Hartselle Living May/June

HARTSELLE LIVING

SWEET DREAMS

MAIN STREET BAKERY WHIPS UP DECADENT DESSERTS

BEHIND THE SCENES

LOCAL FILMMAKER REFLECTS ON CAREER

Dear reader,

DThank you so much for picking up this issue of Hartselle Living. On behalf of our writers and contributors, we appreciate you and hope you enjoy all we have for you inside this issue.

Spring is such a lovely time of year, isn’t it? A season of renewal – during which we get to see life all around us begin again. I’m glad we have more daylight with which to enjoy the beautiful scenes of springtime a little longer.

Here’s to a nice spring day in a rocking chair with a Mason jar full of sweet tea, a conversation with a good friend and time spent reading about what’s going on in Hartselle.

In this issue we bring you a story on Main Street Bakery owned by Darren and Christy Urban. They recently began serving lunch along with every kind of sweet imaginable. Our staff particularly enjoys the Ultimate Grilled-Cheese sandwich!

Our cover story is about a Morgan County filmmaker who is making waves with his independent film that was filmed in North Alabama. You can read about Dark Entities and its director Brandon McLemore beginning on page 15.

This issue is also chock-full of recipes from Southern Fried Skinny’s Emily Norris, as well as updates from Hartselle City School and the William Bradford Huie Library.

I hope you enjoy that glass of sweet tea, and thanks again for reading, rebekah.yancey@hartselleliving.com

Brandon McLemore is at home behind the camera. The independent filmmaker and Morgan County native reflects on his career and his locally-filmed horror flick Dark Entities beginning on page 15.

Photo by Tristan Holmes

HARTSELLE LIVING CONTRIBUTORS

JACOB HATCHER, writer

Editorial

Rebekah Yancey

Contributors

Michelle Blaylock

Susan Hayes

Jim Meadows

Sara Laughmiller

Alex VanKoughnett

Chrissy Tucker

Marketing

Baretta Taylor

Anna Baker

Terri Haston

Administration

Beth Jackson

CONTACT US

Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

206 Cedar St. NW

P.O. Box 929

Hartselle, AL 35640

Phone: 256-773-6566

info@hartselleliving.com

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 2023 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC

Born in Georgia and raised in Tennessee, Jacob Hatcher now lives in Hartselle with his wife and three kids. Jacob is a freelance writer for the Hartselle Enquirer as well as a blogger at Son of a Biscuit Eater on Facebook where he writes about faith, family and life in the south. Jacob comes from a long line of master storytellers and porch sitters and loves few things in life more than a great story and a sad country song.

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.

JODI HYDE, photographer

Jodi Hyde has a genuine love for the Lord and tries to shine His light in everything she does. Jodi loves outdoor activities and spending quality time with her family. As a photographer, Jodi manages to freeze life’s precious moments and capture them on camera. She loves meeting new people and being creative through her photography business. Hartselle is her hometown, and is currently where she resides, and where she loves to serve in the community.

JENNIFER SHERWOOD, photographer

Jennifer Sherwood has loved photography for as long as she can remember and has owned her own business for more than 14 years. She now owns a studio in Priceville. She most enjoys photographing people with their families and capturing their exciting and memorable life moments. She is married to Jeff and has four children, Aubrey, Emmy, Caleb and Ethan.

SWEET DREAMS

Main Street Bakery whips up decadent desserts for all your sugar cravings

STORY BY REBEKAH YANCEY PHOTOS BY RACHEL HOWARD

OOn the corner of Railroad and Main streets, there’s a place where iced tea and good conversations are as sweet as the crème brûlée that’s baked weekly in-house.

For Main Street Bakery co-owner Darren Urban, that’s the best part of the job: the connections he makes with his patrons.

“We’ve made a lot of friends since we’ve opened this business,” he said.

Darren and his wife Christy, a lifelong Hartselle resident, opened the bakery at the end of 2022 – the same weekend the annual Hartselle Christmas Parade packed hundreds of people downtown.

