Alabama Living September 2010

Alabama Living SEPTEMBER 2010

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

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Around Alabama Titus Bluegrass Festival

Photo by: Blair Lisenby

Some of the best bluegrass bands in Alabama will perform at the 10th Titus Bluegrass Festival. Performers this year include Southern Gentlemen, East Wind, and the Coosa River Ramblers.

The festival is held at the Titus Community Center, located approximately 10 miles north of Wetumpka. Take U.S. Highway 231, then north on County Road 29.

Proceeds will be used for resto-

Gulf Shores - September 2-5, 10-12 The Fantasticks South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Avenue 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Admission: Charged, Contact: 251-968-6721 or www.sbct.biz Fayette – September 11 41st Annual Fayette Arts Festival Sponsored by Fayette Art Museum Guthrie Smith Park 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact: 205-932-8727 or fam@watyc.com Morgan County – September 11 Morgan County Night of Bands James R Tucker Stadium at AP Brewer High School Begins at 5 p.m.

Admission: Charged Contact: lisa@mcnob.com or www.mcnob.com Guntersville – September 18 Mothers Against Methamphetamine (MAMA) Run/Walk for Recovery 5K Guntersville Recreation Center 5k at 8 a.m.; 1 mile at 9 a.m.

Admission: registration fees Contact: 866-293-8901 or www.mamasite.net Morgan County – September 11 Morgan County Night of Bands James R Tucker Stadium, AP Brewer High School – 5 p.m.

Free parking, great food and music Admission: Charged Contact: lisa@mcnob.com

September 25 ration and improvements to the Community Center, which was built in 1928.

“We invite everyone out for an outstanding lineup of artists. We’ll also have some of the best barbecue around, as well as homemade cakes, cookies, other concessions, and arts and crafts,” said Tom Hinton, president of the festival committee. “We have had a lot of good support from the community

Andalusia – September 18 & 19 9th Annual Alabama High School & Junior High School Rodeo The Covington Center Arena Saturday at 9 a.m.; Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Gulf Shores – September 18 23rd Annual Coastal Clean Up Alabama’s beaches and waterways.

Always the third Saturday in September, the Coastal Cleanup is a chance to take pride in our unique and treasured waterway system.

Contact: 251-621-1216 www.alcoastalcleanup.org Enterprise – September 19 “Voices of the South” Choir First Baptist Church, 302 North Main Street – 3 p.m.

Admission: Free Contact: Coffee County Arts Alliance at 334-406-ARTS (2787) or www.coffeecountyartsalliance.com Collinsville – September 24 & 25 Collinsville Annual Quilt Walk Downtown Collinsville Friday Noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5p.m.

Contact: 256-524-3296 Moulton – September 24 Echota Cherokee Powwow 2010 Oakville Indian Mounds Park Admission: Charged, under 4 free Contact: Faron Weeks at 256-7736155 or faron.weeks@gmail.com Daphne – September 25 Jubilee Race for Life 5K and Two Mile Fun Run Daphne Baptist Church – 8 a.m.

Contact: Flor Fellers at 251-928-4248 www.jubileeraceforlife.org or

To place an event, fax information to 334-215-8623; mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; e-mail to calendar@areapower.coop. (Subject Line: Around Alabama) or visit www.alabamaliving.coop

and without the donations we receive, we couldn’t put the festival together.”

The festival starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 get in free.

For more information contact Tom Hinton at 334-567-9059 or visit www.titusbluegrassfestival.com.

Birmingham, Cullman, Huntsville & Montgomery – September 25 2nd Annual Walk for Midwives Hosted by Alabama Birth Coalition www.alabamabirthcoalition.org Ft. Payne – September 27-October 2 55th Annual DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair VFW Fairgrounds in Ft. Payne Gates open at 5 each evening.

Contact: 256-845-4752 Cullman – October 2-9 Cullman Oktoberfest Contact: jeffseff@gmail.com www.cullmancountymuseum.com Monroe – October 2 3rd Annual Ride Monroe County Historic Monroe Courthouse Cycling Event. Three available routes: 26mi, 62 mi and 100mi; all leading through historic Monroe County.

Contact: Robert Sims at 251-5754828 or bilbob73@yahoo.com

Mobile – October 4 Old Mobile 8K Run/Walk Downtown Mobile at 8 a.m.

Run benefits the Penelope House Contact: Port City Pacers at 251473-7223 or info@pcpacers.org www.pcpacers.org Alexander City – October 9 30th Annual Oktoberfest & Classic Car Show Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Gates open at 8 a.m.

Arts and crafts, food, entertainment and kid zone Contact: 256-329-6736 ext. 27 or j.baker74@live.com Mobile – October 9 Guns and Hoses 5K Run Downtown, 8 a.m.

Contact: LRH Productions at 251-401-8039

For more information on these and other events coming up around Alabama, go to www.alabamaliving.coop and click on the Around Alabama button.

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Each submission must include a contact name and phone number. Deadline is two months prior to issue date. We regret that we cannot publish every event due to space limitations.

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

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The Landscape of Reliability Vegetation management programs keep power flowing safely to homes

By Megan McKoy-Noe

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rees may seem harmless on a calm, sunny day.

But add a bit of wind or ice on a stormy night and those towering pillars may threaten your home’s electric supply.

“A great majority of our storm outages are related to trees contacting power lines,” says Jason Saunders, manager of safety and loss control for the Alabama Rural Electric Assocation (AREA). “Regular trimming of trees and brush along power lines helps cut down on the number of outages as well as annoying blinks.”

Electricity interruptions can occur when branches break and fall across power lines, or when trees tumble onto power lines. When strong winds blow, limbs growing too close to power lines may sway and touch wires. These momentary power disruptions (commonly called “blinks” or “blips”) aren’t just mild annoyances – they can damage computers and other sensitive electronic equipment and leave digital clocks flashing. And then there’s arcing – when electricity uses a nearby tree as a path to the ground. That ac-

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tion poses hazards to anyone in the vicinity and could spark a fire.

To fight these potential problems, utilities wage a never-ending war. Co-op right-of-way crews work, in some cases, year-round to clear growth away from power lines as a way of reducing potential outages and safety risks.

“Your local cooperatives are committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable power, and our right-ofway program is key to fulfilling that promise,” adds Michael Kelley, also manager of safety and loss control for AREA. Right-of-way crews look for foliage growing under lines, overhanging branches, leaning or other types of “danger” trees that could pull down a power line if they fall, and trees that could grow into lines. As a rule of thumb, 25 feet of ground-to-sky clearance should be available on each side of utility poles to give power lines plenty of space.

“This job never ends,” explains Kelley. “By the time our crews finish clearing trees and brush from hundreds or even thousands of miles of lines, it’s time to go back to the beginning to clear away new growth.”

Vegetation management programs have met with widespread success. The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), which oversees reliability of the transmission system that blankets the United States, most of Canada and one Mexican state, tracks bulk power supply related outages. The group lists the period between July and September as “high-risk” for outages due to seasonal tree and shrub growth.

