Mobile Bay THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES
December 2021
OVER
THE
TOP HOLIDAY
MAKE YOUR OWN
CITRUS GARLAND
DECK THE HALLS IN HISTORIC MIDTOWN
IN SEARCH OF
PANCAKE PERFECTION
A BRIGHT HARVEST RELISHING A BUMPER CROP OF SATSUMAS
BRINGING
COMFORT TO LOCAL VETERANS
CAROLINA GROOM in a gown from The Holiday at Harrison Farms
2 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 3
4 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 5
6 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
CONTENTS | VOLUME XXXVII / ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2021
44
Just a Little Diamond These treasures from local jewelers are sure to make the holidays elegant and bright
52
Satsumas Now MIDTOWN’S JULIANNE MCBAY WITH HER FESTIVE LAB MAC. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
The time is right to enjoy the cold-weather fruit — and to learn more about our unique satsuma heritage
58
Deck the Halls The trimmings are up at Julianne McBay’s historic Midtown home, and now she’s helping others with their holiday decor
Heads up Satsuma, Alabama — Florida, Louisiana and Texas also have towns named after the “Christmas orange.” Learn more about our satsuma legacy on page 52.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 7
CONTENTS | VOLUME XXXVII / ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2021
30 ON OUR COVER Point Clear’s Carolina Groom wears a stunning gown from The Holiday in the Harrison family’s Fairhope orchard.
34
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
18 A DAPHNE STORE SUPPORTS THE PEOPLE OF HAITI / PHOTO BY KONBIT HAITI THE FRONT YARD SPREAD AT FRONT YARD TACOS / PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES / PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
11 EDITOR’S NOTE 12 REACTION 14 ODDS & ENDS 17 THE DISH 18 TASTINGS Pay a visit to the Front Yard Tacos truck, parked outside Nova Espresso
20 DECORATING Maggie Weir’s step-bystep guide to stringing a unique, citrus garland
34 BAY TABLES Pancakes, hotcakes, flapjacks — a tribute to a champion of breakfast
88 ASK MCGEHEE What’s the history of St. Joseph’s that’s closed on Springhill Avenue?
27 SPOTLIGHT A Mobile veteran of the Vietnam War is one of thousands to find comfort under a Quilt of Valor
79 DECEMBER CALENDAR
90 BACK STORY A photograph from a ship’s christening at the Alabama Dry Dock in 1942 opens a window to our shipbuilding heritage.
30 AWARENESS Stephanie and Ryan Robinson’s love for the people of Haiti has led to a novel Daphne store
84
ARCHIVES A woman’s ID badge tells the story of Mobile’s WWII resolve
86 LITERATURE Writer Audrey McDonald Atkins dishes on Southern niceties
A 1968 photograph of Mobilian Alvin Bert Grantham, lying injured on a tank in Vietnam, is considered one of the war’s most iconic images (turn to page 27 to read Grantham’s story). To see the photo, hover your smartphone’s camera over the QR code to the right.
8 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 9
Mobile Bay VOLUME XXXVII
No12
DEC 2021
PUBLISHER T. J. Potts Stephen Potts Judy Culbreth EXECUTIVE EDITOR Maggie Lacey MANAGING EDITOR/WEB Abby Parrott EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Amanda Hartin ART DIRECTOR Laurie Kilpatrick
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
ADVERTISING S R. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Joseph A. Hyland Jennifer Ray ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Joe Tetro SALES AND MARKETING Carolina Groom ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
ADMINISTRATION CIRCULATION Anita Miller ACCOUNTING Keith Crabtree
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Audrey McDonald Atkins, Matthew Downs, Jill Clair Gentry, Walter Kirkland, Tom McGehee, Breck Pappas, Christie Reid, James Stenson, Maggie Weir CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Summer Ennis Ansley, Matthew Coughlin, Elizabeth Gelineau, Chad Riley ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
3729 Cottage Hill Road, Suite H Mobile, AL 36609-6500 251-473-6269 Subscription inquiries and all remittances should be sent to: Mobile Bay P.O. Box 43 Congers, NY 10920-9922 1-833-454-5060 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 © 2021 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 .
10 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
EXTRAS | EDITOR’S NOTE
Sensationally sweet
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
I
t’s hard to remember where I was at this time last year. As the 2020 holidays approached, I am pretty sure we were cozied up by a firepit, celebrating Christmas, social-distanced outside in the yard and seeing as few people as possible. It wasn’t bad, mind you. I felt a real sense of priority. Slowing down and spending the holidays with just those especially close to me was more meaningful than any calendar full of somethings could have been. We were focused on the reason for the season and made each tiny moment special. Now, everyone has a different comfort level, but this year I am looking forward to a little more pizazz in my December. I don’t want to lose the perspective that (I hope) I gained last year as we shifted priorities and eliminated to-do’s, but I also hope to put a little more jingle in my step. This year’s countdown to Christmas will hopefully be a little less cozy and a little more celebratory. With that spirit in mind, we pulled out all the stops for this holiday issue with jaw-dropping jewels, a stunning gown or two, some garlands to make you swoon and truly over-the-top holiday decor. Whether you are embracing the return of the party or just dreaming of all things beautiful, we hope you find a little something fabulous in these pages. Fresh local citrus seems to dominate this issue, and for good reason. It’s ripe and in-season on local farms and worthy of its own celebration! Satsumas, for example, are our own special little gem, growing only in a few places right here on the Gulf Coast. Because of their thin skin and short shelf life, most people in the rest of the U.S. have never tasted this juicy and sweet citrus that grows in our own backyard. It’s only here for a short time and worth pulling the car over when you see a roadside stand advertising the orange orbs for sale. Better yet, grab a few bags as a holiday hostess gift or to spread cheer to friends and neighbors. When you have eaten your fill, the juice makes a pretty mean bourbon old fashioned, too. Just saying. It’s going to be a sweet holiday.
ALL DRIED UP DRIED ORANGES ARE GOING TO BE EVER-PRESENT IN MY HOUSE THIS HOLIDAY THANKS TO MAGGIE WEIR’S GARLAND PROJECT! PAGE 20
LOVE THIS ISSUE STATELY ESTATE PIECES I AM A SUCKER FOR ESTATE JEWELS, AND WHILE OUR FEATURE THIS MONTH FOCUSED ON THE HANDS, THESE EARRINGS ALSO CAUGHT MY EYE. HOPING SANTA THINKS I’VE BEEN GOOD! (HIGHLY UNLIKELY.) $8,500 • ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY
SHINE BRIGHT I PLAN TO GIVE ALL MY GIRLFRIENDS THESE MB CANDLES HIGHLIGHTING AMAZING LOCAL WOMEN THROUGH HISTORY. FIND YOUR FAVORITE PERSONALITY AND SMELL! MOBILEBAYSHOP.COM
SYRUPY SWEET I LOVE BILL THOMPSON’S TRADITION OF PICKING UP A BOTTLE OF MAPLE SYRUP WHEREVER HE TRAVELS. MAINE, UTAH, CANADA AND THE GRAND CANYON FILL HIS COLLECTION, BUT HE SWEARS VERMONT IS THE CLEAR WINNER. JUST ADD PANCAKES. PAGE 34 HELPING HAND THIS HOLIDAY, WE ARE CELEBRATING A FEW FOLKS WHO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. DAPHNE’S KONBIT COLLECTIVE SELLS FAIR-TRADE HANDMADE ITEMS FROM HAITI THAT WOULD MAKE FABULOUSLY UNIQUE GIFTS! PAGE 30
Maggie Lacey EXECUTIVE EDITOR
maggie@pmtpublishing.com
COMFORT AND JOY WHETHER HOME FROM WAR JUST A FEW MONTHS OR A FEW DECADES, QUILTS OF VALOR IS WRAPPING SOLDIERS IN LOVE, ONE HAND-STITCHED WORK OF ART AT A TIME. THESE RED, WHITE AND BLUE QUILTS WARM THE HEART, SOUL AND BODY. PAGE 27
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 11
EXTRAS | REACTION
Tell us how you really feel ... PHOTO COURTESY MOBILE PRESS-REGISTER COLLECTION, THE DOY LEALE MCCALL RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
FORGED IN FIRE On September’s Spotlight of Daphne’s Jerry Gardner, founder and owner of The Blacksmith Experience Thankful for what you are doing for youngsters. - Wendy Toy Thanks for your contribution. I’m inspired.
A “COOL” STORY On September’s End Piece, seen above, Davidson High School cheerleaders, 1975 I enjoyed your article, but I take exception to one item. The article mentions “the newly air-conditioned buildings, a feature added in the early ’70s.” When I graduated in 1975, the school was NOT air-conditioned. I attended all four years with no AC. Back in the day, parents asked if the boys could wear short pants — denied! I’m lucky to have had my six children attend Davidson. I believe my family is the first to have a set of quadruplets graduate from there. Again, I enjoyed the article. I plan to share the link with DHS friends and my children.
- Chris King
DOGGONE IT On October’s End Piece, a 1930s photo of a hunter and his dog I love Mobile Bay and especially the Backstory feature. I would suggest that the sporting dog pictured is a Brittany rather than an English Springer. I showed our Brittany, Gracie, the photo, and she seemed to agree. - Dowe Littleton
WILCOX COUNTY GEMS On October’s feature, “Country Living,” showcasing three rural retreats in Camden
- Bryan Lee
Adding this to my bucket list of places to explore in Alabama.
I think I see Suzy Seale (bottom row, far left), and is that Rose (bottom row, far right) who eventually married Kenny Stabler?
- Bessie Ellis
- Donna Henderson
- Connie Therrell
PERKS OF THE BUSINESS On October’s Tastings of Soul Caffeine’s new location in Midtown I had not heard about this. Can’t wait to visit! - Melissa Wommack
Beautiful place and great food — we go every year.
I’m blessed to call Camden my hometown. - Martha Eskridge Your October article on the homes in Camden was wonderful. Having spent a lot of my youth visiting my great-grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousins in Camden, it was a
nice stroll down memory lane. My uncle was the only barber in town, in the ’60s and ’70s. If my memory serves me, Jeff Sessions and Kay Ivey graduated from Camden High School with my cousins. However, I am wondering why the Liberty Hall Bed & Breakfast didn’t get a mention. Julia and Dudley would have filled you with SO much knowledge of the area. - Randy K. Walker
SHE FOUND HER BABA On August’s End Piece, a photo of boys and police officers in Mobile, 1920s, courtesy Erik Overbey Collection, The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama I recently found your article online and wanted to let you know that the young boy to the far left of the picture, by the motorcycle and in overalls, is my father! His name was Constantine Evangelos Vacalis, and he was born to Greek immigrant parents in 1918. I am familiar with this picture as it originally appeared in a book titled, “Mobile: American River City.” The caption reads: “The city did not escape entirely the effects of the Depression, however. More affluent families reduced entertainment and travel budgets while the less prosperous skipped on food and clothing … many of the city’s youngsters were attired in less than fashionable apparel, as the photo reveals.” I asked my father about this photo once, and he said there had been some type of criminal activity in the neighborhood, and the police were there to investigate, thus drawing a crowd of neighborhood children. I am always thrilled to see the picture. I miss my dad with all my heart. Thank you for publishing. - Olivia Vacalis Want to see the photo she’s talking about? Visit mobilebaymag.com/signs-of-the-time.
Want to share your thoughts and reactions to this issue? Email maggie@pmtpublishing.com. 12 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
EXTRAS | ON THE WEB
More Ways to Connect We’re not just in print. Find us online, on social media and in your inbox. text by ABBY PARROTT
mobilebaymag.com
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO There are countless events and activities this time of year, but we’ve rounded up the 10 local events you must not miss. BITE-SIZE HOLIDAY Find recipes for some of our favorite two-bite snacks that will become instant holiday staples. Perfect for gift giving or enjoying at home!
BEST OF 2021 Close the door on 2021 with a look at the most eye-catching photos, scrumptious recipes and talked-about articles of the year.
DECK THE HALLS It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the Bay! Browse our full photo gallery of festive scenes around town and decor ideas from local homes.
COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Holiday Gin and Tonic: Try this classic cocktail with a festive Christmas twist. Find this recipe and more cocktail ideas online.
JUST ENGAGED? Share your proposal story with us, and we’ll feature your engagement announcement online.
GUIDE TO GUMBO Local cooks share their goto recipe for the wintertime staple and tips for making the perfect roux.
MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS PHOTO BY DOUGLAS ANDERSON DECOR AT DAN DE LION LODGE PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU HOLIDAY GIN AND TONIC PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU
Holiday Shopping FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME
THE GIFT OF MOBILE BAY
MOBILE BAY SHOP
A subscription to Mobile Bay Magazine is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year. Purchase a 1-year gift subscription for $15 and each additional gift subscription will cost just $10. Scan the QR code above to purchase!
Our online store is stocked for the holidays with new arrivals and customer favorites. Scan the QR code above to start shopping today! (And make sure you join our email list to receive exclusive offers and special deals on select items.)
FOLLOW US!
MOBILEBAYMAGAZINE
@MOBILEBAYMAG
@MOBILEBAYMAGAZINE
MOBILEBAY
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 13
14 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
EXTRAS | ODDS & ENDS
Laughing All the Way text by MB EDITORIAL STAFF
“A day or two ago, The story I must tell, I went out on the snow, And on my back I fell, A gent was riding by, In a one-horse open sleigh, He laughed as there I sprawling lie, But quickly drove away.” – The third verse of “Jingle Bells”
270,174 The size, in square feet, of the largest patchwork quilt in the world, completed in 2000 in Portugal.
DIAPAUSE The state of hibernation employed by female mosquitoes in order to survive the winter. While male mosquitoes mostly die off, females burrow themselves in logs or the ground when temps drop below 50 degrees.
