LAKE CITY m a g a z i n e
S E P T E M B E R | O C T O B E R 2 018 lakecityalabama.com
Andrea Oliver Director of The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers
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Remembering Wine & Gifts at the Falls of Youth New Shop
Young Artist an Inspiration
Fall Pumpkin Recipes
Reflections of cotton fields and county fairs
Madeline Smith paints despite challenges to with her vision
Pumpkin spice muffins, creamy pumpkin soup, and pumpkin pie
Childhood friends are now co-owners of STACH & Co.
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Madeline Smith · 6
Meet Madeline Smith, a young, legally blind artist who wants to be an inspirations to others.
Take 10 With Andrea Oliver · 10
Director of The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers and organizer of Lake City's annual Pink Pumpkin Run.
Cotton Fields & County Fairs · 14
With fall around the corner, Dee Weeder reflects on the memories of youth in North Alabama.
STACH & Co. · 22
Two childhood friends join forces to launch Guntersville's North Town wine and gift shop.
Fall Pumpkin Recipes · 29
With the orange orbs showing up in all of your favorite local markets, we are bringing you a few fall classics recipes to give you the full flavor of the season.
Lake City Calendar · 36
Learn where you can catch a free concert, a few fish, or an indie film. All that and more in this issue's calendar.
On the cover: Andrea Oliver This page: Flying high at the county fair
A Short Note From The Desk Of The Publisher
H
eading into fall, I'm beginning to realize how quickly this year is passing. As this issue of Lake City Magazine heads to the presses, we'll begin working on the last copy of our first year as a publication. Time has flown indeed, but it's been a blast. I also want to take a moment to thank those who have taken the time let us know that they're loving it. We're loving making it for you. For every article, photo, or story we bring you, and for all of the interesting people and
places we are able to introduce you to, we've had the pleasure of experiencing these things firsthand. It's one of my favorite parts of producing Lake City Magazine. Having a curious spirit and a real interest in people's stories, Lake City Magazine gives me a wonderful opportunity explore our community and share what I've found. Hopefully you're enjoying the magazine so far, and are getting out for yourselves and exploring our community also. We'll see you next issue for some real holiday fun. ~Patrick Oden
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LAKE CITY magazine S E P T E M B E R · O C T O B E R 2 018 lakecityalabama.com
PUBLISHER Oden Imaging MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Oden COPY EDITOR Dee Weeder CONTRIBUTORS Patrick Oden Dee Weeder DESIGN INTERN Whitt Hayes Advertising & Editorial contact@lakecityalabama.com 256-486-9000 Mailing Address 383 Gunter Ave. Guntersville, Ala. 35976 © Copyright: Lake City Magazine is published by Oden Imaging. No portion may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Editorial and advertising content are for information and entertainment, and do not constitute advice.
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Andrea Oliver Director of The Foundation For Marshall Medical Centers
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Remembering The Falls Of Youth
Wine & Gifts & New Shop
Young Artist An Inspiration
Fall Pumpkin Recipes
Cotton Fields and County Fairs, a short story by Dee Weeder
Childhood friends are now co-owners of Stach & Co.
Madeline Smith paints dispite channenges to with her vision.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins, Creamy Pumpkin Soup, & Pumpkin Pie
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LAKE CITY ¡ 5
Do You See What I See? O
n Halloween nigh in 2009, while trying to keep up with the other kids, Madeline Smith ran straight into a mailbox. Concerned, her father, Scott Smith, consulted an ophthalmologist friend who recommended he have Madeline's eyes checked. With that visit came a diagnosis that would change the Smith family forever. The Guntersville native was only 9 years old when she found out she had Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that will eventually cause Madeline to loose her sight altogether. "I wasn't that much different as a kid, I just had to be more careful," Madeline says. "When I was 15 however, I was deemed legally blind, meaning I could never get a drivers license. That's one thing that sucks about being blind, not having your independence and I'm all about independence." Having started painting at a very young age, Madeline continues to paint despite her worsening vision. With the loss of her peripheral vision, she has had to begin working on her paintings in small section, and she says she will continue to adapt for as long as she can to continue painting. "I only stopped painting for a year, when I was a senior in high school, because I was really down about my 6 ¡ LAKE CITY
vision and thought what's the point if I'm not going to be able to do this forever," she says. She began to feel like there was no point in pursuing her passion, if she would eventually lose the ability. But Madeline thought long and hard about it, and decided she had much more to say visually. She once again picked up her palette and brushes to share the world within her mind. "Now that's why I do it," she says. " I know I won't be able to do it forever, and I want people to see what I see and feel what I feel through my art." Madeline has chosen the path of inspiration, and says she has come to terms that she will eventually lose her sight completely. "It's taken until this year for me to really accept and understand what being blind is genuinely going to do to my life. I started using a cane a few months ago, and it changed the way people perceived me. I was no longer the weird girl walking with her head down, (to watch her foot placement) who ran into people. I walked with my head up for the first time." A truly special spirit, Madeline hopes to be able to inspire others with impediments to embrace what they love, and to never lose their passion for it.
