Cullman Good Life Magazine - Winter 2020 by The Good Life Magazine

CULLMAN COUNTY

It was a mystery why the big old Lab slept by a neighbor’s motorcycle

Keith Maze kept his promise to his wife and built a lighthouse for her ashes WINTER 2020 | COMPLIMENTARY

Don’t let Spider-Man fool you ... David Wiggins is in control at EES

Cosmetic and Family Dentistry Featuring: Porcelain Veneers, Dental Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Zoom Whitening, and Full Smile Rehabilitations. Dental Arts has provided high-quality dental care to our area since 1981. In 2015, Dr. Kari Bartlett took over Dental Arts continuing the tradition of dental excellence. With the old office on 2nd Avenue growing crowded, Dr. Bartlett built a state-of-the-art office on 4th Avenue to better serve her patients. She and her growing staff – complimented by her associate, Dr. Abby DiLuzio – remain committed to providing top-quality dentistry and friendly, personal service for you and your family. We’d love to have you visit our new office and help you smile more!

Dr. Abby DiLuzio, associate Dr. Kari L. Bartlett, owner

Dental Arts is located in the new North Alabama Wellness Center on 4th Ave NE, across the street and a half block south of the Folsom Center.

205 4th Ave NE Suite 101 Cullman, AL 35055 2

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Cindy and Tony Mallard

Barry Thompson, Amanda Morgan and Jason McCarty

The Meadows: Chris, Matthew, Weston and Kristen

Regulars speak out, loving Augusta’s

A rack of ribs is one reason to love Augusta’s. 4

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Open Tues.-Thurs, 4-9:30 / Fri.-Sat. 11-11

Deb Veres, her partner/cook/son Josh and the rest of her family opened Augusta’s Sports Grill in 2015. Tony and Cindy Mallard, who live at Center Hill and Catalina Point, soon heard people say how much they love Augusta’s, and they have frequented it ever since. Sometimes several times a week. “We used to come more until COVID hit and we got a new grandson,” Cindy says. “We’re still good for once a week. The food is part of it, but the atmosphere is big, too.” “We know everybody,” adds Tony, who builds houses. “And it’s all good food … the steaks, the hamburger steak, the chicken …” Barry Thompson of Cullman and his CPA partner Jason McCarty are long-time regulars at Augusta’s. This evening, they are joined by Amanda Morgan of Locus Fork. She recently moved from Florida and it’s only her second visit, but she already likes the place. “It’s a cozy atmosphere, the food is good and the beer is cold – probably the coldest in Cullman,” Jason says. “It’s family owned, and 609 Graham Street SW, Cullman

we try to support local.” If Barry asked a waitress to bring him “the regular,” he’d probably be served a ribeye steak, a cold Yuengling and Deb’s famous cheesecake. “It’s outstanding,” he says of the latter. “I’m not supposed to eat sweets, but … “We like their steaks. We like the wait staff.” Barry laughs and adds,” We even like Josh!” Chris and Kristen Meadows of Logan enjoy visiting Augusta’s with their sons, Weston, 5, and Matthew, nearly 1. Steaks, french fries and fried mushrooms are among their favs. “It’s family friendly, and we take the kids wherever we go,” Kristen says. “Cullman is a good community,” Chris adds. “And we like to support local businesses.” Deb and Josh’s motto kinda’ sums it up for all the folks who frequent Augusta’s: “Food for the body. Good times for the soul.” “That works,” Chris Meadows agrees.

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Speaking of dogs ... or was it pickleball?

Welcome

ost people love dogs, my wife included. In fact, she’s trained her phone to love them, too. Pandemic. Hurricanes. Wildfires. Oh, yeah, an election. All of that whirling around the mad vortex that is 2020, and for some reason the news feed on her phone sends her dog stories. Over morning coffee in bed she ponders aloud dog names for dogs we don’t have. “Bertie” or “Twiggy” lead the pack for a possible future Corgi. “Wilbur” for any hound or pound dog. Speaking of dogs, you get to meet two in this issue, staring with a Mountain Feist named Rowdy. (A wife-approved name), who belongs to Keith Maze in New Canaan. Keith has been through sad times, but an unposed photo on page 57 shows who helped pull him through. Starting on page 61 you can read the

story of a big-hearted, old, black Lab now living in Cullman. As for his name(s) and his story, you can read for yourself.

peaking of dogs – we were, weren’t we? – in the fall issue I did a story about pickleball. The game’s inventors in Seattle in 1965 say it was named for Pickles, a cockapoo pup who chased their balls. People who play pickleball at the Donald Green Senior Center told me how much they love it. In writing the story, I tried to find out when the game came to Cullman County. Best I could tell, it started locally about 1999 when then coach Sharon Drake introduced it at Fairview, and I included that in the piece. Wrong. Joel White wrote me saying his former coach at Cullman High, John Tekulve, had his classes playing pickleball years earlier. I eventually tracked down John with his

wife at their condo in Gulf Shores (no dogs or hurricanes at the moment). It was 1988-90 when John bought four sets of pickleball paddles, nets and balls for his classes. It grew so popular for several years they held heavily attended student tournaments – on Saturdays. But John said the instigator is actually Don Green, who before the senior center was named for him, before he was mayor of Cullman, taught health and a sports class at CHS. Don had bought a set of paddles, and John saw his kids enjoying the heck out of playing pickleball. “He gets credit,” John said. “I just copied what he was doing.” Porter, my dog, is glad I set the record straight. And, speaking of dogs, read below what Seth Terrell texted me moments ago.

Contributors Liz Smith loves Christmastime, but spent much of last December at Cullman Regional with her mother. As stress relief, she shot Christmas photos at the hospital or in town. She made the best of it – as you’ll see on the cover and pages 74-75.

Wallace State English instructor Seth Terrell and his family finally moved into their new house in Albertville. House-warming gift? They found one seemingly awaiting them – a stray black Lab. They named him Roscoe. Speaking of dogs ... we were, weren’t we? Steve Maze’s brother’s lighthouse in New Canaan has attracted attention. It’s hidden from the road, but Steve says it was noticed from the air. “It’s the first story I wrote with a drone and a powered parachute chasing me.”

An aerospace worker and writer, David Myers believes that aging gracefully includes dining well. He and Rose travel the county in search of good eating and happily share their adventures with fellow bon vivants and connoisseurs.

Good Life Magazine ad/art director Sheila McAnear got to design and built several ads in this issue for new clients. Beams she, “It’s what I like most about selling advertising ... getting to be creative for different kinds of businesses.” David F. Moore, Publisher/editor 256-293-0888 | david.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com Sheila T. McAnear Advertising/art director 256-640-3973 | sheila.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com 6

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In one of her book reviews, Deb Laslie says the COVID shutdown has made a real dent in her to-beread piles. Of course her “piles” are actually sorted shelves. So one wouldn’t even notice that dent until measuring her nightstand “pile.”

David Moore has published GLM for more than a tenth of his entire life. Hmmm ... doesn’t sound all that impressive. He did, however, enjoy a recent birthday. Over time he’s learned to lie up. He now tells people he’s 70 ... counting that extra lick to grow on.

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The legacy of the corner bank is alive and well in downtown Cullman. It’s no accident we chose this historic spot to settle down. The corner of 2 nd Avenue SE and 3rd Street has quite a banking legacy, dating back to Parker Bank and Trust in the 1950s. Citizens Bank & Trust is proud to call this historic spot home. And we’re glad to be making history that’s all our own, delivering the kind of community banking Cullman deserves. Citizens Bank & Trust – small Please stop by and see us soon.

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Inside 12 | Good Fun

Help make your holidays happy – get out and (safely) do something

16 | Good People

Look. Up at East. It’s Spider-Man. It’s Peter Pan. It’s David Wiggins

22 | Good Reads

Jeffery Deaver is still a go-to; Andy Andrews is a go-back-to

25 | Good Cooking

Four culinary arts students are not too many cooks in the kitchen

34 | Good Getaway

Dickens of a Christmas canceled, but put it on your 2021 wishlist

38 | Like the Smokies

Jason, Julee Butts and family don’t need a mountain holiday

48 | Good Eats

Margaronas Cantina offers some different South-of-the-Border fare

50 | T-day tradition?

Nope. This “wild turkey” event was fortunately a one-and-done

54 | Promise kept

They had written the lighthouse into their will. It had to be built

61 | What was going on? Why did the neighborhood Lab always sleep beside the Harley?

66 | He followed his muse Robert Schaefer Jr.’s photography opens worlds of cyan and wonder

74 | Out ‘n’ About

You don’t have to visit Hollywood or a stage for these bright lights On the cover | Photographer Liz Smith uses the dark of night as a dramatic backdrop for Cullman’s 30-foot Christmas pyramid. This page | Jason and Julee Butts’ dining room table says “Merry Christmas” – even without the platter. Photo by David Moore

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In-person Relay’s iffy, but its importance more urgent than ever T

he 2021 Relay for Life of Cullman County is scheduled for 6 p.m.midnight, May 7, at the Cullman County Fairgrounds. But there’s a huge “if” – and it’s spelled COVID-19. The American Cancer Society has postponed all in-person events until at least May 1 because of the risk of infection by the novel coronavirus to the general public and especially those with heightened risk to systems already weakened by cancer. Meanwhile, teams and leaders are still being sought and signed up, and virtual, online fundraisers are underway – many of them great sales events. While the fun and camaraderie of an in-person celebration remains tentative, the importance of the drive is more urgent than ever.

Good Fun • Nov. 5 – Art Park Join in this 4-6 p.m. celebration of the completion of Art Park. Beautiful and unique, this addition to Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism was designed to showcase art created by artists within the community. It is located on Main Avenue between First and Second St. SW. • Nov. 7 – Veterans Day Celebration Gates open at 9 a.m. for the Cullman VFW’s expansive event at Cullman Regional Airport; opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. include remarks by a WWII bomber pilot. Flight-line exhibits include a B-25, C-47, F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang, Huey and other Army National Guard vehicles and weapons. Showing all day at the terminal will be movies featuring B-25s, C-47s and Corsairs. Wallace State Jazz Band will perform a patriotic concert at 11 a.m. There will be a Mustang car show, historic displays and flight demonstrations all afternoon. Elks will serve a free lunch to all veterans. Vets and spouses are invited to the Elks Lodge 5-11 p.m. for a party with food and live music. 12

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“Because of the pandemic, last year we raised only $50,000 toward our goal of $150,000,” says Helen Allen, events leader for the Cullman County Relay. “This year, we’re planning for both and hoping for an actual in-person Relay. The money is needed so badly. “ Facing its biggest deficit in its 107-year

history, the American Cancer Society has cut spending from $700 to $500 million, eliminated 1,000 jobs, furloughed other employees and cut pay and benefits. Also, its annual $100 million for new research grants could get slashed 50 percent. Locally, Helen says, some survivors and patients are not getting treatment because, with weakened immune systems, they are at very high-risk for COVID. “It’s really bad stuff,” she says. And so fundraising continues, albeit restricted to online events, at least for now. For more info on teams and online events: call Helen Allen, 256-709-4019; visit www.relayforlife.org/cullmanal; visit Relay for Life of Cullman County Facebook page. Good Life Magazine

Make the holidays happy

For more info and details on COVID safety steps, visit: www. cullmanveteransday.com.

