FROSTED BY MADI • JINGER HEATH • EMILY REEVES • CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
HARTSELLE LIVING July/August 2021
FRENCH
ELEGANCE
HEIRLOOMS, ANTIQUES AND SENTIMENTAL DECOR ADD INVITING AMBIANCE TO THE DELUCENAY HOME
HARTSELLE FAMILY MEDICINE, P.C.
615 Mynatt Street Suite E, Hartselle, AL 35640 Office: (256) 773-2979 Fax: (256) 773-2986
HFM Quick Clinic is now open for our established patients! Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
418802-1
Seated l to r: Jay T. Pohl, MD, Anna Lawler, CRNP, Ashlee Drake, CRNP, Haley Stuart, CRNP and Alan B. Walker, MD
Brianna, Meagan, Kylie, Cheyenne, Treonna, Stephani, Hannah
Jessica Smith, CRNP, Jeb Hornsby, MD and Lori Henry, CRNP
Call to schedule your appointment today! 256-773-2260
418791-1
Services Provided: Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management Women’s health and hormone testing Botox and Xeomin Treatment • Weight Loss Management On Site X-ray • Minor Skin Procedures Care for Strains, Sprains, and Fractures
FROM THE EDITOR
A
Another issue of Hartselle Living is here, and with it are more sweet stories about our friends and neighbors and the amazing things they are doing to make Hartselle such a great place to be. Talking about sweet: On page 33 in this issue you’ll find a story about Andrea and Zach Huff, the owners and operators of Barkley Blueberries – a true labor of love for the Hartselle family. They hope to open their blueberry farm up to the public by next summer as a U-pick spot and make it a community attraction during the summer months. Who doesn’t love blueberries? In our Food & Drink section, Constance Smith sits down with Madi Lawson, owner of Frosted by Madi. The Hartselle native got started decorating the way many people do – by spending time in the kitchen with her mom, baking and making sweets. She operates her business from Sugar Mama’s on Railroad Street. In our Home & Style section, we visit with Paul and Stephanie DeLucenay and get a tour of their lovely home on Mimosa Lane. Filled with sentimental family heirlooms and antiques, the house is a showstopper. Russell Frye features Hartselle High School golfer Jinger Heath in our School & Sports section, and Emily Reeves shares with our readers how her mission work in Peru has changed her life on page 17. Don’t forget about the Out & About section and news from the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce on pages 40-44. Whatever you like to read, we’re glad you picked up a copy of this issue of Hartselle Living. Our readers are a big part of why we love putting together this magazine. If you know of a good story that needs to be told, please email me any time. Thanks for reading,
ON THE COVER
Paul and Stephanie DeLucenay have filled their home with family heirlooms and sentimental antiques. Take a tour on page 7. Photo by Rachel Howard
4 Hartselle Living
rebekah.yancey@hartselleliving.com
33
HOME & STYLE
FOOD & DRINK
7 FRENCH ELEGANCE
27 FROSTED BY MADI 29 A LITTLE SWEET HEAT
Heirlooms, antiques and sentimental decor add inviting ambiance to the DeLucenay home
ARTS & CULTURE 17 BREAKING BARRIERS Hartselle High School teacher embraces culture in mission work
SCHOOL & SPORTS 21 GIFTED ON THE GREEN Jinger Heath shows her skill on the golf course
FEATURES 33 LABOR OF LOVE Local couple tends blueberry farm
40 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS 42 OUT & ABOUT
HARTSELLE LIVING
CONTRIBUTORS
STAFF Editorial Rebekah Yancey Alison James Contributors Constance Smith Michelle Blaylock Susan Hayes
ALISON JAMES, copy editor
Alison James earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Auburn University, graduating in 2012. She began her career in community journalism in Alexander City and Dadeville, followed by a stop in Opelika before landing in north Alabama. She loves sharing the stories – and correcting the grammar of those stories – of the people and places that make north Alabama such a special place.
Rachel Howard Russell Frye Marketing Baretta Taylor Anna Baker Terri Haston Administration Beth Jackson
CONSTANCE SMITH, writer
Constance Smith is a lifestyle blogger and YouTuber at CosmopolitanCornbread.com. After 25 years of Army family life, Constance has planted roots here in Hartselle. She now homesteads on her small farm, where she raises heritage breed animals and is focusing on permaculture gardening. In her spare time she enjoys photography, art, kayaking and other outdoor sports.
CONTACT US Hartselle Newspapers, LLC 206 Cedar St. NW P.O. Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 Phone: 256-773-6566 info@hartselleliving.com
RUSSELL FRYE, writer
Russell Frye is a freelance sportswriter for the Hartselle Enquirer and Hartselle Living. He covers sports for Hartselle, Danville, Falkville, Brewer, and Priceville High Schools. He is married to Tammie and has three children, two who are grown, and Nastia who is in the sixth grade.
Hartselle Living is published bimonthly Hartselle Newspapers, LLC. A one-year subscription to Hartselle Living is $16.30 for 6 issues per year. Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Hartselle area. To advertise or to get more copies, call 773-6566. Copyright 2021 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC
6 Hartselle Living
RACHEL HOWARD, photographer
Rachel Howard is a Hartselle native who is proud to own and run a business in her hometown. Capturing moments on camera allows her to give the gift of memories, and that makes her soul smile. She is an avid fitness-lover and teaches spin classes as a side hobby. She enjoys singing, playing golf with her husband Nick and being a dog mom to Ralphie and Bud.
HOME&STYLE
FRENCH ELEGANCE Heirlooms, antiques and sentimental decor add inviting ambiance to the DeLucenay home WRITTEN BY REBEKAH YANCEY PHOTOS BY RACHEL HOWARD
EXPRESS BATH 50% off
Installation*
PLUS No Interest No Payments
Have your dream Jacuzzi® Shower installed at a price you can afford.
for 12 Months
Call NOW! Or visit us online for details
256.502.9587 Visit www.express-bath.com
*with purchase of any complete bath or shower system. Sales and installation performed by the licensed or registered (if applicable) Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer in your area. Financing is provided by third-party lenders under terms arranged by customer and lender, subject to credit requirement. Not all buyers may qualify.
