Wec july13

July 2013 • POWERING YOUR COMMUNITY

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative

New Loan Program Helps Members www.wiregrass.coop

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Find out how WEC member Lisa Powell was able to improve her home easily with the cooperative’s new Energy Efficiency Loan Program

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Vol. 66 No.7 JULY 2013

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CEO

Michael McWaters Co-Op Editor

Brad Kimbro 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. AREA cooperative member subscriptions are $3 a year; non-member subscriptions, $6.

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.

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

Alabama Rural Electric Association

AREA President Fred Braswell Editor Lenore Vickrey Managing Editor Melissa Henninger Creative Director Mark Stephenson Art Director Michael Cornelison Advertising Director Adam Freeman Advertising Coordinator Brooke Davis Recipe Editor Mary Tyler Spivey

6 Improve your home with WEC

WEC now offers low-interest loans to help members make energy efficient changes to their home. One member tells how WEC’s new program helped her improve her home.

16 Amazing angler

Clay Dyer was born with no legs, no left arm and only half of a right arm, yet he’s a professional bass fisherman who doesn’t know the meaning of “can’t.”

20 It’s a zoo

ON THE COVER

WEC member Lisa Powell recently installed a new heat pump using WEC’s new loan program (Page 6).

Photo by Cherokee Spivey

What better way to celebrate National Zookeeper Week July 14-20 than visiting one of our state’s outstanding zoos?

ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:

340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117-6031 1-800-410-2737 E-mail: advertising@areapower.com www.areapower.coop NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:

departments

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

Printed in America from American materials

Alabama Living

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Spotlight 10 Power Pack 24 Worth the Drive 26 Alabama Gardens 30 Alabama Outdoors 31 Fish&Game Forecast 34 Cook of the Month 46 Alabama Snapshots 9

Log on to see all the new features on WEC’s recently redesigned website, www.wiregrass.coop (Page 5).

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Wiregrass Electric Cooperative

CEO’s Comments

Citizens and members

Board of Trustees Kip Justice District 6 President

Danny McNeil District 4 Vice President

Debra E. Baxley District 1 Secretary

Donna Parrish District 2

John Clark, Jr. District 3

Tracy Reeder District 5

Donald Ray Wilks District 7

Greg McCullough District 8

Nolan Laird District 9

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Michael S. McWaters

CEO of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative

T

hrough the power of our precious freedom of speech, we hear a lot of complaining these days about our country. The airways seem to be flooded with people sharing their gripes and criticisms with TV and radio audiences. Whether you agree with their sentiments or not, whether you share their opinions or take an opposing view, one thing is for certain: Few of them would trade the blessings and freedoms of America for anything the rest of the world has to offer.

Independence Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves just how unique our country is. It began as a great experiment by brave leaders who risked everything (including their lives) in an effort to “form a more perfect union.” Their bold efforts resulted in a citizenry empowered by these ideals, a nation that would become the greatest on earth.

I believe that, as members of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, we are doubly blessed.

Not only are we citizens of the United States of America, but we are members of the cooperative movement that has made a huge impact on this country.

Remember, not only was our Constitution established “in order to form a more perfect union,” its purpose was also to “promote the general welfare.” We took a major step in that direction as a nation in 1935 with the formation of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA).

At the time, only 10 percent of rural residents had electricity in their homes, compared to almost 90 percent of urban dwellers.

Electrifying rural America not only helped the farmer, it helped everyone — “the general welfare” — by creating centers of economic activity outside the major cities. Job opportunities and a decent quality of life could at last be found in small towns as well as urban

areas.

No one can argue against the fact that our entire nation has benefited from the rural electrification program and the cooperative movement. It’s amazing to see just how far we’ve come from those early days of stringing line into the countryside just to get basic service to those who had none.

Just look through this issue of Alabama Living for some good examples. Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is focused on operating a highly efficient distribution system (see the automated meter story on Page 34). We are committed to making it more convenient for our members to do business with us (see the story about our new website on Page 5).

Through the introduction of new programs, we are helping our members use less electricity, thereby saving money and living more comfortably (see the story on our Energy Efficiency Loan Program, beginning on Page 6).

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I am thankful for this country and the blessings of freedom I enjoy. I am also thankful for the cooperative spirit that continues to improve the lives of citizens across rural America and beyond. A

Wiregrass Electric wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day! While our business offices will be closed, but you can still report an outage 24/7 by dialing 888-4-MY-OUTAGE!

www.wiregrass.coop

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Your Cooperative Contact Information

Remember to Move Over for utility workers!

Law enforcement officials aren’t the only ones who face danger on the roadways. That’s why last year the Alabama legislature added utility workers to the state’s 2006 Move Over Law, which requires motorists to move over and slow down when they encounter an emergency vehicle stopped along the roadside.

“We want the safest working conditions possible for our employees, regardless of the work area,” says Nathan Worsham, safety and compliance coordinator for Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. “When our linemen are repairing power lines, it makes sense that drivers should move over to give them space.”

The law is simple: On a highway with four or more lanes, motorists are required to move over one lane when they see utility workers or an emergency vehicle. If it’s not safe to move over, motorists should slow down to a speed at

least 15 miles per hour below the posted limit.

On two-lane roads, motorists are required to move over as far as possible without leaving the lane, as well as slow down to a speed at least 15 miles per hour below the posted limit.

If the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or below, drivers should slow to 10 miles per hour.

Several states have passed similar laws to protect utility workers, who often spend their days working near dangerous traffic. WEC officials say they’re grateful for the law and for the safe drivers who make it work.

“Our crews work in hazardous environments daily, not only when dealing with electricity but also on the roadways,” says Danny Ealum, director of System Operations. “This law helps protect them. We encourage all motorists to observe this law and move over.” A

WEC’s new website offers many tools for members Wiregrass.coop — WEC’s nationally award winning website — is now even better! WEC recently updated its homepage to make it easier to navigate and offer more services to all our members.

The cooperative’s site has been completely redesigned with one overriding goal in mind — to make it easier for members to do business with their electric cooperative over the Internet.

This new website is more than a source of information. From the main page, members can:

 Apply for or disconnect service

 Pay their bill

 Find out about any power outages and receive critical storm updates on our Weather Central.

Alabama Living

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 Learn about the many ways you can save money on your electric bill  Read current and past issues of

Alabama Living and My Hometown Power The Manage My Account section of the website enables members to change their address, view hourly breakdowns of their power usage and more. The My Co-Op and My Community sections contain all the information members need to learn about WEC and all its many community programs.

Visit WEC’s newly designed website today and see all the possibilities it offers you! Point your browser to www.wiregrass.coop. A

Business Phone: 1-800-239-4602 (24 hrs/day) Office: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

(Samson closed 12 p.m. –­1 p.m.)

Toll Free Outage “Hotline” 1-888-4-MY-OUTAGE 1-888-469-6882 (24 hrs/day) Website www.wiregrass.coop Find Wiregrass Electric Co-op on Twitter (twitter.com/wec2) and on Facebook

Payment Options

BY MAIL Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, Inc. Department 1340, P.O. Box 2153 Birmingham, AL 35287-1340 WEBSITE Payments may be made 24 hrs/day by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and E-Check on our website at www.wiregrass.coop.

PHONE PAYMENTS Payments may be made any time by dialing 1-800-239-4602.

NIGHT DEPOSITORY Available at each office location.

IN PERSON Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hartford 509 N. State Hwy. 167 Hartford, AL 36344 Samson 13148 W. State Hwy. 52 Samson, AL 36477 Closed from 12 p.m - 1 p.m.

Ashford 1066 Ashford Highway, Ashford, AL 36312 Dothan 6167 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36305 For questions regarding sanitation service, call Houston County Sanitation Department at 334-677-4705.

JULY 2013 5

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Home Improvement: When the temperatures started rising, Dothan residents Stan and Lisa Powell got worried.

The couple’s heating and air unit was 20 years old — the same age as their 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, twobath home. The unit was working harder and cooling less, while raising their power and maintenance costs.

“It was miserable,” says Lisa Powell, who often came home to a hot house and a heat pump unit that was still chugging away. “It was costing us money.”

One day, she found water running down her walls and cabinets, and forming a pool in her kitchen. Her heat pump had frozen and melted.

Getting help from WEC Buying a new unit was inevitable, but, like many people, the Powell’s had put off what they feared would be a costly, frustrating and time-consuming experience.

Then Lisa Powell discovered Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

The program offers Wiregrass Electric members low-interest loans that help most any member make the kind of energy-efficient improvements that reduce power bills and increase the value of their homes.

The loan program is part of a group of programs that gives WEC different ways to improve the lives of its members, while also helping the community as a whole.

The first program is WEC’s Energy Audit. These free visits from WEC energy consultants provide valuable information on how a member’s home uses electricity. During the Powell’s audit, an energy consultant gave the family

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tips on simple and inexpensive, do-it-yourself projects that would increase energy efficiency and save them money on their electric bills. Some tips included basic advice such as insulating electrical outlets and caulking windows.

For the larger purchase of a new HVAC unit, however, the Powell’s needed WEC’s Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

Throug h WEC ’s par tner, Regions Bank, the low-interest loans require only minimal qu a l i f i c at i ons and are designed to be available to people with varying levels of income.

Loan-eligible improvements can include such cost-saving measures as installing a new heat pump and insulation, repairing or replacing duct work, installing energyefficient windows and increasing attic ventilation.

In addition, WEC offers rebates to members who purchase high-efficiency, dual fuel or geothermal heat pumps.

“The rebates can run in excess of $600, depending on the size and type of unit,” says Deanna Albritton, energy consultant at WEC. For the Powells, enrolling in the loan program has meant a reliable, new heat pump, big savings on their monthly electric bill and a $400 rebate on her last WEC statement. They also estimate that, with the unit and a recently replaced roof, their home has increased in value by about $10,000.

“I didn’t know what I needed to do,

photos by Cherokee Spivey

WEC program helps upgrade homes at low cost

Lisa Powell used WEC’s Energy Efficiency Loan Program to get her new heat pump installed.

but I knew I needed to do something,” Lisa Powell says.

The end result has been one big, costsaving relief.

“I brag about my bill to my friends,” Lisa says, with a laugh.

New loan program makes repairs simple The program is simple. The first step is to call Wiregrass Electric at 800-239-4602 and ask about its special loan program.

From there, a trained professional will perform a free energy audit of the home and offer advice on improvements.

Next, homeowners are given a list of certified, WEC-approved contractors to call for estimates on the improvements.

Then, after filling out a simple loan application through Regions Bank and receiving approval, contractors can get started on the repairs.

www.wiregrass.coop

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Your Cooperative

The process was so easy and quick the Powell’s were able to get a brand new energy-efficient heat pump within a week of making their first phone call to WEC. “Regions made it so simple,” Powell says. “The loan was processed so quickly, and the interest rate is great. My payments are less than $100 a month.”

There’s a reason for the simplicity, says Connie Wehner, vice president of Regions.

“We want it to be user-friendly,” says Wehner, who manages the program along with Saubrena Lewis, assistant vice president. “We want it to be convenient.”

Wehner says the loan program is designed to help homeowners who need an extra boost in home improvements that will help change how those homes use electricity. Interest rates are low, there are no fees and credit standards are relaxed.

“You can borrow $5,000 for five years, or $10,000 for 10 years,” she says.

In many cases, the application process can take place over the phone, which saves members time and hassle.

The program is possible partly because of the partnership between Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, WEC’s wholesale energy provider.