See a WWII Corsair on the flight line at the Veterans Day program. • Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day Slideshow Send photos and service information (branch, rank, years of service, etc.) about veterans you know to: burrowmuseum@wallacestate.edu. Your veteran will be honored with his or her photo on the annual slide

show on the Wallace State Community College electronic billboard. • Nov. 13 – Order your turkey/ham That’s the deadline to place orders for the Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation Sixth Annual Turkey and Ham Fundraiser. Order a delicious, slow-smoked 11-13 lb. turkey for $25 or 8-9 lb. ham for $35 and pick it up 10-11 a.m. Nov. 21 or 4-5 p.m. Nov. 25, at Freddie Day Catering, 1628 2nd Ave, NW. All proceeds benefit cancer patients and families through the non-profit Bosom Buddies. For ordering information call: Judy Grissom, 256347-5993; Louise Cole at 256-5035301; or email your order (along with contact info) to ccbbfinc@gmail.com. • Nov. 13-15 – Cullman Area Christmas Open House It’s the kickoff for the Christmas season, and you’ll want to be there. See ad on page 21 for details. • Nov. 20-Dec. 29 – Winter Wonderland Christmas Lights Sportsman Lake Park will again be

• Now – Register for Southern Charm Tour Register now for the March 22-26 trip to Charleston, S.C. and Savannah, Ga, to experience perhaps the epitome of “southern charm.” It’s actually a trip Wallace State Alumni rescheduled from last spring, and as GLM’s deadline, the trip is on for 2021. In the two historic cities you will experience: Middleton Place Plantation, Drayton Hall, Savannah and Charleston market places, Angel Oak Park, Charleston Tea Plantation, Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons Restaurant, Creek House Seafood and Grill, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Historic Haunts Trolley Tour, Davenport House Museum, Tybee Island, Byrd Cookie Company, Blue Willow Inn and Leopold’s Ice Cream. Buses will depart from and return to the Wallace State Community College Coliseum parking lot. Vehicles may be left on campus during the trip. Anyone can travel with the alumni association, but space is limited so register early. Cost includes motor coach transportation, four night’s accommodations, baggage handling, nine meals, activity admission, taxes and most gratuities. Single occupancy cost is $1,498 ($1,598 for non-members). Double occupancy per person is $1,166 ($1,266 for non-members). Costs drop for triple and quad occupancy. For more info, visit: www.wsccalumni. org/charm21; or contact LaDonna Allen, 256-352-8071 or ladonna.allen@ wallacestate.edu.

Besides its numerous shopping opportunities, the River Street Market Place offers a historic look at slave trading in Savannah, above. Also visit Charleston’s Middleton Place Plantation and its sprawling, terraced grounds. bedecked in hundreds of thousands of lights in celebration of Christmas. Admission is $10 cash per vehicle. Unless it’s raining, lights will be on 5-9:30 p.m. nightly Nov. 20-22 and 27-29, Dec. 2-6, Dec. 9-13, Dec. 16-23. Santa, train rides and other fun activities will also be available. The park will be open for drive-through only Dec. 26-27. • Nov. 21-22 – Arts and Crafts This year the annual Vinemont Band Boosters Arts and Craft Show will be held at the Cullman Church of

Christ (4345 Ala. 157) 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Find more than 80 local and regional vendors with handmade jewelry, children’s and women’s clothing, UA/ AU items, woodworking, metal art, candles, inspirational framed art and more great Christmas ideas. Win a door prize or buy a ticket for a drawing for $1,000 at noon Saturday. Concessions are available for purchase and local musicians provide free entertainment. • Nov. 25 – Good Hope PreThanksgiving Meal

It’s still happening, but it’s drivethrough this year. Good Hope’s annual, free, community-wide preThanksgiving meal starts at 11 a.m. at the Good Hope High School lunchroom, but there are no sit-down meals. Actually, city clerk Christie Chamblee says most of the usual 1,300 attendees do drive-through anyway. Drive-through pickups are limited to five meals per vehicle. The city and community volunteers who put on the popular event also deliver some 60 meals to the homebound. For more info, or to put in a NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

request for delivery, call Good Hope City Hall: 256-739-3757. • Dec. 4 Christmas in Cullman Parade and Festival Join thousands of holiday celebrants at the annual Christmas parade beginning at 7 p.m. Maybe even join the fun. There’s no entrance fee, and info will be posted soon on the CPR&ST website; or you can register online at Christmas in Cullman Facebook. For more info: 256-734-9157. The parade route ends up at Depot Park for the annual tree-lighting production at 7:45. There will be photos with Santa, kids’ activities, a mini version of the Christkindlmarkt (set for Dec/ 11-12) and more. It’s all free and brought to you by Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism. • Dec. 5 – Cullman County Christmas Parade Newly elected Cullman County Commission Chairman Jeff Clemon will be grand marshal of this year’s annual parade sponsored by the Hanceville

Civitan Club. The suggested theme is “We’re all in this together!” One and all welcome to register to be in the parade, and bands from all county and nearby schools are invited. Civitans are asking for $5 entry donation to benefit Cullman County Schools. Line-up is by 11 a.m. at Wallace State Community College, and the parade rolls out at noon, heading down U.S. 31 to Hanceville City Hall. For more info: Civitan Brenda Carter, 256-887-3508; or Kim Reburn, Hanceville City Hall: 256-352-9830, ext. 23. • Dec. 5 – Bosom Buddies Sale The Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation will have a mastectomy bra and prosthesis sale fundraiser from 10 a.m.-noon at the Cullman VFW Post, 112 Veterans Dr. SW. Choose from new bras in various sizes for a minimum donation of $10. Or get inbox new prosthesis in various sizes for a minimum donation of $25. All proceeds benefit the Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation.

• Dec. 5 – Cookbook recipe deadline The Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation is calling for submission of recipes for a cookbook. Send three or four of your favorites – you know, the ones everyone always asks you to make. Please indicate the one you’d most like to see included in the book in case space is limited. To submit, simply email your faves to: cookbook4ccffd@ gmail.com. Ordering info coming soon. • Dec. 11-12 – Cullman Christkindlmarkt Set up in the style of traditional German Christmas markets, the popular annual event features a mix of booths set up by local artisans, craft folks, merchants and food vendors, all set across from the Festhalle. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. There will be entertainment throughout the day, including selections of The Nutcracker at 2 and 5 p.m. performed by the Cullman Civic Ballet. • Dec. 11-12 – Sheriff’s Rodeo Bucking thrills and spills are – for

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• Dec. 10 – Christmas Spectacular Due to COVID, this year’s annual spectacular show featuring students from the Wallace State Fine and Performing Arts won’t have a live audience. But you can enjoy still enjoy it. The production will be livestreamed via the Wallace State YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ wallacestate. now – set to return for the annual Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Jimmy Arrington Memorial Rodeo, but COVID leaves questions as to what percentage of occupancy will be allowed at the Cullman County Agriculture and Trade Center on U.S. 31 North. The rodeo is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with all of the pro cowboys, riding, racing and roping that have drawn thousands in the past. Watch the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for details on

tickets as the event nears. Meanwhile, you can buy raffle tickets – $1 each, six for $5 – for chances on either a saddle, shotgun or rifle. Tickets are available at C&M Farm Supply in New Canaan, Branding Iron in Fairview, Jack’s Western Wear or Van’s Sporting Goods in Good Hope, the Sheriff’s Office or its FB page. Proceeds raise money for special needs students countywide. Jan. 9 – Community Wellness Day and Polar Bear Plunge

Kick off the new year with CPR&ST at its annual Community Wellness event at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center. From 8 a.m. to noon, get $50 off any membership, giveaways to members, a health fair and free admission to the facility that Saturday. Open to all ages. For more info: CPR&ST: 256-775-7946. The annual Polar Bear Plunge will be that same day at 11 a.m. The brave (or whatever you call them) need to register at Wellness Day before 10:30.

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Good People

5questions

David Wiggins

EES principal’s unique approach draws upon good heroes and living in Neverland

Story and photo by David Moore

pider-Man was not David Wiggins’ first hero. It was his father, Ashley Wiggins, a Marine veteran of Vietnam and a Purple Heart recipient. “He’s my hero,” says David. “A man among men.” Looking up at that hero, he developed an attitude of serving. But the desire to serve did not initially lead him to become principal at Cullman East Elementary School, rather it led him to study law enforcement at Auburn University. Complimenting his major and supplementing his Pell Grant, David worked at the local Gayfers department store in loss prevention. A springboard job to the Auburn Police Department, it entailed surveilling customers via cameras and a TV in the office, and confronting shoplifters as they left. “One day a mom and her sister committed felony shoplifting using an infant in a stroller and the mother’s sevenyear-old boy,” David says. “She had the child shoplift more than $200 in jewelry off the counter and hide it in the stroller.” David called the police then hurried to the door. Seeing officers arrive, the women left the boy and baby, fleeing by car with officers in hot pursuit. David – soon joined by other officers – consoled the abandoned boy and found himself consumed by emotions. “I knew then,” he says, “that I didn’t want to be the person who had to take that little boy to the detention center.”

hese days, David Wiggins has far too much energy and far too much fun as principal at East Elementary to linger in his office long. But if he’s there, he can observe the large, flat-screen TV mounted beside his desk. Fed by cameras in the school, it’s not unlike the security system at Gayfers. 16

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His desire to serve survives, but his school office is markedly unlike his old security office at Gayfers, notably because of the legion of Spider-Man and Goofy toys, dolls and action figures in every nook and cranny – all given by enthusiastic, appreciative and admiring students in grades two through six. All that David is began in Eufaula, where, to make ends meet, his war-hero Dad worked 12-hour shifts in the paper mills and his mom, June, was a bank teller. “I was not a privileged child,” David says. “They did what they had to do to provide for a family. That work ethic stuck with me.” While he may be an amalgamation of many great teachers over the years, his third grade teacher, Virginia Crumpler, takes his top award. “She is the reason I am a reader and the reason I love Spider-Man,” David says. She told Ashley that David was bright but lacked any interest in reading. Ashley noted that his son loved “The Electric Company” on PBS, which included Spider-Man skits in which the Marvel superhero communicated only with dialog bubbles over his head that had to be read. “Well,” Virginia urged his father, “buy him a comic book.”

quarter was a chunk of change in the mid-70s, but after a long shift at the paper mill, Ashley picked up David at school, took him to a store and told him to buy a comic. David picked Spider-Man. “I did not know I was reading,” he says. “It had a complex vocabulary, a challenging storyline and it was exciting.” David went on to play high school sports, but he was now and forever a reader, now and forever a Spider-Man fan. Still, his dad remained his hero. At 17, David wanted to join the Marines but needed Ashley’s permission. Dad said no. “He didn’t want his son to go overseas

and fight for oil in Africa,” David says. “But he supported my desire to serve my country.” Instead, his parents re-directed David to college where he launched his new plan. “I was going into law enforcement,” David says. “As a little boy, I wanted to be a superhero. When I realized I couldn’t be Spider-Man, I thought about being a police officer.” To save money, he commuted a few years to Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, AL. David was eight when he got his first job – mowing grass – and always worked after that. The work ethic that was both nurtured and natural accompanied him to Chattahoochee Valley and later to Auburn.

o it was that David worked at Gayfers as an opening into law enforcement. “I did not know who I was at that time. I thought I knew who I wanted to be, but I did not,” is his self-assessment. “During that time, I also worked with the Tiger Cubs through the Wesley Foundation and coached T-ball with a buddy and his son’s team,” he continues. “I was doing things with children, but I was not honest with myself about my passion and purpose.” Then the shoplifting incident with the young boy opened a window into his true thoughts on serving people. “I realized law enforcement was not for me. That’s not who I am. I couldn’t arrest children,” David says. “I wanted to be proactive in serving my community instead of reactive.” He took some time off, talked with his parents, re-accessed himself. “Who I am is a teacher,” he concluded. And the rest, he laughs, is history. Reignited with a new goal, David switched majors. After graduating, he taught five years, all of them in early childhood classes. The classroom was his

SNAPSHOT: Ashley “David” Wiggins Jr.

