<div>In 2004, The Boston Red Sox ended the Curse of the Bambino by winning their first World Series since 1918. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf region. Twitter launched in 2006. The world was mesmerized by the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Don’t worry; I don’t plan to cover the milestones of the last two decades, even though we have experienced many highs and lows.One such milestone was the launch of East Alabama Living magazine in the fall of 2004. A lifestyle magazine was created that filled the community’s need for stories of love, success, perseverance, and creativity with a dose of inspiration. The first cover showcased entertaining at its best with a spread of decadence desired in any Southern home.Since the beginning, the magazine’s success has been a testimony to the stories about the people and places that have shaped East Alabama and beyond.Christy K. Truitt has been a contributing writer since the magazine’s inception. Christy shares her journey with East Alabama Living:“I was home with my third and last newborn. Trent was born in July 2004, and while I loved being a stay-at-home mom, I was a little stir-crazy. I found a flyer on my door advertising a new magazine. I felt butterflies at the thought I could return to a college passion – writing. I immediately reached out to see if the magazine needed feature writers and received a prompt and positive response. I was assigned The Auburn Knights in the inaugural magazine, and I’ve written in every issue since.My favorite, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was a feature on Gen. Hal Moore, of which the former Ft. Benning is now named. To sit in the den of such an American hero is an unparalleled thrill of my life. His piercing blue eyes described the horror of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, the inaugural conflict of the Vietnam War. Gen. Moore named each soldier by name, their injuries, and his commitment to leave no soldier behind. His boots landed first on the ground and lifted last to the helicopter. He described the return to Vietnam years later, where he met his counterpart with no animosity. He encouraged our readers to hate war but love the American warrior. This amazing man even hand-wrote me a thank you letter (he thanked ME!), which I carry in my wallet today.Through my writing, I’ve learned about bee farming (did you know germs can’t live in honey?), Broadway stars, a People magazine writer, NYT best-selling authors, and where they find their inspiration. I described former Auburn football star and international award-winning author Ace Atkins as “fisting the reader into his palm and slowly releasing the plot, finger by finger.” I’ve also had the privilege of copy-editing the magazine for many years. So, not only am I able to bring my words to the readers, but I also help craft other contributors’ stories.It’s unusual for print magazines to last in this digital age. Twenty years is quite an accomplishment and a testimony to the rich stories in East Alabama. By the way, it also means my baby is now 20 years old. (insert crying face emoji).”Kate Larkin is another original contributing member of the East Alabama Living team. Kate shares her favorite memories over the years.“When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, our community jumped into action in many ways to help displaced storm victims who began arriving in Opelika and Auburn. One of the most impressive projects was turning the former Scott Academy building into a full-service shelter. The underlying theme was a community that did whatever it could as fast as it could to help as many as it could. In 2007, I wrote the story about Doris Canon’s high school sweetheart showing up at her front door 70 years later. They fell in love again and married at 89 and 91 years old. In the spring of 2009, I wrote about Teri Zacarro, a new artist who had moved to town. While visiting her at her studio in Opelika, I met her husband, Joe, who built and raced jet-engine-propelled cars, which led to his story in the fall of 2009. From those interviews, we became friends.I wrote about Mallory Hagans’s journey to becoming Miss America in 2013, Bo Jackson’s creation of Bo Bikes Bama to benefit storm victims in Alabama, Rowdy Gaines’s swimming journey – and beyond – that led him to be an Olympic champion and a popular swimming commentator for the summer Olympics.I’ve written several articles on coaches in Opelika, Auburn, and the university. I loved writing about Auburn University equestrian coach Greg Williams and what he has done to transform not just equestrian at AU but nationwide. Last spring, Coach Williams was the first inductee in the newly established College Equestrian Hall of Fame – just as he should have been.My interview with Coach Bruce and Brandy Pearl resulted in a beautiful friendship. I don’t really remember much about