Hartselle Living, issue November 2012 by Hartselle Newspapers

Getting in the holiday spirit Check out the area Christmas celebrations

Vol. 2, Issue 3

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ON THE COVER

table of contents

WINTER 2012

Klaire Rooks, 5, of Hartselle visits Santa during Hartselle’s Christmas Open House. This was the official kickoff to the Christmas shopping season in Hartselle.

FEATURE 17. A Hallelujah Moment

STAFF President and Publisher Randy Garrison

Sandra Smith talks about her battle with breast cancer.

Editor Brent Maze Advertising Kim Johnson Karen McAfee Pam Gray Ann Kirby Contributors Clif Knight Richard Hollingsworth

DEPARTMENTS 18

CONTACT US 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.

24 HISTORY: The great heist of the Bank of Hartselle.

WELLNESS: Dealing with those caffeine cravings.

FOOD: Having the perfect Thanksgiving meal.

WAY OF LIFE: Community reaches out to help others.

RELIGION: Local church gets help to build new building.

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

LETTERS

Melting the frost t seems as if we just kicked off summer and now we are cruising through the fall season at great speed. Halloween has passed and we are moving hurriedly toward Thanksgiving. If we blink twice, Christmas Day will be here and another year will have come and gone. Just as the leaves are falling from the trees so each day moves along at a rapid pace. Our time on earth is so brief we really owe it not only to ourselves but to others to make each day the best it can be, to do something to make another one’s day brighter. Even if we spend long hours each day at our job it is still possible to make a difference to others around us. Even as the frost is stuck to your windshield and laying like new Randy Garrison • Letter from the Publisher fallen snow on the grass, we have the opportunity, especially at this Christmas morning. Many charities and civic organizatime of year, to melt that frost. We have many opportutions have already begun the difficult task of identifynities to warm the hearts and souls of those around us. ing those families who can use their assistance. As we The event that we now celebrate as Thanksgiving was string our lights, cook the holiday food, enjoy the actually begun as a time set aside to thank God for a Christmas cheer and, most importantly, celebrate the bountiful harvest. While most of us do not harvest our birth of our Savior, we cannot overlook and forget othown food, we can make sure others have food to eat by ers. Even if you find yourself short of cash and funds supporting local food banks in our towns. Many this season, a visit to a local nursing home with small churches in our area have food pantries and even have gifts of fruit and candy will make a huge difference in special days set aside to help make sure the folks who the life of someone without any family or visitors. are in need have a holiday meal of their own. Share A simple act of kindness, a smile to a stranger, buyyour harvest by supporting these events. Also, canned ing an extra can of food to share, giving thanks for our food drives this time of year will help to refill those blessings are just a few of the ways we can warm the shelves that may be bare by this season. hearts of our neighbors. Showing love to others will As we move toward Christmas there are many who melt even the thickest frost in their lives. Enjoy this are unable to provide gifts for their children. No child time of year and don’t forget to “Give thanks with a in our area should be left without a gift to open on grateful heart.”

6 • Hartselle Living

Football is the best season ootball is the reason why fall is my favorite season of the year. One thing that makes the sport enjoyable is covering high school football on Friday nights. This year is my 10th football season covering high school football and I still get the opportunity to see things happen each week that I’ve never seen before. Last year, it was seeing a 15-0 Hartselle team win its first state championship. This year, it’s just been the grit and determination from a bunch of kids that just won’t quit. They might not be as talented as other schools. They might not even have as many pure athletes as other schools do, but they

don’t make excuses for those weaknesses. This year has just been a pleasure to cover high school football for another year, getting to know the football coaches and players. It’s just been a pleasure to see the players grow and mature through each football season. I’ve followed the team since they played in Tuscaloosa through their visits to Fort Payne and Muscle Shoals. It’s been another good year for Hartselle. And I’ve counted it a pleasure to follow the team wherever they go, just like many of you have done. Go Tigers!

