Marshall Good Life Magazine - Summer 2021 by The Good Life Magazine

MARSHALL COUNTY

Jeffery Patterson wants to bring his movie craft home to Marshall County

Take a look at the newly opened – and cavernous – Sand Mountain Park SUMMER 2021 | COMPLIMENTARY

Frank and Kim Harbin: find the ‘pinnacle’ of retirement at Kudzu Cove

MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

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Welcome

There goes the neighborhood ... well, maybe not after all, dude

effery Patterson grew up in the Hustleville community and says he’s proud to be in the Albertville High School Hall of Fame. He lives these days at 9617 Oak Pass Road. More on that shortly, but while interviewing Jeffery for a story, I asked him over the phone who his neighbors are. I could picture him counting off fingers … “There’s Demi Moore,” he said. “And John Voight. I see him every day. And Suzanne De Passe – love her to death.” She’s a former music producer for Motown; helped get the Jackson 5 on the road; later produced “Lonesome Dove.” “Mark Wahlberg just moved out,” Jeffery added. “There’s Jon Lovitz from the old “Saturday Night Live,” who did ‘City Slickers II’ with Billy Crystal. Oh, Bob Dylan used to live next door …” The late Carrie Fisher of “Star Wars” fame lived there, too, Jeffery said. Channing Tatum has bought her old house. Just up the hill is Jessica Alba – “Dark Angel” TV series, “Fantastic Four” flicks, shows up on world’s-most-beautiful-women lists. Harry Styles is also in the neighborhood, – the award-winning British musician who made his film debut in “Dunkirk.” And Lisa Vanderpump, known for “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “Vanderpump Rules” and “Dancing with the Stars.” “Her yard is fenced in and she raises miniature ponies,” Jeffery laughed. “For a country boy like me, that’s kind of funny. I’m like, ‘Really? You could have just gotten a dog.’” For the record, Jeffery’s zip code is 90210. That’s Beverly Hills. He’s come a long way since moving to LA 12 years ago and having to toss a mattress on the floor of an efficiency for his three daughters. When Jeffery moved to the gated Oak Pass Road, he whipped up batches of “Hillbilly Caviar” (peppers, beans, onions), loaded it in some Tupperware and delivered it with tortilla chips to his neighbors. They were a bit ... surprised. “They say, ‘You’re different, dude,” he laughed again. “But they say it with respect.” For Christmas? Jeffery bakes them cookies.

Mo Mc PUBLISHING LLC Proudly printed in Marshall County by BPI Media of Boaz 6

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Contributors Writer Steve Maze fearlessly tackles any topic of memorabilia, history or folk lore. In this issue it’s the war stories that many vets do NOT share. “I always wondered why military veterans are reluctant to talk about their battlefield experiences. The answer,” he says, “is why I respect them even more than ever.” Seth Terrell took a special interest in writing about Kudzu Cove. He loves to play disc golf there – or anywhere. “I’ve played extensively in Virginia and Tennessee,” he says. “I’ve lost discs at Kudzu Cove that were eventually returned to me – it’s part of the culture.” (Even if his cowboy boots are not.) Jacquelyn Hall felt a closeness to the Miller family while interviewing them as guest cooks for this issue. “I really related to their mom, both as a home cook and as a mother of three girls and a boy. I felt a real kinship there, as only moms of several kids who are close in age can understand.” Deb Laslie reviews two historical novels in this issue. “I prefer historical novels because they’re about real events,” she says. But she also likes a variety of other novels for a variety of reasons. “I love westerns ‘cause the women are strong, the good guys always win and the bad guys die badly.”’ David Myers grew up in New Orleans where good food is a way of life. He and his faithful sidekick, Rose, are happy to find interesting cuisine in the community and relay their discoveries. “It gets to be a tough job,” he says, “but we’re willing to sacrifice for the common good.” Bon appetit! By the time this magazine is out, advertising/art director Sheila McAnear excitedly proclaims, she will be fully vaccinated against Covid. Parade? Not quite, but she’s already making plans with vaccinated friends. “We used to go hiking once a month with friends,” she adds. “Tell me to go take a hike!” Writing has been called a solitary endeavor. GLM editor/publisher David Moore doesn’t agree. “I write in my office at home, and Porter is nearly always with me.” Porter is David and Diane’s rescue dog. “He sleeps on a doggy bed under my writing table. I can wake him any time to help me with spelling.” David F. Moore Publisher/editor | 256-293-0888 david.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com

Sheila T. McAnear Advertising/art director | 256-640-3973 sheila.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com

MoMc Publishing LLC P.O. Box 28, Arab, Al 35016 www.good-life-magazine.net

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Inside 10 | Good Fun

With summer coming on, you’ll find lots to do, like hydroplanes!

14 | Good People

Laura Kappler-Roberts – a strong passion for education, workforce

20 | Good Reads

For your reading interest: ‘West with Giraffes,’ ‘The Four Winds’

23 | Good Cooking

The Miller sisters (and now Hal) have long loved cooking for folks

32 | Good Eats

Local Joe’s offers great food ... with a dash of patriotism

34 | Good Getaways

Everything changes when you take a walk through Mooresville

38 | Home is where ...

Julie Patton is definitely at home with her collection of original art

47 | Sandra’s daylilies

Her garden’s not the biggest, but her love of daylilies just might be

52 | War stories

There are reasons our fathers, grandfathers didn’t discuss them

54 | Kudzu Cove

It would be true to say the Harbins are at the pinnacle of retirement

62 | Jeffery Patterson Producer/director/actor/dad ... and now he’s figured it all out

74 | Out ‘n’ About

Sand Mountain Park opens in all its impressively expansive glory On the cover | Heavenly United We Stand is one of the many daylilies Sandra Crawford grows. Photo by David Moore. This page | Photographer Gary Staley shot this launching red-tailed hawk at one of his favorite places – Kudzu Cove.

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Jimmy Shane, left in the Miss HomeStreet, closes in on J. Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking on turn four before going on to win the Southern Cup at the 2019 Hydrofest. Photos by David Moore

Hydrofest roaring back to Lake Guntersville J

immy Shane will be the defending Southern Cup champ when he returns to Lake Guntersville for the 2021 Hydrofest June 26-27. Hosted by Marshall County Tourism and Sports, this is the first race of the 2021 Unlimited Series of hydroplanes after last year’s season took a Covid dunking. Qualifying and racing will be 9 am-6 pm both days on the 2.5-mile oval course on Browns Creek. Also running will be the deep-throated Formula 1 Grands Prix and the exciting Hydro-cross jet ski races. Powered by helicopter jet engines, these craft maintain speeds of 130 mph to upwards of 200 mph on the straightaways. Weekend passes are $20 adults, $10 kids (6-12) and 5 and under free. Daily passes are $5 less, and all active duty military with a valid ID get in free. Club Level –$100 – includes access into a large, private tented area for on-thewater viewing at the start/finish line and free lunch and nonalcoholic beverages. Rent premium tent space on the water 10

MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

– $75 – or regular tent space for $50. New this year, the U.S. Army is bringing its interactive trailer packed with cool gaming and more. The Unlimited Series races also in Detroit, Seattle, San Diego and other large cities. Its return to Guntersville for a third Hydro-cross adds its own brand of excitement. year has generated an unparalleled excitement within the powerboat racing • Fastest Final Competition Lap: 2018, world, according to the national H1 in U-1 Miss HomeStreet, 156.092 m.p.h. Unlimited Hydroplane organization. He wouldn’t mind stealing the record Jimmy Shane will be eager to defend for fastest final average that Andrew Tate not just his title, but four of five course set in 2018 driving U-9 Delta/Realtrac. But records he’s set on Lake Guntersville: he’ll have to beat 152.004 m.p.h. to do it. • Qualifying: 2019, in U-6 Miss Then again, Lake Guntersville is known HomeStreet, 162.442 m.p.h. as the fastest water in the South. • Fastest Preliminary Heat Average: For details or to buy advance tickets: 2019, in U-6 Miss HomeStreet, 159.311 explorelakeguntersville.com; or call, m.p.h. 256-582-7015. • Fastest Preliminary Heat Lap: 2019, Good Life Magazine U-6 Miss HomeStreet – 164.431 m.p.h.

Good Fun • Through May 29 – Fabric Arts Exhibit The entire Mountain Valley Arts Council Gallery is devoted to fabric arts in May. The unique exhibit includes fabric and yarn-based artwork such as quilts, applique’ pieces, woven clothing, hooked rugs and fabric collages. • May 15 – Poke Salat Festival Downtown Arab throws its 37th annual celebration of poke salat from 10 am-8 pm, with a free concert featuring Johnny Collier and the Misbehaviators starting at 6 pm. Bring your lawn chairs for this. During the day, visit Makers Market on Main sponsored by the Arab Downtown Association. In addition to the quaint shops in Downtown Arab, the streets will be filled with art, baked goods, grown and handcrafted treasures. There will also be several free to all-ages community art projects, photo opportunities and delicious food. Additionally there will be a 5K run, disc golf tournament, top dog competition, scavenger hunt and open mic stage and street corner performances. For more info: www.facebook.com/pokesalat; or call: 256-200-5270. • May 15 – Art workshop Learn about the Alcohol Ink/Tile Coasters project led by Lynda Geddes and Becky Scheinert. Cost is $30 per participant; 10 am-noon at the Mountain Valley Arts Council workshop at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. For more info or to register: 256-571-7199. • May: 20 – Free concert series Monkey Business will play the last concert of the spring/summer Mountain Valley Arts Council free concert series. The group will play 6:30-8:30 pm at the Errol Allan Park in downtown Guntersville. If weather’s inclement, show will move to Bakers on Main. For more info: www.mvcarts.org; or call: 256- 571-7199 or Kim Klueger, 256-656-6128. • June - Art by Men This Mountain Valley Arts Council

Summertime and the livin’ is easy exhibit will feature over 20 artists with a wide variety of mediums from quilts, paintings and woodworking to cigar box guitars. Artist reception will be 5:30-7 pm, June 8. The MVAC gallery at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, is open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-2 pm Saturday. For more info: www.mvcarts. org; or: 256-571-7199. • June 5 – Art workshop Learn about working with resins in this workshop led by Gay Rutherford. Cost is $45 per participant (limit 12); 10 am-noon at the Mountain Valley Arts Council workshop at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. For more info or to register: 256-571-7199. • June 11-20 – Bye Bye Birdie Set in the 1960s, this Whole Backstage production of the musical classic is set when rock star Conrad Birdie gets drafted. Fans are devastated, especially aspiring songwriter Albert Peterson, who is convinced that fame, fortune and marriage to his girlfriend Rose await him if he gets Birdie on the Ed Sullivan Show to kiss a high school girl goodbye. Well, maybe … Directed by Diane DuBoise, John Davis Rollings and Wesley H. Rorex, it stars Jonathon Watts, Ashleigh Harris, Mitchell Duquette and lots more local talent, including a teen chorus and a children’s ensemble. Shows are at 7 p.m. June 11-12 and 17-19. Matinees at 2 pm. June 12 and 20. Tickets are $12 students, $18 seniors 55 and up and $20 adults – can be ordered at: www.wholebackstage. com. For more info: 256-582-7469. • June 12 – Steak Cookoff Grill the best steak around? Enter the Sand Mountain Sizzle Double Steak Cookoff and win $1,000 for first place; other cash prizes for steaks are $700 to $100 for 10th place. Five top winners for best chicken wings and/or margaritas get $225-$25. Sponsored by the Albertville Chamber of Commerce, the event will be held 9 am-5 pm in the Farmer’s Market parking lot.

