Troy Life September/October 2020

troylife September/October Edition 2020

SWEET TREATS

Hannah Huner shares the love for baking she found with her grandmother.

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TROJAN TRADITIONS troylife | September/October 2020 1

WHAT will you

DISCOVER

TROY, ALABAMA Troy offers many diverse activities, places to shop, and fun entertainment for a variety of tastes. Summer and Fall are two of the best times to explore all our great city has to offer. Spend an afternoon riding your bike around town. Cheer on our beloved Troy University Trojans. Or visit Historic Downtown Troy for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience as you walk door to door visiting all the locally owned boutiques and stores. We take pride in our activities, pride in our businesses and pride in our citizens. Discover the diversity within the City of Troy, you might find something new to enjoy!

334-566-0177 • 2 troylife | September/October 2020

@ t r o ya l G o v

www.troyal.gov

/ c i t y o f t r o ya l a b a m a

@ t r o y. a l a b a m a

18

26

12

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES 12

Suit Up, It’s Game Day!

LET’S EAT 6

HanMade

HOME & GARDEN 18

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 5 12 50 51 56

Contributors Publisher’s Note What’s In Store Where Am I? Service Directory 10 Minutes With

The Backyard Beach

TRAVEL 26

Road Trip

LOOKING BACK 32

From Teachers, to Redwave,

to Trojans!

ON THE COVER

Cupcakes by HanMade & Co. Photo by: Kaylee Parker

TOP TEN 38

Trojan Traditions

troylife | September/October 2020 3

PUBLISHER Stacy Graning

CONTRIBUTORS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kaylee Parker

ADVERTISING Kait Nesbitt

EDITORIAL Nicklaus Chrysson Anna Shay Wasden Lauren Johnson

PHOTOGRAPHY Kaylee Parker

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT/ DISTRIBUTION Mandy Oswald Eric Lee

FOLLOW US! @troylifemagazine

TROYLIFE IS NOW ONLINE! Go to www.troymessenger.com/ category/troy-life/ to read and share select stories from this edition.

Troylife is published six times per year by Troy Publications, Inc. 918 South Brundidge Street P.O. Box 727 • Troy, AL 36081 334.566.4270 • www.facebook.com/ troylifemagazine

Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $16 annually in-state; $20 annually out-of-state; $24 out-of-country.

Please make checks payable to Troy Publications Inc., P.O. Box 727, Troy, AL. 36081 • All material copyright Troy Publications, Inc. 4 troylife | September/October 2020

NICKLAUS CHRYSSON, WRITER Nicklaus Chrysson’s family has been rooted in the area since 1855, coming to no surprise why he would have such a passion for Troy and its history.

He is a third generation graduate of Charles Henderson High School and currently attends Troy University. He is majoring in Social Science Secondary Education in hopes of teaching future generations history.

ANNA SHAY WASDEN, WRITER Anna Shay is a recent Troy University graduate, where she studied communications and English.

Growing up in Troy, she’s fallen in love the community and those who are apart of it. Anna Shay enjoys reading, laying out by the pool and hanging out with her friends.

LAUREN JOHNSON, WRITER Lauren Johnson is a senior English major at Huntingdon College. She grew up in Troy and graduated from Pike Liberal Arts High School in 2017. She loves that Troy has the small college town feel, has a lot to offer, and is just a few hours from the beach. She enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Looking to become a contributor of

TroyLife?

Email a resume and work samples to kaylee.parker@troymessenger.com for a chance to have your work featured in this magazine.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE We have a sign that hangs in our home and describes the seasons here in the South: Winter, Spring, Summer, College Football.

So, you’ll have to forgive us if we seem a bit out of step this month.

You see, it’s September. And that means we’re supposed to be spending our weekends at the stadium – under the Friday night lights with our favorite high school team and cheering on the Trojans (or another favorite team) on Saturdays.

Instead, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re trying to find our footing in the “new normal.” Thankfully, most of our high school games are continuing on, and we’re learning to cheer through masks and to adapt to socially distanced seating. College games are just beginning, and soon we’ll be able to mask up, put on our cardinal and black and cheer on the Trojans at Veterans Memorial Stadium once again.

For us at TroyLife magazine, the “new normal” usurped one of our favorite annual traditions: the fall kickoff fashion spread. Instead of gathering fans together for a photo shoot, we had to adapt this year: cute outfits with no live models, for a pandemic approved feature.

We’re still celebrating the Trojans, of course, and their traditions. Who knew there was a kissing rock on campus?

