Marshall Good Life Magazine - Spring 2022 by The Good Life Magazine

MARSHALL COUNTY

The Barn at Connors Island ... it’s where the Dukes of Hazzard feel at home

Curious about the big City Harbor development? We have the story SPRING 2022 | COMPLIMENTARY

Bob and Kathy Weathers add lifestyle to their old house’s innate character

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Welcome

Make yourself face the day? Or allow yourself to embrace the day?

was talking to my dog the other morning when something occurred to me. It was after 10, and Porter was still asleep, head and front legs spilled over the sides of his dog bed where he lay sprawled beneath my office table across the hall from my bedroom. I work from our home. Porter – an 11-year-old puppy-at-heart who loves everyone he meets – sleeps, eats and plays here with Diane and me. I list “sleeps” first for a reason. “Wake up, worthless puppy dog,” I told him. “Time to face the day.” Unconsciously, my brain ping-ponged to a rhyming replacement word.

“Time to embrace the day,” I blurted out. Wow, I thought, consciously this time. What a difference in those two outlooks. I consider myself a generally optimistic person in my approach to life. I don’t pretend to know how the cosmos works, but I believe positives attitude generally create better outcomes than negative ones. People define the “good life” in different ways that mostly vary in degrees of the importance they place upon intangibles (such as love and happiness) and tangibles (such as health and wealth). The trick, according to myriad poets, songwriters, pastors and philosophers (not to mention folks who have appeared on

“Oprah”) is not confusing your wants and needs. Be thankful for your daily bread. Or, as Cheryl Crow sings, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” Yesterday is so yesterday. Tomorrow, who knows? All each of us truly has is the now – the day right before us, if you will. I told my dog we can drag ourselves out of bed and force ourselves to face whatever negativities and chaos another day may hold. Or we can choose to embrace the day and make the best of what it offers. “Go back to bed,” Porter said.

Contributors 2021 is over, and for New Orleans native and food writer David Myers that puts Crescent City and Mardi Gras on the horizon. “We have no official Fat Tuesday celebration here, but partaking in a good dining experience is a fine substitute,” he says. Wallace State English instructor Seth Terrell, has written general feature stories for GLM since 2017. In this issue he swaps formats and writes the Good People story, – proving, perhaps, that even aging millennials can learn new tricks.

Someone asked about GLM’s book reviewer, Deb Laslie. A quote from Louisa May Alcott sums it up well: “She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.” Deb was unavailable for comment as she was (you guessed it) reading.

With the spring issue going to press in January, ad director Sheila McAnear sometimes finds spring inspiration for designing ads hard to come by. But some warm, sunny days this winter were extra inspiring. You’ll see that in these pages.

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FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Steve Maze was in business for years, published “Yesterday’s Memories” and has written nine years for GLM. Still can’t get any respect. “I’m an Atlanta Braves fan of more than 50 years, and an usher almost threw me out of a game.” Read about it. Mothering four kids under 9 and interviewing cooks for recipes keeps Jacquelyn Hall’s plate plenty full, so to speak. In her ample spare time, she’s decided to take on another project this spring: writing a children’s book.

David Moore left his column, top of page, up on his computer one day during production, and his wife read it. “I like it,” Diane said, then hinted as to why. “Are you going to run Porter’s picture with it?” “No room,” the editor replied. “Sure there is,” she said ... 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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e you ender.

Inside

10 | Good Fun

It’s about time to “spring” out of the house and do something fun

14 | Good People

Samantha Kelley is out to debunk the stigma of seeking therapy

18 | Good Reads

Some people tell lies, other tell stories – both make great reads

21 | Good Cooking Sarah Webster follows a passion bertville • 256-878-9893 for baking for love and a profit Arab • 256-931-4600 30 | Good Eats ntersville • 256-505-4600

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32 | Good Getaways

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36 | Baseball fan(atic) What happens when a baseball fan really wants an autograph

38 | Weathers’ house The character 100+ years, remodeled for today’s lifestyle

47 | History vault

Albertville Museum has a ‘jewel’ of a new home in an old bank

56 | The Barn

An amazing “Dukes” collection grows into a unique, new venue

64 | City Harbor

New development on the lake looks to be a game-changer

74 | Out ‘n’ About

If you’re out and about and want to adopt a really cute kitten ... On the cover | This old springlooking vase in the Albertville Museum was hand-painted by Mary Emma Taylor Thompson. Photo by David Moore, Photoshop by Sheila McAnear. This page | Traffic crosses the Tennessee River, as viewed with a long lens from City Harbor. Photos by David Moore

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Good Fun

‘Spring’ out of the house • April 29 – Travis Tritt Tickets are on sale now for the Country Music Association and Grammy award-winner, right, who will bring his band to Sand Mountain Amphitheater to perform some of his biggest hits, including “T-R-O-UB-L-E,” “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” and “Best of Intentions.” Expect to hear cuts from his latest album, “Set in Stone,” and sing along with crowd favorites like “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” and “Here’s a Quarter.” Opening act will be rising star Kameron Marlowe. The Columbia Nashville recording singer/ songwriter has a Carolina croon made for belting out buzzed-andbroken, done-me-wrong songs. Gates open at 6:30. Tickets, from general lawn to box are $34-$125.00; available at: sandmountainamphitheater.com. For RV parking: sandmountainpark.com/ rv-park. • March 1-April 1 – FISHART! When you say that, think: “Gesundheit!” Inspired by fish from the Tennessee River to the Gulf Coast and the many fishing tournaments on Guntersville Lake, area artists will be exhibiting their creative takes on fish at the Mountain Valley Arts Council Gallery. Located at 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville; open 10 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Friday; 10 am-2 pm Saturday. Admission is free. For more info: mvacarts.org • April 1-10 – “Sister Act” This divine musical comedy, based on the 1992 Whoopie Goldberg hit film, is directed by Whole Backstage veteran Diane DuBoise with Christopher K. Carter and Will 10

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

• May 20 – Nelly Rapping legend Neely – along with Chingy, Baby Bash and Skribble – will perform at Sand Mountain Amphitheater May 20. Branded as “Tacos and Tequila,” the event was announced just before press time. With three Grammys and four AMA awards, not only is Nelly one of the all-time best-selling rap artists in American music history, he’s also branched into country, rap, R&B and rock. Tickets range from $34 to $64 and are on sale at sandmountainamphitheater.com.

Casey. When wannabe diva Deloris Van Cartier, played by Aniah Havis, witnesses a crime, the cops hide her in the least likely of places – a convent. Deloris manages to find her calling and breathe new life into the convent while discovering a sisterhood she’s never had before. See shows on April 1-2, 7-9 at 7 pm; April 3 and 10 at 2 pm; all at the WBS theatre in Guntersville. Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $12 students. For more info:

wholebackstage.com; or 256-5827469. • April 8 – Hang with the cool cats Dress in your best 1950s threads and head to the annual Boaz Annual Car, Jeep and Truck Cruise-in from 5-8 pm downtown in front of the chamber of commerce. Besides lots of cool vehicles, enjoy music, food trucks and raffles. Free admission; cruise-in entries $10 per car. For more info, contact the chamber: boazchamberassist@gmail. com; 256-593-8154.

For Manny,

MENDING HIS

HEART

was a very sensitive issue. Manny was born with a congenital heart defect requiring several surgeries, which is fairly common. What’s unique is that Manny has sensory sensitivities that can cause stress, anxiety and overwhelming feelings. Through Children’s of Alabama’s Sensory Pathway, Manny’s Child Life Specialist, Noelle, was able to help him cope with the stress and scary feelings about his surgery. She was with him every step of the way, making the experience less stressful for him.

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To learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heart

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• April 16 – DoodlePalooza Join the doodle party 10 amnoon at the Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater Dog Park. Bring a doodle of any kind. Lots of doggy prizes. You can also meet Ginger and Milo, service dogs for Family Services of North Alabama. The doodle party is an awareness event for the Albertville-based agency that provides a variety of support for victims of sexual abuse. Crisis line: 885-878-9159. • April 5-29 – Young Artist Entrepreneurs This Mountain Valley Arts Council exhibit features young artists who are taking initiative with their artistic abilities, even while in school. See at the MVAC Gallery; 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville; open 10 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Friday; 10 am-2 pm Saturday. Admission is free.

Go to DoodlePalooza and see Ginger and Milo, above, service dogs for Family Services of North Alabama. Go to Art on the Lake and see Frank Gee’s work, left.

• April 21 – Concerts in the Park The Mountain Valley Arts Council spring concerts open this month. The series of six weekly concerts are held at Errol Allan Park in downtown Guntersville. Join the free fun weekly, 6:30-8:30 pm. Concessions will be available or you can take the opportunity to visit a restaurant in the Guntersville Arts & Entertainment District. Bring your folding chairs. • April 23-24 – Art on the Lake The 61st annual festival – one of Alabama’s longest running art shows – usually features more than 120 fine artists and craftsmen from the Southeast and beyond. As always, the Twenty-First Century Club of Guntersville-sponsored event will have food vendors, outdoor games and rides and a bake sale – fun for the entire family. Rain or shine, the show will be 10 am-5 pm Saturday and 10 am-4 pm Sunday inside the Guntersville Recreational Center at 1500 Sunset Drive. Admission is $2 for 13 years and older. Sorry, no animals allowed. Exhibitor applications – deadline April 1 – are available online: www. artonthelake-guntersville.com; 12

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

or by contacting show chair Julie Patton: julespp@aol.com. Vendor applications are online, too; deadline is March 1. • April 23 – Back When Days This annual free event at the Arab Historic Village has been around long enough to be historic. Come visit the early 1900s village as it pays tribute to the pioneering people who settled North Alabama and built it into what it is today. The buildings are open, there will be a kids area, vendors, food trucks and lots of demonstrations of life “back when.” The village is located at Arab City Park. The event is 9 am-4 pm. Admission is free.

• April 23-24 – Art Talks The monthly Mountain Valley Arts Council program – generally held on third Thursdays – will be 12:301:30 pm this Saturday and Sunday to feature interviews with artists at Art on the Lake (see above). Drop by the MVAC Gallery, 440 Gunter Ave., Guntersville; open 10 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Friday; 10 am-2 pm Saturday. Admission is free. • May 3-27 – Fabric Arts Exhibit In addition to its monthly exhibit of six quilts, the Mountain Valley Arts Council Gallery will feature all fabric (and thread) arts made by local artists. Art Talks will feature a fabric artist on Thursday, May 19, 12:30-1:30 pm.

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SNAPSHOT: Samantha Kelley

EARLY LIFE: Born 1977 in Boaz to John Henderson and Rosemary Rhines, both deceased. Siblings: Cathy Chapman of South Carolina, Nathaniel Henderson of Pennsylvania, the late Michael Henderson of Florida and Kahilil Rhines of Boaz. FAMILY: Married Patrick Kelley 2004. Two sets of twins: Major and Elijah, 14; Christian and Olivia, 12. EDUCATION: Graduated Boaz High 1995. Attended Snead State a year; transferred to University of Alabama, psychology degree, 2000. Earned master’s in counseling from Jacksonville State University, 2003, and EdS from JSU, 2015. CAREER: The Bridge, juvenile counseling agency, Gadsden, 2001. Counseling intern while working on master’s degree at 13th Place; mental health counselor then drug counselor, St. Clair Correctional Facility, 2004-14; geriatric counselor, Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare, 2014-16; Garrett Counseling, Boaz, 2016-20; then started Twindom Counseling Service, Boaz. INVOLVEMENT: Lifetime member of, and does local missionary work through, Poplar Springs Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Boaz; therapist for sexual assault unit and educational efforts, Family Services of North Alabama, Albertville; registered play therapist and volunteer, Reclaiming Our Time, Boaz.

