camellia magazine_fall 2010

CamelliaS P E C I A L P R E M I E R E D I T I O N

www.camelliamagazine.com • issue 1 • fall 2010

CamelliaS P E C I A L P R E M I E R E D I T I O N

www.camelliamagazine.com • issue 1 • fall 2010

ROCKIN’Rock killough on his music & life

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INSIDE THIS EDITION

Fall weather means there are plenty of activities in Greenville to take advantage of. In September, catch “Country Royalty” at the Ritz Theatre or enjoy a fun-nel cake at the Butler County Fair. October brings

weekends full of thrills at the Greenville Fire Department’s Haunted Firehouse and some tasty fried comfort food at the Chamber of Commerce’s “Whim Doozie of a Fish Fry.”

GREENVILLE EVENTS4

Ashley VansantPublisher

CirCulationTammy Faulk

EditorialKevin Pearcey

Managing Editor

Angie LongStaff Writer

Austin NelsonStaff Writer

Michael RodgersStaff Writer

Eason FranklinStaff Writer

[email protected]

advErtisingTracy Salter

Advertising Manager

Susan BradenMarketing Consultant

Kristen KepplerMarketing Consultant

Huck TreadwellGraphic Designer

[email protected]

Camellia Magazine is published four times per year by

Greenville Newspapers, LLC.103 Hickory Street

Greenville, AL 36037www.camelliamagazine.com

334.382.31111

Advertising rates and information are available upon request.Subscriptions are available for $18Please make checks payable to:Greenville Newspapers, LLC103 Hickory St., Greenville, AL 36037

ROSEWOOD 12Union soldiers camped outside of Rosewood to avoid small pox in Lowdesboro (a hoax perpe-trated by the town’s doctor to keep Lowndes-boro safe from destruction). Descendents of the home’s builder - Dr. Hardy Vickers Wooten - still reside in the elegant old home. The upstairs of the house has its original furnish-ings, including Dr. Wooten’s desk and journals.

ROCK OF AGES 26We all know Rock, but do we really know Rock? Rock Killough, Greenville’s own singer-song-writer, talks about his life and love of music. Learn how Arthur Lloyd Killough Jr. became Rock, the friendships he developed with celebrities along the way, and the top ten songs that inspire him to pick up his guitar and compose.

36The Camellia House in Luverne offers out-of-town guests a unique getaway.

34Want to getaway for the day? Take a trip to Adventures Unlimited.

CONTENTS | fall 2010

Camelliamagazine

What’s the first edition of Camellia Magazine without a story about the flower for which Greenville received its famous designation? “The Camellia City” has long been home to a wide variety of beautiful

camellias and it wasn’t too long until the state took notice, adopting the camellia as the state’s own flower.

LOVIN’ CAMELLIAS18

What does the southerner love the most? A sweet and juicy homegrowned tomato, good between two slices of bread with

mayonaise or cut up, cubed and tossed into a salad. Tomatoes remain a staple in any southern man or woman’s diet.

THE DELICIOUS TOMATO39

COVER PHOTOGRAPHASHLEY VANSANT

OLD TIME FARM DAY

CAMELLIA CITY CLAssIC

HAUNTED FIREHOUsE

what to do

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

9/4 - CRENsHAw COUNTY PEANUT BOIL FEsTIvALLocation: LuverneAn annual tradition and heaven for anyone who loves boiled peanuts, the Crenshaw County Peanut Boil is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fun things on tap include a car show, food vendors, a fun run and plenty of entertainment throughout the day. 334-335-4468.

9/13 - COUNTRY ROYALTYLocation: GreenvilleThe Greenville Area Arts Council presents “Country Royalty” at the Ritz Theatre. Hank Williams and Patsy Cline take the stage to perform their well-loved songs in this unique and loving tribute to a pair of Country music legends. Showtime at 7 p.m. Visit www.gaac-ritz.com for more information about tickets and joining the GAAC.

9/15 - LBwCC CAMELLIA CITY CLAssIC GOLF TOURNAMENTLocation: GreenvilleProceeds from this event fund scholarships and student activities for the LBWCC-Greenville campus. For information about the LBWCC Foundation and golf tournament call 334-881-2306.

9/29 - 10/2 - THE BUTLER COUNTY FAIRLocation: GreenvillePlenty of fun things to do at the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Butler County Fair. Gates open Wednesday - Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. For information call 334-371-2000.

10/1 - GREENvILLE HIGH sCHOOL HOMECOMINGLocation: GreenvilleGreenville High School alumni can come enjoy the game and homecoming festivities at Tiger Stadium as the Tigers take on Wilcox-Central. Game time is 7 p.m.

10/1 - THE HAUNTED FIREHOUsELocation: GreenvilleThe Greenville Fire Department’s annual Haunted Firehouse starts on Oct. 1 and is open every weekend in October. Come enjoy a night of thrills! A covered waiting area is available as well as concessions. Admission is $5 per person. The Firehouse is located on Highway 10-East, (1198 Norman Road).

10/11 - BEATLEs: YEsTERDAY AND TODAYLocation: GreenvilleThe Greenville Area Arts Council presents “Beatles: Yesterday and Today” at the Ritz Theatre at 7 p.m. Described as the “interactive Beatles experience,” the audience joins in the fun and helps create the playlist! Showtime is 7 p.m. Visit www.gaac-ritz.com for more information about tickets and joining the GAAC.

10/15 - FORT DALE HOMECOMINGLocation: GreenvilleFort Dale Academy alumni can come enjoy the game and homecoming festivities at the Eagles Nest as FDA takes on Clarke Prep at 7 p.m.

10/21 - wHIM DOOzIE OF A FIsH FRYLocation: GreenvilleThe Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Whim Doozie of a Fish Fry at the Butler County Fairgrounds Thursday evening. Fish, hush puppies, cole slaw, French fries and more! Call 382-3251 for information.

10/28 - 10/30 - wELCOME HOME: IT’s A GREENvILLE REUNIONLocation: GreenvilleGreenville will celebrate “The Year of Small Towns & Downtowns” the weekend of Oct. 28-30. It’s sure to be an exciting weekend with Old Time Farm Day, the Haunted Firehouse, and a special fall festival in

the park. Churches and school homecomings are also making this weekend a special event.

10/27 - LIONs CLUB RADIO DAYLocation: GreenvilleThe Greenville Lions Club takes control of Q-94 to raise money for the charities supported by the organization. Lions will read advertisements from local businesses and award prizes during a call-in trivia game. Vote for the “Ugliest Man in Butler County”!

10/28 - TRICk OR TREAT ON COMMERCE sTREETLocation: GreenvilleTrick or Treat on Commerce Street from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., from the Chamber of Commerce to the Courthouse. The event is for all children grades pre-school to the sixth grade. For information call 334-382-3251.

