Living Democracy Reporter Nathan Simone’s lessons from the road

What I learned while driving around Alabama in a Kia Soul while searching for my own

By Nathan Simone

I thought I knew Alabama.

Far from being a native, I can see now that my residence for four years in “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” had tricked me into thinking that I could ever know enough about such a diverse state to be able to honestly say to people “Alabama, yeah I’ve lived there. Let me tell you about it.”

Football, farmers and fisheries constituted my “vast” knowledge of what comprised the majority of Alabama resident’s time and, to be completely honest, I never saw a reason to step out of these boundaries because most people I met could associate excitedly with one of the three.

For almost my entire four years of college I also didn’t own a car, so beside walking and effectively using Tiger Transit as Auburn’s own version of mass transportation (a great way to see the city), my actual scope of the state was limited to a few trips to Birmingham, a passing through Montgomery and a much-remembered trip to a friend’s house in Little River where I was introduced to “mud ridin’.”

Fast forward to spring semester of 2013, where I was blessed with finally owning a car (the suave and often-quoted Kia Soul) and given the opportunity to work with a program that had a more-than-interesting name: Living Democracy. My job? Travel around the state to the seven communities where Living Democracy students were residing and document their unique experiences with words and images. Furthermore, I would have conversations with members in the community to discuss its assets, problems, hopes and possible solutions, simply hoping to create an engaging dialogue. In this respect I was able to meet a wide variety of Alabama citizens on a personal level, if only for a short time.

My stays in some of the communities such as Collinsville and Bayou La Batre were both exciting and eye opening. On one hand the students usually had plans that I would tag along with, offering me glimpses of their new everyday lives, relationships formed, hardships overcome and a truer sense of what it meant to be a local. On the other was simple observation of my surroundings, things that cannot and will never be described accurately by a textbook, report, photographs or even video. Much like the indescribable spirit of Yes, rural Alabama has its problems, but it also has untapped solutions that reside within the residents of these areas if only leaders within their own community can appropriately rally individuals to see the change working for the greater good can bring to everyone, including themselves.

The events I witnessed and stories I wrote speak for themselves on our blog, aulivingemocracy.wordpress.com, so I won’t get into details or mistakenly favor the experiences of one community over the other, but I ask that readers realize that to know and try to understand a place, you must visit. In thinking of what I learned in school versus what I learned on the road and in the various settlements across the state, I’m reminded of a quote by the late Steve Jobs:

“I’m not dismissing the value of higher education; I’m simply saying it comes at the expense of experience.”

It rings truer than ever to me now. While I loved Auburn’s journalism school, there’s only so much you can learn in a classroom before it’s time to hit the streets, no matter what your profession.

To say the least, the idea of “community” has been forefront in my mind ever since I moved back to Atlanta from Auburn. I can’t decide whether it’s living in a “big city” that makes people act a certain way or if the act of community is becoming a lost art, but business transactions seem awfully stiff unless I genuinely ask someone how their day is going or address them by name. Some respond warmly, others don’t. I’ve also tried asking people in grocery stores for recommendations on things, but the response has also been mixed. I haven’t given up hope that at their core people are decent and kind individuals, but before I participated in Living Democracy I was oblivious at how individualistic, busy and (sometimes) cold people in America have become. How hard is it to smile?

Sometimes when I can’t get to sleep at night, I’ll lay awake and think to myself “What is community? How do you build it? What would happen if I knocked on all my neighbors’ doors and asked for help on a project?” The answers to these questions and more seem like they would be incredibly simple, but are far from it.

I’m intensely grateful for participating in a one-of-a-kind program that jumpstarted my critical thinking to such a degree that I’m conscious of how friendly and engaged I am on any given day, realizing that parts of where I live are incredible assets and not just buildings or geographic formations. In a sense I feel like I’m finally living democracy, and that feels good. Maybe that’s all America needs to be reminded of these days.

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Living Democracy in Marion: Week Ten

Marion Deserves Big Thank You

By Catherine Tabor

There are many things I can say about the last ten weeks I’ve spent in Marion. I learned a lot about Marion, the rural South, the Black Belt, and myself.  I also learned a grand life lesson: Nothing ever works out as planned.

