July South Alabama Living

SUMMER 2011

BILLY JOE’S SECRETS TO GREAT BBQ

let’s hear it for fancy

CHICKENCOOPS

explore this

PINKPRINCESS

PLAYHOUSE

a beautifully vintage

SOUTHERNWEDDING

July South Alabama LivingFINAL:2006FYIINSIDEPAGES 7/26/11 5:21 PM Page 1

NEWHEIGHTS

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south alabama living 3

C C CCOLORE TAL AN ER DEVELOPS WITH FEW, IF ANY, SYMPTOMSKNOW THE FACTS

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4 south alabama living


contents summer 2011

EDITORIALMichele Gerlach

Editor

Stephanie Nelson

Kendra Bolling

Bob Brooks

ADVERTISINGRuck Ashworth

Marketing director

Jill PrevettMarketing consultant

Jason KillingsworthMarketing consultant

PRODUCTIONErin Johnson

Graphic Designer

PHOTOGRAPHYRobert Evers,

Robert Evers Productionswww.robertevers.smugmug.com

Catherine Wofford

Wedding photography courtesy ofMoseley Studios

Elba, Ala.www.moseleystudios.com

South Alabama Living is published fourtimes per year by Andalusia

Newspapers, Inc.PO Box 430

Andalusia, AL 36420www.andalusiastarnews.com

(334) 222-2402

Advertising rates and information available uponrequest. Subscriptions are $16 annually. Pleasemake checks payable to Andalusia Newspapers,

Inc., PO Box 430, Andalusia, AL 36420

5K to support Ballet, Page 8Pilot governor promotes helpinghands, Page 3

art show, Page 16ain’t no secrets, Page 39

princess playhouse, Page22

rustic southern vintagewedding, Page 19

Bob Brooks once mentioned to me that heintended to write a book about characters he’dknown. As it’s a goal we share, the notion stuckwith me.

So when we prepared to launch SouthAlabama Living a year ago, I reminded him ofthe conversation.

“Why don’t you just write about one for eachedition?” I asked.

In his most agreeable way, “Uncle Bob” saidhe’d do it.

In this edition, Bob writes about a man he knew in hisyouth who had an extra chromosome. Because he hadsomething extra, Bob suggests, the man had more togive.

This edition of South Alabama Living has a number ofstories about people who have more to give. Benny JoSasser is giving to the greater civic community in her roleas Pilot governor. Nancy Hammett has given a lifetime tothe program everyone older than 25 will always know as“Junior Miss.”

Billy Joe Stallworth has given lots of time to raisingmoney for worthy causes with his mouth-watering BBQ.He swears he has no secrets, but talked to us about histheories of good food.

And a wonderful organization gave a little girl in ourcommunity a dream come true.

Speaking of “Uncle Bob,” have you visited with himlately? He recently became a grandfather. Having littleMorgan Patrick must be like Christmas, for Bob’s beenflying Christmas flags at the hardware practically sincethe day the youngster was born.

Whatever it is you’re celebrating this summer, enjoy!

Welcome


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For more informationcall Melissa Gantt at (334)-222-2561.

July South Alabama LivingFINAL:2006FYIINSIDEPAGES 7/27/11 10:03 AM Page 6


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regional events

08/4-08/09 - World SeriesThe City of Andalusia will host the 12U BabeRuth World Series Softball Tournament at theAndalusia Sports Complex.

08/11 - Mizell Memorial HospitalFoundation GalaOpp’s First Baptist Church fellowship hall, 6p.m. Prime rib dinner and entertainment bycomedian and ventriloquist Taylor Mason.Tickets are $50.

08/12 - Hall of Fame BanquetAndalusia High School and the QuarterbackClub will induct four former players and the1947 football team during its second annualHall of Fame banquet and induction ceremo-ny, set for 6:30 p.m. in the girls’ volleyballgymnasium at Andalusia High School. Doorsopen at 5:30 p.m., and former AuburnUniversity place kicker John S. Riley will bethe keynote speaker. Tickets are $25.Contact the Chamber of Commerce.

08/13 - Andalusia Ballet 5K Run/WalkThe 5K Run will be a timed, competitiverace, while the 5K Walk will be an untimed,non-competitive fitness event. All registeredparticipants will receive a T-shirt and winnerswill be awarded medals. The run and walkwill begin and end at the historic ChurchStreet School. Call Andalusia Ballet at 222-6620 or visit www.andalusiaballet.com.

08/13 - Andalusia Ballet Auction BenefitDinnerHeld at Andalusia Country Club. The themefor this year’s benefit is Cabaret. Students ofthe Andalusia Ballet Academy will perform,as well as mezzo-soprano Lyndsey Hand ofPaxton, Fla. Many fine items will be auc-tioned including fine jewelry, a Nick Sabanautographed football, large portrait by VickiPopwell, and one-week vacation at SweetHarmony Beach House, Navarre, Fla., are justa few of the many wonderful items. 6 p.m.

08/26 - Chamber of Commerce Golf ClassicThe annual Andalusia Area Chamber ofCommerce golf classic and three-manscramble at the Andalusia Country Club. Formore info, call 222-2030.

