No'Ala September/October 2011

September/October 2011 | 1

SEPT/OCT 2011 $3.95

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OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL ISSUE{ INSIDE AND OUT }

THE SHOALS EQUINE DYNASTYA DESIGNING COUPLE COMES HOME

2 | No’Ala

What we do for you,every day.

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We’ve been in business for 56 years because we take care of our customers. We would like you to experience the C&H difference!WE BELIEVE:• Personal service starts when a live person answers the phone• Courtesy and respect are expected, not a privilege• There is no substitute for taking care of our customers• If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is; you get what you pay for• Honest and fair pricing is the best way to grow a company• Doing what’s right - even if it costs us money• If we wouldn’t invest the money — why should you?• Our people should know you by name, and vice versa

6 | No’Ala

ON THE COVERS: This is our Most Beautiful Issue, and because the Shoals areais filled with so many interesting and beautiful people, it was too hard tochoose one cover shot. This time, there are four! Your issue may feature CaseyJeffreys, Alyson Ray, Brandi Lewis or Connor and Ben Fisher. Enjoy!

{ contents}

Portrait of Andrea and JamieMcFarlane by Abraham Rowe


September/October 2011Volume 4: Issue 5

• • •C. Allen Tomlinson

Editor-In-Chief

David SimsManaging Editor/Design Director

Contributing WritersSarah Gaede, Connie Thwaite

Contributing PhotographersArmosa Studios, Lauren Burrows,

Captured Studios, Amanda Chapman,Goode Dethero, Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell,

Robert Rausch, Abraham Rowe

Business ManagerFrances Adams

Marketing Coordinator/Advertising SalesLyndsie McClure

Administrative/Editorial AssistantClaire Stewart

Student InternAshley Neill

Printing and DistributionThe Ovid Bell Press

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

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

Toll-free: 800-779-4222 Web: www.noalamag.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 theauthors and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the editors.Advertisers are solely responsible forthe content of their advertisements.

© 2008-2011 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 guidelinesupon request. Prospective authors should notsubmit unsolicited manuscripts; please query

the editor first.

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

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{ contents}

Features16 Designing the Perfect Life in Tuscumbia24 The Shoals Equine Dynasty40 The Most Beautiful People in the Shoals

Everything Else10 Contributors12 Calendar84 Shopping90 Food for Thought96 Bless Their Hearts94 Twenty Questions98 Parting Shot

Portrait of Alvin Briggs by Patrick Hood

{ editor’s letter}

All things beautifulAs a magazine designer, you can’t possibly imagine what a treat it is do create thisissue of No’Ala. It’s a little like Christmas—I get 32 surprises under my tree! That’show many portraits we commissioned this year from eight exceptional local pho-

tographers who stunned us all once again with their skill andunique points of view. This year we asked a number of lastyear’s “beautiful people” to nominate up to 25 people theythought had that unique combination of physical and internalbeauty. Like last year, some husbands, wives and sib-lings were nominated separately, so it was fun to groupsome of these people into one portrait. Our 40 beauti-ful people are as varied as the Shoals. Students, smallbusiness owners, musicians, fashion designers, chefs,doctors, coaches, and even one professional athletemake up the “Most Beautiful People in the Shoals,”starting on page 40.

And speaking of beautiful people: one of this year’s subjects, Mary Young(page 80) came to us with the idea of doing a story about the rich historyof championship horses we have in the Shoals. Mary and her husbandDonny own a world champion reining horse. Connie Thwaite, in her firstfeature for No’Ala, gives us a fascinating overview of our equine accom-plishments. Read more starting on page 24.

It’s just natural to move from beautiful people, to beautiful horses, to beau-tiful things, right? Well, there are beautiful things being designed every dayin the Tuscumbia offices of industrial designer Carter McGuyer and hiswife Brandi. Their firm designs products for some of the top retailers in theworld, including Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. They’re even work-ing on their own line of products! Check out Allen Tomlinson’s profile ofthis designing duo on page 16.

You might have read Sarah Gaede’s humorous take on fried corn in ourJuly/August issue. Well, in this issue, Sarah’s now-regular column talksabout her vision of the perfect tomato sandwich. It’s not often that you findsomeone who can both cook and write beautifully, so we consider ourselvesvery lucky to have Sarah’s unique take on all things yummy. Read her first“Food for Thought” on page 90.

You may have noticed over the years that No’Ala loves animals, and specifi-cally dogs. Allen Tomlinson rounds out this issue writing about our area’sneed for a dog park where our best friends can roam off leash. Stay tunedand find out how you can help us make this a reality!

Finally, I admit I have been remiss in not introducing you to our staff. Sincethis is the Beautiful People issue, it’s time: Lyndsie McClure, FrancesAdams (both UNA Fall 2010 graduates), and Claire Stewart (who graduates inMay 2012) are the beautiful and efficient staff members who keep this magazinerolling. Just like you, our reader. Thanks to you all!

BY DAVID SIMS


Frances Adams

Lyndsie McClure

Claire Stewart

Though traveling the globe shooting weddings and commercial work,Tera and Wes Wages base their business, Armosa Studios, in theShoals area. Armosa has been featured in top wedding magazines andblogs and strives for an “unordinary” style. See more of their work atwww.armosastudios.com.

Lauren Burrows graduated in 2000 with a photographic technol-ogy degree, and has freelanced since 2002. She specializes inlifestyle portraits and has a photojournalism approach to weddingsand events. Lauren has a passion for life, and with that passion sheworks hard to capture every moment of who people are. Originallyfrom Daytona Beach, she and her family (husband and two sons)moved to the Shoals in 2008. To see more of her work, visit herwebsite at www.laurenburrows.com.

Captured Studios (Shana Alexander and Stacy Fulton) offers aunique combination of two local photographers who specialize in cre-ating artistic expressions through their images. If the eyes are thewindows to the soul, they want to show you the character and heartof each person they photograph. Photography is not their job, it istheir passion.

Amanda Chapman is a visual artist. At a young age she begandrawing portraits of people; today she extends that creativitythrough the lens of her camera. Her work has been published inlocal and national magazines and has caught the eye of photogra-phy judges, artists in the music industry and even brides-to-be. Awife and mother of two, Amanda strives to be unique and createimages that are thought provoking and inspiring. Her work can beviewed at www.amandachapmanphotography.com

10 | No’Ala

{ contributors}

Abraham Rowe

Armosa StudiosWes and Tera Wages

Captured StudiosStacy Fulton & Shana Alexander

Patrick Hood Robert Rausch

Amanda Chapman Goode DetheroLauren Burrows

Connie Thwaite

Goode Dethero has owned and operated a photography studio inthe Shoals since 2006. She strives to create an expressive work of art without the distraction of props, staged poses or thematic backgrounds. Goode uses a variety of lenses and lighting to create the unique moods and atmosphere that give her work distinction.

Born and raised in Florence, Patrick Hood now lives in Sheffieldwith his wife Sandra, two sons Ethan and Ben, and dog Heidi. Hisfirst paying gig came when he was eighteen, and Patrick has beentaking photos professionally for thirty-one years. His photos havebeen published extensively in newspapers, magazines, trade jour-nals, books, ads, albums, catalogs, and brochures. Lately, Patrick isfinding that he really enjoys meeting and photographing interesting,successful people. See his work at patrickhoodphotographer.com.

Robert Rausch is a Clio award winner and founder of GAS DesignCenter. Though most of the work his studio does is design, his pho-tography can be seen in The New York Times, Travel & Leisure,Garden and Gun, Southern Living, Ladies Home Journal, andVeranda, just to name a few.

Abraham Rowe has been a freelance photographer since 2005, spe-cializing in portraits, weddings, commercial, and fine artphotography. He lives on an acre of land one mile from downtownFlorence, Alabama with his two sons, Jack and Malachi.

Connie Thwaite is a freelance writer with a focus on marketingand public relations. She is Vice President / Programs for the volun-teers of the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, and PublicityChair for aMuse, an organization that supports arts education andpromotes art in the Shoals.


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]

12 | No’Ala

SeptemberSeptember 1–2You Can’t Take It With YouRitz Theatre, 111 W. 3rd St., Sheffield; 7:35pm; $13 adults, $7 stu-dents at the door. 256-383-0533 or ritztheatre.ticketleap.com.To celebrate Center Stage’s 30th Anniversary, the community the-ater arm of the Tennessee Valley Art Association reprises its firstproduction.

September 1–27Paintings and Drawings by Todd ReedKennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street,Florence. Mon–Fri. 9:00am–4:00pm. No admission. 256-760-6379.

September 1 and every Thursday in SeptemberUpscale Farmer’s MarketSpring Park, Tuscumbia, 4:00pm–7:00pm; no admission; Freshfruits and vegetables, homemade breads, jellies, soaps and ShoalsCulinary Center-made products will be available for purchase. Livemusic and cooking demonstrations add to the evening!

September 2First FridayCourt Street, downtown Florence, 5:00–8:00pm; Free. This monthlyevent is a gathering of artists of all types: musicians, painters,sculptors, photographers, hand-crafted jewelers and more.

September 3Lexington Founders DayDowntown Lexington; time TBA; no admission; Celebrate thefounding of the town of Lexington with live music, arts and craftsand a car and truck show.

First Saturday, RogersvilleDowntown Rogersville; time TBA; no admission.

September 5Coon Dog Cemetery Labor Day CelebrationCoon Dog Cemetery, seven miles west of Tuscumbia off Highway72; go to Cherokee and follow the signs. 1:00pm–4:00pm; noadmission. 256-383-0783; Celebrate Labor Day at the Coon DogCemetery with bluegrass music, buck dancing and a liars contest.

89th Shoals Area Labor Council, Labor Day FestivitiesSpring Park, Tuscumbia; Parade at 10:00am, activities in the park10:00am–5:00pm; Free; 256-383-2758.

September 9–10OKA KAPASSA–Return to Cold WaterSpring Park, Tuscumbia; Fri. 9:00am–2:00pm, Sat.10:00am–7:30pm; no admission. 256-757-4438; www.okaka-passa.org; Approximately twelve Native American tribes return totheir ancestral land in Southeast America at Tuscumbia; Eventsinclude hoop dancing, storytelling, drum, stone carving, flute-

making, flint knapping, basket making, and pottery. AuthenticNative American food.

September 17–1817th Annual Trail of Tears Commemoration & Motorcycle RideCheck website for schedule: will ride from Chattanooga, TN toWaterloo, AL. al-tn-trailoftears.net; Largest Motorcycle Ride in theSouth to commemorate the tragic history of the Indian Removal tothe west; Free.

September 18On Stage Presents Music Legend Leon RussellNorton Auditorium on the campus of UNA; 2:00pm. Admissioncharged; www.shoalsonstage.com; Music legend Leon Russell,who recorded in Muscle Shoals and worked with Muscle ShoalsSound and The Swampers during his career, comes to NortonAuditorium for the On Stage season opener.

September 18–November 4Steve Armstrong’s AutomataTennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 North Water Street, Tus-cumbia; Hours: Sunday, 1:00pm–3:00pm; Monday–Friday,9:00am–5:00pm; Admission: $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students,Sundays free; Contact: Keith McMurtrey, 256-383-0533www.tvaa.net.

September 20–2577th Annual North Alabama State FairFairgrounds, Muscle Shoals; Tuesday–Friday: 5:00pm to midnight,Saturday–Sunday: Noon-Midnight; Admission charged. 256-383-3247 or www.northalabamastatefair.org.

