No'Ala Shoals, September/October 2014

North Alabama’s Self-Made Makers | Tapping the Local Beer Scene | Alabama’s Bad Girls | ReBranding Florence

A MATTER OF

26 UNIQUE & PERSONAL PORTRAITS

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We’re Loanly While many banks have tightened up on credit, we have plenty of money to lend.

Our level of commitment to our customers is radically original. We offer personal customer service, and we offer a full line of products and services designed to help you manage your finances and help your business grow.

Member FDIC | bibank.com | 256-386-5000

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Some of your most important connections can be found close to home Proud to serve the Shoals since 1981.

Merrill Lynch financial advisors are committed to the individuals and businesses in the Shoals. We can help you build upon your success, prepare for the future and create a strategy that’s uniquely yours.

The Trapp Group Will Trapp Vice President Resident Director–Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Advisor, PIA Program 256.760.2012 Russell Trapp, CFP® Senior Vice President – Wealth Management Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager, PIA Program 256.760.2010 Merrill Lynch 301 North Seminary Street Florence, AL 35630

Life’s better when we’re connected®

CFP® is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, Inc., and is awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation p (“BAC”). ( ) Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed Mayy Lose Value The Bull Symbol, Merrill Lynch Personal Investment Advisory, Merrill Lynch and Life’s better when we’re connected are registered trademarks or trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. © 2014 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

ARNHDJPH | AD-07-14-0872| 470950PM-0314 | 07/2014

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September/October

features 98 BBAD GIRLS A Collins Amy p profiles three of our most beloved o Alabama buttonA pushers. p

BY AMY COLLINS

Shelly Spidel in one of her own creations

52

©Armosa Studios

34 SELF-MADE MAKERS From furniture to fudge, we profile 13 entrepreneurs who are creating goods the oldfashioned way— by hand.

BY SARA WRIGHT COVINGTON PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD AND DANNY MITCHELL

106 RREBRANDING FFLORENCE Not cattle, but N im image and perssonality. One local m man’s quest to bring a new image to F Florence, via ggood design and IInstagram.

In

BY AMY COLLINS AND A ALLEN TOMLINSON

Courtesy of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Willie Wil l Mae “Big Mama” Thornton

editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson

A

recent survey, published on Facebook, ranked Florence—and by Florence, the entire Shoals area—as the number two most exciting city in Alabama. We were surprised, not that we were ranked so high, but that Birmingham actually edged us out for the number one spot. Come on, people—have you been to the Shoals?

I have to think that our ranking has to do with our sense of style up here in the northwest corner of the state. It’s individual and distinct. When we travel the state, our area’s reputation precedes us, and we are constantly told that there is just something different about the Shoals, in a very, very good way. So, to celebrate, we’ve assembled a collection of nearly three dozen people we think have a unique personal style, and we’re showcasing them in this issue. Some are trendy; some are classic; some are quirky; all are unique. Thirty-five people out of a 150,000 isn’t a complete representation, but it’s a start!

Our reputation as an exceptional and exciting place is a part of our area’s brand, but what in the world does that really mean? We take a look at branding in this issue, too, and examine the Rebrand Florence Project, the brainchild of designer Jeremy Britten. Jeremy’s idea was to bring together a diverse group of designers to see how they would present the city of Florence, and the ideas are remarkable. It also makes us ask ourselves what, exactly, the Shoals brand is; that’s a question we’ll be discussing in this and future issues. (For those of you who have no idea what “branding” really means, there’s a short explanation of that, too.) When you travel and tell people about where you’re from, what do you focus on? What is our brand?

One initiative for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Alabama is to make sure our brand includes a supportive environment for entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses. (The Idea Audition, this coming November, is a “Shark Tank” style contest for people who want to pitch a new business idea, with a $5,000 prize.) It must be working: this issue takes a look at Local Makers, creative businesspeople across North Alabama who have started small, unique businesses. That has to be one thing that makes us different, too; we seem to be a place that values craftsmanship and local creators. That’s a pretty cool component to a pretty cool place.

At the time of production, summer still has the area in its grip, but we see small signs that autumn is coming. Football has started; a leaf or two is beginning to turn; school is in session and routine has been restored. Fall is the very best here in our part of the world, and maybe that’s a part of our brand, too. Shop locally, y’all, and may your favorite team win.

P.S. This issue is the last for our Features Manager, Claire Stewart, who is moving to the Gulf Coast. Claire started her No’Ala career as a UNA intern, and we liked her so much we hired her. We wish her the veryy best in her career and her life, and she will be missed. Good luck, Claire!

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contents

SELF-MADE MAKERS

34

© Danny Mitchell

everything else 14

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Volume 7: Issue 5 ••• Editor-In-Chief C. Allen Tomlinson Chief Operating Officer Matthew Liles Creative Director David Sims Advertising Director Heidi King Advertising Sales Heidi King, Myra Sawyer Features Manager Claire Stewart Business Manager Roy Hall Graphic Designer Rowan Finnegan Proofreader Carole Maynard Intern Savannah Comer ••• Contributing Writers Sarah Bélanger, Amy Collins, Sara Wright Covington, Sarah Franklin, Sarah Gaede, Roy Hall, Lily Plauché, Claire Stewart, Allen Tomlinson ••• Contributing Photographers Abraham Rowe Photography (Abraham & Susan Rowe), Alabella Studios (Kristen Mance), Armosa Studios (Wes & Tera Wages), Amanda Chapman Photography (Amanda Chapman), Sarah Bélanger, Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell, Robert Rausch (GAS Studios)

Events for September-October 2014

30 90

KUDOS CHECK IT OUT BOOK REVIEWS BY THE FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

92

MARKET

BY CLAIRE STEWART PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

122 THE VINE “It’s Who You Know”

BY AMY COLLINS

124 FOOD FOR THOUGHT “An Ode to Okra”

BY SARAH GAEDE

126 BLESS THEIR HEARTS “Uncommon Style”

BY SARAH FRANKLIN

128 BACK TALK

20 TAPPING INTO THE LOCAL BEER SCENE Alabama is home to one of the fastestgrowing craft beer scenes in the U.S., and we can drink (and eat) to that.

BY SARAH BÉLANGER FOOD BY LILY PLAUCHÉ PHOTOS BY SARAH BÉLANGER

No’Ala is published six times annually by No’Ala Studios PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: (256) 766-4222 | Fax: (256) 766-4106 Toll-free: (800) 779-4222 Web: noalastudios.com Standard postage paid at Florence, AL. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for delivery in the United States.

Signed articles reflect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors.

Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertisements. © 2008-2014 No’Ala Studios, All rights reserved.

Send all correspondence to Allen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above, or by e-mail to allen@noalastudios.com.

Letters may be edited for space and style.

To advertise, contact us at: (256) 766-4222, or sales@noalastudios.com.

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request.

Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited manuscripts; please query the editor first.

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inks.

Please recycle.

“What Is the Worst Fashion Trend?”

BY CLAIRE STEWART

130 PARTING SHOT

BY PATRICK HOOD

Connect with us on Facebook: No’Ala Mag and Twitter: @NoAla_Magazine

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calendar

Monday, September 1 – Monday, October 27 (Mondays only) Open Mic Comedy Night 10:00pm; Free; DP’s Bar and Grill; 410 N. Montgomery Ave; Sheffield Monday, September 1 Coondog Graveyard Labor Day Celebration 1:00pm-4:00pm; Free; 4945 Coon Dog Cemetery Rd, Cherokee; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org Shoals Labor Day Festivities 9:00am-5:00pm; Free; Spring Park, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org Thursday, September 4 – Friday, September 5

Tuesday, September 16 – Sunday, September 21 North Alabama State Fair Tues-Fri 5:00pm-Midnight, Sun Noon-Midnight; Admission charged; 65 Sportsplex Dr, Muscle Shoals; (256) 383-0783; northalabamastatefair.org Friday, September 19 David Ramirez 9:00pm; $8 Advance, $10 Door; 116 E. Mobile St; 116mobile.tumblr.com Saturday, September 20 Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride Throughout the weekend; Free; Florence and Waterloo; al-tn-trailoftears.net Sunday, September 21 – November 14

Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes 7:35pm; Admission charged; Ritz Theater, 103 W. 3rd St, Sheffield; (256) 381-8370; tvaa.net

50 Years: Works from the Permanent Collection Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N. Water St, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; tvaa.net

Thursday, September 4

Thursday, September 25 – Saturday, September 27

White Violet & Belle Adair 8:00pm; $5 Advance, $7 Door; 116 E. Mobile St; 116mobile.tumblr.com

Tuesdays with Morrie 7:30pm; Admission charged; Ritz Theater, 103 W. 3rd St, Sheffield; (256) 381-8370; tvaa.net

Friday, September 5 – Saturday, September 6

Sunday, September 28

30th Anniversary Classical Antiques Car Show All day; Free; Joe Wheeler Lodge, 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com

Artifact Show 10:00am-2:00pm; Free; Joe Wheeler Lodge, 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com

Friday, September 5

Wednesday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 29

First Fridays Florence 5:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Florence; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.org

Art Expressions: Shoals Artists Guild Exhibition Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E Tuscaloosa St; (256) 760-6379

Saturday, September 6

Thursday, October 2 – Friday, October 3

First Saturdays Rogersville 3:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Rogersville; (256) 247-9449; rogersvillealabama.com Friday, September 12 Kennedy-Douglass Open House 11:00am-2:00pm and 5:00pm-7:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E Tuscaloosa St; (256) 760-6379

Tuesdays with Morrie 7:30pm; Admission charged; Ritz Theater, 103 W. 3rd St, Sheffield; (256) 381-8370; tvaa.net Thursday, October 2 UNA Homecoming Concert 7:00pm; Admission charged; Norton Auditorium; alumni.una.edu Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5

75th Anniversary and Gen. Joe Wheeler Birthday Bash All day; Free; Joe Wheeler Lodge, 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com

UNA Homecoming Weekend

Saturday, September 13

First Fridays Florence 5:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Florence; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.org

Sheffield Second Saturday 2:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Sheffield; (256) 386-5606; colbertcountytourism.org Mosaic: A Wellness Place Open House 3:00pm-5:00pm; Free; 1801 N Wood Ave; (256) 766-9804; mosaicshoals.com

Friday, October 3

Jack Karnes Memorial Golf Tournament 8:00am and 1:00pm; Admission charged and reservations required; Blackberry Trail Golf Course, 112 Clubhouse Dr; alumni.una.edu

The Riverhill Family

Students at Riverhill are not just students — they are a part of a family. “Perhaps the best thing Riverhill has going is a sense of community,” one parent writes. “The teacher, students and parents work together at every turn to give these kids the support they need to learn and grow.” For more than 34 years, Riverhill has provided academic excellence and experiences that promote a lifelong love of learning.

Does this sound like an environment your child will appreciate? There are still spots available this fall!

We’re registering now for our Pre-K2 through sixth grade classes. Call 256-764-8200 or visit www.riverhillschool.org for more information.

UNA Homecoming Pep Rally 9:00pm; Free; Champions Way Athletic Field; alumni.una.edu Saturday, October 4 UNA Homecoming Parade 11:00am; Free; Downtown Florence; alumni.una.edu UNA Homecoming Game 6:00pm; Admission charged; Braly Stadium; alumni.una.edu First Saturdays Rogersville 3:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Rogersville; (256) 247-9449; rogersvillealabama.com Thursday, October 9 Muuurder in Maaay-Bury: A Fundraiser for Hospice of the Shoals Time TBD; Admission charged; Sweetwater Depot, 502 S. Royal Ave; (256) 767-6699 Shoals On Stage presents: The Habaneros 7:30pm; Admission charged; Norton Auditorium; facebook.com/ ShoalsOnStage Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 11 Kurly Q Wranglers Time and Cost TBD; Joe Wheeler Lodge, 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com

Saturday, October 11 Littleville Blues Festival 8:00am-until; Free; Littleville City Hall, 1810 George Wallace Hwy, Littleville; (256) 332-3567; colbertcountytourism.org Mama Joy’s Run 7:00am; Free; 201 Cedar St, Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com Saturday, October 18 Shoals Dragon Boat Festival 9:00am-until; Free; McFarland Park; shoalsdragonboatfestival.com Alabama Renaissance Feast 7:00pm; Admission charged; Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, 702 Veterans Dr; alarenfaire.org Fall Festival and Car Show 10:00am-2:00pm; Free; Downtown Rogersville; rogersvillealabama.com Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, October 26 Alabama Renaissance Faire Sat 11:00am-6:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-5:00pm; Free; Wilson Park; alarenfaire.org Saturday, October 25 History and Haunts Trolley Tour 4:00pm and 6:30pm; Tickets available at Coldwater Books; Downtown Tuscumbia; (256) 381-2525; colbertcountytourism.org

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• • • PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT RETAILERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND NONPROFITS! • • •

You could win $5,000 on November 18th!

Do you have an idea for a new business? You could win some money at the Shoals Idea Audition. Part Shark Tank, part American Idol, this contest allows you to present your idea in front of a panel of business leaders and experts — and if your presentation is the best, you win! We’ll even teach you how to pitch your idea. We promise it will be fun, and it could be very profitable!

The Idea Audition is a joint venture of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Alabama. Even if you don’t win, you’ll be presenting to a group of business mentors and supporters who might be able to help you get your business started. You have nothing to lose — and you could win big!

Want more information? Call Mary Marshall VanSant at 256-764-4661 or email her at mvansant@shoalschamber.com. Rules and schedule can also be found at shoalsideaaudition.com. Reserve your spot today!

The Idea Audition is sponsored by: PLATINUM: Shoals Chamber of Commerce GOLD: Bank Independent, BBVA Compass Bank, Alabama Technology Network, and Progress Bank SILVER: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, B Electric, Lyons HR, University of North Alabama, Polypac and Shiloh Holdings BRONZE: Shoals Angel Network, No’Ala Studios, Alliance Packaging

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scene

Sandi Patty and Billy Lindsey Jean Halley, Sandi Patty, Sandra Tate, and Faye Morris

Laura Hardeman Janice Curott

L. Don Wilson, Sadricia Wilson, Sandi Patty, Kristen Bentley, and Tonya Graham

Sylvia Martin

Allene Wilson

Sandi Patty and Lin Kidd

Above: Shoals Praise & Worship Choir Presents Sandi Patty Live

Below: The Healing Place Pairings Party & Auction Party

june ,  · muscle shoals high school, muscle shoals

june ,  · turtle point yacht & country club, killen

Martha Truitt, Laura Jane Self, and Katherine Anderson Warren and Hailey Rogers and Tommy Mathis

Kay Parker and Kevin Streelman Julie and Will Trapp

Randy Aldridge

Bob Bevis, Katherine Anderson, and Jesse Grigsby

* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

Carole and Rod Graves

Stewart Cink, Kay Parker, and Lisa Cink

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Tapping into the Local Beer Scene text and photos by sarah bélanger » recipes and food styling by lily plauché photo assistance by amanda abernathy

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Tucked away in rustic, historical buildings across North Alabama, a brand new industry is flourishing: craft beer breweries.