Brent Maze • Letter from the Editor

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS HARTSELLE LIVING? Dennis and Jimmie Ballentine took Hartselle Living on their September trip to the beach at Waikiki, Hawaii. Show us where Hartselle Living has visited. Take a picture holding the magazine at your vacation or business trip destination. Then send your photo to editor@hartselleliving.com. Don’t forget to include everyone’s name in the photo along with the location of where the picture was taken. We look forward to seeing your photo!

Hartselle Living • 7

CALENDAR Nov. 18

car load or donations accepted.

Falkville Open House The Town of Falkville will have its Christmas Open House Nov. 18.

Dec. 1

Nov. 19 County School Chess Tournament All nine Morgan County elementary and middle schools, in grades 5-8, will compete Mon., Nov. 19, in the Fall Chess Tourney at Cotaco Jr. High School. There will be 90 students competing for the 5 trophies.

Nov. 24 Fuzzy Youth Horse Show The Haystackers 4-H Horse Club of Morgan County presents the Fuzzy Fun Youth Horse Show Sat., Nov. 24, at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds, located at 1801 Vest Road in Hartselle. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with class start at 10 a.m. Entry fees are $5 for each class or $25 for unlimited classes. Admission is $5 per

Hartselle’s annual Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 6.

8 • Hartselle Living

Priceville Christmas Parade The Town of Priceville will have its annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. Rain date will be Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. For more information or to obtain an application, please call the Town of Priceville at 256-355-5476.

immediately following the Decatur Christmas Parade. Enjoy Christmas decorations, popcorn, candy and maybe even some hot chocolate to warm up after a cool night out watching the parade. Come and watch one of the most beloved family holiday movies of all time, "It's a Wonderful Life!" at the Princess Theatre.

Dec. 4 Dec. 2 Falkville Christmas in the Park The Town of Falkville will have its annual Christmas in the Park on Dec. 2 beginning at 4 p.m. Enjoy Christmas caroling, hot chocolate, music from the Falkville High School Band and the lighting of the town Christmas tree during this annual Falkville event.

Dec. 3 “It’s a Wonderful Life” The Rotary Club of Decatur hosts the Free Family Movie Night

HJHS Christmas Concert Hartselle Jr. High School’s Chorus will have its Christmas Concert Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at East Highland Baptist Church.

Dec. 8 Somerville Christmas Parade The Town of Somerville will have its annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. Lineup is at 3:30 p.m. For more information, please call the Town of Somerville at 256-778-8282.

Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film in glorious, fullscreen technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along at the Princess Theatre Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. There is also a fancy-dress competition. Tickets range from $15 to $20.

Dec. 8-9

design the project and are excited that our dream is becoming a reality. For more information, log on to www.hartsellefineartscenter.org.

Dec. 13 Hartselle Christmas Parade The Hartselle Kiwanis Club and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce will have the annual Hartselle Christmas Parade Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. The theme of the parade

is Christmas melodies.

Dec. 15 “The Nutcracker” Dancer's Incorporated continues their tradition of presenting the timeless classic “The Nutcracker” Dec. 15 at the Princess Theatre. Tickets are available at the Princess Theatre Box Office. Shows at 2 and 7 p.m.

Live Nativity Hartselle First United Methodist Church will have its annual Live Nativity Dec. 8-9. Pet the animals and hear the story of the birth of Christ. Also enjoy Christmas carols and enjoy a unique collection of nativities. For more information, call the church at 256-773-6952 or log on to www.fumchartselle.org.

Dec. 12 Project 12/12/12 Hartselle Fine Arts Center is asking everyone in the community, city, county and beyond to give $11 to our elevator fund by 12/12/12. This is a project that is near and dear to our hearts and we are now ready to move forward with Phase I. We have secured Godwin, Barnett and Woods architectural firm out of Decatur to

Hartselle First United Methodist Church hosts its annual Live Nativity on Dec. 8-9.

