Jan Feb 2013 Connected Magazine

Connected January/February 2013

The search continues

years after missionary vanished in Venezuela

Connecting loved ones halfway around the world Music Museums Noteworthy places to visit

Published for customers of

Industry News

Partnering in a time of change Rural telecommunications providers are working together to save money and bring enhanced products and services to their subscribers

By Stephen V. Smith, Editor

T

here is an old fable about a dying man who challenges each of his sons to break a bundle of sticks.

Only when the bundle is untied and the sticks are separated can the young men break them. The father knew his sons were facing a future of uncertainty and change, and he wanted them to understand they could accomplish so much more if they would work together.

Like those sons, the telecommunications industry is looking at a future of unknowns. Changes in government regulations are retooling the very mechanisms that determine how telecommunications companies make their money. And just like the lesson of the bundle of sticks, telcos are finding ways to increase their strength by joining forces with their fellow utilities.

The age of partnerships

“Partnerships are an absolutely essential tool for reducing costs that can’t be reduced any other way, if certain services are to be maintained,” says Fred Johnson, general manager of Farmers Telecommu-

2 | January/February 2013

nications Cooperative (Rainsville, Ala.).

Johnson serves on the Industry Committee of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA).

This group of telco leaders from across the country reviews developments and recommends policy affecting technological developments, industry structure and member needs in federal and state regulatory matters. Levoy Knowles is also a member of this committee.

“Our industry is going through monumental change,” says Knowles, former CEO of Ben Lomand Connect (McMinnville, Tenn.). “In the past, when we were launching a new service we did it all ourselves. We must get out of that mindset and work through partnerships with other companies in order to be efficient enough to launch new products and services.”

Jason Dandridge, CEO of Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative (Walterboro, S.C.), serves with Johnson and Knowles on the Industry Committee. “For better or for worse, the Federal Communications Commission has made up their mind and they’ve set an agenda to where they want

to see industry consolidation,” says Dandridge. “There are definitely some synergies we can take advantage of for small companies to partner and share resources to be more cost efficient.”

Partnership examples

Rod Ballard is a principal with Jackson Thornton, a certified public accounting and consulting firm based in Alabama. He oversees the firm’s telecommunications division. “Telcos are looking harder than ever at the concept of cost-sharing through joint ventures,” Ballard says. “Customer billing is one area where telcos are working together.

“We’re even seeing joint ventures between telecommunications companies and electric cooperatives,” he adds.

“FTC already shares video headend facilities with a number of other companies,” says Johnson. “Other industries, such as airlines, railroads and automotive, have experienced the same type of changes we are facing. Companies learned they could share certain costs with others in their industry and thereby provide a

better product at a more efficient price. We are just following that model.”

Another example of partnerships in the telco industry is Telecom Management Services (TMS), a group of centrally managed companies that includes WK&T Telecommunications (Mayfield, Ky.), Ben Lomand Connect and Ardmore Telephone Company (Ardmore, Ala. & Tenn.).

Knowles transitioned from his role at Ben Lomand Connect two years ago to that of chairman of the board for TMS. “We are leveraging the knowledge and expertise of employees across our companies,” explains Knowles, “to allow us to operate more efficiently, benefit our members and bring new products and services to our service area without adding a lot more staff at our different locations.”

Not only do the TMS companies share employees skilled in areas such as marketing, human resources and technology, but they are also leveraging their collective buying power to create partnerships with vendors to save money for each company.

A partnership tradition

The idea of partnering with other telcos is not a new one. For more than 20 years, five East Kentucky telcos have enjoyed the benefits of partnering through the East Kentucky Network (EKN).

“It was a very positive move,” says Allen Gillum of the formation of EKN. Gillum is the general manager of Mountain Rural Telephone Cooperative (West Liberty, Ky.), a partner in EKN. “For 22 years we’ve had the same five partners, and we each own 20 percent interest.”

Through EKN, the partners have built a fiber ring that connects all their service areas to provide greater reliability for their customers. The partnership also operates Appalachian Wireless, a regional wireless phone service provider.

Owning a wireless company is critical for these rural telcos, as consumer phone habits continue to shift. “It’s very important to the future of our company that we have a piece of that wireless pie,” says Keith Gabbard, general manager of partner company Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (McKee, Ky.). “Wireless

accounts for an increasingly substantial portion of our revenues.”

In South Carolina, Spirit Telecommunications is a long-time partnership between the state’s independent telcos. “It was originally set up to help us get better long distance rates,” says Dandridge, “but has morphed over time into a robust statewide fiber network that allows us to compete on a statewide level for state contracts, with schools or other state entities.”

Publishing partnership

The magazine you hold in your hand is the latest example of partnering in the industry. For the first time, telcos across the Southeast have come together to jointly publish a magazine that brings company and industry news to their subscribers.

“Like many other telcos, we have long seen the value of staying connected with our members through a print publication,” says FTC’s Johnson. “Through this regional partnership, we will end up with a better product at less cost for each participating company.”

Knowles of TMS agrees. “We can now communicate with our subscribers through a top-quality, professional publication that none of us had the time or resources to do alone,” he says. “This publication is a shining example of what we can accomplish by coming together as partners.”

Looking to the future

In a future where traditional revenue streams are being disrupted, partnerships will be “critical for the success — and maybe even the survival — of these companies,” says Leo Staurulakis, executive vice president of JSI. His telecommunications consulting company celebrated 50 years of service to the industry last year.