In 2009, 76 years after the end of prohibition, Alabama finally began to relax archaic brewing laws that made the production and distribution of craft beer illegal.

A mere five years later, Alabama’s burgeoning craft beer industry is proving to the rest of the country that the Heart of Dixie, though new to the game, can brew a superior beer. In fact, according to the Alabama Brewers Guild, as of 2012, Alabama has experienced triple digit growth three years in a row, making it one of the fastest growing craft beer industries nationwide.

Who are the founders of these breweries? Well, they come from a diverse background. They’re realtors and journalists, engineers and technicians, and many of them work additional part-time or even full-time jobs to support their budding brewing businesses.

For these artisans, craft brewing is an expensive and time-consuming labor of love, but passion for their craft motivates our local brewers as they help build a new industry for the state.

In honor of our local brew houses, we’ve put together four unique recipes, each incorporating a signature beer from our local breweries. They’re original twists on fall food favorites.

Enjoy!

Rob and Michelle Jones

SINGIN’ RIVER BREWERY For Singin’ River Brewery owners, Rob and Michelle Jones, the pressure to get their brew house right was particularly high; Singin’ River is Florence’s first brewery ever.

That’s why every detail of Singin’ River, from the well-designed taproom to the steel-tipped darts, has been carefully selected to create a comfortable and inviting place for friends and family to gather for a pint of their delectable homemade brew.

“We told [the city officials] we were going to build a brewery that the city would be proud of,” Michelle said.

And that is exactly what they did.

In order to make sure the beer was top-notch, the Jones hired commercial brewer George Grandinette as Singin’ River’s head brewer. Grandinette quickly set to work creating beer that would have the Shoals community singing.

“The first round was about brewing balanced beers, not just creating a style,” Rob said.

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It was also important to select a perfect location with plenty of room for expansion. The brewery has an adjacent lot in which to host festivals and events, including the Singin’ River Brewing Fest and numerous musical guests.

Rob and Michelle are excited about the future and looking forward to growing with the flourishing Florence community.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of the city of Florence. The community is working together to better the city every day,” Michelle said.

PORTER BRAISED BRISKET SANDWICHES Beer: Singin’ River Porter Serves: 8 The main purpose of the beer in this recipe is to tenderize the meat while providing another layer of flavor. Use the meat for these sandwiches or in quesadillas, or serve as a stew over potatoes or rice.

• 4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed, cut into 3-inch pieces • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped • 2 celery ribs, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, smashed • 1 cup Singin’ River Porter beer • 1 tablespoon tomato paste • 2 cups beef broth • Slaw • 8 sandwich buns 1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Sprinkle brisket with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add half of brisket, browning on all sides. Remove brisket and set aside. Brown remaining half of brisket in Dutch oven; remove and set aside.

2. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add beer, stirring to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in tomato paste and broth. Return brisket to the pot, nestling it nicely into the liquid. Cover and bake until brisket is very tender and can easily be shredded with a fork, about 3 hours.

3. Shred brisket with 2 forks; serve the meat on buns topped with slaw.

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Rich Partain

STRAIGHT TO ALE Straight to Ale’s owner, Dan Perry, spent years fighting to change Alabama’s outdated brewing laws as a member of the grass-roots organization Free the Hops. It was that group’s legislative successes that made it possible for Dan to open his brew house with a mission to create superior craft beer for the “thirsty masses.”

“Making beer is really a labor of love for us,” said Rich Partain, Straight to Ale’s Sales Manager.

“Our main goal is to make people happy.”

This means the brewery has high expectations for their beer.

“Not often, but occasionally, we’ll brew a beer that isn’t up to our standards,” Rich said. “When it happens, we will never sell it to our customer.”

Customers seem to appreciate these standards, as Straight to Ale has grown rapidly in the past four years. They currently brew close to 31,000 gallons of beer a month and are available in four states.

And while Straight to Ale is sold outside Alabama, Dan and the

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rest of the team at Straight to Ale feel it’s important to pay homage to their home. The taproom is festooned with rockets and space paraphernalia that honor Huntsville’s 50-year space program. A local artist, Browan Lollar, creates many of Straight to Ale’s beer labels, and most of the beers are named after local celebrities and places. Their most popular beer, Monkeynaut, is named after Miss Baker, the first U.S. monkey to travel to space and survive, who later lived in Huntsville’s Space and Rocket Center until her death.

Straight to Ale is looking forward to their future after their latest expansion: a beer garden complete with a stage to provide outdoor entertainment.

IPA ICE POPS Beer: Straight to Ale Monkeynaut IPA beer Serves: 9 • • • • • • •

1 cup sugar ½ cup water 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries 1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice 1 cup Straight to Ale Monkeynaut IPA beer 9 wooden craft sticks

1. In a medium pot, combine sugar, water, strawberries, and pineapple. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Let cool.

2. Place fruit mixture and beer in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Pour into ice pop molds, insert wooden craft stick into each, and freeze 8 hours or until firm.

These are a soft-frozen treat due to the high alcohol content. Dip the molds briefly into hot water to assist in removing the pops from the molds. You can also freeze them in small paper cups if you don’t have ice pop molds.

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Jeff Peck, Chris Bramon, and Tracy Mullins

THE BREW STOOGES The Brew Stooges is one of Huntsville’s newest breweries—their first beers premiered in 2013 at the Rocket City Brewfest—but they’re already making a mark for themselves.

Owners Chris Bramon, Tracy Mullins, and Jeff Peck like to take a scientific and technical approach to brewing. They constructed or installed almost every aspect of their brewery themselves, including a large walk-in freezer, which they built at a fraction of the cost of a factory-made one.

The Stooges also have a good sense of humor when it comes to brewing, as illustrated by their brewery’s name. Owner Jeff Peck explains that the name was inspired by a frustrating beer-making experience. They had just received a new brewing kit, and Jeff and Tracy were excited about making their first batch of beer with it.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be.

“Everything that we could do wrong, we did do wrong,” Jeff said. After making countless mistakes, the two brewers could only laugh at the disaster of their brewing attempt.

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“After a while I just looked at Tracy and said, ‘We’re a couple of stooges,’” laughed Jeff. The name stuck, and thankfully the trio has had much more success on subsequent brews.

The Brew Stooges recently opened a taproom at their brewery and are also creating a beer garden.

KNUCKLEHEAD BROWNIE SUNDAES Beer: Brew Stooges Knucklehead Porter Serves: 8 (you will have brownies left over, which isn’t usually a problem) For the brownies: • 1 cup all-purpose flour • ¾ cup cocoa powder • ¼ teaspoon salt • ½ cup butter • 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped, divided • 1 cup granulated sugar • 4 large eggs • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Brew Stooges Knucklehead Porter beer • ½ cup chopped pecans 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

2. In a medium pot, melt butter and 12 ounces chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.

Let cool slightly.

3. Whisk sugar and eggs into melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in beer. Stir in flour mixture just until combined. Stir in remaining 6 ounces chopped chocolate and pecans. Pour batter into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool on a wire rack.

For the ice cream: • ¾ cup sugar • ¼ teaspoon salt • 2 cups whipping cream • 6 large egg yolks • 1 ½ cups Brew Stooges Knucklehead Porter beer • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. In a medium pot, whisk together sugar, salt, and cream. Heat over medium heat just until small bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Place egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk 1 cup hot cream into egg yolks. Whisk egg mixture back into pot with remaining cream. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until mixture thickens slightly and reaches 160°F (do not boil). Pour mixture through a wire mesh strainer into a bowl; whisk in porter and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Pour chilled custard into bowl of an ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spoon ice cream into a container and freeze 4 hours or until firm.

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Ethan Couch

YELLOWHAMMER BREWING Yellowhammer Brewing is housed in a plain, metal building, marked with a modest sign, and nestled between a garage and a door installation business. Despite its outwardly austere appearance, inside is a pleasant and lively environment, filled with happy patrons that are quick to strike up a conversation about their passion: craft beer.

“We get a lot of beer nerds in here,” said Ethan Couch, co-owner of Yellowhammer. His patrons love the variety and rich flavor of craft beer and are thrilled they have a place where they can enjoy the local brew.

Despite initial complications with changing brewing laws, Yellowhammer is now full speed ahead with the support of the state.

“The Alabama government has been great for us,” Ethan said.

“They are very pro-business.”

Since the brewery started four years ago, they have doubled their beer production consistently every six months. Their growth has allowed them to expand their taproom to include a beer garden,

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and they look forward to future expansions. But it is about more than just revenue for Yellowhammer—it is about creating a beer that they are proud of and keeping the beer nerds happy.

“Our goal is to be the best regional brewery that’s out there,” Couch said.

DARK HAMMER CHICKEN WINGS Beer: Yellowhammer Dark Hammer Serves: 4-6 • 2 pounds chicken wings • ½ cup cherry juice • 1 cup Yellowhammer Dark Hammer beer (Belgian Quad) • ¼ cup brown sugar • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1 tablespoon molasses • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper • ½ teaspoon ground coriander • 1 lime, cut into wedges • Fresh cilantro 1. Heat oven to 425°F. Arrange chicken wings on a foil-lined baking sheet with sides.

2. In a medium pot, combine juice, beer, sugar, soy sauce, molasses, vinegar, pepper, and coriander. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, watching carefully as it can boil over. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1 cup (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat.

3. Pour the glaze over the wings. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until done.

Preheat broiler. Broil wings 1-2 minutes or until browned. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As we were going to press, Straight to Ale Brewery and Yellowhammer Brewery announced they would move their businesses into the old Stone Middle School campus on Governors Drive, in Huntsville, and will be open for business at the new location in the summer of 2015. This redevelopment project, which will include an amphitheater on the grounds, is designed to bring more traffic to West Huntsville and more attention to north Alabama’s successful craft beer scene.

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

kudos

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If you want to share some good news about a friend, neighbor, or colleague—or even toot your own horn—send your kudos to allen@noalastudios.com.

Shining Bright Grogan Jewelers was named “America’s Coolest Jewelry Store” by Instore, in its August 2014 issue. This award was given to the locally owned and operated store because of its interior and exterior appearance, store biography, advertising, website, and overall individuality.

UNA’s Bass Fishing Team

Reeling Them In The UNA Bass Fishing team is currently ranked first in the nation in the Association of Collegiate Anglers Cabela’s School of the Year race.

According the ACA’s website, the ranking establishes pre-season standings based on multiple league opinions and standings. The team’s season is just beginning, but the members of the team hope to hold on to their first place ranking throughout the rest of the season.

Declaring an Independent On June 27th, Bank Independent added Denise Jones to the Muscle Shoals sales office as vice president, sales officer. With more than 19 years of banking experience, Jones will serve the financial needs of citizens of the Shoals area with an emphasis on commercial Denise Jones lending, providing personalized loan solutions and supporting the Bank’s mission to enhance the economic development of the community.

She comes to Bank Independent from Listerhill Credit Union, where she served as AVP of Business Services and Commercial Loan Officer.

Growing the Pride Dr. John Thornell is the interim president after the retirement of Dr. William Cale. Thornell has served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at UNA for the past five years.

“Every year we feel privileged to bring our readers the best of the best in our industry,” says Instore Executive Editor Ralf Kircher. “From its impressive new construction to its amazing interior design, Grogan easily falls into that category. But a store wouldn’t fit our ‘cool’ criteria if it weren’t for such aspects as innovative marketing, creative retail environment and a unique work culture.”

Grogan Jewelers was founded in 1915 by Elisha A. Grogan and has continued to be a family-owned jewelry store for the past 99 years. Currently, Jay Klos resides as the owner of the business with locations in Florence and Huntsville.

Showcasing the Shoals On Monday, July 21st, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Bureau accepted an award from the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism naming it the Tourism Organization of the Year.

Just this summer, the bureau moved into their new 7,500 square-foot facility on the banks of the Tennessee River in McFarland Park.

Passing the Baton The Shoals Symphony at UNA begins its 32nd season under the direction of new conductor Dr. Daniel Stevens.

Stevens joins the University of North Alabama faculty as Associate Professor of Music/conductor of the Shoals Symphony at UNA, and director of the Peery Center for Orchestral Studies. His roles at UNA include conductor and artistic director of the Shoals Symphony at UNA and teacher of applied violin and viola. For more information about the 20142015 season, visit una.edu/shoalssymphony.

Dr. John Thornell

Dr. Daniel Stevens

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scene

Hannah Young and Erin Stephenson Sue Snyder and Noel Beck Chris Hastings and Natalie Chanin Chris Hastings

Suzanna and Terry Wylie Alabama Chanin Team

Above: “Friends of the Café” Dinner, Featuring Chef Chris Hastings

Natalie Chanin and Jennifer Highfield

Heather Wylie and Wes Fleming Photos by Maggie Crisler

Below: Edsel Holden Spectacular!

june ,  · the factory, alabama chanin, florence

june ,  · shoals theatre, florence

Joseph Stallworth, Norris Jones, and Drew White Liz Irvine, Jimmy Johnson, Becky Johnson, Oliver Irvine, and Scottie Davis

Jean Gay Mussleman Pat and Bill Shoemaker Carleigh Eaton, Sandra Ford, Kyron Garner, and Sierra Thompson

Martha Thompson and Rosalie Stephenson

Joy Trousdale and Evelyn Freeman Brad, Jean, and Alex Lynch

* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

I promise It’s my job to make you look - and feel - your very best. That’s why my entire staff and I keep ourselves abreast of the latest surgical techniques and procedures, so we can offer services that make you look your best — whether they are cosmetic or reconstructive. An experience at Shoals Hospital is different, because those little details are important to us. After all, it’s not just about care...it’s about caring. I promise!

