From the Editor Did you know ... ? Amazing things

One of my greatest joys in journalism has been the notion of discovery – uncovering little known tidbits of knowledge. It could be history. It may be a place, a person or event. It’s that moment when you want to gently nudge a friend with your elbow and say, ‘Hey, look at this!’

When I sit down to edit the magazine’s stories, I get the urge quite often as anyone who walks by my computer at the time will attest. I can’t seem to harness the temptation to share my latest ‘discovery.’

Today, I’m editing in a room all alone, so humor me and let me just share a few of the discoveries found in this issue through my column instead of using my elbow.

A few months back, I met Larry Krantz, an 81-year-old retiree who I was told had a background in video editing. He was immediately drafted as a ‘volunteer’ for Museum of Pell City to help with our living history program. From the first moment I met him, I was mesmerized –not just by his talent and willingness to share – but by the quiet way he told his own story.

And it was quite the story. He was an apprentice photographer during the Civil Rights Movement and helped shoot Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. He edited video for movies and television commercials. He worked for CNN, Turner Classic Movies, The Food Network, MGM and Apple. When I introduce him, I find myself prefacing it with one of those ‘Hey, look at this!’ moments.

The same holds true for historian Joe Whitten’s story on Rocky Zion Missionary Baptist Church – such a storied history with plenty of ‘did you know?’ nuggets. Fast forward to the future, and it looks like Moody just ensured a bright one with a ribbon cutting on its brand new Kelly Creek Commerce Park, predicted to usher in a new era of prosperity and growth for the region.

Or how about the talk of the town – and the area?

The St. Clair and Tavern at The St. Clair have opened to rave reviews and packed restaurants, where their white tablecloth and casual dining are building a huge following in Pell City. From Ahi tuna to Wagyu beef to craft cocktails, cosmopolitan has come to town. Casually speaking, so has gourmet sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

Our Outdoors section has some discoveries of its own – kayaking, hiking and cycling are more than in vogue around these parts, they’re thriving in St. Clair County. So grab your hiking shoes, a paddle or a helmet and explore the great outdoors.

That’s not all, of course, in this issue of Discover, but I’ll give my metaphorical elbow a rest. Turn the page and discover it all with us!

Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher