Cullman, AL October 2023

Welcome, fall!

Welcome to Alabama fall! The leaves are falling and changing colors! Do you feel a cooler breeze here and there? Possibly! Football and Halloween are here as well!

With the changing seasons comes a change in what we are craving. Check out our October cocktail recipe and the hauntingly good, Southern classic book recommendation.

October means many things to us, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are telling the stories of four amazing, local women: Misti Easter, Traci Johnson, Dr. Morgan Martin and Kelley Payne. Each story is unique, and we appreciate their willingness to share with us and with you.

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Missy Gurley | missy.gurley@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Wendy Sack | wendy.sack@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashlea Chance, Mavens & Makers

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cover photo by: Lisa Jones of Lisa Jones Photography

Jennifer Murphree - JenJen Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: We love seeing all the smiling faces enjoying such a fun night! 2: This beauty from Talley-Ho Farm joined Lake League at 2nd Fridays in Cullman. 3: Listerhill Credit Union representatives braved the 2nd Fridays heat! 4: Lake League/Home League had the best tent at 2nd Fridays! 5: Oh my gosh - the food trucks came out and it was delicious! 6: Everyone was welcome - including those four-legged friends. 7: 2nd Fridays brings out families and friends for a great event. Photography by Jennifer Murphree - JenJen Photography

8: Cullman Savings Bank’s Highway 157 branch’s design was inspired by Cullman’s second courthouse. 9: Max and Matt enjoyed lunch from the new food truck - The Butcher’s Chuck Wagon! 10: Waterfront Closing & Title had an amazing turnout at its ribbon cutting. 11: We love Waterfront Closing & Title’s new office located in downtown Cullman. 12: Home League Real Estate’s ribbon cutting was great! So many friends and family were present. 13: Rebekah Lloyd’s son, Shane, loves seeing the vintage trucks and cars at 2nd Fridays. 14: We loved seeing Boozer Eyecare at 2nd Fridays!

WATERFRONT CLOSING & TITLE LLC

BOOZER EYECARE

REBEKAH LLOYD

CULLMAN SAVINGS BANK

WATERFRONT CLOSING & TITLE LLC

CULLMAN CITY LIFESTYLE

15: Cullman’s stormy nights are beautiful. 16: Savannah, Izzy, Quinn and Maddox Calvert enjoyed Seven Daughters Scoop Ice Cream. 17: Ice cream for everyone! Look at those happy smiles! 18: There was a huge turnout at Seven Daughters Scoops! Thank you, Cullman Savings Bank! 19: A delicious cold treat on a hot first day back to school! 20: Precious Lucy and her parents, Jennifer and Justin Kent, had a great time! 21: Thank you Cullman Savings Bank for the back-to-school ice cream treat! Photography by Cullman Savings Bank

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business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Waterfront Title and Closing

As a trusted provider of real estate closing and title services, we are dedicated to helping homebuyers, realtors and lenders successfully navigate the complex process of buying or selling property. Our team of experienced professionals brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure a smooth and efficient closing experience.

Waterfront Closing & Title, LLC opened their Cullman location and hosted their ribbon cutting in August. Check out the photo in City Scene. waterfrontclosing.com

256-293-5193

Alabama Outdoor Lighting

Alabama Outdoor Lighting offers a wide variety of outdoor landscape lighting, Christmas lights and outdoor audio. Outdoor lighting will bring your home to life! You can completely transform areas of your property with landscape lighting and outdoor audio.  The holidays are a special time of year, and what better way to celebrate than by decorating your home with beautiful Christmas lights! We are now booking Christmas lights.  ALoutdoorlighting.com

256-338-5995

Three Pears

Three Pears is Cullman’s most fashionable women's specialty boutique. Once you enter the doors of Three Pears you are met by the sweetest ladies. They have everything you could possibly ever want - amazing brand-name clothing, shoes, purses, hats and jewelry. The ladies of Three Pears have an eye for fashion and are so helpful. I personally love shopping with Three Pears.

Check them out on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Cullman

Photography Jennifer MurphreeJenJen Photography

Photography Alabama Outdoor Lighting

Photography Three Pears

Meet Kelley Payne

Business woman, breast cancer warrior

ARTICLE

BY WENDY SACK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLEY PAYNE

Kelley Payne said her first thoughts went instantly to her husband, son and family.

Kelley Payne is a busy woman.

She is an operations manager at Walmart Distribution Center in Cullman, a board member for Restoring Women Outreach and a business owner. She and her husband, Nick, own Alabama Outdoor Lighting.

“My husband and I install landscape lighting and professional custom Christmas lights," she said. "Celebrating the birth of Christ and opening our home to our family, friends and clients for a special Christmas lighting experience is especially rewarding.”

Kelley Payne is also a warrior.

She has been diagnosed with Stage 2, Grade 3 invasive lobular carcinoma.

“My last 28 years at Walmart have taught me that the only thing truly constant is change and success is achieved through adaptation with the willingness to be open minded, but in life, there are obstacles like a cancer diagnosis that you never prepare yourself to expect. My routine mammogram was in March 2023,” she said. “The nurse came to my room after the mammogram and stated, ‘We need to take a few more pictures.’ Instantly, I knew. I felt a pure calmness come over me, and I knew that I would be just fine. Whatever is God’s plan, I trust in it completely.”

Payne said her first thoughts went instantly to her husband, son and family.

“I have put all aspects of my life into perspective and have not taken any moments for granted,” she shared. “Always believing that I was unstoppable, accepting the thought that I have cancer has been challenging.”

Kelley Payne has advice for other women.

“I would love for everyone to know there is an option to try to save their hair,” she told me. “Heather Wilson and Jennifer Brown recommended that I try to save my hair because they knew that losing it was one of my biggest fears. While we may lose so many things during cancer, we may have the ability to try to save our hair. I have been Paxman cold capping with the

help of my mother, who ensures the cap is on straight and tight before each chemotherapy treatment.”

In fact, Payne said, the photo used in this article was taken during her ninth round (out of 13) of chemotherapy.

“According to my dosage of chemotherapy, my hair should have all fallen out by July 1,” she said.

I asked her if there was anything else she’d like to share.

“I want to publicly show my appreciation to the ones who answered all of my questions and taught me what to expect. With the loving advice from survivors such as Monica Roberts, Jennifer Brown and Judy Grissom, I have been able to better understand my diagnosis and how to navigate expectations. Having others share their experiences prepares you for your journey ahead.”

ACCORDING TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC

Lobular breast cancer (also called invasive lobular carcinoma, or ILC) is breast cancer that starts in the milk-producing gland, or lobules, of your breast and has spread into surrounding breast tissue. It accounts for about 10% to 15% of all breast cancers and is the second most common type of breast cancer. Left untreated, lobular breast cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes, and then to other areas of your body.

It may cause the following symptoms:

• Hard or thickened area inside of your breast or underarm

• Your nipple is inverted, meaning it points into your breast instead of pointing out

• Dimpling, dent or puckering skin on a part of your breast

• Changes in breast size or shape

• A feeling of warmth or redness

• Nipple discharge

• An area of swelling or fullness in your breast

• A lump near your armpit

• Breast pain

"Instantly, I knew. I felt a pure calmness come over me, and I knew that I would be just fine. Whatever is God’s plan, I trust in it completely.”

‘Advocate for yourself!’

ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISTI EASTER

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR MISTI EASTER SHARES

WORDS OF WISDOM

Misti Easter didn’t have an easy childhood. Her parents, Wayne and Martha McCombs, died of cancer at age 41 when she was a child, just over one year apart.

“I didn’t have a lot of time with them here on Earth, but the time I had was very impactful,” she said. “They were wonderful parents, and I have never doubted their love for me.”

At 37, Easter was diagnosed with cancer.

“I was diagnosed in March 2011 with Stage 3, triple positive breast cancer,” she shared.

She said cancer was always in the back of her mind, but it didn’t make her diagnosis any less shocking.

“No one wants to hear the word ‘cancer.’ I did after a lumpectomy. The treatments were aggressive – major surgery, strong chemo (the nickname for the type I had was “Red Devil”), radiation and a year of monthly infusions of Herceptin,” Easter said. “The recovery process was slow and, at times, painful. I had just gotten my mortgage loan originator license, and I was determined to work, but sometimes that meant working from bed. It’s hard to explain to those around you how you feel – it’s like you’re in an exhausting fog with random pains popping up all over your body, and you want to sleep but your legs want to move from neuropathy, but you don’t want to move around much because everything makes you nauseous!”

The most important thing she wants to get across to other women: ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF!

Misti Easter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.

