ConnectedJanuary/FebruaryJanuary/February 20112011 Published for the members of

“We Keep You Connected” Winter Wonderland

Fyffe pee wees win Super bowl

Learning is fun at Dutton Library

Nettie Crow of Geraldine is 101 General Manager Comments

A life lesson from the blind side is a member-owned“We Keep You corporation Connected” dedicated to providing communications technology to the people of northeast Alabama. The watched “The Blind Side” for the not taking the time to act when there is a company has over 14,000 access lines, mak- first time a few weeks ago. For any fleeting opportunity to do so. This most ing it the state’s largest telecommunica- of you who happen to not know, often occurs when I am extremely busy tions cooperative. thisI movie tells the real life story of or very stressed which, according to my University of Mississippi and Baltimore family, happens a lot. You might say Board of Trustees Ravens football star Michael Oher and this tendency may be one of my “blind Randy Wright, President Flat Rock Exchange his incredible journey from the hous- sides.” I so very much appreciate key ing projects of Memphis to the stardom people in my life who tend to watch my Gary Smith, Vice President of the NFL. Michael was taken under back at these moments. They’ve saved Fyffe Exchange wing by the remarkable family of Sean me a lot of grief. The least I can do for Danny R. Richey, Secretary and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Actress Sandra them is to watch their back the same Geraldine Exchange Bullock won an Academy Award for her way they watch mine. Lynn Welden, Treasurer portrayal of Leigh Anne. Being a com- There’s another important lesson Bryant Exchange pulsive list maker, this movie quickly to be drawn from this story and it’s not Robert B. Burkhalter found its place on my list of all-time fa- a pleasant one. In furtherance of the Pisgah Exchange vorite movies. I expect it will stay there old axiom – no good deed goes unpun- Greg Griffith for many years. Because I have a friend ished – the Tuohys were subjected to no Henagar Exchange and colleague who happens to know the small measure of skepticism regarding Tuohys personally and assures me they their motives for helping Michael. Make Randy Tumlin Rainsville Exchange are the real deal, the story was all the no mistake; we live in an increasingly more impressive. cynical society where many assume that The title of this movie takes its oper- NO ONE does anything good without ative meaning from the responsibility of expecting something in return. Don’t Connected a football team’s offensive left tackle to expect to be rewarded for your acts of Vol. 15, No. 1 January/February 2011 protect the “blind side” of a right-hand- kindness in this life. Rather, expect the is a bimonthly magazine ed quarterback. There is a humorous opposite. If you are surprised, all the published by Farmers Telecommu- yet touching scene in the movie where better – but let your real reward come nications Cooperative, © 2011. It is Leigh Ann explains this to Michael by from knowing within you that you did distributed without charge to all member/owners of the Cooperative. essentially reminding him of how he a good thing. In the end that’s what will Send address promised to always watch her back. She matter the most. corrections to: suggests that he think of his quarterback 2011 is yet young. I challenge you as being her and thus protect him as if to look for and take advantage of every Farmers Telecommunications he were. Needless to say, the results are opportunity you have to make a posi- Cooperative, Inc. impressive. The next guy who tries to tive difference in someone’s life. While P.O. Box 217 hit the quarterback has a very unpleas- you’re at it, join me in being grateful for 144 McCurdy Ave. N. ant experience. However, in my opin- those kind folks who faithfully watch Rainsville, Alabama 35986 ion, the most powerful moment in the our blind side. Who knows where we Telephone: (256) 638-2144 story comes a bit later when one of Mrs. would be without them.n www.farmerstel.com Tuohy’s friends suggests she think of Produced for FTC by: how much she is changing Michael’s life WordSouth Public Relations, Inc. and Leigh Anne responds that, on the www.wordsouth.com contrary, Michael is changing hers. What great truth there is in that On the Cover: observation! When we take the time to make a positive difference in another On the heels of a white Christmas, person’s life, the impact is often greater Fred Johnson Sand Mountain spent much of early January under several inches of snow on us than we would imagine. Regret- is General Manager of Farmers and ice. It created beautiful scenes, tably, despite how firmly I believe that, like this snow-laden evergreen at the Telecommunications I must admit much failure to practice home of Ralph and Sybil Dawson on my preaching. More often than not, my Cooperative, Inc. Town Creek in Rainsville. failure is usually the result of simply Photo by Stephen V. Smith 2 Connected - January/February 2011 The Connected Home, powered by Broadband

online Gaming Downloading music Test your gaming skills Discover new artists against players around and buy their music the world instantly

Sharing streaming PHotos videos Capture life, Watch your then share it favorite with friends movies and across the TV shows Internet now

Video HIgh speed Chat iNternet Stay Surf, chat, connected tweet, learn, –no matter post and where your download in friends are high speed

Don’t want a landline phone? Connect your home with FTC Exclusive Broadband

ADD • High-Speed Broadband InterneT Digital with speeds up to 6 MB** only Television • 15 Minutes outgoing Calls NATIONWIDE $ 95 (over 170 channels*) overages will be billed at 25¢ per minute. 59 Per Month $ 95 • Unlimited incoming calls 119 Per Month

*Number approximate. Actual lineup may vary. **Speeds are approximate, not guaranteed. Some areas not yet capable of receiving this service. Some restrictions apply on use of FTC’s Unlimited Long Distance Service> and Unlimited Incoming Calling. Please contact FTC for additional> information. Phone: 256-638-2144 | Online: farmerstel.com Connected - January/February 2011 3 Businesses can be penalized NO! for not following registry rules

