Hartselle Living March 2015

A home at Hartwood A look inside the home of Hartselle’s most famous artist

Inside this edition: Local entertainer shares her success story Have an easy homestyle Easter brunch A good cleaning can prepare homes for spring

Vol. 5, Issue 3

Hartselle Living • 1

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table of contents

MARCH 2015

HOMES

ON THE COVER

16. A home at Hartwood

Hartwood was the home of well-known artist Gayle Strider and her family after they bought it from the Booths. (Photo by Joy Haynes)

Hartselle’s most famous author, her husband and their four boys had a home at Hartwood on Alabama 36 West for nearly 40 years.

The 1912 home boasts an elaborate front porch, spectacular views and a host of memories.

STAFF President and Publisher Randy Garrison Editor Brent Maze Contributors Clif Knight Joy Haynes Advertising Pam Gray Office Staff Ann Kirby April Thompson Katie Sparkman

Departments

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 monthly by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC. A one-year subscription to the Hartselle Enquirer and Hartselle Living is $39 in county or $78 out of county.

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

To advertise or to get more FREE copies, call 773-6566. www.hartselleliving.com Copyright 2015 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

12

10 GET TO KNOW: Kay DeKalb Smith, MCHS alumna, entertains and evangelizes.

HISTORY: The Hartselle Historical Society finds a piece of Hartselle’s history.

25

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22 FOOD: Carol Jane White shares her favorite Easter menu.

WELLNESS: Organization is an integral part of spring cleaning.

FAITH AND FAMILY: FUMC pastor explains Holy Week.

IN EACH ISSUE: Letters • 6 Calendar • 8 Scene • 26 Classifieds • 29 Last Word • 30

Hartselle Living • 5

LETTERS

It will never lose its power

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Once Jesus freely and hile I was willingly shed his blood contemas a final sacrifice for plating our sins, He fulfilled words for the requirement for the this month’s magazine shedding of blood for column, the thought sins. His blood covered came to me that Easter and washed away all is just around the corsins from our past, our ner. While driving to present and our future. choir practice WednesThe pure and unblemday night, I rememished Lamb of God bered several years ago shed that wonder-worksomeone mentioned ing powerful blood. to me that they did not Blood represents life. care for the “blood” Without the blood flowsongs. I believe this ing through our bodies, was some 25 or so we would not sustain years ago when the life for any period of hymns sang at the time. The blood carries Sunday night service at oxygen and nutrients to Hartselle First Untied the cells of our body; in Methodist were usually return it removes carby request. bon dioxide and waste By this, I mean we from those cells. would sing hymns that The life sustaining were favorites of those power of our blood in attendance on those enables us to live. The nights. The song “Powlifeblood of Jesus ener in the Blood” was ables us to enter into requested many times. eternal life and into the I don’t think they really presence of God when meant the message of Randy Garrison • Letter from the Publisher our life here on earth is the song was not a faover. So without blood vorite, but maybe that in our bodies and the blood shed by Jesus, life would not be singing about the blood bothered them. Perhaps it was the a very good experience, either here on earth or when we step thought of Jesus shedding his blood that bothered them. into eternity.

The chorus has these words: Some of my favorite words: There is power, power; wonder-working power What can wash away my sin?

In the blood of the Lamb, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; There is power, power, wonder-working power What can make me whole again?

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

The lamb being referred to here is the Lamb of God, Jesus I like to sing and remember the words to the “blood” songs.

Christ. The wonder-working power in the blood comes from There is nothing like the power of His blood shed for you and His shedding of blood on Calvary to wash away the sins of for me. As we move into Easter, we will remember the suffermankind. God required the shedding of blood to forgive the ing was for us, His children. God Bless! sins of man.

6 • Hartselle Living

Spring has finally arrived you can build before it gets old.

Now as our weather begins to warm up, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful weather.

Take time to spend at a local park, like Sparkman Park. You’ll Brent Maze • Letter from the Editor see anything from people Also, feel free to take in some spring playing Frisbee golf and children playsports, such as baseball, softball, socing on the playground to picnickers cer, tennis, track and field or golf. Enand those exercising on the walking joy it before it gets too hot. trail.

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

I

t took a long time to get here, but I think spring is finally here. Usually by the middle of the month, we’re usually seeing some blooms start to come out.

The buttercups and other springtime bulb type plants start blooming usually before anything else, but it seems like they were a little late arriving this year due to the cold and ice that we experienced in February and early March.

We never had that warm spell that caused some of the early bloomers to come out. However, that should make for a great spring, especially considering how wet our winter has been.

I think we all have a bit of cabin fever after such the rough winter that we’ve had. Everyone has been cooped up inside from all of the snow and ice.

There are only so many snowmen that

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 Travel with Hartselle Living! the World Snap a photo of yourself is Hartselle anywhere in the world Living?: 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

CALENDAR March 18-19

HCS out of district enrollment Hartselle City Schools is taking applications for enrollment for Kindergarten and first graders who live outside the city limits of Hartselle for the 2015-2016 school year, Wed., March 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thur., March 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please attach a current utility bill, copy of blue Immunization card, birth certificate and Social Security card (voluntary) and submit it to the central office. If the child does not live with both parents, a copy of the custody decree is required. Out-ofdistrict students are only accepted prior to the beginning of school. For more information, contact Fred Wallace or Jan Byrd at 256-773-5419, Mon.- Fri., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email Jan at jan.byrd@hcs.k12. al.us.

