VOL 3
ISSUE 01 JAN 2015
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013
Drew Member Since 2013
Rebecca Member Since 2013
JANUARY 2015
JANUARY 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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OUR ORIGIN – THE BEGINNING POINT, THE MYSTERIOUS DAWN – IS SOMETHING WE TRY TO USE TO SHAPE OUR IDENTITIES, OUR SELVES. OUR PEOPLE, P10
LETTER
FEEDBACK LET’S HEAR IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
FATHERS OF INVENTIONS THERE’S NO APP FOR THAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
THE NEW HUNDRED IS ON FLEEK
NEW DOG, OLD TRICKS. Happy New Year! The Earth made it around the sun again! Celebrate! We could talk about the future and all of those resolutions we’re totally, without a doubt, going to accomplish (for real this time, I’m serious) this year, but we’re going backward instead. The theme of our issue this month is going way back — back to the “Origins” of everything. In this issue, we try to tell some of the stories of where things come from: the slick stuff on your skillet to the food on your table, cultural myths to, perhaps, the roots of your family tree. This month’s theme is appropriate as I step into my new role as editor here at SET. This magazine is a new journey for me, and this issue is my starting point, my origin. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with such a great team, and I can’t wait to see what all of us can build together. I’ve said it before: I have some big shoes to fill. Luckily Linley, the former editor, has graciously been there every step of the way during this first issue, and to her I want to give a massive “Thank you!” I hope I can serve this magazine as excellently as she has. For everyone who is new to SET, let me lay it all out for you. We’re a publication published by Listerhill Credit Union made solely by and for young people. We want to be a platform for you to read and engage with. We write about a wide variety of topics, so you’re always going to find something that interests you. And if you don’t, guess what? You can write it yourself! If you’re between the ages of 15 and 30 and want to
THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN BENJAMIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
A BICYCLE BUILT FOR YOU NEW BEGINNINGS FOR CYCLISTS IN THE SHOALS. . . . . . . . . . . 8
OUR PEOPLE GENEALOGY IN OUR CORNER OF THE SOUTH. . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
OLD WIVES DON’T KNOW NOTHIN’ POPULAR HEALTH LEGENDS EXPLAINED BY PRE-MED STUDENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
FIELD TO FEAST write for us, give me a shout at editor@ getsetmag.com, and we can see about getting you into print. We’ll even pay you cash money to line your wallet. Also, real talk, tell me what you think of the magazine. Personally and professionally, I thrive off (constructive) criticism, and I want to know what I can do to make this publication your publication. Something you love and enjoy. So hit up Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email to share your thoughts with me. So, here we go! Enjoy your first issue of SET 2015, and your first issue with me at the helm. I hope you enjoy looking back — back to the origins of everything! “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey
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.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MEAL CAME FROM? . . . . . . . 16-17
GONNA BRING THE FLAVOR BACK 20 MINUTES WITH KEVIN RICHARDSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
GETTIN’ SAUCY DISCOVERING THE TRUE BIRTHPLACE OF AN ALABAMA BBQ STAPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
THOUGHTS AND CULTURE SHOCKS DEBUNKING MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. . . . . . . . . . . 29
FREESTYLE ONE FINAL THOUGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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4 CONTRIBUTORS & FEEDBACK
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JANUARY 2015
SET CONTRIBUTORS ALEXANDRIA TERRELL Rogersville, AL
Florence, AL
KYLE ENLOE
WESLEY HOPKINS Florence, AL
Hazel Green, AL
KATELIN HARRIS
LINLEY MOBLEY
EMILY RUSSELL
DANIELLE PATTEN
Pulaski, TN
Florence, AL
Killen, AL
JOHN VEAL
Madison, AL
SARAH EMERSON Hamilton, AL
Lawrenceburg, TN
ALLIE SOCKWELL
ROBERT BROCK COBLE
DALLAS MOORE
LIZA HARRISON
COURTNEY TULLY
Savannah, TN
Leighton, AL
Florence, AL
Rogersville, AL
JANUARY 2015
TECH 5
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The patent for the fire hydrant was burned in a fire.
A dentist created the cotton candy machine.
FATHERS OF INVENTIONS don’t use ovens). In 1947 the first microwave was built weighing in at 750 pounds and costing five grand! Today, microwave technology is being used to develop the pain ray. The weapon is supposedly not lethal and simply heats skin to an uncomfortable degree with no lasting effects. Yeah, right.
THERE’S NO APP FOR THAT Since the beginning of time, people have been concocting inventions that have morphed the world into what it is today. From the first wheel to the newest iPhone, inventors are hands down some of the most talented people on the planet. You might be surprised to find out that some of the best creations were made by mistake.
MICROWAVES: AGE OF INVENTION
We all should hold a special place in our hearts for Percy Spencer. While experimenting with a magnetron (not to be
TO SPACE ON A SKILLET
HE DIDN’T NEED AN X-RAY TO SEE THAT ROCK! confused with Megatron), a candy bar in his pocket melted. He was so fascinated that he decided to test out a popcorn kernel. The pop of the corn spawned one of the most important inventions in history (well, to lazy college students who
In the 1930s, Dr. Roy Plunkett found that a frozen sample of tetrafluoroethylene had polymerized into a solid form of polytetrafluoroethylene. Basically, it turned into what we know as Teflon, which is used in most nonstick cookware because of its slippery surface. Many believe that NASA created Teflon. Though it is used in heat shields, space suits and pieces of spacecraft, Plunkett still takes credit for the invention. Sorry, NASA.
X-RAY’S AND O’S
In the late 1800s, Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with cathode rays passing from an induction coil through a partially evacuated glass tube. The tube was covered in dark paper, but a piece of fluorescent cardboard, unrelated to the experiment, lit up across the room. There was a thick screen between the emitter and the cardboard, which proved that light could actually pass through a solid object. The physicist soon realized that images could be made from the radiation. The first ever X-ray created was of his wife’s left hand — wedding ring and all.
STORY BY ALEXANDRIA TERRELL
6 MONEY
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The average life of a $100 bill is about 15 years.
JANUARY 2015
Confederate dollars lost all value after the Civil War.
THE NEW HUNDRED IS ON FLEEK THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN BENJAMIN It’s no secret that everyone loves money, but have you ever thought about what money looked like 150 years ago? What about our Founding Fathers’ currency back in Colonial America? Without a doubt, American currency has changed in a dramatic way since then. Let’s explore this evolution with my favorite form of U.S. currency — the $100 bill.
GOLD CERTIFICATES
These gold certificates were issued in 1863 upon the passage of the National Banking Act. The number on the certificates represents a corresponding amount of weight in gold coins. There are very few that still exist. Today, the worth of a single note exceeds $900,000.
THE 1929 BENJAMIN
In an effort to reduce manufacturing costs, the Federal Reserve made a decision in 1929 to reduce all bills by about 30 percent in size. They’ve remained that size to this day.
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS
Continental dollars were issued to the public during the American Revolution. Unfortunately, there was nothing to insure these bills besides an unstable faith in the young government. As a result, these bills were easily counterfeited. As seen in this $100 bill from North Carolina, many states warned that counterfeit was punishable by death.
THE 1996 BENJAMIN
SILVER CERTIFICATES
Not only did the federal government print green and gold-colored bills, but they also began to print silvercolored bills as a paper representation of silver. These certificates featured presidents like Abraham Lincoln and James Monroe. Here is an example of a silver certificate from 1880.
