Hartselle Magazine August 2012

Going back to our roots Annual festival helps Hartselle remember and honor its past Vol. 2, Issue 2

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GILCHRIST PHARMACY

ON THE COVER

On the cover, Hartselle’s historic depot is featured.

Hartselle grew because of the railroad’s impact on the city.

Photo by Richard Hollingsworth (http://nikonrick.smugmug.com

STAFF President and Publisher Randy Garrison Editor Brent Maze Advertising Kim Johnson Karen McAfee Pam Gray Ann Kirby

table of contents

FALL 2012

FEATURE 22. Freshwater Creek Hartselle fiddle player and his band get a big break while playing at a legendary Nashville venue.

DEPARTMENTS

Contributors Clif Knight Richard Hollingsworth

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Bookkeeper Beth Terry

Hartselle Newspapers, LLC 407 Chestnut St. NW P.O. Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 256-773-6566 Fax: 256-773-1953 info@hartselleliving.com Hartselle Living is published quarterly by Hartselle Enquirer, LLC. A one-year subscription to Hartselle Living is $10.

Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Hartselle area.

To advertise or to get more FREE copies, call 773-6566. www.hartselleliving.com Copyright 2012 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

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CONTACT US RELIGION: Local church takes unique approach to gospel.

WELLNESS: Taking a stroll can have huge health benefits.

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PEOPLE: Larry Peck leaves big legacy with HHS football.

FOOD: Enjoy comfort food this fall season.

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HISTORY: Local festival promotes Hartselle’s history.

IN EVERY ISSUE: Letters • 6 Calendar • 8 Scene • 10 Last Word • 30 Hartselle Living • 5

LETTERS

Capital of Bible Belt nd we have the churches to prove it!

When looking for words to describe Hartselle to a visitor or to a new arrival usually you will inadvertently mention at least two of the following three things. You will talk about sports, the school system, or the abundance of churches in Hartselle. All of us are proud of all of our sports and those who participate in them. We brag constantly about how great our school system is. So I suppose since we do live in the Bible Belt we probably cannot have too many houses of worship.

According to Wikipedia: The Randy Garrison • Letter from the Publisher Bible Belt is an informal term for a region in the south-eastern and If you get up on Sunday morning and your car south-central United States in which socially conservawon’t start, there’s no excuse not to go to church. You tive evangelical Protestantism is a significant part of the can almost throw a rock and hit a house of worship. If culture and Christian church attendance across the you break down while traveling near the Hartselle exit, denominations is generally higher than the nation's you are a short hike to East Highland. If you are comaverage. ing in from Danville, West Hartselle will be right on That definition is kind of a mouthful. To sum it up in your way. Go a little further and the Nazarenes will a fewer words: Here in the South……………. welcome you. Head North First Assembly is just We believe in God. ahead; south the Church of God is waiting for you. If We Believe in His Word. you are smack dab in the middle of downtown you We Go to Church. have a choice of the Baptists, Methodists, Church of This seems to pretty well sum it up.

Christ, or the Christian Church. Heading east on Now in the South we always want to make sure we Bethel Street and you can hit the Baptists and the take care of everyone. You know “bless your heart,” Methodists again, hit the curve on Bethel Rd and there and all those good words. Well to make sure that the Baptists are again. Not to leave out the Episcopal, everyone has the opportunity to worship we also have Non-Denominational, Church of God, Pentecostals, or more churches per square mile than most other areas of Presbyterian, we are a town of many churches. the country. I would dare to say there are few areas in To quote Dolly Parton from one of her starring roles Hartselle where you are more than a mile from a “God don’t care where you go to church as long as you church. go.” See you at church.

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Hitting the big time

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success by playing at theaters such as WorkPlay in Birmingham.

Regardless of where they have gone, they have succeeded. It’s phenomenal to see. One of the reasons why is due to our school system. Music and the arts are a high priority. We have a large number of successful students who have refined their art in high school and college.

I’m a firm believer in promoting the arts in school. Having a good arts program and arts scene is important for our youth’s development.

