Discover East Alabama Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

SWEET SUMMERTIME

3 strategies to beat the summer heat The dog days of summer can be challenging. As the mercury rises to potentially unhealthy heights, spending time outdoors can become less comfortable and even dangerous.

Finding ways to beat the summer heat can help people avoid injury and illness and ensure they still get to enjoy their summers. The following are three ways to beat the summer heat, though it’s important that seniors, pregnant women, parents of young children, and anyone with a preexisting health condition speak with their physicians about the precautions they should take before going outside on hot days.

1. Change your exercise routine, if necessary Summer is a great time to exercise outdoors. However, it’s important that people who are used to working out in midday change their outdoor exercise routines on hot days. Members of the Miami-based Bikila Athletic Club provide a list of tips to new members who may be unaccustomed to the Florida heat and humidity. One of those tips recommends training early in the morning before the sun gets

too high. During the dog days of summer, early morning temperatures tend to be more mild than midday temperatures.

That can reduce athletes’ risk of injury or illness, though it’s still important to avoid exercising in especially hot temperatures regardless of the time of day.

2. Practice passive cooling at night Nightflushing is a passive cooling technique that involves opening the windows in a home at night. Doing so can make indoor areas healthier and more comfortable for a home’s inhabitants during the dog days of summer.

HVAC systems keep homes cool in summer, but over time hot and stale air can accumulate inside a home.

If that air is not removed, a home can feel

stuffy and airborne pollutants like carbon dioxide can reach potentially unhealthy levels. By opening their windows at night, homeowners can let that stale, potentially unhealthy air out and let the cool air of summer evenings in.

3. Stay hydrated It’s easy to become dehydrated at any time of year, but

especially so during the dog days of summer. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that the human body needs an average of three quarts of water per day on a normal day. However, conditions on mid- to latesummer days make it necessary for many people to consume more water than that, especially if they plan to spend time outdoors. On hot days, make sure you’re taking in more fluids than you’re losing.

Take water with you when going outside, and be sure to rehydrate with more water when going back indoors.

Summer heat can be a formidable opponent, but it can be overcome in various ways.

SWEET SUMMERTIME

FEATURES 2. 3 STRATEGIES TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT 4. ALABAMIANS FIND STATE PARKS TO BE FUN RETREATS 5. HOW EVERYDAY CITIZENS CAN PROTECT LOCAL PARKS 6. ALABAMA STATE PARKS 7. WHAT TO DO AFTER SUFFERING A SUNBURN 8. AUBURN BOOKWORMS HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF SUMMER READING OPTIONS 10. ALWAYS PRACTICE SUMMER SUN SAFETY 11. TV NIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY 12. LOCAL STUDENTS ADJUST SUMMER PLANS ON THE FLY 13. CREATING YOUR OWN BACKYARD OASIS 14. IT’S ALWAYS THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR FOR FRESH APPLE PIE 15. KEEP PETS COOL, COMFORTABLE AND SAFE DURING HOT WEATHER

WELCOME Welcome to the Summer edition of Discover East Alabama!

The magazine is a quarterly publication produced by the staff of the Opelika-Auburn News.

This issue is all about filling up those broiling, long Dog Days of Summer in the time of COVID-19.

We offer tips for family activities in such venues as Chewacla State Park, local libraries and your living room. And for students, we look into the dreaded Summer Job phenomena.

Mike Eads Editor Published by the Opelika-Auburn News Summer 2020 - Cover Price $3

President, Alabama Region: Wynn Christian Layout Designer: Jessica Henderson Editor: Mike Eads

Alabamians find state parks to be fun retreats

Photo by Jon Dykstra

By Jon Dykstra jdykstra@oanow.com

All sorts of industries have felt the effects of COVID-19 in recent months, perhaps none more than tourism. With people either encouraged or ordered, depending on the state, to stay at home, that has also uprooted the vacation plans of many families.

National and international travel greatly decreased, as families began to look closer to home for their trips.

One alternative which is lower in risk and cost is the Alabama State Park system.

“I don’t think we’ve ever dropped down,” Chewacla State Park Administrator Joshua Funderburk said. “We’ve been busy the whole time.”

For residents of Lee County, Chewacla State Park is just down the road.

Still busy Funderburk says park use has actually increased during the pandemic, thanks to families eager to escape their homes and

spend some time outdoors.

different types of camping sites.

“I think mom and dad are going a little bit stir-crazy with the little kids at home,” Funderburk said. “This will let them out. You can get a little bit of energy out of them, let them run, let them scream. Because they are not able to do school and see their friends the way they normally are, you know, you can do it here and still stay distant.”

Most of the park’s features remain open to the public, just like they were before the pandemic, but park officials encourage guests to refrain from using the playground equipment and continue to practice social distancing.

Guests are also asked to avoid gathering in groups larger than 10 people.

During Memorial Day weekend — traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the parks — Funderburk says the park was as full as ever.

