August 2023 – LakeLife 24/7 Magazine

A moveable feast

September events offer a buffet for tastebuds, heart and eye

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

The American standard “September Song”, sung by the late, great Tony Bennett, Nat “King” Cole and countless crooners, reminds us that days grow short, dwindling to a precious few, when the calendar flips to the ninth month.

Three events in the month – the Alabama Wine Festival, Art on the Rocks and A Taste of Northeast Alabama – make the precious – and prayerfully, cooler – days more wonderful.

Here’s a brief look at three events set for the Neely Henry Lake region of the Coosa River:

The Alabama Wine Festival

Wine lovers will sip the traditions of Europe crafted here by Alabama vintners. The third annual Alabama Wine Festival, hosted on the grounds of Duck Springs’ Wills Creek Winery, celebrates the state’s growing winemaking industry.

The festival is set for Sept. 16 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for the adults only event are $30 per person. Designated driver tickets are free. Designated drivers must be 21 or older. Identification is required.

Eats will be available from local food trucks, and wine will be available to sample and purchase. And festivalgoers will be serenaded by live music.

Jahn (cq) and Janie Coppey own Wills Creek Winery. Born in Switzerland and a former NASA engineer, Jahn is a dual Swiss-American citizen, as is his American-born bride, Jamie.

Fitting for the makers of wine, romance is at the heart of the Wills Creek story. When Jahn Coppey came to America in 1971 to work in the space program in Huntsville, he spoke four languages – French, German, Spanish and Italian. He moved to London to learn English, but by his own admission, his understanding was “very poor.”

When he came to Alabama, he was introduced to a teacher who spoke some French. She was tasked with growing the young mathematician’s English fluency. The language of love took over, and a year later, Jahn and Janie Coppey were married.

That was 51 years ago.

Jahn and Janie opened Wills Creek Winery in 1996. And while at first blush, the journey from working on the space program to owning a winery may seem a giant leap, Jahn is a third-generation vintner, with roots in Switzerland’s breathtaking Rhone River Valley. Wine has been made in the region since the time of the Romans.

There’s also some heritage in Janie Coppey’s family, which has called Duck Springs home since the 1830s

Since Wills Creek opened, the couple has worked tirelessly, not only to grow the state’s winemaking industry, but also to advocate for a change in Alabama’s antiquated liquor laws. The Alabama Wine Festival’s aim is to grow the industry and deliciously make visitors aware of the state’s wine business.

Interestingly, Alabama’s soil is one of two places in America perfect for growing exclusive Pinot Noir grapes. The sweltering, unpredictable Southern summers aren’t cooperative. Still, native Muscadine grapes and their more than 100 varieties thrive here, and the Coppeys craft wine from Alabama Muscadines and other fruits found across the globe.

When Wills Creek opened, there were only three wineries in the state. Now there are 37 federally permitted wineries in the state, but less than half are working wineries.

Last year, 11 Alabama wineries participated in the Alabama Wine Festival, attracting 300 people from 15 states.

Jahn Coppey sees vintage years ahead for the wine festival and the growth of the winemaking art in Alabama. But people still ask the same question.

“We’ve been in business 22 years, but people still ask if we’re legal,” Jahn says.

They also have to endure some skepticism from Jahn’s family across the Atlantic.

“They say I’m crazy,” he says. “But what I tell them is I can sell my wine. You can’t.”

And the Coppeys hope to take a page from a small Swiss village near Lake Geneva, that conducted its first wine festival 30 years ago. “They have grown so much,” Jahn says. “They have built some hotels. They’ve built some Air B&Bs all around. Now 30,000 people have been coming to that event.”

The festival benefits neighboring cities and towns, like Gadsden.

“Anytime somebody comes like the wine festival – even though it’s not located in Gadsden, typically they’ve got to stay in Gadsden, John Moore, the city’s director of commercial development, says. “So, it always helps us with our tourism dollars. Even though it’s not in Gadsden, we will help support it. No matter who comes to Etowah County, as long as it’s in Etowah County, Gadsden’s going to benefit.

And the Alabama Wine Festival is catching the public’s attention.

“It’s the thing to do. People want to come and drink wine and have a good time. We have a lot of property here. We can expand and do a lot of things.”

Tourists, including some in RVs are discovering Wills Creek and Alabama wines. The Alabama Wine Festival hopes attract more wine explorers. “We have people driving from New York to New Orleans, and when they’re on the way back, they stop again … It’s beautiful.”

For more information on the Alabama Wine Festival, go to willscreekwinery.com.

Art on the Rocks

Beauty is at the heart of one of Alabama’s great natural wonders, Noccalula Falls. On Sept. 16 and 17, the banks of falls and that part of the Coosa River will come alive with artists, craftspeople and artisans, with everything from paintings to homemade pottery, candles and farm-raised jars of sweet honey and homemade jellies and jams. Woodcarvers and homemade soap makers are among the cornucopia of craftspeople.

Art on the Rocks happens twice annually, this year in April and September. A mainstay on the Alabama festival calendar for nearly two decades, creative folks from across the Southeast come to Noccalula Falls to show their wares. And those items must pass muster, Moore says.

“The coolest thing about what we do is – that not everybody does – is that we vet every single vendor to ensure that their arts and crafts are all handmade,” Moore says. “I don’t think that every arts and crafts festival does that. We’re ensuring that every single vendor out there has homemade arts and crafts.”

The setting adds to the joy of Art on the Rocks, with cool breezes easing the summer heat. Vendors are spread throughout the park, giving visitors a real taste of the outdoors. And food vendors are also at work during Art on the Rocks.

“The setting of it is in Noccalula Falls and it is in the fall so you get a little bit of a taste of the whole area,” Moore says.

September events like Art on the Rocks mean hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars to the local economy, Moore says.

“You’re talking about 2,000 people that are coming into Etowah County to spend their money,” Moore says.

“I preach the fact that we always want to put out a good product,” Moore says. “Because if we put out a good product, we can build on that.”

For more on Art on the Rocks, visit noccalulafallspark.com.

A Taste of Northeast Alabama

One of the newer events on the Neely Henry Lake region’s festival calendar is a foodie’s Nirvana.