And you can’t discount that it’s had an impact on the success of our schools. But it is exciting to see so many talented people in a city our size. It’s part of the reason why I enjoy living here.

Brent Maze • Letter from the Editor

We want to hear from you!

Tell us what you like. Suggest improvements.

Submit story ideas and your photos.

Email: editor@hartselleliving.com

HOW TO REACH US

ince I began working here, I’ve noticed that Hartselle and Morgan County tend to have a large number of successful musicians.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, it seems like the music scene in Hartselle is one of the best that I’ve ever been around. I don’t know how many stories we’ve done about musicians who are getting their shot to get into the music business.

Part of it could be a result of our relatively close proximity to Nashville. Many musically-inclined students from our fair city have gone to universities in the Music City. Others have found their way to the stages of the Grand Ole Opry or the Ryman Auditorium. Others have found

Mail: Hartselle Living c/o Hartselle Enquirer PO Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 In person: Hartselle Living c/o Hartselle Enquirer 407 Chestnut St. NW Hartselle, AL 35640 Where in the Travel with Hartselle Living!

World is Hartselle Snap a photo of yourself Living: anywhere in the world holding a copy of Hartselle Living and submit by email, by mail or in person.

Don’t forget to let us know where in the world you were!

Hartselle Living • 7

CALENDAR Depot Days Pageant September 8 The third annual Miss Depot Days Pageant will be held Sat., Sept. 8, at Sparkman Civic Center.

Tiny and Little Miss pageants (0-8 years old) will be at 10 a.m. Petite, Teen and Miss Depot Days (9-18) will be held at 2 p.m. A queen, first alternate and second alternate will be chosen from each age group.

Other awards by age group include Best Smile, Prettiest Hair, Prettiest Eyes, Best Dress and Miss Photogenic. For an application, please contact Hartselle Area Chamber at 256-773-4370.

Depot Days September 8-15 The 32nd annual Depot Days Festival will be held Sept. 8-15 in Hartselle.

The Hartselle Ministerial Assocaition will hold the annual Depot Days Community Worship Service Sept. 9 at 6”30 p.m. at

Depot Days returns for its 32nd year.

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West Hartselle Baptist Church.The Hartselle Historical Society and Cracker Barrell present “Hartselle Sings and More – An Evening of Sacred Music” at 7 p.m. at Hartselle First United Methodist Church.

The Hartselle High School Choir will present the Depot Days Community Concert Thur., Sept.

13 at 6:30 p.m. at FUMC. The Hartselle Depot Days festival wil be Sat., Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Hartselle. The streets of downtown Hartselle come alive when they celebrate the history of the railroad and its influence on the city of Hartselle. The event features 5K/1 mile fun run, arts & crafts vendors, live entertainment, antique car, truck, motorcycle, and tractor shows, children's activities, and food vendors. The event is free and located in historic downtown Hartselle. Depot Days was one of the seven events listed in Southern

Living magazine's 2006 Fall Weekends as “The South's Best Fests.” For applications for the Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Tractor Show please contact HACC at 256-7734370. For applications for the 5K and fun run, log on to www.hartsellechamber.com.

FLW Tour Open September 20-23 FLW Outdoors will bring its Walmart FLW Tour Open to Ingalls Harbor in Decatur September 2023, 2012. The tournament will feature 150-boat fields where pro anglers will compete for a top award of up to $100,000 and coanglers will vie for a top prize of up to $20,000. Spectators are invited to join in on the fun of competitive fishing by attending the weighins and a free outdoors expo.. For more information, visit www.flwoutdoors.com and click on Walmart FLW Tour under the Tournament’s tab.

