Bio

Author

Verna Gates is launching her new book, 100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die.

The book features the best of the Magic City, from high cuisine to gas station BBQ, from history to hipster. She delights in sharing the rich culture of food, music and struggles, along with the striking natural beauty.

More . . .

Educator

In 2006, Gates founded Fresh Air Family, a statewide organization dedicated to outdoor science education. The non-profit offers more than 400 outdoor education programs across the state and served 1,164 kids in its 2016 summer programs and 3,200 in school field trips.

Humorist/Storyteller

In old Southern tradition of tall tales (we call them lies), she enlarges on tales of everyday living along with funny stories about her wacky family. She captured the Biggest Liar in Alabama title two years in a row! You can hear her stories on her CD: Renegade Squirrels and Other Nut Cases.

More . . .

Speaker

"Feel the Magic!" - Birmingham is the fascinating, fun and culturally rich city waiting to be discovered. Learn how to overcome the lingering blemish cast on the city. See the book page to find out some intriguing facts you may not know about her hometown!

Plants and Gardens - Verna is a lover of ethnobotany - the study of folklore, and she can take you on a history of the world through flowers, or from Adam to resurrection in the Bible, or liven up Halloween with witching plants.

Tour Guide

Verna works with Alabama Tourism Department to recruit top journalists to her beloved home state of Alabama to write about our intriguing destinations. She crafts itineraries and shares stories about our people and places, from the heroic to the quirky, from icons to hidden gems.

She takes pride her role in the state's tourism renaissance. She will be happy to show your prospects the same charming places!

More . . .

Travel Writer

A travel writer, she has recently published articles in Birmingham Magazine and Desoto Magazine.

She has won numerous national awards for her articles, including an international award for travel writing. If you would like for her to consider your destination, email her at verna@vernagates.com.

More . . .