15
The number of minutes it took for Mariah Carey and cowriter Walter Afanasieff to compose the hit song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
JOEL R. POINSETT In 1828, this botanist and statesman,
the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, brought a red and green flowering plant back to the United States. The poinsettia, as it came to be called, gained popularity when New York stores began selling them
FAR OUT
ON DECEMBER 16, 1965, “JINGLE BELLS” BECAME THE FIRST SONG PLAYED IN SPACE.
17,500 The estimated number of Americans who will seek treatment this year for injuries sustained while holiday decorating.
around Christmas. National Poinsetta Day, December 12, also marks the anniversary of Poinsett’s death.
Statistically speaking, 34 of those people will be from Mobile or Baldwin County. Remember, readers — hang those stockings “with care.”
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 15
16 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
FOOD | THE DISH
Bite of the Bay MB’s contributing food fanatics share their go-to local dishes.
DANA FOSTER-ALLEN, Director of Finance, Mobile County Commission
CHAI TEA LATTE AT SERDA’S COFFEE CO. “Nothing says fall like chai. My new favorite place to get a hot chai tea latte is Serda’s. I love the cinnamon combined with black tea and cloves. It’s just mixed well, which is very difficult to find. The first sip is as flavorful as the last and, for me, it definitely has a calming effect. Whether you decide to have one to start your morning, pick you up at midday or settle down after work, I know you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do.” SERDA’S COFFEE COMPANY • 3 S ROYAL ST. 415-3000 • SERDAS.COM
CHRIS HALEY, Owner, Haley Development, LLC
HEIRLOOM TOMATO PLATE AT DRAGONFLY TAVERN
DUCK TWO-WAYS AT SOUTHWOOD KITCHEN “A perfect fall dish to try with our cooler temperatures is the duck two-ways at Southwood Kitchen, in Daphne. The popular entree consists of a seared duck breast accompanied by a duck leg confit “cooked in its own fat.” The accompanying sauce is mild with a very slight cranberry taste. Shiitake mushrooms mixed with a bed of spinach risotto round out this amazing dish.” SOUTHWOOD KITCHEN • 1203 HWY 98, DAPHNE 626-6676 • SOUTHWOODKITCHEN.COM
DOUGLAS B. KEARLEY SR., AIA D.B. Kearley Architects, Inc.
MEXICAN TACOS AT EL MARIACHI “My brother Theodore enjoys dining here, so I asked him, my sister Carmen and their spouses to join me for supper. We started with the sample platter: jalapeno poppers, chicken quesadillas and flauta served with a house marinara sauce. For my entree, I chose the Mexican tacos: steak, shrimp and chorizo served with a tangy onion cilantro sauce and fresh limes — plenty of filling in a lightly fried shell. Delicious! Be sure and order a pitcher of the house frozen margaritas.”
CINDY McCRORY, Photographer and Studio Owner, Blue Room Photography
TOMATO PLATE AT DRAGONFLY TAVERN “Dragonfly Tavern in Old Towne Daphne boasts the same menu as its Fairhope location. Of the several small plate choices, my favorite is the seasonal tomato plate, a nice surprise on a menu of tacos and noodle bowls. The dish is layered with tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese and bacon, then topped with pieces of fried snapper, tripletail or oysters, depending on the day. The atmosphere is always fun, and there is outside dining which has been expanded!”
EL MARIACHI • 763 HOLCOMBE AVE. • 473-0413
DRAGONFLY TAVERN • 1800 MAIN ST., DAPHNE
ELMARIACHI-MEXICAN.COM
586-8113 • FACEBOOK: DRAGONFLY TAVERN
What dishes made you drool and left you hungry for more? Share them on our Facebook page! december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 17
FOOD | TASTINGS
Front Yard Tacos text by BRECK PAPPAS • photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
Left to right: Matt Morris, Claire and Tim Gautreaux
A
lot of life takes place in a Mobile front yard. “When I first moved here,” says Matt Morris, co-owner of Front Yard Tacos, “I remember looking for a house and driving down the streets, and everyone was hanging out in their front yard.” So when it was time to slap a name on the side of the taco truck parked outside Nova Espresso on St. Anthony Street, Morris and his team didn’t have to search far. “Not only is the truck literally in the front yard of Nova, the name is also a nod to the welcoming environment of a Mobile front yard,” he explains. “Welcoming environment” is a nice way to describe the trendy and plant-adorned restaurant on wheels that’s been dishing out inventive tacos since August. Morris, a coffee-shop-customerturned-business-partner, joined forces with Nova’s Claire and Tim Gautreaux when they decided it was time to expand their food offerings. Having lived in Dallas for six years, the couple saw an opportunity to honor the street taco culture they had come to love. “We were doing grab ‘n’ go breakfast tacos inside Nova, and
they were going over really well,” Claire says, “but it was soon maxing us out.” Now, peckish customers begin showing up to the truck for breakfast tacos at 8 a.m. Some grab a taco on their way to the office, others find a spot at one of the picnic tables under the shade of a live oak. The menu is playful and experimental, thanks to chef Roy Durano and his sushi background; the Louisiana native draws on his work experience at Liquid Sushi Lounge to create a unique Mexican-Asian fusion. “I actually still use a lot of the same sauce recipes because it turns out they work really well on tacos.” Taco highlights include a carne asada, a Buffalo chicken, a bacon egg and cheese, and a steak ‘n’ egg. “If we took the steak ‘n’ egg off the menu, people would riot,” Morris says. For taco alternatives, there’s the front yard spread (a basket of tots covered with slaw, cheese, bacon and a fried egg) and an unexpected weekly special (this week, teriyaki Brussels sprouts). “You never really know what you’re going to find,” Morris says of the weekly specials, but at least you know where to find it. Right in the front yard. MB
Front Yard Tacos • 306 Saint Anthony St. • frontyardtacos.com 18 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
• 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. every day but Tuesday
FOOD | TASTINGS
CARNE ASADA TACO
[ON THE MENU]
CARNE ASADA TACO
BUFFALO CHICKEN TACO
HOUSE HASH
LOST BREAD
Marinated and seared flank steak meets avocado, onion and cilantro on this popular taco. Jalapeno green sauce for the win.
Buffalo chicken bites (made with Valentina Hot Sauce) are paired with house pickles, avocadoblue-cheese dressing, cabbage and cilantro.
This side is a vegetarian spin on Cajun-style hash, complete with sweet potato, chipotle maple black beans, onions, bell peppers and celery.
Chef Roy transformed tortillas into French toast crepes, layered with strawberry jam and topped with tiramisu cream, cocoa and powdered sugar.
20 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
HOMES | DECORATING
GATHER & GARLAND FAIRHOPE’S MAGGIE WEIR BRINGS FRIENDS TOGETHER FOR AN UNEXPECTED HOLIDAY FETE — MAKING HANDMADE GARLAND TO FRAGRANTLY DECK THE HALLS. text by MAGGIE WEIR photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
N
othing makes a house feel wrapped in the spirit of the holidays like the bright smell of citrus. Oranges are a traditional holiday adornment, and even when dried, they continue to give off their festive fragrance. A dried orange garland will set the perfect tone as the big day in December approaches. Invite over a few close friends, pour some festive cocktails and gather all the supplies to DIY this gorgeous holiday decor, giving you and yours a head start on holiday decorating! This project is as easy as drying oranges and stringing them together with bay leaves and beads. Top the pretty package with some jeweltoned velvet ribbons and silk tassels, and you have the perfect alternative to traditional garland. This finished piece can be draped along a mantel, added to the Christmas tree or strung along kitchen cabinets. The best news is, if properly dried, your citrus garland will last for years to come.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 21
Two Days Before the Party
DRY THE ORANGES Slice oranges 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick and lay on paper towels to dry for several hours. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place oranges in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake oranges for two hours and then flip. Bake for an additional 1 1/2 hours, watching closely for browning. Leave oranges on the counter to cool, and dry for 1 to 2 days.
22 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND ORANGES HAS HISTORICAL ROOTS. BEFORE MODERN SUPPLY CHAINS, CITRUS WAS EXOTIC TO MOST PARTS OF THE U.S., SO A FRESH ORANGE IN YOUR STOCKING ON CHRISTMAS MORNING WAS A REAL TREAT!
A Few Weeks Before the Party
PLAN THE PERFECT GATHERING Decide where you will set up the party — choose a space with room to work, like around a dining room table or kitchen island. Don’t have the right spot? Try TV trays in the living room. Think of food made to nibble, so guests can snack while they work. No plates required. A special cocktail instantly makes partygoers feel welcome. Self-serve wine should be kept close at hand. Have medium-sized paper bags for guests to safely take their creations home. If anyone doesn’t finish the garland, zip-top bags can pack up all the supplies for guests to do it later. And don’t forget a little holiday music to set the mood.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 23
The Day of the Party
STEP-BY-STEP GARLAND Arrange all the supplies and trimmings for your garland project on trays for guests to easily grab without beads and trimmings spilling everywhere. Make one completed garland ahead of time so guests know what to expect. Thread large sewing needles with waxed thread or yarn, and have guests sew through several dried orange slices. Alternate beads, bay leaves and orange slices until desired length is achieved. Tie a knot to secure, and then add a tassel to one end and a decorative ribbon or bow to the other. Tip! The citrus rounds can either be pierced with the needle once, making a stack
(shown on page 21) or pierced twice, making the citrus lay flat (shown below). Stringing them flat will require less oranges per garland.
A FINISHED GARLAND MAKES THE PERFECT ADORNMENT FOR A HOLIDAY TABLE SETTING.
MEET OUR HOST Maggie Weir is a culinary school grad with a knack for all things creative. She loves working with her hands, doing DIY projects and making the ordinary extraordinary for her family and friends. Maggie has two children that keep her busy, but she always finds her way back into the kitchen to create and loves any excuse to throw a party.
24 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
The Week of the Party
GATHER THE SUPPLIES The options are endless for making dried orange garlands, so follow your creativity! A basic shopping list could look like this: 3-Pound Bag of Oranges You’ll need one bag of citrus per 4 to 8 guests, depending on how you plan to string them. Large Sewing Needles A large blunt-tip needle with a big eye makes for easy threading. Waxed Thread or Yarn Waxed thread goes through the oranges without catching, but any yarn will do as long as you can get it threaded. Velvet Ribbons Jewel-toned velvet ribbons look stunning tied in a bow at the top of the garland. Silk Tassels Tassels in complementary colors are the exclamation point for this project. 20-mm Wooden Beads Pick them up at craft stores. Bay Leaves Grocery stores sell them in large containers in the spice aisle.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 25
26 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
PEOPLE | SPOTLIGHT
Wrapped in Comfort A Vietnam veteran finds solace thanks to Quilts of Valor. text by AMANDA HARTIN
A
shen fog hung heavy over the war-ravaged streets of Hue, the Vietnamese city located 30 miles south of the now-defunct border that separated the communist North from the republic South. An 18-year-old Alvin Bert Grantham had spent the last two months in the city and now found himself in its belly, the stone-walled confines of the citadel, engaged in gunfire with the North Vietnamese army. It was Saturday, February 17, 1968. Gunfire, punctuated by agonizing shouts, pierced the damp air. Grantham, known as “A.B.,” pressed on with his unit, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. As part of a machine-gun squad, Grantham was never without his M-60. Only 18 days into the fight, the Battle of Hue was already
proving to be one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. The close quarters of the citadel meant shots from the enemy literally came from across the street. Buildings and homes became battlefields, with bullet-riddled walls providing thinly veiled protection. As Grantham’s squad swept house to house, a rocket exploded, which sent razor-sharp shrapnel hurling toward his unit, injuring everyone but him. Grantham dragged his comrades to safety before responding to another unit’s request for a machine gun, just a few buildings down. He would never arrive. Amidst a rain of bullets, Grantham Above, far right A.B. Grantham at sought shelter in a closer building, returned his home with his fire through a window, then ducked and Quilt of Valor
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 27
waited. The next time he appeared in the window, a bullet from an AK-47 pierced his chest, sending him hurtling through the air and landing on his back, gun still in hand. “I’m hit,” is all he could mutter. Searing pain tore through Grantham’s chest. He struggled to breathe; the slug had broken his rib, torn through his right lung and left a gaping wound in his thorax, called a sucking chest wound. Quickthinking Marines nearby packed the cavity with cellophane wrappers from cigarette boxes. They kicked down a door and used it as a stretcher, carrying the young man from Mobile to an awaiting tank. It was there, atop the makeshift ambulance, that Grantham closed his eyes and allowed himself to think about his childhood, about his friend with whom he had joined the Marines, about the girl he liked.
quilts have been one way to provide that tangible consolation. Records indicate that through the years, thousands of quilts have been sent to the frontline and to field hospitals. One night as she slept, Delawarean Catherine Roberts, whose son was serving in Iraq, had a dream about quilts, about how she could use them to honor and comfort soldiers on the other side of war — our veterans. Inspired by her vision, in 2003 she founded Quilts of Valor (QOV), a now-international, all-volunteer program that’s mission is to comfort those who have been touched by war. To date, over 280,000 quilts have been made and awarded, an important distinction from “handed out.” Recipients are nominated via form on the organization’s website, and from there the information is siphoned down to the state coordinator and then the re-
not greeted with ticker tape parades and warm hugs, a sharp contrast to how WWII soldiers were received. “It’s an emotional time when we wrap the quilt around them,” according to Peterson. “It’s an embrace that’s likely been needed for decades.”
Stitched Together “It was a very difficult time,” Grantham says of his return to the States from Vietnam. Despite a near-fatal shot, he had survived. He’d spend upwards of a year in and out of hospitals, both overseas and domestically, for war-related injuries. He continues, “Everyone seemed different to me. It was like being around strangers, even though they were family. I was very guarded with my feelings and emotions when I came back. I did not like to
“IT’S AN EMOTIONAL TIME WHEN WE WRAP THE QUILT AROUND THEM. IT’S AN EMBRACE THAT’S LIKELY BEEN NEEDED FOR DECADES.” – Quilter Carol Peterson, of Mobile
This moment was captured by photographer John Olson, a photo that appeared in Life magazine, poignantly known as “The Marine on the Tank.” Grantham was pale and lifeless, presumed dead and zipped into a body bag. He is listed as a casualty in the book, “Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam.”
