Smec july14 dm

JULY 2014

Sand Mountain ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

The value of liberty

Living history at American Village

Heirloom seeds Saving and sharing for the next generation www.smec.coop

2 JULY 2014

www.alabamaliving.coop

MANAGER

Mike Simpson CO-OP EDITOR

Diane Hale 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 Melissa Henninger CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Stephenson ART DIRECTOR Michael Cornelison ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jacob Johnson ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Brooke Davis RECIPE EDITOR Mary Tyler Spivey

VOL. 67 NO. 7 JULY 2014

LIVING

4 Light Shopping

Get the facts on energy efficiency when selecting light bulbs to purchase.

16 Seeds and memories Alabama plants of days gone by are being preserved for future generations, thanks to some dedicated ladies in Sand Mountain.

26 BBQ with Elvis

On the Cover: Historical interpreter Nancy Moore portrays First Lady Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, at the American Village in Montevallo.

PHOTO: Mark Stephenson

There’s more than just delicious barbecued chicken and pork to enjoy when you visit Bubba’s BBQ in Evergreen. Just ask Elvis and Marilyn and their table buddies.

INTERN Jordan Pittman ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:

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 USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311

DEPARTMENTS 9 26 30 33 34

Spotlight Worth the Drive Outdoors Fish & Game Forecast Cook of the Month

Printed in America from American materials

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 3

Board of Trustees James P. Carmichael Larry Godwin R. Lee Bailey Roland Hendon James H. Bowman III

David Henderson Jerry Mason Raymond C. Long Leo Bomian 402 Main Street West P.O. Box 277 Rainsville, AL 35986 (256) 638-4957 fax www.smec.coop In case of power outages, you may call us 24 hours a day: Rainsville-Powell-FyffeSylvania 256-638-2153 Bryant-Higdon-Flat RockHenagar-IderPisgah 256-657-5137 Fort Payne 256-845-1511 Valley Head-Mentone 256-635-6344 Collinsville-Geraldine 256-659-2153 Section-Langston-Marshall Co. 1-877-843-2512

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Light Shopping Bulbs, brands, lumens, and labels—oh my!

Many have been gradually making the switch to the new energy efficient lighting choices, and have noticed even more changes have come to the light bulb aisle.

Remember when the odd looking corkscrew compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb was introduced to consumers a few years ago? It’s still there and so are most of the classic pear-shaped incandescent bulbs. But today’s lighting choices have expanded and gotten serious makeovers, their packaging labels and lingo included. There are LEDs, CFLs, halogen, lumens, CRI, and more, and there is a host of lighting brands. But in recent years, the focus has been on making all bulbs more energy efficient and cost effective.

End of an Era We’ve basked in the golden glow of Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb since the 1800s, but last January marked the end of its run. That’s when the federal government finalized its mandated phase out of selected general-purpose light bulbs and Edison’s less energy efficient incandescent ones. While the 100- and 75-watt bulbs may still be on store shelves, manufacturers in the U.S. stopped producing them.

The old 40- and 60-watt bulbs, which represented over half the market, are following suit. What brought about the lighting change?

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that home and

commercial lighting was consuming more electricity annually–about 300 billion kilowatt-hours of lighting or the equivalent of about 100 power plants—and most of it was wasted.

Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs used plenty of energy to produce only 10 percent light, with 90 percent of the energy given off as heat. In comparison, today’s more energy-saving incandescent light bulbs use 25 percent less energy to do the job of lighting the same spaces in your home.

Look on the Bright Side Prime replacements for the traditional incandescent light bulb are the higher-efficiency CFL and LED or Light Emitting Diode bulbs.

Be prepared to pay more upfront for some of the bulbs you choose.

Lighting experts say that LEDs are the best choice for energy efficiency.

If price is not a concern, they can last for up to two decades, save you 75 percent or more in energy costs and offer superior color and brightness. However, they can cost an estimated $10 to $60 per bulb.

The U. S. Department of Energy assures consumers that there is a bright side—lower electricity bills over the longer term. They estimate that using a traditional incandescent bulb adds about $4.80 per year to the average household electric bill. A CFL bulb adds just $1.20 a year and a LED about $1 per year. That means that a typical household could potentially save about $50 per year by replacing 15 incandescent bulbs.

Sand Mountain Electric

Lighting the Way

STEP 1: Choose the amount of lumens you need based on how bright you want a room;

Since lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the average home’s electricity use, don’t stay in the dark when shopping for new bulbs that save on energy and your electric bill. Things to know before you buy: •

•

Lumens are the new watts. It’s all about the lumens or the amount of light a light bulb emits. Remember this formula: The higher the lumens, the brighter the light—to replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb, choose a bulb that offers about 1,600 lumens. This handy chart below is printed from www.energystar.gov and compares the old measure of watts to lumens.

Three-steps to your new bulbs.

STEP 2: Determine which bulb has the lowest estimated energy cost per year.

This will save you the most money; and STEP 3: Choose bulbs based on your needs—how long it will last and light appearance.

•

Read the label. Always check the package, making sure that it carries the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® logo. New Lighting Facts labels on boxes will also help consumers understand what they are purchasing— amount of lumens, estimated annual operating cost, and light color.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 5

Take a Vacation from High Power Bills perform as it should.

Second, change air filters inside your home quarterly, or more often in homes with allergy sufferers or smokers. Fresh filters not only reduce the strain on your cooling system, but improve the air quality in your home.

Third, the DOE recommends that you set your home’s thermostat as high as possible, while still maintaining a comfortable environment for your family during the summer months.

Soaring temperatures and sultry summer nights can cause electric bills to skyrocket.This summer take a vacation from high electric bills by making your home—and your family’s habits—more energy efficient.

Beat the Heat Air conditioning helps most Americans beat the sweltering summer heat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), air conditioning accounts for as much as 50 percent of the average household electric bill. Proper maintenance and smart use of your home’s cooling system will help keep your electric bill in check.

First, make sure your air conditioner’s external unit is clean and free of debris. Clear away dead leaves or overgrown plants and weeds to enable the unit to 6 JULY 2014

Bumping the thermostat up at least two degrees can make a noticeable difference on your power bill. Investing in a programmable thermostat can lead to even greater savings by automatically adjusting it so that the cooling system runs more often when you are at home and less often when you are away.

Made in the Shade Windows are not only great sources of natural light in your home, but also great sources of heat during the summer. Curtains, blinds, and shades are some of the most costeffective ways to make your windows and home more energy efficient.

These window coverings offer lowcost, stylish solutions to shield the sun’s rays and keep the interior of your home cool and comfortable.

Proper weather stripping and caulking around window panes and casings will also improve the function of your windows by keeping the cool air in and the hot air out. Solar film applied to your home’s existing windows will further repel the summer heat.

Daily Grind Today’s appliances are more energy efficient than ever, performing better and using less electricity than they did in the past. But despite their functionality and efficiency, most major household appliances give off heat when in use. During peak daytime temperatures, the residual heat from appliances can put an unnecessary strain on your home’s cooling system and send your power bill soaring.

Cooler temperatures in the early morning or late evening make these ideal times for running the dishwasher or washing and drying clothes.When possible, turn off your dishwasher’s dryer cycle.This prevents even more residual heat from warming your home and saves on your power bill.

Washing your clothes in cold water and hanging them out to dry are also great strides in reducing your household energy consumption.

As your summer heats up, visit TogetherWeSave.com to find out how little changes around the house can add up to big energy savings.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, EnergySavers.gov, TogetherWeSave.com

www.alabamaliving.coop

Sand Mountain Electric

After a low-impact workout in the backyard, a swimming pool provides the perfect summer retreat. But who wants it to be a wallet drain? Soak up these pool efficiency tips to save money while maintaining your personal, pristine oasis.

Each pool is equipped with an energy guzzler: the pump.

The bigger the pump, the higher the power bill. Make sure your pool uses the smallest pump possible. New products like variable-speed pumps offer a good way to save. A knowledgable pool supply or service firm can help choose a proper pump for your pool, taking into consideration its size, filter, and piping.

Greater savings can come from decreasing pump operation time, no matter the pump size. Keep drains clear of debris, or your pump will work harder to circulate water. Also, find a proper balance for backwashing the filter. Too much backwashing—the process of filtering and disposing of dirty water— Alabama Living

you are satisfied. If six hours works well, try decreasing filtration time to find a balance with energy efficiency.

To keep debris down without running your pump overtime, use a skimmer to manually clean the water. Also, try using a timer to run your filter for several short periods during the day rather than allowing debris to pile up after one long continuous filteration.

wastes water, while too little strains the pump.

Here are some common myths that lead to extra pump time (and wasted energy): •

•

I need to run my pump to keep chemicals mixed – FALSE. Circulate while adding chemicals, and they will stay mixed. There is no need to recirculate the water each day to “re-mix” the water.

