Alabama Living TOM September 2012

Tombigbee EC - We’re here for you, our members SEPTEMBER 2012

Tombigbee Electric Cooperative

Technology and your Cooperative

What we’re doing to enhance your experience as a TEC member.

Page 5.

What Happens During an Outage TEC answers the three most asked outage questions.

Pages 6-7.

WWW.TOMBIGBEE.ORG

www.tombigbee.net

Updates to TEC Phone System

Report an outage or check your billing account quicker and easier.

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Vol. 65 No.9 september 2012

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®

Manager

Steve Foshee Co-Op Editor

Kay Marshall Alabama Living is delivered to some 420,000 Alabama families and businesses, which are members of 22 not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed and taxpaying electric cooperatives. AREA cooperative member subscriptions are $3 a year; non-member subscriptions, $6.

Alabama Living (USPS 029-920) is published monthly by the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives.

Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and at additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER send forms 3579 to: Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-4014.

Alabama Rural Electric Association

AREA President Fred Braswell Editor Lenore Vickrey Managing Editor Melissa Henninger Creative Director Mark Stephenson Art Director Michael Cornelison

5 Technology @ TEC

Read how new technologies being used at your cooperative will help make your experience as a Tombigbee member-owner better.

12 Canoeing to the Gulf

ON THE COVER A fine art gourd created by artist and Tombigbee member, Missy Miles, of Guin. Visit her online studio at MissyMiles.com

David Haynes recounts his journey by canoe (along with golden retrievers Roscoe and Bailey) from the Alabama-Georgia state line all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

PHOTO BY KAY MARSHALL

Advertising Coordinator Brooke Davis Recipe Editor Mary Tyler Spivey ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:

340 TechnaCenter Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117-6031 1-800-410-2737 E-mail: advertising@areapower.com www.areapower.coop

20 SEC forecast

Former coach Brad Bradford shares his thoughts on this season’s SEC outlook.

departments

Spotlight 10 Power Pack 16 Alabama Bass Trail 17 Fish&Game Forecast 18 Safe@Home 22 Outdoors 24 Alabama Gardens 26 Cook of the Month 28 Worth the Drive 38 Alabama Snapshots 9

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:

National Country Market 611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504 Austin, Texas 78704 1-800-626-1181 www.nationalcountrymarket.com www.alabamaliving.coop USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311

A grouping of fine art gourds by local artist Missy Miles are displayed at the Organic Vessels Studio, in Hamilton.

PHOTO BY KAY MARSHALL

Printed in America from American materials

Alabama Living

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Tombigbee Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees Jim McRae Chair

David Collins

Manager’s Comments

Fall has arrived Steve Foshee Manager of Tombigbee EC

Vice-Chair

Curt Morris

Secretary Treasurer

Terry Gosa Dennis Harbor William T. Hulsey Chad Williams Sheila Gunter Warren Williford

Visit our website www.tombigbee.org

Headquarters: P.O. Box 610 Guin, AL 35563 205.468.3325

At this writing our annual meeting process is not complete; however it will be soon. Our mail-in ballot count was less than we have been used to receiving. That is likely due to the recent change of putting the ballots in your issue of Alabama Living magazine instead of the usual separate mail out. Many of you may have not noticed it.

The elections were also non contested and that may have contributed to the lower ballot count as well. Hopefully, next year, we will do some additional things to bring to your attention about the voting process and many more of you will participate.

In this issue we are including an article that will show how your power is restored and what is involved from your home to the sub-station and distribution lines. Being in highly rural areas, there are many more natural challenges to keeping the lights on than in a town or city. Trees, animals or simply the length of line are just a few of the things that create these challenges.

It is always surprising to me what our lineman report as being a problem at different times of the year. There is usually quite a number of odd things that happen. Many small animals, like squirrels, cause so many problems because they not only run along the lines but also eat through our thick aluminum wire.

It has been forecast that September will be cooler and wetter than normal. Many of us will welcome that change and I think we will all agree that the weather this summer has been interesting. It has been much hotter than usual and our past winter was very mild compared to our weather in 2011. Due to our extreme weather conditions we have seen many more thunderstorms. Although much of the rain did not make it to my house, many of you have had a fair share of rainy weather.

Some have questioned whether or not our very hot summer may be proof of global warming but, in my opinion, the answer is no. The hurricanes of a few years ago were also not the result of global warming. It would not be like turning on and off a light switch; either you have it or you don’t. Many reported that we would have the huge hurricanes every year but there hasn’t been a single one down here in the South, since then.

We can surely count on Mother Nature to throw us some curves and your TEC crew and staff will be ready when she does.

These variations in weather are just the cycle of things, in my opinion, that God himself created. One thing is certain, with hot weather we have higher bills. Look for us to write in future issues why costs are going up and how we plan to help you achieve lower power bills. A sfoshee@tombigbee.org

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TEC Technology

How technology helps at Tombigbee Article by Brenda Overton, IT Manager/ Member Services and Mark Carden, Engineering/Operations Manager

As employees of Tombigbee Electric, it is our privilege to serve our members. Our top priority is to keep your lights on and to do it with the lowest possible rates.

Technology plays a major role in our ability to do this. A few of the pieces of technology that we use to aid us in achieving these goals is Automatic Meter Reading, Outage Management System, and IMap. Automatic meter reading is a sys-

Alabama Living

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tem provided to us by Landis and Gyr. This system allows us to collect meter readings electronically. We bill in four cycles. When it is time for each cycle, we collect the readings from our substations and with the use of multi-speak technology, the readings are then uploaded into our billing system. By using AMR, we eliminate the need for our members to read their own meters, we get an accurate read every time, and we eliminate any possible keying error.

Outage Management is a system provided to us by Milsoft. The most important functionalities of our Outage Management System are the mapping functionality and its ability to predict where the problem causing an outage may be.

The mapping piece of the software stores everything about the line, how each line is fed, what kind of equipment is used, and customer information. With these two pieces working together, when members call in to report and outage, the software determines where the outage may be located.

This aids our linemen in finding the problems quicker to get your lights on faster.

IMap, is the newest piece of technology that Tombigbee is using.

Beginning in August of 2012, we are providing our members who

utilize Apple devices such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer, the ability to download IMap. This app allows us to help our members stay safe in the event of bad weather and also allows us to broadcast messages to our members using the application. We hope to expand this application to members using Droid devices very soon.

The employees of Tombigbee Electric understand our roles in our cooperative and try to do everything that we can to serve you, our members. We are constantly looking for new and better ways to communicate things with our members and we feel technology is something we must keep moving forward with.

Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/tombigbeeelectric and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter. com/TombigbeeElec for updates on outages and information about your cooperative. A

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What happens during an outage?

Article by Brenda Overton, IT Manager/ Member Services and and Mark Carden, Engineering/Operations Manager

In the August issue of Alabama Living we promised a more detailed explanation of why outages occur and how the members of the Tombigbee staff approach getting the lights back on. To give the best explanation on outages and getting the lights back on - it

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is important that there is a clear understanding of where our electricity comes from and how your home is energized.

Approximately 95% of the electricity in this area is generated from the burning of coal to produce steam. The steam is pushed across a turbine that is connected to a generator. As the generator spins, a magnetic field is created which creates a current. From the generator, the voltage on the power is increased with a step up transformer so that the electricity can flow over a long distance. It is then carried over transmission lines to the substations. Inside the substations are step down

transformers which reduces the voltage on the line, because the distance in which the electricity is going to flow is much shorter.

From the transformers located in the substations, the electricity is carried over distribution lines to another step down transformer located at your home or business.

Tombigbee Electric receives its power from Alabama Power generating resources that are transmitted over Southern Company transmission lines. Once the electricity reaches our six substations, we are then responsible for distributing and maintaining electricity through our distribution lines to you.

www.alabamaliving.coop

8/16/12 4:10 PM

TEC Technology

In the event of outages due to storms, the electricity has to be restored in the same way that it is distributed. If the generation plants are damaged, as they were in April of 2011, that problem has to be corrected first. If transmission lines that feed our substations are damaged, there will not be electricity to our substations which will cause our members to be out of electricity. This has happened on two different occasions this summer. Over Memorial Day Weekend, a tractor hit a guy wire on a transmission pole breaking the pole. In July, a transmission line broke and caught fire. Both of these incidents caused outages to everyone on our White House Substation. While it was theTombigbee members that were affected, we had to let our supplier correct these issues.

After storms, there are a lot of lines broken and trees and limbs on the lines causing outages due to open or short circuits. We have to begin assessing and correcting problems at the substation and work our way out the feeders eventually leading us to your home. When you call us to let us know that there is a tree on the line at your house, this is entered into a work order and put into our outage management software.

This software assists us in keeping up with these situations and as we work our way down the feeder lines, our linemen know where to go to fix the problems.

direction in which the electricity is flowing, we really aren’t repairing the problem.

w Why don’t I see anyone

working in this area?

We have over 2,000 miles of line covering Marion, Lamar, and part of Fayette counties. Our lines run through the woods, through fields, and down the highways.

We have to correct all of the problems on the line leading to your house so that when we get to you and fix the problem there, your lights will come back on.

w How are outages prioritized?

Three most commonly asked questions during an outage w When will the power be restored?

We understand that this is everyone’s biggest question during an outage. It is so difficult to answer that question because it depends on how many problems there are between the substations and where you live. Even though it seems like the problem with the electricity at your home may be due to the line being down near you, there could be several more damaged areas between where you live and the substation. If we do not repair the lines from the

We use our Outage Management Software to analyze the number of people that are affected by each problem. We must also send linemen to assess the damages. Know that every member is important to us and our entire team is making every effort to get everyone’s lights back on as quickly as possible.

We encourage you to call us and let us know of outages so that we can be sure that everyone’s electricity is restored during the restoration process. We are continuing to work on other options for reporting and inquiring on outages and ask you for your patience during outages. We understand that without electricity, life can be difficult and we would like to assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to get the lights back on as quickly as possible A

Alabama Living SEPTEMBER 2012 7

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Member Services

Upgrades to TEC’s phone system will help during outages Article by Brenda Overton IT Manager and Member Services

As you have heard us say, one of our primary and ongoing goals is to bring you, our members, electricity at the lowest possible rates. Since our expenses relate directly to your bills, we weigh every expense decision carefully.