08/27 - Art Off the WallThe annual fundraiser for the Lower AlabamaArts Center (LAAC) and the Covington ArtsCouncil, featuring a wine and cheese silentauction, followed by a surf ‘n’ turf dinner atthe Andalusia Country Club, 6 p.m. Liveentertainment and a live auction will follow.Tickets are $35 each.

09/01 - Book release partyBook release party for “Year of the Pig,”Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center. Meetauthor Mark Hands, whose book “Year of thePig” is a personal account of his pursuit ofwild pigs in 11 American states. 4 p.m. - 6

p.m.

10/1-11/14 - Scarecrows in the ParkMore than 300 scarecrows spread along thetrails of Lake Frank Jackson State Park willgreet you as you enjoy the beauty of thestate park. The event is hosted by the LakeFrank Jackson Trailmasters who started theevent in 2008.

10/29 - Opp FestThe festival is a celebration of fall and theharvest season. The Opp Cultural ArtsCouncil displays adult and children's art forviewing and for sale. There are many artsand craft booths, food vendors, all-day musi-cal entertainment, merchant side-walk sales,car show, tractor show, motorcycle show,children's activities and much more. 9 a.m.-5p.m.

Week of 03/05/2012The Covington Arts Council will present itsannual Missoula children’s theatre produc-tion. This replaces the event normally held inthe fall. This year’s production will be “TheSecret Garden.

08/27Burkville Annual Okra Festival offU. S. Hwy 80 W. on FredrickDouglass Rd. in Lowndes Co.Vegetables, okra, great food, artsand crafts vendors, music, andmore.

08/27The Johnny Shines Blues Festival,

Tuscaloosa, Evans Rochell Park.Performers include his daugtherCaroline Shines and other bluesartists.

09/09 - Ballet and the BeastMontgomery Zoo--The City ofMontgomery Zoo and theMontgomery Ballet joins forcesto bring this spectacular perfor-

mance. Gates open at 6 p.m.;ballet begins at dusk. Free.

09/20-09/25 - Les MisérablesA brand new, 25th anniversaryproduction of this favoriteBroadway musical, comes to theBJCC Concert Hall September20-25, 2011 as part of theBroadway In Birmingham 2010-

2011 season.

10/7 - 10/30 - DraculaAlabama Shakespeare Festival.Don’t miss this gasp-a-minuteversion of Bram Stoker’s classictale of horror that has sold outthe Actors’ Theatre of Louisvillefor 17 years!

what to do



news + notes

They are artful ways to be environmentally friendly –rain barrels turned into works of art by Joni Brannon’sArt II students at Andalusia High School.

The rain barrels are designed to harvest, store, and providepure, untreated rain water to use on lawns, gardens, trees,and shrubs. The Alabama Rain Barrel Project is a series of“make and take” rain barrel workshops sponsored by the

Alabama Clean Water Partnership.Janet Wofford of Andalusia and LisaHarris of Brantley have had eightrain barrel workshops across thewatersheds of the Conecuh,Sepulga, and Blackwater Rivers andthe Choctawhatchee, Pea, andYellow Rivers. The WiregrassResource Conservation andDevelopment Council funded theworkshops.

The barrels are designed to savewater for a dry spell and simultane-ously conserve water and savemoney.

These rain barrels range in sizefrom 35 gallons to 55 gallons andprices range from $40 to $75.Proceeds from the sale of the paint-ed barrels will be donated to the art

department for classroom and art supplies.Artists are include Alexandra Hart, Claudia Williamson,

Ishmael Urias, Sarah Emily Barefoot, Heather Sams, B.J.Donaldson, and Catherine Wofford.

The rain barrels may be purchased at Picket Fence Antiquesand Flea Market at 1206 River Falls Street. For more informa-tion about rain barrels and upcoming workshops, contactJanet S. Wofford at 334-222-3271 or [email protected].

Artists promote environment

Photos by Catherine Wofford


10 February 2011 SOUTH ALABAMA LIVING

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Chef Tim Creehan of Destin’s Cuvee Bisto and GreatEvents Center catered a complimentary dinner atSpringdale on the evening of May 5.

Creehan trained in Louisiana. Creehan was a found-ing partner in Destin’s Marina Café, where he workedfor 10 years, and opened Beach Walk. He has beenvoted best chef on the Emerald Coast six years in a row.

Andalusia native Katie Tyler works as special eventscoordinator for the catering company and told thoseassembled for the five-course meal that Springdale is agreat attraction not only for Andalusians, but also forthose outside the market looking for destination loca-tions to hold retreats and other events.

“I need places like this one to market,” she said.For the first course, crabmeat spring rolls were passed

as guest assembled. The second course was smokedtomato and shrimp soup, followed by a caprese salad.The main course was roasted prime rib and au jus withgrilled veggies and Yukon mashed potatoes. Key limepie was served for dessert.

1) Sylvia Johnson and Nancy Jones visit before themeal; 2) Mark and Meryane Murphy were among theguests; 3) Jerri Stroud and Councilman Kennith Mount;Mayor Earl Johnson and Katie Tyler look on as ChefCreehan autographs a cookbook.