“GREENBACKS”
Well, as the name suggests, these bills were green. The federal government issued these in 1861 to fund the Civil War. This marked the first time the federal government publicly circulated paper money. As a result, all U.S. currency since 1861 remains valid.
Although the $100 bill was slightly changed in 1966, it wasn’t until 1996 that it went through a massive security overhaul due to a series of counterfeit problems. The new and improved Benjamin featured a hologram watermark, almost invisible red and blue lines, black light capabilities and not to mention a complete redesign.
THE 2013 BENJAMIN
THE ORIGINAL BENJAMIN
This is when the $100 gets famous. In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was established. This act established the Federal Reserve as the United States’ national bank. The following year, the Federal Reserve issued the first $100 bill featuring Benjamin Franklin.
Due to the most recent security updates, the $100 bill got a massive makeover. It is now more secure than ever with features such as the blue 3D security ribbon, the gold-colored bell in the inkwell, the classic portrait watermark and several other anti-counterfeit features that few people understand. Yay, technology! Seeing how the American $100 bill has changed throughout the years, it really makes you wonder what U.S. currency will look like in generations to come. It’s certainly hard to imagine the possibilities. Hologram images, perhaps? Only time will tell.
STORY BY KYLE ENLOE
JANUARY 2015
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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.
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MONEY 7
8 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Maintaining a bike costs 20x less than maintaining a car.
JANUARY 2015
Exercise increases serotonin, improving thought clarity.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY TULLY
A BICYCLE BUILT FOR YOU NEW BEGINNINGS FOR CYCLISTS IN THE SHOALS Timothy and Katie Wakefield are passionate cyclists with a vision for a healthier, happier Shoals. They’re the owners of The Spinning Spoke Cycle Hub, a fast-growing bicycle shop in downtown Florence, Alabama. Timothy grew up in Florence before moving to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama, where he met his future wife, Katie. Katie is from Scottsboro, Alabama and hoped to move to a larger city after college. Timothy’s parents, however, still lived in the Shoals and warranted a visit from the new couple. Katie fell in love with the area and Timothy never lost his love for it. So, they settled down in Florence and, after recognizing there hadn’t been a bicycle shop specializing in new bikes in about 10 years, opened The Spinning Spoke. Timothy said the success of The Spinning Spoke far exceeds what he and Katie had expected, but their passion doesn’t stop at the repair, rental and sales of bicycles. They’re working up an idea that could get a lot more children peddling around our local streets. “All kids need to get a bike,” Timothy said. “I know as a kid, for me, that’s one of the best gifts I ever got. We want to try and make that possible for children whose parents aren’t able to afford it.” They’re big idea is a long-term initiative suggested by Eero Wilson, the head mechanic at The Spinning Spoke. He thought to take donated bikes that may be in any condition, tune them up and partner with a nonprofit, such as United Way, in order to find a local outlet to deliver them to underprivileged children. The project is just getting started, however. Their business only opened this past July, so the idea is still in development. “We’re at the infant stages because
we’re the ones providing the bikes,” Timothy said. “Whenever we find the organization to donate them to, we see that as a good time to promote it to our customers.” They are expecting a lot of cyclists in the community to donate old and unused bicycles to the cause. “I think [the cycling community] is going to be so excited that a kid might get their bike, or it might go to good use, that they might bring it in just because,” Timothy said. “Most of the cycling community is very giving, and they all feel the same way — they want to see more people riding and being active, too.” It’s easy to see that the Wakefields are passionate about the subject, and they believe this is an early step in shaping the Shoals into a more healthconscious, bike-friendly community. Katie sees visibility as an important factor in achieving their goal. “If people start seeing more people out riding,” she said, “they’ll start getting more excited about it. They’ll see other people having fun and getting exercise.” They believe that if they can improve the community’s education of bicycle safety among cyclists as well as motor vehicle operators, then people will begin to choose cycling, instead of driving, for their everyday commute. The ultimate goal of this effort is to see an improvement in the overall health of the Shoals community. “People that ride tend to feel better and be happier,” Timothy said. “In turn, if you’re exercising, you’re eating better. People start being more healthconscious when they’re being active.” The Wakefields and their knowledgeable team of experts plan to hold bicycle education courses, inside and outside The Spinning Spoke, starting this spring. Timothy said the courses will be geared toward children
KATIE AND TIMOTHY WAKEFIELD ARE READY TO GET THE SHOALS RIDING. and adults alike, focusing mainly on safety and basic repairs. He also believes that parents will be much more likely to allow their children to ride if they’re confident in their child’s ability to make safe cycling decisions. They are also reaching out to University of North Alabama (UNA) students. Recognizing the unavoidable problem of parking at UNA, The Spinning Spoke offers a 50 percent discount on tuneups to all UNA students, making tuneups an affordable $20. “It’s going to be hard to beat that price for a tuneup,” Timothy said. “I want to see more UNA students riding bikes through downtown. If we can
make it more cost-effective for them to ride a bike, I feel like they will.” While there are many steps in the process of building a more bicyclefriendly Shoals, the Wakefields are looking ahead and investing in the future. “We want to see kids on bikes,” Timothy stated. “If kids start riding bikes early, they may stay on them.” And they want to see it happen — one bike at a time.
STORY BY WESLEY HOPKINS
JANUARY 2015
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SPECIAL FEATURE 9
10 FEATURE
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JANUARY 2015
OUR PEOPLE GENEALOGY IN OUR CORNER OF THE SOUTH “Where do we come from?” is one of the most debated questions in human history. Our origin — the beginning point, the mysterious dawn — is something we try to use to shape our identities, our selves. Was it a big bang? Was it intelligent design? Aliens? No. Clue. Here, zooming in, we’ve tried to tell a few small stories about the people from our small part of the world. We realize that the whole history of our area — stretching from Columbia, Tennessee to Winfield, Alabama — is much too large to condense into one article. We’ve tried, however, to pack in as much interestingness as we can and represent as many communities as we can. Without further ado, the origin of everything!
TO BEGIN FROM THE BEGINNING: CHICKASAW TRIBES IN NORTH ALABAMA Native Americans have the deepest roots that stretch from one side of the country to the other, and Alabama and Tennessee are not without their share of rich Native American history. Throughout our area, in ways both big and small, we can see the influence the tribes have left on our local communities. Things such as old artifacts like tools and arrowheads, special events and, of course,
BOYS DELIVER BOOKS TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN SHEFFIELD, AL, IN 1948. the various Indian mounds scattered across the region are just a few examples of the historical impact Native Americans have had on our region. While there were a variety of tribes in our area, the most established tribe was the Chickasaw. The tribe’s history is the stuff of legend, told through the story of two brothers: Chatah and Chicksah. They led their people from where they had settled out west and began to go east, using a divining pole as their guide. Each morning, they would stand the pole up and travel whichever way it leaned. They continued to do this for months on end until one morning, Chatah woke up to see the pole standing straight up and took this as a sign that they were supposed to settle there. Chicksah, however, believed that the pole still leaned eastward, so the brothers decided to split. The tribe of Chatah remained where they were and formed the Choctaw tribe, while Chicksah and his followers continued east, establishing the Chickasaw tribe. The Chickasaw settled in the area between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers and are known for their warrior spirit. They were a very advanced people, using the rivers for a source food and as a system of travel across their territory. They also built networks of routes in order to trade. The most popular of these routes, the Natchez Trace, is still in use now as a highway and takes travelers on a 444-
mile journey from Natchez, Mississippi to just south of Nashville, Tennessee. The Chickasaw ancestors first came in contact with European settlers when Hernando de Soto and his explorers came and tried to take over their land. The tribe was fierce and quick to fight them off, and the Spanish eventually retreated. The Chickasaw had a good trading relationship with the English and the French until the incoming flood of settlers and the U.S. government forced the Chickasaw to move to north Mississippi. After signing the Indian Removal Act in 1830, the tribe had to sell their remaining land and move west, finally settling in what is now Oklahoma. Over the years, some people began to return to the north Alabama area to bring their heritage back to the place they once called home. University of North Alabama (UNA) student and Florence native Scarlett Robinson said that the Native American culture has always been present and something locals appreciate. “The Indian Mound is one of our area’s largest landmarks,” she said. “It’s fascinating to hear stories of how their civilization settled on the river and how they impacted the Shoals area even to this day.”
