No'Ala Shoals May/June 2013

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Order in the Court | Tour de Force | A Father’s Garden | Corporate ReDesign | Mom and Dad’s Makeover

2 | NOALAPRESS.COM | MAY/JUNE 2013

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8 » May/June 2013

20ORDER IN THE COURTFlorence’s U.S. 11th CircuitCourthouse is restored to its original grandeur, thanksto a judge with a preserva-tionist’s eye.

BY LAURA ANDERS LEEPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

48Narayan Madasu built a gar-den that has become somuch more than just treesand flowers.

BY ALLEN TOMLINSONPHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

92Nooks, crannies, corners.We’ve uncovered some ofNorth Alabama’s mostcharming small spaces, suchas Professor Michael Pretes’sliving room, shown here.

BY DAVID SIMSPHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELLAND PATRICK HOOD

26Riverhill School’s home tour is back for an encore performance.

BY DAVID SIMSPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

74With a nod to its history,Wise Metals Group transforms its corporateheadquarters with a littlecreativity and a lot of recy-cling.

BY LAURA ANDERS LEEPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

© D

AN

NY

MITC

HELL

58Jonathan and Kristy McKinney get a bedroommakeover that is fit for a king and queen, but on acommoner’s budget.

BY ALLEN TOMLINSONPHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

MAY/JUNE 2013 | NOAL APRESS.COM | 9

May/June 2013Volume 6: Issue 3

• • •C. Allen Tomlinson

Editor-In-Chief

David SimsCreative Director

Contributing WritersJeffrey Bibbee, Amy Collins, Sarah Gaede,

Laura Anders Lee, Claire Stewart, Allen Tomlinson

Contributing PhotographersPatrick Hood, Danny Mitchell

Marketing Coordinator/Advertising SalesHeidi King

Features ManagerClaire Stewart

Business ManagerRoy Hall

Graphic DesignerRowan Finnegan

InternsMack Cornwell, Ryan Paine, Will Whaley

• • •No’Ala is published six times annually by No’Ala Press

PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-766-4222 | Fax: 256-766-4106

Toll-free: 800-779-4222 Web: www.noalapress.com

Standard postage paid at Florence, AL.A one-year subscription is $19.95for delivery in the United States.

Signed articles reflect only the views of the authorsand do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors.

Advertisers are solely responsible forthe content of their advertisements.

© 2008-2013 ATSA, All rights reserved.

Send all correspondence toAllen Tomlinson, Editor,

at the postal address above, or by e-mail [email protected].

Letters may be edited for space and style.

To advertise, contact us at:256-766-4222, or [email protected].

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines uponrequest. Prospective authors should not

submit unsolicited manuscripts; please query theeditor first.

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inkson 100% recycled paper.

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10 » contents

S H O A L S• • • • •

14 CalendarEvents for May-June 2013

54 Check It OutBook ReviewsBY FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE LIBRARY

70 MarketWhat’s Your Style?BY ROY HALL & CLAIRE STEWART

88 KudosBY LAURA ANDERS LEE

100 The VineOregon Pinot NoirBY AMY COLLINS

104 Food for ThoughtCocktail HourBY SARAH GAEDE

112 Bless Their HeartsSouthern NationBY JEFFREY BIBBEE

114 Parting ShotBY DANNY MITCHELL

26Our annual home and garden issue features special little spaces, like thispantry in Allan and TinaNeill’s Florence home.

editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson « 11

There’s no place like home…even if it’s not yours.

We’ve observed something very interesting about human nature: we tend to have afascination with the way other people live. Maybe it’s because we want inspirationfor our own surroundings, or maybe we just want to gape at what others have doneto their homes, but one thing is for sure: our annual Home & Garden issue is one ofour more popular publications. And this year, we certainly won’t disappoint! Fromthe houses in this year’s Riverhill Tour of Homes to the special nooks that othershave created—and much more in between—there will be lots to look at this month.We hope you enjoy!

Last issue, we stepped out on a limb and created our first ever “Why Not?” edition,in which we asked you, our reader, to weigh in on things you’d like to see. It was arisk for us, we felt, because our balance between words and pictures was so far tilted

in favor of words…but your response was overwhelming. Weprobably got more letters discussing what you read and talkingabout ideas that came from these essays than we’ve gotten ever(with the exception of the time we printed the wrong Germanchocolate pie recipe) Thank you.

Now, we have a favor to ask of you. Don’t let the conversationsstop! As was pointed out, most of the ideas presented were notnew—some, like consolidation, have been the topic of debatefor decades. We challenge you to work hard to make some ofthese ideas a reality—after all, why not?

Next March, No’Ala will present its third Renaissance Awards. The nominees andrecipients from past years have been stellar examples for us all; we need your helpin identifying the people who have made significant contributions to our area andwho deserve to be recognized. Ten months seem like a long time to gather thesenominations, but please do not delay—email us your nominations with a briefdescription of why they deserve recognition, and let us consider them, please. Theseare the people who work to make the “why nots?” into reality. Let’s thank them.

Now, grab a tall glass of iced tea, find a sunny spot in the yard, and savor this issue.Enjoy!

May 1Concerts in the Park11:30am-1:30pm; Free; Wilson Park, Downtown Florence; (256) 760-6389; visitflorenceal.org

May 1UNA Spring Concert featuring Phillip Phillips and Mat Kearney7:00pm-11:00pm; $10; Norton Auditorium at UNA; (256) 765-4948;una.edu

May 3First Friday5:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Florence at Court Street; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.com

May 3NAACP Banquet6:00pm; Admission charged; Guillot University Center at UNA;(256) 765-4444; una.edu

May 4Shoals Symphony Choral Extravaganza7:30pm; $15 for adults and $5 students; Norton Auditorium at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu/shoals-symphony

May 4Derby Days3:00pm-6:00pm; $100; Coby Hall Lawn at UNA;(800) 825-5862; una.edu

May 4-5Remembering LaGrange: Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration10:00am-4:00pm; Free; LaGrange College Site; 1461 LaGrange College Rd, Leighton; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org


Through May 9Pastel Paintings by Mikki Root Dillon9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts;217 E. Tuscaloosa St.; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org

Through May 10John Petrey: ExpressionsMon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art;511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org

May 10 Riverhill School Tour of Homes Patron Party 6:30pm; $250 a couple in advance; the Alexander Home in Muscle Shoals; (256) 764-8200; riverhilltour.com

May 11UNA Commencement10:00am-noon; Free; Flowers Hall at UNA; (256) 765-4316; una.edu

May 12Mother’s Day


May 16-19The NerdThurs, Fri, Sat 7:30pm and Sun at 2:00pm; $9 children and $12adults in advance or $10 children and $15 adults at the door;Shoals Community Theatre; 123 N. Seminary St., Florence; (256) 764-1700; shoalstheatre.com

May 17-18Front Porch Story Telling Festival9:00am-10:00pm; Free; various venues at UNA; (256) 765-4297;una.edu

May 18Timmy Horton High School Bass Anglers ChallengeWeigh-in at 2:00pm; Colbert County Rose Trail Park; (256) 383-0783; fishpickwicklake.com

May 18-19Riverhill School Tour of Homes Sat 11:00am-4:00pm and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; $30;various locations; (256) 764-8200; riverhilltour.com

May 4Derby Days

14 » calendar

Continued page 16

16 » calendar

May 18-19Arts Alive Festival9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Wilson Park, Downtown Florence;(256) 760-6379; artsalivealabama.com

May 18-June 21Arts Alive Gallery Exhibition9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts;217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org


May 25Sheffield Street Party with John Anderson, Confederate Rail-road, and The Ben Parker Project6:00pm; $20; Downtown Sheffield on Montgomery Ave.;(256) 810-3030; colbertcountytourism.org

May 27Memorial Day Ceremony11:00am; Free; Colbert County Courthouse; 201 N. Main St., Tuscumbia; (256) 381-2298; colbertcountytourism.org

May 26-July 12Elayne Goodman: Art as LifeMon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art;511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org


June 1Muscle Shoals Street Rod Run9:00am-4:00pm; Free; Spring Park, Tuscumbia; (256) 381-3518; colbertcountytourism.org

June 1-2Frontier Day CelebrationSat 10:00am-4:00pm and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; Free; Pope’s TavernMuseum; 203 Hermitage Dr., Florence; (256) 760-6439;florenceal.org

June 1African Heritage Festival10:00am-8:00pm; Free; Willie Green Center; 609 S. East St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org

June 5Concerts in the Park11:30am-1:30pm; Free; Wilson Park, Downtown Florence; (256) 760-6389; visitflorenceal.org

June 7First Friday5:00pm-8:00pm; Free; Downtown Florence at Court Street; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.com


June 2-30Helen Keller Art Show of AlabamaMon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art;511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org

June 7-8The Miracle Worker8:00pm; Admission charged; Helen Keller Birthplace; 300 N. Commons, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; helenkellerbirthplace.com

June 10-14Young Masters Art School9:00am-11:00am for first-third graders and noon-2:00pm forfourth-sixth graders; $50 first child and $45 additional children;Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St.,Florence; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org


June 14-15“The Miracle Worker” Play8:00pm; Admission charged; Helen Keller Birthplace; 300 N. Com-mons, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; helenkellerbirthplace.com

June 16 Father’s Day

June 17-21Young Masters Art School9:00am-11:00am for first-third graders and noon-2:00pm forfourth-sixth graders; $50 first child and $45 additional children;Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org


June 21-22The Miracle Worker8:00pm; Admission charged; Helen Keller Birthplace; 300 N. Com-mons, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; helenkellerbirthplace.com


June 27Helen Keller Festival Street Party5:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Downtown Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783;helenkellerfestival.com

June 28-29The Miracle Worker8:00pm; Admission charged; Helen Keller Birthplace; 300 N. Com-mons, Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; helenkellerbirthplace.com

June 29Cherokee Independence Day Celebration10:00am; Free; 3752 Old Lee Hwy., Cherokee; (256) 383-0783;colbertcountytourism.org

18 » scene

Above: Get Dirty at the Library SeriesMARCH 21, 2013 FLORENCELAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Below: Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers GameJANUARY 26, 2013 FLOWERS HALL, UNA

Ann Austin

Russell Gautney and Henry Weekly Mike and Paula Kelley

Chris Becker

Pat Butler

Meaghan Doyleand Scott Brawley

Coach Terry Fowler andCoach Bobby Champagne

Mollie Hannah and Anne-Marie TantMegan Lovelace

and Christi Lovelace

John and Wanda Foster

Coach Bobby Champagne

Ina Ranger and Marilynn Szecholda

Jasbeer Kaur

UNA Men’s Basketball Team

Pat Burney and Maxie Foster

* Names for photos are provided by the organization or business featured.

