Discover The Essence of St. Clair April and May 2022

Berritt Haynes Voice Talent • Alabama to Appomattox All American Ford Opens • Friendship Place • Lovejoy Honored

CEPA SPOTLIGHT Program shining brightly across county

April & May 2022

NET RESULTS Three county anglers make splash at Bassmaster Classic

Big Canoe Creek MOVING FORWARD

NATURE PRESERVE

Discover The Essence of St. Clair April & May 2022

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BERRITT HAYNES

CEPA SPOTLIGHT

BIG CANOE CREEK

Local teen finds his “Voice”

Shining throughout St. Clair County

Grounbreaking on Springville preserve

Traveling the Backroads Alabama to Appomattox

Friendship Place

Enriching and encouraging friends and family Page 22

Net Results

Three St. Clair anglers sights set on Bassmaster

Page 36

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About THE Cover

St. Clair Business

All American Ford opens doors for itself and region Page 54 New dealership a boost for other local businesses Page 64 Pell City rolling in new restaurants and retail Page 70 New Richey’s Grocery Page 76 Ft. McClellan Credit Union breaks ground Page 78 Lovejoy honored by Congress Page 80 New Fresh Value Moody location Page 82

Doug Morrison, president of Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners, paddles forward on the creek, symbolic of the momentum powering the preserve’s opening in Springville. Photo by Mackenzie Free.

Writers AND Photographers Carol Pappas

Carol Pappas is editor and publisher of Discover St. Clair Magazine. A retired newspaper executive, she served as editor and publisher of several newspapers and magazines during her career. She won dozens of writing awards and was named Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist at Auburn University.

She serves as president/CEO of Partners by Design, which publishes Discover and LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®.

Roxann Edsall

Graham Hadley Graham Hadley is the managing editor and designer for Discover The Essence of St. Clair Magazine and also manages the magazine website. Along with Carol Pappas, he left The Daily Home as managing editor to become vice president of the Creative Division of Partners by Design multimedia company.

Paul South

Roxann Edsall is a freelance writer and former managing editor of Convene Magazine, a convention industry publication. She has a degree in (broadcast) journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi, worked as a television news reporter in Biloxi and as a reporter and assignments editor in Birmingham.

Paul South, a native of Fairfield, is an Auburn graduate with a degree in journalism and a double minor in history. He also has a Juris Doctorate degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Although sports writing was always his first love, he had a versatile career as reporter, columnist and first full-time sports information director at Samford University.

Linda Long

Scottie Vickery

Linda Long has worked in communications for more than 25 years in print, broadcast, nonprofit promotion and event planning and implementation. Her writing has appeared in publications across the state. She served as news and special projects producer for NBC13 News, where her work won national, regional and state honors, including two Emmy Award nominations.

Scottie Vickery is a writer with a degree in journalism from the University of Alabama and was a reporter for The Birmingham News.

Her first assignment was covering St. Clair and Blount counties. She has more than 30 years of writing and editing experience and her work has appeared in a variety of publications. She also has worked in the nonprofit industry.

Robert Debter Robert Debter was raised on his family’s Hereford farm in Blount County and previously served as vice president of the Blount County Historical Society. He has been the archive director of the Ashville Museum & Archives since May 2016 and traces three branches of his ancestry to St. Clair County in 1820.

Mackenzie Free Mackenzie Free is an experienced and nationally published photographer with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She is a Birmingham native now cultivating life on a farm in Steele with her husband & 4 daughters.

Wallace Bromberg Jr. Wally was born in Birmingham. He graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1973, and went on to Auburn University where he graduated in 1976 with his B.A. in history and minors in German and education. Wally’s skills in photography blossomed during college.

Upon graduation, he entered his father’s business, National Woodworks, Inc.

Kelsey Bain As the owner of Kelsey Bain Photography, Kelsey is a regular contributor of photos and editorials for our publications. An Alabama native and graduate of Auburn University, Kelsey now resides on Logan Martin lake with her husband Adam and their daughter, Sawyer.

From the Editor

Making the best of change

Sometimes, we have to adapt to change, even when it’s what we never intended. That’s the way we felt around here when the worldwide paper shortage finally caught up to us here at home with our magazines, and we were forced to make some changes temporarily.

When we launched Discover St. Clair Magazine in August 2011, the guiding principle behind it was to be different from any other publication in the region. It was bigger in size – 9 x 10.75 inches. It was bigger in scope – giving readers and advertisers the story behind each compelling article we shared. And it was better in quality – silk cover and pages and bound like a book.

Our dedication to giving our readers and advertisers the highest quality in look, feel and content possible hasn’t changed. But for a time, Discover and our sister magazine, LakeLife 24/7®, will have a bit of a different look. Same great content. Same dedication to quality. But the overall size is about an inch smaller.

As soon as we can weather this storm, we will return to the larger, bound size of our magazine. It’s our signature, and we intend to deliver it again when the paper crisis is over. Predictions are that it will be sometime later this year.

Until then, only the size and binding are changing. We continue to deliver the stories and photographs that set the standard.

Just take a look. In this issue, step inside Friendship Place, a welcome respite for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s and the loved ones who care for them.

Read all about dream catchers – St. Clair County

Discover

people who chase their dreams and catch them – Berritt Haynes, as a finalist on The Voice, and Joey Nania, Wes Logan and Matt Herren, as competitors in the king of angling, Bassmaster Classic.

Check out a couple of game changers for our county – the opening of All American Ford in Odenville and the groundbreaking for Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve.

Both are seen as economic drivers for the county. In addition, the 422-acre preserve will boost ecotourism, making it a destination point for recreation and the great outdoors.

And we shed a little light on youth drama programs evolving throughout the county through Spotlight, which develops an appreciation for theatre and performing arts on stage, behind the scenes and the scenery and even through video and podcasts. It’s not only growing, its thriving thanks to a partnership between Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts and Jefferson State Community College.

There’s plenty more where those stories come from. Turn the page (even if it’s a tiny bit smaller) and discover them all with us.

Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher

The Essence of St. Clair

April & May 2022 • Vol. 65 • www.discoverstclair.com

Carol Pappas • Editor and Publisher Graham Hadley • Managing Editor and Designer Dale Halpin • Advertising Toni Franklin • Graphic Designer Brandon Wynn • Director Online Services

A product of Partners by Design www.partnersmultimedia.com 1911 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125 205-335-0281

Printed at Russell Printing, Alexander City, AL 7

Berritt Haynes in his favorite practice space in their home.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Berritt Haynes

PELL CITY NATIVE BUILDING ON PERFORMANCE, EXPERIENCE ON THE VOICE Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Graham Hadley Submitted Photos Berritt Haynes is no stranger to life-changing news, so when a talent recruiter from television’s The Voice told him to pack his bags and head for Los Angeles last May, it was sort of a “same song, different verse” situation. This time, however, the verse was a whole lot sweeter.

The Pell City native and his family were first stopped in their tracks by unexpected news when Berritt was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart disease at age 8. Eleven years later, the call welcoming the 19-year-old aspiring singersongwriter to Season 21 of the NBC reality singing competition was much more fun.

“We were all whooping and hollering,” Berritt’s mother, Monica Haynes, said. “It was so loud, Berritt had to go outside to talk to her.”

Although he was eliminated in the Knockout Round of the competition that aired last fall, Berritt said he has no regrets. He earned high praises from the celebrity judges, including country singer Blake Shelton, who was Berritt’s team coach, and he said he grew as a singer, a performer and a person.

“This whole experience has been so amazing!!”

Berritt said in a social media post after his elimination. “This is only the beginning, y’all!”

Since then, Berritt has been playing as many gigs as he can, writing music, honing his craft and continuing to dream big. “I’ve gotten a lot more confident, and my voice is stronger than before I went,” he said. “I’m just playing as much as I can and hopefully, something will come of it.”

Heartbreaking news Berritt, who turns 20 on April 12, was at his 8-year-old checkup when his pediatrician, Dr. Keith Stansell, heard a heart murmur he hadn’t heard before. “A lot of doctors would have said to watch it for a while, but he’d seen Berritt all his life and knew it hadn’t been there before,” Monica

Competing on The Voice

At home with Pell City High Band

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Berritt Haynes

On stage at The Voice

said. “We sing his praises all the time.”

Berritt was referred to a cardiologist, who diagnosed him with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s a disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. It’s often known as “sudden death disease” because it can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, and it’s the most common cause of heart-related sudden death in young people.

“They kept asking who in our family had died in their early 30s, but there was no one,” said Monica, adding that the disease is usually inherited. Genetic testing revealed that she has it as well, although her case is not as severe as her son’s. Berritt’s youngest sister, 13-year-old Kynlee, carries the gene but so far has not developed the disease.

His father, Jeremy, and his sisters, EllaGrace, 14, and 17-year-old Ryleigh, have no heart issues.

