UP, UP AND AWAY - GULF COAST HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL (PAGE 6) APRIL 2015 • POWERING YOUR COMMUNITY
Baldwin Electric Membership CORPORATION
www.baldwinemc.com
Happy Easter from Baldwin EMC!
P.O. BOX 220 SUMMERDALE AL 36580 (251) 989-6247 WWW.BALDWINEMC.COM 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. AREA cooperative member subscriptions are $3 a year; non-member subscriptions, $6. 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.
ALABAMA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
AREA PRESIDENT Fred Braswell EDITOR Lenore Vickrey MANAGING EDITOR Allison Griffin CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Stephenson ART DIRECTOR Michael Cornelison ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jacob Johnson ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Brooke Davis RECIPE EDITOR Mary Tyler Spivey
VOL. 68 NO. 4 APRIL 2015
4 Your CEO Says Goodbye Beginning April 25, Baldwin EMC's leadership will be in new hands.
ON THE COVER: Four-year-old Brantley Weeks is having fun finding eggs in the tall green grass.
20 Refresh your decor for garden magic If a quirky sculpture or fountain brings you joy, it belongs in your garden.
PHOTO BY: ANGELA LANGLEY
34 Montgomery Youth Tour 2015 High school juniors from 18 Alabama electric cooperatives took part in the annual Youth Tour in our state’s capital in March.
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340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117-6031 1-800-410-2737 E-mail: advertising@areapower.com www.areapower.coop
When you see this symbol, it means there’s more content online at www.alabamaliving.coop! Videos, expanded stories and more!
NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:
National Country Market 611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504 Austin, Texas 78704 1-800-626-1181 www.nationalcountrymarket.com www.alabamaliving.coop
DEPARTMENTS 9 40 41
USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311
42 46
Spotlight Outdoors Fish & Game Forecast Bookshelf Cook of the Month
Don't miss the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, Ala. on May 1-2. Printed in America from American materials
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 3
BALDWIN ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION Board of Trustees
FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Your CEO Says Goodbye
Peggy Vanover Barnes President District 6
In April, Baldwin EMC's leadership will be in new hands.
Tommie Werneth Vice President District 4
Jimmy LaFoy Secretary/Treasurer District 7
Chad Grace District 1
Joe Coleman District 2
Aubury Fuller District 3
Robert Kaiser District 5
Chief Executive Officer E.A. “Bucky” Jakins, Jr.
4 APRIL 2015
E.A. “Bucky” Jakins, Jr. Chief Executive Officer, Baldwin EMC
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he words you are about to read are incredibly bittersweet for me. This is my last column as chief executive officer of Baldwin EMC. On April 25, I will turn over the reins to the next generation of leadership as I enter retirement. I’ve been at the helm of your cooperative for 15 years. I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we’ve made during that time. We upgraded our outage management system with technology and equipment that I can truly call state of the art. We weathered hurricanes that left us completely in the dark, hundred-year floods and ice storms the likes of which our area rarely sees. Through it all, we’ve come out stronger, smarter and even more dedicated to serving our members.
encouraged and enlightened by the people at my side for the past four decades. I can only hope they will remember me half as fondly as I will remember them. I will also miss serving the cooperative’s members. During my time as CEO, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were in the best interest of you, the members. I hope that’s been obvious. If my name is ever uttered here at the cooperative after I’m gone, I hope it’s said that I always had our members at the forefront of my mind.
My departure doesn’t mean I think Baldwin EMC has progressed as far as it can. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I know there are still many mountains to climb, some of which are so far off on the horizon, I can’t even begin to imagine them. It’s simply time for a new chapter to begin, which means old chapters have to end.
In the past 43 years, my career has taken me from my birthplace in Mississippi to the bayous of Louisiana, the cornfields of Nebraska and here to the sugar white beaches of Alabama. There were times when my sons Chip and Bo went off to college and when the semester ended, home wasn’t where they left it. I'm sure there must have been a time or two when my devoted wife Faye got tired of unpacking boxes. Some people would call that a crazy journey, but every new job and new environment helped shape me into the man I am today.
I’ve been in the electric utility industry for more than 40 years. There’s not enough room in this magazine for me to sum up all the changes I’ve seen in that time. But now, I’m excited to watch the future of the industry and the progress Baldwin EMC will make from the comfort of my front porch.
If God himself had come to me years ago and asked me to design how I wanted my career to pan out, I couldn’t have come up with anything near as good as what he has given me. I am thankful to him, to my family, my coworkers, and all the members I’ve been privileged to serve for this great ride.
There will be much I will miss. The folks I’ve had the privilege to work with and get to know are at the top of the list. I have been challenged,
I haven’t made a lot of plans for the future, but I know whatever comes my way, I’ll probably be in overalls. A www.alabamaliving.coop
Baldwin EMC Briefs
Alabama's Future Leaders Get Up Close and Personal With Government Their journey began with a trip to Montgomery, Ala. in March, and will continue this June when they travel to Washington, D.C. Riley McCullough from Baldwin County High School, Carder Dransfield from Daphne High School and Savannah Castrillo and Savannah Rogers from Spanish Fort High School were selected as this year's Baldwin EMC representatives on the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Riley McCullough Baldwin County High School
Savannah Castrillo Spanish Fort High School
These four joined approximately 50 other students for a week-long tour of Alabama's state capital. While there, participants took part in activities such as question and answer sessions with representatives about topics that interest them. They also toured the Civil Rights Memorial, the Capitol the State House and the State Judicial Building.
Carder Dransfield Daphne High School
Savannah Rogers Spanish Fort High School
This summer, McCullough, Dransfield, Castrillo and Rogers will join more than 1,500 students from across the nation in Washington, D.C. Stops along the way will include the U.S. Capitol, the Korean and Vietnam memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. Participants will also meet with their U.S. senators and representatives, giving the leaders of tomorrow the chance to chat with our leaders of today. A
Looking to Make Simple Changes this Earth Day? Baldwin EMC has some earth-friendly suggestions for April 22. Make a renewable choice by signing up for Green Power. “Green power” is electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Our Green Power Choice program offers you the chance to purchase blocks of energy generated from methane gas, a renewable resource.
By participating, you have a part in protecting the environment. Buying two blocks of green power per month for a year equals recycling 480 lbs. of aluminum or recycling 1,766 lbs. of newspaper. To sign up for our Green Power Choice program, go to www.baldwinemc.com or call (251) 989-6247.
Go paperless and say goodbye to your monthly paper bill. When you sign up for Paperless Billing, Baldwin EMC will discontinue the monthly mailing of your paper bill. Instead, you will receive a monthly email with a link to your account information online. Paperless Billing saves Alabama Living
money, time and trees, and makes viewing and paying your bill as easy as a few mouse clicks. Simply go to www.baldwinemc.com and sign up. Then you’ll receive a monthly email instead of a paper bill. A APRIL 2015 5
News You Can Use
Up, Up and Away Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 1-2 If you’ve never seen a hot air balloon in flight, you’ve missed quite a sight. For more than a decade, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival has captivated thousands in south Baldwin County. The balloons are always the stars of the show, but visitors will see that the festival offers a lot more in fun and entertainment. You can see exactly what fun activities the 11th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival has to offer May 1 and 2 at the Foley Sports Complex on Highway 98 West in Foley, Ala. There will be more than 30 hot air balloons floating through Foley during the festival, including a competition flight beginning at dawn on Saturday morning. If that is too early for you, there are two other opportunities to see the balloons. You can get an upclose look at their nightly glows on Friday and Saturday evenings at dusk. Tethered Rides are also available for advance purchase, giving you the opportunity to get a panoramic view of the festival from 25 feet in the air. Tethered rides are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night and are $20 for adults or $15 for children (6-12 years old). All flights depend on the weather. The wind has to be just right for the balloons to be on display or fly. However, if the weather doesn’t cooperate there are many other activities offered.
Get Social With Baldwin EMC
During the day, festival goers can enjoy an interactive hot air balloon display, artwork from local crafters, and the world famous Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog shows. New to the festival this year is a large carnival brought to you by the Mitchell Brothers. You can enjoy the rides all day long with the purchase of a wristband, available for $25 at the chamber office located at 112 West Laurel Street in downtown Foley. To get to the festival, hop on one of the free shuttles in the parking lot across the street from South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, in the Bryant Bank parking lot or behind the Nike Factory store at the Tanger Outlets. Shuttles run Friday all day and Saturday from 2-10 p.m. On-site festival parking costs $5 per vehicle, per day. If you plan to make multiple trips to the festival, you can purchase a parking pass for Friday and Saturday which will allow unlimited access. For a complete schedule of events and other festival information, visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com. A
Baldwin EMC Vehicle Auction The following Baldwin EMC equipment and vehicles have been retired and will be auctioned off this month. The auction will be held on April 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. at J.J. Kane Auction, 100 Liberty Road, Villa Rica, Georgia, 30180.
www.facebook.com/Baldwin EMC
• 2000 Ford F-750 digger truck • 2000 Freightliner
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ BaldwinEMC
6 APRIL 2015
FL-80 bucket truck 4x4 • 2001 Freightliner
• 2002 Freightliner FL-80 bucket truck 4x4 • 2006 Sterlin F-7500 digger truck
FL-70 bucket truck
www.alabamaliving.coop
News You Can Use
H��� i� O� ��� W�� If you're hoping to invest your tax refund in energy-efficient upgrades for your home, Baldwin EMC has two programs that could help.
B
aldwin EMC actively promotes low-cost and no-cost energyefficiency measures that help our members use less energy. While putting those tips into practice will certainly make a difference, there are more extensive improvements that will make a
bigger impact on your power bill. Two of the cooperative's newest programs can help you make the energy efficiency investments that will have a greater long-term impact on your power bills.
Do you suffer from low SEER?
Whole-house energy efficiency at one time
Air conditioners are measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). SEER is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling provided during a normal year by energy used. Regardless of an HVAC unit’s current SEER rating, replacing the unit with one rated higher can bring lower energy costs – as much as 5 to 10 percent on cooling costs, as long as everything is installed correctly. Of course, the higher the SEER, the higher the initial investment. Through the Heat Pump Rebate Program, Baldwin EMC is offering rebates to members who upgrade their heat pumps in single-family, full-time homes to more energy-efficient models. We’re offering as much as $600 per ton in rebates to homeowners — saving them money in energy costs now and in the future. Rebates will be issued after we receive a Manual J load calculation from a licensed contractor and BEMC representatives perform an inspection. It’s our way of rewarding members’ efforts to be more energy efficient. Visit Baldwin EMC today for more details or call (251) 989-6247 and ask to speak with one of our energy marketing specialists.
Alabama Living
By installing energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, water heaters, windows, doors and insulation, you can see first-hand the value of improving your homes’ energy efficiency. Because these improvements are more costly than everyday efficiency measures, they are often overlooked when our members seek to lower energy bills. Baldwin EMC’s Home E ne rg y L o an Pro g r am (HELP) is designed to help our members manage the financial requirement for these more expensive energy efficiency upgrades. Through an agreement with Regions Bank, qualifying members may receive low-interest loans to finance certain energy efficiency improvements. The HELP will start with an energy audit done by Baldwin EMC to target efficiency opportunities and decide what upgrades you need to make. You’ll complete a simple loan application with Regions Bank. Once approved, you’ll hire a contractor to do the work. Then you’ll make monthly payments to Regions Bank. For more information, visit our website at www.baldwinemc.com, or call (251) 989-6247 and speak with someone in our energy marketing department.
