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Alabama Living August 2011
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Alabama LivingAlabama LivingAUGUST 2011
14,000Yearsof HistoryThe AlabamaArchives’ NewExhibit
The Electric Cooperatives of Alabama
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 3
A L A B A M A R U R A L E L E C T R I C A S S O C I A T I O NFred Braswell, AREA President • Darryl Gates, Editor • Mark Stephenson, Creative Director • Michael Cornelison, Art DirectorJay Clayton, Director, Marketing & Advertising • Mary Tyler Spivey, Recipe Editor • Callie Corley, Graphic Artist
Alabama Living is delivered to some 420,000 Alabama families and businesses, which are members of 22 not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed and taxpaying electric cooperatives. AREA cooperative member subscriptions are $3 a year; non-member subscriptions, $6. Alabama Living (USPS 029-920) is published monthly by the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER send forms 3579 to: Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-4014.
ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES:340 TechnaCenter DriveMontgomery, Alabama 36117-60311-800-410-2737E-mail: [email protected]
NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE:National Country Market611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504Austin, Texas 787041-800-626-1181www.nationalcountrymarket.com
www.alabamaliving.coop
USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311
Printed in Americafrom American materials
AUGUST 2011 Vol. 64 No. 8
Next monthWhich Black Belt student can build the best robot?
Careers on the Line . . . . . . . . . 10Electric cooperatives offer stable job opportunities
The First Alabamians . . . . . . . 12A new exhibit at the Alabama Archives opens Aug. 27
Storm Victim Assistance . . . . . . . 24Some recovery centers are still open
Co-op News . . . . . . . . . 4Local information you can use
Around Alabama . . . . . . 9Eva Frontier Days
Destinations . . . . . . . . 18Johnny Shines Blues Festival
Alabama Outdoors . . . . 20The Great Horned Owl
Fish & Game Forecast . . 21
Safe @ Home . . . . . . 22Thanks for your help
Alabama Gardens . . . . . 26Start a garden blog
Cook of the Month . . . . 27Farmer’s Pie
Recipes . . . . . . . . . . 28Breakfast dishes
Alabama Snapshots . . . . 38The Beach
On the coverDetail from a mural depicting a harvest ceremony, part of a new exhibit opening Aug. 27 at the state Department of Archives and History.
Alabama LivingContents
The Electric Cooperatives of Alabama
4 | AUGUST 2011 | Alabama Living
College living can undoubt-edly be exciting. For most students attending schools
outside of their home town or state, it’s their first opportunity to be in-dependent. While college provides new and exciting opportunities, it also introduces myriad safety haz-ards, especially to students living in dormitories, apartments, and other community locations.
Although a student may have been the safest person in their school, house, or neighborhood, an impeccable safety record doesn’t safeguard someone against the actions of other residents in shared college housing facilities. Therefore, it is extremely impor-tant to develop and practice an es-cape route should there be a fire.
Fire safetyFire is the third leading cause
of accidental deaths in the United States. A residential fire occurs every 82 seconds in this country, and, once burning, the size of a fire doubles every 30 seconds. If a fire occurs in your building, evacu-ate as soon as possible. Do not try to act bravely or put the fire out. That is a fight too easily lost and is just not worth it.
If you have an escape plan, fol-low it at the first sign or smell of a fire. Never exit a door if it feels hot to the touch, as flames are likely on the other side. It is also a good idea to know where all the fire extinguish-ers are located in the building.
Fire preventionIn community living facilities, ev-
eryone must do their part to make their dwelling a safer place. Here are a few easy steps you can take to help prevent fire through electrical hazards:
w Look for the Underwriters Labo-ratories (UL) mark on all products. It means samples of the product have been tested for safety.
w Make sure outlets are not over-loaded.
w Check electrical wires and cords on appliances, tools, lamps, etc., to make sure they are not worn or frayed.
w Never run electrical wires or extension cords under carpets or heavy
items, and never bunch them up behind a hot appliance.
w Unplug appliances when not in use.
w Have building management install at least one smoke alarm on each level, and make sure they are maintained and tested regularly.
Fire factsFire is a chemical reaction involv-
ing fuel, oxygen and heat. Take
away any of these three elements and a fire cannot last. There are four classifications of fires depen-dent on their fuels:
w Class A – Ordinary materials like wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and plastics. Most home fires fall into this category.
w Class B – Combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, alcohol, paint, and propane. These tend to be more severe and dangerous than Class A fires because the liquid fuel is highly flammable and can propa-gate easily.
w Class C – Electrical equipment like appliances, switches, and pow-er tools. These fires are extremely dangerous due to added shock hazards and because the source is energized. An energized fire source supplies a steady and constant igni-tion condition.
w Class D – Combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, potas-sium, and sodium. These fires burn at a very high temperature and can react violently with water or other chemicals.
Teach them college fire safety
The Delta Upsilon Fraternity at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst was destroyed by a fire started by an unattended candle. In addition, smoke alarms in the building had been covered by plastic and tape so that they would not be activated during parties.
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 5
If you’re like many consumers today, you prob-ably do some shopping
online. Every year, online sales seem to increase dra-matically. During the 2010 Christmas shopping season, Internet-related sales grew 15.4 percent from the same time period in 2009—reach-ing an astonishing $36.4 billion.
But while shop-ping from the con-venience of your keyboard can save time, money, and gas, here are some important things to consider:
w Know your retailer. It’s always safer to shop with merchants you know.
If you want to buy from a web-site that’s new to you, do an online search for that merchant and “complaints” to check for negative chatter about the seller.
w Use secure websites. When placing your order on the merchant’s website, make sure that there is an “s” at the beginning of web address: For example, the URL should begin “https://” instead of just “http://.” Also, be sure to look for a padlock icon in the upper or lower right-hand portion of your computer screen. Both of these mean that the site you are visiting uses a high level of security to protect your personal infor-mation.
w Credit cards give you greater protection than cash
and debit cards. If you are not charged the correct amount for your purchase, or do not receive the mer-chandise you ordered, you can dispute the transac-
tion under the terms of the Fair Credit Billing Act if you’ve used a credit card.
w Choose your password careful-ly. Most websites require you to use a password to ac-cess your personal information and place orders.
Be sure to create a password that is not easy for others to guess—and use a combination of letters, numbers, and, if possible, symbols such as “*” and “%” to make it more difficult for your information to be accessed by oth-ers.
w Check the merchant’s pri-vacy policy. This will tell you how they plan to use your information
– including whether they will share it with others. You may wish to avoid sellers that do not have a privacy policy, as you have no way of knowing what they’ll do with your data.
w Always print and keep the receipt from your trans-action. It contains all of the information from your order, including what you bought, the price you paid, and any order or confirmation number. This is vital if you need to follow up with the merchant or dispute your transaction.
Shopping online is easy and convenient – but by taking some simple precautions, it can also be safe.
Stay safe while shopping onlineBy Doreen Friel
6 | AUGUST 2011 | Alabama Living
You’ve waited so long for summer vacation, and now you’re ready for that family getaway or road trip. Whether you’re cruising down the
open road or taking the kids to summer camp, the last thing you want is a vehicle problem that leaves you stranded on the side of the road.
Cooling system issues are the leading cause of road-side breakdowns, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. To make matters worse, an estimated 23 million people are operating their vehicles with the wrong kind of coolant.
During the hot months of summer, it’s just as im-portant to hydrate your car as it is your body. Using the wrong coolant for your car could result in radiator and pump damage.
Not sure which coolant is right for your car? Check the label under your hood or your owner’s manual. If you are buying coolant for your vehicle, make sure to read the label to confirm the product is made for
your vehicle’s make and model.
An excellent method of preventative maintenance for your cooling system is to have it flushed. Refer to your owner’s manual for recommenda-tions. The frequency of how many times a year you have it done de-pends on the vehicle you drive and the conditions you drive it in.
If you’re in a state that has sweltering summers, you may need to change your coolant twice a year
or just before summer and winter. If your weather is moderate, an annual cooling system flush will be suf-ficient.
Other checks are simple. Make sure your hoses are attached properly and that they do not have leaks and are not cracked or brittle. Look for signs of corro-sion on your radiator and check to see if the radiator cap fits tightly. Are the coolant levels correct? Is your coolant clean and free of oil and sediment? Incorrect coolant levels and dirty coolant could also lead to your engine overheating.If you’re just running water through your radiator, consider using an anti-freeze. It may seem a strange product to use during the heat of summer, but antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that have a higher boiling point than water.
When having your cooling system flushed, ask the mechanic to check the thermostat. If for some reason your thermostat is stuck, an incorrect reading could lead to your engine overheating.
Another way to prevent your engine from overheat-ing is to use a radiator coolant additive like Royal Purple’s Purple Ice. Purple Ice is a high-performance,
Keep your engine cool when temps heat up
synthetic radiator coolant additive that reduces engine heat in gasoline or diesel engines by optimizing cool-ant flow and lubricating water pump seals.
“Purple Ice not only helped cool my engine, but it also made a noticeable improvement in its daily performance,” says Leo Nelson of Beaumont, Texas. Purple Ice also reduces engine heat in vehicles that are towing campers and boats.
