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Dear Friends of Extension, As we embark on a brand new year, I begin thinking about something that was said by one of my favorite author’s, C.S. Lewis. He said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Those who know me well will tell you, I am the type of person who always has to have a goal to work towards and when I dream, I usually dream big! I challenge you to do this in 2016. Set goals for yourself and aim high! This year we are excited to be able to offer some new opportunities. In February we kick-off our new Lunch and Learn Gardening program. We have teamed up with the St. Clair County Master Gardener Association to offer these interesting programs that I know you are going to enjoy attending. See page 9 for more details. Best wishes for a HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR to you and your family! Alabama Cooperative Extension System St. Clair County Office Extension Newsletter January/February 2016 Volume 11, Issue 61 Inside This Issue 2016 Money Management Calendar Now Available Extension Publication Feature: Planning for Retirement Ragland Community Celebrates New Addition to Library 2015 Farm-City Banquet Veterans Symposium a Success 2015 Outstanding Farm Family Named Recipe Corner: Mom’s Prize Winning Sour Cream Pound Cake F.A.C.E.S. Workshop Offered Seniors CAN Workshop Scheduled The Gardening Corner: Why We Don’t Garden St. Clair County Master Gardener’s Association Lunch & Learn Series St. Clair County 4-Hers: Where Are They Now?—Charlie Brannon Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Roundtable Discussion Meeting 2016 Money Management Calendar Now Available Good money management is a habit, an everyday task that is especially important if you need to stick to a plan to make ends meet. Over the years, thousands of people have utilized a money management calendar to help them manage their money better. It helps you to see where your money is going day by day. The 2016 Money Management Calendar, published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is now available at the St. Clair County Extension office. One of Extension's most popular publications, the calendar is a resource that can improve budgeting skills for individuals and families. The purpose of the calendar is to help you plan and control your family’s expenses for the year. It can be used as an overall guide for the entire year or for short-term planning. The calendar provides a place to list fixed, occasional and flexible expenses for each month of the year. Using the calendar regularly not only can help consumers build better money management skills but also determine comfort levels while using a budget. The calendar is also a great money management tool for family members out on their own, such as college students and young married couples. Stop by the St. Clair County Extension office, located on the lower level of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City in Suite #103/BO4 or call (205) 338-9416 for your free copy. The calendar is also being made available at libraries across the county. ARCHIVE
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Page 1: Alabama Cooperative Extension System St. Clair County ... · Extension staff. The kiosk features a touch-screen display and contains an extensive amount of Extension research-based

Dear Friends of Extension,

As we embark on a brand new year, I begin thinking about something that was said by one of my favorite author’s, C.S. Lewis. He said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Those who know me well will tell you, I am the type of person who always has to have a goal to work towards and when I dream, I usually dream big! I challenge you to do this in 2016. Set goals for yourself and aim high!

This year we are excited to be able to offer some new opportunities. In February we kick-off our new Lunch and Learn Gardening program. We have teamed up with the St. Clair County Master Gardener Association to offer these interesting programs that I know you are going to enjoy attending. See page 9 for more details.

Best wishes for a HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR to you and your family!

Alabama Cooperative Extension System St. Clair County Office

Extension Newsletter January/February 2016 Volume 11, Issue 61

Inside This Issue 2016 Money Management Calendar Now Available Extension Publication Feature: Planning for Retirement Ragland Community Celebrates New Addition to Library 2015 Farm-City Banquet Veterans Symposium a Success 2015 Outstanding Farm Family Named Recipe Corner: Mom’s Prize Winning Sour Cream Pound Cake F.A.C.E.S. Workshop Offered Seniors CAN Workshop Scheduled The Gardening Corner: Why We Don’t Garden St. Clair County Master Gardener’s Association Lunch & Learn Series St. Clair County 4-Hers: Where Are They Now?—Charlie Brannon Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Roundtable Discussion Meeting

2016 Money Management Calendar Now Available Good money management is a habit, an everyday task that is especially important if you need to stick to a plan to make ends meet. Over the years, thousands of people have utilized a money management calendar to help them manage their money better. It helps you to see where your money is going day by day.

The 2016 Money Management Calendar, published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is now available at the St. Clair County Extension office. One of Extension's most popular publications, the calendar is a resource that can improve budgeting skills for individuals and families.

