September 2017 south alabama

Stories | Recipes | Events | People | Places | Things | Local News September 2017

South Alabama Electric Cooperative

www.southaec.com

Business Boom Brundidge entrepreneur sets up new shop

Manager David Bailey Produced by the staff of South Alabama Electric Cooperative ALABAMA LIVING is delivered to some 420,000 Alabama families and businesses, which are members of 22 not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed and taxpaying electric cooperatives. Subscriptions are $6 a year for individuals not subscribing through participating Alabama electric cooperatives. Alabama Living (USPS 029-920) is published monthly by the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and at additional mailing office.

Outdoors encouragement Many students keep a tradition of leaving school to go hunting or fishing whenever they can. However, for some young people attending the University of Montevallo, the school not only allows them to take great outdoors adventures, but even encourages – and pays them!

30

VOL. 70 NO. 9 n SEPTEMBER 2017

6

POSTMASTER send forms 3579 to: Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-4014.

16

ALABAMA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

AREA President Fred Braswell Editor Lenore Vickrey Managing Editor Allison Griffin Creative Director Mark Stephenson Art Director Danny Weston Advertising Director Jacob Johnson Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Brooke Echols Communications Coordinator Laura Stewart

16

34

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:

National Country Market 611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504 Austin, Texas 78704 1-800-626-1181 www.nationalcountrymarket.com www.alabamaliving.coop USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311

u

Look for this logo to see more content online!

Get our FREE monthly email newsletter!

Sign up at alabamaliving.coop Printed in America from American materials

Brundidge entrepreneur brings new business, more jobs to city.

Pass the sauce

Alabama-made marinades and sauces are an easy way to amp up the flavor factor of your food while supporting our state’s own talented entrepreneurs.

Say cheese, please

You can’t ever have too much cheese, as our reader-submitted recipes prove.

D E PA R T M E N T S

ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:

340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117-6031 1-800-410-2737 For advertising, email: advertising@areapower.com For editorial inquries, email: contact@alabamliving.coop

Pickling paradise

34

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! ONLINE: www.alabamaliving.coop EMAIL: letters@alabamaliving.coop MAIL: Alabama Living 340 Technacenter Drive Montgomery, AL 36117

In this issue: Page 11 Page 28

9 Snapshots 22 Gardens 29 Around Alabama 30 Outdoors 31 Fish & Game Forecast 34 Cook of the Month 46 Hardy Jackson’s Alabama ONLINE: alabamaliving.coop ON THE COVER: Chuck Caraway,

founder and president of Southern Classic Food Group, recently opened a new business in Brundidge, Magnolia Vegetable Processors, LLC.

SEPTEMBER 2017 3

Embracing our heritage and new technology

Board of Trustees

South Alabama Electric Cooperative finds new ways to serve David Bailey, General Manager

James Shaver President District 2

Delaney Kervin Vice President District 5

Douglas Green Secretary/Treasurer District 6

Bill Hixon District 1

James May At Large

Ben Norman District 4

Glenn Reeder District 7

Raymond Trotter District 3

4 SEPTEMBER 2017

In June 2017, South Alabama Electric Cooperative turned 80 years young. Over those decades, many changes have shaped the electric industry, something driven home by a letter written to the cooperative in the mid1940s.

In it, a member reports that she lost power about a week earlier and asks that the cooperative restore power “when you can get to it.”

Now that’s patience!

Fortunately, today’s members do not have to be so patient. Meter technology immediately notifies our team when a section of the network loses power, though members should always contact SAEC when there is an outage just to be sure.

Better outage tracking is only one way that we use advances in technology to serve you better. Last month, we rolled out our first app for mobile devices, allowing members to easily make payments, check power usage, view the power outage map and report outages.

This month, we are pleased to announce our new Pre-Pay Billing Program, which gives members the ability to pay for electricity as they use it.

Pre-Pay Billing works much the same way as buying gas for your car. You fill the gas tank and use the gas as you drive. Now, you can fill up your “electric tank,” which decreases as you use electric power. The key to Pre-Pay Billing, to extend the car example, is that you do not let it run out of gas.

Most importantly, Pre-Pay Billing offers many benefits for our members. A large deposit is not required, and there is never a surprise about how much you have spent on electricity. You have complete control over your power usage, and that control can help you reduce the amount you pay.

As a cooperative, we work hard to use the latest tools to create opportunities for our members to have reliable, economical service.

Pre-Pay Billing and the SAEC app are two examples, but we will continue looking for new ways to harness technology to better serve you.

For those of you who don’t like the idea of adding more technology to your lives, let me assure you that I understand completely.

When I was a kid, technology did not have the role it does in our world now. Days were spent seeing how far we could hit a baseball in community-organized games played at the old school, church or someone’s house. Football games were played in the flattest cow pasture, and hunting was an open activity on the neighbor’s property.

Today, squirrels are one of the main causes of power outages on our system. But growing up, after my Granddaddy Raif Wilson put in an order for squirrels to use in his famous stew, they did not cause the kind of trouble they do today.

Many people feel that our society is too reliant on our devices, and when I think about those times, I’m inclined to agree with them.

But while it’s good to remember days gone past, technology can offer real advantages.

Our Pre-Pay Billing option and the SAEC app do just that. They give our members options that were not possible in the past. And if you are worried about the cooperative changing too much, rest assured that we will still offer the standard billing and payment processes you are accustomed to.

Overall, I love the ways technology has helped us advance as a society. It has improved the quality of life for all Americans, and, God willing, over the next 80 years technology at South Alabama will continue to help us improve the electric service we provide for our members.

In the meantime, there will always be simple pleasures that a computer cannot replicate.

I confess, I don’t play baseball and football in the community anymore, nor do I go hunting for squirrels. But I do enjoy shooting my bow, practicing hitting golf balls, and walking down my dirt road. Some things technology just cannot improve. 

www.alabamaliving.coop

No more surprises on your electric bi

I n t r o d u c i n g t h e S A E C P r e - P ay B i l l i n g P r o g r a m Want more control over your electric bill? SAEC’s new Pre-Pay Billing Program can help.

Starting Sept. 1, SAEC will roll out a whole new way to pay your bill and monitor your electricity usage. The SAEC Pre-Pay Billing Program keeps unwelcome surprises out of your mailbox, while helping you keep track of how much energy you’re using.

W h at i s P r e - P ay ?

The SAEC Pre-Pay program does just what it says: It allows members to pay their electric bill up front instead of waiting for a bill each month. You can fill up your Pre-Pay account like you would your car’s gas tank. When your account gets low, add more money any time of day or night. No more waiting in dread for that monthly bill — your account is right at your fingertips, either through your smartphone with our SAEC app or on your computer.

We’ll also send either daily text messages or emails showing your electric usage. This helps you keep a close eye on your electricity usage instead of waiting for a printout in your monthly bill. That way, you can pinpoint the times when you are using the most energy and have the option of reducing it.

How does it work?

As a member of the Pre-Pay program, you no longer receive a power bill, and you won’t be charged disconnect or reconnect fees. Your account balance and energy usage will be available online or on your phone.

The Pre-Pay program requires a $50 minimum balance, which will go toward your electric bill. You will receive text or email alerts when your balance reaches $20. That’s when you know to add more money.

And here’s some really good news: If you’re already a member of SAEC and have paid a deposit, your deposit will go directly toward your Pre-Pay account. In other words, it immediately goes toward your electric bill.

H o w d o I g e t s ta r t e d w i t h P r e - P ay ?

To join the Pre-Pay program, you’ll need access to either a smartphone or a computer with internet capabilities. To learn more about Pre-Pay or to sign up, visit our office at 13192 U.S. Highway 231 in Troy. You can also call us at 1-800-556-2060, and one of our representatives will be happy to go over the program with you.

With the SAEC app and pre-pay you can: » Avoid monthly billing surprises » Use your deposit toward your bill » Receive text and email alerts for changes to your account » Access your account online or through your smartphone » Add money to your electricity account 24/7 with your phone or online » Avoid connection and reconnection fees » Monitor your energy usage on any given day

Alabama Living

Contact Information Mailing address P.O. Box 449 Troy, AL 36081 Phone 334-566-2060 800-556-2060 Website www.southaec.com Find us here:

Tf Payment Options SAEC App Available from the App Store and Google Play

BY MAIL P.O. Box 449 Troy, AL 36081 WEBSITE www.southaec.com PHONE PAYMENTS 877-566-0611, credit cards accepted NIGHT DEPOSITORY Available at our Highway 231 office, day or night PAYMENT POINTS Regions Bank - Troy branch Troy Bank and Trust - all branch locations 1st National Bank of Brundidge and Troy First Citizens - Luverne branch Banks Buy Rite - Banks Country 1 Stop - Honoraville IN PERSON 13192 US-231, Troy, AL 36081 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Questions?

For questions concerning Capital Credits, contact: capital.credits@southaec.com For questions concerning Billing, contact: billing@southaec.com For questions concerning Construction, contact: construction@southaec.com SEPTEMBER 2017 5

Pickling Paradise Entrepreneur brings more business to Brundidge Chuck Caraway knows the food business, and that knowledge has paid off for Brundidge.

As founder and president of Southern Classic Food Group, Caraway is responsible for adding about 225 jobs to the city since he launched the food manufacturing and distributing company in 2001.

Since then, the company has made and packaged tons of mayonnaises, sauces, dressings and beverages, distributing them to food-service companies and others across the country. Among the products made at the Brundidge plant is Pilleteri’s Original Marinade; see related story Alabama-made sauces on Page 16.

Magnolia Vegetable Processors currently uses Alabama-grown jalapenos, cucumbers and okra for some of its pickled products.

6 SEPTEMBER 2017

But Caraway hasn’t stopped there. With a multimillion-dollar investment of his own and help from public-private partnerships, he recently started his latest enterprise — Magnolia Vegetable Processors. The company began packaging its pickled products in late July and is expected to bring about 60 jobs to the city over the next three years.

The new company was helped along with an interest-free $1 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program.

The USDA funding distributed in May creates a pool of money totaling just more than

$1.3 million and is distributed

by South Alabama Electric in support of area businesses.

The interest-free loan to Caraway's company came from that pool of money, and Magnolia Vegetable Processors will pay back the loan over 10 years. SAEC will manage the remaining $360,000 as part of its ongoing efforts to grow the local economy.

“In the long run, it helps a lot of other businesses because South Alabama Electric can help others to try and get started,” Caraway says.

Food savvy

When he started Southern Classic Food Group in 2001, Caraway possessed more than 18 years of experience working for a similar food-processing company. It was with that company that he grew familiar with Brundidge, its people and its food-manufacturing past.

“When I was working for the other company, we came back here in 1994 and opened a facility that had been closed by another operation,” Caraway says.

That familiarity helped when he struck out on his own a few years later. “When we got to looking around and deciding what we wanted to do, Brundidge made the most sense,” he says. “The people here were

Chuck Caraway, founder and president of Southern Classic Food Group and Magnolia Vegetable Processors

experienced in making these kinds of products.”

The city’s infrastructure was also ready-equipped for a food-processing plant, which made starting up much quicker and more efficient, he says.

