Images Prattville, AL: 2010

2010 | IMAGESPRATTVILLE.COM ®

What’s s e Online Video tour of the golf course at Capitol Hill

PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA

LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK Whitney National opens operations center

GARDEN ON WHEELS Fire truck goes green, gets rolling

Growing the Smart Way Parks, downtown take center stage

SPONSORED BY THE PRATTVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2010 EDITION | VOLUME 7 ®

PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA

12 CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 8 PRESERVATION MEETS PROGRESS Prattville honors its rich heritage while embracing the future.

10 VARIETY IS THE SPICE Dining options abound downtown.

12 GROWING THE SMART WAY Project Prattville energizes the city's parks, trails and historic downtown area.

PRATTVILLE BUSINESS 16 Like Money in the Bank Whitney National moves its operations center to Prattville and adds 60 IT jobs.

19 Biz Briefs 20 Chamber Report

D E PA R TM E NT S 4 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Prattville’s culture

14 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Prattville

25 GARDEN ON WHEELS Retired fire truck takes on new life as a unique, mobile exhibit.

23 Health & Wellness 27 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

28 Membership Directory 33 Business Guide All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER Heritage Park in downtown Prattville Photo by Antony Boshier

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Carol Brooks Home & Holiday s 7 -AIN 3T WWW CAROLBROOKSSHOPPE COM Creekside gift shopping at its best. Including: Arthor Court, VIETRI, Crabtree & Evelyn, Mark Roberts fairies, Trollbeads and so much more.

&ANCI &REE 'ARDEN #AFE s 7 -AIN 3T WWW FANCIFREEBOUTIQUEANDGARDENCAFE COM Order lunch, then browse our unique gifts and jewelry O or pick up a Casserole-To-Go by Fanci Gourmet.

)NDULGENCE 3ALON 3PA s 7 -AIN 3T Salon and spa consisting of full hair care, manicure and Sal pedicure, i facials, massage, make-up, reflexology and waxing.

0ARAVICINI S (OME &URNISHINGS $ECOR s 4ICHNOR 3T WWW PARAVICINIS NET Professional decorating staff, custom upholstery and area rugs, custom window treatments and blinds.

Shop Prattville Downtown Unlimited

3MITH "YRD (OUSE "ED "REAKFAST 4EA 2OOM s . 7ASHINGTON 3T WWW SMITHBYRDHOUSE COM Step back in time as you enjoy afternoon tea or an overnight stay in the only B&B and tea room in the historic district.

4HE 4URTLE 3HELL s 7 -AIN 3T WWW THETURTLESHELL COM From home to school and back again. Games and toys for the young and young at heart, educational materials and supplies, Christian products, books and much more.

4URTLE 4OO s 7 -AIN 3T WWW THETURTLESHELL COM

Unique shopping and eateries in the historic district

0RATTVILLE $OWNTOWN 5NLIMITED WWW VISITHISTORICPRATTVILLE COM

Serving infants to grandparents with gift items, accessories, dance wear and more.

5NCLE -ICK S #AJUN -ARKET #AFE 7 -AIN 3T Cajun market selling cooked and uncooked Cajun food.

Featuring Crawfish Etoufee, Chicken and Sausage Sauce Piquante, Gumbo, Alligator Sauce Piquante, and daily specials.

6ICTORIAS "OUTIQUE s 7 -AIN 3T Great gift items for all occasions and all ages.

Come check out our other lines such as Vera Bradley, Brighton, Sorrelli, Karlie, Liz & Jane, and much more.

imagesprattville.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

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PICTURE PERFECT We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

VIDEOS In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

FACTS & STATS Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Prattville tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

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– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Almanac

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Flying High

Take a virtual tour of the Prattville Creative Arts Center in our quick video.

Visit imagesprattville.com.

Located about 10 miles southeast of Prattville, the Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base has a major impact on the city in terms of population diversity, retail sales and real estate growth. Many of the base’s military families and civilian staff make their homes in Prattville.

Air University – the Air Force’s center for professional military education – is headquartered at Maxwell AFB, along with the 42nd Air Base Wing. Air University provides the full spectrum of Air Force education and is a key component of Air Education and Training Command. Visit www.maxwell.af.mil for more information.

Heart of the Arts The Prattauga Art Guild has a new home, and it is indeed a sweet home. The guild is now headquartered in an 1890s house on Chestnut Street near the Creekwalk, and the home (owned by the city) has become the Prattville Creative Arts Center. The center has several rooms of gallery space, including the main room where visitors enter.

Along with showcasing art, the guild is involved in several special events such as ARTrek, the Prattauga Art Guild Juried Fall Show and Prattville CityFest.

“The guild is very well respected in this community and beyond, and now we have a spacious building where we can show off what we are most proud of – fine art,” says Barbara Simpson, president of the guild and acting director of the Prattville Creative Arts Center.

Something To Celebrate Prattville's first annual Back to School Street Dance in August 2009 was a hit, drawing about 3,000 people – thousands more than expected. This popular new event is just one of many gatherings the city hosts for the community each year.