Hartselle Living • 9

OUT AND ABOUT 1

1. The Po House Hollow Band plays a Lawrence Welk polka at Hartselle Historical Society's Down Memory Lane Program in September. 2. Anthony Patterson related a history of Indian trails and early roads in Morgan County in the 1800s. 3. This display of household memorabilia at Down Memory Lane’s “Hearth and Home...Pioneer Days in Hartselle” sparked lots of conversations among visitors. 4. This collection of kitchen utensils and gadgets and other memorabilia from Hartselle’s early history received a lot of second looks at the 2012 Down Memory Lane Program. 5. Early pioneers used these hand tools to make their log cabins.

4 5

10 • Hartselle Living

12 • Hartselle Living

1. Letesha Turney feeds a snow cone to her eightmonth-old daughter, Angel Fuller, in the Depots Days entertainment tent. 2. Bill Padgett of the Men’s Quartet of FUMC sings the solo to “At the Cross.”The Men’s Quartet of East Highland Baptist also performed. 3. Birmingham artist Maurice Cook works on a piece of country art in front of his exhibit. 4. Jack and Erin Silver of Hartselle ride on the swings at the Depot Days Festival. 5. Daystar Youth Pastor Kip Potter paints Auburn “A-U” on the head of worship leader Alan Host at the Depot Days Festival.

1. Trinity Kate Coots, Little Miss Frontier Days Queen, gets ready to ride in Eva Frontier Days Festival parade. 2. Richard Greer of Falkville stands next to one of the four Farmall Cub tractors he showed at the Eva Frontier Days Tractor Show on Saturday. 3. Gina and Tommy Lance and daughter Taylor of Hartselle entered their 1954 Chevy pickup in the Eva Frontier Days antique and classic car show. 4. Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin was the Grand Marshal for Eva Frontier Days parade.

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1. The Town of Falkville held a ribbon cutting for Jack McCaig Park Oct. 27. Helping then Mayor Jimmie Walker cut the ribbon are Jaxon Stringer, Jean McCaig and family. 2. A fall festival attendee rides his tractor down the street. 3. State Sen. Arthur Orr was on hand to celebrate the re-opening of Jack McCaig Park.

14 â&#x20AC;˘ Hartselle Living

Hartselle won its first state championship in volleyball on Nov. 1. 1. Taylor Dellinger receives a plaque for being named the MVP of the tournament. 2. Hartselle players Melissa Paul Hill, Alley Orr, Tori Denslow, Claire Forsythe, Jordan Barbrey and Taylor Lybarger. 3. The HHS student section cheers during the state championship. 4. Tanya Lybarger receives a state championship volleyball.

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Hartselle Living â&#x20AC;¢ 15

1. Shirley Livingston, left, of Bella Reese shares information about a Christmas tree with Christmas Open House Shoppers Joyce Burrow, center, and Annette Bailey. 2. Brady Greenhill, 4, shares his Christmas wishes with Santa at the gazebo in Hartselle. 3. Preparing food for The Taste of Hartselle, from left, are Joann Stephenson, Katie Young and Becky Young. 4. Holladay Antiques owner Rachel Slate, left, and Sandy Hughes entertain shoppers with their accordions during Christmas Open House.

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A hallelujah moment Sandra Smith treasures each day of her life after being cancer free STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRENT MAZE

andra Smith never knew how she would react to the dreaded “C” word until one day seven years ago. However, her reaction was quite different from what you might think. “It was apprehension and peace,” Smith said. “I was apprehensive because I knew I had cancer, but I also had peace about it. I always knew I was going to be healed one way or another. I wanted to be healed here in this world, but if that didn’t happen, I knew I would be healed in the next world.” That unique perspective on her cancer is one of the reasons why she can say she’s cancer free seven years later. Smith, who runs Adventure Travel with her husband Fred, found the tumor during a self-exam while she was on vacation. Once they returned home, she went to see the doctor, had a biopsy and then found out that the tumor was malignant. The form of cancer she had was ductal carcinoma in situ. “The doctors told me it was a fairly aggressive form of breast cancer,” Smith said. “They did a test to see if it had spread to my lymph nodes, but it hadn’t.” Thus, she began treatments at the Kirkland Clinic in Birmingham. It was a little unusual because she had chemotherapy first and then had radiation treatments. “It seemed a little unusual to me because I’d always seen others who had radiation before chemotherapy,” Smith said. “But the doctors said they wanted to shrink the tumor before they went in