APRIL 2015 7
Members Matter: The Spotlight's on You Making Music in Marlow Member Spotlight: Wayland Thomas Marlow, Alabama
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ayland Thomas believes you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. Making violins was the farthest thing from his mind when he moved to Marlow a few years ago. “I needed something to do with my hands for muscle therapy,” Thomas explained. “I decided I wanted a violin but they were expensive so I decided to make one.” Becoming a luthier, a craftsman who makes violins and other stringed instruments, is not normally a do-ityourself project. But Wayland Thomas is not a normal do-it-yourselfer. He bought a book and spent hours researching and experimenting. Three years and a great deal of trial and error later, Thomas has made almost two dozen stringed instruments by hand, including a beautiful harp and a couple of pochettes – called a dance master’s fiddle. He only uses hand tools, except for a band saw to cut the neck and scroll of the violins, and is proud to show off his collection of specialized tools. Most of the hand tools haven’t changed since Stradivarius crafted violins in the 1700’s. Thomas demonstrated a tiny finger violin plane, no bigger than the tip of your finger, used to carve out the curved surface of the instrument. 8 APRIL 2015
A handmade violin can bring a worthy price, but Thomas says he hasn’t sold any yet, and he doesn’t make them for the money. Thomas, who grew up on a farm in Missouri, says his parents always told him “you can do it if you put your mind to it.” He still lives by that philosophy and says he likes a challenge. After teaching himself to make violins, he started taking lessons to learn to play one about six months ago. “It may be an addiction,” he said, with violin music playing in his workshop and musical scores open on a stand while he works. The process sounds and looks complicated. Thomas draws the violin on paper, makes a mold and bends the edges. The body is made of fine wood such as maple or walnut. Descriptive names such as the scroll, the neck, the fingerboard, the bridge, the sound post and F holes are foreign terms to most of us. He knows them all, and once the violin is complete he begins the process of applying the hand rubbed finish, a sequence which takes at least 14 days. Thomas says he's just an ordinary man, not anyone special. "I just want to tell everyone, if you want to do something, you can do it if you put your mind to it." A
MEMBER FOCUSED
Why Your Co-op Matters Do you know the difference between an investor-owned utility and an electric co-op? And what makes being a member of a co-op so special? While there are almost one million people in the U.S. that work for cooperatives of all types, very few of us learn about cooperatives in school. That creates a real challenge when trying to explain the cooperative difference. Through publications like this one, Baldwin EMC works to ensure you know about the differences and benefits of being a co-op member. Simply taking an interest in learning about Baldwin EMC through our website, annual meeting, stopping by the office or talking to your fellow co-op members are all good ways to better understand the cooperative model you're a part of. By knowing more about how cooperatives operate, you are in a better position to participate as member-owners. That benefits everyone.
www.alabamaliving.coop
Spot Light
In April APRIL 18-19
A step back in time
PHOTO BY JOHN GREENE
When they think of Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park near Wetumpka, most folks think of the annual Frontier Days event, in which tens of thousands of visitors and schoolchildren come to learn about pioneer life in early Alabama. But the annual French and Indian War Encampment each April is equally special, focusing on the military forces of France, Britain and their American Indian allies. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the mid-18th century. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 6-18. Search “Fort Toulouse-Jackson Park” on Facebook or call 334-567-3002.
Send us a photo of your favorite historic markers in your hometown! What’s your favorite historic marker in your hometown? Tell us in 100 words or so why, and include a photo, if possible. Email your info to agriffin@areapower.com. Deadline is April 30. We’ll publish a selection of historic markers in our June travel issue.
APRIL 23-25
Writers, scholars converge on Monroeville This year’s Alabama Writers Symposium will feature some of the country’s favorite writers as well as students and scholars – all of whom share a love of the written word and the state’s literary heritage. They’ll lead discussion sessions, readings and workshops on themes ranging from literary gumbo to murder, mystery and mayhem. Among the literary luminaries scheduled to attend this 18th annual event are Rick Bragg, Rob Gray, Rod Davis, Frye Gaillard, Chantel Acevedo, Ravi Howard, Jeanie Thompson, Nancy Anderson and Cynthia Tucker Haynes. All events take place on the campus of Alabama Southern Community College, the Monroeville Community House and the Monroe County Museum downtown. Visit www.writerssymposium.org or call 251-575-8223 to register by April 3.
Follow the smells on the Alabama BBQ Trail The Alabama Tourism Department has a new tool to help you discover the state’s best barbecue restaurants. The new Alabama BBQ Trail smartphone app will also track the places you’ve tried, as well as set up alerts to sound when you’re near a restaurant you’ve wanted to try. The app is available for iPhone and Android; visit http://alabama.travel/bbq-app to download.
Want to see more events or submit your own? Alabama Living
Visit www.alabamaliving.coop to submit an event and view our calendar or email an event to events@alabamaliving.coop.
APRIL 2015 9
Power Pack
Spring into a stress-free retirement April has arrived, and spring is here! As we say “goodbye” to winter weather hardships and “hello” to gardens budding with vibrant color, we welcome the season by celebrating Stress Awareness Month. Did you know that stress, also called the “silent killer,” could cause heart disease and high blood pressure? Recognizing the sources of stress is the best way to understand how you can start eliminating factors in your life that put unnecessary strain on your body and mind. Social Security wants to make your retirement planning as stress-free as possible, which is why we have a number of online tools available for you. You can create your own secure, personal my Social Security account from the comfort of your living room and avoid unpleasant traffic and a possible long wait in one of our field offices. Once you have a my Social Security account, you can view your Social Security Statement, verify your earnings record, and find out what to expect in monthly benefits if you retire at ages 62, 67, or 70. Once you begin receiving Social Security
benefits, you can use my Social Security to check your benefit information, change your address and phone number, change your electronic payment method, and obtain an instant benefit verification letter and replacement SSA-1099/1042S. You can easily sign up for my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. If you’re thinking about retiring at an age not shown on your Statement, reduce the stress of the unknown by using our Retirement Estimator. The Retirement Estimator allows you to calculate your potential future Social Security benefits by changing variables such as retirement dates and future earnings. You may discover that you’d rather wait another year or two before you retire to earn a higher benefit. Or, you might see that this is the season for you to kiss that work stress goodbye and retire right now. To get instant, personalized estimates of your future benefits, go to www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. When you decide it’s time to start re-
ceiving your retirement benefits, the application process is far less stressful now that you’re prepared. You can securely apply online without picking up the phone or leaving your house. Simply go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline, and, in as little as 15 minutes, you can breeze through our online retirement application. Our website and online tools are always available. You can enjoy Social Security’s stress-free retirement planning tools any time of the year, giving you more time to enjoy these warmer months. Doesn’t that put a spring in your step? A
Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ ssa.gov.
Down memory lane with Pages from the past Co-op history book presented to local schools In the April 1985 AREA Magazine, predecessor to Alabama Living, several editions carried the news that local cooperatives had presented a copy of The Next Greatest Thing, a book commemorating the 50th anniversary of the beginning of rural electrification, to schools and libraries in their area. In this edition of the Covington Electric Co-op magazine, staff assistant and member services director Ed Short (now Covington’s president and CEO) presents a copy to Nelson Whitehurst, principal of Goodman Junior High School. At right, Alan Thrash, member services representative (now vice president, operations), presents a copy to James Johnson, principal of Fleeta Junior High. The book, published by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, took its 10 APRIL 2015
title from a statement made by a Tennessee farmer in the 1940s, shortly after his house received electricity for the first time: “Brothers and sisters, I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on earth is the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.” A
Letters to the editor Dear editor, Michael Cornelison’s articles about Jason Isbell and Spooner Oldham, etc., in this month’s edition (March 2015) are wonderful. I LOVE Spooner and am so happy to see he’s still alive and (hopefully) well. He is a brilliant musician and has made some beautiful music over the years! Thanks for the great features! Nancy Carrell Dallas, Hartselle Thanks to all who’ve written us! If you’ve got an interesting Alabama fact to share, email us at agriffin@ areapower.com
www.alabamaliving.coop
Still looking for de Soto with the help of pig bones In October of 1540, at the Indian town of Mabila, soldiers of Hernando de Soto clashed with the forces of chief Tascaluza. When the fighting was done, one Spaniard estimated that between 2,500 and 5,000 Indians lay dead. If the count is anywhere close to correct, this was the bloodiest battle fought on North American soil until Union and Confederate armies slaughtered each other at Shiloh. Mabila was in Alabama. We don’t know where. Soon we might. A few months ago, a three-university archaeological expedition set out to find where the battle was fought. It won’t be easy. We are not even sure of the route de Soto traveled. Back in 1939, a national commission was set up to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Spanish invasion. It identified what it felt was de Soto’s route and put Mabila down in Clarke County, where I grew up. Locals were so tickled with the honor that they named a Boy Scout Camp after the battle. Then, years later, a cadre of anthropologists, archaeologists, and
Alabama Living
historians did another study, and concluded that Mabila was likely located farther north, where the Cahaba River empties into the Alabama, near the site of Cahawba, Alabama’s first state capital. Couldn’t be, one critic claimed. The Spaniards wrote of meeting Indians who wore hats made from palmetto fronds and ate chestnut bread. No palmetto and chestnut at Cahawba. Then someone produced a picture of palmetto-covered wetlands at the site and pointed to a nearby plantation called “Chestnut Hill,” which was obviously not named for the pines on the place. The critic pouted. Meanwhile Clarke County rejected the new findings and continued to claim Mabila as its own, an intransigence that reveals just how much it means to a community to know that history once touched it. Towns all over the state would like to attach “de Soto slept here” to their city seal. Now if the folks leading this new expedition asked me, I’d suggest they take a look at the route-tracing scheme devised by Doug Jones of the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
You see, we have only a few sites where we know de Soto camped. At one site archeologists found pig bones. Jones suggested that scientists extract DNA from de Soto pigs and clone modern pigs that would have the route imprinted in its genetic structure. OK, I don’t understand either, but it sounds good. Then the cloned pigs would be released and following them would confirm, once and for all, the route de Soto took. On that route they would find Mabila. Now the expedition may already be using this approach. If they are, I hope they do as Jones proposed and when the pigs reach their destination, throw a wing-ding barbeque. I hope I am invited. A Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson is retired professor emeritus of history at Jacksonville State University whose most recent book is The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Riviera, featured in the January 2013 Alabama Living. His work appears in the Anniston Star and Northeast Alabama Living. He can be reached at hjackson@ cableone.net.
APRIL 2015 11
Home & Garden Special
Festivals celebrate the lovely, fragile Cahaba lily
Rivers in bloom Story and photos by David Haynes
12 APRIL 2015
www.alabamaliving.coop
E
ven though the camellia is Alabama’s state flower, the rare and wild-growing Cahaba lily is almost certainly the most recognizable bloom found here in the Heart of Dixie. Photographs and illustrations of this beautiful white spider lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) adorn everything from license plates to coffee mugs, so much so that most Alabamians could identify its distinctive white-on-white blooms before those of the camellia. Named the Cahaba lily here due to large populations in the shoals of the Cahaba River in central Alabama, the same flower is also found on other streams in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and parts of North Carolina, where it’s known as the Shoal lily or Shoals spider-lily. In fact, this lily was first observed by renowned naturalist William Bartram in 1783 in the Savannah River near Augusta, Ga. Whatever the name, these unique aquatic plants require clean, swift water and rocky shoals to thrive. When they bloom in May and June (usually between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) each year, thousands of people make pilgrimages to canoe or wade into Alabama’s shoals to take in a spectacular panorama. In good years I’ve seen a waterway turn almost solid white for as far as the eye can see, as hundreds of thousands of these three-foot-high blooms merge together, like a new snowfall covering the stream. Many locations for the Cahaba lily are somewhat remote and getting to them can be a logistical challenge involving canoes, kayaks or other watercraft, plus shuttling vehicles back and forth
at put-in and take-out points. But we Alabamians are fortunate to have some of the easiest access to view these lilies up close at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge near West Blocton in Bibb County. Here these unique lilies are literally within view of a gravel road that parallels the Cahaba River for a mile or more. This is also home to the Cahaba Lily Festival, which will be May 16 in West Blocton and at the Cahaba Wildlife Refuge a few miles away. Farther south in late May, the Hatchet Creek Festival offers a two-day paddling trip to see the lilies in Coosa County (see story, page 14). Myrtle Jones, an original volunteer organizer of the Cahaba Lily Festival, says this will be the 26th annual event. Events will begin with an 8 a.m. registration at the Cahaba Lily Center in downtown West Blocton, followed by programs featuring speakers from the Cahaba River Society, Alabama Fish and Game, Wildlife Rescue and other festivities, including the crowning of the 2015 Miss Cahaba Lily. Samford University professor Lawrence Davenport, considered the world’s leading authority on the Cahaba lily, will again be the featured speaker, as he has been for each of the previous 25 festivals. “That first year it was pretty much just me and my slide projector at the First Baptist Church,” Davenport says. The Cahaba Lily Festival is the first such festival to be established to honor a flower. However, in the years since the festival in West Blocton
Cahaba lilies, shown here on Hatchet Creek in Coosa County, bloom for just one day during their season, which is generally from May through June.