The purpose of the calendar is to help you plan and control your family’s expenses for the year. It can be used as an overall guide for the entire year or for short-term planning. The calendar provides a place to list fixed, occasional and flexible expenses for each month of the year. Using the calendar regularly not only can help consumers build better money management skills but also determine comfort levels while using a budget.

The calendar is also a great money management tool for family members out on their own, such as college students and young married couples. Stop by the St. Clair County Extension office, located on the lower level of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City in Suite #103/BO4 or call (205) 338-9416 for your free copy. The calendar is also being made available at libraries across the county.

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inancial planning, the basics of retirement planning, can provide more satisfaction and security in your retirement years. Many people avoid thinking seriously

about retirement until it is only a few years away. Yet starting to make and implement plans for retirement as early as possible—as soon as you enter the workforce—is preferable.

Early preretirement planning allows a sense of control over the changes retirement may bring. With early planning, you have more room for flexibility. Changes in economics, family structure, etc., are inevitable. Reviewing plans periodically can help you adjust to changes in circumstances. The follow-ing are actions you can take to help during retirement.

Set Goals

The first action necessary in financial planning is to determine what is important to the individual and family members. Setting goals gives purpose to actions 10, 20, or 30 years from now. A good starting place is to create a paper or computer list of your goals during retirement.

The list might look something like this:

Retire at age 67

Move to a different location

Sell present home

Purchase a condominium or town house

Remain financially independent

Travel extensively

Maintain present lifestyle

Continue to be employed part time

Develop special hobbies and interests (identify them)

Provide protection from catastrophic medical expenses

Provide financial support for my spouse after one’s death

Leave substantial assets to one’s children, family, or a charity

Maintain membership in civic, social, and religious groups and organizations

In considering each goal, try to assess its financial cost. If anticipated income is less than anticipated expenses, prioritize the most important goals to accomplish and postpone others until later. Hold on to the list and use it as a management tool.

Estimate How Long Retirement Will Last

Each individual and spouse (if applicable) must decide at what age retirement will begin. Next, estimate life expectancy. Many people use 80 as an average life expectancy. Keep in mind that many people live much longer than average. Many don’t realize that retirement could be as long as 25 to 30 years. Consider the longevity of family members, especially the age of one’s parents. By staying in good health and keeping physically fit, life expectancy is longer than the average.

Retirement planning involves planning for the many years after retirement. Keep this in mind when thinking about finances and other elements of the retirement plan.

Estimate Income Needs

The amount of money needed for retirement living expenses depends on lifestyle and retirement goals. A rule of thumb is to plan for an annual retirement income of 70 to 80 percent of pre-retirement earnings or 60 percent if there is no mortgage or outstanding debt. Depending on income level, it is possible to maintain a constant standard of living with 50 to 80 percent of pre-retirement income. This is possible because taxes, work-related expenses, and savings commitments reduce in retirement.

Some financial planners recommend striving for a 100 percent replacement of pre-retirement income to maintain current life-style. If you don’t have much retirement income, make special efforts to reduce living expenses.

Consider Changes in Expenses

Some expenses in retirement will be lower than those expenses were before retirement. Others will stay nearly the same. Housing expenses depend on whether you have a mortgage payment or if there is a residence change that will

Extension Publication Feature: Planning for Retirement

F

continued on page 3

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Extension Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 61 Page 3

require a mortgage.

Work-related expenses are likely to decrease. Some of these expenses include transportation costs, license fees, meals away from home, gifts for co-workers, clothing, and so on. Also, there are no contributions made to a retirement plan. Payout for life insurance coverage is generally reduced by at least 50 percent or even eliminated if a spouse is fully provided for under a pension plan.

Some expenses may continue at their pre-retirement levels. Food, utilities, gifts, contributions and auto, liability, and property insurance expenses will probably stay constant.

Some expenses will increase during retirement. Health

expenses are the most likely to increase. Expenditures for leisure, entertainment, recreation, and transportation may also take a larger share of budgets, depending on retirement goals. The amount of money spent on food, clothing, housing, recreation, transportation, and other expenses should reflect the values and meet the goals of your retirement plan.

You may download this entire publication, including the worksheets by visiting www.aces.edu/StClair. You may also print it from one of the Extension Kiosks located at either Moody or Ragland Library or pick up a copy at the St. Clair County Extension office, located on the lower level of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City.