Businesses in the FTC coverage area that make phone calls to customers or potential customers should to unwanted telemarketing calls be aware of National Do Not Call Registry rules and regulations. Consumers have the opportunity to limit unwanted telemarket- The Do Not Call initiative, regulated by the U.S. ing calls thanks to the National Do Not Call Registry established Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Federal by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) along with the U.S. Communications Commission (FCC), requires FTC to Federal Communications Commission (FCC). notify our customers who use our service for making Once your phone number has been registered with the Na- telephone solicitations and telemarketing calls of Na- tional Do Not Call Registry, telemarketers have up to 31 days to tional Do Not Call rules and regulations. We recognize stop calling your number. Inclusion of a telephone number on the that few of our customers utilize cooperative services National Do Not Call Registry becomes effective the day following for telemarketing purposes; however, to ensure that our registration and will remain there permanently unless the number is customers adhere to these rules and regulations, we are disconnected or you choose to remove it from the registry. issuing this advisory to all business customers. According to a Harris Interactive poll, 92 percent of people who If you are a company, individual, or organization reported placing a number on the registry said they are receiving that places telemarketing calls, it is very important that fewer calls; a total of 78 percent said they are getting “far fewer you familiarize yourself with the operations of the Na- calls” or none at all. tional Do Not Call Registry. To date, consumers have registered more than 58 million phone Unless you fall under one of the exceptions estab- numbers on the Do Not Call Registry, and according to the FTC, lished in the Federal Communications Commission/ most telemarketers have been diligent in their efforts to scrub their Federal Trade Commission rules, such as telemarket- lists and to meet the Registry’s requirements. ing by charitable organizations or for prior business Consumers may register up to three non-business telephone relationships, you may not make telemarketing calls to numbers, including wireless numbers. numbers included in the National Do Not Call Registry. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222. For TTY, call 1-866- For information regarding National Do Not Call 260-4236. You must call from the telephone number you wish to regulations, visit the National Do Not Call registry at register. To register online, visit www.donotcall.gov. www.donotcall.gov. You can find the Federal Commu- The National Do Not Call Registry does not apply to certain nications Commission and Federal Trade Commission non-profit and political organizations or businesses with whom you rules governing telemarketing and telephone solicita- have an existing relationship.n tion at 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200 and 16 C.F.R. Part 310, respec- tively. n

Sign up for free amber alerts on your cell phone What could be worse than that feeling of dread when, even for a few seconds, you lose sight of your child? Just imagine the feeling if your child were actually taken. Hopefully it is a feeling you will never have to experience firsthand. When a child is abducted, we all want to do everything we can to help parents find their children. That's why Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative has teamed up with the National Center for Exploited Children, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Ad Council to bring you this message. Visit wirelessamberalerts.org to sign up today. Then when an AMBER Alert is issued in the areas you've chosen, you'll receive a free text message. If you spot the vehicle, the suspect or the child described in the Alert, call 911 immediately. If your phone is wireless, you're no longer helpless. Sign up today! www.wirelessamberalerts.org

4 Connected - January/February 2011 It’s time to recycle! COLLECT OLD FTC DIRECTORIES DELIVER THEM TO YOUR SCHOOL The 2011 FTC EARN $$$ Directory will be FOR EACH FTC DIRECTORY COLLECTED in mailboxes soon

Get your family and friends and the whole community involved The 2011 Northeast Alabama Regional Telephone Directory will soon be deliv- in helping collect old telephone books to recycle. FTC will ered to every home and business in the pay your school 25¢ for each FTC directory collected. Other FTC coverage area. It is an excellent directories will be recycled, but only FTC directories will earn resource to have on hand and includes such features as: money for your school.  Community pages The Community Pages section is full of HURRY! information for both new and long-time Only directories turned in by Friday, MARCH 11, 2011 residents. Included are points of inter- will be counted. est such as local attractions, parks and historical sites, a calendar of events for Jackson and DeKalb county, local and state government and much more.

 government section The special blue-tabbed Government Section lists numbers for govern- ment offices for the state, DeKalb and Jackson County, and cities in the FTC service area.

 surrounding area FTC has provided residential and busi- ness telephone numbers for the Sand Mountain area, as well as surrounding

