Hartselle Living January-February edition

Preparing for the big day See the 2013 Bridal Guide inside this issue

Vol. 3, Issue 1

A Division of Decatur ENT

ON THE COVER

table of contents

WINTER 2013

Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Peck were married July 21, 2012, at Hartselle First United Methodist Church. (Photo by Alyson Clemons)

STAFF

FEATURE 17. Bridal 2013

President and Publisher Randy Garrison Editor Brent Maze

Get tips to prepare for your big wedding day.

Advertising Kim Johnson Pam Gray Ann Kirby Contributors Clif Knight Richard Hollingsworth Alyson Clemons

DEPARTMENTS 24

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CONTACT US Hartselle Newspapers, LLC 407 Chestnut St. NW P.O. Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 256-773-6566 Fax: 256-773-1953 info@hartselleliving.com Hartselle Living is published quarterly by Hartselle Enquirer, LLC. A one-year subscription to Hartselle Living is $10.

Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Hartselle area.

To advertise or to get more FREE copies, call 773-6566.

26 Male students talk about being HHS cheerleaders.

WELLNESS: Tips for developing good healthy habits.

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FOOD: Tips and recipes for the perfect grilling.

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www.hartselleliving.com Copyright 2012 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

WAY OF LIFE: HJHS students help local troop unit.

GET TO KNOW: Local rider wins big in competition.

IN EVERY ISSUE: Letters • 6 Scene • 8 Calendar • 20 Last Word • 30 Hartselle Living • 5

LETTERS

Enjoy your trip here are 365 days between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013, with each day having 24 hours, no more or no less. Well, maybe a couple of milli-seconds to get us back on track. The sun will rise and set each day and the earth will continue its journey around the sun.

There will be births and deaths this year, happiness and sadness, winners and losers. Many will wake each day happy they have another day to live, while others wake wishing they did not have to face another day.

What we do with this trip will in many ways be up to us. But there will be some circumstances in which we have no control. We will not get to choose if we even get to complete this trip. For some, this year will be their transition time, leaving this life Randy Garrison • Letter from the Publisher to move into eternity. We have little control over some aspects of our While many of us have made resolutions to lose health, how others in our life will treat us, or our inabilweight, quit smoking, exercise and eat better, our attiity to control the actions of others. tude and positive thoughts can make this year one we But thankfully we can control many things this year. look back on with happy thoughts and memories, or We can control most importantly our attitude as we one that we would rather forget. Since life moves by so wake each morning. We can look at each day as a rapidly and we never know which breath could be our blessing and one to be lived. We can start each day last, why not make this year the best ever. We can giving thanks for another opportunity to be a better perstrive to be the person that others want to emulate, the son. It can be another day to grow and learn, another person everyone wants to spend time with, and the perday to reach out to someone who needs our help, son who can brighten the day of another person. another day to share with those we love. We have been We can work hard to share life’s blessings and make given another day to live, to get up, go to work and sure that we make another person’s life better because earn money so that we are able to provide for our famithey allowed us to be a part of it. We can try our best to lies. We are also given another day to fellowship with make this trip better for others, which will in turn make God, thanking Him for the life we have and all our it our best one as well. Enjoy the trip; they seem to go blessings. by faster with each passing year.

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6 • Hartselle Living

Life as Southern snowstorm

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high temperatures in the 70s to the barely getting above freezing the next day. Because of this, I’m sure it drives meteorologists crazy, especially when it comes to Southern snowstorms.

The conditions all have to be right for a snow, but it rarely ever happens. There are many times it’s cold enough to snow, but there’s just no moisture to create the snow. Other times, the moisture is there, but it never gets cold enough.

When it does snow, it’s just an amazing experience for people living in the South. It’s

so rare that we don’t know what to do when it happens.

However, our snow doesn’t last long. For example, if you wanted to build a snowman out of our last snowstorm, you had to do it while the snow fell. Otherwise, it was gone in a few hours.

In many ways, a Southern snowstorm is like our lives.

We don’t know when that snow will stop falling, but when it does, it won’t last long.

So get out and enjoy it make the best of your Southern snowstorm.

Brent Maze • Letter from the Editor

We want to hear from you!

Tell us what you like. Suggest improvements.

Submit story ideas and your photos.

Email: editor@hartselleliving.com

HOW TO REACH US

ere in the South, the wintertime is always interesting.

Most of the time, we are usually going back and forth between wearing short sleeves and sweaters.

