MAKE a JOYFUL NOISE Sacred Harp Convention Celebrates 100Th Year

ConnectedSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 Published for customers of

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE Sacred Harp convention celebrates 100th year

GOING NATIVE YEAR IN REVIEW Locals develop app to Check out the notes from help businesses thrive the annual meeting INDUSTRY NEWS

What is your broadband story? Rural Connections By Shirley Bloomfield, CEO The internet touches so many parts of our society, but how does it personally NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association impact you? We are looking for stories of people who use their broadband internet connection in ways that enhance or improve their lives. Do you: gg Subscribe to monthly box services such as Blue Apron (food), Stitch Fix Talk to candidates (clothing), BarkBox (dog goodies) or Made South (products made by Southern artisans)? gg Publish books online? about the impact gg Run a home-based business? gg Create or stream video through Facebook Live, Periscope, Blab or YouTube? of rural broadband gg Play online games such as Minecraft, Call of Duty or Destiny? ith just two months until gg Take online classes through a community college or university, or courses Election Day, you have the through Khan Academy, Lynda.com or Treehouse? attention of candidates for We want to hear from you! Visit www.howdoyoubroadband.com and W national office. Those running for U.S. share your broadband internet story with us. We may contact you to be Senate and U.S. House of Representatives featured in a story for this magazine. want you to know why they are best suited for the job, and chances are you will have an opportunity to attend a town hall meet- Broadband: It’s a matter of health ing or similar gathering soon where you can hear them speak and share with them Rural health care is among the many Indeed, Maggie Elehwany, vice presi- your concerns. important factors driving our com- dent of government affairs and policy for Earlier in the year, NTCA reminded mitment to build a robust broadband the National Rural Health Association, both parties leading up to their national network. agrees, saying, “Not only do you need the conventions that broadband is vital to Writing in The Huffington Post, health appropriate internet connection, you need enabling all Americans to participate in economist Jane Sarasohn-Kahn recently the appropriate bandwidth to do various a vibrant national economy — and that it stated that “broadband is now a social types of telehealth.” promotes civic engagement and critical determinant of health. Without connectiv- How much of an impact can broad- access to essential services. Investments in ity to internet clouds, data platforms and band internet service have on a person’s rural communications touch all segments telemedicine channels to specialists, rural health? Quite a bit, apparently. “Only a of the U.S. economy. In fact, the biggest health care providers and others in under- portion of the public’s health,” Sarasohn- benefit actually goes to urban America served communities will not be able to Kahn writes,” is attributable to genetics.” when a rural communications provider provide evidence-based care in ways A full 80 percent is attributable to access invests in their networks. that can scale in economically sustain- to care, environment and health behav- That message is even more powerful able ways using 21st-century digital and iors, all of which can be impacted by when it comes from you. It is so important telehealth technologies.” broadband. to your communities that our national government supports rural broadband. Factors that determine health NTCA has developed the fact sheet on Access to Care 10% the following page to help you share that Broadband connectivity Genetics 20% message. Please use this information when can impact communicating with candidates. Tell them Environment 20% your local telecommunications provider is 80% dedicated to building a strong connected of the factors that future, but they need their help to ensure Health Behaviors 50% determine a person’s health. continued success. See you at the polls! 

Source: IFTF; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 | September/October 2016 know your numbers! Fact sheet for discussing the impact of rural broadband with your elected officials

High-speed internet access improves lives and benefits of rural broadband access. has a positive impact on the economy, education With 20 percent of Americans living in rural and health care, according to recently released communities, it’s crucial to keep these areas up research. to speed. Luckily, advocates such as NTCA–The “The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband,” a Rural Broadband Association are boosting the recent report released by the Hudson Institute efforts of independent telecommunications and and commissioned by the Foundation for Rural broadband providers nationwide to deploy high- Service, reveals the many economic and social speed services to schools, libraries and more.

September/October 2016 | 3 FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Connected SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 VOL. 20, NO. 5