8 Hartselle Living
418798-1
• Fits you existing tub space • No mess installation • Amazing style selection • Factory certified installers
F
SEPTIC TANK, DRAIN & SEWER SERVICE
418797-1
French country décor, perfectly curated antiques and sentimental family heirlooms fill the DeLucenay home in Hartselle’s Hickory Heights neighborhood – the place where Paul and Stephanie DeLucenay built their home in June 2012 with the help of Hagen Homes. The 3,300-square-foot house features five bedrooms and three and a half baths. “We love that it is decorated like we always envisioned, with collected and sentimental pieces, but nothing takes priority over living and having a good time,” Stephanie said. “I am definitely a perfectionist when it comes to cleanliness and organization, but I want the house to be comfortable and lived in.” Each room is special and has a great deal of history and sentiment, Stephanie added; it’s impossible to pick a favorite. One of her favorite features is the French doors in the dining room that serve as a functional storage space. “My great-grandmother’s china is hanging on my wall, and I use it often. I dearly love it but as a teenager thought it was awful. It’s funny how my tastes have changed throughout my life,” Stephanie said. “I have always been sentimental and have struggled with getting rid of things, but my love of antiques as part of my home décor has definitely increased over the years.”
Hartselle Living 9
The chandelier in the master bathroom is from France, circa 1800s. It had to be rewired for current American standards, but Stephanie said it was meant to be in their forever home. “I saw it in a store in Huntsville, and it was thousands of dollars, even on sale at half price,” she said. “Since I am drawn to everything French and aqua in color, I immediately loved it. After looking at the price tag, I knew it was out of my reach. Months later, I saw that same chandelier in Birmingham, lying in the floor of a back row of the warehouse. The store in Huntsville had changed owners, and the entire inventory was moved to the owner’s store in Birmingham. I was able to procure the chandelier for a steal, so I knew it was meant to be.”
Make a new Purse-Chase
for
Summer
Bright and Bold Prints that remind us to find Joy in every day!
Dare to Dream The cash you need to make your dreams come true is now within your reach. Let us help you with a loan!
A fun and fashionable way to carry and protect your cell phone!
Kar aren r Hubbar ard r Haga & Heidi Ivers
1307 Hwy. 31 N, Suite B Next to Little Caesar’s Equal Opportunity Lender • All Loans subject to our normal credit policies
418799-1
256 751-9909
225 Main St W DOWNTOWN HARTSELLE 35640 (256) 773-3318 zoeysdowntown.com Visit our Facebook Page for Special Deals for Friends
418809-1
Hartselle Living 11
The DeLucenays enjoy hosting guests in their home at every opportunity. Family gatherings with their older children and their families are a must at least once a month. “I have always wanted a dining room and table large enough for our family gatherings, and now we have one. Our bigger gatherings still require more chairs and tables, but we cram everyone we can get into the dining room and foyer,” she said. “This entire house was designed around being able to entertain and host our family and friends, including the open flow of the floor plan, the large living room, the doors that open out to the patio and multiple sleeping areas we have.” The home boasts 10 beds and two couches that are often used for sleeping.
Cindy Shaneyfelt
201 Main Street W, Hartselle Alabama 35640
12 Hartselle Living
418823-1
REALTOR® 256.221.0966 cindy@marmac.us
SERVING YOU WITH
418800-1
TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
Hartselle Living 13
“Family is extremely important to us, and we love nothing more than when our house is full and we are all together,” Stephanie said. “I had to get creative upstairs to get that many beds without infringing on our daily lives, but we have pull-out Murphy beds upstairs so we can use the space in between ‘Hotel DeLucenay’ visits by family and friends. We also have additional beds in the attic that roll out into that space. There are times when every bed in the house is full, including the playhouse.” Thanks to Tammy Eddy, who owns Tammy Eddy Antiques on Bank Street in Decatur, the living room is another one of Stephanie’s favorite areas. “She has helped me curate special pieces and decorate my home. She’s great about using what I have and adding things
14 Hartselle Living
Decatur Shopping Center 1524 6th Ave. SE • 256-353-1416 • Tues-Sat 10am-6pm
Contact me today for your free market analysis and consultation, and start getting the sales results you want!
418790-1
Large Selection of Women’s, Men’s and Children’s Designer and Athletic Shoes at Discount Prices
Anna Baker
Marketing & Advertising Consultant
SP20365
Call (256) 340-2360 or Anna.Baker@tnvalleymedia.com
HARTSELLE LIVING
from her store to pull it all together,” Stephanie explained. “She resurrected the antique game table out of the attic, and we have used it so often – for family game night, puzzles, craft-making and even for the kids’ dining table during the holidays, since it expands. It’s the perfect spot that I never would have come up with myself but use all the time.” Before Eddy helped pull the overall decorating scheme together, “I had things stored away that meant a great deal to
• Home • Auto • Life • Business • Specialty Lines
Jo.JNtiii 1Jafu, an£
a�al'fJa& Helping you protect what matters most 256-754-7135 1091 Hwy 31 NW Ste. B2 419077-1
Hartselle , AL
Hartselle Living 15
me, like my Uncle Will Lipsey’s etchings and Molas that he picked up overseas, my great-grandfather’s map he used in World War I and family Bibles dating back to the 1800s,” Stephanie added. From the Turkish chandelier that hangs in her daughter’s room, to the door knockers in their master bedroom that Stephanie’s grandmother acquired on a trip to England, every direction Stephanie looks in her home reminds her of someone she loves. Even the bricks creating the front steps of the home are sentimental, coming from Stephanie’s maternal grandmother’s home. “I stayed with her as a child, and we were very close. Having part of her home included in mine is very special to me,” Stephanie said. “We have the stone from my family home where I grew up. We plan to incorporate it into the back yard landscaping design.” If one day the DeLucenays decide to move, many parts of their home will have to come with them. Paul and Stephanie are both engineers. Together they have four children and two grandchildren. The family stays busy, and they enjoy numerous activities, like family game nights. “We have four pets living in the house, so that’s always a mess waiting to happen: Molly and Max, our labradoodles, Ella the hamster and Angel the fish. We even have a garage kitty, Chrissie, who we hope to bring in soon. She showed up as a stray on Christmas Eve, and we took her in,” Stephanie said.