My pool will be dirty if I don’t run my pump to constantly clean debris – FALSE. Try running your pump for six hours or less a day, as suggested by the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergySavers.gov. If the cleanliness is not to your liking, increase filtration time by 30-minute increments until

•

I need my pump to run continuously to keep algae at bay – FALSE. Proper chemical balance and brushing down pool walls are the best algae fighters.

Make sure your pool isn’t draining energy dollars needlessly by adjusting pump time and investing a little legwork.

You’ll have a prime poolside spot to relax in afterward, and the relief you’ll see on your power bill will be well-worth the effort.

JULY 2014 7

Watch for Signs of Heat Illnesses With the onset of summer comes lots of fun outdoor activities—whether you’re lying by the pool or playing on a baseball field. Keep heat stress at bay by knowing how to prevent heat-related illnesses and recognize the symptoms in yourself and others.

Heat Stroke The most serious of heat illnesses, heat stroke, can be deadly and swift. Your body temperature could rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or more in as little as 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke happens when your body temperature rises rapidly but cannot sweat quickly enough to cool itself. Symptoms include hot, dry skin or the opposite—profuse sweating, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, confusion or dizziness, and slurred speech.

If you see someone with the symptoms of heat stroke, immediately call 911 and move the person to a shady area. Try misting the person with cold water, soaking his or her clothes, or fanning the body.

Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is the result of heavy sweating— extreme loss of salt and water. People prone to heat exhaustion include the elderly, those with high blood pressure, or people who work in hot conditions. Besides excessive sweating, symptoms include extreme weakness or fatigue, dizziness and confusion, nausea, clammy skin, muscle cramps, and shallow, rapid breathing.

or lie back down in a cool place and sip on a cool beverage—water, sports drinks, or clear juice.

Heat Cramps Folks who work or play sports outside in the heat may suffer from heat cramps, which result from low salt levels after heavy sweating. Stay alert if you feel cramping because it could be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Heat cramps usually are felt in the arms, legs, or abdomen.

If you feel them, stop what you’re doing, sit in a cool place, and drink clear juice or a sports beverage. Take it easy for a few hours after you no longer feel the cramps—if you return to your activity, the condition could transition to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you have heart problems, are on a low-sodium diet, or the cramps do not go away in an hour, call a doctor.

Heat Rash Heavy sweating can cause a heat rash during hot, humid weather. It looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters that usually pop up on the neck or chest, groin, and in the crook of your elbow. You can’t do much to treat heat rash besides keep the area dry and use baby powder to alleviate discomfort.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control

If a person suffers from heat exhaustion, move him or her to a shaded or air-conditioned area.

The victim should drink cool—non-alcoholic— beverages and take a cool shower or bath.

Heat Syncope Sun-bathers may be prone to heat syncope, which is dizziness or fainting after lying (or standing) for long periods of time. Dehydration can contribute to an episode of heat syncope, so keep that water bottle handy when you head to the beach.

If you feel dizzy after lying for a long time, sit

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When working or playing outside in the hot sun, be alert for signs of heat illnesses like heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Source: CDC/Amanda Mills

www.alabamaliving.coop

Spot Light

In July

JULY 16

‘Mockingbird’ workshop will share stories of Monroeville On Wednesday, July 16, the Monroe County Heritage Museum will host its annual program, “Scenes and Stories of Monroeville: A ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Workshop” in the Old Courthouse Museum at 31 N. Alabama Ave. from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. In “Part 1: Growing up with Harper Lee,” the famous author’s classmates and acquaintances will share stories and photos of what Monroeville was like in the 1930s. In “Part 2: Race Relations in the 1930s,” a panel of Monroeville’s African-American citizens will discuss race relations from the 1930s to the present. Admission is free.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is recommended.

For more information or to pre-register, contact Wanda Green at mchm@frontiernet.net or 251-575-7433.

JULY 26

Landmark Park to host watermelon tasting On Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Landmark Park in Dothan will celebrate National Watermelon Month with a watermelon harvest and sampling of several watermelon

varieties. The educational program and the watermelon are free with paid gate admission, which is $4 for adults and $3 for kids. Call 334794-3452 or visit Kids enjoy watermelon at Landmark Park’s landmarkpark.com celebration of National Watermelon Month. for more information.

JULY 31-AUG. 3

Red Door brings ‘Promises’ to the stage The Red Door Theatre in Union Springs will stage “Promises,” a play by Alabama native Joel Williams, from July 31-Aug. 3. The play tells the story of Joseph, a 50-year-old man who sets out on a journey to fulfill a request made by his dying mother. Rated PG-13. Evening shows will run July 31-Aug. 2, with dinner at 6 p.m. and the play starting at 7:30 p.m. A matinee will be Aug. 3 at 2:30 p.m. Dinner is $15 and $15 admission for the play. For more information and tickets, call 334-738-8687, or visit www.reddoortheatre.org.

Battle of Mobile Bay recreated 150 years later Step back in time 150 years to witness the recreation of the Battle of Mobile Bay and Siege of Fort Morgan Aug. 1-3 at Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores.

“Our goal for the 150th Anniversary is to produce Alabama’s largest Civil War reenactment to date while educating the public through accurate living history demonstrations and having a family friendly event with food, music, and entertainment,” says Dr. Stephen McNair, director of historic sites with the Alabama Historical Commission.

Admission to the park during the weekend of the event will be: Friday after 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: $10 for a single day ticket, ages 6 and older; $20 for a three-day pass, ages 6

Alabama Living

This artist’s rendering of the Union siege lines ran in the August 1864 edition of Harpers Weekly.

and older; $30 for single day, family of four; $65 for a three-day pass, family of four.

Gates will open promptly at 8 a.m. each day and will remain open for the duration of each day’s activities.

Parking for the event will be located in the fields behind the Union siege lines.

Parking attendants will be on hand.

For a complete schedule of events, visit fortmorgan.org/150th/, or call 251-540-5257.

JULY 2014 9

Power Pack

Medicare is here to stay

By Kylle’ McKinney

Medicare went into effect 48 years ago on July 1, 1966. Earlier that same year, Medicare workers went door to door trying to get seniors to sign up.

Medicare was not the cornerstone then that it is today and people did not know whether it was going to work for the long haul.

Now, nearly half a century later, Medicare remains one of the most popular government programs in the nation.

We can’t see the future, but one thing’s for sure: Medicare is here to stay.

Medicare provides health insurance to more than 50 million Americans. Fortytwo million are people age 65 and older and the other 8 million are younger and have disabilities.

Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65.

The four parts of Medicare are parts A, B, C, and D. Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A premium-free since it is earned by working and paying Social Security taxes.

Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover services from doctors and other outpatient health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. In 2014, the premium for most people is $104.90, the same as it was in 2013. Some highincome individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Medicare Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll when you are first eligible, also known as your initial enrollment period. There also is a Medicare Part B deductible of $147 in 2014.

Part C (Medicare Advantage) allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. This plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, and may include extra benefits and services at an extra cost. You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in Part C. Monthly premiums vary depending on your state, private insurer, and whether you select a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization.

Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost

of prescription drugs. Many people pay a premium for Part D. However, people with low income and resources may qualify for extra help from Social Security to pay the premium and deductible. To see if you qualify for extra help visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ prescriptionhelp.

Will you be age 65 soon? Even if you decide not to retire, you should consider applying for Medicare. You can apply in less than 10 minutes using our online Medicare application. Do it today at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

To learn more about applying for Medicare when you plan to delay retirement, read our publication Applying For Medicare Only— Before You Decide, available at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs. A

Kylle’ McKinney, Alabama Social Security Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext.

26265, or at kylle. mckinney@ssa.gov.

Alabama linemen honored at State Capitol

Dixie Electric Cooperative Manager Gary Harrison addresses crowd.

Alabama’s electric utility linemen were in the spotlight June 2 as the state celebrated its first official Alabama Lineman Appreciation Day. Linemen from eight of our electric cooperatives jonied with fellow linemen from 10 JULY 2014

Alabama Power Company and the state’s municipally owned utilities for a special event to recognize the contributions of linemen.

“When the lights go out, our linemen are the first responders,” said Michael Kelley, senior manager of safety and loss control for the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. “They work with thousands of volts of electricity on power lines, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, often under dangerous conditions far from their families.”

In the last session of the Alabama Legislature, both houses designated

the first Monday in June as Alabama Lineman Appreciation Day. The joint resolution, HJR 244, was sponsored

by Rep. April Weaver of Alabaster, who took a special interest in the legislation because her grandfather was a lineman. Rep. Weaver spoke about her grandfather’s dedication to his job at the event, and was joined by state Sen. Cam Ward, State Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner, Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden, and Dixie Electric Cooperative Manager Gary Harrison, who all thanked the linemen for their service. A www.alabamaliving.coop

Adjust your activities to avoid heat illnesses

Do you have a good understanding of how to prevent heat illnesses?

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Heat illnesses can lead to death. According to the Center for Health Statistics of the Alabama Department of Public Health, the total number of heat-related deaths in Alabama in recent years ranged from 7 in the years 2012 and 2013 to 125 in the record-breaking heat wave of 1980.