the actual interview, but afterward, Brandy sent a text to me thanking me for making her feel so at ease. We’ve been friends ever since.In 2022, I invited Bruce and Brandy to attend the premiere of “We’ll Meet Again – A New American Musical” at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. That “invitation” turned into a one-month tour of the play in 2023, all funded by Coach Pearl’s efforts—twenty-one performances in a month, all over Alabama (and one in Athens, Ga.). My article about the musical and how it all came about is one of my favorite articles ever written.”Readers have come to anticipate our travel destinations and recipes. Ann Cipperly is well known for her expertise in both. Here are some reflections from Ann:“I had been a lifestyle, food, and entertainment editor for years when Scarlotte Vaughn contacted me about writing for the magazine 19 years ago. That began a journey of meeting and writing about many amazing people, restaurants, places to visit, community organizations, lovely homes, history, and sharing scrumptious recipes.It would take an entire magazine to talk about the wonderful people and experiences from over the years. I can only highlight a few.When 9/11 occurred, Susan Jackson of Opelika had just finished her Red Cross disaster training requirements. Susan signed up to help and was told she would go to ground zero immediately. Soon after arriving in New York City, she found herself in a taxi with the FBI and OSHA speeding through abandoned streets. Suddenly, the trees were covered with debris and millions of pieces of paper.The closer they got, the dirtier the air became. At ground zero, there were pieces of metal sticking up. There was no concrete, no furniture, no computers, no paper, nothing. All that was left was metal. The air was oily and scented with burned flesh.While Susan didn’t feel qualified, she had a passport, which other Red Cross nurses didn’t have, that was needed to work at the crime scene. Susan became known as the 9/11 nurse. She was the only one and stayed at ground zero for three months. She never took a day off.Over the years, I have written about many heroes who had to deal with disasters.Sheriff Jay Jones was watching meteorologist reports and had prepared ahead when the Beauregard tornado struck, causing the worst disaster and loss of life in Lee County’s history. When he arrived in Beauregard, he entered a zone where it appeared like a giant blade had raked the ground. No trees were standing, power poles were down, and wires were everywhere, covered with debris from homes.Sheriff Jones and other deputies established a command post and began directing people who were bringing in equipment. They worked with Opelika and Auburn police and firefighters. Sheriff Jones was impressed with how the community came together and how everyone worked together to help.Sheriff Jones wanted the community to know they are here to serve the people, do what they can to make it safe, and be there when needed.I remember when my husband Don and I drove to Abbeville to meet Jimmy Rane and hear his story. When Jimmy was 9 years old, his parents gave him a horse he would ride, and he wore a cowboy hat and pretended to be John Wayne. He grew up in a family that emigrated from Italy with strong ethical values dedicated to hard work seeking the American dream.In June 1970, Jimmy’s in-laws at that time were killed in a car accident, leaving behind a farm in Abbeville and a small treatment plant used to treat fence posts. In 1970, he left the law firm where he worked and opened a one-room law office on the square in Abbeville as he tried to run the treatment plant business he couldn’t sell. He started going to the small treatment yard at 4:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. every morning, then dressing to go to his law office. The first year was tough as they lost money. By August 1971 he hit rock bottom, owing more than he had.Jimmy purchased two bundles of lumber and put them on the back of a 1961 red truck with no back window. He and Lawson, his one helper, treated the wood, put it back on the truck, and took it to neighboring towns to sell for cash. He continued this process until he could purchase an entire truckload of lumber.“Through all of that,” says Jimmy, “I never really thought we wouldn’t make it.”Years later, Jimmy would play the role of a cowboy, “Yella Fella,” fighting wrongs as he promoted his product in a company number one in the world for pressure-treated wood.Along with writing about incredible people, I have enjoyed writing about new restaurants and chefs as the area grew.As a person who has written about food for many years, I have also found it a joy to share recipes from my kitchen, chefs, and friends. For the first 12 years, I prepared all the recipes, packed the food, and took it to a site for the tablescape photo shoot. Sometimes, the food didn’t fit the dishes, and I had to figure out how to make it work. Every issue has featured favorites from local families.I am thankful for my faith and being called to tell stories, with hopes each one will inspire others never to give up and keep fighting for their dream.”A lifestyle magazine would not be complete without covering trends in interior design, entertainment, and weddings. East Alabama Living resident style-guru is Jess Margeson, owner of Frou Frou. Her flair for design has been enjoyed throughout the pages of EAL over the last two decades. Jess shares a particularly fond moment.