JANUARY 2015
FEATURE 11
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THE BIRTH OF FLORENCE Florence, Alabama was born in a log cabin on March 12, 1818. That’s not true. Florence was actually born in an office somewhere when federal surveyor General John Coffee and the Cypress Land Company came together to sign the Articles of Association. The small, bright-eyed city became the official seat of Lauderdale County and has only grown since. Why was this little place named Florence, anyway? An Italian man named Ferdinand Sannoner, who was under the employment of Coffee, was a lead surveyor of the land. “Sannoner was the engineer that put Coffee’s plans into action,” Robert Stein said. Stein is a Florence resident active in the preservation of local historical sites. Sannoner’s role as the lead surveyor allowed him to name the new city. He decided to name the town after his old hometown in Italy as a way of reminiscing on his past. Thankfully he did — if he hadn’t, we might not have had the excuse to have the Renaissance Faire every year! His mark is left by more than the annual gathering of elves and wizards, though. He had the foresight to make room for what is now one of Florence’s landmarks. “Sannoner was interested in a place where people would be able to take a walk,” Stein said. Because the area was still forested at the time, many people laughed at Sannoner’s idea. Sannoner, however, knew that Florence and the surrounding areas would expand, and future residents would want a place to relax — thus, Wilson Park was born. Florence has only grown since its humble beginnings, and it has become home for many cultures, businesses and exciting endeavors that will continue to take it into the future.
HEADIN’ SOUTH: IMMIGRATION TO TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA North of Florence is the small town of St. Florian. Originally owned by plantation owners John and Matthew Wilson, the land was sold to a group of German Catholics who fled Europe and landed in Cincinnati. Their leaders saw the lack of Catholicism, low land prices and cultural diversity in the South as opportunities. “The Germans brought a lot of different traditions to the South,” Clint Alley, a local historian in the genealogy department of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library (FLPL), said. The most widely celebrated tradition in the area has to be Oktoberfest. “The Oktoberfest is a great way to conserve heritage,” Alley said. During the festival, residents serve traditional German food and celebrate their shared cultural heritage.
Cultural cuisine wasn’t the only thing the German immigrants brought to St. Florian. “The area needed immigrants,” Alley said. With new immigrants came new culture and also new perspectives on old techniques. “[The Germans] took a more scientific approach to agriculture than what was common in the area,” Alley said. They fit in well because of their knowledge of farming, and taught the local people how to be more efficient, practical farmers. Before settling St. Florian, the same Germans also settled just 30 miles north in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. However, it’s not the German heritage that sticks out the most here — it’s the black carriages pulled by horses plodding down the highway. The Amish trace their origins back to a religious split in Switzerland around 1693 — one led by Jakob Ammann, from whom the Amish get their name. The first Amish families came from Mississippi to Lawrence County in 1944. To this day, the area around Lawrenceburg hosts one of the only Amish populations in the Southeast, and they are proud of their heritage. Their grounds are open to the public for tours, and they are happy to sell their handmade goods to anyone interested. “You hear people say the Southerners hated to see the immigrants coming, but they needed them here,” Alley said. Immigration was one of the many ways the South’s wounds were healed after the Civil War and beyond. They came down and, according to Alley, “found the American dream in Lawrence County.”
THE AFRICANAMERICAN STORY The history of African-Americans in the South is one of sorrow, hope, struggle, success and growth. It’s a sad fact that the major settlers who came to our area of the Deep South in the 1800s brought slaves. These settlers were usually farmers and plantation owners from the East Coast — primarily cotton and tobacco farmers from Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. Because cotton and tobacco strip the soil of nutrients, they were looking for a fresh start. Another sad fact is this is really when the genealogical records of African-Americans in our area begin. “Generally, we can trace ancestors back to slavery,” Lee Freeman said. Freeman is the head of the local history and genealogy department at the FLPL and has been compiling data on African-American genealogy for 16 years. “Records were not kept nearly as good or as consistently as they are now — and especially for people who were enslaved,” Freeman said. “In some rare cases you can go back to the 1700s, but to get it back to Africa … is pretty rare actually. If you can take it back that far, that’s pretty remarkable.” Freeman said that, historically, it’s even difficult for many white people to trace their heritage back before 1700. The records, often times, simply aren’t there. After slavery was abolished in 1865, however, it was possible for African-Americans to have birth certificates, marriage licenses, business licenses and many other documents necessary for researching the past. What did enslaved African-Americans in north Alabama do after the War Between the States and Reconstruction? According to historians, many of them — especially in Lauderdale County — stayed and made the best of it.
FRANCES CUNNINGHAM FROM COLUMBIA, TN, IN 1930.
INTERESTED IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY? Try these landmarks, parks and special events. TRAIL OF TEARS MOTORCYCLE RIDE Chattanooga, Tennessee to Waterloo, Alabama September THE TUPELO BUFFALO PARK Tupelo, Mississippi TENNESSEE STATE POW WOW Nashville, Tennessee October PINSON MOUNDS STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK Pinson, Tennessee FLORENCE INDIAN MOUND Florence, Alabama OAKVILLE INDIAN MOUNDS Decatur, Alabama DISMALS CANYON CONSERVATORY Between Russellville and Hamilton, Alabama WICHAHPI COMMEMORATIVE STONE WALL Florence, Alabama OKA KAPASSA Spring Park, Tuscumbia, Alabama Sept. 11 and 12
12 FEATURE
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JANUARY 2015
SEGREGATED LUNCHROOM IN MUSCLE SHOALS, AL, IN 1918 (ABOVE) JAMES JACKSON SR.’S SLAVES INVENTORIED IN 1840 (BELOW) “I don’t know what it was about Lauderdale,” Freeman said, “if there was something in the water. The racial problems and tensions were never as bad here as they were in places like Selma and Birmingham.” “I think there were opportunities here that were not available to people in other areas,” Carolyn Barske, director of the UNA Public History Center, said. These opportunities began with an industrial boom in the 1880s and carried through to when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) came into the area. “TVA coming in was so important to helping people with electrification and helping train people on better farming techniques,” Barske said. “And they made a very big effort on a lot of the TVA projects to hire African-Americans in proportion to their percentage of the population.” Barske and Freeman, however, both agree that the history should not be viewed through rose-colored glasses. There was still segregation in all parts of Lauderdale County and the South, and even this area had its share of ugly stories. “You can’t say one system is better than another, because you still have this ingrained system of racism and Jim Crow and people wanting to leave because of that, even if there were opportunities here,” Barske said. “But we did find a pretty significant number of [African-Americans] whose families owned land in the 1920s, 1930s, so it’s a bit of different situation than you would find in other parts of the state.” Freeman attributes the relatively positive feelings on both sides of the racial lines to the choices made by black and white leaders from the Restoration after the Civil War, all the way through integration during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. “I think the leaders of both races realized that, like it or not, their destinies were intertwined,” he said. “So if they were going to make this thing work, they had to cooperate and work together.” When Wendell Wilkie Gunn became the first
African-American student to enroll at Florence State College (what is now UNA), he received threats. Once integrated, however, the transition was relatively smooth compared to many other places across the Deep South. Both historians agree, however, that Lauderdale County’s history is an exception — not a rule. Our county’s story is only representative of a small part of the history, and of the South. “Even though it was quieter, there were still the same issues here as there were in other places,” Barske said. “It may be quieter, but these stories are still really important to understand. The Civil Rights Movement didn’t play out the same way across the South. It happened in many different ways in different communities.”