“It was devastating,” Monica said. “I had a lot of mama guilt for a long time just knowing I gave that to my kid.”

Berritt’s lifestyle changed immediately after the diagnosis. He loved sports, but he had to quit playing baseball and football. At 14, after passing out on a hunting trip with his grandfather, Berritt had surgery to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed in his chest. The battery-operated device detects abnormal heart

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Grand Marshal at Pell City Christmas Parade

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Berritt Haynes

Berritt plays his custom-made guitar.

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Berritt credits family and faith in getting through open heart surgery.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

rhythms and will provide an electric shock if necessary to make his heart beat normally.

Three years later, in 2019, 17-year-old Berritt underwent open heart surgery at the end of his junior year of high school. “My family and the Lord are what got me through it,” Berritt said when he shared his testimony a few months later.

Although Berritt had to give up a lot of things he loved, he discovered some new joys, as well. Right after the diagnosis, his parents started him in competitive BB gun shooting events so he could still compete in an outdoor activity. He won a number of awards in competitions all over the South, including a gold medal in the Alabama State Games. In 2013, he was named the ASF Foundation’s Male Athlete of the Year. “My dream is to one day compete in the Olympics,” Berritt said at the time.

It was music, though, that truly captured his heart.

Both of his parents sing in the church choir, and even as a toddler, “Berritt would sit in our laps during practice,” Monica said. “He would sit there and sing his little heart out.”

That’s why they also enrolled him in guitar lessons after he had to give up sports. “We told him, ‘You can still be playing this when you’re 70, but you wouldn’t be playing baseball at 70,’” Monica said. In addition, Berritt started singing and playing with the praise band at his family’s church, Seddon Baptist Church, and he played the alto sax and tenor sax with the Pell City High School Jazz Band.

“I just love music,” said Berritt, who was singing with the praise band again two weeks after his surgery. “I really love singing worship songs.”

In full voice Following his surgery, Make-a-Wish, a nonprofit that fulfills wishes of kids with critical illnesses, arranged for Berritt to be in the audience during a taping of The Voice and to meet the judges. COVID-19 derailed the plans, though, and Make-a-Wish refurbished Berritt’s pickup truck instead.

Berritt’s mom knew about her son’s dreams, though, so she took matters into her own hands and submitted a video of Berritt singing Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven to The Voice. He had auditioned twice before – once in middle school, once in high school – but the third time was the charm.

The initial call from the talent recruiter came during a family movie night. Monica saw a California number on her screen, thought it was spam, and let it go to voicemail.

“Y’all are going to want to pause the movie for this,” she told her family after listening to the message.

When word finally came months later that Berritt had officially made the cut, he packed two suitcases, his guitar and a backpack and headed for Los Angeles. The shows were pre-recorded with audiences of about 150 screaming fans. “Sometimes you can’t hear what you’re doing,” he said.

The first time he took the stage during the “Blind Auditions” and sang Brett Young’s Mercy, Berritt tried not to think about the more than 7 million viewers who would eventually be watching the show’s premiere. “At that point,

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Berritt Haynes The light and recording setup Berritt uses to make his videos

I was just singing for my coaches,” he said of celebrity judges Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Ariana Grande and Shelton. “When Blake turned around (to signify he wanted the singer on his team) all those nerves I had went away.”

Although Berritt, who graduated from Pell City in 2020, didn’t get a lot of air time during the show, the judges were quick to praise his talents. “I think you’re just a damn good singer,” Shelton told him following his first performance.

In other shows, Clarkson said “his tone was cool” and told Berritt, “I was just captivated by you.”

During the two and a half months he was in Los Angeles, Berritt got to work with a vocal coach for the first time and enjoyed hanging out, singing and playing games with his fellow contestants. He also added a few new pieces to his wardrobe.

“There was nothing they gave me that didn’t fit me tight,” he said with a laugh. Although he got to keep a leather jacket, shirts and a few pair of jeans, he said the best thing he got from the experience was the feedback and encouragement from the coaches.

“Blake always had nothing but good things to say about what I was doing, what I was singing,” Berritt said. “They really build up your confidence. They want you to do good; they want you to be successful.”

Since he’s been home, Berritt has worked some as a substitute teacher to earn some extra money while continuing to do what he loves most – make music. He released a new single, Sidewalks of Birmingham, on all streaming platforms in January, served as grand marshal

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of the Pell City Christmas Parade and is performing as often as he can. In addition to playing Lakeside Live and other venues, he recently opened for Girl Named Tom, the Season 21 winner, at Iron City in Birmingham.

“The whole experience was amazing,” Berritt said. “With all the stuff I’ve been through, I just didn’t think I’d ever make it that far or amount to anything. It’s been a dream come true.” l Editor’s Note: Want to keep up with Berritt’s career?

Follow him on Instagram @berritt.haynes or on Facebook at Berritt Haynes Music.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Traveling the

BACKROADS

Alabama to Appomattox Leroy F. Box and Pleasant Riggs Crump, St. Clair’s witnesses to history

Pleasant Riggs Crump 16

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Story by Robert Debter Submitted Photos Photos by Graham Hadley They both hailed from St. Clair County in the early 1800s. One returned home from the Civil War to live out his life there. The other resettled in nearby Talladega County after the war. But Leroy F. Box of Ashville and Pleasant Riggs Crump of Ragland crossed paths as Confederate soldiers on a fateful day at Appomattox, Va., as eyewitnesses to history.

Soldier, educator, judge, lawmaker Leroy Franklin Box’s story does not begin in St. Clair County, but in Kent, England, where his family originated. The Box family had a long history of patriotic military service to America from the American Revolution to the War of 1812 and the Seminole War. He was born at Trout Creek (now Ragland) on April 9, 1837, to Allen and Mary ‘Polly’ Box. Both were from South Carolina and of the Methodist faith.

Mrs. Box was described as “true in all relations of life” and “a faithful, devoted Christian.” At the time of his birth, St. Clair County was not even 19 years old, and its boundaries extended farther north into present day Etowah County.

Many of the county’s first, founding and most prominent families, as with his, the Ash and Dean families, came from South Carolina, with many others coming from Georgia (Inzer), North Carolina (Yarbrough), Tennessee (Looney) and Virginia (the Chandler and Cobb). The young Leroy received his early education from Professor Law and Pope and would teach school for several years.

In 1860, he became St Clair County’s first superintendent of education but also in 1860 came a very contentious and divisive presidential election in which the winner carried only 18 of 33 states (none were Southern) and received less than 40% percent of the popular vote. South Carolina seceded unanimously (169-0) on Dec. 20 and was followed by Mississippi (83-15) and Florida (62-7) on Jan. 9 and 10, 1861. Then, the hour of decision fell to Alabama and in Montgomery on Jan. 11, the Republic of Alabama was declared in a vote of 61-39.

Leroy Franklin Box

Pleasant Riggs Crump

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Traveling the

BACKROADS

Masonic Lodge, Ashville

Box joined Company A of the 10th Alabama Infantry, which had been organized at Montgomery and placed under command of Col. John Horace Forney. The regiment would see action beginning at the Battle of Dranesville in Fairfax County, Va., and continue to be engaged at many noteworthy battles, including: Gaines’ Mill, Frasier’s Farm, Second Manassas (Bull Run), Sharpsburg (Antietam), Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Petersburg.

All through the war, Lt. Box studied from law books which were always with him. He married Isabella Vandegrift on April 22, 1866, and journeyed to Calhoun County to continue his law education, all the while still teaching. After obtaining his license, Box returned to Ashville and entered into a partnership with Judge John W. Inzer.

He served one term in the Alabama Legislature, two terms as state superintendent of education and was later nominated, then elected, as judge of the Seventh District. Judge Box was a Mason and a member of Ashville Lodge 186.

His home, built in 1890 by his son-in-law, still stands proudly in Ashville on Box Hill. Its elegance and

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splendor are displayed and preserved by its owners Lavon and Pat Drake, who operate their business the Ashville House Quilt Shop, in the beautiful Victorian home.

On March 26, 1895, Judge Box passed from this life while holding court at Edwardsville, then the county seat of Cleburne County. The Southern Alliance newspaper eulogized him as “... one more good man gone on before to mansions in the skies.” His epitaph reads: “A just judge always dared to do right, a brave soldier, a true mason, a conscientious Christian devoted to his church and every worthy cause.”

‘The last Confederate veteran’ In October 1864, during the almost year-long Siege of Petersburg in Virginia, a 16-year-old boy from Greensport, who had been in Crawford’s Cove on Dec. 23, 1847, appeared and was placed in the ranks of Company A of the 10th Alabama.

The son of Robert and Martha (Hathcock) Crump had been inspired by a returning soldier in 1863 and had become determined to join the Army and take up the cause for which many Southerners, both high and

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Traveling the

BACKROADS low born, had fought and died.