Good People

5questions Story by Seth Terrell Photo by David Moore

tepping into Samantha Kelley’s “office” is like stepping into a cozy loft apartment – at once stylish and comfortable. In fact, here at Twindom Counseling Services this space is no office at all, but is the primary therapy room in which Samantha, a licensed counselor and owner of Twindom Counseling, works with clients of all ages and backgrounds. Yes, there is the couch on one side of the room, but it’s the kind of couch you want to curl up on, perhaps with a good book in hand. Gone is the sterile, cold tile of many office buildings, and in its place is a soft, plush rug that beckons bare feet. There is no blinding sheen of fluorescent lights but instead the warm, homey glow of lamplight. “I always wanted to offer counseling services in a place of comfort,” Samantha says. “When you’re in this space, you can take shoes off, kids can build pillow forts or lounge on the floor.” Even the color scheme of this place puts you in mind of the colors of a mountain: earthen hues with pastel undertones. These little touches are not mere accents to create a certain ambiance, rather they are very symbolic. For Samantha, counseling is about helping clients find their best paths forward, overcoming obstacles along the way and taking on new challenges – the image of the mountain calls to mind the joy and triumph she hopes to help her clients experience through their time in counseling. A Boaz native and Boaz High School graduate, Samantha began her journey to become a licensed counselor when she graduated from The University of Alabama after transferring from Snead State Community College. She went on to complete graduate courses at Jacksonville State University.

Samantha Kelley

Twin power, superpower help debunk stigma of seeking help from therapists “I’ve always had an interest in people,” Samantha says. “I knew I wanted to learn more about myself, too, so I chose the route of psychology.”

er journey would initially lead her to a counseling position with Garrett Counseling. Then, a few years ago, she had an awakening, a dream to branch out on her own. Temporarily hospitalized with COVID in 2020, Samantha realized that dream of starting her own counseling service could not wait any longer. “I realized life is way too short to not do what I want to do.” With the encouragement of her husband, Patrick, she began establishing the goals of Twindom to, as she says, “help people fulfill their dreams.”

The name of your counseling service is Twindom Counseling Services. How did you arrive at that unique name? What is the origin story for “Twindom?” When I wanted to start my counseling service, I was thinking about names. I have two sets of twins (two sets of twins!), Major and Elijah who are 14 and Christian and Olivia who are 12. I had been writing stories about parenthood on Facebook and all that goes with raising two sets of twins. The name of those Facebook stories and posts I had called “Twindom,” so it seemed like the perfect fit for a name. But really the origin of the mission of Twindom had more to do with my experiences as a child and the needs I have seen within the community over the years for better mental health support. I am committed to working with people who are white, Black, Hispanic or from any background. I take clients from all groups of people. Through this, I see that there is a special need for providing mental health support for people of color because they often feel on the sidelines.

Growing up in this area, I always felt a bit of separation between myself and my white counterparts. I remember overwriting essays in class because I felt I had to over prove myself because I was African American. Sometimes I was made to feel as though I wouldn’t be as successful as my white friends simply because I was not white. But even within that experience, I remember one of my teachers telling me that I was intelligent, that I wasn’t simply an overachiever. Through my life I’ve learned that just because someone tells you that you can’t do something doesn’t actually mean you can’t do it. Through counseling, I hope to help people realize that your situation does not have to determine your outcome. Twindom, for me, is about helping people uncover what is limiting them. I strive to be an example of a person who can overcome anything in any place. Here at Twindom, we reach everyone, and I hope to inspire people in minority groups to search out a place like ours where they have a support system without bias, something I didn’t have growing up.

You describe yourself as a person of faith. How does faith influence your practice? I was raised by my mother and my grandmother, and with this, I was raised with a foundation of faith. All of what I do is faith-based. I’m also a survivor of trauma and abuse. My experiences as a survivor have, of course, drawn me to trauma work. I’ve always been interested in the healing aspect of therapy. I think God can be instrumental in healing from trauma, something I realized for myself, especially when I began going to therapy as an adult. Much of what I do is about helping clients understand they are not always at fault for the trauma FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

they’ve experienced. They didn’t create the situation. I want people to understand that trauma affects us all, and there is no shame in seeking help. Because I see the connection between faith and a person’s healing, my wish for other people, especially those who’ve experienced trauma, is that they would seek out therapy sooner. And for this reason, in addition to becoming a licensed counselor, I also became a registered play therapist so I could work with children from all walks of life. Play therapy is just what it sounds like: children are invited to participate in directive and non-directive playtime as a way of helping them understand certain emotions and experiences while also communicating what they’re experiencing and feeling – kids tell stories with their play. I love seeing people become who they hope to be, and overcome their obstacles. My favorite part of my job is when clients, after undergoing therapy, say, “I think I’m OK and maybe need to go to a more as-needed therapy schedule.” I love seeing people work to get to a place where they tell me, “I think I can handle this.”

How has having two sets of twins impacted you, and how has it informed your counseling practice? Having twins changed my life a lot! Not just from extra everything, like food, clothes and shelter, but it has changed the way I view society. I am more aware of differences and viewpoints than before. Raising two sets of twins made me realize some of the traumas that I was holding on to – and needed to get help for. I realized that in order for my kids to be raised with better experiences, I had to do things differently than my parents did. I work to make them more socially aware, but also make them aware of the good things about life. My husband, Patrick, and I have conversations that are beyond normal family conversations. We talk about race and discrimination, but beyond this my focus is for our children to see me achieve my goals and stand behind my ideals, and not fit into anyone’s box but my own. These are the expectations I have for 16

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

them, too. My children have a spiritual foundation, as well, and God is very important in our lives. I live my life and conduct my counseling practice in such ways that my children can see me accomplishing things that some people may say are not attainable to an African American woman on Sand Mountain. Having twins has also taught me a lot of patience – and prayer! Another thing having twins has reinforced to me is, as I mentioned before, that crucial need for a support system for minority teens in our area. My children tell me some of the things that they go through at school, as well as their minority counterparts. I listen to these concerns and learn from them. In this way, my children help me better understand how to create safe spaces for teens to be able to talk about their feelings and emotions. My kids express appreciation for the safe space that their father and I have created for them. Having that space for them and extending that space to my clients is extremely and valuable to my practice.

What are stigmas or misconceptions about therapy and counseling that you would like to debunk? I want people to know that just because you are participating in therapy does not mean you are crazy. There is also a stigma that therapy doesn’t work. While everyone is on a different path to reaching his or her own goals, in mental health or otherwise, the stigma that therapy does not work simply isn’t true. I work with my clients to help them see that the things that limit them, be they cultural fears, or personal traumas, or negative experiences, or past mistakes and failures – all can be overcome. There is success through mental health care. Additionally, among the African American community, there are unique stigmas surrounding mental health and therapy. There is a stigma that Black people don’t go to therapy, or that they shouldn’t go to therapy because they’re already dealing with the fear of being looked at differently. Which is why having access to therapy for minority groups is so important.

Through our counseling service, an important goal for me is to make it clear: Black people DO go to therapy, and they find healing and success through counseling. Mental health matters. Black mental health matters. Understanding these things will help correct these misconceptions. We need more African American teachers; we need more African American therapists. Through providing more role models, we can begin to debunk the stigmas around being different. I especially love working with children in play therapy and teenagers and young adults. Working with clients at a young age also helps debunk the stigma that going to therapy somehow means they are “less than” their peers. I firmly believe that everyone, across all age groups and experiences, can benefit from therapy.

What is one thing people may not know about Samantha Kelley? I love science fiction! I love comic books and superhero stories – all things sci-fi. I’ve gone to sci-fi conventions and was an avid reader of comic books as a kid. There’s something about stories, even superhero stories, that is very effective in helping people understand themselves. An additional form of play therapy I offer to clients is bibliotherapy in which we use stories and storytelling to better understand ourselves. For me, as a kid, Wonder Woman was my favorite superhero. I felt like I was Wonder Woman. Sci-fi and superheroes can offer us helpful tools to form identity. They can offer escapes to the world of fantasy. These stories can also teach children what it means to “be your own hero.” If I had a fictional superpower, it would probably be – appropriately for my line of work – the ability to read minds. But in reality, I think there are some true superpowers, or skills, that I employ with my clients on a daily basis. Active listening is a superpower. As an active listener, I work with clients to pull out who they are and help them find their identity. I’d have to say the greatest superpower is the ability to love – especially to love who you are. Good Life Magazine

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Good Reads

‘Lies’ – more twists and turns than a Tennessee back road

Mike Rowe delivers exactly what you want: great stories

obert Bailey has many fans in our state, after all, he’s one of us. “Legacy of Lies” is his fifth book and is the first in the Bocephus Haynes series. Courtroom drama as riveting as anything by John Grisham with a story as captivating as David Baldacci’s thrillers, Robert Bailey’s books What was it that made a will make you postpone all chores and hang the do person not quit? Was it not disturb sign. God? The human spirit? Successful litigation Or could it be the people of several high-profile who came along in your verdicts has made life and who taught you Bocephus “Bo” Haynes a to endure the pain … the force to be reckoned with both in the courtroom and obstacles … and the loss out. But the sudden death and keep going? For Bo, of his wife has his life there had been three and family spiraling out such people. of control. His late wife’s parents have custody of his children, as Bo has lost their confidence in his ability to be the father they need. And now, the district attorney general of Pulaski, Tenn., needs his help. Desperately. She’s been accused of murdering her ex-husband, with overwhelming evidence she did it. With more twists and turns than the back roads of Tennessee, you’ll be up all night and glad for it with “Legacy of Lies.” I recommend all of the Robert Bailey books. You will, too. – Deb Laslie

hatever you read, you want a great story. Mike Rowe delivers all that and more in his book “The Way I Heard It.” Part Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story” and part personal recollections, Mr. Rowe (of TV’s “Dirty Jobs” and “Somebody’s Gotta Do It”) may How many times did I be this generation’s renaissance man. He’s sit in parking lots and done about any job you driveways long after I’d can imagine – either for arrived at my intended his television career or destination, waiting for just because he needed Paul Harvey to utter the money. He’s the guy those words: “And now next door (but he returns your stuff), and, just you know the Rest of the like us, he loves a great Story.” Too many to count. story. I’ve wanted to write stories Mike is interested that can’t be turned off or in people – all people put down until the very – because we all have end. Stories that make stories. The 35 stories in this book are, in his people late. words “for the curious mind with a short attention span.” Some are hilarious, others sad beyond measure, but they all are told with great style. And, like any good storyteller, he makes us a part of the story. They become our stories, too. You’ll want to share this book and these with everyone. It’s a keeper. – Deb Laslie