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DINNER AT SPRINGDALE

There were a number ofreunions at UA’s annual alumnidinner in July. 1) Andalusian KarenJones and Tracy Roberts workedtogether in Congressman BillDickinson’s office when they werejust out of college and hadn’t seeneach other since then. Roberts is acandidate for state BOE. 2) LakenLaird, Amy Jones and Opp nativeMolly Grimes White, now a UArecruiter for this area.

ALUMNI DINNER



Hunter Hobson and Ali Taunton were feted with a dinner at the home of Jim andDanna Smith before their June nuptials. (1) Family members at the party wereNorman Hobson, Sharon Hobson, Marilynn Lord, Hunter and Ali, and Torey Taunton.(2) Hunter and Ali with hosts Jim and Danna Smith, Seth and Nancy Hammett andCary and Louisa Baker. Rufus and Marie Armstrong also were hosts. (3) The happycouple.

WEDDING PARTY1

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Sue Bass Wilson hosted a “Lost inthe ‘60s and ‘70s” block party thissummer. Guests came from Pace,Autauga County, Boaz, MonroeCounty, Destin, Mobile, Florala andOhio. 1) Shirley (Harrington) and BobBarbaree and Sue WIlson; 2) a lit-tle piece of peace from the 60s;3) Otis Reynolds loaned this nos-talgic “yard art;” 4) Linda and SteveDubose; 5) Paula Sue Duebelt,Alice (Utsey) and Guy Tadlock; 6)Cozy Ballasteros and Julie BassMcDonald.

Photos by Catherine Wofford

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south alabama scene

George and Brenda Gantt invited a cou-ple hundred of their closest friends to cel-ebrate the nation’s birthday at HickoryRidge Lodge. 1) Anna-Maria Mosso andEleanora Birk join the group in the Pledgeof Allegiance; 2) Maria Thigpen, right,

lends a hand asBrenda directs in thekitchen; 3) No oneleft hungry; 4) In thespirit of the holiday,Neal Dansby carvedthis eagle; 5) An old-fashioned game oftug-of-war precededlunch. Despite a great

effort by these boys, including Jack Day,Alex Birk, and Sam Dalton, the girls won.Rebecca Massey watches the group. 6)George the chef referees tug-of-war.

FOURTH OF JULY

5

1

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3

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(1) Carmen Day, Jo Kelly and MiraWalker hosted a party for artists atDay’s Quaint on Brooklyn on theFourth of July. Each participatingartist brought a piece of work toshare. (2) Margo Russell hosted ashow of her students’ art in May.Among those at the show were 3)Tara Dalton; 4) Callen Woodard; and5) Bay Merrell.

ALL ABOUT ART

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5 4 3

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The Andalusia Junor Woman’sClub hosted a reception for ven-dors on the evening prior toThree Notch Market. The eventwas held in a tent on thegrounds of Springdale, which alsowas home to this year’s Market.1) Amanda Jernigan, Terri Jones,Elizabeth Griffin and AmyGoodson; 2) Hannah and WaltMerrell; 3) Gary “Boz” Boswell,Rochelle Harper, and SusanTheus; 4) Meagen Weant, LynseyDubose, Leslie Thorn, andLindsey Reeves.

Photos by Jill Prevett

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vintage

rustic southern



photos courtesy of Moseley Studiosstory by michele gerlach

When StacieSullivan marriedAngus Edgar in

May, each of herwedding guestsreceived a jar ofhomemade pepperrelish decorated withswatches of yellowfabric and tied withtwine.

It doesn’t getmore vintageSouthern than that,and that’s exactlywhat she wanted –rustic Southern vintage.

“To be really yours, a wed-ding’s got to reflect your per-sonality,” she said.

The couple recently restoreda circa 1920s barn on theirproperty, still known as theO.O. Cottney house in Opp.When they started pricing wed-ding venues, they decided toput more money in the barnand have the wedding at home.

The couple, whose parents

are Lonnie Sullivan and LizReamer and Durwood Edgarand Mary Grumley, marriedunder an arbor the bride built

from sticks andvines. The groomand his attendants –Ross Muniz, MarkOdom, B.J. Osborn,Jason Smith, T. J.Bess, ReedFischbach and ring-bearer Allen Jones -arrived in a bor-rowed antique deliv-ery truck driven by

his father and best man withthe minister as a front-seat pas-senger. The background musicwas “Good Old Boys” fromThe Dukes of Hazzard. “SweetChild of Mine,” and “Yellow”were played for the bridesmaid-s’ and bride’s entrances.

Sixteen family horses fol-lowed them across the pastureand remained in the back-ground for the wedding.

Continued, next page

Kris Steed, Deidre Davis, Jennifer Jones, Suzanne Cotton, Marci Bessand Dana Trawick attended the bride. Keleigh Sullivan and Ella Joneswere flower girls.

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Hand-held, and hand-madeowl fans (top) and home-made pepper relish weregiven to guests as partyfavors.