Teams from across the Southeast will compete with the winner qualifying to move on to the World Championship Steak Cookoff Association competition in Texas later this year. Local teams are encouraged to enter! Entry fees are $150 for steak A; $300 for A&B and $25 for wings and margaritas. For more info: 256-878-3821; or www. steakcookoffs.com. • June 16 – Aug. 11 – A Cast of Blues The exhibit at Guntersville Museum features 15 resin-cast masks of Mississippi blues legends created by artist Sharon McConnell-Dickerson, 15 color photographs of performers and juke joints by acclaimed photographer Ken Murphy along with musical playlists. It’s a multi-sensory experience with sight, hearing and touch encounters that tells the story of the hopes, sorrows and triumphs of the men and women who lived and breathed the blues in Mississippi. The museum is open 10 am.-4 pm. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 pm. Saturday and Sunday. Admittance is free. For more information, call: Guntersville Museum, 256-571-7597. • June 11-Sept. 10 – Car, Truck & Jeep Cruise-in Held the second Friday of the month through September. Live music, food vendors, raffles … and lots of cars, trucks and Jeeps. Featuring the Sand Mountain Cruisers and Marshall County Jeep Wranglers; 5-8 pm in at the Boaz Chamber of Commerce. For info: For info contact: boazchamberassist@gmail. com; or the chamber: 256-593-8154. • June 12 – Wakeboard tournament Spring2Summer returns to Lake Guntersville for its 13th year with action from 9 am to 7 pm. It’s expected to draw 50 or more regional competitors age 5-77. Professional wakeboarders sponsored by Red Bull and others are expected to show up. Spring2Summer is part of the Southern Wake Series point chase. Free to observers, it will again be at MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

This Mountain Valley Arts Council exhibit will feature works with America themes by area artists and quilters. Artists reception will be 5:30-7 pm, July 6. The MVAC gallery at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, is open 10 am-5 pm TuesdayFriday, 10 am-2 pm Saturday. For more info: www.mvcarts. org; or: 256-571-7199. • July 4 – Fireworks over the lake Enjoy the spectacular tradition exploding over Lake Guntersville in celebration of Independence Day. The show starts at 9 pm. The best viewing area is between Lurleen B. Wallace Drive and Civitan Park, unless you have a boat. • July 10 – Art workshop Learn about working with watercolors in this workshop led by Donnie Wier; $40 per participant (limit 25); 10 am-noon at the Mountain Valley Arts Council workshop at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville. For more info or to register: 256-571-7199. July 10th, 10 am to noon

Donnie Wier, instructing the July 10 workshop, painting this delicious watercolor of watermelon. Steel Ford Boat Launch on Thomas Avenue, located off Ala. 79 beside Publix. It’s the best place to watch from, though it’s always good to get on the lake in a boat. Join the afterparty at Buffalo Eddie’s if age appropriate. For more info, call: Shane Cook, 256-509-3785. • June 19 – Sheriff’s Reserves Car Show Support the Marshall County Sheriff’s Reserve and enjoy a big car show that includes concessions, door prizes, gun givea-ways, 50/50 drawing and the Dukes of Hazzard Museum with the General Lee and more. It’s 8 am-1 pm at Marshall County Park 1 north of the bridge. Spectators free; vehicle entry fee $20. For more info: 256-302-5667. • July - America the Beautiful exhibit

• July 24 – Main Street Car Show & Touch-A-Truck Event Bring your kids to Touch-A-Truck – actually, lots of trucks! – from 4-6 pm in the Farmers Market parking lot in Albertville. You can touch the trucks but not the vehicles in the car show. Nor can you drool on them, but you can see them 5-9 pm. Many downtown shops and restaurants will be open during this free combo event. There will also be music and local vendors. Registered car show vehicles will be entered for a door prizes. To register, call the hosting Albertville Chamber of Commerce: 256-787-3821. • August – Oils and wood art exhibit This Mountain Valley Arts Council exhibit will feature oil paintings by Deborah Belcher of Guntersville and wood art by K4Kreations, Ken and Kendall Kelley of Grant. Artists reception will be 5:30-7 pm, July 6. The MVAC gallery at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, is open 10 am-5 pm TuesdayFriday, 10 am-2 pm Saturday. For more info: www.mvcarts. org; or: 256-571-7199. A Family Owned & Operated Building Supply Store Since 1984

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Good People

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Laura Kappler-Roberts She always been serious about Kappler; now she adds education and workforce

Story and photo by David Moore

s a little girl, Laura KapplerRoberts would gather her father’s old briefcase, some colorful Monopoly money, the Sears catalog, then sit a desk with a telephone and pretend to take orders. Who’s to say if it was predetermination, genetics, upbringing, cosmic karma, luck or personal willpower? Regardless of the driving force, in retrospect it appears that from an early age Laura was on a trajectory for her position today as president and CEO of Kappler, Inc. Whatever might have been hinted of her future in the late 1970s, she never imagined that among her main concerns today would be attempting to influence the K-12 education system as a key to workforce development. Laura staunchly believes that it is essential to ensure her family’s business remains not just a top-tier industry in Marshall County, but a global leader in the development of high-tech fibers and the production of hazmat suits to provide chemical, biological and flash fire protection to customers worldwide. Back then, though, playing business is what Laura did for fun. “I did not play with dolls that much,” she says, sitting in Kappler’s corporate office in Guntersville. “At one point in time I actually had a white board and markers in my bedroom … or, you could say my first “boardroom.” Five years older than her sister, Jessica, they weren’t particularly close as youngsters but started writing and bonding when Laura went to college. “She’s book smart, and I am street smart,” Laura says. “We complement each other well – she needs me and I need her.” Growing up in the county, young Laura could have attended school in 14

MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

either Guntersville or Albertville. “My babysitter had a daughter one year older than me going to Albertville, so I went there,” she says. Her first executive decision? “My mother,” she grins, “will tell you I probably made many more.”

aura was 2 when George, her father, started Kappler as a contract manufacturing company on Worth Street in Guntersville where the law office of Wright and Wright is today. He later expanded to a facility on Ala. 227 and eventually became the anchor company at Mountain Crest Industrial Park. Initially, a company in New York sent Kappler Tyvek, a white paper throw-away material developed by DuPont, which George’s employees sewed into coveralls. The company eventually found cheaper labor and let George go. So he charmed DuPont into selling directly to him and began marketing Kappler-branded products. “It wasn’t an option to give up,” Laura says. “He had just built a house, had a wife and me to care for, and my sister was on the way.” Always a daddy’s girl, Laura loved nothing more than tagging along when George did his Saturday banking, post office run and check in on the factory. “Even before I started school, I went in some afternoons just to be on the production floor and visit with the workers,” she says. “I worked here summers in middle school and high school. It’s what I always wanted to do. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t visiting the business.” Laura met Patrick Roberts the summer before her senior year at Albertville. Two years older, the Guntersville grad had played baseball at the University of North Alabama but sustained an injury and could no longer play at that level. He was working

for the Bice family at Guntersville Fabrication. They got engaged the following year but did not marry until they both graduated from the University of South Alabama. Laura admits she was not a good high school student. “I coasted through,” she laughs. “I graduated with honors in college only because my parents always said they didn’t know if I would graduate high school. This was probably the first time I actually set my mind on a goal and exercised true perseverance.” After college, George urged Laura to work elsewhere, at least for a while. “This was where my heart was,” she says. “Sometimes I wish I had worked in other environments because I don’t have anything else to compare Kappler to, but I was pretty persistent about working here right after graduation.”

eorge conceded but insisted that Laura work in every department at Kappler. “It was an opportunity to see how all of the pieces fit together,” she says. “It also allowed me to build a rapport with my co-workers. I was very conscious of not wanting anyone to think something was handed to me. I wanted to walk in their shoes and show them I was willing to learn any job here.” Early in her marriage, Laura did not want children. Zero pain tolerance was one reason, but pressure to succeed at Kappler was a bigger one. “I had watched my father work so hard to build this business from the ground up. That was the pressure I felt in the beginning,” she says. “It was, ‘How am I going to do what my father has done? How am I going to be as good as my father? Am I going to mess this up and let the employees and customers down?’” Entering their 30s, Laura and Patrick

SNAPSHOT: Laura Kappler-Roberts

EARLY LIFE: Born in the former Guntersville Hospital May 1974, first daughter of George and Gale Kappler. Grew up between Guntersville and Albertville with her younger sister, now Jessica Kappler Hamilton, a veterinarian who lives in Knoxville with her husband, Mark, and three sons. FAMILY: Married Jan. 3, 1998, Patrick Roberts of Guntersville, director of therapy, Rehab Select at Albertville Nursing Home; sons George Jacob Roberts and Joseph Thomas Roberts. EDUCATION: Albertville High School, 1992; graduated magna cum laude with a BS degree in operations and systems management, University of South Alabama, 1997. CAREER: (all at Kappler) 1997-99, costing engineer; 2000-01 production control manager; 2001-02, product manager; 2002-05, business development manager, medical sales; 2006-12, VP of operations; 2013-14, chief operating officer; 2015-present, chief executive officer, president. HONORS/ORGANIZATIONS: Phi Mu, Women’s Social Fraternity, Samford University, 1992; Alpha Kappa Psi, Professional Business Fraternity, University of South Alabama, 1995; Golden Key National Honor Society, University of South Alabama, 1995; Marshall County Leadership Challenge, 2000; Women’s Service League of Marshall County, 2002; Apple Foundation, Guntersville, 2011-2016; Marshall Women’s Guild, 2014-2016; Guntersville City School Board, 2016-present; Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2017; Lake Guntersville Rotary Club, 2019-present; Citizens Bank & Trust Board of Directors, 2020-present; Alabama Workforce Development Board, 2020-present; Marshall County Economic Development Board, co-chair Workforce Development, 2021.

decided if they were going to have kids, they’d best go ahead and do it. And so Jacob was born. “It was like a light switch flipped,” she says. “When I had Jacob, I thought at the time I wanted ten more just like him. Becoming a parent creates a love you’ve never felt before, and I wanted more of it.” Six months later she had the scare of her life – heart failure; a problem George had faced five years earlier. An echogram at Marshall Medical Centers revealed an enlarged heart. She was transferred to UAB, spent a week there. A transplant was considered, but she got better. She also learned she could have no more children. “This was in 2006, and that whole event led to adopting our youngest son,” Laura says. “God always has a plan.” It was a six-year effort, but finally – with help from a co-worker of Patrick’s at the Albertville Nursing Home, who did foster care – they adopted threeyear-old Joseph.

development group that patented more than two dozen new fabrics providing cutting-edge levels of chemical, biological and flashfire protection. “We now protect people from extremely hazardous environments versus just dirt, grease and grime, which is what the Tyvek materials were intended for,” Laura says. Kappler innovation continues today. R&D occupies the first floor of a new technology building on campus, fittingly dedicated to John Langley. The second floor, dedicated to Kappler technical director Philip Mann, hosts training for the customers, vendors and employees. End users of Kappler products range from personnel in the oil and gas industry, the military, hazmat teams and all first responders. “We build relationships with endusers,” Laura says. “We want them to trust Kappler products – ask for Kappler products. We give them a taste of our culture so they see how committed we are.”

uring Laura’s early years, Kappler peaked, at least in size. A $90-million company with 2,000 employees and facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, England, Germany and France. In 2001, however, Kappler sold its industrial protective apparel business to DuPont. After completing a five-year noncompete agreement with DuPont, a smaller Kappler re-entered the industrial protective apparel market with several new products of its own and has built its business from there. The company now employs 175 people in Guntersville, including five regional sales managers across the US. “We are much smaller than $90 million, but our profit margin is better,” says Laura, president since 2014. “We were no longer able to competitively play in the market of white disposable coveralls, producing that product with American labor. We refocused our energy on higher-end protective clothing that requires more technology and technical seaming.” Kappler was able to adapt, she says, because in the 1980s George and his long-time colleague, the late John Langley, started a research and

eorge remains active at Kappler. But is there a possibility for a third generation of leadership? It’s too early to know. Jacob is 15; Joseph is 12. “The boys don’t hang out like Mom used to, and I don’t push,” Laura says. “I really want them to follow their own dreams and passions.” Jessica’s oldest son, Wallace, now 12, says he is interested, and Laura’s nephew Christian, 21, already interns at Kappler. “I would love to see that third generation come in and have pride in what their grandfather and aunt did – to take the baton and run the good race. “Even if they want to work here,” adds the CEO who climbed the ladder, “if they don’t have the work ethic or the skill sets to support the business, a job won’t be a sure thing. I love my family, but I have a tremendous obligation to run a successful business for our employees and customers.”

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As president and CEO of Kappler, what are your thoughts about being a good corporate citizen? A: Kappler has a long history supporting Marshall Medical Centers, Marshall Cancer Care Center, the United Way of Marshall County and

the Christmas Coalition. We are also active in supporting education-based organizations like Junior Achievement and the Apple Foundation. We have established an employeerun committee called Kappler Cares. They are responsible for allocating funds throughout the year to meet needs in the community and in our own workforce. My parents instilled in me the value of leaving something better than the way you found it. I lean on that value while running a business, hiring and developing employees or serving on various boards for my community.

You’re on the Guntersville Board of Education. Don’t you have enough to do without that? A: Probably, but it is important to me and was a good transition from previously serving on the board of Guntersville’s Apple Foundation. After my first son had been in school for a couple of years, I had the opportunity to join the Apple Foundation, a non-profit organization created to supplement the curriculum of the Guntersville public school system. While on the board, I was able to work with the high school to initiate a program called Apple Seeds. It was a partnership between local business and community leaders. Our goal was to provide work-based learning opportunities – such as internships, apprenticeships, guest speakers, business and industry tours – for Guntersville High students as they plan for their educational and career paths. When I was in high school, cooperative programs often had little to do with job skills – it was just getting out of school early to earn a little money. I think work-based learning can be a much stronger program if students are able to apply what they are learning in the classroom and explore career paths in a real work environment. Many students don’t know what they want to be. Without opportunities to job shadow or intern or explore, how are they supposed to figure that out? I want to open the doors of the school systems and get kids into the workforce. Unlike I was, not every kid knows what to be when they grow up.

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Now, as one of five on the Guntersville Board of Education, I have the privilege to further support the academic and career initiatives of our youth as well as build a system that will attract and engage the most talented educators. Guntersville’s education system is at a pivotal point right now. The opportunity to improve our system by leaps and bounds is definitely in clear view.

You’re getting into workforce development, a passionate issue with you. What are your thoughts? A: So many … how much time do you have? Whether we’re at two percent or ten percent unemployment in Marshall County, it has been difficult to grow an “employable” workforce, particularly in manufacturing. Core values are low – motivation, perseverance, commitment, attendance. If I can’t get good, loyal personnel, Kappler is in jeopardy of surviving another 45 years. In my opinion, industry has to get active with the education system to come up with real executable solutions. I have a good perspective on this issue because I’m living through the challenge of trying to grow my own workforce and seeing what the limitations are in education systems. Ironically, some doors have opened for me that allow me to participate in being a part of the solution. After hosting several state leaders at Kappler to talk about education and workforce concerns last fall, I was appointed in February to the governor’s Alabama Workforce Development Board to represent the manufacturing industry. Locally, I co-chair the Marshall

County Economic Development Council’s Workforce Development Initiative along with Dr. Cindy Wigley, superintendent of Marshall County Schools. This is one committee of five established to address the most pressing issues with economic development in our county. I have learned that industry and business shouldn’t just complain to government and schools – I’m pretty sure I did that for years. Joining and participating on these boards is my way of trying to make a difference. The state already has several good initiatives for adult education and displaced workers. The community colleges are starting to really step up their programs, so now it’s time for K-12 to ramp up its career pathways and expose youth to the workforce. We can help our youth by providing more work-based learning opportunities and even simulations in the classroom. At a very young age we can begin teaching the value of earning your pay, teamwork and communication skills that will impact the future workforce. I can see Marshall County being a workforce development model for the rest of the state, if some of the initiatives come to fruition that will help local industry partner with our K-12 systems and the community colleges.

