Southern Tatler 23

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COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

BENNIE ADKINS A HERO AMONG US, ONE MAN ’S LIFE OF VALOR

AUBURN / OPELIKA, AL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

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CONTENT

VISAGE

VISAGE

town

EVENTS AROUND

ARTS & LEISURE É l e v é Auburn AL

24 D I N N E R W I T H D AV I D B A N C RO F T Auburn AL

28 CRAWFISH BOIL Sprayberr y Orthodontics, Auburn AL

30 WA L K A B O U T W I N E TA S T I N G The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn AL

34 COMMUNITY COMEDY ROAST Opelika AL

36 PREWETT INSURANCE GROUP WINE DINNER The Bottling Plant Event Center, Opelika AL

40 BURGERS & BOW TIES The Legacy at Car y Creek, Auburn AL

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There’s always something to

smile

about at

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OUR MISSION

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CONTENT

FEATURES

LOCAL FOCUS

FACES

Rusty Prewett

50

LOCAL FOCUS

FEATURE STORY

Moore’s Mill Eyecare

60

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

BENNIE ADKINS

84

CULINARY CORNER Chuck’s Bar-B-Que

98

FASHION Studio 3:19

100

T R AV E L

HUNGARY Budapest

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!"#$%&''' (%)&*

W ishing you a Merry Christmas!

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SOUTHERN TAT L E R THE ESSENCE OF SOUTHERN SOCIETY

PUBLISHER Matthew Tse

O peratio n S

Savannah Simpson

A D V E R T I S e M E N T & M ar k eti n g marketing@southerntatler.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Anisa Patel Kenneth Ngo Mitch McHargue

P hotographer Glenn McCarley Heather Carson Isaac Leverett Jesi Godwin

W riters

Amy Hudson Caroline Lentz Jarod Johnson

for questions or comments concerning advertising or general inquiries: 334.539.1780 customer.relations@southerntatler.com Southern Tatler is a bi-monthly magazine by Raw Conceptual, LLC. All material published remain the property of Raw Conceptual, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or copied without Raw Conceptual, LLC consent.

369 S. College St. Auburn, Alabama Office: 334.329.5599

Katie McCarley, Realtor

334.887.7777 | Katie@auburnrealty.com Residential and Equestrian Properties

LETTER from

the

PUBLISHER As warm weather leaves us and chilly air moves in, we welcome the holidays with open arms. It seems like weeks ago that we were sharing with you our winter 2016 issue, yet here we are preparing to begin the year 2018! Southern Tatler has been richly blessed over the last twelve months, when at first it seemed we couldn’t fall any deeper in love with the people of East Alabama, but then they gave us many more reasons to cherish home.

With Christmas approaching, we are reminded of the gift that is family. I hope that you all consider the Auburn Family an important part of your life just as I do. My staff and I have been afforded the unique chance to meet several awesome members of that Auburn family in the last several weeks.

First, we sat down with Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins, he talked at length about his experience and encounter during War World II, and his dedication and commitment to our freedom.

Rusty Prewett, one of the most giving and connected individuals living in our city. Rusty believes that giving back and helping those in need is his duty.

Jody Escoe owner of Opelika’s popular Chuck’s Bar-B-Que showed us around their shop and told us about how it started in 1976.

Lastly, we talked with Dr. David Olive about Moore’s Mill Eyecare and how they are helping restore the vision of individuals within Lee County, as well we thousands of miles away in Africa.

Again, we hope you will enjoy hearing from these individuals and gaining new perspective by considering their own ideas of commiment and purpose in life.

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

-Matthew Tse

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LIFE

Outdoor Living

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LOISABA, KENYA

www.loisaba.com Explore Kenya’s wilderness by camel, river raft or mountain bike, and then fall asleep beneath a canopy of stars at Loisaba. Popular with honeymooners, Loisaba’s two sets of ‘star beds‘ are completely exposed to the elements, standing on an elevated, open-air platform in the middle of the 60,000-acre private wilderness reserve.

L’ALBERETA, ITALY

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EVENT: WALKABOUT WINE TASTING VENUE: THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY & DIXON CONFERENCE CENTER DATE: AUGUST 18th, 2017

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ARTS & LEISURE

DINNER W I T H D AV I D BANCROF T

C R AW F I S H BOIL

WA L K A B O U T WINE TA S T I N G

SOUTHERN

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VISAGE

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COMMUNITY COMEDY ROAST

PREWETT INSURANCE GROUP WINE DINNER

BURGERS AND BOW TIES

VISAGE ARTS

ARTS & LEISURE Élevé, Auburn, AL

& LEISURE

September 28th, 2017

Joe and Jennifer Guthrie

Kathy Powell, Jen Slocumb Kelly Rogers and Nonet Reese

Lorna Roberts, Susie Litkenhous

Brad Litkenhous, Myles Wiggins

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Kay and Bob Recknor

Trissie Mixon, Amanda Smith, Lee Anne Wegmann, Sand Vinson

Lynsey and Blake Smith

Scott and Jamie Burnett

Ken and Anna Zouhary chef David Bancroft

Chris and Claire Heacox

Tiffany and Brady Dubberley

Susie Litkenhous, Jessica Baeder

25 N O V E M BER/ DECEM BER

2017

VISAGE ARTS & LEISURE

ARTS & LEISURE Élevé, Auburn, AL

September 28th, 2017

Alisha Forbus, Jason and Jennifer Graham

Celeste and Barry Dorman Dorsey and Jim Hannahan

Litkenhous family

Jennifer Johnson, Brad Adams

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VISAGE DINNER WITH

DAVID

BANCROFT

DINNER WITH DAVID BANCROFT AUBURN, AL

September 20th, 2017

Shanon Jackson, Lauren Woodley, Denise Makris

Stacey Jordan, Sandy Bridges

Jennifer and Clay Harper

Christin Bancroft and Marianne Jensen

chef David Bancroft

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Stacy Brown and Mimi Martin

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VISAGE CRAWFISH BOIL

CRAWFISH BOIL S P R AY B E R RY O RT H O D O N T I C S, AU BU R N A L

October 11th, 2017

Tammy Sumner, Mary Beth Hudson, Kaylyn Coan Sprayberry Orthodontics’s staff

T.J Fuqua, Keri Miller, Brent Miller

Tammy Sumner, Mary Beth Hudson, Kaylyn Coan

Dr. Jim Phillips, Jenny Scott, Kelli Teipel, Dona Dunn, Ashley Ray, McKenzie Warnock

Ken and Anna Zouhary

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Rhonda Dunaway, Shawna Wilhite, Alison LeCroy, Kristi Thomas, Julie Blair Angel Stokes and Lauren Wilson

Larry Wit, Brook Moates, Corinne Staheli, Amy Vaughn

Morgan Wiggins

Auburn Dental Spa Staff

Jessica Andrus, Jeffrey Lee

31 N O V EM BER/ DECEM BER

2017

Jenean and Steve Sprayberry

VISAGE CRAWFISH BOIL

CRAWFISH BOIL S P R AY B E R RY O RT H O D O N T I C S, AU BU R N A L

October 11th, 2017

King Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Melissa and Van Northcutt, Mitchell Roland

Jerry and Donna Matson

Paige, Dr. Lana Atchley

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Gwen Finley and Billie Shae

Comprehensive financial planning done LOCALLY

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VISAGE WALKABOUT WINE TASTING

WALKABOUT WINE TASTING THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY & DIXON CONFERENCE CENTER, AUBURN AL

August 18th, 2017

Katie Ashley

Megan Heim-LaFrombois, Christopher LaFrombois, Melissa Agresta, Jim Murphy

Kerri Soler, Gretchen Ramirez Jake and Margaret Williamson Ray and Rachel Luxton

Joice Milare, Allison Duke

Cinzia Mastrorilli and James Wenzel

Carroll Rhea, Suzanne Hunter, Laura Swindall

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Members of Chris Helms Quartet: Chris Helms, Jason DeBlanc, Coleman Woodson III, Ben Weldon