“I was privileged to know and personally interview Coach Pat Dye several times. The below reflects our last conversation, which took place at his beloved Crooked Oaks Plantation. We sipped coffee and swapped tales under a covered porch overlooking a small lake.Coach confided that he truly never felt as though he had worked a day in his life because he so enjoyed what he did. Whether it was working his land or coaching on the field, he approached everything he set his hand to with vigor, making him a stand-out both in his sport and life.He was known for being firm and frank, but also fair. He had an easy way with people and a fervent passion for all things Auburn. And while his exploits in athletics are the stuff of legends (he was an All-American Football Player and three-time SEC Coach of the Year), he will perhaps best be remembered for the impact he left on his players and the institution he so loved.”As the current managing editor of the magazine, I am grateful for the vision and leadership of my predecessor, Scarlotte Vaughn. Scarlotte assembled a strong team that created a lasting foundation for me to build upon. One team member included Al Eiland, the magazine’s creative director until 2022. Al states, “From the first issue in 2004, I enjoyed designing a magazine that featured the best of area. My favorite articles were ones about the extraordinary people of East Alabama.”Today, I am fortunate to work with Stephanie McGinn, creative director and graphic designer at Craftmaster Printers.The magazine’s beauty is explored not only in the imagery selected to accompany a story, but also in the attributes of the print work. Craftmaster Printers has produced every issue of the magazine. Barry Whatley, president at Craftmaster states, “Over the years, it has been exciting to watch the creation and growth of East Alabama Living. I have been printing community magazines all over the southeast for over 20 years, and EAL is unquestionably the best quality magazine. Our community is blessed to have such a great local magazine that is owned and operated by people in our area.” East Alabama Living Magazine has evolved over the years. In the early days, readers had to buy the magazine. While many lifestyle magazines continue to charge a fee, East Alabama Living is now complimentary to its readers due to the strength of our advertisers. Readers can grab a complimentary copy at over 125 locations throughout East Alabama. Some of our longstanding advertisers who have been with the magazine from the beginning or early years include AuburnBank, Auburn-Opelika Tourism, Auburn Pediatric Dentistry, City of Auburn, City of Opelika, Lee-Scott Academy, Liberty Properties, Southern Union State Community College, The Hotel at Auburn University, Trinity Christian School, Jule Collins Smith Museum, The Orthopedic Clinic, Swanson Diamond Center, Russell Lands, Great Southern Wood, and Wrapsody. Today, many great partners find value in being part of East Alabama Living. Just flip through the pages to see.Just as the world has changed through relevance and technology, so has East Alabama Living. Updated logo and fonts, a growing social media presence, styles and trends, and a growing community allow us to share the happenings of the community around us proudly. “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of East Alabama Living, I’m especially appreciative of the opportunities we’ve had to feature the innovation, success, and charm of people in our area who have made great things happen,” said Lee Perryman, publisher. “I am deeply grateful for the incredible support and (am) proud of our talented team’s passionate commitment to outstanding storytelling.We look forward to many more years of bringing unique stories to life and celebrating the area in text and photos.”</div>

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East Alabama Living celebrates 20th Anniversary

In 2004, The Boston Red Sox ended the Curse of the Bambino by winning their first World Series since 1918. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf region. Twitter launched in 2006. The world was mesmerized by the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Don’t worry; I don’t plan to cover the milestones of the last two decades, even though we have experienced many highs and lows.