VOLUME 03 ISSUE 02 FEBRUARY 2015
EVERYBODY SAY MAKE MONEY MONEY
ENCOURAGEMENT! YES! BOOM.
I WISH I KNEW HOW TO QUIT YOU
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FEBRUARY 2015
FEBRUARY 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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TAKE A MOMENT TO CATCH YOUR BREATH, GET YOURSELVES TOGETHER AND PREPARE FOR THE HOME STRETCH. THE BEST DATE EVER, P14
LETTER
FEEDBACK
FROM THE EDITOR
LET’S HEAR IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BEST PODCAST A QUICK BREAKDOWN OF SET READER’S FAVORITE PODCAST . . . . 5
ONLY THE BEST
MANAGE SMARTER, NOT HARDER
For me, there are lots of things that are “the best.” Like, look at that face: if you told me that giant turkey leg smothered in white sauce wasn’t the very best thing in the world that could have been happening to me in that moment, I would have hit you with it and kept munching. And then everyone would have laughed at you and your white-sauce-turkey-juice face. Not for real though. The turkey is too good to mess up. For February’s issue, we asked you — yes, you, dear reader — in an online poll what the best things are. We wanted to find out the places and things that you enjoy the most: from thrift stores to podcasts, and from restaurants in the middle of nowhere to local bands you listen to. Of course, I don’t expect everyone to agree with what’s presented here. That’s the best part about things deemed “the best” — they are subjective. Unless, of course, those things are slow-roasted turkey legs. It doesn’t get bester than that. So, if you don’t agree, feel free to let us know on Twitter, Facebook or by emailing feedback@getsetmag.com! We’ll publish your thoughts in March’s issue, and you’ll finally be famous! Maybe our articles will inspire you to be the very best you can be. If so, and you’d like to join our team, sign up on our website at getsetmag.com. SET Magazine is a publication published by Listerhill Credit Union, and we’re here to be a platform broadcasting the voice of our generation in northwest Alabama and south-central Tennessee.
BEST ALBUM COVER
BEST APP TO GET YOUR MONEY ON LOCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 THE BEAR’S “OVERSEAS THEN UNDER”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
PICK YOUR NONPROFIT CHOOSE WHERE TO LEND YOUR HANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
THE BEST DATE EVER ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-14
BEST RESTAURANT IN NOWHERE WHERE TO EAT WHEN YOU’RE CLOSE TO NOWHERE. . . . . . . . 16-17 If you’ve always wanted to try out writing, photography or illustration, hit me up and I’ll get you started! We even pay you for your work so you can have some extra cash to play with. Also, if you’re a venue, organization or individual that has an event coming up, be sure to email the details to calendar@getsetmag.com. We’ll be sure to get it up on our events pages — the only of their kind in our area! In speaking of being the best, on Feb. 24, we will host our inaugural SET awards party for everyone who has contributed to SET in the past. Please come out to enjoy a night of food and fun while we recognize all those great contributors who have helped make this publication be the best it can be! Turn to Page 15 and look on social media for more information. For now, enjoy the best of the best presented by and for you.
BY ANDY THIGPEN, EDITOR
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.
BEST THRIFT STORE: BLUE DOOR DISCOVERING WHAT’S BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
THE BEARY BEST BAND THE MUSIC OF THE BEAR GETS WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION. . . 19
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS 116? A LOOK INSIDE THE SHOALS’ HOTTEST, HIDDEN VENUE. . . . . . . . 23
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
FRESH PRODUCE IS ON POINT FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE FARMERS MARKET VOTED BEST EVER. . 29
COME ON IN! THE WATER IS FINE! SET READERS VOTE COLDWATER BOOKS BEST BOOKSTORE. . . . 30
CONNECT WITH SET MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
Please take one copy and share it. 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.
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PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
4 FEEDBACK & CONTRIBUTORS
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FEBRUARY 2015
SET CONTRIBUTORS CALEB BILLINGS Sheffield, AL
NICK WALTON Florence, AL
ROBERT BROCK COBLE WESLEY HOPKINS Florence, AL
Florence, AL
EMILY RUSSELL Killen, AL
COURTNEY TULLY Rogersville, AL
SARAH EMERSON Hamilton, AL
PAIGE MCCAY
Locust Fork, AL
SARAH KEETER Opelika, AL
ALEX RICHEY
Russellville, AL
ANNA GRACE USERY ALEXANDRIA TERRELL Florence, AL
Rogersville, AL
ALLIE SOCKWELL
LIZA HARRISON
Lawrenceburg, TN
Leighton, AL
FEBRUARY 2015
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The show has over 100 million downloads on iTunes.
FIRST “ EPISODE TOPIC:
TECH 5
”
The hosts occasionally take the show on the road.
BEST PODCAST A QUICK BREAKDOWN OF SET READERS’ FAVORITE PODCAST So what kind of “stuff” does the “Stuff You Should Know” podcast cover? Well, just about everything
really. So far there have been over 700 episodes covering a wide range of subjects including pinball machines, avalanches, Gypsies, amnesia and why it’s hard to say “toy boat” three times fast. With so much variety it’s easy to see why it’s popular among SET readers and is one of the highest ranked podcasts on iTunes. The podcast is an offshoot of the website howstuffworks.com and is hosted by two of its editors: Josh Clark and Charles “Chuck” Bryant. The duo approaches each show’s topic with a level of light heartedness that easily endears the listener to them. No matter how seemingly mundane the topic, their sense of humor and laid-back conversational style inject it with life. The hosts never pretend to be
CHECK IT OUT NOW.
experts on what they’re discussing. Before recording an episode they each do their own research to get as much information on the subject as they can. Researching separately leads to both hosts teaching each other new things as the episode is
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New Website!
JOSH CLARK AND CHARLES “CHUCK” BRYANT
being recorded. This approach gives their discussions a freshness that makes it more relatable to listeners who most likely aren’t experts either. At 20 – 60 minutes per episode, each topic is discussed thoroughly without ever feeling like it’s being dragged on too long. You can find new episodes posted every Tuesday and Thursday on their website and iTunes feed. With a wealth of episodes available, you’ll be on your way to impressing everyone with random knowledge before you know it.
STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS
6 MONEY
COLLEGE STUDENTS SPEND $11 BILLION ON SNACKS AND DRINKS ALONE.
Americans have about $15 billion in loose change.
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FEBRUARY 2015
Mint.com has over 10 million users.
MANAGE SMARTER, NOT HARDER BEST APP TO GET YOUR MONEY ON LOCK When it comes to money for us college kids, we need all the help we can get, right? We probably don’t listen to advice from mom and dad anymore (‘cause we’re obviously grown up and all that jazz). Luckily, someone out there was smart enough to start a trend for apps that help you manage your money for the one thing we actually take advice from: our phones. So, here’s to that someone, and here are three apps that can help you track and manage your money.
