SENSE March 2014

department

CONTENTS SENSE GOES MULTI-MEDIA

6

THEY SPEAK Contributors

9

IN THE LOOP

13

THE SENSE OF IT ALL

14

MARKETPLACE Preserving Mobile’s history & character

18

TRAVELOGUE Hotel Le Marais in the heart of the French Quarter

24

DESIGN Lavish historical eggs

36

ARTS From Baldwin County to Rome, an artist’s calling

38

VERBATIM Vaughan Morrissette – A Legacy of Leadership

40

LITERATI Them Woodland Folks

BEING THERE: Must-sees and have-to-dos throughout the South

COUSIN LEROY SPEAKS

18 14 20

Courtesy of Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 / MARCH 2014 Issues-oriented Sense magazine gives voice to diver se political opinions but does not endor se the opinions or reflect the views e x p r e s s e d h e r e i n . Yo u a r e w e l c o m e t o s u b m i t y o u r O p - E d p i e c e v i a e m a i l t o e d i t o r @ t h e s e n s e o f i t a l l . c o m .

2 | MARCH 2014

feature 24

20

Oyster Trailblazers OYSTERS MAY BE FRIED, STEWED OR NUDE, BUT THEY ARE NEVER HALF-BAKED

views

36

AND NEWS

32

THE WHY OF WRITING

33

BETWEEN THE LINES

34

WHAT THE AUTHORS ARE READING

Jan-Philipp Sendeker talks about where his love for story-telling comes from

Recommended Reading from Page & Palette

Popular authors talk about their latest reads

SENSE MAGAZINE | 3

ENSE

ECLECTIC INTELLECT FOR THE SOUL

PUBLISHER Jamie Seelye Leatherbury VIEWS AND NEWS EDITOR

Stephanie Emrich

ART DIRECTOR Ronda Gibney-Burns CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Guy Busby Robin Fitzhugh Emily Hill Ginger Wade

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Matt Gates Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens Katherine Wetzel

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Marlene Rathle ADVERTISE WITH US

sales@thesenseofitall.com

EMAIL US editor@thesenseofitall.com art@thesenseofitall.com events@thesenseofitall.com SENSE OFFICES 251 South Greeno Road Fairhope, Alabama 36532 Tel (251) 604-8827 Fax (251) 990-6603

Sense is published and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License by Eco-Urban Media, a division of Eco-Urbaneering Corporation. Creative Commons defines the spectrum of possibilities between full copyright and the public domain. For more information go to http://www.creativecommons.org and http://creativecommons.org/about/ licenses/ and http://www.theSenseofitAll.com. All content of Sense is copyrighted. However, Sense also works under Creative Commons licensing guidelines for works published in Sense by contributing writers, artists and photographers.

All rights to works submitted to and published by Sense will revert in their entirety to the respective contributing authors, artists and photographers 120 days after publication. At Sense, we believe this policy promotes journalistic independence and fosters mutual goodwill between the publisher and the contributing writers, artists and photographers..

4 | MARCH 2014

SENSE MAGAZINE | 5

| THEY SPEAK

C O N T R I BU TO R S GUY BUSBY has traveled by glider, hot-air balloon, sailboat, steam locomotive, Mardi-Gras float and other forms of planes, trains, boats and automobiles for more than 20 years to cover life on the Gulf Coast. He has been an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Mobile Press-Register and other publications. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the University of South Alabama. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Silverhill, Ala.

ROBIN FITZHUGH, A Mobile native, has called the Eastern Shore home for more than 14 years and enjoys writing about both sides of the bay, their communities and the people who make them special.

As a former director of the Eastern Shore Art Center, she has a particular interest in local art and artists and their contributions to the quality of life in this special place.

MATT GATES is a local professional photographer talented beyond his years. His creative vision, ability to “paint” with light, and pleasant demeanor have made him a favorite of both commercial and non-commercial clients. His work can be found on Lysol® Air Filters packaging, investment firm walls, cherished wedding albums and more. See more of his work at www.mattgatesphoto.com.

EMILY HILL is a senior journalism major at Spring Hill College and a Robertsdale native. She has completed several internships at local news organizations and magazine publications, and has worked as a reporter at AL.com/Press-Register. She enjoys spending time with her twin sister and Shih Tzu Daisy. Running, writing and painting are a few of her hobbies.

GINGER WADE has called Baldwin County home her entire life She graduated from the University of South Alabama with a concentration in Communication and worked in marketing for seven years for an international manufacturing company. For the past 10 years she has worked in the public sector. Ginger is an ardent reader and can spend hours researching and writing on topics of interest. She is married and has two delightful sons.

In her spare time she enjoys conversation and coffee with good friends.

WANT TO BECOME A SENSE CONTRIBUTOR? Sense is always looking for new talent. If you are interested in becoming part of the Sense team, e-mail us at editor@thesenseofitall.com.

6 | MARCH 2014

| A RT B E AT

TRAVEL ADVENTURE

FUN

LIMITED TIME, JOIN US NOW

WWW.SENSETHEFUN.COM

ENSE ECLECTIC INTELLECT FOR THE SOUL

SENSE MAGAZINE | 7

| IN THE LOOP

TOP 1 Elton John

10

MARCH EVENTS

MARCH 16 | PENSACOLA, FL

Elton John and his band will play at the Pensacola Bay Center on Sunday, March 16.The concert will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career, as well as a selection of new songs from his highly-anticipated album,The Diving Board, which was released by Capitol Records on September 24. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster. com, Pensacola Bay Center Box office or charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000.

2

Gala Of The Royal Horses MARCH 30 | MOBILE, AL

Gala of The Royal Horses is created, produced and led by world-renowned riding master Rene Gasser, who with the experiences of seven generations has recreated an event only previously seen at the famous riding schools in Vienna and Spain. The Royal Horses of Europe are some of the most celebrated in history, favoured for centuries by royalty, equestrian riders and bullfighters and this performance will celebrate the tradition, athleticism and grace of these revered creatures. For event information, please contact the Mitchell Center Box Office by calling 251-460-6047 or visit galaoftheroyalhorses.com

3

62nd Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts MARCH 14-16 | FAIRHOPE, AL

Over 200 exhibitors from throughout the US will display and sell their works on the streets of beautiful Fairhope, Ala. Live local entertainment every hour on the festival stage. Classic and unique festival food served at the food court. No admission. Shuttle service from the shopping centers at Fairhope Ave. & Greeno Rd.

4

Coppelia MARCH 15 | MOBILE, AL

Closing the season on March 15 – 16, 2014 is the comedy classic Coppelia, one of the famous “story” ballets enjoyed by both children and adults. Not seen in Mobile since 2008, the production will feature exciting new sets! Mobile Ballet’s own Principal Dancers Noel Hanley and Lauren Woods will alternate the role of Swanilda, with Principal Dancer of Alabama Ballet Noah Hart as Franz, and David Beech of Mobile as Dr. Coppelius. To purchase tickets, please visit mobileballet.org

5

Leon Russell MARCH 26 | MOBILE, AL

7

PHOTO BY CATT SIRTEN

Festival Of Flowers MARCH 20-23 | MOBILE, AL

The 2014 Festival of Flowers continues the tradition of delighting and educating visitors of all ages with more than eight acres of exhibits under open sky and massive tents.

On March 20 - 23, the enchantment of Great Britain comes to Mobile, bringing with it English traditions of garden splendor. For more information, visit festivalofflowers.com.

8

Mobile Historic Homes Tour MARCH 14 | MOBILE, AL

Please join the Historic Mobile Preservation Society for the 45th annual 2014 Mobile Historic Homes Tour. This year’s spring pilgrimage will feature eight private historic homes surrounding Washington Square. The Oakleigh Historic Complex will also be open complementary for your touring pleasure. For tickets or more information, visit historicmobile.org

9

25th Annual Chili Cook-Off MARCH 8 | MOBILE, AL

The 25th Annual Chili Cook-Off is Mobile’s “hottest” charity event where teams compete for bragging rights on who has the best chili in town. Proceeds will be used for programs to teach the importance of early detection and prevention, patient services and life saving cancer research. For more information, visit community.acsevents.org

10

Elberta German Sausage Festival MARCH 29 | ELBERTA, AL

A biannual fundraiser that benefits the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department. The event sells nearly 7,000 pounds of sausage and also features arts and crafts vendors. For more information, please visit elbertafire.com/festival

Leon Russell is a legendary musician and songwriter from Tulsa, Okla. who has been performing his gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for over 50 years. Russell led the famous Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour and performed with George Harrison and Friends at the Concert For Bangladesh. His songwriting credits include“A Song For You,” “Delta Lady,” “Hummingbird,” “Lady Blue,” “Back To The Island,” “Tight Rope,” and “This Masquerade.” For more information, visit www.mobilesaenger.com

6

Orange Beach Festival of Art MARCH 8-9 | ORANGE BEACH, AL

The Orange Beach Festival of Art is a juried fine arts event held every year at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach and Waterfront Park. For 40 years, the Festival of Art has been the city’s first rite of spring. It is a celebration of visual, performing, musical and culinary arts. With more than 90 artists working in a dazzling variety of medias, festival-goers always have plenty to see, hear, touch, taste and experience. Visit orangebeachartsfestival.com for more information.

