SET Magazine - Vol 6 Issue 5 by SET Magazine

VOL 6 ISSUE 5

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YOUR MONEY. Built into the one thing you always have with you everyday. ( Enjoy! )

Danielle Patten Member since 2012

Listerhill is now on Apple Pay. A SMART, CONVENIENT and SECURE way to pay with just a touch of your ﬁnger. Store your Listerhill debit or credit card digitally and make purchases from any of the supported Apple devices — no need to swipe your card. LOOK FOR THESE SYMBOLS AT CHECK OUT

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY

KALI DANIEL

@droptopkalibop

WITH THE WORLD’S POPULATION As Americans, we’re only 4 percent of the world’s population. As Alabamians, .06 percent. As Tennesseans, .09 percent. Many of us don’t have the opportunities to travel to major cities in our country, let alone travel to other continents. But sometimes diverse cultures are in your own backyard — even in the Tennessee Valley. In this issue, we’re highlighting cultures we know exist, but we may not know much about. Writer Ashley Graves dives into the world of urban art and Emma Hall taps into the familiar Muscle Shoals Sound. Meanwhile, Rachel Daniel gives us a peek into Amish life and Rebekah Milwee elaborates on the history and modern culture of Native Americans in the Valley. But we’re all about self-betterment here, too. So while you’re enriching your mind learning about these cultural aspects, consider delving into our list

of language learning apps compiled by Spencer Brooks, grab some grub at a minority-owned local restaurant highlighted in a Taylor Simpson-designed map, and mark your calendar to get a taste of the world this fall, all details courtesy of Allie Sockwell.

Sometimes diverse cultures are in your own backyard — even in the Tennessee Valley.

totaling 7 billion and counting, it’s not hard to believe there are so many distinct differences in culture.

Our world is big. Very big. Enhancing your world through reading local magazines like this and engaging local businesses can give you a glimpse into lives you wouldn’t otherwise engage. When you learn about these people, their lives and histories, you learn a little more about how the world works. Culture is what makes us who we are. So turn the page, brave reader. The world awaits.

Real-World Converts

TIPS AND TRICKS TO MASTERING CURRENCY ABROAD

Simply Amish

EXPLORING THE TECH-FREE WORLD IN ETHRIDGE, TENNESSEE

Passport to the World AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT PROVIDES CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Step Outside the Box

GREEK TRADITION HAS HISTORIC ROOTS

The River That Sings

THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND LEGENDS OF THE VALLEY’S NATIVE AMERICANS

Passion for Painting LOCAL ARTIST TAKES CULTURAL-BASED ARTWORK TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Bilingual Benefits

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE (AND WHY IT’S NOT TOO LATE)

Oui, Ja, Si

4 HELPFUL LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS

Calendar of Events WHAT’S HAPPENIN’?

20 21 22

A Whole New Worldview STUDENTS LEARN ENGLISH, TEACH THEIR LANGUAGE IN RETURN

Where to Get Cultural Cuisine MINORITY-OWNED LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Spotlight

24 26 28

SAY CHEESE!

The Muscle Shoals Sound

A RECAP OF THE DIVERSITY, AN INTRODUCTION TO SOME YOU HAVEN’T HEARD

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Y P O C E N O E K A T CONNECT WITH SET E S A PLE

! T I E R A H S AND CONTRIBUTORS

www.getsetmag.com info@getsetmag.com

REBEKAH MILWEE Gilroy, California

RACHEL DANIEL

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

DARIEN HARRIS

Florence, Alabama

SPENCER BROOKS Athens, Alabama

LELE MCCARY

Birmingham, Alabama

ASHLEY GRAVES Athens, Alabama

SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free. Listerhill Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for the membership by providing cost effective services to meet their financial needs while maintaining financial soundness and promoting the credit union philosophy.

CONTRIBUTORS

ISSUE NO.5

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660

JIMMIE WAITES

Madison, Alabama

TAYLOR SIMPSON

Birmingham, Alabama

TECH NESS HEALTH & FIT COMMUNITY MUSIC

Physical Address: 4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

ALLIE SOCKWELL

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

EMMA HALL

Huntsville, Alabama

Y PHOTOGRAPH MENT IN A T R E T N E & ARTS FOOD MONEY

Wanna be a contributor?

Email contribute@getsetmag.com

THE COLLABORATIVE PUBLICATION Whatever you’re into, we’re into. That’s a fact. SET is entirely made up of content by us, our area’s fine youth. If you’re reading this, we want to know about your life, your hobbies and passions.

ed Be a part at getsetmag.com/get-involv

You’ve set up your first big trip overseas — maybe a study abroad in China, a family vacation in Europe or a getaway trip to the Bahamas. Regardless of your destination, you may have forgotten a crucial aspect: Money.

No matter where you’re going, converting your U.S. dollar to any other currency can be costly, inconvenient and confusing. A few quick tips can clear up conversion confusion and keep your wallet prepped before your rendezvous with the great unknown.

What is the value of your greenback abroad?

REAL-WORLD CONVERTS

Topical currency fluctuations have been prosperous for the U.S. dollar and an advantage for frequent abroad travelers. These fluctuations modify the exchange rate when converting the U.S. dollar to another currency. For instance, if the U.S. dollar prevails over the other currency, the dollar is worth more in that country.

For example, the conversion to Chinese yuan is $1 USD to ¥6.84. This is great news for Americans traveling to China, as items are more inexpensive. But the same can’t be said if you were to visit the European Union, where the Euro overrules the dollar. In fact, $1 USD is equal to 1.16 €.

Check out reliable online converters to see the current conversion rate in the country you’re visiting — Bloomberg and XE are great places to start, as they compare the dollar to the currency of the destination that you’re traveling to. This will give you insight on how affluent the dollar will be during your abroad expedition.

Minimize your international banking fees.

Rule No. 1 of travel: Never convert your money at the airport. If you do choose to convert your money in the airport, you will pay a high currency exchange rate. These costs vary from $25 to $75 USD to convert your money. Though antiquated, ditch the card and use cash. This will alleviate the fees that are being charged to your card with every swipe. Likewise, if you use your card it will charge you U.S. prices rather than the price of the currency from the country you are in.