“It’s all about the relationship,” Wehner says. “In a relationship, there’s give and take. In a relationship, it’s not all about what’s good for the bank. We want to do the right thing.”

The big picture for the community is just as important, she says. For example, the new loan program helps members make the type of improvements that reduce overall energy costs, as well as help the environment. In addition, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative members benefit by having less energy demand on the system. Less demand means less wholesale energy purchased, and lower costs for everyone.

Wehner says she went through the energy audit process herself, just to

Saubrena Lewis (left) and Connie Wehner work for Regions Bank, WEC’s new partner in offering low interest loans to help members improve their homes.

see what it was all about and what her customers would experience.

“It was such an eye-opener,” she says.

Like the Powell’s, Wehner and her husband were surprised to find out the little ways they were losing air, such as their uncovered electrical outlets.

“It was a really neat process,” she says. “I know the members will be very impressed at the little things that can put a stop to higher bills. They check every window and every door.”

Another way to help those in need The Energy Efficiency Loan program has its roots in the WEC Revolving Loan Fund, a successful program Wiregrass Electric began in 2010 in partnership with Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity.

With the help of Habitat’s extensive network of skilled contractors, vendors and volunteers, the program offsets home improvement costs for struggling members.

The program offers free energy audits and low-interest loans for repairs for lower-income members with high utility bills.

Before the revolving loan program, Wiregrass Electric energy auditors could only offer suggestions on how to repair

homes and increase energy efficiency.

But lower-income members often weren’t able to pay for the repairs.

“We decided to stop treating the symptoms — the high bills — and start treating the problem,” says Jessie Ingram, Energy Services Manager at WEC. “We wanted a way to help our members make energy-saving improvements to their homes and lower their electric bills.”

The revolving loan program has helped, too, says Brad Kimbro, director of member services at WEC. “I have no doubt this program has impacted lives. Through this partnership, we’ve been able to help those whose homes were wasting energy.”

But Wiregrass Electric officials soon realized other members need some help as well. That’s why they started the Energy Efficiency Loan Program for members who might not qualify for the revolving loan program — members such as Stan and Lisa Powell.

Lisa Powell says the couple is grateful for the audit, the loan and the overall convenience of the entire program.

“We probably would have borrowed the money to replace it, but this made it so much easier,” says Lisa Powell. “I would highly recommend this to anybody.” A

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Electricity 101

The Cooperative Difference [NOTE: Electricity 101 is an ongoing series from Wiregrass Electric designed to help every member better understand the basics of electricity and how it impacts our lives.]

The Electricity 101 series has explored what electricity is and how it is created. After large power plants make electricity, they must transmit it to a distribution utility (like WEC) that delivers the power to homes and businesses in its service area.

Wiregrass Electric is a special kind of distributor. It is called a “cooperative,” and that makes a big difference in how it does business. Cooperatives are ultimately run by the very people they serve — its members. The cooperative way of doing business has been used to provide food, health care, credit, electricity, telephone and Internet service among other things.

Cooperatives take the basic principles of democracy and apply them to business. Every year, our members vote on who will represent their best interest on our board of trustees.

The people WEC serves decide the direction of this business, and they have the power to change that direction every year.

Another difference is that WEC is an at-cost provider.

Rather than seeking a profit margin, WEC strives to provide the lowest-cost, most reliable service possible. Even when the cooperative is able to take in money above its operating budget, WEC will actually issue capital credits, which is money returned to members who paid into the cooperative during that year. In WEC’s history, the cooperative has returned more than 3 million dollars in capital credits back to its membership.

Below are some principles of being a cooperative. WEC is proud to be a member-owned, at-cost electric provider.

WEC hopes that all our members are proud of what we have achieved working together, cooperatively.

Voluntary & Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership. WEC does not discriminate who can be a member of the cooperative.

Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. This happens each year at the WEC annual meeting in October, where members elect board representation and vote on any by-law amendments.

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Wiregrass Electric CEO Michael McWaters addresses members at a previous annual meeting. In a cooperative, members vote once a year to elect representatives to the Board of Trustees. Members also consider any proposed changes to the company’s bylaws.

Members’ Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. WEC’s rates are structured fairly, and no one receives free service while others pay. Everyone pays for the electricity they use.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together.

WEC often sends crew members to sister cooperatives who have experienced disasters, including hurricanes and tornados. Other cooperatives would also answer the call if WEC were ever in need.

Concern for Community While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.

Through work with Habitat for Humanity, several corporate sponsorships and a culture of public service at the cooperative and individual level, WEC strives to improve the life of everyone living in the Wiregrass.

To find out more about being a cooperative, and how WEC fulfills these principles, visit our website at www.wiregrass. coop. A

www.wiregrass.coop

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Spot Light

In July july 19-28

W.C. Handy Music Festival starts July 19

Visitors to the American Village Independence Day celebration will see costumed historical interpreters. Below, dancers prepare to take part in the Independence Ball.

july 4

Independence Day fun set at American Village The American Village in Montevallo plans for a day of fun, food and fireworks on July 4. Gates open at 11 a.m. and events continue through evening fireworks.

The Independence Day celebration is free to veterans and active military, and children age 4 and under. Admission for all others is $5. The event will feature patriotic music, costumed historical interpreters, Revolutionary Army drills, 18th century games, fireworks and an Independence Ball.

For more information, call 205-665-3535, or visit www. americanvillage.org.

The W.C. Handy Music Festival will be July 19-28 in The Shoals region of Northwest Alabama.

Events include Handy Nights in restaurants, art exhibits, a parade, performance of “Determined,” a play about the life of Florence native W.C. Handy, widely known as the “Father of the Blues,” mini-concerts, headliner Photo by T. Don Curry Visitors participate in the Street Strut in concerts, Listening downtown Florence.

Rooms, educational programs, athletic events and music in the parks and on the Tennessee River. Most events are free; some events require tickets. For information on events, please visit www. wchandymusicfestival.org or call 256-766-7642.

Photo by Doug Richardson The Pickwick Belle sails by the Riverside Jazz event on the Tennessee River.

Alabama co-ops rally to help Oklahoma Alabama’s rural electric cooperatives have rallied to support those affected by the May 20 tornado that wrought extensive damage in Moore, Okla. More than 20 cooperatives in the state have pledged financial assistance to the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperative’s “Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Oklahoma Relief Fund” to assist those affected in electric cooperative service areas.

“We received overwhelming sup-

Alabama Living

port following the 2011 tornadoes that caused so much devastation in our state,” said Fred Braswell, president and CEO of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. “Alabama’s co-ops are paying it forward to assist our friends in Oklahoma.”

Donations can be made by a check payable to “TEC Oklahoma Relief Fund” mailed to PO Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154.

Oklahoma has experienced mass devastation following the May 20 tornado. Photo by Minerva Studio

july 2013 9

Power Pack

Social Security answers your questions

By Kylle’ McKinney

In this month’s edition I decided to provide answers to various questions asked to Social Security.

Question: I need proof of my Social Security income. Can I get verification online?

Answer: Yes! And the best way to get a benefit verification letter is by using a my Social Security account. Your personal my Social Security account is a convenient and secure way for you to check your benefit and payment information, change your address, phone number, and direct deposit information, and to get your benefit verification letter. You can use your benefit verification letter to verify your income, retirement or disability status, Medicare eligibility, and age. When you use my Social Security to get it, you can request which information you would like included in the letter. Learn more, use my Social Security, and get your benefit verification letter now at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount.

Question: I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it?

Answer: Yes, it’s true, and you can find the video on our website. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign Language and it presents important information about our programs. You can watch the video now at www.socialsecurity.gov/ multimedia/video/asl. The video is a part of our larger collection of on-demand videos and webinars available at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars.

Question: Can I apply for retirement benefits online?

Answer: Yes, you can and it is quick,

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convenient, and easy.

You’ll find the application information at www.socialsecurity. gov/applyonline. You also can calculate your estimated benefits by using our McKinney Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Apply online and save a trip to the office and a wait in line.

Question: I worked the first half of the year, but plan to retire this month.

Will Social Security count the amount I earn for this year when I retire?

Answer: Yes. If you retire mid-year, we count your earnings for the entire year. We have a special “earnings test” rule we apply to annual earnings, usually in the first year of retirement. Under this rule, you get a full payment for any whole month we consider you retired regardless of your yearly earnings. We consider you retired during any month your earnings are $1,260 or less, or if you have not performed substantial services in self-employment. We do not consider income earned, beginning with the month you reach full retirement age. Learn more about the earnings test rule at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/ rule.htm.

Question: Will my Social Security disability benefit increase if my condition gets worse or I develop additional health problems?

Answer: No. We do not base your Social Security benefit amount on the severity of your disability. The amount you are paid is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. If you go back to work after getting disability benefits, you may be able to get a higher benefit based on those earnings. In addition, we have incentives that allow you to work temporarily

without losing your disability benefits.

For more information about disability benefits, read our publications Disability Benefits and Working While Disabled— How We Can Help. Both are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Question: I miss working. If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my Social Security disability benefits?

Answer: No. Social Security has several work incentives to help you ease back into the workforce. You may be able to continue receiving benefits during a “trial work period,” and in most cases your medical coverage will continue after you begin working. We may be able to help you return to work without losing your benefits. These work incentives are like a safety net for people who want to go to work but aren’t sure they can. For information about Social Security’s work incentives, visit our website, the Work Site, at www.socialsecurity.gov/work or read the online Red Book on Work Incentives at www. socialsecurity.gov/redbook.

Question: If I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability, what is the effect on my benefits when I take seasonal work?

Answer: Even a small amount of earned wages can cause a deduction in your SSI payment. However, it takes substantial work to make your benefits stop. In 2013, a person who receives SSI can earn up to $1,505 a month and still continue receiving some SSI payments.

In many cases, we will deduct approved work expenses to determine your SSI payment amount. In most cases, you can continue to receive your medical coverage for up to two years after you begin working.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Remove ticks as soon as possible to prevent illness Lyme disease is an infection spread by the bite of ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, stiff neck, fever, muscle or joint pain, swelling, and sometimes an expanding red rash. If a rash As the weather warms and you are spending more time out- develops, it may look like a target or bull’s-eye. Lyme disease doors, don’t forget to allow time for a tick check. Ticks are the can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar leading carriers of diseases to humans in the United States, to many other conditions and tests do not always detect the second only to mosquitoes worldwide. bacteria. It is usually effectively treated with a short course of Ticks are small spider-like animals that bite to fasten them- antibiotics. If not treated properly, it can lead to complications selves onto the skin and feed on blood. Ticks hide in low involving the heart, nervous system, joints and skin within brush to allow them to come in contact with a host. Once they weeks, months or even years later. catch a ride on a host they will live in the fur and feathers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection many different species of animals. Most tick bites occur dur- passed to humans by wood ticks and dog ticks. It can lead to ing early spring to late summer in areas with many wild ani- life-threatening complications such as shock and kidney failmals and birds. The toxins, secretions and organisms trans- ure if not treated promptly. Initial symptoms usually start an mitted through a tick’s saliva are the sources of the tick-borne average of seven days after the tick bite and include a sudden diseases. Most ticks do not fever, headache, muscle and carry diseases and most tick joint aches, distinct rash, naubites do not cause serious sea and vomiting. The rash typihealth problems. cally is made up of many tiny, It is very important to reflat, purple or red spots. move a tick as soon as it is Tularemia, also called deerfound. This helps decrease fly fever or rabbit fever, is a the likelihood of contracting disease that usually occurs in diseases from the tick. Care animals, but the disease can be should be used to remove transmitted to humans through the tick’s head to prevent an an infected tick. Symptoms infection in the skin where usually start within 21 days, but the bite occurred. average one to 10 days, after the diseases often cause flu-like symptoms, and may begin one to three The sooner ticks are re- Tick-borne tick bite. Symptoms of tulareweeks after the tick bite. Photo credit: Jim Gathany, Centers for Disease Control moved, the less likely they mia include chills, sudden high are to transmit disease. Use fever, headache, an open crater-like sore at the site of the bite, fine-tipped tweezers to properly remove an attached tick. swollen glands near the site of the bite, nausea and vomiting.