Jessica Bodine and Courtney Jones

Cory Unruh, Kristen De La Fuente, Melissa Agresta, Libby Anderson, Megan Heim-LaFrombois

Jonathan and Ashley Godwin

Greg Burchett, Cyndi Tereszkiewicz, Anna Burchett, Kaci Knox, Laz Diaz, Jessica Tereszkiewicz, Will Gosdin

Joe and Karen Kassen, Shannon and Glenn Loughridge

35 N O V EM BER/ DECEM BER

2017

COMMUNITY COMEDY ROAST

VISAGE COMMUNITY

Opelika, AL

COMEDY ROAST

August 4th, 2017

Glenda Baker, Mayor Gary Fuller

Troy Booth, Marie King

Robert Williams and Brandon Morgan

Bruce and Brandy Pearl

Jenifer Lovvorn, Dr. Anne Penny, Dr. Addie & Robert Swinney

Dr. Terry Jenkins, Cynithia L. Booth

Robert Williams, Brandon Morgan

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Wilbert and Virginia Payne

Ashley Daniels

Victor and Alvenia Reeves

Willie and Michelle Sanford

Jim, Jennifer and Jay Collins

Bill & Joyce Morgan Young, Philip & Kathy Tyler, Jenifer & Joe Lovvorn

Ken and Joy Ringer, Lane and Bill Sauser

Rev. Clifford Jones, Morgan Cornelius, Clint DeCoux

37 N O V EM BER/ DECEM BER

2017

VISAGE

COMMUNITY COMEDY ROAST

COMMUNITY COMEDY ROAST

Opelika, AL

August 4th, 2017

Carter and John Robinson, Peggy and Steve Jenkins Jay and Angie Jacobs

James Jones, Chris George

Henry and Cynthia Collins

Jonas E. and Bernice Rutledge, Ann Wyatt, Phyllis Peters, Lillie Jones

Will Herring

38 SOUTHERN

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What sets us apart from other banks?

OUR PEOPLE.

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VISAGE PREWETT INSURANCE GROUP WINE DINNER

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August 17th, 2017

Gerri Talley, Paul Talley

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Tom and Sherry Ramos

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40 SOUTHERN

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VISAGE BURGERS AND BOW

TIES

BURGERS AND BOW TIES THE LEGACY AT CARY CREEK. AUBURN AL

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TAT L E R

43 N O V EM BER/ DECEM BER

2017

VISAGE BURGERS AND BOW

TIES

BURGERS AND BOW TIES THE LEGACY AT CARY CREEK. AUBURN AL

October 12th, 2017

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that's made to last as long as the memories you make around it.

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VISAGE BURGERS AND BOW

TIES

BURGERS AND BOW TIES THE LEGACY AT CARY CREEK. AUBURN AL

October 12th, 2017

46 S OUTHERN

TAT L E R

Get linked with the best!

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SOUTHERN

TAT L E R

BREATH FACES: RUSTY PREWETT LOCAL FOCUS: MOORE’S MILL EYECARE

CULINARY CORNER: CHUCK’S BAR-B-QUE

FACES RUSTY PREWETT

Rusty

PREWETT A giving heart and a caring soul

You may have driven by Rusty Prewett’s Allstate Insurance Agency a time or two in Moores Mill. But you probably don’t know that Rusty is one of the most giving and connected individuals in our city of Auburn. Rusty knows that here on the Plains, we’re living a dream that some people will never come close to. That’s why he believes that giving back and helping those in need is his duty. Rusty sat down with us only a few weeks ago to talk about what it’s been like owning a business and raising a family in our wonderful town.

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2017

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ou may have seen Rusty Prewett’s name on a billboard or a business card around town. He’s most recognized here for his Allstate Insurance Agency, Prewett Insurance Group, but his efforts to support and enrich the entire East Alabama community through his philanthropy and kindness ought not go unnoticed. Rusty wasn’t born or raised in Auburn. In fact, he doesn’t really have any ties here, aside from the fact that Auburn University is his alma mater, but perhaps that’s what makes his love for the Plains a genuine love. Both Rusty and his wife, Mandy, graduated from Auburn in 2001 and 2002 (respectively) before moving to Birmingham to pursue their career goals. Both from Atmore, Rusty and Mandy began to miss the “small town feel” and sense of belonging in a town only a fraction of the size of Birmingham. After ten years in The Magic City, they decided to relocate to Auburn when they saw an opportunity to open the Prewett Insurance Group office in Moores Mill. That office opened in 2011. Since then Rusty has become increasingly more connected and invested in our community.

doors for us,” Rusty noted. “Things just fell into place.”

Since their move back, Rusty and Mandy’s family has grown as swiftly as the business. They have a nineyear-old named Ellie, A seven-year-old, Greer, and a five-year-old, Sims. Their kiddos keep them on their toes with various sports and activities. Rusty laughed, “My wife and I are in that stage of life when you have to do a lot of driving. It feels like we’re always dropping someone off at the ball field or picking them up.” Rusty has the special privilege of coaching Ellie’s basketball team as well as Sims’s t-ball team. “I’m so lucky to be able to do that,” he said.

REWIND SEVERAL YEARS to Rusty’s youth.

Even as a teenager Rusty was a self-described “Auburn person.” He and his two brothers enjoyed watching Auburn football games on TV and even traveling to Jordan-Hare when afforded the chance. “Mom would take us to roll Toomer’s Corner after a big win, then we’d go buy jerseys at the Haley Center Bookstore,” Rusty reminisced. It was only natural that he decided to attend Auburn University, along with his high school sweetheart, Mandy. Admittedly Rusty and Mandy were ready to leave Auburn after college- mostly because they wanted to experience married life in a new citybut they couldn’t stay away for long. Mandy was seven months pregnant when they moved back to Auburn.

At the time, Rusty’s brother, Chad, was coaching basketball at Lee Scott Academy. He’d been trying his hardest to convince Rusty and Mandy to move back one day when Rusty and Mandy began to consider the transition. Two and a half weeks later, they were settled on the plains. “There’s no doubt the Lord was opening

“In the earlier years of my career it was difficult at times to find a healthy balance between work and family life. I am thankful to say that I’ve found that balance now.”

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The Prewetts like to spend time together on Lake Martin as well. Rusty says there is plenty to do around here for his family of five, including chances to volunteer and help others. He enjoys leading his family in these endeavors, especially when he can see the fruits of their labor on the local scene.

Rusty’s heart to serve is well utilized through a program his agency developed in 2012 called “Community and Cause.” In its infancy, Community Cause was nothing more than a Facebook challenge for local nonprofits. Several local organizations were asked to post their information and logos on the Prewett

Allstate Facebook page. The organization with the most “likes” and “shares” would receive a $3000 check from the agency. The contest had two winners. There was a tie between Young Life and Storybook Farms.

Since that contest, Community and Cause has evolved tremendously. Rusty and the Prewett Agency team are constantly seeking out nonprofits in the area- taking special care to raise awareness of their goals and visions.

Just a few on the list are the Lee County Literacy Coalition, the Food Bank of East Alabama, the Hudson Family Foundation, and the Christian Women’s Job Corps, but Community and Cause actually promotes

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volunteerism and fundraising for ten to fifteen nonprofits in town. The program is extremely dear to Rusty’s heart, and he says he’s lucky to be a part of the Allstate Insurance family which is so willing to help. “Thanks to the company I work for, we are able to give $1000 grants a couple of times each year. Just recently we gave one to the Lee County Humane Society. It was exciting to be a part of that.”