Eva Frontier Days September 22-29 Eva Art Guild has announced plans for the 2012 Eva Frontier Days. The fun-filled family event will cover eight days, beginning Sat., Sept. 22, and concluding Sat., Sept. 29. A beauty pageant will get things started on Sat., Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. It will be staged at Journey Church and will have a $3 per person admission charge. A Bluegrass Festival will follow at 3 p.m. with a jam session. The big show will begin at 6 p.m. with Eva’s own Stan Nelson and Hurricane Creek Band and others providing entertainment. Admission will be $6 per person. A community hayride will be featured on Tues., Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. The event will originate at Eva Saddle Club Arena. A $1 per person admission charge includes a hot dog and Coke. Eva Baptist Church will host a community gospel singing on Wed., Sept 26, beginning at 7 p.m. On Thur., Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. a street dance will be featured downtown. A big lineup of exhibitions, contests, live entertainment and games and rides for children is on tap for Sat., Sept.

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Southern Hospitality Marching Band Festival October 6 The Hartselle Band Boosters will be sponsoring our 16th annual marching festival on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at J. P. Cain Stadium in Hartselle, Alabama. We would like to extend a special invitation to you and your band to be a part of our festival. Our goal is to sponsor a festival with quality judging that will provide a superior musical experience to both directors and students. We want directors and students to feel our festival is one of the highlights of their

marching season. This is also our major fundraising activity

Renaissance at HFAC October 6 On Oct. 6, the Hartselle Fine Arts Center will present Renaissance, a popular program of vocal, instrumental and drama entertainment produced by Bethel University (Tenn.) faculty and students. The theme will be “Bluegrass Night” and admission will be $5 per person. At the same time, an open house will be observed.

Eva Frontier Days will return in late September.

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OUT AND ABOUT 1

Hartselle Fine Arts Center spread its wings to give Camp `Artselle a better shot at attracting the best and brightest of children, from grades one through 12, for young artists, musicians, dancers and actors. 1. Carley Corder, left, and Sydney Sandefer work on an art project. 2. Owen Bennich mimics a quarterback throwing a football in a drama class. 3. Putting voices to words in a song, from left, are Kalysa Hobbs, Eliza Claire Balch and Aubrey Weddington. 4. Working on a piece of graffiti art are, clockwise from bottom left, Ashley Dolbeer, Elizabeth Halbrooks, Katie Woods, Emma Ballew and Jenni Cate. 5. Dance students practice a dance from the stage production Lion King.

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1. Caleb Puckett of Hartselle, left, and Gable Noland of Tuscaloosa beat the heat at a Hartselle Camp Meeting service with the aid d of hand-held fans. 2. Ron Bean, right, leads congregational singing at Hartselle Camp Meeting. Camp Meeting President Rob Cain is shown at left. 3.

Hartselle’s annual camp meeting at the old Tabernacle attracts worshippers from throughout North Alabama.The ladies in the front row attended the morning service on June 18 as visitors from Guntersville First United Methodist Church. 4. Maddie Cain of Tuscaloosa uses the old bell at the Tabernacle to alert worshippers to the start of a mid-morning service on June 18.

STRONGER TO G E T H E R .

Parkway Medical Center and Decatur General are now Decatur Morgan Hospital, part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System. We’re one unified system for better healthcare in DecaturMorgan County.

Our name is changing, but our award-winning, innovative, personal care remains. We’re keeping the valuable services you depend on and investing in key services to further benefit you. We look forward to working together to build the most efficient and effective healthcare delivery system for you and your family and for generations to come.

Parkway Medical Center

Decatur General

Hartselle Living • 11

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The Joe Mack Crow Scholarship Foundation held a Casino Night fundraiser at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. 1.

Participants in the fundraiser’s Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament are, clockwise from bottom right, Paige Drouillard, Kaylon King, Charlie Smith, Matt Harris, Joe Crow, Shane Blanton, Tim Crow and dealer Wayne Dunkin. 2. Casey Ferguson rolls the dice, hoping for a seven or 11 at the craps table. 3. Charlie Howse contemplates taking another card at the Black Jack table as Charlotte Roberts looks on.

4. Mary Farris, right, places a bet playing Texas Hold ‘Em at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center while Brent Worley and others look on.