Source: FCS-2155, Ruth Brock, Regional Extension Agent, Consumer Science and Personal Financial Management

~Retirement Planning Continued~

Ne Add t o to b a y

Ragland Community Celebrates New Addition to Library The St. Clair County Extension office unveiled its 2nd informational kiosk in the state on Thursday, November 5that the Ragland Library. The first one of its kind is located at the Moody Library. The Extension Kiosk was funded by the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council. Representatives, Eddie May and Charity Mitcham, attended the unveiling ceremony to present the grant check to Extension staff. The kiosk features a touch-screen display and contains an extensive amount of Extension research-based information on a wide variety of topics as well as announcements about upcoming classes, workshops and 4-H club meetings. All resources can be emailed or printed directly from the kiosk.

We would like to sincerely thank EVERYONE who came out for our Unveiling and Reception. The St. Clair County Extension Office greatly appreciates the funding provided by the Coosa Valley RC&D Council that made the Ragland Library Extension Kiosk a reality and for the tremendous support we have received from Sandi Maroney, library director and library board president, Mrs. Jerry Sue Brannon, and all the other board members! Also, a special thanks to Ragland Mayor, Lanis White, Commission Chairman Paul Manning and Commissioners Jimmy Roberts and Tommy Bowers for attending. And, thank you to St. Clair County Master Gardeners Deborah Adams, Gigi Sadler and Jim Harris for all their help with the reception. It was a GREAT event!

Accepting the grant check are (pictured l to r): Lee Ann Clark, St. Clair County Extension Coordinator; Charity Nicks-Mitcham, St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation District Administrative Coordinator; Eddie May, Coosa Valley RC&D Executive Director; St. Clair County Commissioners, Tommy Bowers and Jimmy Roberts: St. Clair County Commission Chairman, Paul Manning; Wayne Johnson, Extension Veterans Outreach Agent Assistant; Ragland Library Board Member Hope Bice; Ragland Library Director, Sandi Maroney; Ragland Library Board President, Jerry Sue Brannon; Kiosk Builder, Leo Russo, President of Leo Russo Building Co., Inc.; and Ragland Library Board members, Lacy Turner and Kerry Poe.

Six year old Zoey Poe was intrigued by the Extension Kiosk and looked

up information about horses, plants, flowers, etc… while her mom, Kerry, looks on with Library Board Member,

Hope Bice, and Lee Ann Clark

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The St. Clair County Farmers Federation’s Annual Farm-City Banquet was held on Monday, November 9th, 2015. The purpose of Farm-City Week is to bring about a better understanding between rural and ur-ban people by increasing their knowledge and appreciation of each other as partners in progress. Farm-City Week is celebrated each year beginning on the Friday prior to and ending on Thanksgiving Day.

We were honored to have Mr. Chris Becker as our keynote speaker. Chris is the County Extension Coordinator in Limestone County and spoke about a program that he has piloted called Operation Grow. Chris was born in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. His father served 27 years in the Army and also served in Vietnam. His grandfather was in the Navy and served in WWII. He has lived in a lot of different states and even outside the country. He received his B.S degree in Plant & Soil Science from Alabama A&M University and Masters of Education from Auburn University. Chris has worked with the Alabama

Cooperative Extension System for almost eight years now, the majority of which was as a Regional Extension Agent in the area of Home Grounds, Gardens and Home Pests in Northwest Alabama. He currently lives in Athens, AL with his wife, Courtney, and their two children, son Cipten and daughter Caelyn.

The Operation Grow program highlights career options for veterans looking to settle into civilian life and gives them options to boost their incomes. In 2014, he spoke with a number of veterans and veteran’s groups like the Wounded Warrior Project and kept hearing that a lot of the recent veterans were interested in agriculture. That is how the idea for Operation Grow began. Chris’ idea was to show veterans how they could become involved in small scale agriculture. He wanted to provide them with good basic knowledge that could help them make sound decisions and avoid making costly mistakes. Currently more than 65 percent of the Alabama farms producing vegetables grow crops on less than 5 acres.

4-H’ers from across the county participated in the Farm-City poster contest in the 4th-6th grade division and were recognized at the Banquet. This year’s theme was “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.” Pictured bottom left with our 4-H Agent Assistant, Becky Staples, are our winners (l to r): 1st place—Emily Sullens, 5th grade, Springville Elementary, Teacher: Ms. Lawley; 2nd place—Mallory Padgett, 4th grade, Moody Middle School, Teacher: Ms. Dudley; and 3rd place—Jeremy Layfield, 5th grade, Ashville Middle School, Teacher; Mrs. Boissel. Pictured in the bottom right photo include our honorable mention recipients in no particular order: Coleman Cox, Nick Johnson, Brigitte Ramirez, Travis Smith, Abigail Smith, Annaka Self, Ryan McGinnis, Rayne Byers, Lauren Tolbert and Gabby Hinton.