Or that it holds a magical power over Trojan couples?

We’re learning how families have adjusted to the new normal, as well. When the pandemic began in the spring, the Giles family was in the midst of a search for a new, more accessible beach house in Floridia. With that search on hold, they decided to pursue another way of creating a space that brings family together and creates memories: a backyard beach. The result is a pool and entertainment center – complete with a golf cart for Mammy – that saves the travel and still provides the backdrop for a lifetime of memories.

And those family memories? Well, Hannah Huner reminds us just how important they are. This young woman spent her childhood in her grandmother’s kitchen, nurturing a love for baking that has sparked her own culinary business.

All these, and much more, are inside this edition of TroyLife magazine.

So if you have a hankering for the traditions of College Football season, but haven’t quite found your footing in it yet, sit back and enjoy the stores we have to share.

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troylife | September/October 2020 5

LET’S EAT

HANMADE & CO. Hannah Huner takes the passion for baking that she learned from her grandmother and turns it into a dream.

STORY BY ANNA SHAY WASDEN PHOTOS BY KAYLEE PARKER

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Hannah Huner in her grandmother's kitchen. troylife | September/October 2020 7

Chocolate chip cookies

Hannah's favorite sweets to make are cakes.

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H

annah Huner’s love for baking began sitting atop her grandmother’s kitchen counter many years ago. She explains that each time she visited her grandmother there was either a cake in the oven or sitting on the kitchen island. “I eventually out-grew my spot on the kitchen countertops, literally,” she laughs. “I had a thing for being in the kitchen and around the age of 13, I developed a love for baking my own cakes.”

Now a college freshman at Troy University, Hannah has taken her love for the kitchen and transformed her baking into a business. HanMade & Co. provides sweets for all of life’s precious moments. “HanMade & Co had been a dream of mine for quite some time, but it wasn’t until life slowed down long enough before it became a reality. My hope is that others will also find joy in

celebrating the ones they love, no matter how big or small the occasion is.”

From Peanut Butter Pie, to Key Lime Cupcakes, and everything in between, HanMade & Co. is Hannah’s way of sharing her love and appreciation while offering delicious desserts.

From her grandmother’s kitchen, flipping through tall stacks of cookbooks, to Charles Henderson High School’s Culinary Arts kitchen under the supervision of Chef Shute, Hannah’s training has given her the skills she needs in the kitchen to make delicious treats for her customers.

Many of her most cherished recipes have come from friends and family. “Hands down, my favorite recipe to this day is a white cake with buttercream frosting.” Hannah admits that she could make this recipe with her eyes closed, after so many times baking it.

Stawberry cupcakes troylife | September/October 2020 9

Hannah certainly stays busy; as she pursues her passion by continuing her dream of HanMade & Co., Hannah is also a full-time college student, sorority member, part-time boutique worker, and loving daughter and sister. In making the leap to begin a business during this active time in her life, Hannah knew that despite how overwhelming life can be, she will always have a support system behind her. “I decided to just go for it and knew that if it was God’s will, he would help me find the time to balance it all.” Hannah is thankful for the support her family has given her as she works to make her love for baking into a business. “My parents are so gracious in helping wash dishes, because Lord knows that is a never-ending task at our house and it may or may not be my fault. And I have plenty of taste testers, that is for sure!”

Follow HanMade & Co. on Instagram to keep up with Hannah’s creations and to order one of her delectable homemade desserts.

You never know, you could be supporting Troy’s future Candace Nelson or Duff Goldman!

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HANNAH’S BAKING TIPS 1. When making a cake, if the recipe calls for room temperature ingredients, make sure they are room temperature. It makes all the difference in the outcome, allowing your cake layers to bake evenly.

2. This is a personal preference, but fresh, brown eggs are best for a classic southern pound cake. My great-grandmother always made sure to save some each week so she could make a cake, and I don’t blame her one bit for it! It takes it to another level.

3. When frosting a cake, if you have time, freeze your layers! It makes decorating a layered cake 10 times easier.

4. To ensure a clean, crumb free decorated cake, apply a thin layer of frosting and then place the cake in the freezer for 15 minutes or so.

Once the 15 minutes is up, apply your final layer. This was a game changer for me, because prior to using this technique I struggled consistently with crumbs falling off into my frosting, and nobody wants that.

5. It takes practice but never give up!

I am still learning every day and I can assure you professionals are too.