Caraway initially leased buildings when he started Southern Classic Food Group. In 2002, he started building his own facility. By the end of 2004, all of the company’s operations were under one roof. The company also became one of the city’s largest employers.

New horizons

As Southern Classic Food Group grew, Caraway set his sights on developing Magnolia Vegetable Processors. “We’ve been asked many, many times whether we did any pickling,” www.alabamaliving.coop

he says. “We have some partners who have been in the pickling business for a while, so it just made sense for us to go ahead and do it.”

The new facility started production with pickles, pickled okra and pickled jalapenos.

Other pickled products and sauces are expected to start production in the coming months and years, Caraway says.

“After I got into this, I realized people pickle a lot of different things, even peaches,” he says. “We have customers up and down the East Coast that we expect to be bringing on board in the next several months.”

Caraway’s business savvy and foresight have been good for Brundidge and Pike CounAlabama Living

ty, says Marsha Gaylard, president of Pike County Economic Development Corporation.

“Mr. Caraway is truly the epitome of an entrepreneur,” Gaylard says. “Both of the companies that he started have made a tremendous impact on the economy of Brundidge and Pike County. He continues to provide good jobs for the citizens of our area through the continual expansion of his original company and now with Magnolia Vegetable Processors.”

The plant manufactures, bottles and distributes various sauces, dressings and mayonnaises.

Local company, local crops

Caraway also expects local and regional farmers to benefit from the new operation.

The plant is already pickling cucumbers from a farm near D SEPTEMBER 2017 7

Chuck Caraway, president of Southern Classic Food Group and Magnolia Vegetable Processors, seated, met with members of his companies and South Alabama Electric Cooperative.

than and okra from a grower in Cottonwood. Jalapenos are coming from growers in Jemison, Alabama.

While he can’t get all of the products from Alabama growers, Caraway hopes to do business with more of them in the future. He already works closely with several farmers in the region, Auburn University’s agricultural network and Alabama Farmers Federation.

“We’d like to eventually get a line of products that we can say are Alabama produce,” he says. “That’s the goal, anyway. It’s going to take a while for all of it to come together, and we’ve had some good conversations with the Department of Agriculture. It’s a good group of folks working together.”

Magnolia Vegetable Processing is expected to bring about 60 jobs to Brundidge over the next three years.

Working together for a win

Caraway is quick to point out that public-private partnerships are important to growing any business.

Southern Classic Food Group and Magnolia Vegetable Processors are not exceptions to this rule. Both companies have been helped along with support from the community.

“The governments of Brundidge and Pike County, all of our elected officials, have participated,” Caraway says. “The city was able to go out and get some grant money from the state to extend the street to the new plant.”

Another grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs allowed the city to extend the water, sewer, gas and electric infrastructure to the area. The result is not only a thriving business, but also more jobs and a bigger tax base to help fund schools and other community needs.

“It was actually a lot of different folks making things happen,” Caraway says. “And that’s what we need more of — everybody working together to make something positive happen.” 

8 SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

| Alabama Snapshots |

Herman Hickman and great grandson Zander Taylor. SUBMITTED BY Emily Martin, Sylacauga Martha Mercer and her great grandchildren.

SUBMITTED BY Martha Mercer, Elmore

Parker Smith.

Lena Belle Smith and grandson Troy th, Smi SUBMITTED BY Edith

Carl and Debbie Clark with granddaughters Karleigh, Rylee, Avarey and Presley Sanders.SUBMITTED BY Jennifer Sanders, Andalusia

nton. granddaughter Ellyott Sta Papa Steve Stanton and nton, Loxley.

SUBMITTED BY Elliott Sta

Woodie Glenn and granddaughter Danielle Hickman.SUBMITTED BY Woodie Glenn, Rockford.

Grandparents

Submit Your Images! November Theme: “Heirloom Quilts” Deadline for November: September 30 SUBMIT PHOTOS ONLINE: www.alabamaliving.coop/submit-photo/ or send color photos with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Photos, Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

RULES: Alabama Living will pay $10 for photos that best match our theme of the month. Photos may also be published on our website at www.alabamaliving.coop and on our Facebook page. Alabama Living is not responsible for lost or damaged photos.

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017 9

| Power Pack | SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security Q&A

O

ver the next two issues, I would like to share with you some common Social Security questions I receive on a variety of topics and my answers.

Question: My child, who gets Social Security, will be attending his last year of high school in the fall. He turns 19 in a few months. Do I need to fill out a form for his benefits to continue?

Answer: Yes. You should receive a form, SSA-1372-BK, in the mail about three months before your son’s birthday. Your son needs to complete the form and take it to his school’s office for certification. Then, you need to return page two and the certified page three back to Social Security for processing. If you can’t find the form we mailed to you, you can find it online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ssa-1372.pdf.

Question: I’m trying to figure out how much I need to save for my retirement.

Does the government offer any help with financial education?

Letters to the editor

Answer: Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can expect from Social Security with a visit to Social Security’s Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a website that can help you with the basics of financial education: www.mymoney.gov. Finally, you’ll want to check out the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which offers educational information on a number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit cards, retirement, and other big decisions. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by email at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.

ALABAMA'S HEALTH

Rural hospitals need new revenue sources

T

hirty-two of Alabama’s 46 rural hospitals are operating at a loss. That’s according to information recently developed by iVantage Health Analytics for the National Rural Health Association. Six rural Alabama hospitals have closed since 2009, tied with Georgia for the most closures in any state. An additional 14 rural Alabama hospitals have been identified as being at risk of closure.

Simply by being there, rural hospitals attract additional health care services and provide vital economic development opportunities for their service areas. With 41 of Alabama’s 67 counties projected to lose population between 2010 and 2040, our rural areas cannot afford a more threatened economic future by losing their local hospital.

The struggle to keep rural hospitals open is very complex. Rural hospitals receive lower reimbursement for the same service than hospitals in more urbanized areas.

Dale Quinney is executive director of the Alabama Rural Health Association, 1414 Elba Highway, Troy, 36081.

10 SEPTEMBER 2017

This poses a constant financial challenge.

Continuing to offer health care services, such as obstetrics, that consistently cost more to provide than is reimbursed, is very important to the perception of local health care. Such consistent losses cannot be sustained forever.

In addition, government programs and private insurance have established admission and length of stay requirements that place many rural hospitals in a position of having daily inpatient censuses below the number of beds available for inpatient services.

Rural hospitals do not exist only to serve the local population. They provide a front line of health care defense for residents and visitors going through our rural areas who need immediate and critical health care services.

In response to financial threats, some rural hospitals are being innovative in welcoming and developing new sources of revenue. The Bibb Medical Center in Centerville and its administrator, Joseph Marchant, are an example. This medical center has 35 authorized beds with an average daily inpatient census of around 14 or 15.

This facility operates an affiliated rural Continued on Page 31

E-mail us at: letters@alabamaliving.coop or write us at: Letters to the editor P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124 Nurse practitioners article appreciated Thank you so much for highlighting the situation in our state that nurse practitioners face in practice. Your article (August 2017) was right on target. We have several schools in our state who graduate very qualified nurse practitioners who are excited and ready to care for the patients in Alabama and they can be a very significant part of the solution for inadequate healthcare in our state. They are willing to live and work in very rural areas, and many already do so. Statistics strongly support patient satisfaction with the care nurse practitioners provide.

Why do we continue to ignore the resource for healthcare that they provide? Thank you for such a timely and important piece!

Susan Holmes, EdD, MSN, CRNP Troy University School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Program Whereville thanks What a pleasant surprise to open the (August) issue of Alabama Living to discover the photo of Jasmine Hill Gardens in your Whereville photo contest! Thank you for all you have done to help our attendance at Jasmine Hill!

Jim Inscoe, Proprietor, Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum Photo contest I want to thank Alabama Living magazine for sponsoring the reader photo contest (July 2017) and especially for the honor of placing second along with the $50 award.

I am not a native of Alabama but have always claimed Ozark as home.

I returned to Ozark nearly 20 years ago for family reasons and have been here ever since. My friends are steeped in Southern tradition and its culture has enriched my life.

I’ve learned to love grits, cold sweet tea and “Steel Magnolias!” I guess you could say I’m Northern by birth and Southern by choice.

We are fortunate here in Ozark to have the Dowling Museum/Ann Rudd Art Center downtown on the Square. It has been a cultural outreach to artists, amateur photographers and writers for more than 16 years and a place to express our vision and ideas through the arts.

Thanks again for the recognition and for providing the opportunity to share the view through my lens!

Carol Luckfield Ozark www.alabamaliving.coop

SEPTEMBER | Spotlight

Whereville, AL Guess where this is and you might win $25!

USDA provides food safety, ‘kitchen confidence’ tips Do you need a little “kitchen confidence?” The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service invites home cooks to gain some confidence in the kitchen by refreshing their perspectives on food safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, approximately 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illness, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Many of these illnesses can be prevented by changing behaviors in the kitchen.

Be confident in your food safety skills by visiting www.

FoodSafety.gov, by calling the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline or downloading the FoodKeeper app on your digital device.

You can also chat live with a food safety specialist in English or Spanish at AskKaren.gov, available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.

This month in

Alabama history Identify and place this Alabama landmark and you could win $25! Winner is chosen at random from all correct entries.

Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. Send your answer by Sept. 6 with your name, address and the name of your rural electric cooperative. The winner and answer will be announced in the October issue.

Contribute your own photo from an upcoming issue! Send a photo of an interesting or unusual landmark in Alabama, which must be accessible to the public. A reader whose photo is used will also win $25.

Submit by email to whereville@alabamaliving.coop, or by mail: Whereville, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124.

AUGUST’S ANSWER

Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum near Wetumpka features more than 20 acres of year-round floral beauty and classical sculpture, including statuary that honors Olympic heroes. Learn more about “Alabama’s little corner of Greece” at www.jasminehill.org (Photo submitted

by Dayna Coker.)

The random drawing winner is Beverly Trawick of Dixie EC.

Alabama Living

September 14, 1964 The USS Alabama arrived in Mobile after completing a 5,600-mile voyage from Bremerton, Washington. The voyage was the longest nonmilitary ton per mile tow in history. The ship returned home to Alabama after a statewide fundraising campaign that collected more than $800,000, including $100,000 donated by schoolchildren. On January 9, 1965, the USS Alabama Battleship Park opened to the public in Mobile, eighteen years after the ship was decommissioned on the same day in 1947. More than 2,000 people, including schoolchildren, politicians, and veterans of World War II, attended the opening ceremonies as Gov. George Wallace received the ship on behalf of all citizens of the state.

www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2960

SEPTEMBER 2017 11

Al

Spreading sc

College mascots say life behind t They lead us in victory, console our defeats, and comfort with unwavering support. They are the mascots of college football.

Requiring good grades, excellent physical conditioning, and the ability to ham it up in front of thousands, life is challenging in mascot mania. But life is good for those who don the suit. They love it. Here are some of Alabama’s favorites.

By Emmett Burnett

Blaze the Dragon

It’s not easy being green. It’s not easy walking on campus with wings and a tail either. But at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Blaze the Dragon does just fine.