What the weather is one day is not what it is will be the next. I have always commented to others about this, saying that if you don’t like the weather today, just wait because it will change soon enough.

The 2012-2013 winter is no different.

We have gone from seeing

Mail: Hartselle Living c/o Hartselle Enquirer PO Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 In person: Hartselle Living c/o Hartselle Enquirer 407 Chestnut St. NW Hartselle, AL 35640 Where in the Travel with Hartselle Living!

World is Hartselle Snap a photo of yourself Living: anywhere in the world holding a copy of Hartselle Living and submit by email, by mail or in person.

Don’t forget to let us know where in the world you were!

Hartselle Living • 7

OUT AND ABOUT 1

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The Hartselle Kiwanis Club sponsored the annual Hartselle Christmas Parade in December, attracting one of the biggest crowds it’s ever seen. 1. Members of the Morgan County Commission and their families wave to the crowd as their float passes by. 2. The Grinch and a Who rides in the Hartselle Christmas Parade. 3. Santa waves to the crowd during the Hartselle Christmas Parade. 4. A local mother holds her child while watching the Christmas Parade in downtown Hartselle. 5. A boy drives this tractor in downtown Hartselle as a family member waves to the crowd.

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1. Priceville High School’s majorettes are, from left, are Abi Peterson, Lauren Speegle, Alana Drake, Paige Robertson, Layla Sharp, Emily Cawley and Danielle Owens. 2. Riding on the American Legion Post 15 float are Anna and Maddie Kennedy, Ben Grider and Shelia Holmes. 3 The Blue Star Mothers, showing photos of their military sons, from left, are Angela Wallace, Leisa Horton, Roberta Stephens and Janice Cross. 4.

Mike and Mary Jane Warner’s 1929 Mercedes Benz roadster was a hit in Priceville’s Christmas Parade. 5. Cub Scout Pack 275 members, from left, are Andrew Terry, Chase Taylor and Seth OIiver.Their float captured second place in the Priceville Christmas Parade.

Mack working with grandson Tim Peebles

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Hartselle Living • 9

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1. Josh Rumer, Jimmy Free and Jacob Lovell appeared in Somerville’s Christmas Parade dressed in turnout gear. 2.

Brookelyn Simmons, 4, has a front row seat for Somerville’s Christmas Parade. 3. Bud and Maxine Gibson ride in Somerville’s Christmas Parade in their hand-made Model A Ford convertible. 4. Heather Bundy, left,“Miss BHS Rodeo” and Andrea Pulaski,“Miss Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo” carry the colors. 5. Commission Chairman Ray Long and grandson Tripp Brown, 2, participated in Somerville’s parade.

10 • Hartselle Living

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Facial Rejuvenation 1. Jacquez Robinson does an Elvis impersonation during the IRC’s performance of “Santa Claus is Back in Town.” 2. Hartselle High School IRC students perform sign language during a song at their annual Christmas concert.

3. The standing room only crowd at the Hartselle High School cafeteria enjoys singing “Silent Night.” 4. Katy-Beth Bole, Catherine Bodley, Amy Anders, Michaela Greene, Nidhi Vakaria and Kane Etheredge listen during a story. 5. Paul Montgomery as he reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

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2 4 1. Falkville Community Pride sponsors the annual Falkville Christmas in the Park. Officers include Bonnie Thompson, Kay Stinson, Tina Rogers, Genny Williams, Frances Rowe, Nina Winkles, Susie Cofield and Brenda Grissom. 2. Falkville High School’s band performs. 3. Mary Nell Evans holds her granddaughter, Emery Evans, as Bonnie Thompson looks on. 4. David Halbrooks sings Christmas carols to the crowd.

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Local youth enjoyed a snow day in January, thanks to a sudden snowstorm, which canceled school early that afternoon. 1. Caroline and Nolan Sparks of Hartselle show off their snowman. Parents are Brandon and Lori Sparks. 2. Emily Marsh and Hannah and Haley Warren use an old knee board to sled on. 3. Zoe Nagel and Lacey Gargus have a snowball fight during the “best day ever.� 4. Chloe Peebles shows off her snowman and snowdog during a January snow day. 5. Slate Gargus and DJ Leathers build a snowman after school was dismissed early due to a sudden snowstorm.

