Tuscaloosa Magazine Winter 2017

E V ’ Y E TH OT G

Meet the tipsters a s o o l a c Tus e fashion k a m o h w beat r i e h t y t u and bea

ALSO INSIDE: AJ McCARRON’S AJIAN SUSHI TABLESCAPES & FRONT DOOR TRANSFORMATIONS FORMER UA GYMNASTICS COACH DAVID PATTERSON HOLIDAY RECIPES

www.tuscaloosamag.com $3.95

001.indd 1

6 INTRIGUING PEOPLE & SO MUCH MORE

11/14/17 10:36 PM

002.indd 2

11/16/17 6:20 PM

3

003.indd 3

11/16/17 6:24 PM

editor’s letter

Publisher James W. Rainey Editor-in-chief Becky Hopf Design Editor Lindi Daywalt-Feazel Photographers Gary Cosby Jr. Erin Nelson Copy Editors Amy Robinson Kelcey Sexton Edwin Stanton Rebecca Cole Emily Strickland Operations Director Paul Hass Advertising Director Beau Laird Prepress Manager Chuck Jones Published by The Tuscaloosa News 315 28th Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Executive Editor Michael James Controller Steve Hopper Magazine (205) 722-0232 To advertise (205) 722-0173 To subscribe (205) 722-0102

A

nd so it begins.

The cavalcade of holidays and occasions, from Thanksgiving, to Christmas and Hanukkah, to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the football bowl season (yes, bowl season is very much an occasion in Alabama), to Valentine’s Day — they all come in quick succession within just a few months’ time. Each occasion is special: We give thanks, we give praise, we give toasts and we give love.

This issue stays on the stands throughout those events, so we’re highlighting some things that may make your holidays and occasions even more memorable and fun.

Designer extraordinaire Ray Taylor shows us simple, but absolutely charming, ways to transform your front door for each season (Halloween is not a season, but it’s my favorite, so we’re including it) using a wreath and an urn.

Krista Poole and the staff at Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers put together some tablescapes that are so lovely and perfect, your guests will never remember that you forgot to serve the meal.

And no issue, no holiday, is complete without menus and recipes from our food writer, Donna Cornelius. Lobster mac, anyone?

We catch up with retired University of Alabama gymnastics coach David Patterson, who, after completing his quest to catch a fish in all 50 states, has begun another. The fly fisherman’s newest goal is to catch 50 different species of fish — and he’s doing it with bamboo poles that he’s crafted himself.

We celebrate 175 years of Marion Military Institute and drop by former UA quarterback AJ McCarron’s new sushi restaurant, Ajian.

Ray Taylor (bottom) stands in front of the door he created for his favorite season, fall, while I opt for my Our 6 Intriguing People section includes a favorite holiday, Halloween. couple of subjects near and dear to my heart, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission CEO and President Don Staley, and a new acquaintance, Lee Busby. Busby just completed a bronze bust of my former boy next door, Senior Airman Mark Forester, who lived next door to me in Tuscaloosa with his older brother, Thad. Mark died in Afghanistan in 2010 while attempting to save a fallen comrade.

And, as winter hits and you yearn for warmer climes, you can daydream of summer vacations as our pages take you away to Michigan’s iconic Mackinac Island.

Becky Hopf, editor Reach Becky Hopf at becky.hopf@tuscaloosanews.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

4

004.indd 4

11/14/17 10:36 PM

005.indd 5

11/16/17 6:26 PM

WINTER 2017

VOLUME 15, NO. 4

CONTENTS

14 08 DINING OUT

NFL quarterback and former UA star AJ McCarron is scoring big with his new restaurant, Ajian.

14 DINING IN

Holiday dishes that you’ll fix year after year.

41

20

20 EVENTS

41 AT HOME

26 FOODIE NEWS

48 SPECIALTY SHOPS

35 OUTDOORS

55 CELEBRATIONS

Places to go, things to see and do.

The latest in local food, trends, recipes and epicurean events.

David Patterson has gone fishing.

One door. Four great looks.

Where to find some of the most memorable gifts.

Tablescapes that will make any holiday — or meal — even merrier.

ON THE COVER Chelsea Olivia Lowe is one of several local style influencers who have created a following and are making Tuscaloosa even more beautiful with their fresh tips on clothing, makeup, hair and happy thoughts.

’VE Y E TH GOT

a

t the Mee sters p i t sa shion fa t aloo Tusc make eir bea who auty th e nd b

6

006.indd 6

N’S ARRO SHI SU AJ McC AJIAN S SCAPE TABLE T DOOR N & FRO MATIONS R SFO TRAN ER UA FORM OACH SC ASTIC TTERSON N M Y G PA DAVID CIPES AY RE HOLID EOPLE P G IGUIN MORE 6 INTRSO MUCH &

Photo by: Gary Cosby Jr. See story: Page 68

5

.9 m $3

ag.co

osam

tuscalo

www.

ALSO E: INSID

11/14/17 10:36 PM

60 TRAVEL

Michigan’s Mackinac Island has been charming vacationers for more than a century.

78 BOOKS

Avid reader Cecil Hurt shares book-of-the-month suggestions.

81 HISTORICAL VISITS Marion Military Institute celebrates its 175th year.

89 6 INTRIGUING PEOPLE

Meet six folks — and one kitten — who are making a difference in our community.

STYLE

104 ON THE SCENE

The best bashes, parties and charity events of the season.

Meet Tuscaloosa’s style and fashion tipsters. Page 68

122 LAST LOOK

A snapshot of the beauty found in West Alabama.

35

60

81

7

DINING OUT

BY DONNA CORNELIUS • PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

A FRESH PLAY ON

SUSHI Former UA quarterback’s Ajian restaurant rolls into town

8

008.indd 8

11/14/17 10:37 PM

DINING OUT

t’s pretty common knowledge around T-Town that AJ McCarron is one of the owners of Ajian, a build-your-own sushi restaurant that opened on University Boulevard Aug. 8. After all, the eatery’s name is a play on the former University of Alabama quarterback’s name.

Most people in these parts also know McCarron still has his day job — he’s an NFL quarterback who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. But occasionally, someone will come in hoping to see McCarron wielding a knife instead of a football, said Peter Zimmer, co-owner and operator of the restaurant.

“There was a nice lady who had been in one day to eat and came back that night,” Zimmer said. “She said her mom was out in the car and asked me if I’d come out and say hello to her. I went out, and the lady told her mother, ‘AJ’s not here, but this is the next best thing.’ ”

McCarron has placed his trust in Zimmer and in the potential for success at his new restaurant endeavor.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to come back to a place that means so much to me,” McCarron said in a text from Cincinnati. “We are hopeful that we can have the same kind of success with Ajian that we had on the football field. I wouldn’t lend my name to something unless I absolutely believed in it from a quality standpoint. Knowing Pete and the success that he had with his restaurant in Cincinnati made this an easy decision!”

There’s no question that McCarron, who led the UA football team to BCS national championships in 2011 and 2012, still gets lots of love from Bama fans. But his business partner is a talented guy, too — in the kitchen. >>

LEFT: Ashlyn Cash prepares a sushi roll. ABOVE: A sushi roll is made to order.

9

009.indd 9

11/14/17 10:37 PM

DINING OUT

Zimmer connected with McCarron through football and food. SmoQ, Zimmer’s barbecue restaurant in his hometown of Cincinnati, participated in Taste of the NFL, a league-wide food event that benefits food banks.

“They have Taste of the NFL in every NFL stadium in every city,” Zimmer said. “I brought my St. Louis dry-rub ribs to the Bengals’ event. The players usually aren’t there, but this time, the Bengals happened to be having training camp. They went crazy over my ribs.”

After that, Zimmer started catering for the team.

“Chip Morton, the strength and conditioning coach, thought if they could provide a catered lunch on Fridays after practice, the guys would stick around to eat and build camaraderie that way,” Zimmer said. “When the players heard ‘SmoQ is here,’ there would be a mass stampede. Boy, they could put away some food.

“I had met AJ through my catering. I also knew Michael Johnson, a Bengals defensive end, who’s from Selma. I asked Michael about business ventures in Tuscaloosa. He said, ‘What if I can get AJ interested?’ Michael texted me the next day and said AJ was in.”

At Ajian, diners can customize their sushi rolls.

You start with rice — white or brown — and then choose a wrap: nori, which is seaweed, or for $1 extra, soy.

“Not many sushi places offer the soy wrap option,” Zimmer said. “People who are new to sushi may not like the flavor and texture of nori.”

Next, you select a protein — cooked, raw or vegan — and add ingredients such as asparagus, cucumbers and avocados. The process continues with the selection of a sauce; Ajian offers spicy and wasabi mayonnaise, sweet soy, sweet chili and Sriracha, among other sauces. Rolls are finished with sesame seeds, sesame chili flakes, “everything bagel” spice or other toppings.

TOP: NFL quarterback AJ McCarron returned to Tuscaloosa during an off weekend for the Cincinnati Bengals for the grand opening of his new Tuscaloosa restaurant, Ajian. BOTTOM: A sushi roll being made.

10

010.indd 10

11/15/17 9:47 PM

DINING OUT IF YOU GO: Ajian is at 1914 University Blvd. in Tuscaloosa. It’s open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.ajian10.com or follow the restaurant on social media.

At traditional sushi restaurants, chefs often go through years of training in intricate knife work and other techniques. Ajian uses special equipment that allows its workers to produce the rolls quickly and efficiently.

“We purchased equipment from Autec, a sushi machine company in Japan,” Zimmer said. “We bought two rice sheeters. When you say you want white or brown rice, the machine rolls it out so that a sheet of nori fits it perfectly. We also have a cutter that cuts the rolls into 10 pieces. We’ve taken out the step of fixing the rice. We don’t do the fancy knife work; there are no guys here cutting vegetables into bird shapes.”

Ajian’s streamlined operation means customers “can be in and out of here in 15 minutes,” Zimmer said.

The restaurant also aims to be userfriendly by offering several “suggested rolls” to those who may not feel confident choosing ingredients on their own. The Boston roll

has poached shrimp, avocado and cucumber with spicy mayo and sesame seeds. The steak roll is made with grilled steak, avocado, asparagus and jalapeños with wasabi mayo, sweet soy sauce and “everything bagel” spice.

Zimmer had reassuring words for those who aren’t sure they’ll like raw fish.

“We have 10 proteins, and only three are raw: the tuna, salmon and smoked salmon,” he said. “We have cooked chicken, steak, shrimp and crab salad. Sushi actually means ‘vinegared rice.’ Sashimi means ‘raw fish.’ ” Also on the Ajian menu are miso soup, dumpling soup, edamame and several salads.

Zimmer said the fast-casual sushi concept started in Texas in 2008.

“It’s been slowly popping up in different places, including Cincinnati,” he said.

“I looked at the success of other places and thought, we can do our own take on that concept.”

His background in the food industry started early.

“I got a job during my junior year of high school as a dishwasher at a restaurant, a sports bar,” Zimmer said. “One of the cooks quit, so I got to cook.

“During my senior year, I met with my guidance counselor, who asked me if I had any hobbies. I said, ‘Well, maybe I’ll go to chef school.’ I told my boss, and he said I needed to go to the CIA — the Culinary Institute of America.”

Zimmer needed three letters of reference in order to apply to the school. He said a restaurant customer offered to put him in touch with Ethan Becker, who turned out to be the grandson of Irma Rombauer, author of the iconic cookbook “The Joy of Cooking.”

“I went to see him, and he said, ‘Before I write the letter, I need to ask you a question,’ ” Zimmer said. “I thought it was going to be something like why I wanted to be a chef. >>

Pete Zimmer is the coowner of Ajian, running the day-to-day operations of the restaurant.

11

011.indd 9

11/14/17 10:37 PM

DINING OUT

ABOVE: The restaurant, located downtown, is a popular lunch spot. BELOW: Zimmer, standing behind a glass wall that lists the types of ingredients customers can choose, helps prepare a dish for the lunch crowd.

He said, ‘What’s your last name? I have to put it on the letter.’ ” After graduating from the CIA, Zimmer worked in Oklahoma City before returning to Cincinnati. There, he was the executive chef at a fine dining restaurant and opened three other eateries for its owners. In 1993, he opened his own gourmet pizza place and operated it for 10 years. After selling his restaurant, he had the opportunity to take over an established barbecue restaurant in his hometown.

“I knew nothing about barbecue; that’s the one food they don’t teach you about at the CIA,” Zimmer said. “I ended up taking a trip to Memphis. It was a barbecue mission. I ate at 16 different restaurants.”

He later decided to open his own barbecue place: SmoQ. “I wanted to incorporate barbecue from Memphis with foods like catfish, shrimp and grits, collard greens, and fried green tomatoes,” he said.

Besides his partnership with McCarron, Zimmer has another link to Tuscaloosa. His

son, Jacob, was offered a full academic scholarship to UA and is now a junior there.

The entire family ended up moving to TTown. Zimmer’s wife, Lynn, is a certified public accountant and works for Palmer & Co. She also does accounting for Ajian.

“My daughter, Ashlyn, and her husband, Mike, moved here, too,” Zimmer said.

“She works at the restaurant for us, and so does my son.”

A family member who’s always welcome at Ajian is Zimmer’s grandson, Dominic, who is Ashlyn and Mike Cash’s 3-year-old son.

Zimmer said his family already has taken to life in the South.

“We love it here,” Zimmer said.

At Ajian, you’ll see some references to the University of Alabama, such as a sign that says “Maki Tide.”

“Maki is the Japanese word for roll,” Zimmer said.

He said he and McCarron would like to open Ajian restaurants in other cities.

“I truly believe the concept is strong enough that we can open multiple stores,” Zimmer said. “Having AJ behind it is an instant home run — or I guess I should say touchdown. My hope is that there will be Alabama alumni who might want to be in business with AJ McCarron.”

Even if you’re not a sushi aficionado, Zimmer hopes you’ll give Ajian a try.

“Our workers like to help newbies, and we like to engage with our customers,” he said.

“The whole experience is for us to have fun with them. We don’t have knives — but we have personality.”

12

012.indd 10

11/14/17 10:37 PM

013.indd 13

11/16/17 6:27 PM

DINING IN

Merry Christmas Eve HERE’S A MENU TO MAKE DEC. 24 A LITTLE TASTIER

or most of my married life, my husband, sons and I would travel from our home in Birmingham to Greater Pickens County to spend Christmas Eve with my family. When we moved to Tuscaloosa about 11 years ago, I decided it was my turn to start hosting our Dec. 24 get-togethers.

We don’t open presents that night; we’re firm Christmas Day gift-givers. But we do play a

game after dinner, usually a trivia quiz related to Christmas or the year’s news headlines. I buy inexpensive little goodies — fancy candies, soaps, ornaments and other doodads — and put them all in a basket. The guest who gets the most correct quiz answers gets first choice, the runner-up chooses next, and so on.

But everybody’s a winner when you come up with a Christmas Eve menu that’s so good you want to trot it out year after year. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about mine.

BY DONNA CORNELIUS • PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

14

014.indd 14

11/13/17 11:42 PM

DINING IN

Lobster Mac and Cheese • Makes about 8 servings

Tomato Soup with Basil • Makes about 12 servings

Christmas is a time to be merry — and what’s more fun than combining lobster with pasta? This recipe is slightly adapted from Ina Garten’s recipe on www.foodnetwork.com. She tops hers with buttered breadcrumbs. To do that, mix 1½ cups fresh white breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle the mixture on top of the casserole before you bake it.

But it’s just as good when it’s topped only with a little extra cheese.

My aunt, Carole Campbell (no relation to the more famous soup

INGREDIENTS: • 1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter • ½ cup all-purpose flour • 1 quart whole milk • 3 cups Gruyere cheese, grated • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated and divided • Kosher salt to taste • ½ to 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • ½ teaspoon nutmeg • 1½ pounds cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces • Chopped Italian parsley, optional INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a large pan, melt the butter and mix in the flour. Cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. Whisk in the milk and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more or until the mixture thickens. Stir in the Gruyere cheese, 3 cups of the cheddar cheese, the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Fold in the cooked pasta and lobster and pour mixture into a large baking dish.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake about 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover the pan and sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the pasta. Continue baking, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 more minutes, or until the pasta is bubbly and a little browned on top. Before serving, sprinkle some chopped Italian parsley on top if you want to add a little extra flavor and color.

makers) of Gordo, came up with this recipe for family members who want lighter fare. This soup is not only healthy-ish but also full of flavor — and its freshness contrasts well with the richness of the mac and cheese.

INGREDIENTS: • 5 pounds Roma tomatoes, halved • Two large slices of onion • 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced about ½-inch thick • 6 to 8 cloves of garlic, peeled • ¼ cup olive oil • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided • 2 quarts chicken broth • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • About 8 large basil leaves, chopped • Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a large roasting

pan with aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, carrots, garlic, olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss gently until all ingredients are coated with olive oil. Place in your prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, stirring halfway through. Remove vegetables from pan and let them cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

Puree vegetables, in batches, in a blender or food processor until the mixture is smooth.

In a large pot, combine the puree, chicken broth, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the soup is heated through.

Serve with chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.

15

015.indd 15

11/15/17 9:59 PM

DINING IN

Festive Slaw • Makes 8 servings

Slaw? For Christmas? Yes, Virginia, if you use this glorified holiday version. This recipe is slightly adapted from one on www.thekitchn.com. The website says the slaw can safely sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours without wilting — a plus if your family includes laggards who may be serving themselves at various times throughout your party.

INGREDIENTS: For the dressing: • 1/3 cup vegetable oil • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons maple syrup • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ medium red onion, finely chopped For the slaw: • 1 small head of green cabbage (about 10 cups), shredded • ¾ cup sliced almonds, toasted • ¾ cup dried cranberries • ¾ cup Italian parsley, coarsely chopped • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper INSTRUCTIONS: To make the dressing, whisk everything but the onion together in a large bowl.