EARLY LIFE: Born July 6, 1970; oldest offspring of Ashley David and June Wiggins, a third-generation family in Eufaula; younger brother, Curtis, and his family live in Mobile. FAMILY: Met Christine Barnett, 2002; married July 20, 2002; daughters Ellie, 14, and Cora, 11. “They got their looks from their mother, no doubt of that.” EDUCATION: Eufaula High School, 1988; Auburn University, bachelor degree in early childhood education, 1995; AU, MA in educational leadership/administration, AU, 2003; Education Specialist degree, also in educational leadership/ administration, 2005. CAREER: Taught second grade at Susie E. Allen Elementary, Phenix City, 1998-99; second grade at Cary Woods Elementary, Auburn, through 2003; assistant principal at Jim Pearson Elementary in Alexander City, three years; principal, East Elementary School, Cullman, 2006 through present. ACTIVITIES/AWARDS: Board of directors, Cullman Caring for Kids; Region 1 education advisor, The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers assessor, Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence; board of director, St. John’s Little Lambs Preschool; member, St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church; Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools; Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators; Alabama nomination for the National Association of Elementary School Principals 2020 Distinguished Principal Award.

new home. He loved the kids – and, not surprisingly, they loved him.

n 2003, David somewhat reluctantly took the assistant principal job at Jim Pearson Elementary in Alexander City. The reluctance stemmed from leaving the classroom with its direct influence on students. Dr. Tommy Bice – then superintendent in Alexander City and later deputy superintendent and superintendent of the Alabama Department of Education – told David not to worry. “Oh, you will have influence,” Bice told him, “with over 900 kids.” His boss later commented that when David reached school each day, he flew around to classes like Peter Pan. David readily admits to a Peter Pan philosophy of leadership, a here-we-go! mentality. “Stay a child at heart and you will never steer your children wrong. “Being Goofy is a character trait of mine,” he continues, “because I am a big goofy guy. I am a big kid. I get it. I get kids. They are my people. I understand them. I think they think of me as 50 yearold-man with 22 years in education. I am still a kindergartener at heart. “I love my kiddos,” David says of his East Elementary flock. “I would rather wipe noses, mediate an argument over ‘It’s mine!’ and help open catsup packs and milk cartons than to deal with high school relationships and college credits and coaching. I know where I belong.”

n 2006, former Cullman City School Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris asked David to interview for the job of principal at EES. “I knew it was a place I wanted to be as soon as I entered the room,” David recalls. “It was not me interviewing with the superintendent. It was me interviewing with East Elementary.” Jan asked the opening and closing questions. The rest came from three parents of students, three EES teachers and two central office staffers. David appreciated the format. “I felt like it was an investment by East Elementary – by Cullman City Schools – to find the best principal for this school at that time. “They thoroughly vetted each of us,” he continues. “I take that as an example of 18

NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

what was expected of me. I felt like they felt they had to get it right, so I couldn’t let them down.” The extended input on his interview supports his assertion: “I know I am where I was meant to be.” Others from the community would agree, pointing out David’s compassionate leadership following the death of East fifth grader Brooklyn Walker, who died with her father, Tyler Walker, in a January plane crash. “She is thought about here daily by everybody in different capacities,” David says. “It reminds us to smile every day, to treasure the relationships and make every day count.” On a lighter note, David has been labeled a “main disruption to instruction.” He’s fine with that. To illustrate, on the birthday of third grade teacher Nicole Heptinstall, he strode into her class, middle of a lesson and, as loudly and off-key as possible, exploded into “Happy Birthday.” Kids giggled and covered their ears. “They went home from school that day,” grins David, the Peter Pan SpiderMan, “with a story and smile.”

What have been some of the COVID-related challenges you and other local educators faced in this school year that started out as probably the most unusual school year on record? It has been the most unusual year. But our number one consideration was not instructional. It was emotional and social. How do we meet the social and emotional needs of our children when we have to be socially distanced? When we can’t hug? We can’t high-five, and highfiving is a big thing here. We can’t be in close contact for an extended period of time. And, quite often, we have our smiles hidden by the mask. The answer is you make it work. Really. I would say every educator at every school is doing remarkable things to make school safe, special and meaningful for our kids. What they have done at East Elementary has been nothing short of exemplary. They have found creative ways to make the magic happen in the classroom. Found creative ways to interact, to get to know each other and to form a relationship. If we can

do that, all of the other stuff falls into place. Everything we do is built on the foundation of relationships. The teachers and staff have found new resources, have changed methodology, have adapted to adversity ... and they have overcome. If our students are reachable, they are teachable. In all of that, we’ve had to keep the kids safe and implement healthy, new cleaning procedures. Teachers have taken on an additional expanded role of cleaning their rooms every day. Our custodians – Michael Banks and Kim Davis – do a phenomenal job, but they can’t be in every room every day every minute to disinfect door handles, desktops, chairs. With everything else they have to do, our custodians cannot disinfect bathrooms, the nursing station and the common areas. My job tonight is going back to school to disinfect classrooms with a sprayer. We all do what has to be done – and then some extra. I was a little worried about the political climate that might intrude into East Elementary with the debate over wearing a mask. I have been so appreciative and so happy that our parents do not choose to bring the debate into school. Our parents and our students and our community have bonded together to make this school year possible. We decided this not the new normal. It’s not staying this way. This is just different. We will get back to normal.

Over and beyond COVID, you have said that dangers of social media – even at the elementary level – is one of the greatest challenges facing educators today. Can you explain your concerns and discuss steps East Elementary is taking to address these challenges? It seems to be the norm now that young kids are given cellphones and smart watches. And many are allowed on social media before 13. On all the platforms. We have kids on social media in second grade. My number one consideration is not that these things impede instruction or distract; my number one concern is that children do not understand the dangers to their safety that exists on social media.

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It has become the norm at school conferences to have safety talks and seminars on social media and digital citizenship and how those things innately affect our student population. To meet the need, we seek to protect our students. Our library media specialist teaches lessons on digital citizenship and how each thing you put out online leaves a digital footprint. Our counselor goes to classes every other week on some aspect of character education, and this week it’s on digital citizenship. It is such an important focus now that Cullman City Schools added it to the character education curriculum. We read this today over the intercom: “What you post online speaks volumes about who you really are. Post with intention. Re-post with caution.” That’s from Germany Kent. I found it online at Brainy Quote. We are a tech-heavy school. BYOD – bring your own device. But we provide iPads, Chromebooks and laptops. When a student needs their own device, they have permission to use it. If, say, we have early dismissal for weather, they could get in touch with their parents. But if they don’t have permission and we take a phone from a student, the firsttime consequence is that it is confiscated for the school day. The second time, the principal gets it, and the parent has to get it from me. We have incredibly supportive parents on this. There has never been a third time. I personally run four social media platforms for East Elementary. I do it because there have been issues between students on Facebook, and it became clear that some kids were on there arguing and it got carried away. So I created a Facebook account, and most of our kids follow it. That means I can monitor them – I can see their wall. When they moved to Instagram, I moved to Instagram. When they moved to Snapchat, I moved to Snapchat. TikTok is the big thing now. Having a social medial presence has allowed us to intervene, when needed. To support students, when needed. To reach out to families, when needed. And to just be there, when needed. When a child comes to school in a bad mood, there is a reason. Something happened earlier. A sibling got the 20 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

last Pop-Tart. But if you monitor their Facebook, you might learn their dog got hit by a car. Or their cat got put down. If we see that on social media, we can respond the first thing in the morning and say we’re sorry and we are here if they need to talk. After working morning traffic, I check our feeds to see which child has a birthday. If there’s anything we need to be aware of. Who’s on vacation. I use Instagram and Snapchat to see what shows and movies kids are watching. What books they are reading and what “challenges” are out there that I might need to know about. So, there are tons of positive sides, too.

Though this is anything but a normal year, what is East Elementary doing to meet and expand the concepts of the traditional “three Rs” of education – reading, writing and arithmetic? For one thing, Cullman City Schools is offering a virtual school option to meet the three Rs. We have students whose parents want them to go to virtual school, for at least the first semester. So we enrolled them in the CIA – Cullman Innovation Academy. We have about 100 students from East Elementary enrolled in the CIA. To meet the three Rs, we have incorporated a lot more technology. Every student has an individual Chromebook, and we use SMART panels. We use Google Suite. And we incorporate a lot of web- and technology-based resources. We still hold to the belief that there is nothing like a good book, and that learning takes place when pencil hits paper. But our students today are digital natives. They were born into the world of technology. We have to meet them where they are. Train them how to use the resources they will need down the road and prepare them for what lies ahead, as best we can. Outside the three Rs we want to offer our students opportunities to discover and to expand on the interests they have, to engage them in something they are interested in. We offer CubCat Clubs. In these teacher-led clubs students can learn sign language, coding, baking, photography, painting, chess, etc. I even sponsor the comic book club.

It’s hard not to notice the enthusiasm you bring to your job. What is the fountainhead of that energy? Joy… I get my joy from the kids. And from our teachers. It’s a joy because I found my purpose. I am doing what I am called to do. I am doing what I was meant to do – and what I want to do. And of course I just love doing it. The joke is, teachers and parents ask my wife and kids if I am this way at home. I am. Sure, not every day is easy. Not every day is fun. But every day gives me another chance to get better. Every day there is a lesson to be learned. I know the job description says I am an instructional leader. Every book says that. I’ve always felt that I am an instruction manager. I hire the right people, give them the resources they need, provide the necessary training and support their journey. I am really just an elementary school principal. I live in Neverland.

What is something most people don’t know about David Wiggins? I love jazz. I follow Roman Street, a jazz group of two brothers from South Alabama. We bonded, so to speak, during the quarantine. They did “Quarantine Jam” sessions on Facebook – a weekly escape from the quarantine. I also love old movies and musicals. “Fiddler on the Roof,” “My Fair Lady,” “Les Misérables” … Great stuff! My favorite movies are the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby “road movies” and Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin are classic comedies. My wife bought me the road movies. I watch one a week. Also I have this thing … I don’t go out on a full moon. Ever. Werewolves are out there. If there is a full moon, my wife or daughters will take the trash out (said with laughter). Or it will sit there another week, I watched too many werewolf movies as a kid. But Halloween is my favorite holiday ... candy, cool weather, wearing a costume. Did I say candy? But if there’s a full moon on Halloween, someone has to bring me candy. I’m not going out. Good Life Magazine

2020 since 1 9 9 0

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Good Reads

Deaver keeps you up late with a new hero, Colton Shaw

This Andrews’ oldie emerges from depths of bitter rage

effrey Deaver is one of my go-to authors. I have enjoyed each of the Lincoln Rhyme and Katherine Dance books (and others) he has published over the years. Another character, Colton Shaw, makes his debut in the 2019 release of “The Never Game.” Colton is Say good-bye to the life many things, but what he does best is find people. you’ve known, to your Amidst the (unfamiliar friends and lovers and to me) world of online family home. Run and competitive computer hide as best you can. gaming, he is challenged There’s no escaping the to find a kidnapper who Whispering Man. Now, appears to be enacting the role-playing game known die with dignity. as The Whispering Man. Abandoned in different scenarios, the kidnapped person is left barefoot and alone in a life or death situation with five items that may, or may not, aid in their safe rescue. But are these supposedly random kidnappings really only a decoy for a much greater conundrum, one in which all of us – even those who have never played a computer game – may pay the ultimate price? How much influence can these games have, not only on real-time players but the freedom of all of us? From Silicon Valley to the rough terrain of eastern Washington State, Colton attempts to track a madman before he himself is left to “die with dignity.” Jeffrey Deaver has once again kept me up way past my bedtime. – Deb Laslie

taying at home these days is, for me, like punishing a kid with candy. Lordy! The books I’ve read made a serious dent in my going-to-read-someday pile. And so it is with “The Heart Mender” by Andy Andrews. Full disclosure: I read it when it came out in “It’s not good for you,” 2010, but, like a classic movie, it’s well worth the Margaret had said. reread. “Holding on to all that Part mystery, part anger . . . it’s like taking history, part love story poison and waiting for (kinda’ like all of his everyone else to die. There books), Andy Andrews are no hopeless situations, draws us into the lives of a small community on sweetheart, only people the Gulf Coast near Foley who have grown hopeless during World War II. about them.” Helen Mason is bitter and angry. Angry at the war machine that cost her the life of her young husband and unable to let go of the fury that rages inside her, Helen lives day-to-day in a fog of resentment. She holds her emotions in check enough to survive as a waitress in a small diner. Befriending her is Danny, a young man with Down’s syndrome, and his parents, the owners of the diner. So what is Helen to do when one night, walking the beach and hating the world, she stumbles across the halfdrowned body of a German soldier? You will be taken in by Andy Andrew’s story-telling. – Deb Laslie

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Good Cooking

Four culinary arts students are far from being too many cooks in the kitchen

Too many cooks may throw a monkey wrench into the broth. It turns out, however, that four talented students in the culinary arts program at Wallace State Community College make a perfect number of guest cooks for the winter issue of Cullman County Good Life Magazine. Holli Potts, 19, Camryn Dixon, 20, Jennifer McConnaughhay, 19 and Stephanie Giancatarino-Lepard, 35, are second-year students of Chef Aaron Nichols, director of the Wallace program. Aaron, featured as a guest cook in GLM’s spring 2019 issue, gladly volunteered four of his top students to prepare a dish and submit their own recipes for this four-course treat. Learn more about the four below … and bon appétit!