“Here lately, I’ve been seeing tons of people,” Funderburk said. “It is even more than a normal Memorial Day weekend. My phones are ringing constantly.”

Chewacla State Park offers camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, a waterfall and the lake itself. The park also offers cottages to rent, as well as several

4 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | SUMMER 2020

“We’ve doing business pretty much as usual,” Funderburk said. “We’ve got the playground closed, we don’t want people getting on those yet because

there isn’t really a way to clean those off.

“We are still telling people

O-A News file photo

to social distance themselves and for the most part it looks like people are. There are areas where I wish it was a little bit more, but most of it looks like people are following the socialdistancing rules.”

Family time Families are spending more time together, without school and the usual slate of activities for children to enjoy. That can be very fun, but also a struggle.

That was the case for the Carden family. Rex Carden, his wife and three daughters, who chose Chewacla State Park as their first big family trip since the pandemic restrictions began.

“This is the first time that we have left Birmingham, which is where we are from,” Carden said. “We have been going outside in local parks, but nothing like this.”

The family of five was excited to spend the day in nature.

“It is great,” Carden said. “We basically have cabin fever, and are ready to get outside.”

Mother Nature has provided the perfect alternative for the Carden family. The expanse of a park gave them the space to spread out and enjoy themselves without being in constant contact with others.

“We are still being a little cautious and trying to make sure that we still stay a relative good distance away from people, but we are glad to be outside,” Carden said.

“We are mostly focusing on outdoor activities right now.”

Something for everyone Roughing it in the Great Outdoors may not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing vacation, but Chewacla has also seen an increase in day trippers. The trails and lakes are open for visitors who don’t wish to spend the night and prefer to just get out of the house for a few hours.

That was how the Story family chose to spend their Memorial Day weekend Sunday afternoon.

“We just wanted to get out of the house and be in nature, so we came to a state park,” John Story said.

They made the trip to Auburn from Prattville, following the suggestion of John’s son Max that he’d like to check out Chewacla State Park.

“We were just ready to get out and today was a good opportunity.” John Story said.

Although they aren’t taking advantage of the campground, the family of four was still able to find plenty to make their trip worthwhile.

“We are going to have a picnic, hike some more and see the waterfall,” Story said.

A must stop The Ruppert family recently moved to Pike Road from West

Virginia, and it didn’t them long to identify Chewacla State Park as one of the family destinations they needed to make. After seeing a friend’s pictures from their trip to the park, they decided to experience it for themselves.

“It just looked like a beautiful place with the waterfall and we decided to come out here and check it out,” Chaz Ruppert said.

That fact that it is such a large park only added to the attraction for Ruppert, who made the trip with his wife, son and daughter.

“That is the big benefit to be being out at a place like this,” Ruppert said. “You can be out, enjoy yourself, see other people and still at the same time keep your distance from them and

not put anybody at risk for anything.”

The family hadn’t avoided the outdoors by any means before visiting Auburn, but they had tried to stay close to home before Memorial Day weekend.

“We’ve went fishing a couple times to a pond that is near us, but yes, just to be out and maybe around other people like this, it is the first time,” Ruppert said.

The decision to act on their friend’s recommendation certainly is one that the Ruppert family is grateful for.

“We are very happy to be outside now,” Ruppert said.

“It has been a little stressful on everyone being cooped this entire time. It is really nice to get our here and enjoy nature like it was meant to be.”

How everyday citizens can protect local parks Local, state, and national parks provide great, often awe-inspiring respites from more developed areas. According to the National Park Service, the United States is home to 59 protected areas designated as national parks, and the NPS encompasses hundreds of additional national park sites as well.

National parks have made headlines in recent years, as debates about oil drilling in parks in the United States drew the ire of environmentalists and outdoorsmen alike. While such debates can make everyday citizens feel helpless in regard to protecting the parks they love, the following are a handful of simple ways ordinary men and women can chip in to protect local and national parks.

Contact your local government representative Whether you live in the United States, Canada or another country where parks are vulnerable to drilling or other potentially harmful activity, contact your local government representative to voice your concerns. One person acting alone can feel insignificant, but if enough citizens voice their concerns, they can compel their

representatives to make changes that protect parks for years to come.

Obey the rules The opportunity to explore is a great reason to visit parks, but it’s important that park visitors adhere to park rules by hiking and camping in only those areas designated as hikerand camper-friendly. By veering off course, park visitors may inadvertently disturb local plant and wildlife.

Leave nothing behind Memories are not the only things park visitors should take with them when they leave the park. Estimates suggest that as much as 100 million pounds of garbage are generated at California’s Yosemite National Park each year. Significant damage can result if even a tiny fraction of that garbage is left behind. In addition, park officials forced to expend their limited resources on garbage pickup may not have enough resources left to address other issues, further threatening the park.

Whether you’re hiking or camping,

make sure everything you take into the park comes with you when you leave. If you have trash, make sure it’s deposited into the appropriate receptacles.