Add the onion and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can become happily married.

Cut the cabbage into wedges through the core, and then cut the core away from each piece. Thinly slice the cabbage crosswise to shred it.

Add the cabbage, almonds, cranberries and parsley to the dressing. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

Burgundy Mushrooms • Makes 8 to 10 servings This unusual concoction tastes great but has another advantage: You have to cook the mushrooms for 9 hours, so it’s the ideal make-ahead dish. This recipe is slightly adapted from one by Ree Drummond, TV’s “Pioneer Woman,” on www.foodnetwork.com.

INGREDIENTS: • 4 pounds whole white button mushrooms • 1 liter of Burgundy or other dry red wine • 2 cups boiling water • 2 sticks butter • 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon dill seed (see cook’s note below) • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 4 beef bouillon cubes • 4 chicken bouillon cubes • 4 cloves garlic, peeled • Salt • Chopped dill weed, optional INSTRUCTIONS: Wash the mushrooms and put them into a large stockpot. Add the wine,

boiling water, butter, Worcestershire sauce, dill seed, black pepper, bouillon cubes and garlic. Stir to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 6 hours.

Remove the lid from the pot and continue cooking, uncovered, for 3 hours.

Add salt to taste. Top with chopped dill weed, if desired.

• Cook’s note: Dill seed can be hard to find, but I happened to run across it at Vowell’s Fresh Market’s University Boulevard store.

In a pinch, you can use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried dill weed.

16

016.indd 16

11/13/17 11:44 PM

DINING IN

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies • Makes 24 brownies

This recipe by Eric Wong of San Francisco’s Raison d’Etre bakery can be found on www.myrecipes.com. Wong advises making these brownies a day

ahead to intensify the fudgy, minty flavor. Make an extra pan and bag them up as take-home treats for your guests. Another tip: It can be a pain to crush the peppermints. I found bags of already-crushed candies at Target.

INGREDIENTS: • 1½ cups flour • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon baking powder • 1 cup unsalted butter • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped • 1½ cups sugar • 5 large eggs • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

• 5 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped and melted • Coarsely crushed peppermint candies (sift out the very fine pieces) INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Grease a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.

Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder.

Microwave the butter and bittersweet chocolate in a medium-

sized glass bowl. Stir often until the mixture is melted and smooth, about 1½ minutes total.

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs. Add both extracts and whisk to blend. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture.

Gently fold in the flour mixture until no streaks remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.

Bake brownies until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out with just a few

crumbs sticking to it, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool brownies to room temperature, about 45 minutes.

Put dark chocolate in a resealable plastic bag, snip off a small corner tip of the bag, and drizzle half the chocolate over the brownies. Sprinkle with the peppermint candies and drizzle with the remaining chocolate. Let the brownies cool until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes, before cutting them into squares.

17

017.indd 17

11/13/17 11:44 PM

DINING IN

Savarin with Sugared Cranberries

I had never heard of savarin until the contestants on my favorite cooking show, “The Great British Bake Off,” had to make it for a challenge. It looked so good that I tried it — and now it’s one of my favorite desserts. It’s a yeasted sweet bread/cake that’s soaked in syrup, and you can fill it with strawberries, raspberries or a mixture of fruits. For Christmas, I fill mine with sugared cranberries and decorate it with candied basil leaves and rosemary sprigs. Another note: I ordered a savarin mold from Amazon, but a Bundt pan works, too.

INGREDIENTS: For the cake: • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast • ¼ cup warm water • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened For the syrup: • 1 cup water • ¾ cup sugar • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • ¼ cup Amaretto (other liqueurs, such as Kirsch, will work, too) Toppings and extras: • ½ cup apricot preserves • Whipped cream, about 1 cup

• Sugared cranberries (recipe on facing page) • Candied basil leaves (recipe on facing page) • Fresh rosemary sprigs (for decoration) INSTRUCTIONS: For the cake: In a large bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water to soften it. (I put this in the bowl of my stand mixer.)

Add the flour, sugar, salt and eggs to the yeast mixture. Beat for 2 minutes.

Cut the butter into 8 pieces.

Add one piece at a time to the yeast mixture and beat well after each addition.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours.

Press the dough down and

put it into a well-greased 6-cup savarin mold or Bundt pan. Cover and let it rise on the counter for 1½ hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake the savarin for about 30 minutes or until it’s golden and firm. (If you’re using a savarin pan, which is shallower than a Bundt pan, cover the savarin with aluminum foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking so it won’t get too brown.)

Remove the savarin from its mold and let it cool. While it’s cooling, make the syrup.

For the syrup: Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add the sugar and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture back to a boil over high heat. Reduce

the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and add the liqueur.

Pour ½ cup of the syrup into the savarin mold. Put the savarin back into the mold. Spoon the rest of the syrup over the top until it’s all absorbed. Let the savarin sit for about 20 minutes.

Remove the savarin from the mold and put it on the serving plate that you’re going to use.

Toppings and extras: Heat the preserves over low heat until they’re spreadable.

Brush them on the savarin. Just before serving, fill the center of the cake with whipped cream and top the cream with sugared cranberries. Then decorate the top of the cake with the candied basil leaves and surround the cake with rosemary.

18

018.indd 18

11/16/17 1:09 PM

DINING IN

Sugared Cranberries

Candied Basil Leaves

INGREDIENTS: • 1½ cups sugar, divided • ¾ cup water • 2 cups cranberries (you can use frozen, but fresh berries are better) • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom

INGREDIENTS: • 5 to 6 basil leaves • 1 egg white, lightly beaten • Superfine sugar (in a pinch, plain old granulated sugar will work)

INSTRUCTIONS: Bring ¾ cup sugar and ¾ cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Put the cranberries in a large bowl and pour the sugar syrup over them. Let them sit about 1 hour.

Whisk together the remaining ¾ cup of sugar with the cardamom in a large bowl. Drain the cranberries, add them to the sugar mixture and toss gently to coat. Spread the cranberries on a large rimmed baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, rolling the berries in the sugar about every 30 minutes, until the berries are dry.

INSTRUCTIONS: Wash basil leaves and allow them to dry completely. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Put the egg white into a shallow bowl and the sugar on a small plate.

Dip a basil leaf into the egg white, shaking off any excess.

Then dip the leaf into the sugar, gently shaking off excess. Place each leaf onto the prepared pan to dry. It’s best to let them dry for at least 12 hours (but you can cheat and use them after 4 to 5 hours if, as I often do, you get into a time crunch).

19

019.indd 19

11/15/17 10:00 PM

EVENTS

Things to do, places to go, people to see this winter.

ENTERTAINMENT “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Musical” Nov. 29 • 7 p.m. • BJCC Concert Hall • Birmingham It is an all-star cast: Rudolph, Santa, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and, yes, even the Abominable Snow Monster.

A holiday classic comes to life on stage. For more information, visit www.rudolphthemusical.com.

“Where Are You Christmas?”

Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. • Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

• Bama Theatre Presented by The Dance Initiative. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tututix.com.

“Cinderella” Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 10 and Dec. 16 at 2:30 p.m.

• BJCC Theatre • Birmingham Get there an hour early, and you can pose for a photo with Santa — for free. The production is by Birmingham Children’s Theatre, and it’s a kid-centric holiday twist on the classic tale. (They’re also putting on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” Jan. 20-27, 2018.) Tickets can be purchased through a link on BCT’s website, which is www.bct123.org.

20

020.indd 20

11/15/17 11:52 PM

EVENTS

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. • Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. • Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. • Bama Theatre Everything about it is absolutely lovely — OK, gun-toting mice, maybe not — but the dance, the music, the costumes, the story, the season, it’s pure ethereal beauty. Tickets can be purchased in advance through www.tututix.com/TuscaloosaCommunityDancers. And kids can have “Breakfast With The Nutcracker” — featuring the costumed cast and crew — on Dec. 9 at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $7.

“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. • Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. • Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. • BJCC Concert Hall • Birmingham “Peggy Sue.” “La Bamba.” “Chantilly Lace.” “That’ll Be the Day.” C’mon.

You’ll be singing along to the oldies.

Part of the Broadway in Birmingham series. Tickets may be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Janet Jackson Dec. 9 • 8 p.m. • Legacy Arena • Birmingham Oh, Miss Jackson! The music icon is bringing her “State of the World Tour” to Birmingham. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” Dec. 11 • 3 p.m.

• Bryant-Jordan Hall The University of Alabama Opera Theatre performs this annual holiday event, tailor-made for families. And it’s absolutely free.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 13 • 7:30 p.m. • Legacy Arena at the BJCC • Birmingham You need to see them at least once.

Lasers, a light show, videos — a string section — and it’s all synchronized to the music. They’ve sold more than 10 million tickets to their concerts. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-8000.

“A Christmas Carol”

“Hilaritas”

Dec. 8–9, Dec. 14-15 at 7:30 pm • Dec. 10, Dec. 13, Dec. 16-17 at 2 p.m. • Bean-Brown Theatre

Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. • University of Alabama School of Music Concert Hall

A grumpy old man morphs into a benevolent soul. Who needs a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger when we’ve got Ebenezer Scrooge? Theatre Tuscaloosa’s holiday classic returns. Tickets may be purchased through the box office or online at www.theatretusc.com.

A Tuscaloosa holiday tradition. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.uamusic.tix.com or call 205-348-7111.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. • Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. • Bama Theatre The Actor’s Charitable Theatre is bringing the land of Narnia and C.S. Lewis’ fantasy children’s novel (which adults are quite fond of as well) to the stage.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.theactonline.com or at the box office the night/day of the show.

21

021.indd 21

11/16/17 1:10 PM

EVENTS

Jerry Seinfeld Jan. 11, 2018 • 7 p.m.

• BJCC Concert Hall • Birmingham He had the Emmy-winning TV show, the stand-up routine — yada, yada, yada. See him — hear him — in person, doing standup. It may be sold out by the time you read this, but try. Single tickets were still left in early November at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Black Jacket Symphony Presents “Led Zeppelin II” Jan. 12, 2018 • 7 p.m. • Bama Theatre The Black Jacket Symphony combines lighting and video with a music performance of the “Led Zeppelin II” album and some of the band’s other hits. For tickets, call 877-987-6487.

“The Mutt-cracker” Dec. 15 • 7:30 p.m. • BJCC Concert Hall • Birmingham This ballet performance has gone to the dogs. Seriously. It’s the classic presentation by Birmingham Ballet — but they’ve thrown dogs into the cast. Dogs in tutus — does it get any better? Portions of the proceeds benefit the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Buy tickets through the link at www.birminghamballet.com. And, if you prefer a canine-free performance, Birmingham Ballet is also performing “The Nutcracker” at the BJCC on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Christmas Celebration Dec. 18 • 7 p.m. • Moody Music Building Concert Hall A performance that features the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra in harmony with the Alabama Choir School and the Prentice Concert Chorale. Tickets may be purchased online at www.tsoonline.org or by calling 205-752-5515.

“Dancing With The Stars: Live! Light Up The Night” Feb. 9, 2018 • 8 p.m. • BJCC Concert Hall Dancers from the hit TV show are merengue-ing, tangoing, foxtrotting and quickstepping their way to Birmingham. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend Feb. 12, 2018 • 7 p.m.

• Moody Music Building Concert Hall The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Paul Houghtaling and the University of Alabama Opera Theatre present an “evening of opera and song favorites,” which will include a tribute to the music of Giacomo Puccini. For ticket information, visit www.tsoonline.org or call 205752-5515.

“Vinegar Tom”

“Kinky Boots”

Feb. 13-17, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

• Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. • Marian Gallaway Theatre

Jan. 5, 2018 at 8 p.m. • Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. • Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. • BJCC Concert Hall • Birmingham

“Set in the 17th century and present day, this play surrounds accusations of witchcraft against several women.” That’s the premise, according to the University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance. For tickets, visit www.theatre.ua.edu or call the box office at 205-348-3400.

The musical — with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and story by playwright Harvey Fierstein — is a Tony Award winner that is coming to Birmingham as part of the Broadway in Birmingham Series. It is perhaps for mature audiences — it’s the story of how a shoe factory is saved by making women’s shoes for men, particularly drag queens.

For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

22

022.indd 22

11/15/17 11:56 PM

EVENTS

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Feb. 13, 2018 • 7 p.m.

• BJCC Concert Hall The legacy of one of America’s greatest choreographers lives on through these dancers.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day a day early. You’ll love it. Tickets are available through www. ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Disney Presents “The Lion King” March 14-15, 2018, 20-21, 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. • March 15, 17, 24, 31 at 2 p.m.

• March 16-17, 23-24, 30-31 at 8 p.m. • March 18, 25 and April 1 at 1 p.m.

• March 18, 25 and April 1 at 6:30 p.m.

There’s a reason there are so many shows scheduled. The story, the costumes, the staging, the music — it’s 2½ hours of pure “hakuna matata” (which means “no worries”), a Broadway in Birmingham production. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com range from $43.75, $58.75 and $68.75. Money well spent.

Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre Feb. 20-22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

• Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. • Morgan Auditorium The University of Alabama’s pre-professional dance company puts on quite a show. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatre.ua.edu or at the box office at 205-348-3400.

“Cabaret” Feb. 23, 2018–March 4, 2018 • Bean-Brown Theatre “Willkommen” to the musical that’s been a favorite since it first appeared on Broadway in 1966. For times and ticket information, visit Theatre Tuscaloosa’s website at www. theatretusc.com.

“A Bright Room Called Day” Feb. 26-March 3, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. • March 4 at 2 p.m. • Allen Bales Theatre Set in 1932 Germany during the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi regime.

Presented by the University of Alabama Theatre and Dance department. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatre.ua.edu or at the box office at 205-348-3400.

Brantley Gilbert With Aaron Lewis and Josh Phillips • March 24, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. • Tuscaloosa Amphitheater It’s a stop on his “The Ones That Like Me Tour.” Buy a general admission ticket in the pit, which gets you close up, which will let him know you really do like him. Tickets may be purchased through a link at www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com.

Dance Alabama!

“Peter Pan Jr.”

March 27-29, 2018, 7:30 p.m. • March 30 at 5:30 p.m. • March 31 at 2 p.m. • Morgan Auditorium

April 20-22, 2018 • Times TBA • Bama Theatre

The University of Alabama Theatre and Dance department’s spring concert, featuring student-choreographed dance pieces. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatre.ua.edu or at the box office at 205-348-3400.

Peter, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Wendy — Sir J.M. Barrie’s imagination created the timeless classic tale of a kid who didn’t want to grow up. And Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre’s kids are bringing Neverland to T-Town. For tickets or more information, go to tuscaloosachildrenstheatre.net.

23

023.indd 23

11/16/17 1:12 PM

EVENTS

SPORTS EVENTS AHSAA SUPER 7 Dec. 6-8 • Bryant-Denny Stadium

Tinsel Trail Nov. 20, 2017-Jan. 14, 2018 • Tuscaloosa Riverwalk It’s impossible not to get into the holiday spirit with a walk along this trail — which is actually perfectly accessible pavement. It’s been so popular that in 2016 another area was opened up by the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.

Local businesses and organizations decorate Christmas trees that flank both sides of the walkway. It’s a selfie-lover’s paradise, though you’ll want to include family and friends with every step.

It’s championship weekend for the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the end to the football season, where the top two teams in each of the seven classes clash for the state title. It starts with the Unified Game at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, followed at 7 p.m. by the state’s Class 7A championship game. On Dec. 7, Class 3A’s championship game is at 11 a.m. Class 1A’s final is at 3 p.m., and the 5A title game is at 7 p.m. On Dec. 8, Class 4A’s final is at 11 a.m., Class 2A clashes at 3 p.m., and, the finale is the Class 6A championship game at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the gate, or, in advance, online through www.super7al.com.

Birmingham Jam Dec. 16 • Legacy Arena • Birmingham It’s a college basketball doubleheader with UAB playing Alabama A&M at 2:15 p.m. followed by Auburn playing Middle Tennessee State at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

The Vulcan Classic Dec. 22 • 8 p.m.

• Legacy Arena The University of Alabama goes up against Texas in this special event. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-7453000.

FUN FOR ALL Holidays on the River ice rink Nov. 22 through Jan. 15 • Tuscaloosa Amphitheater It’s Tuscaloosa’s answer to the ice skating rink at New York City’s Rockefeller Center. A winter and holiday delight. For more information, including hours and ticket prices, call 205-248-5280.

24

024.indd 24

42nd Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade Dec. 4 • 6:30 p.m. • Downtown Tuscaloosa A classic enjoyed by generations.

This year’s theme is “Peace on Earth.” Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Dickens Downtown Dec. 5 • 6-8 p.m.

• Downtown Northport It’s Christmas, Victorian style, where Father Christmas roams the street along with costumed carolers, members of Theatre Tuscaloosa perform scenes from their upcoming production of “A Christmas Carol,” and an English town crier, the 5th Alabama Regimental Band and local choirs all entertain. And there’s shopping and food as the downtown merchants swing open their doors.

Tuscaloosa News’ 15th Annual Holiday Singalong Dec. 9 • 1-2:30 p.m.

• Capitol Park Free, fun for all — you can even bring your pets. Lyric sheets are provided, as are accompanists, song leaders, food and drink. Call 205-310-5287 for more information.

Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat Dec. 9 • 6:15 p.m. • Black Warrior River Absolutely lovely. Hosted by Bama Navy: Boat Alabama/Pirates of the Warrior, it’s a lighted river parade where boats, decorated with colorful lights, drift down the Black Warrior River for viewing along Tuscaloosa’s Riverwalk.

Photos by The Tuscaloosa News, AP and Tuscaloosa Community Dancers.