MIKE LAWRENCE, FIC Field Representative Phone: 256-353-8087 Fax: 256-353-8135 • Cell: 256-318-9147 tmlawrence@woodmen.org 4504 Hwy. 31 South • Decatur, Al 35603 • www.woodmen.org Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, Omaha, NE

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3 1. Troy all-stars celebrate their win in the championship game of the Dixie Youth World Series held in Sparkman Park this summer. 2. The Hartselle American All-Stars receive medals. 3. Fans cheer for the the Hartselle American All-Stars as they receive medals.

4. Fans cheer for the Oxford Black team.

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The Hartselle Fire and Police departments held their junior academies during the month of July. 1. EMT Matthew Garwood of County EMS explains how medical equipment stored inside of an ambulance is used to treat patients while en route to the hospital. 2. Hunter Naramore tries on a firefighter’s helmet after Wayne Young demonstrated the use of a firefighter’s turnout gear at the Hartselle Youth Fire Academy. 3. Cole Brown tries his hand at working the nozzle of a fire hose with an assist from firefighter Brad Pevahouse. 4. Jonathan Goodwin finishes the obstacle course at the Hartselle Youth Fire Academy. 5. Shown here, Zach Lemay is decked out in riot gear.

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1. Councilman Bill Smelser’s grandchildren wear T-shirts asking residents to vote for him on election day. 2. Mayoral candidate Johnnie Howell, left, talks with a Hartselle resident at last week’s 2012 Candidate Forum hosted by the Hartselle Enquirer and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce. 3. Mayoral candidate Don Hall, right, smiles alongside Anita Buckley at last week’s 2012 Candidate Forum. 4.

Angela Hale and Caitlin Vest smile for the camera.

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Crestwood Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

Hartselle Living • 15

1. Mayoral candidate Lee Hartsell, left, smiles alongside Council Place 3 candidate Glenn McGann at last week’s 2012 Candidate Forum co-hosted by the Hartselle Enquirer and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce.

2. County Commissioner Randy Vest, right, and his wife Saronda attended the forum at Sparkman Civic Center. 3.

Board of Education president Jennifer Sittason talks with City Clerk Rita Lee prior to the Candidate Forum at Sparkman Civic Center. 4. Jeremy Nails and Ben Peck were at Sparkman Civic Center for the Candidate Forum.

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GET TO KNOW

Larry Peck

Longtime defensive coach retires after winning state championship STORY BY BRENT MAZE PHOTO BY RICHARD HOLLINGSWORTH

oach Larry Peck has been a major part of the success of Hartselle football for the last three decades.

Peck is a graduate of Deshler High School and the University of North Alabama. He has coached at Lawrence County and was a head coach at East Lawrence.

While he made a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball, Peck actually got his start at Hartselle as an offensive coach under head coach Don Woods. He then spent his final 19 years of coaching as the defensive coordinator, running his signature 3-3 stack defense.

On a personal note, Peck is married to his wife Sherri.

They have two children, Amy Staghagen, 29, and Ben Peck, 26. Amy and her husband are expecting their first child, the first grandchild for the Pecks.

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Hartselle Living: How different is it coaching offense from defense?

Larry: There’s a lot of similarities. Spending 12 years coaching offense really helped me become a better defensive coordinator. I learned how to attack the offense and it helped prepare me to be a defensive coordinator.

HL: When did Hartselle begin using the 3-3 stack defense that the Tiger program is known for?

LP: It was about 10 years ago. We felt like it really fit our kids better than what we were doing. We aren’t a very lineman heavy team. So we decided to use our speed to our advantage. The 3-3 stack was perfect for our kind of team.

HL: What are some of the schools you visited with when you were learning this new defense?

LP: We spent time with Middle Tennessee State, coach Charlie Strong and the West Virginia coaching staff when they were running the 3-3 and several Gulf Coast Conference schools.

HL: What other teams run this style of defense?