I came into Marion thinking that I would change it, in some way, for the better. I was going to bring the community together. I was going to educate the youth. I was going to do things to help Marion. What I didn’t expect was that Marion would change and help me.

None of what I had planned ever came to fruition. The documentary, the festival, the mock trial and chess teams, or anything else I had envisioned when I was in a classroom at Auburn University. But none of it had to because that’s not what Marion wanted or needed this summer. And it wasn’t what I needed either.

I could list and state all of the things that I did end up accomplishing this summer, but instead of touting my success, I want to praise and thank Marion for their utter successes.

First, I would like to thank Katrina Easley, my community partner and county extension coordinator for Perry County’s branch of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Without her, I would not have had the contacts I needed to do or attempt to do any of my projects. Nor would I have been able to get around town. Katrina was an invaluable asset, and I am so grateful I had her as I was working my way through Marion.  As I’m thanking Katrina, I would also like to thank Melanie Hogue, the administrative support associate, who helped me get into contact with Katrina, took down countless messages, and answered any inquiries I had.

Second, I would like to thank Judson College for allowing me to stay at Elmcrest, the oldest building on campus, and for being so helpful when I had any questions. Even if the question was as simple as, “Where’s the dumpster?” the staff at Judson was always more than happy to answer. The campus was beautiful, and the food in the dining hall was fantastic.

Third, I would like to thank the Marion Presbyterian “Women in the Community” Book Club for welcoming me with open arms. The ladies in that group were some of my first contacts in Marion and the first I made on my own. Thank you for being there with me, ladies. I hope you have lots of good books to read in the future.

Fourth, I’d like to thank Mr. Charles Flaherty, owner of As Time Goes By, for always sharing his cool stories and for running a really nice bookstore that I will miss. I probably bought at least 30 books when I was in Marion and I think I spent maybe $15 on them all.

There are so many more people I need to thank and absolutely no way I’ll remember them all.  In no particular order, here are some more of the spectacular people I met on my journey in the Black Belt. Thank you to Zion United Methodist Church and Mrs. Childs in particular. Thank you for welcoming me at that first service and for allowing my family and me to volunteer at your Vacation Bible School. We had a blast. Thank you, Marion Presbyterian, for also allowing me to partake in a service and to the generous person who bought my mom’s and my lunch at Kalico Kitchen following the service.

Thank you to Frances Ford and everyone at Sowing Seeds of Hope. Thank you for helping out whenever I needed it. Thank you to Carli Ludlow and Chelbie Greenhaw for being there to drive me around and bounce ideas off of. The sports camp, although short-lived, was an experience.  Mr. Don Coley, thank you for sharing your wonderful folk are with me. I hope you get better soon.

Thank you to the Marion-Perry County Library and Searria Easley for helping me with the book giveaway. Thank you to Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental in Auburn for donating books. Thanks again to Sowing Seeds of Hope for the Frisbees. Thanks to Golden Flake for donating the bags of chips. And a big thank you to everyone who came.

Thanks to both Southland and Perry County nursing homes. Spending time with the residents was really a lot of fun. Seeing their artwork on display was such a joy, but seeing how happy they were was just amazing. And I’ll definitely visit in the future.  Finally, thank you to my mom and my family for helping me in this endeavor. I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you so much.

Marion, Ala., was a town I knew almost nothing about a year ago. I learned a little in the months leading up to the start of my Living Democracy Fellowship, but I learned the most when I was in the town. Thank you. Like Carrie Underwood sings, “I will see you again. This is not where it ends.” So, Marion, until next time.

Living Democracy in Marion: Week Nine

Some lessons, like trees, take time to grow

By Catherine Tabor

“The earth has music for those who listen.” ― George Santayana

Nature is a majestic sight to behold. Painters, poets, and photographers have all tried to capture the beauty of nature throughout history. What is it? Why is it so gorgeous? The Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and other natural wonders are all revered sights to be looked at and praised.

