PES_TEST

PORTICO
SUMMER 2019 EASTERN SHORE

Profiles of Summer

Saluting
our Sailors

Guncles
Man of Steel

Prayerful
Paeans

HSPEeCIaALltSEhCT ION:

&
Wellness

Table of Contents

8

46 32 DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES 6 Essay

32 Head Over Wheels A Lobster Boat in Southern Waters

The story of Chris and Tonya 8 Profiles of Summer

36 Homegrown Interesting People Doing
Interesting Things
Business owners finding their niche
with a mix of unique local products 14 Portico Picks

SPECIAL SECTION Some Summer Finds

24 Health and Wellness 16 Book Review

From advanced dentistry and medicine Recommended Summer Reads
to home care, fitness, and audiology Plus: Q & A with Sarah Blake
we take on your mental and
physical well-being 22 A Simpler Life

Summer Joy on the Pier in
Southbound Clothing

31 Arts & Culture

Everblue Arts

42 Spirituality

Practicing Prayerful Paeans

44 Edibles

Guncles Bakery is Good

46 Well Being

Fresh and Naturally Strong

48 Back Page

The 2019 USS Alabama Crewman
Reunion at Battleship Park

1P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9





GROWNUPS WERE SUMMER 2019
STUNNED AS HE
CHARMED THE SERVER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 3
INTO GIVING HIM
ICE CREAM WITH Publisher
SPRINKLES AND W.H.Y. Media LLC
HOT FUDGE,
ON THE HOUSE! Editorial
Lee Hurley [email protected]
CHILDREN
AMAZE US EVERY DAY Art Direction
and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to Terri Jackson
see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential.
That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring Proofreading
minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate Jim Hannaford & Joe Crowe
hearts in pediatric medicine.
1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 Advertising
(205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org Kelly Weller [email protected]

4 PORTICO EASTERN SHORE | SUMMER 2019 Administration
Missy Cox

Portico Digital
Zach Roberson, Senior Advisor
[email protected]

Contributing Writers
Jessica Deese
Robin Fitzhugh
Jim Hannaford
Taylor Joiner
Loyd McIntosh

Anderson McKean
John Nielsen

Richard H. Schmidt
Nonie Taul
Kelly Weller

Photography
Bill Goodman
Kate Reali
Chris Riley
Zach Roberson
Illustration
Sam Morton

Portico Eastern Shore is
published quarterly by W.H.Y. Media, LLC
PO Box 190405 | Birmingham, AL 35219

W.H.Y. Media
Michael Whitten [email protected]

Lee Hurley [email protected]

PORTICO ON THE COVER
SUMMER 2019 EASTERN SHORE A mother and daughter
enjoy their time together
Profiles of Summer at sunset on the bay.

Photography
Chris Riley

Saluting
our Sailors

Guncles
Man of Steel

Prayerful
Paeans

HSPEeCIaALltSEhCTI&ON:
Wellness



ESSAY

A Lobster Boat
in Southern Waters

By John Nielsen
Illustration by Sam Morton

Sometimes we meet people lobster boat’s name is newcomers, even
that’ll rescue us from really rooted in the words meditative hippies began to show
that earthly purgatory of “floating sauna.” The up for a steam and a swim. One
sameness. There’s a waterman first Flauna was a floating affluent man arrived in a new, white
like that in Lillian, Alabama. He’s got a sweat lodge and swimming Calvin Klein ensemble with perfect
lobster boat. platform contrived by some deck shoes. He became smitten with
ingenious teenaged boys in the the atmosphere and stayed on the
The Flauna II is 45-foot Canadian mid-seventies. Old barrels were platform for two days. He finally
lobster vessel that plies the warm lashed together and a wooden deck left, happy and dazed, but with gray,
gulf waters and estuarine inlets of was built atop. Salvaged parts and muddy attire, no shoes, and a loss of
Alabama. Snowbirds from coastal an old wood stove formed the sauna. his genteel bearing.
Canada or Maine would recognize David and his inventive buddies could
the long, wide, open stern of the have a therapeutic detoxification in It happened that girls especially
craft. If asked, natives of the the steam room, to be followed by a liked floating saunas, and that fathers
Perdido Bay region could likely bracing dip into Perdido Bay. of girls did not.
call the owner’s name. His friends
are a broad collection of farmers, Flauna I, the seagoing spa, was The boys learned hospitality
fishermen, academics, millionaires, towable by boat to any part of the and an appreciation for a breadth
blues musicians, preachers, authors, bay. That mobility enabled long of people. Endless hours of water-
and high-haired church ladies, to afternoons of youthful ideation, bound camaraderie, new friends, and
name a few. Captain David Ellis is as swimming, and watching the natural a newfound worldliness bound the
fascinated by people as he is by the world around them. David describes boys to each other for a lifetime, and
unique waters of South Alabama. He formative experiences of the boys to their environs. They had seasons
takes friends onto the water. What he simply floating free on the currents of of youthful magic that every human
really wants is for his passengers to Perdido Bay. The crew of the Flauna should feel, if even for a short time.
know about the water and everything didn’t know what inland beach they
around it. would float to. Provisions, pilfered
beer, and the boldness of youth
Flauna II is named, ostensibly, allowed them not to care where they
by combining the words “Flora” came ashore. At landfall, a short walk
and “Fauna.” That portmanteau is to civilization, a borrowed telephone,
appropriate. David is a landscape and some vague description of where
contractor, a trained naturalist, they were yielded rescue.
and an alumnus of the University
of the South. Over time, and with Local interest in the floating sauna
some prodding, he will admit his grew. An eclectic collection of locals,

6 PORTICO EASTERN SHORE | SUMMER 2019

Flauna II was built with more David envisioned a large deck to trees, and those mysterious changes
deliberation than Flauna I. She was work from. The deck of the Flauna that happen when freshwater rivers
designed and built for lobstering by II very easily deploys fishing kayaks, find saltwater. He exercises his
the Hutt family on Prince Edward tackle, and coolers, butits centerpiece fascination with how all those things
Island, Canada. The Hutt brothers is an enormous ceramic Kamado grill. work together.
have constructed vessels for North There is a lot of seating for leisure and
Atlantic fishermen for half a century. angling. David’s guests on the Flauna A Canadian lobster boat and a
They’d never sold a boat to a drawled II should expect to socialize, to take in floating sauna built on old drums
waterman, 2,000 miles away, in some the view, to angle, to sip a good wine, are inextricably connected. This
estuarine bay in Alabama. and to eat their fill. waterman is content to take some
fishing or birding. But he’s happiest
David explained why he wanted The design of the boat is very stable when someone feels some joy and
one of their vessels. They realized for blue water excursions for diving “la bonne vie” of his boyhood on a
he was not crazy, but very calculated or fishing. The unique keel,with a floating sauna.
and studied about exactly WHY he protected propeller, allows David
wanted such a boat. He needed a long to nose the vessel into estuarine As the Flauna II completes a day’s
stern with a wide beam, stability, a shallows to find speckled trout or voyage, somebody usually asks,
relatively shallow draft, and a skeg on redfish. “‘David, why don’t you charter this
the keel to protect his propeller. The boat for a living?’ His usual reply is,
Hutts knew lobstering wasn’t a thing The captain of the Flauna II is a ‘I will, one day. Right now I’m having
in Alabama. They were curious why trained, degreed naturalist who can fun with you.’”
David had decided on those features. show you a system of bald eagles,
ospreys, mudflats, grassbeds, cypress Then he says, “Man… look at that
sunset.”

7P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

PROFILES OF SUMMER

By Jessica Deese
Photos by Kate Reali

Frank Potter

PIER BUILDER

After a string of professional paths cut His phone started ringing off the hook; he
short by unlucky downsizes and lay-offs, went from two to forty-five employees, and
Frank Potter decided it was time to be his own he’s never looked back. “If that hurricane
boss. “While I could have made a living any hadn’t come, would I be where I am today? 
number of ways, the opportunity to work on It’s hard to say. There is an element of luck in
the water was the determining factor in my everything. “ 
becoming a pier builder. It never gets old.”    
 Storms have come and gone, and his piers
 Shortly after he completed his first pier in and business are still intact. After 23 years
Battles Wharf, Hurricane George struck. Luck of solid success, he’s most proud of his track
is a funny thing. An ill-fated day for many record on the personal front. “I love my
proved to be a fortuitous one for his fledgling clientele. I become friends with many. Most
business.  Piers along the shoreline went contractors can’t say that. I could not have
down like dominoes, but his stood strong. lucked up any more. ”

8 PORTICO EASTERN SHORE | SUMMER 2019

Wanda and Isaac Houston

ICE CREAM TRUCK OWNERS

While food trucks sit at the top of when the truck appeared delivering together. Something we could enjoy. 
the current cultural popularity tasty treats and magical music. The joy And we do. Seeing the kids happy,
charts, they owe homage to the beloved of those experiences remained long running up to the truck jumping up and
ice cream truck that long ago drove its after the trucks drove away, and she down, just lifts our spirits, “says Wanda. 
way into our hearts and established hoped to have her own one day.    Isaac added, “It’s not just ice cream. It’s
itself as a classic American icon. One of making memories.”  
those hearts belonged to a young Wanda In 2010, when Wanda and her
Houston. Growing up in San Francisco, husband Isaac began planning a second After a long day’s work, Wanda often
she fondly remembers the infectious career, she shared her idea and Isaac hears the music in her head as she drifts
excitement that instantly broke out Ice Cream Services was born. “Isaac off to sleep. “But it doesn’t bother me.” 
and I wanted something we could do It doesn’t get much sweeter than that.