LP: A lot of teams run their base defense out of a 3-4 look, but many will use a 3-3 look frequently. Teams like Alabama may run a 3-4, but they’ll use a 3-3 look when they go to their nickel package. You even see it in the NFL. They’ll use the same look.

You can find it just about anywhere.

HL: How has Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey impacted you since he came here?

LP: Coach Godsey has been really good to me and he’s been great for Hartselle. We’re good friends. If I ever needed something or needed to take a trip to learn more about defense, he was always willing to help me. Hartselle is blessed to have coach Godsey.

HL: What do you think is the biggest difference between coaching now as opposed to the past?

LP: I think the kids really have to think on their feet a lot more than they used to. Offenses will throw so much at you that you have to be prepared for anything. That means the players have to really be smart and recognize what they are doing. And Hartselle kids are really, really smart.

HL: What do you think was the difference in Hartselle winning state last year?

LP: Luck. To have a special season like that, you really have to have some luck. We’ve been so close for several years, but we never got that break. Last year, we finally were able to get that break you need to win it. It was just a special year for us.

Hartselle Living • 17

RELIGION

Presenting the truth Shiloh Baptist Church turns Halloween season into opportunity to reach the lost 18 • Hartselle Living

he Judgment Seat is back for another year. Shiloh Baptist Church in Somerville will be presenting an eightscene walk-through drama Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 from 6-10 p.m. The goal of this event is presenting the truth of God’s word in a creative and interesting way.

This is the 21st installment of The Judgment Seat.

In the past 20 editions, over 35,000 people have experienced The Judgment Seat, the first of it’s kind in this area (founded 24 years ago). This event is a joint collaboration between the student ministry and the adults of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Admission to The Judgment Seat is free! No reservations are needed. We will be offering reservations for groups of 10 or more. Please contact our registration team leaders at 256-286-0509 to make reservations. Again, reservations are not required, just recommended for large groups.

We will have a place available in the waiting area set-up with movies and carpets for youth leaders or other adults who will have to wait with small children while your group goes through the drama. Recommended age for The Judgement Seat is ages 10 and up.

Shiloh is located on Hwy 36, 1/4 mile west of the intersection of Hwys 36 and 67 is Morgan County. We are located approximately 10 miles east of Hartselle.

For additional information, contact Michael Walters (Minister of Students and The Judgement Seat Drama Director) at 256286-0509 or e-mail at walters963@me.com or log on to www.thejudgmentseat.net.

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The Judgment Seat has been produced by Shiloh Baptist Church for more than two decades.

Hartselle Living • 17

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Bill Suggs takes an early morning walk on the walking trail in Sparkman Park. Regular walking can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and help control your weight.

WELLNESS

walk a day can make you feel better and keep the doctor away.

This low risk and easy exercise has proved its health benefits in numerous studies. For example, an eight-year study of 13,000 people conducted at the Institute for Aerobics Research, under the direction of Dr Steven Blair found that those who walked the equivalent of 30 minutes a day had a significant lower risk of premature death than those who rarely exercised.

The walking trail in Sparkman Park is one of the most often used recreational facilities the city has, according to Hartselle Parks & Recreation Director Frank Miller.

“We have people on the trail and in the gym all hours of the day,” Miller pointed out. “We even get requests to turn the park lights on as early as 4:30 a.m. from folks who want to get in an early walk. And we have people

A Walking to

your health Taking a stroll in the park every day can lead to a number of health benefits and can extend your life STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLIF KNIGHT 20 • Hartselle Living

WALKING continued on page 21

WALKING, from 20 waiting to walk in the gym when the civic center opens around 6 a.m.”

Bill Suggs, 72, walks three miles in the park every day.

“It’s stimulating and its keeps fat off the middle,” he said. “It’s a lot better than sitting at home watching TV.” Betty Roberts and Reba Shelton walk together a mile and a half each day.

“I have a back ailment and it helps keep the joints loose,” Roberts stated. “It also helps keep the weight off, and I have no desire to go on a diet.”

“It’s also a social thing,” added Shelton. “If we don’t walk, we miss it.”