Ella Jones was one ofthe flower girls.

Wedding, from Page 20

“It was magical,” Staciesaid.

She and the bridesmaidsemerged from the barn,with Stacie wearing laceand the bridesmaids wear-ing custom-designed yellowsundresses and boots.Brundidge native JudithMarch, whose work hasbeen featured in Seventeen,Teen, and Lucky maga-zines, was the designer.

Owls collected from fleamarkets and antique storeswere used throughout thewedding. Stacie said sheused owls because she likesthem, and because theysymbolize wisdom. Theyalso fit with the barn set-ting.

She also made owl hand-held fans as party favors,and set up a photo booth,complete with vintageprops, at which guestscould be photographed.

In keeping the theme, thewomen’s bouquets eachfeatured rhinestone owlbroaches.

Other collectibles used inthe decor were blue Masonjars, milk glass, and crates.

Instead of signing a guestbook, guests wrote mes-sages on cards that werehung in one of the riverbirch trees used as a tabledecoration.

Vintage-inspired lightswere strung across the backyard for the reception,where the menu includedwhole smoked pig with andassortment of sauces.

MaryAnn Johnson assist-ed Stacie in bringing herwedding vision to fruition.

“She created a mossbride that I had dreamed upin my head and it wasbreathtaking,” she said. ■

The groomsmen arrived in this vintage delivery truck, which also served as a backdrop for photos.


playhouseprincess

for a

About two years ago, Julie-Layton Bryan wished for apink playhouse. “She was very specific,” her mom,Stephanie Bryan, said.


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This summer, her wish came true, betterthan she ever could have dreamed, she said.

Indeed, her pink playhouse looks like atwo-story dwelling for a princess. The househas 16 windows with custom-madedraperies, as well as custom-built furniture,including a table and chairs, sofa, easy chair,bed and dresser. Only the miniature pinkkitchen appliances weren’t custom designed.

Stored in the closet of the bedroom aredress-up costumes, and toys and books linethe white book shelves.

The front door is pint-sized, but a backdoor allows easy access for grown-up.

The playhouse is home to tea parties andmake-believe.

“I almost went to sleep out there, too,” shesaid.

It’s such a girly-girl place, that a signwarns “No boys allowed.”

Really, Julie-Layton insists. No boys.Julie-Layton’s wish for a playhouse came

true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation,an organization whose mission is to grantwishes to children with life-threateningmedical conditions to enrich the humanexperience with hope, strength, and joy.

As a kindergartner, Julie-Layton was diagContinued, next page

JULIE-LAYTON, continued from page 23

Julie-Layton Bryan relaxes in an easy chair in her playhouse. All of the furniture was custom-built for her.

“I would have hadstairs, but I got tootall,” Julie-LaytonBryan, 7, says of herpink playhouse.


nosed with retinoblastoma, a rapidlydeveloping cancer that forms in thecells of the retina, the light sensitivecells of the eye.

When she was diagnosed, theBryans were referred to MemorialSloan-Kettering Cancer Center inNew York City, one of five places inthe United States that treats the dis-ease.

It’s a 1,200-mile round trip, but theBryans initially made it every threeweeks for treatment. A little morethan two years ago, Julie-Laytoncompleted the treatments, and nowmakes the trip to the Big Apple everyfive months for checkups. She wasjust back from her July visit when sheconducted the tour of her pink play-house.

While the primary purpose of hertrips has been medical treatment, sheand her mom are feeling at home inNew York these days. “My husbandsays we’re safer there than in

Montgomery,”Stephanie said.

They’ve gotten to doa number of things, butJulie-Layton cites twoas “the best.” The firstwas seeing theRockettes perform, agreat treat for a littlegirl who enjoystwirling the baton andtaking gymnastics. Butshe also got to meetformer NCAA andNFL coach JimmyJohnson at the EmpireState Building.

“We saw on the news he was goingto be there, so we went,” she said.

Stephanie said a crew of volunteersmade the playhouse a reality in oneday. Stephanie and Craig Fore andMike and Debbie Daughtry were thelocal Make-A-Wish volunteers. HomeDepot of Dothan was a contributor, aswere Marvin’s, Cox Roofing, Steven

Salter Painting andHuggins Sod Farm.

Part of the Make-A-Wish experience was aparty celebrating thecompletion of the play-house. Julie-Laytoninvited just a few of herclosest friends.

“There’s at least 30kids and we’re not evencounting parents,” shesaid a couple of daysbefore the event.

And while she invit-ed boys and girls to theparty, she was adamant

about that no boys in the playhouserule.

“We rented a slide for them,” shesaid.

For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit the organization’s Website at www.ga-al.wish.org. ■


JULIE-LAYTON, Continued from Page 25

Even Cinderella once didchores.

1206 River Falls St. • 334-488-5752Antiques • Furniture • Collectibles • Junk • Linens

Vintage Items • Art • Garden Items


for thebirds

his work is

story and photos by Michele Gerlach



In the past 20 years or so, GregDuke has built birdhouses inall shapes and sizes.

There have been farmhouses,depots, old houses, mailboxes, andeven Andalusia’s old East ThreeNotch School.

