Mobile Bay August 2018
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES
THE FAMILY ISSUE
WHAT’S FOR
DINNER?
WONDER KIDS 10 TOP-NOTCH TEENS
MUST-LIST IDEAS FROM SAVVY MOMS
GO GREEN!
LITTLE WAYS TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT
OLIVIA SMITH
The swimmer to watch
DREAM BEDROOMS FOR TOTS TO TEENS
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CONTENTS | VOLUME XXXIV / ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2018 40
Wonder Kids
KENYA MCQUIRTER, A SENIOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYER AT MCGILL-TOOLEN, SPIKES A BALL OVER HER HOME NET. PHOTO BY MATTHEW COUGHLIN
Meet the students who shine in the spotlight as academics, athletes, artists and all-around all-stars.
52
Room for Every Age Update your children’s rooms with these paints and pieces found in local homes.
A fresh coat of paint and some fun new fixtures can turn your child’s room into a dynamic space all their own! Get inspired by a few fabulous local rooms for every age on page 52.
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CONTENTS | VOLUME XXXIV / ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2018
34 ON OUR COVER Olivia Smith, swimming phenom and senior at Daphne High School, suits up to dive into the pool. PHOTO BY MATTHEW COUGHLIN
28
9 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 REACTION 13 ODDS & ENDS 14 GARDENING Get tips from experts in the field on summer planting. 16 ENTERTAINING Set up a movie night in your own backyard. 18 DECOR Deck out your kids’ rooms with must-have accessories. 20
AWARENESS It’s easy to go green with small changes the whole family can embrace.
26 24 THE DISH 26 TASTINGS Feast your eyes on over-the- top ice cream at The Yard Milkshake Bar. 28 BAY TABLES Local moms share their top pantry staple recipes. 34 BAY LIFE Sightsee around Mobile with the captains of Gulf Coast Ducks.
38 SPOTLIGHT The four Swain sisters talk the “Girls Can” podcast.
76 ASK MCGEHEE Learn the story behind the clock on the corner of Royal and Dauphin.
60 SPOTLIGHT Joe Turner holds court at East Bay Automotive.
78 IN LIVING COLOR The unusual sight of a car accident captures attention in 1915.
66 ARCHIVES The story of Jean Laffite’s rocky business deal on Mobile Bay. 70 AUGUST CALENDAR
DUCK BOAT PHOTO BY ELISE POCHÉ ZUCCHINI PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU THE YARD PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
On average, people spend around 60 hours per year grocery shopping. Get the most out of your trip by making a list! On page 28, see what three local moms include on every grocery list.
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Mobile Bay VOLUME XXXIV
No8
AUG 2018
PUBLISHER T. J. Potts Stephen Potts Judy Culbreth EXECUTIVE EDITOR Maggie Lacey MANAGING EDITOR/WEB Abby Parrott EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Amanda Hartin EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Hallie King PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Virginia Mathers ART DIRECTOR Laurie Kilpatrick EDITORIAL INTERNS Allison Daniels Jane Newby Katherine Schulte Jessica Sullivan
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
ADVERTISING
SALES MANAGER
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Joseph A. Hyland Anna Pavao
ADMINISTRATION CIRCULATION Anita Miller ACCOUNTING Keith Crabtree
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mallory Boykin, Sonny Brewer, Emmett Burnett, Jill Clair Gentry, Tom McGehee, John Sledge CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Justin Cordova, Matthew Coughlin, Elizabeth Gelineau, Blair Merrills, Elise Poché, Chad Riley ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
3729 Cottage Hill Road, Suite H Mobile, AL 36609-6500 251-473-6269 Subscription rate is $21.95 per year. Subscription inquiries and all remittances should be sent to: Mobile Bay P.O. Box 923773 Norcross, GA 30010-3773 1-855-357-3137 MOVING? Please note: U.S. Postal Service will not forward magazines mailed through their bulk mail unit. Please send old label along with your new address four to six weeks prior to moving. Mobile Bay is published 12 times per year for the Gulf Coast area. All contents © 2018 by PMT Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Comments written in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or the management of Mobile Bay. This magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. All submissions will be edited for length, clarity and style. PUBLISHED BY PMT PUBLISHING INC . 8 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
EXTRAS | EDITOR’S NOTE
Just Kidding
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
S
ome of us mature sooner than others. I was probably playing ring around the rosy and chasing bumble bees while other kids were learning new sports, preparing for rigorous aptitude tests or building their resumes. Those kids who excel at an early age assuredly know how to have as much fun as the rest of us, they just also have qualities that some of us — ahem — might lack, like focus, drive and pure determination to reach their goals. Impressive qualities in an adult; jaw-dropping in someone so young. I might have been one of those teens who rarely took her backpack out of the car at night, let alone perfected her homework. But today I am studying the young people in this Family issue for inspiration, hoping to find a way to encourage my own children to follow in their remarkable footsteps. We’ve gathered some of the area’s best and brightest high school students who are knocking it out of the park, blowing us out of the water and leaving us in their dust. Their accomplishments are numerous and impressive, and there’s no telling what the future holds for them! We hope you enjoy getting to know their stories. We also meet four sisters who are pushing each other to new heights while inspiring girls across Mobile and Baldwin counties and far beyond. With the easy availability of podcasting technology, the Swain sisters are sharing local success stories with anyone around the globe who cares to listen, challenging young girls to reach for the stars. The success of a community starts with our youngest members, inspiring and improving the lives of those around them. As I write this, I have just tucked two little girls into bed who I know will have big dreams one day, and I feel proud that they have so many great examples of local kids and teens to follow toward greatness, even if greatness is just loving big and giving back. Who knows what the future may hold. Sleep tight, Mobile!
Maggie Lacey EXECUTIVE EDITOR
maggie@pmtpublishing.com
WHAT A QUACK BE SURE TO BUY A QUACKER BEFORE YOU RIDE THE DUCK BOATS IN DOWNTOWN MOBILE, PERFECT FOR HECKLING THE CORNY (DUCK-RELATED) JOKES OF YOUR TOUR GUIDE!
[LOVE THIS ISSUE]
PULL A FAST ONE FAIRHOPE SOFTBALL SUPERSTAR ALEA JOHNSON, A MERE NINTH-GRADER, HAS A PITCH THAT WILL BACK DOWN EVEN SENIORS. SHE HAS COMMITTED TO LSU, AND WE EXPECT BIG THINGS FROM HER AND THE FRESH CROP OF WONDER KIDS, FEATURED ON PAGE 40.
WALK ALL OVER YOU DASH AND ALBERT RUGS MAKE AN APPEARANCE MORE THAN ONCE IN THIS ISSUE! I’VE USED THE FUN STRIPED AND HERRINGBONE COTTON RUGS IN ALL MY KIDS’ ROOMS, AVAILABLE AT IVY COTTAGE IN MOBILE AND MALOUF FURNITURE IN FOLEY.
THE AFTERMATH WHO COULD POSSIBLY NEED THIS MUCH DESSERT IN THEIR LIVES, YOU ASK? APPARENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE! THE YARD MILKSHAKE BAR, NOW WITH A SECOND LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN FAIRHOPE, IS PACKED DAY AND NIGHT WITH SUGAR-SEEKERS.
Get the scoop on the five essential ingredients everyone should have in their family’s pantry from several moms who know their way around the kitchen. Bradley King, Rebecca Kidder and Kelly Weller share their tips on page 28!
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EXTRAS | REACTION
Tell us how you really feel ...
SPECIAL SEA-LIVERY
WANT FRIES, MR. PRESIDENT?
On June’s “In Living Color” of Hammel’s Airplane Delivery Service
On May’s “Congressional Record” about Rep. Jack Edwards’ ride with President Reagan
The precursor to Amazon’s drone deliveries. - @ginlaw
I have a similar story: Reagan passed through Tuscaloosa on a campaign stop and pulled into a McDonald’s along the route. A newspaper later reported that Reagan had never been in a McDonald’s and was perplexed as to how or what to order. He asked Sam Donaldson of ABC News what he was having, and Sam said he was having a burger, fries and a Coke. It was reported that the president had no money and had to borrow from Sam to pay for his lunch. - John C. Shaw
RIGHT ON ’CUE On June’s “Tastings” about TexarBama BBQ I can’t talk up these boys enough. This area needed real barbecue, and they delivered. - FairhopeMan
COVER APPEAL On June’s cover photo featuring Daniel Penry, third-generation farmer
IT’S BEAN TOO LONG
One of my favorite covers. - @wildflowers_ fairhope
Such an enchanting, fun place. Sunday afternoons were a blast. - Rocky Willis
The colors on this cover are amazing! - @lizterry
On June’s “Traditions” featuring the former watering hole Judge Roy Bean
I was there for one of Jimmy’s drop-ins. This place was a lot of fun. - Angie Hatcher Germy
Find additional local stories on mobilebaymag.com. Here’s what’s new on the website! 40 Under 40 We are now accepting nominations for the 2018 class of 40 Under 40! Go online to submit a nomination today. All entries are due by September 14, 2018.
Fall Festival Preview Online exclusive: Use our guide to fill your social calendar with the best food, music and art festivals taking place around the Bay area this fall.
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAMMEL’S, THE DOY LEALE MCCALL RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA, COLORIZATION BY DYNAMICHROME LIMITED
[MORE ONLINE]
Back-to-School Bites What’s for dinner, Mom? Answer that question with our compilation of simple, no-fuss dinner recipes the whole family will enjoy.
Join Our Email List Get the latest in fashion, food, art, homes, history and events delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for our email list at mobilebaymag.com. While you’re there, explore our redesigned website and let us know what you think!
Want to share your thoughts and reactions to this issue with us? Email maggie@pmtpublishing.com. 10 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
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EXTRAS | ODDS & ENDS
A Gust of Family Facts text by HALLIE KING AND K ATHERINE SCHULTE
LIFE HACK:
PAIN-FREE
SPLINTER REMOVAL To easily remove a splinter, turn
[ AUGUST 20 ]
to your desk for a piece of clear
World Mosquito Day
adhesive tape. Place the sticky side of the tape onto the splinter’s point, and peel it off in the direction that it entered.
#1 Easy and painless!
“Her stern lifted high in the air with the propeller still revolving, and the ship pitched out of sight like an arrow twanged from a bow.” A Union sailor aboard the monitor Manhattan during the Battle of Mobile Bay observed the sinking of the Tecumseh after it hit a live torpedo and sank to the bottom, where it still lies today. From These Rugged Days: Alabama in the Civil War by John S. Sledge. The Battle of Mobile Bay took place this month 154 years ago.
The state of Alabama is No. 1 in quality for state-run Pre-K. Studies show that students who were once enrolled in Pre-K programs score higher on standardized tests, are less likely to repeat a grade and are more likely to graduate.
DUKW The first duck boats (code name DUKW) proved their worth as military vehicles at the D-Day invasion, but were quickly put to use in the tourism industry as early as 1945 in Wisconsin. The vintage GMC trucks are enclosed in a water-sealed shell that can run on land or water.
Ride along with the captains of Gulf Coast Ducks on page 34.
On this day in 1897, a Nobel Prizewinning discovery made by British doctor Sir Ronald Ross proved that female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. Repel them with herbs you can pick from your own garden! Steep dried mint and citronella in a rubbing alcohol and water mixture for a natural DIY repellent.