Grab the tick as close to its mouth as possible. The body of Prescription medicine is used to treat tularemia. the tick will often be above the skin’s surface, but its head and Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease that can be passed to mouth will likely be buried. Grabbing the tick by its belly can humans by ticks. It causes fever, chills, headache, general ill force infected fluids out of its mouth and into the skin. Pull feeling, nausea, vomiting and a purple or red rash. Symptoms the tick straight out until its mouth lets go of the skin. Put usually start from one to 21 days (average of seven days) after the removed tick in a dry jar or Ziploc bag and save it in the the tick bite. Prescription medicine is used to treat ehrlichiofreezer for later identification if symptoms start and medical sis. attention is needed. Wash the area where the tick was attached Babesiosis is a rare parasitic disease that can be passed to with warm, soapy water once the tick is removed. Apply an humans by deer ticks. Symptoms usually start one to four antibiotic ointment to the bite area to help prevent infection. weeks after the tick bite. Symptoms of babesiosis include a Many tick-borne diseases cause flu-like symptoms, such as general feeling of illness, decreased appetite, tiredness, fever, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. Symp- chills, recurring sweats and muscle aches. Babesiosis is treated toms may begin from one to three weeks after the tick bite. with antibiotic medicines.

Sometimes a rash or sore appears along with the flu-like The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural symptoms. Common tick-borne diseases include Lyme dis- Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis joyment of Alabama’s natural resources. To learn more about and babesiosis.

ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

By Jeff L. Makemson Certified Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Alabama Living

july 2013 11

There’s power in the pie

S

Restaurant is incubator for positive social change, and the pies are delicious, too!

By Jennifer Kornegay Photos by Jennifer Kornegay and Mark Stephenson

ome of the best conversations are shared around tables, usually tables topped with food and drink. Proof of this can be found at PieLab in Greensboro, Ala., where bright ideas come out of mouths as readily as bites of pie and sips of coffee go in.

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www.alabamaliving.coop

The PieLab is never short on patrons.

Opened in 2009, the restaurant/coffee shop sports sleek, contemporary furnishings in an old, wood-floored building on the main street of downtown and is not what you would expect to find in the “small-town” South. It is as much an incubator for positive social change as it is a place to eat. The “lab” portion of its name hints at this broader purpose, and the pie? Well, there’s some real power in the pie, as Pam Dorr, director of HERO Housing and a founder of PieLab, explains.

A re-energizing recipe

“I work with a group in Greensboro called HERO (Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization), a non-profit that works as a catalyst for community development,” she says. “As a housing resource center, HERO provides community resources, housing education and youth programming.”

A few years ago, HERO was working with a group of creative folks in Maine called Project M that creates platforms for collaboration and projects that contribute to communities in need.

“One day we were sitting around discussing some projects and feeling a bit down. The economy was getting bad, and things just seemed bleak,” Dorr says.

To lift the mood, the group shifted topics and began talking about things that made them happy. “One girl started sharing her love of pie,” Dorr said, “and it just clicked. Everyone loves pie.”

Project M decided to head down to Greensboro with Dorr and do a pie “pop-up” shop in a downtown building that HERO Alabama Living

had recently renovated. “ We h a d $600 to do it and figured it would just PieLab gift items available in the dining area. be this temporary thing, a neat way to spread some joy and bring the community together.”

But the pop-up shop proved so popular, it never actually “popped” back down. Today, three years later, PieLab is still baking and serving its pies to folks from both near and far.

Success in every slice

If you get down to its basic ingredients, PieLab is a welcoming spot for anyone and everyone to come eat and chat over what’s been heralded by the likes of Southern Living and other national media as some of the best pie anywhere on earth. It’s a community gathering place designed around the idea that the more folks talk to each other, the more likely they are to find common ground and do some common good. “In just the last two weeks, we’ve had 47 volunteers come through to do projects for others in the community, people like designers and architects, and they all use PieLab as a home base,” Dorr says. “They get to enjoy good pie and good coffee, which we believe fosters conversation and ideas.” july 2013 13

Visit www.pielab.org to learn more and get directions and operating hours. You can also order a PieLab T-shirt or even design your own pie and have it shipped right to your door.

But what’s happening behind the counter at PieLab is as important as any pie-fueled epiphanies sparking in front of it. In keeping with the mission of HERO, PieLab is staffed by a diverse mix of area residents who have one common denominator: They could use some job training, and PieLab is providing it.

“We employ young teen moms, prisoners on work release, seniors through the area aging council and others, and there’s a real emphasis put on job training so they are ready to get and keep a job somewhere else at some point,” Dorr says.

Don’t forget the pie

While it’s obvious that PieLab is about much more than the first half of its name, the sheer deliciousness of the pie should not go without note. Flavor offerings change regularly and range from pecan and blueberry to pina colada icebox and mandarin orange chess. Some of the recipes came from a bakeoff and cookbook produced when the restaurant first opened. Others are submitted, often with heartfelt pleas attached. “We get things like, ‘please try my mom’s pecan pie recipe,’” Dorr says. “And we often do. If it’s good, we keep it in the rotation.”

Dorr’s personal favorite pie, at least right now, is, “homemade blueberry topped with homemade vanilla ice cream.” PieLab also serves some tasty lunch items, but whatever you do, don’t fill up on a burger or barbecue sandwich. Save some stomach space for a piece (or two) of pie. A Left, top to bottom: Nakita Pettway checks on pies in the oven.

John Wilkerson slices a piece of pie.

That’s one big slice of pie!

Right, top to bottom: Seaborn Whatley carries students through the process of making a Snickers® pie.

Chef Seaborn Whatley joined PieLab in early May, and working as head chef and manager, he has already proven to be an integral slice of the team. He grew up just a few miles from Greensboro and after studying at the famed Culinary Institute of America in New York City and serving as executive chef of La Jolla restaurant in Montgomery, he decided he wanted to be closer to home. “The position opened up at PieLab, so it worked out perfectly,” he says.

Seaborn shared a dark secret with Alabama Living though. “I actually am not a big sweet eater,” he said (with a mystifying lack of shame). He defended himself and promised that he does indulge in PieLab’s creations, if only in moderation. “If I really liked desserts and worked here, I’d weigh 800 pounds! I do enjoy our pie though. My favorite is the buttermilk.” Chef Seaborn is also whipping up the savory treats you can get from PieLab at lunchtime. “We’re doing two different sandwiches each week, a hot lunch that changes daily, and we’ve got a new ‘pick three’ salad plate with the choice of tuna, egg, chicken, pasta and fruit salads, as well as pimento cheese.”

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Alabama Living

july 2013  15

“I fish the same as everyone else.

It just looks a little different.”

Born without limbs, Alabama man excels in professional fishing Story and photos by John N. Felsher 16 july 2013

www.alabamaliving.coop

A veteran of more than 200 tournaments, the professional bass angler stopped his boat, shut down the powerful outboard and flipped his trolling motor into the water. Eyeing the wooded shoreline, he selected a preferred lure, tied it to his line and tossed it next to some cover on the bank.

As the angler worked the lure back toward the boat, a bass slammed the temptation. Reacting to the bite, the pro set the hook, fought the fish, landed it and then released it to fight again.

N

othing about that scenario stands out as particularly note- Dyer did carry the ball a few times and even scored some touchworthy. Millions of bass anglers across the nation do the downs. Low to the ground, he could scoot under other players same thing each week. Friends of bass pro Clay Dyer and pick up a couple yards before anyone even knew he held the wouldn’t even notice these actions because he does them so often. football.

However, to anyone who does not know Clay, just getting into “When carrying the ball, I pinned it between my jaw, neck and the boat would seem nothing less than remarkable for a man born arm,” Clay says. “I have a lot of strength in my arm. My longest with no legs, no left arm and only run was about five yards. I was a piece of an arm on his right side. not the guy who was going to run “I was born with no legs past it 99 yards down the field. I was the hips, half an arm on my right the guy who took the ball when side and no arm past my shoulit was fourth down and two. For der joint on my left side,” Clay exmy size, I was really quick and it plains. “I didn’t lose my limbs to was hard to tackle me. I just loved an accident or a disease. I never being able to play and doing what had limbs so I don’t know what I could to help my team win.”

I’d do if I had them. God blessed Although he enjoyed playing me with the strength to fight organized sports, he knew he through every adversity and obcould never make it as a professtacle that I face each day. I count sional athlete in football, baseball it as a blessing to live this way.” or basketball. Instead, he started Born in 1978, Clay grew up concentrating on a competitive in Hamilton, Ala. As a child, he sport in which he could excel – frequently visited his grandfather’s professional fishing! He started farm pond to catch catfish. An fishing for fun at about age five avid sportsman and fierce comon his grandfather’s farm and bepetitor, he played baseball, basketgan competing in tournaments ball and even played football as a when he turned 15. linebacker and fullback at the ju“When I started to get into my nior varsity level and some varsity teens, I realized that if I hurt my in high school. one good half an arm, that might “I was always really active in affect me for the rest of my life,” sports,” Clay recalled. “The coachClay says. “Obviously, I’m not goDyer places the butt of his rod between his jawbone es knew my family as I was growing to dunk a basketball without and collarbone to cast. ing up. They knew better than to a trampoline, so I knew I wasn’t tell me that I couldn’t do something because whatever I set my going to play in the NBA or NFL. I had always loved the outdoors, mind to do, I accomplished. When I went out for football, some even as a small child. I watched professional fishing tournaments people thought it was a joke. After proving them wrong two or on television. Fishing gave me an avenue where I knew that I could three times, they never told me ‘no’ ever again. I was low to the get to the top level as a professional in a sport without risking hurtground, so when I went to block someone, nobody could get by ing myself. I always dreamed of becoming a professional angler and believed that I could take it to the top level.” me without crawling.”

As a teen, Clay started fishing local bass club tournaments. As Although a fullback typically blocks for faster running backs, Alabama Living

july 2013 17

Clay Dyer uses the bottom of his hip joint to run his trolling motor. He unhooks fish by putting pliers in his mouth and lying on his boat deck.

a freshman in high school, he wanted to enter the Alabama Bass Angler Sportsman Society Federation, one of 51 state and international federations that make up the amateur arm of the Bass Federation, Inc. His parents signed the waiver so he could compete as a minor.

He started competing in state and regional tournaments to increase his skill, winning more than 20 events in his career. His two biggest bass to date weighed nearly 10 pounds. Gaining success at the local and regional level, the 20-year-old angler in 1998 began competing in the Forrest L. Wood EverStart Series, a tournament trail for emerging professionals.

“My parents, grandparents and brother have always been very supportive of what I do,” Clay says. “I was able to qualify for a couple state championships. It escalated from there. When FLW came out with the EverStart series, I started fishing on the regional level and kept fishing higher and higher levels each year.”