He’s designed feeders with houseson top, and built one that became atable base. Currently, he’s into aphase of architectural churches.

And while every single one ofthem would have made a perfectlygood home for a bird, most havebeen sold to collectors who displaythem indoors.

And then there are his newest –and biggest - birdhouses. TheAndalusia man who sells many ofhis wares in Atlanta, has found anew niche in chicken coops.

Yes, chicken coops. But not just

any old utilitarian coop – decorativeones, built on wheels, so that urbandwellers can move their chickensfrom spot to spot in their limitedbackyards and harvest eggs all thesame.

The units, built mostly of cypress,are weather-resistant and includenesting boxes. And while buildingthem is his specialty, he’s had tolearn enough about chickens toanswer questions for uninformedurbanites.

“No, you don’t have to have arooster to get a chicken to lay eggs,”he said. “I get asked that a lot.”

In Atlanta, he shows at ScottAntiques’ monthly events, held thesecond weekend of each month.

“It’s a really high-end place,” hesaid. “I’m always on the sidewalk infront.”


after years of making birdhouses,

he’s building homes for urban chickens

Greg Duke’s portablechicken houses are ahit in Atlanta, where“urban chickens” are

the rage.



DUKE, from page 28For both his birdhouses and chicken

coops, Duke works in unusual items. Manyof his chicken coops feature plow handles;the bird houses, whatever inspires him.

“I just made a bird house with a MiamiBeach car tag from the 40s that I boughtabout 20 years ago,” he said. “It sat in theshop for 20 years before I decided to dosomething with it.”

While many of his houses are similar, notwo are exactly alike. Each has a Bible verseon the bottom.

Many of his basic materials are from anold school in Flat Rock, Ala., that he boughtyears ago.

“It was 40 ft. by 200 ft.,” he said. “Thewhole thing was made out of beaded woodmilled in the 1920s. I paid $1,000 for it andit took me five years to tear it down.”

He’s still using the wood to build bird-

houses, and finds other unique touches – likeantique doorknobs or unique pieces – every-where hegoes.

“GeorgeGantt is agreatfriend andhe finds alot of mystuff,” hesaid of theproprietorof SweetGumBottom Antiques.

Locally, his work is available at his wife’sand mother-in-law’s shops, The Blue Gooseand Picket Fence Antiques, both located onRiver Falls Street. ■

Brenda Gantt has collected a number of Duke’s birdhouses, above and below.



Oh, there have beenmoments. Like whenJim Nettles was lead-

ing an in-house band during theCovington County Junior Missprogram. The awards weredelayed by a long deliberation,and all of the planned entertain-ment was over.

Jim and the band started play-ing, and a woman got up andstarted singing.

That’s one that stands out forlong-time JuniorMiss/Distinguished YoungWomen board chairman NancyHammett.

Then there was the time afew years later when she lookedup and saw Linda James, thenthe program’s director, runningdown from the booth.

“Something blew and we did-n’t have stage lights,” Nancyrecalled.

Organizers had to callAlabama Electric (nowPowerSouth) to bring emer-

gency equipment so the showcould go on.

But mostly, the memoriesNancy will take with her as shetransitions out of her role are ofthe girls.

“I think of the different girls

and the challenges they’ve hadto overcome,” she said. “I stillsee them, and some have comeback to be on the board.”

Hundreds of young womenhave participated in the


longtime junior miss leader passing the batonRoger Powell emceed

what was then theCovington CountyJunior Miss programonce. It was a year whenthe judges had a particu-larly tough time reachinga decision, and the manknown for his humorousacts in Red GarterReview felt like he hadrun out of things to say

to a restless audience. “I said I’d never do

that again,” he recalledrecently.

Never say never.That’s the advice this

year’s emcee – and thehusband of the boardchair – had for Powell,whose wife is about totake on the program’schairmanship.

“I’d say it’s a safe betyou’re the emceenext year,”Hammett quippedafter this year’sprogram, handingPowell the script.

Powell didn’trespond. But hedidn’t say “never,”either. ■

neversay

never

a seasonof change

This is a year of transition for Covington County’s Distinguished Young Womenprogram. Longtime board chairman, Nancy Hammett, is stepping down. CathyPowell, a former junior miss and mother of two former junior missess, willtake the reigns for next year’s event.

story and photosby michele gerlach



Covington County pro-gram on her watch.Without fail, she watchedthe participants blossomafter completing the pro-gram, which requires themto be interviewed, performa solo talent, and workwith other participants ondance and fitness routines.

“It’s like when they getthrough that show, theyhave more confidence,”she said. “They blossom.”

She began working withthe program in 1984 as arehearsal assistant. When aboard of directors wasformed in 1985, shebecame a member. She’s been publicitychairman, run the production, filled in asacting chairman, and served as chairmansince 1997.

“The main change for me was movingfrom production to acting chairman,” shesaid. “In production, it’s all about the show.

“As chairman, it’s all about the girls,” shesaid. “I wanted a really, really good produc-tion, and we’ve had great ones. But myfocus had to be on the girls.”