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Good Cooking

Sarah Webster’s passion for baking is leading her life in tasty directions Story by Jacquelyn Hall Photos by David Moore

ome of Sarah Webster’s earliest memories are of baking cookies with her older sister Emily. Early on, the Georgia Mountain woman felt her calling was not the traditional college/ job route. Always creative, she followed her passions and made baking her profession. Immersing herself in all things baking, Sarah attended the former campus of Birmingham’s Virginia College pastry school, worked at Birmingham Breadworks and Edgar’s Bakery plus assisted her friend Matthew Dyer, a professional chef, with desserts for private catered dinners. Through her “externship” at Birmingham Breadworks, she quickly found herself fascinated by sourdough. It was a fortunate position for her, as there are only a few bakeries that specialize in sourdough located in North Alabama. Continuing her education in her newfound fascination, she traveled to North Carolina in 2018 to take part in a sourdough workshop that ran for several days. And in 2019, she was able to take part in an apprenticeship in a small family-owned, sourdough bakery in Virginia that makes wood-fired loaves. Selling her efforts happened rather organically when a friend asked to order some of her baked goods. After that, Sarah tentatively opened a booth at the Guntersville Farmers Market under her business name, Mission Bread, offering a variety of sourdough items. Through lots of practice she became extremely proficient in all things

Sarah Webster exercises her call to creativity in the kitchen. For more info visit: www.facebook.com/missionbread. sourdough, but not without a few hiccups along the way.

nitially, Sarah focused on easier and more predictable yeast-based breads, like a basic white sandwich loaf. Then she tried her hand at sourdough bread – but it just didn’t turn out right. Going back to the drawing board, she did some troubleshooting, figured out the minutiae of the process, made a hybrid yeast and produced a sourdough bread which turned out brilliantly. It’s now one of her principal recipes. Fueled by the thrill of success, Sarah officially, as she puts it, caught the sourdough bug. “I had to do it again.” With the basics of sourdough down pat, she loves tapping into her creativity by combining different flours for the flavors and textures they offer. Some of her favorites to use are organic highprotein bread flour, organic rye flour and organic whole wheat flour. Sarah orders most of her flours from a mill in South Carolina. With her skill growing, she now offers sourdough products that require more finesse. One is her extremely popular sourdough

chocolate chip cookies, which must ferment at least overnight before baking. After figuring them out, sourdough items are now her favorite to bake. “They are super satisfying to make,” she says. “I love the fermentation process, even though it is slow.”

arah also enjoys the process and challenge of baking with laminated layers of thin dough and butter, and making croissants and other viennoiseries*. The croissants take upwards of 18 hours to rise before being baked. After a few batches of them went sideways, Sarah now makes them as a hybrid yeast/sourdough so they reliably rise properly. The dough for the laminated items is very versatile. “It can go both savory or sweet,” Sarah explains. Given all of the time, effort and ingredients that go into each batch, if they get messed up, she adds, “it is kind of devastating.” With Mission Bread growing, Sarah is making a couple of transitions in the selection as well as ingredients. FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Note: Recipes on this page and page 26 require sourdough starter, which bakers may be familiar with. If you are not brave enough to learn like Sarah, you can buy starter online and at some local groceries.

OVERNIGHT SOURDOUGH PANCAKES 1 cup sourdough starter, unfed 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk plus a splash of vinegar) 1 cup unbleached, allpurpose flour 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar Mix above ingredients in a bowl and rest overnight. 1 large egg 1/4 cup melted butter

Pinch of salt 1 tsp. baking soda Combine all ingredients together until well combined. Cook on a preheated griddle, oiled pan or waffle iron. Flip when well browned. Serve with grass-fed butter, pure maple syrup and fresh fruit. Serves 4

SOURDOUGH SAUSAGE BALLS 1 lb. pork sausage (hot or mild; local grass-fed is my favorite) 1 lb. (about 4 cups) sharp cheddar cheese, bagged or freshly grated ½ cup sourdough starter 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 4 Tbsp. butter, melted Splash of milk (a couple tablespoons) ½ tsp. garlic powder 1 Tbsp. hot sauce, optional Preheat oven to 400 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Confidently proficient in a variety of sourdough recipes, she has shifted to primarily offering those instead of carrying more yeasted items. She’s also switching to the highest quality ingredients she can buy. “I want to use the best ingredients, like grass-fed butter and cage-free organic eggs. It’s a small change, but it really does make a difference in the end,” she says.

arah’s creativity in the kitchen is not limited to baking. She loves making her version of her mom’s chicken soup – starting with a whole chicken, as she does with anything chicken-based. And she leans on the lessons of days-gone-by where nothing of the chicken is wasted. Once the meat is used in the recipe, she 22

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cooks the bones to make a rich broth which she uses in the soup. While working to build Mission Bread up to a full-time position, she’s also worked the last two years at The Moon Bake Shop in Huntsville, which offers a variety of baked goods, such as cookies, scones and cakes. Working there enables her to put her passion for baking to good use; enjoying – as she does at home – the process of making the more complicated doughs like the croissants. Sarah is excited about her vocation in the world of baking. Her passion overlaps perfectly with her love for giving homemade gifts from the heart. Pouring her love into what she does, Sarah will tell you, makes her “job” less like actual work and all the more fulfilling. Good Life Magazine

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix until well combined and no pockets of flour remain. Shape into tablespoonsize balls and place onto the prepared pans. Bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes. Make ahead option: Cover the prepared sausage ball mix with plastic wrap and save in the refrigerator for up to two days. Shape and bake as usual. Yield: 24

* Some readers may not be familiar with two terms used here and in the milk bread recipe on page 28 (we weren’t). So ... “ Yudane” comes from a Japanese term for boiling water to scald flour instead of using fire. “Viennoiserie” refers to breakfast pastries made in the style of Vienna. The “bridge” between pâtisserie and French bread, these goods are typically made with white flour and active yeast cultures, which cause the dough to rise quickly and be nice and flaky.

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SAVORY SCONES 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 3 Tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. salt ¼ cup (57 grams) cold butter, cut into cubes ½ cup (120 grams) heavy cream 1 cup inclusions (such as cooked bacon, jalapeno, cheddar) Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl, whisk to combine. Add cubed butter to

the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut butter into the flour until all the pieces are pea-sized, no smaller. Pour the cold heavy cream into the flour mixture and toss to combine. Once there are no large pockets of flour, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Flatten the dough with your hands, about 1 inch thick, place your add-ins on one half and fold the other half on top. Make sure to keep the counter floured to avoid the scone dough sticking.

Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough and fold over once more. Roll out to 1 inch thick and cut out scones with a 2-inch round cutter or use a knife and cut to desired size. Freeze or bake right away at 425 for 20-22 minutes (fresh) or 24-26 minutes (frozen). When done, brush with a 1:1 mixture of honey or maple syrup and melted butter while still warm. Yield: 6 scones

VANILLA MARSHMALLOWS 2 cups + 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar 2/3 cup water ½ cup water 7 tsp. (packets) unflavored gelatin Pinch of salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or flavor of choice) 1 cup powdered sugar + ½ cup cornstarch Butter an 8x8-inch pan, bottom and sides. Combine the gelatin and ½ cup water in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, leave to bloom. Bring the sugar and water to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and cover. After 24

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2 minutes remove the lid and check for sugar crystals on the side of the pan; if there are any, cover for one more minute. Once there are no sugar crystals remove the lid. Place a candy thermometer (or a laser thermometer) in the sugar syrup and wait for it to reach 242. When the syrup is almost to 242 turn the mixer on med-low speed, add the salt to the gelatin mixture. Once it hits 242, while mixer is running, slowly pour syrup in against the inside of the bowl. Whisk on med-high for 3-4 minutes, turn on high speed for 4-5 more

minutes. “Marshmallow” mixture should triple in size. In the last couple of minutes add in the vanilla extract. Scrape mixture into the buttered pan and smooth with an oiled spatula. Sift a layer of the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture on the top. Let set for a minimum of 4 hours. Once set, turn it out onto a cutting board dusted well with the powder mixture. Cut into 25 squares with an oiled knife or oiled cookie cutters. Toss in the dusting powder and store in an airtight container. Yield: 25 pieces

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SOURDOUGH CRACKERS 1 cup flour (I use a mixture of organic whole wheat and all-purpose) 1 cup sourdough from your starter ¼ cup fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, rosemary and thyme is a great blend) or 2 Tbsp. dried herbs ¼ tsp. garlic powder ¼ cup olive oil ½ tsp. sea salt Extra oil, salt and garlic for topping In a medium bowl or stand mixer, combine the sourdough starter, flour,

garlic powder, herbs, salt and olive oil. Once it is mixed well and there is no dry flour, remove the dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to overnight. Preheat the oven to 350. Unwrap dough and place on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, the size of a baking sheet. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to the size of the parchment (about 1/16 inch thickness). Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and lightly sprinkle salt

and garlic powder over the top. Using a pizza cutter or knife cut into 1 to 2 inch squares. Poke each cracker square a couple times with a fork or knife. Slide the parchment paper with the crackers onto a baking sheet and place in the oven for 12 minutes; rotate the pan, 12 more minutes. When done, remove the crackers from the pan to a cooling rack. Let cool and enjoy! Store in an airtight container. Note: Add different herbs or spices for the dough and the topping!

CHICKEN SOUP and chicken to a large pot. Bring it For broth & chicken to a boil then reduce to medium heat 1 whole chicken, thawed, 3-4 lbs. and let cook for 2-3 hours, until the 4 quarts (16 cups) water meat is falling off the bones. When 1 tsp. salt the chicken is done, carefully remove ½ tsp. black pepper it from the stock to a dish. Let cool for Handful of fresh herbs or 1 Tbsp. a few minutes but while still warm pick dried herbs all the meat off and set aside. Freeze Splash of apple cider vinegar the carcass for future bone broth. Scraps from carrot, celery, onion Strain broth; set aside. (optional) In the same pot melt the butter over medium heat and add the onion, Final soup carrot and celery. Cook until the onion Broth and the chicken from above is translucent. Add herbs, garlic and 1 Tbsp. butter spices in with the veggies, cook for 2 ½ large onion, diced 4 medium carrots, ¼ inch half moons minutes. Add more butter if needed. Pour the reserved broth in and 3 celery stalks, diced simmer for 10 minutes. Add anywhere 3 garlic cloves, minced from half to all of the picked chicken 2 tsp. salt, more to taste meat. If too much liquid evaporated Black pepper to taste while cooking the chicken, you may 1 Tbsp. each fresh chopped rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano add 3-4 cups extra boxed chicken stock or water + bouillon. (or ½ tsp. dried of each) 1 bay leaf Bring it up to a boil and add the 1 tsp. fresh grated ginger noodles. Boil for about 7-8 minutes ¼ tsp. ground turmeric with fresh noodles and 9-10 for One recipe of homemade egg packaged noodles. Once the noodles noodles, below, or 4 cups uncooked are cooked, turn the heat back down packaged egg noodles to a low simmer. Check for seasoning. Add extra salt or pepper if needed. Add all ingredients for the broth Serves: 12-15 HOMEMADE EGG NOODLES 1¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour ¼ tsp. salt 1 large egg ¼ cup milk 2 tsp. softened butter Stir the flour and salt together in a large bowl. In a small bowl combine 26

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

the milk and egg. Add liquid and butter to flour and salt. By hand, mix all the ingredients together well so that all the flour is saturated. Knead for 5 minutes and then let it rest for 10 minutes. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a sheet about 1/16-1/8 inch thickness. Flour the surface of the dough, cut

into strips 3 inches wide, stack each strip and cut them into ¼ inch wide noodles. Separate the noodles and lay them out on a pan to dry for a minimum of 1 hour before cooking. If not cooking immediately, let them dry out completely and store in an airtight container in the freezer.