Staurulakis sees a future where an increasing number of rural telecommunications providers form partnerships to develop and market new products and services, as well as to operate more efficiently. “By combining operations and leveraging each other’s networks, back office systems and human resources,” he says, “we can reduce the cost of operations for everybody.” 

Lifeline Service When you need help paying for telephone service Is your annual household income at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of its size? Do you or someone in your household participate in any of the following low-income government assistance programs? If so, you may qualify for Lifeline Service.

• Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program To find out whether you qualify for Lifeline assistance, customers must fill out standard forms, available at your local telephone company’s office, as mandated by the Federal and/or State government. Your telephone company is not responsible for determining who qualifies for these programs or who receives assistance.

Customers must meet specific criteria in order to obtain assistance with their local telephone service, and qualifying is dependent upon government-established guidelines. To qualify for Lifeline credit, each customer must apply and provide proof that he/she, or a household member for whom he/she is financially responsible, participates in at least one of the programs listed above or that the customer meets the income-based requirements. Additional eligibility requirements may also apply. Customers must choose to apply the Lifeline discount to a landline or a wireless number, not both.

For more details about Lifeline Service and to apply for assistance, please contact your local telephone company.

January/February 2013 | 3

From the General Manager

A new year of hope & progress As the calendar turns over and we recover from all the holiday gatherings (and all the food), the new year calls us to a time of reflection. What did we accomplish in 2012? What were the milestones? Where are we headed in the new year?

At FTC, I’m pleased to report that we made significant progress in several areas. One of our more exciting projects is the magazine you are reading now. With so many changes taking place in our industry, and so many things happening at FTC, we knew we needed to ramp up our efforts to keep you informed.

For those of you who regularly read this column, you know that I frequently describe the rural telecommunications industry as being in the midst of interesting times. That’s a good way to put it. We certainly have our share of challenges.

In the face of hugely uncertain government policy, FTC is quite fortunate to have many positive things going for it. All across the country companies like ours are looking for ways to partner with other like-minded neighbors in an effort to bring more value to our members in a more efficient manner. These efforts are paying off and we’re taking full advantage of them.

This issue of Connected marks a milestone in the history of the publication. Our magazine has for quite some time been highly regarded across our industry. We’re very proud of the awards we’ve won, but nothing makes us happier than the amount of positive feedback we get directly from you our readers.

Now, we’ve taken another huge leap. In partnership with nine other telecommunications companies across the southeast, we have expanded a portion of Connected to include a regional perspective in your reading experience. Be sure to read Pages 2 and 3 to learn more about the increasing importance of such partnerships.

Make no mistake, Connected is still your magazine serving you primarily. We will continue to update you on our network improvements, share information about our services and shine a spotlight on local people and events. In the new Connected, you will also find helpful tips, industry news and interesting feature stories from across the Southeast.

Not only do we give you an improved and broader product, we’ve also substantially lowered our production cost by sharing with our neighbors. In short, it’s a win for all. In one respect, it’s cooperation at its best. We hope you enjoy the improved version. Please let us know what you think.

“We Keep You Connected” is a member-owned corporation dedicated to providing communications technology to the people of Northeast Alabama. The company has more than 15,000 access lines, making it the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative.

Board of Trustees Randy Wright, President Flat Rock Exchange Gary Smith, Vice President Fyffe Exchange Danny R. Richey, Secretary Geraldine Exchange Lynn Welden, Treasurer Bryant Exchange Kenneth Gilbert Pisgah Exchange Gregg Griffith Henagar Exchange Randy Tumlin Rainsville Exchange

Connected Vol. 17, No. 1

January/February 2013

is a bimonthly magazine published by Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, © 2013. It is distributed without charge to all customers of FTC. Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. P.O. Box 217 144 McCurdy Ave. N. Rainsville, Alabama 35986 Telephone: 256-638-2144 www.farmerstel.com Produced for FTC by: www.WordSouth.com

Fred johnson Executive Vice President and General Manager On the Cover:

Bob Edwards is using technology in his search for his friend, a missionary pilot who vanished in Venezuela in 2009.

4 | January/February 2013

ps i h s r a l o h Sc av a i l a ble nd chool a for high s nts! ude college st

Are you a high school sophomore or junior?

You could win a trip to Washington, D.C.!

FTC Scholarshi p

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative understands the rising costs of education. That’s why FTC offers two $2,000 scholarships to students in our service area. One scholarship will be given to a deserving high school senior, the other to a student enrolled in college.

Applications can be picked up from guidance counselors or downloaded from www.farmerstel.com. Completed Applications must be received at the FTC business office by 4 p.m. on March 11.

FRS Scholarshi p

Scholarships are also available through the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS). FRS awards 30 scholarships worth $2,000 each to high school seniors across the nation. If a senior from the FTC service area is selected, FTC will contribute an additional $500, bringing the scholarship total to $2,500. Applicants should note that preference will be given to students who plan to return to a rural community to work after graduating. Completed applications must be received at the FTC business office by 4 p.m. on February 20.

To be eligible for these scholarships, at least one parent or legal guardian must be a customers and have active service with Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative or its affiliate.

New directories in mailboxes soon 2013

“We Keep You

FTC is searching for two outstanding high school students to represent our area in the nation’s capital in June (must be under the age of 18 at time of trip) as part of the FRS Youth Tour sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Service.