9P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

PROFILES OF SUMMER

Brady Berglin

SWIM TEACHER

From her swim team debut, “sucking
my thumb while swimming the length
of the pool,” to summers spent at her
grandparents’ bay house, where “all you did
was swim, and you got in trouble if you slept
in your bathing suit,” Brady Berglin’s life
has been inextricably linked to the water. 

Her mother and siblings were
experienced lifeguards. With that pedigree,
it was almost inevitable she would carry
on the family legacy.  After 20 years of
teaching, it’s fair to say that Brady can now
claim a legacy that’s all her own.   

 At her peak, Brady hosted classes on the
hour 8am- 5pm each summer. As a teacher
to newbies, her classes focus on the critical
skills of getting across and out of the pool.
With her signature style of firmness and
fun, students may start out screaming, but
generally leave with squeals of delight. “My
favorite thing is to take terrified kids and
help them transform their fear into fun.”  

 Their hard work is rewarded with a bona
fide graduation complete with diplomas
and ice cream. After graduation, Brady
encourages parents to get their kids on a
swim team, watch vigilantly and “of course,
pray a lot!”    

10 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

11P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

PROFILES OF SUMMER

Brad Osborne

SUMMER CAMP VOLUNTEER

Some people never really find children with cancer.    friend so many years ago.  “In giving
their life’s calling.  Then there Fifteen years ago, at the ripe old your time to someone else’s joy and
are folks like Brad Osborne who happiness, you are also filled with
find it early, and live it out in really age of 24, after noticing one of his joy and happiness.” 
beautiful ways.  In his case, it’s friend’s joy after volunteering at
all about empowering children.  this special place, Brad decided, “At school, I empower kids
During the school year, he’s “I needed to experience this too.  academically.  At camp, I empower
teaching second graders at Daphne It was time.”  He took an unpaid kids physically.   But all of it is
Elementary.    In the summer, you week off his day job and he’s never building confidence.  In spite what’s
can find him orchestrating all the looked back.  “It truly changed my going on around you, you can still
fun at Camp Rap-A-Hope, a free, life.”  In talking of his experiences, do something different and find
week-long camp in West Mobile for he exudes the genuine enthusiasm some positivity.”  
he described recognizing in his

12 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

13P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

PORTICO PICKS 1 7
8
Some
Summer
Finds

By KELLY WELLER
Photos by KATE REALI

2

6 5 4
3
7b

14 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

9 10 11 1 | Point Clear Tie, $53
13 12 2 | Point Clear Golf Towel, $31
3 | Handmade local pottery oyster shell dish
with mercury glass spreader, $43
4 | Mercury Glass Spreader, $14
5 | Oyster shell candle holder with Vance
Kitira candle, $20

The Garage Studio
17070 Scenic Hwy 98, Point Clear
(251) 928-3474
@garagestudiopointclear

6 | 22” Meredith Necklace, $198. Featuring
a large brass pendant, vintage glass & brass
beads and exclusive ExVoto toggle closure.
7 | 18” Jane Necklace with Phelps Slide
Pendant, $309. Pendant slides open to reveal
your customized, private message. Engrave
the front with a monogram if you wish.
Pendant is approximately one inch in size and
cast from an antique cuff link discovered by
designer, Elizabeth Adams. Heavily plated in
18K gold.
8 | Graham white pearl necklace with Laurel
Locket, $279.
9 | Custom Engraved Affirmation Cuff, start-
ing at $58. Heavily plated in 18K gold with
an antiqued patina. Your words on this cuff.
What do YOU have to say?

Ex Voto Vintage
225 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope
(251) 517-7185
@exvotovintage
Exvotovintage.com
The ExVoto Vintage collection is made in the
USA. A portion of all ExVoto Vintage sales
goes to The Cure Starts Now Foundation for
Pediatric Brain Cancer Research.

10 | Scents & Feel Turkish Guest Towels, $24
and up including monogram.

Monogram Mercantile
556 South Section St., Fairhope
(251) 510-0696
@monogrammercantile

11 | Annabel Ingall, Sporty Spice mesh
neoprene beach, pool or gym tote bag. $139
12 | Andre’ Assous, Nice sandal with soft
elastic, leather and memory foam footbed for
a carefree fit. $98

Daphne’s Shoe Boutique
818 Manci Ave, Daphne
(251) 525-8755
@daphneshoeboutique

13 | Octopus and Blue & Aqua Pattern Boys
Swim Shorts, $36. Sizes 2T-XL; Royal Blue Boys
Polo Shirt, $34. Sizes 2T-14/16
More colors and patterns available.

Southbound Clothing Co.
@southboundclothingco
Order online at Southboundclothingco.com,
ships from Spanish Fort!

15P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

BOOK REVIEW

RPORTEICOCPREOSENMTS MENDED
SUMMER READS

By Anderson McKean, Page & Palette Bookstore

What do I love about reading family
sagas? Everything. Especially during the
summer, thick, multigenerational stories
that you simply get lost in. These intricate,
sprawling novels provide a window into
the complicated anatomy of a family.
And when an author is given the freedom
to portray characters over years or even
decades, they can subtly plant family
mysteries and unveil flaws passed down
from ancestors to descendants. These
slowly unraveled secrets create juicy plot
twists and expose truths about our own
complex families. Here are a few of my
favorite family sagas to savor this summer.

THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD
by Claire Lombardo

Claire Lombardo’s impressive debut is touching, tender,
and wise. I was wholly engrossed in the lives of David So-
renson, Marilyn Connolly, and their four daughters, a tight
tribe who compete, resent, and love each other fiercely.
With humor and humility, Lombardo captures the day to
day anxieties, revelations, and joys we face in every stage

of parenthood. This remarkable family soaked into my
pores; I felt each one of their triumphs and disappoint-

ments as if they were my own. Simply marvelous!

16 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

BOOK REVIEW

RPORTEICOCPREOSENMTS MENDED
SUMMER READS

By Anderson McKean, Page & Palette Bookstore

What do I love about reading family
sagas? Everything. Especially during the
summer, thick, multigenerational stories
that you simply get lost in. These intricate,
sprawling novels provide a window into
the complicated anatomy of a family.
And when an author is given the freedom
to portray characters over years or even
decades, they can subtly plant family
mysteries and unveil flaws passed down
from ancestors to descendants. These
slowly unraveled secrets create juicy plot
twists and expose truths about our own
complex families. Here are a few of my
favorite family sagas to savor this summer.

THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD
by Claire Lombardo

Claire Lombardo’s impressive debut is touching, tender,
and wise. I was wholly engrossed in the lives of David So-
renson, Marilyn Connolly, and their four daughters, a tight
tribe who compete, resent, and love each other fiercely.
With humor and humility, Lombardo captures the day to
day anxieties, revelations, and joys we face in every stage

of parenthood. This remarkable family soaked into my
pores; I felt each one of their triumphs and disappoint-

ments as if they were my own. Simply marvelous!

16 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

ASK AGAIN, YES
by Mary Beth Keane
A compelling, heartbreaking, yet hopeful novel. Mary Beth Keane is
incredibly talented; she does not sugar coat, instead giving readers
a compulsively readable family drama. I did not expect to become
so completely engrossed in these characters, two families whose
lives become inextricably linked by young love and personal trag-
edy. Their myriad of mistakes and attempts to atone beautifully
demonstrates the power and grace found in forgiveness.

AMERICAN POP
by Snowden Wright
A sweeping, multigenerational story that brings an unforgettable
Southern family to life. Snowden Wright takes readers inside the
narrative of the Foresters, founders of the world’s first soft drink
company. The novel is both quintessentially Southern and Amer-
ican, capturing the essence of life in the Mississippi Delta and the
pursuit of the American dream. Wright’s myriad of characters are
beautifully crafted and hopelessly flawed as they search for their
place in the Forester family history.

THE LAST ROMANTICS
by Tara Conklin

Character driven and exquisitely written, The Last Romantics tells
the story of four siblings and the ties that bind them. Conklin takes
you into the vivid, not always pretty world that the Skinner siblings
inhabit, sharing the moments seared forever from their childhood.

Through the unforgettable voices of Caroline, Fiona, Renee and
Joe, Conklin captures what we know, but often forget: families are
perfectly imperfect. An engrossing, thought-provoking family saga

that will linger with readers long after they finish the last page.