Pitured: Madeline Smith
LAKE CITY · 7
10
T A K E
With
Andrea Oliver
Director of The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers Lake City Magazine: Andrea, thank you for taking the time to sit down with Lake City Magazine. You are a very active member of our community and seem to be involved in all sorts of things, but before we get to that, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Andria Oliver: Any personality test I’ve ever taken lands me as an “extroverted, strong-willed, achiever” (and Gryffindor of course) so it’s a joke around our house that sitting down is not something at which I excel. So thanks for the opportunity to do so! I was born and raised in Guntersville by the two best parents, Glenda and Michael Carboni, who gave me confidence in who I am and in the talents God has given me. I met my husband (also named Michael, also from Guntersville) at Camp Neyati when I was 14 years old. He got the short end of the stick in many ways, especially considering I had really bad bangs and tube socks back then. We both attended Auburn University, got engaged during my senior year and moved back home so he could fall into his family business at Oliver Tire Pros. We are the ridiculously proud parents of two daughters, Alice (4) and Eleanor (1) who are so much fun and keep us on our toes! Lake City Magazine: I understand this is your 10 year work anniversary as the Director of the Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers. Can you tell us a little about that role? Andria Oliver: It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been in this role for that long. It’s not every day that an organization takes a chance on a 22 year old fresh out of college to be the Director of…well…anything. But I’m so grateful Marshall Medical Centers bet on me and when they did I immediately got involved as much as possible. I’ve served consecutive terms and been chairwoman for the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce and Marshall County Leadership Challenge, served as a loaned executive for United Way, and helped found Marshall Young Professionals and the Sunrise Rotary Club. I currently serve on the Marshall County Auburn Club and Snead State Advisory Boards and graduated from the Alabama Leadership Initiative, a subsidiary of Leadership Alabama, this past June. Currently I’m focusing on my girls by getting more involved with our church and their schools. 8 · LAKE CITY
I believe that we can’t operate in silos if we want to see change, so I try to give back personally and form as many professional partnerships as possible to make this little corner of our world better. The Foundation has come a long way in the last 10 years and now that Marshall Medical Centers has announced our integration agreement with Huntsville Hospital Health System I’m excited to see what new resources and platforms will be available for Marshall County. I’m grateful and ready for another decade behind the wheel of investing in the health of our community. Lake City Magazine: Wow, that’s a lot of hats you wear. Now in your role with the Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers you are responsible for the annual Pink Pumpkin Run in Guntersville. That’s coming up. Can you tell us a little about how the Pink Pumpkin Run came to be? Andria Oliver: I love the Pink Pumpkin Run. It’s one of the hardest, but most rewarding days of the year for our team. When I first started with the Foundation we hosted a fashion show luncheon focused on women to raise money for our Mammography Assistance Program. After a few years we outgrew our venue, and we wanted to include people of all ages in our efforts during Breast Cancer Awareness month. This was long before what I distantly remember as the “CrossFit phase” of our lives and I literally would not run unless being chased by a hungry predator. So needless to say, the concept of a running event was very foreign to me. But I visited several other nonprofits with success stories and the idea started coming together with lots of input and willingness from the great people with whom I work. I think in the end it helped that I had never actually attended a running event. It allowed us to create something fun and fresh and to this day the best part of the Pink Pumpkin Run is that we serve up thousands of flapjacks for brunch which makes everyone happy. Lake City Magazine: And the run itself is a fund raiser correct? What programs benefit from this event. Andria Oliver: The Pink Pumpkin Run is a fundraiser benefiting cancer services, specifically the Mammography Assistance Program (MAP), at
LAKE CITY · 9
10 · LAKE CITY
Michael and Andrea Oliver at the 2017 "Winter Ball," a black-tie community fundraising event