Although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the Top 10 information, you should always call ahead to conf irm dates, times, location, and other information.

Submit events to events@thesenseofitall.com SENSE MAGAZINE | 9

| IN THE LOOP

BOOK IT 1

First Friday Author Round Up MARCH 7 | PAGE & PALETTE

Join us for another fun evening of great books and local authors from 6-8:00 p.m. during Fairhope’s First Friday Art Walk. This month’s featured authors include Janet Parker, Joe Pileggi and Wynona Rogers. Stop by for a glass of wine and support the literary arts in our community.

2

Carol Cassella

MARCH 10 | FAIRHOPE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Page and Palette is excited to host a Read It & Eat event with best-selling author Carol Cassella. Filled with intricate medical detail and set in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, Gemini is a vivid novel of moral complexity and emotional depth from the best-selling author of Oxygen and Healer.

This event is free and open to the public. Call the bookstore to reserve lunch for $10.

3

Erika Robuck

MARCH 11 | PAGE & PALETTE

Erika Robuck, critically acclaimed author of Hemingway’s Girl and Call Me Zelda, returns with another fascinating novel featuring a literary figure… this time, charismatic poet from the 1930s, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Join us for a Read It & Eat event at 12:30 p.m. as Erika signs and discusses her latest book Fallen Beauty. This event is free and open to the public. Call the bookstore to reserve lunch for $10.

4

Jan-Philipp Sendker

MARCH 17 | FAIRHOPE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Join us at 12 p.m. for Read It & Eat with internationally best-selling author Jan-Philipp Sendker as he signs and discusses his latest novel, A Well-tempered Heart. This spirited sequel, like The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, explores the most inspiring and passionate terrain: the human heart. This event is free and open to the public. Call the bookstore to reserve lunch for $10.

5

Marc Williams

MARCH 22 | PAGE & PALETTE

Marc Williams has spent the past 10 years as a marketing guru, sports marketing pioneer and pop culture expert. He has worked for three of the largest sports brands in the world: Champs Sports, Reebok and Footaction. Join us as we host Marc to sign copies of his new book The Art of Networking from 2-4:00 p.m. at the bookstore.

10 | MARCH 2014

HERE’S WHERE TO FIND US...

MOBILE Alabama Coastal Foundation Apricot Lane Ashland Gallery Ashland Pub Atchison Imports Atlanta Bread Company Azakea City Physicians for Women Ballin’s Limited Renaissance Battle House Hotel Bay Area Physicians for Women Bebo’s Springhill Market Bicycle Shop Bliss Salon & Day Spa Blue Rents Bradley’s Café 615 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Camille’s Grill Candlewood Suites Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company Carter & Co Cathedral Square Art Gallery Chat A Way Café Center for Living Arts Center for Dermatology Claude Moore Jeweler Cold Snap @ Old Shell Road Debra’s Delish’s Desserts & Eatery Downtown Mobile Alliance Dragonfly Boutique Estetica Coiffure Exploreum Science Center Fort Conde Inn Fort Conde Welcome Center Fuego Coastal Mexican Eatery Goldstein’s Hampton Inn Downtown Hemline Holiday, Inc Iberia Bank Legacy Bar & Grill LLB&B Realty

Martha Rutledge Catering McCoy Outdoor Company Mercedes Benz of Mobile Mobile Arts Council, Inc. Mobile Bay Bears Mobile Infirmary Office Tower Mobile Museum of Art Mobile Regional Airport Mobile Symphony Orchestra Red Or White Satori Coffee House Serda’s @ Royal Street Shoe Fly Something New Bridal Springhill Family Pharmacy Spoke ‘N Trail The Bull The Ivy Cottage The Union Steak House Thompson Engineering Tmac’s Hair Studio Twists Cupcakes @ Legacy USA Mitchell Cancer Institute Wintzell’s Airport Wintzell’s Downtown Zoe’s Kitchen Zundel’s Jewelry DAPHNE Allegri Farmers Market Baldwin Bone & Joint Baumhower’s Wings Comfort Inn Daphne Library East Shore Café Glamour Nails Guido’s Hampton Inn Hilton Garden Inn Homewood Suites of Daphne Infirmary West Lake Forest Shell Market by the Bay

Moe’s Barbeque Publix Rosie’s Grill The UPS Store Thomas Hospital Thomas Medical Plaza SPANISH FORT Barnes And Noble Bayside Chiropractic Don Carlos Eastern Shore Toyota Malbis Parkway Pediatric Dentistry McMurphy Orthodontics Magestic Nails Mellow Mushroom Private Gallery @ Spanish Fort Tom Bierster Fine Homebuilding & Restoration Twist @ ESC Wintzell’s SOUTH BALDWIN COUNTY Beach Club Bimini Bob’s Cobalt Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar Jesse’s Kaiser Realty Lulu’s Meyer Realty M II the Wharf Prickett Real Estate The Hangout Turquoise Tin Top Restaurant Villaggio Grille

FAIRHOPE/POINT CLEAR Agave Mexican Battles Wharf Market Bayside Orthopedics Bean & Bistro Belle Shain Boxwood Bouche’s Cigars Brown & McCool Gynecology Chasing Fresh Coffee Loft Cold Snap Dragonfly Restaurant Eastbay Clothiers Eastern Shore Art Center Eastern Shore Heart Center Estate Jewelers Fairhope Inn Fairhope Library Fairhope Music Fairhope Physical Therapy Gigi & Jays Hair Designs by Ann Rabin Hampton Flooring & Design Hampton Inn Happy Olive Iberia Bank Leatherbury Real Estate Lyon’s Share Gallery Market by the Bay Master Joe’s Page & Palette Panini Pete’s Papa’s Pizza Private Gallery Project Mouvement in Art Publix Red or White Sadie’s of Fairhope Shanghai Cottage Southern Edge Dance Center Southern Veranda Marriott’s Grand Hotel

Sense is distributed to over 100 locations throughout Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Because we are in the business of promoting the economy and design in Gulf Coast communities, we distribute through our advertisers and local businesses.

We feel that this brings the opportunity to exchange ideas, encourage conversation, and support the local economy. It will also move us forward by furthering thought for our future and how we wish to design it, resulting in participation by each of us in weaving the fabric that is our Sense of Community.

12 | MARCH 2014

| THE SENSE OF IT ALL

TH E

BOX.

C O U S I N

L E ROY

S P E A K S :

Most of the world’s problems stem from what people don’t know about each other.

O U T S I DE

I kind of figured I was not the only one who thought that. I might take it a little bit further to clarify that usually we do not have a genuine desire to try and understand each other. Don’t ask me why, but it just seems to be a human reaction that is a result of some primary emotion. What I do know is that it can be overcome with education and the willing desire and self-discipline to further educate oneself every day.

Practical wisdom is a learned response based upon historical learning and analysis of those learned experiences. We learn from experience, and we can learn from the history of our own experiences as well as that of others if we have the desire to do so.

T H I N K

CL I MB

I have not had the time to invest in my own community like I used to. What I have been able to do in my travels is to observe other communities and their approach to design for the human footprint. For many, the approach has been very haphazard and random. It is clear that there are no mechanisms in place for monitoring wise government.

There is no education of design principles, nor is there the desire to have them.

I N S I D E T HE

This is not to say that the principles of good design are not appreciated. What is lacking is the mechanism and resources to allow the education of the people to understand what they like and how they can achieve it. The steps necessary to understand each other have not been undertaken. There is no platform to understand each other.

Regulations, codes, and ordinances, if any, are primitive in nature. They are impractical for the communities they serve if, indeed, some semblance of freedom is the desired result.

In our country, we are indeed lucky to have regulations, codes, and ordinances that have been carefully developed through years of experience and history. It is now our responsibility to understand the freedoms we have and to monitor them continually. It is important to use practice practical wisdom in our continuous improvement of the regulations, codes, and ordinances that we use to govern ourselves. We must use it to keep our freedoms, and we must make every effort to understand the needs of ourselves and our neighbors so that we do not unduly and unwisely burden ourselves with government that does not work.

B OX .

