Muse Award
Author
Melea Hames

A 1995 Auburn University graduate, Melea has been a social media manager in the tourism industry for more than a decade at Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. At AMLA, Melea is responsible for creating content on Visit North Alabama’s social media platforms, writing blog posts on the website, coordinating the North Alabama Ambassador Program, and speaking at various events and meetings about social media. Melea is also the host of Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, AMLA’s new podcast, produced by Relic Agency. The podcast won a 2022 Muse Award - Silver in the Audio/Podcast category. Melea was honored in October 2023 with the Tourism Promoter of the Year Award from the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association for her work on the podcast.

Prior to working for AMLA, Melea received her Masters at UNA in Secondary Education and taught middle school English and coached middle school cheerleaders for three years. She also taught English at Calhoun Community College for 8 1/2 half years. Before that she worked in public relations for an advertising agency in Atlanta, a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia, and for Auburn University in the development office. Just last year, Melea created her very own social media marketing agency with a friend called M and M Social. She loves to write, travel, walk in the park (she walked over 600 miles in 2020), go to Auburn games, and read books about WWII.

North Alabama Gifts for Kids that Aren’t Toys

Most kids have a lot of toys and then receive a lot more toys for Christmas. If a family has two or more kids, these toys can really add up quickly. And typically, many kids lose interest in their new toys after a couple of weeks, sending them to the toy box never to be played with again until it’s…

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Christmas Tree Trails in North Alabama

One Christmas tree is beautiful with all it's bright, twinkling lights and colorful ornaments, but a whole trail of Christmas trees is downright magical! Check out the best Christmas Tree Trails in North Alabama. Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park The Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park in Huntsville…

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Made in North Alabama Christmas Gifts

As friends and family select the perfect gifts, they imagine the look of excitement on loved ones' faces when the package is opened. North Alabama is home to many unique attractions, and when it comes to finding that perfect unique Christmas gift, look no further than north Alabama for one-of-a-kind…

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Ice Skating in North Alabama

Grab your friends and go ice skating at one of North Alabama's unique ice skating destinations! Skating in the Park at Huntsville Museum of Art Skating in the Park at the Huntsville Museum of Art is a fun way to get some exercise, have fun, and be outdoors! Skating in the Park is from November 17…

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Holiday Wine Pairings

As the holidays quickly approach, one of the first things on busy agendas is the holiday meal. This year as the turkey, dressing, sides, and desserts are prepared, consider what wines could be served to make the holiday meal complete. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association was instrumental in…

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How Tigers for Tomorrow Educates and Entertains

Tigers might be one of the last things you’d expect to see on your next trip to North Alabama. Think again! The non-profit organization Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain offers an up close and personal look at all kinds of big cats! Listen to the Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama episode…

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Holiday Events in North Alabama

Twinkling lights, Christmas trees, Santa...the holiday season is officially ON! There are so many fun events all over north Alabama to celebrate Christmas and the holidays, so check out these events and add them to your must-do list this holiday season! Galaxy of Lights The Galaxy of Lights at…

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Haunted North Alabama

There are so many reasons to love October: cooler weather, leaves changing, and all things haunted. Check out these cool - and maybe a little bit scary - haunted events all over north Alabama. Athens Haunt Walks In celebration of Halloween, Athens-Limestone County Tourism is offering haunted…

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Covered Bridges of North Alabama

Covered bridges are scattered all around North Alabama and remind us of the way things used to be. Blount County has the most in North Alabama, which has earned the county the "Covered Bridge Capital" title. There's a Covered Bridge Festival each October to honor and remember Blount County's covered bridges. Here's a list of North Alabama's covered bridges that are still standing: Easley…

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North Alabama Fall Bucket List

Fall means football games, colorful foliage, getting lost in a corn maze, trips to the pumpkin patch, mums, pumpkin-flavored everything, fall festivals, cooler weather, and so much more. North Alabama is a wonderful place to celebrate fall and scratch all these fall bucket list items off your list…

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