“We Keep You Connected” cities in Northeast Alabama and North- west Georgia. proudly sponsors this recycling project that keeps tons of waste out of our landfills and helps schools earn money. For an extra copy of the directory, visit the FTC office nearest you. Connected - January/February 2011 5 Fyffe boys learn life lessons on road to Pee Wee Super Bowl n Highway 75, in the small from coaches with no experience. the players’ first year of football against town of Fyffe, football is a “He’s against the bad coaching,” says established programs. “But we competed way of life, you might say. Long. “And the parents who take all of really well.” They love it here, and their the fun out of it. It can ruin it for kids. One advantage, Thrash says, was rich tradition can rival any place in Ala- Parents can be too overbearing and get having a varsity coach helping with each Obama. out of control.” team. Tim Cochran, a former head coach, From the coaching days of Nelson That wasn’t going to happen at coached the 9- and 10-year-old team, Ellis through the times of Ronnie Haus- Fyffe. The one condition for pee wee while Brian Mashburn, also a former halter to the current moments of Paul football was that Benefield, who played head coach and current assistant coach Benefield, Red Devil teams have always at the school and has served as the var- at Fyffe, helped with the 11- and 12-year- had the strong support of the community. sity coach since 1997, would select the old team. The names are etched in football lore. coaches. It was the 7- and 8-year-old team, Names such as Long, Ridgeway, Bene- Most people in the town were with help from varsity assistant coach field, Graben, Gipson, Cochran, Peppers against the idea of pee wee football until Steve Edge, that shined the brightest in and so on. Sons wait for the day to follow they learned Benefield was picking the the inaugural season. in the footsteps of their fathers. Boys long coaches. “It wasn’t going to be daddy The young team, coached by former for the time to put on that red jersey and ball like a lot of programs can be,” says Fyffe players Lee. J. Godwin, John Fowler walk on the field on a Friday night just as Heath Thrash, whose son Garrett signed and Joey Dalton, finished 9-2 and won their older brothers did. up to play. the Super Bowl, played at Jacksonville A total of 116 players signed up to State University in October. play as Fyffe joined the North Alabama Pee wee comeback Youth Football League in Albertville. The town had been without pee wee From scratch, $19,000 was raised to join A strong start football for several years until one day the league. Before there was football, the 7- and early last year. On that day, Paul Long sat “All the credit goes to the parents,” 8-year-olds were busy advancing to the in the Fyffe fieldhouse with varsity coach says Long. “We sold cokes and got state baseball tournament last summer. Paul Benefield. donations from the community. Fyffe “They are an extremely good group,” “Everyone always thought coach community is so good about supporting says Godwin. Benefield was against pee wee football,” football.” “They’ve got a chance to be pretty says Long. “He told me if I would over- Fyffe had three teams join the league. special,” added Thrash. see it, we could bring it back. He wanted The 9- and 10-year-old team finished 5-4, In P.E. class at school, Mashburn, people that would do it the right way.” and the 11- and 12-year-old team finished who teaches the class, says the group Benefield’s knock against pee wee 5-3 in their first seasons. loves all sports, especially football. “If football, like many, is the bad habits a “I was real concerned about us be- they’re starving to death and you put a young player can pick up – many times ing able to compete,” says Long about hamburger on the playground,” he says,

6 Connected - January/February 2011 “they’re going to pick up the football.” score at halftime, the defense took over Twenty-six boys signed up for the allowing no second-half points, and Fyffe team. “The hardest thing was them learn- won 34-12. The season ing all of the positions,” says Godwin. It was a prelude for the remaining of “That was a big challenge to begin with. the playoffs. “At 7 and 8 years old, you want to be Scottsboro was up next in the AFC Arab 6-21 (L) the quarterback, a running back or wide Championship game. “They had some Boaz 14-0 (W) receiver. You want the ball.” Godwin, really big kids,” says Godwin. “We gave Fort Payne 6-19 (L) Fowler and Dalton, who all played as up a couple of big runs early.” linemen, stressed to the boys that all the Then, once again, the defense took Crossville 22-0 (W) positions are important in being a good over. Fyffe won 20-12, not allowing a Geraldine 18-8 (W) football team. point in the second half. Guntersville 12-6 (W) The boys bought into their coaches’ That set up a Super Bowl showdown way of thinking. against Etowah at Jacksonville State Etowah Blue 36-6 (W) The team started 1-2, as fumbles University. Fort Payne Gold 14-13 (W) and penalties ruled the day. Slowly, it all “The kids were so excited to go play came together. on a college field,” Godwin says. “Our defense was pretty steady all Etowah was unbeaten, having year,” says Godwin. defeated Fyffe in a jamboree before the Playoffs “It hurt their feelings if anybody season. scored on them,” added Thrash. In the Super Bowl, it was a long way Fort Payne 34-12 (W) In the sixth game of the season, the from the jamboree. AFC Championship: boys defeated Guntersville 12-6 in double Leading 16-12 at halftime, the little Scottsboro 20-12 (W) overtime. “They gained a lot confidence Red Devils hung on, winning the cham- after that game,” says Godwin. “We pionship 24-12. Super Bowl: knew if we got in the playoffs, we had a Once again, the defense dominated Etowah Gold 24-12 (W) chance.” the second half, surely bringing a smile to the high school coach. Thrash, who says it was the first Making the playoffs time he’s sat in the stands and watched The players The team got in the playoffs as a his son rather than coaching, says it was wildcard after finishing second in their special. “It was fun to watch,” he says. Michael Blake, Everett division. This set up a game with first “The kids learned, but had fun too. The place Fort Payne, who defeated them coaches made it fun.” Wagner, Kobe Harris, Austin 19-6 earlier in the year and were unde- Godwin says that was important. Buster, Matthew Barnes, feated. “We had a lot of fun,” he says. “We didn’t Zachery Haynes, Will Edge, “The first game we fumbled the snap stress winning and losing so much. Learn left and right,” says Godwin. “We didn’t the little things and have fun.” Tucker Dodd, Andrew give ourselves a chance.” As for the season, Garrett Thrash Hamilton, Ike Rowell, Parker The second time was a different might have put it best. “I knew what Godwin, Dakota Manning, story. For starters, Fyffe hadn’t lost since it meant to play football at Fyffe,” he the first Fort Payne game. With a close says.n Ashlee Crandel, Tanner Cowart, Kyle Dukes, Dalton Gilbert, Chase Wooten, Eli Benefield, Caleb Lyles, Brady Wilkie, Garrett Thrash, Clayton O'Shields, Brody Dalton, Justin Stiefel, Malachi Mize and Caiden Gore

The coaches

Lee J. Godwin, Joey Dalton, John Fowler and Steve Edge SUPER BOWL CHAMPS—These 7- and 8-year-old Fyffe kids learned a lot about football, while learning how it feels to be champions. Connected - January/February 2011 7 Once upon a time...

