Cullman County Good Life Magazine - Winter 22

CULLMAN COUNTY

Tom ‘Big Doc’ Williamson is a mentor, plus a friend to animals and farmers

A retired colonel pushes his limits to fund scholarships for vets’ children WINTER 2022-23 | COMPLIMENTARY

Editor finds Ala. 69 strings together memories of Good Life Magazine

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This investment in the latest dental technology and digital workflow printers for night guards and clear aligners. This investment in the latest dental technology and digital workflow gives gives us us the the ability ability to to provide provide quicker quicker service service to to our our patients, patients, while while not not sacrificing sacrificing the the quality quality you you are are used used to to from our office. from our office.

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Dental Arts is located in the new North Alabama Wellness Center on 4th 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.

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

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MY DOCTOR LISTENS TO ME When unexpected illness strikes, you want a primary care doctor who’s on your side. Cullman Regional Medical Group is made up of more than just physicians – they’re partners who will listen and invest in your well-being.

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T

Hello-goodbye: Good Life changing ownership

Welcome

his winter publication cycle marks 73 editions of Cullman and Marshall County Good Life Magazine that Sheila McAnear, my talented business partner, and I have published since starting this rather incredible adventure in 2013.

It also marks our last cycle. But our retirement doesn’t mark the end of GLM. Hudson Shelton is buying the business from us. He came to my house in Arab recently where I took a picture of me handing over 73 copies of the magazine to him. We’re both grinning. Both happy.

“I am beyond excited to continue to publish Good Life Magazine and keep it a part of these communities,” Hudson says.

“I hope to maintain the relationships David and Sheila developed throughout the past nine years, while creating my own as the counties continue their flourishing growth.

“Like David before, my plan is to publish stories that are enlightening, heartwarming, educational and that showcase the people, places and things that

Thats me on the left handing over 73 issues of GLM to Hudson Shelton. make these counties so unique. I know I have big shoes to fill and a clever wit to follow, but I look forward to every part of the process as I hit the ground running.”

Twin son of Clint and Nicole Shelton of Decatur, Hudson graduated from The University of Alabama in 2017 with a degree in political science and a minor he loved in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative that emphasizes literature and writing. He interned on Capitol Hill in Washington then worked for a PR outfit there. During

the height of Covid, he continued working remotely from Atlanta, where his long-time girlfriend works in commercial real estate.

Hudson’s dad is the fourth-generation publisher of The Decatur Daily, which through Tennessee Valley Media owns The Florence Times-Daily, Advertiser Gleam and other publications. Hudson says he’ll run GLM independently but has the resources of TVM available to him.

“That,” he says, “will further ensure the viability of Good Life going forward.”

Several of our contributors plan to continue writing for Hudson, who has no plans to change the magazine other than to start counting his own editions.

Sheila and me? We are confident in Hudson, just as we are confident in the futures of “our” two counties. We also look forward to our own futures, taking with us a true appreciation of the advertisers and readers who made these nine years such a great ride. A good life to you all.

The Good Life Magazine crew and spouses recently enjoyed a “hello-goodbye” party at the home of Diane and GLM owner David Moore. From left front, photographer Liz Smith, Diane and David, David Myers; back, co-owner Sheila McAnear, Crystal and Seth Terrell, Rose Myers, Jacquelyn Hall, soon-to-be new owner Hudson Shelton and his girlfriend, Emily Harte, Steve Maze and his wife, Brenda. Not pictured are Deb Laslie and David Russell, “VP, distribution” (pictured on page 36).

Mo Mc PUBLISHING LLC

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David F. Moore Publisher/editor | 256-293-0888 david.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com

Vol. 10 No. 2 Copyright 2022 Published quarterly

Sheila T. McAnear Advertising/art director | 256-640-3973 sheila.goodlifemagazine@gmail.com

MoMc Publishing LLC P.O. Box 28, Arab, Al 35016 www.good-life-magazine.net

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Inside 10 | Good Fun

From Cullman Women Sing, to B-17 flights and Christmas doings

16 | Good People

Veterinarian Big Doc Williamson is big in more ways than his name

22 | Good Reads

Two good Christmas ideas for readers on your shopping list

25 | Good Cooking

Sarah Morrow’s recipes and bowls reflect her heritage and moxie

34 | Good Getaways

Once bloody Shiloh battlefield is today thoughtful and peaceful

38 | Vicki Knight

Trophies deck her walls, and now Christmas decks her whole house

44 | Good Eats

The Grille realizes a vision: yearround meals and upscale menu

46 | Hog heaven

Grandpa loved the weather that announced hog-killing time

51 | Wine with Bobby The Moodys make everyone feel at home on their farm

57 | Going extreme

Retired Col. Don Fallin pushes his limits to school veterans’ children

64 | GLM stories, pix

Ala. 69 – take a ride with the editor down ‘memory highway’

73 | Got ya’ ‘covered’

A look back at the first 73 front pages of Good Life Magazine On the cover | Amy Wood and Deborah McAfee do decorations at Vicki Knight’s house.

Photo by David Moore This page | A llama gazes at the Andes from Machu Picchu. Photo by Don Fallin.

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Cullman Women Sing – pictured above in spring 2016 – usually perform annual spring and fall programs.

Their free program on Dec. 6 will be their first to feature all Christmas pieces since Laura Doss became director. It will be a mix of sacred and familiar tunes.

They love singing ... you’ll love seeing them F

irst came a love of singing, individually radiating in the lives of Deb Laslie, Linda Schgier and Susan McBrayer.

It grew as they came to know each other, and eventually the idea forming a women’s choir hit perfect pitch.

They recruited six others plus Charlsa Perdue as director, and Cullman Women Sing was born. They performed their first spring concert in 2009 at Grace Episcopal Church in Cullman.

Under the direction of Laura Doss and accompanied on piano by Kristi Warden, 28 joyful voices continue the tradition with a special Christmas concert at Cullman’s Seventh Street Baptist Church at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6. As these programs all are, admission is free. It gets back to that love of singing.

Formerly with the Atlanta Opera, Charlsa eventually moved on. For a while, the annual and semi-annual performances of Cullman Women Sing were led by guest directors, including Dr. Ian Loeppky, now artistic director of Huntsville Community Chorus.

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Director Laura Doss of Good Hope has been involved with the group since spring 2015.

“I had heard them and was even a guest artist one time,” she says.

Laura grew up singing and was a choral and band student at Cullman High. Her father, Jethro Harbison was a minister of music and is now at Seventh Street Baptist.

Her mother, June Harbison, sang with the choir for several seasons before she died in 2016. Laura’s sister Julia James is a member of Cullman Women Sing.

Laura went on to earn a degree in vocal performance at Samford University, an MA in education from the University of Montevallo and taught voice and choir at the Alabama School of Fine Arts for 21 years. She now teaches diction for singers at Samford University.

“My whole family is musical,” she laughs. “We joke about people having to audition to be in the family.”

Kristi Warden has accompanied the choir since 2019. A friend of Laura’s from college with a master’s in organ, she invited Kristi to play for the women after

she moved here with her husband, Keith Warden, a pastor at Northbrook Baptist.

“It’s been a lot of fun, and we’re getting better every season,” Laura says of the choir. “Everyone loves to sing. We got together during Covid in fall 2020 – not for a concert, just to sing. Some of them said it helped them feel normal.”

M

embers singing in the Christmas concert are: Lorien Altadonna, Karen Andrews, Charlotte Blakely, Marquita Boike, Patti Bostick, Lori Bowden, Nikki Burgos, Meghen Casey, Lydia Corry, Sherry Creed, Renee Crowe, Susan Eddleman, Meg Glover, Janna Henderson, Vicki Hicks, Shelley Hodo, Julia James, Susan Johnson, Dianne Knight, Deb Laslie, Teresa Leonard, Susan McBrayer, Holly McLeod, Melanie Plunkett, Linda Schgier, Shelia Shumaker, Sheila Sizemore, Diane Smothers and Becky Tankersley.

It’s worth noting that members pay $85 per season to sing in the choir.

“Nothing,” Laura laughs, “says I love singing like paying to do it.”

– David Moore

• Nov. 5-6 – Veterans Day and fly-in Take a memorable ride in WWII history – the restored “Texas Raiders” B-17 Flying Fortress, one of only three of the famous aircraft still flying. Cockpit tours of the B-17 will be 9 am-3 pm both days, except during flights; tours are $10 adults and teens, $5 children under 12, and $20 for a family of up to five. Flights start at $525 (about 75 percent of that is tax-deductible); tickets are available at: b17texasraiders.org.Flights are also available aboard a Vietnam Huey helicopter as part of the Cullman VFW Post 2214/Elk Club’s big, annual Veterans Day program Saturday. All veterans and their spouses will receive a free lunch.

Civilians can learn from service members at booths and displays featuring military weapons and a Naval dive-bomber display. Watch a parachuting display by Skydive Alabama. Get up-close looks at Army land vehicles, a double-rotor Chinook helicopter, a C-47 transport plane and a P-51 Mustang. The event returns this year to Cullman Regional Airport, which is sporting a newly repaved runway. For more info: cullmanveteranday.com.

Admission is free. Photo courtesy of Commemorative Air Force – Gulf Coast Wing.

Jingle-fun this season • Now – Gospel Music Jubilee Tickets are already on sale for the Cullman Bosom Buddies’ first Gospel Music Jubilee, set for March 17, 2023. It will feature Cullman’s Living Faith Quartet and will be held at Northbrook Baptist Church. St. Bernard Jazz Band will play 5-6 p.m. followed by Living Faith and other groups, yet to be finalized.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $25. Advance general admission is $15; tickets at the door are $20. All proceeds go to

Bosom Buddies’ efforts to support cancer victims and their families.

For tickets and more details contact: Jennifer Limerick, 256-201-2521; Judy Grissom, 256-347-5993.

• Nov. 10 – Veterans Day Concert The special program will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Free admission.

• Nov. 11-13 – Christmas Open House Cullman kicks off the Christmas

Good Fun shopping season with this tradition known for great shopping, fun events and amazing food from all over Cullman County. Businesses are gearing up, many planning special deals and prizes specifically designed to get you in that holiday mood. For more information visit: cullmanopenhouse.com.

• Nov. 18-20 – “Clara’s Dream” Local ballet dancers will perform this Christmas classic from “The Nutcracker.” Directed by Brooke NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

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Desnoës, it is a joint production of the Allegro Dance Theatre at Wallace State Community College and Ballet South. Performances are 7 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre at WSCC. General admission is $15; children 12 and under $10.

Available at the door and at: http:// balletsouth.bppktix.com.

• Nov. 19-Jan. 2 – Hanceville Tinsel Trail Walk the Tinsel Trail around the pond at Veterans Park in Hanceville and see the Christmas Tree lighting there at 6 pm, Nov. 19. After entertainment and a short program, visit the open house downtown where you can find Santa and stores open late for shopping and deals.

The sponsoring Hanceville Civitan Club is again offering businesses and individuals the opportunity to rent 10x10 spaces to set up displays along the trail around the pond at the park. Decorate your space, show your group’s spirit, do a memorial for someone. Setup begins Nov. 15;

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displays remain up thru December.

The $25 cost funds scholarships.

For info and registration: Hanceville Civitan Club Facebook; hancevillecivitanclub@gmail.com; or call Patty Dean 256-338-7149 • Nov. 25 – Light the Pyramid Cullman’s newest holiday tradition continues with the lighting of the Weihnachtspyramide, the rotating, 30-foot, German-inspired, Christmas pyramid set up next to the Cullman County Museum. It is the tallest such pyramid in the US. A brief lighting ceremony will take place when it’s dark, and the pyramid will stay lit until after the New Year.

• Dec. 2 – Christmas in Cullman parade and festival Celebrate the 32nd Annual Cullman Area Christmas Open House for shopping and big-time holiday fun. Thousands of celebrants are expected for the annual Christmas parade. It starts at 6 pm at Busy Bee and ends at Depot Park for

the big tree-lighting production directly after the parade. There will be photos with Santa, kids’ activities and entertainment. It’s all free and brought to you by Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism. You and your group are also invited to join the parade. There’s no entrance fee, and you can register online at: www.christmasincullman.com of the Christmas in Cullman FB page. For more info: 256-734-9157. (Rainout date is Dec. 4.)

• Dec. 3 – Cullman County Christmas Parade Miss USA Alabama Alexandria Flanigan will be grand marshal of the 32nd annual parade sponsored by the Hanceville Civitan Club. The parade rolls at noon from Wallace State.

The suggested theme, “God’s Gift of Salvation – Jesus. All are welcome to enter. Civitans are asking for $5 entry donation to benefit Cullman County Schools. For more info or registration, contact Civitan Brenda Carter, 256-887-3508.

• Dec. 4 – Christmas Tour of Homes The popular Share Club’s tour is 1-5 pm, when you can visit four beautiful homes decorated for Christmas.

Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at The Added Touch, J. Drake Salon Spa and Three Pears in Cullman. Club members will also sell tickets. Proceeds go to Hospice of Cullman County, The Good Samaritan Clinic and Curt’s Closet. For more information: Share Club of Cullman Facebook.

See these homes on the Share Club Christmas tour

•Dec. 8 – Christmas Spectacular The holiday special is presented by Wallace State Performing Arts students at 7 p.m. Thursday at Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre • Dec. 9-11 – Cullman Christkindlmarkt More than a dozen vendors will be set in the style of a traditional German Christmas market for this popular event. Find unique gifts among the booths set up at Festhalle and parking lot across the street, featuring local artisans, craft folks, merchants and food vendors.

