Lee Magazine - July / August 2013

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BONE CHECK Are Yours Strong Enough?

COME AND GET IT! DINNER HAS BEEN COOKING ALL DAY VOLUME 6 • NUMBER 3

TRIP WALTON: The Fighter

JULY/AUGUST 2013 FREE

The Place to Find

Your Healthy Balance

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A division of Pickwick Papers Publishing Owners:

Beth Snipes Terri Petry Meg Callahan

Publisher: Editor: Director of Marketing:

Beth Snipes Mary Wood Littleton Terri Petry

Marketing: Assistant: Design and Photography:

Meg Callahan Beth Snipes

Marketing Consultants:

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

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eople are searching for a hormone replacement therapy regimen that provides a resurgence of energy. You don’t have to have headaches, hot flashes, and a decreased sex drive. You can say farewell to mood swings and insomnia. With the results of a one-day saliva test, June Adams, a compounding pharmacist and bio-identical hormone counselor, will provide the natural human-identical hormones that your body needs. June’s problemsolving pharmacy provides natural progesterone cream, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone. For some, it will mean an enzyme to reduce stress, or a glandular complex to support your thyroid.

Both men and women can benefit from this simple test for a personal hormone profile.

Accelerated aging, fat gain, mental fogginess, and general fatigue are not natural. They can be symptoms of a hormone imbalance for which there is a natural treatment. Find the right dose without the concerns of side effects from synthetic products.

Regina Lynn Duck Meg Callahan Annalee Gaines Allen Samford Kolayah KeeVan Web Designer: Brock Burgess Distribution: John Snipes

Contributors Food: Health: Brawn: Garden: Home: Pets

Heida Olin Dr. Lee Sharma Lisa Gallagher Patti Householder Jacquelyn Dixon Dr. Glen Puckett

leemagazine.com TO ADVERTISE: CALL TERRI

334.991.0087 beth@lee-magazine.com

334-332-2961

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1961 First Avenue • Opelika, AL 36801 334 • 745 • 3881 or 1• 800 • 315 • 8459

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Published by Pickwick Papers Publishing, LLC. Copyright ©2008 Lee Magazine. All rights reserved.

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The Event Center Downtown’s Efforts to Help Others

T

he Event Center Downtown has been broadening its horizons lately by incorporating events to benefit the community. Owner Lisa Ditchkoff wants to do more to reach out to the people of Auburn, Opelika, and surrounding area. Recently, a few events have been held at the Event Center Downtown that changed the lives of some special people.

Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc., Nu Lota Lota and Sigma Delta Chapters held an event called “Defining Courage”. James Owens, or “Big O”, was Auburn University’s first African American football player. The purpose was to raise the funds needed to renovate his bathroom to provide handicap accessibility. Following recovery from an additional spinal surgery, the hope is he will qualify to be eligible to be added to the heart transplant list. After everything was said and done, the monetary goals were met, and remodeling of the bathroom began immediately.

Another successful philanthropic event that occurred recently was The Supermarket of Veterans Benefits which was composed of over 40 veteran organizations to serve the families of veterans in honor of “Military Spouse Appreciation Day”. With over 9,000 veterans in Lee County alone, there are so many in need of help, but they are simply unaware of the resources available. Numerous veterans, their spouses, and families showed up and utilized the different services offered. Members of the community also attended to thank those who have sacrificed so much for the wellbeing of their country. However, patriotism did not end when this event was over.

The most recent event held at the venue also radiated red, white, and blue.

Mayor’s Breakfast hosted Mallory Hagan, 2013 Miss America, as the guest of honor. She was welcomed home to Opelika, where she is a native. Not even crowds and a crown can keep her away from her tiny hometown.

Miss Hagan has and will continue to make Opelika, Alabama proud.

The events held have reached out to individuals in need as well as entire families. James Owens, the veterans of Lee and nearby counties, Miss America, and the citizens of Opelika are so appreciative of people willing to go the extra mile to help others. It’s important to remember that venues are made for more than just parties.

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Sincerely, Amber Dickson, Director of Public Relations

Event Center Downtown 614 N. Railroad Avenue •

334-705-5466

Historic Downtown Opelika

www.eventcenterdowntown.com • info@eventcenterdowntown.com www.facebook.com/eventcenterdowntownn

contents

July/August 2013

6

Food Take It Slow Recipes for Easy Summer Days

10 Garden

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Summer Bloomers Time to Plant More Color

12 Health "The Shot" Depo-Provera More Than Just Birth Control

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14 Brawn Bone Health Sneaky Osteoporosis

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18 Home Summer Projects Fun Family DIY

20 Pets Fleas, Ticks and Snakes. Oh My! Keep Summer Pests at Bay

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22 Cover Story The Golden Gloves of Trip Walton

28 Calendar

20

Plenty to Do in Lee County COVER PHOTO BY BETH SNIPES

4 LEE MAGAZINE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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have always loved that I grew up in Auburn.

Although college towns are special places all over the world, mine has much more in common with Oxford (Miss.), Clemson and Chapel Hill than with Uppsala, Kraków or Tartu.

But like all college towns, it has been for me and for many a cultural oasis with intellectuals coming from all over the world to Auburn to study or Mary Wood Littleton teach, bringing with them their customs, their cuisines and their cultural perspectives from whence they came.

I started first grade the same year that Auburn City Schools were fully integrated, though the process had begun in 1965. I don’t remember anyone mentioning anything about it, and an integrated school is all I have ever known. I would later learn that when Auburn University admitted the first black student, Harold Franklin, the year I was born, it had been a total nonevent. I’ve always been very proud of that, after all of the hoopla with George Wallace at the other university.

When I was about 10 or 11, I loved that I could ride my bike downtown with a friend, visit my father at his campus office (enjoying the intense air conditioning for a moment after a sweaty ride), then head down to the drugstore for ice cream or candy that I could charge on my father’s account. In fact, I could charge in about every store along the row — the bookstore, the shoe store, the drug store, the flower store, etc., and my father would get a hand-written bill at the end of the month. That’s just how life was in this town.

I went all the way from nursery school through high school with many of the same people, which is truly a gift — rarer and rarer these days. When I got older, I sowed some wild oats around here with my contemporaries within an invisible bubble that protected us from real-world dangers. If someone spotted you with a beer in your hand, you knew it would get back to your parents before you were home.

I was always drawn to new people, whether they’d come from Saudi Arabia or Arab, Ala. I wanted to know what the world was like. At my elementary school, children occasionally would appear in my classroom with an odd name, unable to speak a word of English. I liked to try and help them, and they must have thought me odd as I endeavored to speak English slowly and loudly to them or, worse, resorted to pantomime. They always looked terrified. But I was ever

curious about these children who’d come from so far away. How lucky they were to get to travel so far, I thought, to the best place on Earth.

But I also ached to know what their world elsewhere was like.

My last year of high school, we had a whole passel of Swedish exchange students come for the year. I sought them out immediately and one of them has been a close friend for more than 30 years. I was surprised to learn that they thought we Americans were so oldfashioned with our curfews, dating rituals and brassieres (which they all had to purchase upon arrival). As I came to understand more about the Swedish culture, I realized that there were people, indeed entire societies, out there that thought the same things I did.