Although gas prices at the pump are higher than last summer, Americans are still relying on their cars to travel to their destinations whether it is for work or vacation.
Taking the time to make sure your car is ready for the summer drive will keep you on the road instead of stuck on the side of it.
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 7
The days of large console televisions, with their wood grain exteriors and an-
tenna wires or rabbit ears, are long gone—no more using needle nose pliers to change channels after the knob breaks or fiddling endlessly to adjust the horizontal and vertical holds.
Today’s televisions offer larger, thinner screens and, thanks to digital cable or satellite connec-tions, provide a virtually unlimited number of channels.
However, some models require a tremendous amount of energy to operate – almost as much as a re-frigerator. And the average Ameri-can household owns 2.93 TVs, according to a 2010 Nielsen report.
All of this energy use adds up. The Natural Resources Defenses Council found that U.S. televisions use more than 46 billion kWh per year, or about 4 percent of residen-tial electricity use.
In response to consumer con-cerns, TV manufacturers are designing sets that use less energy without sacrificing screen size or resolution.
Are you in the market for a new TV, or do you want to make sure you’re using your current TV ef-ficiently? These tips will help you tune in to big screen energy sav-ings.
High-Definition = High Energy Use
Although a high-definition TV (HDTV) transforms the latest blockbuster movie into a theater-like living room experience, these sets generally use more power because of better picture clarity. Also, energy consumption often relates to screen size. The larger the screen, the more electricity
required.Four types of TVs are currently
available: plasma, liquid-crystal display (LCD), rear projection, and cathode ray tube (CRT). CRT televi-sions are the most difficult to find because they employ old technol-ogy and screen sizes rarely top 40 inches.
Plasma screens often are cited as the largest energy user - mainly because their large 42-inch to 65- inch screens typically draw be-tween 240 watts to 400 watts. Most consume electricity even when turned off.
LCD TVs don’t need much power to operate – 111 watts on aver-age. Most LCD screens range in size from 21 inches to 49 inches.
These TVs fall into two categories: those with cold-cathode fluorescent lamps to illuminate the screen; and backlit models employing a light-emitting diode (LED). LED units offer several benefits, notably better picture quality and thinner and lighter screens. They also use slightly less energy, at 101 watts.
Rear projection televisions tend to be the most energy efficient and boast the largest screen sizes. However, due to their overall weight, rear projection sets are not as readily available as plasma and LCD models.
Shopping for an energy-efficient television can be difficult. Televi-sion manufacturers rarely advertise
Watch for big screen savingsBy Brian Slobada
Continued on Page 8
8 | AUGUST 2011 | Alabama Living
energy consumption, and it almost never appears on in-store labels, though new ENERGY STAR® require-ments may change that in 2012.
Faced with these difficulties, consumers need to conduct their own energy use research through un-biased online sources such as CNET.com, an online journal for the technology industry. Look for specific model numbers, which you can take to the store.
Tune in to savingsIf you’re not in the market for a new TV but want to
make sure your model is operating efficiently, these tips from CNET.com may help you save energy:
w Turn the TV and other connected devices off when they’re not being used
w Turn down the LCD’s backlight – you’ll save energy and still retain better picture quality
w Turn on the power saver mode, which many new TVs offer
w Control room lighting. While many energy-saving tips reduce brightness of the screen, you can compen-sate by dimming lights around your TV.
Brian Sloboda is a program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Net-work, a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Magen Howard contributed to this article.
Continuedfrom Page 7
Adding outdoor lights around your home is one of the best ways to protect
it from break-ins. You can add safe-ty and style with a few well-placed lights. Some tips:w Place a light at every entry point to your home: above or beside windows and doors, including the garage door.w Mount lighting fixtures on ex-terior walls near first-floor and basement windows to discourage burglars.w Illuminate your front, back and side yards with floodlights so nobody can skulk around without being seen.w Light up your driveway with pathway lights and another light above the garage door to lower the chances someone will break into your car.w Send a message to prowlers that the neighbors will notice them. Mount lanterns in trees to pour light into your yard and onto your deck. Likewise, post uplights at the base of trees and shrubs.w If you have a security camera or a security system warning sign, train a light on it so it’s visible to intruders.w Arrange outdoor lights so they’re
high enough to be out of the reach of vandals. Security experts say that’s nine feet off the ground.w Rig your outdoor lights to a timer so they come on at dusk and off at dawn. That way, you’ll have light around your house all night.w Take care with placement so light
doesn’t glare into your home or your neighbor’s.w If your lights are rigged to motion detectors, set them so they “see” what’s going on near your house, but so they’re not sensitive enough to trip when birds, bats or bugs buzz around them.
Outdoor lights can keep bad guys away
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 9
To place an event, fax information to 334-215-8623; mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; e-mail to [email protected]. (Subject Line: Around Alabama) or visit www.alabamaliving.coop
Each submission must include a contact name and phone number. Deadline is two months prior to issue date. We regret that we cannot publish every event due to space limitations.
Around Alabama
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Attalla – Month of AugustTigers for TomorrowUntamed Mountain, 708 County Road 345Summer Environmental Education Tours every Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayAdmission: $12-adults, $7.50-childrenContact: 256-524-4150www.tigersfortomorrow.org
Foley – August 4-6The 14th Annual Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Professional RodeoCity of Foley Horse ArenaPre-rodeo festivities nightly at 7 p.m. and rodeo following at 8 p.m.Tickets: $10-adults, $6-children ages 4-12, free-children 3 and underTickets available at Summerdale Western Store, State Farm Insurance in Foley, at the gate and online www.jennifermoorefoundation.com
Andalusia – August 4-9Babe Ruth 12U Softball World SeriesAndalusia Sports ComplexInfo: www.baberuth12uworldseries.com
Orange Beach - August 5Dive-In TheaterOrange Beach Aquatics CenterAges 5 and up for swimming, eating and watching a movieAdmission: $10 per child, all children much be pre-registeredContact: 251-974-7946
Gulf Shores – August 6 147th Anniversary Commemoration Battle of Mobile Bay51 State Highway 180 WestFort opens at 8 a.m. Cannon salute followed by oral account of the Battle of Mobile BayAdmission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 18 and under, free 6 and under, Family Pass $12 for 2 adults/2 childrenContact: 251-540-5257www.ft-morgan.com
Dothan – August 20Dothan Artifact ShowFlint knapping demo, raffle and refreshments, display cases, pipes, bowls, spears, clothing, jewelry, books and moreContact: Troy Futral, 334-821-5823 www.dothanshow.com
Cullman – August 20Back to MayberrySt. Jon’s Evangelical Protestant Church11 a.m.-5 p.m.Blue plate dinner, checker tournament, horse-shoe tournament, cake, pie and pickle contest and more
Fairhope - August 27Eastern Shore Strutters NWTF Heritage BanquetJames P. Nix Center, 1 Bayou DriveDoors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7 p.m. Contact: Denny Chambers, 251-605-3446 or [email protected]
North Alabama – September 1-53rd Annual 50 Mile Yard SaleSand Mountain Highway 71 & 73Communities participating: Section, Dutton, Pleasant View, Pisgah, Rosalie, Flat Rock, North Sand Mountain and BryantFor Info and rental spots: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce 256-259-5500 or email [email protected]
Deatsville – September 3Lightwood Volunteer Fire Department BBQ & Flea Market6250 Lightwood Road, Deatsville11 a.m. - 1 p.m.BBQ plates $8 or Boston Butts $25$5 Flea Market booth rental Contact: Daphne Smith at 334-569-2264.
Ider – September 525th Ider Mule Day Parade-9:30 a.m., horse and mule show-11 a.m., horse and mule team power pulls-1 p.m.Contact: Town of Ider, 256-657-4184
Cullman – September 9 & 1012th Annual 10 Mile Yard SaleAla. County Road 1545Bargains galore, food, liquidationsSelling spaces available $10 per day Contact: 256-737-0604 or [email protected]
Fayette – September 1042nd Annual Fayette Arts FestivalGuthrie Smith Park, Sponsored by Fayette Art Museum9 a.m.-4 p.m.Contact: Fayette Art Museum, 205-932-8727
Estillfork - September 16-1811th Annual Ole Timey Craft and Bluegrass FestivalPaint Rock Valley Lodge & Retreat, 4482 County Road 9Friday 1 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m.Admission: Charged, under 12 FreeContact: Edley or Vivian Prince, 256-776-9411 or [email protected]
Eva – September 17-24 Eva Frontier DaysGood music, good food, and a pig-calling contest. It’s not heaven, but it is close. Bring the whole family for all of this and more at the Eva Frontier Days. Check out the schedule below to find your favorite events, or join us every day for the whole experience.Beauty pageant Journey church10 a.m. Admission - $3Bluegrass festival Eva school3 p.m. Admission - $6Hayride Eva saddle club arena6:30 p.m. (Sep. 20) Admission $1 (Free hotdog and coke)Community Singing West Side Baptist Church7 p.m. (Sep. 22)
September 24th Antique tractor show and car show(Registration begins at 9 a.m.)Parade - 11 a.m.; Craft show - 9 a.m.; Baking contest entry deadline 10:30 a.m.; Live entertainment - 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.Best dressed contest - 1:30 p.m.; Pig calling contest - 2 p.m. Drawings - 3:30 p.m.; Frog jumping contest - 4 p.m. (at ball fields); Greased pig contest - 5 p.m. (at ball fields);Games for all ages - rides, train etc. Food vendors and more.