Since 2019, you have served on the board of directors for Citizens Bank & Trust. What’s that mean to you? A: Having the opportunity to serve on the board of Citizens Bank & Trust is such an honor. I’ve always worked in manufacturing, so I’m grateful to have access to learn about a completely different industry and work with other board members from diverse backgrounds.

Personally, I am very appreciative for what our community banks do for small businesses. It was a community bank that gave my dad a chance back in the spring of 1976. My father often tells the story of when he planned to start this business. He says he went to John Willis, president of First National Bank and told him he needed $10,000 to start up a sewing plant. He said he needed to buy six used sewing machines and hire eight people. He told John he would be making “paper suits” – the Tyvek coveralls – and showed him a one-page business plan. Dad thought John was impressed with his plan because up to that point John had basically only lent to people building chicken houses or buying boats and cars. For several weeks dad would go back to John, asking for an additional $10,000 each visit until John ultimately had to tell dad he had to start making a profit before asking for any more money. Bottom line, if it weren’t for that community bank, Kappler may never have gotten off the ground. So, yes, I have a strong appreciation for what good, local banks mean to a community. It is such a pleasure working with Citizens, and I couldn’t be more excited about supporting their efforts to be a small bank that makes a big difference.

What’s something that most people don’t know about Laura Kappler-Roberts? A: Most people may not know that I was an original student of Kohl Academy of Performing Arts. I studied dance under Jane Kohl for 15 years. Good Life Magazine

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Good Reads

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The hardship in ‘Four Winds’ demonstrates our greatness

istorical fiction is a story based on actual events, and with “West with Giraffes” Lynda Rutledge has given us one of the best historical fictions I’ve read in a very long time. Fact: September 1938, two young giraffes survive a hurricane off the northern Atlantic Coast, then are People look at you driven from New York to peculiar if you talk about San Diego – in a pick-up truck. Fact: During 1938 the feeling you got for the Great Depression animals, saying animals lingers and refugees from have no souls, no sense the Dust Bowl scatter of good or bad, no value across the country by any up next to humans. I means possible. don’t know about that. This is the setting for the story of Woodrow Sometimes I think Wilson “Woody” Nickel, animals are the ones who who, at age 17, “hoboes” should be saying such to New York (for that was things about us. where the freight train was headed) then survives the New York hurricane and lands amid the rubble with two giraffes. Thus begins his adventure to the land of milk and honey: “Californy.” What he (and we) discover on his journey is what it means to be changed by the love of animals, the kindness of strangers and the devil in some humans. Woody tells us his story “before it’s too late.” What an amazing country we live in. You will smile and maybe shed a tear as you enjoy your trip “West with Giraffes. ” – Deb Laslie

t is impossible to understand who we are as a people (in this case, Americans) without understanding our history – our failures, successes, tragedies and triumphs. In “The Four Winds,” Kristin Hannah (“The Great Alone and “The Nightingale” – both highly Love is what remains recommended), brings history to vivid life when everything else is using her magnificent gone… Jack says that I prose to tell the story of am a warrior and, while Elsa Wolcott. I don’t believe it, I know In 1921, Elsa is this: A warrior believes in unloved because she an end she can’t see and is unlovely. Further showing the terrible fights for it. A warrior power of our words on never gives up. A warrior children, Elsa is alone. fights for those weaker She learns that than herself. It sounds like to survive she must motherhood to me. disappear. As profoundly sad as that seems, Elsa is, as her grandfather reminds her, brave. Her love, once experienced in the face of her tiny, perfect infant daughter, knows no bounds. Through hardship that we in our comfort find hard to imagine, Elsa becomes everything that is great about our country. She never gives up hope and loves her new family with an intensity matched only by the winds that attempt to, again, make her disappear. Being a warrior is not about combat. It’s about love. – Deb Laslie

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The not-so-secret ingredient of the Miller sisters (and Hal)

Good Cooking

Story by Jacquelyn Hall Photos by David Moore

n the Miller family, love is truly the not-so-secret ingredient in their all-but-famous cooking. Sisters Mary Ruth McCord, Martha Bryant and Kathy Opolka, along with their brother Hal Miller, have a common love of cooking and sharing with their family the good times that always accompany a feast on the table. They grew up enjoying an idyllic childhood in Warrenton on the banks of the lake. Martha is now the steward of their once childhood home after living around the world with her husband Roy, a Marine veteran. Their parents, Ernest and Dorothy Miller, purchased the land in 1951 on Browns Creek Road and moved the growing family into the home in 1953. Learning from their mother, a home economist, was easy. With the girls at her elbow, she managed to find the time to impart knowledge to them as well as cook three meals a day. Their father came home for lunch from his job at the Farm Home Administration office in the former Guntersville Post Office. “I never heard her say she didn’t have time,” Mary Ruth says with reverence. “What we didn’t learn directly from Mother, we learned through osmosis by just eating at her table.” “She could cook anything.” Kathy adds. Even the wild game – usually birds – their father brought home from his hunting expeditions did not cause their mother any qualms. “Mother never let anything go to waste,” Martha says of her mother’s prowess in the kitchen.

he siblings had a range of learning experiences that broadened their abilities in the kitchen – from 4-H club, cultivating vegetable gardens, caring for bees and harvesting honey, to tending peach trees and learning how to use and preserve the peach crop.

With everyone vaccinated, the Miller family gathered for the first time in a year for a family meal. Cooking were, from left, sisters Kathy Opolka, Mary Ruth McCord, Martha Bryant and brother Hal Miller. Further expanding their repertoire, they – particularly Mary Ruth – took care of a dairy cow as a 4-H project. Picking up their mother’s love of hosting and genuine heartfelt hospitality was as natural as breathing for the siblings. “If you came into her kitchen, she was going to feed you,” Martha says. “Her family was everything, and to come into her kitchen she made you feel like family,” Mary Ruth adds. That’s a tradition the siblings carry on today, making everyone – stranger or longtime family friend – feel immediately at ease and at home when gathered ‘round the table. As it always does, good food and a welcoming table make fast friends. One of their favorite family traditional recipes is a creamy chicken pot pie which includes a surprise: the chicken’s wishbone. Whoever finds the wishbone gets the wish. A clever way to get everyone to clear their plates, if ever there was one.

oing forward from what their mother taught them has been a fairly easy journey. They cook new recipes, picking them up from friends and, in Martha’s case, from all over the world. “I was the one who left,” she says, “so my recipes are from all over.” Eliminating recipes from the list of possibly new family favorites is easy, Kathy says. “If there are leftovers, we don’t do it again,” she laughs. Experimentation with new, incoming recipes is not without tribulations, though the siblings all laugh about the “fails” now. Mary Ruth once tried a cast iron skillet coffee cake recipe that Kathy gave to her, but she mistakenly used self-rising instead of plain flour. “I couldn’t even turn it out of the pan!” she laughs. Not only did it overflow the pan, but it was fairly inedible in the state in which it ended up. MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

HONEY BUTTER FOR ROLLS 2 sticks butter, softened Mix well with mixer. ¼ cup honey Store in refrigerator.

Martha recalled a brown gravy that she attempted to make. Everything was going along swimmingly, until it wasn’t… Something went awry, and the gravy ended up so thick that it could hold a spoon straight up in the bowl. “It was like Jell-O,” she says with a humored groan. The sisters have more good luck with recipes than bad, though. Even those that start out so-so can become winners with a little tweaking here and there. Their current favorites typically include anything that is in season when it comes to their fruits and vegetables. And when they plan for an extended family gathering, they make it potluck style; each bringing a family favorite to round out the meal.

n March they held their first gathering since getting Covid vaccinations. They all brought dishes. Kathy leaned into her love for her Traeger pellet smoker. She is particularly 24

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MARTHA’S HOMEMADE BUTTER ROLLS 2 ¼-oz. pkgs. active dry yeast floured surface and knead 6 large eggs until dough springs back when 1 cup sugar touched. 1½ tsp. fine sea salt Divide dough into 4 equal 2 cups warm water (100-110°) portions and roll each portion 8½-9½ cups bread flour into a 12-inch circle. Cut each 2 Tbsp. sugar circle into 12 wedges. (I use 1 cup butter, melted a pizza cutter.) Roll up each wedge, starting at the wide Stir together yeast, 2 Tbsp. end. Place on greased baking sugar and water in a 4-cup, sheets. Rolls can be frozen at glass measuring cup. Let stand this point. 5 minutes to proof yeast. Cover and let rise in a warm Melt butter in microwave place (85°) free from drafts, 1-2 and cool until just warm. hours until double in size. Stir together 1 cup sugar Just before baking lightly and eggs until well blended. pat each roll with melted butter Add the melted butter, yeast and sprinkle top of rolls with mixture and salt. sea salt. Gradually stir in enough Bake at 375-400° for 10-12 flour to make a soft dough. minutes or until golden brown. Cover and chill in refrigerator Makes 4 dozen. overnight or 8 hours. (If baking NOTE: If unbaked rolls are rolls on the same day of frozen, place rolls on greased making dough, place dough in baking sheet, cover and let rise a draft-free area to rise until 3-4 hours and bake as directed. double in size, 1-2 hours.) I let my rolls rise in a cool oven Remove dough from with the oven light on and a refrigerator and punch down. cup of hot tap water so rolls will Turn dough out on a lightly not dry out.

fond of preparing smoked pork tenderloins and serving them with her Jezebel sauce – an amazing blend of horseradish and pineapple preserves that complements the richness of the meat perfectly. Her savory green beans are also a family favorite. Martha made a couple of side dishes; homemade butter rolls and a bright spinach salad with fresh citrus, as well as a bright sparkling citrus punch. Hal and Mary Ruth shared dessert duties. She brought her “Strawberry Charlotte,” a “russe” as beautiful as it is delicious with layers of ladyfingers surrounding layers of more ladyfingers covered with a creamy custard and fresh strawberry jam. Hal brought his now semi-famous local favorite: homemade vanilla ice cream, served with the longtime family recipe for chocolate sauce in the same little pitcher they remember from childhood. Mary Ruth believes it is from the 1920s. While his sisters have long loved

cooking and baking, Hal recently found his passion for making homemade ice cream. Early in 2020, once Covid really shut things down, he started making and delivering his delicious creamy confection to doctor’s offices, police departments and hospitals. It was his cool way of saying thanks and lifting the spirits of those working hard on the front lines of the pandemic.

oming together as an extended family is collectively one of the Miller family’s greatest joys. Covid denied them the pleasure last year, but they are now able to gather again safely with much greatly anticipated joy. Part of that anticipation, of course, is the incredible food they will share together as they make precious new memories. Above and on the following pages are some of their favorite recipes for you and your family to enjoy … Good Life Magazine

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KO’S PORK TENDERLOIN 2 pkgs. pork tenderloins (4 tenderloins, total) Coarse cracked black pepper Cavender’s Greek Seasoning 16 oz. bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing (no substitute) Large Ziploc bag (2 gal.) Remove silver skin from tenderloins. Rinse and pat tenderloins completely dry, then sprinkle with generous amounts of pepper and Cavender’s. Place seasoned tenderloins in Ziploc bag. Pour dressing over tenderloins turning bag a couple of

times to ensure they are completely covered with dressing. Marinate in refrigerator 48 hours turning bag over every 8 hours. Remove tenderloins from marinade and grill over medium heat until internal temperature reaches 145°. (If one end of tenderloin is narrow, fold and secure with toothpicks to make tenderloins the same thickness.) Or smoke tenderloins at 225° until internal temperature reaches 145°. After cooking, allow tenderloins to rest 5 minutes and slice to desired thickness. Serves 12-15

KO’S JEZEBEL SAUCE 16-oz. jar apple jelly 16-oz. jar pineapple preserves 8-oz. jar prepared horseradish ½ c. prepared mustard 1 tsp. black cracked pepper With hand mixer, beat apple jelly until smooth. Add remaining ingredients – you can adjust to taste – and blend. Store in glass jars and refrigerate. Will keep in refrigerator up to a month. NOTE: Great served with pork tenderloin, ham or turkey. Also good over cream cheese served with crackers.

HAL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM (Photo on page 30) 1 Tbsp. flour 2 cups sugar 3 eggs Dash of salt 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 small can condensed milk ½ pint whipping cream Whole milk (amount varies) Mix flour in sugar; stir in eggs. 26

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Add salt, vanilla, condensed milk and whipping cream. Heat over medium heat stirring constantly until warm enough to dissolve sugar and cook eggs. Remove from heat and let cool. Place mixture in ice cream freezer and add milk to fill line. Chocolate sauce ½ cup butter

2 squares of unsweetened chocolate 2 cups sugar 1 cup evaporated milk ½ cup light corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan. Add everything else and bring to a boil for 1½ minutes

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SPINACH SALAD 1 pkg. fresh spinach 6 slices bacon 6 green onions 2 oranges (or 2 cans mandarin oranges)

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Remove spinach stems and piece away heavy vein up the leaf. Clean and drain spinach really well. Sauté bacon until crisp.