MINT.COM’S COLORFUL INTERFACE MAKES IT EASY TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU’RE BLOWING! your preference. On the one hand, your privacy isn’t at stake. On the other, you’ll have to manually log in transactions. In the end, it’s entirely up to what best fits your needs. Here’s how it works: you’ll punch in your account balance. For every transaction, you’ll type in the amount, the category and whether it was incoming (+) or outgoing (-). For example, if you write a $160.00 check to your friend for spring break, you’ll punch that in as an outgoing payment and mark the category as travel (you can even add a note that you paid with a check). Overall, the app is easy to use, and your privacy is never compromised. It’s a solid app if you’re prepared to keep up with your account and log each transaction as it occurs.
TIP MANAGER
Let’s start off with a simple one: the Tip Calculator by iHandy Inc. Even though we’re broke, college kids manage to go out to eat far more than we should — especially if you live in a college town where one of the most exciting things you can do on the weekend is eat (turn up, UNA). The Tip Calculator is to make sure you don’t under-tip (no one likes that guy) and that, God forbid, you don’t over-tip your server. Here’s how it works: select how many ways you’re splitting the meal, how good the service was and the check amount. You can tip as little as 5% for “poor” service or as high as 25% for “excellent” service. In the end, the app tells you the total to pay, total per person, total tip and tip per person. Just a handy app to help you better manage your tip when you do fun things (a.k.a. “eat”) on the weekend.
TRACKING DEVICE
Our next candidate is the aptly named Spending Tracker by MH
KEEP TRACK OF ALL THEM DOLLAS. Riley Ltd. Like the Tip Calculator, this app is free and available for iOS and Android systems. Unlike some money management apps, however, Spending Tracker doesn’t require you to link your personal information online. This could be an upside or a downside, depending on
GET MINTED
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winner of the top money management app for the February edition of SET magazine is (drum roll please), Mint Personal Finance. Mint.com is the “someone” we can thank for the revolution of money management applications. Mint is
free, available for iOS and Android systems and links with most financial institutions. If you’re concerned about privacy, the only way to access your account is to provide your bank account number and password as well as your Mint account username and password. You’d have to be a highly skilled hacker to guess all of those variables right. Unlike Spending Tracker where you manually log in each transaction, Mint links with all your accounts (checking, savings, 401k and credit cards) in one place. Mint can even tell you what your credit score is. You can view your recent transactions, fee alerts, fast approaching budgets, high spending alerts and recently used accounts. Its colorful display and breakdown of your accounts, budgets and spending is top-notch quality. It’s quite simply the smartest app on the market for managing money.
STORY BY NICK WALTON
FEBRUARY 2015
MONEY 7
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account on campus at the University of North Alabama or any of our CO-OP Shared Branches located worldwide. To find the location nearest you, go to co-opsharedbranch.org
8 ART / DIY D
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Album covers didn’t become popular until the 1940s.
SOME OF THE FIRST ALBUM COVERS WERE MADE FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC.
FEBRUARY 2015
Alex Steinweiss was the 1st art director of Columbia Records.
BEST ALBUM COVER THE BEAR’S “OVERSEAS THEN UNDER” It’s time, SET readers. We asked which album cover you thought was the best, and the results are in! Drumroll please! (Get it? Drums? Band? Album? Yes. My jokes are terrible.) The winner is … The Bear’s album “Overseas Then Under”! Overseas Then Under’s cover is an original painting by Muscle Shoals, Alabama native, Browan Lollar, who is also the lead guitarist for St. Paul
& the Broken Bones. The Bear asked him to paint whatever he felt was right for the songs. After listening to the album, which is dark and brooding, but also has a lighthearted and innocent nature at times, he emailed the group and asked if he could get a little weird. They were all for it. The idea of a paranoid bear cub being stalked by imaginary ghosts ended up fitting nicely. He used
acrylic paint and color pencils on a piece of board, and the stark, deserted background was an old hotel landscape painting.
HE LOOKS BEARY SCARED.
Lollar has done two album covers for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, two covers for The Fiddleworms, as well as covers for Red Mouth, Planet Ink, and several other bands. He’s also designed several beer labels for Straight To Ale in Hunstville, Alabama. When asked who he’d love to have the chance to design a cover for, Lollar replied, “Bruce Springsteen, St. Vincent, or Dolly Parton.” His advice for aspiring artists is to try your best to be easy to collaborate with.
STORY BY EMILY RUSSELL
FEBRUARY 2015
NONPROFIT 9
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25.4% of adults in America volunteered in 2013.
Giving can improve overall physical health.
PICK YOUR NONPROFIT CHOOSE WHERE TO LEND YOUR HANDS The holiday season is long gone, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop giving! There are countless organizations in our area that always need extra hands to help. But where do you start? We’ve compiled a list of some of these organizations to help give you some ideas. This is not, by any means, a complete list. We’ve focused on many organizations in the Shoals area, but to our readers in other parts of Alabama and Tennessee: use this list for some ideas and check online to find your local chapters. You never know what kind of work you may find and what kind of help you can give!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals 505 N Columbia Avenue Sheffield, AL 35660 Phone: 256.248.1931 Email: gina@bbbsshoals.org Northwest Alabama Reading Aides 501 N Seminary Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256.766.5709 Email: litnara@aol.com
American Red Cross Phone: 256.536.0084 Email: Tammy.Burks@redcross.org Room In the Inn Email: roomintheinnflorence@gmail.com Phone: 256.263.2722
Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter 702 E College Street, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256.760.6676
One Place of the Shoals 200 West Tennessee Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256.284.7600 Email: ahamilton@daconnolly.com
Harvest Share Food Pantry 419 W. 9th Street Columbia, TN Phone: 931.381.4285 Email: volunteer@harvestshare.com
Shoals Crisis Center Phone: 256.765.0025 Email: info@shoalscrisiscenter.org Hospice of the Shoals 115 Fairground Road Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256.767.6699
Safeplace Inc. Phone: 256.767.6210
United Way of Cullman County 304 1st Avenue Northeast Cullman, AL 35055 Phone: 256.739.2948 United Way of Northwest Alabama 118 East Mobile Street, Suite 300 Florence, AL Phone: 256-764-5892
Shoals Habitat for Humanity 300 Industry Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256.760.9515 Email: shoalshabitat4humanity@comcast.net
STORY BY ANDY THIGPEN
10 FEATURE
SET isn’t just a magazine looking for people to share their 2 cents. It is entirely comprised of content provided by the 15 - 29 year olds of our community. No one else writes the articles, no one else takes the pictures and no one else decides what runs. That’s why we need you. Attend our next editorial meeting, drop us a line or send us an idea for your story. We want your photography, art and music. Get on SET’s team.
getsetmag.com/contribute
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FEBRUARY 2015
FEBRUARY 2015
FEATURE 11
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ST O
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E, S ARA H EM ERSO N, S ARAH AN
N KEE TER
All Day and All Night You know the story: pick them up, go to dinner, see a movie and then go home. It’s the age-old, bland dating cycle that is too often repeated with our generation. What we need is imagination and inspiration to turn that tragic date into something meaningful and interesting that will make your prospective darling want to stick around. To help amp your game, our contributors have put together “The Best Date Ever.” We’ve gathered a few activities, places to go and food to eat that could fill
an entire day and most of the night. The spark in your love life doesn’t have to run cold with the declining temps. Get outside in the bracing air, or just stay home with a drink and a movie. Either way, don’t date like you just started driving — and if you did just start driving, all the better! Go on an adventure. Make a day of it. You owe it to yourself (and your not-yet-significant other) to have the best date ever.