For information call 796-7023, 796-6981 or visit www.evafrontierdays.org.
For more information
on these and other
events coming up Around
Alabama, go to
www.alabamaliving.coop
and click on the
Around Alabama button.
10 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Careerson the Line
Electric cooperativesoffer exciting andstable job opportunities
By Magen HowardPhotos by Darryl Gates
In a bright spot for the nation’s economy, electric co-ops are recruiting and retaining talented people for
jobs of all kinds. Some of the hiring is in response to Baby Boomer retirements – electric co-ops expect nearly 10 percent of lineworkers and almost 18 percent of engineers and operations staff will retire over the next five years.
The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), a non-profit group in Washington, D.C., that studies labor shortages in the utility and nuclear power industries, predicts that 46 percent of existing skilled technicians and 51 percent of engineers in the electric and natural gas utilities may need to be replaced by 2015 because of retirement or attrition.
While the recent recession delayed some retirements, CEWD found only the timing of those retirements changed, not the estimated need for future replacements.
Other electric co-op workforce sectors are also impacted by turnover. The Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA) estimates that nearly half of the Alabama co-op employees in administration, marketing and member services leadership roles will be eligible to retire over the next five to eight years.
Chuck Billings,Central Alabama EC
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 11
It takes a village to run an electric systemWhile lineworkers are generally the most visible
employees, it takes many more departments to effectively run an electric co-op. Electric distribution co-ops – those that directly serve you – employ more than 55,000 people nationwide. If you factor in power supply cooperatives and various support groups, like AREA, electric co-ops have more than 70,000 folks on their payrolls.
Electric co-ops employ a median of 48 workers, with lineworkers comprising the largest single group of workers – 17, on average – followed by administrative and clerical workers, which includes billing and account clerks, and engineering and operations employees. The typical co-op also has one technology professional and one communicator.
Co-ops need accountants and clerks to make sure bills – and employees – are paid and to keep finances in order. Communications and marketing professionals inform consumer-members and the general public, through publications like Alabama Living and meetings, about the co-op’s community activities as well as products and services offered.
Member services and energy services employees take care of the needs and concerns of members – handling phone calls, bill payments and offering home energy audits and other energy-saving solutions. Staking technicians and engineers plot where new lines will be built, while purchasing employees maintain an inventory of equipment to keep the lights on and negotiate contracts. Information technology professionals keep telecommunications networks and computers running smoothly.
Women in the male-dominated workforce
Diane Schoenbauer, one of a handful of women in Minnesota certified as a home energy auditor, works for Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative in Jordan, Minn., in its demand-side management program (DSM). Schoenbauer spent seven years in marketing and communications at the co-op before accepting her current position.
Being a woman in a male-dominated field like energy auditing and working with DSM contractors, Schoenbauer admits she felt a need to be more
prepared than the average person coming into the job. “My first order of business was to cultivate relationships. I didn’t want anyone laughing at me or the co-op. When I pull up at a construction site with my hard hat, and they see me – a little 5-foot-5 blond – getting out of the car, I know some guys are gonna go, ‘What the heck!’ I take pride that I can alleviate their concerns right off the bat.”
Nationally, about 10 percent of electric co-op chief executives and energy auditors are female; less than 1 percent of lineworkers are. Schoenbauer encourages more women to consider careers that are traditionally filled by men.
“I wish I would see more women in this type of position,” she says. “I encourage them to think about it because it is a challenging position – it keeps me on my feet every day. It’s a great role to be in.”
The future of electric co-opsElectric co-ops fare better than other types of electric
utilities when it comes to an aging workforce. Roughly 36 percent of not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric co-op lineworkers are under 37 years of age, versus just 30 percent for profit-driven investor-owned utilities.
“Electric co-ops continue to be some of the best places to work in a community,” says Russell Turner, principal, human capital issues, for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). “Salaries and benefits packages remain competitive in a time when other firms are scaling back. Co-ops often hire from within communities, and promote from within. We’re very good corporate citizens.”
National electric cooperative career opportunities are available at TouchstoneEnergy.jobs, the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ career center where applicants can search for openings and submit resumes.
“Our resources now touch almost every role at the co-op,” says Ann Maggard, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives director of communications and membership. “Helping co-ops recruit and retain the most valuable employees is essential in today’s world, and we’re glad to help out.”d
Shelby Ellison and Kim Bauar of Central Alabama EC
Michelle Ricard and Tim Hobbs of Baldwin EMC
12 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
The First AlabamiansAn all-new exhibit at the Alabama Archives takes visitors on a 14,000-year journey
By John Brightman Brock
Are you ready to go back in time?Sifting through history’s ashes reveals that Alabama breathed life
into the mastodon and bison. Or, at least Alabama’s very first “Paleo-Indians” thought so.
Their proud life’s journey ended some 10,000 years ago, but their haunts now lead to an exhibit opening Aug. 27 at the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) in downtown Montgomery.
The exhibit is a wonderfully recreated, figurative footpath that leads back through the centuries, a visual experience where visitors will feel they’re walking in the very footsteps of these first Alabamians.
12 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 13
14 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
First to Set FootThe first people to set foot in what is now Alabama
arrived about 14,000 years ago, archaeologists say.Those settlers, dubbed Paleo-Indians, were in a
period that runs from about 12,000 – 8,000 B.C. Besides hunting animals, they gathered nuts, berries and other plant sources for food. They were nomadic hunter-gatherers, according to John Hardin, an ADAH archivist.
“We’ll have stone spear points, knives and scrapers from this period on display. That along with a mastodon tooth and a mammoth vertebra.”
A mural in this part of the exhibit section depicts a bison kill.
Settling InArchaeologists call the next period, with a date range
of about 8,000 to 1,000 B.C., the Archaic period.“These people lived in larger groups and led a more
settled lifestyle, but still moved around some,” Hardin says. “The big animals disappeared, and so they mainly hunted smaller animals like deer and turkey – some things never change.”
Fish, mussels and plant sources were also important to their diets.
“Technology was developing, and these people are known for their stone bowls often carved out of soapstone, or ‘steatite,’ “ he says. “We’ll have some of those on display including a rather large cooking pot. We’ll also have a variety of spear points and stone tools, including early axes.
“Archaic people often used bluff shelters and caves as homes. Russell Cave is the best-known example in Alabama.”
A mural in this exhibit section depicts life at a cave shelter.
The Bow and Arrow ArrivesHardin points to the exhibit’s next period, known as
the Woodland period (1,000 B.C. to A.D. 1,000), and
to a mural depicting “a very-settled lifestyle” with houses along a riverbank.
“We’ll have several examples of ceramic pottery, some of it decorated or in effigy form,” says Hardin. “The bow and arrow came to this part of the world about A.D. 700, so we’ll have our earliest arrowheads on display.”
Visitors will see greenstone axes and stone tools, as well as ornamental wear such as stone necklaces and shell beads.
Pottery, Corn – And DeSotoTechnology took a leap forward in the next
period, known as the Mississippian era (A.D. 1,000 to 1,550).
“This period is known for its mound building, particularly at places like Moundville, which was the location of a powerful chiefdom with 32 mounds, some very large,” Hardin says. One of the murals shows a portion of Moundville, while others show Mississippian people farming, holding a harvest ceremony, playing a game called chunkey and making pottery, tools and other things.
“Even more than the mounds, these people are known for their beautiful ceramic pottery and works of art carved from stone,” Hardin says. “We’ll have several beautiful objects from our collection on display, and we’ve also borrowed some items from the Moundville museum on long-term loan.”
The Mississippian civilization began around the
These Indian vessels, now in storage, will be part of the exhibit’s extensive display of original artifacts
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 15
Mississippi River. It spread to Alabama, where people developed
corn farming along creeks
and rivers. With corn to supplement
their other food sources from rivers and forests,
Mississippian societies became rather stable and large, building communities throughout much of the eastern United States. In 1540, Hernando de Soto and
his Spanish expedition came through Alabama, culminating in the battle at the
central Alabama Indian town of Mabila, ruled by Chief Tascaluza. A mural in the exhibit shows Spanish soldiers and Indian warriors in a face-off at a village.
“The Spanish managed to eke out a devastating victory at Mabila, killing practically every Indian at Mabila that day,
but damage had been done to Indian societies throughout the Southeast as the Spanish
marched through, spreading disease and wreaking havoc at many points along the way,” Hardin says.
Before European SettlersIndian history then moves into another period, as
Mississippian society and culture begins to collapse
due to population loss and dislocation.“So the period from about 1540 to roughly 1690 is
known as the Protohistoric period (before the return of European settlers),” Hardin says. “We have some beautiful items from this period, too, including many large cooking pots that were used as burial urns. As we transition into the Historic period, we display trade items that mainly came from the Spanish.”
A mural shows Indians trading deerskins for Spanish goods about 1690.