Story and photos By David Moore

or Christmas, Holli Potts and her baking mentor mom, Shirley Williams, cook a traditional feast for their family. Then they take it a step further. “My family is allergic to seafood except me and my mom, so we do a side dish of fish,” says the upperclassman from Falkville. Grouper, which she cooked for the magazine (see page 26), is her new fave. Learning to make homemade pasta in class provided a “wow!” moment for Holli. “I want to learn everything about the culinary arts I can,” she says. “And I want to tour different countries to learn how they make their different cuisines.” Ultimately, Holli hopes to open a bakery/café in Cullman or Hartselle.

Holli Potts

Camryn Dixon

Jennifer McConnaughhay

Stephanie Giancatarino-Lepard

etween her parents, Cheri and Greg Dixon of Holly Pond, Camryn’s dad is the home cook. Kitchen time with him is not particularly structured, but it is fun. “That’s how I got interested,” she says. “He’d say, ‘Let’s just put this together and see what happens …’” A self-confessed food nerd, Camryn now appreciates the structured side of cooking. “I like the science of it,” she says, “the principle of being a chef – why you do something.” She does, however, agree with Cheri on salt. “Mom and I are the salt fiends,” Camryn laughs. And her classmates goodnaturedly rib her about it. She hopes to parlay her culinary degree into owning a bakery someday. Meanwhile, her parents and four siblings

are enjoying her studies. “I usually bring home leftovers,” she grins.

ennifer McConnaughhay lived on a family farm in southern Illinois before heading south to attend Wallace State. She moved at the urging of her mother, the former Jeness Gay, a Cullman native. A picky eater, she hasn’t developed a

taste for grits and similar local fare, but in class she’s discovered lots of delicious foods. “We made lasagna Bolognese with spinach pasta. It was so good. It was my absolute favorite,” Jennifer says. On a trip home she made rice pilaf. Her rice-hating brother asked for thirds. “I love to cook, and cooking for other people makes me happy, so I decided that’s NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

HOLIDAY FISH DINNER Pan Fried Grouper For Two By Holli Potts 2 grouper fillets ½ cup all-purpose flour, divided ¼ cup cornstarch, divided ½ tsp. baking powder 8 oz. club soda Salt, black pepper to taste Lemon zest ¼ cup oil Mix half of the cornstarch and flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in enough club soda until it reaches the consistency of thin pancake batter. Season with salt, pepper and zest. In a different bowl, mix the rest of the cornstarch and flour together. Heat oil in a pan until hot. While oil is heating, dry the fillets. Dredge fish in the dry flour mix, place in batter and coat evenly. Allow excess to drip then place in the hot pan. Flip only once, each side should be golden brown and the fillets should reach 145 degrees. Drain on a paper towel. Hot salad ½ Tbsp. oil (or butter) 4 Brussels sprouts, shredded 2 purple carrots, shredded ½ head cabbage, shredded ¼ cup onion, small diced 6 oz. white beans, cooked, drained 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar 1/8 cup brown sugar 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. dry mustard Heat oil (or melt butter) in saucepan. Add onions, put cover on pan and “sweat” until translucent. In a small bowl, make the dressing: apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and dry mustard. Add to the pan what I’m going to do,” she says. Initially, Jennifer considered a nursing degree. Now, after graduation next summer, she wants to become a dietitian or cook in a hospital or nursing home.

urned out on nursing, Stephanie Giancatarino-Lepard’s husband of two years, Holly Pond native Cody Lepard, urged her to return to school in a field 26 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

and allow the sugar to dissolve. Add shredded vegetables and white beans to the pan and toss to combine.

Salt and black pepper, and orange zest

Farro ½ cup farro 1 cup vegetable stock 1 each shallots, minced ½ red bell pepper, minced 1 tsp. thyme, dried 2 tsp. rosemary, dried 2 Tbsp. oil

Place oil in a pot and sauté shallots and pepper but stop before they brown. Add farro and toss with the remaining oil until everything is coated. Add thyme, rosemary and zest, salt, pepper to taste; stir in vegetable stock. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Farro should not be mushy. Drain the water from the farro and serve.

related to what she loves – feeding people. It may be in her genes. Her maternal grandparents owned a café in Los Angeles; her paternal grandmother was an Italian baker. Her mom, Marci Giancatarino, was a Navy kitchen manager who also worked in the White House for Carter’s inauguration. Set to graduate in May, Stephanie planned to go into business with Marci –

but that tragically changed in September when she died. Now Stephanie’s eyeing Chefs for Seniors, which provides personal cooks/ shoppers to prepare them meals for a week. “Cooking for somebody is the greatest form of physical love you can give,” Stephanie says. “My mom instilled everything in me that I do now.” Good Life Magazine

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ROASTED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HOLIDAY VEGETABLES AND ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES By Camryn Dixon 3 lb. beef tenderloin roast, trimmed and tied Marinade 1 cup red wine 1 cup butter, melted 1 cup beef stock 5 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. rosemary, minced 1 ½ tsp. ground clove 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper Vegetables 1 lb. butternut squash, large dice 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved ½ lb. red bell pepper, ¼ inch strips ½ lb. onion, quartered Olive oil, as needed Salt/pepper to taste Mix marinade ingredients. Place meat in bowl just large enough for 28 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

meat and pour marinade over, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes, turn at 15 minutes. Then let meat marinate at room temp 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 450. Toss vegetables in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread on roasting pan. Remove meat from marinade; place on top of vegetables. Roast for 20 minutes until a crust begins to form. Reduce oven to 350; continue roasting until medium rare (130 degrees). Remove meat from pan and let rest for 15 minutes. Remove vegetables, keep warm. Pour pan drippings and remaining marinade in a sauce pot. Reduce until thick, season to taste with salt and pepper if needed. Carve meat into ¼-½ inch slices. Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and sauce.

Mashed potatoes 2½ lb. russet potatoes, peeled and diced ½ cup butter, melted ½ cup heavy cream ½ head of garlic Olive oil as needed Salt/pepper to taste 5 Tbsp. butter, cold cubed Boil potatoes until tender. Cut off the top part of a garlic head, drizzle with olive oil. Wrap in foil and bake for 30 minutes. Drain potatoes and let steam dry in colander. Heat butter and cream together. Unwrap garlic and squeeze each bulb out into a bowl and mash with a fork into a paste. Add potatoes and garlic back to pot and mash with potato masher. Add butter mixture to potatoes until you get the desired consistency. Stir in cold butter. Season with salt and pepper.

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CARAMELIZED ONION, MUSHROOM, SWISS STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST By Jennifer McConnaughhay 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 2 Tbsp. butter, divided 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Salt Black pepper 1 lb. chicken breast 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. Italian seasoning ½ tsp. black pepper 3 Swiss cheese slices 2 Tbsp. olive oil

In a medium skillet over mediumhigh heat, caramelize sliced onions in 1 Tbsp. butter until a deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, garlic and salt and pepper to taste, cooking an additional 5-8 minutes until mushrooms are softened. Set aside. Cut a slit in each chicken breast about 2/3 through. In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Rub spice mixture on both sides of each breast. Fill each breast pocket with onion/mushroom

MUSHROOM WILD RICE PILAF 2 Tbsp. onion, chopped 2 Tbsp. butter ½ cup mushrooms, sliced 1 tsp. garlic, minced 1 cup wild rice 4 cups chicken stock Salt White pepper Melt the butter in a saucepan and sweat onions and garlic. Once they are soft, add mushrooms; cook till all are tender. 30 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

In a separate pan, heat stock until nearly at the boiling point. Stir in rice and cut in the remaining butter. Add the liquid to saucepan with vegetables; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour or till rice is tender. Leave lid on and let sit 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve immediately.

mixture and top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Seal chicken breasts closed and secure with toothpicks. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining butter with the oil. Sear the chicken 2-3 minutes on both sides until the chicken is a deep golden-brown. Place skillet in 375 oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the chicken registers 165 degrees. Remove toothpicks from chicken breasts and serve hot with mushroom wild rice pilaf and mustard sauce (see recipes below). MUSTARD CREAM SAUCE

2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup shallots 1 ¼ cup heavy cream 1 ½ Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard Kosher salt White pepper Parsley, chopped Add olive oil and

shallots to a medium skillet; cook over medium-low heat 2-3 minutes or until shallots softened. Add cream, reduce heat and simmer 5-6 minutes or until the mixture has thickened a bit. Stir in both mustards and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

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Be an Ambassador We enjoy a great quality of life and quality job opportunities. We have dynamic people working to promote Cullman, but you are the perfect ambassador. This is your home. You love it too! We need you to…

Talk up Cullman with all non-residents you know and meet!

“When I moved here in 2008, I had no idea what a gem Cullman is. I love it! Small town feeling with big city trappings.” – Jamie Blackmon, Director, Center for Career and Workforce Development, WSCC NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

HOLIDAY SPICED CITRUS HAM By Stephanie Giancatarino-Lepard 1 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 pinch ground white pepper

1 7-lb. salt cured, spiral ham 1½ cup apple cider, divided 1 ½ cup cranberry grape juice 1 orange for zest ½ orange, juiced 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. cloves ½-¾ tsp. Allspice 1 pinch kosher salt 1 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. ginger, minced

Preheat oven according to package directions. Place ham in roasting pan and pour ½ cup apple cider on bottom. Tent with foil and bake according to package timing. Bake first ¾ of time with foil on. Make glaze. Remove foil; brush ham with glaze every 15 minutes until done. Remove from oven and brush once more; allow to rest for

15-20 minutes. Carve and serve with drizzled cooking liquid over the top. Glaze Combine spices in small bowl and mix together with a fork to evenly distribute. In a separate bowl, combine juices, zest and ginger. Melt butter in heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add spices and stir until sugar dissolves. Add juices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low boil and further reduce until thick glaze results.

GREAT GRANDMA HALTER’S BAKED MAC AND CHEESE By Stephanie Giancatarino-Lepard (pictured with her on page 25) 1 lb. elbow macaroni 1 64 oz. container Campbell’s tomato juice 2 lbs. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Ground black pepper Garlic salt Preheat oven to 350. Boil macaroni 32 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

according to package directions in liberally salted water until al dente. Drain macaroni and return to pot. Add about ½ cup of tomato juice and stir to coat macaroni. In a prepared casserole dish, layer tomato juice, macaroni and spread cheese evenly, into two to three

layers. In between each layer, sprinkle black pepper and garlic salt. The last layer should end with cheese. Pour leftover juice over the cheese to keep moist. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes until warm and bubbly throughout. Serve immediately.

