no'ala huntsville, may/june 2014

may/june | noalapress.com | noalapress.com

George Keller’s Unbelievable Dream | Garlan Gudger: Self-Made Man | Young Couples, Old Homes

| noalapress.com | may/june

may/june | noalapress.com |

NOW - OCT. 30

IT’S BACK...

ROCKETCENTER.COM256-837-3400

STEIN & DINE

Visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. through October 30, 2014, for the German Biergarten, featuring authentic German cuisine crafted by renowned chef David Oreskovich.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere with imported and domestic beers and delicious wines from the German region.

Family Friendly! Dogs Welcome! Rain or Shine!

0 p.m.

Created by the Science Museum of Minnesota, Raise the Roof presents an in-depth look at the architecture, engineering, physics and history of buildings and the often-overlooked impact they have on our everyday lives. Dwellings and structures from throughout time and around the world are on display, along with hands-on activities and interactive components that bring astonishing feats of engineering to life before your eyes. Learn about the science and art of demolition – or team up with friends and family to create your own amazing structure with what you have learned.

Created by the Sciencpresents an in-depth land history of buildinon our everyday lives.time and around the wactivities and interactengineering to life befof demolition – or teaown amazing structur

www.rocketcenter.com

Brought to you by:

FOUNDATION & WATERPROOFING SPECIALISTS


Investment management and plan administration under one roof for your business and employees? Check. Regularly scheduled employee education and update meetings? Check. Annual Plan review meetings? Check. Our 401k Complete offering covers the spectrum of business retirement plan needs, including investment management, daily participant record keeping, plan administration, compliance testing, government reporting, employee education meetings, and annual formal plan reviews. The bottom line? Less administrative headaches and higher employee participation—all

Let’s thrive together.

www.WAasset.com l 256.713.2669

MOVE TO A COMPLETERETIREMENT PLAN SOLUTION.

A STEP AHEAD INBUSINESS RETIREMENT PLANS

8 » May/June

THE GARDENOF EDENBob and Tiril Benton’s piece of paradise.

PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

64

features

38YOUNG COUPLES, OLD HOMESTh ree couples take on restorations of historic proportions.

BY CLAIRE STEWARTPHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

46BRINGING THE ADIRONDACKS TO ALABAMAA Lake Gunters-ville home has upstate New York inspiration.

PHOTOS BY DAVIS GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

54MAKING A SPLASH IN THE TWICKENHAMA Huntsville couple downsizes into the home of their dreams.


72AUTO PILOTTh e unbelievable story of George Keller’s dream to bring the auto industry to Huntsville.

BY ALLEN TOMLINSONPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

92SOUTHERN-MADE MANGarlan Gudger is not interested in perfection.

BY MICHELLE RUPE EUBANKSPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

21ABEL BODY OF WORKStewart Abel: engi-neer, optometrist—and builder!

BY SARA WRIGHT COVINGTONPHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

no’ala huntsvilleadvisory board

Osie Adelfang

ARC Design-Build, Inc.

Sarah Brewer

Click Photo Designs by Sarah Brewer

Madeline Boswell

Finery Bridal Boutique

Macy Chapman

Downtown Huntsville, Inc.

Jennifer Doss

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Leslie Ecklund

Burritt on the Mountain

Marcia Freeland

Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment

Dan Halcomb

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Elizabeth Jones

Burritt on the Mountain

Ginger Penney Liles

Matthew Liles

AIDS Action Coalition

Guy McClure

Athens State University

Patrick Robbins

Alabama Pain Center

Ashley Vaughn

White Rabbit Studios/Vertical Records

Charles Vaughn

Vaughn Lumber Company

Anna Baker Warren

Anna Baker Warren Interiors

Andrew Wilmon

Broadway Theatre League

editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson

Okay, I’ll admit it. I love to look at other people’s houses.

Apparently, I’m not the only one; our Home & Garden issue is one of the most

popular magazines we publish every year. And no wonder—when you see some

of the great homes and gardens we’re featuring this

time, you’re sure to get some great ideas for your

own! You’ll see a new home on Lake Guntersville, a

remodel in the Twickenham that was described to us

as “the perfect home” before we saw it (and it pretty

much is), and a lush and beautiful garden appropri-

ately named “Eden.” Th ere’s a lot of inspiration in

these features!

If there’s a sub-theme to this issue, it has to be history.

After the Civil War, Huntsville’s economy boomed

because of its mills, and we talk about four of them in this issue, along with a look

at young families who are restoring some of the historic mill homes. When this

place was transitioning from mill town to military town, there was another hous-

ing boom and mid-century modern houses began springing up; we’ll take a look

at one fascinating builder who designed and built over 30 of them. We’ll even take

a look at an attempt to make Huntsville the automotive manufacturing center of

the South and show you pictures of a Keller car.

Th ere’s more, of course, but we’ll let you discover the rest for yourself. We hope

you fi nd interesting and beautiful things on every page!

Th ere’s something about the sunshine and blue skies this time of year that make us

want to tidy up, plant things, and move outdoors. Remember, when you’re shop-

ping for the plants and accessories for your home and garden, that we have a

myriad of local retailers who have unique and wonderful things. Shop North Ala-

bama, y’all—and enjoy this beautiful season!

72

10 » contents

everything else

May/June 2014Volume 3: Issue 3

• • •

C. Allen TomlinsonEditor-In-Chief

David SimsCreative Director

Contributing WritersAmy Collins, Sara Wright Covington,

Michelle Rupe Eubanks, Heidi King, Sarah Gaede, Claire Stewart, Allen Tomlinson

Contributing PhotographersDavis Griffi n, Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell

Advertising DirectorHeidi King

Advertising SalesMyra Sawyer, Heidi King

Features ManagerClaire Stewart

Business ManagerRoy Hall

Graphic DesignerRowan Finnegan

InternChandler Richey

• • •

No’Ala Huntsville is published six times annuallyby No’Ala Press

PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 800-779-4222 | Fax: 256-766-4106

Web: www.noalapress.com

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

Signed articles refl ect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the editors.

Advertisers are solely responsible forthe content of their advertisements.

© 2008-2014 No’Ala Press, All rights reserved.

Send all correspondence toAllen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above,

or by e-mail to [email protected] may be edited for space and style.

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

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request.Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited

manuscripts; please query the editor fi rst.

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inks.Please recycle.

Connect with us on Facebook: No’Ala Huntsvilleand Twitter: @NoAla_Magazine

12 CALENDAR Events for May-June 2014

84 MARKET BY CLAIRE STEWART

PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

104 LOWE DOWN “What Features Would You Include In Your Dream Home?” BY CLAIRE STEWART

108 THE VINE “My World Th rough Rosé Colored Glasses” BY AMY COLLINS

110 FOOD FOR THOUGHT “In Celebration of Th ings Simple and Summery” BY SARAH GAEDE

112 BLESS THEIR HEARTS “My Porch of Death” BY HEIDI KING

114 PARTING SHOT BY PATRICK HOOD

HIGH COTTONAfter the Civil War, Huntsville boomed because of its mills.

BY SARA WRIGHT COVINGTON

Co

urte

sy o

f Me

rrima

ck H

all28

may/june | noalapress.com | Huntsville • Decatur | 201 Governors Drive • Huntsville, AL 35801 Toll Free: 1-888-736-1762 • 256-533-1600 • www.spineandneuro.com

Reflecting half a century of excellence in neurosurgery.Reflecting half a century of excellence in neurosurgeryA lot has changed since we started in 1964, but our commitmentas the regional leader is stronger than ever. From the latest minimally-invasive neck and back treatments to 24/7 traumacare, Spine & Neuro Center combines confident care with a convenient, patient-focused facility. Fifty years is more than a nice round number — it’s experience you can feel good about.

Jason T. Banks, M.D., F.A.C.S. Cheng W. Tao, M.D., F.A.C.S. Bryan A. Gaspard, M.D.J T B k M D F A C S Cheng W Tao M D F A C S

Rhett B. Murray, M.D., F.A.C.S. Joel D. Pickett, M.D., F.A.C.S. John D. Johnson, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Joel D. Pickett, M.D., F.A.C.S.

NeuroSpine Surgeons:

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation:

Keith C. Anderson, D.O. Keith C Anderson D O Hayley Campbell, M.D. Ryan C. Aaron, M.D. Ryan C Aaron M D

12 » calendarNow – Sunday, May 18

Encounters: Rocio RodriguezTues-Sat 11:00am-4:00pm and until 8:00pm on Thurs, and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; Admission charged, Free to members and children under 6; Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St. W.; (256) 535-4350; hsvmuseum.org

Now – Monday, May 26

Fantasy Playhouse Theater Academy Registration Registration period for June summer classes ends May 26 (July registration ends June 27); See website for class descrip-tions, dates, and prices; (256) 539-6829; fantasyplayhouse.com

Raise the Roof: An Exhibit about BuildingsSun-Mon 9:00am-5:00pm; $20 adults, $15 children 6-12, Free children under 6; Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base; (256) 837-3400; rocketcenter.com

Unclassifi ed: Military Kid Art Show Sun-Mon 9:00am-5:00pm; $20 adults, $15 children 6-12, Free children under 6; Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base; (256) 837-3400; rocketcenter.com

Now – Thursday, May 29 (Thursdays only)

YouTopia Lunch and Learn – Solar Energy Series11:30am–12:30pm; Members $15/Non-Members $20; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Now – Thursday, June 26

Biergarten: Stein, Wine, and Dine! (Thursdays only)Thurs 4:30pm-7:30pm; Free, food and beverage available for purchase; Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base; (256) 837-3400; rocketcenter.com

The Greene Street Market at Nativity (Thursdays only)4:00pm; Free; Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 304 Eustis Ave.; (256) 682-4429; greenestreetmarket.com

Now – Monday, June 30

Harmony Park Animal PreserveDaily 10:00am-sundown; Admission charged; 431 Cloud’s Cove Rd.; (877) 726-4625

Majestic Minerals: Nature’s Building BlocksSun Noon-4:00pm, Tues-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm; Admission charged; Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr.; (256) 536-2882; burrittonthemountain.com

Wade Wharton ExhibitSun Noon-6:00pm, Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm, and Thurs until 8:00pm; Admission charged; Huntsville Botanical Gardens, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; (256) 830-4447; hsvbg.org

Treasure Hunt at Gold Mountain (For children 3-11)Sun Noon-4:00pm, Tues-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm; Admission charged; Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr.; (256) 536-2882; burrittonthemountain.com

Thursday, May 1

Adult Craft Night: Paper Flower Bouquets (adults only)

6:30pm; Free; Monrovia Library, 254 Allen Drake Dr.; (256) 489-3392; hmcpl.org

Friday, May 2 – Saturday, May 3

Whistlestop Weekend: Two Days of Great Musicand Smokin’ BBQFri 4:00pm-11:00pm and Sat 10:00am-11:00pm; Admission charged; Historic Huntsville Depot, 320 Church St.; (256) 564-8100; thewhistlestopfestival.com

Friday, May 2 – Tuesday, September 30Movie Night With Alice 6:00pm–9:00pm; $5 plus Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botanical Garden Amphitheatre, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Friday, May 2

The Black Jacket Symphony performs Prince’s Purple Rain8:00pm; Admission charged; Von Braun Concert Hall, 700 Monroe St.; (256) 533-1953; vonbrauncenter.com

Spring is Bach7:00pm; Free; Faith Presbyterian Church, 5003 Whitesburg Dr.; hsvmasterchorale.org

Concerts on the Dock: The Revellers6:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr.; (256) 533-0399; lowemill.net

Jim Parker’s Songwriters Showcase6:30pm; Admission charged; Von Braun Playhouse, 700 Monroe St.; (256) 533-1953; vonbrauncenter.com

Saturday, May 3 – Sunday, May 4

Rabbit Chainsaw SculptorTime TBD; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botani-cal Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Treasure Hunt atGold Mountain

MAY/JUNE | noalapress.com |

Saturday, May 3 – Monday, June 30

Purdy Butterfl y House Sun Noon-6:00pm, Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm, and Thurs. until 8:00pm; Admission charged; Huntsville Botanical Gardens, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; (256) 830-4747; hsvbg.org

Alice’s Garden of WondersSun Noon-6:00pm, Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm, and Thurs. until 8:00pm; Admission charged; Huntsville Botanical Gardens, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; (256) 830-4747; hsvbg.org

Saturday, May 3

Spanish/English Story Time1:00pm; Free; Monrovia Library, 254 Allen Drake Dr.; (256) 489-3392; hmcpl.org

Mayor’s Bicycle Ride10:00am; Free; Corner of Fountain Cr. and Williams Ave.; (256) 427-5000

Dream Big! Spring Recital4:00pm; $20; Merrimack Hall, 3320 Triana Blvd.; (256) 534-6455; merrimackhall.com

Sunday, May 4 – Sunday, July 27

Janet Fisher: Master of Light and ShadowTues-Sat 11:00am-4:00pm and until 8:00pm on Thurs, and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; Admission charged, Free to members and chil-dren under 6; Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St. W.; (256) 535-4350; hsvmuseum.org

Sunday, May 4

America in the Shadow of the Holocaust2:00pm; Free; Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St.; (256) 535-4350; hsvmuseum.org

Monday, May 5

Mind Your Money Lunch & Learn, Session 211:00am-Noon; Free (Registration required); Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Ln., Madison; (256) 532-5952; hmcpl.org/mym

Tuesday, May 6 - Tuesday, October 14 (Tuesdays only)

The Market at Casa Grande Park4:30pm-7:30pm; Free; 218 2nd Avenue SE, downtown Decatur; (256) 654-5570; facebook.com/petalsfortheprincessmarket

Tuesday, May 6

Meet Greg Iles, author of Natchez Burning6:30pm; Free; main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe St.; (256) 532-2362; hmcpl.org

Girls Night Out – Wrapped Natural Gourd Basket4:00pm–9:00pm; Members $25/Non-Members $35; Huntsville Bo-tanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Friday, May 9 – Saturday, May 10

Thomas Mann, Jewelry Exhibition10:00am-5:00pm; Free; The Little Green Store, 820 Monte Sano Blvd.; (256) 539-9699

Dining With Friends16th Annual Dessert Reception

Benefiting the AIDS Action Coalition

FEATURINGSpecial Guest, Master of Ceremonies Dr. Peter Ostrum,

the original “Charlie Bucket” in the 1971 film,Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

June 14, 20147:00pm-11:00pm

Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment(The Connector Room)

Huntsville, Alabama

you’re invited to a world of

pure imagination

600 St Clair Ave SW, Bldg. 6Huntsville, AL 35801

diningwithfriends.org

Live Music & DancingWonka-like Desserts & Appetizers

Specialty Drinks, Cash Bar,Complimentary Champagne Punch

Silent Auction Featuring:Exciting Vacation Packages

Fine Jewelry · Dazzling Gift BasketsArtwork by Assorted North Alabama Artists

Celebrity-Commissioned Art PiecesAnd Much, Much More!