Our phone system has been an area where a decision has been difficult. While we have been able to help keep rates low, we have not had the ability for members to report an outage quickly and with ease. But, we are working on a solution and ask that you bear with us.

Under normal circumstances our phone system works well and it works efficiently. However, when an outage occurs - after normal business hours - we have issues with the influx of calls and reports from members.

We have always wanted our members to connect to a human 8  SEPTEMBER 2012

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voice when they call our office.

For this to happen in a cost effective manner, we utilize the services of CRC, the Cooperative Response Center. CRC handles all calls between the hours of 4:30PM and 8:00AM, and throughout the weekend.

When calls are redirected to CRC it ties up two phone lines simultaneously. In order to correct this problem we have upgraded the number of lines that are coming into our facility from eight to twenty-three. We have also upgraded the phone system to handle calls appropriately and hope this will make your outage reports to us a more pleasant experience.

To further enhance your ability to report an outage to us during the hours that our office is

closed, we are in the process of installing an Interactive Voice Response system, known as an IVR. This system will allow you to report an outage quicker and easier. Additionally, the IVR system provides you with the ability to inquire about your account, pay your bill and change your customer information. If preferred, this new phone system also gives members the option to speak with a human. We feel confident that once the IVR system is installed your phone experiences - especially during an outage - will be greatly improved!

Tombigbee Electric is your cooperative. We are here to serve you, our members. We hope that these improvements to our office phone system will allow us to serve you better and more efficiently. A www.alabamaliving.coop

8/16/12 4:10 PM

Spot Light

In September

sept. 15 and 16

Town of Leeds celebrates John Henry The Leeds Downtown Folk Festival and John Henry Celebration will be Sept. 15 and 16. The celebration will include a juried art show and sale, live music, activities for kids, antique cars, ethnic and regional food, and more. The event will also include a symposium on John Henry, the steel-driving local legend. The festival will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Festival admission and parking are free. For more information, call 334-699-1892 or go to leedsfolkfestival.org. A sept. 29

Titus readies for bluegrass festival The 12th annual Titus Bluegrass Festival will start at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Titus Community Center.

Leeds City Councilman Kenneth Washington has portrayed John Henry in the play, “Listen to that Cold Steel Ring.”

Performers will include Southern Gentlemen, East Wind, Kelli Johnson & Chimney Peak and the Justice Family Bluegrass Band. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 get in free. Proceeds will be used for continued restoration and improvements to the community center, which was built in 1928. For more information, visit titusbluegrassfestival.com or call 334-567-9059. A

For more Alabama Events, visit Page 29.

Art, music, poetry await Claybank festivalgoers

By Nancy Rasmussen

Experience the quaint atmosphere of “small town main street” when the Wiregrass city of Ozark ushers in its annual Claybank Jamboree the first week in October. Named for the historic log-hewn Claybank Church, this year’s celebration concludes Saturday, Oct. 6 and once again features the aesthetic Back Street Art experience.

Just a short walk from the center of town, where arts and crafts vendors will line the courthouse square, the 2nd Annual Back Street Art cultural experience returns to the Potting Shed, on the corner of East Avenue and Eufaula Street. This year’s bill of fare features an outdoor juried art exhibit, a kid’s potting station, musical performances and poetry readings, all in the park-like setting nurtured

by Potting Shed owners Martha and Ryan Campbell.

“While wandering around downtown, visitors will want to wend their Alabama Living

way to the Potting Shed nursery where ‘Back Street Art at Claybank Jamboree’ hosts artists from around the Wiregrass who will be selling their creations and competing for cash prizes. Local artisans also will demonstrate their craft specialties, children will be planting seeds in small pots to take home, and local poets will take the mic in hand to share original poems and short stories,” said Denise Reyes, Back Street Art committee co-chair.

Ozark’s Ace Hardware again will sponsor a kid’s potting station, where children are welcome to plant herb seeds in clay pots to take home as a reminder that art grows in many forms.

Because Ozark is the Home of Army Aviation, Fort Rucker’s 98th Army “Silver Wings” Band has performed at Claybank for many years.

Jazz musicians from the band entertained the Potting Shed audience and will perform again this year beginning at 11 a.m.

Visitors stroll by the tents of art vendors during the Claybank Jamboree in Ozark.

Following the jazz session, at 1 p.m. Poets in the Park makes its Back Street Art debut. Hosted by Ozark resident, actor and writer Laura Bruce, local poets will read their works of rhyme and prose for about an hour. No Name Band takes the stage intermittently and Bruce will finish up with some writing exercises for aspiring writers in the audience.

For details on the weeklong schedule of Claybank events, including the downtown festival, call the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce at 334-7740931, or visit ozarkalchamber.com. A SEPTEMBER 2012 9

Power Pack

√

Future funding hinges on Sept. 18 vote

Editor’s note: On Sept. 18, Alabama voters will be asked to approve a statewide constitutional amendment to authorize transferring money from the Alabama Trust Fund to the state’s general fund to help cover deficits in the Alabama Medicaid and corrections departments. On this page, Alabama Living presents two different perspectives on the proposal. We urge our readers to become educated on this issue before voting.

Vote Yes to save jobs, protect essential services

By Rep. Greg Wren

On Sept. 18 voters will decide whether to provide funding from the Alabama Trust Fund to the state General Fund to save dozens of essential state government services, including the Alabama Medicaid Program. Medicaid provides health care to one million of Alabama’s aged, blind, disabled and low-income citizens.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment will transfer $146 million each year for three fiscal years to protect funding for our State Troopers, Conservation and Agriculture departments, Mental Health and Public Health facilities, children and adult rehabilitation services and dozens of key services in each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

Alabama’s health care services industries represent approximately 15% of our state’s gross domestic product, and employ hundreds of thousands of taxpayers serving every town, city and county. Without question, essential health care access will be curtailed beginning Oct. 1, 2012 if the Constitutional Amendment fails. There is no alternative to protecting massive reductions and elimination of many health care and public services.

10 SEPTEMBER 2012

Since 2010, Gov. Robert Bentley and the Legislature have enacted the most significant cost savings programs in Alabama’s history. AREA members understand our prolonged recession has devastated our citizen’s jobs and paychecks, yet the state’s leadership is focused on building our economy through a more efficient state government.

Unfortunately, our state’s budgets have incurred more than $1 billion in losses over the last three years and the proposed Constitutional Amendment asks voters to keep Alabama working while we move through the most challenging economic period in decades. A “Yes” vote on Sept. 18 provides your state government leadership a slim ray of sunshine in our most difficult financial times. Our stewardship of taxpayer funds is our top priority. Your support is critical to save Alabama jobs and protect essential services to each of Alabama’s 4.7 million citizens. A Rep. Greg Wren represents portions of Montgomery and Elmore counties in the Alabama House of Repres e ntatives . He i s chairman of the Joint Energy Committee and Joint Medicaid Committee.

Transfer of funds won’t solve inefficiencies

By Gary Palmer and Cameron Smith The Alabama Policy Institute

On Sept. 18 Alabamians will vote on a constitutional amendment that will have a major impact on the Alabama Trust Fund (ATF). If approved, this amendment would alter the current distribution of the earnings from the ATF, including redirecting 33 percent of the Oil and Gas Capital Payments out of the ATF as income to be spent by state and local government, leaving only 32 percent going into the corpus. Currently, 65 percent of the Oil and Gas Capital Payments go into the ATF corpus.

The most controversial provision of the proposed amendment requires the transfer of $437,390,829 out of the ATF corpus to the State General Fund with no provision to pay it back.

Withdrawals from the ATF will amount to $145,796,943 per year in fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Transferring $437.4 million to the State General Fund over the next three years may temporarily cover a budget hole, but does little to solve the underlying inefficiencies, lack of substantial

growth taxes in the State General Fund, and last-minute budgeting that led to its need in the first place.

Alabama state government is in desperate need of reform and restructuring to make it more effective and more affordable. Instead of taking $437.4 out of ATF with no provision to pay it back, Alabama lawmakers and Gov. Bentley should have enacted cost-cutting and right-sizing measures that would have substantially reduced the need for raiding the ATF. If the proposed constitutional amendment is approved, it is likely that instead of needed reforms in state government, poor budgetary decisions will continue. A Gary Palmer is president and Cameron Smith is policy director and legal counsel for the Alabama Policy Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to the preservation of free markets, limited government and strong families.

www.alabamaliving.coop

Celebrated Alabama Living editor remembered for his love of life The Alabama and the national co-op community lost a friend and leader with the passing of Darryl Gates, former awardwinning editor of Alabama Living magazine who died July 28. Gates had retired in May after 29 years as editor and as vice president of communications for AREA. A celebration of life service was held in Montgomery Aug. 3, which would have been Gates’ 62nd birthday.

Gates was the recipient of many awards and honors during his career at AREA, including the George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. In accepting the award, Gates called it “a tribute to every member of our magazine team,”

adding that the staff worked hard “to make sure our member cooperatives receive the most professional and readable publication possible.”

Gates also won the 2009 Philip R. Forrest, Jr. Professional Achievement Award from the Public Relations Council of Alabama.

“We have missed Darryl since his retirement and now miss him even more,” said Fred Braswell, president and CEO of AREA. “He loved and enjoyed life and lived these last few months with remarkable courage and with such a positive attitude. He left us many lessons and good stories that will live on.”

“Darryl was thoughtful about the craft of advocacy, and he worked hard to keep co-op members informed about the issues that mattered to them,” said Zan McKelway, NRECA vice president, communications and marketing.

A graduate of Auburn University

Montgomery, Gates was editor of The Community Press in Millbrook before joining the staff of the Montgomery Advertiser as a reporter. He later became city editor of the Alabama Journal. He served on many philanthropic boards in Alabama and was an Accredited Public Relations Practitioner.

He served as president of the board of Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education, the AUM Alumni Association, and was a founding member of Child Protect. He was very active in the Tukabatchee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Darryl is survived by his wife, Martha Rouse Gates, two sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Rachael Gates, and Scott and Kelly Gates, and one granddaughter, Avi. Donations may be made to Child Protect, 935 South Perry St., Montgomery, AL 36104, or Children’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Highway, Alexander City, AL 35010. A

New law makes it tougher for metal thieves to sell wares Alabama’s electric cooperatives hope to benefit from a tough new law that took effect Aug. 1. The law requires anyone selling to metal companies to provide a government ID, sign a statement that the metal isn’t stolen, and furnish a home address and license plate number for the vehicle with which they deliver the metal.