17P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

BOOK REVIEW

Q&A with
Sarah Blake

Sarah Blake is the author of the novels
Grange House and the New York
Times bestseller The Postmistress. She
lives in Washington, D.C., with her hus-
band, the poet Joshua Weiner, and two
sons. Her latest novel, The Guest Book, is
a beautifully written, powerful story ex-
amining the changing social and political
landscape across three generations of
one American family.

Sarah took time out of her busy touring
schedule to chat with PORTICO about the
inspiration behind The Guest Book.

Q: The Guest Book, a multigenerational when we return to a place, especially one history and the fiction of the time: Halbers-
saga, is different from The Postmistress, a that is shared by many generations, we are tam’s The Fifties, Nabokov’s Lolita, Lawrence’s
World War II novel. What led you to write thrust back into all the layers of ourselves. The Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and Uris’ Exodus. I
The Guest Book? place remembers us: it sets the child we were read John Cheever’s journals and short stories.
walking alongside the person we are. And the And always, through all the years of the writing
I’ve always wanted to write a big, juicy family cracks and overlaps between past and present of this novel, I was reading James Baldwin, his
saga in the vein of Isabel Allende’s House of are made real—realized, brought alive—­ by the essays and his novels.
The Spirits, or Virginia Woolf’s The Years, or place.
John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga, and so I But meanwhile, as my characters were
knew that’s where I was going after handing As far as I’m concerned, that’s just literary taking shape, it became more and more clear
in The Postmistress. And, like those three, I gold. My imagination was trained in and by that the foundational generation—Ogden and
wanted to tell the story of one family across a those cracks. I spent so much time as a child Kitty Milton—and their time period needed to
century and through generations and follow sitting around the table at my grandparents’ ground the novel. So I began to do the same
how their lives reflected the larger story of summer house, listening, watching how they kind of historical and cultural reading of the
their country and its times. This was right spoke to us, to each other, of the world. And 1930s. And the connection between American
around the time that Barack Obama gave very early on, I understood the connection investment and German industry—the uneasy
his speech in Philadelphia in 2008 directly between that place and my family’s sense of bedfellows that made with the Nazis—began
addressing race and the way in which the past its place in the world. The two reinforced each to seem more and more vital as both a point
was cuing the present moment. His remarks other. I understood how a family place can of history, what the 50s and the present rest
came to me both as an inspiration and a re- bind and define the family it belongs to, and on and repeat, and as a point of narrative.
lief—a call to break the silences I’d grown up in saw the lengths a family might go to hold onto
around race. I wanted to interrogate my own the vision of itself the place conveys. A place Q: What is the last really great book you
family’s place in that silence: white, North- can hold both the false myth, and the true. read? What books are on your bedside
eastern, and old-moneyed. I was especially table?
interested in exploring how the half-truths of Q: As you follow the Milton family, your
family memory get passed down, creating the novel encapsulates the politics and racial Last great books: Call Them by Their True
false myths families live by, and show how that tension that ebbed and flowed through Names, Rebecca Solnit. The Mere Wife, Maria
is mirrored in the way this country “remem- the ‘30s, the ‘50s and today. Tell us about Headley, As I Lay Dying, by WIlliam Faulkner,
bers” its collective racial past. If memory is the research you conducted to capture which I’d never read before! On my bedside
the history we carry in our bodies, how do the these time periods. table: Having just finished Eric Foner’s Recon-
layers of the past walk and talk inside us? struction, I can’t wait to dig into Jill Lepore’s
All I knew when I began was that I wanted to These Truths. Also waiting there is Le Carre’s
Q: Your novel is set off the coast of Maine set the novel in 1959, what I saw as a tipping The Perfect Spy.
on Crockett Island, a summer home where point year, when the civil rights movement
the family convenes each summer. Do you and the feminist movement were coming, Q: What are you currently working on?
think it is important for families to have a but not yet fully on the surface of the culture,
place they return to year after year? as I find the moments just before a historical A spy novel, but one that (hopefully) subverts
moment of change to be the most interesting. the genre while all at the same time keeping
A: Places hold us in a way that often other So, as I usually do, I started reading both the the delicious secrets.
people cannot; people forget, or their mem-
ory is distorted by their own experience. But

18 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

THE GUEST BOOK
by Sarah Blake

An exquisitely written, poignant family saga that illuminates the
great divide, the gulf that separates the rich and poor, black
and white, Protestant and Jew. Spanning three generations,
bestselling author Sarah Blake deftly examines the life and

legacy of one unforgettable family as they navigate the evolving
social and political landscape from Crockett Island, their family

retreat off the coast of Maine. Blake masterfully lays bare the
memories and mistakes each generation makes while coming

to terms with what it means to be “a Milton.”

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake is published by Flatiron
Books. To obtain a copy, stop by Page & Palette Book-
store, 32. South Section Street, Fairhope, AL.

19P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

Portico talks with Jason Tickle
of Tickle Creative Company
about the Eastern Shore's
fresh new development on
Main Street in the heart of
Daphne : Judges Square.

The mixed-use concept of 2.Tickle Creative has gathered a stellar
eateries, shops and design team - tell us more?
residential flats is garnering
plenty of buzz with plans to The mixing of uses complicates matters
open mid summer 2020. tremendously. We knew we needed to enlist the
help of some strong professionals with experience
1. What's the overall vision - how is
Judges Square an o˜ ering unique to speciÿcally in this arena. Je° ery Dungan
this area? was an obvious choice. Not only has he

The vision is as simple as fostering worked on the front line of the new
community. We've all visited those urbanism e° ort on Florida's 30-A, but he
celebrated places where neighbors can
comfortably walk to meet friends in has distinguished himself as one of the
what essentially serves as the leaders in our region for creating
community living room: a little center
with eateries and shops to complement sophisticated residential spaces. When I
the daily routine. Judges Square wants learned that he had once won the chicken drop at
to restore that community hearth. Judge Roy Bean's, well I got goosebumps. No less
Some wonderful neighborhoods
surround this site - our goal is a complex is ÿtting all this fun onto our wedge
comfortable smart environment for shaped bit of land. That is where Kevin
those neighbors to enjoy. And it's a rare
spot in the way it connects what we Campion has really amazed us with what
love about the Eastern Shore. Minutes was possible. His years of experience with
from a commute on the bayway and 10 long term planning of family estates along
minutes to Fairhope and Point Clear. the Chesapeake Bay area have given him
an impressive array of tools and ideas. The

resulting designs should really give the
surrounding community a center it can be proud of.

judgessquare.com # judgessquare @judgessquare Now Selling

Join the Story - Sign up for our newsletter and learn more at JudgesSquare.com

3. You reference biophilic design - describe 4. Describe a day on these two acres - not just
that term and how it impacts the project? for those who live here but the community.
Biophilic Design is the new scientiÿc way of Well, let's say you are one of the lucky few who
saying that it’s good for you to go outside! do get to live here. I guess you could sleep in just
Sure we all know it, but science is revealing a bit since the commute to breakfast is a short
some pretty compelling insight into just how elevator ride. Everyone else will have to jog or
critical it can be to our physical and mental well bike to come join you for the gourmet co° ee and
being. It was Alabama's native son E.O. Wilson a hand made delicacies. Then perhaps a yoga
who coined the term as he described the need class or an extended conversation on a shady
we humans have to interact with the natural bench next to the pond. Grab picnic supplies and
world. Since then a new design science has take a short stroll down to the bay for the
emerged that we are attempting to weave into afternoon. Just make sure you are back in time
our place making. Our mission is a relaxing and for dinner. Our restaurant will o° er a variety of
pleasant place that might even make you fresh local fare and comfortable seating areas
healthier to spend time here! where you can linger into the evening. Who
knows, tonight there may even be some live
5. The site of Judge Roy Bean’s carries music on the green.
legendary memories and folklore.
How is that history fueling the spirit Jason & Ameri'ca Tickle with Cinnamon - just one of
of Judges Square? the residents of their farm in Point Clear.
Well the ultimate disrespect would have been
to try and rehash the old place. It was just as
much a happening hosted by its owner
proprietor as it was a place. Sadly we have lost
both. That said we have listened to to the starry
eyed reveries of countless people whose lives
were touched by their time here. Again and
again, "It was just a comfortable, convenient
place to meet your friends and have fun." We
have tried to identify the key elements and
recombine them in a new way. Creating a place
that is family friendly, more sustainable, and
very optimistic about Daphne's future.

Tickle Creative describes itself as "committed to creating places that nourish the human spirit and reflect the intimate scale of
lives and families. As a boutique design and development company based on Alabama's Eastern Shore, our projects embrace
the ideas of a time when people mattered and communities were built on core principles and way of life."

[email protected] [email protected]
251-454-2782 251-709-0188

The Flats at Judges Square includes fifteen residential offerings of Penthouse, 2 and 3 Bedroom units.