$50.00 per guestPurchase online at www.diningwithfriends.org

(Additional golden tickets will be availableat the door as space permits)

For more information please contact Keri Klaus,[email protected] call 256-536-4700, ext. 142

Rocket City BrewfestFri 7:00pm-11:00pm and Sat 4:00pm-8:00pm; Admission charged; Historic Huntsville Depot, 320 Church St., (256) 520-2350; rocketcitybrewfest.com

City Lights and Stars Concert Series with Mambo Gris Gris7:30pm; Admission charged; The Gazebo at Burritt on the Moun-tain, 3101 Burritt Dr.; (256) 536-2882; burrittonthemountain.com

Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11

The Fox on the FairwayFri-Sat 7:30pm and Sun 2:00pm; Admission charged; Von Braun Playhouse, 700 Monroe St.; (256) 536-0807; yourseatiswaiting.org

Friday, May 9

Jason IsbellTime TBA; Admission charged; Von Braun Concert Hall, 700 Monroe St.; (256) 533-1953; vonbrauncenter.com

Concerts on the Dock: Eli Cook6:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr.; (256) 533-0399; lowemill.net


Mother-Daughter Princess Tea PartySat and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; Admission charged; Fantasy Arts Center, 3312 Long Ave.; (256) 539-6829; letthemagicbegin.org

Saturday, May 10Herb Fest 10:00am–2:00pm; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Azalea Cutting Propagation 8:30am–10:30am; Members $15/Non-Members $20; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Mother-Son Special Train ExcursionSat 10:00am and 1:00pm; Admission charged; North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Rd.; (256) 851-6276; letthemagicbegin.org

Hands on Trucks 10:00am-2:00pm; Admission charged; Sci-Quest Science Center, 1435 Paramount Dr.; (256) 837-0606; sci-quest.org

Kidstock! 2014 Children’s FestivalNoon-4:00pm; Free; Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr.; (256) 533-0399; lowemill.net

Sunday, May 11

Mother’s Day Special at Sci-QuestNoon-5:00pm; Admission charged, Free for moms; Sci-Quest Sci-ence Center, 1435 Paramount Dr.; (256) 837-0606; sci-quest.org

Monday, May 12

Mind Your Money Lunch & Learn, Session 311:00am-noon; Free (registration required); Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Ln., Madison; (256) 532-5952; hmcpl.org/mym

Madfood: A Taste of Madison5:00pm-8:00pm; Admission charged; Best Western Plus, 9035 Madison Blvd., Madison; (256) 325-8317

Thursday, May 15 – Saturday, May 17The Fox on the FairwayFri 7:30pm and Sat 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Admission charged; Von Braun Playhouse, 700 Monroe St.; (256) 536-0807; yourseatiswaiting.org

Thursday, May 15

Arts Stroll4:30pm-8:30pm; Free; Alabama Constitution Village,109 Gates; (256) 534-8376; sidewalkartsstroll.com

Friday, May 16

Concerts on the Dock: Unknown Lyric6:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr.; (256) 533-0399; lowemill.net

Third Friday Downtown Decatur5:00pm-9:00pm; Free; downtown Decatur; www.facebook.com/3rdfridaydowntown

Saturday, May 17Annual Hosta Sale 9:00am–6:00pm; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Monday, May 19

Mind Your Money Lunch & Learn, Session 411:00am-Noon; Free (registration required); Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Ln., Madison; (256) 532-5952; hmcpl.org/mym

Tuesday, May 20

BLT Book Club: A Widow for One Year by John Irving11:00am; Free; Monrovia Library, 254 Allen Drake Dr.; (256) 489-3392; hmcpl.org

Wednesday, May 21 – Thursday, May 22

The Little Mermaid balletTimes TBA; Lee High School, 2500 Meridian St.; (256) 881-5930; alabamayouthballet.org

Thursday, May 22

Spanish/English Conversation Circle6:30pm; Free; Monrovia Library, 254 Allen Drake Dr.; (256) 489-3392; hmcpl.org

Friday, May 23

Concerts on the Dock: Iron Horse6:00pm-9:00pm; Free; Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr.; (256) 533-0399; lowemill.net

City Lights and Stars Concert Series with Alex de Grassi7:30pm; Admission charged; The Gazebo at Burritt on the Moun-tain, 3101 Burritt Dr.; (256) 536-2882; burrittonthemountain.com


Remember the Time: A Tribute to Michael JacksonSat 1:00pm and 6:00pm, Sun 5:00pm; Admission charged; Lee High School, 2500 Meridian St.; (256) 541-0385

14 » calendar


Saturday, May 24

Old School & Blues Festival11:00am; Admission charged; John Hunt Park, Jaycee’s Building, 2180 Airport Rd.; (256) 679-3272

Demonstration Vegetable Garden Open House9:00am–2:00pm; Free; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Monday, May 26

Cotton Row Run7:00am; Free; Big Spring Park, 200 Church St. SW; (256) 650-7063; huntsvilletrackclub.org

Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1

Annual Melodrama Dinner Theatre: When in RomeFri and Sat 6:00pm, Sun 2:00pm; Admission charged; Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd.; (256) 533-6606; thechorus.org

Friday, May 30

Girls Night Out – Tabletop Vase with Tea Lights and Pedestal5:30pm–8:00pm; Members $35/Non-Members $45; Huntsville Bo-tanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Saturday, May 31 – Sunday, September 14

Al Hirschfeld: A Celebration of Hollywood and BroadwayTues-Sat 11:00am-4:00pm and until 8:00pm on Thurs, and Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm; Admission charged, Free to members and chil-dren under 6; Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church St. W.; (256) 535-4350; hsvmuseum.org

Saturday, May 31

Fern Festival and SaleTime TBD; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botani-cal Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Sunday, June 1

Great Big Play Day Time TBD; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botani-cal Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Monday, June 2 – November 2

GPS Adventures Exhibit: a 2,500 sq. ft. maze adventureSun-Mon 9:00am-5:00pm; $20 adults, $15 children 6-12, Free children under 6; Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base; (256) 837-3400; rocketcenter.com

Wednesday, June 4 – Wednesday, June 25 (Wednesdays only)Wacky Wednesday 12:00pm-1:00pm; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7

Annual Melodrama Dinner Theatre: When in RomeThurs-Sat 6:00pm; Admission charged; Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd.; (256) 533-6606; thechorus.org

16 » calendar Saturday, June 7


Spring Garden Tour10:00am-3:00pm; Admission charged; Various gardens in Twickenham and Old Town; (256) 508-5372

Sunday, June 8Plant ID Walk–Tour of Crape Myrtle Collection Time TBD; Garden admission for non-members; Huntsville Botani-cal Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15

Into the WoodsFri-Sat 7:30pm and Sun 2:30pm; Admission charged; Lee High School Black Box Theater, 2500 Meridian St.; (256) 415-7469; imphuntsville.org

Friday, June 13

City Lights and Stars Concert Serieswith Karen Donaldson Gruber7:30pm; Admission charged; The Gazebo at Burritt on the Moun-tain, 3101 Burritt Dr.; (256) 536-2882; burrittonthemountain.com

Family Cook OutTime TBD; $12 Adults, $8 Children; Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.; hsvbg.org; (256) 830-4447

Saturday, June 14

Dining With Friends 16th Annual Dessert Reception7:00pm-11:00pm; $50; Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, Connector Room; (256) 536-4700, x142; diningwithfriends.org

Dittofest11:00am-9:00pm; Free; Ditto Landing, 293 Ditto Landing Rd.; (256) 859-4900; northalabamaboating.com

Father’s Day Special Train Excursion10:00am and 1:00pm; Admission charged; North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Rd.; (256) 851-6276; northalabamarailroadmuseum.com

Thursday, June 19

Arts Stroll4:30pm-8:30pm; Free; Alabama Constitution Village, 109 Gates; (256) 534-8376; sidewalkartsstroll.com

Friday, June 20

Third Friday Downtown Decatur5:00pm-9:00pm; Free; downtown Decatur; www.facebook.com/3rdfridaydowntown

Saturday, June 21

Big Brothers Big Sisters “Big” 5K7:00am; Donations and Sponsorships accepted; 365 The Bridge St.; (256) 880-2123; bbbsna.org

Friday, June 27


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

18 » scene

Above: James A. Lane Boys and Girls Clubfebruary , , · huntsville

Below: Trissl Sports Cars Porsche Showcasemarch , · florence

Tony McGinnis, Cristobal, and Shaft Muhammad

President Pat Wynn, J.D. Stevens, Beth Morring, James Allen, and Suzanne Rainey

Steve Thornton, Rick Smith,Fawn Smith

Karla Maranville, Keyontae’ Crutcher, Micheal Milam, and Harold Weatherly

Bill Stender, Milton Harris, and Alice Chenault

Suzanne Dorsett, Ashley Ayers, Angela Rawls, and Jodi Adams

© Butler Studios

Ann Jett, David Jett, Jim Watsonand Bingham Edwards

Craig Cantley, Keith Cantley, and Porter Fell

Frank and Morrie Peterson

Charlcy Ray andBart Hollingsworth

Brian Cook and Jason Schurfeld

Don LetchmanThomas Trissl, Tristan Schoeneweiss, and Jason Schurfeld


TEXT BY SARA WRIGHT COVINGTON » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

FOR retired optometrists Drs. Stewart and Wanda

Abel, modern style isn’t just a design philosophy—it’s a life-

style. “If you think old, then you stop thinking,” says Stewart,

“and we are not people who live in the past.” After 56 years of

marriage, four daughters, nine grandchildren, and decades

of combined success in the fi elds of architecture, aerospace,

optometry, and education, the Abels could easily settle down

into a life of comfortable retreat in the retirement commu-

nity where they share a 5,200 square-foot home in Cary,

North Carolina. But shuffl eboard and napping isn’t on their

agenda anytime soon. Whether they are building or ball-

room dancing, the Abels are always anticipating their next

step. Th is forward-thinking philosophy is especially evident

in the nearly 30 iconic houses built by the Abels in the 1960s.

All designed in a mid-century modern style, these homes

have left a distinctive mark on Huntsville’s architectural

heritage—each refl ecting a fresh, modern perspective that

stands out in a sea of Southern styles.

Originally from Florida, the Abels came to Huntsville in the

mid-1960s when Stewart was transferred to work for Saturn

as an aerospace engineer. Th ey arrived in this city to fi nd it

was a place of optimism, ambition, and hope,

as men and women poured in from all areas

of the world ready to join the space program.

Charles Vaughn, a native of Huntsville and

member of the Historic Huntsville Foundation’s

Board of Directors, describes the atmosphere

of Huntsville in the 60s. “During this time, we

felt a certain mastery over our environment,”

he says. “We believed to some extent we could

even beat gravity. Huntsville is a city that oc-

curred because of a view toward the future.” Al-

though not typical in the South, modern design

is refl ective of the optimism of this time period

in Huntsville. “Sometimes we are not familiar

with something and it looks odd or strange, but

the more we know about something, the more

we can appreciate the beauty,” says Vaughn.

