2014 April Franklin Living

April Vol. 4 Issue No. 3

The benefits of garden-fresh vegetables Sprucing up your home for spring

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12

Garden tips

L Learn how to cultivate a green tthumb in flower gardening

Grown at home

24

One local woman discusses the benefits of homegrown veggies

29

Gardening together

The Cultura Garden Club gardens for a purpose

Home decorating

36

Tips and ideas for sprucing up your home this spring

8 What To Do 18 What’s Hot 22 Wellness 23 Classifieds 32 Food 40 Looking Back 42 Parting Shot 4

FRANKLIN LIVING

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Franklin Living is published monthly

by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc. Copyright 2011 by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com FRANKLIN LIVING

• Sports Injuries • Work Comp • Employment Physicals • Adult Immunizations • Routine Check-ups Ashley Ozbirn, CRNP, Dr. Kevin Kelly, M.D., Janette Wilmoth, CRNP

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Open Daily until 6:00 pm

• www.russcare.com

13150 Hwy. 43 S. Suite 10 • Russellville, AL (at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 43)

General Manager Nicole Pell Managing Editor Kellie Singleton Sales Peggy Hyde Circulation Alton Zills Photography Kellie Singleton Melody Pearson Erin Lindsey Images 5

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FRANKLIN LIVING

FROM THE EDITOR

T

here is just something special about the spring – the air is warmer, the trees are greener, the flowers are blooming, and everything seems to be full of life.

But as much as I love the spring and the new life abounding everywhere, I have never been much of a gardener. In fact, instead of a green thumb, I’m quite positive my thumb is solidly black because more often than not, I end up killing whatever it is I try to grow.

For many years I have let this fact deter me from attempting to have my own garden – vegetable or flower – and it’s made my husband wary every time I get a whim to purchase a fern, marigold, mum, or any other plant life.

But as I was working on this special “spring home and garden” issue of Franklin Living, I discovered that I don’t have to be a naturally fantastic gardener to grow healthy plants. All it takes is learning the right and wrong way to do things and putting in more effort than occasionally watering them (when I actually remember to water them at all).

Now, I didn’t come to this revelation all by myself. Red Bay resident and gardening extraordinaire Melody Pearson gave me the pep talk I needed to (hopefully) venture out this spring and grow a few things of my own.

Melody is truly an inspiration. She lives within the city limits of Red Bay yet has a greenhouse, a garden full of fresh vegetables that she is able to feed to her family and friends year-round, a milk cow to have her own fresh milk, chickens who lay fresh eggs, and a whole host of other plant life that she manages to keep alive. She also educated me on the benefits of buying local at the farmers markets located in Franklin County.

This experience reminded me of how much we can learn from those around us if we will only take the time to ask.

This spring, take the time to learn something new – start a new project at your home; learn a new skill; make a new friend – because spring is the perfect time to begin anew.

FRANKLIN LIVING

FCNI managing editor Kellie Singleton with her husband, David, and their dog, Phoebe.

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WHAT TO DO Flower arrangement classes

Blood drive

Live simulcast

March 19

April 5

Flower arrangement classes are held at the Spruce Pine Community Center every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Wanda Harper is the instructor.

Learn how to arrange flowers for memorials, tables, and other occasions. For more information call 256332-4461.

There will be an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, March 19, at Northwest-Shoals Community College, Student Center Building #305, 2080 College Rd., Phil Campbell 35581, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association will be grilling “beef burgers” for all blood donors.

Russellville First Baptist Church will host a live simulcast of Priscilla Shirer’s “The Word. Closer to Home” on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. – 4:35 p.m with registrating beginning at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10 and includes lunch and snacks.

Tickets must be purchased by March 12. For more information, call the church office at 256-332-2065.

Pancake breakfast

Free tax service

March 19

AARP Tax-Aide will be offering free income tax preparation services at the Dept. of Human Resources in Russellville each Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. through April 10.

For more information, call Ben at 256-332-0252.

Organized ride March 15 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park will host their first organized ride of the year on Saturday, March 15, starting at 9 a.m. Cost of the ride is $15 and includes a meal. The first 50 riders to sign up for the ride will receive a free RBCEP ball cap. For more information, call 205-935-3499.

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The Russellville Kiwanis will host a Pancake Breakfast on Friday, March 21 at Russellville First Baptist Church from 6 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Cost is $5 per plate (Dine-In or Carry-out).