The two-day Prattville CityFest – which draws around 20,000 people – has been an annual mainstay since 1987.

The Fountain City Arts Festival in March is also a big draw.

Other celebrations include the Independence Day Parade and Fireworks, a Halloween Candy Walk, Spinners Pumpkin Patch Arts and Crafts Show, Prattville Christmas Parade, Prattville Mardi Gras Parade and a Miss Fountain City Pageant.

The city also organizes free Movie Under the Stars events, with movies shown on a 30-foot inflatable screen.

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Fast Facts

Check out the golf course at Capitol Hill, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, in our quick video. Visit imagesprattville.com.

Q Autauga County was established in 1818, an entire year before Alabama became a state.

Q Autauga County takes its name from Atagi, the American Indian word for pure water.

Q The late Wilson Pickett, a legendary R&B singer, grew up in Prattville.

Q Prattville’s excellent public schools are part of Autauga County Schools.

In the Swing of Things The Navistar LPGA Classic has put Prattville – and the entire state – on the global map.

In 2009, the Golf Channel cable television network beamed the prestigious Navistar LPGA Classic held here to a worldwide audience for the second year in a row. The women compete on a course called The Senator, located at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill complex has three 18-hole championship courses named The Senator, The Legislator and The Judge, with The Senator featuring a European links-style layout complete with 150 pothole bunkers. Capitol Hill is one of 11 golf venues throughout Alabama that are part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which has made the state a premier golfing destination.

Hands-On Approach to Learning

Q Prattville has been named an official Community of Character by the International Association of Character Cities, and the Prattville-Autauga Character Coalition organizes character development programs throughout the community.

In Angie Barrett’s fourth-grade class at Daniel Pratt Elementary School, science lessons include the study of electricity. But the students do much more than memorize the difference between series and parallel circuits. its.

“It culminates in them actually wiring a little house for electricity,” Barrett says. “They do it, and it’s wonderful. They ey don’t know they’re learning, because they’re having fun.”

Daniel Pratt is one of six Autauga County public blic schools involved in AMSTI, the state-sponsored Alabama a Math Science and Technology Initiative designed to better prepare students for a high-technology world.

Participating teachers attend two weeks of training ning during the summer, for which they receive a minimal nimal stipend. They return to their classrooms armed with ith boxes of materials to create activities – such as wiring the miniature house – for their students.

The idea behind AMSTI is to put children in groups and encourage them to tackle a project together, share the responsibilities and take turns performing different tasks.

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Almanac

Fun for Families

The Fountain City Before Prattville became known as the Preferred Community, its nickname was The Fountain City because of the many artesian wells found here. Some of the city’s historic, free-flowing wells still produce water, and residents can be seen filling up a jug or two at various locations. Visitors can enjoy a drink of water and relax under the tin-roofed well shed on Doster Road, sip from a dipper at the well in the backyard of the Prattaugan Museum and Heritage Center, or get water from any of the other public artesian wells.

Prattville and Autauga County are full of fun activities for families to enjoy throughout the year.

Emerald Falls Adventure Park offers a range of options such as mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages and paintball. The park is open seven days a week, and every Sunday is Family Fun Day with reduced prices.

Wonder World Family Fun Center also provides a variety of activities seven days a week, including roller skating, inflatables, video games, a pool table and much more.

Each summer, dozens of kids compete in Prattville SummerSlam Basketball, a five-on-five, no-contact, nonprofit basketball competition. But in this case, winning isn’t the ultimate goal. The competition is designed to provide a safe and competitive environment that fosters teamwork and sportsmanship among children ages 10-18 Soccer, softball, basketball and baseball leagues also help keep children active and fit.

Prattville At A Glance POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) Prattville: 32,480 Autauga County: 50,364 LOCATION Prattville is in the central part of Alabama, about 13 miles across the Alabama River from Montgomery, the state capital. In the heart of the River Region, the town stands at the convergence of the Coosa and Alabama rivers.

BEGINNINGS Prattville is named for Daniel Pratt, known as Alabama’s first industrialist.

He arrived in the early 1830s and purchased land along Autauga Creek.

There, Pratt built facilities known today as Continental Eagle Corp.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce 131 N. Court St., Prattville, AL 36067 Phone: (334) 365-7392 Fax: (334) 361-1314 www.prattvillechamber.com

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What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of Prattville, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesprattville.com.

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Preservation Meets

Progress

Golfers prepare to play at Capitol Hill on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

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CITY HONORS RICH HERITAGE, EMBRACES THE FUTURE

STORY BY JEANNIE NAUJECK

STAFF PHOTO

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ith a unique combination of New England style and Southern charm, Prattville is one of the most unusual towns in Alabama – and visitors are drawn to its laid-back appeal.

Prattville’s many attractions include a historic downtown that’s a bustling hub of activity. The town was built in the 1830s by Daniel Pratt, a New Hampshire industrialist who took advantage of the town’s location along the Autauga Creek to build factories powered by water. He also built churches, schools and houses for factory workers, and Prattville became a village built around industry – much like the classic mill towns of Pratt’s native New England.