“We’ve been involved in drafting this piece of legislation since last spring/early summer of last year,” said Sean Strickler, AREA’s vice president, public affairs.

Copper theft has been a growing problem for AREA’s 22 member co-ops. “We were getting robbed blind,” Strickler told ECT.coop in an article earlier this year. “There was copper theft or metal theft of some sort going on at each one of our members’ facilities on a weekly basis, basically. Someone was getting robbed once a week, once every other week.”

AREA joined a coalition of other like-minded organizations and took the lead on drafting the legislation that put the focus on recyclers and put limits on the purchase of a wide range of property, including metal from electric utilities, catalytic converters and manhole covers.

Alabama Living

“The only way you can sell that,” Strickler said, “is by showing proof of purchase, or that you’re in that business.”

By Jan. 1, 2013, scrap dealers will have to input all transactions into a new statewide database, which police will have access to. All transactions will have to be photographed or videoed.

“We don’t want to put recyclers out of business,” he said. “We sell a lot to them, as well. The fly-bynight guys who’ll take anything— those are the ones we have to deal with.”

Thieves can be charged with a felony if the damage they cause results in an imminent danger.

Judges can also order restitution to include replacement and repair costs, along with the value of the metal. The law also bans cash payments for more than $50 worth of copper, or $500 of other metals. A SEPTEMBER 2012 11

Canoeing the Alabama Scenic River Trail… with two golden retrievers

By David Haynes

W

henever I tell trail follows the Alabama for someone I padits entire length to where it dled the entire joins the Tombigbee River to 631 miles of the Alabama form the Mobile, then follows Scenic River Trail (ASRT) the Mobile and Tensaw rivers with my two golden retrievers into Mobile Bay. The trail terin a 15-foot cedar strip canoe minates at the mouth of Mothey look at me as though bile Bay at Fort Morgan. they think I’ve lost my mind.

Navigating the length of There was never any the trail would be impossible doubt that Roscoe and Bailey in a motorboat, because of would accompany me on the the six Alabama Power Comjourney. After all, they pretty pany dams on the Coosa much go everywhere with River, none of which has a me. I even have a motorcycle lock. At each dam I had to with a sidecar just for them. unload the canoe and it plus Golden retrievers Roscoe and Bailey enjoying their ride The happy-go-lucky pups had all of our gear had to be cardown the river. never set paw in a canoe beried or shuttled around the fore I bought the one for our journey in years ago and is the longest river trail of its dam. Most motor-powered trips begin at February, and when we launched for the kind in the United States. It begins where Wetumpka or points south on the Alabama 45-day river trip on May 1 it was only the the Coosa River crosses the Alabama state River, where the final three dams all have third time both dogs had ridden in the ca- line from Georgia near Cedar Bluff, fol- locks. noe. But I can honestly say neither of them lows the length of the Coosa to its conThe first couple of days had me wishcomplained even once during our trip! fluence with the Tallapoosa River, where ing I’d done more to get into shape before The ASRT was established about five the Alabama River begins. From there the heading out on a 600-mile-plus canoe trip.

12 SEPTEMBER 2012

www.alabamaliving.coop

Top: Canoe is secured for the night.

Bottom right: The sun sets on another day.

Bottom left: David Haynes enjoys some well-deserved r & r.

Alabama Living

At 57, I was already past my prime as a long-distance paddler. After a few days the blisters turned into calluses and my back and muscles built up to the demands of paddling 8-12 hours per day. My goal was to average 15 miles per day and we more or less kept to this pace for the entire trip.

I found it helpful not to look at the maps more than a couple of days ahead, because at Mile 50, Mile 550 seemed an entire world away. In this way, the trip was as much of a mental exercise as a physical one for me because the thought of propelling a heavy canoe the same distance as from Birmingham to Dallas could quickly become an overwhelming challenge if I dwelled on it too long.

Within a few days, my routine synchronized with the rhythm of the river, rising before the sun and falling asleep just after darkness fell. Knowing that each day would bring a new experience to enjoy made it easier to load the canoe and paddle downriver.

The scenery was ever changing as we made our way from the mountains to the sea. The landscape seemed to alter completely each time we went around another dam. Sometimes paddling in the main channel of the river, I would hear the faint sound of a waterfall in the distance and follow it up a slough to find a pristine waterfall spilling from a steep-walled canyon.

Once, at a remote camp, I watched as ospreys swooped down to snare fish from the water just a few hundred feet from camp.

Another morning I watched through a morning mist as a deer browsed its way along. All sights that few people have the privilege to experience these days.

Perhaps most memorable were the people we met along the way, in particular folks on the lower sections of the Alabama River where it seemed that any time a boat approached us they would stop, ask about our trip and whether we needed anything.

Most often they would offer up an ice cold and much appreciated barley pop, which I came to realize was almost like the currency of the river. One fisherman and his young companions insisted we join them for lunch and we feasted on sausages roasted on a charcoal pit fire under the shade of cottonwoods on a beautiful sandbar near Choctaw Bluff.

Another couple we met at a campground near Claiborne Lock and Dam drove to Fort Morgan to be there the day SEPTEMBER 2012  13

David, Roscoe and Bailey continue their journey.

we completed the trip after following our Mobile Bay. The seven-mile stretch of the Mobile to see the sky had turned the color progress daily on Facebook, where I was Coosa from Jordan Dam to Wetumpka has of charcoal. Waves on the bay were white posting updates as we traveled. a Class II-III rapid called Moccasin Gap. capping as far as I could see and it began Our trip also included some unique Before running this whitewater section in to rain in windswept sheets. The waves challenges for me because of my traveling my relatively fragile, fiberglass-over-wood were now more than four feet high and companions. Neither dog ever grasped the canoe, Chris Carter, who operates Coosa getting bigger and I decided to turn back concept of balancing the boat from side-to- River Adventures in Wetumpka, shuttled and make for the state park. It was indeed side. The canoe was packed full of camp- all the camping gear to his campground fortunate we turned around when we did! ing gear, food, water, the pups, myself and so the canoe would be lighter with just the With a 20-knot or higher tailwind we a unique guitar built by my brother that’s dogs and me. traveled the distance it had taken two constructed entirely of carbon fiber, which At Moccasin Gap, we made it through hours to cover going out in a little more is not damaged by getting wet. Everything, the rapid and first big standing wave just than 15 minutes. The waves were so large including the canoe, weighed close to 600 fine. But when the waves and water began that the canoe would surf down the face of pounds. tossing the canoe around the dogs, who each one and at the bottom of the trough Roscoe, the heavier of the dogs, always were now no longer confined to their small take on water over the bow. We were on rode near the front of the canoe in a space spaces in-between the gear, both stood up the verge of capsizing all the way back to between the front seat and a large gear bag and went to the right side of the boat to the state park, but fortunately made it back situated just ahead of the center thwart. watch as the water overspilled the gunwale. exhausted with a canoe half full of water!

Bailey, the smaller dog, likes to always be When we hit the second big wave water We ended up staying two more days at touching someone. This is a dog who not poured in, filling the canoe to at least half Meaher waiting for the weather to break only likes to be petted… she needs it! She full. Now the canoe was so heavy I could before venturing back into the open waters rode directly in front of me between the no longer maneuver in the current. Sec- of the bay. This was the only time in the center thwart and rear seat. onds later it washed up on a boulder and entire trip that weather stopped us. I found This system worked about as well as it broached, filled with water and I feared out later that parts of the Mobile area got could, that is until Roscoe would decide was about to break into pieces. more than 20 inches of rain in the storm. to flop down on one side of the The final push to Fort Morcanoe or the other to take a nap. Within a few days, my routine synchronized with gan took three more days and It seemed always when this hap- the rhythm of the river, rising before the sun and those last 45 miles turned out to pened Bailey would be on the falling asleep just after darkness fell. be the biggest challenge of the same side of the boat and the entire journey, with winds and canoe would tilt drastically to that side, But Chris had motored back upstream tides seemingly always going the wrong making paddling and forward progress a on his Waverunner. He and a local fish- way for us. But we’d had more than our real chore. This meant I’d have to convince erman who witnessed our debacle helped fair share of good weather and tailwinds on Bailey to shift to the opposite side to com- to get the canoe un-pinned and soon we the rivers, so I guess it all evens out.

I am writing a book about the trip that pensate for Roscoe’s weight. Bailey can be were cruising downstream again. I had to quite stubborn and usually I would have take a layover day at Chris’ campground will provide much more detailed accounts to bribe her with a treat to convince her to to make some minor repairs to the canoe, of the stories touched on in this article. It change sides of the canoe. however, and to let some of the soreness in will be published by the University of Alabama Press, which has set up a companAlligators were also a concern once we my shoulder heal before going on. were on the Alabama River. I bought a pisThe other incident could have been ion website at http://paddlinginfo.ua.edu tol to carry in case a gator tried to attack more serious. We were at the mouth of the where information is available about the the canoe to get at the dogs. From around Tensaw River, between US Hwy 98 and In- upcoming book as well as more about our Montgomery southward people I met on terstate 10, just 45 miles from Fort Morgan. trip. A the river would tell me: “Down here we call The day before we stopped early due to dogs ‘gator candy.’” In all I saw about 30 heavy rains at Meaher State Park, which David Haynes alligators. None ever became aggressive to- is located off a small inlet between the is a freelance ward us, though I will admit I had the pis- two highways. That morning the weather photographer and tol holster unsnapped on a few occasions. looked better and we paddled out toward writer from Blount We had a couple of intense moments the bay. We were immediately greeted by a Springs. Contact during the trip, once in the only whitewater stiff headwind and it took nearly two hours him at studioblsp@ of the trip downstream of Jordan Dam and to reach a point about a half-mile south of mindspring.com. again during a violent thunderstorm on the I-10 bridge. I looked to the west toward 14 SEPTEMBER 2012

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Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2012 15

The Alabama Bass Trail On March 8, 2012, Gov. Robert Bentley announced the creation of the Alabama Bass Trail to promote 11 of the best fishing waters in the state. This is the fourth and final installment of that series focusing on those lakes and rivers.

