coach
CHARMING southern meets
SO CAL
downsizing
at the lake
FALL 2015
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Alabama’s Top City
Winner of the Alabama League of Municipalities Quality of Life award
Mayor Earl V. Johnson Council members Will Sconiers, Kennith Mount, Hazel Griffin, Ralph Wells and Terry Powell P.O. Box 429 • Andalusia, Alabama 36420 (334) 222-3312 (phone) • (334) 222-1122 (fax) www.cityofandalusia.com
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contents fall 2015 EDITORIAL Michele Gerlach Publisher Kendra Majors South Alabama Living Editor Bob Brooks MAGAZINE DESIGN Kendra Majors ADVERTISING Ruck Ashworth Marketing director Mollie Riley Marketing consultant PRODUCTION Erin Johnson Graphic Designer PHOTOGRAPHY Michele Gerlach Kendra Majors Vicki Popwell
Welcome
Nearly everyone in Andalusia and Covington County is gearing up for TLC’s new reality TV show, “Coach Charming,” featuring none other than our own Bill Alverson. We sat down and talked with Bill about the show and what you can expect. We traveled to Gulf Shores to get a firsthand look at Opp’s own Jon Gibson, who was recently featured on a Food Network show. Gibson shared with us a recipe that is his own spin on a West Indies salad. Red Level’s Donnie Griggs showed us his ability to take old junk and transform it into works of art. And a wedding fit for a King, well the King -- Elvis Presley. Andalusia’s Angie Spaudling, who now lives in Oklahoma, talked to us about her unique dolls, which are meant to minister to those who are broken or have secrets they hide. Also, check out an Enterprise couple’s vacation home on Point A, which is the epitome of downsize. We’ve met a lot of cool people this issue, and we hope you enjoy their stories as much as we did.
coach charming, Page 17 master of scrap, Page 22
culinary genius, Page 32
TLC South Alabama Living is published five times per year by Andalusia Newspapers, Inc. PO Box 430 Andalusia, AL 36420 www.andalusiastarnews.com (334) 222-2402 Advertising rates and information available upon request. Subscriptions are $16 annually. Please make checks payable to Andalusia Newspapers, Inc., PO Box 430,
elvis wedding, Page 28
Andalusia, AL 36420
salvaged souls, Page 26
what to do 11/1 – 110TH ANNIVERSARY celebration at First Presbyterian Church, Andalusia. 11 a.m. worship followed by covered dish luncheon. 11/2 – WORLD DAY OF PRAYER celebration hosted by the Covington Baptist Association WMU at the CBA chapel. Supper at 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m. 11/7 – 5K COLOR/FUN RUN in downtown Red Level. Race at 8 a.m., Fun Run at 9 a.m. Benefits Full Tummy Project of Andalusia and Buck Creek Baptist Church’s building fund. Email 2015bcpcolorrun@gmail.com. 11/9 – VETERANS DAY PROGRAM at LBWCC’s Dixon Center. Sponsored by the Student Veterans and Military Association. 11 a.m. 11/11 – VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION in Andalusia. Parade at 9 .m., followed by ceremony and reception at the Veterans Memorial. 11/12 WILD GAME COOKOFF
benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Federation, 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Covington Center Arena. 11/13 – 5K COLOR RUN – Sponsored by the Pleasant Home PTO. 6 p.m. at the school. 11/21 – TURKEY TROT 5K RUN/ WALK begins at 9 a.m. near the airplane on Lake Jackson in Florala. Benefits the Florala track and field team. Registration at active.com. 12/3 – A CHRISTMAS CAROL– The show enjoyed a 10-year run on Broadway; held at LBWCC’s Solon and Martha Dixon Center for Performing Arts. 12/3 – ANDALUSIA CHRISTMAS PARADE– The night will kick off with a tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., followed by the parade down East Three Notch Street at 7 p.m. 12/4 – MURAL RECEPTION - An appreciation event celebrating Andalusia’s murals., 5 pm. Until 7 p.m. at City Hall. Program at 5:30 p.m.