Many Alabamians have become familiar with the heat index and have learned to anticipate how hot it will feel when the relative humidity is taken into account. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when the relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating is not enough and their body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

Everyone needs to adjust their activities and be alert to the warnings that may signal help is needed.

Individuals with heart problems, poor circulation, diabetes, a previous stroke, or obesity are at greater risk of becoming sick in hot weather. The Alabama Living

risk of heat-related illness may increase among people using medications for high blood pressure, nervousness or depression.

Heat stroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is the most serious heatrelated illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Warning signs of heat stroke vary, but include the following: • An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating) • Rapid, strong pulse • Throbbing headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Confusion • Unconsciousness First aid recommendations are to get the person to a shady area, cool rapidly in a tub of cool water, place in a cool shower, spray with cool water from a garden hose, or, if the humidity is low, place in a cool, wet sheet and fan vigorously. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the person’s body temperature drops to 101 to 102 degrees F. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. A person with heat stroke is likely to be unconscious or unresponsive, so he or she cannot safely consume any liquids. Under no circumstances should you give any alcohol to a person with heat stroke or any heat illness.

In a typical Alabama summer, it’s wise to follow these preventive measures to avoid heat illnesses: • Drink more water, and avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Also avoid overly sugared beverages. Drink water even when you’re not thirsty.

• Limit the time you spend outdoors to the early morning and evening hours when the temperatures are cooler. This is the time to exercise or do other outdoor tasks such as gardening.

• When temperatures are extreme, stay indoors, ideally in an airconditioned place.

• Dress appropriately by wearing loose-fitting, well-ventilated, and thin clothing in light colors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

• Take a cool shower or bath, and reduce or eliminate strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day.

• Check on elderly relatives, neighbors, and friends.

• Never leave pets or people in parked vehicles.

• Make sure pets have plenty of water to drink and shade to cool off.

Information is also available at adph. org/injuryprevention/. A

Jim McVay, Dr.P.A., is director of the Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease of the Alabama Department of Public Health.

JULY 2014 11

Living History: Teaching the value of liberty at

The American Village

By Miriam Davis PHOTOS BY MARK STEPHENSON

By Miriam Davis

“We have a great blessing of liberty in our country, but it’s difficult to maintain a sense of ownership of the civic system.” – Tom Walker

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www.alabamaliving.coop

George W. Carver High School students from Birmingham participate in musket drill training.

“Make ready!”

“Aim!” “Fire!”

“BANG!”

What does it mean to be an American citizen?

It’s not the sound of real gunfire, but the shouting of 30 or so high school students who fumble with their musket standins – broomsticks – as they learn to drill and fire as part of the First Rhode Island Regiment.

The students are participating in a school program at the American Village Citizenship Trust. Established in 1999, the American Village is the brainchild of its founder and CEO Tom Walker. In the late 1980s, he developed the idea of a place where young people, as well as the general public, could cultivate a sense of ownership of their government by learning about citizenship and patriotism.

Walker, a self-described “history and political junkie,” says, “We have a great blessing of liberty in our country, but it’s difficult to maintain a sense of ownership of the civic system.” He thought that people needed reminding of “who we are and the things we believe in, of our shared values, and our shared experiences.

“We’re in an era in which we do a great job defining how we’re different from one another,” says Walker, “But it’s the idea of liberty that has always united us. When the national soul is contested as after 9/11, you see Americans coming together and reminding ourselves how valuable liberty is and remembering our kinship with one another.”

For young Americans, history need not be dry, dusty facts. “Young people respond to authentic stories,” he says.

The American Village campus sits on 183 acres in the gently rolling green hills of central Alabama, just outside Montevallo. The atmosphere has a colonial feel. In fact, many of the buildings are replicas of actual historical buildings. The administrative offices are located in a replica of the house in Philadelphia used by Presidents Washington and Adams before the capital moved to Washington, D.C. The Lucille Ryals Thompson Chapel, where a community Thanksgiving service is held every year, was inspired by the Bruton Parish Church of Williamsburg, Reenactor Al a church attended by Thomas Jefferson, Schaeffer strikes George Washington and Patrick Henry. a pose as George

Between 30,000 and 35,000 students come here each year, from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. It’s not meant to be a museum, but living history, a place of ideas where visitors are made to think about “What does it mean to be an American citizen?”

The Village answers this question with dozens of different programs suitable for students of all ages. The programs consist of a collection of “vignettes” – episodes acted out by the costumed re-enactors called historical interpreters in which visitors often take part.

“Presidents’ Days” is designed for kindergarten through third grade. Kids play “Choose Your George,” a game show hosted by Martha Washington and Queen Charlotte of England in which participants cast their vote for who they’d rather have rule them: George Washington or King George III. Thankfully for the Republic, Washington usually wins.

The popular Thanksgiving program features Massasoit, or Yellow Feather, the chief of the Wampanoag who befriended the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. In the Colonial Christmas, children learn about how past presidents celebrated Christmas in the White House.

Teaching through hands-on participation

The centerpiece of the American Village’s educational programs is “Liberty,” which tells the story of how Americans gained their freedom from Great Britain. Participants get to stage a Stamp Act Rally, debate serious issues at a Constitutional Convention, enlist in the Continental Army, and take lessons in musket drill.

Today’s program is special. “Freedom Quest” was designed to honor Black History Month. The students are from George W. Carver High School in Birmingham, and are predominantly African-American. Their experience begins when they are transformed into a group of escaped slaves led by a rifletoting Harriet Tubman, played by Lesli Johnson. In an encounter with a slavecatcher, one of their numbers must read from the Bible to trick him into believing they are free blacks; it was illegal to teach a slave to read. When they successfully arrive “up North,” Johnson stays in character to address the group: “Slavery must collapse. Thus, the action you have taken to make yourself free is

Washington.

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 13

just one more nail in slavery’s coffin. Well done.”

Next, the students become part of the Continental Army of General Washington. Chris Long, portraying Christopher Green of the Continental Army, urges them to join the First Rhode Island Regiment: “If you are an Indian, a mulatto, an indentured servant or even a slave, you now have the right to join the Continental Army and fight for our freedom.” For the soldiers of the regiment, he makes clear, it’s not just about the freedom of the nation, it’s about their own personal freedom. That’s what leads to instruction on how to fire a musket. After a bit of drill, Long jumps forward in time to congratulate them on their

accomplishments during the war. He concludes by telling them that many of the Revolutionary soldiers, some of them AfricanAmerican, were teenagers just like themselves: “They marched, they fought, they bled; some died. They died in pain, far from home, to bring you your freedom.” The experience has the intended effect. One student says, “Now that I realize what they had to go through, I’ll value my life and my freedom more.”

The American Village is open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays for public tours. On patriotic holidays such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, it really comes to life. It’s all “fun, food and fireworks,” says Melanie Poole, director of marketing and communications.

Visitors can wander through the campus watching the vignettes put on throughout the day. They can listen to Ben Frank-

A lawn view of American Village’s favorite Washington Hall.

Clockwise: The American Village’s newest attraction, the National Veterans Shrine; the Courthouse; interpreter Leslie Johnson portrays Phillis Wheatley, a former slave who became a renowned poet; reproduction of the Liberty Bell; a Concord Bridge replica is used for a reenactment of “the shot heard ‘round the world;” miniature dolls of the presidents and their wives were donated to the Village.

14 JULY 2014

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lin read the Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry give his famous “Give me Liberty or give me death” speech, or Abigail Adams talk about being the wife of one of the Founders. Reenactors fight the battle between Patriots and Redcoats at Concord Bridge.

Visitors can play 18th-century games, learn about proper Colonial etiquette, or observe costumed dancers at an Independence Ball in Liberty Hall. At dusk, the Montevallo Community Band plays a patriotic musical tribute while fireworks crackle overhead.

In February of this year, the National Veterans Shrine and Registry of Honor opened on the grounds of the American Village. According to Poole, it is dedicated “to those of every generation who’ve served and sacrificed for the American people.”

Its animating spirit is the idea that veterans are individuals, each one is someone’s son or daughter, each with a different story to

tell. The Registry of Honor is a website on which vets or their family members can register. They can give the branch and dates of service, and upload photos and videos. The registry produces an individual video for each vet so that at computer kiosks in the shrine, a short movie about the vet’s service is available.

As he left Independence Hall at the end of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What have we got – a republic or a monarchy?”

“A republic,” Franklin is supposed to have replied. “If you can keep it.”

The job of the American Village is to see that we do. A Miriam C. Davis is a research associate in history at Delta State University.

Patrick Henry (interpreter William Stewart) gives his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

Interpreters bring historical figures to life Historical interpreters at the American Village are the people who put the drama into history. “We have an extraordinary and passionate staff,” says Tom Walker.

“They have skill, knowledge and a commitment to conveying the nuances of their characters to the public.”

The job can be terrifying. A curious student might go off script and ask about a historical detail that the character would know. So the interpreters must constantly study both the period and their characters to be prepared.