It’s extremely hard to address issues happening today, and the most vital thing, according to Barske, is to learn as much about the history as possible. “Speaking from a historian perspective,” she said. “I think that’s something that needs to be paid attention to: the history of the black community in this area. I can’t really speak to how the community runs today in terms of race relations or in terms of opportunities, but I do think there’s a real desire on the part of the black community to capture their history. To talk about some of the stuff that people don’t want to talk about or have not thought was important.” It’s hard to say, but hopefully an honest, thorough look at past will help us be prepared for some of those conversations in the future.
JANUARY 2015
FEATURE 13
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THE MULE KING GETS SOME SUGAR FROM THE QUEEN OF MULE DAY IN 1941.
“MULES ON PARADE: MULE DAY IN COLUMBIA Walk through the town square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee today, and you might not realize that you’re walking in what is self-described as the “Mule Capital of the World.” You may change your mind, however, if you visit on Mule Day — a holiday in early April replete with a Mule Day Queen, a Mule Pull and a Mule Parade with, of course, hundreds of mules. “[During Mule Day] the town is chock full of people,” Bob Duncan, director of Maury County Archives, said. “You can’t stir ‘em with a stick. There’s easily 100,000 people in town.” The love of mules goes back to the beginnings of Maury County. When settlers first came in at the beginning of the 19th century, they came looking for more fertile land. Unbeknownst to them at the time, Maury County had high levels of phosphate, and their crops prospered more than they could have ever expected. “The land here was very fertile,” Duncan said. “People went crazy.” And with the agriculture came the need for animals to help work the land. “Early on, a young couple getting started depended on mules for agriculture,” Duncan said. “Any farmer worth his salt needed a good pair of mules.” So, how did Maury County become so famous for their
mules? No one seems to know. “For whatever reason, mule breeders and trainers [in Maury County] had a reputation for being the best in the country,” Duncan said. Adam Southern, director at the Maury County library, echoed Duncan’s thoughts. “For some reason or another, Maury County mules had a reputation,” Southern laughed. “It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, being the ‘Mule Capital of the World.’” Mule Day began in the 1930s and was welcomed by a wave of enthusiasm from locals who were hit by the Great Depression. After World War II, however, Mule Day lost popularity and stopped in 1950 as people began to focus more on the future and less on the traditions of the past. In 1974, however, Mule Day made its come back, and it’s been going strong since. “It’s a country folks’ hurrah,” Duncan said. “We have farmers, stockman and breeders here. It’s gotten to be a big deal, and it’s fun.” History is not always easy, and sometimes the lessons it teaches us are bitter pills to swallow. They’re important, however, because the past can teach us about who we are today, and even, perhaps, where we are going. It’s impossible to reach to the true origin of things — the nature of time doesn’t allow it. What we can do, however, is try to understand the knowledge that is available to us. It may happen that, through those grains of knowledge, we may be able to understand a little bit more about each other and ourselves.
STORY BY JOHN VEAL, SARAH EMERSON AND ANDY THIGPEN
The first man to be buried in Maury County was kicked in the head by a mule.
SOUTHERN ACCENT Voted the most attractive accent in North America, the Southern accent is known all around the world. While most of us love the Southern dialect, the origins of it is something that we often overlook. The accent itself varies across regions and is a mixture of various European accents as well as the African dialects brought in by the slave trade. Whereas the Appalachian accent is heavily influenced by the Scots who settled and made that region home, the accent heard in the Deep South, such as that in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee has its roots from the British who came to the South in the early 18th century. What’s left is an accent that ranges from as slow as molasses in January to faster’n all get out. So, whether we’re fixin’ a skillet of cornbread, or carrying someone to the store, you best believe our drawl will bless your hearts and be sweeter than your tea.
14 HEALTH
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JANUARY 2015
JANUARY 2015
HEALTH 15
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Old wives’ tales began with the oral tradition of storytelling.
Colds account for more doctor visits than any other condition.
ILLUSTRATION BY KATELIN HARRIS
OLD WIVES DON’T KNOW NOTHIN’ POPULAR HEALTH LEGENDS EXPLAINED BY PRE-MED STUDENTS Afraid to go outside with wet hair because you’ll catch a cold? Afraid to read in dim light because it’ll hurt your eyes? Is chicken noodle soup really good for the soul (and for fighting a cold)? All of these are examples of old wives’ tales or traditional beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. While many people stand by the validity of their old wives’ tales, many of these beliefs are actually inaccurate. I talked with nursing and pre-medical students to find out how to debunk the myths while seeing if any of these hold some truth.
TO CATCH A COLD
Some of the most common wives’ tales concern illnesses, especially colds. Have you ever heard your grandmother tell you to put on socks before you catch a cold? I know I have! I have also typically avoided going outside with wet hair. But is there any truth in these beliefs? “While these practices may make you more susceptible because of your body temperature lowering, they are not, in fact, causes of catching a cold,” Lexie Seacrest, a Lipscomb University nursing student, saisd. “A cold is a virus, and you are more susceptible when you have a lower immune system, not just from naked feet or a cold head.” Air temperature can affect how quickly a virus spreads. While being wet or cold is not related to catching the sniffles, many factors are. “Emotional distress, lack of sleep, not enough nutritional foods like fruits and
NOTE: SET DOES NOT RECOMMEND TAKING A SHOWER WITH SOUP IN THE SNOW. vegetables, and being around someone else who has the cold virus are all popular causes of a cold,” Seacrest continued. A cold begins when the virus attaches to the lining of your throat or nose, causing a lot of mucus and inflammation. Your body uses its energy to focus on killing that virus, which results in feeling rundown and tired. If you do get a cold, remember to avoid sneezing or coughing on other people, to get plenty of rest, and to drink lots of fluids. So, SET readers, sport that wet hair outside in 40 degree weather (if you dare) and let your feetsies go free — just remember to wash your hands and take care of your body in order to avoid sickness!
the activity of white blood cells that actually cause inflammation,” Melissa Parrish, a pre-med student from the University of Alabama, stated. Alice Sockwell, my grandmother and lifetime resident of the Shoals, also gives this popular advice credit. “Chicken noodle soup has been seen as a cold-fighter for ages,” she said. “The warm broth is perfect for a scratchy throat, and the carrots and vegetables in the soup provide your body with some much-needed vitamins.” So, it looks like this old wives’ tale actually has some merit. Eat up, chicken noodle soup lovers.
