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North Alabama Electric Cooperative

Magic in stone

Sylacauga festival celebrates marble industry

Labor of love

Wildlife center helps local creatures www.naecoop.com

North Alabama Electric Cooperative

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“Making Electric Energy available to its members at the lowest cost, consistent with sound economy and good management since 1940.” ALABAMA LIVING is delivered to some 420,000 Alabama families and businesses, which are members of 22 not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed and taxpaying electric cooperatives. Subscriptions are $12 a year for individuals not subscribing through participating Alabama electric cooperatives. Alabama Living (USPS 029-920) is published monthly by the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER send forms 3579 to: Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-4014.

16 F E A T U R E S

ALABAMA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

AREA President Fred Braswell Editor Lenore Vickrey Managing Editor Allison Law Creative Director Mark Stephenson Art Director Danny Weston Advertising Director Jacob Johnson Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Brooke Echols Communications Coordinator Laura Stewart

VOL. 73 NO. 3

MARCH 2020

Wild about animals

Nonprofit rehabs species back to health.

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ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:

340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117-6031 1-800-410-2737 For advertising, email: advertising@areapower.com For editorial inquiries, email: contact@alabamaliving.coop NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:

American MainStreet Publications 611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504 Austin, Texas 78704 1-800-626-1181 www.AMP.coop www.alabamaliving.coop USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311

D E P A R T M E N T S 11 Spotlight 29 Around Alabama 34 Cook of the Month 40 Outdoors 41 Fish & Game Forecast 46 Hardy Jackson’s Alabama ONLINE: alabamaliving.coop ON THE COVER

Look for this logo to see more content online!

Printed in America from American materials

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! ONLINE: www.alabamaliving.coop EMAIL: letters@alabamaliving.coop MAIL: Alabama Living 340 Technacenter Drive Montgomery, AL 36117

Get our FREE monthly email newsletter! Sign up at alabamaliving.coop MARCH 2020 3

North Alabama Electric Cooperative Payment Options By Mail: P.O. Box 628 Stevenson, AL 35772 By Phone: 800-941-3561 Online: www.naecoop.com/ pay-bill In Person: Stevenson Office: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Woodville Office: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact Us Headquarters: 41103 U.S. Hwy. 72 Stevenson, AL 35772 256-437-2281 Electric Service: 256-437-2281 or 800-572-2900 Fiber Service: 256-437-5000 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

GIVE A ROUND OF

APPLAUSE Having a heART for the community CUBB (Citizens United for a Better Bridgeport) is extending a warm and gracious thanks to one of its own humanitarians, Art Roper, a gentleman with an extraordinary heart and many talents. Roper has been a mainstay for Bridgeportâ€™s Christmas parades for 31 years, expecting nothing and giving everything. He arrives early and devotes many hours to the job of DJ, emcee, announcer of the floats and any other role that he sees a need to step into at any given moment. Roper gives of his time not only during this all-important date each year, but also at many

other times. He plays drums at his church. He has served on the mission field in Guatemala. He is a member of the Jaycees. He works on the committee for the Trail of Tears. Roperâ€™s Sound Production has provided services for such performers as Exile, Confederate Railroad, Rhonda Vincent, The Rave, Ricky Skaggs, Bryan White and others. Roper and his wife, Melissa, reside in Bridgeport. The couple have three children: Judd, Jazz and Jacy. They are also very proud grandparents. He has always remained close with his father, Charles Roper, and his sister, Cindy Roper Cagle. Thank you, Art Roper, with heartfelt appreciation and love from your hometown of Bridgeport. We are so proud to call you ours.

A count that matters Understanding the census

WE CAN

Once a decade, the United States counts its citizens, which results in a treasure trove of data relevant to politics, businesses, schools and APPLY ONLINE! much more. 2020census.gov/jobs States use census data to draw 2020 Census jobs provide: congressional district boundaries. Great pay And the numbers can even Flexible hours determine how many congressional Weekly pay representatives a state sends Paid training to Washington. Locally, many counties, cities and towns lean on For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 census statistics when planning infrastructure such as roads, schools and emergency services assets. And businesses factor census data into calculations that determine the locations of new stores, hotels and more. For the first time, everyone can complete the census online, as well as by phone or by mail. You will still receive a census form by mail, but you will have the option of visiting respond.census. gov/acs to complete your duty to respond to the census. By law, the Census Bureau must keep your information confidential, using the details to produce statistics. The bureau may not publicly release responses in any way that might identify an individual.