‘Touchable’ reproductionsThe exhibit contains 10 large and stunning murals,
seven maps of various sizes and a rich array of artifacts, including a few “touchable” reproductions.
“It’s all supported by interpretative text to create a narrative arc for the space,” Hardin says.
As you enter the First Alabamians exhibit, you will be greeted by a full-size reproduction cast of a mastodon skull hanging above you. To the left are two large murals – one illustrating the Archaic period and the other the Woodland period. As you work your way around the corner, you’ll be confronted by a large mural of Moundville, a large diorama of a typical Mississippian town, and cases of artifacts dating from 1,000 years to 350 years ago – and even more murals.
“In other words, you might say visitors will be progressively astounded,” Hardin says confidently.d
First Alabamians Exhibit Grand
OpeningThe grand opening will be Aug. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Curators, the mural artist, the diorama model maker, the landscape photographer, filmmaker and the exhibit designer will make presentations about and be on hand to discuss the exhibits. Interactive, hands-on activities will be going on throughout the day. For more information visit www.archives.alabama.gov.
John Hall, narrator of a film on Alabama
geology
Detail from a diorama of a typical Mississippian town
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 17
18 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop 18 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Keeping Daddy’s Name AliveThe Johnny Shines Blues Festival kicks off Aug. 27 in TuscaloosaBy Jennifer Kornegay
“I just wanted to keep daddy’s name and his music alive,” Carroline Shines says, when asked what motivated her to start the Johnny
Shines Blues Festival in Tuscaloosa in 2010. This year, the second annual Johnny Shines Blues Festival takes place on Aug. 27.
Born in Tennessee in 1915, Shines was known for his skill on the guitar and his passionate, pow-erful voice and energetic singing style. He was influenced by blues legend Robert Johnson (the musi-cian purported to have traded his soul to the devil in Mississippi to gain his impressive musical abili-ties), with whom he often traveled. In the late 1930s, the two would strum and sing in any joint that would let them.
For the next few decades, Shines lived in Chicago, playing local clubs and making his first record in the mid-1940s, although it was never released. It was not until the late ’60s, when he was asked to contribute recordings to a series of compilation albums, that Shines began to gain more widespread acclaim. He moved with his family to Tuscaloosa in the early ’70s, and he continued to tour, record and even taught guitar to some lucky T-town residents. His most popular album was recorded in 1975, “Too Wet to Plow.”
As a blues musician herself, Carroline says hold-ing an event in her father’s honor was something she had considered many times since he died in 1992, but it took the encouragement and support of two new friends to make it happen.
“I had tried to get something together for years,” she says. “Then I met Deidra Hurdle and Steve Ruff, two blues musicians who were as interested as me in get-ting something like that going.”
So last year, with their help, Carroline held the almost-impromptu event (it came together in just eight weeks) in the back yard of her father’s home where she now lives, and hundreds showed up to hear Bob-by Rush, Kent Burnside, Kent Duchaine, Steve Ruff and Carroline pay homage to Shines as they dished out some authentic blues. “Last year was a huge suc-
cess,” she says. “There were at least 300 people in my back yard. People who knew daddy’s music loved it, and so they came to see what an event with his name on it had to offer.”
And though a good time with good music is practi-cally guaranteed, the festival is about more than fun.
The proceeds support the Johnny Shines Foundation that Carroline founded.
“The purpose of the founda-tion is to promote the study of the blues,” she says. “People just don’t appreciate it like they used to.”
In light of the recent destruc-tion from the tornado that struck Tuscaloosa in late April, Carroline is also donating a portion of the proceeds to aid storm victims and the rebuilding efforts.
After the great turnout and positive word of mouth following the inaugural festival, Carroline is expecting a bigger crowd this year and so has found a new location. The 2011 festival will be held at Evans Rochelle Park at 4006 20th Street NE in Tuscaloosa, and will feature headliner Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck as well as Sweet Claudette from Detroit, Kent Burnside, Kent Duchaine, the Johnny Shines Jr.
Blues Band and more.There will be food, but guests are welcome to bring
their own coolers, lawn chairs and blankets. There might be few surprises on hand as well. “I might do a silent auction too, and auction of some of dad’s memorabilia,” she says.
Of course, in Carroline’s eyes, Johnny Shines will always be more than a talented artist; he was her dad.”d
Tuscaloosa
Johnny Shines Blues FestivalAug. 27, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Evans Rochelle
Park, 4006 20th Street NE in Tuscaloosa.Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the gate.
VIP tickets are $35 and include a tent with fans, soft drinks, a signed poster and access to an after-concert party.
Call 205-887-6859 for more information.
Little G. Weevil
Bobby Rush
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 19
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20 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Outdoors
Found throughout North America from the northern tree line to South America, the Great
Horned Owl is a nocturnal beauty. The large yellow-orange eyes, oval face and tufts of feathers on the side of the head that look like horns, give this bird a unique look. Females are 10 to 20 percent larger than males.
The wingspan of an adult can reach 60 inches and they are stealth preda-tors, making no sound when gliding to capture prey. Activity usually begins at dusk but they may be seen in late afternoon and in early morning. They can be very aggressive toward intrud-ers when they are nesting.
You will often see owls bobbing and weaving their heads. This appears to be an act of curiosity, but in fact this movement serves to improve their three-dimensional vision of what they are viewing. When alarmed the feath-ers are pulled in tightly to the body and ear tufts will stand straight up.
Small owls will bob their body up and down when alerted.
The sounds they make can vary from deep booming hoots to shrill shrieks. The common “who cooks for you… who cooks for you all” territori-al call can be heard on a still night for several miles. Most calling occurs from dusk until midnight, then again just before and after dawn. This call often will cause wild turkeys to gobble.
Gangs of small birds can be viewed sometimes attacking owls. This is called mobbing. Small birds do this because they fear predators. Owls usually don’t respond to this mobbing, but occasionally will move on to a dif-ferent area.
The breeding rituals of Great Horned Owls include bowing to each other with drooped wings, bill rub-bing and preening. These owls utilize the nests of other species such as crows, squirrels and herons. They also nest in abandoned buildings, hollows in trees and artificial platforms. Two to four eggs are laid and incubated for only 26-35 days. Young start explor-ing nearby branches and limbs at 6-7 weeks but do not fly well until 9-10 weeks old. Adults tend to stay near the breeding sites and the young will disperse widely.
Owls are solitary creatures, except during mating season. During the day, they will remain motionless while perched on a secluded limb or nest.
Wild specimens can live up to 13 years while captive birds have been known to live as long as 38 years. These birds have very few natural predators other than man. Owls as well as hawks, seem to have a taste for unprotected chickens.d
Nocturnal BeautyThe Great Horned Owl can be found throughout Alabama
By Alan White
Alan White ispublisher of
Great Days Outdoorsmagazine. To learn more,
www.greatdaysoutdoors.comor call 800-597-6828.
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 21
Tables indicate peak fish and game feeding and migration times. Major periods can bracket the peak by an hour before and an hour after. Minor peaks, half-hour before and after. Adjusted for daylight savings time.
Minor Major Minor Majora.m. p.m.
AUG 17 08:37 02:52 02:37 08:52 18 09:22 03:22 02:52 09:07 19 10:22 04:07 03:07 09:22 20 - 05:07 12:07 09:37 21 - 06:22 - 10:07 22 - 07:37 - 11:37 23 - 08:52 09:52 05:22 24 01:52 09:52 10:37 05:37 25 03:07 10:37 11:07 05:52 26 04:07 11:22 11:37 06:22 27 05:07 11:52 12:22 06:37 28 - 05:52 07:07 12:37 29 12:52 06:52 07:22 01:07 30 07:37 01:37 07:52 01:52 31 08:37 02:22 02:22 08:22
SEPT 1 09:37 03:07 02:52 08:37 2 11:07 03:52 03:37 09:07 3 - 04:52 01:07 09:37 4 - 06:22 04:07 10:37 5 - 07:52 12:37 04:37 6 - 09:22 10:22 05:07 7 02:37 10:07 10:52 05:22 8 03:52 10:52 11:22 05:52 9 04:37 11:22 11:52 06:07 10 05:22 11:52 12:07 06:22 11 - 06:07 12:37 12:22 12 - 06:37 06:52 12:52 13 07:22 01:07 01:22 07:07 14 07:52 01:37 01:37 07:37 15 08:37 02:07 02:07 07:52 16 09:22 02:37 02:22 08:07 17 10:22 03:22 02:37 08:22 18 11:52 04:07 02:37 08:37 19 - 05:07 - 08:52 20 - 06:37 - 04:22 21 - 08:07 09:52 04:22 22 01:37 09:07 10:22 04:37 23 03:07 10:07 10:52 04:52 24 04:22 10:52 11:22 05:22 25 05:07 11:37 05:52 11:52 26 - 06:07 12:07 12:37 27 - 06:52 12:52 06:37 28 07:52 01:07 01:22 07:07 29 08:52 01:52 02:07 07:22 30 09:52 02:37 02:37 07:52
August Wildlife Management Tips
Fertilize and mow perennial clover plots. Fall is a good time to boost
these plots and the clover will start recovering from the heat of summer. Don’t mow it too low! Just above the plants is fine (cutting off the flowers and other weeds).