20 | NOAL APRESS.COM |MAY/JUNE 2013

TEXT BY LAURA ANDERS LEE » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD


One hundred years ago, architect John Robie Kennedy, Jr., saidhis downtown Florence post office and courthouse “will neverbe outdated in its design, and it will fit well into the modernarchitecture of the future.” His neoclassical building featuredelegant marble, handsome Alabama oak, detailed iron work,massive windows, sweeping ceilings, and elaborate molding.And today, a century later, he would be proud.

But just a year ago that would not have been the case. Overtime, additions and changes have compromised the building’soriginal design, the worst injustice being the courtroom’s so-called “modernization” in the 1960s. The second-floor of thebuilding was practically gutted. The natural oak woodworkand benches were demolished, the plastering was nearlydestroyed, and a concrete block wall was built to cover the eastwall of windows. A tiled acoustic ceiling was installed, cuttingthe height of the room in half, and fluorescent lighting glareddown at walnut veneer paneling which lined the walls.

The courtroom was like this in 2011 when U.S. District JudgeInge Johnson was asked to move her 11th District duty stationfrom Birmingham to Florence. While she was thrilled to takeher hard-earned senior status near her Tuscumbia home, shewas alarmed by the dismal atmosphere of the courtroom,especially when the first floor post office was so grand.

With an eye for architecture and historic preservation, JudgeJohnson thought the courtroom deserved new life, so she peti-tioned the 11th Circuit for funds to restore the second floorof the building to its original grandeur. Her request wasgranted, and the U.S. General Services Administration hiredLouisville, Kentucky, architect Alvin Cox and Samson, Ala-bama, contractor Hammer LGC to get started.

“When they took the ceiling tiles down and knocked holes inthe paneling to discover five windows had been blocked, I wasso excited,” said Judge Johnson. “Coming from a country likeDenmark that preserves buildings, I have always been inter-ested in historic preservation, and my husband and I live in ahistoric home in Tuscumbia. The architectural features of thecourtroom are really superb. You can’t imagine the details theywent through; it’s incredible.”

Today, it’s the consummate, classic courtroom, conjuringimages of Atticus Finch, Matlock, or a John Grisham scene.Light from the sun streams through Wilson Park into the 12-foot windows, crowned with arched-heads. Alabama red oakwainscoting climbs the walls to nearly eight feet, cleverly hid-ing the entry to the judge’s chambers, and the ceiling onceagain soars to 20 feet.

Facing page: The cornice and ceiling are decorated with ornate plaster details, whichwere painstakingly restored by hand. Right:The judge’s bench, above which is displayedthe official U.S. District Court seal.


The building and design team con-structed red oak arm rests on the walnutpews to match the wainscoting, witnessbench, and judge’s bench. They recre-ated the Roman-style corbels around theceiling, complete with intricate acanthusleaves that complement the molding.The team reupholstered the leather onthe jurors’ chairs to replicate the leatherembossed modesty doors, which havediamond-shaped windows that wereoriginally used for public viewing. Andthey accessorized the room with a newseal reading, “United States DistrictCourt Northern Alabama.”

Inside the courtroom today, it’s easy tosee the original vision and meticulousplanning of Kennedy, who kept a closeeye on the building’s construction fromthe home of his cousin Rev. HiramKennedy Douglass who lived just acrossthe park. Douglass often bragged thatKennedy had “designed a building forthe ages.” The building remained a sym-bol of pride through the years and waslater named for Justice John McKinley,the first Supreme Court Associate Jus-tice to hail from Alabama.

But restoring the building to its formerglory took tremendous effort. ArchitectAlvin Cox usually likes to start withimages of the original building, but heran into several challenges.

“My firm does a lot of this kind of work,but we had a hard time finding imagesof the interior of the courthouse,” saidAlvin. “We contacted the state’s historicpreservation office in Montgomery; wecontacted all the area newspapers; wesearched the library’s and the univer-sity’s archives, and even the U.S. PostOffice’s archives in Washington, D.C.,but we found nothing.”

So Alvin had to rely on old-fashioned,word-of-mouth research, contactingmembers of the local historic preserva-tion society.

“There’s something about the South thatyou don’t find anywhere else that isappealing,” said Alvin. “Southerners havean appreciation for history. The veryproject was enhanced by the relation-ships with the locals and people like Ingeand Sharon Harris, the clerk of the court.So many people in the Quad Cities havea great knowledge and love for architec-ture and historic preservation.”

“THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE SOUTH THAT YOUDON’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE THAT IS APPEALING.SOUTHERNERS HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR HISTORY.”—ALVIN COX, ARCHITECT


So after piecing together information like evidence in a com-plex case, Alvin and his team were able to reconstruct whatthat courthouse would have looked like in 1913.

“I think what we have done there is very, very close to whatoriginally existed,” said Alvin.

This is true with two exceptions: security and technology.Today, visitors go through a security area before entering thecourtroom, and the courthouse is equipped with all the latest

technology including computer hookups and flat-screen TVs.While Judge Johnson still holds onto her law books, she admitsshe’s much more efficient looking up various codes online, soshe keeps her laptop close by on her judge’s bench.

The renovations of the courthouse were complete just in timefor the building’s 100th anniversary.

“It is customary to celebrate a courthouse’s centennial, but Iwanted to do something special,” said Judge Johnson. “As a nat-

“IT IS CUSTOMARY TO CELEBRATE A COURTHOUSE’S CENTENNIAL, BUT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL. AS A NATURALIZED CITIZENMYSELF, I WANTED TO HOST A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY—IT’S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.” —JUDGE INGE JOHNSON


uralized citizen myself, I wanted to host a naturalization cer-emony—it’s near and dear to my heart.”

So on a warm March morning, the public gathered to celebratethe history of the courthouse and the future of its newest cit-izens. A new chapter in history was written as Judge Johnsonswore in 30 immigrants from 16 countries in the area’s first-ever naturalization ceremony. Then and now…there is libertyand justice for all.

The courtroom, facing north. A doorway(below) blends discreetly into the expansiveroom’s wainscotting. Right: The originaldoors are covered in leather and outlined in brass nail trim. Bottom right: One of five grand, east-facing windows that were once covered with paneling.


TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

On the third weekend of May, RiverhillSchool presents its second annual Tour ofHomes. The five homes on this year’s tourare all located in and around Florence, andeach is very different from the others. Twoare brand new construction, occupied bytheir original owners; three are remodel-ing projects that took basic homes andtransformed them into showcases. All arebeautiful; all are worth touring.

In the pages that follow, we’ll give you aglimpse into each of these five houses.You’ll be amazed at what these home-owners have done, and you may findinspiration for decorating projects of yourown. But honestly, if you have the chance,go and see them in person. The picturesare beautiful, but these homes, each in itsown way, will take your breath away.

For information about the tour, visitwww.riverhilltour.com.


The Sullivan familybuilt this Victorian cottage in the early1900s. Delana DarbyBlake transformed itinto a 5,100 square footfamily home with fourbedrooms, five and ahalf baths, an office, anda carriage house. “Myfavorite feature is theantique and uniquewoods that were used in the floors and thecustom doors and cabinets,” Delana says.Pecky cypress is used inthe stairwell, kitchenisland (previous page),and bar.


“Our favorite room isthe family room,” saysDelana, although theback porch, with itsfireplace and pool, complete with waterstreams coming fromthe brick walls, is awonderful place torelax. “I love historichomes, love history, and love the intrigue ofthe stories the households,” she says.

Renovation architect: Cherri Pitts,Studio C, Birmingham

Builder and decorator: Delana Darby Blake


Wade and PattyGilchrist know a thingor two about buildinghomes—it’s what theydo for a living. So whenit was time to build ahome for themselves,they built a five bed-room, five full and twohalf bath home situatedright outside of town,on a beautiful spread ofland. The rooms floweasily, the colors arewarm and inviting, andit’s a great house forentertaining. But if theweather’s nice, don’tlook for the Gilchristfamily inside; theirfavorite spot is the poolhouse and the outdoorkitchen (page 32).

Builder:Wade Gilchrist

Decorator: Patty Gilchrist,Debra McDanieland Sabrina Flint


One of the most beautiful spots onCypress Creek was theinspiration for Steveand Sheila Pierce’s5,800 square foot homein Wildwood onCypress. “The opennessof our home allows us toentertain on both lev-els,” says Sheila. “Andwe love sitting on ourpatio in the late after-noon.” The Pierce homehas four bedrooms, fourand a half baths, a hometheater, and two largeliving areas. The best ofthree different houseplans was used to create the design, and all stonework was custom cut.