Dressing 1 egg ½ cup sugar ½ cup white vinegar

DOROTHY’S CHICKEN PIE 1-3 lb. chicken, cut up 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 2 ribs of celery (or ½ tsp. celery seed) 1 small onion, quartered 1 carrot, cut into thirds Water 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced 8 Tbsp. butter or margarine 8 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 3 cups chicken broth Pie crust or biscuits Wash chicken pieces, place in large pan and cover with cold water. Add salt, pepper and vegetables. Bring to a boil, cover and turn down to simmer. Simmer 1½-2 hours until chicken is tender. 28

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Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove meat from bones and break into bite size pieces, not too small. Save 3 cups broth and strain. Melt butter and add flour. Stir until it is a smooth paste. Cook paste for 2 minutes. Add 3 cups of chicken broth and stir over heat until smooth and slightly thickened. Add additional salt and pepper if needed. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread chicken pieces in bottom, then top with sliced eggs. Pour broth mixture over top. Top with pie crust. Cut several slits in pie crust to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400° until crust is golden brown. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

¾ teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoon bacon fat Combine egg in saucepan with sugar, then add vinegar, salt and bacon fat. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches boiling point. Cool then chill in refrigerator until ready to use. CRAB MOLD 1 10½-oz. can cream of celery soup 1 pkg. unflavored gelatin 3 Tbsp. cold water 6 oz. cream cheese 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup chopped celery 2 small green onions, chopped ½ lb. crabmeat (or 1 can) Heat soup undiluted in saucepan. Dissolve gelatin in water. Add gelatin to soup and add all remaining ingredients. Mix. Pour mixture into mold and refrigerate overnight. Remove from mold and serve with crackers.

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STRAWBERRY CHARLOTTE (RUSSE) 2 pkg. ladyfingers ¼ cup cold water 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 8 oz. cream cheese ¼ cup unsalted butter 1 tsp. strawberry extract 1 cup confectioner’s sugar 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 lb. container fresh strawberries, washed and diced ¼ cup strawberry jelly Line bottom of 8½ in. spring-form pan with wax paper. Lightly spray the bottom and sides with cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides with ladyfingers making sure to fit snug. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine water and gelatin; let stand 5 minutes. Microwave on high for 30-second intervals until dissolved (about 1 minute), then cool slightly. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter and strawberry extract. 30

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Beat with electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, mixing well; set aside. In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar at high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in dissolved gelatin until stiff peaks form. Fold together the cream cheese mixture and the whipped cream mixture until well blended. To assemble, evenly spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the ladyfingers in bottom of pan. Place an even layer of diced strawberries on top of cream cheese mixture. Spoon other half of cream cheese mixture over strawberries. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours. To serve, remove plastic wrap and run a knife around the edge of the pan. Carefully unlatch ring of spring-form pan and remove. Arrange remaining strawberries on top of cream cheese mixture and brush strawberries with melted strawberry jelly.

FAMILY PUNCH 1¼ cups packed with tea bags 12 cups water 2 cups sugar 2 12-oz. cans frozen orange juice 2 12-oz. cans frozen lemonade Tall can pineapple juice 1-liter bottle ginger ale, per bag Bring 6 cups of water to boil. Add tea and let simmer or steep until strong. Add sugar, orange juice, lemonade, pineapple juice and 6 cups of water. Put 2 cups of punch mixture in quart freezer bags and freeze. When ready to serve, empty a bag of frozen punch into a punch bowl and add ginger ale. (Punch will be slushy.) NOTE: Makes about 12 freezer bags of concentrate. Take punch out of freezer 45 minutes before serving or slightly thaw in microwave.

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Good Eats Story by David Myers Photos by David Moore

n my view it’s rare to visit a restaurant and get delicious food with a side of good old-fashioned patriotism. But that’s exactly what Rose and I were served during a recent visit to Local Joe’s in Albertville. First of all, the décor is inviting – evoking a kind of farmhouse feel. Then the oh-so-welcoming smell of smoked barbeque had me feeling right at home. Then when a lovely young server took the stage to belt out our National Anthem, this Marine stood and cheered with rest of the crowd. Chants of “U-S-A” mingled with the cheers honoring the “home of the brave.” This happens twice a day, every day, at high noon and 6 p.m. After we settled in, being first-timers, the server broke us in right. She started us off with a warm bowl of pimento cheese dip surrounded by homemade chips and pork skins. That got our attention right off. The warm and creamy dip was addictive, and was perfectly delivered on the crispy, seasoned chips and skins. Tip #1: Ask the server for a mixture of chips and pork skins to accompany the pimento. You’ll love both. Next we were treated to a sampling of every smoked meat on the menu – chicken, turkey, ham, baby back ribs, smoked sausage and pulled pork. Each one was more tender and moist than the previous, and that’s saying something.

s seems to be tradition in this eatery, any meat is slathered with one of two sauces: red or white, and, no, this has nothing to do with that football team you may have heard of. The red sauce is the more traditional barbecue topper with a twang. The white sauce is a real treat, maybe because you don’t find it everywhere. It’s wonderfully creamy and mildly seasoned. 32

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Local Joe’s – saluting great food with a dash of patriotism Just to be professional, we swabbed every kind of meat in both, and they all seemed the perfect pairing. We’d made a new friend in Floyd Powell, the father of the restaurant’s owner, and to make sure we were following

Chocolate strawberry cheese cake ... how can you say no? protocol we asked Floyd for his sauce recommendation. He prefers the red with most of the meats, but his daughter Karen prefers the white – on everything. Here’s tip #2: Choose the two- or threemeat option. These smoked meats are too good to let pass. Bonus tip: Try both sauces with each meat. Find a favorite. To accompany all that smoked meat, we were served a sample of every side, and there’s a lot of them: Potato salad Mayo slaw or vinegar slaw Mashed potatoes with gravy Pinto beans Turnip greens Pasta salad Cabbage

Black-eyed peas Mac n’ cheese Don’t ask me to rank these dishes. They were every bit as good as Grandma used to make ... some even better.

wners Jodie and Karen Stanfield opened Local Joe’s in Albertville in 2018. The original is in Rainbow City with sister restaurants in Cave Springs, Ga., Southside and in The Alley, a new bowling alley in the Gadsden Mall. Our Local Joe’s is on East Main on a block that’s becoming a restaurant destination. It’s in the old town area. The Stanfields work hard to support the communities around Local Joe’s. A market in the front of the restaurant peddles local jams and jellies, as well honey, crackers, pickles and dip mixes. “We have multiple students from the Albertville High School culinary department working in various areas of the restaurant,” Karen says. Back to the food, if we hadn’t filled up on smoked meat and sides, we could have chosen to “build a burger” with a 5-ounce or double burger. Add-ons include a variety of cheeses, bacon, mushrooms, caramelized onions, jalapenos or onion ring. They also serve wings, salad and a host of sandwiches. When we go back, I want to build a burger and try the wings. Dessert choices were Priscilla’s Fudge Pie, peanut butter pie and Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding. Our very capable server and manager, Shea Turner, refused to let us leave without sampling the pudding. A very pretty dessert and plenty big enough for two folks, it was cold and creamy with crispy wafers and chunks of banana. As full as I was, I tried it and loved it. It was a perfect ending to a perfect meal. Made me want to sing the National Anthem. Good Life Magazine

Among the many menu items at Local Joe’s are a three-meat smoked plate, Greek salad and a warm pimento cheese dip served with pork skins and house chips. The restaurant is open 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays and open until 9 on Friday and Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. Local Joe’s also does a huge catering business and has a large room named “Hammer’s Hall” in which it can host events.

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Good Getaways

Mooresville Step back to a place with the feel of a different time and a different pace

Story and photos by David Moore

eography changes on the 60-mile drive east on Ala. 69 and 67, but little else. You skirt Decatur at the Tennessee River on I-65, then turn east on I-565. But as soon as you take the first exit, cross over Ala. 20, park, and walk into Mooresville, everything changes. It’s as though you stepped back in time, into a quaint quietness, a place with a reverence for authenticity – no flashing neon here – and a deep appreciation of a refreshingly slow pace of life. It’s 9 a.m., smack dab in the middle of the two-hour rush at the Mooresville Post Office. “Rush” is a loose term here, but the facility is only open from 8-10 a.m. and there is no street delivery. Everyone comes to the post office. Postmistress Lisa Crane steps outside to hand Kevin Crumlish his mail. Mayor Nikki Sprader is on the brick sidewalk chatting with Councilwoman Rush Mitchell, who came to the PO with Rae, her 2-1/2-year old daughter. Inside are 48 glass-fronted and numbered post office boxes. Lisa laughs when asked if she knows everyone in Mooresville. “I know all of their dogs’ names,” she laughs. “It was so

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A scene that passes for “rush hour” in Mooresville – from left, visitor Diane Moore, Postmistress Lisa Crane, Mayor Nikki Sprader, Councilwoman Rush Mitchell, Rae Mitchell and Kevin Crumlish. The post office is located at the corner of Lauderdale and High Street. Across from the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern on High Street is Aunt Mandy and Uncle Zack Simmons’ cottage, today home of Lyla’s Little House, far left. The effervescent Mooresville mainstay Lyla Peebles, center in the photo at left, bought and restored the cottage in 2011 and operates it as a candy and ice cream shop. MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

Clockwise from upper left: florists prepare for a wedding in The Brick Church; Peebles-Zeitler-McCrary House, circa 1826, is today the home of G. Laurence McCrary III, his wife, Natasha – owner of 1818 Farms in town – and their children, who are sixth generation to the house; trees add shade and character to Mooresville; even newer homes in town fit the feel, such as the Sneed House/Blacksmith Shop House with the state flag (1986) and the Underwood-Price House (1988). refreshing when I came here. It was like a step back in time.” Indeed. The whole town of Mooresville is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its 65 male residents petitioned the Alabama Territorial Legislature – prior to statehood – for incorporation in 1818. The population today is 51, down from 53 in 2010. Nikki says several of the families there are multigenerational residents. In March, there was one house for sale. That, of course, could make a large change – percentage-wise – in the population.

he town is sometimes referred to as the Williamsburg of Alabama. Other than size and national recognition, a big difference in the two is most all of the homes are private residences. Mooresville may be 36

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small, but it’s much more “ville” than museum. There are several interesting businesses. Public buildings include: • U.S. Post Office, maybe built about 1840 but perhaps older because of the handmade bricks in the chimney; • Stagecoach Inn and Tavern, built prior to 1825, which today doubles as the town hall; • The Brick Church, built in 1839 and available to rent from the town as a wedding venue. Mooresville covers about 1/4 square mile, laid out in seven blocks on a grid of six tree-shaded streets. You can drive through, but the most fitting way to see and appreciate this historic jewel is to leave your vehicle parked and absorb it all with a refreshingly slow paced walk. Good Life Magazine

One idea for a bite to eat is The Brick Deli, on Moulton Street in Decatur – 10 minutes and a world away from Mooresville

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“Home is where the heart is,” wrote Roman philosopher Gaius Plinius Secundus – better known as Pliny the Elder – nearly 2,000 years ago in 23 A.D. “Home is where the heart is,” Elvis crooned in 1961. But for Julie Patton, director of the Guntersville Museum, it’s probably more apt to say ...

Home is where her Art is

Story and photos By David Moore

ulie Patton is director of the Guntersville Museum. She loves the job, and the old, stone National Guard Armory makes a cool home for the museum. In addition to telling the myriad stories of history, the museum provides a gracious and apt venue for art. By design, Julie’s home feels nothing like her work environment, as cool as that might be. Her home, though, has one strong commonality with her workplace – it’s a lovely and apt venue for art. Her private art collection, to be exact. Twenty-five or so original paintings she amassed over the years hang throughout Julie’s house. She also has some artful ceramic pieces. She bought her first painting about 2002 while working for the American Heart Association in Birmingham. She was at a reception and saw an irresistible abstract by John Hyche. “I didn’t even know who he was,” Julie says. “I just liked it, and I wanted to buy something that night. Plus, they had a payment plan, which was perfect. “It’s hard to go to an art gallery or event now and meet the artist and not really want to own a piece. Back then it was kind of accidental,” she laughs. “Now I seek it out. ‘Is that for sale?’ ‘It can be.’” Julie did not realize it until later in life, but she owes at least part of her sense for art and balance to her late mother, Eloise Patton, who died in March 2018. “Mom had a gift for color and placement,” she says. “Her house was like a little jewel box. I got an appreciation for composition and nice things and pleasing surroundings from her. She had a really good eye for beautiful things and where to put them in your home to really appreciate them.”

loise taught school 37 years in Guntersville. Julie’s father, Billy Neal Patton, a draftsman and later a project manager for NASA, helped design the first moon rover. He died from encephalitis in 1976. “Mom at 39 was single and raising four kids. She was our mother and our daddy,” says Julie, who was 10 at the time. After graduating from Guntersville High, Julie earned an associate degree from Snead State Community College before heading to the University of Montevallo where she graduated with a liberal arts degree and a business minor. Feeling well-rounded, her goal was to become a buyer for the former Parisian chain 40

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of clothing stores. That required completing an executive training program, and she learned that was not for her. “Buying is not glamorous at all,” says the voice of experience. “I liked hands-on work with merchandise and with people.” Starting as a sales manager and moving up, Julie spent 15 years at Parisian stores in Decatur, Florence, Tuscaloosa, Atlanta and Birmingham. “I was easy to move. I was single and willing to go wherever.” But by 1998 she was ready for a change and found a great opportunity with the American Heart Association in Birmingham, organizing its nearly $1 million fundraising galas for six or seven years. “At that time, it was in the top six in the nation for dollars raised by Heart Balls,” she says. “Through the Heart Guild, I worked with corporations and CEOs. It was very social, but still like running my own million-dollar business.”