After the War, Crump journeyed back to Alabama and began his new life in Talladega County.

He married Mary Hall on Sept. 19, 1872, and built a home for them near Lincoln in the Acker’s Chapel Community. The honorary title of “colonel” was bestowed to Crump, a member of the United Confederate Veterans,

by President Harry Truman, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and he would be addressed by this title for the remainder of his life. In an apparent show of respect for Confederate veterans, he bestowed the honorary title much like Alabama Gov. Lurleen Wallace appointed Bob Hope an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Alabama State Guard.

Crump was a deacon at Refuge Baptist Church for almost 80 years and read the Bible through several times.

On April 26, 1950, Crump enjoyed a surprise visit from James W. Moore of Selma, commander-in-chief of United Confederate Veterans. The old soldiers clasped hands tightly and held their grip as they talked. Throughout the day they looked over old photos and reminisced of days long ago and old friends now passed.

His final birthday was one of tremendous celebration as friends, neighbors and members of the local Civitan Club gathered around a cake festooned with 104 candles. Col. Crump was made the first honorary member of the club.

His favorite scripture was from St. John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled,” and he once confided to a reporter, “I have spent these last few years sitting in a rocking chair and talking with the Lord.”

On Dec. 31, 1951, the flags of the past fell still, and the bugle calls became silent. There would be no more dreams of battle, nor seeing friends fall from rifle, cannon or bayonet. Crump, known as the “Last Confederate Veteran,” had passed away.

The United States flag draped his coffin.

APPOMATTOX On April 9, 1865, two soldiers, one a lieutenant and the other a private, watched the man who had led the Army of North Virginia ride to the Appomattox Courthouse, dismount his horse and enter. Private Pleasant Crump, uttered to his commanding officer, “... when Gen. Lee comes out after surrendering, he’ll come out without his sidearms, sword or anything else.” Lt. Leroy F. Box, replied, “That won’t happen. He’ll come out the same way he went in.”

About 15 minutes passed, and Lee emerged. He stood for a moment on the front porch and, looking out into the distance, placed a fisted hand into the open palm of another. True to his commander’s word, Pvt. Crump observed that Gen. Lee was still wearing his sword, as he mounted Traveller, and began his journey.

“How did you know it would happen that way?” Crump asked. Box replied, “Lee and Grant both graduated from

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Pleasant Riggs Crump

the U.S. Military Academy. They saw service on the Mexican border together. When secession came, Lee chose the South, and Grant chose the North. There could not have possibly been ill feelings between them.” l “Northern politicians do not appreciate the determination and pluck (bravery) of the South, and Southern politicians do not appreciate the numbers, resources, and patient perseverance of the North. Both sides forget we are all Americans.” – Gen. Robert E. Lee

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Friendship Place Enriching and encouraging friends and family

Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Kelsey Bain “Look at that baby! What a beautiful baby!” the lady says as she watches the petite blonde across the table from her.

“She’s so pretty! What a sweet baby!” Smiling, the small woman responds by lovingly wrapping her baby doll in the pink flowered blanket and gently laying her down on the table.

Whenever she comes to Friendship Place, Brenda’s “baby” will be waiting for her. Brenda’s family brings her to St. Simon Peter’s Friendship Place twice a week for stimulation, affirmation, encouragement and love. Brenda and her family are dealing with the effects of her dementia.

Friendship Place is a respite care facility in Pell City that offers services Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., allowing full-time caregivers of dementia patients a chance to leave their loved one in a safe and loving environment for a few hours.

The break is important to give caregivers a chance to do things alone that would be hard to accomplish with their family member along. “We’ve found this mission to be three-fold,” says Program Director Melinda Knepper. “It is an important respite time for family or caregivers to do

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errands or have personal time. It’s also a ministry to the dementia patient. It adds purpose and meaning to their lives. The third element is for the volunteer. They start helping so they can be a blessing to others, but more often than not, they end up leaving each day feeling blessed and fulfilled.”

Today’s theme is “Observe the Weather,” so the group is adjusting each activity to include cognitive enrichment associated with weather. The art activity includes painting an umbrella; the word bank for the word search is all weather-related, as is the bingo game board.

Each day is carefully structured to include both physical and cognitive stimulation. Today’s physical activity is balloon volleyball, played in chairs using pool noodles to hit the balloons over the net. Smiles and excited chatter fill the room as more balloons are added to the game.

Two years ago, the mission was conceived through a discovery process at St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church.

The rector at the time began a process to figure out the most pressing community needs. As they neared the end of that process, the need to help families dealing with dementia topped their list.

Christian Love Pantry and Lakeside Hospice, two other thriving community missions also born at St. Simon

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Friends and volunteers enjoy a favorite game of balloon volleyball.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Friendship Place Volunteers lead friends in cognitive development activities.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Peter, quickly outgrew the church and began operating as nonprofits outside of the church walls. It was, in fact, a volunteer with Lakeside Hospice that helped to validate the need for the services Friendship Place offers.

“Elizabeth Thomaston – she goes by Bit – was involved in support groups for families dealing with Alzheimer’s in both Pell City and Leeds,” Knepper explains. “She helped us see the need and get on the right track.” With a grant in hand, they opened just two months before the pandemic hit.

“We had a ton of interest as soon as we opened,” says Knepper, “but then we had to shut down for COVID just a couple of months later. We kept up via Zoom meetings, but we were glad to be able to open back up for in-person care.”

Currently, they serve four families a month, but hope the numbers will grow as people get more comfortable being together and COVID anxiety eases.

“We had one family that contacted the patient’s doctor to see if they were OK to come,” adds Knepper, “and she told me the doctor said the benefits of her being here outweigh any of the risks associated with COVID.” Doctors define dementia as a syndrome that leads to the deterioration of cognitive function to the extent that it interferes with daily living tasks and abilities. It is the result of a variety of diseases and injuries, including stroke and Alzheimer’s.

Statistics from the World Health Organization show that 55 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia, with 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to over 60% of cases. And since 66% of dementia patient care comes from live-in caregivers, the stress on those caregivers is often overwhelming.

Build it, and they will come Joanna Pickett brings her mother, Dot, to Friendship Place every day it is open. “We were actually here learning about it before they opened. We’d been going to a place quite far from here but came to talk to Melinda when we heard they were thinking of opening a place here,” she says. “It’s hard to imagine how important it is. It gives me a chance to breathe. I enjoy being her full-time caregiver, but with a dementia patient 24/7, there are some things that are very difficult to do when I have her with me.”

With that, she tells of a trip to Hobby Lobby that ended in frustration after her mom, a former artist, insisted on filling the buggy with new brushes and art supplies. “She doesn’t need them anymore, but she believes she does, so it’s a struggle in the store.”

Pickett says that being able to bring her mom to Friendship Place gives her a sense of peace, knowing that the volunteers there genuinely love Dot. On days that she goes, Pickett says, she comes back “a different person. You wouldn’t think a person with dementia would need to be encouraged, but they do. When I pick her up, she’s happy.

It stirs up her abilities, and she seems more attentive and calm.”

Even though she doesn’t understand what Friendship Place is when she’s told she’s going that day, Pickett says when she describes it as the place “where you sit at the round tables and play games with your friends,” Dot gets

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Friendship Place

Friendship Place volunteer Cindy Noble walks with a curious companion

ready with purpose and excitement.

That’s exactly the reaction Knepper wants from the program. “We offer theme-based activities, lunch, games and laughs … lots of laughs. We help them express their independence and give them lots of love from our volunteers.”

Volunteers are key Volunteers are trained in what memory loss means, the different types of dementia, and how to appropriately interact with those with memory loss. Knepper pairs each patient, whom they refer to as “friends,” with a volunteer for the day. Volunteers guide and encourage the friend and participate along with them throughout the day.

Those volunteers are not just from the church. They are looking for more, so anyone who is interested in serving is encouraged to contact Knepper at St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church.

A volunteer in the program from the first day, Mike Dikeman smiles as he describes his love for the mission.

He’d recently retired from Time, Inc., and was looking for a

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place to volunteer his time.

His dad had suffered from Alzheimer’s dementia for more than a decade, so he knew the frustration associated with his care.

“He lived in Kansas and each time I went to visit, I could tell a difference in him. He would ask me if I’d gained weight. Then a few minutes later, he’d ask again. A few minutes later, the same.”

He enjoys the opportunity to help other families through the process. Is it tough? “No,” he says, “we just have so much fun! Melinda is amazing and it’s a very positive environment.”

They even tease him because one day he rescued a turtle from the road on the way to the church. When he came in, he jokingly asked if it was turtle day, since he had one in his truck.