Breast cancer survivor Sandra Smith is celebrating seven years of being cancer free.

and surgically remove it.” She began the treatment and began to lose her hair, which she said was the lowest point of her struggle with cancer. “Even though I knew it could happen, I still wasn’t prepared for it, when I’m in the shower and I have a clump of hair in my hands,” Smith said. “That was the lowest point for me.” However, it was also during that treatment that Smith had a “hallelujah” moment. About midway through the chemotherapy, she went back to the doctors and received good news. “There was no signs of the lump,” Smith said. “You can’t imagine just how I felt at that moment.” While the tumor was gone, she and her doctors continued the treatment until the end, but Smith said that

moment and several scriptures helped her get through the rest of the treatments. “It was at this time that I learned to stand on the promises of God,” Smith said. “Verses like, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.’ One of my favorites is from Psalm 23:1, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd. I have all that I need.’” It was also at that time that she learned to live life to its fullest. She had one grandson at the time and decided to make it a priority to be a part of his life. “One of the things that I learned is that every day is a gift from God,” Smith said. “I had a 1-year-old grandson and I wanted to be a part of his life. And it was at that time I learned this lesson.”

Hartselle Living • 17

A crowd gathers at the Bank of Hartselle during happier times. The bank was robbed March 16, 1926, and the suspects were never caught.

HISTORY

The heist for all time Bank robbery still stirs interest for Hartselle’s most famous incident STORY BY BENJAMIN MAXWELL

18 • Hartselle Living

t has been referred to as the most sensational robbery ever to occur in Alabama. In the morning of March 16, 1926, an elaborate plot by a gang of about 15 bank robbers set out to wipe clean the monetary holdings of the Bank of Hartselle. While the exciting events that took place on that Monday morning may seem disastrous for the small town; it actually captured the attention of the surrounding state stirring thousands to visit the location of such a “bold invasion of robbery in Alabama’s history,” as The Birmingham News stated. The event of that day, though long forgotten by many, still captures the imagination of the public 86 years later. “While I was reading this story, all I could think is what a movie it would make,” said Ed Shaffer of the Old Tennessee Valley Magazine. The magazine researched and documented the story of the “Great Hartselle Bank

ROBBERY continued on page 19

ROBBERY, from 18

This shows the blown apart safe at the Bank of Hartselle.

Robbery” in its very first issue in 1994. As documented, the morning began for the gang of thieves at 1 a.m. The exact number of men to makeup this particular gang has never been confirmed but believed to be about 15 men. Dressed in their corduroy clothing and brimmed hats the men’s first stop was at the telephone exchange that was located above the Speake Hardware Building. The men used a handsaw to sever the communications of Hartselle and the outside world. Still being early in the morning, the men then went about rounding up the few townspeople that were out and about. The gang rounded up seven hostages in total. Less Williams, a night policeman was captured first. He was followed by Ernest Mittwede, the vice-president of rival bank Farmers and Merchants. Both men were preceded by J.B. Huie, Oscar Williams, Mack MacGinnis and Bob Grigsby. After clearing the streets of all coherent pedestrians the gang went about shooting out the street lights. This performance began to awake a few of the sleeping Hartsellians including Mrs. J.A. Schnell and Dr. J.D. Johnston. Mrs. Schnell was the switchboard operator of the telephone exchanged. Thinking that the shots were to signal a fire, which was customary at this time, Mrs. Schnell went about calling out over the phone but discovering the lines were dead. Local dentist Dr. Johnston was also awaken by the gun shots. Also thinking that the shots were an indication of a fire, he grabbed his gun and commenced firing out of his window to aid in signaling the fire. Dr. Johnston then ran down the street towards where the fire was believed to be still carrying his gun which was empty by this time. When a member of the gang spotted the doctor carrying the gun he immediately opened fire wounding Dr. Johnston in the leg. Though he

would survive the injury, the doctor would turn out to be the only casualty of the day. The shooting of Dr. Johnson also discouraged the rest of the people of Hartselle from attempting any kind of interference with the act. After the thieves had made their way into the bank with the hostages, they began their attempts at breaking into the bank’s vault with the use of nitroglycerine. It was reported that the successful use of nitroglycerine in the robbery was a sign of the robber’s experience. Hostage J.B. Huie was later reported as stating that what stuck out most in his remembrance of the crime was the “workmanlike attitude” ROBBERY 2 continued on page 20