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WHAT’S IN STORE

SUIT UP, IT’S

GAME TIME! STORY & PHOTOS BY KAYLEE PARKER

Game day may look a little different this year, but that won't stop us from cheering on the Trojans!

Whether you're at the game or watching from home, these local stores have the perfect game day apparel for you! So get ready for some football and, of course, GO TROY!

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This casual and comfy men's outfit can be found at Walmart!

Men's football jersey: $26.74 Men's blue jeans: $25 Men's tan hat: $14.97

Cheer on the Trojans in this stylish outfit from Glow!

Red blouse: $58 Black shorts: $42 Black shoes: $95 Kendra Scott earrings: $98 Chained black mask

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Yell 'TR-OJ-ANS!' in this cute game day outfit from The Confetti Crate!

Black top: $40 Leopard skirt: $40 Football mask: $12.50 Pom pom: $3

Watching the game from home? You can still rep your favorite cardinal and black from Walmart!

Men's black joggers: $29.74 Men's white t-shirt: $16.92 Men's red hat: $14.97

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Keep your little ones warm during the colder game days with this children's outfit from Walmart!

Kid's matching sweatsuit: $24.97

Even the littlest of Trojans can dress to impress for game day with this girl's outfit from Walmart!

Girl's jersey onesie: $14.97 Black pants: $3.98 Black bow: $1

troylife | September/October 2020 15

Sing the TROY fight song in this outfit from The Confetti Crate!

Black top: $24 Black studded jeans: $65 Star mask: $12.50

Get this fun women's outfit from First Impressions!

Black top: $50.99 White jean pants: $40 Red earrings: $40 Gold and silver bracelet set: $16 Red and black football mask

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Decorate your tailgate or watch party with TROY gear with these party supplies from Jenn & Co inside The Confetti Crate Football field banner: $7 Trojan cups: $18 Football plates: $9 Napkins: $6.50 Confetti: $6 Poppy popcorn: $8.50 troylife | September/October 2020 17

HOME & GARDEN

Jennifer Giles with her daughter , Mae

THE BACKYARD

BEACH

STORY BY LAUREN JOHNSON PHOTOS BY KAYLEE PARKER

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B

ack in March, Jennifer Giles and her family started the project of renovating their backyard. Looking to create a space to make memories and replace the family beach home, Giles decided to create a space closer to home for family gatherings.

“Our focus is family, and we wanted a place for friends and family to gather and a place for everybody to relax.

In this day and age, I think that self-care and spending time with family is so important,” Giles said.

For about 40 to 50 years, the Giles family owned a house at the beach, but the stairs leading to it became a hinderance for Giles’ mother and her 21-month-old daughter. The Giles family then decided to sell the beach

house and began searching for another with easier access and that was closer to home.

But at the time, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which led to the shutdowns. “We decided it was a God thing, and that we needed to be closer to home,” Giles said.

“So, we took the money from the beach house to make our backyard into our Backyard Beach.”

Giles had the pool replaced with a new liner installed and replaced the concrete around the pool with brick.

She also had lights put in the pool for night-time use.

To complete the Backyard Beach, Giles added a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen, a tanning ledge, a rock feature, and new landscape for the front and back yard. In the outdoor kitchen area, she included a fireplace, T.V., bar,

Details from the pool Jennifer with her outdoor kitchen that over looks the pool troylife | September/October 2020 19

and sitting area.

“I wanted something special for everybody and wanted it to be multigenerational,” Giles said.

For her 19-year-old son, Giles added the hot tub. Once the pool and hot tub were completed in July, Giles explained that her son has spent time in both every night with his friends. The outdoor kitchen area was finished the day before he returned to college at the University of Alabama, so the family was able to grill out and have one celebration before he left.

“He wanted to be the first one to use the grill, and he was excited to be able to before he left,” Giles said.

To get to the backyard from the house, there are two levels of stairs, so Giles looked at different ways to make it easier for her mother. She decided to have a path made and bought a golf cart that they call Mammy’s Ride to transport her back and forth.

“It’s been wonderful! My mother has been outside more this summer than she has in the last four years. She sat outside and watched the construction and talked with the workers too,” Giles said.

During the deconstruction period, the whole family was home because of the pandemic, and they all enjoyed watching the deconstruction and construction of

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Jennifer playing corn hole

The entertainment area troylife | September/October 2020 21

The pool area

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“

“We want a place where people can come and hang out or sit and decompress.

We want to have that serenity that we used to have at the beach in our backyard” - Jennifer Giles troylife | September/October 2020 23

24 troylife | September/October 2020

their backyard together. “When they destroyed everything, we sat on the porch and cheered,” Giles laughed.