• All-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. • Tours of the Capitol and other landmarks • Meet elected officials, hear speakers, meet teens from across the country and take part in many exciting activities

Connected”

The 2013 Northeast Alabama Regional Directory will soon arrive in the mail.

This comprehensive directory features listings not only from Sand Mountain, but from several surrounding cities in northeast Alabama, as well as northwest Georgia.

The popular blue-tabbed Government Section lists important contact information for every level of government, from U.S. and state offices to county and city agencies.

The community pages provide information for both Jackson and DeKalb Counties. The listings of local agencies, government contacts, tourist attractions and calendar of events are useful tools for newcomers as well as long-time residents.

For an extra copy, visit the FTC location nearest you.

E TELEPHON DIRECTORY

11ftc.com

online at www.4

Directory Geraldine tions Cooperative Payne • Fyffe • Telecommunica • Flat Rock • Fort Dawson • Rainsville Visit Farmers • Crossville • Dutton • Collinsville • • Mentone • Pisgah • Grove Oak Bridgeport • Bryant Brow • Valley Head Ider • Langston Distribution to: • Trenton • West • Hollywood • • Stevenson • Sylvania for: Rising Fawn Henagar • Higdon Scottsboro • Section • Skyline | Georgia Listings ville Gault Ave. N. • Boaz • Gunters Payne - 2612-D for: Albertville - AL Hwy 71 | Fort : 866-698-0926 Higdon Including Listings | Support 217 Tech t Box P.O. l.com | 24/7 Interne McCurdy Ave. N., Rainsville - 144 www.farmerste service area | FTC LOCATIONS: the within -2144 or dial 611 PHONE: 256-638

Phone Book p u Round

Applications and an information packet about the program are available from you high school guidance counselor.

Applications can be downloaded at www.farmerstel.com, and must be turned in by March 4. For more information, contact Kim Williams at 256-638-2144 or email kwilliams@staff.farmerstel.com.

To be eligible, at least one parent or legal guardian must be a customers and have active service with Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative or its affiliate.

It’s not too late to recycle outdated Northeast Alabama Regional Directories and help earn money for local schools. Gather them from your home or business and give them to a student or take them to the school of your choice by March 1. FTC proudly sponsors this project that helps keep tons of waste out of landfills while helping schools earn money.

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative

January/February 2013 | 5

Broadband Focus How to outsmart scammers The AARP Fraud Fighters have helped more than 600,000 seniors who have been victims of fraud, says Program Director Jean Mathisen.

These volunteers share fraud prevention techniques, such as: • Never share personal or financial information with anyone unless you initiate the contact. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank and asking for information such as account numbers, tell them you do not share such information over the phone. Then call your bank using the number on the back of your statement, not the number on Caller ID. • Don’t make a decision on the spot. “If told you have to decide now, say no thanks,” Mathisen says.

• Use a locking mailbox or take your outgoing mail to the post office. “Often, crooks pop open curbside mailboxes and remove outgoing mail that contains checks or applications with tons of personal information,” Mathisen says. “You wouldn’t want that to get into the wrong hands.”

• Do not carry your original Medicare card in your wallet.

Mathisen advises making a copy of your Medicare card and crossing the number off of the copy but leaving the letter at the end of the number. Carry the copy with you and leave the original in a safe place at home. If you are going to the doctor and you need to take your Medicare card, then retrieve the original just for that day.

6 | January/February 2013

Avoid being a victim of phone and Internet scams

D

uring the past few months, FBI offices have received numerous calls from citizens who have been affected by the Reveton ransomware scam, says Supervisory Special Agent Marshall Stone. The scam is activated when a computer user visits a compromised website. Once the virus is installed, the user’s computer locks up and displays a warning that the FBI or Department of Justice has identified the computer as being involved in criminal activity. Users are instructed to pay a “fine” using a prepaid money card service in order to unlock the computer, and are threatened with criminal prosecution if they fail to make the payment.

“This is a scam to extort money,” Stone says. “This is not the way the FBI works.

Fines resulting from criminal activity are assessed and processed by the court system. The FBI will never demand payment to unlock a computer.”

However, a number of citizens across the country have fallen for this scam and

“Seniors are targeted because that is where the money is, not because we are less smart or competent,” says Jean Mathisen, program director for the AARP Fraud Fighter Call Center.

By Nancy Mann Jackson lost money in the process. In many cases, those victims are senior citizens.

Targeting seniors

While telephone scammers have long targeted older Americans, Internet fraud has also become a danger. “As Internet use among senior citizens increases, so does their chance of falling victim to online fraud,” Stone says. According to the FBI website, Internet fraud includes non-delivery of items ordered online and credit and debit card scams.

“Seniors are targeted because that is where the money is, not because we are less smart or competent,” says Jean Mathisen, program director for the AARP Fraud Fighter Call Center, which provides one-on-one consumer education, victim advocacy and assistance for the financial exploitation of older people. “In addition to having maybe a retirement nest egg, seniors are also more likely to be home, to answer the phone and to be polite. Many times I hear, ‘I finally gave him the

information he or she wanted because I couldn’t get them off the phone.’”