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Crestwood Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

Hartselle Living • 13

GET TO KNOW

A rising star Webb Harris claims regional title in Saddlebred Horse competition STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT

ebb Harris is following in the footsteps of his mother and grandparents as a 17-and-under rider in horse shows sanctioned by the American Saddlebred Horse Association.

A 9-year-old fourth grader at Crestline Elementary School, Harris was honored as the recipient of ASHA’s top-point award in the 17-and-under walk-trot show pleasure class at a banquet held at Guntersville State Park Lodge on Jan. 19. The award recognized Harris for accumulating the highest number of points in his class at ASHA-sanctioned shows conducted in the southeast region in 2012.

He competes on the back of S.S. Kentucky, a 22-year-old American saddle bred horse owned by B&W Stables of Hartselle.

Harris emerged as a rising show horse rider in the nation in his first year of competition in the 17-and-under class, posting wins in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

He is the son of Parks and Elizabeth Harris of Hartselle and the grandson of Ken and Joyce Webster, co-owners and co-trainers of B&W Stables.

Seven other riders with ties to B&W Stables received awards at the ASHA banquet. They are: Liz Harris, Jr. Park Championship Award, riding Roseridge’s No Regret; Ken Webster, Show Pleasure Driving Championship with The Major Factor; Joyce Webster, Park Pleasure Championship, aboard Nautica; Jennifer Marx, 5-gaited

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14 • Hartselle Living

Webb Harris of Hartselle is an American Saddlebred 17-and-under competitor who received a first place regional award for his 2012 performances at a banquet in Guntersville on Jan. 19.

Pleasure Championship; Collen Brooks, Adult ASB Show Pleasure Championship, riding Miss Flower Power; Regina Head, Adult Country Pleasure Champion, riding The King’s

Senorita; and Miss Magic Moment won the Pleasure Pony Championship.

B&W Stables specializes in beginner to world class horses, boarding, training and riding lessons for all ages.

2013 BRIDAL GUIDE

The Big Day Your guide to help you prepare and plan for your wedding day PHOTO BY ALYSON CLEMONS

Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Peck were married July 21, 2012, at Hartselle First United Methodist Church

16 • Hartselle Living

The wedding dress The Something Blue Shoppe shares answers to questions STORY AND PHOTO

BY CLIF KNIGHT

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he ring’s on your finger, the date has been set, now it’s time to go shopping for your wedding gown.

Here’s what you need to know before you go.

“Time is of the essence,” according to Sarah Morris, a certified bridal consultant and owner of The Something Blue Shoppe in Hartselle.

Establish a budget—The wedding gown you put on for your walk down the aisle is probably going to be the most expensive and talked about thing you’ll ever wear. That’s why it’s important for you to decide ahead of time how much you’re willing and able to spend.

Make an appointment, shop early—If you buy your wedding gown at a full-service bridal salon, you need to make an

A Something Blue Shoppe consultant assists a bride-elect in the selection and fitting of her bridal gown.

DRESS continued on page 18

Hartselle Living • 17

DRESS, from 17 appointment with a bridal consultant and start the shopping process early. Nine to 12 months before your wedding is ideal since you’ll need a sixmonth window from the time your gown is ordered until the time it’s returned and altered— usually several times—to fit you perfectly. Still, some companies can turn a dress around more quickly, if necessary. But if you have less than six months, start shopping right away and try to be flexible in making your decision.

Be flexible about your choice of gowns—It’s a good idea to know what styles of wedding dresses are available to you, as well as which trends are popular now. That being said, most bridal salon owners will recommend that you keep an open mind when you first start shopping. Gowns that look great in photos might not be so flattering on your figure, and the style you never thought you would like could turn you into a knockout bride.

Limit size of shopping party—“The biggest mistake a bride-to-be can make is to bring too many people with her when she is shopping for her wedding gown,” said Morris. “Our preference is that she be accompanied by the person who is going to be the most influential in helping her make decisions. Our bridal consultants are well trained and experienced and take a personal interest in the customer. They are there for the bride from the first measurements to the final fitting.”

Shop with people you can trust—The Something Blue Shoppe is one of Alabama oldest and most successful full service bridal salons. It offers 11 lines of bridal dresses in sizes 6 to 28, with a full complement of headpieces, veils and other bridal accessories.

18 • Hartselle Living

Tips to find the right banquet hall The following are a few tips for couples looking to find the ideal banquet hall to host their wedding reception.

ASK AROUND: Word-ofmouth is a great way to find the right banquet hall.