Connected is a bimonthly magazine Watch out for that tree published by Farmers Telecommun- ications Cooperative, © 2016. It At moments like these I run the real risk of going completely off the is distributed without charge to all deep end in terms of my frustration with certain aspects of technology. customers of FTC. Frankly folks, that is not good for the leader of a technology company. I am supposed to be cheerleader-in-chief for all that connected devices can do for you, but let me be perfectly candid. There are times when I simply cannot believe where our attachment to these devices leads. Many of you will remember the familiar jingle. “George, George, George of the Jungle — Watch out for that tree!” Seems as though George always got FRED JOHNSON distracted and forgot to watch where he was going. That may have been FTC is a member-owned corporation Executive Vice President funny on the screen, but the present reality is a bit darker. and General Manager dedicated to providing communications A few hours ago I received an alert from the strategic business technology to the people of Northeast partner that aids us in assisting U.S. law enforcement efforts. The alert Alabama. The company has more than concerned the security and personal danger posed by the current video craze “Pokemon Go.” It 15,000 access lines, making it the state’s was the first such alert related to a consumer game I have ever received from them. If you haven’t largest telecommunications cooperative. heard about “Pokemon Go,” I strongly urge you to immediately become familiar with it. The most sensational headlines involve reports of people so engrossed in playing the game on their cellphone Farmers Telecommunications that they literally walk out into the street into traffic or, as at least one case was reported, off a cliff. Cooperative, Inc. As unfortunate as those incidents are, there is an even more widespread and sinister danger. Make P.O. Box 217 • 144 McCurdy Ave. N. sure that you and your children understand that if mishandled, unintentionally or not, the game may Rainsville, AL 35986 pose a threat to your phone, all of the data on it and more important, to your personal safety. Call me Telephone: 256-638-2144 old-fashioned, naive or just plain paranoid, but why anyone would give a world of complete strang- www.farmerstel.com ers access to almost everything there is to know about your life and your present location is simply beyond my comprehension. BOARD OF TRUSTEES This is really part of a much bigger societal change we are all undergoing. About a week ago, I Randy Wright, President introduced my wife to a little corner of my business world. As we strolled through a particular space, Flat Rock Exchange I invited her to observe the number of connected devices in use and the interaction of the people Garry Smith, Vice President using them. She hadn’t done that in a while and was, frankly, amazed. It is absolutely unreal the Fyffe Exchange degree to which these devices and their content impact the way we now interact with one another. Danny R. Richey, Secretary Simply put, electronic connected devices influence and control an amazing amount of our life. There Geraldine Exchange may be a temptation to see yourself as isolated from this world, especially if you don’t have a smartphone, but don’t kid yourself. If you surf the web, use a credit or debit card, visit a doctor or ever Lynn Welden, Treasurer Bryant Exchange get a prescription filled, you would be startled to learn how much data actually exists in cyberspace regarding your life. Kenneth Gilbert I realize these words are not exactly inspirational or uplifting. They are probably alarmist. But Pisgah Exchange can we get real for just a moment? Did you ever expect to read about people being so engrossed in Gregg Griffith a video game that they would actually walk out into a street in an attempt to capture an imaginary Henagar Exchange character? That’s not fiction. That’s reality. My goal for this article is actually quite simple. In two Randy Tumlin points, PLEASE: Rainsville Exchange 1) Treat all technology with the same caution you would a complete stranger. If you would not hand your wallet, camera, house keys and a file containing all your bank records to a hooded Produced for FTC by: stranger on a dark street simply because they asked you nicely, then don’t trust any of this information to a smartphone app from anything or anyone other than a trusted and reputable source such as your bank. A Content Marketing Company 2) Remember, there is never, ever such a thing as a free lunch. No one is ever going to give you something online for free. They will always, without exception, have some angle for making it seem On the Cover: that way even if you never understand what the reason is. You don’t really think Google allows you Elizabeth Gentry, of to use their search engine for no other reason than they want to make the world a happier place, do Mentone, stands you? outside Liberty Baptist In summary, remember this friends. Connected devices can make our world a better, more Church in Henagar with her songbook in hand convenient and efficient place. But they should always be helpers and not controllers. Use them to before participating in your benefit, but never let them take the place of real people and real relationships. Put another way, the singing. enjoying swinging away on all those vines but please ... WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!  See story Page 12.

4 | September/October 2016 Did you know you can use your STATEMENT OF FTCtv DVR remotely? NONDISCRIMINATION Vacations, holidays, ballgames, camping trips, parties and cookouts are just a In accordance with Federal civil rights law few of the things that keep us busy throughout the year. And that means you and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may not always be home to watch your favorite shows. civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, Fortunately, FTCtv’s remote DVR makes it easy to set your DVR to record shows and institutions participating in or adminis- whether you’re at home or not. You can manage your DVR remotely from any tering USDA programs are prohibited from device connected to the internet. It’s a simple process: discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (includ- Go to: ftctvdvr.farmerstel.com ing gender expression), sexual orientation, Note: You must have a SmartHub 1 disability, age, marital status, family/parental account and know your SmartHub status, income derived from a public assis- username and password to log in to tance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or the remote DVR menu. retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any Log in using your SmartHub program or activity conducted or funded by 2username and password. It will USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). take a few seconds for the program Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary to authenticate your login informa- by program or incident. tion. Once logged in, you can view Persons with disabilities who require alterna- 3the channel guide, search for tive means of communication for program shows and schedule to record one information (e.g., Braille, large print, audio- episode or a series. You can also tape, American Sign Language, etc.) should manage your current recordings. contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, CO-OP COUPLES CONFERENCE program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Com- plaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: 202-690-7442; or (3) email: program. [email protected]. Chad and Shelly Grant, of Bryant, were selected to represent FTC at this year’s annual Co-op Couples Conference hosted by the Alabama Council USDA is an equal opportunity provider, of Cooperatives. The event provides informational resources regarding employer, and lender. co-ops and how people can benefit by doing business with them.