Use the credit card as a backup if you run out of cash, but do not let it be your focal buying method. The cheapest and most secure way to convert your money is to use ATMs. Larger banks in the country that you are traveling in will most always have a 24/7 ATM at their location. If you are not close to one of these banks, you can gauge the credibility of the ATM. Usually ATMs in restaurants, hotels, or grocery stores are secure and will not upsurge the international fee.

Before your travels, make sure you contact your bank and tell them your travel route. This will prevent the bank from freezing your card due to unfamiliar spending activities. Then, ask your bank what their international fees are and say that you plan on pulling out cash at the local ATMs. This gives your financial institution awareness of your future abroad expenses and will prevent account freezing and disabling.

Exotic locations in your budget:

Wondering where to get the most bang for your buck? Check out these affordable locations for people that want to travel on a budget:

1. China

JIMMIE WAITES

@jimison34

TIPS AND TRICKS TO MASTERING CURRENCY ABROAD

MONEY

With a dense culture spanning for 5,000 years, home to the ubiquitous Great Wall and known for their wide array of cuisine, this country is very costeffective. The typical meal spans from $0.50 to $3 USD, and the average nightly rate for a stylish hotel room is $20 USD. 2. Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia These three countries are great places to travel with the greenback. Convert your money at the

ISSUE NO. 5

ATM and see how long your withdrawal will go. The average night at a hotel in these places is around $15 USD a night. In addition to low-cost accommodations, the price for a substantial meal in these countries varies from $3 to $7 USD. 3. New Zealand Not only is New Zealand known for their rich indigenous culture and Hobbiton, it is also home to some of the lowest cost of living cities in the world. These remarkable cities are places to explore

different cultures of the country, and to see the spectacular outdoor marvels for free. 4. Croatia With Croatian Kuna at 6.38 kn to $1 USD, this makes Croatia a costsensible travel destination. Croatia is the linkage for western and eastern Europe, and is home to a mixture of Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine as well as architectural phenomena that has been influenced by Croatia’s surrounding states. On average, accommodation costs are around $15 USD a night.

Good for Cord. Good for the Community.

Join us at listerhill.com

EXPLORING THE TECH-FREE WORLD IN ETHRIDGE, TENNESSEE

@daniel.rachel

RACHEL DANIEL BY

A young woman cuts bread for a customer in a roadside bakery.

SIMPLY AMISH

SPECIAL FEATURE

In a world driven by technology and materialistic connections, it can be refreshing to think back to what some people would call a “simpler” time; a time where people didn’t need shower curtains that had pockets for technological devices so we can stay connected literally all of the time; a time where people got their hands dirty, played in the creek and knew the value of a hard day’s work. ISSUE NO. 5

But not all people have chosen this worldly culture. In fact, there are people who still live their lives “Little House on the Prairie” style. This community is known for their hard work, simple way of living and downto-earth lifestyle. If you live near any of these communities then you know what it is like to be slowed down by a horse and buggy right in front of you. This religious community is known as the Amish.

The Amish community came from Germany with the pilgrims to find religious freedom in America and to be able to own their own land. They settled in southeastern Pennsylvania and later made their way out west. The Amish communities are set up through affiliation, settlement and districts. They were looking for land to farm and schoolhouses for learning, which made the state of Tennessee desirable to many Amish families.

The children will come home from school and also participate in the household chores. If the child is a boy he will help his father and if the child is a girl she will help her mother. They attend church every other Sunday and keep the Sabbath as a day of rest.

They are allowed to pick their own spouses like the English; however, their spouse has to be Amish, but they don’t have to come from the same community or district. “You also have to be careful when choosing a mate because you can’t divorce in the Amish community,” Pollock said. If someone is born Amish, they are under a strict code of rules, and if those rules are broken, there are punishments. Most importantly, you can not leave the Amish community without being completely shunned, especially if you are baptized. There are exceptions of forgiveness if an Amish person were

The Amish are Christians and use a version of the King James Bible, written in German. Their values and goals are to remain pure and unworldly. To live an unworldly lifestyle, they have many rules they have to follow. Amish are not allowed to use any kind of electronic devices whatsoever. They also have a strict dress code. You will see women wearing long dresses and bonnets, and the men will typically wear dark trousers and a muted button up shirt. When they need to get to town they will saddle up on horse and buggy, and their only form of communication with the outside world is through mail. “Every morning you will see them run to their mailboxes to see the letters that they have gotten from their families,” Pollock said. Unlike English children that start school as early as age three, Amish children do not start school until age seven, and their formal education ends at age 14. Amish were granted the freedom to take children out of school once they have finished the eighth grade after the 1972 Supreme Court ruling of Wisconsin v. Yoder, according to Amish America. “From ages 14 to 21 the Amish boys will learn a trade,” Pollock said. “Farming comes first and learning a trade comes second. And the girls are trained to sew, can and take care of the family.”

Young Amish men take a break from working on a house in their community.

“The Amish do not participate in recreational activities like the English do such as bowling, movies, going to dinner, etc.,” Pollock said. “But the men will fish and hunt and the women sometimes will put on a Frolic, where they will cook a huge lunch for the men while the men will go out and build a house or barn. The women will also sometimes get together in the winter to quilt.” There are differences between Amish communities from the north and south. The age that Amish can get married here in the south is age 21, but they are not required to marry at this age or to marry at all, Pollock said. A typical Amish wedding will last all day with a church service and have anywhere from 400 to 500 guests.

to leave their community before baptism and try to come back. “The Amish get to choose when they are baptized,” Pollock said. “Many are baptized at age 18.” In some Amish communities the teenagers are allowed to participate in Rumspringa at the age of 16 before they are baptized. Rumspringa gives the Amish a chance to participate in a worldly lifestyle and decide of they want to come back home or give up the life of being Amish. “The southern communities do not practice Rumspringa,” Pollock said. “Most people don’t decide to leave their community because they would never be able to see their family, but on the occasions they do, the first thing they buy WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

The Amish community came to Tennessee in the early 1940s. Originally, it started out with just two families and has since grown into 250 families.