Aggressive upkeep has led to a drop in vegetation problems. For the first time ever, no summertime transmission outages were reported last year.

“Managing vegetation along North America’s 350,000 miles of transmission lines is an ongoing challenge,” says Rick Sergel, NERC president & CEO. “I commend transmission owners and operators for this achievement, which clearly demonstrates the industry’s dedication to improving performance in this area.”

Making the Cut Typically, a utility will not remove

Your Part Although a tree-lined street may

trees. Instead, errant limbs and branches too close to power lines are trimmed away.

“The Tree Care Industry Association [TCIA, formerly the National Arborist Association] receives a lot of calls from homeowners complaining that their utility company ‘drastically’ cut trees near power lines,” shares Tchukki Andersen, TCIA staff arborist.

Your cooperative respects your property, and decides how to trim trees based on the amount of clearance needed around wires, voltage coursing through lines, the tree’s growth rate, and the right-of-way maintenance cycle (how frequently trimming along the line is performed). Most lineworkers and crews hired to perform right-of-way maintenance treat trees with care, often following TCIA guidelines.

“When evaluating the quality of such activities, consider that a utility’s primary objective is to prevent outages as well as electrical hazards,” explains Andersen.

For long-standing trees that have grown too close to overhead lines, several trimming options are employed. A V-cut prunes branches back toward the center of the tree’s crown, basically carving a V-shape through the middle to provide proper line clearance.

If limbs grow too close to lines on one side of a tree, side trimming tales place – branches on the entire side are removed. Finally, the notch method clips limbs on one side of a tree from the top to a safe area underneath, leaving a canopy that will not cause problems.

If you want to remove a tree near a power line, your electric cooperative will work with you. Contact the office before tackling the project for more information.

sound ideal, trees planted too close to power lines will be trimmed to prevent power fluctuations and outages. So get your yard off to a good start – keep utility poles in mind when planting trees.

In general, tall-growing trees or varieties boasting wide canopies shouldn’t be placed near utility poles. A local nursery can generally provide information outlining how tall and quickly a tree will grow.

Trees are a valued part of every yard’s landscaping, and with proper planning your trees can grow to their full potential without causing power line woes. Several guides are available for prospective planters; to learn more visit the Arbor Day Foundation at www. arborday.org.

Safety plays a big role in your co-op’s right-of-way trimming practices. Children climbing trees could come into contact with a live wire if trees are too close to power lines.

Notice any dead, dying or severely leaning trees near power lines in your area?

Be sure to alert your local cooperative.

And don’t worry – if high winds or heavy layers of ice bring down trees and power lines near your home, Alabama co-ops have line crews on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond.d

Branching Out While trees and branches remain the primary cause of outages, other offenders abound – vehicles running into poles or animals getting too close to pole-mount transformers or equipment in substations.

Electrical components can also be damaged by lightning and even drifting balloons.

Cooperatives, with a focus on keeping electricity as reliable as possible, have a number of programs geared towards reducing power interruptions. A 2009 study by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) found 89 percent of cooperatives across the nation operate aggressive tree trimming programs. Lightning arrestors are used by 83 percent of coops, and another 82 percent have field personnel patrol distribution facilities to look for potential trouble spots. Animal guards, mainly used to protect against squirrels, are installed by 81 percent of co-ops.

Megan McKoy-Noe writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

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Chainsaw Magic

Larry Burns creates life-size animals with real-live chainsaws

By David Haynes

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Ten minutes later the bear’s face, arry Burns chuckles when describing his first attempt at ears, muzzle, shoulders, back, arms carving a bear with a chainsaw and legs are all there in rough form. six years ago: “It made a really interAt this point Larry is ready to stop esting piece of firewood.” and “study a while” on the sculpture But since then his experience and in progress while he gets a cup of artistry in this unusual sculpting style coffee. have resulted in life-size renderings After walking around the piece a of bears and other critters that are couple of times he fires up a smaller so lifelike, they seem as though they chainsaw to do some more detailed could open their pine mouths and work. With every stroke the bear’s bite you! features become a little more disOn a recent visit to his home and cernable. studio in Cleveland, I watched in Once the chainsaw is put down, amazement as Larry pulled the starter Larry will sand to smooth some areas rope on a chainsaw and within minwhere needed, then use a propane utes had rendered the rough outline torch to singe the wood to give it a of a small bear from a four-foot secdark color where needed, carefully tion of yellow pine. leaving some areas unburned for “I’ve got one of every size chaincontrast. The final step will be a prosaw Stihl makes,” he tective oil coating to tells me, “from the protect the finished largest down to the sculpture from the Larry Burns smallest.” elements.

His finished bears Burns’ creations and other animals don’t actually begin as are displayed on logs, though. They behis porch and in his gin in his head as he front yard on Alavisualizes what can be bama 160 between done with the material Nectar and Cleveland. in front of him.

It’s a menagerie of Before the first critters, including blue smoke from bears of all sizes, a the chainsaw engine mountain lion, racleaves the exhaust, he coons, owls, a wolf walks around the log, and even an eagle with a six-foot studying its shape. Looking down wingspan carved from cottonwood. at the top of a rough-sawn wood cylinder he points out to me how the In the eagle’s talons is a fish and it’s grain pattern tells him which side represented as if in flight during a will be the bear’s muzzle, where the banked turn to the left. shoulders and arms will be. Then he He tries to make all his carvings says he wants this particular bear’s as close to life size as possible. His head to be turned slightly across its largest piece is a man-sized bear body with its arms slightly bent, restrendered in a standing position. For ing on a somewhat paunchy belly. now it rides in the back of his pickup All of this he sees in his mind’s eye truck held in place by webbed straps looking at a 16-inch-diameter, barkaround the neck (think of a smaller covered pine log in front of us.

“King Kong” from the movies). Larry Then, with a sharp baaa-rrrrup, says it’s been good advertising for baaa-rrrrup the chainsaw comes to him, and that more than once folks life and within seconds Larry is in a have chased him down to get a look zone with wood chips flying. First he at the bear. lops off a couple of angled sections Larry sells his creations directly off the top of the log. After a few from his home studio at 15391 Alamore cuts the rough shape of a bear’s bama 160 in Cleveland. He can be head becomes recognizable. reached by phone at 419-357-1485.d

David Haynes is a freelance

photographer and writer from Blount Springs. Each month he rides his motorcycle to a different Alabama location and tells us about it. Contact him at studioblsp@mindspring.com.

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Destinations

VERBENA REUNION ‘Music in the Park’ will entertain visitors Oct. 2 in Verbena’s historic district gazebo

Getting There Verbena is located in Chilton County.

Take I-65 to Exit 200. Go east on County Road 59, which takes you through the town’s historic district.

The town gazebo and park will be on your right.You’ll pass the historic Verbena United Methodist Church, which is on the cover of The Churches of Alabama.

For more information: 256-468-2009 or 205-335-9731

The central Alabama town of Verbena will celebrate the “Verbena Reunion, Music in the Park” on Oct. 2.

The event is part of the Alabama Tourism Department’s 2010 Small Town and Downtown celebration, and is sponsored by the Verbena Historical Society and the state Tourism Department.