She’s dried tears, made tired youngwomen start over and rehearse some more,and loved the work. It’s especially meaning-ful to her that her daughter, CatherineHammett, and fellow board member BethTaylor’s daughter, Katherine Taylor Jones,are now board members.

“They’vegrown up in it,”she said. “Atsome point intime they’vehelped or beena part of theprogram. Ourson Merrill istechnical, andhe helped, andPaula (Harr’s)sons helped herbackstage.

“There’s justbeen a lifetimeof it,” she said.

She’s beenthinking about

passing the baton for a few years. Now, thetime is right. Cathy Powell, a former juniormiss and the mother of two former juniormisses, has agreed to lead the group, nowcalled the Outstanding Young Women.

“Cathy was on the board a number ofyears ago,” Nancy said. “She and her familybuilt sets for us until her children reachedthe age that they were little sisters.”

Little sisters shadow program participantsin preparation for being participants them-selves.

“She’s musical, smart and can write,”Nancy said. “She’ll do great.”

The transition won’t be official until thefirst of the year. Meanwhile, other boardmembers who’ve served for 20-plus yearsalso are preparing to transition off the board.

“We’re trying to get jobdescriptions written and doeverything we can to behelpful to her,” Nancy said.■

Covington CountyDistinguishedYoung Women

Board of Directors

Nancy HammettChairman

Jan BreedloveCostumes

Gail BurnhamFinancial recordsFadra Chance

JudgesMelissa Gantt

Exchanges/SocialCathy PowellProgram Book

Catherine HammettLittle SistersPaula Harr

Stage ManagerKatherine Jones

AwardsJanna McGlamory

TicketsDebbie PoseyBackstage Moms

Beth TaylorParticipantsSue Taylor

Judges, CostumesWynora Wishum

Production

‘our children have grown up in this’

Nancy Hammett gets a hug from her daughterand fellow board member, Catherine Hammett,after her last show.

Covington County win-ners Devin Williamson,2011; Ander Helms,2012; and LaurenPowell, 2010.

Recent winners

1999 – Alexa Jones2000 – Melissa McCord2001 – Morgan Goodwin2002 – Kelly Henderson2003- Natalie Franklin2004 – Molly Grimes2005 – Kristen Kerr2006 – Sara CatherineShort2007 – Jessica Kelley2008 – Allyn Powell2009 – Mallory Mims2010 – Lauren Powell2011 - Devin Williamson

ScholarshipsAJM/DYW annually

makes available more than$63 million in scholarshipsto contestants at the local,state and national levels.


story and photo by michele gerlach


Ask a typical collegestudent a questionabout his or her

school and you may or maynot get an answer.

Ask Clara Bass about theUniversity of Alabama, andyou’ll get a very specificanswer.

For instance, with therecent expansion of Bryant-Denny Stadium, there are101,821 seats in the facilitythat previously only had92,138.

She can give you the history of anybuilding on the Tuscaloosa campus, theexact number of students enrolled lastyear, and the most popular majors.

When UA president Dr. Robert Wittspoke to the Covington County UAAlumni Association in July, he said enroll-ment was “more than 30,000.”

Did he get the number right?“It’s 30,232,” Clara laughed. “So, yes.”It’s all part of the requirements of being

a member of the University’s CapstoneMen and Women, the official ambassadorsof The University of Alabama. Clarabecame a member in the second semesterof her freshman year after a rigorousapplication process.

Membership in the group requires fiveto 10 hours of work a week, beinginvolved on campus, and maintaining aminimum 2.9 grade point average.

Typically, she gives tours that begin atthe welcome center located at the bottomof the stadium. The bus tour takesprospective students around campus to therecreation center, then to the Quad and thePresident’s Mansion where they disembark

and continue on foot toFerguson Center, wherethey have easy access to theadmissions office.

Leading tours whilewalking backwards acrosscampus, she shares thenames of buildings, theirhistories, and interestingstories about them.

The Capstone Men andWomen also have GameDay responsibilities. Theirwork begins three hours

before kickoff at the president’s mansion.“We get there one hour before the board

of trustees,” she said. “When they arrive,we’ve got our name tags ready andarranged alphabetically.”

While her peers are securing seats in thestudent section of the stadium, she andothers in the Capstone group are givingtours of the president’s mansion.

About 45 minutes before kickoff, theymove to Bryant-Denny Stadium, using thesame entrance as football players.

“We get our flags and line up to wait forthe players,” she said. Then, at least part ofthe group will work in the president’s box.

“You definitely do pay attention to thegame there,” she said. “There are about 40seats, and you have a bird’s-eye view.”

Last year, she gave a tour of the presi-dent’s mansion to the president of ESPN.She’s gotten to know Dr. Witt well, andworked with countless students, includinga number of athletes considering attendingUA.

“The most rewarding thing is whenyou’re giving a tour to someone who’sundecided and they change their minds,”she said.

sharinghistory

it’s true!

Clara Bass said herfavorite time is whenshe’s giving a walking touron the Quad and thechimes sound. For her, ithelps communicate thesense of place.