FRANKLIN LIVING

OUT & ABOUT The following groups were recently awarded grants through the Franklin County Community Development Commission, which is an entity set up through the efforts of Sen. Roger Bedford, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, and other members of the Tennessee Valley caucus who worked to make sure TVA in-lieu of tax funds were being re-distributed in the counties where the money was generated. The committee consists of two appointed members, Brad Bolton and Kathy Hall, and a chairman, which rotates between the mayors of Russellville and Red Bay every two years. Currently Red Bay Mayor David Tiffin serves as the chairman. Funds are used to promote economic development, education, and recreation in the area.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Phil Campbell Elementary School counselor Laura Voyles for a teacher workshop on behavioral disorders.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Cortny Williams for the Belgreen High School softball team.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to West Elementary kindergarten teachers Talitha Fleming and Lori Alford for IPAD purchases for educational classroom use.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to FCNI general manager Nicole Pell for the Newspapers in Education program that will benefit Belgreen High School, East Franklin Junior High School, Tharptown Elementary School, Tharptown High School, Red Bay High School, Phil Campbell Elementary School, Phil Campbell High School, and Vina High School.

FCCDC representative Brad Bolton and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to county board of education member Mike Shewbart and Red Bay baseball coach Richard Maggerise for the RBHS baseball team’s fence repairs.

FCCDC representative Brad Bolton and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to county board of education member Mike Shewbart and Red Bay softball coach Steve Cox for the RBHS softball team.

FCCDC representative Brad Bolton and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to county board of education member Mike Shewbart for the Vina High School softball team and the RBHS weight room purchases.

FRANKLIN LIVING

FCCDC representative Brad Bolton and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to members of the Pleasant Site Fire Protection Authority for insulation kits for their new garage doors.

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Franklin County Extension Office: Working for you!

There aren’t many people who wouldn’t be able to benefit from any of the services offered by the Franklin County Extension Office.

Extension isn’t just for farmers, gardeners or lovers of the outdoors. The Franklin County Extension Office offers a wide range of services that includes everything from radon and soil testing to education programs from local students to workshops for parents to career readiness prep and so much more.

Franklin County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole said she and her staff are always glad to answer questions and get people the information they need to know on a wide variety of topics.

Franklin County Extension also has programs that support local grandparents who are raising their grandchildren and they are currently helping eligible applicants sign up for Farmers Market vouchers, so these people can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers markets in Red Bay and Russellville.

Our Mission The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the primary outreach organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, delivers researchbased educational programs that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.

Our Staff

Contact Us

Katernia Cole

Phone: 256-332-8880

County Extension Coordinator Fax: 256-332-7059

Kathy Borden 4-H Agent Assistant

Hours: M-F from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Kristie Allen

Website: www.aces.edu/counties/Franklin

Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Sonia Gamble Administrative Associate

The Franklin County Extension Office is located in the basement of the Franklin County Courthouse in downtown Russellville.

Carol Frederick & Cathy Crosswhite Fill-in Secretaries

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FRANKLIN LIVING

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Pharmacist: Jody Kiel

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Cultivating a green thumb veryone lloves to see fl flowers bl blooming i in i the h spring, i and d what better place for a beautiful flower garden than in your very own yard?

Many people are intimidated by the through of cultivating and maintaining the beautiful flowers they have seen in the yards of others in the community with obvious green thumbs, but having your own blooming oasis might not be as

E

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Location, location. Planting your flowers in the right place is half the battle. Most plants need at least six hours of sunlight each day, but all plants vary on their sunlight requirements. Be sure you know what your plants need! Shade-loving plants will not thrive in the sun, and sun-loving plants will not thrive in the shade!

2

Choose plants that fit YOU. You are the one who will be caring for these plants, so choose ones that you actually like! As long as you choose plants that are conducive to the environment you live in and the space where they will be planted, you can choose whatever stands out to you. Some people love greenery, some love subtle earth tones, and some people love pops of bright color. For those who are just starting off, something that is typically “easy” to grow might be best – marigolds, pansies, geraniums, lamb’sear, and black-eyed Susans are some of the most popular for beginners.