CONSIDER THE SIZE OF THE FACILITY: Some couples prefer an intimate affair with relatively few guests, while others will desire a large wedding party with lots of guests. If your wedding party is small, then avoid a larger facility that will appear empty. If the party is large, make sure there's adequate room so guests won't feel like they're sitting on top of one another during dinner and dessert.

DON'T DOWNPLAY DECOR: A banquet hall with an attractive decor is not only aesthetically

appealing but can appeal to a couple's finances as well.

Compare the costs of the more decorated banquet hall with the one that's more plain in appearance, factoring in the cost to decorate the latter, and you might just realize the one with more aesthetic appeal is more affordable in the long run.

PRIORITIZE PRIVACY: Few couples would be open to strangers having easy access to their wedding reception.

When shopping for a banquet hall, look for one that gives you and your guests all the privacy you need. The reception room should be secluded from the rest of the hotel so other guests walking by aren't tempted to walk in on the festivities.

Destination wedding How to determine if a destination wedding is the right idea for you hen the time comes to walk down the aisle, more and more couples are choosing to make the procession in a far-off land. Destination weddings are on the rise, with researchers at TheKnot.com reporting that roughly one in four couples who tied the knot in 2011 chose to have a destination wedding.

Destination weddings may appear to be an ideal way to tie the knot, but couples should know that planning such a ceremony may be even more difficult than planning a more traditional affair. Couples who choose to have a destination wedding must be ready to put a significant amount of faith in a wedding planner, who is often affiliated with the resort where the couple will be staying. Though the wedding planner may handle many of the details concerning the ceremony and the reception, couples should know that some of that planning will still fall on their shoulders as well. That planning may not be so simple, so before couples spread the word about their island wedding, it's best to consider a few factors to determine if a destination wedding is truly the best way to go.

• Guests: How many guests a couple hopes to invite is a great starting point when determining if a destination wedding is for you. Many couples who choose to have a destination wedding do so because they prefer a more intimate ceremony. Destination weddings are obviously more expensive for guests than a more traditional ceremony, so many guests won't be able to afford to attend. Couples who intend to invite many guests might want to avoid a destination wedding.

• Locale: The destination for your destination wedding should be a locale that holds a special place in your heart. If you haven't traveled much as a couple and don't have a particular place in mind, then you might find a destination wedding is more hassle than it's worth.

• Accessibility: A common problem many couples encounter when planning a destination wedding is the accessibility of their chosen locale. Couples will likely have to visit the destination at least once prior to their wedding, which will eat up some of your wedding budget and your vacation time (which you will need to save for the actual wedding and your honeymoon). If the locale is a remote island that's not very accessible, that can make these pre-wedding trips pretty stressful.

• Legality: The law is another thing couples must consider when deciding if a destination wedding is for them. Laws vary depending on the locale, so before you commit to a specific locale, make sure you're legally allowed to get married there and if there are any hurdles you must clear before you can. Those hurdles might be significant, and couples may find they're not worth the hassle.

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Hartselle Living • 19

Stay in your car...

Use our Drive-thru Window

CALENDAR Feb. 2 Winterfest Saturday Winterfest Saturday at Barkley Bridge Elementary School will be Sat., Feb. 2. The event will feature lunch, concessions, inflatables, games, the silent auction and more.

This fundraiser is one of the students' favorite days of the school year.

Feb. 4 Couponing Class Coupon class at the civic center Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. Ron and Traci DeWeese share their knowledge on how to save 50% on grocery bill.

Please register and pay $10 fee no later than Feb. 1 to reserve your spot.

Feb. 7 Pinterest Party Valentine’s Day Pinterest Party, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. Making crafts and cards for upcoming Valentine’s parties. A $10 fee includes all needed sup-

Sparkman Civic Center is having its Annual Valentine’s Dance Fri., Feb. 8, from 7 to 11 p.m.

20 • Hartselle Living

plies and a sample to take home.

Register and pay fee by Feb. 4.

Feb. 8 Valentine’s Dance Sparkman Civic Center is having its Annual Valentine’s Dance Fri., Feb. 8, from 7 to 11 p.m. The fee is $5 per person. A king and queen will be elected at 9 p.m. There will be a gift table to purchase gifts for your sweetheart. Pictures can be purchased at $5 each. We need more parent chaperones. If you have any questions, please call 256-773-2581.

