Spotlight

Letters to the editor

E-mail us at: letters@alabamaliving.coop or write us at: Letters to the editor P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

Correction

Editor’s note: We received several emails about a photo included with the outdoors article on hunting for woodcocks on Page 32 of the January issue. Several readers pointed out that this photo was not of a woodcock, but of a snipe, a similar but different bird. We apologize for the error, which occurred during an online search process. The correct photo of a woodcock can be found with the story on our Alabama Living website.

Loved stories of flamingos, raisins and a blizzard

I would like (to thank) you and your artist friend for more great stories.

I enjoy reading them to my wife. She, like many other campers, has those flamingos all over her camper lot. Some are dead, with police tape around them, while others stand nearby!

Or [with] little skeletons riding on their backs. I can go on forever! We loved that story!

But “Aunt Anne, Daddy and raisins” (December 2021)… well, your story brought tears to my eyes and a crackle to my voice as I tried to read about your beautiful family tradition. Whew, that was wonderful. I could see in my mind what was taking place! Wonderful stories...They’re all good but these brought laughter and warmth to us! And the painting of the mid ‘50s pickup in the blizzard (December 2020) is so real! I can recall those days by the lake (Michigan) in northern Indiana.

Skip Dietz, Guntersville

Your article in December 2021 (“Aunt Anne, Daddy and raisins”) was a wonderful family story. Being 82, I am so appreciative of stories such as this. Your story brought a smile to an old lady’s heart. I really needed it this Christmas. Thank you and God bless you.

Veda Praytor, Lincoln

Headstones tell a story

I just wanted to let you know that I read and enjoyed your article “Oh, those tombs” (“Hardy Jackson’s Alabama”) in the January magazine. I have been researching my family tree for over 40 years and have spent a lot of time in cemeteries. The headstones tell a story, for sure, if you take the time to study them.

Kim Self Hughes, Albertville

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your “Oh, those tombs” article. My sweet mother, who is 91 this month and living in a memory care facility, taught me to accept the fact that death is a part of living, and that as a Christian, I have no reason to fear death. I think that is the reason I feel a sense of calm in a cemetery or graveyard. Thanks again for the wonderful article and best of luck to you.

Randall McCraney, Deer Park

Find the hidden dingbat!

Thanks to all the hundreds of readers who skated their way through the February magazine to find the hidden ice skate on Page 34. It was hiding in the letter “B” in the word “Baking.” Chesteen McWhorter of Crane Hill, a member of Cullman EC, said it took her three times, but she finally found it.

“First attempt I searched each page wearing my glasses. Second attempt, I took off my glasses thinking that might help. My third attempt, which is always a charm, I went straight to the recipe section. I just knew it had to be hidden in the bread. I kept staring at that beautiful loaf of bread on page 34, just knowing it was hiding in the white flour around the edges. I turned the page in all directions, brought it close, held it afar, only to be discouraged and set the magazine to my side on the couch. Then! I noticed something odd about that big letter, that capital “B”. There it was!” Playing off the letter “B,” reader Richard Railey, a member of Tallapoosa River EC from Wadley, wrote us a clever note:

“This may “B” the “B”est hidden dingbat yet! “B”cause of my love for homemade “B”read I was able to find it. The skate dingbat can “B” found on page 34 in the top half of the “B” in the word Baking on the “B”ottom half of the page!”

Congratulations to our randomly drawn winner, Janet Powell of Vinemont, a member of Cullman EC. This month, in honor of Presidents Day on Feb. 21, we’ve hidden a picture of a U.S. penny with Abraham Lincoln’s image. Good luck! Remember: the dingbat won’t be in an ad and it won’t be on Pages 1-8. Deadline is Feb. 11. By mail: Find the Dingbat Alabama Living PO Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

By email: dingbat@alabamaliving.com

Sponsored by

Exercise motivation for the new year

Now that the new year is under way, how are those exercise resolutions coming along? They’re much easier to make than keep, but there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success:

Choose a specific goal. Every year, millions resolve to “lose weight” or

“get in shape.” Focus instead on setting a specific, achievable goal.

Make a detailed plan. Creating a written plan can help you stick to your goal. It allows you to consider what tactics to use when faced with challenges.

Remember that change is a process. Be patient with yourself.

Even if you make a misstep or two, restart and continue on your journey.