ot only did Julie learn fundraising and communication skills, but also a warm appreciation for fine art. That’s thanks to the association’s former executive director, Jean Morrison, also an art collector. Plus, Julie finally had a salary that provided some disposable income. So she started buying pieces of art she loved. Julie’s last few years with the Heart Association were in Huntsville as the North Alabama regional manager, bringing her closer to home. “I knew my mother and family would eventually need me, and I would probably one day want to live in Guntersville, but there weren’t many opportunities for me,” Julie says. Through a friend in 2008, she learned about an opening in Albertville at Paragon, an industry leader in selling wall décor, ranging from mirrors and wrought iron to … art work. Immediately intrigued, Julie interviewed with Kathy Opolka (see Good Cooking in this issue) and was hired. Julie scampered to find a place to live. “I wanted to be a townie,” she says. “I looked at several houses but they needed work, and I needed to get in quick.” She came across a nice, relatively new house on Bow Range Road, an old byroad that climbs Georgia Mountain from Warrenton. It would suffice as a home for her – and her art collection.

s a key account manager for Paragon, Julie managed accounts for furniture stores and other retailers. She enjoyed going to market several times a year, setting up showrooms,

In the guest room hangs “Parisian Street Corner,” left, by Meredith Keith of Birmingham. “ I have a couple of pieces of hers,”Julie says. “I got in early on her before her rise to popularity. I probably couldn’t afford her now.” As a reflection on Julie’s eye for arrangement, the bust she placed with the painting fits perfectly. John Beard, a plein air artist from Jacksonville, Fla., gave a demonstration in Paragon’s showroom at market during Julie’s tenure there. “I watched him paint all week and asked if it was for sale.” It was, and “Lake Cumo,” above, now hangs in her house. Also hanging are a dozen or so works by Johanna Littleton of Decatur. “She’s one of my favorite artists and is now a good friend,” Julie says. “My first Johanna Littleton – part of her “Family Series,” below, – reminds us to slow down and represents the faces of all the people you meet.” Also by her is a grouping Julie calls “Women with Hats,” lower left.

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doing creative design. She also enjoyed working with Malanta Knowles, whose parents, Wendell and Bonnie Glassco, founded Paragaon in 1970. “Malanta helped me understand design,” Julie says. “I traveled with her to China. There is a whole art aesthetic I learned from her that helps me build onto my art understanding and appreciation. “It is,” she adds, “very important for me to like the people I work with.” After five years at Paragon, Julie worked a few months at the Huntsville Museum of Art, an attractive job at first look – but ultimately not a good fit. In 2007, Guntersville Museum moved into the historic armory. It had several 42

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outstanding directors over the years, and in 2012 had launched a search for a new one. In the past, Julie had visited the Guntersville Museum. Eloise was a member, and Julie had attended events there. It piqued her interest. “They were really looking for an experienced museum professional and did not want a local person,” she says. But with her liberal arts background, setting up art-oriented showrooms for Paragon, her communication and fundraising skills … Julie was convinced she and the job were a good fit. “All of the planets aligned,” she says. “So I called Mayor Bob Hembree and said I wanted to put my name in the hat. He did,

and they interviewed me. It was a panel interview.” The panel was impressed. Julie landed the job. “My knowledge of Guntersville’s history,” she laughs, “had no play in this. I have learned along the way.”

s museums are wont to do, the Guntersville Museum gave Julie new perspective. “I like that we have art and history. That’s appealing to me. And Guntersville’s history and culture … it’s so interesting. It’s surprising how much I learn every day. “I have a lot of good historical society friends and board members, and I’ve come

A wall in Julie’s sitting room – formerly a third bedroom – is hung with family photos. Dining room furniture belonged to her paternal grandmother. “I could upgrade the cabinets in my kitchen,” Julie laughs, “but I would rather have a piece of art or two. Maybe when people come in, they will only notice my art!” Among items people notice are, above, a blue-green bowl and small bottle she bought from Larry Allen of Leeds at Art on the Lake, and a large vase created by Wade Oliver of Birmingham. The exterior is lime-washed brick. to really appreciate my hometown,” she continues. “Growing up here, I did not realize that. I got my ‘city fix’ in Atlanta and Birmingham. I traveled a lot with Paragon. I can appreciate my small town now.” In and of itself, the old armory is worth the visit, Julie points out. In addition to the museum’s fascinating, locally-steeped permanent collection, she rotates other exhibits to offer something for everybody – and that certainly includes a healthy dose of art. Just like at home. “I still carve out some money to buy art for home,” Julie says. “I’m almost an impulse buyer … ‘I really like that. I think it needs to go home with me!’”

She’s been known to bring home things more precious than art. The last several years of Eloise’s life, Julie savored her living in her home. “She was a great mom,” Julie says. “It was the least I could do.” Eloise delighted in sharing her eye for design with Julie’s art and other décor. “We’d be sitting here and she’d say, ‘You have two or three too many things in the book cabinet. Let’s take out two things and see what you think.’ She liked to play. It was fun. “I always relied on her for my taste level – my needs and my wants,” Julie laughs. “I’ve been known to prefer my wants over my needs.”

ig pieces, small pieces, groupings and solos, the walls and rooms of Julie’s home are adorned with original art. Even so, there’s no feeling of a museum. “When my mother lived here, she was the heart of the house,” Julie says. “But the art makes it homier and more individual. I think it better represents my personality than the furniture. Just to walk into a room and see the art and pieces of inherited furniture brings a sense of appreciation. At night Julie likes to leave small lamps on, adding warmth and emphasis to paintings here and there. “They bring memories of when or why I bought something. That’s part of why I love MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

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them. They are comfortable to me. All of the things I have in here are pleasing to me.” During days at home at the height of the pandemic, she says, the comfort her art and home gave her was all the more appreciated. “My home is small and not very grand, but it’s mine and I Julie’s first piece of investment art like it. I have was this abstract by John Hyche. worked very hard creating a collection of art and furniture,” Julie says. “I have worked very hard to make my personality and my aesthetics come through.” And come through they do, because her home is where her art is. Good Life Magazine

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606 N. Brindlee Mountain Pkwy., Arab

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David F. Moore

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Sandra may not have the most expansive daylily garden around; still, it’s a thing of beauty when it blooms. Speaking of beauty, these are called Edged in Beauty.

Sandra grows daylilies with an excitement that’s nearly as colorful Story and photos By David Moore

andra Crawford got her first jolt of daylily excitement this year on Feb. 28. She pulled some mulch off the flowerbed in her yard at Pine Lake in Arab and – ta-da! – daylilies were just poking their green tipped leaves from the wintry soil. “After that bad freeze in February – it got down to 13 at my house – I didn’t think there was much hope for them,” she exclaims. “They are pretty hardy if that 13 degrees didn’t kill them.” After a good rain that night, Sandra got her second daylily rush of 2021 the next morning. “I could see green everywhere!” At that point, the big question was if the root clumps of her hundreds of daylilies quietly stirring

in the dark dirt could ever keep pace with her growing crescendo of excitement. With the warming of the sun, she’d soon declare war on the inevitable wave of weeds looking to swarm her daylily bed. After April 15, when many a gardener and farmer sigh in relief at the last call for frost, Sandra will eagerly remove the last of the protecting mulch from around her still growing lily leaves. In late May, the first blooms will start painting her garden with dabs of color. Finally, gloriously, June will herald the peak explosion of hues, shades, tints and tones that would make a box of Crayolas blush. Sandra will be beside herself. “I do get excited,” she laughs. “When they start blooming, I am out before 7 o’clock just to see what they look like.”

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andra insists she is far from the most knowledgeable and prolific breeder in these parts or anywhere of the daylily – or Hemerocallis, its genus name. “I’m kind of new at this,” she says. “I’ve just been growing them five years.” Nonetheless, she has some 400 cultivars developed by Hemerocallis enthusiasts and registered with the American Daylily Society (ADS). She has other, non-registered varieties as well. Some are subtly similar in appearance, others profoundly and amazingly different in coloring and arrangement of sepals and petals, edges and midribs, throats and stamen. Sandra loves them all, and what she might lack in expertise is compensated with enthusiasm. “It’s so pretty when they’re all blooming,” she says. Daylily schedules vary by region. Sandra’s sister in Auburn, Carol Reynolds, sees hers bloom several weeks before those in Marshall County. Most of Sandra’s blooms are gone by July, and – except for the evergreen varieties – the green leaves last until first frost. Last year, however, Sandra had blooms in November. “I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “I had maybe six in one day.”

lowers of any sort played little part in Sandra’s early life. She and Carol grew up in Beauregard, located near Auburn and Opelika. Their divorced mom worked in a cotton mill office. “We were really poor,” Sandra says. “We didn’t have any grass, and we sure did not have any flowers. But we didn’t lack for anything but the extras.” She earned a scholarship for nursing school at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, and studied at several places, including Birmingham, where in 1963 Larry Crawford, a pharmacy senior at Samford University, spotted her playing tennis and asked her out. “Love” plays a part in tennis scores but had nothing initially to do with Larry. She figured it was one and done for them, but just before she graduated the following summer he called out of the blue in Opelika, said he had a new Thunderbird and wanted to see her again. The T-bird was burgundy. They married that Oct. 31 in 48

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Birmingham and departed for Arab, where Larry lived and worked for the late Luther Latham at Hospital Pharmacy. “In my whole life I had never been to Arab,” Sandra says. “It was dark and Halloween night. But I really liked Arab. I had lived so far in the country it was uptown to me.” Here they raised their kids: Dr. Cale Ebert, a math tutor who lives in Arab with her husband, Mike Maybee, and Jason,

a mechanical engineer at Dynetics who lives in Arab with his wife, Karen. Larry made a career working at, and owning, pharmacies in and near Arab. Sandra did nursing at the old Arab Hospital and later Marshall Medical Center North; then for 14 years as a nurse for a doctor before retiring in 2014.

he Crawfords built their house at Pine Lake in 1976.

Sandra admires a Banana Smoothie, which can grow 64 inches tall with a bloom 10 inches wide. With right at 400 registered culitvars and another 40-50 varieties gifted to her, she doesn’t know some of their names, especially those given to her as gifts, top left. Other varieties are, across the bottom, Night Beacon, Open My Eyes and, at left, Shady Lady. “That’s when I finally had grass,” Sandra grins. “But Larry didn’t want any flowers because he had to cut the grass real fast and hurry back to work.” That first year they tried to grow a big garden. It flopped, as did their attempt at bee keeping, albeit the garden was not as messy as dripping honey everywhere. Larry did, however, have great success planting hundreds of azaleas on their large, lakefront lot.

It wasn’t until the year after he passed away in 2015 that Sandra turned into a daylily person. Interestingly enough, that came about because she taught line-dancing classes for 25 years. Two of her students and friends, Dianne Fowler and Nancy Smalley, sometimes gave her daylilies as gifts. “I didn’t even know what a daylily was,” Sandra says. “They were pretty, and

they talked about how the flowers came back each year.” It was through – and with – them that Sandra started visiting growers and buying daylilies to transplant. With Nancy she visited the late Frankie Jones, famous in Hulaco for her daylilies. With Dianne, Sandra visited Jesse and Terah George, retired educators from Beauregard High School who started a daylily operation in Jasper. Sandra had MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

heard about them from her sister Carol, who raises daylilies in Auburn.

At last count – Sandra keeps a running list – she has all but a few of the Stout winners from between 2019 and 1989, plus nine other Stout daylilies nitially, life without Larry predating ’89. was a lot like barren, winter dirt. “I don’t usually buy them But growing daylilies the year they win,” she laughs. now gave Sandra impetus to “They get cheaper after a few busy herself in the yard, to years.” bring beauty from dirt; to take Cale and Jason have excursions out of town and buy discovered they make great gifts gorgeous daylilies, to socialize that thrill their mother. with friends, to meet new people By June, Sandra’ s garden Daylilies generally range in – all of whom loved these lovely, cost from $10-$100. But those will be in full-blown glory. short-blooming but perennially who raise them don’t always growing flowers. buy and sell. Part of the fun, says Sandra found daylilies Sandra, is trading cultivars with other growers. fascinating. She learned about hybridization – the process of cross-breeding varieties to form new cultivars of daylilies. fter blooming, the flowers form botanical She learned from Arab Master Gardeners capsules – which people informally call “pods” Brooks Hawkins and Betty Graham, who – from which seeds can be taken and grown. gave her plants and helped her start a garden. But Sandra says that’s a lot of work and takes a Local horticulturalist Cory Johnson shared his couple of seasons just to have a daylily ready for knowledge and later helped her expand her the garden. garden. As clumps of daylilies and their root systems Sandra and a daylily buddy visited Jim and grow, they have to be dug up and thinned. It’s Martha Brazelton at Diamond Valley Garden these clumps that growers generally sell, trade or off Fry Gap Road. The Brazelton’s extensive share. garden is but one of fewer than 20 daylily display “Thinning after they bloom, that’s the hardest gardens in Alabama and Mississippi recognized part,” Sandra says. “Mine will need thinning this by the ADS (formerly the American Hemerocallis year.” Society). Other than that – and the initial creation of a Several times she and her buddies visited flower bed – she doesn’t find growing daylilies Sandra Little, a member of the Blount County Iris overly work-intensive. After a bloom’s day in glory, the plant is and Daylily Society who sells registered daylilies. definitely prettier if it’s deadheaded. In March, They had a hoot at the annual Bloom-N-Pie Sandra puts out fertilizer, along with some Epson Days near Blountsville, hosted by DeLois Dunn, salt in October. And when it’s cold she trims the another ADS daylily display garden owner. plants down to about six inches to benefit the “You always learn something from these roots. people, and they are friendly and helpful,” “Those are just some of things you can do for Sandra says. daylilies,” Sandra says. “But if I didn’t do a thing, they would bloom and be fine. And if I didn’t andra’s earliest Hemerocallis were all deadhead them and weed them, they’d be fine. gifts from daylily buddies. She bought her first But it’s better to keep the weeds out. It’s a bit of registered cultivar – more than 80,000 of them work, I’ll say that.” exist – from the late Frankie Jones for $35. It’s named Clothed in Glory, and Sandra was thrilled. Early in her daylily phase of life, she started andra delights when neighbors comment collecting cultivars recognized as winners of the on her garden and asks how she did it. Stout Silver Medal. “I don’t have much of a say in it,” Sandra Dr. Arlow Burdette Stout, who died in 1957, says. “God did it. If I were in charge, they‘d be was a botanist who pioneered the hybridization of brown already.” the daylily, conducting some 50,000 experiments What about Larry? What would he think at the New York Botanical Garden that produced about her daylilies? more than 100 successful hybrids. In 1950, Sandra laughs. “He’d say, ‘I told you not to set what’s now the ADS started awarding the Stout those flowers out. I have to mow.’” award to the top-voted hybrid of the year. Good Life Magazine