March 19

FHS blood drive The Falkville Middle School SCA and the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive in the Drake Gym at Falkville High School Thur., March 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors can schedule an appointment or get additional information at www. redcrossblood.org or by calling Teresa Becker at 256-990-0830.

Allergy information luncheon Dr. Adam Harrison, family practitioner, will share information about causes, symptoms and treatment of seasonal allergies, Thur., March 19, at 11:30 a.m. Cost of the lunch and program is $5 for WomenFirst and SeniorChoice members and $8 for others. Reserve your spot online at www.crmchospital.com or call 7372600.

March 20

MC Sheriff ’s Rodeo street dance The Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo street dance will be on Second 8 • Hartselle Living

Laura Hopkins of Danville-Neel Elementary School enjoys a pony ride during last year’s Morgan County Sheriff’s Special Needs Rodeo. This year’s rodeo will be April 9.

sis monthly meeting will be March 23 from 6-8 p.m. They meet in Room 2 at Sparkman Civic Center. Everyone is invited to come meet some March 21 wonderful people, learn something MCHS Adoption Event The Morgan County Humane Soci- and have some fun. For more inforety will have an adoption event Sat., mation, contact Susan at 256-502March 21, at Tractor Supply Compa- 1221 or 256-502-8424 or Adam at ny in Hartselle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 256-221-2233 after 6 p.m.

Avenue NE in Decatur March 20 at 6 p.m.

Gun Safety Class The Hartselle Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. will offer a Gun Safety Class on March 21. The class is $25 and will last four-hours.

March 23-27

Spring break Hartselle and Morgan County schools will close for spring break March 23-27.

March 23

Multiple sclerosis meeting March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, and the multiple sclero-

March 27-29

“I Love Lucy- Live on Stage!”

“I Love Lucy- Live on Stage!” is coming to Huntsville for five performances in the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center March 27-29. Shows will be Fri., March 27 at 8 p.m., Sat., March 28 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sun., March 29 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 for students and $37 for adults and are available at the Broadway Theater League office in the Von Braun Center or at ticketmaster.com.

March 28

MCHS Adoption Event

The Morgan County Humane Society will have an adoption event Sat., March 28, at Pet Depot in Hartselle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

enter through the front door. The free class should be approximately two hours long.

and keep their dog on a leash. No more than one dog per person.

March 29

April 4

MC Sheriff ’s Rodeo parade kickoff The Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo parade kickoff will be at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds, located at 1801 Vest Road in Hartselle, April 4 at noon. Contestants may ride a horse, but it is not mandatory. No horses will be provided.

MC Sheriff ’s Special Needs Rodeo The Morgan County Sheriff’s Special Needs Rodeo will be at Morgan County Celebration Arena April 9 at 8 a.m.

Strait Way quartet Southwest Baptist Church, 1705 Ridgedale Dr. SW in Hartselle, will host Strait Way quartet March 29 at 5 p.m. Dewitt Crowe is the pastor.

For more information, call 256-7735994.

March 31

SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class Morgan County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service in Huntsville will be holding their SkyWarn Storm Spotter Class in Morgan County on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at Brewer High School located at 59 Eva Road, Somerville. The class will be held in the cafeteria of the school, please

Dog Bone Hunt Hartselle Parks and Recreation will have its annual dog bone hunt April 4 at 10 a.m. in Sparkman Park.

There will also be a contest for best Easter costume, largest dog, smallest dog and the dog that found the most bones. There is no fee or registration; however, officials ask that participants have proof of dog vaccinations

April 9

April 10-11

MC Sheriff ’s Rodeo The Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo will be at Morgan County Celebration Arena April 10-11 at 5 p.m. nightly. For more information, email mcsrqueen@gmail.com.

Rummage sale The spring Hartselle Parks and Recreation rummage sale will be April 10-11. Seller registration begins Mon., March 9, at 7:30 a.m. Fee is $20 per space, and sellers must be there both days.

®

Hartselle Living • 9

GET TO KNOW

Kay DeKalb Smith MCHS alumna uses humor to entertain crowds while spreading the Gospel of Christ STORY BY BRENT MAZE

K

ay DeKalb Smith is a singer, speaker and comedian. She graduated from Morgan County High School and currently lives in Nashville, Tenn. While in Hartselle, she won the Miss Alabama Teenager pageant at age 17 and had an opportunity to share her testimony at a Billy Graham crusade during her reign.

Smith, who was called the “Carol Burnett of Christian Entertainment,” will be featured during the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at Hartselle High School March 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the annual meeting are $30 and include a meal and reserved seating in the auditorium.

