said that “the best part of the night was eating candy with my friends.” After all, people are what matter most!