In 2006, Dyer began fishing the FLW Tour, the highest professional level of the FLW family of events. In 2011, Dyer began fishing the B.A.S.S. Opens. He hopes to soon jump to the B.A.S.S. Elite Series, the highest professional level in B.A.S.S., and eventually compete in a Bassmaster Classic.

“In the first year of the Professional Anglers Association tournament series, I fished the Texas Shootout on Lake Fork,” Clay says.

“They invited 60 FLW pros and 60 B.A.S.S. pros to compete. I had the honor to be invited as one of the 60 from FLW. After the second day, only the top five anglers fished the final day. I was in fifth place until the very last guy to weigh in knocked me down by two ounces. I didn’t make the final cut, but I got my first national check.

After that, I knew that I could compete at that level.”

On the tournament trail or just fishing for fun, Dyer doesn’t use anything unavailable to other competitors. He drives his own truck, modified for his physical requirements, and drives his own boat. He operates all the equipment on his boat and uses standard fishing tackle just like anyone else.

“I fish the same as everyone else,” Clay explains. “It just looks a little different. I’ve always prided myself on doing whatever anyone else does. I don’t want anyone to say I had to modify my equipment to fish. The only thing different about my boat is I have a platform that’s at the same height as the front deck. I can step out of the driver’s seat onto the platform and get to the front deck without climbing up and down or crawl around in the bottom of the boat.”

He ties his own knots with his tongue and unhooks fish by putting pliers in his mouth and lying on his boat deck. When casting, he places the butt of his rod between his jawbone and collarbone, then swings it sideways. He reels fish in by compressing the end of his arm against the reel handle.

“Most anglers work the trolling motor with their feet, but I can’t 18 july 2013

do that,” Clay says. “The bottom of my hip is round. When I run the trolling motor, I use the bottom of my hip joint. I have essentially one big toe down there. I use that to mash the switch to operate the trolling motor. I added a larger switch so I can find it more easily without looking down.”

Staying on a national tournament trail requires considerable travel for any competitor. After finishing one tournament, anglers may immediately drive hundreds of miles to the next venue. Many top pros spend 250 to 300 days a year traveling to events, practicing for tournaments, competing, meeting sponsor obligations or working with the media to promote their sponsors.

Tyler Cole of Double Springs, Ala. often accompanies Clay on trips to share the driving. He also assists Clay by helping him get into and out of the boat or provide whatever other help he needs.

Where allowed, Cole sometimes fishes with Dyer, either as a coangler or team partner.

“I met Clay in my senior year of high school,” Cole remembers.

“I was dating a girl whose mother used to babysit Clay and his brother. She knew I liked to fish and introduced me to Clay. When I’m fishing with Clay as a co-angler, I can’t do much to help him.

I can net the fish, but that’s about all. Clay is a very big inspiration for a lot of people. He’s an awesome guy.”

Staying on a tournament trail also requires significant financial resources. Spending a year on a tournament trail may cost between $60,000 to $100,000 for fuel on boats and tow vehicles, lodging, food, entry fees, maintenance and other expenses. Most anglers rely heavily on sponsors. Dyer lists Strike King Lures, Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards and the Outdoor Recreation Company of America among his major backers.

“I’ve been extremely blessed to have some great companies behind me,” Clay says. “Strike King has been with me from the start.

Ranger Boats and Mercury Outboards have been with me a long time. I signed with O.R.C.A in late 2012. Without these companies helping me, I would not be able to do what I do. I really appreciate what they do for me that allows me to live my dream.”

When not fishing, Clay inspires others with frequent public appearances, making about 60 motivational speeches for corporations, churches, charitable organizations and other groups each year.

“Many people come up to me and say, ‘I don’t have this,’ or ‘I can’t do this.’ If I can, you can,” Clay says. “I don’t focus on the resources I’m missing. I focus on what I do have – that’s a heart, mind and soul. I don’t let not having arms and legs define me as a person. Everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I’ve been able to do.

Some things are obviously easier for other people to do and take me longer, but I haven’t found anything yet that I couldn’t do.”

To invite Clay to speak, contact him through his website at http://claydyer.net. A www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

july 2013  19

Protecting animals for future generations

Zookeeper Mike Miller and an umbrella cockatoo. photo courtesy Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

By Marilyn Jones

B

National Zookeeper Week: July 14-20 20 july 2013

y definition, a zoo is a garden or park where wild animals are kept for exhibition; a collection of living animals usually for public display. And a zookeeper: one who maintains or cares for the animals in a zoo. Without a zoo there would be no zookeeper and without a zookeeper there would be no zoo.

Every year, the third week of July is designated National Zookeeper Week; the perfect time to ask the question: What does a zookeeper do?

“We have nine zookeepers and one dietician,” says Cyndi Johnson, head zookeeper at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores. “Their primary concern is the health of the animals.”

Each zookeeper is species-specific.

Johnson says her keepers are usually trained to care for two types of animals — avian, cats, primates, hoof, rodents or reptiles — so they can take over when the fulltime keeper is off for the day.

Although some of her keepers have degrees in biology, zoology and wildlife science, a degree isn’t necessary. “It has to be in your heart,” she says. “There’s nothing really glamorous about gathering supplies, cleaning, measuring feces to make sure the animal is healthy and

watching the animal to make sure it’s OK. Rain, snow, sleet, we have to be here to care for the animals. You have to love the animals to be this dedicated.

“Once the animals have been monitored, cleaned, fed and reports filed, we have to get our supplies ready for the next day to do it all over again,” she explains. “A big part is keeping records — electronically and hard copy. At any given time I have to be able to view an animal’s file.”

Into the Future

Johnson says she spends a lot of time traveling to schools and teaching children about the plight of animals.

“I also explain to them that before getting a pet they should do a lot of research,” she says. “In our zoo, 98 percent of the birds, 98 percent of the reptiles and 50 percent of the small rodents have been donated by people who bought them as pets. We live in such a throwaway world. I get five to 10 calls a week and right now we can’t always take them.

“I don’t recommend exotics for anyone,” she says. “Primates live to be 50 years old and some birds live to be 80 years old. Right now we have 13 squirrel monkeys and five capuchin monkeys that were donated to us.” www.alabamaliving.coop

As for the future of animals in the wild, Johnson says zoos are the real future. “In 10 years all the tigers will be gone from the wild; elephants too. In the wild 90 percent of the world’s [species] will be extinct. They are being harvested every day.”

A zookeeper wears many hats — caregiver, educator and conservationist. “Simply put, we need to have respect for wildlife,” Johnson says. “My job is to try and make that happen.”

The Birmingham Zoo is one of the top attractions in the state of Alabama and features more than 800 birds, reptiles and mammals including this hippopotamus. photo courtesy Birmingham Zoo

Other Alabama Zoos

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, situated on 11.5 acres, with 7.5 acres in use, is tucked away just blocks from the beach and features more than 500 animals, birds and reptiles. Lions, tigers, bears and monkeys as well as a petting zoo, reptile house and aviary all await visitors.

Alabama has two other major zoos in Birmingham and Montgomery.

Drawing more than 500,000 visitors annually, the Birmingham Zoo is one of Alabama’s most popular attractions. More than 800 animals, representing six continents, make their home at the 122-acre zoo, including birds, reptiles and mammals. As with its zoological counterparts, the animals here are cared for by a staff of curators, managers and keepers. These professionals provide well-maintained environments that reflect the animal’s natural habitats.

The zoo is known for its elephant conservation program. In 2011, “Trails of Africa” opened, designating the Birmingham Zoo as a national leader in the care and conservation of threatened elephants. The trail is designed to be a mixed-species exhibit featuring a bachelor elephant herd, red river hogs, rhinos, hippos and giraffes.

The final member of this zoo trio is the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum where more than 500 animals from five different continents reside — all housed in natural, barrier-free habitats.

Spanning 40 landscaped acres, guests can view exotic wildlife and endangered species by meandering through the zoo at a leisurely pace, riding on the miniature train or by taking advantage of the recently installed Zoofari Skylift ride.

Animal encounter stations are very popular at the zoo and help visitors get as close as possible to the zoo’s residents by feeding river otters, horseback riding and visiting an aviary.

Alabama Living

As the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats has increased, our role as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential. During the third week of July each year, celebrate National Zookeeper Week; both you and your animals deserve the recognition.

Zookeeper Melissa Passman visits with white-throated capuchins.

Zookeepers Terry Clossen, Mike Miller and Melissa Passman start their day.

photo courtesy Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Photo courtesy Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

For more information:

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo - 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores; 251-968-5731; www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com.

Birmingham Zoo - 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham; 205-879-0409; www.birminghamzoo.com.

Montgomery Zoo - 2301 Coliseum Pkwy, Montgomery; 334-240-4900; www. montgomeryzoo.com.

From left: Zookeepers Sam Pierce and Kim Dahlgren and Zoo Director Patti Hall. photo courtesy Birmingham Zoo

july 2013 21

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Alabama Living

july 2013  23

Worth the Drive

Dine at The Docks

S

cottsboro is probably best known for two things: some dark deeds in our state’s past and a big store full of other people’s stuff for sale. With a deck facing shimmering Lake Guntersville, perfectly cooked pork loin and bread pudding that’s easily in the running for best I’ve ever had, The Docks at Goose Pond Colony is a third thing the city should be famous for.

When nine young African-American men were tried for rape and found guilty by an all-white jury, it put Scottsboro in the national spotlight. The story of the Scottsboro Boys is a tragic one, a stark symbol of turbulent times. On the flipside, shopping at Unclaimed Baggage can be triumphant, with some serious deals on designer duds, electronics, cameras and computers, but that’s only if you happen to be there on the right day.

Dinner at The Docks is just plain good, with no timing required, although snagging a seat outside at sunset is not a bad idea (and reservations are recommended on the weekends). You might even want to arrive early in the day to check out everything else the surrounding Goose Pond Colony resort has to offer before you sit down to eat.

Set amid the scenic beauty of the Cumberland Mountains and nestled beside the Tennessee River’s Lake Guntersville, Goose Pond Colony has two 18-hole championship golf courses, access to the lake for swimming and fishing, a large, full-service marina and a pool, plus waterside cottages and a lodge if you decide to spend the night.

With a “come-as-you-are” philosophy, The Docks is certainly casual, but the menu reads like one in a white-tablecloth establishment, with dishes like Greek-style chicken with rice pilaf and seasonal veggies, pan-seared crab cakes, smoked gouda quesadillas with caramelized onions and nightly specials like slow-roasted prime rib created by chef and owner Mark Hall. The level of service matches the menu, with a wait staff that can provide details on every item and confident recommendations.

Every meal begins with crusty bread accompanied by soft honey butter. The restaurant’s warm artichoke and green chile dip is a spicy new twist on the classic Jennifer Kornegay is spinach-artichoke the author of a new children’s book, “The version and makes a Alabama Adventures great starter. While of Walter and Wimbly:

Thai BBQ Pork Medallions: Sweet and heat.

you wait for your appetizer to arrive, you can take a stroll down the long, lighted pier leading out over the lake. You’ll probably meet a few folks who’ve just tied up their boats to come have dinner too.