11/16/17 1:13 PM

025.indd 25

11/16/17 6:29 PM

BY DONNA CORNELIUS, THE SNOOTY FOODIE | PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR. AND ERIN NELSON

E

Open before Christmas: A few ‘gifts’ to brighten your holidays

very year — usually on Dec. 26 — I promise myself that next Christmas, I’ll start my shopping early. I have every intention of making a detailed list, hitting the stores (or the internet) no later than August, and wrapping gifts so they’re works of art, sort of.

And every year — usually on Dec. 18 or thereabouts — I’m cursing myself because I can’t find my list, I’ve waited too late to order at least one person’s must-have present, and my gift wrapping looks like it was done by a not-verydexterous chimpanzee.

But, like most writers, I have no choice but to stay ahead of the holiday rush when it comes to work. Deadlines have a way of hitting early. What you’re reading now, for example, was written before Halloween — certainly before I’m in the mood for jingling bells, heralding angels and silent nights.

Getting in the holiday spirit work-wise isn’t always easy — but it’s helping me make a dent in my “Don’t let Christmas slip up on you” vow.

That’s because I’m about to give you some early presents in the form of food-related tips, which I hope will make your holidays a little merrier: Easiest app for busy folks: I am eternally grateful to Bon Appetit Magazine for this twoingredient wonder: Take a cup of salted, roasted cashews. Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a pot over medium heat. Then cook the cashews in the butter with 2 teaspoons of sambal oelek (which is just a chile paste, my friends, and available at most grocery stores). Stir the mixture now and then until the nuts begin to toast, about 3 to 5 minutes. Put the nuts in a bowl and sprinkle them with sea salt. This is spicy, yummy and quick to make — and you can easily keep

EPICUREAN

EVENTS CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER

Nov. 29-Dec. 2 • Demopolis More than 20,000 people usually attend this annual event, which includes the Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off as well as a nautical parade,

jars of cashews and sambal oelek handy for those “Why didn’t you tell me the neighbors were coming by?” emergencies. It’s easy to double or even triple the recipe — and believe me, you would be wise to do so.

Best app for ballgames: If your family, like mine, likes a little football thrown in with its turkey and dressing, here’s another simple snack from Bon Appetit that’s great to eat while watching the game. It has a deceptively fancy name — Cacio e Pepe Chips. You’ll need an 8-ounce bag of kettlecooked potato chips, about 1½ cups of finely grated pecorino cheese, and 1 tablespoon of coarsely ground black pepper. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Put the chips in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle them with half the cheese. Bake about 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chips are just starting to brown. Take them out of the oven and immediately sprinkle them with the rest of the cheese and the pepper. Surprisingly, these chips are almost as good the next day — if they survive that long.

Best things to have in your pantry: I’ve become a big fan of Deep Roots Infused Olive Oils, available in the Alabama goods section at Publix.

Vestavia Hills mom Cissy LeMoine created these extra-virgin olive oils in four flavors: butter,

fireworks and tours of historic homes. For details, visit www.demopolischamber.com.

DOWNTOWN GADSDEN CHILI COOK-OFF

Feb. 3 • Gadsden Chili-cooking teams will vie for awards at this 10th annual event.

Starting at noon, ticket holders can sample chili and vote for their favorite concoction. Judges select winners, too. For more information, visit www.downtowngadsden.com.

WILD ABOUT CHOCOLATE

garlic, lemon and rosemary. I pick one of the oils and toss vegetables in it before roasting them; my favorite for this use is the butter-flavored oil.

The Deep Roots oils also can help you make easy salad dressings; for example, mix equal amounts of the lemon oil with white wine vinegar, add a little salt and pepper, and you’re done.

Best blog for bakers (or would-be bakers): Another young Alabama mom who’s ventured into the food world is Kate Wood, who lives in Selma and writes a baking blog called Wood & Spoon. If you like to bake — or want to improve your baking skills — you can’t go wrong with her recipes. I highly recommend her brown sugar pound cake with blueberries and brown sugar crumble, chocolate chip Bundt cake, and BBC ice pops (bananas, Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur, and cream of coconut). Check out www. thewoodandspoon.com to get Kate’s recipes, see her gorgeous photos and, as a bonus, read all about her very interesting life. She recently won the readers’ choice award from Saveur magazine for the best baking and sweets blog.

Well, I could go on, but like my real shopping list, this one has to have an end. I hope it sweetens your holiday season a little. It’s been fun coming up with these “gifts” for you — mostly because I didn’t have to wrap them.

Donna Cornelius is a Tuscaloosa writer whose motto is: So much food, so little time. Contact her to share recipes, restaurant news or anything food-related at donnawcornelius@bellsouth.net. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @blonderavenous.

Feb. 10 • Birmingham The Alabama Wildlife Center annually hosts this celebration of all things chocolate. The event, set for 7 to 10 p.m. at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Ave. N., includes a dessert buffet with treats from some of Birmingham’s best restaurants, bakeries and caterers. For more information, visit www.awrc.org.

SOUTHERN FOODWAYS WINTER SYMPOSIUM

Feb. 24 • Birmingham Now in its 21st year, this Southern Foodways Alliance event is for those who love to talk about food as well as eat it. Details haven’t been released for the 2018 symposium, but sessions typically include lectures by food experts, tastings and experiences. It’s at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. S. For updates and information, visit www. southernfoodways.org.

26

026.indd 26

11/13/17 11:50 PM

FOODIE NEWS

WANT COOKIES? When you do, Insomnia delivers sweet treats at (almost) all hours

27

027.indd 27

11/13/17 11:50 PM

FOODIE NEWS

t’s hard to beat freshly baked cookies — especially when someone will deliver them right to your door at almost any hour of the day or night.

There aren’t many times, in fact, when you can’t get Insomnia Cookies. The Tuscaloosa store, which opened in January at 1130 University Blvd., stays open and delivers until 3 a.m. every day.

Seth Berkowitz started the business in 2003 when he was a student at the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania’s highly regarded business school.

“Seth didn’t really love the heavier food like pizza or chicken wings for late-night eating,” said Courtney Lodge, the company’s senior marketing manager. “He had a sweet tooth, and he liked the idea of food delivery. He tested the cookie recipe himself in his kitchen at UPenn.”

Since then, the bakery has been a sweet success.

It now has 121 stores across the United States.

The Tuscaloosa store is the company’s second in Alabama.

“We opened our Birmingham store in October 2014,” Lodge said. “We were waiting for some time to find the perfect location in Tuscaloosa. Like most college towns, there’s a strong sense of community here, and we love to cater to the community.”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The tray holds a sample of the assortment of cookies sold at Insomnia Cookies. • The store is located near the University of Alabama campus, on the Strip. • The cookies are hugely popular with the student crowd.

28

028.indd 28

11/14/17 10:39 PM

FOODIE NEWS

Cookies, of course, are the stars of the show at Insomnia. They come in a variety of flavors, including double chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia and snickerdoodle. Depending on your appetite (and willpower), you can place orders for just about any number of cookies. Options include the Delicious Duo for $6.45 and the Insomniac with 24 traditional cookies for $31. Residence hall specials are $61.90 for 50 cookies and $325 for 300 cookies.

Other sweet treats are Cookiewiches — ice cream sandwiched between two cookies — and brownies. You also can get milk, cartons of ice cream, and cookie cakes.

“We just launched a football cookie cake, which is especially popular in college towns,” Lodge said.

The bakery introduces special flavors throughout the year. In the fall, Insomnia added a spiced pumpkin nut cookie to its menu.

“This past February, we did red velvet for Valentine’s Day, and we did a lemon cookie for the spring,” Lodge said.

Olivia Rush, a University of Alabama junior from Montgomery, already was an Insomnia Cookies fan before the bakery opened near the UA campus.

“I’d had them in Birmingham,” Rush said. “I love sweets, and when my friends and I were in Birmingham, that was always a stop we had to make.”

Besides the store’s late hours and delivery service, Rush said she thinks there’s another reason Insomnia has been such a hit with UA students: smart marketing. She said that during exam week, she and

her Alpha Gamma Delta sorority sisters who were studying in the sorority house’s basement would get texts saying Insomnia Cookies were available upstairs.

“And before the store opened here, they’d be out on the Quad giving out samples,” Rush said.

Lodge said Insomnia’s campus brand ambassadors handle these kinds of promotions. It’s a tradition that goes back to the days when Berkowitz was trying to launch his business and handed out free samples on the UPenn campus.

While many customers take advantage of latenight delivery, the bakery has lots of daytime orders, too, Lodge said.

“We get orders for birthdays and for offices and hospitals,” she said.

It’s easy to place orders through the company’s website or by installing its app on your smartphone.

If you think you just can’t wait another minute for your cookies to arrive, you can stalk their delivery progress through the company’s online and app feature called Cookie Tracker.

Lodge said the company has a cookie donation program for charitable events and organizations.

Requests can be made through the website.

Rush said she especially likes Insomnia’s cookie sandwiches because “you can get ice cream and cookies.”

“My favorite combination is the double chocolate chunk cookie with vanilla ice cream,” she said. “I like to keep it simple.”

If you go (or if you want the cookies to come to you): Insomnia Cookies is at 1130 University Blvd. in the University Town Center shopping center. The store’s retail hours are 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Delivery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 a.m.

Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit www.insomniacookies.com or follow the bakery on social media.

29

029.indd 29

11/13/17 11:54 PM

FOODIE NEWS

Christmas Eve

CUISINE FAMILY FAVORITES

FOR DEC. 24 INCLUDE

EVERYTHING FROM RIB ROASTS TO OLIVE WREATHS

BY DONNA CORNELIUS

C

hristmas Day meals tend to involve standard fare like turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and enough desserts to send folks into sugar comas.

Christmas Eve celebrations are a different story.

Dec. 24 dinners are a chance to get a little more creative when it comes to cuisine.

While I was pulling out recipes for this issue’s story with a Christmas Eve menu, I couldn’t help but wonder (as Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” used to say) what other folks cook up on the night before Christmas. So I invited several Tuscaloosa friends to share their menus — and their family traditions, too. Here’s what they said:

30

030.indd 30

11/13/17 11:54 PM

FOODIE NEWS

Traci Ferguson English content specialist for the University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies’ ACCESS program and mom of three children: Parker, who’s 13, and twins Sophie and John Michael, age 7 My family does a beef tenderloin on Christmas Eve. We have lots of scrumptious sides and hearty appetizers to go with it: sautéed mushrooms, twice-baked potatoes, bacon-and-cheese-wrapped asparagus, artichoke dip, a cheese ball, eggnog, pecan pie, coconut cake, and sweet potato pie.

We eat the appetizers first, attend vespers at church and then come back for dinner. Before we open the gifts, one of the children reads the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2. My family from Jasper comes into town as well. Then we travel to Jasper on Christmas Day.

Susan Kizziah Retired from the Tuscaloosa County School System’s special education department We have a family meal on Christmas Eve consisting of homemade ricotta cavatelli (pasta) with Italian sausage and authentic Italian tomato sauce. We exchange gifts with the family members who will not be with us on Christmas Day. We attend a Christmas Eve church service together at First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa. “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” is read before the young children go to bed.

Louise Gambrell Third-grade teacher at Tuscaloosa Academy We have a very flexible family due to sharing time with the in-laws, etc., so the meal location varies depending on the year’s events. Weddings and babies tend to change up traditions and locations. The meals usually consist of everyone’s traditional favorite holiday foods. One special favorite is stuffed mushrooms. We add a wreath made from green olives stuffed with pimentos at Christmas.

For the last several years, my nephew has hosted a Christmas Eve party with a theme for dressing up. Last year, it was an Elvis theme, and the year before that,

it was a “Christmas Vacation” theme.

Everyone brings a dish of their favorite food. Sweet potatoes must be at any location.

Lauren, our daughter-in-law, loves to make an Italian minestrone dish that is a tradition in her family. She gets everyone involved in the chopping, and it’s lots of fun. There is always wine involved in the process.

Shay Lawson Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors executive vice president I’m usually exploring a new country on Christmas Eve with friends. I always travel over the Christmas holiday. I guess my Christmas Eve tradition is getting a new country passport stamp each year!

The most memorable Christmas Eve/ Christmas I had was on my trip to Antarctica. We were on a Russian icebreaker ship. We had a huge Christmas buffet on the deck of the ship (we were bundled in our five layers of clothes and thermal gear as it was about 5 degrees and sunny) complete with the turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Before the lunch started, a crew member dressed up in a Santa costume circled our ship in a Zodiac boat wishing everyone a Merry Christmas in multiple languages. He climbed the gangway up to the deck of our ship and passed out little boxes of Christmas chocolates to everyone on board.

It was quite the scene — it’s not every day you see Santa riding around in an inflatable Zodiac boat in the middle of the ocean in Antarctica!

Jean Rykaczewski West Alabama Food Bank executive director We go to early church and then our family does a spread of hot dips, appetizers and snacks. We make Poinsettias (champagne and cranberry juice cocktails) and play the Proper Game with a Christmas theme. The Proper Game is a made-up game where everyone writes down a few proper nouns on a slip of paper, puts them in a hat, and breaks into two teams. Players have 30 seconds to get their team to guess as many nouns as possible. There are several rounds, each with different rules.

When our children were babies, I started buying each of them a Christopher Radko ornament that they would open on Christmas Eve and put on the tree. Some of the ornaments have become very valuable, though that wasn’t the intent.

Donna Lushington Hamner Real Estate associate broker A holiday family tradition we observe is attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service at First United Methodist Church in downtown Tuscaloosa. It is so special as the sanctuary lights are dimmed with everyone holding candles as we walk outside (or inside if the weather is inclement or cold) singing “Silent Night” at the conclusion of the evening.

We have lunch at our house with Boston butt (usually from our church’s Cooking for Christ team), ham and beverages for young and old, including spiced eggnog and wassail. We invite extended family members, and each brings a side dish or dessert.

Shannon Templeton Former chief of pharmacy at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center We celebrate Christmas by attending one of the Christmas Eve services at church. Since I sing with the chancel choir, we attend the service at which the choir assists in full worship. Singing is worship for me, especially during this special time of year. Our evening meal usually consists of a soup or chili dish shared with any immediate family in town. If time permits, we play a game of Chicken Foot Dominoes and laugh when my husband, Eddie, always loses.

Erin Tucker Wife, mom of three, and extremely good cook We go to the Christmas Eve service at church where we take communion and sing “Silent Night” by candlelight. We usually have chicken corn chowder once we get home, and the kids are allowed to open one real gift and one fun gift. The gifts have been everything from inside snowballs to marshmallow shooters to board games — usually something fun we can all do that night as a family.

Santa Claus still comes on Christmas morning, and we have a big breakfast after we open our gifts from one another.

31

031.indd 31

11/13/17 11:54 PM

FOODIE NEWS

shape

GETTING IN

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS WITH CHOCOLATE MOLD CREATIONS et’s talk turkey. For your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, do you roast your bird or fry it? Brine it or not? Whatever your preference, chances are you’ll have some folks at your table who swear by the exact opposite method of the one you used (and don’t mind telling you).

But nobody’s likely to have a beef if you make turkeys out of chocolate or butter — or both.

Molded chocolates and butters are a fun way to add something special to your festive table. And they’re easier to make than you might think.

On the next page are instructions for making a turkey out of butter and out of chocolate. But the turkey thing is just to inspire you. Molds come in all shapes and sizes and holiday themes, from Christmas or Hanukkah to Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween.

We got our molds from The Chocolate Belles, which sells supplies for candymaking and cake decorating. It has a brick-and-mortar store in New Jersey, but you also can order a wide variety of molds from its website, www. thechocolatebelles.com, and can find instructional videos and tips there.

So get molding and get ready to impress the heck out of your guests. If you’re feeling really ambitious, make chocolate turkeys (or soldiers, angels or Santas) for take-home treats — or use large molds to create wow-worthy centerpieces like the white chocolate snowman pictured above.

32

032.indd 32

11/15/17 10:05 PM

FOODIE NEWS

To make a butter turkey: For a medium-sized turkey (using just one side of the 3-D mold), you’ll need about 2 sticks of butter. Soften it by taking it out of the refrigerator and letting it stand at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, just until it becomes spreadable.

Spread the butter into the mold. Use a spatula to make sure you’re filling the mold completely. Press down firmly on the butter with the spatula to make sure you’re getting rid of all the air pockets.

Even out the molded butter and get rid of any excess by swiping the spatula across the top.

Put the mold in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Put a plate over the open end of the mold, flip it over, and run cold water over the mold. Shake the mold a little to release the butter. The mold may release itself and pop out without the water.

Store your glorious creation in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.

To make a 3-D chocolate turkey: We used Ghirardelli’s Dark Melting Wafers and Melting Chips, available in Tuscaloosa at Sam’s Club in 1-pound, 14-ounce bags. For the snowman in the photo, we used Ghirardelli’s White Chocolate Melting Wafers.

It took nearly two of those large bags. The amount of chocolate needed depends on what you’re making, but a large bag will make about five small 3-D molds.

Melt the chocolate (follow the instructions on the bag) and pour it into a pitcher or large measuring cup to make the pouring easier.

Place your mold on a flat surface. Pour chocolate into one side of the mold (the 3-D molds typically come in two pieces) until each cavity of the mold is filled and until the chocolate is level with the top of each opening.

Attach the other part of the mold to the chocolatefilled side using wide binder clips, the kind found in office supplies. (You’ll need at least 8 clips.)

Turn the mold over several times, side to side and top to bottom, to make sure the chocolate gets into every nook and cranny. Gently tap the mold on the counter (or with your fingers) to get rid of any air bubbles.

Place the mold in the freezer for about 30 seconds.

Take it out, turn it over and put it back in the freezer for

another 30 seconds. Be sure to keep flipping the mold in order to get an even coating on each side. Repeat this process until you can see the chocolate pull away from the mold.

