Winter 2011-2012 Hartselle Living

Happy Hartselle Holiday What’s happening in Hartselle this Christmas and winter season Vol. 1, Issue 3

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ON THE COVER

Snow covers downtown Hartselle including the historic depot during a winter storm. This photo was taken in January 2011 when Hartselle and Morgan County was covered with more than 8 inches of snow.

STAFF President and Publisher Randy Garrison

table of contents

FALL 2011

FEATURE 20. Christmas memories Clif Knight takes a trip down memory lane as he reminisces about Christmases from the past.

Editor Brent Maze Advertising Kim Johnson Karen McAfee Pam Gray Ann Kirby Contributors Clif Knight

DEPARTMENTS 25

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Bookkeeper Janet Sugg

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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

FOOD:Take time to enjoy some homemade ice cream

WELLNESS:Ways to avoid getting colds or the flu.

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HISTORY: A look at the Civil War in Morgan County

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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. www.hartselleliving.com Copyright 2011 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

FAITH AND FAMILY: Church brings story of Jesus to life.

WAY OF LIFE: Hartselle shows how much it cares during drive.

IN EVERY ISSUE: Letters • 6 Calendar • 8 Scene • 10 Last Word • 30 Hartselle Living • 5

LETTERS

Memories of the holidays in Hartselle Memories of the holidays in Hartselle While working on an ad with Bonnie Burks at the Dowry Chest last week one of the trees that she was using in her window took me back to a time in my life around 45 years ago. The little cedar Christmas tree that was decorated inside the store reminded me of trees that we had when I was a child. I can remember the smell of the trees and the decorations that we used including her use of the silver icicles. Also the trees that were used in classrooms during my days at Crestline Elementary were usually cedar as well. It was almost like I was transformed back to days long past.

That little cedar tree just brought to mind so many memories I have of Christmas growing up in Hartselle. I can remember the waving Santa at E. R. Roberts store up in the window the day after Thanksgiving. We would ride through town and watch the old guy welcome in the holiday shoppers waving to each one as they passed by his window. Little did I know that fast forward a few decades and I would get to experience Santa in the window from a different vantage point. My wife Lynn had enjoyed Santa for many years since it was her grandfather’s store window that served as Santa’s home each Christmas season.

Another fond memory of growing up in Hartselle was going to Western Auto and looking over all the toys. My parents would take my sister, brother and myself there each December and we would pick out what we wanted Santa Claus to bring to our house on Christmas Eve. Now I am sure we picked out many more items than what he could fit into the sleigh but it was fun looking at all of the great things.

As a young child I saw no reason to ask if the North Pole could duplicate the same toys that we could find at Western Auto. But magically there they were on Christmas morning.

Then there was the annual Christmas parade to kick off the season. It always seemed to be much colder during those years than what we experience now. We would stand to watch the parade and try to catch as much candy as possible as the parade participants would toss it out to the crowds.

Some traditions have not changed as young and old alike still line the downtown street and still try to catch candy as it is scattered along the parade route.

Another fond childhood memory I recall was the nativity play we would do each year at church. We would have Mary holding the baby Jesus with Joseph watching over her. I can remember playing the role of a shepherd and wearing your bath robe as a costume. All of the children singing Away in a

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Randy Garrison • Letter from the Publisher Manger and the wise men bringing gifts. We knew why we celebrated Christmas, the baby Jesus was the reason for the season.

Memories of Christmas are some of my favorite from my childhood to those I have enjoyed with my own two sons.

No matter your age, Hartselle for the holidays is a great place to be. When you drive into town from East Main and just before you reach the railroad tracks, all the beautiful lights greet you and give you a feeling of peace and a warm feeling inside knowing that you have come home to Hartselle one more time.

Many things have changed over the last 40+ years, but one thing remains the same. Christmas is a special time and Hartselle is a great place to spend the holidays.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Hartselle Living as we bring you more of the best Hartselle has to offer. May this season be a happy one from Christmas on into the New Year.

Beginning once again he holiday season is one of my and most areas of Morgan County were favorite times of the year. We get spared. together with our families and Even through that tragedy, our state and celebrate the birth of our Lord our community showed just how much and Savior, Jesus Christ. we were willing to help our neighbors, The holiday season also signifies that some that we knew and some that we didthe end of the year is upon us. During this n’t. That outpouring of support is one of time of year, we should always take time the reasons why I enjoy living in this part to reflect on where we were last year, our of the world. failures, successes, highs and lows.

That just goes to show you that there’s If you had a good year, you can celealways something good that can come out brate that success with others. If you had of something bad. I hope when you look a bad one, then you can put it behind you back at your year that you can see that and look forward to the next one. good even if you’ve had a bad year.