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Photo by The Twin’s Photography MILK BREAD or “SHOKUPAN” *Yudane 75 grams (1/3 cup) boiling water 60 grams (1/2 cup) bread flour Main dough All of the yudane 270 grams (2 cups) bread flour 195 grams (3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp.) cold whole milk 4 grams (1-1/8 tsp.) instant yeast 20 grams (1½ Tbsp.) sugar 25 grams (1½ Tbsp.) softened butter 7 grams (1 tsp.) salt Egg wash One egg 1 Tbsp. water 1 tsp. honey For the yudane: Pour boiling water over the flour and mix well. You can mix this in the stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment. Cover with plastic and let cool. Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer with hook attachment, add all of the main dough ingredients (except butter). Knead on medium speed for 7 minutes. Add the softened butter to the bowl and mix on medium high speed for 7 minutes or until the dough passes the windowpane test*. At the 5-minute mark 28

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

it will begin to really come together – just be patient! Cover the bowl and keep in a warm place** until it has doubled in size, about 45 minutes to an hour. While it is rising (proofing), prepare your pan by coating with oil or butter and set aside. Test the dough by dipping your finger in flour and poking the dough – if the indention stays, it is ready; if it comes right back, give it more time. Once ready, turn the dough out onto a clean surface and divide in two. Shape your two pieces of dough into smooth rounds. From here you can either keep the dough in ball form and put directly into the pan or roll into small coil shapes. On a lightly floured surface, take one of your dough balls and roll into a rough oval/rectangular shape with a rolling pin. Fold the two long sides in and pat down to secure. Starting from the top, make tight rolls like a scroll and place seam side down in the prepared pan. Now cover the shaped dough (in the pan) and let proof a second time. About 1 hour, until it reaches the top of the pan. While it is proofing, preheat your oven to 375 and prepare your egg wash by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Refrigerate until you are ready to use it.

Once it is fully proofed, brush with prepared egg wash and bake for 35 minutes. It should be golden brown when it is ready. You can also check the internal temperature for it to be 200. Let cool inside the pan to keep its shape and enjoy! *Note: The windowpane test is done by taking a large pinch of dough and stretching to check for gluten development. It should stretch very thin so that light shines through the dough. **Note: If your kitchen is around 7080 degrees that will be good for proofing. If not, place your bowl in the oven with ONLY the oven light on for a bit of warmth or in a sunny spot. Tips • Yudane can be made days in advance so feel free to prepare ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. • After the initial 1-hour proof the dough can be refrigerated, for up to two days, and shaped cold. Just remember this will take extra proofing time. • This dough is fun because you can also shape it into rolls, burger buns or whatever your heart desires. The shape will affect the proofing and baking time.

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Good Eats

Hit a homer on Lake Guntersville when you go to bat at The Boat House

ribbons of shaved ribeye atop rice and stir-fried veggies all dressed up with a Korean glaze and served with a side dish of Asian cucumber salad. ucie Keck may be a small woman “All the recipes are with a sweet voice, mine,” Lucie says, adding but she’s a brave soul. that weekly specials are The Korean-born lady based on whatever she is practically grew up in an craving. Asian restaurant in Los We simply had to save Angeles. She’s traveled the the Bavarian pretzel bites globe doing technical work with beer cheese dip – a in places such as Greece, recipe that reflects her time Ireland and Germany. in Germany – as well as Here’s where it gets onion rings for another time. good for us. Her onion rings feature a In each of her stops, she Japanese batter kept ice cold spent time trying different that puffs up when it hits the foods and learning to make fryer. They have a devoted the ones she liked. Lucie’s fan following. biggest adventure started, “They’re different though, when her heart because of the batter I use,” and her husband led her she says. to Alabama where they Lucie admits that she opened a restaurant in a changed the menu many converted nightclub in times during the first year Guntersville. as she figured out what Against the seeming Wings? You bet. Buffalo, Korean and garlic Parmesan flavors, local folks like to eat. She odds, this little lady has built served with The Boathouse’s own dipping sauce made with never dreamed she would a local following. The Boat ranch and blue cheese dressing with Korean marinade. be serving a lunch menu House Lakeside Bar & Grill made up of meatloaf, turnip serves delicious “Southern greens, collards, peas, fried meat-and-two” lunch okra and cornbread, but that’s what her some heat, while a soy sauce provided specials along with dinner offerings you customers want. a more traditional flavor. Both were won’t find elsewhere in Marshall County. A sampling of those dishes showed delicious. “It’s eclectic,” Lucie says of their them to be as good as you’d find menu. “There’s something there for anywhere. One reason is that Lucie ext up, the black and blue steak everyone.” seasons her greens with Alabama’s own tacos are almost too pretty to eat. Sliced This Louisiana-born codger noticed, Conecuh sausage. flank steak is marinated in balsamic right off the bat, it’s a fantastic menu. and honey then grilled. Flour tortillas Lead-off for Rose and me when we branded with grill marks are piled with ucie and her husband, Brian, ate there was one of Lucie’s most popular meat on a bed of lettuce, topped with an engineer who works evenings and appetizers, Greek Fries. Would local fresh blue cheese and drizzled with an weekends as bartender/handyman, diners go for fries doused with something spent more than a year renovating the called Tzatziki sauce? I saw the light with Italian balsamic glaze. If that were not feast enough, alongside is a bowl of the building. The fresh new look perfectly my first taste, and I don’t mind eating best black beans this cowpoke ever tasted, complements a gorgeous view of the lake things I can’t spell. Tzatziki is made of as well as salsa, sour cream and lime. over the levee, which may be the best sour cream, grated cucumber, garlic, Another hit. seats in the city. The perfect setting for yogurt and dill – all of which I love. Top The bases were loaded by the time the an old fashioned, an Alabama Slammer, a that with fresh feta and you’ve got a clean-up batter came to the plate. We were mimosa, bloody mary, craft beer or wine. delicious starter. looking at a grand slam. Korean Bulgogi Cheers … and grand slams to boot! The on-deck hitter was the pork and – barbecue beef – is a beautiful plate with vegetable egg rolls – and just like that, Good Life Magazine

Story by David Myers Photos by David Moore

another hit. The outside was perfectly crisp and golden brown, stuffed full of tasty meat and veggies, but the stars here are the sauces. A sweet chili sauce offered

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Clockwise: Lucie and Brian have created a casual, fun atmosphere; black and blue steak tacos and a margarita will float your boat; all hands on deck for shaved, Korean BBQ prime beef; build your own burger and enjoy homemade fries. The Boat House, located across from Ace Hardware on Blount Avenue in Guntersville, opens daily for lunch at 11 am and serves dinner until 8 pm; the bar remains open until 9 pm. Open Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Closed Tuesdays. Live music on Friday night. Check out the Facebook page to see weekly specials – including Lucie’s homemade cakes. FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Good Getaways

The Locust Fork Canoeing a river that’s literally older than the hills it cuts through

Story and photos by David Moore

ur paddles gurgle the water against the canoe’s green hull, propelling us down the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River as leisurely as the white clouds drift against the blue sky over Blount County. My son, Hunter, captains his canoe from the stern. I paddle in the bow when I’m not photographing trees arching overhead, boulder jumbles, ancient river-carved cliffs, occasional sandy beaches and our guide/host, Stephen Guesman, up ahead in his red kayak. Against sand bottoms in the shallow flats we sometimes spot darting fish. “Red bass,” Stephen says. “Anglers love them.” Over the years, I have canoed this and other stretches of Locust Fork, and my appreciation of the river only grows today. Thanks to the Friends of the Locust Fork River (FLFR), this remains one of the few free-flowing rivers that grace Alabama. Relatively undeveloped, it meanders off the Appalachian Plateau from the southern shadows of Sand Mountain on its 158-mile course to the Black Warrior River. Nearly every bend further affirms the Locust Fork’s top-2-percent ranking among free-flowing rivers with “outstandingly remarkable values,” according to a National Park Service inventory. Interestingly, the river’s course today roughly follows that of its ancient forefather streams, which, according to state archaeologist Dr. Jim Lacefield, watered the ancestors of the dinosaurs when the Appalachians were being born some 300 million years ago. Since then, the Locust Fork has carved a path through the surrounding ridges a dozen times or more, making it, literally, older than the hills.

ive of the river’s seven sections flow through Blount County. We’re paddling the lower half of Section II, a 4-hour sojourn into the solitude of nature. The quiet flats are interrupted only by the sound of approaching shoals and small rapids where we maneuver around outcroppings and over submerged boulders. Yes ... I occasionally manage to get us hung up. It’s a gorgeous late spring day, but it hasn’t rained lately. Stephen says water depth – as gauged downstream at our takeout where Ala. 79/US 231 bridges the river – is at 1.7 feet. Unless you want to get out and push your canoe down the river, you need at least 1.5 feet of water at the bridge. Two feet is better, but at four feet some of the river’s features are under rushing water, and attempting to paddle it at that point is, Stephen adds, is like “falling down a mine shaft.” Eventually, we reach the final two big hairpin bends of 32

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

The Locust Fork opens out at Cornelius Falls, above. The only falls on bottom right, is evidence of a mill located below the falls in a past

Section II, it gives a sense of how the river cut through the Appalachian Plateau over the eons. More recently, a rusted bolt and clamp, century. Much of this section is a calm paddle through the woods, but a few shoals give you a taste of the white water in Section III.

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Hunter Moore, left, and Stephen Guesman paddle down a quiet stretch of the Locust Fork. Hunter is a district sales manager for Gulf Distributing in Huntsville. Stephen, a retired contractor, lives off the grid with his wife on a Blount County farm and raises goats.

Section II, passing the sites of the FLFR’s annual Kids’ Day on the River and two of the three Alabama Cup Whitewater Races. (The other is near Garden City on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior.) We take out at King’s Bend Scenic Overlook on Ala. 79 – a mighty nice project spearheaded by Blount County Commission Chairman Chris Green – and the three of us agree it’s been a great day. “Wow,” Stephen later says. “Cornelius Falls, to me, is worth the price of admission. But just the general pastoral value of getting out in nature, being on relatively pristine river, is an unparalleled experience.” Good Life Magazine

If you paddle the Locust Fork...

Hunter, left, and Stephen chat at the put-in. Stephen, who lives nearby, is a former president of the Friends of the Locust Fork. Contact him at: friends@ FLFR.org. 34

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Research your trip first. John Foshee’s “Alabama Canoe and Float Trips” is a great start. His Blount County sections can be found at: www. FLFR.org, under the “Our River/Guide to the River” tab; get a gage reading for water depth under “Our River/USGS Conditions.” The lower Section II trip described above starts at Taylor Ford Road. Foshee’s put-in for the section, about 90 river minutes farther upstream, is at Cold Branch Hollow on Cold Branch Road. Find both locations on Google maps. For an easy, flat water trip, call Eric Nolen at River Beach Outfitters in Snead: 205-237-6989. $30 gets you a kayak and shuttle for a familyfriendly 5-mile paddle on Section I. Use your own kayak or canoe and pay only for the shuttle.

