VOLUME 03 ISSUE 09 OCTOBER 2015
HELP ME I’M POOR
WELCOME GREAT PUMPKIN
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU’VE SEEN A GHOST
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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OCTOBER 2015
OCTOBER 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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FOLKS AROUND HERE ARE AS LOYAL TO THEIR FAVORITE PATCH AS THEY ARE TO THE CRIMSON AND WHITE OR ORANGE AND BLUE. PUMPKIN PATCH THROWDOWN, P11
LETTER
FROM THE EDITOR
CONTRIBUTORS LET’S HEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SWIPE, SWIPE, MAYBE
SCARING IS CARING “Trick or Treat” is a phrase I haven’t uttered since I lugged an empty pillowcase full of tootsie rolls around my grandmother’s neighborhood in ’06, but the words are slowly making a reappearance in adulthood. For all you college seniors, there are often more life ‘tricks’ than ‘treats’, if you haven’t already heard. Let me be honest – adult life is terrifying. You begin to muster strength to squash that dreaded wolf spider with ease, but paying bills, checking bank statements, purchasing cleaning supplies over Taco Bell and buying professional clothes is an anxiety attack unlike the one you had when your mother gave you a ham and turkey sandwhich instead of a PB&J. But, as we all know, along with the trials come delightful experiences only associated with growing up. Cheesy as it may be, life begins outside your comfort zone and taking a leap of faith into adulthood is entirely worth it. For example, beer is no longer taboo, it is expected in nearly every social situation. Buying all the fruity cereal with marshmallows is a no-brainer. Yes, the faint cry of your mother yelling “Noooooo!” may be heard, but trust me, it’s easy to shake off. And putting that utility bill marked ‘PAID’ front and center on your refrigerator creates a sense of pride no T-Ball trophy ever could. Did I mention beer is OK? The transition into adulthood may be the scariest yet, but take a leap of faith and embrace the 3 a.m. Grey’s Anatomy cries, as the tears roll into your soggy cereal with marshmallows. It’s a rite of passage you’ll look back on and say,
CREDIT CARDS AREN’T SO SPOOKY AFTER ALL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SHOP ‘TIL YOU BOP WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR THIS FALL? THINK BOHEMIAN . . . . . . . 6
ALABAMA NEEDS A SCARY MOVIE BAMA GOTHIC DESERVES A SPOT IN THE CINEMATIC WORLD. . . . . 7
ALL TREATS, NO TRICKS RAISING FUNDS FOR CIRCLE OF SISTERHOOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 “Thank God I’m no longer there.” I’ll step off my soapbox now and introduce you to the amazing (and spooky) content SET has to offer for October, arguably the greatest time of the year. Speaking of rites of passage, we all tottered around pumpkin patches in the early 90s in search of that perfectly plump, orange orb. But, which patch reigns pickers choice for us millennials? Don’t worry, the debate is settled inside. Did you know Alabama doesn’t claim ONE memorable, classic horror film to its name? The reason why might shock you, but a new Alabama law may soon have horror film directors knocking at our door. Also, shocker: Edgar Allen Poe was a weird guy. His sensitive side began to show through early in life when he found a love for an extracurricular activity many of us might deem strange – breeding cats. Trust me, read on. As always, if you’re interested in writing for SET, don’t hesitate to reach out through email, Twitter, Facebook or smoke signal. We’re glad to have you.
BY ANNA GRACE USERY, 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.
AN EPIC PUMPKIN PATCH THROWDOWN LOCALS SETTLE THE FIGHT OVER WHO REIGNS PUMPKING . . . 10-13
PUTTING MY FEET TO WATER LOCAL POET SHOWS ART IS ABOUT CONNECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
EDGAR ALLAN POE: MAD GENIUS OR FELINE FANATIC? POE BRED PYGMY CATS? MEOWKAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
EAT TO BEAT FALL ALLERGIES THESE LOCAL FOODS WILL HELP FIGHT ALLERGIES NATURALLY. . . 19
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-22
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
A CINEMATIC GREAT GONE TOO SOON TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST MASTER OF HORROR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
UNDERGROUND ART N SOUND TAKING A LOOK AT MUSIC BELOW THE SURFACE. . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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4 CONTRIBUTORS
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SET CONTRIBUTORS AMANDA AREOSTATICO
ALICIA THREET
CALEB BILLINGS
ALLIE SOCKWELL
ERIC KETTINGER
JOSH HOLLAND
Florence, AL
Lawrenceburg, TN
Florence, AL
Findlay, OH
Sheffield, AL
Vina, AL
ASHLEY GRAVES Athens, AL
WILL COREY
Florence, AL
SARAH EMERSON Hamilton, AL
SARAH KEETER Opelika, AL
JAMES THIGPEN ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN Killen, AL
Florence, AL
KALI DANIEL
PAIGE MCCAY
Murfreesboro, TN
Locust Fork, AL
DEAN ARNOLD
COURTNEY TULLY
Cairo, MS
Rogersville, AL
OCTOBER 2015
MONEY 5
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The first credit cards were made from paper.
In the U.S., about 1.4 billion cards are in circulation.
SWIPE, SWIPE, MAYBE CREDIT CARDS AREN’T SO SPOOKY AFTER ALL Nearly every adult has a credit card, but all I hear are horror stories. My parents rejoice when they pay off debt and tell me to never get a credit card, if I can avoid it. But, I have to think about paying off student loans, a new car, and nearly all the bills. That’s... a lot of pressure for me as a college student when I have virtually no money at all. I talked with Matthew Van Ormer, aka “Van-O,” the Director of Financial Literacy at Listerhill Credit Union about credit card myths.
MYTH #1: BAD CREDIT IS BETTER THAN NO CREDIT.
Bad credit is actually the result of bad spending habits. Someone who has no credit is more likely to receive a loan than someone with bad credit. Someone with no credit has never had the chance to prove themselves, duh.
MYTH #2: I CAN’T GET A LOAN BECAUSE I HAVE NO CREDIT.
This IS true if you’re asking for a large loan. But, on the other hand, if you are in need of a small loan to start building credit or to pay a down payment, a good interview with a loan officer will benefit you.
MYTH #3: CREDIT CARDS ARE EVIL.
Poor spending habits are evil. A credit card is a tool that can benefit you! “Imagine a credit card like a hammer,” Van Ormer said. “Hammers can break and destroy things, but they can also be used to build and assist.”
MYTH #4: I’M YOUNG. CREDITORS WILL EASILY FORGIVE ME, RIGHT?