SOUP FOR THE SOUL
This time of year, sunlight is limited. This brings us to our next popular belief: reading in dim light hurts your eyes. A 2007 study in the British Medical Journal said that doctors supported the “reading in dim light tale”. The study stated that reading in low light does not damage eyes, but causes eyestrain. The same is true for the commonly heard warning
I’ve always grown up hearing the old wives’ tale: “Chicken noodle soup can cure anything—especially colds.” While the soup can’t cure everything, scientists support the idea that it can help with a cold by reducing inflammation of the lungs. “Chicken noodle soup is said to slow
BLINDED BY NO LIGHT
“don’t sit too close to the TV.” “In dim light, your eyes have to work harder to separate the words from the page, which strains eye muscles,” Parrish said. After reading in dim light for a while or sitting too close to the TV, your eye muscles will get sore and you may experience a headache. While dim light won’t cause permanent damage to your eyes, it can cause discomfort and strain on your eye muscles. It’s always best to read by bright lights that don’t create a glare on your page. So turn on your lamp while reading this issue, friends. There are countless old wives’ tales out there, constantly passed down the family tree. As with any health myth, be sure to do your research or talk with those in the medical field to help distinguish the facts from fiction.
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
16 FOOD
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65% of money spent locally returns to the community.
JANUARY 2015
There’s no real, set definition for “local food.”
PHOTO BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
FIELD TO FEAST
COLLINS DAVIS OF BLUEWATER CREEK FARMS
YOUR FOOD CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE: EVEN THIS RANDOM PLACE.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MEAL CAME FROM? In a culture where food is one of our primary forms of entertainment, it’s difficult to find something out there that’s not simply a novelty. From salted caramel to pretzel buns to pumpkin spice everything, culinary fads are nothing new to us.
We see them everywhere: on signs, billboards, television commercials and the like. We all know these are simply phases, and that they will come and go. There is, however, a trend of old customs on the rise among entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. It’s one that provides the consumer with the freshest ingredients possible and allows us the comfort of knowing exactly where our food comes from. It’s also a great way to support community businesses and entrepreneurs — locally sourced food. Chef Josh Quick of Odette in downtown Florence, Alabama is a firm believer in locally sourced food. “Most of the time [local food] is a better product,” Quick said. “It’s not sitting around in a warehouse somewhere. The more local stuff that is available, the more we’ll buy
it. All of our beef and pork is local.” According to Quick, Odette’s local beef supplier only produces 16 cattle per week. While this may seem like a lot, Quick added that there are only three large-scale beef suppliers in the United States, and each of these can go through upward of tens of thousands of cows per week. The benefit of small-scale slaughter for the chef and the consumer is that the cattle are not being force-fed and injected with numerous hormones to fatten them up to meet the demand. These cattle are, instead, able to be fed a more intentionally well-rounded diet, predominantly composed of grass, producing a much higher quality and better tasting meat. One of Quick’s meat suppliers, Collins Davis of Bluewater Creek Farms in Killen, Alabama, literally has his farming down to science. He
works with a very small number of cows, pigs and chickens, and rotates them throughout different plots of pastures. By rotating the animals, Collins ensures that the nutrients within the soil can be replenished, providing more nutritious meat as an end product. When it comes to produce, large suppliers require large orders, which can lead to not-so-fresh fruits and veggies. Quick makes it a priority to order in smaller quantities from local farms, ensuring the freshest produce possible. Quick orders a lot of his produce from Jack-O-Lantern Farms. Owners Steve and Connie Carpenter are risk takers, unafraid to experiment in order to produce the highest quality products possible. About 11 years ago, they began experimenting with hydroponic farming — a method that uses water instead of soil. By using water and greenhouses, Steve can pack their vegetables full of nutrients that all naturally occur in the soil or in our bodies. These days, since they’ve become masters at hydroponics, Jack-O-Lantern Farms produces up to 3,000 nutrientstuffed plants in their greenhouses at a time, allowing them to deliver a plethora of veggies to several local restaurants. Not only do the Carpenters use innovative methods to ensure you are able to eat the most nutritious and freshest vegetables possible,
JANUARY 2015
FOOD 17
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PHOTO BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
PHOTO BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
Some farmers claim hydroponic farming uses 90% less water than soil farming.
STEVE CARPENTER OF JACK-O-LANTERN FARMS but their products are Certified Naturally Grown: free of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic nutrients, so you can rest assured that your vegetables are also safe to be eaten. Not only does the use of locally sourced ingredients benefit your taste buds and the sense of security that comes from knowing what you’re putting into your body, but your purchase also puts food on families’ tables within your own community. For Quick, it’s not only about the product. “[The food] is produced by people who really care about it,” Quick said. “Their livelihoods depend on whether or not their product is good, so they’re going to take that extra time to take better care of their product. It’s great to support the community that’s supporting you.”
WANT TO EAT LOCAL? TRY THESE RESTAURANTS
ODETTE
Florence, Alabama
CITY HARDWARE Florence, Alabama
360 GRILLE
Florence, Alabama
CLAUNCH CAFÉ Tuscumbia, Alabama
THE FACTORY CAFÉ Florence, Alabama
STORY BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
ALBANY BISTRO Decatur, Alabama
18 MUSIC
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Richardson met his wife at Disney World.
JANUARY 2015
Richardson wrote “Back To Your Heart” for his now wife.
PHOTO BY CHRIS ANDERSON
GONNA BRING THE FLAVOR BACK
LINLEY MOBLEY AND KEVIN RICHARDSON CHILLIN’ IN NOISEBLOCK STUDIO.