General admission tickets to the show are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 5.

that ever happened to me! The opportunity to know people and be known by people in a deeply personal way built great confidence in me. In those days, if you came to C&S Grocery Store without your wallet, no worries. Come back later and pay them! People in Hartselle have been my cheerleaders and prayer partners for life. I get goose bumps when I drive down Main Street. It is almost a sacred feeling. I am deeply grateful for my roots.

HL: How big of a highlight is it for you to get to speak at the new Hartselle High School on March 31?

KDS: I am thrilled to have this Hartselle Living: Growing up here, could opportunity to return home. I you ever imagine that you would have the told a friend, “This night is so opportunities – speaking to thousands, TV important to me, it feels like my personal, Oscars!” I have many funny stories and appearances, etc. – that you’ve had? heart-warming remembrances to share. I Kay DeKalb Smith: No, I never could have imagined what has transpired in my hope many people I have known through the years will attend. I can’t wait to hug life. In fact, when I was a small child, you all! there were no such opportunities for women. And the eventual ministry path in which I landed evolved as I grew up. I HL: Do you consider yourself more of an began singing for youth events, then par- entertainer or of a minister?

KDS: Honestly, I am a unique combinaticipated in singles ministry events, and tion of both. God equipped me with a now am enjoying women’s ministry and sense of humor from birth, a witty outlook senior adult ministry. on life, musical abilities and an insatiable thirst for a relationship with Christ.

HL: How much has Hartselle impacted your life as a communicator?

HL: How did you receive your call to KDS: Moving to Hartselle when I was 6 ministry? years old was absolutely the best thing 10 • Hartselle Living

KDS: When I was 13, I asked my mom to make an appointment with our pastor, Dr. Luther Carden. Bro. Carden met with me, and I told him that it was my heart’s desire to serve God with my whole being.

He prayed with me and encouraged me to seek God every day and to daily commit my talents to Him. I have done that for a lifetime.

HL: How did speaking at a Billy Graham Crusade help propel you into the ministry that you have today?

KDS: That was really miraculous for me, because two years prior to being on the crusade, I had gone on a mission trip to England. After witnessing the spiritually bankrupt nation of Great Britain, I committed to God to “telling the whole world

about Jesus!” There was no way I could have known two years later I would be Miss Alabama Teenager and would be asked to share my testimony and sing on a telecast that was broadcast around the world. God had answered my prayers. My faith was bolstered, and I honestly experienced firsthand what the Bible says, “All things are possible through Christ!”

God has called me to do. I have always been tethered to the family of faith. It is my joy, it is my strength.

HL: What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?

KDS: When I was 17 and was Miss Alabama Teenager, a woman in an airport stopped me and told me she had been in pageants.

She said, “Always remember people will only say nice things to HL: The way you use humor in communicating with people, is your face. There will always be those who do not like your voice that a natural talent or is it something that you’ve developed over or your presentation, and they will just walk out the door.” In the years? other words, don’t be full of yourself. Not everyone will actually KDS: It is funny, my mom and I talked about this the other day. like you, and that’s okay. She was right. And to this day, every When my brother, Kirk was 4 months old, my mom found out time I finish an event, I try to honestly assess my presentation, she was having me. She said she cried every day the first year knowing full well, everyone did not “get it” and that’s okay. of my life, and I smiled every day! Her memories of my early days in downtown Hartselle are of pulling me out of Fowler’s as HL: What would you say to someone who wants to find the callI said, “I have another song I can sing for you!” Also, she said ing on his or her life? when people would ask, “What do you want to be when you KDS: Pursue what you are passionate about. God implants withgrow up?” I would always reply, “I want to make people hapin you what He chooses to fulfill in you. If all you want to do py!” I was born to do what I have accomplished in my life. is “doodle” and you are good at it, by all means doodle to the glory of God. Are you passionate about the elderly? Visit nursHL: How does using humor help you minister to an audience? ing homes and spread joy room to room! And remember, if God KDS: I often say, “Laughter is my tool to reach the heart.” Hucloses a door, it is for a reason. Redirection is an amazing part mor is the great wall breaker. It puts people at ease. It prepares of the way God works. I had wanted to be Julie Andrews Jr., but the heart for the Gospel of Christ. I watch it happen in every that was not God’s plan for me. It took my getting sick in Nashconcert and am always amazed to see God work through humor. ville for nine months with a staph infection, for me to realize I was not to move to Hollywood. God had plans for me in NashHL: Your biography says that you’re a lady “who dares to go ville, Tenn., and 40 years later, I am thrilled that I obeyed God! where no other crazy woman will go.” What’s probably the craziest thing that you’ve done to help connect with an audience?

KDS: The funniest things that happen are accidental. Like the night in Birmingham while speaking for a ladies night out, I went to kick off my shoe for a routine in which I move around a lot having forgotten I put a strip of duct tape to anchor a slippery shoe sole. The shoe flew in the air and attached to my pantyhose.

I flailed to kick it off – the more I flailed the more it flew! (That was the night I performed, what I now call the “Pantyhose Propeller.”) The women were in the floor bent over laughing. My mom was in the audience that night and said it was the funniest thing I have ever done on stage – but I could never repeat it!

HL: Your commitment to your family and church seems to be important in your life. How have they impacted your life and your ministry?