In south Alabama, multiple rivers run through it For more information on the Alabama Bass Trail, see www.alabamabasstrail.org.

By John N. Felsher

I

n south Alabama, anglers don’t need to travel far to find fish. Anglers might not find major reservoirs that hold enormous pot-bellied bass, but they could fish a different spot every day of their lives in myriad rivers.

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he Tallapoosa River runs 265 miles from the southern “The Alabama River has a tremendous number of spotted bass Appalachian Mountains in Georgia into eastern Alabama. from Mount Vernon north,” Miller says. “North of Mount VerThe Coosa River runs 280 miles through northwest Geor- non, quite a few lakes along the river provide good action. The gia into northern Alabama. These two rivers merge at Wetumpka Gainestown area is another good place to fish. North of Jackson north of Montgomery to form the on the Tombigbee River is another Alabama River. The Alabama River good place to fish.” flows southward another 318 miles.

Second in size only to the MissisThe Cahaba River flows into the sippi River Delta, the Mobile-Tensaw Alabama near Selma. The Alabama Delta spreads across 250,000 acres of River flows through William Dannelbayous, creeks, lakes, swamps, marshly Reservoir, a 17,200-acre impoundes and estuaries north of Mobile Bay. ment near Camden and Claiborne These wetlands create an incredibly Lake, a 5,930-acre impoundment near rich and diverse habitat for numerous Monroeville. These waters provide species. In 1974, Congress declared many places to land largemouths. the Delta a National Natural Land“The Alabama River is a good area mark. to fish during the summer and fall,” “The Mobile Delta is a huge largesays Wayne Miller, of the Mobilemouth bass fishery,” says Nick Nichols Tensaw Guide Service in Satsuma of the Alabama Department of Con(251-455-7404/www.fishnfever.com) servation and Natural Resources. “It’s and the promoter of the Fish N Fever a very large, tidal estuary with lots bass tournament trail. “Some lakes off of bayous, grass flats, timbered areas the river can provide good fishing. A and backwaters. We don’t see many tremendous number of tributaries large bass, but we see large numfeed into the Alabama River. Those bers of robust fish. On the Alabama tributaries are great places to throw River below Claiborne Dam, a large crankbaits and spinnerbaits.” fish would be a 5- to 6-pounder. OcFrom the Claiborne Lock and Jen Carroll shows off a bass she caught while casionally, someone catches a larger Dam, the Alabama flows south an- fishing in a tidal marsh. (Photo by John N. Felsher) one, but we see a lot more in the 2- to other 72 miles until it merges with 3-pound range.” the Tombigbee near Mount Vernon, creating the Mobile River.

In this immense, incredibly fertile system, anglers frequently The Tensaw River breaks off from the Mobile southeast of Mount catch largemouth bass, redfish, flounder and other species in the Vernon and flows 41 miles through Baldwin County. Together, same places with the same lures at the same time. As the aquatic these two streams and numerous other interconnected waterways and marine environments merge into a rich smorgasbord of create a vast delta wetland paradise near Mobile. life, predators from both environments gorge themselves upon

16 SEPTEMBER 2012

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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.

Craig Powers, a professional bass angler from Rockwood, Tenn., and Howard Hammonds show off bass they caught. (Photo by John N. Felsher)

the best forage from both worlds. Bass sionally, pop the lure back to the surface and redfish alike grow fat eating shrimp, like a live shrimp escaping a predator. frogs, crawfish, crabs, menhaden, min“In the fall, white shrimp migrate into nows, mullets, shad, sunfish and other the lower Delta,” Miller advises. “Look morsels. for shrimp on the surface jumping to “The Delta is a tremendous fishery, escape predators. Where anglers see but very challenging,” Miller explains. shrimp jumping on the surface, that’s “It’s a vast complex of rivers, bays, creeks the place to fish! Once the bass get on and bayous. It’s well known for produc- that bite, it’s a phenomenal time to fish ing good fish numbers. In late summer with plastic shrimp imitations for both and early fall, numbers and we usually see quality fish. low-water situDuring that ations. That can time, anglers make an influx c ou l d f i sh of brackish waa shrimp ter far up the a c ro ss t he Delta.” top or let it In the Delta, sink and fish tides dictate evit slowly.” erything. DurAlmost ing an incomanywhere John Geesey fishes from a canoe in the in the Delta ing tide, bass Mobile-Tensaw Delta near Mobile. may retreat to could pro(Photo by John N. Felsher) sweeter water duce excelupstream. An outgoing tide pulls water lent fishing at times. Several shallow from backwaters, causing bass to drop grassy lakes just north of Interstate 10 into main channels. During a falling tide, hold good fish during the spawning fish a soft plastic shrimp imitation where season. In the warmer months, fish a small tributary drains into a main the points in the main river and shady channel. If possible, use no weight. Sim- shorelines along major channels. Some ply insert the hook into the plastic and better places to fish include Chacalotoss it upstream. Allow the bait to flow chee Bay, Grand Bay, Dead Lake, Middle downstream naturally with the tide. Use River, Mifflin Lake, Lizard Creek and the the reel only to take up slack, but occa- Bay Minette Basin. A Alabama Living

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SEPTEMBER 2012 17

Safe @ Home

‘Move Over’ amendment designed to keep utility workers safer on state’s roads

Wiregrass Electric Co-op line operations staff were on hand with law enforcement officials in Hartford to call public attention to the new “Move Over” law which took effect Aug. 1. From left, Mitchie Bass, safety director Nathan Worsham, Joey Brown and Jason Grooms.

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orkers for Alabama’s electric cooperatives now have a little more protection when they’re working on the state’s roads, thanks to an amendment to the state’s “Move Over” law.

The Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives was instrumental in passing Act 2012-409, an amendment to Alabama’s Move Over Act, which now includes all utility workers and vehicles.

The amendment was passed in May and became effective Aug. 1.

This new law mandates that when utility workers and vehicles are on the state’s

Michael Kelley and James Thomas are managers of Safety & Loss Control for the Alabama Rural Electric Association.

18 SEPTEMBER 2012

Representatives of Alabama’s electric cooperatives join with representatives from Alabama Power Co. and Electric Cities as Gov. Robert Bentley signs the “Move Over” amendment designed to protect utility workers on the state’s roads.

roadways, motorists must move over to an open lane of traffic if one is available.

If an open lane of traffic is not available, motorists must slow to 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.

The jobs of our operations personnel are hazardous by definition, as they often work on high voltage lines and in other safety sensitive environments. But their jobs become truly dangerous when they work on the ground around busy traffic, whether their jobs take them to a state highway or a county road. No matter how careful the practices of individual workers and crews, some things -- namely moving vehicles operated by inattentive drivers or drivers going too fast -- are outside of their control.

The legislation has long been needed, AREA’s safety and loss control team members say. “Every person who works on roadside operations is completely at the mercy of the motoring public,” says Michael Kelley, manager of safety and loss control. “Drivers must understand that

their vehicle is a means of travel and a deadly hazard at the same time.”

“AREA was proud to be a part of getting this important legislation passed,” says AREA President Fred Braswell. “We all enjoy our reliable and affordable electricity, so we need to keep the men and women safe who diligently work to keep the lights on all the time.”

“We as safety professionals realize that this law is a great step towards increasing the level of safety on our public roads,” adds James Thomas, safety manager. “Anything we can do to make our employees less vulnerable in the environment is a win-win.” a

Send your safety questions to: Home Rules Alabama Living 340 TechnaCenter Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117 334-215-2732

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Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2012 19

SEC Domination Will Continue in the 2012 Football Season

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he 2012 football season is expected to see major changes with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M to the Southeastern Conference family. Both teams can expect a rude awakening.

There continues to be an ongoing debate about a college football playoff. This debate keeps college football on the front page.

Think about it. Very few people today are talking about the NFL and the Giants’ run to the Super Bowl in spite of their record.

The 2011 season proved once again that the best two teams, LSU and Alabama, played for all the marbles and the best team dominated in New Orleans. The SEC continues to be the dominant conference with the remaining conferences playing for the silver medal.

By Brad Bradford

WHY IS THE SEC THE DOMINANT CONFERENCE? As a former recruiting coordinator, I can answer this with one word: recruiting. The lifeblood of a football team is recruiting. It is no longer a five-month affair but is now done on a daily basis, year-round. The coaches in the SEC do it better than anyone.

When Nick Saban, Les Miles, Gene Chizik or Steve Spurrier come to a high school, it is a big deal. The on-campus camps give the staffs an advance chance to get a better evaluation on the kids. The more times that a staff can get a recruit, his family and his high school coach on campus, the better the odds are of getting that recruit.

Facilities, including the stadium, weight room, and academic support help influence a high school recruit’s decision.

Never underestimate the importance of fan support. Football in the SEC is not a religion; it is bigger than that. Players want to play in front of full stadiums that seat close to 100,000. The SEC draws more fans to its spring game than most schools draw to their games in the fall.

Another reason for this domination is the speed of the players.

The perfect weather in the south creates a great atmosphere for 7 on 7 camps and the chance to work outside year-round. Try that in Michigan or Pennsylvania and you will freeze to death.

20 SEPTEMBER 2012

The quality of high school football and its coaches in the south is another factor. If a recruiter wants to visit with a high school coach in the south, you can usually find him in the field house all day working on football-related activities. If you want to visit with a high school coach in Illinois, come back after 3 p.m. after he finishes teaching his five English classes. Some states outside the SEC map don’t even have high school spring training. The size and speed of the defensive front 7 of SEC teams forces other teams to adjust their game plan, which further allows SEC teams to win and win big.

HOW WILL THE ADDITION OF MISSOURI AND TEXAS A&M CHANGE THE SEC? Very little. Texas A&M will probably fare better in the long run since it already plays a more physical SEC-style brand of football. High school football in Texas and the state’s population will allow it to compete better in this league. The only problem with A&M is that it has to compete in the already brutal SEC West while Mizzou gets to play in the now watered-down East. Missouri’s wideopen offense will be difficult to defend but its offensive line is the exact same size as Alabama’s linebackers were last year. They will have to recruit bigger and faster on defense to compete on a weekly basis. There is a huge difference in playing LSU, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas as opposed to Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Colorado every week. www.alabamaliving.coop

WHAT COACHING CHANGES WILL THERE BE AFTER THIS YEAR? The obvious for sure answer is Arkansas. John L. Smith is serving on an interim basis for Bob Petrino. This is one of the top jobs in the SEC since it is the state university and because of its proximity to talent-rich Texas.