Architect: Randy Menne

Builder:Wade Gilchrist


“After a year longsearch, this house waslove at first sight,” saysPatty Klos of her 8,900square foot EnglishTudor home. The exte-rior is made of antiquebrick salvaged from anold schoolhouse in Col-bert County, and theslate fireplace in the denwas found buried in thebackyard of an antebel-lum home in SouthAlabama, hidden thereduring the Civil War toprotect it. “Our favoritespots are the kitchen,den, screened porch,and living room,” saysPatty. (See photos, nextpage.) “The flow is bril-liant, and it’s where welive.” Built in the early1970s by Joyce andWayne Dunn, the housewas remodeled byDeweese and MaryLinda Crockett beforebecoming Patty’s home.

Builder:Wayne Dunn

Decorator: Amy Darby, Driftwood Home+Design


Tina and Allan Neill loved the location of their house, and loved the view—but the houseitself underwent a total transformation before becoming the 7,000 square foot, seven bed-room, eight bathroom home they live in today. “We gave this place a major transformation,”says Tina, “and have lived through years of remodeling—but it was worth it.”


The initial design was done by Henry Sprott Long, and the decorator was Bebe Ray. The Neill’sfavorite feature is the stone fireplace—but on a pretty day, you’re much more likely to findthem on the screened porch, sipping a cup of coffee and gazing at the view of the water.


The Neill home is morethan 40 years old, but itseems fresh and new.It’s large enough forentertaining, but stillretains an air of com-fort; it’s a beautifulhome but it’s not pre-tentious. “We spend alot of time in thekitchen area and greatroom,” says Tina. “Butit’s the view that soldus.” The views inside thehome are beautiful, too!

Architect: Henry Sprott Long

Decorator: Bebe Ray


Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Myron Gardner, LUTCF 1819 Darby Drive, Florence, AL 35630 Bus 256-764-2234;Cell 256-335-6080 Email [email protected]

Phil Wiginton419 Cox Boulevard, Sheffield, AL, 35660

Bus 256-383-4521; Cell 256-762-5859Email [email protected]

TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL


Dr. Narayan Madasu loved nature. As afamily doctor, father to two girls, andloving husband to Lakshmi, his life wasbusy, and his yard became his retreat.“When my parents moved into thishouse in 1995, the back yard was cov-ered in kudzu,” said daughter Sunitha, adentist in Florence. “The first job was toreclaim it, and with the kudzu gone werealized what a huge yard it really is.”

Dr. Madasu suffered from rheumaticfever as a child and had had a heart valvereplacement as an adult. In the early2000s, his health took a turn, and hedecided to slow down and take an areaof the backyard and turn it into a retreat.Although he wasn’t able to do a lot of thehard physical work, the family bandedtogether to create an oasis where hecould read his Sunday paper, play withthe grandchildren, and find peace.

There is beauty here all year long. Springis the most spectacular season, when the

Facing page: A pond was added, and a waterfall provides a soothing and comfortingsound. Right: The back arbor and swing wereone of Dr. Madasu’s favorite spots. Inset: Dr. Narayan Madasu, before his design was implemented; clearing the yard of kudzu was the first major job.

Continued, page 52

“MY FATHER LOVED THIS SPOT, AND HE PICKED THETREES AND DESIGNED THE FLOW AND THE MAJORSTRUCTURES. IT’S A GREAT PLACE FOR OUR FAMILY TOSPEND TIME AND REMEMBER HIM. IT’S COMFORTING TOKNOW THAT HE IS STILL A PART OF IT.” —SUNITHA MADASU


As the garden matures, it just becomes more beautiful. In the inset, the new arborand bridge show the basic bones of the garden, but now the plants have filled in, thegazebo has weathered, and the garden is lush and beautiful.

A Father’s Garden


roses and jasmine are in bloom, andtrees provide ample shade. The backarbor has a swing, and no matter howhot the summers get, the yard is alwaysseveral degrees cooler.

“My father passed away in 2004, so hewasn’t able to see his garden as lush andmature as it is today,” said Sunitha. “Buthe loved this spot, and he picked thetrees and designed the flow and themajor structures. It’s a great place for ourfamily to spend time and rememberhim; it makes me feel his presence here,and it’s comforting to know that he isstill a part of it.”

The Madasu garden is an example ofhow beautiful, blooming plants andcarefully placed environmental struc-tures can transform a kudzu-coveredexpanse of space into a calm, soothingtribute to a life well lived. “Nature, trees,and flowers were very important to him,”said Sunitha. “Everything about this gar-den reminds us of him.”

Below: The garden as it looks today.

54 » check it out » Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

Learning to Swim

by Sara J. HenryAdult FictionCall Number: F-HEN(In Mystery section)

“If I’d blinked, I would have missed it.” “It”is a young boy being thrown overboardfrom a ferry. “I” is Troy Chance, a free-lance journalist in Lake Placid and thenarrator of Learning to Swim, an award-winning first novel by author Sara J. Henry.Troy dives into the frigid water of LakeChamplain and rescues the little boy, whois terrified and speaks only French whenhe speaks at all. Disturbed and surprisedthat no one seems to be looking for thechild, Troy begins her own investigationinto his identity. As she learns more abouthis family and past, she becomes moreattached and determined to protect him.

Troy is a likeable heroine: smart, strong,and sincere in her intent to do the rightthing, even when she makes bad choices.Other characters are also appealing; there

is a hint of romance, and the Adirondacksetting is different and interesting. Partpsychological thriller, part who-dunnit, thestory is well-written and captivating frombeginning to end. Learning to Swim is agreat read from a new and interestingvoice. Henry’s second novel, A Cold and

Lonely Place, continues the series and hasjust been published.

—Elisabeth South

16 Lighthouse Road

by Debbie MacomberAdult FictionCall Number: F-MAC(In Adult Fiction and Romance sections)BCD MAC(In Books on CD section)

Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series hascaptured the hearts of readers everywhere.Each of the 12 books in this series followsthe lives of townspeople in the quaint townof Cedar Cove. 16 Lighthouse Road offers awonderful introduction to the series.

Readers get an in-depth look at the lives ofthe ever-serious and strict Judge OliviaLockhart, her mother and perpetual bakerCharlotte, and Olivia’s best friend GraceSherman, director of the local library. Thefirst book establishes the close bondshared by these characters, a bond whichcontinues in the subsequent books.

Throughout the series, Macomber addsrelatable new characters and challenges.Readers are bound to find at least onecharacter whose problems sound like theirown. That could be the reason why theHallmark Channel has adapted the booksinto a television series that is set to air thissummer. The variety of characters andfeel-good stories penned by Macomberpull the reader into a world that is friendlyand comforting, providing a welcomeescape from the real world. So grab a hotcup of coffee or tea and join the town ofCedar Cove for a series of adventures thatwill surely make you smile.

—Kristen Tippett

The Lightning Thief

by Rick RiordanJuvenile FictionCall Number: JF-RIO(In Juvenile Fiction section)BP-JF-RIO (In JuvenileAudiobook section)

The Lightning Thief, the first book in thePercy Jackson & the Olympians series, is awonderful book that is fun and gives kidsan overview of ancient Greek mythology.Percy Jackson, a normal 6th grade student,learns that he is really the son of Poseidon,the god of the seas. He is then sent on aquest to try to find the god Zeus’ first light-ning bolt, which has been stolen. In thestory, Percy encounters iconic figures frommythology, including the Fates, a Minotaur,the god of war, and many other amazingcreatures that are sure to fascinate youngminds. The author, Rick Riordan, is asuperb storyteller who can make even themost serious situation seem light.

The film version of The Lightning Thief

was released in 2010, and the adaptation ofthe second book, Sea of Monsters, hits the-aters late this summer, so now is a greattime to catch up with the series. This isdefinitely a book to check out, especially ifyou like the stories of ancient mythology.

—Chris Ferguson


The Books That Mattered:

A Reader’s Memoir

by Frye GaillardAdult NonfictionCall Number: 028-GAI(In Nonfiction New Arrivals section)

The Books That Mattered is perfect for the book lover who prefersto read with pen in hand. Frye Gaillard blends memoir, literaryanalysis, and historical research in his new collection of essays.In each essay, Gaillard explores multiple books that share a genreor theme (such as children’s literature or books that examine racerelations). He explains how the books affected him at differentperiods of his life and how they inspired him to change his think-ing. For instance, his honest description of his Southern family’sevolving racial attitude is a particularly poignant example of howliterature can inspire empathy. He also provides readers with biog-raphical information about each author and a sampling of criticalresponses to the books, placing each work in its historical contextand giving a nice overview of why those books “mattered.”

This sounds like a lot to fit in one book, but Gaillard nimbly nav-igates it all with an elegant and clear writing style that never feelsdense. Gaillard will remind you of why you fell in love with theimportant books in your past, and he just might inspire you togive some new ones a shot. Or, better yet, to start writing aboutthem yourself.

—Jennifer Butler Keeton

At Home: A Short History of Private Life

by Bill BrysonAdult NonfictionCall Number: 92-BRY(In Adult Nonfiction section)

Bill Bryson is basically interested in everything. In 2003’s A Short

History of Nearly Everything, he took on the entire universe andalmost everything in it. This time out, Bryson continues the jobby limiting himself to the ordinary things of life: paint, wallpaper,plumbing, lawnmowers, flatware, and dozens of other items, aswell as customs, styles, and traditions. These are grist for theBryson mill as he explains, in his humorous and insightful way,how these things became such integral parts of everyday life.

Often this historical journey of the familiar takes us back to theearliest days of societal development. A case in point is the devel-opment of the modern living room from the medieval times whenfamilies and all their farm animals inhabited the same one-roomhouse. Sheets and pillow cases originated from the need for pro-tection from insects predisposed to inhabiting our bedding.

Bryson is endlessly fascinated by the very mundane and has thewit and verve to make the very mundane endlessly fascinating tothe reader as well.