In Pieces War. A simple word, only three letters long, but it’s a word that conjures images, unimaginable scenes, too gruesome to describe and too painful to remember. And for families whose loved ones are deployed, being able to provide a small sense of comfort to their soldier can bring a sliver of peace. Since at least the Revolutionary War,
28 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
gion. A quilting team begins constructing, piecing squares of fabric and then quilting the three-layered cloth sandwich together, usually with the help of a long arm machine. Carol Peterson, of Mobile, quilts by hand. “I make quilts knowing I am going to give it to somebody who really needs it. Some of these veterans have never been recognized,” she says, shaking her head. “I presented a quilt to a 94-year-old veteran at a military reunion, and he just stood there and cried.” “They are very thankful,” agrees Joyce Reed, director of Mobile’s QOV chapter. “Some have never received a thank you for their service, especially those who fought in Vietnam.” Due largely to the bitter debate surrounding the war, Vietnam vets were
speak of the experiences I went through. Speaking of it was kind of useless because you can’t put those things in words. People don’t understand the horrors of war and what it does to people, even to the people who survive.” An estimated 800,000 Vietnam veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Grantham included. For him, PTSD manifested in anger, brought on, he says, by guilt and shame and trauma. “For a period in the mid to late ‘80s, I was at a very low ebb in my life. Fortunately, I received treatment from Veterans Affairs. I’ve been in treatment for 33 or 34 years now, and I still go. People ask me why. It’s because I still need it; it’s still useful and I still learn how to deal with myself and the rest of the world.”
Grantham says he is doing outstanding these days, both physically and emotionally. He’s got two companions by his side, his wife, Dianna, and his service dog, a black Labrador named Bocephus, both lifesavers. And he has a quilt, a Quilt of Valor, handmade and presented by Peterson. He still tears up when he looks at it. “It’s one of my most prized possessions,” the Purple Heart recipient declares. “Nobody touches my quilt except me.” He pauses, then laughs. “I will let my dog lay under it with me sometimes.” As an extension of his gratitude, Grantham wrote a letter to Peterson, a portion of which he shares: “Whatever this experience of war has cost me physically or emotionally, your gift has somehow made it easier to bear. I have reached for and wrapped myself up in it several times this winter; I get a great feeling of calm, safety and warmth every time … Nothing or no one has helped me feel the healing power that this quilt gives me. Somehow, through that pile of cloth, you convey the love and appreciation these veterans need to help them heal. You give them a sense of worth and accomplishment.” When asked about the program that began with one mama’s dream-turnedmission, Grantham concludes, “I have always admired the Quilts of Valor program, and I think it’s one of the best that you can do for veterans.” MB To learn more or to get involved with Quilts of Valor, visit QOVF.org.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 29
GUMBO | AWARENESS
Konbit Collective A Daphne couple links Haitian creators with American consumers to empower Haitians to transform and develop their communities from the inside out. text by JILL CLAIR GENTRY • photos by STEPHANIE ROBINSON
O
n January 12, 2010, Haiti was rocked by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that left 220,000 people dead and over 300,000 injured. The world was moved by heartbreaking images and stories from the Caribbean nation, and $13.5 billion of aid flooded into the country. Almost 12 years later, we now know that money — mostly distributed inefficiently through foreign governments, the United Nations and over 3,000 nongovernmental organizations — did not solve Haiti’s crisis. As another earthquake rocked Haiti in August and thousands of Haitian refugees struggled for survival at the U.S. border, many Haitians boldly declared that much of the aid funneled into the island nation has added to its people’s plight. As the instability in Haiti becomes more complex, it is becoming more risky for Americans to travel to Haiti for short-term trips, as evidenced by the kidnapping of 17 missionaries, along with their Haitian driver and translator, in October. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that longstanding, locally run programs that empower Haitians to lead are the most effective way to utilize foreign aid. And one of those programs, Konbit Haiti, was founded by a Daphne couple.
Above Director of operations Danilo Cyrius leads the Konbit staff in a training exercise. Konbit Haiti is committed to empowering Haitians to lead and staff its programs.
30 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
Konbit Haiti When Stephanie and Ryan Robinson heard the news about Haiti in 2010, they knew they wanted to be involved. The couple had married just one year prior, and both had recently graduated from the University of South Alabama — Ryan with a business management degree and Stephanie with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. The couple moved to Haiti at the start of the cholera epidemic, which began after infected sewage leaked from a U.N. Peacekeepers base into Haitians’ water supply. “We saw these massive NGOs going in and trying to do either large-scale, high-tech water projects or import expensive Fiji water bottles,” Ryan says. “It was like, ‘What exactly are the locals getting out of this?’” After spending three months in Haiti, the Robinsons returned to the States and learned more about simple, low-tech solutions to help Haitians access clean water. “Our first project was at an orphanage in December 2010,” Ryan says. “We helped them fix a well on their property, and we were shocked that it actually worked. Along the way, we learned a few other techniques and began working alongside locals already working in water.” After going back and forth between Haiti and the U.S. several times, the Robinsons moved to Haiti full-time in 2011 and stayed for seven years before returning to Daphne. They now split their time between Haiti and Daphne. “A lot of it was a big adventure, and a lot of it was really hard,” Stephanie says. “We didn’t have a short-term mission trip background, and we didn’t have any idea of what our work should be like. In hindsight, that was a big blessing. We just made friends with people and learned what they needed to continue what they were already doing.” Today, Konbit Haiti serves Haitians in three ways: through its environmental programs, its family programs and its business programs. “You have to have those three spheres — environment, family and business — to holistically support a community,” Ryan says. “Our vision is a world where com-
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 31
Left Children enrolled in Konbit Haiti’s Family Support Program enjoy an activity. Above Konbit Haiti’s Environmental Programs provide replicable water technologies that protect natural resources and provide clean water.
“OUR VISION IS A WORLD WHERE COMMUNITIES TRANSFORM THEMSELVES TO THRIVE. WE BELIEVE THAT, WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS AND HELP GETTING STARTED, PEOPLE CAN TRANSFORM AND DEVELOP THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES FROM THE INSIDE OUT.” – Ryan Robinson
munities transform themselves to thrive. We believe that, with the right tools and help getting started, people can transform and develop their own communities from the inside out.” Every Konbit initiative is directed by Haitian leaders, and the Konbit community in Haiti includes over 50 local program leaders, volunteers and partners. “Everyone wants to help in any way they can. All parties are doing a good job,” says David Sanon, a founding member of Konbit Haiti who has served in a variety of roles, from intern to Environmental Branch Manager. “If I had to pick what I like the most, it would be what I get to do every day: running the Environmental Branch. Protecting our resources and land is such a big deal to Haitians. And the very word ‘konbit’ is rooted in agriculture. This word means ‘to come together to help in a garden or other project.’”
Not Saviors Ryan and Stephanie’s goal at Konbit is to empower Haitians, not spotlight themselves or other Americans by providing short-term aid. The Robinsons explain that while many
32 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
people want to go to Haiti for a week or two to help people, Haitians have too often been misunderstood by outsiders who don’t know their culture or their needs. Unfortunately, those misunderstandings can contribute to Haiti’s instability — specifically the need for orphanages in the country. In the early years of their ministry, the Robinsons began attending church at an orphanage where they had completed water projects. Every Sunday, the back row was filled with women they did not know. The children filed in and ran to sit with them. “After church, the women left, and I asked a friend who they were,” she says. “They told me, ‘Oh, those are the mothers.’” That day, Ryan and Stephanie’s eyes were opened to a heartbreaking reality: the government of Haiti estimates that 80 percent of children in orphanages have living parents. But because of the way people outside Haiti are motivated to give and serve, it’s easier to raise money for orphans than for family preservation. Parents often have such a hard time finding work and providing a safe environment, education and food for their children that surrendering them to an orphanage seems like the best option. Americans love to serve and give to these orphanages, having no idea that most of the children still have living parents who simply cannot care for them because of poverty. “People who want to go on short-term missions have the right heart,” Ryan says. “And we have had teams come in for very specific purposes — like pastors leading seminars or people coming to help with our summer camps. But Haitians have been taught over decades that the only people who can be missionaries are white Americans, and we want them to know they are fully capable. Our responsibility is to use our privilege to stand in the back and watch Haitians lead. It’s all about de-centering yourself.” The Robinsons experienced the temptation to exalt themselves as saviors early on during their time in Haiti. One of their close friends asked them to adopt his starving child. They could’ve easily accepted and presented themselves to donors back home as caring people who took in a child in need. “Instead, we worked with him to develop
a business plan based on his skills and gave him a small business loan,” Ryan says. “He was successful almost immediately. Haitian people can make a huge difference in the lives of their own people. But we had to unlearn what we thought we knew to see that. That unlearning was difficult and painful.”
Shopping for Good This experience, in addition to several others, led the Robinsons to an idea: What if they built a connection between talented Haitian creators and people in the U.S. who could purchase their products? What if they could keep more families together through simply creating jobs? “I got a master’s degree in international community development in 2018 and had to do all kinds of research,” Stephanie says. “I interviewed the women in our sewing program, most of whom are single mothers, and they all used the word ‘opportunity.’ It had changed their lives to have consistent income. That really motivated me — we could provide more opportunities like this. We now employ several more people because of the products we are selling through Konbit Collective.” Konbit Collective sells high-quality handmade items from Haitian creators — everything from pacifier clips and leather bags to facial oil and earrings. The majority of items in the store are direct trade, which means Konbit pays a higher premium to creators than what is mandated by a fair-trade distinction. Items can be purchased online at KonbitCollective.com or in-person at its brick-and-mortar store in Daphne. “Ryan always says we should be selling things because they are awesome things, not because people feel sorry for Haiti,” Stephanie says. “We are very passionate about people understanding that you can make a difference with your dollars. We vote with our dollars about the kind of world we live in. When we purchase things for a slightly higher price, we are giving people dignity and a fair wage, and that is life-changing.” MB Konbit Collective • 1305-A Main St., Daphne 210-8682 • KonbitCollective.com 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. M – F or by appointment
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 33
FOOD | BAY TABLES
Pancake Perfection One man’s quest for the perfect pancake will likely send you back to your own kitchen, searching for a cake with the perfect fluff and a good splash of top-notch maple syrup. With the holidays upon us, a decadent stack is just what this expert orders. We’ve rounded up three recipes that deserve a spot on the table. text by JAMES STENSON • photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU
B
etween COVID-19, the economy and the political much in the same way that veggie burgers and hamburgers environment we live in these days, the last thing are two different types of food that happen to share a shape you would expect people to get stressed out about and a name. is pancakes. Here in the South, we are passionate Regardless of what country I happen to be in, several things about our stacks. In terms of our affection, they rank someannoy me about ordering pancakes in restaurants: For one where between barbecue ribs and cocktails. thing, pancakes need to be served hot — not warm, and cerSuppose you do something long enough, in my case, flytainly not cold; syrup should be warm or hot, and the butter fishing; sooner or later, you consider yourself an expert — not should be kept at room temperature. Who wants a rock-hard only in the activity itself but in all things connected with it. puck that shreds rather than coats the pancake? Far too often, The connection may appear tenuous at best to the general pubmy hopes for a sumptuous breakfast are dashed by a plate of lic, but the expert sees the direct correlation. I, for instance, lukewarm pancakes sprinkled with butter that will not melt consider good food, especially a wholesome and drenched in syrup that has been kept in ... PANCAKES NEED TO breakfast after a long morning on the wathe fridge and acts like an icy blanket. BE SERVED HOT — NOT ter, as an integral part of the fishing experiHow the pancakes themselves are prepared ence. Also, as it so happens, breakfast is my is often enough to drive the poor expectant WARM, AND CERTAINLY favorite meal of the day. The conclusion is connoisseur to tears. Some may wonder what NOT COLD; SYRUP obvious; I must be one of the world’s leading could possibly be tricky about preparing panSHOULD BE WARM experts on breakfast. Given this inescapable cakes; the ingredients are simple and generOR HOT, AND THE fact, I am sure the general readership of this ally much the same between the countless BUTTER SHOULD fine publication can hardly believe its luck variations known to man. The salient point is BE KEPT AT ROOM that I am willing to part with my invaluable that the outcome is based on preparation and insight into the most enticing breakfast opcooking techniques. TEMPERATURE. tion on the menu — pancakes. Let’s start from the beginning. In my Over the last 45 years or so, I have had the privilege to “humble” opinion, only two ways to cook a fantastic pancake sample pancakes in countries throughout the world. Incredexist: one is in a cast-iron skillet, the other is on a griddle. ibly, in some countries, I encountered cooks who had no idea The cast-iron skillet works well at home and in the field. what American-style pancakes were, much less how to make Because it is made of cast iron and relatively thick, it retains them. I am proud to say that I was able to rectify this deplorheat well, and, thus, the heat remains constant throughout able situation wherever I could — making the world a better the cooking process. Therefore, the unvarying temperature place, one griddle at a time. Not that native pancakes are during cooking is essential. The electric griddle works well inferior; they are simply a different epicurean experience, at home but falls short on field-practicality — unless one
34 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
Most American pancake recipes call for the same few simple ingredients. It is the proportions of each, and the methods, that make some recipes shine and others fall flat.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 35
chooses to travel equipped with an electric generator, in which case the outcome might be stretching the concept of camping just a trifle. In summary, the perfect pancake needs to be cooked on something that stays uniformly hot. Furthermore, it needs to be topped with a fine, dark amber maple syrup — preferably, for me, from Maritime Provinces of Quebec — and harvested with the traditional method involving a spike and sheet metal buckets.
but firm on the outside. I do not like pancakes that soak up the syrup — if I wanted to eat a sponge, I would order that instead of pancakes. When I look down on my pancakes, I want to see syrup on my plate, not a bunch of soggy pancakes. The trick is to cook the outside fast on both sides without destroying the inside. Traditionally the rule of thumb is to wait for the batter to start bubbling and then flip the pancake. Most people take this a little too seriously and wait until there are bubbles everywhere before they begin to turn
IN MY “HUMBLE” OPINION, ONLY TWO WAYS TO COOK A FANTASTIC PANCAKE EXIST: ONE IS IN A CAST-IRON SKILLET; THE OTHER IS ON A GRIDDLE. Now, on to the texture, which is where arguments usually start. Options are: thick, thin, fluffy, dense, light or dark. Everyone has his or her preferences, but to this “expert,” the proper American-style pancake (not the entirely different food the French call crêpes) must be fluffy with more than just a kiss of a tan. I like thin, dark, plate-sized pancakes (although dimensions are another topic that can get people all red-faced with indignation). They should be soft on the inside
36 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
the pancakes. Given that the goal is to make relatively thin pancakes using a very wet batter, the pancake needs to be turned quickly. Pancakes are delicate and can be overcooked just like anything else. No one likes tough, dry pancakes. In some ways, creating the perfect pancake is like using the Pittsburgh method to prepare a good steak — a screaming hot pan should sear the steak on both sides until the outside is charred, but the middle remains rare.