Variations and accents are different throughout each community — very similar to how English dialects and colloquialism can vary throughout different states.

“The Amish community came to Tennessee in the early 1940s,” said Ethridge Amish tour guide Dianne Pollock. “Originally, it started out with just two families and has since grown into 250 families.”

They speak Pennsylvania German, also known as Dutch, and they do not start to learn English until the age of seven years old, when they start school. The variations and accents are different throughout each community — very similar to how English dialects and colloquialism can vary throughout different states.

in the south are cowboy boots and Levis.” Outsiders can venture into the Amish community and see for themselves what this life is all about. From the beautiful farmland, houses and handmade furniture, anyone can tell that the Amish put soul into their crafts. For a taste of the Amish culture, visit Ethridge, Tennessee, for a tour. You may find a peaceful escape in learning more about the quiet side of life. SPECIAL FEATURE

Photos courtesy University of North Alabama

Passport to the World gives members of the community opportunities to engage in cultures represented on campus at the University of North Alabama.

PASSPORT TO THE WORLD BY

ALLIE SOCKWELL

@sock319

Each year in November, the International Affairs Office at the University of North Alabama holds an event called “Passport to the World.” The event has occurred for several years and provides both students and the community of Florence opportunities to learn more about different cultures.

Passport to the World occurs on November 15 and is free and open to the public. The event happens after business hours, so it’s great for people to stop by after work, class or other daily shenanigans.

Students also make their own food, making a fun experience for guests to come and try different foods from different countries. Many different activities occur during this event, all with the goal of promoting International Education. Passport to the World receives strong community support. In the past, the mayor of Florence made a declaration of International Education week, sending out a letter to everyone in the community. The International Affairs Office said they appreciate that their city is supporting these international students.

Passport to the World is one of two major cultural events.

“We do two events per year, the fall and the spring,” the office said. “The one in the spring is for broader community and schools, because it occurs in the middle of the day. Kilby and other elementary schools come to that one. We coordinate with alumni relations because they do Leo and Una’s birthday party in April, so we do it on that day. Students can come to both events for a full day of fun activities.” The whole idea of Passport to the World is promoting a time to celebrate differences. The event is an effective, personal way to educate the community and show what rich culture these people bring to Florence, Alabama, and allows students to feel that they are a contributing part of the community. “Students come to the US wanting to know about the US and American culture, but we want them to be able to educate us as well,” the office said. What culture will you learn more about this fall? WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

The whole idea of Passport to the World is promoting a time to celebrate differences.

“We actually celebrate it during International Education week,” the International Affairs Office said. “It’s a whole week dedicated to international education, run under Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under the US Government. Since we have international students, we as a university wanted to partake in the celebration. Passport to the World is our largest event during that week and occurs at the end of International Education week, ending the week on an positive note.”

UNA currently has roughly 280 international students, with a total of almost 40 countries represented. At the event, students set up a booth for their country and represent their culture in a variety of ways. They can dress in cultural clothing, bring pictures of their country and bring cultural souvenirs from their countries that are special to them. You can even watch a display of cultural talents, from singing to dancing to Chinese calligraphy.

TOWN

Movies such as “School Daze” and “Stomp the Yard” contained scenes of synchronized movement, chanting, singing and speaking performed by black fraternities and sororities. This performance, called “stepping,” is a movement that began in Africa.

Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., participate in the University of North Alabama’s Stroll Off 2017. Photo courtesy of University of North Alabama

“Stepping isn’t as prominent as it used to be,” he said. “It has taken more of a back seat to ‘strolling’ or ‘hopping’ with younger Greeks. You don’t see many organizations stepping very often. As much as I enjoy strolling, I would definitely like to see the resurgence of stepping in the near future and make more of a coming back to the Greek organization.” There have been television shows such as “Different World” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” that have had episodes on stepping. Stepping was performed in rapper Vanilla Ice in his “Ice Ice Baby” video and was performed during Alicia Keys “Teenage Love Affair” video. And, stepping and gumboot dance are listed as styles in World Hip Hop Dance Championships.

E BOX

PLAY

ISSUE NO. 5

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The history of stepping has deep roots and deep meanings. You may see one of the Divine Nine showcasing their skills in the form of stroll on campus at the University of North Alabama this fall. Take the time to acknowledge and to admire their movements, chanting, and singing. All of it represents centuries of historical dancing and a means of communication.

LELE MCCARY

The stepping tradition has transcended to popular culture and to media. Teenagers anticipate the excitement of the college experience and participate in

Justin Benson, the NPHC president at the University of North Alabama, said there is a definite shift from the stepping history in Greek life to a more modern approach.

OUTS

In the beginning, the fraternities would chant and sing out in the open to celebrate their brotherhood. Later, it evolved to incorporate dancing and intricate stomping of the feet and slaps to the body. Step shows were organized, and the best steppers would gain more recruits for their organizations.

there are posting of black fraternities and sororities on news, culture, and the Greek life.

Nine Black International Greek letter organizations belong to a governing body called the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Sigma

“Stepping is an important tradition within the Divine Nine,” she said. “It also serves as demonstration of unity. Each of the Divine Nine organizations has contributed to the art of stepping with trademark choreography and chants that many look forward to witnessing during step shows throughout the nation. The homecoming step show is probably one of the most anticipated events on college campuses. The popularity of step shows is to me an indication of the importance of this rich tradition.”

ST E P

“I think of stepping as our means of connecting with the African homeland and paying tribute to the ancestors,” Turner said.

Turner served as an officer and remains active with the NPHC chapter in Birmingham, Alabama.

GREEK TRADITION HAS HISTORIC ROOTS

According to Waynetta Turner, an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., stepping is a skill that has its roots in African dance, especially the boot dance. This originated with black southern Africans who were forced to work in gold mines in total silence. Those men had the wisdom and fortitude to develop a system of stomping or tapping as a means of communication. The code they created evolved into what became known as the gumboot dance, and that tradition — born of adversity — is embodied within the art form we know as stepping.