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Story by Steve A. Maze Photo by David Moore

veryone who knows me is aware of my great love for baseball. To me and my friends who collected baseball cards back in the 1960s, the players were our idols … gods if you will. I didn’t even realize they were human until I was 45 years old. Knowing my love for the sport, Tonya, my daughter, and my granddaughters Katelin and Lauren, treat me to an annual Atlanta Braves game each year as a Father’s Day gift. That might stop, however, due to an incident I was involved in at the Braves stadium last July 3. The kerfuffle story actually began two years earlier when I was in Atlanta to watch the Miami Marlins take on the Braves. I was hoping to get Marlins manager Don Mattingly to sign his 1984 New York Yankees rookie card I had saved just for that occasion. In addition to getting the former Yankee first baseman’s signature, I wanted to meet the great who might be in the Baseball Hall of Fame someday. Unfortunately, it had rained the night before and neither team took batting practice, which is normally the only opportunity to get anything autographed. I was disappointed, to say the least. Unfortunately, the Marlins were playing the Braves last year when the girls took me to the annual game. I was determined to get Mattingly’s autograph.

hile Lauren was getting Braves players to sign her cap and baseball cards, another fan noticed someone in a Marlins uniform – he looked like Don Mattingly – hitting balls to a third baseman. With my baseball cards in a notebook carrier, I beelined it to the Marlins dugout where, surely, I could get his autograph when he left the field. Dang! I soon recognized it wasn’t Mattingly – just a coach who bore an uncanny resemblance to him. For some reason, the area beside the Marlins dugout was blocked off. But I was determined and made my way behind the dugout. If Mattingly made a pregame appearance, I’d be in prime position to catch him. No sooner had I laid my ball card 36

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

For an Autograph_ Fanatical fan tries for the big play ... and nearly gets ejected

The signatures Steve got from Don Mattingly were hard-won, but, at least on a personal level, the story behind them just adds to their value. carrier on top of the dugout, than an usher promptly told me to move it. Dang! OK, so I placed it in a chair. That seemed to appease her … at least for the time being. I stood there for what seemed like a week, the blazing heat melting my determination. I was about ready to give up when a familiar figure emerged from the dugout, a first baseman’s glove in hand. Mattingly!

e walked over to first base and began taking throws from the third

baseman. I patiently waited another 30 minutes, my notebook melting onto the chair behind me. Finally! Mattingly made his way back toward the visitor’s dugout. As he walked past the pitcher’s mound he looked my way and … waved! At me? I glanced around. No one was behind me. Mattingly must have spotted me standing alone next to the dugout and felt sorry for an overweight, sunburned old man melting like cheap ice cream. A gentleman holding his child walked up beside me, apparently having spotted

the Marlins manager coming off the field. To our delight, as he walked toward us, Mattingly tossed each of us one of the baseballs they’d used for warm-ups. Thrilled and on a power-roll, I pointed toward the Braves dugout as he approached. “I bypassed all of their players just to get your autograph!” I shouted. He smiled at me. Yes! Surely! Mattingly would sign something for me. I politely asked – OK, I was screaming, “Sign a couple of cards for me!” The great sport that he is, Mattingly asked for the baseballs he had thrown to me and the kid. We eagerly handed them over, and he signed them with his ballpoint pen.

ow was my chance. I crawled up on top of the dugout and pushed the cards and a blue Sharpie toward him. He reached for them, but they were still inches from his fingertips. Blindly, I sprawled out

full length on the dugout roof, pushing my cards closer to him. Almost … Big mistake. “Get off the dugout!” the usher politely asked – OK, she was screaming. “Get off that dugout!” I quickly squirmed around on top of the dugout, expecting the crack of guns from the Atlanta SWAT team, which probably had my splayed out body crisscrossed with laser sights from atop the stadium. But it was just the usher. She was down by my feet now. She had to understand my simple desire! “I’ve been waiting two years to get Don Mattingly’s autograph,” I tried not to scream. “So help me, I’ll jump inside this dugout with him if anyone grabs my ankles and tries to yank me back into the stands!” By now, I could see a squad of reinforcement ushers heading my way. I was outnumbered, my dream of card autographs dead in the water.

ctually, I was granted a reprieve. “Look,” one of the reinforcements

calmly but firmly told me, “if you just climb back off the dugout, I’ll get your cards and ask Mr. Mattingly to sign them for you.” I was suspicious but reluctantly agreed. And he did, indeed, retrieve my cards. To my amazement, not only did I get the items back with autographs, but Don Mattingly, the Yankee legend, also included the pen he used. I hugged the first usher, who actually turned out to be a very nice lady, then quickly got lost in the crowd in case anyone in a SWAT uniform was trying to follow. When I finally got to our seats, to my chagrin I learned Tonya and Katelin had shot pictures of the entire episode – albeit from half way across the stadium – while simultaneously covering their faces in embarrassment. Adding insult to injury, they politely asked me – OK, they were screaming at me to go stand at the railing near the top of our section so no one would know I was with them. At least it was in the shade. Good Life Magazine

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Character built in years ago

Livability added in due time

Story and photos By David Moore

ou’ve heard it said as a compliment of things that are old: They don’t build ‘em like that anymore. That, in part, is exactly why Bob and Kathy Weathers love the old house they bought back in 1981 on Emory Avenue in Boaz. On the flip side, because it was built like it was, is precisely why they’ve remodeled five times. The end result is a house with great bones and old charm that’s customized to their modern needs, taste and lifestyle. The house was built in 1917 by G.M.E. Mann, whose fingerprints were all over Boaz even before it was named. In the 1880s, the Albertville man was the first to pounce on an offer by early settler Billy Sparks, who was giving away free lots in his Sparkstown settlement – on what would become Ala. 205 and Main Street – to anyone who would build a business on it and live there. Mann built and opened a smooth-planked general store there. He went on to establish a post office in his store and become the community’s first postmaster. The post office was licensed in 1886 as Boaz, a name which Mann had submitted to the federal postal agency. The railroad came in 1892, and that same year he built what, for the day, was the lavish, two-story Mann Hotel across from the new depot. When his hotel burned in 1916, Mann salvaged what lumber he could, along with ornate porch posts and spindles, and used them in building a home on Emory Avenue, which remained in his family until 1936. 38

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G.M.E. Mann built the Weathers’ house in 1917. The porch posts and spindles were among the wood he salvaged from his hotel when it burned in 1916.

mong those living there before Bob and Kathy were Cecil Cole and Dr. Kermit Andrew Johnson, the latter a Boaz native who served from 1968-77 as president of the University of Montevallo. The Weathers’ bought the house in 1980 from now-retired Marshall County Circuit Judge David Evans. David owned it briefly, thanks to his former real estate father-inlaw, who was Bob’s uncle. Even before they moved in, it was

necessary to remodel the outdated kitchen and bathroom downstairs. The major modernization required ripping off plaster from walls and pulling up old flooring. “When they took off the original plaster to install Sheetrock, they found 4x4 beams instead of 2x4s,” Kathy says. “When the workers started on that first remodeling project, they found that newspapers had been used as attic insulation,” Bob adds. “Some of those papers dated back to 1917.”

Today, the porch spindles and posts from the former Mann Hotel add character to the front porch. Beams in the attic still show scorch marks. While its past certainly adds character, interest and charm, the house itself holds no special place in Boaz history. Bob grew up nearby and recalls the house from his days of biking and playing in the neighborhood. It was, he says, only special because its second floor made it look so big to a kid.

on of Chalmus and June Weathers, Bob worked as a teen doing whatever was needed at Roberts & Weathers Furniture and Hardware, owned by his father and his uncle Macon Roberts. When Bob graduated from Boaz High in 1966 he attended Snead College for a year and then headed to Auburn University. The thing about his future he was sure of was that it didn’t include the family business at home.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I was always pretty good in math,” he says. “Then I realized my interest lay in business. I had visions of getting a job with IBM in Atlanta.” So along with a math degree, he graduated from Auburn in 1970 with a minor in business. Look out, Big Blue! Look out, Hotlanta! Bob is coming! But the job reality was quite different. The recession of 1969-70 still lingered like an ugly cold. He got no offers off the FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

bat, and though a year later Burroughs Corporation offered him a job, by then it was too late. “With my tail tucked firmly between my legs, I went to work for $125 a week for my dad,” he laughs. “It was not what I envisioned.” But the work began growing on him, and in 1972 his life suddenly lit up. That’s because he asked out Kathy Camp, a 1970 Albertville grad who was taking classes at Snead State Community College. And she said yes. “I took her to a Boaz-Albertville basketball game.” The score escapes his mind, but he adds with a laugh, “I won by a big margin.” They married in March of 1974.

ob’s earlier feelings about the family business were overtaken by a growing sense of pride and the challenges the growing business offered him. And it didn’t hurt when Chalmus offered him a figurative horse in the race. “Several months later he asked me to become a partner,” Bob says. He decided the family business was what he truly wanted to do, and Chalmus sold him half interest, financing the deal for him “over a bunch of years.” Meanwhile, Kathy earned a degree in secondary education from Jacksonville State University in December 1973. She taught seventh grade for two years and discovered putting up with young teens was not what she wanted to do. “For years, I thought I was such a failure,” she says. “But when my girls got that age, I realized it wasn’t all me. I had to hang in there with my own kids – but not the public school kids.” The Weathers lived in a small, twobedroom house on Horsley Avenue in Boaz, along with their still small daughters Amanda and Jennifer until 1981. Then they bought the old Mann house, remodeled the kitchen and downstairs bath and they settled in. Initially, the girls lived in a small, downstairs bedroom. Before Jeff was born in 1984, they remodeled the two small upstairs bedrooms and converted a play area between them into a third bedroom with a six-window dormer. Over time, all three kids would rotate into the dormer room. 40

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

s the children grew at home on Emory Avenue, Bob’s business also grew – along with challenges of running it. He likens his job to the circus performer who runs around trying to keep spinning plates balanced on poles. Kathy says his type A personality is perfect for him. When Amanda was born in 1975, Kathy quit teaching. Then when Jennifer came along two years later Kathy, who was needed in the business, was lucky enough to find Mildred Spates of Boaz to help care for the two young daughters so she could work part time at the Albertville furniture store. Their third major remodeling project at home was the construction of an attractive and complimentary stand-alone garage next to the house. 2001 was a big year for the Weathers and the house. Amanda and Jennifer both married in May and July, and both held their receptions in the backyard with bands on the deck. Project four – done in 2007 – started out modestly enough, but soon grew in scope. Kathy told their contractor, Wayne Bankston she wanted the deck converted to a covered, screened-in porch. “I could do that,” Wayne said, “but if I were you I would build a room off the back of the house.” “I liked the idea, and talked him into it,” Kathy says with a nod to Bob. “Which,” he laughs, “translates into, ‘I told him pretty quick ...’” Marilyn Bass of Guntersville drew up general plans for the room, and Wayne took it from there. “I wanted it as big as I could get it,” Kathy says. It ended up being about 26feet squared – much bigger than the old deck. “It’s so much more livable now,” she says of their old house. “With three grown kids and their families, we were on top of each other at Christmas.”

he house’s fifth remodeling project targeted the Weathers’ bedroom. Until then, the downstairs had a small bedroom in addition to the master. When the sawdust settled and the paint dried, the Weathers had done away with the smaller bedroom, enlarged the master and added a walk-in closet.