10/30 - OLD TIME FARM DAYLocation: GreenvilleOld Time Farm Day returns! Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Admission is $3 adults and $2 children (six and under get in free). Old tractors, vintage farm equipment, syrup making, butter churning, quilting, and a host of other activities will be on display. Live entertainment throughout the day. Bring lawn chairs. Tables and chairs will be available for lunch. No alcohol, coolers, golf carts or four wheelers. Directions: from I-65, take Exit 128, travel west four miles, turn left on Sandcutt Road, travel three miles and Farm Day is on the left.

11/6 - swEET POTATO FEsTIvALLocation: GreenvilleThe Butler County Optimist Club hosts the Sweet Potato Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Butler County Fairgrounds. Don’t miss the King and Queen contest! Children’s activities include face painting and hula hoops. Sweet potato pies, muffins and cakes will be available. For information call 334-382-5533.

send us your newsTo submit your calendar or news items,

email it to: [email protected]

PEANUT BOIL FEsTIvAL

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camellia magazine | 5

out & about

Photos by AUstIN NELsoN

LAUNCH PARTYCivic and business leaders attended the launch party for Camellia Magazine in July held at Cambrian Ridge. From top left: Steve and Nancy Harmon; Dr. Sheldon Kushner and wife Lynn; Susan Wood Braden, Dr. Tara Simmons and Nancy Faulkenberry; Becky and Frank Hickman; The GNL Staff; Bill Faulk and William Johnson; Mike Norman and Mac Russell; Kristin Vansant and Francine Wasden, Kristen Keppler, Betsy Waller, and Tracy Salter.


out & about

AFTER HOURS


L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital held a special Chamber of Commerce After Hours on July 22 to welcome Dr. Su Puppala. From top left: Dr. Ra-mana Puppala, Francine Wasden, Dr. Jim Krudop; Kimberli Weaver; Dr. Su Puppala, Dr. Jean Thompson; Meredith Mann and Vann Windham; Sylvia Murphy and Rose LeCoq; Eddie Dunn and Jason Studley.


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CAMELLIA CITY SUMMERFEST

Photos by KEVIN PEARCEy

The first Camellia City Summerfest sponsored by the Tiger Pride Booster Club was a success and included a car show (top left), water slides, and a barbecue cook-off. From top right, Ranykqua Walker and Asia Crenshaw; Charles Newton and Jimmy Hester; Mary Glenn Fuller and Shera Stinson; Bobby Bright and Ben Blackmon; Kim Bowen and Laura Hartman Fuller.


out & about

BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST


Fort Dale Academy kicked off the school year with a Back to School Blast. From top left, Hayden Fail, Madison Crenshaw, and Kelsey Woodard; Morgan Gibson, Lauren Lewis, and LeeAnne Whigham; Tucker Whiddon and Nate Richardson; Holland Steadham, Hannah Johnson, Laura Sellers-Perdue and Haley Williams; Dakota Berrey and Heath Crawford; Mollie Boutwell and Emily Lincoln.

10 | camellia magazine camellia magazine | 11

RosewoodHow the keepers of Lowndesboro’s historic estate helped it persevere — thwarting Union occupation, weathering hurricanes and standing against time. By KEVIN PEARCEy & EASON FRANKLIN | PhOtOS By AShLEy VANSANt


Dr. Hardy Vickers Wooten tended the ill and sick for 18 years before establishing

his ancestral home in the woods outside of Lowndesboro.

Wooten envisioned a Palladian-style home, based around the designs of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio’s devotion to the classical symmetry of Greek and Roman temples.

Palladian was falling out of favor in Europe, but not so in the Americas where Dr. Wooten desired a home balanced in size and scope, a home appropriate for both the scientist and the romantic, (he was a scholar of medicine and frequent contributor to the journals of the day, but also authored short stories and a volume of poems).

RosewoodHow the keepers of Lowndesboro’s historic estate helped it persevere — thwarting Union occupation, weathering hurricanes and standing against time. By KEVIN PEARCEy & EASON FRANKLIN | PhOtOS By AShLEy VANSANt

“Had settlement Nov. 17, 1855 with Edmund Harrison and paid him in full for building my dwelling house...also brickwork on the kitchen and smokehouse...it is exactly to my notion.”

— from the diary of Dr. Hardy Vickers Wooten


Lumber was hauled from Picket’s Mill in Autaugaville and floated downstream on the Alabama River. By the fall of 1855, Dr. Wooten’s impressive abode was finished, a four-column structure with double staircases leading to a grand porch and entrance.

It was a home where the elite of Lowndesboro gathered, all congregated among the trees, low limbs layered thick with gossamer threads of Spanish moss over

children dancing around the hedge bushes that dotted the front lawn. Dr. Wooten and wife, Charlotte, and five children - Ida, Zoe, Garvin, Rochelle, and Ella - could look forward to a good life there.

A life, though, that would never come. Dr. Wooten succumbed to death two years after the completion of his beloved home, which he had christened Rosewood.

And then, the war came to Alabama.

In 1865 Wilson’s Raiders intended to ravage Lowndesboro. They had burned the military school, foundries and bridges in Tuscaloosa. They had destroyed mines and furnaces in Jefferson, Bibb and Shelby counties. They had burned cotton bales at Selma along the Alabama River.

Like Sherman in Georgia, General James Harrison Wilson was charged with one mission: destroy Alabama’s capabilities for

supplying the Confederate war effort. But Dr. Charles Edwin Reese met Wilson

and the Union soldiers on the outskirts of Lowndesboro. A boy who was spotted with red welts (it was a bad rash) accompanied him.

“Small pox,” the doctor said. The deception worked. With a march

to Montgomery awaiting them, Wilson and his company spent the night outside


THE UPSTAIRS PARLOR The upstairs parlor was built as an extension of the upstairs bedroom. Much of the furniture located upstairs is original and was owned by the Wooten family during their stay in the mid-to-late 1800s. The Wm Knabe & Co. piano was played by the Wooten girls during the time Union soldiers were dispatched to guard Rosewood. The ornithology book positioned in the center of the room was printed during the 1500s and rebound in the early 1980s due to its deteriorated state. The book contains hand-drawn pictures and descriptions of animals and is printed completely in Latin.

In 1865 Wilson’s Raiders intended to ravage Lowndesboro. They had burned the military school, foundries and bridges in Tuscaloosa. They had destroyed mines and furnaces in Jefferson, Bibb and Shelby counties. They had burned cotton bales at Selma along the Alabama River.

Like Sherman in Georgia, General James Harrison Wilson was charged with one mission: destroy Alabama’s capabilities for

supplying the Confederate war effort. But Dr. Charles Edwin Reese met Wilson

and the Union soldiers on the outskirts of Lowndesboro. A boy who was spotted with red welts (it was a bad rash) accompanied him.

“Small pox,” the doctor said. The deception worked. With a march

to Montgomery awaiting them, Wilson and his company spent the night outside

Lowndesboro. The soldiers camped in the trees around

Rosewood, using the home as a temporary base of operations, their horses rattling through the ground-floor hallway while cavalrymen dismounted to loot food. They snatched the blue silk draperies from the house carriage and sang “The Bonnie Blue Flag.”