Marshall Medical Centers. Often the concern over the loss of income because of the time away from work, the lack of transportation or gas money, or just the sheer out-of-pocket cost of a mammogram can prevent women from having this potentially lifesaving test performed on an annual basis. Through MAP, women who in need are offered assistance and we have the ability to overcome these obstacles. Hundreds of mammograms have been performed at no cost to these patients over the past decade thanks to the generous support of this community. Lake City Magazine: You typically have quite the turnout, and even had quite the crowd this past year despite heavy rain and wind. What are you expecting in terms of participation and money raised for this year’s run? Andria Oliver: We’ve never had weather quite like last year. We were in shorts the day before and then overnight the temperature dropped by 40 degrees and an icy cold rain set in for the entire morning. Despite all that, over half of the 1,500 people registered STILL came out to run. I was blown away. One of our longtime participants, Wendy Zahn, said it best when she said, “As bad as the weather was, it’s not as bad as what women with breast cancer go through every day with their fight, and if I can do my part to raise money and awareness for breast cancer then it is well worth it and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” My mom was actually diagnosed with and subsequently BEAT breast cancer in 2014, so this event really holds special meaning for me. I always have tears in my eyes when that gun goes off and hundreds of people start to run in support of what we’re trying to accomplish. Especially in freezing rain. As for this year, we’re praying for better weather and thinking positively. Both Auburn and Alabama have a break in their football schedules on October 27, so it has the potential to be the biggest turnout ever. Last year’s
fundraising totals topped $55,000 and the sky is the limit for what we hope to achieve this time around. Lake City Magazine: And aren’t the runs themed? Last year’s being the 80s if I remember correctly. What can folks expect for this year? Andria Oliver: In the beginning we didn’t have a theme each year, but it makes things more fun when participants know what to expect and can rally around a certain idea. In 2015, the race was on Halloween and everyone came in costume. Then last year we did have an 80s theme which really resonated with people! This year we are having a “Pink Out” which means for the first time ever all of the race shirts will be pink. We’re hoping everyone really takes it to the next level and makes it one giant sea of pink out there. Lake City Magazine: And isn’t it just a few months from now that the Winter Ball takes place? Tell us a little about what the Winter Ball is and your role? Andria Oliver: Yes – the 5th Annual Winter Ball is just around the corner on January 19. It’s our community’s only black tie fundraising gala and is planned and executed by the most amazing group of women I know – the Marshall Women’s Guild. The Guild is made up of 65 women from all corners of our county who are dedicated to making local healthcare better and more accessible. I wish I could put into words the power of that group! They are remarkable women and my role is simply to give them the resources they need to make the night possible. They’ve done an overthe-top job creating an event that is so lovely and highly anticipated by our community. Because of them we’ve made huge strides toward funding a multi-million dollar endowment to ensure the future of the Marshall LAKE CITY · 11
Marshall County is a healthier place, thanks to some very special ladies. Through this county-wide organization, members hope to harness the power of women to realize their mission and fill a long-time void in Marshall County. Members not only enhance their own awareness of health, but also that of family and friends while setting the example for future generations of Marshall County women. The Guild is responsible for the planning of the Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers’ annual Winter Ball – a premier fundraising gala focused on maintaining quality healthcare in Marshall County and celebrating those who make it possible.
Marshall Medical would like to say “Thank You” to the 2018-2019 members: Tammy Davis, President Martha Handschumacher, President Elect Laura Casey, Membership Chair Carol Harper, Past President Lisa Baker Carrie Beard Janet Bennett Lacy Bennett Jennifer Bray Christie Bruce Jessica Campbell Kasey Culbert
Patricia Elrod Tiffany Elrod Carol Evans Amy Everett Anita Exley Johnna Flanagan Jennifer Floyd Mollie George Suzanne Goldasich Michelle Gray Stephney Gregg Kim Harris Peggy Hayes
Connie Hembree Angela Jolley Debra Jones Jane Kohl Calley Kutner Deanna Langford Beth Lee Susan LeSueur Holly Luther Sherry Manley Lori Mann Gina Mastin Whitney Mastin
Margaret Mastin Julie Ann McCulley Pamolee Milligan Angela Mitchell Sandra Moody Jennifer Moore LeiAnn Nichols Marsha Oswalt Meshell Parrish Stephanie Pfeiffer Jeanne Rains Kathy Reaves Allison Satterfield
Jean Ann Scott Claudia Smith Dianne Strickland Donna Taylor Diana Turner Shay Walston Kathy Weathers Natalie Wharton Kelli Whorton
The Marshall Women’s Guild is a group of community-minded individuals with a mission to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of healthcare for women of all ages in our community.