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Dickens of a Christmas Put it on your 2021 wishlist

The Victorian-themed Father Christmas stands out from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crowd of 130,000 visitors. For the 36th consecutive year the city of Franklin was awarded the 2020 Great American Main Street Award.

Good Getaways Story and photos by David Moore

ome rain, snow or cold north winds, for 35 years happy holiday throngs have flocked into the Victorian flavored streets of Franklin, Tenn., to enjoy Dickens of a Christmas. But faced with the coronavirus pandemic this year, organizers were forced to cancel the holiday tradition. “To my knowledge, it’s never been canceled before,” says Meg Hershey, chief operating officer for the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, sponsor of the 35-year-old festival. “We tried to do a lot of different things and plan for a slightly different experience, but at the end of the day we canceled because of public health concerns and organizational, financial reasons.” The foundation has already set Dec. 11-12, 2021, as the date for next year’s Dickens of a Christmas –which you might want to put on your wishlist. Characters from the stories of Charles So that you know, last year Dickens, some shown on this page, the festival drew one of the come to life on the streets of Franklin. largest crowds, an estimated 130,000 people over the course of the two-day event. Helping create the atmosphere were some 200 musicians, dancers and characters from the pages of Charles Dickens’ stories, including, of course, NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Some 100 vendors offer an array of unique arts, crafts and other items from booths along East and West Main Street.

If you go to Dickens of a Christmas .. When: This year’s festival is canceled, but next year’s is already set for Dec. 11-12, 2021, rain or shine. The event is free and open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Where to stay: Franklin is located just off I-65 two hours north of Cullman. Numerous hotels are located on the interstate. Make reservations soon enough and you can stay at one of the local B&Bs, inns or the new (2019) luxury boutique Harpeth Hotel, a Curio by Hilton property downtown. Getting around: With 100,000-plus visitors, parking will be an issue; anticipate walking four or five blocks to reach downtown. Park-and-ride shuttles are available, too. A few weeks before the event, check for details at: williamsonheritage.org; or follow Dickens of a Christmas on social media. While you’re in the interesting neighborhood: You can easily spend an extra day or two exploring Williamson County’s rich historic and cultural offerings, including sites of the Civil War Battle of Frankin. Tiny Leiper’s Fork, called one the most interesting small towns in America, is eight miles west of Franklin; check out Pot N’ Kettle Cottages there for a unique place to stay.

Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim Cratchit, his parents and the ghost of Jacob Marley from the novella “A Christmas Carol.” “We bring in about 50 performers and characters during the weekend,” Meg says. The rest are volunteers who show up in the spirit of the event. There are also demonstrations of yesteryear crafts, such as blacksmithing and a snow machine that creates flutters for photographs in front of the old courthouse on the historic town square. Good Life Magazine

Among numerous restaurants is historic Gray’s on Main, where you’ll find great dishes, such as a roasted acorn squash salad with goat cheese, left, shrimp and grits, fine steaks and crafted cocktails. For more on eating and shopping visit: downtownfranklin.com. 36 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

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Celebrating a ‘Smoky Mountain’ Christmas in Cullman County

Story and photos By David Moore

hough it takes a lot of planning and effort, some people travel to the mountains to wrap a dream vacation into their Christmas celebration. Jason and Julee Butts and their family don’t mess with the hassles of such a trip. They celebrate with a Smoky Mountain Christmas in their own log lodge-like house crowning a scenic rolling hill right here in Cullman County. “We used to look forward to going to the mountains and renting a large log cabin,” Julee says. That ended in November 2016 when the entrepreneurial couple bought the spacious, log-siding house west of Good Hope. Not only does it have a catwalk over-looking the great room on one side, the dining room and kitchen on the other, but the house has six bedrooms, five baths, a killer man cave and a litany of other amenities including a landscaped pool. Completing the Smoky Mountain feel, they added a soaring, two-story portico with exposed wooden beams to the veranda that wraps around two sides of the house. And come Christmas – well, actually starting weeks in advance – the Butts family goes all out decorating. “We love,” says Julee, “to invite friends over for events and gatherings with the fireplace crackling and the stockings hung … and the national championship coming!” Last year, their house was one of four on the Share Club of Cullman County’s Christmas Tour of Homes. That rainy December Sunday, 500 people turned out to see the Butts’ house. The general consensus was one of amazement.

everal routes lead from here to the Smoky Mountains, but most folks drive up to Knoxville or thereabouts and hang a right. The Butts’ route to their Smoky Mountain-type home took a very different path. For Jason it started in Blountsville; for the former Julee Moffett, it started in Cleveland, the one south of Blountsville, not the one in Ohio. “Both one red-light towns,” Julee laughs. “Well, Cleveland still doesn’t have a red light. It’s a round-about.” They met – slowly – in Blountsville 40 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

They had to think a few seconds, but Julee and Jason agree that the living room is their favorite room in the sprawling, 8,500 square-foot house. Their second Christmas together they began collecting a Christmas village. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve kept it all these years and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set up in a glassenclosed case on top of a sideboard next to the stone fireplace. As they did elsewhere, the Buttses went all out decorating the living room for Christmas. NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Though Julee says they will cut back a little on decorating this year, for last year’s Share Club Christmas Tour of Homes, they set up nine Christmas trees, including the one above in their bedroom. For a closer look at the dining room table, see page 10. in the summer of 1988. Jason had just graduated from J.B. Pennington and hung out at his uncle’s Union 76 station on the corner. Across the road, Julee was helping her dad move into his new store. “And there was a young girl there that turned his head,” Julee grins at Jason. “He wanted to find out who the new girl in town was.” “It went downhill from there,” Jason deadpans. He whistled at her all summer long. She looked for him daily. When they finally spoke, he got her phone number and called her from a payphone on his daily drives from Birmingham where he worked at Altec Industries. After a few long years, Jason asked her dad if they could go out. Nope. But they could visit on the Moffett front porch – as long as he chaperoned. 42 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

ason and Julee married in fall 1992 after she graduated from Pennington. “The same season Alabama won the national championship,” Jason grins. All was wonderful – except for finances. Julee’s entrepreneurial instincts set in to help. At age 21, she opened her first retail store in Blountsville, The Hot Spot, selling collectibles. Later she opened a florist, ventured into more gifts. “It actually came second nature to me,” she says. “My parents were selfemployed. Growing up as kids, my sister, Jill, and I worked with them.” The holidays had always been special, and for the young couple’s second Christmas they bought several pieces of a Department 56 Christmas Village. “Back in the day, that was expensive,”

Julee says. “It took two or three years to complete buying the set.” They had Justin in 1998, followed by Jacee Laine in 2001. Later, the family moved to a house at the fork of Ala. 79 and U.S. 231 between Blountsville and Cleveland, taking their Christmas spirit with them. It took some time, but the family eventually would hang a million lights for Christmas. Alabama Power set a special pole for them.

ired of working in Birmingham, in 2007 Jason quit his Altec job, took an entrepreneurial leap of faith and started Alabama Contracting Services. He did construction and remodeling, then expanded into facility maintenance statewide with banks and Dollar General stores. Julee managed the office.

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Justin Wayne, Jason, Julee and Jacee Laine Butts, left to right, are joined by the other two members of the family, the miniature poodle Buddy and Diesel, a standard poodle fond of Alabama jerseys. Jacee, age 19, studies business management at Wallace State Community College. Now assistant manager at Brick Haven Venue, her parents plan for her to move up to manager when she graduates. Justin, who’ll turn 23 in January, is vice president of Alabama Contracting Services, the family owned refrigeration company and he owns Smith Lake White Tails Deer Farm in the Bremen area. “It’s taken us 40 years to get to this place in our life,” Julee says. “We teach our kids to be persistent and ambitious.” They moved to Cullman in 2013, partly for the schools and a tad more so for Justin, their then ninth-grade son, to play football. Along with Jason’s company they took their Christmas village. Over time, Jason shifted Alabama Contracting Services into a commercial refrigeration company with the likes of Publix, Walmart and Sam’s Club. Big box stores required so much time away from home he shifted the contracts so he could travel the U.S. doing refrigeration installation for Dollar General and other businesses that wouldn’t require being gone for such long periods of time. They planned to move from the city of Cullman into the county after Justin graduated in 2016, and, for about a year, Julee and Jacee, who homeschooled, drove around on Mondays looking at houses for sale. 44 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Inevitably, it seemed, these jaunts involved having to turn around at Tucker Farms on Cullman County Road 437. The long driveway led up a hill to a big lodge-like house, but it sported no “for sale” sign – until … One night over dinner at Augusta’s Sports Grill, a friend said the house was in fact for sale. “I contacted the owner, we looked at it twice and knew this was the home we could sit in our rocking chairs, drink coffee amidst the sun rising as we grow old together,” Julee says. “It was a blessing the way it all came about. It was God’s plan. It was meant to be.”

osting a wedding at their house for Guntersville friends re-kindled the Butts’ entrepreneurial spirit. With all of their space and swimming pool out back, they decided – after a lot of prayer, Julee says –

to market the house as an outdoor venue. During the Christmas Tour of Homes they had a commercial shot. Then a rather funny thing happened. Jason abruptly announced he wanted to buy a train. Really. It was an elaborate Waltman Mini Express trackless train, like one might see giving kids rides at a big mall or event. The engine was 10-feet long. He saw an ad for the train. A local man, Michael Keller, was selling it. Julee looked at her husband with disbelief. “I always liked trains,” Jason said to her further surprise. What’s more, it was stored at a wedding venue Michael owned on U.S. 278 west of Cullman, and Jason wanted to see it. Immediately. He bought it that day with nieces and nephews in mind. Julee, however, found

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herself utterly intrigued with Michael’s 28,000-square-foot venue with a six bedroom queen bridal suite, a bridal salon and a groom’s den filled with arcade games and a pool table. And it was for sale. Hmmm … “You just thought God was preparing you for a venue at our house,” Jason said as they left. They prayed about it, changed their plans for the house, bought the huge venue last February and named it Brick Haven Venue. “You would think we’d get smarter the older we got,” Jason says after all the work they put into reopening the venue.