Encourage activism Outdoors enthusiasts who want to protect their beloved parks can encourage activism in their communities. Work with park officials to organize trash pickup days at the park or organize activities for school-aged youngsters that teach them the importance of conservation and respecting the environment.

Protecting parks is the responsibility of governments and their citizens. While everyday citizens may see protecting parks as a daunting task, there are many simple ways they can protect parks and preserve them for decades to come.

SUMMER 2020 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | 5

Alabama State Parks

Located near Lake Guntersville and in the Appalachian foothills, activities include fishing, hiking and a scenic overlook.

Lake Lurleen State Park Coker

176 miles

Activities include swimming, fishing, trails, camping and boat rentals. The nature center is currently closed.

Cathedral Caverns State Park Woodville 179 miles Photo by Jon Dykstra

By Jon Dykstra jdykstra@oanow.com

Distances listed are the mileages from the Auburn-Opelika News offices.

Chewacla State Park Auburn 9 miles

The park includes swimming, geocaching, hiking and mountain biking. Lodging includes cabins and camping.

Wind Creek State Park Alexander City 42 miles

Located on Lake Martin, activities include fishing, archery, boating, putt-putt golf, zip-lining, swimming and hiking.

Lakepoint State Park Eufaula

53 miles

‘The Bass Capital of the World’ is Lake Eufaula and activities include fishing, swimming, boating and a marina. The park also includes a lodge and convention center.

Blue Springs State Park Cilo

79 miles

Known for its swimming pools fed by an underground spring which stays 68 degrees year round. Other activities include camping, fishing, pedal boats, volleyball and trails.

Cheaha State Park Delta

81 miles

While the museums are

closed, Cheana includes a dog park, outdoor recreation, hiking trails, a restaurant

and several lodging options.

Cheaha is the highest point in the state.

Activities include cave tours, hiking and swimming.

113 miles

Located on Alabama’s only natural lake, the park includes a wetlands park, trails, fishing and boating.

Oak Mountain State Park Pelham

Alabama’s largest state park includes a golf course, wildlife center, aquapark, archery park, demonstration farm and marina. Other activities include horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, falconry, watersports and fishing.

Paul Grist State Park Selma

113 miles

Activities include hiking, fishing, horseback riding and swimming.

Frank Jackson State Park Opp

128 miles

Lake Jackson is known for its fishing, but also offers trails and camping.

Roland Cooper State Park Camden

135 miles

The park is known for its fishing at Dannelly Reservoir.

Other attractions include the Black Belt Birding Trail.

Rickwood Caverns State Park Warrior

143 miles

The cave contains 260 million year old formations.

6 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | SUMMER 2020

Lake Jackson RV Park Florala

148 miles

DeSoto State Park Fort Payne 159 miles

Atop Lookout Mountain, DeSoto is known for its waterfalls and scenic views.

Activities include fly fishing, geocaching, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, yoga and zip-lining.

Chickasaw State Park Gallion

160 miles

Park has a wading pool, playground and offers camping.

Lake Guntersville State Park Gunthersville 164 miles

Activities include horseback riding, boat rentals, trails, fishing, golfing, geocaching and zip-lining. Lodging includes cabins, a lodge and camping.

Bucks Pocket State Park Grove Oak 176 miles

The cave originally know as bat cave offers cave tours and “gemstone mining.” Camping and hiking trails are also available.

Monte Sano State Park Huntsville 197 miles

Activities include disc golf and hiking. The park has the Wernher Von Braun Planetarium, the North Alabama Japanese Garden, and the Civilian Conservation Corp Museum and Memorial.

Bladon Springs State Park Bladon Springs 205 miles

With four mineral wells on on the property, it was opened as a private spa. Activities include camping and a birding trail.

Meaher State Park Spanish Fort 223 miles

Located in the wetlands north of Mobile Bay, activities include geocaching, trails, fishing and paddling.

Joe Wheeler State Park Rogersville 228 miles

Located on Wheeler Lake, the resort includes a golf course, boat rentals, disc golf, fishing, a marina, lake tours, swimming and trails.

Gulf State Park Gulf Shores 256 miles

Gulf State Park offers beaches, a dog pond, fishing, geocaching, trails and the pier.

Summer fun routinely involves days spent soaking up some of the sun’s rays. Relaxing days at the beach, barbecues in the backyard or picnics at the park can make for fun summer activities that create lasting memories.

While spending time in the great outdoors is a great way to take advantage of summer weather, it’s important that revelers take steps to prevent sunburn when spending days beneath the hot summer sun.

Sunburns may seem temporary, but the Skin Cancer Foundation notes that sunburn can cause long-lasting skin damage. In addition, the SCF notes that a person’s risk for melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.

It can take several hours to notice the full damage of a sunburn, though some people may notice mild symptoms of sunburn more quickly than that. The SCF recommends that people get out of the sun at the first sign of sunburn, and then take the following steps to treat their skin.