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The varieties featured here are, clockwise from immediate left: 2011 Stout Winner North Wind Dancer, 1979 Stout Winner Moment of Truth, Grape Slush, Big Delight and Flamenco Christmas, which has a double blossom – one inside another – 90 percent of the time it blooms. “It is,” Sandra says, “one of my favorite daylilies.” While a daylily isn’t a true lily, “day” is accurate; each bloom lasts but a day. Each plant, however, usually has three scapes (stalks), each of which generally has eight flower-sprouting buds, so a plant produces about 24 blossoms. That gives an avid daylily gardener such as Sandra lots to get excited about every summer.

Battlefield memories seldom revealed

Story by Steve A. Maze Photo by David Moore

ow many have asked a parent or grandparent who served in the military to share their battlefield experiences? Many veterans never reply to that question, or say they can’t recall, or it was too long ago to remember. They have learned over the years how to artfully change the subject. Even though you “know” grisly battlefield experiences had to be deeply ingrained in their minds, many military veterans are reluctant to talk about them. Perhaps it’s because they don’t want to recall the horrors of war. And maybe they don’t want you to remember them either … even if it is just through their words. One such veteran was Marvin A. Presley, who was born on the east side of Boaz on July 10, 1922. He was a member of the 456th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons (AAAW) battalion that served in World War II. Unfortunately, one would be hard-pressed to find much information in war archives to identify the 456th, or the one thousand men who served in it. “Dad never said much about his wartime experiences,” says Marvin’s son, Sid Presley of Arab. “In fact, I learned more about Dad’s unit from John Hendrickson’s book about the 456th Battalion than I did from Dad. That doesn’t mean Dad didn’t recall the horrors he experienced. He just didn’t share them.”

arvin was fresh off the Sand Mountain farm when he was drafted. He rode a train to Huntsville to join the 456th (B Battery) in 1943. Part of the battalion’s training included adjusting to severe climate changes. The young soldiers trained in the somewhat mild temperatures of Tennessee, and the sweltering humid air of southeast Georgia … and then there was Michigan. They fought brutal, Arctic-like conditions in the “Wolverine State” where temperatures did not get up to zero many 52

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days. Most of the battalion was comprised of southerners who were used to hogkilling weather, but none of them was used

duty with the air defenses of Great Britain. “Even though they were not on the front, the Germans would bomb them at night,” Sid says. “Dad and the other US soldiers dug foxholes and parked jeeps over them for cover.”

Sid, opposite page, bears a remarkable resemblance to his father, Marvin, above . to the brutal air temperatures coming off the Great Lakes. After a year of harsh training, the battalion pulled out of New York Harbor in late October 1943 and headed for England. It was no longer a game of training, inspections and mock maneuvers. The 456th, comprised of A, B, C and D Batteries, arrived in Liverpool on Nov. 3, 1943. Marvin’s B Battery and A Battery were assigned to U.S. Air Force Station 102 near Alconbury, Huntingdonshire in January. By early spring, B, C and D Batteries were in Plymouth, England – the historical site from which 102 passengers and 30 crew members set sail on a ship called the Mayflower on a 66-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean three centuries earlier. B and D Batteries were set up along the docks to provide antiaircraft defenses for the harbor area. The 40mm antiaircraft unit also defended field artillery units and saw

n D-Day, June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. More than 9,000 allied soldiers were killed or wounded. Just three weeks after D-Day, orders came to send the 456th to Normandy. The following day, under the cover of darkness, the ships transporting B and C Batteries headed southward toward their destination. On June 29, the ship carrying 159 members of C Battery struck a magnetic mine as they neared the coast. Marvin was witness to the devastating explosion that followed. Soldiers and pieces of bodies flew into the air. Some sank to the bottom of the ocean while others bobbed in the water awaiting rescue. It was difficult to rescue many survivors because gas from tanks and jeeps and barrels of spare fuel the ship carried blazed atop the choppy waters. Some soldiers made their way to the surface only to be greeted by fiery water that left their heads ablaze. When the survivors later lined up for roll call, only 59 men and officers remained of the original 159 members of C Battery.

he 456th was introduced into the fray on July 1. The beaches were still stained with blood, and ditches trickled red from pieces of unrecognizable body parts – both enemy and allies. The strong stench of rotting corpses laid on the air and filtered into the uniforms of the reinforcements. It was a smell they would remember the rest of their lives. Marvin’s battalion served with the First and Third United States Armies as they battled their way across war-scarred Northern France and Germany. “The fighting was complicated by

Sid Presley heard hardly a peep about his father’s experiences during WWII. He does have his medals and one of the German pistols his father, a Boaz native, brought home after the war. Writer Steve Maze recently interviewed Sid, who lives south of Arab, about his father. Steve’s other primary source was the book “456th AAAW Battalion in World War II 1942-45” by John F. Hendrickson, 1991. hedgerows that formed natural barriers and gave an advantage to the Germans.” Sid says. “Dad helped rig plows to trucks in order to bust through the heavy brush.” During the push through Germany, Marvin also helped mount oversized binoculars on top of antiaircraft guns so they could pinpoint the slotted openings of enemy pillboxes. The Germans also used captured American planes, which the 456th had been trained not to fire on, to disguise attacks on the battalion. Marvin guarded German prisoners who surrendered or were captured. Like many American soldiers, he brought two German pistols back to the states with him as war treasure. He still has one of them.

n terms of enemy planes destroyed, the war record of 456th was the best in the European conflict for some months after the invasion of Normandy. Its performance was of such high caliber that the battalion was later assigned to guard General George S. Patton’s forward headquarters until the European Conflict ended on May 8, 1945. Marvin was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Medal (recognition for serving in the European Theater) and the Silver Star for

valor in combat prior to his honorable discharge on Oct. 28, 1945. Most of the 456th served an extra five months in the Europe before returning home. Many, like Marvin, came through the war physically unscathed, but very few came home without emotional scars of what they had seen, heard and smelled. Marvin returned home to marry a local girl, Millie Williams, in 1946. The couple later moved from Sand Mountain to Union Grove with their three children: Sidney, Karen and Pam. Marvin farmed and operated heavy equipment for 15 years then worked 20 years as an electrician at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He and other members of the 456th met annually in Fort Payne to reminisce about their former military life, something that was very important to the battalion members. They were able to share heartwrenching stories with only each other – the gruesome tales they didn’t want the rest of us to know. Marvin attended the reunions until he passed away Sept. 9, 2008. He and his wife are buried at New Friendship Baptist Church north of Arab, where he was a deacon.

nfortunately, Father Time is undefeated when it comes to memories … good or bad. Wives of soldiers were witness to the night sweats and horrific nightmares of their husbands. During these episodes, the men would scream out warnings to their buddies of incoming fire from field artillery or enemy aircraft. The veterans sometimes engaged in hand-to-hand combat with imaginary German soldiers. This emotional toll was referred to as “shell shock” at the time, but now we know it as PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder. These soldiers were brave patriots who proudly served an America with 48 stars on its flag. They also demonstrated an unconditional love for their country so our children and future generations could live in peace. It was their generation that fought the battles on foreign soil – as well as in their minds – that saved us from Nazi Germany and Japan during World War II. They were, indeed, the Greatest Generation. And they carried battlefield memories they didn’t want you to know. Good Life Magazine MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

Kudzu Cove Story by Seth Terrell Photos by David Moore

omewhere on the north side of Buck Island stands a giant hill carpeted with wild tangles of kudzu. Such a sight leaves few guesses as to how the surrounding retreat came into the name it wears – Kudzu Cove. Atop this very hill, where the crawling greenery begins to fade, an American flag 54

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flaps mildly in a late spring breeze that blows in from Lake Guntersville. Standing atop this rounded peak that towers over the Kudzu Cove cabin area, the panorama opens to a sparkling stretch of lake that flows docilely through the cascading hills of the lower Appalachians. Far to the northeast on a clear afternoon, you can see the cooling towers of the unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in the small town of

Hollywood; back south is the smooth bluff of Sand Mountain. Sailboats dodder calmly on the water far below, and by mid-spring the once brown slopes and valleys of Marshall County teem with various shades of green. There is a feeling that you are only an arm’s reach from it all, a wanderlust so immanent as you stand beneath the flapping American flag that the experience is akin to discovering a new

At the pinnacle of their retirement, Frank and Kim Harbin work as hard as ever, but enjoy the support of a ‘family’ of volunteers and friends who help ensure this vacation spot is a trove of memories and relationships – and a bunch of fun.

country altogether. Or at least the vibrant rediscovery of one you’ve known forever. It is a vantage point of new dimension; one best felt when words of description become scarce. Frank and Kim Harbin stand here on the smallish mountain they’ve aptly dubbed “Kudzu Hill,” recalling their very first view from here, the story of how they fell in love with this land, why they bought it and moved here.

mong the myriad Kudzu Cove memories the Harbins hold dear is one from last year that perhaps best encapsulates the very spirit of the place. Frank recalls the couple of months of early 2020 where this beautiful ground, a favorite hideaway of locals and crosscountry travelers alike, seemed almost abandoned during the Covid shutdown. “It was really quiet for a little while,”

Frank recalls. But that would soon change. This hideaway, purchased by the couple in 2010, had undergone somewhat of a makeover over the past decade. Priscilla Tally had overseen the property years before and had helped establish the mystique that makes Kudzu Cove “Guntersville’s Hidden Treasure.” But once the Harbins purchased it, there were hours and hours of labor and love imbued MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

into the very fabric of this place – the mowing and clearing of land, the building and remodeling of cabins, the upkeep of ponds and fields and trails. Frank remembers standing here, atop Kudzu Hill, on a day a little less than a year ago. He and Kim had driven up to the top, as is so often their custom, and down below something hopeful was stirring. Visitors, itching with cabin fever had once again descended onto the rolling green commons between the cabins and ponds that mark Kudzu Cove. They had come to have picnics, they had come to hike the wooded trails, they had come to rent the cozy cabins and play 18 holes of disc golf on the state-of-the-art course that stretches the property. “I just love to see people enjoy it and help take care of it,” Frank says, reflecting on that moment. “It was good to see people return.”

ven now, a year later, the couple find themselves especially grateful to host. Down below, the cabins are once again filled with visitors: there are family reunions and church retreats. Kayakers are returning from their daily adventures while fishermen and golfers, taking a break between their sporting quests, sit for a rest on one of the several cabins’ vast front porches. The property itself boasts around 80 acres, but there is a coziness to the cabins and to the land that makes it feel as though it belongs to everyone. That communal experience and love for this piece of earth are what drive Frank and Kim to keep it in pristine shape. “We just envisioned an area that people can enjoy for a close, easy vacation or an afternoon,” Frank says. Frank and Kim were once high school sweethearts, originally from the Huntsville area. His family owned a parcel of land on Preston Island when he was a child, and he recalls coming to the lake for many years of his life, often returning to Guntersville for vacations. So when the Kudzu Cove property came available after his retirement, it was a no-brainer for the Harbins. Kim, a retired elementary school teacher was on board from the beginning. “I could just tell that Frank loved it. It was,” she says, “really just meant to be.” Frank, a retired personnel manager 56

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from Shell Oil, has never been afraid of work. But he and Kim knew the amount of work involved would not quite feel like a true retirement. It’s a common occurrence for Kim to drive into the cabin area only to find Frank mounted on his John Deere tractor, mowing along the steep slope of Kudzu Hill. “Frank has no fear,” she laughs.