At the conclusion of this critical discourse, let me describe the perfect pancake topping. At one time not too long ago (that is, if you lived outside of New England and Quebec) your only choice of syrup was something akin to Miss Butterworth or Log Cabin — serviceable, of course, but not very memorable. Today, we live in a “foodie” world, and gourmet markets offer refined maple syrups of multiple grades such as light amber, medium amber and the ever-soexpensive dark amber. The difference between forgettable and life-changing syrups stems from the time and energy that went into refining them (i.e. reducing the syrup before it was bottled). The longer the syrup is reduced, the darker the color and the richer the flavor will be. It takes a tremendous amount of maple sap to make maple syrup. The darker the syrup, the more sap was cooked down to produce a viable amount for the markets — hence the reason it’s so expensive. Still, I, for one, believe that it is worth splurging on syrup, given that pancakes themselves are a relatively economical food option. For those of you who share my pancake passion, let me tell you about a few places I have found that do, indeed, serve the perfect pancake. Sadly, such epicurean gems are rare and difficult to find. Interestingly enough, the two
best places I have discovered are dive bars that happen to serve breakfast. One is relatively close to the entrance to Glacier National Park. Unfortunately, it is a bit of a notorious biker bar. Thus, it is not someplace you would take your wife for a lovely brunch, but then again, if she happened to like a great pancake, she might be willing to overlook the ambience. For me, the climate and flavor of the bar are part of the charm. The other Nirvana-like pancake destination is a tiny hole-in-the-wall bar that caters primarily to commercial fishermen in a little town called Matlacha on the west coast of Florida. Sadly, it is no longer there, which means that my best advice is really to stay out of chain restaurants that supposedly specialize in pancakes — you know the ones I mean — and to sample the offerings off the beaten path. MB James Stenson writes about fly-fishing, surfing and the unique culture of South Florida. He is the founder of Sweet Water Adventure, an international adventure travel company catering to fly fishermen and wing shooters, based in Mobile. Turn to the following pages for three incredible pancake recipes from local cooks who know how to flip a good stack.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 37
FOOD | BAY TABLES
AMANDA GIBSON | LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES It was clear to Amanda Gibson at a young age that she cared more about food than most. Her parents once came home to find a 12-year-old Amanda wrapping shrimp in snow peas — something she saw in Martha Stewart’s “Entertaining.” Today, she is a published author who also writes an award-winning food blog called Lemon Baby, chronicling her adventures in seasonal food along the Gulf Coast. She makes these Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for her family as a cure for the Sunday blues. “The ricotta makes the pancakes as light as air (with an added protein punch to boot). I grate a little lemon zest into the batter and add some juice to be sure the flavor comes through.” The blueberry compote stores well in the fridge and is good on just about anything.
“TO THIS ‘EXPERT,’ THE PROPER AMERICAN-STYLE PANCAKE MUST BE FLUFFY WITH MORE THAN JUST A KISS OF A TAN.” - JAMES STENSON
38 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES SERVES 4 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup whole milk 2 large eggs 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta cheese zest from 1 lemon 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup blueberries
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and salt. Set aside. 2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the vanilla extract, milk, eggs, ricotta cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth. 3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and gently whisk until incorporated. 4. Heat skillet or griddle on medium high; grease with butter. Pour 1/2 cup batter onto hot griddle, place 3 - 4 blueberries on top of pancake, and cook for 3 minutes, until the edges start to firm up and bubbles appear on surface. 5. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve hot with blueberry compote (see below). BLUEBERRY COMPOTE
2 cups blueberries zest and juice of one lemon 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Make the compote first by combining blueberries, lemon zest and juice, and sugar in a small saucepan and heat on medium until about half of the blueberries burst and sauce thickens slightly. Turn off heat, add vanilla and stir. Let cool while you make the pancakes.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 39
BILL’S WORLD-FAMOUS PANCAKES MAKES 4 1 cup flour 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1 egg 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons more for skillet
1. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix wet ingredients together. Combine wet and dry ingredients in the large bowl and use a fork to get the lumps out. Do not overmix. 2. Let sit for at least 5 minutes until it has risen. Do not stir after it has re-risen. 3. Drop on a hot, greased skillet. Brown on both sides. Serve with hot maple syrup and enjoy!
MAD FOR MAPLE SYRUP For years, Thompson made a habit of collecting a bottle of high-quality maple syrup wherever he traveled, and he amassed quite a collection! He enjoyed letting guests try them all and find their favorites. These days, he says buying the best Vermont maple syrup you can get at the local grocery works just great, but don’t forget to warm it! Fill a mixing bowl with hot tap water, set the entire bottle of syrup inside and let it warm while you cook the pancakes.
40 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
FOOD | BAY TABLES
BILL THOMPSON BILL’S WORLD-FAMOUS PANCAKES
“I, FOR ONE, BELIEVE THAT IT IS WORTH SPLURGING ON SYRUP, GIVEN THAT PANCAKES THEMSELVES ARE A RELATIVELY ECONOMICAL FOOD OPTION.” - JAMES STENSON
More than 25 years ago at a hunting camp in north Alabama, a friend of Bill Thompson treated those gathered to the fluffiest, most perfect pancakes they had ever tried. The recipe was shared and written down, and it stayed at the camp to be made by Thompson for all future guests. These days you will find him instead with an electric griddle under his boathouse on Ono Island, flipping flapjacks for friends and family while his granddaughter splashes in the water. This former owner of a yacht brokerage firm, and now head of Santa Rosa Shooting Center, is more commonly known by his family as the “pancake king!”
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 41
FOOD | BAY TABLES
THERESA LACEY | SOUTHERN APPLESAUCE PANCAKES In the wake of Hurricane Sally, Fairhope’s Theresa Lacey wanted to do something nice for the power company workers who had come from across the South to help her community. “We only had the gas cooker on our outdoor porch working, so cooking was definitely an experiment,” she laughs. Even so, every morning she made these applesauce pancakes and delivered them to the workers around town. The easy recipe has become a staple in her repertoire ever since. When not flipping short stacks, Lacey is an accomplished author who specializes in history and travel writing, having contributed to the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series. Her pancakes are good for the soul as well.
42 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
SOUTHERN APPLESAUCE PANCAKES SERVES 6
Lacey uses monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar to reduce calories. The sweetness of these pancakes means they work well on the go, even without syrup! 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup organic two percent milk 1 cup monk fruit sweetener 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs, beaten
1. Set oven to warm (170 degrees). In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until well-blended. 2. Spray skillet or electric griddle with nonstick. Over medium heat, bring skillet / griddle to 375 degrees. 3. Using a small serving spoon, ladle about 1/4 cup batter into skillet or griddle. Let cook until pancake edges are brown and centers are bubbly. Gently flip with a spatula and cook other side. 4. Place pancakes on rack centered on a cookie sheet. Place cooked pancakes on rack and in warm oven as you cook the rest. Serve warm with your favorite syrups, fruit or other toppings.
“THE TRICK IS TO COOK THE OUTSIDE FAST ON BOTH SIDES WITHOUT DESTROYING THE INSIDE. TRADITIONALLY THE RULE OF THUMB IS TO WAIT FOR THE BATTER TO START BUBBLING AND THEN FLIP THE PANCAKE.” - JAMES STENSON
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 43
“INTO EVERY GIRL’S LIFE, A LITTLE DIAMOND SHOULD FALL.”
photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU styling by MAGGIE LACEY modeling by CAROLINA GROOM
- ELIZABETH TAYLOR
Whether Santa baby will be putting a perfectly wrapped little gift box under your tree this year or not, it’s impossible not to swoon over these gorgeous gems and precious metals. 44 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
ESTATE 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD RING WITH AMETHYST $925 • KARAT PATCH JEWELERS ESTATE COLLECTION VINTAGE 18 KARAT YELLOW GOLD RING WITH 16 MM MABE PEARL AND DIAMONDS $799 • CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION ESTATE COLLECTION VINTAGE 18 KARAT YELLOW GOLD AND DIAMOND DOME RING • $3,950 CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION ESTATE COLLECTION VINTAGE ART DECO PLATINUM BRACELET WITH MULTI-STRANDS OF 72 8MM AKOYA PEARLS AND OVER 7 CARATS OF DIAMONDS • $14,900 CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION ESTATE 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD CONCORD WATCH WITH .75 CARATS OF DIAMONDS • $3,500 • KARAT PATCH JEWELERS ESTATE 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD WAVE-DESIGN BANGLE WITH EMERALDS AND DIAMONDS • $5,200 KARAT PATCH JEWELERS ESTATE 18 KARAT WHITE GOLD WATCH WITH DIAMONDS $5,250 • KARAT PATCH JEWELERS
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 45
14 KARAT WHITE GOLD RING WITH 10 CARAT TANZANITE AND DIAMOND HALO • $11,250 • KARAT PATCH JEWELERS 14 KARAT WHITE GOLD INTERLOCKING RING WITH .88 CARATS OF DIAMONDS $2,495 • JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY ESTATE COLLECTION VINTAGE ART DECO PLATINUM BRACELET WITH 3 CARATS OF DIAMONDS AND 5 CARATS OF SAPPHIRE • $9,500 • CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION ESTATE 15 KARAT YELLOW GOLD BANGLE WITH 3.00 CARATS OF DIAMONDS CIRCA 1895 • $8,500 ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY MEN’S BAUME & MERCIER CLASSIMA WATCH IN STAINLESS STEEL • $2,500 ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY 18 KARAT YELLOW GOLD BANGLE WITH .35 CARATS OF DIAMONDS • $2,950 ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY STERLING SILVER CHARLES GARNIER “NAIL” BRACELET WITH CUBIC ZIRCONIA $225 • GOLD ART
“PEOPLE WILL STARE. MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WHILE.”
- HARRY WINSTON
46 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD BANGLE WITH .80 CARATS OF DIAMONDS • $3,950 ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 47
48 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
“I DON’T EXERCISE. IF GOD HAD WANTED ME TO BEND OVER, HE WOULD HAVE PUT DIAMONDS ON THE FLOOR.” - JOAN RIVERS
ESTATE COLLECTION VINTAGE 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD RING WITH 12 CARAT TURQUOISE AND DIAMONDS • $1,795 CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD FLOWER RING WITH .62 CARATS OF DIAMONDS • $2,282 • KARAT PATCH JEWELERS ANTIQUE 14 CARAT OVAL AMETHYST RING WITH FILIGREE BORDER CIRCA 1960S • $825 • GOLD ART ANTIQUE ORIENTAL FOUR SEASONS 18 KARAT GOLD PANEL BRACELET CIRCA 1960 • $12,000 • GOLD ART ESTATE COLLECTION ITALIAN 18 KARAT GOLD BRACELET WITH .66 CARAT CABOCHON TURQUOISE STONES • $4,500 CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION ESTATE GOLD BANGLE BRACELETS • STARTING AT $169 JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 49
50 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
“I NEVER HATED A MAN ENOUGH TO GIVE HIM HIS DIAMONDS BACK.” - ZSA ZSA GABOR ESTATE 18 KARAT GOLD STAR BROOCH WITH 3.25 CARATS OF DIAMOND CIRCA 1895 $6,900 • ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY ESTATE 1980s NECKLACE WITH EMERALDS AND DIAMONDS TOTALING 21.5 CARATS $15,000 • JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY ESTATE 1980s 14 KARAT GOLD NECKLACE WITH RUBY AND DIAMONDS TOTALING 7.5 CARATS $6,900 • JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY 18 KARAT YELLOW GOLD RING WITH 3.34 CARAT OVAL EMERALD AND 2.90 CARATS OF DIAMONDS $26,900 • ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY ESTATE 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD TASSEL BRACELET CIRCA 1880 • $4,250 • ZUNDEL’S JEWELRY 14 KARAT GOLD GREEK KEY BRACELET $1,100 • JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY
RESOURCES CHAPEL FARM COLLECTION 19130 SCENIC HIGHWAY 98, FAIRHOPE. 929-1630. GOLD ART 4503 OLD SHELL ROAD. 342-6303. JOHN CAULEY JEWELRY 15 UPHAM ST. 660-4759. KARAT PATCH JEWELERS 800 HILLCREST ROAD. 344-5614. ZUNDEL’S 3670 DAUPHIN ST. 241-5439.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 51
52 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
U M S A T A S S
NOW
HAR V E ST T I
US R T I C ME FOR LOC A L
text by WALTER KIRKLAND • photos by ELIZABETH GELINEAU model CAROLINA GROOM • clothing by THE HOLIDAY • on location HARRISON FARMS
LEARN THE FINER POINTS OF LOWER ALABAMA’S UNIQUE SATSUMA HERITAGE AND PICK UP SOME TIPS FOR GROWING THE COLD-WEATHER CITRUS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD.