If you have ever been sent to collections for not paying your bills, it
BILLS. BILLS EVERYWHERE. will be on your credit history. Debt in collections creates bad credit. Even if you pay off that debt amount, it is still on your credit history. Collections remain on your record for seven years, and late payments stay on your record for two years. “Look at credit like trust - it is easy to lose and hard to get back,” Van Ormer said. *Tip: You can access your credit report once a year from www. annualcreditreport.com for free!
MYTH#6: I SHOULD GET A CREDIT CARD SO I CAN MAKE BIG PURCHASES.
A credit card is good to use for a secondary form of payment or for emergencies. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. Just because you have a $10,000 limit on your card doesn’t mean you should run the balance up to $9,500. At an interest rate of 14 percent, it will take more than six years to pay it off…on top of rent, utilities, insurance, taxes, furniture, loan payments… You get the idea. Adult life can be hard sometimes. Womp, womp.
MYTH #5: I’M NOT GOING TO GET A CREDIT CARD BECAUSE I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY OFF $100 PER MONTH. MYTH#7: ALL CREDIT CARDS All credit cards have a maximum ARE THE SAME.
limit. A typical credit card payment is about 2-3 percent of the balance. That is $10-15 a month until it is paid off. Paying on a card monthly means you avoid paying interest. You can even pay more each month. Interest rates range from 8-29 percent.
Always, always, always read the fine print. Some cards are created for different purposes. Some cards are for every day spending, but could have penalties if you pay even one hour late. Your interest could then be raised indefinitely for any future purchases.
Again, bad spending habits or not keeping up with payments can hurt you. However, credit cards can help, too. There are some credit cards out there that give cash back, free travel and other perks!
MYTH #8: CREDIT IS LIKE A GRADE. I HAVE AN “A” BECAUSE I PAY OFF MY CARD MONTHLY.
Credit is shaped by the length of time you have the card for, the type of credit (car loan, student loan, etc), payment history and the number of credit cards owned.
STORY BY AMANDA AREOSTATICO
6 FASHION
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Boho Bop caters to designer hippies. #forthedippies
OCTOBER 2015
All pieces are made in the deep, dirty South.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU BOP WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR THIS FALL? THINK BOHEMIAN With the Alabama heat finally starting to cool its jets, it’s time to make way for the best season of all – fall, y’all. From the smell of crisp air, changing leaves and cliché pumpkin spice lattes, the fall season brings even more change to the table - ‘tis the season for a closet transition! I had the pleasure of sitting down with clothing designer and founder of Bohemian Bop, Heather Wylie, to talk about what trends we’ll see this season.
Q1: Fall is (thankfully) approaching. What sort of defining trend(s) do you foresee in the upcoming season? Wylie: I foresee this fall season to be about the modern, yet opulent bohemian. Sharp, clean silhouettes with bold patterns as well as colorful fabrics paired with black and worked into dramatic silhouettes. I think it will be interesting because there will be innovation paired with old-world beauty, from head to toe.
Q2: What are some of your inspirations
when designing your pieces?
Wylie: My inspirations are art, books, history, pop culture, trinkets and couture fashion. All of these things fascinate me and I love exploring ways to combine unassuming themes found in different domains. It is very fun and interesting. I am particularly inspired by the art, literature and general culture of early medieval Europe through the Enlightenment and early Western civilization. I love the dramatic romance of those times.
Q3:
If you could put together your perfect fall, casual outfit, what would you choose? Wylie: The perfect casual, day outfit is one that can transition to night. My goto is my high-low skirt with either a long sleeve lace tee or a lace crop top. The Forli skirt is offered in the fall/winter (FW) seasons and is conservative enough that it is appropriate for work or lunch with your grandmother, but flirty enough for date night. The Forli skirt paired with the lace crop top is for a younger audience and more relaxed setting. The Forli skirt paired with a long sleeve, lace standard tee is conservative and feminine. My perfect casual daywear is versatile, comfortable and always killer with a pair of heels.
Q4: Do you design any menswear? If
so, can you tell me about it? If not, do you have any future plans to do so in the future? Wylie: I currently do not design any menswear. From time to time, I will silkscreen a handful of men’s tees, if I have a design that is unisex and the T-shirts are available. I definitely think about and have menswear in my future. It is not something I can do alone, however. I already have the perfect partner for the expansion, I just need to perfect what I have started before putting another iron in the fire.
Q4:
Do you have a shop located anywhere near, or have an online shop where your fall pieces can be conveniently purchased?
BOHEMIAN BOP MODELS EXHIBIT THE LATEST FALL FASHION. Wylie: I do not have a physical shop. I have a studio in Florence where my manufacturing supplies are and a studio in Birmingham where the design happens. Locally, my clothes can be purchased at Audie Mescal (101 N. Main St. in Tuscumbia). I just made a major change with my e-commerce sites; bohemianbop.com is now the online retail hub, while shopbohem.com is my wholesale site. Some of the same garments can be seen on both sites but bohemianbop.com will have one-of-a-kind, limited edition pieces that I print on and add lace to.
So there you have it - your guide to a perfectly fashionable (and local) fall and winter season. No matter the incomprehensible heat index or premature dreams of a white Christmas, one thing is for sure about us southerners - we’ve got style.
STORY BY ALICIA THREET
OCTOBER 2015
MOVIES 7
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13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey was published in ’69.
Since 2009, there have been 55 productions filmed in AL.
ALABAMA NEEDS A SCARY MOVIE BAMA GOTHIC DESERVES A SLOT IN THE CINEMATIC WORLD Many of the most iconic horror movies use their unique locations to enhance their impact. “The Shining,” for example, uses its snowy Colorado setting to create an intense feeling of isolation not just for the characters, but for the audience as well. The backwoods of the American South has been used to similar effect many times in movies like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in Texas, “The Evil Dead” in Tennessee, “Jeepers Creepers” in Florida and “Deliverance” in Georgia. (Some might not consider this a horror movie, but you can’t deny it’s terrifying.) Brooke Perry, local horror-genre expert, said it’s no surprise the South has been used so prominently in horror films. “The Southern gothic vibe resonates very strongly in both literature and film,” he said. “No other geographical region in the U.S. has anything like it. You’ll also find it in non-horror films like “Sling Blade.”” Perry also notes the appeal of the southern gothic atmosphere has been strong enough to lure filmmakers here from other countries. “Lucio Fulci (an Italian film director) was aware of the atmosphere,” he said. “The Beyond” was set and filmed in New Orleans. He knew that particular story wouldn’t have worked had he shot it in Italy, as was his norm.”