August is NATIONAL
WATER QUALITY MONTH
The Alabama Coastal Foundation has an oyster shell recycling program that helps limit erosion, provides habitat for marine life and improves water quality. Participating restaurants return used oyster shells, which the foundation cures and returns to the coast. Since the beginning of the program, ACF has recycled
6.1 MILLION SHELLS, which adds up to the weight of
130 ELEPHANTS. Learn more ways that you and your family can reduce, reuse and recycle on page 20.
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HOME | GARDENING
A Second Summer A long growing season along the Gulf Coast means gardeners who know how to beat the August heat can plant two entire summer seasons’ worth of veggies. text by HALLIE KING • photo by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
W
ith an exceptionally long growing season in the Deep South — one that some even argue lasts 365 days — a second, late summer planting is possible if you know what you’re doing. Procrastinators around the Gulf Coast, rejoice! If you missed the early summer growing season, it is not too late to reap a small bounty from your garden soil. Start with small seedlings instead of seeds, and try using pots for maximum mobility to help hardy vegetables thrive in the sweltering lower Alabama climate. Take a hint from some local experts for what to plant now and how to best care for them to guarantee a second harvest in the heat of summer. MB
SO WHAT CAN WE PLANT NOW? Michelle Forland, a fourth-generation farmer from Loxley, suggests tomatoes, peppers, okra and eggplant for late summer gardens. Also try your hand at some tried-and-true Southern peas: pink eye peas, crowder peas, lady peas and zipper peas.
George Roussos of Panagia Farms in Spring Hill gives MB some innovative tips for successful late-season planting. 1. USE SHADE If you’re in an urban environment, use shade to your advantage. • Arrange potted plants on the side of your house to maximize shade • Store pots under a carport or awning to drop the temperature 2. MONITOR WATER Heavy summer rains bring too much water, causing mold and fungus. • Drape plastic over garden plants exposed to too much rain • Bring potted plants indoors or onto porches during storms
ZIPPER PEAS
LOCAL PINK EYE PURPLE HULL PEAS
CROWDER PEAS
Not a gardener? Find produce from Panagia Farms every Saturday in Cathedral Square, or shop Michelle’s locally grown produce at Loxley Farm Market, 5201 South Hickory Street in Loxley.
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HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT
3. PLAN THE TIMING Do your digging early in the morning and late in the evening. • Shade, hydration and breezes make the beginning and end of the day the best time to work — for you and for the plants 4. LOOK FORWARD Think ahead to the next season. • Germinate seedlings indoors now for plants to sow in the fall • Allow the air conditioner to prime seedlings for cooler fall temperatures
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HOME | ENTERTAINING
Backyard Movie Night For less than it costs to buy tickets and popcorn, you can treat family, friends or the whole neighborhood to your own picture show. Here are some tips to create a blockbuster summer event. text by HALLIE KING photo by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
LOCATION: The ideal outdoor theater is a dark area with access to a power outlet or extension cord. The area should be dark enough to fix any visual problems that may arise, such as glare. Nestle under some large trees, find a spot away from the city lights or even tuck behind a tall fence for the optimal viewing setup. SYSTEM SETUP: A projector, video player and sound system are essential to the quality of your movie. Because prices vary, your budget and frequency of use will determine if buying or renting is right for you. Blue Rents in Mobile offers AV equipment rentals for a couple hundred dollars, or resale sites sell individual projectors and speakers for cheap. SCREEN: Eastern Shore Inflatables in Daphne rents inflatable screens for a high-end night of fun, but a DIY may be just as effective. String rope between two tall trees, and clip the top edge of a drop cloth to the rope with heavy-duty clips. If a breeze is blowing, place heavy rocks or bricks at the base to ensure a taut surface, and you’ve rigged your own personal silver screen! SEATING: If you have plush grass, a few decorative rugs and throw pillows are just right for sitting directly on the ground. If your space is firm from concrete or gravel, elevated seating on lounge chairs or ottomans makes for a more comfortable setting. MB RESOURCES Five Gold Monkeys • 4350 Old Shell Road #B • 345-3380 The Ivy Cottage • 9 DuRhu Drive Suite 360 • 345-1731 Black Door Studio • 456 North McGregor Ave. • 304-3200
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KICK BACK Bamboo folding chairs provide quality comfort with a rusticelegant twist.
PLOP DOWN Plush ottomans take lounging to a whole new level— prop your feet or use as a seat.
REACH OVER Keep your popcorn, snacks and drinks at arm's length with elevated tables.
FIVE GOLD MONKEYS CAMPAIGN CHAIRS • $165
BLACK DOOR STUDIO STRIPED POUFS • $200
BLACK DOOR STUDIO FRENCH BASKETS • $195 - $250.
FRESH POPCORN MAKES 4 SERVINGS
Take your popcorn game up a notch with these three amazing flavors, quick to prepare with plenty of wow factor! 1/2 cup popcorn kernels 2 tablespoons vegetable oil large pot with lid
1. In a pot large enough for kernel expansion, heat oil over medium heat. Place three kernels in pot and cover. 2. When test kernels pop, remove pot from heat and discard popped kernels. Pour in the remaining kernels and cover. 3. Return pot to heat and allow popcorn kernels to cook, shaking occasionally. 4. Once kernels begin popping, tilt the lid and keep heat on until popping stops. 5. Create the flavors below by coating in liquid mixtures and tossing in seasonings.
Buffalo Ranch 4 cups popped popcorn 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon hot sauce, or to taste 1 tablespoon ranch dressing powder salt, to taste
Herbed Black Pepper 4 cups popped popcorn 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, chopped 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, chopped 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper salt, to taste
ROLL OUT Over a neutral mat, decorative rugs offer a pop of pattern. THE IVY COTTAGE ASSORTED DASH AND ALBERT RUGS • $86 - $142
MATCH UP Pair like items in the middle of your space to invite guests to the center seat.
SINK IN Oversized pillows maximize color and comfort no matter where you opt to sit.
FIVE GOLD MONKEYS JUTE WOVEN RUGS • $125
FIVE GOLD MONKEYS PILLOWS • $150
Cookies and Cream 4 cups popped popcorn 6 ounces white chocolate, melted 15 chocolate cookies, crushed
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GOOD STUFF | DECOR
No Growing Pains Here 1 Whether styling a room for the littlest tots or a trendy teen, you can add some fresh fun with unexpected pieces from local retailers. text by ALLISON DANIELS
CHILD’S PLAY Keep even the shortest attention span occupied with unique mobiles that have a touch of whimsy. COLLECTIVE • PETIT PEHR MOBILE • $70
WHITE HOT A modern touch for a modern teen. Lamps are a great way to channel some contemporary style into even the most traditional of rooms. SARAH B. ATCHISON’S WHITE STONE LAMP • $259
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GET THE PICTURE This abstract print adds a touch of sophistication for a growing girl. FIVE GOLD MONKEYS ABSTRACT PAINTING • $495 PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
CLAWS ARE OUT Order the lobster roll — a roll of wallpaper that is! Try adorning your boy’s or girl’s room with one of three fun color options. VELLUM & VELVET ABNORMALS ANONYMOUS LOBSTER WALLPAPER • $187 / YARD
CUSHION THE BLOW Got extra space in your kid’s room? A soft, squishy pouf can double as a foot prop or an extra seat.
IF YOU MESS WITH THE BULL Every time they walk into a room with steer horns over the bed, boys will be inspired by the Wild West.
SARAH B. ATCHISON’S NATURAL YARN POUF • $359
ANTIQUES AT THE LOOP • MOUNTED HORNS BY PAUL DOLAN • $47 PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
CATCH OF THE DAY The perfect art for the aspiring fisherman who hasn’t yet caught that fish worth mounting. Although wooden, these fish add some life to any boy’s room. ASHLAND GALLERY • FISH BY JIM LONG PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON SIZE, $80 - $150 PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
BASKET CASE Cute containers come in three sizes to store anything from extra diapers to big, fluffy blankets. COLLECTIVE • SILVER SEAGRASS BASKET BY CREATIVE CO-OP • $28 FOR MEDIUM
STRETCH YOUR IMAGINATION Little animals for little ones! Liven up your sleepy nursery with cute prints like these. ASHLAND GALLERY • NURSERY PAINTING BY SARAH HAAS OTTS • $218 FRAMED PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE This mod lamp is illuminating — and also provides a fun burst of color for any nightstand. ATCHISON HOME VISUAL COMFORT TURQUOISE LAMP • $630
UP THE CREEK To add a nautical touch and spice up any solid wall, put some oars in. ANTIQUES AT THE LOOP PAINTED OARS BY PAUL DOLAN • $35 - $45 PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
RESOURCES ANTIQUES AT THE LOOP 28 S FLORIDA ST. • 476-0309 • ANTIQUESATLOOP.COM ASHLAND GALLERY 2321 OLD SHELL ROAD • 479-3548 • FACEBOOK.COM/ASHLAND-GALLERY ATCHISON HOME 921 DAUPHIN ST.• 438-4800 • ATCHISONHOME.COM COLLECTIVE 4513 OLD SHELL ROAD • 656-6368 • SHOPCOLLECTIVEGIFTS.COM FIVE GOLD MONKEYS 4350 OLD SHELL ROAD #B • 345-3380 • FACEBOOK.COM/FIVEGOLDMONKEYS SARAH B. ATCHISON’S 2602 OLD SHELL ROAD • 473-4086 • SARAHBATCHISONS.COM VELLUM & VELVET 404 FAIRHOPE AVE., FAIRHOPE • 928-5508 • FACEBOOK.COM/VELLUMANDVELVET
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GUMBO | AWARENESS
It’s Hip to Go Green Sorry, Kermit — being green is easy after all with these small, yet impactful, actions the whole family can embrace. research by K ATHERINE SCHULTE
IT STARTS NOW SKIP THE STRAW!
A
ugust is a time for new beginnings. Par- old cloth rag have worked instead? ents shop with kids for fresh loose leaf Did you know that every single piece of plastic paper, a crisp new backpack and spar- that was ever made — EVER — is still in exiskling school shoes. The whole family tence today? Some are possibly being put to good prepares for new and improved habits to make the use right now, but others are tumbling around a most of the coming academic year. It’s a refreshing landfill somewhere, or floating past the Great Barrite of passage. Yet, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we as rier Reef, or breaking down into little bits that a community could put that sort of enthusiasm for will, unfortunately, never disappear. Once you new beginnings into going green? begin to take stock of it all, it’s overAbout 40 percent In both our local communities whelming. What can we possibly do and across the nation, municipalities of plastics are used to make a difference? once and then are starting programs and systems The answers are small and simthrown away. to help their citizens go green with ple, little things that each of us as inease, with recycling being among the first and most dividuals or as a family can tackle. Kids are the best obvious steps. But environmental experts say recy- ones to get the green going! Building excitement cling is where we should end our efforts, not begin. about making a difference is contagious, and every Before we get to recycling, the “reduce and reuse” resident of Mobile and Baldwin counties can participart of the equation should be considered. We toss pate. Keeping our waterways, marshes, forests and out dozens of plastic cups just to keep from washing neighborhoods clean and healthy for generations to a few glass ones. We purchase and waste more than come can and should be a top priority. It’s time to go we need of many household items. How many paper green, Mobile Bay, and make the surrounding states towels were used to clean up that mess? Would an green with envy at our successes. MB 20 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
Did you know Americans use enough straws each day to wrap around the Earth two-and-a-half times? Mobile Baykeeper says straws are the third most frequently found trash item in the ocean. Because they are lightweight and easily picked up by wind, straws often become litter and end up in waterways, where they can harm marine life. You can decline a straw when eating out or purchase a reusable alternative, such as an aluminum or glass one. Restaurants can follow the Grand Hotel’s lead and implement a strawupon-request policy, which the hotel is doing as part of Marriott’s serve360 policy to reduce its landfill waste.
SMALL CHANGES THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE 1. Order ice cream in a cone, not a cup, to reduce plastic waste. 2. Make your own treats for birthday goodie bags instead of buying plastic toys. 3. Pack lunch in reusable containers instead of disposable sandwich bags. 4. Switch to reusable water bottles and ditch the plastic ones. Try a thermos instead of a paper coffee cup. While you’re at it, let the kids each pick out a fun reusable straw. 5. Substitute reusable grocery bags for plastic ones. 6. Buy local. Check out farmers markets or Victory Teaching Farm in Midtown. 7. Designate a recycling bin at home, and get the kids involved in the effort. 8. Buy in bulk to reduce the packaging your household throws away. 9. Replace plastic in the bathroom by buying bar soap or shampoo.