Chris Becker

4th-6th Grade Poster Contest Winners 4th-6th Grade Poster Contest Honorable Mentions

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Veterans Benefits Symposium a Success

The Frank Morris Family

Morris Farm, nestled in Shoal Creek Valley in the heart of St. Clair County, has been owned and operated by Frank Morris’ family for more than one hundred years. Frank is the fifth generation to live on the family farm. Before him, his grandfather, Rogers Morris, and his father, Stanley Morris, row cropped, raised cattle, hogs, and layer chickens. From 1990 until this year, the family finished approximately 13,000 hogs per year, along with raising cows and producing hay. In 2014, Frank and his wife, Tracie, built two 66` X 600` broiler houses and in 2015 they have added two more while continuing to produce hay and cattle. Frank’s mother, Lucille, still lives on the family farm. Children Andi and Kirk Stafford, and son Levi live on the farm, while Laura and Jack Washington live close by. Two more grandchildren due in April adds to the excitement of future possibilities for the family.

Pictured above l to r: Kirk, Levi, & Andi Stafford, Frank & Tracie Morris, Laura & Jack Washington.

Extension Veterans Outreach Agent Assistant, Wayne Johnson, did an outstanding job organizing and conducting

our first Veterans Benefits Symposium. The event was held on Tuesday, November 17th at the Pell City Civic Center from 4:00—6:30 p.m. Over thirty people were in attendance.

A special note of thanks to the Pell City High School Army JROTC Color Guard for posting the colors and to trumpet player, Wes Myers, who played the National Anthem.

Also, we greatly appreciate our presenters which included: Jeff Samoranski, Alabama State Veterans Affairs Service Officer; Deborah Martin, VA Benefits and Eligibility; Amy Southern, Women Veterans Program Manager; Dr. Theron Gunn, Birmingham Vet Center Readjustment Counselor; and Hilary Hardwick, Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home Director.

Lt. Colonel, Michael Wright, offered the invocation. St. Clair County Commission Chairman, Paul Manning, offered closing remarks. Commissioners Jimmy Roberts and Tommy Bowers were also in attendance. The presenters were very informative and answered lots of questions from the Veterans.

Thank you, Wayne, for ALL you do for our Veterans and thank you to the St. Clair County Commission for continuing to support this very worthwhile program in St. Clair County!

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Mom’s Prize Winning

Sour Cream Pound Cake

3 cups sugar

2 sticks margarine, softened

6 egg yolks

6 egg whites

3 cups sifted cake flour

1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Preheat oven to 300° F. Sift flour and soda together 3 times. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt to egg whites and beat until they form a peak. Add another 1/4 teaspoon salt and vanilla extract to well creamed butter and sugar. Add one egg yolk at a time, beating well after each addition until all 6 egg yolks are added. Add flour and soda mixture, alternating with sour cream. Fold in the beaten egg whites and turn batter into pan. Bake one hour at 300° F., then reduce temperature to 250° F. and bake until done (approximately 45 minutes—1 hour). DO NOT OPEN OVEN FIRST HOUR! Source: My mother, Mary Ann Moore, won 1st place and a blue ribbon at the county fair in Bartow, Florida as a Future Homemakers of America (FHA) member with this recipe that she got from her cousin, Grace Watson, of Odenville. I remember her making it and letting me help when I was a little girl. I especially enjoyed sifting the flour which I got to do three times no less—I thought that was the coolest thing ever! I am pretty sure this recipe is the one that triggered my love for cooking. I was fascinated with the whole process and how combining a variety of ingredients can turn into something so yummy! It is a simple but delicious cake. My mom still makes her prize-winning cake today. As a matter of fact, she recently took it to one of her church socials and mentioned to me that someone had emailed her asking for the recipe.

“Four short words sum up what lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: little bit more. They did all

that was expected of them and...a little bit more.”

—A. Lou Vickery ARCHIVE

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Extension Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 61 Page 7

FACES Family Advocacy Through Caring Engagement Strategies

To Register & for More Information Contact: Nkenge Hyter, Workshop Presenter

205-325-5342 ext. 32

St. Clair County Extension Office Tuesdays: January 26th,

February 2nd, 9th, & 16th 2016 10 a.m.—11 a.m.