Erick Dirks, top left, likes to bring his wife and child with him and drive down from Huntsville to Kudzu Cove to play disc golf. “Hey,” he says, “it’s a really, really nice course.” One of the holes off the west side of Kudzu Hill, plays around an explosion of wisteria, bottom left. On another open hillside, Frank has built a small cabin and deck, left, for picnics, a rest from walking and watching wildlife. One of the large ponds on the grounds attracts guests who don’t bring a bass boat but still love to wet a line, above.

efore Kudzu Cove came into their lives, the couple spent decades all across the country, working and living in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, even overseas in Nigeria and Iraq. They have three adult children, Bradley and his wife Lindsey, who live in Maryland, Whitney and her husband Nathan, who live in Birmingham, and son, Spencer, who lives in New Orleans. While their children have been incredibly supportive of their parents’ dreams, the success of Kudzu Cove can be attributed to another kind of family. Cabin rentals are the center of the Harbins’ vision of making Kudzu Cove work, but the retreat grounds have drawn hundreds of bird enthusiasts and disc golfers. And Frank is quick to point out that each of these three attractions would not be the success they are without the dedication of a “family” of friends and volunteers. The design and placement of the cabins, as well as the layout of the property, were born of a vision Frank shared with his and Kim’s close friends, Connie Linn and her late husband, Kevin. “I would come up with drawings and send them to Kevin,” Frank recalls, “and Kevin would say, ‘Here’s what you can and can’t do.’” That advice and support have continued onto the present. Connie still handles all the cabin rentals for Kudzu Cove, and many of the piers, bridges and several of the cabins, like The Chalet, are all standing today because of Kevin’s hard work and vision. Though deceased, Kevin’s fingerprints are all around.

isc golf is a unique sport that is played much the same way as traditional golf, yet with much different equipment. Disc golfers employ a set of small plastic discs; they aim and throw, sometimes hundreds of yards away, toward chain-link, metal “baskets” that – if you’re good – catch the flying discs. Lowest score wins. The appeal of the sport is growing by MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

the day and has become exceedingly popular among outdoor enthusiasts for its simplicity and affordability. (Disc golf courses are often free to the public; Kudzu Cove is no exception.) As Frank once surveyed the lay of their Kudzu Cove property, he began to envision building a course, a course that has become one of the best in Alabama. He sought the help of Jeff and Jessica Cowen, local disc golf enthusiasts who were holding disc golf clinics and putting up temporary courses in various places through Marshall County. “When Frank asked us about building a permanent course at Kudzu Cove, it was like a dream come true,” Jessica says. The 18-hole course has been host to disc golf legend and hall-of-famer Dave Feldberg, who has held his ratedround tournament here with hundreds of participants. Feldberg, and participants, will return again in May 2021 for yet another Tier A, Next Generation Disc Golf Qualifying tournament. Jeff and Jessica continue to be instrumental in maintaining the course and helping it evolve as the sport’s popularity reaches more and more golfers. The Cowens, along with a small army made up of members of the Marshall County Disc Golf Association, have helped make the communal, accessible nature of the sport a key part of the Kudzu Cove appeal. “The disc golf community is a very accepting community,” Jeff says. Frank agrees, “The disc golfers have been instrumental in helping this place look great.” “There is sheer beauty here,” Jeff says of what draws people to Kudzu Cove. “It is peaceful and pretty.” Such beauty has drawn golfers from across the country to Marshall County‘s Kudzu Cove. A quick scan of the parking lot on a given day will reveal license plates from Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Virginia.

There’s always work to do at Kudzu Cove – unless you’re a guest, of course. Frank, top, cleans up fallen branches at the birdwatching blind. Security – wink, wink – is left up to Big Foot. More seriously, Kudzu Cove follows disinfection and other state safety protocols for Covid. With cabins, grounds and attractions spaced as they are, Frank says, the retreat provides a nice getaway from home for families unable to travel far and still practice social distancing. For more info visit: www.kudzucove.com. 58

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s Frank, Jeff and Jessica were designing the course, they noticed there was yet another unique appeal to Kudzu Cove. It is no rare occurrence to see herons, eagles, hawks and all sorts of birds winging their way through the woodland draws and gorges around the property. With Frank’s encouragement, Jessica was able to get Kudzu Cove officially registered on the Alabama Birding Trail, now drawing hundreds of birding guests. “It’s a really neat addition,” she says. Tucked away in various places throughout the cove are huts and blinds especially designed for bird enthusiasts, such as local photographer and friend of the Harbins, Gary Staley. (He photographed the hawk on page 8 at the cove.) “This is one of the top places in North Alabama for all kinds of birds,” Gary says. “That view from the top [of Kudzu Hill] is spectacular. It’s one of my all time favorite places to go.”

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A birdwatching blind at Kudzu Cove overlooks this tranquil marsh. Among the many images Gary Staley has photographed in the area are this indigo bunting, red-headed woodpecker and an osprey with supper. See more on his Instagram page. In addition to various birds, Kudzu Cove is also home to various North Alabama wildlife. Their presence proclaims one of the truest realities of Kudzu Cove – a welcoming spirit. “We really try to leave it all open to whomever wants to come,” Frank says, “as long as they’re willing to treat it kindly.” The Harbins have supported the fundraisers at the fly-in breakfasts at nearby Guntersville Municipal Airport and for St. Jude hospital. They have invited first responders from Huntsville and hosted numerous fishing and disc golf professionals as well as invited locals 60

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into a sort of collective stewardship of the property.

n all of these ways and more, Kudzu Cove has become like a home to many people. Fishermen have proposed to their fiancés here; kayakers have been married on top of Kudzu Hill. Frank and Kim are humbled when certain passers-through whose family once inhabited the area around Kudzu Cove remark on the Harbins’ good stewardship. They are always thankful for such comments, but they are also quick to point out the many folks who help mow, run tractors and keep up the grounds.

“We get a lot of help from a lot of people,” Frank says. “We’re very thankful for what we’ve been able to do and all the people we get to meet.” Though the beauty here seems to radiate, it is the Harbins’ laid-back personalities and selfless attitudes that are the chief ingredients for what makes Kudzu Cove so special. Standing at their favorite spot beneath a flapping flag, looking out to the water beyond, it becomes clear … “Guntersville’s Hidden Treasure” is actually a trove of memories and relationships. Good Life Magazine

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Producer, actor director ... dad Jeffery Patterson finally finds the right fit with four indie films set for release and a desire to return home to shoot more

’m watching “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink,” an indie movie slated for a late fall release. Jeffery Patterson sent me a link to a promo copy. His company, Once Upon A Dream Productions Inc., produced it. He stars in it, playing the roles of identical twins. Jeffery is an ol’ Marshall County boy who, by most standards, has already done well. (Gone bust, too.) But he’s driven to achieve more as a way of reaching people through his films, as a way of leaving something behind once he’s gone. Chances are – as more movies are released in what I hope is a post-Covid world – Jeffery will in fact achieve much more. He has four “Middle America” movies in the can waiting for the world to see in the coming months. And he hopes to return soon from Beverly Hills to film two more movies – here. “I want to shoot movies in Marshall County,” he says via one of our long phone chats. “It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I never had a clue living there … took it for granted. But when you come off the mountain from Arab and see Lake Guntersville – wow! What a beautiful place.” More on that later. Right now I’m into this movie ... Jeffery Patterson, left, as U.S. Marshall Vance Dillinger in his upcoming movie, “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink.”

Story by David Moore Photos provided by Once Upon a Dream Productions, Inc. [Arizona Territory. 1863. Opening scene of “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink.”]

family dances and plays music on a front porch, kids frolic on the sandy lawn. Everyone is happy and festive until … Jesse Parson, a kid with a white-hazed eye, spots five riders thundering across the plains. Shots ring out. Kids are hustled safely to a covered wagon and watch the slaughter unfold from the wagon bed. Screaming. Hollering. People fall dead as the horsemen lay siege to serenity. Two of the kids, twins Tom and Vance Dillinger, watch a man with a scar running from eye to neck gun down their parents. Tom springs from the wagon, wanting to take action, but freezes as the scared 64

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man aims at him, pulls the trigger … click. Empty. He pulls a second revolver, aims … “Wait!” says another outlaw. “I got use for that boy.” Tossed over a saddle like a sack of potatoes, Tom is carried off across the plains with the outlaws. Vance leap from the wagon. “Tom!” Too late.

[Thirty years later.]

wo guys shoot their way into a saloon bustling with gambling, drinking, a woman or two and a tinny honky-tonk piano. “It’s the Tripp Brothers,” someone cries. “We’ve been called worse,” says Tripp one. “We’re looking for somebody, a U.S. Marshal …” The saloon crowd parts a path between them to steps leading up to a mezzanine table where a big, long-haired, blond man

sits, his back to them, eating supper – Marshall Vance Dillinger. “That’s far enough,” he says through his handle-bar mustache, not turning around. “You remember who we are?” Tripp two demands. “You and your gang robbed and killed our brother-in-law three years ago in Dodge City.” “You boys are mistaken.” The marshal continues eating, back turned. “I ain’t never been to Dodge City. Why don’t you drop them guns? Ain’t no use in anybody else getting shot tonight.” “You think that badge makes you special?” “Nothing makes anybody special … I’m a man. Just like you boys. All I want is a good meal and to be left alone.” “You should have thought about that ‘fore you killed our kin folk,” Tripp one says, starting up the stairs, gun drawn. The marshal puts down his knife and fork. Looks in the mirror as he pulls his

As an independent producer, Jeffery Patterson is not out to produce blockbusters that cost tens of millions of dollars. “My sweet spot,” he says, “is $1.5-$2.5 million.” In addition to raising the capital, making movies can be grueling work. But there’s definitely a fun factor. How many people get to stage Wild West train robberies as part of their job? Initially in bit parts, Jeffery has enjoyed casting his twin daughters in all of his movies, including, at left selling snake oil in “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink. Alison Eastwood was in his first film, “Finding Harmony,” and they got to be buddies. She later asked to be in “Hot Bath, Stiff Drink an’ a Close Shave,” at left. She compared Jeffery to her father, Clint Eastwood, and introduced them to each other. “I was impressed that she compared me to her dad,” Jeffery says. “She’s really honest and that meant so much to me.” gun. Without turning around he shoots the man twice. Tripp one topples through the railing onto a poker table below. Tripp two is running up the stairs. The marshal turns and shoots him. Rough evening for a lawman trying to wind down with a quiet supper at the bar.

s the plot deepens, Vance and posse of two other lawmen, dusters streaming behind them, hats tight on their heads, are riding fast horses across epic western landscape splattered with big cacti. Heroic music with a southwestern taste plays as the rolling camera gives us closeups and long shots showing the lawmen against the Tucson, Arizona mountain-rimmed desert. It’s at this very point that one realizes that Jeffery Patterson is having fun here. He loves this job he created for himself. How many people go to work and stage a stagecoach robbery? Blow up a wagon in front of a wild west bank? Hold a special

train carrying gold from the U.S. Treasury Department? “Hot Bath” introduces us to the grown version of Jesse Parson, the kid with a white-hazed eye. Vance hires him on to the posse because he’s the best – albeit most unlikely tracker – the marshal knows. And maybe the funniest. Jesse: Dust storm’s a-coming. We’ll lose their trail by candlelight. Agent Shane: I don’t see a storm. Coming from where? Jesse: Custer didn’t see the Indians. Yep. Jeffery loves making movies. It’s fun. Well, it’s a job, too. “Hot Bath” has some fun shots I’m sure, but not a whole lot,” Jeffery says. “We were filming 16-hour days, then watching ‘dailies’ of what we shot that day, then going over the shot list for the next day, then I had to learn my lines – for two different characters. “Arizona is 110-plus degrees during the

day and below freezing at night. It was a hard shoot.” On another day, Jeffery sounds a slightly different tune. “I love what I do,” he says. “Most of the time I can’t tell you what day it is. That day when we always thought ‘Friday’ meant something? I work seven days a week. Probably why I am not married.” He recalls the old saying: Find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life. “That’s not exactly true,” Jeffery insists. “When I was a stockbroker in a cubicle and had to have permission to go to lunch and have a bathroom break. Nope.” Stockbroker? That’s just the blond-haired tip of Jeffery’s iceberg life.

orn on Short Street in Guntersville, Jeffery’s entrepreneurial dad, Jerry Patterson, started Guntersville Cable, MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

installing the first receivers on what is now Patterson Street, named for him. His mom, Mara Corbin, was office manager. Jeffery’s grandfather Jesse Corbin, former mayor of Albertville, was the Marshall County probate judge at the time. Jeffery grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in the Hustleville community. He went to school in Albertville, came home and worked. “My dad’s brothers were fire and brimstone preachers, and Grandfather was a politician,” Jeffery says. “They told me the biggest fear for most people is speaking in front of a crowd. Overcome that, and you can do anything you want. And if you’re digging a ditch, hopefully you’ll be the guy in charge.” He took the advice to heart and won the 4-H public speaking competition while at Evans Elementary School. After graduating from Albertville, Jeffery left for Florida as fast as he could. He worked at a corporate agriculture company outside of Orlando, but after a year bounced back to Albertville and worked for his dad’s fertilizer companies. Jerry Patterson always urged Jeffery and his two sisters to create. “Find a need and fill it, that was his deal,” Jeffery says. “Don’t do things for money. Do what you love and money will come.” Smart words, but Jeffery pinged like a pinball machine for years before the message sank in.

hen Jerry died in 1981, Jeffery went to Daytona Beach where he worked and trained with Arthur Jones, inventor of the Nautilus workout machines. He later was a penny stockbroker for the former Stuart James in Tampa. “Made a fortune,” he says, “and blew it all. But it was fun and a great education.” He also worked with Smith Barney and International Financial Consultants. This whole time, thanks to his lack of fear speaking in front of people, he got heavily involved in live theatre. He also met a model who was hired for a commercial and tagged along for the shoot. “They loved her but said, ‘You’re stiff. Go take a couple acting lessons,’” Jeffery says. “She asked me to go with her. She hated the class, but I loved it.’” 66

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Everyone in theatre told Jeffery he was a great actor. Like a soon-to-be-a waiter musician heading to Nashville with a guitar case full of confidence, Jeffery packed his car and headed to Los Angeles. He went to a party with a girl named Debbie, the one person he knew in LA, and heard about an open call the next day.