Against all odds, it actually was World Turtle Day, and turtles were the theme of their activities. The friends got a chance to see a live turtle that day. “Now they ask me on Elephant Day if I have one in my truck,” he jokes. “It’s just a fun place to be.” l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

SPOTLI GHT CEPA program shining brightly throughout county

When Spotlight took center stage five years ago at Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts, it was simply an idea to nurture and grow love of theatre – in all its forms – among young people. Today, it is as its name implies – illuminating.

It casts its light on acting, set design, writing, podcasts, short film, directing, sound, lights, music and all that goes into a production as part of Spotlight’s successful script.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Story by Eryn Ellard Submitted Photos

Since 2017, Spotlight has produced more than 40 plays, several podcasts and one movie using all local actors and crewmembers from a volunteer network that spans St. Clair County.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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SPOTLI GHT In addition to CEPA’s community theatre troupe, younger versions are now flourishing through Spotlight Clubs at Pell City, St. Clair County, Moody and Victory Christian high schools. A kids drama program has evolved, and the awards ceremony for all of it held each year is now an event tantamount to the Oscars.

Born in 2015 in a collaboration with Jefferson State Community College, the CEPA program was gaining popularity for those interested in performing arts but was shuttered as a result of the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020.

Shelby Duke, Spotlight program coordinator, said that the program had to get creative in order to keep the program’s momentum moving forward. “In 2020, when the pandemic hit, we began using digital means to keep people involved in Spotlight since we could not be in the theatre for a few months,” Duke said.

In September of 2020, Duke said, the program began cultivating a digital media platform and expanding into a podcast in Spotlight Studio called The Black Box. “In October of 2020, we released our first podcast and asked our clubs to write podcasts as well,” Duke noted. “We had several podcast scripts submitted, and we made a season out of it.”

Spotlight Studio is also a place where people can find videos of the various clubs involved with the program, short films and other projects within it. Building on its successes, the program is in the midst of transforming another podcast into a short film.

Perhaps one of the most creative outlets within the program, The Black Box Podcast, is a dramatic audio theatre experience where club members write their own scripts for the podcast and record them. Subjects last year included a wide variety of subjects from comedy pieces about Christmas to more serious subject matters.

Miss Christmas Business developed by the St. Clair County High School club debuted at the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham in 2021.

“We are planning on releasing a podcast this month, Project SEM;COLON written

by Pell City High School student Anna Claire Hawthorn. Project SEM;COLON is a podcast and future short film that shines light on suicide awareness,” Duke said.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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“Anna Claire and other PCHS students have worked so hard on this project, and I am extremely proud of them.”

A catalyst for all, regardless of age and performing arts experience, “this program brings people together who have an interest in theatre,” Duke said. “It has become a community of people who share that love or want to see what things are all about. It is open to anyone who wants to give theatre a try – on and off the stage.”

In addition to the program’s new digital platforms, Spotlight is still home to plays and musicals upon which it built its reputation. It also hosts a Summer Drama Camp for Spotlight Kids Club.

Now in its fifth year, Spotlight annually shines the light on its own through the Spotlight Awards, a way to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the program and its members over the year. “We have categories for everything from actors awards to the best in crew awards,” Duke said. “It is also a way for us to get donations that go to the Spotlight program as well.

We have food and entertainment to continue to build the Spotlight Award community and celebrate our wonderful talent.”

Another face also joined the Spotlight team this year, Nicholas Fason, who will be serving as Spotlight Studio coordinator and will be overseeing digital productions like podcasts and Spotlight Films.

“I am very excited to be stepping into the Studio coordinator role,” Fason said. “I am very passionate about giving students and community members every opportunity to express themselves.”

Fason will be coordinating between students and community members. “I am honored to be given this

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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SPOTLI GHT opportunity to make sure that we can execute the vision of the students and their creative endeavors,” Fason said.

The potential for the future is not lost on CEPA Executive Director Jeff Thompson, who along with Jefferson State’s Leslie Warren and Nicholas Kin, founded the program five years ago and carefully laid the groundwork.

In an impassioned speech at the Spotlight Awards Ceremony, Thompson discarded his notes, stepped from behind the podium and delivered a dramatic rallying cry for the program.

Five years ago, he said, he, Warren and Kin “had an idea that there would be enough of you out here to show this community that theatre was important, to keep this thing running, to keep more people coming through these doors year after year, doing play after play, growing exponentially, making people realize your art is important. And you’ve done it for five years, letting this community know that what you love is important,” he told the capacity audience of young people.

“And that’s what I love. I love that you love it. I love that you want to do it. I love that it matters to you. I love it that you chose it. I love it when you try hard and succeed, and I love it when you try hard and don’t. I love you, and I appreciate you.”

For five years, he said, “you’ve shown me, you’ve shown this board, you’ve shown everybody in here that we matter, and that’s what I want you to know tonight is that you matter. The things that you love matter. Keep doing them. Keep trying. Keep working. Be better every year. Happy five years, St. Clair County!” l

Shelby Duke, Spotlight coordinator

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Net Results Matt Herren

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

A trio of St. Clair anglers make a splash at Bassmaster Classic Story by Paul South Submitted, staff photos The PGA Tour has its FedEx Cup. NASCAR drivers put the pedal to the metal and trade paint gunning for The Chase.

And Matt Herren, Wes Logan and Joey Nania professional anglers with St. Clair County ties, hoped to make their mark at the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, where the best bass fishermen in the world gathered in hopes of reeling in the sport’s most prestigious prize, fishing’s Super Bowl.

Nania finished 13th with winnings of $15,000; Logan finished 23rd with $13,000 in winnings; and Herren finished 32nd with $10,000 in winnings.

The 2022 classic came to Lake Hartwell, a man-made body of water near Greenville, S.C., in early March. While St. Clair County has made a mark in the NFL – with San Francisco defensive end Dee Ford (Odenville) and Major League Baseball with Springville native and Detroit Tiger hurler Casey Mize, the county’s biggest pro sports splash may be in professional fishing, thanks in large part to Herren, Logan and Nania. Seven anglers who have competed on the pro circuit call the county home.

It’s not unusual in sports to see large metropolitan areas produce world-class competitors. But for a largely rural county like St. Clair that’s peppered with small towns, three world-class competitors from the county in a sport’s marquee event is worth cheering, regardless of the end results.

“It’s kind of a cool thing to think about,” said Springville’s Logan. “With our county being so small and three of us competing in it. I think it just shows the caliber of fishing in Alabama and especially in Central Alabama where our county’s located. It gives a testament to the lakes and rivers in the surrounding area about how good they are and how diverse they are.”

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Net Results Wes Logan reels one in.

87.5-square-mile Lake Hartwell reservoir is comprised by waters from the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers and is one of the Southeast’s largest lakes.

Hartwell’s deep waters presented a trophy-sized challenge for Classic competitors. In fact, the 2022 Classic was Logan’s first-ever tournament on Hartwell.

The lake is known for its deep waters, similar to Northwest Alabama’s Smith Lake. By contrast, the lakes of the Coosa are stained and shallow.

Anglers call Hartwell a Blueback Herring lake, named for the small migratory fish that’s a favorite bite for the big bass of Hartwell. Because the herring are on the move, it makes anglers’ quest for a catch a bigger challenge. Bluebacks can be in one patch of water in the morning, another by the afternoon, taking the famished bigger fish with them. “(The herring) roam around a lot,” Logan said.

“They’re nomadic. “If you find fish on Tuesday.

They’re liable to be gone by Tuesday afternoon. The fish just follow the bait.”

The 50,000-acre lake’s deep waters – a maximum of 185 feet – offers another challenge for anglers.

“It’s going to set up a little bit different than I’m used to, being from around the Coosa River, where it’s shallow fishing mostly. The baitfish and the way the fish act is going to be really different,” Logan said.

“Hartwell is a really good lake, just in general,” he added. “I got to free practice over there for a couple of

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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days, and it seemed to have a really good population of fish in it … I know from past Classics there, it’s a really good lake.”

Herren is an Ashville resident who grew up fishing with his dad, Butch, on Neely Henry Lake. At 59, he’s one of the senior competitors on the B.A.S.S. circuit who didn’t become a full pro angler until 2003. Before that, he worked in his dad’s Birmingham body shop. He married his wife, Candy, and the couple raised two sons, Josh and Jacob.

But this year’s Bassmaster Classic will mark his 17th major championship tournament since 2003.

“To me, the tournament fishing was kind of an afterthought; I just always loved to fish. I’ve been competitive my whole life. I mean, I played sports in school … One thing led to another.”

The pro fishing game has changed since Herren was in high school and college, when tournament fishing “just wasn’t that big a deal.” Now, it’s a big money game, with tournament cash, television, endorsement deals, even video games. Hank Cherry Jr. took home a $300,000 first-prize check after winning last year’s Classic.