In college (at Auburn, of course), I had an opportunity to study in France, followed by a month in Sweden. I loved and still do love to travel — doing as Romans in Rome — sunbathing topless in France, drinking vodka in Sweden, wine in Burgundy, beer in Prague, etc. I was correct that this world is full of strange and fascinating people, places and things. I love to experience their rituals, architecture, music, food, drink and more. Yet, after you witness the exotic differences, you realize that we have more in common — we all learn, eat, love, cry, suffer, die. And we all come from somewhere. respectfully disagree with Thomas Wolfe, because you can go home again. In 2006, I moved back home with my family, so my children could claim Auburn for their own hometown. Not only did I find that my hometown was still here, I was delighted to see the growth and development — both economically and culturally — throughout the entire area. Opelika has reclaimed and celebrates its rich history, while bringing progressive arts, music, restaurants and other cultural events into its Downtown Renaissance. Waverly and Loachapoka have attracted artists, musicians and historians as well.

Industry abounds in the cities and the countryside alike — stretching out to the Georgia State Line. Although each hamlet has retained its own distinct character and charm, we’ve all grown together into the broader community we now call East Alabama. There’s much opportunity for everyone here. East Alabama is a great place to be, and to be from.

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MARY WOOD LITTLETON Editor

LEE MAGAZINE 5

F O O D

Crock-Pot Cookery Slow and Easy Wins in Taste

By Heida Olin

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6 LEE MAGAZINE

Photo by Beth Snipes

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

or Christmas last year, my kids got cookbooks with their favorite recipes, including our family heirloom recipes that must be handed down. Putting these together was really a labor of love. It was funny when, years ago, my husband started snapping pictures of the food on our dinner table with his cell phone. But when it came time to assemble these cookbooks, I was grateful for his photography efforts. My big surprise was the interest both my daughter and daughter-in-law showed in the “Crock-Pot” cooking section.

Over the years I’ve had several Crock-Pots; my first was a wedding present. I’ve accumulated a few more over the years and love using them. I think the Crock-Pot craze died out for a while, but an incredible following on the Pinterest website has boosted the popularity of this delightful and convenient appliance. My daughters introduced me to Pinterest, a very addictive and hightraffic website, where I find at least one slow-cooker recipe each time I visit. I must say, I’m delighted that busy young people have resurrected the art of crockery cooking.

Making soups and stocks in the slow cooker is really a nobrainer—throw all the ingredients into the pot, turn it on low and walk away for eight to 10 hours. I find having ground beef, chicken or other meats stored precooked in the freezer is a real time saver, because it eliminates the browning step. If cooking the food on high, you’ll have to add about half an hour to the cooking time, but I rarely find an increase for food cooked on low.

Another convenience is putting the slow-cooker meal together the night before and refrigerating it (especially if the ceramic pot is removable), then I turn on the slow cooker as I walk out the door for the day. When using a timer to start your slow cooker, ensure the food is very cold and don’t let it sit for more than two hours before it starts cooking. If you have a multi-task timer, you can set it to turn off as well. As long as you don’t peek at the contents, things will stay hot in a slow cooker for about an hour. Know your appliance—some run hotter than others, so check your user guide to avoid surprises. It’s nice to have a built-in timer that switches after cooking to keep food warm for several hours.

The most recent additions to my Crock-Pot recipe collection are Baked Potatoes and Breakfast Casserole. I was very skeptical about the potatoes, because I find adding potatoes to a casserole or long cooking dish often yields soggy potatoes. One of my family’s favorite meals is a baked potato bar, so I tried baking the

potatoes in the Crock-Pot and was surprised and delighted with the results. This has become a monthly offering at my house.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Tasty and fast! If your taste runs a little spicier, use Pepper Jack cheese as a topping and place hot sauce on the table. Serves: 8–10 people 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast 15-ounce can sweet whole corn kernels, drained 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained 5 cups chicken stock 3/4 cup onion, chopped 3/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped 1 Serrano pepper, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 teaspoon ground pepper, divided Monterey Jack cheese, shredded Seasoned tortilla strips

Add first nine ingredients plus 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper to your slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Prior to serving, remove the chicken breasts. Transfer chicken to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and run on medium speed for easy shredding. Alternately, you may shred chicken by hand. Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Return shredded seasoned chicken to the Crock-Pot and stir gently. Divide the soup among bowls, and top each serving with a generous helping of shredded cheese and seasoned tortilla strips.

CROCK-POT BAKED POTATOES

There are several recipes that I found, but the differences were mainly whether to wrap each potato individually in foil or not wrap at all, whether to oil the potatoes or butter or neither, whether to puncture the potatoes or not. In the end, I found that what I did worked wonderfully, but I don’t think any of the other suggestions were wrong. It’s all your own preference. I use all sorts of toppings: sautéed peppers and onions, fresh or steamed vegetables, bacon, ham, sour cream and cheese. Baked potato

Continued next page

bars are very versatile. Serves: 6 people The Crock-Pot size should be proportional to the number of potatoes you use. If you are only cooking 4 medium-sized potatoes, you don’t need a large 6-quart cooker.

6 medium to large potatoes, scrubbed and dry

Line the bottom of the slow cooker with foil. Trim any bad or dark spots on the potatoes, and pierce each potato a few times with a fork. Spray the potatoes on all sides with cooking spray or oil or, using your hands, rub a little butter or oil all over each potato. Place the potatoes in the Crock-Pot and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

A warning about the look of these baked potatoes: They are not the white, fluffy potatoes you get from baking in the oven.

They have a very rich potato flavor, and the meat of the potato is a bit dark -- but delicious!

noodles, but serving over mashed potatoes is yummy as well. Serves: 4 2 cans Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 package frozen onion and pepper stir-fry vegetables 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup water 2 pounds stew meat, cubed 8 ounces of cream cheese, cubed 1 teaspoon garlic salt 2 teaspoons Hot Paprika

In the slow cooker, stir together mushroom soup, vegetables, Worcestershire sauce and water. Once combined, add meat and mix well.

Cook on low for 8 hours. Just before serving, turn cooker on high. Stir in the cream cheese, put the lid back on and leave for 10 minutes. Stir and serve over egg noodles.

This dish is a nice change from the usual meatball recipe, especially if you use ground turkey. I like to serve it with steamed Asian-style vegetables over rice, like Asian carry-out.

Serves: 4 people OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE 1 egg, lightly beaten 4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 small onion, minced 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil 3 tablespoon vinegar 15-ounce can pineapple chunks in juice 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 large green pepper, diced Hot cooked rice

In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, salt, pepper and onion. Shape into 1 ½-inch balls. Heat a large skillet, add oil and lightly brown the meatballs. Transfer meatballs to the slow cooker.

In a small bowl, stir together vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, remaining cornstarch and green pepper. Pour over the meatballs.

Cook on high 2–4 hours or low 6–8 hours. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the pineapple. Serve over hot cooked rice.

CROCK-POT BEEF STROGANOFF

My favorite way to make stroganoff is in the pressure cooker, but this recipe for the Crock-Pot is incredibly good. Traditionally, it’s served over hot

8 LEE MAGAZINE

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SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey

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It’s really wonderful to wake up on a holiday or a weekend with a houseful of people to feed and have a delightful ready-to-serve dish awaiting you. All you need to add is toast! Serves: 8–10 people

DATE: Saturday, July 20, 2013 TIME: 8:30AM – 4:30PM (Breakfast and lunch provided.)

30-ounce bag frozen hash brown potatoes 1 pound sausage, browned and drained 8 ounces shredded cheddar, Swiss or Havarti cheese 8 ounces shredded mozzarella 6 spring onions, sliced and divided in half 12 large eggs 1/2 cup milk or sour cream

The Hotel at Auburn University 241 South College Street Auburn, AL

1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Spray a large Crock-Pot with cooking spray or oil, then place half of the hash browns on the bottom. Add a layer of sausage, half the cheeses and half the onions. The top layer should be hash browns, sausage and finish with the remainder of cheese.

Whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.