Remove the clips from the mold. You may see a little excess chocolate around the edges of the mold; to remove it, carefully flex the mold.

Carefully remove one side of the mold to make sure your turkey will release without sticking to the mold.

Replace that side, turn the mold over, and carefully remove that side, again making sure that your turkey releases properly.

Remove the turkey from the mold. (It’s not necessary, but wearing disposable food prep gloves will prevent fingerprints on the chocolate.)

Make sure the bottom of the turkey is level so that it will stand up. If it’s not level, use a small paring knife to gently scrape the bottom.

If you’d like to dress up your turkey, you can use melted chocolate (put it in a plastic squeeze bottle) and colorful candy sprinkles to adorn it. To see how to do this, check out The Chocolate Belles’ YouTube video; just search for “Chocolate Belles turkey.” And the beauty of this is, if at first you don’t succeed, just re-melt the turkey and try again.

33

033.indd 33

11/15/17 10:05 PM

34

034.indd 34

11/13/17 11:55 PM

OUTDOORS

David Patterson has caught fish in all 50 states. His new goal is to catch 50 different species on bamboo rods he handcrafts.

GONE

BY STEVE IRVINE • PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

FISHING David Patterson flips from coaching gymnastics to angling

fficially, David Patterson’s fishing hobby, which is really more of a passion, is wrapped inside a pair of quests. The first one — which was completed before he and his wife, Sarah, retired as coaches for the University of Alabama gymnastics program — was to catch a fish in each of the 50 states. The second one, which is still in the early stages, is to catch 50 different species of fish on the bamboo rod that he built himself.

But this isn’t necessarily a story about a hobby turned into a passion. For that matter, it’s not solely about chasing — and in one case, achieving — a pair of impressive fishing goals. Put the two together, though, and you have a glimpse into a small part of Patterson’s life. >>

David and Sarah Patterson coached the University of Alabama to six NCAA women’s gymnastics national championships.

35

035.indd 35

11/14/17 10:40 PM

OUTDOORS

Fishing — specifically fly fishing — became one of Patterson’s lifelong goals before he retired after helping build one of the most successful NCAA gymnastics programs. It was during a recruiting trip to Austin, Texas, that he realized what he loved most about his hobby.

“I just happened to be talking to this girl’s father. We found out we both shared the fly-fishing bug,” Patterson said.

The conversation turned to how that happened.

“He said, ‘What I learned a long time ago, God didn’t put trout in ugly places,’ ” Patterson said. “And it’s true. For trout, they’re up in the cold, clean mountain water. That’s my favorite kind of fishing. I enjoy catching a big redfish down off the coast, or something like that, but I do feel closest to God when I’m up in the mountains: that beautiful, rushing stream. I think that’s what hooked me on it years ago.”

Patterson’s interest in fishing is lifelong, but it heated up around 1994. He was fly fishing at spots around Tuscaloosa and on family vacations. In the fall of 1996, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

During his recovery from surgery, one of his brothers came to help out at the Pattersons’ house.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Patterson fishes at the Rock Quarry Boat Landing in September. • Closeups of the bamboo fishing rods crafted

by Patterson.

36

036.indd 36

11/14/17 10:41 PM

OUTDOORS

A part of my fishing quest was because I thought there was a chance I would not live very long, and I wanted my family and friends to see me go on living and having goals, no matter what the prognosis.” — DAVID PATTERSON “He was real big on, ‘You’ve got to set goals, you’ve got to be looking forward to something,’ ” Patterson said. “I just came up with the idea. I traveled a lot with recruiting, so I said, ‘Well, maybe I’ll try to catch a fish in every state.’ ” A year after the surgery, he took his first fishing trip with several Tuscaloosa friends, including his surgeon, Ken Aldridge. Patterson and Aldridge started talking about fly fishing during his checkups, and Aldridge invited him to join a group in their yearly trip to the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado.

For Patterson, it was the start of an important journey that grew into much more than just catching fish.

“A part of my fishing quest was because I thought there was a chance I would not live very long, and I wanted my family and friends to see me go on living and having goals, no matter what the prognosis,” Patterson said.

He also wanted to help others outside of his family and circle of friends.

“One of the best things that came out of my cancer being public knowledge was that others would get in touch with me when they got a similar diagnosis,” Patterson said. “I was able to help them prepare for surgery and the long recovery process as well as talk about fears that we all have when faced with cancer.”

The fishing quest took off over the next few years, partly during family vacations and partly during recruiting trips or while he was on the road for gymnastics meets. His fly rod, which travels easily in a tube, was with him on most trips. His hope was to incorporate a few hours of fly fishing into his trips. At times, he would spend his own money to stay an extra day to fish. Other times, he would squeeze in a couple of hours before hustling to an airport to fly home.

Each stop had its own story. Each is special in its own way. Some were shared with friends.

Often he lost himself in the solitude of fishing by himself. In 2000, he followed up an appearance at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, held at Boise State, with a day of fishing in the Idaho mountains. It took him three different times to catch a fish in New Jersey. >>

37

037.indd 37

11/14/17 12:03 AM

OUTDOORS

He fell in love with so many spots — perhaps the Rockies as much as any — throughout the nation.

A family vacation in Hawaii, which was arranged by UA gymnastics letterwinners to honor Sarah and David’s 30th year of coaching, produced a funny story. It came early one morning when David sneaked out of the hotel room he shared with Sarah and their daughters, Jessie and Jordan.

He figured he would fish for a few hours and get back by the time everyone woke up. It took him nearly the entire time to finally catch a fish.

“Here I am, the Alabama coach in Hawaii, and the fish was orange and blue,” Patterson said with a smile. “It was the only fish I caught in Hawaii.

My Auburn friends enjoyed that.”

In many ways, the quest he chased intertwined with his coaching life.

“We were always setting goals with what we were trying to do with our team in a year,” Patterson said. “Those were important day-to-day goals.

This was always kind of a goal in the back of my mind. I probably doubted when I would really get it done. When I got to about the 30th state, I was like, ‘I might actually get this thing done.’ ” A goal inside his goal was to finish all 50 by the time he was 50. He finished at the age of 52, before his retirement. Missouri was his final state, and he shared the experience with another one of his brothers.

In July of 2014, after 36 years at UA, Sarah and David retired from coaching. He wasn’t necessarily searching for ways to fill the days of their retirement. However, woodworking — which, like fly fishing, he began before retirement — became an important part of his life. He eased into it before moving equipment into his garage. When Sarah wanted the garage back, he moved it into a shop they built behind their house.

38

038.indd 38

11/14/17 12:04 AM

OUTDOORS

I don’t think I want to go catch fish in every state again on bamboo, but I’d like to have a goal with my bamboo rod.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Patterson casts his bamboo rod. • A sample of the bamboo rods he has made. • His workshop includes plenty of space for his hobby, woodworking.

He’s made a variety of things — big, small and in between. Most are gifts for family and friends.

“I’ve decided in retirement that I can’t let this be a drain on our finances, so I’m going to start selling some things,” Patterson said. “I’m going to sell things that I want to make. I just want to make things I like. If somebody else likes them, then that’s great.”

Making his own bamboo rod for fly fishing was also something he hoped to do. In November of 2015, he attended a class in Blue Ridge, Georgia, run by worldrenowned rod maker Bill Oyster. He learned the craft by building his own rod during the class. A conversation with Oyster hatched the idea of his next fishing quest.

“I said, I don’t think I want to go catch fish in every state again on bamboo, but I’d like to have a goal with my bamboo rod,” said Patterson, who was 12 species into his new quest as of October. “He actually suggested, ‘Why don’t you try to catch 50 species?’ I was like, ‘OK, that’s something I can do.’ That’s not something I’m in a rush to do, especially with my woodworking. It’s something I’ll creep up on and try to do five to 10 species a year. Once you get to a point, you’ve got to start seeking them out.”

39

039.indd 39

11/14/17 12:06 AM

Subscribe, renew or send as a gift for a friend.

Where image is everything…

and presentation is a close second.

3 issues for only $9.75

Name__________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________ City ____________________________ State _____ Zip _________ Telephone (

) ____________

– ______________________

TO ORDER BY CHECK Make check payable to The Tuscaloosa News and remit in a secure envelope to 315 28th Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

TO ORDER BY PHONE, CALL 205-722-0102

3 TMAG OFFER.indd 1

ISSUES

ONLY

$9.75

11/16/17 5:56 PM

AT HOME

BY BECKY HOPF • PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

MAKING AN

ENTRANCE How to transform your door for each season

41

041.indd 41

11/14/17 12:07 AM

AT HOME

ne door. Four looks.

Making your entrance the envy of the neighborhood isn’t as hard as you may think.

In the next few pages, we’ll show you how you can wow with just two adornments: a wreath and a filled urn.

We supplied the creative designer, Ray Taylor, the urn and the cute kids, Harper and Evers Sikes. Their parents, Steve and Lucy Sikes, let us borrow their front door.

Michaels supplied the rest. In a matter of minutes, Ray swept through the Tuscaloosa store and pulled wreaths for each season, flowers, ribbon, floral supplies and adornments and even gave a great perch to two dapperly dressed reindeer.

As for supplies, be sure to get a block (or two) of Styrofoam (available in the floral supplies section) to place inside the urn. You’ll stick the flower stems in the floral foam — that’s what will keep them upright and neat. You’ll also need something to hang your wreath on your door. There are many options here, from the simplicity of a nail to a hanging hook, an over-thedoor-hook or, if you’re hanging it through glass or a metal door, a magnetic wreath hanger. You’ll also want floral or thin craft wire and small craft or floral wire cutters to cut through the wire. (And you can always use string, in a pinch.)

Special thanks to Bo Allen, the manager at Tuscaloosa’s Michaels store, and to Mallory Smith, the manager of public relations at Michaels, for allowing us to show off the possibilities, using their products.

Spring/ Summer (On previous page)

Two wreaths are used for the door.

A ready-made twig/stick wreath was placed behind a ready-made blue hydrangea wreath. Ray found ribbon on a spool to match the color of the hydrangeas and created and attached the bow. The “S” is for the homeowners’ last name and was also a product at Michaels.

Blue hydrangeas, which coordinate with the wreath, fill the urn, along with sprigs of fern fronds.

42

042.indd 42

11/14/17 12:07 AM

AT HOME

Fall/Thanksgiving For the wreath, Ray simply pulled together several long-stemmed faux flowers in fall colors — making sure they matched the colors in the ready-made domed urn from Michaels — and then pulled the door bouquet together with wire to secure the flowers. He adorned the bouquet with a bow he made using burlap ribbon.

He topped the urn with a real pumpkin, but you can always use faux.

43

043.indd 43

11/14/17 10:42 PM

AT HOME

Christmas For the door, Ray combined two wreaths to give it depth. He used a ready-made round stick wreath for the base, then topped it with a ready-made magnolia wreath.

Ray added accents like the reindeer and the gold (handmade) bow. He also bundled together three large, round, colorful ornaments, creating a draping effect for how they hang, and strung them on a wire and attached them to the wreath.

The urn is spectacular and so simple. The base is a ready-made wreath of greenery.

The poinsettias come in a bundle with several on one branch. He found the readymade elf’s feet and threw those in for height and color. And he did the same as he did with the wreath with wiring together the Christmas-colored ornament balls.

44

044.indd 44

11/15/17 11:59 PM

45

045.indd 45

11/14/17 12:09 AM

AT HOME

Halloween

Spooky never looked so fun.

The door wreath — with red accents — was ready-made.

The urn was made with a Halloween, black-feather wreath supplying the base. Ray added the long, spiral twigs for height and a Halloween air. He topped it with a witch’s hat, then added the red and black-and-white bows to match the colors on the door wreath. The pumpkins are faux, and the small urn with the witch’s stocking feet was a ready-made product at Michaels.

46

046.indd 46

11/14/17 10:43 PM

047.indd 47

11/16/17 6:30 PM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

5th Street Vintage Market

ark your calendars because you get three chances to shop here in the coming months: Dec. 3, 2017, March 4, 2018, and June 3, 2018. It’s covered, so it will be open on those dates, rain or shine. There’s no telling what you might find there. In September, its offerings included a Turkish camel saddle (purchased for $20 and in great condition), a rare 1950s toy Coca-Cola grocery buggy for $300, vinyl records, furniture, jewelry, linens, vintage clothing, housewares, lighting, original artwork, vintage Christmas décor, handmade items and so much more. It’s free to browse and a perfect leisurely Sunday activity. (They even sell concessions.) Bring cash: Only a few vendors are set up for credit card transactions. Prices are wideranging, negotiable and reasonable.

Address: 4150 Fifth St., Northport, site of Northport Farmers Market • Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Website: www.5thstreetvintagemarket.com • Facebook: 5th Street Vintage Market

PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR. 48

048.indd 48

11/14/17 12:14 AM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

49

049.indd 49

11/14/17 12:12 AM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

Anna Kate & Co. he go-to shop for gifts for showers, weddings, birthdays and babies.

It’s also tops for tailgate serving pieces, holiday décor, gourmet food items, Ronaldo jewelry, art, paper products, Tyler candle products, Glamorous Wash and so many things you never realized you can’t live without and must not leave the store without! The only store in Tuscaloosa that carries Etta B Pottery. In business for nearly a quarter of a century, Anna Kate & Co. also sells regional gifts from the South.

PHOTOS BY ERIN NELSON

Address: 312 Merchants Walk, Suite 5B • Phone: 205-3492206 • Hours: Closed Mondays. Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Facebook: Anna Kate & Co. • Instagram: @anna_kate_and_co

50

050.indd 50

11/14/17 12:13 AM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

Anders Hardware t 108 years and counting — it was established in 1909 — it’s still a bit of a general store at heart. It’s one of those places you need to just see to believe. It no longer sells baby chicks — that ended about 20 years ago — or cast-iron stoves or coal by the scoop. Today’s best-sellers are nuts, bolts and fasteners, but you can also pick up a snow sled, logging tongs, horseshoes, canning equipment, chicken feed, yard tools, hammers, chains, pots, cleaning supplies, electrical switches, lightbulbs, beekeeping supplies, overalls, a scoop of peanuts out of a galvanized bucket — or even a curling iron.

PHOTOS BY ERIN NELSON

Address: 419 Main Ave., Northport • Phone: 205-752-0461 • Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun. 1-4 p.m. • Website: www.andershardware.com • Facebook: Anders Hardware

51

051.indd 51

11/16/17 1:13 PM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

Belle Chambre he “Ahhhhh …” store. Fine luxury linens; gifts; home accessories; Bella Notte linens and PJ Harlow pajamas; coffee table books; scarves; scent diffusers and candles; soaps and lotions; baby bedding, toys and gifts; frames; pillows and towels; stationery — you won’t want to ever leave.

PHOTOS BY ERIN NELSON

Address: The Tuscaloosa Galleria, 1653 McFarland Blvd. N. • Phone: 205-7599008 • Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Website: www.bellechambretuscaloosa.com • Facebook: Belle Chambre Tuscaloosa

52

052.indd 52

11/14/17 12:14 AM

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

The Toy Shoppe irvana for the young and the young at heart. It’s the only specialty toy shop in Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Some of the items you’ll find: Sky Saucer swings, Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, Calico Critters, Madame Alexander dolls, Plasma cars, bath toys, classic books, games, quality doll furniture, babies’ toys, toy horses made

by Breyer and much, much more. They’ll even create and stuff Easter baskets in the spring. The store provides free gift wrapping and has recently added a newly remodeled Lee Middleton Doll Adoption Center, like the one FAO Schwarz used to have; there are only a few of these around the country.

PHOTOS BY ERIN NELSON

Address: 431 Main Ave., Northport • Phone: 205-345-0061 • Hours: Closed on Mondays. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Website: www. toyshoppeinc.com • Facebook: www.facebook.com/toyshoppenorthport • Instagram: @toyshoppeinc 53

053.indd 53

11/14/17 12:15 AM

54

054.indd 54

11/16/17 6:34 PM

CELEBRATIONS

SETTING THE SCENE BY

SETTING THE

TA B L E

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year CHARGER: Annieglass, Ruffle Platinum | DINNERWARE: Haviland, Symphonie Platinum | DESSERT PLATE: Haviland, Tiara Platinum | STEMWARE: Waterford, Lismore Tall Platinum | FLATWARE: Oneida, Sheraton | ORNAMENT: Reed & Barton, Christmas Cross | FLOWERS BY: Krista Poole

ts name is Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers, but there is so much more in this name. The store, which first opened its doors in Tuscaloosa on April 1, 1985, is where local brides and grooms go to select their wedding registry. It’s also where one goes for silver, china, crystal and serveware, or just to walk around and experience what an upscale showroom, with a staff devoted to customer service, feels like.

With the holidays coming in swift succession — Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and Easter, and the fresh air of spring — we asked Krista Poole of Hudson-Poole if she and her staff would put together some tablescape ideas. With “Downton Abbey”-like precision and an eye for mixing patterns and matching with floral centerpieces, they created five elegant — and repeatable — looks.

EDITED BY BECKY HOPF • PHOTOS BY ERIN NELSON

55

055.indd 55

11/14/17 12:16 AM

CELEBRATIONS

Happy Holidays DINNERWARE: Vietri, Old St. Nick LINENS: Halo Home FLOWERS BY: Krista Poole

LEFT: Ashley Johnson, left, and Krista Poole

56

056.indd 56

11/14/17 12:17 AM

CELEBRATIONS

Table for Eight DINNERWARE: Mottahedeh, Tobacco Leaf STEMWARE: Schott Zwiesel FLATWARE: Gorham, Chantilly LINENS: Beatriz Ball FLOWERS BY: Krista Poole

57

057.indd 57

11/14/17 12:17 AM

CELEBRATIONS

Spring Fever CHARGER: Juliska, Quinta Natural Cork Charger | DINNER PLATE: Juliska, Berry & Thread Whitewash | DESSERT PLATE: Herend, Golden Laurel | SALAD PLATE: Herend, Queen Victoria | GOBLET: Waterford, Lismore Essence | FLATWARE: Lenox, Vintage Jewel | LINENS: Juliska | FLOWERS BY: Krista Poole

58

058.indd 58

11/14/17 12:18 AM

CELEBRATIONS

Valentine’s Day DINNERWARE: Vietri, Incanto | GOBLET: Waterford, Lismore Essence | BOWL: Annieglass (small heart) | FLOWERS AND VELLUM MENUS BY: Krista Poole

59

059.indd 59

11/14/17 12:18 AM

TRAVEL

Time travel

BY BECKY HOPF

Mackinac Island has been a vacation destination for more than a century

magine waking up to the crisp clip-clop of hooves hitting pavement.