Local musicians will converge at the gazebo in Verbena’s historic district for a concert of bluegrass, swing, gospel and soul, country western and contemporary tunes.

The event is free, and organizers encourage folks to bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Prior to the music, a parade featuring the Verbena High School Marching Band and the Verbena Methodist Choir will wind through the historic district at 9 a.m. The parade will end at the gazebo,

Verbena

The gazebo in Verbena’s historic district

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where the music will begin at 11 a.m.

The entertainment will include bluegrass by the band Home Remedy (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), swing by the band The Whistlestop Combo (12:30-2 p.m.), contemporary guitar by Eric McGinty (2-3 p.m.), blues and gospel by Jeff Stodemier and The Gospel Word (3-4:30 p.m.), country music by Danny Dennis and Fieldstone Road (4:30-6 p.m.).

Guitarist Mike Hamilton will perform during intermissions.

Barbecue sandwiches, snacks, drinks and boiled peanuts will be available. Local arts and crafts also will be on display.

The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.

For more information contact Bob Weir at 256-468-2009, 205-3359731, or bobweir@netscape.com.d

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Massacre at

Fort Mims In August 1813 Alabama was the site of the worst Indian massacre of civilians in United States history

By Brightman Brock

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aves of fear spilled over the fertile lands of Spanish trading post in Pensacola, Fla., provided guns Alabama in 1813, as visions of encroaching and ammunition to volatile Creek “Red Stick” warriors, settlers tore apart the Creek Indian nation. known for their red war clubs.

War paint was smeared on faces as warrior hearts tried The Indians, now armed with guns, ultimately preto fulfill leaders’ dreams. vailed against militia sent to intercept them in northern A great chief demanded, and smaller chiefs vowed, Escambia County at the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek to take back by force the land of their fathers. The on July 27,1813. A month later, the Creeks mercilessly Creek Prophet Francis, a convert to Shawnee teachings, attacked Fort Mims in what they determined now was preached the religion of abandoning all white settler war. culture.

Underlying the Creek War was subversiveness by But the point from which they never recovered was the British, who were already waging the War of 1812 when nearly 1,000 warriors armed with British guns against a struggling United States. Historical accounts ravaged Fort Mims where settlers and mixed-race say the British wanted to create an Indian state to be Creeks tried to escape the Creek civil war. used against America.

On Aug. 30, 1813, Fort Mims became the site of the But they didn’t count on the young nation’s own warworst Indian massacre of civilians in United States rior, a fiery Gen. Andrew Jackson. history. About 500 perished in present day Baldwin After the Fort Mims massacre, so great was the County, and more than 100 were scalped. reprisal by Jackson and his volunteers, that the Creek The first victim was nation’s people were the officer in charge, either destroyed or who was tomahawked removed from the as he tried to close land; and the British an open gate stuck were later defeated in sand hardened in the Battle of New by nighttime rains.

Orleans. An emerging Earlier, cries by slaves national hero, Jackson working outside the turned his endearing fort reporting “painted persona toward the warriors” were unU.S. presidency, where heeded. he would redefine Years after the the role of “regular” smoke cleared, the Americans in governmassacre at Fort Mims ment. has become a monuBack in Alabama, ment to Indian rage. fertile land devoid But the site also is a of Creek dominance testament to the cunbecame the foundaning of British mertion of Alabama’s The battle at Fort Mims is depicted in this early print chants, who through a new wealthy role as

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its farmers supplied the world with cotton in the years preceding the Civil War. But it was hard to forget the forerunner of this change was a Creek nation festering with fear, according to Alabama Department of Archives and History records.

“As white population increased, the Creeks began to divide among themselves, into those who held more traditional views and those who were more assimilated through contact with whites. The traditionalists responded to Tecumseh, the great Shawnee Indian leader…

Tecumseh traveled south from the Great Lakes to try to unite all Indians against white Americans,” ADAH records state.

One powerful dreamer predicted the retaking of lands. Chief Red Eagle, otherwise known as William Weatherford, an Indian of mostly Scottish and some Creek heritage, spoke words of rage.

Some historians believe, however, that Weatherford was aghast at the extreme bloodshed at Fort Mims, which included women and children.

Weatherford and another Creek, Peter McQueen, led the massacre.

As awful as it was, that massacre became Alabama’s turning point in history, says ADAH director Dr. Edwin Bridges.

“Fort Mims was like the Pearl Harbor of one of Early map the most important wars in Alabama history,” Bridges says.

“It was the big triggering event in the Creek War. What came then was a massive retaliation from Georgia, Mississippi and especially Tennessee, led by Andrew Jackson, which led to the crushing of the Creek nation. The next year, in 1814, the defeat of the Creeks opens up Alabama for settlement.”

Leading that retaliation was Jackson, who for years had hated the

British, who had killed almost his entire family. He bore the scar from a British saber slashing his face as a 14-year-old. Jackson was convinced that the British were behind this uprising. “It was not just the Indians for him,” Bridges says. “It was the Indians and the British together who were attacking the U.S.” A Mississippi militia group and U.S. Army units fought their way up the Alabama River and destroyed the Indians at a base of operations, the Holy Ground, on Dec. 23, 1813, in what is now White Hall. Georgia

enclave at Horseshoe Bend,” Bridges says. “Once the southern U.S. is protected against Indians, Jackson goes to meet the British, who, although unable to land in Mobile Bay, go west to a (Louisiana) stage in history where Jackson and the United States score a major victory.

“This makes Jackson a national hero and changes the course of American history.”

Jackson then successfully ran for president, endearing himself to Americans who recognized that one of their own common folk could achieve the nation’s top office.

Meanwhile, for settlers flocking to Alabama, the departure of Indians opened up rich, new farmland far removed from East Coast land played out through overfarming. Alabama had a new place in history, not just for war and bloodshed, but now to supply the world’s needs.

“Thousands rushed into this new land to plant cotton and provide it for the industrial revolution in Europe... and opening up the Cotton South,” Bridges says. “That’s when Alabama boomed as a cotton state, and became one of the wealthiest in the nation.”

Today, in this former Creek nation, landmarks and markers are dedicated to the memory of chilling cries and redtipped war clubs raised inside a fort’s walls as nearly 1,000 warriors turned their fears into rage.

Online and at its museum in Montgomery, ADAH remains a resource for Alabamians who want to know more about this period of division, war, retribution and rebirth.d

of Fort Mims militia attacked from the Georgia side, and overcame the Indians in East Alabama. The remaining Creeks gathered in a bend in the Tallapoosa River, 12 miles east of what is now Alexander City in Tallapoosa County. It became the battle of Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814.

“So Jackson with Davy Crockett and others descended down from Tennessee and destroyed the Creek

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

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Destinations

FALL-N-FOLSOM FUN Step back into 1819 at Holmestead Co.’s Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation Oct. 2

Getting There The Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation is located on Alabama 14 seven miles west of Marion in Perry County.