It’s no surprise Rusty is a “people person”- a driven and gregarious business and family man. His blessing and his curse? Well, that’s his perfectionist personality.

Most of the time it serves him well, but it certainly seems to keep him very busy. That being said, Rusty

holds firm to his philosophy that whatever he does he should do with excellence, whether that be at work or at home. “If someone send me an email, I’m probably going to reply almost immediately,” he smiled. “It’s just one of those things I do.” That’s likely one of the things that has elevated his agency to one of the top 100 in the country.

Again, Rusty most enjoys time with Mandy, Ellie, Greer, and Sims, whether that be on the lake, at an Auburn football game, or even relaxing at home. The family also likes to to travel when they can find the time.

In recent memory they have taken trips to Hawaii and Paris. On Sunday mornings, they cherish time together

at their home church, Auburn United Methodist.

Rusty also has a Boykin Spaniel, Gunner, who he likes to take quail hunting. Rusty’s been known to play a round of golf or two every now and again as well.

“Do you have any special talents? Anything anyone would be surprised to learn about you?” we asked. Rusty thought for a moment, then he grinned. “Well, I do love to cook… if that’s what you would call it. You’ll often find me in the kitchen or outside barbecuing or smoking meats, but I really like to cook just about anything. I think I’ve seen every show on Food Network.

I like being able to prepare good food for my family, although my wife is tasked with the cleanup. I’m not sure she likes that,” he laughed.

Rusty did add that one of his life’s simplest pleasures is taking his children to school each morning:

“What I do is so rewarding. I hope that I also have a hand in developing local leaders. We try to reach out to young people in Auburn and Opelika who are interested in taking care of people, building relationships, and offering quality services.”

Rusty much enjoys meeting young men and women interested in his field on campus at Auburn University.

He even recruits some of them for training and working at the agency.

Rusty is a member of the Phils, a group of men who support the mission of the Women’s Philanthropy Board. He’s also a Storybook Farms board member and a member of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.

In the past he has been involved with the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club. That’s not to say that Rusty isn’t constantly looking for other ways to give of himself. “The only way I know to say thank you to my community is to give back to them.”

Rusty Prewett is an invaluable asset to the East Alabama area. He says he has no plans to move elsewhere, and he can’t think of a better place to raise his three children. “I hope people don’t take what we have for granted,” he said. “I know we’ve got something special here.”

“We get to talk during the car ride there. It’s one of the best parts of my day.

It used to be that I would get to work early to make sure I had a head start on what needed to be done, then I’d not get home until about 6 p.m. I’d spend two hours with the kids, wake up at 5 a.m. and do it all over again. I’d glad to say that that has changed a little over the years. Now I have more time to spend with them. That time is priceless to me.”

We’re thankful Rusty took the leap in moving back to our beloved Plains several years ago. Especially since he says he never thought he would be in insurance! He was in real estate before the recession hit, then made the decision to change focus in response to the market crisis. Thank goodness that’s what brought him here.

Rusty enjoys every facet of being a business owner- the lifestyle, the success, and the responsibility- and he feels a unique loyalty and responsibility to his supportive community as a result:

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2017

MY MOMENT MY CHRISTMAS

Make This Christmas Your Moment.

We thank each and every one of you for making Southern Tatler one of the premier magazines in the Auburn and Opelika area, this past year. We would not have done it without your patronage and support. Thank you for believing in Southern Tatler and our vision.

From November 15th 2017 to February 28th 2018, for any new two year magazine subscription, Southern Tatler will donate 100% of subscription price to the charity of your choice on your behalf.

SOUTHERN TATLER

LOCAL FOCUS MOORE’S MILL EYECARE

Moores Mill Eye Care’s Dr. David Olive and his wife April do much more than own and operate a successful optometry office. In fact, David and April are helping restore the vision of individuals right here in Auburn as well as thousands of miles away on the continent of Africa. They say they’ve been blessed tremendously by our community in return, but we can only imagine how many smiling faces have wept with joy under the care of David and April. We are certainly thankful that they are members of the Auburn family

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tepping through the door of the Moore’s Mill Eyecare clinic elicits a warm, friendly greeting from the staff at the reception desk.

The women, donned in their dark blue scrubs, give friendly smiles and kind words to the patients as they prepare the appointments for Dr. David Olive, the clinic’s optometrist and owner. Patients gaze along the wall of eyeglass frames after leaving the back examination rooms, seeking to make a selection with the aid of a care consultant.

THE CLINIC IS MODEST, but open; the waiting and reception areas blend through into the glasses displays on the opposite wall, with no barriers save a small table and set of chairs. It represents the familial nature of the business, and serves to underscore the reasons for the practice’s success instead of belying it.

The clinic, located in the Publix shopping center on the corner of Moore’s Mill and Ogletree, has seen its volume of patients expand quickly in the three years since

its opening. A few minutes in the clinic shows why; while sitting in the waiting room, an optician named Shanna can be overheard speaking to a patient deciding on a new pair of eyeglasses. Shanna provides detailed and personal advice in regards to the frames the patient considers as she tries them on. “The turquoise color of the frames really bring out the green in your eyes” Shanna says of one pair. “These frames seem to fit the shape of your face very well, they may not even need

adjustment if you choose them!” Shanna says of another set. This brief interaction truly embodies the “individual care” vision of Dr Olive, his staff, and his practice.

“Optometry is a hybrid profession. You have the health of the eyes, the tests and those sorts of things.

Then you also have that sort of retail part after you’ve finished seeing the doctor, where you’re picking out and trying on your glasses. ‘What do I need them for?

What style should I go for?’ It’s so important to someone that wears glasses, it’s almost like picking out a new face. Getting appropriate experience, guidance, and direction is often undervalued. Sometimes in the more cookie-cutter, corporate retail settings you’d have the optical people who were really involved in that and really engaged, and that really built in what I wanted to do in my practice wherever I was, and really guided me from that point on.” says David when explaining the unique structure of an optometrist’s office and how he wanted to conduct his own business.

Dr. Olive is a man that exudes an earnest charisma, giving every patient a friendly smile and truly personalized care, very much in the same vein as his staffers at large. He knows his patients on a personal basis; many are his friends and neighbors, patients garnered over his 17 years practicing in the Auburn area, or those recom-

mended by a bevy of satisfied patients. His experiences, education, and personal preferences in providing care have all led to shaping the unique face of his practice and the individualized attention that he and his employees provide within it.

David Olive came to Auburn from the small town of Fayetteville in middle Tennessee. His father, an Auburn alumni and engineer, brought him up as a true orange-and-blue lover of Auburn University. He started his freshman year at Auburn University in 1991.

Initially following in his father’s footsteps and pursuing a degree in engineering, David decided later to follow a career in health services, finishing with a Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology in 1995. By this point, David had decided on optometry as a specialization, deciding over other paths such as dentistry.

“I grew up very nearsighted, and I thought ‘well, my [optometrist], he always seemed to be pretty happy and pleasant when I went to see him.’ So as I looked more into the profession, I figured ‘that’s a pretty good route to go. Most people don’t dread their visit to the eye doctor like they may their dentist. I enjoy having a positive rapport with my patients.’” David says with a laugh.

That decision led him to apply for a spot at the well respected Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee when the time came to pursue post-graduate professional education. A prominent factor in his choice was the school’s approach to the subject matter and patient care.

“UAB was the closest optometry school to Auburn, and their approach tends to be more academic, focusing on research trials and data.. [Southern College] tended to take a more clinical focus, putting emphasis on things like patient rapport and building those clinical skills. I really got that feel when I interviewed there.”

