Shop local, shop small: Local businesses integral part of community
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Equality & NIxburg News
Jennifer Williamson
It was a quiet week in Equality after the excitement of last weekend’s special performance at EPAC. If you missed out on The Wildwoods’ performance at the Equality Performing Arts Center this past Friday, March 31, you missed one for the records, as in a “LIVE” record!
The Wildwoods; a trio of musicians out of Lincoln, Nebraska; are currently on a nation-wide tour of more than 36 performances in support of “Foxfield Saint John,” their fourth album that was released just this past February. With husband and wife Noah Gose on guitar and mandolin and Chloe Gose on violin, joined by Andrew Vaggalis on bass, the folk/Americana trio harmoniously blended all three of their voices to create a sound that was practically ethereal.
Believe it or not, this happened in Equality, Alabama, for FREE! The evening’s performance had no cover or admission and was a family friendly event for all ages, for everyone from 8 to 80 (+/-). A pot-luck sharing of food was also a part of the evening, with shrimp cocktail, meat and cheese trays, fruit and vegetable trays, dessert trays, and plenty of other offerings available.
Some of the responsible adults present opted to enjoy the adult beverage of their choice, and all enjoyed an amazing evening together. With a performance that good, it will be difficult to follow it up, but on Friday, April 28, there will be a performance by Alesia Gilliland, the head of the Montgomery Area Musicians Association, singing with Andrew Gaskins of Montgomery playing guitar for her.
Although this coming “1st Friday” on April 7 the EPAC will be closed, every “2nd Friday” of each month features an Open Mic night, where any musician or person with a performing talent can get some time on stage, and every “3rd Friday” of each month features a Karaoke Night for all of the singers in the area.
All are free to the community, and all need your attendance to keep happening. While not mandatory, you are encouraged to bring a dish of shareable food, and if you can afford to drop something into the donation jar for the music, it helps keep the lights on. The EPAC provides free coffee, iced tea, water, and fresh-popped popcorn.
The next day in Equality after the Wildwoods’ performance was the monthly “1st Saturday” fundraising events for the Equality Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD), with a flea market, bake sale and grilled hamburger and hot dog plates. The EVFD is dependent upon community involvement just as much as the community depends on the EVFD. Everyone is welcome to attend their first and third Monday training meetings, even if only to just watch the firefighters do their training. The next meeting will be on Monday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m.
Beyond the EPAC and the fire department, Equality has several small businesses that support the community. Rita’s Antiques, CJ’s Fishing Hole, the Quality Food Mart, Jenny’s General Store, and Rodger’s Shrubbery Garden Center. I can proudly say I have shopped them all, and while I do not even fish, when I needed a net to catch some of our small farm animals, CJ’s had it, as well as some red-worms to put to work in my compost bin.
If you need your lawn cared for, you have local options with Moe’s Mowing and More (321-289-2954) and with Russell Properties (334-402-0068). I personally have worked with them both and highly recommend both, and their schedules will be filling up very soon for the summer, so make sure you get with them early for your lawn care.
Rodger’s Shrubbery has plants available in their greenhouse, so it is time to get your vegetable and flower gardens started. They also have hanging baskets, both colorful flowers and both Boston and Kimberly ferns, as well as a couple of hibiscuses and some hostas. We have been moving shrubbery quite a bit lately, generally not in the greenhouse, but can pick it up for any customer who requests, same with ornamental trees.
“Shop local, shop small” is something I have always believed in as much as supporting my local volunteer fire department. Small businesses are an important part of our community, and we will lose them if we don’t use them.
I depend upon you, the reader, to share with me what is happening within your organizations, churches, neighborhoods, groups, or family to share in next week’s column. Please contact me; call or text 256-531-6460 or email coosacafe@gmail.com.