Kurt and Megan Apel Smith Lake

Jimmy and Jackie Walker Cullman Historic District

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Hours are 6-9 pm Friday; 10 am-6 pm Saturday. Entertainment is planned throughout the day and Santa will be there periodically.

• Dec. 10-11 – Sheriff’s Rodeo Bucking thrills and spills are set to return for the 24th annual Cullman Sheriff’s Jimmy Arrington Memorial Rodeo. The rodeo is set for 7:30 pm Saturday and Sunday at the Cullman County Agriculture and Trade Center on US 31 North, 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.

• Jan. 19 – Relay for Life Kickoff The Cullman County Relay for Life kickoff and team spirit meetings for 2022 will be held at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall beginning at 5:30 pm. Refreshments will be served.

“We invite anyone interested in fighting cancer … patients, survivors,

teams. Come and learn more about cancer and the Relay for Life.

The Relay itself is set for 5-10 pm, April 29, 2023, at Depot Park. The inspirational guest speaker will be Lindsey Jones of the Huntsville area, who was blinded by childhood cancer.

New teams encouraged to join; details online at: www.relayforlife.org/ cullmanal; or visit: Relay for Life of Cullman County Facebook page. For questions, feel free to call: Helen Allen, 256-709-4019.

•Feb. 9 – “Broadway Night” Presented by Wallace State Performing Arts students at 7 p.m. at the Burrow Center Recital Hall 7; admission $10 donation.

• March 20-24, 2023 – Golden Isles of Georgia Spaces are disappearing for this five-day, four-night experience of the serene, natural beauty of the southern stretch of Georgia’s coastline. The itinerary includes tours of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island, St.

Simons Island, Sapelo Island via ferry and more, plus a catered beach meal on Sapelo Island, and meals at Skipper’s Fish Camp on the banks of the Darien River, Sweet Georgia Juke Joint on Jekyll Island, Iguana’s on St. Simons Island and the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Cost is $1,029-$1,812 based on occupancy and Wallace State Alumni Association membership status.

For more info or to register: www. wsccalumni.org/isles23.

• April 18, 2023 – “Million Dollar Quartet” Make your reservation now for a Wallace State Alumni Association motorcoach daytrip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of the day in December 1956 when Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley were brought together in Memphis by the “Father of Rock n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. Hear the classics from premium seating; dine at the Plantation House Restaurant – all for $142 per person. Visit: www. wsccalumni.org/quartet23.

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New to the menu ... Deb’s Warm Homemade Fudgy Brownie. Give them for Christmas – buy a gift certificate!

It wouldn’t be Christmastime without the Fudgy Brownies Like her menu at Augusta’s Sports Grill, Deb Veres’ menu for her family Christmas dinner evolves over time. For better or worse – better, she’d say – her special Christmas dressing won’t show up on the menu at her restaurant.

Christmas at Jeff and Deb’s farm in Vinemont has grown with their family.

“Kids, grandkids, cousins, friends … everybody has places to be, but we usually eat around 1 o’clock Christmas Day at our house,” she says of the Vinemont farm where she lives with Jeff, her husband. “We have all of the traditional things to eat, but the menu has evolved because all the grandkids and kids have favorites they want. So the menu keeps growing and growing.”

One of Deb’s family specialties is what for years has been known as “meat dressing,” which is served with her turkey and the ham her daughter Mary Katherine “Katie” Sutter bakes. Deb got the recipe from her grandmother, Augusta Lessman Christiansen, but it goes back even further to one side of her family or the other.

“You make it with hamburger, sausage, bread, eggs, salt, pepper and sage,” Deb says. “The family has loved it for years.”

So … why not serve it at Augusta’s?

Because it comes with what she takes as an insult, on Christmas Day no less: Her grandkids call it “Hamburger Helper.”

“If I served it at Augusta’s, I’d either call it meat dressing – and everyone would wonder what it is and probably go ‘Ugh!’ – or Hamburger Helper – and they’d really say, ‘Ugh!’” she jokingly says of the nearly universal kid favorite.

Augusta’s, of course, won’t be open Christmas – or Christmas Eve, for that matter – but in the meantime Deb will be serving up several “new” desserts as seasonal favorites return to the menu.

Try out her …

• Salted Caramel Pecan Cheesecake • Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake • Chocolate Cheesecake • Warm Homemade Fudgy Brownie with ice cream. This last tasty delight is actually a new, permanent change to the menu. It’s replacing the former Molten Lava Cake, which was really good, but unlike its replacement was one of the very few items Augusta ‘s served that was not homemade.

“I wanted homemade, and I wanted something fudgy with more chocolate chips,” Deb explains. As usual, she experimented with recipes – but not for long.

“I hit it right off the bat,” she says.

“I baked some and let everyone taste it, and they said, “Don’t change a thing!”

So, treat yourself to a holiday helping of Deb’s newest creation at Augusta’s. If her growing army of grandkids are good for the rest of the year, she might even bake them one for Christmas dinner.

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Josh, Jason and Katie, Christmas, 1992. Now that they’re grown, it’s a lot more crowded for Christmas dinner.

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Good People

5questions Story and photo

by David Moore

A

lmost out of veterinary school at Auburn University, soon-to-be Dr. Tom Williamson was chomping at the bit when he came to Cullman to start his career in March 1971. His first day at East Point Veterinary Hospital found the staff shorthanded, so he took that bit and ran with it.

His nickname – “Big Doc” – came a year or so later, but after spending that first morning at the clinic, he was sent out on barn-calls at farms in Cullman County.

It wasn’t cold, so he wore short-sleeves.

“When I got finished after 11 that night, I was standing out in a field in a sleet storm,” Big Doc laughs. “By the nature of delivering calves, a shortsleeve shirt is practical. People would be shocked when it was cold and I showed up in short sleeves, but I got known for that, and it became my trademark.”

As a senior at Auburn, Tom was required to do a preceptorship – the equivalent of a medical internship and now called an externship. He’d heard there was an opening at East Point in Cullman, and met and impressed the owner, Dr. Harry Farr.

Dr. Farr, however, died unexpectedly two weeks before Big Doc came. Dr. Tommy Little bought the practice and, being shorthanded, welcomed the young man from Auburn. Short sleeves in sleet notwithstanding, Tom was thrilled when he graduated that June and returned to practice at East Point with his DVM. “I was so excited to be a veterinarian.

And to have that opportunity,” he says, “I was like a kid in a candy shop. I liked the doctors, and I liked Cullman immediately.

I didn’t have any negativity at all.”

I

t was a bit overwhelming at first, but J.O. Sweatmon, who had worked for years with Dr. Farr, helped break in the young doctor, and Tom soon found his 16

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‘Big Doc’

Big vet known for his big love of people, community and animals (big and small) groove. J.O. knew scads of background on farmers and their client animals and would brief the young doctor as they drove out to make calls.

“He’d politely focus me on what I might find when I got there. If not for him,” Tom laughs, “I’d still be lost somewhere in Gold Ridge or Joppa.”

Farmers and pet owners both took a shine to the big young vet with the big personality and heart to match. And, within a year, Tom became a partner with Dr. Little at East Point.

It was sometime later that Big Doc was christened with his nickname. Credit goes to the late Steve Griffith, who’d known Tom from Mississippi State and was also friends with Dr. Little.

Visiting the clinic one day, Steve pointed out the obvious: standing side by side, Dr. Tommy Little was notably, well, littler, than the large-sized Dr. Tom Williamson. By the self-appointed powers of humor invested in him, Steve proclaimed them Little Doc and Big Doc. “I’ve been Big Doc ever since,” the big guy says.

I

nitially Big Doc started with the large animals, farm animals, while Little Doc concentrated on small animals. Large or small, over time Big Doc delivered a lot of animal babies, and an uncanny number of those births seemed to happen at night or on holidays – or both.

One Christmas Eve some frantic friends called to say they were en route to his home with a pregnant cat who wouldn’t be pregnant much longer. They carried in the cat in a picnic basket, and Big Doc delivered a hefty litter of five kittens on the kitchen table.

“After 50-something years, that is still the neatest thing – bringing a new life into the world and being there for the first breath,” he says. “It is a miracle, and so uplifting every time you witness it.”

Among Big Doc’s notable big patients was the Tennessee Walker World

Champion Handy Man, who belonged to Jack Gambril of Baileyton and was trained by Hershel Tally, back around 1975. Another famous horse was Kevin McKoy’s gelding, Bay Vanity, who was an Arabian Horse Association’s National Champion in the amateur western pleasure class.

Two “famous” dog patients were Miss Guffie and Buddy. Back in the 1980s, Buddy, owned by Colleen Van Zandt of Hanceville, was named the Old Roy Dog of the Year and won a year’s worth of Old Roy dog food. Miss Guffie was immortalized in 1996 by a figurine in the German-type clock tower at Roy Drinkard’s King Edward Plaza Shopping Center in Cullman. She makes an appearance on the hour along with a figurine of Mr. Roy, who calls her.

More infamous among Big Doc’s former patients was a huge black lab named Arabella who belonged to the late Cullman dentist Dr. Leroy Bledsoe.

“He would come in the clinic with her unleashed, and she would ‘love’ everyone and jump up on everyone kissing them in the face,” Tom laughs. “Then, in a loud voice, he’d tell her to heel, and in the next breath he’d be telling me how well-behaved she was. But everything just went to pot when Arabella came in.”

Another Big Doc patient was Melba Werner’s golden retriever, Stella, who, like canines since, was once a store dog at Werner’s Trading Company.

“When it came to the clinic, Stella loved me and wagged her tail,” he recalls good-naturedly. “But when I’d go in the store, she would follow me around and bay like she had me treed.”

An all-time favorite is Tippy, a sort of adopted mascot from East Point that Tom took home. They called Tippy a Jack Russell just to boost the mongrel’s selfesteem. It apparently worked. The family lived in Larkwood, and Tippy would join the Williamson children in walks to the waterfalls where he – not once, but

SNAPSHOT: Dr. John Thomas “Big Doc” Williamson, DVM

EARLY LIFE: Born Sept. 20, 1946, and raised in Sturgis, Miss., the only offspring of Annie Lee and Lamberth Williamson. His mother was a school teacher, and he worked after school in his father’s small grocery store.

EDUCATION: Attended grades 1-12 at Sturgis School before graduating in 1964. Preveterinary curriculum at Mississippi State University, graduated in three years. Earned his DVM from Auburn University, 1971.

CAREER: East Point Veterinary Hospital, 19712004; became a partner after first year; owner until 1997; continued working there after selling it. Worked as a “rent-a-vet” relief veterinarian across the state, 2004-2007; worked at Northside Veterinary Hospital, 20072012; worked at Cullman Veterinary Hospital, 2012 until in 2020. He still has an active license.

PERSONAL LIFE: Married 1969; divorced 1978. Married the former Judy Charlton, 1980 through present. Two grown children from first marriage: Julie (Philip) Whatley of Hoover, a nurse practitioner at UAB with children Jacob, 25, and Grace 21; Jeb (Lanie Peinhardt) Williamson of Cullman, a CPA with children Drew, 16, and Lucy, 11.

AFFILIATIONS/ACTIVITIES/RECOGNITIONS: Cullman Rotary Club; First Presbyterian Church; Auburn University Veterinary Teaching Hospital board member, early 1990s-2000s; emeritus status on dean’s advisory council for AU College of Veterinary Medicine; Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, former president, 30 years on executive committee; American Veterinary Medical Association; his East Point clinic became the second veterinary hospital in Alabama to achieve fouryear accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association; served 13 years on Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, twice president; served 20+ years on the Farm City Committee; vice president of the Festhalle Committee; a founding and long-time member of the Cullman County Animal Shelter; first person named as the Cullman Times Citizen of the Year; heavily involved with the Cullman Area Chamber of Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness Committee in the 1980s; was in the chamber’s second Leadership Cullman County class and active with the formation of the Youth Leadership Class; and in 2018 the Agriplex building – which he worked to make a reality – was named in his honor. “I was,” he says, “very humbled by it.”

twice – killed snakes that might have endangered Julie and Jeb. All in all, being a vet is, for Big Doc, a constant and joyous challenge.

“I’ve never felt like I knew everything.

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, something new came along. And I made so many relationships and friends. Those people, their pets – and many more – are like family. I stay in touch with a lot of them and check on them.”

And yes, though not presently working, he still gets phone calls. Just no more Christmas kitties.

I

t was his father that Dr. Tom Williamson can thank.

He grew up an only child with about 150 rural neighbors in Sturgis, 13 miles from Mississippi State. His mom, Annie Lee, was his first grade teacher at a school with one building and 12 grades.

“She was disappointed,” Tom grins.

“She thought I was a rocket scientist, but she’d be teaching away and I’d be staring out the window at the pea patch.”

His father, Lamberth, ran Sturgis’ small grocery, where Tom worked growing up. Tom had a few dogs over the time and loved riding horses with his dad, but veterinary medicine never occurred to him.

A local farmer shipped dairy cows to Florida, and a veterinary doctor checked the stock regularly. Befriending the doctor, Lamberth considered Tom’s prospects in light of his small store and the vet’s profession.

“I guess he could see the writing on the wall,” Big Doc says. “My days were numbered for that little store. Dad suggested becoming a veterinarian.

Back then, what Daddy said, you never questioned. I didn’t have any interest in being anything else, and that seemed like a good path.”

After graduating from Sturgis High in 1964, Tom lived at home three years while taking the pre-vet curriculum at Mississippi State. One of 14 State grads accepted to Auburn’s touted vet program, he graduated from there in 1971 and already had a job in Cullman.