What’s your favorite summer activity? What’s your favorite summer vacation? What’s your best pool trick?
Going fishing with my dad. Going to the beach with my cousins. I like to slide off, then go down to touch the
-ANSLEY WELLER
-FRANCES PRICE PETERS bottom and come back up.
-JOHN LARKIN PETERS

Casual wear provided by Southbound Clothing Company, a cool coastal style
for kids designed by two Spanish Fort moms and entrepreneurs.

SOUTHBOUNDCLOTHINGCO.COM

Where’s your favorite fishing spot? Finish this sentence: What do you like best about the 4th of July?
I like to fish for speckled trout in the ocean Summertime and the livin’ is ______. I like the big fireworks!
-LUKE SIMPSON
with my uncle and my cousin. FUN !
-GAVIN GORUM -MAC PETERS

By KELLY WELLER Photos by KATE REALI
23P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

HEALTH & WELLNESS

USA Health Making Major Medical
Advances Along the Gulf Coast

By Loyd McIntosh

Did you know many of our region’s researchers funded by the National funded by the NIH for $10 million
Institute of Health call Baldwin County home? As faculty members at the over five years, is working toward
USA College of Medicine, these individuals are transforming medicine the production of a drug that would
by teaching the next generation of physicians and scientists as well as prevent the onset of pneumonia and
through their scientific endeavors looking for innovative ways to treat other life-threatening infections
cancer and lung diseases. common to critically ill patients in
the ICU.

From researching possible treatments those patients had uncomplicated Then there is Dr. Gary A. Piazza,

for cancer patients to improving recoveries. So that was some of the a professor of pharmacology and

survival chances following ICU stays, first observational evidence that oncologic sciences at USA Mitchell

the research coming out of USA is DAMPS were bad actors.” Cancer Institute, who is working

important, not only for patients but Gillespie and his team are now in toward new pharmaceutical solutions

for the local economy as well. pre-clinical trials on a drug that may that could lead to improved survival

Each year, the National Institute halt the circulation of DAMPS and the rates for people suffering from

of Health (NIH) funds USA research damage they cause to patients in ICU. diseases such as pancreatic cancer, a

significantly. “It’s been estimated “We’re looking at whether or not you form of cancer with a high morbidity

that for every dollar in support from can prevent the formation with this rate. “My research is directed

the NIH that we bring in, it creates drug that repairs the mitochondrial towards developing new anti-cancer

four, five dollars, and sometimes, genome,” he says. drugs with the hope that they’ll be

even more,” says Dr. Mark Gilliespie, Fellow USA researcher Dr. Troy much more effective and without

Professor and Chairman of the USA

Department of Pharmacology. “It

creates that much activity in the From researching possible treatments for
local economy, so it’s an economic cancer patients to improving survival chances
wildfire.” following ICU stays, the research coming out
of USA is important, not only for patients
Dr. Gillespie is currently but for the local economy as well.
working on an NIH-funded study
investigating why close to half

of people who end up in the ICU

never fully recover. Working with

another USA researcher, Dr. John Stevens, the Lenoir Louise Locke the toxicity and resistance that you

Simmons, Gillespie discovered that in Chair of Physiology and Cell Biology, typically get from chemotherapy or

patients who experience a traumatic is also investigating problems radiation,” says Piazza. “Cancer cells

injury or illness and are placed in related to ICU stays—pneumonia, in are alive and they find ways to survive,

ICU, fragments of mitochondrial particular, a symptom of a condition despite the drugs that we have right

DNA known as DAMPS (damaged known as post Intensive Care Unit now and radiation. We’re trying to

associated molecular patterns) are syndrome. “Most people think of work on drugs that are smarter and

release throughout the body. “We pneumonia as a lung problem, and can attack these mechanisms of

found out that patients who came it is a lung problem, but it’s really resistance.”

in the door of the trauma center a systemic problem,” says Stevens. Piazza’s research is now in clinical

with high DAMPS are the ones who “It’s a problem that doesn’t just trials, and he and his team are

had multiple-organ system failure affect the lungs. It affects many other actively looking to partner with a

and frequently didn’t survive their organ systems as well; the blood pharmaceutical company with

trauma,” explains Dr. Gillespie. system, the various organs, the brain, hopes of bringing this new drug to

“Patients who came in with low the heart, and the kidneys so it’s a the marketplace within the next

DAMPS tended to stay low, and systemic problem.” Stevens’ research, three years.

24 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

“The price of anything TOG Portico Estrn Shr.qxp_Layout 1 6/19/19 5:43 PM Page 1
is the amount of life
you exchange for it.” We’ve got YOU covered...

Henry David Thoreau

See for yourself why so many right in YOUR neighborhood.
call the Eastern Shore home.
Spine • Hip & Joint Replacement
Randy Niemeyer Shoulder • Hand & Elbow
Knee • Foot & Ankle
251-232-2637
[email protected] Pediatrics • Sports Medicine
Fairhope, Alabama 36532
8096 Twin Beech Road, Suite 100 (251) 476-5050
Fairhope, AL 36532 TheOrthoGroup.com

25P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

HEALTH & WELLNESS

F45

Team Training, Life Changing,
Hard Working, Fun Having,
Healthy Living

F45 is a revolutionary training system changing lives around
the globe. Launched in Australia, F45 Training merges
three separate leading-edge fitness training styles into one
consummate and compelling group training experience
for its participants. F45 Training combines elements of High-
Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional
training. This combination of interval, cardiovascular, and strength
training has been proven to be an incredibly effective workout
method for burning fat and building lean muscle. The individual
workouts change daily, so participants will never do the same
workout twice. This keeps your body guessing and your fitness level
growing, all while you’re having fun.

Come join for a one-week free trial! To sign up, go to: f45training.
com/Daphne or find on Instagram @f45_training_daphne and
Facebook @f45trainingdaphne.

5 Questions for CFO—Chief Fitness Officer
Andy Vickers

When did you start caring about fitness and how did you get to F45?
I started caring about fitness when I began to struggle with my
weight and suffered from bullying in middle school. I later noticed
the trend of preventable disease in my family and made it my
mission to transform that through leading by example. I fell in love
with F45 instantly due to its similarity and combination of all the
various training styles I did throughout the years.

Do have to be in great shape to start?
You do not. Because our training programs are time interval-based
and you get to select your weight option, we are able to facilitate
classes with a wide variety of ages, body types, and fitness levels.

How is F45 different from other programs?
We are truly a melting pot of all fitness programs. We have taken the
things we like from all areas of fitness and combined them into the
best programming on the face of the earth. Our clients love this, due
to the fact that they never experience plateaus and are constantly
craving the next new, exciting workout.

How easy is it to find the Daphne location?
We are located directly off of U.S. 98 in Daphne just across and down
a bit from Target.

Is it possible to work out at the Mobile location if you
belong to Daphne or vice versa?
Yes! We strongly encourage our members to work out at both of our
studios. We want them to meet more like-minded individuals that
are on the same journey.

26 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

1 Week Free

1501 Hwy 98 Daphne, AL 36526
Instagram @f45_training_daphne
Facebook @f45trainingdaphne

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Daniel Deese

Comprehensive services mixed with personal care

With an artist-mother and and treat. We have an incredible veneers and all porcelain crowns are
engineer-father, Daniel Deese community of specialists that I can among the list of additional services.
naturally inherited the unique refer to when a case requires extra
skill sets that the practice of support. But I am their first and In 2010, Dr. Deese completed
dentistry requires: artistic ability most enduring care provider, which is the GHSU/AAID Maxi-Course®
and functional know-how. important to me.” Comprehensive Training Program
“Your work needs to look good, and in Implant Dentistry. Now, patients
wear well. While I take great pride Dr. Deese began building his wanting implants can be conveniently
in my cosmetic expertise, it’s the practice in 2002 just after graduating seen in-house.
functional side that I most enjoy. It’s from dental school. His first hire,
very satisfying to figure out the best hygienist Elizabeth, is still a member His educational and professional
way to build something that I know of his team and his newest hire, achievements were acknowledged
will endure daily use for many years.” Merritt, grew up as a patient of his. in 2013, when he was awarded a
They are supported by a team of fellowship with the Academy of
Dr. Deese knew he wanted to be a professionals that offers patients General Dentistry and again in
general, family-friendly practitioner. familiarity, comfort, and skillful care. 2015, when he became a fellow with
“I get to know my patients and the International Congress of Oral
help them achieve their oral health Cleanings, fillings, root canals, and Implantologists.
goals from a place of trust and extractions are among the expected
personal connection. This stability list of can-dos. But you’ll find more A Fairhope native, Dr. Daniel
is complemented by a great deal of than the average list of services here. Deese’s practice is only a stone’s
variety in terms of the needs I see In-office whitening, sleep apnea throw away from his family’s home,
appliances, digital radiographs, 3D school, and place of worship:
scanning for impressions, porcelain beautiful and functional. Just the way
he likes it.