“Demand the best care! I got my first mammogram at 36 at my OBGYN’s office. He knew my family history. I trusted this was a good thing, but I got a call a few weeks later from another department in the hospital asking me to come for a second mammogram. They assured me nothing was wrong, but explained the type of mammogram I had was the outdated film version; they wanted me to have a digital mammogram. They explained the outdated machines wouldn’t catch irregularities in most younger women due to breast density. I was a little surprised my doctor didn’t tell me this to begin with!” she said.

Easter said the digital mammogram revealed calcification spots in her left breast.

“The technician assured me this could be completely normal and explained this would be my ‘baseline’ mammogram so they could monitor any changes. She said some women just have calcification in their breasts. I was still worried, so I explained my family history. She checked with the radiologist to see if I needed further testing. They decided to wait six months. I wanted to trust the medical professionals – no one wants to hear bad news, right? I walked out in total denial thinking nothing was wrong because, if it was that big of a deal, they would have done more testing. Wrong. Nearing that six-month mark, I found the lump myself. It was right where the calcification showed up on the mammogram.”

Easter said she knew it was going to be bad, but she would get through it.

“I felt God’s peace immediately. By the time the cancer was caught, I was in late Stage 3, and it had spread to lymph nodes under my left arm. Had I waited any longer, it would have progressed to Stage 4 very quickly,” she said.

“Is cancer scary? YES! Is it unbeatable? NO! Seek out the best medical care and fight like heck! Attitude is everything,” she said. “I knew I could win the battle with God by my side. I also knew where I was going if I didn’t win the battle on Earth, and that would be victory, too.”

“Please let me be an example. Know your body. If something feels off,  it probably is, so don’t ignore it.”

Misti Easter is a very successful branch manager and mortgage loan originator at First Federal Mortgage in downtown Cullman.

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Giving Back

TRACI JOHNSON HELPS OTHERS THROUGH THE CHECKLIST CONCIERGE SERVICE

ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACI JOHNSON

Traci Johnson has had a robust career in business, having owned The UPS Store and another small business, worked in human resources, marketing for the United Way of Cullman County, mentoring students at Wallace State and as the office manager for ERA Waldrop Real Estate.

On Dec. 23, 2021, Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Through the years, I had two fiber cysts removed, and was told I had fibrocystic changes, as well as extremely dense breasts. Breast cancer does not run in my family, so I was not too concerned; however, I was very diligent with my yearly mammograms,” she said. “In 2020, my mammogram required additional imaging, as well as a biopsy, with results that were non-cancerous  My 2021 mammogram was very similar to 2020’s. I thought, ‘Here we go again,’ and, “Who has time for all of this? More images. More biopsies.’ NEVER in a million years did I think…CANCER! And two days before Christmas!”

Johnson said she told her husband and boss, but otherwise chose to keep it a secret.

“Luckily, I was already talking with a wonderful therapist – Sarah Linkous – at Yellow Brick Road Counseling, who helped me throughout the process.  God definitely had a plan because I was already scheduled to meet with her that day,” she said. “I finally told one other person – my brother, because he would have to help my dad more often. After additional tests and the holiday season, we started to tell a few people.

Well, guess what, word spreads like wildfire, especially in a small town!  The one person who should have been first to hear unfortunately heard the news from someone else. Regret is an understatement!”

On Feb. 8, 2022, Johnson had a double mastectomy and TRAM reconstruction with Dr. Donald Marecle and Dr. Steve Seidel at Cullman Regional.

“I highly recommend them!” she said. “Why go to Birmingham! I had breast cancer Stage 1 and suspicious activity in the lymph nodes; they removed two lymph nodes. Surgery went well, but unfortunately, I had three blood clots in my lungs a couple of days later that required medication and oxygen full time for three months. I was very blessed – due to yearly mammograms – I did not need chemotherapy or radiation. My hormone receptor status and HER2 status were both positive with good indications.”

It was during this time Johnson started to reevaluate her life and blessings and how she could give back.

CHECKLIST CONCIERGE SERVICE

“The business idea for Checklist was born during this time through my faith, love and passion to help others, as others have helped me. I strive to provide the best possible service with an open mind, heart and soul while providing true empathy for every situation. Sometimes it is just the little things on the ‘checklist,’” she said.

Checklist Concierge Service is a business, educational and personal concierge service designed to help others mark off the overwhelming list of items on their "checklist" at work and at home.