Cont. from 11 Cancer Care Center’s Patient Navigator Program. It really is a great event for a great cause. We always sell-out quickly and have a “ball!” Lake City Magazine: It’s amazing you’re able to make it all so effortless. And I heard you and your family just finished renovating a home that you acquired in an interesting manner. Can I coax you in to sharing a little of that story with our readers? Andria Oliver: Ha! I’m not convinced how effortlessly or gracefully I handled any of it, but if it comes across that way it’s because I have such a great family, team and supportive community. We did just completely remodel a home in the heart of town that was quite the project. When Alice was almost a year old we used to take drives after church looking at all the homes for sale. One Sunday we noticed a house that wasn’t actually for sale, but looked…lonely. For some reason we just knew that it was meant for us even though we’d never been inside so we called, knocked and emailed (ok, we stalked) the owner for several months. Finally, he responded to one of my anxious emails and even though it took another year, we eventually bought the house and started to work. Now to give you a mental image: if “Fixer Upper” and “Hoarders” had a baby reality show, it would’ve described our life for the past few years. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that we uncovered a surprise boat and a car in the backyard, watched dumpster after dumpster fill up and be hauled away, and asked ourselves so many times, “What were we thinking?!” It was a crazy time and in the midst of it all, we found out Eleanor was joining our family! We finally moved in and although we have many more projects we hope to accomplish, this year we hosted the first of many Christmas and birthday parties, watched the Independence Day fireworks from our 12 · LAKE CITY
neighborhood and picked figs from the tree in our backyard to make homemade preserves. Those are the days I would do it all again and we sure are glad to finally be “home.” Lake City Magazine: What a cool story. I can’t imagine you have much free time, but when you do are there any favorite spots or activities in Guntersville that your family enjoys? Andria Oliver: Michael and I both grew up on the lake so we enjoy getting out on the water and passing the lake life on to our girls. I’m also a hopeless musical theater fanatic and was in my first show at the Whole Backstage at the age of six, so we enjoy attending productions there. I’m hoping as our girls get older I’ll be able to find more time to get back on stage by bringing them along. Both love singing and dancing already, so I don’t think it will be too much longer. Lake City Magazine: It’s been great visiting with you Andrea, before we go, is there anything else you would like to say to the readers and residents of Lake City? Andria Oliver: Thank you for what you do as a member of our great city. I firmly believe we are the luckiest people in the world to live in such a beautiful place that invests so much into its churches, schools, nonprofits and essentially each other to improve our quality of life. Not everywhere can say that, so let’s keep doing all we can to leave our city better than we found it.
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LAKE CITY · 13
Cotton Fields & County Fairs “The best, most memorable events of our life are enjoyed three times,” advised a friend more than four decades ago. “The first time comes from anticipation, the excitement of looking forward to something,” he said. “Next comes the pleasure of the actual experience. But perhaps best of all,” he continued, “is the third ... reliving it all through the special memories we've made.”
O
ver the years since, I have consciously tried to apply his wisdom and get the most out of life’s meaningful moments three times, be they big or small. Now as another sweltering Alabama summer comes to an end and my favorite season approaches, I find myself eagerly awaiting the first hint of crisp morning air that signals the arrival of fall and awakens special memories from my childhood—memories of cotton fields and county fairs—the two inextricably linked in my mind. Granddaddy was a cotton farmer, and he also owned the local cotton gin, so cotton was a part of my daily life. As a six-year-old I watched the fields behind our house go the gamut from freshly plowed soil, ready to plant, to the stubble of stalks waiting to be turned under for another winter. But the best time with cotton came when the green bolls had grown to capacity and burst open to reveal their compressed contents, still moist and seeking sunshine. As the stalk dried out, so did the bolls, and the cotton inside became softer and began to swell. By the time the boll had spread as wide as it could, its hard brown prickly points becoming tiny daggers to pierce the hands, out spilled the fluffy dry fibers. It was time. Time for Granddaddy to park his cotton wagon in our back yard, 14 · LAKE CITY
time to bring the eager pickers in with their gigantic pick sacks strapped across their backs. Pay was based on the number of pounds picked, so as filled sacks were brought in to be weighed and emptied into the wagon, poundage was recorded in the ledger and it was time to return to the field. (My Dad said he was picking 100 pounds a day by the time he was four years old; a more mature worker could pick around 300 pounds in a day.) As the pillowy mass grew higher in the wagon, it was time for me to jump and play in the warm, soft cotton. When the field was cleared, the cotton wagon was towed down the road to Granddaddy’s gin. If the gin wasn’t too busy, and one of my parents was there to supervise, I’d get to help suction the cotton out of the wagon bed. I watched in wonder as it went up the big metal chute and across into the gin, where huge, noisy machines would cord out the seeds and stretch the fibers, feeding the cleaned and processed cotton to the baler, where it was compressed and bound. Big sheets of burlap were wrapped around the bale, metal bands strapped and tightened around the sides, then the bale was manipulated onto the scales and weighed. I remember standing by Dad’s side as men took big hand-held hooks and wrangled