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One of the biggest turn offs in a date is negativity.
FEBRUARY 2015
There are 12 million matches per day on Tinder.
BEST BREAKFAST DATE
IT TASTES BETTER THAN IT LOOKS.
DAY DATE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
If there’s one food women (and men) like, it’s chocolate. This old timey breakfast recipe atop one (or two) hearty, southern biscuits is a great way to get the heart pumping by way of caloric intake. Because, let’s face it, the way to anyone’s heart is scientifically through his or her stomach. Stagg’s Grocery and Deli is a Shoals staple. Located on Huntsville Road in east Florence by the antique House of Vacuums, this local eatery is a classic diner establishment started in the 1950s. The hardworking ladies behind the grill concoct a pot of the pudding-like chocolate once a week, on Fridays. Come early, though: it goes fast. Whether you request the double or single order for breakfast, I advise you to also take on an order of bacon. The sizzling slabs of savory pig fat pair succulently with the sweetness of chocolate.
LOVE AT THE THRIFT SHOP
Jesus may have turned water into wine, but less well known is His transformation of the dumps of Florence into another miracle: Loaves and Fishes. These thrifting meccas are located across the Shoals area, but don’t let me persuade you into going if you A) have to wash your hands every 1.3 minutes, B) want to feel safe or C) have no DIY bone in your body. That said, you can’t pass up this date. Finding a can opener for a quarter or that slightly used bottle of your favorite scented Bath and Body Works lotion they discontinued in 1998 is purely euphoric. Thrifting is an inexpensive way for you and your partner to confess to each other that, in fact, you are both hoarders.
And it’s an even better way to rake in some birthday/Christmas/Easter/Flag Day DIY gift ideas after he/she says, “Hey, look! This is so cool, but it’s broken.” Just like my momma said, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” *Bonus: Located outside the civilized parts of Muscle Shoals is a thrifting gem. Galaxy Flea Market is an enclosed chicken coop with heaps and heaps of premium junk. You’ll be greeted several times by gentlemen in dingy Wranglers flapping a Marlboro red. “Howdy. Y’all come on in and look around. Lettuce know if y’all need any hep.” Nod and thank God for pockets of heaven such as the Galaxy Flea Market.
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GET YOUR LUNCH ON
Stephano’s Southland, a family-style meat-andthree restaurant established in 1950, is undeniably a Sheffield classic. You’ll find it on South Jackson Highway, outside downtown and on the way to neighboring Tuscumbia.
Valentine’s Day is a.k.a. Singles Awareness Day. PHOTO BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
44% of adult Americans are single.
With Chicago-style subs, New York-style cheesecake and a homemade bread recipe anyone of Italian descent would deem authentic, you can taste foods inspired from around the world at a low price. My suggestion? Try The Porker. It’s a beast of a pie with lots of love (read: grease) and cheese slathered from edge to edge.
A BLANKET IN THE SUN
Not into diner food? How about a picnic? It won’t be cold forever, and we all know the weather is crazy. On a warm day, or as soon as spring is here, you can sit out on the grass with that special someone and eat some fresh food in the sunshine. Get together a nice lunch that makes good travel: maybe Greek yogurt chicken salad sandwiches or all the ingredients to put together fresh lettuce wraps. Add some hummus and pita chips or carrots with some fresh fruit (you can feed each other grapes, if you’re into that sort of thing), and you’ll have a lovely afternoon outside.
ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS
If you can move after your lunch, wander off in the woods. Nothing says “alone time” like venturing off into nature. Being in the Southeast, it’s very easy to venture off into a rural area to find your sense of adventure. Even though it’s still chilly, don’t let this get in the way. During cold months, you don’t have to worry about snakes or mosquitoes, and a little activity outside will get your blood pumping. For a moderate hike, there’s Cane Creek Nature Preserve. These trails are privately owned but open to the public. Located just 7 miles past Tuscumbia, Alabama, these trails are still fairly long, but the trail maps are easy to read, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. Depending on how far you want to go, you can cross over a waterfall, catch a breathtaking
MMM, SPAGHETTI STEAMED SUBS. view across a canyon, explore Native American rock shelters, encounter beavers building dams and wade through creeks. You can even go camping if you want to make this an overnight thing (Just be sure to book in advance)! These trails are one of the best-kept secrets of the Shoals. While this may be more than an afternoon trip, nothing says fun in the outdoors like a canoe trip. One of the best spots to canoe within driving distance is on the Buffalo River in middle Tennessee. If you don’t have your own canoe or kayak, Crazy Horse Recreational Park rents them for an affordable daily rate.
With lots of swimming holes, rope swings and even a bluff to jump off of, floating down the Buffalo River is an excellent way to spend the better part of a day with your sweetie. Pack a nice picnic like we mentioned above and choose a nice grassy pasture beside the river to eat. This trip is so relaxing, at the end of the river, you may just want to keep paddling! If you’re located in or around the Shoals area and you want to go hiking, but you do not have the time or energy to go through miles of trails, TVA Trails may be perfect for you. Located on the TVA reserve, starting almost immediately south of Wilson Dam, these trails feature a fully paved course for walking or riding bicycles (Don’t have a bicycle? Try renting one from The Spinning Spoke in downtown Florence for a low hourly or daily rate!), as well as unpaved trails that are very easy to navigate. If you plan it right, you can end up at the Railroad Bridge overlooking the Tennessee River at sundown. When on a date, timing is everything.
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60% of women bail on first dates because of needy texts.
NIGHT DATE So, you’ve spent the day together, but now you’re ready to work on those night moves. If you can still stand each other at this point, things are looking good. Take a moment to catch your breath, get yourselves together and prepare for the home stretch.