The diverse options for entrees range from steak to seafood, but the Thai BBQ Pork Medallions grabbed my attention. Juicy and tender, each piece of pork was topped with a dollop of a vibrant red sauce that has definite Asian influences. The combination of sweet and heat complemented the meat and was equally tasty mixed in with the white cheese grits and sautéed spinach also on the plate. The portions at The Docks are ample, but if you pace yourself, you can still indulge in at least a few bites of dessert. The offerings change nightly, but almost always include the homemade bread pudding. It’s fluffy and moist, and the drizzle of rum sauce adds a little kick to cut the sugar.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the view and the food at The Docks are enhanced with live entertainment. It’s a fun, but actually unnecessary, addition. The sight of cotton-candy clouds reflected in the lake’s surface and the satisfaction of finishing a nice meal need no such improvement. A Scottsboro

The Docks The kitchen is open for dinner only, on weeknights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on weekends. Visit www. goosepond.org to check out the menu and get directions, and call 256-574-3071 for reservations.

Two Marmalade Cats on a Mission.” She travels to an out-of-the way restaurant destination in Alabama every month.

She may be reached for comment at j_kornegay@charter.net.

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Alabama Living

july 2013  25

Power Plants July Gardening Tips

Savor Summer Longer

By Katie Jackson

Ah

July, the month when we can practically wallow in summer fruits and vegetables. Yet even as the supply becomes almost overwhelming, are you already lamenting the time when there will no longer be a summer tomato to slice or zucchini squash to roast?

There’s a perfect way to alleviate that premature sorrow: Plant a late summer/ early fall garden.

One of the perks of living and gardening in Alabama is that we have a long growing season which allows us to continue growing many summer crops well into the fall. Admittedly it may be hard to set aside time from harvesting, weeding, watering and maintaining your current garden. However, if you love the taste of summer, it’s worth taking time to install transplants of tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, eggplant, beans and cucumbers.

Just make sure to choose varieties that

mature before your area’s first typical fall frost date.

Another way to extend the taste of summer is to keep a fresh supply of annual summer herbs going by sowing basil and cilantro seeds every few weeks directly into the garden or into pots so a new crop is coming on regularly. I keep indoor pots of basil going year-round, reseeding the pots each month so I never have to do without a sprig of basil even in January and February.

Once you’ve got that late summer garden in, don’t forget that July is the month to start seeds for more traditional fall crops such as rutabagas, pumpkins, winter squash and the many “c” crops of fall— collards, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots.

Come August you can keep planting seeds for many of these fall crops and begin seeds for kale, lettuces, turnips and other leafy greens as well as for the “b” crops— beets, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

d Water lawns, landscapes, container plants and vegetable gardens deeply and avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day. d Mulch shrubs and trees and add mulch and compost to garden beds to help retain moisture in the soil, keep roots cooler and suppress weeds. d Plant heat-tolerant annual and perennial flowers. d Remove (deadhead) fading flowers from annuals, perennials and summerblooming lilies. d Keep an eye out for insect and disease problems in the lawn, landscape, garden beds and on potted plants. d Keep birdbaths and hummingbird feeders filled with clean, fresh water or sugar solution, respectively. d Turn your compost. d Harvest fruits and vegetables early in the day for best flavor and quality.

Don’t know what to plant when? Check out the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s “Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama” (www.aces.edu/ pubs/docs/A/ANR-0063/ANR-0063.pdf) publication, which has a great year-round planting chart to guide you.

If you want to escape the heat this month, chill out with a cool drink and some seed and plant catalogues. It’s never too early to start planning next year’s garden and you can literally spend hours exploring the options.

Advice on variety selection or myriad other gardening issues is available through your local Extension office, Master Gardener groups and area garden shops, but don’t forget one of the best sources of help in the world—fellow gardeners, especially those who have gardened for years, who have hands-on knowledge of what works, or doesn’t work, in your area. They have likely already made all the mistakes, mistakes you can avoid simply by relying on their experience. A Katie Jackson, who recently retired as chief editor for the Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, is now a fulltime freelance writer and editor. Contact her at katielamarjackson@gmail.com.

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Alabama Living

july 2013  27

Send your questions to: James Dulley

Consumer Wise

Alabama Living 6906 Royalgreen Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45244

You can also reach Dulley online at: www.dulley.com

What do you need from extra AC? Ask yourself what you want from a supplemental air-conditioning unit before purchasing one—window units and mini-split heat pumps both have good qualities.

Q:

We added a room, but our central air conditioner doesn’t cool it well. Our second-floor master bedroom also does not stay cool. Does it make more sense to install a window air conditioner or a mini-split system?

A:

This is a common problem, especially for second-floor rooms.

Cool air is more dense than warm air, so it tends to drop to the first floor through cracks, gaps, and the stairs.

Also, second-floor ceilings are exposed to the hot underside of the roof, and tend to stay warm well into the evening.

Whether you install a mini-split heat pump or a window air conditioner depends on what you need and want from the unit.

Most people install a window air conditioner to provide extra cooling in a room at a low initial cost. Energy efficiency is not the primary concern. Mini-split heat pumps offer many bonus features (heating and cooling, quiet operation, flexible installation, and control) and increased efficiency, but at a higher cost.

The main drawback for mini-split heat pumps is cost. A window unit generally sells for less than $300; mini-splits can run to more than $1,000, plus the cost of installation. Also, unlike a window unit, minisplits can’t be moved once installed.

I have a two-story house with a central heat pump. I recently installed an LG Art Cool mini-split system for the master bedroom. I selected the smaller output 9,000 Btu per hour model, which has a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 28 and inverter compressor technology—twice as efficient as the central heat pump. I chose the heat pump version so it can also heat efficiently during winter.

James Dulley

is a nationally syndicated engineering consultant based in Cincinnati

28 july 2013

A window air conditioner has all its components—compressor, air circulation fan, condenser fan, etc.—in the cabinet mounted in the window. Though it is insulated against heat flow and sound, it still is not ideal for energy efficiency. The newest ones are fairly quiet but still may be annoying in a bedroom at night. When it’s not running, more outdoor road noise can be heard.

A mini-split system is similar to a central air conditioner or heat pump, with the condenser fan, coils, and compressor in an outdoor unit, which is flat and small. I had mine mounted high on the garage wall so I could walk under it on an existing walkway.

Some models allow the outdoor unit to be placed up to 100 feet from the room or group of rooms to be cooled or heated. This virtually eliminates indoor noise pollution from these components.

Instead of having the indoor cooling coil in an air-duct system as with your existing central air conditioner, the coil is mounted in a fan unit on the wall or ceiling of the room. It’s connected to the outdoor unit by refrigerant and electric lines. Only a 3-in.diameter hole needs to be cut through the wall, and the condensate drain from the evaporator coils can go out through the same hole.

Mini-split systems can also be used to cool an entire house by installing indoor wall units in several rooms. The conditioned air will naturally circulate throughout the house. This is commonly done in houses using baseboard electric or hydronic

heat, which lack a duct system. Installing a duct system for central air-conditioning in an existing two-story house can be an expensive project.

In addition to the high SEER rating, installing a mini-split unit allows for zone cooling of your house, which can also lower your electric bill. In my case, there’s no need to keep the downstairs cool all night when I’m sleeping in the upstairs bedroom.

My mini-split system allows me to set the central heat pump thermostat higher at night so it runs very little. This provides substantial electricity savings.

Inverter compressor technology is the newest and most efficient trend in air conditioning. The compressor runs at variable speeds to provide for variable cooling output. Once the room cools down to the thermostat setting, the inverter compressor speed slows to keep the room at that temperature.

The remote control has several modes of operation, including a dehumidification setting for the summer, which slows down the fan speed so the indoor air is dehumidified more than it is cooled. This is ideal for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to high humidity but don’t want a cold room.

There also is a “jet” setting that switches either the heating or cooling mode output and fan speed to high for quickly changing the temperature. This feature conserves energy because you can turn it on only when you use a particular room instead of keeping the room hot or cold continuously. A For more information, visit energy.gov/energysaver/articles/ductless-mini-split-heatpumps and www.energystar.gov > Products > Find ENERGY STAR Products > Ductless Heating and Cooling.

The following companies offer mini-split air conditioners/heat pumps: Carrier, 800-2277437, www.carrier.com; Fujitsu General, (888) 888-3424, www.fujitsugeneral.com; LG, (888) 865-3026, www.lg-dfs.com; Mitsubishi Electric, (800) 433-4822, www.mehvac.com; and Samsung, (888) 699-4351, www.quietside.com. www.alabamaliving.coop

Around Alabama UNION SPRINGS

AUGUST 1 - 4

“See Rock City”

Ffooter / Shutterstock.com

JULY 3 • Chatom, Town of Chatom 4th of July Celebration Chatom Community Center, 5 p.m.

Live music by Destiny. All activities are free. Food and arts and crafts booths. Balloon art by Sunshine the clown, Super Splash water slides, 4-way bungee trampoline, mechanical bull, trackless train and face painting. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Parking is $1 per vehicle; bring your lawn chairs.

For more information, contact Fran Thornton, 251-680-3075 or thorntonfran@yahoo.com 12 & 13 • Cullman, Heartland Quilt Guild “Patriotic Pride Quilt Show” East Elementary School.

Friday, noon-5p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Admission: $5. Contact: Hazel Rhuel, 256-7393594 or Porsia Anderson, 205-265-9139 12 & 13 • Eva, Eva High School Alumni and Friends Reunion & Concert. Eva School.

The Friday night concert, featuring the Flashbacks, is sponsored by the Alumni Association and tickets are available to the public. Alumni and Friends Reunion will take place on the 13th. Contact: Jo Anne Lindley, 205-563-3290 or joanne7654@gmail.com 17 • Theodore, Kids’ Kruise & Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Bellingrath Gardens and Fowl River, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Annual lunch cruise on the Fowl River just for kids. Dauphin Island Sea Lab will

The Red Door Theatre in Union Springs will present “See Rock City,” a play about newlyweds May and Raleigh as they begin married life in the hills of Tennessee.

This tender portrayal of married life, set against the backdrop of World War II, shows the best of the human spirit and its ability to overcome obstacles.

27 • Hanceville, Swamp John’s.

Dodge City Volunteer Fire Department. Swamp John’s famous fish, chicken and shrimp with all the trimmings. Proceeds will pay for equipment needed to help the community. Contact: Phyllis Lowe, 256-287-0186 or phylowe90@gmail.com

be there with its Touch Table, too. Bring the kids, order your bag lunch and enjoy a fun-filled cruise on Fowl River. Reservations required.

Members admission: $28 for adults, $17.50 for children 5-12 & $6 for children 4 and under.

Contact: 251-973-2217, ext. 110 for reservations 20 • Geraldine, Alabama Picnic in the Park, Geraldine Town Park, beginning at noon.

Live entertainment and traditional pot pinto beans and cornbread, hotdogs and other eats. The Smoke Trailer, sponsored by the Geraldine Fire Department, will be on site.

Arts and crafts booths welcome. Contact: Geraldine Town Hall, 256-659-2122

AUGUST 1-3 • Foley, Jennifer Claire Moore 16th Annual Professional Rodeo. City of Foley Horse Arena.

Pre-rodeo activities begin each night at 7, followed by the rodeo at 8. From bareback bronco riding and barrel racing to children’s activities, the rodeo is fun for the whole family.

Contact: Millie Shamburger, 251-971-3633 or rodeo@jennifermoorefoundation.com 4 • Talladega, Afternoon of Praise Talladega’s Historic Ritz Theatre, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dove Award nominee Richard Kingsmore will direct the orchestra as Talladega First United Methodist Church Choir Director Susannah Herring leads a choir of more than 100 local voices in a community-wide praise experience. Tickets: $10.Ticket purchases: The Ritz, 256-315-0000 6 • Mobile, Crime Prevention 5K Run Bienville Square, 6:30 p.m.