20 MINUTES WITH KEVIN RICHARDSON Unless you lived in a bomb shelter your whole teenage life, you’ve probably heard of Kevin Richardson. If you’re a dude, you probably felt a little extra pressure when trying to impress the ladies; if you’re a girl, you probably had posters on your wall and gigglescreamed whenever he line-danced in a ripped up shirt in the “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” music video. We all know him as one-fifth of the legendary, still highly-acclaimed,
Backstreet Boys who comes to the Shoals area once in a while; the guy we see in On The Rocks while we try to play it super cool so as not to scare him away but deep down inside (of meeeeee!!!!) we really want to just bear hug him and tell him how much he helped us through all the ups and downs of our high school relationships. So, with you guys in mind, I cleared my super busy schedule and made time for the guy when he called begging for
an interview with SET Magazine (that’s a joke…). But for serious, I was extremely privileged to be given some time to sit down with Richardson during his latest recording session at Noiseblock Recording Studio in Florence, Alabama and talk about some things unrelated to his glorious time with the most amazing boy band known to man (suck it up Directioners, it’s the friggin truth). I met Richardson at Noiseblock
where he took a break from a recording session to hang out and talk with me. We walked into a noise-proof recording room and set down on a huge, red couch. At first it was a weird experience, being in a room void of outside noise with a person who is loved by millions, but Richardson — who was in frayed blue jean shorts, a Kentucky Wildcats t-shirt and baseball hat — was so relaxed and down-to-earth that I quickly felt at ease. “This is my eighth or ninth time in the [Shoals] area,” Richardson said. “I came down here the first time in ’97 to write with Gary [Baker]. We wrote our first song together, “Back To Your Heart,” for the Millennium album that
MUSIC 19
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was released in ’99.” Although it was work that brought Richardson here originally, the Shoals has become a place that is very special to him and his family. “My family and I like to come down here to visit the Bakers. We are all really close,” Richardson said. “We like to go out on the river and wake surf, play golf and eat good food.” Based on our ‘knowledge’ of the famous, you’d imagine Richardson’s favorite local places to eat would be the fancier restaurants, but he’s more into the ‘good ole boy’ food: Bunyan’s, Staggs and Newbern’s. “I’m from Kentucky originally, so I’m a country boy at heart. I live in Los Angeles now, so when I get down here I get all my country boy time in,” he said. “I love coming down here, I feel right at home.” Richardson was most recently here writing and recording with the Noiseblock team for his — drumroll, please — solo album. Even though Richardson has great contacts and opportunities all over the world, he chose to come to Noiseblock to write and record this album. “The vibe of this area is very inspiring,” he said. “You want to be in a place where you feel comfortable when you’re creating. My history with Gary, the relationship that we have and how comfortable I am in this town and studio definitely made me want to come here to create.” Richardson and the guys at Noiseblock have been working on this project since 2012, in between Richardson’s time recording and touring with the Backstreet Boys. “Chris [Bethea] and Gary help facilitate my vision, they’re good to bounce ideas off of,” Richardson said of the staff at Noiseblock. “They help me hone in and fulfill my vision.” So what is the vision for this album? “This record is not a big, pop production. It’s very stripped down and raw. It’s kind of a passion project,” Richardson said. “Basically I’m doing a couple of originals along with covers of favorite songs that have inspired me throughout my life and made me want to be a singer, an artist, a piano player, a musician and songwriter.” Some of the artists Richardson is covering include Billy Joel, Prince, Hall & Oates, Ambrosia, Bonnie Raitt, John Lennon, Kenny Loggins and Paul Carrack. “I figured a good way to find out who I am as a solo artist is to cover the people that inspired me and do my own
At Disney, he played Aladdin, Prince Eric & a Ninja Turtle. PHOTO BY CHRIS ANDERSON
Embarrassing moment? Splitting his pants on stage.
KEVIN RICHARDSON AND CHRIS BETHEA REVIEWING TRACKS AT NOISEBLOCK STUDIO. interpretations,” he said. “I thought it would be an interesting way to do a solo project and introduce myself to the fans that know me as part of the Backstreet Boys.” Depending on how long it takes to get mixed and mastered, the album could be released sometime this year. Richardson plans on coming back to the Shoals in the near future to have some photos taken for his album. Now we’re not promising anything, but he did say, “It would be fun to play a small, intimate venue with this record. That’s what I envisioned when I started working on this album.” So keep your fingers crossed, there’s a small possibility that one awesome show could happen in the Shoals area this year! Richardson has experienced a lot during his lifetime, from playing Aladdin at Disney World, joining the Backstreet Boys in ’94, traveling the world, being adored by millions, performing on Broadway to just being a family man. So what’s the biggest thing he took away from all that? “Have compassion for people and treat people like you want to be treated,” he said. “No matter how famous you are or how much money you make, we all put our pants on one leg at a time.” I’m tellin’ ya, the dude’s down to earth.
STORY BY LINLEY MOBLEY
PHOTO BY CHRIS ANDERSON
JANUARY 2015
KEVIN TALKS ABOUT MUSIC, THE FUTURE AND BEING A COUNTRY BOY.
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
JANUARY 2015
PHOTO BY PAUL KOLNIK
JANUARY 1 - JANUARY 31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
THE BLUE MAN GROUP NATIONAL TOUR WILL COME TO NASHVILLE IN EARLY JANUARY.
JANUARY 1
MANDISA @ Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, TN, 6pm THE GAMBLER @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 2
ANGELA EASLEY @ Mayday Brewery, Murfreesboro, TN, 6-8pm THE HENNINGSENS, LARRY GATLIN, RANDY MONTANA, MARTY STUART @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7pm OPRY AT THE RYMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm MONSTER JAM @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
EAGLEMANIACS @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 8pm THE EXOTICS @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 8pm THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGELS OF DEATH @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 3
THE HENNINGSENS, LARRY GATLIN, RANDY MONTANA, MARTY STUART @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm
JANUARY 5
LUKE WADE @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm
THE TIME JUMPERS @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 9pm
JANUARY 6
NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm ANNIE @ Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 7
BIRDS OF AVALON @ The Stone Fox, Nashville, TN, 9pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 8
NASHVILLE BOAT AND SPORTSHOW @ Music City Center, Nashville, TN, 2-9pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. DALLAS STARS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
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CIVIL TWILIGHT @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 8pm BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm
JANUARY 9
NASHVILLE BOAT AND SPORTSHOW @ Music City Center, Nashville, TN, 2-9pm RICHARD GOWEN @ Mayday Brewery, Murfreesboro, TN, 6-8pm MINDY SMITH @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 6pm HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm
JANUARY 2015
THE SWON BROTHERS, HAL KETCHUM, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE, THE WILLIS CLAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7pm WWE: LIVE @ UTC McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, TN, 7:30pm BLUE MOTHER TUPELO @ Douglas Corner Café, Nashville, TN, 8pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 8pm BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm SELMA @ Your Local Movie Theater TAKEN 3@ Your Local Movie Theater PREDESTINATION @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 10
RED SHOE RUN @ Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square, Homewood, AL, 7am XTERRA ALABAMA “MONTE SANO” STATE PARK 4MILE/15K TRAIL RUN @ Monte Sano, Huntsville, AL, 5K- 8:15am; 15K- 8am NASHVILLE BOAT AND SPORTSHOW @ Music City Center, Nashville, TN, 2-9pm FLETCHER, BELL & WARD @ Mayday Brewery, Murfreesboro, TN, 6-8pm MICKEY GUYTON, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE, JOEL CROUSE, DEANA CARTER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm THERESE ROSE AND THE THORNY HORNS @ Bourbon Street Boogie and Blues Bar, Nashville, TN, 7-9:30pm ERIC CHURCH WITH HALESTORM @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 8pm BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm SAM SMITH @ The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN, 2pm; 8pm
JANUARY 11
CALENDAR 21
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SOUTHERN BRIDAL SHOW @ Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) Arena and Exhibition Halls, Birmingham, AL, 12pm BLUE MAN GROUP @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall, Nashville, TN, 1pm; 6:30pm NASHVILLE BOAT AND SPORTSHOW @ Music City Center, Nashville, TN, 2-9pm FOR YEAR STRONG @ Exit In, Nashville, TN, 7pm
WINTERFEST @ The End, Florence, AL, 7-10pm SAM’S PLACE: DEANA CARTER & THIRD DAY @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 13
NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm GREGG ALLMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 14