LAKE CITY · 15
the bale down a ramp to where it would sit on the loading platform until it was hauled away by the owner, either the grower or a buyer. Once cotton harvest was complete, it was time to relax for a spell and enjoy the associated once-a-year celebration: County Fair! It wasn’t by accident that County Fair coincided with the end of harvest. Folks couldn’t attend if there was still field work to be done or food to be put up for the winter. Local community stores sold goods “on account” during the year, an honor system in word and deed, and as bales were sold, bills were paid. A pair of new shoes was purchased for each of the kids, and maybe some yard goods for new school clothes. And with a little bit left over, the whole family would load into the car or fill the truck bed and head out to the fair, where everyone had something to anticipate with excitement. Approaching the fairgrounds was a thrill in itself. I remember sitting on the edge of the back seat, straining to see the first glow in the sky created by the midway lights in the distance. It was far more thrilling to go at night, the colorful neon lights of the rides inviting eager fair goers to join in the fun. Excitement made me fidget with anticipation of the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair. How hard it was to be patient as I followed along with Mama and Daddy through the barns filled with smelly pigs, cows, sheep, and horses. In later years I would come to appreciate the hard work of the 4-H club students who put so much of themselves into the care and raising of their animals, in hopes of winning a prize ribbon and possibly selling their livestock at top price. But at age six, the only thing I liked about the animal barns was seeing the litters of baby pigs, all pink and squiggly, using their tiny snouts to jockey for best position at mother sow’s belly. The agony of postponed pleasures continued as we walked up and down the aisles to see the artistry of handmade quilts, knitted and crocheted items, clothing and other handcrafts on display. Aprons and gathered skirts were popular entries by the 4-H club girls. Likewise homemakers and gardeners had entered baked goods, pickled vegetables, fresh produce, giant pumpkins, and fancy flowers, all vying for recognition as the Blue Ribbon best in their categories. Then came the industry building, where the latest farm technology was on display for vendors to tout their wares. “Please, Daddy. Can we go to the rides now? Please!” My patience was rewarded, and at long last we reached the midway, where the smell of hot grease promised the delicacies of corn dogs and funnel cakes. Pink and blue cotton candy and snow cones that dripped their colored juices down the front of my shirt would come when it was closer to time to go home. But first, the Merry-Go-Round with all its pretty horses awaited this cowgirl wannabe! As the years passed, I graduated from the carousel to the Tilt-A-Whirl (appropriately named, since all that tilting and spinning left many a rider in a whirl) and the Octopus. Later 16 · LAKE CITY
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still came the roller coasters and the Zipper, but the worst ride of all was the Ferris wheel. It seems my teenaged friends delighted in waiting until we were stopped at the very top, then they’d rock the seat back and forth to see how far they could make it swing. With only a single metal bar to hold on to, and absolutely nothing in the way of straps to hold us in, I was terrified and on the verge of tears by the time we were once again rotating through the air. Each year I’d swear I wasn’t going on the Ferris wheel ever again; each year I did, with similar outcomes. By the time I reached high school, the focus of county fair had changed a bit. Going with friends provided chance opportunities to meet up with cute guys from school and, by paying our own way, we could ride all the rides we wanted with them. The fun part came from the effects of gravity—as the cars flipped us upsidedown or slung us side-to-side, we’d wind up scrunched together like sardines in a tin and have to peel ourselves out at the end of the ride. We could never have sat that close together on the bleachers at a basketball game! Going with a date was actually less enjoyable; we’d walk the midway over and over, past food booths, rides, side shows, and barkers urging us to try our luck. Not knowing how much money my escort was able to spend made it difficult to speak up and say, “Hey, I want to do this!” Eventually he would suggest something innocuous, like walking through the House of Mirrors. But one thing could be counted on: the guys would have to toss darts at balloons, or shoot baskets, or attempt some other game of chance in hopes of winning a stuffed animal for their date, like a badge of honor. I’ll never forget the time my date chose the nickel toss. If the nickel landed completely inside the red circle painted to look like a package of Lucky Strike cigarettes, a prize was forthcoming. It was virtually impossible since the nickel couldn’t touch or cross the edge of the red circle anywhere, and there was a lot of white space surrounding it. Knowing it would be five cents wasted, I took a nickel and with a half-hearted effort, watched in wonder as it slid perfectly into the center of a red spot. The carnival worker shouted, “We have a winner!” as the onlookers gathered to check out the huge shaggy blue stuffed dog, at least four feet tall, which pretty much obstructed my ability to see as I held it. As we walked away, my date leaned over and whispered to me, “If we see anyone we know from school, could you tell them I won it for you?” The years flew by, and I found myself back at the fair on a crisp autumn evening, holding the hand of my own child as he decided which to ride first, the cars, boats, airplanes, or horses. Another blink, and my parents, my husband and I were joined at the fair by that same child and his new bride. Three generations together, and the promise of more, to carry on the tradition of cotton candy, corn dogs, and the Ferris wheels of County Fairs.