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eterinary work introduced Big Doc to Judy, a former nursing instructor who raised Arabian horses. Doc also knew Judy’s father, Charlie, who had 18

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a farm in Logan where the three loved riding – and where Doc and Judy found they loved one another. They married in 1980.

Through the years, Big Doc mentored a number of young people, some who worked at various clinics with him, others he helped through the Cullman Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Class.

While nurturing young people, others in Cullman were also nurturing him – making sure the vet they love didn’t go hungry.

“It’s pretty obvious I’m real fond of food,” Big Doc says. “And people in Cullman are so kind. I’d be delivering a calf or working on an animal, and if it was mealtime, they’d invite me to break bread with them. If it wasn’t mealtime, they’d bring things by the clinic for me to eat. I wish I had a cookbook of their recipes.”

If he did, it would include Joyce Griggs’ salmon patties, Pat Ritchey’s fruit cakes, Margaret Chandler’s sausage balls, Becky Eason’s apple cake, Patti Greer’s hot chocolate Christmas mix and every dish from every lunch Barbara Hill ever served him.

“I could go on and on, but my taste buds were warmly rewarded,” Tom says.

“That meant all the world to me. And everyone’s dogs, cats, horses … to take care of them was the most rewarding thing in the world.”

1.

You’ve worked with farmers for much of your career, and the Heritage Center at the Agriplex is even named in your honor. What are your thoughts on farmers?

A hundred years ago, I bet 97 percent of people in the country were involved with agriculture in some way or got income from it – gardened, had a farm, grew up on a farm, had some working knowledge or were in some way involved in transporting or processing food from farms. Now it’s less than 3 percent.

When I came to Cullman 52 years ago, people might work at a big store, but they also had cows at home and probably had a garden and maybe grew soybeans or something. That’s becoming less and less true.

Still, Cullman is the No. 1 agricultural county in the state. But when people on farms die these days, many times the kids

inherit the land and sell it for housing or industry – and it’s gone. Once you do that, you can’t ever get it back. The land available for farms is dwindling.

I appreciate farmers so much. Farming is hard. I don’t think about them being under-appreciated, but I will say many people don’t know much about farmers and what it takes to get our food here.

Cullman, however, is more knowledgeable than most places. Locally, just look at the North Alabama Agriplex and the programs they put on. I can’t believe it. They have done so much good there with just a little bit of money. The Agriplex was recognized a few months ago by the Alabama Wildlife Federation as the Conservation Educator of the Year for its ag programs. They have programs for kids … real inexpensive, some are free. They’re giving back to the community.

Cullman also had the chairman of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association – Bill Ingram. And Keith Smith is a past president of the U.S. Sweet Potato Council. We’ve had the president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the late Ronny Donaldson; and veterinarian Dr. Terry Slaten is in that rotation now. Lydia Haynes is on the board of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry, along with others, is really active in agritourism.

There are at least seven farms in Cullman where you can go and see animals and things growing. Several have items to sell and provide meals. Plus we have the Festhalle and farmer produce stands on the side of the road.

The Cullman office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System does a great job, and so does the Cullman County Soil and Water Conservation District. And Cullman Farm City … they do a wonderful job. I’ve never worked with a more giving and hard-working group who do a great job educating people about farmers and farms.

We need to do as much as we can to support farming and teach people about it.

It’s so important.

2.

. You’re known as a “community supporter.” Why is it important to give back to one’s community, to get involved, to help people?

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I don’t think there is anything more important and fulfilling than giving back to your community – it’s the least we can do for all the community does for us. We should take a few minutes every day and think about that. It’s given me incredible joy.

I cannot say enough about how many residents I’ve gotten to know through volunteering who have become the world to me. People in the community get to be like family to you.

Get involved in church. The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce. We have so many good civic clubs. If you’re an animal person, get involved at the animal shelter. If someone has a passion for children, then help kids – there are programs with the court system; or foster kids. There is probably a program for anything you have a passion for. There is an opportunity in Cullman to get involved and to be helpful to that cause.

Mother was in several clubs and was always helping people. Through the store, Daddy knew people with problems and helped them. He was on the town council.

I learned early on about giving back, being involved and volunteering.

Dr. Little encouraged us to get involved and volunteer with veterinary medicine groups. I’ve been surrounded by people who encouraged me early on.

Hopefully I have encouraged others as time has gone on.

It’s a mindset. I can’t imagine not helping other people, not wanting to get involved.

3.

What’s the importance of, and what do you think are the joys of mentoring?

My goodness … to see somebody you have known and given some advice to, to see them succeed, and for them to thank you for being a part of their success – you could not have any more joy than that.

And if you don’t get any thanks that’s all right, too.

Think about people living now, people who meant so much when you were coming along, people who were an inspiration in your life – whether they knew they were doing it or not. You want to emulate how they were and be like them as you get older.

I think about us at the clinic and all the 20

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young people who worked there over the years. I wish I had a kept a list of them – whether they ended up being veterinarians or something totally different – so I could see how they now care about people and critters and lives. Mentors make people want to be as good a person as they can.

Dr. Little was an incredible mentor to me. Farmers … you just respect them and see how they conduct their lives. Clients that you did work for … you saw many of them enough over the years that they became family to you. You saw how they interacted in the community, and you wanted to be like that.

There is intentional mentoring and unintentional mentoring. I don’t know that either is more important, but unintentional mentoring ought to make us look at ourselves and how we spend our day-to-day living. Each day, we need to appreciate life and treat each other with respect and dignity and love. This is how we ought to approach every day. When we get up in the morning, we should say, “Today I’m going to be a good person.”

When you live like that, you’re bound be an unintentional mentor to people.

I don’t know if I am qualified to say this, but if we all did that, this would be a better community, a better city, a better county, state, country and world.

I’ve had a lot of mentors … J.O. Sweatmon, whom I worked with for 10 years when I first came here. My fatherin-law, Charlie Charlton, who died at age 100 in 2011, was a good mentor for how to live life. I also had a lot of respect for Buddy Fullilove of Fairview, who is deceased … a hardworking farmer who treated people right. Pelham Butler, was a good friend and our accountant – a big help and an unintentional mentor. I could easily say that all of my colleagues have been – intentionally or unintentionally – mentors to me. I’ve learned from them all.

Judy, my wife is my best friend. And the smartest and most logical person I’ll ever know. She’s taken great care of me. She is a special, special person. She would be the head of the mentors in my life – my heroes.

4.

What are some of the things you and Judy learned about parenting that you might want to share?

A big takeaway is to make time to

have meals together. We talked a lot and learned a lot and solved a lot of problems by sitting down and eating together. We still do that.

It’s important to teach kids accountability, that they have responsibilities. We have expectations.

They have expectations of us, and for themselves.

When kids are younger, it’s a lot more hands-on assistance we give them. As they get older, we need to get out of the way. Now it’s fun to watch them raise their kids.

We were really busy when they were growing up, and it was important that when we had time it was quality time.

We made time. They also worked at the clinic. I took them on calls with me.

5.

What’s something most people don’t know about Dr. Tom “Big Doc” Williamson?

I am a big guy. I don’t think I’m scary, but being big has certain advantages as far as getting along with people. But I learned at an early age there are right and wrong ways to do that.

My best friend growing up, Glen Flurry, lived two houses up on our dirt road. We played together every day. He and I were playing marbles one day. We were maybe 5 years old. He was always better than me at everything we did.

As we gathered up the marbles – and hopefully inadvertently – I picked up one of his.

“Give me my marble,” he said.

“I don’t have it.”

“Yeah you do. If you don’t give it to me, I’m gonna punch you in the nose.”

Being 5 years old and bigger than him and being behind my grandmother’s house, I’m sure I had a swagger. I reared back and said, “I dare you to hit me!”

I had not gotten that out of my mouth when he popped me in the nose and bloodied it. I ran home crying. I’m sure he got the marble, though I can’t remember.

But I do remember that was not the way to deal with the situation. For the rest of my life, I never got into another fight. I never hit anybody, and they never hit me.

Daring anyone with an attitude is not a good thing.

I remember it like yesterday.

Good Life Magazine

Cullman is … ... where we chose to settle “We were raised in Cullman but moved off for college. There was no question we’d return to raise our family here. I love that Cullman provides family fun events that we can enjoy, like Strawberry Festival and Oktoberfest.” - Amanda and Jonathan Franklin with Nora James and Jackson

... where we provide power “We laugh and tell our fiends, ‘If the power goes out, just call one of us.’ You really could say we’re the Cullman ‘power’ couple! Once a luxury, power is now a necessity.” – Blake and Allison Bright, CEC Superintendent of Field Services and Cullman Power Board CEO, respecitvely

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According to the Census, the population of Cullman city grew 23.9 percent, while the county increased 9 percent.

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Good Reads

Mystery befalls Moab, Fla., and Sheriff Winston Browne

Carr’s latest thriller is not a novel for the faint of heart

have fallen in love with all of the inhabitants of fictional Moab, Fla., population 912, and you will too as you accompany Sean Dietrich’s cast of characters in his latest novel, “The Incredible Winston Browne.”

It’s summer in the 1950s. Things are humming along nicely – Miss Anna Jordan the new baseball field is accompanied Mr. Richard well under way; pot-luck Hackle to the VFW dance suppers and dances raise in Mobile. money for new pew Emmet Threet has hymnals; and the Moab returned from Detroit, Social Graces continues to keep citizens abreast Michigan, where he visited of who is engaged, his brother, Earl, who is ill. married, separated, visited, Miss Eunice Freeman vacationing, dating and Hoyt was a guest of Miss “gone to glory.”

Mattie Hicks. “The deviled But a mystery is afoot. eggs were delicious,” said A (runaway?), Jesse, is found in a chicken coop Miss Mattie. “I made (the hens were none them.” (From the Moab too happy). She’s alone Social Graces) and in apparent danger.

Sheriff Winston Browne, having kept his town safe and respectable for 10 years, now finds himself in a quandary: keeping his cancer a secret, longing for the family he never had and keeping Jesse safe. You will “um hmmm,” chuckle, laugh out-loud, sigh, and sniff back a tear. This is a must-read.

– Deb Laslie

ope is not a plan of action.” So says James Reece, protagonist in Jack Carr’s latest political thriller/ action/adventure/history series, “The Devil’s Hand.”

From the first sentence to the last, we are led through the history of biowarfare and bioYour country is on its terrorism. James Reece – former SEAL, devoted knees, Commander. husband and father Your response to COVID – has his life shattered surprised even our when he learns his entire brightest minds. Close team was killed as the down your schools and result of an unapproved businesses and destroy “experiment.” After loved ones are murdered your economy for a virus to silence him, he does with less than a 0.3 what we hope and pray percent mortality rate? … he will do: get revenge.

All we needed to do was sit Along the way he back and watch as COVID, begins to understand the race riots and identity dark sides of the military industrial complex that politics further divided an controls much of our already weak nation; it’s economy also funds just a matter of time. some nefarious leaders and groups in other countries. Not for the faint of heart the book is brutal and, I believe, vitally important to our understanding that there is always evil in this world – and good. And truth. And truth always wins.

– Deb Laslie

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Good Cooking

Food, Sarah insists, can bring people together ... and she loves doing just that Story by Jacquelyn Hall Photos by David Moore

M

oxie isn’t a word one hears very often nowadays, but it perfectly describes Sarah Morrow, creator of Hele Bowls to-go restaurant in Cullman. Her tenacity and perseverance – and perhaps even her Hawaiian heritage – have served her well, allowing her dreams to come into fruition. Her recipes also helped.

Through a tumultuous childhood, she and her family moved to Cullman County from Michigan 17 years ago, where her step-dad began his HVAC career. Sarah attended West Point for eighth grade and Vinemont for high school. She met her husband Steven in her first year at Vinemont.

During her last two years of high school, she started taking classes at the career center. Her hard work paid off; she graduated Vinemont with both a high school diploma and a career technical diploma in culinary arts.

“I was a gothy little kid at Vinemont and didn’t really fit in, but at the career center … it was a place for ‘misfits.’ We all still keep in touch with each other.”

Sarah is truly one of those people who has worked their way from the bottom rung up to accomplish her dreams and goals. Back when she was 16, she started working at Waffle House, then she moved on to a job at Best Western, and worked those two jobs through high school, all while also attending classes at the career center.

Due to family needs, she was not able to attend either of the two culinary schools to which she was accepted after high school. But true to form, she didn’t

Sarah Morrow has a certain charisma – not to mention her Hawaiian heritage – that is apparent at Hele Bowls and in her healthy recipes, as well. let the set-back dampen her long term goals.

A

s with many women, at this point in her life Sarah paused her professional goals to have children.

“I was a stay-at-home mom for the first three and a half years of my son’s life,” Sarah says. “Then I started at 412 the day after I was medically cleared when my daughter was born.”

She had seen a listing for a job opening at 412 Public House for a

dishwasher and worried they would not hire her and she wouldn’t be able to get the kitchen experience she wanted. It was definitely one of those moments in life where one is glad to be wrong.

Not only did she get the dishwasher job, but through more hard work and determination, she was able to train under chef Ricardo “Rico” Nishimura and sous chef Kyle Kirkpatrick.

“If it weren’t for them pushing me to work harder, and teaching me, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Sarah NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

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10 oz. of vegan shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup vegan sandwich spread (mayo) 2 jalapenos, finely diced 1 small jar diced pimentos says. “I am forever thankful for them.”