KDS: This part rather makes me tear up. My church family has always supported my call to ministry. When I was traveling on Sundays, Ed would take the girls to the front door of the church with a hairbrush. He would look pitiful, and a mother would come through the door and grab the hairbrush to fix the girls’ hair. He was such a good daddy and never ever complained that I was gone doing ministry. One Sunday, our youngest daughter had her dress on backward. Her Sunday school teacher said, “Oh Allie, is Mama gone this weekend?” For years, my parents would either come to Nashville to help us with the girls or take them home to Hartselle so Ed could work, and I could do what Hartselle Living • 11

Lee Y. Greene Jr. and Bob Francis look over photos that the Hartselle Historical Society received in the mail recently of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Hartselle.

HISTORY

Almost forgotten history A photo from a forgotten era of Hartselle’s history randomly shows up in the mailbox of the Historical Society STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRENT MAZE

W

hen Lee Y. Greene Jr. went to check the mailbox of the Hartselle Historical Society one morning in February, he got a notification from the Hartselle Post Office that there was a package for the historical society.

“I didn’t have any idea what it was,” Greene said. “David (Burleson) asked me what I had bought this time. I told him, ‘I haven’t bought anything.’”

But what was waiting on him was a rare piece of Hartselle’s history – two framed photos of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ David Burleson and Lee Y. Greene Jr. of the Hartselle Historical Society show the photos to the Hartselle Rotary Club.

12 • Hartselle Living

camp in Hartselle from December 1939.

“I had no idea that these photos were even still around,” Greene said. “It was a great find for a forgotten time in our history.”

The photos were of the encampment on the north end of town and a group photo of the workers. These photos were sent by Wally Edwards of Winter Springs, Fla. “They were about to be thrown away,” Greene said. “A family was cleaning out a home and put it in the trash can. Wally saw them and pulled them out. If it had been another hour, they would have been lost forever.”

The CCC gave jobs to unemployed men ages 17 to 28 as a part of the New Deal. These jobs were related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural lands. Greene said the workers were paid $31 a week, $11 of which they got to keep while the remainder was sent back home.

The CCC camps were built using temporary buildings similar to barracks that would be used later during World War II

and ensuGreene holds the photo of the ing conCCC company in Hartselle. flicts.

“When you look at their uniforms and the way that the camps were constructed, it’s pretty clear that they were preparing back after the war.” the naGreene said some of the people that tion for war,” Greene said. “They went came to the area included Leonard through training just like military. The Gilchrist, Bill Midget, W.E. Smith and only difference is that they didn’t have a several others, many of which became rifle and a sidearm.”

Greene said the CCC was an important business owners in the area.

Right now, Greene said they are lookpart of Hartselle’s history. ing to help identify everyone in the photo.

“A number of families are here in HartIf anyone knows any of the individuals in selle because of the CCC,” Greene said. the photo, Greene asked them to contact “Some of them married here and came the Hartselle Historical Society.

Hartselle Living • 13

FOOD

Something for Easter A Hartselle woman shares her favorite Easter menu from her own recipe book STORY BY JOY HAYNES

E

aster is a special time in most homes, and a certain local woman knows just how to make it extra special for family and friends.

Carol Jane White is a retired home-economics teacher from Hartselle High School. She came up with her own unique recipe book “Good Day Meals” seven years ago that lays out plans, grocery lists and recipes for four meals a week. White said she thought it would be an easy way to help her daughter as she prepared meals for her family.

“I saw a one-month weekly recipe planner in an issue of Southern Living,” White said. “I figured that was a good idea, and I could make a whole year’s worth of menus. There are four menus for every week of the year, with special menus on all of the holidays. There are also grocery lists for each week for the store.”

White had her recipe book printed and bound, but she sold out of copies. She plans to reprint the book in the future.

“I picked recipes that most people around here are comfortable with cooking, so it’s some good family meals,”

14 • Hartselle Living

White said.

White has also started painting over the last two years, and she has incorporated her recipes into her artwork.

“I watercolor an image over pages from recipe books,” White said. “I really enjoy working with recipes, and I’ve been taking watercolor classes for a couple years now. My class now allows me to work on personal projects, and I started up these new prints. I’ve started to sell them too, and I think they would be a great Mother’s Day gift.”

One of White’s treasured recipes is an Easter menu including Easter ham, apple rings, squash dressing, spring asparagus casserole, deviled eggs, strawberry pretzel salad and noknead rolls. She generously shared her “Good Day Meals” Easter recipes with Hartselle Living.

Easter Ham 6 pound precooked boneless ham 1 onion, sliced 2 apples, cored and sliced

½ teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon marjoram 8 cloves 10 peppercorns 1 cup apple juice ½ can beef broth Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place onion and apples over bottom of a Dutch oven or heavy casserole.

Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon thyme, cinnamon, marjoram and all the cloves and peppercorns. Place ham in dish and rub remaining spices into top surface. Pour apple juice slowly over the ham. Place in oven and bake for 1 ½ hours. As ham bakes, baste with the beef broth and pan juices. Reserve half of the broth for the sauce. Then cover ham and bake an additional 30 minutes.