Brian Dean Broker, Owner, REALTOR®, GRI
Galvin Gray Associate Broker
256-975-9244
256-227-4281
brian@briandean.us
galvingray@gmail.com
Linda Blue
Tami Graham
2050 Beltline Road SW, Decatur, AL 35601
www.deanslistrealty.us
418817-1
https://www.facebook.com/DeansListRealty/
Constantly Striving For Real Estate Excellence!
16 Hartselle Living
Associate Broker/MRP
REALTOR®
256-227-0417
256-432-7597
lindablue73@outlook.com
tami.graham.realtor@gmail.com
Richard Graham
Stephen Pate
REALTOR®
REALTOR®
256-432-7470
256-654-2080
richard.graham.realtor@gmail.com
stephenpate10@gmail.com
ARTS & CULTURE
BREAKING BARRIERS
Hartselle High School teacher embraces culture in mission work STORY BY REBEKAH YANCEY PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Hartselle Living 17
E
Emily Reeves is passionate about many things – among them, her job as an English teacher at Hartselle High School, her relationships and her daughter Lenox. Maybe most of all, she is passionate about her mission work in Iquitos, Peru, through an organization called Kings and Queens International. The nonprofit organization is based in South Carolina and seeks to end child abandonment in Iquitos, which is considered the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. It is there where Reeves works with a home for abandoned boys. “I went on my first mission trip to Iquitos, Peru, in the summer of 2012 through my local church. A member of my church was involved with a different ministry there and shared his experiences, and I immediately felt the call to go,” Reeves said. Constantly seeking adventure, the 29-year-old mother and teacher said she loves the simplicity of life in Peru and the appreciation for the little things often taken for granted at home. “I am extremely relational, and the Peruvian culture is centered around relationships, versus things like materialism or workaholism,” Reeves said. “One minute I am riding in moto taxis, where traffic rules don’t seem to be a real thing; the next minute I’m watching a wild monkey befriend a dog; and later
on I might be swimming in the Amazon River and jumping out before the electric eels come out.” She said it’s the people there who keep her going back, “specifically the kids. Child abandonment is rampant in Iquitos, a city of a half a million people, due to an overwhelming number of them living in extreme poverty,” she said. “So many children are desperate for attention, love and affection. I have an overwhelming calling over my life to show the children that are considered the ‘least of these’ in Peru that they are important, valued and loved.”
Owner: Joe Lubisco Jr.
419076-1
18 Hartselle Living
While she is not fluent in the native tongue, Reeves said she knows conversational Spanish, and one of her goals is to become fluent. “I speak to Peruvians on a daily basis, so I am always learning the language,” she said. Reeves said she has lost count of the number of times through the years she has visited the country, often staying 10 days to two weeks. This summer she will stay a total of six weeks. Kings and Queens did not exist when Reeves first began going to Peru in 2012. “There was a group of us that continued to go on mission trips to an orphanage deep in the Amazon jungle – only accessible by boat – and their transition home for older boys in the city,” she said. “Through the years we watched them struggle with financial problems to the point where they closed down other orphanages they had throughout Peru.” It was then that Reeves said God gave her a vision of getting the boys sponsored, and she took the idea to the owners of the organization many times. “They said sponsorship was impossible for multiple reasons and never listened,” Reeves said. “Meanwhile, Kailee and Titus, two friends I met through Peru mission trips, were called to start a nonprofit in Peru but had no idea why. They went through a ton of work to get one started but were doing nothing with it. Finally, the orphanage told us they were closing their home for older boys. All of those boys would be sent back to live on the streets. It became clear why Kailee and Titus were called to start a nonprofit.”
Five young adults in their 20s, who lived in different areas of the United States, came together to provide a home for the boys who would otherwise be left to the street. “We asked if the boys could be given over to our ministry. The Peruvian government said yes,” Reeves said. “We had absolutely nothing – no staff, no home for them and no funding – but we all worked around the clock to fulfill my original vision of sponsorship for them. “We had exactly two months to raise the funds to take in the boys before they were put back on the street. We needed money for healthcare, food, shelter, clothes, resources – beds, dressers, everything – and employee salaries. We watched God provide for every single need. It was the most miraculous experience. Our final boy got fully sponsored moments before I boarded the plane to go to Peru and take in these boys as our own.” The home is called Casa de Reyes, which means House of Kings, and is open to older boys who come from a remote jungle orphanage once they reach the age of 18. Casa de Reyes offers them more educational opportunities and support. “We pay for their education through college or for them to learn a trade or a skill,” Reeves says. “They are allowed to stay with us after their graduation for a designated amount of time until they are able to support themselves. Our goal is that when they leave our home, they are able to break the cycles of poverty, abuse and abandonment in their community.” Hartselle Living 19
We had exactly two months to raise the funds to take in the boys before they were put back on the street. We needed money for healthcare, food, shelter, clothes, resources – beds, dressers, everything – and employee salaries. We watched God provide for every single need. It was the most miraculous experience. Our final boy got fully sponsored moments before I boarded the plane to go to Peru and take in these boys as our own. Emily and her new husband, Joe.