Great Gif ts for Moms, Dads, and Grads

Originally, the Urbans bought the building to expand their wedding dress alteration store, Urban Altered, which is also on Main Street. They reconsidered after being involved in the downtown revitalization effort after a couple of years, Christy said, coming to the conclusion the prime real estate spot would be the perfect place for a hometown bakery.

“When you come off the hill and see the building, it just seems cozy,” Christy said. “If you’re shopping along Main Street during the day and you get to the end of your shopping trip, it’s a lovely place to be rejuvenated.”

“We talked about the building for years before we ever bought it,” Darren added. “We thought there should be something neat in it – something cool that everybody talked about. No matter who put it there.”

Utilizing the grand staircase and antique tile that are original to the building, Christy said she added all the things she loves to decorate Main Street Bakery in the Parisian café style – modern and elegant, with an eclectic and homey touch.

“We want it to feel comfortable and as if we’re getting ready to welcome friends into our home,” she said. “I hope that feeling translates to our customers and they feel special when they walk through the doors.”

Each piece of décor, from the art on the walls to the coffee mugs and cake stands, are hand-selected for their respective spots at Main Street Bakery, and Christy adds everything except the cash register is for sale.

Her favorite piece of art is a hand-drawn nineteenth-century sketch of a croissant and tea cup she says fits the aesthetic perfectly.

“I like to find neat things like that – they’re all different but point in the same direction,” she said.

Starting small with just cookies and brownies, the business is now a full-fledged bakery with dozens of desserts that will satiate any sweet tooth. The Caramel Chocolate Bourbon fudge is one flavor Darren said he enjoys. A customer favorite is the homemade strawberry cake.

“It’s a 10-inch, three-layer cake,” he said. “One piece is for two people.”

“Mrs. Anita makes it every week and it’s her recipe,” Christy added. “It’s probably our best cake. It sells itself.”

Various items are prepared weekly and daily in-store, while specialty items have been curated from all over the country through the couple’s research and travel.

“We have really good bakers who really know what they’re doing,” Christy said. “We knew what we wanted and we found the people who could make it happen for us.”

They currently employ a staff of nine, and have plans to bring more people on as the business continues to grow.

Recently, Main Street Bakery has expanded their menu to include daily lunch that includes a duo and trio plate of chicken salads and chips.

The menu features several chicken salads, gourmet sandwiches and salads. Customers can order ready-to-go pimento cheese and chicken salad by the serving or a plate of their selections.

Signature sandwiches include the Ultimate Grilled Cheese that is made with Gouda and Guyre, as well as turkey and ham sandwiches served on a croissant, ciabatta or sourdough. A breakfast and brunch menu as well as afternoon high tea is on the horizon for the bakery.

“There are a lot of things to come,” Christy said. Main Street Bakery is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. It is located at 104 Main St. W., Hartselle.

ROLL CALL

• Key Lime Pie

• Peanut Butter Pie

• Caramel Apple Pie

• Gluten Free Chocolate Torte

• No Sugar Added New York Cheesecake

• Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake

• Crème Brûlée Cheesecake

• Peanut Butter Explosion

• Salted Caramel Cake

• German Chocolate Cake

• Red Velvet Cake

• Coconut Cake

• Strawberry Cake

BEHIND THE SCENES

Morgan native reflects on independent film made in North Alabama

STORY BY JACOB HATCHER

PHOTOS BY TRISTAN HOLMES

Cabins at the Caverns

HHaving been raised by a cinematographer father and a mother who helped run a photography studio, it should be no surprise that Morgan County native Brandon McLemore went on to be interested in film.

“There was always something related to film around,” McLemore says, “and around the age of seven I got involved in community theater. Around 2009, when I was thirteen, I got the idea that I wanted to start making movies.” With that initial spark of an idea, McLemore and some friends made a small home movie that was a spoof of The Wizard of Oz. While many did not see that first effort, McLemore said it did inspire him to begin working on a script of his own for a short suspense film.