With the space program thriving and Apollo

11’s moon landing on the horizon, the infl ux of


“If you think old, then you stop thinking, and we are not people who live in the past.” STEWART ABEL

Wanda and Stewart Abel

Co

urte

sy o

f Ste

wa

rt Ab

el


STEWART ABEL STYLE

people coming to Huntsville naturally created a demand for

housing. Th e Abels put their love of modern design into ac-

tion, creating homes that conveyed the new perspectives of

this time.

Because Southern architecture is not exactly known for a re-

fl ection of modern style, what the Abels created was highly

unique to this area—homes built with clean lines and hum-

ble materials, such as single-paned glass, metal, concrete

blocks, and natural wood. “My philosophy is very organic,”

says Stewart. “I love to do things that are unusual and diff er-

ent.” Th e Abel homes were built with a reverence for nature,

privacy, and light, and were often tucked into wooded areas.

Th e main entrance was usually not located in front of the

house, but placed to the side or back. Clerestory windows

also allowed for outside light, while their above eye-level

height helped maintain privacy. Th e houses commonly fea-

tured multi-gabled or fl at roofs, walls made entirely of glass,

and doors that went from fl oor to ceiling. Another signature

of Abel designs involved irregular use of glass as an exterior

embellishment. And although modern design refl ects sim-

plicity, it is highly sophisticated.

Ralph and Linda Allen are Huntsville residents who live in an

Abel home that is an exact replica of the home that Stewart

Abel built for his own family in Mt. Charron. Linda previ-

ously lived just a few streets over from this house and had

admired it many times on neighborhood walks. When the

home eventually went on the market, Linda asked Ralph,

“How do you feel about living in a fl at-roofed house?” Ralph,

a retired architect, has a background in historic architecture

and has always admired contemporary styles. Th e east and

west walls of the home are wall-to-wall glass. As is typical

in many of Stewart Abel’s designs, the living space is on the

second fl oor, supported by round posts, nestling their little

space right in the midst of the tree tops, which suits the Al-

lens just fi ne. “Th e people who live in contemporary houses

appreciate nature and tend to leave it alone,” says Ralph. “We

live in a treehouse. You can watch the birds and everything

going on out there and it’s wonderful.” Th e Allens have now

been in their home for nearly 25 years and have been careful

to remain true to the original modern concept when making

renovations.


Above: One of Stewart Abel’s most developed designs has a spectacu-lar view of Huntsville. Left: An Abel design which featured three bed-rooms, a two-car garage, and an in-door swimming pool on the ground level. Photos from the actual house are on the next page.

© P

atrick

Ho

od

Th e Abel homes are not the only mid-century modern struc-

tures in Huntsville, built as the city was transitioning from a

mill town to a military and space city; it’s just that so many

of them are still around. And according to Donna Castellano,

Chairman & Preservation Committee Chair of the Historic

Huntsville Foundation, Huntsville is full of great examples of

this style, even though most people think of the Twickinham

District and other historic areas when they think of historic

importance. “Most people think that a structure can’t have

historic signifi cance if it was built in their lifetime,” Donna

said. “Th at isn’t so; the mid-century period in Huntsville was

very signifi cant, and could possibly even qualify for Historic

Register status.” Huntsville’s housing boom produced many

homes of this style, tucked into shady neighborhoods and

generally unappreciated, unless you understand the circum-

stances of their birth.

In the late 1960s, after the fi rst man walked on the moon, the

Abels were once again looking for a new endeavor. Real-

izing the demand for healthcare, both Stewart and Wanda

went back to medical school at the University of Alabama

Birmingham (UAB), where they became doctors of optome-

try. Wanda was a professor at UAB, and the two later found-

ed the Nova Southeastern School of Optometry in Florida,

where they were both professors. Th ey also ran their own

optometry practice for 17 years.

After a lifetime of exceptional successes, both personally and

professionally, the Abels are retired, but they are still active-

ly looking for new building projects and adventures. “Our

hobby is each other,” says Wanda. “We have many diff erent

interests and are willing to try anything.” On a past cruise


“During [the 60s], we felt a certain mastery over our environment. We believed to some extent, we could even beat gravity. Huntsville is a city that occurred because of a view toward the future.” CHARLES VAUGHN

Above: Abel’s interiors were openand contemporary.

STEWART ABEL STYLE


Clockwise, from top, left: The interior of one of Abel’s houses, showing the railing around an opening to the swimming pool one fl oor below. Right: Another view of the living room, with its exposed vaulted ceilings. Bot-tom right: The interior swim-ming pool. The rendering for this house is shown on page 22; the garage was never built.


vacation, they tried a ballroom dancing lesson just for fun,

and instantly became hooked. Fourteen years later, they be-

long to four diff erent dance clubs, where they spend at least

three-to-fi ve nights a week ballroom dancing. Th e Abels’

approach to dancing is not unlike the approach they take

with design. “I’m more of a dreamer,” says Stewart. “Wanda

is into structure and programming. In dancing, she analyzes

the steps and the counts. I dance from the feel, but we have a

phenomenal style.” Th e Abels have become masters of danc-

ing—they have even taught lessons on subsequent cruise va-

cations. Th ey do everything from the Merengue to the Waltz

to the Texas Two Step, and many more, but line dancing is

one thing they have no interest in trying because it doesn’t

require a partner. “We don’t dance with other people,” says

Stewart, “there will be a day when the other isn’t around and

we will have that option, and at that point we can choose to.

Th at will be a very sad day. But it goes back to the old saying

‘it’s better to have loved and lost…’”

Although it has been many years since this distinctive couple

have been a part of the Huntsville community, the homes

they designed in this area will always be symbolic of the city’s

spirit, one that combines rich history with the possibilities of

things to come. Th e Abels are something special, and con-

tinue to leave their mark on anything they touch. “We are

the luckiest people,” says Stewart. “And we know it. Every

morning we wake up and we know it.”

“My philosophy is very organic. I love to do things that are unusual and different.” STEWART ABEL

Above: A rendering of “The Fantasy”—one of Abel’s designs which appeared in a tour of homes booklet in the early 1960s.

STEWART ABEL STYLE

RUTH MORRISON has traveled all over the world. But one of her very favorite

spots is still the home she purchased with her husband nearly 40 years ago in

Mt. Charron. “We walked in the front door and both of us knew we would buy

the house,” she says. “There was no discussion. That was a Monday. We made

an offer and by Friday, the house was ours.” For Morrison, 86, the house is

the second of two mid-century modern homes designed by architect Stewart

Abel she has owned—an unplanned coincidence she only later discovered.

Born in Gadsden, Morrison moved to Huntsville in the 60s to work as an ana-

lyst for the army. Because Stewart Abel’s unconventional designs refl ected

the new, futuristic atmosphere of Huntsville during this time period, she was

naturally drawn to this style home. “I came along at a time when it was ex-

citing to be the fi rst woman who was able to do things that weren’t normal

female jobs at that time,” Morrison recalls. Although her home boasts over

3600 square feet, it is only comprised of fi ve main rooms. The A-frame design

of the main fl oor features a loft that the Morrison’s converted to a dining area

some years ago. Wanting to remain true to the original design, the kitchen

and bathrooms still feature all of the original cabinets and countertops. There

are two bedrooms on the second level—one of which has a movable divider

that can allow it to function as two separate bedrooms. The lower level is

all about entertaining and boasts a bar, living room, and bathroom. And al-

though it is no longer functional, the house still has an original free-standing

copper fi replace.

But Morrison’s absolute favorite feature of her home is the living room on the

main fl oor. As with most all Stewart Abel houses, the back wall is all glass—

which allows for a captivating view of the surrounding woods. And Morrison

says that this time of year the entire room literally “glows green with spring.”

Stewart Abel says of his own building projects that he typically picks “dog

lots”—meaning that trees, rocks, and sloping terrain make the building proj-

ect all the more of a challenge. Morrison’s home is no different, as her lot fea-

tures all three. But the ambiance a Stewart Abel house creates is truly unique.

“It has a certain serenity that is rare to fi nd these days,” Morrison says. “And

I think that’s part of being with nature. They are different from anything else.

They make me happy. They are good-feeling houses.”

As a seasoned traveler, Morrison has an entire wall of pictures dedicated to

her many adventures all around the globe. She has visited all 50 states, Eu-

rope, Asia and even traveled on a 107 day cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II—

which went all the way around the world. But even after all of her travels, she

is always grateful to return to her mid-century modern home. “I step into the

house from the hall and when I step up into this room I know I’m home,” she

says. “It’s truly home.”

AN ABELABODE

“I came along at a time when it was exciting to be the fi rst woman who was able to do things that weren’t normal femalejobs at that time.” RUTH MORRISON


TEXT BY SARA WRIGHT COVINGTON » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTESY OF MERRIMACK HALL

CHANCES ARE, IF YOU’VE LIVED IN HUNTSVILLE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, you’ve crossed paths with a rocket scientist or two. Whether they are standing in line next to you at

Dallas Mill Deli or sitting in the pew next to you at church on Sunday, they are everywhere in this town.

And it’s no wonder that Huntsville earned the moniker ‘Rocket City’ in the 60’s. But before Huntsville

became this veritable melting pot of engineers and rocket scientists, simpler pursuits brought people

to North Alabama. Rich soil and the promise of a new start brought hope and purpose once again to a

city still nursing Civil War-time wounds. What emerged from this cotton boom was a town connected

by its mills and the thriving little villages that surrounded them.

Largely occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, Huntsville was unable to off er much help to

the Southern cause. Post war, the rich resources that had brought so many early settlers here allowed

Huntsville to once again thrive, as cotton breathed new life, purpose, and hope into the city. Th e many

cotton mills of Huntsville—Merrimack, Lincoln, Lowe, and Dallas, just to name a few—off ered not just

employment, but an entire way of life. Th e villages that surrounded these mills off ered housing, church-

es, schools, recreation, and more. But most importantly, these little communities off ered a chance for

their employees to provide for their families, ensuring a brighter future for their descendants. “Th e

people who worked in this mill provided the base for the people who went to work for Werner Von

Braun,” says Merrimack Hall founder Debra Jenkins. “Th eir parents had worked in the mill, but they

had gotten educations in math and science and were able to get jobs that weren’t just manual labor at

the textile mill.”

OUT OF THE FLOOD

Merrimack Mill, originally Merrimack Manufacturing Company, was the Huntsville mill that almost

wasn’t. Tracy W. Pratt was a visionary of the time. He knew there were rich opportunities in Huntsville

because of the fl at land, rich soil, and access to water. So when it was rumored that Merrimack Manu-

facturing Company of Lowell, Massachusetts was looking to open a plant in the South, Pratt took the

initiative to secure pricing for two pieces of land in West Huntsville that would later become the mill.

Merrimack offi cials from Boston were initially eager to look at the property, but when they arrived to

inspect the land, a complete fl uke of mother nature sent them quickly back to Boston. Torrential rains

had covered the fl at land in water, creating a fl ood that had never before occurred in the history of

Huntsville. Pratt’s pleas with the Boston offi cials were in vain, as they could not be convinced that this

stroke of bad luck wasn’t a common occurrence. It would, after all, be ridiculous to locate a textile mill

in the middle of a fl ood zone. Undeterred from his course, Pratt obtained letters from the city mayor,

Facing page: Th e water tower of Lincoln Mill.

HIGH COTTON


a priest, and a judge, who all wrote

signed affi davits that nothing like this

fl ood had ever happened in Huntsville

before. Pratt took the statements to

Boston himself, where he was able to

fi nally convince the offi cials to come

back down to Huntsville and recon-

sider. Reconsider they did, and in

1899, the fi rst ground was broken on

what was to become Merrimack Man-

ufacturing Company.

All that remains of Merrimack Mill to-

day, aside from about 140 mill houses,

is Merrimack Hall itself. Th e northeast

corner of the building was originally a

two-story house that once functioned

as a store and, oddly enough, was ini-

tially located across the street where

the second of the two original mills

was built. Instead of tearing down

the store, the store was moved. Th e

process took two weeks and the store

never closed for business and only

lost one bottle of milk in the moving

process. Th e rest of the building was

framed off of that one small structure,

and the fi nished building included a

gym, two community meeting rooms,

and an expanded store.

Th ese mills were torn down in 1992.

Th e smoke stack was the last thing to

go, leaving only Merrimack Hall. Al-

though renovations have been made

through the years, much of the char-

acter of the original building is still

there. Th e outside of the building

was re-bricked, but the bricks inside

the theater are all authentic. Built by

a Tennessee mason, all of the bricks

were made from Tennessee River

mud and the grout was made from the

gravel and mud at the bottom of the

river bank—which explains why all of

the bricks are varied in color and the

grout is uneven.

Once the center of village life, Merri-

mack Hall is still a pretty lively place,

although its function has changed. In

2009, the Johnny Stallings Arts Pro-

gram was founded for children with

special needs. Named after Coach Gene Stalling’s son, the

program off ers workshops for music, theatre, and dance.

Mostly, it off ers its participants a chance to make friends and

Above, color: Merrimack Hall is all that remains of Merrimack Mill. What was once home to the company store and the central hub of Merrimack mill village, it’s now home to a thriving perform-ing arts center. Black and white insets: Mill and spool workers.