GREGG ALLMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm GREENSKY BLUEGRASS WITH THE LAST BISON @ Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN, 8pm
JANUARY 15
FOR TODAY @ Rocketown, Nashville, TN, 6pm KENNY ROGERS WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm KELLY CLARKSON @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 16
CHRIS YOUNG, DARRYL WORLEY @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm KENNY ROGERS WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm GREENSKY BLUEGRASS @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm SONS OF ZEVON @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, AL 9:30pm THE WEDDING RINGER @ Your Local Movie Theater PADDINGTON @ Your Local Movie Theater BLACK HAT @ Your Local Movie Theater AMERICAN SNIPER @ Your Local Movie Theater STILL ALICE @ Your Local Movie Theater ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST @ Your Local Movie Theater SON OF A GUN @ Your Local Movie Theater SPARE PARTS @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 17
THE SHOALS FLEA MARKET @ North Alabama State Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals, AL, 9am-7pm LINKIN PARK @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7pm RONNIE MILSAP, VINCE GILL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm
KENNY ROGERS WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm BAHAMAS @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 9pm
JANUARY 18
THE SHOALS FLEA MARKET @ North Alabama State Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals, AL, 10am-5pm LET FREEDOM SING! @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm
JANUARY 19
GENERATIONALS WITH ELEL @ The High Watt, Nashville, TN, 9pm
JANUARY 20
DIGITAL RODEO XTREME @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 6pm
JANUARY 21
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES – MASTER QUEST WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY AND CHORUS @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES - MASTER QUEST GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV WITH NATHANIEL RATELIFF @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 8pm HANK & CUPCAKES @ The High Watt, Nashville, TN, 9pm
JANUARY 22
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES – MASTER QUEST WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY AND CHORUS @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm BEN HOWARD @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 23
WINTER FEST @ Nashville Flea Market, Nashville, TN, 12–5pm RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10:30am RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm OPRY AT THE RYMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm MIRANDA LAMBERT WITH JUSTIN MOORE @ Thompson-Boling Arena,
Knoxville, TN, 7:30pm YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND WITH HORSE FEATHERS @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 8pm GREGORY PORTER @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm THE BOY NEXT DOOR @ Your Local Movie Theater STRANGE MAGIC @ Your Local Movie Theater BLACK SEA @ Your Local Movie Theater MARTDECAI @ Your Local Movie Theater BALCK OR WHITE @ Your Local Movie Theater RED ARMY @ Your Local Movie Theater AGAINST THE SUN @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 24
WINTER FEST @ Nashville Flea Market, Nashville, TN, 7am-5pm RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 11am RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 3pm OPRY AT THE RYMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm JONELL MOSSER @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 7pm G-EAZY @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm GIRAFFAGE @ Exit In, Nashville, TN, 9pm RUBIKS GROOVE @ 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN, 9:30pm
JANUARY 25
WINTER FEST @ Nashville Flea Market, Nashville, TN, 7am-4pm RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 1pm RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM BAILEY CIRCUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 5pm
JANUARY 27
JOHN MELLENCAMP @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm THE STEPCREW @ University of North Alabama – Norton Auditorium, Florence, AL, 7:30pm
JANUARY 28
JACK WHITE @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm JOHN MELLENCAMP @ Ryman Auditorium,
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Nashville, TN, 7:30pm JACK WHITE @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
JANUARY 29
REBELUTION WITH KATCHAFIRE @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 9pm
JANUARY 30
SHOALS AREA MUSIC SHOWCASE @ Singin’ River Brewery, Florence, AL, 6pm OPRY AT THE RYMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm RON WHITE @ Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN, 7:30pm; 9:30pm ROGER WATERS PRESENTS CA IRA @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 8pm MAX @ Your Local Movie Theater PROJECT ALMANAC @ Your Local Movie Theater COMING HOME @ Your Local Movie Theater
JANUARY 31
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND FITNESS FAIR @ Bridge Builders Church International, Decatur, AL, 10-2pm OPRY AT THE RYMAN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm
22 SPECIAL FEATURE
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JANUARY 2015
JANUARY 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE 23
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The first recorded mention of “barbecue” is from 1672.
Different U.S. regions have widely different BBQ styles.
GETTIN’ SAUCY! DISCOVERING THE TRUE BIRTHPLACE OF AN ALABAMA BBQ STAPLE
LIKE WHITE SAUCE?
FEELING ADVENTUROUS? TRY MAKING YOUR OWN!
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS LILLY
1 QUART MAYONNAISE ¾ QUART APPLE CIDER VINEGAR ½ CUP CORN SYRUP ¼ TABLESPOON CAYENNE PEPPER HORSERADISH (AMOUNT CAN VARY) LEMON JUICE SALT & FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER PLACE ALL INGREDIENTS IN A VERY LARGE BLENDER OR FOOD PROCESSOR. THIS IS A BIG BATCH, SO USE TWO BOWLS. BLEND FOR ONE MINUTE, OR UNTIL THOROUGHLY COMBINED AND MIXTURE IS SMOOTH. POUR SAUCE INTO A BOWL. SERVE WITH POULTRY OR PORK.
ARE YOU HUNGRY YET? Throughout the United States, there are many different types of foods that are customary only within specific areas of the country. From the kringles of Wisconsin to the traditional chitlins of the Carolinas, the foods across the nation are unique to their regions and showcase the differing histories and cultures that makeup our country. The South is known for several traditional foods including sweet tea, fried green tomatoes and fried catfish, just to name a few. Another regional delicacy is barbecue. What most people don’t realize is that the northern region of Alabama is home to its own kind of barbecue sauce — white sauce. In the past, I wasn’t completely convinced that people outside of north Alabama didn’t know what white sauce was, so I started asking several people around me. Julie Corsby, a University of North Alabama student, said she had never had it until she headed south. “We didn’t have it in Arizona,” Corsby
said. “I’ve had it since then, and it’s pretty good. It’s a signature southern thing.” Bob of Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ claims to have created the original white sauce. I wanted to experience it myself, so I thought, “What better way research white sauce than going to the place where it all started?” I called up a friend, hopped in the car and took a spontaneous road trip to Decatur, Alabama — where our story begins. We pulled into the parking lot of Big Bob Gibson’s famous restaurant, and I quickly hopped out of the car, ready to indulge myself on tender BBQ smothered in the legendary white sauce. I walked into the restaurant and was immediately consumed by the rich aroma of hickory smoked barbecue and southern-style cooking. My friend and I were seated at one of the many square tables in the room as I prepared myself for an incredible feast. I was not disappointed! The barbecue simply fell of the bone and had the
perfect amount of flavoring to leave me wanting more. But the best part of this entire meal? The white sauce. It was practically perfect. Not too salty, not too spicy. Tasty, but not over-flavored. I had never tasted anything like it before, and I left the restaurant completely satisfied and excited for my next visit. After experiencing the delicious white sauce firsthand, I really wanted to find out more about the history behind the restaurant and its heavenly sauce. So, I got in touch with Chris Lilly, vice president and pitmaster of Big Bob Gibson’s. “Bob Gibson was a worker on the L&N Railroad,” Lilly said. “On the weekends, Bob would cook barbecue in his backyard and serve family and friends on a picnic table nailed to a sycamore tree.” Gibson’s heavenly barbecue gained reputation. After drawing huge crowds every weekend, he decided to quit the railroad business and start his own barbecue joint in the mid 1920s.
“He started with two sauces,” Lilly said. “One was a vinegar-based sauce that was similar to a North Carolina sauce. The other was a white sauce for chicken, and that is really the origin of the white sauce. “People have tried to trace it and they follow leads, but it all goes back to Big Bob Gibson’s,” Lilly said. Come to find out, more than just the folk in north Alabama know about “Alabama white sauce.” Lilly said he has been in a restaurant in Chicago and New York that offered their own variations. “It’s not relegated to north Alabama now,” he said. “It’s popular all over the country. But everyone seems to realize that it’s a north Alabama sauce.” This is great for the culinary culture of our state, he said. “When you talk about regional barbecue, people talk about the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas,” Lilly said. “[White sauce] gives Alabama something distinct about their barbecue to hang their hat on.”