After the script was complete, McLemore decided it was worth attempting to actually do something with his newest creative endeavor.

“We approached the acting studio in Huntsville to get the actors for it and we filmed it over the course of that year and premiered it at the Princess Theater in Decatur in the spring of 2010.”

Over the course of the next few years, McLemore and his father did several short films, one of which was shown on a local North Alabama television station. He also reinterpreted Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell Tale Heart, which came in second place in the student film category of the River City Film Festival.

Your next cavern

After a short detour into theater in high school, McLemore then went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he studied broadcasting. He credits his time at UAB for teaching him the necessary technical aspects of filmmaking that have been invaluable to him.

Also while in college, McLemore came up with an idea for a film about a ghost being unleashed from a box and the impact that event would have on the characters within the story.

“I never fully went after that idea but it was always kind of sitting in the back of my mind. I knew that if I ever wanted to sit down and write another script, I already had an idea to work with.” Around 2015, not knowing if it would ever actually get filmed, he decided to get to work on the script that would one day become his first feature film, Dark Entities

In early 2020 McLemore decided to pursue filming Dark Entities, with no way of knowing the roadblock that the Covid-19 pandemic would present. Deciding it would still be possible to complete the project with a limited cast and crew, McLemore and his friends went forward cautiously.

“We filmed most of it on a farm way out in Somerville. We also went to downtown Hartselle and filmed in what was then the Hartselle Antique Mall. Everyone involved was great and excited to have us there.”

After filming was complete in the fall of 2020, McLemore began the arduous job of editing the three-hour rough cut down the just shy of two hours, as well as adding color grading to emphasize specific hues, fixing audio issues and adding a score provided by renowned musician David Vest.

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“We declared the movie finished in about April 2022. In May we sat down and planned our first premier at the Cinemark in Bridge Street in Huntsville.” Within four days of putting tickets up for sale, the 150-seat theater had sold out, prompting McLemore to plan yet another viewing for the end of July that sold out within four hours.

“It seemed the movie had grown in popularity, so we decided to do one final viewing in Madison, which we still had an amazing turn out for despite it being in the middle of football season.”

Around the time of the first premier McLemore started approaching distribution companies, eventually landing with Terror Films, which is a distribution company with an emphasis on promoting independent horror films. Working with Terror Films, Dark Entities is now available on Tubi, Amazon, Google Play, Kings of Horror and more.

While McLemore is excited about the future of Dark Entities and his own future projects, he says he also thinks that the work he and his collaborators have done is also great for North Alabama at large.

“I think it’s a big deal for North Alabama to have a film not only made here but also picked up by a major distribution company in Hollywood and to have it going out all over the world. This was all made in North Alabama with local talent both on and behind the camera. It’s a homegrown film and I hope it’s something that people of the area can be proud of.”

READ THIS BOOK

Sizzling summer series:

Here are several series that will keep you reading all summer long!

From the librarians:

The William Bradford Huie Library of Hartselle is proud to offer readers recommendations from our librarians. These books are picked by Sarah Laughmiller, Chrissy Tucker and Alex VanKoughnett. Come to the ibrary to check these out and more.

“THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY”

By Jenny Han

In this Young Adult trilogy, Belly always says the most important moments of her life have occurred in the summer. She and the two sons of her mother’s best friend, Conrad and Jeremiah, spend every moment during the summer together at Cousins Beach. Through the years, the three of them build friendships, develop crushes, fall in love, break each other’s hearts and find their own versions of happily ever after. This trilogy can be found in the library and on the Libby app.

“SPOILER ALERT”

By Olivia Dade

In the adult romance trilogy, several of the actors from the famous show Gods of the Gates, are trying to find normalcy after their years of being in the spotlight. Now that the show is over, they won’t be sequestered to foreign countries where there NDA’s for the show prevent them from talking to the outside world. Each book features a main cast member and how their special someone helps them reenter society. These books are full of pop-culture references, comedy and romance. You can find these books in the library, on HOOPLA and on the Libby app.