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative September/October 2016 | 5 Fabulous farms Go straight to the source for some of your favorite foods

arm-to-table food is a trend GREER FARM in the restaurant business, but 1444 County Road 1125, Daingerfield, Texas Everything’s bigger in Texas, and at Greer Farm, things are no differ- now more than ever, farms ent. Stop by and you’ll find big eggs — the best in the state, some say; F packages of beef, pork, lamb and chicken; big jars of homemade jellies are opening their gates to all. Take a tour and let your children learn where and jam; and trees laden with fresh fruits. Just take a walking tour and see for yourself what makes this farm such a popular destination for those their food comes from, and then wanting to know where their foods originate. There are nearly 400 acres take it home and let the fresh flavors to roam. Want to stay a while? Rent one of the charming lakeside cabins. enliven your senses. Owners Sid and Eva Greer have been farming the land since 1999, but the restored farmhouse was built in the mid-1800s. “It’s a very real farm When you visit these farms, you get to experi- — it’s the way farms used to be,” Sid Greer says. ence that night’s dinner from start to finish: No bar gg Farm tours: Self-guided walking tours during berry season; collecting codes, no middle-man mark-ups and no tabloids in eggs and feeding animals for overnight guests the check-out lines. Here are some places around the gg Information: 903-645-3232, 903-452-9738 or www.greerfarm.com South that offer farm-to-table experiences that are deliciously fun.

Tech-Savvy Traveler: There are plenty of websites and apps to help you find recipes, but did you know these resources can also help you find fresh fruits and vegetables to make those dishes shine? For example, Farmstand (farmstandapp.com) points you toward nearby farmers markets and FarmStarLiving.com helps you find farms and farm-to-table restaurants.

6 | September/October 2016 It’s about free-range eggs, organic milk, beef, pork, lamb and chicken. And just last year, the farm received certification as Certified Naturally Grown for its produce. In the fall you’ll find broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lettuce and tomatoes. Steve and Connie Carpenter went into Sweetwater Valley Cheese, Philadelphia, TN the farming business in 1996 with nothing Split Creek Farm, Anderson, SC more than pumpkins. Three years later, SWEETWATER VALLEY CHEESE they moved and expanded into what the there’s an “ambassador” goat out to greet 17988 West Lee Highway farm is today. you. The kids will love it. Philadelphia, Tennessee gg Tours: Self-guided walking tours only There are more than 400 goats on the Just a short drive off I-75 brings you to a gg Information: 256-712-2383 or jacko- farm at any given time. “You can never long driveway. Take a slight right at its end, lanternfarm.com have too many goats,” says owner Jessica and you’ll arrive at the Sweetwater Valley Bell. Cheese plant and store. Continue straight, GLENMARY GARDENS Bell and her husband, Pat, have won and pastures of dairy cows and milking 224 Old Abingdon Highway awards for their feta, chevre and fromage barns come into view. Bristol, Virginia goat cheeses. Visit the farm store and taste Sweetwater Valley produces 27 artisan Getting to know your farmer and seeing for yourself. The most popular cheeses cheeses and makes almost 300,000 pounds how your food is grown are the best things include marinated feta and jalapeno ched- of cheese every year. You can view the about buying local, says Michael Richard, dar. Also, the store carries Greek-style operation through windows in the retail owner of Glenmary Gardens. And it’s at yogurt, probiotic smoothies, dessert cheese area, watching employees separating curds his farm where you can come and pick balls and fudge. from whey as you shop for your favorite your own homegrown fruits and veggies, bbFarm tours: Offered throughout the variety. Don’t know which variety is best? or you can buy them pre-picked in the week; call ahead to schedule There are plenty of knowledgeable staff small shop located on the farm property. bbInformation: 864-287-3921 or on hand to help you through the “udderly” The fall crop includes rhubarb, apples, www.splitcreek.com delicious process. John Harrison started watermelons, cantaloupes, eggplants, making cheese in 1998, so with nearly 20 heirloom tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, GARDNER GIRL FARM years in business, he knows his cheese. squashes and an autumn crop of strawber- 1336 Highway 1275 N “We want people to understand how the ries. Or, for a taste of something sweet, Monticello, Kentucky dairy industry contributes to feeding the try the homemade jams, jellies, Italian The drive along Highway 92 is a scenic world and how our farm, our cows and our strawberry cheesecakes and fresh eggs by one that leads you to Monticello, bound cheese contribute to the local and world the dozen. by Cumberland Lake on one side and the economies,” Harrison says. It’s an afternoon of fun for people of all Daniel Boone Forest on the other. And gg Farm tours: Walking tours daily ages, with wagons available for hauling no time of year is better than fall when gg Information: 865-458-9192 or in your pick of pumpkins and a creekside the leaves are at their peak, making it a www.sweetwatervalley.com picnic area for anyone wanting to dine splendid time to visit Gardner Girl Farm. outdoors on a beautiful fall afternoon in Looking for that perfect pumpkin? Or what JACK O’LANTERN FARM the Blue Ridge Mountains. about squash to make an autumnal dinner? Garage Road bb Farm tours: For families (if time permits) They have plenty, ranging from acorn and Muscle Shoals, Alabama and school groups (at a nominal charge) butternut to Pennsylvania Dutch and plenty North Alabama has a variety of farms, bb Information: On Facebook (Glenmary of heirloom varieties, says Sherry DeBord, but none is more popular this time of year Gardens) and 276-644-4999 who, with her husband, Steve, has farmed than Jack O’Lantern Farm. Drive your the land for more than 40 years. “We also car down Garage Road and park it in the SPLIT CREEK FARM have Indian corn and hand-painted gourds lot. Outside the farm store, you’ll be sur- 3806 Centerville Road and will probably have tomatoes through rounded with orange orbs scattered around Anderson, South Carolina November,” she says. the parking lot and inside the farm store. Once you’re on the property of Split While shopping for your produce, don’t If you can find your way around all that Creek in the foothills of the Appalachians, forget to pick up a jar of homemade jam, orange, you’ll discover that Jack O’Lantern you can’t help but notice the warning sign: jelly or relish. Farm is about a lot more than pumpkins. Goat X-ing. And don’t be surprised if bbInformation: 606-307-0020 