In addition to Internet scams such as the Reveton ransomware, Mathisen and her team see a number of other types of fraud such as investment fraud; in-home service fraud; lotteries and sweepstakes; workat-home; “official” business such as IRS, bank or Medicare needing money or information about the victim’s accounts; and “grandparent scams,” whereby the victim is notified that a grandson or other relative has been involved in an accident or arrest, had luggage stolen or something similar, and the victim is being asked to wire cash to save the relative in distress.

Resisting fraud

The FBI says there are several warning signs of telemarketing or Internet fraud.

To avoid becoming a victim, be wary of

phrases such as: • “You must act now, or the offer won’t be good.”

• “You’ve won a free gift, vacation or prize.” But you have to pay for “postage and handling” or other charges.

• “You must send money, give a credit card number or send a check by courier.” You may hear this before you’ve had time to carefully consider the offer.

• “You don’t need to check out the company with anyone.” The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone, including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau or consumer protection agency.

• “You don’t need any written information about the company or its references.”

• “You can’t afford to miss this highprofit, no-risk offer.”

If you or a loved one becomes the vic-

tim of a scam, it is important to report the crime. “Often, older people are reluctant to let anyone know,” Mathisen says. “We fear loss of independence, embarrassment, loss of trust and that the family will turn against us. These fears sometimes happen. But it is important to find someone you trust so that you can recover emotionally, if not financially.”

For help, call the Senior Information & Assistance program in your area. Seniors and their family members can also call the Fraud Fighter Call Center at 1-800-6462283 for consumer education and victim advocacy.

Click to learn more... www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors

Broadband: Changing the way our world works

Rural telecommunications companies across the Southeast are upgrading their networks to provide faster, more reliable connections to their subscribers. This is creating amazing opportunities for rural communities, changing the way people work and live. Consider these real-life examples: • A single mother in East Tennessee with limited travel capabilities is taking distance learning classes over broadband at a local campus extension.

• A fire department in West Kentucky saves travel time and money by connecting with training videos over broadband.

• Students in North Alabama have access to remote psychiatric services thanks to a broadband connection to a major university.

• An East Tennessee woman has regular video conversations, over her broadband connection, with a daughter who is stationed in Japan.

• The owner of a small tire store in South Carolina remains competitive by connecting to his suppliers over broadband.

• A healthcare clinic in a small East Kentucky community uses electronic medical records accessed over broadband to deliver better patient care.

• Owners of small shops, restaurants and tourist attractions use their broadband connections to attract customers.

• Public safety agencies, including law enforcement and 911 centers, use broadband to achieve faster response times.

• Economic developers across the region use the availability of broadband to help attract new jobs to rural communities.

January/February 2013 | 7

Donna and Ronald Harris’ son Jason was deployed to Afghanistan in May. They were able to Skype with him for the first time in late October. “It’s so good to be able to see him,” says Donna.

Broadband connects families with loved ones half a world away

W

hen your loved ones live half a world away, an Internet connection is far more than just strands of copper or glass fibers.

That connection is a message letting you know they are safe. It’s an update on school days and life away from home. It’s a connection of love and caring that makes the loved ones seem a little closer.

Broadband Internet service provided

by FTC allows local families to stay in touch with soldiers serving in Afghanistan, family members who live across the globe and friends who have moved far away.

8 | January/February 2013

Whether it is through social media such as Facebook or an Internet phone service such as Skype, the communication keeps family members in touch with each other.

“It’s really priceless,” says Janet Williams, whose 23-year-old son Ryan is on a deployment to Afghanistan. “Any type of communication is a blessing — we know he is doing fine.”

Janet messages Ryan almost every day on Facebook, sending him short updates on their lives. It can take up to a month for mail to arrive from Afghanistan, so the daily communication is a lifeline for the

By Mariann Martin

mother back in Rainsville.

The Williams’ can’t use Skype to call Ryan, because the Internet connection where he is stationed in Afghanistan isn’t fast enough to support it. (Skype is a free Internet program that allows people to talk with a microphone, use video with a webcam or send messages over broadband.)

Even if they can’t talk to him, just hearing from Ryan through Facebook lets them know he is okay, Janet says. She tries to keep the messages she sends him light and cheerful.

“We tell him how proud we are of him Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative

and that we are thinking of him always,” says Janet, who works as a secretary at Plainview High School. “This is a way we can encourage him every day.”

Messages from home mean a lot to all the soldiers who are far away from their families, not just her son, Janet says. She encourages people to reach out to soldiers and let them know people are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.

“It’s important for them to know they are supported by their friends and family,” she says.

Ronald and Donna Harris also depend on modern technology to stay in touch with their family. Their son Jason is stationed in Germany and is deployed in Afghanistan. Their daughter-in-law and two-year-old grandson live in Germany while Jason is in the Middle East.

The Harrises send Jason Facebook messages almost every day. When he was in Iraq, they usually talked to him via Skype. Since his deployment to Afghanistan in May, they have only been able to Skype with him once. That was nearly five months later in October. The Internet connection in Afghanistan is so unreliable that on their other attempt, Jason’s face was only a blurry image they could barely recognize, Ronald says.

But the Facebook messages they exchange frequently let them know Jason is safe and doing well, Ronald says.

And they have used Skype to keep up with their grandson since he was born, as Jason moves around to different military assignments.

Seeing their grandson grow up over Skype brings him a little closer, Ronald says. He is now running and playing, which means sometimes he doesn’t want to stay in front of the camera long enough to tell his grandparents hello. Holding up an action figure like Iron Man or some other toy usually stops him in his tracks, Ronald says.