“DREAMLAND BILLIONAIRES”

By Lauren Asher

The Kane brothers are kind of a dysfunctional family. When their grandfather passes away, he leaves each brother a letter stating what they have to do in order to receive their inheritance to their grandfather’s multibillion-dollar company, Dreamland. Rowen dives back into his first love in order to find his true love. Declan, has to get married and bear a child within a certain time frame, and it’s not so simple. Cal, must retreat back to the lake house where he has his fondest memories and sell the house while trying to not tick off his childhood sweet heart. The first book in the three-book series is “The Fine Print.” All three books can be found on Kindle Unlimited as well as the library.

“SWEET MAGNOLIAS”

By Sherryl Woods

Maddie Townsend, Dana Sue Sullivan and Helen Decatur have a friendship that has stood the test of time. In their small South Carolina town of Serenity, they’re more like family than friends. And when any of them is floundering, the other two will be there to lift them up. They are the definition of a steel magnolia. Each book covers a sweet magnolia and those added to the group, and their own personal trials and triumphs. Through it all, they each find the man of their dreams. Like their love for each other, they love their small town and invest in it as much as each other. This eleven-book series begins with “Stealing Home.” Margaritas, men and magnolias, what’s not to love? They’ll keep you sizzling all summer long. These are all available at the library, Hoopla and the Libby app.

THE CADILLAC SERIES

By Carolyn Brown

Dr. Susan M. Persall

1098 Hwy. 31 SW, Hartse le 256-773-4418 • hartselleeyecare.net

This series focuses on three ladies in a small town called Cadillac, Texas. Cathy, who is so desperate for the husband, kids and white picket fence, that she fears she may have been hasty in saying “Yes” to her politician fiancé. Carlene, who has just found some racy red lingerie in her husband’s briefcase which was purchased at her own shop by another woman. And Stella, who is trying to avoid going to the summer ball organized by her mama’s church prayer group in hopes of finding her a husband. You see, she already has a secret beau. Welcome to Cadillac, Texas, “Where the gossip’s hotter than the city’s famous jalapeno peppers.”

Hartselle City Schools is committed to the next generation

IIn the last edition of Hartselle Living, I wrote about Hartselle’s legacy teachers. These teachers come from a family of Hartselle teachers are part of our Hartselle tradition. But the number of teachers who come from teachers pales in comparison to the number of Hartselle students who come from Hartselle student-parents –and student-grandparents and student-great-grandparents.

If you have never had the opportunity to speak with Hartselle’s David Burleson about the history of education in Hartselle and about its citizens’ determination to be the home of the first Morgan County High School, you have missed an opportunity to grasp this city’s deeply rooted understanding of the value of education to a small community.

BY SUSAN HAYES FEDERAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

in their Hartselle nest, we want their experiences to be rich ones. No one understands this better than Hartselle native Hesta Atkins Gurney who has written a children’s book entitled The Chicken and the Eggplant. Gurney is among those who attended F.E. Burleson as a child. Her children and grandchildren were also students there. This past fall, FEB invited Hesta to read her book to students, and among those FEB student-listeners was Hesta’s own great-granddaughter.

Generations of Hartselle’s children have had parents or grandparents who attended Hartselle schools, and many of those children, once ready to leave the nest, have moved on to other cities to pursue their dreams and careers. But interestingly, quite a few of those little flyers have returned home to raise their own children in an environment where they know those babies will be educated, nurtured and loved.

This speaks to the quality of the education Hartselle’s children receive, but it also speaks to the community and to its ongoing commitment to growing the next generation for the future – no matter where that future may be and where those children may serve. When our little chicks are still

With a sweet story and beautiful illustrations, The Chicken and the Eggplant follows four curious little chicks as they explore the farm on which they live. Thanks to a little guidance, the chicks learn that appearances can be deceiving and that there is value in real understanding.

There is something uniquely special about learning this lesson through your greatgrandmother’s reading of her own story. But there is also something special about learning this lesson and other life lessons under the care of those who also instructed older generations of your own family. Through school, scouting, Sunday School and more, many of us have benefitted from living in this village that so earnestly commits to raising its children.