UAB’s reptile of renown originated in 1995. But the name “Blaze” was predestined, from 1978, after the school’s sports teams were nicknamed by student vote. “They tried other mascots,” recalls Ryan Martin O’ Connor, coordinator of cheerleaders. “We considered a rooster, and Viking, but finally felt Blaze was best.”

She adds, “No mascot has a suit like ours.

The wings are huge and if not careful, his tail can knock you down.” He has to be very careful in a crowd. And he is always in a crowd.

Everybody wants to be around him.

And Blaze rocks. “Most people think mascot performers are extraverts,” says Ryan, “but that’s not necessarily the case. Many are more comfortable in the suit than out of it when it comes to performing crazy antics.”

For a bulky winged serpent, this leaping lizard can cut the rug. Blaze owns the dance floor.

UAB sources confirm, when performing “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae,)” no dragon is better.

Big Al

Named by University of Alabama student vote in 1979, Big Al the elephant is one of the most recognized sports mascots in America. His first public appearance was at the 1980 Sugar Bowl.

Today he appears everywhere.

“When donning the elephant suit you become more than a mascot,” explains Big Al coordinator and former Alabama cheerleader Jennifer Thrasher. “You are an ambassador of the University. You must represent us in a positive way.”

Bama’s elephant is known for football games but sports are just part of the job description. He makes hundreds of public appearances annually and encounters situations from jubilant to sadness. “Big Al visits a lot of children’s hospitals,” Thrash12 SEPTEMBER

er says.

She related one such visit: a young child stricken with cancer too weak to offer little more than a feeble smile.

“Big Al sat at the little girl’s bedside, quietly holding her hand in silence,” Thrasher says. Later in private, the mascot removed the elephant head, revealing a college student with tears streaming down her face.

And then there is game day. “Every time you put on that massive head you are part of something bigger than you,” recalls Justin Sullivan of Nashville, mascot from 2011 to 2016. “I had no experience when selected as Big Al. I went from nothing to Bryant Denny Stadium, in front of 150,000 people.

Even today it seems surreal.” www.alabamaliving.coop

t i r i p s l choo

d the mask rewarding SouthPaw and Miss Pawla Love is in the air at the University of South Alabama, Mobile: SouthPaw and Miss Pawla are engaged, in a classic tale of jaguar romance.

OK, it’s probably the only tale of jaguar romance, but earlier this year, at a USA pep rally, SouthPaw proposed to fellow jaguar mascot, Miss Pawla. She nodded yes. The affirmative came as little surprise because Miss Pawla has flirted with SouthPaw since she has known him, just like she does with most males. It is who she is and part of why USA loves them both.

“South Paw is the strong silent type,” says USA Cheer Coach Bre Kucera. “He is athletic, 7 feet tall, and dresses in accordance with the sporting event represented.” Pawla is

shorter and a prissy–flirty feminine feline.

They are cool cats, and in South Alabama, “cool” is not easy.

“It takes heat endurance to be our mascot,” Kucera says. “A football game down here can be 100 degrees on the field.”

Try being in that heat totally encapsulated in simulated jaguar fur.

Not a problem for SouthPaw and Miss Pawla, because love conquers. And the only heat these two are concerned with are the warm hearts they have for each other.

Cocky the Gamecock

For the last five years, Niki Martin has been Cocky the Fighting Gamecock of Jacksonville State University. Martin graduated in April, relinquishing her title as rooster with an attitude.

But as all costumed performers say, even after you’re gone, the mascot lives on.

“Oh yes, I was a crying mess,” Martin laughs, about giving up her feathered friend. “But it has been so rewarding. To put a smile on someone’s face, even for five seconds, helps them and helps me.”

Cocky goes beyond mascot. This bird is hilarious. “He is always in trouble, always doing something he should not be doing,” adds head cheer coach Dave Almeita. “That’s why people love him.” But despite the rooster’s rants, no one cries

fowl.

“He’s a prankster but not a jerk,” Martin s a y s .

“A f t e r pulling a joke on someone, I always offered a handshake or hug, to show it’s all in fun.” Martin is credited for developing Cocky’s signature strut and personality. “Cocky is the guy the girls love and the guys want to be like,” she says.

Few people know for the last five years Cocky was a woman. Even less know Cocky was Martin. When asked what is it like being famous yet anonymous inside a mascot suit, Martin says, “It’s like being Clark Kent and knowing you are Superman.”

SEPTEMBER 2017 13

Tuskegee’s Golden Tiger Herschel Freeman has a dilemma. He loves children but also portrays the feisty Golden Tiger for Tuskegee University. Kids and giant cats don’t often mix and Herschel is caught in the middle.

“It happens at almost every game,” the sophomore business major and mascot says. “I’ll be standing there in the costume and here comes a parent with a baby to thrust in my arms for a picture.” The child is terrified.

“Mascots can’t talk in uniform,” Freeman laughs. “But

sometimes I want to shout to the dad, Oh, come on, man! I’m a 6-foot tiger standing on two legs! What do you expect this baby to do?”

Like all good mascots, Freeman excels at reading situations. “I always let young children approach me. I don’t walk up to them.”

And though he cannot speak, “I nod and make gestures. With experience, you become good at it.” Also like all good mascots, actions speak louder than words.

Aubie the Auburn Tiger

In 1979, Auburn University student Barry Mask was selected as the first Aubie the Tiger. “I wanted Aubie to be four things,” recalls Mask, who today is a Montgomery banker. “He had to be a good dancer, prankster, a ladies man, and love children.” Oh, how the tiger roared.

Today Aubie holds 9 UCA National Championships, more than any college mascot. He was the first inductee into the Mascot Hall of Fame, and is a state legend.

The 1979 Iron Bowl solidified Auburn’s mascot as a cat to reckon with because, of all people, Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

During the pre-game, Coach Bryant leaned against a goal post. Barry was Aubie. Wearing a crimson jacket and houndstooth hat, just like Alabama’s coach wore, Aubie sneaked up behind Bryant.

Curious as to why

T-Roy, Trojan of Troy

All hail mighty T-Roy: Warrior of the Wiregrass, gladiator of goodwill, and Trojan of Troy – now new and improved.

“He has a new and improved head and facelift,” says Kyle George, Troy University’s associate athletic director for marketing and sales. T-Roy first appeared in the mid-1980s. The upgraded one was seen throughout Alabama this summer on a state tour, but his official debut is September 9 at Troy’s first home football game.

The big noggin now allows better visibility through the eyes and improved neck support for the mascot’s interior human. And not a moment too soon. Because when it comes to big man on campus, T-Roy rocks.

“One cool thing about mascots is they can go where a live person can’t,” adds Kyle. “They lift spirits and make people happy just by being around them.” The red-capped wonder frequently appears at children’s events, birthday parties, hospitals, alumni gatherings and almost anywhere his schedule allows.

But he walks a fine line between muscle-bound warrior and helmeted loveable softie. T-Roy is a powerful warrior through and through but a friendly one. He is stern yet fun. Toddlers are

14 SEPTEMBER 2017

the crowd was cheering, the Bear turned to the Tiger, and did a double-take. Barry remembers, “In front of thousands, I was face to face, looking into squinting steel blue eyes of a legend glaring back at me.”

Seconds later, Coach Bryant’s stare transformed into a smile. Pointing at the tiger’s houndstooth headwear, he chuckled, “Nice hat, Aubie,” and walked away.

Aubie has been cutting edge ever since. Mask, who later served in the Alabama House of Representatives, occasionally meets current mascots, and offers advice: “If you are not pushing the limits, you are probably not a good Aubie.”

as comfortable with him as adults.

Typically, three to 5 students are helmet–ready at any given time. One wears the suit. The others attend the mascot. They are trained in the ways of Troy and Trojan spirit, ready to lead in battle or hug sweet babies.

See ya’ later, gladiator.

Here’s to those who push the limits, wear the suits, and bring fantasy to life for the joy of all the fans of  College Town, Alabama.

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  15

State of sauce Alabama-made sauces perk up meats, veggies and more

By Jennifer Kornegay

E

ven most novice cooks know that marinades and sauces are easy and effective ways to amp up the flavor factor of a variety of foods. Meats, seafood and veggies all benefit from a pre-cooking soak and a slather, sprinkle or dip afterwards.

Lots of folks like to make their own, but there are plenty of Alabama-made products to choose from, too. These tasty options range from classics like salty steak saturators to innovative creations that rely on more exotic influences. Here are a few favorites from around the state.

Berdeaux’s Since he was old enough to eat table food, Jim Berdeaux has been enjoying the thick, tangy steak sauce and the tomato-based, slightly sweet barbecue sauce his grandfather whipped up when he was the chef at Montgomery’s Pickwick Café in the 1940s.

“We made his sauces for every family get-together, and when I was in the paper business, I started making them and giving jars to clients as gifts,” he says. Once the sauces were tasted outside of the Berdeaux family, the positive response was overwhelming.

When he retired from the Air Force, Jim decided to base a business on the recipes (and the clamoring requests for them) and created Berdeaux’s Sauces in 2010. The company is based in

16 SEPTEMBER 2017

Montgomery, and the sauces are made in Chancellor, Ala. Today, in addition to the steak and barbecue sauces, Berdeaux’s produces Sweet Island Dipping Sauce, a lively blend of pineapple and pungent horseradish. All the sauces are completely natural, with no MSG, high-fructose corn syrup or liquid smoke, a point Jim’s really proud of. “My sauces’ purity is what makes us stand out,” he said. “You can taste the difference.”

Get some: At shows and special events around the South, specialty stores in central Alabama like Derk’s Filet & Vine, Queen’s Steaks ‘N Wines, Tucker Pecan and more and online at berdeauxsauces.com.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Pilleteri’s Pilleteri’s Liquid Marinade was born out of necessity. The patrons of owner Charles Pilleteri’s Birmingham butcher shop and deli, Mr. P’s, wanted something to flavor the steaks and chops they bought from him, and so he created a dry seasoning blend and then a robust marinade based on the same flavors.

“The original inspiration came from a Montgomery butcher shop that’s now closed, but I modified the recipe and added my own spin,” he says. The dark marinade is low in sodium (only 17 percent), yet it has just the right sharp, salty punch, with notes of garlic, black pepper and Worcestershire too. Charles has since added other sauces (hot sauce and wing sauce) and products like rubs and seasonings, but the original marinade is still his bestseller.

He’s now also distributing other Alabama-made sauces, like Ollie’s Bar-B-Q sauce.

Get some: at Mr. P’s Butcher Shop and Deli, 813 Shades Crest Road in Birmingham; select Publix, Food Giant and Piggly Wiggly locations; and online at pilleteri.com.

Charles Pilleteri’s Mr. P’s Original Marinade is still his best seller.

PHOTO BY RAY MARTIN

Super Turnip Green Super Turnip Green Pepper Sauce is one-upping the bottles of soggy, faded-green peppers that are standard sights on tables at Southern restaurants. With its Serrano pepper base, it’s sweet on the front end, combusts with a pop of well-rounded heat in the middle and ends with a blast of vinegar zipping across your tongue, combining the sensations into an unforgettable bite.

The sauce’s namesake and mascot, a Southern hero named Super Turnip Green (STG) – who sports overalls and a full-

face mask – is just as memorable, and that’s by design, as Drew Folsom, owner of the Birmingham-based company (and STG’s “agent”), explains.