Cool the skin down quickly People sitting near cool water, whether it’s the ocean or a backyard pool, should take a quick dip to cool their skin.

Make this dip quick so your skin is not further exposed to the sun. After taking a dip, cover up your skin and get out of the sun, continuing to cool the skin with a cold compress. Do not apply ice directly to sunburned skin. Some people may want to take a cool shower or bath after suffering a sunburn. While that’s alright, the SCF recommends keeping the bath or shower short, as long baths or showers can dry the skin, and avoiding harsh soap that can be irritating.

Moisturize skin while it’s still damp Apply a gentle moisturizing lotion while the skin is still damp, and continue doing so to affected areas for a few days.

Avoid petroleum- or oil-based

What to do after suffering a sunburn

ointments, as they can trap the heat and make burns worse.

Decrease inflammation.

A nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen can help sunburned men and women manage the pain and discomfort associated with their sunburns. Symptoms such as redness and swelling may be mitigated with a 1 percent over-the-counter cortisone cream applied as directed for a few days.

Symptoms of severe sunburn include blistering of the skin, fever, chills, wooziness, and/or feelings of confusion. Report such symptoms to a physician immediately, and avoid popping blisters, as doing so can lead to infection.

Sunburns can always be avoided. Men, women and children planning to spend time in the sun should take every measure to avoid sunburn, which can produce long-lasting damage to the skin.

Wear the right clothing Tight clothing can rub up against sunburned skin and irritate it even further. Until sunburned skin returns to normal, wear loose, soft and breathable clothing to keep irritation to a minimum.

Make a conscious effort to stay hydrated Sunburns draw fluid to the surface of skin, taking it away from the rest of the body. So it’s important that men and women who have suffered a sunburn make a conscious effort to drink more fluids until their skin heals so they can avoid becoming dehydrated.

Report severe sunburns to a physician

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SUMMER 2020 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | 7

unavailable items can place a request through Cloud Library and have it available in roughly a week or two.

There’s Flipster, a digital magazine collection with nearly 60 magazines available such as Sports Illustrated, Southern Living, and Better Homes and Gardens. Each magazine in the Flipster catalogue offers readers back issues going back to when that magazine was first added to the system.

Auburn bookworms have no shortage of summer reading options

Photo by Jordan Hill

By Jordan D. Hill jhill@oanow.com

During a summer unlike any before, more and more people are grabbing a good book to get through the day and keep their minds stimulated. Fortunately, there are some incredibly useful resources to make that happen in Auburn.

The Auburn Public Library is a free option for readers in the weeks and months to come.

The near doubling of demand for digital options during the coronavirus pandemic has led to the library offering more of those options than ever before.

People looking to read and support a local business at the same time can also turn to Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, which has a staff that has worked relentlessly through a wild few months to provide plentiful options for book lovers.

Check out, check in The library was closed to the public at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but by the end of May it had slowly

begun the process of opening back up. Library Director Chris Warren said recently that he hopes to resume normal operations sometime in July.

Digital services librarian Brandon Rowland said as of press time there is still limited access to the actual library building, with the computer lab limited to 13 computers, about half its normal capacity. The library is also offering curbside service for those who want to call ahead and pick up their books in person later as well as counter service where a staff member will retrieve books for each patron.

The computers, as well as the library’s self-checkout machines, are sanitized after each use.

Given how people are rightfully eager to avoid as much contact with others as possible, it’s easy to see how the curbside pick-up would be a popular option. But as Rowland explained, the word “popular” is nothing short of an understatement.

8 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | SUMMER 2020

“The day that we opened for curbside, our phones were inundated with people calling to place holds and pick up items,” Rowland said. “We were actually having to work through one person on the line and one person checking the voicemail because it was stacking up enough that we were just slammed the whole day.”

Many people use curbside in order to stay away from others.

Those who want even fewer interactions than that are in luck, as the library also offers anyone with a library card a vast amount of digital options all accessible at https:// www.auburnalabama. org/library/.

The library has a number of eBooks and audiobooks available through Cloud Library, which allows users to check out five items at a time. Rowland said the library focuses a lot on patron requests, and those interested in

Flipster also includes Consumer Reports for people interested in ordering different items. If someone is looking for reviews on a specific product, Rowland said explained they can search all the editions of Consumer Reports at once in order to find what they’re looking for.

Additionally, the library has temporary access to Tumble Books — which has books geared toward K-through6th grade readers, as well as some teen books — and has a subscription service for the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Thanks to the Alabama State Library Service and Career Alabama, the library also offers job skills and career help resources to help with job search assistance and academic tutoring.

Anyone interested in using the library – but doesn’t have a library card – are in luck.

They can visit the library’s main website and sign up via a link on the orange banner, which will

Photo by Jordan Hill

provide them with a temporary card that will be good for one month and give them access to all the library’s digital products.

Rowland explained that anyone who gets the temporary card should swing by the library, so the staff can verify their card information and give them an actual, physical card.