LAKE CITY · 19 By: Dee Weeder
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LAKE CITY · 21
From childhood playtime to a new shop selling wine
STACH & Co. W
hat do you get when you combine twenty-seven years of friendship, a great business idea, and a common love of wine and shopping? Fortunately for Lake City, the answer is the upscale, modernday mercantile and wine store known as STACH & CO., a relative newcomer to Guntersville’s art and entertainment district. STACH & CO. (pronounced “stash”) co-owners Adria Leak and Ashlee Reeves had long wanted to go into business together. The two first met in elementary school in Albertville, quickly becoming best friends. This friendship continued through their years at Albertville High School, and while Adria’s path after graduation took her to Auburn University and Ashlee’s led her in the opposite direction to the University of Alabama Huntsville, they never gave up on their dream or their close bond. After obtaining her degree in Marketing, Adria moved to Atlanta and began her career in sales. Ashlee, who also earned a degree in Marketing, headed south to Fairhope where she, too, established herself in a successful sales career. To stay close over the years, the two friends enjoyed frequent contact through texts, talks, visits, and girl get-aways to the beach. Face Time provided opportunities for the pair to cook and eat together long distance, or savor an occasional glass of wine along with their conversations. Adria was the first to return to her Marshall County
22 · LAKE CITY
roots, relocating to Guntersville when the lure of family and outdoor activities brought her back home. She was thrilled when Ashlee became engaged to the “love of her life” and moved to Guntersville as well. The timing couldn’t have been better as the duo developed their business plan and found the perfect property— the little green cottage at 217 Gunter Avenue that had been vacant for 18 months, as though it was waiting just for them! With a little help from friends and family members, the cottage evolved into a delightful commercial space that feels more like going into a friend’s home than into a business. Ashlee says, “We could not have built our beautiful wine room or transformed the outdoor space without Momma D, Adria’s mom. And Clay, Adria’s brother, has saved the day more times than you can count.” The wine room now showcases 200 or more labels on the shelves, along with an awesome rack of specialty wines. Wine tastings are held the second and fourth Fridays of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m. STACH & CO. additionally offers craft beers, cigars, specialty food, gifts, home decor, and even a registry. Adria states that it is the “type of business that lends itself to personal service,” And both women assert that interacting with the customers, getting to know them personally as well as their tastes, is their favorite part of the business. Among their personalized offerings are customized
LAKE CITY · 23
Pictured: Ashlee Reeves (Left) and Adria Leak
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gift baskets, for special occasions or for “just because.” Ashlee and Adria are extremely enthusiastic about the warm, welcoming response to STACH & CO. that the community has shown thus far. “Blown away,” to be more precise. They’re also pleased that customers have expressed appreciation that they don’t have to drive far to get gifts, great prices, and a huge selection. “People like that they can shop locally,” adds Adria. With all the support and encouragement they’ve received, they enjoy having opportunities to give back to the community themselves. In the five short months they’ve been open, they’ve hosted fundraising events for the Historical Society, Mountain Valley Arts Council, and Marshall County Home Place, to name a few. Their upcoming fundraiser, the “Guntersville Witches Ride,” on October 25 promises to provide loads of fun for participants and spectators alike. Dressed in their most whimsical witchy attire and riding their decorated brooms (bicycles), the witches will ride downtown Guntersville. Proceeds will benefit 2nd Chance Shelter, a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter. The event will begin with a pre-ride party at STACH & CO. Details for registration and participation are online at https://stachcompany.com then click on Witches Ride, or on Facebook and Instagram at GuntersvilleWitchesRide. LAKE CITY · 27
28 · LAKE CITY
Cooking With
Pumpkin Before we begin to see the changing of the color on the trees, denoting our clear transition into the brisk days of fall, we begin seeing the season's mascot popping up on empty corner lots and in front of local grocers. The seasonal squash brings excitement to the young who, at its mere sight, begin to plan Halloween costumes and dream of binging on chocolate, but for those with a palette for pumpkin, it marks the beginning of a fall full of flavorable treats. Here are a few you can make easily at home. LAKE CITY ¡ 29
PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin * 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 large eggs
Directions Heat oven to 400°F. Place paper baking cups into 12 muffin pan cups or grease muffin pan cups; set aside. Combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in bowl; set aside. Combine pumpkin, 1/2 cup melted butter and eggs in another bowl; stir until well mixed. Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin pan cups; spread batter to level. (Muffin cups will be full.) Bake 22-23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. *Substitute 1 cup canned pumpkin.
