Logan Martin Neely Henry Lakelife 247 Magazine November and December 2022

Photo by Mackenzie Free

CONTRIBUTORS

CAROL PAPPAS

Carol Pappas is editor and publisher of LakeLife24/7® Magazine and 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 in features, news and commentary and was named Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist at Auburn University. She serves as president/CEO of Partners by Design, the multimedia group that publishes Discover and LakeLife24/7® magazines

PAUL SOUTH

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.

ZEKE GOSSETT

Zeke Gossett is a member of the B.A.S.S. Pro Tour, a fishing guide and former national collegiate fishing champion. He grew up fishing on the Coosa River with Logan Martin as his home lake. A graduate of Jacksonville State University, he earned his degree in recreational leadership with a minor in coaching. He operates a guide service on the Coosa River, Zeke Gossett Fishing.

ELAINE HOBSON MILLER

Elaine Hobson Miller graduated from Samford University with a journalism degree. She was the first female to cover Birmingham City Hall for the Birmingham Post-Herald, where was reporter, food editor and features writer. She is former editor of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine and staff writer for Birmingham Magazine

JACKIE ROMINE WALBURN

Jackie Romine Walburn, a Birmingham native and freelance writer, is an Auburn journalism graduate who has worked as a reporter, editor and corporate communications manager. She’s had recent writing published in the Birmingham Arts Journal and Alalit.com. Jackie is currently seeking an agent and publisher for her first novel, Mojo Jones and the Black Cat Bone

RHEAGAN FANN

Rheagan Kelley Fann is a native of Steele and resides on Lookout Mountain in Etowah County. She has been doing photography for four years and specializes in portrait and family. She is married with three children and also works with special needs preschoolers.

RICHARD RYBKA

Richard is a full-time professional photographer based in the Springville area and owner of Natural Light Photography LLC. His 50+ years of experience behind the lens of a camera includes working as a photojournalist for a global technology company. His credentials include many magazine cover shots, standing as a Canon Image Connect Photographer, and member of the Little River Arts Council.

TONI FRANKLIN

Toni Franklin is a graphic artist for Partners by Design, Discover St. Clair Magazine and LakeLife 24/7 Magazine. She has 30 years in the printing industry as print production artist, manager and art director. She is a graduate of The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and studied at Penn State and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

MACKENZIE FREE

Mackenzie Free is a Birmingham native now residing in Steele. She has been practicing photography for 8 years and been featured in several nationally publicized magazines.

SCOTTIE VICKERY

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.

GRAHAM HADLEY

Graham Hadley is a writer and vice president for the Creative Division of Partners by Design, creators of Discover St. Clair and LakeLife 24/7 Magazines. 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. An Auburn journalism graduate, Hadley also served as the news editor for The Rome News Tribune in Rome, Ga.

ROXANN EDSALL

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. After enjoying the lake for years, she and her husband, Steve, recently became full-time Logan Martin residents.

KATIE BOHANNON

Katie Bohannon is a native of Gadsden. She obtained her associates degree in English from Gadsden State Community College in 2017 before furthering her education at The University of Alabama, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in creative media.

About LakeLife 24/7® Magazine

LakeLife 24/7® Magazine is a lake lifestyle magazine for Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes on Alabama’s Coosa River.

It is published the first Friday of January, March, May, July, September and November and is distributed free of charge at various locations in St. Clair, Talladega, Etowah and Calhoun counties.

For a list of distribution points, go to LakeLife247Magazine.com.

Subscriptions by mail are also available at $19.95 per year. To subscribe, simply go online to: LakeLife247Magazine.com.

LakeLife 24/7® Magazine

It’s How You Want to

What You Want

Martin

Henry

Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher

Dale Halpin Advertising Toni Franklin Graphic Designer

Graham Hadley Vice President, Creative Division

Brandon Wynn

Director Online Services

EDITOR’S NOTES

Lake living is picture perfect

When I got ready to write this column, I couldn’t resist the allure of an ideal October day on the lake – or at least in view of it. So, I gathered up my notes, tucked my laptop under my arm, headed out to my porch and pulled up an Adirondack chair.

“Ahh, the lake is my muse,” I told myself. And you know what? I was right. I cannot begin to count the number of stories and columns inspired over the years from this very spot.

The distinctive sound of the leaves rustling, set in motion by a gentle breeze signals the arrival of autumn’s falling temperatures on the heels of a hot – really hot – Alabama summer. A clear, blue sky overhead is interrupted only by a sphere of sunlight casting a shimmering reflection in the water below as if the sun were gazing into its own mirror. It’s a work of art suitable for framing.

The scenery and the surroundings never tire me, but of course, I’m not alone. Ask any lake dweller, and they’ll likely tell you the same story. It’s their “happy place,” as the popular saying goes. I just get to write about it.

I have lived on the lake for decades now, and the one constant I found is that it really doesn’t matter what lake, river, stream, creek, ocean or sea that happens to be within that frame, it’s the water that draws you in like a good novel.

sport tracing its roots back 2,000 years. The community comes together, supplying intrepid teams of more than a dozen rowers who power each dragon boat in the spirit of competition and raise needed funds for the mission.

The dragon boat teams working in sync are a reminder of Habitat’s own teams who swing a hammer, spackle a wall or handle a paintbrush en route to providing affordable housing in the community.

Other events worthy of note are of the musical kind – Live at Logan Martin, Lakeside Live and Riverfest at River Rocks – guaranteed to draw the crowds for days and evenings of great music and boatloads of fun.

In our Remember When regular feature, step back in time for these memories – when Buck’s Island was merely a dream, a vision young Buck had to create a special place for people to enjoy the water.

A publication of Partners by Design

partnersmultimedia.com

1911 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125 205-335-0281

Put simply, it’s my happy place, too. Just like for thousands of others on Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes, it never gets old. It’s a place where memories are born, no doubt spurred by special events, occasions, people and community – the perfect ingredients.

When we created LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®, it was with the notion that we wanted to capture those memories in the making. That’s our aim in every issue.

Helping us reach that target are those who share their stories, allowing us to discover or rediscover the people, places and events that make our lakes so special.

One such event is Gadsden Habitat for Humanity’s Dragon Boat Races. The Coosa becomes the habitat for an ancient Chinese

What sets our lakes apart from others, I think, is community, how people come together to rally around good causes, large and small – how they connect with one another around these places we call home.

And while social media has brought about so many changes in our society, not always for good, it’s reassuring to see platforms like Love Logan Martin Lake on Facebook bringing people together in a positive way around this bond that connects us all.

Those are some of the people, places and events you’ll find in this issue of LakeLife 24/7. There’s more! Turn the page and discover them all with us.

Carol A. Pappas Editor

MAGIC

Story by Paul South Photos by Mackenzie Free

DRAGONS

Martin

Ancient tradition helps Gadsden families build a brighter future

On a short, sun-soaked stretch of the Coosa, folks celebrated an ancient Chinese tradition to help solve a present-day problem and give some Etowah County families a brighter future.

The Gadsden-Etowah affiliate of Habitat for Humanity’s annual Dragon Boat Festival resumed after a two-year, pandemic-related hiatus, raising money to help low-income families realize the dream of home ownership.

Colorful watercraft, powered by dedicated rowers,

driven by a drumbeat – including one pacesetter bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis – raced to boost the local Habitat effort.

In its 26-year history, Gadsden-Etowah Habitat has built 57 homes, with more to come. A 58th home is fittingly expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.

The idea for a dragon boat race came from a brainstorming session among the organization’s local board searching for fundraising ideas. The races are popular in Florida.

Riverview Regional (left) and The Exchange Bank of Alabama battle it out

And while participation this year was down – only nine boats competed in 2022 – the dragon boat race has made a splash in Gadsden. Business, civic and school groups are involved. And it’s not just the race, but music, food and fun.

“The city loves it,” Habitat Executive Director Sarah Meehan said. “Even though participation was down, enthusiasm was up. I think when there’s not as many teams competing, people get very excited, because they think they have a better chance.”

The race is on a short course, but rowers paddle at a furious pace.

“A minute, 15 (seconds), and you’re done,” she said.

The races featured multiple heats, and boats compete in two classes – recreational and competitive.

And while the races may seemingly sprint by in a blink, they pay big dividends for Habitat and for the families it will help. This year’s race raised more than $38,000 to go toward building future Habitat homes. Sponsorships generate the funding.

Founded in 1976 by the late Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, the national Habitat organization has local chapters. In Gadsden, it was founded by Steve and Suzanne Scharfenberg.

How does Habitat work?

There are misconceptions about Habitat homeowners, chosen after a rigorous application process. They must make a down payment to cover the first year of insurance and a $600 deposit. They also must repay a 20-year, no-interest mortgage and accompanying insurance and property taxes. Plus, they have to invest 300 hours of “sweat equity” – physical labor put toward their own or other Habitat homes.