“He’s a busy little guy,” he laughs.

Technology has changed the way families stay in touch during wartime. Ronald’s father served in World War II, and letters to Ronald’s mother took at least two weeks to arrive. His mother would usually Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative

Carolyn and Tim Hale of Fyffe have hosted three exchange students over the past six years.

Once the students return home, they stay in touch using Internet services, such as Skype and Facebook. Here, Vilde Pederson Skypes with the Hales from her home in Norway. hear from his father only a few times a month. It was much more difficult, since family members didn’t have the daily assurance that their loved ones were doing well.

“It’s a lot better with technology,” Ronald says.

That same technology that keeps family members connected to loved ones serving in the military also helps Carolyn Hale stay in touch with three former exchange students and loved ones around the globe.

Carolyn, who owns a flower, gift and catering shop in Fyffe, worries that Skype may not always be free or so easily available. She uses it almost every day to stay in touch with her own family members and with her exchange students from Europe who have returned to their families and homes. The students — from Sweden, Germany and Norway — lived with the Hales over the past six years.

“Technology is so wonderful,” says Carolyn. “I just love it.”

It is hard to see a student leave after living with them almost a year, Carolyn says, but she and her husband, Tim, talk to the students several times a week. Carolyn will even set her alarm clock and get up in the middle of the night to catch them when they aren’t in class or working.

Her computers at home and at her shop are all equipped with web cameras so she can use Skype to give them a call whenever she wants. They also send each other messages on Skype, but video chatting allows them to see each other.

“They give us tours of their homes; we can see they are doing well,” Carolyn says. “In the past, it would have taken 10 to 14 days to send them a letter. Now we can be in touch daily. I don’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have that technology.”  January/February 2013 | 9

Photo courtesy Ryman Auditorium Archives

A circle unbroken

Museums across the South trace the region’s musical roots, celebrate the larger-than-life personalities who make the songs come alive and educate legions of new fans.

By Cassandra M. Vanhooser

L

egendary entertainer Conway Twitty may have said it best: “Country music takes a page out of somebody’s life and puts it to music.”

Twitty’s words are etched in stone outside the entrance to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, Tenn., and they sum up the enduring popularity of the South’s favorite music. Simply put, we can relate to it. It’s real music about real people, and there’s no better place to learn about country music than Music City U.S.A.

Gone Country

The sparkling Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum stands as a monument to Southern songs and traditions. Multimedia exhibits take visitors on a journey through the development of this uniquely American art form, from its roots as folk music from the British Isles through its various incarnations to the mainstream country pop enjoyed today. The story is masterfully told with photographs, original recordings and video clips.

In addition to two floors of exhibit space, visitors can also peek behind the scenes into the museum’s archives thanks to the glass walls that encompass the staff’s workspace. Artifacts currently on display range from Carl Perkins’ blue suede shoes to Webb Pierce’s 1962 “Silver Dollar” Pontiac Bonneville convertible.

Even the building’s architecture helps tell country music’s story. From afar, the windows in the front of the museum resemble the ebony and ivory of piano keys. The swooping arch of the building’s roofline speaks of a ’50s Cadillac fin, while the tower atop the rotunda mirrors the WSM tower that still sits just south of town.

The Mother Church of Country Music

The Ryman Auditorium, just a couple of blocks north on Fifth Avenue, is more of a religious experience. “This building is 10 | January/February 2013

Visitors enjoy the Grand Ole Opry display at the Ryman, where they can see stage clothes worn by stars such as David “Stringbean” Akeman, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. alive,” says museum curator Brenda Colladay. “There is a great vibe to this place. There is no other place like the Ryman.”

The soaring stained-glass windows and worn oak pews speak to the building’s past as a church. Visitors can take a leisurely self-guided tour of the many exhibits, or splurge on a guided backstage tour. There’s even an opportunity to have professional photos made center stage or make a record in the Ryman studio.

In many ways, the Ryman’s history parallels the story of country music itself. In the 1940s, fans stood in lines that stretched for blocks to get a seat, but by 1974, when the Grand Ole Opry moved to the new Opry House at Opryland, the Ryman was slated for demolition. It survived — barely. The old auditorium was allowed to fall into disrepair, until a crop of young artists embraced their country roots and traditions and lobbied for the Ryman’s renovation and rebirth.

Today performers young and old yearn to take the stage at the Ryman, and they come from every musical genre — just as they always have. “Everybody loves to play here,” Colladay says, “and it’s a great place to see a performance because it means so much to the people on stage.”

Where the Bluegrass Grows

The International Museum of Bluegrass in Owensboro, Ky., pays tribute to the “hillbilly music” of Appalachia, that high lonesome sound developed by the state’s own Bill Monroe and now played around the world. A large portion of the first floor is dedicated to telling Monroe’s story, from his birth in Rosine to his recognition as the Father of Bluegrass. Visitors can also access documentaries from the Video Oral History Project, an ongoing effort to record first- and second-generation bluegrass musicians.