“I’ve had people come through and say, ‘I could be in Massachusetts right now!’” says Ann Boutwell, a 27-year Prattville resident who conducts tours for visitors. “Not many towns have a creek like we do, and the dam created the water power that made it possible for Pratt to build his factories.”

Pratt’s original cotton gin plant started off as the Daniel Pratt Factory and became the Continental Eagle Corp. It is still producing cotton gins today.

The Daniel Pratt Historic District is in downtown Prattville, and it includes the commercial business area and its adjacent residential section. The whole district is on the National Register of Historic Places. This creates a picturesque downtown enhanced by the presence of some dozen artesian wells in the historic district, remnants of a past when Prattville had more than 400 such wells and was known as The Fountain City.

The Creek Walk downtown is a lively strolling path decorated with folk art from Autauga County native Charlie Lucas – an artist known as The Tin Man for his metal sculptures. The Creek Walk has become a center of community life.

“Downtown is where everyone comes together,” Boutwell says. “I’ve had people come from all around the country, and we give them a taste of small-town America that’s disappearing.”

While Prattville honors its rich history, the town is becoming known as a sportsman’s paradise, with prime boating and fishing along the Alabama River. The waterway hosts championship fishing, including one of the Bassmaster Elite 50 bass tournaments.

Bass fishing is so popular that Bass Pro Shops built its first Alabama store in Prattville. The mega outdoor retailer is one of the state’s top three retail tourist attractions.

One of golf’s most-photographed holes is found at Capitol Hill, one of 11 stops on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a unique collection of 11 golf courses across Alabama offering what the New York Times calls “some of the best public golf on Earth.”

Prattville, which hosts 82,000 rounds of golf each year, is the only site with three 18-hole championship courses, set on 1,500 picturesque acres.

Greens fees for the Judge, the Legislator and the Senator are as low as $45, says Mike Beverly, director of golf at Capitol Hill.

“We’re the best value for the money,” he says. “The Judge is regarded by the traveler as the premier course, and it’s one of the prettiest on the trail.”

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Variety Is the Spice

DINING OPTIONS ABOUND DOWNTOWN

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN PHTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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mountainous 1.5 million pounds of beef have been sold at Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch since it first opened in downtown Prattville in 1998.

Customers can’t get enough of the barbecue pork, beef brisket, smoked sausage, smoked chicken and ribs that are slow-cooked over natural hickory hardwood.

“After 25 years in the trucking and cattle business, [my wife] Gretchen and I opened Fat Boy’s downtown on the banks of the Autauga Creek,” says owner Danny Loftin. “Everything here is homemade, the way it’s supposed to be.”

Fat Boy’s is just one of several restaurants in downtown Prattville that draw customers by the dozens.

Uncle Mick’s Cajun Market & Café is a new local favorite that offers authentic Cajun dishes –even alligator – and the friendly staff encourages visitors to taste before ordering. This busy spot’s tagline is, “Only one bite away from the Bayou,” and diners can dine in, relax on the back porch or get their hot, fresh food to go.

In July 2008, Connie Dismukes opened Fanci Free Boutique & Garden Café on West Main Street, and she does a bustling business Monday through Saturday.

“Fanci Free is interesting because you can eat lunch while

shoppers around you are trying on clothes, looking at Southern jewelry and buying name-brand purses,” Dismukes says. “It’s a fun atmosphere.”

Fanci Free offers a variety of food items, but the most popular is fresh chicken salad.

“We have also become known for our pimento cheese with pecans that is spread on bagels or croissants and the cheesecake and key lime pie for dessert.”

Another downtown destination is MarChelle’s Bistro & Bakery, which opened in March 2006. It has become known in dining circles for its fine food and a wide variety of wines.

“At MarChelle’s, we believe the natural pairing of food and wine is in constant motion, and we strive to keep up with the dance,” says Mark Taylor, owner of MarChelle’s with his wife, Michelle. “Our wine list and our menu are fluid, and we continually strive to find innovative and unusual combinations that surprise and please the palate.”

Downtown Prattville is also home to the Smith-Byrd House Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room, a traditional tea room that serves lunch Wednesday through Saturday and offers 70 varieties of tea and a wide selection of tasty scones.

“We feature a Victorian atmosphere, and we encourage our diners to slow down and take their time,” says Beth Melling, owner of the B&B with her husband, Dave. “Our tea room isn’t fast food. We don’t mind if people take a two-hour lunch.”

“Dave makes a three-cheese quiche with sun-dried tomatoes that customers love, and he cooks up quite a few other delicacy specialties as well,” she adds. “This city has been very receptive to what Dave and I are doing with our business, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be in Prattville – especially downtown.”

Other delicious dining options downtown include Roy’s Deli, the Fountain City Grill, and Pasta Pizzeria & Grill.

What’s Online e A plate of barbecued meats, peach cobbler and a side of fries from Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch in Prattville

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Take a virtual tour of the Smith-Byrd House Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room in our quick video. Visit imagesprattville.com.