“I think I was 39 when I went full time. The sport has kind of evolved into something the younger guys are getting into.

It’s growing by leaps and bounds,” Herren said.

But one of pro fishing’s graybeards isn’t intimidated by the young bucks he faces on tour.

“I’m still highly competitive now,” Herren said. “These

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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Net Results young whippersnappers, I can still run with ‘em.”

Herren breaks down Lake Hartwell, much like a football or basketball coach breaks down an opponent.

In fishing, the seasons, weather patterns and more are taken into account.

“Every body of water we fish will offer an angler areas that he likes to fish, styles, certain techniques.

That’s how I try to go about doing my job,” Herren said. “I try to fish the techniques and patterns that are my strong suit and just see what happens … I just try to be consistent and do what I do.”

A St. Clair County transplant – Joey Nania – moved with his wife and kids to Cropwell from Washington state. In 2009, he competed in the Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake. He met Rick Hughes, a Cropwell evangelist and “a really good fisherman.” The two became friends, and Nania visited the following summer. The combination of faith, family values and fishing lured Nania to settle in the county. He now calls Pell City home.

Nania accepted Christ at 19 after meeting Hughes.

Later, Nania met his future wife, Jessica, and his career took off. He calls it “a string of blessings.” His newfound faith – belief he shares on tour, played a role in his decision to move south.

Along with his pro career, he is a fishing guide on the Coosa River system, Smith Lake and Lake Martin.

“It’s just such a great location, and it’s just the fact about Alabama. If you can learn to fish in Alabama, you can fish anywhere in the country because we have such diversity, Nania said.

Nania has fished Hartwell before, beginning with an episode of a fishing show he hosted for seven years called, Sweetwater. Hartwell is comparable to Smith Lake in Alabama, Nania said.

“I really like the size of the lake. It’s a big body of water; but it didn’t seem like overwhelmingly big.

Having the mixture of spotted bass and largemouth and having multiple options that aren’t far apart, is great …

If you can catch spots and have a largemouth pattern going, it’s a good way to go. And Lake Hartwell fits that bill.”

Regardless of how St. Clair’s three Bassmaster Classic competitors fared, Logan, Herren and Nania are proud to represent their home county in pro bass fishing’s Super Bowl. The trio are good friends. And all take pride in representing St. Clair County.

“It really just goes to show that fishing is deeply rooted in the South, especially this area of Alabama.”

Nania said. “There’s just so many different lakes, and fishing is just sort of a way of life around here. It’s faith, family and then fishing is kind of the motto for people around here. I know Wes Logan and Matt are like that, too “It’s really a cool thing to see all of us succeeding and has been awesome and just a total blessing.” l

42

Joey Nania

Matt Herren heads out on the water.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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BIG CANOE CREEK Nature Preserve Long-awaited groundbreaking celebrates 422-acre nature preserve in Springville 44

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Mackenzie Free Discover Archive and submitted Photos When public officials hoist shovels full of dirt into the air, it traditionally celebrates the coming of a new business or industry.

But when officials struck that familiar pose for the cameras in March, it signaled the coming of a new era for St. Clair County.

On a ridge surrounded by dense forest above Big Canoe Creek in Springville, a crowd gathered in a clearing to celebrate the groundbreaking for Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve – 422 acres of nature – preserved, protected and treasured.

Now designated as a Forever Wild site in Alabama, this preserve protects the pristine creek that runs through it, allowing its rare species to thrive. It preserves its flora and fauna. And it is being designed so that all can enjoy now and for generations to come.

“In 1999, the St. Clair Economic Development Council was formed to recruit projects that would create jobs and improve the quality of life” in St. Clair County, said EDC Executive Director Don Smith. “This doesn’t normally fit with what we usually do,” but it does not stray from its mission to improve the quality of life. “People will be able to hike and enjoy nature with their friends, family and children.”

Early day Go back a bit – 2009, to be precise – and the idea of Forever Wild came to the attention of Doug Morrison, who was president of Friends of Big Canoe Creek at the time, and Vicki Wheeler, who holds that title now. “It took nine years to make it happen, but it happened,” Morrison said.

“Friends of Big Canoe Creek brought to the attention of our community the importance of protecting Big Canoe Creek – its channel, its banks and its forested flood plain – that led to the creation of Big Canoe Nature Preserve,” Wheeler said.

“For it to be designated as a ‘preserve’ was rewarding for us because it spoke to the importance of the ongoing protection

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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BIG CANOE CREEK Nature Preserve St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith addresses crowd.

From left, Candice Hill, EDC; Rusha Smith, Freshwater Land Trust; Doug Morrison, Preserve Partners president; Rick Hopkins, Springville Parks and Recreation director ; Springville Mayor Dave Thomas; St. Clair Commission Chairman Paul Manning; Patti McCurdy, director Alabama State Lands Division.

Former Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Barnett Lawley and former executive director of Alabama Freshwater Land Trust Wendy Jackson 46

of the natural aesthetic and ecological properties of the land and the creek and, by extension, the entire watershed.”

She noted that “As a member of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Friends of Big Canoe Creek wanted to ensure that the preserve would be an example for other watershed protection groups in the state to follow, a model for ecological preservation and restoration and environmental stewardship. It also would serve as an educational resource for the community, to teach that ‘Through Nature Comes Understanding.’”

Team work They had help along the way. Wendy Jackson, then executive director of Alabama Freshwater Land Trust pitched the idea to then Springville Mayor Butch Isley, who embraced it. Springville Mayor Dave Thomas got behind the project and enhanced it through the push for creating Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners, a nonprofit that will help with sustainable funding. Morrison chairs that nonprofit.

“We will have funding for outdoor education, new trails and endless opportunities,” Morrison said. He noted that Alabama ranks fourth nationally in biodiversity, but No. 1 in species like fish, salamanders, snails, mussels, crayfish and turtles, all of which are found in Big Canoe Creek. “There are so many discoveries to be made. It’s here in our own backyard. We are going to bring people to nature.”

Former Alabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources Barnett Lawley was a driving force behind the Forever Wild push along with Jackson. While their positions were lofty on the state level – Lawley as a cabinet member for former Gov. Bob Riley, and Jackson, as a leader in acquiring lands that enhance water quality and preserve open spaces, this project was personal to them, too. Their roots are firmly planted in St. Clair County soil as native born – Lawley in Pell City and Jackson in Ashville.

Dean Goforth, a Springville businessman who owns nearby Homestead Hollow, and Candice Hill, an executive with St. Clair EDC, entered the picture to push the project along, and “things got off the ground,” Morrison said.

In 2018, it became a site in the Forever Wild program, which funds the acquisition of land to preserve what the name implies. St. Clair County and City of Springville have joined forces behind the project along with EDC, and investment to date is $1.5 million.

Patti McCurdy, director of Alabama State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, called the unprecedented

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

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BIG CANOE CREEK Nature Preserve

A quiet kayak trip, one of the many ways to enjoy the preserve show of support locally an example she holds up to other communities across the state working toward similar goals.

“You deserve a true pat on the back,” she said.

About the preserve A visit to the preserve area is like discovering a long-hidden treasure. Preserve officials call the Big Canoe Creek watershed “a jewel in the crown of Alabama’s biodiversity.” And rightly so.

According to the preserve’s own description, “About 80% of the main stem remains free-flowing through its 50-plus-mile length, as do all four of its major tributaries. Both the main stem and tributaries throughout the watershed retain much of their forest cover, helping maintain critical natural water temperatures. And to a significant degree, the watershed’s high quality is attributable to its drainage area remaining essentially rural and agricultural in character and land use.”

The creek is home to more than 50 species of fish, including the rare Trispot Darter, which was discovered in 2008 in Little Canoe Creek. The Trispot Darter is a species that used to be found in Alabama but had not been seen in nearly 50 years. It is now listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. Mussels, nature’s own water filter, are in “great supply” in Big Canoe Creek, which has retained most of its species, and has kept the creek pristine. Officials note that they are most endangered because of the need for extremely high water quality.

“Mussels are one of the most imperiled animal groups in North America, and their presence in the Big Canoe Creek

48

Plenty of plants and flowers found throughout the 422 acres/ Liz Brook photo

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

Rainbow shiner

A heron enjoys the creek/ Philip Dabney photo 50

One of the many picturesque spots on the creek/ Liz Brook photo

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

BIG CANOE CREEK Nature Preserve watershed is a testament to its ecological integrity,” according to the preserve. “Big Canoe Creek has eight federally listed freshwater mussel species, and an 18-mile stretch of its main stem was designated in 2004 as a ‘critical habitat’ under the Endangered Species Act.” A brand-new species, The Canoe Creek Clubshell (Pleurobema athearni), is only found in Big Canoe Creek and has been discovered in one of its tributaries.

The preserve’s 422 acres includes hilly, forested terrain as well as the creek, and its northern border is about a mile long with the northwestern corner spanning both sides of the creek.