It was through her mission work that Reeves met and fell in love with her husband, Joe Yahuarcani, who she married in June. The two met seven years ago when he was a worker in the orphanage Reeves visited in the jungle. Reeves said she was immediately was attracted to him – not only for his looks but because of his admirable leadership over the boys in the orphanage. “He loved and served them so well,” she said. “We were just friends for years. I stayed single here, and my dating pool was limited because I knew I could not even date someone who did not share my passion for Peru. Fast forward to my dating relationship with Joe: I immediately knew he was my future husband. He now works for Kings and Queens as well and is over discipleship for the boys in our home. “Everything about it makes sense. We love the Lord, love each other and have the same heart for service and missions. Even with the distance and all the things that seem so impossible stacked against us – such as COVID-19 that kept us apart for a full year and the spousal visa process that is incredibly delayed right now – our relationship is healthy, easy and overwhelmingly good. “We are living out our calling, one so much greater than ourselves, and it’s a joy to do it together.” The mission work has changed her life completely, Reeves said: It has made her who she is. “It’s not just a short-term trip I take once a year. It’s a daily investment into the lives of the children, the adolescents, the people I love so much,” she said. “When I am here, I am fighting for them to have a better life there. I pray for Peru. I financially support mission work there. My social life is influenced: Not a 20 Hartselle Living
day passes that I don’t talk to friends, employees, boys or my husband in Peru. I voluntarily work for our ministry, and I also incorporate my experiences any chance I get into my own classroom content as an English teacher here at Hartselle High School. My experiences there have changed my outlook on life and help me prioritize what really matters in life. The first time Reeves went to Peru, her daughter Lenox was 1 year old; she is now 10. “She has grown up with a million video chats to Peru, pictures of the kids I love throughout our home, praying for them by name with me. Even before Lenox was able to go to Peru, it was a part of her life,” Reeves said. “The trip we take is considered dangerous, and normally anyone 16 or 17 must be accompanied by a parent to go, or you have to be 18. However, working for the ministry means that rule doesn’t apply to me. I prayed a lot about taking Lenox to Peru, and she went for the first time in 2018. “She said it was one of the best times of her life. She can’t wait to go back this summer. She’ll be there almost four weeks. She’s most excited about holding a sloth. “She doesn’t want to live there, like I do, but she wants to visit,” Reeves added. “She hates the heat, the exhausting travel days, the bugs and the food, but like me, for her, all the good far outweighs the uncomfortable and challenging. The lessons she has learned from experiencing a different culture, seeing extreme poverty that is unimaginable here, taking part in the Great Commission and helping make a difference for good in the lives of others are the most valuable gifts I could ever give her as her parent.” To learn more about Kings and Queens International, visit the nonprofit’s website at www.kingsandqueensint.org.
SCHOOL & SPORTS
GIFTED ON THE GREEN Jinger Heath shows her skill on the golf course STORY BY RUSSELL FRYE PHOTOS BY JIM MEADOWS AND CONTRIBUTED
H
Hartselle sophomore Jinger Heath has strung together many wins in her career as a golfer. Heath first picked up a club at the age of 9 and, in the seven years since, has rocketed to the top of leaderboards at every tournament she plays. She played her first 18 holes the same year she took her first swing. “When I first started, I wasn’t good at it and didn’t like it, but my dad kept bringing me to the golf course, and I started getting better,” said Heath. “I fell in love with the game, and there’s nowhere I would rather be than the golf course.” Heath grew up with Burningtree No. 16 as her backyard, allowing her to work on her game on a daily basis. She said her father, Mike Heath, was instrumental in helping develop her love for the game. He started by bringing her brother Ryley, a 2021 graduate of Hartselle, out to the course, and then he introduced Jinger to the game. Having a brother who also plays has pushed Heath to work on her game. She would hold her own against her brother and his teammates on the Tigers’ boys golf team. “My brother has been my biggest inspiration on and off the course,” said Heath. “He is a great brother and has taught me a lot.”
22 Hartselle Living
Heath chips the ball from just off the green.
Three Generations, Family Owned & Serving North Alabama Since 1964 RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL SALES SERVICE & INSTALLATION We Service All Makes & Models State Certified • License #16049 • Insured • Bonded
FOAM INSULATION P.O. Box 1002, Hartselle, AL 35640
256-773-3710 0% financing with approved credit! 418819-1
CONVENTIONAL L FHA • VA • USDA (256) 502-9800 Fax (256) 502-9907
110 Main Street W. Hartselle, AL 35640 NMLS# 1597142
418804-1
e Purchase e Refinance e Reverse Mortgage e Land e Residential Investment
Heath readies to tee off.
Heath’s accomplishments on the course have been numerous: She won the 12-13 age division of the Alabama Girls State Junior Championship by 14 strokes in 2017. As a seventh-grader, she became the youngest winner of the Morgan County Tournament. She also advanced to the AHSAA 6A State Championships, where she finished fifth. “High school golf was new to me as a seventh grader,” said Heath. “Being on the team and helping them win the Morgan County Tournament made my win even more exciting.” As a seventh-grader, she won five tournaments. “I felt good about my team and the work I was putting in,” she said. “I went into every tournament that year intending to win.” She repeated as the Morgan County Tournament champion as an eighth-grader and finished fourth in the 6A State Championships. Her chance at three straight Morgan County titles was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic that ended spring sports in 2020, but she returned from the hiatus to dominate the 2021 Morgan County Tournament by shooting a 71 to win by seven strokes. “Knowing we had lost a whole year of playing made every round, score and win that much more intense and wanted,” said Heath. “This was a special season.” Her high school coach, Chad Gladden, said Heath has unbelievable potential. “It is easy to coach a golfer like Jinger. She is one of the most committed and dedicated golfers I have ever coached,” said Gladden. “She rarely makes mistakes on the course, and when she does, she recovers really well. Also, she is very competitive and has a lot of confidence in her abilities.”
Compassionate Service in Your Time of Need
Family-Owned and Operated Since 1929
Peck
Funeral Home Highway 31 South, Hartselle 256-773-2541 www.peckfuneralhome.com 418807-1
24 Hartselle Living
Heath said the most significant influence on her game has been her personal golf coach, Mike Odom, who passed away earlier this year. “He was an amazing man,” said Heath. “He knew more about golf than anyone I had ever met. I learned so much about golf and life in the five years he was my coach.” She said Odom’s death has left a void in her life, but she carries memories of him every time she is on the course. Heath’s parents are her biggest encouragers. They are with her wherever she plays and pick her up when things aren’t going her way. “My dad has told me that he has set me up to succeed but the rest is up to me,” Heath said. “My dad wanted my brother and me to have a skill that could create opportunities for us.” Mom Vicky Heath said golf has taught her daughter so much about determination, pride and integrity. “Along the way, she has met and made so many lifelong friends with amazing young people who are each inspiring,” Vicky said. “It really feels good to know the investments we made are paying off.” Each moment that Heath and her brother are on the course is special to her parents. “If I had to choose one moment that stands out above the others, it would be from sectionals this year at Canebrake in Athens,” said Vicky. ”It was just a great moment for me because Jinger and Ryley both won sectionals on the same day. This was the first time that both won at the same time. I cannot explain how good this made me feel.” Heath has a lot of golf left to play in her life, and she said she plans on making a career out of the game.