Georgia is growing impatient with Mark Richt and his up and down record. Georgia has a huge schedule advantage since they do not play Alabama, LSU and Arkansas from the West. Derrick Dooley at Tennessee needs to win some big games and get butts back in the seats at Neyland Stadium. Will they make a change this soon after the sudden departure of Lane Kiffin? Tennessee fans are not known for their patience. See Bill Battle, Johnny Majors and Phil Fulmer.

Joker Phillips at Kentucky is in a no-win situation. The Wildcats will make a change if they have a losing season, but the question will be: “Can we get a quality coach that can get us to the top of the conference?” That hasn’t happened since Paul Bryant in the 50s.

Can Kentucky ever break into the top half of the East by displacing Florida, Georgia and South Carolina?

year as the best quarterback in the league.

LSU has to find a quarterback and replace some key assistant coaches who left. Can they get the bad taste out of their mouth from the beatdown they took from Alabama in New Orleans? Replacing the head coach at Arkansas with an interim coach will keep the Hogs off balance all year or for the half-full crowd, they will circle the wagons around John L. Smith and rally. If Auburn can stay healthy and adjust to new coordinators, Gene Chizik can have the Tigers in the hunt.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE IRON BOWL? The phrase “you can throw the books out the window” for this game has been used too many times to no avail. Very few times (except 1972, Auburn, and 1984, Alabama) does the underdog win this game. It is always one of the hardest played and cleanest games of the year. Alabama has too much depth and experience. Auburn has to be healthy going into this game. If Alabama loses to LSU in November and is out of the BCS race, the “focus” issue will be a factor for Nick Saban and the Tide. Alabama will make it two in a row, 31-10.

Gene Chizik at Auburn has to prove that he is not a one-timewonder. He inherited a mess but has proven that he and his topnotch recruiters can bring in great talent. Adjusting to the loss of Michael Dyer and more importantly, Gus Malzahn, will be a challenge. If Alabama continues to dominate the Tigers and they finish in the lower half of the West, it could get interesting on the Plains.

HOW WILL THE SEC EAST PLAY OUT? 1. Georgia 2. Florida 3. South Carolina 4. Missouri 5. Vanderbilt 6. Tennessee 7. Kentucky. Georgia will win it by default as they did last year because of the schedule. Will Muschamp at Florida will surprise some people because of his work ethic and recruiting advantage in the big state of Florida. South Carolina will miss Ellis Johnson as its defensive coordinator who took the head coaching job at Southern Miss. His defense kept the Gamecocks in all the games last year. Steve Spurrier’s great teams at Florida always had a dominating defense which allowed him to take more chances on offense.

HOW WILL THE SEC WEST PLAY OUT? 1. Alabama 2. LSU 3.

Arkansas 4. Auburn 5. Mississippi State 6. Texas A&M. 7. Ole Miss.

As long as Nick Saban continues to recruit and rebuild at Alabama and keeps Kirby Smart as his defensive coordinator, all others are playing for second place. A.J. McCarron will be the player of the

HOW WILL THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PLAY OUT? Alabama will once again dominate Georgia in Atlanta, 28-3. Kirby Smart, the Tide’s defensive coordinator knows the Bulldogs and their offensive schemes better than anyone. Alabama has the most depth in the league due to top recruiting classes for the last five years, its weight program and the “process” that Nick Saban has implemented.

HOW WILL THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PLAY OUT IN MIAMI? Alabama will play Southern Cal in Miami. Nick Saban is familiar with Lane Kiffin, the Trojan’s head coach. Lane’s dad, Monte, is the defensive coordinator and one of the best in the business. Alabama’s tough schedule will benefit the Tide in this game.

The first half will be close, but Alabama will win 21-17. A

Alabama Living

Brad Bradford is a 21-year veteran of the coaching business; six years as a high school assistant, four years as a head coach, three years at the University of Alabama and eight years as the running backs coach for Howard Schnellenberger at the University of Louisville. He is the author of the inspirational and humorous book: “Hang in There Like Hair on a Biscuit.” Brad can be reached at coachbradbradford@gmail. com. He is the president of Bradford Consulting Group and currently resides in Destin, Fla. SEPTEMBER 2012 21

Alabama Outdoors

Dove season opens this month For most sportsmen, the opening of dove season in September heralds the beginning of another fall and winter afield.

By John N. Felsher

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he north Alabama season opens ing, erratic flight patterns. In flight, their scouting is very important to find concenat noon Sept. 8 and runs through broad, elliptical wings make distinctive trations of birds,” Moody explains. “Whersunset on Oct. 7. The season re- fluttering whistles, especially noticeable ever sportsmen find good fields prepared opens from Oct. 20 through Nov. 3 and when the birds flush or land. This sound, correctly and good food sources for doves, again from Dec. 9 until Jan. 1, 2013. The along with their mournful cooing call that there should be adequate birds to hunt.”

In the right spot, limits can come fast, South Zone opens at noon Sept. 22 and gives them their name, often alerts sportsas long as the ammunition holds out! runs through sunset on Oct. 21. The sea- men to their presence. son reopens from Nov. 22-25 and again To hunt doves successfully, sportsmen Look for doves in open fields or grasslands from Dec. 1 through Jan. 5, 2013. must first find them. First, look for food punctuated by occasional trees, brush or “We don’t expect the 2012-13 dove sources. In Alabama, mourning doves may fencerows. Doves tend to avoid marshes, season to be much different than it has consume their weight in seeds each day. swamps and thick forests, but do feed been in the past several years,” says Gary Some preferred crops include sunflower, along forest edges. While driving country roads, many sportsmen spot doves H. Moody of the Alabama Departsitting on power lines, trees or fences. ment of Conservation and Natural When hunting doves, most sportsResources in Montgomery. men wait along timberlines or field In both zones, sportsmen may bag edges to intercept birds flying from up to 15 mourning and white-winged their roosting to feeding or watering doves daily in any combination areas and vice versa. For people too throughout the season. Numbering impatient to wait for birds to fly over nearly 500 million birds nationally, them, jumping doves might present mourning doves rank among the an option. most numerous and widespread birds Many sportsmen hunt on private in the United States. lands, but several public areas can As a bonus, sportsmen may also provide good shooting. Swan Creek shoot Eurasian collared doves, an exotic species native to south Asia, John N. Felsher shows off a white-winged Wildlife Management Area, an 8,870without limit or season. Much bigdove he bagged. Note the distinctive white acre property in Limestone County ger than mourning doves, Eurasian wing patches. (Photo by John N. Felsher) near Decatur, ranks among the best public dove properties in Alabama. collared doves may grow nearly as large as park pigeons. The distinctive gray- corn, millet, wheat, soybeans and peanuts. Other good areas include the 12,531-acre ish-black collars around their necks and They also eat a number of wild foods Lowndes County WMA near White Hall squared tails provide the best identifying including seeds of dove weed, ragweed, and Barbour WMA, a 27,358-acre propfeatures on lighter-colored collared doves. pokeberry, morning glory and other fruits erty in Barbour and Bullock Counties near Clayton.

Extremely swift and agile fliers, doves of or seeds.

“Several wildlife management areas all species make challenging and difficult To digest rough seeds, doves frequently aerial targets. Mourning doves can exceed swallow small pieces of gravel or sand. Be- can provide excellent shooting for doves,” 55 miles per hour and often fly with twist- sides food sources, dove hunters should Moody advises. “Some particularly good look for places where birds can swallow areas are in the Tennessee River Valley John N. Felsher grit. Sportsmen can often find birds “dust- and Jackson County. We also lease some is a professional ing” or picking up bits of rock around grit private fields for youth hunts, which can freelance writer and photographer who provide good shooting. In the southern piles or sandy patches. lives in Semmes, Ala. In addition, doves must drink water part of the state, Barbour County also has He’s written more than 1,700 articles every day so they frequently stay around some good opportunities to bag birds.” for more than streams or gravel-bottomed ponds.

On youth hunts, sportsmen 15 and 117 magazines. He co-hosts a weekly Look for water sources with low, sloping younger may hunt with licensed adults on outdoors radio show. shorelines where birds can easily reach specific fields during designated times. For Contact him through his website at www. the water. more information, go to www.dcnr.state.

JohnNFelsher.com.

“For people hunting on public lands, al.us or call your local district office. A 22 SEPTEMBER 2012

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Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2012 23

Power Plants

Fall is beneficial time for fertilizing certain plants

By Katie Jackson

September Gardening Tips , Plant dormant evergreen trees and shrubs.

, Begin planting spring bulbs. , Weed and clean debris from garden and flower beds.

, Prepare flower beds for pansies and other fall annuals.

, Divide or thin spring and

summer blooming perennials and irises.

, Plant new perennials. , Plant early maturing tomatoes and peppers, lettuces, onions and radishes.

, Keep mowing and water-

ing the lawn as long as it is actively growing.

Katie Jackson is associate editor for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Contact her at csmith@acesag.auburn.edu

24 SEPTEMBER 2012

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all is usually the time of year when gardening activity begins to shut down, but September and October can be wonderful months to work in the garden—it is cooler, after all—and to work on promoting plant growth for the coming year. Take fertilizer, for example.

For many plants, such as house plants, warm-season lawn grasses and some landscape plants, it’s a bad idea to apply fertilizer in the fall. The goal for these plants is to slow their growth and tuck them in for the winter. However, other plants can greatly benefit from fall-applied fertilizers. Among these are most ornamental and fruitbearing shrubs and trees, cool season turf grasses and some tender perennials, including strawberries.

Before applying any fertilizer, it pays to understand what your plants really need. The primary nutrients necessary for plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Most commercial fertilizers provide some combination of these, which is represented by the NPK ratios or formulas on the label.

To know what nutrients and nutrient ratios your plants need, and to avoid wasting money and contaminating ground and surface water by over-applying fertilizers, soil testing is essential. I know, I know—I’ve stated this so many times in past columns that I’m sounding like a broken record, but it is truly the best way to effectively and affordably spend your fertilization money and time.