The main streets are paved, though there are no automobiles in sight. Anywhere. In fact, there are few streets in the entire town, and, of those that do exist, many are unpaved.

All of the traffic is by horse, horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and meandering pedestrians. The only automobiles allowed on the entire island are for emergency use: a police vehicle, ambulance, fire trucks and a few utility trucks, though it’s likely a visitor will never see any of these. The mail comes by either plane or boat. There is no delivery. Locals and businesses must go to the post office to fetch their own. >>

One of the first orders of business upon arriving should be a carriage ride. The guided tour takes visitors around the island with stops where they can get off and on again, including a stop at the Grand Hotel (top).

60

060.indd 60

11/16/17 1:13 PM

TRAVEL

61

061.indd 61

11/14/17 12:25 AM

TRAVEL

Mackinac Island, Michigan — it’s pronounced Mackinaw — is one of the most charming towns on earth, all 8.3 miles of it. (And that’s in circumference.)

It’s a step back in time, and what a lovely step it is.

Every square inch is a postcard. The scenic beauty starts with the first glimpses of the island from the ferry visitors take across the Straits of Mackinac to reach the island and gets even better. Upon stepping off the ferry, visitors are greeted by the view of the main street, filled with the bustle of bicyclists and horse-drawn carriages.

And a short walk, or ride, leads to one of the most spectacular vistas, a view of the Straits from one of the white rocking chairs on the 660-foot-long front porch — billed as the world’s longest — at the 130-year-old Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel is the crown jewel in a location with a seemingly endless supply of gems. Originally opened in 1887, it has always been a destination hotel. Then, rooms went for $3 to $5 a night. Now? Rates for the small rooms, with interior views, start around $329 per person for a double or $651 for a single on Sunday through Thursday. The price jumps higher on weekends.

The room price does include indulgences, such as a full breakfast and a five-course dinner. Guests may go broke, but they will never go hungry.

For non-guests, just to have access to the hotel and sit on the porch — a perfect spot for afternoon tea or a cocktail — the fee is $10. Arrive in time for lunch and, though it will be pricey — around $50 — the buffet, served in the main dining room, stretches for yards.

Atop the white tablecloths are offerings of a variety of beef, chicken, seafood, salads, fruits, soups, vegetables, breads and desserts. The hotel deducts the $10 spent for access from the price of the buffet.

Tour the hotel public areas to see the vivid Dorothy Draper & Co. décor. Peeks into the guest rooms are not allowed, but it is said no two rooms are decorated exactly alike. >>

62

062.indd 62

11/14/17 12:25 AM

TRAVEL CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The view of the harbor. • The streets of Mackinac Island are bustling with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and pedestrians. • Downtown, late night. • Visitors, including the 500 horses that work on the island in the summer, arrive on the island by ferry. • Inns and restaurants line Main Street. • The jewel of the island, the Grand Hotel.

63

063.indd 63

11/15/17 11:59 PM

TRAVEL

Photos in the public areas depict some of the Grand’s rich history. The Esther Williams Swimming Pool on the grounds is named after the competitive swimmer and actress, who starred with Jimmy Durante in 1947’s “This Time for Keeps,” a movie filmed there and on the island. The hotel played a key role in the Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer movie “Somewhere in Time.” In fact, you can see one of the hats Reeve wore in the movie in one of the hotel’s hallways. (Some hotels even run that movie, nonstop, on the TVs in the guest rooms.)

The Grand Hotel’s guests have included Mark Twain, who lectured there, for $1 a person, in 1895. Madonna, Robert De Niro, Barbara Walters, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, President Gerald Ford, President John F. Kennedy, President Harry Truman, Colin Powell and even golfer Arnold Palmer have all stayed there.

See the hotel, but don’t stop there. Visitors can tour the island on a narrated horse-drawn carriage ride.

During the summer season, there are some 500 horses on the island. Like the humans, the horses are only there for the season, typically May through October.

Also like the humans, these horses all arrive, and depart, the island by ferry.

Ferries are key to any visit. It’s how the residents move around. About 500 people live on the island full time, though the number of residents swells in the summer with vacation homeowners and summer workers. Ferries depart from nearby Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, starting around 7:30 a.m. Many visitors who aren’t staying overnight on the island stay nearby in those two cities. For those staying on the island, hotels will pick up and transfer the luggage from the ferry to the hotel. Include a light jacket for the ferry ride. On a visit in late July, the temperatures were in the mid- to low 70s, windy and even cooler on the boat ride.

64

064.indd 64

11/14/17 12:25 AM

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Arch. • Golfers playing the Grand Hotel’s course make the turn by horse-drawn carriage. • A lighthouse near the ferry dock.• A florist works on an arrangement at the Grand Hotel.

Visitors can also choose to fly in, on a very small plane, from St. Ignace.

Biking is one of the most popular activities on the island. Visitors can rent bikes and helmets on the island, or they can bring their own on the ferry. There are also horse rentals for the apt riders to navigate the island.

Shopping is mostly confined to two streets, where stores are mixed in with restaurants. The shops offer décor, art, T-shirts, souvenirs and jewelry. And there are fudge shops. There are fudge shops everywhere on the island, including the hotels. So popular is fudge as the island’s treat that there’s even a fudge festival each August.

Restaurants are medium to pricey, with American, Italian, seafood and casual dining among the offerings.

There are no fast-food restaurants, but there are places to get a burger or pizza. There’s a grocery market downtown on Main Street. Nightlife includes bars along Main Street and the downtown area as well as in the hotels.

Some nights there’s a free concert in the park on Main Street or a movie showing at Mission Point Resort.

It’s an island, but swimming isn’t recommended because the lake bottom is so rocky. Water shoes are required. Visitors are encouraged to stay on top of the water and can partake in activities like boat rides, fishing, kayaking, sailing and parasailing. >>

65

065.indd 65

11/16/17 12:00 AM

TRAVEL

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Guests staying at the Grand Hotel are picked up at the ferry dock and driven by carriage to the iconic hotel. • Fudge is a major commodity on the island with more than a dozen fudge shops. • Boy Scouts camp and help maintain the island’s state park.

Lodging on the island includes hotels, home rentals and bed-and-breakfast inns.

Book early, because rooms go fast. Some places are already booked for the entire 2018 season.

Cellphones, Wi-Fi and cable television all work on the island.

Like Cinderella’s slippers, the magic doesn’t last long. Winter in Michigan is harsh. Though a few places stay open year-round, places like the Grand Hotel are open only from May

through late October. Once winter hits, the water freezes. The ferry service from Mackinaw City closes down for the season. It continues from St. Ignace if the water is navigable.

When it’s not, residents and visitors use the plane service. Come mid-winter, an ice dam will often form between St. Ignace and Mackinac, and visitors and residents alike go back and forth on snowmobiles as long as the ice lasts. Visitors number a fraction of what they are in the summer, but those who do brave

the ice and snow bring their snowmobiles — there are no snowmobile rentals on the island — or even do a little cross-country skiing.

Mackinac Island is magical. It’s a fit for family, friends or couples. Ride a bike, ride a horse, or ride a rocking chair. There’s a reason this island has been a vacation destination for more than a century.

Photos for this story are from the writer, the Grand Hotel and the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

66

066.indd 66

11/16/17 12:01 AM

BLACK & WHITE FACTS Bringing you the best coverage of college sports in West Alabama

CRIMSON ALL OVER Tidesports Magazine ad.indd 1

11/16/17 5:54 PM

STYLE

Tuscaloosa

TIPSTERS T

hey are the women and men who help make Tuscaloosa more beautiful, local social media stars who, among the eight of them, have more than 84,000 followers. And each only began posting to social media within the last two or three years.

The eight range from 18-yearold college freshman and American Christian Academy graduate Natalie Moore to salon owner Emily Summerville to third-generation clothier Christopher Mobley. And then there’s uber-success story Jenna Powell. In three years’ time, she opened her first Jennaration Boutique that was such a hit she’s already opened a second location. A single post of an item her store sells often gets hundreds of responses on Facebook, including a blouse that received 1,000 replies. Anna Beth Lancaster, a 2013 Tuscaloosa Academy graduate who earned a degree in fashion retail, business and entrepreneurship from the University of Alabama in May 2017, has

spent her fall interning in Austin, Texas, with Kelly Wynne handbags while also planning her upcoming wedding to Tuscaloosa’s Carter Standeffer. Chaney Boatright is an in-demand hairstylist and makeup artist whose clients have included college coaches to NASA leaders and everyone else in between.

Chelsea Olivia Lowe is a bundle of energy and charisma who holds down a full-time job in marketing and posts about a little bit of everything, gathering more than 33,000 followers on Instagram in two short years. And then there’s Billy Peek, the gentleman’s barber who has been holding court for the past five years in The Grooming Room at Mobley & Sons.

EDITED BY BECKY HOPF • PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

68

068.indd 68

11/15/17 10:07 PM

STYLE

Anna Beth Lancaster “All things blush pink make me happy. Anything that makes me happy, I want to share! I started this as a hobby, a fun, creative outlet, because I love fashion. I share things that inspire me in life, things that are pink, classy, beautiful and fun.”

AGE: 22 • POSTS ABOUT: Fashion and style • FOLLOWERS: 1,788 on Instagram, 314 on Facebook • WHERE TO FIND HER: Instagram: @ab_sunshineydays • Web: sunshineydays.com • Facebook: Sunshiney Days • SPECIALTIES: Fashion, Kelly Wynne handbags, her engagement story, Susan Standeffer Designs (jewelry)

69

069.indd 69

11/14/17 10:50 PM

STYLE

Chaney Boatright ”Be authentic.

In a day of filters and false perfection, the real you is the prettiest.”

AGE: “None. Of. Your. Business.”

• POSTS ABOUT: Hair, makeup, products • FOLLOWERS: 1,436 on Instagram and 543 on Twitter • WHERE TO FIND HER: Instagram: @Chaneyboat • Twitter: @chaneyboat • The Nook: 2820 Seventh St.; For appointment, call or text: 205523-1662 • SPECIALTIES: Cutting, coloring and styling

70

070.indd 70

11/16/17 12:04 AM

STYLE

Chelsea Olivia Lowe “I write about EVERYTHING. I’m crazy about fashion, faith, fitness, family, friends and football.”

AGE: 27 • POSTS ABOUT: Fashion/hair/makeup • FOLLOWERS: 33,900 on Instagram; 2,800 on Pinterest • WHERE TO FIND HER: Instagram: @ ChelseaOlivia13 • Facebook: Lowe Co. Petite • Blog: Lowecopetite.com • Twitter: @ChelseaOliviaLo • Pinterest: ChelseaOlivia • SPECIALTIES: Clothes, hair and makeup

71

071.indd 71

11/14/17 10:54 PM

STYLE

Natalie Moore “The more texture you spray in your hair the better — especially for messy hair days.”

AGE: 18 • POSTS ABOUT: Products she loves and has tested; hair and makeup • FOLLOWERS: 1,500 on Instagram • WHERE TO FIND HER: Facebook: Natalie Moore • Instagram: @natghairandmakeup • SPECIALTIES: Fashion, hair, makeup

72

072.indd 72

11/15/17 9:39 PM

STYLE

Christopher Mobley “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”

AGE: 23 • LEGACY: Third-generation clothier at Mobley & Sons • FOLLOWERS: 1,300 on Instagram •WHERE TO FIND HIM: Instagram: @mobley_and_sons • Facebook: Mobley & Sons • Mobley & Sons: Tuscaloosa Galleria, 1657 McFarland Blvd. • Phone: 205-345-7929 • SPECIALTY: Teaching the art of style in menswear

73

073.indd 73

11/15/17 9:39 PM

STYLE

Billy Peek “Don’t overthink it. If you’re spending more than five minutes on your hair, you’re spending too much time.”

AGE: 31 • POSTS ABOUT: Hair and grooming • FOLLOWERS: 408 on Instagram • WHERE TO FIND HIM: Instagram: @billypeek • The Grooming Room at Mobley & Sons: Tuscaloosa Galleria, 1657 McFarland Blvd. • Phone: 205-345-7929 • SPECIALTIES: Haircuts and shaves, by appointment only • To book him: Go online at mobleyandsons.com

74

074.indd 74

11/15/17 9:39 PM

STYLE

Jenna Powell “What I love about our store is that we dress women from ages 17 to 70 — all generations. If you look good, you feel good.”

AGE: 31 • POSTS ABOUT: Fashion. Styling. Jewelry.

Shoes. Accessories. Items of clothing for sale in her stores — sometimes getting as many as 1,000 responses on Facebook for one item.

• FOLLOWERS: 15,000 on Instagram; 20,000 on Facebook; voted Best Storefront Boutique in Alabama • WHERE TO FIND HER: Instagram: @jennarationboutique • Facebook: (it’s an exclusive group) Jennaration Boutique VIP • Snapchat: shopjennaration • Jennaration Boutique: 2 locations, 9730 Highway 69 S. in Tuscaloosa (205-409-6066) and 13548 Highway 43 N., Suite 4 in Northport (205-409-6115).

Both locations are in WinnDixie shopping centers.

• SPECIALTIES: Style from head to toe. Nothing in her store costs more than $48, and the stores have new arrivals every day. All sizes, from small to plus.

75

075.indd 75

11/15/17 10:08 PM

STYLE

Emily Summerville “You can’t go wrong with highlight, mascara and some lip color.”

AGE: 27 • POSTS ABOUT: Hair and makeup tips • FOLLOWERS: 5,000 on her personal Instagram; 2,000 on her business Instagram • WHERE TO FIND HER: Instagram: @Emily_Summerville_styles and @thenookTusc • Owner/stylist and makeup artist at The Nook: 2820 Seventh St. • The Nook phone: 205-764-9407 • SPECIALTIES: “Enhancing your natural beauty”

76

076.indd 76

11/15/17 9:40 PM

77

BOOKS

The book of the month club Avid reader Cecil Hurt shares his ideas for12 books to read in 2018 e is one of the most well-read people you may ever meet. Rarely is Tuscaloosa News Sports Editor Cecil Hurt seen without a book in his hands. An English major, sometimes he’d read 100 books a semester in college. He’s a lifelong reader whose reading list is diverse.

So, we thought, who better to craft a list

of books for suggested reading, one for each month of the year, than Cecil?

Here’s his list — with a caveat.

“I did not choose the 12 best all-time books. I chose books I think people would like to read, that would appeal to a variety of people,” he said. “All were written in my lifetime, most in the last 20 years.”

PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR. 78

078.indd 78

11/16/17 12:01 AM

BOOKS

January: “Between The World And Me,” by TaNehisi Coates — An important work on 21st-century race relations, in the form of a letter to his son.

February: “The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Life with the World’s Most Melancholy Cat,” by Tom Cox — A book about Cox’s cat, The Bear, perhaps the most memorable character you’ll meet all year.

March: “Pulphead,” by John Jeremiah Sullivan — Essays on everything from Southern agrarianism to Axl Rose from the native Kentuckian.

April: “Deep In The Green,” by Anne Raver — A book about gardening that is so good you will enjoy it if you don’t have a garden (and you will love it if you do).

May: “Life,” by Keith Richards — One of the true real rock stars, with a surprisingly good memory.

June: “The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It,” by Lawrence Ritter — The book that taught me about the original greats of baseball.

(I am assuming everyone has read “Bear: The Hard Life & Good Times of Alabama’s Coach Bryant,” the autobiography with John Underwood.

If not, do so.)

July:

October:

“Hypothermia,” by Arnaldur Indridason — An Icelandic murder mystery that’s the perfect balance for summer reading at the beach.

“11/22/63,” by Stephen King — Not a scary horror work from King, but a (sort of) historical fiction involving time travel and the JFK assassination.

August:

November:

“Eleven Kinds of Loneliness,” by Richard Yates — Short stories that capture the hidden loneliness of the 1950s from a writer who haunted the bars of Tuscaloosa for a time.

“Alexander Hamilton,” by Ron Chernow — Not the musical but a great biography that shows us why Hamilton’s shadow continues to color our early national history.

September:

December:

“Airships,” by Barry Hannah — Classic short stories by Hannah, once an English professor at the University of Alabama.

“Wolf Hall,” by Hilary Mantel — Part of a Henry VIII trilogy but stands on its own and towers above most historical fiction.

Eight of these 12 books are carried by the Tuscaloosa Public Library.

79

080.indd 80

11/16/17 6:36 PM

HISTORY

175

YEARS and counting Marion Military Institute

celebrates its terquasquicentennial

081.indd 81

81

11/14/17 12:29 AM

HISTORY

BY TIFFANY STANTON PHOTOS BY GARY COSBY JR.

his school year, Marion Military Institute in Marion marks its 175th anniversary. The celebration began Sept. 1 when MMI President Col. David J. Mollahan addressed the freshman class during the school’s traditional school-year kickoff ceremony in which the freshmen transition from “recruit” to “cadet.” The celebration will be capped with the burial of a time capsule containing cadet memorabilia on the weekend of April 13, 2018.

The anniversary has awakened fond memories from its alumni, including two who live in Tuscaloosa.