30 ¡ LAKE CITY
LAKE CITY · 31
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PIE
32 · LAKE CITY
Ingredients Crust: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup canola oil 2 tablespoons milk Filling: 1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk
Directions Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F. Stir together the flour, sugar, and salt in a 9 inch pie pan, and make a well in the center. Pour the oil and milk into the well, then mix with a fork until a dough forms. Use your hands to press the mixture evenly into the bottom and sides of the pan. Crimp the edge of the crust. Stir together the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl; set aside. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, oil, eggs, vanilla, and evaporated milk in a separate bowl until evenly blended. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until fully blended. Pour into the prepared crust and place on a cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The center may still wiggle a little but will firm up out of the oven. Cool on a metal rack. LAKE CITY ¡ 33
CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP Ingredients 6 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 4 cups pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 5 whole black peppercorns
Directions Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Puree the soup in small batches (1 cup at a time) using a food processor or blender. Return to pan, and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir in heavy cream. Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
34 ¡ LAKE CITY
LAKE CITY · 35
September & October
September 8
EAA Pancake Breakfast 8:00 am - 9:30 am Hosted by the Guntersville EAA Guntersville Municipal Airport $6 donation for breakfast supports local youth groups 405 Buck Island Road Guntersville, AL Public and cameras welcome
September 11
Day of Caring with United Way 7:30 am - 5:00 pm United Way is hosting the 2018 Day of Caring on September 11. The campaign Kick-off Breakfast will be held at First Baptist Church of Albertville at 7:30am. For more info, contact 256-582-4700.
September 15
7th Annual Apple Race to Education 8:00 am - 12:00 pm The Apple Foundation is excited to announce the upcoming Apple Race to Education. The 5k race starts at 8:00 am and the one-mile fun run starts at 9:00 am at the Guntersville Rec Center.
September 20
Free Fall Concert 6:30pm - 8:30pm Mountain Valley Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming Free Fall Concert Series! Tequila Sunrise will perform country at Erroll Allan Park.
September 22
Disc Golf Clinic 9:00 am - 2:00 pm GripLock Disc Golf Outreach is offering a Disc Golf Clinic along the Trail of Tears at Lake Guntersville State Park on September 22nd
September 24
A Night to Remember Benefit Event 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Alzheimer’s Services of Marshall County invites you to their annual A Night to Remember fundraiser. The fun includes a memory walk, balloon release, and high school marching band expo. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Contact 256-279-0053 for details.
September 27
CALENDAR
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and Bakers on Main invite you to the upcoming Charity Auction. Enjoy an evening filled with great food, beverages, music, and live and silent auctions. We hope to see you there. Text 256-302-3998 for tickets.
September 28
Indie film night 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Guntersville Library is hosting an indie film night at the library’s auditorium.
October 4
Free Fall Concert 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Mountain Valley Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming free Fall Concert Series! Soul Survivor will perform classic rock at Erroll Allan Park.
October 11
Free Fall Concert 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Mountain Valley Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming free Fall Concert Series! Section 8 will perform R&B and classic rock at Erroll Allan Park
Charity Auction at Bakers on Main 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ten Unique Vacation Cabins Available in 1 • 2 • 3 & 5 Bedroom Floor Plans
G U N T E R S V I L L E ’ S H I D D E N T R E A S U R E · B O O K Y O U R N E X T G E TAWAY T O D AY
For More Information & Reservations · www.KudzuCove.com 1576 Buck Island Rd. Guntersville, Alabama · 256.571.5548 or 256.571.5915
36 · LAKE CITY
visual communication & marketing
oden imaging
We're your local resource for any and all or your marketing needs. From photography to web design, and everything in between Your business is our business. We listen to our clients and work to help meet each one's unique situation and needs. Contact us today for a free consultation. We would love to know about what you do, and share more about what we do. Oden Imaging www.odenimaging.com 383 Gunter Ave. 256.486.9000 LAKE CITY ¡ 37
September & October October 12 - 13
Fall Bazaar 8:00 am - 5:00 pm The Downtown Guntersville Merchants are excited to announce the upcoming Fall Bazaar to be held in Downtown Guntersville on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13. Will include food trucks, vendors, a cake walk, and more! Contact 256-582-7745 for more details.