3

Prepare the ground. Once you have your plants picked out, the next important step is preparing the ground and the soil that will serve as nourishment for your plants. You will need to get rid of the sod covering the area where you will be doing your planting. Simply dig up the soil when it is moist (not too wet or too dry).

4

Don’t neglect the soil. After the ground is prepared, you will want to prepare your soil so that it will provide the optimum amount of nourishment for your plants. Composting is a great way to do this by adding either a layer of decayed leaves, manure, or dry grass clippings to the dug-up soil.

h d as you would ld think. hi k FFranklin kli C i C di hard County EExtension Coordinator Katernia Cole said growing your own flower garden can be simple if you keep a few easy tips in mind.

1) Location, location. Planting your flowers in the right place is half the battle. Most plants need at least six hours of sunlight each day, but all plants vary on their sunlight requirements.

STORY BY KELLIE SINGLETON PHOTOS BY KELLIE SINGLETON & MELODY PEARSON

FRANKLIN LIVING

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Cole also said that if you have had trouble growing plants in your yard in the past, the solution could be found in having a simple soil test performed. Soil test kits are available at the Franklin County Extension Office inside the Franklin County Courthouse. Cole said each test kit is $8 and can provide good insight into what can be done to improve your soil and make it more fertile so you can have beautiful plants year after year.

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To plant or not to plant. Know when the best time is to put your plants into the ground. The Franklin County Extension Office offers a month-by-month gardening calendar to help local gardeners and farmers know when the best times of year are for growing certain things. Some plants can handle the cold, some cannot.

Alabama weather is notorious for being unpredictable, so if you are wanting to plant something that has a low tolerance for the cold, you will want to make sure that all the cold snaps are over for the year.

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Don’t leave your plants thirsty. If you have started your garden with seeds or with transplants, don’t let them dry out.

Water them daily, or every other day, and keep a close watch on their progress. Once your plants are established, the amount that you will have to water them will depend on their environment (how often it rains, humidity levels). Also, watering in the morning is typically best because it allows for less evaporation.

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Maintenance. Don’t forget about your plants! If you want to have beautiful flowers, you can’t neglect them. Just like any other living thing, they require time, attention and hard work in order to thrive. Keep an eye out for weeds, fertilize when necessary, and water as needed.

These are just the basics to flower gardening, but Cole said the Extension Office offers tips and advice for many specific types of flowers (such as roses or marigolds) and shrubs or bushes (such as crape myrtles or azaleas). Stop by their office for more information.

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FRANKLIN LIVING

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8 ways to improve curb appeal

H 1 2 3 4 16

omeowners who want their homes to make strong first impressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal need not be expensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve the appearance of your home.

Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one with a custom design. This helps the home stand out from other properties in the neighborhood.

Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between the driveway and the lawn or other landscaping features. This helps homes appear neat and well kept.

Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting. Outdoor lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at night.

Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble but still add appeal to a home’s exterior.

5 6 7 8

Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble but still add appeal to a home’s exterior.

Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore color.

Add shutters and accent trim to a home’s exterior to improve on the beauty of the house.

Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or stain to an existing fence.

FRANKLIN LIVING

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FRANKLIN LIVING

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WHAT’S HOT

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FRANKLIN LIVING

For those who are itching to test out their green thumb, the Alabama Extension System has created a monthby-month guideline for what should be planted and when. Listed is the gardening calendar for the next several months. For a complete gardening calendar that covers the whole year, visit the Franklin County Extension Office located in the basement of the Franklin County Courthouse.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Fruits and Nuts • Planting season continues for dormant trees.

• Fertilize fruit trees.

• Apply half of the fertilizer recommended for grapes now; apply the other half soon after fruit sets.

• Continue dormant pruning and grafting.

Start strawberry plantings.

Fruits and Nuts • Continue strawberry and grape plantings.

• Bud apples and peaches.

• Start planting blackberries. Remember, if weather conditions prevent prompt planting, heel the plants in by placing the root system in a trench and covering the soil.

Miscellaneous • Houseplants are beginning to show signs of activity.

• Fertilize with liquid or soluble fertilizer according to manufacturer’s directions.

• Remember Valentine’s Day. Why not send roses or a potted plant?

Miscellaneous • Check and repair sprayers, dusters, and lawn mowers.

• Control lawn weeds with chemicals.

• Delay pruning of fruiting shrubs such as cotoneasters, pyracanthas, and hollies until after flowering.