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 13
Mike Duffey of Rome, Ga., paddles through a stand of Cahaba lilies.
For additional information on the Cahaba River Festival, visit any or all of the following websites: • Cahabalily.com: www.cahabalily.com/cahabalilyfestival/ • Facebook: www.facebook.com/cahabalily • Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge: www.fws.gov/ refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=43665 • Cahaba River Society: www.cahabariversociety.org/recreationrecreation-on-the-cahaba/the-lilies/
Even though the camellia is Alabama’s state flower, the rare and wild-growing Cahaba lily is almost certainly the most recognizable bloom found here in the Heart of Dixie. began, similar events have been established in both Georgia and South Carolina celebrating the same lily, he says. He notes that the Cahaba lily is found in the shoals of the Cahaba River from its headwaters near Trussville all the way downstream to Centerville. Other places in Alabama where the lily is found include tributaries of the Black Warrior, Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, he said. Davenport wrote an article for the Encyclopedia of Alabama about these striking blooms, which open in the early evening when they are most fragrant. Unfortunately, human activities threaten the survival of the Cahaba lily, including the damming of rivers for navigation and power generation. More recently, the lily has been threatened by increasing levels of sediment from development, logging and mining. The best hope for the lilies’ survival may be increased awareness of its fragile habitat, thanks to public events like the Cahaba Lily Festival and the Hatchet Creek Festival. Jones explains that the event has grown each year since the first festival in 1990, when it consisted of Davenport, a few enthusiastic West Blocton volunteers, several home-baked cakes and a program at the First Baptist Church. Today the Festival involves more than 30 volunteers and is attended by more than 400 people each year from around the United States as well as from other countries. Following lunch, a bus shuttle will be available to ferry attendees from town the five miles or so to the Cahaba River National Nature Preserve, where large stands of the blooming flowers are near the gravel road that parallels the river. Randall Haddock, field director for the Cahaba River Society, tells me that group will have rental canoes available that day for festival-goers who want to do more than get their feet wet. He adds that while the shoals that are beside the road usually have lilies blooming during the festival, the more adventurous can also take a 20-minute hike farther downstream to Hargrove Shoals to see one of the largest blooms on the entire river. A
Paddle Hatchet Creek to see more Cahaba lilies in May For those with a more adventurous spirit, an overnight paddling trip on Hatchet Creek in Coosa County will carry participants through several wide shoals choked down with Cahaba lilies in late May. Registration for the Third Annual Hatchet Creek Festival on May 30-31 is open through April 30, but space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. The $40 registration fee for this 2-day float on Hatchet Creek in Coosa County includes a Hatchet Creek Festival 14 APRIL 2015
t-shirt, shuttle service, campgrounds with limited amenities, snacks, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, music, games, fishing and more. Participants are responsible for providing their own canoe or kayak. Hatchet Creek is a beginner level run, but does have numerous shoals and a few rapids. For information on how to register, call Beverly Bass or Tom Bass, 256-207-3353, or email hatchet.creek.festival@ gmail.com. www.alabamaliving.coop
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  15
Home & Garden Special
American Goldfinch. PHOTO COURTESY KAY HOME PRODUCTS
Gardening that’s for the birds By Kristen Hannum
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ardening with an eye to attracting birds, plus the butterflies and bees that come along with them, means gardening with a completely different mindset than we’re used to. So why do it? The joy of creating a lively home for a wide variety of colorful, lively birds turns out to be reason enough for most gardeners. But there’s more: Gardeners report that an amazing satisfaction comes with doing something to help threatened birds. The Audubon Society and the U.S. Department of the Interior say there’s been a 70 percent decline in populations of common backyard birds since 1967. If everyone made just a corner of their yard more bird friendly, that could help turn those declines around. “So many problems seem beyond individual action,” says Dr. Stephen Kress, vice president of bird conservation for the Audubon Society. “But we can make a difference for birds.” The best place to start, says Dr. Kress, is in your own backyard. It’s not difficult. Simply think in terms of being a good host, making sure that your little guests have refuge, food and water, and that you don’t accidentally poison them with pesticides or herbicides.
Bird’s eye view
A birdfeeder is a good beginning, a first hop toward seeing your property from a bird’s point of view. The busy little birds
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at the feeders near a window are undeniably entertaining. Birdfeeders can also help wintering birds make it through the coldest days. Birdfeeders, however, are perhaps a bit more for us than for the birds. Both Dr. Kress and George Adams, author of Gardening for the Birds, How To Create a Bird-Friendly Backyard, say it’s far better to landscape with a variety of native shrubs, trees, flowers and grasses that provide a year-round supply of food for the birds. “Birdfeeders tend to attract the noisiest and bossiest birds, birds that attack or chase away the beautiful, small songbirds,” says Adams. Birds’ names can be a guide to what to plant for them. Cedar waxwings love the little berries on red cedars; that is, eastern junipers. Pinyon jays will seek out piñon pines for their delicious little nuts. Yellowrumped warblers used to be called myrtle warblers because of their taste for wax myrtle berries. Adams’ book has a guide to regional plants and birds, with specific advice for different species. Your state Audubon Society can also help with specifics. Plan a garden that will produce seeds and berries for the birds year round.
Caterpillar baby food
Native shrubs area also important because they host native insects. We’ve all become accustomed to thinking that insects need to be wiped out, but that’s completely wrong from a bird’s point of view. Cater-
pillars are the major source of protein for many nestlings, making the native plants that host caterpillars especially important for baby birds. (Not to mention butterflies!) Those native plants are the ones that birds depend upon for food, refuge, and homemaking. Again, says Adams, the birds’ names sometimes tell you what to plant. The little cactus wren depends on cactus thorns to discourage predators from reaching its nest. Pine warblers usually build their nest in pines, binding pine needles together to make a cup-shaped nest. When native trees aren’t available, birds are forced to live in exotic trees. That makes them and their nests more vulnerable to predators. Birds do not thrive amidst endless acres of chemically treated lawns, which are dangerous, unprotected food deserts that provide neither food or shelter.
Location, location, location
Suitable nest boxes can be one of the simplest things you can do to increase the variety of birds on your property, although just putting out a nest box and forgetting about it isn’t helpful. Just like teenagers’ bedrooms, nest boxes need to be thoroughly cleaned out at least once a year. Don’t choose a birdhouse by its cuteness scale. That darling Victorian may be completely wrong for the birds you’re hoping to attract. Bluebirds, for instance, need doors that are one and a half inches in diameter. That discourages larger birds, namely agwww.alabamaliving.coop
gressive starlings, from moving in and taking over. Another feature to look for in a birdhouse is a hinged roof. Once you’ve tried to clean out a birdhouse that doesn’t have a hinged roof, you’ll find yourself a convert to that type. Dr. Kress says that just as in the human real estate market, location is key to successful birdhouses. For bluebirds, that means out in open habitat, so that pushy little house sparrows don’t take it over. Gardeners in rural areas, like so many of Alabama Living’s readers, are especially well equipped to help birds because so many of them also favor rural life. Nestwatch.org gives great advice on birdhouses, and the Audubon Birdhouse Book: Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds is another excellent resource.
Bird-size puddles
Birdbaths really are for bathing. Cleanliness is key to staying warm, cooling off and flying right if you’re a bird. A birdbath is an easy and often beautiful addition to the garden. Buy a pedestal type and put it near protective shrubbery to keep the birds safer from cats. Birdbaths are especially important in arid areas, but even if you live near a lake a puddle-sized birdbath will attract visitors. “Puddles are more their size,” Dr. Kress says. Water with a dripping action is especially popular. Adams urges gardeners to take on the difficult challenge of providing thawed water for birds in the winter. Winter sun may do the trick, but he advises going for guaranteed results by installing a stock tank de-icer or heating element especially designed for birdbaths.
The magic of doing good
Keeping fresh water in birdbaths and putting in native plants may sound like work, but it’s satisfying work. “I know a lot of people who started out with sterile backyards and transformed them into great bird habitats,” says Dr. Kress. “They talk about how much fun it is.” One of Adams’ readers reported how easy it was to change their boring backyard into a bird haven. “The result was almost CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: American Goldfinches. PHOTO COURTESY KAY HOME PRODUCTS; magical,” that gardener wrote in a review Northern Cardinal male. PHOTO COURTESY KAY HOME PRODUCTS; Eastern Bluebirds. BY LAURA on Amazon. “The more things I planted HATHCOCK/COURTESY CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY; Ruby-throated Hummingbird. PHOTO COURTESY KAY HOME PRODUCTS; Carolina Wren. BY LAURA FRAZIER/COURTESY CORNELL LAB OF the more birds showed up.” A ORNITHOLOGY; Downy Woodpecker. PHOTO COURTESY KAY HOME PRODUCTS.
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 17
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  19
Home & Garden Special
The Fearless Gardener’s Guide to décor By Kristen Hannum
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e’ve all seen scary garden décor. Moldy naked concrete statuary, gnomes caught in private acts, random junk painted in neon colors. We’ve also smiled as a friend sneered over a piece of garden décor— say, the face of a Green Man in a tree or a life-size ostrich cleverly made of twisted wire—that we actually sorta liked. Liked a lot, actually. And we worry that it’s a slippery slope, that our graceful bronze crane standing amidst the hostas might, in a few years, multiply into a backyard where it’s hard to see the Kniphofia through the kitsch. Or worse, a front yard in that condition. Here then, is a brief guide to garden décor and how to fearlessly add a few eccentric or classic touches to your garden. We begin with the four great truths of garden décor: 1. Trust your taste. 2. Find inspiration everywhere. 3. Don’t let your garden décor overwhelm your garden. 4. Refresh and cull your garden décor so it can work its magic.
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Trust your taste
Garden décor and art have nothing to do with snooty art critics. It’s rather about whether a fountain, sculpture, mural or that quirky little wooden hedgehog in the pansies makes your heart smile. If it brings you joy, it’s right. It may even be art. “Some people might think they’re kitschy, but I don’t care,” says longtime gardener Tracy Johnson about the metal woodpecker on a tree outside her kitchen window and other salvage metal pieces. “I love them.” Think of garden décor as an opportunity to build your confidence in your own personal style. Just because a critical friend doesn’t like your Buddha statue or your giraffe theme doesn’t mean it’s not exactly right for your garden. It’s just not right for hers. That said, if you’ve got qualms, trust them too. Put the piece (or pieces) in question in the backyard instead of out front. And if it turns out that the planter you repurposed from a wrought iron bed makes you feel annoyed or
self-conscious rather than joyful, make it the star of your next yard sale.
Find inspiration everywhere.