We Alabamians are eager to brag about the many wonderful things unique to our state — Auburn or Alabama football, Conecuh sausage, Chilton County peaches, sugar-white beaches or the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, for example. I like to surprise out-of-state friends and guests with a treat that is only grown on the Central Gulf Coast — that bright orange, uber sweet, easy-topeel, seedless citrus wonder, the satsuma. Satsumas are true mandarin oranges, unlike tangerines and clementines, which are hybrids of mandarins. Jesuits brought satsumas (named for the Japanese region where they were cultivated) from Asia to North America in the 18th century, starting groves in the Jesuit Plantation upriver from New Orleans. There have been several attempts to establish a satsuma growing industry in Lower Alabama but most failed due to freezes or dips in the economy. In the 1930s, Dr.
O.F.E. Winberg, a Swedish immigrant and self-taught horticulturist living in Silverhill, decided to lick the temperature sensitivity of the fruit and experimented with grafting the Owari variety of satsuma to several rootstocks that could withstand colder temperatures. The most successful rootstock was and remains the trifoliata rootstock.
The Harrisons of Baldwin County Shortly after my wife and I moved to Weeks Bay in 2006, I decided to plant some trees of this amazing fruit. The experts at Old Thyme Feed informed me that it would be a few years before those trees produced fruit. While I waited for my own trees to produce, I relied on the Harrison family orchard located on Highway 98, just south of Fairhope. In the fall, many travelers drive
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 53
Above A basketful of fresh satsumas, still warm from the south Alabama sunshine. The har vest for 2022 is setting up to yield a bumper crop.
54 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
by (and stop at) the Harrisons’ truck parked in front of their house with its iconic “Satsumas Now!” sign. The truck is stocked with bags of satsumas, and purchasers operate on the honor system. There’s a lockbox on the truck where buyers insert their money. As far as I know, this is the biggest honor system retail operation in Baldwin County, maybe even in the entire state. Not by mistake, this honor system is in keeping with the wholesomeness of Joe Harrison and his family. The Harrison family has owned several acres of farmland on Highway 98 between county roads 24 and 3 in the same location since the early 1900s. The farm is a family compound inhabited by Joe, his wife Carolyn, a brother, two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren. Joe refers to Carolyn as the farm manager, but all family members, including the grandchildren, are involved in the farm operation. Though familiar with farming since childhood, Joe’s chief employment was as a project manager in shipyards. He retired in 2016. Looking ahead to his retirement, Joe, with the help of his family, planted 400 satsuma trees in 2000. They lost half of those trees to a frost in early 2001 and planted another 200 that year. They have maintained an orchard of approximately 400 trees ever since. Harrison Farms grows three varieties of satsumas, all planted on the trifoliata root stock: Early St. Ann, Owari and Brown Select. Obviously, the Early St. Ann variety ripens first, usually the first weeks of November. The Early St. Ann will still have greenish / yellow skins when they are ready, but the fruit is fully ripe and brimming with sweetness. They will turn bright orange after a few days of colder weather. Joe ranks the Early St. Ann as his favorite. At picking time, it sports very thin skin and practically no white pith. Owari usually come in around Thanksgiving and Brown Select are gathered around Christmastime. Once fruit starts ripening, the family picks two to three days a week, usually harvesting 40 to 50 bushels a day. One bushel of fruit will fill three bags. The fruit is taken to a cold storage room, sorted, bagged and then put on the truck in front of the house. Harrison has tried to sell to local supermarkets in the past, but because of the central warehousing practice of most chains, he believes that it’s better to sell the fruit at its freshest, right on the farm. Just as the annual snowbird migration gets underway, Joe is swamped with calls from returning patrons asking when the truck will be parked and loaded with the first fruit of the season.
GROW YOUR OWN The best time to plant young satsuma trees is the spring, after danger of freezing has passed. Ask your garden center for trifoliata rootstock trees. Plant young trees in a location that will shelter them from harsh north winds; for example, in front of a south-facing wall. It takes 3 to 5 years for a satsuma tree to produce abundant, healthy fruit. Pick marble-sized fruit from young trees so the tree can focus its energy on growth and durability rather than on producing fruit. Satsumas are heavy feeders. Auburn’s Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope suggests a balanced 8-8-8 fertilizer. The best times to fertilize are the beginning of blooming (usually February or early March) and when the fruit is marblesized (usually June). Fertilize from the trunk to outside the drip line. Irrigation is sometimes necessary, even in our rainy climate. Irrigation begins once the tree blooms. Satsumas bear alternately. After a bountiful crop, the satsuma yield will be smaller the following year. When harvesting, use a knife or clippers to cut the stem from the branch and avoid tearing the skin. Never pull or twist the fruit from the tree.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 55
Left Art Sessions inspects an early crop of satsumas on his farm in Grand Bay, mar veling at the quantity of fruit on this year’s trees. Photo by Walter Kirkland
Sessions Farm in Grand Bay While Harrison Farms focuses on selling to local buyers, Art Sessions, the patriarch of Sessions Farm family in Grand Bay, developed a large wholesale market for satsumas. The Sessions family started farming shortly after World War II, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that Art and brother David decided to scatter several satsuma trees in their pecan grove. The Sessionses’ pecan grove, with its large, mature trees, turned out to be an ideal locale for the new satsuma trees. Art explained that the larger pecan trees give off heat and thereby protect the satsuma trees from dangerous freezes. The Sessionses’ orchard now numbers some 4,000 trees and produces over 600,000 pounds of fruit annually. In the early 2000s, the Alabama Department of Agriculture offered the Sessionses a large order for their crop to be distributed to school lunchrooms throughout the state. That order provided the foundation for the Sessionses’ robust wholesale business. The operation’s state-of-the-art cold storage, packing and shipping operation is in the same building as their retail Sessions Farm market. Every fall, Sessions employs about 25 seasonal farm workers to pick, pack and ship their fruit directly to
56 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
supermarket chains and re-shippers who distribute the fruit all the way up the East Coast. Satsumas that are destined for supermarkets must be in pristine condition. Immediately after picking, the fruit is washed, waxed and sorted (for size — smaller is better), and stored away in a 36-degree warehouse. Sessions says that this year marks one of the best crops that the farm has ever had. I toured the orchard with him, and he was not exaggerating. One tree he pointed out was overhanging with approximately 1,500 pounds of fruit. The size and quality of the fruit this year are second to none, says the grower. If you are traveling out of state for the holidays, take a bag or two of luscious satsumas to your hosts. That will ensure you will be invited back, provided you always bring along Lower Alabama’s citrus treasure. MB
DID YOU KNOW? In 1915, an area north of Mobile, then called Fig Tree Island, was renamed Satsuma in honor of the booming Japanese fruit. However, several freezes from 1924 to 1933 severely damaged the trees and their fruit. This was compounded by the fact that longleaf pine forests, which had once protected the town from cold northern winds, had recently been cut down. Then, in 1940, a sudden drop in temperature during growing season dealt a fatal blow, essentially eliminating the Gulf Coast satsuma industry for the next 50 years.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 57
welcome
Julianne McBay stands in the doorway of her 146-year-old home. A cedar garland with red berries from Zimlich’s Patio and Garden makes a statement above the entryway. A wreath of the same materials hangs on her front door. 58 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
text by CHRISTY REID • photos by SUMMER ENNIS ANSLEY
Deck the Halls A historic two-story gem in midtown Mobile gets the lavish holiday treatment with stunning traditional decoration dreamed up by an owner with a flair for design, and she shares that festive creativity with clients and friends, too.
S
he had to have it. When Julianne McBay spotted the white historic home with Greek Revival and Gothic style on Ann Street online in 2010, she fell in love. It was no surprise really, as Julianne has always had an affinity for white houses with black shutters and an American flag flying out front. The double porches also made her swoon. Inside the doors, her favorite features were the tall ceilings and six fireplaces. She and husband Ronnie made an offer, but they didn’t get the house of her dreams. Heartbroken, Julianne moved on to another home in the neighborhood. But then in 2012, the house went back on the market. “I walked by it every day and convinced Ronnie I would never ask for another house,” Julianne remembers. “I called the owner, Debra Kraus, in New York out of the blue. It was very inappropriate.” Julianne convinced Debra to take her offer, and she had fresh pine
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 59
traditional taste
A portrait of Molly Mac by Fay Bridges Hyatt hangs above the mantel in the dining room. The blue and white drapes are from Cotton Capers. Julianne found the secretary and ginger jars at Yellow House Antiques. The Imari plate between the jars is from Design House. Bennett Griffith helped Julianne style the vignette. The orchid centerpiece was created with plants from Zimlich’s Patio and Garden. Julianne scored the silver chandelier at an Atchison Home warehouse sale.
show some swag
The same cedar garland and berries used on the porch are continued up the McBays’ staircase. Traditional red and green complement her historic home. “I bought all the red berries at Zimlich’s Patio and Garden last year,” Julianne says, “and I was excited to use them throughout the house this season. I didn’t use lights because the berries alone did the trick.”
gathering place “My Mama and Daddy have a plantation shutter business, Lewis Supply,” shares Julianne. “Daddy made the swing from shutters and used a maritime rope to hang it.” She brought a holiday look to the swing with plaid pillows. In the background you can spot the twin home next door to the McBays.
60 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
family tree Julianne found the tree on sale at Lowe’s. She adds garland to fill the holes and 1,600 lights to bring it to life. On the tree you will find decorations and ornaments she has purchased over the years and also all of her kids’ handmade decorations. “It’s definitely a history of our family,” she says. The silver bells and trees nestled at the bottom are from Zimlich’s Patio and Garden. A painting by Gigi Mills from Gallery Orange hangs above a chest on legs from Yellow House Antiques.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 61
straw put down before the closing to spruce up the facade. She continued to walk by every day until it was hers. Julianne credits her mother, Becky Lewis, for embedding her with a deep appreciation for all things home and garden. “My mom is the quintessential Southern decorator,” says Julianne. “I’ve been looking at houses and talking about houses and loving houses since I was toddling.” It all began with a fluffing of fresh pine straw, but then Julianne began filling the home with treasured antiques, vintage rugs and original pieces of art. She describes her style as traditional with modern art or “spicy preppy.” Her love of antiques and commitment to bring period appropriate pieces into the old home is now blended with unexpected art. She’s not afraid to add color and pattern to traditional, historic style. “I’ve collected antiques since I was 18,” says Julianne. “I bought the English chest when I was 19 or 20.” She worked extra jobs
big welcome
Mac, the McBays’ yellow lab, poses on his front porch with a coordinating red ribbon. Julianne draped cedar garland from the banisters and secured the greenery with red velvet wired ribbon. She purchases ribbon from Etsy and crafts her own bows.
small space pop
Julianne’s love of pattern and bold art doesn’t stop in the main living spaces. She combines traditional blue and white with a chinoiserie mirror and the leopard spots of Tanzania wallpaper by Thibaut. “Send in the Guards” by June Valentine Ruppe is an eye-catcher on the wall (and feels perhaps a touch Christmasy, too?).
62 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
sharing the joy of home
In keeping with the tradition of passing down a love for home decorating, Molly Mac (age 10) helped her mom choose Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore in high gloss for the kitchen cabinets. Julianne creates all of her own arrangements with plants from Zimlich’s Patio and Garden. The shade fabric is from Cotton Capers.
for her English antiques, art and rugs. Most are from Yellow House Antiques in Mobile or antiques stores near her hometown back in Georgia. She collects art from Gallery Orange in New Orleans and Amber Ivey here in Mobile. “My goal was to collect things to pass on to my kids Molly Mac, Emile and William,” says Julianne. “I hope they see these things and know I was collecting for them.” While Julianne has an eye for decorating, she is never afraid to call on the professionals. She asked local designer Bennett Griffith to help pull together the look. “Bennett helped me see new arrangements for my collections,” says Julianne. “I know what I like, but a set of fresh eyes is helpful.” She firmly believes in hiring someone you trust to help you realize and work towards your goals. “Bam Bam Lawncare helps me make my landscape what I imagined,” she adds. “The owners, Erika and Ben Martinez, are like family.” Given Julianne’s penchant for decorating, it was inevitable that she would begin helping others. Sherry Melton and Molly Dickson at Zimlich’s Patio and Garden Center gave Julianne her first referrals for holiday decorating. “They are super talented and always help me throughout the season,” says Julianne, who buys most of her holiday decor from Zimlich’s. She confesses she has a “Christmas closet” filled with twigs and trimmings that make their way into floral arrangements year after year. Julianne’s inspiration often bubbles up after she sees the home of her clients. After she gets a feel for the style, the ideas start flowing and she always begins with what excites her the most. “Once I start going, it has a life of its own! It’s very spontaneous,” she admits. “I never have a plan.” “This is a lifelong love affair with my family, home and decorating,” says Julianne. “My goal is to provide a warm, inviting home that reflects the people in it, their collections and family heirlooms.” It’s a formula that worked for her and now for friends and clients, too. MB
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 63
[MOBILE BAY MAGAZINE PRESENTS]
ABOVE & BEYOND photos by CHAD RILEY
IN THIS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION, LOCAL BUSINESSES DEMONSTRATE WHY THEY ARE LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS, WITH SKILLS AND SERVICES THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.
64 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
ALABAMA MEDICAL GROUP, P.C.