William Stewart has a degree in theater from Birmingham-Southern College, with a minor in history. He also spent many years in the business world. This background ideally suited him for his job as the officer for interpretive programs.

As Patrick Henry, he gives one of the most famous orations in American history. But not only does Stewart infuse “Give me liberty or give me death” with the same revolutionary fire with which Henry delivered it, he also wants to make Alabama Living

sure the audience understands why it was given. Speaking at the Virginia Convention in March 1775, Henry was trying to convince the delegates to arm the colony. The resolution passed and war broke out a month later. Henry “was a very polarizing character,” says Stewart. “He was “charismatic. People either hated him or loved him.”

Lesli Johnson has been bringing Harriet Tubman and Phyllis Wheatley to life at the American Village for more than four years.

What is important about her portrayal of Tubman, most famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, is not just getting the facts correct, she says, but getting the story right. “I want them to gain a greater appreciation for people who did things that weren’t typical,” says the Samford University graduate. “I want them to understand that some people were faced with decisions that might get them killed.”

One of Rush Brunson’s most popular roles is that of Dr. Joseph Warren, a Boston physician and American spy.

PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN VILLAGE

Brunson does a participatory vignette with schoolchildren in which they receive information from a secret informant. “The kids like it because it’s in the dark and we don’t know who it is,” laughs Brunson, also a theater graduate from Samford University. When the informant warns them that the Redcoats are going to seize the colonists’ gunpowder at Concord, they get to deliver a secret message to Paul Revere’s wife Rachel. “The kids have a lot of fun with that,” says Brunson.

None of the historical interpreters would be very convincing without the efforts of Nancy Moore, director of costuming. She makes many of the costumes herself, using historic patterns to make the clothes as authentic as possible. She learned to sew in high school and honed her skills working in the costume shop at Samford University while she was getting a theater degree.

“For the past 15 years I’ve just been doing it, making mistakes, and keep figuring it out.”

JULY 2014 15

Seed savers

By Gail Allyn Short

A passion for old-fashioned plants blossoms into effort to preserve heirloom produce and flowers Charlotte Hagood, left, holds a Zucchetta Rampicante squash and Dove Stackhouse cradles a Cucuzza squash, both grown from heirloom seeds

Hagood and Stackhouse say they have harvested, processed and catalogued close to 300 varieties of heirloom seeds from around Alabama, including seeds for heirloom tomatoes like the Jeff Davis, Cucuzza squash, Cherokee Trail of Tears beans, October beans and nearly 20 varieties of summer peas.

16 JULY 2014

Larkspur

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 17

Purple Coneflower is among the hundreds of varieties of flowers grown from heirloom seeds.

A

lbertville resident Charlotte Hagood says her obsession and shares heirloom seeds across the country. with heirloom plants began in 1976 when the newly “I became interested because I’m part Native American,” married, former journalist started a small flower garden Stackhouse says, “and I wanted a way to preserve my own food at her Birmingham home. and learn what the natives produced. I wanted to produce it from Seed sharing had always been a tradition in Albertville where my same seeds every year because whatever they grew, I knew she grew up, she says, and it was during a would be adapted to this country, especially visit back home when her mother’s next door this area, and that it would be the best tasting neighbor gave Hagood a packet of old-time and easiest to preserve.”

Larkspur seeds.

Heirlooms are species of vegetables, fruits “You couldn’t get this strain at the store,” and flowers that have been passed down says Hagood, “and it was the custom to get for several generations. They are the plants seeds from a neighbor and to save your seeds many Americans once grew and ate such as to plant the next year and share them if the Purple Hull Pink Eye and the Blue Goose anybody needed any.” cowpeas, Black Knight lima beans, Alabama Since then, Hagood’s passion for old Red okra, Old Virginia tomatoes and the fashioned plants has blossomed into an effort Early Flat Dutch cabbage, a vegetable that to preserve heirloom produce and flowers. was introduced in the United States in the late She and longtime friend Dove Stackhouse 1800s, according to the Southern Exposure and her husband, Russell Stackhouse, are Seed Exchange online catalogue. The book, the founders of the Sand Mountain Seed The Heirloom Life Gardener, states that more Charlotte Hagood holds cilantro Exchange, where since 2006 they have worked than 100,000 different kinds of heirlooms to perpetuate and share heirloom seeds that families around exist worldwide.

Alabama have passed down from generation to generation.

Heirloom flowers and produce are not commonly found in Stackhouse, who with her husband operates the 15-acre most stores and backyard gardens today. That is because many Whirlwind Farms in Geraldine, Ala., says she started saving large agribusiness companies have opted to breed hybrid and heirloom seeds back in the late 1980s after joining the Seed genetically modified plants. Hybrids and GMO plants generally Savers Exchange, a national, nonprofit organization that saves produce higher yields and are more durable so foods can be

18 JULY 2014

www.alabamaliving.coop

packaged, shipped and stored on grocery shelves and in homes for longer periods of time. In addition, many seed companies no longer sell the old-time varieties, Hagood says.

Hagood and Dove Stackhouse say that before they met, they each became interested in finding and keeping heirloom seeds and began attending seed saving conferences. After meeting at one conference in 2000, Hagood says they struck up a friendship and started comparing their seed collections.

“Once [Dove] saw my seed collection in a couple of refrigerators that were packed with quart and pint jars full of seeds, she said, ‘you have more seed than you will ever be able to maintain yourself. So I’ll help you organize and start getting the seeds out into the community,’” Hagood says.

“The Sand Mountain Seed Bank was founded as a way to not just collect seeds and get stories about seeds, but to get them back out into the community so other people could grow them,” Hagood says.

Unt i l 2010, t he Sand Mountain Seed Exchange had a paid membership where Jars of heirloom seeds people could order heirloom seeds through the mail, Hagood says. Today, because of their schedules, Hagood and the Stackhouses mostly grow heirloom plants on their properties and trade the seeds at festivals and at seed exchanges around the state.

They also meticulously document their seed collections. So far, Hagood and Stackhouse say they have harvested, processed and catalogued close to 300 varieties of heirloom seeds from around Alabama, including seeds for heirloom tomatoes like the Jeff

Davis, Cucuzza squash, Cherokee Trail of Tears beans, October beans, which is an heirloom variety once commonly grown in the Appalachians, and nearly 20 varieties of summer peas.

Among the hardest heirloom seeds to find in their collection are the citron melon seeds, especially those from south Alabama, Stackhouse says.

“The citrons were the ones slaves often planted in the cotton rows to refresh themselves,” she says. “But now cotton is so heavily sprayed that they’re getting harder to find just growing wild out there.”

The process of harvesting and preserving heirloom seeds varies with each kind of plant, Stackhouse and Hagood say.

The seeds, however, have to be dried before being placed in Mason jars for storage in the refrigerators or freezers.

For every batch of seeds they receive or purchase, they write down the names of the seeds, the dates they obtained them and the names of the families that originally grew the plants.

Hagood and Stackhouse say they also record when they plant the heirloom seeds in their own gardens.

The work, says Hagood and Stackhouse, is the best way they know how to help protect, preserve and remember a part of Alabama’s agrarian history.

“It was a choice of either figuring out how to send it to the next generation or it dies,” says Stackhouse. “We couldn’t let it die.” A The Sand Mountain Seed Bank can be reached at whirlwindfarms4@gmail.com or you may call either Charlotte Hagood at 257-878-3039 or Dove Stackhouse at 256-486-4582.

Polecat peas (left) and Mattie Rembert Okra seeds (right).

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 19

Alabama Gardens

Soil smarts: building a strong garden foundation

S

ummer gardening is going full tilt this time of year, and just harvesting the fresh fruits and vegetables that are ripening or performing all those summer gardening chores is keeping gardeners plenty busy.

Among those chores is making sure plants are getting all the nutrients they need to be beautiful and productive. Vegetable gardens and lawns, in particular, may need an extra boost of nutrients to keep them growing and producing. But before you toss out any fertilizer, make sure it is truly necessary and that the one you choose contains the proper types and amounts of nutrients for your plants.

A good way to judge if your plants need an application of summer nutrients is to watch them for signs of fertility problems, such as stunted growth or leaves that are becoming pale, yellow, discolored, mottled or spotted. If you see any of these signs or notice issues such as blossom end rot in your tomatoes, you’ll likely need to add some extra nutrients to your soil.

Once you’re sure that your plants truly need that extra boost, pick a fertilizer that really fits your plants’ needs. Both organic and inorganic (synthetic) fertilizers are available—from commercially produced granular and liquid formulations to natural sources such as composted manure, fish emulsion and bone meal. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so do a little research or get some expert advice before you select one to use.

Regardless of the type you choose, be careful to avoid over-application of any form of fertilizer. This will save you money and help prevent runoff of excess fertilizer and nutrients into water supplies.

The very best way to know your soil’s fertility needs is to know your soil. One of

Katie Jackson is a freelance writer and editor based in Opelika, Alabama.

Contact her at katielamarjackson@ gmail.com.