Russell Jennings, M.D., Plastic Surgeon

www.shoalshospital.com september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

SELF•MADE

MA K E R S text by sara wright covington photos by patrick hood & danny mitchell additional photos by robert rausch & abraham rowe

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No matter where you are in the world, style translates into any language.

Southerners, in particular, speak this language more beautifully and uniquely than any other region, and No’Ala’s celebration of style wouldn’t be complete without a focus on a few very special individuals in North Alabama whose ingenuity and panache set them apart from the flock. Although their crafts vary widely, from clothing design to cuisine to even cologne, all of these individuals share the common, uniting thread of stepping outside of the box. Going out on limbs and taking leaps of faith, they have each devoted their entire careers to creating unique, locally made products and designs. They are the rebels, the dreamers, the artists, and the sages, and together they set the tone for the South’s definition of style.

Bohem Florence native and designer Heather Wylie is wise beyond her 26 years. With youth on her side and creative talent to boot, it would seem predictable for her to steer her focus to the in-vogue trends of the minute. Instead, she has used her journey through school, graphic design, and silk-screen printing as the sartorial influence for two unique lines that appeal to both younger and older sets of women. “My plan is to keep very simple, classic pieces and start to add more complex garments, but still preserve an ageless, classic design,” she says. Wylie’s two clothing lines, Bohemian Bop and Bohem, are currently housed at Florence’s fashion mecca, Alabama Chanin.

After graduating college at the University of Alabama and moving to New York, where she completed her master’s degree at the elite Parsons Design School, Wylie was initially unsure of where she wanted to focus. After taking a job silk-screening T-shirts in New York, which involves a sophisticated stencil technique to create prints using light and ink, Wylie re-discovered a love for print making and used this as the creative fuel which would lead her back to Alabama. “I wanted to move home,” she says. “All the pieces were always there. I started to take a step back and think about what I wanted for my life, and everything just sort of came full circle.”

Once back in Florence, she began to design her own prints to create vintage-inspired bohemian-style T-shirts under the Bohemian Bop label. Wylie used antique lace as the trim on her designs and began selling her wares online, at benefit events, and at farmers’ markets. As the demand grew, Wylie discovered that women of all ages appreciated her eclectic but simple designs, which pushed her to expand. “I just started buying all types of tees. After a year or a year and a half, I grew interested in doing skirts and outer wear. My new line, Bohem, is really what I’m focusing on. It’s really about simple, timeless pieces. They are comfortable, flattering, and fitted. As I develop the line, I’m just focusing on the silhouette, and as time goes on I will use silk screen to create pattern on the garments.”

Wylie also makes it a priority to keep all of her designs affordable and made in the USA. As for her future plans, she says she really doesn’t see an end to the process and is even considering a third label at some point.

Wherever her labels take her, Wylie will keep her journey from Alabama to New York and back again as her inspiration. “I had to go a very long way out of my way to come back again,” she says. “It’s been a very interesting journey. The craft is almost a narrative of how I came into this. Bohemian Bop is very much my adolescent self. I’ve started to grow as an adult and develop more patience and more understanding and that is reflected in Bohem. It’s a lot cleaner and more focused.

This is very much like my individual journey.”

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

MAKERS

© Danny Mitchell

HEATHER WYLIE Bohem

© Abraham Rowe

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© Patrick Hood

BEN BURROWS Burrows Woodworks

Burrows Woodworks

Bawston & Tucker

Ben Burrows was working with wood before he even learned his multiplication tables. By his grandfather’s side, Burrows listened and learned as a child, and continued to hone those skills into his adulthood. “I used to just hang around in his shop and watch him,” he recalls. “I learned a lot from him over the years. He would give me scraps to glue together and make little structures—we called it wood art. I was probably four or five.”

Man’s new best friend might very well have just evolved from canine to cologne. Thanks to innovator Andy Schutt and his new line of men’s cologne, Bawston & Tucker, men can enjoy a more sophisticated splash of fragrance, versus the old school department store decanters.

Many years later, Burrows is still working out of that same shop where he first served as a very young apprentice. Born in Florence, Burrows has returned to the area after living in Tuscaloosa, where he majored in restaurant management with a minor in art. After he worked in the restaurant industry in Atlanta for a time, Burrows found himself needing more of a creative outlet. “I was always drawing or doing something creative,” says Burrows. “I decided to get back to that after I’d been in the restaurant business and it just became a little mundane.” Now working full-time designing furniture, Burrows spends the majority of his time doing custom work for his clients. “In addition to working with clients and finding out what their style is and what suits them, I try to incorporate more of a modern style to things if I think it will work with their aesthetic. I try to use more traditional techniques if I can as well. I do traditional joinery. I focus on craftsmanship.”

Each carefully crafted piece is designed to fit the needs and taste of the client, but still has Burrow’s unmistakable mark of mid-century modern style—clean lines with an organic feel, usually made from American hardwoods. Burrows specializes in designing anything from cabinets and cutting boards to jewelry boxes and mantles. Although custom work is the focal point of his business, he hopes to eventually design his own line of furniture and light fixtures—he is currently working on light fixtures for Rivertown Coffee in Florence.

Burrows’ work is primarily bespoke, and that client-specific approach is just how the artisan likes it. “I love doing custom work,” he says. “I love the designing process and seeing something in my head come to fruition, knowing that it came basically from an idea that I had.” His clean, contemporary styles have quickly become much sought after, as he is known for his artistry and attention to detail. Burrows brings art to life, making functional showpieces with unique charm. “Everybody’s style is their own. For me, I like things to be simple and function, but also well designed and something that catches the eye and draws you in. A table is a table is a table. You want it to be functional, sturdy, and last, but you also want it to be beautiful.”

Now with three virile fragrances, his initial venture was not actually targeted for men. “It all started as a cologne inspired by man’s best friend,” says Schutt. “I wanted to make something for my Boston Terrier, Tucker. So I did research and got ingredients.” Using humble components like sweet almond oil, shea butter, and beeswax, Schutt began making his fragrance in the form of a solid and discovered that his experiment created something delicious, and not just for the dogs.

After he began making his products and marketing them to men, Schutt found that he was opening a new door for many men who were typically wary of wearing cologne. “A lot of men are afraid of cologne because they are afraid of overkill.

This is something you can put on as much as you want and it’s not overpowering.”

Schutt describes his products as “rugged, yet modern, solid cologne” and has packaged it cleverly in small tins that are both petite and portable. “You just swirl your finger in the tin and then apply to your pulse points,” says Schutt. “You can put as much as you want on, and you aren’t spraying all over.”

Born in Hartselle, Schutt moved to Florence to attend UNA in 2002 and has been here ever since. Because he has always felt connected to the Shoals, Schutt fashioned his fragrances after the Native American heritage of the area—all three scents have Indian names. “Aroostook means ‘good rivers’ and has a fresh, citrusy, earthy smell,” explains Schutt. “Motega means ‘new arrow’ and it’s sweet, spicy, and woodsy.

And Tuskaloosa means ‘black warrior’. It’s smoky, sweet, and clean.” As both maker and marketer, Schutt has been shipping his products all over the country—from New York to Colorado to Oklahoma—and all over the world—to Canada, Germany, and the UK. Locally it can be found at The Gourmet Garden Gift Shoppe and O’Haira’s Salon in Florence, and Finery Boutique in Huntsville. Schutt hopes to eventually expand his line to locally owned men’s grooming shops.

Schutt’s simple experiment may have started small, but likely has a very big future. Men’s life and style sites like Made Man and The Manual are already giving him rave reviews.

But Schutt insists that the best part so far is the fun he has creating and being a part of something new and innovative for men. “This product allows a man to feel spontaneous and confident,” says Schutt. “For years women have had the option of roll-on or solid perfumes, but nothing like that really existed for men. But now with Bawston & Tucker, men can stick it in their pockets, keep it in their office drawers, or toss it in their gym bags. It’s great for traveling. It’s discrete, and it’s easy to control how strong you make the fragrance.”

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

MAKERS

Ellena LeJeune Growing up in a family with eight siblings, it can be hard for a girl to stand out. For Birmingham born clothing designer Ellena LeJeune, making her own clothes initially became a way to carve out an identity for herself in a house full of handme-downs. “Funds were tight in a family of nine kids,” says LeJeune. “Before I was able to purchase fabrics, my mentor, Lydia, would give me fabrics because she was friends with someone at a mill. So she gave me boxes of scrap fabric. I wanted my own individuality, so I started designing just for me.” As a child she recalls sitting on the side of her friend’s mother’s bed who was a seamstress, watching and asking questions as she sewed. Assisted by tips from her friend’s mom, LeJeune learned to sew using the bare necessities. “I picked it up organically,” she says. “I didn’t know there were patterns. I was using newspaper! When I went to the fabric store the first time, it opened up a whole new world to me.”

LeJeune spent her high school years raiding her father’s closet for his vintage-hued blue, pink, and yellow dress shirts and tailoring them to fit herself—which is why she believes her designs have a classic, but vintage feel even today. After going on to college, LeJeune continued making clothes to sell for extra money, even though she was a computer science major. After completing her degree, she married and moved to Huntsville, where she began working in her field. But her creative voice was never completely silenced by computers and algorithms, and that voice ultimately won out, as LeJeune made the decision to leap head-first into designing clothes full-time.

She began “beating the pavement” around town and had success with local boutiques willing to carry her designs. After five years of selling her wares about town, LeJeune finally opened her own boutique downtown in the building where the Kaffeeklatsch is now located. As both a wife and a mother, launching her career would be an even bigger challenge than ever, but LeJeune used the opportunity to instill the values of hard work and perseverance to her daughter Celine. Now a teenager, Celine was just a baby when LeJeune opened her first store, but Celine has been with her mother since the very beginning and now has aspirations of becoming a designer herself. LeJeune remembers holding her small daughter in her lap as she sewed in those early days. “Those were precious times. She went to every business meeting with me. Now I’m seeing her become a critical thinker and an innovator. I’m not a typical mom because I’m very business minded, but she gets it because she has been with me from the very beginning.”

After 20 years in the fashion industry, LeJeune credits her success with remaining true to the classic designs she once plucked out of her father’s closet. “The theme is a combination of timeless classics with a vintage flavor,” she says. “Everything that I design and is in my closet right now I have worn for more than 10 years. My dad was very stylish and that’s probably where I got a lot of my inspiration. He dressed up every day—dress shoes, shirts, tie. He was aware of trends. You don’t realize until you get older that it influences you.”

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Although her future plans include possibly expanding her line into boutiques in Birmingham and Nashville, LeJeune has also reached the point in her career where she is happy to slow down and serve as a mentor to others. Housed in a booth in downtown Huntsville’s Clinton Row shops, she hopes to use her new space as a beacon for others who have aspirations in the fashion industry, including her daughter.

“The most excitement I get now is when people come to me and say ‘I want to do this. How do I do this? I don’t know where to start. Tell me how,’” she says. “I’ve been through the seasons where I wanted to do everything, but I knew when I got a spot at Clinton Row, I wanted to use it as a launch point for other people.”

Heavy Color From the actual to the abstract, Florence-based screen-printing designer Chris James translates ideas into art. His business, Heavy Color, specializes in everything from T-shirt screenprinting and logo and website design, to album artwork and event poster design. But Heavy Color is no ordinary screen-printing shop—while many screen printers simply print what they are given or offer templates to choose from, James focuses on custom designs for each and every client.

“I’ve been doing freelance graphic design for about 10 years,” he says. “Basically I started Heavy Color to make it official. I bought a screen press and that has led me to actually make and print things myself, whereas before I just did design and then my clients would have to have it printed elsewhere.”

Originally from Tuscumbia, James’s artistic interests began as a teenager when he started playing music. As he got older, he began traveling with his band, which led him to begin making his own posters to advertise his band’s shows. “Pretty much my entire life I’ve done art, whether it’s drawing or painting,” he says. “When I started going out of town and playing music, I started making complex show posters. Then I got really into it, and I started making and designing the posters for not just my own shows, but for other bands too.”

As a Geographic Information Systems major at UNA, James taught himself how to use many graphic design programs.

When he began working at Florence performance venue 116 E. Mobile, he was approached about designing posters for upcoming events. He found himself once again immersed in the creative work he loved. James has developed a name for himself by creating simple but edgy designs ranging from album art for music groups The Dogwood Vandals and Red Mouth, to t-shirts for ECM Hospital, Muletown Coffee, and Friends of the Florence Lauderdale Animal Shelter.

James credits his varied client list with giving him the ability to design for anyone. “I try to stay as diverse as possible,” he says. “I try to change styles for each job that I have, depending on what the client wants. I don’t know if I necessarily have a particular style, but I do feel like I’m pretty proficient at various things. I think that’s what makes me unique.”

© Danny Mitchell

ANDY SCHUTT Bawston & Tucker

© Patrick Hood

ELLENA LEJEUNE LeJeune Designs

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MAKERS

© Patrick Hood

CHRIS JAMES Heavy Color

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© Patrick Hood

JOSIE WACHI Josie Wachi Clothing

As for his future plans, James hopes to eventually open a storefront, but plans to keep his designs simple. “I’m not a big fan of really busy stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I like abstract. But for a lot of the design I’m doing, busy just doesn’t work as well. So I lean more towards simple. I think something that is clean and simple can have a large impact when it’s done right.” Although he admits that screen-printing can be a tedious process at times, James has found his niche and is enjoying watching his concepts come to life. “I love working with people on their ideas and bringing them to fruition,” he says. “Being able to take an idea that someone has and turn it into something is rewarding in itself, and the process is fun, too. I really enjoy drawing and creating.”

Josie Wachi As an eight-year-old girl growing up in Kenya, Josie Wachi remembers daydreaming over postcards her parents received in the mail with rocket ships on them and return addresses in Huntsville, Alabama. “From that very tender age, I started having an interest in space and aeronautics,” she says. “There was a couple who lived in Huntsville and sent their son to Africa for safaris a lot. My parents gave the safaris, and these people sent them postcards in return.

My interest in those postcards led to me to work here when I was 18. I thought, ‘maybe you could do something with rocket science.’”

Once in the states, Wachi began a focus on aeronautical engineering, which ultimately led to her interning at Space Camp in Huntsville. Because she liked the lifestyle of Huntsville, she not only stayed, but began to work at adapting that lifestyle into her own line of clothes. “I started making the clothing I really liked out of my house,” she says. “I like practice—that’s why I was in engineering. I decided to do a fashion show with my friends. Some of my girlfriends became models. And then right on the spot people wanted to buy things.”