Don’t just flip the magazine page past that brightly painted wooden chair that makes your heart flutter. Tear it out and add it to your inspiration collection. Do you love your neighbor’s idea of using an old bed’s headboard for a gate? She doesn’t have a patent on it; tell her you love it so much you’re looking for a headboard of your own. Begin a scrapbook or Pinterest board with ideas and inspirations. Even if you never find that perfect headboard or get around to painting a chair for your own porch, collecting ideas is fun and it gives you a better understanding of your own style. Your scrapbook, either on Pinterest or on paper, will probably reveal a pattern in what you love. That’s your style. Whether it’s mostly whimsical, formal, Southwestern or English cottage, you can use it to give your garden a theme that will hold it together. www.alabamaliving.coop
Don’t let your garden décor overwhelm your garden.
Dale Chihuly’s “Perennial Fiori” glass art, left, and below, at the Denver Botanical Gardens, opened a new window on how garden décor could be true art. PHOTOS COURTESY DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
More readily available for your yard are, clockwise, a wagon filled with potted plants, a whimsical “shovel man,” a raven fountain, rising sun plaque and a metal rooster. Bottom right, a gargoyle presides over a fern garden. PHOTOS COURTESY TRACEY DELFEL JOHNSON AND SPI HOME
Alabama Living
Garden décor, whether humorous or classic, gives our gardens distinction, just as the décor inside our homes does. Don’t let it become clutter. Just about every town has an example of garden décor gone overboard. Use that as a touchstone for what’s too much. Think of that house crowded round by so many concrete fountains and statues that it looks like a display yard for a store. In fact, maybe it is a display yard for a store. Garden décor should please the eye with its beauty or be a whimsical surprise. It shouldn’t overpower its surroundings. That doesn’t mean you need to forgo collections of objects—colorful birdhouses on newel posts, displayed tools on a shed wall or galoshes filled with flowers on the fence all can be pleasing in an artful arrangement.
Refresh and cull your garden décor so it can work its magic.
This last pointer is actually a strategy for achieving the first three goals. Your tastes evolve just as you do, and your garden is the perfect place to live out those changes and grow your style. Do your best to see your garden with an artist’s or photographer’s eye. Infuse yourself with some of those ideas from your inspiration scrapbook, slow down and then take a look at your garden as if for the first time. What do you want to rearrange? What needs to be cleaned? What simply needs to go? Would a birdbath please you more than the sundial? Then get to work. You’re creating a unique sense of place, a garden that will be like an outdoor room with your own personal style. No one can do it better. A
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  23
Home & Garden Special
Garden Anywhere: Small spaces make beautiful places By Katie Jackson
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rom Baby Boomers who are downsizing their lives to Millennials who have yet to upsize theirs, more and more people are living in small spaces, which often translates into less and less space for traditional gardening. But you don’t have to have a yard to be a gardener. You just need sunshine, water, a good soil mixture and a little ingenuity. While we typically think of gardens as outdoor spaces, the term “garden” refers to any space where plants and nature are shown, grown and enjoyed, including tabletops, rooftops, driveways, walkways, alleyways, parking lots, highway median strips, balconies, walls, windowsills … you get the picture. Houseplants are, of course, the easiest way to bring something green and growing into your life and there are oodles of beautiful tried-and-true options to fit any décor, lighting and indoor climate condition and level of gardening skill. Or tap into the latest everything-old-is-new-again trend: terrariums of all shapes and sizes! But why stop there? Many ornamental landscape plants can also be grown in containers (pots) and, thus, grown successfully inside or in small outdoor areas. Azaleas, roses, gardenias, vibur-
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nums, aucubas, hollies and jasmine are just a few of the common landscape plants that do well in pots. Bulbs and other herbaceous perennials and annuals also can be tucked into pots or planted in small patches of open ground such as along the edges of driveways or walkways, in medians or around mailboxes. Truth is it’s easy to find a plant to fit almost any environmental condition and space as long as you can provide them with a good quality growing media, protection from extreme temperatures and the right amount of sunlight and water. Ingenuity comes into play when you’re trying to adapt to the design needs of your small space, but there are lots of options for that as well. For example, raised beds and tiered planters can be installed almost anywhere, from the rooftops of apartment buildings and houses (and I even saw a dog house with a garden on top) to balconies, patios or concrete driveways. Not only do raised beds make gardening easier on your back (less bending and stooping required), they also allow you to create your own soil rather than relying on the quality of existing soil, thus providing your plants with the very best of growing conditions. If you have only a tiny corner or a wall area to use for plants, consider growing things vertically
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— espaliers, trellises, arbors, plant towers or frames built against fruit trees and shrubs can be grown in pots or espaliered against a wall can take your gardening to new heights and planes. a wall. Gourds, grapes, blackberries and other climbing plants Need to move your garden around? You can buy plant sau- can be grown on a trellis. And all sorts of herbs can be grown cers on wheels, fill a child’s wagon with potted plants or put in pots indoors or out. wheels on old garbage cans, buckets, boxes and other interesting If you need ideas for your small space try a Pinterest or a planting containers. Web search. The opWant a more whimtions found there sical garden? Use an are so plentiful they old birdbath filled may overwhelm you. with potting mixIf you want some ture to create a little detailed professional raised garden or use advice on how best a sealed pot or founto maximize your tain to make a water garden space, check garden. Want someout the books Square thing that requires Foot Gardening: The less water? Create Revolutionary Way a rock garden filled to Grow More In Less with cacti and sucSpace by Mel Barculents. tholomew or ApartIf you’re craving ment Gardening: freshly grown fruits Plants, Projects, and and vegetables, don’t Raised beds can be installed anywhere, as long as you’ve got the right growing conditions. Recipes for Growdespair! You can grow many of these as well in small spaces. The ing Food in Your Urban Home by Amy Pennington. Your local same raised beds and containers used for ornamental plants can county Alabama Cooperative Extension System office and plant become home to everything from tomatoes to corn to squash. nurseries are also great sources of information. Hanging baskets make great pots for strawberries and peppers. One way or another, you can make space in your life for plants Lettuces and other greens will grow beautifully in pots. Many and keep your gardening going no matter where you live. A
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  27
Home & Garden Special
Ladybugs are beneficial most of the time By Emmett Burnett
“Cute as a bug’s ear” is an odd saying, because insects have no ears, per se. And bugs aren’t cute, except for ladybugs. In fact, little red riding beetle is one of few insects we love. People bomb flies with insecticide, run for their lives from spiders, and will blast cockroaches with a cannon. But the ladybug is revered because it’s beneficial, most of the time. That’s right, I said most of the time, because this polka-dotted cutie has a dark side. “They can’t stand cold weather,” says Charles H. Ray, Ph.D., an entomologist at Auburn University. “Ladybugs seek warmth in winter, and that warmth can be your house” - hence the expression, “Snug as a bug in a rug.” But snug can become “ugh.” “Problems occur when large numbers invade the home,” added the Auburn professor. “When disturbed, frightened, or agitated, ladybugs secrete a foul smelling liquid from their legs. It smells pretty bad, especially in closed quarters.” Think of tiny six-legged skunks in your living room. But wait, there’s more. “The worst ladybug infestation case I ever experienced was in Anniston,” Ray recalled. “It was so bad, the homeowner couldn’t sleep.” And with good reason: He kept waking during the night with ladybugs crawling in his ears, nose, and mouth. “I suggested he vacuum the ladybugs for removal. Unfortunately, he had burned up three vacuum cleaner motors trying to do just that.” The Anniston situation was an extreme case. Usually a few ladybugs meander where not wanted, but a full-scale siege is rare. Their good outweighs the bad. “Ladybugs eat aphids and other garden pests,” noted Mallory J. Kelley, regional Extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Wetumpka. “They are beneficial in gardens and prefer the outdoors.” Actually, if the wayward scarlet beetle can’t find a way back outdoors, it will starve to death. “There is no food source inside,” Mallory says. “Their survival 28 APRIL 2015
depends on getting out of your house.” Of course it’s best if ladybugs never gain entry. “Seal any cracks and crevices in your home, including windowsills and underneath doors.” And don’t panic; it’s not an invasion. Though you may see dozens, even hundreds, ladybugs are solitary nomads and do not communicate with each other like ants, bees, or termites. Nor do they bite, sting, carry disease, or eat your food. But here are some things that may bug you: “Ladybugs are attracted to the color white,” Kelley says. White windowsills and baseboards, white carpeting, white countertops, anything white, transforms your home into a ladybug bungalow. Ironically, the insect attracted to vanilla-boring white is one of the most colorful creatures in critter land. But ladybug beauty is more than a fashion statement. Good looks save its life. The combination of vivid reds with black spot patterns is nature’s barcode warning label. “The colors send a message to predators, ‘Tastes bad! Danger! Stay away! Poison!’” Ray says. Combine that with a hard, difficult to swallow shell, and ladybugs have limited enemies other than other insects, some birds, tree frogs and the vacuum cleaner. Of the 5,000 worldwide ladybug types, two prevail in Alabama: the multi-colored (from Asia) and seven-spotted (Europe). These two little guys have almost eliminated Alabama’s native species. And though they prefer a banquet of aphids and scale bugs, when primary food sources diminish, some ladybugs will munch crops but seldom do significant damage. Life isn’t easy for a boy named “Lady.” But the moniker applies to both sexes, which is good, as male or female is distinguishable only by scientists, microscopes or ladybugs in love. Tip: The ones laying 10 to 15 eggs daily during springtime/summer are female. But life is good for ladybugs. Though no firm population numbers exist, according to Auburn University, only our native species are endangered. The import models are doing just fine. The scarlet insect is a token of good luck in Asia and a garden asset in Alabama. We are graced by ladybugs. A www.alabamaliving.coop
Around Alabama APRIL 2-4, 7-9 • Attalla, Tigers for Tomorrow 2015 Spring Break Tours at Untamed Mountain. This year’s tour showcases the four color variations of tigers: gold, tabby, royal white and snow. One tour a day begins at 1:30 p.m. Admission: $15 adult and $10 children. Information: 256-524-4150 or www.tigersfortomorrow.org. 10-11 • Dothan, 19th Annual Spring Plant Sale at the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2p.m. Admission is free. Contact: Cheryl Hatcher at jhatcher@graceba.net or 334-798-1034. 10-11 • Dothan, 10th Annual Tri-State BBQ Festival at the Houston County Farm Center. Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults $10, children 6 and under free. For information, band schedules and details call 334-699-1475. Www.TriStateBBQ.com. 11 • Columbia, Columbia Historical Society’s 2015 Walk in History. Columbia City Cemetery, 5-7 p.m. Admission: $10 adults, schoolage children and younger are free. www. columbiahistoricalsocietyofalabama.org. 11 • Fredonia, 65th Annual Fredonia Barbecue. Community Clubhouse on Chambers County Road 222, near the crossroad at Chambers County Road 267. Tickets are $9. Event begins at 5 p.m. and food served through 8 p.m. For ticket sales or directions, call JJ Frickert at 334-499-0115. 11 • LaFayette, 18th Annual LaFayette Day for Valley Haven School. On the Square, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Contact: Craig Brown, 334-756-2868 or Lynn Oliver 334-219-1890. 11 • Pinson, Pinson Bicentennial Celebration at Rock School Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibits will focus on Native-American, African-American, and EuropeanAmerican inhabitants in the early years of the 19th century. Free admission. www.thecityofpinson.com. 11 • Greenville, Healthy Kids for Kids 3rd Annual 5K/10K Run to raise awareness in the fight against child abuse. The theme is superheroes and costumes are encouraged. Registration is from 7-8:30 a.m. with races beginning at 8:30. Contact: Susan Lowman, 334-371-2104 or slowman.healthykidsal@gmail.com.