Carefully pour the egg mixture over the layers of hash browns in the Crock-Pot. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Serve with remaining onions.

Heida Olin is a local caterer and educator. You can reach her at heida@lee-magazine.com.. Please visit her blog at www.leemagazine.com

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The purpose of this information is the dissemination of technical information. Funding is provided through a grant from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services— Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant #90FM0006. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s)/presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

G A R D E N

Annual Perƒormers

INCREASE YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL

These Summer Bloomers Take Center Stage

Concrete MakeOvers We make concrete beautiful!

By Patti Householder

W

ith the season of 90+-degree days with 80+-percent humidity upon us, we are finally ready to plant summer flowers. We hope not to endure the drought conditions of the past few years. I want to tell you about two of my favorite summer annual flowers, both of which I love because they are beautiful, easy to care for and they bloom all summer in our hot, humid, dry (lack of rain) climate. Best of all, I do not have to deadhead them (cut flowers off to stimulate new flowers).

The first is Melampodium, also known as “butter daisy.” Million Gold is perhaps the most popular cultivar. This is the one you will, most likely, find at local garden centers. The foliage is bright green with a profusion of yellow, daisy-like flowers that are about 1 inch in diameter, with

the centers being more orange. The plant has a bushy habit, growing about 10 to 15 inches, although I have had some grow as tall as 18 to 24 inches.

My second favorite is annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus), which has a dark, glossy green foliage with a distinct rib down the middle of the leaf. Vinca comes in an array of colors: red, white and various shades of pink and purple.

The “Cooler Series” can be found in most garden centers, and it has vibrant cool colors and a uniform growth habit, reaching a height of about 14 inches. The “Pacifica Series” grows to a 14-inch height and displays large flowers about 2 inches wide. Some in this series have contrasting colored centers and “Pacifica Red” is a true red color. Last year, as I prepared for the Master Gardener Garden Tour, I found some trailing annual vinca at Plant World. This “Mediterranean Series” has

a spreading growth habit that reaches about 6 inches tall and a width of 25 to 30 inches, which makes it a great plant for spilling over the sides of containers and hanging baskets. Some of my favorites are Polka Dot, which is white with a pinkishred center, and Lilac that is a deep pinkish-purple color.

Melampodium and vinca do well in similar growing conditions. Plant them in full sun 10 to 12 inches apart. They prefer well-drained soil and need water regularly until established, and then they will tolerate much drier conditions.

Mulching will help to conserve moisture. Fertilization is not necessary for Melampodium, but I will add a slow release all-purpose fertilizer at planting time. Vinca needs a fertilizer such as 164-8 to keep it blooming all summer long.

Both annuals are free from most pest and

Melampodium 10 LEE MAGAZINE

CONCRETE MAKEOVERS GIVES YOUR CONCRETE NEW LIFE WITH THE STYLE, TEXTURE, AND COLOR OF INLAID BRICK, SLATE, MARBLE, OR A UNIQUE CUSTOM SURFACE.

Annual Vinca

SAVE MONEY WITHOUT SKIMPING ON BEAUTY

disease problems, although vinca can experience root and stem rot, especially if overwatered.

O

ne word of caution, they re-seed prolifically. I don’t mind this problem, and I have plants returning year after year, wherever the wind may blow their seeds. But if they pop up where you don’t want them, they are easy to pull up.

In fact, I have not bought any Melampodium in several years, because I move them to a small pot with potting soil when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. This allows the roots to become better established before I transplant them to a container or elsewhere in my landscape. The bees and butterflies love Melampodium.

As I write this article, my Melampodium volunteers are 5 to 6 inches tall and starting to flower. My vinca volunteers are 1 to 2 inches tall. Both continue to reseed throughout the summer. I hope that you consider these two outstanding performers for your summer garden. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. -lm Master Gardener Patti Householder is a member of the state Master Gardener Association board and a past president of the Lee County Master Gardener program. She lives in Waverly.

CONCRETE NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD!

OWNED AND OPERATED by DAVID CLAY AUBURN ALUM AND NATIVE

Concrete MakeOvers 334.444.3020 www.ctiea.com LEE MAGAZINE 11

H E A L T H

“The Shot”

It’s Not Just for Birth Control

D

epo-Provera, or “the shot,” as is it popularly known, is one of the most widely used methods of birth control. Because it is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and frees a woman from having to remember to take a daily pill, Depo-Provera is used by women all over the world.

The progesterone in Depo-Provera

12 LEE MAGAZINE

prevents pregnancy by stopping an egg from developing in the ovary. It also causes the mucus in the cervix to become thicker, which prevents sperm from passing through to the uterus.

Unlike a standard oral contraceptive, known as “the pill,” which uses estrogen, there is no estrogen in the shot. No

estrogen means the shot doesn’t cause the nausea of the pill or carry the same risks for causing deep venous thromboses (blood clots in the legs), which is especially good for women who have a high risk of developing blood clots. However, the shot doesn’t regulate a menstrual cycle like the pill does. Depo-Provera will not provide a consistent bleeding pattern, especially in the first year of use. For most women, there will be very irregular menstrual bleeding for the first six-to-nine months on Depo.

After this, the continuous progesterone will cause the endometrium — the lining of the uterus from which the period originates — to become very thin. As this occurs, the menstrual cycle will become lighter and lighter and, for over eighty percent of women, it will stop altogether.

Because of this effect on the uterine lining, Depo-Provera is used to treat endometriosis, a condition that occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus are found in the pelvis outside the uterine cavity. Just like the uterine cells, these cells bleed and produce scarring and pain inside the abdomen. Depo-Provera suppresses these cells in the pelvis, just as it does in the uterine lining, making them inactive and significantly reducing the symptoms of endometriosis. The shot is also used for the treatment of heavy menstrual cycles.

The progressive thinning of the uterine lining makes the menstrual cycles lighter over time and, for many women, makes their periods nonexistent. Depo actually reduces the risk of uterine cancer (due to its suppression of the uterine lining) and ovarian cancer (because it suppresses the process of ovulation). Also, women over 35 years of age or who smoke have a higher risk of suffering strokes and heart attacks when using products containing estrogen, which makes the shot a better contraceptive choice for them.

On the down side, Depo-Provera has shown increased risk of osteoporosis with long-term use. Osteoporosis, a disease

that thins the bones and leads to an increased risk of fracture, is more prevalent in women who have used the shot for five years or longer. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration placed a “black box warning” on Depo-Provera for the risk of osteoporosis. It was shown later that the risk of bone loss dropped significantly when patients stopped using the shot, regardless of how long it was used.

Depo-Provera remains a well-studied, highly effective contraceptive; one which also offers significant treatment and protective benefit. -lm Lee Sharma is a board-certified gynecologist in private practice.

Dr. Trained at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, she lives in Opelika with her husband Shash, children Sam and Rachel, and her puppy Ryker.

Work From Home!

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f you love reading LEE Magazine, you will probably enjoy telling local businesses and professionals about the wonderful exposure of advertising to our loyal readers.

As an Account Executive with Lee the opportunity is limitless. You decide when you work and how much money you make.

As an established publication. our distribution is dense throughout Lee County. We have a loyal readership and are an extremely affordable advertising medium.

Full training and materials are provided. If your like to discuss this sales opportunity, please call :

The Best Care for the Skin You’re in!

Whether you are struggling with skin cancer, face and leg veins, wrinkles, acne, unwanted facial hair or other concerns, you deserve clinically excellent care. John A. Stewart, M.D., has served the medical needs of Lee County and surrounding areas for the past 32 years.

Four years ago, he teamed up with Rhonda Trammell, the county’s only licensed medical aesthetician. Together with the staff of Stewart Dermatology, they provide their patients the best possible medical diagnosis and treatment with state-of-the-art medical resources.