He and 100 others went. It was for a Chick Corea music video, and a casting person walked up to Jeffery and said, “Hey, you, come on!” So he landed the part. It entailed him walking down street, hearing music and peeking through a door hole into Chick’s Mad Hatter studio, from which the music takes off.

Jeffery likes a few toys around the house, such as his ‘67 Shelby Cobra 427 in polished aluminum and his Indian motorcycles. He recently bought a 99-foot yacht. During a recent Christmas, a family photo was snapped at The Grove, an outdoor mall in Los Angeles. Pictured in back are Jeffery, his first daughter Mara, her daughter and husband, Sunny Mae and Alex, and Autumn; in front are Madeline Paige and Jeffery’s youngest daughter, Isabella. Mara and Alex now have another daughter, Rosemary. “I got like 60 bucks. I loved it, but you have to understand how many actors I ticked off. Those new friends I met? Not any longer. It was both a blessing and a wakeup call.” Jeffery still saw Debbie, and became close friends with her fiancé, a country musician. He was the musician’s best man at their wedding. Debbie’s roommate, Lisa

Marie Presley, was supposed to be matron of honor. But after trying to argue Debbie out of the marriage, Lisa Marie backed out of the honor.

effery got a number of gigs over the next three years but nothing substantial. His love of acting had no payoff. So when his music buddy moved to Nashville,

Jeffery went to help him get set up. He did that – plus got married. So, in 1994, he headed home with his pregnant wife. He got a job as a midnight-shift DJ at Arab’s former WCRQ, now Fun 92.7. When his daughter was born, they named her Mara after his mom. Jeffery later tried to sell Huntsville TV stations on adding an entertainment segment – like they have in LA – to their nightly news, sports and weather. It didn’t fly here. So he reopened Pat Upton’s – “He was a great guy.” – former nightclub in Guntersville, PJ’s Alley, renaming it the Moon Dance Saloon. When that closed, Jeffery sold real estate for Caldwell Banker and ReMax. Through those jobs he met and befriended Jeff Cook of the super-group Alabama and tried to sell his Fort Payne castle. Jeffery’s twins, Autumn and Madeline Paige, were born in Albertville in 1999. After his wife split in 2000, he got full custody of all three girls. “There were days,” he says, “I was not sure I was going to make it.” While selling real estate, Jeffery made two bids for the Alabama State Legislature, coming in second to Rep. Frank McDonald in both the 1998 and 2002 election cycles, first as a Democrat then as a Republican. “I want to thank all of the people who didn’t vote for me,” he later told The Advertiser-Gleam. “I am so blessed I didn’t win.” It wasn’t anything he loved.

effery married again just before the 2002 election. After losing it, he skipped the traditional, figurative politician’s trip to Buck’s Pocket, opting instead for Naples, Florida. For six months he made a fortune there with a network marketing dot.com. Then it crashed. With real estate popping, he got his broker’s license and bought Tropical Properties, an established broker firm. “It was staffed with broker associates, and we were one of the top firms,” Jeffery says. He introduced his girls to acting, and they all loved working with the Naples Players. He befriended country star Mel Tillis, who said “let’s make movies.” Then the market crashed in 2008. MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

“I lost everything, e-e-e-everything,” Jeffery moans. “My home, a bunch of mortgaged pre-construction condos.” Saying the hell with it, he packed the kids and headed to LA to start over. Maybe Jerry’s words echoed in his mind. “I had made money and lost money, and made more money and lost more money,” Jeffery says. “I want to do something I love.” That winter in LA he sold Christmas trees, stocked stores at night, and landed random roles. “You could be an actor,” a consultant told Jeffery, “but you’re a producer.” “No, I’m not. I want to be an actor.” “You can be that,” the wise consultant consulted, “and a producer.” Wife two took a different view: 68

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“Trying to be an actor at your age?” He landed his next five auditions, but she left anyway.

ortune, however, rewarded perseverance. In the late 1980s, Jeffery met Judy Norton, of Mary Ellen fame in “The Waltons” TV show and movies. They now reconnected and hit it off. They delved into deep discussions about making independent films. They dissected “Waltons” to mine its core of middle American- and music-centric success. With encouragement from Mel Tillis and Jeff Cook, plus Jeffery’s golfing buddy, Ed Bruce (“Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys”), he and Judy decided to film Judy’s script for “Finding Harmony.” So in 2014, Jeffery and Once Upon a

Dream produced and shot the movie in Muscle Shoals. Among the stars are Billy Zane (“Titanic,” “Back to the Future 1 & 2” and “Zoolander”); Anna Margaret (Disney Channel’s “StarStruck”) and Alison Eastwood (daughter of that Eastwood, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” “Tightrope” and “The Mule”). Per the synopsis: In this multigenerational southern drama, legendary music producer JT Grayson dies and leaves the Fame Ranch to his estranged daughter, Samantha “Sam” Colter, a strong-willed single mother. The ranch had become a juvenile home for troubled young boys, but Sam, already overwhelmed with raising her rebellious teenage daughter Harmony, puts the ranch up for sale. When Sam reunites with her ex-husband, country star Casey

Judy Norton, Billy Zane and Jeffery pose a for picture on the set of “Finding Harmony,” which was filmed in Muscle Shoals. Judy – best known for work in “The Waltons,” wrote the script. Above is the cast of “Finding Harmony;” from left: Jeffery Patterson, Max Lloyd Jones, William Shockley, Billy Zane, Anna Margaret, Alison Eastwood, Barry Corbin, Ed Bruce and Sandra Ellis Laffert. Center left is Jeffery with Alison Easterwood. It was their first time to work together. In 2018, Jeffery starred with Bruce Willis’ daughter, Rumer Willis, in the yet to be released “Woman on the Edge.” Another Once Upon a Dream production, Jeffery was an executive producer. Colter, at her father’s wake, she’s forced to confront her past demons and choose between the life she’s built and the one she ran away from. Jeffery already owned the script for “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink” and its sequel, and in late 2014 he shot the first movie. Eleven months later, while editing wrapped up for “Finding Harmony,” Jeffery was back in Tucson shooting “Hot Bath, Stiff Drink an’ a Close Shave.” Film four for Jeffery and his company, “Another Day in Paradise” was done to launch his twins Autumn and Madeline Paige, who are two of the reasons Jeffery likes to be the guy who calls the shots. “If they can get over the fear of speaking in front of people,” Dad wisely says, “they can do anything.”

Besides starring in it, “Another Day in Paradise” was also Jeffery’s directing debut. He shot it in Phoenix.

t usually takes two years to bring a film to release, Jeffery says. “Finding Harmony,” initially held up by music clearance, later by Covid, was supposed to have already opened. It’s now set to come out this summer. In a temporary form, it actually debuted to praise at the 2014 Heartland International Film Festival and won the Pearl Award at International Family Film Festival as the movie best exemplifying the purity and enduring strength of the family bond. “Middle America,” Jeffery says. Through his Country Cares charity, Alabama’s Randy Owens recommended

that Jeffery give a portion of “FH” proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So it’s planned to premier in Memphis, followed with a second premier in Nashville, then a third in Muscle Shoals. If a fourth opening is held in Fort Payne, Jeffery would love the excuse to spend a week on Lake Guntersville and set up a fifth opening in Boaz with his buddy, the former Mayor Bruce Samford. Billy Zane will be out front promoting “Finding Harmony,” and Alison Eastwood, who has now done two different films with Jeffery, will do morning radio shows. Themewise, “Another Day in Paradise” needs to hit theaters in July or August, followed by “Hot Bath” in October or November. The sequel will probably drop in January. MAY | JUNE | JULY 2021

Realistically, Jeffery’s movies might run a week in limited theaters, but there will be DVDs, too, and American runs always boost foreign profits. “Each film has a good foreign market,” says the guy who talks like the producer/actor the consultant had foreseen.

MDb – or Internet Movie Database – is, well, everything about all movies. Its short bio on Jeffery opens with this: Actor/ producer Jeffery Patterson likes to call his own shots. Taking a cue from such industry standouts as Tom Laughlin and Sylvester Stallone, Patterson is set on forging his own path. Patterson recently optioned, funded and produced four featurelength films, to be released through his production company, Once Upon a Dream Productions … The late Robert Thomas Laughlin Jr. was an actor, director, screenwriter, author, educator and activist best known for his “Billy Jack” movies. As struggling actor, Jeffery met him at an awards show, they had coffee later and talked a lot. “I looked up to him and thought of him as mentor,” Jeffery says. “Stallone was the same – an actor who controlled his movies by directing and producing them.” Those two are among a small but growing 70

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A driving force behind making “Another Day in Paradise” was family. Jeffery wanted to cast his twin daughters, Autumn and Madeline Paige, in major roles – plus have the fulfillment of working closely with them. When they were younger, he and his girls enjoyed working together in community theatre productions in Florida. Besides producing and acting in “Paradise,” it was also Jeffery’s directing debut. Set at a water park he rented in Arizona, the film was shot in 2016.

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number of actor/producer/directors in picturing his former life. “Not that I’m “If I can touch somebody and leave Hollywood that Jeffery looks up to. against a schedule, but there is so much their life better,” he says in an off-script “You can’t wait for work. You have to I want to see and do in this world. I soliloquy. “A guy from the tribal council create your work, or destiny, or whatever sailed a boat from Maine to Miami with while we were shooting “Hot Bath” told it is,” Jeffery says. a friend once. I’m looking into taking my me, and I have to paraphrase… He’s got more shots he wants to call. new yacht to Hawaii … A man dies three times. First when For starts, he wants to make a trilogy “Dad died at 47 with a heart attack. he gives up, is no longer happy and of his westerns, a lá Clint dies inside. That could be Eastwood and Sergio a minute or years before Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy. his last breath and he He hopes to have “Hot physically dies the second Bath, Stiff Drink, Close death. The third death is Shave an’ a Good Woman” when no one speaks his ready to shoot in 2022. name ever again. He also has two “My granddaddy, Jesse “middle America” movies Corbin’s name is on the he wants to shoot in front of the courthouse in Marshall County. Guntersville. He touched “Alabama” is about people, changed people. twin sisters – to be played My daddy has a street by Autumn and Madeline there named for him. Paige – who are not at People may not know him, all excited about having but they speak his name to leave LA life and visit from time to time and their dad’s “hometown” perhaps wonder who that of Guntersville. Their man was ... acceptance begins slowly, “I couldn’t sleep learning that Starbucks the other night and was has nothing on the coffee watching a show about old served at Mary Lou’s. movies – Gene Autry, Bob The second Marshall Hope, John Wayne. Over film is “Back to Before.” time, they fade, but we still Judy Norton wrote the have their films. script, and she and Jeffery “Hopefully my have already scouted grandkids will one day be locations, which tentatively able to watch “Hot Bath” “I have struggled and failed at as many things as I tried and include The Whole and say, ‘Wow! That was Backstage. Nothing is great. I enjoyed that 90 succeeded in,” says Jeffery Patterson, here in costume for his dual signed, but Robert Duvall role in “Hot Bath, Stiff Drink an’ a Close Shave.” Through it all, he’s minutes. It’s a way to has expressed interest leave something. ‘I loved landed in a creative position that seems to suit him perfectly. in it – especially a scene it and had fun!’ And, where he would ride a hopefully, I’ll encourage Wave Runner on Lake others to live their best life Life is short. I push the girls to hike Guntersville in his underwear. – whatever it is.” across Europe. There are so many “We talked to Guntersville Mayor things to see, and once you get married Dollar about shooting here,” Jeffery ife is not just a Cinderella story says. “She sees the value of getting Lake and have kids, life changes. What’s with a slipper, Jeffery knows. your passion? Ride over the George Guntersville on film. She’s been very “I don’t think anybody buys their Washington Bridge and see New York helpful.” first lottery ticket and wins. It’s been City. Wow!” a struggle – really it has. For every up Jeffery has found his passion. His [Fashback 30 years.] there is a down, but it beats jobs where I love. Acting. Producing. Directing. hated being there. Making Once Upon a Dream a reality. effery Patterson sits trapped in a “I have been blessed,” Jeffery adds. It’s fun, too … well, it’s work but a cubicle, hustling penny stocks, making “I guess this business is perfect for me lot more fun than his old cubicle. And, good coin. He sorely needs to undrink because there are actually no two days ideally, he’ll make a handsome living those last three cups of coffee but must that are remotely the same.” from it. But the spark that drives him first ask permission … Cut! [That’s a wrap.] embraces something more. “I would lose my mind,” he groans, Good Life Magazine

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Out ‘n’ About If you’ve not yet seen Albertville’s new $60 million Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, you owe yourself the amazement. A grand opening was held April 1 at the rec center, upper left, a two-building complex perhaps best summed up as cavernous. From the two-story open entrance to ample public areas, basketball courts that convert into a massive auditorium encircled by an upstairs track, weight rooms and a pool – think big. Outside is a winding lazy river and water slides. More photos later on the rest of the park. For details: sandmountainpark.com. 74

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Care. It’s part of our name for a reason. At Marshall Cancer Care Center, we place a premium on the human side of healthcare. What’s in a name? When it was time to give a title to Marshall County’s own cancer center, including the word care was a given. Convenience counts, and so does the latest technology. But knowing that your doctors, nurses and technicians put the emphasis on patient comfort can make all the difference. Our name is a reminder that even the best treatment is more effective when it’s delivered with care and caring. We‘re located on US Highway 431, just south of Cracker Barrel in Guntersville.

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