East Alabama Living Spring 2022 Issue

From the Editor
I suppose the southern groundhog was correct in its prediction for an
early spring. I welcome the milder temperatures that beckon warmer
evenings as spring arrives. The freshness of spring releases us from
the winter blues while summoning the need to grab a suitcase and go!
This spring, consider a drive down to Eufaula to tour their historic
homes and take a trip back into time; map out a route to explore the
many murals painted across our great state or plan a more extended
trip where unpacking and settling in is a necessary event. I recently
visited Pensacola Beach along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It had been
a while since I had been to Pensacola. The beaches are pristine. The
seafood is as fresh as the air. Contributing writer Ann Cipperly shares
her tips for a much-needed getaway to the coast. My tip is a must-stop
at Joe Patti’s Seafood Market. You will want to bring back fresh shrimp
to use in one of the delectable shrimp recipes provided by locals.
Spring also means strawberries. My nickname given by my dad is
“Strawberry.” I earned this name as a child because I could eat an
entire basket (or two) of berries without blinking. Strawberry picking
is one of our family traditions. A strawberry picked fresh from the
patch is the sweetest treat. Just ask any child standing in the glory
of a strawberry patch with red berries dripping from their chin. I bet
they may rival me for my nickname.
I adore this time of year as I have the honor of featuring couples
who have recently tied the knot. The couples presented have all
weathered a pandemic in search of love. So let’s raise a glass to their
devotion and to those who seek the same.
A new element of East Alabama Living is the last page, where you will
find the prophetic words of our contributing writer and copy editor
Christy Truitt. Christy gifts us with her message(s) of everyday life in
“The Write Purpose,” a series of writings she shares via her Facebook
page @ChristyKTruittTheWritePurpose.
Spring comes swiftly and stays only a short while before the
sweltering Alabama summer arrives. So make it count by slowing
down to taste a freshly picked strawberry, celebrating a newly
married couple, discovering a hidden work of art, or making the drive
to enjoy the fresh sea air.
Play your best!
Beth
4 EAST ALABAMA LIVING