A regular walking program can help: • Reduce blood cholesterol • Lower blood pressure • Increase cardiovascular endurance • Boost bone strength • Burn calories and keep weight down

A walking regimen is simple to start and inexpensive .

All you need are comfortable clothes and shoes. The layering of loose clothing is recommended and shoes specifically designed for walking are your best option.

Every walk should begin with a brief warm-up and a few simple stretches. Don’t forget to stretch your back, shoulders and arms. This will help loosen up any tension you may be carrying and make your walk more enjoyable, as well as more effective.

Beginning walkers can make their workouts less strenuous by limiting how fast and far they walk. Keep the following in mind.

• Walk short distances-–begin with a five-minute stroll and gradually increase the distance • Forget about speed—Walk at a comfortable pace.

Focus on good posture, keeping your head lifted and shoulders relaxed.

• Swing your arms naturally—breathe deeply. If you can’t catch your breath, slow down or avoid hills • Be sure that you can talk while walking—If you can’t converse, you are walking too fast.

Hartselle Living • 21

Members of the Freshwater Creek band, from left, are: Jacob Moody, Hannah Black, Jacob Briscoe, Collins Miller and Joshua Black.

Playing at H the Ryman Hartselle fiddle player and his band get opportunity to open for Vince Gill at legendary Nashville spot

22 • Hartselle Living

artselle fiddle player Jacob Briscoe got a big break in the music world recently when the band for whom he plays was chosen to participate in the “Blue Grass Nights” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Briscoe and fellow members of “Freshwater Creek,” a bluegrass band based in Arab, opened for a Vince Gill show June 21, playing and singing for an hour in front of a standing room only crowd at the Ryman.

“We were one of five bands selected to play openers for big name country music stars during “Bluegrass Nights,” Jacob said. “The atmosphere and energy from the audience were awesome. They liked us a lot and invited us to come back.”

RYMAN continued on page 23

RYMAN, from 22 Previously, the band had entertained on the Alabama Senate floor, at the Arab Poke Salad Festival and at a number of local churches.

Other band members are Hannah Black, fiddle; Joshua Black, rhythm guitar; Collins Miller, banjo; and Jacob Moody, bass.

All are from Arab and take music lessons from Tina Miller, also of Arab.

Jacob’s interest in music comes naturally. His father, Gary Briscoe, is a guitar player who organized a family band that included Jacob’s two sisters and older brother.

“I guess my interest in music began with my dad,” Jacob said. He plays his guitar almost every day and I do the same with my fiddle.”

Jacob, 16, began fiddle lessons five years ago and joined the Hartselle Junior High School band in the sixth grade. He now plays the trombone for the Hartselle High School band.

Freshwater Creek is available for bookings, with John Miller serving as booking agent: 1-256-656-1801.

In addition to his music, Jacob, a junior, is an “A” student who is pursuing an advanced placement diploma. He is also a Star Scout who is working on the Eagle rank.

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FOOD

Craving Comfort Try these comfort-food recipes to help satisfy your cravings and to make you feel good omfort food is different for everybody, but the deep satisfaction each mouthful brings is the same. To warm the body and the soul on a chilly day, give your favorite comfort foods a delicious makeover with recipes that use Grand Cru Gruyere cheese. Gruyere is a great melting cheese with lots of flavor, which means you get more flavor in every bite.

-Instead of Swiss, try Grand Cru Original - Cured

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Swiss Sliders Yield: 4 sliders 1 pound ground beef Salt and pepper to taste 6 ounces Roth Grand Cru Gruyere, thinly sliced 4 slices bacon, cooked and cut in half 4 small hamburger buns, lightly toasted Lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers and onions (optional) Preheat grill.

Season beef with salt and pepper, and form into 8 small, thin patties.

Evenly place 3 ounces cheese in the center of 4 patties.Top with remaining patties, and firmly

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over four months; smooth, mellow, light floral notes; melts easily. Try in fondue, ham and turkey Panini, and classic onion soup.