If someone wants to read something, but they are struggling to decide on what exactly, he and the staff can help with that, too.

“People are definitely looking for things to read,” Rowland said. “If you’re looking for something to read and you’re not sure what you want to read next, we do offer readers’ advisory. We can do that over the phone. You can call in, kind of tell us what you like, what your last book you read that you enjoyed was and we can go from there and try to find some great reads for you.”

Booking it downtown

local businesses have dealt with recently.

“We have had a lot of people who have been reaching out, which has been wonderful. The Auburn community is just so incredibly supportive,” Wilcox said. “Obviously business in general has been really, really complicated over the past two months. We haven’t seen a huge spike in business, but we have seen a lot of people calling in and looking to take advantage of this time to read.”

Wilcox said the store’s greatest strength is its staff, and she has been able to use their knowledge and love of books to the utmost potential.

Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers has recommendations on review cards for many of the 5,000 books in the store’s inventory, in order to help would-be readers decide if if that particular book is right for them. The store also has what Wilcox calls “blind date books” – books the staff

Opelika expands hours Opelika’s Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library has resumed normal business hours.

Itwill be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. Doors will open Saturday at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Sunday will be the shortest day of operation, beginning at 1 p.m. and closing at 5 p.m.

Patrons will be able to enter the building through either entrance, starting Saturday. Social distancing will still be in effect inside the library, with staff placing furniture 6 feet away from each other. The furniture will be sanitized regularly.

Patrons who visit the library must wear a mask, maintain social distance from staff and other patrons and not visit if they feel sick.

The individual study rooms and genealogy room will both be available by appointment for patrons to use. The upstairs reading room and large meeting room are still unavailable.

Like so many other local businesses, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers has ramped up its digital options significantly.

The home website, https:// auburnoilbooksellers.com/, offers a book seller to answer questions through an online messenger. The store also has a web page with Bookshop. org, a site designed to be the

People having more time to read this summer was in theory great news for June Wilcox, owner of Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, located downtown on East Magnolia Avenue.

In practice, however, the COVID-19 restrictions meant a lot of adjustments by Wilcox and her staff.

Wilcox said more people are looking for recommendations for themselves and their children; however, that hasn’t spared her the headaches and uncertainty that all

Wilcox has a store in Auburn and another in Greenville, South Carolina. The differences in the two are interesting, she said.

Auburn is more locally-focused, which makes being there and providing for local readers a worthwhile endeavor for her.

“We felt like when we opened the doors in October, we knew the demographic was right for a bookstore in Auburn with the university community around it, but we didn’t realize that there was going to be such a warm welcome — that it would really be filling a void in the community in a really special way,” Wilcox said. “We’re just extremely grateful for the Auburn community. We’re looking forward to a little more normal times.”

The independent book store reopened in May, after offering curbside service for the first few weeks and months of the pandemic. That remains a popular option, as it allows customers to call the store, get recommendations, buy over the phone and pick their copies up at a table outside.

The store is now allowing up to five people inside at a time, and the employees have drastically increased how often they clean inside.

auburnoilbooksellers – has been a huge support and gives the store the ability to order titles they wouldn’t have in house.

Photo by Jordan Hill

has wrapped up and written bullets of information about so customers don’t literally judge the book by its cover.

independent version of an Amazon with the sole purpose of serving the independent book store community.

“It’s amazing that people can find these really great reads that they might have otherwise missed,” Wilcox said.

As of press time, Bookshop has raised $1.8 million for local bookstores. Wilcox said the site –https://bookshop.org/shop/

The Auburn Public Library and Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers are two local options that can provide for those wanting to get lost in a book for a while.

Although so much has changed in the last year, a message by Lisa Lucas, executive director for the National Book Foundation, last February rings true in a new era of summer reading.

“Stop saying books are dead,” Lucas wrote in Time Magazine.

“They are more alive than ever.”

SUMMER 2020 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | 9

Always practice summer sun safety When the weather is warm, many people take time to relax at the beach or poolside. While such relaxation can provide a welcome break from busy schedules, it’s important that men, women and children prioritize protecting their skin when spending time in the sun.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is the most common form of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society notes that each year there are more new cases of skin cancer in the United States than the combined incidences of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. Despite that prevalence, many people still engage in risky behaviors in the name of outdoor enjoyment.

Being safe in the sun won’t take anything away from enjoyable outdoor activities,

but exercising such caution will help summer revelers reduce their risk for skin cancer and other conditions.

Know the risks of UV exposure Sunlight is needed to engage vitamin D production in the body, but too much sun exposure can do more harm

than good. Ultraviolet, or UV, rays from the sun and other sources, such as tanning beds, are the primary cause of skin cancer. Exposure also can lead to sunburns, premature aging/ wrinkling and eye damage.

Use only broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen Look for a sunblock product that boasts an SPF of at least 30. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging. Find a sunscreen that works against UVA and UVB rays as well. UVA rays are mostly responsible for contributing to skin cancer and premature aging.