David recounts in weighing his decision on universities after his undergraduate.

“My wife also factored into that decision too”, David says, referencing his wife of 22 years, April. The two met in David’s second year at Auburn, and were married 3 years later upon graduation. “We had spent a lot of time in Alabama at that point, and we figured

“There’s nothing I can do [in the US] that gives you that level of purpose in life, the feeling of truly changing someone’s life.” that Memphis would be a nice adventure ‘out west’ for a while.”

The newly titled Dr. Olive returned to Alabama with a job at a small private office in Sylacauga, Alabama. That lasted for a period of eight months before David happened across an opportunity to both return to Auburn and follow a more personal path. At the time, Auburn’s Walmart was folding over into a newly opened Walmart Supercenter, and with it installing a vision center. This meant that there was a need for an optometrist.

“I said ‘Well, let’s go try this. We love Auburn, let’s go back!’” David recounts telling his wife at the time of the decision.

David got the job, and for the next eight years split his time with the company between the Auburn and Valley locations before branching out to work alongside another doctor at a private office in Auburn. After 4 or so years at that office, Dr Olive decided it was best to go into business for himself. Despite the typical challenges of running your own business, Moore’s Mill Eyecare has had resounding success due to its mission, driven by David’s vision of personal patient care.

“In the course of your career you learn many things, and some of the most valuable lessons are what not to do” David says about the insights gained by his experiences, “So one thing we really work hard at here is making sure the consideration, the experience, and the level of service is consistent. The care that the opticians give [in the front of the store] is the same that I give in exams. My wife April is integral in that; she has a real heart for serving people. She’s more involved in the eyecare business than she ever expected” he adds with another warm laugh. “But she’s great with patients and

staff. If there’s ever a problem or a concern, she’s on it, making sure people are taken care of and keeping everything together.”

But Auburn isn’t the only area in which Dr. David Olive is making a difference. Since the opening of the Moore’s Mill Eyecare clinic, Dr. Olive has made 2 trips to Uganda with the purpose of providing vision services to the underserved of the country. These trips were made in conjunction with other organizations such as 60 Feet, an international children’s organization based in Atlanta focusing on providing for children, most of whom are or were imprisoned in Africa, and especially in Uganda. David was connected to this group by way of his wife April, who had worked with the NGO before and brought David into the fold to expand the group’s work. Another involved organization and donor was God’s Eyes, a global non-profit dedicated to providing eye care around the world and headed by Dr. Bryan Kaiser based out of Peachtree City, Georgia. This non-profit donated the frames and lenses which helped ease the financial burden of David’s trips which were shouldered predominantly by Moore’s Mill Eyecare itself.

David took his first trip almost three years ago in January of 2015. He was joined on this first trip by Jason Frye and Richard Meinert, two fellow Auburnites, and brought mobile equipment to administer eye exams. The group kept what David described as adjustable frames, capable of fitting both adults and children.

They administered the exams and using interchangeable lenses within the frames, provided the necessary customized corrective glasses to patients as efficiently as possible.

“We did about 400 exams in 3 days”, David says about the tremendous task, “and we have a portable testing device, we’ve got one guy working on that and he sends me the numbers, and I fine-tune the numbers and then I’ll write the prescription and hand it off to our glasses maker. This was the guy who drew the shortest straw because he spent all day trying to fit those tiny screws in the tiny frame holes...very tedious, stabbing himself in the fingers all dav with the tiny screwdriver” David pauses to laugh, and continues, “he’d place the lenses, say if we need a +2 in the right eye and a +3 in the left eye, he’d get that done and the patient would have a pair of glasses, finally experiencing clear vision again or maybe for the first time ever having their sight restored.”

When asked why he chose to help in other parts of the world, David brings the same familial warmth that really makes his business shine. He enjoys helping people and mentions cases of the simplest fix bringing great joy to the people he served in Uganda. In one instance, a woman couldn’t read the small print of her Bible due to presbyopia, a common condition that comes with aging and prevents the eye from focusing on closer objects. This natural atrophy of the eye can be fixed with a pair of reading glasses or bifocals, easily accessible to an American for a relatively low price.

However, in Uganda, retailers providing something so simple as to be taken for granted in America are few and far between. The woman received her reading glasses from Dr. Olive, after having been unable to read for 10 to 15 years, and was in tears of joy at being able

to once again see the small print of her Ugandan Bible.

The translator told David that she wanted to read all of her favorite verses to him.

“There’s nothing I can do [in the US] that gives you that level of purpose in life, the feeling of truly changing someone’s life, if that’s what you want to call it.” David says after he recounts the story. “Given our experience with the relatively wealthy life in America, there’s just nothing else that can give you that kind of perspective.”

David took a second trip to Uganda back in June of 2017 with his son, Ben, who is a senior at Auburn High School and another local friend, Bart Hyche.

They were elated to see the conditions of the juvenile detention centers greatly improved. This trip consisted of about 450 exams over three days of clinic at three different sites. A plaque commemorating the trips to Uganda adorns the lobby of Moore’s Mill Eyecare. David says the expeditions are costly due to having to shut down patient services at the office for about a week, travel costs, equipment, etc..., but also says he plans to take another trip as soon as possible.

Looking to the future of the business given its success, Dr Olive is looking to expand. Whether that means a general expansion of the existing storefront remains to be seen, and he’s in no rush to go too far too quick. An expansion would most likely require bringing on another doctor, and David’s unique approach to patient care and attention to detail would surely need to be in sync with whoever else would come on in future endeavors. “We strive to care, and take care of people

as much as we can. That’s sort of our vision. We’re definitely growing really fast right now. I’d certainly be open to bringing on another doctor if they were the right fit, had the same heart, that sort of thing. You don’t want to get just anyone who may not be on the same page as you. It’s not that their vision is wrong, it’s just different than yours.”

Whether there are plans for expansion, and their timing in the future is up to David. At any rate, Moore’s Mill Eyecare’s success is a glowing testament to the way that the clinic’s ethos resounds with its

patients. Patients return for David’s genuine concern, simultaneously friendly and professional manner, and the staff ’s individualized and familial style of care.

Moore’s Mill Eyecare looks at patient care through a truly different lens, and it’s proven that this vision is truly 20/20. for more information on Moore’s Mill Eyecare visit:2415 Moores Mill Road Suite 220, Auburn, AL 36830 or call: 334.521.7944

“We strive to care, and take care of people as much as we can. That’s sort of our vision.”

CULINARY CORNER

CHUCK’S BAR-B-QUE

Chuck’s

BAR-B-QUE Not your average smokehouse

Drive down Geneva Street in Opelika and it’s almost certain you’ll smell the smokey goodness of the long-standing tradition that is Chuck’s Bar-B-Que. We spoke with Chuck’s owner Jody Escoe who was kind enough to share the Chuck’s story. We hope you’ll call them up next time you’ve got a craving for some genuine Alabama barbecue, and don’t forget to order one of their yummy turkeys for holiday dinner.

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here’s a little hideaway in downtown Opelika where the barbecue lover’s dreams come to life, where succulent pieces of long-cooked pork and chicken reign supreme, and good southern fellowship is waiting to be had. On Short Avenue, just two minutes or so from I-85, Chuck’s Bar-B-Que is an unpretentious brick structure with a personality that’s never lacking. Chuck’s is always alive with the chatter of patrons, and there’s usually a line in front of the register. Monday through Saturday Chuck’s owner Jody Escoe and his staff stand by in wait to warm the tummies of locals who’ve been coming here for decades, and to welcome those who are lucky enough to take their first sampling of East Alabama Bar-B-Que at what is perhaps one of Opelika’s most well-loved establishments.