Vegetable Seed • Plant some vegetables listed for January in central Alabama plus collards, salsify, and Swiss chard.

• Add tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cauli¬flower, and Brussels sprouts to cold frames.

Vegetable Seed • Plant hardy crops recommended for January and February.

• After danger of frost is past, plant tender vegetables.

Shrubs • Fertilize shrubs (except azaleas and Shrubs camellias) according to a soil test.

• Planting season continues.

• Late plantings may be made, particularly • Visit camellia shows to learn of hardy if they are container-grown. varieties in your area.

• Watch shrubs for harmful insects.

• Graft camellias in central and south Alabama.

Lawns • Spray all shrubs with a fungicide before • Plant bermuda, zoysia, and centipede in new growth starts. south Alabama.

• Good time to prune all shrubs before new • Seed bluegrass and grass mixtures in growth starts. north Alabama.

• Don’t prune early-blooming species • Fertilize established lawns. because flower buds will be removed.

Roses Roses • Watch new growth for aphids.

• Prune hybrid tea roses in south Alabama; • Begin a spray or dust program. delay pruning for a few weeks in north • Begin fertilizing.

Alabama.

• Continue planting.

Annuals and Perennials • Tender annuals may be planted in south Annuals and Perennials Alabama.

• Replant early plantings of hardy annuals. • Check garden centers for bedding plants.

• Prepare beds for summer annuals.

Bulbs Bulbs • Plant gladiolus every 2 or 3 weeks if a • Plant cannas, amaryllis, gladiolus, and long blooming season is desired. zephy¬ranthes in south Alabama; delay • Plant tuberous begonias in pots. Plant planting for a few weeks in north Alabama. dahlias.

Vegetable Plants • Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli, Vegetable Plants and Brussels sprouts in north Alabama; • Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli, plant tomatoes and peppers in lower and Brussels sprouts. south Alabama.

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FRANKLIN LIVING

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Fruits and Nuts • Season for strawberry planting continues.

• Start spray program for all fruits.

• Plant raspberries and blackberries and continue budding apples and peaches.

Fruits and Nuts • Continue spray program.

• Keep grass from around trees and strawberries.

• Peaches and apples can still be budded.

Fruits and Nuts • Layer grapes and continue spray programs.

• Thin apples and peaches if too thick.

Shrubs • Lace bugs may be a problem on azaleas, pyracanthas, dogwoods, cherry laurels, and other shrubs.

• Water as needed. Fertilize now.

• Keep long shoots from developing by pinch¬ing out tips.

• Take cuttings from semi-mature wood Lawns Lawns • Now is the best time to start lawns from for rooting.

• Planting continues. seed.

• New lawns may need supplementary • Water new lawns as needed to prevent Lawns • Follow a schedule of fertilization and watering. drying.

• Also, fertilize at 3- to 6-week intervals.

• Keep established lawns actively growing watering.

• Keep ryegrass cut low, particularly if over- by watering, fertilizing, and mowing.

• Lawns should be mowed weekly. planted on bermuda lawns.

• Spray weeds in lawns with proper her- • Planting may continue if soil is moist. bicide.

• Continue weed spraying if necessary.

Roses Annuals and Perennials • Watch for insects and diseases.

Roses • Keep old flower heads removed to pro• Keep old flower heads removed.

• Spray or dust for insects and diseases.

• Plant container-grown plants from nurs- • Fertilize monthly according to a soil test. mote continued flowering. Plant garden eries or garden centers.

• Container-grown plants in flower may be mums if not already in.

• For compact mums, keep tips pinched planted.

• Prune climbing roses after the first big out.

Annuals and Perennials • Watch for insects and diseases.

• Plant early started annuals or bedding flush of flowering. plants from nurseries or garden centers.

• Divide mums or root cuttings. Dig and Annuals and Perennials Bulbs divide dahlias.

• Late plantings of bedding plants still have • Foliage may be removed from spring bulbs if it has yellowed and is becoming time to produce. dry.

• Watch for insects on day lilies.

Bulbs • Watch for aphids and thrips on summer • Plant gladiolus, fancy-leaved caladiums, bulbs. milk and wine lilies, and ginger and glo- Bulbs riosa lilies.

• Summer bulbs started in containers may • Feed bearded iris with superphosphate still be planted.