Gamma Rho Sorority and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority — all incorporated. These are also known as the “Divine Nine.”

The code they created evolved into what became known as the gumboot dance, and that tradition — born of stepping competitions while in adversity — is high school. Television networks, embodied within such as BET, featured stepping during shows 106 & Park and the art form we Spring Bling. On social media, there is “Watch the Yard,” where know as stepping.

E V I R R T E H T BY

THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND LEGENDS OF THE VALLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NATIVE AMERICANS

FEATURE

ISSUE NO.5

REBEKAH MILWEE

@rmilwee

THE HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE NORTHERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN TENNESSEE REGION IS BOTH RICH AND TRAGIC.

It is estimated that around 1200-8500 BC Paleo natives crossed a land bridge formation bridging the gap between Asia to North America following herds of mammoths and bison as they traveled southward. Eventually they found themselves in the Muscle Shoals and southern Tennessee region; settling down along the Tennessee River. In order to survive, they developed efficient farming, hunting and fishing techniques as they adapted to life along the river. The river was the primary source of nourishment for the tribes that formed alongside the river, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Creek or Muscogee tribes. From the river, they gathered mussels, shellfish and other types of fish to eat. For additional nourishment they planted beans, squash and corn in the rich reddish soil native to the region. These tribes were deeply affected by the river and its resources. Language, music, art and food were only a few of the innovations of Native Americans that define the culture of the Tennessee Valley to this day.

THIS OIL PAINTING CIRCA 1825 PORTRAYS "THE RIVER THAT SINGS." ARTIST UNKNOWN.

AT SI NGS

The Cultures

Cherokee culture is largely based on spirituality and symbolism. The Cherokee people consider spiritual beings to be a part of their daily lives and just as real as the physical world, such as people, animals and nature. Numbers are extremely symbolic to the Cherokee, as well as animals and shapes. The language they created is

symbol-based, and extremely efficient for communication. The Chickasaw tribe was nicknamed “the Unconquerable People” by European settlers due to their skilled battle skills and techniques. Known for their organization and precision in battle, the Chickasaw tribe was a force to be reck-

oned with when settlers began invading their land. Not only were their battle strategies meticulously planned, but their weaponry was quite advanced in comparison to other tribes in the area at this time. The Chickasaw Nation is now based in Oklahoma, where they were relocated by the Indian Removal Act. »

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

FEATURE

The Trail THE CHEROKEE WERE ONE OF THE THREE MAJOR NATIONS RESIDING IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY BEFORE THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT.

Native Americans faced many unique challenges to their survival and contentedness. Upon arriving in America, European settlers did not treat these intuitive, deeply spiritual people with the respect or dignity they deserved. Europeans falsely claimed the land as their own discovery and began to wreak havoc on the lives of these native people groups. Not only did European settlers bring diseases natives had never been exposed to, (and therefore had not built up an immunity towards), but they also forcibly removed them from the only home they had ever known. The Indian Removal

Act of 1830 was signed by President Andrew Jackson. This act called for the tribes in the area to be relocated to states west of their home; primarily Oklahoma with no government assistance for the journey. Along the way, over 3,000 native Americans died of malnutrition, disease and exposure. Because of this unjust and tragic removal, the Cherokees named this path “Nunna daul Isunyi” which translates to “The trail where they cried.” Now, this path is known as the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears snakes through North Carolina, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky all the

way to Oklahoma spanning over 2,200 miles. In Alabama, the Trail of Tears passes through Tuscumbia and Waterloo, and in Tennessee touches roughly two miles of land in Davy Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg. The trail also runs along the Natchez Trace for much of the length of the trace. Along the trace are monument markers and designated areas to pull off the road and reflect on the hardships and injustices Native Americans faced. Each year in September motorcyclists travel the length of the trace in honor of the Native Americans who walked it so many years ago.

THE NATCHEZ TRACE SPANS OVER 400 MILES FROM TENNESSEE TO MISSISSIPPI. THE DOUBLE ARCH BRIDGE, AN ICONIC PORTION OF THE TRACE, IS LOCATED IN FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE.

FEATURE

ISSUE NO.5

The Legend Along the Tennessee River throughout the Muscle Shoals region came to be the now infamous myth of the river that sings. This legend claims that the river is home to a spirit who sings always; louder when the river was flowing quickly and softer when the river was peaceful. For some Native Americans this voice was said to be a guide back home. The real life manifestation of this tale was told for a lifetime by a man named Tom Hendrix. Hendrix was a great-greatgrandchild of a woman named Te-lah-nay from the Yuchi tribe

in the region. When she was removed from her home and forced to travel to Oklahoma, she longed for the voice of the singing woman in the river she called home. She could not hear any rivers singing in Oklahoma. When adjusting to her unfamiliar surroundings in “Indian Territory” became too much for her to bear, she set out on foot unaccompanied and without a map to find her way back home to northwestern Alabama. Tel-lah-nay’s journey took five years, but she eventually made it back to her beloved singing river.

Hendrix never met his greatgrandmother, yet spent over a quarter of a century building a monument to her incredible journey. The Wiapachi stone wall spans one mile and is between four and six feet high. It is the largest unmortared wall in the United States. Stone by stone, Hendrix constructed the wall over a span of decades without any assistance. Visitors to the wall were often met by Hendrix himself and enraptured for hours by his conversation.

I was lucky enough to meet Hendrix and view the wall for myself before he passed away in 2017, and the structure was truly sacred and inspirational. For those who wish to visit the wall today it is still open for visits daily from 8 am-4 pm at 13890 County Road 8, Florence, Alabama.

THE WICHAHPI COMMEMORATIVE STONE WALL, ALSO KNOWN AS TE-LAH-NAY'S WALL, WAS CREATED BY HER GREATGREAT-GRANDSON, TOM HENDRIX. THE WALL IS LOCATED IN FLORENCE OFF THE NATCHEZ TRACE.