Soil test kits are available through the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory (www.aces.edu/anr/soill-

ab/, soiltest@auburn.edu or 334-8444001) and from your local Alabama Cooperative Extension office (go to www.aces.edu to find your local office location and contact information).

Fall is a great time to test the soil in all areas of the garden because, using the test results, you can apply nutrients, compost and other soil amendments this fall that will build the soil for spring planting and growth.

Fall fertilization of most trees, shrubs, perennials and cool season turf grasses should be done in late September or early October, though each species may have a different requirement. So study up on that before you head out and fertilize willy-nilly.

Spread fertilizer evenly over the entire root zone, not just around the plant’s base but all the way out to the edge of a plant’s branch canopy or a little beyond, and water the area lightly. For most plants a surface-applied fertilizer is sufficient, though if your soil is especially compacted, applying fertilizer into holes that are drilled or punched at two- to three-foot spacings around the plant, starting two feet from the base and extending out about two feet from the canopy line, helps get fertilizer into the soil and aerates the soil a bit.

Want more information on this and many other lawn and garden management options for the fall and beyond?

Get a copy of the Alabama Smart Yards publication (www.aces.edu/ pubs/docs/A/ANR-1359/ANR-1359. pdf) or visit www.aces.edu for all sorts of resources, and rely on your local Extension office and Master Gardener’s group for truly local advice. A www.alabamaliving.coop

Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2012 25

Alabama Recipes

Microwave Meals Cook of the Month: Jennifer Robinson Tijsma, Sand Mountain EC Fudge

3 cups semi ¼ cup butter, sweet or milk melted chocolate 1 cup walnuts chips 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk Place all ingredients except nuts in large bowl.

Microwave on medium (50 percent power) until chocolate chips are melted, stirring once or twice during cooking. Stir in nuts. Pour into a well-greased square baking dish (8x8-inch).

Refrigerate until set. Can also substitute one cup peanut butter chips for one cup of chocolate chips. Makes 1½ to 2 pounds.

You could win $50!

If your recipe is chosen as the cook-of-the-month recipe, we’ll send you a check for $50!

Upcoming recipe themes and deadlines are: November 30 minutes or less Deadline: September 15 December Cakes Deadline: October 15 January Breakfast Deadline: November 15

Please send all submissions to: Recipe Editor, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124. Or e-mail to: recipes@areapower. coop. Be sure to include your address, phone number and the name of your electric cooperative.

Boy, do I love my microwave. What a great invention. Quickly heating meals to save time? What is there not to love about that? I made the fudge pictured above and it was delicious. I took note of the cook’s tip and substituted one cup of peanut butter chips because my husband loves any chocolate-peanut butter concoction. The only trouble I had was figuring out how to set my microwave to cook on 50 percent power. It’s true, you’ll be amazed at some of the possibilities appliances will give you by just reading the manual. Don’t laugh, Dad. Here is a tip for cleaning a dirty microwave.

Heat a bowl of water with a couple of slices of lemon for 5 minutes. Keep the door shut for around 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Simple and lemon fresh.

26 SEPTEMBER 2012

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash

1 3-pound spaghetti squash 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese 2-3 plum tomatoes

Pierce squash several times with a fork or sharp knife.

This will allow the steam to escape. Microwave for 10 minutes on high. Turn the squash over after 5 minutes and then continue cooking. Allow to stand 5-10 minutes before removing. Remove carefully. It will be hot! Cut the squash in half and discard the seeds. Use a fork to scrape the insides of the squash to form strands. Toss strands with cheeses. Then chop tomatoes and toss with squash and cheeses. Spoon squash mixture into a microwavable bowl or dish. Microwave on high for 2-4 minutes. Serves 4-6 Laura Symonds, Joe Wheeler 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.

Chicken Divan

2 10 ounce bags frozen broccoli 2 chicken breasts, boned and halved 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 1 cup mayonnaise

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ½ cup soft bread crumbs 1½ teaspoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons butter

Place broccoli on paper towel in microwave. Cook on high for 4½ minutes. Set aside. Place chicken in glass baking dish. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave on high for 7 minutes. Remove, then slice chicken. Arrange broccoli in dish. Cover with chicken. Combine soup, mayonnaise and lemon juice and mix well. Pour mixture over chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Place bread crumbs and butter in bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute. Top casserole with bread crumbs. Brown as desired.

Maxine Day, Covington EC

Ultimate Nachos

Banana Bread

1 7-inch banana ¼ cup flour

1 cup canned cheese dip 1 can (15 ounces) chili

1 package tortilla chips

Microwave cheese dip and heat chili as directed on label.

Layer 1/2 of the chips, 1/2 of the hot chili and 1/2 of the cheese dip on a serving platter. Repeat layers. Enjoy!

Water Cinnamon

Mash and mix the banana and flour together in a microwave-safe bowl. Add about 3 teaspoons water and a dash of cinnamon. Heat for 45 seconds.

Jennifer Miller, Central Alabama EC

Angela Jacobson, Dixie EC

Microwave Onion/ Cheese Chicken Bake

6 chicken breasts, 1 3-ounce can French skinned, boned* fried onions 4 tablespoons butter 1 cup Monterey Jack 1½ teaspoons seasoned cheese, grated salt 1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained In a 2½ quart casserole dish, cook butter on high until melted. Add seasoned salt. Roll chicken to coat, cover with waxed paper. Cook in microwave on high for 6 minutes. Turn pieces over and top with mushrooms.

Cook on high for 4 additional minutes. Sprinkle on fried onions and cheese; distribute evenly. Cook on high for 2 additional minutes until cheese bubbles. * If breasts are too thick, flatten with mallet.

Carole Janorschke, Joe Wheeler EMC Alabama Living

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SEPTEMBER 2012 27

Worth the Drive

Honey’s Hot Dogs

By Jennifer Kornegay

Dothan

Hey Honey!

Visit Honey’s Hot Dogs in Dothan at 4554 Fortner Street.

334-673-7642 www.honeyshotdogs. com

To help celebrate Alabama’s 2012 “Year of Food,” each month freelance writer Jennifer Kornegay will take you to an out-of-the-way restaurant worth the drive.

Jennifer Kornegay 28 SEPTEMBER 2012

I

n Alabama, we’ve grown accustomed to inclement weather in the summer months. We know that light sprinkles, severe thunderstorms and everything in between can pop up unannounced and then quickly disappear. We may know this, but that doesn’t mean we like being out in it. So when a restaurant is packed on a hellishly hot, sticky day with rain coming and going every 20 minutes, it says something about the place — something good.

On a gray, muggy day in July, such was the scene at Honey’s Hot Dogs on the outskirts of Dothan. It couldn’t have been any more uncomfortable outside, but inside the wooden shack that houses Honey’s, the AC was pumping the tantalizing scent of cooking meat through the cool air.

Honey’s opened in 2002 and takes its name from the owner’s nickname, given to him by his granddaughter “because he’s so sweet.” James (Honey) and Brenda (Nana) Trawick started Honey’s as little more than a hot dog stand, but its popularity grew so fast, in just 10 years, they’ve had to add on three times.

Despite this extra space, on my visit, every table was occupied save one, which I hurriedly claimed in front of a couple who took their time coming across the parking lot. Within seconds of sitting down, a nice waitress set me up with an iced tea and a menu. Obvious choices like a chili dog or hot dog with multiple condiments combinations were tempting, as were the hamburger and corn dog. There’s even a grilled chicken sandwich among the selections, but I opted for the chili dog with slaw and side of home fries.

After ordering, I settled in, fully prepared to wait a bit for my food, thanks to the crowd and to some information I’d read on the restaurant’s website: “The food at Honey’s is not ‘fast-food;’ it’s just good food at a reasonable cost.” I began to pass the time by reading strips of paper printed with jokes and inspirational sayings and conveniently laminated to the tabletops.

Yet within 10 minutes, I had my lunch.

And oh, what a lunch it was. For your reading pleasure, I’ll recreate it, bite by

delicious bite. Per my tradition of always eating my sides first, we’ll start with the home fries. Fresh, hand-cut and with the skin on, each one was fried potato perfection precisely because each was somewhat imperfect. Since they are different sizes, you end up with different textures. The little guys were crunchy, while the thicker ones were slightly crisp on the outside and creamy in their middles.

As for the main event, my chili dog with slaw came with the slaw on the side.

I placed some on top, then added a drizzle of mustard. The first bite was a bit surprising. The chili has little or no tomato element. It’s rich, hearty and practically all beef. It has a hint of heat, but the array of hot sauces on your table (including Nana’s Hot Sauce created by Honey’s co-owner) encourage you to add more. The steamed bun is warm and pillow soft, cradling a wiener that’s thin but full of that classic hot dog flavor. The slaw with finely chopped cabbage provides a crunch and coolness that works well with the other ingredients.

It’s really all quite simple stuff just put together in the right combination, a combination that’s earned Honey’s the local newspaper’s “Best Hot Dog” honor two years in a row as well as a group of regular customers. Several of these repeat eaters were there with me; they gave themselves away by declining menus and calling waitresses by name (despite the absence of name tags).

To end your time at Honey’s on a sweet note, indulge in one of the homemade desserts. They’re made fresh daily and rotate on and off the menu. Boiled peanut pound cake was available when I was there, but I couldn’t find any room for dessert that day, so the only thing I can say about it echoes my initial reaction to seeing it listed: “interesting.”

My experience plus the dining room full of happy people plus the local awards add up to prove that Honey’s has honed the basic recipe for restaurant success (good service mixed with good food). You can’t argue with that evidence, so the next time you’re anywhere near the Wiregrass region of our state, give Honey’s a try. A www.alabamaliving.coop

Around Alabama Titus, Titus Bluegrass Festival

September 29 September 29 will be a day when a normally quiet, out-of-the-way area in rural Elmore County is magically transformed into a community of great performers, enthusiastic fans, devoted volunteers, nonstop jamming, scrumptious barbeque, and booths filled with crafts, cookbooks, and peanuts.