28 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019



HEALTH & WELLNESS

Synergy HomeCare

Total Commitment to Care

Tiring of overcrowded Atlanta, when we needed it most,” says “Our SYNERGY care team
Andy Luedecke and his wife
Walker, a nurse practitioner, Mike Fitzhugh. “They were like brought such peace of
chose to relocate their family to angels during a time of crisis for
Fairhope and pursue a passion mind to our family when
for helping others. Leaning on his our family.”
spouse’s professional background
in health care while pulling from his Because everyone’s needs are we needed it most...”
experience caring for his mother, unique, SYNERGY customizes
Luedecke and business partner
Brooke Hartner opened SYNERGY all home care plans to fit each
Home Care in 2012 to serve the
senior and homebound population family’s needs and works is constantly in the field checking
throughout the Eastern Shore.
Brooke, too, became passionate about with other health providers, such on staff, ensuring clients are healthy
caring for others after having to
taking care for of her mother during as physical therapists, to ensure and happy, and supporting in-home
her fight with cancer.
continuity of care. The first step medical providers, such as physical
“Our SYNERGY care team brought
such peace of mind to our family in determining what type of care therapists and nurse practitioners.

is most appropriate is to meet “Our Quality Assurance

with a client and their family for a Coordinator makes sure we’re in

complimentary in-home assessment sync with anyone who has a vested

and visit. Each care team member interest in the care of our clients,”

takes an in-depth personality test says Luedecke. “Using a modern and

to ensure compatibility when holistic approach, our clients know

matching a client with their caregiver. that our total commitment is taking

SYNERGY HomeCare also has a care of their loved ones,” he says.

Quality Assurance Coordinator who “Nothing else matters.”

30 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

ARTS & CULTURE

Everblue Arts

By Taylor Joiner

Meet Dorothy Savage, dreamer
and believer in the performing
arts world and proud co-founder

of Everblue Arts.

W ith a passion for the arts and all things musicians from throughout the United States and Europe in
performance and creative, Everblue Arts theatre and music to bring performances such as those seen
was born. at the well-known Berkshires Arts Festival and Tanglewood
It was a journey that took years in the making. What Music and Arts Festival.
started as dream grew into something much bigger than a
few trips to New York and connections in the performing  Dorothy and Bruce have a bigger long-term vision for
arts industry. Meet Dorothy Savage, dreamer and believer in Everblue Arts. They hosted their first-ever, full resident
the performing arts world and proud co-founder of Everblue company program with weekly classes focused on acting,
Arts. on-camera techniques, and dance. Students taking part in
this company will deliver a professional performance each
Everblue Arts is a performing arts studio that hosts semester. Everblue will offer a retreat-like environment in
year-round performance workshops and consults with the quaint town of Fairhope for professionals to workshop
young artists, teaching them how to choose monologues performances and budding artists to grow and learn. 
and music to “build your book” in a way that best represents
the performer. Using an international network of casting Sold out Everblue acts included:
opportunities, client specific service and a balanced • Cabaret Under the Stars
approach to developing vibrant and healthy careers, EAC is • An Evening with Frank Sinatra
driven by the excellence of a higher calling. Everblue is able • The Marlow Boys Live
to host national tours, workshop new works, host orchestral • Sister Act
concerts, and more.  Look for more exciting news to come.

Everblue believes the pursuit and full development and
exploration of character, abilities, and interest in the world
around us is what truly makes for the most dynamic and
meaningful artists. Everblue builds on discovery of not only
dynamic professional level performers and artists, but also
dynamically kind impactful people as a whole.

Everblue Studios includes private voice, acting, and dance
training throughout the year with Dorothy Savage, Bruce
Earnest, and Maryann Kyle. The production arm works
with professional artists as well as its students and aspiring
performers to grow their careers providing guidance in the
studio for both the business and creative side of the arts.

Dorothy founded and launched the Everblue Arts Festival
in Fairhope and is excited to be providing professional,
equity contracts, which is a first for our area, with a path
towards becoming a full equity house, similar to those
of other professional theaters around the world. As the
only summer performing arts festival of its kind in the
region, Dorothy has recruited professional actors and

31P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

ARTS & CULTURE

Everblue Arts

By Taylor Joiner

Meet Dorothy Savage, dreamer
and believer in the performing
arts world and proud co-founder

of Everblue Arts.

W ith a passion for the arts and all things musicians from throughout the United States and Europe in
performance and creative, Everblue Arts theatre and music to bring performances such as those seen
was born. at the well-known Berkshires Arts Festival and Tanglewood
It was a journey that took years in the making. What Music and Arts Festival.
started as dream grew into something much bigger than a
few trips to New York and connections in the performing  Dorothy and Bruce have a bigger long-term vision for
arts industry. Meet Dorothy Savage, dreamer and believer in Everblue Arts. They hosted their first-ever, full resident
the performing arts world and proud co-founder of Everblue company program with weekly classes focused on acting,
Arts. on-camera techniques, and dance. Students taking part in
this company will deliver a professional performance each
Everblue Arts is a performing arts studio that hosts semester. Everblue will offer a retreat-like environment in
year-round performance workshops and consults with the quaint town of Fairhope for professionals to workshop
young artists, teaching them how to choose monologues performances and budding artists to grow and learn. 
and music to “build your book” in a way that best represents
the performer. Using an international network of casting Sold out Everblue acts included:
opportunities, client specific service and a balanced • Cabaret Under the Stars
approach to developing vibrant and healthy careers, EAC is • An Evening with Frank Sinatra
driven by the excellence of a higher calling. Everblue is able • The Marlow Boys Live
to host national tours, workshop new works, host orchestral • Sister Act
concerts, and more.  Look for more exciting news to come.

Everblue believes the pursuit and full development and
exploration of character, abilities, and interest in the world
around us is what truly makes for the most dynamic and
meaningful artists. Everblue builds on discovery of not only
dynamic professional level performers and artists, but also
dynamically kind impactful people as a whole.

Everblue Studios includes private voice, acting, and dance
training throughout the year with Dorothy Savage, Bruce
Earnest, and Maryann Kyle. The production arm works
with professional artists as well as its students and aspiring
performers to grow their careers providing guidance in the
studio for both the business and creative side of the arts.

Dorothy founded and launched the Everblue Arts Festival
in Fairhope and is excited to be providing professional,
equity contracts, which is a first for our area, with a path
towards becoming a full equity house, similar to those
of other professional theaters around the world. As the
only summer performing arts festival of its kind in the
region, Dorothy has recruited professional actors and

31P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

Head Ov er
Wh eels

The story of Chris and Tonya

By Jim Hannaford
Photos by Chris Riley

If you’re ever at South Beach Park, not far from the
big pier in Fairhope, chances are good that you will
encounter Chris and Tonya. He is a kind and friendly
man in a wheelchair with some cameras, and she is
his adorable sidekick, a remarkably well-behaved
companion whose vest and mature demeanor identify
her as a service dog.

When he was growing up on a a hundred times. “It was a win-win
different Eastern Shore – in Indiana situation,” he says, “because I could
alongside Lake Michigan – Chris work on my photography and get good
Riley had a dad whose hobby was access at the shows.”
photography and a neighbor who
even had his own dark room, so he This was before “the accident,” as he
was bitten by the shutterbug, so to calls it. We’ll get to that shortly.
speak, early on. He always liked taking
pictures. But he had a photography SHARIN G HIS WORK
instructor in high school who was not These days, there are thousands of
very encouraging, in fact pointedly people who would disagree with
telling Riley that he didn’t seem to his old teacher’s evaluation. They
have much talent for it. are the avid followers of Head Over
Wheels Photography on Facebook and
“So I threw the camera in the closet Instagram, which he created five years
for a while,” says Riley. “But then the ago.
digital era came along, and digital
cameras seemed like they would be His service dog Tonya, is a mix of
easier.” yellow Labrador, golden retriever, and
greyhound and is almost 10 years old.
Thankfully for us, he gave it another She is Riley’s constant companion, and
shot. A big fan of live music, Riley indeed attracts even more attention
started emailing concert promoters than her master down at the park.
asking for media credentials so he
could photograph bands. And soon, “She’s trained in primary
there he was on the front row or at obedience,” he says. “She can pull me
stage-side getting his own up-close up an incline and she can pick up stuff
shots of performers such as Taj for me, and she protects the house.
Mahal, Cowboy Mouth, Colonel Bruce But most importantly she’s a good
Hampton, and his beloved Widespread buddy.”
Panic, which he says he has seen over
She’s also the reason, really, that he
takes so many photos down by the bay.