By Tina Thurmond Town of Dutton creates magic at growing library

magine your child curled up in a chair read- weren’t going to have a silent library. We wanted ing “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” or our library to be creative and fun so children and “Little Women” instead of playing a video adults would feel welcome. So, we encourage par- game or watching television. With the sen- ticipants here to dress up like storybook characters Isory overload of today’s technology, too many kids or people in nursery rhymes, and we try to bring rarely open a book unless it is for a school assign- the books to life. ment. “We see children running up to the door today The art of using the imagination to paint a and they visibly want to participate,” she adds. fence with Tom Sawyer or put on plays with the “That makes us so proud.” March sisters is being lost to the virtual reality of all things electronic. What difference would it make if kids could actually meet an author in Ms. Vergie’s house person or have Tom Sawyer himself talk them into white-washing a fence? Besides getting them The library is located on Main Street in the for- interested in reading, it could boost their interest in mer home of Vergie Chambers, who taught school visiting the local library. at Dutton Elementary for 50 years. That is the idea behind the Dutton Community “She was the first-grade teacher for most of the Library in Dutton, Ala. On any given day you are community,” says Stewart, “so it is a very special almost as likely to meet Mark Twain or the Tin house. It has been a landmark in Dutton for a long Man there as you are to see your next-door neigh- time and we are very privileged to be in it.” bor. “This is not just your old, boring quiet library with dusty books,” says Dutton Mayor Bryan Stewart. “We want our books to come alive and for you to come in and see Mark Twain and talk to him, not just read about him in a book. We want you to experience the Wizard of Oz or see what a real pirate ship looks like.” In order to accomplish that, the organizers decided they would have to take the word ‘library’ to a whole new level. “At our grand opening,” says Library Director Patricia Ann Romans,”we talked with the state director and told her that we READING TIME – Children from several towns enjoy the Dutton Community Library. Enjoying the library are (l-r) Sydney Holcomb, Chloe Holcomb and Anna Higgins.

8 Connected - January/February 2011 The building itself is in keeping with the library’s wish to be different from other libraries. There are no bricks or imposing columns, just simple white siding and an inviting front porch. “We have a beautiful front yard,” says Stew- art. “We’ve had the Easter Bunny out there for the kids to hunt eggs at Easter. Santa Claus has been out there, too.” Besides making good use of the yard to en- tertain the kids, the library also takes full advan- tage of the spacious porch. “During Halloween we always decorate the porch according to our theme,” says Stewart. “It’s been a pirate ship, and one year it was Oz from the Wizard of Oz. We’ve done several things out there to attract the com- Mark Twain, portrayed by Dorsey Walker, shows children munity.” how Tom Sawyer whitewashed a fence. Inside, the library has filled every nook and cranny with everything a person could want in a unemployment benefits. Without the library here community library. in Dutton, they would have to drive 20 miles There is a children’s room where kids can sit or more to get to another library. That may not at a table or even lie on the floor to color or read sound like much, but for some of these people it a book. There is also a separate video room with can be a hardship.” dozens of movies to check out free of charge. There are computer stations for Internet access, and over 10,000 books just waiting to be checked Making life better out. “We think Ms. Vergie would be very pleased The library has also found that illiteracy is at what we’ve done with her home,” says Stew- still a problem on Sand Mountain. “In every com- art. munity, there are people who still do not know Response has been so great that the library how to read,” says Stewart. “It is sad, but we en- has purchased land adjacent to the current loca- counter people who come in and say ‘I can’t read tion, with plans to build a larger facility. “We plan a book.’ With help from our staff, those people to keep this building and use it for a community are able to start with a children’s short story and center,” says Stewart. progress from there over time.” The library also offers Generations Online, through TARCOG (Top of Alabama Regional The only one Council of Governments). “This program teaches senior citizens computer literacy,” says Stewart. Besides the storybook characters roaming “That means everything from how to turn on a around, Dutton’s library is unique in at least one computer to how to go online and look some- other way — it is the only library in the Jackson thing up. It is free, the lessons are private, and the County portion of Sand Mountain. seniors really love it.” “We are the only library east of the Tennes- Since it opened in March of 2008, the library see River in Jackson County,” says Romans, “so has already won a national award for its inno- we get people from Pisgah, Section, Dutton and vative approach to reaching its rural area. The Macedonia. There may only be 310 people inside Alabama League of Municipalities awarded the our city, but we have lots of patrons from other library its Quality of Life Award in 2008. towns who come here.” “That was such an honor,” says Romans. Romans explains how important the library Mayor Stewart is quick to hand the credit for is to those people. “Many of our patrons have no the library’s accomplishments over to the many access to the Internet unless they come here,” she people who have worked to make the town’s says. “School children who do not have comput- dream a reality. “This has been a group effort,” ers at home come here to do their homework. says Stewart. “We’ve had a lot of help, a lot of “We also get adults who come in to look for volunteers, and donations. Everyone can be a job on the Internet,” she continues, “or file for proud of what this library has accomplished.”n

Connected - January/February 2011 9 Earn cash for college with FTC scholarship

Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to local students by FTC this spring. One scholarship will be given to a graduating high school stu- dent and one to an individual already enrolled in college. To qualify, students must be a dependant of or an active customer of FTC. Scholar- ship applications are due by March 14.