HIGH COTTON


express themselves creatively. “Nor-

mal is a dryer setting,” says Jenkins.

“Th ere is no such thing as normal.

Th e message we are trying to put out

is that everybody has special needs in

one way or another. We are more alike

than we think.” Coach Stallings came

to Merrimack in 2009 and helped the

program raise money, and Jenkins

continues to send him yearly updates

of all of the programs’ accolades.

FROM TEXTILES TO TECHNOLOGY

Years before Research Park and Red-

stone Arsenal became Huntsville’s

hubs for space and technology, com-

panies like Teledyne Brown, Northrop

Grumman, and Chrysler were housed

in a more humble spot. Once com-

prised of 800,000 square feet, Lin-

coln Mill has been evolving since its

beginning in 1900. Originally called

Madison Spinning Company, Wil-

liam Lincoln Barrel purchased the

company in 1918 and it was known

from that time until 1955 as Lincoln

Mills. Labor strikes eventually closed

the factory, and it was bought by sev-

eral government and business leaders

in 1957, when it became known as

Huntsville Industrial Center. Off ering

offi ce space to many of the aforemen-

tioned companies, the property was

instrumental in helping pave the way

for the space program. As Huntsville

became increasingly developed, these

companies eventually moved into dif-

ferent locations and in 1980, fi re de-

stroyed part of the mills. But for the

descendants of the mill workers who

worked there in the very beginning, it

will always be remembered as just the

village they once called home.

Peggy Dunham, 80, has lived in Madi-

son County all of her life and remem-

bers fondly what it was like to grow

up as the daughter of an overseer at

Lincoln Mill. Working in the mill was

hard work, as it was hot, dusty, and physically taxing, but

Dunham doesn’t remember her father ever complaining. She

recalls sitting in his lap as he read by the light of a lamp and

Above, color: Lincoln Mill now provides offi ce space for a variety of businesses; of the four major mills in Huntsville, little is known about this one. Black and white inset: An aerial view of Merrimack Mill.


thinking that he was ‘studying’ to go

work in the mill. As an overseer, her

father worked regardless of the labor

strikes that eventually closed the mill,

and she remembers him taking a gun

with him every time he went in, as

tensions were very high during this

volatile time. But she insists that her

parents never let on about any of the

hardships and she never wanted for

anything. In fact, she believes that her

childhood in the mill village made her

the confi dent adult she is today.

“I always enjoyed my childhood fully,”

she says. “Th ere was no crime in there

that I knew of. At night you would

sleep with the windows and screen

doors open. And you felt very safe and

secure. We’d play out under the street

lights and went skating every Saturday

night. I just wouldn’t take anything for

it. I always think they need a village for

everyone to live in. Th e times are dif-

ferent now, of course. I just have won-

derful memories. It has made me the

person I am today. I feel secure and I

just feel blessed with a wonderful life.

Having that life to me was worth ev-

erything.”

In 2007 Lincoln Mills was purchased

by Dr. Jim Byrne. Today,

he and his business part-

ner, Wayne Bonner, have

turned the building into of-

fi ce space once again. And

although renovations have

been made, the building’s

exterior has been complete-

ly preserved. All of the win-

dow grids are original, but

the old glass has been re-

placed with insulated glass.

Inside the mill, the 7-inch

thick concrete fl oors remain

as well. “Our entire goal is

to provide offi ce space for

a really broad spectrum of

the community,” says Bon-

ner. Off ering spacious suites

with modern amenities,

Lincoln Mill is still a pro-

gressive place in the center

of over a century’s worth of

history. Above, color: Lowe Mill is now home to Lowe Mill Arts & Enter-tainment, the Southeast’s largest center for the arts. Black and white insets: Merrimack Mill workers (above) and workers from the Merrimack Mill spinning room (facing).

HIGH COTTON

FROM COTTON TO CULTURE

If you are headed west from Memorial Parkway on Gover-

nor’s drive and take a detour onto Seminole, another one of

Huntsville’s oldest reserves, Lowe Mill, still stands under a

now iconic water tower where it has been for over a cen-

tury. Lowe Mill Manufacturing Company opened in 1901,

founded by Arthur H. Lowe of Massachusetts. Huntsville’s

fi fth textile mill, it once housed over 25,000 spindles. After

many diff erent ownership changes throughout its years as a

cotton mill, Lowe Mill became General Shoe Company in

1945. It eventually became known as Genesco Inc. and man-

ufactured military boots for American soldiers in Vietnam

until 1978 when the factory closed. In 2001, it was sold to

current owner Jim Hudson and today is known as Lowe Mill

Arts and Entertainment.

Although its manufacturing days have long ended, Lowe

Mill is still a very thriving place—but it serves a funkier,

more eclectic function these days. It currently houses over

100 artists, vendors, and restaurants on its three fl oors and

also serves as a live music venue and event rental space.

Th ere is limited documented history on Lowe Mill, but its

walls tell the stories of an era ended. Th e original hardwood

fl oors bare embedded gold nails, dropped long ago during

the shoe-sole making process—little souvenirs of General

Shoe Company. Th e fl oors are also still coated in oil, a rem-

nant of Lowe Mill’s manufacturing days. Th e mill’s original

elevator is still working and many days Huntsville native

Sharron Singletary can be found working a shift. Hired on as

the Assistant Gallery Coordinator and Historian, Singletary

frequently meets Lowe Mill descendants who come by to

visit their old stomping grounds. Although she has gathered

much of her research from the library and old newspapers, a

huge portion of what she has learned of Lowe Mill’s history

has come from the stories she hears from the retired workers

from General Shoe who come by.

As the Southeast’s largest center for the arts, Lowe Mill’s rich

history and cultural impact draw visitors from all over the

globe. “Something that surprises me every day is the vari-

ety of people who come here—their ages, gender, race. And

it’s all very rooted in a localized grass-roots type thing,” says

Singletary. Like the other mills, Lowe Mill is also symbolic

of the work ethic of the men and women who helped build

a foundation to make Huntsville the evolved city it has be-

come. “I think what the mill did for almost everyone I met

who worked there was give them a great love for hard work,”

Singletary says. “Th ey all seemed driven.”

OUT OF ASHES

Dallas Mill, once known as the South’s largest textile mill,

originally opened in 1892. Containing 25,000 spindles when

it opened, it originally employed over 500 people. Over time,

the mill doubled in size and employees. Th e cotton sheeting it

produced could be used for bandages, sheets, and sandbags.

Once one of Huntsville’s largest employers, labor strikes in

the 1940s proved to be detrimental for Dallas Mill, and it

eventually closed in 1949. In 1955, the building was bought

and leased to General Shoe Company, where it served as a

distribution warehouse. Dallas Mill was destroyed by a fi re

in 1991—all that survived were the mill homes and the water

tower, which still stands.

Th e memories that have risen out Dallas Mill’s ashes belong

to a dwindling few who are still alive to tell their stories—sto-

ries that have been preserved in large part due to Huntsville

native and Dallas Mill descendant, Ann Schrimsher Frank-

lin. Franklin, who is now 81, is the daughter of both a moth-

er and father who worked in Dallas Mill. In 2004, she took

it upon herself to preserve Dallas Mill heritage by starting

a website where others in the Dallas Mill community could

share their stories. “When I kept seeing all of us dying away,”

says Franklin. “I said, I have to do something to preserve our

history. So I just jumped right in.” With the help of web de-

signer Craig Clontz, www.rison-dallas.com was born. Frank-

lin proudly tells her own story on the site, where she fondly

recalls what it was like to live in Dallas Mill village as a child.

“Th e house we lived in did not have indoor facilities,” she

says. “It had a well on the back porch. Th ere was an outhouse

on the back part of the lot. It was a very humble growing up.”

Like the other mill villages, Dallas was its own independent

community—complete with a church, school, gymnasium,

and more. Mill workers and their families lived, worked, and

played in these communities—little towns seemingly sepa-

rate from the rest of the world. Franklin recalls that they had

it all, just living in their little community:

“Dallas village had a YMCA. It was used completely by the

whole community. Th ere was a basketball court and then

they would sometimes show movies there. It had an upstairs.

Th ey had showers and you could pay a dime and go upstairs

and take a bath. Th ey had card games and dominoes, and

rook and whatever. At one point in time, we also skated in

the room where we watched movies and they played basket-

ball. It gave so much life to that little community. It seemed

on the outset it was a depressed area, but actually it was a

thriving little community. We didn’t have a lot, but what we

had was enough to get by on.”

John Williams, 85, is a fellow Dallas Mill descendant and

childhood friend of Ann Schrimsher Franklin. He also fondly

remembers the fellowship of growing up where the mill was

the center of life. He credits growing up in Dallas Mill Vil-

lage and attending the Rison School with making him the

man he became. “Basically, it was a tough time to grow up

from a fi nancial standpoint, but it was a good time to grow

up in learning how to behave and become a good citizen,” he

says. “Between that and school, I think it was a very, shall we

say, stern environment. Kids were taught for the most part


HIGH COTTON

Photos on this page show some of the Mill’s youngest workers. Left: Th e Merrimack Mill school.

to behave themselves and stay out of trouble. If you were

out and about in what we called the village, and you got into

any mischief, by the time you got home, your parents knew

about it. It was a good environment to grow up in.”

With Dallas Mill gone, Interstate 565 is now where the origi-

nal mill would have been, had it survived. As for the remain-

ing living few who are around to share their memories of

growing up in Dallas Village, they now have a place, thanks

to Franklin’s website. Th ere are also yearly reunions for

alumni of the Rison School, which Franklin attended even

after her father and mother purchased a house outside of the

Mill village. Franklin remembers her days as a school girl and

time in Dallas Village:

“I’m just sorry that I can’t actually enter the halls of the

school and take off my shoes and socks and walk those well-

oiled wooden fl oors; I wouldn’t even mind seeing the black

on the bottoms of my feet. I’m sorry that I can’t hear the

school bell ring and see if I could once again fi t into one of

the school desks. I’m sorry that there are people whom I will

never see again. But—I’m glad that I have the memories of

the school—even the smells from the oiled fl oors. I’m glad

that great lessons were learned from the experiences in Ri-

son School. I’m glad that I am who I am and that I’ve never

been ashamed to say, “I grew up in Dallas Village!”

It has been many decades since Huntsville has been a cotton

town. But the spirit of these once thriving mini-communities

endures. After World War II ended, the high demand for the

mills diminished. Th e power of labor unions increased, and

one by one, the cotton mills of Huntsville closed their doors.

All four of the remaining mill villages are now listed on the

National Register of Historic Places. One of the South’s most

sophisticated and educated communities, Huntsville evolved

into the place it is today because of the backbone these mills

provided. “You realize what an impact those four mills had

on this community,” says Debra Jenkins. “Merrimack recruit-

ed workers from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. Th ey

were poor, uneducated sharecroppers. Working in a textile

mill was brutal. It was very hard manual labor. But it was still

a better life. It was security. Th e mills provided everything

for them.”


Merrimack Mill Village’s Park Boulevard in 1925.

WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS, you may think that only older peo-ple appreciate them. But the many young Valley couples who are busy renovat-ing and restoring Huntsville’s mill homes are proving this assumption wrong. These three couples, each at a diff erent stage of renovating their mill home, demonstrate that everything old can be new again.

RYAN AND BRITTNEY

Newlyweds Brittney and Ryan Saff ell had been living in a cozy, well-manicured subdivision for six months in another area of Huntsville when Brittney got an itch to move.

“I was really looking into fi nding a nice fi xer-upper in the area,” said Brittney. “The more we looked at houses, the more ambitious we became. We slowly went from looking at one or two-room remodels to homes that would take months and years to completely gut and remodel.”

That was when they discovered a vacant home in the old Merrimack Mill Village. “We were instantly intrigued,” she said.

After touring the home, their Realtor introduced them to other homeowners in the neighborhood. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and all seemed to love living in the neighborhood. Everyone they met had done a substantial amount of work on their homes and encouraged the couple to take on the project.

“From the time we looked at the house until the time we closed on it, we were talking to our new neighbors and getting advice from them about the remodel,” said Brittney. “Suddenly, we realized we had met and talked to more people in a neighborhood we weren’t even living in yet than we ever had in the six months we lived in the old subdivision. We knew we made the right choice with this home.”

Meeting friendly neighbors turned out to be the easy part. It took a little over a year for Brittney and Ryan to get their home ready so they could receive a certifi cate of occupancy. Besides the construction work, which they expected, they also ran into some unexpected remodeling obstacles, like 50-year-old ter-mite damage in their guest bedroom, severe water damage in one wall, long

YOUNG COUPLESOLD HOMES

text by claire stewart » photos by danny mitchell

cozy, well-manicured h B i

Facing page: Brittney and Ryan Saff ell at home in their restored Huntsville Mill home.

Modern-Day Mill Life


Clockwise from top left: Ryan and Brittney Saff ell’s fi nished kitchen, dining room and pantry. Facing page: While renovating their home, Ashley and Andy found several items—old letters, postcards, and a key, which Ashley used as inspiration for her new tattoo.


nights spent peeling four to fi ve layers of wallpaper off the walls and ceilings, and long days of prying off seven layers of fl ooring.