September/October 2016 | 7 Choose

Smartphone app

makes shopping Joe Mayes, left, and Ryan Tramel, right, co-founded local better than ever Native and brought in Jordan and Ashley By Kerry Scott Doufexis as partners.

here was a time in the grams, such as electronic punch cards; and without change, they have little hope of not-so-distant past when they all offer a chance to win $100 each competing in today’s marketplace. “That’s five and dimes, drug week for shopping with them. why we’ve created this tool to help,” he T “All someone has to do is show their says. “What we hope merchants under- stores, hardware stores and a smartphone app to the merchant. The stand is that what’s coming down the road host of other local merchants had merchant scans it with their phone, and a is much worse. The problem is that the bustling businesses along main digital ticket is automatically generated,” Amazons, Wal-Marts and CVS stores are streets. But, national big-box says Tramel. “We wanted to make sure constantly changing and adapting to meet that money is being recirculated in the the demands of today’s consumers. Local competition arrived, and mom- local economy, so the $100 winnings is a merchants need to be doing the same in and-pops must now innovate to voucher that must be used within a short order to compete and thrive in this climate. compete — or just survive. time frame and with a local merchant that We’ve got a tool that can help.”  is part of the Native network.” A team of young entrepreneurs think Consumers can also see information they have a solution. Co-founders Ryan about each store in the network. “The mer- Tramel and Joe Mayes launched a smart- chants list shows the store name; location; phone app called Native Rewards, which hours; links to their existing platforms, brings local merchants and consumers like a website or Facebook; and even any together by rewarding people for shopping coupons they may be offering,” explains locally. Along with their partners, Jordan Mayes. and Ashley Doufexis, they believe their Native understands that many store product will help turn things around for the owners struggle with change. That’s why little guys and, in turn, help revitalize local the app was intentionally designed with economies. simplicity in mind. “Owners are oftentimes Tramel and Mayes came up with the the same people who run the register, stock idea while working with retired software merchandise, order supplies and do every- engineer Horace Clemmons during his bid thing else,” explains Tramel. for state senate. “His intelligence and pas- Only local merchants in Jackson and sion for helping the local economy really DeKalb counties are part of the current WANT TO LEARN MORE? struck a chord,” says Tramel. Native footprint. But these entrepreneurs The Native Rewards app is a free down- plan to take the program nationwide. “We pp choosenative.com load through the Android marketplace or are constantly evolving,” says Mayes. “We Apple’s App Store. Once the app is down- want to create an online storefront soon, pp facebook.com/choose-native loaded, the user creates a profile. Then, the and beyond that we plan to offer this same user can see a list of all the local merchants app nationwide.” pp Download the app who are part of the Native network. Many Partner Jordan Doufexis says it’s his Search “Native Rewards” in Apple’s app offer coupons; some offer loyalty pro- goal to help merchants understand that store or the Android marketplace.