Another scholarship, given by The Foundation for Rural Service, is a national scholarship for $2,000 and given only to 25 students in the United States. If a high school senior from our service area receives one of these scholarships, FTC will award them with an additional $500. Ap- plications for this scholarship are due by 4 p.m. on Feb. 22. Preference will be given to students planning to develop their professional careers in a rural area.

Applications for both scholarships are available from high school guid- ance counselors, or can be downloaded from www.farmerstel.com.

All scholarships are made available without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender or disability. Two students will win a trip to D.C. through FRS Youth Tour

Two deserving high school juniors will repre- for Rural Service. This organization was founded sent the Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative in 1994 to help strengthen the ties between rural area in the nation’s capital in June as part of the communities and their families and businesses. FRS Washington Youth Tour. The program provides rural students with a FTC invites all students who will be 16 or first-hand look at the telecommunications indus- 17 at the time of the tour and who have active try. Students are exposed to the legislative process, telecommunications services from FTC to and are given opportunities to visit historic sites apply for the all-expense-paid, four-day trip such as the Washington Monument and the U.S. to Washington, D.C. To qualify, students Capitol. must submit a written three- to five-minute Past participants have also enjoyed meeting speech on the topic “How My Wireless other high school juniors from across the country. Phone Has Impacted My Life.” Details regarding the program, along with On March 10, students will de- applications, are available from high school guid- liver their speeches and will ance counselors or online at www.farmerstel.com. be judged on points such Submissions must be received no later than 4 p.m. as grammar, posture and on March 3 and can be delivered in person or clarity of message. The two mailed to: top-scoring students will be FTC chosen to participate in the Attn: Kim Williams Youth Tour. The program is admin- P.O. Box 217 istered by the Foundation Rainsville, AL 35986

10 Connected - January/February 2011 The Broadband Story Broadband: bringing instant access to digital movies right into your home By Jared Dovers

(Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series Xbox 360: To access the Internet, Nintendo Wii: The Wii makes that looks at the many ways our members can your console will need to be connected to streaming video through Netflix simple. use broadband Internet service for entertain- your modem with an Ethernet cable, or Connect the Wii to your wireless network ment, education and connecting with family by a wireless connection (a Wi-Fi adapter through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and friends.) is sold separately). To access Netflix from (visit us.wii.com/connect for a detailed your Xbox 360, you will need to first tutorial). Once your Wii is on the Inter- or many people, this Christmas purchase an Xbox Gold LIVE member- net, head to the Wii Shop Channel and holiday resulted in new enter- ship. Memberships are currently $9.99 download the Netflix application. After tainment gadgets beside their per month, or $59.99 for a year. While the you’ve purchased your subscription televisions. Blu-ray players and PS3 and the Nintendo Wii allow you to from www.netflix.com, the simple screen gaming consoles, such as the Xbox 360 access Netflix without an additional fee, instructions will help you connect your andF Playstation 3 (PS3), were popular the XBox 360 provides access to ESPN3 Wii to your account. gifts. One thing all of these items have in and Hulu Plus with their Gold LIVE common is the ability to bring you direct membership. Blu-ray players and HDTVs: access to a digital movie store — across If your console is already on the Several new televisions and Blu-ray play- FTC’s broadband network. Internet and you’ve purchased a LIVE ers come out of the box with the Netflix Netflix (www.netflix.com) is a paid Gold membership, you are ready to application installed. For specific instruc- service that can stream unlimited movies install Netflix. From the Xbox menu, go tions on your product, go to www.netflix. and television shows to your TV using to the Video Marketplace. From here, com/NetflixReadyDevices. Here you the Internet. For an additional fee, us- download and install the Netflix appli- will be able to find detailed information ers can also have DVDs mailed to their cation. After you have done this, go to on how to activate Netflix on your HDTV home. www.netflix.com to purchase a subscrip- or Blu-ray player. Through the power of broadband, tion and activate your device. For added subscribers can digitally browse a video fun, if you are an XBox Kinect owner you What about my computer? library consisting of thousands of titles can set your Kinect to operate the Netflix With a broadband Internet connection and place them in a queue to have them application, controlling the movies you from FTC, your Mac or PC becomes a shipped to their mailbox. The easiest way view without the XBox controller. perfect device for using the Netflix appli- to manage your queue is on the comput- cation. From the Netflix website you can er. After having ordered just a few mov- Playstation 3: The PS3 comes access your queue and instantly watch ies, Netflix will recommend films you standard with a Blu-ray player, hard most items by simply pressing play. This may like based on your interests. This is drive and built-in Wi-Fi connection. Like is a great option for people who travel a great way to find new favorites. the XBox 360, the PS3 requires a member- with laptops, and want to have access to While customers can have DVDs ship in order to access Netflix. Unlike their Netflix queue. sent to their mailbox, there are over 200 the Xbox 360, however, the PlayStation devices that can stream Netflix directly Network is free to join. Once you have Regardless of the way you connect, into your home using broadband Inter- logged into the PlayStation Network, se- broadband gives you the power to enjoy net. Gaming consoles, blu-ray disc play- lect “What’s New” from the menu. From movies instantly from the comfort of ers, Internet-connected TV’s, iPhones, here, you will click on the Netflix icon your home. Farmers Telecommunica- iPods, iPads, Apple TVs and Google TVs and install the application. tions Cooperative has several broadband are just a few of the products you can use After you’ve installed the applica- packages from which to choose. Visit with Netflix. Here are some of the ways tion, you will need to purchase a Netflix www.farmerstel.com to find the plan that to bring this entertainment option to subscription. This can be done at www. meets your family’s needs, or call 256- your home: netflix.com or through your PS3. 638-2144.n Connected - January/February 2011 11 At Dobbins Supermarket, serving the community is still A family tradition Dawn and Roy Dobbins pause for a break during a busy day in the meat department. By Tina Thurmond t is a large and busy place All of the children worked in today, but 65 years ago, Dob- the store, but as they grew up and bins Supermarket in Bryant was started families of their own, only little more than a small stock of three of them chose to stay with groceries, kerosene and coal in a back the family business. Roy, his twin Ibedroom of Gordon and Ruby Dob- brother Troy, and their sister Delray, bins’ home. all liked working in the store and It was small, but in 1945, it was enjoyed the interaction with the local all the town of Bryant had by way townsfolk. of a grocery store, and residents In 1962, Gordon separated the depended on it. They also grew to two stores by building a large ad- depend on the family who owned dition onto the building. He then the store. leased the grocery store to his son-in- The Dobbins’ were good, hon- law on a five-year lease and ran the est folks who believed in practicing hardware store himself. the Golden Rule and taught their In 1966, Roy and Troy took over nine children to do the same. If times the lease and began making pay- were hard, the Dobbins did what ments on the store even though they Delray Dobbins Wright gives customers a they could to help their neighbors were still just seniors in high school. smile every time they visit. get by. When times were good, the Five years later, the enterprising hard-working folks of Bryant repaid brothers, who also farmed potatoes their kindness the best they could. together, struck up a deal. In ex- Little went on in the town that change for his brother’s half of the did not include the Dobbins family store, Roy gave Troy his half of the in some way. If someone had a spe- farming equipment. Delray contin- cial occasion to celebrate and needed ued to work in the supermarket. a fresh-cut ham, they knew Gordon was always glad to do it for them. Likewise, the women counted on Pig tales Ruby to bring food to the sick, and That same year, Roy revived his even the children went out of their father’s old tradition and started way to help others. raising hogs and selling fresh sau- In 1948, Gordon and Ruby sage once again. The residents of constructed a building next to their Bryant bought the savory breakfast home which housed the grocery meat almost faster than he could store and their new hardware store in make it. one large room. Gordon added new As it often does in small towns, gas pumps out front, and expanded good news traveled fast, and soon Viola Copeland and Joey Howard work hard the meat department by selling fresh people from all over the Southeast for the customers of Dobbins Supermarket. sausage and beef from livestock he were lining up at the store to get raised himself. their share. 12 Connected - January/February 2011 There is a good-humored bit of folk- here roughly 70 years and I’ve actually has. “We enjoy serving the people and try lore around Dobbins Supermarket which worked here for about 45 years.” to have what they ask for,” Delray says. started about that time. According to the Delray’s job as the store’s cashier story, Roy Dobbins has a closely guarded gives her the opportunity to get to know secret recipe for making his popular sau- the customers. “Some customers come in The People sage that not even his wife Dawn knows. two or three times a day,” she says. “We Besides the brother and sister team, Like all good country tales, this one are the only grocery store in this area, so there are four employees at the store. is hardly ever told the same way twice. we play a part in everyone’s lives. Being Roy’s son, Stacey, and Delray’s daugh- For example, no one seems to know ex- locally owned and family oriented makes ter, Sandra Deerman, along with Joey actly where the recipe came from. Some me feel like the community is part of my Howard and Viola Copeland, all work say Roy created it himself through trial family. They may not be, but I feel like together to keep everything running and error, while others are certain it was they are.” smoothly. handed down from his father in a secret “Joey has been here for about 19 exchange before he died. years,” Delray says. “He’s Some believe Roy our number-one man and mixes the spices into the he keeps us on our toes.” sausage when he is alone, Joey runs the busy while others say he brings meat department which a bag of unknown ingre- produces more than 1,400 dients to the store and lets pounds of sausage every employees mix it in them- week during the winter. selves. Besides sausage, the store Roy gets a good laugh also carries a wealth of out of the pig tales, all the other meats. while insisting there is no “We are proud of secret recipe. “It’s the qual- our entire meat case,” ity of the meat that is the Joey says. “Everything secret to the taste,” he says. is carefully trimmed to ensure that the cus- tomer gets as much pure product as possible. Our Delray While the world around it has changed, Dobbins Supermarket has remained com- Besides the sausage, poultry doesn’t have mitted to providing quality grocery products to the community through down-home people say there is another any additives or growth friendly customer service. reason they love shopping hormones, it’s as natural at Dobbins Supermarket: as you’d have gotten it in Delray Dobbins Wright. the 1960s.” “Anybody that knows her will tell The Store you that she is a wonderful, wonderful Dobbins Supermarket is open Mon- person,” says Viola Copeland, of Bryant. day through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 The Future Viola has worked at Dobbins Supermar- p.m. CST. Inside and out, the building Many people have wondered just ket for the past 12 years and has seen has remained much the same as it was what will become of Dobbins Super- firsthand why people love Delray so when Gordon and Ruby first built it. market when Roy and Delray decide to much. Their home still sits beside it, beauti- retire. “She treats everyone so kindly,” fully maintained.“We use the homeplace “My daughter loves the grocery Copeland says. “Delray is always going for family gatherings,” Delray says. “The business,” Delray says. “But I can’t say to the funeral home to comfort people kids from the school come out and get she’d ever want to take over. Stacey in the community who have lost a loved their pictures made out there, too. might want to take it over some day, but one. If someone is sick she tries to check “Dobbins Supermarket still oper- it’s not something many young people on them. Sometimes she’ll put a few ates the old-fashioned way. We use the are interested in.” pieces of candy in a bag and give it to the cash registers that require us to key in “If I did take over some day, “ Stacey little kids. They just love her for it. No the prices,” Delray says. “We don’t use says, “I’d like to take the sausage pro- one can replace her.” bar codes or scanners. We’re kind of low duction up a notch.” He has researched Delray married James Wright, of tech. ways to expand by selling his dad’s fa- Bryant, when she was a young girl and “We still carry a lot of older brands mous sausage in other states via delivery began her married life as a homemaker. like Octagon soap and Borateam Mix,” trucks, and even on the Internet. “I got married at 15 and stayed at home a she adds, “because a lot of people make Stacey admits there is one small de- year and a half,” she says. “Then I came their own soap.” tail that needs to be ironed out before his to work here when I was 17. The store also keeps plenty of local expansion plans could ever work. “My parents owned this store honey, pork cracklins and fresh sliced “I still don’t have the recipe,” he says before I was born,” she adds. “It’s been hog jowl in stock the same as it always with a smile. n Connected - January/February 2011 13 Nettie Crow is