Mobile city recycling picked up
5,298 pounds of recycling and
7,602 pounds of litter during and after Mardi Gras parades this year. Krispy Kreme will trade 12 pounds of leftover beads for a dozen doughnuts to benefit Augusta Evans School.
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BIG EFFORTS JOIN A CLEANUP! Keep Mobile Beautiful and Goodwill Easterseals are hosting a cleanup day for the Mobile County Recycling Center on Aug. 18. Additionally, Coastal Cleanup is on Sept. 15.
“When recycling is more convenient and less confusing, more people recycle, and people who recycle are less tolerant of litter. This is the next step in making Mobile a cleaner, greener community that cares deeply for its natural resources and watersheds.” - Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson about single-stream recycling
JOIN THE GREEN COAST COUNCIL A forum for local business leaders who practice and promote environmental sustainability principles, these meetings and conferences are put on by the Alabama Coastal Foundation in the hopes of providing positive environmental leadership across the area. JOINACF.ORG/GREEN-COAST-COUNCIL
STOP-BY GREEN DRINKS An informal gathering of environmentally minded folks is held at Fairhope Brewing the second Tuesday of the month and at Alchemy Tavern in Mobile the third Wednesday of the month. Attendees network and discuss local and global environmental issues, all while enjoying a good cocktail or beer. GREENDRINKS.ORG
BUY AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE Mobile now has numerous charging stations to make cleaner driving easier than ever. Visit pluginamerica.org to find nearby stations.
MAYOR SANDY STIMPSON. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MOBILE
USE SOLAR POWER Consider installing solar panels if you have a spot that is in full sunlight from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to Alabama Power, a solar water heating system (panels, storage system and pumps) provides the biggest return on investment. Water heating is normally about 14 to 25 percent of the average household’s utility costs. For a family of four, a solar energy system costs about $6,000 to $8,000. Call Alabama Power’s Energy Line at 1-800990-2726 to learn more.
DID YOU KNOW? Balloons harm marine life. The ribbons can entangle animals, and some mistake deflated balloons for food and eat them, causing starvation when the balloons block their intestines. Instead of releasing balloons, consider planting a native tree or flower in remembrance, blowing bubbles, passing out ribbon dancers, kites or garden spinners or releasing floating (native) flowers.
In May, a plastic bag was found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point in the ocean.
WHAT IS SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING? Also known as single-sort recycling, this easy-touse system allows residents to put all their recyclables into one bin at designated drop-off locations. The city of Mobile launched single-stream recycling in 2017, ending the need for residents to separate plastics, cardboard, aluminum and glass in different bins. Items are sorted at the recycling facility. The pros: - It’s easier for residents, and therefore more people participate. - It ensures that items are properly sorted. - It expands the kinds of paper and plastics that can easily be recycled.
RECYCLING NEAR YOU • Mobilians can download the Recycle Coach app for up-to-date information on drop-off locations. Don’t want the hassle? Earth Resources provides private curbside pickup for just $18 a month. • Daphne offers both weekly curbside recycling and drop-off at the Public Works office. • Spanish Fort offers drop off at the Prodisee Pantry offices. • Fairhope residents enjoy weekly curbside pickup.
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FOOD | THE DISH
Bite of the Bay MB’s contributing food fanatics share the local dishes that made them hungry for more.
SNAPPER THROATS FROM SUNSET POINTE. PHOTO BY BLAIR MERRILLS
LUCY ROUSE WRIGHT, Volunteer, Christ Church Cathedral
SNAPPER THROATS AT SUNSET POINTE “I love fresh snapper, especially this time of year, but you know what’s even better? Snapper throats from Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina in Fairhope. These are a delicacy that, sadly, many people toss while snapper fishing. Don’t do it! The meat is so tender and delicious. Sunset Pointe serves theirs up nicely, grilled or fried with a delicate garlic butter sauce and special seasonings. Sunset Pointe has it all — interesting and tasty food, great staff, fresh craft cocktails, fabulous sunsets and, of course, snapper throats! Thank you, Panini Pete, for bringing us another great outdoor venue for our dining pleasure!” SUNSET POINTE • 831 N SECTION ST., FAIRHOPE 990-7766 • SUNSETPOINTEFAIRHOPE.COM
JAY WATKINS, Managing Shareholder, Mobile Office of Maynard Cooper & Gale
NOAH THOMPSON, Musician, Roman Street
MICHON TRENT, Senior Director, Civic Engagement, The City of Mobile
TOMATO SALAD AT CAMELLIA CAFE “The Florida Tomato Salad at Camellia Cafe is always wonderful but this time of year is unbelievably fresh. Vine-ripened tomato is layered with peas, okra and corn in a tangy, light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Depending on what is available, you may get lady peas, pink eyes, white butter beans or a combination of them all. The stack is topped with a couple of crisp strips of bacon and herb aioli for the perfect bite.”
DINNER AND DRINKS AT NOJA “Sticking to our birthday tradition, my husband and I headed to NoJa for one of their many specialty cocktails, the Rickshaw. For dinner, we had the Hook and Line halibut, which was panko-crusted and pan-fried to perfection. Crispy and flavorful, the fish is served with seasoned vegetables and fingerling potatoes coated in a miso-ginger sauce. The entire dish is addictive and makes for a delicious birthday celebration.”
CLUB SANDWICH AT CHERYL’S CAFE “Cheryl’s Cafe is my go-to lunch place in Spanish Fort. The Aimin’s Club, with ham, turkey, bacon and cheese topped with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on sourdough, is big enough that oftentimes I get two meals out of it. It seriously might be the best club sandwich I’ve ever had anywhere. And, if I’m lucky, Cheryl has made some of her chocolate cake that day.”
CAMELLIA CAFE • 61 N SECTION ST.,
NOJA • 6 N JACKSON ST. • 433-0377
BLVD., SPANISH FORT• 626-2602
FAIRHOPE • 928-4321 • CAMELLIACAFE.COM
NOJAMOBILE.COM
CHERYLSCAFESPANISHFORT.COM
CHERYL’S CAFE • 6580-D SPANISH FORT
What dishes made you drool and left you hungry for more? Share them on our Facebook page! 24 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
FOOD | TASTINGS
The Yard Milkshake Bar text by MAGGIE LACEY • photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
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here are many who will recognize the lyrics from the popular 2003 song “Milkshake” by female R&B singer Kelis: “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they’re like, it’s better than yours. Damn right, it’s better than yours. I could teach you, but I’d have to charge.” Skip forward a decade or so to when husband and wife team Logan and Chelsea Green were ready to brand an ice cream store. They couldn’t believe that no one had borrowed from the Grammy-nominated song that still gets a lot of play. “It was so obvious, and so fun, we were thrilled to find we were the first to put it to use,” says Chelsea. Although the allusions to Kelis’ “Milkshake” are on the salty side, the goods being offered at The Yard Milkshake Bar in Fairhope — and the original Gulf Shores location — are simply sweet. While studying marketing at the University of South Alabama, Chelsea was already running a successful ice cream shop at the beach with her mom. Ever the entrepreneur, Chelsea wanted to expand the business and began experimenting with new concepts. One day she tested an over-the-top milkshake at her shop, and the rest is history.
The menu at The Yard does offer standard cups and cones of favorite Hershey’s ice cream flavors. However, the draw is the milkshakes, which have become a hit on social media. Each one is a towering work of art, with sprinkles, cupcakes, chocolate or cheesecake teetering atop the rim of a mason jar full of blended dairy goodness. Unsure whether to use a straw or a spoon (or just dive in face-first), customers snack and sip their way through a pint or more of the good stuff. If and when they finish all this deliciousness, they take their souvenir jar to an oversized galvanized water trough for rinsing before bagging the jar for home. Only the boldest few will order the Shake Boss, a whopping 64 ounces of sugary bliss. Extra-long straws — and a few friends to help out — make devouring an entire half-gallon of dessert possible. Each staffer takes turns creating wonderfully wild weekly specials, and there is an endless list of toppings and mix-ins so customers can build their own shakes, sundaes and cones. But the tried and true specialty milkshake menu is hard to beat in the late summer heat. As the weather cools this fall, the outdoor courtyard will bring all the boys (and girls) to The Yard for sure. MB
The Yard • 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily • 108 N Section St., Fairhope www.theyardmilkshakebar.com • average dessert price $6, milkshakes $13 26 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
FOOD | TASTINGS
[ ON THE MENU ]
THE MERMAID Birthday cake ice cream is blended and served in a marshmallow cream-dipped jar and topped with whipped cream, more marshmallow and an iridescent blue chocolate mermaid tail. A crystal swizzle stick serves as a stirrer. Every little girl’s dream!
COOKIE DOUGH A cookie dough ice cream milkshake comes in a chocolate dipped jar with a giant ball of (safe-to-eat) cookie dough perched on the rim, a generous dollop of whipped cream and a scattering of mini chocolate chips, to boot.
BIRTHDAY CAKE Birthday batter ice cream is blended and served in a frosting-dipped jar, topped with whipped cream and gobs of sprinkles. Oh yeah, and a frosted cupcake thrown in for good measure.
UNICORN ICE CREAM CONE Magical Unicorn ice cream, or so they call it, pours out of the top of a frosted cone that is topped with a giant cloud of whipped cream, a wisp of blue cotton candy and a strip of sour rainbow candy tape.
UNICORN ICE CREAM CONE
FOOD | BAY TABLES
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FOOD | BAY TABLES
My Must Five Three local moms list their top five ingredient picks to throw in the grocery cart each and every visit, keeping a busy household happy and well-fed with minimal fuss. text by MAGGIE LACEY • photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
Bradley King
A MODERN TAKE ON TRADITIONAL COOKING
Bradley King’s mom, Lynn Clapper, was a great inspiration, setting a well-balanced meal on the table most every night of the week. Bradley inherited this gift, cooking tried-andtrue recipes from classic Southern Junior League cookbooks. But eight years ago, Bradley’s approach to cooking changed when a new book and a subscription farm box challenged her definition of eating well. She got her hands on New Orleans chef John Besh’s cookbook, “My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking,” which championed made-fromscratch meals. At the same time, she began receiving weekly boxes of local produce straight from area farms through the Windmill Market in Fairhope. It challenged her to eat seasonally and skip the processed ingredients that might have been lingering in her cooking. “I still love the traditional recipes I grew up with. I just modernize them a bit and lighten them up. Keep it fresh.” She also adds, “I’m nuts about sugar,” claiming the entire family has a major sweet tooth that she struggles to avoid. Keeping mostly made-from-scratch foods in the forefront helps keep menus wholesome, with an occasional sweet treat like these oatmeal scotchies thrown in for good measure.
OLD-FASHIONED OATS
CHICKEN BREAST
It has a bunch of uses besides the typical porridge: granola, snacks, cookies, even quick oat flour for baking recipes!
I cook a couple of chicken breasts in my slow cooker at least once a week for chicken tacos, chicken salad or pasta dishes. It saves time when our family has a busy night of sports.
BANANAS For an on-the-go breakfast, smoothies, banana muffins and kid-friendly snacks, we never seem to have enough!
LOCAL HONEY A natural sweetener on oatmeal, cornbread and biscuits. Also add to smoothies or drizzle on peanut butter sandwiches.
SPRING MIX LETTUCE This is my last effort of the day to get something healthy into my kids, even if it is covered in ranch dressing!
OATMEAL SCOTCHIES MAKES 2 DOZEN
This quick, family-favorite sweet treat was passed down from my mother and adapted from a Nestlé Toll House recipe. It’s the perfect dessert on the go! 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups old-fashioned oats 5.5 ounces good quality butterscotchflavored morsels 5.5 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate morsels
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. 3. Grease a baking dish or jelly roll pan. Spread dough into prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into squares, like brownies. august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 29
FOOD | BAY TABLES
Kelly Weller
FUELING THE FAMILY WITH HEALTHY MEAL PLANNING
Although Kelly grew up in a home full of good cooks — or maybe because of that fact — she rarely stepped foot in the kitchen until she moved out on her own. “Everyone was shocked when I came home from college and made dinner!” But her cooking evolved through the years, especially as she married and had children. Each milestone taught her something new. But, she says, nothing influenced her quite like the meal plans provided by Naturally Strong with Nonie (naturallystrongnonie.com). “Going gluten-free and dairy-free seemed so
daunting! But her recipes and substitutions are delicious and healthy, and have completely transformed how we eat.” Kelly lets her three daughters help pick several of Nonie’s options that sound good to the whole family, helping get the kids’ buy-in. Then Kelly doubles up on some recipes to get through a busy week of school and activities. Meal planning sets her up for a successful week of healthful eating with less stress in the kitchen. When the family doesn’t quite hit her mark, Kelly lets it go. “Everything in moderation,” she adds.