12/4 – OPP CHRISTMAS PARADE– Event will take floats and more up Opp’s Main Street. Parade is at 7 p.m. 12/5 – ANDALUSIA CIVITAN HOLIDAY HALF MARATHON AND 5K – The event will kick off at 7:30 a.m., at Springdale. To register, visit active.com. Cost is $35 for the half marathon and $20 for the 5K. 12/5 PILOT CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the Kiwanis Community Center. 12/3-12/27 – CHRISTMAS IN CANDYLAND– Snow, cottages, ice skating and a train ride on the Court Square and at Springdale. Held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during December. Event will kick off Dec. 3. 12/11-12/13 – THE NUTCRACKER – Capture the spirit of the holidays. The Nutcracker is a treasure chest of dance, music and theatrics. Event is held at the Solon and Martha Dixon Center for Performing Arts.
regional events 11/6-11-8 Alabama Pecan Festival Mobile. This family-oriented festival at the Tillman’s Corner Community Center features a carnival atmosphere with rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts, and jewelry. There is something for everyone. Friday, 5 p.m. until; Saturday, 9 a.m. until; Sunday, 11 a.m. until. Admission
and parking are free. Call 251-401-5555 for more information. 11/7 - Cane Syrup Makin’ Day at Rikard’s Mill Historical Park in Beatrice. Cane Syrup Makin’ Day is an annual tradition. The first Saturday in November, watch as sugar cane is squeezed in a mule-driven cane grinder,
boiled into syrup and canned. 11/19 -- Fairhope Tree Lighting Celebration Downtown-Entertainment provided and Mrs. Claus will be passing out candy canes. 5:30-8 p.m. with tree lighting at 6 p.m.
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news + notes
Addie and David Sasser of Team Smokin’ Ashes won the best overall dish in the Covington County Wild Game Cookoff in 2014.
Annual Wild Game Cookoff set
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ive music and good food are in store for Andalusia area residents when the Alabama Wildlife Federal’s Wild Game Cookoff returns to Covington County on Thurs., Nov. 12. Organizers also are seeking cook teams to participate. Organizer Hunter Grimes said the competition is open to everyone and there is no entry fee, but teams must pre-register prior to the day of the event at www.alabamawildlife.org.
Categories include wild game, fish and fowl. Prizes will be awarded to first through third place in each division, as well as Best Overall and a People’s Choice Award. A Best Presentation Award and Runner-Up will go to the cook teams with the best decorations for their cook team area that best reflects the atmosphere of a “Wild Game” cookOff. The overall winner will be invited to the state finals next August to compete for the title of AWF 2016 Wild Game
Cook-Off State Champion. Tickets are available for $40 per person/per couple at the door. Admission is free for cook teams and youth under 15. Tickets include complimentary food and a one-year AWF membership. A silent auction will be held, and will include guns, hunting items and prints, and ladies’ items. For ticket information contact Grimes at 334.222.3123 or the Alabama Wildlife Federation at 1.800.822.WILD. ¢
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south alabama scene
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LuNCH WITH THE ARTIST The Gallery recently held Lunch With the Artist featuring Walter Moore. 1) Lenora Johnson and Barbara Posey. 2) Marilyn O’Neal, Jo Kelley, Marcia Reichert and Linda Kyle. 2) Eleonora and Anna Birk.
PHOTOS BY KENDRA MAJORS
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CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP COOKOUT The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a Chamber membership cookout. 1) Jeff Sellers talks to Ruck Ashworth; 2) Ben Bowden and Shannon Glenn; 3) Doris Tyler and Maggie Jones; 4) Morgan Moore and Tim Bryan; 4) Buster Boyd and Jennifer Curry. Photos by KENDRA MAJORS
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Photos by Michele gerlach
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Made In Covington County
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The Covington County Economic Development Commission hosted its first “Made in Covington County” industry appreciation dinner Oct. 1 at the South Alabama Regional Airport. 1) The C130 that was in the hangar in October was a big draw. Employees of the Kearns Group, which was doing maintenance on the aircraft at the time, were on hand to provide more information; 2) County Commission Chairman Bill Godwin and local engineer Bob Carter; 3) Cindy Pate of Congresswoman Martha Roby’s office talks with Ronnie Kearns of the Photos by Kearns Group. MICHELE GERLACH
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OHS CLass of 65 REUNION
The Opp High School Class of 1965 recently held a reunion. 1) Sandra Atkins Pyron, Becky Pierce McLeod, Jim Lawrence, Elizabeth Benton Mooney (now of Andalusia), and Fadra Bryant Chance; 2) Austin Davis, Jimmy Jones and Joyce Jones, Danny Jackson; 3) John Blair, Johnny Wilson, Roy “Bo” Dillard; 4) Janis Norris Pierce and Wendel Eiland; 5) Danny Jackson, Jan Dorman, Jim Lawrence, Judy Rogers Norris; 6) Kayron McMinn Laska and Mrs. Robert Purvis 7) Donnie Prater, John “Pop” Blair, Ronnie Brooks and Jim Lawrence. COURTESY PHOTOS
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BALLET AUCTION
The Andalusia Ballet’s annual auction fundraiser was themed “An Evening in Andalucia.” The event featured music by Jeff Sellers, a tapas menu, and live and silent auctions. 1) Lauren Powell, Maggie Jones, Allyn Powell 2) Meryane Murphy and Addy Gantt 3) Earl and Sylvia Johnson 4) Charles and Nancy Eldridge and 5) Starr and Ken Photos by Odom MICHELE GERLACH
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Butch Coone is an artist who primarily works in photography. By exploring the concept of landscape in a nostalgic way, Coone investigates the dynamics of landscape and presents the beauty of the landscape through his photography. Rather than presenting a factual reality, an illusion is fabricated to conjure the realms of our imaginations. His works estab-
lish a link between the landscape’s reality and that imagined by its conceiver. These works focus on concrete questions that determine our existence. By choosing mainly formal solutions, he tries to develop forms that do not follow logical criteria, but are based only on subjective associations and formal parallels, which incite the viewer to make new personal associations.