The 12th annual Titus Bluegrass Festival, scheduled to begin at 10 am and continue until 6 pm, allows attendees to relax and enjoy the picking

September 1 • Deatsville, Lightwood Volunteer

Fire Department Annual BBQ Lightwood Volunteer Fire Department, 6250 Lightwood Road – 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

BBQ plates - $8, Boston butts - $30 Information or tickets contact: Daphne Smith, 334-569-2264 8 • Arab, Arab Community Fair Kids’ rides and activities. Music, crafts, food and other vendors. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Free Contact: Juanita Edmondson, 256586-6397 or topofthehill@otelco.net 14 & 15 • Decatur, The Alabama State Barbecue Cook-off.

Barbecue teams from across the country will compete for cash prizes totaling $20,000. There will be live music and children’s activities. Visit www.decaturjaycees. com for more details.

15 • Fort Payne, Boom Days Festival Pet Pawrade Sponsored by Humane Society/Animal Resources DeKalb Registration at 9 a.m., Pawrade at 10 a.m.

Registration fee for Pawraders Contact: 256-997-9180 or visit kwilliamson60@att.net 21 & 22 • Wellington, Foggy Hollow Bluegrass Gatherin’ Foggy Hollow Farm Featuring several regional bands and national bluegrass acts.

Tickets: Friday - $15, Saturday - $25, 2-day pass - $35, available at the gate Information: 256-492-3700 or visit www.foggyhollow.com

22 & 29, Oct. 6 & 13 •

Jacksonville, Mountain Dulcimer Workshop Little River Canyon Center 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Mickey Luck teaches the basics of playing a mountain dulcimer. Preregistration required: $100 (includes 4 Saturdays of instruction; does not include dulcimer) Contact: Jacksonville State University Field Schools, 256-782-8010 or www.canyoncenter.org 27 • Alexander City, Covey Rise Chapter of Quail Forever 5th Annual Banquet, Wellborn Muscle Car Museum – 6 p.m. Food, raffles, live and silent auctions.

Contact: 256-749-1115 or cfcoveyrise@gmail.com 29 • Ashland, Ashland Trade Day Helping Hands Ministries, 438 Peach Orchard Road – 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact: Bonnie Mitchell, 256-3545428 or bonnie0703@aol.com 29 • Flomaton, Railroad Junction Day Food, entertainment, arts and crafts and much more.

Contact: Betty Jones, 251-296-3306 or threequeens@hotmail.com 29 & 30 • Moulton, 14th Annual Echota Cherokee Festival Oakville Indian Mounds Park Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Artisans, craftsmen, story telling, dancing, flute playing and living history demos.

Contact: Faron Weeks, 256-7736155 or faron.weeks@gmail.com

To place an event, 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. 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.

and grinning of live bluegrass music. The Titus Community Center is a shady grove that is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed day. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children under 12 get in free.

The Titus Community Center is located approximately 10 miles north of Wetumpka on U.S. Highway 231, then north on County Road 29. More information is available on the web at www.titusbluegrassfestival.com or by contacting Hinton at 334-567-9059.

29-October 31 • LaFayette,

JackoLantern Lane 18151 Veterans Memorial Parkway A “homegrown” pumpkin patch with petting zoo, country store, concessions, hayride and pumpkin picking.

Contact: Glenn or Tammy Morgan, 334-869-0554 or service@jackolanternlane.com

October 5 & 6 • Cottonwood, PorktoberQue Center Stage Alabama, 11295 Hwy 231 South Music, street performers, barbecue and much more.

Admission: Free Information: 334-699-1475 or visit www.porktoberque.com 5 & 6 • Russellville, 7th Annual 15-Mile Community Yard Sale Union Community Center, 5988 Hwy 93 Contact: Earl Nicholson, 205-486-5949 6 • Falkville, Massey School Reunion Massey Fire Station, 386 Evergreen Road – 2-5 p.m.

All who have attended, taught or worked at the Massey School or lived in the Massey Community are welcome.

Contact: Frances Vest Rowe, 256-476-0950 or franvrowe@aol.com 6 • Dothan, A Walk to Remember 20th Annual Alzheimer’s Walk Westgate Park Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., the walk will start at 8:45 a.m.

The event features 1-, 3- and 5-mile walks, memorial and educational displays and bbq plates for $8 Contact: Kay Jones, executive director, at 334-702-CARE

6 • Midway, Alabama Outdoor

Heritage Day Wehle Lane Conservation Center 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historical and educational exhibits and demonstrations.

Admission: Free Information: Butch LeCompte, 334-775-7448 or 334-316-1065 6 • Folsom, Fall in Folsom Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

More than 20 historic farm buildings with live blacksmith, gristmill and pottery demonstrations as well as live music, pumpkin patch, hay rides and much more.

10 • Cullman, Oktoberfest Dinner Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Bratwurst, country-style kraut, German potato salad, and more. Music by Dave Leonard.

Tickets: Adults - $10, Children - $5 Contact: Barbara Ragsdale, 256-3473471 or Barbara@cullmanlife.com 12 & 13 • Selma, Tale Tellin’ Festival Swappin’ Ground at 5:30 p.m. and Tale Tellin’ at 7 p.m.

Performers are Anndrena Belcher, Wanda Johnson and The Dill Picklers.

Contact: Linda Vice, 334-636-5506 or linda.tourism@yahoo.com or visit www.alabamasfrontporches.com

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Sept12_Page29.indd 1

SEPTEMBER 2012 29

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Market Place Miscellaneous KEEP POND WATER CLEAN AND FISH HEALTHY with our aeration systems and pond supplies. Windmill Electric and Fountain Aerators.

Windpower (256)638-4399, (256)899-3850 FREE BOOKS / DVDs – Soon government will enforce the “Mark” of the beast as church and state unite! Let Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771 – thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com, (888)211-1715 SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North American’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings.

THE place to sell equipment. (800)4592148, www.sawmillexchange.com SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE WITH EASY BREEZY HEALTH and AFFORDABLE MEALS - Call me, Text or Email (251)454-5519, gratfish@gulftel.com NEW AND USED STAIR LIFT ELEVATORS – Car lifts, Scooters, Power Wheelchairs, Walk-in Tubs – Covers State of Alabama – 23 years (800)682-0658 18X21 CARPORT $695 INSTALLED – (706)383-8554 DIVORCE MADE EASY – Uncontested, lost spouse, in prison or aliens. $179.00 our total fee. Call 10am to 10pm. 26 years experience – (417)443-6511 HELP LINES FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES MORTGAGE BEHIND???

Call (888) 216-4173 BANKRUPTCY ADVICE???

Call (877) 933-1139 OWE BACK TAXES???

Call (877) 633-4457 DISCOUNTED DENTAL Call (888) 696-6814 CREDIT SCORE COACH Call (888) 317-6625 NONPROFIT DEBT HELP Call (888) 779-4272 careconnectusa.org A Public Benefit Org METAL ROOFING $1.79/LINFT – FACTORY DIRECT! 1st quality, 40yr Warranty, Energy Star rated. (price subject to change) 706-383-8554 WALL BEDS OF ALABAMA / ALABAMA MATTRESS OUTLET – SHOWROOM Collinsville, AL – Custom Built / Factory Direct - (256)490-4025, www.andyswallbeds.com, www. alabamamattressoutlet.com

30 SEPTEMBER 2012

AERMOTOR WATER PUMPING WINDMILLS – windmill parts – decorative windmills – custom built windmill towers - call Windpower (256)638-4399 or (256)638-2352

ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226

CUSTOM MACHINE QUILTING BY JOYCE – Several designs to choose from. Send me your quilt tops or t-shirts – (256)735-1543

TENNESSEE’S FINEST SMOKY MOUNTAIN VACATION GET AWAY! Cozy cabins by Owner – (865)712-7633

Business Opportunities EARN $75,000/YR PART-TIME in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. (800)488-7570 PIANO TUNING PAYS – Learn with American Tuning School home-study course – (800)497-9793 START YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella’s Gourmet Scented Products.

Try the Best! Candles / Gifts / Beauty.

Wonderful income potential! Enter Free Candle Drawing - www. naturesbest.scent-team.com

Vacation Rentals GULF SHORES COTTAGE – Waterfront, 2 / 1, pet friendly – Rates and Calendar Online http://www.vrbo.com/152418, (251)223-6114 FALL COLORS AT MOUNTAIN CABIN, WEARS VALLEY NEAR PIGEON FORGE – Fully furnished, 3 / 2 – Brochure available – (251)649-9818 GULF SHORES / FT MORGAN BEACH HOUSE - 3/3 . A short walk to the Gulf of Mexico - WINTER rental $9OO. OO A Month, plus half of utilities – Summer rental $850.00 a week, sleeps 6 adults – Call (251)540-7078.

GATLINBURG CONDOS AND CABINS now available for the fall season…

Beautiful autumn mountain views.

Call Jennifer in Scottsboro at 256599-4438. CONDOS also in DAYTONA BEACH and GULF SHORES. Check them out at funcondos.com GULF SHORES PLANTATION - Gulf view, beach side, 2 bedrooms / 2 baths, no smoking / no pets. Owner rates (205)339-3850 PIGEON FORGE, TN CABINS – Peaceful, convenient setting – (251)649-3344, (251)649-4049, www.hideawayprop.com GULF SHORES BEACHFRONT CONDO – Sleeps 6, closest to State Park, Alabama – For photo tour and rental info visit www.meyerre.com, 705 Royal Palms

CABIN IN MENTONE – 2/2, brow view, hottub – For rent $100/night or Sale $199,000 – (706)767-0177

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 – (251)9482918, 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

GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – aubie12@centurytel. net, (256)599-5552

GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN / NOT A CONDO! The original “Beach House” on Ft. Morgan peninsula – 2BR/1BA – Wi-Fi, pet friendly, nonsmoking – $695/wk, (256)418-2131, www.originalbeachhouseal.com

GREAT LAKE LIVING - 3BR/2BA, 2 satelite TV’s, deep water, covered dock - Pictures www. vacationsmithlake.com. $75 night (256) 352-5721, annawisener@yahoo. com

AFFORDABLE BEACHSIDE VACATION CONDOS – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL. Rent Direct from Christian Family Owners. Lowest Prices on the Beach – (251)752-2366, (205)5560368, (205)752-1231

PIGEON FORGE, TN: $89 - $125, 2BR/2BA, hot tub, air hockey, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, www. mylittlebitofheaven.com

GULF SHORES - 3BR / 2BA ON BEACH – W/D, 4 queen beds, sleeps 8 - VRBO#354680 Gulf Shores East – (251)979-3604