Reapply frequently, especially when swimming or engaging in activities that cause sweating.

Know the difference between waterresistant and waterproof sunscreens Manufacturers are no longer allowed to claim that their sunscreens are waterproof or sweatproof. A sunscreen may be able to repel water for a short

time, but it should be reapplied when leaving the water or when spending long stretches in the water.

Cover up whenever possible It may seem counterintuitive in hot weather, but covering up can be beneficial to the skin and actually keep a person cooler.

Wear wide-brimmed hats, longsleeve tops and light-colored pants. Some materials are made with reflective properties, while others actually boast their own SPF. Summer fun does not need to be threatened by overexposure to the sun. By exercising caution, everyone can spend quality time in the great outdoors all summer long.

with a family film, something that everyone will be able to get into. The best family films not only have a good plot that’s easy to follow, but they’re also appropriate for everyone.

Parents will want to make sure that they pay attention to the film’s rating if young children will be watching.

• Spider-Man into the Spiderverse: An animated superhero film following the adventures of young Miles Morales after he’s bitten by a radioactive spider and develops powers. The film itself is set within multiple universes, leading Morales to discover other Spider-Men, Women and even Pigs.

• Back to the Future (trilogy) - Some movies get better with age, and who doesn’t love a good throw back? The Back to the Future trilogy is currently available on Netflix, making for a great opportunity for parents to share a piece of nostalgia with their kids.

TV night for the entire family

By Jasmyne Ray jray@oanow.com

Families are looking for things to do at home this summer, with the pandemic still posing as a threat. COVID-19 has forced many families to change their summer plans and get creative with ideas for quality time. One solution may be as simple as heading to their living rooms.

Many people are streaming shows and movies they meant to watch months ago. The ease of use and numerous options of each service makes it so that everyone can find something to watch. So why not make it into a family affair?

Take one evening to sit down with your family, pick something from each of the following four categories and settle in for a quadruple feature.

Comedy Who doesn’t love a good laugh?

It’s important to find a show where the sense of humor can appeal to everyone. Starting off strong with a good comedy will set the tone for the whole evening.

• The Office: A sitcom you can watch repeatedly and still laugh at the same gags. The Dunder Mifflin staff make

daily office life look so fun, you’ll almost start to miss your own.

• Parks and Recreation: A diverse cast of comedians working together in a small town’s parks and recreation department makes for a wholesomely funny series.

Kids/Teens

out if a private school athlete is her twin that was abducted at birth.

Family It’s best to end the night

Most Prestigious Golf Course in the Area

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For older kids and teens, their selections are similar to what parents may choose. Dramas and thrillers are popular picks, but animated films are also strong contenders for their attention. Remember: the more pop culture references, the better.

• Perks of Being a Wallflower: In the world of young adult fiction books being adapted into films, this one is a fan favorite. Based on the novel

by Stephen Chobsky, it follows the story of Charlie, a high school freshman, as he figures out the differences between adolescence adulthood.

• Blood and Water: One of Netflix’s newest series, it centers around a teenage girl from Cape Town, South Africa as she tries to figure

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SUMMER 2020 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | 11

Local students adjust summer plans on the fly

By Hannah Lester hlester@oanow.com

Around the country people are baking bread, learning embroidery or taking up exercise as a way to fill all the extra time the pandemic left them with – college students very much included.

Many found themselves in new situations when colleges closed down their campuses, moving everything online.

There was still class work to be completed, but much of it could be done on the student’s own time - leaving them with even more free time than before.

Of course, some picked up extra jobs to fill the void, things that would help them in their career one day or to put some extra money in their pockets.

Working “As soon as school was announced that it would be canceled for the rest of the year, I immediately went and started working,” said Matthew Johnson, a recent graduate of Opelika High School.

Johnson plans to attend Auburn in the fall – assuming

the school reopens – to study broadcast journalism. When classes stopped, however, he picked up an extra gig delivering pizza for Marco’s Pizza.

He also looked for writing opportunities, given his interest in journalism, and started writing for the Auburn Villager.

“I’ve been trying to work because I figured I might as well try to earn a little extra money before I head off to college and spend a lot it,” he said. “So I just tried to take advantage of the extra time, if I wasn’t going to be in school, I might as well be earning some money.”

Brandon Jaffe owns his own business. When the pandemic hit, sales plummeted, just like they did for many other small businesses around the country.

Jaffe, a junior at Auburn University studying IT Management Systems, runs ProtogalaxySystems, from his computer.

“I restore and repair 1970’s stereo equipment and I also upgrade iPod Classics,” he said.

12 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | SUMMER 2020

Jaffe is taking online classes, which has freed up extra time to devote to his business.

“Normally I’m forced to put that behind my school stuff,” he said.

Rhonni Douglass, a sophomore studying education, was participating in a workstudy program at Southern Union before the pandemic shut the campus down. She needed to find another job, which led her to Dollar General.