Les Kerr and the Bayou Band The Princess Theatre in Decatur welcomes Les Kerr and the Bayou Band for a performance Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets prices range from $20-$25.

Feb. 14 The Del McCoury Band The Princess Theatre welcomes The Del McCoury Band for a per-

formance on Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets prices range from $25 -$33.

The Del McCoury Band is a living link to the days when bluegrass was made only in hillbilly honkytonks, schoolhouse shows and the Grand Ole Opry. The legendary bluegrass band is celebrating 50 years with its 2011 Grammy nominated CD a tribute to Bill Monroe.

Feb. 20-23 “Willy Wonka” College Street Players invites you to come see the theatrical performance of “Willy Wonka” Feb. 20-23 at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. For more information or ticket prices, log on to www.collegestreetplayers.org.

Feb. 21 New Shanghai Circus The Princess Theatre is featuring ‘The New Shanghai Circus” Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The New Shanghai CALENDAR continued on page 21

CALENDAR, from 20 Circus, is an innovative and internationally renowned troupe of Chinese acrobats, aerialists and athletes, performing acts dating back 2,000 years ago.

Feb. 22-23 Sheriff’s Rodeo The Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo will be held Feb. 22-23 at the Morgan County Celebration Arena. Show starts each night at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Children’s admission (ages 5-12) is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Children 4 and under are free.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Advance ticket sales can be purchased at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, Peoples Bank and Morgan County Celebration Arena.

For more information, please call 256-584-6725.

Feb. 27 -28 Piccadilly Circus The Piccadilly Circus will be held at the Morgan County Celebration Arena at 67 Horse Center Road, in Decatur. For more information call 256-584-6725.

There will also be a contest for cutest dog, most unusual dog, best Easter costume, largest dog, smallest dog and the dog that found the most bones. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures. There is no fee or registration, however, we ask that you have proof of dog vaccinations and that you keep your dog on a leash. No more than one dog per person, please.

March 16 HHS Follies Hartselle High School will present its annual Follies. More information will be announced at a later date.

March 23 Dog Bone Hunt Hartselle Park and Recreation will sponsor its annual Dog Bone Hunt on March 23, at 2 p.m. at Sparkman Park in Pavillion 4.

March 30 Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt The Hartselle Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt will be Sat., March 30, at 10 a.m. in Sparkman Park, between the high school baseball field and the pavilion area. The age divisions are 0-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-10. There is also a division for a special needs group. There is no registration or fee.

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WELLNESS

Health-wise habits Building the right habits from nutrition to exercise and lifestyle choices can help improve and extend your life STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT

22 • Hartselle Living

o the habits we keep really affect our health? You bet they do!

All of the major causes of death – cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung disease – can be prevented in part by making healthy lifestyle choices The following guides are offered by familydoctor.org to help keep you healthy in 2013 and beyond: Don’t smoke or use tobacco – Smoking and using tobacco are very dangerous habits. Smoking causes 440,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. More preventable diseases (such as emphysema, mouth, throat and lung cancer, and heart disease) are caused by tobacco more often than by anything else. The sooner you quit, the better.

LIMIT HOW MUCH ALCOHOL YOU DRINK: This means no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. One drink is equal to one can of beer (12 ounces, a 4ounce glass of wine or a jigger (one ounce) of liquor. Too much alcohol can damage the liver and contribute to some cancers, such as throat and liver cancer. Alcohol also contributes to death from car wrecks, murder and suicides.

Eat healthy – A healthy diet has many health benefits. Heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, diabetes and damage to your arteries can be linked to what you eat. By making healthier food choices, you can also lower your cholesterol and lose weight.

LOSE WEIGHT IF YOU’RE OVERWEIGHT: Many Americans are overweight. Carrying too much weight increases your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, gall bladder disease and arthritis in the weight-bearing joints (such as the spine, hips or knees).

A high-fiber, low-fat diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight and keep it off.

EXERCISE: Exercise can help heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. It can also help prevent colon cancer, stroke and back injury. You’ll feel better and keep your weight under control if you exercise regularly.

Try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, four to six times a week, but remember that any amount of exercise is better than none.

DON’T SUNBATHE OR USE TANNING BEDS: Sun exposure is linked to skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. It’s best to limit sun exposure and wear protective clothing and hats when you are outside. Sunscreen is also very important. It protects your skin and will help prevent skin caner. Make sure you use sunscreen year round on exposed skin, Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 and one that blocks both UVA and UBV light.