The “Smoky Mountain” Christmas feel starts at the entrance of the house, top. Jason and Justin’s man cave features a projection TV and wet bar. A collection of elf dolls, part of which are shown above, each sport the names of a niece or nephew. 46 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

peaking of work, the Butts family started decorating for last year’s Christmas Tour of Homes in October. “The Share Club reached out about putting the house on the tour,” Julee says. “We were honored to be able to do that.” Hospice of Cullman was one of the groups that benefited from the fundraiser. “When my father was sick, he was in hospice care, and I always wanted to be able to do something to give back to them,” she says. And, after all, Christmas is about giving. “Jason and I have always had giving hearts,” Julee says. “There were times in our lives when we didn’t know how we’d get to the store. We were paycheck to paycheck, but we’d always encounter someone who had less than we did and would help them in God’s timing.” Today, even with their kids grown, Santa Claus still comes to the home place. But the holiday is more than that. “Christmas time is very meaningful to us,” Julee says. “We believe in the family gatherings and having Christmas dinner together. As our children get older and have their own families, we’ll always want them to be able to come for Christmas dinner at Mom and Dad’s.” And so the house that could be transplanted from the Smoky Mountains will be decked for Christmas again this year. But compared to 2019, the Butts will dial it down some. There’s one decoration they don’t even have to worry about setting up. Their first Christmas Lodge village has graced their living room all year long. Good Life Magazine

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Good Eats Story by David Myers Photos by David Moore

Margaronas Cantina

Different choices from south of the border

de gallo, which I learned is Mexican salsa. Our table had to be cleared when the gigantic platters arrived bearing our entrees. Surprisingly, they were beautiful with the seasonal colors of fall. That was due to the perfect caramelization achieved

The Mexican flair made these ordinary staples sing.

ometimes I’m just not in the mood ishes with seafood influences for the same old same old. So when my come from the Cancun and Cozumel better half Rose recently recommended beach regions of Mexico, explained our we try Margaronas Cantina for a bite of server, who was born there. We were Mexican I thought, “Tacos pleased with the selections, and fajitas again?” not only because they were All the usual favorites gastronomical delights, but were on the menu, but to also because the restaurant’s the delight of our taste menu is so extensive we buds, we soon discovered would have been hardthat there was so much pressed to narrow it down more. on our own. Yes … as usual, I was Mexican spaghetti, wrong and she was right. according to owner Jorge And being the bright one Sanchez, is a dish very in the family, she asked our popular in Mexico but server to recommend some rarely found in this area. dishes that were a little “Most Mexican different from the standard restaurants have the very South of the Border fare. same plates, but we have This hungry hombre was in other things too,” he said. for a heavenly meal. “Mexican food is known for Of course, tradition has its spiciness but it doesn’t the chips and salsa arriving have to be.” Margaronas also does a brisk lunch, starting daily at 11 a.m. before I had time to stuff Just as we thought a napkin into my collar. we couldn’t force down in cooking it all together on a hot grill. Thin, crisp and still warm, these are the another bite, the staff lured us back to Being a New Orleanian and a huge chips you can’t buy in a bag anywhere. our forks with an eye-popping dessert of Rich salsa with spicy undertones was the seafood lover, my heart soared when churros, ice cream and chocolate syrup. I saw the Caribbean Catch – a mound perfect accompaniment. As hard as this must be to believe, it was of seafood and vegetables atop creamy Our server tempted us to try a too big for us to finish. We did manage rice. Grilled shrimp, chunks of fish and margarita, which was a Friday special to eat a couple of churros – a fried-dough crab meat married nicely with generous for $7.99. It was a two-handed drink, pastry – and were rewarded with warm, bites of veggies. Cooked separately then served in a glass the size of a baby pool. crunchy goodness enhanced by the ice We passed it back and forth, savoring the combined on the grill, we discovered cream. there is no better union than seafood with tangy and fruity drink that The Cullman Sanchez grew up in the restaurant cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini and yellow business watching his parents and uncles Times named Best in Cullman five years squash when their juices flow into the running. build the popular eateries. They passed rice, giving it the creaminess of risotto. the restaurants down to the second Not to be outdone, the Pollo Vallarta generation, who are now working to feed lways ordering more food also made an impressive showing. satisfied diners. than we should, we started with the A grilled chicken breast topped with “It’s a big family business,” Sanchez Mexican dip and guacamole. I don’t shrimp, shredded cheese and steamed said. “We offer good food and a family know why they don’t serve the dip as a vegetables alongside Spanish rice was atmosphere.” soup because I had no trouble lapping just as scrumptious. The hefty breast And something else … choices that up the entire bowl. Warm and cheesy was seared but juicy, creating a perfect differ from the standard South of the with ground beef and peppers, it was partnership with the carrots, corn, onions Border fare. deliciosa. As avocado aficionados, we and broccoli. also devoured the guacamole with pico Good Life Magazine

48 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Margaronas Cantina is known for its remarkably thin and crisp chips. And theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always fresh. The restaurant has been in the Cullman location at 311 2nd Avenue NW for the past six years. Two other locations are in Anniston and Homewood. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

No new Thanksgiving tradition started with this wild bird Story by Steve A. Maze

hanksgiving traditions have evolved in our family over the years. As a child, our family would join aunts, uncles and cousins at my grandparents’ house on Thanksgiving Day. The men would bring their bird dogs for an early morning quail hunt while the ladies helped prepare the big dinner. The thoughts of their turkey, dressing and all the trimmings would lure the men back from their hunting trip around noon. Bird hunting and gathering together with relatives at our grandparents’ house was a family Thanksgiving tradition we honored for decades. Now we have a new Thanksgiving tradition. Family members gather together at my house to watch me eat turkey and dressing while I watch them stare at their smart phones. I didn’t say it was a great tradition – just a new one. One of my most vivid Thanksgiving memories took place in the 1960s, but the recollection has nothing to do with Thanksgiving traditions. That’s because 50 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

the event only happened once. And with good reason ..

week or so before Thanksgiving, one of my uncles surprised us with a turkey. It wasn’t one from the grocery store, but a live one. It was an enormous bird, weighing in excess of 20 pounds. We were living in the city at the time, and Dad put the gobbler in a cage behind our house. He fed it bags and bags of dried corn to fatten the turkey until Thanksgiving Eve, when it was scheduled to be “prepared” for dinner the following day. Dad arrived home from work that evening and promptly took me and my younger brother to the cage where he would demonstrate the proper technique in preparing Tom Turkey for our holiday meal. Dad removed the thin belt from around his waist and looped it around Tom’s legs as he hoisted the turkey high into the air. Dad then headed for the garage where he placed one of the eyelets in his belt over a nail that had been hammered into the eave of the building.

The enormous bird looked funny hanging upside down. But then I noticed it looked more mad than funny. Our Thanksgiving dinner immediately began flapping its huge wings while simultaneously jerking its feet back and forth in a paddle-ball fashion. Dad’s small belt soon broke in half and the gobbler hit the ground with a thud.

tunned, Tom flopped around for a few seconds before scrambling to his feet. Then he fluffed his feathers and loudly squawked “Gobble, gobble, gobble!” while peering at us in a menacing fashion. Dad futilely grabbed for the bird’s legs, but it escaped and tore out through our neighbor’s back yard. It’s amazing how fast an overweight turkey can run. The chase lasted more than 15 minutes as we rambled through several of the yards of several more neighbors in our one-block area. Their outside lights began flipping on in a domino-style fashion as we made our way through their yards.

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h g u o r h t t e g l il We w this together Good Life Magazine and our valued advertisers thank those who keep us safe and keep our community functioning AK Rentals Alabama Credit Union Alabama Health Guidance of Cullman Alabama Mid Wife ARC Realty Augusta’s Sports Grill Basch Brothers Powersports Buettner Brothers Lumber Burke’s Florist Camelot Books & Comics Citizen’s Bank & Trust Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Cullman Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Cullman Economic Development Agency Cullman Electric Cooperative Cullman Furniture Market Cullman Jefferson Gas District Cullman Park, Recreation & Sports Tourism Cullman Power Board Cullman Regional Medical Center

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A few people came outside to see what all the commotion was about. One even threatened to call the police if we didn’t stop the yelling, screaming and … gobbling. We finally cornered defiant Tom at a neighbor’s house which, thankfully, had a chain link fence erected around the yard, blocking the bird’s progress. Dad immediately fell on top of the gobbler to smother him into submission. At least, I think that’s why he fell on the turkey. Dad didn’t seem to be

breathing too well … probably from all those unfiltered Camel cigarettes he liked to smoke at the time.

t took a while before my brother and I could roll him over – Dad, not the turkey. With both hands placed firmly on his knees, Dad instructed me to tote the bird back to our house. Once there, Dad barely had the strength to pluck and dress ol’ Tom. As it turned out, the gobbler got the last laugh. When Mom went to cook it

the following morning, the turkey was too large to fit inside our oven. Dad had to saw the turkey in two, and we enjoyed half of it for Thanksgiving while the other half went in the freezer to await our Christmas dinner. To this day I still remember how funny that turkey looked in the roasting pan with only one leg sticking up. Happy Thanksgiving, whatever your tradition may be. Good Life Magazine

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A promise kept .. a light in the dark Story by Steve A. Maze Photos by David Moore

here is no need for a keeper, beacon or foghorn to help navigate a distant boat to the safety of a coastline. Neither will you see any maritime activity nearby – there is not a drop of substantial water within 15 miles. So why does a newly built lighthouse – complete with a light – rise up in the middle of a 20-acre field in northeast Cullman County? Well, it has more to do with a promise to preserve the memory of a loved one, rather than saving a loved one from some rocky shore. Keith Maze began building the lighthouse after his wife, J.J., passed away Feb. 12, 2020.

They were married for 38 years, but the last 12 years of her life were spent fighting a battle with multiple sclerosis. Cancer and dementia later invaded her body, and she was homebound at the end of her life. Keith and J.J. discussed burial plans while making out their will several years ago. They decided to be cremated, their ashes stored together somewhere on their farm –J.J. insisted. “I first thought of building a windmill in which to store our ashes,” Keith says. “But I had a few of those over the years and they were a lot of trouble to maintain. Eventually we decided on a lighthouse since I could build it to be low maintenance. Plus, one of J.J.’s favorite gospel tunes was ‘The Lighthouse.’”

any years ago Keith purchased part of his grandfather’s property, which is adjacent to his current house site. His grandfather referred to it as the “new ground.” “It was really our first preference to build a house,” says Keith.” But the location was too far back on the property, and the expense of building a quarter-mile long driveway and other construction costs prevented that.” But who wouldn’t have wanted to live in the serene setting of the new ground? Gentle winds softly blow through oak leaves and pine needles of sun-splashed trees as puffy white clouds hover overhead. The powerful fusion of fragrances emanates from the white blooms of dogwoods, honeysuckle and brilliant wildflowers that dot the landscape. “The property is pretty to look out over,” Keith says, “and I can see it from the kitchen window. We had a spot on it we called the camp house where we roasted hotdogs and marshmallows for the grandkids. It was J.J.’s favorite place on our farm. “I promised her I would build a lighthouse there to put our remains in, and I was determined to keep that promise.” The new ground soon became a “field of dreams,” at least in Keith’s mind. “I developed a love of raising game fowl at an early age,” Keith reminisces. “And I wanted to see the entire field covered in chicken teepees (small structures made of metal roofing that provide shelter for fowl). But that never happened, and now it never will.”

hile Keith was determined to keep his promise to J.J., there was a problem. He was in no position – physically, mentally or financially – to construct the lighthouse. Long term care of his wife had drained all or most of those resources. Keith has belonged to a number of game breeders associations (GBAs) since he was a teenager. Over the years, he’d watched them hold fundraisers for folks in need. The Kentucky GBA put together one for Keith to help with the construction costs of the lighthouse, even though he told them not to. Still, they insisted, and numerous individuals contributed as well. “The people in these groups are some 56 NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

of the most caring and generous people I have ever known,” Keith says. “David and Melvin King really saved the day for me by building the lighthouse. They offered their labor for free, but I wouldn’t let them do that. They did a fantastic job with the construction and other details.” Some donated in other ways. “Scottie Terry of Moulton handmade a beautiful walnut urn for J.J.’s ashes, and Bud Ross of Conyers, Georgia, helped run 750 feet of electrical line,” says Keith. Many friends, and even strangers, contributed vital emotional support during J.J.’s illness, as well as after her passing. “Chinetta Maze was her hospice nurse and did a wonderful job,” Keith says. “I have never seen a better nurse. She came to check on J.J. when she didn’t have to, and really improved her quality of life. Chinetta was very understanding and available any time day or night.”

eith and J.J. came to realize that the lighthouse would be more than their final resting place. They wanted it to become a symbol of hope. To Christians, a lighthouse symbolizes salvation and safety in the face of stormy adversity. The beacon emits a continuous and powerful signal to those who may have lost their way. The foghorn warns of the limited vision and rocky waters of sin we all face, and like His guidance they lead us through the perils of life. “The lighthouse will not only hold mine and my wife’s remains to start with, but future generations of our family will also have access to it should they choose to,” Keith says. “Hopefully, they can learn from the mistakes of their ancestors and be able to navigate their way through the storms of life.” Keepers are responsible for caring for a lighthouse, especially the light and lens in order to keep one’s sight clearly on Jesus. “I installed a light in the top of the lighthouse and people should be able to see it clearly for several miles during the fall,” says Keith. “Christians believe that Jesus is our beacon to guide us to heaven, and maybe someone will view it as an inspiration to their faith.” Lighthouses are often painted with red and white stripes to more easily identify the structure should it be against a white backdrop, such as cliffs or rocks. Christians often view the red as Jesus’