“A lot of people think Habitat homes are free,” Meehan said. “They’re not.” She added, “We enter into that partnership with that family. We are partners for the next 20-plus years and beyond.”

She added, “Families are invested. They’re paying a

Riverview Regional Medical Center’s ‘River Warriors’

Paddling to the beat of the drum

Enjoying the day

mortgage. They have to buy in.”

Habitat “budget coaches” help Habitat families craft and maintain a budget.

And as for the sweat equity, Meehan said, “Three-hundred hours seems like a lot. But we’ve never had anybody not get their sweat equity hours.”

Sometimes, before the roof is raised on a Habitat home, the organization has to knock down an invisible wall. “There is an aspect of cynicism,” Meehan said. “When you’re buying into a mission, when you’re buying into a goal, it’s hard. These are people that are very low income. They have not had help. They have not had chances. So, you have to break down that wall to get them to fully buy in. And when they do, it’s amazing.”

There wasn’t a drop of cynicism on the Coosa at this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Powering the all-volunteer effort were two groups of high school students. The Titan Ambassadors from Gadsden City High School and a team of local homeschoolers.

Teams set up colorfully themed tents and provided music and food. The drummer that sets the rowing pace like something you’d see in an old Kirk Douglas movie, dresses in

costume compatible with the theme.

The winning team with their Elvis drummer – The Alley, a local bowling alley – featured a tent with girls dressed as 1950s waitresses, who served root beer floats to competitors, volunteers and spectators. “They were so awesome,” Meehan said.

The City of Gadsden sponsored two teams, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Special Programming for Achievement Network (SPAN) program that works to improve the lives of at-risk youths and families in Etowah County.

Kim Back, a longtime Gadsden City school teacher, is the sponsor of the Titan Ambassadors. She tries to impress upon her students the importance of making a difference in their hometown. When getting her kids involved, she looks for organizations that help Gadsden, and that are instantly recognizable on a college application or resumé.

“The concept when they started the dragon boat race, I knew high school kids were really going to be psyched about that. It’s something that excites them.”

In ancient China, dragon boat races sought to appease the gods, beseeching them to soak parched farmlands with rain.

The Exchange Bank of Alabama ‘Taking It To the Bank’ team

On the Coosa, teams want to “make it rain” for Habitat and bring a flood of hope to take a step toward ending substandard housing in Gadsden.

For Meehan, a former banker, events like the Dragon Boat Festival and work for Habitat are, “what I was called by God to do.” And this mix of hope and happiness is what Gadsden is about.

“(Habitat and the Dragon Boat Festival) say everything about Gadsden …. Ultimately, this community wants to build houses to help families.”

She recalled a recent groundbreaking for a Habitat home that is etched in her memory and signifies what the whole program is about. She mingled with people as a concrete truck prepared to lay the foundation. The home’s footings in the red clay muck and the truck were the only signs that a house would soon be there.

“The truck was so much more than a symbol,” she said. “It was the story of this amazing woman. Seeing her and seeing her family there, and they’re just looking. This is going to be her house. Her mom was crying. It was witnessing them and her moment. Her land. It’s her house. They weren’t talking. It was a moment.”

GET INVOLVED

The Gadsden-Etowah Habitat for Humanity affiliate is always looking for volunteers. The learn more about Habitat or to volunteer,

256-543-1898 or visit gadsdenhabitat.com.

River Warriors

Gadsden City Parks & Rec ‘Noccalu-oars’

The Alley’s ‘Gutter Gang’

It’s hard to say what Casey Cambron loved best about Lakeside Live 2022. When he talks about the latest version of the music festival and car show he debuted a year ago, his list of favorite memories is as wide and varied as the features of the event itself.

It had everything one could imagine in a fall festival – bands, Combat Park kids’ area, vendors galore, 170 show cars, food trucks, Battle of the Badges, an army of dedicated volunteers and a VIP pavilion catering to sponsors who helped make it happen.

As he recounts the day, Cambron finally settles on a common thread throughout as his true favorite – “the smiles.” Whether it was a child atop a military tank, a vendor meeting and greeting hundreds of passersby, a couple dancing to their favorite band’s tune or the prideful look of a car show entrant, smiles were as abundant as that day’s sunshine – not a cloud in the sky.

“It was overwhelming,” Cambron said. “The music was outstanding. All around, it was fantastic.”

Logan Martin

Henry

Event founder Casey Cambron directs the crowd

Firefighters give it their all

LAKESIDE LIVE Building tradition, investing in community '

Story by Carol Pappas Photosby Strides Media

Sweet Tea Trio Still Broke Band

Police officers holding the line

Growing up, Cambron always loved outdoor music festivals. Over the years, he developed a passion for car shows, too. So, it was only natural that he would combine the two, add more features and present it in his new hometown, Pell City.

He founded the nonprofit, Five 16 Foundation, whose mission is “shining our light through fundraising, service and good works in our community,” derived from Matthew 5:16. The money raised from the event goes back into the community for worthy causes.

This year’s Lakeside Live raised over $8,000 for the police and fire departments, who played a starring role in “Battle of the Badges” – a three-event challenge. They each won a challenge, and a tug-of-war determined the champion. A hard-fought contest to the end, firefighters finally emerged as winners and keepers of the championship belt for another year. They won the inaugural challenge in 2021.

“I’ve never seen a tug-of-war challenge better than that one,” Cambron said. Pulling and tugging nearly to a draw at one point, the competition was fierce, but the enjoyment was outstanding. “It was pure fun and laughter. That’s what it is all about.”

Normally, you think of police officers and firefighters in intense situations. This was a chance to see them from a new perspective – “in a different light and having fun,” said Cambron. “It was the most amazing feeling.”

A crowd favorite was the centerpiece, the music festival. Tunes boomed from a nearby stage throughout the day and into the evening with seven bands playing their brands to suit just about any musical taste. Headliners were: Leverton Brothers, Still Broke, Bolee 3, Kudzu, The WingNuts, Deputy 5 and Sweet Tea Trio.

Favorites for the kids were Combat Park’s military vehicles, inflatable obstacle course, shooting jelly ball and inflatable axe throwing. Hundreds of kids had their picture taken atop a military tank. Looking ahead to next year already, Cambron noted that plans call for an expansion of children’s activities.

Car enthusiasts had their pick of favorites with 170 cars and trucks on display. Vendors – food trucks and other businesses – had a steady stream

of customers throughout the event.

The cornhole tournament was a hit as well.

But behind the scenes, another success story unfolded, Cambron noted. Staff, volunteers and sponsors all made the event one to remember. The staff and volunteers “worked extra hard” to make sure all needs were filled and the event ran smoothly – from directing parking to assisting vendors and attendees.

Logan Martin & Neely Henry |

170 cars on display during show

Couple moves to music

Alan Furr on vocals for The WingNuts

IN IN

Kitchenthe and around the with the

HECKMANS House

Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Mackenzie Free Submitted Photos

Everything in their home has a special memory. Derrick bought Amy a fortune telling scale because she loved the one that was outside of the old Ashville drug store.

A light fixture they made from an old ladder and vines hangs above the kitchen table.

Martin

Henry

The master bedroom

Everything in Amy and Derrick Heckman’s Ashville home tells a story.

The handrail going up the steps was original to the Teague Mercantile building on the town square and was hand-hewn from longleaf pine before the Civil War.

A cabinet is filled with family quilts made by Amy’s great-grandmother and her sisters. There’s a snapping turtle shell that held a place of honor in Derrick’s family’s lake cabin in Texas, and the collapsible cup her great-grandfather took into the coal mines will always have a special place in Amy’s heart.

“Everything in this house has some special meaning,” Amy said. “It may not have a lot of value, but it’s all precious to us.”

The Heckmans share a love for making old things new again, and the log cabin they bought on Neely Henry Lake’s Canoe Creek is no exception. It’s been a work in progress for years, but both say it’s been well worth the time and elbow grease they’ve invested.

“It’s been one project after another, but it’s been a labor of love,” Amy said.

Their appreciation of family and Ashville history is evident all over the 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabin, and the kitchen and dining room areas are no exception. A 1940s Chambers stove from Derrick’s grandparents’ house takes center stage in the kitchen, and they use it every day. A collection of cast iron

Leigh’s cinnamon walnut bread and strawberry cheesecake bread with strawberry butter are two of her most popular offerings

The guest room

They use this 1940s Chambers stove from Derrick’s grandparents’ house every day.

Amy loves curling up with a good book in the library they fashioned in the loft.

skillets from Amy’s great-grandmother and other family members hangs nearby.