In addition to preserving the history of bluegrass, the museum

Dixieland Delights

Together Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook are known as Alabama, one of the most successful bands in music history. Since signing with RCA Records in 1980, the group has sold more than 73 million records. They’ve had 43 singles hit No. 1 on the music charts, and 17 albums are Platinum sellers. Eight times they’ve been country music’s “Entertainer of the Year,” and they claim a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Though the band gave its farewell tour in 2003 and 2004, admirers still visit their fan club and museum in Fort Payne, Ala. The museum itself is a modest collection of memorabilia, awards and hit records, as well as a souvenir and gift shop.

Tiny Muscle Shoals in the northwest corner of the state has been a hotbed of music since the ’60s. A number of country,

rock and R&B performers have retreated to small-town Alabama to write and record their best. FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio are both still in operation and allow tours by appointment.

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, located in nearby Tuscumbia, offers a glimpse into the lives of artists such as Lionel Richie, Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, Gold City and Martha Reeves.

A favorite exhibit among visitors is Jim Nabors’ Gomer Pyle costume.

Country on the Beach

If not for Myrtle Beach, the group Ala-

bama might still be laboring in obscurity.

The boys got their start playing for tips in the honkytonks here. Still, Calvin Gilmore was the one to open the area’s first music theater in 1986. Today, the Missouri-born musician and a bevy of talented performers entertain more than 300,000 visitors each year at the 2,200-seat Carolina Opry.

Alabama and Dolly Parton now have theaters on the Grand Strand, too.

“I thought when I came out here that it would work,” Calvin says. “I bet everything I owned on it, but even in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined the success we’ve had.”  Photo courtesy International Bluegrass Music Museum

is dedicated to educating and training a new generation of fans and musicians to carry on the legacy. Audiences around the world can tune in to Radio Bluegrass International, an online radio station that broadcasts round the clock. The museum offers a Saturday Lessons program that outfits students with instruments and reasonably priced instruction. The museum even sponsors a Bluegrass in the Schools program that takes instructions and information to students around the state.

The tiny community of Renfro Valley claims the title “Kentucky Country Music Capital.” This vast entertainment complex is home to the country’s third longest running radio show, Renfro Valley Gatherin’, broadcast every Sunday morning since 1943. The Renfro Valley Barn Dance, a live stage show, is performed on Saturday nights, and other headline acts take the stage throughout the year.

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, also at Renfro Valley, features an Instrument Room, a fully functional recording booth and a blue-screen studio, where visitors can perform with their favorite Kentucky music stars. Honorees range from Rosemary Clooney and Loretta Lynn to the Kentucky HeadHunters and Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

The International Bluegrass Music Museum takes visitors on a historical tour of this uniquely American art form.

Click or Call for more info...

Alabama

Tennessee

Alabama Music Hall of Fame www.alamhof.org 800-239-2643

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum www.countrymusichalloffame.com 615-416-2001

The Alabama Fan Club & Museum www.thealabamaband.com 256-845-1646

Ryman Auditorium www.ryman.com 615-889-3060

Kentucky

South Carolina

International Bluegrass Music Museum www.bluegrass-museum.org 888-692-2656

Alabama Theatre www.alabama-theatre.com 800-342-2262

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum www.kentuckymusicmuseum.com 877-356-3263

Carolina Opry Theater www.thecarolinaopry.com 800-843-6779 January/February 2013 | 11

Search Engine Dedication and technology drive search for missing pilot

D

By Andy Johns

uring his time as a missionary medical pilot, Bob Norton is credited with saving the lives of more than 200 people.

So it should be no surprise that a huge number of volunteers have helped search for the Sand Mountain man and his plane since they went missing in the Venezuelan jungle in 2009.

What is surprising, however, is the dedication of the searchers four years later and the technology they are using to try and answer questions about their friend’s disappearance. “For me, more than anything, I want to find my friend,” says Bob Edwards of McMinnville, Tenn., who is leading the search team. “If I had gone missing he would have gone out there with his German shepherd and a machete and would have found me. That’s the kind of guy he was.”

Norton, his wife, Neiba, and five passengers on the plane disappeared on Feb. 16, 2009, in the Gran Sabana area of Venezuela near the country’s borders with Guyana and Brazil.

“Bob made the statement ‘Mom, if a plane went down here no one would ever find it,” says Norton’s mother, Nytta Norton, of Bryant. “I didn’t know until years later it would be my son that went down.”

The Man

Growing up in a missionary family, Norton had always been “missionary minded.” His father, Elwin, was a missionary pilot until he died in a plane crash in Mexico. Despite knowing the risks firsthand, Norton and one of his brothers followed in their father’s footsteps. “He went on a mission of faith,” Nytta says.

During his eight years in Venezuela, Norton developed a reputation as one of the best pilots around. On the day he disappeared, he was carrying sick patients from a tiny village to a city doctor. A line of squalls passed through the region that day and many Venezuelans interviewed said they saw the plane and knew it was Norton because other pilots couldn’t handle such storms.

On top of the bad weather on the day of the crash, Norton was piloting an old, second-string plane because his primary 12 | January/February 2013

Nytta Norton’s son, a missionary pilot, disappeared while flying his wife and five passengers over the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela in 2009. Nytta’s husband, also a missionary pilot, died in a plane crash in Mexico years before. plane was in the shop. Nytta is convinced it must have been catastrophic mechanical failure — similar to what claimed his father’s life — that brought the plane down. “I think the motor burned up and they had to come down,” she says. “My son was an extremely good pilot.”

The Search

It didn’t take long for Norton’s friends to spring into action.