32 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

33P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

Like other, more ordinary dogs, she images, which has been widely shared groups, including Making Memories
needs her exercise. online and has been used as a scenic Hunt, that help to provide outdoor
background on local and national opportunities for people who have
“I was bringing her down here to news broadcasts, catches a spectacular disabilities.
run, and I thought the sunsets were instance of lightning sparking up
so pretty that I should go ahead and the twilight sky and illuminating That brings us to the accident.
capture them and put them out there the pier in the foreground. It’s a shot
on social media,” says Riley during an that surprised even Riley because he A SUDDEN TRAGEDY
interview in his usual evening spot, a didn’t actually see it as it happened. For 21 years, Riley worked for the
table next to the walking track near He had his eyes on Tonya at the time, Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta. He
the shore’s edge. “And people seem to but saw a brilliant flash of light in his started working events, including the
like them.” peripheral vision and instinctively infamous 1996 Summer Olympics that
snapped the shutter at just the right were tarnished by a shocking bombing
On cue, almost as if it were moment. incident in which 111 people were hurt.
prearranged, a stranger walks up, For a while he was part of an army
smiling and extending a hand in He was amazed when he saw it of people who answered the almost
greeting. later while editing his photos on a endless calls coming in to 1-800-GET-
computer. “I actually had to go in and COKE. They would field 100 to 150
“Excuse me, are you Head Over tone it down a bit. It was so purple that calls a day, one after another, day after
Wheels?” it almost looked fake.” day, with almost every type of query
imaginable. “I could write a book
“Yes, I am.” “It was seen by millions of people about that,” he says. But eventually he
“Thank you. I do some photography, on ABC News Tonight,” he says with a found his niche as sales representative
too, and I like your stuff.” touch of pride. Going for a last laugh for military accounts.
Riley estimates that he shoots and to try and get some vindication
photos of the sunset (as well as the some 30 years later, he sent the image It was through his association with
surrounding people and scenery) by email to his former high school Coca-Cola that Riley found himself
at least 300 times a year. He started teacher, but didn’t get a response. accompanying a group of disabled
doing it after he moved here in veterans on a skiing trip to Aspen,
2012, so a conservative count puts Riley says he’s happy that people Colorado in 2009. Fate stepped in
the number at over 2,000 evenings. like his photographs enough that they one night with zero warning and
Sometimes the western sky fires up want to share them. “But I do not sell changed Riley’s life. Because of what
in vibrant, breathtaking colors. Other my photographs. Then it becomes a is commonly called post-traumatic
times it’s cloudy or overcast and job.” amnesia, he doesn’t remember the
there’s not much to shoot. incident, but here’s what he has been
“You just never know,” he says. If you don’t see Riley down by able to piece together:
He photographs plenty of other the bay, he may be in the woods
things besides sunsets. Among his somewhere hunting (mainly for “I was sitting up on a balcony and
own favorites of his many photos are a deer, ducks, or doves) or out on the I guess one of my hands slipped and
portrait of a wild mushroom shot from water fishing. Yep, it turns out he’s I went backward and fell. We were
a low, upward angle and an arresting an avid outdoorsman, despite being on the fourth floor, so that’s about
image of a woman twirling a lighted paralyzed from the breastbone down, 50 feet. I landed on a railing, which
hula hoop. One of his most popular and is actively involved in several

34 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

broke my fall.” Two off-duty nurses evenings. He says having a routine is setting sun sinks below the soft, blue
who happened to see him fall raced important for a person in his situation horizon. But often that’s when the
into action and were able to keep him and, besides being great exercise for visuals start to intensify, so many of
stabilized until he could be airlifted to Tonya, it’s a kind of therapy for him, them are missing the best part.
a hospital. “I’m very lucky to even be too.
alive.” “After most everybody takes
Even though he is a veteran sunset off, that’s when it gets good – the
His spinal column was severed in watcher, he can’t predict whether afterglow.”
one place and partially severed in it will shape up to be a stunner. He
another. After five weeks in intensive does observe, however, that many
care and in rehab for another five, he
realized he would never walk again. Chris Riley and his service dog, Tonya, are fixtures at Fairhope’s waterfront park. She turns
10 in August, and they have been together since he rescued her from an animal shelter
He stayed with Coca-Cola as long
as he could, but it turned out to be foliaknnsnddosrectechniGdeseeotthrhgaeitah.seAhspohhwiosticosogonrvastpeahrnsotacnlomcmeopstathndeiaoilny,.she has been witness to all the sights
unrealistic.

“I tried to work for about a year,
but then they put me on long-term
disability, and that’s when I moved
here.”

His parents, who lived in Fairhope
back then, took turns traveling to be
by his side and to help him with his
rehabilitation and even relocated to
Atlanta to be with him before they
decided they would all be better off
back in Fairhope. His father, Dick
Riley, passed away in 2013.

A caregiver visits him and Tonya for
an hour each day. His mother, Betty,
lives in the same neighborhood and
continues to help out in ways that only
a mother can.

“She’s been there every step of
the way and has never complained,”
he says. “She is wonderful. I call her
Mother Teresa.”

Using a pickup truck outfitted with
hand controls and a specially designed
hydraulic lift, Riley drives himself and
Tonya down to the bay and back most

35P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

HOMEGROWN

Business owners finding their niche with a mix of unique local products

By Jim Hannaford
Photos by Zach Roberson, Kate Reali, and Bill Goodman

Alittle over six years ago, Since then their business has custom metal fire pits and signs.
when Brian Kane and his taken off like the pelican in flight that Across town, a restaurateur is working
wife, Michele, decided adorns their now-familiar capital-F- long hours to meet the enthusiastic
to start a brewery, they had already for-Fairhope logo. Fairhope Brewing demand for his boutique bacon. And
figured they would name it after their Company has seamlessly become part a few miles away, an environmentally
new hometown. It just had a nice ring of the community, and its beers flow conscious soap maker has found a
to it, and a certain cachet. freely on both sides of the bay and like-minded following. And this is just
beyond. They are a local success story a handful of examples of interesting
“Fairhope was often being written – and certainly not the only one. entrepreneurs in our midst following
about, by Southern Living and their passions – sometimes making
The New York Times and other Just down the street from the full-circle life changes – and finding
publications, as one of the best small brewery’s taproom on Nichols acceptance in a crowded marketplace.
towns in the country, so it seemed like Avenue, a couple of tons of coffee A commonality to their stories is that
a good idea to try and take advantage beans are being roasted and shipped they took a leap of faith and found a
of that.” out every month and a ship designer soft landing.
has found a later-in-life niche making

36 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

At his home base at the
taproom bar, Kane talks about
their humble origins that
started nearly as far across the country
as you can get – in Juneau, Alaska, where
he and Michele, were both practicing
law. He grew up in Mobile, and she was
from Shreveport, Louisiana. They met at
the University of Alabama, where they
went to law school, and both found an
opportunity to go to work for the state
government in the nation’s 49th state.

In Alabama back then, “there were
a few varieties of Bud and Coors and
maybe a Samuel Adams, if you were
lucky,” he says.

But the microbrewing trend had
already hit other areas, including
Alaska’s capital city. The Kanes were
immediately drawn to brew pubs and
began to think that people on the
Eastern Shore would probably support
one. The state laws governing breweries
were restricting and confusing, but
guess what: his specialty was legislative
law, and that was a big advantage.

These days, Fairhope Brewing
Company has nine full-time employees,
14 beers and a cider on tap every day, and
brews 50 or 60 different beers over the
course of a year. They produce around
135,000 gallons of beer a year and ship
out four varieties in their distinctive
cans. Their reach extends well into
upper Alabama and over into coastal
Mississippi and Florida and is spreading
farther all the time.

Kane admits to being a little surprised
at how fast things happened for him and
his partners at the brewery, but says he
was confident from the start.

“I thought it would work out as long
as the beer was good,” he says. “We were
the sixth brewery in the state and now
there are 35, so we were a little ahead of
the curve.”

Success on Tap FAIRHOPE BREWING COMPANY

37P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

Grounds for Excitement

FAIRHOPE ROASTING COMPANY

Acouple of blocks to the including Piggly Wiggly and Greer’s “but it’s grown exponentially larger
west, Fairhope Roasting locations, as well as around 20 than we thought.”
Company shares space restaurants and cafes, says Chase
with the busy Warehouse Bakery Chandler, the company’s owner. The company was started in 2014
& Donuts. In a tiny back room, the by Hanson Eskridge, and Chandler’s
aroma is incredibly inviting as a “Last year we roasted right at wife, McKenzie, was involved from
classic industrial roaster lovingly 41,000 pounds, and we will probably the beginning. She is a graphic
named Lucy does her work. By the be close to 50,000 pounds this year,” designer, and it was her idea to put the
end of the month, more than two he says. city’s iconic clock in the logo.
tons of beans from around the world
will have been roasted, bagged, and The exciting recent expansion into He got more and more interested in
shipped to individuals around the Publix stores has meant longer days the coffee business, and took it over
country, grocery stores, eateries, for some of company’s six employees about three years ago, quitting his job
and coffee shops along the Coast, a (five full-time and one part-time) as a hazardous waste broker.
few restaurants in Mississippi and and some additional roasting time for
Tennessee, and to all 56 of the Publix Lucy. He said he hopes the company “I’ve always been a coffee drinker
stores in Alabama. can continue to grow at this same but I never set out to do this or said
manageable rate. this is the path I want to take, but
Their coffees were already on it fell in my lap in a nice way,” says
shelves at around 50 other stores, “We always thought the Chandler.
community would get behind us,” says
the company’s owner Chase Chandler,