KEEP YOUR SHOTS UP TO DATE: Adults need a tetanusdiphtheria booster every 10 years. Your doctor may substitute one Td booster with Tdap, which also protects you against pertussis (whooping cough). Adults should also get a flu shot each year. Ask your doctor if you need other shots or vaccines.

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Hartselle Living • 23

Two good reasons to see us!

HARTSELLE EYE CARE Dr. Susan M. Persall 1098 Hwy. 31 SW • Hartselle 256-773-4418 hartselleeyecare.net

Got spirit?

Hartselle High School’s four male cheerleaders are Aaron Baker, Grant Shelton, Blaine Williams and Griffen Steelman.

24 • Hartselle Living

Hartselle has first male cheerleaders in decades STORY AND PHOTOS

BY BRENT MAZE

riffen Steelman, Aaron Baker, Blaine Williams and Grant Shelton are holding a position of distinction in Hartselle High School history.

The students are the first male cheerleaders for the school in nearly several decades.

Steelman and Baker, both seniors, said cheerleaders work just as hard as any other athletes on the campus.

“We work out just as much for this as we do for any other sport,” Steelman said.

“We lift weights and do exercises just like the football team does.”

Williams said the quartet has a good relationship with the rest of the cheerleading squad.

“The girls accepted us and we all work well together,” Williams said. “We have a great squad.”

Steelman said one of his highlights was going to a summer camp at a college.

“There were 2,000 cheerleaders at that camp and we were four of 15 males at the camp, Steelman said. “That was fun.”

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… e f i L s u o i c Deli

RECIPE FOR A

Take one part ity southern hospital Add a caring, dedicated staff d Mix in a day fille with activities

Pour in the best in personal care And a dash of fine dining Ser ve War m.

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2115 Point Mallard Drive SE Decatur, AL 35601 256-350-0089 Pet Friendly

www.MorningsideOfDecatur.com ©2012 Five Star Quality Care, Inc.

weet and savory, full of flavor, every detail prepared with love — that’s life at Morningside of Decatur. Call 256-350-0089 today to schedule your personal tour and complimentary lunch.

Pick up a complimentary cookbook on your tour, to get a taste of the homestyle cooking our residents enjoy everyday.

Hartselle Living • 25

Sausage Mushroom Quiche

FOOD

Get your grill on Recipes from the family farm to your backyard iring up the grill is an American tradition. The farm families who produce the food so many people enjoy at backyard cookouts want to share some of their favorite grilling recipes, as well as an appreciation for how food gets from the farm to the table.

Farmers like Amanda Folkens, from Iowa, Danell Kalcevic, from Colorado, and Nicole Small, from Kansas, have joined with more than 70 other farmer volunteers across the country in the CommonGround program as a way to talk with home cooks about how food is grown and raised.

"On our farm, animal care is top priority, as it is for thousands of other family farms in the U.S." said Amanda. "By keeping our animals indoors, we make sure they are pro-

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tected from predators, disease and bad weather."

To learn more about family farms and facts about your food, visit www.FindOurCommonGround.com.

Here are some of Amanda, Danell and Nicole's favorite grilling recipes.

Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures 145 degree – Beef, pork, veal and lamb (roasts, steaks and chops) 160 degrees – Ground meat 165 degrees – Poultry (whole, parts or ground) Things to Know Before You Shop the Meat Case GRILL continued on page 27

GRILL, from 26 - There's no need to pay extra for poultry or pork that's labeled hormone-free. USDA prohibits farmers from using hormones to raise chicken and pigs.

- Nearly all beef cattle, whether raised organically or conventionally, spend the majority of their lives on pastures eating grass.

- Purchasing organic, grass-fed and free-range meats does not make them safer to consume.

These labels refer to how the animals are raised, but all meat and poultry can contain bacteria that could cause illness.

- Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented with proper processing, handling and cooking of food to destroy bacteria.

Beef Rack of Ribs Beef Rack of Ribs

By Danell Kalcevic Serves: 4 to 6 Salt (to taste) 1 tablespoon black pepper (to taste) 1 tablespoon seasoned garlic salt (to taste) Cayenne pepper (optional) 1 to 2 racks of beef ribs (number of racks based on number of people) 1 tablespoon yellow mustard 1/3 cup brown sugar One bottle of favorite barbecue sauce The night before serving, prepare rub for beef ribs (salt, pepper, seasoned garlic salt and optional cayenne pepper). Sprinkle both sides of ribs and then rub vigorously. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, place on medium temperature grill and spread yellow mustard and brown sugar on each side of the ribs. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes until each side is slightly browned and caramelized.