In some ways, it feels like the year just So now it’s almost time for us to start began yesterday, but in others, it feels like another year. You can try to make some a long time since we were ringing in resolutions, if you’d like, but at the very 2011. Last year at this time, I was still in Brent Maze • Letter from the Editor least, we all need to set some goals for Alexander City, Ala., never expecting to where we want to be in a year. come to Hartselle. I had no idea that this change was coming, but The one thing that I hope we continue to have here in Hartselle in late January 2011, this opportunity opened up. I have enjoyed and in America is to still be grateful for where we live. Our getting to meet many of you in Hartselle and Morgan County. country is the greatest nation in the world. While we may not So much has happened over the last year good and bad. The have everything we want, we still have much more than we need. one bad thing that happened was the April 27 tornado outbreak If we keep that kind of attitude, every year of your life will be a that devastated many areas of Alabama. Fortunately, Hartselle good year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS HARTSELLE LIVING?

Randy and Penny Sparkman (left) and Jordan and Jacob Garrison show off Hartselle Living while attending the final space shuttle launch.

Show us where Hartselle Living has visited. Take a picture holding the magazine at your vacation or business trip destination. Then send your photo to editor@hartselleliving.com. Don’t forget to include everyone’s name in the photo along with the location of where the picture was taken. We look forward to seeing your photo!

Hartselle Living • 7

CALENDAR Dec. 8 Hartselle Area Christmas Parade The Hartselle Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the annual Hartselle Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 8, beginning at 7 p.m. The event will feature an amateur float competition with cash prizes going to the top three winners, music by the Hartselle High and Hartselle Junior high bands, a visit from Santa and handfuls of candy for the kids. For more information on this event, please call the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce at 256-773-4370.

Dec. 10 Somerville Christmas Parade The Town of Somerville will hold its Christmas parade on Sat., Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. with activities centering around and inside its historic old Morgan County Courthouse. Candy will be provided for the Kids, Santa will make an appearance and everyone will be invited to come in out of the cold and enjoy a bowl of hot chili

Santa Claus will be making several appearances during Christmas parades on Dec. 8 and 10.

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and dessert in the courthouse.

Donations will be accepted to defray the cost of the food.

Parade of Lights Sponsored by the Riverwalk Yacht Club and Extreme Marine, the annual Parade of Lights will take to the waterway, illuminating Decatur’s Wheeler Lake, on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The free holiday maritime event features about 20 boats of all types and sizes decorated with lights, holiday themes, and other festive trimmings for the holiday season. Beginning at 4 p.m., the docks at Riverwalk Marina open allowing the public for the first time to admire the boats and their holiday decorations before they set sail. In addition, the Morgan County Humane Society will be on-hand with various animals available for adoption. At 6 p.m. the boat parade will take its usual route, making a circle from the entrance of Riverwalk Marina located on Highway 20, west to the Railroad Bridge, east in front

of Rhodes Ferry Park and then back into the Marina. The best viewing will be at Rhodes Ferry Park, the Hard Dock Café or the Marina entrance. For more information, contact Bob Namie at 256-306-0909.

Christmas Home Tour The Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts announce their annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour where seven traditionally decorated homes and buildings complete with luminaries, fruit and greenery, and thousands of lights welcome visitors in celebration of the holiday season. The self-guided holiday tour is scheduled for Dec. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. Along with the tour of homes, neighborhood churches will open their doors for inspirational concerts and refreshments. The Brass Choir, Handbell Choir and other vocal and instrument ensembles of the First Baptist Church music ministry will perform, First Presbyterian Church will present “Jazzin’ the Season” fea-

City of Hartselle will have a Candy Cane Hunt on Dec. 10 at Sparkman Park.

turing Trish Brown along with Keith Taylor, and First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian Churches will feature Carillion Christmas Music. Carriage rides will be offered beginning at 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center or at Delano Park near the tennis courts. Cost for the carriage ride is $10 per person.

Shuttle bus service will also be available from First United Methodist Church to the tour sites. Many merchants and restaurants throughout the downtown area will also be open during the tour. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 256-350-2028. For a schedule of events and more information on the historic homes, visit www.decaturchristmastour.com or www.historicalbanyalabama.com.

Dec. 10-11 First United Methodist Live Nativity Come and experience the story of Jesus during Hartselle First United Methodist Church’s Live Nativity

Dec. 10-11 4-7 p.m. A live petting zoo will also be included. The zoo will include farm animals. Traditional Christmas music will be presented by the church choir in the sanctuary, along with handbells ringing out the “sounds of the season” to welcome the Christ child. Cross Ties, the praise and worship band will provide contemporary music to enhance the evenings as well in the Ministry Center. For more information, call the church at 256-773-6592, e-mail mroberts@fumchartselle.org or log on to www.fumchartselle.org.

Dec. 11 Candy Cane Hunt Celebrate the holiday season at the candy cane hunt. Bring a basket or a sack for your candy and come to pavilion 4 at Sparkman Park on Dec.11 at 2 p.m. We are expecting a special guest to appear! Children will hunt by age groups (ages 3 and under, 4-5, and 6 and older) prizes will be given to those who find the specially

marked candy canes. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. There is no fee but the city Parks and Recreation Department asks that you register by Dec. 8. For more information, call 256-773-2581.