The event will be Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Jenny Holmes at 334-683-9955 or see www.holmesteadcompany.com

Marion

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Visit the site of one of Alabama’s last active plantations during the Oct. 2 Fall in Folsom celebration at the Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation near Marion.

William “the wagon maker” Moore came from South Carolina to Alabama in 1819 shortly before Alabama gained statehood. The farm has grown from the original 80 acres which William Moore homesteaded into thousands of acres.

The plantation is the site of original structures dating back almost two centuries. Step back into history with photographs and tools showing a family’s history for nearly 200 years. Most of the buildings are original to the site, and much of the handiwork of William Moore can be seen.

Historic papers, a deed signed by Andrew Jackson, and other items of interest may be viewed in the country store. Farm equipment,

such as wagons, plows, planters, hay rakes, and other pieces, may be seen also.

The event promises a day of history and entertainment. Included are tours of more than 20 historic buildings, including a cotton gin, log seed house, smokehouse, weaving house and more.

Other activities include hayrides and a hay slide, a farm equipment museum, pumpkin patch with pumpkin painting, demonstrations of the gristmill, blacksmith shop, basket weaving and quilting.

Holmestead hamburgers and other food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is $10 a person; children receive a “discounted” admission.

The event will be Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Jenny Holmes at 334-683-9955 or see www. holmesteadcompany.com.d

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

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Discovering Alabama

NATIVE GROWTH Alabama’s original ‘sublime’ woodlands were once admired worldwide

By Doug Phillips

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ost of us have wondered what Alabama’s forests were like before the region was settled, before the arrival of the axe, the saw, and the machinery of forest exploitation.

There are no written records describing Alabama’s forests prior to the historical period. Fossil evidence reveals various tree species that had been present, but we cannot be sure of the size, age and ecological status of the forests as they changed from era to era in response to natural influences.

The first documented accounts of Alabama forests appear in descriptions by early European explorers in the region.

European exploration into Alabama is, perhaps, most famously associated with the excursions of Hernando de Soto around the mid-1500s. At the time, Alabama forestlands were exclusively the domain of Indians skilled in using and wise in knowing the forest.

These Native Americans initially

Doug Phillips is host of television show ‘Discovering Alabama.’ Visit www. discoveringalabama.org

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were inclined to share the bounty of the woodlands with the European newcomers. But such generosity would soon turn to hostility as the red man realized that the white man had little regard for the native peoples and little fondness for the native forests.

The ensuing cultural conflict is reported among the pages of de Soto’s Chronicles, which includes sketchy references to various landscapes of Alabama. For example, one account revels in the fact that a certain tract of forest contained such large trees as to create an open, park-like setting enabling de Soto’s horsemen to gallop at full speed in pursuit of fleeing Indians.

Elsewhere, however, the Chronicles make mention of other settings – plains, savannas, canebrakes, fields and brushy growth – lacking in significant forest cover. These fragmentary descriptions provide an intriguing glimpse of an apparently mosaic region, but we are left still wondering about the overall condition of Alabama’s forests before the sting of the axe and the saw.

Following the Spanish came the French and the British, each trekking through aged Alabama woodlands that stood at the time of the nation’s birth, and that were present soon thereafter to witness the

settlement of our state. This forest realm, the first of historical record, is therefore often considered Alabama’s “original forest.”

Some sources proclaim that the original Alabama forest was so ancient and expansive that a squirrel could travel from Georgia to Mississippi without ever touching the ground. Others dispute this notion of a vast old-growth forest, contending instead that Alabama was yet a mosaic of different settings. The truth, it seems, includes aspects of both scenarios.

Alabama’s original forest was, in many respects, a regenerated forest.

Prior to European domination, native peoples had used fire in thinning and clearing large areas of forest, to create open areas for villages and agriculture, and to establish herb- and grass-rich fields attractive to deer and turkey. However, the natives were decimated by diseases introduced with the Europeans’ arrival, and many of the lands that had been kept thinned and cleared were therefore left to revert again to forests.

Into this largely regenerated sylvan realm ventured British naturalist William Bartram in 1773. A trained botanist, Bartram was one of the first to scientifically examine the southern forest. His survey

across much of the southeast, highlighted in the famous publication The Travels of William Bartram, includes observations confirming a variety of impressive lands found in Alabama.

For example, Bartram did indeed find old growth forests: “Opposite this bluff, on the other side of the river, is a swamp or low land, the richest I ever saw, or perhaps anywhere to be seen: as for the trees, I shall forbear to describe them, because it would appear incredible: [they] are by far the tallest, straightest, and in every way the most enormous I have seen or heard of.”

As Bartram meandered across central and south Alabama, he found areas with “grand high forests… of larger growth” than anything he had seen. In places these were hardwood forests, with trees sometimes greater than 10

of budding romanticism inspired by the wilds of native America. The poetry of such notable romanticists as Samuel Coleridge and William Wordsworth reveal the influence of Bartram’s embrace of Alabama forests. For instance, Wordsworth’s vision of a “magnolia spread / High as a cloud, high overhead” is apparently drawn from Bartram’s stop at a splendid magnolia site in northern Baldwin County.

These and other descriptions reflective of Bartram’s visit helped spread word of an original Alabama forest rich in resources. Soon the appeal of Alabama’s sublime woodlands would stoke imaginations far and wide and lure waves of settlers into the state.d

feet in diameter. In other places, they were pine forests, including endless stands of “great long-leaved pine.” Also, Bartram did indeed find a variety of nonforested landscapes: “…and the plains present to view a delightful varied landscape consisting of extensive grassy fields, detached groups of high forest trees, and clumps of lower trees, evergreen shrubs and herbage; green knolls with serpentine wavy glittering brooks coursing through the green plain, and dark promontories… alternately advancing or receding on the verge of illumined native fields, to the utmost extent of sight.”

William Bartram’s observations confirm an early Alabama of varied landscapes, but an Alabama also with vast tracts of magnificent venerable forests. His descriptions of Alabama’s grand forests were especially significant during this period

Adapted from Discovering Alabama Forests, Doug Phillips, photographs

by Robert Falls Jr., University of Alabama Press, 2006.

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Alabama Gardens

WORM ‘FARMING’ Raising earthworms is a great way to recycle kitchen waste and create organic compost for your gardens

By Katie Jackson Mention worms and many people will think of fishing, but some folks – from homeowners to farmers to municipal waste managers to entrepreneurs – have learned that vermiculture (worm “farming”) is a great way to recycle wastes, have some worms for fishing and even start a new business.

Earthworms are among nature’s most effective recyclers and, as many gardeners know, they are a boon to garden soil.

Their tunneling activity loosens soil so that air and moisture pass through it more easily, and they encourage the presence of beneficial bacteria that help break down organic matter and make soil more productive. Earthworm waste (castings) also improves soil quality, provides nutrients to plants and can even help control soil pests and diseases.

Gardeners can aid the process by adding more organic matter to their soil, which will increase native earthworm populations. Or they start a worm “farm” and make vermicompost to enhance their soil and promote earthworm habitat.