And to those citizens who have not been with us long enough to have this experience – stick around. Hartselle will commit to you and your little chicks, too.

Get Ready for Grilling Season

STORY BY DAVID ELWELL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

HARTSELLE CITY SCHOOLS

Larry Slater is inducted into the Wallace State Hall of Fame in 2016.

TThe word “family” often comes up in team sports to describe a culture of success.

Terrie Nelson is the Priceville girls’ coach. Her daughter Carly Jo is on the team. Terrie’s sister, Jeaniece Slater, is an assistant coach.

When you talk about Nelson and Slater, the family ties in basketball go deep. Their father, the late Larry Slater, and Jeaniece were involved in one of the most memorable girl’s championship games in this state’s history.

It’s been almost 35 years since Larry Slater coached his Pell City team to a 77-76 win over Hartselle for the Class 5A state championship. Jeaniece Slater was Hartselle’s star player.

“We were just talking about that,” Terrie Nelson said Monday before her team boarded a bus to Birmingham.

“Jeaniece told my girls that the last time she participated in a state championship was against our dad.”

The bizarre circumstances of that game brought a lot of attention across the state and gave girls basketball a needed publicity boost. The attention helped give the

girls championships an elevated presence that eventually placed them on the same stage as the boys.

According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, Alabama was the first state to adopt a high school basketball championship format that brings both girls and boys teams for all classifications to one site.

The AHSAA began sponsoring basketball state championships in 1922. It started as one class, expanded to two in 1948 and grew to four in 1964. In 1985, the format went to six and then seven in 2015.

Girl’s high school basketball in Alabama started, stopped and then restarted. In the 1940s, the state board of education shut it down completely. Some board members thought the game was not fit for females. The 1972 Title IX law brought it back. The game returned with a championship format in 1978 with the first title games played at Huntsville High. Calhoun hosted from 1986-92.

Larry Slater grew up playing basketball in Cotaco. After serving in the Army, he settled in Hartselle. He became a strong advocate for girls’ basketball when his oldest daughter Jeaniece wanted to play. He coached her AAU team to the national tournament. The draw to coaching grew so strong that Slater got his teaching degree. He coached at Lawrence County and then landed at Pell City as one of the first coaches in the state dedicated to just girls’ basketball.

Slater was divorced from his daughters’ mother. The girls lived with her in Hartselle. Jeaniece became a star on the basketball court for the Tigers. In her senior season in 1988,

We Want to Keep You Smiling

Larry Slater talks with an official during his coaching days at Wallace State.

In 2016, the late Larry Slater posed with his daughters and granddaughters, who have carried on his love of basketball. From top left, they are Jeaniece Slater, Hayden Slater, Kele Nelson and Terrie Nelson. Standing in front are Chloe Maner, left, and Carly Nelson.

Members of the 1988 Pell City Lady Panther basketball team who won a state championship were recognized Friday.

From left are Danielle Fields Fyre, Melissa Purvis McClain, Erica Collins Johnson, head coach Larry Slater and Tonya Tice Peoples.

Photo by Gary Hanner/ St. Clair Times

SHOP US HOP &

she was named the state’s first Miss Basketball and the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

BRANDS at

The state playoff bracket for Class 5A happened to be laid out so that the only way Hartselle and Pell City could meet would be in the state championship game. That’s exactly how it worked out.

A packed house of 4,000 filled Calhoun’s Kelley Gymnasium on March 12, 1988, to see which Slater would go home a state champion.

“I was a ninth-grader that year and chose to be a cheerleader instead of playing basketball,” Nelson said. “I was at Calhoun sitting on my sister’s side and cheering against my dad’s team.”

The crowd expected a great game and did not leave disappointed. They saw a classic. Hartselle led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter. Pell City mounted a comeback and tied the game at 74-74 with 32 seconds left to play. Hartselle scored with 17 seconds left to make it 76-74. Pell City answered with star player Tonya Tice hitting a 3-point shot with three seconds left to win it, 77-76.