Dec. 20 Member Appreciation Tea The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce will have its Member Appreciation Tea Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the historic depot. Refreshments will be served. Attendees are asked to RSVP by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, via email at hartsell@hiwaay.net or calling 256-773-4370.

Jan. 20 Relay Idol The Hartselle Fine Arts Center will host a Relay Idol competition that will raise money for Relay for Life and benefit American Cancer Society.

For more information on the event, call the center at 256-773-4046 or log on to http://www.hartsellefineartscen-

Hartselle Living • 9

OUT AND ABOUT 1

The City of Hartselle and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Depot Days in historic downtown Hartselle on September. 17.

Conrad Bell, left, and Jimmy Sivley talk antique tractors at the Depot Days tractor show. 2. Cheyenne, left, and Kaley Floyd enjoy a ride on an inflatable slide in the Depot Days children’s rides and games area. 3. Ashley Lindsey, Mallory Lindsey, Kayleigh Wydner and Kendall Wydner, from left, seat up for a ride on the Depot Days choo-cho train. 4. Flint Baptist Church attracted a lot of attention to their booth at Depot Days by offering face painting. Shown with paint brushed in hand is Donna Colwell.

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The Town of Eva held its annual Frontier Days celebration on September. 24. This was one of the entries in the Frontier Days parade. 2. Miss Eva Frontier Days rides along with a friend on a tractor during the Frontier Days parade.

3. Don Brown of B&B Concessions removes a funnel cake from the hot oil during Eva Frontier Days. 4. Mr. and Mrs. Eva Frontier Days ride in the Eva Frontier Days parade Saturday morning. The event drew a large crowd. It featured a car show, tractor show, food, entertainment, arts and crafts.

Hartselle Living • 11

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Falkville held its fall festival in October. The band Confederate Railroad was the headliner band for the event. 1. Marcus Klocek, left, and Abi Jackson experience the feeling of being stuck to an inflatable wall at Falkville’s Fall Festival. Rides were compliments of several local churches. 2. An approaching CSX freight train prompts Carson Gilstrap to cover his ears while cradled in the arms of his dad, Jeff Gilstrap. The train’s passing was an unannounced attraction at Falkville’s Fall Festival on Saturday. 3. Golden Young of Falkvile shows a homemade pickup he purchased at Lacon Trade Day three weeks earlier.. It is powered by a 12 hp lawnmower engine. 4.

Garrell White, left, and Jimmy Sivley found two of the best seats in the house to check out the 60 tractors on display at Falkville’s Fall Festival on Oct. 29

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Local schools named their homecoming queens at football games this fall. 1.

Hartselle Homecoming Queen Sloan Godsey is escorted by her father and head football coach Bob Godsey. 2.

Lacey Roberts was named homecoming queen at Danville High School. She is being escorted by father Rodney Roberts. She was crowned by principal Gilmer Ellis. 3. Chelsie Whitlow, second from left, was crowned homecoming queen at Falkville High School during the halftime of the Falkville vs. Brindlee Mountain football game. Pictured with her, from left, are Lacey James, her father, Martin Whitlow and Falkville High Principal Sue Wood. 4. Priceville senior Marissa Shavers, center, was crowned Priceville High homecoming queen in a halftime ceremony at the Priceville vs. Brewer football game.

Standing is her father, Greg Shavers, on her left and her principal Mark Mason on her right.

Hartselle Living • 13

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I knew that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) had been being practiced for over 4,000 years by China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and by the Cherokee Indians and of its use for pain management and anesthesia. I also knew of a Microsystems (mapping) of the ear in which the entire body’s reflex points are represented for the treatment of illnesses. I might add that as the auricular therapist selected each point in my ear of the corresponding organs, vertebras, or parasympathetic nervous system where pain and tension had made its home, I should have been impressed.

Or when the practitioner diagnosed my tongue and said I had inflammation in my body. The practitioner could tell this from the swollen and teeth marked tongue and that it was caused by stagnation of the energy flowing in my Liver and Gallbladder. But deep below the surface 20 minutes into my auricular therapy treatment all I could grasp was a deep peaceful rest that had overcome my body. The next thing I remember was

being told to wake-up by the practitioner who earlier had placed needles in my ears. “Aaahhh", the exchange of pain and tension for a peaceful sleep, “Now that’s impressive”!

Seeing the difference between how stressed I was into the 20th year of my hairstyling career and the 30 minutes of peaceful sleep, emerged a lifelong dream to know more about this physical therapy called acupuncture, auricular therapy, and medical Qigong (an exercise conducted in a standing position based on TCM diagnosis to treat physical symptoms). Eight years later I took a big leap of faith to attend the oldest acupuncture college in the nation, Midwest College of Oriental Medicine to fulfill my curiosity. Upon enrollment of the course all I had to do is show up for class and study keeping in mind I am studying for my future clients.