“God has blessed me through the years and given me a wealth of knowledge in a variety of areas,” Johnson said. “Sometimes it is the small business owner who does not have enough hours in the day to manage QuickBooks or social media. Other times it’s the business owners who need time to educate their employees on communication, diversity, ServSafe, sexual harassment or time management. Sometimes it is that individual who needs help at home or in their daily life.”

Johnson’s advice for other women who have or are facing breast cancer? “Celebrate every victory and be thankful for all your blessings!”

“The most rewarding jobs are those ‘checklist’ items that are weighing others down. Everyone has a time where the ‘checklist’ becomes overwhelming or completely unreachable. They feel as if they are drowning. I can literally see the weight being lifted off of their shoulders. The reward truly is a blessing.”

Traci Johnson

‘13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey’

ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS

folklorists Kathryn Tucker Windham and Margaret Gillis Figh, the book recounts Alabama’s thirteen most ghoulish and eerie ghost legends.

Curated with loving expertise, these 13 tales showcase both Windham and Figh’s masterful selection of stories and their artful and suspenseful writing style. In crafting stories treasured by children and adults alike, the authors tell much more than ghost tales. Embedded in each is a wealth of fact and folklore about Alabama history and the old South. “I don’t care whether you believe in ghosts,” Windham was fond of saying. “The good ghost stories do not require that you believe in ghosts.”

Millions of readers cherish memories of being chilled as teachers and parents read them unforgettable stories like “The Unquiet Ghost at Gaineswood,” about the ghost of Evelyn Carter, who fills this Demopolis antebellum mansion with midnight musical lamentations because her body wasn’t returned to her native Virginia, and “The Phantom Steamboat of the Tombigbee,” about the wreck of the steamboat Eliza Battle, which caught fire on the way to Mobile and sank one February night in 1858. People who live along the river say the flaming steamboat wreck still rises on cold nights, its cotton cargo blazing across the waves while its terrified survivors cry for help from the icy water.

A haunting Southern classic

If you grew up in Alabama, you're no doubt familiar with Jeffrey. If not, read on! The University of Alabama Press: One of the best-known and widely shared books about the South, "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey" has haunted the imaginations of generations of delighted young readers since it was first published in 1969. Written by nationally acclaimed

The title’s “Jeffrey” refers to a friendly ghost who resides in the Windham home and who served as Windham’s unofficial collaborator in this work and the subsequent books in this popular series, all of which are now available in high-quality reproductions of their spooky originals.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT. 2 OUT OF

Q&A with Dr. Morgan Martin

LEARN ABOUT BREAST CANCER AND RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS

ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY LISA JONES - LISA JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR PATIENTS' MOST COMMON CONCERNS WHEN THEY COME TO YOU AFTER CANCER TREATMENT?

When a patient receives a diagnosis of breast cancer, it is life changing. The primary concern is making sure the cancer is treated as the top priority. When it comes to breast reconstruction, I work very closely with breast (oncology) surgeons to make sure our plan follows the standard of care for breast cancer treatment. That being said, breast reconstruction takes place in coordination with cancer treatments, such as timing of your lumpectomy or mastectomy, and any possible chemotherapy and radiation.

The next concern is regarding what to expect. What will I look like?

Most women's identities are strongly tied to their breasts. When you suddenly find out you are potentially losing your breasts, it can be devastating. Luckily, there are many options for reconstruction, including breast conservation, implant-based reconstruction (even direct-toimplant, same day as mastectomy), tissue-based and fat grafting - utilizing liposuction to give breast skin a much improved appearance. Nipple reconstruction is also performed to make the

Dr. Morgan Martin is a plastic surgeon at Seidel Plastic Surgery in Cullman. Here, she answers questions about breast cancer and reconstruction after treatment.

Dr. Morgan Martin

Dr. Morgan Martin

final breast look very natural and complete. We can even perform nipple-sparing mastectomy in the right candidate. There will be changes and surgery involved, but I am here to walk you through the entire process and help you achieve your goals.

Q: HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? AREN'T RECONSTRUCTIONS COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Yes! The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) is a federal law that mandates insurance companies that cover mastectomy also cover breast reconstruction for women with breast cancer. This means women have a right to breast reconstruction. Here in Cullman, we have a team of breast cancer doctors who cover all aspects of your cancer care.