The Congressman Native Americans are spiritual, community-minded people who were extremely misunderstood in the past. From the Trail of Tears to the river that sings to Tom Hendrix’s wall, Native Ameri-

cans left a lasting mark on the culture of the Tennessee Valley. In visiting the area it is nearly impossible not to experience the reverence and spirit of the area that the Native Americans first ac-

knowledged in their legends. In reconciling with the past, it is important that the losses Native Americans suffered never be forgotten, and that their history is rewritten to tell the truth.

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE NATCHEZ TRACE, IN NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, LIES THE EMERALD BURIAL MOUND. MOUNDS CAN BE FOUND ALL ALONG THE TRACE. FEATURE

e v i s u l c x e r u O 15 20 SOMETHINGS

r o f t n u o acc OVERDRAFT FORGIVENESS FREE CHECKING PERSONAL LOANS MOBILE BANKING

LOCAL ARTIST TAKES CULTURAL-BASED ARTWORK TO THE NEXT LEVEL Kerrigan Casey is just like every other millennial these days. Trying to fit free time into a busy daily work schedule is challenging. So when it comes along, the 22-year-old-Florence native likes to make the best of it.

“I’m a very visual artist,” Casey said. “I often do ones that focus on my daily life, music, how I was raised, my community, and what it’s like being raised in the south.”

Not only did Casey display several pieces of her art, she also did a live demonstration that took most of the day to complete.

Her latest piece encompasses hip hop music, featuring one of her favorite music artists from Mississippi. Casey describes it as be-

ASHLEY GRAVES

PASSION FOR PAINTING

Three years ago, Casey began experimenting with painting urban art, a hobby she’s always been interested in. Since then, it’s turned into a passion.

She credits her family as being a major inspiration for her paintings.

Casey was one of several artists who participated in the inaugural Quad Cities Urban Art Expo in Sheffield in April. The event featured a variety of art, from prints and canvases to graffiti and tattoos, as well as music and spoken word poetry.

Kerrigan Casey is an urban artist in Florence who embraces the title, taking her painting to the next level with live demonstrations. Courtesy photos

“I actually ordered a kit off of Amazon to start out,” Casey said. “It’s just continued to bloom from there.” Urban art is a style of art that relates to cities and city life and often combines street art and graffiti. With street art growing in the area, University of North Alabama assistant professor of sociology Andrea Hunt, along with a number of others in the community, decided to put together an art expo that showcased street art as a legitimate form of art rather than something that’s typically only thought of as belonging on the street.

“It was a larger piece, 30 by 40 [inches], and was inspired by the music that was being performed there,” she said. “This particular one was of a woman who was preparing to sing, so it’s got music notes and microphones.” While it may have been nerveracking, she added, she was very grateful for the opportunity. “I was very excited to be a part of the event,” Casey said. “There aren’t many opportunities for the type of artwork I do, so I was very glad they put something like that together.”

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

ing very colorful with an outline of the artist face. “It’s much like a caricature,” she said. “It’s got everything to do with his music — subwoofers, nice cars, and the bible belt, so it has a religious aspect to it as well.” While it may not be feasible at the moment, Casey said she does have hopes of pursuing her hobby full time in the near future. Until then, her work can be found on her personal social media platforms at Kerrington Casey on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

CREATE

TAYLOR SIMPSON

BENEFITS

@taylorbsimpson

You might think the window has passed for you to learn a second language, but that’s not exactly true. There are many free and efficient ways to learn another language and reap the benefits of bilingualism. Bilingualism has obvious benefits like easier international travel, job market advantages and being able to communicate with an entire population of people with whom you couldn’t before. But more than that, studies have shown that there are positive cognitive and social effects that come from learning a second language. A study published by Cambridge University Press found that English speakers who were also fluent in Japanese — which has more lexical terms for shades of blue — distinguished between blue hues differently than those who knew only English. So, in this case, learning another language changed the way bilingual people saw and categorized the world around them. While there are many different factors, such as implicit bias and socioeconomic variables, that affect the validity of many studies, recent research has tried to account for these discrepancies and confirm some long-held beliefs about bilingualism. In 2013, a study found that bilingual children have greater memory function. Combine that with another study that found bilingual people also have an easier time task-switching and multitasking, and it seems like the cognitive effects of bilingualism are impossible to ignore.

THRIVE

Another study found that bilingual children better grasp the concept of perspective at an early age, which means they benefit from better-developed interpersonal communication skills. While many studies focus on benefits for bilingual children, don’t let that deter you from starting your journey to bilingualism as an adult. Evidence suggests advantages are present at any age. A study published in 2014 found even when a second language is acquired in adulthood, there is a link between bilingualism and slower brain decline due to aging. If there’s any good reason to learn another language, it’s to slow the effects of aging on the brain. Another study even found that the effects of Alzheimer’s appeared up to 6 years later in bilingual adults when compared to monolinguals. Many adults become discouraged at the thought of speaking with the ease of a language’s native speaker. While it may be daunting, language learners need to remember that the goal of bilingualism isn’t to reach the same linguistic level as native speakers, it’s to become fluent. Fluency is the ability to easily express oneself in her or his nonnative language by either speaking or writing. If you’re worried you won’t get much use out of a second language in your daily life, turn to the internet to find a pen pal or an online community in another country. Even listening to music or podcasts in your second language can help keep it fresh on your mind. While it may be harder for adults to become fluent in a language

ISSUE NO.5

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE (AND WHY IT’S NOT TOO LATE)

BILINGUAL BY

due to time constraints, memory loss, and other problems that come with adulthood, it’s not at all impossible.

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More than ial c i f i t r a 0 20 languages have been or invented f vies o m , s k o o b s. w o h s V T and

With the abundance of free resources available, you can even learn for free. If you are interested in learning a second language a great place to start is your local library where they have free print and online resources to help you get started. Many public libraries, including the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, offer access to Mango, an online program that offers structured programs in 70 languages that build basic communication skills. Another free option is to utilize the abundance of resources on YouTube. Whether you seek out content made specifically for language-learning purposes or simply watch your favorite genre of videos in another language, the site is a great resource. There are also many free podcasts meant to help with language acquisition. If you prefer a quick and mobile option, give the app Duolingo a shot. Similar to Mango, it’s free and has step-by-step programs to help users learn as many as 28 different languages, including two fictional languages: Klingon and High Valerian. The short sessions make it easy to squeeze into a busy schedule. If you want to reap the benefits of bilingualism, it’s never too late to get started learning another language whether you want to communicate with those different from yourself, see the world in different terms, or try to see cognitive advantages for yourself.