20 JULY 2014

the best ways to find out what your soil may need is to get it tested. Soil tests are laboratory procedures that measure the presence and availability of vital plant nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium as well as other secondary and micronutrients.

The tests also measure other components or characteristics of soil, such as acidity (pH) and organic matter content.

The results of these tests will typically come with recommendations about what specific nutrients and amendments your soil may need, which is a great starting point for building better soils. With that knowledge in hand you can not only deal with any immediate problems, but you can also develop a long-range plan to continually improve your soil by adding organic matter, specific nutrients and nutrient-rich cover crops in the off season.

Though fall and early winter are considered ideal times to get a soil test, there’s nothing wrong with doing one now or at least spending some time figuring out which areas of your lawn and garden need to be tested later this year. And if you’re about to break ground on a new bed or garden area, it’s helpful to start off with a soil test so you’ll know just what it needs before you put in a single plant.

Soil test kits are available from local Alabama Cooperative Extension System offices or directly from the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory (www.aces.edu/anr/soillab/services.php). These kits contain directions for taking and shipping soil samples.

Follow the directions closely and make sure to fill out the entire test form, including information about the types of plants you intend to grow or already are growing in that area of your yard so the recommendations can be tailored specifically for those plants’ needs.

Of course fertilizer and soil are not the only factors that can make or break your lawn and garden this summer. Proper watering, weeding and pest management are also vital. For help with any or all of these issues, take advantage of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s many resources.

You can find a plethora of helpful infor-

mation by searching the Home and Garden section of Extension’s website at www.aces. edu. There you will find a wide range of publications such as Home Lawn Maintenance (www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR0239/index2.tmpl), The Alabama Vegetable Gardener (www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ ANR-0479/ANR-0479.pdf) and my favorite go-to publication for sustainable home landscapes, Alabama Smart Yards (www. aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1359/ANR1359.pdf).

If you’re not so Web savvy, call or stop by your local Extension office for advice or copies of publications or get expert advice tailored for your specific area of the state by calling the toll-free Master Gardener helpline at 1-877-252-GROW (4769). A

July Gardening Tips d Be on the lookout at garden centers for deals on earlier season plants or out of season tools and equipment. d Plant a cover crop in bare or unplanted areas of the vegetable garden. d Protect yourself from the sun and pests by wearing sunscreen, bug spray, a hat and a light-weight, longsleeved shirt. d Clean up fallen fruits under fruit trees and bushes so you won’t attract pests and promote possible disease problems. d Refresh mulch around shrubs, trees and in garden beds to help retain moisture in the soil, keep roots cooler and suppress weeds. d Plant heat-tolerant annual and perennial flowers. d Divide irises and other over-crowded perennials. d Remove (deadhead) fading flowers from annuals, perennials and summer-blooming lilies. d Water lawns, landscapes, container plants and vegetable gardens as needed. d Keep an eye out for insect and disease problems in the lawn, landscape, garden beds and on potted plants. d Keep birdbaths and hummingbird feeders filled with clean, fresh water or sugar solution, respectively.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 21

George Washington Carver’s legacy celebrated in newly renovated museum

By Marilyn Jones

I

t’s whisper quiet in the museum as I pull open large windowed doors to what used to be the campus laundry. The century-old brick building served Tuskegee Institute students and faculty in a utilitarian way for decades until, in 1941, it was turned into a museum to honor George Washington Carver; a memorial to what can be accomplished with intellect, imagination and integrity.

The museum was closed for several months while undergoing renovation by the National Parks Service and reopened this spring. It now features new exhibits, an accessible information desk, a new elevator and an expanded bookstore.

Although Dr. Carver was born in Diamond, Mo., he arrived in Tuskegee as a young man in his mid-30s and lived in this college community until his passing at the age of 78 in 1943. He brought international prestige to Alabama and Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University).

Booker T. Washington, principal of the institute, recruited the very best to teach at the school. Dr. Carver’s arrival in 1896 marked the beginning of decades of work that would help agriculture and form the basis of how Americans farm today.

The George Washington Carver Museum opened in 1941, two years before Dr. Carver passed away. PHOTO COURTESY NPS

Before Tuskegee

Museum displays illustrate the life of a sharecropper and how Dr. Carver’s innovations helped them use other crops besides cotton to make a better living.

PHOTOS BY MARILYN JONES

22 JULY 2014

Dr. Carver was born circa 1864. There are conflicting stories as to how young George and his brother James came to be raised by their former owners Moses and Susan Carver, but the childless couple took the boys in and raised them as their own after the Civil War. Unable to attend school because of their color, Mrs. Carver taught both boys how to read and write. Later young George moved throughout the Midwest seeking more education, finally enrolling at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, in 1890. There he majored in art, but a teacher convinced him to transfer to Iowa State College to study agriculture. By the time he completed a master’s degree in agriculture in 1896 — the year he accepted an offer to head the agricultural department at Tuskegee Institute — Dr. Carver had impressed the faculty as an extremely talented student in horticulture and mycology (the study of fungi).

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Exhibits tell the story

The museum addresses many chapters of Dr. Carver’s life and celebrates his achievements.

His research included methods of crop rotation and the development of alternative cash crops including peanuts, soy beans, sweet potatoes and pecans for farmers in areas heavily planted with cotton. This helped struggling sharecroppers, many of them former slaves, faced with harsh conditions including the devastating boll weevil. The development of new crops and diversification of crop use helped stabilize their livelihoods.

One of Dr. Carver’s innovations was the Jesup Wagon, a mobile classroom designed to bring his lessons to farmers. It was named after New York financier and Tuskegee donor Morris Ketchum Jesup. Carver also published bulletins and gave demonstrations on diverse subjects, including native clays for paints and increasing soil fertility without commercial fertilizers.

The scientist and teacher developed more than 300 uses for the peanut, more than 100 for the sweet potato and many others for the soy bean. The hundreds of products he invented included plastics, paints and dyes. Peanuts especially appealed to him as an inexpensive source of protein that did not deplete the soil as much as cotton did.

In 1920, Dr. Carver’s work with peanuts drew the attention of the Peanut Growers Association, attesting to the wide potential of peanuts. The following year, he testified before Congress in support of a tariff on imported peanuts. With the help of Dr. Carver’s testimony, the tariff was instituted in 1922.

On display are a Jesup wagon and a later motorized version; items from his laboratory; photographs and honors; and his artwork. The museum helps tell the story of Dr. Carver’s life and work as well as illustrate the situation farmers found themselves in after the Civil War.

A display tracing George Washington Carver’s steps.

PHOTOS COURTESY NPS

With the Jesup wagon, Dr. Carver could take the classroom to the farmers.

Dr. Carver’s later years

By the late 1920s Dr. Carver had stopped teaching, but he continued to advise peanut producers and other farmers. He was one of the most famous African-Americans of his time, and one of the best-known African-American intellectuals. By the time of his Congressional testimony Dr. Carver was known internationally in political and professional circles as well.

President Theodore Roosevelt sought his advice on agricultural matters.

In 1916 he was made a member of the British Royal Society of Arts — a rare honor for an American. Dr. Carver also advised Indian leader MaThe Jesup wagon evolved into a motorized version hatma Gandhi on matters of agriculture and nutrition. in the early 20th century. PHOTOS BY MARILYN JONES Dr. Carver used his celebrity to promote scientific causes and wrote a syndiDisplays include Dr. Carver’s cated newspaper column while touring the nation speaking on the importance laboratory, photos and honors. of agricultural innovation, the achievements and example of Tuskegee, and the possibilities for racial harmony in the United States.

Dr. Carver never married. He died on January 5, 1943 after falling down the stairs at his home and left his entire life savings to the museum and the George Washington Carver Foundation. He is buried next to Booker T. Washington on the Tuskegee University grounds.

His epitaph reads simply: “He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.” A If you go: The museum is part of Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. There is no admission charge.

For more information, check www.nps.gov/tuin/index.htm.

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Alabama Living

JULY 2014 25

Wildlife and the Outdoors

Wood Duck Box Installation and Maintenance

By Justin Brock, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Wood ducks are commonly seen on Alabama’s marshes, swamps and other wetland areas. This duck is perceived by many to be one of the most beautiful species in North America and is a favorite of waterfowl hunters. Fortunately for the residents of Alabama, the wood duck can also do something that most duck species do not – call Alabama home year-round. The wood duck is one of the few waterfowl species found throughout the year in Alabama. Because of this, Alabama landowners can have a greater impact on wood ducks 26 JULY 2014

than on other waterfowl species that may only spend the winter months in the area, or just simply pass through on their way south.

There are many factors to consider when managing a property for wood ducks. The ducks need an environment that provides the right amounts of food, cover and water to survive. However, the amount of quality nesting cavities is sometimes overlooked. In many areas, there are not adequate numbers of mature trees due to logging or other activities to provide natural nest cavities.

In such areas, the construction of wood duck boxes may be a needed management strategy.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first used wood duck boxes in 1937.