A MUCH SMALLER CHUCK'S OPENED IN 1976 in Valley with just a couple of tables in the

lobby, but changed ownership shortly after and relocated to Opelika behind what is currently Mandarin House restaurant. Chuck’s moved again in 1986 to its present location and has enjoyed even greater success

since then, witnessing the explosive growth of the surrounding communities and expanding its offerings to meet that growing need. Jody cultivated his master barbecuing skills at Chuck’s for fifteen years before former owner Chuck Ferrell made the decision to sell the business. Jody’s purchase of Chuck’s seemed like a

Smokin HOT natural step, and in December of 2008, Jody went forward with that career change. “It was just something I was familiar with,” Jody explained. “I knew what a labor of love it was to operate Chuck’s- I appreciated the hours upon hours Chuck spent tending the pit and in the lobby with customers. I was ready to jump into the business in the same way.” After Jody assumed ownership, not too much changed. With an “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it” mentality, Jody maintained the quality of Chuck’s Bar-B-Que’s food and customer service that its

regulars knew and loved.

When we asked Jody what makes Chuck’s BarB-Que different from the rest, he thought for a few moments. Finally, he smiled and said simply, “people just really love our barbecue. We do a mustard based barbecue sauce that’s a little different from the traditional red sauce you might elsewhere around here. Most of all, though, I think people like Chuck’s because it is familiar and it’s what they grew up with.”

Beyond the barbecue, the Chuck’s staff takes special care to maintain its relationships with customers “because if you serve the community in a good way,” Jody explained, “you get the benefit of a community that will visit consistently and patronize you. We strive to keep our customer base happy and in turn they bring anybody and everybody to try our food. We appreciate the support so much.”

Interestingly enough, Jody didn’t always want to work in the restaurant business. But thankfully, out of his closeness with Chuck Ferrell, a true friend and mentor, he saw an opportunity to serve people that he couldn’t pass up.

If you’ve driven by Chuck’s more than a handful of times you’ve likely noticed that they display inspirational quotes or bible verses on their sign. As it turns out, that’s been a Chuck’s tradition from the beginning.

In the 1980s, the real Chuck’s relationship with Christ became his most important focus. He decided to use Chuck’s Bar-B-Que as a platform for sharing his faith.

“I’m a believer too, and it just made sense to continue putting up these encouraging words for people driving by,” Jody noted. “I think that’s what is special about our community. Most people look forward to the verses and sayings we display on our sign, although right now it does read ‘Now Hiring.’ We might need to change that,” he laughed.

Jody Escoe Owner and Operator

more sauce

please

While being a small business owner has proved challenging for Jody, he says it’s been worth it.

“In many ways this is the best job in the world. As long as I’m serving my customers in a great way, my family and I will be OK. I also get to spend quality time with wonderful people- employees and customers- every day.

That being said, Chuck had a saying that has stuck with me over the years: ‘Everything you own owns a piece of you.’ That means that there are a lot of nights when my wife and children don’t see me until I get home after the restaurant closes. That might be 9 or 10 o’clock. If someone calls out, I’m the one that comes in to cover the shift.

“I do my best to maintain balance, though, and I wouldn’t trade the amazing support I’ve received during the last (almost) ten years.”

Now, you can’t very well get as excited as you should about Chuck’s without hearing about the Bar-B-Que crafting process. Chuck’s pork is smoked authentically over a large pit in the back of the restaurant using oak and hickory. Jody says they use a direct heat cooking method that takes six-to-eight hours from start to finish. Then It’s chopped and chipped for serving on a chopping block only a few feet from the register, meaning you can see your barbecue being prepared right before you devour it. Of course, Chuck’s also smokes some life-changing ribs and chicken, both increasingly popular options. Throw some of their outstanding Brunswick Stew and some white bread on the side and you’ve got a quintessentially southern plate.

Chuck’s other delicious side items are baked beans, cole slaw, BBQ slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, french fries, and corn on the cob.

Chuck’s delicious “Que Taters” have become somewhat of a sensation as of late. “What on earth is a Que Tater?” you might ask. It’s a baked-just-right potato smothered with chipped on the block pork, shredded cheddar jack cheese, house sauce, and dressing, butter and sour cream optional. The best part? You get all of this savory goodness for a very reasonable $6.79. The menu also boasts rib sandwiches, deli ham or turkey sandwiches, specialty salads (we recommend the Que Salad!), and even handmade flour tortilla wraps. Most items cost less than ten dollars, and the value is phenomenal, especially considering Chuck’s large portions.

Saturdays are without a doubt the busiest days at Chuck’s, the famous “Saturday Special” harkening those craving a weekend bargain. On this day, Jody and staff offer “buy one get from free” chipped pork and BBQ chicken sandwiches. Yes, you read that correctly! Stop in at Chuck’s this Saturday and get two of their delectable sandwiches for less than four dollars. It sounds to good to be true, but it isn’t. During the week, a chipped sandwich, bag of chips, and medium drink is only $5.89 from ten until two. At supper time (two until close), buy a sandwich plate for $5.99 and get a free medium drink. Another popular option is the Chuck’s Tailgate Special available every day all day. The tailgater’s package comes with one pound of barbecue and one whole chicken, two pint-size sides, eight buns or one loaf of white bread, and a pint of mild sauce, and it costs only $28.95. It’s a deal that packs a lot of punch. You’re

certain to become the life of the party if you show up with Chuck’s.

With the holidays just around the corner, Chuck’s is collecting names for its annual Christmas Turkey order. “You get a twelve-to-fourteen-pound bird for $34.95. It’s not a bad deal,” Jody said. “And it cuts out all the hassle at home.” Of course, packing up some Chuck’s pork for your Thanksgiving or Christmas family function isn’t a bad idea, either. Everyone likes barbecue, right? And even if they don’t, they’ll probably still fall in love with Chuck’s.

Jody asked us to make sure that we said “thank you” to the Opelikans, Auburnites, and other East Alabamians who frequent his happy little restaurant.

He says Opelika business owners’ willingness to set up shop in the area has been a huge blessing as well.

“Downtown Opelika is up-and-coming. People stop on

their drive in and tell us at the counter they’ve smelled our barbecue. Then the deal is sealed!” Jody also invited those who haven’t had the chance to try Chuck’s house-smoked meats to come over for a sample. Jody promises a warm welcome and the same yummy fare that’s brought Chuck’s Bar-B-Que lasting renown since 1976. for more information on Chuck’s Bar-B-Que visit: 905 Short Ave, Opelika, AL 36801 or call: 334.749.4043

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FEATURE 84 _________________________

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BENNIE ADKINS A HERO AMONG US ONE MAN’S LIFE OF VALOR

FEATURE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BENNIE ADKINS

A HERO AMONG US One man’s life of valor

We’d be willing to bet that just about every one of our readers has a hero. It’s also pretty probable that each of you would define that person’s heroism in a slightly different way. Maybe he (or she) loved you when you made it hard, or maybe your hero saved you in the midst of a personal storm, but it is no doubt your hero has a permanent dwelling in your own heart- a presence in your psyche that can only be described as “constantly there.” There’s another hero living among us here in East Alabama, and once you learn what he did for you and us, we think you’ll add his name to your own list of heroes.

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ommand Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins is the human embodiment of the American soldier’s spirit. He has seen and experienced more in his 83 years than most can claim, and his personal sacrifices have been many for his country- for you and for your loved ones. Bennie bravely served in U.S. Army’s Special Forces during the time of the Vietnam War. Bennie stared into the eyes of his enemies perhaps hundreds of times. He ran into enemy fire to save his wounded brothers, held off wave after wave of enemy assaults from the mortar pit, and endured the pain of his wounds while shrapnel continued to fly and smoke and debris seemed never to lift. Bennie entered the jungle of South Vietnam not knowing if he’d ever get back home to his wife, Mary. He was stalked by a tiger who smelled his blood and that of his fellow men. And when he returned home, Bennie joined his brothers in arms in adjusting to a starkly different reality. These stories have made Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins an American legend.