Wachi describes her clothing as a mix of classic but trendy, and adheres to the philosophy that any piece of clothing you add to your wardrobe should be an investment, whether it’s for one year or ten. Her creations range from classic blue jeans to edgier cocktail couture, and appeal to both younger and older women. She focuses on using good fabrics that work well with the body and producing pieces that are both socially and economically responsible—all of her clothing is made in the US. But she also hopes to one day build a factory in the place where she was born to create jobs and better living conditions for its people. “Where I was born is one of the worst places in the world,” she says. “And I want to create an awareness of that.”

Wachi’s inspirations are everyday women of all shapes and sizes who face the common problem of finding clothes that fit. And although she used to do custom clothing design, she found over time that when one woman has a problem, gen-

erally many women have the exact same issue. “When I talk to woman they tell me what they have, what they need, and what they want. I work to fill this gap,” says Wachi. “I’m all about finding modern style that’s functional.”

Wachi’s clothing can currently be found in boutiques throughout North Alabama, including Crossroads, Ruby Jacks, and at Clinton Row. She also has clothes at Jewell’s in Florence. As for the future plans of the once small girl who dreamed big dreams of rocket ships and moon rocks, Wachi is still aiming for the stars. “I want to evolve like Tory Burch.

I would eventually like to design more for men and possibly even design furniture,” she says. “My favorite part of what I do is seeing the end consumer,” she says. “I love when a lady puts on the clothing and you see her sense of relief.”

Nicole Nicole Nicole Hugaboom has been rebelling against the rules of fashion since she was a teenager at Bradshaw High School.

For her and her business partner, Nicole DeVaney, it was their unique shared perspectives and penchant for fashion that eventually led to the founding of their business Nicole Nicole. “I’ve loved fashion since I was a little girl,” says Hugaboom. “But I was always too tall and too scrawny to have anything fit me. I always hit that growth spurt right after clothes were bought for me for the school year.” Hugaboom spent her youth taking clothes apart and putting them back together again to suit her own style and liking. “I always had my own style anyway. I deliberately wore things to show people ‘I’m going to show you that you can’t stick me in your little box,’” she says.

Hugaboom left Florence after high school to attend design school in California’s Orange County. After spending time as a coordinator for fashion shows, Hugaboom returned to Florence in 2006, where she struggled with how to make a career of fashion in the days before Billy Reid and Alabama Chanin helped put Florence on the fashion map. It was during this time she decided to return to school to pursue a degree in art in the hopes of teaching. While taking a photography class, she met DeVaney. “We immediately hit it off,” says Hugaboom. “We started making clothes for some photo shoots for a project, and then we got asked to do a line of clothes for the Alabama Fashion Alliance in Huntsville for a show. It just fell into our laps.”

Arming themselves with the mission of “bringing classy back,” Hugaboom and DeVaney devote their entire business to making quality, age-appropriate clothing for all types of women. “You can always look good and feel sexy and be appropriately dressed,” says Hugaboom. “Women need to realize that we are not a one-size-fits-all society. We really push for that simple, classic, clean, Audrey Hepburn/Jackie Onassis/Grace Kelly style.”

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

MAKERS

Nicole Nicole pays special attention to the details when tailoring clothes for each individual, offering custom fittings and focusing on measurements, likes, dislikes, skin tone, and color preferences. They can also do a complete wardrobe makeover and offer alterations on the clothes that are already in women’s closets. “I could have five women in the same room and they all think they are a size six, but not one of them has the same measurements,” says Hugaboom. She and DeVaney have created their own line of simple silhouettes—classic skirts, slacks, blouses, and dresses—and offer custom fittings where fabric, fit, and buttons can be selected for each individual. Their “less is more” philosophy about clothing reflects that quality really does mean more than quantity, and they strive to create affordable options that can last for years. “A woman could actually just have 10 articles of clothing in her closet and get away with it,” says Hugaboom.

“Most women don’t even realize that they do have the basics already there. Custom made clothes don’t have to cost a fortune.”

With the help of a small, hardworking team of interns and seamstresses, Hugaboom and DeVaney produce all of their clothing in Florence and plan to continue making clothes that steer clear of the trends. “You can wear our pieces to work or out to cocktails with a pair of heels and pearls,” says Hugaboom. “They will never go out of style.”

Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co. Sipping tea from a tall Mason jar is about as Southern as it gets. Commonly dubbed “the house wine of the South,” tea is hardly a delicacy in these parts. But family owned Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co. has branded their own version of the southern beverage of choice with a unique twist on tea that has North Alabama lining up to re-fill their Mason jars.

The Piper & Leaf family, made up of Caleb Christopher, his wife Brigette, and Brigette’s two siblings Conner and Maryclaire Knapp, stumbled accidently into the tea brewing business. “We were all just doing our own things,” says Caleb.

“Conner was working in physical therapy, and we had a landscaping business. Conner had been wanting to do something as part of the farmers’ market to branch out. So we decided to sell compost at Greene Street Market in downtown Huntsville. Conner wanted to sell something else in a mason jar, we just didn’t know what. Brigette and I had gotten really into tea. We had a bunch of herbs we were growing from our landscaping business, which was just a big garden of stuff people were throwing out. So we just started drawing and blending.”

As it turned out, Piper & Leaf ’s Mason jar experiment was an instant sensation in the sweltering summer heat of the Greene Street Market, quickly overshadowing their mulch.

Now in their second year of business, serving up unique, refreshing blends is the sole focus for Piper & Leaf. Their take on traditional sweet tea—the Front Porch Special—is

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

their most popular blend, but they now have more than 20 different varieties to choose from, ranging from Smashberry Tisane to Munks Meditation to Briar Patch Brew.

Piper & Leaf works out of Lowe Mill and, has developed a loyal following, and they travel to farmers markets all over North Alabama. “We didn’t know it was going to be as popular as it has been,” says Caleb. “We do all our work at Lowe Mill now, and we are in there working six days a week. It’s always very busy and very cramped!” Their expansion has also been advantageous for local farmers, who are now able to sell surplus seasonal fruit, which would otherwise spoil, to Piper & Leaf.

Besides their Lowe Mill location and their website, Piper & Leaf tea is also available at a growing number of area resellers, including Grounded Coffee on County Line road in Madison, the YMCA, and the Sugar Bell Cupcake Truck, which can usually be found in downtown Huntsville every day. All resellers honor Piper & Leaf ’s policy of half price refills with the purchase of a mason jar. They also publish a weekly newsletter detailing where they will be each week.

Future plans for this family are still up in the air for now, but the Piper & Leaf crew plan to stick together and have fun no matter where the tea takes them. “It seems like with other businesses I’ve run, I was always trying to solve problems,” says Caleb. “For me, this is so much fun because everyone I deal with is happy. They are in a good mood. They are getting a big jar of tea. They are at a farmers’ market and they wouldn’t be there if they were in a bad mood. When I answer the phone, normally it’s someone trying to find out where they can get our tea. I love the joy that comes from running this. We are just trying to pass that joy on to everybody who comes in contact with us.”

Red Clay Epicurean “Southern with a twist” has never tasted more sophisticated.

Chef Alan Phillips is back full-time in his native Shoals after a lengthy hiatus studying and working in culinary arts in California, and he is taking southern basics—like pimento cheese and chicken salad—to a whole new level. “I take southern staples and reinvent them,” says Phillips. “My motto is local first, organic if possible, but always fresh—nothing canned or frozen.”

Raised in the Shoals, Phillips left for California after high school, where he attended Pepperdine University. After finishing school and taking a job in management in Santa Monica, he eventually grew tired of the corporate scene. Inspired by a friend’s father who authored cookbooks, Phillips began cooking initially as stress relief. As he spent more and more time in the kitchen, corporate America seemed less and less of a priority. “I was nervous, but I finally took the leap and quit my job to go to culinary school,” he says. Phillips was accepted into the prestigious, super-competitive Le

© Danny Mitchell

NICOLE DEVANEY, ABBY KNIGHT, AND NICOLE HUGABOOM Nicole Nicole

© Danny Mitchell

CONNER KNAPP, BRIGETTE AND CALEB CHRISTOPHER Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co.

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

MAKERS

© Patrick Hood

ALAN PHILLIPS Red Clay Epicurean

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

© Danny Mitchell

DENA MCCLURE Relique

Cordon Bleu California School of Culinary Arts, where he began training in classical, French cooking. “The second day of class I knew this is what I’m supposed to do,” he says. “I graduated two years later, first in my class.”

After spending time as a chef in restaurants and doing private cheffing in Los Angeles for the next couple of years, Phillips returned to Florence when his father was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. “I decided to move back home,” says Phillips.

“He passed away in April and I stayed to help my mother, although I hadn’t planned on staying. In the process of staying and talking to people, I ended up falling in love with the Shoals again.” Inspired by Florence’s recent fashion revival, spurred by fashion icons Billy Reid and Natalie Chanin, Phillips has settled into his old home once again and is making a mark of his own. Only this time, he has freed himself from the culinary confines of working from just menus in restaurants. His primary focus is now catering, and his clientele ranges from Southern cuisine connoisseurs to sixth graders—literally. Earlier this year, Phillips took on the challenge of helping Florence’s Saint Joseph Catholic School to improve their lunch menu, in the hopes of encouraging the kids to eat school lunch versus bringing their own. “Starting in January, we went every day,” he says. “I would go and pick up from various local farmers. Everything was always fresh—never out of the freezer section. It went from 40 kids eating to 100. The parents got behind me, and I had volunteers who would come in and help, too.” While he admits it often involved some experimentation to appeal to the often picky palates of youngsters, his efforts have been mostly successful as he has prepared everything from roast turkey and sweet potatoes with ginger and apple pudding to green eggs and ham—farm fresh eggs with a green spinach soufflé.

As is the case with so many of an artisan’s unplanned adventures, Phillips is finding that these are the experiences that are shaping what he wants to become as a chef—and could likely even involve teaching at some point. “St. Joe has a special place in my heart,” he says. “And it really surprised me. It really fed my soul. I did education days. I went to people’s classes. And I was just surprised about how much it affected me.”

Phillips’s recent projects have also included catering dinner for the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and working closely to help plan for the upcoming Court Street Market, where he will be the on-sight caterer. But whether Phillips is serving up duck confit pie with gooseberry ice cream or a wild turkey meatloaf, pleasing the palates of people will continue to be his most treasured ingredient. “What I most enjoy is the pleasure I get from people when I cook for them and everything goes well,” he says. “I love the instantaneous pleasure of people enjoying themselves. I enjoy turning a special event into something they remember fondly.”

Relique Jewelry designer Dena McClure drills holes into history— literally. As the owner and creator of Relique, located in Florence’s Seven Points, making meaningful pieces out of unlikely items—everything from buttons to bullets—began as a way to help other people preserve their memories. Now in her fifth year of business, McClure has made a name for herself with her specialty creations—which range from rings and necklaces to key rings and home décor. But what has evolved in McClure’s tenure as a business woman is an unexpected outlet and a process for her own self-preservation and healing.

After she was involved in a car accident two years ago, McClure suffered a severe head injury that would mean a long and difficult road to recovery, but she says that it is her clients and family who have ultimately brought her back to life.

Fighting to get both motor skills and memory back, Dena began coming back to her store about three months after the accident, and gradually began the process of resuming her work. “The injury was on the left side of my brain so I never forgot how to make the jewelry. I didn’t realize it, but my hands knew what to do,” she says. “And I have THE best customers. My husband says I need to open up a room and just talk with them. It’s been my therapy!”

Now back to business and stronger than ever, McClure is totally committed to doing what she loves. A big part of what makes Relique so special is that McClure devotes time and research to all of her custom pieces to make sure she fully appreciates the significance of the piece. “The more research I do, the more fun it gets,” she says. “I’m a visual creator. I like to keep everything really original.” One of her recent projects was for a client who brought her a box of her father’s things after he passed away. “I took pieces of his history and drilled holes in it and soldered it onto a tie bar. I love to reuse things that have a story.”

McClure mostly uses found materials in her pieces, such as wood, aluminum, and brass, and many of her materials come from Habitat for Humanity. Through the unlikely combinations of leather and lace and magnets and steel, she creates signature pieces that are unique and affordable. “When I opened, my goal was never about the money. I wanted for people to be able to come in and buy something right then. I wanted meaningful stuff at a reasonable price point.” As an artist, McClure has become a master at finding the meaningful in everyday life and continues to use her talent for creating pieces close to the hearts of her customers, which in turn has helped her heal. “It has taken time, but my customers brought me back to life. I’m just going to embrace who I am now. My plan was to get myself back. And this has helped me get myself back.”

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

MAKERS

Twine & Co. Letter writing is a lost art form. And much to the chagrin of California born designer, photographer, and old-fashioned romantic Robert Rausch, writing is no longer taught in school. “Penmanship is a lost art,” says Rausch. “You can just tell a lot from the way someone writes. I got a letter from a friend the other day, and my mother looked at the outside of the letter and said, ‘They have a tremor.’” As a photographer, designer, and creator of the luxury stationary line Twine & Co., Rausch has devoted his career to helping others enjoy the good things in life by slowing down enough to appreciate them. His style is unconventional at times, but for Rausch, the definition of beauty and style lies less within the realm of the physical and more along the lines of what is comfortable, confident, and unique. “Style to me is the way the Italian’s eat,” he says. “They take a two-hour lunch. The way we form our life can really make it stylish and beautiful. We all have this innate thing that we want to be around beautiful things.”

Rausch has been a lover of letters and beautiful paper for his entire life, and he began making small cards and prints before evolving his line to include other handmade products. “I love paper,” says Rausch. “When I get a letter from my grandparents or old friends, I keep them.” Twine & Co. is Rausch’s selfproclaimed labor of love, and his award-winning line now includes letter-press stationary, place cards, coasters, pens, and paper fragrances. Intended for “living and giving,” Rausch’s products are made in the same manner in which he enjoys life—slowly. All of his envelopes and cards are hand-printed, on 100 percent cotton fiber paper, making them velvety to the touch. Rausch is also committed to only using the most energy efficient practices available when making any of his products.