8 | September/October 2016 Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative Hot cars and cold ice cream FTC holds 62nd annual meeting

By Melissa Smith

early 700 members of Farmers Tele- communications Cooperative gath- Members in ered Aug. 6 for FTC’s 62nd annual attendance enjoyed N a classic car show. meeting, where they elected board members, enjoyed homemade ice cream and received beach towels as a registration gift.

Taking place at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum in And the winner is... Rainsville, the event featured On Aug. 6, several members entertainment by a mix of went home with door prizes gospel and bluegrass bands, at FTC’s 62nd annual meeting. including a group comprised of Members voted to return Garry Carole Stark was the winner of Smith and Randy Tumlin to the FTC employees. FTC Board of Trustees. the grand prize, a 2003 Chev- Outside the coliseum, rolet pickup truck. members were treated to a Other winners included: car and truck show featuring • Thomas Black - iPad antique vehicles. There was a • Keven Zacarias - Vivosmart wide variety of automobiles watch present, ranging from classic Faye Carter danced to bluegrass music at FTC had 698 registered members • Glenda Ginn - Apple TV Chevrolets to motorcycles and the annual meeting. at its annual meeting. • Hazel McDowell - Kindle Fire Volkswagen vans. • J.M. Frazier - Fitbit FTC Board President Randy ing the cooperative’s commit- credit refunds of $239,008. • Jason Massengale - iRobot Wright opened the business ment to delivering the latest in As of today, FTC has returned Roomba meeting, and then Secretary telecommunications technol- $18,035,976 to its members • Jason Barnett - One year Danny Richey reported that ogy. The video also included since it began refunding capital free gig internet service 698 members were registered, an overview of the company’s credits in 1994. • Amanda Pope Lea - HP achieving a quorum required to financials. After the conclusion of the laptop conduct business. The cooperative remains video, the independent audit • Bud Overdear - 48-inch Executive Vice President in a strong financial position, report was presented. Johnson Samsung SmartTV and General Manager Fred according to the report. This then discussed the proposed Johnson introduced the annual year, FTC continued its annual amendments to the coopera- ing, Wright announced the report, which was presented practice of retiring a portion of tive’s bylaws, explaining that results of the board of trustees as a video. “A picture is worth its members’ assigned patron- they were, for the most part, election. Members overwhelm- more than a thousand words,” age capital. Approximately “procedural and/or technical ingly voted to return Garry he said. 8,500 checks were mailed to or clerical.” Members unani- Smith (Fyffe exchange) and The video highlighted the members and former members mously approved the amend- Randy Tumlin (Rainsville history of FTC and its service of the cooperative in 2016, ments. exchange) to their seats on the in the community, emphasiz- representing total capital At the closing of the meet- board. 

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative September/October 2016 | 9 FEATURED BLOGGER

Jessica Bray is Music her life A Q&A with Jessica Bray, a blogger from Kentucky who writes about her love of country music.

Check out her blog at kentuckycountrymusic.com

Q: What will readers find at your blog? Q: Do you play an instrument? JB: Kentucky Country Music is a personal JB: I broke my wrist when I was 10, so it journey of stories, interviews, road trip makes it hard to play anything. I do have a Other music blogs adventures, music history, reviews and more mandolin, but I ended up collecting auto- of interest: from my perspective. graphs on it instead of playing. nn TWANGNATion.com Q: When did you begin blogging and how Q: Do you think it’s important to raise Praised by music veterans has it changed your life? children with an appreciation for all Roseanne Cash and Shooter Jennings, blogger Baron Lane JB: I started writing in high school and kinds of music? looks to his Texas roots for then at Berea College for its newspaper JB: It’s important for children to be inspiration when writing his and national publication, “Appalachian exposed to the different styles of music. blog. Heritage.” The blog started in 2009 as Whether it’s country, pop, rap or even a way to share my travel and concert polka, each style reflects a different culture nn beat-surrender.com experiences. I wanted to be able to show or religion in our country. You also learn Mix a little country with a positive image of Kentucky and the that the roots of country music come from some folk, Americana, rock Appalachian region. Because of the blog, bluegrass, Appalachian folk and even rock and indie and you’ll have www.beat-surrender.com, I have been fortunate to have met and ’n’ roll. a masterful combination of interviewed legendary artists like the Oak musical genres found in one Ridge Boys and have been given opportu- Q: What’s your favorite kind of music? single blog. nities to attend red carpet events for Derby JB: Country music with the deep influ- Eve and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame ence of Appalachia. I grew up on a farm Induction Ceremony. WFKY also allows listening to Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, me to do a country music news segment Conway Twitty, George Jones and Waylon A lot of country music singers played there, each week. Jennings. During my college years, and including Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. even now, I loved researching the roots Q: What does music bring to your life? of country music, as well as the craft of a Q: What would be your dream concert JB: I have gained a lot of close friendships good song. if you could get a group of musicians through music. One of those friendships together? has been with Sunny Sweeney. Because of Q: What was the first concert you JB: I have always said it would be neat to her, I was able to go backstage at the Grand attended and where? have Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton and Ole Opry and meet Little Jimmy Dickens. JB: My parents took me to see Conway Angaleena Presley in concert. All three Music brings back memories to different Twitty at Tombstone Junction, an old-time Kentuckians have made their mark recently points in my life. amusement park that unfortunately closed. in music. 