September 22WICP presents Carl Hurley, America’s Funniest ProfessorShoals Theatre, Florence; 2:00pm and 7:00pm; admission $20. Pur-chase tickets online at wicpdays.org or at the Kennedy-DouglassCenter for the Arts, Tennessee Valley Center for the Arts, LifeWise,or WICP office. Proceeds benefit WICP, the area’s non-profit adultdaycare program.

Fourth Thursday in TuscumbiaDowntown Tuscumbia; 6:00pm-10:00pm; no admission; Artists,craftsmen and musicians line the streets of downtown Tuscumbiafor this monthly street festival.

September 29–October 17 St. Francis Art ExhibitTrinity Episcopal Church, Florence; Opening Reception September29, 6:00pm–9:00pm; admission $25. Art displayed and on sale untilOctober 17, 2011. 10:00am–2:00pm, Monday–Friday or byappointment; Proceeds go toward the St. Francis Project’s goal ofraising and giving away a million dollars to local charitable causes.

September 29–October 2, October 6–7 The ForeignerRitz Theatre, 111 W. 3rd St., Sheffield; 7:35pm; $13 adults, $7 stu-dents at the door. 256-383-0533 or ritztheatre.ticketleap.com.

OctoberOctober 1OktoberfestSt. Florian Park, 101 St. Florian Road, Florence; 11:00am–5:00pm;no admission; Each year the town of St. Florian celebrates its richGerman heritage with an Oktoberfest celebration.

Calendarof events


First Saturday, RogersvilleDowntown Rogersville; time TBA; no admission.

October 3–November 11Posters from World War I and IITennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 North Water Street, Tus-cumbia, Alabama; Exhibition Hours: Sunday, 1:00pm–3:00 pm;Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00 pm. Admission: $5.00 for adults, 256-383-0533 www.tvaa.net.

October 4–31Art Expressions: Shoals Artists Guild ExhibitionKennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street,Florence. Mon–Fri. 9:00am–4:00pm. No admission. 256-760-6379.Members work in a variety of styles and media including water-color, acrylic, oil, pastel, pencil, and mixed media.

October 7First FridayCourt Street, downtown Florence, 5:00pm–8:00pm; no admission.

October 8Light the Night WalkWilson Park, Florence; 5:30pm; 256-489.6620 orlightthenight.org/al. A fundraiser for the Leukemia and LymphomaSociety.

October 15Alabama Renaissance FeastFlorence/Lauderdale Coliseum, 7:00pm; Admission charged.Wenches and Queens alike will enjoy this authentic RenaissanceFeast prepared by a world-renowned chef and served accompa-nied by Renaissance entertainment.

October 20On Stage presents Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky ThunderShoals Theatre, Florence, 7:30pm; admission charged. www.shoal-sonstage.com. Fourteen-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs bringshis passionate mix of distinctly American music. (At press time thisconcert was nearly sold out, so check availability before coming tothe box office.)

October 23Shoals Symphony at UNA presents Fall MagicFlorence Freshman Center Auditorium, 2:00pm; admissioncharged. www.una.edu/shoals-symphony. The Shoals Symphonyperforms Mozart, von Weber, Bizet, and Mussorgsky’s “Night OnBald Mountain.”

October 22–23Alabama Renaissance FaireWilson Park, Florence, 10:00am–6:00pm; no admission charged.256-740-4141. Voted one of the top 20 events in the southeast.

October 27Fourth Thursday in TuscumbiaDowntown Tuscumbia; 6:00pm–10:00pm; no admission.

October 28Howl-oween with No’AlaBuffler House, St. Florian; admission (donations) charged. See theNo’Ala Facebook page or www.noalamag.com for details; A cos-tume party to raise money for the construction of the “Bark Park,” adog park for the canines of the Shoals area—and their owners.

256.764.4711110 East Mobile Street, Florence Alabamawww.centerforskincareandwellness.com

256-764-5997 256-577-8391

Look your youngest on the outside.

Feel your youngest on the inside.

FIND OUT HOW: Look for The Aging Myth,a New York Times #1 Bestseller by Dr. JoeChang, PHD. Learn about the science be-

hind slowing the aging process. Bookavailable at Books-A-Million.

Product available at:

14 | No’Ala

Michael C. Hall

WALK AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.

WALK BECAUSE SOMEONE’S LIFE DOES.


Leon RussellNorton Auditorium

Sunday, September 18, 2011, 2pm

Tickets on sale now atwww.shoalsonstage.com

TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

{ everybody’s business}

16 | No’Ala


18 | No’Ala

Chances are also pretty good that you have seen Carter and Brandi McGuyer around the Shoals, at Handyevents or children’s dance recitals or PTA meetings, and you think they are a nice young couple, but youhave no idea that they are responsible for the design of much of the things in that kitchen drawer. In thehousewares world, the name McGuyer is huge.

“Williams Sonoma, Microplane, Epicurean, Chef Planet, Nordic Ware, Target, Crate and Barrel…” Carterand Brandi begin to list the companies they work with. In their studio in downtown Tuscumbia, samplesof some of their better selling designs line the walls. Some of the products are colorful; all are beautiful;some are unusual, but when their purposes are explained, they make perfect sense. (An aluminum piece thatlooks like a musical instrument is actually a wine glass holder, and once you know that you’ll want one.)Mostly, these products are familiar—unless you consider the kitchen a no-man’s land, some of the productsyou’ll see here are probably also living in a drawer at home.

From Tuscumbia, of all places.

But why not? Carter grew up in Tuscumbia and graduated from Deshler. Brandi was the child of a highschool coach and lived in a lot of places, but went to Muscle Shoals High School and then to UNA to playvolleyball. Carter graduated from the Industrial Design program at Auburn University, one of the best

IF YOU COOKREALLY COOK, NOT JUST HEAT THINGS IN THE MICROWAVEOR ORDER FROM A DRIVE THROUGHGO TO YOUR KITCHEN AND OPEN THAT GADGET DRAWER.SEE THE NEAT THINGS THERE, CREATED TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER? CHANCES ARE THEY WEREDESIGNED IN TUSCUMBIA, ALABAMA.


The Artifacts line is in development and combines classic design elements with modern, easy to care-for materials

design programs in the country, andwent to work for manufacturing compa-nies, designing housewares; he andBrandi met when they worked togetherat one of those, where Carter was thehead designer and Brandi was the salesmanager.

It’s that combination of talents thatmakes Carter McGuyer Design Group(CMDG) work. Founded in 2006 at theKeystone Office Center in Florence, thecouple wanted to find a studio they couldcall their own where Carter could over-see the design process and Brandi couldhandle the sales, marketing and publicrelations. “We always wanted to come toTuscumbia,” said Carter, “because welove this downtown, and we like a smalltown location. Our products are sold allaround the world, and we wanted to belocated in a place that would allow us tooccasionally slow down long enough tobe creative. This is that place.”

The products that come from this smalldesign studio are impressive. Not onlyare they beautiful, many times in bright

colors and manufactured from metal,plastics and sometimes recycled materi-als, they are incredibly functional. Thepizza cutter with the built-in handle thatis comfortable to use also comes apart foreasy cleaning. The Epicurean Gourmetladle combines durable plastic and arecycled handle in a way that’s easy touse and pleasant to look at. The Pam-pered Chef scoop clip combines ameasuring scoop with a clip that keepsthe bag of coffee tightly closed and thebeans fresh. They are clever, they arefunctional, and they look good on thecounter even when they are not beingused.

CMDG works with its clients in a vari-ety of ways. For some, the designers workwith manufacturers and retailers todesign efficient and beautiful productsthat meet a particular need. For others,Carter and Brandi can also produce theproducts for resale. “I think one of thethings that makes us unique is the factthat we come from manufacturing back-grounds,” said Carter. “That helps,because we know how to specify materi-

als, and we know how to work with man-ufacturers to get the product made. It’sone thing to design a good product, butif your design can’t be manufactured it’sno good.” A lot of larger design firms cre-ate beautiful things that can’t be made,and this unique ability means that theMcGuyers are in demand because theycan hand over files and molds so thatproduction can begin right away. It alsomeans they travel a lot, meeting withclients in their offices or meeting withmanufacturers abroad, but that’s part ofthe fun.

And they win awards. The 2003 Gour-met Gold Award, the 2004 Good DesignAward, the 2009 Housewares DesignAward for “Best of the Best” and “Best inShow,” and Esquire’s “Top 25 BestDressed Real Men” award for Carter.

What? That last one wasn’t for productdesign, but instead for the fact that theMcGuyer signature is for Carter andBrandi to dress beautifully when makingpresentations or visiting trade shows. “It’sbecome our thing,” says Brandi with a

“OUR PRODUCTS ARE SOLD ALL AROUND THE WORLD, AND WE WANTED TO BE LOCATED IN A PLACE THATWOULD ALLOW US TO OCCASIONALLY SLOW DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO BE CREATIVE. THIS IS THAT PLACE.”


20 | No’Ala20 | No’Ala


smile. “People tell us they look for us because they want to see how we’re dressed.”How appropriate that two product designers are also known for their fashion style,since they happen to be headquartered in one of the rising fashion capitols of theSouth!

Is everything they design for the kitchen? Far from it. Which brings us to theCarter Cooperative and the beach tote.

“We were headed to the beach for a short getaway, and we had a lot of stuff totake with us,” said Brandi. “Carter had this idea for a canvas tote, so he sat down,before we left, and sewed together a beach tote using wooden handles and Velcroto pull it all together. When we got to the beach, we couldn’t walk fifty yards with-out someone asking us where we had gotten the tote, because it was so cool andso easy to use. We knew then that we had a product idea that could really work.”

The beauty of this carry-all is its simplicity. It’s a long piece of fabric with woodenhandles at both ends. You lay it flat and pile all of your things on it, including beachchairs and towels; then you fold the canvas together so the handles meet, the Vel-cro keeps it all together, and you’re able to leverage a lot of beach gear withouthaving to make multiple trips.

One day, late last spring, Brandi got a notice that there was a company that wantedto feature cool beach products for a Memorial Day presentation, so she wrote adescription of the beach tote and emailed photos. “I had no idea that the com-pany that was looking for these ideas was Good Morning America,” she says,laughing. Their beach tote was chosen to be featured on a special segment aboutthe best products for Memorial Day—and orders went sky high. The beach tote,which was a great product, was suddenly one of the hottest products of the sum-mer.

The rush that ensued kept the McGuyers very, very busy, hiring sewers, orderinghandles and fabric and overseeing production of their American made product.The attention also led to features in Alabama magazine and various beach blogs,and made their Captain and Skipper beach totes must-haves for beachgoers allover the country. (The products can be seen and purchased at cartercoopera-tive.com, or at Tuscumbia’s Fourth Thursday events.)

Meanwhile, back at the studio, design work goes on. “We love housewares, but wewant to move out of the kitchen,” says Carter, who is working with an outdoorfurniture manufacturer to produce a line of products made entirely from recycledmilk cartons. His dream would be to design an iconic chair, like the Wassily orthe Herman Miller Aeron, but he loves good product design, whether that’s auto-motive, home products, architecture or clothing. The company is researchingideas for their own product line, and is prototyping a line of serving utensils thatlook like high-end ceramic pieces, classically styled, but made of dishwasher-friendly plastics.