While working at 412 Public House, in 2020 she won the award for Best Brunch in Alabama. But Sarah’s goals were higher.

She wanted to open and run a to-go restaurant. She pitched her concept to 412 owners Rico and Steven Gannon, who decided to back her. Through trials both personal and bureaucratic, she persevered and was the driving force in opening Hele Bowls, next door to 412 – May 12, 2022 – the fourth anniversary of starting her dishwasher job.

W

ith Hele Bowls, Sarah honors her Hawaiian heritage – “hele” means “to go” in Hawaiian. She also wanted to give back something to the community through the food she prepared and sold.

“I wanted to show Cullman that you can eat healthy without it tasting like rabbit food. Everything is sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, and I have several vegan items, too. I want to give 26

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VEGAN PIMENTO CHEESE 1 Tbsp. granulated garlic ½ Tbsp. cayenne ½ Tbsp. smoked paprika Salt and pepper to taste

people the option to eat healthy and flavorful.

“The bowls are quick,” she adds.

“I want to be able to accommodate everyone, no matter their schedule or dietary restrictions.”

She goes a step farther.

“I want everyone to know that they are valued and cared for. If you want to come in here, buy a bowl and cry on my shoulder, you can. If you are celebrating something, I’ll give you a free dessert and celebrate with you,” she laughs.

With her generous heart, meeting Sarah is like meeting a friend you didn’t know you had; like meeting a stranger you somehow feel you’ve always known.

“That’s been my goal with anything I do – to give back, whether it’s with a kind word, healthy food or donating to a good cause. I love everyone … anyone and everyone is welcome. Anyone that wants to come sit at my table for brunch on Sunday, they are welcome.”

Whisk together in a bowl sandwich spread, jalapenos, pimentos and other ingredients. Fold in the cheese.

Serve cold and refrigerate leftovers, if you have any.

Hele Bowls, she adds, does its part to give back to the planet – all of the to-go bowls and lids are all compostable.

S

arah’s story very closely resembles that of her Auntie Bertha, who also started as a dishwasher and worked her way up to chef. Their serendipitous commonality has been celebrated by Bertha sharing family recipes with Sarah, some of which she implements in whole or as inspiration at Hele Bowls. She also has traditional Hawaiian recipes from her grandmother, Eileen Burnett, who still lives on the big island.

One of those people who is “the mom” of the group, Sarah always makes sure everyone is fed and loved. It’s a part of her charisma.

“Ethnicity, background, finances, it doesn’t matter – food brings people together,” she beams. “And I think that’s just beautiful.”

Good Life Magazine

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CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE 2 ripe avocados ¼ cup cocoa powder ½ cup monk fruit 3-4 Tbsp. coconut milk ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract Blend everything together in blender or food processor.

Tip: Add blueberries for an added freshness.

STRAWBERRY HAUPIA (Haupia is a Hawaiian coconut pudding) ½ cup water 5 Tbsp. cornstarch ¼ cup monk fruit sweetener, granulated 13 oz. coconut milk 1 cup sliced strawberries Lightly grease an 8x8 pan with vegan nonstick cooking spray. In a medium mixing bowl add cornstarch, water and monk fruit. Whisk until combined and set aside.

Add coconut milk to a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat until the liquid starts to bubble; stir frequently so the milk does not burn.

Add cornstarch mixture to the pan and continue to stir until this haupia mixture starts to thicken and resembles pudding. Remove from heat. Pour haupia into the prepared 8x8 pan and allow it to cool.

Once cool, place pan in the refrigerator until set, about 2 hours. Cut haupia into squares, top with sliced strawberries and enjoy.

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HELE BOWL (‘Hele’ is Hawaiian for ‘to go’) 1 cup frozen bananas 1 cup coconut milk ¼ cup black beans ¼ cup granola Handful blueberries 1 fresh banana ¼ cup pineapples 2 Tbsp. chia seeds Coconut flakes

In a blender add, frozen bananas, black beans and coconut milk. Blend until smooth.

Add to a bowl and top to taste with granola, blueberries, banana, pineapple, chia seeds and coconut flakes.

Enjoy something good for when you are on the go.

KETO FAT BOMBS 1¼ cups peanut butter (or any nut butter you prefer) ¼ cup cocoa powder 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract 1 ripe banana ¼ cup monk fruit sweetener, granulated Add everything except ¼ cup of the peanut butter to a food processor and blend until a dough-like ball forms. Form into 1 inch balls. Melt ¼ cup nut butter and drizzle on top.

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4 oz. teriyaki smoked salmon* 2 cups white rice 3 cups vegetable broth 4 oz. diced mango 4 oz. diced strawberries 4 oz. diced avocado 4 oz. pickled red onions 2 oz. sesame ginger vinaigrette** Marinate salmon.

Rinse 2 cups white rice in cool water then cook in 3 cups of vegetable broth on low, covered. Assemble rice in a bowl.

Top with salmon, strawberries, avocado,

HAPPY BOWL mango, pickled onions and sesame ginger. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. *Teriyaki Marinade ½ cup tamari sauce 1 Tbsp. sesame oil 2 tsp. rice vinegar 2 Tbsp. monk fruit sweetener, granulated Whisk together –and be happy! **Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Not only is this one of the healthiest salad dressings, but it can double as a marinade.

1 Tbsp. granulated garlic 1 tsp. ground ginger ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1½ Tbsp. monk fruit sweetener, granulated 2 Tbsp. sesame oil 2 Tbsp. tamari sauce 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar Blend all ingredients until smooth.

HULI HULI SAUCE (Huli huli is Hawaiian for ‘turn’ or ‘reverse’) This a traditional Hawaiian marinade for grilling chicken. Marinate for at least four hours, keeping some of the sauce for basting.

Turn the chicken often while grilling.

It will smell and taste like the islands.

1/3 cup ketchup 30

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1/3 cup brown sugar ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup pineapple juice 2 Tbsp. sesame oil 4 cloves of garlic, grated or minced fine 1 inch fresh ginger (or ½ tsp. ground ginger) 1 tsp. rice vinegar

Place all ingredients into a pan and stir to mix well.

Bring to a boil and stir constantly until thickened and reduced, about 5 minutes once boiling.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

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TUNA POKE 4 oz. poke-marinated, diced ahi tuna* 2 cups white rice 3 cups vegetable broth ½ avocado, diced 4 oz. diced mango 4 oz. diced cucumber 1 radish, sliced 2 oz. spicy aioli** Sesame seeds, nori (dried seaweed), and green onion for garnish Rinse and cook white rice in vegetable broth covered on low heat.

Assemble rice in a bowl with ahi, avocado, cucumber, mango and radish.

Top with spicy aioli and garnish with sesame seeds, nori and greens onions.

**SPICY AIOLI Use this as a condiment on sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders and more.

*Tuna Poke Marinade ½ cup tamari sauce 1 Tbsp. sesame oil 1 tsp. rice vinegar 2 tsp. monk fruit sweetener, granulated 2 tsp. granulated garlic Combine and let ahi tuna marinate for 5 minutes.

1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sriracha 2 Tbsp. lime juice Add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until mixed well.

Refrigerate for 2-3 hours until the flavors can meld together.

VEGAN COLLARD GREENS 48 oz. fresh collard greens 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 yellow onion, diced 1 red pepper, diced 2 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning ¼ cup brown sugar ½ tsp. red pepper flakes 32

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1 tsp. liquid smoke 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth Salt and pepper Heat oil in a saucepan, then sauté onions, red pepper and garlic until tender. Add collard greens and sauté until wilted. Add brown sugar, Cajun 2022-23

seasoning, and liquid smoke until caramelized. Then add vegetable broth, cover and cook on low for 35 minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until mixed well.

Refrigerate for 2-3 hours until the flavors can meld together.

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Story and photos

by David Moore

S

hiloh. It means “place of peace” in Hebrew. Yet it was anything but on April 6-7, 1862, as Union and Confederate armies clashed at Shiloh, Tenn., killing or wounding 23,746 soldiers – America’s bloodiest battle to that point in history.

Considered today as one of the nation’s best preserved Civil War battlefields, the 5,000-acre Shiloh National Military Park is a surprisingly peaceful and lovely place to visit. It’s as quiet as … well, the U.S. National Cemetery there. Strolling through a tranquil field or along a dirt lane flanked by split-rail fencing, peering through dense, rolling forests or resting against a blue-patinaed bronze cannon barrel – it’s still easy to imagine the carnage that unfolded here to a cacophony of blasting Springfields, booming artillery, Reb yells and screams of agony.

Engaging as it is somber, Shiloh is a most interesting – and easy – place to visit. Visitors are encouraged to begin their discovery of the battlegrounds 22 miles south in Corinth, Miss. Traveling from Cullman County, it’s right on your way.

At Corinth, two crucial railways crossed, forming the transportation “spine” of the Confederacy’s western theater. It was here that Confederate troops regrouped after Union victories – under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant – at forts Henry and Donelson in that February.

Grant pursued the Rebels up the Tennessee River amassing his troops for weeks at Pittsburg Landing.

They were intent on marching on Corinth when approaching reinforcements arrived. They didn’t get the chance. In the pre-dawn hours of April 6, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston – who was killed in the horrible carnage of that day – preempted Grant’s plans, attacking

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Good Getaways

Civil War horrors permeate the stillness lying over Shiloh battlefield

Shiloh National Military Park is home to 220 Civil War cannons, among them these rifled, 3.8in. James pieces. Their brass barrels today have a blue patina.

Throughout the sprawling park, cannon batteries, monuments and conflict sites have signage, identifying the regiments and often details on the action there.

The two cannons at bottom left are set up at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River; they’re replicas of the guns used on Union gunboats that docked there in the leadup to the battle of Shiloh. During the rainy night of April 6-7 they fired every 15 minutes at Confederate encampments. One myth about Shiloh concerns the Sunken Road, center – it is not sunken.

A section of it dubbed “The Hornet’s Nest,” saw intense fighting the first day. Below, a diorama in the visitor center depicts that action. Entrance to the battlefield and visitor center is free. The park – crisscrossed by 13.1 miles of paved lanes – is open from sunup to sundown.

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Clockwise: David Russell, who distributes Good Life Magazines in Cullman and Marshall counties, lends perspective to one of Shiloh’s many monuments; interesting statues are found at Corinth’s “contraband camp,” where hundreds of ex-slaves got their first taste of freedom; trains still use the Corinth crossroads; Springfield rifles are displayed at the Corinth interpretive center.

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outnumbered Union troops at the Shiloh church. Though pushed back, the North retained the river landing and positions up the hill.

Union reinforcements finally arrived overnight and now, outnumbering the Confederates, Union troops counterattacked in the morning. After six bloody hours they forced the Rebels back to Corinth. After a Union siege of Corinth and fierce fighting, two months later the remaining Confederate forces there were forced to flee.

Shiloh battlefield is a part of the National Park Service. Visiting it today, one might ponder if, buried beneath time and soil, there lingers yet minute molecules of the sea of blood shed here by a nation torn asunder during a war with itself.

Shiloh not only honors the dead, but it stands as a monument to the lessons of history, lest anyone be thoughtlessly, insanely tempted again.

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Vicki’s house

Decking the walls with trophies, decking the halls for Christmas

Like several rooms in Vicki Knight’s house, her Christmas decorations, done annually by Amy Wood and Deborah McAfee, beautifully compliment her passion for hunting.

Story and photos

by David Moore

Y

ou’re not in Vicki Knight’s house long before you realize she loves to hunt and proudly displays an amazing assortment of trophies she’s taken. It’s a passion she got from her father, whose stamp can be seen as soon as you step in the front door and onto the zebra rugs he gave Vicki.

Mounted on the walls of her living room are trophies from a South African safari she took with her father and son, Josh. Among them are a kudu, a water buck and blesbok, for which she won a gold award from the Safari Club International.

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Upstairs in Vicki’s office are mounted trophies from hunts in New Zealand.

Among them are a red stag she took on North Island and a Himalayan tahr from the South Island.

If you visit Vicki Knight’s house north of Cullman at this time of year, you know immediately that she loves Christmas.

And whereas she has her father to thank for her hunting prowess, she will quickly tell you that Amy Wood and her mother, Deborah McAfee, get all the credit for “decking the halls.”

“Amy started in early November decorating for the holidays,” Vicki says.

Amy has been house decorating

for Vicki about 10 years and doing her Christmas decorating with Deborah for at least five.

“They are so creative,” she says of the daughter/mom team. “They do something different every year. That makes it a lot of fun.”

V

icki was raised in Birmingham where she graduated from high school.

There was never any question she’d go to college anywhere but Mississippi State.

Vicki is a fourth generation Bulldog; Josh made it five. Her parents met there and a great-great uncle helped start the dairy science program at Mississippi State.

“I was born with a with a cowbell in my hand,” she laughs.

Vicki started in landscape architecture, but her first engineering course made her reconsider. Instead, she majored in marketing with an emphasis on advertising, graduating at the top of her class.

“It was a good fit for me,” Vicki says.

Back in Birmingham she worked in advertising for a time. Marriage brought her to Cullman in the mid-1980s, and Josh was born here in 1989.

He graduated from Cullman High in 2007. Meanwhile, Vicki had returned to school at the University of North Alabama, where she earned her MBA, also in 2007.

After her dad retired from his career job, he started Potential Enterprises, doing

business consulting in mainly the fields of management and marketing. Vicki works as his administrative VP, doing financial and research work, mostly from home.

“I enjoy it,” she says.

I

n 2008, Vicki built a house for her and Josh on a lake. It has a distinctive European flair and a looped drive of river rock.