Brandon Bodie, M.D. INTERNAL MEDICINE
F
ounded in 1946, Alabama Medical Group is the largest physician-owned multi-specialty group in the area. Our mission is to improve the health of those we serve by blending modern medicine with the time-honored values of compassion, empathy and respect. Dr. Brandon Bodie is one example of what sets AMG above and beyond the rest. When you began your career, did you ever imagine you’ d be a leader in your field? In 2012, I transitioned from the business world to pre-medicine. Had you told me then that in nine years I’d have completed an internal medicine residency program, where I would be the humbled recipient of a Franciscan Service Award, I would not have believed you. To settle back in my hometown and practice primary care is a dream come true!
How did you reach your level of success? I treat my patients with empathy and respect. They’re not just a medical record number, they’re a person who is depended on by family, friends and community. I strive to make each patient visit an exceptional experience. How do you differentiate yourself from others in the field? In primary care, my job is to help equip patients with the right tools (lifestyle choices, vaccines, screenings, medicines) to improve both their quality of life and days on this earth. What an incredible privilege for me! I wear this joy on my shoulder, and patients often find this refreshing. What are your hopes for the future? I look forward to continuing to build relationships with my patients that span years, decades and hopefully generations.
“IT IS SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO WALK WITH PATIENTS THROUGH EVERY CHAPTER OF THEIR LIVES.”
ALABAMA MEDICAL GROUP, P.C. 101 Memorial Hospital Drive 251-414-5900 alabamamedicalgroup.com
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 65
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
ALOHA HOSPITALITY
Bob Baumhower “OUR GUESTS ARE THE REASON WE ARE HERE AND ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT FOCUS.”
A
loha Hospitality concepts, Baumhower’s Victory Grille, Dauphins, Las Floriditas and Wingfingers, are all Alabama born and bred. Each location is committed to using fresh, locally-sourced products, including chicken. Aloha is committed to guaranteeing excellence and does so through hiring great people and training, developing and equipping them to deliver a winning experience. How did you reach your level of success? I don’t feel being successful is an accident. To be successful you must have a vision for yourself, and make a plan for how that vision becomes a reality. After you make the plan, you must be totally committed to doing what it takes to win. How do you differentiate yourself from others in your field? I’ve always made being the best I can be something that I wake up to everyday. I try to make a practice of being consistent with that. One of the things I feel that differentiates people from each other is knowing not every day is a winning day, it’s how you react after a loss and what you do the next day to make it a win. What are the most important attributes of successful leaders? Great leaders have a good, clear and consistent vision and are committed to working with their people side-by-side to make that vision a reality.
ALOHA HOSPITALITY 26801 Railroad Avenue, Loxley 251-424-1240 alohahospitality.com PHOTO COURTESY ALOHA HOSPITALITY
66 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Cochran Builders, Inc. LEFT TO RIGHT: SKIP JONES, GEOFFREY COCHRAN, JARED COCHRAN
I
To what do you attribute your success? Our team! The men and women who represent our company are the very best at their trade and in the surrounding area.
How do you differentiate yourself from others in your field? Our mission is and always has been to provide our customers with the very best construction process. From design to move-in day, attention to detail is standard. We guide our customers all the way through the building process.
How do you make sure your customers get the best result? Obtaining the best result is making sure we are onsite to catch a problem before it happens. We only do a couple projects at a time so we can properly manage the job. This also allows us to use the same craftsmen on all our jobs, so we are able to deliver the very best work.
If you can dream it, Cochran Builders Inc.’s team of talented craftsmen can build it. When the build or renovation is complete, Geoffrey and Jared Cochran make sure the outcome is more stunning than words can describe.
COCHRAN BUILDERS, INC. Spanish Fort Geoffrey: 251-423-9686 Jared: 251-401-9059 cochranbuildersinc.com Facebook/Instagram: @cochranbuilders
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 67
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
LEFT TO RIGHT: PAUL THOMPSON, MANAGER; STEVE ASCIK, OWNER; BRITTANY CALDWELL, USA INTERN; JOVANA BROWN, SPANISH FORT HIGH SCHOOL CO-OP
Eastern Shore Ace Hardware
A
ce Hardware, with its 5,300 nationwide locations, has ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction for 14 of the past 15 years, according to J.D. Power, and the Eastern Shore Ace achieved Pinnacle Status in 2021, a designation less than 15 percent of stores achieve. It’s clear Steve Ascik knows how to create an environment conducive to service excellence, and he and his staff look forward to daily interaction with all kinds of customers. But what really sets this hardware store apart from others is their unique relationship with the Baldwin County Schools Cooperative Education program and the University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business. “Some of our most frequent customer
68 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
feedback comes from customers who have interacted with our co-op students or interns,” Ascik says. “Customers are impressed with their courtesy and ability to help them find things they need. As students learn the business, we increase responsibilities. In the second year, they are usually prepared to become a keyholder.” The internship program, geared toward entrepreneurs and business majors, includes learning all aspects of the business, as well as an opportunity to contribute new ideas. “We don’t subscribe to the common belief that today’s young people aren’t prepared to contribute,” Ascik concludes. “We find that motivated young adults are interested in learning, pick up responsibilities quickly and they bring fresh ideas from a unique perspective.”
“WE WORK HARD TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE AND HELPFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR CUSTOMERS.” - STEVE ASCIK, OW NER
EASTERN SHORE ACE HARDWARE 6530-F Spanish Fort Boulevard 251-626-3350 acehardware.com Co-op or Internship Information: spanishfortace@gmail.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Greer’s Markets SINCE 1916 ... GREER’S GOT IT! WE GUARANTEE IT!
GREER’S MARKETS greers.com Facebook/Instagram: @greersmarkets @greerscashsaver @greersstlouismarket
T
he new Greer’s St. Louis Market, recently opened in downtown Mobile, is the first of its kind for the organization. Located at the corner of St. Louis and Jackson streets, the specialty market was planned by the 5th generation of Greers and has received overwhelming acclamation from the community. It truly is an above and beyond look into the future at Greer’s. And with 29 locations in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, there’s likely a Greer’s Market just around the corner from you.
What sets Greer’s above and beyond other organizations in the industry? Greer’s Markets is family owned and operated for 105 years — that’s five generations — proving we are able and willing to evolve with ever-changing cultural demands. Through the years, our vision to bring added joy, well-being and value to people’s lives has remained the same, made possible through our five strategic points of difference: Great place to work; friendliest, community connected, competitive prices and fresh focus.
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 69
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
INFIRMARY HEALTH
John Andrew Cox, M.D. NEURO-CRITICAL CARE
I
nfirmary Health has developed a Neuroscience Center of Excellence, which provides the full spectrum of neurological care, including stroke, neurology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, pain management, therapy and more. Dr. John Andrew Cox, neuro-critical care and endovascular surgical neuroradiology physician, brings his expertise to Diagnostic and Medical Clinic, enhancing Mobile Infirmary’s ability to provide advanced and acute stroke care. What is one leadership lesson you have learned in your career? It’s not about being the boss or always being the person who has all the answers and giving orders. It’s about elevating those around you, figuring out their strengths and putting them in a position to be successful. When a good leader is present, the entire team performs at a higher level. What are the most important attributes of successful leaders? The ability to make
70 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
decisions and the willingness to listen to ideas and strategies that differ from your own. You need to be able to synthesize information from your team and make decisions swiftly, when needed, and stick with them. Ultimately, the responsibility is yours, and you have to take the failures along with the successes. What are your hopes for the future? At Infirmary Health, we have excellent facilities and a fantastic team of physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners who are capable of delivering comprehensive care for neurological issues. We live in a state where cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke and brain aneurysms, are highly prevalent. These are some of the most time-sensitive issues in all of medicine. Getting evaluation and treatment sooner gives you a much higher chance of making a full recovery, so having world-class care locally is of utmost importance and something I aim to help provide to the local community and surrounding region.
“I HOPE TO MAKE INFIRMARY HEALTH A DESTINATION HUB FOR NEUROVASCULAR DISEASE.”
INFIRMARY HEALTH 5 Mobile Infirmary Circle 251-435-2400 infirmaryhealth.org
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Chris King
“MY HOPE IS THAT MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD OUR FUTURE.”
R
oberts Brothers, named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Alabama,” is recognized for its awardwinning realtors, at the helm of which is Chris King, the No. 1 realtor with Roberts Brothers, Inc., South Alabama’s largest real estate company. What sets you Above & Beyond other agents in your industry? All agents are equal, but you must love what you do as a profession. I am very fortunate to have repeat customers, and I am now able to sell the second generation. When you began your career, did you ever imagine you would be a leader? No, I never thought of it in that way but I’m grateful for the choices I made when I began my career. I believed then as I do now, the diversity of Roberts Brothers and our brand has helped build my career through the years. How did you reach your level of success? I think you reach your own level of success by enjoying what you do and realizing there is more to each transaction than just a commission. It is important to build relationships with your clients. The real joy of this business is meeting so many different people and hearing their stories. And being present in the moment is instrumental. A saying I like to live by is, “Be where your feet are.”
CHRIS S. KING 3601 Spring Hill Business Park Cell: 251-454-0226 Office: 251-344-9220 chrisking.robertsbrothers.com
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 71
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency LEFT TO RIGHT: BILL GOODLOE, ERLING RIIS III, RANDY FRY, GAYLORD LYON JR., MCCRARY OTTS, ED CADDEN, GEORGE OSWALT, SPENCE ADAMS
W
ith agency roots going back to 1905, Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency, Inc. has become one of the most trusted and respected property and casualty insurance agencies in the Mobile area. Our specialties include Personal and Commercial Insurance, as well as Surety Bonds. We represent most insurance companies that write coverage in South Alabama through the independent agency system, and we have access to markets specializing in higher value homes, luxury vehicles, jewelry schedules and most types of personal property coverage.
72 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
For the third consecutive year, Lyon Fry Cadden was awarded Best Practices status by the Independent Agents of America and Reagan Consulting of Atlanta. Only 262 Independent Agencies throughout the United States qualified, based on operational excellence. How did you reach your level of success? Our employees’ industry knowledge and experience, paired with outstanding customer service, is the foremost reason we are successful. We employ some of the best, most knowledgeable agents in the business, each of whom has extensive experience assessing an individual’s risk and matching it with the best possible carrier at a competitive price.
What differentiates you from others in your field? Our business is all about relationships. Relationships with our clients, our underwriters and peers are at the heart of what we do. The culture we have created within our agency fosters these strong relationships and we strive to provide excellent service to our clients.
LYON FRY CADDEN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 3212 Midtown Park S 251- 473-4600 lyonfrycadden.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Dr. Ship Maitre
“LETTING THE PATIENT KNOW THAT THEIR BEST INTEREST IS MY FIRST PRIORITY IS PARAMOUNT.”
T
he future has never been brighter for the field of dentistry, more specifically, patient care. Dr. Robert Blankenship “Ship” Maitre stays on the forefront of progress through continuing education and researching advanced techniques. Everything from the way he diagnoses and treats disease to the materials he uses is nothing short of revolutionary. In addition to providing aesthetic and general dentistry, as well as dental implant surgery, Dr. Ship also offers Zoom! whitening treatments, Botox and a wellness plan for non-insured patients. How did you reach your level of success? Success is the result of a total team effort. I owe my success to my front office, hygienists and chairside assistants. Their ability to work together as a team has brought me to where I am today.
Also, it didn’t take me long to learn complacency is unacceptable in the field of dentistry. There is always more to learn, and it all starts in the best interest of my patients. They deserve the best from me. They put their trust in me. They don’t deserve to be treated with outdated methods. How do you differentiate yourself from others in your field? Through my training in advanced restorative procedures and implant dentistry, I’ve acquired the confidence to treat a number of complex dental issues. Many people have been looking for answers for years, even decades, and I’ve been blessed to be able to help a large number of them. Treating complex cases comes with a large responsibility. My attention to detail is critical to ideal outcomes, and I hold myself accountable to exceed my patients’ expectations.
What do you consider the most important attribute of successful leaders? The most important attribute is to lead by example. The phrase “that’s not my job” has no place in my practice, and I have to live by that as well. Another is a positive attitude. My father was always positive and his attitude established a culture in our practice that has been present for decades. Patients notice the little things like that as well.
ROBERT BLANKENSHIP “SHIP” MAITRE, DMD 801 S University Boulevard, #A 251-344-4571 shipthedentist.com
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 73
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
The Park & Rebowe Clinic
RYAN REBOWE, M.D.
O
ur medical spa experience is second to none, with a relaxing environment that can’t be matched by any other medical spa in the area. Whether it’s non-surgical aesthetic services, cosmetic procedures or reconstructive plastic surgery that brings you in, our wonderful and dedicated staff is eager to greet you and help you along your journey. What sets you Above & Beyond other organizations in your industry? There are a number of things that we do differently than others, but what I think sets our practice apart from others in the area is our concierge approach to patient care. We make a deliberate effort to fine tune the experience that our patients have with us. We look at how we can make every aspect better from the
74 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
CHRIS PARK, M.D.
moment they first make contact with us to long after they have had their surgery. We are constantly trying to re-evaluate what our patients experience when they choose us as their provider. We aim to deliver optimal surgical results, but we also pay close attention to how we can enhance the patient journey. Who inspires you and why? We are most inspired by our breast cancer patients who come to us while juggling the duties of wife, mother, daughter with the fear of being a patient, decision maker, and often times being called on as an ambassador before you are ready. It is a terribly stressful, scary, and humbling time, and we stand in awe of those that we meet. Paradoxically, these women who should be most frightened are often the most positive and gratuitous people that we interact with as physicians.
How do you differentiate yourselves from others in the field? We differentiate ourselves by expecting and acting with intention to get the best results we can for our patients every time. We do not accept easy, acceptable or reasonable results. With each case we spend countless hours discussing with one another what the best course of action would be for each patient. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to patient care, especially in plastic surgery.
