Andrew Skinner, Making a Difference at Storybook Farm

Tanned from long days in the sun tending to horses and a variety of other friendly creatures, my friend, Andrew Skinner, brightens the day of anyone who happens upon the beautiful property of Storybook Farm.  The main purpose of this lovely, well-kept layout, is equine therapy, largely geared to children of all ages with developmental disabilities.  Andrew has impressed me in the Opelika, AL community for his compassion and heart in helping people, before I realized where he was employed.

This was my second visit to the farm, adorned with a multitude of garden areas, and all roads and paths and pastures with a “storybook theme.” One sign near the entrance, for example, reads, “Belle says, ‘Don’t be a Beast, slow down,'” with pictures of the Disney characters. On this visit, I was able to meet most of the animals.  There are several adopted dogs and cats, goats, ponies, and horses.

I had a great time hanging with Andrew and Deana at Storybook today. Check out the audio of my interview with Andrew and my pictures of the farm.  I look forward to more visits to this unique and wonderful operation, making a difference in the Alabama community.

Audio of interview with Andrew

A Profile of Justus Caldwell – A Multi-Faceted Opelikan Friend

A good buddy and coworker of mine, Justus Caldwell, invited me to his quaint Opelikan home this morning for biscuits with jam made by his beautiful wife of 10 years, Brooke.  Brooke and Justus have a 7-year-old daughter together.  We had a great time chatting, tasting Brooke’s wonderful jams and jellies, and checking out his chickens.  Justus is a great guy with many talents and hobbies.  He is quite the outdoorsman – one person you’d want with you if you ever got shipwrecked or stranded in the desert.  He is a valued assistant counselor at my place of employment, where he helps a lot of men rebuild their lives. And by the way, Brooke has a FaceBook page you can visit, which features her amazing preserves.  Check out these pictures and listen to the fun interview!

Interview with Justus (Drive Link)

Brooke’s “Frugal Fruit Canning” FB Page!

Gip’s Place – Diamond in the Rough of Music Venues

Gip’s Place – in Bessemer, Alabama – is a diamond venue in a scene flooded with mainstream clubs, theaters, and lame music acts.  This classically unique blues joint was started by Henry “Gip” Gipson in 1952, in his back yard.  Mr. Gip is reportedly 96 years young, and he’s a lively, charismatic gentleman, quick to socialize with every attendee, and opening every show with riveting blues guit-fiddle and wailing vocals, every Saturday night. The outstanding blues acts are carefully selected each week. I cringe to think of all the music fans who have never heard of this Alabama juke joint, and may never experience Gip’s Place or meet Mr. Gip.

Audio Review (Drive Link)