All from Tuscumbia, of all places. “This is home,” Carter says. “We love the pace,the people, the fact that we have family here, and the fact that we live so closeto the lake.” It’s a great place to raise an eight-year old daughter, attend PTAmeetings and dance recitals, and a great place to be creative. Think of that thenext time you’re puttering around in your kitchen and open that gadget drawer.Your favorite tool might have gotten its start in Tuscumbia, at Carter McGuyerDesign Group. N

The beauty of this carry-all is its simplicity.

This mini-cake mold was designed forWilliams Sonoma and won awards.

This is not a musical instrument, but a drying rack for wine glasses — It solves the

problem of where to put your long stemmedglasses while they drip-dry.

September/October 2011 | 21September/October 2011 | 21

Did she?

Only Dr. Jennings knows.

Fresh, natural beauty. She looks rested and refreshed. So...was it a vacation? Or did she visit Dr. Jennings at Shoals Plastic Surgery?

At Shoals Plastic Surgery / Face & Body, Dr. RussellJennings offers a variety of procedures designed to helpyou achieve the look of your dreams. Best of all, theprocedures are all performed here in the Shoals — thereis no need to drive to Huntsville, Birmingham orNashville.

Here is a partial list of the availableprocedures:

FaceBotox TreatmentsInjectible FillersEar SurgeryEyelid SurgeryFaceliftNose SurgeryCancer Removal

BreastBreast AugmentationBreast LiftBreast ReductionBreast Reconstruction

BodyBody LiftLiposuctionTummy TuckArm/Thigh Lift

Shoals Plastic Surgery / Face & Body203 West Avalon Avenue Suite 300Muscle Shoals, AL 35661Phone: (256) 386-1450www.shoalsplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Russell Jennings, Board CertifiedPlastic Surgery

22 | No’Ala

The professionals who have come together tocreate the Shoals Perfect Wedding have goneabove and beyond the call to make sure thatthis will be perfect in every way. Here are theShoals Perfect Wedding Partners, and theircontributions:

Andy’s The Professionals: Andy, Jenetteand Melba are styling hair and giving mani-cures to the bride and her bridesmaids.

Armosa Studios is providing all engagementand wedding photography and videography.They are the group that created the originalidea for the Shoals Perfect Wedding.

Bishops Barbecue is catering the rehearsaldinner.

Bluewater Creek Polo Club is providingthe beautiful location for the ceremony andreception.

The Center for Skincare and Wellness istreating the bride and bridesmaids to a Gal-vanic Spa Brunch.

Later this month, Erin Speed and AlexWittscheck will tie the knot as winners of thefirst Shoals Perfect Wedding. Our goal was togive them the wedding of their dreams, at thelowest possible price, and, thanks to the Partners on these two pages, that will happen.In exchange, the couple has chronicled theirexperience on the Shoals Perfect Weddingblog (www.shoalsperfectwedding.com) inhopes that their experience will provide inspi-ration and ideas for you. Visit the website andsee what they have to say, and join us inthanking these Partners for making a couple’swedding dreams come true!

Arm

osa Stu

dio

s


Cherry Tree Lane provided the weddingdress at a substantial discount.

Coker Family Dentistry gave take-hometeeth whitening kits for the bride and groom.

Dish Café, Table 18, Sweet Basil Café andThe Sweet Magnolia Café are workingtogether to cater the reception. Each restau-rant is featuring a selection of items they arebest known for, and working together to givewedding guests a reception they will longremember.

First Southern Bank is paying for postagefor wedding invitations and save the datecards and helping with floral expenses.

Grogan Jewelers is providing a vintage RollsRoyce for the couple for the day.

Halsey House Interiors is helping the cou-ple start their life together with a duvet coverand shams for their bed.

Jamie Hood Jewelers is furnishing pocketwatches for the groomsman's gifts.

Jordyn Dean is the designer of the ShoalsPerfect Wedding, and her coordination andplanning makes the entire day possible.

Lola’s Gifts and Flowers is providing theflowers, linens, centerpieces, tarnished silverand decor for the wedding and reception.

Magpie Designs (Maggie Crisler) hasdesigned the save the date cards and invita-tions, as well as other signs, menus andgraphic items used the day of the wedding.

Mefford’s Jewelers furnished Alex's wed-ding band.

Natalie Faggioni is doing the bride andbridesmaids’ makeup.

Overflo Productions (Tim Spidel) is pro-viding sound and lighting for the ceremonyand reception.

Party Pros is providing tents, tables, light-ing, linens, and just about everything elseneeded to make sure the wedding and recep-tion flows smoothly.

PSI is printing the save-the-date cards andwedding invitations.

Side Lines is providing the bride and herbridesmaids with custom hand-made jew-elry.

Sugar On Top is providing the weddingcake.

The French Basket is helping the couple setup housekeeping by giving them a completeplace setting.

The Wine Seller is providing champagneand sparkling grape juice for the guests.

Thread is providing the fabric for the flowergirls’ dresses and the ring bear’s bow tie.

No’Ala Magazine is telling the world aboutthis event and the wonderful partners whohave made it possible. Look for completedetails of the wedding in the January/Febru-ary 2012, issue of No’Ala Magazine!

24 | No’Ala

A History of Championship Horses

TEXT BY CONNIE THWAITE » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL


PICTURE THIS.

The year is 1836. A somewhat portly gentleman in tradi-

tional riding attire sits proudly in the saddle atop a

splendid black stallion. The horse is Glencoe, perhaps

the most celebrated thoroughbred in racing history. His

rider is James Jackson, one of Florence’s founding

fathers. Jackson built the Forks of Cypress ante-bellum

mansion where he established a breeding farm of truly

exceptional horses and became known as the Father of

American Horse Racing.

Never heard the story of Glencoe and the lasting impact

he had—and still has—on the American horse industry?

Based on the quizzical expressions that greeted me

when I started talking about our local champion horses,

you are not alone. We’re famous for a lot of things in the

Shoals—the river, music, arts, history—but who knew

that one of the founders of Florence was the most suc-

cessful importer of British horses in the 19th century and

that the Shoals was the epicenter of the horse industry

until after the Civil War?

Obviously, it is a story that needs to be told.

26 | No’Ala

THE BEST AND FASTESTJames Jackson earned accolades for importing more thoroughbreds than anyone in the country and for hisuncanny ability to select the best and the fastest. His greatest purchase was the legendary Glencoe in 1836.Born in England and brought to America by Jackson, Glencoe was considered a great “filly-getter,” earningthe title of leading sire in America eight times.

At a stud fee of $100 per mating, Glencoe sired 481 foals from 1837 to 1854. His descendants have won theKentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Triple Crown and many other important races. Curtis Flowers,researcher of horse racing in northern Alabama, said of Glencoe, “He’s one of the foundation sires fortoday’s thoroughbreds. “

Among the other horses Jackson imported were Gallopade, a broodmare, and Leviathan, who was the lead-ing American sire five times. Gallopade had quite a busy breeding career, producing Fandango andCotillion by Leviathan before breeding exclusively with Glencoe each year until her death. Many of theirprogeny were in great demand, both on the race track and in the breeding barn.

Particularly noteworthy was Glencoe’s daughter Peytona. Bred at the Forks, Peytona won the 1843 PeytonStakes, earning $62,000, the largest horse racing prize to that date. She also triumphed in the “Great Racebetween the North and South,” after walking 1,200 miles from Alabama to Long Island, New York. Accord-ing to Florence banker Van Morgan, trading was halted on Wall Street that day, allowing stock traders toattend the race. A Currier and Ives print entitled “Peytona and Fashion” depicted the race. The print can beseen today in Florence’s Pope’s Tavern.

Also of special note was Reel, daughter of Glencoe and Galopade. Considered one of the greatest brood-mares in history, Reel produced ten of the era’s fastest racehorses. A thoroughbred racehorse herself, Reelwon the prestigious Jockey Club Purse in 1841.

JACKSON BUILT THE FORKS OF CYPRESS ANTE-BELLUM MANSION WHERE HE ESTABLISHED A BREEDING FARM OF TRULYEXCEPTIONAL HORSES AND BECAME KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF AMERICAN HORSE RACING.

Forks of Cypress


The most famous—and fastest—of Glencoe’s progeny wasthe quarter horse Peter McCue, born in 1895. Unusuallylarge at 16 hands and 1430 pounds, Peter McCue’s size didnot prevent him from running the fastest quarter mile in his-tory. As a sire, he had great influence on the development oftoday’s quarter horse and is a member of the AmericanQuarter Horse Hall of Fame.

According to author James Hervey in his book Racing inAmerica, Glencoe was “a truly epochal animal such asappears only at rare intervals and with whom only a scatter-ing few others of all time deserve to be ranked.” A plaqueplaced within view of the Forks of Cypress by the AlabamaTourism Department and Florence/Lauderdale Tourismstates in part: “His successful progeny insured such preva-lence of the line that by mid-20th century virtually nothoroughbred in the world could be found who did notdescend from Glencoe of the Forks of Cypress.”

Glencoe, Gallopede, Leviathan, Peter McCue and a numberof their offspring are memorialized in portraits that hangtoday in the New York Jockey Club. When Glencoe died in1857 on a Kentucky farm, his death was reported throughoutAmerica and Europe.

Jackson’s Broader Impact on Alabama HistoryIn addition to his success in horse breeding and racing, Jack-son had a lasting impact on northern Alabama. Born inIreland in 1782, he immigrated to America and lived to theage of 58. Locally, he is renowned as the builder of the Forksof Cypress mansion. Supported by 24 brick columns coveredwith a mixture of mud, molasses, straw and horse hair, theForks was the center of life on a plantation consisting ofmore than 3,000 acres five miles outside of downtown Flo-rence.

Along with General John Coffee and Judge John McKinley,Jackson created the Cypress Land Company, which pur-chased the land on which Florence was founded. He alsoserved in both houses of the Alabama Legislature. Alongwith his plantation, breeding farm and race course, he hadsuccessful businesses in Nashville and New Orleans. He wasmarried to Sally Moore (in some accounts she is calledSarah), with whom he raised 11 children at the Forks.

On June 6, 1966, the Forks of Cypress was struck by light-ning, igniting the timbers and burning the mansion to theground. From a long line of cars parked along Jackson Road,many Florence citizens watched the great fire. All thatremains today are the brick columns, forming a mysteriousspectacle stretching to the sky. In 1997, the site was placedon the National Register of Historic Places.

DONNY YOUNG: REINING HORSETRAINER AND RIDERWatching Donny Young riding his champion quarter horseGunalena Chex is riveting. Horse and rider seem united in achoreographed dance they have practiced a thousand times.With Young lightly touching the reins, Gunny, as he is affec-tionately called, dips his head, bends his torso and spins in atight circular pattern. At one point, Donny drops the reins

entirely. “Show off!” a visitorshouts out. Young respondswith a grin.

Called quarter horsesbecause they are the fastestbreed in the quarter mile,quarter horses make excel-lent “reining” and “cutting”horses. Young originallythought he would trainGunny as a cutter. This dis-cipline suits quarter horsesbecause their bone structure

and overall conformation, with appropriate training, makethem skilled at herding cattle and performing other ranchduties. We’ve all seen western movies where the rider andhorse “cut off ” cows that have wandered away and returnthem to the herd. Those are cutting horses.

