Steve Kynard: Loving Life as an Outdoorsman

Steve Kynard, during a camping trip with Janet Kynard, on an
island near the Lake Martin Dam

 

Since I am now an official contributor of the It Happens in Alabama website with videos and articles, Janet thought I should introduce myself and tell you a bit about me. I was born in Selma, Alabama a little over 60 years ago and, with the exception of a couple of years when I was a toddler, I’ve lived in Alabama all my life. 

 

Since I was old enough to follow my Dad and Grandfather around I have hunted and fished. They taught me safety and how to do many things at a very young age. My grandfather gave me a double barrel 20 gauge shotgun when I was 8 years old. Even at that young age, I used to fill my pockets with shells and with my Grandfathers dog, Boy, go hunting and stay gone most of the day all by myself. 

 

Before some of you freak out at my last sentence, things were very different in those days. Kids were brought up differently.  Sure there were a few Saturday morning cartoons on the old black and white TV but video games and such had not been invented.

Hunting and fishing was what I looked forward to when I wasn't in school. I would go hunting and come home with what squirrels, rabbits and other small wild critters that were unfortunate enough to cross paths with me and Boy. I spent many days fishing by myself, too, when I couldn't get someone to go with me. Sometimes I would come home with more bream and bass than I cared to carry the 1/4 mile back from the old pond that was close to the house. 

Later on, as an adult, I got into tournament bass fishing. Had a great time for about 17 years until the fire went out. I was Angler of the Year in 1996 with Capital City BassMasters. Now, I fish for pure enjoyment and when we do good, I put several bags of fillets in the freezer to feed our friends and family a fish fry whenever we choose. 

I hunt because I enjoy it and the deer meat is a large part of our diet. We only eat pork about once a week, chicken once a week and beef, maybe twice a month. My hunting, these days, is just for deer and hogs. My best buck, a big 10 point is hanging on the wall in our game room. A big wild boar is something that I still haven't had the chance to bring home but hope to remedy that situation sometime soon.

 

My best bass is a guestimated 8 pounds. I have a 7 lb 5 oz on the wall and this one was larger. Heck, it was my bass. I could have called her 9 or 10 if I wanted too, Ha, Haaa.
The only bass we bring home these days are the 1 lb to 2 lb size and any legal crappie and/or catfish that want to follow. All are good fish fry worthy.  

I'll close by saying that at this point of my life it doesn't get much better than a good campsite with family or friends, a campfire going and some fresh caught fish in the hot oil or some deer tenderloins on the grill. You can kick back and just enjoy what nature has to offer. 

I hope you’ll keep checking back to It Happens in Alabama and catch my articles and videos under the Hunting, Fishing and Camping tabs.

Steve Kynard, Co-Editor

Steve@Ithappensinalabama.com

Major Jobs and Careers Available in Alabama

Alabama has just announced two huge contracts that will bring hundreds of new jobs to our state. European jet manufacturer, Airbus, will build a $600 million facility in Mobile, AL and Commercial Jet, from Miami, will invest $12 million to open a new facility in Dothan, AL. As a spin off from this there will also be $2.5 million Aviation Training Center in Fairhope, AL to train workers. This will open up thousands of new jobs in Alabama, from the construction phase to staffing the facilities.

 

This is very exciting for the growth of our state and the growth of opportunities for our citizens. Think of the larger picture. More money and people in an area means more money to spend in the local economy from the convenient store to restaurants, from florists to housing.

 

It sounds like this great job opportunity is so far in the future, right? Well, not so much. . I have been doing some research and have great news.  There are OPEN JOBS ALL OVER ALABAMA RIGHT NOW!!!! Here are your links to apply for a position in Alabama’s new Aviation Industry: http://www.commercialjet.com/employment.html  and http://www.aidt.edu/jobs 

 

Benefits include: Benefits Summary: • Medical insurance program • Dental insurance program • Prescription drug program • 401K tax-saver program • Flexible work schedule • Company Paid Life Insurance • Long Term Disability Insurance • Paid holidays • Paid vacations • Paid sick leave • License premiums • Refer a friend for $$$ • Direct deposit available.