Good government is powered by the freedom to choose wisely such that we do not overburden ourselves with government that is unwise and unsustainable. If we allow ourselves to become overburdened with government, we shall lose the very freedom we so desire. Government will then rule us, and we shall become slaves of ourselves.

Yours in Community,

cousinleroy@thesenseofitall.com

T HERE

IS

A

SOLU T I O N .

SENSE MAGAZINE | 13

| MARKETPLACE

A “WALKABLE” DOWNTOWN Creating a logical transition

between the different levels of downtown development TEXT BY EMILY HILL PHOTO BY TAD DENSON – MY SHOTZ

14 | MARCH 2014

Downtown reflects a unique character that Mobile has retained over the generations, despite the ravages of time and urban renewal, urban planner Andres Duany said. Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co., led a study of the downtown area in the fall of 2012.

“In my three decades as an urban planner I have not come across a place more promising than Mobile,” Duany stated in the report. “First there is physical place itself: the qualities of the street grid, its intimate scale and general character. It is excellent; there is no better word. Sometimes when we are tasked to restore a place to its former glory, I think to myself, ‘What former glory? The urbanism was not any good in the first place.’ Mobile has a great urbanism to build upon.”

The Downtown Mobile Alliance, a non-profit group established to support the redevelopment of downtown Mobile, has been working on a proposal since October 2012 that would create new zoning and development regulations for the Downtown Development District, the area inside the Hank Aaron Loop. The proposal was approved by the Mobile Planning Commission in January, and a public hearing is set for March 11.

The key to the new regulations is form-based code. The code focuses more on the physical form of a building rather than its use. The idea is to create a logical transition between the different levels of downtown development, according to Elizabeth Sanders, director of the Downtown Mobile Alliance.

“The idea is that form is more important than the use.

There can be uses that are compatible in an area because of their form but that because of other forms, they could not be compatible. The Kitchen On George is compatible in Oakleigh, but a McDonald’s drive through would not be compatible,” Sanders said using the example of a midtown restaurant.

Carol Hunter, communications director of the Downtown Mobile Alliance, said currently if a developer seeks to renovate or build a new building in the historic district, the developer would have to go to the Architectural Review Board for their review. If the code is approved, the design guidelines will extend to all of the downtown area, not just the historic district. “What this whole plan is designed to do is to make our downtown more walkable,” Hunter said.

“It really creates a harmonious transition between intensities of use,” she explained. Hunter said intensity is often density, so the code would create a harmonious transition from the really dense and intense areas with office towers, to the less dense areas of 3-story buildings or residential spaces.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 15

| MARKETPLACE

The plan would create about five types of zoning districts for different sections of the downtown area bordered by the Water, Broad, Canal and Beauregard streets.

The districts, or transepts, would be designated: T-3: Historically single family with porches and small yards and some limited duplex and row house development. DeTonti Square and East Church Street would be examples.

T-4: Development intensifies and construction begins to slightly urbanize with the façade moving closer to the property line and the stoop or patio detailing the entry.

T-5: Development is primarily low-intensity commercial with residential mixed in. Façade is often built to the property line with a gallery of awning over the sidewalk for weather protection. The Dauphin Street entertainment district would be an example.

T-6: Officer tower area where the lot is maximally used and the pedestrian experience is enhanced with large display windows. Royal Street would be in the T-6 area.

Warehouse District: This would include St. Louis Street and would allow businesses such as new tech startups to take advantage of the significant fiber-optic connections running through the area.

Hunter said there will be a real focus on preserving residential space in some neighborhoods. “Our code basically has a couple of neighborhoods that are sort of protected for residential,” Hunter said. “The oldest residential neighborhood in Mobile is the DeTonti and East Church Street neighborhood. We are working to at least protect those for future residential development because we have so little residential downtown as it is, and that’s really the key.”

Any commercial operation that currently exists in those neighborhoods can continue, Hunter said, but if they are abandoned for two years the space will revert to residential.

The Downtown Mobile Alliance has heard some concerns from the DeTonti neighborhood residents who are worried that changing it from its current mix of commercial and residential is not good for the neighborhood or their property values. Hunter said that for property owners that have commercial property, as long as they want to operate it as a commercial property it will be a commercial property.

“In fact, the value of existing commercial property may go up because there will be a limited supply,” Hunter said.

“It is an opportunity to create a neighborhood where people want to raise their families,” she explained. “Nothing has to change, but if it does the nature of the neighborhood will change to more of a single-family residential neighborhood,” Hunter said.

Hunter believes the new zoning code, if approved, will be very appealing to developers because it will ease the process of doing a project in the city. Developers are also excited to see form-based code because it provides predictability.

However, it’s unpredictable if the council will approve the proposal on March 11. According to Hunter, six years ago the village of Spring Hill developed a form-based code. The city council approved the code for the village, however they made the code optional. At the public hearing this month the city council could adopt the proposal as it’s presented, they could change it or they could vote to not adopt it. If the proposal is adopted, Hunter said city staff will be trained on how to fully implement the code.

Guy Busby contributed to this story.

16 | MARCH 2014

SENSE MAGAZINE | 17

| TRAVELOGUE

18 | MARCH 2014

HOTEL LE MARAIS A relaxing venue surrounded by New Orleans culture TEXT BY EMILY HILL

T

he New Orleans Hotel Collection includes seven upscale hotels each fashionably designed with various amenities that give visitors a taste of the charm of New Orleans. Hotel Le Marais, situated in the heart of the French Quarter historic district, gives travelers the ultimate New Orleans experience with historic landmarks, famous restaurants and plenty of shopping venues just steps away from the hotel.

Although, passing the hours inside the Hotel Le Marais is a vacation in itself. The 66-room hotel features many amenities including plenty of entertainment options and meeting spaces. Each guest room is equipped with free wi-fi, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, in-room spa and massage services and free bottled spring water.

If getting a customized message while watching TV and sipping on fresh, cold water doesn’t soothe you, maybe a drink at the Vive! Lounge will. The slick look and modern design creates the perfect environment to enjoy a signature cocktail. If you’re vacationing on a budget, ladies make sure to pack your high heels. Every Wednesday night cocktail discounts are given as part of the bar’s “Deals for Heels.”

Receive a discount, ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent, depending on the height of your heels.

Looking for a quiet place to relax? Experience Vive! outdoors in the connected courtyard equipped with none other than a heated salt-water pool. An outdoor bar and comfy yet chic lounge furniture complete the intimate courtyard.

After relaxing and taking in everything the hotel has to offer, get to know the Louisiana culture. What better way to experience culture than through food? Stroll down St. Louis Street near the St. Louis Cathedral and stop by Antoine’s, Arnaud’s or K-Paul’s for fresh upscale creole cuisine. After filling up, take in the educational attractions the area offers such as the Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Insectarium or the National World War II Museum.

However, you can’t fully experience New Orleans without experiencing Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras World will get you well acquainted with the “holiday.” The 250,000-squarefoot attraction on the riverfront at Port of New Orleans Place features parade floats, props, costumes and more.

The business started in 1932 and now produces about 90 percent of all Mardi Gras floats. The shop receives more than 150,000 visitors yearly who stop in to experience the magic.

The store is home to various artists and sculptors who often recycle, reuse and transform elements from prior projects, according to a Mardi Gras World brochure. The business states that today the average float weighs 21 tons and costs at least $50,000 to make.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 19

| FEATURE

OYSTER TRAILBLAZERS Oysters may be served fried, stewed, or nude, but they are never half-baked.

TEXT BY GINGER WADE

20 | MARCH 2014

T

o anyone growing up on the Gulf Coast, the abundance and enjoyment of oysters are just a part of life. But truthfully, we owe the oyster a debt of gratitude. What a gem these pearl-producing mollusks really are!

They do the hard work to embellish our necks, wrists, and fingers, courtesy of their daily abrasive struggles. They grace our tables, enhance our economy, and provide livelihoods for our families. But they don’t stop there.

They also pull their weight in keeping the bay waters clean.

One adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day, decreasing the nitrogen levels in the water. High nitrogen levels ultimately result in algae, which, in the dying and decaying process, consume large amounts of oxygen. This leaves other fish and marine life gasping for air. Oyster reefs also provide habitat for aquatic vegetation such as shrimp, crabs and fish and reduces shoreline erosion. So it is clear that oyster reefs are essential to the health and vibrancy of Gulf Coast waters.

Unfortunately, a combination of hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, three years of drought, oyster drills, the oil spill, among other environmental pollutants, have dealt a severe blow to the oyster reefs.

Urgently marine biologists, students and volunteers through the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center have developed initiatives to undergird the fledging oyster reefs. One such program is the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program.