She worked with a Birmingham designer to tweak the plans to her liking. One unique addition – her dad’s suggestion – was placing a Bible in the foundation forms before filling them with concrete.

“It was a fun project,” she says. “It’s a great neighborhood. I love the area and love living on the lake.”

Meanwhile, while studying political science at Auburn University, Josh “became an item” with Amy, a student he met there. After earning his first degree, he went to MSU for a degree in sports administration while Amy earned a law degree from Cumberland.

They married in 2020 and Josh is an insurance broker in the Atlanta area where Amy works as an attorney.

V

icki’s dad started hunting seriously in the early 1980s, going on safaris and major hunts around the world.

“Hunters are the best conservationists,” Vicki says. “People don’t always realize that.

“When Josh became old enough, we thought a safari would be fun as a family trip,” she continues. So when he was 10, they packed up for South Africa.

“Africa is amazing,” she says. “You could hear lions roaring at night. Sunset was amazing. It felt like you were on the edge of the world – there was the sun, then it would just disappear.”

While Africa was fun, her trip with her parents and Josh to New Zealand in 2004 ranks as Vicki’s favorite hunt.

For starts, the landscape was simply astounding.

“It was definitely an adventure,” she says.

Surrounded by trophies, her hunting memories are very much alive, but these days Vicki’s mind is more on Christmas – by which she is likewise surrounded.

I

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while building her house and buying light fixtures at Deborah’s store, The Added Touch. Vicki later grew to know them through Share Club.

Vicki’s been so impressed with their work, she talked them into doing Christmas decorating for her parents.

“It’s so wonderful to find the trees

ready and decorations are everywhere,” Vicki says. “There might be a Christmas moose propped up on a light fixture, and you never know what you’ll see hanging from a chandelier. It’s all so creative and different every year. It really stays fresh.”

During the holidays, she’ll see Josh and Amy, plus her parents. And she also

Lights and garland lead one to rooms and a balcony upstairs, upper left, while Vicki’s Christmas tree in the den is a fun one, reflecting her deep roots to Mississippi State. An attractive and detailed Nativity signifies her religious convictions, above.

Throughout the house one finds small and often intricate and whimsical grouping of decorations. Vicki says she always enjoys discovering what Amy and Deborah had set up around her house every Christmas. plans to have friends over to enjoy her decorated home.

Besides working and enjoying season tickets for her beloved Bulldogs and cowbells, Vicki has been learning to play golf and recently started lessons with a pro. She’s also excited about beginning her “next great adventure.”

“I’m helping my dad write and edit a book on faith, family and leadership,” she says. “People have been asking him to write a book for years.”

W

ith the holidays approaching, Vicki is also excited about something else.

“I look forward to seeing what Amy

and Deborah come up with for the coming Christmas season,” she says.

Just don’t think any of her trophies will wear wreaths or have decorations dangling from their racks.

“A lot of them,” Vicki grins, “are too high to reach anyway.”

Good Life Magazine NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

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43

Good Eats

The Grille

Burgers on the water remain Trident’s order of the day, but now you get them year-round – plus an upscale menu

Story by David Myers Photos by David Moore

T

he Grille at Trident Marina has a line of customers all summer long. From boats or from cars, they queue up for a lunch or dinner of a Trident burger, a po’ boy or fish tacos.

Call it bar food dressed up by an experienced chef.

That kind of steady business is the envy of many struggling restaurants, but owner Jeff Tolbert has a vision for Smith Lake that’s far more sophisticated than just sandwiches and fries. He sees a two-story restaurant with fine dining upstairs in a well-heeled members-only club above a more casual eatery open to all in a year-round business rarely found on the lake.

“This is something Smith Lake residents have been wanting for years,” says Jeff, the visionary.

Rose and I drove out to The Grille on a Friday night to hear more about the plan and to sample the menu being planned for the upscale restaurant, estimated to open in 2024.

Chef Jonathan Scoggins is almost as pumped about the future as his boss. With 17 years of experience under his belt that includes eight years at Ross Bridge in Birmingham followed by executive chef positions at Hoover Country Club and Riverchase Country Club, Jonathan was eager to get back to the stove when he headed to Smith Lake four years ago.

“It’s been exciting,” he says.

After an adventurous career as a jet pilot doing medical evacuations all over the world, Jeff bought the marina in 2015 with a restaurant that he later demolished.

Food is cooked and served in a future boat showroom, with – weather permitting – 44

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Chef Jonathan Scoggins is excited to serve a fine dining menu – including grouper. most diners sitting outside on a large deck overlooking the water.

B

ut this year, for the first time, the restaurant will stay open all winter.

During the off-season, Jonathan is introducing his upscale dinner entrees that include beautiful dishes of steaks, seafood, pasta and seasonal salads. He puts a premium on making food look great, like fresh figs in salads and colored peppers brightening up shrimp and grits.

And he clearly puts a lot of effort into making dishes taste heavenly.

As a New Orleans native, I’ve enjoyed many a plate of shrimp and grits. The consistency and spiciness vary widely.

The dish served at the Grille took a

different approach. Served on a bed of creamy polenta, shrimp swam alongside smoky andouille sausage in a Cajun gravy, garnished with grilled lemon slices. When he can get it, Jonathan uses tasso ham, a specialty of South Louisiana cuisine.

This plate could compete in the finest establishments in the Big Easy.

The 8-ounce tenderloin fillet stood tall and tender under a shiny balsamic glaze. A po’ boy loaded with perfectly grilled shrimp on a soft bun was elevated with a Creole-style remoulade sauce.

The fish tacos cradled generous slabs of mahi mahi dressed in jalapeno ranch. A pile of house-made chips was the perfect accompaniment and quickly became addictive when dipped in the sauce. It

Chef Jonathan Scoggins and his talented kitchen crew turn out some bar food – or boat food, if you will – including the Trident Burger, above.

Along with staying open all year, they now offer an upscale menu and white tablecloths. A seasonal salad has fresh figs, far left, and the shrimp and grits is grand.

Just looking at a fillet tastes good. Located in Crane Hill at Big Bridge about 24 miles from Cullman, The Grille is one of only three restaurants on Smith Lake. The Grille is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed Monday and Tuesday. appears the fine dining menu and the bar food are just about perfect.

W

ith the growth of permanent residents wanting places to eat nearby, Jeff sees a need and believes the new restaurant – and being open year-round – will provide everything they want in one place. He says a membership-only club

will be necessary to sustain fine dining service – and he already has 200 on a waiting list.

The marina business on Smith Lake is huge. With 400-plus boats in dry storage, Trident is the largest dry stack operation on the lake, winterizes 500-600 boats annually and sells new and used vessels.

Jeff, originally from Oneonta, got his pilot

license before studying business at The University of Alabama. He fell into the marina field with a lot to learn. He laughs and says he has no advice on what to do, but has loads of experience in what not to do. The man with a vision thrives on the challenge.

“It is,” he says, “about a passion.”

Good Life Magazine NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

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45

Grandpa was in ‘hog heaven’ come weather for pig-killing Story by Steve A. Maze Photos from the author’s collection

M

y grandpa, Jay Hugh Maze, was literally in “hog heaven” during the fourth week of November each year.

Not only did he look forward to his large family gathering around his table for a Thanksgiving meal, it was also a week he reserved for his annual hog killing.

Frosty fall mornings announced cold weather was on its way, but only toward the end of November would the outside temperatures drop low enough to prevent meat from spoiling when a hog was butchered.

Family members and neighbors were anxious to pitch in and help with the butchering once the sharp teeth of autumn first nipped. They looked forward to receiving a portion of tenderloin, backbone, ribs and other delicious cuts of meat in exchange for their labor.

The day prior to the butchering, a wooden tripod – equipped with a singletree stock – would be set up to hang the hog’s carcass. Knives and axes were sharpened to a razor’s edge that night to cut up the meat.

Fog would still be low to the ground as the sun broke over a smoky dawn the following morning. Even before daylight, an outdoor fire of green oak would blaze beneath two black cast iron pots of water in preparation of the hard day of work that lay ahead.

G

randpa used his ground slide to drag the dead hog next to the black wash pots of boiling water. The water would be poured over the swine, and a knife was used to scrape the hair, bristles and dirt from its body. Upon completion, the hog would be hung upside down on the tripod.

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Jay Hugh Maze of eastern Cullman County, left, gets help from his son-in-law Coy Holloway, right, and a few neighbors during hog-killing time.

The organs and intestines would be removed before the meat was cut from the carcass. Foot tubs and dishpans were used to store the meat in until it could be washed.

The first cut of meat was usually the tenderloin. Grandma would take it straight to the kitchen and fire up her wood cook stove to serve the meat for dinner. A hot tenderloin biscuit filled with mustard was mighty tasty on a cold day. The remaining tenderloin would be used to make pork chops.

Then the ham and shoulders were

cut out and trimmed. These cuts would be placed on top of the saltbox in the smokehouse and allowed to set out overnight so the “animal heat” could escape. They would be thoroughly rubbed with salt the following morning before being completely covered in salt and placed in the saltbox to cure for a period of six weeks.

Middlin’ meat, which most people now call bacon, would be cured in the same fashion. The shoulders of the hog were often ground into sausage with an old-fashioned grinder. Grandma would

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be absorbed into the meat and give it a delicious hickory flavor.

A

Back in the day, times were hard for farmers, but at least they had meat they raised and butchered to go along with the vegetables they grew in their gardens. season it with sage, red and black pepper or Morton Sausage Seasoning, and at least part of it would be canned in pint jars.

At times the hams and shoulders were cured by smoking. A wire would be

run through a bone in the meats so they could hang on an overhead ceiling joist by a nail. A fire made from green hickory would be built on the dirt floor of the smokehouse and kept burning for up to five days. The smoke from the fire would

ll of the trimmed fat from the hog would be tossed into a bucket, rendering the lard. The fat would be cut into small blocks and placed into one of the cast iron pots to cook. The remaining skin pieces that settled into the bottom of the pots were called cracklings – similar to our modern day pork skins. They would be used to make cracklin’ cornbread – a delicacy in the south.

Times were hard for everyone back in Grandpa’s day, especially farmers.

Hard work usually reaped benefits, unless Mother Nature decided otherwise.

Butchering hogs was an absolute necessity for large families to keep meat on the table.

Yet farmers were better off than some city folks. Not many farmers went hungry since they had chickens, brown eggs, milk from the cow and a large vegetable garden. Still, dried beans, turnips, potatoes and cornbread always tasted better with a little meat on the plate.

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Make yourself at home with the Moodys’ German heritage and warm southern hospitality, and maybe even try your hand at..

Making wine with Bobby & Bobo “We had 78 of our church senior circle group come to visit for our first grandson’s birthday,” says Dale. “Family is the most important thing to us, but everyone is family when they come to visit.”

The Moodys’ deep German roots extend back to the Peinhardts in the late 1800s. Having such German heritage means having a “taste” for making great quality wine.

Bobby’s grandmother, Alma Peinhardt York, was a wine connoisseur and the inspiration for his adventure into wine making.

Story by Steve A. Maze Photos by David Moore

I

realized I had arrived at my destination when I was met in the driveway

by Bobby and Dale Moody and their Blue Tick hound, Bobo. Situated off Logan Road, the beautiful 40 acres the couple have called home for more than a half century was part of an inheritance from Bobby’s mother, Evelyn York.

It felt like … home.

The outdoor gathering spot for friends and relatives is the 80-plus-year-old water well situated at the end of their driveway. The well was originally covered ike the Moody by a one-room log cabin family, many people in but now sits underneath an Cullman County have attractive gazebo.

German roots. Bobby “We actually used the learned the wine making well when Dale and I first process from Eddie married,” says Bobby. “The Peinhardt, but was inspired windlass that draws up the by his grandmother, Alma bucket was actually built York. Most German families

by Hilmar Peinhardt, one of grew grapes, scuppernongs, Cullman’s first settlers.” muscadines, etc., when they Though the Moodys don’t use the old well in their yard since Under the front lip of first settled the area. they got running water years ago, but, as Bobby demonstrates, the gazebo are two ladder“As a teenager, I helped they can still crank up a bucket of good, clear water. back rocking chairs. To be Eddie with making wine, and he probably learned invited to sit in one is to it from his dad, E.O. know you are welcome. were comfortable here,” Bobby says.

Peinhardt,” Bobby says.

“You’re home when “They called us Mr. Bobby and Mama “I remember Eddie driving a horse and you come here,” Bobby says, as he Dale, and they still stay in touch.” wagon down the muddy Section Line Road waves one arm around the water well and It didn’t stop there. Wine ends up being (now Logan Avenue) to the warehouse immaculately kept grounds. part of the reason. district in Cullman to sell his grapes.”

When their son, Brad – now a local Wine isn’t just mashing up grapes. The surgeon – was in college, up to 26 of his ost of those friends now have tending, harvesting and Mother Nature fellow students and friends would crash their own families and homes, but other have a lot to do with the quality of taste. in the Moodys’ basement during the generations also visit the Moody’s to enjoy “The amount of rain received in June holidays. I’m sure they felt at home, too. their hospitality. determines the quality of the berries and “We treated them as our own and they

L

M

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Bobby Moody has a little fun with Bobo as they walk between some of his vines to the side of his and Dale’s house. His grapes and other berries were just beginning to bloom the first of April when these photos were taken.

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grapes,” Bobby says. “Too much rain causes blight. It also takes three to four months for the wine to set after it is made.”