GET FANCY
Whether you decide to go out on the town or spend a romantic night in, dressing to the nines is always a good idea. Back in the day, dates were a time to dress up and go out with your special someone. As the years have gone on, dates have become more casual and so has how we dress for them. Going out all dressed up can be a blast no matter if you go to one of the nicest restaurants in town or to somewhere casual. If you choose to stay in, you can still dress up, light some candles and cook a nice dinner for a fancy night at home instead of your typical Saturday night plans.
SUPPER TIME
If there is one true thing about our area, it’s that we love to eat. And for dates, it’s really the best thing. You can find out a lot about a person over a meal, and sometimes a dinner will make it or break it. As far as choosing a place to eat, the restaurant all depends on your mood and the tone of the date. For a nice dining experience with amazing food on relatively higher-end budget, check out Odette in downtown Florence. If you want something nice but a bit more laid-back, try out Louisiana Bayou Foods in downtown Tuscumbia. If you want something altogether new that is truly an excellent time, you can’t miss Rattlesnake Saloon. Turn to page 16 for more on this amazing restaurant.
FEBRUARY 2015
38% of men research their date before they meet. GO TO THE SHOW
In this area of rich musical heritage, you can almost always find a live show somewhere. Sometimes it may be just a couple of guys with guitars, but you can often find some great indie bands, jazz combos and even local legends playing around. As far as venues, 116 E. Mobile in downtown Florence, Alabama is one of the coolest small venues in town, and it doesn’t hurt that most shows offer an affordable reduced rate for students. Some favorite bands that have played this venue are Grace and Tony, Follow Apollo, The Valley Roots, Penny & Sparrow and Patterson Hood, just to name a few. Be sure to check out the end. theatre in Florence and Puckett’s Grocery in Columbia, Tennessee for live music. The Shoals Theatre and Zodiac Theatre in Florence also usually have a play going on, as well.
DINNER AND A SHOWDOWN
If you and your date don’t feel up to the social scene, try a date at home that may bring out your competitive nature. You can cook a nice dinner or really relax with some finger foods like chips and dip, pigs in a blanket, veggie trays or even fondue. Then the fun begins. Break out that old Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, PlayStation or (if you are the luckiest) Super Nintendo, and get to gaming. Next to a civil conversation over a nice dinner, it’s arguable that a game of Goldeneye or
Mario Kart will determine whether or not you want to spend your life with this person. If getting competitive isn’t your thing, try on a little nostalgia. Pop in a classic Disney VHS and relive your childhood for an evening (guys, don’t pretend you don’t know every word). Extra points if you found the VHS player and tape on the thrifting excursion.
GET OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT
At the end of the day, you never know until you try, right?
The whole act of dating is a serious risk. Make an effort to try something on a date night that your date and you never have done — whether that means driving up to Huntsville or Nashville for a hockey game, heading out to a local swing dance or salsa night or cooking something new for the first time. Either way, trying something brand new and interesting may be the difference between a good date and the best date ever.
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MUSIC! Food!
PRIZES!
SPEAKERS! AND OF COURSE...
AWARDS!
16 FOOD
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The saloon has seen visitors from all 50 states.
FEBRUARY 2015
The site of the saloon was a pig farm in the 1960’s.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY TULLY
BEST RESTAURANT IN NOWHERE
WHEN THE WEATHER WARMS AND THE SUN GOES DOWN, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE.
WHERE TO EAT WHEN YOU’RE CLOSE TO NOWHERE Imagine driving down a long, winding, country road. Your cellphone service starts to fade, you start passing fewer cars on the road, and you see fewer signs of civilization. It could be the opening scene to a horror movie. But it’s not. You’re on your way to the Rattlesnake Saloon: north Alabama’s one-of-a-kind, hole-in-the-wall (or hole-in-the-rock) restaurant and bar!
If you’ve never been to the saloon before, getting there can be a bit unnerving. Once you’ve made the journey, you pull into a large dirt parking lot usually filled with big trucks and several horse trailers. From here, you can either hike down several flights of stairs or catch a ride on the Rattlesnake Taxi: an old pickup truck with wooden benches built into the
truck bed. A friendly, elderly gentleman will help you into your seat and advise you to hold on. As you drive through the large metal arches and descend down the steep gravel road, your worries will fade away and you will see why this place is such a gem. Nestled among the caves and creeks of Tuscumbia, Alabama sits the Rattlesnake Saloon, and our readers voted it the best “middle-of-nowhere” restaurant. It is a self-proclaimed “watering hole” complete with old western-style swinging doors and even a place to tie up your horse outside. The saloon is set underneath a large stone bluff that juts out to cover the outdoor patio, which makes for some really
nice shade in the sweltering summer months. The indoor area, which serves as a restaurant and bar, is covered in western-themed décor, complete with real snakeskins hanging on the walls and even a giant stuffed rattlesnake in a glass case. Walking into the Seven Springs Lodge (located up the hill from the saloon) to interview owner William Foster, I was greeted by his entire family, as well as the wonderful aroma of bacon frying in a skillet. They immediately made me feel extremely welcome, which is part of the charm of this place. Expecting to have a normal, sit-down interview with William, I was pleasantly surprised when he invited me to hop
FEBRUARY 2015
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Webb Quint Kelsey and Chad Bradford have recorded music videos here.
in his truck to ride around and tour the property instead. “[My favorite aspect of running the saloon] is the people,” says William. “I enjoy everybody and get to meet people from all over the world. I never meet a stranger!” I can vouch for that statement; I spent about two hours with him, but felt as if I’d known him for years. Not only does he love interacting with people at the saloon, but he also loves giving back to the youth in this area. He uses profits from the saloon to sponsor book drives, youth groups in churches, and even children’s sports teams. The saloon is located on the Silver Springs Lodge property, set on 20,000 acres of land at the bottom of the Appalachian foothills, and it truly is a family affair. William’s father, Danny Foster opened the lodge in 1998. William realized there was no place nearby for the horse riders to eat and got the idea to open a restaurant on the property. His mother, Faye, runs the gift shop next door to the lodge, and his brother, Owen (department chair of Industrial Design at SCAD), designed the restaurant. The lodge offers primitive camping sites, hookups for campers and RVs, private cabins and two old grain silos converted into bunkhouses. The lodge also offers trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Take a hike on one of the many trails and you’ll see plenty of breathtaking landscapes as well as several historical markers which signify ancient Native American sites. Years ago, the site of the saloon was used as a working shed for Native Americans to make arrowheads, clothing and other various items. “It’s beautiful out there,” said Florence native and Rattlesnake Saloon fan Corey Hayes. “It’s a long drive, but it’s totally
worth it. The most unique atmosphere in this area, for sure.” The saloon has a variety of old western-style food, from Snake Eyes and Tails (an appetizer consisting of fried jalapenos and green beans) to The Duke — the saloon’s most famous half-pound burger loaded with bacon, Snake Eyes and onion on a delicious Kaiser roll. “They have the best burgers in Alabama,” Hayes said. “I’ll swear by it.” Opened in 2009, the saloon has gained plenty of recognition for their food, and even snagged second place in the 2011 American Cattleman’s Association burger competition. After you get your belly filled, gear up for when the real fun starts. After 5 p.m., the saloon starts serving alcohol, and they only serve beer. Not having wine or liquor may be a turn-off to some, but I think this only contributes more to the old “watering hole” feel. Anyone in the establishment will be asked for their ID, but anyone underage is still welcome to join the fun! During the warmer months, there is usually live music and plenty of dancing. On Thursdays, the saloon has a karaoke night, and has local musicians play Friday and Saturday nights. “The way the music is setup is really good,” said Florence resident Morgan Young. “The echo from the cave makes for really good acoustics.” So, whether you want to line dance to a country band, chow down on some delicious food or just hang out under an ancient overhang in the middle of nowhere, you can’t miss Rattlesnake saloon.