Southeastern Teachers’ College of Durant, Oklahoma.

Durant was about 200 miles from Waurika- a bit too far from home, he thought. Bennie moved to a Junior College called Cameron in Loughton, Oklahoma, about 150 miles closer to Waurika. “I spent some time there and didn’t have much luck in school, so I took on some part-time work and then dropped out,” he said.

Bennie didn’t realize that he’d be moved immediately to the top of the military’s draft list as an able-bodied young man not enrolled in college, but that was exactly the case.

The Army made Bennie a Clerk Typist initially, but in light of his ambitious nature, this just didn’t suit his needs. Bennie was sent to Germany where he was promoted to Intelligence Clerk. He grew slightly more satisfied with his prospects, was soon after promoted to Sergeant, and even elected to re-enlist for another six-year term. This time, he signed on with Infantry.

Bennie was based in Fort Benning, Georgia, just a hop, skip, and jump from Opelika and Auburn.

Still, Bennie wanted more when it came to his newfound military career, so he volunteered to be a Green Beret, a member of the elite and highly regarded group known as the Army’s Special Forces. “What was training for the special forces like?” I asked. “

It took more than fifty years years for the

stories of Bennie’s heroism to be given the light they deserved. Bennie was awarded the United States of America’s highest and most prestigious military decoration for his acts of valor, the Medal of Honor, by President Barack Obama in September of 2015. Even still, not every East Alabamian knows the content of Bennie’s character. His is a story that deserves to be shared, and It’s best told from the beginning.

Bennie grew up in Waurika, Oklahoma with five brothers and one sister, the middle child of the bunch.

“We lived on a farm and working 24/7 was just part of it,” he laughed. “My mother and father instilled that work ethic in me.” Bennie was a self-described “average” student and had more concerns about agriculture than academics. Bennie was chapter president of the Future Farmers of America at his high school as well as president of his freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. He graduated in 1952 just before enrolling at

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“It was physically and mentally very difficult, but I’d volunteered to be a paratrooper, and I had too much pride to quit.”

Bennie replied matter-of-factly. “I trained at Fort Bragg in North Carolina for a full year-and-a-half. There have been times in my life when I’ve though I should have gone another way- I didn’t know starting out how challenging it would be.”

One of the army’s requirements was that Bennie become a linguist as a Green Beret, and in such a short period of time, this was a feat. Bennie was among the three percent who made it through the grueling physical and mental training. For eighteen months Bennie prepared to go to Laos, and in early 1963, he entered Vietnam in civilian clothes as an advisor to the special forces unit there. Within twenty-four hours, he was being dropped into Saigon via parachute in order to obtain his international driver’s license. Bennie laughed,

“there were trucks to take us places, but half the time they wouldn’t run or they didn’t have breaks. For that trip to the licensing office, the village chief lent me his pony.”

Bennie was wounded once on that first deployment in 1963 before returning to the states for additional training and qualifications obtainment in scuba, atomic demolitions, and halo jumping- that is, jumping out airplanes at high altitudes. Then, in 1965, he returned to Vietnam for a second tour of duty. Once there, Adkins, an Intelligence Sergeant, was re-assigned as a last-minute replacement for another injured officer. Bennie and his group would be strategically inserted in the A Shau Valley along the infiltration route of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The men were well-prepared to fight on this “enemy owned real estate,” as Bennie called it, but they knew it would be brutal. They were in the valley for more than 100 days before an initial attack on March ninth.

In the wee hours of that morning Sergeant First Class Adkins ran into enemy fire to assume a mortar position. Throughout an almost two-day (and night) long battle,

“Bennie was the only soldier left firing in the camp, and that was after being blown into the air from his mortar position.”

Bennie incurred multiple wounds but continued to defend his camp, even taking an incredibly valiant step to turn the mortar over temporarily to another soldier so that he could run to the center of camp and drag critically wounded brothers to safety. In this act he made himself vulnerable to sniper fire, but was dedicated to saving every life that he possibly could. Even still, the battle was far from over.

When one member of native personnel turned against Bennie and his men, one side of the camp was left susceptible. Almost constant hand-to-hand combat ensued, grenades flew, and relief seemed as thought it might never be obtainable.

To add insult to injury, the weather was horrendous and the rain unceasing, so helicopter rescue was, at the present, out of the question. At one point the weather did break enough that ammunition, water, and food could be dropped in from above. Supplies ended up outside the camp in a mine field. None other than Sergeant Adkins maneuvered his way out of the camp, accompanied by a handful of the native North Vietnamese. In the mine field, one of these men was killed and another was shot,

severely wounded. Bennie took this individual and slung him onto his back while running back towards camp, but the man was shot and killed, still on Bennie’s shoulders, on the journey back to safety. Later, as Bennie toted two water cans to his brothers, the cans themselves were shot through, leaving the team with little water for drinking.

By 6:30 a.m. on March tenth, Bennie was the only soldier left firing in the camp, and that was after being blown into the air from his mortar position. He’d seen numerous others mortally wounded in recent hours. Attacking Vietnamese soldiers kept up their assaults. Meanwhile, Bennie repositioned himself at the communications bunker alongside a smaller group of soldiers and almost entirely exhausted his ammunitions store. Bennie headed back into enemy fire to the mortar pit, retrieved much-needed ammunition, and traveled back to the bunker. Orders were then given to evacuate the camp, and Bennie and the group of surviving soldiers with him dug their way out of the bunker’s rear side. They fought every moment in their exit of the

tiger actually helped us. The Vietnamese were “ That terrified of that tiger, so they stayed away when he was around. ” camp and made sure to destroy all classified documents before leaving. Bennie vowed never to a leave an American warrior behind, going so far as to carry one of the wounded to a point of rescue. Despite their haste, the group was unable to reach the last evacuation helicopter sent. It would be an undetermined amount of time before another would arrive; ten of the eighteen sent that day had been shot down.

That was the same night Bennie and his fellow men realized they were completely surrounded- the same night they were forced to seek refuge in the dense jungle- also the same night they started to hear a growling noise. Two glowing, beady eyes lurked among the leaves. A tiger that had been feeding off the dead was stalking the bloodied men. “Looking back,” Bennie started, “that tiger actually helped us. The Vietnamese were terrified of that tiger, so they stayed away when he was around.” Some forty-eight hours later, rescue finally gained entry, and Bennie and the others were taken to be treated for their wounds on the morning of March twelfth.

The thirty-eight hours of close combat experienced at Camp A Shau by Bennie Adkins and those serving alongside him changed their lives forever. Without access to air support and not enough resupply, every second likely felt

as though it might be their last. The forty-eight hours they spent in the jungle was just as gritty. Two-hundred of the camp’s defenders were killed in action and one-hundred were wounded. All members of Bennie’s team were wounded, five of them paying the ultimate price. Bennie himself was treated for eighteen separate wounds.

Bennie returned to the states a changed man after his third tour in Vietnam, his wife and family relieved to have him home, but the world he left was immeasurably different from the one he lived in now. Bennie was sent to fort Huachuca, Arizona. He stayed in Arizona for two years. From there he moved back to Fort Bragg and was promoted to Sergeant Major. In 1972, he returned to Fort Huachuca.

After Vietnam, Bennie served with Special Operations throughout the world. In Africa, he helped train a guerilla force to overthrow a tyrannical government.