“Do you know the storyof the chimes? (University)President Denny was amuch-loved president. Hewould go out on the quadwhen the students wereplaying football.

“There was a rumor hewas returning home toVirginia and the chimeswere built in his honor.They’re made of Virginiared brick with Alabamalimestone on the top andbottom,” she said. “Thesymbol is that theUniversity of Alabama willalways encompass you.”

And when you’re givinga tour and the chimes gooff?

“It will give you chills,”she said.

she’s one of ‘bama’s official

ambassadors

Coach Nick Saban isn’tone to mingle, but Clarasaid she was a part of atour that included hisoffice.

“We saw the stack ofLittle Debbie cakes,” shesaid. “They say he reallyloves those.”

Clara frequently gives tours ofthe president’s mansion andknows lots of stories about it. Ithas two staircases on the frontentrance for men and women,so that women’s ankles would-n’t be seen by men.



she’s usedto this

keepingbusy

When the CapstoneMen and Women are onduty, their sponsor, BeckyFowler, holds them tostrict standards. Thewomen always wear a redor winter white suit andheels. Their hair mustalways be worn down,they must wear red lip-stick, and if they chooseto polish their nails, theymust be red, too.

For Clara, it’s all old hat.“I was SGA president in

high school,” she said.“Ms. Joni Brannon wasour sponsor and she wasvery particular. Both mymom and Mrs. Brannonprepared me for this.”

Clara, the daughter ofTripp and Regina Bass,finds plenty to keep herbusy. In addition to herduties as a member of theCapstone Women, she is amember of:

• Kappa Delta socialsorority, and serves on itsacademic excellence com-mittee

• University HonorsProgram. Students musthave earned at least a 28on the ACT and mustcomplete at least 18hours of coursework withan honors designation.

• Cardinal Key HonorSociety.

• Dean of StudentsAdvisory Board.

• Colleges AgainstCancer, which organizesUA’s annual Relay for Life.

• Literacy in the Edge(LITE), where she is pairedwith a middle school stu-dent with whom sheworks once a week.Clara Bass, one of the University of Alabama’s Capstone Women, with UA president Dr.

Robert Witt.




When Benny Jo Sasser was electedAlabama’s lt. governor of PilotInternational, she began thinking

about what her year as governor, whichrecently began, would hold.

Immediately, she knew hands would be apart of her theme.

“Sign language was my first language,”she said. “And to me, Pilot is about reachingout and helping others.”

It’s a passion Benny Jo and her sister, BillieThompson, both feel.

“Our legacy is that we were raised in a home with deafparents,” she said.

While their mother taught them sign language, they werefortunate to live very near their maternal grandparents.

“They were our link to the hearing world,” she said.“They also cared for us while our parents worked in themills.”

As adults, the sisters watched their mother teach sign lan-guage to a grandchild.

“Sarah learned 32 signs before she was 2,” Benny Jo

recalled. “It was exactly what she had done withBillie and me.”

Because of their background, Benny Jo said,the sisters have to consider, “What did wedo?” to help others.

While Billie answered that question byspending her career in special education,

Benny Jo has found the answer in communityservice.“Pilot allowed me to do the same, to fulfill that

passion,” she said.A relative newcomer to the organization, Benny Jo was

encouraged to join by Irene Butler.“Irene and I were washing dishes at a wedding reception

together,” Benny Jo recalled. “My daughter had been veryinvolved in the Anchor Club at Opp High School, so I wasfamiliar with Pilot.”

Anchor is the high school service group sponsored byPilot International.

Later, Irene again talked with Benny Jo about joining.“The look in her eye ... the conviction she had when she

Continued, Page 37

Sasser takes helm of state Pilot clubs

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GOVERNOR, from page 35spoke about it, drove me to the next meet-ing,” she recalled.

That was in the summer of 1999. Sheimmediately got involved and loved thatthe organization helped those with brain-related disorders like autism andAlzheimer’s.

“It helped me fulfill the love that I havefor those less fortunate, and the mentallychallenged,” she said.

In 2007, she served the local organiza-tion as president and began to get moreinvolved with the larger organization.

For the installation ceremony in whichshe became governor, members of theTalladega Club placed cards illustratingthe American Sign Language alphabet,and the Braille alphabet, on each table.The cards were supplied by the AlabamaInstitute for the Deaf and Blind inTalladega, where both of her parents wereonce students.

“The correlation of helping hands is so

important,” she said.As governor, she’ll spend time on the

road, making official visits to other clubsand supporting their special events.

Still, there’s something very specialabout attending meetings of her own clubtwice each month.

“When they hung the ‘home of the gov-ernor’ banner at our local meeting, it wasan emotional experience for me,” shesaid.

She follows in the footsteps ofAndalusians Carolyn Davis and BettyGrantham, both of whom have served asgovernors before her.

She said PowerSouth, where she worksas a certified purchasing agent, has beenvery supportive, as have her children,Stephanie Sasser Denmark, AmandaSasser and Steven Sasser.