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Growing the

Smart Way

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PROJECT PRATTVILLE FOCUSES ON PARKS, TRAILS AND HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

STORY BY CAROL COWAN PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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mple green spaces, excellent schools, a variety of cultural offerings and growing retail presence – Prattville offers all of this along with character, history and a homey, small-town feel.

It’s no wonder that Prattville’s population has nearly doubled since 1990, and the trend is expected to continue.

Through Project Prattville: The Next Chapter, local leaders aim to stay on the right track. They have solicited input from the community about how best to preserve Prattville’s assets while moving ahead with plans that will add even more spice and substance to the city’s mix. Launched in September 2008, the project sponsored a series of public workshops and online surveys with fun, interactive formats designed to invite participation.

For example, at one meeting, community members marked on a map where they want future trails, parks, community centers, high-density housing and other developments to be located.

Participants in a Monopoly-themed online survey received an allotment of Prattville Bucks to “spend” on their top-priority projects.

The resulting data will shape public policy for the next 10 to 20 years, says Joel Duke, Prattville city planner. The project updates the plan that has guided development since 1998.

“Overall, we’ve gotten a good, consistent, detailed response to the planning process,” Duke says. “It’s not any surprise that quality of life issues – such as maintaining and improving our parks, trails and historic downtown – take priority with residents. It’s what sets us apart.”

Lining up with residents’ green priorities are projects such as the new Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Garden, P R AT T V I L L E

Prattville’s ReLeaf initiative and expansion of the downtown Creekwalk.

Located on 3 acres of the 80-acre Auburn University Agriculture Experiment Station, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Garden is a vibrant tribute to the first lady, who was an early advocate of conservation and beautification and spent time in Prattville throughout her life.

Phase I, which opened in June 2009, includes a butterfly and hummingbird garden and a children’s garden.

“The bed of the butterfly and hummingbird garden is actually planted in the shape of a butterfly,” says Mary Ray, president of Friends of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Garden. “The children’s garden includes plants of the world, a pizza garden (with herbs traditionally used to make pizza), the Three Sisters Native American Garden,

a dinosaur garden for digging fossils, and a giant garden with sunflowers where we’re creating a maze.”

The organization is partnering with the Autauga County Board of Education to provide field trips and educational offerings at its certified outdoor classrooms.

Adding foliage to residential property hit by a devastating tornado in 2008 was the purpose of Prattville’s first ReLeaf project, held on Arbor Day 2009. The mayor’s wife, Beverly Byard, spearheaded the effort, which brought some 300 volunteers out to plant 500 trees in the affected areas.

Phase II of the Creekwalk revitalization also wrapped up in 2009.

The Creekwalk’s new custom-made street lamps, wrought-iron railing and spacious platform overlooking Autauga Creek add to the charm and ambiance of the city’s historic district.

Beverly Byard is chairwoman of Prattville’s ReLeaf project, a plan to add trees to residential property damaged by a devastating tornado in 2008.

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Portfolio

Andrew Jackson Slept Here HISTORIC BUENA VISTA HOME NOW SERVES AS ELEGANT SPOT FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

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ormer U.S. president Andrew Jackson was a frequent visitor to Buena Vista, a historic 1822 mansion on County Road 4 in Prattville.

In fact, Jackson was so enamored with the circular staircase in the home that he duplicated it when his own house – The Hermitage – was constructed in Nashville, Tenn.

“Buena Vista was the first landmark in Autauga County ever to be entered on the National Register of Historic Places,” says Blanquita Robin Hughes, executive director of the Autauga County Heritage Association, which owns and operates Buena Vista. “It is an exquisite home that

today is available for weddings and parties as well as tours each Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.”

The mansion is constructed mainly of pine, and the finishing materials for the home were shipped from England to Mobile, Ala., before being transported up the Alabama River to Washington Landing.

From there, mule-drawn carts hauled the materials to the three-story house.

“The crown moldings are stunning throughout the mansion, especially in the double parlor,” Hughes says. “In the parlor, carvings depict women who seem as if they are holding up the ceiling. There are unusual and interesting touches such

as these throughout the entire home.”

The mansion has seen many owners throughout its history, including Fred and Catherine Whittaker, who purchased it in 1937 and named it Buena Vista.

“There is even a cemetery on the grounds, and a local Eagle Scouts troop has undertaken a project to restore and spruce it up a bit,” Hughes says. “Besides weddings, parties and tours, Buena Vista hosts a Murder Mystery Night each June.

The group participation event features a staged murder that occurs after we serve an elegant dinner. It is very interesting, which is what Buena Vista is always all about.”

Buena Vista home was the first Autauga County landmark to be entered on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Salute to Small Towns he Creekwalk in historic downtown Prattville will get some special attention on April 30, 2010, when a historic marker is scheduled to be unveiled.

It’s all part of the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns, a themed program – ongoing through 2010 – sponsored by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. The marker will be revealed in conjunction with Prattville CityFest 2010 on April 30 and May 1.