BE CENSUS TAKERS

Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay

The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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After Hour Emergencies: 256-437-1100 or 800-572-2900 Fiber - 256-437-5000 4 MARCH 2020

www.alabamaliving.coop

Wide -open spaces Help NAEC keep the lines clear At North Alabama Electric Cooperative, linemen must be prepared to respond to outages caused by everything from wildlife on the wires to car accidents taking out power poles. But one of the most common causes of outages on our system is far simpler: falling debris disrupting power lines. When storms and high-speed winds hit our system, they can bring loose tree limbs and other debris down on electric lines and interrupt your service. These outages are frustrating for members and time-consuming to repair, which is why NAEC trims any trees or vegetation growing too close to our lines. Maintaining that space around lines, or right of way, is essential to helping NAEC provide affordable and reliable electric service. However, because the cooperative maintains hundreds of miles of lines, we also depend on our members to help out by staying aware of rights of way on their own property. If you plant new trees or other tall plants near power lines or electrical equipment, please account for right-of-way space before deciding on placement. Keeping distribution lines safe and clear of obstructions is just one way we can all save money while making sure the lights stay on.

Clear the way

NAEC clears growth 15 feet from each side of an active power line, resulting in: • 30 feet of space around active, single-phase poles. • 38 feet of space around active, three-phase poles.

Do your part

Maintain a “safe zone” when planting trees

MAINTENANCE ZONE

No vines, shrubs or trees should be planted within 10 feet of the farthest point on a utility pole.

LOW ZONE

10-20 feet or farther from Maintenance Zone. Examples: Redbud, Dogwood

MEDIUM ZONE

20-50 feet or farther from Maintenance Zone. Examples: Holly, Ornamental Cherry

TALL ZONE

50 feet or farther from Maintenance Zone. Examples: Maple, Spruce, Oak, Pine Alabama Living

MARCH 2020 5

Taking flight

ALABAMA WILDLIFE CENTER MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH CARE AND EDUCATION Alabama Wildlife Center Executive Director Doug Adair looks around at children taking part in the center’s education programs — nearly 600 of them in 2019 alone — and sees a bit of himself. “It never gets old,” Adair says. “And you can almost see that moment of connection, with those smiles and wide eyes. Then the questions come, and the enthusiasm is obvious. There’s nothing like making that connection with the children, and I think that’s true for everyone affiliated with the Alabama Wildlife Center.” Adair is a former attorney who took the helm of the center six years ago with a mandate to take it to new heights in both community education and care for its avian patients. He says running the center is a “labor of love” for himself, his staff, veterinarians and a cadre of volunteers.

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“Every time we release a rehabilitated animal back into the wild, there’s nothing like that moment,” he says. “Even though we’re involved in many, many releases every year, it never gets old. Some come in orphaned and helpless, perhaps, or very badly injured, and they have been given incredible care and nurturing, and now they’re going back where they belong. There’s nothing like that feeling, either.

“No rehabilitation facility is going to save a species on its own, but if we touch enough individuals, and we create enough of those connections, then maybe the ripple effects from that will someday save a species,” Adair says. Founded in 1977 at a private residence and now located in Oak Mountain State Park, the Alabama Wildlife Center is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state. It treats around 2,000 birds each year from more than 100 different species native to Alabama, ranging from the tiniest baby ruby-throated hummingbirds to majestic bald eagles and a new resident, an Asian eagle owl. All the work the nonprofit center does is supported by a combination of private donations through memberships and corporate partnerships. Adair’s small fulltime staff is complemented by an enthusiastic army of volunteers who are vital to the center’s success, and Adair says the

www.alabamaliving.coop

Want to help? Volunteer: Volunteer orientations are usually the first Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m. From there, volunteers receive training for different tasks around the center. Membership: The Alabama Wildlife Center is supported by memberships. Membership information and application forms can be found online at alabamawildlifecenter.org. All donations are tax deductible.