Bob and Kathy enjoy the large addition they made to the back of their house, left and lower left. The kitchen, master bedroom and dining room have all been remodeled over the years. The spindles in the stair railing also came from the old hotel. The Weathers have three grown children: Amanda, married to Eric Walker with children Austin and Sarah, both in high school; Jennifer, married to Adam Pierce with children Jenna and Tyler, a freshman at JSU and Boaz High, respectively; and Jeff, married to Eleanor with kids Will, Sam and Abigail.

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Though remodeled, the middle of the three upstairs bedrooms maintains a lot of the home’s old character with its six-window dormer. Below, during an early remodeling project, a visitor to Boaz stopped outside and asked one of the workers if she could sketch the house. He said yes, and she sat on the curb across the street and drew for an hour or two. A few days later, she came by and gave Kathy the water-colored pen and ink image, below, complete with dormers and the worker’s truck. The sixth and last project, undertaken in 2018, targeted the kitchen again, along with the formal dining room and an eating area. “For many years we have hosted the Weathers’ family Christmas here,” laughs Kathy, “and there’s usually forty to fifty people. We had no counter space. There were only three drawers in the old kitchen.” They turned to Susan LeSueur of The Glenn Group in Arab for plans and Dan Smith, a contractor from Boaz handled the project. The last few years Cathy Morton of Boaz, a friend from church, has helped with the decorating. “It’s just fabulous,” Kathy says – “now that the project is over.” The Weathers didn’t move out during their earlier remodeling projects, but the latest kitchen job lasted several weeks and required taking out floors. So they moved a mattress into their son Jeff’s pool house and camped out there. That, absolutely, was their final 42

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

“I,” Kathy grins knowingly, “am not the hold up.”

remodeling job on the old Mann house. Well, probably. Maybe. “I think the house is done,” Kathy says. “We have finished the decorating. I still work and enjoy our seven grandchildren, so I don’t have lot of time for that.” But that may change. “Actually I am slowing down at little,” says the chief plate spinner. “I am learning to be lazy. The goal is to take off a week per month. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to increase that some.”

he Weathers have certainly created a home that can comfortably accommodate them spending more time there. And barring severe disaster, the house isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “What’s interesting to me is that the guts of this house go back to 1892,” Bob says, “the backbone.” “You have to love an old house just to live in it,” Kathy says. “Maybe some of the walls weren’t straight when they moved in, but remodeling has remedied much of that. “We do love it,” she adds. What would G.M.E. Mann think of his old house? Would he even recognize it? “He would not recognize some of the interior,” Bob says. “But he would recognize it from the outside.” Probably so. He basically built it like that. Good Life Magazine

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Weathers’ family business – going and growing since 1917 T

Since 2008 the three partners have added an Ace Hardware in Oneonta and he Weathers’ enterprise not only Madison and a new Ace store coming spans Marshall County from Boaz to this year to Guntersville Jones Valley in and beyond, it Huntsville. This also spans four will bring the generations across total of Weathers a full century. What hardware stores other business in to five. That’s in Marshall County addition to three can stake that appliance and claim? furniture stores Back in 1917 and the equipment – over a 100 rental store. years ago – Bob Running it all Weathers’ maternal takes more than grandfather, Jeff Bob spinning plates Roberts, went into a on a pole like a partnership in Boaz circus act (see and began Roberts related story) as & Young Hardware. he used to do, and Longevity was more than all three not yet in it. G.M.E. Mann’s 1892 hotel in Boaz, pictured above on a latter-day postcard, burned of the partners “He sold his interest in the store in 1916. In 1917, Bob Weathers’ grandfather went into business in Boaz. That’s the working hard. “We have been and decided to same year Mann used salvaged porch posts and spindles in building his extremely fortunate move the family house – the same house Bob and his wife Kathy live in today. in having excellent to California in and dedicated 1923 or ’24,” says employees, many Bob. “He had a of whom have been with us for a very friend out there who had been successful long time and are all like family to us,” growing cotton in what is now wine n 1971, Chalmus sold half interest Bob says. “In addition we have many country. Mother told me he didn’t like it in the business to Bob. Together, they great multigenerational customers whose there because the women were wearing bought Dee Isbell Hardware in Albertville grandparents or great grandparents did and was also a GE appliance dealer. pants and smoked cigarettes in public. business with our family. “ After John graduated from Auburn in They moved back in less than a year.” 1976, Chalmus sold him the other half of In 1925, Jeff Roberts went into the family business. oday, the Weathers’ enterprise business with Lon Williams, who owned “We had a good business and were comprises eight stores (not counting a hardware store in Boaz. In 1945, Jeff pretty successful,” Bob says. “I saw the the Jones Valley Ace) and employs 120 bought out Lon’s interest and later sold opportunity to do well if we worked hard. people. the business to his son, Macon Roberts, My dad didn’t push me to come back “Right now we have four and his son-in-law, Chalmus Weathers – into the business, but I think he was very grandchildren who are school age and who was married to Bob’s mother, June. happy that I did.” work for us part time, as well as Kathy, Thus, Weathers Hardware and In 1978, Bob and John purchased who now works in the office along Furniture was born. Radious and Maxine Perkins’ furniture with our daughter Jennifer,” Bob says. In the late 1960s, Macon exited the “Amanda works with me at the Albertville business, selling his half to Chalmus, who and appliance business in Guntersville. Bob and John kept growing the furniture and appliance location. We are had four children: business over the next 30 years, adding truly a family business.” • Glenn, the eldest, an Auburn grad rental equipment and floor covering to Bob’s dad Chalmus did not live to see and an electrical engineer in Huntsville. their unique mix. In spring 2008, John the full growth of the business he helped • Joyce Smart, who was retired from build. He died in 2003. Snead State where she taught English and sold his share of the businesses to Bob and Kathy’s son Jeff Weathers and their “He’s proud of us I’m sure,” Bob says. history; Joyce passed away in October of son-in-law Adam Pierce, who is married “We have been pretty successful.” 2020. to their daughter Jennifer. • Bob; Good Life Magazine • John, youngest of the Weathers siblings, who went to Auburn like his brothers.

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A new vault for historic valuables

Albertville National Bank building was in more recent years the Jewel Box. Now it’s home to the Albertville Museum. Museum board member Jerry Landers painted the art deco vault door in Albertville High colors.

Story and photos By David Moore

t’s not like twice as much history suddenly happened in Albertville. But the Albertville Museum does have more than twice as much space to display and store artifacts from its past since its relocation to the old National Bank of Albertville and the adjoining Emmett Building, smack in the middle of downtown. And when the rough second floor of the old connected buildings is restored, the museum will double its present space for storing and displaying its history. It was a big step when the Albertville Museum first opened in 2013 in Little Branch Primitive Baptist Church northeast of downtown. It was an appropriately historic site for the museum. Across Ala. 205 from the Pre-Civil War Cemetery, the church was founded in 1856 by First Methodist, and Primitive Baptist began meeting there in 1895, only four years after Albertville’s incorporation. The old sanctuary provided a needed depository and reservoir for Albertville artifacts, but its 1,500 square feet, packed with displays from the start, could offer only a limited window into the past of Marshall County’s largest city. “We got to the point we were out of room for display and storage,” says Danny Maltbie, museum chairman. “We were pushed against the wall for storage.” The city’s history, of course, didn’t happen all at once; neither did the opportunity for the museum – the depository of that history – to expand into a larger venue. It took some persistent lobbying. “The city,” Danny laughs, “finally got tired of me stopping by once a week asking for storage space.”

istory can move quickly. In early January 2020, Mayor Tracy Honea suggested that he and Danny look at the old bank on East Main (Ala. 205) and, around the corner facing Broad Street, the old Emmett Building. The late James Hasty operated his Jewel Box jewelry store from the old bank building from 1971 to 2007, according to his son of the same name. At some point he had bought the adjacent Continued on page 52 48

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

The arch from McCord Elementary probably rings a bell with a ton of folks. Museum director Danny Maltbie says he, his wife, Darla, and their grown kids, Dan and Julie, all passed under the arch. At the museum, it connects the main room in the Emmett Building with what was once the old fire department and today is the Ray Honea Music Hall and Meeting Room. The fiddle at the left was hand-crafted in 1970 by Arastus Johnson. The Johnson Brothers from the Hustleville community were not only a wellknown local string band starting back in the first half of the 20th century, but Arastus and L.H. Johnson were famous nationwide in professional music circles for the guitars and fiddles they made. L.H. hand-crafted more than 100 instruments, starting in 1924. The museum plans a day of Johnson Brothers events on Aug. 4. At the far left is the old service windows from the Douglas Post Office. Saved from being thrown out, the windows came from a barn in Birmingham. FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Dr. Arthur Levi Isbell (1883-1964) was born near Martling and returned to the area in 1924 when he opened an office in Albertville. He had a substantial practice as a physician and surgeon, touching the lives of many people on Sand Mountain. Some of his instruments are on display at the museum, above. Hard to miss when entering from the Broad Street door is the old sign that hung for years over P&J Drugs. In the music hall named for him is a display commemorating Ray Honea, the late brother of Mayor Stacy Honea. “One of the finest musicians to ever pick up a guitar,” Danny says of Ray. Warm was one of the locally famous bands he played in. The Ray Honea Music Hall and Meeting Room was intentionally left rather open and can be rented for meetings. Danny says they hope it is someday incorporated into an entertainment district for Albertville. The old Jewel Box section of the museum includes a music display, right, which includes, behind Danny, an old pump organ belonging to T.B. Mosley, who was world famous for his hymns and hymnals. Dick Adams of the city’s purchasing office, far right, checks out a drum major uniform like he wore at Albertville High in 1968-70. 50

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

As a promotion, the old bank once gave away pennies inside of tiny jugs, right. In the 1950s, the local Southern Bell office installed the payphone at left in the old Saunders Hotel. It was installed in a closet and seldom used, so Southern Bell discontinued the service in the ‘60s. The hotel, however, refused to permit the removal of the phone. Later, the hotel was converted into a boarding house which closed in the ‘70s. Charlie Canady, a tech for the local office, was sent to retrieve the phone, leading to a “slight confrontation,” which he won. Charlie was given permission to dispose of the phone, and eventually donated it to the museum. Continued from page 48 Emmett building, knocked through the walls to make a connecting hall and expanded his store. When Tracy and Danny visited, the interior was in rough shape and unused except for storage for 13 years. But they saw the potential. The museum board – consisting of Danny, Jerry Landers, Alan Darden, Jimmy Carnes and Delores Roden, all city-appointed volunteers – agreed to take on the project. The Albertville City Council authorized Tracy to negotiate the purchase of the property, and he worked out a deal with James Hasty, the son, for $120,000. “We closed on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2020,” says Danny, pleased with the sudden speed of history. “James gave the 52

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city a good deal with the understanding the city would use it as a museum. Then came the hard part – cleaning, restoration and moving. The city turned over the building keys to the museum board the day after the sale and the volunteers went at it. “It was a museum effort,” Danny says. But others dove in, too.

irst, generations of “stored junk” had to be hauled off. Generations of dirt had to be swept and shoveled out. Then flaking plaster had to be scraped down to bare walls. Brick cleaned. Old carpet removed. Old wiring ripped out and replaced. Walls painted. Board member Jerry Landers and city maintenance manager Gary George were

a huge help, Danny says. Mayor Honea and a crew of city employees rolled up their sleeves and helped. Inmates were utilized. Retired contractor Ralph Fullerton donated lumber and helped build a wheelchair ramp between the two buildings. Pressure-washing the exterior walls actually blasted old mortar out from between bricks. The joints had to be repointed with new mortar and a coat of brick sealer applied. The Marshall County legislative delegation provided a grant for the cost of repairs. Meanwhile, all of the exhibits and stored artifacts from the old museum had been packed for moving. Louise Redanavitch led that effort with the help of fellow members of the Albertville