After a woman has a detected breast cancer either on physical exam or imaging, she will typically have a biopsy to establish a diagnosis, and she will be referred to one of our breast surgeons to discuss options. A workup will be completed to determine the clinical stage and make a treatment plan. Depending on the planned course, she will meet with me, her breast reconstruction surgeon, our medical oncology team and, if needed, our radiation oncology team.

In terms of breast reconstruction, I typically perform reconstruction the same day as lumpectomy or mastectomy. This I would consider the first stage. Depending on your options, this may be your only surgery, but some women need a tissue expander to stretch the skin, requiring a second surgery to place a permanent implant. Often I tell women to expect at least one minor second surgery to improve the appearance with nipple reconstruction, fat grafting, touchups and implant exchange.

Q: WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A WOMAN WHO IS CONSIDERING RECONSTRUCTION?

I would highly recommend at least discussing all options with me. It will seem overwhelming and complex, but my job is to know your options and determine the best route based on your goals and expectations. We have a great group of specialists here in Cullman who allow you to receive expedited care in your hometown with the same options as a university. Currently, there is a huge

“Being able to stay in your hometown for surgery and cancer treatments really decreases the burden on the patient, since it eliminates excess travel and therefore expense and time off work.”

Dr. Morgan Martin is a plastic surgeon at Seidel Plastic Surgery in Cullman.

demand for all reconstruction and cancer care, and it can be difficult getting into a big system. I trained at Emory University with the leading experts in breast reconstruction, and my goal of coming to Cullman was to increase access to complex reconstructive procedures.

Q: IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS WOMEN SHOULD LOOK FOR WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR BREAST HEALTH?

Yes; women should know their bodies. Don’t be afraid to perform self-breast exams. If you feel a new lump or bump, at least see your primary care physician or OBGYN for an exam. You should also look for changes in the skin such as redness or dimpling and changes to the nipple such as new retraction or drainage. Any of these findings should be examined by a health care provider with likely imaging. The American Cancer Society recommends women start screening for breast cancer with mammograms at age 40.

Q: WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?

When patients choose to have reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, I become a huge part of their lives. It really creates a lifelong relationship since I see patients for additional treatments or checkups over time. I become very invested in each case, and it means a lot to me to see patients improve their health over time. The process of breast reconstruction is special; I meet women when they are in a very vulnerable state. They are unsure of what to expect with reconstruction, and I spend a lot of time discussing expectations and options. Being able to create a new breast, a major part of their identity, is very rewarding.

I am also passionate about increasing access to care. There is literature to indicate women who live in rural areas (e.g., Cullman) have lower rates of breast reconstruction. The reasoning is multifactorial, but we can change that by educating women on their options, which include staying in Cullman.

Dr. Morgan Martin said the American Cancer Society recommends women start screening for breast cancer with mammograms at age 40.

Dr. Morgan Martin

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 13TH

Murder on the Silver Screen: A Murder Mystery Dinner

STONE BRIDGE FARMS | 6:00 PM

Be transported to old Hollywood; it's not as glamorous as it seems. There's a killer on the loose, and we need your help to find him or her before it's too late! Guests encouraged to wear old Hollywood glam. Tables/ tickets available. All proceeds go to The Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County to help advance literacy. tinyurl.com/MurderontheSilverScreen

OCTOBER 14TH-15TH

Peinhardt Living History Farm Days

PEINHARDT LIVING HISTORY FARM | 9:00 AM

Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hands-on fall festival teaches what farm life was like in 1930s-1940s north Alabama. See antique farm and home items in the well-stocked museums. Activities include quilt samplers, how turpentine is made, cotton being ginned, old-time music, one-room schoolhouse, mules, sack race and more! Food vendors. Crafters. Artisans. Musicians. peinhardtfarm.com/

OCTOBER 14TH

Spook the Lake

SMITH LAKE | 1:00 PM

Spook the Lake is here!  Hosted each year on the second Saturday of October, this Alabama Lakewide Charities (ALC) event brings Smith Lake area residents together to participate in trick-or-treating via boat to volunteer host docks all around the lake. This event will run from 1-4 p.m. Afterward, join us for  AFTERSPOOK at Trident Marina from 5-8.