Race benefits Mobile Police Department.

Contact: Peggy Olive, 251-401-8039

littleny / Shutterstock.com

20 • Pine Ridge, 2nd Annual ‘Cruise-in for Special People’ Car Show. Pine Ridge Day Camp, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Family friendly kids activities, food available and lots of prizes, including a 350 Chevy Engine grand prize. Proceeds to help support the day camp used by the Center for the Developmentally Disabled, North Central Alabama. Contact: Carl Flemons, 256-778-0449

To place an event, mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; e-mail to calendar@ areapower.coop. (Subject Line: Around Alabama) or visit www.alabamaliving.coop. 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.

Evening performances on Aug. 1, 2, and 3 are preceded by a seated dinner (reservations required).

The Sunday, Aug. 4, performance is a 2:30 p.m. matinee.

Contact 334-738-8687 or conecuhpeople@knology.net for more information, or visit www. reddoortheatre.org.

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Alabama Living

JULY 2013 29

High schoolers win scholarship money for fishing

By John N. Felsher

For possibly the first time in history, some middle and high school students earned scholarship money toward their college educations just by catching bass during the inaugural Tim Horton High School Bass Fishing Challenge.

“It’s the only scholarship bass tournament for high school anglers,” says Susann Hamlin, executive director for the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau in Tuscumbia, Ala., which hosted the event. “It was a wonderful opportunity for kids and it made us feel good, too.”

Adam Neill, an 18-year-old senior at Florence High School, winner of the Senior Division during the 2013 Tim Horton High School Bass Fishing Challenge, held May 18 on Pickwick Lake near Cherokee, tells event host Tim Horton, a professional bass angler from Muscle Shoals, how he caught his fish. Photo by John N. Felsher

30 july 2013

www.alabamaliving.coop

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. a.m. p.m.

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Alabama Living

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

09:22 02:22 09:37 02:37 09:52 03:07 03:37 10:22 03:52 10:52 01:52 11:22 - - 12:22 08:37 05:37 10:07 05:52 11:07 06:22 11:52 06:52 07:22 12:07 07:52 12:52 08:22 01:37 08:52 02:07 09:22 02:52 03:22 09:37 03:52 10:07 12:52 10:37 - - 11:22 05:37 12:22 10:07 05:52 10:52 06:07 11:22 06:37 11:52 06:52 07:07 12:07 07:22 12:37 07:37 01:07 08:07 01:22 08:22 01:52 08:37 02:07 02:37 08:52 02:52 09:07 03:07 09:37 02:22 10:07 - - 11:07 09:07 05:07 10:22 05:22 11:07 05:52 11:37 06:22 12:22 06:37 07:07 12:37 07:22 01:07 07:52 01:52 02:22 08:22 02:52 08:37 july 2013  31

Junior Leaders – The top finishers in the Junior Division during the 2013 Tim Horton High School Bass Fishing Challenge include (from left to right) 1st place: Austin Brown, a 14-yearold seventh grader from Plainview High School in Rainsville; 2nd place: Garrett Jones, a 16-year-old freshman at Hartselle High; and 3rd place: Jacob Jefferys, a 15-year-old freshman from Muscle Shoals High.

D

uring the event, 175 youths representing 30 schools from across Alabama competed for a share of $20,000 in scholarships. The young anglers competed in two divisions. The Senior Division consisted of students in 10th through 12th grade while seventh to ninth graders competed in the Junior Division.

The young anglers fished two to a boat with an adult boat captain operating the craft. The boat captain could not fish. The anglers competed against each other in their respective divisions, but their school teams also competed for a share of $3,000 in scholarship money, based upon total weights caught by all team members. Hartselle High won $1,000 in scholarship money as the team winner, followed by the Muscle Shoals, Florence, Belgreen and Russellville schools.

“For the most part, the kids in the same boats were from the same schools, so they competed against each other, but they also helped each other at the same time,” says Tim Horton, a professional bass angler from Muscle Shoals, Ala. The Tim Horton High School Bass Fishing Challenge ran out of Rose Trail Park near Cherokee on May 18 to fish the 47,500-acre Pickwick Lake. Named the 20th best bass lake in the United States

by Bassmaster magazine, Pickwick Lake runs 53 miles along the Tennessee River. The system can produce largemouth bass topping 10 pounds and smallmouth approaching seven pounds.

Pickwick Lake a big attraction

“We had a phenomenal tournament,” Horton says. “Students from all over Alabama came here to fish. Some traveled more than 200 miles. That says a lot about their passion for fishing in this state. Pickwick has really become one of the best bass lakes, not only in Alabama, but in the entire South.”

After a day spent fishing, Adam Neill, an 18-year-old senior at Florence High School, took top honors in the Senior Division with a five-bass tournament limit weighing 16.86 pounds. He collected $3,000 in scholarship money for the victory and plans to attend the University of Alabama on a fishing scholarship in the fall. He hopes to become a professional angler someday.

“I fish this lake all the time,” Neill says. “I fished from the Natchez Trace Bridge to Waterloo. I caught most of my fish on a crankbait in about five feet of water. We also fished bridge pilings and current breaks with a swimbait. The bass were stacked up right behind the pilings getting out of the current.”

Taking second for the seniors, Zeke Gossett, a 15-year-old 32 july 2013

Senior Leaders – The top finishers in the Senior Division include (from left to right) 1st place: Adam Neill, an 18-year-old senior at Florence High School; 2nd place: Zeke Gossett, a 15-yearold sophomore at Pell City High School; and 3rd place: Ethan Rickard, an 18-year-old senior at Florence High. Rickard also took tournament big bass honors.

PhotoS by John N. Felsher

sophomore at Pell City High School, brought in five bass for 15.72 pounds. He won a $2,500 scholarship.

“I caught my biggest fish on a topwater lure in less than three feet of water,” Gossett says. “The big one hit at about 8 a.m. I caught about 25 fish.”

Ethan Rickard, an 18-year-old senior at Florence High, finished third with five bass going 15.35 pounds. He landed a 6.66-pound largemouth that took tournament big bass honors. He earned a $1,500 scholarship for third place and a $500 scholarship for catching the biggest bass.

In the Junior Division, Austin Brown won with five bass and 14.57 pounds. The 14-year-old seventh grader from Plainview High School in Rainsville, Ala., earned $3,000 in scholarship money.

“I caught most of my fish on an unweighted white fluke in shallow water near grass,” Brown says. “I also caught some of my bigger fish on swimbaits. We probably caught about 40 fish.”

Garrett Jones, a 16-year-old freshman at Hartselle High, finished second in the Junior Division with five bass going 13.67 pounds.

He received a $2,500 scholarship.

In third for the junior anglers, Jacob Jefferys, a 15-year-old freshman from Muscle Shoals High, brought in five keepers for 10.48 pounds. He won a $1,500 scholarship.

In the spring of 2011, the Alabama Legislature passed House and Senate Joint Resolution HJR27 – Act 2011-156. This act proclaimed the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association as the official state organization governing student fishing events within the state.

John N. Felsher It also recogis a professional nized competifreelance writer and photographer who tive bass fishing lives in Semmes, Ala. tournaments as He’s written more official school than 1,700 articles for more than activities on par 117 magazines. He with such other co-hosts a weekly school sports outdoors radio show.

Contact him through such as football, his website at www. baseball, basketJohnNFelsher.com. ball and golf. A For more information, see www.FishPickwickLake.com or call the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256383-0783. www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

july 2013  33

Alabama Recipes

Seafood Cook of the Month: Kassie Luster, Central Alabama EC

Fish Tacos With Lime Sauce

1 pound of catfish filets 3 limes 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 cup shredded cabbage ⁄3 cup all-purpose flour 8 (6-7-inch) flour tortillas ½ cup shredded carrots 1 Serrano pepper, thinly sliced 1

Rinse fish and pat dry. Cut into 1-inch pieces. For lime sauce, juice 2 limes into bowl (cut remaining into wedges).

Stir mayonnaise and chili powder into juice. Transfer 1⁄3 cup of the sauce to another bowl; toss fish in sauce. Set aside remaining sauce. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. In shallow dish combine flour and salt. Working with about a third of the fish at a time, toss fish into flour mixture and place into hot oil. Cook 2-4 minutes or until fish flakes, turning to brown evenly and adding additional oil as needed. Drain fish on paper towels. Wrap tortillas in paper towels; heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Top tortillas with fish, cabbage, carrots and Serrano pepper.

Drizzle with lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.

You could win $50!

September October November

Upcoming recipe themes and deadlines are: Party Dips Deadline: July 15 Smoothies/Milkshakes Deadline: August 15 Barbecue Deadline September 15

Please send all submissions to: Recipe Editor, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124. Or e-mail to: recipes@areapower. coop. Be sure to include your address, phone number and the name of your electric cooperative.

I sure do love to eat seafood during the summer, especially at the beach. If you are on your way home from vacationing down at the Gulf, remember to take some Gulf seafood and these tasty recipes with you to try at home. Fresh Gulf seafood is available almost anywhere. If you will not be using the fish within a day or so, it’s best to freeze it immediately. Wrap the fish tightly in plastic wrap, squeezing all the air out, and then wrap tightly in aluminum foil and freeze. Remember to cook fresh seafood within two days of purchase. That locks in all the great flavor.

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

34 july 2013

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.

Crab and Cheese Spread

2 jars Old English Cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise Sprinkle of garlic powder

1 cup of crab meat (fresh, if available) *English muffins

Mix the first 4 ingredients together. After mixing, take the English muffins and split them into two pieces. Spread the mixture on the English muffins and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until the spread begins to brown a little (maybe only 5 minutes). Serve warm. *If desired, you can try with your favorite crackers as well.

Heather Glass, Black Warrior EMC

Quick and Easy Shrimp Casserole

1 onion, chopped 1 small can mushrooms, 1 bell pepper, chopped drained (pieces are 1 can cream of mushthe cheapest) room soup 2-3 cups shrimp 1 can cream of chicken 1 pound smoked soup sausage (I prefer 1½ cups cooked rice Bryan’s Cajun Sau 1 can Rotel tomatoes sage)

While rice is cooking, cut the sausage into little round circles and put in skillet and let brown. (Do not burn). Add onion and bell pepper and cook till tender. After rice is cooked, pour Rotel tomatoes, mushrooms and soups into the sausage mixture. Then add the rice and stir gently till well mixed. Then add the shrimp and simmer until shrimp is done. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and transfer casserole to dish. Ready to serve. My added touch is to sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over top, just cover lightly and melt in oven or microwave. Cook’s tip: Do not drain the sausage when you cook it down; it adds to the flavor!

Carrie D. Schoen, Baldwin EMC

Baked Salmon

Easy Baked Shrimp ½ cup butter 1 lemon, sliced 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 packet dried Italian seasoning

2 pounds of salmon 1 cup butter, melted 1 tablespoon red vinegar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice 1 teaspoon of dry mustard salt and pepper (cook uses garlic salt)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put salmon in small open shallow pan (pie pan type) size based on amount of salmon.

Stir together all ingredients and pour all but 1/4 cup over salmon. Bake at 450 for approximately 15 minutes. Pour remaining marinade over salmon and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until salmon flakes apart easily.