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The spinning wheel belonged to Dr. A.L. Isbell’s mother, Jane. “Dr. Isbell delivered my daddy and signed my grandmother’s death certificate,” Danny says, sharing a sentiment with which many Sand Mountain people can identify. Museum Foundation board: Thomas Raines, Nancy Stone, Jane Garner and Reagan Deason. Gary George brought his own big trailer to haul loads to the new venue. Then everything had to be displayed and hung – no small feat there.

n December 2020, 10 dirty, sweaty months from accepting the building keys, the museum board and city held a ribbon cutting for the new Albertville Museum. “The major work was finished,” Danny says, “but we have taken in and added things since.” And that’s exactly how it should be. “We hope to have enough stuff in storage so that, ideally, once a year we change out most everything, and when you come back it’s a different museum,” Danny says. “We’re really excited that we were able to purchase the Jewel Box and bring it back to life and back into use again,” Mayor Honea says. “With the building’s rich history and the fact that it’s in the center of our historic downtown community, we think it’s a great fit for the Albertville Museum. “We appreciate the culture and vision the museum brings to the table by moving into the downtown neighborhood,” Tracy adds. “It’s

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

our hope that its presence will further continue to enhance downtown and give folks another reason to visit, eat and shop with our merchants and businesses.” “The Museum Board and Foundation thank Mayor Honea and the Albertville City Council for providing us with the new building and opportunity to be a part of the City of Albertville experience,” Danny says. “Mayor Honea, Councilwoman Jill Oakley, who is the museum’s council representative, and each council member work hard to preserve and protect the history of the City of Albertville. The museum is glad to be a part of this great city.”

ope, the museum’s not brought a suddenly surge of history to Albertville. And even though its new location offers more room to store and display local history, it hasn’t actually changed history. “History,” Danny and others are proud to say, “is just more visible.” The Albertville Museum is open and staffed by a volunteer noon-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and by appointment through city hall. For more information call: (256) 878-0605. Good Life Magazine

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I recently piloted my pickup along the smooth black ribbon of pavement surrounding beautiful Lake Guntersville. Eventually, I took a road that led slightly off the beaten path and guided me to my destination. Not far from the largemouth bass, sandy shores and glistening water was the time machine I have been searching for all my life … a unique pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is officially called “The Barn at Conners Island,” but most refer to it simply as “The Barn.” My hungry eyes salivated at the antique cars, vintage toys, old license plates, metal lunch boxes, television memorabilia and advertising signs that once hung in country stores. There was only one problem upon my arrival – I didn’t want to leave...

The Barn at Connors Island

Story by Steve A. Maze Photos by David Moore

andy Yates and his wife, Dee, acquired the Guntersville property on Conners Island where The Barn sits 15 years ago, even though it had been in her family for many years prior. Randy planned to use the building to store vintage memorabilia and antique cars he had acquired over the past 15 years. Among the vehicles are replicas of those used on “The Dukes of Hazzard” television show. Randy grew up watching the Dukes, which aired from 1979-85. It was one of the top-rated shows of its day and, as with many viewers, he got hooked. “The Dukes first aired when I had just turned 4 years old,” he says. “Friday nights were always special at my house. My father and I would watch the Dukes together, and afterward Mom would watch ‘Dallas’ to see who shot J.R. Those memories have always been precious to me.” Among his Dukes automobile collection is the orange 1969 Dodge Charger that was famously known as the “General Lee,” over 300 of which were crashed during the making of the television series. 56

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Others include a 1977 Plymouth Fury that served as the patrol car for the sheriff in the Dukes, Rosco P. Coltrane, played by actor James Best; a 1973 Plymouth Daisy Roadrunner, only seen during the first year of the show and named after character Daisy Duke played by Catherine Bach; and the 1979 CJ7 Jeep known as the “Dixie.” Randy is a full-blown collector.

hree years ago, Randy put together a Dukes of Hazzard traveling museum containing tons of memorabilia from the show. Dukes toys, all in their original packaging, lunch boxes, autographed photos and many other items draw thousands to the museum at the various venues he visits throughout the Southeast.

The Barn is located on Bakers Chapel Lane, just off Conners Island Parkway north of Guntersville and the river.

The doorway frame sports not only signatures from the Dukes cast, but other television stars and well known entertainers who have toured the museum, “I’m glad that both young and old enjoy the museum,” says Randy. “Youngsters really like seeing the toy cars from the show. The older crowd does as well, but they also enjoy the variety of

50s- and 60s-era lunchboxes I have on display. “I collect my memories,” he adds, “and I think the vintage items help people recapture their childhood memories as well.” Randy has journeyed to numerous venues over the past three years. It was at a cancer fundraiser in Winchester, Tenn.,

that he met someone who would take his already popular traveling museum and The Barn to another level – John Schneider, who portrayed Bo Duke in Randy’s favorite television show. “John looked through the museum and really liked it,” he says. “I later attended a World of Wheels event in Chattanooga and Continued on page 60 FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Randy stands behind the barn with his General Lee replica and cutouts he had made of Bo and Luke Duke (played in the TV show by Tom Wopat and John Schneider). He also has a cutout of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane ( James Best). Clockwise from upper right are: Wile E. Coyote giving a lift to Roadrunner in, well, a vintage Roadrunner; upstairs in the barn Randy created the ultimate “man attic;” a vintage figurine in the concession stand wields a jug of Mountain Dew, but no alcohol is served at The Barn; author Steve Maze talks to Randy inside his 42-foot mobile Dukes museum; inside its front door, Luke and Bo penned their autographs and seals of approval. 58

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Continued from page 57 Birmingham, which John also happened to be attending.” John, now an independent film maker, and Randy formed a working partnership and often appeared together at events. Their friendship grew so strong that John agreed to headline “Christmas in Dixie,” a show Randy staged at The Barn this past year. The former TV star had a blast.

t the show, John takes a few minutes to reminisce about meeting Randy and seeing his traveling Dukes museum. “I loved it, and we’ve been working together ever since,” John says. “Every time I see the museum, there is something new in it.” It was obvious from the sold-out event that Dukes’ fans still love the show, but they have a special fondness for John and Bo Duke. A touch of magic is in the air when the still boyish-looking actor with a toothy smile walked out to meet excited VIP ticket holders. Schneider mingles with his admirers and spends quality time with them … shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for selfies with adoring fans. He recognizes some who have attended his events at other venues, and calls them by name. A few women, with a twinkle in their eyes, grab him around the neck – or plant a kiss on his cheek while taking a photo, as if showing him off like a blue-ribbon bull. John is a good sport and takes it all in stride. And he offers a quick answer when asked how much he enjoys being around his fans. “On a scale of one to ten … a hundred,” he laughs, “And it has continued to be so for some 43 years. I am thankful to the fans for allowing me to continue pursuing my dreams.”

Jacob Yates, top center, performs at The Barn with John Schneider and Cody McCarver, right. Below, John mingles with fans, including Candace Stevens, who apparently does an admirable job of lighting him up. Top photo by Randy Yates; above by Steve Maze. 60

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

he Barn, however, is not just a Dukes of Hazzard destination. Along with Dukes memorabilia, there are plenty of other collectibles that can ignite pleasant memories for visitors. The Barn is full of vintage advertising signs and thermometers, as well as many other displays for those who enjoy reminiscing about the past. “I just love old stuff going back to the 50s,” Randy grins. “I actually started collecting the signs and other things about 25 years ago. I enjoy them because they were

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The Barn is the home stage of Randy’s son, Jacob Yates. Below, a life-size figurine of a gas station attendant welcomes John Schneider. something I recalled seeing around during my childhood.” He never planned The Barn as a venue, but with its delightful atmosphere that’s what has happened. “My 20-year-old son, Jacob, came up with the idea of having an event there,” Randy says. “Jacob started singing and playing drums in church at the age of 14, and asked if he could have a solo concert there a couple of years ago for a Fourth of July event.” It went well. After the concert, Randy began to think The Barn might be a good place to have live concerts. It wasn’t long before sounds of bluegrass, gospel and country music began echoing from the stage. And as the old saying goes, the rest is history. Several well-known music stars have performed here, entertainers such as Cody McCarver, the former vocalist and keyboard player for Confederate Railroad, well-known music artist Mike Farris, country artist Andy Griggs and country music legend Bobby G. Rice. Nashville recording star Buddy Jewell Jr. performed at The Barn in October, and Randy donated the proceeds to The Foundation for Marshall Medical Center’s 62

FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

cancer support programs. In the future he plans to donate the proceeds from at least one concert per year to local charities.

he small, quaint environment of The Barn offers advantages that larger venues cannot.

“I am glad our audience members are actually close enough to the performers on stage to see them,” Randy says. “In addition, the audience members often get to meet the entertainers after the show. It was important to me that it be a family-friendly venue, so no alcohol is served.” It is obvious that Randy enjoys sharing his passion for nostalgia with those who visit The Barn. And visitors can share in that passion whether it be reminiscing about the Dukes television show, looking at decades-old vintage pieces or watching headline performers on his stage. More high-profile musicians, singers and television personalities are expected to perform at The Barn in 2022. Based on the level of excitement from December’s packed Christmas event, one can’t help but feel the future is very bright for The Barn at Conners Island. To learn more about The Barn or the Dukes traveling museum, visit Facebook pages: The Barn At Conners Island and Dukes of Hazzard Mobile Museum. You can find out more about John Schneider and his movies at: johnschneiderstudioes.com. Good Life Magazine

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City Harbor’s set to open this spring Story and photos By David Moore

riving into town from the north on U.S. 431, crossing Veterans Memorial Bridge, ahead at Guntersville City Harbor you see a sprawling, modern development nearing completion. With a little imagination, one might envision a huge paddle-wheeler that miraculously steamed out of the past to dock here. Extensive decking on the bow creates a stage for music and dancing on the water. Overlooking the bow stage stands a long, two-story section of windowed ballrooms, airy restaurants. The main decks of the imagined vessel – corresponding to the main, boiler and hurricane decks of a steamboat – are three stories tall, the top

Patrick Lawler has a ground lease for 80 years for City Harbor. He built offices for P. Lawler Enterprises next to the silos, left. His son, Ryan, works with him. Both will relocate their families from Texas.

two lined with slats and railing along a row of stateroom doors. Midships, between the main decks and the ballrooms and restaurants stands a four-story pilot house. No big, tell-tale red paddle wheel is mounted on the stern of the imagined boat, but near the development’s “stern” three chubby white smokestacks jut skyward with a big, tell-tale, red-lighted letters on top that announce: City Harbor. That, of course, is the name of this multi-use development Guntersville native Patrick Lawler is creating at the north end of town on the shores of Lake Guntersville. It’s targeted for completion this spring. While the development appears to float on the lake, it’s actually built on the eastern spit of land that creates the harbor. City Harbor’s 55,000 square feet of space includes four restaurants, a freestanding bar, a brewpub, two retail spaces, 20 condominiums, an event center, floating docks with 40 boat slips and another 10 tie-ups. All of this is surrounded by more than an acre of sprawling promenade deck

space that includes a dance floor and band stand. And water? It’s just everywhere you look. Welcome to City Harbor.