“They were all there for the installa-tion,” she said. “It was a memorable eventmy children and I will never forget.” ■

Alabama Pilot International Governor Benny Jo Sasser, for whom sign language was her first language, chose “helping hands” asher theme for this year. Like the American Sign Language sign for “help,” Pilots are all about lifting people up, she said.

‘It helped me fulfillthe love that I havefor those less fortu-nate, and the men-tally challenged.



Dr. Desy obtained his medicaldegree from the Faculty ofMedicine, University of Montpellier, France. Hecompleted his residency in orthopedic surgery at theteaching hospitals of the University of Sherbrooke andthe University of Montreal,Canada.

Dr. Desy is certified by theRoyal College of Surgeons of Canada as an Orthopedic surgeon and a fellow of theAmerican College of Surgeons.

Dr. Desy will see both child and adult patients withorthopedic problems. He hasa special interest in total jointreconstruction and trauma.

Dr. Desy is a member of the Andalusia Regional Hospital Medical Staff.

Alain Desy, M.D.Orthopedic Surgeon

Andalusia Orthopedics301 Medical Dr, Suite CAndalusia, AL(334)222-4449


nosecrets

here


by MicheleGerlach

Ask Billy Joe Stallworththe secret to his barbe-cue and he’ll give you

that look, the distinctively BillyJoe one.

“Ain’t no secrets,” he said.“Season it and cook it. Put it onslow.”

While some swear by par-boiling to speed up the process,Billy Joe is adamant.

“Don’t rush anything,” hesaid.

Known for his work with theCity of Andalusia’s Department

of Leisure Services, and as theman whose Boston butts cansell out a fundraiser, Billy Joesaid he learned to cook bywatching his mama. She couldcook anything, and could makesomething of nothing, he said.

“The first time I had gumbo,she made it from red snapperheads,” he said. “It was all shecould get.”

When he was in fourth orfifth grade, he began cookingfor the family.

“Mama worked,” he said.

“There were nine of us andDaddy had left us. Somebodyhad to cook so she could workfor a living.”

In his backyard cooking shed,there are enough cookers toopen a retail outlet. He fired upa gas grill to demonstrate.

He likes to use Lawry’sSeasoning Salt and let the meatcook for several hours.

And for those who’ve heardthe Southern saying, “Secret’s

if you want good BBQ, cook it SLOW




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index to advertisers

BBQ, from Page40

in the sauce,”well, there’s nosecret there,either.

“Me and Mr.Kraft worktogether onthat,” he said. “Istart with theoriginal recipeand add to it togive (the peopleI’m cooking for)the taste theylike – be it asugar or a vine-gar taste.”

He also rec-ommends Legg’s Plantation Sausage Seasoning for goat andpork.

Retired from CenturyTel, he’s tried his hand in the restau-rant business and in catering.

“The biggestcrowd I ever fedby myself was500 folks,” hesaid.

If he did opena restaurant, hesaid, it’d be a“get it and gojoint.” He saidwhile he likescooking, he’s notmuch interestedin serving.

“Folks arefunny,” he said.

Whatever is onhis menu, hekeeps it simple.

In potato salad,he only likes

eggs, mayonnaise and pickle relish. For baked beans, he addsground beef, bell pepper and onions to Van Camp’s beans.

“You can’t beat it,” he said. ■

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scrapbook

Dewrell or Durell, Spence orSpinks. Lots of folks justcalled him “Peanuts.” I

always called him Dewrell.Some say he sold boiled peanuts on

the Square. Must have been before mytime. Dewrell was the first specialneeds person I remember. It was yearsbefore I learned he had Downs syn-drome.

Maybe it was his pear-shaped eyes,his rounded face or his radiant smile,but you must knew there was some-thing very special about peanuts.

Of course, in the South, peoplewanted to know if his parents’ sin wasthe reason for his difference. Whatwent wrong? Were there brothers andsisters?

It was some years later, while in col-lege, that I learned about the 21 chro-mosomes and that Dewrell had extra –more than, and I think better than me.He was truly someone special.

“Hound Dog” or Love Me Tender”was the first Elvis movie we went tosee, and not too long after that, myfather, Tisdale Brooks – Peanuts calledhim ‘Tis – bought him a guitar.Peanuts could move his legs just likeElvis. Somebody gave him a tin canand Peanuts would play for somechange.

Peanuts was quite agile. Folkswould put a quarter on the floor of theold hardware store – not a clean floor;people used snuff and you know madea mess. Anyway, Peanuts could bend

his body down and retrieve that quar-ter with his mouth. Then he woud goout the back door to Newberry’s CityDrug Store and buy him a chocolatemilk shake.

Peanuts was a great teacher and awonderful movie partner. He taughtme how to roll my own smokes withpapers and Prince Albert. This came inmighty handy during the Woodstockdays. I didn’t waste a lot of stuff.

During my college days, I workedpart-time at Partlow, where there werelots of Downs Syndrome people. I fitright in.

Thanks, Peanuts for all you haveprepared me for and for the love onlysomeone with an extra chromosomecan share. ■

story and photo by Bob Brooks

peanutsremembering

and the extra loveof an extra chromosome


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Documents

July South Alabama Living