Giles has been helping her youngest daughter learn to swim and enjoys spending time in the pool several times a week with her. In the future, Giles plans to add a slide for her that will extend from the deck into the pool.

“My oldest daughter hasn’t seen it in person yet, so we’re planning a big surprise for her,” she said.

The Giles family hopes to have many more family gatherings and friends over to enjoy the new space. Giles explained she wants to have somebody swimming every day. “We want a place where people can come and hang out or sit and decompress. We want to have that serenity that we used to have at the beach in our backyard,” Giles said.

If it hadn’t been for Covid, Giles explained that they probably wouldn’t have started their backyard project and invested in their home, but they are extremely happy they did.

Jennifer's mom, riding her golf cart named "Mammy's Ride" troylife | September/October 2020 25

TRAVEL

ROAD TRIP Cousins Hayes and Tommy Lee set off on the cross country trip of a lifetime STORY BY LAUREN JOHNSON PHOTOS SUBMITTED

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A

fter graduating college from Auburn University, Hayes Lee planned a road trip out West with his cousin Tommy Lee. Over the course of eighteen days, Lee and his cousin visited national parks, campgrounds, and sites for hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking and more.

“I always wanted to go on a road trip, and since I was about to get a job with limited vacation days, this was the only time I had left to do it,” Lee explained.

Together they embarked on their journey on June 5 and headed towards their first destination – Big Bend National Park in Texas. Along the way they stopped in the Stockyards in Fort Worth.

“It’s a great atmosphere and was what you would expect of Texas. There were a lot of cowboys, bull rides, amazing ribs and BBQ, and cattle drives every afternoon,” Lee said.

A few days later once they reached Big Bend, Lee and his cousin spent the day kayaking on the Rio Grande. As they traveled down the river, they saw beautiful scenery including the tall canyons that

surrounded them on both sides of the river.

While on the river, they could also see Texas on one side and Mexico on the other, and on the Mexican side Lee could see small villages and ranches. If he ever got the chance to go again, Lee explained he would like to spend three or four days there to have more time to enjoy it.

“It was really hot because it was June, but it was a lot of fun,” Lee said.

Next, Lee and his cousin traveled to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and hiked up to the famous Slaughter Cave that is in the side of the mountain, but unfortunately it was closed with the entrance barred off.

“Most of the national parks or state parks we went to were pretty empty because of COVID, and that entire day we didn’t see another person. It was like we had the park to ourselves, which was a cool experience,” Lee said.

That night, and several other times throughout the trip, Lee and his cousin camped in a two-man tent at a campsite, which is a federal campground that is free to the public but doesn’t have water or

troylife | September/October 2020 27

electricity.

“The night we stayed in New Mexico at Chosa Campground we were so far out in the middle of nowhere the sky was crystal clear and the stars were absolutely incredible,” Lee explained.

The next destination on their list was the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The first day there they went on a hike that was supposed to be nine miles to the Grand Canyon and back, but they decided to go a little farther.

They hiked across the Grand Canyon and did two trails that made a total of sixteen miles.

“It was brutal heat down in the canyons. There’s no wind and there was a heat index of about 103 degrees,” Lee laughed. “We weren’t in shape at this point, but it was a cool experience and we survived.”

The following day they drove the scenic route around the edge of the Grand Canyon and made stops at designated points for the view. Then they made their way to Horseshoe Bend and completed a 1.5-mile hike.

That night they stayed at Lake Powell Lone Rock Beach Campground in Utah. This site is famous for the giant Lone Rock that towers above the lake. Lee described this as the best campground they stayed at.

They were able to camp right on the beach and had the

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perfect view of sunrise and sunset.

While in Utah, Lee and his cousin explored Wire Pass where they walked through the tight spaced gorge and explored the Gulch where they climbed over rocks.

“It was physically exerting, but super cool. Also, the temperature was cooler in there,” Lee said.

Next, they visited Zion National Park. There, Lee and his cousin trekked through the Narrows, which Lee explained is a dangerous flooding area. “A creek runs down through the Narrows, so we were in about knee high water the whole way. There were also two giant walls on each side of us,” Lee explained.

After taking another sixteen-mile hike at Zion National Park, they headed to Bryce Canyon where they got the chance to go horseback riding into the canyon with their guide who was a Navajo Indian.