“The marker will be supplied by the state of Alabama and will focus on the importance that water has played in our community history,” says Jeremy Arthur, executive vice president of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel has done a series of ‘Year of’ themes in the past, including food, arts, history, gardens and sports. They have been very successful, and Prattville has participated in each one.”

The marker will specifically mention city founder Daniel Pratt choosing this location for the new town because of its proximity to Autauga Creek and the Alabama River. His gin mill, sawmill and gristmill on the banks of Autauga Creek led to employment in those industries for generations of families.

As for the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns program, the Bureau of Tourism and Travel will ultimately publish a book with photographs and a brief history of each participating town.

Other Prattville events will include a Prattauga Art Guild poster contest and special programs backed by the Prattville-Autauga Public Library, Autauga County Heritage Association and the Way Off Broadway Theater League.

Arthur hopes the festivities will draw many people to the city during CityFest.

“It will be celebrated as a homecoming event for anyone with a connection to Prattville,” he says. “Whether someone grew up here, lived here briefly, has relatives here, was stationed here in the military – we are encouraging everyone to come back home that weekend.”

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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The Creekwalk downtown is a community gathering spot.

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Business

Like

Money in the

BANK WHITNEY NATIONAL OPENS OPERATIONS CENTER, ADDS 60 IT JOBS

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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ot bad for tough national economic times.

In July 2009, Whitney National Bank opened a brand-new operations center in downtown Prattville, complete with 60 employees who will earn a combined total of approximately $2 million in salary each year.

Whitney National invested $7.5 million to renovate its building in the Daniel Pratt Historic District. The building at 124 W. Main St. now houses the Prattville Operations Center and a first-floor bank branch.

“During these economic times, Whitney’s investment into the Daniel Pratt Historic District, coupled with its job growth, could not come at a better time,” says Prattville Mayor Jim Byard.

The operations center oversees a number of information technology functions, including check processing, account maintenance and online updates and backups. Its mission is to ensure that day-to-day operations of all Whitney National Bank branches throughout its five-state coverage area perform smoothly, regardless of severe weather or other disruptive events that could arise.

In fact, severe weather is a big reason why Prattville was chosen for the new operations center. Whitney National is headquartered in New Orleans, and its former operations center there was impacted in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina roared through the Crescent City.

“Geography is a big factor for this move,” says Gene Crane,

Whitney National Bank regional president. “Operating two centers will make us less vulnerable to natural disasters.”

Whitney National, which was founded in New Orleans in 1883, first arrived in Autauga County in 2001 and now has four local branches in the River Region, including the one in the Prattville Operations Center building. Altogether, Whitney National has 16 branches throughout Alabama.

“We hope that as we grow, more and more people in Alabama will discover that Whitney is a bank that suits them and their diverse needs,” says Frank DeArmas, Whitney National’s executive vice president in charge of operations and technology.

To help attract the operations center to this area from New Orleans, Prattville and Autauga County officials contributed incentives to Whitney National. That investment has been primarily used to train local residents who replaced former employees who chose to remain in New Orleans.

“Our new Prattville Operations Center is a highly visible symbol of Whitney’s commitment to the market here in the state’s River Region,” says John Hope III, CEO and chairman of Whitney National Bank. “It is another sign that the 125-yearold Whitney is expecting healthy growth in the state as we continue to expand our presence across the South.”

Whitney National Bank’s current service area spans a fivestate Gulf Coast region including parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

It has assets totaling more than $11 billion.

Top: Mayor Jim Byard Jr., left, and County Commission Chairman Danny Chavers examine plans at City Hall.

Bottom right: Lydia Roberts is team leader supervisor for research and adjustments at Whitney National Bank.

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Business

Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE PRATTVILLE’S STRONG AND WELL-BALANCED ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$43,784,342 Retail sales ($1,000)

$9,771 Retail sales per capita

AVON BEAUTY CENTER Biz: Licensed AVON beauty center Buzz: Owned by AVON representative Pam Marchant, the AVON Beauty Center in Prattville offers a wide array of AVON beauty products.

AVON is a leading global beauty company that markets to women in more than 100 countries through more than 5 million independent sales representatives. The Prattville shop is at 2457 Pinnacle Way #H101.

(334) 285-5755

RIVER BANK AND TRUST Biz: Regional bank Buzz: The Prattville-based River Bank and Trust has three office locations – Montgomery, Prattville and Wetumpka – and offers online banking, business banking, personal banking and wealth management services. Lobby hours at the Prattville office, 2611 Legends Drive, are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours for the drive-through. www.riverbankandtrust.com

VICTORIA’S BOUTIQUE Biz: Women’s clothing and gift shop Buzz: Victoria's Boutique is a women's clothing store that carries popular clothing lines such as Vera Bradley, along with collegiate items, Beanpod Candles, Sorrelli jewelry, Brighton jewelry and accessories, and much more.

Owned and operated by Lori McClellan, Victoria's Boutique is located at 133 W. Main St. in downtown Prattville.