Remove ham from the dish and allow to rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

Ham Sauce Pan juices from ham ½ can beef broth 2 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoon apple jelly 1 tablespoon apple juice 1 teaspoon corn starch 1 teaspoon mustard ½ cup raisins

Pour pan juices from ham. Mash the onion and apple through a strainer.

Remove any peppercorns and cloves. Add beef broth, brown sugar and jelly to pan of juices, and bring to a boil. Add cornstarch, mustard and apple juice to this simmering mixture. Stir for several minutes until all ingredients are blended.

Add raisins and let sauce simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with ham.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad 1 cup pretzels, crushed 8 ounces cream cheese 6 ounces strawberry Jell-O 1 cup pecans, crushed 1 ½ sticks margarine (room temp.)

1 cup sugar 20 ounces frozen strawberries ¾ tablespoon sugar 9 ounces Cool Whip 1 cup water Combine pretzels, pecans, margarine and ¾ tablespoon sugar.

Mix and press into 9-by-13 dish.

Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and Cool Whip and spread over crust. Bring water to a boil and add Jell-O, stir to dissolve Jell-O. Add strawberries and let it begin to congeal. Pour over the cool whip mixture. Chill in the refrigerator.

Hartselle Living • 15

HOMES

A home at Hartwood STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOY HAYNES

16 • Hartselle Living

Hartselle’s renowned artist Gayle Strider opens up the 100-year-old house where her four boys grew up.

Hartselle Living • 17

Hartselle artist Gayle Strider opens up her family’s 1912 home and gallery at Hartwood

W

hen Gayle Strider nicknamed her home Hartwood, she could never have known how well it would stick.

The house on the 13-acre lot was built in 1912. The large layout was made to accommodate a family and servants comfortably, which suited the Strider family’s four boys very well.

“It was a lot of fun growing up in that house,” said Jody Strider, the youngest son. “There was always something to do and lots of places to play. We enjoyed running around the front porch, sliding down the stairwell, roaming around the pecan grove and rummaging through the barn. There are definitely a lot of stories from here.”

The house has five bedrooms and four full baths. The original layout was changed somewhat by the Striders for convenience after they bought it from the Booth family in 1963.

Ivied columns stand at the end of the driveway, every bedroom and living space has a working fireplace and stained glass windows from a local church adorn most interior doorways. Strider prides herself on having several original light fixtures and other era-specific replacements.

The property is full of unique heirlooms and pieces of history, including a 40s Chevrolet in the barn and hundreds of antique airplane models in the Hartwood Gallery’s back room. Memorabilia from Strider’s husband’s career at NASA under Warner Von Braun decorates the entry room.

Many of Strider’s original works of art adorn the walls of the house and the detached studio in the backyard. She has pieces commissioned by Morgan County, Auburn University, John Deere and many others. One of her best known works, the rendering of the old F.E. Burleson Elementary School, has been transposed on post cards, greeting cards and more.

Strider no longer lives there and the house is on the market, but her love for the home she knew for nearly forty years is still evident.

18 • Hartselle Living

Each room has a working fire place and luxury details. Large windows show off the property.

An oversized barn was constructed from the Booth’s chicken houses, which was a known cock fighting arena.

Hartselle Living • 19

A 1940s Chevrolet is hidden away in the barn.

It belonged to an family relative in Kansas.

Hartwood Gallery has frame building and assembly rooms behind the front showroom.

20 • Hartselle Living

The stairwell sports the refinished original pine floors that span almost the entire house.

The oversized front porch may be home’s most impressive feature. Jody Strider says it was one of his favorite play areas.

Hartselle Hartselle Living Living •• 21 21

Spring cleaning can be overwhelming, but with some help and a plan, the season can start right.

WELLNESS

A fresh start to the season Bring on spring with a room-by-room update around the house and yard STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOY HAYNES

S

pring cleaning can be a daunting task for homeowners in need of an overhaul or even an update, but it is well worth the effort.

A clean closet, fresh linens and a trim outdoor living space will make the start of spring an easy transition and a time of enjoyment rather than another season of disarray and procrastination. Each person will need to tackle spring cleaning at their own pace and personalized to their needs, but these tips could help them make the best of their cleaning experiences.

Recipes for homemade cleaners without harsh chemicals are readily available online. Some people prefer

22 • Hartselle Living

to control what they are putting on the surfaces their families contact daily without sacrificing the cleaner’s effectiveness. Regular household items such as vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda are typically used in homemade cleaners.

Before beginning the cleaning process, spring cleaners should determine the best approach for them. Some might want to delegate chores out to family members and make a weekend out of it with a reward system.

Maybe the family could enjoy a movie night with pizza and popcorn once the cleaning is over. Others might decide the best system for them is to make a project

timeline. They could set goals for each day or week to take on spring cleaning a little at a time.

Spring cleaners should make sure they concentrate their efforts to make them as productive as possible. A list of tasks for each room should be prioritized, taking time and budget restrictions into consideration. Outdoor work could be left for last to ensure it is done on warmer, prettier days or could be scattered throughout

to mix it up.