Classmates from all over the world and I turned our attention to an international staff to learn

our scope of practice, implementing skills built to last.

Plus learning the answer to two universal questions; first, are the needles re-used? And secondly, do the needles hurt? The universal precautions called Clean Needle Techniques (CNT) with procedures ranging from the clinic environment, practitioner’s procedures, and the use of sterile needles answers the first question. As for pain, pain receptors vary from patient to patient depending on their tolerance for pain. The needles are in millimeters about the size of a nylon thread.

I look forward to assisting the community with the process of making healthy choices in nutrition, qigong (exercise), and acupuncture (physical therapy) through the holidays and upcoming year.

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These five Hartselle men were the last surviving members of Camp Friendship No. 383, United Confederate Veterans, in 1932, 63 years after the end of the war. They are, from left: Henry Barkley of the 5th Ala. Cav., Jim Stephenson of Co. K, 7th Ala. Cav., Joe Summers of Co. B, 1st Ala. Cav., John D. McClanahan of Co. A, Stewart Battn., Ala. Cav. and Cal Johnson of Co. K, 29th Ala. Cav.

HISTORY

Divided Hartselle Morgan County played a small, but important role in the War Between the States. Local residents explain that during Down Memory Lane event STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT 16 • Hartselle Living

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hile Hartselle didn’t exist as a town in 1861 and Decatur’s population was less than 800, Morgan County still played an important role in the War Between the States.

Two railroads running east and west and north out of Decatur was one of the reasons, according to local historian David Burleson. Another was the rich salt peter (nitrate) mines in the northwest sector of the county, according to Morgan County Archivist John Allison.

Burleson pointed out that the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and North Alabama & Tennessee Railroad were a primary target of Union forces because they were needed by the Confederacy to move munitions and supplies throughout the south.

“The town of Decatur was occupied by Union forces eight times after the Battle of Shiloh and only five buildings remained at the end of the war,” Burleson stated.

“One of the buildings was the home of Dr. Aaron Burleson, which was used by Union soldiers. The doctor and his wife and their daughter Anna were ordered to evacuate the town along with other families. They left with two wagons and some personal possessions and moved to Memphis, Tenn. Later, Anna married James Varden who became governor of Mississippi and a U.S. senator.

Burleson told the story of a 1883 edition of Lord Byron’s “Compete Poetic Works,” which was stolen from the Burleson home by a Union soldier. The book was later confiscated by Lt. Samuel Weeks, a friend of the Burleson family, and returned to Anna Burleson Varden in 1900.

Burleson read two letters from Weeks to Anna, apologizing for the theft and for the long delay in getting the

book of poetry returned.

Allison told of bat caves located in the Trinity area and the role they played in the war. He said some residents of the county preferred to dig dirt from the bat caves instead of volunteering to serve in the Confederate Army.

The dirt was so rich in nitrate that a 50-pound bag would produce enough nitrate (black powder) to fire eight musket balls.

The Yankees eventually took over the caves and some of the workers were jailed and sent to prisons north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Allison also related that the Morgan County Commission continued to conduct business at the courthouse in Somerville during the war. The Commission’s Court of Records was preserved and is available for viewing at the Morgan County Archives.

Allison said efforts are underway to establish a Civil War Museum in the ground floor of the Archives, with the help of Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur.

Burleson and Allison were among those featured on a Down Memory Lane program entitled “A County Divided.” Other speakers were Paul Wirey, vice president of the Morgan County Genealogy Society, the Rev. Water Blackman, pastor of East Highland Baptist Church and a War Between the States historian, and Dr. Herman Springer, lecturer on the War Between the States.

The program was co-sponsored by Hartselle Historical Society and Cracker Barrel in keeping with the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. Memorabilia from that era was displayed at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center for public viewing an hour and one-half before the program.

The Rev. Walter Blackman, pastor at East Highland Baptist and a Civil War historian, (right) talks with an attendee of Down Memory Lane, one of the first events of the 31st annual Depot Days.

Hartselle Living • 17

FAITH & FAMILY

Tidings of comfort and joy Hartselle First Methodist Church uses live nativity to teach the story of Jesus 18 • Hartselle Living

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She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 (NIV) First United Methodist Church of Hartselle has taken on the task of letting the folks of Hartselle and the surrounding communities “Experience the Story of Jesus.” The church will present a live nativity this holiday season.

According to senior pastor Robert Sparkman “We will enrich the Christmas Experience for the whole area, and invite visitors back for Christmas worship so they can really meet the Christ child.”

The church hopes to reach out to all surrounding areas and share the experience of the birth of the Savior. The event has been in the planning stages for many months and is the first time this type of event has been undertaken.

Now there may not be a light from heaven shining down on the baby Jesus, but a spotlight will be used to bring attention to the event and symbolize the star of Bethlehem. The church hopes that many will see the light and want to find out what is happening similar to those who searched for the Christ child on the night of His birth. Biblical characters of the nativity will be dressed in costumes appropriate to first century Jerusalem as TIDINGS continued on page 18

TIDINGS, from 18 well as those who will be working to shepherd visitors safely across the street. You may almost feel that you have stepped back in time to the night Jesus was born.

