Meet Your Host!

Many of you will recognize Jeremy Whaley as a long term resident of Dadeville. Some will remember him from his days at the StillWaters Windjammer Restaurant on Lake Martin!  Jeremy joined the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management as an Assistant Professor in the fall semester of 2014. Jeremy says "I love training and developing future operations managers and executive leadership for the hospitality industry."  His prior-corporate experience includes restaurant management for Longhorn Steakhouse and Jameson Inn Hotels, where he was a General Manager. His formal education is from Central Alabama Community College, where he completed an Associate's Degree in Sciences, and Auburn University for his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He left the corporate working world and the academic environment behind him to see a small restaurant company grow into a multi-unit operation. Oh, and what's even better is that he gets to work closely with his family and close lifelong friends. "After all, that is what life is about." Jeremy says, " for me is a life complete with authentic experiences and people, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Jeremy brings a little happiness to everything he is involved with. Come say hello!

So tell me about the name. . .

The Camellia (Camellia japonica) was designated the official state flower or Alabama on August 26, 1959. It was chosen to replace the original state flower, Goldenrod, selected in 1927, because the ladies of Butler County considered it a weed. In 1999, the states legislature further amended state flower legislation to designate which Camellia, the Camellia japonica. The Alabama state flower grows on an evergreen, flowering shrub that is prized for its form and its smooth, polished leaves. From November to March, the Camellia flowers bloom in large, prominent displays in shades of white, pink, red, and even yellow. These flowers are popular for their subtle, sweet fragrance. Camellias can be seen growing throughout the Alabama’s parks, gardens, and roadsides. As they are easy to grow, Camellias are cultivated throughout the southern United States, but the yearly crop in Alabama provides two-thirds of these flowers for the eastern United States. Alabama showed its love for the Camellia by featuring it on their state quarter. Alabama also recognizes an official state wildflower. They designated the Oak-Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr.) as the official state wildflower in 1999.
So in honor of this beautiful flower and the Great State of Alabama we decided to call our hometown cafe The Camellia Cafe.


Credit Line
Smithsonian Gardens, Horticultural Artifacts Collection. Gift of Helen Hornberger.