LEMONS These are at the top of the list! Freshsqueezed lemons are great on seafood, veggies and the best for whisking up a quick salad dressing. Our kids had a blast this summer pressing lemons to make homemade lemonade for our neighborhood lemonade stand.
CILANTRO & LIMES These two go together beautifully for so many of our favorite dressings and marinades. I love to make cilantro lime chicken bowls with cauliflower rice, black beans and cherry tomatoes.
GROUND TURKEY This is my go-to protein for quick weeknight meals like oven-baked meatballs with zucchini noodles, veggies and tomato sauce and everyone’s favorite, turkey burgers.
AVOCADO Our 10-year-old loves making fresh guacamole, and avocados are a great dairy-free alternative to replace cheese on fish tacos, black bean soup, burgers and salads. For a quick lunch we’ll slice avocado and a hard-boiled egg with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of kosher salt and pepper.
ALMOND BUTTER The kids love grinding their own almond butter at Fresh Market. It makes a great after-school snack, like mixed into energy bites with oats, honey and chocolate chips or spread on halved bananas with a sprinkle of oats and chocolate chips.
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SPINACH CILANTRO TURKEY BURGERS MAKES 5 BURGERS
This recipe was on Naturally Strong with Nonie’s very first meal plan, and it stays in regular rotation at our house. It’s so good and even husband-approved! I serve it with homemade lemon dill dressing by my friend Kathryn Wartkins. 1 pound organic ground turkey (dark meat) 1/2 small onion, finely chopped 2 handfuls organic baby spinach, washed and chopped 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (I use a pizza cutter to quickly chop herbs.) 1 tablespoon olive oil spray your favorite lettuce (I use butter lettuce, but spring mix is good, too.) Optional toppings: avocado, caramelized onions, homemade pickles, cherry tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños
1. In a large bowl, combine first six ingredients, and mix well. 2. Form mixture into five equal patties, or make a few larger ones along with a few kid-friendly sliders. 3. Heat olive oil spray in a skillet on medium heat. 4. Cook patties until nice and brown, flipping a couple of times. 5. Instead of a bun, serve over a bed of lettuce topped with caramelized onions, avocado slices and toppings of your choice.
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FOOD | BAY TABLES
Rebecca Kidder
FRENCH INSPIRATION WITH EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED
Rebecca claims she has not always been much of a cook. “When I first got married, recipes that should take 20 minutes took me two hours. I was literally looking up the word chop!” But fond childhood memories of watching her dad cook stayed with her, and she wanted that for her kids. When husband Jake’s internship took the young family of four (at the time) to Lyon, France, for a year, Rebecca says it revolutionized the way they ate. Daily trips to the market, seasonal produce, fresh breads and aged cheeses all became a habit they didn’t want to break when they made the move to Mobile nine years ago. Now with six kids in the house — count them, six! — Rebecca says eating well is more important than ever. “If you introduce healthy flavors to kids early, get them in on the prep and help them understand the process, it can create healthy eating habits for life!”
RED BELL PEPPERS My son really will eat a bell pepper like an apple, but I prefer stuffed and baked with panko, tomatoes and Italian sausage. Jake loves to marinate them in Italian dressing and grill them. We also roast them for an easy spread that we bake on top of chicken with feta or goat cheese and spinach. To upgrade, use the feta dip from Food Pak. Amazing!
ZUCCHINI We shred to hide in chocolate chip mini muffins; roast it with Parmesan, fresh minced thyme and lemon slices; make zoodles for a side or base for spaghetti; or bake “boats” with tomatoes, bread crumbs, Parmesan and parsley.
WHOLE CHICKEN We roast a whole chicken and shred the meat for tacos or a pot pie, cut it for a charcuterie board or put it in the stock pot for chicken noodle soup. There are so many ways to roast a chicken, but always bring it to room temp before cooking! Keep the bones for stock; I keep a gallon bag in the freezer with bones and veggie scraps, then simmer for an hour for easy stock. We buy direct from local chicken farmers like Sweet Grass Pastures out of Lucedale or Nature Nine Farms in Foley.
CHEESE We do charcuterie once a week. The kids can choose which cheese, meat, nuts, crackers and fruits they’d like for supper, and everyone has fun, à la française!
BANANAS They serve as a quick breakfast, perfect presports snack, and when they are beginning to brown, they either get peeled and popped in the freezer for smoothies or crafted into some eat-the-whole-pan-in-one-sitting chocolate chip banana bread, courtesy of our in-house bakers, Lilly and Anna.
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PROVENCAL SOUP SERVES 8
Rebecca recommends using a good white wine for the soup — then you can drink the rest with dinner! 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 medium carrots, 1/2-inch diced 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 medium zucchini, 1/2-inch diced 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced 1 medium yellow onion, peeled, 1/2inch diced salt and pepper 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence, or 1 teaspoon each dried sage, rosemary and thyme 1 cup dry white wine 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned potatoes, 1/2-inch diced 1 quart plus 1 cup chicken stock 1 pound diced chicken breast crusty French bread for serving
1. Heat olive oil in a medium soup pot over medium high heat. Add carrots, then garlic, and stir to coat in oil. Add the zucchini, pepper and onion. Season with salt and pepper and herbes de Provence. Cook an additional 5 minutes. 2. Add wine and reduce a minute or so. Add the tomatoes, potatoes and stock to the pot. Cover and raise heat to high. Bring the soup to a boil, then add chicken and simmer 8 - 10 minutes until potatoes are just tender and chicken is cooked through. 3. Serve with hot crusty bread for sopping. august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 33
PEOPLE | BAY LIFE
Driving the Ducks Captaining a World War II Army surplus amphibious vehicle is not your average day job. Ride along with Gulf Coast Ducks and the brave souls who pilot the double splashdown. text by EMMETT BURNETT • photos by ELISE POCHÉ
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hey are the few, the proud, the duck boat captains. They drive on land and plunge into the Mobile River deliberately, men and women with their ducks in a row. Since June 2016, the splashdowns of Mobile-based Gulf Coast Ducks have numbered in the thousands. The three-boat fleet of amphibious crafts runs weekly, daily, hourly, sending up to 105 passengers into and out of the River and Bay every 60 minutes — safely and happily. “There is nothing like driving a bus into the river,” says Scott Tindle, who, with brothers Matt Zarzour and Grant Zarzour, owns the company. “The splash is always 34 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
exciting, no matter how many times you do it. Everybody loves it.” The tour starts on land, but it’s the splashdown that gets visitors revved up. And there is a lot more happening behind the scenes than passengers realize before, and even up to, the minute of immersion. Before every river entry, the captain radios the Alabama State Port Authority. “We refer to it as ‘calling the river’,” says Fairhope native and duck boat captain Jessica Yeager, who comes from a family of Port City captains. “This is Duck Boat Two, entering the Mobile River, north of the Convention Center,” she says. Her bubbly disposition does not overshadow the seriousness of the
work required to do this fun-loving job. “Any and all traffic, please be advised.” Other vessels respond, “Affirmative,” and list activities in progress and locations. Weather conditions are checked. If everything is a go — splash! Ten minutes ago, the craft was an ambling land vessel on Government Street. Now, it is a passenger craft in Mobile Bay. “As we enter the water, I engage a prop that starts the propeller turning,” Yeager says. “When we exit the water I disengage the prop to stop the propeller.” And the road wheels? “They never stop turning, even underwater,” she adds. “And they don’t retract.” Meanwhile, a tour guide like Kat Thomasson conducts the adventure, explaining facts, statistics and trivia about the Port City that even seasoned natives may not know. Peppered among the facts are jokes and sing-along ops, such as a rollicking chorus of “Sweet Caroline,” complete with accompanying duck whistles (quackers are a bargain $3 souvenir). But like the other tour guides, Kat is more than humorous and informative. Tour guides are trained on basic duck boat maneuvers. In the event something happened to the captain, Kat would take control. She would pilot the boat back to land. Currently, Gulf Coast Ducks is staffed with four full-time captains and two part-timers. The trainer is captain Dave Kline, a 13-year veteran of such water-earth vehicles. “A captain must know his boat thoroughly,” he says. “But it’s more than ABOVE Captain Dave Kline guides duck boat passengers in and around the Mobile River. RIGHT Captain Jessica Yeager shows off the interior details of the World War II vehicles.
“Even longtime residents don’t always realize what a really neat area we live in,” Yeager says. “To be able to share that, to see the joy and happiness of people as they see Mobile from a different perspective, is an awesome experience.” – Duck boat captain Jessica Yeager
knowing your boat. You must know your boat’s status as of right now.” Captains have a Class B CDL license and a Captain's license for 25 ton or bigger vessels. In addition, there is annual first aid and CPR training and instruction specific to Mobile’s duck boats. Each vessel is inspected twice daily — once before the first morning departure and once after the day’s final voyage. Captains crawl under the craft, looking for potential problems, damage and concerns. They work closely with the company’s full-time mechanic. “They are old girls,” adds Yeager, about the World War II surplus duck boats. “Our august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 35
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three are 73 years old. We stay on top of inspections and maintenance. If something doesn’t look, sound or feel right, it does not go in the water.” And they train for the unexpected — boat or passenger on land or water. “The key to emergencies, especially medical emergencies, is to know every minute your exact pinpoint location in the Bay, River or downtown Mobile,” she says. “Always know where you are, the fastest way to get out of the water and how to report and instruct emergency vehicles where to meet us.” Shoreside runs have challenges, too. Land tours include the Oakleigh District, Dauphin Street, Bienville Square, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and other areas where traffic is occasionally heavy. Try navigating it in a 31-foot, 26,000-pound land-water rover with 35 passengers — 20 of them blowing duck whistles. “We train for that,” smiles Captain Dave. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it for the crews and passengers of Gulf Coast Ducks. “Even longtime residents don’t always realize what a really neat area we live in,” Yeager says. “To be able to share that, to see the joy and happiness of people as they see Mobile from a different perspective, is an awesome experience.” MB
TOP TO BOTTOM A Gulf Coast Ducks boat propels through the Mobile River with a full group of passengers onboard. Upon returning to land, the craft ambles up and down the streets of Mobile as tour guides tell the stories of the city.