—John Brumley


88.7 FM Muscle Shoals • 100.7 FM Huntsvillewww.apr.org

News, classicalmusic and more


MOM & DAD’SMAKEOVER

BeforeRight: Before the makeover, the roomwas filled with a collection of hand-me-downs and leftover college furniture.“Our bedroom was the room where wethrew everything and closed the door,”said Kristy McKinney.

TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL


Jonathan and Kristy McKinney are thetypical young family. They have threesmall children (Jon Andrew, Hudson,and Ruthie), they are working hard intheir careers, and like many young fam-ilies, they spend most of their timerunning between job and family. Theywere able to purchase a beautiful brickhome in the Hickory Hills area, but dec-orating and keeping it perfect took aback seat to family time.

“That made them the perfect project forus,” said Christy Spearman of DriftwoodHome+Design. Working with ListerhillCredit Union, Driftwood chose theMcKinneys for a room makeover toprove a point: good design doesn’t haveto be expensive.

“We wanted to test a theory,” saidChristy. “We believe that it’s possible towork with furniture and accessories youalready have, to repurpose and reuse andcreate a fresh, new look. We decided totackle the McKinney’s master bedroom,to create a sanctuary where the parentscould retreat at the end of the day andfind some peace and quiet. And withListerhill’s help and advice, we wanted tosee if we could do it all on a limitedbudget!”

Before the makeover, the room was filledwith a collection of hand-me-downs andleftover college furniture, “a typicalyoung family’s décor,” said Christy. AndKristy McKinney agreed, saying that ofall of the rooms in the house, their bed-room was the last one they paidattention to. “It was more important thatthe kitchen, where the family gathers,and the living room, where companycomes, were in good shape,” she said.“Our bedroom was the room where wethrew everything and closed the door.”

The good news, for DriftwoodHome+Design, was that the curtains inthe master bedroom were beautiful andof good quality, so was the carpet. Therewere also a few furniture pieces in theroom that Christy wanted to repurpose.“Drapes and rods can be quite expen-sive,” she said, “so we were pleased thatthose were already taken care of.”

“I never expected to learn so much,” saidJonathan, who provided much of thelabor for the project. The first job was topaint a dresser in the room, which wasstained a dark brown; he painted it a

After!

Above: The result is even better than the McKinneys expected. “I absolutely love our newroom,” said Kristy, “and I can’t believe how calm and peaceful it is there. I sometimes canhardly wait for the end of the day, so I can go there to relax. We learned so much, and I’malready looking at other rooms in the house and thinking about which one to tackle next.”


creamy white, added new pulls, andcompletely changed the look. “Itwas in great shape,” he said, “and allit needed was updating. Who knewthat a couple of coats of paint andsome new pulls could make it lookso good?”

Kristy chose a soft blue-green colorfor the walls, and once againJonathan was pressed into service.“The color is soothing, and depend-ing upon the light can look softgreen or soft blue,” said Christy.“We added a comforter for a pop ofcolor, and topped it with a quiltKristy’s mother gave her as a Christ-mas present. A small area rugcovers up a stain in the white car-pet, and it’s washable in caseanything else gets dripped—andface it, with three kids, something’sgoing to drip!”

“The McKinneys were dream clients,”added Christy. “They did all of the

The armoire (above, left) provides necessary extra storage, and helps create the serene atmosphere the young couple desired. On a side table, a butterfly encased in a shadow box echoes the botanical theme in the room. The table’s lower shelf gives Jonathan, a voracious reader, a place to store his favorite books.

“We wanted to test a theory. We believe that it’spossible to work with furniture and accessoriesyou already have, to repurpose and reuse and cre-ate a fresh, new look. And we wanted to see if wecould do it all on a limited budget!” —Christy Spearman


Left: Four art pieces were created by Driftwood out of old calendar pages. Ordinary matting was transformed with a little burlap and spray adhesive.

accents& trims

wall color

existing draperies

duvet/shams& accents

upholsteredheadboard

Color

Palette

craft project—pages from a calendar!


painting and moving and were very handson. Kristy’s response to most everythingwe suggested was ‘let’s do it!’ and theywere just great about everything.”

A family friend gave the McKinneys anarmoire, and Jonathan built, stained, andinstalled shelves to make additional stor-age for linens. The armoire replacedsome open wicker shelves the familyoriginally had and allowed them to keepsheets and towels hidden from view. Aside table and second dresser, for eachside of the bed came from BellemeadeAntiques “and all we really had to do wastighten up the legs, dust it with Old Eng-lish, and put it in place,” said Christy.Because some of the original pieces inthe room had served as storage space,the second bedside dresser was needed,but its height makes it ideal as a table forKristy’s side of the bed.

The room already had a ceiling fan, butthe light beneath it was dated. Driftwood

found a barrel shade, which was an easyreplacement, and gave the fixture a mod-ern and contemporary look. “The fan kitto install the barrel shade was only $90,”said Christy. “It made a tremendous dif-ference in the look of the room!”

The McKinneys had always wanted a fab-ric headboard, and Christy found one at agreat price at Tuesday Morning. The colorcomplements the other pieces and helpstie the room together so that it lookslarger and more inviting than before.

The result is even better than the McK-inneys expected. “I absolutely love ournew room,” said Kristy, “and I can’t believehow calm and peaceful it is there. I some-times can hardly wait for the end of theday, so I can go there to relax. I also wouldnever have thought of some of the ideasthat Christy came up with. We learned somuch, and I’m already looking at otherrooms in the house and thinking aboutwhich one to tackle next.”

Driftwood Home+Design’s advice toyoung couples such as the McKinneys isto invest in furniture that will follow themas their family grows and as they moveinto different houses. “The dresser besidethe bed could someday be used as a side-board,” said Christy. “And the other sidetable would work in a den as a TV table.”Accessories, like lamps, pillows and art,can be inexpensive and can change asdesign trends change. Invest in furnitureinstead, even if that means going to thriftshops and antique stores; you can addsome elbow grease, a coat of paint orstain, and some new knobs, and you’llhave a piece your family will treasure.”

Christy also says that children’s art makesgreat wall décor. For the McKinneys,matching frames and mats surroundpages from a custom calendar, but theeffect is that of expensive original art.

“One of the things we learned was thevalue of an objective design source,” said

The McKinney family.Photo by Donna Berryhill


Kristy. “A designer can provide a roadmap and can help createa plan; it’s amazing how stuck you can get, and how much helpsomeone else can provide.” Designers can also create plans thatcan be added to over time, if budgets won’t allow the entireproject at once. “In the long run, I think it will save moneybecause we know what we want to achieve,” said Kristy. “AndI don’t think we would have ever thought about our ability torepurpose without some professional help.”

Driftwood’s “Design Bar” allows young couples to select theamount of help they need and can afford, whether that is con-sultation time or full-service design and installation.“Driftwood started by creating a design board for us,” saidKristy. “And the finished project looks just like the board. It’scomfortable, bright, and refreshing. It’s the perfect retreat.”

“It’s so perfect,” added Jonathan, “that it’s where the childrenwant to hang out, too. I think our next project will be theirrooms, so they have their own retreats!”

BudgetSide Table (Bellemeade Antique Mall): $75.00Chest of Drawers

(Bellemeade Antique Mall): $225.00Floral Tin: $6.95Mirror: $31.50Bins and Baskets: $90.30Duvet Cover and Shams: $69.99Sheet Set: $49.995’x7’ Rug: $79.99Bed Skirt: $26.59Lamp and Shade: $38.38Accessories: $49.31Bedside Lamps and Shades: $79.98Drum Shade Light Kit for Ceiling Fan: $107.45Upholstered Headboard: $299.95Pulls for the Dresser (Brass Hardware): $83.00Paint, Shelving, and Building Supplies: $242.00Armoire: DonatedFour Framed Calendar Prints:

A gift from Driftwood Home+Design

TOTAL (before sales tax): $1,555.38

64 » scene

Above: Friday’s Creue “Boardwalk Empire” SoireeMARCH 8, 2013 PICKETT PLACE

Below: St. Joseph 13th Annual Jaguar Ball & Mardi Gras Benefit Celebration

FEBRUARY 9, 2013 ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Ben and Sara Beth Alexander(Winners of Best DressedContest)

Leslie and Davis Graves, Will and Ashley Beadle, Amber and Britt Graves

Mary Lord, Benand Mindi Graves

Luke and Emily Brown

Chris and Laurie Tant

Rob Jones, Ben Alexander, and Josh Kennedy

Audrey Newton and Cade LeMay

Ernst Davis of The Midnighters

Richetta and Cedric Parker

Susan and Dan Girsch

Marcela Villagrana Guzman

Jenny Kennedy, Molly Hill, Sara Welch, and Lacy Casteel

Molly Hill and Chad Boughner (Runners Up)

Maria and Dale Dobbs

Chris and Laurie TantKathy and Bob Blanke



I’m Dr. Lee Nichols. As an orthopedic surgeon, I treat theentire musculoskeletal system. In addition to helping you with knees, hips, shoulders, and other bone and jointdisorders, I have a special interest in foot and ankle ailments, with over 20 years of experience treating variousproblems, including:

• bunions/hammertoes • fallen arches• heel pain • neuromas • ankle sprains

Your feet are your foundation. Let me help youkeep them healthy!

Dr. Lee Nichols, Shoals Orthopedics & Sports MedicineBoard Certified • American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society member426 West College Street, Florence • 203 West Avalon Avenue, Suite 230, Muscle Shoals

256-718-4041

NO’ALARENAISSANCE AWARDSA Renaissance Person: a present-day person who has acquired

profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field.