Now in its second year, A Taste of Northeast Alabama features restaurants and caterers from all over Northeast Alabama, clear to the Tennessee line.

The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden is home to the culinary celebration, held this year on Sept. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. Only 500 tickets are available at $20 each. Some 40 to 45 caterers and restaurants will be on hand, serving up their kitchen magic. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Altrusa of Gadsden, an international service organization made up of local clubs.

Visitors can leisurely stroll and taste the best the region has to offer.

The bounce of the festivals, whether for wine, or food, or arts and crafts is that people come to the region, stay in local accommodations, eat locally and shop in local stores.

“It’s huge for us,” Moore says.

And from Gadsden to Duck Springs and across Etowah County, local communities benefit from the natural beauty.

“Most communities would give their left arm to have a natural falls with a huge gorge that sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, or a city would give their left arm to have a Coosa River running through their town, or to have a thriving downtown Broad Street like we have, Moore says. “And to have all three of those, that’s what we capitalize on. That’s our strength here in Gadsden.”

The September festivals are part of a concerted effort to transform the region into a tourist destination, not a quick stop on the way to Atlanta. Think concerts at the Depression-era Mort Glosser Amphitheater, an entertainment district, more campgrounds, recreation and more.

“We want Gadsden to be known as ‘Fun Town,’” Moore said.

For more information, visit A Taste of Northeast Alabama at greatergadsden.com.

Town and Country Texaco

Food, fun, friends make for special Saturdays

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Mackenzie Free

It’s an August morning at Town & Country Texaco, a view of Logan Martin setting the scene as a backdrop in the distance. Boaters line up at the pumps to fuel their day ahead on the water. Dozens of anglers put in at the boat ramp just as the sun comes up, readying for today’s big catch.

Cars and trucks stream in and out, almost as if the parking lot were encased by a revolving door. Folks clad in everything from suit and tie to shorts, tank tops and flip flops head into the store and out again. It’s the hurried comings and goings of yet another Saturday at Town & Country.

You might say the establishment itself is quite the attraction, and you would be right. Ask Kurt Russell and the set crew of Rivals of Amziah. They filmed there in July.

But if you look to the left, smoke wafting from a nearby tent with a tantalizing aroma of Boston Butts, ribs, chickens and wings emanating from oversized smoker ovens, you’d know you had arrived at so much more.

Under the tent sits Gerry Richey, a retired coach, who set up shop there nine years ago when Craig Goodgame opened the new Town & Country. He had been cooking for the high school baseball team for 20 years, and the culinary expertise he brought to that tent nearly a decade ago simply “took off.” The evidence is seen in the growing volume of customers awaiting his creations every weekend.

Of course, the tent has expanded since then. So have the ovens – double deckers – the crowds of customers and the gathering of locals who swap stories, settle the woes of the day and just plain ‘hang out.’ Of course, if they see a need, they’re right there, too. “If our friends see we’re busy, they jump right in taking money, boxing stuff up,” said Richey, who handles the operation along with Wade Graham.

On holidays, the pace is hectic. They average cooking 180-220 butts on holidays like Labor Day and July 4. “We couldn’t make it on holidays without help,” Richey said. Holidays have three grills going continuously.

He and Graham bought the first oven nine years ago when they opened their fledgling business under a pickup tent. Now, it’s a tradition for locals sharing ‘quality time’ on a Saturday morning.

History lessons abound about the river and days gone by. “You learn a lot of history,” said Erskine Funderburg, a lawyer in town.

The conversation tends to go a bit like this:

“Me and Daddy used to quail hunt at Lock 4,” Richey recalls, referring to a lock near Riverside and Lincoln no longer in use once Logan Martin Lake was created in 1965.

“We used to rabbit hunt at Catatoga,” he said, pointing in the direction of a lakeside subdivision a stone’s throw from Town & Country.

Blake Nixon, Danny Abbott, Funderburg, Bob Thomas and Richard M. “Doughnut” Nixon are usually in the mix of Saturday regulars, although not all were there this particular Saturday. On this day, there’s Richey, Jerry Howard, Craig Goodgame, Graham, John Otwell, Jerry Bowman, Terry Castleberry, Spike LeMaster, Funderburg, Thomas and Nixon.

Funderburg dubbed it the equivalent of “our men’s beauty shop.” He comes nearly every Saturday for “personalities and conversation.” To him, “It’s definitely a men’s beauty shop – lots of lies and a little bit of truth.”

“It may get a little different when you leave,” Terry Castleberry interjected with a nod toward being respectful of the woman present. Knowing laughter from the rest of the assembled group immediately followed.

“Don’t pay attention to him,” one of the ‘beauticians’ said as Spike LeMaster joined the group. He’s another regular, who enjoys the camaraderie, he said.

Conversation again turns to the beauty shop reference for a moment. “Is that a permanent?,” one asks Frunderburg, who has curly hair peeking out from under a baseball cap. Funderburg retorts, “It’s only right to come here and get abused every weekend. I do the abusing (as a lawyer) all week long.”

The scene is much like the mechanics of a pinball machine, bouncing from one subject to another.

Talk briefly turns to the lottery, where the $1.4 billion pot was still intact from the drawing the night before. A couple of them had tickets with four of six numbers plus the Powerball. “So close,” they lamented.

Kurt Russell and staff of Town & Country Texaco

“Here comes the plumber,” said another, alerting the rest of the group to the arrival of Jamie Gipson from Trussville. He comes every Saturday for ribs, they boast. When he arrives at the tent, Gipson explains as best he can. “I don’t know what they do with the ribs, but every Saturday morning, it’s my ritual. When you get hooked on something, you stick with it.”

What about the movie filmed there a couple of weeks before? Craig Goodgame, owner of Town & Country, is part of the group, and he sets the scene. “This guy stopped by. He said he was a scene director, and he asked if I would be interested.” Goodgame obliged. The original ask was for two days of shooting, but it only took one. “They showed up at 7 p.m. and left at 2 a.m.”

Although Russell was a star, Goodgame said, he was approachable, talking to him and the staff the whole time. “He was extremely friendly – a nice man.” While Russell and his movie star wife, Goldie Hawn, have been together since the 70s, he told him and the staff they just got married six months ago. “He told us that story,” Goodgame said. “He said they were finally old enough to get married.”