Gulf Coast Ducks • 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. daily Departs and returns from the Fort of Colonial Mobile, 150 S Royal St. • Run time 70 minutes $29 for adults; $26 for seniors, military and educators; $16 for children; $3 for infants Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket office in the Fort of Colonial Mobile within one hour of the tour's start time • 802-8687 • gulfcoastducks.com
august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 37
PEOPLE | SPOTLIGHT
Sisters Who Podcast Four local sisters — all under the age of 18 — inspire young women through “Girls Can” series. text by HALLIE KING • photo by CHAD RILEY
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eenage girls preparing for college and the start of their adult lives are as accomplished and opportunistic as they come. Sometimes, though, day-to-day skills essential to a successful future aren’t learned in the classroom. The Swain sisters wanted to change that. What began as a series of in-person workshops teaching these life and leadership skills to local school-aged girls has since matured into the “Girls Can” podcast. Following the original material from the lectures created and presented by the Swain sisters — 18-year-old Elizabeth, 16-year-old Brooke, 14-year-old Abigail and 12-year-old Grace — the podcast features accomplished women that encourage and inspire girls of all ages. Past guests on the podcast include 38 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
Mobilians Devon Walsh, Jabaria Dent and Wellborn, among others. “I think our overarching goal is to be able to give girls confidence to achieve whatever they want by giving them resources of women that can be an example to them,” says Elizabeth. “It’s making Mobilians who are role models more transparent to other people and lets girls know that if you have a goal, you can reach it because there’s someone on our podcast who has done it.” A podcast, a digital audible file that can be downloaded and accessed from a computer or mobile device, allows listeners worldwide to tune in for minutes to hours at a time in the car, at home or in the office, keeping up with their favorite stories and speakers. For the Swain sisters, it is a media platform that has
ABOVE From left, Brooke, Grace, Elizabeth and Abigail Swain at Deep Fried Studios in Mobile.
the potential to reach more girls than their original workshop format. “If we were completely rigid and had just focused on doing workshops, I think it would have failed,” says Brooke. “By expanding into a new unknown, I think we have to be open to new ideas.” The speakers featured on “Girls Can” work in fields that synch with young girls’ interests and aspirations. Medical, media and community professionals have graced the first half of the show’s season. In upcoming episodes, the Swains hope to spotlight women in politics, business, education and the arts industry. Younger women not yet in the
workforce are also in the queue following a recent interview with the 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of America, Skye Bork. “Every girl in our community can bring something to the table,” says Elizabeth. Conversations and topics of discussion vary by guest, but the format of each “Girls Can” episode is generally consistent. The sisters prepare numerous questions based on their guest’s background and career, and include a few alternatives should the conversation take unexpected turns. One question that listeners will find in each interview is the guest’s favorite book. The Swains are passionate about reading and always learn something new about their guests based on their favorite book. “People can always surprise you,” Elizabeth says, as little details like a favorite book open up a new personality dimension within most women that they interview. Brooke agrees. “It’s interesting to hear someone’s perspective that might not be the same as your own.” The hosts proudly offer their books of choice, too. Elizabeth’s favorite is “Anne of Green Gables,” Abigail enjoys “The Lords of Discipline,” Grace and Brooke are “Harry Potter” fans and Brooke loves “I Am Malala.” “Girls Can” is sponsored in part by a grant from HERlead, a fellowship program between Vital Voices, Ann Taylor, LOFT and Lou & Grey that teaches and empowers young women through forums, grants and mentorship programs. It is locally produced and recorded by Johnny Gwin and Stacy Wellborn at Deep Fried Studios. Diverse guests such as Malala Yousafzai, the author and subject of Brooke’s favorite book, are future contenders for the show. The wish list also includes Condoleezza Rice and a HERLead mentor who aids human trafficking victims in Mumbai, India. “I think the whole premise of “Girls Can” is in its name,” says Brooke. “Girls can be educated, girls can be professionals, girls can be successful. Girls can do anything they put their minds to.” MB You can find the “Girls Can” podcast at girlscan.libsyn.com
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WONDER
KIDS
Meet 10 inspiring high school students who are masters of their craft. Whether dominating the field, commanding the stage, excelling academically or empowering the community, these are the kids to watch. text by JILL CLAIR GENTRY • photos by MATTHEW COUGHLIN
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ALEA JOHNSON 9th grade Fairhope High School
Softball Superstar
F WHY SHE ROCKS Alea, a pitcher for Fairhope High School’s varsity softball team, is one of the top fast-pitch softball players in the nation. Alea, who played varsity high school softball as an eighthgrader, helped the Pirates claim the 7A state championship last year and was named MVP of that game. She was the youngest player on the 2018 Coastal Alabama All-Region Softball Team. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES This summer, Alea traveled to Huntington Beach, California, to participate in the USA Elite Select 30 All-American National Camp. “All the top players in the nation were there,” she says. “I was excited to play with them.” F FUTURE PLANS The freshman is already verbally committed to play for LSU. Only the top 1 to 3 percent of athletes her age are committed to a college team. F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Alea’s dad is her chief cheerleader. “He’s always been there for me through everything, travels with me everywhere I go and encourages me when I’m down,” she says.
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ALEXANDER VICK 12th grade St. Michael Catholic High School Unbreakable Student Athlete F WHY HE ROCKS Alexander started at the new St. Michael Catholic High School as a freshman in August 2016. This year, he’ll start his senior year as a 16-year-old — he skipped 10th grade after scoring a 35 on the ACT as a freshman. Alexander took the test again last year and earned a 36 (a perfect score). And what’s even more remarkable? All he’s overcome in the midst of such high achievement. Alexander’s mother passed away in the summer of 2016, and he went to live with his close friends and neighbors, Tom and Dawn McKinney. “I’ve got two new parents I love, a new extended family and two new sisters,” he says. F FUTURE PLANS Alexander plans to major in aerospace engineering and minor in either materials engineering or ancient history. He’s interested in joining the Air Force after studying at MIT or Auburn. F PROUDEST MOMENT Despite all of his academic achievement, Alexander says his proudest moment was the opening play of the first football game. “Getting to represent your school like that is a big honor,” he says. Alexander is starting left tackle for the Cardinals. F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Alexander says without question, his adoptive father, Tim McKinney, has been the biggest influence in his life. “He makes you laugh, and you want to listen to everything he says.”
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DAISY FERRELL 10th grade Mattie T. Blount High School Role Model and Historian F WHY SHE ROCKS In a time when many high schoolers are focused only on the present, Daisy Ferrell spends her time dreaming about the past and the future. She gives presentations about local history as an Oakleigh Belle and competes in the National History Day contest each year. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Daisy faced a hard decision when planning her summer: participate in cheerleading or self-study for AP exams? “I’m really interested in elite, Ivy League schools, and I don’t think I’ll be competitive enough with just three AP classes, so I am studying for a few AP exams on my own,” she says. F FUTURE PLANS Daisy has dreams of attending an Ivy League college and traveling the world. She wants to learn about the history of cultures across the globe and educate others about them. She thinks being an educator on the collegiate level would allow her to do that. “I want to help people in our country overcome xenophobia and understand people around the world are just like us,” she says. F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Daisy is inspired by her family of educators, including her mother and her aunt, Brittany Simmons. Brittany attended Columbia University but returned to south Alabama to teach high school. Daisy says her mom is her biggest fan, and Brittany always pushes her to achieve more. august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 43
KENYA MCQUIRTER 12th grade McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Volleyball Dominator
F WHY SHE ROCKS Kenya’s achievements on the volleyball court are remarkable. She’s been named 7A Gatorade Player of the Year, Coastal Player of the Year and 7A MVP of the 2017 AHSAA state volleyball tournament, which her team won. “I feel so confident when I play volleyball,” she says, “and I just love showing people what I can do.” F PROUDEST MOMENT Kenya was beyond proud of her team, known as The Dirty Dozen, when they won the 2017 state championship. “We fell short in 2016 when we lost to Mountain Brook. It was devastating,” she says. “So this year, we really had a fire to win. Our team bonding was incredible, and we played for each other and pulled it off.” F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Volleyball talent runs in the family. Kenya’s mom, also a star volleyball player, was the first female athlete at her high school to earn an athletic scholarship. “I want to make history like she did,” Kenya says. F FUTURE PLANS Kenya is committed to play volleyball at Samford University in Homewood, Alabama. She loves children and is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric occupational therapy.
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CHARLES CAREY 10th grade Bayside Academy
Theatrical Phenom
F WHY HE ROCKS For Charles, all the world’s a stage. This rising 10th-grader already has a plethora of impressive performance experience, including acting in more than a dozen local theater productions, recording voice-overs for regional radio advertisements and competing in the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, the largest children’s theater competition in the country. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Every summer, Charles travels to New York City to work for iTheatrics, a theater company that adapts Disney’s Broadway shows into shows for youth and young adults. “They film our productions and theater programs and use them as reference material,” Charles says. “It’s such great acting experience.” After leaving New York, Charles traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the Ambassador Leadership Summit. F FAVORITE ROLE Charles recently landed the role of the character Crutchie in Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre’s production of “Newsies.” “I’ve always played comic relief characters,” he says. “But this role let me explore more of a serious side and play a character that tugs people’s heartstrings.” F FUTURE PLANS “I love all things Disney,” Charles says. “So working for Disney in any capacity would be a dream job.”
BRIGHAM CASON 12th grade McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Musical Virtuoso
F WHY HE ROCKS Brigham is well on his way to rocking a career in music. He’s been a percussionist since fifth grade and taught himself to play guitar at age 12. In addition to being a passionate member of the McGill-Toolen Catholic High School symphonic and marching bands, he recorded and released an original self-titled album in Muscle Shoals at Fame Studio and Big Star Recording. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Brigham spent his summer playing music gigs, promoting his album and preparing for college percussion auditions. F FUTURE PLANS His top choice for studying music is Belmont University in Nashville. “I’d also like to keep playing percussion instruments, particularly marimba,” he says. F PROUDEST MOMENT Performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City his freshman year with the McGill-Toolen band was the culmination of years of rehearsals and friendship with fellow band members. “We started together in the prep band at St. Patrick’s,” he says. “It was surreal to end up playing together in such a historic place.”
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PERRY COURTNEY 12th grade St. Paul’s Episcopal School Leader, on and off the court
F WHY SHE ROCKS Leadership comes naturally to Perry. “Being a leader isn’t about being the center of attention,” she says. “Good leaders lead from behind.” Her list of leadership roles is extensive: she served as captain of the St. Paul’s basketball team as a junior, was selected as her high school’s representative at Girls State, served on the prom committee and won a prestigious Jefferson Book Award for her excellence in citizenship, leadership and academics. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Perry works hard and plays hard. Her summer was booked with three weeks of basketball scrimmages, a Habitat for Humanity service project, representing St. Paul’s at Girls State, attending YoungLife camp and vacationing to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Greece. F FUTURE PLANS Perry plans to study biology and wants to apply to medical school. She says she sees herself getting involved with student government at whichever university she attends. F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Perry’s grandmother, Liz Courtney, who passed away in December, influenced her deeply. “She was extremely smart, a mom of five and a grandmother of 13,” Perry remembers. “She had the biggest heart and was so hospitable to everyone she met.”
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MEGAN HWANG 12th grade UMS-Wright Preparatory School Math and Science Whiz
F WHY SHE ROCKS F Megan makes math sound easy. “Everything can be proven,” she says. “That really clicks in my mind. Every answer has really solid reasoning behind it.” No stranger to advanced courses, she looks forward to taking AP Calculus and AP Chemistry this year because they’re logical and deductive. F BIGGEST INFLUENCE Megan’s parents, both doctors, are extremely involved with medical mission trips. They’ve inspired her to pursue her own career in medicine and have given her the opportunity to serve with them in Peru, Haiti and Belize. “I would love to follow in their footsteps and return to the mission field one day as a medical provider,” Megan says. F OTHER TALENTS Megan is an equestrian and even teaches horseback riding lessons. “Riding horses is what I do to clear my head,” she says. “It’s something that has been a consistent part of my life.” F FUTURE PLANS Megan has received scholarship offers from Furman University and is also interested in applying to Wake Forest. After that, medical school.
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MYA NOBLES 12th grade Baker High School Inspiring Activist
F WHY SHE ROCKS Mya is a high-achieving student who loves to learn and study. As she enrolled in AP classes, she noticed she was one of only a few African-American girls in these advanced courses. “I wanted to know why,” she says. “I researched and realized this is not just a problem at my school. Unfortunately, a lot of AfricanAmerican girls are not exposed to the same opportunities as I have been.” Mya decided to do something about it and has worked tirelessly to inform and inspire other students to enroll in advanced coursework. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Mya helped start a program for at-risk female students called Leaps for Girls. She spent her summer taking the girls in the program on both fun and educational field trips, like to city council meetings. She also works part time, is studying for the ACT and was the guest speaker at a local church’s youth leadership conference. F PROUDEST MOMENT Mya received the prestigious “This is Us” award from Mobile County Public Schools, but says she felt proudest when a fellow student said Mya inspired her to enroll in an AP class. “I hope that is just a foreshadowing of what’s to come,” Mya says. F FUTURE PLANS Mya plans to attend Auburn University and knows she wants her career to focus on community involvement.