and counting

By Tina Thurmond

101he old upright piano in Nettie Crow’s living room sits silent most days, its ivory keys tinged with age and hidden beneath the closed cover. A timeline of photos adorn its top, displaying the faces of people she has loved – some in black and white, others in the faded colors of Tdecades gone by, each lovingly placed there by Crow’s own hand. At 101, Nettie Crow has outlived most of the people in those photos, including her husband and one of her children. Although she has witnessed a century of history, technology and culture from the front porch of her mod- est home in Geraldine, when she speaks of her life it is the faces atop her piano and the memories of their time together that she recalls. Her parents, Oswald and Dora Murdock, welcomed her married,” says Crow, “but we didn’t know it. Things were just into the world on January 5, 1910, in the Mount Pleasant com- the same as they’d always been for folks in the country. No- munity where they made their living working the soil. body had anything.” Crow was one of six children born to the couple, and spent Despite the hardships the young couple faced, their life her days working along with her sisters and brother in the together was a happy one. “Vernon and I never had a fight fields or tending cows and hogs. Times were hard and Crow in all the years we were married,” she says. “We just decided says there was little time to enjoy life, and little to do besides when we got married that neither one of us liked fighting and work. we weren’t going to do it. He was always good to help me with “We walked to church,” she says, “but there wasn’t much my work in the house and I’d help him with his work outside. else to do back then. We shared everything.” “I always wanted to be a schoolteacher,” she says. “I was The couple had two children 16 years apart. Their daugh- good in school, and I finished the ninth grade at Hopewell.” ter, Genada, passed away in 1983 just one year after Vernon Crow says she had an opportunity to go to college in Jack- died. Son Jerry moved to Anniston where he still lives. His wife sonville to become a teacher, but her father was afraid to send has health problems but he visits his mother as often as he can. her away unchaperoned. “Daddy wouldn’t let me go because Incredibly, at 101 years old Crow herself is in great health he was afraid I’d have a boyfriend and date,” Crow says, “so I except for some arthritis in her back and hands. The only medi- didn’t become a teacher. cation she takes is a vitamin B-12 shot when she goes to the “Parents used to be more strict than they are now,” she doctor for regular check-ups. says. “My folks weren’t mean. They didn’t whip us much, but Crow spends her days reading, playing the piano or watch- we knew when they spoke we’d better mind.” ing television. If the weather is good she gets out for a change She married Vernon Crow in 1931 when she turned 21 of scenery. “I drive myself to town when it’s not too cold out,” years old, and collected on a promise from her father. “Daddy she says. “I go to the Senior Center in Geraldine almost every said he’d give me a cow if I stayed home and didn’t get mar- day for a little while and I go to church on Sunday.” ried until I was 21,” she says. Crow has been a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church According to Crow, having a cow in those days meant the near Geraldine for the past 88 years, and a member of the difference between eating or starving. Geraldine Homemaker’s Club for 28 years. She says she has no She and her husband built the house she still lives in today secret to living as long as she has. She believes God has kept the year they were married. There was no running water or her alive through no effort of her own. “I don’t sit down much electricity for years, and the couple worked together to tend cause I’d get too sore from arthritis,” she says, “but I don’t have their few animals, raise cotton and grow their food in the any secret to living long. I don’t think about my age. There’s no vegetable garden. “The Depression was going on when we got reason to.”n 14 Connected - January/February 2011 Sand Mountain Kitchens Heavenly cooking at Cloud’s in Higdon