Windows should be cleaned throughout the house inside and outside. Baseboards and trim should be dusted or wiped down. Carpets can be spot cleaned or deep cleaned, and tile, hardwood and laminate floors can be steam treated. Draperies can be vacuumed to clean away dust, allowing for a fresher, more-naturally CLEANING continued on page 24

Outdoor tools are easier to find and take up less space if they are mounted on the wall.

Hartselle Living • 23

chemicals can be set aside and disposed of during a chemical collection day. Morgan County’s chemical collection days are the second Saturday of each month lit room. Changing the direction of fans to rotate in a at the Decatur Public Works complex at 1802 Central counter-clockwise motion will help cool rooms during Parkway SW in Decatur. warmer weather. This time can be taken to inspect Outdoor work could include tuning up lawnmowers smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and other and weed eaters for the upcoming lawn care season. safety equipment.

Siding or brick can be pressure washed to quickly reLinens, bedskirts and pillows can be washed and vamp the outside of any house. A quick paint job on restored to their initial comfort. While the closet is trim, shutters or the front door can brighten a home and already pulled apart to sort through unwanted clothes, invite spring happiness. this would be a good time to do any seasonal clothing A good spring cleaning guarantees having to find a transitions. Wood furniture can be refreshed with homehome for unwanted items. Old toys, clothes, linens, made or store-bought wood cleaners. Thoroughly cleankitchen supplies and more can be taken to local thrift ing all light fixtures can bring new life to the room.

The kitchen and bathroom should not be overlooked. stores, consignment shops or charity groups. The Caring Place in Hartselle accepts all sorts of furniture, clothing, All counters and cabinets can be sorted through and food and baby items to distribute to the community. reorganized. All outdated foods and medicines should Several area churches have food pantries or baby supbe discarded properly. A drug take-back collection bin ply stations. The Morgan County Animal Shelter off is located at the Decatur Police Department, but medThompson Road is always in need of more old blankets icines can also be discarded along with an undesirable and pet toys. Recycling for electronics such as computsubstance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds. ers, monitors, cell phones, printers and more is availThe garage might be the most intimidating spring able at 901 Groover Road in Hartselle. cleaning task, but the efforts put into this room will be Spring cleaning can lead to more than a happy home, the most obvious. Tools should be put in their proper it can lead to a cleansing experience for both body and place and organized according to use. Unnecessary mind. paint cans, motor oils, pesticides, aerosols and other

CLEANING, from 23

Old chemicals and medicines should be disposed of properly, not thrown in the trash.

24 • Hartselle Living

FAITH AND FAMILY

Explaining Holy Week Holy Week is a time of reverence and remembrance for Christians STORY BY REV. JIMMY BASSHAM, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

T

he most important week of the Christian year (as opposed to the calendar year) is Holy Week. This week commemorates those last days of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion. It is those last days leading up to his crucifixion, because Easter is not a part of Holy Week.

Holy Week is the culmination of the 40-day season of Lent, which was one of the earliest seasons of the Christian year that developed in the life of the church. Lent was a time of penitence in preparation for Easter. Holy Week developed to add special emphasis to the events that culminated in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Holy week begins with Palm Sunday. This commemorates the day of Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem when He rode into the city on a donkey. The people shouted praise to the one they saw as the promised, political Messiah and placed their cloaks and palm branches on the road in front of Jesus. Palm Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday because often the emphasis of this final Sunday before Easter is on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.

The next significant day in Holy Week is Maundy Thursday. This day commemorates the Last Supper- the Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples. Passover was the high point of the Jewish religious calendar because it marked the time when the death angel passed over the children of Egypt, which was the event that led to their release from bondage. The name “Maundy” is taken from John 13:34 during the meal when Jesus said to his disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” In Latin, “new commandment” is “mandyorum novum.” From “mandatorum,” which means “commandment,” we get out word “Maundy.” It was during this meal that Jesus instituted the sacrament/ordinance that is variously called Holy Communion, the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper.

After the time with his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane. He was arrested there, and during Thursday night through Friday morning, Jesus was taken first to the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish religious council, and then to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Out of this, He was condemned to be crucified. He was first scourged with a whip and then forced to carry His own cross (most likely the horizontal beam and not a full cross)

to the place where He was crucified. This occurred on what we call Good Friday.

It is called Good Friday because Jesus’ death for our salvation is good for us, not Jesus. Jesus was nailed to the cross about 9 a.m. and died about 3 p.m. Because that was late in the afternoon, it was important for Him to be buried before sundown, which was the end of the day for the Jews. Due to this rush to bury Jesus, there was not time to properly prepare His body. That is the reason the women were coming to the tomb on Sunday morning. Since nothing is known about the events of that Saturday, it has never developed as a significant time in the Christian Year even though it is still, technically, a part of Holy Week.

The Rev. Jimmy Bassham is the senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle.

Hartselle Living • 25

OUT AND ABOUT 1

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The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the State of the City Address at Sparkman Civic Center. 1- From Decatur Morgan Hospital are, from left, Hillary Blakely, Nick Hubler, Kevin Borden, Tina Weeks and Kathy White-Goodwin.