ARTS & CULTUREDavid Anderson

Mary Settle CooneyAlan FlowersBill Matthews

Audwin and Sandi McGeeRick Hall

Edsel HoldenJean Gay Musselman

Billy and Jeanne Reid (Winners, 2012)Kathryn Rice

Jean SchulmanRobin WadeMary White

(Winner, 2010, and Renaissance Person of the Year)Debbie Wilson

SERVICE & SPIRITUALITYElba Barnes

Paul and Anne BernauerDr. Carl Gebhardt

Dr. Felice GreenArneda Heath (Winner, 2010)

Robert and Sybil LaytonMegan Lovelace

The Master GardenersNancy MuseSandra StuttsBilly Warren

(Winner, 2012, and Renaissance Person of the Year)Josh and Ginger Willingham

* There is no limit on the amount of times a person, couple, or group can be nominated, but past winners are not eligible for nomination.

PAST RENAISSANCE AWARD NOMINEES* AND RECIPIENTS:

SCIENCEDr. Patrick Daugherty

Dr. Mary Leigh GillespieDonna Johnson (Winner, 2012)

Rhonda McGregorDr. Nolan Richards (Winner, 2010)

Dr. Amit RoyDr. Danl E. Spangler, Jr.

Dr. Rob Webb

EDUCATIONDr. Cynthia Burkhead (Winner, 2010)

Carolyn EckGene Gooch

Nicki GrahamBill Griffin

Dr. Dorothy C. HardyLaurie Mitchell

Dr. Randy Pettus (Winner, 2012)Rebecca RockhillDr. Janet Womack

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIPMax and Terri Akin

Joel AndersonTori Bailey

David D’AddarioFrancisco Guerra

Jackie HendrixCasey Jeffreys

Tommy and Marigail Mathis (Winners, 2010)Silka Miller

Todd OuelletteHarvey Robbins

Bud Ward (Winner, 2012)

Please make your nominations for the2014 No’Ala Renaissance Awards

Every two years, we ask our readers to tell us about the people in our area whoquietly work behind the scenes to make this an even better place to live.

We’re interested in the unsung heroes, the role models, and inspirational figureswho make a difference in your life and the life of our community. It’s time once

again to begin gathering our nominees for the 2014 award.

Our categories are: Science, Education, Service & Spirituality,Business & Leadership, and Arts & Culture.

We will convene a panel of prior award winners and nominees to help us choosethe five category winners, and from that group we’ll select

a Renaissance Person of the Year. These special people will be featured inour 2014 March/April issue.

Who inspires you? Who are your role models, your teachers,your mentors, and your inspiration?

Let us know by writing us and mailing your nominations to No’Ala Press,P.O. Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630;

or email your nominations to [email protected] us bring recognition to the unsung people

who make a difference in our lives.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

The No’Ala Renaissance Award trophy is a collaborative effort. It is made from recycled steel with a hardwood base and finished with a sterling silver charm.


You’re More Than Money.We’re More Than a Credit Union.

Listerhill Credit Union | listerhill.com | Insured by NCUA.

David & NatalieMembers Since 1994

70 » market » Roy Hall & Claire Stewart » Photos by Danny Mitchell

Holmby Table Lamp ($245)The French Basket

(256) 764-1237

Linking Trellis Double Vase ($125)Orange Squash Vase ($85)

The French Basket(256) 764-1237

White Eiffel Dining Chair ($210)Driftwood Home+Design

(256) 349-5981

Vintage Remixby Elizabeth Roehrig ($35)Driftwood Home+Design

(256) 349-5981

Chevron Stack Pillow ($75)Driftwood Home+Design

(256) 349-5981

What’s your style?


Wooden Finial ($625)The French Basket

(256) 764-1237

The Great American Houseby Gil Schafer III ($55)

Halsey House(256) 764-9294

Ceramic Chicken ($49)The Yellow Door(256) 766-6950

Ladies Lap Desk ($325)The Yellow Door(256) 766-6950

Cathedral Chandelier ($1,642)SBS Electric

(256) 764-8481

Deer Frame ($72)Halsey House

(256) 764-9294

Antique Prints ($225) eachHalsey House

(256) 764-9294

72 » market » Roy Hall & Claire Stewart » Photos by Danny Mitchell

Slate Picture Frame ($42.50)Halsey House

(256) 764-9294

Agate Block Bookends ($42)Firenze Gifts & Interiors

(256) 760-1963

Metal Plates ($18, $38)Firenze Gifts & Interiors

(256) 760-1963

American Modernby Thomas O’Brien ($50)

Driftwood Home+Design(256) 349-5981

Greek Key Table ($400)The French Basket

(256) 764-1237

This mirror hascrossover appeal!It has both a modernand a rustic vibe

Klein Wood Mirror ($249.99)David Christopher’s

(256) 383-2274

Haswell Vase ($69.99)David Christopher’s

(256) 383-2274

Bassethound painting ($189.99)David Christopher’s

(256) 383-2274

Casa Mia Fortunada(From $22 to $44 per piece)

The French Basket(256) 764-1237

Rustic Pig Lamp ($129.95)Southern Shades(256) 757-0045

Country Chicby Beatrix Kleuver ($50)

Halsey House(256) 764-9294

‘Deer Me’ Pillows ($225/pair)Halsey House

(256) 764-9294

Vintage Metal Drum ($350)Driftwood Home+Design

(256) 349-5981


Caged Light ($245)Driftwood Home+Design

(256) 349-5981


TEXT BY LAURA ANDERS LEEPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

WISE ALLOYS IS ONE OF THE LARGESTRECYCLERS OF ALUMINUM CANS INTHE COUNTRY. In fact, it uses 75 per-cent of recycled goods to produce newaluminum cans for clients around theglobe. So it’s no surprise that its new cor-porate offices were designed with thesame concept in mind: recycling andrepurposing.

Wise Metals Group Chairman and CEODavid D’Addario contacted localdesigner and French Basket owner PaigeThornton to renovate an old building atthe Muscle Shoals facility to use as hispersonal quarters and executive office.He wanted to unify the corporate officesunder one roof and provide an impressive meeting place for clients and potentialnew businesses. The timing proved perfect as the headquarters for Wise moved fromBaltimore to Muscle Shoals in 2011, just as the renovations were nearing completion.

David and Paige, along with Gene Clark, the director of contract maintenance serv-ices, scoured the plant for unique items to repurpose with a new twist, which notonly enhanced the design, it saved valuable resources and costs of procuring newmaterials. The result is a cool juxtaposition of old industry and modern innovation.An old furnace is now the base of a coffee table, a pipe flange now serves as the bath-room mirror, and metal scraps have been reborn as baseboards and a staircase. Andthe list goes on.

“I love nothing more than to bring a forgotten treasure back to life,” said Paige. “Westarted discovering things to layer the character and the years of history. David has

Facing page and above, right: Large works ofart signed by David D’Addario commandattention. Bright aluminum twists across theblack canvas in striking, contorted shapes.Above: A collage of 12 black-and-white pho-tos depicts different scenes throughout the100-acre plant’s rich history.

76 | No’Ala

“I love nothing more than to bring a forgotten treasure backto life. Each piece has its own unique story.” —Paige Thornton

REDESIGN

great taste in art and architecture and was instrumental throughout the entire renovation process. I love theway it all came together. Each piece has its own unique story.”

Walking up to the building, a quaint courtyard graces the entranceway, and light from expansive windowsfills the reception area inside. Turning the corner, a large work of art signed by David D’Addario com-mands attention. Bright aluminum twists across the black canvas in striking, contorted shapes.

“It’s what we call an uh-oh piece,” explained Gene. “Sometimes when you’re hauling hot molten metal incrucibles to the casting area, it splashes out and hits the road. Once it hits the pavement, it cools, makingthis formation.”

The result is a testament that art can indeed be found in the least expected places. David, with an eye forart, thought it would make a great statement piece.

Down the stairs is a kitchen featuring an aluminum table and chairs, repurposed from a Southern Recla-mation facility which closed more than a dozen years ago. Sleek appliances and the fabricated concrete


Facing page: Down the stairs from the reception area is a kitchen featuring an aluminum table and chairs, repurposedfrom a Southern Reclamation facility which closed more than a dozen years ago. Sleek appliances and the fabricatedconcrete countertops are softened by the farmhouse sink (also shown above). The backsplash is Alabama marble, whichwas also salvaged from the Southern Reclamation facility. Above, far right: A large hand-drawn map originally created in 1959 dominates one wall, and the reds in the painting are echoed in a bright red bench, also found in theSouthern Reclamation facility, which sits underneath.

REDESIGN


Facing page: D’Addario’s desk was made from old pipe joints. A large sliding metal door recovered from the Southern Reclamation facility leads to the bathroom. Above: A sitting area complete with a table (below, left) built from a salvagedsquirrel-cage furnace faces the bookshelf, which is filled with David’s art collection. Below: More repurposed Alabama marble was used on the floor and walls, creating the perfect backdrop for the unique shower head, which was found at theold chemical laboratory on site, and the mirror, which was made from an old pipe flange.


“I couldn’t be prouder of the new offices and the headquartersbeing here. It’s a great place to showcase to our clients, withthe design, repurposing, and technology.” —Gene Clark

REDESIGN


countertops are softened by the farmhouse sink. A collage of 12 black-and-white photos depicts differentscenes throughout the 100-acre plant. Starbright metal, which was once produced by Wise Alloys for truckbeds, was used as a design element on the corners. The backsplash is Alabama marble, which was sal-vaged from the Southern Reclamation facility along with most of the light fixtures. During the renovation,Paige discovered mushroom joints in the corner of the room that she left exposed. She also left the ele-ments of the ceiling exposed and painted the tiles, pipes, and wires a sleek Iron Mountain gray.

Rounding the corner is a reception area. A large hand-drawn map originally created in 1959 dominates onewall, and the reds in the painting are echoed in a bright red bench, also found in the Southern Reclama-tion facility, which sits underneath. A nook on the opposite wall was formed by wrapping a concrete

The conference room was created with client presentations in mind. Local artist Lucas Stokes made the cylinder base of thetable from milled steel. Data ports provide convenient access for loading presentations, and the room’s state-of-the-art AMXsystem offers full audio and video capability.