Keith stands near the lighthouse he constructed – with a lot of help – for his late wife’s ashes, and eventually his own. About 28 feet tall, its light turns on automatically with the coming of darkness. He says his dog Rowdy has provided him great comfort during these hard times. For instance, on August 29, the day he, his son Shane, and grandchildren, Gylianah and Gentry, carried J.J.’s ash box to the lighthouse, Rowdy instinctively placed a paw on Keith’s knee – a touching moment Gylianah captured with the photo at left. Giraffes and a tiger were placed in the lighthouse because J.J. loved animals. Suffering from dementia, she often lost things – which he placed on her ash box. NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Gylianah and Gentry, carried J.J.’s ashes to her final resting place. Each walked an equal distance of the 850 feet from the house to the lighthouse before handing the urn off to the other. Keith then went inside and sat down. Shane handed the urn to Keith who placed it on a mantel. Each laid a rose on the mantel while Keith placed his on top of the urn. Also placed nearby were things J.J, frequently lost on a daily basis black marble tombstone, during her bout with dementia; her yet to be delivered, had to be wristwatch, eyeglasses, false teeth imported from China due to its and a charm necklace containing a unique size. The top has a picture photo of Shane and J.J. of Jesus with an extended arm Another member of the family, controlling water coming toward a Mountain Feist named Rowdy, the lighthouse. Under J.J.’s name also visited the lighthouse. He and is “The Hen” while Keith’s FUN WIDOWER pitch a tent and catch yourhad ownbecome very close since Keith name has “The Rooster.” A SEEKS DRIVING food, we need to meet immediately. FATHER OF EIGHT seeks his birth about two years ago, and houndstooth letter “A”, signifying COMPANION to Las energetic lady. Must love Rowdy can sense when Keith isready to jump The sun glows behind the cross atop the lighthouse. Vegas. I’ll pay for the University of Alabama, is in kids, be fit and food and gas if you in and join the fun. Military feeling low … or, in this case, between the names. pay for hotel rooms DEPENDABLE and training would be helpful. mourning. The dog walked over J.J. was a lover of flowers and and back. If you haloed moon there as stars fall from a purple KNOWLEDGEABLE love buffets, glittering and placed his paw on Keith’s knee. planted them everywhere – not just next ADVENTUROUS CAT LOVER sky. Maybe shelights, will and be able to hear big stage While the lighthouse isseeks certainly to the house. agents seek customers adventurous cat owner. let me know. or listen owls screech onshows, stormy nights, Please be employed and willin a beautiful structure, it is off limits to “The goats ate the hosta she planted for real as beavers slap their tails against the lookingthe to relocate. Especially fond of public, accessible only to family around the edge of the fence, and the black and white tuxedo cats. MOM creek.PROTECTION and long rippling water fromSINGLE the nearby members. chickens scratched up the flowers she All responses will be answered SEEKS SINGLE Maybe she will see newly hatched chicks term RELATIONSHIPS. “I did not build it for a Looking tourist for that Purrr-fect matc DAD. I have 2 planted in potting soil,” Keith laughs. peek out from under their mother’s boys and looking attraction,” Keith says. “It will be used “She claimed that I was weed-eating all a man to teach wings. And eachfor morning, her soul might as a memorial to family members GRANOLA EATING, CAMP for her flowers, but she finally realized what baseball, how LOVING, WORLD TRAVELER be stirred awakethem with the familiar sound It will not bewoman opened to fish, change a was happening.” seeks of my dreams. SINGLE, future ARTSYgenerations. LADY SEEKS of a rooster’s crow. tire, and other guy Must be fit and love spending da SINGLE ARTSY GUY. If you love again until I die. Some of her favorite flowers “I promised to build the lighthouse are planted around the base of the n August 29, J.J.’s birthday, Look no further. for J.J.,” he adds, “and now that promise lighthouse. Keith led a procession to the lighthouse. Having one special person for yourbeen car, home and life insurance lets you get down to has kept.” From inside the lighthouse, perhaps business with the rest of your life. We’re State Farm – it’s what we do, 24 / 7, 365. His son, Shane, and grandchildren, Good Life Magazine J.J. will be better able to glimpse a . blood, white as His purity. Keith and J.J. believed that as well, but they had one more idea for the red and white color scheme. “We were both huge University of Alabama football fans and wanted to incorporate a Crimson Tide theme as well,” Keith grins, “even though it turned out to be more gray than white.”

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Armani stretches on his bed beside the red Harley as Billy Handley gives him a good belly-scratching.

A dog finds himself a place to sleep .. and wait Story and photos By David Moore

ince late last spring, the old, bighearted, black Labrador has slept beside Billy Handley’s red Harley Davidson. It was a mystery. Billy and his wife, Amy, couldn’t figure it out. Why the motorcycle? What’s more, it wasn’t even their dog. The old Lab, aging white snow on his snout, became a neighborhood fixture after his owners, a widow and her sons, moved in several doors down from the Handleys’ house in Woodland Heights. A friendly fellow, he nosed around his new territory, making himself at home. But

he always gravitated back to sleep beside the big Road Glide under the motorcyclesized carport at Billy and Amy’s house. “I would go out and he’d be lying by the bike,” says Billy, a retired Cullman police lieutenant now working part time with the city administration, where Amy works full time. “I’d pet his head and go about what I was doing.” Dog lovers themselves, the Handleys named him “Buddy” after the guy who mows their lawn. They fed him. They discovered he’s deaf. Amy bought him a dog bed, making him a cozy place between the wall of the house and the motorcycle. Sometimes Billy and Amy borrowed

the Harley from Buddy and went cruising. He willingly shared and always showed up when they returned. Sometimes Buddy went to his own house for a while. Or made his rounds to get treats from neighbors. The UPS delivery person grew to know him and gave him treats, too. Everybody loved Buddy. That included Jolene, one of the Handleys’ pit bulls, who was known to jump her fenced backyard to find him. But the old Lab inevitably stretched out beside Billy’s motorcycle and went to sleep.

few months ago, the Handleys found a small package that had been NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Armani was the family pet . . . but it was indisputably closest to his “dad,” Edward. His wife, Brandi, who shoots weddings, took this photo of the two guys enjoying a little time together at home. mistakenly delivered to their mailbox. The error was easily understood. The package was addressed to Brandi Handley. No relation, but the last names were the same, and the street number was only slightly different from their own. It was also Buddy’s official address. Because he’d been there to fetch Jolene home several times, Billy knew the house and decided to walk the package over and introduce himself. Brandi was working, but her second oldest son, Jordan, was home. He and Billy naturally got to talking about Buddy. Jordan set the record straight: his real name is Armani. He apologized for Armani’s loitering, but Billy assured him the dog was fine. While he was a family pet, Jordan said, in reality Armani had been closest to his father, Edward Handley. 62

NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

“So your father was Ed,” Billy said. Still with the Cullman PD at the time, he knew Edward had been an officer with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, that he’d been killed in a 2016 motorcycle wreck in Garden City. “Did Armani used to lie by your dad’s motorcycle?” Billy asked on a hunch. Yep. Billy walked home, wheels humming in his head like a Harley on smooth asphalt. “They say dogs don’t really keep time,” he says. “But that’s why he lies by my motorcycle. And with our last name being Handley and us riding motorcycles … it sorta’ gave me a chill.”

arried in 1991, Edward and Brandi Handley lived on a seven-acre spread in Fairview with their children,

Jaylend, Jordan, Jayci and Jack Lewis. She was transplanted from Florida, but Edward was a born-and-bred native who worked hard as a heavy construction superintendent and a lieutenant with the Fairview VFD. “He was an animal lover,” Brandi adds. “He’d bring home baby raccoons and skunks.” So when their daughter, Jayci, wanted a bunny for a pet, Edward raised no objections. They went to the Morgan City pound. It was fresh out of bunnies so they left with a kitten. Checking out with kitty supplies at Walmart, Edward mentioned to the cashier that what he really needed was a dog. The cashier said her neighbor had a puppy – it was miserably chained up – that he’d probably sell. That very day Edward paid $60 for the

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beautiful, unregistered Lab. He kept the dog’s name – Armani. “He had been on a six-foot chain attached to a doghouse half his size,” Brandi recalls. “When my husband saw him, he said, ‘I will never put him on a chain.’” He didn’t have to. The Lab had plenty of space and a creek to splash in, plus four kids and Brandi to play with. But Edward was his alpha buddy and loved him boundlessly.

from every department in Cullman County joined the processional. Edward’s casket was carried by Fairview’s ladder truck, which he had commanded as lieutenant. Riding in the truck with the casket was Jordon and Edward’s beloved Armani. “I swear that dog was mourning,” Brandi says. “Walking away from the grave site, he was snuffling.”

fter the wreck, Brandi began working at the Hutch. In April 2019 dward had always she left the farm and moved had motorcycles, but about to Cullman. five years ago he decided to “I tried to stay out there buy a big Harley. and keep it up. It got to “I begged Edward not be too much,” she says. “I to buy it,” Brandi says. had to move for my own “But, Babe,” he’d health. I don’t like the term replied. “We can go riding ‘starting over,’ but we had on Sundays. All I ever do to do something different.” is work.” So Armani moved to So she relented. But she didn’t get many rides. Cullman, too. And found “There was not a seat another red Harley. for me,” she laughs. “Jack “It’s almost like wishful thinking,” Brandi figures: Lewis always got my seat.” “‘Dad must be here. It’s his Edward kept the Harley Brandi keeps a photo of her second son, Jordan, and Armani at bike.’” in the barn. It was red. Edward’s funeral. Armani wore an American flag scarf. The big-hearted Lab, she “Armani always slept says, is lost. by the motorcycle in the “Absolutely lost,” she barn,” Brandi says. “It Hutch Restaurant in Fairview where she repeats. “Edward would leave for work looked a lot like Billy’s.” is manager. She is also a photographer. at 4:30 in the morning and come home Saturday, May 28, 2016, with 9-year“I’m ready for it to be over,” she says old Jack Lewis on the back, Edward rode of the court case. For the driver of the bushed. But before he left the barn he the Harley out of the barn. Armani, as took care of Armani. He loved that dog Jeep she adds, “We pray for her. We pray was his custom, would have tried to bite so much that he once bred him so other for her family.” the tires as father and son pulled out. News accounts of the accident say that people could have a dog like him.” They were going to buy an American Billy says Armani appears to dream a in the instant before the collision, Edward flag for Memorial Day at All About lot beside his motorcycle. used his body to shield his son. Bikes, located on U.S. 31 near Top Hat “He’s constantly making noise in his “Jack Lewis says to this day, ‘Dad sleep. His paws move,” he says. “I can’t Barbecue in Blount Springs. pushed me off right before we hit,’” Exactly what happened was still get in a dog’s head, but dogs do have Brandi says. “The first people who got being disputed this September in a memory, and I think he finds comfort there all told me Edward’s actions that wrongful death case heard in federal day saved Jack. Edward would have done here. I feel like he thinks he’s lying by his court, but as they approached the bridge dad’s bike, and he will come back to it.” it for any of his children, but you could over the Mulberry Fork, the Harley and a have been on the back of that motorcycle And so it is that the old, deaf, bigJeep, driven by a substitute mail carrier, hearted, black Lab sleeps beside the red and he would have done the same thing collided. Harley. for you. That was my Edward.” “I think he’s adopted us,” Billy laughs. Edward was killed. He was 48. Six hundred people signed the “He can stay here as long as he is alive.” register at Edward’s visitation. He was given a firefighter’s funeral. Trucks randi is sitting a table at The Good Life Magazine