OLIVIA SMITH 12th grade Daphne High School Swimmer to Watch
F WHY SHE ROCKS Olivia has been swimming since age 4. “When I was 12, I started getting better and better, and I realized I was really looking forward to every practice,” she says. Olivia has spent most of her free time in the pool since then. She swims year-round for the City of Mobile Swim Association in addition to competing for the Daphne High School team. An excellent student, she is enrolled in Daphne High School’s International Baccalaureate program. F SUMMER ACTIVITIES Olivia began her swimming career in Daphne at the Lake Forest Swim Club. Now, she spends summers coaching younger swimmers there. “It’s like a family,” she says. “As soon as I was old enough to coach, I knew I wanted to give back.” F PROUDEST MOMENT At age 14, Olivia won her first big race — the 200-meter backstroke at the Southeastern Championships. F FUTURE PLANS Olivia plans to swim competitively in college while studying veterinary medicine or pharmacy. Her top three schools are Tulane University, Kenyon College and Rice University. MB
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These fun, serene and impossibly cool kids’ rooms are the defintion of pint-sized high style. text by MAGGIE LACEY • photos by JUSTIN CORDOVA
SWEET BEGINNINGS
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hen a mom of two wild and woolly boys found out she was expecting a baby girl, planning a girly nursery was nothing but fun! Working with Sylvia Atchison of Atchison Home, this mom pulled together a serene space where she and her sweet angel could rest and bond amid the chaos of a full house. Little sister’s space is a welcome respite with plenty of light, clean lines, soft fabrics and a few heirloom pieces. Besides the mandatory crib, a daybed was included in the spacious room — the perfect spot for mom to rest during sleepless baby nights, which can later transition from baby days to the teen years. It’s a plan they won’t soon outgrow.
CURTAINS The soft pink linen is embellished with a girly ruffle. TUSCANY IN
CEILING COLOR Benjamin Moore Warm Blush
ALT PINK • COTTON CAPERS $17 PER YARD
TRIM COLOR Devoe Ironstone
BATHROOM WALLPAPER Sweet drawings of lilacs add a pop of color to the adjacent bath. BARRINGTON WALLPAPER IN PINK BY NINA CAMPBELL • ATCHISON HOME • $250 PER ROLL
BEDROOM WALLPAPER A sophisticated, neutral pattern keeps the nursery from feeling too cute. JIM THOMPSON GREY CHECK SIMILAR TO WALLQUEST SEAGRASS GREY AND WHITE CHECK • ATCHISON HOME • $70 PER ROLL
CHAIR A classic swivel slipper chair (pictured right) is dressed in white with pale pink piping. COLLECTIVE • CONTACT FOR UPDATED PRODUCT INFORMATION
SWEET DREAMS A soothing, sophisticated color palette of blush, cream and gray is carried throughout the nursery. Wall-to-wall seagrass carpeting is layered with a softer area rug. The chest holds a collection of dainty dishes and frames, while a mirror that once belonged to the mother hangs above. Behind the slipper chair is a collection of four ballerinas by Tuscaloosa artist Kristin Blakeney, each a gift from the little girl’s godmother.
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ALL GROWN UP When your mom owns one of the most hip interiors boutiques in Fairhope, it goes without saying that your room will be full of cool. For Elizabeth Collins, owner of Living Well, designing the rooms for tween daughters Woody and Mary Frances was a fun collaboration. Elizabeth gathered wallpaper swatches, paint colors and bedding while the girls chimed in on accessories, color combos and seating. The resulting rooms overlooking the family’s chic and shady backyard pool are the perfect mix of preteen fun and grown-up sophistication. Before you know it, these two girls will be designing their college dorm rooms and possibly even bringing some of these pieces with them, although no doubt they can find fresh inspiration in mom’s store anytime.
CHANDELIER Gold raffia suspends chains of pale pink seaglass beads. RO SHAM BEAUX 18” MALIBU CHANDELIER • LIVING WELL $1,500
CEILING WALLPAPER A glimmering sky makes for sweet slumber parties. PHILLIP JEFFRIES VINYL MIRROR MIRROR ALLYN CAMERON • $60 / YARD
SCONCES Sparkling brass sconces are an unexpectedly bright touch in a kid’s room! GLOBAL VIEWS STAR ARM SCONCE • LIVING WELL • $500
VELVET THROW A soft throw is perfect for curling up with a good book (or an iPad). BELLA NOTTE LOULA THROW IN PEARL • LIVING WELL • $700
ETAGERE Maximize the potential of small bedroom nooks with a tall shelf. UTTERMOST ETAGERE LIVING WELL • $750
PAINT COLOR Benjamin Moore Hint of Pink
EVERY TEEN’S DREAM The bedroom of 12-year-old Mary Frances, right, is an oasis of cool, with pale pink walls and a glimmering gold ceiling. Other touches of metallic sheen add sophistication, while bright pop art, sleek lucite furniture and a gold tassel swag made by a friend keep the look youthful. A groovy fabric jellyfish hangs in one corner of the room and the dressing table provides ample space for homework or trying out makeup.
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SISTER ACT Younger sister Woody Collins, age 11, has a room with just as much cool as big sister Mary Frances. Woody chose the turquoise and purple color combo used on the bed skirt and curtains, while mom pulled in Greek key trim to add a grown-up touch. The fabric headboard is a nod to Woody’s equestrian passions, and a sleek pouf makes a comfortable spot for working on the computer. Woody loves reading and snuggling with the family’s Maltese, Mr. Collins, on the wild shag bean bag under a window that overlooks the pool.
POUF STOOL Pink stingray leather over a brass base is über cool. WORLDS AWAY DUPONT SHAGREEN STOOL LIVING WELL • $525
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CUSTOM COLORS Woody’s paint is a custom Benjamin Moore lilac blend similar to Peace and Happiness, shown here.
PAINT COLOR Benjamin Moore Peace and Happiness
HEADBOARD A colorful print inspired by the maharajahs of India.
WALLPAPER Wallpaper doesn’t have to break the bank — try just one accent wall! This one is scrubbable vinyl. PHILLIP JEFFRIES VINYL GRASSCLOTH IN LILAC METALLIC ALLYN CAMERON • $60 / YARD
MANUEL CANOVAS DARA FABRIC • ALLYN CAMERON $490 / YARD
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BUNKING IN
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n a house full of boys and with a dad who can build just about anything, a DIY bunk room is a must. Jennifer and Tucker Fraser’s two oldest sons had shared a room for some time, but the two twin beds made the room cramped and left little room for rambunctious play. Tucker sneakily began work on the bunks late last fall, claiming the carpentry was a project for the hunting camp. But on Christmas morning, the beds were in place and the boys were ecstatic. While the finishing touches — paint, lighting and accessories— have been a work in progress, the boys have settled right in, customizing their desk areas with posters, awards and books. Next on the to-do list? Finish the trundle for sleepovers! MB
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THROW RUG Classic checks in blue and white never grow old in a boy’s room. PAINT COLOR Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
PAINT COLOR Benjamin Moore Baby Fawn
TRUNDLE PULLS The brass pulls against navy paint shout maritime fun! EMTEK BRASS FINISH APPLIANCE BAR PULLS • RAYFORD & ASSOCIATES • $103
DASH AND ALBERT 6’ X 9’ TATTERSALL RUG MALOUF FURNITURE • $244
RESOURCES ALLYN CAMERON, DESIGNER AT CINDY MEADOR INTERIORS • 25299 CANAL ROAD, ORANGE BEACH • 974-1907 CINDYMEADOR.COM ATCHISON HOME • 921 DAUPHIN ST. 438-4800 • ATCHISONHOME.COM BENJAMIN MOORE • FOR LOCATIONS IN MOBILE AND DAPHNE, VISIT BENJAMINMOORE.COM COLLECTIVE • 4513 OLD SHELL ROAD 656-6368 • SHOPCOLLECTIVEGIFTS.COM COTTON CAPERS • 1302 DAUPHIN ST. 432-3452 • FACEBOOK.COM/COTTON. CAPERS MALOUF FURNITURE & DESIGN • 7745 STATE HIGHWAY 59, FOLEY • 955-5151 MALOUFFURNITURE.COM LIVING WELL • 25 S. SECTION ST., FAIRHOPE • 279-0690 • FACEBOOK.COM/ LIVINGWELLFHOPE RAYFORD & ASSOCIATES • 2701 DAUPHIN ST. • 476-1460 • RAYFORDS.COM SHERWIN WILLIAMS • FOR LOCATIONS IN MOBILE, DAPHNE AND FAIRHOPE, VISIT SHERWIN-WILLIAMS.COM
SAILORS AT EASE A nautical theme is carried throughout this adorable bunk room, with high-gloss navy paint, crisp striped linens and bold brass accents. A few vintage sailboat paintings adorn the opposite wall (not shown), which were saved from dad Tucker’s childhood bedroom. Mom Jennifer deftly mixed high and low with monogrammed Matouk bedding sitting alongside inexpensive, contemporary chairs and lamps. The boys enjoy changing out their bulletin boards almost daily with new pictures, awards and mementos.
DESK CHAIRS Jennifer found her pair of white molded mid-century chairs on Overstock.com, but similar chairs can be found online in all price points!
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PEOPLE | SPOTLIGHT
East Bay Automotive A kid with a love for engines became a man with a gift for caring for cars and customers. text by SONNY BREWER • photos by MATTHEW COUGHLIN
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hen Joe Turner’s father, Hubert, decided his 1936 Chevrolet Business Coupe had about had enough, he didn’t put it out to pasture. He drove it underneath his raised Creole cottage in Citronelle, Alabama. That got it out of the weather, but it also put the car under the nose of young Joe, whose imagination would soon enough inspire him to ask his daddy could he tinker with it. Joe was 14, and the car had been gathering dust and spiderwebs for 20 years. Hubert told Joe he could try to get the Chevy running. Tell that to a kid coming up on a learner’s permit and see what happens. Soon as Joe got out of school for summer, he enrolled in some automotive classes at Southwest State Technical College on Dauphin Island Parkway, in Mobile. He learned there what makes a car run. Pretty simple back then, it was compression, fuel, a spark and air. Getting those things in the right sequence at the right time is what a mechanic does. You must have a calling to get it right.
Interview in the Suburban When I called Joe to ask could I come see him at his East Bay Automotive in Daphne and talk to him about his calling as a car mechanic, he wasn’t so sure. “I don’t know, we’re awful busy around here,” he said. “I don’t know where we would sit down together to talk.” I knew he’d figure it out. After all, this man had taught me — how many years ago, now? — to perfectly adjust and balance twin downdraft British S.U. carburetors on a 1965 Volvo 122 sedan. While today Joe’s known by some as a hard-ass, I got to know him, as most of his loyal customers have, as a patient and generous sort. Up to a point. You gotta pay attention and don’t ask stupid questions. And you shouldn’t keep him waiting. He called me out for being 15 minutes late to his shop. I didn’t offer an excuse. Wouldn’t have worked.
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“Nobody here is afraid to work,” and everybody works to the same ethic: Take care of the customers. He washed his hands of grease from a Dingo he had pulled apart. That’s not a car, it’s a walk-behind front end loader like landscape companies use. And Joe also puts his hands into outboard engines on boats. Sometimes even a lawnmower if he likes you. He dried his hands, and I asked about the wooden sailboat in the last bay at the south end of his building, and another one under canvas. “I don’t know,” he said, “that’s my brother Winthrop’s operation down there.” There’s a lot going on, on this two-acre corner, but most of it’s cars that need fixing. And one or two that are for sale out front, owned by customers. Some part of the busy operation distracted me for a minute, and when I turned back around, I didn’t see Joe at first. Then I spied him pulling underneath the awning in a long 1999 Chevy Suburban. He waved me over from behind the windshield and nodded for me to get in. This would be our private sitting spot for the interview. The thing was jam-packed with stuff, from a rack of hunting firearms to hand tools and power equipment, and some mystery items. He had the air conditioner cranking full blast, and we settled down to business.