“It’s sad because a lot of people don’t think writing is green,” says Rausch. “I think all the emails sent out last year, Google used 57 million barrels of oil to cool their farm servers. People don’t realize how much email blasts cost. In the paper industry, for every tree they cut down, they plant two more. So paper writing is very sustainable.”

After living all over the world, Rausch calls home the iconic GAS building in downtown Tuscumbia where he makes all of his products, including a new line of beeswax candles retailing at Bohemian clothing/home décor store Anthropology. He has worked, traveled, and lived all over the world, but Rausch feels most inspired exactly where he is now in the Deep South.

“In the South, we are the last part of the country that still has style,” he says. “Everyone in New York still wants to be like everyone else. People here aren’t really aware of that—they just do what they do. What I think is great about living in the South is that you can go from the country to the city pretty easily. But you cannot go from the city to the country very easily. I think that’s what makes us more comfortable.”

As for his future plans, his life will likely imitate his philosophy on beauty, style, and the lines on a printed page. Rausch is always ready for the next project but doesn’t plan to let himself become so absorbed in work that he can’t enjoy his own life-

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style. “I don’t think an artist can ever retire. Sometimes this life gets so hectic and crazy. It’s like your life is a page. My pages are so full of words everywhere, and you have to have a margin to make it beautiful. I feel like I cram so much in my life, I feel like the margins aren’t there to make it beautiful. I want margins in my life so I can enjoy the words on a page.”

Stuart Chappell Tuscumbia native Stuart Chappell first began making furniture out of necessity in 1972. “I needed furniture, so I started out making small pine pieces, and then I saw that I was really passionate about it,” he says. “I started buying tools and more expensive lumber and trying out new techniques.”

Now, more than 40 years later, Chappell has become a master craftsman of fine woods like cherry, walnut, and mahogany. His technique has evolved over time from small, simple pieces to grander, more sophisticated feats with intricate details. And although he picked up a few things from his father who was also a woodworker, most of his skill he has acquired all on his own. “I would say that I am self-taught,” he says. “I always try to do a new technique or something that is challenging to me. I will look in a magazine and see something I like. Then I draw it, measure it, and make it. I’m sort of a hybrid at woodworking. In other words, I do a lot of handwork, but I’m not a purist. I also have machinery.”

Chappell’s love of his craft has led him all over the country to attend both woodworking workshops and to seek out and study the time period of furniture he most loves to recreate— the Federalist period, which describes the 18th century, neoclassical style of European furniture design from 1780 to 1830.

Characterized by its light, elegant feel with straight, often tapered legs, furniture of this time period also featured ornate carvings and embellishments. Chappell is particularly fond of the Sheraton period, which falls into the Federalist time period, named for English designer Thomas Sheraton who famously wrote a book of instructions for making cabinets and chairs. Sheraton styles leaned heavily on French influence and focused on clean, straight lines and inlay decoration.

Chappell is always on the lookout for unique pieces of wood and uses everything from recycled barn wood to old house beams, allowing him to preserve priceless pieces of history that would otherwise be lost. “Someone gave me a damaged beam out from under Helen Keller’s home, and I’ve used it in some of my pieces,” says Chappell. “That piece of wood had been there since 1820, so it was a really special cut of wood. It was heart pine and had been damaged by termites, but there was still a lot of good in it.” Chappell makes all of his own finishes and does his dove-tailing by hand—a joint technique using pins and tails to create a trapezoidal shape that requires no additional fasteners.

Over the years Chappell has made everything from whiskey cabinets, to corner cupboards, to a Campeche chair—

© Robert Rausch

© Patrick Hood

ROBERT RAUSCH Twine & Co.

© Danny Mitchell

STUART CHAPPELL

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

THE COTTAGE GARDEN MAKERS a unique style of sling back chair that originated in the Campeche region of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and was brought to the states by Louis and Clark during the Louisiana Purchase.

Thomas Jefferson loved the comfort these chairs offered his bad back and famously had more chairs copied and created during his presidency.

© Danny Mitchell

LYNN CRUMBLY Whistle Stop Fudge Shop

As a woodworker, Chappell’s skill is much sought after, but obtaining a piece of his furniture is highly unlikely.

His pieces can often be seen on display at Arts Alive and the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, but only a select few of Chappell’s closest friends and family have the honor of possessing one of his pieces, including his daughter Emilee.

“Her place is full of furniture now,” he says. “I’d really rather make the pieces for people who would enjoy it than to try to make money off of it.” Chappell says that he has very rarely taken custom orders through the years and maintains that it is truly the thrill of being a craftsman that gives him the most contentment. “I just usually don’t build things to sell,” he says. “I just see something I want, and it’s not the idea of possessing the piece, it’s the idea of making the piece that I love.”

Whistle Stop Fudge Shop

How sweet it is to be sitting in the Whistle Stop Fudge Shop—literally. Fresh fudge, peanut brittle, and so many more handmade confections wink and beckon from the old fashioned glass case beside the register, where owner Lynn Crumbly offers suggestions about what might satisfy a sweet tooth. Located in historic downtown Madison, just across the street from the old depot and jail (now Main Street Café), this sweet spot has become a regular stop for Madison residents and is quickly becoming a sought out destination from people all over the South. “I love being able to add something to this community,” says Crumbly. “This was an old building that was falling apart and we’ve made something out of it again. And people come from all over North Alabama and Tennessee.”

Originally from Rome, Georgia, Crumbly and her husband came to Huntsville when he was transferred here to work for NASA. Crumbly had fond memories of a popular fudge shop from their hometown and sought out advice from the owner to see if there was a secret to selling sweets. “Everyone in the region knew of Martha Jane’s Fudge,” says Crumbly. “I called her for advice and Martha said, ‘You can sell fudge. Don’t try to reinvent everything.’” Armed with this advice in mind, Crumbly and her partner Crystal McBrayer began making their fudge and confections using fresh ingredients and hands-on techniques. To test the waters in the early days, they began traveling to small street markets and festivals to sell their products. Since their store opening in 2012, they’ve expanding their prod-

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uct placement to include the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Taste of Huntsville, and Taste of Madison. And although they are not opposed to continuing that expansion, their main focus will continue to be their Madison storefront. “Right now, this is keeping us busy and we are growing,” says Crumbly.

“We are not opposed to having our product in other places.

Sometimes it’s a fit and sometimes it’s not.”

One of Whistle Stop’s specialties is custom orders that can range from wedding favors and baby shower and birthday confections, to welcome baskets for out-of-town guests’ hotel stays. The store also has other gift items to make it easy to walk in and build the perfect custom basket. As Madison is becoming more and more of a destination city for out-oftowners, Crumbly says they want their sweet shop to be a place where visitors can sit, enjoy their sweet of choice, and take in historic Madison. And what makes Whistle Stop’s treats even sweeter is the exclusivity of knowing you are enjoying something that can’t be found anywhere else. “The key ingredient is that it’s made here,” says Crumbly. “I think what makes us unique from other places is that we do everything fresh, right here in the shop. There are three of us and one of the three of us has our hands on making everything. When we say they are handmade, they are truly made here in the shop. And that’s what our customers like.”

RESOURCES shopbohem.com facebook.com/BurrowsWoodworks bawstonandtucker.com etsy.com/shop/lejeune111 heavy-color.com josiewachi.wix.com/josiewachi nicolenicoleclothing.com piperandleaf.com Alan Phillips: theredclayepicurean@gmail.com (323) 790-9545 reliqueartwear.com twineandco.com Stuart Chappell: chappell15@outlook.com whistlestopsweets.com ···

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50 »

scene

Amber Hiller, Aaryn Cash, Burgess Fox McCurry, and Antonia Leonard Lillian Trimble and Lauren Womack

Trent Jordan, Jeffery Jones, Dana Coleman, Andy Mann, and Sam Buxton

Andi Linville, Kim Williams, Cedric Parker, Suzanne Nester, Julie Van Veckhoven, and Pam Racer

Carol Behel, Brenda Massey, and Ashley McDaniel

Above: Florence Falcons Foundation’s Annual Shopping Tournament april ,  · florence

Cheron White, Tina Mitchell, Malea Selski, and Sabrina Eddins

Below: First Southern Bank Handy Kick-Off Party july ,  · the mane room, florence

Becky Norvell, Dixie Carter, and Lynn Coleman Mallory Hamm, Julie Hamm, McKenzie Mitchell, and Jenny Mitchell

Bruce Cherry and Sue Irons Henri Hill and Liza Beadle Alyssa, Evan, and Barry Horton, David and Julie Hamm, Misty and Adam McDaniel Clarence Beaman, Vicki Yuille, and Steve Beaman

Steve and Gwen Stanley

Michelle and Rob Jones Photos by Roy Hall

* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

Care That’s All About YOU! The Right Care for Your Loved Ones • Five Star Dining • Wi-Fi • Activities • And More!

Florence

2107 Cloyd Blvd.

Florence, AL 35630

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC

Tel: 256.766.5771 • FlorenceRehabCenter.com september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

A MATTER OF

STYLE

intro by roy hall produced by claire stewart photos by

amanda chapman kristen mance robert rausch abraham and susan rowe tera wages

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE

“I would never wear an oversized T-shirt out of the house. A simple knit dress or tunic paired with leggings is as easy to put on as an oversized T-shirt. If you keep a few go-to comfortable and cute items in your closet, there’s no reason to ever look like you just rolled out of bed...even if you did!” — Shelly Spidel Portrait by Tera Wages

TAKING STYLE PERSONALLY

This is not a best-dressed list, at least not necessarily—although many of the people featured here are exactly that. And this isn’t a tally of the most expensive frock or the chicest label, the highest heel or the sportiest bow tie—although you’ll find all that and more in these pages.

This is a question of style, and style is about so much more than just good taste or labels or beauty. Style, whether it’s funky, eccentric, trendy, or traditional, is wit-meets-taste, personality-meets-presentation. It’s an indelible impression made by an individual.

Style tells a story. And since telling stories is what we do, we asked some of our most talented photographers to help us by capturing the style of some of our most unique friends and neighbors. Our directions were simple: we asked each subject to choose a look that best reflects his or her personal style, and we tasked our photographers with depicting that look. As such, the next few pages represent a collaboration between subject and photographer: singular portraits capturing singular style.

A conversation of sorts. A conversation about style.

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A MATTER OF STYLE  | noalastudios.com | september/october 

“Three things in my closet I could never get rid of are my leopard Dolce & Gabbana purse, my black Prada boots, and my vintage Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress.” —Melissa Bush Portrait by Tera Wages

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A MATTER OF STYLE “Three pieces of clothing I could never get rid of would be my patched bellbottomed jeans from the ’70s, the tuxedo I got married in, and the clothes I wear to garden.” —Fennel Mauldin Photo by Robert Rausch

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“My mom always reminded me, ‘never leave the house without your lips on.’ And even though it doesn’t sit in a jewelry box or hang in a closet, lipstick has become an accessory to me over the years. I can’t go without it.” —Brandi McGuyer Portrait by Kristen Mance “I am more of a surfer, boho-chic, couture kind of girl.”

—Zoie McGuyer

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “I couldn’t go without my Chuck Taylors—they say, ‘I’m just a mom in jeans and a T-shirt, but I’m a hip mom.”’

—Camille Bennett

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“I like the freedom of clothes today, but I love the notion of the styles from Harlem’s renaissance in the ’30s.” —Vicki Goldston Portrait by Tera Wages

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “The classic black dress should be able to cover the three C’s: Church, Cocktail, and Cemetery.” —Ela White Portrait by Kristen Mance

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A MATTER OF STYLE “I could never get rid of my turquoise knee-length fur coat, my first pair of designer jeans, and my first LBD.” —Leslie Keys Portrait by Abraham and Susan Rowe

“I love the colors and eclecticness of the ’60s with its short shift dresses and patterns.” —Celeste Pillow Portrait by Abraham and Susan Rowe

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE

“Three things in my closet I could never get rid of are my long black cardigan, my UNIF flame platform shoes, and my vintage Charles Barkley Phoenix Suns jersey.” —Alicia Threet

“Snapback caps are my go-to accessory.” —Addison Isom Portrait by Amanda Chapman

“My go-to accessory would be multiple layers of long necklaces or a great scarf.” —Susan Trousdale Portrait by Robert Rausch

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “Three things in my closet I could never get rid of would be my 357 Magnum, my Billy Reid Indianolas, and basically any of my wife Julie’s clothes.” —Will Trapp Portrait by Abraham and Susan Rowe

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A MATTER OF STYLE “Three things in my closet I could never get rid of would be my white linen pants, my seersucker suits, and my 25-year-old Missoni scarf from Venice.” —Tommy Mathis Portrait by Amanda Chapman

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A MATTER OF STYLE “I wish the styles of ’20s would make a comeback.

I like the chemise!” —Felice Green Portrait by Robert Rausch

“I could never throw away the two pairs of high-top Keds sneakers in red and pink that I have had since the 6th grade.”

—Heather Anderson

“The one piece of clothing I couldn’t go without would be a cardigan sweater. They go with everything, they add interest to an outfit, and they are very practical in our bipolar weather.”

—Michelle Carrico Portrait by Amanda Chapman

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE

“I loved the styles of the early 1900s when Paul Poiret made his oriental gowns and robes. People dressed as though they were living in an enchanted pajama party.” —Tara Bullington Portrait by Kristen Mance

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A MATTER OF STYLE “The three items in my closet that I would never get rid of would have to be my black studded Western boots, my long black leather coat, and my black Perry Ellis felt hat.” —Dwight Cox Portrait by Amanda Chapman

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A MATTER OF STYLE “The color red is my biggest fashion fear! The color, to me, is so attention-getting, assertive, and powerful. It requires total confidence! If you ever see me wearing red, be nice—I’m guaranteed to be on edge!” —Graham Sigle Portrait by Amanda Chapman

“When it comes to trends, ‘never say never’ is my philosophy.

I have tried many different styles throughout the years, some good—most of them bad! And I think there might be pictures out there to prove it!” —Susan Rowe

“I raided my dad’s closet when I was in college and found a vintage Levi’s plaid dress shirt with pearl buttons. I will never get rid of it—unless one of my sons raids my closet one day.”

—Abraham Rowe Portrait by Robert Rausch

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “I love hats. Hats give an outfit a meaningful context.

The same outfit gives off completely different vibes depending on whether you’re wearing a driver cap, a beret, or a fedora.”

—Jared McCoy

“A sheath dress is a piece of timeless clothing for women.