10 | September/October 2016 Secure your online world Simple, smart strategies for password security

emembering passwords for websites or online firewall in the world; bad passwords can still make services can certainly be confusing — but not you vulnerable,” says Michael Ramage, director of the R nearly as confusing as sorting out your life Center for Telecommunications Systems Management after identity theft. at Murray State University. In fact, bad passwords are one of the top ways that With that in mind, here are some ways to be sure hackers and identity thieves gain access to private your passwords aren’t leaving you open for a cyber information. “It doesn’t matter if you have the best attack.

b DON’T USE A b USE STRONG PASSWORDS COMMON PASSWORD The best passwords are chains of letters, numbers and symbols, rather than words that People want a password can be found in the dictionary. Using a known word and replacing “o” with “0” or “E” with “3” they can remember, but isn’t hard for hackers to figure out. “Hackers know that people do that,” Ramage says. “Any many people keep it too word that’s in the dictionary will be broken in a matter of seconds.” simple. Hackers know com- Ramage suggests making a string of letters than mean something to you, such as the mon passwords, and those first letters of words in your favorite quote, song or Scripture verse. For example, instead of are some of the first ones “baseball,” try Tmottbtmottc9, which is the first letter from each word in the first two lines of they try if they are cracking “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and 9 for the number of players on the field. “It doesn’t have your accounts. “Most people to be random letters; it just has to look random to the bad guys,” Ramage says. want the convenience over the security because they don’t think it’s going to hap- b USE DIFFERENT b BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT pen to them,” Ramage says. PASSWORDS YOUR PASSWORDS Avoid these simple, com- Once you have a strong password, With the need for multiple strong pass- monly used passwords: it can be tempting to use it over and words, it can be tough to remember them over online. But that’s a mistake. Ram- all. Ramage has seen plenty of password lists • 123456 • 1234567 age says there are many cases where taped to monitors or keyboards. Such lists, • password • monkey a person’s social media account especially in places where plenty of people • 12345 • letmein has been hacked, which leads to come and go, pose a significant risk. • 12345678 • abc123 other accounts being compromised “It has to be private, and it has to be • qwerty • 111111 because the same password was secret,” says Ramage. He suggests using used. If hackers steal a password and an encrypted password database program • 123456789 • mustang user ID, they know to go and try that such as 1Password, Last Pass, Password • 1234 • access same combination at other sites. “A Vault or Key Pass. The programs keep all of • baseball • shadow lot of times people think, ‘I have a your passwords for you, and with a browser • dragon • master strong password, and I’m going to use plug-in, they can even automatically fill out it everywhere,’” Ramage says. “How your login information when you pull up a • football • michael many other things that matter share page.  Top 20 Most Common Passwords in 2014 that same password?” Source: SplashData Inc.

September/October 2016 | 11 onharmony the mountain HENAGAR UNION CONVENTION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS By Melissa Smith