As a rule, Young begins training his quarter horses whenthey are 3 years old. There are other owner/trainers who, inorder to take advantage of earlier opportunities to show theirquarter horses, begin when the horses are 2 years old. Youngbelieves that practice leads to broken bones because a two-year old’s skeletal structure is not yet fully formed. And as hesays, “I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it for the fun.”

A Fateful DecisionIn Gunny’s case, the horse underwent a difficult operation torepair a hernia at the age of 3, then spent two years recover-ing, so his training was delayed until he was 5. At that time,Young says, “Something about the horse changed my mind.”He decided not to train him as a cutter, as he had originallyplanned, but instead as a reining horse.

According to Young, “Reining is the epitome of horseman-ship.” In reining, the horse is guided with as little pressurefrom the rider as possible. The discipline includes sliding toa stop, circling, spinning and rolling back.

As it turned out, Young’s decision was fateful. In 2009 at theage of 8, Gunny, a horse that had never been shown, becamethe first reining horse from Alabama to become a worldchampion.

Donny Young

Young had enlisted Rob Huddleston ofPontotoc, Mississippi, to train Gunny.Then a brief two months later, he askedHuddleston to show the horse at the2009 Dixie Nationals in New Iberia,Louisiana. Young had planned on rid-ing Gunny himself, but he sustained aback injury. With Huddleston in thesaddle, Gunny won his class (NoviceHorse, Open Level 1 Division).

Riding a World ChampionRidden by Huddleston, Gunny went onto win every competition in which hewas shown, with the sole exception ofday one at a competition in Murfrees-boro, Tennessee. That day, he “kickedout” on Huddleston; but, on day two,he was back in form. He stepped up tothe Intermediate Open Division and, tothe great surprise of Young, Huddle-

ston and the entire reining horse com-munity, continued to collect winnings.With championship rankings based onearnings, Gunny’s total of $14,763made him the National Racing HorseAssociation Intermediate Open WorldChampion.

An amazing achievement? Yes. Butperhaps less so considering Gunny’spedigree: His sire was the celebratedNu Chex To Cash, World Championand American Quarter Horse Associa-tion (AQHA) High Point Reining andWorking Cow Horse. Moreover, Youngasserts, Gunny’s ancestry, like that ofevery other quarter horse today, can betraced to Peter McCue, and from PeterMcCue to Glencoe.

ED ROBBINS: BLUEWATERCREEK POLO CLUBWhat do you do if you’re Ed Robbinsand you’ve been bitten by the polo bug,but there’s nowhere to play in theShoals? Buy a piece of property onBluewater Creek, create both a Polofield and a race track, build stables, andconstruct a two-story pavilion for par-ties and events.

And what do you do if you want tointerview Robbins? You match yourschedule to his, meet him at BluewaterCreek, and sit on the second floor ofthe pavilion where ceilings fans create apleasant breeze on a hot July afternoon.Along with Robbins, there is a smallentourage: Teena, his daughter and fel-low polo enthusiast; Sheila, hispersonal assistant; and two of Bluewa-ter Creek’s grooms and trainers.

“I bought the land here in 1980,” Rob-bins recalls. “It had been used to raisecorn, and I thought it was flat. But it had

28 | No’Ala

WATCHING DONNY YOUNG RIDING HIS CHAMPION QUARTERHORSE GUNALENA CHEX IS RIVETING. HORSE AND RIDER SEEMUNITED IN A CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE THEY HAVE PRACTICEDA THOUSAND TIMES.

WE’RE FAMOUS FOR A LOT OF THINGS IN THE SHOALSTHE RIVER, MUSIC, ARTS, HISTORYBUTWHO KNEW THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF FLORENCE WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IMPORTEROF BRITISH HORSES IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND THAT THE SHOALS WAS THE EPICENTER OF THEHORSE INDUSTRY UNTIL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR?

Donny Young on

Gunalena Chex


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also been used for hog pens, and therewere cars buried in the ground. The carswere dug up, but horses would trip inthe holes and break their legs.” Theground needed more than a facelift; itneeded a complete revamping.

A Vision RealizedBut Robbins is a visionary— both inwork and in play. Today, his vision hasbeen realized. The grounds of Bluewa-ter Creek Polo Club are a lovelyexpanse of manicured grass. Largefields are enclosed by white fencingwhere horses graze lazily when they arenot being trained, ridden, or at play onthe polo field.

It is clear that Robbins loves horses,has loved them all his life. As a child,he says, “I had a walking horse with anatural gait.” When he was old enough,he progressed to competitive horsejumping and fox hunting while raisingand training champion hunting dogs.Then, in 1979, on a visit to Palm Beach,

Florida, he first experienced the lure ofpolo. Now, he has been playing formore than 30 years, and the team is anofficial member of the Southeast Cir-cuit of the United States PoloAssociation.

Just watching a polo match is thrilling,even for someone who knows littleabout the game. Two teams of fourhorses, their hoofs pounding, race upand down the field. The players, wear-ing red and white and wielding mallets,grip the horses with their thighs as theylean sideways to shoot the ball downthe field into each other’s goal. Thesights and sounds are like a shot ofadrenalin in the spectator’s heart.

It’s easy to understand when Teenacontributes to the conversation: “Pologets in your blood. All you want to dois play.” And now, she says, “There arethree generations of us,” referring toRobbins’ grandson, Judson Carlson,who has joined the team.

Bringing Horse Racing HomeNow Robbins wants to bring horse rac-ing back to northern Alabama. “Weraced horses here in the 90s,” he said. Butthere are obstacles. For one thing, theclub track needs to be refurbished, nosmall undertaking given the special mixof soil and other ingredients that a racetrack must have. For another thing, he islooking to buy new horses. At the timeof the interview, he was considering a 2-year old in Kentucky and a 4-year old inFlorida. He also is considering expand-ing the search to Argentina, and Teena isurging him to make the trip.

Robbins agrees with Donny Young’sjudgment about the age at which ahorse’s training should begin. “Twoyears is too young,” Robbins says.“Today, they go to extremes, and ithurts the horse. In Argentina, racingtwo-year olds is not even permitted.”

Does Robbins agree with Young’sassertion that the bloodlines of all

ROBBINS IS A VISIONARY—BOTH IN WORK AND IN PLAY. TODAY, HIS VISION HAS BEEN REALIZED. THE GROUNDSOF BLUEWATER CREEK POLO CLUB ARE A LOVELY EXPANSE OF MANICURED GRASS. LARGE FIELDS ARE ENCLOSEDBY WHITE FENCING WHERE HORSES GRAZE LAZILY WHEN THEY ARE NOT BEING TRAINED, RIDDEN, OR AT PLAY ONTHE POLO FIELD.

Ed Robbins (far right) playing polo at

his Bluewater Creek Polo Club


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American champion horses can be traced back to Glencoe. “Let me put it thisway,” Robbins says, carefully measuring his words. “Glencoe was influential andhad a great impact on breeding. But all horses?” He shakes his head ruefully.

Robbins concludes the interview with an open invitation to the Polo Club. “Any-one is welcome to come watch,” he says, “Unless we’re having a special event.” Hewants to spread the news that polo in the Shoals is alive, fun and exciting.

JAMES GRAHAM AND DAVID ADAMO:QUEST FOR OLYMPIC GOLDAs an award-winning equestrian, trainer, coach and “eventing” judge, Jim Grahamis unquestionably an expert when it comes to appraising the potential of horses.The first time Graham saw Prince Noah, he immediately knew he was looking at achampion thoroughbred. An imposing stallion, 17.2 hands high, with a glossy coatthe color of cappuccino, a black mane and tail, and a growing collection of ribbonsand awards, Prince Noah is indeed a majestic horse.

As Graham tells it, Prince Noah is also a survivor. When the flooding from Hurri-cane Katrina began in Biloxi, Mississippi, Prince Noah’s former owners opened thestable doors and let all the horses run free. It was, they thought, the horses’ onlychance of survival. As it turned out, they were right, although Prince Noah andthe other horses were carried away by the flood waters and trapped in a circle oftrees for a week before the were rescued. The owners, faced with property devas-tation in the wake of Katrina, put the horses up for sale.

WITH GRAHAM AS HIS DEDICATED COACH, ADAMO NOW CONCENTRATES MOST OF HIS TIME AND ENERGYTRAINING PRINCE NOAH AND TWO OTHER UP AND COMING CHAMPION HORSES, RIVER KING AND MARVELES.

Top: David Adamo with his trio of

championship horses; Above: Jim

Graham with Prince Noah


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Along with Graham, seven prospectivebuyers from Arkansas, Mississippi andAlabama saw Prince Noah and recog-nized his potential. Grahamimmediately contacted fellow eques-trian and friend David Adamo, aCalifornia native with impressive cre-dentials of his own. Graham recallssaying, “If you think I know anythingabout horses, you’ll come.”

Trusting Graham’s instincts, Adamohopped on the first flight he could get.What he saw in Prince Noah, he says,was “raw talent, athleticism and intelli-gence.” Although Noah had never beentrained, Adamo says, “He did every-thing I asked the first the time I rodehim.” The horse so impressed Adamothat he promptly traveled back to Cali-fornia to seek financial sponsors. In2008, he returned to Alabama and pur-chased Prince Noah. Since then, he hasresided and trained at Meadow RunFarm, Graham’s horse farm located inthe bucolic countryside just north ofFlorence.

Olympic JourneyWith Graham as his dedicated coach,Adamo now concentrates most of histime and energy training Prince Noahand two other up and coming cham-pion horses, River King and Marveles.His ultimate goal, one shared by Gra-ham, is a place on the 2012 OlympicTeam in England—a dream that iscoming nearer to realization with everyevent in which he competes.

In 2010, Adamo was invited to join anelite group of eastern equestrians at the2010 World Cup Qualifying competi-tion held in Montana. Out of a field of500 horses, with 30 to 40 in his class,Adamo and Prince Noah finished thirdbehind multi-Olympic medalist KarenO’Connor. As a result, Adamo waslong- listed for the U.S. EquestrianTeam—a significant step in theOlympic journey.

Adamo and Prince Noah deliveredanother spectacular performance at the2010 Fairhill International Olympic

Qualifier Event in Maryland. With U.S.Olympic Team scouts watching,Adamo placed in the top 10. This per-formance earned Adamo a nominationto the Olympic Developing Rider’slist—and Adamo took another leaptoward the Olympics.

Dressage, Cross Countryand Show JumpingIf you ever have an opportunity towatch Adamo eventing, be preparedfor a breathtaking experience. Eventingis a series of three challenging tests ofhorse and rider aptitude—Dressage,Cross Country and Show Jumping. Therules of eventing are defined by theUnited States Eventing Association(USEA), the national organizationgoverning the sport.

In Dressage, the horse and riderprogress through a series of challeng-ing movements that the horse mustperform with grace and precision. Theobjective is to prove the horse’s skill,balance, rhythm and obedience whiledemonstrating harmony between thehorse and rider. Adamo and PrinceNoah consistently execute the Dressagephase faultlessly.

From the spectator’s perspective, theCross Country phase appears harrow-ing. It is a timed event on a long circuitwith many obstacles. Proceeding at anoptimal speed, the horse and riderencounter fences (between 12 and 40,depending on the level of competition),stone walls, water features, ditches, andsteeply graded drops and banks. Tocomplete the circuit successfully, thehorse and rider must be in prime phys-ical condition and have absolute trustin each other—attributes that areclearly evident in Adamo and PrinceNoah.