Audrey Hepburn did it, Jackie Kennedy did it, and Princess Kate does it now. You really can’t go wrong with something that elegant.” —Victoria McCoy Portrait by Robert Rausch

“I am a famous celebrity and UNA’s biggest fan—so that pretty much sums up my style identity.” —Delmar Williams Portrait by Tera Wages

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “I loved the styles of the feminine and glamorous ’40s.”

—Jean McIntyre Portrait by Kristen Mance

It’s all about Mom and Dad. At Glenwood Healthcare, we provide quality care for people who need rehab services, assisted living, or long-term care. We are completely dedicated to quality care because we never forget that we’re taking care of your mom or dad — and they are important to us because they are important to you.

If you or your mom and dad need rehab services, assisted living, or long-term care, you can trust the caring professionals at Glenwood. Quality isn’t just important to us — it’s everything.

Rehab • Assisted Living • Long-Term Care

211 Ana Drive, Florence, AL 35630 256-766-8963 • www.glenwoodhc.com

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

A MATTER OF STYLE “Every girl needs at least one strand of pearls! They are classy, timeless, and appropriate for all ages and events. Dress up a pair of jeans or wear them with an evening gown and you will always make a statement of sophistication and elegance.”

—Nicole Hugaboom Portrait by Kristen Mance

“My go-to accessory would be a black vest. I’ve been in and out of style four or five times over the last 40 years, but I’ve always thought just about every man looks good in jeans, a fitted shirt, and a vest.” —Will McFarlane Portrait by Tera Wages

“I would never be caught dead in four-inch heels. It’s a good idea to limit the use of damaging shoes. If your feet are in agony, there’s something wrong!” —Janet McFarlane

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A MATTER OF STYLE “I think my go-to accessory is my glasses. I find that vision is an essential part of the human experience.” —Chris Anderson Portrait by Tera Wages

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“I’m fickle about fashion, so my latest creation is my ‘can’t live without item’ but that changes with the next In Style magazine, shopping spree, or thrift store find.” —Glenda Richey Portrait by Abraham and Susan Rowe

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A MATTER OF STYLE “I’d never be caught dead in flip-flops unless I am at the pool or beach.” —Garrett Blake

“I could never get rid of my K-Swiss, my Levi’s trucker jacket, or my navy blue blazer.” —Grayson Blake

“Black denim will never go out of style.” —Griffin Blake Portrait by Abraham and Susan Rowe

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

Game Changers KEY INITIATIVES: Education and Workforce Readiness • Business Growth • Entrepreneurship and Innovation • Public Policy and Activism • Investor Relations and Marketing The Shoals Chamber of Commerce has embarked upon a game-changing strategy for our community which will help reinforce our infrastructure and make this an even better place to do business. The campaign has just begun; won’t you be a part of it? Contact Mary Marshall VanSant at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce for more information.

shoalschamber.com 256-764-4661

As Florence Police Chief, Rick supervised 135+ full-time employees, and the FBI listed Florence as one of the safest cities in the country. Let’s put that experience to work for Lauderdale County!

VOTE FOR RICK SINGLETON on November 4th september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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check it out » Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

Yoga Bitch: One Woman’s Quest to Conquer Skepticism, Cynicism, and Cigarettes on the Path to Enlightenment

by Suzanne Morrison Adult Nonfiction Call Number: 204.3 MOR (In Nonfiction New Arrivals Section) From first glance to the very last page, I was in love with this book. During what seems like a mid-life crisis, Suzanne Morrison makes the decision to travel to Bali in search of love, a sense of self, and a deepening of her seemingly nonexistent spirituality. She has high hopes of being transformed from an anxiety-ridden, cigarette-smoking duckling into a peaceful swan like her yoga teacher. Upon arrival in Bali, many challenges await her and many of her expectations fall through the floor. Suzanne’s beloved yoga teacher reveals an unusual habit—urine drinking—that Suzanne must now adopt.

Yoga Bitch chronicles Suzanne’s misadventures from cynical atheist to aspiring yogi, with side-splitting humor and a healthy dose of realism. A skeptical yogi myself, my worst fears about yoga retreats, spiritual scams, and cult-like behavior are confirmed in this book. However, I learned a valuable lesson from Suzanne: being a yogi is not so much about being able to balance on your head, but being able to balance the good and bad in life. Sometimes we set our expectations too high, sometimes our worst fears are confirmed, and sometimes everything we know falls apart. These essential experiences teach us to get back up when we’ve fallen, and what could be more yogi than that? (Hali Black)

Americanah

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Adult Fiction Call Number: F ADI (In Adult Fiction Section) When my book club chose Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for our summer selection, I was a little disappointed. The novel seemed much too long and serious and daunting to read during the time of year that I usually dedicate to guilty pleasure books. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Adichie’s novel follows the stories of Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerians who meet in their teens and are then separated as their commitments and aspirations take them to different parts of the world. As they move on with their separate lives and enter relationships with other people, we continue to see their influence on each other and how their decisions are shaped by the memory and impact of their young love. By relocating her characters from Nigeria to America and England, Adichie explores the concept of race and the context in which different cultures and societies define it. Americanah is enjoyable yet thought-provoking, and it is a novel that I would recommend for both the beach or a book club. (Jaimee Hannah) The Cuckoo’s Calling

by Robert Galbraith Adult Fiction Call Number: F GAL (In Fiction New Arrivals Section) BCD GAL (In Books on CD Section) Before it was revealed that J.K. Rowling wrote The Cuckoo’s Calling, the detective book hadn’t sold many copies, but it was getting glowing reviews cop from readers who had stumbled across the debut novel of Robert Galbraith. The Cu Cuckoo’s Calling is a standard detective no novel but one that is well-written and we well-paced. When you start reading, it’s ha hard to get Harry out of your mind, but it doesn’t take long to leave your expecta tations and comparisons behind and just eenjoy the mystery on its own terms.

One of the best aspects of Harry Potter is Rowling’s knack for whimsical character descriptions, and that knack serves her well as the large, rough, one-legged, and down-on-his-luck detective Cormoran Strike investigates the supposed suicide of world-famous model Lula Landry.

My favorite element of the novel is how Rowling explores the effects of fam fame on two people who encountered it different ways: Lula Landry, whose in very v fam fame was made possible only because she

was adopted into a wealthy family, and Strike, who has a rock star father but none of the benefits of that notoriety.

The novel’s follow-up—The Silkworm—was released this summer, and Rowling plans to continue the Cormoran Strike series indefinitely. (Jennifer Butler Keeton) Blood Meridian

by Cormac McCarthy Adult Fiction Call Number: F MCC (In Adult Fiction Section) Blood Meridian is arguably the preeminent western novel.

Harsh and beautiful at the same time, it paints a picture of the darker sides of the west and humanity itself. The story centers on the Kid, a boy born during a meteor shower. It primarily follows his exploits with the Glanton Gang, a group of former soldiers and mercenaries hired to collect Native American scalps. The gang experiences a series of extremely violent encounters interspersed with vast descriptions of the landscape. Each member of the gang is unrelentingly brutal, and the descriptions of their actions are not for the faint of heart, or stomach. Just as harsh as the characters is the landscape that they are in. McCarthy’s descriptions show the harshness of the environment that is a sharp counter to the often glorified West.

Blood Meridian is not an easy read. It contains long passages that are often tough to get through. The end result, however, is profoundly beautiful. McCarthy has such a grasp on the English language that every word has a place. This is the type of book that you will think about for weeks after you have finished it. This book will beat you down, but when it is over, you will be grateful for it. (Colby Dow) The Storm and the Tide

by Lars Anderson Adult Nonfiction Call Number: 796 Lar (In Nonfiction New Arrivals Section) After bringing home Alabama’s first National Championship in almost 20 years, it was safe to say that Nick Saban did what he was hired to do—rebuild the Crimson Tide. Little did he know that a few years later, he would soon be aiding his team, his city, the Crimson Nation, and the entire state of Alabama on another rebuilding effort. The Storm and the Tide is an excellent record of the Crimson Tide’s journey from tornadoes to (national) titles. The stories from Saban, Carson Tinker, and Shannon Brown, among others, really put the events of 2011 into a different perspective. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Bama fan, a fan of football, or a fan of that other team on the Plains, this book will be hard to put down. Oh, yeah, Roll Tide! (Luke Hannah)

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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A L A B A M A’ S F A V O R I T E NOTORIOUS WOMEN text by amy collins

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

When author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote the line “Well-behaved women seldom make history” in a 1976 edition of American Quarterly, she had no idea the phrase would become a mantra of the fairer sex, printed on mugs, bags, and T-shirts, often unattributed. This widespread embrace suggests a universal yearning among women to be heard and seen and, if only secretly, an awe and envy for those few ladies who skirt social mores and flagrantly break the rules. They blazed new paths and opportunities for women, left behind sharp-witted one liners, and gave eccentric behavior a capital “E.” Some of America’s most infamous limit pushers proudly hailed from Alabama. These three never dreamed of a conventional life; they were having way too much fun.

Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (1900-1948)

Zelda Fitzgerald was dubbed “The first flapper” by her famous novelist husband, F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose work depicting the 1920s Jazz Age, specifically The Great Gatsby, was inspired by his wife and muse. She was the study for many of his female characters; he even went so far as to lift lines directly from her diary and give them to his characters. The two were known for their raucous, extravagant lifestyle and their epic fights. Zelda grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, the youngest of six children in a prominent family. Her father was an Alabama Supreme Court Judge, stern and serious, but Zelda was—in a word—wild. She drank, smoked, and adored the boys. Zelda craved attention. According to biographer Sally Cline in Zelda Fitzgerald: Her Voice in Paradise, she once wore a flesh-colored swimsuit to give the impression (and start the rumor) that she’d swum in the nude. She was not the type to sit quietly behind her husband’s fame, but fought for her own spotlight throughout the marriage.

Zelda was not simply a vapid party girl, but a gifted creative. She was a talented ballerina in her youth and returned to dancing in her 30s, well past her pirouette prime. She threw herself into an arduous devotion to dance that exhausted her until she had to give it up in favor of physical health. Zelda was also a talented painter with a distinctly illustrative style. She favored bright colors and allegories from the Bible and Alice in Wonderland. She created a series of Louis XIV paper dolls with extravagant, detailed dresses for the Fitzgerald’s only daughter, Scottie.

Zelda was also an accomplished writer. She wrote several short stories and essays that were published under her husband’s name, in order to earn a higher fee.

In the late 1920s, she was increasingly hospitalized for schizophrenia, though contemporary mental-health professionals agree she likely suffered from bipolar disorder. While living at Johns Hopkins University’s Phipps Clinic in 1934, she wrote her only novel, an autobiographical account of her tempestuous marriage to Scott, titled Save Me the Waltz. The novel failed commercially, and Scott accused her of stealing his plot line for Tender Is the Night.

From her early days as a young socialite beauty, untamable and unattached to any one of her many suitors, to her expatriate years in France, her marriage to Scott, and her artistic endeavors, Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald lived more lifetimes than most

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

Courtesy of The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

“If I were well-behaved, I’d die of boredom.”

Zelda Fitzgerald

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

Courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives & History

“I’m pure as the driven slush.”

Tallulah Bankhead

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women can claim in a 60-year stretch. She might have been famous for any one of her creative pursuits if she’d focused on only one, or if she’d been a man, or if she had lived in an era more acceptable of independent women. “Ifs” aside, she remains an Alabama heroine of the arts and an inspiration to spirited women with lofty goals.

Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968)

Huntsville, Alabama, native Tallulah Bankhead is about as unbridled as they come.

Gorgeous, alluring with a resonant foghorn voice, the notorious Tallulah wore daring costumes, lived her private life in the public eye, and doled out scalding one-liners with impressive wit. She counted Zelda Fitzgerald among her friends, Bette Davis among her enemies, and Billie Holiday among her lovers. She was born into an illustrious and wealthy family. Tallulah’s father, William B. Bankhead, for whom Bankhead Forest in Double Springs, Alabama, is named, was a noted member of the Democratic party and served as Speaker of the House, United States House of Representatives, from 1936 to 1940.

At age 15 Tallulah set her sights on acting, moved to New York City a year later, and embarked on a Broadway career. Unsuccessful on The Great White Way, she pursued a stage career in London, where Tallulah became as familiar as Madonna in 1985 America. A few years later, she returned stateside to numerous opportunities for stage and screen roles, most of which merited mixed reviews, though her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1944 Lifeboat is among the most notable. She was known to throw parties that lasted for days, strip naked in mid-conversation, address everyone as “dahling,” chain smoke cigarettes, and drink. A lot. Casual sex and cocaine were well-practiced habits. She reportedly said, “My father warned me about men and booze, but he never said anything about women and cocaine.”

She did not hide her intelligence, and her famously clever retorts earned her a regular lunch invitation to the Algonquin Round Table, alongside Dorothy Parker, Alexander Woolcott, Robert Benchley, and Harpo Marx.

While Tallulah’s outrageous behavior made her a popular celebrity, arguably contributing more to her share of the limelight than her actual acting, she was a tireless devotee of racial tolerance and equality in America. In 1950, she became the host of NBC radio program The Big Show, a Sunday night variety bit with guests including Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Ella Fitzgerald, and Josephine Baker. W.C. Handy was a friend, and she was publicly supportive of African American musicians and ballplayers, particularly Willie Mays. She contributed to Ebony magazine in the 1950s, and in 1960 wrote a piece on southern prejudice for the publication.

Some claim Tallulah blamed herself for her mother’s death from childbirth complications a few weeks after Tallulah’s arrival—perhaps a look into the drive behind a life of debauchery. But we cannot dismiss, even those of us most judging, her contributions to a forward-thinking America (go to the extreme to compromise in the middle) and the trail she blazed for the intelligent, funny, sensual women who came after her.

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (1926-1984)

“Big Mama” Thornton was one of seven children born to a Baptist minister in a small rural town outside Montgomery, Alabama, though her humble beginnings were hardly a deterrent from living a loud, bold life. Willie Mae was a big woman, an open lesbian, and to many, an intimidating presence. Like so many southern musicians, she learned to sing and play instruments in church. When her mother died in 1940, Willie Mae was only 14 years old and went to work cleaning in a local saloon, but soon found her way on stage. From day one she drew a crowd. A year later, she joined Atlanta-based music promoter Sammy Green’s show The Hot Harlem Review, which she remained a part of for seven years. Critics called her the “New Bessie Smith,” tagging the young singer for a promising career. After leaving Sammy Green’s entourage, Willie Mae moved to Houston, Texas, and began playing gritty, bluesy music that pushed boundaries and set new limits. It was rare at the time for a female singer to play an instrument, much less the harmonica or drums. Willie Mae brandished skills in both.