At the beginning of the renovation, the couple hoped to hire a carpenter, as well as additional construction help for the process. But when the bank’s construction loan turned out to be much less than expected, Brittney and Ryan de-cided to do most of the work on their own.

“The cost to get a house that was built in 1900 up to code takes much more time and work than it would take to re-model a home built in the last 50 years,” said Ryan. “We were disheartened to know that we were not getting the loan we had hoped for, but that just pushed us to learn ev-erything we needed to know about construction and do most of the work on our own.”

Brittney and Ryan both also agree that the most reward-ing part about the experience was getting to move into the house they had worked so hard on for a year. “Even though there was no trim on the windows and you could feel a breeze when you walked by them, we were fi nally in the house and we couldn’t have been happier,” she said.

That was April of 2013, and today they have their entire fi rst fl oor and an upstairs nursery completed. Just in time - they are expecting a baby girl in May!

Though Brittney says she has always had an appreciation for older homes, Ryan says this experience opened his eyes. “I turned a 180 in my thoughts about construction. I think Brittney helped me with that, too. Going through this process, you see the amazing craftsmanship and work that used to go into homes. This house was built by hand before nail guns and electric sanders. It makes you grateful of every piece of wood over your head.”

To other young people interested in taking on an old home, the Saff ells say not to wait. “This is the perfect time in your life to renovate a home—you are young and more able-bodied now than you ever will be,” Brittney said. “Now, we can settle down and grow a family in this house we put so much love and hard work into.”

ANDY AND ASHLEY

Ashley and Andy Vaughn are old souls—you can see it in the décor of their Mill Home in Five Points, with vintage items like 45-rpm records and antique cameras.

In December of 2006, Ashley and Andy moved into a home that was originally built in 1903 for a manager at Dal-las Mill. The home was later converted into a duplex and housed two separate apartment units.

Upon purchase, the couple knew they wanted to take the home back to its original fl oor plan, but it was not an easy task. While living on the second fl oor, the couple began the slow process of peeling back the layers on the bottom fl oor to restore it to its original beauty. They had to battle mildew, missing and exposed plumbing, and multiple lay-

ers of old carpeting before they fi nally refi nished the fl oors downstairs.

“We did the fl oors all on our own, so we take pride in them,” Andy said. “They may have nicks and scrapes in them—some of which we made—but we think it just gives them character.”

Walking into the couple’s home today, you won’t fi nd a single product bought out of a catalog or manufactured in the last ten years. Everything in their home has either been passed down from family members or bought at thrift stores, restoration stores, or estate sales.

“Estate sales are our personal favorite,” Ashley said. “Those are the things people didn’t want to let go of, so they are usually great fi nds.”

This was not the couple’s fi rst home. As newlyweds, they moved into a 1960’s brick rancher in Southside. They say that during their move, the HGTV Do-it-Yourself craze was in full swing. “We were defi nitely bitten by the bug,” she said. “We were going to Target every weekend, getting cool things for our home and completing a few in-home projects. But, when we moved into Five Points, it seemed like we had a new lifestyle and a new life and our tastes changed.”


Now the couple painstakingly searches for each individual item for their home, whether it is an antique bed frame, vintage wallpaper, or the perfect sink for their bathroom. They say it makes the process more fun.

The couple admits they still have work to do on their home—the next big project will be working on the exteri-or. “Our advice would be to take your time,” Ashley said. In the fi rst week of living in their new home, the Vaughns tore out an interior door that previously divided the two units from one another. Though this gave the space a more open concept, they realized that removing the door let all of the heat out from the bottom fl oor. “We are currently looking for a door to put back in its space,” she said.

Ashley and Andy say the community around them is the main reason they live where they do. “We love this neigh-borhood,” she said. “There are always cookouts and barbe-cues and all of our friends live within two to three blocks of us. People who take up projects like this tend to be kindred spirits and it makes it a fantastic place to live.”

STEVEN AND MARY LEE

With her experience in archaeology and his background in engineering, it seems very fi tting that Mary Lee and Steven Gaffi n would combine their passions and take on the proj-ect of restoring a 1920’s mill home.

In 2011, right after the couple married, they moved into their home in Merrimack Mill village. Their home is the same fl oor plan as the Saff ells.

When asked if they would encourage others to tackle this undertaking right out of the marriage gate, they both laugh with side-glances at one another. Currently in the midst of renovation, Mary Lee and Steven are only able to live in the second fl oor of their home while they renovate the bottom fl oor.

“Renovation is a chain reaction,” Steven said, sitting in the unfi nished kitchen he had been working in all day. “If you want to change one thing, you fi nd out you have to change


Above: Th e Vaughns in their renovated home. Inset: A completed bedroom. Facing page: Th e Vaughn’s love collecting vintage furniture and accessories, to keep their restoration authentic.


fi ve other things you didn’t even plan on touching. Many times, it is a longer process than you had planned for.”

Many renovations had been done to their home before they purchased it. Like many of the other homes, it had been made into a duplex at one point. It was advertised as a fi ve or six bedroom home when they looked into it, but the Gaf-fi ns are hoping to end up with three bedrooms when their remodeling project is completed. And like many other mill homeowners, they are undoing some of the work that has been done to the home in the past 50 years, and they have had to make compromises.

Like the Vaughns, Mary Lee and Steven say that taking your time on a project like this is the best advice they could give. “So many parts of construction seem like an easy fi x to a problem, but taking your time when you are making lasting changes is the best option,” Mary Lee said.

So far, the couple has been most pleased with the results of their demolition and reconstruction of their screened-in porch. Steven did such a beautiful job building the new porch that they have people knock on their door to ask who did it, because they like it so much. For his fi rst con-struction job, those are pretty impressive results.

The Gaffi ns hope their kitchen re-do, which they hope to complete by summer’s end, is as successful as their porch project. In the meantime, all of their meals are limited to what they can prepare in a crockpot, fridge, or microwave.

And what about the idea that young people only want new houses, easy home projects, and have no appreciation for history or older architecture? The Gaffi ns seemed sur-prised by the thought.

“Oh, I don’t see that at all,” said Mary Lee. “Most of the people we talk to in our community are around our age. All of the Merrimack village folks help each other out, and it makes you feel like you are all in this together. That’s an-other reason this is such a great place to live!”

Mary Lee and Steven Gaffi n in the midst of their kitchen remodel. Th e Gaffi ns are restoring one of Merrimack Mill Village’s many homes, most dating back to the early 1900s. Below, the Gaffi n’s home as it looks today; Left (black and white): A snow-covered Mill Village in 1923. Facing page: Th e Gaffi ns on their front porch; Inset: A historic marker in front of their home.


photos by davis griffin photography

One look at this lake house in

Guntersville, and you might think you

have been transported to the Adiron-

dacks in northeastern New York. Th e

fact is, the owner took the architect,

Paul Matheny, on a trip there to study

the design techniques and construction

methods of the 19th century Adirondack

Great Camps. Th e heavy use of stone,

white cedar logs, and birch bark veneers

makes this lodge home blend with its

surroundings and off er stunning views of

Guntersville Lake. At 5,000 square feet,

the house is big enough for entertaining

and features large living spaces, a game

room, a gourmet kitchen with a “super

pantry,” four bedrooms, and three and

a half baths. Th e use of outdoor patios

and porches make this the perfect year-

round retreat.


Facing page: Th e

game room’s large

windows off er spec-

tacular lake views.

An outdoor porch

has a fi replace for

chilly Fall evenings.

Above: Th e gourmet

kitchen features a

“super pantry.” Left:

Th e architects used

white cedar and

birch veneer to be

true to Adirondack

style architecture.


Facing page and above, top: Th e dining room

and its panoramic views of the lake. Below: Th e

architect stayed true to the Great Lodge style

of architecture found in upstate New York.


Architecture and Interior Design:

Matheny Goldmon Architecture+Interiors

H. Paul Matheny, AIA

Jillian Marks, ASID

Structural Engineer:

Hodnett Hurst Engineers

John Hurst

General Contractor:

Maxwell Homes, Inc.

Dan Maxwell


Th e house has four bedrooms and three and

a half baths. Guests might have trouble be-

lieving they are in north Alabama, instead of

northern New York State.

TEXT BY CLAIRE STEWART » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD


When the Yeagers left their large three-story home in

Jones Valley for this smaller 1950s-style rancher in Hunts-

ville’s Twickenham District, they realized downsizing would

involve some diffi cult choices. But after two years of formi-

dable exterior and interior renovations, they have turned

their smaller digs into a showplace, fi lled with a unique mix

of classic antiques, contemporary art, and bright, bold color

choices.

Facing page: Angie modeled her small pool after the one

outside her hotel room in Cabo San Lucas; Below, right:

Th e fi replace in the Yeager home serves double duty,

providing warmth for both the outside patio and den

(See page 57) during cool fall and colder winter nights.


Facing page: Angie says their

style is a mix of modern and

antique, and though their

tastes have changed, she

loves seeing traditional fi nds

mixed with newer, more

contemporary pieces. Above,

left: Th e hallway connecting

the entrance to the master

suite is a sunny gallery—the

perfect spot to showcase

a cherished piece of art or

treasured antique. Top right

and right: Contemporary art

is juxtaposed with a lacquered

turquoise cabinet.

MA

KIN

G A

SPL

ASH

IN T

HE

TW

ICK

EN

HA

M

Th is page and facing page:

Th e ceilings in the couple’s

living and dining rooms were

inspired by West Hollywood’s

Chamberlin Hotel, a favor-

ite of the Yeagers. Architect

Frank Nola designed the

unique pattern which creates

a majestic focal point for the

home’s entrance.


Facing page: Th e clock in the

breakfast nook has a special

story. Th e original owners of

the home, Bill and Virginia

Stevens, were given this clock

in 1954 as a housewarm-

ing gift. Th e Stevens’s son

returned the favor, gifting the

clock to the Yeagers when they

moved in. Above, left: Th e size

of the kitchen didn’t change

during the remodel, so the

couple outfi tted the space with

contemporary and effi cient

cabinetry in high-gloss exotic

wood veneers and frosted

glass. Above, right: Without

hesitation, Angie says the

laundry room is her favorite

room in the house. Left: A

small powder room is always

the perfect place to experi-

ment with bold patterns and

colorful art.

MA

KIN

G A

SPL

ASH

IN T

HE

TW

ICK

EN

HA

M

Above, left: Th e master suite is both restful and elegant, and features a combination of soft taupes and rich corals. Above, right: Th e Yeagers’ son’s bath uses an antique chest as the base for the sink. Right: Angie and designer Lila Frank used lavender as an accent color throughout the home, but the soft color is fea-tured most prominently in the Yeagers’ daughter’s room. Fac-ing page: Th e generous master bath uses marble luxuriously, and is crowned with an exqui-site crystal chandelier.


MA

KIN

G A

SPL

ASH

IN T

HE

TW

ICK

EN

HA

M

Designer: Lila Pryor Frank, ASID • Contractor: Steve West

Original Architect: Paul Speake • Renovation Architect: Frank J. Nola, AIA

Original Owner: Bill and Virginia Stevens

in garden




When my mother died in 2000, I

made the decision to create a gar-

den in her memory. We had always

lived in London, and Mummy was a

gifted gardener but never had space

to really let her talent blossom, so

to speak. Although I come from a

family of gardeners, I had never

had one of my own, so I did what I

do with everything else in my life—

I began to garden with God. We

named the garden “Eden.” By listen-

ing and heeding my intuition, each

and every plant found its place. My

husband Bob and Charlie (Petty, the

gardener) were instrumental in cre-

ating this labour of love, with all the

heavy planting and the mammoth

job of shifting rocks involved. Both

Bob and Charlie also had the enor-

mous task initially of clearing the

brush to create an empty canvas.

This is as much Charlie’s creation as

it is ours.

—Tiril Benton

The Bentons did not design Eden with plants—

they designed Eden as a garden space, and the

plants were secondary. After the garden was de-

signed, the house went through a major remod-

el by ARC Design-Build and the garden spaces,

placed on the steep hill with its rocks and trees,

were a major consideration in designing the views

from the house. The main goal was to connect the

inside of the house with the outside, through the

use of porches and patios that lead right into the

garden. Eden is a peaceful and beautiful place.