To enhance the experience a live petting zoo will also be included. The zoo will include farm animals for all to see and enjoy. There is even talk that a special visitor may be included at the event. Daisy, a calf that was bottle fed by the late Frank Stewart may also pay a visit.

Traditional Christmas music will be presented by the church choir in the sanctuary, along with handbells ringing out the “sounds of the season” to welcome the Christ child.

Cross Ties, the praise and worship band will provide contemporary music to enhance the evenings as well in the Ministry Center.

Nativity scenes will also be shared with those in attendance. Members of the church will be sharing some of their favorites with visitors. The displays will be available for viewing in the Ministry Center of the church.

Rumor has it that fresh baked cookies will await all those in attendance. If you have never had food from First Methodist they boast some of the best cooks in town. Hot chocolate or soft drinks will also be available. There will not be a charge for any of the activities and all are welcome to attend. The events will be held on December 9 and 10 from four in the afternoon until seven at night.

The ministry, staff, and membership of First United Methodist Church of Hartselle hope this will be an event to remember and one that will change lives. Jesus is the “Reason for the Season” and this event will remind all why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior.

Hartselle First United Methodist Church will host its annual Live Nativity on Dec. 10-11.

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Hartselle Living • 19

Christmas: Treasure House of Memories Writer reflects on memories of Christmases from his childhood STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT

20 • Hartselle Living

hristmas is such a wonderful occasion it would be next to impossible for anyone of us to look back in retrospect without opening the door to a treasure house of memories…the cutting and trimming of the Christmas tree, the fun and fellowship of family get-togethers, the serenading of neighbors in search for yummy holiday treats, or the crisis that turned out alright.

It was Helen Keller who once said, “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us,” That’s the way I feel about Christmas.

Some of my most cherished memories of Christmas are linked to my childhood when I shared the observance with my parents and siblings down on the farm.

It was customary in our family for the boys to take care of cutting and putting up the Christmas tree. It was a favorite chore of ours and one we started preparing for months ahead of time.

We’d comb the sage fields and pine thickets on ours and neighboring farms every chance we got, in spring, summer and fall.

Thus, when the time came to go get the tree, little effort was lost getting it home and set up on the living room floor.

It was not always that simple, however, and there was one year when we came close to giving up the hunt before we found a tree that would do.

An unseasonably dry, hot summer had taken its toll on the young cedars of the size and shape we wanted. The lower limbs of the ones we had located earlier were now scorched brown and even the tops had lost their bright green color. Mom and dad had suggested a small pine tree, but we wouldn’t think of it.

Determined to return home with our usual healthy, well-shaped tree, we set out on our hunt right after lunch. An hour later we had covered every foot of every field and thicket on our farm without success. Still hopeful, we widened our search only to discover that the trees on the surrounding farms were no better.

Three hours had passed. Still no tree. I suggested we give up and settle for one of the hundreds of scrawny pines we had seen along the way. But my younger brothers begged to continue the hunt. An hour later we found ourselves deeper into the woods, a good mile from the house, and still no sign of a pretty tree.

With dusk settling, we headed back, discouraged and hating the thought of having to make do with a pine. To save time, we took a short cut, which meant fording a branch and pushing our way through 100 yards of dense swampland. It turned out to be a stroke of luck. Clinging to the side of the shallow streambed was what looked like the prettiest cedar tree we’d ever seen. It was just the right height and green from top to bottom. Wasting no time, we chopped it down and hurried home, jumping with joy for having achieved our goal.

It was pitch dark when we got back to the house and we had to pull the tree onto the back porch to show it off to the rest of the family. It was not until the light hit the tree that we discovered it had two trunks and two tops, a total failure to four boys whose aim was to find a perfectly-shaped tree.

Reacting to our disappointment, mom said, “The tree’s fine,

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boys. It’ll be pretty when we get it decorated.

You know, she was right. The tree turned out to be perfect after all, and I’ll always remember it as one of my favorites.

High on my list of favorite Christmas memories are the times when the unexpected happened to make my mom and dad happy.

As regular as clockwork, my dad would make a trip to town on Christmas Eve. He would rush around to get the chores done in the morning and then slip away quietly after lunch. Of course, we kids knew what he was doing. His business in town was always the same. He’d shop for mom’s Christmas gift, pick up boxes of apples and oranges and a big sack of candy (it always contained coconut bon bons—his favorite and ours too), and stay for the jackpot drawing. We always crossed our fingers for luck, but it never seemed to help.

On this particular Christmas Eve, everything was going according to plan. Dad was in town and we were pacing back and forth in the front yard, waiting for his pickup truck to pop in sight as it rounded the bend a quarter of a mile up the dirt road that passed our house.