Within 10 days of the crash they had already contracted with a satellite imaging company to take high-resolution images of a 200-square-kilometer area where the plane was believed to have been. The images were shared as far away as Alaska with volunteers who pored over the photos for crash sites or anomalies in the plane-swallowing trees. The team also ran a computer program across the images that scanned for straight lines, which are common on airplanes but rare in the jungle. “Fundamentally, I don’t even know how we would have done that without highspeed Internet,” Edwards says. “Tell me how you would have done that 20 years ago.”

Norton’s friends in Venezuela have checked out reports and interviewed countless locals who say they heard or saw an airplane on the day the missionary’s plane vanished. Once the Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative

In his eight years in Ven ezuela, Bob Norton (top left) had developed th e reputation as one of the b est pilots aro und.

team checks the legitimacy of the report, they shift their ideas of what Norton may have done on that final flight, which has steered their search in different directions. “It keeps changing as we’re learning more,” Edwards says.

While rumors of hijackings, kidnappings and other foul play have circulated, the passage of time and lack of ransom notes make those ideas less likely, Edwards said. The most intriguing and legitimate-sounding report came from a man who heard an unusual call in English over the radio three days after Norton disappeared. The man doesn’t understand the language so no one knows if it was Norton or what was said.

Edwards has made three trips to Venezuela to search, and the team has refined its methods each time. After attempting to search on foot in the jungle in an early trip, he and the team began brainstorming more efficient ways to comb the area. “You could be 30 feet away on foot and not see the plane,” Edwards says. “We started thinking there’s got to be a way to scan the area without cutting through the bush.”

That’s when the search took a groundbreaking turn. The team is now working to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can fly over vast areas of jungle while scanning for metal objects and taking photos. “It’s been amazing to see how that’s come together,” says Edwards, who hopes to take the UAV back to Venezuela this year.

Other groups around the country are working on UAVs and search drones, and some are taking notice of the Norton team’s work. “The big guys are looking to see what these little guys are doing because it’s cutting edge,” Nytta says. “I understand it, almost. It blows my mind sometimes.”

Nytta says there is more to it than just the dense jungle. “That Bob Edwards employs technology, even using an unmanned aerial vehicle, in the search for his missing friend Bob Norton.

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative

tells me that God wants him to stay hidden,” she says. “So many capable people have searched for him. Only God knows where he is and we have to trust Him.”

The Aftermath

That unshakable faith is what has kept Nytta Norton strong.

A church organist and piano teacher, she says the hymn “It is Well with My Soul” has become particularly meaningful to her since her son’s disappearance. It’s an appropriate song considering its origin. The verses, about trusting God regardless of circumstances, were written by Horatio Spatford in 1873 after all four of his daughters died in a shipwreck in the Atlantic.

It’s also appropriate because of Nytta’s attitude. “We’re still wondering what happened because we don’t know,” Nytta says.

“God must have some greater purpose in all of this.”

She believes her son’s mission of sharing the gospel can be continued through the search. “It shows the unselfish love of many people,” she says. “Hopefully people will get a better understanding of the God of love.”

She says she has asked Edwards how long he plans to continue the work. “He tells me ‘As long as it takes,’” she says. “It would mean a closure that we haven’t had.”

After four years, closure is about all Nytta can hope for.

“Everyone’s pretty much satisfied Bob’s not coming back,” she says.

For his part, Edwards acknowledges that he is hopeful, but not confident they will ever find the plane. While there are stories of survival in the jungle, he admits that his friend will never make it out of the jungle alive. “It’s the most probable outcome,” Edwards says, grimly.

But he says he’s going to continue the search until “there is nothing left to do.” He’s simply unable to give up the work knowing his friend has not been found. Restless and a man of action by nature, he remembers a conversation he had with his wife shortly after the disappearance when he was struggling to cope with the potential loss. “She said, ‘Do something,’” he remembers. “‘Go find Bob.’”  January/February 2013 | 13

Photos by Nathan Morgan Photography

Southern Kitchens Grits have gone gourmet Grits are as true to the South as sweet tea in summertime.

They’re a patch on our culinary quilt. And in these parts, you’ll find the once-thought-of lowly grain in the fanciest of restaurants.

I remember my first taste of grits. “No bigger than a junebug” my granddaddy would say about me, as he carried me into our neighborhood diner and put me down on a big round stool. Then he would belly up to the counter and order a platter of pancakes and a big bowl of grits for us to share.

Back then, the grits were pretty watery. Nothing that a little butter or gravy couldn’t cure, but for the life of me I really don’t know why I liked them. Then something happened in my adult years. Grits went gourmet, and now they’re showing up on the fanciest of menus.

So get your grits going and enjoy them however you want.

They’re back in vogue. But really, they never left.

Email your recipe and story ideas to Anne Braly at apbraly@gmail.com.

Anne P. Braly Food Editor

14 | January/February 2013

 The Chow 45 roadside sign welcomes visitors. Chef Mark Madrey has put Mayfield, Ky., on the culinary map with Chow 45.

Chow down on grits

W

ith the twist of a spoon or the flip of a spatula, Mark Madrey turns simple grains into culinary creations that smack with a complexity of flavors that only grits can bring.

Madrey, chef and owner of Chow 45 in Mayfield, Ky., relishes the glory of grits — particularly their versatility.