Bill Mathews, who attended Marion Military Institute in the late 1950s, said cadets gathered on campus every Sunday morning to march through the surrounding town in full uniform.

In those days, church was a required activity for every young man enrolled in MMI’s high school and junior college programs but that each cadet could choose which church he attended.

So a parade of uniformed students would march from campus around town to Siloam Baptist Church, then to Marion First United Methodist Church, Marion Presbyterian Church and finally St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, with small groups breaking off at each building. >>

Marion Military Institute celebrates 175 years of education on its campus in Marion. TOP LEFT: Cadet Sgt. Ashlin Jiminez salutes as he passes in review during the lunch roll call parade. RIGHT: Cadet Command Sgt. Vernadette Lapena turns and faces the American flag as the lunch roll call begins on the school’s parade grounds.

82

082.indd 82

11/14/17 10:56 PM

HISTORY

83

083.indd 83

11/14/17 12:32 AM

HISTORY

Mathews reckons many of his colleagues were Baptists most Sundays but not necessarily because they’d grown up as such.

“Think like a cadet for a minute,” Mathews said. “If you have to march to church, and you don’t care for marching, would you opt to go with the Baptist group who will stop at the Baptist Church — the closest one to the campus — or with the Episcopal group who march to the far side of town, about five blocks further? The Baptist group was always the largest group. The Episcopal group was always the smallest.”

Lewis Shirley, MMI Alumni Brigade president and owner of Weatherford Printing in Tuscaloosa, attended as a college freshman in 1970. He, too, recalls those Sundays. The marches led them to their preferred houses of worship, but they also worked up an appetite. He remembers rushing back from First United Methodist in an oftenfutile attempt to beat the crowd to Sunday dinner.

“Each Sunday the mess hall served fried chicken, which was a treat for us cadets,” Shirley said. “And each Sunday we would move in formation, marching from the school down through the town to go to the church of our choosing. The farther you marched to your church, the more likely when church was over and you high-tailed back to school, there would not be any chicken left.”

TOP: Lt. Col. Gavin Laffoon draws his sword and yells the command to begin the lunch roll call parade at Marion Military Institute. • Marion Military Institute president Col. David J. Mollahan salutes cadets as they march past. • An interior view of the chapel.

84

084.indd 84

11/15/17 10:10 PM

HISTORY Not all cadets based their church attendance on the miles required to get to the building, however. Mathews recalls that he and many of his schoolmates used the institute’s thorough lessons in strategic thinking to plan ways to meet local young women, including those attending nearby Judson College, which was for women only.

Mathews, a historian by nature who retired from his job as vice president and general counsel at Judson, tried all four churches during his six years at MMI for those reasons, eventually settling at St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal.

Today’s cadets, both male and female, are no longer required to attend church.

Mathews and Shirley hold dear their memories from their time at MMI. They are also proud of the institution of higher learning that they say has a reputation for turning young people into disciplined leaders.

The school’s roots date to 1841 when it was established as a country prep school. The school was originally named Howard College, but then-president Samuel Sterling Sherman had other ideas after meeting his students. The name did not stick, at least not at first.

“He concluded that none of the first students who enrolled in Howard College were prepared for college,” Mathews said. >> LEFT: Lovelace Hall is one of the campus structures that is on the National Registry of Historic Places. BELOW: Col. Ed Passmore, commandant of cadets, speaks to Johnny and Deborah Bailey, who have a daughter enrolled at MMI.

85

085.indd 85

11/14/17 10:58 PM

HISTORY

“He refused to advertise Howard College as a college, and called the institution by various names, such as ‘Howard English and Classical School.’ ” This went on until 1856, when Sherman deemed his scholars ready for higher education and renamed the school, accordingly, to Howard College.

But the Civil War soon stalled college courses.

According to Marion Military’s 175th anniversary timeline, the war first came to campus in the form of wounded soldiers from both sides, the Confederate and Union armies.

They filled up Lovelace Hall and the school’s chapel from 1863 to 1865, turning them into Breckinridge Military Hospital. And then the actual war arrived on the school’s doorsteps, with Col. James T. Murfee and University of Alabama cadets retreating to the town after confronting Union troops in Tuscaloosa. By May of 1865, the Union army had seized Howard College’s buildings.

Not long after the war ended, Col. Murfee became president of Howard College.

From what he gathered from his studies, Mathews describes the colonel as an intense educator who, earlier in his career at the University of Alabama, wrote a 36-page treatise on his plan for a “system of discipline and methods of instruction” titled “A New Scheme of Organization, Construction and Government for the University of Alabama with Report on the Construction of Building

by James T. Murfee, Architect and Late Commandant of Cadets.” >> Connor Higginbotham practices on MMI’s tennis court. The Tigers won five consecutive Alabama Junior College men’s tennis state championships between 2012 and 2016.

86

086.indd 86

11/14/17 12:34 AM

HISTORY

Bravo Company passes in review before school president Col. David J. Mollahan during the lunch roll call.

87

087.indd 87

11/14/17 12:35 AM

HISTORY

ABOVE FROM LEFT: Capt. Zachary Jones, Lt. Col. Gavin Laffoon and Cadet Capt. Rebecca Lin draw their swords as they begin the lunch roll call around the parade grounds. BELOW: A view of the school’s weight training facility.

He embarked on that plan when he became president of Howard in 1871.

In 1887, the Alabama Baptist Convention decided to move Howard College to Birmingham. It would later become Samford University. But Murfee had established his system of instruction and wanted to stay. He and remaining faculty founded Marion Military Institute as a military preparatory school, college and secondary school that year.

From the beginning, MMI was known as a place where young people might develop higher moral and personal standards. But it was also a campus full of teenagers, and sometimes mischief.

Mathews remembers an entire Volkswagen appearing in a student dorm after a holiday. And he saw one teacher’s bicycle hoisted up a flagpole at least once a year while he was a student there.

There was also an event Mathews fondly remembers as an impromptu, public serenade.

He said back then, duty cadets spent the night in the guardhouse making rounds, answering emergency calls and playing the bugle recordings used to announce formations.

“On this particular morning, Cadet Castillio locked himself in the room with the record player and controls for the PA system and then proceeded to sing Spanish-language songs that blasted over the campus and the adjoining neighborhood,” Mathews said. “If my memory is cor-

rect, he walked off several demerits as a ‘reward’ for the entertainment.”

Life at MMI was not all serenades and pranks, however.

Robert Ennis, retired Tuscaloosa city attorney and member of the institute’s Presidential Advisory Council, used his own savings to fund a year there as a high school senior in 1969.

Ennis’ tuition came from money earned in a rock band, and he says he fit the stereotype of a musician of the time.

“My friends thought I was crazy,” Ennis said.

Looking back, he says the military haircut, 6 a.m. bugle calls and thrice-daily formations came as a shock.

“You’re a senior in high school, all your friends back home are partying and dating, and you’re marching to church every Sunday. It forces you to confront your character.”

Ennis sees the investment as the best money he ever spent. And he says new additions to campus — like a confidence course that required cadets to work together overcoming obstacles and a Gaelic program that recently took a group of students to Ireland for more immersive studies — only increased its value.

“Marion Military was strong academically when I was there, but now it’s fantastic academically,” Ennis said. “It was very much about character-building when I was there, but now the focus on character and ethics goes all the way down to the individual level.”

88

088.indd 88

11/14/17 12:36 AM

6

INTRIGUING

PEOPLE

Meet six folks who make a difference in our communities

DR. WILLIAM ASHLEY

President, Shelton State Community College

DON STALEY

President & CEO, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission

DR. KENYA GOODSON Black Warrior Riverkeeper

MARY QUITMAN HOLMES

Alabama CatďŹ sh Farmer of the Year

LEE BUSBY Sculptor

SUSU HALE PROUT

Dancer, studio owner and instructor

89

089.indd 89

11/14/17 12:37 AM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

NO. 1

Dr. William “Bill”

ASHLEY PRESIDENT, SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

90

090.indd 90

11/15/17 9:44 PM

BY DREW TAYLOR PHOTO BY GARY COSBY JR.

I

t’s 8:20 a.m., and Bill Ashley is running late.

Ashley, who had been president of Shelton State Community College for only a couple of weeks at the time, was already on a tight schedule. Earlier that morning, he was at the college’s Worlds of Work expo meeting with vendors.

After this interview, he would have a meeting with different administrators at Shelton State. The rest of the day didn’t look like it would let up, either.

“I’ve been drinking out of a fire hose with this job,” Ashley said.

As busy as it has been, Ashley said he could not be more excited for his new job, his first as president of an entire community college. For Ashley, who began work Oct. 1, Shelton State was an obvious choice in a career and life that have centered around community colleges.

“I saw Shelton as a great opportunity to work,” he said. “This is really a great service area where a community college can thrive.”

For a variety of reasons, community colleges hold a special place for Ashley. Not only are they where he started his career, but they are also what directed his family for years. His parents, Rex and Dorothy Ashley, were the first in each of their families to go to college. They attended community colleges in Mississippi.

The same way community college transformed their lives, Ashley says it can have the same effect for others.

“I want our students to look at their families down the road and how it made their lives better,” he said.

Growing up in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Ashley followed in his parents’ footsteps by enrolling in a community college. He earned a degree in ac-

counting from Itawamba Community College. After graduating, he began working in student services at the college and became a volunteer football coach.

Later on, Ashley attended Delta State University, where he received degrees in finance and economics.

Ashley spent a couple of years working at First National Bank in Cleveland, Mississippi, and later at Viking Range Corp. In 1997, Ashley took a job at Mississippi Delta Community College as the instructor of business administration. In 2006, Ashley was hired as department chair of business administration at Hinds Community College. And, in 2011, Ashley took on his biggest challenge to that point, one that would help prepare him even further for Shelton State. He was named vice president of student affairs at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

In the early days of his administration of Shelton State, Ashley’s goal is to make sure he can meet with as many faculty, administrators and local community members as possible.

“We have to be where the students are,” he said.

As part of his vision, Ashley wants Shelton State to be a place where students will be able to compete in a global economy.

“My vision is to be a college that obviously strives to drive student success. We want to be innovative and, of course, we want to offer programs that prepare our students, whether it be a university or a career that they desire,” he said.

Although Ashley has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders as a community college leader, he wants to start in a simple way: by learning everyone’s names at Shelton State. This way, his employees will have a better idea of who he is and what he wants to do for them.

“You can’t make them follow me,” he said. “In our democratic society, it’s important for people to know who they work for and who’s going to be working for them.”

“My vision is to be a college that obviously strives to drive student success. We want to be innovative and, of course, we want to offer programs that prepare our students, whether it be a university or a career that they desire.” — BILL ASHLEY

Name: Dr. William “Bill” Ashley Age: 46 Personal: Wife, Anne Marie Ashley; children, Sarah Ashley and Carter Ashley; parents, Rex Ashley and Dorothy Ashley.

Hometown: Pontotoc, Mississippi.

People who have influenced my life: My aunts and uncles, my grandparents and my parents.

Something people don’t know about me: Sometimes, I come off as a bit stern. I think a lot of people don’t know that I am very empathetic. Sometimes that part of me doesn’t come out.

My proudest achievement: My children, that’s the first thing that comes to mind.

Why I do what I do: I love to help people, and education was very formative in my background. I think this is a good way to do work that benefits the most people.

91

091.indd 91

11/15/17 9:44 PM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

NO. 2

Don

STALEY

PRESIDENT & CEO, TUSCALOOSA TOURISM AND SPORTS COMMISSION 92

092.indd 92

11/15/17 10:11 PM

BY STEVE IRVINE PHOTO BY ERIN NELSON

O

n the surface, Don Staley’s role as the president and CEO of Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission seems different from that of Division I college soccer coach. Dig a little past the surface, though, and the similarities jump out.

“The way I look at my business, whether it’s coaching or here (at TTS) — whether it’s interns from the University of Alabama or it’s the lieutenants I have surrounding myself — is you surround yourself with people who have incredible strengths,” Staley said. “That helps you build the team. I think that has served me well over the years: Surround yourself with great people.”

Staley’s head coaching career began at Radford University, where he served as the men’s and women’s soccer coach and spent one year as the university’s lacrosse head coach. In 2004, he came to the University of Alabama to restart and build a women’s soccer program. In 23 seasons, Staley was 324-257-38 and was honored four times, in two separate leagues, as the coach of the year. He was recently inducted into the Radford Athletics Hall of Fame.

His retirement from coaching came at the end of his 14th season at Alabama. At the time, he considered going into athletic administration but also talked to some other programs about continuing his coaching career. It was at the conclusion of an interview with Syracuse officials that Tuscaloosa’s Chuck Sittason, then the chairman and CEO of Regions Bank, approached Staley about helping form and run the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation.

It was at that moment his career path took an abrupt turn.

“Looking back now, it’s really scary,” Staley said. “At that time, I was having to work for my livelihood, so it wasn’t scary. I left the penthouse

— University of Alabama, dealer car, great salary, camps, football tickets and, oh, by the way, dental and medical (insurance) at Blue Cross Blue Shield, going to a promise, ‘If you work hard, it will get better.’ ” The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation was an unknown.

Steadily he learned the ropes of the business and had a successful seven years in that role.

Staley was instrumental in bringing the Alabama High School Super 6 football championships to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

In 2014, he took another career leap, accepting the job as Foley Sports Tourism Complex executive director. He was at the forefront of designing, building and running the complex, which includes 16 fields and a 90,000-square-foot indoor events center.

“I had no clue that I’d be moving back to Tuscaloosa when I left here to go down to Foley,” Staley said. “Gina Simpson was an incredible CEO of this organization. I didn’t think this position would ever come open. All along, that time in Foley, I was learning more and more about the business, which actually were transferable skills into what I’m doing now.”

What he’s doing now, he said, is “oversee tourism, what’s called the SMERF market, which is Social, Military, Education, Religious and Fraternal.”

Again, in an important way, it’s not that much different from running a Division I sports program. With both, duties include running a team, handling budgets, recruiting and a host of other responsibilities. His job now is to sell Tuscaloosa in a variety of ways, including with meetings, conventions, conferences and sporting events.

“We know we’ve got some deficiencies in some facilities,” Staley said. “We desperately need a convention center — a civic center or convention center, a full-fledged sports complex, anything that’s going to be large enough for us to host conventions, meeting and sports. That would be something that would benefit us.”

However, Staley said, Tuscaloosa still has wonderful things to offer.

“I believe the glass is much more (than) half full,” Staley said. “I think there are so many assets to sell. We’ve got to be much more creative in understanding what our inventory is. We can’t talk about what we don’t have. Let’s talk about what we do have, and let’s start selling it. All you’ve got to do is get those folks on your site, in your city, just for 24 hours to experience our community.

We may not be considered a destination city, like the mountains and the beach, but I think we’re pretty darn close.”

Name: Don Staley Age: 58 Personal: Wife, Kim; son, Tyler.

Hometown: Pittsburgh/Tuscaloosa.

People who have influenced my life: Dr. Chuck Taylor, Radford University athletic director; Chuck Sittason, Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation & Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports president.

Something people don’t know about me: Pittsburgh Penguins fan since 1967 and a Warren Haynes/ Gov’t Mule fan.

My proudest achievement: Adoption of our son 25 years ago; building the University of Alabama women’s soccer program; building Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation and Foley projects both from the ground up.

Why I do what I do: I’m a builder!

I believe in the projects I take on and bettering the organization and the community.

93

093.indd 93

11/15/17 10:13 PM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

NO. 3

Dr. Kenya

GOODSON BLACK WARRIOR RIVERKEEPER

94

094.indd 94

11/15/17 9:43 PM

BY STEPHEN DETHRAGE PHOTO BY GARY COSBY JR.

D

r. Kenya Goodson knows that the task of keeping Alabama’s waterways clean isn’t something that can be accomplished alone, and as a consultant with Black Warrior Riverkeeper, she aims to work with all parties involved to achieve that goal.

Goodson was born and raised in Tuscaloosa and graduated with an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Stillman College, earned her master’s in environmental management from Samford University and, in 2013, became the first black woman to earn a doctorate degree in civil engineering from the University of Alabama.

She said she’s proud of that achievement but hopes she doesn’t stand alone in that honor for very long.

“I hope that it opens up doors for other minorities to want to aspire to do the same thing. I don’t know if I look at myself as a role model, but I want to be able to be an example for other people to be inspired to be able to do something they didn’t think they could do,” Goodson said. “Hopefully someone can look at my story and see that if I did it, they can do it. People need to believe that nothing is impossible.”

In her role with BWR, Goodson advises clean water advocates about stormwater and wastewater systems.

As a former regulator with the Alabama Department of Public Health, she is uniquely qualified to answer questions about what can be done to improve those systems to minimize the release of chemicals and bacteria into state waterways.

Goodson said the key is teamwork — all parties working together, discussing and eventually enacting commonsense policies.

“I’m very interested in working with research that will get policy enacted.

That’s what got me going back to school to get my Ph.D.,” Goodson said.

“I didn’t just want to say, ‘You need to get this fixed.’ I always wanted to actu-

ally enact policy that would be fair to everyone.”

Particularly, Goodson said she wants to help minorities in rural communities, who are often affected by wastewater issues more than other groups.

Goodson said advocates need to work with the carrot more than the stick to try to prevent crises before they happen rather than just trying to punish responsible parties after the fact.

“I think policy should be preventative, where we go out and look at what’s going on and say, ‘This is what we’ve found in the environment, this is what we can do to mitigate these circumstances,’ ” Goodson said. “In Alabama, we have to work with companies and industries to come up with a middle ground. I think that’s important. I don’t like the idea of having to make someone do something.”

Goodson said she was drawn to work with BWR because its members aren’t passive. They actively patrol rivers and creeks in West Alabama, trying to identify polluters before a problem gets out of hand, and work with those companies and other agencies to solve the issue as soon as possible.