Hartselle Living • 19

ROBBERY 2, from 19 and calm demeanor of the gang members. The bank had a double brick wall with steel lining guarding the safe. After a reported eight blasts of nitroglycerine the robbers dislodged the safe door and sent the safe lock into the ceiling. The blasts reportedly were heard as far as two miles away. The darkness of the early morning prevented local townspeople from organizing any preventative action against the criminals. They could do nothing but sit anxiously by and pray for the best. After the money was obtained, the hostages were commanded to lay still until the gang was gone. The robbers threw the money over their shoulders and exited through the back of the bank. The men waded through water behind the bank thus covering any tracks or scent of their departure. They eventually found their way to a parked car that is unclear of its exact location where they reportedly headed south towards Birmingham. It is believed that from there the men split up, but their whereabouts remain a mystery. It was finally determined that the gang escaped with $14,302.78 of gold, paper currency and silver. Despite the huge financial loss and property damage the Bank of Hartselle opened for business the following Monday. Arthur Stephenson, the bank’s president, and I.V. Griffin, the vice president, opened the doors and welcomed their customers in with confident smiles as to discourage a “run out.” Though the people of Hartselle could do little during the act of the crime they willingly pitched in to aid in the cleanup efforts. Arguably the criminals might have done a small portion of good for the Bank of Hartselle. Despite the terrorizing of the local business, the crime attracted the curiosity of the surrounding state. It was reported that the four days following the robbery that the Bank of Hartselle held $10,000 more deposits than before the crime. Though it only took a week for the attention to die down, the robbery is still getting its fair share of attention. Local play director Edd Balch, who was interviewed prior to his death in November, was working on turning the 1926 robbery into a play. Edd attempted this in the past with a street side play only a few years ago, but he wanted to see it made into a full time annual production for the city of Hartselle. The hope is to relive this remarkable event that had a great impact on the then small town of Hartselle in the “Down Memory Lane” event hosted by the Hartselle Fine Arts Center.

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Caffeine I control It can be a friendly companion when consumed in moderation

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as much a part of getting going in the morning as making the bed and brushing your teeth. According to its users, it can alternately keep you calm, sharpen your mind or give you the boost you need to get you through the day. Crave it or avoid it, caffeine is a powerful influence in our lives. For example, approximately 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine every single day. Caffeine has been an integral part of global culture for centuries. African folklore traces the discovery CAFFEINE continued on page 22

STORY BY CLIF KNIGHT Hartselle Living â&#x20AC;˘ 21

CAFFEINE, from 21 of coffee’s energizing properties to around 800 A.D. European accounts indicate that coffee and tea were local staples as early as the 1400s. Today, coffee is used much as it has been for generations. It provides a “boost” of energy or a feeling of heightened alertness. Many former students can recall using strong coffee or caffeine pills to stay awake while cramming for exams. Remember, though, that caffeine shares some traits of those much harder drugs, including the ability to cause addiction. Many people feel as though they can’t function in the morning without a cup of coffee to kick-start the day. Caffeine’s effects may be much minder that those of illicit drugs, but kicking a caffeine habit can be difficult for someone who has made the drug a large part of his or her diet and lifestyle. Like many other drugs, caffeine is abundant in what we eat and drink. It is found naturally in coffee and cocoa beans and tea leaves in addition to a wide CAFFEINE2 continued on page 23