(334) 491-2220

A TOUCH OF NEW YORK Biz: Fashion accessories boutique and gift shop Buzz: A Touch of New York is a unique boutique that offers an assortment of fun fashion accessories, specialty gifts, inspirational items and an array of eclectic art, including paintings, pottery, handmade crosses and much more.

Owned and operated by Jan McDowell, the popular shop is located at 135 E. Main St. in downtown Prattville.

(334) 491-8669

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$4,692,297 Accommodation and food services sales ($1,000)

309,544 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

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Business | Chamber Report

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booming retail sector anchors a thriving local economy, and the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce is working to keep a good thing growing.

“We have at least four new retail stores coming online in late 2009, and we have banks opening either a branch or their headquarters here,” says Jeremy Arthur, executive vice president of the chamber. “These are strong indicators that a lot of other communities can’t boast about.”

Prattville now is home to River Bank & Trust, which opened its headquarters here and serves the surrounding counties, and First Community Bank is building its second local branch.

These new financial outlets will plug into the local scene in multiple ways, says Arthur, who also points to the city’s retention of major tourism sites and events as further evidence of its attractiveness.

“We’ve got the Navistar LPGA Classic coming back for a third year, which is a big coup for us,” he says. “And our Bass Pro Shops has been ranked the third most popular tourist destination in the state.

The others are in larger, more destination cities, so this is quite something for us.”

By focusing on a variety of economic development efforts while serving its

900 members, the chamber has been able to be both an advocacy and support organization. The chamber also focuses on business recruitment and retention at local and regional levels.

“Constant diversification is what we strive for in terms of employment and job creation,” says Connie Bainbridge, president and director of economic development. “We try to focus on many different sectors – both in terms of companies already here and those that are looking at the area – to accomplish that. In the last couple of years our focus has been on retail, because that enhances our quality of life and gives us more amenities as a community.”

The new storefronts and businesses are also providing work for Prattville residents, cutting down on the numbers of workers who commute to nearby Montgomery for jobs.

The chamber is also emphasizing seminars and professional development.

By partnering with technology firms, universities and state agencies, the chamber is working to make sure business and community leaders are aware of cutting-edge trends and of ways to be more efficient and effective in their fields.

– Joe Morris

Reputation, Relationships and Experience.

ANTONY BOSHIER

542 McQueen Smith Rd. N. Prattville, AL 36066

(334) 358-0047

www.allsouthcorp.com Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce staff members

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Board of Directors 2009-2010 OFFICERS Chairman of the Board Richard Ray, Alagasco Chair Elect Randy Grissett, Sterling Bank Past Chair Ginger Henry, Prattville Baptist Hospital Treasurer Diane Steinhilber, Jackson Thornton Vice President Economic Development, Clay McConnell, Alabama Power Company

Superintendent Greg Faulkner, Autauga County Board of Education

Patty VanderWal, Financial/Office Manager

Lt. Gen Allen Peck, Maxwell Air Force Base

Melanie Cleveland, Membership Director

J. Robert Faulk, Attorney at Law

Jennie Prochazka, Administrative Assistant

CHAMBER STAFF

Sheila Morrissette, Economic Development Assistant

Connie Bainbridge, President, Director of Economic Development Jeremy Arthur, Executive Vice President

Vice President Membership Services, Edward Clinton, City of Prattville

Annette Ray, Special Events Coordinator Gwen Babston, Membership Assistant

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Sunday Morning

Vice President Special Events, Rendi Tallmage, ABF an Innerspaice Company

Sunday School 8:15 a.m. & 9:45 a.m.

Worship 8:15 a.m. & 9:45 a.m.

Praise & Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Preferred Way Campaign, Diane Steinhilber, Jackson Thornton

Sunday Evening

Discipleship Training 5:00 p.m.

Worship 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evening

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Prayer Service 6:00 p.m.

Dave Burns, First Baptist Church Bo Evans, Bo Evans Realty Mike Lamar, River Bank & Trust Mike Miller, Knology Terry Mullins, Retired Wade Seamon, BankTrust Steve Steele, BankTrust Mike Beverly, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill Chris Day, Academy Sports and Outdoors Brenda Ward, Auburn Montgomery, Continuing Education Don Forst, International Paper Gary Smith, Artesian City Marketing

Mayor F. B. Ward, Town of Autaugaville Mayor Greg Davis, Town of Billingsley Chairman Danny Chavers, Autauga County Commission

P R AT T V I L L E

First Baptist Third Street

Main Street

I-65

Mayor Jim Byard, City of Prattville

138 S. Washington St. Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 365-0606 (334) 361-9481 Kindergarten (334) 361-9497 Mom’s Day Out mail@fbcprattville.org www.fbcprattville.org

Washington

EX OFFICIO

Street

Walter Kennedy, Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill

Exit 179

Cobbs Ford

I M AG E S P R AT T V I L L E . C O M

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Health & Wellness

Nuclear medicine machine at Prattville Baptist Hospital

The Picture of Health IMAGING CAPABILITIES GIVE PRATTVILLE BAPTIST AN EDGE

P

icture this: a community hospital with imaging capabilities matched only by medical centers in metropolitan areas. That’s what Prattville Baptist Hospital and its Radiology Department offer area residents.