“They’re not just out there saying, ‘I’m gonna get you,’ but I think people have that viewpoint of environmentalists in Alabama, that they’re trying to make you do this or that or they’re not pro-business,” Goodson said. “I don’t think that’s what it’s about. You want to make sure people are safe, that they’re not getting sick.”

Goodson said eliminating that stereotype will come with time, as BWR and other environmentalists establish common ground with people statewide and demonstrate that they’re working for the best interests of everyone involved.

“You’ve got to highlight why protecting the environment is important,” Goodson said. “Say, ‘Look guys, you hunt deer out here. You fish. You don’t want stuff floating around in the river.’ ” I know there’s a lot of tension in the political climate, but hopefully we can come together in some kind of way and just talk to each other. You’ve got to have a communication.”

Name: Kenya L. Goodson, Ph.D. Age: 42 Personal: Mother, Norma J. Young; father, Mason Bonner; brothers, Stephen Young, Micah Bonner, Courtney Young; sister, Marilyn Young.

Hometown: Tuscaloosa.

People who have influenced my life: My mother and my grandmother, who made many sacrifices in raising me and instilling in me the desire to get an education; my third-grade elementary teacher and ninth- and 10th-grade high school teachers, who sparked a desire in me to study math and science; my spiritual family, the IMPACT Nation Family Church, who encouraged me to find my best self to make an impact on the world; my Stillman and UA community who gave me an education, along with amazing friends and colleagues; last, but not least, my father who is an example of a great community leader in whom I would like to model myself.

Something people don’t know about me: One of my desires is to learn how to play the electric guitar.

My proudest achievement: My proudest achievement was acquiring my doctorate of philosophy in civil engineering. I am the first African-American woman to graduate with a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Alabama.

Why I do what I do: I volunteer with the Black Warrior Riverkeeper because I believe in ensuring that our communities are safe from environmental polluters and that industries are held accountable for abiding by federal environmental regulations. Water is an important resource, not only to drink, but for fishing, recreation and the vibrancy of our aquatic and terrestrial species. I also teach, believing in education to help our young people become successful contributors to society.

95

095.indd 95

11/14/17 12:44 AM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

Mary QUITMAN NO. 4

HOLMES

ALABAMA CATFISH FARMER OF THE YEAR

96

096.indd 96

11/15/17 9:43 PM

BY TIFFANY STANTON PHOTO BY GARY COSBY JR.

A

banker, a catfish farmer, a mother of three and the spokesperson for Alabama’s catfish farming industry walk into a room — and they’re all the same person.

Add to those titles groundbreaking historymaker, and you get Greensboro’s Mary Quit-

man Holmes.

In 2017, she became the first female to earn the title of Alabama Catfish Farmer of the Year.

Holmes lives, works and farms across Hale and Perry counties and is vice chairman of People’s Bank of Greensboro. She said she didn’t always plan to run her family’s business, Lawson Catfish Farm in Uniontown. She was going to be a banker.

She’d obtained a degree in finance at the University of Alabama, then set on that track, taking banking jobs in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and New York.

She enjoyed the time she spent working in those places.

But when she met and married William Holmes of Marion, she was drawn back to West Alabama and, surprisingly, little by little, to her family’s business.

“When I moved back to Greensboro about 10 years ago, I started helping my father with the farm’s bookkeeping,” she recalls. “As each year passed, my responsibilities with the farm grew. My father, farm managers and I now run the farm.”

She’s helped grow a small catfish operation her father, Reid Lawson — also a banker by day — started 40 years ago. Lawson Catfish Farm has grown to 365 acres of surface water that produces about 3 million of the 120 million pounds of catfish the Alabama Farmers Federation says is raised in Alabama each year.

It was that sort of major impact that Holmes has made in the state’s catfish industry that led Townsend Kyser, president of Catfish Farmers of America and member of the selection committee, to say that Holmes was one of the first nominees to come to mind for the award. It’s an award given annually by the Catfish Institute, a nonprofit that promotes American catfish farms.

“She’s a second-generation catfish farmer in a family that

Name: Mary Quitman Lawson Holmes Age: 43 Personal: Husband, William Holmes; children, Mary Coleman, Elizabeth and Lawson; parents, Reid and Mary Lawson; sister, Amy Cooper.

Hometown: Greensboro

People who have influenced my life: In general, my parents. In farming, George Smelley (one of the owners of Harvest Select).

Something people don’t know about me: My senior year in college, I got flying lessons as a Christmas present. I took them from a wonderful female pilot

goes way back in West Alabama,” Kyser said. “And she has done a great job ensuring that her family’s operation continues to grow and expand.”

Holmes’ catfish farming empire includes Harvest Select, a processing company started by her father and four other West Alabama catfish farmers in 1991.

The company manages about 5,000 acres of catfish ponds, a hatchery and a Uniontown processing plant where approximately 250 employees process more than 750,000 pounds of catfish per week.

Holmes says it can be a tough business, from start to finish.

She says in the early years of her father’s catfish farm, he’d spend his days focused on banking and entire nights sleeping in his feed truck on the banks of the family’s ponds, monitoring the water — especially in summer, when fish are more active and use more oxygen.

“Catfish farming is not for the faint of heart,” Holmes said.

“Startup costs are high, operating expenses vary from year to year, and the risk of losing a large crop on any given night during the summer is very real.”

Holmes balances her farm and banking careers with a personal life, which includes being a wife and mother of three.

She’s an avid traveler and an active member and trustee at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro.

She credits her family and those she works with as the keys to her success.

Her father is still involved in the farm, and her sister, Amy Cooper, recently moved her family to Greensboro so she could be more involved in the business. Farm managers Menno Clemmer and Rock Hoskins live right on the property.

Holmes said their help is key to a balanced life complete with church, tennis, family and community service that includes membership on several boards.

And, while she admits days are occasionally a hectic jumble of worries about bank examiners, oxygen levels, rain and foreign fish masquerading as catfish, everything tends to come together in the end.

“Most of the time I don’t fret at all,” she said. “I just run around checking on all the blessings in my life — the farm, the bank, my parents, my children and husband, the school my children attend, our church, our dog, my friends and, of course, my next trip.”

who lived in Tuscaloosa at the time. My longest solo flight was to Muscle Shoals.

Besides having a baby, it has been the most exciting thing I have ever done.

My proudest achievement: (Ongoing) raising my three children.

Why I do what I do: I do

what I do on the farm and at the bank to help my family and my community. I do what I do to try to ensure a good future for my children, to make sure we are good stewards of the land, to provide a nutritious product for consumers, and to provide jobs for people in Hale and Perry counties.

97

097.indd 97

11/14/17 11:04 PM

98

098.indd 98

11/15/17 9:43 PM

Lee NO. 5

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

BUSBY SCULPTOR

BY ED ENOCH PHOTO BY ERIN NELSON

B

y profession, Lee Busby was a Marine infantry officer and investment manager. In his home, the accoutrements of his military service share space with a growing portfolio of sculptural work in bronze.

Busby took up the medium after retiring as a colonel in the Marines. His subjects are familiar: stoic young men in uniform similar to countless he knew as a Marine. Busby sculpts busts of service personnel killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“As I was retiring, I had something I had never had before, which was the flexibility to do something,” he said. “There was another part, too. I am 60 now.”

Using football as an analogy, Busby says he has probably begun the fourth quarter.

“If you have the flexibility to decide how to spend it, you can choose to do something other than just get by,” Busby said. “I choose to do something I enjoy, and I choose to do something that may be remembered. I don’t particularly think or care that it will be remembered as me.”

He does say he hopes the memory of his subjects will endure through the busts.

“These are not vanity portraits. These are to remember the sacrifice they and their family made.

Those things will be somewhere hundreds of years from now,” he said.

Busby starts with a database, by state, of casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no shortage of subjects. There are 120 from Alabama, he said. He scrolls through the faces and stories.

He recently completed a memorial bust of Air Force combat controller Mark Forester, a Haleyville native

and University of Alabama graduate who was killed in action on Sept. 29, 2010, in Afghanistan. The bust was funded by the Alabama Marines Foundation and the University of Alabama Office of Student Affairs.

Busby looks for service personnel who catch his eye but also have families that can be located and are in proximity to Tuscaloosa. Forester lived in Tuscaloosa with his older brother, Thad, for a time while he was in school and following graduation, before he joined the military.

Funding is also a consideration, but Busby said a nonprofit called the Alabama Fallen Warriors Project was founded recently with a goal of raising money to allow any of the 120 families in the database to have a memorial bust in a public place.

Busby began working in bronze with a self-portrait.

He followed that with a sculpture of CIA paramilitary officer Johnny Micheal “Mike” Spann, a fellow Marine, Winfield native and the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2001. Busby worked with sculptor Caleb O’Connor on the Spann bust and said he counts himself fortunate that O’Connor and other local artists mentored him as he launched into metalwork and sculpture.

Busby enjoys portraiture, and he said military personnel are a natural subject. He said he likes the puzzle of capturing his subjects in clay and bronze.

He works with the families of the deceased service members to “nail the look.” The families share photos and visit Busby’s home studio to provide feedback to help get the pout of lips, the nose just right.

There is often one photo or one look that characterizes how they remember the dead, Busby said.

Sometimes, he knows he’s close when the tears come.

“When you see that wellspring tapped for just a moment, shut up, stop what you are doing and wrap it up,” Busby said. “Somewhere in there, you have captured in clay what they see when they close their eyes and remember their child.”

Name: Lee Busby Age: 60 Personal: Parents, Gerald “Zeke” Busby and Sandra Busby; children, Natalie, Lee, Henry and Harris.

Hometown: Tuscaloosa.

People who have influenced my life: Mostly my parents and grandparents. On the military side, more exceptional Marines than I could possibly mention. Artistically, Caleb O’Connor, Philippe Faraut, Daniel Livingston and Craig Wedderspoon.

Something people don’t know about me: Sorry ... some things are going to the grave!

My proudest achievement: More a blessing than an achievement, but four healthy, balanced children who have all become productive citizens.

Why I do what I do: It provides a creative challenge and an outlet to give back to a way of life that has given me so much.

99

099.indd 99

11/15/17 10:13 PM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

NO. 6

Susu

HALE PROUT DANCER, STUDIO OWNER AND INSTRUCTOR

BY KELCEY SEXTON PHOTO BY GARY COSBY JR.

S

usan “Susu” Hale Prout has been dancing as long as she can remember.

She was just 2 when her mother spotted her moving the living room furniture, making space so she could dance across the floor.

“She had noticed that when I would see something on TV, I would move the furniture and start dancing to the music and said, ‘Oh, maybe this is what she needs to do,’ ” Prout said.

Prout said she was shy as a child, often hiding behind her mother during trips to the grocery store, but that once she was dancing — be it at home or in front of her ballet class — the shyness melted away.

“The dances always brought out the best in me,” she said.

Prout’s mother was an artist and landscape architect while her father was a lawyer who also sang in choir and played the bass fiddle in the University of Alabama symphony orchestra.

“So Sunday afternoons as a child, I got to sit in Morgan Auditorium and listen to classical music, and every time I got home from school, there was something playing on the record player,” she said. “I feel very fortunate that I was drawn to and taken to so many artistic and cultural events.”

Growing up, she also became immersed in gymnastics and cheerleading.

“When I was a child, friends would come to the house, and they knew they would either be tumbling or they were going to be dancing,” Prout said.

Gymnastics became a serious pursuit when she was 8. She competed until at 13, a fall changed the course of her life and broke both of her arms.

“I couldn’t do gymnastics, so that’s when I threw myself into the dance studio full time and thought, ‘This is really my first love. I’ll go back to my first love,’ ” she said.

That first love was ballet, and she continued to dance throughout high school.

When it came time for college, Prout said she wasn’t sure what she wanted to study.

Her parents encouraged her to do what she loved, telling her to “always find something you enjoy doing.”

So she enrolled at Texas Christian University in 1973 and earned a bachelor’s degree in ballet.

Dancing is the only thing she knew she wanted to do, and her professional dance career is extensive and deep. Prout trained at the Centre de Danse International in France and danced and trained with the Washington School of Ballet, the Fort Worth Ballet Company and Ballet Concerto, the Center of Dance in Los Angeles, the Alabama Ballet and the New York Chatuaqua Ballet. She was also chosen to direct Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker,” which she describes as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Locally, she danced and served as artistic director, board member and choreographer with the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers.

Her passion led her to establish a studio in Tuscaloosa that is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Prout is the owner and artistic director of the Academy of Ballet and Jazz, which she founded in 1977. It opened as a oneroom studio called the Academy of Ballet.

Her business progressed, year after year,

outgrowing the studio space. Ten years later, that growth led her to build her “dream studio” and make a move to its current location.

“I love the art of dance, but merging it with business knowledge, putting the two together, has been a learning experience,” Prout said. “A lot of it is trial and error, but I feel very fortunate that I learned the business end of it, and I’m able to merge art and business successfully.”

In 1993, in order to reflect the studio’s expanding and versatile curriculum, she changed the dance studio’s name to the Academy of Ballet and Jazz.

The studio now trains more than 400 students and holds more than 60 dance classes a week in styles ranging from hip-hop, jazz and tap to lyrical, contemporary and musical theater. During her 40 years of teaching, Prout estimates she’s worked with thousands of dancers, many who began by taking pre-kindergarten classes at the academy.

“I always loved dance, and sharing my love for dance with others has always been my primary reason for teaching,” she said. “I get such joy out of dancing, and I get joy out of watching my dancers learn and watching them grow. I have this unique opportunity to be a part of my students’ family, because I know them from age 3 until they graduate from high school, so that’s a long time to know someone. We become very close. They influence me, I influence them.

“It is exciting to run into dancers that I haven’t seen in years, and they speak fondly of their times here at the studio. I always am happy to hear that I was a positive influence on their life and that dance is still something they dearly love and they cherish their time here. That’s important to me.”

100

100.indd 100

11/16/17 12:01 AM

Name: Susan “Susu” Hale Prout Age: 62 Personal: Spouse, Norton Prout; sons, Christopher and Harrison Pow; parents, the late Dayton and Frances Hale.

Hometown: Tuscaloosa.

People who have influenced my life: My parents always supported me in my pursuit of a dance career and the operation of my business. I am encouraged by one of my mentors, Margo Dean.

She began her ballet studio in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1950 and is still going strong!

Something people don’t know about me: I was a competitive gymnast. I was a cheerleader for five years, and I still hold the record for the most back handsprings at halftime at a football game!

My proudest achievement: The opportunity to own my business for 40 years while impacting thousands of children throughout the community and sharing the love of dance.

Why I do what I do: As a child, I was very shy, and dancing gave me my voice. Once I got to the studio or stage, I was never shy.

God created me to do this, and I’m so thankful for his blessings.

I’ve been able to watch children grow up into young adults, and then I’ve taught their children. The opportunity to influence generations of students has inspired me to keep going. A good teacher is constantly learning, and so I encourage my dancers and faculty to continue their education. As long as there is an opportunity to learn, I will continue what I do.

101

101.indd 101

11/14/17 12:52 AM

SIX INTRIGUING PEOPLE

... and One Intriguing Cat

BY BECKY HOPF PHOTO BY UNITED WAY

A

pet owner grieving the recent loss of her cat of 18 years. A kitten, alone, fending for life and rapidly losing sight in her infected left eye.

Their two worlds collided one hot June morning, a beginning that has resulted in the happiest of endings.

Jackie Wuska, president and CEO of United Way of West Alabama, was in Lamar County shooting a Red Cross story for United Way of West Alabama’s 2017-18 campaign video. They were near the West Alabama town of Kennedy, interviewing a gentleman whose home had been destroyed by fire and who was sharing how the United Way and the Red Cross had come to his rescue.

Little did they know that a tinier rescue would also be made that day.

During a break, the gentleman got some food out to feed his dogs. As soon as he started pouring the dog food into a bowl, a jet-black kitten, one eye red and grotesquely infected, came bounding into the spot where the dog bowls were. This man, who had lost everything in the fire, had bought cat food for the stray kitten, too, and poured the cat food into a bowl.

He told Wuska it wasn’t his kitten but that he’d been feeding it. And then he added the words that tugged at her heart.

“I’m afraid she’s not going to make it.”

By the time the United Way crew left the video shoot site, they’d added one more passenger in the car for their ride home.

A kitten, whom Wuska would name Bette Davis.

Bette Davis’ first day in Tuscaloosa was spent at Alberta Veterinary Clinic, where Dr. Ginger N. Bailey and staff ran tests on her, gave her shots, spayed her and removed the severely damaged left eye and sewed it closed.

Name: Bette Davis Age: 8 months, give or take a few weeks Personal: Owner of a human, Jackie Wuska; two stepbrother-cats, Albert and Chas, who both survived, as kittens, and were rescues from the 2011 tornado that hit Alberta.

Hometown: Kennedy; moved to Tuscaloosa as baby.

People who have influenced my life: United Way’s Julie Mann, who drove the getaway car to my new life in Tuscaloosa; Dr. Ginger N. Bailey; my human, Jackie; the manufacturers of string.

“She had all that done and came home like it was nothing,” Wuska said. “She was just so sweet and so happy. One of the first things I noticed about her when I first saw her was how feisty she was. And she still is.”

Bette Davis has joined a household that includes two other happily-ever-afters, Chas and Albert. They were rescued as kittens following the April 2011 tornado in Tuscaloosa.

The kitten’s presence in the household doesn’t erase the loss Wuska still feels at times for the pet whom she’d had for most of her adult life. But, in looking out for Bette Davis’ welfare, and being showered with affection in return, Wuska has found that Bette Davis looks out for her welfare as well.

And isn’t that what “Living United” is all about?

Something most people don’t know about me: I brought a live baby chipmunk into my human’s house, and I’ve hidden it in the laundry room — I love surprises; also, I like dogs.