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Inside her home on a peaceful, into rustic rectangular bars or molds Lemongrass, Lavender Tea Tree,
oak-shaded lot in the Silverhill them into delicate floral shapes. Her Patchouli Sunshine, and Detox, which
area, Talia Lumpkin makes soaps packaging, which she also creates, has contains activated charcoal to draw
that reflect her own personality and a simple elegance and is easily bio- out impurities.
lifestyle. She is careful about what degradable.
goes into her products because she Her professional background is
cares about the environment and the She started making soaps several social work, having worked as a foster
people who use them. years ago in part because she had care caseworker and with kidney
Her company is N.O. Soap Co. The problematic skin herself, and found dialysis patients. Though she found
initials stand for Nature’s Offerings, that mainstream products were that type of work gratifying, it could
but there is another meaning, too. too harsh. Many of her customers also be troubling. She enjoys the
“There are no synthetics, no GMOs, – mostly female, but not all – have freedom and creativity her new job
and no palm oil. I use essential oils sensitive skin, too. “But there are allows her.
but no artificial fragrances,” she says. some that just like it because it smells
She mixes up her fresh-smelling, good.” “I always wanted to have a product
Earth-friendly concoctions by that I enjoyed making and that
combining plant-based oils with clays She sells her selection of soaps at people enjoyed using,” she says, and
and herbs and a variety of natural fats several of the Piggly Wiggly stores in it seems like she has found the right
(including olive oil, coconut oil, rice the area and a few other businesses. combination.
bran oil, and shea butter) with lye She also sets up shop at farmer’s
(sodium hydroxide). She slices them markets and similar events and A Clean Break
has an online Etsy store. Popular
varieties include Rosemary Mint, N.O. SOAP CO.

39P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

Man of Steel

ALABAMA IRON WORKS

For much of his adult life, Jim and sheets of steel or aluminum, are popular decorative touches, but
Trainer designed ships for Trainer’s small company, Alabama Trainer and his full-time assistant,
the U.S. Navy. But inspiration Iron Works, has since made several Lucas Thornton, can fabricate just
struck on game day one fall morning hundred custom fire rings and fire about anything. All they need is a
eight years ago, and in a flash he pits, some of them quite elaborate, high-resolution image or font.
created a new line of work for himself. and has branched out into new areas.
His girlfriend at the time was a huge His custom metal signs and fire pits A native of Maine, Trainer worked
college football fan, so they were up can be seen along the Eastern Shore at numerous shipyards around the
early one Saturday making pre-game at numerous businesses including country for 35 years. It was while
preparations. He thought it would The Bone and Barrel, Utopia, Tongue living in Fairhope and making the
be fun to invite a few friends over for & Groove Drinkery, and Bouch’s daily 120-mile roundtrip to and from
a cookout and was planning to put Premium Cigars in downtown Ingall’s Shipbuilding in Pascagoula
together a makeshift grill over an Fairhope, The Fort Container Park in that he realized he needed to find a
open fire. “And I thought, wouldn’t it Spanish Fort, and The Steeple, NoJa, different course.
be cool if it had a football logo on it?” Saisho, and Iron Hand Brewing in
So he designed one and had it made Mobile. “It was a major step, but I was
by the next weekend. Then a friend going crazy,” says Trainer. “I was
wanted one … and on it goes. The bulk of his work, though, has quitting the corporate stuff and going
Using CAD (computer-aided been for private individuals, who out on a limb with just last week’s
design) software, a plasma cutter, want one-of-a-kind accessories for paycheck, but I had to do it. And now
their yards and homes. Fish and birds I feel like I got my second wind. It’s so
much more rewarding.”

40 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

William Stitt started making bacon for
a very practical reason – he couldn’t
find any that he really liked to use at
his restaurant, so he decided to make it himself.
Three years after he first started selling his Bill-E’s
Small Batch Bacon, he literally can’t make enough
of it to meet the demand.

Stitt opened his comfortably casual Old 27 Grill
(recently rechristened Bill-E’s) in early 2011. His
old catering kitchen next door is now a modern
smokehouse where he cures his carefully chosen
pork with brown sugar, molasses, kosher salt, and
a touch of pink curing salt before smoking it at low
temperatures over hickory.

He learned the craft of making bacon while
studying hospitality management at the
University of Mississippi. Later, as a corporate
manager for the Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain,
he was assigned the task of researching whether a
mass audience was ready for smoked pork bellies.

They weren’t, he concluded back then, but they
certainly are now. He is shipping out to all 50
states and to several other countries. Many chefs
in the area slice it thick and treat it as a center-of-
plate protein.

“It is in around 400 restaurants from Texas to
Tallahassee,” says Stitt. “We are in some stores
as far north as Atlanta. We’ve got a restaurant in
Brooklyn that orders. We are on the breakfast
menu at Brennan’s in New Orleans – that just
happened recently.”

He is picky about his pig. The breed he uses
is a cross between Berkshire reds and Chantilly
whites, and there are no added hormones or
growth antibiotics.

He wants the company to expand without
growing out of its mission of making old-style
bacon that emphasizes the natural flavors of the
pork.

“I don’t ever want to be a giant company with
forklifts and folks in haz-mat suits,” says Stitt. “but
I would like to eventually have a bigger facility and
some more small smokers.”

Bringing the Bacon

BILL-E’S SMALL BATCH BACON

41P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

SPIRITUALITY

Practicing do sing traditional hymns, but
Prayerful Paeans John simply plays the chords while
worshipers sing melody or make
St. James’ and St. Paul’s indelible musical traditions harmony on their own.

By Richard H. Schmidt Much of the music at St. Paul’s
Photos by Kate Reali comes from other sources and is what
is variously called “praise,” “renewal,”
Having sung in church choirs the most part, my choir just shows up or “contemporary” music. Those
all her life, Tish Ansdell and holds on for the ride,” John says. terms can be misleading, though,
planned to join the choir since they could describe other kinds
when she began worshiping at St. You don’t even have to be there for of music as well. “Whatever we call
Paul’s Episcopal Church in Foley and that hour of practice to sing in the St. them, all worship songs are intended
thought she knew what to expect. Paul’s choir. Occasionally a Sunday to do the same thing,” John says.
“Where’s the music?” she asked. worshiper hears the choir singing a
song she knows, gets up, walks over, What are they intended to do?
“Oh, we’ll just play it and you can and joins the group. No one is turned John sees music as “an amplifier
harmonize,” she was told. That’s away. of emotion.” Worship songs “spark
certainly different, but I’ll give it a try, a memory or feeling that is already
Tish thought. She tried it and now she Despite the lack of musical scores, inside us, but then they build on it
loves it. John Talbert is a gifted musician. and kindle it into a flame, making
He plays piano and guitar by ear and it stronger. Thankfulness, grace,
John Talbert is lead musician at St. can play virtually any song he hears. penitence, awe—songs build up these
Paul’s. One reason there’s no music is He is often joined by others playing spiritual experiences.”
that John doesn’t read music. Neither percussion and other instruments. As in many churches, music at
do some of the half dozen or so singers It’s “more like a band than a church St. Paul’s is selected to illustrate or
who show up an hour before church choir,” Tish Ansdell says. St. Paul’s augment the scripture lessons read on
on Sunday to practice. “People don’t calls its Sunday worship an “acoustic a given Sunday. John meets with his
learn their part; they find their part,” family service.” father, the Rev. Keith Talbert, rector
says Lynn Talbert, John’s mother and of St. Paul’s, to plan each Sunday
a member of the St. Paul’s choir. “We The Episcopal hymnal contains a service. “It’s important that all the
know how we move together, but it’s few songs written for such worship, words we sing, we hear, and we say
never scripted.” but the hymnal is mainly in four- work together toward a common
part harmony and intended for theme,” John says.
The hour before Sunday worship is accompaniment on an organ. St. This may not have been what Tish
spent working on dynamics, but “for Paul’s rarely uses their organ. They Ansdell was expecting, but she finds it
“absolutely fabulous.” She goes home
“with a tremendous sense of being
uplifted by the music. I feel like I’d
like to get up and dance, and if I did, I

John Talbert is the lead musician at St. Paul’s, Foley.