STORY BY EMILY RUSSELL
24 SPOTLIGHT
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PHOTOS BY DALLAS MOORE, ROBERT BROCK COBLE, LIZA HARRISON AND COURTNEY TULLY
AMUSE: STARVING ARTISTS KENNEDY-DOUGLAS CENTER, NOVEMBER 8, PHOTOS BY DALLAS MOORE
CHRIS WADE
LUKE HUNTER AND JARED MCCOY
VICTOR SARMIENTO
BLACK FRIDAY WITH THE POLLIES // HARTLE ROAD 116 E. MOBILE, NOVEMBER 28, PHOTOS BY ROBERT BROCK COBLE
LEE GRIFFIN, WILL VASTINE AND GARRY SMITH
DONNIE FRITZ AND JONATHAN OLIPHANT
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SONS OF OLDTOWN X-MAS EXTRAVAGANZA 116 E. MOBILE, DECEMBER 4, PHOTOS BY LIZA HARRISON
BROOKE SWANN, TORI SHERROD, CAROLINE ROGERS, SILER HEAD AND KEVIN HOANG
ALBERT ROTHSTEIN AND CORTNEY OLIVER
BAILEY CANNON AND SAMMY KNUDSON
THOMAS RISHER
BRITNEY NEWBY AND JAMIE SEGO
NATHAN PUCKETT AND SHELBY INGRAM
JERRY SAYLOR AND BROOKE SWANN
ALICIA THREET, MARY BETH COATS AND ADDISON ISOM
JESSICA MORGAN, ALLIE RAPPUHN AND KATHERINE THOMAS
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JORDY SEARCY // KENSINGTON MOORE 116 E. MOBILE, DECEMBER 5, PHOTOS BY LIZA HARRISON
KENSINGTON MOORE AND JORDY SEARCY
CORBETT KESSLER, ZACHARY RYAN AND CARL LEWIS
KRISTEN DUNN, MARC BILFORE AND MCKENZIE LOCKHART
ERIN DUNCAN, KATHRYN SMITH AND SAVANNAH LILES
FIRST FRIDAY COURT ST., DECEMBER 11, PHOTOS BY LIZA HARRISON
KELSEY PRATER, PATRICIA SANTANA AND CALEB BILLINGS
MORGAN STRONG, BROOKE WOODS AND CHRIS WOODS
ANDREW LITTLETON AND REBECCA PEOPLES
CHELSEA AND LUCAS WASSNER
AUDREY MONROE AND NOELLE MARSHALL
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JESSIE BOWER AND PIXEL
NATHAN GIFFORD AND HANNAH VAUGHN
ASHLIN GEAN AND CAROLINE ROGERS
FLORENCE CHRISTMAS PARADE DOWNTOWN FLORENCE, DECEMBER 12, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
HEATHER POTTS AND JUSTIN GRUBBS
NICK SMITH AND KALEE COOSENBERRY
RENNI WIGGINTON, KELSEY DAMONE AND CARSONCAPTION BLACK
JOEL DAVIS AND SHANLEY GLOVER
BRANDI, TYLER, AMBER AND AJ THOMAS
CHANNING MORROW AND SAVANNAH CAPTION GROSCH
28 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Kenya is roughly the size of Texas.
CONTRARY TO COMMON BELIEF, MARIJUANA IS NOT LEGAL IN THE CARIBBEAN.
SPECIAL FEATURE 29
40% of Vietnamese people share the family name “Nguyen.”
THOUGHTS AND CULTURE SHOCKS DEBUNKING MYTHS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Traveling abroad can be intimidating. There are many unknowns that lie beyond our backyards. Our homes and communities are our places of refuge, and we find peace in knowing our way of life is steadfast and true. But what if the grass is really greener on the other side? What if the world outside our borders that we believe to be so scary isn’t actually that bad? Ask any American if they own a passport, and many will reply with a disenchanted, “No.” After all, why purchase a passport when your home is the “melting pot” of the world? Although there are many beautiful cultures housed within the borders of the United States, there is still a world unknown and often misconceived by all who never leave. While the misconceptions are not intentional, they often prevent us from really understanding other cultures. Luckily, among the many blessings of America, there lies a group of people willing to shatter — or, perhaps, confirm — some of our widely held beliefs about different cultures. These people are students who have braved oceans and long plane rides to experience a world outside their own. We know them as exchange students, and, by sharing experiences of their own cultures, they hold the key to demystifying our preconceived notions. Hang Tu, a Vietnamese student at the University of North Alabama (UNA), was both thrilled and shocked when she first arrived in the United States. Life was a lot different from her home in Vietnam. As Hang became more familiar with this new culture, she was eager to shed light on her own culture with others. One myth that Americans have believed about Vietnam is that dogs are friends … and food. This statement is actually true. “Dog meat is very popular in my
country,” Hang said. “It is also more expensive than other meats and is sold in the markets.” To Americans, eating dogs is very strange, but in Vietnam, it is perfectly normal. What lesson can be gleaned from this? Never take your pets for granted? No. Learn to honor the differences of others. What is strange to one may be another’s reality. Emily Kazungu is another student pursuing her education at UNA. Upon entering the United States from her native country of Kenya, she quickly learned to embrace change. As her own misconceptions were continually unearthed, she would see that Americans had misconceptions of their own. “Americans think all Kenyans can run,” Kazungu said. “I cannot run. I cannot count the number of people that ask me. I wish I could run so that I can tell them ‘Yes!’” Why do Americans associate Kenyans with running? Since Kenya first participated in the Olympic Games in 1956, the country has claimed 86 medals. With 56 of those medals awarded for long-distance running, it is no wonder that Kenyans are applauded for their speed and agility. Although Kenya is well-known for its athletic runners, it is important to realize that pristine athleticism is only a small part of what it has to offer. With beautiful wildlife, coveted resources and a rich cultural heritage, Kenya is truly a gem with many treasures to be discovered. One final student was eager to share her stories of home. Camech Emanuel is a native of Saint Kitts, a small island located in the Caribbean Sea. Before traveling, she never had a strong a desire to venture to the United States. Once she arrived, she quickly encountered a misconception of her
CAMECH EMANUEL culture and country. “Most Americans think that I speak a different language or that English is not my first language,” Emanuel said. “However, English is my first language, and I do not speak any other.” The English dialect Emanuel speaks is a mix of West African and British English called Saint Kitts Creole. The dialect comes from a time when Saint Kitts island was a British colony, and the enslaved West Africans were forced to learn English. The language continued to evolve into what it is today, and while the strong enunciation of certain words may appear foreign to some, the language itself is still English — just a different flavor! It’s easy to see we live in a big, wild world. Things are not always as they seem, and the journey of life may not go as expected. Yet, true beauty is found in the people around us and the memories we make along the way. Take a step outside of your comfort zone. The real reward comes when we embrace our differences, set aside our judgments and ill-founded beliefs and realize there is a world greater than our own.
STORY BY DANIELLE PATTEN
EMILY KAZUNGU
HANG TU
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ONE FINAL THOUGHT
MEN POSE FOR A PICTURE IN THE SEGREGATED VILLAGE AT THE U.S. NITRATE PLANT IN MUSCLE SHOALS, AL, IN 1918.
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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