70 » scene

Above: 2014 Victorian Cotillion Clubmarch , · von braun center, huntsville

Below: WLRH Spring Membership Driveapril , · wlrh studios at uah, huntsville

Sally Frances Smith

William Lee Tucker, James Richard Green III, and Jacob Tyler Harris Vaughn. Front Row is Patrick Ryan Roberts, Clay Alexander Kaylor, and Andrew Cole Pendergrass

Harold Gregory Johnson and Macey Ann Johnson

Karla Maranville, Keyontae’ Crutcher, Micheal Milam, and Harold Weatherly

Victorian Cotillion Member Introduction

Eliza Spearman and Karen Kimbrough

Judy Watters, Dorrie Nutt, Susan Stewart, and Rhonda Brayles

Joyce Billingsley, John Jeter, Bonnie Roberts, Kay Campbell, Frances Akridge, Margaret Vann, Ginny Gilbert, and Judy Cameron

Beth Norwood and Brett Tannehill Isaiah Ashe and Anna Blair

Roy Clem and Phil Hutcheson

Isaiah Ashe and Brett Tannehill with Bee

Joe Cook, Ginny Kennedy, and Anna Blair

Lisa Cole, Mary Ena Heath, and Lisa Caprio

Eloise Propst, Julia Conway, and Janet Howle

Brad Posey and ‘Microwave Dave’ Gallagher

The Unbelievable Story of George Keller’s Dream to Bring the Auto Industry to Huntsville

text by allen tomlinson » photos by patrick hood


Th is page: Th e wooden panels of the

Barnett’s Keller car, one of only three

still in existence. Facing page: An

interior door handle.


Huntsville has been the center of a lot of differ-ent things, in its long and interesting history. At the end of the Civil War, it became a mill town; almost eighty years later, after World War Two, it had become a military city, and then it was swarming with rocket scientists and engineers who were determined to put a man on the moon. Huntsville was booming—and so was the rest of the country. As America moved from wartime to peace, there was an overwhelming sense of optimism, but there was a severe shortage of housing and cars. Soldiers returning from duty had money to spend, and a new car was on their list.

Th e large auto manufacturers, like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, were converting their manufacturing plants from wartime production back to the production of cars, and it was taking some time. Th at represented opportunity for entrepreneurs who wanted to jump into the business…and that’s how Huntsville, Alabama, became an automotive manufacturing town.

Sort of.

Th e back story of the Keller Car is complicated, and is best detailed on a website called “Huntsville Rewound” (huntsvil-lerewound.com/HSVkellercar.htm). John Liefi eld, an engineer in California, was working for the Consolidated Vultee aircraft plant, but when the war ended, the entire workforce was sub-ject to layoff . Liefi eld’s brother introduced him to a man he’d met at a bar, a promoter named S.A. Williams, who agreed to bankroll him in the production of a new mini-car, which they named the Bobbi-Kar. Th e car was underpowered and pretty awful, but Williams was a great salesperson (and, it was dis-covered later, had served time in prison for securities fraud); despite the automobile’s fl aws, Williams was able to sell deal-ership franchises and raise enough money to secure a manu-facturing plant in California.

Enter George Keller. Keller had been a top salesman for the Studebaker Company, but clashed with management over dis-tribution issues. Keller had been thinking about the need for an inexpensive car that could be used for basic transportation. Liefi eld hired him as a consultant.

Th ose pesky folks at the Securities and Exchange Commis-sion wouldn’t let S.A. Williams sell stock the way he wanted, to raise money to truly become a car manufacturer. When he learned that an Alabama Chamber of Commerce was try-ing to fi nd industry to occupy the Bechtel-McCone Aircraft Company on the Huntsville Arsenal, he jumped at the chance to move to a place where he (incorrectly) assumed it would be easier to sell stock. Th e group put everything on a train


and shipped it to Alabama, where plans were made to begin manufacturing the Bobbi-Kar in Redstone Building #481 (lat-er #4471, only recently torn down).

Alabama offi cials broke the news to Williams: because of his prison record, he would not be allowed to be a director or offi cer of any Alabama corporation, much less sell stock. In March of 1947, a group of investors made Williams an off er he couldn’t refuse, and he returned to California (where he became involved in two other automotive schemes and was reportedly later convicted for his part in distributing counter-feit $20 bills nationwide.)

Meanwhile, George Keller, John Liefi eld, and their crew were in Alabama—ready to produce some cars. “Stuck,” actually—they didn’t even have the money to move back to California.

Hubert Mitchell, a self-made man from the Hartselle area, owned a failing furniture factory he had purchased during the War. During the war, civilian planes were requisitioned and converted to military use, and the government took out the original seats and replaced them with seats built in Mitchell’s factory. When the war ended, Mitchell had a lot of seats in inventory—a lot of seats—and his initial interest in the Bob-bi-Kar came because he saw an opportunity to equip the au-

tomobiles with his surplus airplane seats. He ended up buy-ing the entire automotive operation, even lending money to George Keller for living expenses.

Mitchell decided to name the company Keller Motors, and fi nally, after a long struggle, the company was ready to begin making cars.

The Keller Car—a station wagon for Everyman.

It boasted 49 horsepower. (Today’s Honda Civic has 149 horsepower.) Th e body was mostly made of wood. Th e car was made of a conglomeration of readily-available parts that had been cobbled together, from the surplus airplane seats to the engine itself. Asking price was going to be $848. (Th e av-erage price of a new car in 2013 was $31,252; a Nissan Versa, one of the lowest-priced cars available today, sells for $12,780.)

Th e Keller Car people built 18 of these wagons and hit the roads to sell dealership franchises. People lined up to pay franchise fees, such was the state of the market; the big auto manufacturers weren’t interested in such a low-end vehicle, preferring to concentrate on a more profi table (and less basic) car, and dealers thought they would be able to sell every Keller Car they could get their hands on.

GEORGE KELLER: AUTO PILOT


Facing page: A promotional photo from the

Keller Car Company. Th is page: Sally and Sam

Barnett, with the Keller Car they have meticu-

lously restored.


The next morning, as they were gathering for breakfast, they noticed that George Keller was running late. Worried, they checked his hotel room—

and found him dead, the victim of a heart attack. He was 56.Not only did he die that night, so did the Keller Car Company.


Much of the advertising centered around Keller himself, por-traying him as an automotive pioneer who would bring an af-fordable car to the masses. Th e dealers who signed up repre-sented a huge array of businesses: some were already selling other car lines; some were used car dealers; some were gas stations; and some were businesses that sold farm equipment, tractors, and other machinery.

To truly get big money to fi nance large-scale production of the Keller Car, the company needed to be able to sell stock. Be-cause of their past associations with S.A. Williams, the Secu-rities and Exchange Commission was watching the company like a hawk, but fi nally approval was given for a stock off ering. In September of 1949, the prospectus was issued; by October 4th, about half of the stock had been sold. Th e company offi -cials were ecstatic, celebrating that evening with a sumptuous dinner in New York.

Th e next morning, as they were gathering for breakfast, they noticed that George Keller was running late. Worried, they checked his hotel room—and found him dead, the victim of a heart attack. He was 56. Not only did he die that night, so did the Keller Car Company.

Fast forward sixty-fi ve years.

Sam Barnett’s father loved cars. An entire article could be writ-ten about his collection of rare Marmon vehicles, beautiful, luxurious, and expensive cars built in the early part of the 20th century. Ron Barnett was a mechanical engineer with a degree from the University of California at Berkley, where Marmon’s founder, Howard Marmon, had also earned his degree. Be-cause Marmons were so exquisitely engineered, Ron Barnett fell in love with them and collected them over the years.

“My father also became very interested in the Keller Car,” said Sam, “and when he had the opportunity to purchase one, he jumped on it. It was in pretty bad shape, but we put it through an extensive renovation to restore it to its original condition.”

Th e reason it was in such bad shape was because of the wood-en body. Keller Cars were made of wood because a wood car didn’t require expensive tools and dies. A relatively untrained Alabama workforce could glue and screw the pieces togeth-er—and, after all, investor Hubert Mitchell already owned that furniture plant that made all of those airplane seats, a plant that he sold to the Keller Car Company for more than its as-sessed value (which wasn’t brought to light until years later).



Th is page, top: By today’s standards, the Keller

Car was basic transportation; manual trans-

mission, no radio, and no power windows.

Below: An interior shot of the wood ribbing

that supports the roof. Facing page, top: Th e

front of the Keller Car. Bottom: Th e seats in

the Keller were war surplus airplane seats.


But wood needs attention. Th e cars took a lot of hand labor to construct, it took a long time, and they tended to squeak and sag. Even worse—wood rots.

Th e Barnetts were undeterred. “Th is car has a Willys rear end and wheels, Pontiac gauges, and formed body panels,” said Sam. Th e engine was a Hercules, a company known for mak-ing engines for industrial machinery and farm equipment, and the aluminum parts of the body, including the front fenders, were hand-formed. Sam points out that the left front fender and the right front fender bow at diff erent angles, due to the fact that the Keller cars that were actually produced were pro-totypes. Chances are, had the car made it into large-scale pro-duction, those issues would have been worked out.

To an observer in 2014, the car looks very basic. It has a stan-dard transmission and none of the accessories that today’s car buyer would consider essential: no radio, no air conditioning, and no electric windows. Th e restoration, on the other hand, is excellent. Th e car is yellow, and the wood trim is a warm, honey color. Th e red seats—which you can just imagine at home in an airplane cockpit—are sturdy and durable. At the rear of the car, Sam points out some of the imperfections that mark this car as a prototype, but even those give the car its charm. From looking at the promotional photos the company

produced (the Barnetts have notebooks full of research and photos about Keller Cars), you can imagine a happy post-war family on a Sunday afternoon drive, complete with picnic bas-ket and the family dog.

Th ere are only three Keller Cars known to be still in existence today. Th e oldest one, owned by Vance and Lance George (Lance wrote the Huntsville Rewound piece about the compa-ny), is in storage, with original wood and engine intact. Titled in 1947, the George’s car is a slightly more sophisticated ver-sion, with hidden door hinges and a one-piece formed hood. Later versions of the prototype, such as the Barnett’s, showed some of the cost-saving measures the company was consider-ing, in order to keep the retail price of the car low.

Th ese days, if you tell people that Alabama is a center for au-tomotive manufacturing, they can’t dispute it. Honda, Mer-cedes, Hyundai, Toyota and others have manufacturing fa-cilities here, and about a million cars a year roll off Alabama assembly lines. But just for fun, tell someone that at one time Huntsville, Alabama, was projected to be the Detroit of the South. Who knows? If Keller Cars had happened as planned, automotive manufacturing might have been more important than rockets to the Rocket City.



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

News, classicalmusic and more

84 » market » Claire Stewart » Photos by Danny Mitchell

A Indoor/Outdoor Pillows ($44, $97.50) » Brooks and Collier » (256) 534-2781B Indoor/Outdoor Pillows ($50 each) » Huntsville Botanical Gardens » (256) 830-4447

A

SUMMERLOVIN’

B

86 » market » Summer Lovin’

C Chalkboard Placard Pots ($6.99, $8.99)» Josie’s at Burritt on the Mountain » (256) 536-2882 D Children’s Rake ($10.95)E Riviera Hat ($32) F Smart Mud Gloves ($3) G Garden Trowel ($9.99) » Brooks and Collier » (256) 534-2781

H Gardening Kneepads ($10) » Huntsville Botanical Gardens » (256) 830-4447I Wall Bud Vases by C&H Glassworks ($36, $45) » Little Green Store » (256) 539-9699

C

G

E

D

F

H

I


Extraordinary relationships change lives.Are you ready for a change? Contact [email protected], 256-799-6103.

randolphschool.net/applyRandolph School does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin, gender, or any other characteristic.

“One of the reasons that we all love Randolph so much—even decades later—is because it did not just teach us to be good students. It taught us to be good people.”- Brandon Robinson ’98,



J Yellow Wire Stool ($191) K Patterned Outdoor Poof ($155) » Brooks and Collier » (256) 534-2781L Chinese Ivory Garden Seat ($269) » Miranda Alexander Interiors » (256) 355-6941

K

J

L


Planning to Build or Buy a New Home?Building or buying a new home is exciting - and it can also be intimidating. It’s not something you do every day, and sometimes the financial end of things can seem overwhelming. I can make it easier! I offer Concierge Service, which means I will be there every step of the way to help guide you. From pre-qualification to close, including simplified construction-to-purchase loans, I can take the stress out of your next mortgage. Come see how much simpler it can be!

Rates, closing costs and program conditions are subject to change without notice. Subject to normal application and approval process. APR is not disclosed. This is not an extension of credit. Products and services are off ered by FirstBank. FirstBank institution IS 472433.

Pam RhodesMortgage Loan OfficerNMLS #470439256.539.1559 Office256.655.6533 Cell256.585.6733 [email protected]

Call or stop by anytime!FirstBank Mortgage Partners

908 Merchants WalkHuntsville AL 35801



M Reproduction Architectural Zinc Spires ($98, $198) N Metallic Glazed Orb ($89) » Miranda Alexander Interiors » (256) 355-6941O Bird Houses ($15.99, $39.99) P Assorted Glass Candle Jars (Ranging from 4.99-$39.99)

» Josie’s at Burritt on the Mountain » (256) 536-2882Q Colorful Four Seasons Vase by Art Department ($260) R Try Angles Glass Mosaic by Camp Creek Creations ($1,400)

» Little Green Store » (256) 539-9699

N

M

P

Q

O

O

R

text by michelle rupe eubanks » photos by patrick hood

GARLAN GUDGER’S CREATIVE QUEST



A porch post worn around the middle tells of all the small hands that used it as a launching pad into the front yard and the wide world beyond.