With the branding of prime, horror real estate, it’s strange Alabama doesn’t have one, classic horror movie to call its own. Now, it’s true there are a few horror movies you could bring up that were partially shot or set in Alabama. The first Hannibal Lecter movie, “Manhunter”, has a scene set (but not filmed) in Birmingham, while the opening of “The Final Destination” is set in Mobile. Nearby Bay Minette’s woods even became Camp Crystal Lake in “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood.” Despite these examples, there hasn’t been a major horror film to use an Alabama setting to its fullest potential. There are two possible reasons for this. One, for an extended amount of time Alabama didn’t offer the same kind of tax incentives other southern states did to lure in film companies. This meant most movies with an Alabama setting were shot somewhere else (the bulk of the 2002 comedy “Sweet Home Alabama” was shot in Georgia.) The other reason is just plain bad luck. Fortunately, the first of those problems is currently changing. In
2009 Alabama started a film incentive program which has steadily increased the amount of money film companies can get back from filming in the state. This is already luring in more film productions, so the chances of a major horror movie shot in Alabama are going up. As far as what kind of stories an Alabama-based horror film could focus on, there are a wealth of options. Growing up in Alabama you’d have to try really hard to avoid finding the classic, ghost book “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey” at any public library or bookstore. These Alabamabased ghost stories could be used for a whole series of movies or even a TV series similar to “American Horror Story.” Outside that book, it seems nearly every town in the state has its own local ghost stories. All it takes is the right director discovering one and being creative enough to transform it into a movie. Also, real, historical events are ripe for filmmakers to pull from when making a horror movie. Alabama’s history certainly has its darker chapters (specifically the plantation
and Jim Crow eras). For example, Florence’s recently demolished “Ghost Bridge” was said to be haunted by the ghost of a hanged slave. Horror films have often been accused by critics of being pure exploitation, but they can force us to confront uncomfortable truths about our past and how we deal with them in the future. The popularity of horror movies has only grown stronger with each decade and also the desire for something fresh and new. Thanks to the new film incentives, Alabama is bound to get the horror film it deserves. Hopefully it won’t be a movie that could’ve been made anywhere, but will instead draw upon Alabama’s unique look and folklore to make something really special.
STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS
8 HERO
Circle of Sisterhood is UNA’s NPC national philanthropy.
Since its founding in 2010, Circle of Sisterhood has impacted women and girls in 17 countries on four continents.
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COS helps send girls in third world countries to school.
ALL TREATS, NO TRICKS RAISING FUNDS FOR CIRCLE OF SISTERHOOD Costumes, pumpkins and candy, oh my! For one night during the month of October the Amphitheatre, located in the heart of the University of North Alabama’s campus, will be transformed into a Halloween lover’s dream. However, don’t expect any tricking at this family-oriented event. It’s strictly a treating event, as one UNA nonprofit student group works to raise money for a good cause. The event is hosted by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which is the governing body for UNA’s four NPC sororities — Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Phi Mu, and Zeta Tau Alpha. The annual Pumpkin Palooza will take place Oct. 29 from 5-8 p.m. The event will feature blow-up games, a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest, among a host of other activities. Admission for everyone (not just UNA students) is $3, with all funds going to NPC’s philanthropy, Circle of Sisterhood. “This is a really great event and a wonderful opportunity for us to raise awareness for what Circle of Sisterhood is,” said NPC Vice President Hailey Holke. “Circle of Sisterhood is recognized by the National Panhellenic Conference as our nationally-supported philanthropy, much like the four sororities support their own individual philanthropies.” She said funds raised from last year’s Pumpkin Palooza went to help with the Hope for Justice program in Cambodia. Founded in 2010, the mission of Circle of Sisterhood is to leverage the collective influence of sorority women to raise financial resources for entities around the world
A GROUP OF AFRICAN GIRLS GIVE THANKS TO THE CIRLCE OF SISTERHOOD PHILANTHROPY. that are removing educational barriers for girls and women facing poverty and oppression in Third World countries. Since its inception, individual alumnae and sorority communities on college campuses across North America have engaged in the global humanitarian effort to remove barriers to education for girls in the developing world, according to its website. So far, this movement by sorority women, like those at UNA, has impacted women and girls in 17 countries on four continents. Circle of Sisterhood not only gives women an equal chance for rewarding lives and livelihoods through schooling, they also help with learning a trade or even acquiring a college degree. “Many campuses become partners and are able to send teams to the villages and third world countries that the girls will be sent to school in,” Holke said. “In most cases, the project begins with actually building a school for them.” She said it costs approximately $54 to send a girl to school for a year through Circle of Sisterhood with everything she needs to be successful including
supplies, a uniform, tuition and lunch each day. “Panhellenic is something that has been near and dear to my heart over the past few years,” Holke said. “It gives girls a chance to meet others in the different chapters. When we’re all together, letters don’t mean anything. We’re all apart of one big sisterhood, and that’s been the cool thing is watching everyone grow.” In addition to Pumpkin Palooza, NPC also hosts Vera Bradley Bingo in the spring to support Circle of Sisterhood. This year, the group raised $2,500 for Circle of Sisterhood and were able to send 13 girls to school. “Not only have these events been a great way to bring all the sororities together, it’s also helped raise more awareness,” Holke said. “Our goal is to become a Circle of Sisterhood campus. And right now, we’re quite well on our way.”
STORY BY ASHLEY GRAVES
OCTOBER 2015
HERO 9
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PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY STORY BY SARAH EMERSON AND SARAH KEETER
OCTOBER 2015
FEATURE 11
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A pumpkin is actually a squash.
Pum pkins we r e onc e r e c omme nde d f or r emoving f r e c kle s & curing snake b ite s
The only continent pumpkins can't grow on is Antarctica.
OH MY GOURD...I CAN ONLY PICK ONE?!
LOCALS SETTLE THE FIGHT OVER WHO REIGNS PUMPKING
Here in north Alabama and middle Tennessee, we love our pumpkin patches. For most of us, the annual visit to our favorite patch is one of the highlights of fall. We look forward to the day when we get to walk through a field of pumpkins, find the perfect one and take it home to enjoy throughout the season (not to mention getting great photos for Snapchat and Instagram.) Though these fall phenomenons differ from the usual thrills associated with corn mazes and haunted houses, pumpkin patches can still create a fun atmosphere for teens and young adults. Recently, patches have expanded to become more than toddler's picking their first pumpkins and throwing around loose corn. Many patches include carving and painting stations, restaurants, hayrides and more. Folks around here are as loyal to their favorite patch as they are to the crimson and white or orange and
blue, as many of the locals grew up going to these patches with their family and continue to pass the tradition down to future generations. Some have even gotten into fist fights and duels (or so we've heard) over who has the best patch in our area, so we’ve decided it’s time to settle the score, once and for all.