Alabama Wildlife Center 100 Terrace Drive, Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, AL 35124 Phone: 205-663-7930 Email: wildlife@awrc.org

center is always recruiting both members and volunteers. “We simply couldn’t do what we do without our wonderful volunteers,” he says. Some of those volunteers are education ambassadors who help present the conservation education programs that reach more than 150,000 Alabama residents each year. “Perhaps the most important work we do is to build relationships and to make connections with Alabamians that can have long-lasting impacts,” Adair says. While the end game is to treat, rehabilitate and release into the wild the birds that find their way to the center, some are unable to be released due to the extent of their injuries. Many of the raptors that can’t be released become animal ambassadors for the wildlife center and part of its conservation education programming. Before Adair’s arrival at the center less

than a decade ago, 39 education programs were presented for a few hundred people. Adair says he hopes that exponential growth in outreach will help make generational differences in wildlife conservation in Alabama. “That’s our critical mission — wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release back into the wild, and environmental education,” Adair says. “We see it having a significant impact in our state, and we’re excited about the future and continuing to move forward to deliver even better care to more injured and orphaned avian patients and deliver more and more environmental education programming, reaching larger audiences throughout the state.”

Hours of operation: The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day, even on holidays. The business office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and is closed on holidays. Bird patient admission hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Photos contributed by Alabama Wildlife Center.

What to do to help an injured animal Sick, orphaned and injured birds are often found by outdoors enthusiasts and others who attempt to get the animals the care they need. The Alabama Wildlife Center, which treats injured birds and raptors native to the state, has tips for anyone who finds an injured wild animal: • If the animal is a mammal, visit outdooralabama.com for a list of agencies that can help.

Alabama Living

• For an injured native bird, contact the Alabama Wildlife Center for help via the Wildlife Help Line at 205-663-7930, ext. 2. A trained specialist can answer questions about handling, housing and transporting the bird. Leave a message, and a specialist will call back as soon as possible. • An obviously injured bird can be taken to the wildlife center’s rehabilitation clinic. Bird patient admission is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, including holidays. The clinic is located at 100 Terrace Drive, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama. MARCH 2020 7

STAY SAFE These tips can shield you from a storm A local weather phenomenon can create some dangerous situations when severe thunderstorms approach Northeast Alabama. In the valley, a storm might seem relatively minor, but then it hits the surrounding mountains and quickly intensifies, says Paul Smith, Jackson County Emergency Management Agency director. “The National Weather Service has been studying it the past few years to see if there’s a correlation,” he says. Whatever the reason for the sudden intensification, no sleight of hand is required for locals to protect themselves from the dangers of severe thunderstorms. By making a few preparations ahead of a storm system and adhering to some guidelines during and afterward, residents can weather the storm and protect against injuries or damage to their properties.

Before the storm • During a storm, using electronics plugged into your home’s outlets can be dangerous. Charge all phones or other communications devices before inclement weather occurs. • Purchase lightning rods, surge protectors or other lightning protection systems to safeguard home electronics and appliances. • Identify safe areas in your home, workplaces or other areas you frequent and discuss emergency plans with your family. • Consider using a weather app or weather radio, or sign up for emergency notifications through emails, phone calls or texts. Jackson County residents can sign up for the CodeRED system, which calls or texts people when a warning impacts their address on record. CodeRED is free thanks to an investment from the Jackson County Commission, Smith says.

After the storm • Stay at least 35 feet away from downed utility lines, and report any fallen lines to authorities. Avoid items such as a fence, car or tree in contact with a downed power line. • Monitor weather apps and local media for reports of weather-related hazards. While all these tips are valuable, Smith says the most effective one is paying attention to weather reports as severe weather approaches. He notes meteorology forecasts have improved immensely in recent decades, sometimes providing at least a fiveday warning that conditions could deteriorate soon. “Heed the warnings early,” Smith says. Sources: Department of Homeland Security and the Electrical Safety Foundation International

During the storm • Continue to monitor weather reports, and stay away from doors and windows. Seek shelter in safe areas when a severe thunderstorm approaches. • Do not use landline phones, running water or electronics. Lightning can travel through phone lines, wiring and plumbing. • Unplug appliances and electronics. • Do not drive on flooded roadways.

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