n a nice day in November, Patrick is making his rounds as workers measure, saw, wire, plumb and hammer away on City Harbor. Sun glimmers off the ubiquitous water, liquid magic that simultaneously offers solace, excitement and beauty. The lake is the linchpin of the entire project, the watery key to P. Lawler Enterprise’s investment of untold millions of dollars. “If this were not on the water,” Patrick says, “I would not have any interest in it. Every project I attack has a structure and plan for success. It’s not just ‘build this’ and hope it works out.” Son of Patty Hammonds and his late step-dad, Jake Hammonds, Patrick spent his high school years in Guntersville before moving to Dallas at age 20. Along with his scant belongings, he took with him an intense work ethic and fundamental FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

business skills he uncorked as a kid selling used bicycles so he could eventually afford a new one of his own. In Texas, he parlayed this foundation into success in the wholesale automobile business and later real estate. But he never lost interest in Guntersville and that big, ol’ beautiful lake. Patrick and his wife, the former Kim Gilbert of Albertville, extensively remodeled the house on Browns Creek where he had lived. That story was featured in the 2016 summer issue of Good Life Magazine. Patrick’s first commercial project here dates to 1998, when he restored the condemned Guntersville Hospital building – most people thought it beyond hope – transforming it into Ringold Plaza. “He gets motivated when people say he can’t do something,” Kim has said more than once. In 2013, Patrick developed Creek Path Estates in Guntersville, followed by the Snug Harbor community and boat house at Honeycomb. Then came The Reserve at Lake Guntersville, a 120-acre development with 113 lots overlooking the main channel of the Tennessee River with views stretching from Guntersville Dam to the far reaches of Browns Creek. Patrick has completed the development and all its amenities and – capitalizing on the growth of Huntsville and Madison – sold 70 percent of the lots. “It’s been really good,” he says.

tanding on the unfinished deck at City Harbor, Patrick pauses to think about the origins of this latest development. “I’ve had my eye on this tract a long time,” he says. “It’s always intrigued me. I saw the opportunity. When something gets in my head, the squirrel or hamster on that wheel starts running.” It was 2016 when he first pitched the idea to Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar. “She will do what is best for the city,” Patrick says. “That’s one thing I like about her.” Patrick predicts City Harbor will enhance the intrinsic appeal of Guntersville’s natural resources and make it even more of a destination. He walks through a condo unit. They’ll have two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchens, high-end finishes – and, of course, lake balconies – and be available for rent at an introductory offer of $250 per night. 66

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City Harbor will be an impressive gateway into Guntersville for visitors – especially those arriving on U.S. 431 from the north and by water. Locals, no doubt, will enjoy it too. Since the accompanying architectural renderings were made by Chambless King of Montgomery, developer Patrick Lawler has moved the arbor on the end of the expansive deck, above, farther to the right and added a free-standing bar between the trees and the two-story section of restaurants and the event center.

“With live music, multiple restaurants and bars, where would you stay? And we have boat slips for people arriving by water,” Patrick says. “I believe the condos will do tremendously.” The variety of good restaurants and the brewpub will be strong draws, too. For instance, Big Mike’s Steakhouse. The signature restaurant at City Harbor, it has locations in Thomasville, Andalusia,

Orange Beach, Moundville and Auburn. “I had heard everybody talk about it. I knew from the buzz I wanted to pursue it. I tried it and loved it. The quality of their product and their casual dining experience is a good fit for the lake.” With all City Harbor offers, Patrick says, “It will be a destination.”

t would be hard for most people to

look at the project and not draw some variation of this one-word assessment: “Cool.” Brandon Nelson readily agrees. Project manager for City Harbor’s general contractor, Milam and Co. of Birmingham, he’s built big developments for more than 20 years. “I’ve never had anything this cool,” he says. “This is an all-around awesome

project … a ‘resume project,’ something you want on your resume.” Mike Cole, head chef of Big Mike’s Steakhouse, was sold on City Harbor before he ever saw it. In the early days of construction, Patrick sent his jet to pick up Mike and his partners Scott Powell and Caine Conway for a visit. He had prepared packets of renderings, demographics, tax information

and financials for them to study on the plane flight. Patrick, meeting them at the Guntersville airport, said Mike stepped out of the plane and announced: “I’m not sure what we’re doing, but I’m in!” John Chambless is a principal with the Montgomery firm of Chambless King Architects, which worked on designing City Harbor with Patrick. FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

“He is a visionary and clear-headed,” John says. “We think this is a catalyst project for Guntersville and Marshall County.” John also calls it a gateway project that will provide a high-quality welcome to travelers crossing the bridge from the north or coming by water – exactly the kind of development that compliments Guntersville. 68

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“And with the high-quality construction and tenants, it just reinforces the enthusiasm and excitement for Guntersville’s present and future. It’s a beautiful, beautiful town with enormous potential,” he adds, comparing it with Baldwin County’s Fairhope on Mobile Bay.

ike the architect, the mayor

of that “beautiful, beautiful town” – Guntersville, not Fairhope – believes City Harbor will enhance her city and Marshall County, too. “It will be good for everybody,” says Mayor Leigh Dollar. “It will give people a further reason to come and enjoy our entire county.” She is hopeful that the city does future projects with Patrick. While nothing is

Southern Brewers Cooperative Brewpub will be located under the old silos, far left, which, interestingly enough, never held any grain, thanks to a lawsuit some 75 years ago. The observation tower with the stone facade offers great views of the lakes and mountains. Rollup doors are installed for the restaurant to access the deck for outside seating. Decking was being laid Nov. 30, above. It was complete when the boat slip photo, left, was shot Jan. 31. Patrick grabs a call in the midst of it all, bottom center. “This is what I do,” he says of developing. “Everybody thinks I am a big risk-taker. I’m not. Everything I do has a tremendous amount of structure in it. This is 39 years of baby-steps. It didn’t happened overnight.” settled on that front, in conjunction with his development, Guntersville is extending its 3.66-mile lakeside walking trail to tie in with City Harbor. As it is, the popular trail – open also to bikes and skaters – hugs the western shore of Guntersville peninsula, curving around the northern end of the shoreline and ending at the chamber of commerce building by the approach to Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The city procured three grants totaling about $1.7 million to which it’s adding a $300,000 match to extend the trail .35 miles – with four fishing platforms – under the bridge, then south to City Harbor. Part of the new path has been graded and lights are going in, but the city is rebidding the portion of the trail under the bridge and to the harbor. Leigh says the city project will provide

people-friendly connectivity with City Harbor and further the goal of enhancing Guntersville’s natural beauty. She calls City Harbor amazing and says Patrick has kept his word on what he would do. “It’s going to be such an economic engine,” Leigh says. “I think it will bring so many people, not just to City Harbor but all of the city.” Continued on page 72 FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

Who’s in?

Here’s who you’ll find at City Harbor

ix months after Patrick Lawler broke ground for City Harbor in March 2021, a large sticker was slapped across the space-for-lease sign out front. “FULL,” it reads. Here’s who was eager to be there for you when City Harbor opens … • Big Mike’s Steak House – Chef Big Mike Cole and his partners say they proudly present the “best-thing-in-theworld” steak-eating experience to folks in small towns without the expense of driving to a big city steakhouse. Along with a full menu, they serve high quality steaks cooked to perfection on a woodfired grill served in a relaxed atmosphere. Guntersville makes their sixth location. • Southern Brewers Cooperative Brewpub – On the heels of opening its first brewpub at Stovehouse in Huntsville, the co-op is a joint collaboration from Straight to Ale (Huntsville) and Good People Brewing Co. (Birmingham) that will also feature beers from Avondale Brewery (Birmingham), Salty Nut Brewery (Huntsville) and Druid City (Tuscaloosa). Located in the base of City Harbor’s signature silos, it will offer 20 unique beers on tap, a menu of bar foods and the opportunity to join the co-op. 70

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Rendering from the lakeside of the harbor depicts the observation deck and how it connects to the event center and restaurants.

• The Cigar Room – A local chain with shops in Madison and Florence, it offers smoking lounges, lockers, humidors, special and limited loose tobacco blends and cigars ranging from Romeo y Julieta and Rocky Patel to Plascenica, Dapper and even Opus X. • Home Re.Decor – A second store for the furnishing and gift shop located on Ala. 160 in Warrior, the husband/ wife owners cater to high- and middleroad customers looking for repurposed, refurbished and revised furniture and décor. They also do interior and wedding design work. • Another Broken Egg – The awardwinning franchise – founded in 1996 and now in 24 states – prides itself on fresh ingredients and a distinctive southern breakfast, brunch and lunch menu, not to mention foodie-approved bloody marys and orange mimosas. • The Wake Eatery – Owned by local Mary Melton, the family-friendly bar/grill offers burgers, hot dogs, wings, chicken salad and such. Mary can seat about 110 folks … but you won’t be eating from the upside-down canoe hung from the ceiling. Hopes to open late March or early April. • La Esquina Cocina (The Kitchen Corner) – This will be the second restaurant for a 30-year family venture

with an upscale restaurant in Huntsville. They combine authentic Mexican cuisine with small plates showcasing local farmers from across the Tennessee Valley. “It’s unbelievable,” says City Harbor developer Patrick Lawler. • City Harbor Event Center – Owned by Patrick, the venue is located on the second floor above the restaurants and other businesses, with lots of windows and a large, partially covered deck. It’s equipped with a commercial catering kitchen and will seat 300+ for weddings, parties and business meetings. • Levi’s on the Lake – The bar at the north end of the complex is also owned by Patrick. It will offer live music on the extensive deck. He named it for his 2-year-old grandson.

atrick also owns a family farm in Grant, a “ranch” in his Texas parlance. After already naming a small fishing lake there Lake Levi, his announcement of the bar’s name brought a warning from his daughter-in-law, Samantha. “We’re going to have more kids,” she said. “Don’t name everything after him.” More kids? No problem, Patrick replied. “I’m still going to build more stuff.” – David Moore

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Looking at this architectural rendering, if you think about it, maybe City Harbor does resemble a swing set ... because they’re fun. Continued from page 69 Many folks from around here love the adventure of boating up the Tennessee River from Guntersville to Chattanooga, docking downtown there, visiting the city, spending the night – spending money. “Now it will be a two-way street with Chattanooga,” Leigh says. “If

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Out ‘n’ About Got a craving for cuteness? Visit God’s Feral Felines at 841 South Main Street, Arab. Satisfy your need for a cuddle, or adopt a fixed kitty with shots and chipped for $110-$150. Or volunteer. Cuddling kittens is one reason most of the 25 volunteers come to GFF. Among them are Pam Keck, upper left, Boyd Webster with office cat Marvin and Izzy Cox, 15. Pam started the non-profit in 2014 in her Guntersville home after she and her husband Karl moved there from Central America. When it got too crazy, she moved to Dr. J. Michael Brown’s former vet office in 2019. Through 2021, GFF has sterilized 4,189 cats. Its programs are trap/ neuter/release, low-cost sterilization and kitten rescue. Covering Marshall, Cullman and Blount counties, its ultimate goal is spaying and neutering. Hours: 10 am-2 pm, Monday-Saturday. For more info: 256-640-8000; or visit: gffcats.org. Photos by David Moore. FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL 2022

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