The families were reluctant hosts, hiding

the silverware, and the cook, ordered to prepare a mass of plucked turkeys for the camp’s evening meal, purposely left the gall bladder in, leaving the meat bitter to taste.

Days later, Wilson’s Raiders departed, but the townspeople peppered a few stragglers with gunfire, killing one soldier and forcing another to dig his dead companion’s grave. He was then ceremoniously hung.

Rosewood had survived the Civil War.


MUSIC FROM THE AGES Purchased by Richard Williams’ grandfather, the Victor Talking Machine Co. victrola was used by the family as a form of entertainment. The Williams family still owns nearly 60 of the 78-rpm records once played by the machine.

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The Civil War was Rosewood’s one brush with history, but the home remains entrenched in its rich past. Now owned by Richard Williams (a distant relative of Dr. Wooten) and his wife, Linda, the couple resides on Rosewood’s first floor, rarely venturing upstairs.

“We might polish the furniture every one in awhile to bring out the luster,” said Linda. “For the most part, however, it takes care of itself.”

Much of the furniture upstairs is original. Dr. Wooten’s bookcase and desk contains his medical books, music dictionaries and novels. An ornithology book (bird study) located on a table dates back to the 16th century and is entirely in Latin.

Outside, Rosewood’s antebellum beauty still inspires. An artist touring the grounds in 1960 captured the home in a painting that now hangs in the living room downstairs. The painting won a Civil War centennial celebration art contest and was discovered in a Florida art gallery by then-owner Lilyclaire Williams’ brother. It was presented to Richard and Linda as a gift in 1999.

Maintaining the home is a constant battle against time, said Richard.

“The house requires a lot of round-the-clock maintenance,” he said. “But the history keeps us here.”

History that continues to draw curious visitors to a place one family still calls home.

Dr. Wooten’s romantic side would probably like that.

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By ANGIE LONG | PhOtO By hUCK tREADWELL

Lovin’CAMELLiAS

garden

SnoW BEAUTY Even in the dead of winter, camellias, with their glossy green leaves and beauti-ful blooms, can be found brightening the landscape of South Alabama. Early fall or winter, before freezing temperatures set in, is the prime time to plant camel-lias.


Want to tell someone “You are perfect in every way” or “I pledge you my undying devotion?”

Say it with flowers. More specifically, say it with camellias.

They are the queens of the garden, royal highnesses that come in a plethora of varieties, with names like Alba Plena, Debutante, Betty Sheffield, White Empress and Pink Perfection.

The beautiful camellia, once found in ancient temple gardens in China, Korea and Japan, later graced the plantations of the 19th century Deep South.

An example of genteel elegance with a solid foundation, the camellia has become a cherished symbol of both the state and the city of Greenville.

This plant brightens the landscape with its beautiful blooms in south Alabama from late September into March.

The camellia has garnered a reputation as an overly delicate and difficult-to-grow plant.

Not true, says Barbara Middleton, a longtime camellia enthusiast.

And she should know. She has at least 20 varieties in her own

front yard in rural Butler County.“If you plant camellias right and water them well,

you’ll be off to a good start,” Middleton said.Camellias grow best in well-drained, shady areas.

They are hardy once established, and clippings of camellias can be used to start new plants anywhere shady in your yard.

For those looking to purchase camellia plants to beautify their home or business, Middleton has several recommendations.

“B&B Nursery on Mobile Road near Greenville carries several varieties. There are also some good sources in Fairhope and along Highway 59 on the way to Gulf Shores. Another great place to purchase camellia plants is at the larger camellia shows in Mobile and Birmingham. They always have truckloads of plants there for sale,” Middleton said.

Once you’ve chosen your plants, the next step is to plant them properly and at the right time of year.

“The best time to plant is in early fall or winter, when the temperatures are above freezing,” Middleton said.

When planting, make sure the hole you dig is bigger than the plant and loosen up the dirt well.

“You want to put peat moss down first, then potting soil, perlite, and place the camellia on top. Water it well and you’ve got it. Keep it watered well until you know it has taken root and is growing,” she said.

Middleton says she waters her camellias once or twice a month during the summer and fertilizes them twice a year.

Camellias don’t need a lot of fertilizer; a low-nitrogen fertilizer formulated especially for camellias is the best choice.

Once you have established plants, you can harvest their seeds to grow even more camellias.

“Labor Day weekend is a great time to pick the seeds. The next week, plant them and wait and see what you get. It can revert back to the mother plant or be something entirely new. It’s so much fun,” she said with a smile.

Middleton encourages camellia novices to stop by the County Extension Office to pick up more information on “all things camellia,” or to visit their website at www.aces.edu and type in “camellias.”

“I would personally love to see more of our younger people planting camellias. I think every yard, every business, every government building should have some camellias,” Middleton said. “We are the Camellia City, after all, and it was a Butler County representative who got the legislation passed to make it the state flower.”

She dreams of a botanical garden created at Beeland Park, with, of course, a section devoted to the camellia.

Middleton doesn’t just grow camellias. She is also busy documenting Butler County’s beautiful camellia blooms with her camera. Her vibrant color photos have been displayed at Greenville Area Fine Arts League shows and at the Butler County Fair.

“One day, I may just publish a book with photos of some of our county’s very own camellias,” she said.

She has also developed a Camellia Driving Trail through Butler County to allow flower enthusiasts and visitors to the area to enjoy these “queens of the garden.”

“Camellias are something we just don’t want to allow to die out,” Middleton said with a smile. Lovin’

CAMELLiAS How did Greenville become known as the Camellia City?The Greenville Advocate can actually take a good bit of the credit. J. Glenn Stanley, longtime editor of the paper,

was an ardent camellia enthusiast. He penned a weekly column for The Advocate called “Greenville Beauties” in which he took note of whose camellias were blooming and where to find them. Stanley also held Greenville’s first camellia show in the back yard of his antebellum home on E. Commerce St. in 1937.

He encouraged readers to plant camellias at homes, schools, organizations and businesses. Stanley promoted the beautiful blooms in a variety of ways. “Daddy always made sure when the camellias were blooming that I went to school or church with a camellia pinned to my coat or in my hair,” says Nonnie Hardin, Stanley’s daughter.

“He dearly loved camellias.”Stanley launched a campaign to call Greenville the Camellia City and in 1938 the city officially adopted the

name. Many of the camellias planted more than 70 years ago in Greenville through Stanley’s efforts to promote them

are still thriving.

The story behind the name


home

From the pull-out vertical spice racks to a hideaway mixer stand, everything about the kitchen of Guy and Nancy Lowery was built with convenience in mind.

“Everything is right within your reach,” Nancy Lowery said. “Its really time saving.”

At first glance, one might confuse the expansive black pearl granite coun-tertops and clean feel as a sign of a kitchen geared more towards form than function. That could not be farther from the truth, however. Wooden faux columns flank the oven, which pull out to reveal vertical drawers for stowing spatulas, tongs and other utensils. Two more vertical drawers, one on each side of the Ceran cooktop, keeping spices neatly organized and out of sight.