The third phase, Show Jumping, is alsotimed, with a penalty for every secondover the required time. The event teststhe horse and rider’s jumping skills asthey vault over a series of between 12and 20 fences set up in a circularpattern. Typically, the fences are

brightly colored with parts that can bekicked or knocked down by the horse.Show Jumping particularly tests thehorse’s athleticism and stamina as itfollows the physically demanding CrossCountry phase. In a recent event,Adamo and Prince Noah performedwith only a single fault—a kicked fencerail.

Financing the QuestThe cost of maintaining, training andcompeting with Olympic-level horsesis enormous. Travel expenses alone areimmense; and with upcoming trips toEngland and Australia for World Cupand Olympic qualifying events,expenses are multiplying rapidly.

Who pays for all this? Unlike othercountries, the U.S. provides no finan-cial assistance to Olympic candidates.Neither Graham nor Adamo is wealthy,so fundraising is a constant struggle.They seek sponsorships, serve as certi-fied trainers at clinics across thecountry, and run a time-intensivetraining program at Meadow RunFarm. “Everything we do is to raisemoney so we can keep competing,” saysGraham. “We don’t do it for money.The journey is fun. It’s a way of life.”

Both Graham and Adamo love tocoach beginners, taking them from“green” riders with no experience andmolding them into championship levelcompetitors. With their impressive cre-dentials, they are in high demand asinstructors. Graham was a member ofthe 1994 World Equestrian Games,narrowly missing gold when his horse,Rosie, was withdrawn from the compe-tition due to a pulled muscle. Herepresented the U.S. in numerousinternational competitions and, untilhe was compelled to resign because ofhis association with Adamo, was a U.S.Equestrian Team Selector. As a Level 4instructor certified by the USEA, heinstructs riders through the Advancedlevel.

Adamo has been riding since he was 6and eventing since he was 16. He is a for-

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mer U.S. Eventing Association Chairman for Area VI (California) and a U.S. Pony Clubtraveling instructor. He has trained with an impressive list of former U.S. Equestrian Teammembers—all leading up to his determination to participate on the international leveland, ultimately, compete in the 2012 Olympics. He is a Level 3 instructor certified by theUSEA, permitting him to train Novice through Intermediate riders.

Olympic Gold In SightFor Graham and Adamo, the past four years of training and competing have been chal-lenging, exhausting at times, yet richly gratifying. And the true reward for theirpersistence and hard work—Adamo’s competing for Olympic Gold—is nearly in sight, notfar beyond the rolling hills of Meadow Run Farm. N

A CONVERSATION WITHRICHARD CHAMBERLAIN

Richard Chamberlain is a senior writer forthe American Quarter Horse Journal. Abrief conversation yields a few enlighten-ing facts to someone who is a novice in theworld of horses.

Thoroughbred and quarter horses comefrom the same bloodlines. Quarterhorses were developed in the 1600susing thoroughbreds mated with maresbelonging to Native American Chicka-saws.

Quarter horses have the fastest time inthe quarter mile. They are tough, hardyand agile.

Thoroughbreds are distance runners,akin to humans who run in marathons.

The difference between cutting horsesand reining horses is the training andhandling. To complete its tasks on theranch, a cutting horse need no guidance.It knows what it needs to do; the riderhas to simply let the horse run.

Reining horses need guidance to per-form; however, the less guidance, thebetter the horse.

Chamberlain is particularly informativeregarding polo horses:

Polo horses are called ponies althoughthey are full size. They are carefullyselected for quick bursts of speed, agilityand maneuverability. Temperament iscritical; the pony must remain respon-sive under pressure and not becomeexcited or difficult to control.

Polo ponies are trained to be handledwith one hand on the reins and to beresponsive to the rider’s leg and weightcues for moving forward, turning andstopping.

Polo ponies are very athletic and havegreat stamina to perform well through-out the 7-minute chucker. (A Polomatch chucker is the equivalent of aquarter in a football game.)

Chamberlain’s take on the controversyover whether the lineage of all quarterhorses today can be traced back to Glen-coe: “Doubtful.”

In addition to the awards noted in this article, we identified the following championship level horsesand their owners from the Shoals. As this list illustrates, there are many unsung champion horses inthe Shoals! If you know of anyone we missed, we would be glad to hear from you.

Easter Parade, Jim GrahamUnited States Equestrian Team–World Equestrian Game Representative–Multiple Jumping & CrossCountry Championships

Mighty Mite, Debi CrowleyRadnor International Hunt–CCI Championship

Negras Bar Girl, Lazy M Barrel HorsesUnited Barrel Horse Association–Youth–4-D Championship

Skip A True Nick, Lazy M Barrel HorsesUnited Barrel Horse Association–Open–4-D Championship

For The Love Of The Game, Jennifer JubbAmerican Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship

Ready For The Weekend, Jennifer JubbAmerican Quarter Horse Youth Association–Halter–World Championship

Heza Stemwinder, Laura Young MoseleyAmerican Quarter Horse Association–Halter–World Championship

DS Roman Kid Clue, David StoneAmerican Quarter Horse Association–Halter–Open World Championship

Star Ardical, Jimmy & Sharon BlackAmerican Quarter Horse Association–Halter Palomino–World Championship

Gunalena Chex, Donny & Mary YoungNational Reining Horse Association–Intermediate Open–World Championship

Instance, Randy & Nicole AldridgeNational Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships

Smart Lil Badger, Randy & Nicole AldridgeNational Cutting Horse Association–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships

Justanotherwhiteboy, Randy & Nicole AldridgeNational Cutting Horse Association–Futurity Finalist–Multiple Cutting Horse Championships

Fire Marshall Bill, Todd & Beth WeatherfordArabian English Pleasure–2 Time Reserve–National U.S. Championship & Junior English NationalChampionship

Rohavamericanelegance, Todd & Beth WeatherfordArabian–Reserve Halter–National Championship

Magnoms Fire At Will, Todd & Beth WeatherfordArabian Hunter–Sidesaddle–Multiple Regional Championships

Watch It Now, Jack LittrellWalking Horse–World Grand Championship

Call Me Ted, Jack LittrellWalking Horse–World Championship


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Lighting, electrical supplies & more625 S. Cherry Street

Florence, AL256-764-8481

www.sbselectric.com

40 | No’Ala

ANDREA & JAMIEMC FARLANEPhotographed byAbraham Rowe

What are yourfavorite words to liveby? In life, shoot forthe moon. Even ifyou miss, you willstill come down witha handful of stars.—Andrea

What is beauty toyou? I find so muchbeauty in kindnessand purity. It can beeverything fromnature, to a baby, orjust a very kind per-son, and I can findbeauty in it. —Jamie


Scan this CR codenow to see moreimages on yoursmart phone!

42 | No’Ala

BRANDI LEWISPhotographed byGoode Dethero

What are you mostpassionate about? Iam very passionateabout helping kids,especially those whohave been diagnosedwith chronic ill-nesses. I love talkingto, encouraging andmotivating them.This is important tome because I wasdiagnosed with achronic illness in2008, which I wasdetermined to beat. Ihave been in remis-sion since 2010. Ididn’t allow it todefine my life, it onlymade me workharder to reach thegoals I’ve set. Eachchild I’ve met since2008 has caused meto strive harder sothat I can be all I canbe for them. Being agreat role model andsupport for them ismy ultimate goal inlife. I am working tocreate a foundationthat will solely sup-port them.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE | INSIDE & OUT



ALYSON RAYPhotographed byRobert Rausch

What are you mostpassionate about?Family, friends,equality, and fab-ric—I see endlesspossibilities inthem all!

Photo Assistant: Marisa KerisClothing: Thread

44 | No’Ala

UREKA MALONEPhotographed byAmanda Chapman

My biggest motivator in lifewould have to be mychildren. They arebeautiful, talented,challenging whileencouraging at thesame time (all five ofthem). They are won-derfully gifted in somany ways. I alwayswant to be in aposition to help nur-ture those gifts andhelp them be all thatthey can be. Theirdrive, passion,energy and theirdependency moti-vates me to no end!




ROBIN & THIAGOCURYPhotographed byArmosa Studios

What are you mostpassionate about?Compassion. Thiagoshows incrediblecompassion towardshis patients whenthey are in the scari-est moments of theirlives. Robin’s heartthrives off of lovingthe unloved. I’vealways said mydream job would bejust “playing in thedirt with orphans.”We both desire tohave a large familyby having children ofour own, andthrough adoptionand foster care.

Clothing: Billy Reid andMarigail MathisHair: Aleesha CroweMakeup: Natalie Faggioni

46 | No’Ala

{ guess who I saw}

Olivia and Jerry Wages

Sandy Dickinson and Mary Settle Cooney

Martha Carpenter, Helen Savage,and Arneda Heath

Maria Barnesand Dee Barnes

Ellen Brusick, Marian Baker,and Susan Gillespie

Jerry and Lori Wolfolk copyJudge and Mrs. Hal Hughston,and Ben Caldwel

Monica Barnes, Shanna Johnson,and Mandy Murner

Above: Helen Keller FestivalJUNE 2326, 2011 TUSCUMBIA

Below: Hoedown for HorsesAPRIL 30, 2011 COPPERRIDGE FARM, CENTRAL HEIGHTS

Tina Neill

Donna Gray, Jake Jacobsand Kevin Gray

Meredith and John McClanahan

Maggie Hogan & Derrick Gargis

Laura & Greg Adderholt, Tina and Jeff Johnson, Tina Neill

Tambra & Rodney Howard

Jackie Jones and Michelle RivardBilly & Melanie Stokes

and Mike Tucker


YOUR REAL ESTATE SOURCE

Phone 256-483-9325256-740-0706

Community, Comfort, Peace of Mind, Home...now that is BEAUTIFUL! As aSenior Real Estate Specialist, I understand that needs do change and can assistyou in making the right move. Designed for the active retiree, PARK PLACEINDEPENDENT LIVING provides 24 hour staff and security, dining, recreation,exercise, and more! For all your Real Estate needs, come to the source.

Phone 256-386-5504

48 | No’Ala

JOSHUA & MEGANHAMLINPhotographed byCaptured Studios

What are yourfavorite words to liveby? In my line ofwork this sticks withme: always “staystrong and coura-geous, do not beafraid for the Lordyour God is with youwherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)—Josh

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? True beautycomes from within.Your true self comesfrom who you arewhen no one is looking. In thosemoments, one’s truebeauty can be seen. —Megan




ALEX GODWINPhotographed byPatrick Hood

What is one uniquefact about yourself?I am just about tocomplete my firstbook. I don't con-sider myself to be awriter, but it is some-thing that I'vewanted to do for along time. It is aboutrunning and exercise,but it also draws aparallel with one'swalk through lifewith God. I can alsojuggle.

50 | No’Ala

PATTY KLOSPhotographed byLauren Burrows

What are yourfavorite words tolive by?Be mindful of yourthoughts; theybecome your words,your actions and ulti-mately, your life.




ADAM GOODMANPhotographed byAbraham Rowe

What are yourfavorite words to liveby? I really like thesimplicity of thisquote from Lanternson the Levee (a book Iread for Dr. Larry Nel-son’s History of theSouth course): “I guess a man’s job isto make the world abetter place to livein, so far as he isable—alwaysremembering theresults will be [infi-nite]—and to attendto his own soul.”