October 13 - 14
Big Bass Tour Tournament 6:00 am - 3:00 pm Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic presented by Marshall County, at the Guntersville City Harbor.
October 13
EAA Pancake Breakfast 8:00 am - 9:30 am Hosted by the Guntersville EAA Guntersville Municipal Airport $6 donation for breakfast supports local youth groups 405 Buck Island Road Guntersville, AL Public and cameras welcome
October 18
Free Fall Concert 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Mountain Valley Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming Free Fall Concert Series! Two Tone Willie will perform Classic Rock at Erroll Allan Park.
October 20
Antebellum Ghost Stories of Alabama 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Guntersville Public Library amphitheater and auditorium
October 20
Conservation Celebration at LGSP 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Lake Guntersville State Park invites you to its Conservation Celebration at the outdoor classroom located in the RV camping area. Contact Mike Ezell for more details at michaelr.ezell@dcnr.alabama.gov
October 25
Free Fall Concert 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Mountain Valley Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming Free Fall Concert Series! Lake City Jazz will perform Jazz, blues, and R&B at Erroll Allan Park.
CALENDAR
October 26 - 27
Fall Book Sale 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday The Friends of the Guntersville Public Library invites you to the Fall Book Sale! We have a fantastic selection of books, magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, and more! Open to the public.
October 27
9th Annual Pink Pumpkin Run 8:00 am - 1:00 pm The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers invites you to participate in the 9th Annual Pink Pumpkin Run coming up Saturday, October 27 in Guntersville. This event will include a 5K, 10K, and fun run. Register online at pinkpumpkinrun.com or call 256-571-8017 for details. Currently taking sponsors.
November 1
Costa FLW Series Fishing Tournament Hosted by the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Guntersville City Harbor. For more information 256-582-7015
HOT COFFEE WI TH A COOL VIBE
JaMoka's Coffee Company
Pumpkin Spice Lattes Are Back , Taste the Season
COFFEE · ESPRESSO · LATTES · TEAS · SANDWICHES · PASTRIES · SMOOTHIES & MORE
Keeping Marshall County Caffeinated Since 2005 385 Gunter Ave, Guntersville 256.486.3883 38 · LAKE CITY
110 E Main St, Albertville 256.660.0850
1851 Hwy 431, Boaz 256.593.3777
Small-town living has its advantages. At Citizens Bank & Trust, great banking is one of the biggest. No doubt about it, where you choose to live affects your quality of life — including access to excellent banking. With Citizens Bank & Trust, living in a smaller town means having banking products and services that are second to none. From friendly, knowledgable customer service to reward checking and great CD rates, we offer a level of banking satisfaction beyond the ordinary. Quality banking, quality of life — they work together in a big way at Citizens Bank & Trust.
BAN K & T RU S T
visit us at citizensbanktrust.com Guntersville 256-505-4600
Albertville 256-878-9893
Arab 256-931-4600
Cullman 256-841-6600
Elkmont 256-732-4602
Hazel Green 256-828-1611
New Hope 256-723-4600
Rogersville 256-247-0203
The Varian Linear Accelerator. Think of it as treating cancer at the speed of light.
Technology that matters – it’s making a difference at Marshall Cancer Care Center. We believe the latest cancer technology is an investment in the health of North Alabama, plain and simple. Anything that speeds up effective treatment gets our vote, and the Varian Linear Accelerator does that with more power and accuracy than other options. Used with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, it offers less time in treatment with fewer side effects. Of course, even the best technology works better when delivered with kindness. That’s the other advantage of our close-to-home treatment. And another reason Marshall Medical is the convenient choice for down-to-earth care. Our oncologists: Dr. Gideon Ewing, Dr. Tom Payne and Dr. Jonathan Storey.
pinkpumpkinrun.com
256.894.6750 • mmcenters.com Located on US Highway 431, just south of Cracker Barrel in Guntersville.