Adding to the appeal of this user-friendly kitchen is a tabletop mixer stand that swings out from beneath the cabinets on to the countertop. A dual-com-partment dishwasher allows one rack to be loaded while the other is cleaned.

“There are just two of us, and we don’t dirty many dishes,” said Guy Low-ery. “You can get a full load a whole lot quicker, so you don’t have to leave them stacked in there as long.”

The kitchen is a collaboration between designer Vesta Taylor and cabinet-maker and homebuilder Galahad Smith.

“It was going to be a sort of plain kitchen before we met,” Taylor said. “I told her that her house was too beautiful to not have a great kitchen.”

Taylor designed the room starting at the stove, which she calls the focal point of this room. From there, she guided the Lowery’s through the design process, helping to pick out everything from the appliances, rust-colored drawer pulls and lights that define this unique cooking space.

The kitchen of your dreamsBy AUSTIN NELSON | PhOTOS By AShLEy VANSANT

EYE APPEALING Beautiful cabinetry highlights Guy and Nancy Lowery’s kitchen in Greenville, while also showing off the dinnerware.


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When it comes to the little extras, such as the dummy columns that pull to reveal utensil storage, Vesta Taylor says homeowners should hold out for these only if they have the money.

“I would say to save money and go for a focal point that really makes a change in the kitchen,” Taylor said. “They re-ally don’t have to invest that much more money to do that, and its well worth it in the end.”

Many in the industry, Taylor said, are moving towards this trend. New constructions can accommodate this from the beginning, while remodeling projects may require removing some existing cabinets.

When it comes to cabinets, some new trends have emerged.“Painted cabinets, as opposed to stained or natural, are in right now,”

Taylor said. “It can really help brighten up your home.” Tradtional choices in countertops, Taylor said, have remained stead-

fast. “Most clients top choice, even with all these new products coming

out, is granite,” Taylor said. The Lowery kitchen featured black pearl granite slabs, all of which

were picked out by hand. No corners were cut in this design, Taylor explained.

“Mrs Lowery got pretty much everything she could get,” Tayor said. “All the extras, the lazy Susan and the functional extras, will help you enjoy your kitchen more but can be avoided for money reasons.”

A focus on the focal point

SPICE ARRANGEMENT Vertical drawers allow the gourmet cook quick access to spices (above) or cooking utensils.


home

house ofJAMES

THE FAMILY Tim Jr., Tim, Angela, Sarah, and Fleming

Photos by AshLEy VANsANt

COURTESY : TIM & ANGELA JAMES

FoLLow THE MELLow brIck roAd Mellowed masonry forms the walkway to the classic porch at the entrance to the James’ traditional home. Plantation shutters and palladium dormer windows add to the character of the house, which was built in 1926 by Ralph Peagler. Camellias on the property, which was originally part of the Kingsbury Estate, are some of the oldest in the state, if not the South, says Angela James.

by ANgiE LoNg Photos by AshLEy VANsANt


home

Green haven: This classically-designed arbor provides entrance to the James’ beautifully landscaped backyard, with a large brick patio offering a spot to entertain guests or enjoy communing with Mother Nature. The bricks came from the demolition of an old warehouse in Scottsboro.

an attractive space for an evening of rest and relaxation....

SIt a Spell: The breezeway is a beautiful place to take in the evening dance of fireflies and the ever-present chirping of crickets.

What’s cooking: Spanish white cabinets, plenty of recessed lighting and gleaming hardwood floors make the kitchen a warm and inviting place to work. An enjoyable place for a glass of lemonade or a fresh-baked cookie at the breakfast bar.

nights at the round table: Holiday suppers and dinner parties can be enjoyed in elegant style in the home’s formal

dining room. Queen Anne chairs crafted by the Queen’s own furniture maker and a striking chandelier of Roman provenance

bring traditional beauty to the room.

home

read and relax: Decorated in warm, inviting earth tones, the plush furnishings and plentiful pillows provide a comfortable place to read or simply relax in the den. Angela James says it’s the family’s “favorite hangout.”

Comfortable, elegant and inspiringly beautiful...


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It’s not Tim McGraw. It’s not Brad Paisley. It’s not Keith Urban or Carrie Underwood. It’s not flashing lights

on a big stage and thousands of people screaming this name or that name. It’s not multimillion dollar carnivals that cart into big cities one night and are gone the next. It’s not $100 tickets and an overpriced T-shirt. It’s not the most popular song on iTunes.

That’s not country music . . .

This is counTry

music:

An old man. A guitar.

Pen. Paper.

And a song.

This is counTry

music:

An old man. A guitar.

Pen. Paper.

And a song.

By Angie Long | Photo By AshLey VAnsAnt

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST Rock Killough, before he traded in his newsboy cap for a baseball cap. And overalls (right).


Like the man himself, Butler County native Arthur Lloyd “Rock” Killough’s favorite pair of Liberty overalls has a story to tell.

There’s a well-rubbed spot on the left pants leg of the faded blue fabric, a spot made by the body of his guitar resting there during an untold number of jam sessions, rehearsals and concerts.

Check out the musician and songwriter’s guitar and you’ll find a corresponding spot rubbed on the wood.

“I reckon I’ve had this pair of overalls for, oh – a good twenty-five years. They became my trademark. People expected to see me in them when I performed,” Killough says with a smile.

There’s a twinkle in his blue eyes when he talks about the subject that has dominated his life for six decades and counting: music.

“Mama always had the radio on at our house. I started singing in a trio with my parents when I was just seven or eight,” he recalls.

Killough and his dad Arthur Lloyd Sr., also known by the nickname “Rock,” and mother, Lurline, harmonized together at funerals, church singings, school events and more venues across Butler County and even further afield (the Killoughs were also a part of a group known as the Greenville Singers who performed on local radio stations).

“I liked singing the uptempo songs with Mama and Daddy, like ‘I’ll Fly Away.’ I liked the kickers. But I grew out of that,” Killough, who considers himself first and foremost a balladeer, recalls.

During the years Killough’s family lived in the country near his grandfather L.A. Killough’s big farm east of Greenville, he recalls walking to the home of a black couple, Tut and Celestine Marsh, to hear the “Game of the Week” on the radio.

“It was usually the Brooklyn Dodgers playing – and they had some great black players on their team - so folks would come from all around to listen, drink and talk. Some of them would bring their guitars, too, and play and sing together. That’s the first place I ever saw a slide guitar,” Killough says.

He pauses to lift his Auburn cap and run a hand over his close-shaven salt-and-pepper hair, a head once covered with dark curls.

“I guess you would have to say I was baptized into all kinds of music as a kid – gospel, big band, bluegrass, the blues, country. And I decided all I wanted to do was play and write my songs.”

He discovered songwriters like Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael . But it was that lanky local songwriter in the cowboy hat who struck a special chord in his heart.

“Here was Hank Williams, this guy from the woods, without a lot of formal education, and he was able to write songs that captured what ordinary people felt like. Guys like Porter and Mercer wrote about high society, and they were great. But Hank’s the one most people could

ROCK OFAGES


relate to.”He shrugs. “If I could have written

songs like Johnny Mercer, I would have done it. But that wasn’t meant to be.”