THE BEST IN NORTH ALABAMA: TATE FARMS
Tate Farms, located in Meridianville, Alabama, is undeniably the biggest favorite of
Tennessee Valley residents. The farm has been in operation since 1948 and is run by Homer Tate and his family. The family-run farm operation exudes the essence of fall-time fun and is open and welcoming to all families. Caitlin Brown, University of North Alabama senior, grew up going to Tate Farms and said it should be everyone's goto patch, too. “What I think is so special about Tate Farms is that it’s very familyoriented, and there is something for people of all ages to enjoy,” she said. UNA junior Dayton Tenney said the environment at Tate Farms is full of exuberance and endless possibilities. “My favorite thing about visiting Tate Farms is that it makes you feel like you have your own pumpkin patch in your backyard,” he said. Finding your perfect pumpkin fresh-off-the-vine is no painstaking
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The largest pumpkin pie ever made weighed 350 lbs.
"ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU GET TO PICK ME UP?"
JEANNE ISBELL PETS "JB" THE CAMEL AT ISBELL'S PUMPKIN FARM.
OCTOBER 2015
The world's largest corn maze is at Richardson Farm in IL. task at this patch - Tate Farms offers the largest variety of pumpkins in the Tennessee Valley area with over 40 variations of pumpkins. Along with the 65 acres of pumpkins and gourds, the property has numerous forms of entertainment, including an area to pet farm animals, a barnyard playground, a corncrib, a jumping pillow, a hay bale maze, corn train rides and a cotton jump. There are also picnic areas, two restaurants, a country store, a produce shed and a display of antique farm equipment. This year Tate Farms is featuring a new activity NASCAR fans might enjoy - a pedal car racetrack. Similar to a dirt bike track, the track will have John Deere pedal carts to race. With generations full of experience and pumpkin expertise, the Tate family knows much about agriculture as well. Not only do they produce pumpkins, they also grow corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton. The largest pumpkin on record at Tate Farms was a staggering 180 pounds. For those dreaming not of a white Christmas but of a fall-themed wedding, good news: Tate Farms can be rented year-round for weddings, parties and any other events. The farm can accommodate both large and small events with the barn, pavilion and patio, according to its website. Tate Farms is open now through Oct. 31. Hours of operation can be found on their website, tatefarmsal.com.
THE BEST IN TENNESSEE: LYON FAMILY FARMS
In Taft, Tennessee, just over the Alabama state line, sits a one-ofa-kind fall experience - the Lyon Family Farms pumpkin patch. Along with a 15-acre patch of pumpkins, Lyon Farms, too, has a host of activities for its local and out-oftown visitors. The large corn maze is arguably one of the toughest in the area, and for gun enthusiasts, the pumpkin blasters will quickly set the rookies apart from the professionals. The farm has pig races, rubber duck races, a monster slide and barrel swing, a large corn maze, redneck wind chimes and more activities you wouldn’t enjoy on an average day. “I really loved the atmosphere,” said Cortney Wray, a UNA senior. “Lyon Farms has a traditional fall feel to it. You can purchase so many different kinds of pumpkins and they have an array of farm animals to learn more about.” The main attraction at the Lyon Family Farms is without a doubt
HERE'S TO LOOKING AT YOU, PUNKIN.
OCTOBER 2015
FEATURE 13
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Pumpkins are 90 percent water. the pig races. If your idea of fun is watching sows like Hamon Eggs, Jennifer Hamiston and Lean Cuisine oink into mud-slathered oblivion, you've chosen the right pumpkin patch. Lyon Family Farms is open now until Oct. 31 with an $8 weekday admission and $10 weekend ticket. Hours of operation are available at lyonfamilyfarms.com.
THE SHOALS FAVORITE: MCGEE FARMS
Nearly everyone in Lauderdale and Colbert counties has heard of the famous McGee Farms – it is the staple, fall-themed patch we have in our minds with the mere utterance of the words “pumpkin patch.” For many it brings back memories of field trips in elementary school, weekend adventures in college or even family time as an annual trip. Overall, McGee is a Shoals institution the locals love. Upon arriving to the farm, you can see the main barn is the primary focus where people purchase prepicked pumpkins and mums. After choosing your pumpkin, try your hand at “milking” wooden cows and take photos, as the farm and the land surrounding it creates a fall backdrop many only dream of. Nearby, you can
Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2008: 1.1 billion pounds.
go for a walk through the cornfield, visit and feed the friendly farm animals and even have some major fun as the farm boasts a massive “Barnyard Bounce” to jump on. It's a daunting task for many as you climb the massive haystack and jump in the bin filled with cornseed (which, from experience, is surprisingly a lot of fun). “I love McGee Farms the most because you go there to get a pumpkin and leave with a memory.” said UNA senior Taylor Barton. “While they’re famous for their pumpkins, the employees really do make it the best with how friendly and helpful they are.” To truly experience McGee Farms, locals say you have to take the short hayride to the patch. A tractor pulls you, along with the large trailer with comfy bales of hay, on a ride through the wooded area of the farm to acres and acres of pumpkins, ranging from those as large as 200 pounds to some small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Here you have the opportunity to walk through the patch, find and pick the perfect pumpkin to take home, which can be difficult when you have 25 varieties to choose from. If you’re feeling creative, head back to the main barn to find stations for carving and painting so you can turn your pumpkin into a masterpiece any Van Gogh enthusiast would be jealous of. After a long walk, a bumpy hayride and an epic search to find a pumpkin that best fits your personality, it's logical you might be hungry. But, there’s no need to leave the property to find a good meal. McGee’s
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
80% of U.S. pumpkin supply is in available in October.
MCGEE FARMS HAS 25 VARIETIES OF PUMPKINS TO CHOOSE FROM. Kitchen is a small café on the farm that boasts a variety of baked goods, coffee, snacks and more. You can find McGee Farms north of Florence in the Zip City community, just a few miles south of the Tennessee state line. While it’s easy to get lost finding the rural patch, it’s well worth the trip just to visit! (Plus, there are signs to help, just in case your GPS sends you astray.)
ISBELL FARMS LEIGHTON, AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PETER’S PUMPKIN PATCH ST. FLORIAN, AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JACK-O-LANTERN FARMS MUSCLE SHOALS, AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LUCK LADD FARMS EAGLEVILLE, TN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH HAYDEN, AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Tennessee Valley is home to a variety of pumpkin patches to chose from, but there cannot be a bad choice with the wide range of activities that are offered, along with the rich history of each location. You're guaranteed to bring home a prize-winning pumpkin as the perfect addition to your fall-adorned home, and you’ll enjoy the adventure in the process.