The tent operation supplies the convenience store, too – at least 20 butts a weekend. “Can’t get caught up in there,” Richey said. “They take the butts and make sandwiches. They can’t keep them,” he said of their apparent disappearing act as the comings and goings of the day wear on.

Wings, butts and whole smoked chickens are the order of the day, especially during football season, where a single customer may order 100 wings for a game day gathering.

Customers come from all around the lake and out of town, too. Regulars stop in from Trussville, Moody and Vincent. He has one customer from Atlanta with a lake place, and he stops to take meat back with him to Georgia.

When do they close? Simple, said Richey. “When we run out – usually run out every Saturday.”

The day for him actually starts the day before. He puts the butts on to smoke overnight at about 6 p.m. on Friday. At 3 a.m., he’s back to smoke the rest and put the finishing touches on. “By the time people get here, everything’s ready. If we’re not ready, people would get ill at us.”

They’re only open on Saturdays, but holidays see them expand to a three-day weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

As the conversation slowed a bit, Richey checked on the wings, toting a nondescript bucket with a mop. He’s ready to baste. He says what he’s holding is the key to their success. “This is what makes our butts so good.” He didn’t wait for the obvious question. “No, I can’t tell you what’s in the bucket. It’s a secret – the secret sauce.”

Perhaps the secret comes from the days his family owned a café when he was young – the Ranch House. Or maybe it’s learned from decades of grilling for the baseball team.

“It must be pretty good. People still come,” Richey said, not specifying whether it’s for the food or the company.

As another crowd gathers under the tent on Saturdays, it’s easy to conclude it’s both.

Kids Casting

Coosa Riverkeeper, LMLPA and community
team up to teach fishing, water safety

Story by Graham Hadley
Photos by Richard Rybka
and courtesy of Coosa Riverkeeper

Want to teach children to love the Coosa River and our local lakes and streams?

The Coosa Riverkeeper says one of the best ways to do that is to teach children all about not just how to enjoy the water, but to learn why this natural resource is so amazing.

To that end, the Riverkeeper teamed up with the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association and the Pell City Boys and Girls Club to hold a Kids Casting free fishing clinic at Pell City’s Lakeside Park on Logan Martin.

“We have seen fewer children over the past few years who know how to fish. That is a multi-generational activity in Alabama, something that is important for so many reasons,” said Abby Brown, director of Community Engagement for Coosa Riverkeeper. It is a hobby, a sport, even a way for some people to help provide for their families.

“We decided to start free fishing clinics this year, with the goal of teaching 100 kids how to fish. It is just over halfway through the year, and we have surpassed that number.”

The sessions focus on traditional fishing techniques with spincaster rods, how to tie knots and about lures and the tools they use to fish.

They also focus on how to be safe around water, and not just fishing.

“We teach kids about water safety and how to fish safely – check the weather, check people around you, use personal flotation devices if you are not a strong swimmer,” Brown said.

All fishing at the event is catch-and-release, and the Riverkeeper instructors take the opportunity to teach the young anglers about the different species of fish, where they live, what they eat and the ecology of their habitats.

“We talk about safe fish handling to reduce the chance of any injuries to the fish,” Brown said.

“Then we teach casting in the parking area. Once they are proficient there, the children are allowed to go ahead and fish in the water.”

At the end of the day, any child who does not have a fishing rod in their home to use is given one to keep.

“We would like, if we get more funding in the future, to be able to give every kid who attends one of these events a rod,” Brown said.

Every participant does, however, get to take home a tacklebox stocked with lures and other gear, along with all sorts of useful information on fishing and water safety.

The Pell City fishing clinic was one of several across the area, with other events on Choccolocco Creek in Anniston and Neely Henry in Gadsden and Rainbow City, and Brown is quick to point out how much of a collaborative effort these and similar classes are.

“The LMLPA did a great job securing the use of Lakeside Park for us,” she said.

Coosa Riverkeeper members help with donations to support the effort, as do other organizations similar to the LMLPA, groups like the Choccolocco Creek Watershed, which has played a big role in working with the Riverkeeper.

She also wanted to thank Bass Pro Shops for helping fund the projects with donations and grants.

“Our community groups, our cities, we all have to work together to get these done,” Brown said.

Because the programs are free, they often give children in underserved parts of the area a chance to learn to fish and about water safety, giving them access to one of Alabama’s greatest natural resources, its waterways.

“Alabama is the river state because we have so many of them” – over 130,000 miles of rivers and streams according to the Alabama Rivers Alliance – “Alabamians should have access to and be able to safely use those waterways. That is why we include water safety, even in a fishing class and provide families with swim guide information,” Brown said.

The fishing classes are just part of the Coosa Riverkeeper’s educational efforts. They sponsor a number of other classes under their Coosa River Environmental Education for Kids (CREEK) program. These cover a wide range of topics. In July, they partnered with Lovelight Farm from Wilsonville to teach children about biodynamic farming.

Organizations like the Coosa Riverkeeper, LMLPA, Choccolocco Creek Watershed, Neely Henry Lake Association and others all need support from local communities and businesses to keep programs like these free for local students. They post regular fundraising efforts on their social media pages and websites and are worth checking out.

Brown said they are a charity partner with the Kellypalooza festival coming up in Ohatchee, which is a great way to help support the Coosa Riverkeeper organization.

A perfect waterside wedding location

Story by Scottie Vickery
Submitted photos

In all the years Terri and Anthony Riccio have owned homes on Logan Martin Lake, entertaining typically meant throwing some burgers on the grill for their sons’ friends or having a laid-back dinner on the patio with a few other couples.

So when their oldest son, Cannon, got engaged to Lauren Scambray last November, and their future daughter-in-law wanted an outdoor wedding at their house with the gorgeous water view as a backdrop, there was a moment of panic. Actually, there were many moments of panic.

“Anthony was sending her links to other venues every week,” Terri said with a laugh. “I finally told him he had to stop because this was where she wanted to have it.”

Once the decision was made, the two families joined forces and started planning. Despite a 6-month timeline and the fact that Lauren’s parents, Rachel and Scott Scambray, live in Las Vegas, they managed to pull off a beautiful June 3 event that was better than any of them imagined.