“The sauce is all about a love of South, Southern foods and the country lifestyle, and STG embodies that. He’s a good ole country boy with just a little edge.”

Legend says the sauce recipe is STG’s, but that he wanted to keep his identity a secret, so he gave it to Folsom to bottle and sell. True or not, one thing is certain: Just a few dashes of this concoction added to anything from greens and peas to fish and fried chicken (STG’s favorite way to use it) will wake up your food’s flavor potential.

STG just launched a new product, Super Turnip Green Presents: Colt Ford Pepper Sauce, a fiery, full-bodied liquid created by country music artist Colt Ford.

Get some: in select Winn-Dixie, Piggly Wiggly and Western Supermarkets in Central Alabama and Publix locations in and around Birmingham. Check your local store too; STG is currently expanding distribution.

Front-door delivery In recent years, Alabama has become known for its barbecue, including the sauces served in some of our most storied ‘cue institutions. With a just a few clicks and a credit card, you can have them shipped right to you and add the work of masters to your creations.

Dreamland Bar-B-Que, dreamlandbbq.com Costa’s Famous Bar-B-Q, alabamagoods.com Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, bigbobgibson.com Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q, bobsykes.com Full Moon Bar-B-Que, fullmoonbbq.com Alabama Living

Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q, jimnnicks.com Saw’s BBQ, sawsbbq.com Ollie’s Bar-B-Q, pilleteri.com Demetri’s BBQ, alabamagoods.com SEPTEMBER 2017 17

Howton Farm’s

More to love

In tiny New Hope in north Alabama, Steve Howton has been playing with spice combos and cooking up his Howton Farm’s sauces since 2003. He’s worked in construction for years but was always making his own barbecue sauce.

And he still is; while he has a “day job,” he makes every batch of his savory sidekick for slow-smoked meats as well as his newer offering, a zesty, ginger-infused, sesame-seed-studded Salmon & Sushi Sauce (which also adds pizazz to chicken) by hand, using the best ingredients he can find.

“Lots of folks ‘cheap out’ in the sauce industry, but the product suffers when you do that,” he says. “That’s why I’ve kept everything in my control, so I can ensure the quality is high.”

Check out his selection of dry seasonings too.

Get some. Order at howtownfarms.com or on eBay.

Alabama’s a pretty saucy state, boasting so many homegrown sauces we can’t adequately cover them all in one article. Here are a few other condiment companies worth checking out. Learn more about them and where to get them on their websites.

Sweet Melissa’s spicy sauces, Birmingham Sweetmelissassauces.com Alabama Sunshine hot sauces, Fayette alabamasunshine.com T-Lish dressings and marinades, Birmingham tlish.com SlapHappy BBQ Sauce, Birmingham slaphappybbq.com Daddy Natty’s Bar-B-Q Sauce, Birmingham daddy-natty.com Sneaky Pete’s hot dog sauce, Birmingham sneakypeteshotdogs.com Simmering Sensation Cooking Sauces, Killen simmeringsensation.com Jala Jala BBQ Sauces, Huntsville jalajalafoods.com

Moore’s Marinades & Sauces The smoky, piquant jolt of Moore’s Original Marinade has been charming taste buds for a long time, starting with diners at Moore’s Landing restaurant in Jasper, who couldn’t get enough of the house marinade and started buying it by the Styrofoam-cup-full to take home.

The eatery closed years ago, but thanks to the LaRussa family, who purchased the restaurant’s recipe, the name and taste live on in Moore’s Marinades & Sauces, the company they founded in Birmingham. Today, Moore’s has expanded to include three marinades and six wing sauces that are distributed nationwide.

18 SEPTEMBER 2017

Dale’s Seasoning sauce, Birmingham dalesseasoning.com

The company’s brand manager, Garland Reich, outlined what she thinks has fueled its success and continued growth.

“We are a family-owned company, and we make real Southern products,” she says. “Moore’s really captures the flavor of the South.”

While the marinade that built the company is still beloved, Moore’s most popular product (out of nine) is its Buffalo Wing Sauce, a pout-puckering, blazing orange elixir that will electrify your mouth.

Get some: in major grocery stores around the country.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  19

| Worth the drive |

From waitresses to restaurant owners

Sisters attracts customers from across Alabama Go with us as we visit Sisters at Story and photos by Ben Norman

W



hen sisters Pat Rogers and Geraldine Golden decided to leave their jobs and open Sisters Restaurant in Troy, they both had a lot of apprehension. Geraldine was working as a waitress at a local restaurant and Pat was in the insurance business, although she had worked as a waitress before.

The former owners of the property that is now Sisters Restaurant approached Pat and Geraldine about buying the property and opening a restaurant. “They said they would work with us any way they could and encouraged us to give it a try. I was all for it but Geraldine was holding out. I finally convinced her to let’s give it a try, so we rented the building for the first year then bought it,” Pat says.

“To get started, we borrowed $10,000 from Jeff Kervin at Troy Bank and Trust. He had faith in us, and has stuck with us. The business did well from the start.

“My mother, Juanita Golden, had taught Geraldine and me to cook when we were girls. We just didn’t know how to cook for so many, but we learned fast. I did most of the cooking to begin with and Geraldine helped out when needed. We wanted to serve food just like our customers ate at their mother’s and grandmother’s house.”

Sisters Restaurant opened serving country cooking, and the ladies intend to continue that style. Its specialties are corn, peas, butterbeans, squash, turnips, collards, and they still use their mother’s recipe for chicken and dressing.

Customers drive from Dothan, Montgomery, Luverne and all around to eat lunch with them, which they consider quite a compliment. “We haven’t forgot what made us successful, and that is our customers,” Pat says.

The restaurant Sisters Restaurant also has become 13153 U.S. Highway 231 in Troy, known for its desabout two miles south of serts, such as its Walmart; 334-566-0064 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday; all-you-can-eat buffet starts at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday; Troy closed Saturday; all-you-can-eat buffet from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday Email: sistersrestaurantllc@yahoo.com

20 SEPTEMBER 2017

alabamaliving.coop!

Customer favorites: Geraldine Golden, left, and Pat Rogers hold pans of bread pudding and banana pudding.

homemade banana pudding. It is on the “One Hundred Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” list and has been featured in Southern Living magazine. Another favorite is the bread pudding, made from a secret recipe.

“We always buy quality products in order to maintain our delicious country style of cooking. The first day we opened we had rice on the menu. It was an off brand and stuck to the pan and didn’t taste good. I told the customers that day that if they would stick with me I’d promise never to serve anything like that again.

From then on we have only used Uncle Ben’s rice,” Pat says with a chuckle.

Both Pat and Geraldine laugh when they discuss Geraldine’s reluctance to go into business for themselves. “Pat came back all excited when she went and looked at the building the first time,” Geraldine says. “She was ready to get started, but I wanted no part of it. She finally got me to go look at it, but I told her I didn’t want any part of it. I found all kind of excuses not to do it but she talked me into it. I would go home and cry after work for a month or two. But our customers really supported us, and I relaxed and then began to enjoy the work and all the customers we saw every day. It was just fear at first, but I got over it.”

Sisters Restaurant celebrated its 20th anniversary in March.

They have completed several additions to accommodate the growing number of customers and the kitchen has been completely remodeled.

Sisters Restaurant offers a country buffet on Thursday night, with the main attraction the white meat or fatback and tomato gravy. They also serve a seafood buffet on Friday night. Sisters is open for lunch every day but Saturday.

One customer asked if he could look in the kitchen. When asked why, he said, “With food this good, I just thought my grandmother might be back there doing the cooking.” It’s hard to top a compliment like that. Ben Norman is a writer from Highland Home, Ala.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  21

| Gardens |

The roots of fall flavor: Carrots, radishes, beets and more

I

grew up watching Bugs Bunny go to great lengths for some carrots. Me, though, I didn’t “carrot all” for them.

That is until I tasted the sweetness of a crisp, garden-fresh carrot and began to appreciate Bugs’ infatuation with them.

If you’re fond of fresh carrots, you’re living in the right state. Alabama’s climate allows us to grow carrots and many other root vegetables as both spring and fall crops.

And now is the ideal time for a fall planting.

There are lots of reasons to love root vegeta- Root vegetables are easy to grow and have few disease or pet issues. bles, but it’s their diverse array of flavors — from sweet to zesty to they are perfect for gardeners of all skill earthy to nutty — that make them espelevels. In addition, root vegetables don’t cially appealing on salads and as cooked need a lot of room to spread out their root dishes. And these days they are available in systems so they are ideal for small garden an equally diverse array of colors, shapes areas or for planting in containers (just and sizes. make sure the pots are deep enough for Take color for example. In addition their taproots to fully form). to the familiar orange carrot that Bugs Root vegetables can also be inter-plantadores, we can also nibble (or chomp) on ed with one another or with other crops, red, purple and yellow carrots. Today’s and they are easy to grow in succession radishes range from the standard reds plantings — sow a few seeds every couple and whites we all know and love to radof weeks and you’ll always have a new crop ishes with pink and black skins and yellow, coming on. pink and green inner flesh. The same goes Best of all, root crops have few disease for beets — think beyond the typical puror pest issues (yes, wild rabbits can be plish-red beet to golden, pink and striped a problem, but they can usually be conoptions. trolled with repellents — no Elmer Fudd Then there’s shape. How about a little or Mr. McGregor techniques needed) and round carrot that looks more like a beet require little pampering. or a radish, or radishes and beets that For optimal production, they need six look more like carrots? Or maybe a giant to eight hours of sunlight each day, about daikon radish that weighs more than a an inch of water each week and a loose pound? The options are abundant! (“fluffy”), well-drained soil that is free of Because root crops are easy to grow, weeds and of rocks, dirt clods or other debris that might hamper their growth.

The soil should be rich in potassium and phosphorus (but not too much nitrogen) and have pH levels between 5.5 and 7, so Katie Jackson is a freelance writer and for best results test your soil and make editor based in Opelika, amendments to it before you plant.

Alabama. Contact her The easiest way to grow root vegetables at katielamarjackson@ gmail.com. is from seed, and most of these plants have 22 SEPTEMBER 2017

small, sometimes tiny, seeds so it can be hard to nail their ideal plant spacing. If you end up with overcrowded seedlings, simply thin them but don’t throw those seedlings away! They, like the leafy tops of most root vegetables, are edible and can be used to add fabulous, interesting flavors to salads, stir fries, pastas and other dishes.

While the season for spring-planted root vegetables is limited by hot weather, which can make them tough and bitter, many fall-planted root crops can be left in the ground and harvested well into the winter months. Cover them with a thick layer of mulch during the cold months and you may well get to enjoy them until its time to plant the spring crop.

Imagine, garden-fresh carrots for months on end … just don’t let Bugs know.

September Tips   

  

   

Harvest and preserve late summer herbs, vegetables and fruits.

Start collecting instructions and supplies for winter garden projects.

Begin keeping an eye out for sales of garden and outdoor equipment and furniture.

Test your garden and lawn soils.

Spend some time outside at night to determine any outside lighting needs.

Plant fall crops such as cabbage, collards, celery, garlic, onions and root crops.

Keep mowing the lawn and irrigate if needed.

