Before the nice days of fall disappear and leave summer a distant memory, let’s visit a local man who has made grilling an art—hot weather or cold.

He has been interested in grilling since the age of 12 or 13. Now at 25, Alan Ward has become the major grilling chef in his family and assists Gary Farr whenever he sets up his Swamp Billy Bar-B-Que. “I’ve learned a great deal from Gary.”

Alan says it all began on a traditional Sunday dinner visit to his father’s homeplace on Gwynn’s Island where two aunts resided. “That’s something we did every Sunday, especially when the Redskins were playing.” On one such occasion they let Alan do the grilling. “I guess that’s when I learned I really liked doing it,” he said.

Alan’s love of cooking continued through his years of growing up and today his family and friends are reaping the benefit of his good grilling and smoking talents.

With Sunday and Monday off fro...