In today’s world of concrete jungles and smartphones, nature is often a forgotten relic of the past. There is something mysterious about it, and mankind tends to shy away from what it does not understand. Who made it? How did nature come to be?

Yet these questions are not pressing issues in Marion.  Nature is there to be observed and learned from. It is there, and the citizens of Marion come to appreciate at a very special place.

The Cahaba River flows through Perry Lakes Park near Marion. (Photo by Catherine Tabor)

Perry County Lakes Park is the name of that place. It is located 5 miles east of Marion next to the State Fish Hatchery on State Highway 175. Driving by the hatchery, one could easily miss the nature reserve. But hidden in those woods lies a natural piece of art.

PerryLakes.org states: “The Perry Lakes Park and Wildlife Sanctuary contains about 600 acres available to the public for outdoor recreation, education, scientific research, and other activities. Interpretive nature trails (fire lanes and primitive paths) make walking through the woods fairly easy and fun.” With so many acres, visitors are able to discover something new each time they come to explore.

A favorite spot for visitors of Perry County Lakes Park is Barton’s Beach. There people are able to swim in the Cahaba River in relative privacy. There is even sand at the “beach” so those in the Marion area are able to go to the beach near their hometown.

Auburn University also has a special tie to Perry County Lakes Park because the Rural Studio built a birding tower in the park that provides a view of the floodplain forest and the birds in the upper canopy of trees.

Every day of the year people can come from all over the country to see the sights at Perry County Lakes Park. They just have to be sure to arrive after sunrise and leave before sundown.

Turtle eggs are one example of abundant natural treasures found at park. (Photo by Catherine Tabor)

The best part about Perry County Lakes Park is that it is free to all visitors. Varied ways to entertain oneself within the park’s limits include hiking, bird watching, swimming or geocaching. All of it is completely free of charge.

This YouTube video showcases the absolute beauty of the park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPFx3BOr6mk.

My summer in Marion was often hectic and stressful, so it was nice that I was able to discover such a relaxing and beautiful spot at Perry County Lakes Park where I was able to retreat to from time to time with family and friends.

Even though I was busy trying to figure out how to go about my Living Democracy projects, I was able to take a few hours to relax and enjoy myself. I was able to walk through the woods on a well-beaten trail and take in the fresh air. I was able to see the wonder of nature with my own eyes. The magnificence of trees that reach unbelievable heights and a section of the Cahaba River that I had virtually to myself were just some of the amazing things I was able to experience at Perry County Lakes Park.

Sometimes, people lose sight of what is important. In the race to the top, we forget the simple things. We are hungry for success, money, fame, and we miss the small moments that can really change us.

This past summer that I spent in Marion as part of Living Democracy was probably one of the slowest summers I have ever had. I was busy every day, and I was constantly on the go. But when I reflect on my time, it feels like I was spending every second looking forward to the next. I was anxious to get my projects done. I was nervous about not doing my job the way my supervisors expected me to do. I was ready to start fall semester classes so that I could begin the next chapter of my life and progress through my checklist of things I have to do in order to attain a high profile career.

Slowing down can help you win the race, appreciate wonders of nature. (Photo by Catherine Tabor)

But just because I was trying to be fast about what I wanted to do, Marion wasn’t having any of it. The town is small, with a population numbering close to 4,000 people, give or take a few hundred. These people have lived there for generations. It is an hour from Tuscaloosa and roughly half an hour away from Selma. There is no Wal-Mart or McDonald’s.  People in Marion move at a slower pace than people do in bigger towns.  As funny as it sounds, I had to slow myself way down in order to catch up to their pace.

I was a fish out of water and I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. But the ten weeks I spent in Marion taught me that being the fastest isn’t always a guarantee of victory in a race. And eventually I was able to learn about Marion’s citizens and what they wanted or what they needed instead of trying to implement a project because it was what I knew, was familiar with, and wanted to do. I slowed down, and I was able to win my race.

And I learned that slow and steady wins the race when I was walking on the trails of Perry County Lakes Park, trying to reach Barton’s Beach and taking in the nature around me. It was beautiful. All of the trees and flowers were really amazing to see, and I know that they took their time to grow.