42 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

know it would be accepted!” St. James’ choristers before Sunday worship.
But Tish spends only half the year
as they wish. All music is thoroughly is cantor at St. James. “We sing
in Alabama and she also loves the rehearsed and choristers who can’t some modern songs, but our music
very different music at the church in read music are taught to read it. Does at St. James encompasses Christian
Amherst, N.H., where she worships this make for “perfect” music, as history,” he says. “It means as much
for the other six months of the year. A Tish describes the music at her New to us today as it did to those who first
large choir there rehearses two hours Hampshire congregation? “Well, sang it. Being part of a centuries-old
every week to produce music that that’s what we aim for!” says Helen. Christian tradition is important to us.
Tish calls “perfect.” Our voices join with those of the great
Although some might call the music saints of the ages.”
What if Tish wanted to find such at St. James “traditional,” the hymns,
music in Alabama? She could travel service music, and anthems feature a Musicians and choristers at both
just fifteen miles to the east to St. variety of musical styles and idioms. parishes agree that there is no “right”
James Episcopal Church in Fairhope. “We sing music from centuries ago, style of music for worship any more
like that of William Byrd and Thomas than there is one “right” way to pray.
The words of the Episcopal liturgy Tallis,” says Helen, “but we also sing “In fact,” says Kay Jackson, “singing
are the same at St. Paul’s in Foley and the work of contemporary composers in church is praying for me.”
at St. James in Fairhope, and so is the like Craig Phillips, the Director of
understanding of the role and purpose Music at All Saints
of church music. Church in Beverly
Hills, and the
“Music prepares our hearts to English composer
worship almighty God,” says Helen Philip Stopford.”
Van Abbema Rodgers, parish musician St. James sings
at St. James. “It softens our hearts to “renewal” or
receive and be open to the scripture “praise” music
readings for the day. Church music as well, usually
is not a performance but a means of accompanied
praising and serving God.” on the organ.
Trumpets,
The feel of the music at St. James, violins, and
however, is a far cry from that at St. other orchestral
Paul’s. St. James has a sixty-six rank instruments are
pipe organ, built by the Hermann brought in to
Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, supplement the
N.Y., and Helen’s organ playing is one organ for special
of the things that makes worship at services.
St. James exciting, says long-time
parishioner Kay Jackson. “When St. James also
Helen plays, it’s a glorious thing!” offers the Eastern
Helen has given organ recitals on Shore three or four
some of the best instruments in concerts every
Europe and the United States. year featuring
internationally-
St. James has four choirs, all known organists,
under Helen’s direction. The 9 a.m. choirs, and musical
Sunday service is led every week by a ensembles.
twenty-five voice adult choir. A choir
for grade-school children alternates Frank Stabler
with a choir for teenage girls at the
11 a.m. Sunday service. And at 7
p.m. on the second Sunday of every
month, a men’s choir sings a quiet,
meditative service, either Compline
(the monastic office for close of day)
or a service of simple, repetitive
hymnody from the ecumenical Taizé
community in France.

Choristers at St. James don’t just
show up, start singing, and harmonize

43P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

EDIBLES

Bringing It All Back Home

Guncles Bakery offers healthy, homemade treats

but no gluten allowed

By Robin Fitzhugh
Photos by Kate Reali

In a small commercial kitchen Demetrius James gets hands-on with icing Guncles’ chocolate ganache cake
tucked away on Highway 31 in
Spanish Fort, Guncles Gluten “the one thing that was lacking, even because McGee says, “baking without
Free Bakery’s owners are whipping up in a food city like San Francisco, was a flour is an entirely different science.”
delicious and healthy treats five days decent gluten-free bakery.” He finally
a week. A near-tragedy inspired them located a baker who had developed Family health issues brought the
to put careers aside and venture into a line of gluten free desserts and pair back to Mobile in 2015. Residents
the world of baking, but since opening McGee began taking classes from him of midtown Mobile in an older home
their doors in 2018 they have been too they are restoring on Dauphin Street,
busy to look back.

Both Mobile natives, John Edward
McGee and Demetrius James met as
young adults. Both men worked in
Mobile, McGee as a licensed social
worker and James in automotive
sales, when a job opportunity took
them to California where they
both became realtors for high-end
properties in the San Francisco
Bay area. It was during this time
that McGee began experiencing
mysterious and, in some cases life-
threatening, anaphylactic episodes
which were eventually traced to a
serious gluten allergy.

“We both love good food, cooking,
and sharing with friends,” McGee
says, “and while I was relieved
to discover what was causing my
health issues, my initial reaction was
disappointment that I would never
be able to enjoy the foods we loved
again.” The two began a journey
in 2011 after McGee’s diagnosis,
searching out restaurants with
gluten free options and searching the
internet for safe and savory dishes to
make at home. McGee remembers

44 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

Guncles owners McGee and
James with 4 flavors of
mini-bundt cakes

James continues to divide his breads and rolls in the near
time between California and future. At home, they have
Mobile for work, but both agree perfected gumbo, chili, fried
the move home has been a wise chicken and other staples from
choice. Because they have both their childhood that they have
adopted a completely gluten-free adapted using their special
lifestyle, and because McGee blend of tapioca, brown rice,
had always had an interest in and potato flours. James says,
working as a pastry chef, their “family and friends have agreed
idea of a gluten-free bakery for they can’t tell the difference.” At
this area continued to grow. In the bakery, he added, probably
2018 they happened onto the a third of their customers are
kitchen that was originally part not gluten intolerant but prefer
of the former Fitzpen place in the taste and quality of Guncles’
Spanish Fort and opened their treats.
doors that spring.
McGee and James began
The menu of sweet items is offering their items for sale
diverse, with some southern at local farmers’ markets last
favorites like Chocolate spring and summer and will be
Ganache, Luscious Lemon, doing that again this year. While
or Chocolate with Vanilla a storefront bakery is in their
Buttercream cakes. Other future plans, right now food can
recipes are inspired by family be ordered from their website
members who taught both men gunclesgf.com or by phone and
to cook growing up, including they offer to deliver in both
McGee’s mother’s Fig Spice Baldwin and Mobile counties.
Cake with Praline Glaze that was Guncles’ goodies are also on
their first effort as gluten free the menu at Locals in Fairhope,
bakers. All cakes are available in Wahlburgers at OWA in Foley,
standard layer cake size or mini Our Coffee in Gulf Shores, and
Bundt cakes which are great Fresh Café in the Eastern Shore
for gift giving. Special occasion Centre as well as at FOY, Noble
cakes are also available for South, Pour Baby, the Cheese
weddings, private parties, and Cottage, and Old Shell Market in
birthdays. They also make gluten Mobile. Peg Leg Pete’s and the
free Banana Bread with Roasted Bodacious Shops in Pensacola
Pecans, Lemon Raspberry have also included Guncles’
Friands (almond mini-cakes with desserts on their gluten free
fruit filling), and Brown Butter menu.
Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Reflecting over the past
While baking for people with decade since his diagnosis,
special dietary needs is their McGee says his health problems
first priority, both partners agree have turned out to be a blessing
making gluten free foods that in disguise. “We learned to make
taste like the original recipes more informed food choices for
is hugely important. Guncles ourselves and now we are able to
is focused on sweet treats now, make the foods we love available
and they hope to expand their to other people.
menu of savory offerings like

45P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

WELL BEING

Fresh and Naturally Strong

By Nonie Taul

Keto Bowl
at Fly Away Farms

As a Nutrition Advisor certified Nonie Taul items. Standouts include: The Sweet
in Group Fitness and Advanced Founder of Potato Grain Bowl with produce
Yoga, I have always been active. Naturally from Alexander Farms in Mississippi
When my oldest daughter Annie was Strong and the Shrimp and Grits – with
diagnosed with celiac disease at the Meal Plans grits from Bayou Cora farms in Bon
age of 5, I was driven to find delicious and Naturally Secour. Naturally Strong Approved
gluten-free meals for the entire Strong Nonie faves customers love include the keto
family. Hence, I began Naturally vegetable bowl –almost a pound of
Strong Meal Plans and Naturally clean, delicious eating. Here’s to your local seasonal vegetables on top of
Strong Nonie exercise classes, health and eating local. quinoa or rice. The Signature Salad
streamed videos and more, offered with a scoop of chicken salad includes
in my Fairhope studio. I wanted to Fly Away Farm Foods fresh heirloom tomatoes from Local
highlight an amazing Nonie Approved Appetite Growers farm in Fairhope.
restaurant here in Baldwin County Located in Orange Their in-house dressings use raw
that can help keep us all on track for Beach, Fly Away honey from Foley and salads include
Farm Foods owned by pecans from Price Pecan Farm in
Joan Dunlap, serves Lillian and organic blueberries from
quick prepared meals Weeks Bay Plantation. Fly Away
from food grown only Farm Foods strives to produce the
on Gulf Coast farms. No frying or healthiest and most local dishes in
grilling here. This kitchen is designed a convenient way – which will keep
to retain nutrients in the food they their happy customers feeling healthy
serve. Locals flock here because of the and Naturally Strong!
fresh new take on traditional lunch
For meal plans and
healthy lifestyle options visit

naturallystrongnonie.com

46 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019

PORTICO EASTERN SHORE
Summer 2019

AD INDEX

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47P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 9

BACK PAGE

The 2019
USS Alabama

Crewman reunion at
Battleship Park

Photos by Kate Reali

Wilbert F. “Will” Rozum and From Left: Bernard J Teevan,
wife Mary Lou Rozum Monroe “Cliff ” McCrummen and

Raymond Weigand all served
aboard the USS Alabama

PLAN YOUR VISIT AT

ussalabama.com

Raymond Weigand Jr.

48 P O R T I C O E A S T E R N S H O R E | S U M M E R 2019