A front door, nicked and bruised by time, suggests each time it was opened in welcome to a guest.

A mantle’s patina hints at the tales told in front of the roaring fi re that served to keep the cold and boredom of a winter day at bay.

“Th ere are stories in every room and in everything I touch,” Garlan said. “What I like to do is sit and listen.”

How he got here—this gift of his—is a testament to destiny. Garlan Gudger, who, let’s face it, with a name like that, could have been almost anything—matinee idol, frontiersman, construction magnate—followed the only path he knew to be right.

It’s a journey that began in the 1970s, a time still too modern for many of the items that fi ll his store, Southern Accents Architectural Antiques, in downtown Cull-man, all of which leave a fi ne layer of dust throughout.

“I guess to really understand this, we’d have to talk about the man who became my father’s mentor,” Garlan said of his dad, Garlan Gudger Sr. “His own father died young, so he got to know a World War II veteran, who, while serving in Europe, came to know quite a bit about the architecture there.”

According to his son, Garlan Sr. soaked in the information like a sponge, and, while still working full-time at Wallace State Community College as a coach and dean, he learned the artistry and craftsmanship behind the old Victorian man-sions that dotted the southern landscape at the time.

Th e south, in those days, was one of urban renewal. Plantations and Victorian mansions had been left to decay by owners no longer solvent enough to cover the cost of repairs and upkeep. Families had long since moved away to seek their for-tunes amid the wilds of the northern landscape, and derelict property that spoke to a once grander time in the south’s storied history became commonplace.

It is among these beautiful old mansions that fi rst Garlan Senior and then Garlan Junior found a way of life that took advantage of the architecture of a bygone era.

“For my dad, it was fi replaces and old doors that really got him hooked,” Garlan Jr. said. “After that, he’d spend his spare time fi nding and collecting old pieces, and he began to develop an appreciation for the best quality.”

All of these pieces collected in the Gudger’s garage, and, at seven, Garlan remem-bers sitting at the breakfast table on Saturday mornings and watching people line up to come in and see what his father had gathered and was ready to sell.

“One morning, in particular, I remember these folks coming on into the house from the garage, and they were looking around and asking questions about the furniture inside,” Garlan said. “Not too long after that, my mom made it clear that, if this was going to continue, my dad needed a place outside the house for all of this.”

There are those objects that speak to Garlan Gudger.


Any and all items make their way into South Ac-cents Architectural An-tiques. Th is spire comes from an old Southern tear down. In the back-ground is an American fl ag created by Garlan’s friend and Florence native Natalie Chanin, owner and designer for Alabama Chanin.


From there, Garlan said, Dixie Doo-dads was born.

He grins as he remembers the little place that was originally in Vinemont. Not too many months later, the name was changed to the more sophisticated Southern Accents Architectural An-tiques, and, by the mid-1980s, the shop moved to Cullman.

Th e items inside, however, were no less impressive.

Need vintage pillowcases? Over here is a basket fi lled to overfl owing.

Something missing from the wall in the man cave? Garlan is happy to send you home with a taxidermied moose head. He just happens to have one.

Looking to redo your front porch? An entire gingerbread porch railing from a tear down in Mississippi was unloaded just yesterday.

Running the shop day in and day out is only part of the excitement.

All of these items come from some-where, and, more often than not, it’s Garlan and his father who go to a job site to inspect, pick, and choose the pieces that will come home with them to Cullman.

“I know what I know because of my dad,” Garlan said. “He taught me, as he was taught by his mentor, to look at the texture and patina of an object. I’m not looking for perfect. In fact, I don’t want it to be anywhere near perfect. Th ere’s a reason for the imperfections, and I want to know that story. It really is fo-rensic architecture.”

It wasn’t easy to convince Garlan Se-nior that his son could not only run the family business but allow it to thrive and grow.

Garlan Jr. recalled an afternoon in Birmingham when he and his football teammates from Samford University were walking through a nearby neigh-borhood.

“I stopped along the way to pick up shutters,” Garlan said. “Th ey would tell me I was always picking things up off

Phil Cabri, far right, and Ben Sellers often man the front desk and the rest of the shop. Each day brings requests from customers in search of a variety of items, such as the ornately carved mantle, period but-tons, and clawfoot tubs.

Garlan said one of his greatest pleasures is helping people create something new from something old.


“I know what I know because of my dad. He taught me, as he was taught by his mentor,to look at the texture and patina of an object. I’m not looking for perfect.

In fact, I don’t want it to be anywhere near perfect. There’s a reason for the imperfections,and I want to know that story. It really is forensic architecture.”

[ Garlan Gudger ]

SELF MADE MAN


SELF MADE MAN


the street and taking them home to my dad. I hadn’t even really realized I was doing it.”

Soon, Garlan was seeking out pieces in Auburn, where he ultimately com-pleted his degree, and selling them for a profi t.

Even with job off ers elsewhere, Garlan said he felt drawn to salvaging and creat-ing something new from something old.

“You know, it just feels natural to do what I do,” he said. “I have a passion for it, and it exercises my imagination. I can look at a piece and see how I could make it into a headboard or a collage for a wall for someone’s home. It’s what I have to do.”

Knowing that so deeply in his bones, feeling it with each piece that fi lls Southern Accents Architectural An-tiques, craving the thrill of the hunt for the next salvaged item—all of it takes a toll on Garlan’s creativity, as it would the creativity of any artist.

A few years back, looking for a way to recharge his batteries and re-energize for a series of upcoming projects, Gar-lan got together with some other like-minded friends who also happened to be artisans, crafters, and makers.

Th is cabal developed what is known to-day as Southern Makers.

In its second year, this event, which takes place in May in Montgomery, brings together the best Alabama has to off er.

“I’ve got to tell you that it’s new, and we’re still trying to get it off the ground,” Garlan said of Southern Makers. “We’re taking baby steps. You have to crawl, then you walk, and then you can run, but we want the focus to remain on Alabama and use this as a means to promote the artisans and crafters, these makers, really, who choose to call this state home.”

Southern Makers is a curated show that, to those who attend, could feel a bit like interloping on the gathering of artists who have come together under a single roof.

Almost anything can be had at Southern Accents Architectural Antiques, from old signs, at left, to theater chairs taken from high school auditoriums to doors to stained glass windows.

Th e map of North and Central America is a graphic illustration of the places Southern Accents has shipped items. Each pin was dropped in 2012. Garlan said Europe and other locations across the globe have also become home to items from his little corner of the world in Cullman.


“We’re all there, and we’re all talking to each other and catch-ing up because we might not have seen each other all year,” Garlan said. “We’ve come together to renew our creativity, get excited about our craft again, see what our friends are doing, and meet folks who enjoy what it is we do.”

Th at passion is evident in Garlan’s voice as he anticipates this year’s Southern Makers, which will take place May 3.

In addition to his role in architectural salvage, folk artists, including Charlie Lucas, will be on hand, as will artists of cloth Natalie Chanin and Billy Reid, who both call Florence home. Food ways are a large part of the event as well, and Florence residents Josh Quick, who is the chef at Odette, and the Shirey brothers, who create Shirey Ice Cream, have been tapped to attend as makers.

Tuscumbia makers Audwin McGee, whose work can be found throughout the Shoals, as well as Carter McGuyer, who has made a name for himself with industrial design, are expected to be present, too.

In addition to Garlan, Southern Makers was conceptual-ized by Goodwin, Mills and Cawood, a collaborative fi rm of architects and engineers, with offi ces in Alabama, Geor-gia, South Carolina, and Tennessee; Matter, a design con-sulting fi rm specializing in brand development, marketing strategies, and public relations; and E.A.T. South, which is a Montgomery-based non-profi t organization that encourag-es healthy lifestyles through education and sustainable food production in urban areas throughout the Southeast.

Tiff any Bell, the event coordinator, said the event was de-signed to be interactive.

“It is a market, so those who attend are prepared to shop,” she said. “But it’s also an opportunity to eat the food prepared by the chefs who made it, speak to candlemakers about their process, listen to the musicians, learn about urban beekeep-ing while sampling the honey from a hive. Nowhere else can you get all of this under one roof.”

Th e experience for makers is something else all together, ac-cording to Garlan.

Being among those artisans and craftspeople, those who have honed their skill to something as close to perfection as they can achieve, is what he calls the common thread that binds them in place.

“When you get us together, it weaves a canvas of passion, creativity, and artistry,” Garlan said. “I’m as inspired from them because they are just as passionate about their craft as I am mine.”

On Monday, May 5, the second Southern Makers will be in the books, and Garlan, although bone tired and weary, will open the door to the store in downtown Cullman ready for what the day will bring, renewed in his creativity and his pas-sion for salvaging.

“It really is all about the story we tell, and I just want to keep on telling it,” he said.

“There are stories in every roomand in everything I touch.

What I like to do is sit and listen.”[ Garlan Gudger ]

SELF MADE MAN


Get to Know

A L A B A M A

Visit www.greatergadsden.com to...

Like Uson Facebook

Follow Uson Twitter

Download our new Gadsden Area Tourism app!


102 » scene

Above: U.S. Space & Rocket Center Masquerade Ballfebruary , · huntsville

Below: Crescen-Dough Auction Presented by

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guildapril , · von braun center, huntsville

John and Emily Parsons

Linda and Homer Hickam, Ed Buckbee with his granddaughter and daughter

Carolyn and Col R.J. Louis

Paul Finley, Joe Newberry, Marie Newberry, Liz Hurley, and Dave Hargrove

Tony and Kathy Chan Jonathan Boyd, Amy Boyd, Mary Scott Hunter, and John Shultz

Michael Lapidus, Jennifer Doss, Pat Ammons, and Lee Roop

Kala Patel, Kalps Patel, Pritee Patel, and Josh Khudai

Samantha Bentleyand Cynthia Masucci

Kim and Jim Wright

Ann Meyers and Jackie Higgins

John Malone

Renee Knowles, Dianne Reynolds, and Sylvia Ferry

Andy Turnage, Eve and Owen Garrett

Deborah Branart and Kate Schulz

Bill and Paige Hanks


Season tickets on sale July 1, 2014Single tickets on sale August 15, 2014

Friday, October 17, 2014, 7:30 p.m.Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, VBC

Huntsville Symphony Orchestrapresents

Visit hso.org or call 256-539-4818 for details.

104 » lowe down » Claire Stewart

“I would have to have a sauna room.” —Crystal Griepentrog

“What features would you includein your dream home?”

“I want to have golden sinks in every bathroom.” —Aashawnti Nye

“A nice, large wrap-around porch.” —Bethany Wagoner

“My dream home would be a log cabin.” —David Rich

Bethany Wagoner

Aashawnti Nye

David Rich

Crystal Griepentrog

“My dream home would have an enormous master bathroom suite with a hot tub.” —Rachel Beverly

“My dream home would have a top-of-the-line, gas range stove.” —Jakob Reed

“My dream home would have a sauna.” —Juanita McRoy

John Simpson

Juanita McRoy

Jakob Reed

Laqueena Douglas

“I would want heated bathroom fl oors.” —John Simpson

“Oceanfront property with horses. I would sit out and look over the ocean and drink hot tea.” —Laqueena Douglas


Rachel Beverly


“I would want stained glass everywhere.” —Sherri Lingle

“I would have a rock climbing wall inside of my home.” —Josh Beverly

“My dream home would have tons of natural lighting and a water featureinside.” —Richard Suttle

Joel and Amber Palmer

Richard Suttle

Josh Beverly

Rhonda McCarty

Sherri Lingle

“We would want a very nice kitchen, with a big pantry, tons of cabinet and counter space, and a lot of natural light.” —Joel and Amber Palmer

“My dream home would be a large, ranch-style home with a huge master shower.” —Rhonda McCarty

106 » lowe down » “What features would you include in your dream home?”

Dry, pale pink wine might be the single greatest

reason I drink. Th ere is something so superbly

appealing about opening a bottle of good rosé, as if pulling

the cork unleashes a genie who instantly grants me a lazy

summer afternoon of sunshine and daydreams. Okay,

maybe that’s a little much, but my romance with pink wine

is long and enduring and at its best in good warm weather.

Th e wine is cold and refreshing, like a dry white, with hints

of red wine aromatics that lend just enough complexity

and subtle backbone to make it forever interesting. It’s

one of the most versatile wines, pairing easily with seafood,

eggs, roasted pork, grilled steaks, pasta, charcuterie, cheese,

burgers, pizza...you get the idea. It may be the only wine for

which everyone awes over the color. Pale blush, rose petal pink,

salmon, almost ruby; the spectrum is a rainbow of red-derived

hues. And because it’s usually a winemaker’s side project, each

vintage will produce just a few bottles.

Not every wine region in the world produces pink wine. Italy

makes some rosato here and there; Spain makes rosado, usually from

Tempranillo; California produces a range of rosés from various grape

varieties; and Oregon has increasingly produced more Pinot Noir-based

pinks. Australia, Chile and Argentina contribute their fair share as well.