Since that time, they have been used on numerous properties to increase local populations of wood ducks. Boxes should be placed in any habitat that has enough food and cover, but does not provide enough natural nesting cavities.

Once an area has been identified, the number of boxes needed and the location of each box must be determined. www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

Start small when first putting wood duck boxes in an area. Place only the number of boxes that can be maintained annually. The recommended number of boxes is one per acre of suitable habitat, with the boxes spaced at least 55 to 110 yards apart. Once 50-80 percent of these boxes are being used, more may be added if they can be maintained.

Opinions differ on how much to conceal the boxes. Research shows that boxes placed in areas that are more concealed with dense vegetation are less susceptible to becoming a dump nest (i.e., nests where multiple ducks lay eggs and cause the nest to be abandoned). However, nests located in open areas tend to be more productive, even though they

Alabama Living

may have a higher chance of becoming a dump nest. Therefore, it is recommended boxes be placed in open areas. Nest boxes should be observed to determine nest success.

Ideally, nest boxes should be placed over or very close to water.

However, they do not have to be over water if it makes them hard to maintain. Remember, the chances for predation as ducklings leave the nest increase the farther the boxes are located from the water.

Once a location is identified, the height of the box also must be considered. A height of at least 6 feet is recommended, but other factors such as water level fluctuations should be considered. Water levels can vary greatly throughout the year

in some locations. Nest boxes should be placed higher than the average annual high water events to avoid problems caused by fluctuating water levels. In many situations, such as along larger creeks and rivers, wood duck boxes may need to be placed up to 20 feet above normal water level to avoid problems.

One important tool to help enhance nesting success is the use of a predator guard. A predator guard should be installed below the box and, if mounted on a tree, all limbs or other debris allowing a predator access to the nest should be removed. The box and predator guard should be checked and maintained at least once a year. During the inspection, repair any damage to the box or predator guard. The inside of the boxes should be cleaned and three to four inches of new sawdust or wood shavings should be added.

Document the nest success of each box during the inspection. This can be particularly important information when deciding if more boxes are needed, and also provides general information on reproductive success in the area.

Erecting and maintaining wood duck boxes is an effective wildlife management practice for areas where natural nest cavities are limited. Utilizing the proper number of boxes that can be adequately maintained and monitored can provide years of enjoyment and add numerous broods of wood ducks to the population.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

JULY 2014  27

Pages from the past

Down memory lane with Do you remember what you read in your Alabama Living in July 40 years ago? What about 30, 20, or even just 10 years ago?

Here’s a look back at what we were featuring on the covers during some of those hot summers of years past.

1974

Ft. Rucker Museum

Located at the United States Army Aviation Center at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, the U. S. Army Aviation Museum has one of the best collections of helicopters of any museum in the world. Thirty-nine rotary wing and 29 fixed wing aircraft range in size from one-man helicopters to the “Bataan,” “General M a c A r t h u r ’s A e r i a l Command Post during the Korean War.

1994

DirecTV: New technology brings the smaller satellite dish with more channels

This fall, anyone with a new low-cost, 18-inch satellite dish will have the clearest picture, sound and the most extensive choice ever in television history. New high-powered satellites built by GM Hughes Electronics along with small and easy-touse satellite receiving equipment made by RCA, reinforced with the rural expertise of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, will allow television reception using a satellite dish about the size of a large pizza.

28 JULY 2014

1984

Eclipse: Alabama co-op lights the way for astronomers

Central Alabama EC found themselves in the middle of the line of travel for the “last eclipse of the century.”

About 60 members from the Birmingham Astronomical S ociet y began setting up their equipment around 9 a.m. that morning on the coop’s grounds. By 10 a.m., the society’s members were joined by various astronomers from states as far away as Illinois, Washington, St. Louis and Kentucky. Once the phenomenon finally appeared in everyone’s eyesight, one gazer described the eclipse’s halo as not a solid circle, but a “string of brilliant pearls.”

After the three to five minutes of the eclipse passed, telescopes, reflectors and cameras returned to car trunks and a delighted audience filed out of the co-op’s parking lot.

2004

Gentleman Farmer

Jimmie Harrison’s family has been operating a fruit and vegetable stand, Harrison’s Fruit Farm, on US Highway 82 in Chilton County for more than 50 years. It doesn’t rate a spot of ink on a highway map, but Harrison wouldn’t trade that little patch of land for anything. Peaches are the biggest draw, but Harrison also sells tomatoes, squash and other produce that will find its way into potluck suppers, Sunday dinners and barbecues. www.alabamaliving.coop

Around Alabama Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Dauphin Island • July 18-20 The 81st Rodeo is a three-day event featuring 30 categories with prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category.

Described as the largest fishing tournament in the world, it features more than 3,000 anglers and 75,000 spectators. Young Anglers Tournament tickets are $3 per angler, and the ADSFR Open Competition tickets are $40 per angler. There are an additional three Jackpot competitions. Check out the ADSFR website for official rules, ticket pick-up locations and prices: www. adsfr.com or call the Mobile Jaycee office at 251-471-0025.

JULY

3 • Chatom, Town of Chatom’s Independence Day Celebration at Chatom Community Center beginning at 5 p.m. Live music by Destiny, inflatable water slides, a trackless train, rides, and fireworks start at 9 p.m. Admission and all activities are free, $1 parking per vehicle.

Contact Fran Thornton, 251-6803075 or thorntonfran@yahoo.com.

3 & 4 • Grand Bay, Watermelon Festival. Odd Fellows Festival Park, Thursday 3-7 p.m. and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday. Children’s play area, arts and crafts, car show, family entertainment and food booths. $5 per vehicle admission on the 4th. Contact Monnie Tripp, 251-865-3456 or visit www. grandbaywatermelonfestival.org.

4 • Birmingham, Thunder on the Mountain 2014. Vulcan Park and Museum, 9 p.m. Admission is free.

For information, call 205-933-1409.

4 • Henagar, 31st Annual Sand Mountain Potato Festival. Celebrate our heritage with live music, arts and crafts, entertainment, games and fireworks. Event begins at

10 a.m. and culminates with a beautiful fireworks display.

Information: 256-657-6282.

11 & 12 • Andalusia, World Championship Domino Tournament at the Kiwanis Fair Complex.

Round robin tournaments Friday and Saturday afternoons. Contact Carolyn Davis, 334-222-5830 or worlddomino@gmail.com.

12 • Hanceville, Swamp John’s Fish Fry Fundraiser at the Dodge City Fire Department from 4-7 p.m.

We will be serving fish, chicken or shrimp with a drink, sides and dessert. Tickets are $10 weach, available at Dodge City Town Hall or from one of the firefighters.

18-20 • Huntsville, 2014 Alabama State Steel Tip Dart Tournament at the American Legion Post 176. Start time on Friday is 6:30 p.m., Saturday is 11 a.m., and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for the adult/child event.

18-20 • Mentone, JULYFEST 2014 to be held at Mason Park.

Beginning Friday evening and continuing Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

This juried art show will display pottery, sculpture, wood, basketry, fiber, photography, jewelry, glass and various crafts. Local entertainment throughout the weekend. Visit www.mentonearts.org.

19 • Pine Ridge, Pine Ridge Cruise-In for Special People Car Show at Pine Ridge Camp. Registration

8 a.m.-1 p.m. $20 per car. Family friendly, kid activities, 50-50 drawing. Rain or shine event.

19 • Wetumpka, Wetumpka’s River and Blues Music and Arts Show, Riverwalk/Gold Star Park from 2-10 p.m. Twelve bands performing on two stages. Kids zone, art show, food and craft vendors. Free admission.

For information, call 334-567-5147 or visit www.riverandblues.net.

19-28 • Florence, W.C. Handy Music Festival at the Shoals. The 10-day festival features nearly 300 events showcasing music at locations throughout northwest Alabama, including parks, restaurants, stores, libraries, museums, art galleries, sidewalks, parking lots, and lawns.

It also features athletic events, plays, music classes, car shows, and much more. Visit W.C. Handy Music Festival on Facebook for information or www.wchandymusicfestival.com.

31-Aug. 3 • Union Springs, “Promises” at the Red Door Theatre.

Joseph, a 67-year-old man, sets out on a journey to fulfill a request made by his dying mother and

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

comes to understand the truth of his own personal history. Written

by Alabama native Joel Williams.

Thursday-Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. (reservations required).

Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m., play only. Tickets: play $15, dinner $15. Overnight accomodations available. Contact: 334-738-8687.

AUGUST

2 • Union Springs, Dog Days of Summer Music Festival held at Dreamfield Farms is an annual fundraiser for the local animal shelter. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Admission $10, concessions available. For information, email cmoorer723@yahoo.com.

2 • Orrville/Selma, Civil War Walking Tour of Old Cahawba. 10-11 a.m. The tour will visit Castle Morgan, the POW camp at Old Cahawba where more than 3,000 Union Army prisoners were held. Admission: $8. Contact Old Cahawba at 334872-8058 for more information.