In the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program, volunteers who have access to waterfront property in Mobile or Baldwin counties grow oysters in gardens that hang from their piers. They clean the gardens weekly from June to November by pulling the gardens out of the water and rinsing off mud, algae and any other fouling material. After visually inspecting the gardens and removing predators, such as blue crabs, stone crabs and oyster drills, the gardeners return the gardens to the water. On average, each volunteer grows 250 oysters per garden.

Spearheaded by scientist, P.J. Waters, The Mobile Bay Oyster Garden Program enlists volunteers to “farm” tiny oysters from their wharfs, carefully facilitating the oysters’ growth into mature and productive marine citizens. These oysters do not see a dinner table, rather, once grown, they are transplanted to restoration reef sites around Mobile Bay and into Mississippi Sound.

So far, gardeners have produced over 500,000 oysters for restoration in Mobile Bay, which translates into enough oysters to restore 25 acres of oyster reef since 2001!

But Waters’ vision is both for land and sea. In 2010, he learned of a similar project, The Clam Trail, in New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay, which inspired him to blaze a new trail—the Oyster Trail. This is a project of the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening designed to be educational, interactive, and to facilitate an appreciation for the ecological and economic benefit that oysters provide.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 21

| FEATURE

It is a partnership including the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, the Downtown Mobile Alliance, the Mobile Arts Council, the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wellborn Ideas, the City of Mobile, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama Power Company.

The Trail encompasses areas in downtown Mobile where 12 four-foot oyster sculptures have been painted by local artists who capture the culture on the Mobile Bay area. The first six oysters were unveiled in July, 2013. Once seen, momentum built, sponsors lined up and the next six statues completed the dozen which were unveiled in October, 2013.

“It’s not only educational, it is just plain fun,” explained Waters. “The Oyster Trail is like a scavenger hunt, where participants download a printable map giving the location of each sculpture as well as oyster questions. The map leads the participants to the sculptures, where a ‘fact plaque’ is found on the sculpture which contains important ecological, economic and educational answers to the questions and identifies the sponsor and artist. If participants collect all the answers by visiting each sculpture, they are eligible for prizes.”

The sculptures can be seen in popular locations including Forte Conde, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, Government Plaza, RSA Tower, and Moes BBQ, just to name a few. Two more sculptures are in the works for Mobile, to be placed at the National Maritime Museum and at the Mobile Regional Airport.

The works of art on the sculptures manifest the lifestyle surrounding the Gulf Coast. The artists have beautifully detailed the different facets of coastal life, including the festival But Waters’ vision is for the sculptures to surround the bay. of Mardi Gras, one of Mobile’s historic antebellum homes, “I would like to circle the bay and never be too far from a ethereal beauty, as well as sea life portrayed in a fun, whimsical sculpture,” he stated. His vision came to fruition when way. The artists’ stories can be found at www.facebook.com/ the Original Oyster House sponsored the first Oyster Trail TheOysterTrail. installation on the Causeway and Eastern Shore. The Original

Oyster House is a 30+ year old, family-style restaurant; one of Sponsors of the sculptures can be businesses, organizations, the area’s iconic places to go for seafood. groups of friends, or clubs. Each sponsor supports production, installation, and an artist honorarium for one stop on the Trail. They also support the all-volunteer oyster gardeners and students, enabling the program to continue and expand.

22 | MARCH 2014

O

n January 28, the sculpture, illustrated by artist Nancy Raia, was unveiled.

Raia recently won the Gulf Guardian Award from the Environmental Protection Agency and is the Community Outreach Director at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Through her gifted ability to inspire all ages, she educates the masses to create art and have a voice in telling their story and in capturing events and environmental issues. “It is her immense love of our community and incredible talent that made her an easy choice as the title artist for the first Oyster Trail sculpture on the Causeway and on the Eastern Shore. Who better could capture our spectacular causeway, and the natural wealth of our delta,” stated Waters.

We offer lessons in:

Piano • Guitar • Violin Bass • Saxophone • Trumpet • Trombone Clarinet • Flute • Ukulele We also sell:

Music Instruments • PA Equipment • Miscellaneous Gear

“Original”, the name of the first Oyster Trail Sculpture on the Eastern Shore, was unveiled at the Original Oyster House on the Mobile Causeway. Original was painted by Nancy Raia, Community Outreach Director for the Eastern Shore Art Center. Joe Roszkowski and David Dekle, co-owners of the Original Oyster House, sponsored the Oyster Trail Sculpture which helps sustain oyster gardening and oyster reefs. Pictured from left are Joe Roszkowski, Nancy Raia, David Dekle, P.J Waters, co-coordinator of the Oyster Trail & Marie Dyson, co-coordinator of the Oyster Trail.

251.455.5335 • Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm 247 S. Greeno Road • Fairhope, AL 36532 Facebook.com/FairhopeMusic

Fairhope music

Sponsors from Mobile and from the Eastern Shore are invited to take part in this interactive, educational, artistic opportunity to support Mobile Bay restoration by fostering-- for current and future generations-- a healthy dose of respect for these vital oysters.

Go to www.facebook.com/TheOysterTrail for information on artists, sponsors, and locations of the existing sculptures. Take a day to follow the trail. Also, become a sponsor, bringing the Trail full circle around the bay. By doing so, you will be part of restoring the ecological health of the bay and maintaining the economic health for our area.

With our mollusk friends, we scratch their proverbial backs and they scratch ours. We support the growth of their reefs and room for them to just do what they are created to do, and they support ours with ecological health and beauty, culinary delight, and economic growth. This, my friend, is a win-win situation.

For more information on oyster gardening and on The Oyster Trail visit www.theoystertrail.com.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 23

| DESIGN

Eggs-travagant Fabergé Eggs fit for dynasty, holding history and a surprise

E

aster is the most joyful celebration of the Orthodox faith in Russia, and a long-time Easter tradition is exchanging gifts of decorated eggs which symbols renewed life and hope. The Easter of 1885 marked a special occasion, the twentieth anniversary of Czar Alexander III and Czarina Maria Fedorovna. The special occasion called for an exquisite gift, so Alexander called upon jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), whose beautiful creations had caught Maria’s eye.

24 | MARCH 2014

On Easter morning Fabergé made a special delivery to the palace of what appeared to be a simple enameled egg. However, to the Empress’ surprise, inside was a golden yolk, within the yolk was a golden hen, and within the hen was a diamond miniature of the royal crown and a tiny ruby egg (both now lost to history). From then on Fabergé was commissioned to create an Easter egg every year. The requirements were simple: the egg must be unique and contain a suitable surprise for the Empress.

Twelve Monogram Egg, 1895 In 1885, Alexander III initiated the custom of presenting his wife, Maria Fedorovna, with a Fabergé egg each Easter.

Beginning with this particular egg, Alexander III’s son, Nicholas II, continued the family tradition each Easter by giving an egg to both his mother, Maria Federovna, and his wife, Alexandra. Rows of diamonds divide the egg into twelve panels. The crowned ciphers of Alexander III and Maria Fedorovna, set in diamonds, provide a simple yet elegant decoration against the dark blue enamel. Only under high magnification is it possible to notice the champlevé enamel technique. Areas for the enamel were carved out of the gold, leaving the thin red-gold ribs that form the foliate design. To the naked eye, it appears that the gold design was painted on the ovoid surface.

The Surprise: In the original egg, the interior was covered in velvet and the surprise rested on it. However, what the surprise was is unknown because it is said that the surprise went missing when the egg was confiscated by the revolutionists.

Fabergé (firm); Perkhin, Mikhail (workmaster) Gold, champlevé enamel, diamonds, satin H. 3 1/8 in., W. 2 3/16 in.

Photo courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 25

| DESIGN

Imperial Rock-Crystal Easter Egg with Revolving Miniatures, 1896 This egg is one in a series of 52 jeweled eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé for the Russian Imperial family. The rock crystal outer shell is banded with emerald green enameled gold studded with diamonds. The emerald used in this egg is the largest gemstone Faberge used in any of the Imperial eggs. The base of this stunning egg is made up of colorfully enameled gold double spheroid that is circled twice with rose-cut diamonds, sitting on rock crystal.

The Surprise: It might seem quite obvious, however there’s more than meets the eye. Inside the egg are clearly visible miniature paintings. The twelve paintings are of various places and residences that were significant to the Empress. When the emerald on the apex of the egg is depressed, it engages a hook that moves down and folds the framed pictures back, rotating the miniatures like pages of a book.

Karl Fabergé (1846-1920) Egg: rock crystal, diamonds, gold, enamel, cabochon emerald; miniatures: watercolor, ivory 9 ¾ in. H x 3 7/8 in. W (24.8 cm x 9.8 cm) Marks: Initials of workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, assay mark of St. Petersburg before 1899; all but two miniatures signed Zehngraf.