Photo Assistant:Susan King

52 | No’Ala

LYNN COLEMANPhotographed byGoode Dethero

What is “beauty” toyou? There is beautyin simplicity.




ZACH & NATALIECHANINPhotographed byRobert Rausch

What are you mostpassionate about?The beauty of every-day, friends andfamily, the perfecttomato sandwich.—Natalie

Clothing: Alabama Chanin

54 | No’Ala

GINGER & JOSHWILLINGHAMPhotographed byAmanda Chapman

Is there any cause ornonprofit that isimportant to you?Our foundation—The Josh WillinghamFoundation. It wasformed to helpchildren of NorthAlabama but wemade a special fundjust for the tornadovictims. We hope tomake a difference inmany lives withthe opportunitieswe have with thisfoundation.




HELEN NICHOLSPhotographed byArmosa Studios

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? Beauty is what Ican see in others—a kind word, a warmsmile, a helpinghand, a cheer oflaughter, a supportof hope.

Makeup: Natalie FaggioniJewelry: Mollie Glover

56 | No’Ala

{ guess who I saw}

Robert Smith and Michael Hasty

Jaimie Dean

Chad Cohenour

Bob Hill and Andy Cagle

Lisa Wallace

Jason Bigbie, Ken Shepski, and Blake Garrett

Michelle, Makadyn, and David Winkle

Debbie Hicks, Lauren Hicks,and Breylee Linder

Ashley and Gunnor Winkle

Lincoln Defoor

Ashley Prinzi

Above: Dining With Friends Dessert ReceptionJULY 24, 2011 SWEET MAGNOLIA CAFÉ

Below: Makadoo’s Grand OpeningJULY 22, 2011 FLORENCE

Jimmy Glennon and Steve Holt Ribbon cutting

Mary Elizabeth Marr, Stephanie Harvillle,Faye Williams, and April Koonce

PHOTOS BY KEITH SIMS

Katlyn Barnes, Nancy Vanceand Taylor Vance



ANU YAHAMPATHFIELDSPhotographed byCaptured Studios

Is there any cause ornonprofit that isimportant to you?I have an animal res-cue called HalfwayHome for Animals. Itis 501c3 non profitorganization that isformed to help ani-mals in need.

58 | No’Ala

ALVIN BRIGGSPhotographed byPatrick Hood

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? There is abeauty and eleganceabout a person whowill give of them-selves to help othersand love uncondi-tionally, withoutbeing at the front ofthe parade line blow-ing their own horn.




SUNITHA MADASUPhotographed byLauren Burrows

What are you mostpassionate about?My career as a den-tist. I strive every dayto provide care topeople who are anx-ious or scared. I wantpeople to know that Ido care and willalways try my best tomake it easier forthem.

Makeup: Frances Adams

60 | No’Ala

RALPH RICHEYPhotographed byAbraham Rowe

What is beauty toyou? I think beauty isfrom the heart, anddoesn’t look down onsomeone becausethey are not asblessed as you.



62 | No’Ala

BETH LANEPhotographed byGoode Dethero

What are yourfavorite wordsto live by?At the end of the day:Have I helped anyonetoday? If not, hassomeone helped meinstead?




BEN & CONNORFISHERPhotographed byRobert Rausch

What are you mostpassionate about? Afew years ago, when Iplayed soccer in col-lege I would havesaid soccer. Now, it’skids—with soccer avery close second. Ialways felt a rushwhen scoring a goalor preventing onefrom being scored.However, once youhave experienced thelook on the face of achild after helpingthem learn a skill, oronce you’ve hadthem shake yourhand and say thankyou, well, there isn’tanother feeling thatcompares. (Thenagain I’ve neverscored a goal in aWorld Cup.)—Ben

What is your favoritething about theShoals? I like theoutdoor locationswhere I can hike andcamp. I love the lakeand I am usually on iteveryday. I also loveall the great localfood.—Connor

Photo Assistants: Lillyanna,Robert and Adam Rausch

64 | No’Ala

MELISSA MORGANBULLINGTONPhotographed byArmosa Studios

Is there any cause ornonprofit that isimportant to you?Each year mywinter recital pro-ceeds benefitSt. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital.I’ve always had aheart for childrenand think that child-hood should beremembered assomething magical. Ilove that the fundsraised for St. Judenot only support thekids who are in needat the moment butalso supportresearch to furtherprevention and treat-ment of childhoodillnesses. Our contri-butions may not be alot, but every littlebit counts.

Makeup: Natalie Faggioni




P.J. & BOBBYWINSTONPhotographed byAmanda Chapman

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? Beauty is insideand out. It representshow you carry your-self, how you treatpeople and whatyour life represents.—P.J.

What are yourfavorite words to liveby? Never quit… I can do all thingsthrough Christ whostrengthens us… I am unique. —Bobby

66 | No’Ala

{ guess who I saw}

Rita RichAnita Correll, Dr. Lee Morris,and Sarlene Holden

Patricia Bailey, Pam Grissom, Stacey Evans, and Sue Loosier

Anita Correll, Sharlene Holden

Deborah Parker,Brandy Burrough

Victoria Burnside

Angie Bange Amanda MurphyBritney Burleson Dee Barnes

Katelyn Callahan,Faith Burrough

Above: Obagi-C Promotional EventJUNE 9, 2011 FLORENCE ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Below: Unraveled Grand OpeningJULY 15, 2011 FLORENCE

Another reason families chooseElderCare Services

ElderCare Services provides in-home care that enables you to relax,knowing your family member is being cared for in the comfort andfamiliarity of their own home. Since 1996, we have been a trustedresource for those who need a little care...or a lot. Call Jean GayMussleman or Dee Mussleman for details.

Peace of Mind

210 E. College Street, Florence AL 35630256-740-8249

www.eldercareweb.com

3801 Florence Boulevard Florence, AL 35634-2898

(256) 272-0122


68 | No’Ala

CHARLIE LAUDERDALEPhotographed byCaptured Studios

What are yourfavorite words tolive by? When we first got our recorddeal, my sister toldme to “alwaysremember who youare” and that hasstuck with me allthese years.




MISSY HIBBETTPhotographed byPatrick Hood

What are you mostpassionate about?Making a difference.At the end of eachday I hope I havemade a difference insomeone’s life,whether it be for myhusband and chil-dren, family orfriends or a citizenwho has come to theClerk’s office needinghelp with anythingfrom a domestic vio-lence issue toneeding to file some-thing. There is alwayssomeone we can helpor encourage to tryand make their day alittle bit better. Thesaying that I keep inmy wallet is “Thebest exercise for theheart is to reachdown and help some-one up.”

70 | No’Ala

BARRETT & KATHERINESTONE Photographed byLauren Burrows

Is there any cause ornonprofit that isimportant to you?There are a couple oforganizations thatare important to usboth. One of those isBaptist Medical Den-tal International. Weare traveling to Hon-duras for a week toprovide medical anddental care, but mostimportantly to sharethe gospel with thepeople of Honduras.Another organiza-tion that has becomeimportant to us is theUnited Cerebral PalsyCenter. We begansupporting thisorganization about ayear ago in memoryof our sweet friendsRoddy and RebekahMethvin’s son, Mills,who passed away, insupport of theiramazing testimony.




LYNN MELSONPhotographed byAbraham Rowe

Is there any cause ornonprofit that isimportant to you?The Juvenile Diabetes ResearchFoundation—I havetwo children withType 1 diabetes.Organ donation—My husband had asuccessful liver trans-plant. “I can do allthings through Christwho gives mestrength.” (Phil. 4:13)

72 | No’Ala

JORDAN GASKEYPhotographed byGoode Dethero

What are you mostpassionate about?Being a lifelonglearner.



Mitchell-HollingsworthNursing & rehabilitation Center LLC

Summit Rehab atMitchell-Hollingsworth

specializes in:• Orthopedic Care (Fracture,

Joint Replacement)• Stroke • Amputations

• Cardiac Disease• Comprehensive recovery from

surgery or illness

• Free wireless internet availablefor residents and family

members.• 222 bed skilled nursing facility• 24-hour skilled nursing services

805 Flagg Circle, FlorencePhone 256-740-5400 • Fax 256-740-5495

Caring for those who cared for us

74 | No’Ala

{ guess who I saw}

Ashley & Brad Haddock

Ashley, Hudson, and Will Beadle

Carter and Brandi McGuyer,Kaitlyn Berry and Zoie McGuyer

Cody Graham and Lyndsie McClure

Sheila & Buddy Johnsey

Jeff Gordon & Andy Cagle

Acker & Judy Rogers

Liza & Henri Hill

Jeff and Michelle Eubanks

Tierra Williams, Tobias Jones,and Ginny Thompson

Jennifer and Robert Rausch withAlyson and J.T. Ray

Frances, Gary, and Mary Mac Adams

BJ and William Cale

John & Babs Campbell

Heather Hammond, Linda Wiginton, JuliaBeth Holden, Christi Williams, and Linda Allen

Below: First Southern Bank’s Handy Music Festival 30th Anniversary CelebrationJULY 22, 2011 DOWNTOWN FLORENCE

Sam and Quint Langstaff


From large catered events...to tailgating...to simply watching the big game at home with a fewfriends...Sweet Basil offers Appetizers, Dips, Sandwich Trays, Amazing Desserts, and much, much more!

Get ready for Football but leave the cooking to us. It’s what we do best!

1627 Darby Drive, English Village, Florence, Alabama256-764-5991

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

We are hands-on museum where children can experience the joy of learning through exploration and play.

• Regular Saturday Programs • Fine Arts After-school Programs • “Let’s Pretend” – Program for 3-5 Year Olds (Monday Mornings) • “Play Day” – Program for

Toddlers and Pre-Ks (Friday Mornings) • Birthday Parties • Field TripsMemberships – including Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Membership

[email protected] • www.shoalschildrensmuseum.org

Regular Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Open 7 Days for Birthday Parties and

Field Trips.

2810 Darby Drive, Florence256-765-0500. 88.7 FM Muscle Shoals • 100.7 FM Huntsville

www.apr.org

AlabamaPublicRadio

Your source for NPR news, classics and jazz

76 | No’Ala

JUDITH RAUSCHPhotographed byRobert Rausch

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? The Light. Liv-ing things, artisticcreations by humans,anything that reflectsthat spark of lightand life. I see it twin-kling in crinkly oldeyes, in my Gingerlily blossoms, in theface of a Mom in thegrocery store with agaggle of children intow.

Make-up: Natalie Faggioniwww.nataliefaggioni.comFlowers: Duggars Florist,Tuscumbia




DANIELLE SNODDYPhotographed byAmanda Chapman

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? True beautycomes by living fromyour heart and hav-ing unconditionallove for yourself andothers.

78 | No’Ala

CASEY JEFFREYSPhotographed byArmosa Studios

What is your favorite thing aboutthe Shoals?The quaintness andbeauty. After college,Brian and I lived allacross the countryfrom California toNaples, Florida. Wemoved back fouryears ago when wedecided it was timeto have a family afterliving away foralmost 13 years. Yougain a better loveand appreciation forwhere you grow upafter you have theopportunity to expe-rience the “big”cities. As we getolder, we find that iswonderful to returnto the “big” cities tovisit, but it is evengreater to rest yourroots in a quaintsmall town.