Bobby began growing grapes in the 1960s to make wine as a hobby. He soon became known for his high quality grape wine and is constantly perfecting the process. Now people come from many miles around to get his wine.

“Our son, Brad, is the one who suggested we make a variety of wines instead of just grape,” says Bobby.

In addition to purple grapes, they now produce white grapes, muscadines, scuppernongs and others. An assortment of home grown blueberries, blackberries and strawberries add further variety to his wines. The 30 grape vines and berry plants grown on the Moody farm produce anywhere from 30-50 gallons of wine per year.

Bobby also teaches others the art of wine making in order for the rich tradition to be passed along to other generations.

“I’ve never sold a bottle of wine,” Bobby states. “I give it away to friends and neighbors as gifts. We attend the Christ Lutheran Church in Cullman and many of those people have a deep German heritage.

In fact, it was entirely German when the church was formed. Each of them gets a bottle of wine to put in their Christmas stockings each year.”

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Racks of wine age in the Moody’s basement along with 5-gallon carboys of wine that sit up for 90 days. They contain whatever juice they want, 12 pounds of sugar plus yeast to ensure the sugar is broken down into alcohol –12-18 percent Moody Vineyards.

A “thumper” in the mouth of the carboy allows pressure to bleed off during the process. Below, retired banker Don Hubbard, a friend of the family and fan of Bobby’s wine, helps with the crushing process to extract the juice from the grapes. Below left, are some of Bobby’s beautiful Catawba grapes.

Red Star is the yeast Bobby uses. Potassium sorbate goes into the carboy about two weeks before bottling to stop the yeast process.

The other packet is a yeast energizer his son uses in brewing beer.

B

obby and Dale are almost selfsufficient on their farm, which includes 25-30 head of cattle at any one time.

Bobby has his own mini-processing plant, smokehouse and cooler on premises where he processes deer sausage and pork. The generous couple share that bounty with friends and neighbors as well.

Bobby has also had an on-site sawmill for the past 22 years. Much of the wood for

buildings located on the property began life as lumber from his sawmill or repurposed wood from other buildings.

The wine cellar in the basement of their home is constructed of cedar rafters and floor joists resurrected from a barn with the original saw markings on them. Rows of various wines are neatly placed in the handmade cedar wine rack, and some of the walls are repurposed lumber from their own old barn.

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The wine cellar contains a pool table, deer mounts, old advertising signs and other nostalgic items along the walls. It is also where Dale stores her canned items, such as kraut, green beans, pink-eyed purple hull peas, tomatoes, pickles, etc.

Two chest-type freezers are full of meat, pecans, veggies and other food items.

D

ale and Bobby are two of the most down-to-earth people you will ever meet.

Their farm and home is like those from the past – it contains a bit of history, a bit of nostalgia and a lot of southern hospitality.

I can picture their holiday meals looking like a dinner-on-the-ground church service with everyone happy and smiling.

It’s a place where you feel home on the first visit. You don’t even have to take off your shoes to come inside.

It is apparent that Bobby and Dale’s farm is not just a piece of land, house and gorgeous outbuildings. Nor is it just a place to grow food and cattle, make wine or enjoy as a gathering spot. It is a place to grow relationships. It is a place to cultivate their heritage. It is their soul.

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Col. Don Fallin is hiking to extremes for Johnny Mac

Retired Army Col. Don Fallin of Cullman displays a Johnny Mac flag after hiking 70 miles across the Andes to the terraced Inca city of Machu Picchu, upper left.

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Story by Seth Terrell Photos by or provided by Don Fallin

S

omewhere around 12,000 feet in elevation, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Don Fallin felt the crush of altitude sickness settle in. He and his trekking teammates had planned on taking their preventative Diamox tablets to ward off the headaches and nausea that are the most common symptoms, but what surprised them was how quickly they’d reached such altitude, how early it had sneaked up on them.

But Machu Picchu, the site of the ancient Incan society – and their goal – awaited far ahead, and with it the mythical allure that would make the temporary setback worth it.

With the help of proper regimens of fitness training, Diamox and time, Don and the crew pushed through altitude sickness and forward along the Salkantay-Inca Trail with the hope of completing the two most arduous treks in a seven-day period.

“By day two, we were at 15,000 feet, followed by a pass at 17,200 feet to traverse on day three,” Don says from the comfort of his Cullman dining room.

The retired Army colonel gives a bright smile as he scrolls through the photographs of his grueling trek on his iPad. He pulls out a map of the trail and with a pointing finger begins sorting the topography, matching photos with reference points as the recent experience comes alive once more in every recollection.

“Here’s one of the places where we made camp,” he says.

Looking at the photograph alone is enough to unsettle an innocent viewer: In the near-distant background, behind the band of hikers, an avalanche is poised to storm down the Peruvian mountain slope.

There are other photos too, of razor-sharp ridges and scrabbled, narrow trails that are doubly breathtaking – at once harrowing and beautiful.

T

he men who join Don in the photographs, often seen posing near the ruins or against the backdrop of snowcapped peaks, are part of his team who help raise money for the Johnny Mac Soldier’s Fund.

The Johnny Mac Fund began in 2014, named for U.S. Army Col. John “Johnny Mac” McHugh, who was killed by an IED 58

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in 2010, leaving behind his wife and five children.

“Team Johnny Mac” is comprised of veterans, friends and graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point: Don, Andy Peterson, Lance Bagley, Tim Scott, Keith Brown, Erich Peterson, Nicholas Peterson and Tyler Bragg. It was Don’s friend and classmate at West Point, Bob “Ice” Eisiminger, who first introduced him to the fund and its great work. In 2017, Don connected with Mary Ellen Picciuto, a classmate of Johnny Mac at West Point who serves as president of the fund that bears his name.

The fund was originally established with Johnny Mac’s children in mind, but has since gone on to raise $33 million over the last seven years – money awarded to children of families across the country who have lost loved ones during active service in the U.S. military. The fund’s support is given to students in the form of education scholarships. Along with Mary Ellen and his classmates and supporters from West Point, Don began envisioning a fundraising effort that would both bring attention and provide a thrilling journey.

“The more pain you endure on an event, the more money you raise,” Don says, laughing.

H

is vision became the Endurance Challenge. The first trek for Team Johnny Mac commenced with Don hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. He had completed a few day hikes and was an avid walker but had never attempted such a long-term trek.

“I had heard about the AT,” he recalls, “but when I really saw what it would take … it was daunting.”

The hike along the famed trail stretched from Springer Mountain, Georgia, up through the Smoky Mountains and Roane Highlands of North Carolina and Tennessee, following the ridges overlooking the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, then twisting north through Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, across Vermont and New Hampshire to eventually arrive at Mt. Katahdin, Maine, the AT’s northern terminus.

Along the way, Don relied on the support of his wife, Megan; he planned the hike itinerary so he could leave the

Sunset over the towering Andes was a reward for Don’s hiking team after crossing a 17,100 foot pass earlier on day three of their Machu Picchu trek. Lower left, the team is already suffering altitude sickness as they strike out for day two on the Salkantay trail section of the trek; the 17,100-foot pass is just out of the picture to the right of the peaks.

They pitched camp at about 15,100 feet at the end of day two, lower right. They started the trail at an elevation of about 7,500 feet, meaning they gained some 7,600 feet in 48 hours, kicking in the altitude sickness. In 72 hours they gained nearly 10,000 feet.

The team climbs the ancient steps of the Gringo Killer, above. It’s part of the Inca Trail approach to Sun Gate, a famous overlook with Machu Picchu visible behind them in the center photo.

Often called the “Lost City of the Incas,” the terraced city was built as early as 1420–1530 near the base of the conical, 8835-foot Huayna Picchu, upper right. In his basement equipment room, Don, second from lower right, also keeps medical supplies for his extreme trek. These include the VAissued Acetazolamide, a generic substitute for the brand name for Diamox, which is used to prevent and reduce symptoms of altitude sickness. Bottom photos by David Moore. trail and go into town every four to five days to resupply, check in with her as she worked tirelessly updating supporters and promoting both the hike and the Johnny Mac Fund on social media.

The journey truly became a family affair as Don stopped off near Bear Mountain, N.Y., to visit his son, Sean, then a cadet at West Point. Megan joined Don at the end of the hike and together they made it to the 5,269-foot peak of Mt. Katahdin.

“The view from Mt. Katahdin,” Don says, “was epic.”

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he continuing journeys of Team Johnny Mac have taken Don and his fellow hikers to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, which raised nearly $70,000 in 2021. The 2022 trek was scheduled to take them to Mount Elbrus in Russia, but the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops in early 2022 put that plan on hold. As Don scrambled to organize a new location and trek for 2022, the Salkantay-Inca Trail and the mystique of Machu Picchu caught his attention.

Continuing his story of the 70-mile

journey the Andes, Don lands on a whimsical photo of an alpaca taken just before Team Johnny Mac reached the ruins of Machu Picchu. Equipped with 20-30 pound Osprey backpacks, and La Sportiva hiking boots, the team couldn’t have done it without the extraordinary help of trail guides called porters, and their pack mules; the hikers ate well and lived well along the trail.

“Most hikes are a bit more austere,” Don says, “but on this one we were really taken care of.”

There is an overwhelming sense of awe

that bleeds through the photographs taken from the summits and passes and vistas. An even deeper sense of wonder is palpable as Machu Picchu takes shape against a cobalt sky. There they stand in the center of the ancient cityscape that is ringed by fog and clinging to the clouds 8,000 feet above sea level as though conjured from the ether.

The members of the team all agree that the trek to Machu was much harder than Kilimanjaro. But in the difficulty, lies purpose.

“You learn through pain,” Don says.

“The key to life, really, is being able to put one foot in front of the other.”

P

ain, in fact, is no stranger to Don. A veteran of eight combat tours in Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, his military career, as a colonel assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Special Mission Unit has taken him all over.

Through his many years of service, he has compiled a list of injuries that include a fractured femur and three TBIs (traumatic brain injury) as well as a badly injured hip

from slamming into a truck due to high winds while making a parachute jump.

He carries his own heartrending stories of combat, of bravery and loss and the kinship common only to war veterans. But Don exudes a pleasant humility that returns him back to his central focus.

“This is all about answering the question, ‘how do you have purpose?’ and ‘how do I give back?’”

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Don shot this sunrise photo as his climbing group approached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 19,341 feet. While the climb itself does not require technical experience, the Lemosho route was a grueling eight-day hike. Combined with his recent hike to Machu Picchu and trek of the Appalachian Trail, Don has raised in excess of $100,000 for the Johnny Mac fund. If you are interested in supporting his efforts, contact him at: donald.fallin@gmail.com. and bravery he has witnessed among his fellow soldiers. It’s this continued renewal of faith in people that inspires him to now continue his Johnny Mac journey.

“I was so fortunate to work with the people I did,” Don says, “And this is just a small way that I can give back and show my gratefulness.”

He remembers an important realization he came to while hiking the AT: “That experience reminded me what a great country we have and great people within it.”

But there is another source of inspiration, too. Throughout his life, Don has always been a competitor.

Before heading off to West Point, he grew up in Fairview where his father, Troy, and his recently passed stepmother, Dessie, have lived for years. After prep school, Don found himself at West Point through the support of other people who believed in him. It was this support along with a 62

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healthy dash of hard work that sparked the competitor within. And it was this same recipe he passed on to his son, Sean, a West Point graduate and infantry platoon leader at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); and onto his daughter Casey, who works in an intelligence support role for the Department of Defense and the InterAgencies and who is married to a West Point graduate Major Rob Beery. Along with Megan, Don, these days, finds himself in the midst of a family of go-getters and hard workers, hoping to keep up.

“I didn’t want to lose the edge in a competitive family,” Don says with a grin, “so that’s another reason I started trekking.”

T

hough the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund and its network of supporters provide much moral and financial support to Don

and his fellow hikers, the Cullman area has remained a strong home-front for the efforts.

“As this thing has gotten going, I have had so much support from the Cullman area,” he says. “People want to help and to give because they are just so excited.”

Financial support from the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund has gone to help 82 scholarship recipients from Alabama alone, all children of military personnel killed in duty during the global war on terror.

Through the fund and through the efforts of Team Johnny Mac, these children will not only have a chance to further their education and improve their lives, but they’ll also be able to honor the legacy of their fallen family member.

The experiences of hiking Kilimanjaro and now Machu Picchu by way of the Salkantay-Inca Trail will certainly be hard to top, but Don has set his eyes on the next

trek – he and Team Johnny Mac hope to scale Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest summit in the world, outside of the mighty Himalayas.

In fact, the team has considered eventually scaling all of the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks on each of the seven continents. There will be plenty of Diamox, and plenty pain and hard work, but beholding the beauties and wonders of the world from such lofty heights would make the experience worth every step.

If that comes to pass, at each location, Don will carry with him a flag once flown in Afghanistan, a memorial tribute to Johnny Mac and to all the veterans who’ve given their lives. With each scaled summit, and with each exhausted victory, the legacies of their lives and sacrifices lives on.

Good Life Magazine

Atop New Hampshire’s 6,288-foot Mt. Washington, Don follows cairns. These stacks of stone mark the Appalachian Trail where it climbs above the treeline.

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Ala. 69 Revisited

One last drive down that highway of two- and four-lane memories that spans Marshall and Cullman Story and photos

By David Moore

S

now wasn’t just sticking on Ala. 69. It was piling up at an eyebrow-raising rate. You might remember that surprise, Alabamalevel blizzard that hit one afternoon in February 2015.