Connie Hestily, Baldwin EMC

Melt a stick of butter in the pan. Slice one lemon and layer it on top of the butter. Put down fresh shrimp, then sprinkle one pack of dried Italian seasoning. Put in the oven and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Stephanie Snyder, South Alabama EC

Alabama Living

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july 2013 35

Spicy Shrimp and Grits 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup quick-cooking grits 2 tablespoons butter 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1 green bell pepper diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound peeled and deveined small shrimp

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x12-inch baking dish. Bring chicken broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the grits, return to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the green onions, green pepper, and garlic; cook until the peppers have softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they begin to firm. Stir in Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shrimp and vegetable mixture, canned tomatoes, and black pepper into the grits; pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese. Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown, 30 to 45 minutes.

Jamie Petterson,Tallapoosa River EC

Tasty Tuna Steaks

2 6-ounce tuna steaks (sushi grade is best) 1 tablespoon lemon pepper 1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger dash cayenne pepper Wasabi sauce

Shrimp and Eggplant Soup

1 pound salted butter 1 small onion, diced 1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced (5 cups) 1 large tomato, diced and drained (11/2 cups)

11/2 cups all-purpose flour 11/2 pounds of small shrimp, peeled salt and pepper, to taste Old Bay seasoning, to taste

Pat tuna steaks dry. Mix spices and press on all sides of tuna. Let stand for 30 minutes. Grill or sauté on medium heat for 3 minutes per side for rare. Serve with Wasabi sauce. Can be served whole as an entree, or cut into bite-sized pieces and served as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Melt butter in a stock pot over medium-high heat and add onion, eggplant and tomato. Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes until onions caramelize. Whisk flour into mixture to make a roux. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Slowly add one gallon of water, whisking constantly. Bring the soup to a low-rolling boil and cook for 20 minutes. Add shrimp and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Season with salt, pepper and Old Bay to taste.

Janet Young, Baldwin EMC

Barbara Lawson, Baldwin EMC

36 july 2013

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.

Alabama Living

july 2013  37

Market Place Miscellaneous FREE BOOKS / DVDs – Soon government will enforce the “Mark” of the beast as church and state unite! Let Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771 – thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com, (888)211-1715 USED PORTABLE SAWMILLS – Buy / Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange (800)459-2148 or 713-sawmill. USA & Canada – www.sawmillexchange. com FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME! 1st Quality – No Seconds: Hardwood, Laminate, Carpet, Luxury Vinyl Tile & Planks, Sheet Vinyl, Ceramic Tile – In Home Estimates and Professional Installation available – ProTrax Flooring (334)531-3020, protraxinfo. gmail.com

AERMOTOR WATER PUMPING WINDMILLS – windmill parts – decorative windmills – custom built windmill towers - call Windpower (256)638-4399 or (256)638-2352 KEEP POND WATER CLEAN AND FISH HEALTHY with our aeration systems and pond supplies.

Windmill Electric and Fountain Aerators. Windpower (256)6384399, (256)899-3850

Business Opportunities EARN 55,000/YR PART TIME IN THE FARM EQUIPMENT and LIVESTOCK APPRAISAL BUSINESS. Ag background required – Classroom and Home Study courses available.

(800)488-7570 or visit www. amagappraisers.com

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START YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella’s Gourmet Scented Products.

Try the Best! Candles / Gifts / Beauty. Wonderful income potential! Enter Free Candle Drawing - www.naturesbest.scentteam.com

18X21 CARPORT $695 INSTALLED – Other sizes available (706)383-8554

PIANO TUNING PAYS – Learn with American Tuning School homestudy course – (800)497-9793

FOR SALE: 10 SPEED RASCAL MOTOR SCOOTER – Used less than 2 years – (334)493-7218 DIVORCE MADE EASY – Uncontested, Lost, in Prison or Aliens. $149.95 - 26 years experience – (417)443-6511 PUT YOUR OLD HOME MOVIES, PHOTOS, SLIDES or TAPES on DVD – (888)609-9778 or www.transferguy. com FINANCIAL HELP LINES FOR AL FAMILIES BANKRUPTCY ADVICE FOR FREE (877)933-1139 MORTGAGE RELIEF HELP LINE (888) 216-4173 STUDENT LOAN RELIEF LINE (888)694-8235 DEBT RELIEF NON-PROFIT LINE (888) 779-4272 Numbers provided by www.careconnectusa.org A Public Benefit Organization METAL ROOFING $1.79/LINFT – FACTORY DIRECT! 1st quality, 40yr Warranty, Energy Star rated. (price subject to change) 706-383-8554 WALL BEDS OF ALABAMA / SOLID WOOD & LOG FURNITURE / HANDCRAFTED AMISH CASKETS / ALABAMA MATTRESS OUTLET – SHOWROOM Collinsville, AL – Custom Built / Factory Direct (256)490-4025, www.andyswallbeds. com, www.alabamamattressoutlet. com

38 july 2013

Vacation Rentals PIGEON FORGE, TN – 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house for rent $75.00 a night – Call Bonnie at (256)338-1957 GULF SHORES – CRYSTAL TOWER CONDO - 2 bedroom/ 2 bath, Great Ocean View - www.vrbo.com #145108 - Call Owner (205)429-4886, crystaltower607@gmail.com GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN / NOT A CONDO! The original “Beach House” on Ft. Morgan peninsula – 2BR/1BA – Wi-Fi, pet friendly, nonsmoking – $895/wk, (256)418-2131, www.originalbeachhouseal.com

DISNEY – 15 MIN: 5BR / 3BA, private pool – www. orlandovacationoasis.com – (251)504-5756 APPALACHIAN TRAIL – Cabins by the trail in the Georgia Mountains – 3000’ above sea level, snowy winters, cool summers, inexpensive rates – (800)284-6866, www. bloodmountain.com GULF SHORES PLANTATION CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, NS / No Pets – Owner Rates – Email seelypartners@ yahoo.com or (740)815-7768, www. vrbo.com/414841 FT. WALTON BEACH HOUSE – 3BR / 2BA – Best buy at the Beach – (205)566-0892, mailady96@yahoo. com PENSACOLA BEACH CONDO – Gulf front – 7th floor balcony – 3BR / 2BA, sleeps 6, pool – (850)572-6295 or (850)968-2170 – www.ss703pensacola.com GULF SHORES CONDO BEACHSIDE – 2 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Pools, Wireless Internet, Non-Smoking, No Pets (256)287-0368, (205)613-3446

GULF SHORES COTTAGE – Waterfront, 2 / 1, pet friendly – Rates and Calendar online http:// www.vrbo.com/152418, (251)223-6114 GULF SHORES PLANTATION - Gulf view, beach side, 2 bedrooms / 2 baths, no smoking / no pets.

Owner rates (205)339-3850 GULF SHORES CONDO – 2BR / 1.5BA, sleeps 6, pool, beach access – (334)790-9545 CABINS / PIGEON FORGE, TN – Sleeps 2-6, Great Location (251)649-3344, (251)649-4049, www.hideawayprop.com ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226 PIGEON FORGE CABINS FOR RENT

BY OWNER – www.vrbo.com/101597 – Call (865)712-7633 CABIN IN MENTONE – 2/2, brow view, hottub – For rent $100/night or Sale $199,000 – (706)767-0177

GULF SHORES, WEST BEACH - Gulf view, sleeps 6 - www.vrbo. com/92623, (404)641-4939, (404)641-5314

GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie12@centurytel. net, (256)599-5552

GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN – AFFORDABLE Private Beach & Bay Homes, 1-9 Bedrooms, Pet Friendly Available – (800)678-2306 – http://www.gulfrentals.com

www.vacationsmithlake.com – NICE 3BR / 2BA, deep water, covered dock - $75.00 night – (256)352-5721, amariewisener@ gmail.com

ORANGE BEACH, AL CONDO – Sleeps 4, gulf and river amenities – Great Rates – (228)3694680 – pdavis528@gmail.com

PIGEON FORGE, TN: $89 - $125, 2BR/2BA, hot tub, air hockey, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, www. mylittlebitofheaven.com

GULF SHORES CONDO – 1BR, sleeps 4, Gulf-front – (251)342-4393

WWW.GULFSHORES4RENT.com Beautiful west beach in Gulf Shores – 4 great condos, each sleeps 6. Call (404)219-3189 or (404)702-9824

MENTONE, AL – LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN – billiard table, Jacuzzi, spacious home, sleeps 14 – www. duskdowningheights.com, (850)7665042, (850)661-0678.

GULF SHORES…2 large, one bedroom condos with sleeper sofa and full kitchen…Nice pool . Non Smoking, No Pets. Call Jennifer in Scottsboro at 256-599-4438. Condos also available in Daytona Beach.

GATLINBURG: Beautiful mountain condos in a great resort complete with large pool, game room, two hot tubs, grills and wireless internet. Call Jennifer in Scottsboro at 256-599-4438.

GULF SHORES PLANATION CONDOS – Beachview sleeps 6, Beachfront sleeps 4 – (251)223-9248

GULF SHORES RENTAL– Great Rates! (256)490-4025, (256)523-5154 or www.gulfshoresrentals.us

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Alabama Living

july 2013 39

Voices from the past Double doors at the end of a second floor hallway at the State Archives soon will open wide into ‘Alabama Voices,’ a past life you might have forgotten

By John Brightman Brock

G

oing inside the Museum of Alabama’s second floor gallery, “Alabama Voices,” you’ll enter a realm where history’s passages are freed from the confines of old history books, where cherished memories are unleashed from artifacts long discarded.

Catch your breath, and imagine a huge room divided into 10 captivating sections.

A gallery of huge proportions

Construction of the new wing at the Alabama Department of Archives and History is under way. The wing is scheduled to open to the public next year.

When this new gallery - all 10,500 square feet of it - opens next year, it will be 2014, but you’ll swear the magic of “Alabama Voices” is carrying you back through 300 years of state history.

Alabama Voices is designed to be the centerpiece of the Museum of Alabama expansion taking shape inside the second floor of the new wing of the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, says director Steve Murray.

“There’s nothing else quite like it in terms of the story it’s going to tell. It’s a fantastic story.”

Opening day ceremonies, planned for sometime next year, will pay tribute to an aggressive capital campaign funding the expansion through the efforts of leaders across the state - including

the Alabama Department of Archives and History Foundation, the Alabama Legislature, archivists, archeologists, leaders in education and philanthropy “who helped us articulate the vision we had,” Murray says.

He’s expecting about 1,000 people from across Alabama to attend, which would be much like the number who attended the opening of the first phase of the Museum, on Aug. 27, 2011, where the galleries “First Alabamians” and “The Land” were showcased.

Those galleries are just a step away from the big double doors of “Alabama Voices.”

Get prepared

As you enter in to the newest gallery, be prepared for a “wall of faces.”

“It will have an intro area beautifully lit where you are facing this giant wall of faces of people who lived in Alabama back to the early 1700s, and up to the present,” Murray says. “They will represent Alabamians in every walk of life.”

Among those static images are three large videos featuring revolving faces. “These are the faces that bring those ‘Alabama Voices’ that you will

hear,” Murray says. There will be 22 audio-video exhibits, along with ambient audio throughout.

“You are about to be introduced to an incredible cast of history - white, black, Hispanic - from the greatest wealth you have ever known to people who worked hard to survive as enslaved people on plantations. This runs the gamut from the Creek Indians who dominated the Alabama landscape in the early 1700s to the German engineers who came to Huntsville that sent Americans into space,” Murray says.

Making it a reality are some very talented contractors, according to Murray. “Then there’s the team members of the staff, and the third group are the donors who have allowed us raise $7 million to make this possible.” The first phase cost $1.7 million, Murray says.