KATHY’S ORANGE BEACH CONDO – 2BR/2BA, non-smoking. Best rates beachside! Family friendly – (205)253-4985, www.KathysCondo. eu.pn GATLINBURG TOWNHOUSE on BASKINS CREEK! GREAT RATES! 4BR/3BA, short walk downtown attractions! (205)333-9585, hhideaway401@aol.com GATLINBURG / PIGEON FORGE – 2 and 3 BEDROOM LUXURY CABINS – Secluded, home theatre room, hot tub, game room – www. wardvacationproperties.com - (251)363-8576 GULF SHORES CONDO – 1BR, sleeps 4, Gulf-front – (251)342-4393 PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – Owner rental – 2BR / 2BA, wireless internet, 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 – 3 Night Special - Call (866)316-3255, Look for us on FACEBOOK / billshideaway FT. WALTON CONDO – 1BR, sleeps 6, Gulf-side – (251)342-4393

LOGCABIN VACATION – WEEKEND RENTAL – Hottubs, King Beds – Mentone and Guntersville – (256)6574335, www.mentonelogcabins.com, www.vrbo.com/404770 TWO GULF SHORES PLANTATION CONDOS – Excellent beach views – Owner rented (251)223-9248 FT. WALTON BEACH HOUSE – 3BR / 2BA – Best buy at the Beach – (205)566-0892, mailady96@yahoo. com PENSACOLA BEACH CONDO – Gulf front – 7th floor balcony – 3BR / 2BA, sleeps 6, pool – (850)572-6295 or (850)968-2170 ORANGE BEACH, AL CONDO – Sleeps 4, gulf and river amenities – Great Rates – (228)369-4680 GULF SHORES BEACHSIDE CONDO available April thru December – 2BR / 2BA, WiFi, No smoking / No pets – Call Owner (256)287-0368, Cell (205)613-3446 MENTONE, AL – LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN – billiard table, Jacuzzi, spacious home, sleeps 14 – www. duskdowningheights.com, (850)7665042, (850)661-0678.

DISNEY – 15 MIN: 5BR / 3BA, private pool – www. orlandovacationoasis.com – (251)504-5756

www.alabamaliving.coop

GULF SHORES / GATLINBURG RENTAL– Great Rates! (256)490-4025 or www.gulfshoresrentals.us, www. gatlinburgrental.us

Camping / Hunting / Fishing ANDALUSIA AREA RV CAMPGROUND FOR HUNTERS/ FISHERMEN - on Point ‘A’ Lake Nightly, weekly & monthly rates Reservations (334)388-0342, www. shacrvpark.com

Real Estate Sales/Rentals GULF SHORES CONDOS - 4.7 miles from beach, starting prices $54,900 www.PeteOnTheBeach.com, click Colony Club – (251)948-8008 FOLEY, GLENLAKES GOLF COMMUNITY – 3 / 2 Villa, One level on Lake, sunroom, garage, convenient location – MOVE IN READY! (251)967-3187, (251)752-0476 MONROE COUNTY, ALABAMA – EUREKA LANDING (AL River) – Furnished fishing camp / lot – (251)639-2393, tearedrop@att.net

JACKSON COUNTY, AL – 40 ACRES, PAINT ROCK VALLEY – House, barn, vineyard, creek, county road frontage.

BEAUTIFUL! (931)307-1242, www.

PaintRockProperty.com MOUNTAIN LOT – ELLIJAY, GA – Amenities: 4 Lakes, Trout Stream, Pool, Tennis, Clubhouse, Gated / Guarded - $19,900 – (678)416-9214 MOUNTAIN TOP HOME – MENTONE, AL – 2BR / 2BA on 13.3 secluded acres over looking 5 acre lake.

Beautiful View - $195,000 – (256)634-8017

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

Musical Notes PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR - 10 lessons $12.95. “LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC”. Chording, runs, fills - $12.95 Both $24. Davidsons, 6727AR Metcalf, Shawnee Missions, Kansas 66204 – (913)262-4982 PIANOS TUNED, repaired, refinished. Box 171, Coy, AL 36435.

334-337-4503

Alabama Living

Education - 3 WWW.2HOMESCHOOL.ORG – Year round enrollment. Everybody homeschools. It is just a matter of what degree – (256)653-2593 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, 6630 West Cactus B-107767, Glendale, Arizona 85304. http:// www.ordination.org

Critters ADORABLE AKC YORKY PUPPIES – excellent blood lines – (334)301-1120, (334)537-4242, bnorman@mon-cre.net CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. Tiny, registered, guaranteed healthy, raised indoors in loving home, vet records and references. (256)796-2893 BLACK HEADED CAIGUES PARROTS – (334)318-4071 – Sold Together $1,000 free cage

How To Place a Line Ad in Marketplace Closing Deadlines (in our office): November 2012 – deadline – September 25 December 2012 – deadline – October 25 January 2013 – deadline – November 25 -Ads are $1.65 per word with a 10 word minimum and are on a prepaid basis -Telephone numbers, email addresses and websites are considered 1 word each -Ads will not be taken over the phone. You may email your ad to hdutton@areapower.com or call (800)410-2737 ask for Heather for pricing.

-We accept checks, money orders and all major credit cards Mail ad submission along with a check or money order made payable to ALABAMA LIVING, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124 – Attn: Classifieds.

SEPTEMBER 2012 31

Market Place

32 SEPTEMBER 2012

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Alabama Living

SEPTEMBER 2012 33

Energy Tips

Electrical safety tips for your college bound kids Your college-age students might know to stay away from power lines and substations. Yet they don’t always use electricity safely indoors. In fact, electrical fires are a main cause of fires in dorm rooms. Underwriters Laboratories estimates that 1,800 fires a year occur in campus dormitories, often because students overload extension cords and outlets. Cooking accidents, unattended candles and careless smoking also are culprits.

The wiring in older dormitories wasn’t designed for the heavy loads today’s students put on them when they plug in computers, printers, microwave ovens and coffee makers. Not only are students filling outlets with more appliances, but the higher-tech they are, the more power they require.

Here are some precautions to share with the dorm-bound college student in your family: w You can overload a circuit by plugging too many devices into a single plug. Just because 34 SEPTEMBER 2012

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a power strip has six or eight outlets doesn’t mean the circuit that powers it can handle eight appliances. w Choose a power strip with over-current protection that will automatically cut the power if it’s overloaded. w If the dorm room’s outlets are designed for two-prong plugs, attach three-prong cords to adaptors. Never cut off the third prong. w When you use an extension cord, look for wattage instructions, which will tell you how many appliances you can safely plug into the cord. The wattage limit usually is engraved right into the plug.

Then, look on the appliances for wattage. If you’re plugging more than one appliance into an extension cord, add up the wattages. w Do not string multiple extension cords together, and use them only temporarily.

They’re not designed for permanent use.

w Unplug appliances immediately if an outlet feels hot. Notify a dormitory authority about it so the building superintendent can resolve the problem before it causes a fire. w Get rid of older halogen lamps.

Newer models have mesh guards, so the bulb never touches any other part of the lamp, and with automatic shut-off switches in case the lamp tips over. Check with your college to ask if halogen lamps are even allowed; many schools have “outlawed” them. A

www.alabamaliving.coop

8/16/12 4:10 PM

Energy Store

Capture your bountiful harvest in a chest or upright freezer from the Energy Store!

For more information on our in-stock merchandise please call our office and ask for Energy Store Rep, Cristi Vaughn, at 205.468.3325 - ex. 245.

Financing is available to our members, with credit approval. Just tell us to “Put it on my bill!”

Remember, you do not have to be a cooperative member to purchase.

Alabama Living

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SEPTEMBER 2012 35

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34  SEPTEMBER 2012

www.alabamaliving.coop

34 SEPTEMBER 2012

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www.alabamaliving.coop

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Alabama Snapshots

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My truck 3 7

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Submit Your Images! november Theme:

“My cat”

Send color photos with a large self-addressed stamped envelope 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. Alabama Living is not responsible for lost or damaged photos.

Deadline for november: September 30

38 SEPTEMBER 2012

1. 1964 Ford F-100 submitted by Helen J. Payne, Foley 2. 1953 Studebaker truck submitted by Ned and Betsy Stephenson, Hartselle 3. Murphy and his 1949 Dodge truck submitted by Ruby Ledbetter, Bryant 4. “Our little truck” submitted by Bob Loudermilk, Hanceville

5. 1965 F-100 submitted by Dennis Lambert, Greenville 5. Bobbi Hall in her 1990 Dodge Dakota convertible pick-up submitted

by Bobbi Hall, Magnolia Springs 7. Kowen and Kinsley Worthey “working” in the bucket truck submitted by K. Worthey, Mentone www.alabamaliving.coop

CALLING ALL QUILTERS

AREA’s 7 Quilt Competition th

The theme for this quilt is ‘Spotlight on Alabama’s Official State Symbols’

Judges for the sixth quilt competition

What is it?

• A competition for all cooperative handworkers to make squares for the 7th AREA cooperative quilt • We would like to represent as many cooperatives as possible.

• Winners will be given statewide recognition and have their square included in the quilt.

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 or visit the link at www.areapower.coop

I would like to participate in AREA’s 7th Quilt Competition.

Please send guidelines and information to: Name ________________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City __________________________________________ State _________ Zip ___________________________ Phone ________________________________________ E-mail ________________________________________ Cooperative ___________________________________ (Listed on cover of magazine)

Two Exclusives from Alabama Living ORDER YOURS TODAY!

Southern Occasions cookbook

Alabama Living’s latest cookbook containing recipes from four years of Alabama Living magazine.

COOK BOOKS @ $19.95 each _____ CHURCH BOOKS @ $32.95 each _____ TOTAL: ___________ shipping included

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$

95

SHIPPED

Mail order form to: Alabama Living Southern Occasions P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124-4014

NAME: _______________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________ CITY: ____________________ STATE: _______ ZIP CODE: ____________ o CHECK o CREDIT CARD PHONE NUMBER: _______________ Credit Card Number: __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ Expiration Date: ______________________ CVV#_____________________

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$

95

SHIPPED

Signature: _____________________________________________________

The

Churches Alabama

A beautiful pictorial history of Alabama’s churches ranging from small rural churches to towering urban cathedrals.

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