Heath and her late coach Mike Odom.
“My plans are to continuing playing the game I love,” she said. ”I want to win state with my team next year and do it again my senior year. Then I want to play golf in college and continue to hone my skills. After college, I hopefully will have a chance to play on the LPGA tour.” Hartselle Living 25
Rhyming and nonsense words
P
Perhaps you are among the few who cannot really So why do teachers assess a young reader’s understand the appeal of a Dr. Seuss book, and ability to “sound out” a word that isn’t a real perhaps you have wondered why you should be at all word? concerned when your child’s teacher tells you your Much of what young readers read comes with little one is struggling with “nonsense words.” illustrations, and noticing those illustrations and Zug rhymes with vug? What’s a zug? What’s a vug? then thinking about the words on the page as one Nonsense words? What are we teaching? thing is part of making meaning from text. Do not be worried. Do not be tense. Many young readers, especially those who For I predict, from this moment hence, read often, grow accustomed to reading certain You’ll be convinced... not on the fence… words and begin to know them on sight. That nonsense words make perfect sense. A student who loves animals might quickly BY SUSAN HAYES Reading begins with hearing. It’s how children learn to recognize “dog” or “pup.” This kind HCS FEDERAL PROGRAMS learn to speak. A child first detects a sound, and then of word recognition that simply grows from COORDINATOR he mimics the sound. Sometimes you can almost see frequent exposure to text is also a part of making babies’ brains working as they are taking in words and music meaning from text. and stories. They are exhibiting phonological awareness skills – What if a teacher really wants to be certain a student can call awareness of the sound separation between words, the ability a sound and then blend it into a word with no help from pictures to separate syllables within words, the ability to segment first and with no chance of simply recognizing the word? After all, sounds from the remainder of a word, the ability to rhyme, the that would be the truest measure of sound recognition and the ability to segment or blend phonemes. All are connected. blending of phonemes. In the end, it is the segmenting and blending of phonemes Well, that’s what the reading of nonsense words assesses. If a that has real functional value in reading. Again, it all begins with child can read vug, the child will certainly be able to read bug, rug hearing sounds. and dug – real words. Rhyming, then, is really about hearing, sorting and mimicking And so, you see, it’s not absurd, sounds – presumably to form real words. To be asked to read a nonsense word.
418808-1
26 Hartselle Living
FOOD & DRINK
FROSTED BY MADI BY CONSTANCE SMITH
S
Sugar Mama’s, located at 101 Railroad St. in Hartselle, is known for its baked goods, take-home casseroles, coffee and more – and it is now also the home of Frosted by Madi. Frosted by Madi is a new cake and sweets decorating business owned by Madi Lawson. Lawson is a Hartselle native, graduating from Hartselle High School in 2016. She got started decorating the way many people do – by spending time in the kitchen with her mom, baking and making sweets. After seeing countless beautiful cakes on social media, Lawson said she began experimenting, trying her hand at it. She realized not only did she enjoy doing it, she was good at it. Lawson said she finds the process of decorating to be a great creative outlet, and the focus it takes to decorate the cakes is calming and relaxing. Lawson said she loves testing out different techniques and designs. She makes cakes for baby showers, gender reveals, weddings, bridals showers and many other events. She decorates cookies and cupcakes in addition to the cakes. She is assisted in decorating by Melissa Pike, and Pike also delivers the wedding cakes. One of Lawson’s favorite cakes she has decorated was a happy accident. She was experimenting with a new technique and what was supposed to be a rainbow cake ended up being a tie-dye cake. She said customers loved the new technique, and she has made many of tie-dye cakes since then. To make an order, go to her website, FrostedByMadi. com, or connect with her on Instagram or Facebook.
28 Hartselle Living
A LITTLE SWEET HEAT
T
BY CONSTANCE SMITH
This time of year is extremely busy for those who do canning and food preservation. Here are two of my favorite jam recipes, both of which combine the sweetness of fresh fruit with the kick of peppers: Strawberry Jalapeño Jam and Peach Habanero Jam. A few recipe notes: Use a larger pot than you think you will need. When your jelly boils, it will expand greatly in size, and you don’t want to make the mistake of using too small a pot, resulting in a boil-over. Trust me. Don’t ask me how I know. Also, if your jars want to tip over because there is space in your rack, lay an empty canning jar down to fill in that space. Then your jars won’t tip over. Finally, always use gloves when cutting up a hot pepper!
STRAWBERRY JALAPEÑO JAM You’ll decide very quickly that this Strawberry Jalapeño Jam is the best jam you have ever tasted. Seriously. Don’t let the word jalapeño scare you; this jam is all flavor and zero heat – and I say this as a complete “heat wimp.” INGREDIENTS: • 4 cups crushed strawberries (approximately 2 quarts of strawberries, washed and stems removed) • 1 cup minced jalapeño peppers (approximately 4-5 peppers, cores and seeds removed) • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1 package (1.75 oz) powdered pectin (not liquid pectin) • 7 cup sugar INSTRUCTIONS: 1. To begin, prepare eight half-pint canning jars and lids. Have these prepped and ready to go, along with your hot water bath canner and canning supplies. 2. Combine the crushed strawberries, minced jalapeño peppers, lemon juice and pectin in a large stock pot. 3. Bring this mixture to a simmer, stirring continually. When it begins to bubble, add in the sugar. 4. Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil, stirring vigorously with a long-handled spoon or spatula made of non-reactive metal. Boil it for one minute and reduce the heat all the way down to low. Continue stirring until it settles down and is still. 5. Once the jam has settled, use a ladle to scrape off the foam from the top of the jam. Discard the foam. 6. Carefully ladle the hot jam into the prepared hot jars. Give the jam in the pot a stir each time you fill a jar. 7. Use a damp cloth to wipe the rim of the jar, making certain it is clean. Place a lid and ring on the jar, and place it into your canner. 8. Process your jars in the hot water bath for 10 minutes: Lower the jar rack down into the boiling water. The water should be at least on inch above the tops of the jars. Let the water come to a rolling boil, then start your timer. 9. After the 10-minute processing time, carefully remove your jars to a surface covered with a folded towel. This should be a draft-free location, out of the way, where the jars can sit undisturbed for 24 hours. In a short time, you will begin to hear the “Ping!” of success – the sound of the lids suctioning down and vacuum sealing. 10. After 24 hours, you can remove the rings if you like and store the sealed jars in your pantry. Jars must be refrigerated once opened.