Get support. Explain your goals to your close friends and family and ask for their help. Or, join a group, like an exercise class, that shares your goal and will help keep you accountable.

Source: HealthMed Inc.

Vintage ride

Alabama couple’s mission to promote and preserve classic muscle cars

Vintage ride

Alabama couple’s mission to promote and preserve classic muscle cars

This Paint Chip Cuda was replicated exactly like the Hot Rod Magazine of October 1969 introducing the brand new restyled 1970 Cuda, displaying all the available colors.

Story and photos by Scott Baker

Tim Wellborn has been making grand entrances wherever he goes for many years.

In the early 1980s, the Lineville High School building shook and classroom windows rattled every afternoon as he arrived in his 1970 Dodge Charger to pick up his sweetheart, Pam, as classes let out for the day.

Together almost 40 years now, Tim and Pam Wellborn are still making their presence known, and often in that same vintage muscle car that Tim drove when they dated. That Charger R/T was not only a special ride for the young couple, but also represented the beginning of Tim’s hobby of restoring old muscle cars, dabbling in occasional restorations and establishing their own muscle car museum in Alexander City.

The turning point into a true commitment occurred with a serendipitous event in the late ‘90s on a sidewalk in New York City when he happened to meet Bob Lutz, who at the time was president and vice chairman of Chrysler. That chance encounter – over a similar wristwatch, of all things – led to a spontaneous lunch. There, Tim and Bob hatched a plan to display the Wellborns’ Dodge K&K car at several major car events throughout Europe. The car was made famous in the 1970 Grand National and the land speed record-breaking events at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Chrysler provided an original 426 engine for the car. With Tim and Pam serving as emissaries at the events, the car was overwhelmingly popular. This beginning of their muscle car-collecting careers may have been fortuitous, but the Wellborns’ rise in the car world was no accident.

Tim’s encyclopedic muscle car knowledge and Pam’s infectious personality make them a formidable car-collecting team. As perennial favorites at the Mecum Auction, the world’s largest collector car auction, they are sought out for their muscle car knowledge and entertaining style.

Likewise, the Wellborn name attached or associated with a particular car automatically affirms the quality and increases the value of the car. Tim and Pam also share their expertise and knowledge as longtime board members of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega.While their muscle carcollecting and promotion have made them a household name in the car-collecting

world, their home base is in Alexander City, Alabama, home of their Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Tucked away in a vintage car dealership, the museum is a testament to their commitment and mission to preserving and promoting these high-performance vehicles.

On display, Tim proudly says, is “a rotating collection of more than 85 fully restored and perfectly running muscle cars from model years 1968 to 1971.” That collection includes “Aero-Cars designed for NASCAR, Ford Boss Mustangs, GTOs, LS6 Chevelles, W30 Oldsmobiles, Buick GSX, and MOPARS which showcase all of the major manufacturers of muscle machines of that era.”

The museum’s curator, Alton Freeman, is eager to share interesting stories about the provenance of the cars or in-depth, technical factoids about engines, interiors, and subtle year-to-year chassis modifications. Having been with the museum for several years, he’s also quick to entertain with anecdotes and heartfelt stories about the Wellborns’ connection to the cars. The cars alone are enough to warrant a visit; however, the stroll back in time with the added benefit of the curator’s stories make it a truly memorable experience. For more information, visit wellbornmusclecarmuseum.com.

Clockwise, from top: 1970 Plymouth Superbird, one of 1,920 built so they could be raced on NASCAR speedways. Its pointed nose and wing allowed the car to surpass the 200 mph mark; visitors check under the hood outside the museum; a 1971 NASCAR Petty Plymouth Road Runner purchased directly from Richard Petty; the Wellborns outside their home with Tim’s father’s 1971 Hemi Charger.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

256-329-8474 124 Broad Street Alexander City, AL, 35010 wellbornmusclecarmuseum.com

Saturday - OPEN 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday – CLOSED Tues. - Fri. - Open by appointment only

Admission:

Adults - $11 Children 7-17 - $7 Children 6 and under -Free

Private Tours by appointment; $50 for 1 to 5 people, regular rates apply for each additional person. Large group (10 or more) inquiries welcome; contact the museum for discounted group admission rates. Email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.