The couple exchanged vows at the water’s edge before guests and the wedding party headed across the yard for dinner under a sailcloth tent. After enjoying a buffet that included some of Lauren and Cannon’s favorite Italian dishes, the crowd toasted the couple with blue champagne before heading to the gray and white checkerboard dance floor where they celebrated under the stars.

“We wanted the wedding to be as much ‘Lauren and Cannon’ as it could be,” Lauren said. “We wanted all of our favorite things and all of our favorite people at our favorite place, and it was just perfect.”

The back story

Nearly three years before popping the question, Cannon met Lauren in an economics class at the University of Alabama. Lauren, who grew up in California, always knew she wanted to try something different after high school, so she applied to several out-of-state colleges. Alabama won her heart. Not long after they met, Cannon did, as well.

Before long they were spending all their time together, much of it at the lake with a group of friends. “We came every chance we got,” Lauren said. “If there was a free weekend, that’s where we all were.”

That was just fine with Terri and Anthony. After all, they’d fallen in love with Logan Martin years ago when they came to the lake with friends during college. After they married and had Cannon and his brother, Grant, they got a boat and then graduated to a mobile home at Pocono Park. They later bought a house in Country Club Estates on the Talladega side of the lake and used it as a weekend home for five years before they sold it in January of 2020 and started looking for a permanent home.

“We kind of started out slowly and put our toes in the water a little bit at a time,” Terri said. Although the Riccios loved raising their kids in Trussville, they knew they wanted to eventually retire to the lake, but the lure of life on the water was too strong to wait.

They bought their current house, which is in River Oaks in Cropwell, in April 2021 when Grant was nearing the end of his senior year in high school. Although they both still work in Birmingham – Terri’s in interventional radiology at UAB and Anthony’s a market executive and executive director with JPMorgan Chase – their view makes the commute worthwhile.

“God’s beauty is all around,” Terri said. “The sunsets are just gorgeous, and the wildlife here is beautiful, too. We have eagles, osprey, egrets and white squirrels. When we get home from work, we go down to the dock, turn on some music and enjoy the peaceful nights.”

The view wasn’t the only thing that sold them on the house. The downstairs living area, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a great room was a factor, as well. “We knew it would be perfect for the kids to come, bring their friends and bring their families one day,” Terri said.

Details, details, details

Although Terri and Anthony loved entertaining their kids’ friends, they never expected to hold a wedding at their house. “When Lauren started talking about wanting to get married here, I said, ‘You know, Alabama weather is not like California weather. It’s hot in the summer, it could rain, there are bugs,’” Terri said.

But Lauren knew it was the perfect spot for the wedding of her dreams. “I’ve always wanted a beautiful background, whether it was water or a pretty view,” she said. “Cannon and I both knew this was where we wanted to get married.”

Despite being 1,800 miles away in Las Vegas, Lauren’s mother, Rachel, wasn’t intimidated by the challenge of planning the wedding long-distance. In addition to organizing several large fundraising events over the years, “I planned our wedding 28 years ago and the weddings of a couple of friends,” she said.

“She never seemed stressed out at all,” Terri said of the mother of the bride. “It also wasn’t at my house,” Rachel added with a smile.

The Scambrays, who had moved to Las Vegas from California two years ago, came to Alabama a few times during the process, but FaceTime and Zoom proved to be invaluable. As the families began to think through everything that hosting a wedding with more than 200 guests would require, the list started growing.

“It really was like building a venue from the ground up,” Rachel said. They realized they’d need a powerful generator, tables, chairs, linens, lighting and bar setups. The Riccios had to get permits as well as liability insurance for the day in case someone was injured. In addition to the tent for the reception, they also needed a separate tent equipped with tables, lights and fans for the caterers to use.

They rented bathroom trailers equipped with air conditioning, flushing toilets and sinks with running water. Parking was a big concern until Anthony suggested guests park at the neighborhood boat launch, where they could shuttle to the site in rented vans or on a pontoon boat. “That was really fun,” Terri said. “Someone said they had never ridden to a wedding in a boat before, and another guest said, ‘I’ve never been on a boat before.’”

Once the logistics were covered, the focus turned to the details. “Lauren had a Pinterest board for years with the vision and fine details she wanted to come to life,” Rachel said. “It changed a little over the years, but there were some things I always knew I wanted,” Lauren added.

Her dream wedding included bouquet of peonies, a gray and white checkered dance floor, great music, and a cigar lounge area with tufted leather couches. She also fell in love with a chandelier made of crystal globes. “We designed the whole layout for seating based on the chandelier,” Lauren said.

She also always wanted to be a June bride. Since they got engaged in November, that meant they had to work quickly. “It was either plan it in six months or wait a year and a half,” Lauren said. “We didn’t want to wait.”

While Rachel and Lauren were booking the florist, caterer, DJ and other vendors, the Riccios focused on the rehearsal dinner, which was held at the Venue on 20^th in Pell City, and getting the house and yard ready. That included putting out 200 bales of pine straw and spraying for mosquitoes and other insects. They had already planned to replace the deck with a larger one, so they moved forward with construction.

Unfortunately, because of weather delays and supply issues, the project wasn’t completed before the big day. That meant the plan to have the ceremony under the deck in case of rain was no longer going to work. “We decided we could move the head table out from under the tent, and guests could sit at their tables for the ceremony,” Rachel said.

They were all delighted that rain wasn’t an issue. “The second we decided the wedding was going to be outside, we started praying about the weather,” Lauren said. “Ten days before the wedding we were checking the weather every day – sometimes several times a day,” Terri added. “Friday and Saturday, we never even looked. At that point, we decided it is what it is.”

Their prayers were answered, and they were blessed with a beautiful day. “We had pop-up storms every day that week and there was a big storm with sideways rain on Sunday,” Terri said, “but Saturday was perfect.”

In the moment

The days before the wedding were a whirlwind. Vendors dodged construction workers, Anthony hung string lights in the trees, friends came with leaf blowers, and the neighbors on each side graciously allowed the setup to spill over a little into their yards.

“It was all hands on deck,” Lauren said. “We have so many great people in our lives, and we’re so thankful.”