COSMETIC AND SURGICAL DERMATOLOGY CANCER OF THE SKIN SKIN SURGERY LASER HAIR REMOVAL, IPL AND MICRODERMABRASION FACE AND LEG VEIN REMOVAL SCLEROTHERAPY BOTOX AND COSMETIC FILLERS CHEMICAL PEELS AND FACIALS ACNE TREATMENT AND SKIN CARE SOLUTIONS LATISSE-RAPID LASH ENVIRON-ZO MEDICAL BY DR. ZEIN OBAGI GLO PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS VI PEEL DERMAFRAC MICRO CURRENT

Not sure what you need? Visit Stewart Dermatology for a free consultation in a pleasant medical spa atmosphere.

TERRI PETRY Director of Marketing 334-991-0087

STEWART DERMATOLOGY 25 Medical Arts Center, Opelika • 334-749-5604

B R A W N way to diagnose or assess risk. If you discover problems early, you can take positive action to protect your bones.

Taking a calcium supplement may be the first action recommended. A study to be published in July’s edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology reports that taking a calcium supplement of up to 1,000 mg per day may help women live longer. Calcium is essential for bone health and is found in dairy products and other foods and supplements. These are the American Medical Association’s current daily recommendations:

A SNEAKY DISEASE Don't let Osteoporosis creep up on you

By Lisa Gallagher My brother Matt, an almost-50-yearold physician, spends hours bent over an operating table performing complicated liver transplants and other abdominal surgeries. A former wrestler at Notre Dame, Matt has always enjoyed active time with his sons — skiing on snow or water, swimming, shooting basketballs in the driveway or taking solo jogs in the neighborhood. When the boys moved out a couple of years ago, Matt’s activity level waned and work took the fore.

Matt’s back has bothered him for years, but the pain and accompanying fatigue was getting worse. Although he chocked it all up to age and stress, he made an appointment with his doctor. He nags his siblings about getting their check-ups, so “what’s good for the goose…”

His doctor uncovered an electrolyte imbalance — in particular, way too much calcium in Matt’s blood. When his MRI lit up, the culprit was uncovered: a benign mass in his parathyroid. The big shock 14 LEE MAGAZINE

was still to come. Matt read his own bone scan results and learned he only had 25 percent of normal bone mass for a man his age. His bones are those of a 70-year-old woman with osteoporosis. He was stunned and very concerned.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 9 million adults in the U.S. have osteoporosis, and more than 48

million have low bone mass. More people than ever before are at risk of developing

this bone disease, and if the current rate of prevalence continues, by 2020 there will be 10.7 million adults with osteoporosis and 58.2 million with low bone mass.

Common hormonal changes can cause bone loss — a drop in estrogen for women; a drop in testosterone for men. Certain medical conditions, as in Matt’s case, also can lead to bone loss. Bed rest, certain medications, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, family history of osteoporosis, low body weight and the cessation of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) are also factors.

Osteoporosis is a sneaky disease. You may experience a fracture before you learn you have it. My brother broke a rib while skiing last year. Watch for symptoms like pain in the spine (either suddenly or over time), loss of height, stooped posture or a dowager’s hump (kyphosis).

If your medical provider suggests that you have a bone mineral density test or some blood and urine tests, this is the best

• Adults under age 50 – 100 mg of calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D • Women ages 51-70 – 1,200 mg of calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D (men stick with 1,000) • Adults over age 70 – 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D Your physician may advise you not to take calcium if you have a heart condition, a parathyroid disorder or other issue, so always check with your medical provider before starting a new regimen, whether supplementation or exercise.

For now, Matt has been advised to avoid weight-bearing exercise, but if your physician gives you the okay, then walking, jogging, dancing, free weights and rowing machines will go a long way towards keeping your bones young. Balance exercises like tai chi and yoga are an excellent addition to an exercise program, because they help you avoid falls.

Matt will have the mass removed from his parathyroid, and his physician plans to keep a close eye on his electrolyte levels and bone density. Although he is currently restricted to aquatic exercise and forbidden to ski, he hopes that his bones will recover significantly. His physician is cautiously optimistic that they caught it in time. -lm Lisa Gallagher, director of the Fitness Center at the Opelika Sportsplex, is a wellness coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor. You can contact her at lisa@lee-magazine.com

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Auburn Pediatric Dentistry Delivering outstanding dental care for children

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Dr. Charles Greenleaf

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841 N. Dean Road • Auburn, AL 36830 334.826.6651

EARN EXTRA MONEY! Work Part time

If you love reading LEE Magazine, you will probably enjoy telling local businesses and professionals about the wonderful exposure of advertising to our loyal readers.

As an Account Executive with Lee the opportunity is limitless. You decide when you work and how much money you make.

As an established publication. our distribution is dense throughout Lee County. We have a loyal readership and are an extremely affordable advertising medium.

Full training and materials are provided. If you would like to discuss this sales opportunity, please call: TERRI PETRY Director of Marketing 334-991-0087

LEE MAGAZINE 15

SHEPHERD’S COVE OFFERS: • 32 three-bedroom two bath 1,038 square-foot walk-up flats • 20 two-bedroom one bath, 820 square-foot single-story homes • 20 two-bedroom one & one-half bath townhouse units • community center with a computer area • fitness center and pool

SHEPHERD’SCOVE ...Auburn’s newly renovated apartment community

M

ore than just a face lift, the former Edgewood Terrace Apartments have been transformed. Now named Shepherd’s Cove, the new owner’s have completely renovated the homes, inside and out.

The once drab exterior is now stunning, boasting natural stone and hardi-plank.

The interiors are impressive with the new finishes you are looking for.

Each home is completely renovated. The interiors feature Energy Star appliances in fully equipped kitchens plus all new interior finishes.

The new architectural design includes three ADA-compliant homes for sensory impaired persons and three ADA-compliant homes for handicap accessible units.

Additional amenities include a community center with a computer area and fitness center, and pool.

You will be proud to call Shepherd’s Cove home!

BEFORE

1330 SHUG JORDAN PARKWAY AUBURN, ALABAMA PATIO

Income Restricted by state guidelines

STORAGE

LIVING ROOM

CLOSET

BATH 1

KITCHEN

LINEN

PANTRY

UTILITY

BATH 2

DINING

BATH

CLOSET

LINEN

BEDROOM 1

KITCHEN

BATH

DINING

KITCHEN

DINING

CLOSET

D.W.

WASHER N.I.C.

BEDROOM 3

STORAGE

PATIO

KITCHEN

BATH 2

DINING

LINEN

CLOSET

DRYER N.I.C.

UTILITY

CLOSET

PANTRY

BATH 1

DINING

CLOSET

BEDROOM 3 M.B.T.