Mow lanes, power lines and corn-fields for better shooting opportuni-ties. You can’t harvest them if you can’t see them. By mowing now, you won’t disturb the deer too close to opening day of season.
Start preparing your fall food plots. Proper preparation will make the difference in a good plot and a bad one. A soil test is a great idea so that you can follow the recommendation for a proper mix of fertilize. If your plots are overgrown, mow them now and allow the vegetation about two weeks to decay. Then turn the soil with a breaking plow and disk. This
brings many old plots back to more productive life. Plan to plant fall crops in September or October depend-ing on rainfall and your personal preference.d
22 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
The April 27 tornadoes that ripped through Alabama left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, some for more than week. Electric cooperative crews from throughout Alabama and states as far away as North Carolina and Kentucky rushed to the stricken areas to restore power.
I know of one man in a north Alabama cooperative who greeted some of those crews when they arrived on his road about a week after the storm. First, he thanked each one of them for being there, and he actually apologized for any trouble he’s caused them. He went on to say that the storms have taken just about everything he owns, but added, “Don’t worry, I’ll be OK.”
The man offered the workers something to eat. The men assured him they have been well taken of, and really need nothing. But instead the man wandered back into a pile of rubble that once was his home, and later emerged with some bottled water and snacks for the linemen.
This type of scene was repeated numerous times during the massive power restoration efforts in April, and reoccur every time there are disasters.
Jason and I have been a part of many restoration efforts in many different states. Each time I pray something bad like that never hits Alabama. On April 27 that
something bad did happened, and it was worse than I could have ever imagined.
Fortunately, no worker who assisted an Alabama cooperative was seriously injured. Minor injuries were few. One reason for this is because the citizens of the affected communities did so much to make sure that our people were made to feel at home. Further, they understood that following this type of widespread disaster, power restoration is likely a long process.
Co-op crews recall very little complaining, and a whole lot of giving. Incidents of communities cooking meals were numerous, and many times folks would drive past working crews, pull over, and simply say “Thank you.”
So Jason and I want to say a similar thank you to the numerous church folks, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, National Guard members and volunteers who just came to do whatever they could. Neighbors from nearby towns offered to help, and farmers offered to pull our trucks out if we got stuck. Then there were the hundreds of people who helped us in other ways.
In short, crews restoring your power could do their jobs more safely because they knew our members understood what was going on. And that’s important.d
THANKSFOR YOUR HELPCo-op members did a lot to helpour line crews safely restore power
Jason Saunders & Michael Kelleyare certified managers of Safety & Loss Control for the Alabama Rural Electric Association.
Send your questions:
Safe @ HomeAlabama Living
P.O. Box 244014Montgomery, AL 36124
334-215-2732
Safe@Home
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 23
24 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Cullman CountyCullman Civic Center510 5th St. SouthwestCullman, Ala. 35055
DeKalb CountyTom Bevill Center115 Main St. WestRainsville, Ala. 35986
Jefferson CountyMt. Moriah Baptist Church306 Avenue U, Pratt CityBirmingham, Ala. 35214
First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove724 4th St.Pleasant Grove, Ala. 35127 Jefferson County Satellite Courthouse1485 Forestdale RoadBirmingham, Ala. 35214Madison County
Monrovia Church of Christ595 Nance RoadMadison, Ala. 35757
Marion CountyOld Indies House Plant8741 State Highway 172Hackleburg, Ala. 35564
Tuscaloosa CountyAmerican Legion Post3120 University Blvd. EastTuscaloosa, Ala. 35404
McDonald Hughes Center3101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35401
Alabama residents affected by the devastating out-break of tornados in April were given until July 18 to register for federal disaster assistance, thanks to a 21-day deadline extension granted by the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency (FEMA). When Alabama Living went to press, nine disaster recovery centers in six counties were still open and providing assistance in these locations:
The centers are open 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more in-formation, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with speech and hearing disabilities.
Additionally, if you’re in need of assistance, you may also
call 2-1-1 to find information about community resources in your area. When you call 2-1-1 Connects Alabama, special-ists assess your needs, help you solve your problems and provide referrals to community-based organizations, govern-ment programs, support groups and other local resources.d
ASSISTAnCEFOR STORM VICTIMSSome disaster recovery centers are still open to aid Alabama tornado victims
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 25
26 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
If you’ve ever wanted to share your gardening ideas and experiences with friends, family or the world, it’s never been easier, though it may require embracing social media and, perhaps, starting your very own blog.
In case you’ve not heard of blogging, it’s the hip word for “Web logging,” or logging your ideas and thoughts on a website for pretty much all the world to see. I’ve not yet been moved to blog, but I know people who do (like Maggie Lawrence, the host of the Backyard Wisdom public radio gardening show, for one at www.backyardwisdom.info) and they make it look easy and fun.
If you’re interested in blogging, lots and lots of good basic advice is available – just search the Internet for more information than you may want. Basically all that’s needed is a blogging site, which can be set up through blog hosting services such as Blogspot or WordPress. Free versions are available as well as upgrades for minimal fees. More expensive options, such as buying an Internet domain name and having a special site designed, are also available, but not necessary for beginning bloggers.
Certainly the technology is a big part of blogging, but the real challenge for successful blogging – for any kind of successful communication effort – is to know the audience, so think before you blog. Do you want the blog to be
a personal journal to share with those near and dear to you? Do you hope to garner millions of faithful followers and become a gardening guru?
If your desire is to keep an online journal with no aspirations of
fame and fortune, go for it and feel free to write about whatever strikes your gardening fancy. Who knows, your journaling may be so wonderful that it goes viral and brings you unexpected fame and fortune. If you want to cultivate a following for your blog, though, decide who you think will read it and cater to their interests and needs. But pick a subject or focus that you feel passionately about. If you aren’t engaged, your readers will not be engaged, either.d
GARDENBLOGSEver wanted to share your gardeningsecrets? Try blogging over the InternetBy Katie Jackson
3 Harvest summer vegetables early in the morning when the flavor is usually at its height.3 Divide irises and plant new ones.3 Prune old blackberry canes and add fertilizer.3 Choose and order fall bulbs.3 Use mosquito repellant and sunscreen when working or playing outside.3 Plant fall vegetables, such as cabbage, collards and broccoli and fall-bearing beans and peas.3 Keep an eye out for insects and disease on all ornamental and vegetable plants and treat for problems before they get out of hand. 3 Begin layering shrubs, such as hydrangeas. 3 Irrigate lawns if rainfall is scarce using deep, long waterings so the water soaks in deeply.d
Garden tips for
August
Katie Jackson is associate editor for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Contact her at [email protected]
Alabama Gardens
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 27
My favorite meal is breakfast, but I rarely eat it in the morning. My favorite time to prepare breakfast food is at dinnertime. It seems I just get too hurried, or I just want to relax with some coffee when I get up in the morning instead of cooking a good breakfast. Usually I just get something quick like a piece
of fruit. But at night, when the day is over, I can spend more time concentrating on preparing a complete breakfast meal. When I was a little girl, my father would make breakfast for dinner and I always thought it was such a treat. French toast was my favorite because my grandmother taught me how to make it. At 9 years old, I thought I was a chef extraordinaire breaking those eggs into a bowl to create the batter. Making breakfast for dinner is still a treat. It makes me feel like a kid again, and it just tastes like home.
Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen tested by a professional cook or registered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.
Cook of the MonthAlabama RecipesBreakfast
Heather Letson, Joe Wheeler EMC
Farmer’s Pie1 pound ground pork sausage,
crumbled½ cup onion, chopped2 cups shredded Colby cheese1 cup broccoli, chopped and
blanched1 cup cooked brown wild rice1 tomato, cored and chopped
1 2-ounce can sliced black olives
1 10-inch unbaked pie crust4 large eggs½ cup whipping cream1 teaspoon garlic, crushed¼ teaspoon ground black
pepper
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown sausage about 5 minutes. Add onion and continue to cook until onion is fragrant and translucent, 3-5 minutes; drain thoroughly. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, broccoli, rice, tomato and olives. Transfer into pie crust. Combine together eggs, cream, garlic and pepper; pour over sausage mixture to cover. Bake 10 minutes, reduce heat to 400 degrees, bake additional 35 minutes or until brown.
Please send all submissions to: Recipe Editor P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124or e-mail to: recipes@areapower. coop.Be sure to include your address, phone number and the name of your cooperative.
You could win $50!If your recipe is chosen as the cook-of-the-month recipe, we’ll send you a check for $50!
Upcoming recipe themes and deadlines are: October Oranges August 15 November Casseroles September 15 December Appetizers October 15
Baked Grits
4 cups water 1½ teaspoon salt 1 cup uncooked grits 2 eggs beaten 8 tablespoons (1 stick)
butter
1½ cups grated Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, combined
2 cloves garlic, crushed Dash of cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring water and salt to a boil. Add grits to boiling water, stirring constantly for a minute. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until grits are thick and creamy. Temper eggs with a small amount of hot cooked grits, then add back to remaining grits. Combine remaining ingredients with grits and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese, if desired. Yield: 6 servings.