OUI, JA, SI 4 HELPFUL LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS BY

SPENCER BROOKS @berserkxspence

DUOLINGO

Did you know learning a second language can benefit you in so many ways? Not only does the process builds/improves multitasking skills and improves memory, but also helps stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s and makes a person generally smarter. Taylor’s got the 411 on that, but I’m here to tell you about technology’s helping hand for multilinguals.

“But learning a language is hard, expensive and inconvenient,” you may think. There are actually many apps and websites one may utilize to pick up a new language. While mainstream options such as Babbel and Rosetta Stone may seem a little pricey, lovely app creators from around the globe took it upon themselves to bring the same opportunity to the average smartphone user, for FREE (or close to it).

DUOLINGO

TINY CARDS

Apple, Android, Windows

Duolingo: The cool name is just frosting on the cake. This app offers over 20 different language courses for users to take, including, but not limited to, Spanish, French, Japanese, Hebrew, Italian and even Russian. This application allows users to take a placement test to see what level they need to begin at. For example, although the user may know minor vocabulary words, it doesn’t necessarily mean they understand sentence structure and other language necessities. Duolingo follows a “level-up process,” starting beginners out with basic multiple choice then eventually building up to sentence creation and translation. Voted “best free language app” of 2017 by PCMag, Duolingo is an easy and convenient place to begin for those trying to learn a new language.

HELLO TALK Apple, Android Sometimes the best way to learn things is through someone who is already an expert. That’s where Hello Talk shines. This application allows amateur language learners the opportunity to learn languages through native speakers. Hello Talk sets up users in conversations with people who are fluent in the language the user is wanting to learn. Users will be able to speak and/or chat, video call and learn from the native tongue. Not only will this aid in language barriers but Hello Talk also allows users the chance to experience different cultures. Minus the costs for “translation options,” which only round up to a measly $2.99 a month, everything else offered in this is app is F-R-EE, the best cost for learning.

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

Flashback: You’re 13 years old, sitting in school about to take that dreaded vocabulary test. For some reason you’re not nervously sweating like your peers around you. Why is that? Because you used flashcards, the crazy efficient way to pass every exam thrown your way. Now let’s implement this age-old technique to learn a language. Enter Tiny Cards. This application, created by Duolingo, allows users to learn languages, along with any other topic they fancy. Utilizing digital flashcards, any person with this app will be able to learn a language as easy as their multiplication tables.

MINDSNACKS Apple Learn a new language and have fun with Mindsnacks! This app integrates fun games with language learning. An Apple-exclusive, the app offers courses in languages such as Chinese, German and Italian, but also vocabulary courses for children and the SAT. Each course is a seperate app and, unfortunately, only the first lesson in each course is free. If you want to continue learning a language after the first free lesson, be prepared: Coming in as the No. 1 most expensive app on this list, your total bill comes out to $4.99 per app. Yikes! Fortunately, you get 49 new lessons, so you’re getting a decent amount of bang for your buck. Games/lessons include matching, spelling, image recognition and more. Check out this app, if it’s not too expensive for your blood.

GEAR

events september+october

calendar of SEPTEMBER

2 SMITH LAKE PARK SWEET TATER FESTIVAL Smith Lake Park - 403 County Road 386, Cullman, AL @ 8 AM

4 TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

7 FIRST FRIDAY Downtown Florence - North Court Street, Florence, AL @ 5 PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

13 RADIUM GIRLS

Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:00 PM

14 RADIUM GIRLS

Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:00 PM

Saint Bernard Prep School - 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman, AL @ 9 AM

9 BERNARD BLUES AND BBQ 2018 Saint Bernard Prep School - 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman, AL @ 9 AM

Shoals Geek Expo - 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL @ 12 PM

RADIUM GIRLS

Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:00 PM

16 SHOALS WALK TO END ALZHEIMERS McFarland Park, SHOALS GEEK EXPO

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S Sam’s

RADIUM GIRLS

CALENDAR

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

21 36TH AFRICAN STREET FESTIVAL Hadley Park Community Center - 1037 28th Avenue N, West Nashville, TN @ 6 PM

2018 MUSIC CITY BACON AND BARREL FESTIVAL

Green Door Gourmet - 7007 River Road Pike, Nashville, TN @ 6:30 PM

2018 NASHVILLE BREW FEST First Tennessee Park 19 Junior Gilliam Way. Nashville, TN @ 7 PM

22 36TH AFRICAN STREET FESTIVAL

Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum - 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL @ 10 AM

Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL @ 10 AM

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S Sam’s

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7PM

SHOALS GEEK EXPO

County Library - 211 W 8th Street, Columbia, TN @ 6 PM Sports Bar and Grill - 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Florence, AL @ 1 PM

ADULT CRAFTING CLASS Maury

2018 5TH ANNUAL COLOR RUN

DUNGEON CRAWL CLASSIC RPG

BERNARD BLUES AND BBQ 2018

Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 2:00 PM

ISSUE NO.5

McFarland Park, Florence, AL @ 8 AM Hadley Park Community Center - 1037 28th Avenue N, West Nashville, TN @ 11 AM

UPVFD’S ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH FRY Underwood-Petersville

Volunteer Fire Department 4661 Highway 157, Florence, AL - @ 2 PM

EXPECTO BAR CRAWL

Epic Eventz - Nashville, TN @ 3 PM

23 36TH AFRICAN STREET FESTIVAL Hadley Park Community Center - 1037 28th Avenue N, West Nashville, TN @ 11 AM

24 COCO MONTOYA AT SINGING RIVER BREWING COMPANY Singin’

River Brewery - 526 E. College Street @ 8 PM

Sports Bar and Grill - 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

29 2018 SHOALS DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL McFarland Park Florence, AL @ 8 AM