PEACH HABANERO JAM This jam, unlike the strawberry jalapeño jam, does have a little heat. It is fantastic served with cream cheese and crackers or as a topping on a grilled burger. Enjoy this “peach with a punch” jam! INGREDIENTS: • 4 cups skinned, crushed peaches. This is approximately 4 lbs.; however, your volume measurement is what you will need to go by. I crush mine with a potato masher. If you want chunky jam, leave some slightly larger pieces in there. • 1/2 cup minced habanero peppers, seeds and pith removed • 1 cup white grape juice, no sugar added • 1/2 cup bottled lemon juice • 1 tsp. ground turmeric • 1/4 tsp. Butter. The butter helps prevent the jam from getting foamy on top. This can be used in the strawberry jalapeño jam recipe as well. • 1.75 oz. packet of low or no sugar powdered fruit pectin • 3 1/2 cup sugar • 2 Tb. vanilla extract INSTRUCTIONS: 1. To begin, prep your jars and hot water bath canning supplies. 2. In a large pot (non-reactive) combine the crushed peaches, minced peppers, juices, turmeric and butter. 3. Slowly stir in the pectin. 4. While stirring constantly, gradually bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. 5. Stir in the sugar. 6. Again, while stirring continually, bring the mixture back to a boil over medium high heat. You want the mixture to come to a full, rolling boil. This is very important. If the jam doesn’t boil long enough, it will not thicken. Stir and boil for two minutes. Set a timer for that; don’t estimate. 7. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. 8. Ladle the mixture into prepared half pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space – the space between the top of the jam and the top of the jar.) 9. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a clean, damp cloth if necessary so the lids will seal well. Place the lids and rings on, snugly, but do not wrench them down. 10. Place them in your hot water bath, making sure they are covered with 2 inches of water over the tops of the jars. Process them (boil) for 10 minutes. 11. Carefully transfer the jars to a draft-free surface that has been covered with a towel. Allow them to sit, cool and rest for 12-24 hours. 12. The next day, test the lids to make sure they all sealed. Remove the rings and label your jars. 30 Hartselle Living
Come visit us at our new Arab office! 160 N Brindlee Mountain Parkway (256) 586-0471
Or at our new Priceville office! 464 Highway 67 S, Decatur, AL 35603 (256) 280-3840
www.EvaBank.com
NMLS #414640
418824-1
Find a location near you: Cullman • Birmingham • Eva • Arab • Priceville • Decatur • Madison • Cullman
H
Library gets busy with summer programming
Hello again from the William Bradford For our teens and adults, we have planned Huie Library of Hartselle. If it has been a several craft classes and painting classes. bit since you have visited us, I encourage Because of limited space we do require teens you to take time stop in and see us. and adults to pre-register. If necessary, we will The first thing you will notice is a change schedule additional classes to accommodate in the staff. Patricia Poe, our former assispopular classes with overflow. tant librarian, is no longer at the desk to This year we have prizes for each age group. greet patrons. She and her husband have Prize drawings are going to be held Aug. 5. moved to South Alabama. We wish them all We have worked hard to offer a couple ways of the best! Although Mrs. Patricia left a big entering the drawings. pair of shoes to fill, Alex VanKoughnett has First, we are excited to have the opportunity BY MICHELLE BLAYLOCK taken the assistant librarian position and is to partner with local businesses to offer a “HartLIBRARY MANAGER WILLIAM BRADFORD HUIE doing a fantastic job. Our library assistants, selle Passport” to children in Pre-K through LIBRARY OF HARTSELLE Sarah Laughmiller and Chrissy Tucker, school age as a new way of entering summer round out our fantastic team of librarians who work hard reading prize drawings. After picking up a passport at the to meet our patrons’ and community’s needs. library, visit the participating businesses and ask each one We have a great Summer Reading Program started June to stamp their corresponding square. There is no purchase 3 and will run through Aug. 5. We have something for every necessary at any of the businesses, and it only takes eight age group this year. stamps to equal one prize drawing entry. We have Book Babies for our youngest patrons, ages This great idea is the brainchild of Miss Alex and Miss birth to 24 months, and their caregivers Tuesday mornings Sarah. They did an amazing job putting it together. We are at 10:30 a.m. This is a simple story time with an activity to thankful to our local businesses for participating in this introduce children to the library and the joy of books. This program. story time is led by Miss Sarah. She is also leading Little Another way to enter the summer reading prize drawListeners for our Pre-K children Wednesday mornings at ings is to complete a Book Bingo. We have Book Bingos for 10:30 a.m. This group is geared for 2-5-year-olds. She will Pre-K through adult. The completed bingos can be entered read an engaging story and have a take-home activity ready into the prize drawing of choice. You can complete as many for them. Bingos as you want over the summer. There is no limit to For school age children, we have our Summer Reading how many Bingos you can get! Program Thursday mornings from at 10:30 a.m. This As a reminder, we also have a book sale room. If you year we have planned a variety of guests, books and enjoy reading but really prefer to own the book, this is the activities. Please stop by the library to pick up a Summer place for you. We have two rooms that have books both Reading Schedule or check our OPAC Page at Hartselle. children and adults that are for sale at extremely low prices. org. Click services and then our William Bradford Huie We would love to hear from you. What programs would Library link. you like to see the library provide? Do you have a skill you Information is also available on the City of Hartselle would be willing to share in a club or as a small program? Facebook page and the Huie Library League Facebook page. Hope to see you soon at the library!