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coach CHARMING
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LOCAL BARBECUE
Andalusia’s pageant coach gets own television reality show on TLC
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STORY: MICHELE GERLACH | PHOTOS COURTESY OF TLC
hen TLC airs its eight-episode reality series, Coach Charming, Andalusia area residents can expect to see a number of familiar faces and places. “We have filmed all over Andalusia,” said local attorney Bill Alverson, Coach Charming, himself. “We’ve been at Andalusia Health and Fitness, in city hall, at Andalusia High School at the gym and on the football field.” The list goes on … the walking trail at LBW Community College; Kim and Kyle Baumgartner’s house; Joe’s Barista coffee shop; the Surly Mermaid; the Andalusia Ballet; Alverson’s home; his law office;
and Vicki Popwell’s photography studio. Alverson, who is a local attorney, also works as a pageant coach. The reality series focuses on both of those roles, and also features members of his family. While he has not yet seen the finished product, he’s certain a sense of community carries throughout the series. “I’m just Bill,” he said. “People know me for who I am.” Years ago, he was asked to speak to young women participating in what was then known as the Covington County Junior Miss program. He has parlayed that volunteer time into work all over the nation; influence on four consecutive Miss
Americas, and now, a reality series. “When I start doing something, I’m committed,” he said. “I kind of push it to the 10th degree. “I stared working with people for a little extra money. I’d buy something for the house, or something special for the kids. I enjoyed doing it, but it grew.” Perhaps his first big break came in Eufaula, where he was working with Keith Pittman on a big trunk show for pageant participants. Twice each year, Pittman puts together a sort of one-stop-shopping event, and invited Alverson to work with him as an interview prep consultant. It was there that he met Sherry Hill. For
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20 south alabama living the uninitiated, she’s a big-name designer of formal wear. “She’s dressed Miss America, Miss USA, and the Kardashians,” Alverson said. “She’s a big deal designer. “So her daughter has a shop in Oklahoma. She said, ‘Would you come and do this in Oklahoma? It was like tapping raw clay and turning it in to something. I was going off my gut, and it was really rudimentary.” He worked with Miss Oklahoma, Miss Hawaii, Miss Georgia and Miss Alabama, all of whom did well at Miss America. “My name got around and I started doing this more,” he said. Soon, he was on the board of Miss New York. After success coaching Miss Americas he was featured in the New York Times Magazine. Soon, there were calls for more interviews, and from this, the reality show was born. Despite the presence of a film crew in Andalusia for months, and hot, 12-hour days of filming, there was limited talk about the project. “I was working with TLC on what should and should not be said about filming,” he said. “We automatically took off the social media process. We were creating, but not revealing.” The one exception was a party staged at the Andalusia Country Club where more people were involved. “Still, we couldn’t reveal the network or the name of the show,” he said. “People knew something was going on. When I was asked, I just said, ‘Thank you for your interest. You’ll find out.’ ” Alverson and the crew also traveled to Birmingham, Pensacola, Dothan, Montgomery and Washington, D.C., for filming. “The cameras are on you the whole time,” he said. “You’re just trying to stay mentally alert. You don’t want to sound like you’re whining, but it was really work. I viewed it as a job.” His three children and daughter-in-law – William and Helen Ann, Blanche and Stella – were a big part of the show. “William viewed it as work, and was glad to be a part of it for the family. He had a court schedule to maintain, and thankfully, he could help with my cases. “Helen Ann (a pharmacist) would work and be a part of filming around her schedule. Blanche, the former Auburn University standout who’s now in graduate
school at Texas Tech, and Stella, a Georgia high school student, were also here for segments. “You think you know your children and you do,” Alverson said. But he learned more about them in the process. “It was great to see them have an independent voice. As a dad, I was happy to see that – it’s something I always wanted them to feel. It was a great delight to me to see that come through.” He’s still taking new clients – for his law practice and pageant practice. “I’m working with some girls locally,”
he said, adding that he decides with whom to work based upon how schedules can be arranged. “My law practice is paramount,” he said. “I have some locals who come in at 7 at night and work two to three hours.” He also works via skype, on the phone as he travels, has people come to Andalusia, and travels himself to meet with young women. “It’s crazy scheduling management,” he said. “Sometimes, I’m just not available, especially if they call me last minute.” Most people he coaches reach out to
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are expecting their first child, a boy, most any day. Coach Charming, premieres at 9 p.m. central on Wed., Nov. 4. Coach Charming is produced by Tollbooth TV for TLC, which is Channel 44 on the Andy Cable line-up. ¢
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Red Level man shows imagination through scrap art
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STORY, PHOTOS | KENDRA MAJORS
ablo Picasso once said that everything you can imagine is real. Red Level’s Donnie Griggs has a vivid imagination, and the talent to turn other people’s junk into imaginative pieces. Griggs said his journey started six or seven years ago when his wife saw something she wanted and she told him he could make it. “When she challenges me, I usually step up to the plate,” he quipped. Griggs takes old scrap iron pieces and turns them into works of art. “Sometimes I start out with a theme,” he said. “And other times, I just go to my scrap pile and make it work.” To find scrap pieces, he visits salvage yards and a local lawn service brings him their used lawn mower blades. He said building a piece can take him anywhere from a few hours to a whole year. The most time consuming piece was a motorcycle called Hard Times, which took him about a year to complete. He said he paid attention to every detail and worked to ensure the piece was in proportion. It’s a fan favorite, but one he’s not going to part with. “That piece is not for sale,” he said. He used some old pieces of farm equipment that had seen better days. Another favorite is the front of an old Chevrolet pickup truck he cut out of plywood and made it look just like metal. “My neighbor told me I had a twisted mind,” he said. “I kind of like it.” Griggs said he enjoys the challenge of creating pieces. He uses only a welder and he doesn’t cut any piece he uses. “I make the piece fit,” he said. “If I can’t bend it by hand, it doesn’t get bent. I like to leave it as close to original as possible.” Other items he’s made includes a coil spring-bodied puppy, and his personal favorite a cross made from railroad spikes. “It took 10 minutes to build,” he said. “It’s just a reminder of what Christ did for us. It’s really simple, but really special.” Griggs said turning the scrap into works of art is relaxing. “I’m not one to have a lot of patience,” he said. “So, this is a way for me to be in my own little world. It’s neat for me to take something that has been abandoned and served its purpose and give it another purpose as something else.” Griggs said his wife is his biggest critic and biggest
Shown are various pieces of art that Donnie Griggs has made, including a dog, piece bearing the Griggs’ name, the back portion of his beloved motorcycle, Hard Times, and his most favorite piece, a cross made from railroad spikes. supporter. “We’ve been married for 31 years,” he said. “Sometimes, I’ll take a piece and clamp it. She’ll say, ‘not it.’ I will argue. She will win and then sometimes, I will win after she sees my vision.”