1ST ANNUAL NATIVE HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sacred Way Sanctuary - 4409 County Road 200, Florence, AL @ 10 AM

READHEAD EXPRESS IN CONCERT Possum Holler

Garage - Williamsport Pike, Columbia, TN @ 7 PM

SMITH LAKE FEST

Smith Lake, Cullman, AL @ 7 PM

30 1ST ANNUAL NATIVE HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sacred Way

Sanctuary - 4409 County Road 200, Florence, AL @ 10 AM

OCTOBER

2 TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

4 GREEK FESTIVAL - 307 19th St. S, Birmingham, AL @ 10:30 AM

FIRST FRIDAY - Downtown Florence - North Court Street, Florence, AL @ 5 PM

DRACULA Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:30 PM

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

6 THE CELEBRATE NASHVILLE CULTURAL FESTIVAL Centennial Park - 2500 W End Avenue, Nashville, TN @ 10 AM

SOLID BLUE AT BERKELEY BOB’S COFFEE HOUSE Berkeley Bob’s

Coffee House - 304 1st Ave, SE, Cullman, AL @ 7 PM

MOVIE IN THE PARK PRESENTS ‘THE INCREDIBLES 2’ Wilson

Park, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

12 STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Maury County Arts Guild - 705 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN @ 7 PM

DRACULA Shoals Community

Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 7:30 PM

13 University of North Alabama, 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, AL @ 8 AM

OCT 7:30 PM 12 PM 2PM

12 13TH 14TH

DRACULA @ SHOALS COMMUNITY THEATER 9 ADULT CRAFTING CLASS

Maury County Library - 211 W 8th Street, Columbia, TN @ 6 PM

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

DRACULA Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 2:00 PM

16 TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

UNA HOMECOMING 5K

7:30 PM

Maury County Arts Guild - 705 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN @ 2 PM

TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY

Schermerhorn Symphony Center - 1 Symphony Place, Nashville, TN @ 7 PM

27 2018 BUTTAHATCHEE RIVER FALL FEST Hamilton’s

UPVFD’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FISH FRY Underwood-

17TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE FULL MOON FESTIVAL Full Moon

Tattoo and Horror Festival 10 Century Blvd, Nashville, TN @ 4 PM

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Maury County Arts Guild - 705 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN @ 7 PM

20 17TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE FULL MOON FESTIVAL Full Moon

Tattoo and Horror Festival 10 Century Blvd, Nashville, TN @ 11 AM

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Maury County Arts Guild - 705 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN @ 7 PM

INVESTIGATE THE CROOKED CREEK CIVIL WAR MUSEUM WITH US!

Tattoo and Horror Festival 10 Century Blvd, Nashville, TN @ 11 AM

Maury County Arts Guild - 705 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN @ 7 PM

Buttahatchee River Fall Fest - 132 Military Street S, Hamilton, AL @ 9 AM

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM

DRACULA Shoals Community Theatre - 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL @ 12:00 PM

Crooked Creek Civil War Museum - 516 County Rd. 1127, Cullman, AL @ 6 PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION

17TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE FULL MOON FESTIVAL Full Moon

23 TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S

Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

Petersville Volunteer Fire Department - 4661 Highway 157, Florence, AL @ 2 PM

HALLOWEEN AT THE MANSION

Two Rivers Mansion - 3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN @ 4 PM

30 CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N 2100, Birmingham, AL @ 9 AM

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT SAM’S Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill - 339 Seville St., Florence, AL @ 7PM

FREE TUESDAY MEDITATION Salt & Light Wellness Studio - 1136 N. Wood Avenue, Florence, AL @ 7 PM HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Schermerhorn Symphony Center - 1 Symphony Place, Nashville, TN @ 7:30 PM

31 MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE LIVE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR War

Memorial Auditorium - 301 6th Avenue N, Nashville, TN @ 7:30 PM CALENDAR

STUDENTS LEARN ENGLISH, TEACH THEIR LANGUAGE IN RETURN BY

KALI DANIEL

@droptopkalibop

A WHOLE NEW

Imagine traveling out of state for school. Out of the south. Out of the country. Off the continent. Imagine sitting in a classroom, being taught a language you never thought you’d take a chance on. Better yet, imagine teaching your language to a classroom of students who are eager to learn.

“When I graduate from high school, my brother told me to come to America to study,” he said. “He told me the education is different from Saudi Arabia and helped me look online to find UNA.”

Zakaria Alibrahim, a senior at the University of North Alabama, knows exactly how this feels.

Language partners are members of a unique program offered by the university, where native speakers (who happen to be students) teach their language to their peers. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, up to four semesters in a given language.

A long way from his home in Jafr, Saudi Arabia, Alibrahim pursued the language partner position at the university while he earns his bachelors in Geography.

Little did he know he’d be teaching as well as learning.

“This is a good opportunity to make other friends from all over the world. You learn another culture.” 24

SPECIAL FEATURE

ISSUE NO. 5

“The university is offering students opportunities to learn languages more than just Spanish and French like they learn in American school,” Alibrahim said. “They’re giving students a look at other parts of the world.” While offerings vary between semesters, the UNA catalog offers potential coursework in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili and Turkish. Like Alibrahim, junior Miyu Fujita will be teaching courses this fall, but for her it will be the first time.

“I was taking Spanish classes then my professor suggested to me to do it because I’m Japanese,” she said. “Then another Japanese student was a language partner and he suggested it to me.” Fujita, from Nagoya, Japan, first heard about UNA through an agency connecting students to schools in the United States based on GPA. “I decided from the list they gave me to go to UNA because I heard it was peaceful,” she said. “I want to come to the countryside to focus on studies.” After a chuckle, “And I heard about the lions.”