he first time Susan Cherones opened the door to Liberty instruments. Sacred Harp was a way of worship and encouraged camaraderie Baptist Church, she said the sound of singing spilled out among communities. It’s a strong sound of the church with a force. “It was like a herd of rhinocer- unlike any other, written in “shaped” notes T to represent the notes on the scale — fa, sol, oses ran over my soul,” she said. la and mi. That was six years ago. were represented, including Canada and “In Sacred Harp, all of the parts have There was only standing room in the Australia. Song after song, singers’ names their own staff. The music is melodic, and small white church on the first weekend were called to come up to the center of it’s written to be sung,” Cherones said. “It’s in July. About 250 people gathered inside the hollow square to lead, all holding their vigorous and athletic to sing.” Liberty Baptist Church to celebrate the burgundy copy of the oblong hymnbook Many of those in attendance were centennial anniversary of the Henagar “The Sacred Harp” in one hand and keeping descendants of those who attended some of Union Convention. Every pew was filled, time with the other. the first conventions. Liberty Baptist, which and metal chairs accommodated those who The church, in keeping with the long was founded in 1893, has been the mainstay filtered in throughout the day. tradition of using Sacred Harp singing for the Henagar Sacred Harp Convention. Like most July Saturdays in Alabama, it during worship, has no instruments — This convention was combined with was hot. The singers took breaks every hour, except for one. “The voice is your sacred another older convention in the late 1960s. retreating to the big shade trees outside the ‘harp’ from God,” Cherones said. The Union Convention, which was church. once held in the Pea Ridge area south of There was neck-hugging and hand- KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE Ider, turns 130 years old this year. At one shaking. It was definitely a reunion. People Sacred Harp is a powerful and time, the Union Convention was a larger went in and out of the air-conditioned harmonious method of singing. Often convention, but it eventually began to fellowship hall with dishes filled with referred to as folk music, many from this dwindle in number. In an effort to keep the casseroles and cobblers. At any good area consider it a way of life. It became Union Convention alive, the committees singing, there would be dinner on the popular in 19th-century rural America, decided to join the two, thus creating the grounds and, later, a pickin’ at the Iveys’ mainly in the South. People couldn’t travel Henagar Union Convention. farm. long distances as easily as they can now, David Ivey has been singing Sacred Harp Twenty-three states and several countries and many churches were too poor to buy all his life. “I expect I’ve been to at least 60

12 | September/October 2016 Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative Singers come from all over the world to attend the Henagar Union Convention singing every year in July.

Cheyenne Ivey leads The oblong hymnbook Andre Kuney her favorite hymn “The Sacred Harp” was passionately leads during the Henagar first published in 1844. a hymn. Union Convention singing.

of the 100 conventions in Henagar,” he said. in the fall in Poland. forming relationships with the people Ivey had some of the minutes from past But, even though people come to this you’re singing with,” Sims said. “It’s the conventions on display at the church, some convention from all over the world, the community aspect of it.” dating back to the 1920s. The first time he largest population of traditional Sacred Cherones said she was a little saw his grandfather’s name mentioned was Harp singers remains on Sand Mountain. apprehensive about attending a singing at in the 1930s. first, but those fears subsided. “I wanted “It’s a central part of my life. I love the TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH to sing this more than anything. There’s music. And, as you’ll hear when you talk to Sacred Harp has been sung on Sand something about the music in addition to people, they’ll say they’re attracted by the Mountain for generations, but now, a the haunting, soul-grabbing nature of it — sound and the words we sing,” Ivey said. sound that could once only be heard in the the people. When you sing with people, you “Then, they get to know the people. Now, it’s hollows of the mountain echoes across the fall in love with them,” she said. a worldwide community.” world. Benches are arranged in a square with Shane Wootten grew up singing Sacred “We had never heard anything like it all singers separated into their respective Harp at Liberty Baptist Church. Often before and thought it was amazing,” Natalie singing parts. Everyone can lead a song, during singings, he can be found on the Sims said of the day she and her husband and those who choose to do so come up to front row of the hollow square. While first heard Sacred Harp singing on the the center of the hollow square. many singers like Wootten pass down the radio while they were living in Connecticut. When singers are within the hollow skill from generation to generation, new, When they moved to Melbourne, Australia, square, they are part of something younger faces are beginning to appear at in 2001, they looked around for the nearest greater. “It’s the great unifier,” Cherones singings and conventions. singing, but they couldn’t find one. So, they said. “We bring nothing to the square “I’ve noticed that the younger generation started their own. that might divide us. When we’re in the really wants to keep it alive,” Wootten says. They began with less than 10 people in square, we aren’t Democrats or Republicans, There is so much interest, in fact, that those the first group and grew to about 60 for Southerners or Northerners, or Alabama or wanting to learn how to sing can attend their first all-day singing. Now, there are Auburn fans. We’ve got traditional people Camp Fasola. Adult and youth camps singings up and down the eastern coast who have been singing for generations as are every summer at Camp McDowell in of Australia. And, like so many others, the well as blue-haired people from the city, but Double Springs and Camp Lee in Anniston, Sims family wasn’t just there for the music. we need each other. We need each other to respectively. There is also a European camp “It’s partly a worship experience and sing.” 