11-12 • Enterprise, Piney Woods Arts Festival at Enterprise State Community College. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Free admission. www.CoffeeCountyArtsAlliance.com. 11-12 • Ft. Deposit, 44th Annual Calico Arts and Crafts Fair. Hosting approximately 150 quality exhibitors, continuous entertainment, kids petting zoo and food vendors. Admission charged. www.calicofort.com. 11-12 • Loxley, 28th Annual Baldwin County Strawberry Festival at Loxley Municipal Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Car shows, pageant, music, crafts and strawberry shortcakes. www. baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org. 11-12 • Hartselle, Tennessee Valley Farm Tour, 2-6 p.m. each day. A self-guided tour of small farms in the Tennessee Valley. $25 for a map and directions to participating farms. Proceeds go to local farmers. Information: Karen Wayne, 256520-2400. www.rositasfarm.com/farmtour. 17 • Fairhope, “Under the Stars” fundraiser for CARE House, 6:30 p.m. Features food, music, dancing, drinks, silent and live auctions at Oak Hollow Farm. Tickets $50 per person. CARE House provides resources and services to child victims of abuse in Baldwin County. www.bccarehouse.org 18 • Furman, Spring Pilgrimage, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Homes, churches and historical sites in the towns of Furman and Snow Hill. Admission is $20 adults, $10 students and children 6 and under are free. Contact: Don Donald, 334-6829825 or email grsouth@frontiernet.net.
18 • Wetumpka, 3rd Annual Craterfest at Gold Star Park, 2-7 p.m. The festival features music, entertainment, arts and crafts, food, and educational crater activities. www. wetumpkachamber.com/craterfest.
18 • Fairhope, Bald Eagle Bash at Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center, 4-7 p.m. Enjoy a “Taste of Weeks Bay” with live music by The Modern Eldorados. Tickets: $40 advance, $45 at the gate (beverages included with admission). Call 251-990-5004. www.BaldEagleBash.com. 18 • Montgomery, 14th Annual Walk of Life 5K and Mighty Kids Dash to benefit the Joy to Life Foundation. $25 5K pre-registration fee (ages 6 and up); $10 kids dash (ages 3-8 only). Contact and registration: www. walkoflife2015.org or 334-284-5433. 18-19 • Guntersville, 54th Annual Art on the Lake at the Guntersville Recreation Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 125 exhibitors with food, fun and entertainment for the whole family. $2 admission, children 12 and under are free. www.artonthelake-guntersville.com. 23-26 • Selma, Battle of Selma at Battlefield Park. The 1860s come alive with hands-on instruction and period music in the living history school tours. The Battle of Selma and Grand Military Ball is held on Saturday and the 150th Battle of Selma Re-enactment on Sunday. www.battleofselma.com. 25 • Arab, “Back When Day” at Arab Historic Village, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Historic Village celebrates the daily life of Arab as a young rural farm town in the 1920s and ‘30s. Admission is free. Information: call 256-586-6397 or 256-550-0290. MAY 2 • Decatur, Colors for Christ Motorcycle Rally at the Point Mallard Expo Pavilion. Featuring a bike show, bike games, music, silent auction and a ride supporting the Wounded Warrior Project. www.colorsforchrist.org. 2 • Union Springs, 36th Annual Chunnenuggee Fair in downtown Union Springs. Fine arts and crafts, fresh food, live entertainment, games and rides. Vendors call Elizabeth Smithart at 334738-8683 or email esmithart@yahoo.com. 2 • Valley, 39th Annual Hike/Bike/Run at Valley Haven School. Registration starts at 7 a.m. EDT, events start at 8 a.m. EDT. Events include a 1 or 5-mile hike, 10 or 20-mile bike ride, and a one-mile, 5K or 10.5K run. Contact: Tony Edmondson at Valley Haven School, 334756-7801 or email valleyhaven@vhsarc.org.
To place an event, e-mail events@alabamaliving.coop. or visit www.alabamaliving.coop. You can also mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; Each submission must include a contact name and phone number. Deadline is two months prior to issue date. We regret that we cannot publish every event due to space limitations. Alabama Living
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APRIL 2015 29
Alabama Gardens
‘Listing into Summer’ Developing a gardening to-do list
T
his time of year, as the number of gardening chores and opportunities increases with the temperatures, trying to keep up with all the garden projects we want and need to tackle can be difficult. But there is a special, almost magical, gardening tool that always comes to my rescue: the gardening to-do list. For me, a to-do list helps weed through the clutter and, when I get to check things off as complete, offers me such a sense of satisfaction. And though I firmly believe that listmaking should be a personal endeavor, sometimes it helps to have examples as starting points, so here’s a glimpse at how I “organize” my to-do lists—and a glimpse into how list-obsessed I am. I begin my listing process in January by developing an annual garden manifesto that chronicles all the things I’d LIKE to accomplish in the coming year (which is not to say I WILL accomplish them). I also keep a short, cryptic month-to-month list that reminds me of the major things I need to focus on each month. For example, January is my “Plan and Prune” month, April is “Plant and Fertilize” month and November is my month to “Winterize and Organize.” I post both the manifesto and month-to-month list near my desk as
Katie Jackson is a freelance writer and editor based in Opelika, Alabama. Contact her at katielamarjackson@ gmail.com.
30 APRIL 2015
constant reminders of what’s coming up and I also keep copies of each in a spiral-bound notebook (I still like to hold paper in my hand, though more techsavvy folks might do this on a computer) and use that notebook to make and keep more lists—yes, MORE lists. Among those additional lists is a masterlist of all the typical garden chores that might occur in any month, which I divide into five categories: Prepare, Plant, Maintain, Monitor and Enjoy. Not a very clever list, but one I can use throughout the year to develop my monthly plans. Here’s my philosophy behind each category: Prepare. I list all the things I need to do before I get started with a project or chore such as work and enhance the soil, get equipment and tools ready for use or select and buy plants, seeds or other supplies. Plant. This category includes a list of all the things I want to plant during the year including fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, and a list of general planting dates for each of them. Maintain. Here I keep a list of all the chores that are likely to be necessary in the coming month—water, mow, prune, mulch, weed, deadhead and the like. Monitor. In this category I list all the things I need to keep an eye out for during each month—bugs, weeds, disease, nutrient deficiencies, new growth, ripening fruits and vegetables, etc. Enjoy. This is actually my favorite category. It’s where I list ways to enjoy the garden more, including events I may want to attend, the dates of full moons (I love looking at the garden in moonlight), names of books or publications I may want to read and all the
things I should appreciate each season in the garden such as birds, blooms, changes in weather, etc. A
April Gardening Tips d Clean out garden
sheds and storage areas. d Begin to mow lawns regularly as needed. d Sod new lawn areas. d Plant summer and fall-blooming bulbs, summer annuals and bedding plants. d Plant berries (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries). d Start seed for heatloving vegetable crops such as beans, corn and melons. d Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and sweet potatoes into the garden. d Get a copy of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System publication “Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama” to help determine planting dates for summer fruits and vegetables. d Keep track of rainfall amounts to determine the moisture needs of your plants. d Feed the birds. d Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and National Arbor Day (April 24).
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  31
Worth the Drive
Delectable dining at the home of the West Indies Salad By Jennifer Kornegay
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ne of the main draws of a beach “My wife and I would go out and eat ad plenty of places, it’s not quite the same. trip (at least for me) is the ac- seafood, and I’d bite into a fried shrimp Bill explained why. cess to an abundance of fabulous and get nothing but the batter, and I “The key is using cider vinegar. You fresh seafood. And the saltwater species I thought, ‘I could do better than this,’” he can’t use white vinegar,” he said. “And you enjoy most is crab. Buttery sautéed crab said. So he did. “I decided to re-open the have to put the oil in first, then the vinegar, claws, fried soft-shell crab, crisp-tender place. That was 20-something years ago.” otherwise the oil all goes to the top.” Just-caught crabmeat from the Gulf is crab cakes, herb-laden crab stuffing piled He stuck with what had worked before, on top of a blackened fish filet: They’re all adding a few items, but keeping most of another essential ingredient, and that’s all respectable options. the classics, including West Indies Salad. Bayley’s ever uses. “I never use frozen crab But the best way to eat this sideways- “It knew we had to keep that, and boy, we or crab that came from somewhere else,” Bill said. skittering crustacean is in a uniquely Ala- sell a lot of it,” he said. Sometimes, this can prove bama dish, the West Indies problematic. “If I can’t get it, Salad. It’s basically a bowl of I don’t serve crab,” he said. “I crabmeat, lightly embellished had some folks walk about the with vinegar, onion and oil. other night because we couldn’t Only in this unadulterated get crab due to the weather.” preparation can you truly West Indies Salad is defitaste the crab’s delicate sweetnitely Bayley’s signature dish, ness and appreciate its silken but it’s not the only thing texture. And only at Bayley’s worth eating there. In the Seafood Restaurant in Theo1960s, Bill Sr. came up with dore can you eat the original and served his lucky customincarnation of this treat that’s ers another first: fried crab become an icon of coastal claws. Today, they are Bayley’s cuisine. bestseller. Other crab creations Bayley’s is a humble spot, Bayley’s West Indies Salad: The key ingredient is cider vinegar. Freshinclude the crab omelet, baked a low ceilinged, tiled-wall caught Gulf Crab is, of course, essential. PHOTO BY JENNIFER KORNEGAY crab and crabmeat au gratin. seafood restaurant of the Not so crazy about crab? Go for the old school that puts the bulk of its attenHe shared how the now-famous dish tion and energy into its food. Bill Bayley made it onto Bayley’s menu. “It was back fried oysters. Wearing a scant coat of seaSr. opened the first version of Bayley’s in in the ‘40s. Dad just whipped some up soned cornmeal, each bite delivers a burst 1947, but closed it in the early 1980s. His one day and brought it out to a customer, of briny deliciousness. Or you could opt for fish. “We sell a lot son, Bill Jr., who had no desire to be in the a dentist from Mobile, for him to try,” Bill restaurant business, was working in the said. “He loved it and told dad to put it on of flounder, but we only do it whole, no construction industry at the time. the menu. Now, you can get it other places, filets, and we do a whole flounder stuffed with our crabmeat stuffing that’s pretty but it’s not like ours.” Jennifer Kornegay unique and something my dad taught me His dad never hid the recipe. He even travels to an out-ofgave it to the local Junior League, and they how to make,” he said. “And we do fresh the way restaurant destination in Alabama published it in their cookbook. But Bill Jr. mullet too, but those are the only two fish every month. She is right. While you can get West Indies Sal- we do.” may be reached for comment at Next time you’re near the beach, make j_kornegay@charter. net. Check out more your way over to Bayley’s, an institution of Jennifer’s food of good eats in our state. And order the writing, recipes and Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant recommendations West Indies Salad, an Alabama original 10805 Dauphin Island Pkwy on her blog, Chew that’s still done best at the place that did Theodore, AL on This at www. Theodore jenniferkornegay.com. (251) 973-1572 it first. A 32 APRIL 2015
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  33
Montgomery Youth Tour, sponsored by your local electric cooperative and the Alabama Rural Electric Association, is part of a grassroots program to educate high school juniors on the electric cooperative program and the cooperative ideas for which it stands.
Representative Mac McCutcheon discusses issues with the youth tour delegates at the State House.
Selected students, who participate in local competitions at their electric cooperative, are invited to travel to Montgomery in March, where they join more than 140 other high school juniors representing electric cooperatives all over the state of Alabama. These students have the opportunity to take part in educational ac tivities, such as Q&A sessions with representatives about topics that interest them and their respective cooperatives. They also tour sites of historical interest, such as the Civil Rights Memorial, the state Capitol, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the Alabama Voices exhibit at the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the State Judicial Building. They even spend some time rubbing elbows with state lawmakers.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, the trip includes a dinner dance and cosmic bowling, where students h ave a c h a n ce to get to know representatives from other cooperatives. 34 APRIL 2015
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 35
Forty-six students from Alabama travel to Washington, D.C., for the all-expenses paid, weeklong tour, joining more than 1,600 students from states across the nation. The tour is jam-packed with fun-filled activities and visits to America’s most popular and historic places. Stops along the way include the U.S. Capitol, the Korean and Vietnam war memorials, the Kennedy Center, Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian, among countless other museums and areas of interest.