REDESIGN

On the opposite sideof the building is awing for seven exec-utives. The officesare contemporaryand fashionable, yetefficient—theirlarge windows haveautomatic shadesthat create privacywithin seconds.


Project Partners

Alabama PaintingCates & Puckett

Construction Co.Ceramic Harmony

(Custom Tile Interior and Exterior)

Coldwater LandscapesDell HobbsDesigner Window

Fashions (Traci Marcu)DMA ConstructionEngineers of the SouthFraming by BonnieFrederickson’s

AppliancesFurnace Hill Millworks

(Custom Cabinetry)Hendrix Glass ServiceJ.K. Terry and CompanyLucas Stokes

(Metal Design)Mainline ServicesMike O’Steen

ContractorsMitchell Industrial

ContractorsPaige Thornton

(The French Basket)Parkes Mechanical

& MetalsPhilip Gamble

(Building Designer)SBS Electric Shoals ElectricSouthern Pipe

(Plumbing Fixtures)Turner Construction

REDESIGN


countertop around another exposed mushroom support, cre-ating the perfect space for visiting clients to catch up on e-mail.

The conference room was created with client presentations inmind. Local artist Lucas Stokes made the cylinder base of thetable from mild steel, along with planters and coat racks that canbe found throughout the building. Data ports provide convenientaccess for loading presentations, and the room’s state-of-the-artAMX system offers full audio and video capability.

Next door is David’s office, with the centerpiece being his desk,which was made from old pipe joints. A sitting area completewith a coffee table built from a salvaged squirrel-cage furnacefaces the bookshelf, which is filled with David’s art collection.A large sliding metal door recovered from the Southern Recla-mation facility leads to the bathroom. More repurposedAlabama marble was used on the floor and walls, creating theperfect backdrop for the unique shower head, which was foundat the old chemical laboratory on site, and the mirror, whichwas made from an old pipe flange.

On the opposite side of the building is a wing for seven exec-utives, complete with offices and a kitchen. The offices arecontemporary and fashionable, yet efficient—their large win-dows have automatic shades that create privacy withinseconds.

“I couldn’t have done it without David, Gene, and our manypartners,” said Paige. “It was a huge project and required many,many hands. Patience is your best friend on a renovation. Younever know what surprise is hidden behind a 72-year-old wall.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the new offices and the headquartersbeing here,” added Gene. “It’s a great place to showcase to ourclients, with the design, repurposing, and technology.”

The renovated corporate office certainly is a showpiece for thenew head-quarters and a fitting home for one of NorthAlabama’s largest manufacturers.

A large conference room and adjacent kitchen anchor the offices onthe north side of the building. The galley kitchen is accessible fromboth the hallway and from a clever pair of rolling walls (left) in theconference room. More graphic black and white images (above, left)decorate the conference room.

86 » scene

Jan Barney

Pat Shoemaker, Mary Armstrong, Betty Champion, and Linda Campbell

Donald Wilson andRandy Pettus

Dana Aldridge

Anne Bevis

Sheila Quinn and Nansue Cowan

Steve and Sheila Pierce

Shannon and Shane BakerSalina Miller and Phillip Barber

Cody and Raquel Ward, Jason and Jerica Wood,Chad McElroy and Kristin Kachermeyer

Tony and Natalie Faggioni

PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

Bethany Oliver, Melissa DanielBain, and Lyndsie McClure

Robbie Burdine and Katy SummyMorgan Berry, Laura Berry, John Lawton,

Gwen Lawton, Ian Berry and Elizabeth Berry

Brantley Holt

Erin McGahey, Joy McCaughlinand Lily Rausch

Above: The Salvation Army’s Empty Bowl LuncheonAPRIL 3, 2013 MARRIOTT SHOALS CONFERENCE CENTER

Below: Heart BallFEBRUARY 9, 2013 MARRIOTT SHOALS

CONFERENCE CENTER


ON THE BIG SCREEN

Muscle Shoals the movie continues to gain accolades andsuccess. Magnolia Pictures, of the Dallas Mavericks’ MarkCuban, has acquired the film’srights, and Independent Lensfor PBS has acquired the TVrights. The film about FAMERecording Studios and MuscleShoals Sound Studios pre-miered at the Sundance FilmFestival and has been screenedat the George S. Lindsey FilmFestival in Florence and Southby Southwest in Austin. Thedocumentary was produced byStephen Badger and directedby Freddy Camalier.

MOVIN’ ON UP

Florence-based company Senators Coaches, Inc., one of theworld’s premier luxury bus providers, has promoted JohnAikin to executive vice president. Serving the company for

more than 30 years, John willexpand upon his role as vicepresident of leasing to cultivatenew business and design tourbuses for a roster of A-list clientsin the entertainment industry.John’s love for music and hisbackground as a guitar anddrum technician, sound engi-neer, coach driver, and assistanttour manager has prepared himfor his role today. Senators

Coaches has been named “Coach Company of the Year” forthe past six years by Performance and Tour Guide magazines.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

The Salvation Army Shoals is investing $1.5 million in a newCenter of Hope on Huntsville Road in Florence to serve morearea families in need. Improvements include construction of amen’s shelter, office, and storage shed and renovation of a fam-

We’re pleased to introduce No’Ala’s newest column to give our pats on theback and attaboys to our deserving readers. If you want to share somegood news about a friend, neighbor, or colleague—or even toot your ownhorn—feel free to pass it along to [email protected].

ily apartment and the women’s shelter. The Center for Hope isthe only homeless shelter in the three-county area.

GIVING CREDITWHERE IT’S DUE

Listerhill Credit Union’s market-ing manager Kristen Mashburnreceived a Trailblazer Award forMarketing Executive of the Yearfrom the Credit Union Timesmagazine. She received the pres-tigious national award at theCredit Union National Associa-

tion’s Governmental Affairs Conference held in February inWashington, D.C. With $202 million in assets and 18 branches,Listerhill is among the top 10 credit unions in the state.

PACESETTER

Terry Pace has been named asthe interim director of universitycommunications and marketingat UNA. Terry teaches Englishliterature and composition andfilm history/film appreciationwhere students no-doubt learn agreat deal from his real-life expe-riences as writer, director, actor,producer, and music historian.

YOU CAN CURE STUPID

Local author Juanica Baugh haspublished a self-help book entitledStupid Girl…Memoirs of aWoman. Her book helps readersmake better decisions by givinghumorous examples of real-lifewomen who were STUPID: Self-ish, Thoughtless, Unmoldable,Prideful, Ignorant, and Dumb.Available at amazon.com or towercom.

John Aikin

Kristen Mashburn

Terry Pace

Laura Anders Lee

88 »

A Benefit ForRiverhill School

Five of the most spectacular homes inthe Shoals, open for two days only.

May 18 & 19, 2013www.riverhilltour.com

Presented by

Saturday, May 4, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.Norton Auditorium

The Shoals Symphony presents Karl Orff’s

Carmina Buranawith special guests Florence Camerata

and UNA Collegiate Singers

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 • 7:30 p.m.First Presbyterian Church, Florence

America SingsPart of the W.C. Handy Music Festival

www.florencecamerata.com

Florence Camerata


It’s a nook or a cranny. A corner, a hallway, or featuredwall. We’ve asked our readersand designer friends to picksome little spaces and tinyplaces that pack a lot of punchfor their paltry parcel. Maybesome of these gems will inspireyou to take a small space andturn it into something special!

TEXT BY DAVID SIMSPHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELLAND PATRICK HOOD

Facing page: University ofNorth Alabama geographyprofessor Michael Pretesknows a thing or two aboutspecial spaces. It’s evidentfrom the hundreds of specialmementos he’s collectedfrom his many trips aroundthe world. In the cozy officeof his Florence home nearthe college, the space may belimiting, but the objectsfound within seem to trans-port one across the globe.

Above: Designer Jenny Hill-Hall transformed LeslieHoward’s powder room intoa jewel box of a space with akiwifruit-hued wallpaperand bold metallic print. It’s the perfect shimmeringwelcome that a small bath-room needs.

© PAT

RICK

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The small kitchen ofChuck and MichelleHyde was once thedining room in their1889 home on his-toric north WalnutStreet in Florence.Kitchen designerBarbara Cook (whois actually the great-great-granddaughterof the original ownerand builder, WilliamPrice) created a spacethat took advantageof the home’s tallceilings and theowner’s love ofpreservation. Theoriginal fireplace waspreserved to formthe backdrop for therange—even old tileswere carefully priedfrom their place tocreate an art piecewhich is displayed inthe space above. Anantique banister wassalvaged fromanother section ofthe house to form asupport for an oldscale, a favoritepiece. Careful spaceplanning made wayfor a bookcase whichkeeps Michelle’sfavorite cookbooksclose at hand. Right:Hyde purchased anold chest which wastransformed into acharming kitchenisland that Barbarathen antiqued. Tilesthat normally gracethe ceilings of olderhomes were used as awarming backsplashthroughout thekitchen.

SPECIALLITTLESPACES

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Facing page:Designer Amy Darbytook the corner ofher kitchen and cre-ated the perfectspace for relaxingwith a cup of coffeeor glass of wine orjust waiting while thecakes are baking. Shehas filled the spacewith cookbooks,extra serving pieces,and framed artworkby her two boys.Right: DesignerSusan Trousdale’sentry is the perfectwelcome to her Flo-rence home. Thediminutive desk pro-vides a place to stowcar keys, and aspace-saving uphol-stered stool createsthe perfect spot to tieyour shoes before amorning run.