The day went off without a hitch. Guests enjoyed an Italian buffet with flatbread pizza; pasta dishes with meatballs, chicken and shrimp; a salad bar; and vegetables. A beautiful Italian cream cake and an ice cream cart for Cannon, who doesn’t like cake, completed the menu.

Lauren’s grandfather, Steve Butterfield, knew she was planning to use blue and white accents in the form of chinoiserie vases, so when he and his wife had blue champagne on a trip to Italy, he had several cases shipped to Alabama for the wedding.

Even the fireflies cooperated. Nearly half the family and friends came from California and other states and stayed at Airbnbs around the lake. As they gathered near the cigar lounge and enjoyed the sunset, they were thrilled to see the glow from the lightning bugs, which many had never seen.

“I never saw any before I came to Alabama,” Lauren said. “We had a cool spring, so we didn’t see many, but about a week and a half before the wedding, they started coming out more.”

While their guests enjoyed the music and view, Lauren and Cannon slipped away for a sunset cruise. “Everything had been so crazy, so it was great to get a moment to ourselves,” Lauren said. “But then we wanted to go back and join the party.”

Although there were a few “what have we done” moments along the way, Rachel and Terri agree that all the planning, stress and worries were worth it. “Everything was perfect,” Rachel said. “The whole day was magical and dreamy.”

Lauren and Cannon agreed. “Everyone said that your wedding is the one time all of your people will be in one place, so soak it all in,” Lauren said. “That’s exactly what we did. We loved everything about the day, and I wish we could go back and live it again.”

Although Lauren and Cannon Riccio love Italian food, especially the dishes their mothers make, they knew asking them to cook for their wedding reception would be too much. Although Rachel Scambray and Terri Riccio left the buffet to the caterer, they agreed to share some of their favorite recipes.

Sausage, onion and pepper sauce

From Terri Riccio
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds mild Italian sausage links
3 cloves garlic, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 yellow onion, sliced
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
29-ounce can tomato sauce
29-ounce can crushed tomatoes
6-oz tomato paste
Italian seasoning to taste
Salt to taste
Linguine

Directions:
Saute garlic, celery, onion and peppers in olive oil until tender. Remove from skillet and set aside. Remove sausage casings and cut sausage into 1-inch pieces. Add more oil to skillet if necessary and cook sausage until done. In a large stockpot, add all canned items, cooked vegetables, sausage, salt, and Italian seasoning and simmer 30 minutes or more. If thinner sauce is desired, add ½ cup water.
Serve over cooked linguine.

Pasta sauce

From Rachel Scambray

(Makes 10 to 12 large jars)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 6-pound can tomato sauce
2 small cans tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 32-ounce carton of chicken broth
6-7 Italian sausages, sliced
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1 package neck bones
1 beef roast (about 2-3 pounds of chuck or other roast) cut into chunks
2 onions, chopped
5 garlic cloves, crushed or chopped
1 pound mushrooms (optional)
Italian seasoning to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
3-4 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
Red pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

Saute onions in olive oil and add garlic for the last few minutes. Set aside. Brown meats in same pan and add more olive oil if necessary. Combine onions, garlic, meats and all other ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a slow boil, then lower temperature to simmer. Simmer 3 to 4 hours, stirring often as it can burn easily. Remove bones when the meat falls off. Adjust spices as necessary and add broth and/or wine as needed for appropriate thickness. Use as meat sauce for lasagna, spaghetti or other Italian dishes.

Take to the skies

St. Clair Airport hosts Aviation Career Day

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Graham Hadley

When it comes to careers in aviation, the sky’s the limit.

That’s why the St. Clair County Airport is hosting its 5^th Annual Aviation Career Day and Open House, set for Oct. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The goal of the free event is to showcase some of the many opportunities in the flight industry and to introduce youth and adults to exciting career paths they may never have considered. It also highlights the impact that airports make in the state and local communities.

Precision flying can be seen for miles around

“We had over 3,000 attend last year,” said Wendy Watson, airport manager, who along with Ike Newton, organizes the event. “It’s a great way to promote aviation in our community and to try to get more kids involved in aviation.”

According to a 2020 Economic Impact Study conducted by the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Bureau, the aviation industry accounts for more than 44,000 jobs in the state with an average yearly salary of $65,000. Statewide, airports generate more than $267 million in tax revenue.

The St. Clair County Airport has a $9 million financial impact on the region, according to the study, and the Federal Aviation Administration has designated it a “reliever” airport for Birmingham. It also has hangars available for rent, a flight training school, aviation maintenance facilities and an avionics shop.

“We can be proud of our airport system in Alabama and the daily contributions (airports) make to improve the quality of our lives and grow our economy,” Governor Kay Ivey said following the report’s release. “Aviation is a thriving industry in our state and an important part of our economic health.”

Sea plane a regular sight over Logan Martin

The Career Day fun begins with a free pancake breakfast, complete with pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, which will be served from 7 :30 to 9 a.m. A free hotdog lunch with chips, soft drinks and water will be available from noon to 1 p.m.

Aerial demonstrations will be held during the lunch hour, and a variety of aircraft – from antique planes and military helicopters to private jets and kit planes – will be displayed. Helicopter rides will also be available for $75 per person.

In addition to pilots, there are many aviation careers in the commercial, military and corporate sectors, including air traffic controllers, avionic engineers, mechanics and more. Seminars throughout the day will explore some of those options. In addition, representatives from flight schools and universities will be on hand to answer questions.

The St. Clair County Airport is located at 240 Airport Road in Pell City. For more information about the event, contact Wendy Watson at wendy@plrairport.com.

Check out our coverage of last year’s event in Discover St. Clair Magazine here.

Pell City High anglers compete at national level

Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos

Their early story is much like any other boy growing up around the water. When they’re old enough to walk and talk, they’re old enough to hold a fishing rod and reel them in. After that, they’re perpetually ‘gone fishin.’

That’s the story of Peyton and Colin Smith, a pair of Pell City cousins who just returned from national competition, representing their bass fishing team at Pell City High School. It’s the first time a Pell City team went to nationals since the team captained by now bass pro angler, Zeke Gossett, did it back in 2016.

“We’ve been fishing on the team for five years, and we finally did it our last try. It’s a compliment to fish with the best of the best,” said Colin, noting that they were thankful for “the opportunity to make it there.”