Former UA, NFL player makes leap from football to food

Story and photos by Jennifer Kornegay

From 2004 to 2007, Wallace Gilberry was a crucial part of the defense on The University of Alabama’s football team. After graduation, he went on to play pro ball for several teams, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs and ending his career in 2016 with Cincinnati Bengals, retiring from the NFL after nine seasons.

Now, he’s hoping to score with diners at his namesake restaurant Berry’s Bistro, which he opened in his hometown of Bay Minette in the fall of 2021. From football to food may seem like an odd — and long — leap, but Gilberry already had some experience in the culinary industry. In fact, it almost kept him from ever donning an Alabama jersey.

In high school, he worked at the IHOP in Bay Minette. He started in the kitchen and then moved to a server. “I was really good at it,” he said. “I was making $300$400 a week in tips and almost didn’t go to college thinking, this is working out fine, why do I need to leave?”

His mom had other thoughts and strongly encouraged him to get a degree, so off to Tuscaloosa he went, where he studied communications. “I loved it, of course. I had fun, made great friends and wonderful memories,” he says, “so I am for sure glad I went.” Plus, the athletic prowess he displayed playing for Bama earned him a spot in the NFL. “I learned a lot from the game of football, and it gave me and my family a lot too,” he says. “But there is more to life than football.”

Gilberry hung up his shoulder pads and moved back home a few years ago. He got back into the restaurant game with a hot wing spot in nearby Mobile that he owned with a business partner. But he’d always wanted to do something in his hometown. “I just figured food and sports are great ways to reach people and connect with them. I’ve already done the sports thing, so I thought, ‘How about a restaurant here?’ I also liked the idea of the challenge it presented,” he says. “The restaurant biz is tough, but I like to challenge myself.”

Berry’s Bistro

712 D’Olive St. Bay Minette, AL 36507 251-494-0327 Search for the restaurant’s page on Facebook Bay Minette Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. l Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday & Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Top photo: A classic cheeseburger at Berry’s Bistro with a side of loaded fries. Bottom photo: Former NFL and University of Alabama football player Wallace Gilberry, right, with his chef, Angellous McCryandle, at his recently opened Bay Minette restaurant, Berry’s Bistro.

Meeting expectations

So far, the challenge of opening and running his own restaurant has lived up his expectations, both the good and the less positive. “I think it is always hard to find good employees, but right now, it has been even harder,” he says. “But we’ve already got regular customers. I love that, and I love interacting with them, hearing and implementing their feedback.”

Berry’s Bistro seems to be meeting diners’ expectations too. Everything on the menu is cooked to order, and the selection list is short, but that’s on purpose. “I knew I wanted to do wings and burgers and wanted to be really good at a few things instead of trying to just be OK at a lot of things,” Gilberry says. Burger lovers are treated to big, juicy, well-seasoned beef patties. Berry’s focus on wings has resulted in seven tantalizing sauce options, including lemon pepper, mango habanero and BBQ as well honeygold, a sweet, tangy, syrup that clings to crisp skin on hefty chicken wings.

While wings and burgers are staples — they’re the best sellers — Gilberry plans to change the menu regularly. “I don’t want to eat the same things all the time and figure others don’t either.” Berry’s also serves casual eatery standards like fresh-battered chicken fingers and hand-cut fries soaked for three days in house — “They’re not from some big ole bag!” Gilberry says. You can get sandwiches, too. The shrimpstuffed po boy is Gilberry’s favorite. “I love seafood, and we can get such fresh stuff here,” he says. “There’s really nothing better than fresh Gulf shrimp.”

Bounty from the sea is also available at dinner, where chargrilled oysters generously topped with bacon and cheese are standouts in the starter section. “Steaks are a big hit at night too,” Gilberry says. And on Sundays, patrons at Berry’s do brunch, digging into fried chicken with fluffy waffles and sweet potato fries dusted with powdered sugar or savory shrimp over creamy grits.

Gilberry gives credit to his team; his star kitchen quarterback is his cousin, Angellous McCryandle, who also runs a local catering business. “She is incredible, and I’m so lucky to have her doing this with me,” Gilberry said. His customer-first philosophy is a key part of his playbook too. “We try to customize whatever we can for folks. If we have it in the kitchen, we’ll do it. We want customers to feel at home here,” he says.