Maxine Day, Covington EC
Breakfast Tacos Your Way
1 package large, soft tortillas
6-8 eggs 1 medium onion,
chopped 1 red, yellow or green
bell pepper, chopped 1 small package shredded
cheese, any type Salsa
Optional ingredients: shredded (cooked) chicken, ham, turkey, crumbled bacon, corn, mushrooms, hot peppers, etc.
Scramble eggs, onion, bell pepper and optional ingredients of your choice. Heat several tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds. Top tortillas with shredded cheese, egg mixture and salsa. Roll tortillas over mixture.
Jayne J. Butler, Arab EC
28 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop Editor’s Note: Alabama Living’s recipes are submitted by our readers. They are not kitchen tested by a professional cook orregistered dietician. If you have special dietary needs, please check with your doctor or nutritionist before preparing any recipe.
Hashbrown Casserole(Crackle Barrel style)
1 bag shredded potatoes 1 can cream of chicken
soup 2 cups shredded cheddar
cheese
1 16-ounce carton sour cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Thaw hashbrowns and with mix cream of chicken soup, 1 ½ cups cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup of cheese on top and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Cindy Wade, Franklin EC
Salmon Patty Breakfast
1 can Double Q salmon 1 teaspoon regular
mustard ¼ cup oil
10-12 frozen biscuits 1 cup self-rising flour Salt and pepper, to taste 2 eggs
Empty salmon in medium-size bowl. Crush bones and tear salmon apart, discarding bones. Add mustard, oil, eggs and mix well. Add flour, mix well. Add salt and pepper, mix well. Drop by tablespoon into hot cooking oil. Cook until brown on both sides. Bake biscuits and serve with salmon patties as a sandwich.
Sara Sallas, Central Alabama EC
Maple Breakfast Pizza
1 package maple-flavored sausage (recommended: Jimmy Dean)
1 can crescent rolls 4 ounces cream cheese,
softened
1 egg, lightly beaten 1 cup apple, peeled and
chopped 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1½ cups shredded cheddar
cheese
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook sausage. Separate crescent rolls into 8 triangles. Place on ungreased 12-inch rimmed pizza pan with points toward middle. Press together to seal. Combine beaten egg and softened cream cheese. Whisk until smooth. Pour evenly over pizza. Sprinkle sausage over cream cheese mixture. Toss apples with cinnamon and sugar. Top with apples. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cook 15 minutes, cool then cut into 8 slices.
Jennifer Guilford, Pea River EC
Berry Friands
1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup ground almonds ½ teaspoon baking
powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
4 egg whites, beaten until stiff
5 strawberries, thinly sliced
½ cup fresh blueberries
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease muffin pans. In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, flour, ground almonds and baking powder. Stir in melted butter. Gently fold in egg whites. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pans. Top batter with fruit. Bake 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans immediately.
Jennifer Robinson-Tijsma, Sand Mountain EC
Preheat oven to broil. Whisk eggs in bowl with milk. Add spices. On stovetop, heat cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Simmer onion and mushrooms, if desired, for 1-2 minutes. Layer spinach on top of onions. Pour egg mixture into skillet, add tomatoes. When egg is set, top with cheese. Transfer to oven and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Optional: brown sausage and sprinkle on top of egg mixture in skillet before adding cheese.
Sue Robbins, Coosa Valley EC
Spinach and Cheese Frittata
4 eggs ¼ cup milk 1 small onion, diced ¼ cup chopped
mushrooms (optional) ½ cup chopped tomatoes ¼ teaspoon basil ¼ teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup fresh spinach ½ cup cheese (cheddar,
goat or mozzarella) Optional: one pound
sausage, browned
Apple-Sausage Breakfast Pie
1 pound ground sausage 1 11-ounce box pie crust mix 1 20-ounce can apple pie
filling
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup brown sugar
Brown sausage in a skillet until no longer pink, breaking into small bits. Drain on paper towel. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use ½ package piecrust (prepare according to package directions) for a single 9-inch pie pan. Line pan with pastry, flute edge and prick bottom and sides with a fork. Bake 10 minutes. Pour pie filling into partially baked shell. Layer cooked sausage over pie filling, sprinkle with cheese. For topping, combine brown sugar with remaining pie crust mix. Sprinkle over pie. Return to oven and bake 25-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Cook’s note: Pie may be assembled and frozen before final baking. Thaw and bake as directed before serving.
Mary Burk, Cherokee EC
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 29
Breakfast Bread Pudding
1½ pound pork (or turkey) sausage, crumbled and fried
8 slices French bread, cubed 1½ cups milk
5 eggs 3 green onions including
greens, chopped 1½ cups shredded cheddar
cheese
Cook and drain sausage, mix with cubed bread, pour into greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix milk, eggs and green onions. Pour over bread mix. Top with cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cover and bake additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes. To serve, cut in generous squares.
Paul D. Neuwirth, Baldwin EMC
Buttermilk Pancakes
2 cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons melted
butter
Sift flour, soda, salt and sugar into bowl. Add sugar, buttermilk and butter, stir until just mixed. Mixture will be lumpy. Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake onto hot, greased griddle; cook until bubbles form. Brown on both sides. Serve with butter and syrup.
Debra Green, Pea River EC
Breakfast Pizza
1 pound pork sausage 1 package crescent rolls 1 cup frozen hashbrown
potatoes, thawed 1 cup shredded sharp
cheddar cheese
3 eggs ¼ cup milk ½ teaspoon salt 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons grated
parmesan cheese
Cook sausage until brown and crumbly, drain. Separate crescent roll dough into 8 triangles. Place on ungreased 12-inch pizza pan with points facing forward center. Press over bottom and up sides, sealing to make crust. Spoon sausage on crust, sprinkle on potatoes. Top with cheddar. Beat eggs with milk, salt and pepper; pour into crust. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Wanda Ogle, Central Alabama EC
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Praline French Toast Casserole
8 eggs 1½ cups half and half 1⁄3 cup maple syrup
1⁄3 cup packed light brown sugar
10-12 slices soft bread, 1-inch thick
Topping: ½ cup (1 stick) butter ½ cup packed light brown
sugar
2⁄3 cup maple syrup 2 cups pecans, chopped
Generously butter a 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix eggs, half and half, maple syrup and sugar in a large bowl. Place the bread slices in the prepared casserole dish and cover with egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and let soak overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator. Make the topping: melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the sugar and the maple syrup and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the pecans. Pour the mixture over the bread and bake for 45-55 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8.
Betty Harpe, Joe Wheeler EMC
Combine cottage cheese, sweeteners and pineapple juice in blender. Process until free of lumps. Stop blender and stir with a spatula, if necessary. Put a pineapple slice on each half of English muffin. Sprinkle with cinnamon and place under broiler until pineapple begins to brown. Remove from oven, place ¼ of cottage cheese mixture on each half. Divide evenly. Return to broiler to warm cottage cheese. When done, remove. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Jerri Lockhart, Central Alabama EC
Weight Watchers Breakfast
2⁄3 cup cottage cheese 2 packets Equal brand
sweetener, or other artificial sweeter to equal 4 teaspoons sugar
4 slices canned pineapple, no sugar added
4 teaspoons pineapple juice
Dash of cinnamon 2 English muffins
Hearty Homemade Waffles
2⁄3 cup unbleached flour 2⁄3 cup wheat flour 1⁄3 cup sugar 1⁄3 cup butter ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon coriander or
cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla 1 tablespoon baking
powder 2 tablespoons cornstarch Approximately 1½ cups
milk
Whisk together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and it will thicken. Remove from heat and add fruit of your choice (fresh or frozen: apples, blueberries, peaches, or strawberries).
Navit Hill, Tallapoosa River EC
Preheat waffle iron. Mix all ingredients together until there are no lumps. Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Bake batter in waffle iron to desired brownness. Serve with fruit syrup.
Fruit Syrup 1 can apple concentrate 2 tablespoon (or less)
cornstarch
Dash of salt Sprinkle of coriander or
cinnamon
30 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
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CUSTOM MACHINE QUILTING BY JOYCE – Bring me your quilt top or t-shirts. Various designs offered – (256)735-1543
KEEP POND WATER CLEAN AND FISH HEALTHY with our aeration systems and pond supplies. Windmill Electric and Fountain Aerators. Windpower (256)638-4399, (256)899-3850
CHURCH FURNITURE – Does your church need pews, pulpit set, baptistery, steeple or windows? Big sale on new cushioned pews and upholstery for hard pews – (800)231-8360 or www.pews1.com
PUT YOUR OLD HOME MOVIES, SLIDES OR PHOTOS on DVD – (888)609-9778 or www.transferguy.com
SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North American’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. (800)459-2148, www.sawmillexchange.com
DIVORCE MADE EASY – Uncontested, lost spouse, in prison or aliens. $149.95 our total fee. Call 10am to 10pm. 26 years experience – (417)443-6511
LOW MILEAGE ENGINES. BIG SAVINGS! Price includes delivery & 1 year part warranty. Mileage Verified. Call Today! (901)266-9996, LowMileageEngines.com
8 AVON CHRISTMAS PLATES 1973-1980 – Mint condition, sold as a set only - $500.00 – (256)498-3185
WORK FROM HOME LIKE US! NO Sales – NO Home Parties – NO Risk - FREE Website. FREE Training and Unlimited Support. Visit www.mybugnbee.com for more information.