My proudest achievements: Appearing in a United Way video and not letting being blind in one eye slow me down.

Why I do what I do: I’m a cat. I do whatever I want to do.

102

102.indd 102

11/15/17 9:42 PM

103

103.indd 103

11/14/17 12:53 AM

ON THE SCENE

CASINO CABARET

AUGUST 15, 2017 HOSPICE OF WEST ALABAMA PHOTOS | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

1

4

3

2

5

6

9

7

10 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11

12

8

11.

12.

Deborah McCraw and Jessica McCraw Alice Taylor, Ann Larson and Lynne Watson Mike Gardiner, Sherry Gardiner, Charity Golden and Tim Golden Mary Rhodes and Doug Killough James Goodlet and Margaret Goodlet Beth Blaylock, Jessica Milling and Amanda Nelson Lisa Whitner and Keith Whitner Sandy Milling and Anne Allen Dinah Tate, Judy Kelly, Amy Moyer, Kristen Cardwell and LeAnn Cooper Gina Myers, Laura Gregory, Patrick McKane, Stephen Durel and Carolyn Durel Jennifer Crabtree, Nina Dusang and Terri Tompkins Melanie Robertson, Latrelle Porter, Bess Miller and George Miller

104

104.indd 104

11/16/17 12:02 AM

ON THE SCENE

ANNUAL DRUID CITY GARDEN PARTY SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 TUSCALOOSA RIVER MARKET PHOTOS | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

1

2

3

6

7

10 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

4

5

8

9

11

12

Paul Reed, Kristin Reed, Fleta Edwards, Bill Edwards, Jennifer Schmitt and West Schmitt Hays Bowne and Rosalyn Bowne David Mitchell and Penelope Mitchell John Giggie and Marisa Giggie Andrea Mabry, Emily Leigh and Ryan Stallings Matt Therrell and Meganne Warner Cheryl Buchanan and Alex Smith

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Aleigha Archie and Hannah Brown D. Jay Cervino, Margaret Peacock, Brooke Peterson and Erik Peterson Marysia Galbraith, Fran Oneal and Tori Gleason Eric Courchesne, Andy Grace and Rashmi Grace Jackson Boyd, Patricia Powe, Hilton Powe and Caroline Williams Kathy Whitacre and Jim Whitacre

13 105

105.indd 105

11/14/17 12:58 AM

ON THE SCENE

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER WALK OCTOBER 7, 2017 GOVERNMENT PLAZA

1

PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

3

4

6

7

9

10

5

8

11

12

13

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14

2

15

16

14.

15.

16.

Deborah Day and Geana Hudson Quincy Williams, Cynthia Williams and Zykaila Uddin Avery Lacroix and Kelly Keil Donna Smalley and Jennifer Bordelon Heather Dill, Jaime Ivie and Jenna Ward Della Dorsey, Lytheda Barnes and Loa Harper Dorsey April Horton, Natori Harper, Kiara Bragg and Shon Underwood Ladiaz Hill, Reggie Prince, Jada Heard, Will Marshall, Jestice Hall, Devon Allen and Devin Allen Courtney Deavers, Gina Pagano, Claudia Sarria, Carlee Hopping and Mackenzie Cleghorn Daniela Weber, Stephanie Gurske, Melanie Eisele and Anke Mader Shatavia Shammy, Shaquille Davis, Kendra Lewis and Emily Stakem Jennifer Hall, Tanya Winstead and Doug Killough Savannah Sherman, Madison Summerville, Megan Cooper, Alayna Ball and Nadia Spencer Tameka Dixon and Errica Walker Jaime Ivie, Lila Agee and Isabella Lyons Ashley Sesson, Trea Smith and Edna Smith

106

106.indd 106

11/14/17 12:58 AM

ON THE SCENE

MONSTER MAKEOVER VIII OCTOBER 19, 2017 DRISH HOUSE PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

1

2

3

5

4

6

9

7

10

8

1. Haley Moody, Amber Morgan and Pamela Williamson 2. Aubrey Moses and Meredith Pearson 3. Kelsea Whaley and Ashley Bond 4. Aleah Bartlett, Sophie Bartlett, Jillian Purinton and Josie Purinton 5. Alijah Jackson, Jessica Jackson and Aria Jackson 6. Maxwell Snow, in front, David Snow, Margaret Ann Snow and Flora Snow 7. Noel Stephens and Mary Stephens 8. Darwin Walters, Ruby Walters, Kristin Walters and Rosemary Walters 9. Kingston Burrell and Estacia Burrell 10. Norah Petty and Morgan Petty

107

107.indd 107

11/15/17 10:18 PM

chelle

ON THE SCENE

Babe

BABE RUTH McABEE STEAK AND LOBSTER FEST OCTOBER 5, 2017 TUSCALOOSA RIVER MARKET PHOTOS | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

1

2

4 3

7 6

5

10 8

11

9

12

1.

2.

3.

Dan Carden and Janie Carden Will Hewson and Alison Ferrer John Murdock, Margaret Murdock, Jackie Wuska, Kristi Pierce and Bob Pierce 4. Norman Crow, Keeshan Crow, Charlotte Bowers and John Bowers 5. Amanda Fowler, Les Fowler and Susan Cork 6. Ryan Stallings, Sam Faucett and Bryan Winter 7. Tim Parker, Jim Flemming and Bob Haubein 8. Michael Warr, Brock Jones, Gene Taylor and Glennette Taylor 9. Hattie Nash and Charles Nash 10. Sandra Partlow, Lee Haubein, Carole Waters and Peggy Harrison 11. Steve Steele and Amy Steele 12. Megan Parker, Dianna Flemming and Cathy Parker

108

108.indd 108

11/15/17 10:15 PM

ON THE SCENE

BREW AND QUE AUGUST 26, 2017 TUSCALOOSA RIVER MARKET PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

1

2

3

4

6

5

7

8

10 1.

2.

3.

9

4.

5.

6.

7.

Mike Bretzke, Dawn Bretzke and Jimmy Hallman Tom Houston and Briana Martin Kristin Alfred, Brittany Hargis and Morgan Harvey Erica Halle and Katie Callahan Emily Osborne and Trey Oates Katherine Kelly and Alan Kelly Angie Ritchie and Chris Ritchie

11

8.

Brian Shugarts, Tina Shugarts, Jenny Shugarts and Steven Shugarts 9.

Samantha Shepard and TJ Howell 10. April Teale and Jarred Hagler 11. Katie Henricks and Stephanie Wood

109

109.indd 109

11/15/17 10:18 PM

ON THE SCENE

FOURTH ANNUAL YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH 5K AUGUST 19, 2017 GOVERNMENT PLAZA

1

PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

2

4

3 5

6

7

10

9 1.

2.

3.

Emma Kate Dickey and Kelly Dickey Lucy Cochran and Mary Neal Hollowell Katie King, Big Al and Terry Saban

4.

5.

6.

8

Anna Winter, Catherine Winter, Kate Reel and Mary Wade Scott Cochran and Tyler Owens Elizabeth Evans and Will Foster

7.

8.

9.

Alexa Pedota, Alex Bould and Lillie Bould Nolan Pedota, Aileen Charles, Sam Scharfenberg and Evan Dendy Nate Givens, Mason Mitchell

11 and Beau Cochran 10. Sara Smith, Blair Plott, Terry Saban, Amee Goodhew and Scott Cochran 11. William Hollowell and Wes Hollowell

110

110.indd 110

11/14/17 11:07 PM

OCTOBER 6, 2017 BRYANT CONFERENCE CENTER

ON THE SCENE

FOURTH ANNUAL UA OPERA GUILD GALA PHOTOS | SHELBY AKIN

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

8

9

10

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Ashley Russell, Chelsea Lowe and Taylor Liles Pamela Woodard and Richard Hewitt Diane Boyd Schultz and Christy Lee Al Spencer, Janee Bonner, Jo Bonner and Leanne Spencer Ariel McKinney, Megan Taylor and Julia Kirkpatrick Camille Cornett and Ben Porter Sandi O’Bryant and Edward Guy April Lane and Helga Visscher Maya Pavon and Judi Pavon Lewis Fitts and Carrie Fitts

111

111.indd 111

11/14/17 1:10 AM

ON THE SCENE

LEADING LADIES LEAGUE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE AUGUST 19, 2017 INDIAN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

1

PHOTOS | KARLEY FERNANDEZ

2 1.

2.

Meredith Wright, Jessica Cristobal, Jessica Baker, Nicki Lamb and Barbie Perry Jordan Lupoi and Jennifer Wright

3 3.

4.

5.

Berkley Wagner and Cissy Cochran Jessica Cristobal and Tara Howell Paige Lancaster and Alison Holt

4

5

CELEBRATION OF BEVERLY’S DECOR AND MORE SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 BEVERLY’S DECOR AND MORE

1

PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

3 1.

2.

Patti Townsend and Cashmere Williams Raley Killgore, Beverly

4 3.

Goodwin and Anna Claire Bentley Carla Wilhite and

2

5 4.

Susan Randall Ileana Jones and Leesha Shotts

6 5.

6.

Don Goodwin and Kim Harwood Rita Blair and

7 7.

Jason Carr Anna Claire Bentley and Denise Stuart

112

112.indd 112

11/14/17 1:14 AM

ON THE SCENE

A NITE ON THE GREEN

OCTOBER 12, 2017 BRYANT CONFERENCE CENTER PHOTOS | SHELBY AKIN

1

2

4

5

6

7

9

10

3

8

12 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

11

14

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

13 Melissa Goldsmith, Bryan Chandler and Theresa Chandler Marcie Porter and Nick Porter Brant Gentry and Brittany Gentry Robbie Naves and Jennifer Naves William Ortiz and Dana Ortiz Tripp Powell and Lesley Powell Macon Gravlee and Susan Gravlee Crystal Lovorn, Ginger Pennington and Charity Golden Kristi Kamplain and Candice Burge Scott Peeples and Susan Beard Priscilla Veron and Rex Veron Jennifer Wilson and Josh Wilson Linda Jones and Erika Jones Donna Holbrook and Lanny Holbrook

113

113.indd 113

11/15/17 10:19 PM

ON THE SCENE

BILL ASHLEY RECEPTION OCTOBER 19, 2017 SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1

PHOTOS | JAKE ARTHUR

2

3

5

4

6

7

8 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

9

10

10.

Shelton State President Bill Ashley and his wife, Anne Marie Ashley, with student ambassadors Amy Foster, Evelyn Jenkins Gunn and Brenda Ryan Bill Ashley with his family Byron Abston, Mike Fields and Ken Swindle Bill Ashley and family Norquina Rieves, Channing Marlowe, Gary Nichols, Marleshia Hall, Pamela Dobbins and Joye C. Jones Stuart Bell and Susan Bell Gladys Hill, Ann Bracknell and Rodney J. Landruma Frieda Dale, Wyetta Ryan and LaTonya Robinson Hugh Kynard, Arthur Alington and Bryant Melton

114

114.indd 114

11/15/17 10:20 PM

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 DINAH WASHINGTON CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

1

ON THE SCENE

DON STALEY RECEPTION PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

2 3 4

5

7

8

6 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Danny Owen, Barrett Elder and Toby Wilson Jim Harrison, Kim Staley, Don Staley and Charles Morgan Jasmine Rainey, Heather Dill and LoWanda James Jackie Wuska and Chad Tindol Donny Jones and Amy Echols Brenda Randall, Cathy Randall and Sandy Wolfe Jenny Mann and Kevin Ledgwood Carla Blakey and Kimberly Severt Hays Webb, Cynthia Almond and Bob Ennis

9

115

115.indd 113

11/14/17 1:20 AM

ON THE SCENE

BETTY SHIRLEY GOLF TOURNAMENT

SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 OL’ COLONY GOLF COURSE PHOTOS | ERIN NELSON

1

2

5 3

4

6

9

13

8

7

10

14

11 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

12

Trevor Wallace and Brandon Shipley Jacinta Miles and Brian Brown Cooper Haon and Alex Johnson Olivia Robinson and Lauren Rollins Melinda Fields, Robbie Barrineau and Rosemary Ingram Jeff Caples and Tommy Moore Caitlin Bresnahan and Chase Fields Ann Bailey White, Walt Gary and Betty Shirley Michael Davis, Kolby Mihal and Marcus Collins Dongjin Kwon and Zac Knight Jamarcus Walton and Riley Johnson John Myrick, Jasmine Beville and Amy Williamson Anna Bonner and Jesse Luca Jean Hinton, Evelyn Pritchard and Dana Sadler

116

116.indd 116

11/14/17 1:21 AM

ON THE SCENE

PARTY FOR POTTIES FUNDRAISER AUGUST 24, 2017 SUSAN AND BUD STANDEFFER’S HOME PHOTOS | SHELBY AKIN

1

2

3

6

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Ross Bunch, Janese Jones and Jason Jones Leesa Hollowell and Kristie Taylor Jeff Graham and Meredith Graham Jennifer Miller and Alan Miller Sara Oswalt, Kelly Verzino and Katie King Cameron Hardin, Cheryl Bunch and Nikki Abston DeDe Clary and Dustin Clary

5

7

9 1.

4

Kathy Myeod, Teia Standeffer and Kara Warr 9.

Carrie Laney, Brett Laney, Chuck Hardin and Curtis Tucker 10. Marianne David and Suzie Link 11. Dr. Bud Standeffer and Susan Standeffer 12. Cameron Hardin, Kelly Verzino, Kim Hudson, Cheryl Bunch, Erin Tucker and Nikki Abston

8

10

11

8.

12 117

117.indd 117

11/14/17 11:09 PM

ON THE SCENE

FOURTH ANNUAL KICKOFF PARTY AUGUST 19, 2017 BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM PHOTOS | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

1

2

4

3 7 6

5

8

10

9 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

11

12

Debbie Lane and Glenna Brown Ford Espey and Mel Espey Carol Wright, Callie Walker and Walt James Andrew Smith, Helen Smith and Bradley Logan Corrie Sims and Frank Sims Cameron Lark, Beverly Hood and CJ Lark Wade Drinkard, Glenna Drinkard and Walter Griess Ashlyn Toxey, Mitzi Toxey, Anna Claire Toxey, Abby Holland and Cindy Holland 9. Kayla Hamlett and Latisha Hamlett 10. Gretchen Friedrich, Donna Smith, Judy Brown and Elliott Roberts 11. Wilson King, Kay Holmes, Carly King and Hal Holmes 12. Judy Carter and Dianne Bates

118

118.indd 118

11/15/17 10:21 PM

OCTOBER 18, 2017

PHOTOS | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

ON THE SCENE

PAR-TEE TO CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9 1.

2.

3.

4.

8

5.

6.

Billy Reel, Brian Dickerson, John Chambers and Katie Chambers Robin Patton and Ryan Miller Samuel Brewer and Terri Brewer Claire Goodhew, Jerry Belk, Sonny Bunn and Pat Goodhew Rick Hanna, Chris Mobley and Josh Denney Pat Plott and Anna Kniphfer

10 7.

Jerry Plott, C.D. Bale and Luke Cox 8.

Amy McMullen, Amee Goodhew, Laura Rue, Todd Smith and Sara Smith 9.

Elizabeth Bearden, Diane Schultz and Courtney Rowan 10. Donna Cowan, Preston Adair, Leigh Horton and Melissa Goldsmith

119

119.indd 119

11/16/17 12:02 AM

ON THE SCENE

EIGHTH ANNUAL RAISING HOPE SILENT AUCTION SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 TUSCALOOSA RIVER MARKET PHOTOS | SHELBY AKIN

1

2

3

5

8

4

6

7

10

9

11

1.

12

Emily Mallette, Lanier Mallette and Barkley Mallette 2. Andrea White and Jessica Alexander 3. Tommy Townsend, Julie Townsend, Haley Townsend and Brody Townsend 4. Diana Taylor and Michael Taylor 5. Scott Perkins and Lisa Perkins 6. Angela Lopacki, Daniel Lopacki and Mary Ann Lopacki 7. Chuck Evces, Lynda Evces and Ed Mansfield 8. Kim Reynolds and Jason Reynolds 9. Lisa Price and Nancy Dawkins 10. Stan Westjohn, Beth Westjohn and Margaret Abruzzo 11. Candy Hocutt and Jessie Hocutt 12. Melanie Spruiell, Mary Celeste Spruiell, Tammy Causey and Mark Causey

120

120.indd 120

11/14/17 11:10 PM

ON THE SCENE

14TH ANNUAL JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION ONE WALK SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 TUSCALOOSA

1

PHOTOS | JAKE ARTHUR

2

3

4

5

6

8

7

10

9 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

11

6.

Luke Standeffer and Teia Standeffer Heike Faerber and Michael Faerber John Bowers and Charlotte Bowers Maria Denney, Janett Corder, Amy Mullin, Peggy Ball, Julie Clater and Brooke Hamniter Alison Diaz, Mallory Faldt, Lexi McKenzie, Brittany Johnson, Lauren Curtner-Smith and Madison Rudolph Anthony Gambel and

Patrick Weber Beth Burchfield, Maria Denney and Peggy Ball 8.

Hans Crouse, Cameron Crouse, Michelle Crouse, Tracy Bennett Smith and Julie Claytor 9.

Donna Lushington, Doug Hamniter and Brooke Hamniter 10. Jennifer Bentley and Tracy Smith 11. Mary Linda Sullivan, Leesa Hollowell, Lauren Humber and Blair Plott

7.

121

121.indd 121

11/16/17 1:14 PM

LAST LOOK

RED ALERT PHOTO BY ERIN NELSON As autumn turns to winter, sunlight casts a glow on a leaf at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk along the Black Warrior River.

122

122.indd 122

11/14/17 11:11 PM

123.indd 123

11/16/17 6:39 PM

124.indd 124

11/16/17 6:43 PM