PARK & REBOW CLINIC FOR PLASTIC SURGERY Mobile: 3700 Dauphin Street, suite A Fairhope: 411 N Section Street, 3rd floor 251-340-6600 theparkplasticsurgery.com FB: @theparkclinicmedspaatthepark
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Peters Financial PETERS FINANCIAL IS A FULL-SERVICE WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM WITH OFFICES IN MOBILE AND FAIRHOPE.
What sets your business apart? By investing the time necessary to meet with each of our clients on a regular basis, we can provide a tailored approach to each individual, family or business. It has often been said that people don’t care what you know unless they know that you care. Since 1980, the foundation of our business has been about building relationships. “These days old fashioned customer service is a rare commodity. At Peters Financial, we understand that trust is built over time. We continue to be committed to earning the honor and privilege of our clients’ trust.” - Pete Peters How did you get into this field? In June 1975, one week after graduating from the Mitchell College of Business at the University of South Alabama, Pete Peters started working in the financial services business. His son, Lee Peters, followed suit and is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama, with an undergraduate degree in finance and a master’s of financial planning and counseling. What services do you provide? We provide investment services, retirement planning, 401k, IRA, 529 college planning, estate planning, and life, disability, and long-term care insurance. What is your mission? Our mission is to help each of our clients achieve their financial goals. For over 40 years, Peters Financial has helped individuals, families and local businesses achieve financial freedom through wealth management, retirement planning and insurance services. To what do you attribute your success? Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been our cornerstone and the foundation of our success.
PETERS FINANCIAL Mobile: 153 West I-65 Service Road N Fairhope: 365 Grand Avenue, Suite E 251-342-4874 • petersfinancial.us
Edwin L. “Pete” Peters, Jr., ChFC
Edwin “Lee” Peters, III
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor
Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS are not affiliated with Peters Financial Investor Disclosures https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosure
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 75
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
“WE WILL ALWAYS BE UMS-WRIGHT. WE UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE, WHAT OUR MISSION STANDS FOR, AND WHAT WE DO WELL. WHEN YOU MEET A UMS-WRIGHT STUDENT, THEY STAND OUT FROM THE REST.” — Doug G. Barber, Head of School
LEFT TO RIGHT: MARY ALICE ROBINSON; EDWARD LADD; DOUG G. BARBER, HEAD OF SCHOOL; MAGGIE LENZ
UMS-Wright Preparatory School
H
onor, character and respect are timeless prerequisites for high achievement. At UMS-Wright, we take an all-encompassing approach to developing individualized character in each and every student. The unwavering focus on advancing generations in the areas of mind, body, spirit and character helps our students uncover their highest potential and reach new heights. Founded in 1893 by Dr. Julius T. Wright, UMS-Wright has provided the Gulf Coast community with the highest quality of education for 128 years. Dr. Wright said “the school and every auxiliary of the school must
76 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
keep in mind that now abideth mind, body, and spirit, these three; but the greatest of these is spirit.” The spirit at UMS-Wright has withstood the test of time, and when we think about the spirit of our school, truth and courage are two characteristics that have sustained us. What sets UMS-Wright Above & Beyond other schools? The storied history of UMS-Wright, the rigor of our academic programs, the competitiveness of our athletic programs, the exceptional performances of our arts programs that span from grades K3-12, our gifted teachers, and our secure campus set us apart. Every school has bricks and mortar but it is
UMS-Wright’s spirit that makes us truly special, and you feel that very spirit from the moment you enter our campus. What is the mission of UMS-Wright? “For the UMS-Wright family to educate all students to their highest potential in mind, body, and spirit; and to produce in each student character of the highest possible order.”
UMS-WRIGHT PREPARATORY SCHOOL 65 Mobile Street 251-479-6551 ums-wright.org
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
“WITH THE MCI’S RESOURCES, PATIENTS ARE PROVIDED HIGH-QUALITY LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT TO HELP OUR PATIENTS LIVE BETTER, LONGER LIVES.” — Brian E. Persing, M.D.
“CANCER TREATMENT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH PRECISION MEDICINE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.” — Pranitha Prodduturvar, M.D.
USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute
D
octors Brian Persing and Pranitha Prodduturvar (Dr. Pro) of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) provide the most advanced options in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer through the MCI’s unmatched comprehensive lung cancer program. Through their partnership with the USA Health Pulmonology and Pulmonary Associates, the MCI is at the forefront of transforming how patients are diagnosed and treated for lung cancer. Fellowship-trained medical oncologists, Dr. Persing and Dr. Pro work alongside the MCI’s multidisciplinary team of experts to assess complex lung cancer cases
during weekly tumor board meetings, coordinate and supervise medical oncology fellows studying at the MCI and participate in research opportunities and clinical trials. Dr. Persing and Dr. Pro are utilizing the MONARCH® Platform for lung bronchoscopies. MONARCH®’s cuttingedge technology allows for greater reach, vision and control to increase the ability to detect and diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most treatable. Coupled with MONARCH®, the physicians have access to Rapid On-site Evaluation, also known as ROSE Pathology. Tissue collected during the bronchoscopy is analyzed within minutes to provide a
preliminary diagnosis. Patients can leave their procedure with a real-time lung cancer diagnosis. For Dr. Persing and Dr. Pro, their greatest motivation is in treating the whole patient, not just the cancer. They are on a mission to change the outcome of lung cancer diagnoses for the residents of the upper Gulf Coast.
USA HEALTH MITCHELL CANCER INSTITUTE 1660 Spring Hill Avenue 251-410-1010 usamci.com
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 77
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ABOVE & BEYOND
Wigman’s Ace Hardware LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHAEL WHIGHAM, JOE MOORE, MIKE WHIGHAM
“HAVING DEPENDABLE PEOPLE WHO ENJOY WHAT THEY DO AND APPRECIATE OUR CUSTOMERS WILL ALWAYS PUT US ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR COMPETITORS.” - MIKE WHIGHAM, OW NER
78 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
W
igman’s isn’t just a hardware store — we also specialize in other areas, including marine construction supplies, boat lifts, cargo lifts, piling restoration and vessel supply. But what really sets us apart is our dedication to listening to the needs of our customers. In doing so, we have been able to grow our business to include unique and different specialties. One person can’t do it all; it takes a village. Or in our case, a great staff. Our employees are another example of what sets us above and beyond our competitors. Each has a wealth of product knowledge, a desire to meet customers’ needs and the willingness to source hard-to-find items. Wigman’s sources as many products as possible locally.
Family owned and operated, Wigman’s Hardware Inc. has been in business for over 60 years. Constantly changing and adapting to fit the needs of our coastal customers has allowed us to stay viable for those six decades, and it is our hope to continue our service for many years to come.
WIGMAN’S ACE HARDWARE, WIGMAN’S VESSEL SUPPLY & WIGMAN’S MARINE CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES 1623 Dauphin Island Parkway 251-471-3138 wigmanshardware.com
EXTRAS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
A Dazzling December
THROUGH JANUARY 5
DECEMBER 3
DECEMBER 4
MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS Prepare to be awestruck as you walk through the gardens, decorated with more than 3 million dazzling lights. Rain or shine. Closed Christmas day.
BALDWIN POPS CONCERT 7 - 9 p.m. A free night of holiday cheer.
HOME FREE 8 p.m. The acclaimed all-vocal group is set to light up the holiday season during their “Warmest Winter” tour.
BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME BELLINGRATH.ORG
THROUGH JANUARY 7 CHRISTMAS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS 5:30 - 10 p.m. Drive through synchronized light displays in tune to music. HANK AARON STADIUM • MOBILESEG.COM
DECEMBER 2 WINE AND WISHES 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Raise a glass at this fifth annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser. Tickets: $60. HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE FACEBOOK: MAKE-A-WISH ALABAMA
DECEMBER 3 THE PROPHECY SHOW A highly-energized rock-opera tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. SAENGER THEATRE • ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DAPHNE CIVIC CENTER • BALDWINPOPS.COM
DECEMBER 3 FOREVER MOTOWN 8 p.m. This stage spectacular of hit songs is not to be missed. MOBILE CIVIC CENTER ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DECEMBER 3 SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS IN SILVERHILL 6:30 p.m. Come for a parade and more in this quaint central-Baldwin County town.
SAENGER THEATRE ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DECEMBER 4 CHRISTMAS PARADE 10:30 a.m. Festive floats and marchers take to the street to spread holiday joy. TILLMAN’S CORNER SWMCCHAMBER.COM
DECEMBER 4 & 5
SILVERHILL AVE AND BROAD ST. • FACEBOOK: SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS IN SILVERHILL
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE RICHARDS-DAR HOUSE 10 - 4 p.m. Sa. 1 - 4 p.m. Su. Music, cookies and tea, Santa, and shopping.
DECEMBER 3 & 4
RICHARDS-DAR HOUSE MUSEUM RICHARDSDARHOUSE.COM
MARKET IN THE GARDENS 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. F. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sa. Shop local and support three great nonprofit organizations: Mobile Botanical Gardens, Mobile County Master Gardeners and the Gulf Coast Herb Society. MOBILE BOTANICAL GARDENS MOBILEBOTANICALGARDENS.ORG
DECEMBER 4 & 5 CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE BASH Noon - 6 p.m. Sa. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Su. Shop boutiques and chat with Santa, all while supporting Whatever Ministry. THE GROUNDS • WHATEVERMINISTRY.COM
To have your event included in the online or print edition of Mobile Bay Magazine, email calendar@pmtpublishing.com. december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 79
MOBILE AND BALDWIN POPS
DECEMBER 5 BELLA VOCE CONCERT 4 p.m. Mobile’s premier women’s chorus presents beloved Christmas selections. ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH BELLAVOCEOFMOBILE.ORG
DECEMBER 6 BALDWIN POPS FOLEY 7 - 9 pm. A delightful selection of holiday tunes. No tickets required. FOLEY CIVIC CENTER • BALDWINPOPS.COM
DECEMBER 10 LOXLEY CHRISTMAS PARADE 6:30 p.m. Festive floats will travel down Highway 59 and end at Municipal Park. LOXLEY • TOWNOFLOXLEY.ORG
DECEMBER 11 CHRISTMAS FEST 7 a.m. - Noon. Kick off the Christmas season with the 39th annual fest. COURTHOUSE SQUARE, BAY MINETTE NORTHBALDWINCHAMBER.COM
DECEMBER 11 MISTLETOE MARKET 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Get a start on your Christmas shopping at the fifth iteration of this outdoor fair and craft market. SARALAND • SARALANDCHAMBER.COM
* Check event websites for most current status. 80 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PARADE
DECEMBER 11 CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER BOAT PARADE 4:30 p.m. Watch Christmas-decorated boats float down Dog River. GRAND MARINER RESTAURANT AND MARINA 6036 ROCK POINT ROAD
DECEMBER 11 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PARADE 6 p.m. The city of Spanish Fort hosts its annual parade. EASTERN SHORE CENTRE • CITYOFSPANISHFORT.COM/CHRISTMASINTHEFORT
DECEMBER 11 & 12 “THE NUTCRACKER” 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sa; 2:30 p.m. Su. The Mobile Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece to life once again. MOBILE CIVIC CENTER THEATER MOBILEBALLET.ORG
DECEMBER 11 & 12 MSO PRESENTS JOY TO THE WORLD! 7:30 p.m. Sa. 2:30 p.m. Su. Bring the family to the Mobile Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert. SAENGER THEATRE • MOBILESYMPHONY.ORG
DECEMBER 15 & 16 MOBILE POPS CHRISTMAS CONCERT 7 p.m. Get festive with the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band at this free concert. DAVIDSON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM THE MOBILEPOPS.COM december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 81
LENDINGTREE BOWL
DECEMBER 17 MOBILE POPS CHRISTMAS CONCERT 7 p.m. Don’t miss this second chance to catch the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. MARY G. MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL THE MOBILEPOPS.COM
DECEMBER 17 CHRISTMAS WITH ROMAN STREET AND THE MARLOW BOYS 7:30 p.m. Enjoy Christmas Classics done in a new and exciting way. SAENGER THEATRE ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DECEMBER 17 - 19 “MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET” The classic Christmas story takes the stage at this beloved community theater. SUNNY SIDE THEATER SUNNYSIDEDRAMA.COM
DECEMBER 18 LENDINGTREE BOWL 4:45 p.m. Televised nationally on ESPN, the game has built a reputation as one of the most competitive of the bowl season. LADD-PEEBLES STADIUM LENDINGTREEBOWL.COM
DECEMBER 18 HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tour seven historic homes in the Oakleigh Garden District. HISTORIC OAKLEIGH HOUSE MUSEUM HISTORICMOBILETOUR.COM 82 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
MOONPIE DROP
DECEMBER 18 THE CHARLIE BROWN JAZZ CHRISTMAS CONCERT 8 p.m. The Joe Cool Trio performs Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Child Advocacy Center. SAENGER THEATRE ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DECEMBER 22 LINDSEY STERLING IN CONCERT 8 p.m. The platinum-selling electronic violinist, dancer, artist and author brings her powerful Christmas program to stage. SAENGER THEATRE ASMGLOBALMOBILE.COM
DECEMBER 28 & 29 REESE’S SENIOR BOWL WINTER CLASSIC 8 p.m. The 2-day 36 hole event is for high school varsity and college level golfers as well as boys and girls ages 12 to 13. Ages 9 to 11 will play 18 holes. This fun-filled event benefits L’Arche Mobile. AZALEA CITY GOLF COURSE JIMMYGREENTOUR.COM
DECEMBER 31 MOONPIE DROP Countdown to 2022 with the city’s traditional MoonPie drop. DOWNTOWN MOBILE NCSMOBILE.ORG
* Check event websites for most current status. december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 83
HISTORY | ARCHIVES
A History of Mobile in 22 Objects A small ID tells a big story of war mobilization in a port city and the Mobile women who made it possible.