Griggs said he’s a very private person and he does flaunt that he makes these treasures. “People see it and they ask if I make it,” he said. His work can be found at The Gallery
and the old T-Grocery. Wife, Barbie, said it’s fun for her to watch Donnie work. “It’s fun to watch him,” she said. “I’m always amazed at how he got something to look like that.” ¢
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Dolls minister to hurting souls
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ndalusia native Angie Spaulding has a message – with God all things are possible. Spaulding, who is owner of Salvaged Souls dolls, said he has always liked and has been drawn to odd and unusual things. “Oftentimes, I am not understood by many people,” she said. “So, it would only make sense for me to create something odd and unusual myself.” Spaulding said she has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past and the dolls are meant to be a reflection people’s own individual, internal trials in order to make them feel not so alone. “Not every doll is for every person,” she said. “That’s why some dolls are loved by some and disliked by others but the doll is a reflection of each person’s internal self, and just like a doll, a person can be understood while being misunderstood by others.” Spaulding said when she started selling the dolls, people opened up and shared their personal stories with her. “Which only reinforced my desire to create those dolls because I knew it was helping them cope with some tragedy in their life,” she said. “For instance, this story breaks my heart of one young lady’s sister who died of brain cancer at a very young age, and she honors her sister’s memory with this doll. She told me how therapeutic this doll has been to her. “I mean, it just makes me feel so good
STORY: KENDRA MAJORS | COURTESY PHOTOS
inside and emotional to know I just helped out even if it was just to make someone smile underneath all the pain,” Spaulding said. “There are many, many other personal heart-wrenching personal stories I receive about tragedies and losses that these people have went through in their life,” Spaulding said her doll creations led her to develop strong relationships with her customers. “We are all going through our own hurts and trials and pains that we can hide every day,” she said. “But my dolls cannot hide this. What you see if what you get. Everyone has a story. Consider this: What would your Salvaged Soul Doll look like if you were to expose the very things and hurt you hide from everyone?” Spaulding said through her dolls she aims to show that even the most hurt souls can be salvaged. “Matthew 19:25 says, ‘with God all things are possible,’” she said. “I would guess the real reason of the (name of my company) is because God can salvage any soul and loves everyone so much.” Spaulding said she’s a visual person.
“I love unique, colorful fabric and to pair it with fabric that you would not think would you go together,” she said. “I look at the fabric and contrasting fabric that appeals to me and go from there. I never like to pre-plan a doll, but I just like to create in the moment.” She never uses a pattern, either. “All my dolls are one of a kind,” she said. “And will never look totally identical.” On days she makes dolls, Spaulding said she gets up early and begins creating and sewing around 7:30 a.m. and will work unitl late at night. “And if I take hardly any breaks during that time, I can finish maybe two dolls completely,” she said. “People do not realize that it is a lot of work creating just one doll, but this is something I so much enjoy doing and has also provided me a therapy creating them. It is my passion.” Spaulding said once she chooses her vivid colors, she starts to work and make cuts to determine the size of the doll. “And after it is stuffed and sewn up, I then decided how I want the eyes, etc., to be and decide if I want to hand paint the eyes or what exactly I want to do,” she said. “Then I sew on the hair and only after the doll is finished, I pick out a name to fit the doll and I try to come up with funny stories for each doll to give them a personality,” she said. “For one, I like to make people laugh and to take people’s minds off their hurt or circumstances.” Spaulding is a Straughn graduate and moved to Oklahoma nine years ago. “We live just minutes from OU, but I am still a Alabama football fan,” she said. “Roll Tide.” ¢
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Couple goes to Vegas for Elvis wedding
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hen Jennifer Jones and Poe Edgar decided to marry, they really didn’t want a fuss. “We’re not big ‘to-do’ people,” she said. “I don’t even know where it came from. One day I said, ‘Why don’t we go to Las Vegas?’ ” Neither is a huge Elvis fan, but in the end, they chose an Elvis theme. “There was like a million chapels to choose from,” she said. At first, they considered dressing retro for a wedding set in a retro diner. “But we really looked for a cheap wedding,” she said. The
STORY:MICHELE GERLACH | COURTESY PHOTOS
one stipulation was they wanted a chapel that offered streaming video so that their family and close friends could be a part. “We didn’t want them to think we left them out,” she said. Not long before the wedding, Jennifer’s father, James Jones, tentatively joked, “I may just go with you.” A week later, he announced he’d booked tickets. The couple sent a few invitations, but word spread after her mom, JoAnn Jones, shared the invitation on Facebook. They drew a virtual crowd. “We’re both kinda keep to ourselves,” Jennifer said. “We’re not really all out-there, atten-
tion getters. Afterwards, our Facebook pages were blowing up with people saying, ‘OMG, I watched your wedding.’ ” The response was great, she said. “People thought it was awesome.” At the chapel, they had an official service with a minister, then an Elvis-officiated ceremony. “The guy that was Elvis was great,” she said. “He did a goofy kind of exchange of vows, and sang.” Poe and Jennifer both grew up in Andalusia and had known each other for years. In 2013, Jennifer’s mom needed firewood,
and Poe had posted firewood for sale on a buy sale or trade site. “I was like, ‘I know him, I’ll send him a message,’ ” she said. She and her mom picked up three truckloads of woods. At the time, she commented to her mother, “He’s kinda cute,” and “He always seemed really cool.” Two months later, he called. “The first night we went out, we knew we were like perfect for each other,” she said. Poe is the son of Shirley and Doug Edgar. The couple has a six-monthold son, Atlas.