In Texas, she signed on with Don Robey’s indie label Peacock Records (later called Duke-Peacock, which also signed a young Little Richard and Johnny Ace). Willie Mae regularly played the Chitlin’ Circuit, so named for a string of night clubs from New York’s Cotton Club down through Mississippi juke joints that were known to be welcoming and safe for African American performers. On stage she was a bold presence, dressed in slacks, a button-down shirt, and sometimes a man’s vest and dangling diamond earrings. Willie Mae headlined the Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1952, where she earned the name “Big Mama” for both her booming voice and heavy build. A year later she recorded rock-and-roll legends Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “Hound Dog” with explicit, lurid whoops, calls, and sexual overtones.

The record rocked the R&B charts for 14 weeks, was #1 for seven weeks, and sold two million copies. As history has too often played out for African Americans in the music industry, Big Mama earned a paltry $500 off the record. Three years later Elvis Presley’s version of the song set a new precedent for American music, made him famous, and awarded him a considerable financial reward. It also placed “Hound Dog” firmly in the minds of every good American.

Big Mama’s second greatest hit was the 12 bar blues song “Ball and Chain,” which she wrote and recorded. Janis Joplin, a great admirer of the blues woman, made the song famous at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Both of Big Mama’s renditions of “Hound Dog” and “Ball and Chain” are listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

Née Willie Mae Thornton, Big Mama recorded several albums in her lifetime, including Stronger Than Dirt, Jail, and Sassy Mama! Her blues were often accompanied by horns, organ, and a strong funky upbeat that made you want to move. Years of heavy drinking eventually caught up with her, causing various health conditions, and in 1984, she died from a heart attack. She was inducted posthumously later that year into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. Big Mama’s contributions to American music were pivotal, her bravado awesome, and her influence legendary.

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

Courtesy of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame

“I don’t sing like nobody but myself.”

Willie Mae Thornton

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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text by amy collins and allen tomlinson

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

“Florence, like any city, is diverse. I chose to design a logo that is able to transform and show off our many characteristics—creativity, nature, growth, community.” —Rowan Finnegan

© Rowan Finnegan

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

There are lots and lots of business buzz words thrown around these days, and one of the most misunderstood is the term “branding.” Companies present themselves as “branding experts,” you are preached at to “manage your brand,” and—along with words like “synergy,” “conversate,” and the use of the word “opportunity” instead of the word “problem”—most of the time when “branding” is used, our eyes glaze over and we tense up because we think someone is about to try to sell us something.

So, let’s get right down to it. What is “branding”—and why should we care?

Your brand is your company’s or product’s personality. Specifically, your brand is what makes your company’s personality unique and sets it apart from everyone else in your market niche. In an ethereal sense, it’s the emotion tied to your company or product, just like the emotion you connect to your favorite aunt or your cranky neighbor. Branding is more than your logo design and a catchy slogan—it’s a collection of feelings about your company or product.

Think Volvo is a safe car? That’s because they have branded themselves that way. (If you buckle your seatbelt, your Ford could be just as safe.) Think Starbucks is worth two dollars a cup more than the cup you brew yourself? It’s because they have branded it that way. These companies know that their brand is much more than the collection of sheet metal and leather seats that are bolted together to make a car, or the particular blend of coffee beans that are ground together to make your cup of coffee. Their brand involves your emotion about their product … and they are masters at manipulating your emotion.

Manipulating—in the best sense of the word. The truth is, even companies who don’t know anything about branding have a brand image; people who use the product or interact with the company are going to form impressions about their experiences, and voila: a brand is born. The difference is that the best companies in the world are intentional and thoughtful about their branding strategies, so your opinions and emotional response are steered in the direction they want them to go.

One of the most frustrating things to those of us who are Shoals area residents who travel is trying to explain our region’s brand to someone who has never been here. What is our brand? Are we the Hit Recording Capital of the World?

Are we the Bass Fishing Center of the Universe? Are we Fashion Central, where high fashion is created? Or do we have to explain what our brand is not? We wear shoes! Our streets are paved! Not everyone here bleeds crimson!

Again, here’s a kernel of truth. We haven’t necessarily managed our brand here in the Shoals, but we still have one. Fact is, our brand changes, based on the audience we’re explaining it to. If you’re talking to a golfer, you’re going to emphasize the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. If you’re talking to a music lover, you’re going to drop Rick Hall or David Hood or John Paul White’s name. But if branding encompasses the emotion we feel toward our region, how do we tie together the love and loyalty we have for this place and neatly package it into an easy-to-communicate brand?

That’s what is so exciting about Rebrand Florence. This is the chance to start a conversation about who we are and what we want to be. Maybe it’s time to begin a thoughtful and thorough study of our brand, so we can begin to manage it in an intentional way. What do we want people to think about us? That we’re a great place to live, work, and raise a family? How do we

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

REBRANDING FLORENCE communicate that? Maybe it’s time for us to do a little manipulating…in the best sense of the word.

Graphic artist Jeremy Britten had an idea. What would it be like if he gathered a group of artists and assigned them the same project, to see what came of it? What if those graphic artists were residents of the area who were excited about the growth and vitality of this place, and they were asked to rebrand the area to take it to the next level? The project was not a commentary on any existing branding, but instead a creative exercise to see new ideas.

Jeremy started the project, and then enlisted a variety of artists, web designers, graphic artists, and marketing people who were all assigned the same task: Rebrand Florence.

We sat down with Jeremy to get the scoop: How does Rebrand Florence work?

JB: The Rebrand Florence project involves local designers who each take a two-week turn at rebranding the city of Florence, while sharing their creative thinking process at the same time. Each designer has two weeks to complete a new visual identity for the city.

What is the inspiration behind Rebrand Florence?

“I wanted any slogans or phraseology to complement the style this project would inevitably take on its own. When you end up with some fun, poppy images, you can’t say something that takes itself too seriously. So, I thought I’d just have some fun with it. ‘Florence: a small town before being a small town was cool.’ I think good design certainly involves playing to your strengths, so as an illustrator who likes to keep things clean but loud enough to be heard, I am happy with where I ended up.” —Lee Taylor

© Lee Taylor

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

JB: I was inspired by an Instagram project by a North Carolina ad agency called Rebrand Raleigh. I thought, there is enough Shoals area talent to do something similar for Florence, Alabama, without it having to be tied to an ad agency. These are all designers who have ties to Florence and the Shoals. Some design for a living, others are part-time freelancers, and others are simply creative minded.

How many designers have participated in the project?

JB: We are currently on our 16th designer, but I have a few more already scheduled and my hope is to take it all the way to the end of the year.

What do you hope the project will accomplish?

JB: As creatives, we constantly need to improve upon and practice our skills. This is a creative exercise for us.

But I hope it is more than that.

This is a way for people to really understand the process that graphic designers go through when developing a brand. It is a way for us to individually showcase our talents.

It is an opportunity for the citizens of Florence to share in our mutual love for the city. I hope to see a lot of feedback and comments from people watching the project unfold, not just from other “creatives.”

What have you learned from the project, participating designers, or community feedback since launching Rebrand Florence in January 2014?

JB: I have learned that people respond more positively toward the fleur-de-lis than I assumed.

It has shown up in several of the Rebrand Florence designers’ work— even mine! There is some tension between the use of the French version of the fleur-de-lis and the Italian version. Florence’s current branding incorporates both in various instances. I’ve learned that Florence is a place of rich history and culture, and people feel a deep connection to those things and really embrace it.

People embrace each other, too. Over the course of this project, I have heard on countless occasions what a loving and welcoming community we have here in Florence. Creatively, I have learned that Florence is full of people with amazing talents and everyone has come with a different approach and design process.

“After working with multiple fonts, I believe a sans serif is it. I’m known for the ‘Euro’ look in branding, so I’m partial! The fleur-de-lis has been reduced to its absolute minimum to reflect the updated look.”—Keith Sims

© Keith Sims

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

REBRANDING FLORENCE How is the Rebrand Florence project shaping conversation within our community about our community?

JB: The Rebrand Florence project brings up questions about what Florence represents and what Florence means to people, not just as a logo, but also in a “big picture” kind of way. It makes people talk about how they want to see Florence change and grow. What does the future of Florence look like? These types of questions, when taken into a public forum like this project has become, can help raise awareness to the needs of Florence, and what can be done to meet those needs.

Do you see an end date for Rebrand Florence? Is there another community collaboration project in the works?

© Brett Olive

“I chose to create a ‘shield’ type brand with the landmarks of Florence in the negative space of the background of Wilson Dam (things that will be noticed as truly Florence) with the waters of the Tennessee River in the forefront. Two logos will be created— the main brand and a secondary logo— but many more possibilities can follow this direction. The secondary logos represent different areas/points of interest of the city.” —Brett Olive

“A bit about my process: Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve hated using pencils, so I always sketch/write in ink. Nothing fancy, just a quality ballpoint. There’s no such thing as a ‘mess up’ when sketching.” —Jeremy Britten

JB: If we can find enough design volunteers, my hope is that this project will go through December.

I don’t plan on it crossing over into 2015. I think by the end of the year, my original hope for the project will have been fulfilled. I have a couple of other community collaboration projects in mind that are in the planning stages. Those are secret for now, until I can ensure their feasibility.

Has Rebrand Florence helped participating designers attract more follows and new business?

JB: Absolutely! Participation in Rebrand Florence has uncovered several relatively unknown and talented designers who have seen great feedback, follows, and comments on their work with the project. We’ve featured several wellknown designers as well, who have gained new followings. Some have even had their Rebrand Florence work put on posters, in magazines, and on websites. I hope that results like that only continue and expand.

© Jeremy Britten

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september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

REBRANDING FLORENCE Where can we can follow and keep up with the Rebrand Florence project?

JB: Rebrand Florence’s foundation is on Instagram, but we also cross-post to Facebook and Twitter. instagram.com/rebrandflorence facebook.com/rebrandflorence twitter.com/rebrandflorence How can interested designers participate in Rebrand Florence?

What qualifications does a designer need to participate?

JB: Interested designers must have ties to Florence or the Shoals, have a personal Instagram account, and have a passion for educating people about the importance of quality design and branding. They can reach out to me through a private message on the Rebrand Florence Facebook page, or by emailing me directly at jeremybritten@gmail.com.

“Inspiration: The Frank Lloyd Wright home is one of my favorite highlights of Florence and creeped its way into this logo design. It’s also inspired by workwear labels that would have been in the clothing of people who built this city over the years.” —Bradley Dean

“Social media and personal conversations help provide a glimpse into a brand’s essence. I asked, ‘What do you love about Florence?’ and received an exuberant response: Downtown, Rich History, Comparison to Florence, Italy, River, Music, Southern Hospitality, and so much more.” —Elizabeth Van Devender

© Bradley Dean

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

© Elizabeth Van Devender

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Muuurder in Maaay-bury!

Aunt Dee is throwing a garden party to raise money to buy fertilizer for the Flower and Garden Club. The party is on Thursday evening, October 9, at the Historic Sweetwater Depot in East Florence. Unfortunately, someone has tried to sabotage the garden spot - and that means an evening of fun and intrigue for you!

Join us on October 9 and help us solve this murder mystery — and help us raise money for Hospice of the Shoals, the area’s only not-for-profit hospice.

October 9, 2014 Sweetwater Depot 256-767-6699 hospiceoftheshoals.org

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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scene

Belinda Lokey, April Adams, and Don Lokey Mitch Dobbins, Beth Denton, Rhonda Dorin, Brantley Holt, and Annette Moore Crystal Magruder and Caitlin Holland

Norma Bass, Volunteer of the Year

Suzanne Fuller, Jerri Ragland, Jessica Simpson, Taneshia Hannon, and Leann Ford

Rachel Cabaniss and Isaac Hackworth

Mary Katherine Murphy and Jessica Rothstein

Above: Liberty Luncheon: A Celebration of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness june ,  · marriott shoals conference center

Louise Marks and Connie Arnold Photos by Laura Flynn

Below: Steve Holt 20th Anniversary Reception july ,  · shoals chamber of commerce

Steve Holt, Larry McCoy, Harold Lewis, Karen King, Jackie Hendrix, and Tom Magazzu Jan Ingle, Mary Marshall Van Sant, and Andy Mann

Anita Whitaker

Chip Flournoy and Judy Keenum

Humphrey Lee and Steve Holt

Larry McCoy and Jay Klos Judith Powell

* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

Chamber gathering

PILLARANDPEACOCK.COM

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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the vine » Amy Collins

IT’S WHO YOU KNOW The wine business in the United States is based on a three tier system: importer, distributor, retailer. It’s becoming more common for distributors to seek out and import their own labels, and some cynics argue the days of the importer are waning.

I disagree. Large distributors who represent several hundred different labels from nearly every wine growing region in the world may have a branded philosophy fueling their motives, and many good wines are landing on our shelves as a result, but their bottom line leans toward the something-for-everybody mindset. Importers, on the other hand, tend to focus their portfolios on a few regions they know best, usually a reflection of pure love for said regions, and spend a great deal of time traveling the areas and establishing tight relationships with their producers. With passion as a motive, even when it grows into a business, integrity and reliability follow, and because there is often a single palate at the helm, consistency in wine style is more prevalent.

Knowing the different importers can be a great resource for anyone who loves to find new wines. Every wine carries a discerning label from the importer who brings it in, usually on the back of the bottle. I rely heavily on a handful of importers I know well, and I’m rarely disappointed when I follow their expert lead. Below are a few of the most respected and reliable importers (and my favorites) available in North Alabama.

One of my absolute favorite importers of artisanal French and Italian wines is Kermit Lynch. He began introducing small lots of wine from small, unheard-of producers in 1972 and selling them in his Berkeley, California, retail store (California is the only state where it’s legal to import, distribute, and sell retail under a single ownership).