Creekside scenery is abundant and higher points of the preserve provide views of the Big Canoe Creek watershed, including picturesque Canoe Creek Valley and the ridges of Pine and Blount mountains.

Realizing the vision The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the beginning of the foundational aspects of the preserve property.

It includes improvements to the entrance road and the initiation of its first hiking trail designed by Flow Motion Trail Builders through a contract with the City of Springville. Once completed, the goal is to have a series of trails that will eventually cross the preserve.

Other activities anticipated to eventually become part of the preserve’s offerings include horseback riding, kayaking and hiking.

“The Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is a project that we are all behind here in Springville,” said Mayor Thomas.

“Giving the public a place to experience the beauty of this area, increase their knowledge about nature, exercise and spend time in the quietness of the outdoors is something this entire administration has a desire to do.”

He noted that previous administrations began this project, “and we plan to see it through. We look forward to welcoming those in the surrounding communities as they visit Springville to enjoy this beautiful area at the heart of our community.”

Perseverance pays off Lawley, by virtue of his cabinet post, was chairman of Forever Wild. “This is what Forever Wild is for,” he said.

These properties are “an asset for the community and provide free opportunities for citizens to utilize property that is theirs. It’s taxpayer property.”

This project took longer than most because of the land acquisition delays in dealing with landowners. “But everybody stayed committed to it. It was a great team,” he said. “You can’t give enough credit to Doug Morrison. He hung in there, was tenacious and kept people motivated.”

He noted that the program around the state has great potential, pointing to other Forever Wild properties that communities can take advantage of and have a real impact

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2022

51

BIG CANOE CREEK Nature Preserve on their economy. “They see major increases in their tax base,” Lawley said.

Springville, he added, will reap sizable benefits because it gives the city the opportunity to “create its own economic impact.” Similar properties without as many amenities as Big Canoe Creek draw hundreds of thousands of people each year. “This is going to be a destination point.”

Jackson sees the potential as well. Through her work at Freshwater Land Trust, she was heavily involved in the early stages. “I have had the honor of being involved with land conservation here in Alabama and across the country.

This project in my home county, is an excellent example of how to do successful conservation. Over the years, the project traversed multiple political administrations who all stayed the course. The leadership shown by the City of Springville and the St. Clair County Commission is amazing as are the public-private partnerships” with the Big Canoe Creek Preserve Partners, Freshwater Land Trust and Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

“It is a testament to what I have always known and that is the beauty of the people who call this amazing place home and how special our natural areas are,” she said. “This is why, no matter how far I travel, my home will always be here with some of the finest people in the world. I really can’t emphasize how rare it is to find a lack of egos and such a collaborative nature in these projects.

“Every single person and agency made tremendous contributions, yet all of them stood at the podium giving credit to others.”

She had a name for them all – “land conservation rock stars” – but singled out one in particular. “Doug Morrison poured his heart, soul, sweat and tears in this effort. Every project needs a local person with the determination to see it through, and he is that person on this project.”

Hill sees the value in the work, too. “It is exciting to be able to offer opportunities for recreation on public properties in St. Clair County. The land itself is beautiful, and it will be preserved as greenspace in the middle of one of our fastest growing communities.”

Looking to the future, she said, “We believe that this project sets a tone for other projects yet to come. We would love to see more greenspace preserved and allow more public recreation throughout the county. All of the parties involved work together so seamlessly, and it really makes you proud to be a part. So much can be done with this type of concerted effort, and we applaud our current leadership for their role in this endeavor.”

Crossing the finish line It took a yeoman effort from a number of corners to get the project where it needed to be to become Forever Wild.

Goforth, who now serves on the Preserve Partners board, was instrumental in that process.

When he was asked by the former Springville administration to help the project along, “I didn’t fully

52

Speckled darter

Cambarus coosae (Coosa crayfish)

realize the impact it would have on this city, county and the entire area.”

The pieces were there, but it needed a point person who knew their way around state agencies to put it all together.

Goforth had those contacts and knew the inner workings, and he helped move it closer to fruition.

“I reached out to Candice Hill (at EDC) and others at the state level. We involved others at the county, state and city level to get it over the finish line,” he said. “I really believe it is going to become a premier destination spot in our state,” he said. “It’s going to be great for everyone. It’s not just about the economics, it’s education and preservation.”

A byproduct in opening the space is “providing a way for people to get together with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors,” he added. “It’s going to be wonderful for the local community, the county, the state and for people who travel in and out of this area.”

Smith agreed. He told the groundbreaking audience, “It’s in our nature,” coincidentally giving a nod to the county’s tourism slogan. “This kind of property would normally be in private hands with few to enjoy it. This preserve gives the public “opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and create those memories. They don’t have to drive out of state. I think they’ll like our good nature.” l

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Business Review

All American Ford is open and has plenty of inventory.

54 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Graham Hadley

All American Ford

Opening doors for the region

Nearly a year to the day after officials gathered in an empty field near Interstate 59 in Odenville to break ground on a major car dealership, All American Ford moved in and started selling cars and trucks.

The ceremony was seen as breaking ground on a new era for the region with All American Ford driving the economic impact. It didn’t take long to see that officials were right. In just the first 48 hours, they sold six brandnew vehicles.

That was quite a start. “It speaks well of things to come,” said coowner John Makovicka. He and his wife, Katy, along with their partners, Frank and Jane Neal of Ft. Worth, Texas, saw the potential when settling on a site for the new dealership. They owned All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Oneonta, so they were already familiar with the area.

They collaborated with Ford on the decision of where to locate and after pulling the economic data sets, “the buzzer went off,” Makovicka recalled.

“It was a great opportunity. This is a great place.”

And in late February, they opened the doors to the first full Ford signature-branded dealership in Alabama and Georgia. “Probably the Southeast,” Makovicka said.

Located on aptly named Mustang Avenue, the dealership is wall-to-wall state of the art. The 20,000-squarefoot facility features free Type 1 and 2 electric charging stations and fast charging at a cost. With an eye toward the future, they are soon to be subsidized by solar power. All American has two stations now, and they are working on four more, Makovicka said.

It doesn’t take long to recognize the cutting-edge technology found

Sales staff Tyler Copeland, Dee Holmes, Johnny Clardy and Mike Swindle outside the new building

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022 • 55

Business Review

All American Ford

The reception area and sales offices

throughout. Drive into the service area, and your vehicle is automatically laser screened to detect possible problems before you even reach a service representative.

In addition to servicing cars, trucks and SUVs, the service department is equipped to handle commercial vehicles. And customers can make themselves comfortable while they wait in the customer lounge, complete with snacks, a fivefoot, fresh-roasted coffee machine and free Wi-Fi. The showroom is an open concept with reception desk, sales areas and financing. Walls are filled with inspiring quotations from Ford founder, Henry Ford.

Makovicka, originally from Texas, sees the dealership as a means of bringing their Texassized hospitality and focus on community to Alabama. All American’s partners are dedicated to giving back to community, he said.

The dealership features a “community room” open to the public where after-hours events, training and meetings can be held. It can easily seat 30 people with plenty of space for two conference tables and chairs.

Back home in Fort Worth, the Neals have an engineering firm, but their hobby is cutting horses used to train children with disabilities. They also own a 50-year legacy ranch where they have

56 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

WELCOME

TO ODENVILLE! Partners in a new era for our region!

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Business Review served Austin, Texas with after-school programs that include horseback riding, archery, gymnastics, sports, and more.

All American’s partnership is built on community and giving back, he said. Even the official grand opening was a multi-day event with plenty of activities, food and fun to roll out the welcome mat to its new home.

Odenville Mayor Buck Christian knows their impact on community already.

“When the City of Odenville annexed the property near I-59, we knew it would be good for our economic future. We certainly embrace residential growth, but we survive on commercial developments,” he said.

“The revenue it generates provides professional services to the citizens of Odenville and St. Clair County,” and their presence as well as their community involvement spells nothing but a brighter future for the entire area.

“The I-59 corridor remains an excellent opportunity for financial and commercial growth in St. Clair County,” the mayor said. “We’re excited to see All American Ford so well embraced by the community, and we’re confident in their success. We

All American Ford

The new and hard-to-find Bronco

Ford trucks are always in demand.

58 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Service Adviser Brandon Mundy shows off equipment that scans cars as they come in for service.

Business Review

All American Ford

All American Ford’s new building

believe it will be a catalyst for even more growth opportunities in that area.”

As one of the six fastestgrowing counties in the state, the addition of the first major vehicle dealership within the county on the I-59 corridor means good things lie ahead for St. Clair, said Commission Chairman Paul Manning.

“We see it as a catalyst for growth for the entire area,” Manning said. “St. Clair County certainly welcomes All American Ford. We know that it is a prime location for business, and we thank them for recognizing that and investing in our county.”