PEOPLE | SPOTLIGHT
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PEOPLE | SPOTLIGHT
Then a man came calling at Joe’s driver-side window, the landscape customer about his Dingo, and Joe told him it’s down to getting in the parts. Now, the window slides back up — and, yep, we’re interrupted again. By a young woman this time, who wants to know, among other things, if she buys a 2018 car can Joe still work on it? He hesitates. Modern vehicles aren’t so much cars as computers, and he doesn’t want to invest in diagnostic systems. Joe likes contact points and spark plugs and carburetors. And, in fact, likes best working on outboard boat engines. That’s work he can do at chest level, out in the open air of the 62 mobilebaymag.com | august 2018
canopy section where the gas pumps used to be, what Joe calls “his space.” Joe’s gray-painted block building with its four roll-up door service bays still carries the lettering from when Gene and Pat Young owned it: EAST BAY AUTOMOTIVE & MACHINE SHOP. In fact, it was them who tempted Joe away from his full-time job with a cabinet supply shop in Mobile. They’d come to know Joe at their Rudy’s Auto Parts store in downtown Fairhope (where Honey Baked Ham is now) as he came in and out on a regular basis for parts to keep his own vehicles in tiptop shape. In due course, Gene asked Joe would he come take over East Bay as their new manager.
They got the part, he installed it, and then the tractor ran like a top. “After that, I could do no wrong.”
PREVIOUS PAGE Joe Turner takes a break from the greasy work inside his mechanic shop in downtown Daphne. ABOVE, LEFT Turner and his son, Alex, disassemble a broken outboard motor for a customer. ABOVE, RIGHT The tool drawer and work bench at East Bay Automotive see constant use.
He agreed, and he’s been there ever since. That was 1992, and in 1998 Joe bought the building that had originally been owned by Daphne’s former mayor (1964-76) Glen Jordan, who operated it as an Amoco service station.
Fine Motor Skills Now Joe’s the captain of a big domain — he even has the grizzled look of a weathered skipper — with a hardy and capable pirate look-alike crew of mechanics. There’s his son, Alex, with a giant beard; and Joe, who has a full-time job with a tree service, but loves helping out Joe when he can; and Ian, with his long white hair and British accent — they call him E; and Terance, T for short, with his bald head. All hands are on deck with jobs to do, and Joe brags about what each man brings to his operation. “Nobody here is afraid to work,” Joe said, and everybody works to the same ethic: Take care of the customers. And get it right. Joe’s daddy instilled that in him when he’d show up with a 6-foot spirit level and check the walls for plumband-square at the house they were building before he’d approve quitting time. I was about to ask Joe where he learned the ropes for cars, how his skills were sharpened for fixing engines, when we got another caller at the Suburban. The window slid downward for a lady who’d driven up in a strikingly beautiful, all original 1966 289 V-8 Ford Mustang. She’d been driving it for 16 years, and Joe had kept it running sweet and smooth for the same number of years. When her ride showed up, I got to ask Joe my question. He told me his dad’s ’36 Chevy was the first step. He not only made that car crank, he kept it running for a number of years while a high-schooler. He was good at fixing cars. Around engines, Joe had intuition and an expert’s luck. He told me about taking a job in the Texas oil fields and about meeting the Big Boss on his first day: “So, Shot, they tell me you can work on engines.” Shot was what the boss called Joe from the moment august 2018 | mobilebaymag.com 63
ABOVE Joe Turner sits at his desk inside the offices of East Bay Automotive, where he takes calls, tells tall fishing tales and catches up with regular customers.
they met. Joe answered that he could fix most anything. But, truthfully, he was nervous and not so sure he would measure up. “The guy takes me out in the oil field to a broken down Ford tractor, a six-cylinder gas engine. I told somebody to hit the starter.” Joe says he wound on it and the engine turned over easily, but it wouldn’t crank. Joe reached for the coil wire, thinking maybe it was loose and wasn’t delivering a spark. “My hand touched the coil and it was blazing hot, from just trying to start the tractor. I told the boss, there’s your problem. You got a bad coil.” They got the part, he installed it, and then the tractor ran like a top. “After that, I could do no wrong,” Joe explained. So, why’d you leave that job, I asked. “Linda,” Joe answered. “She missed home, and that was that.” They moved back, bought family land south of Fairhope and built a house, not very far from where Joe spent boyhood summers on Mobile Bay. Joe and Linda have been married 42 years, so something clicks between them. And it was Linda who was big on Joe taking the manager’s position at East Bay, told him if he was ever going to make a change from sales, back to cars, then this was it.
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Joe built up his business on one order to the men on deck. “Learn what is wrong with the car, before you order parts. I don’t have to have a new house and a new car or boat, but I gotta sleep at night,” Joe said. “We will not diagnose a car’s troubles by replacing parts and overcharging the customer.” And, for now, until some rich businessman stands at the counter of East Bay Automotive and makes Joe Turner that offer the movies say cannot be refused, his two acres in Daphne are like a good safe harbor for broken engines. I mused to Joe that I could not see him perched on a condo balcony, waiting for something to happen. He then confessed to pulling seven days a week at his shop that’s only open for five. Like when Paul McCartney recently asked Willie Nelson was he thinking of retiring, Willie asked him back, “From what?” “I’m doing what I love,” Joe said. “Look in the back of this Suburban,” he said. “If it’s not in here, maybe I don’t need it.” MB Sonny Brewer is the author of the novel, “The Poet of Tolstoy Park.” He is finishing a memoir called “A Boat to See Me Home.”
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HISTORY | ARCHIVES
Jean Laffite’s Mobile A reformed pirate struggles to make a respectable business deal in early 1800s Mobile. text by JOHN S. SLEDGE
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t was time for the pirate to settle the matter amicably and legally. He was respectable now, an acclaimed hero, and it would not do to revert to his triedand-true swashbuckling ways. Doubtless Jean Laffite struggled with this new reality, but he was determined to turn over a new leaf — “return to the sheepfold,” as he told the Americans when he offered to help repulse the British at New Orleans. And so on April 24, 1815, with a presidential pardon in his pocket, the reformed buccaneer strode into the office of a New Orleans notary public to settle a nagging “controversy.” It regarded the sale of a ship “lying at Mobile,” where brackish water gently lapped her weathered hull. Both Jean Laffite and older brother Pierre knew Mobile Bay well. From their base at Barataria Bay, just west of the Mississippi River’s birdfoot delta, they had regularly passed its mouth, and occasionally provisioned at Dauphin Island or worked up to town to sell stolen slaves. But the Gulf ’s political situation had radically changed in just a few short years. Mobile was no longer Spanish. The Americans bloodlessly took it in 1813, and with the British defeat at New Orleans, federal power was ascendant. Still, the little outpost on the muddy Mobile River looked much as it had during its Spanish period. Only a few hundred people of all colors lived there, a mixture of French, Spanish, Indians, blacks, Creoles and upstart Americans. The old colonial fort sprawled across the southern end of the settlement, obsolete and in the way. Its brooding ram-
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ABOVE A map of the times points out Montuse Tavern and “low and miry land” among other notable residences, roads and landmarks.
parts stared blankly at a riverfront opened up to free trade by ambitious Yankee capitalists. The Laffites almost certainly knew Montuse’s Tavern, a congenial place to puff a pipe or imbibe a little good cheer. It stood near the fort at the foot of Government Street (site of the Exploreum), flanking a long wharf that fingered across the marshy muck out to deep water. Both wharf and tavern were owned by Sylvain Montuse, who like the Laffites was a French refugee attempting to make his way.
He was a considerate host, evidenced by the plank-hemmed clam-shell walkway that kept his guests’ feet clean outside and the multitudinous liquors that lifted their spirits inside. Wine, whiskey, rum, tobacco, oysters, fish, gambling and gossip were readily available there, all irresistible to roving men. As for the rest of the town, there was a bakery, a Catholic church fronting Royal Street, a hospital (where Bienville Square is now) and a scattering of houses. Some were
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ABOVE A portrait of the notorious pirate Jean Laffite from the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. The subject was not amused.
imposing, featuring double-pitched roofs and wraparound, decked galleries. More common were plainer clapboarded dwellings slightly elevated on cypress blocks. Gardens and animal pens were ubiquitous, and in-season fruit trees delighted residents and visitors alike. An unkempt cemetery stood on the western edge of town (modern Cathedral Square), and beyond lay awesome expanses of forest and swamp that stretched away forever. The waterfront bustled despite the small population. “Packet boats and other vessels are constantly running between this and New Orleans; passage about three days,” one American said. The variety of ships and boats was amazing — brigs, hermaphrodite brigs, brigantines, sloops, yawls, barges, keelboats, flatboats, canoes and even makeshift rafts. Among the craft lazily rocking in the river during the spring of 1815 was a trim schooner named Adventurer. It was owned, at least partly, by Jean Laffite. That it had recently been engaged in illicit activity was a given.
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The Laffites had made their names as both pirates and privateers in the Gulf and the Caribbean. As pirates, they were outlaws to all nations, regularly smuggling slaves, cigars, liquor, jewelry, silks, satins, animal hides and other stolen items through southern Louisiana’s labyrinthine bayou country to Crescent City residents or wealthy upcountry planters. As privateers, they carried letters of marque issued by newly-minted Latin American republics that authorized them to capture Spanish shipping. It wasn’t always clear to their victims, nor to American authorities, which title the brothers were claiming on any given day. But all of that was in the past. Laffite was no longer a freebooter, and it was logical that he sell the Adventurer for ready cash. Unfortunately, the deal went sour and an acrimonious dispute simmered between him and a New Orleans merchant named Edward Grant. Exactly what their relationship was and what the terms of the sale were are unknown. Grant was probably a part-owner of the ship. Laffite had been trying to keep the sale’s proceeds for himself — piratical ways were hard to curb! — but in an effort to live up to his new status, he agreed to arbitration with Grant, hence the trip to the notary. Two prominent New Orleanians were appointed to decide the settlement — one a justice of the peace and the other a merchant, with provision for a third as tiebreaker if necessary. Laffite trusted their fairness and signed in the manner he always did — first name abbreviated to “Jn” and a break between the double “f ’s” and the “i” in the surname, with a circular flourish to finish. There is no record of how much he ultimately got, but he followed the law and proved himself a good citizen. It wouldn’t last, but that is another tale on another shore. MB John S. Sledge is the author of “Coursing the Furrowed Blue: A Maritime History of the Gulf,” to be published in 2019 by the University of South Carolina Press.
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EXTRAS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
What’s hot in August! AUGUST 3 - 5, 10 - 12
BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. PAINTING BY JULIUS O. DAVIDSON
“CINDERELLA - THE MUSICAL” 7:30 p.m. F / Sa. 2:30 p.m. Su. Classic songs make this production of the beloved fairytale extra enchanting. Tickets: $16, for adults; $14, for children.
AUGUST 2
MIRANDA LAMBERT AND LITTLE BIG TOWN 7 p.m. The country mega stars take the stage. Tickets: $75. THE WHARF • ALWHARF.COM
AUGUST 2
GLOW IN THE PARK SUMMER MOVIE SERIES 8 p.m. Bring a blanket and enjoy a free family-friendly movie. FAIRHOPERS COMMUNITY PARK COFAIRHOPE.COM
AUGUST 3 - 5
“THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH” 7:30 p.m. F / Sa. 2:30 p.m. Su. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play features George and Maggie Anthrobus, their perfect children and their vampire maid. Tickets: $18.