To me, it was a sudden opportunity to shoot a seasonal cover photo for the 2015 winter issue of Cullman County Good Life Magazine, to come out 10 months later in November. I already had the shot in mind: Welti Falls in the snow.

David Russell – our “VP, distribution,” who’s joined me for photo shoots before – and I left Arab on the spontaneous expedition.

By the time we reached the Holly Pond turnoff, however, snow had turned Ala. 69 dicey, if not icy. If we even reached Welti Falls, the return trip promised to be worse. Plus dark. Reluctantly, we turned around. But I still needed a wintery shot.

As we crept back, the historic Normal Industrial and Collegiate Institute in Joppa came bleakly into view through the falling snow.

Ah-ha. We stopped. I shot.

That October, while working on the winter issue, the white-onwhite monochromatic image of the old school looked wintry enough but lacked “pop” for a cover. Coming to the rescue, my business partner, Sheila McAnear, digitally wrapped two corners of the cover in bright red ribbon and a bow – winter and Christmas.

That’s but one of my Good Life memories of Ala. 69.

I

n 2013, when leaving my long-time paycheck and newspaper job in Arab to start Marshall County and Cullman County Good Life Magazines, much of my future was obscured in a haze of unknowns.

But one thing was certain – whichever county I was working, I’d spend lots of time traveling Ala. 69.

With my wife, Diane, I live in Arab on the west side of Marshall County. From my driveway, it’s a block and half to a T-intersection with Ala. 69. If I go nearly anywhere in Marshall County – Guntersville, Grant, Albertville and Boaz – I turn left. If I turn right, the highway jogs me through downtown then westward toward the Cullman County line, four more miles away.

Ala. 69 is the only major thoroughfare directly connecting the neighboring counties that Sheila and I have been privileged to showcase in our magazines for more than nine years. This being our last issue, I invite you on a farewell drive along the road that’s grown into a trove of memories. With a nod to Bob Dylan, call it “Ala. 69, revisited.”

Pile in. I’ve got a tank of gas.

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Technically a north-south highway (hence its odd number), Ala. 69 stretches 280 miles from its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. 431/Blount Avenue in Guntersville, to the town of Jackson in southwest Alabama. Our trip today – the stretch of asphalt that might still hold microscopic traces of my tires – cuts a generally southwest trajectory 70 miles from Guntersville to the Cullman/ Walker County line at the Sipsey River.

Starting at Blount Avenue, Ala. 69 takes us across a gap on Division Ridge then down to the causeway across the Browns Creek arm of Lake Guntersville. The causeway is 1.5 miles long. For a “creek,” it’s a huge expanse of water, and I seldom cross it without a sense of calm settling over me by the time I reach the far shore.

With a backdrop of Street Bluff, the late Kenny Cobb flies over Lake Guntersville in his SeaRey seaplane, above.

Tom Taylor was piloting the author en route to shoot the first cover for Marshall County Good Life Magazine. A snowy Ala. 69 led to the old school in Joppa being on the cover of the winter 2015 Cullman GLM. Left, shot from the Ala. 69 causeway, U-1 Unlimited hydroplanes zoom into turn one at Hydrofest.

In February 2013, I finally decided to leave my old job and had several ideas. Plan A was a newspaper gig in Birmingham; Plan B was starting a local magazine. Which way do I go?

One pre-spring day in March 2013, heading back to Arab after covering a commission meeting, I paused atop Division Ridge on Ringold Street and took in the panoramic view of the lake, Browns Creek and the causeway under a crisp, blue sky.

Seeing the lake from a mountain always moved me.

Birmingham and pressure-packed news deadlines? Or writing stories about this big beautiful lake? In a “coulda-hada-V8” flash of clarity, Plan B won out. And like crossing the causeway, a calm settled over me.

O

ft featured in Marshall County Good Life Magazine, HydroFest is run on the southeast side of the Ala. 69 causeway.

Shooting race pictures from the causeway offers a good angle to catch those big wild boats throwing up huge white rooster tails as they hurl into turn number one. Good memories.

Looking due north from the causeway you can see the distant rock face of Street Bluff rising above the expanse of water. It reminds me of shooting aerial photos for a story on the niche group of seaplane owners around Lake Guntersville. One picture I shot from an airplane shows a seaplane flying over the “lighthouse house” on the lake. That first Marshall cover is one of my favorites.

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For three stories over the years, I’ve gone sailing on those waters north of the causeway. Twice for sailboat racing; once for the sheer joy of sailing – both excellent reasons to be on the water.

In Warrenton, Ala. 69 passes Supreme Courts. I shot photos there for a story free-lance writer Seth Terrell did in the 2022 summer issue about Jonathan Hyde, the former Guntersville High basketball standout who opened the gym.

Tucked in at the base of Georgia Mountain, separated by a stately white fence, a pond and acres of rolling lawn, sits the iconic home of Carey and Jeana Ross. Don’t recall the story? Don’t worry – it’s not your memory. Carey and I tried several times over the years to schedule the story, but to my regret it never happened.

Ala. 69 scoots us up the big hill, and just past the crest is Georgia Mountain Road. Less than a mile down stands the gated entrance to Savannah Place, where Dr. Jess and Lisa Youngblood are raising their brood of five kids. Their home was featured in the 2022 fall issue.

The next turn off Ala. 69 is Union Grove Road.

It will take you to Snow Point Road, which takes you to Guntersville Dam and the Cave Mountain Trail. You were invited to hike that trail with me in this past fall issue. Back in the 2014 spring issue, we invited you to join us in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the dam and lake.

W

hen it comes to celebrating, little tops Christmastime. And when it comes to decorating, not many folks ever threw themselves so brightly into it like Becky and the late Joe Cantrell. Their house is down Mayberry Lane, which we pass in Grassy.

If I turn off Ala. 69 (aka Guntersville Road in Arab) at Mount Oak, I can go home, but we have many memories to revisit. So we drive on.

Turning onto Main Street, almost immediately on the right, we could stop at the Glenn Group, where we’d probably find Susan LeSueur designing someone’s house. I found her there for a Good People story in the 2017 summer issue.

In downtown Arab, at the intersection of Main and Ala. 69 (aka Cullman Road), look left and you’ll see a narrow, non-descript, empty storefront with an upstairs window. Back in the beginning, while setting up MoMc Publishing and Good Life Magazine, I imagined renting the little building as an office. With my desk at that window, I could gaze westward toward Cullman County.

It turned out tons better that Sheila and I could work from our homes. My office is across the hall from my bedroom. Couldn’t be more convenient.

Just outside the Arab city limits, Ala. 69 enters the former “realm,” you could say, of Wayne and June Jacks. For years I have admired their huge 66

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Clockwise from upper left: Guntersville Dam, shot from a powered parachute, accompanied a story on the lake’s 75th anniversary; Susan LeSueur was the Good People subject of the Marshall 2017 issue; action at Supreme Courts on Ala. 69 draws sports families from far and wide.

Clockwise from immediate lower left, the home of Becky and the late Joe Cantrell lit up the 2015 winter Marshall GLM; the poolside waterfall is at the home of Dr. Jess and Lisa Youngblood, featured in this fall’s issue; a story that never got scheduled –the iconic Ala. 69 home of Carey and Jeana Ross; Gordan Trowbridge, captains his “Slow Motion” for sailboat racing in the fall 2014 Marshall issue.

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open fields where cattle graze on the left, and, on the right, the sentinel line of oaks that leads up to their non-imposing but oh, so comfortable house. Wayne bought trucks from Gilbert and Baugh Ford in Albertville, and we met when I shot a photo of him and Randy Baugh for an ad in the magazine.

I excitedly turned our introduction into a feature on Wayne, June and their farm in the 2016 fall issue.

Earlier this year, Nic and Allison Waddell bought the huge spread and are thoroughly enjoying it. Jack and June are now on the east side of Arab – but still on Ala. 69.

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ear the western end of the Jacks’ property, stands the highway sign denoting the Cullman County line. In case anyone doesn’t know, Cullman County folks are as friendly and glad to see you as those in Marshall County. I’ve loved showcasing you all as much as I’ve loved the location of my office. And, in case anyone ever wondered, I’ve loved this job. Never hurts to write your own job description, right?

Back in my newspaper days, I met Dr. Paul Bailey, long-time mayor of Baileyton and a jewel of a gent. He died before we started the magazines, but I knew sooner or later I’d get in touch with his son, Stan, for a Cullman GLM story on Bailey Mews, the family’s 16-acre horse farm on Ala. 69.

That happened for the 2014 fall issue. The family is as richly steeped in history as the farm is postcard picturesque.

In a sense, it’s sad it didn’t work out to keep Bailey Mews in the family. On the other hand, Cullman veterinary Dr. Bruce Lee and his wife, Leigh, have enjoyed living there since 2019. Bruce says they love the bucolic setting, still raise horses there and, out of respect, kept the name: Bailey Mews.

The Lees, naturally, remain big fans of their pro-fishing sons, Matt and Jordan. For our Marshall County 2017 spring issue, I spent a day with the brothers fishing Lake Guntersville; they both lived nearby at the time. Jordan, as most folks know, went on to win the Bassmaster Classic the next month. The same story, updated to include Jordan’s huge win, ran in the Cullman magazine that summer. Matt and Jordan and their wives (and Jordan’s son) now live, respectively, in Breman – through which Ala. 69 eventually take us – and Cullman.

On the straightaway east of Fairview 68

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we pass the Chicken House Thrift Store, a ministry of Concord Baptist Church featured in the 2021 spring issue.

Our memory lane road trip has its share of attractive farms. Continuing on through Fairview, we pass Haynes Farm. Even before writing about its four generations

for the fall 2019 issue, I always noticed the farm in passing. Under the proud eye of his mom, Juanita, Darrel Haynes works the farm with his wife, Lydia, and grown sons, Ben and Bart. For our 2020 fall cover, Joppa freelancer Liz Smith photographed a field of sunflowers the Haynes planted.

St. Bernard Preparatory School. The school attracts local, out of state and international students. The story included individual pieces on Aimme Cortes of Vinemont, Marco Tona of Fort Walton, Florida, and Jang Soon Kim of South Korea.

We’ve also featured two St. Bernard monks with different but extraordinary artistic talents. Seth Terrell, a Wallace State English instructor I mentioned earlier, wrote about Jude Johnson for our 2017 summer issue. I visited the abbey for the spring 2020 issue to research a posthumous story on Father Tim Harrison, who died in 1982.

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Clockwise from top left: Wayne and Becky Jacks’ house; Bro. David Bryan, the chandler at St. Bernard’s Abbey; sculptures by the Abbey’s Tim Harrison and Jude Johnson (aka Nov Ontos), respectively. Clockwise from far left: Bailey Mews in Baileyton; Cullman County BASS fishing brothers Matt and Jordan Lee at Lake Guntersville; The Haynes family at matriarch Juanita’s farm house just off Ala. 69. The winter 2014 Cullman issue featured, far left, from left, St. Bernard students Aimme Cortes of Vinemont, Marco Tona of Fort Walton, Florida, and Jang Soon Kim of South Korea. Aimme went on to earn her MD at Guadalajara Medical School in Mexico in 2020, did an internship and her required medical service there and was set to take US board exams as of this writing. Marco attended college a few years, took off to hike and explore Colorado and is now an electrical supply contractor in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jang earned a degree in European politics at King’s College, London in 2020, served a required 1.5 years in the South Korean military and was set begin his law degree at the University of Bristol.

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ack in my newspaper days, a friend gave Diane and me a unique candle made from recycled stubs of votive candles by the chandler at St. Bernard’s Abbey, just off Ala. 69 east of downtown Cullman. I later learned the candle-maker was Bro. David

Bryan and did a story on him for our second issue of Cullman GLM. For one photo shoot, David lit 60 candles in a dark room.

One shot ran on the 2013 winter cover and remains another favorite.

A story for the 2014 winter issue found me again turning off Ala. 69, this time for

etired photographer George Ponder hangs out at his home on Smith Lake, but I interviewed him at his old family home on the corner of Sixth Avenue SE and Ala. 69 for a spread in the 2016 winter issue.

After retiring from the Bell companies, the professional wildlife and landscape shooter was a volunteer photographer for the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. I can’t tell you how many of George’s pictures I wish I’d shot.

Smack in the middle of downtown Cullman, Ala. 69 turns south and runs concurrent for a couple of miles with 2nd Avenue SW/US 31. At that intersection sits the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, for which, until announcing her retirement this summer, Peggy Smith served as president. Previously she led the Cullman Economic Development Office. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking she’s “good people,” so I ran her story, among more than 70 others in both counties, as a “Good People” feature.

I

confess: I have numerous favorite covers. Another is the 2017 summer issue showing the Cullman County Courthouse – which we pass on this short, due-south stretch of Ala. 69 – with huge American flags draped between the columns. It’s one of those photos I shot in my mind long before I ever pressed the shutter button.

A little farther south is Cullman Discount Pharmacy. Owner Tom Ploppert was featured in the winter 2018 issue for cool custom knives he makes at home, some are works of art. On my desk lies the Ploppert letter opener he gave me. Yes, it’s sharp.

Ala. 69 veers southwest off US 31 onto bustling Cherokee Drive. We follow it to I-65 in Good Hope. The different legs of NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

2022-23

69

Ala. 69 through Cullman’s business sections contrast with the generally rural portions of the road. It runs concurrent with I-65 for five miles, where quasi-flying interstate traffic offers another contrast. We exit at Dodge City, a strip dominated by truck stops and fast-food.