He was a part of a number of secret missions as well, eventually climbing the ranks again in his promotion to Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank achievable by an enlisted individual. Bennie was assigned to the Jungle School, a training facility in the Panama Canal Zone for special forces soldiers engaging in jungle warfare. He was a trainer at the Jungle School for two-anda-half years before electing to retire.

Bennie sought a different way of life after the military. “The time just seemed right,” he explained.

Bennie did suffer from the effects of Post Traumatic Stress, and he needed direction and distraction. During our interview, he looked at his wife, Mary, and smiled.

“Unfortunately the Army’s Special Forces held two records- the record for enlistment and the record for the highest number of divorces.

“ Mary and I had five children, four boys and one girl. They were still in school. I went back to school myself and got my Bachelor’s Degree and two Master’s Degrees from Troy University. Later I opened a tax consulting business in Auburn, and even did some teaching at Auburn and Southern Union.”

“ Mary and I have been together for sixty-two years. We beat the odds.”

Fast forward to August of 2014. Bennie’s phone rang in his Opelika home. He’d recently been alerted that a high government official would be calling him, but he was unaware of the reason. The voice on the telephone turned out to be that of President Barack Obama, who told Bennie that his name would be added to the military’s list of only seventy-two Medal

Bennie says attaining his education and opening a business after re-entry into civilian life helped him overcome some of the difficulties he experienced as a Vietnam War veteran. Like most men who served,

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of Honor recipients. Information related to the battle at Camp A Shau had recently been declassified, and the evidence was overwhelming that Bennie had gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of his men and country. It’s worthy of noting that Bennie had already worn the distinguished service cross, the Army’s second highest honor, for forty-eight years, but as more information came to light, it was inarguable that Bennie should be honored with the Medal of Honor.

Approximately two-and-a-half months later, Bennie was escorted to Washington D.C. where President Obama placed the Medal of Honor around his neck.

“They even put my mugshot in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes,” Bennie smiled. “There was quite a crowd.”

Since then, he has traveled all over the fifty United States delivering talks and making special appearances to groups comprised anyone and everyone- from pre-kindergartners to senior citizens. “In the first few months after I received the award, I was delivering speeches five to seven times per week. It was an honor.”

Receiving Medal of Honor from President Obama

M.O.H recepients meeting President Trump

“The real heroes are the men and women down range today protecting our way of life. I know my purpose is to do what I can to honor them in the years I have left.”

Bennie has also been busy co-authoring a book with Mrs. Katie Jackson of Opelika entitled A Tiger Among Us. The book details the bravery, skill, and resilience Bennie exhibited during those harrowing days at Camp a Shau and in the jungle awaiting rescue. The book will be released in May of 2018 but is available for pre-order today on Amazon.

When Bennie isn’t traveling to speak to and meet with other soldiers serving throughout our great nation, he cherishes time with his wife, Mary, and their five children and six grandchildren. He stopped me before our talk was over, making sure to share what he says is always at his mind’s forefront. I hope that his words will resonate with you as they did with me: “The real heroes are the men and women down range today protecting our way of life. I know my purpose is to do what I can to honor them in the years I have left.”

Please join Southern Tatler in thanking Com-

It goes without saying that Bennie deserves every recognition he has received, but Bennie is quick to say that it is the soldiers stationed all over the world today and the troops who gave their lives fighting for our liberties that deserve the credit. In October Bennie stood in the White House as President Trump honored Gary Rose, a Medal of Honor Recipient from Huntsville. Bennie says he appreciates the unique opportunity he has to honor these men.

Bennie Adkins is still giving of himself today, and sees it as his calling to help American warriors in their transition from military to civilian life. “That was especially difficult for me. Getting my education gave me focus when I got home. I want other veterans of the Special Forces to have that same chance.” That’s why he established the Bennie Adkins Foundation, whose mission is “to honor the legacy of courage, sacrifice, selfless service, and patriotism inherent in the Special Forces by providing educational scholarships to worthy soldiers to aid in their transition from military to civilian life.” In September, the foundation’s first two scholarships were awarded to two heroes in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The foundation is constantly seeking out other worthy recipients and has secured funding to bless a number of other members of the Special Forces in the future.

mand Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins, a hero among us, for his selflessness both during his service in Vietnam and at home. His name is one to be remembered. If you’d like to be a part of the Bennie Adkin’s Foundation’s great mission, donate online at www.bennieadkinsfoundation.org.

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TRAVEL BUDAPEST

ENTRANCED IN

BUDAPEST Your Hungarian travel guide

Drive down Geneva Street in Opelika and it’s almost certain you’ll smell the smokey goodness of the longstanding tradition that is Chuck’s Bar-B-Que. We spoke with Chuck’s owner Jody Escoe who was kind enough to share the Chuck’s story. We hope you’ll call them up next time you’ve got a craving for some genuine Alabama barbecue, and don’t forget to order one of their yummy turkeys for holiday dinner.

H

ungary’s spellbinding capital city of Budapest is commonly referenced in popular culture, whether it be in a top 10 radio hit or in a Bill Murray blockbuster about its grand, history-laden hotel. Budapest is a familiar word in the well-traveled man’s repertoire, and even in the word collections of those not-so-frequent ramblers. But Budapest is much more important than one might think, its cultural familiarity perhaps overshadowing its situational significance.

Budapest is, in reality, two distinctively different cities, Buda and Pest, which are divided by the mighty Danube. Quite literally, Budapest is where the East meets the West.

The original “twin cities,” Budapest was in its unnamed infancy to be called Pestbuda, but thank goodness the powers that be chose a name that would exit the mouth a bit more easily. The bridge connecting the two cities was not constructed until the midpoint of the 19th century, meaning Buda and Pest had centuries to cultivate their own personalities and charms independent of one another. This makes for a fabulous vacation destination. In just one trip, experience the flat and sprawling busyness of Pest, alive with its restaurants, bars, and shopping, and the omnipresent influence of the bourgeoisie. Cross the Szechenyi Chain Bridge into Buda and learn to appreciate its “hilliness,” a haven for hikers and a storybook dream for tourists who love a good view.

A common question first timers have is, “where should I stay the night (or nights)?” Both Buda and Pest have wonderful sights and experiences to offer, so the choice is really left up to whether you are one to enjoy nightlife or if you are one to relax and “soak in the view.” Of course, if you’d like to take the road of compromise the lovely Margaret Island is fantastic. The island is just 1.6 miles long and a little over five football fields wide. It’s a special place right smack in the middle of the Danube. The fascinating thing about the island is that it is dotted with medieval ruins. It is a particularly important center of religious history, boasting such settlers as the Knights

of St. John in the 12th century. A 13th century Franciscan church and a Dominican Convent remain standing on Margaret Island today. Until the 1500s, churches and nunneries dominated it, but after the Ottoman Wars, few such landmarks remained. Today the island is officially called a “public garden.” There are two impressive hotels on the island, several highly-rated dining options, and even a water park. As a side note, prices on accommodations here (and everywhere else in Budapest) are incredibly low. While a European vacation’s price tag might once have sent shivers up your spine, it’s really quite affordable.

Now, on to what you should do while in Budapest. Head right over to Pest’s riverbank and take a virtual journey back in time 1867 when Hungary became independent under the new dual monarchy system of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. When Hungary wrote its constitution, it also began erecting a parliament building of epic proportions. The building of the parliament house was actually the product

BUDAPEST IS HOME TO THE THIRD LARGEST PARLIAMENT BUILDING IN THE WORLD

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St. Stephen’s Basillica

MAKE YOUR ESCAPE

A riverfront view of the Parliament House

Taking a ride on a Funicular

Fisherman’s Bastion

of a competition hosted by Emperor Franz Joseph and prime minister Kálmán Tisza. Imre Steindl was the winner of the contest, his design a neo-Gothic one inspired by the Houses of Parliament in London.