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METROMANIA
National Poetry Day is October 8.
The compulsion to write poetry.
SPECIAL FEATURE 15
Indian “Mahabharata” is the longest poem: 1.8 mil words.
PUTTING MY FEET TO WATER LOCAL POET SHOWS ART IS ABOUT CONNECTION “This is the beginning, again.” This is Florence’s newest poet Holly Dunlap’s signature in each of her new books, “Feet to Water.” As we sat in Rivertown Coffee Co. discussing her book atop a shelf against green walls, I could tell this was not just a book - it was her life. Dunlap has taught English courses at universities - including the University of North Alabama - part-time for 10 years, and said she felt compelled to publish last October. “I hadn’t ever been to a writer’s conference,” she said. “I knew it was time for me to do something like professional development. My mom was getting ready to have her double mastectomy so I was like, ‘OK, I can’t do this right now.’ My mom said, ‘Oh yes you can.’ I met my publisher at that conference. By January or February I sent a manuscript. Within hours he sent me a reply that said he wanted to publish my book.” Dunlap claimed divine intervention played no small part in her publication. In the last two years, Dunlap has lost her daughter’s father and her father, let alone supported her mother through a double-mastectomy. “It was like hit after hit for two years straight,” she said. “I worked through all of that. I took care of my dad. Took care of my mom. You think that gave me time to grieve or think? And at the same time I published this book. That’s some sort of divine intervention.” With life being an inspiration behind the text, Dunlap says even the poems with a dark edge are not regretted. “It’s hard sometimes to go back and remember. I don’t care whose writing it is - mine or someone else’s - pretty much every time I go back and read it I see it in some different, new way. Because your experiences color the way you read something.”
Those experiences are what makes art, art to Dunlap. In fact, she said hard times can lead to a sense of community. “Think about 9/11 - we can be angry and bitter and fearful. But if you really look at those horrible tragedies that occur, what happens immediately afterwards? People come together and they connect. People become a community again.” Dunlap’s favorite poem in her book is “Needmore Road,” a poem with a beautifully-told story about a close friend. “I took my tent and we went camping. We made a fire and it was still green outside. We’re sitting there and he builds a fire and I was just watching him drink. For some reason hearing about that place before I saw it and hearing his stories about the people he had been around, the significance of that place sort of came forward in that moment.” While the two are no longer friends, Dunlap said she knows they both felt the moment was illustrated beautifully. “It’s funny because I could pretend I’m this really savvy thinker, but Needmore was really the name of the road. But that moment in time is very significant to me because of my friendship and also because it represents that loss I have now, too. I haven’t even cried about him. We felt like it captured that moment so well and I just feel like ‘yeah, I got it right.’” For aspiring poets, Dunlap said there is only one way to know when they “get it right.” “Explore. Put your feet in. If you’re compelled to do something, do it. I mean, that’s how much I mean it. Do it. Even if it’s the crappiest thing in the world, who cares? You did it. So many people are so afraid to write. Dip
“THIS IS THE BEGINNING, AGAIN.” your toe in it. It doesn’t matter how cold or hot it is.” And finding the perfect style and technique is not about textbooks or what others tell you to do, she said. “Poetry doesn’t just have to be morose or sad or completely unreachable and unattainable. It doesn’t have to be all Shakespeare. It doesn’t have to rhyme. Trust yourself to say, ‘this is what I think.’” For Dunlap, trusting herself has meant dedicating herself to family, relationships and connections. This fact is showcased in the first reading of her book: at her father’s funeral. “It was not planned. I didn’t even know if I’d be able to do it. When the time came I was just determined. This is for dad, this is not about me. It’s about him.” And as she read “The Prayer Room” aloud to an audience for the first time, she proudly declared, “This is the beginning, again.”
POET, HOLLY DUNLAP STORY BY KALI DANIEL
16 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Poe was born in Boston in 1809.
OCTOBER 2015
Poe got kicked out of West Point Academy.
EDGAR ALLAN POE: MAD GENIUS OR POE BRED PYGMY CATS? MEOWKAY.
“WHAT SHOULD WE WRITE ABOUT TODAY, CATTERINA?”
It was a dark and stormy night. The windows shook and the wind howled. The darkness crept around like a house cat… OK, maybe not a house cat, but that’s not far from what Edgar Allan Poe experienced while writing his short stories and poetry. While his name often has the ability to strike fear into the hearts of some, Poe had a soft side most fans never knew. I apologize if this ruins your image of a dark and brooding Poe alone in a room with only candlelight to write by, but prepare yourself. Although consistently portrayed as a mysterious enigma, Poe had an interest outside of specters and blood. In fact, he had what many of us have lurking in our houses – a cat. Poe was a lover of cats, and not just any cats, pygmy cats. And here’s the strange part: he bred them. His wife Virginia fell in love with the cats and he kept them around to make her happy. Eventually, (whether on accident or on purpose) this led to him breeding them. Once she got sick with tuberculosis, he had an army of pygmy cats to keep her company. He even had a favorite - a large, black cat named Catterina. Catterina would perch on Poe’s shoulder while he wrote. Wait, what? It was hard for me to accept, too, but don’t yet write this cat off as a hindrance to one of the greatest writers to ever live. He managed to turn this warm and cuddly object of affection into a horror befitting his reputation. “The cat followed me down the steep stairs, and, nearly throwing me headlong, exasperated me to madness,” Poe wrote in his short story “Black Cat.” This may seem like just another musing of the madman genius who was Poe, but this dark cat story has roots deeper than most realize. It is speculated the ‘black cat’ in the story was inspired by Catterina, due to their similarities in appearance and the relationship between the animal and the story’s narrator. In case you weren’t forced to annotate this story to its bare roots in English class, I will provide a quick summary: In this tale the
OCTOBER 2015
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Poe swam a record 6 miles up the James River in VA.
SPECIAL FEATURE 17
American Review paid Poe $9 for publishing The Raven.