A time to measure

From now through summer, that large space at the end of the second floor hallway will be the busy scene of drywall construction, electrical configurations and space prep.

“About July or August, our exhibit fabricators will show up with materials... cases, cabinetry, rail systems, beautiful free standing glass panels... all showing up on tractor trailers through late summer through the fall,” Murray says. Eventually, the area will be home to 800 artifacts.

“Everything is to be measured and photographed,” Murray says. “Everything to the tiniest bottom off of clothing, a political button up to a textile loom weighing 2,200 pounds.”

“This final process is born of a concept and vision of Ed Bridges, the former director of the Archives for 30 years,” he says. “It is very heavily shaped by his vision. All of us are committed to doing this for the people of the state ... And it’s important for us to do it for Ed. He spent 30 years working here in the Archives, gathering research, writing, developing the best possibilities of an incredibly rich history.”

For Bridges, it has been, and still is, all about Alabama.

“I believe this new exhibit will be a remarkable addition to the cultural life of Alabama. It is the first museum effort ever to tell the history of the state as a coherent overall story - from the geological forces that shaped the land to the start of the 21st century,” Bridges said in an e-mail.

“It will be a place where Alabamians and our guests can see and interact with this story, a place of education and personal enrichment. A team of distinguished Alabama historians, the staff of the Archives, and some of the leading museum designers and builders in the U.S. have worked for several years to make this new exhibit possible,” says Bridges.

Alabama Living

The new gallery will cover 10,500 square feet on the second floor of the archives.

Murray says he appreciates the encouragement ADAH has received.

“We are very grateful to Gov. Robert Bentley and the legislative leadership for providing resources to support the operation of the department and our new museum exhibits. The state’s support for operations is especially important and appreciated in light of the $7 million that we raised in private sources to cover the cost of construction.”

Meanwhile, the project is on schedule, Murray says, “and we are working very hard to keep it that way. ...” A

july 2013 41

For decades, WEC members had to read their own electric meters and mail the results to the cooperative. In 2007, WEC made a major system upgrade by moving to a more costeffective, reliable approach: automated meter reading. The idea was that WEC could use this technology to provide better, more reliable electric service to all its members.

Put simply: It worked.

Since that time, automated meter readings have saved members time and hassle, while also saving them money.

The new technology, which was rolled out in late 2007, has provided more accurate readings, and increased awareness of costly power problems — all of which has ultimately kept costs lower for members.

Before the automated system was implemented, WEC employees would have to spend significant amounts of time sorting through more than 20,000 meters worth of information that arrived in the mail each month. Members also had to deal with long lines and busy signals during the hectic payment period.

Now, with the automated meter reading program, billing is more efficient and accurate.

The new system also alerts employees to outages, and allows them to keep track of all the homes where power has been restored. This helps WEC respond faster and more efficiently to outages.

The automated meter reading system saves the cooperative an estimated $450,000 every year in labor, paperwork and other operating costs.

Members can generate reports with valuable information on customer usage, giving them a way to track and monitor their own meter usage. This has allowed WEC to offer services such as InControl — WEC’s prepay program, as well as valuable monitoring tools on www.wiregrass.coop that help members understand their electricity usage.

“The system is also safe,” says Larry Smith, manager of special projects for WEC. “It protects the privacy of our members.

“Unlike some automated reader systems recently discussed in news reports, WEC’s automated meter reading system is not on a wireless system,” says Smith. “Because of that fact, no data is broadcast and no signal exists for hackers or other criminals to retrieve or change information.”

Members should feel confident their information or personal data is being kept completely secure.

42 July 2013

July13 WEC Alabama Living.indd 34

photos by Cherokee Spivey

WEC’s switch to automated meter reading saves members money, protects privacy

Automated meters (above) allow users to view valuable information about their electricity usage, as well as receive accurate billing information.

They also allow WEC to track and solve outages faster (left).

WEC helps keep data private, even from employees. While most employees don’t have access to any member information, those that do are limited to a few key points necessary to perform their jobs.

“Every transaction in our system is logged, as is who initiated the command,” says Smith. “Our information is encrypted, and without code information it’s impossible to decipher our orders.”

The meter itself is tested for accuracy, too, Smith says, so members can feel confident that everyone is getting a correct reading and an accurate bill.

If a member does suspect a problem, however, WEC will be happy to investigate and check the accuracy of the meter.

“The automated meter reading system provides accurate, timely billing and information for members,” says Brad Kimbro, director of member services at WEC. “It also gives members information about their energy usage to help them make changes that can lower their power bills.” A

www.wiregrass.coop

6/12/13 6:17 PM

Free smart phone app offers severe weather alerts for Alabama Alabama residents can now stay one step ahead of tornadoes, hurricanes and severe storms with the new SAFT-Net smartphone app.

This free app is the latest offering from the Alabama SAFT-Net, a severe weather alert system. The app notifies users when they are in the path of severe weather, and provides radar and satellite images, temperatures and an hourly forecast.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative has joined SAF-T-Net’s network of media partners to make enrollment easier for its members. “This is the kind of technology that saves lives, and we’re proud to be a partner in it,” says Brad Kimbro, director of member services at Wiregrass Electric Cooperative.

Baron Services, a leading weather technology company, originally donated the SAF-T-Net program to Alabama in 2012 in response to the Tornado Recovery Action Council and the devastation of the April 2011 tornadoes. This program allows users to track severe weather by text alerts, phone messages and email on their mobile phones. The new app goes a few steps further, and offers more features and updated technology.

Users can request up to four locations to be monitored so that they can stay up-to-date on severe weather conditions at home, school and work. In addition, the app’s “Follow Me” technology allows the smartphone’s internal GPS to act as a monitored location, no matter where the user is.

This means that wherever a user decides to go — the SAF-T-Net app can help keep them and their family safe.

Members who are interested in staying s afe dur ing s e vere weather can go to www. wiregrass.coop to find out more information, including how to plan for a hurricane, prepare a disaster kit and more. A

To install the free SAF-T-Net app on a smart phone, follow these steps: 1. Visit www.wiregrass.coop, click on “Weather Central” and then click “SAF-T-Net”

2. When the SAF-T-Net website opens, click the iPhone or Android button, depending on the type of phone used.

3. From there, a download page will appear for the compatible app.

4. Install the app onto the mobile device.

5. Click on the “Alerts” tab at the bottom of the screen, and enable alerts. This will direct users to a setup screen that allows them to set locations and desired alerts. Note: To receive Alabama SAF-T-Net alerts from the app, users must set their location and desired alerts. Alerts in the app are separate from any current Alabama SAF-T-Net accounts, so users who don’t want duplicate alerts can do the following: • Log into their current Alabama SAF-T-Net account at https://saftnet2.baronservices.com.

• Go to “Your Account” tab.

• Check the “Disable my Account” checkbox, and click “Update.”

Users can also text “stop” to 61872 to end any current text message alerts, if desired. In either case, the text account should not be disabled online before the app account is set up. Otherwise, it will cause an interruption in service.

The new SAF-T-Net app can help keep you and your family safe in case of severe weather. Follow the directions to the right to download the app.

Alabama Living July 2013 43

July13 WEC Alabama Living.indd 35

6/12/13 6:17 PM

Our Sources Say

Guns, games and movies

U

nless you have been hibernating for the past six months, you have at least heard of the gun control debate in the wake of the tragic mass murder of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

The progressive front led by Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif. wants to ban assault weapons, if not all private firearms. President Obama has called Congress to action and has promised to use all the power of his office to protect against similar attacks.

The president appointed a Gun Violence Task Force chaired by Vice President Joe Biden that has proposed the ban of assault weapons, expanded firearm background checks and limitations on magazine capacity. The National Rifle Association

Gary Smith is President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative 42 july 2013

(NRA) has criticized the president for demonizing firearms and advocates no change from current laws and regulation of firearm ownership. Congress has yet to act, and the debate continues to wallow in the political accusations and attacks that have framed almost every issue for the past decade.

I took up bird hunting a few years ago. I have acquired five shotguns to hunt birds, which may be a couple too many. I have also accumulated three pistols over the years – for personal protection, I guess. I don’t own or have a particular use for a semi-automatic weapon or large capacity magazines. However, I have friends that own assault weapons and ammunition for self-defense.

As a gun owner, I wonder how the outcome of the gun control debate (assuming there is one) will affect my shotguns and bird hunting. I also wonder whether additional background checks and/or bans of assault weapons would prevent tragedies like the Sandy Hook massacre.

I wonder why only gun control is under debate. After all, the guns wouldn’t have killed at Sandy Hook without Adam Lanza pulling the triggers. I also wonder why Adam Lanza would kill children and teachers he had never met.

I wonder if it was easy access to guns, ammunition and large capacity magazines that was the root cause of the tragedy or something else very wrong with Adam Lanza. I suspect it was the latter – maybe the influence of violence in movies, television and video games that caused him to kill.

After all, what do we see in Bruce Willis or Vin Diesel action movies other than raw violence? The hero usually takes matters in his own hands to protect himself or family or avenge some wrong of evil-doers that legal authorities cannot or

will not control. After much suffering, the hero kills or severely injures his enemies.

In the end, the good guy stands tall and goes home happy. Violence and killing are justified so long as you are avenging a wrong as they are in the movies.

Video games are very similar. The objective of most warfare games is to kill the enemy before they kill you. The games’ graphics are so realistic you can imagine you are living the game. Killing and maiming is fine so long as it is to avenge actions of evil-doers. Also, once the game is over, you just hit the reset button and everyone is alive again – especially your character.

But what about those people – maybe like Adam Lanza – who have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality? The American Academy of Pediatrics finds convincing evidence that media violence is one of the causal factors of real-life violence and aggression. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry concludes through hundreds of studies that children may become immune or numb to the horror of violence they see in movies and gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems. They imitate the violence they see in movies and games.

So why are only guns being attacked?

Why isn’t there a call to reduce violence in movies and video games? Our children need protection from a number of things in society today, including mass murder in our schools. But our children also need protection from things we take for granted or don’t even think twice about, like the violence and death depicted so frequently in movies, video games and television. Or is our society so far gone that all we can do to protect our children is try to take the weapons out of circulation?

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a good month. A www.alabamaliving.coop

Market Place

Alabama Living

july 2013  45

Alabama Snapshots

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Mustaches 5 6 4

Submit Your Images! september Theme:

“Tailgating”

Send color photos with a large 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. Alabama Living is not responsible for lost or damaged photos.

Deadline for September: July 31

46 july 2013

1. The ladies (and baby Stetsen) of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative show off their mustaches submitted by WEC employees 2. “Zzzzzz”: Kole Odom napping submitted by Brent and Samantha Odom, Greenville 3. “The Three Amigos”: Robert, Wayne and David Byrd submitted

by D. Byrd, Monroeville

4. Rebecca Arrington, Hannah Hoover and Tori Arrington having fun submitted by Rebecca Arrington, Fort Payne 5. Dakota Price submitted by Traci Price, Verbena 6. Drew Lacey, distinguished gentleman submitted by Billie Lacey, Ashland 7. Fred and Hudson Oliver submitted

by Altha Oliver, Cullman

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Southern Occasions CO O K B O O K You’ll find recipes like these and more inside!

Italian Chicken Sticks Mexi Muffins Apricot Jam Bars Caramel Corn Orange Slush Deer Meat Enchiladas White Chicken Chili Take-Along Cake Swiss Cheese Dip Italian Tiramisu Blueberry Dream Dessert

Southern Occasions

CO O K B O O K