From there, the Lee cousins traveled to Moab, Utah, which is known for it’s jacked up vehicles and off-road terrain. “It’s one of the best places to go mountain biking in the US, so we decided to go on the Getaway Mountain Biking Trail. We’re both beginners, and that was an advanced kind of trail,” Lee laughed.

As they rode the mountain bikes on the trail, they would come to spots where there was a 20- to 30-foot

“

I’d done a little bit of camping and hiking before, but nothing like this. Moving forward, I’m going to be doing a lot more of it.

”

HAYES LEE

troylife | September/October 2020 29

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drop, which Lee explained was nerve racking for a beginner. Overall, Lee and his cousin enjoyed the experience and the views and completed the trail without any major injuries.

“We both fell a couple of times, and Tommy actually destroyed the drive train on his bike. But thankfully, we got insurance on it, so we didn’t have to pay for it,” Lee said.

The Lee cousins then completed several more hiking trails at Arches National Park, and later traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming where they got a break from the hot summer weather. Even in the middle of June, there was snow on top of the mountain and the temperature ranged from 30 to 50 degrees.

They hiked nineteen miles in snow to Lake Solitude, which was frozen. “It was an easy hike that felt good,” Lee said. “There were big mountains all around us with snow, and it was beautiful.”

Yellowstone National Park was the last location site on their road trip. Lee explained that the night they spent at this park was the worst night of camping on the trip because of the mosquitoes, warning signs about bears that frequent the area, and a car that pulled up to their site at midnight looking for a place to camp.

“I’ve never seen that many mosquitoes in my life. I used my Thermacell Repeller and everything, but there were so many, there was no stopping them,” Lee said.

The next day at Yellowstone Lake, however, made up for the rough night because they learned to fly fish, and Lee and his cousin caught about 11 trout. “We both hooked ourselves a couple of times while we were learning, but this was probably the best experience,” Lee said.

Ending their trip, they returned their rental car that they’d put 5,000 miles on over the course of their trip and took a plane back home on June 22.

“I’d done a little bit of camping and hiking before, but nothing like this. Moving forward, I’m going to be doing a lot more of it,” Lee said.

troylife | September/October 2020 31

LOOKING BACK

Coach Penton with his “Teachers” in 1911.

FROM TEACHERS,

TO REDWAVE,

TO TROJANS! STORY WRITTEN BY NICKLAUS CHRYSSON AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF TROY PALLADIUM AND TROY ATHLETICS

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I

n 1909 Troy State Normal School entered into its first season of football, fast-forward 111 years and the game has grown into something those first players couldn’t even imagine.

George Penton became the head coach at Troy in 1911 and stayed for two seasons leading the university in its only undefeated season, a 3-0 record. In 1911 Troy State Normal School was still in its infancy and the United States itself was about to have a hard time of its own. Between the years 1909-1945, there were many interruptions in the consistency of football seasons at Troy. Due to World War 1, eight years were skipped, the stock market crash of 1929 caused the school to skip a year, and then a little over a decade later World War 2 began. But post war students hit the ground running again and since 1946 Troy University has continuously held an annual football program.

In the early days, Troy played high school teams.

Later they graduated to teams like the Florida State Seminoles, beating them 36-6 on Thanksgiving in 1947. In 1948, Troy went to The Paper Bowl, Troy’s first bowl game, playing against Jacksonville State in Pensacola, Florida.

During the 1910s, the team was called an array of things such as Bulldogs, Normalites, and even the Teachers (understandable being a teacher’s college). We hear “Trojan” for the first time in 1922, but that lasted until Coach Albert Elmore arrived at Troy in 1931. Elmore was a graduate of the University of Alabama and he changed the nickname to the Red Wave, which was a variation of the Crimson Tide. The team was called the Red Wave for 42 years until the nickname was changed once again in 1973. The students were charged to vote on the new nickname. The morning of the vote the team departed the school on the road to play Northeast Louisiana (now Louisiana-Monroe). The team left without a nickname and just hours before

Postcard of Veterans Memorial Stadium in the mid-1950s.

troylife | September/October 2020 33

kickoff the ballots were tallied and the Trojans officially played their first game finishing at a 15-15 tie.

Ground broke in 1950 on Veterans Memorial Stadium. During the unveiling ceremony, the new facility was dedicated to those college students and local residents that gave their lives fighting in World War 1 and World War 2. When “The Vet” or just simply “The Stadium” as it is commonly referred, opened it had a seating capacity of 5,000.

The stadium has been renovated and expanded several times since 1950. As recently as 2018 the new north end zone was added, and “The Vet” now has a seating capacity of 30,400. The field of which the players practice upon and play home games is named after retired head coach Larry Blakney.

Blakney is credited for having the most wins in

T-Roy in 1985

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Troy University’s history, holding the record at 178 wins.

Troy went on to win a national championship in 1968 at the NAIA level against Texas A&I and two at the NCAA Division II level in 1984 against North Dakota State and 1987 against Portland State.

Troy has had a total of 22 head football coaches, and they all tend to leave a special mark at the school whether it be a winning streak, their impact on their players, or even changing the mascot. A few coaches have even coached at Troy, left and coached for another school and then found their way back. Coach Chan Gailey, head coach from 1983-1984, went on to coach for several different professional football teams, some including the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, and now the Miami Dolphins.

Veterans Memorial Stadium as it’s seen today

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Coach Albert Choate and the TSTC football team preparing to leave campus for the Paper Bowl in 1948.

The 1930 football team in front of Bibb Graves Hall

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In the 1980s, Troy Mascot and a local celebrity, T-Roy, was chosen and has been a staple at any given Troy event since. The students were once again charged with making a decision, naming a new mascot for the school. There was an election and students cast their votes, with T-Roy coming out victorious. And as recently as 2008, T-Roy was voted the third-best mascot in the nation.

In 2004, Troy entered into its first year in the Sun Belt Conference. That year Blakeney coached his team to probably one of the biggest victories in both the school’s and the Sun Belt’s history, when they defeated then ranked #17 Missouri 24-14 at home.

The Neal Brown era (2015-2018) saw many wins and even more happy fans.

During his tenure, Brown lead Troy to win ranked #25 LSU, he won the New Orleans Bowl, Troy beat Nebraska, and won the Dollar General Bowl. On September 1st, 2018 (opening game), “The Vet” witnessed its biggest crowd in its history, to a crowd of 29,612 Troy played No. 22 Boise State.

Chip Lindsey, the current head coach, came to Troy and began working hard. He has previous experience from Southern Miss., Arizona, and Auburn, and we are excited to see where he will take us in these uncertain times of the COVID epidemic.

Going to a Troy University football game is an unforgettable experience in and of itself. Being able to take part in the Trojan Walk before the game starts, the famous and world-renowned “Sound of the South” marching band rolling onto the field playing the Fanfare, hearing Barry McNight’s voice make game announcements, and singing in my opinion the best fight song ever written after our boys score are just a few of the many things you can take a part in if you ever decide to visit. Regardless of how our football season turns out this year due to the Coronavirus, it’ll just be another chapter in the history of Trojan football.

Picture taken at thee 1987 national championship game

The Trojans during their 2019 season troylife | September/October 2020 37

TOP TEN

TOP TEN

TROJAN TRADITIONS STORY BY ANNA SHAY WASDEN

1. JUMPING IN THE FOUNTAIN ON THE QUAD Whether or not we would admit it to the Chancellor, jumping in the fountain on Troy’s Main Quad is something that almost every student has found themselves doing. There is something about the thrill of slipping into the fountain under the dark sky and splashing around. Admittedly, the fountain is often slick with algae and sometimes quite cold, but Hector (the Trojan statue atop) is always there keeping a watchful eye over Troy’s students.

2. TAILGATE TERRACE Whether you are out taking pictures with T-Roy or trash talking South any chance you get, there is nothing like the pre-game festivities on Tailgate Terrace. The Sound of the South roars as the mighty Trojans unload to prepare for battle, Power-Ts flood the campus on signs, t-shirts, and little children’s faces, and University Avenue brims with golf carts, packed with cheering fans whooping TR**OJ**ANS or “Go Trojans” at any passerby.

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3. DOUBLE’S ALLEY Double’s Alley or as it is casually called by many attendees, Right Field, is packed with almost as much as action as Riddle-Pace’s actual games. From cookoffs to step shows, to everything in between, this little patch outside of Troy’s baseball stadium is never boring. It is a great way to enjoy a little Trojan’s baseball while catching up with old friends and new ones too.

4. LISTENING TO THE SOUND OF THE SOUTH “Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!” We have all found ourselves reciting this by memory each time the trumpets raise and the drum major takes his place. Troy University would not be the same without its dedicated band. Whether at a basketball game in Trojan Arena or watching from the stands at The Vet, it is rarity to find someone without goosebumps each time the SOTS begins their show. There is no better or louder band than our very own Sound of the South marching band. No game would be complete without the energy and excitement they add to the event.