LIVING ROOM

1/2 BATH

BEDROOM 1

PATIO

HALL

PATIO

BATH

CLOSET

LINEN

CLOSET

CLOSET

CLOSET CLOSET

BEDROOM 1

CLOSET

KITCHEN

BEDROOM 1

BEDROOM 1

STAIR

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM 2

BEDROOM 2

BEDROOM 2

BEDROOM 2

PANTRY

DINING

CLOSET

CLOSET

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM 1

STAIR

LIVING ROOM

LIVING ROOM CLOSET

BEDROOM 2

CLOSET

CLOSET

CLOSET

PATIO PATIO

1/2 BATH

HALL

PATIO STORAGE

BATH

KITCHEN

STORAGE

STAIR

TWO BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE FLOOR PLAN

STORAGE

STAIR

PATIO

SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

TWO BEDROOM TWO BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE FLOOR PLAN

PANTRY CLOSET

STORAGE

UTILITY ENTRY

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM

TOWNHOUSE

SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

SECOND FLOOR

CLOSET

UTILITY

THREE BEDROOM GARDEN FLOOR PLAN (ACCESSIBLE) THREE BEDROOM GARDEN SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

16 LEE MAGAZINE

THREE BED ROOMGARDEN GARDEN (ACCESSIBLE) THREE BEDROOM FLOOR PLAN SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

ENTRY

BEDROOM GARDEN (ACCESSIBLE) TWOTWO BEDROOM GARDEN FLOOR PLAN (ACCESSIBLE) SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

TWOTWO BEDROOM GARDEN FLOOR PLAN BEDROOM GARDEN SCALE : 1/8" = 1'-0"

TWO BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE FLOOR PLAN

TWO BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE FLO

H O M E

SUMMER PROJECTS

Items needed: Shutter, vinyl screen, spray paint, screw-in hooks.

Paint the shutter any color you like. Cut screen and glue on back of the shutter. Glue all screen edges and every other horizontal slat. Screw in hooks about three inches apart along the bottom to hang your keys. Hang your finished mail organizer on a wall near the back door.

Keep kids minds and hands busy

By Jacquelyn Dixon

D.I.Y. enthusiasts, are you searching for projects this summer to keep the kids busy? As the school year was winding down, I was wondering, “How do I keep the kids entertained?” Seriously, I need them busy with projects that will occupy their time and keep them learning.

I never realized that all of the projects my sisters and I did during the summers growing up would be things I could use in my adulthood. I revisit those memories often, and I wanted my kids to have the same memories. So here are several summer fun projects for all: TABLE-TOP EARRING HOLDER Items needed: Frame, paint, vinyl screen, hot glue gun.

Get that old picture frame out of the drawer — you don’t need the glass, so you’ll be glad you saved the frame when the glass broke.

Paint the frame any color you like. Use vinyl screen cut to size, and attach it to the back of the frame with hot glue. You’re now ready to hang your earrings. This makes an attractive table top organizer.

Cabinet Door Chalk Board

Photos by Jacquelyn Dixon Supplies for this project

CABINET DOOR CHALK BOARDS Cabinet doors make perfect chalk boards. They come in many sizes and styles, and they can be set on countertops or hung on a wall. They are great to have in the kitchen for leaving notes or announcing the evening's menu. You can find cabinet doors at a local hardware store, antique store or visit a local cabinetmaker’s shop. Flat panel doors work best. You can usually find some that are leftovers or samples that cost little to nothing.

Items needed: Cabinet door, any size (find an interesting one), 180-plus grit sandpaper, tape, chalkboard paint, semi-gloss or high-gloss spray paint for frame.

Sand the center panel lightly until smooth, then cover center panel with tape. Spray paint the front and back of door, and let it dry for several hours to ensure it is very dry. Remove center tape, and cover the painted frame next to center panel with tape.

Spray chalkboard paint on center panel. Once dry, remove tape from the edges. Now you have a great accent with a purpose, place on an easel on top of your counter.

Reclaimed building materials are all the rage these days. Be salvage savvy — use your own or friends leftovers that can be “upcycled” into fun and creative projects. -lm Jacquelyn Dixon is a licensed contractor with fifteen years of experience, who builds custom homes and reinvents existing ones in the Auburn/ Opelika area. Jacquelyn can be reached at: reallifebuilders@gmail.com

Table-Top Earring Holder

Supplies for this project Shutter Mail and Key Holder

Supplies for this project

18 LEE MAGAZINE

OLD SHUTTER MAIL AND KEY HOLDER I love shopping in antique stores for other peoples’ throwaways. For pennies, you can pick everything you need for a unique mail holder.

LEE MAGAZINE 19

P E T S possible by your veterinarian. Dogs lack the evaporative cooling measures that we achieve with our sweat glands, and so they can only cool by respiration or panting. With the extreme heat of our East Alabama summers, pets should never be left in the car unattended, ample fresh water should always be available and forced physical exercise should be limited during the hottest hours of the day. If not treated in the nick of time, a hyperthermic dog’s body temperature may reach upwards of 108 degrees, which can be fatal. Many of the “Smushed” faced breeds like bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, and shih tzus have an increased risk for heat exhaustion because their respiratory tracts do not efficiently cool the air they breathe. Pets that are suffering from hyperthermia often pant uncontrollably, pace excessively trying to find a way to cool down, may vomit and will be very warm to the touch. If you are concerned that your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go to the vet. The earlier this condition is treated, the

easy enough, right? But in reality, most pet owners only use these products a few months a year or once an infestation has occurred. Using these products monthly as they are labeled is the best way to avoid disease transmission from these critters and prevent one billion flea eggs from hatching in your living room. If you find that you do have an infestation, contact your veterinarian, your exterminator and your therapist, because you will need all the help you can get.

"I swore an oath to help animals in my care and, above all, to do no harm. I, for one, am glad that oath does not apply to venomous snakes." -Dr. Glen Pucket

Sssssssssss!

THE DOG (AND CAT) DAYS OF SUMMER Simple Steps to Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy

By Glen Puckett DVM

From year to year, I somehow seem to forget the summertime boom of caseload that veterinarians experience in this region.

Just as we are lulled into complacency by the slow end of winter, Spring Break comes and goes — then the temperatures start to climb, allergies are on the rise, Lee county’s BBQ consumption increases tenfold (I will explain later), snakes are slithering, fleas and ticks are everywhere, and the list goes on. In addition to these nuisances, life-threatening emergency visits make a dramatic spike during the summer months. Many of these summertime inconveniences and perils can be avoided or treated more effectively with early detection and intervention simply by knowing what you are looking for.

Throw the scraps in the garbage, not to Fido Gastrointestinal issues seem to peak during this season, and the clearest correlation that I can draw is the increased number of cookouts and barbecues we host. We seem to think it is a good idea to throw our four-legged friends that stray link of sausage or spare rib from the grill. I can assure you, this is a bad idea. A large portion of our patients’ vomiting and diarrhea 20 LEE MAGAZINE

are eventually explained by table scrap ingestion or avoidable garbage can raids. I sometimes must threaten a polygraph test to get the cold hard truth, or innocent children are blamed for passing the leftover T-bone to Fido. Many of these situations are easily resolved with medications or supportive care. In some cases, the sequel to feeding table scraps may be life threatening and require immediate veterinary care. Both dogs and cats can readily develop pancreatitis from ingesting the fatty meats we love to grill in the summer. Any pet is at risk for having an intestinal obstruction or bowel perforation after eating a leftover bone of any sort. Bones, no matter the kind, are never a good idea to feed pets. Obstructions, perforations and pancreatitis are often hallmarked by very tender bellies and severe vomiting. If you see these signs, contact your vet immediately.

Beat the Heat When the temperatures start sweltering, our furry friends are at obvious risk for heat exhaustion and hyperthermia. Overheating, primarily in dogs, is a true emergency situation that should be evaluated as soon as

better the chance of recovery and having a happy dog.

Creepy Crawlies Summertime brings our least favorite insects out by the boatload. Those downright detestable fleas, ticks and mosquitos emerge with the earliest warming temperatures of spring, then they multiply exponentially as the temperatures rise throughout the summer. Not only do these pests creep most people out, but they often take up residence in our houses and potentially spread life-threatening diseases. Most people are aware that ticks transmit Lyme disease and a host of similar vector-borne diseases, but did you know that mosquitoes and fleas can also transmit infectious diseases to our pets. The mosquito is the lone source of transmission for the dreaded heartworm disease to our canine companions, while fleas transmit many lesser known infectious diseases to both cats and dogs. The best way to prevent infestations with these pests is to use the plethora of innovative flea and heartworm products now available.