It was later than usual, almost dark, when the truck rounded the bend. We waited in stair step formation until it stopped, then we all made a mad dash to the running board on the driver’s side.

Dad didn’t look the way he did when he left earlier, I thought to myself., as he beamed a wide grin while swinging out of the cab.

“You boys get the apples and oranges out of the back,” he said.

“I know what’s the matter,” I blurted out. “Daddy, where did you get your new coat?”

“I bought it in town,” he replied matter of factly.

“But where,” I asked.

“Wait until we get inside and I’ll tell you all and your mother all about it,” he added.

Once inside under the electric lights, the coat looked like a million dollars. It was brown leather, 100 percent cowhide. Never before had I seen such a fine coat.

He explained he bought the coat at one of the stores after winning a bale of cotton at a drawing conducted at one of the cotton gins in town.

“I took that cotton, turned right around and sold it,” he said.

“And you know what, it brought over $200. Well, I decided then and there I’d take some of the money and buy myself this coat.

And I bought some other things for all of you, too,” he added, pointing to a pile of bags and packages heaped together on the living room floor.

What a wonderful Christmas present it was to see dad standing there in his new coat, radiating with the joy and happiness of his good fortune.

How thankful I am that I have such fond memories to hold and to cherish, now that my dad is no longer with us. How wonderful it is that all we love dearly becomes a part of us.”

(Clif Knight’s “Christmas Memories” is reprinted from the 1974 Christmas edition of the Hartselle Enquirer) Hartselle Living • 21

FOOD

Cooking with beef Morgan County Cattlewomen select top recipes of county high schoolers

M

organ County Cattlewomen singled out 11 entrants as winners in the 2011 Beef Cook-off at West Morgan High School on Oct. 18.

The annual competition attracted 66 entries from five different schools, with 40 being judged in the senior division and 26 judged in the junior division.

In the senior division, Jessica Johnson of Austin took first place with a recipe she entitled “Peppery Beef Stir-Fry.” Other winners were: Tiffany Nelson of Brewer and Mannie DeWeese of Priceville, tie for second place; Hayden Prentice of Priceville, third place; Dezaraie Hoffman, fourth place; and Mary Grubaugh and Marcia Northcutt, both of Brewer, tie for fifth place.

Hannah Edmondson of Brewer won first place in the junior division.

Following her in order were Colby Bowling of Danville, second place, and Courtney Davis of Brewer and Aubrey Richardson of Priceville, tie for third place.

Winners received certificates of achievement and cash prizes as follow: Senior division – $75 for first place, $60 for second place, $45 for third place, $30 for fourth place and $15 for fifth place; Junior division – $50 for first place, $35 for second place and $20 for third place.

First place winners in both divisions qualified to compete in the State Beef Cook-off, which will be held in Montgomery on Jan. 15, 2012.

Peppery Beef Stir-Fry

Green Bean Taco Supreme

First Place, Senior Division: Jessica Johnson

Second Place Senior Division:Tiffani Nelson

8 ounces of uncooked linguine 1 tablespoon cornstarch I teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup water 1/2 reduced-sodium soy sauce 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef tip sirloin steak, cut into thin strips 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 cup julienned green pepper 1/2 julienned sweet red pepper 2 cloves garlic mixed 2 cups fresh or frozen snow peas, halved if large 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 1/4 cup mushrooms for garnish

1 lb. hamburger meat 2 cans French style green beans 1/4 cup purple onion 1 red bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper 1 pkg.Taco seasoning 1 clove garlic 1/2 cup cheese 1/2 cup diced tomatoes

(1) Cook linguine according to package directions, drain. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, pepper and cayenne. Stir in water and soy sauce until smooth. Set aside. (2) In a large, nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry beef in hot oil for 4-5 minutes or until no longer pink.

Using a slotted spoon, remove meat and set aside. Add the peppers and garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the snow peas and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. (3) Stir soy sauce mixture and add to vegetables. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in beef and linguine, heat through. (4) Add mushrooms for garnish.

20 • Hartselle Living

(1) Cook hamburger meat, drain grease. (2) Add onion, bell peppers and garlic. (3) In separate pan, cook green beans. (4) Add meat mixture and Taco seasoning, combine. (5) Cover with Mexican style cheese. (6) Bake at 325 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. (7) Add diced tomatoes and Ranch (optional). (8) Top with garnishes or veggies.

Taco Soup Second Place, Senior Division: Mannie DeWeese 2 lbs. ground beef 1 onion 1 can of whole kernel corn, drained 1 can of diced tomatoes 1 can of rotel 1 pack of Ranch mix 1 pack of Taco seasoning 1 can of kidney beans 1 can of black beans 1 can of pinto beans

Brown ground beef.Then add meat and all other ingredients into a pot and heat.

