She grew up in South Carolina, but Libby Boyer of North recalls with cherished memories her summers in Sand Mountain, Alabama.

Located in the northeastern section of the state, Sand Mountain at an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level, is known as the coolest site in Alabama. “It is my mother’s home town. I spent many summer weeks visiting my grandmother Flacy and Aunt Dottie on her farm,” Libby recalls. “I remember sitting under the big willow tree and peeling peaches that would be turned into pickles and preserves. It was here I had my first experience with a pressure cooker. Aunt Dottie was cooking sweet potatoes when it exploded. Sweet potatoes went everywhere.”

When the family visited, “Aunt Dottie always put on a feast. My dad said the legs of the table bowed out. She would start the next meal just as soon as cleanup finished for the last one. I loved her breakfasts most of all: fresh biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs with ham, buttery grits and homemade jams. This was ...