Miscellaneous and spray for borers.

• Do not remove foliage from spring flow- • If scale insects continue on shrubs, use • Avoid cutting foliage of narcissus or other ering bulbs. materials other than oils. bulbs until it has turned brown naturally.

• Do not let seedheads form on tulips and • Set houseplants on porch or outdoors in other spring flowering bulbs. shade and pay close attention to the need for water.

Miscellaneous • If desired, air layer houseplants.

• Spray camellias, hollies, etc., for scale Miscellaneous insects.

• Mulch new shrub plantings if not already • Carefully water new plantings of shrubs done.

Vegetable Seed and trees.

• Avoid drying out new shrub, tree, and • Plant beans, fieldpeas, pumpkins, squash, • Pinching out tips of new shoots promotes lawn plantings. corn, cantaloupes, and watermelons. more compact shrubs.

Vegetable Plants Vegetable Seed Vegetable Seed • Plant heat-loving and tender vegetables. • Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and • Plant tender vegetables such as beans, • Start cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato vine cuttings. corn, squash, melons, and cucumbers. celery in cold frames for the fall garden.

• Plant heat-loving vegetables in lower south Alabama.

Vegetable Plants • Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and Vegetable Plants sweet potatoes.

• Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, sweet potatoes, and parsley Shrubs • Prune spring flowering shrubs after flowering.

• Fertilize azaleas and camellias.

• When new growth is half completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide.

FRANKLIN LIVING

Shrubs • Newly planted shrubs need extra care now and in coming weeks.

• Don’t spray with oil emulsions when tempera¬ture is above 85 degrees F.

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WELLNESS

Alabama’s Radon Education Program Reaching New Audiences and Saving Lives Known as the silent killer, radon is a problem—often an undetected problem—for many Alabama homeowners. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, causing an estimated 21,000 deaths per year.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) agents are working to educate citizens about the potential dan¬gers of radon in homes, schools, and offices through the Radon Education Program, which is a partner¬ship of Extension, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The program also teaches homeowners how to test for radon and the impor¬tance of fixing their homes if elevated radon levels are found.

Recently, Franklin County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole spoke to members of the Russellville Rotary organization as part of the Radon Education Program. Cole gave members important education about radon and let members know that a radon testing kit can be picked up from the Extension Office located in the basement of the Franklin County Courthouse. Each kit costs $8 to be tested and comes with detailed instructions on how it should be used.

Radon is a particular concern in North Alabama where 15 counties are located in Radon Zone 1 and are considered to have the highest potential for elevated radon levels.

According to the ACES, Franklin County is listed in Zone 1 – a fact that makes it even more necessary for local residents to test their homes and businesses.

Radon gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless, so the only way to detect it is through testing.

Extension’s Radon Education Program has now reached more than a million people through numer¬ous activities including exhibits and programming. These contacts have resulted in 1,628 homes miti¬gated; 2,336 homes tested in real estate transactions; 2,663 homes built radon ready; and more than 23,000 radon test kits distributed. Six cities have also added radon control to their building controls.

At a recent home show attended by more than 15,000 people in the area, Extension agents staffed a radon booth and sold more than 350 radon test kits. With 45 percent of the test kits used by

22

homeowners, 24 percent revealed elevated levels of radon.

In addition to making presentations to homeowners, Extension agents provide radon information to con¬tractors, realtors, and others in the home building in¬dustry as well as county commissioners, senior adults, and health care professionals. Radon educational materials and free test kits are also distributed through newborn programs at county hospitals, and radon exhibits have been placed in banks, libraries, and medical offices.

Alabama was one of four states to receive the Radon Leaders Saving Lives Award from EPA in 2007. Noted for its National Radon Action Month activities and numbers of proclamations in January 2007, Alabama Extension was asked by EPA to help the rest of the nation prepare for Radon Action Month in 2008 by showcasing its programming ideas in a national webinar.

Information provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

FRANKLIN LIVING

FRANKLIN LIVING

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Homegrown & healthy R

STORY BY KELLIE SINGLETON PHOTOS BY MELODY PEARSON

24

ed Bay resident Melody Pearson can grow just about any plant that’s put in front of her.

Pearson was raised in a family full of gardeners, so having a green thumb was something she not only cultivated, it was something that was in her blood.

“It was just a very natural thing for me to start gardening,” she said. “When it’s something that you do every day for most of your life growing up, you think that you’ll never want to do it once you’re an adult, but there are so many advantages to having your own vegetable garden.”

Pearson said the benefits of growing your own veggies are numerous. She currently grows every-

thing a person might ever need when it comes to fresh veggies: onions, lettuce, tomatoes, English peas, cabbage, squash, carrots – you name it and she probably grows it.

But the unique thing about Pearson’s home garden is that each one of her scrumptious vegetables are grown organically because Pearson has made it her mission to be an organic sustainable farmer.

“This just basically means I don’t use any commercial pesticides, insecticides or herbicides,” she said.

“This was something I decided to do partly because I applied for a grant for my hoop house through the [Natural Resources Conservation

FRANKLIN LIVING

Service] and one of their requirements was that you be an organic farmer.

“Even though it was something I had to do in order to receive the grant, I was glad to do it because I am a two-time cancer survivor, so cutting out these chemicals was just a healthier choice for me.”

After Pearson received her grant and constructed her greenhouse near downtown Red Bay, she also had the unique advantage of having homegrown, fresh, organic vegetables year round.

“It has really been great to have a constant supply of fresh food available,” she said.

“Not only do you get the satisfaction of knowing where your food comes from and how it’s grown, but the taste of fresh food compared to storebought is just so much better.

“If you’ve ever had a carrot straight from the garden, it’ll be hard to go back to eating carrots from a package you get at the store.”

But Pearson said you don’t have to come from a long line of gardeners to be able to grow great vegetables. In fact, she said you don’t even have to have a big patch of land.

“People make the mistake of thinking you have to have all kinds of land in order to have a ‘garden,’ but the best tip I could give anyone is this – you can grow just about anything in a container,” she said.

“Squash, cabbage, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes – they can all be grown in a pot or a container. This means you can have a ‘garden’ sitting on your back porch or your carport or anywhere else that gets enough sun.”

Because of her love for gardening and her advocacy for growing your own vegetables, it was a natural fit for Pearson, who is a retired nurse, to assume the role of manager of the Red Bay Farmers Market – a position she truly enjoys.

“I can’t say enough good things about the Red Bay Farmers Market,” Pearson said. “Even if you aren’t a grower of fresh fruits and vegetables, you can still be a consumer, and farmers markets make that possible.

“Just like growing your own vegetables, there are many benefits to shopping at local farmers markets.

“For one thing, you will be supporting local people – people who are probably your neighbors or people you know.

“Also, you will be buying truly fresh produce. Our

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farmers typically pick one day and sell the next, so you’re not buying something that has sat on the shelf for a month.

“Also, the health benefits for fresh produce are numerous, so you would be making a healthy, responsible choice for you and your family.”

The Red Bay Farmers Market is located in downtown Red Bay and starts the first Saturday in June. They are open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. but Pearson said that in this case, the early bird gets the best produce.

“We have a lot of people who stop by the farmers market so a lot of times, most everything is gone by 10 a.m.,” she said.

“We always love to have new customers, though, so we hope there will be a lot of new faces this season.”

You can find all of the produce pictured here and much more at the local farmers markets in Franklin County.

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ABOVE: Garden Club members Hillary Hall and Kathy Archer work on a flower pot in downtown Russellville.

BELOW: Members Martha Sibley and Cheri McCain work on a pot at the courthouse.

Gardening for a purpose here are some people who really know how to enjoy the small things – the color of the leaves in the fall, the first blooms that pop out in spring, the perfect shades of red reflected in a grouping of knockout roses, the way the daffodils brighten up an otherwise drab yard.

The ladies who are members of the Cultura Garden Club are just such people.

Each month, this group of women meets at the home of one of their members and spends a few hours learning more about a wide range of topics related to nature.

“Honestly, our meetings and our projects are someSTORY BY KELLIE SINGLETON thing that I really look forward to each month,” member Cheri McCain said.

PHOTOS BY KELLIE SINGLETON “It’s refreshing to get together with people each month who enjoy the same kinds of things as you do and who you can have a good time with.

“You make friends with people who end up becoming your

T

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good friends, and it’s ladies of all ages. We really are multi-generational because we have members in their 30s and on up.”

At their meetings each month, McCain said they typically have refreshments and a speaker who will talk about different subjects that would be of interest to this group who is always conscious of the world around them.

Their monthly meetings are also a time to plan their field trips to different places, such as protected forest areas in nearby Lawrence County, and their events, fundraisers and projects.

“There are a lot of ways that the Garden Club is involved in the community,” member Kathy Archer said.

“Some of these are things the general public may not even be aware of, but we try to do our part to give back to the community and help make the area we live in a better and more beautiful place.”

One of such programs that the Cultura Garden Club presents is an anti-litter program for local students in the third through fifth grades.

“There are a couple of us who go into the schools and present this program about the importance of not littering,” Archer said.

“We dress up and try to make it fun and interactive for the children. We also do a poster contest.

“We want them to be interested so they can absorb the actual message about learning to be respectful of the environment and to not litter.”

Each December, the Garden Club, which is a member of the Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs, also sponsors the “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” event to give the community a chance to come together and pray about different issues going on in the world.

Archer explained this is an event that was first started in 1950 by a woman named Dorothy Parrish who began a tree lighting ceremony as a way to show community support for soldiers involved in the Korean Conflict.

“This ceremony is observed in Montgomery every year at the Capitol with the governor and first lady, and there are many other tree lighting and candlelight ceremonies held by federated garden clubs across the state,” she said.

“Cultura actually began this tradition in the 1980s as a prelude to the annual Russellville Christmas parade, and we’ve found that it is a great way for our community to gather together and have a special time of signing, prayer and remembrance for all the issues

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that we face.”

In addition to the anti-litter and prayer programs sponsored by the Garden Club, probably the most prominent and well-known aspect of their organization is the beautification work they do, especially in downtown Russellville.

Cultura Garden Club vice-president Martha Sibley said the group is responsible for all the decorative flower pots placed downtown and for their upkeep and maintenance. They also put out the hanging flower baskets that are attached to the decorative street signs in the downtown area.

“The purpose of this is just to improve our area and our community,” Sibley said.

“We want to foster a sense of civic pride.

You may not think that a few flower pots or hanging baskets can do much for the appearance of an area, but when you drive through downtown Russellville, especially in the spring and summer, and see these flowers blooming, it just seems to make everything look better.”

In addition to the flower pots and hanging baskets, the Cultura Garden Club is responsible for the initial design, planting and continual upkeep of three flower beds in the downtown area – the bed near the welcome sign on North Jackson Avenue by the former Five Star Pizza location; the bed near the welcome sign on South Jackson Avenue

by Russellville Fire Station 1; and the bed in front of Russellville City Hall.

“We have had a lot of help from the city and from the fire and street departments with the installation of the welcome signs and with the regular watering that takes place,” Sibley said.

“We really appreciate all of their support and all they do to help us keep the downtown area looking nice. It takes a group effort and a spirit of cooperation to accomplish all of these things we set out to do each year.”

Currently, Cultura Garden Club members are working with city leaders on several beautification projects that are in the works for 2014.

“We try to stay in communication with city leaders and officials so that we can have a cohesive plan as we move forward with our projects,” Sibley said.

“Our funding for these projects comes from member dues, fundraisers, donations, and grants, so we want to make sure that every dollar is well spent.

“We are looking forward to our events and projects in 2014 and the ways we can make Russellville a better place.”

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FOOD

Cooking with Sam Recipes by Sam Warf

Onion, Herb, Tomato Tart 1/4 cup tomato, chopped very fine 1 can crescent rolls 1 large onion 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried or crushed 2 Tbsp. brown sugar 4 oz. chopped Brie or white cheese Heat oven to 375 degrees, press rolls on cookie sheet, seams together. Fold edges to form edges on crust. Bake 9 minutes.

Cut onion 1/8 inches slices, heat oil, caramelize onions, add rosemary and brown sugar, tomatoes.

Arrange cheese over partially baked crust, put onion and tomatoes on top. Bake 4 to 6 minutes.

Serve warm.

Fresh Cucumber Ball 4 Green Onions, chopped 2 Cucumbers, graded add last 8 oz. of Cream Cheese 4 oz. of Sour Cream 8 oz. of Cheddar Cheese 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1 package of vegetable dry soup mix Mix all, but cucumber, fold cucumbers in last.

Serve as spread or roll in pecans. Serve the day you make it. Sprinkle green onion tops over spread, serve with assorted crackers.

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FOOD Baked Cabbage 1. Cut head of Cabbage into 8 pieces 2. Salt, pepper and red pepper flake to taste 3. Brush with olive oil 4. Wrap strips of bacon around each piece of cabbage 5. Make a pouch out of foil 6. Place in pouch, cover with foil Bake for 45 minutes, unwrap, brown bacon under broiler.

Cole Slaw

Corn Pudding 1/2 cup butter 1 sweet onion salt pepper 4 cup milk 6 eggs, tempered 2 cups cheese 2 bags of corn, fresh in butter 1/2 cup chopped parsley 2 tbsp. parsley flakes

1/2 cup mayo 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup regular milk 1/4 cup buttermilk 2 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots 1/2 cup finely chopped onions 8 cups chopped cabbage Mix mayo, milks, sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar and lemon juice, pour over cabbage, onions and carrots. Rest overnight.

For Top: 3/4 cup bread crumbs 3 Tbsp. butter Mix all together, sprinkle topping, bake at 350 degrees for 65 minutes.

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“Where healthy eyes are our focus” Italian Cheese Spinach 2 packages fresh spinach 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 roasted garlic cloves 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 cup Parmesan cheese

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Heat 10” skillet. Add olive oil and onion, cook.

Add pepper, salt and spinach, let the spinach wilt. Add cheese last, melt just a little.

Flower Pot Dirt Cake Gerber Daisy Crushed Oreo cookies Any plain cake Plastic straws Whipped cream or cool whip, any fruit, strawberries are best Soft ice cream Pack each pot half full of ice cream, 1/4 full of cake that has been cut into 1/4 inch cubes, 1/8 of cool whip, crush Oreo cookies up fine to look like dirt, cover Stick straw into center, place in freezer until ready to serve, place Gerber Daisy in each straw, level with bottom of daisy.

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Sprucing up your home this spring

W

hen people begin to think about projects for their home in the springtime, most of the focus usually rests on the obligatory “spring cleaning” where everything in the house gets scrubbed, polished, waxed, deep cleaned and organized.

While that is a fantastic plan (whose home doesn’t need a good yearly scrub down?), people tend to forget that the spring can also be a fabulous time to give your home décor a freshening up as well.

STORY BY But who has the time, or the cash, to completely KELLIE SINGLETON redo their home décor every spring?

PHOTOS BY Don’t worry. Home décor makeovers don’t have KELLIE SINGLETON to break the bank and they don’t have to take & ERIN LINDSEY IMAGES weeks on end. Subtle changes and accent pieces can make a room look completely different and give you that fresh, new look that you’ve been craving.

Take advantage of fresh flowers There is an abundance of fresh flowers in the spring. If you have your own flower garden, take advantage of those beautiful blooms and cut off a few to put in a pretty vase on your kitchen table or on your mantle. If you don’t have a flower garden, local farmers markets are a good source for fresh cut flowers. Fresh flowers liven up any space and instantly make a room feel like spring is in the air.

Don’t have a vase you like? Repurpose an old vase by spray-painting it a bright color or by wrapping it in burlap or twine to give it a rustic or vintage feel.

Work on your accent Accent colors can make all the difference in a room that you think is too boring or drab. Instead of a brown or black lamp, choose one in a bright

color that will compliment your other décor. Don’t want to buy a whole new lamp? Simply switch out the plain lampshade for one with a bold, fun pattern.

Spruce up your kitchen or dining room with new placemats, napkins or even some colorful, inexpensive plates.

Other simple ways to add accent colors to a room are with pillows, candles, books, figurines, vases, and even furniture.

DIY is for YOU Create décor for your home that is personalized to your own tastes with simple and affordable DIY projects. Wreaths are a great way to add character to your front door, but sometimes it’s hard to find a wreath that is exactly what you are looking for. Eliminate all the hassle by making your own. Wreath bases can be purchased at many hobby or supply stores and you can add ribbon, flowers, burlap and monograms to make it your own.

Other popular DIY projects include doormats, picture frames, pillow covers, and just about anything else that you want to personalize to your own tastes.

And even if you don’t consider yourself to be creative, you can check out online sites like Pinterest to get ideas for a fun project that works for you.

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LOOKING BACK

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LOOKING BACK

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PARTING SHOT

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

- Alfred Austin

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