He aims to please, but there is one request Gilberry is not sure he can meet, even when diners beg: a coach Saban sighting. “But maybe one day I can get ole Nick in here,” he laughed.

Learning to love pruning

Knowing when to prune specific plants is important for plant health.

Of all the chores I do in the garden, pruning is the most intimidating to me. It seems counterintuitive to take sharp objects to the plants I love, and I always worry about doing them more harm than good. However, after years of trial and error and lots of self-education, I’ve become much more comfortable with the task of pruning. In fact, sometimes I even love it.

Early in the process, it helped me to recognize that Mother Nature prunes. Sure, she uses natural forces, such as weather (think wind and ice) and wildlife (cue deer, rabbits and birds) to do the work while I have to use tools and my wits. But ultimately, we both have the same goals in mind: improving the health, beauty and productivity of our plants and ecosystems.

It also helped me to understand that there are different reasons to prune — to maintain the health of plants, control plant size and shape, rejuvenate fading plants, shape and train plants, boost flower and fruit production and remove hazards, among them — and that each of these reasons may call for a different pruning technique. Identifying my primary goal before making the first cut helps me feel more confident about pruning.

One of my biggest worries, however, remains timing. Knowing when to prune can be a challenge because it seems each plant species and cultivar has a different schedule. For instance, pruning is often touted as a chore to do in February when many plants are dormant and leafless. But pruning some plants that time of year will adversely affect their fruiting and flowering schedule.

The “May Rule” has helped me deal with that worry. It advises that most plants that bloom in or after May should be pruned in February and early March while those that bloom before May should be pruned only after their flowers fade. Of course, for every rule there is an exception. Some plants that bloom after May, such as oakleaf hydrangeas and several late-blooming azalea cultivars, form flower buds during the previous season on “old wood,” so cutting off last year’s stems and branches too soon will cut off this year’s flowers.

If that weren’t enough to make pruning scary, there are all those other plants such as nonflowering or fruit-bearing trees, shrubs and vines, ornamental grasses or even potted house plants to worry about. Some need little to no pruning, others should be pruned severely once a year and still others need constant pruning. And then there are all the tools and the pruning techniques to understand. It can be overwhelming!

But after years of trial and error and trying to be brave, I’ve finally figured out the best way to tackle pruning — take it one plant at a time. I look up the needs and preferences of my plants before going after them with clippers and then I take the pruning process slowly. Using this approach, I’ve found that I actually enjoy pruning. Like weeding and planting, it can be an almost meditative process and seeing the results of my pruning, including sometimes clippings that I can use to propagate new plants, is quite gratifying.

If you’re trying to improve your relationship with pruning, lots of resources are available to help, ranging from free how-to publications available through the Cooperative Extension System to award-winning books on pruning, some of which give plant-by-plant advice.

Local gardening groups, garden centers and public gardens also often sponsor free or low-cost pruning workshops. And simply doing some online research (through reputable horticultural sources) on the plants in your life is a great way to gain knowledge and develop a stronger connection to those plants. And maybe even fall in love with pruning.

Katie Jackson is a freelance writer and editor based in Opelika, Alabama. Contact her at katielamarjackson@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY TIPS

• Plant roses, bedding plants and coolseason vegetables. • Start seed for spring vegetables. • Make arrangements of cut daffodils and other winter-blooming flowers. • Weed garden beds as unwanted plants emerge. • Fertilize warm-season lawns if needed. • Prepare gardening equipment for the coming season. • Keep bird feeders and baths clean and full. • Start your own pruning education process. • Remove dead and diseased limbs. • Give your sweetheart something for or of the garden. • Test and begin preparing soil for spring planting.

Tribal Chairwoman

The Poarch Creek Indians are Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe, and tribal members elected Stephanie A. Bryan their first-ever female leader in 2014. Her title is Tribal Chair and CEO, so she is head of a sovereign nation with close to 2,900 members and around 400 acres of reservation land while also overseeing diverse business holdings. Long years of poverty preceded the tribe’s current success, and Bryan does not have to think back too far to remember her own years raising a family, working two jobs and going to college. We talked to her about these parallel journeys. – Sallie Owen Gowan

The State of Alabama recently marked 200 years of statehood, but Creek connections go back much further. Would you walk us through some history?