SPECIALLITTLESPACES

© PAT

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SPECIALLITTLESPACES

© D

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Facing page: WhenBobby Marlar pur-chased this antiquesideboard at auction, he and partner GeneBouie thought itwould make the per-fect bar for thehallway of their Victorian Florencehome. Shortly thereafter, Gene pur-chased an antiqueportrait of a Catholiccardinal. “Wedecided that he couldbless the bar,” saidGene. That began alifetime of collectingreligious statuary,artifacts and paint-ings, many of formerpopes and cardinals.The result is a hall-way that is bothplayful and pious.

Left: Marilyn andDick Hall’s renovatedattic includes aningeniously placedreading nook—a per-fect play space fortheir grandchildren.

© PAT

RICK

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100 » the vine » Amy Collins

I RECENTLY ATTENDED THE ANNUAL BIRMINGHAM PINOT CAMP, a collabora-tion of Alabama distributors to bring together all represented Oregon producers inour state for a single trade and consumer wine tasting and to celebrate the noble PinotNoir grape. Oregon’s wine growing history is relatively young, and from the start, theindustry has worked together to promote the region as one brand: Oregon Wine.

Oregon wine made its first impression on me in exactly that vein. I was selling winefor Daniel Johnnes in New York a few years ago when the five Oregon producers werepresented came to town for “work withs”—an industry term for taking a wine-maker or winery representative around to meet your customers, in effort to sell theirrespective wines. Winemakers do not typically travel in packs, but this group flewtogether from Oregon, and we dragged them up and down Manhattan, introducingthem as the Oregon Guys, while each took his turn with the customer’s attention.The crew included some of the most accomplished winemakers from the WillametteValley, including Eric Lemelson, Josh Bergström, Eric Hamacher, and Adam Camp-bell of Elk Cove, which made it that much easier to fall in love with Oregon. Theguys were shy, outgoing, loud, and soft spoken. They were fun to be with and pas-sionate about their wines. And the wines were well crafted, impressive, andintoxicating (on several levels). Individuals and independent thinkers, their collec-tive effort and their willingness to share the spotlight spoke volumes about theOregon wine business. After that week, Oregon wine has forever been near the topof my drinking list.

From a purely humanistic stance, it’s hard not to like a region-wide movement tosupport one another in business. Oregon is the smallest wine-growing region in thePacific Northwest, shadowed by both Washington and Northern California.Willamette Valley producers host an annual Pinot Camp of their own—the original,actually—entertaining, educating, and indoctrinating a slew of wine trade peoplefor a long, spirited weekend every July. It’s the sort of camaraderie many of us in theShoals talk about achieving, bridging the four towns to promote and celebrate the lifewe love here.

And then there’s the dedication to environmental protection. Many Oregon vine-yards and wines are LIVE certified. LIVE is an acronym for Low Input Viticultureand Enology (grape growing and winemaking). Of course not everyone obtains thecertification, and not everyone places such concerns as a priority, but there’s enough

“Oregon is on the same latitude as Burgundy, the French regionfamous for making the world’s best Pinot Noir.”

Oregon Pinot Noir

Below: TheWillamette Valley—the heart ofOregon’s wine-making industry

Beginner’s Sipper (under $20)Elk Cove Rosé 2012—100% Pinot Noir grape, totally dry,with ripe, bright strawberry fruit and excellent acidity.

Knows Just Enough to Make Trouble ($20-$35)Mouton Noir O.P.P.—New York based winemaker AndréMack travels to Oregon to make his garage wines. OtherPeople’s Pinot embodies his easy persona and sense ofhumor. Goes with everything, always fun.

High Roller’s Cuveé ($50+)Chehalem Estate ‘Stoller Vineyard’ 2010—elegant andsubtly nuanced with excellent acidity, hints of darkchocolate, cherry, and pure Pinot expression from a sin-gle vineyard harvest.


Follow Amy at www.pigandvine.com for more stories and wine suggestions.

of a presence to promise everyone is at least conscious of stepsthat can be taken to treat their vineyards kindly.

Finally, there are the wines. Oregon is on the same latitude asBurgundy, the French region famous for making the world’sbest Pinot Noir. Summers are generally cooler and wetter thanin Washington and California, making it an ideal area to growthe thin skinned, rot-prone grape.

Pinot Noir is king here. You can find the oaky, extracted—though rarely as extracted as you’ll find in California—PinotNoir, to the completely Natural, meaning nothing was added,nothing taken away, with a dedication to producing wine thatexpresses purity and place (terroir).

Willamette Valley (pronounced with a hard “a”) is the largestarea with several sub-regions, like the Dundee Hills, knownfor its rich red soil, McMinnville, known for its sedimentary,dry soil that produces more powerful wines, and the ChehalemMountains with less soil that produce Pinots with brighterfruit and earthy qualities. South of Portland is another hand-ful of grape-growing areas with unique soil and climatecombinations, each producing wines that reflect, in the bestexamples, the place from which they come.

Oregon produces great whites as well. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris,Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer are good varietalsfor the region, some dry, some a little sweet, so you have to askor be willing to find out for yourself. Excellent dry Rosé winemade from Pinot Noir is easy to find, a good value and highlyrecommended for patio sipping.

The beauty of Oregon Pinot Noir, if I haven’t made a case for italready, is the versatility of the wines. Pinot Noir generally pro-duces lighter wines with elegance and soft, bright fruit. Eventhe most powerful cuvées will likely not overpower your palate.The grape lends itself to easy paring, from salmon to roastchicken and pork to burgers, pizza and a variety of pasta. PinotNoir may just be the perfect grape, and it’s certainly a safe betfor dinner parties where you don’t know what will be served.

www.flytheshoals.com

Modern Travel - Old Fashioned Service

Where would you like to go?Wherever you’re traveling, Silver Airways and the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport can getyou there. From business trips to vacations, anywhere in the world there is air service — your

travels begin at the airport right here at home. Fly the Shoals - you can get anywhere from here!

European-style Country EstateBuilt in 2010, this 11,000 square foot country estate sits on 208 acres in the rolling hills just north of Florence, Alabama. Attention has been paid to every detail, from the custom copper roofs and downspouts to the nine bedrooms, seven full baths and three powder rooms.

Gourmet kitchen featuring a Wolf range and Sub-Zero refrigerator

For an appointment call listing agent Anne Bernauer or Quint Langstaff at (256) 740-0706.

More details at alabamacountryestate.com

W E L C O M E

COUNTRY ESTATEalabamacountryestate.com

104 » food for thought » Sarah Gaede

MY GRANNY, BORN IN THE 1880S, WAS OF A GENERATION THAT MEMORIZEDVOLUMES OF VERSE. During our annual summer visit, she would recite bygonestanzas for our entertainment. One of our favorites was “Little Orphan Annie” byJames Whitcomb Riley, a cautionary tale for naughty children which introduced usto the blood-chilling phrase “The goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!” Grannyalso favored “The Children’s Hour” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (did all poetsgo by all three names back then?) which was more sappy than spine-tingling. Thefirst verse emerged from the depths of my brain asI was thinking about what to write this month:

Between the dark and the daylight,When the night is beginning to lower,Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,That is known as the Children’s Hour.

Simply substitute “the Cocktail Hour” for “the Chil-dren’s Hour”, and you have the theme of this column.There is something pleasantly ritualistic about mark-ing the end of the day with a celebratory drink, beforetransitioning into dinner preparations and eveningactivities. Long summer evenings in particular providea perfect opportunity to sit on the porch and catch upwith family or friends over a refreshing beverage.

I first succumbed to the lure of the cocktail hour when Iwas living in historic downtown Savannah. My friendBrenda and I would come home from Jazzercise, grab abeer and a bag of Cheetos, plop down in our sweaty exer-cise togs on the wide front steps of our vaguelyRomanesque apartment building, and chat with the neigh-bors. We especially enjoyed waving at the tour buses drivingby—local color, don’t you know?

A summer libation, especially if drunk outside, should belight and refreshing, and not too heavy on the hooch, if any.It can be as simple as a frosty glass of iced tea or sparklingwater and lime, served in a pretty glass. A left-over half bottleof white wine can be rescued with club soda and lime. My newfavorite, which I think might be the most sublime aperitif I have

The Cocktail Hour


ever imbibed, is the Lillet Rosé reverse martini. I’m also enjoy-ing drinks made with St-Germain, an elderflower liqueur. Asplash in a glass of white wine, still or sparkling, makes a lovelywhite Kir or Kir Royale.

Along with drinks, it’s nice to serve a little nosh—somethingthat’s always on hand, easy to prepare, and of some nutritionalvalue. You can’t go wrong with a wedge of brie or Saint Andréwith a warm baguette or crackers and some green grapes orsweet cherries on the side. A three-ounce log of our own Ala-bama goat cheese, Belle Chevre, can be spread with pepperjelly or fig preserves and served on crackers. Publix sellsyummy pâtés and terrines that keep for weeks in the refriger-ator unopened. When melon is in season, wrap chunks withthinly-sliced prosciutto. And don’t forget the simple allure ofwell-roasted and seasoned nuts, especially Marcona almonds,which are addictively delicious and good for you. You canorder them from nuts.com.

Lillet Rosé Reverse Martini

• 4 parts Lillet rosé• 1 part Hendrix gin• 2 shakes orange bitters—order Fee brand

from amazon.com

Shake with ice and strain, or pour over ice, and garnishwith a twist of grapefruit peel or a wedge of lime.

For one drink, I use 2 ounces of Lillet and 1/2 ounceHendrix. For a crowd, pour 250 ml of Lillet from a 750ml bottle into another container, and add 250 ml Hen-drix gin to the bottle. Refrigerate and pour as needed.Add bitters to each glass before serving. I have visionsof taking a swig from a bottle of this elixir every time Ipass the refrigerator, but that would be so wrong.