5 • Mobile, Crime Prevention 5K Run. Race begins at 6:30 p.m. at Bienville Square. Proceeds benefit the Mobile Police Department.

Call Peggy Olive at 251-4018039 for more information.

Like Alabama Living on facebook Follow Alabama Living on Twitter @Alabama_Living JULY 2014 29

Alabama Outdoors

There’s more than red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico

By John N. Felsher

T

he federal government only allowed Alabama anglers to fish nine days in June for red snapper this year, but offshore enthusiasts can find much more to catch in the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite the smallest coastline on the Gulf, the waters off Alabama teem with a variety of fish because the state created an extensive network of artificial reefs. These artificial reefs create fishattracting habitat where once only a flat, mud bottom provided little structure.

“No doubt, snapper are really important fish for the Alabama coast, but we catch a lot more than just red snapper,” says Mike Thierry with Captain Mike’s Deep Sea Fishing in Dauphin Island.

“We always keep a cobia rod and a live bait ready in case we see a cobia. We also run into sharks quite often. We’ve caught some in the 400- to 500-pound range. In 2012, we caught and released three tiger sharks in one day.”

Besides red snapper during the very brief season, anglers off the Alabama coast may fill fish boxes with several other snapper species including lane, mangrove, vermilion, also called beeliner, and other snapper species, usually with far less restrictions. Mangroves frequently enter water less than 20 feet deep just off the coast. During the season, anglers fishing reefs might also catch triggerfish, amberjack and several grouper species.

“When not fishing for red snapper, we go for king mackerel, beeliner and mangrove snapper,” says Curtis Bush of Max Drag Charters in Orange Beach. “For beeliners, we use smaller hooks and smaller squid pieces than when fishing for red snapper. Beeliners are usually a bit farther out around natural bottoms. If we go out 30 miles, we might also catch grouper, scamp, maybe even tilefish.”

While bottom bouncing baits around reefs, set out a drift line.

Without adding extra weight, attach a bait chunk or live baitfish to a hook and toss it behind the boat. Stick the rod into a holder and engage the reel clicker so that it makes noise when something pulls the line. The bait hangs high in the water column, perhaps enticing passing king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, sharks, cobia, barracuda

John N. Felsher is a professional freelance writer and photographer who lives in Semmes, Ala. He’s written more than 1,700 articles for more than 117 magazines. He co-hosts a weekly outdoors radio show. Contact him through his website at www.

JohnNFelsher.com.

Jeff Strane fights a big one while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

PHOTOS BY JOHN N. FELSHER

30 JULY 2014

www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

JULY 2014 31

and other predators. Depending upon the location, a drift line might even attract a sailfish, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna or wahoo.

“Frequently, we’ll throw out a drift line to target king mackerel and other fish,” says Bryan Daniels with Brian Daniels Guide Service in Orange Beach. “It’s not hard to catch 10 to 12 different species in one day, especially in the deeper water. In the summer, we don’t really target cobia, but we catch them as a bonus if one shows up.”

Highly mobile cobia roam the Gulf and can appear instantly anywhere and vanish just as quickly. Sometimes, cobia hit drift lines, but more often, these curious fish appear on the surface near the boat. After spotting a cobia, toss a bait beyond it and run it past its nose. If it doesn’t hit reactively, tease it. Every time it comes for the bait, snatch the temptation away until the cobia can no longer stand it and smashes the morsel.

Some anglers use balloon rigs to hold live bait at predetermined depths. Almost like using a bobber to fish for bluegills, tie a balloon to the line and release it so that it drifts with the current away from the boat.

Sometimes, anglers may set out several balloon rigs to fish at different depths with varied baits.

After leaving the reefs, many anglers troll an assortment of spoons, deep-running plugs, jigs, live baitfish or fresh bait to entice mackerel, cobia, wahoo, mahi, tuna and other species. Some anglers maximize their time by trolling when transitioning from one reef to another. Trolling can also reveal a secret honey hole.

Trolling with deep-running plugs or downriggers can put big grouper or amberjack into the boat.

“If I find a good rip or weed line, we’ll put out a trolling spread to see what’s there,” says Jason Domangue with Movin’ On Up Charters in Dauphin Island. “We might find some king mackerel or get lucky and catch a wahoo. We’ll also keep an eye out for tripletail, cobia or mahi.”

While trolling or moving from place to place, also watch for targets of opportunity. Cobia, mahi and tripletail, also called blackfish, frequently drift with floating debris or hang around channel buoys and cruise weed lines. Anglers might also see some diving birds that could indicate a school of predators chasing baitfish.

Despite stiff regulations and reduced limits for many species, anglers can still load a boat and enjoy a great day on the water if they remain flexible. Bring an assortment of rods and baits for any opportunity that may arise. The right “bonus” fish can turn an otherwise humdrum day into a memorable experience. A For more information on saltwater creel limits see www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater/regulations/limits.

Another tripletail comes to the boat in Mississippi Sound near Bayou La Batre, Ala.

This mangrove snapper hit a 6-inch Calcutta Flash Foil Swim Shad thrown on light tackle and 12-pound test line in the Gulf of Mexico.

www.alabamaliving.coop

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

JUL. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 AUG. 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

10:52 --12:52 01:52 02:52 03:52 04:37 --01:07 01:37 02:07 02:52 09:07 09:52 11:22 ---01:52 03:07 04:07 --01:22 02:07 08:37 09:37 10:52 ---01:22 02:37 03:37 04:37 05:07 --01:07 01:37 08:22 09:07 09:52 11:22

Alabama Living

05:22 06:37 07:52 08:52 09:52 10:37 11:07 11:52 05:07 05:52 06:22 07:07 07:37 08:22 03:22 04:07 05:07 06:22 07:52 08:52 09:52 10:37 11:22 05:07 06:07 06:52 07:37 02:52 03:37 04:37 05:37 06:52 08:22 09:22 10:07 10:52 11:22 11:52 05:52 06:22 07:07 07:37 02:07 02:52 03:22 04:22

04:37 12:52 06:37 08:37 09:52 10:52 11:37 12:07 07:22 07:52 08:07 08:37 08:52 09:22 09:52 03:37 04:07 01:37 03:52 08:52 10:07 11:07 11:52 07:07 07:37 08:07 08:37 09:07 03:22 03:52 12:37 03:37 08:52 10:07 10:52 11:22 11:52 12:22 07:07 07:22 07:37 08:07 02:22 02:37 03:07 03:52

11:22 12:07 03:22 04:52 05:37 06:07 06:37 07:07 12:22 12:52 01:22 01:52 02:07 02:37 03:07 10:07 10:52 11:37 12:37 04:52 05:22 06:07 06:37 12:07 12:52 01:37 02:07 02:52 09:37 10:22 10:52 11:52 04:52 05:22 05:52 06:07 06:22 06:37 12:22 12:52 01:22 01:52 08:22 08:52 09:07 09:37 JULY 2014 33

Alabama Recipes

Italian

Cook of the month: Rena Smith, Tallapoosa River EC Chicken Piccata 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and cut in half Flour for dredging Salt and pepper 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/3 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Salt and pepper each piece of chicken before dredging in flour. On medium heat fry the chicken in 4 tablespoons of butter and 6 tablespoons of oil, 3 minutes per side. Set fried chicken aside on a plate.

Add lemon juice, chicken stock, and capers to the pan of chicken drippings and bring to a boil. Return chicken to the pan and simmer 5 minutes. Place chicken on a platter. Add remaining butter to the sauce in the pan and whisk until butter is melted. Pour sauce over chicken. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Olive oil, pesto, tomatoes, basil, sauces, mozzarella, pasta; hungry yet? The simplicity and freshness of ingredients is the heart of Italian cuisine. There are hundreds of different shapes of pasta including penne, macaroni, spaghetti, linguini, fusilli, lasagna, and many more varieties which are filled with other ingredients like tortellini and ravioli. Purchase an authentic Parmesan cheese block or wedge and grate it yourself. Your tastebuds will thank you!

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.

You could win $50!

September October November

Upcoming recipe themes and deadlines are: “From Scratch” July 15 Wild game August 15 Thanksgiving September 15

Submit:

online at alabamaliving.coop email to recipes@alabamaliving.coop mail to Recipes, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124 34 JULY 2014

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

JULY 2014 35

Easy Tiramisu Pie 48 vanilla wafers, divided ¼ cup brewed strong coffee, cooled, divided (the stronger, the better) 4 ounces (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1½ cups cold milk 1 package (3.4 oz.) JELL-O french vanilla flavor instant pudding 1 8-ounce tub whipped topping, thawed 1 ounce baker’s semi-sweet chocolate, grated

Arrange 36 wafers on bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons coffee.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 1 minute. Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping.

Layer half each of the pudding mixture and grated chocolate in crust; cover with remaining wafers.