The Poarch Creek Indians have a rich heritage as descendants of the original Creek Nation, which once covered almost all of Alabama and Georgia, tracing its roots to the Paleo period. The ancestors of the Poarch Creek Indians lived along the Alabama River, including areas from Wetumpka south to the Tensaw settlement. Unlike many eastern tribes, the Poarch Creeks were not removed from their tribal lands and have lived here for over 200 years in and around the reservation in Poarch, Alabama.

What languages do you speak?

I speak a little bit of Creek and a lot of deep South English! One of the things that I am proudest of is that we have made a huge effort to reconnect with our Creek language and other parts of our Indian culture that were almost lost over the centuries. It is truly music to my ears to hear our little ones speaking in the language of our ancestors.

Tell us about your growing up years.

I am a proud Alabamian, born and bred. I’ve always lived in the Poarch and Atmore area, and I love still being able to call this little slice of heaven “home.” Growing up, we lived on a little dirt road in a simple house with a front porch that was a gathering place for generations of family and friends. I honestly never knew we were poor because we had plenty of the things that really mattered – love, support, a deep connection to each other and our extended family as members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

I am a product of our small town’s schools. I began kindergarten at Head Start in the Poarch Community, and then continued on to Huxford Elementary and Escambia County Middle School. I graduated from Escambia County High. To be honest, I did not have the money to go off to a four-year university, and that is one of the reasons I am so committed to offering scholarships to our tribal members. I was very fortunate that I could further my education at two wonderful community colleges: Jefferson Davis in Brewton and Faulkner State in Bay Minette.

What is your typical day like?

Well, there is no typical day, but I can tell you I usually start early and end late. I always have a full agenda of government business to attend to as well as work that relates to our gaming and other businesses. But I am the leader of a Tribe of people, and that means I spend a lot of time talking and trying to help folks directly.

Tell us about your family and how you find work/life balance.

It’s hard to believe that I married my wonderful husband, Keith Bryan, almost 30 years ago. Our three children and 10 grandchildren are incredible blessings in our lives, and we are lucky that they all live close by in Atmore, Spanish Fort and just down the road in Byrneville, Florida. Keith and I have a home in Orange Beach, Alabama. It is a wonderful place to spend time together and with our extended family. And I just really love sitting and listening to the ocean while reading a book. That quiet time rejuvenates me. The other thing that allows me to completely take my mind off work and my other responsibilities is cruising in the boat. I think all of us need to take breaks from technology and be present in the moment, and being on the water really allows me to do that.

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

I decided to go into public service because I wanted to help our people have better lives, and that is what still gets me out of bed, raring to go every day. I have a real passion to help others – our Tribal members and our neighbors – and I am focused on providing the tools they need to succeed and helping support and inspire them to go do great things in the world.

Energy-saving, budget-friendly tips

By Miranda Boutelle

Q:I don’t have a big budget for energy-efficiency upgrades. Can you share any budget-friendly, energy-saving tips?

A:You don’t need a lot of money to save on your energy bills. I have some suggestions that are low-cost, simple adjustments you can make in your home, whether you rent or own.

We all want to afford being comfortable in our homes. If you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, you are not alone. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports one in three households face challenges meeting their energy needs.

Decreasing monthly bills and being more efficient at home is something we all should practice. Here are some budget-friendly energy efficiency tips targeting one of the biggest energy users in the home: the heating system. Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a U.S. home’s energy consumption.

Add coziness to your home

One way you can feel warmer in your home without turning up the thermostat is by making your home cozy.

The way our bodies perceive the temperature of a room is based more on the surfaces in the room than the air temperature. In general, harder surfaces feel colder. For example, your tile floor will feel cooler than your fabric sofa.

Cold floors in a room make us feel colder. Adding an area rug to a hard-surface floor can make us feel warmer, even with the same setting on the thermostat.

The same goes for windows. Windows are typically the least-insulated surface in a room and can feel cold in winter months. Adding or closing curtains can help the room feel warmer.

Check your windows

Make sure your windows are closed and locked. Locking windows pulls the sashes tighter together, reducing gaps that allow air to flow through and cause drafts. If your sash locks don’t form a tight fit, adjust them or add weatherstripping.

There’s a variety of window weatherstripping products available for less than $20. Most are simple to install and only require tools you most likely already have around the house, such as scissors and a tape measure.