Jo Bonner, vice chancellor for the University of Alabama system, engages the Youth Tour participants in the importance of politics and staying involved.
Af t e r M o n t g o m e r y Yo u t h To u r, s t u d e n t delegates have the opportunity to interview for the chance of a lifetime -- to attend the Washington Youth Tour, which is June 12-18.
[ Senator Clyde Chambliss meeting with delegates.
Rep. Elaine Beech and Rep. Alan Baker answer students’ questions at the State House.
36 APRIL 2015
]
For more information about Alabama Youth Tours, please contact your local electric cooperative or Mary Tyler Spivey, Youth Tour Director at mspivey@areapower.com.
The purpose of the Alabama Youth Tour and the National Rural Electric Youth Tour is simple: To help students develop a greater understanding about their electric cooperative and its leadership role in their community. The event also allows delegates to make new friends from across the state, who share their pride in their local communities. This is a unique opportunity to educate the leaders of tomorrow about electric cooperative ideas and the workings of state government. Cea Cohen-Elliot challenges the delegates to make a difference in this world.
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  37
Home & Garden Special
Before you jump in, know the basics of walk-in tubs By Carole Howell
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long hot bath and water jet massage with less risk of falling sounds like a dream come true. A walk-in tub system that allows easy entry and exit, along with therapeutic jets, can be the best solution when traditional bathing is difficult. They’re designed for individuals with limited mobility, arthritis or chronic pain, or for anyone who wants a spa-like experience in a limited space. A walk-in tub is simply a taller-than-average bathtub with a low step. To use a walk-in tub, a person enters and shuts the door behind them. They then fill the tub, which takes several minutes. After bathing, the person remains in the tub while the water drains. The door will not open as long as there is water in the tub. Walk-in tubs come in a variety of styles and sizes. Special options include various types and upgrades of the water jet massage and quick fill and drain. Specialized tubs, such as bariatric tubs for larger individuals, and wheelchair accessible tubs, are available. To find out if a walk-in tub is the right fit for you, educate yourself before you take the plunge. THE COST: Total costs with installation can easily exceed $10,000, and Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the cost except under very special circumstances. Your health insurance may or may not cover any part of the cost, so check your policy first. THE INSTALLATION: Professional installation is highly recommended, and most full service installers offer a complimentary home visit to help you determine what you’ll need for the tub’s intended purpose. A licensed contractor should be able to manage every aspect of the installation including demolition and reconstruction, and sub-contract for additional electrical or plumbing needs. “To select a walk-in-tub franchise or a contractor, we encourage people to research the company online,” said Elizabeth Garcia, president of the North Alabama Better Business Bureau (BBB). “The BBB website also allows searches by zip code to help find a contractor and read consumer reviews. Get three estimates, and ask the company for two or three local references.” THE CONTRACT: Garcia advises buyers to get an itemized list of the costs, additional charges, shipping, installation, and return policies. Also, make sure that you have all the guarantees and warranties in writing so that you know beforehand how you will address prob38 APRIL 2015
lems and who will do the repairs. She adds that in Alabama, building and remodeling jobs of $10,000 or more require building permits and inspections. Also make sure that the contract specifies the payment schedule. “Be suspicious if you’re asked to pay everything in advance,” said Garcia. “As protection, add a lien release clause so that subcontractors cannot seek payment from you if the contractor fails to pay them.” IS A WALK-IN TUB RIGHT FOR YOU? David Lisenby, president of Lisenby Construction, Inc. of Montgomery, is a Certified Aging in Place specialist and a Certified Graduate Remodeler. He says he talks to many people who are thinking of retrofitting their bathrooms or installing a walk-in tub during new construction. “While these tubs can be great for people who need them for therapy, they’re not recommended for people with dementia, especially if they’re unsupervised,” said Lisenby. “And they don’t work really well as a shower. The water tends to get out around the curtain, causing a wet floor and a slipping hazard.” As an alternative that’s more versatile and less expensive, he often recommends replacing a traditional tub and shower with a low-threshold, full size shower with grab bars. A removable shower chair, along with a handheld showerhead should be all you need for safe bathing. When others want to use the shower, simply remove the chair. The features and upgrades you choose simply depend on your needs and budget, and thousands of people have been pleased with their decision install a walk-in tub. The choice is yours. Do your homework before you buy, so you can truly relax as you soak. A www.alabamaliving.coop
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  39
Alabama Outdoors
Abundant small scrappers, a.k.a. ‘panfish,’ offer big action By John N. Felsher
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ractically all anglers start their catch more than a dozen panfish species in record with a 1.75-pound fish that came piscatorial pursuits by tempting Alabama, most people simply lump them from a small farm pond. panfish, and for good reason. Just all together as “perch” or “bream.” Commonly called shellcrackers because about anyone can catch these abundant “The Tennessee River lakes offer great they relish snails, redear sunfish look simand widespread, if diminutive, scrappers. panfish action,” Darr says. “The Tombig- ilar to bluegills, but with orange to red “Panfish are very common throughout bee River around Demopolis is also a very highlights on their “ear flaps.” ShellcrackAlabama,” explains Doug Darr with the good area for panfish. Lake Eufaula is an- ers occur throughout the state, but thrive Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries other really good bream lake. The Little in southern Alabama, particularly in the Division. “Our 23 state public fishing lakes River, Tallapoosa River and Coosa River Mobile-Tensas Delta. Jeff Lashley caught (www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/fresh- can also provide good bream action.” the state record, a 4.25-pounder, while Among the most common and wide- fishing a park pond. water/where/lakes) are stocked with bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel “In south Alabama, redear catfish. They offer some of the finsunfish begin bedding in March, est bream fishing in the country.” but fishing usually peaks in May,” Fishing for panfish, from the Darr says. “If we get a couple bank, dock or a boat, offers an exwarmer days in a row in the cellent way to teach children, and spring, bream start moving into novice adults, about the outdoors. the shallows.” To start fishing for panfish, anglers As water warms in the spring, don’t need much complex, expenpanfish head shallow to lay eggs sive gear. Many people use cane in nests. In a good spawning flat, poles without reels. Add a few anglers can spot these nests, dark hooks, bobbers and some bait to depressions fanned into the botthe list and start fishing. tom. Highly prolific panfish may Thread a worm or cricket onto a breed several times from March hook dangling under a bobber and through October and frequently drop it next to a stump, fallen tree, return to the same beds every grass bed or other cover. Wait for year. the bobber to disappear under the In many bedding areas, several Savannah McKinney shows off a panfish she caught while fishing water. Then, watch the expression off a dock. PHOTO BY JOHN N. FELSHER hundred bream may congregate, on the child’s face as it goes down making such places great spots to and the youngster sets the hook on a fat spread panfish, bluegills occur throughout fish. Anglers can tempt panfish with many bluegill. Pound for pound, or more appro- Alabama. They derive their name from the baits including worms, crickets, grasshoppriately ounce for ounce, few fish outfight navy blue “ear flap” near their gills. Slow pers, bread, crawfish and other morsels. panfish, so called because they fit nicely in rivers, farm ponds or lakes with abundant For those who prefer artificial lures, a a frying pan and taste great. vegetation offer excellent places to look beetle spinner or a small jig make excelIn just about every freshwater system in for bluegills. A bluegill can weigh nearly lent enticements. Alabama, anglers can find enough delicious five pounds, but few exceed one pound. For the ultimate fun, try a fly rod. Bluepanfish to make a meal. While anglers may T.S. Hudson landed the state record, a gills and other panfish readily strike flies, 4.75-pounder, while fishing Ketona Lake streamers and nymphs, but small floating John N. Felsher is near Birmingham. “popping bugs” make deadly topwater a freelance writer and photographer One of the most distinctive panfish, a temptations. Some better surface enticewho now lives in warmouth looks similar to a bluegill in ments include foam or cork creations that Semmes, Ala. He color, but with the shape and mouth of a resemble tiny frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, co-hosts a weekly outdoors show that is bass. Also called a goggle-eye, these thick, dragonflies or other natural prey. syndicated to stations dark fish love swamps, shallow weedy Although bream anglers won’t land any in Alabama. For more on the show, log on to lakes, sluggish streams or canals with monsters, they may fill limits with great www.gdomag.com. thick vegetation. A warmouth may weigh tasting fish in just about any Alabama waContact him through his website at www. more than two pounds, but few reach one ters. This spring, think small for really big JohnNFelsher.com pound. Jimmy A. Barfield set the state action. A 40 APRIL 2015
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Got an outdoor/hunting product or offer a service that people need to know about? If so, this space is where you should be advertising.
Tables indicate peak fish and game feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour before and an hour after. Minor peaks, half-hour before and after. Adjusted for daylight savings time. a.m. p.m. Minor Major Minor Major
APR. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
04:31 05:01 -12:16 01:01 01:31 02:16 03:01 04:31 -09:01 09:16 09:46 03:31 03:46 05:07 --12:52 01:37 02:07 02:52 03:37 04:52 10:37 08:07 09:07 03:22 04:07 04:37 --12:52 01:37 02:07 02:52 03:52 05:22 07:22 08:52 09:22 02:37 03:07 03:37 04:07 04:37
Alabama Living
10:46 11:31 05:31 06:01 06:31 07:01 07:16 07:46 08:01 01:16 02:01 02:46 03:01 10:01 10:31 11:52 05:22 05:52 06:22 06:37 07:07 07:37 08:22 09:07 12:52 01:52 02:52 09:52 10:37 11:22 05:07 05:37 06:07 06:37 07:07 07:37 08:07 08:52 09:52 01:22 02:07 09:52 10:22 10:52 11:22 11:52
11:01 11:46 06:46 07:31 08:16 09:16 10:31 11:46 --12:31 02:31 03:31 04:16 10:31 11:52 06:52 07:37 08:07 08:52 09:37 10:37 11:52 --12:52 02:37 04:07 10:37 11:22 06:52 07:37 08:22 09:07 09:52 10:52 11:37 12:37 -12:37 02:52 04:07 09:52 10:37 11:22 12:07
05:01 06:01 12:01 12:46 01:31 02:01 02:46 03:46 04:46 06:01 07:16 08:16 09:01 09:46 05:01 06:22 12:07 12:37 01:07 01:37 02:22 03:07 03:52 04:52 06:07 07:37 08:52 09:52 05:07 06:07 12:07 12:37 01:22 01:52 02:37 03:07 03:52 04:37 05:22 06:37 07:52 08:52 04:52 05:37 06:22 06:52
Alabama's largest consumer publication is offering premium advertising space next to our Outdoors section But hurry because space is limited! THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH MORE THAN one MILLION readers every month. Advertise with us and see WHY ALABAMA LIVING IS THE BEST READ & MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED MAGAZINE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA. Still thinking about it? Consider this:
97% of Alabama Living’s readers say they trust the advertising in our publication over any other source
85% of our readers have read 4 out of the last 4 issues they’ve received
48% of our readers own a garden 85% of those garden owners purchased maintenance items last year 41% own more than 3 acres of land Contact Jacob Johnson 800.410.2737 advertising@areapower.com APRIL 2015 41
Alabama Literature
ALABAMA BOOKSHELF Each month, we offer a summary of recent books that are either about Alabama people or people with Alabama ties, and/or written by Alabama authors. We also occasionally
highlight book-related events. Email submissions to bookshelf@alabamaliving.coop
The Alabama Book Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year on April 11. Alabama’s largest literary event hosts more than 35 authors and exhibitors in Montgomery’s historic Old Alabama Town. The family-friendly, free event on April 11 includes book-related activities, including author readings and signings, for children and adults. Highlights of this year’s event include appearances by Alabama native Rick Bragg, whose most recent work is the biography Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story, and award-winning novelist Ravi Howard who will discuss his new historical novel, Driving the King.