Remove ribs from grill and slice with sharp knife. Place individual ribs in a crock pot on low. Add one bottle of your favorite barbeque sauce. Let simmer 6 to 8 hours.

1 to 2 1/4-inch thick ham slices (about the same thickness as the bread) Cooking spray Pineapple slices (can be fresh or canned) 2 slices sourdough bread Preheat grill for high heat.

Mix brown sugar with pepper to create a rub mixture.

Using your hands, massage the rub onto both sides of the slices of ham. Ham slices should be completely covered (front and back) with brown sugar mix.

Place ham slices on sheet of lightly greased foil, then place onto grill.

On separate sheet of greased foil, lay pineapple slices out, uncovered.

Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until brown caramelization appears around edges of ham and pineapple.

Remove ham and pineapple from heat and assemble onto toasted sourdough bread.

Grilled Hawaiian Ham Sandwich

By Amanda Folkens Serves: 1 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 tablespoon seasoning pepper Hartselle Living • 27

HJHS eighth grader Grace Anne Clardy meets Hartselle native Air Force T/Sgt. Jonathan Lott after receiving a care package and letter from her while stationed in Germany prior to the Christmas holiday.

OUR WAY OF LIFE

Special care Care package prompts Hartselle airman to look up a student at Hartselle Junior High School to say ‘thank you’

ast October, students in Jodi Fuqua’s Real Life 101 class volunteered to make fleece throws for military personnel on duty in Afghanistan and other overseas locations.

The throws were sent, along with letters and personal hygiene items, in care packages from the Blue Star Mothers of Morgan County.

Little did the students or their teacher realize at the time that one of the packages, along with a letter written by class member Grace Anne Clardy, was destined to land in the hands of an Air Force technical sergeant from Hartselle.

When T/Sgt. Jonathan Lott opened his package, he was getting ready to complete a three-year tour of duty

L

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLIF KNIGHT TRAIN continued on page 18

28 • Hartselle Living

SOLDIER, from 28 in Germany and fly home in time to be with his wife and their two daughters for the Christmas holidays.

“I received lots of care packages that I never opened while on duty overseas,” Lott told Fuqua’s students when he stopped by her class to meet Grace Anne.

“I’d always pass them on to someone else whom I felt needed them more than I. “But for some unknown reason I decided to open this one,” he pointed out. “It had a purple and gold blanket (LSU’s colors) inside, and since I’m an Auburn fan I gave it to one of my buddies who supports LSU. “When I opened Grace Anne’s letter my interest soared. I couldn’t believe it was written by a young lady who was attending the same school I attended as a teenager. Her message was much more mature and thoughtful than what I can remember when I was her age. It touched my heart and made me want to stop by the school

and meet Grace Anne and thank her after the Christmas holiday.”

Fuqua made arrangements for Lott’s visit after being contacted by the Blue Star Mothers and getting permission from Grace’s Anne’s parents, Mike and Faith Clardy.

“I was thrilled that my letter was received by someone from Hartselle,” said Grace Anne. “I didn’t think it was anything special. I just tried to make it sound like I knew the person who was going to receive it.”

“When you participate in a military care project like you did last semester it makes a positive impact,” Lott told the students.

“It touches all of us. I’ve witnessed grown men ready to fight to get their hands on one of the care packages.

“I want to thank you for all you do to show honor and respect for our country’s military personnel,” he added.

“Some of the guys don’t have close contact with their families back in the states,” he said. “Those of us who do always share

with them. Please don’t stop what you’re doing because it makes a big difference to us.”

Lott attended schools in Hartselle, graduating from Hartselle High in 2000. He excelled in both soccer and wrestling.

Three days after he received his diploma, he was undergoing basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Since then the aircraft mechanic flight chief has pulled duty assignments in Korea, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Germany, in addition to numerous stateside air bases. His next assignment is at Homestead AFB, Fla. He has completed requirements for an associate’s degree and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree before he retires from the Air Force at age 37.

He is married to the former Katie Finch of Hartselle. They have two daughters and the family will relocate to south Florida with him following the current school term.

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Hartselle Living • 29

THE LAST WORD

“Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

30 • Hartselle Living

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