Marinated Flank Steak with Pan Roasted Vegetables and Orzo Third Place: Hayden Prentice 2 pounds flank steak 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp Chinese 5 spice 1/4 cup soy sauce Rub all dry ingredients into flank steak, then sprinkle soy sauce and marinate for 1 hour. Heat oil in cast iron skillet, searing steak for 2 minutes on each side, then finish for 5 minutes in 350 degree preheated oven.Take out and let rest for 10 minutes on cutting board before slicing. Serve with orzo.

1 cup chopped carrots, one inch 1 cup chopped squash, 1 inch 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms 1 Tbsp olive oil 1.2 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp truffle oil 2 cups orzo (rice shaped pasta) 1/3 cup balsamic salad dressing (any brand) Saute carrots and onions in butter and olive oil for 5 minutes. Add squash and mushrooms. Cook until done. Sprinkle truffle oil. Cook orzo.Toss together with balsamic dressing.

Senior division winners in the Morgan County Beef Cook-off, from left, are Jessica Johnson, first; Tiffany Nelson and Mannie DeWeese, tie for second; Hayden Prentice, third; Dezaraie Hoffman, fourth; and Mary Grubaught and Maria Northcutt, tie for fifth.

Crock Pot Roast and Potatoes First Place, Junior Division: Hannah Edmonson 2-2 1/2 lb. sirloin tip roast 3 medium potatoes 2 Tsp.Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning 1 Tsp.Weber Burgundy Beef Dry Rub 1 envelope Lipton Onion/Mushroom Mix (1) Rub Creole seasoning and beef dry rub on roast (2) Place road in the bottom of a crock pot (3) Peel and quarter potatoes (4) Place potatoes on top of the roast (5) Sprinkle onion/mushroom mix on top (6) Cover completely with water (7) Cook on low for 12-14 hours (8) garnish with assorted veggies and/or greenery.

Steak Kabobs Second Place, Junior Division: Colby Bowling

and let stand (2) Cut the steak into one-inch cubes. Add the cubes to a marinade bowl. Cover and let rest in refrigerator overnight.Tip: Let steak reach room temperature before grilling (approx. 30 minutes) (3) cut onion in half and then cut each half into quarters. Cut bell peppers open and remove the seeds. Cut peppers into 1 inch squares (or as close as you can get) (4) Assemble kabobs on metal skewers by alternating between steak, onions and peppers….this will add great flavor to the steak. Brush some of the skewered steak and vegetables at this point to keep them from sticking (5) Make sure your grill is clean. Add enough charcoal to cook over high heat for 15 to 20 minutes (6) Place the kabobs on the hot grill directly over the coals.

Grill for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating 90 degrees every 4 minutes, until the meat is cooked to desired level of doneness. Remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest before serving.

1 lb. beef (top sirloin) 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tsp Italian dressing 2 Tbsp ketchup 3 cloves garlic (sliced) 1 green bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper 1 red bell pepper 1 onion

Bruce Souffle’

(1) In a stainless or glass bowl large enough to hold the meat, add all of the ingredients except the beef, peppers and onion. Mix well

First, cook ground beef and chopped onion; put broccoli on to steam; drain the meat and onion

Third Place, Junior Division: Courtney Davis 2 cans of crescent rolls 1 package of frozen broccoli 1 8-oz. container of sour cream 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese 1 onion, chopped 1? lbs. of ground beef 1 clove of garlic salt and pepper to taste

and put into a bowl, add sour cream and 1 cup of mozzarella, steamed broccoli and salt and pepper and mix well. Roll out a can of crescent rolls and place them in a 9x13”pan and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Pull out and fill with meat.

Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese; Roll out one more can of crescent rolls and place on top and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

Butterbean’s Brisket Third Place, Junior Division: Aubrey Richardson Beef brisket Kosher salt Garlic powder Back pepper (1) Trim the fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch (2) rinse the meat and blot dry (3) Place the meat fat cap down on cutting board (4) sprinkle on a layer of salt--don’t cake on but leave an even coverage over the brisket (5) sprinkle some garlic powder on the brisket (6) rub on some black pepper, leave heavy coating (7) turn the brisket over fat cap up and lightly season with the same ingredients (8) set smoker for a grate temperature of 250-275 degrees (9) place brisket in smoker fat down (10) after about 10 hours, check for doneness using a probe or ice pick. It should slide into the meat like melted butter. If you feel resistance then continue to cook for two more hours and check again (11) when the internal temperature reaches between 190 and 200 degrees it should come off the smoker.Wrap in aluminum foil and rest for at least one hour before slicing (12) gather your family and friends for some good eatin’.

Hartselle Living • 23

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WELLNESS

Beware of common cold, flu Don’t let these common winter illnesses keep you down during the holidays STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT

he common cold and flu are viral infections that may occur at any time of the year but are more prevalent during cold weather months. Both have similar symptoms and there is no cure for either.

The symptoms of a cold occur slowly and are milder that flu.

They include fever up to 102ºF, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache and watery eyes.

Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly. They include fever over 102ªF, stuffy nose, nausea, chills and sweats, fatigue, muscle aches, especially in the back, arms and legs, cough, headache and loss of appetite.