Some are more permanent solutions, and some are intended to be used for one heating season and then removed. Temporary solutions such as caulk strips, putty, pull-and-peel caulking or window insulation films can be used if you rent your home and can’t make permanent changes.

Miranda Boutelle is the director of operations and customer engagement at Efficiency Services Group, which partners with electric utilities to provide energy efficiency services to members. She writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. For more information, visit collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips. Weatherstripping around windows is a low-cost, easy-to-install solution to ensure warm air does not escape from your home.

PHOTO COURTESY MARK GILLILAND, PIONEER UTILITY RESOURCES

Seal your doors

Weatherstripping doors is an easy do-it-yourself project. Make sure your doors seal tightly and don’t allow drafts to pass through around the edges or under the door.

Make sure any doors leading to an unheated space—outside or into a garage—are sealed tightly. If you can see light around the edges or underneath the door, or feel air movement when the door is closed, you know you are losing energy.

Because doors need to open and close easily, expect to do a bit of adjusting after installing weatherstripping. If weatherstripping isn’t installed correctly, it can make the door hard to close. Making it too loose defeats the purpose. You need to get it just right.

Close the damper

If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is completely closed when not using it. Leaving the damper open is like leaving a window open—it’s just harder to see. The air you just paid to heat your home will go right out the chimney.

The only exception is some gas fireplaces need to remain open for gas fumes to exit the home. If you have a gas fireplace, check the owner’s manual for more information on the damper position.

Layer up

Dressing for the season prevents going overboard on your energy use. It can be tempting to adjust the thermostat to increase your comfort. Putting on a sweater or comfy sweatshirt can have the same comfort impact without increasing your energy use. Slippers can be a big help, too, especially when your feet touch a cold floor.

The next time you consider turning up the thermostat a few degrees, try some of these tips first to stay warm and leave increased energy bills out in the cold.

Get your Social Security benefit statement (SSA-1099/SSA-1042S)

We’ve made getting your annual Benefit Statement even easier. The Benefit Statement, also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA-1042S, is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from us in the previous year. You can use this information when you file your tax return, as it shows how much Social Security income to report to the Internal Revenue Service.

If you live in the United States and you need a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, go online to get your instant, printable replacement form using your personal mySocial Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Look for your replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for the previous tax year in your personal account after February 1.

If you don’t have access to a printer, you can save the document to your computer or email it to yourself. If you don’t have

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by email at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov. a my Social Security account, creating one is very easy to do and usually takes less than 10 minutes.

And that’s not all you can do with a personal account. If you receive benefits or have Medicare, your personal my Social Security account is also the best way to: • Request a replacement Social Security number card (in most states and the District of Columbia). • Get your benefit verification letter. • Check your benefit and payment information. • Change your address and phone number. • Change your direct deposit information. • Request a replacement Medicare card. • Report your wages if you work and receive Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits.

If you’re a non-citizen who lives outside of the United States and you received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will send you form SSA-1042S in the mail. The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you can create one today at ssa.gov/myaccount.

February crossword by Myles Mellor

Across 1 Three ___: well-known chocolate maker in

Mobile 5 Romantic poet 8 It may be modern or fine 9 Huntsville chocolate maker 10 Gala 11 Distressed lady needing a knight in shining armor 14 Slide cry 15 A long way off 16 Marzipan or chocolate 17 Took out 20 Man in Manilow’s “Copacabana” 22 One who takes chances 23 Like transparent fabric 26 Rhine whine? 27 Boxing ref’s decision, abbr. 28 Romantic seaside getaway in the Fort

Morgan Peninsula, 2 words 31 Sinatra wear 32 Valentine’s Day flowers Down 1 Romantic getaway in Point Clear, The ___

Hotel 2 Makes a choice 3 Empty space 4 They may be small or extra large 5 Prepare to propose 6 Shining 7 Pageant contestant bands 11 Good venue for a date invite 12 Passion 13 Last part 15 Town in Baldwin County which gives its name to a chocolate shop 16 Witty remark 18 Green and Jarreau 19 Time just before an event 21 ___ Inn: charming boutique hotel in Mobile famous as a wedding destination 22 Romantic meeting 24 Ad ___ committee 25 Spa wear 28 Resume, for short 29 Lady referred to 30 What a dieter wants to lose, abbr