FELINE FANATIC? narrator has a cat, Pluto, whom he loves dearly. But one night, when his alcohol-induced rage becomes too much to bear, he cuts out one of the cat’s eyes. The next morning he is filled with guilt and regret, so much so that he eventually hangs the cat. Longing for a replacement, he finds a new cat who resembles Pluto almost exactly, save some white fur in the shape of a noose around its neck. He eventually begins to hate the cat and tries to kill it, but accidentally kills his wife in the process. He then bricks her into the cellar wall and sets off to find the cat. Days later, and with no luck, the police come to search his house looking for his missing wife. Upon finding no remnants, the character becomes overly confident and taps the wall only to hear a screech protrude from within. The police tear open the walls to find the wife’s rotting corpse and the cat perched atop it, screeching. Undoubtedly, dark and gory is what Poe writes best, even if the basis of the story is cat-themed. There is a rumor Poe used his beloved Catterina as inspiration for other pieces like “Masque of the Red Death” and “The Raven.” But, like every aspect of Poe’s life, these are only speculations and no one knows exactly what inspired these magnificent and terrifying pieces of literature. Whether Catterina inspired other stories or not, it seems clear she had a direct part in Poe’s writing process, and maybe the world could use more cat-themed stories and writers. With Halloween on the horizon, you should consider a Pluto costume, or maybe Edgar Allan Poe with a cat on his shoulder. With your new found Poe insight, the possibilities are endless.
STORY BY PAIGE MCCAY
YOU’VE CAT TO BE KITTEN ME.
18 FOOD
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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OCTOBER 2015
OCTOBER 2015
FOOD 19
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Over 35 million Americans are affected by fall allergies.
Fall allergies cost the U.S. $7 billion in lost productivity.
EAT TO BEAT FALL ALLERGIES THESE LOCAL FOODS WILL HELP FIGHT ALLERGIES NATURALLY PUMPKINS:
That’s right, your obsession with pumpkin-flavored foods may come in handy for allergies. (Unfortunately, the beloved pumpkin spice latte won’t fully do the trick.) Pumpkins are rich in allergy-fighting carotenoids, which create the organic orange pigment in pumpkins. Even better, carotenoids provide the form of vitamin A that helps your body fight off allergies. Besides incorporating it into pies/bread, you can also use it as a main dish in items like pumpkin soup. Jack O’Lantern Farms in Muscle Shoals, AL 4D Farm in Cullman, AL
CARROTS:
Not only will the colorfully orange carrots match your fall-themed décor, they will also help ward off allergies! They are chockfull of carotenoid and beta-carotene, helping to overcome the ragweed. Beta-carotene also helps with other illnesses, so you can’t go wrong eating produce full of it. Lightly steaming carrots will allow you to consume more of the vitamins as opposed to eating them raw. Hamilton Produce in Hamilton, AL
BROCCOLI: Broccoli is high in vitamin ALLERGY SEASON GOT ME LIKE, I FEEL IT. Achoo! Gesundheit! Salute! What’s arguably the best time of the year is here, but along with all the fun come the fall allergies. What causes these pesky allergies? Ragweed, a flower that emits pollen, is the biggest allergy trigger in fall. The weed begins to release pollen with cooler nights in August and usually lasts through October. One ragweed plant produces one billion pollen grains per season. Eek, no wonder you have a raging headache, stuffy nose and watery eyes. To make things even worse, ragweed is prevalent throughout
the South, and its pollen grains are so light they can travel up to 400 miles in the wind, according to Everyday Health. How comforting. But, never fear. There are ways to alleviate allergies and relieve your symptoms. Besides popping allergy medication, showering frequently to remove pollen and avoiding being outside, what more can you do? Here are six food items that can help fight your allergies and relieve symptoms. And the best part is, these foods are available locally.
C, which relieves allergies and wards off other sicknesses, and it’s a member of the crucifer family. The crucifer family is a group of plants that have been shown to clear blocked sinuses (say no more; bring me some broccoli stat). One cup of raw broccoli gives 80 milligrams of vitamin C. Researchers have found 500 milligrams per day can ease allergy symptoms. Florence-Lauderdale Farmer’s Market, open Saturdays Oct. 5-26 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
KALE: Kale is also a member of the crucifer family, and it’s full of carotenoids, (like the pumpkins and carrots) too. People with low vitamin A levels are more likely to have asthma and allergy problems, according to
Rodale’s Organic Life. Kale helps prevent chronic problems and can be added to a variety of dishes like salads, stir-fry and soups. Columbia Health Foods, Columbia, TN
GARLIC: Garlic is packed with quercetin, a secret weapon antioxidant that acts like an antihistamine. The problem is quercetin isn’t absorbed easily from food, so pair this with other allergy-fighting foods for best results. Doctors recommend taking a 400 to 500 milligram supplement of quercetin if you have severe allergies. Osa’s Garden, Florence, AL BLACK, GREEN OR WHITE TEA:
Another quercetin-packed favorite, this hot tea relieves allergies while giving some much-needed comfort. It also acts like vitamin C, helping to relieve inflammation in your stuffy nose. Muletown Coffee, Columbia, TN On the flip side, some foods can trigger allergy symptoms resulting in “oral allergy syndrome.” Your body mistakes proteins in some foods for the same allergy-inducing proteins found in ragweed. The following list of foods should be cooked before consuming or avoided entirely in order to help avoid allergies: bananas, apples, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, chamomile tea, honey and nuts. Ultimately, allergies put a real damper on the delightful fall season. But, you don’t have to let them get you down. By trying out the suggested foods and taking other health precautions, you can relieve your symptoms and enjoy this time of year. If you do happen to try the foods, let us know your thoughts by tweeting @getsetmag. Happy fall, y’all... and happy eating!