T

Treatment

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are some things that can be done to make the person with a cold feel better while the body is fighting off the virus. They include: • Get plenty of rest, especially while you have a fever.

• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.

• Drink lots of fluids such as water and clear soups. Fluids help loosen mucus and also help prevent dehydration.

• Gargle with warm salty water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and Prevention moisten the tender skin in the Eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting The risk of catching a cold or nose. enough sleep can prevent colds and the flu. the flu can be reduced by washing For the flu, the family doctor hands frequently, which stops the will probably recommend treatment of the symptoms until the spread of germs. Eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting patient feels better. In severe cases, he or she may prescribe an enough sleep also play a part in preventing colds and the flu antiviral medicine to shorten the length of time the illness persists. because they help boost the immune system.

See a doctor if you have these cold or flu symptoms: Other ways to help prevent the spread of cold and flu germs • High fever (above 103ºF), or a fever that lasts more than three are: cough and sneeze into the inside of the elbow instead of into days. your hand, clean common surfaces such as table and counter tops, • Symptoms that last for more than 10 days. children’s toys, door handles and bathroom facilities with anti• Trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing. bacterial disinfectant.

• Bluish skin color.

The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the influenza vac• Earache or drainage from the ear. cine, which is recommended from October through January and is • Changes in mental state such as not waking up, irritability or available by shot or nasal spray. The vaccines work by exposing seizures. the immune system to the flu virus, thus building up the body’s • Flu-like symptoms that improve, but return with a fever and a antibodies to the virus for protection. The vaccine is safe for all worse cough. adults and children six month of age or older, and is strongly rec• Worsening of a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or ommended for children and senior adults. heart disease.

• Vomiting or abdominal pain.

Source: familydoctor.org Hartselle Living • 25

F.E. Burleson Elementary School used a competition between boys and girls as a means of motivating students and parents to donate canned food to Hartselle’s Day of Caring Canned Food Drive. Members of the Helping Hands Club are showed with Mayor Dwight Tankersley and a display of the donated food. Pictured, from left, are: (kneeling) Sydney Sandefer, Quincy Kattes, Aleyah Hobbs, Josie Herring; (seated) Breanna Davis and Cameron Warren; (standing) Sophie Herring, Nikki Davis, Marie Cagle, Mason Cox, Mayor Tankersley, Jacob White, Hunter Shelnutt and Nick Pershin.

OUR WAY OF LIFE

Sharing is caring City comes together to support food banks during holidays STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLIF KNIGHT 26 • Hartselle Living

eedy families in the Hartselle area will not go hungry during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons thanks to over 8,800 cans of food that were donated to the Day of Caring on Nov. 4.

While less than what was collected last year, the canned goods will go a long way in meeting the needs of families who are struggling to make ends meet during an economic downturn, according to Susan Seibert, project coordinator.

Seibert said an unofficial count on Friday showed that 8,840 cans of food were donated to the project. The total in 2010 was 9,676 while the number reached 11,000 in 2009.

“We could have some more trickle in,” Seibert said. “Even though we were down from last year.

We’re very thankful for what we collected and we thank everyone who participated.”

N

CARING, continued on page 27

HELPING, from 26 The food was collected at The Caring Place and sorted by volunteers. In addition to supplying the Caring Place, some of it was distributed to food pantries at First Assembly of God, First Church of the Nazarene, First United Methodist Church and Pattillo Street Church of God. In addition to canned goods, the Caring Place raised enough money from cash donations to purchase 45 turkeys and also had 11 turkeys and a ham donated. These items were distributed prior to Thanksgiving.

“This is a big day for us,’ said Virginia Alexander, director of The Caring Place. “Our food supply always gets low at this time of the year and the Day of Caring steps in and picks up the slack. “We’re very appreciative to the City of Hartselle and Hartselle Beautification

These Day of Caring volunteers helped pick up and deliver and sort donated canned goods at The Caring Place in Hartselle on Friday. Pictured, from left, are: Mike Alexander, Carolyn Wallace,Virginia Alexander, Carlos Haraway, Hazel Chambers,Tony Kelso, Janelle Merrell, Deborah Myers, Joann Dobbins, Rick McCluskey, Monty Puckett, Joy Light, Rev. Jess White, Rev. John McPeek and Linda McPeek.

Association for putting together the drive and we also thank our donors and volunteers.

“The poor economy has hit a lot of families and the holidays are fast approaching,” she added. “Most of the food we now have in stock will be gone by the first of next year.”

“Our food pantry has seen an increase in requests over the last couple of years,” said Rev. Jess White,

pastor of First Assembly of God. “This food means everything to us because it will allow us to expand our food ministry.”

“It’s a blessing to give and because of this project we are able to give to needy families,” said Rev. John McPeek, pastor of Pattillo Street Church of God. “We are blessed to be in a community with a caring and sharing heart.”

Hartselle Living • 27

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30 • Hartselle Living

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