Plant perennials and biennials and spring-flowering bulbs.

Divide perennials and thin or transplant irises and daylilies.

Clean up garden and landscape areas and keep those bird feeders and birdbaths clean and filled. www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  23

24  SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  25

Cast your vote for the Best of Alabama for the chance to win

Vote online for a chance to win an extra

250

$

$

2018

Deadline to vote is Oct. 31, 2017.

100

www.alabamaliving.com

It’s back! Once again, Alabama Living readers have a chance to vote on the places and things that make our state great! We’ve got some new categories this year. So check out the questions, write in your answer for each one and tell us what’s your choice for the “Best of Alabama!”

FOOD 1 Best seafood restaurant

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 Best Alabama-made burger

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3

Best recipe from “The Best of Alabama Living” cookbook

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OUTDOORS 4

Best game to hunt/fish/trap in Alabama

5

Best hiking/biking trail

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRAVEL 6 Best historic hotel

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7

Best “living history” experience

8

Best small town for unique shopping

9

Best day trip in Alabama

10

Best Alabama souvenir

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTRAS

11

Best article you’ve read in Alabama Living in the last year

12

Best thing about living in Alabama

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Remember, if your name is drawn and you voted online

Address: ___________________________________ City: _________________ St: _______Zip: _________ at www.alabamaliving.com, Phone Number: __________________________ Co-op: _________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________

you’ll win

350

$

Vote online at www.alabamaliving.com or mail to: Alabama Living Survey • P.O. Box 244014 • Montgomery, AL 36124 No purchase necessary. Eligibility: Contest open to all persons age 18 and over, except employees and their immediate family members of Alabama Rural Electric Association, and Alabama Electric Cooperatives; and their respective divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising, and promotion agencies.

26 SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  27

28  SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

September | Around Alabama daily schedule of events, visit evafrontierdays.weebly.com.

Photo courtesy of Tamra Trull.

23

Winfield’s Annual Mule Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.

4

Section, Section Labor Day Festival. Musical entertainment featuring gospel, bluegrass, country and rock and roll.

Children’s games and rides. Food available. Volleyball, horseshoes and dominoes. 256-228-3414

nection near Fred’s. 5-7:30 p.m.

Restaurants and caterers from Chilton County will be available with samples of their food. Tickets $25. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Chilton County and Senior Connection.

9

15-16

Arab, Arab Community Fair at Arab City Park, 844 Shoal Creek Trail NE. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

50 vendors selling various goods.

Music entertainment and family-oriented activities.

Arabhistoricvillage@gmail.com

9

Courtland, Celebrate Gen. Joe Wheeler’s birthday at Pond Spring. Entrance to the grounds, re-enactment and concert is free. Admission to the Wheeler house is $8 for adults, $5 seniors/college students/ military, $3 children 6-18 and free for children under 6. Tours offered from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Facebook-Pond Spring, The General Joe Wheeler Home.

9-10

Cullman, Bernard Blues and BBQ Festival. Arts and crafts and music festival from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School.

Homemade quilts, brooms, pottery, jewelry and other various art crafts available. Food and drinks also available. Admission $5. Stbernardprep.com

11

Clanton, Taste of Chilton County at Senior Con-

Bridgeport, 24th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride. Kickoff rally Friday downtown featuring live bands, vendors, Indian dancers and drummers. Free. Motorcycles line up at 7 a.m. Saturday morning for the ride from the Alabama-Tennessee line to Waterloo. al-tn-trailoftears.net

15-16

Troy, Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama Pow Wow. Early history and culture of Southeastern Indians.

Demonstrations of beading, basket making, flint knapping, and canoe making. Native and non-native foods and arts and crafts available. Free. Troy University, 600 University Ave. machispowwow@gmail.com

16

Alabama Gulf Coast, 30th Annual Coastal Cleanup. Support Alabama’s waterways by participating in the Alabama Coastal Cleanup. Meet at one of the 30 clean-up sites as we work to make Alabama beautiful. 8 a.m.-noon. For more

information and a list of cleanup locations, visit alabamacostalcleanup.com.

18

Cullman, 3rd Annual Caring for Cullman Concert benefitting the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. Featuring Triumphant Quartet and Bama BluGrace. 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Cullman High School auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. and general admission tickets are $15. A love offering will be received.

256-255-5965

21

Dothan, Low Country Boil at Landmark Park. 6-9 p.m. Shrimp boil to help maintain and operate Landmark Park.

Shrimp, corn, sausage and potato boil, music and silent auction. landmarkparkdothan.com

22-25

Winfield, 43rd Annual Mule Day. Friday night is Mule Night Madness, with live music, vendors and local stores will be open late.

Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. Vendors, arts and crafts, live music and dancing, car show and more. The Skirmish at the Luxapalilla, a Civil War battle re-enactment, will take place at the city park Saturday and Sunday. winfieldsmuleday.com

23

Jasper, 4th Annual Fishing 4 a Cure 4 ALS Bass Tournament at Smith Lake Dam. Launch from safe daylight until 3 p.m. Registration begins at 4 a.m.

Guaranteed first place payout of $5,000. All proceeds donated to the Alabama ALS Chapter.

Dharris326@bellsouth.net

23-24

Falkville, 20th annual Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Native American arts and crafts vendors, dancers, drummers and John T. Wayne, “The Duke’s” grandson. $5 for adults, 6-14 $3, 65 and older-$3. 256-734-7337

29

Opp, 10th Annual Scarecrows in the Park Ribbon Cutting at Frank Jackson State Park, 100 Jerry Adams Drive. 12 p.m. Scarecrows will be on display during October and November. Park admission is $4 ages 12 and up, $2 ages 4-11 and seniors.

Golf cart tours avaliable for senior adults. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 334-4885033 or 334-493-3706. For information regarding the ribbon cutting, contact the Opp Chamber of Commerce at 334-4933070.

30

Titus, 17th Annual Titus Bluegrass Festival.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bluegrass music, barbecue and crafts. Admission $5, children 12 and under free. Titus Community Center, 5879 Titus Road.

Tituscommunitycenter.org

22-30

Eva, Eva Frontier Days. Craft fair, beauty pageant, hayride, community singing and more. For

To place an event, e-mail events@alabamaliving.coop. or visit www.alabamaliving.coop. You can also mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; Each submission must include a contact name and phone number.

Deadline is two months prior to issue date. We regret that we cannot publish every event due to space limitations.

Alabama Living

Evergreen, Conecuh County’s second annual “Paws in the Park” at Evergreen Municipal Park. Live entertainment, vendors, children’s activities and dog parade. “Paw Patrol” will be on hand for a meet and greet and photos. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

251-227-9860

Like Alabama Living on facebook Follow Alabama Living on Twitter @Alabama_Living

SEPTEMBER 2017 29

Al

| Outdoors |

Montevallo encourages students to get outdoors

M

any students keep a tradition of riodic lectures related to the outdoors. trips aren’t just to a museum. Since 2015, leaving school to go hunting or “It’s a scholarship for students who have students fished for redfish and speckled fishing whenever they can. Howa passion and desire for the outdoors,” says trout in Venice, La., and caught blue marever, for some young people attending the William Crawford, program director. “We lin in the Bahamas. In Alabama, the stuUniversity of Montevallo, the school not have scholarships for people with athletdents hunted ducks, deer and quail as well only allows them to take great outdoors ic skills or music skills. Why not have a as caught largemouth bass. adventures, but even encourages – and scholarship program for students who love “Anything we can do to introduce our pays them! the outdoors and are good at it? students to the outdoors, we try to do it,” Dr. John W. Stewart grew up exploring “We’re educating our students on differCrawford says. “Most of our students grew the salt marshes of Delaware, but missed ent career opportunities in the outdoors up hunting white-tailed deer and bass fishthe outdoors when he attended college industry by bringing in different speaking. We’re trying to introduce them to new away from home. Now the University of ers. As part of the program, the students things as well as let them do the things Montevallo president, he began the UM also get involved with doing conservation they’ve grown up doing. It’s so fascinating President’s Outdoor Scholars Program in projects to try to teach them how to put to see these students start to love and un2015 to encourage students derstand the importance of to learn about future emeverything in nature.” ployment opportunities in Any high school senior the outdoor industry with with a desire to become inan emphasis on conservation volved in the outdoors or go and game management. into an outdoors-related in“The University of Mondustry can apply for a scholtevallo’s President’s Outdoor arship. Students can also Scholars Program is comtransfer in from community mitted to educating the next colleges. The scholarship generation on the values of money comes from various work ethic and conservation individual, corporate and to lead the way in protecting foundation donors. our heritage for the benefits “We’re looking for any of our wildlife, lands and natstudents who want to furural resources,” Stewart says. Students enrolled in the University of Montevallo’s President’s Outdoor Scholars ther their education and be The program awards Program participate in various outdoors activities including fishing and hunting. associated with a program scholarships averaging Here, Ashley Hawk, J.T. Russell and Porter James learn shooting skills and tied to the outdoors,” Crawabout $2,500 a year toward gun safety at a firing range. (Photo courtesy of the University of Montevallo’s ford says. “We appreciate any President’s Outdoor Scholars Program) their education for up to help we can get from donors four years. In the first year, the program back something in the lands and natural who want to support the program and help provided eight students with more than resources and make things better.” these students stay connected to the outThe outdoors scholars and the UM bass $20,500 in scholarships. In the second doors. If not for them, we wouldn’t be able fishing team participated in the “Gone year, 22 students received $43,000 in to do this.”

Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’” event at Oak scholarships. This year, about 40 scholarIn August 2017, the Alabama WildMountain State Park. The students taught ship recipients began the 2017 school year. life Federation honored the University of The outdoors scholars must maintain about 1,000 young people from Jefferson Montevallo President’s Outdoor Scholars at least a 2.5 grade point average. In addiand Shelby counties how to bait hooks, Program with its Conservation Educator tion, they must attend monthly on-camcast rods and catch fish. They also released of the Year award. The university also plans pus meetings and other activities related about 2,000 fish. to build a lodge on campus to house scholto hunting and fishing. They must also The outdoors scholars also participated arship students. It should open in 2018.

“The lodge will be our little hangout complete coursework on the outdoors and in a Kidz Outdoors event at Soggy Bottom where we can have meetings and students the environment, learn how to prepare fish Lodge in Linden, Ala. The event helped can store their outdoors equipment,” and wild game for the table and attend pechildren with disabilities take part in variCrawford says. “It will also have a boatous outdoors activities. The Kidz Outdoors house where our fishermen can store their event raised $54,000 to be used to take terJohn N. Felsher is a boats. We’ve very excited to have that adminally ill children on a hunting trip of a freelance writer and dition.” lifetime. photographer who writes For more information, contact CrawProbably the most popular part of the from Semmes, Ala. Contact him through ford at 205-665-6216 or email Wcrawprogram, besides receiving money to athis website at www. ford1@montevallo.edu. Visit outdoortend school, is that the students take varJohnNFelsher.com scholars.montevallo.edu. ious “field trips” through the year. These 30 SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

Continued from Page 10

Tables indicate peak fish and game feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour before and an hour after. Minor peaks, half-hour before and after. Adjusted for daylight savings time.

health clinic to offer patients an option to the emergency room where care and reimbursement options may better benefit the patient and hospital. Approximately 24,000 primary care encounters were seen in this clinic last year. There is also an affiliated 131-bed nursing home with a current 92 percent occupancy rate.

