Childress-Long to sign copies of “Orange Beach – A Pictorial History” at St. Charles Gifts on Dec. 17

Childress-Long to sign copies of “Orange Beach – A Pictorial History” at St. Charles Gifts on Dec. 17
New release is perfect companion for “The Best Place To Be – The Story of Orange Beach, Alabama”
By Fran Thompson
Local historian Margaret Childress Long has already written the definitive history of Orange Beach, releasing “The Best Place to Be – The Story of Orange Beach, Alabama” with co-author Michael D. Shipler in April of 2006.
She and Shipler have now added the perfect companion to that loving ode to local history, “Orange Beach, Alabama – A Pictorial History.’’
The new book shows the city’s birth and growth in pictures and includes newly researched historical data. Long will have both books available at the first book signing for the new release at St. Charles Cards and Gifts, located next to Wal-Mart Shopping Center on Perdido Beach Blvd. in Orange Beach, on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. ‘til 4 p.m.
“Nora (St. Charles Gifts owner Nora Sheen) has been a big supporter and a big seller for our first book. So, I told her when we got it off, I wanted the first book signing to be with her,’’ Margaret said.
Having already collected hundreds of pictures from people wanting to share their local historical photographs, releasing those pictures in book form was a natural step for the two authors. Margaret describes the sturdy, hard cover book as “a condo style-coffee table book.’’
Some of the more than 600 photographs in the book date back to the 1880’s. But the book is filled with “then and now’’ pictures, as reflected on the front cover.
Margaret said the 192 page book also includes in formative descriptions and aerial photographs that uniquely illustrate the incredible changes Orange Beach has experienced through the city’s growth.
Margaret met her co-author when another Baldwin County native, Craig Brown, presented her with a framed picture of the old Claude Pettit Saw Mill (on the site of the Orange Beach Motel) from a frame shop in Bay Minette, Leedon Arts, that Brown’s friend Shipler and his wife Pam owned.
“I was told Mike was a real history person and somebody I had to meet. So, I took some pictures up there to be framed, and we became fast friends,’’ she said.
Shipler had already published historical books on The Civil War, Mobile Bay and other topics. More importantly, he had a publishing background that Margaret lacked.
“Mike is the publishing guru. Numbers are not my area of expertise,’’ Margaret said. “I am a historical writer, although some people would say I’m hysterical.’’
Margaret said the authors thought their picture book would top out at 80 pages. They ended up with a major editing job just to get it down to 192 pages.
Cathy Walker Lindsey, who can trace her Orange Beach roots back to a land deed issued to Lamel Walker in 1838 for property on Bayou St. John, provided the authors with a big box of photos. Gail Walker Graham from the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum also proved invaluable throughout the research process. The Walker and Callaway family genealogy compiled by Eva Marie Walker (Gail’s sister) was a valuable resource. Ella Callaway and Earl Callaway were also there to help and guide her.
“My favorite part of doing the book was learning everything I could about the genealogy and connections between the Walker and Callaway families,’’ Margaret said. “There were very few people living here when we came down from Evergreen in 1949.
“Going through that wonderful box of old pictures from Cathy Lindsey was also special,’’ Margaret added. “I didn’t even meet her until 2013. There were pictures in that box that even Gail and Eva Marie had never seen.’’
Margaret said a cookbook could very well be her next project, noting that although her mother did not know how to boil water when she moved here from Evergreen in 1949, when she passed in 2000, she had more than 100 cookbooks in the house, including a copy of the cookbook published by the Orange Beach Home Demonstration Club back in the 1950’s.

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20 Questions With Orange Beach native Margaret Childress Long
Margaret Childress Long moved to Orange Beach from Evergreen when she was just two months shy of her second birthday. Although she did spend 12 years in Creola with her second husband Buddy (She went to Foley High and Auburn with her first husband, also name  Buddy), she has always called Orange Beach home. Margaret and Buddy live in the same house where Margaret’s parents lived for more than 50 years. Her dad paid $12,500 to Dr. Amos Garret of Robertsdale, her mom’s first cousin, in 1949 for the 300 ft. waterfront parcel. A teacher at Fairhope Middle and High Schools and Elberta Middle School, Margaret served the island as school board representative for six years after her mother died in 2000. (Her father died less than a year before that.) A fisherman, hunter and farmer, her father also owned a farm in Silverhill. Sons Wesley and Brooks have turned the farm into the popular Alligator Alley tourist attraction.
1. What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I can get mad.
2. Considering anyone dead or alive, with whom would you like to have a conversation?
My Daddy.
3. Other than parents, who is one person that has greatly influenced your life?
My husband, Buddy.
4. What is one thing that you would like to change about yourself?
My weight.
5. What is one thing you would not want to change about yourself?
My memory.
6. How do you cope with stress?
Swim or fish with my Grandchildren.
7. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Fishing with my Daddy in my Stauter Built boat.
8. What are your biggest pet peeves?
People who don’t do what they say they are going to do.
9. Who are your favorite entertainers?
Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, Kenny Rodgers.
10. What was your first and your worst job?
After my first year in college (1966), I was a waitress at Gulf Gate Lodge.
11. If you had the political pull, what is one issue you would address?
Being a former teacher, education.
12. What is the dumbest thing you ever did?
After catching a big Wahoo on a hot hot day 50 miles out in the
Gulf, I jumped over-board to cool off. And a big shark appeared as I was getting back in the boat.
13. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you’d do with the dough?
Pay off any debts of ours and our children, pay for college education for grandchildren and donate to charities, especially St. Jude’s.
14. What is your greatest fear?
Losing my memory.
15. What is your greatest extravagance?
Plants and flowers, according to my husband.
16. Which talent would you most like to have?
Play a musical instrument.
17. What is your motto?
Isaiah 40:30-31.
18. What is your most treasured possession?
My Family.
19. What do you most admire in others?
Honesty.
20. A perfect day is …
A calm Day fishing in the Gulf.