But France is the mother of rosé, and within the country, Provence makes

far more than any other area. Th e region’s coastline sits on the Côte d’Azur

in the Mediterranean Sea. Marseille, St. Tropez, Cannes, and Nice all lie on

this romantic shoreline populated with outdoor cafés, beach combers and topless

sun worshippers, and bobbing sail boats anchored in the harbor. Salty air breezes

through and the seafood is so fresh it tastes like gold. Further inland, near Avignon

and Van Gogh’s Arles, lavender fi elds and 13th century relics paint the countryside

while artisanal goat cheese and Picholine olives keep the wine company. Provence

pink is the iconic rosé, the example to follow and my personal favorite, but by no

means the only great pink of good value.

In every rosé producing area in the world, winemakers generally follow one of two

common methods: saignée or blending. Th e fi rst method is practiced by pressing

red wine grapes, macerating the skins for a short time, usually a few hours to a

couple of days, to extract anthocyanins which add color and nuance to the wine,

then “bleed” (saignée) the juice off the skins and ferment as with white wine. Th e

fi nished wine is almost always fermented totally dry. (Note: white zinfandel is not

108 » the vine » Amy Collins

MY WORLD THROUGH ROSÉ COLORED GLASSES. There is something so superbly

appealing about opening a bottle of good rosé, as if pulling the cork unleashes a genie who instantly grants me a lazy summer afternoon of sunshine and daydreams.


considered rosé in the context of this article). Th e color of

the rosé is dependent on the grapes used and the length of

maceration, or time on the skins. Pinot Noir, a thin skinned

grape, will lend far less color than Grenache. Grenache

based rosés from the Tavel region in France’s Rhône Valley,

for example, will be intensely ruby, with more body and

structure than those further south in Provence.

Th e second method—blending—requires two fi nished

wines, a white and red, where a little red is blended into the

white until it achieves the winemaker’s desired goal. Mouton

Noir’s Love Drunk Rosé by winemaker André Mack is a blend

of Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir. Adam Campbell’s Elk

Cove Rosé is produced through the bleeding method, but

after fermentation he adds a little Pinot Noir back into the

wine for color and structure. Both wines are from Oregon.

Th ere is a third, less common method which produces a Vin

Gris, and, historically, requires a grey-skinned grape to be

pressed but not macerated. Instead, the wine is immediately

pulled off the skins and fermented dry, as when making white

wine. Robert Sinskey’s Vin Gris of Pinot Noir blows my mind

Every. Single. Vintage. It’s not cheap and not plentiful, but it

is amour vrai in the glass (and I’m already regretting sharing

the secret with you).

Below are a few of my favorite rosés available in North

Alabama. Th e 2013s are just beginning to line the shelves

and will continue to roll in over the next few weeks. Try

some out, fi nd a favorite, and stock up for the summer.

VRAC Vin de Pays Rosé 2013, Provence, France

A nod to European tradition where villagers

bought their wine directly from the wine co-

op’s tanks - en vrac. Strawberry, fl oral, hint of

minerality, dry fi nish. $13

Domaine des Carteresses 2013, Tavel, France

Ruby in color, just ripe strawberry, iron, mineral,

a hint of strawberry candy on the fi nish. $16

Mouton Noir Love Drunk Rosé 2013, Oregon

Raspberry, strawberry, subtle tropical fruits,

refreshing, lovely long fi nish.

Elk Cove Rosé 2013, Willamette Valley, Oregon

100% Pinot Noir, fragrant strawberry,

watermelon, light fl oral notes, dry fi nish. $16

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

110 » food for thought » Sarah Gaede

IN CELEBRATION OF THINGSSIMPLE AND SUMMERY

Thanks to my voracious reading of English novels, especially detective stories, my culinary world has broadened. I always keep my iPad handy when I’m reading so I can look up dishes unfamiliar to me. How could one not want to know what Bubble and Squeak is? (It’s Brit-speak for a simple dish consisting of leftover vegetables from a roast dinner.) An equally intriguing dessert, or pudding, as the Brits call all desserts, is Eton Mess.

Eton Mess, a mixture of strawberries, pieces of meringue, and cream, is traditionally served at Eton College’s annual cricket game against Harrow School. It was originally served in the 1930s in the school’s snack shop, made with either strawberries or bananas mixed with ice cream or cream. Meringues were a later addition. Th e word “mess” may aptly refer to the appearance of the dish, or may be used in the sense of “a quantity of food,” as in “a mess of collards,” to put it in the vernacular we southerners understand. A popular origin myth, my favorite, is that Eton mess was created when a meringue des-sert was accidentally crushed by an exuberant dog in the back of an estate wagon while en route to a picnic at Eton College. What could be salvaged was served as a crushed meringue with strawberries and cream. Whatever the origin, it is ultra-yummy and ri-diculously easy to make, especially with ready-made meringues, sold at Publix.

Brits are big on Sunday lunch, a popular way to entertain despite the fact that hardly anyone in England goes to church anymore, except to marry and get the baby done (baptized), not necessarily in that order. Sunday lunch used to feature the classic roast beef and veg with Yorkshire pudding (not a des-sert, but a sort of popover baked in the meat drippings), but lighter fare is gaining in popularity. Th ose of us who still go to church in the morning might prefer Sunday supper. Th is simple menu allows for a long, lazy summer afternoon, and no heating up of the oven. Th e Pimm’s Cup is a quintessentially English drink served at summer garden parties, and is perfect for a sultry evening in more than one sense of the word—it’s deceptively powerful. I order my Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based li-quor, online, but you ought to be able to get ABC to order it for you. Or you can serve a light white wine instead. Both would be good with bought cheese straws. Publix will order a rack of lamb for you with a few days notice. You can cut it into individual chops your-self, or ask the butcher to do it. Serve with boiled tiny new pota-toes with butter and parsley, and steamed asparagus.

A traditional Eaton Mess, made with strawberries and ice cream and garnished with fresh blueberries.


Pimm’s Cup

• Ice cubes• 4 lemon slices• 4 cucumber slices• 1 cup club soda or lemon-lime soda• 1 cup fresh lemonade (not powdered Country Time!)• 3 cups Pimm’s No. 1 Cup

Fill 6 (8 to 10-ounce) highball glasses with ice cubes. Divide the lemon and cucumber slices among the glasses. Pour the seltzer or soda, lemonade, and Pimm’s into a pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour mixture into prepared glasses. Imbibe with care.

Grilled Baby Lamb Chops

• 1 small rack of lamb, cut into individual chops• 1/2 cup red wine—preferably the same one you will be serving with dinner• 2 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar• 2 tablespoons soy sauce• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil• 4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled• 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary• 1 rack of lamb serves 2-3 people. For 2 racks, double the marinade.

At least 4 hours before dinner, trim lamb and cut between the bones to make individual chops. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Place chops in a heavy zip bag, pour in marinade, and massage bag to make sure all the chops are covered. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 8 hours, turning bag over occasionally. 30 minutes before grilling, remove chops from refrigerator, pour off marinade, and dry on paper towels. Let sit at room temperature while grill is heat-ing. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grill to desired doneness—preferably no more than medium rare, about 3 minutes per side.

Eton Mess

• 1 quart lovely ripe strawberries, capped and chopped • 12 Miss Meringue vanilla meringue cookies• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Toss the chopped strawberries with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to develop the juice. Smash each meringue hard with the palm of your hand one time and place whatever results in a mixing bowl. (You might want to do this on a piece of wax paper, so you won’t lose anything.) Whip the cream with the powdered sugar to very soft peaks—do not overwhip. Cover and refrigerate whipped cream if not serving immediately.

Just before serving, reserve a few chopped strawber-ries for garnish and toss the rest together gently with the meringues and whipped cream, using a rubber scraper. Serve in individual dessert bowls or glasses, garnished with reserved strawberries. Also good with perfectly ripe Chilton County peaches.

112 » bless their hearts » Heidi King

The pllannts tthat mmade it intto tthe groouund diidn’’t sttand a cchancee; thhe otthers weeere deaad beeforee Memorial Day. Itt waas llike the Univeversse wwas sennnding mme a veery cleeaar messsagge abbout myyy futuree in ggardeening.

I love the outdoors and I love to garden. Th is time of year—when the fl owers are blooming and everything is a lush shade of green, before the Alabama summer sets in and turns things brown—moves me and makes me want to get my hands in the dirt.

And as strange as it sounds to those who know me, I love to work in the yard. I enjoy raking leaves, mowing the lawn and even weeding—anything that keeps me connected with nature. For me, there is a blissful feeling associated with pouring all of your focus into one task, instead of worrying about an endless work to-do list. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I get to shop for plants and gardening equipment. I enjoy watching things grow and transplanting things from pots into the ground so that they can fl ourish and thrive.

But the loving honeymoon phase with my plants tends to be rather short-lived. Despite my passion for the beginning stages of botanical endeavors, I have the attention span of a goldfi sh when it comes to completing a project. Th is is complicated by my surplus of enthusiasm and my tendency to be a walking example of Murphy’s Law. I know my hus-band dreads the fi rst trip I make to the store, once spring has truly sprung. I always come home with an assortment of fresh plants, all ready to be carefully coaxed into beautifully and perfectly prepared pots. Th ese living things yearn to bloom and grow and eventu-ally get transferred to the rich Alabama soil, where they can continue to develop, grow and produce a whole salad in one convenient plant. Th at is how it works, right?

But Murphy’s Lawmakers tend to work overtime with me. Some of those lovingly-nurtured baby plants end up being ‘leftovers’. Th ose are the plants that I either loved so much, I bought too many; the plants I forgot, because they were behind a bag of potting soil; or plants I just ran out of room for in the allotted space.

Th ese plants go to a very special place at my house: we call it the Porch of Death.

No plant in the ten years I have lived in my house has survived more than a single season on the Porch of Death. If you admire a plant on my porch, you can rest assured that the next time you visit me, the pot will still be there, but it will be sad, dry, unloved, and beginning to acquire a dusty coating. Th ere will be no trace of any plant that once lived so proudly in that blue polka dot ceramic pot.

Despite years of evidence that I was no master gardener, I still convince myself every spring that I can do this! I al-ways felt that gardening should be in my blood. My grand-parents had a fairly large and active farm when my mother and her siblings were young. Th e fl owerbeds that surround-ed my grandparent’s house seemed like a wonderland. I re-member my grandmother digging and pulling weeds, fl uffi ng

MY PORCH OF DEATH


fl owers and pruning vines. Th ere were fruit trees overloaded with apples and plums, and wisteria climbed high into the grove of trees outside their house.

Because I assumed (incorrectly) that I, too, would have a knack for plants, I was thrilled when my husband and I fi -nally moved out of apartment life and into a house. Finally, we could landscape the fl owerbeds, fi ll our windows with pots of herbs, and grow a luscious garden out back full of my favorite veggies. I went to the store with dreams of rakes, spades, and shovels, oh my! I bought oodles of gardening supplies and far too many plants for me to realistically try to plant in my fi rst gardening season. And I did not stop at garden plants—while I was getting my hands dirty, I thought I might as well do a little light decorative planting around my house, too! So, with a car full of plants and a brain fi lled with relatively no gardening knowledge—my husband smiling at my pure glee—we went home and planted a garden. And, as luck would have it that summer, we found ourselves in the middle of the worst drought in decades…of course. My garden nev-er stood a chance.

Well, let me make it clear. Th e plants that made it into the ground didn’t stand a chance; the others were dead before Memorial Day. If you had issues with the drought that year, I am sorry: you only have me and my garden to blame. It was like the Universe was sending me a very clear message about my future in gardening. I want to have a green thumb, but sadly I never will. I must admit that and save the lives of countless plants that I could bring home with a dance of joy, only to watch them wither on the Porch of Death. I have high hopes that maybe I will magically inherit this gift of gardening, but the layer of dust on my pile of unfi nished gardening books does not bode well for that to happen any time soon. Instead, I try to soak up as much knowledge as I possibly can from my grandmother, because I am pretty sure she is one of the smartest women on the planet. Even though I fear that I have to face the real-ity that some things cannot be taught—and for me, it looks like my thumb is never going to be green—maybe a muddy shade of brown, but not green—there are still things she can teach me. I will just have to spend my time cherishing the fl owers that still surround me at my grandparents’ house, though my grandmother can no longer bend to pull weeds or plant fl owers. I’ll have to be content as she and I sit together and listen to the bees buzz around the bright fl owers, and we can enjoy those quiet moments together, just the two of us sur-rounded by all of the beauty of nature. Th ough most of the fruit trees and wisteria are gone now, I can still remember the taste of the lip-puckering sour of an unripe apple and smell the powerful sweet aroma of blooming hyacinth.

I just hope that one day, I will be able to aff ord to pay some-one to create all those things in my own yard.

God bless a trained professional.

114 » parting shot » Patrick Hood

Saturday Afternoon, Southern Accents Architectural Antiques

no'ala huntsville, may/june 2014

Documents

mayjune mayjune

plan administration

patrick hood92southern

annual plan review meetings

employee education meetings

annual formal plan reviews

investment management

scheduled employee education