Workshop Topics Keeping it Strong: Family Strengths

Getting it Right: Family Communication Taking Stress in Stride Defusing Family Conflict

To Register & for More Information Contact: Nkenge Hyter, Workshop Presenter

205-325-5342 ext. 32

St. Clair County Extension Office Thursdays: February 4th, 11th,

18th, & 25th, 2016 10am—11am

Workshop Topics Food Safety Part 1 & 2

Making Ends Meet: Cutting Costs Making the Most of Community Resources

Attention: 5 person minimum needed to

conduct FREE workshop

Attention: 5 person minimum needed to

conduct FREE workshop

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Issue 1 Page 5 Extension Newsletter Page 8 Volume 11, Issue 61

Alabama Cooperative Extension System is committed to affirmative action equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.

Educational programs of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin.

By: Sallie Lee,

Urban Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens and Home Pests

Change. We embrace it. We reject it. Change excites us. Change frightens us. Change is inevitable, regardless of our response to it. I don’t know of any profession, sport, or hobby that hasn’t changed in some form or other over the years, whether in a positive or negative direction, depending on who we ask. Since this is a gardening-related article, what about gardening? As one of the oldest professions known to mankind, how much has it changed? How much has it needed to change? Or asked another way, how has our relationship to gardening changed? A recent survey tracking food-related trends, especially the fresh and locally-sourced or produced explosion, asked respondents what obstacles prevented them from growing at least some of their own crops. Responses were predictable, to a point. Several themes emerged; I have combined and summarized, “why we don’t garden” below: I kill everything I touch I’m under a doctor’s care for [fill in the blank] I don’t have any place to plant a garden I’m afraid gardening will hurt my [fill in the

blank] I can’t stand the heat I can’t stand the cold I can’t stand I might sweat/get dirty/mess up my nails I don’t have the time because [fill in the blank] Why should I garden when there’s a store for that Which of the issues listed would have to change for me or you to garden, whether in a few pots on a window-sill, containers on the patio, a raised bed, or directly in the ground? If you know someone who wants to change a

relationship with gardening, or there’s a child, grandchild, or senior member of the family who prefers “hands on” activities, Extension can help make that happen. From adult programs such as the Alabama Master Gardener to Junior Master Gardener, from classes and workshops demonstrating how to grow, design, plant, and care for our gardens, yards, or landscapes, Alabama Extension can help. Encouraging our natural curiosity, our urge to get healthier, and our heritage of good, “down home” eating, changing one or more habits can initiate notice-able changes in our lives. Alabama Extension has changed too by realizing that many families have limited space and time for gardens. So, we teach how to garden in containers and pots, an added benefit for those with physical limitations. Our agents say “meet me halfway, and you’ll be able to grow something” that is edible, ornamental, or both. In addition to gardening, there’s also a movement toward backyard or urban farms. A surprising number of chickens, goats, or beehives will fit in urban and suburban spaces, although there can be local restrictions to consider. Even changing our approach to dealing with pests of gardens or fields is evident in the number of products available for controlling unwanted “visitors” while attracting and protecting beneficial insects, birds, and bees. Change is flexible – what works for one isn’t another’s “cup of tea.” Try small changes and small gardens, Extension is here to encourage, educate, and experience right along with you.

Why We Don’t Garden

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Extension Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 61 Page 9

St. Clair County Master Gardeners Association’s

Lunch and Learn

February 23rd—Winter Pruning  

April 26th—Spring Splendor

June 28th—Drip Irriga on

August 23rd—Seed Star ng for Fall Veggies

October 25th—Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs

November 15th—Decora ng with Natural Materials

FREE Admission—

Drinks Provided

Bring a Lunch and Bring a

Friend!

* All Loca ons TBA ARCHIVE

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Charlie Brannon was born and raised on a 325-acre farm located in the Morning Star community of Ragland in St. Clair County where he enjoyed hunting and fishing when he wasn’t helping out on the farm. His family grew row crops and raised various farm animals. The first chickens that he raised came from the Sears and Roebuck Company. His Granddaddy Davis instilled in him a love for the land. When he was 10 years old, he joined the Ragland 4-H Club and was very involved until he was 18 and a senior at Ragland High School. His 4-H Agent who he worked very closely with on numerous projects was W.D. Jackson. Mr. Jackson visited his farm quite regularly. Charlie jokingly said that he visited his farm probably more than any of the other boys because he loved his mother’s apple pies so much. If she knew he was coming for a visit, she would bake an extra one just for him!