Annette’s Chicken Pot Pie Prepare cake mix according to package 3 boneless chicken breasts instructions. Bake in a 9” x 13” cake pan. 2 cans Veg-All® Cool. 1 can cream of chicken soup Icing: Bring first four ingredients to a Annette and Tony Perry of boil in medium saucepan. Boil for 2-1/2 Higdon are big fans of the Bisons at North 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter 2 frozen pie crusts minutes. Remove from heat; mix in vanilla Sand Mountain High School. In fact, their flavoring. Punch holes in cake with a two daughters, Ashley and Brittany, are Boil chicken in small amount of water toothpick. Pour icing over it. Serve warm both basketball players at NSM, so their free or refrigerate. time is usually spent courtside wherever the until tender. Cool, then chop chicken into Bisons are playing. bite-size pieces. Combine chicken, soup, When they are not watching basketball, butter and Veg-All® in medium saucepan; Caramel Coconut Pie bring to a boil. Remove one pie crust from the Perrys can be found in the kitchen at 1 (16-ounce) tub Cool Whip® pie plate and place in bottom of buttered the restaurant they own in Higdon, Cloud’s 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, casserole dish, add chicken mixture, top Pizza and More. They bought Cloud’s five softened with remaining pie crust. Bake at 350º for years ago from Annette’s parents who 1 can Eagle Brand® Sweetened 30 minutes or until golden brown. started it in 1991. Condensed Milk “My parents used to say there were no 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter places to eat on Sunday after church here,” Oreo Cookie Balls 1 large bag coconut says Annette, “so they decided to open their 1/2 cup chopped pecans own.” The couple purchased the old Mt. 1 package of Oreo® cookies 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, 1 jar caramel topping Olive Baptist Church building in Higdon 2 graham cracker crusts and had it moved to the restaurant’s current softened location where they added on to accom- 1 package white chocolate almond bark Lightly brown margarine, coconut and modate the necessities of a restaurant. pecans; set aside. Mix Cool Whip®, soft- “There is a legend around town that says Crush Oreos® in food processor. Add soft- ened cream cheese and Eagle Brand® milk. Hank Williams, Sr. once sang in this build- Pour half of cream cheese mixture in each ing on a Sunday morning as he was passing ened cream cheese and combine to create a sticky dough. Chill dough for at least one pie crust, then layer with half coconut through,” says Annette. “I don’t know if it’s topping. Drizzle caramel topping over true or not, but we think it makes the place hour. Using hands, roll teaspoon amount of dough into 1-inch balls and set aside each pie. This can be frozen for drop-in special.” company. Annette started cooking at Cloud’s when on a cookie sheet coated with non-stick she was 16. When she bought the restau- spray. Melt chocolate according to pack- rant, she began experimenting with differ- age instructions. Dip each ball in melted Chicken Dressing chocolate, coating thoroughly. Place on ent types of pizza. Her Buffalo chicken pizza 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded waxed paper to cool. and taco pizza both do very well with the 6 cups chicken broth customers. She thinks her best invention so 2 tablespoons sage far is the grilled chicken stromboli. “It is one Peanut Butter & Banana Cake Salt and pepper to taste of our best sellers,” she says. 1 pkg. Duncan Hines® Supreme 1/2 cup onions, chopped Three years ago, she decided to try her Banana Cake Mix 1 large pan of cornbread, crumbled hand at making candy for the holidays. It Icing: was a huge hit. 3 heaping tablespoons creamy peanut Mix all ingredients together in large mix- “I did peanut butter balls the first year, “ butter ing bowl. May vary amount of sage, salt she says, “and since then I’ve added about 1 cup brown sugar and pepper to taste. Bake at 450º for 45 five other kinds of candy.” Annette starts 1/4 cup evaporated milk minutes or until golden brown. making candy the day after Halloween and 1 stick (1/2 cup) of margarine continues until the first of the year. Her 1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring candies have become very popular with customers and area businesses.n

Connected - January/February 2011 15 P.O.“W Boxe Keep 217• You Connected” 144 McCurdy Ave. N. Rainsville, Alabama 35986

northeast Alabama Home Garden & Show March 19-20 SAT 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. • SUN 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dekalb County Schools Coliseum • Rainsville If you are looking for ideas to spruce up your home or yard, this is the place to be. More than 70 vendors will be on hand to give you ideas for home improvements, gardening and landscape, home interiors and more.

23rd Annual Geraldine Tri-state Lions Club Quilt Show Arena-Cross March 12 March 25-26 7 -10 p.m. Rodeo Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets $10 (under 6 FREE) Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Northeast Alabama March 3-5 Geraldine Homemakers & Agri-Business Center Community Leaders Building (Rainsville) Starts at 7 p.m. Nightly Admission $3 Northeast Alabama Doors open at 6 p.m. Be sure to enter the raffle and Agri-Business Center (Rainsville) Racing begins you could take home a beautifully Advance tickets: Adults - $12; at 7 p.m. Children 5-12 - $7; Under 5 - Free. handcrafted quilt. Raffle drawing At the gate: Adults - $15; at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. Children 5-12 - $10, Under 5 - Free. For more info call: Advanced tickets on sale at the Agri-Business Center. 256-638-8263 or 256-659-6678.