Zakaria Alibrahim, a senior at the University of North Alabama, teaches Arabic classes in the university’s language partner program. His home in Jafr, Saudi Arabia, is vastly different from American culture, though he hopes to share his experiences abroad. Kali Daniel/SET Magazine photos

Both Alibrahim and Fujita agree learning any language can strengthen students’ education, but particularly languages in the critical languages program expose students to a culture they may not otherwise experience. “It can be just for fun,” Fujita said. “For me, I’m learning another language, too, English. So this is a good opportunity to make other friends from all over the world. You learn another culture.” While the focus of the coursework is language, many language partners incorporate culture studies into their curriculum. Some even invite their students over to their homes for handmade dishes from their countries. Fujita said she plans to focus on the language, but that she knows

Miyu Fujita is a junior at UNA and will begin teaching Japanese to interested students this fall.

she will touch on the topics of Japanese interests and American perspective thereof. “Most of Americans think the biggest part of Japanese culture is anime,” she said. “But there is so much more — music, food, customs and how we think.” Like Fujita, Alibrahim knows there are moments where culture will have to be explained to better understand the language, as Arabic is the foundational language of Islam. “The culture in Saudi Arabia is too different from here,” Alibrahim said with a laugh. “As a family, we always stay together, we eat together almost every meal, we have different schools for men and women, boys and girls. Coming here was a lot of culture shock.”

“The university is offering students opportunities to learn languages more than just Spanish and French like they learn in American school. They’re giving students a look at other parts of the world.”

WORLDVIEW If foreign languages are something that has always intimidated you, critical languages may be the opportunity you’re looking for, for more in-depth, one-on-one learning. Often, classes have fewer than 10 students and language partners are available to meet and study outside of class hours. “Learning a new language really is not hard,” Alibrahim said. “You just have to practice and it gets easier.” Alibrahim said the ultimate goal is not only in a literal language sense, but also in understanding cultural norms and differences

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

for better communication. Even if all students learn are letters and numbers, which he teaches in his first semester, they will have a better understanding of the linguistics and general communication — even body language — in Arabic-speaking countries. Likewise, Fujita recognizes students may be nervous to try a language with a completely new alphabet, but the cultural significance outweighs those concerns. “Japanese is difficult to learn,” she said. “But learning new languages extends the worldview.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

TRAVEL

TAYLOR SIMPSON

ISSUE NO. 5

@taylorbsimpson

AND

SPENCER BROOKS

@berserkxspence

Nick Walton Member since 2015

Miracle Osborne Member since 2013

Visit Our Stop by The Hill

to relax, recharge, or (of course) take care of your financial

needs. The Hill is a full service, student-run Listerhill Credit Union location in The Commons at UNA dedicated to helping students reach their full financial potential.

S P O T L IGH T P HO T OGR A P HE R :

ISSUE NO.5

ROSIE MCCLENDON & KAT ELIZABETH

SPOTLIGHT

@drharrisb393 Florence, Alabama

HALLA JACOBS, JACOB BROCK, HANNAH JACOBS & HOLLI JACOBS

EMILY STRICKLIN, DAVID WILSON, MACY BOWLING & RYAN LITTRELL

DARIEN HARRIS

D O W N T O W N F L O R E N C E , A L

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT

FloFest june 23

WC Handy Music Festival

JONATHAN GOMEZ & GARY BIRDWELL

FLOR E N C E , A L

JULY 27

DAVARIOUS JAMES & JUSTIN USERY

WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

JAYSON JACKSON AND DANIEL & BAILEY POWELL

KELVIN JONES & PHEBE JONES

SPOTLIGHT

3 29

THE MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND

Wilson Pickett and Duane Allman practice in Fame Studios before recording on Nov. 24, 1969. Courtesy Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis/Flickr

Lorem ipsum dolor set amet achutung baby baby

online at getsetmag.com

Shoals talent — new and old —

Hear SET’s playlist of Muscle

A RECAP OF THE DIVERSITY, AN INTRODUCTION TO SOME YOU HAVEN’T HEARD When people think of an amazing scene in the 1900’s one would hardly think of a small town in Alabama. However, when it pertained to the blues, there was no better place to be. perhaps the best place to be! No matter the skin tone or the artist, it appears many artists were looking for a sound unlike any other. That’s when the Shoals came into play, and many artists — like Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge — found a comfort in the unique and influential sound that came from the Shoals. The birth of the blues sound is attributed to the work of W.C. Handy, an African-American who made it a life-long mission to fuse the powerful blues music to the popular ragtime music of the early 1900’s. His work is a part of what made the Shoals a hot spot for a different sound that most were striving to get ahold of. But artists other than Handy brought their style to the Shoals, hoping to make a big hit courtesy of the inspiring area.

Arthur Conley, commonly referred to as Otis Redding’s protege, wrote the song “Sweet Soul Music” in 1967, based on Sam Cooke’s song “Yeah Man.” Redding insisted Conley record the jam at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, and the rest is history. It reached the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The song pays homage to many soul singers, including The Miracles, Lou Rawls and Wilson Pickett, another Shoals icon. From the familiar “na-na-na,” everyone knows Pickett’s “Land of 1,000 Dances” — or would know it if they heard it. Also recorded at Fame, the song sold a million copies and is now featured in films and games like “Just Dance.” Pickett also recorded “Mustang Sally” and a cover of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” with a band featuring Duane Allman on guitar during his time with Fame. And let’s not forget the ladies of R&B with their powerful voices and heartbreaking lyrics. Etta James was an iconic soul artist, but many don’t know of her musical abstinence for two years prior WWW.GETSETMAG.COM

EMMA HALL

@x_emma_grace_x

AND

KALI DANIEL

@droptopkalibop

to recording the hits “Tell Mama” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” The Shoals sound helped break her out of her shell and release hits that not only made the charts, but are foundational blues songs covered by many aspiring artists. Similarly, Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” skyrocketed to the top of the R&B charts and made the top 10 for Billboard. The success pushed her forward as she recorded two more chart-toppers that year for Atlantic Records, and she dropped the Otis Redding’s famous “Respect,” launching her career into iconic territory. The artistic work during this time was some of the most influential songs in the world, recorded at Fame and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. But there is so much more to the period than The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” and Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Muscle Shoals was and continues to be a place of sanctuary for musicians with every background and every skin color, united under one passion: Music. ENTERTAINMENT

You could win $50! Find a dino at the next UNA Football home game and ask us how you can win $50 cash!