“We have the best nuclear-medicine camera between here and the University of Alabama at Birmingham,” says Nell Nelson, the hospital’s radiology manager. “It has a larger weight limit, so we can accommodate heavier patients, and the table gantry is also wider, so it’s more comfortable for the patient.

And it gives us just beautiful images of the heart. Our cardiac studies are just stellar.”

Hospital CEO Ginger Henry calls Nelson the “proud mama” of the recently installed Siemens e-CAM, a gamma camera that captures images inside the body after the patient takes radiopharmaceuticals either orally or intravenously.

“The modality doesn’t require us to use radiation to acquire the images,” Nelson explains. From bone scans to renal, soft tissue and tumor studies, the e-CAM images boast excellent resolution and are acquired much faster than when traditional radiology is used.

Prattville Baptist Hospital’s imaging capabilities don’t stop there. Also new to the Radiology Department is the ZONARE z.one ultrasound platform, a portable unit that features all the capabilities of larger stationary equipment. The hospital also offers CT scans, routine radiography and fluoroscopy.

Prattville’s hospital joined the Baptist Health family in 1998.

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Based in Montgomery, Baptist Health owns several central Alabama medical facilities, including the 85-bed Prattville Baptist Hospital and Prattville Medical Park, a medical office building with an outpatient imaging center. Its services include magnetic resonance imaging.

Henry says the hospital operates a six-bed intensive-care unit and “a very, very busy emergency department,” with the number of visits in 2009 approaching 30,000. Surgeon Parham Mora, M.D., is trained in the latest minimally invasive technique, called single-incision laparoscopic surgery. While a conventional minimally invasive procedure may call for two small incisions on the abdomen and one in the navel, this new approach requires entry only through the navel.

“What that means to the patients is a much shorter recovery period, and now just one scar, which is in your bellybutton so nobody sees it,” Henry says.

Specialties at Prattville Baptist include cardiology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, gynecology, pain management, physical therapy and podiatry. A speech and hearing clinic features a program for chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vestibular training for patients plagued with dizziness, and therapy for patients who have difficulty swallowing.

In addition, many area residents enjoy a better night’s sleep, thanks to the hospital’s four-suite Sleep Disorders Center.

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald I M AG E S P R AT T V I L L E . C O M

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Health & Wellness

PRATTVILLE HEALTH & REHABILITATION

Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Dementia Unit Medicare/Medicaid Hospice/HMO

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Smith-Byrd House Bed & Breakfast www.smithbyrdhouse.com

Foster Drug

I M AG E S P R AT T V I L L E . C O M

Mellow Mushroom Pizza www.prattville.mellowmushroom.com

Autauga Prattville Public Library www.appl.info

First Baptist Church Prattville www.fbcprattville.org

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Max Credit Union www.mymax.com

The Park Apartment Homes www.theparkapartmenthomes.com

HomePlace www.homeplaceal.com

Troy University www.troy.edu

International Paper www.internationalpaper.com

YMCA www.prattvilleymca.org

P R AT T V I L L E

ANTONY BOSHIER

Arts & Culture

A late-model fire truck now serves as a popular rolling garden, complete with topiary monkeys, palms and more.

Garden on Wheels RETIRED FIRE TRUCK GOES GREEN, GETS ROLLING

T

he city of Prattville knows how to get a good idea rolling – literally.

Its rolling garden exhibit, aboard a late-model fire truck, makes memorable appearances at parades and other Prattville happenings throughout the year, much to the delight of area residents.

The project’s wheels were set in motion last year by a single off-hand comment, says Ken Johnson, city horticulturist.

“I was down at the city’s vehicle maintenance station and noticed this old fire truck sitting in the surplus area,” he recalls. “Someone asked me, ‘Wouldn’t you like to have that?’ The idea struck me to plant it, so I got with the mayor and he took off with the idea.”

In 2009, the rolling garden sported a jungle theme – including a self-contained recirculating water feature, three topiary

P R AT T V I L L E

monkeys, palms, mandavillas, birds of paradise and other tropical vegetation that is actually planted on the fire truck.

“The soil is on board, and the irrigation system is built in,” Johnson explains. “When the garden needs to be watered, we just pull into the fire station and plug into a hose.”

The unique garden on wheels draws lots of attention wherever it goes, and word has spread. At local schools where the rolling garden has visited, children adore it. When it’s not trekking around town, folks call the city offices to ask if they can come see it. It has even been given a name: Retired Firefighter.

But Johnson takes care not to overexpose the remarkable exhibit.

“It’s a novel piece, and we don’t want to wear out the novelty, so we only bring

it out for special occasions,” he says.

“We’ve had it positioned at Pratt Park, and it sat in front of City Hall over Memorial Day. It also appeared in the Fourth of July parade and other parades we’ve had. Picture a small Southern town with historic buildings lining Main Street, and here comes an old fire truck with its lights going, monkeys hanging on it, and the whole thing has a tropical theme – it’s really different.