-Instead of cheddar, try Grand Cru Gruyere Reserve - Cured six to nine months; nutty undertones and hints of fruitiness. Try in omelets, quiche, and lobster mac and cheese.

-Instead of Parmesan, try Grand Cru Gruyere Surchoix - Cured at least nine months; firm texture, complex flavors of caramel, fruit and mushroom.

Grate onto risotto or pasta carbonara.

To satisfy your comfort food cravings with more recipes like these, visit www.rothcheese.com. press edges to seal.

Place sliders on grill. Just before sliders reach desired internal temperature, top with remaining sliced cheese and cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes, or until cheese begins to melt.

Layer garnishes and bacon on bottom buns; transfer sliders to buns and serve.

Roast Beef Baguette Yield: 2 servings 1 tablespoon butter 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced 1/4 cup Port or Madeira 1 medium baguette (approximately 12 to 14 inches) 4 ounces Roth Grand Cru Gruyere, sliced 8 ounces deli roast beef, shaved or thinly sliced 1 cup au jus or dark beef broth Preheat oven to 375º F. Over medium heat, sautÈ onions in butter until soft, lightly browned and caramelized.Turn heat to medium-high, add Port or Madeira, and cook until liquid has almost evaporated. Set aside until serving.

Split baguette down the center, leaving loaf intact.

Place cheese in bottom of baguette.Top with roast beef and caramelized onions.Wrap baguette in aluminum foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until hot.

To serve, remove foil and slice baguette in half. Serve each portion with a small cup of hot au jus or beef broth for dipping.

Savory Quiche Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1 9-inch store bought or homemade pie crust, pre-baked 1/4 pound bacon, chopped 1/2 pound oyster and shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 small leeks, cleaned, trimmed and thinly sliced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly ground 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 6 eggs 3/4 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup whole milk 8 ounces Roth Grand Cru Gruyere, grated Preheat oven to 425º F. SautÈ bacon in skillet.When fully cooked, remove bacon and reserve half the drippings in skillet.

Add mushrooms and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender.

Add leeks and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Return bacon to skillet. Season mixture with thyme, nutmeg, chives, salt and pepper; remove from heat.

In large bowl, vigorously beat eggs; beat in cream and milk.

Layer cheese and bacon mixture onto crust. Pour egg mixture over top.

Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350º F and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until egg mixture is set.

Remove from oven and allow to cool at least one hour before serving.

Hartselle Living • 25

Tucky Carlisle, right, teaches knitting to Kerensa Ford, far left, and Marlene Whiteley members of the UMW at West End UMC.

OUR WAY OF LIFE

Providing a helping hand West End United Methodist Church begins prayer shawl ministry STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLIF KNIGHT

T

he United Methodist Women at West End United Methodist Church in Hartselle has stepped up to the challenge of starting a prayer shawl ministry, thanks to the assistance provided by the Helping Hands Prayer Shawl Ministry at First UMC. Nine members of the West End UMW met with five members of the Helping Hands knitters in their fellowship hall on July 14.

They were told how the First UMC ministry got started and what it is doing now to minister to people who face life-threatening illHELPING continued on page 27

26 • Hartselle Living

HELPING, from 26 nesses or emotional upheavals in their lives.

The Rev. Bobby Ray Halbrooks, associate pastor of FUMC, estimated that Happy Hands members have knitted or crocheted 500 prayer shawls during the last five years. They are made in adult, juvenile and baby sizes and have been mailed around the world.

He pointed out that the practice originated in biblical times and is still practiced in Israel.

“We lay hands on and pray over the shawls we make,” he added, “and the testimonies we’ve received from recipients are proof they are anointed by God.” “Our UMW wants to incorporate the knitting of prayer shawls as a part of our ministry,” said Karen Clemons. “We feel it will bring our women closer together as well as reaching out to those who are hurting and in need.”

Joining her at the meeting were Kerensa Ford, Edna Halbrooks, Serena Pewitt, Faye Draper, Annette Shaffer, Mary Townsend, Mary Travers and Marlene Whiteley.

