ALMetro360

8 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com PUBLISHER’S NOTE ........................................................................................................... Access ALMetro360, Any Time… Any Place… AL METRO 360 DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 25, NUMBER 6 CHARLIE SHAMBURGER Publisher JON SHAMBURGER Associate Publisher HELEN SHAMBURGER HERNDON Associate Publisher Marketing & Sales, helen@almetro360.com HELEN SHAMBURGER HERNDON Editor, editor@almetro360.com ANITA CAPOUANO Director of Marketing & Sales, anita@almetro360.com HELEN SHAMBURGER HERNDON Director of Social Media, helen@almetro360.com GEORGE PUDZIS Art Director DARREN FREEMAN, DYLAN FYFFE, KIM NELSON, DIANNA PAULK, STEPHEN POFF, PAUL ROBERTSON, JR., LISA SMITH Contributing Photographers HENRIETTA MACGUIRE Staff Writer BECKY BEALL, BRENDA ROBERTSON DENNIS, KRISTI GATES, SANDRA LONG ELEANOR HENDRICKS MCDANIEL, LORI QUILLER, PATSY ROBERTSON, MELISSA JOHNSONWARNKE Contributing Writers TRACY SHAMBURGER Business Manager WILLIAM C. HONEY , HENRIETTA MACGUIRE Founders THE MAGAZINE OF MONTGOMERY LIVING, LLC 1430 I-85 Parkway, Suite 224 , Montgomery, AL 36106, Telephone: (334) 265-0066 , Facsimile: (334) 386-3813 o be honest, being publisher and editor for ALMetro360, a publication that has been around almost twenty five years with a sterling reputation, at times feels daunting. Many editors, far more experienced and talented, have come and gone. I’m thankful that in their wisdom most of the themes of our issues were determined long before I came on the scene. You’ve come to look for our “regular” issues: the “Wedding” issue, the “Best Of ” issue, the annual “College Guide,” the annual “Holiday Gift Guide,” and the “Private School Review.” As is the case with most all of you, the pandemic mixed things up for us a bit this year. For instance, “The Best Of ” issue became our “Come Back” issue and October turned into our “Holiday Issue.” Initially this was to be a look back on 2020, but honestly, who wants to relive it? So, for the most part in this issue you’ll find some of our “regular-type” articles. Because the education of your children is one of the most important endeavors to shape their future and their char- acter, we’ve not abandoned our Private School Review! Be sure and plan to visit Open Houses to determine if a school is the right fit for your family. You’ll find a directory for them on page 44. One of my favorite writers, Patsy Robertson, has again outdone herself researching Sylacauga’s marble quarry. It gives me a sense of pride knowing all of the buildings and monuments that feature marble from the Heart of Alabama. I had the pleasure of meeting Kim Spivey and discovering the inspiration behind her motivation. In her new book, Bloom , she draws on her faith as well as life experiences to encourage and inspire other women to live their best lives. I hope you’ll enjoy meeting her as much as I did. Also, if you’re suffering from cabin fever check out our “Destinations” department and see why a trek to Canton, Mississippi may be just what the doctor ordered. It’s a small town with a big time charm — and within driving distance from anywhere in the Heart of Alabama. One Sunday afternoon my husband and I drove up to Lake Martin to interview and take pictures of Jodie and David McGirt at Lake Martin Machine Gun. However, once we arrived David commandeered my camera and insisted that my husband and I do the real shooting. So, we donned eye and ear protection and although it’s usually “ladies first,” I was more than happy to step aside and give Steve the first go. Jodie prepared me that it’s not just the noise with this one, “You’ll feel it.” As I write, it’s soon to be the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. From my perspective, it’s good to be re- minded of the hard fight and the sacrifices people make to defend and secure our freedom. My husband and I took turns on the big machine gun. It was loud. It did reverberate. I couldn’t help but consider that young men, the ages of my daughters and their guy-friends, that not only used these type weapons to defeat tyranny, they stared them down in battle. Indeed, freedom is not free. Also, I must confess there is something exhilarating about the experience at Lake Martin — handling that much power. I imagine it’s similar to the exhilaration one feels behind the wheel of a race car in the “Nascar Racing Experience” or simulating blastoff on Disney World’s “Mission Space.” And as with the Nascar and Disney experience, at Lake Martin Machine Gun you get to experience the power in a safe environment. As a person of faith I truly hate to admit this — in my heart I believe in the providence of God — but I struggle with superstition at times. That’s why I find myself wincing and running to the nearest piece of furniture when those around me say that 2021 has to be better than 2020. Deep in my heart I know I can knock wood until my knuckles bleed and it’s not going to affect a thing. Someone wiser and more eloquent once said “I know not what the future holds, but I know the One who holds the future.” That’s why I’m not offering “Best Wishes” for the New Year, but instead, my sincere prayers that this Holiday Season will bring you comfort and joy and peace and prosperity in the New Year. Helen Helen Herndon, Publisher T