Most of these products require monthly administration, but they are extremely effective when used appropriately. Sounds

I swore an oath to help animals in my care and, above all, to do no harm. I, for one, am glad that oath does not apply to venomous snakes. Summertime snakebites seem to come in droves at approximately 5 p.m. A puzzled Mrs. Jones comes home from work to find Maddie, the Labrador retriever, with an alien-sized swelling to the right side of her face, and “It wasn’t there at lunchtime.” After closer evaluation, there are two tiny puncture wounds on the tip of Maddie’s nose where friendly Mr. Copperhead left his mark. Most venomous snake bites on dogs occur around the face, while cats are often bitten on the extremities from trying to paw at the wrong slithering toy. These bites generally swell rapidly, are extremely painful to the touch and can quickly turn a reddish-purple color at the site. Copperhead bites are most common, but rattlesnake and water moccasin bites are not uncommon in our area. The severity of the bite may vary greatly depending on a number of factors, which include the age, size and type of snake. All pets with suspected bites should be evaluated immediately to ensure they are clinically stable and to have the associated pain treated. Unfortunately, many snake bites are unavoidable and are only recognized after the swelling begins.

Don’t get me wrong, the “Dog Days of Summer” are actually a great time to be a dog (or a cat). Just make sure that your family pets stay out of the garbage can, are protected from diseasecarrying pests, stay well hydrated and, above all, understand the perils of sniffing or pawing at venomous snakes. -lm Dr. Glen Puckett earned his undergraduate degree in zoology at Auburn University, graduated from Auburn's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, and has been in practice at Moores Mill Animal hospital ever since.

He lives in Auburn with his wife Heather, two children, and three dogs.

LEE MAGAZINE 21

Although becoming an attorney was the endgame, Trip took a pit stop along the way, following a road during graduate school that led to another “knack,” as Trip calls his talents. It led to a boxing ring, a 20-1 record and a conquered title as the 1982 Alabama Heavy Weight Golden Gloves champion.

THE BOXING RING AND THE LAW

Trip Walton Fights His Way to the Top Trip Walton honors his family with framed awards and diplomas. He is pictured by a wall dedicated to his father, Billy Walton.

T

rip Walton leans back comfortably on a tufted, leather loveseat in the nook of his office. His right hand holds a 20-ounce Styrofoam cup of black coffee, and reading glasses rest on top of his head, of which he jokes he needs sunblock to lessen the glare of the ceiling lights. It’s 5:45 p.m., and Trip is still in the midst of his work day, with a typical one ending around 7:30 or 8p.m.

Since graduating law school in 1984, Trip has worked real estate cases to personal injury cases, eventually splitting from one law firm in 2001 to start his own, Walton Law Firm, P.C., in Auburn.

Walton Law concentrates on personal injury cases involving auto accidents, wrongful death, workers compensation, among others, and they also take some criminal defense cases.

“We carry anywhere from 100 to 150 cases at a time,” Trip explains. “I could look at 50 files a day, 100 e-mails, 15 to 20 phone calls and lots of appointments.”

He reaches for his coffee. “It’s not for someone without energy.”

Or without caffeine.

At six feet and three inches and possessing an indefatigable personality punctuated by his husky Southern voice and frequent laughter, Trip has no problem — as he says his therapist puts it — filling up a room.

Practicing law was not something Trip ever declared as his dream, but it was what he knew, and he knew it well. His father was a lawyer, and his father before him was a circuit judge. The profession seemed to trickle down in the Walton bloodline.

Although becoming an attorney was the endgame, Trip took a pit stop along the way, following a road during graduate school that led to another “knack,” as Trip calls his talents. It led to a boxing ring, a 20-1 record and a conquered title as the 1982 Alabama Heavy Weight Golden Gloves champion.

The Walton name is well integrated into Chambers County as his father — whom everyone called Billy — acted as attorney for the City of Lafayette and various real estate agents and corporations

STORY BY ALLISON BLANKENSHIP 22 LEE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS BY BETH SNIPES

for 40 years. His mother Bea, short for Beatrice, was the principal at Eastside Elementary. Trip grew up in an English Tudor-style home with his parents and older sister, Marianne.

His father would walk 30 yards to work every day, as his office was in a neighboring house. Young Trip was never far behind.

With the curiosity of a son emulating his dad, he would climb the tall ladder at the courthouse to pull real estate files.

In elementary school, Trip said his grades started slipping. His parents saw him falling behind and decided to move Trip and his sister out of public school to attend Lee Academy (now Lee-Scott Academy), a private school in Auburn. Each day, Trip and Marianne would ride the bus with 30 to 45 other children to a white house, Lee Academy’s facility at the time.

“They thought we’d get a better education, so they made the call. My sister was fine, but I started sixth grade over because my entrance exams were so low,” Trip said. “I was so far behind, it was scary.”

A big grin shows up on his face, and Trip laughs as he continues, “My dad used to say I was the leader of the slow group, which is a title I’ve sort of adopted. People I knew back then, they’re still wondering how the hell I’m where I am now.”

He chose to stay local and attend Auburn University to play football, but he didn’t make the decision until after a friend snuck him into Bear Bryant’s office while the coach was away quail hunting.

“There was memorabilia everywhere,” Trip recalled. “A crazy, beautiful office; I

called my dad from a pay phone and told him he wouldn’t believe it.”).

At Auburn, Trip played a year, a “terrible year,” as he calls it. He felt football slowing down for him. And then he met boxing.

He pledged Kappa Alpha with a couple of guys who boxed and introduced him to the sport.

“There was a guy, a marine fighter, and a guy from Atlanta who they called The Animal,” Trip said. “He asked me, ‘why don’t you try it?’ So I did. And I hurt some people. I had a knack for it.”

He started driving to Bibb City four to five days a week for fights. Of his 21 fights, he won 20. Eighteen were first-round knockouts.

With boxing, Trip says he was always thinking ahead, describing himself as a man living in the future while a lot of LEE MAGAZINE 23

He was just relentless, and he was tough as nails. He had a head that was made of steel. He would take a punch to give a punch, and if he ever hit anybody, boy they certainly fell.” - Les Hayes, Montgomery’s city judge

other men are either living in the past or present. One of his reasons for picking up the sport was to use it later in life, perhaps politically, he said. He applied his futuristic mindset in the ring. His strategy was to throw a few fake punches, mentally configuring his opponents fighting style, so that when he threw his punch, the fight was over.

In 1978, Trip was named Auburn’s “A” Club Heavy Weight Boxing Champion and Southeastern Regional Intercollegiate Boxing Champion. Then in 1981, a year after graduating from Auburn University, he won the Alabama AAU Heavy Weight Boxing Champion title. He recalls his family “going crazy” over his pursuance of boxing, so he promised to retire following his first loss.

He continued boxing through his first year of law school at the University of Alabama. At the close of his second semester, the school board called him in and told him he had a C-minus average for the second semester in a row; he was suspended for a year. Trip now admits that his boxing was interfering with his education.

He used his time off to not only continue boxing, but he got a job with an oil company, making money wining-anddining executives (along with himself, he happily adds). By 1981, business at the oil company was winding to a halt. In the U.S., the price of oil was down and all production had basically stopped, Trip said.

One year later, his boxing career would reach its peak, then end. In 1982, he fought 24 LEE MAGAZINE

at the Alabama Heavy Weight Golden Gloves and won. A couple months later, at the Regional Heavy Weight Golden Gloves, Trip lost his first fight.