2- From Peck Funeral Home, from left, Robert Peck, Arthur Peck, Kandie Glasgow and Geoff Halbrooks.

3- Randy Sparkman and Mayor Don Hall. 4- Janan Downs and Arthur Peck. 5- Sandra and Bill Smelser. 6- Falkville Mayor Bob Ramey, 2014 Miss Depot Days Caroline Davis and Patricia Ramey. 7- From Redstone Federal Credit Union, from left, Chad Shull, Tammy Lott, Tonya Brewer, Pam Hanners, Alana Suttles, Stephanie Watson and Andy Chudy.

8- 2014 Miss Depot Days Caroline Davis, Bettye English, Tiffany Wilemon and Faye Walker. 9. Debbie Hall, wife of Mayor Hall.

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The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the State of the City Address at Sparkman Civic Center. 1- From left, Daryl Fox, Linda Fox and Sgt. Kel Roberts. 2- Doug Moss sets up the sound system. 3- Sandra Sowder from the Freight House helps serve the meal. 4- From left, Commission Chairman Ray Long, Carolyn Wallace, Randy Sparkman and State Sen. Arthur Orr. 5- Chamber President Susan Hines, Commissioner Don Stisher and Dwight Tankersley.

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Commission Chairman Ray Long presented the State of the County Address March 3 at the Turner Surles Community Center. 1- Priceville High School JROTC color guard, from left, Andrew Stover, Stuart Reding, Cameron Harris and Brandon Terry. 2- Wade Weaver from Valley Budweiser. 3- Chance Brown, left, and Ellie Grace Blackwood. 4- Priceville Mayor Melvin Duran, left, and Rick Paler. 5- From left, Councilman Ken Doss, City Clerk Rita Lee, Kathy White-Goodwin of Decatur Morgan Hospital, Mayor Don Hall and Councilman Bill Smelser. 6- County Commission Chairman Ray Long addresses the crowd. 7Weaver presents Long with a copy of the chamber’s public policy agenda.

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We are available for *Weddings *Receptions *Luncheons *Pre-Wedding Parties *Bridal Teas

Visit our website at hartsellefineartscenter.org or email us at hartsellefinearts@att.net

28 • Hartselle Living

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Rent one room or the entire building

Call 256-773-4046

7

Marketplace Hartselle Living • 256.332.1881

Drivers: OTR Needed. Home Weekends, Great Pay & Qualitiy Equpiment. Class A CDL, Clean MVR. 1yr Exp Req. Health, Dental, RX, 401k.

Jay: 256-432-3944 Mon-Fr 8a-5p Company Drivers and Owner Operators Home at least once a wk. Exc benefits, pay. Must have Class A CDL w Hazmat & Tanker endorsements, 2 yrs OTR exp, good safety record.

800-338-2717

DEPENDABLE DOZER & DIRT 256-332-4854 Insurance Agency in Haleyville seeking full time sales rep. No experience req’d.

Salary + Commission. Email resume to ccolvard@allstate. com.

Cracker Barrel Decatur Hiring servers and dishwashers. Nights & weekends. Apply in person: 407 Beltline Rd SW Decatur, AL 35601

JOBS IN ALABAMA!! AIDT assists employers throughout AL by identifying qualified applicants by recruitment, screening & training services.

Visit www.aidt.edu/jobs for latest jobs & training!

Water in Crawlspace?

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Have Mold?

We install Floor Supports, French Drains, Encapsulations, Moisture Barriers. We do Mold Remediation! Crawlspace Solutions 256-436-0014

Caregivers & Nurses ALWAYS THERE IN-HOME CARE Immediate need, Flexible hours, Benefits available. Call for more information 256539-1400 www.alwaysthereinc.com

Looking for a home? Need help with financing?

Call your neighbors down the street at Davis Realty. We can help you get a great rate! Call Willodean 256-762-5671 Davis Realty & Assoc. Inc. 115 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL. 256-332-9920

ANN’S ALTERATIONS 600 Limestone Street, Suite #6 Hartselle, AL 256-773-4213 Piano Tuning / Repair, Refinishing, Moving & Storage Trained by The School for the Blind. Buddy Gray Music.

205-822-0482 or 800-593-2462 CARRY TRANSIT Decatur, Alabama Now hiring DRIVERS * Good Pay * Excellent Benefits & Home Time * 18 Months OTR exp. * Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement.

Apply on Line@ CarryTransit.com STONECREST NOW AVAILABLE 1-2-3 BEDROOMS Rent $280-$385. 86 Flippen Ave. Russellville 256-331-0301

Need MIG Welders! Must pass criminal and drug screen.

256-751-5092. Apply in person: 1901 John D Long Dr, Hartselle, AL 35640 CDL Instructors Needed.

Bessemer & Decatur locations.

Min 5 years experience.

866-432-0430 ESDschool.com Fire and Ice Heating and Cooling LLCSales * Service * Repair Free Quotes $65 Service Calls $10 off with this Ad! 256-200-5934 fireandiceservices.com Come Home to Holiday Plaza Apartments (Behind Foodland) Equal Housing Opportunity 256-332-2960

CONCERT PROMOTIONS!!!