“It was an accomplishment just to be able to go and prove we can do it,” added Peyton. “It was a humbling experience.”

The road there was not an easy one. On the state level, they fished in Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association (ASABFA) tournaments, finishing in the top tier to earn a state finals spot. They finished in the top five to capture a bid to the nationals, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Among 480 teams competing from across the country, they finished “middle of the pack” at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. While it wasn’t the finish they hoped for, the two are proud of their angling successes so far in their careers, and they’re pursuing even more.

Both graduated in May, and now they hope to head to collegiate level competition – together. They plan to attend the same college and compete on the same team. “We want to do it together so we don’t have to split up,” Peyton said.

Peyton and Colin’s fishing history together goes way back. “We’ve been fishing since we’ve been able to walk,” said Colin. “We’ve always fished together. We’ve had our ups and downs for sure, tempers flare when you lose a fish, but …” “We’re a team and family,” Peyton said, finishing the sentence and the sentiment they share.

They have been teammates for Pell City since eighth grade and earned “Angler of the Year” honors in 8^th, 10^th, 11^th and expected – 12^th grade – when the final tally comes in. Their 9^th grade year was when COVID hit, and activities were cancelled.

As for their younger counterparts coming up through the ranks of the Ronda Parker-coached high school team, they do offer advice:

“Be patient,” Colin said. “There are times when we didn’t finish out the limit until five minutes before. Don’t give up on what you’re doing. Just fish, really.”

And from Peyton, “Keep your grades up. You can’t fish if you don’t have the grades. Keep your head down. Stay focused. Never give up.”

Easy steps at Noccalula Falls

Project improves hiking access to Gorge Loop

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller
Photos by Richard Rybka

Hikers at Noccalula Falls now have easier access to the Gorge Loop section of the Black Creek Trail system, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Gadsden, Friends of the Falls and the Gadsden Runners Club. A walkway consisting of 104 steps and seven landings has replaced the treacherous access that intrepid hikers endured for years.

“Formerly you would rock-climb your way down from the campground to the trail,” said John Moore, director of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs for the City of Gadsden. “The new steps are on the north side of the Gorge creek, and there are other steps next to the Falls on the south side.”

John Moore says the city is proud of the new trail access

The Gorge Loop is five miles long and connects to another 11-12 miles of trails in the park. The new access was made possible by a $250,000 Regional Trails Program (RTP) grant from the state through Friends of the Falls. “The new access is the result of a collaboration between Friends of the Falls, Gadsden Runners Club, the City of Gadsden, and Congressional Districts 28, 29, 30, via our state representatives,” Moore said.

Bob Smith Construction built the steps and landings, which opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early July. “The job was put out for bids, but there were none,” Moore explained. “So we called BSC, which also did the suspension bridge over the Falls and remodeled the covered bridge and boardwalk.”

The campground-to-trail access is part of a larger, $8 million project that includes adding sewer and power to each camp site, although most of the 120 existing camp sites already have power. Eight tiny homes will be added to the campgrounds, too. All sites will be reworked as pull-throughs, which means some will have to be enlarged, reducing the overall number to 100.

“We’ll be re-paving the roads, building a new road to the cabins on the backside of the camp, adding more signage and a rock face at the park entrance,” Moore said. “We’ll shut down the park campground for nine months, beginning in January for the project, but the campground is always closed in January anyway. It’s the mayor’s goal to give the facility more of a city park feel.”

Gadsden Runners Club and Friends of the Falls have donated more than $50,000 to the Black Creek Trails, according to board member Glenn Ingram. “We helped apply for the RTP grant, helped raise matching funds and promoted the project through social media and within our membership,” Ingram said. “Both Friends of the Trails and Gadsden Runners raise money for local projects. We were able to help not only with Gorge Trail steps but with other projects, including trail expansion and a Mountain Bike Skills Course. The upcoming renovation is the city’s project, though.”

The new stairs give easier access to the park’s natural beauty

Several entrances throughout the park enable hikers to reach the trails, including one at the chapel next to the Falls. “There was a treacherous ravine to walk down to enter the Gorge Trail prior to the new campground steps,” Ingram said. “There’s a loop that goes around the creek down in the Gorge, so you can actually go underneath the Falls. That one will also bring you back to the new steps in the campground.”

Ingram said Friends of the Falls and Gadsden Runners highly recommend appropriate footwear for hiking any of the trails at Noccalula Falls. “The Gorge Loop in particular is a very technical trail, which means it has lots of rocks,” Ingram said. “It’s not a Sunday-after-church walk. Hikers need to be prepared with appropriate shoes and maybe a hiking stick. Most of the other trails within Black Creek Trails are not as technical.”

More collaborations may be on the horizon. The Gadsden Runners and Friends of the Falls look forward to partnering with the City of Gadsden on other projects at Noccalula Falls, he said.

Tackle BOX

Small store in Oxford has big impact on regional fishing

Story and photos by
Graham Hadley

For decades now, the Tackle BOX has been giving a leg up to fishing enthusiasts from its location in historic Downtown Oxford.

The name should sound familiar to anyone who has seen their iconic stickers on cars and trucks driving down I-20 or putting in boats at places like Lincoln’s Landing, Pell City Lakeside Park or Coosa Landing in Gadsden.

Anywhere there are fishing enthusiasts you are as likely to see the Tackle BOX logo along with other well-known brands like YETI, Orca or … LakeLife.

“I go on vacation and see Tackle BOX hats in places like Gatlinburg. I run into people everywhere. It is kind of surreal when you travel hours from home and people recognize the logo on my hat,” said Jason Earl Gator Howard, who helps man the store.

Gator – actually his real name – credits much of the store’s success to the simple fact it is much more than just a store. Yes, Tackle BOX stocks everything a fisherman needs, whether it is starter gear for the beginner or everything you need for competition fishing, but the real hook is everyone there is ready to help with advice or to just chat and share stories.

“There’s good fishing stories always told here. It is to the point that we have people here to just help talk to customers. They don’t run the register, but they can answer just about any fishing question. Everyone hangs out, tells fishing stories – and lies (every good fishing story has a lie in it somewhere),” Gator said. “One of our biggest draws is our atmosphere. Good Southern hospitality. New customers can come in, we tell them where to fish. You are going to get good advice in the Tackle BOX.”