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Robert A. Schaefer Jr. A layered muse inspires a photographer

Story by Seth Terrell Perhaps it reached a point of transcendence in Paris – in the Bibliothequé Nationale to be exact – where a body of his photographs was selected by Director Jean Claude Lemagny and placed in their permanent collection. Maybe it crossed the Atlantic with him years earlier when he arrived in Munich in 1975 to begin his graduate architectural studies at the Technische Universitaet. It was unmistakable in the Aroma Gallery in Berlin and has flourished in other galleries in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Vienna and the like. It never left his side during his time in Chandigarh, India resulting in exhibitions sponsored by the Goethe Institute, and, certainly, it certainly followed him to New York City.

living in New Orleans, having been raised in Cullman. “It’s having more of a stimulus now than ever before.” Amid the recognition for his photography, he often returns to a special moment, set in a North Alabama context.

nationalities. They are messages rooted and understood on a deep, soul level. Reflecting now on his 46 years (and counting) of photography, Robert seems to put a finger on what the ‘it’ is. “There is a certain integrity of producing art,” he says, “in which a person feels as though it has arrived from the soul.”

or celebrated photographer and artist, Robert A. Schaefer, Jr., the ‘it’ – that word, muse – may be too simple. Too reductionist. While there is no word sufficient to describe the imaginative force of inspiration – the one that radiates throughout an artist’s entire being and shapes his very world – whatever the ‘it’ is first took shape in his Alabama t is precisely this hometown of Cullman. soul-fulfilling approach that “Cullman does seem to gives Robert’s photography have more of a European a sense of timelessness. His direction than most small photos are futuristic yet towns in the South,” Robert classical, fully present yet says, reflecting on how his unbounded. Therefore it is journey as a photographer most fitting that Robert’s began there here nearly 50 favorite photographic years ago. style arrives in the form That journey includes of his much-celebrated affiliation in the Joerg Walter cyanotypes. Koch Gallery in Munich, “Cyanotype allows me to Robert A. Schaefer Jr. is the son of the late Juanita Howard Schaefer as well as a cyanotype of be much more painterly with and his namesake father, a businessman in Cullman. He and his the World Trade Center that my photographs,” he says. older sister, Patricia Miree, now of Birmingham, grew up there. became an iconic image He recalls one of Robert graduated from Cullman High in 1970. He provided this for the “Here is New York” his early cyanotypes in exhibition – the sales of particular that seems to copyright portrait of himself shot in 2009 by the late and which went to the children uncover that boundless renowned New York photographer Robert Herman. of the 9-11 Disaster. It’s a style, “The Statue of Liberty journey interwoven with Ferry,” which he printed in In 1999 the newly built Huntsville a global fabric, as his work is a cultural 1997. Museum of Art hosted the exhibition: part of American embassies in several “Before I became heavily involved “Robert A. Schaefer, Jr. – 25 Years European countries. with photography, I drew with ink pens of Photography.” Though by then his Robert’s photography is often found in – Rapidographs – on white canvas. And work had already graced many galleries personal collections and hanging on the these drawings were greatly influenced worldwide, it was the recognition on the walls of renowned artists and dignitaries by surrealism,” Robert explains. “So, home front that, in some ways, meant the (including the estate of Kofi Anan, former in seeking my vision in photography, I most. Secretary General to the United Nations). looked for ways to implement the aspect Since then, the Huntsville Museum He’s given art lectures at the New York of surrealism in my imagery and used of Art included two of his images in headquarters of Apple, and his work darkroom manipulations such as image the catalogue “Our Shared Heritage.” was selected as a Work of Merit for the layering and solarization – a postIt contains work by Alabama artists prestigious Denis Roussel Award in 2019. visualization approach.” from their permanent collection. His In fact, an exhaustive list of Robert’s Robert’s works, from past to present, photography is part of collections in awards, accolades and accomplishments are often serenely urban, capturing the Birmingham, Montgomery and Auburn would require a magazine unto itself. majesty of cityscapes in Munich or University’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of New York, and his perfection of these But when asked what lately seems to Fine Art. anchor his art, the New Orleans-based cyanotypes has drawn critical praise The universal impact of Robert’s art photographer waxes deferential, local even. worldwide. carries with it a certain familiar feel, often set against the backdrop of his Alabama he South has had a huge yanotype, in lay terms, is a printing connection – especially that with Cullman. influence on the direction my art has process that uses a complex solution of (Please see pages 68-69.) taken,” Robert says about the impact of iron compounds that, through the exposure The best photographs – the ones process, produce a print with a blue or that stay with us, that show our world cyan tone. Robert has not only mastered The top floors of the Empire State in new dimensions – exist boundlessly, Building disappear into the night fog in beyond particular languages or regions or the cyanotype process as an artist, he Please see page 70

“T

this cyanotype Robert shot and recreated.

NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Robert uses Cullman friend Joe Culpepper in ‘Portrait of an Alabama Farm’ exhibit The heart and soul of Robert’s work is in capturing the simple and allowing it to shine with a sense of profound complexity. Take his work in Cullman, for example. Robert returned there several years ago to photograph the life of local farmer and friend, Joe Culpepper. That photography work was a cooperative effort, not only with Joe, but it also joined forces with Robert’s cousin, the late poet, Jake Adam York, who wrote a body of detailed literary – ekphrastic – poems about the farm and life there. Robert’s keen intuition produced an exhibition of Joe and his farm for the Mishkin Gallery in New York City that is at once personal and distinctive. The work was also shown later at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.

Among the pieces in Robert’s “Portrait of an Alabama Farm” portfolio are, clockwise from upper left: Joe Culpepper on the porch at Culpepper Farm; Joe and his dog; Joe in his tractor with a Grateful Dead sticker on the rear window of the cab; a detail from a photo of his hands; horse, which has proven to be a public favorite; and kudzu consuming a barn on the farm. 68

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Continued from page 67

has instructed cyanotype workshops at Penumbra Foundation in New York City. Additionally, he has taught other aspects of photography at New York University and The New School in New York City. In 1842, English scientist, astronomer and photographer Sir John Herschel invented, or perhaps more accurately discovered the process that produced the first cyanotype. Not long afterward, he discovered a similar process, Van Dyke, which focuses on hues of brown. The two processes seem to compliment each other, so another of Robert’s frontiers involves a blending of the two processes – the cool blue integrated with the warm brown. He is even expanding his creative horizons once more, and with the sun-loving lumen printing process (commercial photo printing paper exposed to sunlight or some other UV light source) he is now incorporating with the cyanotype process. Though his cyanotypes are sourced from the energies of places like Berlin and Delhi, the blue tones thereof seem imminently southern. “I’m glad to be in New Orleans,” Robert says by phone from his living room in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, in a house built in 1901 about 12 minutes from the French Quarter. He still rents an apartment in Brooklyn, NY, but has found something special in New Orleans. “The art community here,” Robert says, “is much more positive than in other places.” Herein lies the key to his understanding of the influence of photography – community. Community, for him, is what makes art fulfilling and purposeful.

ately this community-based understanding of art has led Robert to direct his efforts toward empowering other artists. He still instructs workshops on a quarterly weekend basis at Penumbra Foundation in New York City and was a guest teacher at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. NOCCA, a gifted high school for students of the arts, has also exhibited his work. Additionally, Robert held a cyanotype workshop at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2018. The organizer for the celebration of World Cyanotype Day in New Orleans (Sept. 28) invited Robert to teach the subject at the 2018 and 2019 celebrations. And he’s currently the exhibitions coordinator for PhotoNOLA – a four-day event where professionals and upcoming photographers can display their work and receive helpful reviews and publicity. These communal visions for art and photography were instilled in Robert as a teenager in Cullman. Truly, his Cullman roots run quite deep. The great-great-grandson of Wilhelm Richter, inventor of the recipe for Richter Pilsner now produced by Goat Island Brewing, Robert recalls 70

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His cyanotypes at left reflect Robert’s attraction to architecture. Counterclockwise from the top: the futuristic Visitor’s Center in Berlin and the George Pompidou Center escalator in Paris; and a detail of Rama Yantra in New Delhi, India – one of five huge celestial observatories or measuring instruments built in the 1700s. Top of this column are black and while portraits of Mira and Bran Johnson, Long Island, and Julieanne, New York City. Above is Robert’s mother, Juanita, and her with his father at left. NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Robert was captivated by India on his first trip there in 2009. Shooting with a digital Canon EOS 5D and a 70-300 mm lens. Among his shots was a funeral ghat, or cremation, in Varanasi, top. Hindus believe the burning of a dead body will liberate the deceased from the cycle of rebirth and death. Above, a boatload of tourists cruise the Ganges River at sunset in Varanasi. At right, an image of a street vendor in Old Delhi selling drinks. While he kept some of his images in color, Robert later used Photoshop to convert others into negatives for use in printing cyanotypes. He uses the process to great effect in his attraction to photographing architecture. 72

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Robert created the image at left using a combination of negatives and cyanotype and Van Dyke processing. At right is a lumen print, made by placing a negative of a nude statue, plants and a piece of glass on top of cyanotype-coated commercial photographic paper, then exposing it in sunlight. For more on Robert and his work, visit his website: www.schaeferphoto.com. growing up in Cullman, how drawing and photography were the ways he best understood the world around him. “My parents always encouraged my various art endeavors,” he says. But when Robert was admitted into the Illinois Institute of Technology, his parents asked him to remain in-state. So, he enrolled at Auburn University where he studied architecture and photography. He received his BA in architecture in 1975.

rchitecture remains a huge part of Robert’s art and influence, he still holds his architecture license in New York State, but while at Auburn, Robert took a black and white photography class with Professor Bill Gwin and was hooked. This artistic passion invigorated a young photographer, propelling him toward his Amerika Haus Exhibition in Munich, a city where he also received his M.A. in architecture. With the blended vision of photography

and architecture, Robert’s art is ever evolving, ever forged in creative spirit. “I’m not really sure ‘why’ I create,” Robert says, “but my mind constantly puts me in motion to create in some way.” But the influence of his family in Cullman has never diminished. Even now, at his home in New Orleans, Robert reconnects with his father’s love of gardening. He often wanders through the backyard patio gardens searching for a yellow rain tree bough to incorporate in his cyanotype process. Sometimes he uses coffee filters, taking photographic, creative directions most people would never even consider.

o it is that photography holds a peculiar power over us. It has an innate ability to transport us to new places, or to re-familiarize ourselves with places of our past.

Visually and emotionally speaking, many of Robert’s cyanotypes are multilayered, participative experiences – cast in rippling darkness, an image of a face alongside a ghostly stairway, or a cityscape brought to life by an imprint of a leaf. Each of his cyanotypes is a collision of worlds, an “arrival from the soul” that invites the past and present to commune with one another, forging unlikely relationships between the up-close and the just-out-of-reach. Call it the muse. Call it the fierce creative energy that shapes Robert’s work. Call “it” what you will. But in absence of words, images endure. In his cyanotypes remain a collaboration of the natural and ethereal. And, yes, a layering of the universal and the local. What lasting symbol could better tell the story of his 46 years as an artist? Good Life Magazine NOV. | DEC. | JAN. 2020-21

Out ‘n’ About While out ‘n’ about last December, Joppa photographer Liz Smith shot Christmas lights. At Sportsman Lake Park she found holiday reflections on the lake, above, and the seasonally bedecked train, far right. Next is a window at Bennett Home Supply downtown. She found decorated trees –both indoors and out – while tending to mother at Cullman Regional Medical Center.

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