 

Here are some of the areas where work is available: Clanton, Tuscaloosa, Mobile, Gadsden, Selma, Bridgeport, Tanner, Dothan, Cherokee, Sunny South and Montgomery.

 

Check the site for more areas. One important note to make: Some of the windows close on accepting application in May, others run through the end of the year. You’ll just have to take a look at the list. This is a site that you will want to bookmark and check regularly as some positions only have a 30 day window to get your application in.

 

The positions run the full gamut. They need everything from pipe fitters to accountants, from maintenance workers to translators, administrative assistants, store clerks, HR, and avionic supervisors.    

 

I hope I have been of help to you or someone you know. With the high unemployment we have had for the past several years, please share this with all your friends. They may not be the one looking but may have a friend or family member that is looking.  

Hear the sound of the Whippoorwill

By: Janet Kynard,  It Happens in Alabama, janet@ItHappensinAlabama.com  

I have found a wonderful Alabama hidden gem that is in the process of making a big name for itself.  Whippoorwill Vineyards, located in Notasulga, Alabama is a family owned and operated vineyard where every part of the operation is done by hand; from harvesting, bottling, corking and sealing, to putting the bottle in the box. The southern hospitality is second to none. I spent two and a half hours with Amy Ledbetter, one of the owners and enjoyed every second.

 

Whippoorwill is the only vineyard in southeastern Alabama and is very easy to get to. It’s just 40 minutes from Montgomery and 20 minutes from Auburn. While I was there, a couple from Texas called for directions, which were passing through our state and there were visits from several locals. My favorite visitor had to be the guy that knew nothing about wine but wanted to do something nice for his wife who is a stay at home mom. For you guys out there, this is a great place to send your wife for a ladies day out. In addition to the great wines, they also sell local cheeses. One they make themselves that is loaded with wonderful flavors and a goat cheese that is made just up the road, in addition to jewelry, displays for your wine bottles and other unique items. The lady from Texas bought a cute wire high heeled shoe as a gift for a friend back home to display her wine.

 

I am a dry red wine drinker and their line of red wine is wonderful. I really enjoyed the fact that each has a distinct flavor. They are not just a shade off of the one before, but a real difference that makes each one very memorable. I went with the Cynthiana made from a red bunch grape, also known as the” Cabernet of the South”. It is dry, without being too dry, and has a wonderful fruity flavor. For my husband, Steve, I bought the Confederate Rose which is sweet and made from the red muscadine, and the bronze scuppernong. The flavor of this one reminds me of picking scuppernongs off my sister’s vines on a warm summer day. During the harvesting season, you can even pick your own fruit for $1.00 per pound. 

There is still more to the Whippoorwill’ story. Whippoorwill is under a new pilot program with the Alabama state-owned liquor stores (ABC). ABC stores normally do not sell wine. You do have some new Skinny Girl wines that are owned by the Beam Company that are making their way to some shelves. Alabama has a three-tiered system required for alcoholic beverages – manufacturer – state - seller. Our local wineries have only been able to sell their wine to people who visit the wineries and most do not generate enough volume for a distributor to work with them. There is a bill in the Legislature that would allow the vineyards to self-distribute, but Mac Gibson, administrator with the ABC Board, is against this, saying that it protects the consumer. Under this pilot program Whippoorwill Vineyards is the only winery selling their products through ABC at 15 liquor stores, temporarily, as a way to build demand for their wines. In my opinion, if we can see this as a successful program and build that demand, it will open up a new line of distribution for other wineries in our state. 

 

I’ll keep an eye on the progress of this program for you and keep you up to date. In the mean time, click this link for a list of the ABC stores that are selling the wine or better yet, go on down and see Amy, Vicky, Chad and Tim for your very own wine and cheese tasting. It is well worth the trip.