“I have to admit I was absolutely devastated for Jeaniece,” Nelson said. “It was her senior year and last chance at a state championship. I was really mad at my dad.”

“As I got older and moved into coaching, I understood that my dad had a job to do. He had a lot of girls depending on him.”

The success at Pell City worked to help Slater become the women’s coach at Wallace State in Hanceville. Eventually, the girls state tournament moved from Calhoun to Wallace – and Jacksonville, too – before landing in Birmingham to be part of the basketball state finals.

“It was a great moment for my dad,” Jeaniece Slater said. “He was a great basketball coach. It was what he needed to give him a platform to promote the sport as a head coach at Wallace State.”

Larry Slater was inducted into the Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Upon his induction, Slater looked back at the significance of that game at Calhoun.

“There’s no doubt that game was a launching pad for girls’ basketball in the state,” Slater said. “It’s amazing how far the girl’s game has come. I’ve seen things happen that I never could have imagined.”

Larry Slater’s daughters, Terrie Nelson and Jeaneice Slater, have carried on his legacy in coaching.

Photo by Jeronimo Nisa

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Tina Towers

Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for Hartselle City Schools

BY REBEKAH YANCEY

Tina Towers says she is very blessed to be a staff member of Hartselle City Schools. She has been with the school district for 17 years and is currently the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator. Born and raised in Hot Springs, Ark., Towers graduated from Fountain Lake High School and went on to pursue degrees in education at Henderson State University and the University of Alabama.

She has been in education for almost 35 years, first in Arkansas and Mississippi, and then as a teacher, reading coach, curriculum coordinator and principal in Hartselle schools. She is married to Tim and the couple have two sons, Adam and Mason, a daughter-in-law, Kristen, one grandson, Keller, and one soon-to-be daughter in law, Michaela.

Who influenced you to pursue a career in education?

My parents, Huston and Charlene Richardson. They always knew that I had a love for children because I enjoyed babysitting and helping the youth at church. Being a teacher was all I ever wanted as my career. They did everything they could to help and support me in achieving my goal. I have always had a servant’s heart. From a very young age helping others and making a difference in their lives always motivated me.

If you could send a note to yourself in 2030, what would it say?

I will be 64 years old then. I would tell myself to keep doing things that I love and continue to let others see God through my actions and words. Most importantly, keep doing things that can help others and stay busy!

What was the most inspirational and influential book you have read and why?

Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. It was given to me by a close friend. I do my very best to read and take notes in this devotional book daily. There are times that I feel that God wrote the words for me minutes before I read them. Some days I really need a pick-me-up, and this has been and will continue to be my inspiration.

Is there anything you have personally achieved or done that would surprise people?

Most people would say that I have stated many times that being the principal of Barkley Bridge Elementary was the pinnacle of my career. Yes, I always aspired to be a principal but, the

privilege of being a principal in Hartselle City Schools and at BBE is a monumental achievement for me.

If you could send a note to yourself in the future, what would it say?

Enjoy life and be adventurous with Tim. Spend time with your boys and their families. Spoil your grandchildren and take them on trips with you. You have worked hard for many years. You have taken care of so many people, now take care of yourself, and do not feel guilty for doing that . Have tons of fun traveling and seeing things you have never seen. Visit as many National Parks as possible. Most importantly, continue to listen to God, follow Him and where he leads you – He has given you an abundant and blessed life. He is good and will continue to do so because you are His child and He loves you.