That perfect combination of great merchandise selection and sense of community have helped the store stay on top of its game, but Gator is quick to point out those are not the only factors that contribute to the Tackle BOX’s success.

The store originally opened in the late 1970s or early 1980s across Main Street in Oxford from its current location. The Main Olive and the law office for Baxley Maniscalco occupy the old building now, and the Tackle BOX has its own building and parking lot next door which can accommodate larger vehicles and boat trailers.

Owner Michael Pickette bought the business from the original owners around 12 years ago and oversaw the move to its new facility.

Gator also gives a lot of credit to Oxford for all the effort the city has put into revitalizing its historic downtown area with better parking, sidewalks and lighting – all of which help bring in more business, not only to the Tackle BOX, but also to the other shops and restaurants there.

“The city as a whole made an effort to redo all of downtown. Got rid of power poles everywhere, put in new sidewalks. They close the downtown for Oxfordfest in October.” All of which makes a big difference, he said.

Even though the Tackle BOX is not located on any specific body of water, it is only 15 to 30 minutes from many of the main regional fishing spots along the Coosa River and its tributaries, most notably Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes.

“In under an hour or so, you can move from one great fishing location to another,” Gator said.

As successful as the business has been since it opened, the past half decade has seen the popularity of fishing, especially competitive fishing, explode.

Gator says a big part of that is the expansion of competition fishing teams in schools, both in grade schools and in colleges.

Tackle BOX helps local high school teams by giving special discounts to groups who display the business’s logo on their gear.

“We sponsor almost all the local high schools here in Calhoun County, and they get discounts when they come in.”

Gator touts competition fishing as one of the best ways to get an athletic scholarship to a college or university. “One of the biggest things driving fishing these days is the school teams. There are a lot of college scholarship opportunities for students. That is especially true for girls looking for a fishing scholarship.”

Gator said the COVID lockdown was also another driving force behind the growth of their business.

“COVID was a terrible ordeal. We are still living with it today and are learning to cope. But it was phenomenal for the fishing industry everywhere, not just us. We were told to socially distance, not gather indoors, get out and get some fresh air,” and fishing was an obvious way to do just that, he said.

“People who had never fished before came in, bought rods and reels and started fishing. They still come in today.”

You can see the growing popularity of the sport all over Alabama.

Gator helps Dawson and Davis Stone of Alexandria

“All the cities like Gadsden, Southside, Lincoln, Pell City and Riverside are upgrading their boat ramps and parks, hosting big fishing tournaments and boat shows,” all of which are great for the businesses around the lakes, he said. “We have even found new brands for our store from some of those shows.”

As an added bonus, the attention to fishing helps raise awareness for preserving the waterways in the area. “That environmental focus, especially restocking lakes, helps make the fishing better,” he said.

Tackle BOX carries a wide range of well-known brands like ZOOM and YETI – they even do some consignment sales on used gear for customers. But they take particular pride in stocking equipment from companies with local Alabama ties – companies like Reaction Innovations out of Alabaster, and NetBait, which started in Greenville. Gator was quick to show off one of the rods from MMA Fishing, another local company.

As the sport continues to grow, so does business for the Tackle BOX, and that is keeping Gator and the rest of the staff and help busy. He would not have it any other way.

“It is one thing to know about fishing, but you have to have a passion for fishing, for the outdoors and for conservation. I am lucky. A lot of people dread coming to work every day. I love coming to work here and getting to talk about fishing all day.”

Boo Bash

Logan Martin ‘Dock or Treaters’ getting ready

Story Paul South
Submitted Photos

As the days dwindle down and the holiday season approaches, three things are certain:

At Christmas, kids aren’t crazy about socks and underwear beneath the tree.

Thanksgiving means a feast, family, football and finally, a nap.

And here on Logan Martin Lake as Halloween approaches, Boo Bash is a straight up, surefire hit. You could say it’s BOO-ming.

In just its second year, the nautical fun fright fest is right up there with supersized candy bars and princess and superhero costumes.

Candy corn can’t catch a break.

The pier-to-pier party for trick-or-treaters of all ages is set for October 8. Logan Martin residents who join the party can expect their fair share of witches, Supermen, Barbies and maybe, just maybe, a pint-sized Oppenheimer.

Organizers Kelli Lasseter, Sonya Hubbard and a growing band of merry pranksters, expect a bigger, better event in 2023. Last year, even as rain fell, an estimated 45 to 50 piers – known affectionately as “dock or treaters” – participated.

As of July 26, some 60 pier owners had signed on to host dock-or-treaters. That number may double, Lasseter says.

Two restaurants, 30 to 40 boats and one personal watercraft braved the wet weather to join the fun in 2022. More are expected this year. In fact, the Boo Bash buzz was heavy, even before July 4 fireworks cooled.

“Obviously, we hope that we have more people who know about it,” Lasseter says. “Not only that, but people who want to participate – to host a pier, that want to get out, decorate their boat and take folks out for the treating.”

More are coming. One couple plans a 60s-themed pier. Others have approached organizers to pitch proposed themes for their piers and boats. And Boo Bash has – for at least one newcomer – helped boost the real estate market.

“I had someone come to me who’s new to the lake, who told me that Boo Bash was one of the selling points,” Lasseter says. “The Realtor told them about Boo Bash. She joined the group and is super excited.”

Lasseter also wants to see Boo Bash spread like the sci-fi creature, “The Blob,” to the upper reaches of the lake to Lincoln, Riverside and neighboring areas.

“Last year, they really didn’t know about it,” Lasseter says of the Lincoln-Riverside area. “We had a few places up there that hosted piers, but we’re hoping we can get some more folks involved.”

In 2023, organizers will have a backup date for Boo Bash in the event of wicked weather – Oct. 15.

Even with last year’s wet weather, the inaugural Boo Bash drew rave reviews. This was about more than kids, costumes and candy and adults bobbing for cocktails.

“It was overwhelming that people loved this event because it gave them an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, get to know their lake neighbors and just have fun,” Lasseter says. “That was the overarching theme. It just brought the community together and people just had a good time.”