Also attending the meeting as members of the Helping Hands Prayer Shawl Ministry were Ruby Norman, Dot Biles, Tucky Carlisle and Venita Proctor.

After a show of hands indicated that knitting was new to the West End Dot Biles, left, helps group, the Rev. Faye Draper get Halbrooks started offered encourknitting. agement to those willing to learn.

“If I learned how to knit anyone can,” he stated. “The main thing is don’t get discouraged. Sometimes I want to throw what I’m working on out in the yard. I watch Braves games and knit and pray. It’s a good therapy for me. I’d say God has blessed me in the knitting I do probably as much or more that those who receive and use the shawls.”

“Let me say that Bobby Ray was the hardest person you can imagine to teach how to knit,” said Norman, chairwoman of the ministry. “But he’s the glue that holds our group together. The camaraderie we have is unbelievable. We all do this with the same purpose and it’s not for self-glory but for the glory of God.” “A part of our ministry is to go to other churches and teach their members how to knit prayer shawls,” Norman pointed out. “We’ll work hand in hand with you to get your ministry started.”

Knitting bags were presented to each member of the West End UMC and the last part of the meeting was devoted to learning the basics of knitting.

Hartselle Living • 27

HISTORY

Annual tradition Depot Days celebrates Hartselle past with weeklong celebration including music, history, food, fun, art and more 28 • Hartselle Living

T

he annual Depot Days festival, a tribute to the railroad industry and its contribution to Hartselle and the North Alabama region, returns September 15, 2012.

Covering four blocks in the downtown area, the daylong event offers a day of live music, a car, truck and motorcycle show, 5K & 1-mile fun run, craft show, karaoke contest, children’s art show, children’s rides and games, Antique Tractor & Gasoline Engine Show, food and an assortment of vendors.

For the past 31 years, the streets of downtown Hartselle transforms into festival grounds for as many as 20,000 visitors the third Saturday in September. Live music featuring up and coming local talent runs all day and a variety of craft vendors have their wares on display throughout the downtown area.

The car, truck and motorcycle show gets underway as early as 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church located on Hickory Street.

DEPOT continued on page 29

DEPOT, from 28 For the children, there are a variety of activities and games all day long. All artwork submitted for the Youth Art Contest will be on display at Slate Gallery and Framing. The Decatur Alabama Kennel Club will be providing agility, rally, flyball and meet the breeds demonstrations in E.A.R.T.H. Park from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The Depot Days festival begins at 8 a.m. and lasts all day until the music stops. Admission is free. In addition to the festivities, many of the specialty and antique shops located in the historic buildings downtown are open for business throughout the festival. Several of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additional activities are also scheduled in the week leading up to Depot Days. The Miss Depot Days Pageant takes to the stage Saturday, September 8th, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Sparkman Civic Center. The pageant is open to girls 0 to 18 years old with age divisions

set at 0-24 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-13 years, 14-15 years, and 16-18 years old. A Queen, and 1st and 2nd alternates, along with a Miss Photogenic, Best Smile, Prettiest Hair, and Prettiest Eyes, will be selected from each age group. A Tiny Miss and Master, Little Miss and Master, Petite Miss Depot Days, Teen Miss Depot Days and a Miss Depot Days will also be crowned.

West Hartselle Baptyist Chuch will host a community worship service at 6:30 p.m. on September 9th. On September 10th, the Hartselle Historical Society will host “Down Memory Lane” at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. Displays and demonstrations begin at 5:30 p.m. with the program following at 7 p.m. On September 11th, the Hartselle Fine Arts Center presents “Hartselle Sings and More – An Evening of Sacred Music. The Hartselle High School Choral Department will have a Depot Days Community Concert at the First United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m.

For information on the Depot Days Festival, call the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce at 256.773.4370.

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THE LAST WORD

“Some people make headlines while others make history.“ – Philip Elmer-DeWitt

30 • Hartselle Living