PARKER’S
Step up your Outdoor Cooking Game
“U - NAME - IT” Free Estimates References Upon Request We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express
32 Hartselle Living
Lawn service Rotted wood repair Clean & seal decks Paint inside & out Sheet rock repair Pressure washing A little bit of EVERYTHING
Blackstone Griddle
Traeger Grill
Corum’s Building & Farm Center 408 Hwy. 31 NW • Hartselle, Al 35640 256-773-5477 • corumbfc.com Mon-Fri 7am-5pm • Sat 7am-Noon
Big Green Egg
418793-1
256-227-5265
418806-1
Tony Parker
LABOR OF LOVE Local couple tends blueberry farm STORY BY REBEKAH YANCEY PHOTOS BY RACHEL HOWARD
O
On Barkley Bridge Road, an acre of land is the site of more than 600 blueberry bushes. The aptly named farm, Barkley Blueberries, is owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Andrea and Zach Huff. When the Huffs moved to Hartselle in 2019 and purchased their home, the land was vacant, and grass was waist high. Zach said the couple knew they wanted to find a good use for it. They put Andrea’s agriculture background and their cumulative knowledge together to form Barkley Blueberries – and the pair have big goals for the future. “I grew up in a rural area similar to Hartselle,” Andrea said. “My dad was an ag teacher, so I was around it my whole life, and I really enjoyed it.” Andrea, who has family is the Tennessee Valley but grew up in Florida, studied soil and water science at the University of Florida before working for both the USDA and Alabama A&M. She said her family visited a local blueberry patch every summer when she was a child. It was a community experience that was enjoyed by patrons of all ages.
LifeWork is expanding to Priceville! 2941 Point Mallard Parkway Suite Q in the Mallard Village Shopping Center
Targeted Open Date: August 2021
2019
34 Hartselle Living
913 Hwy 31, Hartselle | 256-502-8684 | www.LifeWorkPT.com
418803-1
Physical Therapy
ING HARTSELLE LIV HARTSELLE L IVING IO • KEEGAN
ELL-BAXTER STUD
TY VEST • HOW
ANDY AND MON
ZANDA
May/June 2021
FROSTED BY
July/August
MADI • JING
ER HEATH •
EMILY REEV ES •
2021
SUMMERTIME
SWEETNESS
VE ICE BRINGS OLIWIA’S SHA TO HARTSELLE TASTY TREATS
FRENC
ELEGANCH E
HEIRLOOMS, ANTIQUES AND ADD INVITING SENTIMENTA AMBIANCE TO THE DELU L DECOR CENAY HOM E
36 Hartselle Living
CHAMBER CON
NECTIONS
“Everyone in the community always went in the summer,” she said. “We thought we could plant a lot of blueberries on an acre. Everybody loves blueberries, and the U-pick is a big thing.” The soil test results sealed the deal for the Huffs – the land, Zach explained, has a naturally low pH, which is ideal for growing blueberries. Barkley Blueberries has been the very definition of a labor of love: No tractors were used to dig the holes to plant to bushes. “We hand dug every hole out here,” Zach said. “I think we moved 5-6,000 pounds of dirt by hand. It took us a year to do it.” A 50/50 mix of peat moss and pine bark is the key to keeping the plants hydrated through the hot Alabama summer. “That peat moss will keep the water on the roots all summer long, and we won’t have to worry about them drying out as much,” Zach said. “We have drip irrigation laid out there, and it’s run to the house, so we just turn on the faucet, and it will water the whole field.” The Huffs said they hope to open Barkley Blueberries up as a U-Pick farm and welcome the community to the homestead in a coople of years. It will take some time for the plants to reach maturity before that idea can come to fruition. “Until the bushes get big enough to handle multiple pickers, we will be picking and selling at the Farmers Market here in town. We want to get them established and have their production up,” Andrea said. “Ideally, we want it to be a nice little family experience and for everyone to come out with their kids on Saturday mornings with the plants so good and big so that everyone can get as much as they want to get.
418801-1
Hartselle Living 37
TREAD
20
with
CONFIDENCE
Yea rs in Busi
49 years of service
Enterprise, LLC Used Motor Vehicle Dealer & Collision Center
B&G OK Tire Store, Inc.
38 Hartselle Living
418821-1
automotive-innovations.net 256-778-0705 3953 Highway 67 • Somerville, AL 35670
418822-1
Specializing in Restorations, Candy, Pearl, Flakes, Graphics, Motorcycle Painting and RV & Boat Repair
1800 Hwy. 311 SW Hartselle • bgtirehart@charter.net Office: 256-773-7088 / 256-773-7099 After-Hours Contacts: DEWAYNE BENNICH, 256-482-8930 KEATON BENNICH, 256-476-6626
n e ss
Once they get established, blueberry plants can thrive for decades. – Andrea Huff
“We want it to be family-oriented, where people can come and learn something about blueberries or about farming,” she added. “It’s always nice to know where your food comes from and meet the people who grow it.” Once they get established, blueberry plants can thrive for decades, Andrea said, so the Huffs are looking forward to their farm serving the Hartselle community for many years to come. Keep up with the goings on at Barkley Blueberries by following the Huffs’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Fresh, local blueberries will be available for sale at the Hartselle Farmers Market Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon.
Oil, Lube, and Filter Service featuring Havoline motor oil (other major brands available)
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Oil change includes a 16-point
STAR SERVICE CHECKLIST
1601 LEE STREET ROGERSVILLE, AL 35652
&
5750 MOORESVILLE ROAD TANNER, AL 35671
w w w. s h o p v i l l a g e i n t e r i o r s . c o m
418820-1
1202 HIGHWAY 31 NW, HARTSELLE, AL 35640 • 256-751-1050 117 2ND AVENUE SW, CULLM MAN, AL 35055 • 256-739-5888
Follow us on Facebook 418818-1
Hartselle Living 39
W
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Welcome the 2021-2022 Board of Directors! Eleven Chamber members elected by the membership lead the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce. We honor their leadership and service to our community. The board members make decisions for the Chamber regarding policy, establish an annual budget and program of work, elect the officers of the Chamber, hire the HACC president/CEO and serve as representatives for our taskforces.
Chamber members are invited and encouraged to get involved within our taskforces now as programs are being established and goals are being set. Serving on one of these teams offers a way for you to deepen your involvement in the Chamber by working with other business leaders to address more targeted issues that affect the entire community. If you are interested in learning more and joining a taskforce, call the HACC office at 256-773-4370.