BRAISED SHORT RIBS

BY EMILY NORRIS SOUTHERN FRIED SKINNY

TThis is a dish that is sure to impress anyone from your in-laws and your neighbors to your spouse. The flavors taste complex and the plating is so fancy. But here’s the secret: it’s not difficult.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 tbsp. salted butter

• 4 tbsp. olive oil

• 4-8 beef short ribs

• 3 whole diced carrots

• 1 yellow onion, quartered

• 3 stalks celery, quartered

• 2 cloves garlic

• 3 sprigs fresh thyme

• 3 sprigs fresh parsley

• 2 bay leaves

• 3 cups beef broth

• 2 tbsp. tomato paste

• 750 ml cabernet sauvignon

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Lightly salt and pepper each side of ribs. In a Dutch oven, or oven safe pot, add oil and sear every side. Remove from pan. Leave oil and grease in Dutch oven and add onion, celery and carrots. These don’t need to be neatly chopped, you can even leave the skin on your onions. After about 8-10 minutes, veggies should be tender. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste. Next, add in full bottle of wine, broth, spices and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, turn down and let simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off heat, add ribs back in and make sure they are covered with your liquid. Cover and place in preheated oven. This is going to sit under your low heat for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, remove pan from oven and fish out your ribs. Bones should slide right out and you’ll be shocked at how tender this meat is.

Pour liquid and veggies through a strainer, but be sure you have a bowl under your strainer. Toss veggies. We’re only working with the gravy here. Save a dish and pour your liquid back into your Dutch oven. Add butter and begin stirring over medium heat. Let gravy reduce and thicken up.

Serve ribs over mashed potatoes, pour gravy on top and garnish with chives.

CREAMY GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

By Emily Norris Southern Fried Skinny

INGREDIENTS

• 12 tbsp. salted butter

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 bunch chopped chives

• ½ c. heavy cream

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened

• 8 large russet potatoes

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large stock pot, start to boil salted water. While you’re waiting on your water, peel and dice potatoes into equal sized pieces.

*If you prefer a chunkier mashed potato or enjoy the peel, skip peeling and leave them on.

Once you’ve reached a rolling boil on the stove, add in potatoes. Boil about 25 minutes or until fork tender. Every stove is different and it will largely depend on the size of your chunks. Just keep an eye on them.

Strain potatoes but reserve 1 c. of cooking water. Add potatoes to a bowl and mash. If you have a potato ricer, you can get them very smooth with that, you can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to help.

Add in 8 tbsp. of butter, heavy cream, garlic, cream cheese and a splash of your cooking water. If your potatoes are too thick, add just a splash of your water at a time. Salt and pepper to taste, top with chives and another pat of butter.

Oil, Lube, and Filter Ser vice

Gear up for reading this summer with your local library

I

It’s been a busy winter and spring at the William Bradford Huie Library. We have programming that includes book clubs for adults and for children in third through fifth grades we have painting classes and story time. We have added around 1,423 books, audiobooks and DVDs to our collection. As always, we welcome suggestions for new material from our patrons.

Additionally, we have started planning our Summer Reading Program. This year our theme is “All Together Now: Community Helpers.”

Our Summer Reading Programs will be on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am starting beginning June 1. We will continue through July 20 with each week highlighting a different community helper with activities and guest speakers. We are

BY MICHELLE BLAYLOCK LIBRARY MANAGER WILLIAM BRADFORD HUIE LIBRARY OF HARTSELLE

bringing back our book bingos and Downtown Stroll. We will have reading logs which can be completed and turned in for a chance to win prizes. We will be continuing with our Monday night programming that includes our adult book club, kids painting and adult painting. On Wednesday mornings at 10:30, we will continue our Little Listeners Story Time for ages 3 to 5- years-old. Beginning June 5, librarian Sarah Laughmiller will be adding a Lap Babies Story Time. This story time will be on Tuesday mornings at 10:30. For more information concerning any of our programs or services, please contact the library at 256-7734-9880. We are looking forward to a great summer and hope to see you at the library!

#HeyHartselle

Follow @hey_hartselle on Instagram and use the hashtag #HeyHartselle for a chance to be featured on this page in each issue.

@jessicadbeal:

“Just reminding everyone how much I love my friends, that’s all, have a nice day :)”

@addieoparker: “someone guess my favorite color”

@dustysoulsbus:

“So thankful for our home “

@scoutdabrittany:

“Alabama Quail Season 2022-2023 is in the books. This was a first for both of us. Scout was impressive to say the least, he absolutely LOVES working a field. Thank you to @crazebottoms for hosting us.”