They rescued the kitchen table from a nearby old dogtrot house that was slated for demolition and took the piece to a carwash in an effort to pressure wash motor oil stains off before finishing the table with linseed oil. An antique dough bowl filled with rolling pins passed down through the generations rests on top, and a light fixture they made from an old ladder, party lights and muscadine and supplejack vines from the yard, hangs above it.

“We’ve both lived a simplistic lifestyle, whether by choice or circumstance,” Derrick said. “When I was growing up if you needed something, you built it. We try to find old stuff and fix it.”

Cabin sweet cabin

The Heckmans had been house-hunting for about seven years when they stumbled across the log cabin, tucked at the end of a quiet street off Highway 411. They already had a home on Canoe Creek but they wanted more house, less land and deeper water so they could build a boathouse. When they found the cabin, it was clear that no one had lived there for a while. They were intrigued, so they left a note on the door for the owner. A month later, the phone rang. “It was basically a home to animals,” Amy said. “There were all kinds of wildlife living in it, but it had good bones, and we saw what it could be. We’ve just about gotten it to that place.”

It’s taken a lot of work. They salvaged the kitchen and dining room floors and a claw foot tub, “but other than that, we redid everything,” she said, adding that they first saw the house and property they’ve named Canoe Cove in 2014,

bought it in 2015 and moved there in 2017. “It took us that long to get it to where we could live in it. The general footprint is the same, but there is not a piece of that house that was not changed in some way.”

The first thing on the agenda was building a stone fireplace. “When we first bought the house, the very first thing we said to each other was, ‘How can you have a log cabin without a fireplace?’ There was a wood stove, but no fireplace,” she said.

Derrick’s grandfather knew a good bit about construction, so he had learned a lot about building growing up, and a friend taught him to lay the rock. “I’ve learned skills by watching people and just doing it,” he said. “When I was a kid, I could come up with an idea to build something. Sometimes it was by trial and error, but eventually I came up with something that worked.”

Those skills came in handy for their biggest project – building an outdoor pavilion, complete with an outdoor kitchen and a ‘Cracker Barrel fireplace.’ “She kept telling me all she wanted was a Cracker Barrel fireplace, so I went (into the restaurant) with a tape measure,” he said.

They built the pavilion from lumber they milled on the property – the lot was so wooded you couldn’t see the water. Derrick also used the lumber to build the 14-foot table and four Adirondack chairs, as well as the boathouse they added in 2020.

Two kitchens, two cooks

His pride and joy, though, is the outdoor kitchen, complete with a smoker that can handle 30 butts, a deep fryer, grill and flat top.

The porch overlooking provides another cozy living area.

Derrick built the stone fireplace after a friend showed him how to lay rock.

Amy and Derrick said turning the abandoned log cabin into their dream home has been a labor of love.

They salvaged the claw foot tub after buying the house

“We both like cooking, but he’s a natural cook,” Amy said. “There’s no recipe ever followed; no measuring involved. I’m just the opposite.” They often share the cooking duties, Derrick said, and they each take a kitchen. “She cooks the indoor part of the meal, and I cook the outdoor part,” he said and laughed. “I cook anything that might stink up the house. Amy likes pumpkin spice and if it doesn’t smell like pumpkin spice in here, she ain’t happy.”

Although Amy has been known to find ideas online, it’s no surprise that they also use a lot of recipes handed down from family members. She uses a 1950s cookie press to make her grandmother’s cheese straws, and her spaghetti sauce is a favorite. “It’s very good, but it still never tastes as good as I remember hers being,” Amy said.

They love cooking for family and friends, and as a result, their house is a gathering spot during the holidays. At Thanksgiving, they usually have 12 to 16 guests, and Derrick smokes a turkey while Amy handles many of the sides.

“I’ve promised Amy a freight elevator to make it easier to haul stuff inside and out for meals,” Derrick said.

Although it’s usually warm enough at Thanksgiving to eat under the pavilion, there was one memorable year when they ate inside. “We were all sitting at the table, and we looked out the window and there were 20 turkeys standing out in the front yard looking at us while we ate our Thanksgiving turkey,” Derrick said. “It was crazy.”

Much of what they cook is what they’ve grown, caught or hunted. “You don’t have to go far around here to find something to eat,” Derrick said. “If it’s not in the garden, it’s at the boathouse. We’re pretty self-sufficient.” Their freezer is full of fish, which they enjoy grilled, fried and blackened, as well as venison. “I haven’t bought red meat in 15 years,” Amy said. “Derrick is known for his (venison) burgers. They’re delicious.”

The gardens – there are several – are another source of sustenance. “I grew up gardening; it came naturally to me,” Derrick said. “And Amy loves canning, so we make a good pair.”

Thanks to their teamwork, they enjoy a variety of homegrown fruits and

vegetablesthroughout the year. In addition to blueberries and blackberries their bounty includes figs, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, squash, strawberries, pumpkin, black-eyed peas, watermelon and purple pole beans.

“Everything we have around here, we use,” Amy said.

Leavingtheratraceearly

So, when do they have time to do it all? It’s been a lot easier since they retired. Derrick retired from the Alabama Forestry Commission in 2017 at age 49, and Amy left the St. Clair County Probate Office in 2019 when she was 47.

“When I was a kid and started working, the first thing my parents told me was if you save 20 or 25 cents out of every dollar you make, you can retire at 50,” Derrick said. “I wasn’t rebellious; I was one of those people who believed my parents. When you start early, you learn to live off that 80 cents and you don’t miss the other 20.”

Amy followed suit not long after they began dating in 2007, and early retirement has given them the freedom to work on the house, tend their gardens, enjoy their time on the lake and indulge their love of of Americana.

“We go picking,” Amy said. “We love collecting things, and it all seems to find a place.” They didn’t have to go far to find many of their treasures. The mantle on the pavilion fireplace was a central beam from under the old Cason-Tipton House, for example, and several finds came from historic buildings they have owned.

In addition to the handrail from Teague Mercantile, a building they owned for about 15 years before selling it earlier this year, the Heckmans salvaged a wood stove from the original Ashville Savings Bank that they owned for a while, as well. It has a place of honor in the loft, which is home to Amy’s library.

“I’m a huge reader, and I asked for my own library,” she said. “I wanted a place for my books. It just makes me happy to comeup here.”

The same can be said for the house as a whole. Amy and Derrick love knowing they created their home, filled with memories from generations of love, together. “We wanted it to be cozy and comfortable, but we wanted it to have character, as well,” she said. “A lot of things we have belonged to family, and we wouldn’t trade anything for it.”

Logan Martin & Neely Henry

Amy and Derrick love cooking for family and friends and often use the cast iron skillets that were her great-grandmother’s.

Amy in her library

HECKMAN RECIPES

Blackened Catfish

Ingredients:

Large catfish filets (Use filets from 2- or 3-pound catfish. Caught fresh is best!)

Fire-n-Smoke Fish Monger seasoning

Directions:

Zatarain’s ground cayenne pepper Olive oil or Pam spray Pepper jelly

Rinse filets with water. Lightly sprinkle with Fish Monger seasoning and cayenne pepper (lightly, the pepper is powerful.)

Let marinate in refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Heat a cast iron skillet or flat top on high. Lightly sprinkle filets with olive oil or Pam spray. Lay filets in skillet or on flat top and cover with a lid. (This is crucial. I use a pot lid.)

Brown until golden; it usually has blackened edges. (This takes practice.) Serve on a bed of shrimp and grits, rice, etouffee or jambalaya. Drizzle with pepper jelly to finish. Enjoy!

Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients:

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup uncooked quick cook grits

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

2 tbsp butter

2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp parsley

Bring broth to boil. Stir in grits. Cook, stirring occasionally 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in salt and next 3 ingredients. Set aside and keep warm.

Cook bacon and remove from pan. Cook shrimp in same pan 3 minutes or until almost pink. Add lemon juice and next four ingredients and cook 3 minutes. Stir in crumbled bacon. Spoon grits onto plate or bowl and top with shrimp mixture.

Blueberry Pecan Sour Cream Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1 cup plus over-filled ½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

2 cups blueberries

½ cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan. In mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to batter until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Spoon half the batter into pan. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle half of mixture over batter. Spoon remaining batter on top and then sprinkle remaining pecan mixture. Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes. (Cooking times may vary depending on oven.)

It’s often

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Ingredients:

Love Logan Facebook group seeks to bring community together

Story by Roxann Edsall Submitted PhotosHeron’s lunch - Tim Badgwell

Facebook group seeks to bring community together

Harmon’s Point in fog - Max Jolley

The faces behind connecting the lake community – from left, Priscilla Willingham, Rebel Negley, Carol Cosper Meadows, David Smith

Sunset winner - Julie Harper Martin

Martin Lake

Does anyone know a good pet sitter? Can anyone send me a picture of the water level on Treadwell Island? Are there alligators in Logan Martin?