St. Clair Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith agreed.

“John Makovicka and the entire Neal family have been a pleasure to work with on this exciting, new project. The company, City of Odenville, and the County

Nothing is more iconic than a Mustang.

60 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Business Review

All American Ford

State-of-the-art service department equipped to handle personal to large commercial vehicles

Commission all worked very well together. We all believe it’s a perfect site in a fast-growing area. The new facility will benefit both the community and the business. Soon that exit will be known as the All American Ford exit.”

With 40 jobs created, a sizable economic investment and room to grow, the horizon looks even better for the I-59 corridor region, officials predict.

“All American Ford is a great addition to our community,” said Realtor and developer Lyman Lovejoy, who sold the property. He has surrounding parcels that are expected to be developed as well.

“Through this development, you’re going to see more and more all around Highway 174 and I-59. This is a game changer for this part of our county.”

62 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

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Business Review

All American Ford

New dealership supercharging other local businesses When All American Ford announced St. Clair County as its new home, the benefits were obvious. A major commercial business locating at the Highway 174 interchange of Interstate 59 is the first major development at that exit.

It was easy to see the potential when the doors opened. But long before that, the economic impact was already being felt. When officials broke ground on the dealership, Local businesses reaped the benefits of the announcement early on.

Lovejoy Realty of Odenville sold the property to All American. Phifer Landscape Services of Pell City did the grounds work. Massey Paving of Argo handled the asphalt work. Goodgame Company of Pell City built the facility.

Subcontractors saw benefits as well. And City of Odenville will be on the receiving end of taxes generated through the dealership and the business growth it is likely to spur in the future.

Couple the early rewards with the 40 jobs All American created when at full capacity, and officials cannot disguise their excitement over the prospects. In February 2021, Odenville Mayor Buck Christian predicted, “It is the catalyst that will make this interstate interchange. You won’t recognize it in five years.”

With the state-of-the-art dealership now open for business, already booming in the early days, it is easy to imagine that the mayor’s prediction is well on its way to coming true.

64 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

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Business Review

Pell City rolling in new restaurants and retail

Story by Linda Long Photos by Graham Hadley and Carol Pappas Anybody for a cup of coffee? Would that be tall, grande or venti? Maybe a shot of espresso.

Perhaps a mocha, cappuccino or latte.

That’s right! Starbucks has come to town, located in the new Coosa Commons shopping center at U.S. 231 and I-20. Based on a steady stream of cars waiting in the drive through, Pell City is rolling out the red carpet.

“We just opened our lobby today,” said Savannah Crone, a Starbucks manager, a few weeks ago.

“Everything is going great. The crowd has been steady, and we’ve had a lot of people here. We’re making sure everybody is enjoying their drinks and their visit. Of course, there’s always somebody in the drive-thru.”

Crone says the staff is asking for their customers’ patience. “We’re still training our employees.

We have a lot of high school students, and they’re learning. We want to make sure everybody is fully trained so we can pay full attention to our customers.”

Starbucks isn’t the only new kid on this block. New eateries seem to be opening almost every week. In addition to the long-awaited Starbucks, folks may opt for subs of all kinds at Jersey Mike’s next door or taste tempting treats at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers nearby on U.S. 231 North.

And for those who want to feel like their takeout is home-cooked, folks are flocking to Papa

70 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Murphy’s Take ’n Bake Pizza in the strip center near Publix, where owners boast fresh ingredients, including freshly made crust every day. Patrons pick up their madeto-order pizza then take it home to bake.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Jacory Calhoun, district manager. “The customers have been awesome. Very responsive. As soon as we opened, they started bombarding the store. It’s been amazing. I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t expect to see it like that.”

Calhoun explained that Papa Murphy’s came to Pell City with a fully trained staff. “Everybody in this store is seasoned, and that’s what you want when you open your store – everybody trained and ready to roll.”

Calhoun has this advice for folks ordering a Papa Murphy’s Pizza: Try stepping out of your comfort zone.

“At first, I was a regular pepperoni person, but ever since I tried our Tuscan Chicken and Sausage … I’m telling you, that’s the best I ever ate. I tell people don’t go for the cheese or pepperoni. Now, you will like it, but it’s not what brings you back. You’ve got to try one of our specialties.

Those are the pizzas that really bring you back.”

Success in the early weeks foretells a bright future. “If the customers keep having the responses their having to us right now, I promise you, we’re going to be here for long while.”

That’s Holly Gaston’s plan, too. As general manager of Jersey Mike’s, she says she’s happy to be in Pell City. “It’s growing. It’s booming. There are so many opportunities here. New jobs are here. Pell City is just full of growth,” said Gaston.

The popular eatery chose March for its grand opening because according to Gaston, that’s the company-wide month of giving. This year’s benefactors are the Special Olympics and locally, Big Oak Ranch.

“Our company believes in giving back,” said Gaston.

Eating at Jersey Mike’s is “more than just enjoying wonderful food. It’s also about helping others that need it.”

The new sandwich shop, also located at Coosa Commons, features a variety of subs, including gluten free.

“Our thing,” said Gaston, “is sliced fresh to order.

Everything here is absolutely fresh every single day. The bread is baked fresh every day. Hot subs are prepared when you place your order. You have other sub chains who claim they are fresh, but we are the definition of fresh.”

Head south on U.S. 231 in Cropwell and check out Isabella’s Cocina and Cantina, which is getting rave reviews in its early days. Featuring a full Mexican menu, spacious dining inside and out, this new construction is attractively decorated and has an inviting atmosphere, drawing from residents of nearby Logan Martin Lake and all around.

But there’s more on the local dining scene. The buzz around Pell City says another restaurant – a high-class, white-tablecloth, candlelit, sit-down establishment is also considering Coosa Commons as its location.

Pell City Manager Brian Muenger says he’s met with the

Cars line up around the building at Starbucks.

Jersey Mike’s before grand opening

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022 • 71

Business Review

Pell City Restaurants and Retail

A perfectly baked Papa Murphy’s pizza

potential owners, and they are “excited” about the prospect.

“I know with the restaurant concept that was being reviewed, they were looking at taking all the rest of the available space and having a dining side, a bar side and also outdoor seating,” said Muenger.

“I strongly encourage them to consider that space and the menu they prepared. It was something really unlike anything we have here currently, and it’s something we have a great desire for. So many people tell me they’re traveling outside the city for sit down meals. And that’s certainly a need we want to see fulfilled,” he said.

“People strongly prefer to get their shopping and things done as close to home as possible, and that’s what we’re working to deliver here with as many options as possible. We want to keep our money and people here in St. Clair County.”

That’s a goal that just might be close at hand.

Don Smith, executive director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council, isn’t surprised about the apparent retail and restaurant boom. “As far as revenues go, even 2020 (pandemic) was a record year for Pell City, and 2021 continued that momentum,” he said, saying several developments have jumped from plans on a drawing board to real brick and mortar.

“A lot of these projects taking place now go back a couple of years,” said Smith. “They were delayed because of 2020,” but now are all full steam ahead. Last year was a record in sales tax, countywide basically. Pell City was up 8% over the previous year,” he noted.

“Folks are getting away from big cities looking for a quieter place to live,” explained Smith, “and Pell City, being on the lake, has drawn a lot of folks here from Atlanta and Birmingham to have a second home or to live here and work remotely.”

Muenger has the numbers to back that up. “Last year, we had over 200 new home permits that were issued, and we’re still seeing that continue at about the same level. Builders are building as fast as they can, but in some cases, they are hampered by the availability of finishing goods. Things like windows, doors, different fixtures. Absent those constrictions,” he said, “I really think they’d be building even faster.”

Most houses, in all price ranges, are staying on the market only a few days and in some cases, only a single day, Muenger said.

Despite the understandable optimism expressed by city and county leaders, there is somewhat of a downside. “The economy is so hot right now that business – all businesses and industry – is dealing

72 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

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Business Review

Pell City Restaurants and Retail Freddy’s Steakburgers

Isabella now open on Highway 231 74 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

with a staffing demand. All industry is trying to expand its workforce because labor ability is not always what they’d like it to be.”

Also, according to Muenger, with the obvious inflation, “we’re all paying more for the goods we are buying,” but people are also getting higher wages, creating what he called a “brisk demand” for all items from big purchases like houses and automobiles to the dayto-day purchases.

“Things are moving back to something very similar or in many cases above what the demand was in 2020,” said Muenger.

And for Pell City, that retail pipeline just keeps on producing.

The next major project soon to be underway is development of the old hospital property. The complex is to be anchored by Hobby Lobby and T.J. Maxx.

Smith said other tenants which can’t yet be announced will include “all brands, allowing folks in Pell City and surrounding areas to stay home and get the products they want rather than having to drive 45 minutes to shop.”