Organizers have also stepped up their marketing effort through a more intense social media effort on Facebook, Instagram and hopefully, Tik Tok. Last year, a local radio station – 94.1 The River – Carl Wallace’s Lake Ramblings blog on Facebook and word of mouth also fueled turnout. Nearly 900 locals are considered Boo Bash members. The event also hopes for some bounce from broadcast, print and online media outlets.

Partners By Design, the parent company of Lake Life 24/7 Magazine®, and its sister publication, Discover St. Clair, is promoting Boo Bash 2023 with a specially designed Boo Bash T-shirt, available for purchase online and in Lake Life 24/7’s brick and mortar store. Pier signs are also available to identify participating docks. A percentage of the proceeds from sales will go to offset Boo Bash expenses for the all-volunteer event. As of this writing, Partners is one of 11 local businesses supporting Boo Bash.

“We think our lake is a special place,” says CEO Carol Pappas says. “We want to find ways like (Boo Bash) to promote it, enjoy it and share it.

“This event is a great way to get out and meet your neighbors and have a lot of fun along the way,” Pappas adds. “What a treat for kids of all ages.”

Wayne and Margie Brewer are part of the original group that crafted the inaugural Boo Bash. Their pier will echo the theme they used last year – Skull Island – and using a pole with a pot affixed, they’ll hand out plastic bags filled with candy and Mardi Gras beads. Revelers won’t have to dock.

The Brewers have lived on the lake for 20 years. Boo Bash is a chance to build lake residents into a neighborhood.

It’s a community gathering, to get to know everybody on the lake. It’s just something to do together,” Wayne Brewer says. “We’ve got a great environment here on the lake, and it’s great to have everybody get together and have an activity that’s fun for everybody.”

An earlier start means higher water levels on Logan Martin, making it easier for some residents to participate, Brewer says.

“Last year, some people couldn’t participate because there wasn’t enough water at their dock.”

In these fragmented times, events like Boo Bash bring a kindness to the lake community sweeter than a box of Goo Goo Clusters. Lasseter is emotional as she reflects on Boo Bash’s big splash as it enters its second year.

“It feels really good to see people come together, work together, to do something special for others,” Lasseter says. “This wasn’t about me or anybody else. Sonya and I just had an idea. The Logan Martin Lake community took it and ran with it. It was very special.”

Just how unique and special this event has quickly become was illustrated by the number of folks who approached organizers to sing the praises of Boo Bash.

“With every boat that pulled up, everybody was all smiles, all ‘Hi’s’,” Brewer says. “Every boat was a good experience, for us and the people on the boats.”

Consider the words of one unidentified little boy who was among the wet but happy band of Boo Bashers. Lasseter recounts his words.

“He said it was the best day of his life,” she says. “Out of the mouths of babes, right?”

She adds, “If it wasn’t (the best) for everybody else, it was for that little boy. It was well worth it.”

God is Bigger Tournament

Fishing event marks return to Logan Martin Lake

Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos

Just like the movement it represents, the God is Bigger annual fishing tournament on Logan Martin Lake continues to grow and inspire more and more to get involved.

The tournament returns Sept. 23 at Lakeside Park in Pell City. Ninety-four boats competed in 2022. More than 100 are expected to launch in this year’s tournament.

Guaranteed prize money is $6,000 and will be paid to 16 winning places. In addition, there’s a “No Weigh-In Drawing” for a chance to win $125. Entry fee is $130 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Fish.

In 2022, 94 boats competed. More than 100 are expected for 2023

Nitro, Triton, Tracker and Ranger Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards are for qualifying boats and sponsored through Sylacauga Marine. Bass Cash is available by AmFirst.

Tournament registration Is online at: gibmovement.com.

Pre-register by Sept. 21, and you’re automatically entered for a chance to win a seven-night stay at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Fla. The beach giveaway winner will be drawn the day of the tournament, and presence is not required to win.

All paid anglers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and one free draw prize ticket. All registered boat numbers will be entered for a chance to win one of two $250 Bass Pro gift cards.

The event will center at the pavilion near the beach, Jerry Wood Memorial Pavilion, and while anglers are competing, there will be plenty of free activities, including drawings for prizes.

Bestselling author, Russell Estess will speak at the tournament and share his testimony on how the God is Bigger Movement impacted his life and the lives of his fans. His books will be available for autographs, and his new book, God is Bigger Than The Mountain You Are Facing, is tentatively set for release on Sept. 23.

Estess is one of the testimonies that has come out of the God is Bigger Movement. Someone gave him a God is Bigger bracelet, and it became his story and his mission because those three significant words, he said, helped give him the strength to fight the battle with cancer.

His friend, Shawn Dennison, Christian singer/songwriter will be performing in concert free to the public from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and will be showcasing his new song that he wrote for Russell about his battle. The song is called God is Bigger.

Refreshments from food trucks will be available for those in attendance.

The Genesis of God is Bigger Movement, Tournament

When doctors gave Rachel Shaneyfelt the diagnosis no one wants to hear – “You have six months to live” – the year was 2011, and she was in school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to become a nurse practitioner.

The diagnosis didn’t dissuade her. Instead, she leaned on her faith to help her through, and it sparked a movement with worldwide impact. Early on after much prayer, she told one of the doctors she worked with that her lesion had shrunk 70 percent and followed it with, “Praise God.” The doctor, a non-believer, casually responded, “Go get a Tshirt.”

So she did. She had the words, “GOD IS BIGGER” printed on them and gifted them to friends and family who prayed for her. Paying it forward, she then bought 1,000 silicone bracelets imprinted with the words, “GOD IS BIGGER,” and started handing them out to strangers. Within a week, they were gone.

Others quickly joined her movement and today, 800,000 bracelets have shipped around the world.

Rachel finished her degree and worked in her field before succumbing to Mesothelioma. Her six months turned into six years of life dedicated to spreading the message. Her wish was to keep the God is Bigger momentum going.

Her cousin, Stacey Reed of Springville, is the driving force behind it now. Six years ago, an idea from a 13-year-old friend, Evan Meers, gave birth to the fishing tournament to raise money for the movement. Now, it’s one of the largest on Logan Martin Lake.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Reed said. This ministry truly has become a movement. It has evolved into “their story and their mission” through those three words that made an impact and changed their lives. “It’s given them hope, she said, quoting Luke 1:37: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”