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella’s Gourmet Scented Products. Try the Best! Candles / Gifts / Beauty. Wonderful income potential! Enter Free Candle Drawing - www.naturesbest.scent-team.com
PIANO TUNING PAYS – Learn with American Tuning School home-study course – (800)497-9793
GATLINBURG TOWNHOUSE on BASKINS CREEK! GREAT RATES! 4BR/3BA, short walk downtown attractions! (205)333-9585, [email protected]
GATLINBURG / PIGEON FORGE LUXURY CABIN – 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, home theatre room, hot tub, gameroom – www.homeaway.com/178002, www.wardvacationrentalproperties.com, (251)363-8576
PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO – Owner rental – 2BR / 2BA, just remodeled inside and outside – (334)790-0000, [email protected], www.theroneycondo.com
GATLINBURG, TN – Fond memories start here in our chalet – Great vacation area for all seasons – Two queen beds, full kitchen, 1 bath, Jacuzzi, deck with grill – Call today toll free (866)316-3255, www.hillshideaway.com
ALABAMA RIVER LOTS / MONROE COUNTY, AL – Lease / Rent – (334)469-5604
HELEN GA CABIN FOR RENT – sleeps 2-6, 2.5 baths, fireplace, Jacuzzi, washer/dryer – (251)948-2918, email [email protected]
PIGEON FORGE, TN – 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house for rent $75.00 a night – Call Bonnie at (256)338-1957
GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN / NOT A CONDO! The original “Beach House” on Ft. Morgan peninsula – 2BR/1BA, Wi-Fi, pet friendly, non-smoking – $695/wk, (256)418-2131
AFFORDABLE BEACHSIDE VACATION CONDOS – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL. Rent Direct from Christian Family Owners. Lowest Prices on the Beach. Early Fall Special 4 Nights Eff Unit (2 adults @ kids) $444.00 Includes Everything (1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Units also available. – (205)556-0368, (205)752-1231, www.gulfshorescondos.com
APPALACHIAN TRAIL – Cabins by the trail in the Georgia Mountains – 3000’ above sea level, snowy winters, cool summers, inexpensive rates – (800)284-6866, www.bloodmountain.com
SUMMER IN THE SMOKIES, near Pigeon Forge in Wears Valley, 3/2, All Conveniences. Brochure available – (251)649-9818
GULF SHORES / FT. MORGAN STUDIO APARTMENT – Sleeps 3 - $85.00 a day, 3 day min. – Call (251)540-7078
PRIVATE COTTAGE ON CEDAR LAKE – RENT / SALE - Russellville, AL. - Waterfront, Furnished - (256)436-0341
ORANGE BEACH / GULF SHORES VACATION HOMES AND CONDO RENTALS – www.3palmsrentals.com for your next beach getaway. Great Rates! (251)980-7256
WWW.VACATIONSMITHLAKE.COM – Waterfront, deep water, very nice 3BR / 2BA home, 2 satellite TV’s - $75 night / $500 week – (256)352-5721
ORANGE BEACH, AL CONDO – Sleeps 4, gulf and river amentities – GREAT RATES! (228)369-4680, (251)964-2599
BEACHSIDE 1920’s BED & BREAKFAST INN – Quaint, romantic, complimentary wine and cheese in Purple Parrot Bar, scrumptious southern breakfast, swimming pool – The Original Romar House, Orange Beach, Alabama – (800)487-6627, www.bbonline.com/al/romarhouse/
1 BEDROOM CABIN NEAR PIGEON FORGE – $85.00 per night – Call (865)428-1497, ask for Kathy
LONG BEACH MISSISSIPPI – NEW CONDO, beachside, sleeps 6 – Call (225)324-0973
GULF SHORES BEACHSIDE CONDO available April thru December – Call Owner (256)287-0368, Cell (205)613-3446, email: [email protected]
GULF SHORES CONDO – 1BR / 1BA, LG pool, beach access - $95/night, $50 cleaning fee – Call Bernie at (251)404-5800, email [email protected]
Miscellaneous
Business opportunities
Vacation rentals
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 31
October Issue – Sept. 25November Issue – Oct. 25December Issue – Nov. 25
ADVERTISING DEADLINES:
$1.65 per word
For Advertising, contact Heather:1-800-410-2737 or
[email protected] - Subject Line: Classifieds
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE VACATION RENTAL – Five bedroom – www.vrbo.com/298867 or www.outdoorsmansheaven.com, (256)744-2031
LAKE WEISS – 3/2, New Waterfront Penthouse Condo, Professional Decorated, Private Deck, Fireplace, Pool, Boat Docks, Owner Rates – (770)722-7096
GULF SHORES CONDO – 3/2, gulf front – (251)979-3604. Gulf House
WEEKEND, MONTHLY AND YEARLY CAMPER / TRAILER SPACES ON BEAUTIFUL SWIFT CREEK safe, quiet. Good fishing, boat launching, local hunting clubs in area. Approximately 1 mile to Alabama River by boat - (334)358-7287, (334)365-1317.
DISNEY – 15 MIN: 6BR / 3BA, private pool – www.orlandovacationoasis.com – (251)504-5756
MENTONE, AL – LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN – billiard table, Jacuzzi, spacious home, sleeps fourteen – www.duskdowningheights.com, (850)766-5042, (850)661-0678.
ALWAYS THE LOWEST PRICE $65.00 – Beautiful furnished mountain cabin near Dollywood, Sevierville, TN – (865)453-7715
GULF SHORES RENTAL BY OWNER – Great Rates! (256)490-4025 or www.gulfshoresrentals.us
PANAMA CITY BEACH CONDO. 2BR/2BA, pool, sleeps 6. $145/night, 3 night min. (334)792-8338 or (334)714-9083, [email protected]
GATLINBURG CONDOS - Rent 3 days and 2 nights for $199.00 all inclusive - Non Smoking, Great pool. Call Jennifer in Scottsboro (800)314-9777, www.funcondos.com
GULF SHORES – WEST BEACH, GULF VIEW – sleeps six – www.vrbo.com/92623, (770)954-0444, (404)641-4939
GULF SHORES CONDO – 2BR / 1.5BA, sleeps 6, pool, beach access – (334)790-9545
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE RENTAL – Waterfront duplex – Photos at 4125hideawaydrive.com – (256)894-0034
SMOKIES - TOWNSEND, TN – 2BR/2BA, secluded log home, fully furnished. Toll free (866)448-6203, (228)832-0713
PENSACOLA BEACH CONDO - Gulf front - 7th floor balcony – 3BR/2BA, sleeps 6, pool – (850)572-6295 or (850)968-2170
GULF SHORES PLANTATION - Gulf view, beach side, 2 bedrooms / 2 baths, no smoking / no pets. Owner rates (205)339-3850
www.hideawayprop.com - CABINS IN PEACEFUL, CONVENIENT SETTING – Pigeon Forge, TN – (251)649-3344 or (251)649-4049
GATLINBURG, TN CHALET – 3BR / 3BA Baskins Creek – Pool, 10 minute walk downtown, Aquarium, National Park – (334)289-0304
ORANGE BEACH CONDO, 3BR/3BA; 2,000 SQ.FT.; beautifully decorated; gorgeous waterfront view; boat slips available; great rates - Owner rented (251)604-5226
GULF SHORES CONDO ON THE BEACH! 2BR/2BA - Beautiful update at SANDPIPER - (502) 386-7130
2BR / 2BA FAMILY FRIENDLY CABIN – Best Rates in the Smokies – Owners vacation home - (865)712-7633, www.homeaway.com /180532
CABIN IN MENTONE – 2/2, brow view, hottub – For rent $100/night or Sale $239,000 – (706)767-0177
GATLINBURG – DOWNTOWN LUXURY CREEKSIDE CONDO – 2BR / 2BA, sleeps 6 – [email protected], (256)599-5552
GULF SHORES CONDO - Nice pool, Non Smoking, Sleeps 4 - $75.00 per night - Call Jennifer in Scottsboro (800)314-9777, www.funcondos.comPIGEON FORGE, TN: $89 - $125, 2BR/2BA, hot tub, pool table, fireplace, swimming pool, creek – (251)363-1973, www.mylittlebitofheaven.com
KATHY’S ORANGE BEACH CONDO – 2BR/2BA, non-smoking. Best rates beachside! Family friendly – (205)253-4985, www.angelfire.com/planet/kathyscondo
SMITH LAKE CABIN – 6BR / 2BA, large kitchen / den, lake front, boat dock with swim platform – Minimum 6 nights, $175 / night for up to 8 people. Plus $75 cleaning fee – (615)776-2071
CAMP IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS – Maggie Valley, NC – www.trailsendrv-park.com, (828)421-5295.