There will also be writing workshops on creative writing, graphic (pictorial) writing and getting work published. Food vendors will be on site. The Alabama Book Festival features writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s and young adult books. To see a complete list of authors and exhibitors, visit www. alabamabookfestival.org
Journey to the Wilderness: War, Memory and a Southern Family’s Civil War Letters, by Frye Gaillard, NewSouth Books, Spring 2015, $23.95 On the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, author Gaillard reflects on the war, and how it’s remembered today, through the lens of letters written by his family members, two of whom were Confederate officers. To these voices from the past, Gaillard offers a personal critique of the haunted identity of the South, one informed by his perspective as a civil rights journalist. Southern Made Fresh: Vibrant Dishes Rooted in Homemade Flavor, by Tasia Malakasis, Oxmoor House, $24.95, March 2015 Tastemaker Malakasis, a native of Alabama, grabbed the attention of state and national media with her award-winning Belle Chevre goat cheese company based in Elkmont, and later with her first book, Tasia’s Table featured in Alabama Living December 2012. With this new work, she wanted to update the flavors she remembered from her childhood and to celebrate the South and its wonderful food. The book highlights farm-to-table cooking and simple ingredients. 42 APRIL 2015
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  43
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CABINS – BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - $75 / Night up – (205)9131164 or highergroundcabins3@gmail. com GULF SHORES PLANTATION - GULF view, beach side, 2 bedrooms / 2
GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie12@centurytel. net, (256)599-5552 PIGEON FORGE, TN: 2BR/2BA, HOT tub, air hockey, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, Homeaway#241942 WWW.GULFSHORES4RENT.COM – BEAUTIFUL AND GREAT PRICED condos on West Beach in Gulf Shores – Call (404)219-3189 or (404)702-9824 GATLINBURG TOWNHOUSE ON BASKINS CREEK! GREAT RATES! 4BR/3BA, short walk downtown attractions! (205)333-9585, hhideaway401@aol.com ORANGE BEACH CONDO 2BR/2BA,OCEAN FRONT VIEW, Sleeps 6 - Call (662)571-1101 or email jfulton451@aol.com for Special Spring & Summer Rates. PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – OWNER RENTAL – 2BR / 2BA, wireless internet, just remodeled inside and outside – (334)790-0000, jamesrny0703@comcast.net, www. theroneycondo.com SMOKIES TOWNSEND, TN – 2BR / 2BA, Secluded Log Home, Jacuzzi, Fireplace, Wrap-Around Porch, Charcoal Grill – (865)320-4216. For rental details and pictures, Email tncabin.lonnie@yahoo.com GULF SHORES CONDO – 2BR / 1.5BA, sleeps 6, pool, beach access – (334)790-9545 MARCO BEACH, FLORIDA – ONE week in Two BR/2BA Villa at Eagles Nest on Marco Beach. Rental is from May 8-May15. Unit has living room and dining area with screened-in porch overlooking pool. Access to beach is short steps away. (334)271-5096. RESORT MAY BE viewed at http://eaglesnest.hgvc. com/gallery GATLINBURG, TN – FOND MEMORIES start here in our chalet – Great vacation area for all seasons – Two queen beds, full kitchen, 1 bath, Jacuzzi, deck with grill – 3 Night Special - Call (866)316-3255, Look for us on FACEBOOK / billshideaway
WATERFRONT LOTS FOR RENT LARGE RENTAL LOTS ON SMITH Lake off Highway 278 ready for your weekend getaway. $175-225/month, includes water/sewer. Public boat launch within 1/4 mile. (256)734-4830, (205)272-4345. DESTIN, FL OWNER CONDO RENTALS – Pat Green-Bush, Owner – patsdestincondo.com, greenbush@ knology.net – (334)312-6630, (334)244-6581 GULF SHORES GULF FRONT – SEACREST CONDO – 1BR / 1BA, KING bed, hall bunks, free Wi-Fi – Summer week $1,077 – VRBO #435534, amariewisener@gmail.com – (256)352-5721 WWW.HIDEAWAYPROP.COM – CABINS, PIGEON FORGE, TN: Peaceful, convenient location, owner rates – (251)649-3344, (251)649-4049 HELEN GA CABIN FOR RENT – SLEEPS 2-6, 2.5 BATHS, FIREPLACE, Jacuzzi, washer/dryer – (251)9482918, www.homeaway.com/101769, email jmccracken@gulftel.com DISNEY – 15 MIN: 5BR / 3BA, private pool – www. orlandovacationoasis.com, (251)504-5756 PIGEON FORGE, TN – 3 BEDROOM, 2 bath house – Walking distance to parkway, light# 1 - $85.00 / night – (256)309-7873, (256)590-8758 GULF FRONT CONDO, ORANGE BEACH – WINDWARD POINT – 3/2 – Owner (251)626-6566 AFFORDABLE BEACHSIDE VACATION CONDOS – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL. Rent Direct from Christian Family Owners. Lowest Prices on the Beach – www.gulfshorescondos.com, (205)752-1231, (205)556-0368, (251)752-2366 CABIN IN MENTONE – 2/2, BROW view, hottub – For rent $100 / Night or Sale $199,000 – (706)767-0177 GULF SHORES PLANTATION CONDOS – Beachview sleeps 6, Beachfront sleeps 4 – (251)223-9248
Real Estate Sales AUBURN, DUPLEX AND LOT, SALE OR RENT – 3 Bedroom each side – (256)878-1782 BY OWNER – 2/2 GULF SHORES BEACH CONDO - $130,000 – NO Realtors! (601)636-5524 1,000 CONDOS FOR SALE STARTING AT $75K – Go to: www.gulfshoremls. com. The beach is waiting for you!
Ads are $1.75 per word with a 10 word minimum and are on a prepaid basis; Telephone numbers, email addresses and websites are considered 1 word each. Ads will not be taken over the phone. You may email your ad to hdutton@areapower.com; or call (800)410-2737 ask for Heather for pricing.; We accept checks, money orders and all major credit cards. Mail ad submission along with a check or money order made payable to ALABAMA LIVING, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124 – Attn: Classifieds.
44 APRIL 2015
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Call Steve Warren and Jamie Mogan at (251)948-1249 RE/MAX of Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 LAKE WEISS WATERFRONT – 3BR / 2BA Manufactured Home – (770)4271201, bob.f.pollard@gmail.com ORANGE BEACH CONDO – 2/2, Fully Furnished – Gulf & Bayou View $171,900 – Call Destiny (251)786-5200 NICE 3 BR, 2 BATH FISHING, HUNTING & RETIREMENT HOME on river in Dallas Co. - Recently remodeled with hard wood floors &
ceramic tile, metal roof and new A/C unit, large high lot - E-mail smerrill05@bellsouth.net, Cell (850)582-7633 Home (850)939-2054 CONDO IN ORANGE BEACH, AL – WATERFRONT WITH BOAT SLIP AND lift – (228)219-7958
Travel CARIBBEAN CRUISES AT THE LOWEST PRICE – (256)974-0500 or (800)726-0954
Musical Notes PIANOS TUNED, REPAIRED, refinished. Box 171, Coy, AL 36435. 334-337-4503 PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR - 10 lessons $12.95. “LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC”. Chording, runs, fills - $12.95 Both $24. Davidsons, 6727AR Metcalf, Shawnee Missions, Kansas 66204 – (913)262-4982
Education BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER correspondence study. Founded in
1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West Thunderbird Road, Ste. 1 - #114, Peoria, Arizona 85381. http://www.ordination.org FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE – write to P.O. Box 52, Trinity, AL, 35673
Critters CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. REGISTERED, guaranteed healthy, raised indoors in loving home, vet records and references. (256)796-2893
STORAGE CONTAINER SALES • RENTALS
20’ STEEL CONEX • 40’ STEEL CONEX
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24285 State Hwy 59, Robertsdale, AL 36567 Contact Danny Dyer or Philip Mitchell @ 251-947-1944 www.affordatruck.com • affordable@gulftel.com
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30’ x 40’ x 10’ - $5,52000 40’ x 60’ x 12’ - $9,12000
Prices are subject to change • Top and Gable only • Price includes material, labor and delivery within 75 miles
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Alabama Living
color walls, galvanized roof, 1 framed opening, 1 walk-in door.
APRIL 2015 45
Cookies Alabama Recipes
Cook of the month: Jennifer Hallmark, Joe Wheeler EMC Mama Lander’s Tea Cakes 1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 cups self-rising flour
2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt shortening in microwave in large bowl and let cool for five minutes. Mix all ingredients and roll into small balls. Roll each ball in sugar, then press the top with a fork on cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees until lightly brown on bottom. Serves 2 dozen.
Southern Pecan Cookies 2 cups of broken pecans 1 egg white
⁄ cup of brown sugar (light)
Beat egg white until frothy. Add the brown sugar and beat until egg white melts the sugar. Add pecans and stir by hand until well blended. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Drop by teaspoons on a greased cookie sheet (I use Pam spray). Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on cookie sheet before you remove them. Makes 24 to 30 cookies. Beverly Danford, Pea River EC
Why do we eat cookies? I asked myself this question and came up with a few thoughts. Cookies are small and easy to eat. You only really need one hand. They are fairly easy to prepare and the possibilities for ingredients are endless. They are perfect to make for a quick bake sale, or just to brighten someone’s day. Preparing cookies can be a great way to spend time in the kitchen with kids. The older I get, the more I realize that spending time with my children is far more important than the “stuff ” they accumulate. At the end of every day I ask my oldest daughter what was her favorite part of the day. She most always answers when she spent time playing or talking with another person. It’s rarely about “things.” Let that serve as a reminder to get together and spend time with the ones you love. How about starting with making one of the cookie recipes in this issue? Let me know how they taste.
Mary Tyler Spivey is a graduate of Huntingdon College where she studied history and French but she also has a passion for great food. Contact her at recipes@alabamaliving.coop.