Note: Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1896.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel

26 | MARCH 2014

Imperial Pelican Easter Egg, 1897 The egg is one of few that is not enameled over most of its surface. Made of engraved red gold, this ravishing egg features a pelican perched atop the egg’s crest, feeding her young in the nest. The egg is set in a varicolored gold fourlegged stand and retains its original red velvet case.

The Surprise: The Imperial Pelican Easter Egg commemorates the centennial celebration of the patronage of charitable institutions by the Dowager Empress of Russia. The egg unfolds and reveals eight ivory miniatures, within a pearl border, depicting educational institutions that mainly ladies of nobility attended. Each ivory miniature is backed with a thin oval golden plate bearing the engraved name of the institution portrayed.

Egg: red gold, diamonds, enamel, pearls; miniature folding panels: watercolor, ivory 4 in. H x 2 1/8 in. W (10.2 x 5.4 cm) 5 Âź in. H x 2 15/16 in. W (13.3 x 7.5 cm) with stand Marks: FabergĂŠ, initials of workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, assay mark of St. Petersburg before 1899; miniatures signed Zehngraf; stand marked Faberge.

Note: Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Easter 1898

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel

SENSE MAGAZINE | 27

| DESIGN

Imperial Tsesarevich Easter Egg, 1912 This creatively adorned egg is made of blue lapis lazuli and gold cage-work. It has six lapis lazuli segments with detailed gold embroidery including double-headed eagles, winged caryatids, hanging canopies, scrolls, flower baskets and sprays that conceal the joints. It’s set with a large solitaire diamond base.

The Surprise: Inside the egg is a portrait of Alexandra’s seven-year-old son Alexis in a sailor suite surrounded by a frame made of many sparkling diamonds. The piece consists of gold, platinum or silver, lapis lazuli, ivory and watercolor.

Karl Fabergé (1846-1920) Egg: lapis lazuli, gold, diamonds Frame: diamonds, gold, platinum or silver, lapis lazuli, watercolor, ivory Egg: 4 15/16 in. x 3 ½ in. (12.5 cm x 8.9 cm) Frame: 2 ¾ in. x 2 ¼ in. (9.5 cm x 5.7 cm) Marks: Faberge, initials of workmaster Henrik Wigstrom Note: Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1912 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel

28 | MARCH 2014

Catherine the Great Easter Egg, 1914 Henrik Wigström, Fabergé’s last head workmaster, created this egg for Nicholas II to present to his mother, Maria Fedorovna, on Easter morning in 1914. Vasilii Zuev, a designer employed by the firm, painted the monochrome en camaïeu pink enamel panels with miniature allegorical scenes of the arts and sciences after French artist François Boucher.

The Surprise: In this egg was a mechanical sedan chair, carried by two blackamoors, with Catherine the Great seated inside (it has now been lost). To feature Catherine the Great, who prided herself on being a patron of the arts and sciences, as part of the surprise is certainly in keeping with this elaborate egg’s style and imagery.

Hwd_81_1_2a1 Fabergé, St. Petersburg Gold, diamonds, pearls, opalescent enamel, opaque enamel, silver, platinum, mirror Courtesy Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 29

| DESIGN

30 | MARCH 2014

Imperial Peter the Great Easter Egg, 1903 This exquisite egg celebrates the two-hundredth anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg in 1703. Made of red, green and yellow gold, platinum, rose-cute diamonds, rubies, enamel, rock crystal and miniature watercolor portrait on ivory, this masterpiece is sure to sparkle. The curves, executed in gold, are set with diamonds and rubies.

The body of the egg is covered in laurel leaves and bulrushes, and on the top of the egg is an enameled wreath which encircles Nicholas II’s monogram. The bottom features the double-headed imperial eagle, made of black enamel and crowned with two diamonds. The four miniature watercolors paintings on the egg shell represent the “before” and “after” of St. Petersburg in 1703 and 1903, and include portraits of Peter the Great and Nicholas II. The Surprise: When the egg is opened, a mechanism within raises a miniature gold model of Peter the Great’s monument, “The Bronze Horsemen,” resting on a base of sapphire. The surprise was chosen based on a legend from the 19th century that says enemy forces will never take St. Petersburg while the “Bronze Horseman” stands in the middle of the city.

Karl Fabergé (Russian, 1846-1920) Egg: gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies, enamel, sapphire, watercolor, ivory, rock crystal Statue: gilted bronze, sapphire Egg: 4 3/8 in. H x 3 ¼ in. W (11.1x8.3 cm) Statue: 19/16 in. H (4 cm) Marks: K. Fabergé, initials of workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, assay mark of St. Petersburg 1896-1908; miniature of Peter the Great signed V. Zuiev, statue mounted on sapphire and gold base.

Note: Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1903 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel

SENSE MAGAZINE | 31

| VIEWS AND NEWS

THE WHY OF WRITING

BY JAN-PHILIPP SENDKER

At first I thought answering the question of why I write would be an easy one: Because I like to tell stories. But where does this love for storytelling come from?

Whenever I start to think about that, my thoughts travel back to my childhood.

READ IT AND EAT WITH JAN-PHILIPP SENDKER Author of

A Well-Tempered Heart MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 12:00 P.M. FAIRHOPE PUBLIC LIBRARY Free and Open to the Public.

Call the bookstore to reserve lunch for $10

32 | MARCH 2014

Both of my parents worked, which was unusual in the early 1960s in Germany. I was taken care of by a nanny, Mrs. Jakob, an extraordinary lady who was too old to put up with me physically. In order to keep me at bay, she started to tell me stories. Not just fairy tales, but stories that, as she explained to me many years later, she would make up on the spot. I don’t remember exactly what they were about, but I remember following her around our apartment, mesmerized, listening to the unfolding dramas of her imagination. It didn’t matter if she was doing the laundry, preparing the meals, or cleaning the floor, I was with her like a shadow, and discovered for the first time the incredible power of good storytelling.

My second lesson in the power of fiction came during primary school. I never was a good student, but on Monday mornings we had a class called “show and tell.” I loved it! I did not have a lot to show but always had much to tell. I invented dramatic stories about what happened to me and my sister over the weekend, how I had saved her from drowning or had fought our neighbor’s dangerous dog. And something amazing happened. Everybody listened. Captivated. The girls were full of admiration, or so I thought. After a couple of weeks, fewer and fewer classmates raised their hands to tell their stories because everybody, the teacher included, wanted to know what I would come up with. (I never figured out if they believed my stories or just enjoyed them as entertainment, whether true or not.)

The third and most valuable lesson came many years later. I had finished my first novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and had enjoyed the writing process tremendously. The practice of sitting at home, listening to music, day dreaming, making up stories and writing them down gave me more pleasure than I ever thought it would, despite the occasional days when I could not come up with anything to write about.

The book was published, first in Germany and then in many other countries, and again, something amazing happened.

People were responding to the love story between a blind teenager and a disabled girl set in Burma. I received emails, phone calls and letters from people around the world telling me that the story had moved them, made them cry or changed their lives. These responses were so full of passion and emotion that I started to truly understand what a gift the art of storytelling is.

Is that the reason why I write? To move readers? Yes and no. The truth is that I do not have a complete, satisfying answer to the question. I can only guess. I do what I love to do, which is make up stories. I give something and get a lot in return. Maybe it is easier to then answer in the negative: I do not write to teach. I do not write to educate or to spread an agenda. Or maybe the answer is even simpler: There are very few things that give me more pleasure than writing.

About the Author Jan-Philipp Sendker, born in Hamburg in 1960, was the American correspondent for Stern from 1990 to 1995, and its Asian correspondent from 1995 to 1999. In 2000 he published Cracks in the Wall, a nonfiction book about China. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, his first novel, is an international best seller. He lives in Berlin with his family.

| VIEWS AND NEWS

B E T W E E N

T H E

L I N E S

REVIEWS OF BOOKS AVAILABLE AT PAGE & PALETTE BOOKSTORE

THE WIND IS NOT A RIVER

BY BRIAN PAYTON

A gripping tale of survival and an epic love story set amid a barren and starkly beautiful landscape during one of the least-known events of World War II — the Japanese occupation of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Following the death of his younger brother in Europe, journalist John Easley is determined to find meaning in his loss, to document some part of the growing war that claimed his own flesh and blood. Leaving his wife, Helen, behind in Seattle, he heads to the Territory of Alaska to investigate the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands, a story censored by the U.S. government. While accompanying a crew on a bombing run, John’s plane is shot down over the island of Attu. But surviving the crash is only the beginning of his ordeal in this harsh and unforgiving fury of a wilderness known as “the Birthplace of Winds.” In the days ahead, John must battle the elements, starvation and his own regrets while evading discovery by the Japanese. Alone in their home 3,000 miles to the south, Helen struggles with her husband’s absence — a silence that exposes the truth

of her sheltered, untested life. Caught in extraordinary circumstances, in this new world of the missing, she is forced to reimagine who she is — and what she is capable of doing. Somehow, she will find John and bring him home, a quest that takes her into the farthest reaches of the war, beyond the safety of everything she knows. An evocative, richly atmospheric story of life and death, commitment and sacrifice, The Wind Is Not a River is a sweeping story of survival that illuminates the fragility of life and the fierce power of love. ($25.99, HarperCollins, On Sale Now)

doctor and a woman, Charlotte is forced to confront these issues head on — especially when her boyfriend Eric, a science journalist, becomes involved in the case. But the closer Charlotte and Eric get to the truth, the more their relationship is put to the test. Filled with intricate medical detail and set in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, Gemini is a vivid novel of moral complexity and emotional depth from the best-selling author of Oxygen and Healer. ($25.99, Simon & Schuster, Pub Date 3/4/14)

prime time. (And seriously?

Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution.

Record Nielsen ratings follow.

But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled. ($25.95, Penguin, On Sale Now)

has published fiction and nonfiction in such journals as Meridian, Epic and Bar Stories. A chapter from All the Happiness You Deserve was published by the Jabberwock Review and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. ($15.00, Perseus, On Sale Now)

THE SECRET OF RAVEN POINT

BY JENNIFER VANDERBES

ALL THE HAPPINESS YOU DESERVE TWISTED SISTERS GEMINI

BY JEN LANCASTER

BY CAROL CASSELLA

Reagan Bishop is a pusher.

A licensed psychologist who stars on a cable breakout show, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors.

An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.

Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite.

When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount.

But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in

Across the Puget Sound in a rural hospital on the Olympic Peninsula an unidentified patient lies unconscious, the victim of a hit and run. In Seattle, ICU doctor Charlotte Reese receives a call: Jane Doe will be transferred to her care.

But when the patient arrives — with only tubes keeping her alive — Charlotte has to dig through x-rays and MRIs to determine what went wrong on the operating table. Jane Doe’s condition is getting worse each day, and Charlotte finds herself becoming increasingly consumed by her patient’s plight — both medical and personal. As a

BY MICHAEL PIAFKSY

An Everyman searches for truth and meaning in a life fraught with unsettling challenges, joyful milestones and the unconscious awareness of the passage of time. The 78 evocative cards of the Tarot deck frame the narrator’s story as he journeys through the phases of his life from childhood to old age. Michael Piafsky’s dazzling debut novel offers a new and important voice to lovers of literary fiction. Michael Piafsky is an assistant professor and the director of creative writing at Spring Hill College. The Missouri native earned an MA in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD from the University of Missouri. A former editor of the Missouri Review, Piafsky

From the award-winning writer of Easter Island (hailed

by People magazine as a “rich and worldly first novel”), comes a powerful story of love, loss and redemption amidst the ruins of war-torn Italy.

Reminiscent of Pat Barker’s Regeneration, The Secret of Raven Point is a war saga capturing the experiences of soldiers after the battles have ended. And as few novels have done, it depicts the ravages of war through the eyes of a young woman. In luminous prose, Vanderbes tells the story of one girl’s fierce determination to find her brother as she comes of age in a time of unrelenting violence.

The Secret of Raven Point is historical fiction at its best: haunting, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. ($26.00, Simon & Schuster, On Sale Now)

SENSE MAGAZINE | 33

| VIEWS AND NEWS

WHAT THE AUTHORS ARE READING PAGE & PALETTE BOOKSTORE’S MOST POPULAR AUTHORS TALK ABOUT THEIR LATEST READS

DEBORAH JOHNSON

MICHAEL PIAFKSY

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORICAL DEBUT NOVEL THE SECRET OF MAGIC

AUTHOR OF ALL THE HAPPINESS YOU DESERVE

With so many new things happening in my life — The Secret of Magic has launched and I am hard at work on a new novel — I’ve lately spent time rereading some cherished old friends.

Is there any more narcissistic a woman than Undine Spragg in Edith Wharton’s fabulous The Custom of the Country? A horror of a woman, she makes Scarlett O’Hara look like Mother Theresa. And yet, Undine fascinates. I know of whole book groups that have sprung up around her. Walter Moseley’s Devil in a Blue Dress is a mystery I go back to again and again, even though I have known the outcome for years. How could you not love a character who transforms himself from Ezekiel Rawlins to Easy Rawlins in the space of one lifetime and becomes a private detective to boot? In Easy’s determination of hold on to his house, his one piece of property, at all cost, Moseley perfectly captures the feeling of mid-century Los Angeles, as well as the forces driving the American Dream. In The Given Day, Dennis Lehane left me with images I’ll never forget. I don’t think anyone writes moral ambiguity as deftly as he does. May I sneak in one more? Sally and Robert Fitzgerald’s Flannery O’Connor’s Mystery and Manners is a collection of that wonderful Southern author’s articles and prose and is chock full of truly helpful advice for any writer. I go back to it again and again — even when I’m not launching a new book or writing a newer one.

34 | MARCH 2014

I just finished S., by Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams. It’s a high-concept book that comes complete with props (like postcards, newspapers and a cocktail napkin blueprint). It reads like a less intense House of Leaves or a more interactive Crying of Lot 49. I believe Abrams acted as something akin to show-runner and left the writing to Dorst, which was a wise decision. I’m also reading The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn. This novel blends two narratives — one about a present-day doctor whose life is spiraling downward, the other about an antebellum slave who earns his keep raiding the local cemetery to supply cadavers to the medical school. It’s a dense book and funnier than you’d think it would be. Plus, the southern Guinn makes tremendously good use of his setting.

ROBERT BAILEY AUTHOR OF THE DEBUT LEGAL THRILLER THE PROFESSOR

I am currently reading Sycamore Row by John Grisham, which takes readers back to Ford County, Mississippi for the sequel to A Time to Kill, one of my all-time favorites. Halfway through, the book is not disappointing, and it is nice to catch up with Jake Brigance again as he tries to uphold the last will and testament of a man who hung himself to a tree right before devising almost his entire 20 million dollar estate to his African American maid. Prior to that, I finished Mortal Bonds, Michael Sears’ follow up to Black Fridays. Sears has a great series going with Jason Stafford, the ex-con stock broker and his autistic son, the Kid. It was fascinating to watch Jason try to track down a fortune in bearer bonds while struggling to raise his son. Before Mortal Bonds, I read A Darkness More Than Night, book seven in the Harry Bosch series from Michael Connelly. In this one, Harry teams up with Terry McCaleb, the hero of Connelly’s Blood Work, who was portrayed by Clint Eastwood in the movie by the same name, to solve a murder. It doesn’t get much better than Harry Bosch, and teaming him with McCaleb made the pages fly by.

While I’ve been reading these books, I’ve also been listening to audio books of John Sandford’s Prey series, having just finished Certain Prey, where Lucas Davenport matches wits with a female assassin named Clara Rinker. Now I’m listening to Easy Prey, where Davenport is trying to solve a double homicide involving a famous supermodel.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 35

| ARTS

All Roads Lead To Rom e A Baldwin County artist commissioned to paint a portrait of Pope Francis TEXT BY GINGER WADE

T

hirty-year-old Bon Secour native Anthony VanArsdale received a high calling. He recently completed his latest commission—a portrait of Pope Francis. Being commissioned by the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy, attests to his astounding talent. As unlikely as it was for an Argentinian pontiff to become pope, so would it be for a young Baldwin County artist to be selected to do work of this magnitude. However, VanArsdale’s providential story encompasses a series of events where all roads lead to Rome.

Growing up, VanArsdale’s parents, who own a screen print business, supplied him with unending sheets of newsprint, a fist full of crayons and uninterrupted hours for drawing. As he matured, so did his artistic abilities and his family offered great support and encouragement in his development.

Another significant childhood experience that helped steer the course of his path was serving Mass in various Catholic churches throughout southern Baldwin County. “Meeting many good people who actively practiced their faith greatly influenced my life and my appreciation of beauty,” recounted VanArsdale.

VanArsdale was homeschooled through high school after which he earned an Associate of Science degree in commercial art and computer graphics from Faulkner State Community College in 2004. He wanted to illustrate but lacked connections during this time.

For two years he intensely focused on drawing with the goal of improving his craftsmanship. He pored over the work of Norman Rockwell, one of America’s most popular and beloved illustrators. He also received illustrative inspiration and technique from animated Disney classic movies and from great character animator Glen Keane, known for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Tangled,” among others.