Drizzle with remaining coffee. Repeat layers of pudding and chocolate. Top with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Martha Black Handschumacher-Arab EC

Spaghetti Pie 8 ounces spaghetti 1 pound lean ground chuck ½ medium onion, chopped 1 jar spaghetti sauce 2 tablespoons oil

2 eggs, beaten ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded 1 16-ounce carton cottage cheese 1 package mozzarella cheese slices

Cook spaghetti and drain. Brown ground chuck with onion. Add the jar of spaghetti sauce and simmer.

Mix the cooked spaghetti with oil, eggs and Parmesan cheese. Spread the spaghetti mixture into a 13x9x2inch pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Then you will add the beef mixture and top with the cottage cheese. Put the mozzarella cheese slices on top of this mixture. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Lasagna Soup 1 lb. ground beef ½ cup chopped onion 1 package lasagna Hamburger Helper dinner mix 5 cups water 1 14½-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)

1 7-ounce can whole kernel corn (do not drain) 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 small chopped zucchini (optional)

In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add contents of dinner sauce mix, water, tomatoes, corn and cheese; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add lasagna noodles (you can break in half ) and zucchini. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender. Serve immediately. May sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.

WM. J. Peyregne, Pea River EC

Slow Cooker Lasagna 1 pound ground beef 1 (12 ounce) oven ready lasagna noodles 1 onion, chopped 1 (16 ounce) cottage cheese small curd best 2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 1 6-ounce tomato paste 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano

In skillet brown meat with onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, paste, salt and oregano stir until mixed and heated through. In a large bowl combine cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Spray crockpot with cooking spray for easier cleanup. Spoon a portion of meat mixture onto the bottom of cooker. Add a double layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (might have to break them to fit). Top the noodles with a portion of cheese mixture. Repeat layering of sauce, noodles and cheese. I top it with italian seasoning or parsley for color. Cook on high for 3½ hours in my cooker.

All cookers are different, so first time might want to watch closely.

Michelle Hicks, Clarke-Washington EMC

Cindy Garrett, Marshall DeKalb EC 36 JULY 2014

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Southern Occasions CO O K B O O K

Italian “Meat” Balls 1 stack Ritz® or HiHo® crackers, crumbled 1 cup pecan meal 3 eggs beaten 2 tablespoons water

1 chopped onion 1 minced clove garlic 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Southern Occasions

CO O K B O O K

Mix all ingredients and form into walnut-size balls. Bake on an oiled cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees, or until firm to touch.

Can be frozen at this point and used when desired. Simmer in tomato sauce, gravy, soup or sweet and sour sauce for about 1 hour and serve over rice or noodles.

Bertha Kerby, Sand Mountain EC Alabama Living

JULY 2014 37

How To Place a Line Ad in Marketplace

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Closing Deadlines (in our office:

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September 2014 – July 25 October 2014 – August 25 November 2014 – September 25

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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.

Education BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info.

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Alabama Living

JULY 2014 39

Safe @ Home

Pool safety: Chemicals can be hazardous to your health

P

ool chemicals. Though “chemicals” is part of the name, you may not realize the extreme danger that comes with improper use of these products. Each year thousands of people receive emergency care following injuries from interactions with these chemicals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of these injuries in the United States is around 5,000 per year, with most occurring in the summer swim months.

Children are the most widely injured. Respiratory problems are the leading cause of injury, as pool operators or those in the water breathe in fumes, followed by eye and skin injuries.

Chemicals are added to pool water to improve water quality and prevent disease-causing germs from spreading. Chemicals like chlorine and bromine are added to the water to kill these germs, which they do within minutes.

The CDC has developed posters on pool chemical safety that can be downloaded or ordered free of charge at www.cdc.gov/ healthywater/swimming/resources/posters.html. For more in-

To prevent pool-related chemical injuries, the CDC recommends that pool owners > follow these tips:

formation on pool chemical handling and storage, www.cdc. gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/preventing-pool-chemicalinjuries.html.

As for good swimming hygiene, swimmers can stay safe by not swimming when ill with diarrhea or by swallowing pool water. The CDC also recommends that swimmers consider taking a pre-swim shower to remove sweat and other potential contaminants to the chlorine, such as urine.

I hope you all enjoy the swim season and keep best practices in mind when maintaining your pool. A

> > > >

Michael Kelley is senior manager of Safety & Loss Control for the Alabama Rural Electric Association.

       

40 JULY 2014

Read and follow directions on product labels.

Wear appropriate safety equipment, such as goggles and masks, as directed, when handling pool chemicals.

Secure pool chemicals to protect people and animals.

Keep young children away when handling chemicals.

Never mix different pool chemicals with each other, especially chlorine products with acid.

Pre-dissolve pool chemicals only when directed by product label.

Add pool chemical to water, never water to pool chemicals.

Children and animals should be kept away from pool chemicals. Pool owners should also refrain from smoking when handling chemicals. Hands should always be washed after handling these substances as well.

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36 22 1

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JULY 2014 43

Our Sources Say

Season brings warm weather, busy schedules

W

hile the warmer temperatures have been a welcome change following the coldest winter this region has experienced in nearly 30 years, it’s fair to say the past two months have been busy ones for both TVA and the local power companies we serve. The good news is that we successfully worked together to meet the system challenges brought on by the storms and tornadoes in April, and we’ve effectively collaborated on several other items in recent weeks.

The storms experienced on our system in April – particularly in Alabama and Mississippi – inflicted severe damage to homes and businesses. The most significant damage in Alabama occurred in the northern region where an EF-3 tornado touched down and traveled through the heart of Athens. The storm left a path of destruction nearly 15 miles wide, uprooting trees, destroying buildings, and twisting or breaking more than 200 utility poles. Bessemer Electric Service, one of our customers in central Alabama, also suffered extensive damage.

The tornado and subsequent storms left 16,000 local power company customers in the area without power. Crews responded quickly and most service was restored within a week.

Another important development of particular interest in Alabama was the recent elevation of Huntsville’s Joe Ritch to the chairman position on TVA’s board. Ritch, the first Alabama resident to serve as board chairman at TVA, officially moved into the role on May 19, replacing Bill Sansom, whose term expired.

Ritch joined TVA’s board in 2013.

Also in May, TVA received the high-level results of its most recent Voice of the Customer survey, which targets both TVA customer groups – local power companies and directly served industrials. We’re pleased to report that participation from customers was nearly 90 percent, and ratings improved.

At a high level, the survey shows the bond between TVA and customers is improving with a 10 percent increase in those classified as committed or loyal. The Voice of the Customer survey is designed to measure a customer’s loyalty to TVA – not just the customer’s satisfaction with performance. It measures the strength of the bond between TVA and customers by evaluating feedback in important performance areas such as reliability, financials, customer treatment, timeliness and problem handling.

Finally, I want to mention the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association’s (TVPPA) Annual Meeting that was held May 19-21.

It was a well-organized event where leaders from TVPPA, local power companies and TVA had an opportunity to interact and discuss important issues around system operations and reliability, rates and pricing, regulatory responsibilities and other important topics.

TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson was given the opportunity to speak at the event. In addition to discussing TVA’s operational and financial performance, he pointed out that TVA and local power companies are here to serve the people who call the Valley home. For TVA, he said it’s about making the choices that are in the best interest of those who live here as well as our customers – consistent choices that align with our intent, and responsible choices that support the public power mission.

Johnson added that recent research shows that people living in the Valley continue to believe in the mission of public power. As we look to the future, we are committed to ongoing improvement in all areas of our performance – in our service to customers and in delivering on our mission to serve the people. And we will continue to work hard to be safer, better, faster and leaner in all that we do. A

Kevin Chandler is general manager, Alabama District Customer Service, for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

44 JULY 2014

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Patriotism Submit Your Images!

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46 JULY 2014

1. Photo of my grandpa’s flag and barn on the day of his funeral.

He was a retired lineman from Cullman County and served in the Army SUBMITTED BY Jill Roy, Arab 2. Making sure new flag was put up just before leaving for 2nd deployment to Afghanistan.

Pictured are Sgt. James Griffin, wife Vickie and dog Luke SUBMITTED BY Rhonda Self, Hamilton 3. Lt. Thurston Bullock and son Jon Will Bullock salute the flag SUBMITTED BY Sharon Ivey, Arab

4. Olivia Cole celebrating the 4th of July in Orange Beach SUBMITTED

BY Jeannie Bennett Cole, Hampton Cove 5. Stephen and Stirling Hamilton of Greenville enjoying their favorite holiday, July 4th SUBMITTED

BY Jennie Hamilton, Greenville 6. Isaac Graves at the Cullman County Fair Parade in 2011 SUBMITTED BY April Graves, Hanceville

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Quilt Competition Our theme is: What put us on the map?

Design your quilt square around the idea of what your local co-op area is known for. We need all co-ops represented!

Mail, E-mail or Fax form below for your entry package. Deadline to submit quilt square is December 31, 2014 Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ City, State Zip: __________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________________ Cooperative: ___________________________________________ (The electric cooperative name on front of this Alabama Living.)

Mail to: AREA 340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 or Phone: 334-215-2732 Fax: 334-215-2733 E-mail: lpartin@areapower.com