STORY BY COURTNEY TULLY
18 FASHION
All Blue Door profits go directly to SCOPE 310.
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FEBRUARY 2015
S.C.O.P.E. Volunteer for SCOPE 310 Shoals Committee On Programs & Employment
by visiting their website.
BEST THRIFT STORE: BLUE DOOR
CLOTHES, CLOTHES, CLOTHES.... WHAT?! BIG RED, BOUNCY BALL?! SOLD.
DISCOVERING WHAT’S BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR Do you find yourself attracted to big sweaters, old books and a multitude of other unique finds at bargain prices? You’re probably a thrifter. Don’t worry, though: we are too, and we have found the place to soothe your thrifty soul. Blue Door Thrift Store, located on Helton Drive in Florence, Alabama, is a local non-profit thrift store with not only great finds and prices, but a purpose that touches more than just your wallet. We took a trip to the Blue Door to see what makes it the best.
IN THE STORE
The Blue Door has a massive selection of things from classic records to big hats. You could spend hours perusing the shelves and racks with more surprises still to be found. We caught up with a local thrifter Sierra Seay and asked her about her best finds. “I found a real leather trench coat, still had the tags on and everything,” she said. “It was vintage, less than ten bucks! You’ll never go home empty handed.”
Aside from the big finds like the one Seay landed, there is never a shortage of knick-knacks, frequently used household items and unique jewelry to be discovered. Not only do they have an eclectic mix of stuff, but the cheap prices are made more appealing when matched with their sales. The most talked about sale we found was the $5 bag sale, and it works like this: customers receive a punch card, and every time they spend at least $10 their card is punched. Once the card is full, they can pack a bag for $5. Kayla Quinn told us about her experience with the sale. “As I was standing in line with my daughter, a lady turned around and gave me a card that had all ten holes punched,” Quinn said. She said she only goes there for the antique china. “I thought it was the nicest thing. She told me to spend it on my baby.” Other sales are frequently posted on their website, Facebook page and other social media sites so look them up!
BEHIND THE DOOR
The Blue Door has a message beyond its racks that makes it all the more wonderful. This not for profit organization is just one small link in the chain of services SCOPE 310 has established in order to support their cause. SCOPE 310, the man behind the curtain, stands for Shoals Committee on Program and Employment and is an organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They
offer multiple services such as group homes, a day center, therapy, early intervention and vocational training to their clients. They all receive individual help tailored to their needs. They cover Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties and depend heavily on private donors, volunteers and the sales of Blue Door. They work with countless clients and always have an open door for new volunteers. We met with program coordinator and group home leader, Brandon Willcutt, who gave us some insight on what it is like working for SCOPE 310. “I don’t think about it as going to work,” he said. “I think of it more as a type of ministry. I love it! It is not about the recognition; it’s about serving the clients.” Willcutt has spent many years with SCOPE 310 and says he sees his clients more like friends than a job. Willcutt, and many others just like him, are the faces and hands that make SCOPE 310 what it is. So, whether you are just stopping in to look around or buying a new, old record, remember that your purchase is making a difference in your wallet and community. Needless to say, Blue Door Thrift Store has earned its title as the best thrift store in the area, and if you want to earn the title of ultimate thrifter, it is not a store you can pass up!
STORY BY PAIGE MCCAY AND COURTNEY TULLY
FEBRUARY 2015
MUSIC 19
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The Bear recorded Overseas Then Under in their house.
The Bear released their latest album online for free.
THE BEARY BEST BAND THE MUSIC OF THE BEAR GETS WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION Lyrics as dark as murder. Melodies as catchy as a pop song. The Bear has created a spectrum of sound unique unto its own. For that, SET readers have voted The Bear as the best band of this issue. The band has given rise that has earned them a spot as an iconic group in the local music scene. Demonstrated by their CDs displayed for sale in Rivertown and Pegasus amongst the numerous other local bands with which many of the members also play, The Bear is a prime example of what can be produced from the communal spirit of musicians for which the Shoals is famous. Started by married couple Nathan Pitts and Louisa Amber Murray, the band grew to include a variety of instrumentalists that have included Kyle Minckler, Ben Stedman, Daniel Stoddard and Ben Tanner, among others.
For my first experience with The Bear, I vividly remember watching their performance in the Shoals Theater one night. The crowd ranged from young fans I knew that were active in the music scene, adults looking to just enjoy some music and older couples that could have possibly seen Elvis perform in his heyday. The common thread among us all was our deep, quiet and utter infatuation with the music performed in front of us. At first glance, the musicians themselves presented a meek and mild performance, barely moving away from their determined real estate beside their respective microphones, looking up only to speak into the microphone to thank the crowd or introduce the next song. As the third or fourth song played, I became aware of myself falling into the blissful, attentive connection I shared with the rest of the crowd. Few bands
ever resonate with me so quickly, and few bands ever leave such a lasting impression the very first listen. The Bear certainly did. Following their self-titled debut album, The Bear released Overseas Then Under in March of 2013 becoming the first album to be released by the Shoals’ newest indie label Single Lock Records. The brainchild of John Paul White from The Civil Wars, Alabama Shakes’ keyboardist Ben Tanner and financial adviser Will Trapp, Single Lock Records is already making waves in the Tennessee River just upstream of Fame Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound. The label’s roster also includes St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Pollies, Steelism, Dan Dyer and Belle Adair, which are all on their way to mark this generation’s legacy amongst the talented acts to come from the Shoals area. When asked what the sound of Single Lock is, Murray responded, “I don’t think the sound can be described in a few words because its more eclectic now. There’s a distinctly Southern feel to a lot of the music, but I don’t think the bands feel the need to be confined by one sound, so more experimentation is happening.” For The Bear, a steel guitar,
THE BEAR PERFORMING AT EARTH DAY FEST LAST YEAR.