CONECUH VILLAGE RV CAMPGROUND IN RANGE, AL – Weekly, monthly or yearly rates. 9 Bed Bunkhouse, everything furnished, country living – (850)623-8415, (251)248-2086
GULF COAST PERDIDO AREA – Waterfront, 3200 sqft – 4BR / 3.5BA – Many extras, 8 years old - $395,000 (850)492-6808
SMITH LAKE HOME – ROCK CREEK, 2-story, 4BR/2BA, 150’ waterfront, covered porch, covered pavillion, boat ramp, 2-boat covered dock, city water, gated (256)773-3055
FOREST HOME, ALABAMA – 173 acres with a brand new 1600sqft. hunting lodge with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, upstairs loft, indoor wash room and a massive wood burning fireplace. EXCELLENT HUNTING - $2,500 per acre – (850)791-7576
ORANGE BEACH CONDO – GULF FRONT, 3BR/2BA condo, great amenities, 5 pools - current owners seeking 2 or 3 partners - [email protected]
FOR LEASE: 500 ACRES FOR HUNTING around McWilliams, Alabama, Wilcox County – Call (251)626-1448
MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME SITES atop Sand Mountain. Protective restrictions, www.pellsgap.com
FOR SALE: GORGEOUS FURNISHED MOUNTAIN CABIN ON 2 ACRES IN MENTONE, AL - Call Lee Eidson at RE/MAX of Rome GA (706)346-1673, (706)232-1112
WATERFRONT LOT – TENSAW LAKE, STOCKTON – 85’x697’, Utilities - $165,000 – (251)653-4085
COOSA RIVER, LAKE JORDAN HOME AND THREE LOTS FOR SALE by Owner – Water on back and front lots – Call (334)430-0596
CARIBBEAN CRUISES AT THE LOWEST PRICE – (256)974-0500 or (800)726-0954
caMping, Fishing & hunting
traVel
real estate
32 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Classifieds
PIANOS TUNED, repaired, refinished. Box 171, Coy, AL 36435. 334-337-4503
PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR! 10 lessons $12.95. “LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC”. Chording, runs, fills - $12.95 Both $24. Davidsons, 6727AL Metcalf, Shawnee Missions, Kansas 66204 – (913)262-4982
FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE – write to 23600 Alabama Highway 24, Trinity, AL, 35673
BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7549 West Cactus #104-207 Peoria, Arizona 85381. http://www.ordination.org
WWW.2HOMESCHOOL.ORG – Year round enrollment. Everybody homeschools. It is just a matter of what degree. Contact Dr. Cerny (256)705-3560 or website.
ADORABLE AKC YORKY PUPPIES – excellent blood lines – (334)301-1120, (334)537-4242, [email protected]
CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. Tiny, registered, guaranteed healthy, raised indoors in loving home, vet records and references. (256)796-2893
education
critters
Musical notes
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 33
Marketplace
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 35
36 | AUGUST 2011 | www.alabamaliving.coop
Our Sources Say
My great-grandfather and grandfather were known as the “great fishermen of Alcorn County, Mississippi.” During my great-grandfather’s life, they fished almost every Wednesday afternoon when Corinth’s businesses closed. They also fished on weekends. After my great-grandfather died, They would eat the fish they caught and gave some away to friends and families. I certainly ate a lot of the fish they caught when I was young.
I started fishing as a teenager, although I don’t remember ever fishing with my grandfather. I think fishing was a much too serious pastime for him to have grandchildren along. My friends and I mainly fished Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River and caught bream, smallmouth bass and catfish. We ate almost all the fish we caught.
I remember the warnings and the signs in the 1970s about the dangers of eating fish because of high mercury levels. There was even a ban on eating fish from Pickwick because of the mercury levels in the fish. We ate the fish we caught anyway.
We all know mercury is the silver stuff in thermometers, and my mother told me not to bite the thermometer or the mercury would poison me. Mercury is a neurotoxin. That means it poisons your brain cells. We have been told that the mercury in the atmosphere comes from coal-fired electric generation plants, and that we need to limit the amount of mercury coal-fired power plants emit to save babies’ health and lives – something we would all like to do.
Mercury is found naturally in many places. It is embedded in rock, is in seawater, is vaporized in the air and is found in most substances on the earth, including coal. When coal is burned in power plants, the mercury that is not captured in scrubbers and other environmental equipment is released into the atmosphere where it eventually drops into the oceans and is eaten by small fish that are eaten by bigger fish and ultimately end up on your plate.
The EPA will soon pass regulations to limit the amount of mercury coal-fired power plants can emit. EPA estimates compliance with the rule will cost electric utilities – and ultimately you through your electric bill – $10.9 billion and will save 17,000 lives and generate savings of $140 billion in reduced health benefits. The value in lives alone, if the numbers – which are unsupported by EPA – are true, makes the effort worthwhile.
From the publicity, you would think that once the mercury reductions on coal-fired power plants are in place we will all be safe from the ravages of mercury and can eat our fish without worry.
After all, U.S. coal-fired power plants emit around 48 tons of mercury a year, which sounds like a lot. However, forest fires in the U.S. emit around 44 tons of mercury a year, volcanoes and geysers release about 10,000 tons of mercury a year, and cremation of bodies in the U.S. releases around 26 tons of mercury a year. Finally, Chinese coal-fired plants release about 400 tons of mercury a year.
Dr. Willie Soon, a professor of natural science at Harvard University, estimates that U.S. coal-fired power plants contribute less than 0.5 percent of the mercury released into the atmosphere each year. He reasons that imposing billions
of dollars of added expense on the nation’s people and economy (remember that almost all additional electric utility costs are passed on to consumers in rates) will do nothing for the remaining 99.5 percent of the mercury emitted into the atmosphere each year. And, if mercury form coal-fired power plants will actually kill 17,000 people, how many will be killed by mercury from other sources?
I don’t tell you all this to because I am not concerned about public health or don’t care about the health of the people that live in our service area – I do. Nor do I tell you this as an objection to investing in equipment to reduce mercury emissions from our coal-fired power plants. Our scrubbers do a good job capturing mercury, and it appears our coal-fired power plants will comply with the coming EPA regulations as we understand them. And we will do more to comply with EPA’s regulations on mercury emissions if we have to, or if we are required to.
However, you should not be fooled into thinking that coal-fired power plants are the root of all environmental evil and that if we could only get our electricity from “green” sources all would be environmentally well with the Earth. Huge amounts of mercury will continue to be released from other sources. If the EPA would spend more time structuring approaches that balance environmental and economic interests our country, our economy and our people would be much better off.
In the meantime, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how poisoned my brain may be because I ate a lot of banned fish from the Tennessee River when I was young. I continue to enjoy fish and don’t worry very much about the mercury.
Mercury: Will the EPA save us?
Gary Smith is President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
Alabama Living | AUGUST 2011 | 37
Our Sources Say
TVA has a rich history of improving the standards of living for the people in the TVA service area. Facing challenging economic conditions, tougher new emissions standards, the need to modernize its generation fleet and changing customer needs, TVA has adopted a new vision to prepare for the future. TVA’s basic mission has not changed, but the times have changed, and requirements have changed for the energy industry.
TVA intends to be one of the nation’s leaders in improving air quality, increased nuclear production and the Southeast’s leader in increased energy efficiency, while improving its core business. Every TVA initiative will be linked to six focus areas: low rates, high reliability, responsibility, cleaner air, more nuclear generation, and greater energy efficiency. By accomplishing these goals, TVA will realize its vision and continue to meet the needs of its customers.
TVA has invested $5.3 billion to reduce sulfur-dioxide and nitrogen-oxide emissions at its coal-fired plants. In 2009, emissions were 90 percent less than their peak levels.
With more stringent regulations coming soon, TVA has announced plans to idle a combined 1,000 megawatts at Widows Creek, Shawnee and John Sevier fossil plants due to higher operating costs and aging infrastructures at
these locations. TVA is reviewing other units without emission controls and will decide whether to idle or upgrade those units over the next two to three years. The loss of these units will be more than offset by additional units coming online and through increased energy efficiency.
TVA is one of the only utilities in the nation constructing new nuclear capacity. Watts Bar Unit 2 will add 1,150 megawatts of power to TVA’s generating portfolio. Bellefonte is being inspected for modernization and
completion, and TVA is looking at other sites where additional nuclear capacity could be developed.
TVA has increased its investment in energy-efficiency and demand-response programs. By focusing on energy efficiency, TVA can avoid costly expenditures in the future and help customers get more value for their electricity dollar. TVA is working to reduce peak power usage with demand management tools as well as looking to minimize transmission losses and increase plant efficiency.
As TVA moves forward to a cleaner and more energy efficient future, we must lead with focus. We must focus on the key critical issues. We must not lose sight of our core business. We must keep rates low, maintain power system reliability, and strengthen our reputation. We must continue to be innovative and prudent in order to be the best in the energy industry.
Our results must be transparent. We place a high value on our stakeholders; we count on their continued support and partnership as we work to produce power that is competitively priced, safe and clean. It is important to keep our stakeholders abreast of our actions as we move toward a new strategic direction for TVA, and a new future for the TVA service region.d
VISIONROADMAPEnergy produced in the Tennessee Valley will be cleaner and more efficient
Waymon Pace is general manager, customer service of the Tennessee Valley Authority in Alabama.
TVA intends to be one
of the nation’s leaders
in improving air quality,
increased nuclear
production and increased
energy efficiency
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