WEEKLY PAY. HIRING Full-Time & Part-Time Sales & Clerical, Management & Hourly employees. Requires POSITIVE Attitude & RESPECTFUL Personality. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED 256-261-1373 Call Today/Start Tomorrow!

For ALL your Gun and Tackle Needs!

ATI 45 compact $449; ATI subcompact w/ hi-capacity mag $469; Gift Certificates Available JC’s Guns & Tackle Shop, 1650 Jordan Ln, Huntsville 256-830-0761

Franklin Homes in Russellville, Alabama is currently taking applications for an Experienced Service Technician with a clean driving record. Excellent benefits available. Please apply in person at 10655 Hwy 43 Russellville Alabama or send your resume to pjohnson@franklinhomesusa. com.

Hickory Heights Lots .4 - 1.2 acres $32,00-$52,000 Call 256-773-9554

Kubota L3940 HST 4x4 w/ 871 hrs, 41HP, QA Kubota Loader & Bucket: $17,700.

New PowerLine Tillers starting at $1250. New 5’ Titan Bush Hog w/ Slip Clutch: $975. Int’l 2 Flat Bottom Breaking Plow: $300. 6’ Sunburst Box Blade: $550. 256-565-8695 (no txt) HOME FOR SALE Financing Available (wac)Low Down Payments Russellville, Falkville, & Belle Mina Call Matt 1-855-847-6808 Square Hay Bales. Fescue & Bermuda. $4 per bale or $3.50 per 100. decorating Hay $3.00 per bale. (256)734-4202 West Point, AL GET PAID WEEKLY to assist seniors in their homes!

IMMEDIATE WORK AVAILABLE for dependable Caregivers & CNAs in Decatur, Hartselle, and Athens. For details, call 256-355-0024!

CA$H FOR CATTLE: Save sale fee & hauling, even if stockyard is closed. Richard Hunter 256-796-6845 or 256-385-0036

KDC Properties, Inc. 256-355-9090 P.O. Box 987 Decatur, AL 35602 kdcpropertiesinc.com J. Wesley Cain, AL #286; TN #6499 We Buy ATVs Motorcycles & Utility Vehicles Motorsports Superstore 888-880-2277 Hamilton, AL SPRING CLEAN-UP Need a Dumpster?

Call 205-893-7223 Smith Motors Two locations on Hwy 31, Decatur Lot #1 256-350-9938 Lot #2 256-350-9937 smithmotorsautosales.com SURVEILLANCE CAMERA MONITORED 24 HOURS A DAY STORAGE BUILDINGS For Rent, All Sizes. Russellville, AL. We Accept Credit Cards.

Call Jerry 256-332-9253 or 256-412-5392 Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm, Sat. 8am-12pm Steel Building Bargains Allocated Discounts We do deals 30x40, 50x60, 100x100 and more Total Construction and Blueprints Available gosteelbuildings.com Source #18X 251-241-4250 Need extra money? We need weekend merchandisers! Apply at: supremebeverage.com

DELIVERY DRIVERS - CDL A Decatur, AL route delivery: touch-freight. 1 to 2 nights out. - .37 per mile. Pay increase every 3 mths!!! 1 yr exp., clean MVR & pass Phsy/ DS. Contact Rick @ 855-890-7133 TED MILLS Heating & A/C Service & Change out $65 Spring Service Free Estimates 256-412-5408 The Lilly Company. Now Hiring IC and Electrical Techs for Forklift Dealership. No weekends.

Email resume to: dolds@lillyco.com EFP, INC NOW HIRING Local Haul Truck Drivers 3 yrs exp & CDL required. Full time/Part time/Weekends.

For application or more info call Nicole Johns 334-687-6000 X 18 Town Hill Mini Storage 160 Units Vacancies All Sizes 256-332-9928 High quality painting int & ext, sheet rock repair & installation, siding repair & installation, carpentry incl.

No height too steep!! FREE Pressure Washing For details call 256-746-0646 MANUFACTURED HOMES MOBILE HOMES with land.

Ready to move in. Owner financing with approved credit.

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1-205-289-8899 VMFhomes.com Become a Dental Asst. in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205) 561-8118 and get your career started!

Hartselle Living • 29

THE LAST WORD

“Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.”

Andy Goldsworthy

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Halo Sleepsac

babies

sleep safe

NEWBORN SWADDLE

Keeps baby perfectly swaddled and safe on its back.

Panda Warmer Provides the most advanced care while keeping little ones warm.

Spacious rooms with comfortable new beds Special menu for two Car seat education and safety check Free wellness center trial membership Professional photography session Labor and delivery suite renovations coming soon!

Board certified obstetricians 24-hour pediatrician coverage Caring, trained newborn center staff with approximately 600 years of experience delivering babies and providing nursing care Certified lactation consultant Prenatal classes including infant CPR We encourage you to schedule a tour and meet our staff

256.341.3400

DECATUR GENERAL CAMPUS Hartselle Living • 31 www.decaturmorganhospital.net

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