According to Smith, the 135,000 square feet of retail space is expected to be ready for shoppers in about 18 to 24 months.

Groundbreaking is set for this summer.

“This is something very exciting,” added Muenger. “It’s something we worked on for several years. In the same vein we talked about in keeping people here, this center is comprised of national brands that people are going to be very excited to see.”

As Pell City adds population, “we become more attractive to national brands,” he explained. “We have a larger population to service. I think businesses that come here will be very happy in the reception they receive. We’re excited about where things are headed on that front, and we’re excited about the people moving to St. Clair County to make it their home.”

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Business Review

New Richey’s Grocery Same family approach

Story by Eryn Ellard Photos by Graham Hadley There are certain things about life that are inevitable, change being one of them. People and places can’t stay the same forever. For the folks who have lived in Cropwell on the outskirts of Pell City, there has been one big change this year – the demolition and ultimate rebuilding and rebranding of the old Richey’s Grocery.

For years, the tiny country store was more than just the last place to pick up milk on your way home from work; it was the gathering place for the small community – the coffee was always hot and the Blue Bell ice cream was always cold. Eventually, though, the old, family-run business closed its doors and in 2017, new owners took over.

Business partners Danny Dinani and Frank Devani saw lots of potential in the old building, its history and ideal location just a stone’s throw from Logan Martin Lake.

Dinani, who has made a career in retail for over 20 years, acquired the property in 2017, and also moved his family to Pell City to start their lives in the small town.

“The lake and the community were a big selling point for me,” Dinani said. There are very nice people here, and it

is a family-oriented place.”

Recognizing that many people in the area know each other and their families, Dinani said the purchase was pretty much a no-brainer. “My customers know me and my family very well. It is a safe place to live, raise children and work in,” Dinani noted.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Dinani said his store remained open, serving the small community in a big way.

It was then when he and his partner decided that it was time to build a new Richey’s Grocery.

“The town of Cropwell is growing, so we wanted to grow along with it,” he said. “It also needed some changes, such as including a package store, new gas pumps, fishing supplies and groceries.”

The store was closed for nine months while the demolition of the old store and construction of its newer, more modern version was built. Richey’s reopened at the beginning of the year, officially three times the size of the old landmark store. The new store features a beer cave, which stays at a cool 32 degrees 24 hours a day.

Dinani has two full-time employees, and he and other members of his family also work there.

“The customers are all very friendly, they have welcomed me and my family with open arms, and we are very thankful for that.”

76 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Business Review

Fort McClellan Credit Union

Breaking ground on new Pell City location

Fort McClellan Credit Union, Pell City Chamber and city officials turn out for official groundbreaking.

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr. When Fort McClellan Credit Union first opened its doors in 1953, it organized as a nonprofit financial cooperative to serve military and civilians stationed at Anniston’s Fort McClellan.

After undergoing expansions in its services and its coverage area, Fort McClellan Credit Union has taken a decisive step into St. Clair County, breaking ground on a new facility in Pell City. Located at U.S. 231 and 19th St. South, officials expect it to open in late summer.

In a groundbreaking ceremony in late February, Fort McClellan Credit Union Board Chairman Joseph Roberson called it a “momentous occasion. We are really excited to break ground in this beautiful place called Pell City and we look forward to a bright future.”

He lauded the efforts of the City of Pell City and the Greater Pell City Chamber of Commerce for their assistance in facilitating the move and groundbreaking.

“We are looking forward to working with you and meeting the fine people of Pell City,” Roberson said.

Pell City Manager Brian Muenger views the groundbreaking as a positive for the city’s future and will spur more development along the major thoroughfare.

“Fort McClellan Credit Union is already a familiar name to many of our residents, and the city is pleased to see them establish a local presence. The site they have selected is conveniently located along Highway 231 South, and will further bolster the development of that area, which has seen substantial growth over the past five years.”

Urainah Glidewell, executive director of the Pell City Chamber, noted that the credit union had been a member of the chamber for a number of years. “We’re excited they are finally in the community.” It builds on the “growth of the area and will be a great addition to Pell City.”

Councilman Jay Jenkins concurred. “We are glad to have another new business in Pell City,” he said. “Anything new in most cases is beneficial. We’re glad to have them here.”

Since 1953, FMCU has expanded to meet the communities it serves.

Its membership has grown to include employee and association groups and residents of multiple counties in the region. Its services have grown as well, and it now offers a variety of financial services of a full-service financial institution. They include new and used auto loans, signature loans, RV, motorcycle, boat, farm and garden tractor, line of credit, vacation and holiday loans.

Accounts include IRAs, checking and savings.

FMCU is located in Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Ohatchee and Roanoke.

78 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

Councilman Jay Jenkins (far left) joins credit union executives as Fort McClellan Credit Union Board Chairman Joseph Roberson (second from left) expresses his excitement over the new location in Pell City.

Business Review

Lovejoy honored with Congressional recognition Story and photos

by Carol Pappas

The name, Lyman Lovejoy, is well known around these parts. But it reached a lot further than Alabama’s borders when he hit his 50 years in business milestone.

Lovejoy’s feat of five decades of business caught the eye of U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who presented him with a resolution he read into the Congressional Record in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To celebrate back home, the congressman hosted a luncheon in Moody to honor the longtime Realtor, businessman and community leader, describing him as “an advocate for the county and his community” in the framed, official resolution he presented to Lovejoy.

Read into the Congressional Record in August, Rogers cited Lovejoy’s extensive involvement in the community – St. Clair Association of Realtors, Ascension of St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital Board, Alabama Real Estate Commission and past chairman of the St. Clair Economic Development Council.

A member of First Baptist Church in Ashville, he also finds time to entertain local nursing homes and in senior centers with his musical group, the resolution noted.

In accepting the honor, Lovejoy recognized his family and staff first, talking of their unyielding support over the years. Turning to Rogers, he said, “This is the highest honor I’ve ever had, Congressman. I enjoy people. I would come to work even if they didn’t pay me.”

As for the motivation behind his civic activism, as well as his business acumen, he said, “I love my county. I love my community. I love meeting people.

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do for 50 years,” he told the crowd in attendance.

Lovejoy, owner of Lovejoy Realty in Odenville, began his career in a building just across the highway from his present-day office. With only a high school diploma and no experience in real estate, he embarked on a career that not only lasted 50 years but is still going strong.

At 80, he still goes to work every day, and he still employs the same relationship-building skills he honed in those early years.

In the resolution, Congressman Rogers included a reference to Lovejoy’s moniker – “Mayor of St. Clair County” – giving a nod to the ambassadorial spirit for which he is known throughout the county. Rogers took it a step further, calling him “one of the treasures of St. Clair County.”

Rogers presents Lovejoy with official Congressional resolution.

Crowd gathers for luncheon to honor Lovejoy’s 50 years in business.

80 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022

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Business Review

Fresh Value plans location in Moody

The Birmingham-based grocer, Fresh Value, has executed a lease at Crossroads Plaza Shopping Center at the northeast corner of U.S. 411 and Park Avenue in Moody.

The space was most recently occupied by Fred’s but was also home for many years to Food World.

“This is a culmination of tireless effort from a lot of great people over the past 18 months to bring this deal to fruition,” said Bear Burnett of The Canvass Group, who represented the property owner in the transaction.

The move comes as several transformative shifts continue to shape the U.S. 411 corridor with the growth of several residential neighborhoods in the area as well as major investments in nearby business parks.

“The City of Moody has worked hard over the last year to backfill the old Fred’s building at Crossroads Shopping Center,” said Moody Mayor Joe Lee. “Moody City Council, along with myself, are happy to announce that Fresh Value Grocery will open soon and are excited to welcome them to our community.”

Fresh Value will occupy approximately 21,860 square feet and plans to also include a drive-thru pharmacy. A grand opening date will be announced in the coming weeks, but plans indicate the store could be open by summer.

“Currently, we operate stores in Trussville as well as Pell City, so Moody was a natural fit for us,” said Gerry D’Alessandro, owner of Fresh Value, Inc. “The community’s growth and numerous requests from our customers made this an ideal location expand our footprint.”

“Myself and our team are really excited about this location,” he added. “There are a lot of great things happening in Moody, and we are honored to have the opportunity to serve this community.”

In addition to the Fresh Value announcement, Burnett says he is in discussions with other regional and national retailers to back fill the adjacent 19,000-square-foot space.

“Our primary focus was getting Fresh Value across the finish line and now that we are there, we are shifting gears to procure not just any co-tenant but the ‘right’ co-tenant,” said Burnett. “We’ve had a ton of interest from retailers across many different categories, and we look forward to sharing more very soon.”

Editor’s Note: Fresh Value is currently accepting applications. For more information, visit www. apply4positions.com/grocery.

82 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2022