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CAFFEINE 2, from 22 range of food products and beverages. Typical caffeinated sodas – Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, etc. – contain 35 to 55 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce can. Products like Vault and Jolt have close to the 71-milligram limit per 12-ounce limit set by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Three hundred milligrams of caffeine, or about two cups of coffee per day, is considered the upper limit of a moderate dose. But roughly 20 to 30 percent of Americans consume more than 600 milligrams, which is considered a high dose of the drug, on a typical day. If you drink more than four cups a day you are probably in that group. It its pure form, Caffeine is a white crystalline powder that tastes very bitter. It is medically useful to stimulate the heart and also serves as a mild diuretic. It is being studied for its potential benefits in battling Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and even cancer. Positive effects of caffeine •High long-term consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. •Research suggests that caffeine minimizes the cognitive decline associated with aging. •Low doses of caffeine show increased alertness and decreased fatigue. •Caffeine has been shown to increase the metabolic rate. •Caffeine may reduce the risk of developing cancer. •Caffeine may be associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease. *Caffeine may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. •Caffeine may reduce certain kind of hepatic cancers. Negative effects of caffeine. •Caffeine can increase vasoconstriction and blood pressure. •Caffeine may reduce control of fine motor movements. •Caffeine can stimulate urination. •Caffeine can increase cortisol secretion. •Caffeine can contribute to increased insomnia and sleep latency. •Caffeine withdrawal produces headache, fatigue and decreased alertness. •High doses of caffeine can cause anxiety. •High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increase in the likelihood of experiencing auditory hallucinations. •High caffeine consumption accelerates bone loss at the spine in elderly postmenopausal women.

Hartselle Living • 23

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Perfect Thanksgiving A show-stopping holiday meal that won’t break the bank

All hosts want to delight guests with delicious meals, especially during the holidays. The pressure often leads them to spend a fortune on ingredients or cater their gatherings. The experts at Campbell’s Kitchen

have created this traditional holiday menu, proving that it’s possible to prepare a memorable, gourmet feast by combining affordable, quality ingredients. For more affordable holiday tips and recipes, visit www.CampbellsKitchen.com.

Roast Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing Prep: 25 minutes Roast: 3 hours 30 minutes Stand: 10 minutes Makes: 12 servings 3 1/2 cups Swanson Chicken Stock (Regular or Unsalted) 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/4 cup) 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (about 1 1/2 ounces) 4 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds) Vegetable cooking spray 1. Stir 1 3/4 cups stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl. 2. Heat remaining stock, remaining black pepper, celery, onion and mushrooms in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove saucepan from heat. Add stuffing to saucepan and mix lightly. 3. Remove package of giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Spoon stuffing lightly into neck and body cavities.

24 • Hartselle Living

Fold any loose skin over stuffing.Tie ends of drumsticks together. 4. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in shallow roasting pan. Spray turkey with cooking spray. Brush with stock mixture. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of meat, not touching bone. 5. Roast at 325°F for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until thermometer reads 180°F. Baste occasionally with stock mixture. Begin checking for doneness after 3 hours of roasting time. Let turkey stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Notes: – Bake any remaining stuffing in a covered casserole with the turkey for 30 minutes or until the stuffing is hot. – Stuffing in the turkey should reach 165°F.

2. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining onions. 3. Bake for 5 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

Cornbread Turkey Pot Pie

Green Bean Casserole Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 30 minutes Makes: 12 servings (about 3/4 cup each) 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request) 1 cup milk 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 8 cups cooked cut green beans 2 2/3 cups French’s French Fried Onions, divided 1. Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onions in 3-quart casserole.

Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 30 minutes Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each) 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free) 1 can (about 8 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained 2 cups cubed cooked turkey 1 package (about 8 ounces) corn muffin mix 3/4 cup milk 1 egg 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1. Heat oven to 400°F. Stir soup, corn and turkey in a 9-inch pie plate. 2. Stir muffin mix, milk and egg in medium bowl just until combined. Spread batter over chicken mixture. 3. Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Sprinkle with cheese.