5. PERUSING DOWNTOWN As any Troy, Alabamian knows, the quickest way to rid yourself of a paycheck is to spend an afternoon in historic downtown Troy. The Square’s restaurants offer the ideal pairings -- a¬ fresh bite of pizza, a cup of coffee, a pastry, some nachos, or a craft cocktail -- to any shopping spree.

Locals and visitors alike can find a variety of local gifts, clothes, and home décor at unbeatable prices. Visitors are offered unique finds as well as delicious meals to complete the day. Game Day Shuttles are offered as well. There is not a better way to spend Saturdays in Troy.

troylife | September/October 2020 39

6. SINGING THE ALMA MATER While raising your mighty Trojan sword, there is nothing quite like belting Troy University’s alma mater with a hand held high. We all either begrudgingly learned it in Troy 1101 or picked it up from the many Troy sporting events and graduations we attended. No matter where we learned the stanzas, Troy’s alma mater is one of the most powerful traditions on campus. Singing along with the Sound of the South makes it even more powerful. Chills and tears are sure to come when participating in this great Trojan tradition.

7. KISSING ROCK New students on their way to Patterson Hall may notice an unsightly, discolored rock randomly placed within a large bush. Most probably continue walking, unbothered by the slab. But, this rock holds a time-honored tradition of some couple’s favorite pastime. The Kissing Rock is said to ensure a long-lasting relationship for any Trojan couple. Simply sit upon the rock, plant a smooch, and wait for many more years with your Trojan partner.

8. MEMORY BRICKS One of the newest Trojan traditions being shared by many is purchasing a monogrammed brick to be placed on Troy’s beautiful Quad. Leaving a lasting mark on Troy University’s campus is everyone’s hope when enrolling or teaching at the school. These special bricks are left in memory of loved ones, or for many for oneself to commemorate their long-awaited graduation. Memories will be there for a lifetime for alumni and friends to share with loved ones in years to come, while also adding to the beauty of Troy’s picturesque quad.

40 troylife | September/October 2020

9. LISTEN TO JERRY AND BARRY For those Troy Trojan sporting events we cannot attend, the Trojan Radio Network keeps us in-the-know with real-time coverage of every play and point. You would be hard-pressed to find bigger Troy sports fans than Barry McKnight and Jerry Miller. These two have worked together for years bringing us the play by play action both on and off the field for Trojan fans. They build images for the fan that may not be able to attend the event or just add some extra insight for the fans in the stands. These guys are there to add a little extra to the excitement of Troy Athletics. The Men of Troy are in good hands when Jerry and Barry are calling their games.

10. REPPING THE CARDINAL, BLACK, AND SILVER No matter where you rep them ¬– at a Trojan pep rally, cheering on the Troy volleyball, basketball, softball, or soccer teams, walking around town, or in a business meeting – there is no better color combo than the Cardinal, Black, and Silver of Troy University. We all wear our team’s colors with pride and are excited to say “Go Troy” whenever we get the chance!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TROJAN TRADITION? We would love to hear from you! Share with us your TROY memories on social media and we will share them. @troylifemagazine

troylife | September/October 2020 41

WHERE AM I?

It’s a challenge! If you know where this photograph was taken, submit your answer along with your name and contact information to kaylee.parker@ troylifemagazine.com! If you’re correct, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to one of our partner advertisers.

Photo by Kaylee Parker Last edition winner: Dianna Lee

42 troylife | September/October 2020

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troylife | September/October 2020 43

OUT & ABOUT

DOWNTOWN TROY Students are back and our downtown is booming!

1. Katherine Turner, Annilyn Warner, Ella Sanders and Lauren Thomas 2. Maya and Emi 3. Joette Booker 4. The Smith sisters 5. Bethany Wilson, Fran Warrick, Brittany Royal Ellie Cotton 6. Earl Ellis, and Charmin Harvey

1

2

3

4

5

44 troylife | September/October 2020

6

OUT & ABOUT

TROY UNIVERISTY BID DAY 1

3

5

Sorority Bid Day took place on August 8th of this year, after a week long recruitment period

2

1. Kaitlyn Brock and Alissa Magyar (Alpha Omicron Pi) 2. Mia Hill and Lauree L. (Alpha Delta Pi) 3. Caitlin S., Sydney B. and Ashton B. (Alpha Gamma Delta) 4. Hollan Helms, Grace Gray, and Bailey Nation (Phi Mu) 5. Maggie Nall and Kyndel Lee (Kappa Delta) 6. Ellen Lanford and Kaitlyn Sampson (Chi Omega)

4

6

troylife | September/October 2020 45

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Thank you for voting Synco Drugs Reader’s Choice Best Pharmacy of 2019 For almost half a century, we’ve been your neighborhood drugstore. We’re proud to offer low prices on a wide selection of products and the caring personalized service you just won’t find at other drugstore chains.

