SHORELINES

2 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2016 Vol :4 Family holiday traditions are as comfortable, and comforting, as a fiercely loved, well-worn teddy bear is to a toddler. These traditions, often passed down through generations, flavor our holidays as much as the gravy we ladle onto our turkey and dressing. For Birmingham chef Chris Hastings, part of his family's holiday traditions means he doesn't take a holiday from what he does for the rest of us at his Hot & Hot Fish Club and OvenBird restaurants. He cooks. "I do the whole thing," Hastings says of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays often spent at his Lake Martin home. "For me, cooking is my profession and my work but it's always my place to be Zen and to relax, a knife in hand with my family around, a nice fire in the fireplace. … It's magic and it always has been." What Hastings cooks is a big part of his family's tradition. Turkey at Thanksgiving, standing rib roast at Christmas, lemon buttermilk and pecan pies, mashed potatoes, a big pot of greens and a gratin of cauliflower, chestnut cream and Parmesan. (Hastings has graciously shared the recipe for Shorelines readers.) One more Hastings family tradition: after the meal Hastings' wife, Idie, and sons Zeb and Vincent clean up while the chef relaxes and chats with them. "So it's still a family moment at the lake," Idie Hastings says. Also in this issue of Shorelines: • Our fishing series continues with crappie. That, of course, means a trip to Weiss Lake, which lives up to its billing as the "Crappie Capital of the World," especially when the temperature plummets. • There's something enchanting about vintage wooden powerboats with their sleek lines and rumbling engines. No wonder these icons of grace and power draw attention. • If you don't believe one person can make a difference, you don't know about Alabama Power retiree Gene Phifer. Seventeen years after he spearheaded a cleanup on the Coosa River, what grew into Renew Our Rivers has resulted in thousands of volunteers removing millions of pounds of refuse in lakes and rivers across the Southeast. • Finally, learn about how Alabama Power works to improve habitat for osprey, which build their nests atop channel markers in our lakes. Enjoy! — BOB BLALOCK WATER WHYS Left: Photo by Be au Gusta fson – Chris and Idie Hastings. 2

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