upright bass, keyboard, banjo, and glockenspiel dot Overseas Then Under along with Louisa’s bright and delightful vocals that stand out amongst the music. “My grandmother taught me to sing in church with shape notes, as a child,” Murray said. “She helped me practice harmonies with hymns and bluegrass songs. She had a really big, old stereo on her back porch that played 8-tracks and records and I have fond memories of listening to my thrift-store bought music collection on it. My favorites were my Willie Nelson 8-track and a really scratched Queen record. I wanted to write like Willie and sing like Freddie.” Throughout the album are songs that could be set in a southern gothic soundtrack and others catchy enough for the radio — all depending on your mood that day. “[In Besides] there’s a song where Louisa sings about a murder, but yet it feels like a lullaby,” University of North Alabama student and Bear fan, Britney Newby said. “I don’t know very many other songwriters or bands that can give you such a twist of meaning or mood from a single song.” As someone coming with an outside perspective, Albert Rothstein agrees that The Bear encompasses what this area does so well — become a community. “I moved here from Philadelphia at the beginning of 2012 with a friend that grew up in the area and was heavily involved in the music world down here,” he said. “He had always talked about how everyone is so welcoming and that the scene is thriving. When I finally made the move down here, The Bear was one of the first groups I met, and it was completely true.” Although The Bear continues to remain close to the hearts of fans, no immediate plans are being made to release another album. “We’re working on lots of music, and when the time is right, we’ll start recording,” Murray said.
STORY BY ALEX RICHEY
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
FEBRUARY 2015
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 28 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
STRANGE WAVES ALBUM RELEASE SHOW WITH BIKINI ATOLL AND GLASS RIVERS @ 116. E. MOBILE STREET, FLORENCE, ALABAMA, 8:30 P.M.
JANUARY 30
DYLAN LEBLANC // ENGINE @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 9 p.m.
FEBRUARY 2
TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, Alabama, 8 p.m.
FEBRUARY 5
MAX PORTER // JAY BURGESS @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 8:30 p.m. BOXCAR VOICES @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 9 p.m.
FEBRUARY 6
FREEDOM RIDERS: FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 6 p.m. ARCHERY TARGET SHOOTING @ UNA Outdoor Adventure Program, Florence, Alabama, 2 p.m.
TYLER BARHAM @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 8 p.m. FREAK POWER STOMPIN’ HOURS @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 9 p.m. INTERNATIONAL COFFEE & TEA @ UNA Office Of International Affairs, Florence, Alabama, 3 p.m.
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
FEBRUARY 7
DOWNTOWN CHOCOLATE CRAWL 2015 @ Florence Main Street, Florence, Alabama, 10 a.m., $5 LEAVE NO TRACE, PACE HOUSE, ROAMER @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 7 p.m. RAVEN CLIFF @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 8 p.m., $10
FEBRUARY 2015
LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES // DANIEL ELIAS + EXOTIC DANGERS @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 8:30 p.m. LOVING LOCALS WINTER AUTHOR FESTIVAL @ ColdWater Books, Tuscumbia, Alabama
FEBRUARY 8
GOT TALENT? FINALS @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 6 p.m., $10 HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE NEW FACE OF SLAVERY @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 2 p.m.
FEBRUARY 9
TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, Alabama, 8 p.m.
FEBRUARY 10
CALENDAR 21
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IMPROV AUDITIONS @ Living Spirit Church, Florence, Alabama, 6 p.m.
FEBRUARY 12
THE PAST IS NEVER DEAD: CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASES AND WHY THEY MATTER WITH HANK KLIBANOFF @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 6 p.m. A (CASUAL) GATHERING OF ARTISTS 2.0 @ Kennedy Douglas Center for the Arts, Florence, Alabama, 6 p.m.
FEBRUARY 13
SCOTT & HELEN HOYT @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 8 p.m. COLDWATER BOOKS GOES FROZEN! @ ColdWater Books, Tuscumbia, Alabama
FEBRUARY 15
BIRTH RIGHTS: A PANEL ON MATERNAL HEALTH @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 2 p.m.
FEBRUARY 16
TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, Alabama, 8 p.m.
FEBRUARY 17
A LONG STRUGGLE: THE BLACK FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN THE SOUTH AND THE SHOALS @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 11:30 a.m.
FEBRUARY 19
BOXCAR VOICES @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 9 p.m.
FEBRUARY 20
SCM ELECTRIX, LIVE BY SATELLITE, ISAAC @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 9 p.m. GRACE & TONY // PINE HILL HAINTS @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 8:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY 21
OUR SISTER’S NEST BENEFIT SHOW WITH JILL SISSELL @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 8 p.m. THE SWEEPLINGS // JORDY SEARCY @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 7 p.m.
FEBRUARY 22
TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, Alabama, 8 p.m.
GATE KEEPER, CONSPIRACIST, LET’S MOVE MOUNTAINS, GENOCIDE, BROKEN APPARITIONS @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 8 p.m. ALABAMA REGIONAL GRADUATE ENGLISH CONFERENCE AT UNA @ University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 28
MY JOURNEY TO FAIR TRADE @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 2 p.m.
FEBRUARY 23
INAUGURAL SET AWARDS PARTY @ 116 E. Mobile, Florence, Alabama, 7:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY 26
MARCH WITH ME: THE CHILDREN’S MARCH AND THE SELMA MARCH @ Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, Alabama, 6 p.m. LAST THURSDAY @ the end., Florence, Alabama, 7:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY 27
TAPING OF THE RIGHT PLACE WITH KEVIN SPORT @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 7 p.m.
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
WAYMORE’S OUTLAWS @ Puckett’s Grocery, Columbia, Tennessee, 8 p.m. STRANGE WAVES ALBUM RELEASE SHOW WITH BIKINI ATOL AND GLASS RIVERS @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, Alabama, 8:30 p.m.
22 SPECIAL FEATURE
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PUT COMMUNITY FIRST - JOIN THE CREDIT UNION TODAY!
FEBRUARY 2015
FEBRUARY 2015
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116 E. Mobile is rumored to be haunted.
SPECIAL FEATURE 23
116'S BASEMENT USED TO BE A CLUB WHERE LOCAL MUSICIANS WOULD JAM.