Instead, Killough focused on penning country tunes, infused with touches of blues, gospel and even a little rock and roll along the way.

By the time he was “discovered” by Hall of Fame songwriter Hank Cochran, Killough was already a seasoned tunesmith.

“I was 33 when Hank took me with him to Nashville. They loved what I did and kept me there for ten years . . . but I never really felt I found a home for my music. So I hit the road,” he says.

And he loved performing live.Songwriting, he says, is “a real kick.

It’s better than a psychologist.” Killough nods.

“Songwriting is great.” He smiles with glee beneath his brushy white mustache as he throws his arms open wide.

“But actually being out there and playing for people – now, that is the real deal.”

Killough estimates he logged in more than one million miles traveling over a good chunk of the U.S.

One of the places he became a regular was the famed Flora-Bama Lounge, located on the Florida-Alabama line in Perdido Key. It’s a musical partnership that started in the late 1980s.

“I got invited to come down there to the 3rd Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. I went and performed a couple of songs . . . the owner of the Flora-Bama, Joe Gilchrist, was someone I knew from college. I’ve been to every one since then,” Killough recalls.

“I told Joe I’d come down and play for him, and that’s where my band the Dixie Flyers came together. The Flora-Bama has never had a house band as such, but we played there as regularly as anybody.”

Killough discovered what it was like to hit it really big when he toured as the opening act for Willie Nelson in 1980.

“We traveled all over, playing at Madison Square Gardens, state fairs, you name it. That experience convinced me I did not want to be an artist, but a songwriter . . . there were fans everywhere wanting to meet Willie,” he says.

“Even at the hotels, the employees would be lined up with menus and napkins and what have you for him to sign. Sometimes he would stay holed up in his room just to get some peace.”

He pauses for a moment, lost in

thought. “The difference is, Hank Williams could have gone anywhere, a restaurant, a movie theater, and nobody would have known who he was except in Nashville. I don’t think Willie could even go to the bathroom in peace.”

Killough pats his chest, shaking his head adamantly.

“I couldn’t live like that.”And while he didn’t earn great fame

and fortune in his musical career, Killough says he has no regrets.

“I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people in the world. Not everybody gets to do what I’ve done, to earn a living using the talent God gave me. I got to meet great people along the way, like James Garner. Stayed at his house when Willie was filming ‘Honeysuckle Rose.’” Killough gestures toward the doorway. “Garner is a big guy, as big as that doorway – but just the nicest fellow. I found out the bigger the stars, the nicer they usually are.” He peers over the tops of his wire-rimmed spectacles.

“It’s the ones on the way up that are so difficult.”

Killough chuckles. “One day I am gonna write a book, but I’ve got to wait for a few more folks to die first.”

When asked to name his favorites among the songs he’s written, he stops to think.

“Well – I do love ballads. ‘Still Loving You.’ ‘Absence of Love.’ Those are songs with stories, messages. And kids love ‘The Lord Will Provide,’ but I just arranged that one, I didn’t write it,” he says.

These days, the man who traversed the country playing his songs, who performed on “Austin City Limits” and had songs recorded by musical luminaries like the Oak Ridge Boys, Hank, Jr., Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis, Carole King and Sammy Kershaw, among other, says he is happily retired from the music biz, living in the country with his wife of 25 years, Kandys, and working part time as a bank courier.

“Now, if Kandys wants me to perform for the humane society, or something like that, fine. But my gigging days are over,” he says firmly.

Killough may not have pots of money, but he says he’s made a lot of friends during his life-long musical odyssey.

“There’s a good part of this country where I know I can travel and never have to pay for a hotel room or buy a meal. I’m one of the richest guys I know of. I’ve had a good life.”

the essential

ROCK KILLOUGH

StILL LOvInG YOUdOwnLOad tHeSe:

Wish I Had a BottleCharlie Loves HazelThe Lord’ll Provide

IMPReSSIOnSdOwnLOad tHeSe:

Take Jesus as Your LawyerHouse at the End of the Road

Prefontal Labotomy

RUStY PLOwSdOwnLOad tHeSe:

The Absence of LoveUncle Joe’s TV

You Gotta Be Tough as Hell to Get Old


So, just how did the nickname “Rock” crop up in the Killough family, anyway?

No one is completely sure, but Killough says one story that has circulated in the family has to do with a childhood prank pulled by Arthur Lloyd Sr. and his brother, Graham (better known as “Gray.”)

“Daddy and Uncle Gray stole a bed sheet and some plow lines to make themselves a parachute. They climbed up on the top of the barn to try it out,” Rock says.

“I guess they drew straws or something to see who went first, and Daddy was the winner. Well, he jumped. And he went straight to the ground and landed hard. After that, Uncle Gray decided he didn’t want to try it. Supposedly, he said Daddy ‘dropped like

a rock’ when he hit the ground, and that’s where the nickname started.”

He chuckles. “In Daddy’s family, almost everybody went by a shortened version of their name or a nick-name, come to think of it. Where they came up with some of them, I have no idea.”

As a small child, Killough remembers spending time in downtown Greenville in the Farm Supply, co-owned by his dad at the time. Someone started calling him “Little Rock.” He later adopted his dad’s nickname during his musical career.

“Of course, when I started to school, I went by my real name, Arthur Lloyd. Folks that call me by my real name today have known me a pretty long time,” he says with a grin.

What’s in a (nick)name?or how Rock became Rock

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ROCK’S TOP 10 FAVORITES

When asked to narrow his favorite songs written by other writers, it was hard for Rock Killough to whittle it down. “I could go on and on and on,” he said. However, here is a sample of kinds of songs that have inspired him over the years:

1. “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar2. “I’m Gonna Keep Falling In Love Until I Get It Right” by Red Lane3. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel4. “’Til I Gain Control Again” by Rodney Crowell5. “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger Shafer6. “Moon River” By Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer7. Satin Doll” by Johnny Mercer8. “You Win Again” by Hank Williams Sr.9. “Sweet Dreams” by Don Gibson10.”Smile” by Charlie Chaplin

THE HONEYDRIPPER Rock secured a bit part in the movie that was filmed in Butler County in 2006.


leisure

By Austin nelson | Photo By Ashley VAnsAnt

Every golfer has been here: you step back, admiring what looks like your best shot of the day, only to watch the ball come to rest right in the middle of a foreboding pit of sand.

When resident golf pro at Cambrian Ridge, Brandon Jones, finds himself ankle deep in sand,

he said the first step is checking your lie. Jones checks to see how “fluffy” the sand is by wiggling his feet. Wet sand is heavier and will require a stronger shot.

“That’s the deciding factor on the type of shot you have to make,” Jones said. “Depending on how the ball is positioned in the sand, you might have to dig deeper or change the angle of the club face.”

With a little luck, the ball may come to rest on top of the sand, an ideal lie. In this instance, Jones said he reaches for a 60-degree lob wedge, but a 56 to 58 degree sand wedge will do the trick too.