“It’s very stressful,” Douglass said, who worries about bringing the virus back to her family.

Douglass is taking extra measures – beyond wearing a mask and gloves at work – to ensure she does not bring the virus home.

“I take two or three showers a day,” she said. “I take a shower before I go to work, then I take a shower the minute I get home, before I even go talk to my family. I just go straight to the bathroom, take a shower, strip all my clothes and wash them.”

To add an additional layer of

stress to the situation, Douglass’ father is immunocompromised, putting him in the high risk category for the virus, and her sister is pregnant.

Canceled Plans and the alternatives Many people had plans canceled due to the coronavirus – weddings, parties and even funerals.

Douglass’ sister, for instance, had to cancel her baby shower.

Johnson won’t be able to attend a summer camp that he normally does each year.

But many people, students among them, are finding other ways to fill their time outside of just work.

Ann Marie Stone started the quarantine with a lot of Netflix binging, but that soon became boring. The nursing student at Southern Union started using her extra time for exercise, where before she had none.

Most of her new hobbies or projects were based in and around her house, Stone said, so as not to put her grandmother

at risk of catching the virus. She started with walks around her neighborhood.

hands-on work inside the house.

It was a mess.”

“I started just getting out and walking some, just because being in the house was very confining for me,” Stone said.

Douglass, who works every day and does her best to keep her family from getting sick, is frustrated by all those who aren’t following the guidelines.

As the virus infection numbers decreased in Alabama, gyms reopened. Stone started going to one with a friend once that was an option.

“I used to say I never had time to do anything active because I was so busy with nursing school,” she said.

Outside of exercise, Stone took on some home improvement projects as well.

She replaced her bathroom counter top. “[This] was quite fun to watch, now that I think back on it,” Stone said. “Because, I’ll be honest, I’m not in any way, any sort of person that can do construction work or that

Guidelines

“I take it seriously because I see how it’s affecting people,” she said.

Johnson said that in general, he’s been following the nation’s and state’s set guidelines for the virus.

“With my work, I’ve been pretty tied down to the guidelines,” he said. “I really haven’t seen my friends too much until they started loosening things back up.”

Johnson said he wears a facemask when he’s required to, but out of all the guidelines set in place, this is the one he’s most lax with.

“I’m not the one to just wear them out in public 24-7,” he said. “I’ll wear them where mandated though. I’m respectful of those guidelines.”

Although Johnson said he’s followed the guidelines, he’s not worried about contracting the virus since he’s not in the at-risk age. However, he believes in following the guidelines to protect others.

“If this is what’s going to be effective, then I’ll do it,” he said.

“Now, do I think we as a people can sustain being away from other people for a long time? I don’t think that’s really the case.”

Another Auburn student, Brandon Miller, senior in computer science, said he believes in the importance of a mask now, more than he did before.

“My opinions on the guidelines, they shifted,” he said.

“I didn’t realize the importance

of wearing a mask until recently.”

Despite not understanding it at first, Miller said that now when he goes out in public, he makes sure to wear one. He also wants to be aware of others’ need for masks and saving those for health care professionals and the like.

“We kind of went into lockdown a little later than I would have liked and we also came out a little bit earlier than I would have liked,” he said.

Miller said he’s noticed that many people are returning to normal life, despite the fact that there is still a pandemic.

“You drive down Toomer’s Corner, you know on a Saturday afternoon and it seems like everybody is pretending that there’s [no danger] there,” he said. “… Freedom only exists to the extent that it doesn’t negatively affect other people.”

Creating your own backyard oasis Our backyards are some of the best places to spend the summer months, especially if you’re practicing social distancing and are tired of being cooped up indoors. Fortunately, it’s possible to transform your outdoor living space into a secluded, open-air retreat.

Bring the indoors out We often hear about bringing the outdoors inside, but the reverse is also true when designing a luxurious extension of your home.

Homey, lived-in touches can take your outdoor space from sterile and unfinished to cozy and inviting. Think patterned throw pillows, fluffy blankets for chilly evenings, outdoor rugs, colorful lanterns, and decorative accessories like painted terracotta pots or metal tins.

Invest in comfy furniture What’s the best part of your living or family room? Chances are it’s your comfortable couch

or recliner. To recreate the same feeling, splurge on some soft furniture that will make you want to stay outside for hours reading a book or working remotely. It doesn’t have to break the bank either - you can DIY a cozy lounging bench with reclaimed wood and hand-sewn cushions with outdoor stuffing and fabric.

Add a relaxing pool or spa Water has a calming effect and is often linked to our favorite memories at the cottage or on vacation. A pool or spa can help transport you somewhere far away without leaving your home. A pool can help you and the kids get some exercise while swimming laps, while a spa can soothe tired muscles after a long day hunched over your laptop. To reduce energy costs and increase longevity, consider using Nudura insulated concrete forms, which provide superior insulation. ICF pools also can be custom-made to accommodate

any design, making them a very versatile and efficient way to build pools.