All that’s needed are a bin (these can be purchased or made from a basic wooden or plastic box equipped with airholes) and shredded bedding material (white paper, newspaper, cardboard, brown leaves, straw,

Katie Jackson is associate editor for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

Contact her at csmith@acesag.auburn.edu

22

| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

composted manure, etc.). The bedding material is dampened and mixed with a bit of soil then stocked with redworms (wigglers), which can be purchased from a variety of worm sources. (Other worm species are not suitable for vermiculture.)

Redworms do best in temperatures ranging from 55° to 77°F, but can tolerate 45-80 degree temps. Bins can be located in the house (there is virtually no odor to this composting process) such as in the kitchen, pantry, bathroom, utility room or basement. Outside bins should be placed in the shade during the summer or brought in to a garage or protected area in the winter.

Once the bin is set up and populated with worms, all the worms require are food (kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells and other items that would typically be used in a compost pile), an occasional sprinkle of water and some additional applications of fresh bedding material.

The bin will yield compost in three to five months, which can be used in the garden or in potted plants.

The goal is to harvest the compost but leave the worms, which are then given new bedding so they can begin their compost-making work all over again.

This home-scale idea also has been embraced by farmers looking for ways to recycle livestock waste, municipalities looking for ways to reduce landfill needs and even forward-thinking entrepreneurs who have started lucrative worm casting businesses, so vermicompost is available to purchase without ever starting a worm farm of your own.

A great source of information on vermiculture is www.wormdigest.org/content/view/91/2/. If you’re interested in learning how other critters, such as beneficial insects, fit into your gardening plans, entomologist Doug Tallamy, who authored the book Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, will be speaking in Auburn Oct. 19. To learn more about his lecture go to www. auburn.edu/cosam/arboretum.d

Garden tips for

September

3 Start selecting and planting new roses.

3 Send off a soil samples for testing.

3 Bag or rake grass clippings from now until the end of mowing season.

3 Collect okra seed pods, gourds, interesting seed heads, rose hips, etc. for use in arrangements and crafts. Dry them in a cool dark location.

3 Add manure, compost, leaves and other organic matter and nutrients to garden beds.

3 Stop fertilizing trees and flowering shrubs to allow this year’s growth to harden off before winter.

3 Plant a cover or green manure crop such as clover, cow pea, soybean or vetch in vegetable gardens.

3 Remove remaining summer weeds garden beds.d

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

23

Photos provided by Great Days Outdoors magazine

Charity Hunts Have fun, make friends, and give to a good cause

A

pproximately 200,000 Alabama hunters take to the woods each fall in pursuit of game, and many of these hunters will trail the most popular game animal in North American – the white-tailed deer.

There are a variety of options for Alabama deer hunters to choose from to gain access to deer-hunting areas. The state of Alabama has provided 37 wildlife management areas to the public for a nominal permit fee, thousands of hunting clubs exist in the state and private-land leasing is another option for some.

There are also many fine commercial hunting lodges that offer hunting packages that usually include guided hunts, meals and a place to stay. Enclosure hunting – hundreds of acres of high fenced land with a managed deer herd – is yet another option for some.

There is another way to access hunting lands, however, which is growing in popularity. Many private schools and other nonprofit organizations have started offering hunting packages as part of their fundraising endeavors. These organizations offer two- or three-day hunts with meals provided, and the fees they charge are used for their non-profit organizations.

Most are reasonably priced, since the use of the land is donated. These hunts usually occur during the rutting season, which is the best time to see mature bucks during daylight hours.

Charity deer hunts are a great way to have fun, hunt prime land, make new friends and donate to a good cause. And, at least part of your donation is usually tax deductible.d

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| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

Tips for wildlife management Begin preparing your fall food plots now. l If you haven’t done so already, spray undesirable grasses and weeds with a general herbicide, wait a couple of weeks for the weeds to die, then mow and disk the plots for planting. The herbicide treatment is well worth the time and money for making the best possible food plots this year. l Don’t forget the fertilizer. I usually wait until the seeds I’ve planted grow to two inches tall and apply fertilizer with a spreader. This seems to work better for me than applying it at the same time as planting seeds. l Repair or replace hunting stands. Check each one carefully for loose nuts and bolts, damaged welds, rotten or loose wood or any other safety hazards. l Mow under fruit and mast trees. Not only will it improve the health of the tree, but it will provide a place where wildlife can find the fruits or nuts easily. These areas are great places to hang a game camera or a hunting stand when fruit or nuts begin to fall.d

Contacts for Charity Deer Hunts Dorothy Lewis Lion’s Club of Montgomery 334-356-1180 www.lionsclubdeerhunt.com

Tables indicate peak fish and game feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour before and an hour after.

Minor peaks, half-hour before and after. Adjusted for daylight savings time.

Bill Gray Ashford Academy 334-899-8515 grays4au@graceba.net www.aafalcons.com

Tips for bagging the big buck Scent control is the top priority when hunting deer. l Wear rubber boots that are calf-high. This will reduce the amount of your scent left on the ground and low growing vegetation you may brush against when walking in the woods. l Use scent-free detergent when washing your hunting clothes and keep them in an airtight, scent-free plastic bag or container. Don’t wear your hunting clothes unless you’re hunting.

For example, pumping fuel while wearing your hunting clothes is a very bad idea. l Use scent-killer spray just before you enter the hunting area, especially on your clothes, hair, neck and hands. l Use a natural-cover scent spray such as pine or cedar. l Hunting from an elevated position is important. Use a tree stand or an elevated shooting house whenever possible to help keep your scent above ground level and above the deer’s nose.d

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Marion Academy 334-683-8204 marionac.dot5hosting.com/ page12.html Lowndes Academy 334-278-3367 www.lowndesacademy.org Brett Loftin Monroe Academy 251-564-1600 bloftin@southernadvertising.net www.monroeacademy.org/ deerhunt Dixie Academy 334-266-5311 www.dixieacademy.net The Lakeside School 334-687-5748 www.lakesidecheifs.com

Alan White is publisher of Great Days Outdoors magazine. To learn more, www.greatdaysoutdoors. com or call 800-597-6828.

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Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

25

Alabama Recipes Cook of the Month Stephanie Huffaker, Central Alabama EC

Blue Cheese Stuffed Venison

1 large venison steak or back strap (any wild game meat or thin-cut steak will work) 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened at room temperature

8 ounces blue cheese 1 pound bacon Kosher salt, to taste Crushed black pepper, to taste Crushed garlic Oregano

Turn oven to broil. Fillet the back strap in a spiral cut until it lies completely flat and about ½-inch thick. In a small bowl blend the cream cheese and blue cheese together until combined. Spread evenly onto the steak. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, garlic and oregano and then roll the steak into a spiral. Wrap the steak with bacon, covering entirely. Secure the bacon and steak with toothpicks. Broil for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Slice into ¾-inch sections and lay each section flat on a baking sheet. Optional: garnish with Asiago cheese and broil again until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Venison Sausage Balls 1½ pounds ground venison ½ cup dry breadcrumbs 1 egg beaten 1 teaspoon salt ½ cup mashed potatoes ½ teaspoon brown sugar ¼ teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves 1⁄8 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ cup melted butter or margarine Orange and lemon slices (optional) Parsley sprigs (optional)

Combine first 11 ingredients, mixing well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Brown well in butter, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook over low heat 15 minutes. Arrange on serving platter; garnish with fruit and parsley, if desired.Yield: about 5 dozen.