However, this facility has established a 79unit senior retirement community as a part of the hospital campus with 100 percent occupancy and a waiting list. This service has long-term benefits for the medical center since the majority elect to become residents in the affiliated nursing facility when independent living is no longer possible.

a.m. p.m.

Minor Major Minor Major

SEP. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCT. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

02:22 03:37 04:37 05:22 -12:52 07:37 08:07 08:52 09:52 10:52 ----02:22 03:37 04:22 05:07 --07:22 08:22 09:07 10:22 11:37 ---02:37 03:52 04:52 05:37 --07:37 08:07 08:52 09:37 10:37 ----01:52 03:22 04:22

Alabama Living

09:37 10:37 11:22 11:52 06:07 06:52 01:22 01:52 02:22 03:07 03:37 04:37 05:52 07:22 08:37 09:37 10:22 10:52 11:37 05:52 06:37 01:07 01:37 02:22 03:07 04:07 05:07 06:37 08:07 09:22 10:07 10:52 11:37 06:22 06:52 12:52 01:22 01:52 02:22 03:07 03:37 04:37 05:52 07:22 08:37 09:22 10:22

10:37 11:07 11:52 12:22 06:52 07:07 07:37 02:07 02:37 02:52 03:22 12:52 09:22 12:07 10:22 10:37 11:07 11:37 12:07 12:07 12:37 01:22 01:52 02:37 03:22 04:22 10:07 12:37 09:52 10:22 10:52 05:22 05:37 12:07 12:37 01:07 01:37 02:07 02:37 03:07 12:07 --09:52 10:07 10:37 04:37

05:07 05:37 06:07 06:22 12:37 01:07 01:37 07:52 08:22 08:37 08:52 09:07 03:37 04:07 04:37 04:52 05:07 05:37 05:52 12:37 06:37 07:07 07:37 07:52 08:22 09:07 01:37 03:07 03:52 04:22 04:52 11:22 11:52 12:22 06:22 06:37 07:07 07:22 07:37 07:52 08:07 01:52 02:52 03:22 03:52 04:07 11:07

One of Bibb's garden homes.

Residents are typically 55 or older and have underlying health care needs that prompt them to live near a medical center. The garden homes and apartments are available at highly impressive rates that include utilities, high definition Direct television, and lawn care. Other services such as meal delivery, laundry, etc. are available on a fee-for-service basis. Local physician care, dental care, Federally Qualified Health Clinic services, the cafeteria, and other services are readily available for community residents. The hospital offers health care advice and assistance in matters such as Medicare plan selection.

In addition to a new revenue stream that contributes to the financial stability of the medical center, the services of this retirement community are resulting in savings to individuals, families, and programs by delaying long-term facility residence for several years.

Another new revenue stream involves its cafeteria service, now named the Cahaba Lily CafÊ, which has become one of the community’s favorite eating establishments, serving more than 24,000 non-patient meals last year.

With an uncertain reimbursement future, our rural hospitals and medical centers are encouraged to respond with innovation by developing additional revenue streams that may make the difference between remaining open or closing.ď Ž SEPTEMBER 2017 31

ALABAMA BOOKSHELF In this periodic feature, we highlight books either about Alabama people or events or written by Alabama authors. Summaries are not reviews or endorsements. We also occasionally highlight book-related events. Email submissions to bookshelf@alabamaliving.coop.

Poles, Wires and War: The Remarkable Untold Story of Rural Electrification and the Vietnam War, by Ted Case, $15.95 (history) During one of the hardest chapters in American history, electric co-ops volunteered to win the war in Vietnam. They didn’t win the war, but in his new book, the author tells a riveting story of how they tried. He argues that the success electric co-ops had in the conflict that divided our nation just might have helped that southeast Asian nation recover more quickly by demonstrating the value of bringing electricity to the countryside.

What followed was a classic battle of enormous personalities, foreign and domestic political and military maneuvering, and a determined band of people who brought electricity to the American countryside, fighting the odds to bring light to a war zone halfway around the world.

Case creates a fast-paced narrative as crews race the collapsing war to pass bylaws, organize the co-ops and tangle with corruption, bureaucracy, in-fighting, and oh yes, Viet Cong soldiers determined to destroy what they were creating. In the end, in less than four years, three electric co-ops were bringing electricity to more than 8,000 members.

Order online at TedCaseAuthor.com.

Here We May Rest: Alabama Immigrants in the Age of HB 56, by Silvia Giagnoni, NewSouth Books, $29.95 (current events) Alabama’s 2011 Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, also known as HB 56, sought to criminalize the lives of undocumented immigrants. The law triggered lawsuits and brought widespread criticism; federal courts later gutted much of the bill.

Author Giagnoni, herself an immigrant, wrote the book to explore the needs and relationships of others who shared the experience of immigration. She frames the bill in larger political, social and cultural contexts to help explain the current sentiments toward new immigrants in Alabama.

Once in a Blue Moon, by Vicki Covington, John F. Blair, Publisher, $26.95 (novel) Against the background of Barack Obama’s 2008 election campaign, a group of struggling individuals are thrown together, tenants of a benevolent landlord in a Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood that has seen better days. The neighbors form their own brand of community, lifting each other up and bringing hope for a better future back into their lives.

The author, who grew up in Birmingham, asks questions about family, faith, race, class, and ultimately, hope.

The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry: Auburn Vs. Georgia, by Douglas Stutsman, Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, $21.99 (Southern sports history) The rivalry between Auburn University and the University of Georgia began in 1892 and has largely been a competition more brotherly than bitter. According to one legend, Auburn’s “War Eagle” battle cry originated at the first game between the two schools. Renowned UGA coach Vince Dooley graduated from Auburn, while Auburn coach Pat Dye was an All-American at UGA. Journalist Stutsman recounts the unforgettable games, moments and personalities on the 125th anniversary of the Deep South’s oldest rivalry.

32 SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

Columbus

Ellijay

2,548 sq. ft. under roof •

$

187,000

Creekside

Quality custom STARTING @ $ homes built 52 PLANS on your land!

140+

SQ. FT. UNDER ROOF

1,744 sq. ft. under roof • $126,600

“Your company has very high standards and you delivered to us a superior home of the utmost quality” –Chase, Clanton, AL

Call for a FREE Design Consultation

For more than 15 years, We have been providing smart buyers across the south east with exceptional quality and value! Amazing standard features, guaranteed build times and 10 year structural warranties are just some of the benefits that come with building a Trinity Custom Home. Choose from over 140 stock plans or customize one of our plans to fit your family’s needs and Budget! Let’s get started designing your dream home today!

2,376 sq. ft. under roo

f • $168,900

Grand Vista

$ 1,300 6,420 sq. ft. under roof • 46

“We love our home and thank your company as a whole for everything that you guys have done to make this a success” –Ashley, Greenville, AL

Price does not include land improvements. Prices subject to change.

Some of the homes shown have options not in the base price.

OFFICES SERVING ALABAMA:

Cullman, AL • (256)737-5055 Montgomery, AL • (334)290-4397 Bremen, GA • (770)537-5337

... And Much More @TrinityCustom.com

For Rent or Sale

Mobile Offices

• 20’-40’ lengths • Custom built to your specification • Electrical insulation • HVAC • Custom painting

Alabama Living

Sale Only

Sale or Rental

Sale or Rental

8’ x 10’ x 9’6”

8’ x 20’ x 8’6”

8’ x 40’ x 8’6” or 9’6”

Used Shipping Storage Containers Call Tommy St. John or Neal Sellers

Office (256) 751-3800 • Email: sales@Decaturcontainer.com SEPTEMBER 2017 33

ZIP System • 2/10 Warranty • Crawl or Slab • 6” Gutters • Granite Countertops

R19 Ext. Wall Insulation • R38 Ceiling Insulation • Double-Hung Windows

Guaranteed Build Times • 2x6 Ext. Walls • 9’ Ceilings • Delta Fixtures • Custom Cabinets • 30 Yr. Shingles

| Alabama Recipes | Cheese Buttons prepared by Jessica Stephenson.

Cheese, please These cheese-centric dishes are sure to make you smile

By Jennifer Kornegay, photos by Mark Stephenson

W

hen you hear that a casserole or a dip is cheesy, that’s good. You happily pay more for extra cheese on a pizza. When someone wants you to smile for a photo, they tell you to say “cheese,” knowing that the word alone will bring such joy to your heart that it will shine through on your face. (And also, the way you must move your mouth to form the word forces it in the direction of a smile. But the word “fleas” would do the same thing, and you don’t hear photographers using that prompt.)

when the word “cheese” moved from slang denoting wealth to a derogatory word for something or someone that was “showy” or “gaudy.”

The point is, the word cheese and its variations are often positive. Until they’re not. If someone tells you a lampshade, television show, outfit or anything not food-related is cheesy, that’s negative. So how and when did this use of the word enter our lexicon?

No matter what things outside of the food world earn the title “cheesy” in your book, when it comes to eating, we flip the adjective back to affirmative, so much so it’s a safe bet that most of us don’t just say “cheese, please,” but “more cheese, please.”

A quick Internet search reveals several possibilities, but most trace its origins back to England in the mid- to late-1800s,

And as our taste buds know and some of our reader-submitted recipes show, you really can’t have too much cheese.

34 SEPTEMBER 2017

Over time, its meaning has broadened. Folks today can use it as described above, but also as a synonym for tacky, sappy, inauthentic and more. And the term is highly subjective. What one person deems cheesy could just as likely be adorable, sentimental, fashionable or funny to someone else.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Fan favorite

According to info compiled by the USDA, Americans consumed more mozzarella in 2016 than any other type of cheese. The stringy, stretchy “pizza cheese” has held the top spot for the last six years, with cheddar coming in second.

Cook of the Month

Harper Reed

Tallapoosa River EC

Ten-year-old Harper Reed has always been interested in cooking, thanks to his family. “We have a small organic farm and grow a lot of our own food,” his mom Anna says. “And his dad does most of the cooking and always has the kids in the kitchen helping out.”

His Cheese Buttons are treats he developed while cooking with his grandmother, and they offer a fresh take (and shape!) on the classic cheese straw with the addition of Rice Krispies.

“He just loves them, and we all love the crunch from the Krispies,” Anna says. “It’s different.”

Harper knew the recipe was a hit with his loved ones, but he didn’t think about submitting it until his mom suggested he practice his typing skills. “I thought he could type up some recipes to brush up, and if they were typed, why not send some in to the magazine.” So he did.

He was both surprised and thrilled to be named Cook of the Month.

“He’s so excited,” Anna said. “It means a lot.”

Alabama Living

Cheese Buttons 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated, at room temperature 2 cups plain flour ½ pound butter, melted ½ teaspoon red pepper 2 cups Rice Krispies Sprinkle of salt ¼ cup chopped pecans Sprinkle flour on cheese and pour on melted butter.

Add red pepper. Add Rice Krispies to mix, and knead by hand until well blended. Roll into marble-sized balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with fork. Sprinkle with salt and chopped pecans. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut oven off and do not open door for two hours. If they become soft they can be heated in a 200-degree oven for a few minutes.