CHAMBER TASKFORCES GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS/ ADVOCACY Board Representative: Daxton Maze Activities: • Legislative updates and breakfasts • Montgomery Annual Legislative Trip • State of the City Address • State of Schools Address • State of Communities Address • Public policy agenda creation and update
LEADERSHIP AND NETWORKING Board Representative: Ashley Holladay Activities: • Chamber Ambassadors: Chair, Jennifer Williams • Hartselle Young Professionals: Chair, Rachel Howard • Growing Leaders Hartselle high school program: Chair, TBD • Hartselle area CEO roundtable • Chamber networking events • New member mixers • Membership appreciation events 40 Hartselle Living
WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION Board Representative: Brian Kilpatrick Chair: Grant McKelvey Activities • Endless Opportunities eighth-grade career expo • “Company Picnic” career and workforce expo • Workforce and education family town hall • Modern Workforce Strategies Summit • Pathways to Success • Teachers on Tour • Teacher Welcome Reception/Back to School Breakfast • Teacher appreciation
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Board Representative: Lindsey Tapscott Activities • Business development seminars • Lunch and Learn opportunities • 60 Minutes to Success educational series • Business 2 Business Expo • Women in Business Luncheon • Appreciate Diversity (cross-cultural) conversations • Business Incubator and entrepreneur resources
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT Board Representative: Mike Tucker Activities • Economic redevelopment • Community promotion • City appreciation • Christmas Open House • Main Street: Chair, TBD • Depot Days: Chair, Melanie Burger • Hartselle 101 Tours: Chair, Dena Nagel • Non-Profit Cohort: Chair, Jimmy Watson • Fill The Bus (non-profit program) • Serve Day (non-profit program)
BECOMER A MEMBE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (new members from April 1 to May 28)
Calhoun Community College Duchess & Dudes Sunrise Network Solutions Reeves Farm Market TecRoom Repair & Electronics 20/20 Home Inspections Alabama Credit Union GoFar USA Park Redeeming Solutions Vets Like Us
UPCOMING EVENTS • July 9: New Member Orientation, presented by Maegan Jones of MarMac Real Estate
F
• July 10: Serve Day, presented by the HACC Non-Profit Cohort
TEACHER APPRECIATION
Few communities can boast of a tremendous quality school system such as the one we have here in Hartselle. One of the primary reasons the local school system is so revered is the excellent teachers and support staff who work every day to ensure students receive the highest quality education available. May 4 we were honored to supply cookies and coffee to each school within the Hartselle City Schools system. We applauded their efforts in this most difficult year to be one of only two districts in the state that did not experience a COVID shutdown. Thank you to our sponsors for making this event happen!
• Presenting sponsor: DiamondPro • Cookies by Sugar Mamas and frosted by Madi • Coffee donated by Kroger of Hartselle • Gold sponsors: Peck Funeral Home, Drake Eye Center and Peoples Bank of Alabama • Silver Sponsors: Hannah’s Lawn and Landscape Service, Downtown Southern Sass Boutique, Bargains USA, B & G OK Tires, Hulse Family Chiropractic and MeritHouse Realty/Jade Chowning • Bronze Sponsors: Realtor Cindy Shaneyfelt and Realtor/qualifying broker Maegan Jones at MarMac Real Estate and JMK Martial Arts & Fitness
• July 15: Hartselle After Hours, hosted at Don Alejo Mexican Restaurant • July 20: State of Healthcare, presented by Hartselle Family Medicine • July 22: Modern Workforce Strategies Summit, presented by Calhoun Community College • July 26-Aug. 1: Fill the Bus, presented by the HACC Non-Profit Cohort • Aug. 4: Teachers Welcome Reception, presented by Bill Burdette and Michael Holifield State Farm • Aug. 19: Quarterly Breakfast & Business, presented by Cerrowire LLC
Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 817, Hartselle, AL 35640
256. 773.4370 admin@hartsellechamber.com Hartselle Living 41
OUT & ABOUT HACC 44TH ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS GALA
1
The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce held its 44th Annual Meeting and Awards Gala May 7, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union and with more than 250 people in attendance, at the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur. Photos by Rachel Howard 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Brad Sheats and Tammy Lott Mike Tucker and Kelli Morton Jonathan Hampton and Daxton Maze Rachel Crowder and Gage Crowder Virginia Alexander, Missy Evans and Maegan Jones 6. Jennifer Williams and Dr. Ashley Holladay 7. Dr. Maggie McKelvey and Grant McKelvey 8. Scott Stadthagen, Brad Sheats and Missy Evans 9. Andrew Hampton and Megan Hampton 10. Christy Urban and Darren Urban 11. Kaia Noble and Andy McNeese 12. Dr. Maggie McKelvey, Dr. Ashley Holladay, Stephanie Summerford and Beth Foote
4
42 Hartselle Living
2 3
5
6
7
8
9
11
10
12
Hartselle Living 43
OUT & ABOUT BRIX & EMBERS RIBBON CUTTING
1
Brix & Embers joined the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony May 28. The mobile wood-fired pizza business is owned by Susan Hines and participates in community events, farmers markets, corporate events, weddings and other catering opportunities. Photos by Rebekah Yancey 1. 2. 3. 4.
Tabatha Nowak and Jamie Hatcher Glenn Wood Lisa Shiver and Joe Shiver Jenny Tankersley and Dwight Tankersley 5. Ray Glaze and Cheryl Glaze 6. Susan Hines 7. Alex Hines, Matthew Staudt and Gabe Williams 8. Jennifer Williams, Katie Beth Williams and Brian Williams 9. Stormi Bingham 10. Becki Bingham 11. Hank, Mollie Jane and Chet Hatcher 12. Nancy Case
2
3
4
6
5
44 Hartselle Living
7
8
9
10
11
12
Hartselle Living 45
This Summer Kick Back & Relax! both indoors and outdoors
Choose from a variety of comfortable and colorful furniture ready for immediate delivery!
for our latest deals. • Next to Golden Corral, just off the Beltline.
935 WIMBERLY DRIVE, DECATUR • 256-445-6818
We Are The Factory ry, y For Real, Not Like The Other Guys... So They Won’t Beat Our Prices
418812-1
Check us out on
Caitlin Fite 256-466-0756 Real Estate done right. Call Caitlin Fite.
418816-1
2114 Central Parkway, Decatur, Alabama 35601