Makeup: Natalie Faggioni




SAVANNAH SMITHPhotographed byCaptured Studios

What is ‘beauty’ toyou? To me, beauty ishumble in spirit—and yet bellowslaughter with ease.

80 | No’Ala

MARY YOUNGPhotographed byPatrick Hood

What are yourfavorite words to live by?“Enjoy this day!”Marigail Mathistaught me that.




MARY BEERPhotographed byLauren Burrows

82 | No’Ala

Chef Jeff Eubanks invites you to join him at the Shoals Area’s newest restaurant, Table 18.Conveniently located at Cypress Lakes Country Club in Muscle Shoals. Delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere.

1311 E. Sixth St, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661(256) 389-0466

11am-2pm Tuesdays through FridaysJoin us on Sunday for our lunch buffet from 11am-pm2

call for entries

Now accepting nominations forShoals area individuals who havemade remarkable contributionsin the following areas:

Arts & CultureBusiness & LeadershipEducationService & SpiritualityScience

Submit your nominees (with details) by email: [email protected]

Award winners will be featuredin the March/April, 2012, issueof No’Ala.

No’AlaRenaissance

Awards


TERESA ROGERS(256) 389-8970

I CAN HELP YOU SAVE MORE ON YOUR CARINSURANCE.Drivers who switched to Allstate saved an averageof $336 a year. Call me first to see how much youcan save.

101 E. HOLLYWOOD AVENUEMUSCLE [email protected]

Savings based on national customer-reported data for new policies in 2010. Actual savings vary. Allstate Property andCasualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Company.

AND WE’LL PAY YOU UP TO

JUSTMOVE IT.

TOO MUCH INTEREST?

Member since 1987

{ shopping}Aveda Kinetics Skin Care Kit ($38)Andy’s the Professionals256-767-2800

Feeling Good Make up Lesson & Application ($65)Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa256-246-3600

Sheer Pleasures Soapworks in Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, Tea Tree & Neem,and Alabama Kudzu BlossomOsa’s Garden256-764-7663

Snap on Smile ($1800)Signature Smile256-767-6453

Facial Massage ($42)Me Spa256-712-5524

Burt’s Bees—After Sun Soother ($8.97)Natural Sunscreen ($14.97)Deodorant ($7.99)Hand Sanitizer ($4.99)Lifeguard’s Choice ($2.99)Chad’s Payless Pharmacy256-766-3298

84 | No’Ala


Pure Bliss Yoga Pants ($50)Pure Bliss Yoga Tank ($15)Pure Bliss Scarf ($36)Shoals Yoga256-702-3022

Biomega Moisture Conditioner ($17)Biomega Moisture Mist ($17)Aquage Thickening Spray ($17)Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray ($17)Aquage Straightening Ultragel ($23)Dwight Cox & Associates256-766-2512

Spartina Lipstick Case ($16)Spartina Cosmetic Tote ($39)Spartina Wristlet ($34)David Christopher’s256-764-7008

CO Q10—Wrinkle Defense Crème ($24.95)Wrinkle Defense Serum ($24.95)Hydrating Day Cream ($20.95)Valley Health Foods256-764-5340

Galvanic Spa and Facial GelsAgeLoc Vitality (Prices Vary)Center for Skin Care & Wellness256-764-4711

{ shopping}

Folding Seat ($44)Alabama Outdoors256-764-1809

UNA Tailgating Carrier ($31.95)Purple and Yellow Cooler ($29.95)Goodman’s256-766-5760

My Father Cigars ($20.10 each)Truly Cigars256-275-3601

BBQ Guru Smoker ($1000)The Grilling Room256-766-7899

Bowtie ($20)Tie($20)Coat’s Clothing Co.256-760-0033

Playing Hard

Team Mugs ($19.99 each)Corsendonk Pale Ale ($18)The Wine Seller256-766-1568

Tasty CreationsMargaret F. Gamble253 Plantation Springs Dr.Florence, AL 35630

86 | No’Ala

Philly Cheese Steak ($3.97)Montagu’s256-275-3851

Gold Peacoat ($83)Audie Mescal256-314-6634

Dress ($44)Frolic256-766-6150

Ruffle top ($200)Jean McIntyre, Doncaster256-394-3660

One Pound of BBQ Wings ($7.50)Barge Inn256-768-1721

Collegiate Hat ($17)Collegiate Rain Jacket ($38)The Off Campus Bookstore256-764-7507

Frozen Yogurt (Prices Vary) Frostbite Frozen Treats256-275-3849

Chili Cheese Dog ($3)Chicago Café256-764-3640


88 | No’Ala

{ guess who I saw}

Children’s Museum of the Shoals 10th Anniversary CelebrationJULY 16, 2011 HOME OF SEAN AND AMY RHULAND

Tony Smith

Glenda Butler, Martha Taylorand Andrew Johnson

Rob and Michelle Jones, with Katherine Anderson

Mason Ingram

Amy Rhuland and Jerri Bullard

Sheila Martin andPam Minetree

Jennifer and Roger Presley

Bob Martin

Caleb Banks, Margot Patterson, Blake Garrett, and Jason Allen

Jason and Paula Wilkes

Julie and Jonathan Frederick

Jennifer Highfieldand Jenny Kennedy

Ann Craig, Jacquie Osborne,and Katherine Rice

Teryl and David Shields


• AMAZING Steaks • Salads • International Cuisine • Dinner Specials • Fantastic Wine & Beer Selections • Home Made Desserts • Catering

• Entertainment • Private Parties • Event Planning1154 N. Wood Avenue (Seven Points), Florence • 256-765-2234

The best food in the Shoals, for about what it costs to eat at the chain restaurants. Best of all, you don’t have to dress up toenjoy a meal at The Sweet Magnolia Cafe. Come as you are — that’s sweet!

Follow us:

{ food for thought} BY SARAH GAEDE

Back when I was a caterer in Savannah, GA, I quickly learned to make it aseasy on myself as possible. I had all sorts of clever short cuts. For instance,after soaking my country ham in my downstairs bathtub for two days tode-salt it, and baking it in the oven overnight, I carried it back to SmithBros. to be carved by Mark, the butcher, with whom I flirted shamelessly.I bribed him with heavy metal band t-shirts that my husband got from

stage managing concerts (no great sacrifice on Henry’s part.) John at Russo’s Seafood,with whom I flirted even more shamelessly, hot-smoked fresh salmon for me if I askedhim nicely and brought him cookies. (As I think about it, this may be when my South-ern accent began to come upon me.) I took chicken drumettes to Ronnie at Mrs. Wilkes’Boarding House to be fried. They also made my red rice for me, since I am not giftedin that department.

But I did make my own biscuits—sometimes 300 at a time. I peeled my own shrimpunless I needed more than 10 pounds. I made all my sauces, dips, and hors d’ouevresfrom scratch. I still shudder at the memory of the Bagel Bites incursion. The host, blesshis heart, (not a native Savannahian, obviously) hauled them out of the freezer andinstructed us to heat them up and pass them around. I think we served him one and con-signed the rest in the bottom of the trash can. Why would you eat that chemical-ladenmess when you could have watermelon rind pickle wrapped in bacon, sausage pin-wheels, and spicy pecans?

If I really liked a client, and they were willing to pay, I would offer tomato sandwiches.Only select clients were eligible for this special treat. You had to be Southern—theywould have been wasted on Yankees, who did not know the joy of even a simple, eat-it-over-the-sink tomato-on-white bread sandwich with mayonnaise. You had to live within20 minutes of my house, so I could make them at the last minute. And it didn’t matterwho you were, 100 sandwiches was my limit, which meant that no party with over 50guests would be considered. The limit was two per person, although the male guestswere wont to make illegal forays on the tray when I wasn’t looking.

These sandwiches are time-consuming, and extremely detail-oriented, but youcan spread the work out over two or three days. (Warning: If you are a “P”on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, this is not the recipe for you.) Ithink they would be completely fabulous with martinis. Add somegood cheese and crackers, nuts and olives. But don’t go over-board. These sandwiches are an event, and you don’t wantto detract from their fabulosity. Besides, if you have lots ofother offerings, you may repeat one of the greatesttragedies that ever befell me. You may forget to serve

them!!!

First, make a list of friends who will appreciateyour efforts. Read the recipe carefully to makesure you have all the necessary equipment. Thenorder the bread—at least if you live in Florence,although I’m hoping it will be more easily avail-

The Apotheosis of Tomato Sandwiches

90 | No’Ala

Tomato Sandwich

• 1 Recipe Spicy Mayonnaise• 1 Loaf Pepperidge Farm Very Thin White Bread • 1 Loaf Pepperidge Farm Very Thin

Whole Wheat Bread• 6 Ripe Tomatoes• 6 Ounces Bacon

Mayonnaise• 1 Small Onion• 1 Large Egg (preferably organic and/or farm raised)• 2 Large Egg Yolks• 1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice• 1 Teaspoon Salt• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper• 1 Teaspoon Celery Seed• 1 Teaspoon Canola or Other Neutral Oil

Chop onion fine in food processor. Add remaining ingre-dients except oil; process for 1 minute. With machinerunning, pour oil slowly through feed tube. Taste for sea-soning. Refrigerate immediately. Best made 24 hoursahead. This makes more than enough for a double recipe.Eat within 4 or 5 days.

Prep: Cut rounds from the bread, stack by color, and storein an airtight container. This may be done a day ahead.Cook bacon on a rimmed baking sheet at 375° until verycrisp, 15-20 minutes, and drain well on paper towels.(Don’t you dare throw that precious grease away!) Crum-ble. Core and slice each tomato with a serrated knife into5 slices. Push out gooshy insides with fingers and drainon a rack over a baking sheet.

Assembly: Line a baking sheet or pan with wax paper.Spread white bread rounds on one side with mayonnaise.Place on wax paper. Place a tomato slice on each breadround. Creatively engineer tomatoes to fit if they hangover bread. Sprinkle with bacon. Spread whole wheatbread rounds with mayonnaise and place on tomatoes.(Do I have to tell you, mayonnaise-side down?) You canlayer sandwiches no more than 3 deep, with wax paperbetween layers. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrig-erate until serving, no more than 2 hours if you can helpit. Makes about 25, and doubles easily.

able with the arrival of Publix. Take your bread cutter with youto buy the tomatoes (not at the grocery store), preferably threeor four days ahead of time so they will be perfectly ripe. If yougrow your own, that’s even better. Fit each tomato into the cut-ter, making sure they are the same circumference. Cut thebread and make the mayonnaise the day before serving. Cookthe bacon ahead of time the day of assembly—just don’t refrig-erate it. You can cut and de-goosh the tomatoes three or fourhours ahead; don’t refrigerate them either. Then an hour ortwo before, line everything up, get out your offset spatula, andstart assembling. I promise your guests will swoon. You’d bestplan on four or five per person, and monitor individual con-sumption carefully. N


Color gets attention.

Printing • Office Supplies Furniture • Gifts

113 North Court Street, Florence AL 35630

256-764-8061

Get attention for your products or services with full-color printing from PSI, the area’s printing experts.


DANNYMITCHELL

PHOTOGRAPHY

Member, Professional Photographers of America

WEDDINGS · PHOTO RESTORATION · SENIOR PORTRAITS · COMMERCIALADVERTISING · EVENTS · SPORTS · INTERIORS · PRODUCT · STOCK

1712 Birmingham Street · Sheffield, Alabama 35660

256-386-0944 (office) · 256-627-3056 (cell) · www.dannymitchell.com

When we were planning the first Renaissance Faire in 1987…

…we wanted to create an event that would relate to asmany portions of schools’ curriculum as possible. A Ren-aissance Faire was the ideal choice since the historicalperiod known as the Renaissance saw a rebirth of learningin art, music, philosophy, mathematics, architecture, sci-ence, literature, etc.