EXTRA: Become a fan of Alabama Living on Facebook and see the Cook of the Month recipe a week early!

Delicious Turkey Burger

Rose E.Taylor, Black Warrior EMC

Baked Quail 4-6 Quail ¾ cup water 1 tablespoon flour, heaping Soft butter 4-6 slices bacon Salt and pepper

26

The only wild game I usually eat is ground deer meat. Browning the meat for spaghetti sauce is my favorite way to prepare it. A good friend of mine, who has an avid hunter for a husband, always has a freezer full of all kinds of deer meat. She cubes the deer steak tenderloin, seasons it with garlic salt and pepper, wraps the steaks with pieces of bacon securing with skewers, and grills them till they are done.

They are really tasty. I hope you find some recipes in this issue that suit your wild game.

3 pounds ground turkey 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Steak or Other seasoning for grilling 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Original seasoning Light salt, to taste

Prepare baking dish by greasing well with soft butter. Salt and pepper each quail (inside and out) to taste. Wrap each with a piece of bacon. Bake in a dish (breast side down) for 6-7 minutes at 435 degrees, then for another 25 minutes at 325 degrees; basting occasionally. Remove quail and make brown gravy by adding flour and water to drippings and cooking until thickened.

Mix all together and form into patties.

Grill patties on charcoal grill for maximum flavoring. Serve on bun with lettuce and sliced tomato.

Heather Letson, Joe Wheeler EMC

M. Smith, Cullman EC

| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.

ating Tailg te Favori Sunday

s

Get two great exclusives from

Grilled Wild Turkey Breast 1 8-ounce bottle fat free Honey Dijon salad dressing

Naomi Hill, Dixie EC

19

PED

SHIP

2 venison tenderloins 1 cup soy sauce 1 pound bacon cut into 2-inch slices 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Sweet

Jimmy’s Venison Shish Kebabs

Late

Night

$

95

gs Endin

Place turkey breast in a large resealable plastic bag. Add dressing and seal bag. Turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally. Drain and discard marinade. Cover turkey and grill over indirect heat for 45-55 minutes until juices run clear and meat thermometer reads 170 degrees.

Alabama Living that no home should be without!

Time Party

ck Potlu

1 bone-in wild turkey breast (about 1½ pounds, split)

Snacks

Lemon pepper, to taste Garlic salt, to taste 1 cup butter 2 red bell peppers 2 green bell peppers 2 pints mushrooms 2 medium onions

Make marinade from soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Cut tenderloins into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle with lemon pepper and garlic salt. Place in marinade.Add water until meat is covered. Refrigerate 4-6 hours. Remove from refrigerator, save marinade. Wrap tenderloin with bacon and secure with toothpicks. Sprinkle with garlic salt and lemon pepper.

Make kebabs with venison, pepper, onions, mushrooms; place on grill. Melt butter and add to remaining marinade. Brush mixture on kebabs, turning frequently.

$

32 95* SHIPP

ED

James L. Gilbert, Black Warrior EMC

Southern Occasions Cookbook Churches of Alabama Coffee Table Book

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Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

27

Wild Game Stroganoff

Venison Puffs

1½ pounds deer meat 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon paprika 3 tablespoons flour ½ teaspoon pepper 1 cup sour cream

Venison or beef roast 1⁄3 cup sour cream 1 2-ounce jar pimentos, drained ¼ cup celery, minced 1 tablespoon horseradish ¾ teaspoon onion salt

Dash of garlic salt (optional) 1 medium onion, chopped 1 can cream of mushroom soup ½ soup can of water 1 can button mushrooms Cut deer meat into small cubes.

Combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic salt in a Ziploc bag; add the deer and shake well. Brown the deer meat and onion in small amount of cooking oil in a skillet.

Mix the soup with water and add to the skillet. Simmer until the deer meat is tender. Add the mushrooms and sour cream and heat through. Best served over hot rice. Makes 4 servings.

Cook venison in oven on 200 degrees overnight until meat falls off the bone. When cool, pull from bone and pull or cut into small pieces (strings or smaller). Combine meat, sour cream, pimentos, celery, horseradish, onion, salt and pepper.

Stir well. Cover and chill for about an hour or longer. Place water and butter in sauce pan. Bring to boil; slowly stir in flour and salt. Cook and keep stirring until forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and add eggs, beat until smooth.

Drop onto baking sheets by teaspoonfuls. Bake until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool on wire racks. Cut off top of each puff. Remove soft center and discard. Spoon 1 teaspoon mixture into each puff. Put each top back on.

Courtney Parker, South Alabama EC

Leesa and Mark Jordan, Cherokee EC

Bacon and Sprite Wrapped Deer Tenderloin 2-3 pounds tenderloin 8-12 slices bacon ½ teaspoon garlic salt ½ teaspoon seasoned salt

¾ teaspoon pepper 1 can Sprite 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped

Wrap bacon around tenderloin and place in deep pan lined with aluminum foil; add 1 can of Sprite. Add dry spices and onion. Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 3-4 hours or until tender. Let meat rest, coat meat with juices, slice and serve. Goes well with potatoes or veggies.

Nikki Goswick, Coosa Valley EC

Deer Marinade

1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup soy sauce 1 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed 5 or 6 garlic cloves, chopped

1 entire bunch green onions, chopped 1 large green bell pepper, chopped 2 bay leaves

Mix all ingredients together. Add deer meat and marinate 24 hours, stirring once or twice. Cook on grill. Recommended cuts: back straps and inside tenderloins; coin them into pieces about ¼-inch thick. Hind quarter strips can be cut about 1-inch thick and 5 or 6-inches long.

Denise Wetherbee, Clarke-Washington EMC

28

¾ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup water 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt 4 large eggs

| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

Wild Turkey Quesadillas

⁄3 wild turkey breast 3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice 1 package fajita seasoning 1 16-ounce jar salsa 1 tablespoon sugar

1

Salt, to taste 4-6 (10-inch) flour tortillas 2 tablespoons margarine Sour cream Grated cheese Shredded lettuce

Cook turkey breast, juice and fajita seasoning in crock pot on low 8 hours. Shred meat. Add half the salsa and half the sugar.

Simmer for 5 minutes. Taste; add salt, additional seasoning and additional salsa if desired. Brush margarine on one side of 2-3 tortillas. Place, butter-side down, on a cookie sheet that has been lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray. Spread a layer of sour cream on the tortillas. Spoon about 1⁄3 cup turkey mixture over sour cream. Sprinkle grated cheese generously over turkey. Brush one side of the 2-3 remaining tortillas with margarine. Place, butter side up, over filled tortillas. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until light golden brown.

Cut each quesadilla into 8 wedges. Top with remaining salsa, lettuce and additional cheese.