About a mile north of Dodge City live Mark and Cindy Rhonemus, retired transplants from Ohio featured in the 2020 spring issue for their missionary work and fundraising for a clinic in Belize. I also fondly remember the sparky, then-96year-old Dodge City Councilwoman Inez McDonald, a Good People feature in the 2021 fall issue.

“I fell and broke my back,” she said when I called recently. “I was in the hospital six months, but now I’m perfectly fine. I plan to run for re-election in two years if my mind is still good.” You go, lady.

Back in rural surroundings and heading southwest, Ala. 69 climbs what passes for a Cullman County mountain, where we find Busted Knuckle, featured in our 2022 spring issue. It’s owned by Matt Myrick and Jake Burkey, who not only passionately love extreme off-road buggies – think RZR on mega-steroids – but custom builds them with a crew of 13 at their shop. These machines are crazy-impressive.

S

peaking of off-highway vehicles, several miles down Ala. 69 is Stony Lonesome OHV Park. A 1,456-acre expanse of rugged terrain, it’s crisscrossed with trails to challenge ATVs, rock crawlers, dirt bikes, mountain bikes and even Barbie Cars.

Undeterred by my novice status, for the 2014 spring issue I straddled a 250cc Honda Recon here and took off.

I did fine until I goosed it on a steep hill climb, and the world suddenly and inexplicably shifted into slow motion as gravity became unglued and I tilted backward. The front wheels came off the ground. Then the rear. I saw nothing but sky and the Honda climbing over my head. I was upside down, still gripping the handle bars, as the machine and I began falling down back to earth. I instinctively pushed the Honda to the side with my outstretched legs.

The motor was still running as I diverted the machine’s trajectory and crashed to the ground. The Honda crashed beside me and continued flipping down the hill.

Other than a few bruises and a shattered ego, I was OK. Plus, hey, I got a story.

70

NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

2022-23

Another seven miles and Ala. 69 ends its stretch through Cullman County at the Sipsey River. Just across the bridge, Smith Lake Dam Road takes you to the lake and a public launch. That’s where I boarded a boat on a wet March morning in 2014 for a story on high school fishing teams, via attending

an Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association tournament on the Lake.

My only other excursion up here was for a possible story on trout fishing below the dam. I had fun “researching” the story fishing with my son, Hunter, from his canoe.

He caught one rainbow; we both caught a

George Ponder photographed an electrical storm over Smith Lake – and lived to share it!

Clockwise below it are: Matt Myrick drives an extreme off-road buggy custom-built by Busted Knuckle; the county courthouse on Ala. 69, bedecked in flags; Hunter Moore fishes the Sipsey River; and Vinemont highschoolers fish a tournament at Smith Lake. Clockwise from top left: Mark and Cindy Rhonemus of Dodge City; Peggy Smith, recently retired chamber president; custom knife maker Tom Ploppert; Dodge City Councilwoman Inez McDonald at a young 96. few memories. The story never materialized, but as “they” say, any day on the water is better than any day at the office, even if your office is at home.

Since starting the magazines in 2013, I’ve traveled hundreds of other roads in Marshall and Cullman counties for hundreds

of other stories and photos. But Ala. 69 is the most common conduit.

Driving 69 back into Arab, I can see the setting sun reflected in the upstairs window of that building on Main Street, my mighthave-been office. Much of the future for us all is obscured in a haze of unknowns, but

whatever else comes my way, until the sun eventually sets on me – I’ve still got gas in the tank – I’ll see in my mind’s eye the reflections of stories and photos of the many people and places I’ve featured in Good Life Magazine. Thanks for riding with me.

Good Life Magazine NOV. | DEC. | JAN.

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Cullman County

Cullman County

cullman county

a historic house takes on a new life with the Wynns Stony lonesome’s wild terrain offers hills, thrills and spills

post-tornado loft living downtown

a farewell Q&a with Dr. Jan Harris Saga of a confederate soldier

City’s Duck River property is a new park just waiting to happen

SPRinG 2014 ComPlimentaRy

fall 2013

complimentary

Fall 2013

Spring 2014

Cullman County

Fishing with Sammy, Danny and Dale: the Hall of Fame

Cullman County

nancy Bryant is one of Santa’s best elves culinary arts students serve holiday alternatives

take a county line paddle trip in a mulberry state of mind

Winter 2013 complimentary

Winter 2013 complimentary

magnolias: essence of the South or ‘Beauty and the Beast’?

Summer 2014 Complimentary

the Dodge House on the lake is a beautiful contradiction in terms

there’s a farm in Baileyton where history and horses offer perspective you know that big ’un that got away?

He was joined by 12,000 little ’uns

Winter 2013

Summer 2014

a man’s dream catches on, bringing HoPE to those with disabilities

Fall 2014 ComPlimEntary

Fall 2014

Out ‘n’ About Cullman County

Cullman Regional: Perspective on 75 years a small prep school exerts international pull use yaupon in the yard ... or like the Indians did

WIntER 2014 ComPlImEntaRy

Winter 2014 Cullman County

If you’ve been out ‘n’ about at all in Cullman County since August 2013, it would have been hard to miss seeing a copy of Good Life Magazine. Every quarter since then, we’ve distributed 10,000 copies to advertisers and local high traffic locations, and mailed many more. We also like to think Good Life has been hard to miss because we pride ourselves in attractive, inviting, uncluttered covers. Alas, good things come to an end, and owners Sheila McAnear and David Moore are retiring. New owner Hudson Shelton plans to carry on tradition. We bid farewell and thanks with a look back at all of our Cullman covers except for spring of 2020, canceled because of Covid.

Cullman County

the colonel and his wife moved 14 times before finding serenity the Hutch in Fairview is like merging granny’s kitchen and a town square Summer 2015 ComPlimentary

minnie Pearl was cultured from a real pearl she found in Baileyton

Summer 2015

Fall 2015 ComplimentaRy

Cullman County

old downtown buildings take on new lives – and looks – for owners Edie mobley’s beautiful garden has sprung from depths of sorrow teresa Dyer offers scrumptious ideas for (sorta) light eating SPRInG 2015 ComPlImEntaRy

Spring 2015

cullman county

Cullman County

the ladies at Seven Winds Kitchen can cook more than Bert’s Brittle

nick lee faces debilitating disorder with the bravery of an eagle Scout

David moss’s underwater photos of yesterday bring solace today

From the get-go, Cheri and Ronny apel felt at home in their château

Soup’s on ... which means patti is cooking and singing in the kitchen

It’s easy to fit in at this drag strip, but racing depends on Jezebel

Fall 2015

cullman’s mike ragsdale brands a road and a lifestyle

a museum and fabulous junk testify that James Scott was a model man Winter 2015 complimentary

Winter 2015

Riverwood: a steward of wildlife, land ... and the Woods’ dreams

SPRInG 2016 ComPlImentaRy

Spring 2016

CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

Michael Fuller fires up his Egg and offers some grilling ideas

The chef at Brothers Kitchen shares some of his favorite recipes

Lessons from Appalachian Trail hike serve Cullman-tied couple’s life today

Amy and Keith Richards built a house in which to build memories SUMMER 2016 COMPLIMENTARY

A look at the Duck River project by boat, helicopter and mountain bike

Summer 2016

Nothing high-tech here ...

Grandpa used water witching

If you’ve never been inside The Borkenau, here’s your chance to see Roy’s home

Amanda York’s ‘historic’ house sits on fifth-generation family land

Wallace State celebrates 50 years of impacting Cullman County

CULLMAN COUNTY

WINTER 2016 COMPLIMENTARY

FALL 2016 COMPLIMENTARY

Photographer George Ponder claims he’s no artist, but you might disagree

Winter 2016

Fall 2016

CULLMAN COUNTY

Mother Angelica died last Easter, but her work and vision live on If Pa Dye were alive, he’d like that his old stone house is still a home

SPRING 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

Spring 2017 CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

Jordan Lee hooked fishing’s biggest trophy; it takes a ton of hard work

Santa grants a rare interview to talk about magic and the job he loves

Jude Johnston’s rare interview offers a glimpse of his work and his mind

After winter goes away, you might want to think about ... Flyboarding

Nate Brock moved, but his house is still a place of new beginnings

SUMMER 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

A Vietnam vet recounts hairy missions and his wounded-warrior bond today

WINTER 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

Summer 2017

Winter 2017

CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

Peggy Smith discusses a career focused on making Cullman grow

Kim Canaday makes the delicious most out of the farmers market

412 Public House restaurant opens with dazzling dishes and drinks Fred Osborne’s collection of neat stuff is, well, amazing

Dyron and Sonya Powell returned ‘home,’ but do you really know why?

Kristen Holmes shares broad world view through WSCC museum, travel

Wayne Trimble: From a Bearcat to Bama’s Bear Bryant and beyond

Tina Herfurth teaches new (obedience) tricks to old dogs – and to puppies The story of the Memphis Belle, its pilot and his deathbed plea to his sixth wife

FALL 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

SPRING 2018 COMPLIMENTARY

SUMMER 2018 COMPLIMENTARY

Fall 2017

Spring 2018 CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

Summer 2018 CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

Shane Quick discusses turning points on which his life has pivoted Stephanie Barnett’s faith leads her in cancer, Africa and at Good Samaritan Gardens spring from good dirt, and wisdom springs from gardens

Sports artist Daniel A. Moore to exhibit at Burrow Museum Firehouse recipes offer a taste of life for Cullman firefighters FALL 2018 COMPLIMENTARY

Spud Campbell talks about living with the sinking of the Henry Bacon

WINTER 2018 COMPLIMENTARY

New features – Good Getaways and Postcards start in this issue

Sure, doing laundry’s a hassle, but it was much worse in the good ol’ days

Scott Waldrep embraces the world from 35 different counties (so far)

SPRING 2019 | COMPLIMENTARY

Fall 2018

Winter 2018

Spring 2019

Jacob Fisher finds his lot home and living downtown a perfect fit

Ray Buchmann rsays the first time he took Benton fishing,she was hooked

Beth Anderson had a restaurant career ... THEN went to culinary school

SUMMER 2019 | COMPLIMENTARY

Summer 2019

CULLMAN COUNTY

Sharon Townson says the library is about so much more than books

Just in time for a spooky Halloween – Southern Ghost Girls Tours

CULLMAN COUNTY

At age 24, airline pilot Aaron Mathis says he never ‘works’

Nat’l. wakeboard champ, Kane Ward, 8, takes his skills to the world level

Mel and Donna Leigeber’s houses are perfect for hosting holiday parties

CULLMAN COUNTY

First-ever toy from the Christmas of ‘39 still ‘rocking’ memories today

Ohio couple radically simplify so they can build houses for the poor

Fr. Timothy created a legacy through artwork and defeating a demon

CULLMAN COUNTY

Heirlooms in the making, three groups keep the craft of quilting viable

Mama Duke is content seeing 102 years of history pass from Welti

Concetta Kreps has loved cooking since making French toast as a kid

A Navy pilot reinvents himself into an agritourism rancher

FALL 2019 | COMPLIMENTARY

WINTER 2019 | COMPLIMENTARY

SPRING 2020 | COMPLIMENTARY

FALL 2020 | COMPLIMENTARY

Fall 2019

Winter 2019

Spring 2020

Fall 2020 CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

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

Tony Glover overcame adversity to pursue his love of gardens, people

Don’t let Spider-Man fool you ...

David Wiggins is in control at EES

Winter 2020

CULLMAN COUNTY

Cullman woman reinvents herself as a Kiwi and world traveler Bill Butler of Fairview is the man to see about Japanese maple trees

Forget a loft in New York City, they get a Cullman bang for their buck

How about trying some German family recipes for Oktoberfest?

Two young men combine their love of extreme off road into Busted Knuckle

Foundry Farm fills days of addicted men with hope for a new life

Spring 2022

Ben Johnson South loves to ‘laff’ and has a made an art of amorphisms

A new drug injection is ending PTSD nightmares for vets and their families

Skydive Alabama means free-falling over the Cullman County countryside

SUMMER 2022 | COMPLIMENTARY

Summer 2022

Molly Hardin gets a lot of mileage from her “old” dream kitchen

See Trena and Ron Pierce’s loft home decked out for Christmas

WINTER 2021 | COMPLIMENTARY

Winter 2021

CULLMAN COUNTY

CULLMAN COUNTY

SPRING 2022 | COMPLIMENTARY

You may call him Joe McElroy, or Photo Joe ... but you don’t call him average

Spring 2021

Fall 2021 CULLMAN COUNTY

Anita’s meandering woodsy garden ... beauty and memories entwined

SPRING 2021 | COMPLIMENTARY

FALL 2021 | COMPLIMENTARY

The Coterie and Share Club mark 100 and 50 years of service

How can you go wrong building and selling what’s more fun than jet skis?

Summer 2021

CULLMAN COUNTY

The Woottens’ house is designed to stand the test of time

Miss Alabama USA Alexandria Flanigan advocates for community, philanthropy SUMMER 2021 | COMPLIMENTARY

WINTER 2020 | COMPLIMENTARY

Remember those odd-ball roadside attractions? Steve Maze does

The house of Richter ... part of the family for 124 years and counting

CULLMAN COUNTY

Yep, WildWater is the perfect name for Cullman’s newest park

FALL 2022 | COMPLIMENTARY

Fall 2022

Tom ‘Big Doc’ Williamson is mentor plus a friend to animals and farmers

A retired colonel pushes his limits to fund scholarhsips for vets’ children

For at least one person, Ala. 69 holds memories of Good Life Magazine

WINTER 2022-23 | COMPLIMENTARY

Winter 2022

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