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

Caring and sharing Schools, churches, businesses collect nonperishable food for needy families STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLIF KNIGHT

Hundreds of needy families in the Hartselle area will benefits from the generosity of thousands who participated in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hartselle Day of Caring. Canned and nonperishable food items inundated The Caring Place on Friday as filled blue recycling bins arrived from schools, churches, businesses and residential curbsides. The number of food items collected totaled 8,200,or about 600 fewer than last year.. Bethel Baptist School students bagged the food (10 items per SHARING continued on page 27

26 â&#x20AC;˘ Hartselle Living

SHARING, from 26 bag) to facilitate its division among The Caring Place and food pantries at First Assembly of God, First Church of the Nazarene and First United Methodist Church. “If not for their help, it would take our volunteers several days to sort the food and and bag it up for distribution,” said Virginia Alexander, director of The Caring Place. Cash donations received for the purchase of hams and turkeys totaled over $1,000. “We’re so thankful to the many volunteers who help each year as well as each donor,” said Susan Siebert, project coordinator. “Their generosity will ease the pain of many hurting families.” Among the volunteers are personnel of the Hartselle Schools, Hartselle Public Works and The Caring Place Volunteers. The food will be distributed from The Caring Place and the three participating churches prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mack working with grandson Tim Peebles

MACK’S

PAINT & BODY SHOP, INC. 114 East Main Street • Hartselle

256-773-4999 mackspaintandbodyshop.com

HHS Principal Jeff Hyche helps Alice Ann Glasgow with a donation of canned food she collected for Caring Day.knitting.

Employees of ILPEA Industries in Hartselle donated over 30 cases of canned food to The Caring Day food drive on Nov. 1.

Hartselle Living • 27

RELIGION

The Lord’s Work Maranatha Volunteers build new Seventh-Day Adventist Church here

Spanish-speaking Seventh-Day Adventist church at 1704 Vest Road, Hartselle, is getting a new building thanks to Maranatha Volunteers International, a mission arm of Seventh-Day Adventists. Skilled carpenters and helpers began framing up the 40foot by 125-foot building on Oct. 11 and were putting on the roof five days later. ”We’ll have it dried in and be gone from here on Oct. 25,” said project coordinator Betty Beattie, a widow from Wisconsin who has served as a Maranatha volunteer since 2001. Working with her on the project are about 50 fellow Seventh-Day Adventists who pick and choose the projects they want to work on a year in advance. “We have people here from at least eight states,” Beattie pointed out. “Most of them are retired couples and everyone

28 • Hartselle Living

has a job to do. Some are skilled plumbers, electricians, carpenters and roofers. Others pitch in as carpenter’s helpers and kitchen workers. “Even though we are a diverse group, we all share the same faith and are working for the Lord,” she added. The new church building is replacing a smaller wood-frame building that sustained major roof damage in a snowfall two winters ago. It consists of a large sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and offices. “I drove over and checked out the church building when we were working on a project in New Albany, Miss.,” said Roger Hatch, projects supervisor. “They had cables stretched under the ceiling joists to keep the roof from falling in. There was no doubt they needed a new building but didn’t have the resources to built it themselves. I knew right away this was a WORK continued on page 29

WORK, from 28 project that needed our help.” The Maranatha organization provides the labor for church building projects throughout the U.S. and many foreign countries with the local church being responsible only for the materials and lodging. Volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, travel to work sites in automobiles and motor homes and participate in worship services before and after each work day begins. “We can’t believe this is happening,” said Misael Aguilar, a church elder. “We needed a new building but couldn’t afford one. This is the answer to our prayers. “We now have 75 members including children,” he added. “This will help us grow.” “What we see taking place here is tremendous,” said Melvin Eisele, president of the Gulf States Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. “These people may never preach a sermon or teach a Bible class but they’re doing what Jesus did as a carpenter.” Retired Baptist minister Hank Smith of Decatur is working on the project at the invitation of a Seventh-Day Adventist friend. “We’ve worked together on past Baptist missions and he invited me to come help out on this project,” Smith stated. “It’s something I can do and stay close to home. I’m happy anytime I can be busy doing the work of the Lord.”

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THE LAST WORD

“And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.“ – President John F. Kennedy

30 • Hartselle Living

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