“Line up with the ball slightly forward of center and aim left of the target,” Jones. “Then I cock my hands back and accelerate through the ball. This isn’t a chip shot. Amateurs often make the mistake of not following through the shot.”

If you approach the bunker only to find half of the ball exposed,

you are dealing with a “fried egg.” This, Jones said, requires a unique approach.

“This is the only shot in golf where you don’t come in contact with the ball,” Jones aid. “You aren’t trying to hit the ball. You are trying to take as much sand with the ball to make it come out high and soft.”

Aim four inches behind the ball and open the club face, Jones said, and swing as hard as you can, trying to take as much sand with you as possible.

In the event that the ball ends up completely buried, Jones says golfers are allowed only to dust off enough sand so they can see their ball.

“Once you locate the ball, aim about two inches behind it,” Jones said. “You have to play it, so all you can do is dig as hard as you can and try to blast it out.”

Longer bunker shots will utilize the same shot depending on the lie, except a 9-iron or a pitching wedge can be substituted to hit the ball farther and lower.

Getting frustrated, Jones said, is the last thing you want to do.“You may have 17 more holes to play, so there’s no sense in get-

ting mad.”

By Austin nelson | Photo By Ashley VAnsAnt

Blast your way out of trouble

For those who seek adventure, it’s only a short drive away.

Less than two hours down the road, nestled in the Florida backcountry near the Alabama state line, Adven-tures Unlimited offers a gamut of outdoor activities that is sure to please the entire family.

Operations manager Marc Vallianos puts it best: “If you want recreation, we can do that, but if you just want to relax, you can come and kick your heels up and have a good time too.”

Adventures Unlimited has a range of activities that is almost as expansive as their 100-acre plot. Patrons can canoe, fish, camp or go on a hayride, and for the more adventurous, low ropes, high ropes and zipline courses are sure to get the heart pumping.

Despite all these options, however, Vallianos said it is the river itself that keeps people coming back. Coldwater Creek runs the entire length of the complex and is one of the many local waterways the livery serves.

“It’s crystal clear, spring fed, and it’s cold all year long unlike some of the ponds and lakes which can heat up to bathwater by this time of year,” Vallianos said. “The average depth is about knee deep, so it is family friendly, and it’s got a good current so you don’t have to work that much. It makes for a nice, cold, relaxing float.”

All of this can be done while staying safe, Vallianos said. The grounds sport a high-tech lightning detector that warns the staff when electrical storms are in the area.

“We want you to be safe,” Vallianos said. “We don’t need a com-pletely unlimited adventure.”

Adventures Unlimited is the only livery in the area that services all the surrounding waterways, including Juniper Creek, Coldwater Creek and Blackwater River. They tout a fleet of 600 tubes, 110 kayaks and 400 canoes that service these local sandy-bottomed creeks.

“On any given Saturday, all of the tubes and kayaks are gone and most of the canoes are rented out,” Vallianos said.

Spots can be guaranteed by registering at least 48 hours before your trip. Vallianos said calling ahead is not only recommended but mandatory on longer trips that require traveling off the main grounds.

“If you are going to go down Blackwater River, which requires a four-canoe minimum, you need to call ahead to make sure we will have the van and personnel available to take you to the river,” Val-lianos said.

To run Coldwater Creek, you don’t need any advance notice, and they offer a 4-mile, 10-mile and 15-mile section.

“We do offer camping on the river, so you can take your canoe, some gear and stay out there as long as you want,” Vallianos said. “In fact, Coldwater Creek is the only waterway around here that can be taken from its headwaters, down to the Blackwater River and all the way to the Gulf.”

Vallianos said any trip can be accommodated with enough prior notice. The Juniper Creek and Blackwater River both need at least 48 hours notice to book, with the Juniper section totaling 7 miles and the Blackwater run summing 10 miles.

If soaring through the air is your thing, Adventures Unlimited can handle that too. Vallianos said you need to be prepared to be zipping for quite some time.

“A lot of people have misconceptions that you can come up, do one zipline and you are done,” Vallianos said. “Ours doesn’t work that way. There isn’t really a way to come down in the middle of the course, unless it is an emergency.”

The adventure center offers two zip tours, Forest Flight and Soaring Stream, which can be combined as one tour to form the Ultimate Zip.

“You have to realize, if you are doing the Ultimate Zip, you are fly-ing down 15 or so separate zips.”

Make sure you call ahead, however, as zip tours are only offered at distinct times during the day. Keeping the course manned, Vallianos said, takes multiple employees being in the right place at the right time.

ADVENTURE

leisure

Adventures Unlimited is group friendly, offering discounts and services such as catering for more than 15 people.

“We can have a sit down meal ready for you, or we can pack it up in coolers so you can have a river lunch,” Vallianos said.

Although individual adventurers cannot order their own meal made to order, they can choose from a selection of grocery items and necessities at the camp store.

Adventures Unlimited is open year round for camping and cabin rentals, but Vallianos said some services are not offered on Thanks-giving or Christmas.

“We can’t cater your meal on either of these days, and we can’t put you on the river,” Vallianos said. “The day before, we can do it. The day after, we can do it.”

By Austin nelson A SCENIC GETAWAY Take a walk on the wild side at Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center, located on Coldwater Creek north of Milton, Fla. For more information 800-239-6864, or visit www.adventuresunlimited.com.


unlimited

ADVENTURE

Adventures Unlimited is group friendly, offering discounts and services such as catering for more than 15 people.

“We can have a sit down meal ready for you, or we can pack it up in coolers so you can have a river lunch,” Vallianos said.

Although individual adventurers cannot order their own meal made to order, they can choose from a selection of grocery items and necessities at the camp store.

Adventures Unlimited is open year round for camping and cabin rentals, but Vallianos said some services are not offered on Thanks-giving or Christmas.

“We can’t cater your meal on either of these days, and we can’t put you on the river,” Vallianos said. “The day before, we can do it. The day after, we can do it.”

By Austin nelson A SCENIC GETAWAY Take a walk on the wild side at Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center, located on Coldwater Creek north of Milton, Fla. For more information 800-239-6864, or visit www.adventuresunlimited.com.



SOUTHERN HOSPITALITYbed & breakfast stopping place for travelers

PUSHPIN TRAVELERS A United States map at the Camellia House in Luverne marks the travelers who have stayed at the quaint bed and breakfast (below) since it was purchased by Kathy and Tim Dowdy in 2003.


One Luverne inn has served as a stop-ping point for a variety of famous people, including both Mark Twain and Elvis.

Actually, those were actors staying in town for a show, but the friendliness, hospitality and charm of the Camellia House Bed and Break-fast are the real thing.

The term “bed and breakfast” sometimes brings to mind a quaint country home away from the rush of the city.

The Camellia House is tucked away right in the middle of Luverne, but still manages to convey that atmosphere.

This Queen Anne Victorian-style home, which was placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1995, was built in 1904 by the Douglass family, and it was modeled after a home in Alexander City.