Les Hayes, Montgomery’s city judge, was Trip’s law school roommate, friend since seventh grade, and personal boxing trainer and manager during law school. Les says their one rule during training was he

Gloves, Les was Trip's biggest supporter, and told Trip to compete in the Alabama Golden Gloves.

“Most of the guys were a little bit older and probably a little more polished boxers than Trip, but Trip had a strong will. He was just relentless, and he was tough as nails. He had a head that was made of steel,” Les said. “He would take a punch

Trip's Alabama AAU Heavy Weight Boxing Championship memorabilia Trip Walton

could hit Trip, but Trip couldn’t hit him, although the rule collapsed once allowing Les to feel the power behind Trip’s punch.

“He hit me so hard I thought he was going to put me in the hospital, and I immediately started saying, ‘hey, hey!

Remember our deal!” Les said.

When they traveled to Mobile for Trip to compete in the Alabama Golden

to give a punch, and if he ever hit anybody, boy they certainly fell.”

After losing the fight, Trip kept his promise to his parents and walked away from boxing. He went back to UA and met with his dean and the school board, imploring them to let him back in. When they learned his boxing career was over, they agreed, and Trip turned his one-year

suspension into one semester.

For a man who is always looking to the future, Trip doesn’t forget to honor the past. His office is down the hall from a foyer where walls are dedicated by sections — one to his dad, mom and grandfather, complete with their portraits, weathered diplomas and other certificates.

To walk down the halls is to see Trip’s life encased in frames. From his small movie debut in Mississippi Burning

(“I tell my friends, ‘oh wait, back up! If you rewind you can see my toe!”) to an outline of his boxing career, replete with articles and his old uniform, his walls are an open scrapbook. But his most prized accomplishment is his Eagle Scout badge, which he earned in junior high.

“Out of everything, the Superlawyer stuff, the boxing and the family stuff, people always notice my Eagle Scout badge,” Trip says. “It’s a big deal. When

you go to church on Scout Sunday and the scout groups stand up, when they call Eagle Scouts, only maybe two or three men stand up. It’s special.”

Trip graduated in 1984, and passed the Bar exam on the first try. He got a job as Deputy District Attorney in Montgomery and moved there. A year later, he relocated to Auburn and worked at Harper & Meadows, then Meadows & Walton. In 1987, Trip became partner at the WalkerHill Law Firm. He mentions the irony of working with a Walker, as the Walker family had been his grandfather’s rival for years.

In 2001, he and the rest of the staff felt the firm going in different directions, he said. It was then that he gathered loyal staff and split into his own company, Walton Law Firm, P.C., in Auburn, where he is president, or as he also says, he’s the guy in the ring with the white hat. For Trip, defending his clients is like being in the ring, facing an opponent.

“Just like before you get in the ring, you have to work like hell to get in the courtroom; you prepare. When you get in, there is the guy with the black hat, the insurance company lawyer, and there is the guy with the white hat, that’s me, representing the injured,” he says, laying it out. “You have a referee in the ring with you, the judge. He decides what the rules are. Then, you have the folks sitting around judging, and that’s the jury. But with my cases, you try to knock them out before court and settle.”

If he gets nervous before trial, Trip always remembers that there is one difference between boxing and working a case. “I just remind myself that in court no one is going to reach out and hit me.”

LEE MAGAZINE 25

When asked what case made his career, Trip mentions an insurance fraud case.

“It involved a very pompous insurance company screwing over a little lady whose husband died. She had a $20,000 death policy, and the insurance claimed she lied about it. There was a lot to it, but the facts were just very, very good. We won a $17.5 million verdict.”

He casually adds that it was probably his second, or maybe third, trial ever.

In 2011, Trip met former attorney general Troy King. As Troy began going into private practice after he left office, he says he often used Trip as his sounding board. The two are now collaborating on a handful of personal injury cases.

“Trip treats clients the same way he would treat his family if they were hurt. It’s a personal thing to him,” Troy says. “There are these big companies that don’t care, and he takes it as a personal mission to make sure our clients are treated fairly. You don’t have that in a lot of lawyers, to still have that hunger and fire and intensity; I think that sets him apart and is frankly the reason I do work with him.”

When Trip was in his 40s, he decided to make the move back to Montgomery (“When you’re 40 years old and you’re dating college girls who come to you saying their mom dated you in college, it’s time to move.”).

He was hanging out with a group of friends one night, when all the women in the group got up to leave and go to their friend Jacki’s house.

“I was dating a bunch of Jacki’s girlfriends and kept hearing Jacki this and Jacki that,” Trip says. “Then one night they were all going to that Jacki girl’s house, so my buddies and I decided to head to my house and smoke cigars.”

They pulled up to Trip’s house to discover all the girl’s cars across the street.

“I thought, well that damn Jacki lives across the street!” Trip recalls, laughing.

Jackie had three kids, two sons and a

26 LEE MAGAZINE

young daughter. Trip would always see them playing football in the front yard, and a year and a half later, he was helping to raise them. At age 50, Trip married Jackie, and although most of his friends bet he wouldn’t last six months, he proudly says they’re going on six years.

“Even on our worst days, when we’re both getting into separate cars, I think how much I do not want to be back out in that single world, and I’ll tell you I was good at it,” Trip says. “My house used to be very clean and straight, and now the kids will come in, knock something over, and if

DOOR PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT

SAVE THE !

DATE

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Head to Toe

Trip readies for the ring

WOMEN'S EXPO

Lee Academy (Lee-Scott Academy) football

Trip Walton, the 1982 Alabama Heavy Weight Golden Gloves champion

Back in his office, Trip’s cell phone rings. It’s one of his step-sons asking to go to a Biscuits game. Trip gets off the phone and leans forward.

“Here’s a picture of Jacki pushing a tractor tire,” he says, showing a photo of his wife’s early-morning routine of intense exercise. “I’m just thankful she exercises, otherwise I think she’d kill me.”

He laughs and proceeds to show photos of his kids, his nephew’s graduation and his mother. His father passed away at age 70, approximately 15 years ago, Trip says.

He and his wife stay busy getting their children to soccer practice, gymnastics, swim practice, tennis before school, and the list continues all the way to ballet and piano lessons. But the lives of Trip's family keep him from falling too deep into his own.

they want your earphones, your underwear then it’s gone; there ain’t nothing that’s not their’s. The great thing about it is, I’d work myself to death if I didn’t have them.”

Trip’s 12-year-old company continues to grow. He speculates that within the past three weeks, the company has brought in 40 to 50 car wreck cases, well over what most lawyers in town bring in, Trip says.

“Somewhere along the way, I decided I liked being a lawyer and was good at it. I’ve always been of the opinion that if you’re going to be successful, you have to do something you’re good at. That’s why I boxed, played sports and don’t play instruments,” Trip says, laughing. “I have a personality for it, and it’s just grown.

Thank goodness.” -lm Allison Blankenship lives in Auburn and works as a freelance writer and office manager. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Auburn University.

THE ULTIMATE GIRL'S DAY OUT! APPAREL BEAUTY & FRAGRANCE CAREERS CONFECTIONS & GIFTS COOKING

Exhibitors

COSMETICS & FRAGRANCES FASHION & ACCESSORIES HAND CRAFTED ARTS HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME DECOR

.

HOME IMPROVEMENT JEWELRY & LUXURY ITEMS NUTRITION SKIN CARE PRODUCTS VACATION PLANNERS

September 28 10 a. m. to 4 p.m.

Event Center Downtown

614 N. Railroad Avenue • Historic Downtown Opelika

334-705-5466

www.eventcenterdowntown.com • info@eventcenterdowntown.com

calendar WHERE

"

"

JULY/AUGUST

AUBURN CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 479 East

AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Thach Avenue, Auburn. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 2-6 p.m. Information: 501-3190.