AUGUST 2 SOUTHERN GRACE DINNER SERIES FEATURING EMERIL LAGASSE 6:30 - 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy exquisite Gulf seafood and divine wine pairings, prepared by award-winning chef and TV personality Emeril Lagasse. Price includes a copy of the book, “Essential Emeril.” Tickets: $225. FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA • FISHERSOBM.COM
FRIDAYS IN AUGUST DAPHNE FARMERS MARKET 2 - 6 p.m. Come pick from the season’s freshest produce and sundries. August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. CORNER OF MAIN STREET AND SANTA ROSA • DAPHNE
DANCIN’ IN THE STREET DJ NIGHT AT THE WHARF 7 - 10 p.m. Dance safely in the street at this boogie-worthy party. August 3, 4, 10, 11. THE WHARF, MAIN STREET • ALWHARF.COM
PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PLAYHOUSEINTHEPARK.ORG
AUGUST 4 FORT MORGAN – COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Remember the historic Battle of Mobile Bay as Fort Morgan comes to life with reenactors, historians and demonstrations. FORT MORGAN FORT-MORGAN.ORG
AUGUST 4 FORT GAINES – 154TH BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY COMMEMORATIVE DAY 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Festivities honoring the Battle of Mobile Bay include military drills, lessons from a blacksmith and more. FORT GAINES DAUPHINISLAND.ORG
AUGUST 4 PELICAN PADDLE CANOE AND KAYAK RACE 7:30 a.m. - noon. This familyfriendly event for canoe and kayak enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels benefits the Weeks Bay Foundation. TONSMEIRE WEEKS BAY RESOURCE CENTER, UNDER FISH RIVER BRIDGE ON HIGHWAY 98 WEEKSBAY.ORG
THEATRE 98 • THEATRE98.ORG
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AUGUST 6
FOUNDER’S DAY / MR. BELLINGRATH’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. In honor of Mr. Bellingrath’s birthday, admission to the gardens is free to Mobile and Baldwin county residents. BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME BELLINGRATH.ORG
AUGUST 6 SPARKS AFTER DARK FIREWORKS 8:45 p.m. Bring the gang and catch high-flying flickers. Set up along Main Street for the best view of the vibrant skies. Admission is free. THE WHARF, MAIN STREET ALWHARF.COM
AUGUST 7 IMAGINE DRAGONS 7 p.m. The Grammy Awardwinning band heads to the Gulf Coast. Tickets: $80.
AUGUST 8 2018 GULF COAST REAL ESTATE AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The conference will offer interesting perspectives from world-renowned experts on national and regional economy, residential and commercial real estate, and technological impacts on industry. Registration: $149.
AUGUST 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 24 - 26 “MY FAIR LADY” 7:30 p.m. F / Sa. 2 p.m. Su. Henry Higgins’ transformation of Eliza Doolittle comes to life in this Broadway classic. CHICKASAW CIVIC THEATRE CCTSHOWS.COM
AUGUST 25
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA STUDENT CENTER SOUTHALABAMA.EDU
KEITH URBAN 7:30 p.m. Sing along to Keith’s greatest hits. Tickets: $53.
AUGUST 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 24 - 26
THE WHARF • ALWHARF.COM
AUGUST 25
“MAMMA MIA” 7:30 p.m. F / Sa. 2 p.m. Su. Relive the original musical in time for the film’s sequel, in theaters this summer. Tickets: $10, $15, $20.
DAUPHIN STREET BEER FESTIVAL 6 - 9 p.m. Sample microbrews and imports from various local restaurants. DOWNTOWN MOBILE SPECIALEVENTSMOBILE.ORG
JOE JEFFERSON PLAYERS JOEJEFFERSONPLAYERS.COM
AUGUST 25 - 26 FORT MIMS REENACTMENT & LIVING HISTORY 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Learn about the pivotal role Fort Mims played in the War of 1812.
THE WHARF • ALWHARF.COM
FORT MIMS • FORTMIMS.ORG
IMAGINE DRAGONS
AUGUST 30 20TH ANNUAL ALABAMA CHEF CHALLENGE 6 - 9 p.m. Witness culinary magic as some of the area’s most celebrated chefs come together to fight hunger and serve a side dish of friendly competition.
THROUGH DECEMBER 29 BIENVILLE BITES FOOD TOUR Looking to beat the heat, both on the street and in the kitchen? Bienville Bites Food Tour is a great way to enjoy the best tastes (and air conditioning) from seven local restaurants, all while regaling in fascinating stories behind the food, restaurants and Lower Dauphin Street Historic District. Stops along the 1.4-mile stroll include: THE ROYAL SCAM PANINI PETE’S THREE GEORGES CANDY VON’S BISTRO WINZTELL’S OYSTER HOUSE A&M PEANUT SHOP HEROES SPORTS BAR AND GRILL
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rain or shine. Tickets: $55. DOWNTOWN MOBILE BIENVILLEBITESFOODTOUR.COM
*Restaurant locations are subject to change based on availability.
FORT WHITING ARMORY FEEDINGTHEGULFCOAST.ORG
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READY, SET, RUN! Check out these upcoming events geared toward Mobile Bay’s pavement pounders. LODA RUN SERIES
EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST SERDA BREWING CO. • SERDABREWING.COM
SAVE-A-SOLE 2-MILE RUN / WALK
AUGUST 5
PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL • EVENTBRITE.COM
CRIME PREVENTION 5K RUN / WALK
AUGUST 7
BIENVILLE SQUARE • FLEETFEETMOBILE.COM
CHICKASABOGUE PARK 2-MILER
AUGUST 14
CHICKASABOGUE PARK • PCPACERS.ORG
MARDI’S 5K & 1-MILE
AUGUST 18
THE GROUNDS AT CODY ROAD THEGULFCOASTCHALLENGE.COM
MILES FOR MEDICINE 5K & FUN RUN
AUGUST 25
MUNICIPAL PARK • EVENTBRITE.COM
CHASING CUPCAKES: CUPCAKE DAY 5K, 10K, 13.1
AUGUST 26
VIRTUAL RACE • EVENTBRITE.COM
T.E.A.L. THERE’S A CURE 4-MILE RUN / WALK FOR OVARIAN CANCER
SEPTEMBER 15
FLORA-BAMA LOUNGE • FLORABAMA.COM
AMAZING TASTE OF MOBILE 5K & 1-MILE
SEPTEMBER 22
UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE • RUNSIGNUP.COM
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[ONGOING ACTIVITIES]
THROUGH AUGUST 26 ICE AGE IMPERIALS Get ready to see and explore the Ice Age like never before by traveling back in time 20,000 years. Come experience face-to-face encounters with fierce cats, enormous mastodons, mammoths, 6-foot beavers and other creatures that roamed the once fierce, icy land. MUSEUM OF MOBILE MUSEUMOFMOBILE.COM
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3 WATER’S EXTREME JOURNEY Take a wet and wild ride through the water cycle with powerful, hands-on activities that make participants feel as though they are drops of water. GULF COAST EXPLOREUM EXPLOREUM.COM
THROUGH OCTOBER 25 SOLE YOGA 6 - 7 p.m. Sole Yoga makes recovering from runs a little easier and a lot more relaxing. Join Run-N-Tri and certified yoga instructor Lisa Blount for a free sunset yoga series. Location varies. August 30, September 27, October 25. RUN-N-TRI MOBILE CATHEDRAL SQUARE FACEBOOK.COM/RUNNTRIMOBILE/EVENTS
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AN EVENING WITH RENÉE FLEMING
[SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS]
SEPTEMBER 7 - 8 BULLS ON THE BEACH Bulls on the Beach features cowboys riding live bulls, trying to hold on for the longest 8 seconds of their lives. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. Friday’s and Saturday’s festivities will include face painting, kettle corn and old-fashioned fun. FLORA-BAMA LOUNGE & OYSTER BAR FLORABAMA.COM
SEPTEMBER 12 AN EVENING WITH RENÉE FLEMING 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. The Mobile Symphony brings the world-renowned classical singer to the Port City. Fleming has performed at prestigious events such as the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Meet the National Medal of Arts winner after the performance during the Champagne Reception. Tickets: $30 - $150. THE SAENGER THEATRE • MOBILESYMPHONY.ORG
SEPTEMBER 15 - 16 MASSACRE ISLAND’S PIRATE SIEGE 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate Dauphin Island’s pirate heritage with treasure hunts and reenactments. Tickets: $8, for adults; $4, for children. DAUPHIN ISLAND • DAUPHINISLAND.ORG
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HANDIWORK AT JUBILEE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 13 GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN 5:30 - 9 p.m. This “must do” event, benefitting the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile, is an evening for ladies 21 years of age and older and features heavy hors d’oeuvres from local area chefs and restauraunts, McTini’s and an unforgettable evening of manicures, makeovers, shopping, entertainment and more. Tickets: $50 - $60. GOVERNMENT PLAZA • RMHCMOBILE.ORG
SEPTEMBER 13 - 15 THE WHARF UNCORKED FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Sample delicious food and tantalizing wines infused with Southern flare. This event raises funds for Make-A-Wish® Alabama. Tickets: $35 - $70. THE WHARF • THEWHARFUNCORKED.COM
SEPTEMBER 29 - 30 JUBILEE FESTIVAL 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Live entertainment, festival food, arts and crafts booths, kids activities and big screens make this Eastern Shore festival fun for the whole family. OLDE TOWNE DAPHNE • ESCHAMBER.COM
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HISTORY | ASK MCGEHEE
What is the history of the clock on the corner of Royal and Dauphin streets? text by TOM MCGEHEE
Photos courtesy The George F. Landegger Collection of Alabama, Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress
A post clock has stood on this corner — off and on — since 1891. That was the year jeweler Emil Oscar Zadek moved his business into the newly completed Pincus Building on the intersection’s southeast corner. Zadek had been trained as a “watchmaker and jeweler” but had recently expanded his business to include the sale of pianos and pump organs. A generation would know this as the Zadek Building. Mr. Zadek placed a four-sided post clock at the corner to advertise his business, and it immediately became something of a landmark. This style of clock began appearing in front of prominent jewelers across America in the late 1880s and may well have been a way to advertise the proprietor’s expertise with watches. After Mr. Zadek’s death in 1908, his widow ran the shop. In 1915, the firm moved west on Dauphin Street, leaving the clock behind. A year later, a filing of bankruptcy put an end to a jewelry store that had operated in the Port City for more than four decades.
The Rotary Clock Just who took care of the clock after the departure of Zadek’s is unclear. In January of 1920, Mobile’s city clerk wrote the president of the Rotary Club of Mobile to announce that the board of commissioners had “highly approved” the club’s purchase of the Zadek Clock. Furthermore, the board charged the Rotarians with its maintenance, noting that it stood there “for the general convenience of the public,” and thanked the club “for the patriotic, public spirit in
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the action it has taken.” The clock was remodeled to promote the Rotary Club rather than the defunct jewelry emporium, with the clock’s face now declaring the organization’s motto of “Service Above Self.” At some point in the 1950s, a car ran into the clock and knocked it over. The smashed timepiece was deemed irreparable, and the
ABOVE The post clock as seen outside the Pincus building. In its heyday, the timepiece served as advertisement for Emil Zadek’s watchmaking and jewelry business. LEFT The original post clock, remodeled in the 1920s by the Rotary Club of Mobile, stands in stark contrast to the new version that was placed in 2000 and has since been refurbished.
club chose not to replace it. In retrospect, even if the club had wished to put one back, locating a replacement may have been impossible. In 2000, nearly 50 years after that fatal accident, a new clock was installed on the corner, placed safely away from the site of the accident. Area Rotary clubs and individual donors contributed the funds. Post clocks of varying sizes were now enjoying a resurgence, although few remembered their original use a century earlier by jewelers. In late 2017, the clock stopped working. In the spring of 2018, the Rotary Club of Mobile paid to have the clock refurbished, complete with LED lighting. It is back to telling the correct time “for the public’s general convenience,” while reminding passersby of the club’s motto, “Service Above Self.” MB
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END PIECE | IN LIVING COLOR
Crash Curiosity, 1915 Erik Overbey Collection, The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama Colorization by Dynamichrome Limited
A bunch of young people in Mobile take delight in the aftermath of a car accident, an event that would have been something of a novelty in 1915. Just two years earlier, Henry Ford had introduced the first moving assembly line, making way for the explosion of private car ownership within the next 20 years. Are you related to anyone in this picture, or do you know exactly where it was taken? Let us know! Email ahartin@pmtpublishing.com.
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