OCTOBER 14TH

AFTERSPOOK at Trident Marina

TRIDENT MARINA | 5:00 PM

This is the best event on Smith Lake and Trident Marina goes all out! From inflatables, fun games and delicious foods - come out and bring the entire family in your Halloween costumes. You will not want to miss out on all the fun! facebook.com/tridentmarinas

OCTOBER 19TH

3rd Annual Masquerade Ball

LOFT 212 EVENTS | 6:00 PM

Dust off your mask and join us for a night of dinner and drinks, live music from BREZ, dancing and fun! Door prizes, live and silent auctions and a raffle! All proceeds will help support Victim Services' shelter and services for women and children impacted by domestic violence. Get tickets and info at tinyurl.com/ VictimServicesBall.

OCTOBER 20TH

Fall in Love with Your Smile

CULLMAN COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY | 8:00 AM

Join us Oct. 20, from 8 a.m.-noon for our “Fall in Love with Your Smile” Invisalign event! Those who start treatment will receive $500 off Invisalign and be entered to win a $350 Visa giftcard. Visit our website or call today to schedule your appointment! cullmandentist.com

EVENTS CONTINUED

OCTOBER 20TH

Home League Halloween

THE VENUE AT COTTON

CREEK | 7:00 PM

Admission is a canned food item. Come out and enjoy games, prizes, food and drinks! Lyft will be in Cullman to ensure everyone gets home safely. Sponsored by Home League Real Estate. Get more details at face book.com/homeleaguerealestate.

OCTOBER 21ST

2023 Mud Creek Arts and Craft Festival

DOWNTOWN HANCEVILLE | 9:00 AM

Come out and enjoy arts and craft vendors, great food and fun for all! This is a street event along Commercial Street in downtown Hanceville. The event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Find out more at facebook.com/mudcreekfestival.

OCTOBER 22ND

2nd Annual Cullman

Witches Ride

CULLMAN FESTHALLE | 3:30 PM

OCTOBER 24TH

7th Annual Caring for Cullman Concert

NORTHBROOK BAPTIST

CHURCH | 6:00 PM

Benefits the Good Samaritan Health Clinic! A night of fun and great music, with the Daystar Church Praise Team and award-winning Triumphant Quartet! Tickets are $25 in person and $28 online. Get tickets at the door or at goodsamaritan cullman.com, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Yates-Chance Christian Bookstore and Borden Family Pharmacy. For concert details, call 256-255-5965.

OCTOBER 28TH

32nd Annual Mud Creek Marching Festival

HANCEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

STADIUM | 11:00 AM

This all-day festival features area marching bands, and is capped off by a featured exhibition by the 2023 University of North Alabama Marching Pride. Come out and support student musicians! Tickets are $5 for adults, and free for children 5 and younger. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Get the full schedule of events at mudcreekmarchingfest.weebly.com.

OCTOBER 28TH

A Nightmare at Depot Park Trunk or Treat

DEPOT PARK | 5:00 PM

This event is co-hosted by the 3Sixty Jeep Club and Cullman County Wranglers. Bring your kiddos out for a frightfully fun night. There will be plenty of candy, Jeeps and a spooky haunted tunnel. Do you dare? We'll also have food vendors. Come have a great time at Depot Park!  tinyurl. com/NightmareDepotPark

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Cullman

Orange Thing Cocktail

DELICIOUS RECIPE

BY MARTIE DUNCAN

I love cookbooks - I guess you could say that I am a cookbook collector!

When I saw a cookbook named “Martie Duncan’s Sweet Home Alabama: Destinations & Dishes Worth the Trip,” I knew I had to have it. Author Martie Duncan takes her readers on a road trip through Alabama to everyone’s favorite local restaurants and shares one amazing recipe per stop!

Here is a classic cocktail from her cookbook:

Orange Thing Cocktail from Bottega in Birmingham

ingredients:

• Crushed ice

• 2 oz. Tito’s Vodka

• 1.5 oz. Triple Sec

• 2 oz. orange juice

directions:

1. Fill cocktail shaker half full of crushed ice. Put additional ice in martini glass to chill.

2. Add the vodka, Triple Sec and orange juice to the shaker.

3. Use a muddler and muddle for at least 10 seconds.

4. Remove the ice from the glass. Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass and garnish with an orange wheel, if desired.

A version of this recipe first appeared in Frank Stitt’s “Southern Table,” published by Artisan Books New York in 2004.

Martie Duncan is the author of three award-winning cookbooks about Alabama food: “Birmingham’s Best Bites,” “Magic City Cravings” and “Alabama Cravings.”  “Martie Duncan’s Sweet Home Alabama: Destinations & Dishes Worth the Trip” is the sequel.

Orange Thing Cocktail