He was always an ambitious 4-H member, proof being in the 31 projects he completed. They included corn, beef, calf, hogs for market, sow and litter, wildlife, alfalfa, winter grazing, poultry, mail box improvement, forestry, tractor maintenance, home improvement, forestry, and soil conservation. When Charlie was only 15, his work in soil conservation and improvement won first place for him in Alabama and the

Southeast in 1949 and resulted in a trip to National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. He was chosen as one of sixteen section-al winners. In 1951, he was awarded the Recreational Leader-ship Scholarship for being the Outstanding four square 4-H Club boy in Alabama and spent two weeks at Camp Miniwanca in Stoney Lake, Michigan, where he traveled there by train. This scholarship was sponsored by the American Youth Foundation and Ralston Purina Company.

Charlie was also active in an executive capacity, too, serving as president of the Ragland 4-H club for six years and vice president for one year. For two years he was president of the county 4-H council and the county 4-H tractor club. He was council vice president for a year and Neighbor Aide leader for

St. Clair County 4‐H’ers:

Where Are They Now? Charlie Brannon

In this issue, I would like to spotlight Charlie Brannon of Ragland. I met his wife, Jerry Sue, several years ago when I joined a local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of key women educators. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Brannon at our recent Extension Kiosk Unveiling held at Ragland Public Library.

Records and 4-H go together. With Assistant County Agent, W.D. Jackson’s help, Charlie works on his 4-H record book.

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five years. Charlie also served one year as the state 4-H Council Vice President. Charlie said that 4-H Club work gave him the wisdom he needed to raise things and being a part of an organization so heavily involved in agriculture was right down his alley.

Outside of his 4-H activities, Charlie enjoyed his musical talent of playing the guitar and singing. He is even a great radio and television star imitator. As a youth, he won the local talent show contest and then went on to perform Shot Gun Boogie during intermission at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham.

After graduating high school he attended Jacksonville State University for two years, starting out by studying pre-agriculture and then decided to study business administration and minoring in economics. He especially enjoyed taking courses in history. He left school to join the Army where he served for two years as a Private First Class. He was stationed in Ft. McArthur in Los Angeles, California. In 1958 he went to work for Alabama Power

Company in Birmingham. He was a construction engineer and did sub-station work. Charlie retired out of the Gadsden Steam Plant as a turbine operator in 1995.

Charlie and his wife, Jerry Sue Combs Brannon, who was also in 4-H, have been married 61 years. She said that Charlie was her high school sweetheart and she was the lucky girl that won his heart. They have one son, Charlie, Jr. who lives in Virginia and 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

When asked about his hobbies, Charlie said, “as the old saying goes, you can take a boy off the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy!” He still enjoys gardening and of course, naps. He is a member of the James D. Truss Masonic Lodge #515 in Ragland, the Sons of Confederate Veterans that meet at the Inzer Museum in Ashville and a deacon at Ragland First Baptist Church. Being a history buff, one of his favorite memories is when he was able to take an active role in an archaeological dig and study where he located artifacts from Andrew Jackson’s Fort Strother.

Charlie shared that he felt that the lessons learned in 4-H helped him to become involved in projects like the restoration of the Inzer house in Ashville, which is now a museum, and the archaeological dig to locate Fort Strother. He went on to say that the lasting impact that 4-H has had on his life is to always try to “make the best better.” Judging from all his accomplishments, he has certainly lived up to that 4-H Motto! Thanks for sharing your story, Charlie!

Charlie and Jerry Sue were married June 13, 1954.

Charlie and Jerry Sue during their courting days

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1815 Cogswell Avenue Suite #103/B04

Pell City, Alabama 35125

Alabama Cooperative Extension System St. Clair County Office

Phone: 205-338-9416 Fax: 205-338-9417

www.aces.edu/StClair

Extension Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 61 Page 12

This important discussion will be hosted and moderated by Wayne Johnson, St. Clair County Veterans Outreach Agent Assistant. Also participating will be John Rickards, President, Pell City Area Habitat for Humanity. Please register by calling 205-338-9416 or email Wayne at [email protected]. Please include your full name, email address and telephone number. Any questions concerning this event should be directed to Wayne Johnson, (205) 338-9416.

“Partnering with Habitat for Humanity” Veterans Round Table Discussion Meeting

Thursday, January 21st, 2016 12:00—1:00 p.m.

St. Clair County Extension Auditorium

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