714 East Glenn Avenue; Auburn 334-887-7011 auburnchamber.com

GALLERY, 222 East Drake Avenue, Auburn.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission: free. Information: 501-2963.

JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ART,

LEWIS COOPER JUNIOR MEMORIAL LIBRARY,

200 South Sixth Street, Opelika. Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 705-5380 LEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 6500

Stage Road (Highway 14), Loachapoka.

Hours: Second Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 887-3007, webmaster@leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.

LOUISE KREHER FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE,

3100 Highway 147 North, Auburn. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: free. Information: 707-6512.

TELFAIR PEET THEATRE, at the corner of

Samford and Duncan avenues. Tickets: 8444154 or http://goo.gl/Osvn. Information: 844-4748 or theatre@auburn.edu.

28 LEE MAGAZINE

EVENT CENTER DOWNTOWN 614 North Railroad Avenue, Opelika 334-705-5466 www.eventcenterdowntown.net

WHEN

"

901 South College Street, Auburn. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:45 p .m. Saturday. Admission: free. Information: 844-1484.

601 Avenue A, Opelika 334-745-4861 www.opelika.com

"

JAN DEMPSEY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER

OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ONGOING: Tuesdays,Opelika Farmer’s Market — Open rain or shine, 2 to 5 p.m. at Opelika Courthouse Square.

ONGOING: Tuesdays, Summer Swing — Opelika Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free outdoor concert every week. 7 p.m. at Municipal Park in Opelika.

ONGOING: Tuesdays, through Aug.: Youth Jam Nights — Pre-teens and teenagers have a chance to perform on stage. 7 to 9 p.m.

Spicer’s Music, 2140 E University Drive in Auburn.

ONGOING: Thursdays, through Aug. 22: The Market at Ag Heritage Park — 3 to 6 p.m. Corner of Lem Morrison and Donahue drives. Call 321-1603 for more information.

ONGOING: Fridays, through Aug. 9: State of Create — A drop-in art club for teenagers with a new project each week — 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. For rising seventh through 12th grad-

ers. Free admission, registration encouraged.

Call 844-3486 for information.

ONGOING: Saturdays, until Aug. 10: ArtyPants — Children get the opportunity to explore a wide range of art materials, make friends and create — 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. For rising kindergarten through second graders.

Free admission, registration encouraged.

Call 844-3486 for information.

ONGOING: Story Time, beginning the journey of reading. Every Monday, 10:00 a.m., for 5 year olds and younger. Lewis Cooper Library, Opelika. For more information contact Mr. Tim at 334-705-5378 ONGOING: Children's programs at the Auburn Public Library.

Baby Time: Every Tuesday, 10:00-10:20 a.m., infants Toddler Time: Every Wednesday, 10: a.m., for ages 18 months to 3 years.

Preschools Story Time: Every Thursday, 10:00.-10:30 a.m., for 3-5 year olds.

Magic Tree House Club: The first Wednesday of each month, 3:30-4 p.m. , K-5th grade Puppet Shows: The second Tuesday of each month, 3:30 p.m.

For more information visit http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/youthprograms.htm ONGOING: Saturdays, until Aug. 10: Start!

— Each week your child will have the opportunity to focus on new art projects — 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. For Rising third through sixth graders. Free admission, registration encouraged. Call 844-3486 for information.

City of Auburn Parks and Recreation

ONGOING through Aug. 17: Tamarind Touchstones, Fabulous at 50 – Celebrating Excellence in Fine Art Lithography — The exhibition celebrates 50 years of artistic excellence at Tamarind Institute. Exhibit at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Call 844-1484 for more information.

ONGOING: Beginning June 1: Full Circle, The Sculptures of Jean Woodham — Acclaimed artist and Auburn University alumna Jean Woodham’s work is being presented as part of the museum’s 10th anniversary — at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Call 844-1484 for information.

ONGOING: Aug. 31 to Jan. 4: Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse — Exhibit at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Call 844-1484 for more information.

JUNE 24 – 27: Stage Play Musical Theatre Camp — Spicer’s Music hosting a camp featuring selections from “Godspell.” For children ages eight to 18. Spicer’s Music on E. University in Auburn.

JUNE 29: The Amazing Honey Bee — Raleigh Jones and members of the Saugahatchee Beekeepers present a program about the bee, an insect beneficial to man. Enjoy a taste of honey, and childrens activities — 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Admission: $2 for members, $3 for non-members.

JUNE 30: Registration deadline for Auburn Public Library’s Summer Reading Program — Set a reading goal at registration, then choose a prize from the treasure chest for every five titles read. Sixth to 12th graders may register.

JULY 3: Annual Freedom Celebration— A

Find out what's going on this week!

auburnalabama.org/parks night of fun and excitement includes giant inflatable games, activities for the kids, musical entertainment, skydivers, food and the largest fireworks display in the area. Begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Southern Union track. Free

AUGUST 3: Sportsplex Tri for Kids — First annual Tri for kids and Small Fry Tri. Small Fry Tri, for kids ages two to five, and Tri, for ages six to 15. Children will run, bike, and finish through the splash park. Begins at 6 a.m. at the Opelika Sportsplex.

JULY 4: Annual Fourth of July Celebration — Celebrate Independence Day with the entire Auburn community. Begins at 6 p.m. at Duck Samford Football Stadium. Call 501-2930 for information.

AUGUST 1: A Little Lunch Music — With Mary Slaton — 12 to 1 p.m. at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free admission.

Call 844-3486 for information.

JULY 8-11 AND 22-25: Junior Golf Clinic at Auburn University Club — Clinics taught by Ricky Smallridge, former Auburn University All-American/PGA Tour pro and Tyler Andrews, current AU Club pro and director of golf operations. For boys and girls 6-14 years old — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 821-8381 for information.

JULY 13: Lee County Tomato Tasting Contest at Pioneer Park, Loachapoka.

Who has the best tasting tomatoes in Lee County? YOU be the judge! All participants and guests will have the opportunity to taste tomatoes and cast a vote.

Begins at 11:00 a.m.. Hosted by The Lee County Historical Society. For more info or to register your tomatoes for tasting visit www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 334-740-4555. Free.

JULY 19: Finding Nemo, Auburn City Pools hosts a series of Float-N-Movies and Friday Night Splash events for all ages this summer! bring your pool float to find your favorite viewing spot. Chairs are welcome on the pool deck if space allows. Gates open at 8:15. Admission $2.00 or free with 2013 Splash Pass. For more information call: 501-2930

AUGUST 3: Sportsplex Tri for Kids — First annual Tri for kids and Small Fry Tri. Small Fry Tri, for kids ages two to five, and Tri, for ages six to 15. Children will run, bike, and finish through the splash park.

Begins at 6 a.m. at the Opelika Sportsplex.

AUGUST 8: A Little Lunch Music — With Mary Slaton — 12 to 1 p.m. at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free admission.

Call 844-3486 for information.

AUGUST 15: A Little Lunch Music — With Mary Slaton — 12 to 1 p.m. at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free admission. Call 844-3486 for information.

Aug. 31 to Jan. 4: Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse — Exhibit at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Call 844-1484 for more information.

August 23: Jaws, Auburn City Pools hosts a series of Float-N-Movies and Friday Night Splash events for all ages this summer! bring your pool float to find your favorite viewing spot. Chairs are welcome on the pool deck if space allows. Gates open at 8:15. Admission $2.00 or free with 2013 Splash Pass. For more information call: 501-2930

LEE MAGAZINE 29

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