By 2008 VanArsdale had compiled a portfolio for the children’s book market. In 2009 he signed with Shannon Associates, a top New York agency for illustrators, photographers, animators and authors in visual communication.

VanArsdale’s love of fine art, particularly watercolor and oils, inspired a great interest in figure painting. He received some instruction while at college but describes himself as mostly self-taught, having been influenced by French 19th century academic William-Adolphe Bouguereau for his methods in figure painting. He also credits Sweden’s 20th century prolific portrait painter Anders Zorn, and American portrait master John Singer Sargent for influencing his techniques.

VanArsdale admitted that as a young artist he tried to 36 | MARCH 2014

“I referenced many photos to become familiar with my subject. The painting is actually from an angle and pose not in any particular photo, so numerous sketches beforehand were very important.”

emulate the greats. But as he matured, he learned to take their techniques, build on them, and develop his own style and expression. His expressive work has been recognized during his career including paintings Resolve, Spyglass, and Alexandria, which were finalists in the International Art Renewal Center Salon in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.

influential guests and dignitaries from all over the world.

VanArsdale said, “I consider this a great honor, given my love for the Catholic Church and for figure painting.”

VanArsdale’s road led to Rome, but he continues down many avenues. His commissions have opened the door for a gallery presence. He has gained notoriety in the art world, has been requested for showings and is being increasingly sought out for commissions. One patron described VanArsdale as having the ability to not only superlatively capture the subject’s image, but their countenance, manner and personality; whether it be a shyness, or as in Pope Francis’ portrait, a humble demeanor that states he is the pope of the people.

Intertwined through his life’s work were the events that would lead to VanArsdale’s commission of Pope Francis’ portrait. Following the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the Rev. Paul Zoghby, priest of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Foley, Ala., asked VanArsdale to paint a portrait of the new pope to hang in the church.

His painting was displayed there until Francis was elected in 2013.

VanArsdale is now expanding his portrait work but maintaining his illustration assignments. To accommodate his growing business, VanArsdale designed a studio currently under construction. He considers his studio his creative environment where he has room to back up and gain perspective. He also continues to study, develop and refine other styles of painting especially work with a medieval or renaissance genre. “Lately clients have been very interested in this so I would like to build a sample of work in this style,” he explained.

In 2008, Most Rev. Thomas J. Rodi was named archbishop of the Mobile Archdiocese. Eager to employ a new paint technique, VanArsdale contacted Zoghby and volunteered to paint Archbishop Rodi’s image to match Benedict’s.

Zoghby readily agreed and both portraits were displayed at St. Margaret church.

It is tradition that newly appointed archbishops have their official portrait displayed in the foyer of the rectory. Rodi admired VanArsdale’s work and commissioned him to paint his portrait for the rectory. It was completed in 2011.

Later that year Rodi commissioned a portrait of the Rev. James E. Coyle, the first rector of McGill Institute for Boys, which is today McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Ala. Coyle had served from 1897 until 1904 before moving to Birmingham where he became pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Later in 1921, amidst antiCatholic sentiment, Coyle was gunned down and killed. To commemorate Coyle’s devotion to McGill, Rodi presented Coyle’s portrait to McGill-Toolen in 2012.

VanArsdale’s expressive works, including Resolve above and Spyglass below, were finalists in the International Art Renewal Center Salon in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.

His love of his Baldwin County heritage, his Catholic faith and his profession pack a powerful foundation that definitely makes VanArsdale an artist to watch. He plans to complete his studio and remain in Bon Secour. He has three younger brothers, all of whom are artistic. He said that they look to him for guidance and mentoring, but is quick to add that, “I am greatly inspired by what they do and create.”

Monsignor Michael Farmer, the Vicar General of the Mobile Archdiocese since 1998, served alongside Rodi. Farmer had been in contact with VanArsdale during his work on Rodi’s portrait. In 2011 Farmer began a four-year term as Vice Rector of Administration at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. In the fall of 2013, being an ardent admirer of VanArsdale’s impressive body of work, Farmer used a photo of Coyle’s portrait as a sample and proposed to the rector at the North American College to commission VanArsdale to paint the portrait of Francis. This proposal was approved, Farmer e-mailed VanArsdale with the commission and the artist immediately went to work.

To capture the essence of the pope, VanArsdale described, “I referenced many photos to become familiar with my subject. The painting is actually from an angle and pose not in any particular photo, so numerous sketches beforehand were very important.” He completed this pivotal project in December 2013.

VanArsdale’s artistic journey continues.

Visit www.anthonyvanarsdale.com to learn more about VanArsdale and follow his path to Rome and beyond.

The image of Francis now graces a wall of the Red Room Dining Hall at the North American College. This dining hall is the venue for formal events whose attendees include SENSE MAGAZINE | 37

| V ER B AT I M

Q &A

Vaughan Morrissette: A Legacy of Leadership TEXT BY ROBIN FITZHUGH PHOTO BY MATT GATES

M

obile native Vaughan Morrissette has been a leader in the arts, education, historic preservation and health care for a half century. A graduate of Leadership Alabama, her civic endeavors also led to her being named to the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2005. She shared some thoughts on her sources of inspiration and hopes for the Mobile Bay area’s future.

38 | MARCH 2014

I have also enjoyed my time as a member of the board of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, a lineage society that was founded in 1890. We own more home historic homes than the National Trust for Historic Preservation and have societies in 44 states. Locally, we staff and operate the Conde Charlotte House to encourage interest in Mobile’s history.

Q: Talk about your early life growing up in Mobile.

I went to Leinkauf School through the seventh grade. Ours was the only class that went straight from elementary school to Murphy, so I was 12 years old when I started high school.

I graduated in 1950 and went to Sweet Briar College [in Virginia]. After being part of a high school class of 850, I loved going to a small women’s college where I felt like I could really get involved. Taylor and I married after my graduation and we went to live in Colorado Springs where he finished his time in the military, and then we spent a year in New Orleans when he began working in the sugar business. We enjoyed both places, but were glad to get back home.

The governor appointed me to the board of the American Village in Montevallo which is just a treasure for our state and I have also served on the board of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Q: You have also done so much to promote the arts in Alabama. What are you currently working on?

Q: When did you become interested in community leadership?

My mother, Laura Vaughan Inge Gaillard, served as chairman of the Mobile Infirmary Board of Directors for 25 years. She was also the first laywoman to serve on the board of the American Hospital Association, so she was a great role model. When I was elected president of the Junior League of Mobile at 31, I learned about leadership and responsibility to the community. That was also the time when local boards were looking to diversify their membership by adding women members, so I had some amazing opportunities.

Q: What have been some of your most interesting projects?

I became a member of the Mobile Infirmary board as soon as Taylor and I returned to Mobile and was board chairman from 1983 to 1995. It was then, and still is, the largest hospital in Alabama so we oversaw tremendous growth of the facility. The Mobile Infirmary was just my heart for all those years.

Education has also been important to me too and I was honored to serve on the boards of Sweet Briar, Washington and Lee University, and Spring Hill College. I also enjoyed serving as chairman of the Alabama School for Math and Science Foundation here in Mobile. Right now, my daughter Laura [Clark] and I have helped Augusta Evans School Foundation raise funds for a playground for their new school that serves children with disabilities in the Mobile area.

Q: You have done a lot to further the cause of historic preservation. Can you talk about your involvement on a national level?

I have served as chairman of the board of the Mobile Museum of Art and am still on the board of the Alabama State Council on the Arts. I love traveling around Alabama, seeing what local communities are doing to promote the arts in their area. Even very small towns are doing wonderful things to showcase local art and artists and I have enjoyed helping them get the support they need. As a board member of the Jack Warner Foundation in Tuscaloosa, I am helping to keep the Warner’s fabulous art collection in this state and to find the artwork a permanent home.

“Giving to others is so much fun – so none of us ever feel put upon because we love to do what we can to help.”

Q: You have seen many changes in your life here. What are your feelings about the future of Mobile?

I am so excited for Mobile. With Airbus and Thyssenkrupp and Austal, I think we have a very bright future. I have done what I could to welcome new industry leaders to the area and sell them on Mobile, because I’ve learned that making their leaders feel welcome is the first step to having them relocate here.

Q: You spoke about following your mother’s lead as a community volunteer. Has that legacy carried on to your children and grandchildren?

Oh, absolutely. All four of my children and most of my 11 grandchildren live here and we all feel strongly about giving back to Mobile. Before his death in 1990, my husband was also a very active volunteer. One of my sons is on the board of the University of Alabama where he went to school and my daughter was chairman of the board of UMS-Wright.