SEPTEMBER 2017 35

Tangy Cheese Ring 1 pound grated extra sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup chopped pecans ¾ cup mayonnaise 1 small onion, finely chopped ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce 1 ⁄8 teaspoon garlic juice or garlic paste 1 small jar of strawberry preserves Mix all ingredients and make into a circle and pour the preserves in the middle. Serve with your favorite crackers.

Tangy Cheese Ring prepared by Allison Griffin.

Jill Coale Wiregrass EC

Stuffed Mushrooms 1 3 4 4 1⁄3

package of mushrooms, stemmed tablespoons olive oil ounces cream cheese, softened slices bacon, cooked and chopped cup mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese

Cheddar Salsa Biscuit Bites Cheese Frenchies 12 6 12 2 1 1 2

slices white light bread teaspoons mayonnaise slices cheese cups milk egg package cracker crumbs cups cooking oil

12⁄3 1 ½ ¼ ¼

cups self-rising flour cup shredded cheddar cheese cup salsa cup margarine, melted cup water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean mushrooms. Place them in a dish, cup side up, and drizzle with olive oil.

Roast in oven 12 minutes. Microwave the cream cheese until soft and mix in bacon. Remove mushrooms from oven, sprinkle with salt and pepper, turn them over and salt and pepper again. Stuff mushrooms with cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5 more minutes.

Spread mayonnaise on six slices of the bread. Place two slices of cheese on top of the bread and top with the remaining bread slices. Cut each sandwich into triangles. In a mixing bowl, beat egg with milk. Dip each triangle into the milk-egg mixture and then dredge in cracker crumbs. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry each triangle until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Generously spray large cookie sheet with vegetable spray. In a large bowl, combine flour and cheese; mix well. Add salsa, melted margarine and water; stir until just combined. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently just until smooth. Press or roll out dough to 12-inch by 6-inch rectangle. With sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into 2-inch by 1-inch strips. With thin spatula, place strips about ½ inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 11-13 minutes or until light golden brown.

Serve warm. Yields 36 biscuit bites.

Summer Watson Cullman EC

Julia C. Fleming Southern Pine EC

Peggy Key North Alabama EC

Please send us your original recipes, developed by you or family members, and not ones copied from a book or magazine. You may adapt a recipe from another source by changing as little as the amount of one ingredient. Cook of the Month winners will receive $50, and may win “Cook of the Month” only once per calendar year.

Coming up in October...Pies!

36 SEPTEMBER 2017

Send us y ur recipeso !

Online: alabamaliving.coop Email: recipes@alabamaliving.coop Mail: Recipes, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124 Please include a phone number and co-op name with submissions!

Alabama Living reserves the right to reprint recipes in our other publications.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Three Cheese Fondue 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese 8 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese 2 tablespoons flour Dash hot sauce 1 12-ounce bottle of good beer Pinch of salt and pepper For dipping: Granny Smith apple slices Soft German pretzels Sourdough bread pieces Combine all ingredients. Heat over low heat, stirring until melted through. Keep warm and dip apples, pretzels and bread pieces.

Kirk Vantrease Cullman EC

Mini Pizzas 1 six-count package English muffins 2 cups shredded cheese, any kind 1 cup mayonnaise 1 bunch green onions, chopped fine 1 teaspoon garlic salt Slice each muffin in half and place on an ungreased, foil-lined baking sheet. In large bowl, hand mix the cheese, onions, garlic salt and mayonnaise. Evenly divide the mixture onto each muffin half. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven. Cut each muffin into four pieces and serve.

Linda G. Morton Pioneer EC

Recipe Themes and Deadlines: Nov. Sweet potatoes Sept. 8 Dec. Edible gifts Oct. 8

Homegrown

Here are a few Alabama cheesemakers worth checking out.

Belle Chevre, Elkmont At her creamery in north Alabama, Tasia Malakasis turns goat milk into silky, tangy artisanal cheeses and cheese spreads whose textures and tastes have racked up more than 100 national awards.

Eat: The sweet-tart fig and honey breakfast cheese Bellechevre.com Dayspring Dairy, Gallant This family farm raises sheep, and the fuzzy, fluffy ladies in the flock provide the main ingredient for Dayspring’s sheep-milk caramels and a selection of rich and flavorful sheep-milk cheeses.

Eat: Ewetopia Aged Gouda Dayspringdairy.com Sweet Home Farm, Elberta This spot in south Alabama was the first licensed cheesemaker in the state, beginning operations in 1984. Every ingredient for every cheese comes straight from the farm, from the milk harvested from their pasture-raised herd of Guernsey cows, to the herbs and garlic grown in the onsite garden.

Eat: The Bayside Blue facebook.com/sweet-home-farm

Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen-tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.

South of the Border Cheese Pasta 1 pound pasta (can use elbow, penne, ziti or your favorite macaroni) 1 16-ounce jar cheese sauce 2 cups tomato salsa (mild, medium or hot) 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

South of the Border Cheese Pasta prepared by Lenore Vickrey.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain, cover and set aside. In large saucepan, combine cheese sauce, salsa, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Heat through, stirring until well mixed. Add cooked pasta to cheese mixture, stir. Put in casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese.

Bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Janice Bracewell Covington EC Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017 37

| Classifieds | How To Place a Line Ad in Marketplace Closing Deadlines (in our office):

November 2017 – September 25 December 2017 – October 25 January 2017 – November 25 Ads are $1.75 per word with a 10 word minimum and are on a prepaid basis; Telephone numbers, email addresses and websites are considered 1 word each. Ads will not be taken over the phone. You may email your ad to hdutton@ areapower.com; or call (800)4102737 ask for Heather for pricing.; We accept checks, money orders and all major credit cards. Mail ad submission along with a check or money order made payable to ALABAMA LIVING, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124 – Attn: Classifieds.

Miscellaneous 18X21 CARPORT $795 INSTALLED – Other sizes available - (706) 226-2739 METAL ROOFING $1.59/LINFT – FACTORY DIRECT! 1st quality, 40yr Warranty, Energy Star rated. (price subject to change) - (706) 226-2739 WALL BEDS OF ALABAMA - SOLID WOOD & LOG FURNITURE – Outdoor Rockers, Gliders & Swings, HANDCRAFTED AMISH CASKETS $1,599 - ALABAMA MATTRESS OUTLET – SHOWROOM Collinsville, AL – Custom Built / Factory Direct - (256)490-4025, www.wallbedsofalabama.com, www.alabamamattressoutlet.com KEPLINGER ALUMINUM BURIAL VAULT CO. in Gardendale, Alabama sells water tested burial vaults to the public saving up to $3000 or more per vault versus funeral home prices. Our vaults protect the contents against water and last indefinitely. Cardboard wrapped, standing up requires 6 1/2 sq. ft. to store and take to cemetery when needed. Alabama made with American materials. $1400 cash, includes local sales tax. Call 205-285-9732 or 205-5400781 or visit www.keplingeraluminumburialvaults.com ANTIQUES & STUFF at CRENSHAW FARMS – Plenty of unique stuff!

Open Thursday – Saturday from 9 to 4. Located at exit 31 off Interstate 65, this is the Stockton / Highway 225 exit – (251)577-1235 – Facebook Crenshaw Farms Antiques G.W. (BILLY) THAGARD: AUCTIONEER – REAL ESTATE BROKER - Land, Commercial, Residential – AL Lic # 675 – (205)410-6751, bill@gtauctions.com, www.gtauctions.com Visit our Website - Let’s get together to talk AUCTION! LUMBER FOR SALE: Circular Saw Red & White Oak, Hickory, $1.50 BFT; Heart Pine Flooring & Heart Pine Beams - $6.00 BFT – (334)782-3636

38 SEPTEMBER 2017

Vacation Rentals GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie552@gmail.com, (256)599-5552 2 CONDOS WEEKLY RENTAL – 2 Bed, 2 Bath, 200 feet to ocean w/ pool – Peachtree II, sleeps 4-6; www.vrbo. com/467693, (850)573-2182 PIGEON FORGE, TN: 2BR/2BA, hot tub, air hockey, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, Homeaway#241942 GULF FRONT PANAMA CITY CONDO – Splash Condominiums – OWNER RENTAL – 1BR / 2BA w/ hallway bunks, sleeps 6, 18th Balcony View of Ocean – (706)566-6431, bjeffers3@ hotmail.com AFFORDABLE BEACHSIDE VACATION CONDOS – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL – Rent Direct from Christian Family Owners – Lowest Prices on the Beach – www.gulfshorescondos.com, (205)556-0368, (205)7521231, (251)752-2366 PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – Owner rental – 2BR / 2BA, wireless internet, just remodeled inside and outside – (334)790-0000, jamesrny0703@comcast.net, www. theroneycondo.com SMOKIES TOWNSEND, TN – 2BR/ BA, Secluded Log Home, Jacuzzi, Fireplace, Wrap-Around Porch, Wheelchair ramp – (865)320-4216.

For rental details and pictures, Email tncabin.lonnie@yahoo.com BILLS AT PIGEON FORGE, TN – Fond memories start here, 3BR / 2BA, large kitchen, living room, sleeps 8 – (423)605-2113, Look for us on FACEBOOK / billshideaway GULF SHORES/FT MORGAN BEACH HOUSE - Pet Friendly,WiFi, Non Smoking (256)418-2131, www.originalbeachhouseal.com DESTIN CONDO – SLEEPS 4: Nice, fully furnished, Wi-Fi – (770)9425530, (770)365-5205, egtuck@ bellsouth.net GULF FRONT CONDOS – 1BR / 1BA, Hall Bunks, Balcony directly overlooks beach & pool. GULF

SHORES or ORANGE BEACH – LOW RATES - amariewisener@gmail.com, (256)352-5721 GULF SHORES BEACH HOUSE – Nice 2BR – FALL SPECIAL $900 / week – (251)666-5476 LOG CABIN in PIGEON FORGE, TN: 2BR, Sleeps 8, Great Location - (251)649-3344, (251)649-4049, www.hideawayprop.com PIGEON FORGE, TN – 3 bedroom, 2 bath house – Walking distance to parkway, light# 1 - $95.00 / night – (256)309-7873, (256)590-8758 LOOKING FOR A FAMILY FLORIDA VACATION? 3BR / 2BA House, Ft. Walton, GREAT LOCATION – (205)566-0892, mailady96@yahoo. com. PayPal Accepted VACATION RENTAL CABINS by Owner – Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg – (865)712-7633, beckyintn@bellsouth. net GULF SHORES PLANTATION - Gulf view, beach side, 2 bedrooms / 2 baths, no smoking / no pets. Owner rates (205)339-3850 ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226

Real Estate Sales FOR SALE: LAKESIDE CAMP in WEST BEND, AL – 3BR / 2.5BA, Kitchen, Living Room, 1.5 Acre Lot – (251)2462379 – 100% Furnished Power and City Water.