When people want answers to these and so many other questions on and around Logan Martin Lake, often they turn to their phones and computers. Just a quick search or post on Love Logan Martin Lake Facebook group and an answer is just moments away.

Want to know where to get fresh blueberries? Need a reference from someone who has had a good experience with an area plumber? Or maybe you want to let everyone know about a great band playing next weekend on the lake. Get it out there to the community in a few easy clicks.

With more than 14,000 members, the Facebook page keeps three administrators busy checking out 10 to 20 posts a day from people wanting to share on the social media site. Even more time is spent checking out potential members to be sure they are somehow connected to the lake.

“We try to keep it classy, keep it informative and keep it relevant,” says page creator and administrator Rebel Negley. They do not allow political posts, spam, business advertising or profanity. “I would say 99% of the time they follow the rules,” she adds. “If we consistently see a problem, we add a rule. We just want it to be a place where you can find peace. While we don’t allow businesses themselves to post, it’s fine to get recommendations from people who have used those particular services.”

What they do is connect people around the Logan Martin Lake community. Having grown up coming to the lake, she has a deep love for it and all that it means to the community. Negley admits that many of the posts are pretty simple –people looking for restaurants on the lake or wanting to know the time of the holiday fireworks.

The greater purpose is to develop relationships with others who love Logan Martin. “We like it to be like family,” says Negley. “There have been times when we’ve heard about deaths within the families in the group. Or the time we had a family who had a house fire. They were pretty much taken care of by the community through the information received and disseminated on our page.”

Negley has lived on Coosa Island for 20 years, the last 17 with her husband, Michael. Her daughter and grandchildren live in Louisville, Ky.

She credits the members with the growth of the group. “The people have made the group, not me,” she says. “They are so willing to interact with others and so willing to share their pictures or their help.”

People who have houses on the lake but don’t live on Logan Martin full time often post asking how the lake levels look during storms. Before and after floods, people look out for others’ homes and property by posting pictures of found items and of potentially dangerous conditions.

Foggy lake in morning - Stephen Parkes

Aqua plane - Pam Mosely Smith

“During weather emergencies in particular, I think people rely on crowdsourcing through our site,” says Negley, adding that it helps to have people post pictures if a homeowner is not able to see the situation firsthand.

“I get comments all the time asking to thank the people who have helped others on the lake,” says Negley. “It’s one of my favorite parts of doing this. It’s a testament to how generous and hospitable our residents are.”

There are two other administrators who help with the job of managing the private Facebook group. Each one spends many hours a month reviewing posts to ensure they are relevant and appropriate.

Carol Meadows began helping after Negley had a heart attack a few years ago. David Smith helped for several years but has since gotten busy with other interests. Later, Priscilla Willingham jumped in to help.

Group experts Tim Badgwell and Carl Wallace help out in answering questions on a variety of subjects. A map Wallace created is pinned to the page so that newcomers to the lake can easily find landmarks. Wallace also contributes by updating people about flood concerns and about the higher winter lake level beginning this year.

It’s the place to go when you need lake information or want to share something going on around the lake. Member Kelli Lasseter used the platform to start a thread this fall that resulted in a pier-to-pier trick or treating event for community children.

Over the last two years, there have been many posts about the Christmas boat parade that a local couple started. This year, that family will not be able to participate, so the buzz on the site is that with the higher winter water levels, other boat owners will be making sure the Christmas boat parade goes on. Activities like these create a positive buzz about the lake, its community and its people – all parts of the goal of the Love Logan Martin Lake group.

Many posts each day are simply sharing the beauty of the lake. One post is a series of sunset photos for others “in case you missed it.” Another post announces, “These sunsets at Logan Martin never get old.”

There’s even a cover photo contest where members can submit photos to be used as the group’s cover photo for a month. They must be original photographs from the person submitting, in a horizontal format and posted as a comment under the monthly photo contest post.

“Connecting as a community is important,” emphasizes Negley. “We’re a lake family. We love the water and are connected by it. It’s a great way to get the lake community information out there and to be unified toward a cause.” That question about alligators in Logan Martin Lake is a favorite for Negley, who adds, “We’ve gone round and round with that one. I’ve looked and looked and still haven’t found any. But that topic comes up every year.” That’s not to say alligators couldn’t be on the lake, though. A definitive answer comes from Marianne Gauldin of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Fisheries, who states, “Although they are more numerous in the southern half of the state, they should be expected in any lake or river. Logan Martin Lake provides suitable alligator habitat and would not be unusual for an alligator to be seen there.”

So, be cautious and post if you see any.

Logan Martin

Henry

Regatta - David Smith

Ruby-throated hummingbird - Tim Badgwell

Smoke on the water - John Gilreath

Buck’s Island

A lesson in patience and perseverance

Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Richard Rybka Submitted Photos

Quinten Edward Lumpkin had a vision. He believed in family, community, the Golden Rule and the American dream. It was his vision that eventually led to a beautiful development of seaside-inspired homes on the shores of the Coosa River. Though he would never see the first home built, the lighthouse on the pen insula was built with him in mind.

He only had $21 to his name when “Buck,” as he’d been called since childhood, came home from the Navy in 1948. When he didn’t find a job in his hometown of Gadsden, he figured he’d just open his own business.

He found a storefront in downtown Gadsden that he could rent for $12.75 a month. Not wanting to use more than half the cash he had to live on, he got his brother-in-law to co-sign on a $150 loan. With that, he opened an engine repair and sales shop that evolved into Buck’s Boats.

The old storefront location didn’t work for long, though, as there was no rollup door to bring in merchandise. They had to turn boats on their sides to fit them through the standard doorway. It was so small that only three aluminum boats would fit inside, with

enough extra room for five or six outboard motors.

They moved to a former Buick dealership, which gave them more space, but still only 10 boats fit in the showroom. In 1969, Buck borrowed enough money to purchase 13 acres on the shores of the Coosa River. He had sold his home to help raise the deposit on the property, so he and his wife, Pauline, had a partially sunken houseboat dredged up and pulled to the property.

They cleaned it up and lived there while they figured out how to fund the building of the store. The boats were sold and serviced under a revival tent they got when an evangelist, who was one of their customers, fell behind on his boat payments and offered the tent as a partial payment.

Always the creative thinker, Buck saw his chance to fund his building when he read an ad in the newspaper of a Gadsden foundry seeking bids to demolish their building. He bid $10.

The next lowest bid was $56,000 from a construction company. The foundry owner refused Buck’s bid, thinking he would likely not have the means to complete the work on time.

Undaunted, Buck took out a bond for $56,000 to protect the

When –Remember When –

owner and completed the demolition with two weeks to spare. Then he took the parts and reassembled it on his own 13-acre plot of land.

After a 17-year career with Mercury Motors, Buck’s son, Tony, bought the business in 1989 and renamed it Buck’s Island. Now located just minutes from the shores of Neely Henry Lake, it boasts a staff of 33.

Three generations of the family are now involved in the business. Mary, his wife of 32 years, runs the day-to-day operations. Their daughter Katie is in the sales department, while another daughter, Angela, runs the service department with her master technician husband, Israel.

“As a kid, I loved being here as much as I do now,” says Angela. “I remember wandering around in the old attic space and seeing things brought back from other countries by my grandfather.” She also remembers the fun of jumping from boat to boat in the showroom, a love that her own daughter now shares.

Tony, too, grew up spending his days with his dad at the business. “We didn’t have money for daycare,” explains Tony. “Mom worked in the sales tax office for the State of Alabama, so I’d come to work every day with Dad until I started school. He took a broom one day, cut the handle in half and handed it to me and said to get to work. I helped in the business all the way through high school.”

One day after he had earned a degree in industrial design from Auburn University, Tony asked his dad how he had

Logan Martin

Buck’s Island development features a seaside style.

The lighthouse that identifies the development is a tribute to Buck.

learned his business skills. “I knew my dad had quit school in the 8th grade to support his mother and sisters after his dad died. So I said, ‘Dad, how’d you learn to run a business?’ He said, ‘Son, I learned in Sunday school. I learned that if you treat customers the way you want to be treated, you’ll never want for business.’ ”

That Golden Rule philosophy still drives the business today. “We do a lot of business – about 10 times the business the average boat dealer does. What that means is that we have more stock than most,” explains Tony. “We also don’t sell boats. We help facilitate people in buying a boat and guide them through the process. We try to step into the customer’s shoes and have empathy with the customer. We just treat them like we’d want to be treated.”

Yet another vision

So what does Buck’s Island, the boat sales and service business, have to do with Buck’s Island, the housing development? In short, it was Buck’s dream from the time he purchased the land that one day he would move the boat business to build homes on the water’s edge.

Tony Lumpkin

Logan Martin & Neely Henry

Fishing boats fill a large space in Buck’s showroom.

A large selection of pontoons line the entryway to the showroom.

Buck’s recently specialized kayaks to their inventory.

The specialty rescue boat developed by Tony is produced in the Southside location.

“My dad had told me about his vision of building homes on the 13 acres whenever city water was available. We had to get new zoning regulations passed to allow the houses to be built the way we wanted,” said Tony.

He partnered with a builder and in 2000, built the first 10 houses in what they called Harbor Point, a peninsula on the grounds of the property. Three years later, they moved the boat business to a temporary rental building in Rainbow City so they could tear down the building to make room for the rest of the subdivision on the 13-acre plot.

As they were building the new housing on the property, they began building their new boat showroom and service center in a new location on Highway 77. The highway location has provided greater visibility and boosted their business.

The builder has almost completed the last home on the Buck’s Island development, capping the number at 47 homes. The lighthouse Tony built to draw attention to the property on the banks of the Coosa is also a tribute to the man who inspired the development of the brightly colored waterfront homes.

He loved visiting the Caribbean islands and guided Tony in planning the development. “He said to make everyone feel like they’re on vacation when they come home every day,” explains Tony. Sadly, Buck passed away in 1993 before seeing his vision become reality.

What Buck started with his $150 investment has fueled a deeply rooted passion for giving back to community. Buck’s Island sponsors Fish Fest, a day of fishing and seminars, and sponsors more than 40 high school fishing teams.

“They’re our future,” Mary underscores.

Editor’s Note:

You can find Buck’s Island at 4500 Highway 77. Their inventory includes Bentley and Crest pontoon boats, as well as Skeeter, G3, Avid, Falcon and RescueONE Connector Boats. They’ve also added fishing kayaks and a tackle shop.

Three generations of accomplishments are highlighted on the showroom walls.

The new Tackle Shop was addded in 2020.

One of Tony’s RescueONE connector boats is ready to join a first responders team.

See a need and fill it

Story by Roxann Edsall

Coming up with a product that is sold worldwide and helps first responders to be safer and more efficient is something to be proud of. Southside native and business owner, Tony Lumpkin, is profoundly thankful for such an opportunity.

He developed a boat that will connect together with others to build a large floating platform of any shape or size. The design is particularly useful for water rescues, recoveries, dive operations and flood evacuations.

Called RescueONE Connector Boats, they are virtually impossible to tip over when connected, according to Lumpkin. Sold by his Marine One Corporation and assembled at Buck’s Island, the boats are used by emergency rescue teams worldwide. “They’re all over the world and in every state except Alaska,” says Lumpkin. “The Thailand navy has 105 of them, Philippines has 35. We sell about 100 of them a year.”

The idea got started in 1992 when two guys from the Calhoun County Rescue Squad came in to Buck’s Island looking at jon boats for their rescue operation. “They couldn’t find anything that fit their needs,” explains Lumpkin.

“So I listened to what they did and even went out with them on a rescue operation so I could understand what they needed. Then I worked on designing one for them.”

The boats are specially designed to hook together through an interlocking frame design. Figure eight lashings give the connection added stability. Add-ons include a retractable dive platform, a portable fire pump and a stacked boat trailer that can haul two connector boats at the same time.

“In many cases, volunteer rescue squads give their own time to give families closure,” tells Lumpkin. “If I can make something to make their jobs a little easier, I’m happy to do it.”

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

Children born into all kinds of circumstances have dreams and dreams are powerful.

Buck’s earns worldwide reputation for first responder boat

ALABAMA 650

Volunteering for Alabama paddle race gives writer chance to be eye witness

Iwas struck by the tenacity and grit of the paddlers. I saw these athletes, pushed to the brink of exhaustion and delirium, stumble from the water into the care of their ground crew.

Then a quick nap and meal later, I saw them, sunburned and blistered, but with a renewed determination, climb back into these vessels and face the water again. These men and women were paddling the Great Alabama 650.

When the call came out for volunteers to assist with this race, my interest was piqued. I live here, love the lake and enjoy kayaking. So how could it get any better than getting to support the Great Alabama 650 as the paddlers glide through the waters of Logan Martin Lake? So I signed up, but that’s just the beginning of my love story.

I loved learning the history of the race, but perhaps more importantly, the way it affords the local community a chance to participate, either by volunteering or by cheering on the racers from the shores.

Touted as the longest annual paddle race in the world, its 650 miles span the length of the state from Weiss Lake to Ft. Morgan in Mobile Bay.

I learned that it was conceived by the Alabama Scenic River Trails system as a way to promote the state’s navigable waterways. In its fourth year, the 2022 field was full at 20 boats, but only 11 started due to injuries and issues with Hurricane Ian.

One of the tandem teams had to drop out at Logan Martin Dam due to injuries. Their ground crew shared that it was a tough decision whether to continue or not. Ultimately, the injuries won out, and the kayak stayed atop the carrier until the team headed home. In that moment, though I didn’t even know this team, I felt their overwhelming disappointment.

I witnessed loving mothers, fathers and husbands crewing for their paddlers.

Tempers flared in moments of extreme stress and frustration. To be clear, the paddler is not the only one who is sleep-deprived. Their ground support crew does everything for the racer once they’re off the water. The crew may get some brief naps while the paddler is napping and after they’ve launched again, but they also must follow by land to meet them at the next stop.

Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Rheagan Fann, Steve Edsall and Max Jolley

Volunteers help get paddlers to put-in point down river from Logan Martin Dam

Salli O’Donnell smiles as she completes the Logan Martin portion of the race

| Logan Martin & Neely Henry LAKELIFE 24/7 MAGAZINE

Volunteers mark arrival time at dam portage point for tandem crew Rod Price and Lena McKnight

Boat stickered with official arrival time

Volunteers help paddlers help move boats from water to portage vehicles

A perfectly rehearsed ground-crew operation is a wonder to behold. I watched as a paddler reached shore at the takeout point and, out of nowhere, a crew that would rival a Talladega pit crew descended on the kayak. With barely a word, they went to work, each doing their own job efficiently.

Expertly assessing their racer’s physical status and fatigue level, they met the most urgent needs first, allowing the paddler to decompress so the mind and body could reset for the next leg of the race.

One of the first people I met when I started my 13-hour shift was Mirko Prufer, who flew in from Germany to crew for Frances Hiscox. He was taking down the tent she had used for her brief rest time when I had a moment to talk to him.

I was interested to learn that their roles were reversed from last year when she served as his ground crew. So, he took vacation time to do the same for her this year, adding that immersion in the culture is his favorite way to vacation. As he washed her race shirt in the lake, he shared his plans to kayak in a different race before heading back to Germany.

From the moment I put on my official T-shirt and became a “yellow shirt” volunteer, I was taken by the perseverance and dedication of the paddlers and ground crew, but also by the enthusiasm of the race staff and volunteers.

While there were many busy times for me as a volunteer, there were also many hours of getting to know my portage chief, Max Jolley. Max has been serving since the inception of the Alabama 650 race in 2019. Race director Greg Wingo describes him as a “great guy,” adding that Max has the portage process down to a science. I would have to agree. He made the process of learning the ropes easy on a new volunteer.

Quick with a story, Max told me his favorite part of the experience was hearing the stories from paddlers and their ground crews. I wholeheartedly agree. Time sitting with Randi Evans (Ryan Gillikan’s mom) and Bryant Taylor (Gayle Taylor’s husband) around the table in the park after dark sharing family stories and kayaking adventures was a highlight for me as well.

Combining my love of kayaking, community, people and writing made my experience with the Great Alabama 650 a big win for me. And, yes, I will be back next year.

Editor’s Note: The first to arrive at Logan Martin Dam were solo paddlers Bobby Johnson and Salli O’Donnell. The pair arrived first at race’s end in Fort Morgan on the coast, capturing the male solo and female solo divisions. Johnson, male solo winner, completed in six days, six hours, 15 minutes. Female solo winner O’Donnell completed in six days, 11 hours, 28 muntes. Each received $2,000.

Logan Martin & Neely Henry

Author of this story with Mirko Prufer, who crewed for paddler Frances Hiscox

Bobby Johnson, in front, and Salli O’Donnell at Logan Martin Dam

Volunteer Max Jolley talks with Salli O’Donnell when she arrives

Volunteers and ground crew steady incoming kayak

He will join our team of dedicated healthcare providers and begin seeing patients September 1, 2022.

• Residency, St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine

• Doctor of Medicine, Cum Laude, St. George’s University School of Medicine

Dr. Jackson will serve our community with the same compassion that guides healthcare at PCIFM.

Oasis on the Coosa

Traffic rolls by the faded sign on I-759 East in Gadsden, the drivers completely unaware of the oasis that lies below. Just off Exit 4B, on the banks of the muddy Coosa, 20 acres of peace and tranquility lie accessible by boat or vehicle.

River Rocks Landing Resort is a little bit of heaven tucked away near a busy city, so close to downtown Gadsden that you can see city hall from the front porch of its office building.

“Look at this view,” says Stacey Windom of Rainbow City, waving toward the river, where a great egret has just taken off with a fish in its mouth. Windom is seated at the bar of the campground’s latest addition, Current Market & Deli, enjoying a pizza. “This campground has all the amenities: pool, water, walkways.

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller

Photos by Mackenzie Free

Willow tree shades restaurant

One of many community fire pits waiting for logs and visitors

This summer, I watched the bass tournament as boats went up and down the river. I camp here a lot with my family, and I bring folks here for dinner, because it’s so convenient.”

As if to illustrate the campground’s amenities, a woman pedals by Current on a bicycle, while a couple strolls hand in hand on one of the gravel paths. Even though it’s September, another woman drops her towel onto a lounge chair by the pool, enjoying the remaining warm days of summer. Overhead, interstate traffic whizzes by, but the woman at the pool can barely hear it. If she were at the back of the campground, she wouldn’t hear the traffic at all.

In weather like this, you might find campground manager Carson Dabbs in a rocking chair on that office porch, his laptop on his knees and a notepad open on the porch railing in front of him, next to a Bluetooth speaker connected to Spotify.

“People don’t understand how nice it is here,” says Dabbs, who lives on the property with his wife and two preschool daughters. “It’s secluded, but it’s so close to some of the best food in the state and shopping, too. We’re family-friendly and a home away from home. I greet folks when they come in because I know them.”

One reason he knows them is that so many return year after year for a weekend or a week, and a few even stay there permanently. Formerly known as River Country Landing, the campground has existed almost 30 years. The old sign is still visible from U.S. 759, and it still says River Country, although the letters are faded. River Rocks plans to redo it this fall.

“We changed hands three years ago,” says Dabbs. “The widow of

A relaxing spot along the water

A tiny house, one of seven available for rent

the original owner ran it after her husband died but was ready to retire. The owner now is Wes Long of Guntersville. He also has a new Fairfield Inn in Albertville and a Hampton Inn in Guntersville and Jacksonville.”

River Rocks has 169 campsites, including the tiny houses and rental camper, along with a boat dock. Then there is the Banana House, a three-story building on the point that earned its nickname because it’s yellow and is surrounded by banana trees. The five-bedroom house, with its wide porches, looks like something from a travel brochure of a Caribbean resort. It sleeps 10 and has its own boat dock. The point itself can be rented for weddings and other special events.

The campground’s main dock has 28 slips, some rented by the year, others by the day, almost all of them rented by campers. The latter come in all ages. A lot of them are locals, but many come from surrounding states such as Georgia and Tennessee. “A group comes down from Canada every year,” Dabbs says. “Our name is beginning to spread among campers. Word of mouth is most of the advertising.”

Long has added to and improved the campground’s amenities. There are now three swimming pools, including an infinity pool (its edge appears to blend with the river); a 4-foot-deep heated pool and a kiddie pool that’s connected to a splash pad. He also added the restaurant, seven tiny houses and a camper for rent.

“We’ve also just opened up our tree house, which sleeps six,

Logan Martin

Henry

Campers enjoy one of the many swings on the property

The chapel is open to all

and includes a mother-in-law bedroom downstairs,” Dabbs points out.

The tiny houses, built by Clayton Homes of Addison are brought in on wheels and stay on wheels. Some have lofts just tall enough for kids to sleep in. Each tiny house has a name, such as the Sunset House. A small chapel on the riverbank seats 20. A local church started a Sunday service there but had to move it to a room in the office building to accommodate the number of worshippers.

A new basketball court is behind the children’s playground. Several community firepits are scattered about the grounds, along with picnic tables and wooden swings under tall shade trees. The swing facing the water near the restaurant is Dabbs’ favorite spot.

Current Market & Deli opened in March and features pizzas, a catfish po’ boy and Dabbs’ personal favorite, loaded fries. It’s open seven days a week serves breakfast on weekends, and is accessible to non-campers who park outside the gate via a gravel path. In addition, boats can tie up at the small dock next to the market and enter from the river.

“Jessica and Jason Wilson, Chris and Christi Robinson are partners in the restaurant,” Dabbs says. “Chris owns Blackstone Pub & Eatery, and Jason started Back Forty Beer Company, both in downtown Gadsden. Jason also owns Coldwater Mountain Pub in Anniston.” Jessica is Current’s manager.

Dining space for about 50 people is available inside or on the deck, where a fan keeps the breezes blowing on warm days. Each morning, a family of ducks, including both parents and five ducklings, preens under a weeping willow tree next to

Fishing, bike riding and eating catfish po’ boys are highlights at River Rocks

The grounds offer great walking paths

the river, across the path from Current. They’re waiting on the lunch crowd to toss them their scraps and are known to follow diners down the path toward their cars.

“We have to make use of all our space, so we built a patio over the storm shelters next to Current,” says Dabbs, explaining more of the campground’s amenities. “In spring and fall, we have live music on the patio, weather permitting, usually Friday or Saturday night, sometimes both during holidays. We feature local groups.” The music most requested by campers and diners is traditional country and Southern rock from the 70s and 80s.

Those who attended Riverfest the first day of October were treated to some of those styles of music. Drake White, a traditional country singer who grew up in Hokes Bluff, entertained the crowd. So did Anderson East from Athens, a blues and Americana musician who was nominated for a Grammy Award in the American Roots category in 2019. Sponsored for many years by the city of Gadsden, the festival had a small version as a test run last year at River Rocks.

“It rained all weekend last year, but we took it on the chin and decided to really go after it this year. It went really well. We had about 1,500 people to turn out for the music, food trucks, arts & crafts and entertainment. Buffalo Rock and River Rocks were the primary sponsors, but we had 10-12 smaller ones, too.”

Another entertainment venue for River Rocks is its annual Drive-Through Christmas Lights display. Beginning Thanksgiving night, the grounds will be open after dark for cars to drive through and view the colorful lights, Nativity scene, blow-ups and animated characters. The cost is $3 for children and $5 for adults.

Dabbs’ daughters, two-year-old Raelynn, and Baeleigh, who will be five at the end of October, consider River Rocks Landing their personal playground and all the guests they meet their friends. “We’ll be driving through, and Baeleigh will say, ‘Daddy, there’s people in my pool,’” he says, grinning like a proud daddy. “Here, everyone is her friend. Both my daughters love it when we turn on the Christmas lights.”

Resident ducks await a handout

Tiny house with covered porch

Logan

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Logan Martin & Neely Henry | May-June

SSummer 2022 garnered much interest for Neely Henry Lake, with a full house of supportive participants hitting the water for Neely Henry Lake Association’s Poker Run. While boaters soaked in the sun and crossed their fingers for a royal flush, the event served as an exceptionally successful fundraiser for local and neighboring communities.

Original founding NHLA board member and officer Hap Bryant inspired the poker run, designing the idea from his past as a motorcycle rider. Bryant and his fellow bikers often participated in poker runs – racing to designated stops and collecting cards along the way – with the hopes of ending the route with a winning hand.

While Bryant never dissuaded a victory, he expressed that the true joy the event produced came from the camaraderie he and the other bike-enthusiasts shared. Although Bryant himself has since passed away, the NHLA’s own poker run channeled his joviality into planning its event, dedicating the fundraiser in his memory.

The poker run mirrored Bryant’s bike design, replacing motorcycles with boats. NHLA’s event committee – alongside board members Randy Elrod, Stace Beecham and Hugh Stump, led the effort. They established five points up and down Neely Henry Lake,

Story by Katie Bohannon Photos by Mackenzie Free Participants register, learn the course

positioning greeters at each stop to give boaters the opportunity to select a card.

The race was not timed, with the mentality that boaters could leisurely cruise from one point to another, enjoying a peaceful and fun day on the lake.

“We strive to communicate to the public how important our lake is – environmentally and economically,” said NHLA President Dave Tumlin, describing how the poker run reinforced the association’s mission. “Our mission is to preserve,protect and improve life on the Coosa River. With such a great turnout, I learned how much our communities love and appreciate our lake, and how in working as a team, we can help introduce even more people to the joy and pleasure of spending time on a clean and safe lake.”

Over 150 dedicated members and families, who all share a common focus to protect and preserve the natural asset in Neely Henry Lake and surrounding waterways, comprise NHLA’s membership.

On a mission

On a mission

The organization sponsors and co-sponsors several local projects throughout the year. The poker run supported the association’s Annual Christmas Boat Parade, an event it created and a collaborative effort with Downtown Gadsden, Inc.

Putting in at the poker run

A four-footed fan

Studying the course

The association also coordinates with Southside and Rainbow City to promote parades for both municipalities, generating more and more spectators each year, gathering crowds looking forward to the countless twinkling lights, music and holiday festivities.

Most recently, the association partnered with Rainbow City and Southside to debut “Dinner and a Movie” at the new Southside marina, which supported Southside Elementary School. Families flocked to the waterfront property, with 800 attendees – both on land and boat – grabbing snacks from local food vendors as they watched the iconic classic, Jaws

“At our bimonthly meetings, we have expert speakers that help communicate various subjects, including environmental importance, safety and history of the lake,” said Tumlin, discussingthe significance of supporting these projects. “Recent speakers have talked on a major fish study going on, with changes to shoreline construction rules and other similar topics. Three years ago, with support from Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, we had Jacksonville State University complete an economic impact study of Neely Henry Lake on Etowah County. The results were startling. The study found that Neely Henry Lake had annual economic activity of $523,731,618 to Etowah County! If you add in Calhoun and St. Clair counties, the annual activity number is $570,663,991!”

Logan Martin & Neely Henry

It integrates the parade with First Friday and the city’s tree lighting.

2206 Martin St S

Pell City, AL 35128-2356

Phone (205) 884-3470 (205) 473-9080

Fax (866) 666-8481

Proudly serving Alabama communities in Pell City, Ragland, Odenville, Branchville, Cropwell, Alpine and Vincent.

In October, in collaboration with Alabama Power, the association will build 100 “spider blocks,” long-lasting structures that attract bait and game fish, to promote the sport at a world-class level. Though in years past the structures were deployed out of Rainbow City Landing and River Rocks Landing, this year, the association will build out of Greensport Marina on Neely Henry’s St. Clair side.

While the association commits itself to treasuring the enrichment and value the lake and local waterways generates for its community, opportunities such as the poker run arise as an outlet of support to fulfill its mission. It’s a purpose that those affiliated with the association strive to preserve, not only for themselves, but for the future of the beloved place they call home.

“Our team is fully committed to the future of Neely Henry Lake,” said Tumlin.

“We hope that the actions we take, be it education on the environment, improving the quality of water and habitat or helpingus all to better appreciate our lake, will allow our kids and grandkids to enjoy this magnificent natural asset for many decades to come.”

The association partners with Alabama Power each year to build and deploy fish habitats in various locations on the lake, while supporting the Renew Our Rivers project alongside frequent educational programs geared toward improving the quality and appreciation of the lake.

NHLA is involved in all sorts of activities to promote and protect the lake. Here, volunteers are helping assemble fish habitats.

A day of fun on the lake

CATCHIN’ THE COOSA

by Zeke Gossett Photos submitted

Logan Martin

The months of November and December can be some of thebest fishing Logan Martin has to offer with a lot going on during this timeframe. What happens during these months is that the lake is pulled down to its final winter pool, and fish are finally starting to feed up for the winter months ahead.

I usually find fishing better early on the main river, especially if there is current in the system. I target river docks and points with either a spinnerbait or shallow diving crankbait. The points and docks are typically better when there is deep water nearby.

Once the sun starts to rise, I’ll start fishing more in the pockets and creeks. Much like in the morning time, I tend to fish shallow docks and laydowns if present. I ordinarily target the sunny sides first. I am hoping there might be fish trying to warm up from the night before.

If there is defined channel swing in the pocket, I’ll target it as well. I will focus there, especially if the channel swings up or near one of the banks.

Once we ease into December and the water temps get below or around 55 degrees, that’s when I slow down with the jig – especially later in the day, once I feel like some bigger fish might have pulled up from the night before.

I traditionally target docks and laydowns. I will fish an occasional boat

ramp as well. This is a great way to catch a big one during the latter part of December on Logan Martin.

One last thing, Alabama Power is supposed to be leaving more water in the lake during the winter for 2023. Officials say the depth will be two feet higher than winter level of previous years.

I am eager to see how this may change the fishing patterns I have used in the past. We shall see.

Neely Henry

Neely Henry offers a lot of good structure for early wintertime fishing. I mainly set my sights on the mid-to bottom-end of the lake.

My lure choices are fairly simple when it comes to fishing Neely Henry this time of year. I will start looking for fish on either shallow river points or bluff walls, which are plentiful on the bottom end of this lake.

I try to find the ones catching the most current. On the walls with the current, you can normally catch more than one bass. There is an abundance of fish present in these spots because the current has the shad pushed up against them. This allows the bass to gorge and feed up for the wintertime.

A couple of my favorite baits for fishing these bluff walls are a spinnerbait and/or jig. When you fish these type bluffs, boat position is critical! You want to position your boat close to the wall and make parallel cast with the spinnerbait and jig. This allows you to keep your bait longer in the strike zone and cover more water efficiently.

Lastly, one the sun does get up good, you can target shallow docks and laydowns with the jig. Targeting short river pockets are often where you’ll find the most success. These areas can offer isolated cover – one single dock or one single laydown in a pocket is generally the best.

Editor’s Note:

Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide.

Logan Martin & Neely Henry

“The points and docks are typically better when there is deep water nearby.”

Take 5 Community Events November 3 thru December 2022

by Jackie Romine Walburn

November

Who: Designs for Hope

What: 10th Annual Benefit Dinner

When: Nov. 3, 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Mathews Manor, 3279 U.S. 11, Springville

Why: Tickets to dinner $10, benefitting Designs of Hope. Since 2011, Designs of Hope works to design and deliver innovative solutions to the physical and spiritual needs of disciple makers around the world.

Who: City of Ashville, 200 in 2022

What: Bicentennial celebration

When: Nov. 5, 9 a.m.

Where: Ashville

Why: Help the town and citizens of Ashville celebrate 200 years as a township.

Who: Springville Library Writers’ Group

What: Monthly support group, meeting every first Saturday

When: Saturday, Nov 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Springville Library, 6315 U.S. 11, Springville Why: All writers age 18+ are invited.

Who: Gadsden Service Guild

What: Rummage Sale

When: Nov. 4 preview, 6 to 8 p.m., and sale Nov. 5, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m

Where: 210 at the Tracks, 210 Locust St., Gadsden

Why: See what’s available at the annual Rummage Sale. Admission $10.

Who: Horse Pens 40

What: Christmas Craft Fair

When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Horse Pens 40, 3525 County Road 42, Steele

Why: Enjoy shopping local handmade crafts and holiday shopping for all ages. Regular day fee of $10 applies or donate at least two canned food items or one NEW toy for local food pantry and get in at half price.

Who: Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts

What: Hargray Communications presents The WingNuts: The Revolution

When: Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m

Where: Pell City CEPA, 25 Williamson Drive, Pell City

Why: Experience the WingNuts’ all new rock ‘n roll show –from the Cold War to the Summer of Love, Bay of Pigs to the moon, flat tops to miniskirts. Tickets are $20 each; VIP packages start at $50. Pellcitycepa.com/tickets.

Who: Greater Gadsden Tourism and Etowah County Chamber of Commerce

What: Veterans Day Parade and Patriots Day Luncheon andProgram

When: Nov. 9, 2 to 4 p. m.; luncheon and program at 11 a.m. Where: Downtown Gadsden and The Venue for luncheon and program.

Why: Honor local veterans with luncheon program followed by parade. $25 for luncheon.

Who: Gadsden Museum of Art November Art exhibit What: Artwork of Sara Garden Armstrong, Threads and Layers Traveling Exhibit

When: Month of November 2022. Museum open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Gadsden Museum of Art, 515 Broad St., Gadsden Why: Free admission; donations encouraged.

Who: Longleaf Botanical Gardens What: Fall Plant Sale

When: Friday, Nov. 11; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Museum members-only sale on Thursday, Nov. 10. Where: Anniston Museum and Gardens Why: Shop for fall shrubs and trees – camellias, loquats, beauty berry – with the experts; special sale of elephant ears and hostas. Proceeds benefit the Longleaf gardens. Cash, check and cards accepted.

Who: Rustik Bucket

What: Rustik Bucket Vintage Market

When: Friday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden

Why: Do you like chippy, vintage, painted, primitive, handmade, art, clothing, jewelry, sweets, farmhouseinspired, boho, traditional, food? Then you’ll LOVE Rustik Bucket Vintage Market. $5 admission for 12 and older.

Who: Homestead Hollow Arts and Crafts

What: Christmas in the Country

When: Nov. 11, 12 and 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 2 miles off 1-59, exit 154, in Springville.

Why: Enjoy arts and crafts, food, games, the general store, Good and Evil Pickles on 27 acres, free parking, trams. Admission $10 for adults; $5 for children 3-12; free for age 2 and under.

Who: Saint Clair County High School

What: Veterans Day 5K

When: Nov. 11

Where: Saint Clair County High School, 16700 U.S. 411, Odenville

Why: Come and help the Saint Clair County High School Baseball team raise money for their season while also honoring our veterans. You can walk or you can run, just come and have fun, Wear something representing your favorite branch of the military or just wear your favorite camo. Entry is $20 a person and includes a T-shirt.

Who: KCBS World Invitational Barbecue Competition

What: An annual banquet and two days of pitmaster competitions, sponsored by Kansas City Barbecue Society and Smithfield

When: Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11 to 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday is annual awards banquet; Saturday is Open Contest Competitors Series; Sunday is Backyard Invitational and Master Series Invitational.

Where: Noccalula Falls Park, Gadsden

Why: Enjoy the barbecuing competition. Competitors must be members in good standing of the KCBS. More info at kcbs.us or call 1-800-963-5227.

Who: Downtown Talladega

What: Second Saturday

When: Saturday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Talladega Bottling Works

Why: Music and more each Second Saturday.

Who: Veterans, runners and walkers

What: Operation: Love Veterans Day 5K

When: Nov. 12, noon

Where: Pell City Lakeside Park, 2801 Stemley Bridge Road, Cropwell

Why: Benefiting and honoring veterans.

Who: Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center of Gadsden

What: 11th Annual Humane Society Reindeer Run 5K

When: Dec. 17, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday registration begins at 8 a.m., race at 9 a.m.

Where: Blackstone Pub and Eatery on Broad Street in Downtown Gadsden.

Why: Walk or run with your pets as long as pets on a leash. Entry is $25 in advance; $30 on race day. Packet pick-up Friday, Dec. 16 at Blackstone Pub from 4 to 6 p.m. in the courtyard. Race director: christyrichards16@gmail.com.

Who: Alabama Youth Ministries

What: Alabama Mountain Mudder race, benefitting the Speed the Light organization When: Nov. 18, noon

Where: Springville Camp and Conference Center, 3886 Mountain View Road, Odenville

Why: Racers dash through trails with more than 15 obstacles, some natural and some manmade. Benefitting the Speed the Light organization.

Who: Downtown Dance Conservatory, Gadsden

What: Local production of the Nutcracker Princess When: Nov. 18, 19 and 20, 6 p.m.

Where: Mary G. Harden Center for the Cultural Arts, 501 Broad St., Gadsden

Why: Local dancers perform a holiday classic. Tickets at culturalarts.com/boxoffice.

Who: Anniston Museum and Gardens

What: Winter Market Weekend

When: Nov. 18, 19 and 20; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Anniston Museum and Gardens

Why: Shop an amazing array of items from artists and craftspeople, jewelry, glassworks and handcrafted accent items.

Who: Zamora Shriners of Central Alabama What: Country Cash When: Nov. 19, 6 to 10 p.m.

Where: Celebration House, 3005 Martin St., Cropwell Why: Join the Shriners for a fun event.

Who: The Venue at Coosa Landing

What: Black Friday Shopping featuring local merchants

When: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Venue at Coosa Landing Why: Get Black Friday prices early from local vendors.

Who: Downtown Gadsden What: Plaid Friday

When: Friday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Gadsden’s shops and restaurants Why: Wear your Plaid – representing the idea of weaving individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates independent businesses – and shop and dine with local businesses.

DON’T MISS THE BOAT PARADE THIS YEAR

Who: Talladega Classic Car Club

What: Classic Car Cruise-In

When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Classic Toys at 515 East Battle St., Talladega Why: Classic cars and trucks cruise in every 4th Saturday.

December

Who: Town of Munford What: 4th Annual Christmas Parade

When: Dec. 1, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Where: Parade route begins at Munford Baptist Church and ends at the entry parking lot of the Community/Senior Center parking area. Food and craft vendors will be set up at Munford’s Town Hall Parking Lot. Why: Enjoy hometown Christmas parade.

Who: The Arc of St. Clair County What: 2022 Christmas Gala and Silent Auction benefiting the Arc of St. Clair. When: Dec. 2, 7 p.m.

Where: Mathews Manor, 3279 U.S. Highway 11, Springville Why: The Arc of St. Clair County, established in 1973, is a nonprofit agency with a mission to provide services to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities in St. Clair County. Learn more at thearcstclair.org. Purchase tickets at form.jotform.com/221578521187056.

Who: City of Gadsden What: Downtown Gadsden Christmas Tree Lighting When: Dec. 2, 5 to 6 p.m. Where: Gadsden City Hall Why: Welcome in the season with the lighting of the city’s Christmas Tree.

Who: Boats on parade What: Coosa Christmas Boat Parade When: Dec. 2, 6 to 7 p.m. Where: Riverwalk Park at Coosa Landing, Gadsden Why: See the parade of decorated boats shining on the Coosa River.

Who: Wills Creek Merchants What: Christmas in Keener, Vintage Christmas Market

When: Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: 2817 Little Wills Valley Road, Attalla

Why: Shop vintage items. Vendor email for application, willscreekmerchants@gmail.com.

Who: AMP Strength and Conditioning What: Nightmare @ AMP 2k22, an onsite team competition When: Dec. 3, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: AMP, 2248 Moody Parkway, Moody Why: A one-day competition. Teams of 2 –M/M F/F and RX/Scaled/Masters (40+).

Who: Kiwanis Club and city of Gadsden What: Gadsden Christmas Parade When: Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to noon Where: Downtown Gadsden Why: All about the children of the community, proceeds from the Kiwanis sponsored event go to community organizations. Registration for the parade – walking units, cars, floats, driving units, marching bands – is open until Friday, Nov. 19. Register at gadsdenchristmasparade.com

Who: City of Gadsden What: Mistletoe Market When: Dec. 2, 3 and 4; Friday, Dec. 2, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Downtown Gadsden Civic Center, 623 Broad St., Gadsden Why: Shop, see friends and be merry. Special guests include meteorologist James Spann and Big Sam the Balloon Man, plus a photo booth with the Grinch.

Who: Area Wide Towing Association Demolition Derby

What: Anger Management Demolition Derby, with all proceeds going to local cancer patients to help with their Christmas.

When: Dec. 3, noon to 8 p.m.

Where: Attalla Derby Grounds, 25 Line St., Attalla

Why: Fees to enter a derby car is $200 or clear title to the car. Food vendor fee is $150. Call 256-6857 or any local towing company. Please bring chairs, blankets, as seating is limited.

Who: Back Forty Beer Company

What: Beers and Hymns December –All Christmas Carols

When: Dec. 9, 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Back Forty Beer Company, 200 North 6th St., Gadsden Why: Held four times a year, Beers and Hymns is about audience participation. Three sets of six songs, between 15-minute breaks. Food and beverage available at Back Forty.

Who: Zamora Shriners

What: Kid’s Christmas Party When: Dec. 11, 2 to 4 p.m. Where: Dixie Shriners Club, 2847 Logan Martin Lake Road, Vincent Why: Kids and Christmas.

Who: Gadsden Museum of Art: December exhibits What: Artwork from Aaryn Lee and textiles and other art from Lou Haney and Sharon Shapiro When: Throughout December. Museum open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Gadsden Museum of Art, 515 Broad St., downtown Gadsden Why: Admission is free, but donations encouraged.

Who: CharACTers Entertainment

What: Holiday production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

When: Dec. 9, 11 and 12; performance for school students, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at Wallace Hall Fine Arts. Other performances will be Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

Where: Mort Glosser Amphitheatre, Gadsden

Why: Tickets are $10 for this holiday production. To register a class for school performance, e-mail Santana at cctelitekids@gmail.com.

Who: Neely Henry Lake Association and Victory Marine

What: Southside and Rainbow City Boat Parade

When: Dec. 10, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Southside Riverfront, open for observation and parking

Why: Free event. To have a boat in the parade, forms and information are available in front lobby of Southside City Hall. Decorate those vehicles and bring snacks and lawn chairs.

Who: Talladega merchants

What: Christmas on the Square

When: Dec. 9, 10 and 11

Where: Downtown Talladega Why: Christmas on the Square highlights include ice skating, food trucks, rides on the Holiday Train, vendor booths, holiday movies and Santa’s Workshop.

Who: Mary G. Harden Center for the Cultural Art What: Exhibitions of artists Bassmi Ibrahim and Michel Goldberg When: Through Dec. 31 during center hours, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: 501 Broad St., Gadsden Why: Cultural arts.

Who: Talladega Classic Car Club What: Classic Car Cruise-In When: Saturday, Dec. 24, 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Classic Toys at 515 East Battle St., Talladega Why: Classic cars and trucks cruise in every 4th Saturday