All my children have served on a wide variety of community boards and we all enjoy what we do – giving to others is so much fun –so none of us ever feel put upon because we love to do what we can to help.

For the last 20 years, I have served on the board of Mount Vernon Ladies Association as the representative from Alabama and was chairman of that board for three years.

George Washington’s home is the most visited historic home in America – we have over 1 million visitors each year. The Ladies Association was founded in 1852 to preserve the home and promote interest in the life of George Washington and in patriotism and historic preservation.

SENSE MAGAZINE | 39

| LITERATI

THEM WOODLAND FOLKS

BY WINDSOR POTTS

The townsfolk had warned him to steer clear of the woodland folks, the ones who kept to themselves. “They’re a trifle unkind.

Not public people at all. They don’t come ‘round unless they need materials for building. Even then, they only send in the old man who won’t speak. Some says he’s got no tongue and others say he’s deaf, so he don’t know how to talk. He just comes in with a list, don’t even look anybody in the eye, and leaves once he’s paid his bill. You don’t want no part of them, Reverend.”

The Reverend patted the young shopkeeper on the shoulder, smiling kindly. “Ulysses, it’s kind of you to warn me, but they are Children of God and it’s my job to minister to them.

Whether they’re friendly or not, they are still my charges.”

Anger covered the shopkeeper’s face. “Well, don’t say you weren’t warned. It’s your own god damned funeral. And I’m not Ulysses; I’m Grant.” He walked away from the counter, fuming, and began sweeping the store’s floors.

Ulysses had caught the tail end of the conversation and walked up to the elderly minister who stood at the general store’s counter, a look of shock covering his face. “I’m sorry about Grant, Reverend. We may be twins but we’re opposite sides of the coin, if you know what I mean?”

The Reverend shook his head, “I’m afraid it’s my fault. I know your brother has a bit of ire ‘bout him, and he gets awful confrontational when folks guess his name wrong. I do hope you will smooth things over with him for me?”

Nodding, Ulysses placed the wrapped parcels of dried goods and items in a linen satchel. “I’ll make it good by him. He don’t mean no harm and he’ll know you didn’t mean none either.” As the old man nodded his appreciation, he paid his balance and almost reached the door when Ulysses called after him. “Hey Reverend, Grant’s right, you know? You don’t want no part of them woodland folk.”

“Fur-teen miles, Reb’rend.” The man with the reins was an old miner that was often known to be miserly, sick, and drunk.

The word around town was that even though Maliki drove the wagon, the brains of the operation was Mattie, the mule pulling the load. In the bed, behind the bumper seat the Reverend and Maliki sat on, was a small load of shoring timbers being hauled up to the mines’ base camp. Maliki pointed back down the length of road they’d just traveled. “It’s fur-teen miles back’n to town if ’n them woodland folks won’t be hospitable. I en’t comin’ back this’n way fur ne’r a week, so you gots fur-teen miles of walkin’ if ’n they don’t won none yer salvation.”

Nodding, the Reverend sighed as he said, “Yes, Maliki. That’s a long haul, I know. I thank you kindly for takin’ me this far.” The Reverend held onto his parcel, with his Bible on his lap, and they said nothing to each other for the remainder of the trip.

He’d made the mistake of trying to apply the Gospel to Maliki 40 | MARCH 2014

when he first started his monthly circuit up to the Company camp several weeks ago.

“Forgiveness? What the hell would I want that fur? I ain’t done nothin’ I’m ashamed to admit.” That was the response that had left the Reverend speechless. Now, they rode on in silence.

Fourteen miles after they left town, Maliki stopped the wagon and pointed to a pig trail that ran down one of the Ozark foothills. “You go down yunder a ways. Reckon it can’t be fur.

Ne’er been there mu-self, so I can’t know fur sure.” With not so much as a response to the Reverend’s ‘fare-the-wells’ and “go with God,” Maliki clicked his tongue and Mattie moved on towards his destination another ten miles away.

The trail wound on for a long ways, then opened up into a small clearing, and then narrowed again. After walking what he believed to be a couple of miles, he stopped to survey his surroundings. “I done got myself lost. That or Maliki has led me down the wrong path.” However, he did see traces of heavier foot traffic along the path, moving onto the main way from various game trails darting off into the woods. There were many different tracks, all adults and all without shoes. “There must be a small tribe hidden away back here.”

Midday had passed by with a mild breeze blowing and the evening sun was starting to show its colors through the tall pines that flourished on the hill side. The elderly man began to tire, but was determined to make it to whatever lodgings these “woodland folks” had. “Whether they let me witness to them or not, they’ll at least allow me to have a breather. Maybe a bite to eat.” Not long after saying this, the Reverend heard a child’s crying floating through the trees.

Pressing forward cautiously, he drew nearer to the sound of the weeping. He saw a large clearing and a shack centered in it, the back surrounded by crops. Not far from the front porch a small girl was huddled into a ball, her head buried in her knees as she wept. There were burst of sobs, followed by silence as the child gasped for air. The Reverend rushed to her side, kneeling, his hands hovering over her small body. “Darlin’. Oh, darlin’, whatever is the matter? Are you hurt?”

Without lifting her head, the little girl rocked her face into her knees. “Nuh-uh,” she managed between sobs. “Mama ain’t feelin’ good. She don’t look good none at all.”

“Your mama? Where’s she at darlin’?” From behind the little girl, a screen door slammed across the main entry way. There was no one on the porch. The Reverend looked to the little girl who remained hugging her face to her legs. “Is your mama inside, darlin’?”

The little girl just cried and said, “She don’t feel none too good.”

Approaching the porch with a bit of trepidation, the Reverend said nothing as he held tight to his Holy Bible and his bag of sundries. He tried to peer through the shade that the porch cast over the windows and the doors, but the darkness inside the house couldn’t be pierced from the yard. As he stepped onto the porch, he finally saw through the gloom. A woman walked away from the door, slowly dragging her feet as her thin arms hung down beside her dirty flour sack dress.

The Reverend put on his best smile, trying to ignore the terrible smell and the sound of buzzing flies from within the shack, and rapped gently on the screen door’s frame. “Evening, ma’am. I’m the Right Reverend Weaver and your precious child in yon yard there is dreadful worried for your health. She says you seem to be struck quite ill and I was wonderin’ if I could perhaps--” The rest of the sentence hung in the air as the woman turned slowly to face him.

Several feet past the woman, deeper into the dimly lit house, the Reverend could see the mutilated bodies of men, women, and children spread out on the open floor. Entrails were ripped from torsos and limbs were strewn about or twisted in terrible positions. As the dying evening light illuminated the woman’s face, the Reverend saw what appeared to be black paint dried around the woman’s mouth and all down the front of her dress, even covering her hands. As she stepped towards the door in a slow lumber, exposing herself to the last of the sunlight that was being choked out by the trees, her eyes glistened white and glassy, like cataracts covering her vision completely.

When the woman feebly pushed at the screen door, it sprung back, slamming hard against the frame. With a second attempt she had pushed the door opened and stepped onto the porch.

She stopped as her feet stumbled over the Holy Bible and the bag of items the Reverend dropped. By the time the woman made it off the porch, the Reverend had ran as fast as his arthritis-riddled body would allow him, scooping the girl up as he went. He dragged her as he yelled, “Run child, run! For the love o’ God, don’t stop!”

He looked back to see the abomination was off the porch. He lifted the girl, cradling her in his arms as he trotted along the path. He dared not to slow even when he began to see men and women emerging from the game trails, each of their faces covered in gore, their eyes identical to the woman’s in the cabin.

He charged on faster, making it past the group before they could block the path ahead of him.

As he reached the first large clearing before the main road, the old man sat the girl down. Wincing, he fought the pain growing in his chest. His lungs burned and an aching throb had formed in his left shoulder. The Reverend turned around, checking the path behind him for a sign of their pursuers. “If they be after us, they don’t move none in a hurry.” He clutched his left arm, grimacing as the pain pulsed sharper.

The child asked from behind him, “Mista? You ok?”

Turning to face the little girl, the Reverend put on his biggest smile as he squinted, trying to pretend the pain didn’t make him want to scream and curl into a ball on the ground. “Ah yeah, darling. I’m fine.” He couldn’t move as he watched the girl inch closer to him, her hands covered in blood. The child’s eyes were covered over with the same milky film as the abominations that pursued him, and her little lips had black flakes crusting around the edges.

“Well, I don’t feel good. None such at all.”

LITERATI SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Sense invites you to submit edgy, eclectic pieces. We welcome short fiction, essays, humor, and poetry submissions. Rights to the material submitted remain those of its author, who is protected under Creative Commons licenses. We reserve the right to choose all materials that appear in the publication. For more detailed submission information, email editor@thesenseofitall.com.