It remained in the Douglass family until 1998, and current owners Kathy and Tim Dowdy bought the home in 2003.

“A lot of people thought we were crazy because the house needed a lot of work,” Kathy said. “We’ve redone plumbing, moved walls and done a lot of other remodeling. It’s been a fun and stressful experience.”

Over those seven years, the couple has worked to restore the house to its former splendor, but despite the turn-of-the-century stylings, the Camellia House is full of today’s technology like televisions, DVD players and wireless internet.

“Some bed and breakfast owners say, ‘We don’t have any of that. We want people to have a real Victorian experience’,” Kathy said. “Then I ask them if they have an outhouse in the back.”

The centerpiece of the lower floor is the “all-occasion tree.” While at first glance the towering evergreen looks like a Christmas tree, the Dowdys decorate the tree according to the seasons.

At different times of year, visitors might see Eas-ter Eggs, shamrocks, valentines, harvest leaves, or even spiders near the end of October.

The front parlor, which is painted pink and sometimes nicknamed “The Pink Parlor”, gives guests a place to sit and relax. A pair of original camellia-themed paintings adorn the walls, and a 1940s wedding gown worn by Kathy’s aunt is also on display.

The Camellia House features four bedrooms - two upstairs and two downstairs.

“We wanted to have some rooms downstairs,” Kathy said. “Some places, if you can’t climb stairs, you can’t stay there. We didn’t want to do that.”

Keeping with the theme of the Camellia House,

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITYbed & breakfast stopping place for travelers

By MICHAEL RODGERS | PHOtOS By ASHLEy VAnSAnt


Experience GeorgianaWalk the streets where Country Music Legend

Hank Williams Sr. first set his feet on the road to stardom. Discover his humble beginnings at the

Boyhood Home & Museum dedicated in his honor.

Visit us October 29 for our annual Harvest Festival.

all of the inn’s rooms are named for flowers.The Rose Room is appropriately painted a pleasant shade of pink,

and features a four-poster bed.A patchwork quilt made by Kathy’s grandmother is hanging on a

wall and is one of the key features of the room.Also situated on the bottom floor in the back part of the house is

the Hydrangea Room, which has a large, tiled bathroom.All of the bedrooms and other rooms on the bottom floor have

original 12-foot ceilings, which helps keep the rooms cooler during summer months.

Between the Rose Room and the Hydrangea Room, the staircase winds its way to the upper floor.

At the top of those 23 steps, visitors find three major sections of the house: the Hibiscus Room, the Azalea Room and the Dowdy’s apart-ment.

The Hibiscus Room has a king-size bed in addition to a couch that folds out for more sleeping space. The room is also popular with many of the visiting Koreans who stay in the Camellia House because the hibiscus is the national flower of South Korea.

“We’ve had people stay here and then say, ‘That room is very pa-triotic’,” Kathy said. “We didn’t intentionally do it, but it’s nice that it worked out that way.”

The other upstairs bedroom is the Azalea Room, which has a golf theme. A set of clubs is propped against a wall near the bed, and a small alcove in the room hides a tiny bed (affectionately called “The Bunker”), which is ideal for children.

One of the highlights of the Azalea Room is the bathroom, which features an old-fashioned claw-foot tub.

There’s one key difference between this tub and the one your grandmother used to have: this one is purple.

THE NIGHT WATCHMAN Malcolm is a statue that resembles Groucho Marx dressed in golfing attire. “We bought him in Ashville,” says owner Kathy Dowdy. “It’s funny because we’ve had people say to us, ‘There’s always someone standing on the porch smoking when I drive by.’ I say, ‘Oh, that’s just Malcolm.’”

Broiled Parmesan and Pesto tomatoes 10 minutes prep time, 5 minutes cooking time

1/4 cup butter or 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 fine dry bread crumbs, unseasoned1/2 cup grated Parmesan1 teaspoon salt, or to taste1/8 teaspoon pepper2 tablespoons pesto 3 medium tomatoes

Wash tomatoes thoroughly and peel. Cut tomatoes into 3/4 inch slices and set aside. Combine butter, bread crumbs and Parmesan in a medium mixing bowl. Add pesto, salt and pepper and stir until blended. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil (this is not necessary, but just makes the cleanup easier). Place tomato slices 2 inches apart. With a spoon, portion out the Par-mesan mixture on top of each slice. Continue until all mixture is gone, making sure to distribute evenly. Place in a pre-heated oven, with door ajar, and broil for five minutes, or until mixture starts to brown at the peaks. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.

dining


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the versatile tomato

They were once feared. In fact, being a relative of toxic plants like nightshade and tobacco, it took centuries for the distrust and novelty of the tomato to ebb enough to allow its popularity to spread.

But in the modern world, as commercial vegetable spe-cialist and extension coordinator Dan Porch pointed out, “Its hard to imagine that many of our ancestors wouldn’t have touched it.”

According the USDA, Porch said, four out of five people prefer tomatoes to all other vegetables, and 90 percent of home garden-ers elect to include at least one variety of tomatoes in their personal gardens.

“Its taste just has so many uses,” Porch said. “It is a base for so many foods.”

The tomato is a key ingredient in products like ketchup, tomato paste and tomato soup, Porch said.

And to set the record straight, whether you call it a vegetable or a fruit, you are equally correct.

“Botanically, it’s a fruit, classifiable with others like peaches and plums,” Porch said. “The government, however, got involved and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is a vegetable by common usage.”

Try some of these recipes at home, which highlight the tomato’s ability to take both lead and supporting roles in your favorite dishes.

the hardest working vegetable in your kitchen

Greek Salad

4 Fresh Tomatoes, cut into chunks2-3 Cucumber, cut in half circles1/2 Red Onion thinly slice2 Green Bell Pepper1 jar, drained Kalamata Olives, pitted1 package Crumbled Feta CheeseSalt, to taste1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar1/4 cup Olive oil 1/2 Tablespoon Oregano

Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly. Combine salt, feta crumbles, oil, vinegar and oregano in small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion bell pepper and olives. Pour vinegar mixture over top of veg-etables and toss. Chill before serving. Serves 8-10

By AUSTIN NELSON

dining

Corn SalSa (Prepare in advance)1 bell pepper, diced4 celery stalks, diced3 teaspoons water2 large onions, diced4 cups kernel corn (shoe peg is best)1/4 cup sugar1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon mustard seeds1/2 cup cider vinegar

Mix all and let stand for an hour then refrigerate. Heat before using (Store excess in mason jars for future use)

Colorful Grilled Catfish with Blackeyed Peas,Brown Rice and Corn Salsa from summer vegetables

By Jill Stallworth



Blackeyed peas2 cups blackeyed peas, cooked with 3 cups water, 1 slice of bacon, 1 tsp. salt and pepper2 tablespoons Diced bell pepper2 tablespoons Diced white onion1 teaspoon diced jalapeno (Be sure to seed the pepper)

Combine and simmer for 8 minutes

Rice2 cups cooked rice, brown or wild4 green onion blades, chopped1 tsp salt or to taste1 teaspoon pepper1/2 red bell pepper, sliced in strips1/2 cup water1 beef bouillon cube

Combine and simmer for 10 minutes

Fish(Can use catfish or similar white fish)Drizzle with Italian dressingGrill 6-8 minutes, depending on how thick the fish is.

coRn BRead MuFFins2 eggs, beaten1 cup sour cream1 cup creamed corn1 cup self-rising cornmeal1 stick butter, softened

Combine all and blend well. Pour into greased muffin pan an bake at 350 de-grees for 30 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.