After seventeen years of construction, the Parliament House was called the largest building of the type in the world at 268 meters long and 118 meters wide.

There are ten courtyards at the Parliament House, 691 rooms, and twenty kilometers of staircase. Bow down, Biltmore. A 96-meter-high dome graces the structure, and a façade adorned with the statues of eighty-eight Hungarian rulers greets visitors. It’s no

BUDAPEST WAS CREATED WHEN THREE CITIES JOINED TOGETHER: ÓBUDA, BUDA AND PEST.

wonder this amazing piece of architecture is probably the most frequented attraction in Budapest. Tours are cheap, too, starting at just $30.00 USD. On the Buda side, Fisherman’s Bastion offers what many call the most beautiful panoramic view of Pest available. Don’t go unless you want to climb a steep hill, but it’s certainly worth the trek. Built between 1895 and 1902 to commemorate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state, Fisherman’s Bastion was erected in the Neo-Romanesque style (an homage to the year 1000 when the very first Hungarian King came into power). The bastion’s primary pur-

pose is to serve as a viewing terrace. Its seven lookout towers extend from the castle walls, providing locals and tourists alike with numerous wide-angling viewing platforms. It was built to romanticize old Hungarian times, so it’s not exactly a piece of “history,” but guests definitely feel as though they are fully present in history while there. Fisherman’s Bastion has been called a “modern fairy tale” castle on more than one occasion.

And… back to the Buda side. You’re probably exhausted by now, but there’s so much more to see!

St. Stephen’s Basilica is a feat of craftsmanship,

ornately decorated and expertly built in the latter half of the 19th century. The basilica is a mammoth parish church which can accommodate 8,500 people.

The basilica built to honor Hungary’s first king, Stephen, is built on the sight of a former animal fighting theater called Hetz-Theater from the 18th century.

St. Stephen’s is ironically one of the most important holy sights in Hungary. Its 300-foot dome both figuratively and literally elevated the thought that worldly and spiritual thinking can co-exist. If you want the full experience, drop in for an organ concert at St. Stephen’s, or enjoy the heavenly voices of the

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Szechenyi Chain Bridge

RUBIK, THE INVENTOR OF THE FAMOUS RUBIK’S CUBE, WAS BORN IN BUDAPEST.

Artisan Macaroons from Chez Dodo

Basilica choir (they perform every Sunday during the summer months!). The musicians who perform here are world-renowned.

One of the more thought-provoking attractions is the Shoes on the Danube Promenade on the Pest Side, not far at all from the Hungarian Parliament building. Sixty pairs of 1940s era shoes cast from iron are set into concrete along the embankment. These shoes, belonging to men, women, and children alike, serve to honor the memory of Hungarian Jews who were shot there in the winter of 1944 by members of the Arrow Cross Party, a Hungarian fascist organization that controlled the region from October of 1944 until April of 1945 during World War II. This effective memorial is a cause for meaningful reflection, and helps ensure that victims of this injustice are forever remembered.

We could go on and on about landmarks worth seeing in Budapest, but you’d never be finished reading. Just take our word for it, the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum is a must. This former top secret nuclear bunker played a vital role in Hungary during World War II. It was only declassified in 2002 and opened its doors as a museum in 2008. You should also see the Matthias Church, a gorgeous coronation church for Hungarian kings.

Matthias Church sits on Castle Hill, an area that was close to demolished in the violent chaos of World War II before being restored in recent decades. Castle Hill seems almost ethereal with its cobblestone streets, slender alleys, and communal squares with classical baroque buildings standing overhead. Don’t miss the Hungarian State Opera House, either. How many days are you planning on staying? You’re going

to need a while…

Drumroll, please. What’s missing on your agenda? Why, your dinner reservations of course!

Budapest has PHENOMENAL food prepared by many world-class chefs. Foodies from far and wide come here to sample melt-in-your-mouth seafood, Mediterranean fare, and even American treats like hamburgers and barbecue! There’s something for everyone. The first call you should make however, is to Budapest’s Caviar&Bull, the Hungarian capital’s top rated (and likely most expensive) fine dining experience. Caviar&Bull has one of the best caviar selections in Europe (maybe even in the world) and specializes in its beef carpaccio. The chef has created his own “degustation menu,” a nine-course culinary adventure comprised of house smoked salmon, lobster, tortellini, sea bass, iceberg flambé, and black angus ribeye, among other delights. This restaurant is located near District VII, just shy of the heart of Budapest in the Jewish quarter. You might also snag a praise-worthy macaron at Chez Dodo Artisan Macarons and Café, an authentic French coffee and dessert spot that is perhaps the best in the area.

Connoisseurs of street food gastronomy, however, will probably opt for the countless high quality options available on foodie entrepreneur’s “food trucks,” like the tabbouleh salad, knish, and beef sandwiches at Ricsi’s World Jewish Street Food in the Jewish Quarter. Paneer is a good choice for the cheese lover, serving up fried cheddar and camembert, as well as Hungarian cheeses like trappista and Maci on ciabat-

ta buns with steak sauce and friend onions. These are literal cheeseburgers and are meat-free! Bors Gasztrobar offers soups, baguettes, and warm drinks made with only the best quality ingredients. Hungry yet?

You’ll be full after your meal(s), but try not to retire to your hotel after eating. Stay out and see the city lights. Meet the locals. Listen to impromptu musical performances on the streets, take a ride on the tram, and go buy another dessert.

In closing, if you’re not one for itineraries, enjoy the atmosphere of Budapest’s markets, walk through one of its manicured parks, or take a dip in one of the city’s thermal baths. Cross the bridges which hang above the Danube, and cross them more than one time. Board a boat for a river cruise. If you’re visiting during this time of year, take lots of photos of the holiday decorations, climb aboard the Budapest Christmas Streetcar, and skate the evening away at the Ice Rink in Budapest City Park. Attend a Christmas mass or a winter organ concert at St. Stephen’s.

Most of all, enjoy Budapest for what it is- a dream come alive. Be fully present in an entirely different world, and carry it with you wherever you go.

TAKE TIME TO TRAVEL

Statue of Andras Hadik in Buda Castle District

Shoes on the Dunube Promenade

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Holiday Events S’MORES N’ MORE | 5:00-8:00PM Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday in December (except for December 16th) Gather around the fire pit on the A•T Patio to sip on hot chocolate while building your own gourmet s’more with a smorgasbord of toppings! S’mores n’ More is $10 per person, $5 for A•T Diners, and Complimentary for Hotel Guests.

HOLIDAY CHEF‘S TABLE IN A•T Experience A•T’s new Chef’s Table where guests can enjoy a special family style dinner crafted by the culinary team. Dinner is $39 per person for 6 to 10 people. Reservations are required and subject to availability. Please contact Tara Harbison at (334) 321-3187 to make your reservation.

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE UNVEILING Sunday, December 10th Join us for the unveiling of the largest Gingerbread Village in East Alabama the newly renovated conference center of the hotel. After watching the Auburn Christmas Parade come enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate while admiring the 2017 village. The Gingerbread Village will be on display in the pre-function foyer until the start of the new year.

CHRISTMAS DINNER | 5:30-9:00PM December 24th & 25th Let our culinary team do the holiday cooking and enjoy a delicious four course dinner in A•T. The Christmas menu is available for $39 per person in addition to the a la carte menu. For reservations, please contact A•T at (334) 844-5140.

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION | 5:30-1:00AM Sunday, December 31th Ring in 2018 with a five course sharing menu in A•T, a champagne toast at midnight, and live jazz in Piccolo. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting A•T at (334) 844-5140.

All pricing is per person and does not include taxes & gratuity.

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