In the last 25 years, the Faire has evolved into……an annual event that still is operated by a group of vol-unteers—not a single paid employee—and still offers freeadmission to the thousands who attend on the fourthweekend in October.

The Faire is held in Florence because……Our local tradition says that Ferdinand Sannoner, theItalian surveyor who assisted John Coffee and Hunter Peelin the layout of our city, was permitted to name the town.He chose “Florence,” the same as his favorite city in Italy.And, since the historical Renaissance began in Florence,Italy, it’s a no-brainer (at least in our view) that the Faireshould be here!

My favorite part about the Faire each year is……Watching Wilson Park on Friday and early Saturday asit’s transformed into a Renaissance-era village each fourthweekend in October.

I think most people come to the Faire to……be a part of the Faire. In the large, commercial Renais-sance Faires, people attend mainly to be entertained. Theincredible number of people who come in costume to theFaire in Wilson Park is a testament to their desire to beparticipants, not just onlookers.

School age children benefit from the experiencebecause…

…ahead of the Faire dates there is a longstanding art con-test (not a poster contest) for students in grades K-6 and asonnet-writing contest for students in grades 7-12 (sincethe sonnet as a literary art form was originated by theRenaissance poet, Petrarch). Chess tournaments are heldin schools, with a playoff at the Faire. Also at the Faire areall kinds of activities and games geared just for childrenand young people.

20 Questions for Billy Ray Warren,Chairman of the Alabama Renaissance Faire

{ 20 questions}

94 | No’Ala

This year we will be……welcoming one and all to the celebration of the Faire’s25th year! Entertainment, food, crafts of the period—willbe available for everyone’s enjoyment.

The food I look forward to all year is……Well, to be totally honest, I’m always so busy both daysof the Faire that I seldom eat anything at all. The popular-ity of the foods we offer—and the fact that most of ourfood vendors want to return year after year—says thatthere’s great food for every palate.

The locals’ feelings towards the Faire are……very proprietary. Our goal from the beginning has beento let the community know that the Faire belongs to every-one in both the local community and the entire state(since it is the official Alabama Renaissance Faire). I sin-cerely believe that people do have a sense of ownershipregarding this fun-filled, educational event.

One thing many people don’t know about the Faire is……that, in 1988, the State Legislature and the Governor ofAlabama declared the Faire to be the official Alabama Ren-aissance Faire. That designation means that the Faire islisted on the website of the Alabama Department ofArchives and History, described in some detail in the newonline Encyclopedia of Alabama, etc.—honors reservedfor events that have official sanction from the State of Ala-bama. (By the way, Sen. Tammy Irons was successful ingetting a Resolution passed in the recent state legislativesession marking the Silver Anniversary of the Faire—25years of a fine event.)

The Renaissance feast held at the beginning of eachFaire is…

…a grand lead-up to the Faire. It’s always held in the Flo-rence-Lauderdale Coliseum on the third Saturday ofOctober (one week ahead of the Faire). Our chef is fromPennsylvania and is well-known for his authenticMedieval/Renaissance recipes. (He’s appeared on the FoodChannel many times.) The Coliseum is transformed into abaronial hall; seating is limited to 200 people so everyonewill have a good time. Entertainment reflective of the Ren-aissance period takes place throughout the evening, withdiners asked to participate if they wish. At the end of themeal, a coin of the realm is hidden in one of the desserts.


The person whose dessert contains the coin becomes thereigning monarch for the next year. (The actual coronationtakes place one week later on the second day of the Faire.)

To many people, the medieval costumes are……great attention-getters. (And, I might add, the costumeshave become more and more elaborate over the years.) Weconduct a free costume-making workshop on the secondSaturday in October. People are invited to bring threeyards of fabric, and they literally walk away with a basictunic which they can embellish with jewelry, belts, scarves,etc. Because this workshop has been taking place almostsince the first year of the Faire’s existence, we believe it hascontributed to the huge percentage of people who come tothe Faire in costume.

For someone who has never attended the Faire……be prepared for an experience unlike any you’ve seen. It’sa type of re-enactment since it attempts to re-create aRenaissance Trade Faire. During the Late Medieval andRenaissance periods, word would be circulated that aTrade Faire would be held at a certain time. Usually, it washeld on the grounds of a grand manor house. Recordsindicate that people would come on foot, on horseback, byboat, etc. and the Faire would last for days as peopletraded for exotic things that were not normally available tothem. So, we try to remain as true to the period as possiblein the food, entertainment and crafts that we feature at theFaire.

We chose Wilson Park for the event because……it’s just the right size to create a compact Renaissancevillage. When the colorful tents appear, the Royal Pavilionis set in place, the two stages are erected, the wanderingperformers go into motion…there’s nothing quite like it. Ifour Faire were held at a larger venue, the intimacy of thevillage atmosphere would be lost. It’s really exciting – andvery rewarding for us – to see the park almost totally over-run with people from the 10 a.m. opening on Saturday tothe 6 p.m. closing on Sunday.

A common misconception about the Faire is……(I really don’t have an answer to this one. Over time, theFaire has established itself as a step back into the Europeanworld of 500 years ago, so people no longer expect to finda contemporary county or state fair atmosphere.)

At the Faire, be prepared to see……entertainers and crafts vendors from literally all over thecountry. We have vendors and entertainers from Texas,Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia… you name it. Andthey return because they have come to love the Faire andthe community. They like the laid-back atmosphere of theFaire because it is community-based, not commercially-based. They appreciate the down-home hospitality of ourarea. The Faire is a great ambassador for Florence and theShoals!

You can always count on……being treated well at the Faire. There’s no admissioncharge, so you can literally enjoy hours at the Faire withoutspending any money at all. Of course, food and crafts areavailable for purchase if you wish. (By the way, vendors areaware that family budgets are different, so they make surethat items for all types of budgets are available.)

The regulars to the Faire each year are……committed to helping the Faire flourish. It’s amazing thenumber of people who come early on Saturday, stay all day,and repeat it on Sunday. Many people visit our Informa-tion Booth asking how they can become involved in theworkings of the Faire. We always tell them, “The process issimple; you just have to say, ‘I want to be a member of theRoundtable (the Faire’s planning group)’” As of today, wehave 72 people listed as members of the Roundtable.

The Renaissance Faire’s contribution to this area is……above all, the contribution is educational. That’s beenthe driving force from the Faire’s beginning. When the his-torical Renaissance began, there were roughly 140,000living in the environs of Florence, Italy. Think of that! In anarea with a population nearly the same as the Shoals cameall the great thinkers, mathematicians, artists, architects,poets, philosophers, etc. that we study in our world historycourses. It’s proof that a Renaissance can begin in anyplace at any time. Beyond the educational contribution,there is pure fun. The Renaissance Feast and Faire alloweveryone an opportunity to forget the pressures of themoment and simply have a good time. In the current trou-bled world, that’s a good thing!

Each year, at the end of the Faire……we’re exhausted, of course! But the Roundtable holds afinal meeting of the planning year to evaluate the Feast andthe Faire so we can rejoice in the successes and improve onthe weaknesses of both. We “put it all to bed” for themonths of November and December to prevent “burnout”since we’re all volunteers. Then we start again on the thirdThursday in January to make plans for the next Feast andFaire. That has been the routine for 25 years!

For more information, visit www.alarenfaire.org.

96 | No’Ala

{ bless their hearts}

Matthew is the eight-year old Min-Pin/Manchester mixwho currently serves as the No’Ala mascot and office dog. He’sfull of attitude, he’s the color of baked beans…and he needs aplace to run and play.

Part of the reason is that he can’t be trusted off his leash. He’sa pretty obedient dog, but when he sees one of his favoritethings—a squirrel, say, or a cat—he’ll take off like a rocket. Wehave visions of him running into the street without lookingboth ways, or running away in pursuit of hisprey, only to lose his way and never get backhome. He got loose once, several years ago,and no matter how fast we ran after him, nomatter how loud we yelled “treat!,” we could-n’t lure him back. The dog catcher, called bya person in a neighboring office (whosename will go unmentioned but who, I’msure, probably tortures things for fun),informed us that if she caught him we wouldhave to pay three hundred dollars to get himback; she couldn’t get him either. Matthewcame home when he was good and ready,shivering and forlornly begging for the for-giveness he knew he’d get.

Another reason he needs a place to run andplay is that dogs who are under-exercisedbecome aggressive. Matthew weighs twentypounds, but sounds like he weighs a hundred. There’s a screendoor on my office so he can hear and smell the people whowalk in the front door here, but I have to remember to keep itlocked or he will bang against it, fling it open, and rush theintruder. I’ve seen grown women scream and he-men cowerat the sight of a growling baked bean rushing toward them; weneed to let him run somewhere so he can get rid of those pent-up aggressions.

Most of all, we’re a little concerned about Matthew’s weight.He weighs twenty pounds, but he’s supposed to weigh morelike fifteen. I’m completely sympathetic, of course, since we areboth middle-aged and it’s a lot harder to drop the weight thanit used to be, but when your main source of exercise is theleisurely walk around the neighborhood and then the exerciseyour jaws get as you wolf down your food, you’re going to packon the pounds. (No comments, please, on the fact that MYmain source of exercise is ALSO the leisurely walk with

Matthew and the jaw exercises at dinner.) Letting Matthew runwithout a leash would do all of us a lot of good.

It appears that I am not the only person in town with a mid-dle aged, plump dog that needs a place to run and play. Aninformal group has been formed to investigate the possibilityof a dog park, widely used by other cities to address this prob-lem. A dog park is a small fenced area where people can bringtheir dogs, take them off the leash, and let them run. They are

simple to build, easy to maintain, and costvery little, but they are a major benefit tocity dwellers. This group is talking to thecity of Florence to see if there is land avail-able to locate such a park, and the plan is forthe money to be raised privately for con-struction of the park, if the city will give theland.

Several locations have been mentioned—Deibert Park, McFarland Park, WildwoodPark and others—and costs are being gath-ered so we’ll know how much money weneed to raise. With a little luck, and somehard work, Matthew and hundreds (orthousands?) of other lucky dogs in the areamight soon have a place to run and play.

There are some responsibilities, of course.Owners who use the dog park will have to agree to pick upafter their dog when their dog does what dogs do. The planwill be to have trash cans and pooper bags there at the park, tomake that part easy…and, after all, poop scooping is part ofthe responsibility of being a dog owner anyway and it’s not likethis is anything new.

All of this is in the planning stages, but it’s coming. We’retelling you this so you can help us get ready. We may need toask you for a small donation to help get the park built; we mayask some of you to help us landscape the outside of the park tohelp it blend with the surroundings. Talk it up with your fellowdog owners, and let your city councilman know that you sup-port this idea. It’s such a simple thing, and so affordable; it willbe a tremendous benefit to dog lovers throughout the area.

Matthew, aka Mr. Bean, will thank you.

Mr. Bean Needs a Place To Play

BY ALLEN TOMLINSON

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by M

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{ parting shot}M

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98 | No’Ala

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No'Ala September/October 2011