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Website: abbyleephotography.squarespace.com 46 troylife | September/October 2020

Jojo Meredith Agent Cell: 334-268-1583 jojo-meredith@troycable.net

110 Memorial Parkway | Troy, AL 36081 Office: 334-566-4765 • Fax: 334-566-4766 www.alabamarec.net

troylife is now online!

Read select stories from each edition online at www.troymessenger.com. Be on the lookout for our next edition coming soon!

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48 troylife | September/October 2020

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troylife | September/October 2020 49

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50 troylife | September/October 2020

Pike County’s news since 1866

MORE THAN YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

THE CATCH

The Messenger Troy Life themessenger.com

TROJAN

2019

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Recreation Center to really bring people ,” Baker said.

“It’s an effort us all what an integral our school systemhave a space to who ed into in our comtogether and remind wanted to system plays Stephanie Baker, com- “We really just our community ion sation about our schools; part our school said. “Strong schools make Councilwoman have a conver of the city’s educat into munity,” Baker serves as head forum is for everyone in making an investment THE MESSENGER of that.” a

By Jacob Holmes mittee, said the because everyone has be held g is just one aspect will s fundin d on page 3 forum the unity career receive FORUM continue ls and the comm The “cradle to that children October 7, and Troy City Schoo ne to stake in ensuring on Monday, Troy Troy, p.m. of the at 5:30 ion.

City 8 The everyo le educat y, October resources at are inviting s bet possib that there are invest- 11:30 a.m. Tuesda Troy University y and Tuesday to discus “We recognized could be the table Monda resources to educate stu- within our community that and ” opportunities e to career. dents from “cradl

November

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SPECIAL

GO TROJANS

PUBLICA

Troy frats to resume activities

THE MESSENGER

By Jacob Holmes

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Bob Whi for hom tson shares hi s e brew.

See mor passion e inside

resume at Troy activities will sion of New member ities following the submis sity.

University fratern y requested by the univer all Troy t services, said information Monda dean of studen ually in the past two Herb Reeves, met with individ fraternity fraternities were and review university and hazing. days to discuss e members about ers were susmemb policies and educat involving new sity continues it’s All activities univer incident week as the pended this potential hazing gation into a second investi ities. ded last at one of its fraternr of Sigma Chi was suspen ions The Troy chapte confirmed allegat ls officia sity ers of the week after univerthe chapter. Seven memb within hazing of

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d on page 3

HAZING continue

Edition 201

TION OF THE MES SENGER

TOP N HOLIDEW TRADITAY IONS

ll Pioneer Days wi ck bring guests ba to frontier living THE MESSENGER

By Jacob Holmes

Downtown Troy. the streets of the al parade through from the 50s to n with th tradition in the styles of decades ing floats ming Friday afternoo celebrated homeco classes celebrated by decorat classes. and on High School and alumni Charles Henders was “Remembering the past,” tions, businesses from local organiza This year’s theme also included floats 90s. The parade

will come alive m of Alabama back in The Pioneer Museu will be transported as guests next weekend r Days the pioneer days. time to life in will host its annual Pionee and 11, The museum 4 p.m. Friday, October s. to from 10 a.m. r 12 on the museum ground eters, Saturday, Octobe will be historical interpr his Each day there a chuck wagon cook with caner, r and much weave rs, tradesmen, a addiwagon, spinne e some new 1890’s chuck r Days will welcom more. Pionee Wild the 2B Ranch the tions this year. l will feature for Friday’s Festiva special showing at 2 p.m. be on a will West Show withOn Saturday, a blacksmith Area Montgomery general public. strate and the to perform at 10:30 demon to site s are scheduled Dulcimer Player pant partici first time a.m. will welcome cook. Dilmore was The festival re, a chuck wagon Forrest Dilmo d on page 8

PIONEER continue

Holmes Photos by Jacob

VISIT US AT

WEATHER

. A7 Page . . . . .. .. . A9 . . . . . A2 Church . . .

Datebook . . .. . . . . . A3 Sports . . . . . . . . . A10 Obituary . . . . . . . . . A4 County Roads Commentary . . . . . . . A5 Classifieds . .

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