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Opp native making it big in culinary industry STORY, PHOTOS | KENDRA MAJORS
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n Opp native is making his name as a culinary genius. Jon Gibson, who is currently the executive chef of Bill’s By the Beach in Gulf Shores, was recently highlighted in Food Network’s “Beach Eats USA.” Gibson has moved through the culinary ranks, beginning his career flipping burgers at the local Hardee’s before tossing pizza dough at Pizza Hut and Domino’s. Gibson credits traveling the states and spending a few years in Sicily for his successes. “I got to experience the simplicity of the food while in Sicily,” he said. “I worked in a couple of places and just got to watch how it was done.” He returned to Virginia where he became a sous chef at Dirty Dick’s Crabhouse and food and beverage director at Red Dog Saloon. Next, Gibson moved to Pasdena, Calif., where he attended Le Cordon Bleu. While there, he had the opportunity to work beside Cat Cora and Guy Fieri at the LA Food and Wine Festival, and worked
with two-star chef Edouard Loubet. “I really immersed myself in my work,” he said. “I decided to make it all about me, and I sucked myself into my career.” From 2009-2011, Gibson performed many cooking demonstrations at Taste of Newport, KTLA morning news, for the Orange County Register, “Cooking with OC Chefs,” Coast Magazine, KABC 790AM Chef Irby’s “Bikini Lifestyles” radio show, and was published in Chef Irby’s “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cooking Quinoa.” Gibson said he was working in Atlanta when Bill’s On the Beach found him.
Jon’s flair for food is unique. He pairs his southern culture, extensive travel abroad and in the states, with classic French culinary training and local ingredients for a twist on coastal cuisine and comfort food. “I brought my style here,” he said. “I’m able to offer Gulf Shores something different. I prefer to call it coastal comfort cuisines. This is when I take comfort foods that you or I grew up with and put a different spin on them but staying true to the ingredients inside the dish itself.” Gibson said he uses 100 percent Gulf seafood on a daily basis. Gibson said he’s excited about being home and being able to make his mark so close to home. ¢
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MAKE AT HOME CREATIONS
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LAKE LIVING DOWNSIZED
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These vibrantly colored chairs and fire pit were made by homeowner Bill Zaharis.
Quaint lake house provides family with fun, low maintenance adventures at Point A
W
hen Bill and Laurie Zaharis decided to buy a vacation home, they wanted it to be close enough to their Enterprise home they could get their pretty quickly. They also wanted something small that they didn’t have to spend much time cleaning. “We wanted to be able to enjoy our vacation home,” Laurie said. The couple teamed up with a local real estate agent, who showed them several properties near Point A. What they ultimately decided on was a small, two-story cabin on the Patsaliga River. They’ve been there three years.
STORY, PHOTOS | KENDRA MAJORS
“We love the details,” Bill said. Bill said that the builder used rough sewn pine and popular for the details. The door knobs are unique and include deer antler horns. The stairs to the second floors are beautiful and the details in the different woods give the home an outdoorsy feeling. The home is two bedroom, two bath, but has an upstairs loft that features a view of the water. All of the furniture is log furniture made for log cabins to give it more of a nature feel. The kitchen and living room feature an open floor plan. The kitchen is small, but features beau-
tiful counter tops and beautiful wood cabinets. Outside is highlighted by a screened-in porch with a view of the outside and the bridge over Point A road at the river. “We have the nicest dock on the lake, or so we think,” Laurie said. There are 88 steps down to the dock. Since they have been there they have added sheds at the dock and next to the house. Bill has also built a fire pit and custom Adirondack chairs. “We just love it,” Laurie said. “We are out here almost every weekend during the summer, and we use the fire pit over Christmas holidays.” ¢
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Shown are the small but modern kitchen; the wooden rails leading up to the loft and second bedroom, and the custom made master bed.
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scrapbook
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NO TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING?
There is always room for improvising. And when you don’t have turkey for Thanksgiving, perhaps the next best thing is pigs’ feet. We all have our own Thanksgiving traditions, but the best one is holding your family and friends close to your heart and counting your many blessings. In a photo from years’ past, Evan and Alicia Brooks and Michael Tyler are ready for pigs’ feet. BY BOB BROOKS
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Industrial Scrap & Demolition Roll off Container Service James Jones, Jim Jones, and the late Brown Jones