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HerDaDDy’s

skieseight-year-old Hannah inherited a love of

life — and flight — from her father, Greenville businessman and pilot Chris sells.

By Austin nelson | Photos By Ashley VAnsAnt


From the very first time Chris Sells sat her in the cock-pit, Hannah, now 8, was hooked.

Planes have been around the Sells’s residence Hannah’s entire life. He got his license in 2000, two years before she was born.

“When she was real young, she’d sit in my lap while I was on the ground and turn knobs and play in the cock-pit,” Sells said.

Once Hannah learned to talk, she would constantly ask her dad to take her back out to the hangar.

“She would look at me and say, ‘Daddy, I want to ride on the ground, not up in the sky,’” Sells said.

It wouldn’t be until Sells purchased another plane from South Florida that Hannah would take to the air for the first time.

“I had just taken my friend for a ride, and I was about to go take my wife out,” Sells said. “I told her to go wait with my worker while I took her mom up.”

Sells said Hannah refused, saying

she wanted to go for a ride.“I told her we we’re going up in the

sky, but she told me she didn’t care,” Sells said.

Sells recalled a scare he had on one of the early flights he took with Han-nah.

“In my old plane, there was a piece of metal that stuck out from the cockpit that was about eye level with Hannah,” Sells said.

Sells said he installed a plastic cover over the piece, which Hannah started using as a hand rest.

“We were just flying along and the engine went quiet,” Sells said.

In the air, Sells said, it can be hard to tell if an engine has died or reduced to idle.

“I looked up at the control panels to try to see what was wrong, and Hannah was looking back at me sort of guiltily with her hand on the throttle” Sells said.

Hannah had reached for what she thought was her favorite handhold, but instead had reduced the engine throttle down to idle.

Although she loved being in the air, Sells said her early years of flying were marked with occasional boredom, a Nintendo DS gaming system and an intermittent in-flight nap.

“Until she got to be about 5 or 6, she would fall asleep after 15 to 20 minutes of flying,” Sells said.

All that vibration and noise, Sells said, can lull a child to sleep.

But Sells turned this boredom into an opportunity to teach her the ropes, teaching her more and more about flying with every takeoff and landing. Eventually, he let her start holding on to things, which Sells admitted unnerved him slightly, but was neces-sary.

“She’d fly up and down and I’d be sitting in the back, kind of nervously clutching the stick, but I wanted her to get the feel of it,” Sells said.

These short sessions started build-ing both her flying skills and love for the air.

“It’s not like I take off and tell her, ‘okay, now you drive’,” Sells said.

As far as being afraid, Sells said it

FLYING HIGH: Like a child entering a pool for the first time, Hannah got her toes wet before jumping right into flying. She got the feel for a cockpit by riding with her dad while he drove the plane around on the ground. When Hannah was 2 ½ years old, she took to the air for the first time. A lifelong hobby had begun—the next day, she looked up at her dad and told him “lets go up in the sky.”


has come and gone.“When she was little, she didn’t fear any-

thing because she really didn’t know what fear was,” Sells said. “As she got older, people started asking her, “Aren’t you scared of crashing, aren’t you scared of dying?’”

For a few months, Hannah talked a whole lot about crashing, but this soon dissipated and her passion for flight took the driver’s seat again.

“I used to cringe when I heard people ask her that,” Sells said. “Do you ask a child that when you are pulling out onto the highway? Do you ask them that when you are going

through a red light?”The father-daughter duo has flown all over

the Southeast, with Hannah accompanying him to places like Gulf Shores, Atlanta and Lakeland, Fla. Many of these trips were to visit friends, or check out airplanes for sale, but occasionally , Sells loads up and heads to fly-ins, where sometimes thousands of air-planes will gather to enjoy acrobatics shows and all sorts of flying-themed activities.

Hannah enjoys the air shows, particularly the T-shirts she picks up from all the places she’s been, but it’s the little things that keep her going up in the air.

“She loves flying around through the edge of clouds,” Sells said.

While many kids eagerly await their sixteenth birthday to hop behind the wheel of a car, Hannah’s chance to get her student pilot license will probably out shadow this traditional milestone. At sixteen, teenagers can start working towards their full-fledged pilot’s license, which comes a year later at seventeen.

“I do plan on buying her a plane, because I am sure she will get her license,” Sells said. “Most try to take their check ride on their seventeenth birthday.”

OPEN AIR: Hannah says she prefers planes with open-air canopies, as opposed to this enclosed cockpit of her father’s Super Decath-lon. Her favorite plane? Her father’s Piper Cub, which he sold shortly before purchasing a 185-hp, more powerful Super Decathlon. Her father said she thinks his new plane is “more complicated … with more knobs and more buttons to push” and misses the free feeling of riding in a plane without an enclosed cockpit.

Finding a plane, however, might be a tall task. Sells has had many planes, all of which Hannah has had the pleasure of riding in. And as he explains, Hannah always preferred the last plane he owned.

“Every time I got rid of a plane, she would say, no daddy, that one was my favorite,” Sells said. “I’m to the point where I am going to have to find one she likes, designate it hers and hang on to it.”

She loves flying around through the edge of the clouds.

“


“She loves flying around through the edge of clouds,” Sells said.

While many kids eagerly await their sixteenth birthday to hop behind the wheel of a car, Hannah’s chance to get her student pilot license will probably out shadow this traditional milestone. At sixteen, teenagers can start working towards their full-fledged pilot’s license, which comes a year later at seventeen.

“I do plan on buying her a plane, because I am sure she will get her license,” Sells said. “Most try to take their check ride on their seventeenth birthday.”

OPEN AIR: Hannah says she prefers planes with open-air canopies, as opposed to this enclosed cockpit of her father’s Super Decath-lon. Her favorite plane? Her father’s Piper Cub, which he sold shortly before purchasing a 185-hp, more powerful Super Decathlon. Her father said she thinks his new plane is “more complicated … with more knobs and more buttons to push” and misses the free feeling of riding in a plane without an enclosed cockpit.

Finding a plane, however, might be a tall task. Sells has had many planes, all of which Hannah has had the pleasure of riding in. And as he explains, Hannah always preferred the last plane he owned.

“Every time I got rid of a plane, she would say, no daddy, that one was my favorite,” Sells said. “I’m to the point where I am going to have to find one she likes, designate it hers and hang on to it.”

She loves flying around through the edge of the clouds.

”“

Gracefully Doneby Elizabeth Reid

www.elizabethreidart.com371.9200 | 130 W. Commerce St.

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