46 APRIL 2015
Coconut Honey Bits ¾ 1 2 1 1
cup honey cup coconut tablespoons milk cube butter cup flour
2 cups Rice Krispies 1 teaspoon vanilla Maraschino cherries Additional coconut
Cook together over medium heat the honey, coconut, milk and butter. When hot, add flour. Stir until mixture leaves sides of pan. Add Rice Krispies and vanilla. Form balls. Roll in additional coconut. Make a thumbprint on top. Top with ½ of a maraschino cherry in thumbprint. Enjoy! Lorena Wilson, Black Warrior EMC
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Loved the Pound Cake I would like to give a big shout out for the Peanut Butter Pound Cake recipe that was in this month’s issue. I made it Sunday and it was FANTABULOUS, a big hit at home and office! Keep those recipes coming! Angela Woodruff-Swarts, Montgomery
You could win $50! Upcoming recipe themes and deadlines are: June July August
Dad’s favorite dish Sandwiches Cool drinks
Submit
April 15 May 15 June 15
online at alabamaliving.coop email to recipes@alabamaliving.coop mail to: Recipes, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124
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Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles 1 cup creamy peanut butter 4 ounces cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup crushed pretzels 1 12-ounce package chocolate chips
Line a baking sheet or tray with waxed paper. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter and cream cheese. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100% power) for 30 seconds or until mixture is slightly softened, stirring once. Stir in powdered sugar and pretzels. Shape the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Place balls on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and freeze for 15 minutes or until firm. Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container. Microwave at half power or defrost setting for 30 seconds. Stir thoroughly until smooth. Using a fork, dip balls into melted mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Place dipped balls back on baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes or until firm. Robin O’Sullivan, Wiregrass EC
Orange Slice Cookies 2 cups shortening 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1½ teaspoons baking soda 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons water 3 cups quick cook oats, uncooked 1 3½-ounce package flaked coconut (sweet or unsweet) 1 bag (about 20 pieces) orange slice candies, finely chopped
With an electric or stand mixer, in a large mixing bowl, cream shortening. Next, gradually add both sugars beating at medium speed until well mixed. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. In a large bowl, combine flour, soda, and baking powder. Slowly add by thirds to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in water and mix in oats, coconut, and orange slices. Bump up speed to medium to mix the batter just until combined. It will be really thick. Chill batter for about an hour. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased or parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes or until browned. Dough can be refrigerated up to a week or you can freeze unused dough up to 6 months. Summer Magnus, Dixie EC
Malted Munchies 1 cup butter (no substitutes) softened ¾ cup packed brown sugar ⁄ cup white sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups malted milk balls, coarsely crushed
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. With mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla and mix well. Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Add crushed malted milk balls to dough and mix thoroughly, being careful not to over-mix. Shape (do not roll) into 1½-inch balls. If you roll, the cookies won’t have that nice crackly appearance. Place cookies 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets or use Silpat baking mat. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown on edges. Cool for 1 minute before removing cookies from pans to wire racks.Yields about 3 dozen. Cyndi McConnell, Baldwin EMC Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen-tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 47
Double Chocolate Cookies 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 cup sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2¼ cups all purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1-1½ cups chopped white chocolate
Beat butter until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla, beating until blended after each addition. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda. Add to butter mixture until blended. Stir in chopped white chocolate. Drop by tablespoon full onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. Victoria Black, North Alabama EC
Catch A Man Cookies 1 cup butter 1¼ cups dark brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups flour
Nutella Cookie Cups 1 cup uncooked rolled oats ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 cup chocolate chips
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Add the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar and stir until sugars are incorporated and smooth. Chill the mixture for 10 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt and cinnamon and mix together. Stir in the white chocolate chips and chocolate chips. Roll by hand into 24 medium-size balls, or use a scoop, and place on a light-colored cookie sheet. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Remove the cookies from the refrigerator and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Pamela Martin, Arab EC
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
1¾ ½ ½ 1
cups all-purpose flour teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup Nutella, melted or softened
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a standard size muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, add flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside. In another bowl cream together butter and sugars for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Then add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat for 2 more minutes. Slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until all combined and well-incorporated. Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips. Place Nutella in a microwave-safe bowl and warm up the Nutella in 30 second intervals in the microwave until you achieve a smooth and runny consistency that is easy to spoon out. Using a medium cookie dough scoop, scoop out 1.5 - 2 tbsp. of cookie dough, flatten it to the bottom of the muffin tin. Repeat with the dough until all 10 of the muffin tin bottoms are lined with cookie dough. Take a tablespoon of the warmed up Nutella and place in the middle of the dough that’s in the muffin tin. Then, take the remaining cookie dough and cover the Nutella layer. You don’t have to push it down hard, it’ll make the Nutella ooze. Just a gentle tap will do. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are brown. Immediately run a paring knife around the cookie cups when they come out of the oven so you can loosen them for easy removal later. Pamela LaRue Martin, Arab EC Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen-tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.
48 APRIL 2015
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Alabama Living
APRIL 2015  49
Safety Matters
Safety First is Safety Always
Power Poles Aren't Bulletin Boards
W
hat do yard sale signs, basketball hoops, deer stands, satellite dishes and birdhouses have in common? They’re often found illegally attached to utility poles. But this isn’t only a crime of inconvenience. Safety issues caused by unapproved pole attachments place the lives of lineworkers and the public in danger. It may seem innocent, but a small nail partially driven into a pole can pierce a lineworkers glove, stripping away critical protection from high-voltage electricity. Baldwin EMC's line crews climb utility poles at all hours of the day and night, in the worst of conditions. Anything attached to utility poles can create serious hazards for our line personnel. Sharp objects like nails, tacks, staples or barbed wire can puncture rubber gloves and other safety equipment, making linemen vulnerable to electrocution. Baldwin EMC lineworkers have reported poles used as community bulletin boards, satellite mounts, and even support legs for deer stands, lights and carports. Not only do these
attachments put line crews at risk—anyone illegally placing these items on poles comes dangerously close to energized power lines carrying thousands of volts. It’s always wise to keep any structure at least 10 feet away from utility poles. Please help us keep our linemen—and our community—safe. Remove any unauthorized items attached to utility poles. Items not belonging to the cooperative or another utility will be removed by Baldwin EMC employees; the co-op is not responsible for any losses if an item is damaged or destroyed during removal. A
April Showers Bring Potential Dangers
B
eware. Spring can usher in more than April showers. Now through the summer months, thunderstorms can quickly roll in and tornadoes can touch down, often during the afternoon and evening hours, according to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Severe Storms Laboratory. Follow these tips from NOAA and the American Red Cross to keep you and your home safe when tornadoes and severe thunderstorms come your way. • Stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. • If in a mobile home, immediately head to a sturdy shelter or vehicle. Mobile homes, especially hallways and bathrooms, are not safe places to take shelter during tornadoes or other severe winds. 50 APRIL 2015
• Designate a family meeting place for shelter during and after a storm. If possible, go to your home’s basement, a small interior room, or under stairs on the lowest level. Also, have a batteryoperated weather radio handy along with emergency supplies. • Remember that there is no safe place outside during a severe storm. If you are caught in a storm while on the road, the American Red Cross urges drivers to turn their headlights on, try to safely exit the roadway, and park. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. If thunder and lightning is occurring, avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle. • Stay safe after a storm. Remain indoors at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Also, stay away from downed power lines and avoid flooded areas, power lines could be submerged and still carry electricity. Report them to Baldwin EMC at (251) 989-6247 immediately. A www.alabamaliving.coop
Co-op Connections Businesses of the Month Brian Isphording, Attorney at Law
Inkworks
Mobile Symphony
Discount Offer: $25 for a 30 minute consultation
Discount Offer: Free screens on all orders of 72 pieces or more
Discount Offer: $5 off all adult tickets - not valid for special events
Location: Elberta
Location: Foley
Location: Mobile
Phone Number: 251-986-5556
Phone Number: 251-943-9181
Phone Number: 251-432-2010
Don't forget about the Co-op Connections pharmacy discounts, which can save you money on prescription medications. If you're a Baldwin EMC member and you don't have a Co-op Connections Card, please call (251) 989-6247. Co-op Connections is a free benefit program for Baldwin EMC members.
For a list of all Co-op Connections discount offers, go to www.baldwinemc.com.
Helping you make the most of your day and night
(re)member The Power of Your Co-op Membership
MEMBER FOCUSED Baldwin EMC members Hamilton and Wendy
Baldwin EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 51
Our Sources Say
Focusing on fundamentals
A
fter a few articles on issues surrounding carbon regulation, I’ll take a break and write about how we run our business and what we believe is important. Alabama’s best product may well be football. It is certainly something we have been good at for a long time and from recent seasons and recruiting classes, we should be successful for a while longer. Why have we been so effective at football? Coaches Bryant and Jordan’s players tell a similar story - both coaches stressed, preached and practiced fundamentals. If you don’t block and tackle well, the rest doesn’t much matter – you will not be a winner. Coaches Malzahn and Saban are winning today by building programs that focus on fundamentals. PowerSouth’s values are our fundamentals. We won’t win without executing the fundamental blocking and tackling of our business. Our values, our fundamentals, are timeless and should guide us today and into the future just as they have guided us in the past. First, foremost and always, safety is our number one value. It is important that our employees return home every day as healthy and whole as they came to work. We continually stress our processes in an effort to achieve the goal of zero lost-time accidents. We have instituted the DuPont STOP program to better identify safety processes and statistics. We renewed our commitment to safety and continued our safety awards program, but our efforts fell short of an undefeated season. We suffered one lost-time accident, five medical events and three hearing shifts. We need to work on safety fundamentals. The health and welfare of our most valuable resource — our employees — is at risk. We are committed to providing the training and tools our employees need to complete every task, every job, every mile driven and every work day safely. Through attention to detail, awareness and teamwork, we can again reach our National Championship of zero accidents and zero medicals. The second fundamental is member unity, which supports member relations, our second value. Maintaining these positive relationships is vital to our existence. PowerSouth was formed 74 years ago for the sole purpose of providing reliable and competitively priced wholesale power to our members. Our mis-
Gary Smith is President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. info@powersouth.com
52 APRIL 2015
sion remains the same today. We are owned by our members, and our only customers are our members. Meeting their needs and continually providing them with information about their business is blocking and tackling for us. Relationships with our members are good, but they can be better. Our employees are on the line of scrimmage daily in serving our members. We need their best efforts to effectively serve the members and meet their expectations. Our third value is reliability—the assurance that the power we provide our members will meet their capacity and energy needs at peak load times every second of every day. It takes everyone in every department doing their part to reach that goal. Reliability is central to our success. There is no substitute for reliable electric service. Customers demand reliability, and we recognize it is a fundamental element of our business. It is also important to note that a long-term, diverse-generation plan has been fundamental to our strategy of ensuring reliability, which is our fourth value, affordable cost of service. Our diversity strategy is now at risk with the prospect of additional environmental regulation, which has the prospect of increasing the cost of electricity. It is important that the retail consumer be able to afford the basic necessity level of electricity. Maintaining a reasonable and competitive cost of service is critical to our success and one reason we are doing what we can to reduce the cost of future regulation. A benefit of low electric rates is the encouragement of economic and community development, our fifth value. Our efforts to improve the communities our members serve by improving community infrastructure, promoting new employment opportunities, and improving the quality of life in the areas our members serve is integral to a successful future for our communities, our members and us. The roles our employees play in our own communities—as volunteers and leaders in civic, school, community and church activities—make a positive contribution. Those types of personal contributions also lead to the development of our employees as individuals, citizens, spouses and parents. Our employees’ improvement is paramount to our success as a business, which is our last value: employee development. A skilled, knowledgeable, innovative workforce prepared to meet strategic goals and serve our members’ needs is imperative to our continued success. Changes in our business don’t mean a deviation from strong fundamentals. If we don’t block and tackle well every day, we will not be successful. Focusing on those fundamentals will make us better people today and prepare us for the greater demands of tomorrow. I hope you have a good month. A www.alabamaliving.coop
Market Place
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1-800-381-0805 • CommodoreSteel.com
Alabama Living
APRIL 2015 53
Alabama Snapshots
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“My Favorite Pet” 1. Tyde Tucker and Little Girl. SUBMITTED BY Lisa Graham, Cullman. 2. Jason Smoak and Alex, a 9-yearold Great Dane. SUBMITTED BY Laura Smoak, Dothan. 3. D a i s y D u k e t h e B e a g l e . SUBMITTED BY Ashley Giddens, Silverhill. 4. Rosco. SUBMITTED BY Patty Bender, Florala.
54 APRIL 2015
5. Emma Grace and her mini donkey she named Cam Newton. SUBMITTED BY Denise Ramsey, Eastaboga. 6. Judson and Ruby. SUBMITTED BY Deborah Morris, Hillsboro. 7. Argin Dooley and Yeller. SUBMITTED BY Angela Dooley, Hanceville. 8. Harper (2 years old), with Sprinkles, her Barred Rock Hen. SUBMITTED BY Brittany Henderson.
Submit Your Images! JUNE THEME:
“Vacation Selfies”
SUBMIT PHOTOS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE: alabamaliving.coop/submit-photo/ OR SEND COLOR PHOTOS WITH A LARGE SELFADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE TO:
Photos, Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL, 36124 RULES: Alabama Living will pay $10 for photos that best match our theme of the month. Photos may also be published on our website at www. alabamaliving.coop. Alabama Living is not responsible for lost or damaged photos. DEADLINE FOR JUNE: April 30
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