The first SET awards will be at 116 on Feb. 24.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS 116? A LOOK INSIDE THE SHOALS’ HOTTEST, HIDDEN VENUE For most Shoals area natives, music is simply in their blood. So we asked SET readers where the best venue was to see great local and out of town bands. The verdict: 116 E. Mobile. Hidden among hotspots like On The Rocks and Rivertown Coffee, Inc. in downtown Florence, Alabama, this small venue is a rising star. I was able to sit down with Jonathan Oliphant, manager of 116 E. Mobile and keyboardist for local band Belle Adair, to chat about the history and future of the venue. If there isn’t a show playing, you might walk right past the venue that is tucked away on East Mobile Street. The only advertisements are the flyers taped in the windows to promote upcoming shows. The inside, however, is stunning. The venue is small with a 200-person capacity, and the decor is simple — a few rows of light bulbs strung across the ceiling, candles in the makeshift, wooden windows and an aged rug covering the stage. With it empty, there is almost a romantic yet eerie feeling that is unnerving and compelling at the same time. This space, just as the buildings that flank it, has an elegance that is unique to the downtown area. As we prepped for the interview, we sat on rustic, wooden benches. Horizontally extended from the ceiling are huge black doors that fit the odd essence of the white-bricked room. As we conversed, I couldn’t help but notice the acoustics the room creates, a resonance that makes it perfect for live shows and recordings. The venue is co-run by indie record label Single Lock Records (founded by Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner, Grammy winner John Paul White and financial adviser Will Trapp) and award winning fashion designer, Billy Reid. In the spring of 2013, Reid began his lease on the space that is now 116 E. Mobile. In the summer of the same year, he held Shindig No. 5 (an annual communal event with speakers, photographers and musicians) at the newly attained venue. With acts like Tift Merritt, Dan Dyer and J.D. McPherson, the event was a success. “It was such a good opportunity we just couldn’t pass it up,” Oliphant said of the sudden chance to open up a venue. “It’s the only venue of its size in
THIS UNASSUMING BUILDING HOUSES SOME OF THE BEST SHOWS IN THE SHOALS AREA. the area. I’m really proud of the space.” So what makes this place different from other venues? Oliphant described it as “inclusive and inviting” as he reminisced on a time when John Paul White and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist David Hood collected tickets and stamped hands at the door during a recent Patterson Hood show. He then pointed out how the stage is lower than most, which creates that much anticipated “moment” between the performer and the audience. “[Belle Adair] played close to a hundred shows last year,” Oliphant said. “Coming home to here and seeing this bit of real estate that I’ve invested a lot of time into personally, it’s really gratifying to see that it’s clean, it’s nice, the sound’s good, there’s usually good hospitality. I’m a big fan of what this venue has become. We’ve had some fairly big acts who have been so encouraging about the space.” This venue, like others, typically brings in viewers in their mid-20s, but it also appeals to the other age
groups depending on the performer. At the time of writing, the venue doesn’t sell alcohol, allowing minors the ability to enjoy live music. Even with future plans to begin selling alcohol, however, Oliphant wants to continue allowing minors to visit the venue. He remembered being unable to see live shows when he was underage and does not want to exclude minors from their own musical experience. So, what do the guys at the venue want you to know? “It would be a total shame if college students didn’t know it existed,” Oliphant said. “It’s something the whole town should be proud of.”
STORY BY ALEXANDRIA TERRELL
24 SPOTLIGHT
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SAY CHEESE!
SET READERS IN ACTION
FEBRUARY 2015
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY AND LIZA HARRISON
GOODBYE SKYLINE THE END, JANUARY 10, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
HAVEN ROBERTSON, BEN FLIPPO, SUE ELLEN CHANDLER, BEN THOMAS AND BRAXTON GILBERT
ANDREW LLOYD, JOYCE ECCLESTON AND ANNA KAUFMAN
SAM ROY AND STACY VERROS
MONICA CORTEZ, PATRICK LEWIS AND EVAN TIDWELL
FEBRUARY 2015
SPOTLIGHT 25
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JORDAN SPARKS AND SETH WALLER
ANTONIO MARTELLI AND EVAN SANDY
BAILEY CANNON AND BILL CONFLICT
SONGWRITER’S SHOWCASE SINGIN’ RIVER BREWERY, JANUARY 11, PHOTOS BY LIZA HARRISON
HUNTER WHITEN, CARRIE VALLAD, VALERIE SCASNY AND ERIC DUPREE
ERIC DUPREE
JERRY SAYLOR AND WHITNEY HAGOOD
REID WARE AND QUINT LANGSTAFF
STU CLAYTON AND KATIE PYLE
LARKIN POE 116 E. MOBILE, JANUARY 17, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
26 SPOTLIGHT
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FEBRUARY 2015
SANDRA KEENEY AND JESSE PRINCE
MEGAN AND REBECCA LOVELL (LARKIN POE)
CORTNEY OLIVER, EVAN SANDY AND CALEB BILLINGS
BRANDON MCCORKLE, MICHAEL ROGERS AND KYLE ENGLAND
JOHNNY CLOUD AND SAWYER BEHEL
STEPHEN TAYLOR AND MOLLY BLOOM
TANGIE HILL, JOHN MARK KILLOUGH AND LUKE MONTGOMERY
FEBRUARY 2015
SPOTLIGHT 27
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CHILI COOK-OFF SINGIN’ RIVER BREWERY, JANUARY 24, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
ERIN CROWDER, SARAH TREECE, ANNA NESBITT AND AMY LENNARTZ
DONIALLE KILLEN, ROGER BRADFORD AND LYNDSIE BAILEY
WILL EDDINGTON AND RYAN MATTHEWS
JOHN AND JAN CARTWRIGHT (RIVERTOWN OWNERS)
ERIN WITTSCHECK, JOSH QUICK AND KYLE OGDEN
STELLA CHANIN, KATE BILLINGSLEY, ASHLEY ANDERSON, BRANDON, SARAH AND VANN GILLIS
28 SPECIAL FEATURE
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FEBRUARY 2015
FEBRUARY 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE 29
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Infants and pregnant women should not eat honey.
A hive of bees flies over 55,000 miles to produce one pound of honey.
There were 8,268 farmers markets in the U.S. in 2014.
FRESH PRODUCE IS ON POINT
A PLETHORA OF PRODUCE!
FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE FARMERS MARKET VOTED BEST EVER We asked, and you chose: the FlorenceLauderdale County farmers market in Florence, Alabama was voted number one by SET readers from Cullman, Alabama to Columbia, Tennessee. With its wide variety of merchandise — from fresh, organic produce to homemade soap and raw, local wildflower honey —and its friendly, helpful vendors, it isn’t hard to see why local buyers hold the FlorenceLauderdale market in such high esteem. The market, located at the Old Florence Fairground on the corner of Chisolm Road and Cox Creek Parkway, is a favorite among locals who prefer to support local farmers and to eat a wide variety of healthy, organic foods. “I love to support my community and
shopping local is especially important to me when it comes to food,” said local farmers market shopper Kelli Axley. “[The Florence-Lauderdale farmers market] is in a convenient location and it has everything.” Axley said the vendors enjoy giving information about their product and answering any questions the buyer may have. “The vendors are always friendly and knowledgeable on their products,” she said. “Some vendors will even give you recipes or let you know the best way to cook their produce. Not only do they introduce me to new foods, but they tell me the best way to cook it. What could be better than that?” Florence resident Katie Thompson frequents the Florence-Lauderdale
market for its ample, yet exclusive selection. “Not only do they have produce, but they have personalized things they’ve made,” she said. “Every now and then, they have craft projects. People bring flowers. You have a lot more options to choose from.” Rogersville beekeeper and honey specialist Frank Fuller is famous among locals of all ages for his raw local wildflower honey. Almost every time I ask someone if they’ve been to the Florence-Lauderdale market, they mention Frank Fuller’s honey and the health benefits of choosing it over store-bought brands. It can be discouraging for local farmers to try to compete with corporations, but Fuller and the other vendors at the Florence-Lauderdale Market show that hard work and a little know-how can go a long way in helping our community become more health-conscious and self-supporting. To local farmers market goer Jimmy Safford, supporting his community is more important than saving a few pennies. “[Local farmers] can’t afford to ship [produce] across states,” Safford said. “They rely on people like you and me to support them. Everything I have bought from them has been of the highest quality.” The respect that locals like Safford and Axley have for Fuller and the other vendors is mutual. Frank said the reason he chooses to sell his popular honey at The Florence-Lauderdale farmers market is because the customers are friendly and interested in locally made goods. “The customers are fine, honest people,” he said. It’s no coincidence that the vendors’ favorite things about the market are the open-minded customers and the buyers’ favorite things are the insightful, interesting farmers and crafters. To Thompson, what makes this market special isn’t just its vast and unique variety. “It’s a whole community of people. It’s been in their roots for a long time. It’s a family of people who have the knowledge to be self-sufficient,” she said, reminding her of her childhood. “I used to be able
to walk into my front yard and pick a watermelon, and now that I don’t have that option, it’s something that I envy.” Jimmy, Kelli, Katie and Frank not only share a mutual respect, but a philosophy in which helping others is much more important than making money. Frank has sold his honey to the enthusiastic shoppers at The Florence-Lauderdale farmers market for five years. He said he doesn’t make money by selling his honey. He does it because he loves it. The positive, uplifting atmosphere of the market is attributed to the vendors and the shoppers who wake up eager to share knowledge and quality products that are made and grown with attentive care and passion. The farmers and vendors you’ll find there have a lot more to share than one-ofa-kind crafts and passionately grown produce — they have community. Come by the market, starting in May, to expand your mind and budget without expanding your waistline.
FLORENCELAUDERDALE FARMERS MARKET HOURS _____________________
MAY – OCTOBER Saturdays 6:00 a.m. – noon
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 6:00 a.m. – noon STORY BY WESLEY HOPKINS
30 SPECIAL FEATURE
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ColdWater Books was once a general store.
FEBRUARY 2015
“ColdWater” originates from springs in Tuscumbia.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY TULLY
COME ON IN! THE WATER IS FINE! SET READERS VOTE COLDWATER BOOKS BEST BOOKSTORE Picture your ideal place for relaxing. Perhaps it includes comfy chairs, mountains of books and endless coffee. If this sounds right, you need to find ColdWater Books, which SET readers recently voted as the best bookstore in the area! ColdWater Books was opened in 2002 and remodeled by local architect Audwin McGee, who also designed the apartments around the bookstore located in downtown Tuscumbia. Robbins Property owns ColdWater Books and has been crucial in revitalizing downtown Tuscumbia; they also own local favorites such as The Palace ice cream shop and ColdWater Inn. ColdWater Books stands apart from other bookstores because of its attention to detail and focus on supporting local authors and artists. “We are locally owned and operated, unlike chain bookstores,” Sandi Hendrix, author advocator and events coordinator of ColdWater Books, said. “There aren’t many bookstores like us in north Alabama. We offer charm and historical ambiance, and focus on events with local authors and arts and crafts for the community.” As you step into ColdWater Books, you’ll be greeted by the aroma of coffee and an assortment of books and artwork from local artists. Continue to meander through the store and you’ll soon discover leather chairs backdropped by a floor to ceiling waterfall. “I like ColdWater because of the atmosphere; it’s quaint and charming
COLDWATER BOOKS IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN TUSCUMBIA, SURROUNDED BY OTHER SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS. and doesn’t feel like a corporate bookstore,” Sarah Swafford, a student at UNA, said. “The store feels homey and makes me want to stay a while and read.” ColdWater has a variety of books and products to offer. “We carry all kinds of books from local history, memoirs, autobiographies, cookbooks, fiction, inspirational books, nonfiction, best sellers, new releases and the classics,” Sandi explained. “We can order what students need for their school reading lists as well.” ColdWater has something for everyone. They carry newspapers, including The New York Times and the Colbert County Times Daily, and offer a wide selection of magazines. They even carry a local selection of CDs and a “Walk through Tuscumbia” DVD. ColdWater also has perfect selections for your next gift. With items such as candles, locally made pottery, children’s educational products or even gift certificates, they have you covered. They even offer gift-wrapping for all purchased products.
ColdWater accommodates young and old alike, featuring chairs by the waterfall and a “reading cave” for little ones. KaLyn Dorton, resident of Sheffield, Alabama, enjoys coming into the shop with her two-year-old girl. “I enjoy sipping my hot chocolate and playing in the cave with my daughter as we put together puzzles and read books,” she said. The gourmet coffee shop is one of locals’ favorites, and many stop by on the way to work for the delicious drinks. They offer light and dark roast coffees, a featured flavor of the day, lattes, cappuccinos and a variety of specialty teas, hot chocolate and soft drinks. Ask for snow cream, and your taste buds will surely thank you. The shop carries a few sandwiches like grilled cheeses and chicken salad and features a multitude of sweets including cheesecake, bagels, biscotti, muffins and seasonal cakes and pies. Sitting on comfy chairs, sipping your hot drink, reading a book — what more could you ask for? Oh, yeah: free Wi-Fi! The store also offers many events
throughout the year. Besides annual holiday events, ColdWater features children’s story times, book club meetings and even live music on weekends. Check SET’s calendar and ColdWater’s social media pages for upcoming events. ColdWater is focused on people and telling the stories of others. They support the local community and want to offer all people a comfortable and inviting space to read and relax. This bookstore is different because its employees strive to put the customer first. “I love meeting people and inviting them in the store, helping and sharing the history of the area with them,” Sandi said. Be sure to stop by ColdWater to see for yourself what makes it a favorite. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter @ColdWater_ Books, and Instagram.
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
FEBRUARY 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE 31
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