Go wild with greenery Live plants can help you feel connected with nature, and tending to them can help you feel relaxed yet productive during isolation. A vertical

garden can add visual interest, while trees and shrubs can provide shade and character.

Aromatic herbs like lavender or rosemary offer pleasant scents and can spice up your cooking.

And don’t be afraid to cut some flowers from your garden to place in vases or pots for beautiful finishing touches.

SUMMER 2020 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | 13

It’s always the right time of year for fresh apple pie Apple Pie Makes one 9-inch pie Ingredients

Directions

1 recipe Plain Pie Pastry (see below)

1. To make the raisin filling, combine the raisins, water and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until the raisins are plump, about 15 minutes.

2. Separately, combine the corn syrup, flour and sugar and mix well, then add to the raisins and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool until the mixture is just warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 rolled-out crust.

4. Peel the apples, cut them into thin wedges, and put them in a large bowl.

Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

5. Spread the apple mixture in the crust in an even layer, then spread the raisin filling evenly over the apples. Brush the rim of the crust with water, cover with the second rolled-out crust, seal and flute or crimp the edges, and cut a steam vent in the center.

6. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours, until completely cool.

7. To make the icing, combine the sugar and water and mix well. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Brush over the top of the cooled pie before serving.

Raisin Filling • 2/3 c. raisins • 6 Tbsp. water • ½ tsp. lemon juice • ¼ c. light corn syrup • 1½ tsp. all-purpose flour • 1½ tsp. sugar • 2 apples (preferably a tart variety) • 1/4 c. brown sugar • ½ c. sugar • ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon • ½ tsp. ground nutmeg • 1½ tsp. cornstarch

Icing • 1 c. confectioners’ sugar • 2 Tbsp. water • 1 Tbsp. butter, softened

Plain Pie Pastry Makes two 9-inch pie crusts • 2 c. all-purpose flour • 1 tsp. salt • 2/3 c. vegetable shortening • 5 to 7 Tbsp. cold milk

14 | DISCOVER EAST ALABAMA | SUMMER 2020

1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the milk over part of the flour mixture. Gently toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle another tablespoon of milk over another dry part, toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Repeat with the remaining milk until all of the flour mixture is moistened.

2. Press the dough together to form 2 equal balls, then flatten into disks. Roll out the crusts right away, or wrap the dough tightly, smoothing out any little wrinkles or air pockets and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Use a light touch and handle the dough as little as possible.

Keep pets cool, comfortable and safe during hot weather Summer may be a time for vacations and recreational activities for human beings, but pets may not be privy to the same luxuries. Summer recreation may not always include our four-legged friends, as summer heat and other issues can pose a threat to companion animals. As a result, pet parents must make pet safety a priority when the weather heats up.

The Humane Society of the United States says that the summer months can be uncomfortable and dangerous for pets. Temperatures that may be tolerable for adults and children who are dressed accordingly may not be so for animals covered in fur.

It’s vital to help pets stay comfortable and safe as summer temperatures heat up. Pet parents also must be aware of particular dangers that go hand-in-hand with summertime activities.

Practice vehicle safety

It is never acceptable to leave pets in parked cars, even for a minute. Temperatures inside vehicles can rise quickly and considerably in a matter of minutes, even with the windows opened slightly.

HSUS says on an 85-degreeday, temperatures inside parked cars can reach 102 F within 10 minutes. Pets can suffer irreversible and even fatal organ damage in that period of time. If you have to run errands, keep dogs and cats at home where they will be more comfortable.

Stay off of hot asphalt.

If you’ve ever walked on the hot sand or an asphalt driveway on a hot day, you understand just how scorching those surfaces can get. Dogs and cats do not have protective shoes to wear, so safeguard the delicate pads

of their paws by keeping companion animals off of hot surfaces. Schedule walks in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.

Schedule a pet grooming visit

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation suggests speaking with your veterinarian to see if it’s appropriate for your pet to get clipped shorter or to be shaved in the summer. But a fur coat can offer protection from the sun, so weigh the pros and cons before taking action. Apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin if he or she has a thin coat.

Provide a way for pets to cool off If you’re hot, chances are your pet is hot, too. Offer a means for pets too cool off, such as a wading pool when you are outside.

Offer plenty of fresh water. Keep pets who do not enjoy the heat indoors with the air conditioner running on hot days.

Look for indicators of heat stress

The American Veterinary Association says heat stress is marked by heavy panting, dry or bright red gums, thick drool, vomiting, diarrhea, or wobbly legs. Move pets exhibiting such symptoms to a cool place, drape a damp towel over the animal’s body, rewetting the cloth frequently, and get the animal to the vet as soon as you possibly can.

Exercise caution in the water.

Dogs can get swept away by rip currents just like human swimmers. If you will be boating, invest in a life jacket for your pooch and look for water hazards, such as currents, sink holes, and bluegreen algae in lakes and ponds.

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