We get lots of positive feedback.”

The tropical plants have to spend the winter in a greenhouse, so that leaves the Retired Firefighter available for another theme – just in time for the Christmas holidays. Parades in summer 2010 will present yet another opportunity. The possibilities are endless, and Johnson isn’t tipping his hand about future themes.

“We want to keep the community guessing,” he says. “We want people to be saying, ‘I wonder what it’s going to be this time.’”

– Carol Cowan I M AG E S P R AT T V I L L E . C O M

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I M AG E S P R AT T V I L L E . C O M

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Community Profile

PRATTVILLE SNAPSHOT Prattville is a growing community off I-65 in the south-central part of Alabama near Montgomery, the state capital. It’s a city that values its history and works hard to maintain the small-town character that residents value. Considered the birthplace of industry in Alabama, the town is named for Danville Pratt, an industrialist and philanthropist who came here from New Hampshire in the 1830s.

EDUCATION

CLIMATE Prattville offers an extensive spring and summer growing season, with moderate to mild winters. Summertime highs can reach the upper 90s, but winter lows seldom drop below freezing.

35.5 F January Low Temperature

57 F January High Temperature

59 F July Low Temperature

92.7 F July High Temperature

All Prattville schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and they offer a variety of courses and extracurricular activities to suit the needs of each individual student. The public school system, Autauga County Schools, serves the city of Prattville and Autauga County.

Visit www.autaugacountyschool.org for more information.

MEDICAL SERVICES Prattville Baptist Hospital is a licensed 85-bed community hospital offering an array of medical specialties for Autauga and Elmore county residents.

The hospital includes an endoscopy suite, 24-hour emergency department, cardiopulmonary services, a sleep-disorders center and more. Visit www.baptistfirst.org for more information.

MORE EO ONLINE imagesprattville.com t More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

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600 E. Main St. P.O. Box 68009 Prattville, AL 36068-0009 (334) 365-8852 Fax: (334) 361-0569 www.prattvilleymca.org Bradford Branch (334) 358-9622 Child Care Branch (334) 358-1446

Don M. Smith Branch (334) 365-8852

Fitness Branch (334) 361-0268 Wellness Branch (334) 491-9622

Prattville Memorial Chapel and Memory Gardens 841 Fairview Ave. U Prattville, AL 36066 (334) 365-7147 U www.prattvillememorial.com

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Smith-Byrd House Bed & Breakfast & Tea Room

Located in the Daniel Pratt Historic District, within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants.

Two bedrooms, each with king-size bed and private bath. The Royal Tea Room bath features a claw-foot tub.

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE.速 For your insurance and financial needs, see State Farm Agent:

Linda Buckner 1799 E. Main St. Prattville, AL (334) 365-1800 The Smith-Byrd House is open for afternoon tea Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. and can be reserved for group events at other times. Please call for details.

Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There.速

Beth and David Melling Innkeepers and tea hosts

STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES

137 N. Washington St. Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 365-1459 www.smithbyrdhouse.com

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

P R AT T V I L L E

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Ad Index 2 6 A L A BA M A P OW E R 4 8 A L AGA S CO 2 0 A L L S O U T H CO R P O R ATI O N 2 8 A R R OW P E S T CO N T R O L

IF

YOU ENJOY

the quiet country life, you will love Country Hideaway Bed and Breakfast north of Prattville at Pine Level just off US Route 31. Hidden away on 68 acres in the Autauga county hills lies a hotel alternative where you can see turkey and deer at play. You can choose to take a short woodland hike, fish for bass and bluegill in the stocked pond, or just relax beside the swimming pool.

John and Shirley Wachtel welcome you to spend some time at this relaxing country retreat.

A LSO CALL US ABOUT: Bridal showers Weddings & receptions Luncheons & dinners Family & class reunions Catering (on or off-site)

WONDERFUL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR : Club meetings Company off-sites Scrapbooking weekends Quilting bees

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169 Ball-Enwright Rd. Deatsville, AL 36022 (334) 358-2677 countryhideaway@bellsouth.net www.countryhideawaybb.com

C 4 T H E PA R K A PA RT M E N T H O M E S 2 6 T R OY U N I V E R S IT Y 28 YMCA

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P R AT T V I L L E

Interstate Business Park Prattville, Alabama Spec building 50,000 sq. ft.

32 ft. eaves/35‘ center

Ex pa nd ab le to 80 ,00

0s q. f

Interstate Business Park Prattville, Alabama ÀÊUÊ"vv ViÊUÊ V ÃÊUÊ >ÞÊ` Àà 6 ÊUÊ } Ì }Êv à i`ÊÌ ÊÃÕ Ì

215-acre mixed use development 55 acres dedicated to light industrial/retail Fully infrastructured Less than a mile from Interstate 65 Direct interstate access to all major automotive manufacturing factories in Alabama

(334) 358-0047 www.allsouthcorp.com

Five miles to the Prattville residential and commercial market residen

t.