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative September/October 2016 | 13 SOUTHERN KITCHENS

LaBron “Chubby” Smith operates Wooden’s Apple Orchard — which An apple includes The Pie Shop, The Apple House and Oren’s Orchard Cafe — with his family in a day Pikeville, Tennessee.

n the fall, the Cumberland Plateau blossoms into a distinct shade of red as Iapple groves lined with trees — their limbs burgeoning with heavy fruit — are ready for harvest. More than 100 years ago, Henry Wooden planted the first trees that would become the family’s livelihood for decades. The family is now into the fourth generation of Woodens caretaking his leg- acy, providing the people of the Tennessee Valley and beyond with the quality apples If Wooden Apple Orchard is out they’ve come to expect. of reach, you can find the apples at Following the death of Henry’s son, Food City. Smith says the apples are Oren, the apple business was passed on to also shipped to Atlanta, Knoxville, his two daughters, Carole and Sandy, and Chattanooga, Nashville and some as far their husbands, Chubby Smith and Mark away as Florida. Burnett, respectively. Nonivee Wooden, So how ’bout them apples? Here are who married Oren Wooden 51 years ago, some of the Wooden clan’s favorite ways continues to be involved in many aspects to employ — and enjoy — them.  of the business. The Pie Shop and The Apple House, which sell apples as well as other tasty IF YOU GO items — turnovers, fritters, dumplings, Where: Wooden’s Apple Orchard, 6351 cakes, jams and jellies — has been a part New Harmony Road, Pikeville, Tennessee of the orchard for 21 years. The adjacent making all the sweet delights that apples Hours: The cafe is open daily until Oren’s Orchard Cafe opened in the fall of can provide. Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2014 and serves a bevy of country staples, And for those of you who, like the The Pie Shop and neighboring Apple as well as what you might expect: apple- Wooden family, have apple trees in your House, which sell apples, craft items, inspired dishes, such as apple-stuffed pork yard or nearby, it’s a gift. “It’s something jams and jellies, are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. chops, apple cider glazed ham and pork we sometimes take for granted,” Smith daily until Thanksgiving. If there are any barbecue with apple cider barbecue sauce. says. “But it really is a blessing to be able remaining apples, both will remain open There’s something about the plateau’s to pick our apples anytime we want.” until Christmas or until sold out. climate that makes it ideal for growing Located near Pikeville, Tennessee, Phone: 423-447-6376 apples. Wooden’s Apple Orchard is a large, Online: woodensapplehouse.com “The cooler nights help color the fruit, 120-acre spread filled with 20 varieties and the cooler daytime temps help out in of apples, among them red and golden the hot summer months,” Chubby Smith delicious, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Food Editor Anne P. Braly says. Braeburn, Fuji, Ambrosia and Arkansas is a native of Chattanooga, And this year, Mother Nature has done Black. But the most popular by far are the Tennessee. Prior to a fine job. The apples are big, juicy and Honeycrisp and Mutsu, Smith says. pursuing a freelance so tempting that you might want to bite “We like Golden Delicious best for our career, she spent 21 into them before getting them home. But pies, but lots of varieties are excellent for years as food editor and feature writer at a regional there’s nothing better than saving a few for cooking,” Smith says. newspaper.

14 | September/October 2016 APPLE BREAD Seasoned salt APPLE ALMOND SALAD 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 bag of spring mix or baby spinach 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 apples, thinly sliced 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup slivered almonds 3 eggs Place pork loin in slow cooker. Fill with 2 apples, chopped (Spray with 3 cups self-rising flour apple cider until about 2/3 of loin is lemon juice to prevent browning.) 2 teaspoons cinnamon covered. Brush the top of pork loin Handful dried cranberries 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped with honey. Cook on low 8-10 hours 1 cup pecans, chopped or until done. Cool in refrigerator, then Toss all ingredients together and serve slice into 1-inch thick pieces. In a large immediately. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 mixing bowl, crumble bread crumbs or (8- by 4-inch) bread pans. In a large cornbread into fine pieces. Pour 1 stick APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE mixing bowl, combine oil, vanilla, sugar of melted butter onto crumbled bread. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and eggs. Mix until well-blended. Add Add 1 tablespoon of sage, a pinch of 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder flour and cinnamon and mix until well- seasoned salt and 1 teaspoon of onion 1/3 cup apple cider blended. Add apples and pecans. Pour powder. Mix until well-blended. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice mixture into pans. Bake 40-45 minutes thinly sliced apples to the mixture. Lay 1/3 cup olive oil or until bread tests done. Let cool 10 slices of pork loin onto a large glass or 1/3 cup honey minutes before removing from pans. metal baking dish, along with 1 cup Salt and pepper, to taste apple cider. Put a spoonful of stuffing PORK LOIN WITH APPLE STUFFING mixture in the center of each slice of pork Combine all ingredients, mixing Pork loin (see note) loin and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 until well-blended. Serve over salad Apple cider degrees or until stuffing starts to brown. greens.  Honey Stale bread crumbs or cornbread Note: Buy a pork loin that fits in your slow 1 stick butter, melted cooker, or you can cut to fit and freeze the 1 tablespoon ground sage remainder.

y ; ; The Flavor of Fall

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