“You can do just about anything with them,” he says. “You just need to be adventurous. Get them off the breakfast table and eat them for lunch and dinner, too.”

Chow 45 keeps grits on the menu with one steadfast, signature item: Cheesy Grit Cakes (crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside). Other grit specials range from lowcountry shrimp and grits — one of Madry’s favorite dishes to make — to gritsstuffed portobellos.

Chow 45 opened in an 80-year-old building in May 2010. It’s small, with just 16 tables, but that’s all Madrey wanted after retiring from a lifetime of managing restaurants and moving home to open his own place. During his career, he’s worked with numerous trained chefs and learned from them. “They were all very creative people who were not afraid to think outside the box,” he says. “That’s the whole key. I

like to mix flavors that don’t traditionally go together.”

And that’s where grits come into play, enticing customers who might not have liked grits in the past.

“I have never been a huge fan of grits,” admits Erin Carrico, executive director of the Murray County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Now she eats at Chow 45 a couple of times a month.

“What grabbed me the first time were the shrimp alongside the grits,” she says. “So when my plate arrived, I took the chance and tasted the grits. Bam! I had never tasted grits with such awesome flavor.”

“I’m particular about every dish,” Madrey says. “I want every dish that goes out of the kitchen to be special.”

He keeps his recipes a closely guarded secret, but was willing to share one of his favorites. “Our grits-stuffed portobellos are really simple, but they’re excellent,” he says. 

If you go... here: Chow 45, 1102 Highway 45 N. W Phone: 270-247-4545 Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tues. – Sat.

Grits: New twist on a Southern tradition 4-5 large portobello mushrooms, stems and gills removed 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 cups chicken broth Black pepper, to taste 1/2 teaspoon dried sage 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 cup grits 1/3 cup English peas (You may substitute another type of pea or corn.)

3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley Swiss or cheddar cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese Sauté onions in olive oil and butter until they begin to brown; add the chicken stock, pepper, sage and rosemary; bring to a boil. Gradually add grits, stirring constantly. Turn heat down, cover and cook for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peas during last five minutes of cooking.

Remove mixture from heat and stir in the parsley.

Lightly brush mushrooms with butter or olive oil. Stuff each mushroom with the grits mixture, then top with cheddar or Swiss cheese and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Serve as an appetizer or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or shrimp.

Source: Mark Madrey, Chow 45

Grits-stuffed portobellos make a great appetizer or side dish.

Grits and Greens 1 pound young collard greens, beet greens, chard or kale 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt Good-quality cider vinegar or red wine vinegar 1 recipe hot stone ground grits

Remove tough stems, wash greens and drain in a colander. Heat the olive oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed 3- or 4-quart saucepan over low heat until butter melts.

Add garlic and cook slowly, stirring constantly, until golden brown — about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic to a small dish; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Add greens to the pan and cook, tossing frequently with tongs, just until the leaves wilt, about 2 minutes for collards, beet greens, chard or spinach, and about 3 minutes for kale.

Stir in red pepper flakes and salt, return the garlic slices to the pan and toss well. Season

Grits are a simple dish, but it’s important they be made correctly. Mark Madrey prefers using stone-ground grits from Anson Mills in South Carolina or Falls Mill in Tennessee. Stone-ground grits have more flavor and texture, he says.

Also: Use half-and-half instead of water for a creamy, rich texture. Use more liquid than the recipe calls for. Again, this will make them creamier.

Do not overcook your grits.

Photo by Nathan Morgan Photography

Grits-Stuffed Portobellos

to taste with vinegar. To serve, spoon hot grits into a warmed serving bowl or plate and surround with greens. Drizzle with olive oil, if desired, and potlikker. Serve immediately.

Source: Anson Mills January/February 2013 | 15

“We Keep You Connected”

P.O. Box 217• 144 McCurdy Ave. N. Rainsville, Alabama 35986

Get FTCtv. Get the best in digital television.

Enhanced Guide Mediaroom’s faster-loading guide features search capabilities that make finding the time and channel of your favorite shows a snap.

The state-of-the-art technology offered by the new Microsoft Mediaroom platform is greatly enhancing the viewing experience for FTCtv customers.

Local Programming Watch local high school football action on FTCtv’s Community Channel each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night throughout the season.

Be sure to tune in for local high school basketball games and tournaments, as well as baseball throughout the season, too.

Bundle Up!

Surf Faster No more waiting for the TV to catch up with you while channel surfing. Mediaroom features the fastest channel change time in the industry.

Whole-Home DVR Schedule to record an episode or an entire season of your favorite show from any room.

You can watch a recorded show from any TV and pause a show in one room and pick up where you left off in another.

Choose one the following Bundles...

Or get...

• Triple Play Essential

• Triple Play Enhanced for only per month* for the first 6 months!

• FTC Voice & Video • FTC Exclusive Broadband & Video for only

100

$

120

$

PLUS, get...

per month* for the first 6 months!

• FREE HD Programming • FREE DVR Service for the first 6 months!

A savings of $336!

*Two-year service term agreement required to receive promotional rate. Some areas not yet capable of receiving this service. All services subject to FTC Standard Terms and Conditions, FTC Acceptable Use Policy (Internet) and provisions of the FTC Price List (subject to the advertised discount). These can be found at www.farmerstel.com.

Experience the difference of the new FTCtv! Phone: 256-638-2144 | Online: farmerstel.com