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
OCTOBER 2015
OCTOBER 2 - NOVEMBER 1 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
OF MONSTERS AND MEN @ RYMAN AUDITORIUM, NASHVILLE, TN, 7PM
OCTOBER 2
FIRST FRIDAY @ Court St., Florence, AL, 5pm THE POLLIES “NOT HERE” ALBUM RELEASE SHOW @ 116 E Mobile, Florence, AL, 8 pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm UNA STEP SHOW @ Flowers Hall, Florence, AL, 7pm
LYNARD SKYNARD @ Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN 7pm DISNEY ON ICE @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10:30am & 7pm LEGEND @ Your Local Movie Theater THE MARTIAN @ Your Local Movie Theater
OCTOBER 3
SHOALS DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL @ McFarland Park, Florence, AL,
SPRING HILL COUNTRY HAM FESTIVAL @ TN Children’s Home, Spring Hill, TN, 10am-7pm MULETOWN MUSIC FEST @ Columbia, TN DISNEY ON ICE @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10:30am, 2:30pm & 7pm
OCTOBER 4
KODALINE @ 3rd & Lindsley Bar and Grill, Nashville, 8pm
OCTOBER 5
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm FOO FIGHTERS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 8pm TWENTY ONE PILOTS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm OWL CITY @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 7pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
OCTOBER 6
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm JOSE GONZALEZ @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 7
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 2015
WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm OF MONSTERS AND MEN @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm SISTER SPARROW & THE DIRTY BIRDS @ The High Watt, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 8
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm ARETHA FRANKLIN @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm MIRANDA LAMBERT @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 7pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS V. CAROLINA HURRICANES @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 9
CALENDAR 21
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UNA FALL BREAK POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm
POKEMON: SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN, 7pm FLORENCE + THE MACHINE @ Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN, 7pm BEN RECTOR @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm PAN @ Your Local Movie Theater STEVE JOBS @ Your Local Movie Theater BIG STONE GAP @ Your Local Movie Theater
OCTOBER 10
COREY SMITH @ Florence Coliseum, Florence, AL, 7 pm BLACK RIVER BLUESMAN @ 116 E Mobile, Florence, AL 8pm GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS @ Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN, 7pm BEN RECTOR @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS GAME @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 6pm ROCKET CITY LIT FEST @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 10am
NASHVILLE PREDATORS V. EDMONTON OILERS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 11
ROCKET CITY LIT FEST @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 10am TENNESSEE TITANS V. BUFFALO BILLS @ Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN, 12pm
OCTOBER 12
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
OCTOBER 13
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 14
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm
WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
OCTOBER 15
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 16
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm UNA HOMECOMING PEP RALLY @ Flowers Hall, Florence, AL, 7pm UNA HOMECOMING BONFIRE @ Cross Point Church, Florence, AL, 9pm MT. PLEASANT BBQ FEST @ Mt. Pleasant, TN, 5pm WALK THE MOON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm GOOSEBUMPS @ Your Local Movie Theater CRIMSON PEAK @ Your Local Movie Theater
CHECK IT OUT NOW.
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
OCTOBER 17
UNA HOMECOMING @ Braly Stadium, Florence, AL, 6pm MT. PLEASANT BBQ FEST @ Mt. Pleasant, TN, 8am-4:30pm ARTS IN THE PARK @ Maury County Park WALK THE MOON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 18
ASCENDING VOICES HOMECOMING CONCERT @ GUC Performance Center, Florence, AL, 2pm TENNESSEE TITANS V. MIAMI DOLPHINS @ Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN, 12pm
OCTOBER 19
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm
GETSETMAG.COM
New Website!
BRIDGE OF SPIES @ Your Local Movie Theater FREEHELD @ Your Local Movie Theater
22 CALENDAR
TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm UPC MOVIE NIGHT @ GUC Performance Center, Florence, AL, 7pm
OCTOBER 20
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS V. TAMPA BAY LIGHTENING @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 21
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
OCTOBER 22
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm TAKE BACK THE NIGHT @ UNA Amphitheatre, Florence, AL, 5:30pm
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NASHVILLE PREDATORS V. ANAHEIM DUCKS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 23
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm JASON ISBELL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm THE LAST WITCH HUNTER @ Your Local Movie Theater PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION @ Your Local Movie Theater JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS @ Your Local Movie Theater BURNT @ Your Local Movie Theater ROCK THE KASBAH @ Your Local Movie Theater
OCTOBER 24
FALL FUN FEST @ Court St., Florence, AL, 4-10pm ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE @ Wilson Park, Florence, AL, 10am
JASON ISBELL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS V. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 27
OCTOBER 25
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm
ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE @ Wilson Park, Florence, AL, 12pm JASON ISBELL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm TENNESSEE TITANS V. ATLANTA FALCONS @ Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN, 12pm
OCTOBER 26
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm JASON ISBELL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm
OCTOBER 28
OCTOBER 2015
STURGILL SIMPSON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 31
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
HALLOWEEN UNA HOME GAME @ Braly Stadium, Florence, AL, 1pm SPOOKTACULAR 5K AND ZOMBIE FUN @ Maury County Park HAUNTING THE DISTRICT, TRICK OR TREATING – DOWNTOWN SQUARE @ Downtown Square, Columbia, TN STURGILL SIMPSON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 30
NOVEMBER 1
OCTOBER 29
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm OUR BRAND IS CRISIS @ Your Local Movie Theater UPC MOVIE NIGHT @ GUC Amphitheater/Performance Center, Florence, AL, 7pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
STURGILL SIMPSON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm
OCTOBER 2015
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CALENDAR 23
24 SPOTLIGHT
SAY CHEESE!
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SET READERS IN ACTION
OCTOBER 2015
PHOTOS BY WILL COREY, JAMES THIGPEN AND ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN
BILLY REID SHINDIG SHOALS THEATER, AUGUST 28, PHOTOS BY WILL COREY
ALABAMA SHAKES
ALABAMA SHAKES
ALABAMA SHAKES
OCTOBER 2015
SPOTLIGHT 25
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BILLY REID SHINDIG 116 E MOBILE, AUGUST 28, PHOTOS BY WILL COREY
BOOM BOX
BOOM BOX
BOOM BOX
MICHELLE MILLER WITH FLORENCE STEAM PUNK SOCIETY
JEREMY CRAVEN
FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN FLORENCE, SEPTEMBER 4, PHOTOS BY JAMES THIGPEN
26 SPOTLIGHT
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OCTOBER 2015
NICOLE HUGABOOM AND VICTORIA MCCOY WITH NICOLE NICOLE DESIGNS
CAILIN KELLEY WITH MADE BY CAILIN
CHLOE GRISHAM
YEMI RAMOS AND DAISY NELL
AXTON AND SETH STANFIELD
OCTOBER 2015
SPOTLIGHT 27
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BACON CRAWL DOWNTOWN FLORENCE, SEPTEMBER 12, PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN
JANE BURTON, JOHNNA DIXON AND CHRIS ELEGANTE
THE DAWN OSBORNE BAND
JENNIFER YORK AND LUKE MONTGOMERY
JED PERRY, LAIKYN MICHEL, LEAH SUTTON, BRAXTON PACE AND ANA VILLA
NATHAN POLLARD, MICKAY QUALLS AND MEGHAN HOLT
MACK CORNWELL
28 IN MEMORIAM
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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013
Drew Member Since 2013
Rebecca Member Since 2013
OCTOBER 2015
OCTOBER 2015
IN MEMORIAM 29
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Wes Craven once wrote a birdwatching column.
Craven created his famed horror franchise from newspaper stories in the 1970s detailing Cambodian refugees who had witnessed the American bombing of Cambodia.
The nine “Elm Street” movies grossed over $630 million.
A CINEMATIC GREAT GONE TOO SOON
WES CRAVEN’S ICONIC CHARACTER FREDDY KRUEGER LIVES IN YOUR NIGHTMARES.
TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST MASTER OF HORROR The world lost a master auteur of horror in August, and it’s likely his fans will never see an inspiration quite like him. Wes Craven, 76, did for horror what Elvis did for rock n’ roll - he took an existing art form and not only changed it, but brought the genre into the consciousness of the masses. What millennial didn’t sneak around his or her parents by going to one of a few slightly more liberated friends’ houses for a sleepover and watch “A Nightmare On Elm Street” or one of the installments of the “Scream” franchise? When people today think about horror as a genre, chances are the thoughts of everyone’s favorite psychopathic killer Freddy Krueger aren’t far away. How does one create a character to stand the test of time and stay
as unsettling today as he was more than 20 years ago? I’m no film connoisseur, but I’d deem it to be hard. Wes Craven accomplished this by taking the genre and turning it into an almost new artform where, before horror was created through cinematography and a sense of unknowing, he used in-your-face characters to give the viewer lifelong nightmares - where there were buckets of fake blood and the use of static silence to bring the audience to the state of uncomfortability. Craven was proficient enough as a director to show all of what was happening and leave the impression that even though you just witnessed something happen, you still don’t quite understand. One of the biggest testaments to Wes Craven’s genius is the lasting
effect his films had on people. From hardcore film fans, to lovers of horror - even those who only watch horror on Halloween - Craven left a lasting impression on the public with his depraved mind. Those who are well-versed in horror generally won’t site Craven as their favorite director, but will undoubtedly say his films held a part in molding their ideas about what a horror film should or shouldn’t be. Justice Lane, Florence resident and lover of horror films, said Freddy Krueger’s popularity will never fade. “You can’t forget that scarred face and gloved hand,” he said, as chills rattled his voice. “That glove gave me nightmares as a kid. Coupled with the fact he kills you in your dreams makes him pretty scary and memorable. No one can think horror without thinking Wes Craven.” Craven left a lasting impression on a generation of fans, including Lane. You may not like horror and you may not like Craven, but I’d wager you’d know Ghostface or Krueger anytime you saw them. Can the same be said for the Paranormal Activities, Ouija or any other paranormal fodder that’s become popular in the past few years? It’s doubtful. Horror enthusiast Andrew Dabbs said his favorite Craven films aren’t
the big name titles but those lesser known. “Craven made his share of subpar films, but when he’s good he’s very good,” he said. My favorites are “The Serpent and the Rainbow” and “Red Eye.” He started his career making an exploitation clone of an Ingmar Berman film and started to wind things up with really entertaining self-parody. He had a greater talent than he will be remembered for.” I feel the reason is the lack of an honest-to-god, lives-underyour-bed, haunts-your-dreams Boogeyman. What Craven’s movies have are a general sense of terror, an unpleasantness. What is truly needed to scar a person’s psyche is a character-based, story-driven villain, and Craven’s use of that type character brands him as the epitome of the horror genre. His reputation speaks for itself.
STORY BY JOSH HOLLAND
30 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Vinyl album sales have grown 260% since 2009.
OCTOBER 2015
“Freebird” is dedicated to Duane of The Allman Brother’s.
UNDERGROUND ART N SOUND TAKING A LOOK AT MUSIC BELOW THE SURFACE At the corner of Tennessee and Court Streets in downtown Florence there is a new music establishment. You might even unknowingly walk past it if it weren’t for the rock music drifting up from a small and mysterious cement stairwell. I curiously walked down the stairs and was met by an even more mysterious green door, behind which could have been anything. With a leap of faith and dose of courage, I pulled the door open and entered the music utopia that is Underground Art n Sound. Posters of Jerry Garcia, Bob Marley, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd adorned the walls. Hundreds of recently dusted CDs, vinyls and cassette tapes were begging to be listened to. I felt as though I was in some sort of secret oasis as I stood surrounded by some of the best music ever made in the most unusual of places. This is the kind of place where no bad can happen and time seems to stop. Underground Art n Sound is the brainchild of UNA sophomore Carter Cothren. He started working at his dad’s record store in Memphis when he was only 6 years old and has been hooked on that feelin’ ever since. Cothren and his dad said they wanted to open another store whenever Carter went to college. Impressed with Florence and UNA, Carter and his dad started looking for potential properties in town to open a store. They stumbled upon and purchased a dirty, lifeless underground property in downtown, but, after about four months of serious cleaning and renovating, the venue began to come alive. In March of 2015, Underground Art n Sound officially opened its doors, or more accurately, door.
In a world of iTunes, Spotify, illegal downloading, and predictable corporate music stores at your local mall, Underground Art n Sound offers a different music listening experience. Equal parts business and hangout spot, the store truly gives you a personal experience where buying music is a pleasure, not just a click on a computer. Cothren provides a wide spectrum of musical gems from classics like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan to local tunes. But, music isn’t the only favorite pastime you’ll find. Get your thumbs ready, because Cothren’s retro gaming room is only a few weeks from opening. No matter your flavor of gaming, Cothren said he’ll have it stocked to play. There will be no fee to play during normal hours,” he said. “I plan to have game tournaments, though, which might have a small entry fee. I plan for these events to happen during First Friday or on the weekends.” Assuredly, Underground Art n Sound is bound to have an item you’ll love. While Cothren initially expected most of his clientele to be college-aged, he said people ages 10-80 visit the store on a daily basis. After seeing the store’s collection and variety, it’s easy to understand why so many are attracted and return frequently. Florence resident and avid Underground lurker Brooke Rose said the store is unlike any place to purchase music in the Shoals. “Underground gives off a really cool vibe and the musical selectoion is topnotch,” she said. “This place is a perfect addition to downtown Florence.” Cothren said he’s extremely happy to be working in the music industry
OWNER CARTER COTHREN CHECKS HIS VINYL FOR UNWANTED DUST. in Florence, but sees a potential for growth in the future. After college, his dream is to open a record store in Seattle, largely because of the area’s great music scene. For now he said he works 30-40 hours per week at the store while taking a full course load at UNA. “I’m currently a math major but I plan to switch over to business in order to learn more about entrepreneurship,” Cothren said. “I’m happy with where we are right now, but I’m not content. I’d like to see more progress,” he said. CD’s at Underground Art n Sound cost anywhere from $6-$8 and vinyls from $3-$20. The store also has an
assortment of other merchandise including T-shirts and memorabilia. The store is open 11 a.m – 7p.m. Monday and Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. So, the next time you’re walking around downtown Florence and hear music coming from the depths of a mysterious stairwell, follow this siren’s call. See where it takes you. As the saying goes, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
STORY BY ERIC KETTINGER
OCTOBER 2015
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