CINDERELLA BALL

Photography by Jennifer Sherwood Photography

MMore than four hundred fathers and daughters attended the 6th annual Cinderella Ball Feb. 17-18 at Burningtree Country Club. The beloved community event, presented by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, featured dinner and dancing with Cinderella (Sadie Evans), Prince Charming (Garret Blaxton), and the Fairy Godmother (Nancy Busby Solberg), a horse-drawn carriage ride and a lead-out to introduce each princess.

It’s Your Day Florist provided the event decor while Sweet Sensations Bakery provided sweets and treats. Other event sponsors included Ellen Bean/REMAX Platinum (Princess Dinner Sponsor) and Burningtree Country Club (Princess Castle Sponsor.) Table sponsors included Chad Hampton: Agency on Main, Jackson Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Redstone Federal Credit Union and the Hulgan Company. Maegan Jones, broker/ realtor at MarMac Real Estate, emceed the lead-outs.

BECOME A MEMBER

NEW MEMBERS:

MEMBERSHIP

CCongratulations to our Chamber members who have recently celebrated with a Ribbon-cutting ceremony!

• Nate’s Western Wear – March 17

• Mental Health Association in Morgan County – March 22

• The Robin’s Nest – April 6

• El Portal #1 – April 12

• Alabama Closing & Title – April 20

• *Francesco’s Italian Restaurant – May 18

• *Tio Juan Mexican Grill – June 14

• *Achievement Pediatric Therapies, LLC – June 15

*Upcoming

For more information on Chamber membership, contact Beth Foote (beth@hartsellechamber.com) today!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• May 10 – Lunch & Learn: “Let’s Chalk About Mental Health”

• May 11 – Serve Day Volunteer Meeting

• May 18 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Francesco’s Italian Restaurant

• May 27 – American Legion “Cars & Coffee”

• June 8 – B.O.S.S. Breakfast

• June 8 – Serve Day Volunteer Meeting

• June 15 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Achievement Pediatric Therapies

• June 16 – State of Healthcare

• June 20 – W.E.L.L. (Women Engaging in Leadership & Learning)

• June 22 – Serve Day Volunteer Meeting

• June 24 – American Legion “Cars & Coffee”

• July 15 – Serve Day

For more information and to register for upcoming events, visit hartsellechamber.com/events/calendar

• Achievement Pediatric Therapies, LLC

• Acorn to Oak Consulting

• Adams Beverages

• Alabama Closing & Title

• Community Service Group

• County Line Veterinary Services, LLC

• Dr. Steve Pearson

• EASE

• El Carrizal Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

• El Portal #1 Mexican Restaurant

• El Portal #2 Mexican Restaurant

• Francesco’s Italian Restaurant

• Faulkner University – Huntsville

• Hartselle Valley Family Medical Center

• Hartselle Fitness

• Hospice of the Valley

• Jennifer Sherwood Photography

• Mental Health Association in Morgan County

• Nate’s Western Wear

• Penny L. Taylor, DMD, MS, PC

• Serra Toyota of Decatur

• SourceOne Displays

• Tio Juan Mexican Grill

• United Launch Alliance

Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 817, Hartselle, AL 35640 256. 773.4370  admin@hartsellechamber.com

OUT & ABOUT

MARGARITAS AND MASTERPIECES

The Hartselle Parks and Recreation Department held its Margaritas and Masterpieces paint party at Don Alejo Mexican Restaurant March 30. The class was taught by Sharon Jones of Painted Sunshine.

Photos by Staci Wells

1. Teresa Wylie

2. Taylor Smith

3. Samantha Ledlow

4. Saundra Morgan, Brandi Clemons and Sonja Harris

5. Sharon Jones

6. Denise Wallace

7. Chrissy Hopper

8. Stephanie Sivley

9. Peter Norman

10. Jennifer Penney

11. Cherie Button

12. Rita Smith