Peggy Mims, Pea River EC

Venison Ragout (Crockpot)

Wild Turkey Curry

2 pounds venison, cut 1-inch cubes ½ cup flour to dredge 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper 1 cup onion, chopped ¼ cup canola oil 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon paprika 1 27-ounce can diced tomatoes with oregano, basil and garlic 2 large green bell peppers cut into ¾-inch pieces

Dredge venison in flour seasoned with the salt and pepper.

Brown the meat and sauté the onions in the canola oil. Stir all ingredients together in crockpot. Cook on high for 3 hours and low for 2 hours longer.

James A. Neville, Black Warrior EMC

1 cup sliced mushrooms, drained 1⁄3 cup onion, minced 1 large apple, peeled cored and diced 3 cups cooked turkey, diced

6 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour ½ teaspoon salt 1½ teaspoon curry powder 1½ cup turkey stock, mixed with a little cream

In a large skillet, sauté the mushrooms, onion, apple and turkey in butter until the apple and onion pieces are tender.

Remove from the heat; stir in the flour, salt and curry powder.

Blend in ½ cup stock and return to the stove. Cook, stirring and gradually adding remaining 1 cup stock over medium heat until the curry has thickened. Put the curry in the top of a double boiler and cook over boiling water for 15 minutes longer. Taste to adjust the seasoning. Serve with hot rice.

Norma Jean Roberts,Tombigbee EC

Santa Fe Soup Baked Quail with Mushrooms 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 6 quail, cleaned 2 tablespoons butter ½ pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

½ cup butter ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 2 cups chicken broth ½ cup sherry Hot cooked rice

Becky Terry, Joe Wheeler EMC

Venison Chili 1 pound ground beef 2 pounds ground venison 3 16-ounce cans tomato sauce

Combine 1⁄3 cup flour, salt and pepper. Dredge quail in flour mixture and set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet; add mushrooms and sauté 4 minutes. Remove mushrooms from skillet; set aside. Melt ½ cup butter in skillet; brown quail on both sides. Remove quail to a 4 ½-quart casserole. Add ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour to drippings in skillet; cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth and sherry; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until gravy is thickened and bubbly. Stir in mushrooms. Pour mushroom gravy over quail. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serve over rice.Yield: 6 servings.

3 16-ounce cans kidney beans 3 packages chili seasoning mix

1 pound ground elk 1 onion, chopped 2 packages dry Ranch style dressing 2 packages taco seasoning mix 1 16-ounce can black beans, undrained 1 16-ounce can kidney beans, undrained

1 16-ounce can pinto beans, undrained 1 16-ounce can diced tomatoes with chilies, undrained 1 16-ounce can tomato wedges, undrained 2 16-ounce cans white corn, undrained 2 cups water

Cook meat and onion together; drain. Stir in both mixes.

Add remaining ingredients (with juices). Simmer for 2 hours.

May thin soup with chicken or beef broth, if needed. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese and/or diced green onions.

Serve with toasted Italian bread or cornbread sticks.

Sue Robbins, Coosa Valley EC

Rabbit a La Dickie

1 swamp rabbit (also called a cane cutter)* flour Salt and pepper 1 can mushroom soup ½ cup water

½ cup cooking sherry 1 4-ounce can mushrooms, drained Dash soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce

Brown venison and beef. Add tomato sauce, beans and chili seasoning and mix. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Cut rabbit into frying-size pieces. Roll in flour, salt and pepper.

Brown meat in hot oil. Place rabbit in casserole and cover with sauce made from remaining ingredients. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour in 350 degree oven. Serve with grits and hot biscuits. *A large cottontail rabbit

Debi Busbice, North Alabama EC

Nan Williams, Clarke-Washington EMC

Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.

Alabama Living | SEPTEMBER 2010 |

29

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| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

GATLINBURG, TN CHALET – 3BR / 3BA Baskins Creek – Pool, 10 minute walk downtown, Aquarium, National Park – (334)289-0304 PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, pool, sleeps 6 - $145/night, 3 night min. – (334)792-8338 or (334)714-9083, failsheating@aol.com BEAUTIFUL CABIN with HOT TUB near Pigeon Forge and Dollywood – 85 dollars per night – Call (865)428-1497 ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226 CABIN IN MENTONE – 2/2, brow view, hottub – For rent $100/night or Sale $275,000 – (706)767-0177 LAKE GUNTERSVILLE VACATION RENTAL – Five bedroom, www.brbo. com/298867 or www.outdoorsmansheaven.com, (256)744-2031 GULF SHORES PLANTATION CONDO – 2/2, sleeps 6, in/out-door pools, golf, tennis – Owner rates (812)282-9384 ORANGE BEACH, AL – FOR SALE OR RENT – 3BR/4BA, new condo’s in Phoenix West on the Gulf with Lazy River and in Bellaluna on the Bay side with boat slips. Lots of amentities, gated entrance with security, furnished and unfurnished, long or short term – Call owner (251)752-2182 LAKE GUNTERSVILLE RENTAL – Waterfront duplex, photos at www.4125hideawaydrive.com – (256)878-3496 GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie12@centurytel.net, (256)599-5552 GATLINBURG CONDOS: Beautiful views of the mountains. Three days and two nights. Total $175.00 – No other charges. Call Jennifer in Scottsboro at (800) 314-9777 – www.funcondos.com HOUSE IN PIGEON FORGE, TN – fully furnished, sleeps 6-12, 3 baths, creek – (256)997-6771, www.riverrungetaway.org SMITH LAKE VACATION HOME – 3BR / 2BA, deep water - $75.00 night or $500.00 week – (256)352-5721, www.vacationsmithlake.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINES: December Issue – Oct. 15 January Issue – Nov. 15 $1.65 per word February Issue – Dec. 15

For Advertising, contact Heather: 1-800-410-2737 or hdutton@areapower.com - Subject Line: Classifieds

LAKE WIESS – 3/2, New Waterfront Penthouse Condo – Professionally decorated, private deck, fireplace, pool, boat docks – Owner rates (770)7227096

Deeded RV Lots – Blue Heron RV Resort is a deeded RV park. Enjoy your RV year round at this park. Prices begin in the mid 20’s. Marketed by North Alabama Real Estate Group, LLC, Jeff Pendergraft – Broker, (256)337-3861

GULF SHORES – CRYSTAL TOWER CONDO – 2 bedroom, 2 bath, gulf view with lazy river pool on beach – www.vrbo.com #145108 – Call owner (205)429-4886

HOUSE FOR RENT ON ALABAMA RIVER, across from River Oaks, South of Orrville – Fully furnished, 3BR / 1.5BA, fireplace, non-smoking, boat dock & ramp. Monthly rates call (334)872-6124

PIGEON FORGE, TN: $99 - $125 - 2BR/2BA, hot tub, pool table, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, www.mylittlebitofheaven.com

WATERFRONT 5 ACRES ON PRIVATE LAKE. Great bass and bream fishing.