St-Germain Sangria Flora

• 3/4 cup St-Germain• 3 cups Sauvignon Blanc• Fresh fruit in season—diced peaches,

sliced strawberries and white grapes, raspberries

Place ingredients in a carafe; let sit for at least 15 minutes. Can be made in advance and refrigerated.Serve over ice.

106 » sceneJohn and Joan Lane

Janet and Keith Womack, Wiley Barnard

Leslie Pigg and Suzanne Nester

Denise Hill: Keeper of the Gong

Leslie and Russell Pigg

Tina Neill, Jesika Cartony, and Brittany Hart

Andy and Nikki Mann

Lynn Ridgeway stands to bid

Juanita Sheffield, Connie Gilley, Jan Stone, and Anne BehelPhillip Abernathy

Mickey McClure, Bill and Leslie Howard

Jessica and Roderick Sheppard; Cedric and Richetta Parker

Lynn and Missy Ridgeway

Harlan School staff

Chinese Auction to Benefit the Florence City Schools FoundationAPRIL 21, 2013 MARRIOTT SHOALS CONFERENCE CENTER

Lynne and David Beattie,and Dawn Beasley



A home away from home If you need rehab services, we know that you want to get homeas fast as you can. As a premiere provider of healthcare services inthe Shoals for over 35 years, Glenwood Healthcare is totally focused on your care. Our goal is to work with you so that youcan be home as fast as possible. And, if you are ready for a newhome, one that provides additional attention and care, we canhelp with that too — with assisted living and long-term care. At Glenwood Healthcare, we know the importance of home.

Rehab • Assisted Living • Long-Term Care___________________________________211 Ana Drive, Florence, AL 35630

256-766-8963 • www.glenwoodhc.com

Kaitlin

“My kitchen.It always seems like thewarmest place in myhome and it is where

my whole family meetsand hangs out.”

—Kaitlin Chappell

Melissa

“My front porch.I love to have

front porch partieswhen it is nice outside.”

—Melissa Daniel Bain

108 » back talk » Claire Stewart

What is your favorite space in your home?

Jonathan

“Her front porch ismy favorite place too.

Also my backyard.It is a fun place to

hang out.”—Jonathan Oliphant

Gary

“I feel like the livingroom is the best part of

my home. That iswhere life happens.”

—Gary Sparks

Bret

“I like to hang out inthe study of our home.It’s an eclectic little

room unlike any otherpart of the house.”

—Bret Whiteside

Chris

“I love playing inmy son’s room.

That’s where all thebest memories

are made.”—Chris Anderson

Chelsey

“My bedroom.It is the only place thatis completely my own

space. It’s nice to gothere and relax.”

—Chelsey Flurry

Phillip

“My bedroom becauseit is my own space andit is my favorite place

to sleep!”—Phillip Beckloff


Becky

“My living room. It is the best place tohang out with friends

and family.”—Becky Bryant

Kevin

“Strangely enoughI really love our guestbedroom.We have a

huge bookcase full ofbooks and a comfy spot

to read them.”—Kevin Creasy

Grace

“Being in the kitchenis a huge de-stresser.

After a bad dayor a hard day, I could

cook for hours.”—Grace Oaks

110 » back talk » What is your favorite space in your home?

All respondents were interviewed atRivertown Coffee Co. in Florence.

James

“My home is one big room,so I would say that one.

It’s an old dancestudio, so there are hugemirrors on the walls…it can be creepy at times.”

—James Thigpen

Shane

“I love my sunroom.It has a wall of huge

windows that I can lookout into the woods.

I love looking atthe animals and the

landscape.”—Shane Baker

Rob

“I love playingwith my two yearold in his room.”

—Rob McFarlane

Rachel

“I love my screened-inporch. I love to sit outthere and get a greatview of the water.”

—Rachel Mitchener

112 » bless their hearts » Jeffrey R. Bibbee

WHEN YOU LIVE ABROAD, YOU QUICKLY LEARN SOME TRICKS ABOUT TRAV-ELING BACK HOME. NEVER FLY HOME ON A SUNDAY. Chick-fil-A is closed.Regardless of the time of year, it will always feel more humid than any place you justleft. The very first “Welcome home, y’all!” will bring the biggest smile to your faceeven if it is from the grumpiest customs agent. The elation of being back amongstyour people is overwhelming—hugs and kisses, pieces of pie, and the familiar sightsand smells of home. Then the questions begin.

“Have you put on weight?”

“Did you get to meet the Queen?” (This question seems only appropriate if you havebeen to a country with a monarchy but really can be asked if you have been in the

rough direction of Europe.)

“Where did you ever buy those pants? They are so European.”

While in no particular order, these are the typical questions. Butthere is one question that always comes towards the end of the firstinterrogation. “Why do you sound different?”

This last one is always the most difficult to understand, as you neversound strange to yourself. More than any other question though, itseems to cut as it strikes right at the heart of your own culturalidentity.

I was not born in the South, but I was raised in the South. I considermyself a Southerner from my effortless “y’all” to my unapologetic“War Eagle!” The South will always be home. But…what happenswhen you leave home? Good barbecue is not to be found anywhere;you learn to do without Golden Flake potato chips, and even to callthem crisps without thinking. You miss a number of birthdays,

Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July celebrations, and family events. Missing such occa-sions is difficult but made special by the apple pie or green bean casserole you makein your small efficiency kitchen for a few expats who will appreciate them. But themost disturbing thing about leaving the South was that I lost some of my Southernaccent and my Southern expressions. They would quickly return after a week backin the South or after watching Steel Magnolias, a gag gift DVD from a fellow expatwho wanted to know if people really talked like that down there, but they were harderto locate each and every time I was away. Was I losing my “Southernness?”

John Shelton Reed, the renowned sociologist, historian, and essayist on Southernculture, presented a lecture series at the Rothemere Institute at the University ofOxford titled “What’s Southern about the American South?” Reed’s thesis was thatthe South is more a nation today than in 1860 when we experimented unsuccessfully

Southern Nation

“I WAS NOT BORN IN THE SOUTH, BUT I WAS RAISED IN THE SOUTH. I CON-SIDER MYSELF A SOUTHERNER FROM MY EFFORTLESS ‘Y’ALL’ TO MYUNAPOLOGETIC ‘WAR EAGLE!’ THE SOUTH WILL ALWAYS BE HOME.”

Jeffrey Bibbee atOxford (not Missis-sippi—the otherone)


with that notion. We have a national capital in Atlanta, anational airline with Delta, financial institutions, pastimes, andeven a national media source in Southern Living.

Listening to Professor Reed wax eloquently about the intrica-cies of Southern culture, its development and future, I was leftto ponder the hallmarks of such estimable institutions asNASCAR, the hazards of wearing white after Labor Day, andthe perennial debates about white sauce versus red sauce. I wasstruck also by this idea of the loss of Southernness. The ratheracademic crowd (it was, after all, Oxford) peppered Reed withquestions about the complexities of racial tensions in 1960sBirmingham vis-à-vis Atlanta, the rise of the Republican Partyin the South, and the anomaly of Condoleeza Rice, and theSouth’s increasing dominance in the non-unionized autoindustry. I finally got up the nerve to raise my hand.

“Professor, can you lose your Southern identity after movingaway from the Southern U.S.?” I said in my more nationalnewscaster-esque than Southern accent.

From the back of the room a sweet, soft Southern voice asked,“Where were you born?” I responded, “Ma’am? Oklahoma(Army brat), but I was raised in Decatur, Alabama.”

With a big smile she asked, “Do you know Big Bob Gibson’sBBQ?”

“Of course,” I responded.

In Decatur you are either Big Bob’s or Whitt’s people.

“Do you know the McLemore’s?”

“Yes, I do…my sister went to school with their daughters.”

She then exclaimed, “They have the best sauce, I would do any-thing to get a bottle of their white sauce.”

“I have an extra bottle at my flat, I will happily share it.”

From the front of the lecture hall, now no longer beingwatched by the crowd who had craned their necks to watchthe near family reunion unfold in the back row, Professor Reedpronounced, “No you can’t; you are still definitely a South-erner. Next question.”

Jeffrey R. Bibbee, while not a native of Alabama, is a self-pro-claimed Southerner, an associate professor of history at UNAand the director of the UNA Centre for British Studies. Bibbeealso leads study abroad trips to London along with fellow UNAcolleague, Lesley Peterson, Ph.D.

114 » parting shot » Danny Mitchell

“The Light Through My Window”


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The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is variable and is the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 70% of the 10 largest U.S. banks known asthe Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime Rate and is published in the Wall Street Journal (the "Index"), plus a margin. The Index as of the last changedate of December 17, 2008 is 3.25%. As of April 10, 2013, the current margin for lines of credit of $10,000 to $250,000 secured by owner-occupiedproperties with 90% combined loan-to-value is 1.00% resulting in a corresponding variable APR of 4.25%. APR includes a 0.75% discount for au-tomatic debit of payment from a First Southern checking account. If automatic debit from a First Southern checking account is not selected or iscancelled after the account is opened, the home equity APR will increase by 0.75%. Discounts cannot result in a home equity APR below floorrate of 4.25%. Minimum APR is 4.25%; maximum APR is 18%. APR does not include closing costs. When bank pays closing costs and initialdraw requirement or outstanding balance requirement is not met, customer agrees to reimburse bank for fees paid to others on their behalf. ThisAccount has a Draw Period of 15 years. Hazard and, if applicable, flood insurance required. Approval subject to credit underwriting guidelines.Ask your First Southern Banker for details.

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from a First Southern account, the rate is a variable rate of Prime + 1.00%. (This rate is currently 4.25% APR)

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Unlock your home’s potential with aFirst Southern Equity Line. Ask your

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Three convenient locations to serve you:

869 Florence Blvd.Florence, AL 35630

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256-386-5220

2602 Hough Rd.Florence, AL 35630

256-740-5515

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No'Ala Shoals May/June 2013

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