ADDSCO IDENTIFICATION BADGE text by MATTHEW L. DOWNS
F
or a piece so small and dingy, this unassuming badge speaks to a transformative period of Mobile history. It belonged to a woman named Lena Mae Miller, one of thousands of Mobilians who found work in the booming industries that signaled the Port City’s economic revival during World War II. Alongside “Rosie Riveters” and other women serving on the homefront, she challenged long-held assumptions about women in the workplace, foreshadowing changes in the city’s social structure that ushered the old Southern city into the modern era. Alabama Dry Dock and Shipping Company, or ADDSCO, was one of a number of industries in Mobile that benefitted from America’s position as the “arsenal of democracy.” Though the company had languished during the Great Depression, the onset of the wartime economy brought renewed interest in Mobile’s shipbuilding facilities. ADDSCO became one of the most important construction and repair facilities on the Gulf Coast. Focused mainly on merchant vessels, the company’s workers eventually completed 100 tankers and 20 “Liberty ships,” the lightly-armed, prefabricated vessels that carried American war material to the European and Pacific fronts. They repaired or refitted thousands more.
84 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
Upriver at Chickasaw, Gulf Shipbuilding churned out destroyers, minesweepers and cargo ships. The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) plant produced valuable aluminum, and the International Paper mill churned out paper bags. At Brookley Field, the Army’s Air Service Command furnished supplies and repaired, overhauled and built planes. As thousands of workers poured into Mobile to man the shipways and assembly lines, the city struggled to house them in crowded rooming houses and apartments, trailer parks, garages and attics; a citywide campaign urged residents to “Share Your Home.” Author John Dos Passos captured the chaos he saw during a trip through Mobile in 1943: “The mouldering old Gulf seaport with its ancient dusty elegance of tall shuttered windows under
mansard roofs and iron lace overgrown with vines, and scaling colonnades shaded by great trees, looks trampled and battered like a city that’s been taken by storm.” The war’s impact on Mobile was not limited to the city’s booming economy or its stressed infrastructure. With young men drafted and enlisted, the demand for jobs provided new opportunities for Mobilians traditionally excluded from wellpaying jobs. African-Americans, subjected to discriminatory hiring and promotion practices in the Jim Crow South, took advantage of wartime demand (and federal protection) to take skilled, better-paying positions at the shipyards. Yet true equality remained elusive. In May 1943, ADDSCO complied with federal orders to promote 20 black welders; when they finished their first
shift, angry segregationists sparked a riot that spread into the city and required troops from nearby Brookley to restore order. Reports indicate as many as 100 African-Americans were injured. Across the nation and throughout Mobile, women joined the Red Cross, where they served in the motor corps (driving and repairing cars), staffed canteens and volunteered as nurses’ aides. They volunteered with the United Service Organization, entertaining the troops and their families and serving in the city. And, of course, they became “Rosie Riveters,” taking jobs in defense industries. Lena Mae may have responded to the advertisements that frequently ran in local newspapers: “Practically all available manpower has been exhausted, so the solving of the problem rests with the women … We do not believe that you Women of Mobile will shirk your responsibility … we believe you will rally to the call, now.” By 1944, a quarter of Alabama’s workforce was made up of women, and in Mobile, about 10 percent of the workers on the shipyards were women; ADDSCO alone hired 2,500. Lena Mae’s badge does not specify what role she played in the Shipbuilding Division. She may have been a “welderette,” one of a handful of women who trained as welders and who featured heavily in the press. More likely, she worked in an administrative role, as did thousands of other women at ADDSCO, Gulf Shipbuilding and at the Southeastern Army Air Depot at Brookley. Regardless of her exact role on the shipways that dotted the riverfront, Lena Mae and her fellow “Rosies” demonstrated that, in the words of the Mobile Register, “WOMEN CAN BUILD SHIPS.” By 1944, demobilization began to be felt in the Port City. Some of those who had migrated to Mobile for war jobs returned home; thousands more stayed. GIs found their way back, taking jobs in the newly revitalized industries and settling into the suburbs popping up north and west of the city and across the Bay on the Eastern Shore. Returning GIs were almost certainly shocked
by the transformation they found upon their arrival. What had been a community in relative decline became a city of growing population and increasing economic importance. The investments in the port and its facilities would serve as the foundation for the modern economy of the city. Moreover, the changes that occurred during the war set the stage for a larger conversation about the roles of men and women, and about segregation and civil rights, that continued into the postwar years. Whether she knew it or not, Lena Mae Miller was a first-hand witness to the transformative power of World War II on Mobile, Alabama. MB Matthew L. Downs, Ph.D., is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of history at the University of Mobile. He is the author of “Transforming the South” (2014) and co-editor of “The American South and the Great War, 1914 – 1924” (2018).
“A History of Mobile in 22 Objects” by various authors. Available for purchase at the History Museum of Mobile and at mobilebayshop.com. Released in conjunction with the History Museum of Mobile exhibit, this photo-heavy compendium delves into the city’s history through the analysis of 22 artifacts by Mobile’s leading researchers.
Above Welding was among the many jobs women took to keep the Port of Mobile mobilized during World War II. PHOTO COURTESY THE MCCALL LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Opposite Lena Mae Miller’s ADDSCO ID badge. PHOTO COURTESY HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 85
THE ARTS | LITERATURE
How Are Your Mama and ’Em? Author Audrey McDonald Atkins reminds us that Southerners do things a little differently — and that’s OK.
excerpt from the book THEY CALL ME OR ANGE JUICE by AUDREY MCDONALD ATKINS
I
f there is one thing that sets Southerners apart from the rest of the country, it has to be our hospitality. Over and over, people who are not from here tell me just how nice everyone is, how downright friendly. So much so that it’s almost, well, weird. Drive down any country road, and you will inevitably pass an old truck driven by an old man. If you are good friends or kin, he will wave at you with his whole hand. If he is only slightly acquainted with you, he will cordially lift two fingers from the steering wheel in sort of a half-wave. If you are a stranger, he will raise his index finger to acknowledge your presence in the world. But that’s down here. “Don’t look anyone in the eye! And don’t talk to every person you pass!” This admonishment came from my friend the first time I visited her in New York. And I have to tell you, it was hard. When you’re raised in a place where everybody smiles, waves,
and hugs their way through society, it is all but impossible to walk through a throng of city folk, stony-faced and silent, without so much as a nod. Down here, we ask about your mama and ’em. We go calling. We sit with the sick and sometimes the dead. We hold the baby. We pat your back when you win. We commiserate when you lose. We lend a cup of sugar. We hold the door. We help you raise a big ole barn. We help you raise a little Cain. And most of the time we do it with a covered dish in tow. Soup, stew, casserole, cake, and / or quickbread — we all have a set of recipes for any particular occasion. After all, everyone knows the best way to raise the spirits is to fill the belly. Why are Southerners like that? Why do we go out of our way to help a perfect stranger? Why do we turn up on the new neighbor’s front porch with a basket of muffins? Because Mama raised us that way. Because it is better to give than to receive. Because it is the right thing to do. Because we’re Southerners. MB
Born and raised in Citronelle, Atkins shares stories about growing up and living in the South in her book, “They Call Me Orange Juice,” and at her blog folkwaysnowadays.com.
86 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 87
HISTORY | ASK MCGEHEE
What’s the history of the Catholic church that is closed on Springhill Avenue? text by TOM MCGEHEE
St. Joseph’s Church was dedicated in 1908 and has been vacant since 2018. The parish itself has a much longer history, however. As Mobile began its meteoric growth in the 1830s and 1840s, a substantial number of German immigrants arrived, many of whom were Catholic. By the 1850s, Bishop Michael Portier arranged to establish a German Jesuit church where services could be conducted in German. With the new cathedral well underway, the recently vacated church on the southwest corner of Conti and Conception streets became available. Before the decade was over, the bishop directed the Jesuits at Spring Hill College to build a new church for the growing German congregation. Portier explained “the continually expanding limits of our prosperous city and the rapidly increasing number of inhabitants demands another Catholic church, especially for those that are at a greater distance from the cathedral.” The newly formed parish stretched as far west as Ann Street.
Hospital Proximity It was determined that the new church should be built near Providence Hospital, which at the time was on St. Anthony Street near the U.S. Marine and City hospitals. In 1858, a brick church was constructed on North Jefferson Street, between St. Louis and St. Anthony streets. The church, with its flat tin roof, faced west. A detached two-story frame structure held the bell and a long rope reached into a second floor window of the church. Also on the property was a rectory with a separate
88 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
Above A circa 1909 postcard shows the newly completed St. Joseph’s Church and its rectory to the west. The Mobile Register termed it “one of the most beautiful churches in the state.” It has been vacant since 2018.
building, housing a kitchen and dining room. The large tree-shaded lot contained a barn, chicken yard, and vegetable and flower gardens. A four-room parochial school was soon added and its second floor held a large room, which was used for a variety of events and meetings. Separate playgrounds for male and female students were provided.
Special French Protection In 1862, after the eruption of the Civil War, the local French consul announced that since the church was conducted by French Jesuits, it was under the special protection of France, “a neutral and friendly nation.” The church survived unscathed by the conflict, and in 1870, it was granted independence from the Jesuits at Spring Hill.
By 1903, plans were underway for a larger church. The New Orleans architectural firm of Diboll and Owen was hired. That partnership produced several Catholic churches in Louisiana as well as the New Orleans Public Library and the headquarters for the United Fruit Company. A triangular lot was obtained on Springhill Avenue, a block south of the old location. The new church was completed in 1908 and featured seating for 600 as well as a rectory. A central 120-foot tower was flanked by two entrances but a third was later added in the center due to crowding. The cost for the building was $50,000 or nearly $1.5 million today. Not included in that cost was the magnificent white marble altar featuring a scene of the Last Supper. It was created after the church received a $6,000 bequest
in 1916, the equivalent of over $150,000 today. The numerous stained glass windows were given as memorials over the next decade, and in reviewing the names of the memorialized members, it is obvious that by the 20th century, the church had long surpassed its original purpose to cater to German immigrants. Included in the names are members of local Irish, French, Italian and German Mobilians. In 1926, the former site of the church became the location for the new St. Joseph’s School. The $80,000 structure fronted St. Louis Street rather than North Jefferson.
A Changing Neighborhood As the decades progressed, Mobile continued to grow west and expand, just as it had during Bishop Portier’s lifetime. More parishes were established and more Catholic churches built. The once tightlyfilled residential district surrounding St. Joseph’s began to decline. Traffic increased and commercial intrusions mounted. By 1968, St. Joseph’s School had closed its doors, as had the nearby Convent of Mercy. In 1970, the organ in the church failed as a wedding ceremony got underway, leading to the substitution of an accordion. While the former convent became a chandelier showroom, and later condominiums, St. Joseph’s School ultimately was converted into Wings of Life. The last service at St. Joseph’s church took place in 2018, and the interior elements have been incorporated into the recently completed St. Ignatius Church, also located on Springhill Avenue, though far to the west. The future of the former St. Joseph’s is unclear. Early rumors circulated that the new owner might convert it into a “boutique hotel,” but more recently, it has been considered for office space. Whatever its future, this well-constructed and historic building is a true landmark of downtown Mobile and one that reflects the history of this port city. MB
december 2021 | mobilebaymag.com 89
END PIECE | BACKSTORY
Give Me Liberty Photo courtesy Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Collection, The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama
“My mom worked at the shipyard while my dad was stationed in Europe. Her job was to wrap and apply the net to Champagne bottles for christening the ships.” – Sarah Nan Nelson, as said in the Facebook group, Mobile Alabama Nostalgia "Back in the Day"
LIBERTY SHIPS WERE URGENTLY CONSTRUCTED during World War II and quickly became the lifeline for delivering supplies to the Allies in their war against the Axis Powers. These slow-moving cargo and soldier transporters were built at 18 different shipyards along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, with the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO) being the local manufacturer. Seen below is one such ship built by ADDSCO, the SS Nathaniel Bacon, which was christened in September 1942. The ship, so named for the colonial Jamestown resident, collided with another ship in November 1942 and was beached in New York. It was repaired but ran into a minefield off the coast of Italy in December 1945. The ship was finally scrapped in January 1963. WHAT'S IN A NAME? Liberty ships, nicknamed "ugly ducklings" by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were usually named after prominent Americans. The monikers began with the signers of the Declaration of Independence, with the Patrick Henry being the first christened Liberty ship. Seventeen ships would be named in honor of notable African-Americans, including Booker T. Washington and Harriet Tubman, the only woman on the list. The public could also propose a name — all that was required was raising $2 million worth of war bonds. Two interesting examples include the SS Moina Michael, the woman responsible for making poppies synonymous with WWI, and the SS Stage Door Canteen, named for the United Service Organization, Inc., in New York. Interestingly, Liberty ships' names were never painted on the bows. Doing so would have tipped the enemy off as to what the vessel's mission was or what cargo they were carrying.
A SMASHING DUO Ships built at the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company during WWII were usually christened by wives of company foremen. Seen here at the September 3, 1942, christening of SS Nathaniel Bacon are Mrs. T. W. Moore, wife of the general foreman of platens, and Mrs. E. F. Looney, wife of the foreman of the prefabrication department.
4
The number of surviving Liberty ships: SS John W. Brown (Maryland); SS Jeremiah O'Brien (California); SS Arthur M. Huddell (Greece); and SS Albert M. Boe (Alaska)
30k
Number of people the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company employed at its peak
2,840
Number of Jeeps a Liberty ship could hold in its manifest — although it could hold that many, the average was 221
50
Average number of days it took to complete a Liberty ship in 1943
Did you work at the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company? Let us know! Email ahartin@pmtpublishing.com. 90 mobilebaymag.com | december 2021
92 mobilebaymag.com | march 2021