3/2 mobile home, shed, RV station, 48’ private dock, boat included. Ready to move in! Near Evergreen, AL - $99,900 OBO. Must sell! (251)680-9110

KATHY’S ORANGE BEACH CONDO – 2BR/2BA, non-smoking. Best rates beachside! Family friendly – (205)253-4985, www.angelfire.com/ planet/kathyscondo GULF SHORES PLANTATION - Gulf View, Beach Side, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths - Owner rates - (251)661-9547 or Cell (251)680-4798, No Smoker & No Pets COLORS OF FALL IN THE SMOKIES – 3/2, all conveniences, near Pigeon Forge in Wears Valley – brochure available (251)649-9818 GULF SHORES – 1 and 2 bedroom gulf front condos – www.vrbo.com #288789 – Call owner (205)429-4886 or (205)363-0175 Cell GATLINBURG TOWNHOUSE VILLAGE on Baskins Creek! $160 / night, tax included - 4BR/3BA, short walk downtown attractions! (205)333-9585, hhideaway401@aol.com.

ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA – 1 bedroom / 1 bath – Gulf front condo – Fourwinds 502 – www.vrbo.com/94799, (251)989-7052, (251)550-5994 GATLINBURG / PIGEON FORGE CABIN – 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, hot tub, gameroom – www.vrbo.com/175531, www.wardvacationrentalproperties. com, (251)363-8576

FOR SALE: INERVAL OWNERSHIP IN CAYMAN ISLANDS at Morritt’s Tortuga Club. Floating week, 1BR / 1BA, sleeps 4 – Email kpalmer@embarqmail.com or call (239)694-0258 - $5,000 FOR SALE: PRIVATE COTTAGE ON 14 ACRES – Carlowville, Alabama (Dallas County). Great hunting and fishing. (251)621-3455 LUXURY MOBILE HOME – 16x80’ on 1.6 acres, 3BR / 2BA, all appliances included. 2 glassed in sunporches, carport outside storage building on cement slab. Near Sepulga River, quiet area. Call (256)578-1588 SMITH LAKE PROPERTIES – Lots, acreage, manufactured homes, houses, condos and investment property. Prices range from $100,000 - $8.1 million.

We have what you need. Call LaPage (256)566-6289 EXIT Realty of the Valley, www.valleymls.com/lepage, lepawill@charter.net WE PAY CASH for SELLER FINANCED REAL ESTATE NOTES,Trust Deeds and Business Notes, Nationwide! Free Quote / Fast Closing. Call (256)6381930 or http://www.cash4cashflows.com/cbell21 LAKE FRONT – LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN - $149,900 – 2 acres, 2/2 – (256)418-2131

Travel

GULF SHORES BEACH COTTAGE – affordable, waterfront, pet friendly – http://www.vrbo.com/152418, (251)223-6114 ALWAYS THE LOWEST PRICE $65.00 - beautiful furnished mountain cabin near Dollywood, Sevierville, TN - (865)453-7715

CARIBBEAN CRUISES AT THE LOWEST PRICE – (256)974-0500 or (800)726-0954

PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – Owner rental – 2BR / 2BA, just remodeled inside and outside – (334)790-0000, jamesrny@graceba.net, www. theroneycondo.com GATLINBURG, TN – Fond memories start here in our chalet – Great vacation area for all seasons – Two queen beds, full kitchen, 1 bath, Jacuzzi, deck with grill – Call today toll free (866)316-3255, www.hillshideaway.com GULF SHORES RENTAL BY OWNER – Great rates – (256)490-4025 or www.gulfshoresrentals.us

Musical Notes PIANOS TUNED, repaired, refinished. Box 171, Coy, AL 36435. 334-3374503 PLAY GOSPEL SONGS by ear! Add chords. 10 lessons $12.95. “Learn Gospel Music”. Chording, runs, fills - $12.95 Both $24. Davidsons, 6727AR Metcalf, Shawnee Missions, Kansas 66204

ALABAMA RIVER LOTS / MONROE COUNTY, AL – Lease / Rent – (334)469-5604 HELEN GA CABIN FOR RENT – sleeps 2-6, 2.5 baths, fireplace, Jacuzzi, washer/dryer – www.cyberrentals.com/101769 - (251)948-2918, email jmccracken@gulftel.com PIGEON FORGE, TN – 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house for rent $75.00 a night – Call Bonnie at (256)338-1957 GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN / NOT A CONDO! The original “Beach House” on Ft. Morgan peninsula – 2BR/1BA – pet friendly, non-smoking – $675/wk, (256)418-2131 PRIVATE COTTAGE ON CEDAR LAKE – Russellville, AL. Many amenities.

(256)436-0341

Real Estate FOR SALE – COUNTRY GROCERY STORE – same location for 63 years.

229K plus inventory – Calhoun County – (256)435-5435

Education WWW.2HOMESCHOOL.ORG – Year round enrollment. Everybody homeschools. It is just a matter of what degree. Contact Dr. Cerny (256)705-3560 or website.

FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE – write to 23600 Alabama Highway 24, Trinity, AL, 35673 BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7549 West Cactus #104-207 Peoria, Arizona 85381. http://www.ordination.org

Critters CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. Tiny, registered, guaranteed healthy, raised indoors in loving home, vet records and references. (256)796-2893 ADORABLE AKC YORKY PUPPIES – excellent blood lines – (334)3011120, (334)537-4242, bnorman@mon-cre.net

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Marketplace

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School Days

t Bus driver Helen Averette of Moundville, submitted by Marilyn Ard, Hanceville

u Lukas Smith, 7, & Nathaniel Frasier, 6, submitted by Amy Frasier, Rainsville

p Robert File, Ta llass c. late 1930s, subm ee (far right) itted by Kelly Mead, Wetumpka

q Webb, 4, submitted by Joan Smith, Billingsley

November Theme:

‘Enjoying Football’

Send color photos with a large SASE to: Photos, Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL, 36124.

Rules: Alabama Living will pay $10 for photos that best match our theme of the month.

We cannot be responsible for lost or damaged photos.

Deadline for submission:

September 30

p Caleb & Bryant Hicks, submitted by PawPaw & MawMaw Hicks, Bay Minette

u Billingsley Field Day 2010, submitted by Nancy Reed, Jones

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| SEPTEMBER 2010 | Alabama Living

CALLING ALL QUILTERS

AREA’s th 6 Quilt Competition The theme for this quilt is ‘Small Town Alabama’ What is it?

• A competition for cooperative handworkers to make squares for the sixth AREA cooperative quilt • Winners will be given statewide recognition.

PARTICIPATION IS FREE! For information and guidelines, please complete the form below and mail or fax it to: Linda Partin Alabama Rural Electric Association P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124 Fax: 334-215-2733 Or e-mail lpartin@areapower.com

I would like to participate in AREA’s Quilt Competition.

Please send guidelines and information to: Name __________________________________ Address ________________________________ City ____________________________________ State _ ________ Zip _____________________ Phone __________________________________ E-mail __________________________________ Cooperative _____________________________ (Cooperative name Alabama | SEPTEMBER 2010 | is Living on cover of magazine)

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