JOHNSON HOME INSPECTIONS - Inspecting homes and condominiums in all of southwest Alabama. Licensed contractor since 1970. Home inspector since 2005. (Lic.#3058) - johnsonhomeinspections.com, rjohnsoninspections@yahoo.com, (251)251-422-6153

Travel WELCOME CARNIVAL TO MOBILE –COZUMEL / PROGRES0 MEXICO – THE BEST DEAL – (256)974-0500, (800)726-0954

HOOVER CRUISE, TOUR AND RESORTS – Call Nancy (205)9880393, www.hoovercruises.com, email nburge@cruisesinc.com

Musical Notes PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR - 10 lessons $12.95. “LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC”. Chording, runs, fills - $12.95 Both $24. Davidsons, 6727AR Metcalf, Shawnee Missions, Kansas 66204 – (913)262-4982 PIANOS TUNED, repaired, refinished.

Box 171, Coy, AL 36435. 334-3374503

Education WWW.2HOMESCHOOL.ORG – Open Year Round K-12 enrollment. Contact Dr. Cerny (256)653-2593 SOON CHURCH and GOVERNMENT uniting, suppressing “RELIGIOUS LIBERTY”, enforcing a “NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW”, leading to the “MARK of the BEAST. Be informed! Need mailing address only. TBSM, Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771 – thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com, (888)211-1715 FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE – write to P.O. Box 52, Trinity, AL, 35673

Pets CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. Registered, guaranteed healthy, raised indoors in loving home, vet records and references. (256)796-2893 AKC BEAGLE PUPPIES FOR SALE – Northwest, FL area – Cell# (850)5541062, Email allenmanning59@gmail. com, www.thebeagleman.com

Fruits / Nuts / Berries GROW MUSCADINES AND BLACKBERRIES , half dollar size – We offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vines and Berry Plants .

Free color catalog. 1-800-733-0324.

Ison’s Nursery, P.O. Box 190, Brooks, GA 30205 Since 1934 www.isons. com

CECIL PIGG STEEL TRUSS, INC. P.O. BOX 389, ADDISON, AL 35540 cecilpiggsteeltruss.com

See Our Website for Monthly Specials

WE SELL: Steel Trusses • Hay Barns Lumber • Equipment Sheds Building Material Packages Painted Metal • Work Shops Insulation • Kneebraces Galvalume Metal

STEEL TRUSS BUILDINGS BUILT TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS

256-747-8178 • FAX: 256-747-8760

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017  41

CELEBRATING 26 YEARS Brundidge

PEANUT BUTTER FESTIVAL

On the last Saturday in October, the town of Brundidge pays tribute to the foodstuff that sustained it during the Great Depression and to the little nut that continues to provide a giant boost to the local economy with the annual Peanut Butter Festival harvest and heritage celebration.

PEANUT BUTTER RECIPE CONTEST

OLD-TIME DEMONSTrATIONS

GAMES and CONTESTS, ARTS & CRAFTS

FESTIVAL FOODS & so much more

SATURDAY, OCT. 28 | FREE ADMISSION | OPENS AT 8 A.M. ON THE GROUNDS OF the HISTORIC BASS HOUSE 5K PEANUT BUTTER RUN - 8 A.M. (Registration open day of race) NUTTER BUTTER PARADE - 1 P.M. For information, call 334-344-0643 or 334-685-5524 • www.brundidgealabama.com

Better together:

Pre-Pay and SAEC’s new smartphone app At SAEC, we always look for ways to make our members’ lives better, and our new Pre-Pay Billing Program is no exception. With this voluntary program, members can pay their electric bill up front instead of waiting for a bill each month. There’s no deposit, and you won’t be charged disconnect or reconnect fees. To find out more, see Page 5 of this magazine. Oh, and guess what? Pre-Pay goes great with our new app for smartphones. Taking charge of your electric bill has never been easier. Download the app to your iPhone or Android device.

To download our mobile app on your Android device: 1. Tap the Google Play icon.

2. Type “SAEC Connect” in the search field. saec connect

3. Download SAEC Connect.

To download our mobile app on your Apple device: 1. Tap the App Store icon.

2. Tap the Search button.

3. Type “SAEC Connect” in the search field. saec connect

x

4. Download SAEC Connect.

| Our Sources Say |

More transparency

A

few weeks ago, an article about the California Legislature caught my attention. They have passed a bill establishing a requirement that 60% of the state’s electricity be renewable by 2025 and 100% to be renewable by 2045. I know California has a lot of renewable energy, but I was interested in how such aggressive goals could be achieved.

I looked further and found that Hawaii has made a similar commitment to be 100% renewable by 2045. Also, San Francisco; San Jose; San Diego; Rochester, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and East Hampton, New York, have made commitments to be 100% renewable between 2020 and 2035. More interestingly, three cities – Aspen, Colorado; Burlington, Vermont; and Greensburg, Kansas – claim to already be 100% renewable.

These accomplishments and goals are interesting considering that electricity generation in the U.S. in 2016 was comprised 30% from coal, 34% from natural gas, 20% from nuclear, 1% from oil, and 15% from renewables. The renewable distribution was 6.5% from hydro, 5.6% from wind, 1.5% from biomass, 0.9% from solar, and 0.4% from geothermal.

How do three cities get 100% of their electricity from renewables if only 15% of the country’s electricity is renewable?

Solar has natural obstacles like night and clouds. The wind doesn’t always blow, especially in Vermont. Biomass burns up an awful lot of trees. Geothermal works pretty well if you have a volcano. Hydro works well when rivers run, but it has just about been thrown out of the renewable club because of alleged damage to fish and mussels.

The trick is – and it is a trick – the cities claiming and states desiring to be 100% renewable use the electric grid to supply their electricity with non-renewable electricity when renewable electricity is not available and use renewable credits to cover the difference.

The purchase of renewable credits to cover the shortfall of renewable electricity doesn’t mean the states or cities are being served by renewable power 100% of the time. If the sun is not shining, the wind is not blowing, or the rivers are not running, then there is not enough renewable power to serve all those that claim to be 100% renewable. Those states and cities are instead being served by coal and natural gas generated electricity from the electric grid, yet claim to be 100% renewable. It is just labeled “renewable.”

Simply, this is how it works. Electricity supply is real-time, at the speed of light. If you have a light on in your house, an electric generator is producing electricity right now to keep that light

shining.

Electricity cannot be stored in volumes approaching utility scale. PowerSouth’s Compressed Air Energy Storage Unit converts electricity to compressed air during off-peak periods and uses the compressed air to generate electricity on peak. A few other utilities have pumped-storage hydro generators that use off-peak electricity to pump water back over dams so it can be used on peak to generate more electricity. However, those projects are insignificant compared to the volume of electricity on the grid at any moment. Batteries are not effective at utility scale and provide no significant electric storage application. Practically, all electricity is generated at the time it is needed.

Renewable power suppliers generate electricity when the renewable resources are available – the wind is blowing, the sun is shining, the rivers are running. They sell their electricity onto the grid for the market price but retain the renewable credits and sell them to the renewable cities and states. The cities and states purchase some electricity directly associated with the renewable credits but also purchase additional energy credits that are paired with non-renewable electricity from the grid when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow to create the illusion that all their electricity is renewable through the credit purchase.

The irony is that the renewable labeling process would not be possible and would not work without the presence of reliable fossil-fuel generated electricity that is always available from the grid. Fossil-fueled generation is the foundation of reliable electric service, and it will remain so. The process also has a price.

The renewable cities and states pay the normal price for electricity off the grid plus a premium for the renewable credits to create the renewable illusion. And it is an illusion. Renewable cities and states will have more renewable electricity than average, but at no time will 100% of the electricity its citizens consume be renewable.

Using the electric grid to create this illusion is a treat for the renewable cities and states. Cities that won’t let you park your car in a downtown parking spot without paying a fee use the grid to displace renewable power with non-renewable power, but they don’t pay a fee to the grid for the right to call on reliable power when its renewable electricity is not available.

Renewables have an important role in the country’s power supply mix. However, an approach without the political posturing and false, misleading claims would be much more productive. We need more transparency and less renewable lies.

I hope you have a good month.

Gary Smith is President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative

44 SEPTEMBER 2017

www.alabamaliving.coop

| Market Place | Are you looking for a Residence, Condominium, or Game Day House in Auburn?

Call Al Earnest 334-488-6111

Porter Properties

JC POLE BARNS

30x50x10 with sliding door and man door.

8800

$

Additional delivery may apply pending location.

270.776.7869 www.jcpolebarns.com

STOP THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD! There’s a reason so many of our advertisers are still on our pages, month after month, for more than 40 years.

Year after year, Alabama Living remains the best value for your dollar.

Contact Jacob at advertising@areapower.com

ADVERTISE CONFIDENT Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2017 45

| Hardy Jackson's Alabama |

Illustration by Dennis Auth

Football in Dixie

Fall approaches.

Football season.

You can argue, as many do, that in different parts of our nation different sports are more special (Indiana and basketball come to mind) but down in Dixie, football has few competitors.

Now, I’ll grant you that NASCAR runs football a good race – pun intended.

NASCAR is a sport with roots in the pleasures of regular folks, of which we have a bunch. All along a line beginning around Birmingham and running up into Virginia, a line that followed the hardscrabble farms and mill towns of the Piedmont, folks souped up their beat-up cars and ran whiskey from still to town. And when they weren’t racing “revenuers” they raced each other.

On the other hand, football began as the sport of Southern elites – the ones who could afford college. And there weren’t many of those.

But once it got started (in 1877, Washington and Lee took on Virginia Military Institute in the first football game in Dixie) it did not take long for the sport to filter down to high schools.

It helped that football enjoyed a seasonal advantage. Cotton was picked, tobacco harvested and corn pulled, so country kids and town kids could play together.

46 SEPTEMBER 2017

Class distinctions blurred.

Lots of folks participated. Eleven on a team. Substitutions were frequent. And there were auxiliary groups – cheerleaders, bands, pep clubs – which made football a true school event.

Football was also a measure of a community.

How do you know local schools are good? The football team is a winner.

Where is evidence of civic pride? In the stands on Friday night.

The sport drew in parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends of the family, and just plain fans.

The following was equally intense among African Americans, for in the pre-integration South, teams and schools were the pride of the black community.

The advent of radio spread the game even more. The University of Alabama’s 1926 Rose Bowl victory put Dixie on the map, especially in the minds of Southerners.

Other events further broadened football’s appeal – the GI Bill sent more Southern boys and girls to college where they developed institutional loyalties that included loyalty to a football team. Then came TV. When ABC began broadcasting football, the pageantry and excitement was beamed right into Dixie’s living rooms.

Come September, everything fell into place. At the end of the work-week, small towns across the South closed down for the high school game, and on Saturday afternoon friends (and foes) gathered around the TV to watch a college contest.

Football also followed the trajectory of Southern history. In 1960, when an integrated University of Southern California football team whipped the Crimson Tide, that defeat, (according to Alabama assistant coach Jerry Claiborne) “did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.” Of course, integration was more complicated than that, but when football fans at white schools began to believe that winning was more important than segregation, segregation didn’t stand a chance.

So, it seems to me, because of football, Dixie is a better place than it might have been.

That says a lot.

wv

Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is Professor Emeritus of History at Jacksonville State University. He can be reached at hjackson@ cableone.net.

www.alabamaliving.coop