French wine was around back then, but Americans were still very new to wine and there wasn’t a lot to choose from. Kermit introduced many of the most respected Burgundy and Rhone estates, often for insane bargains, to the Berkley and San Francisco area. In her memoir Comfort Me with Apples, Ruth Reichl remembered stumbling into his store when she lived in a community house in her 20s. She named Kermit as a great influence in her vinous pursuits. Kermit has written a few books himself, most notably his memoir Adventures on the Wine Route, which chronicles those early days of navigating the French countryside in pursuit of vinous brilliance.

Kermit’s palate leans toward the old world style of wines, where terroir is a priority and its presence in the wine clear. His wines are often elegant and refined and of high quality. You can find excellent tasting notes and producer stories on the Kermit Lynch website kermitlynch.com.

Louis/Dressner Selections has always been and continues to be one of the most forthright importers with strong, unwavering convictions about the style of wines they do and do not represent. The company is a partnership between Burgundy

natives Denyse Louis, Joe Dressner, and Kevin McKenna.

Joe’s bold confidence, no bull, integrity-at-all-costs attitude established his company as a top importer and commanded a great deal of respect from industry professionals. Sadly, Dressner succumbed to cancer a few years ago, though the reputation continues. Louis/Dressner Selections was among the first to seek out natural winemakers—small producers who focus on producing the best fruit, use only native yeasts and few if any additives, and make wine for their own palates, not those of wine critics who favor rich, over extracted, high alcohol, and heavily oaked fruit bombs.

Louis/Dressner Selections imports wines from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, and Chile. You can learn more about their philosophy and producers on their website louisdressner.com.

Neal Rosenthal’s wines have only recently been introduced into North Alabama, and from what I can see at my neighborhood Florence store, The Wine Seller, they’ve been well received. Like Louis/Dressner Selections, Neal Rosenthal has been importing artisanal wines since 1977. The wines are often from lesser-known areas of larger regions can be austere, high in acidity, and intensely interesting. The 2004 documentary Mondovino included an interview with Neal Rosenthal, who spoke to the increasingly gentrified direction the wine industry as a whole is headed. I highly recommend the film to anyone who wants to better understand how and why wine styles across the globe are changing. It’ll make you a smarter consumer. Madrose.com is the place to go to learn more about the Rosenthal philosophy and producers from France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

There are so many small and medium sized importers today, which are, as you might have guessed, male dominated, though a handful of extremely talented ladies are seeking out new, undiscovered quality producers and changing the game.

Unfortunately, most of them are not represented in Alabama.

Made in Alabama

www.shopbohem.com

Other greats to consider: (available in Alabama) Helen Turley Wines–French Daniel Johnness Wines–French Rudi Wiest–German Michael Skurnik/Terry Theise–German Olé Imports–Spanish

Follow Amy at pigandvine.com for more stories and wine suggestions.

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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food for thought » Sarah Gaede

AN ODE TO OKRA String beans are good, and ripe tomatoes, And collard greens and sweet potatoes, Sweet corn, field peas, and squash and beets— But when a man rears back and eats He wants okra.

Oh okra’s favored far and wide, Oh you can eat it boiled or fried, Oh either slick or crisp inside, Oh I once knew a man who died Without okra.

Oh you can make some gumbo wit’ it, But most of all I like to git it All by itself in its own juice, And lying there all nice and loose— That’s okra!

It may be poor for eating chips with, It may be hard to come to grips with, But okra’s such a wholesome food It straightens out your attitude.

“Mm!” is how discerning folk reSpond when they are served some okra.

Okra’s green, Goes down with ease.

Forget cuisine Say “Okra, please.”

From “Song to Okra” by Roy Blount, Jr.

Okra has a style all its own, from its hibiscus-like flowers to its prickly pods. Not only is it far tastier and more interesting than the trendy kale, it’s a superfood, high in calcium, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, folate, manganese, and magnesium. The mucilaginous quality of okra, or “slime”, as haters call it, serves as a natural thickener in gumbo. The mucilage also contains soluble fiber that can, according to naturopaths, relieve intestinal and irritable bowel dysfunction, or “straighten out your attitude,” as Roy Blunt, Jr., puts it.

Since my parents are southern, I have been eating okra since I was a tiny child. My first memory is of spearing frozen okra at the stem end with my fork and shredding the slimy goodness through my teeth. When I lived in Atlanta in the 1970s, I knew that Mondays and Thursdays were deep-fried okra nights at Mary Mac’s Tearoom, and I timed my visits accordingly. I usually paired the okra with country fried steak and gravy and fried corn, accompanied by corn muffins and tiny cinnamon buns. And yet I weighed far less than I do today. Sigh.

When I was doing my Clinical Pastoral Education in Birmingham in the summer of 1992 and no longer so young, I gained five pounds from frequent lunch-time indulgence in deep-fried okra at the cafeteria near the Cathedral Church of the Advent, where the program was based. Well, that and Sneaky Pete’s hot dogs with chili and slaw. I’m way too old to eat like that on a regular basis anymore. And I have more sense than to have a deep-fat fryer in my house, so the crispy, batteredfried goodness of okra nuggets is a rare treat.

These days, I roast my okra. It’s easy, slime-free, and low in calories. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Toss whole okra, stems trimmed, in a tablespoon or two of olive oil and some sea salt. Lay out on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 15 or so minutes, shaking sheet every five minutes, until okra is browned and crisp. You can season with chopped fresh thyme if you like.

Okra is so versatile a vegetable, I can barely get through all my favorite ways of preparing it in one summer. When all the harvests are aligned just right, I cook up a big batch of okra, corn, and tomatoes, seasoned with bacon fat, sweet onions, and hot sauce, and serve it over rice. It’s enough for a meal, with cornbread or biscuits on the side.

The following recipe, my favorite, is one I found in the New York Times, of all places. When Henry’s Yankee sister visited us last summer, we discovered that not only had she never eaten catfish, she had never eaten okra! I fixed this for her, and she loved it so much she took the recipe home with her.

I might even think about eating tofu with this tomato gravy.

Well, maybe not, since I won’t even eat tofu deep-fried. If God had meant for me to eat tofu, God would have made me Asian.

The trick to preparing okra is to squeeze every individual pod when purchasing, preferably at a farmers’ market. It should feel soft and springy rather than woody. For this recipe, look for okra about three inches long. I like to serve this on Texmati, Jasmati, or any other white rice.

Steamed Whole Okra with Tomato Gravy • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings (you can substitute butter or olive oil if you must) • 1 tablespoon minced shallots or onion • 1 tablespoon flour • ½ cup chicken broth, at least • 2 cups peeled, seeded, and diced fresh tomatoes with juice • ½ teaspoon salt • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1-½ teaspoons minced fresh thyme • 1 tablespoon heavy cream • 1 pound small tender okra, washed and stem ends removed • 1 cup white rice, cooked Heat drippings in medium skillet over medium heat.

Add shallots or onion and sauté, stirring constantly, until softened, about 40 seconds. Remove skillet from heat, add flour, and stir until incorporated. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.

Pour broth into skillet and stir vigorously or whisk until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer sauce until it’s almost a glaze. Add tomatoes and juice, increase heat to medium, and bring to a simmer. Cook until tomatoes soften slightly, about 5 minutes. Add more stock if sauce seems too thick. Add salt, cayenne, thyme, and cream, and continue to simmer for a few minutes.

Remove from heat and keep warm.

Pour 1/3 cup water into a large skillet with a lid and bring to simmer over high heat. Add okra and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and steam, shaking skillet frequently, until okra is bright green and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve hot with tomato gravy over rice. Serves 4-ish, depending on the level of okra love. The gravy can also be served over chicken or pork chops.

M U S I C A N D M OT I O N THE SHOALS ONSTAGE 2014-2015 SEASON

THE 2014 - 2015 SHOALS ON STAGE SEASON THE HABANEROS, Sponsored by CB&S Bank Thursday, October 9, 2014, Norton Auditorium • 7:30pm THE STEP CREW Tuesday, January 27, 2015, Norton Auditorium • 7:30pm THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA April 7, 2015, Norton Auditorium • 7:30pm

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facebook.com/ShoalsOnStage twitter.com/shoalsonstage

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bless their hearts » Sarah Franklin

A well-worn, well-chosen, tasteful style choice doesn’t define an individual; it’s really just value-added.

“UNCOMMON” STYLE We Southerners may have a lot of issues, but one thing we pay attention to, if not revere, is grace and style. I grew up in Alabama’s Black Belt, where presentation of oneself and one’s home was important, and dress reflected that, something that I fear has been lost. This wasn’t about money—it was about pride in appearance and respect for others. It meant something to go out to eat, to go to church, to be a guest in someone’s home, and we dressed accordingly.

We even took special care to dress well when we traveled. When I was six-years old, my family and I flew to California. My mama dressed me up like we were going to church, in my favorite dress and white, lace-trimmed socks and Mary Janes. We weren’t alone in being all spiffed up; most of the other passengers were similarly attired. But, times have changed. I recently visited Costa Rica, and the day began early. I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t looking my best. And for air travel, I always dress with practical considerations in mind; you won’t see me trying to maneuver my way through the plane’s emergency exit in stiletto heels or platform wedges. But apparently not everyone feels that way. During my Miami layover I was stunned to see a woman nonchalantly walking through the terminal in a neon-pink swimsuit and see-through “cover-up,” with full makeup and perfectly coiffed hair. Of course, she was also wearing heels. If her goal was to turn heads, you may be certain she met it.

A well-worn, well-chosen, tasteful style choice doesn’t define an individual; it’s really just value-added. But a bad choice can be a great deal more than that. A few years ago I was in New Orleans, walking down Bourbon Street late one night, when, to my horror, I spied a young woman who had enjoyed a good bit too much of “les bon temps.” She was wearing a maxi dress that needed hemming as it dragged the floor, or, in this case, the street.

She had no small degree of difficulty walking given the dress and her condition.

I’m sure she didn’t plan to end up in that state. But how could she not have foreseen that her attire would cause problems?

Imagine wearing a garment that sloshed through the gutter of Bourbon Street … I still shudder at the thought, and wonder about her friends. You may rest assured that if you are in that situation and you’re with me, I will take care of you. I will find a way to cut that hem off ; after such an evening, the dress is garbage anyway. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but her style definitely made a negative statement that night.

Please don’t misunderstand: I love flamboyant style. But mostly I love to see it on other people, and only when done right. I like to see you dressed to the nines on your way to dinner, to the dance, to the ball game. I like that people who don’t know you know your style. I love that you always rock your wardrobe, and that people around you can see your zest for life, for living, by the way you present yourself. Yet, I sometimes look around and wonder what people were thinking, not just when they got dressed that morning, but when they bought that garment. I understand life happens; we can’t always appear to have stepped out of a bandbox, but really, why did you buy those multi-colored, polka-dot fleece pants?

Where do they not look terrible? I hate to tell you, but they look awful, even as pajamas. You know what else looks bad?

Your undergarments hanging out of your clothes. They are just that—undergarments, not outerwear. And why do you think that T-shirt that denigrates women is appropriate? It is, as my mama would say, “common.” And that is, perhaps, the greatest insult a Southerner can make. Common is hard to define, but, like pornography, as the Supreme Court noted, easily identified when encountered. It looms beyond tacky.

Common shows disrespect for others and oneself. It’s the person who attends a special occasion and refuses to dress appropriately, “because I have to dress up all week at work and I’m not dressing up on my free time.” It’s the person who wears clothes that provoke, that make others uncomfortable, often through an image of hate or vulgarity. Common is the antithesis of style. It isn’t about money or any other concrete signifier. But common is always out there, lying in wait in the airport or who-knows-where, and it is always best avoided.

Style is, to be sure, individual. Your style may not be mine, and that is not just okay. It’s good. It’s Southern. And I love it.

P.S. This may be my most public ever glass-house moment.

So, when you see me at the grocery store, looking awful in my workout clothes (or worse, yard clothes!), please, do my mama a favor. Don’t post my picture on Facebook.

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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back talk » Claire Stewart

“What is the worst fashion trend?”

“Tattoos” (KELLY A)

“Baggy pants and polyester bell bottoms” (CAROL K)

“Well, I actually think parachute pants should make a comeback—with tons of zippers.”

(BRAD H)

“Skinny jeans for men and jeggings for women” (MISTY M)

“Saggy pants on men” (JAN J)

“Crop tops and high-waisted shorts with a gut” (MICHELLE J)

“Crocs with socks!”

(ROB J)

“Black socks” (LYNN C)

“Bell bottom pants” (GAIL M)

“It depends on what age you are, but I personally like individuality in style.”

(RUSTY C)

“Visible midriffs” (DEBBIE H)

“The ’70s in general, but especially polyester suits.

The colors were horrible!”

(LIBBY C)

“I like trying all the new trends!”

(WANDA N)

“Ripped up jeans” (SARA H)

“Even bad trends come back around eventually.”

(DIXIE C)

“High-waisted ‘mom jeans’ and overalls” (GINGER J)

“I don’t like(JORDAN maxi dresses.”

H) “Horizontal striped ties” (CLARENCE B)

“Printed leggings are pretty bad.”

(MEAGAN B)

“I love seeing different trends. It depends on your body type and personality.”

(IRMA W)

“Leggings with a skirt that isn’t long enough” (SUSAN L.)

“Tevas or Crocs, and sweatpants!”

(JILL J)

“High-waisted pants” (PATTY G)

“Mustaches!”

(LIZA B)

september/october  | noalastudios.com | 

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parting shot » Patrick Hood

CURTAIN CALL. Benefit Concert for Terry Pace, with Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and Jason Isbell (not pictured)

 | noalastudios.com | september/october 

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• First Southern will refund ATM charges received when using your First Southern VISA Debit Card at non-First Southern ATM’s if you bring in or mail your ATM receipt reflecting the charge within 60 days from the date of the charge. Refunds are limited to a maximum of $25 per month on each account.

Five Convenient Locations to Serve You: Muscle Shoals • (256) 718-4242 1027 East Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 Ford City Branch • (256) 718-4255 5145 River Road, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 Main Office• (256) 718-4200 301 South Court St, Florence, AL 35630 Killen Branch • (256) 718-4273 1455 Highway 72, Killen, AL 35645 St. Florian Branch • (256) 718-4282 4350 County Road 47, Florence, AL 35630 Mortgage Lending Office • (256) 718-4237 303 N. Pine St., Florence, AL 35630

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www.mrdrugs.com Three convenient locations to serve you: 869 Florence Blvd., Florence • 202 W. Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals • 2602 Hough Road, Florence  | noalastudios.com | september/october 