Christmas will arrive a little early at Choccolocco Park this year, with millions of holiday lights, visits with Santa and even a chance to play in the snow — regardless of what Alabama’s weather has in mind.
Oxford’s Festival of Lights returns Nov. 20 for a six-week run through Dec. 31, combining its drive-through Christmas light show with an expanded collection of activities in Santa’s Village.
The holiday attraction begins with a drive of more than one and a half miles through illuminated displays and Christmas scenes. Visitors can then park and continue the evening in Santa’s Village, where activities will include free photos with Santa, Christmas movies, and music, food vendors, hot apple cider and gourmet fudge.
Children will also be able to drop their Christmas wish lists into a special mailbox for Santa.
Families planning a visit can save by purchasing tickets before the festival opens.
Throughout October, advance carload tickets for the Christmas Light Show are $15 as part of the festival’s Snowfall promotion. Anyone purchasing a ticket during October will also be entered into a drawing for a VIP Festival of Lights package.
“We want to give families an opportunity to plan ahead and save while also getting everyone excited for the holiday season,” Mayor Alton Craft said. “October is the best time to purchase your tickets and get ready for Festival of Lights.”
Beginning in November, regular admission will be $20 per car Monday through Thursday and $25 per car Friday through Sunday.
Snow tubing at Choccolocco Park in Oxford
Snow in Oxford
Snow will again be part of the celebration, but organizers won’t be depending on Mother Nature.
Santa’s Village will feature real snow produced using SnowMagic snowmaking equipment. The system freezes water into small snow crystals, allowing snow play and tubing even when temperatures are too warm for natural snowfall.
According to the City of Oxford, “Water is the only ingredient. No chemicals, snow additives or artificial materials are used.”
Visitors who want to add snow tubing, inflatables and skating to their evening can purchase wristbands. The first wristband is $20, with additional wristbands available for $10 each.
The Festival of Lights will open nightly at 5 p.m. from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31, with the attraction closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at oxfordlights.com or at the entrance during the event.
The Festival of Lights is held at Choccolocco Park, 954 Leon Smith Parkway in Oxford, and is sponsored by First Bank of Alabama.
Whether it’s the downtown square, Lakeside Park or historic downtown, Pell City knows how to light up the season, and it shows from one end of the city to the other.
Various organizations, businesses and the city, itself, get into the spirit when the Christmas season arrives – putting on spectacular events guaranteed to make the holidays that much brighter.
Kicking the season off is Lights in the Park, a sparkling display of lighted holiday displays lining the road through the park.
Pell City Parks & Recreation Department is preparing for another year of incredible displays at the park much to the delight of young and old alike. Businesses, churches and other organizations build impressive displays and visitors come by the carload to see the magic of the season.
Registration is now open, so you better hurry before display set up Nov. 13-27. Official lighting begins Nov. 27 and will be up until Dec. 31.
Awards are back this year, so be sure to vote for your favorites!
Invest in the Magic
Pell City’s Lights in the Park
As the event continues to grow, the city has introduced a new Sustainability Initiative. This small change ensures a spectacular and reliable event that brings joy to the entire community for years to come.
Your contribution increases the number of lights in the park, either through your own display or by supporting the Pell City Parks & Recreation display.
Option A: Standard Contribution Fee: Pay a non-refundable $50 contribution fee at registration. This simple, one-time payment will be used by the Parks & Recreation Department to purchase new displays.
Option B: Direct Display Investment: Instead of the fee, you can submit a valid, dated receipt showing the purchase of at least $50 in new Christmas lights or display materials purchased within the last six months. This ensures your contribution goes directly into enhancing your own display, making the event brighter than ever!
AWARDS and RECOGNITION return in 2026!
In 2026, community displays will be judged on their creativity and quality, and special recognition will go to the winners. Not only will attendees of the 2026 Lights in the Park be invited to vote on their favorite displays, but a panel of independent judges will also be assembled to vote on several categories from among all participants.
The winners will be recognized in a variety of ways, which means it is more important than ever for your organization to be a part of this community event.
Judges will vote for “BEST OVERALL – JUDGE’S CHOICE”. There will be nine additional categories for the general public to vote on. Voting will be done by scanning a QR code and selecting one choice from the categories.
Voting begins the first lighting day of the event, Friday, Nov. 27, and ends at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. Signs with a QR code will be distributed throughout the park. Visitors will use their mobile phone cameras to scan the code, which takes them directly to the poll. Winners in each category receive:
Award signs placed next to each winning display, which will remain onsite throughout the duration of the event.
Winners will be recognized on the “The City of Pell City” Facebook page, as well as the Pell City Parks & Recreation Facebook page.
All winners will be recognized in December’s digital edition of Discover St. Clair Magazine and January’s digital edition of LakeLife24/7 magazine. Winners will be featured in the print edition of Discover in the February 2027 issue.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Heart of Pell City, a nonprofit promoting downtown, is assisting Pell City Chamber of Commerce to gear up for the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting. At 27 feet tall and fully decorated and draped in lights, it’s quite a sight to behold each holiday season.
Downtown businesses get in on the spirit by decorating windows and storefronts up and down Cogswell Avenue, adding to a festive atmosphere in the days leading to Christmas.
Decorations go up Nov. 27 in downtown businesses, and the lighting event is set for Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at the courthouse square.
Christmas Parade
The Pell City Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will return on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is Christmas at the Lake and local businesses, schools, churches, civic and community groups are expected to bring it to life with creative floats and decorated vehicles.
The parade lines up at Pell City High School and the route will take it down Cogswell Avenue in the heart of the historic downtown district.
As always, Santa – the guest of honor – will arrive by bright, red fire truck. In keeping with the theme, it promises to be a boatload of fun for the entire family.
Santa’s not the only one coming to town this holiday season. Talladega is readying for some holiday magic with two special events to highlight the Christmas spirit.
Breakfast With Santa
On Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Talladega Lincoln Munford Chamber of Commerce will host a special guest for Breakfast with Santa.
This free event for the whole family is filled with holiday cheer, delicious breakfast and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
Sponsored by Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, bring your appetite for pancakes and sausage. There will be bouncy houses and pictures made with Santa in the Caboose.
This special morning is the perfect opportunity for children to share their Christmas wishes with jolly old St. Nick and making new family memories that last a lifetime.
Red, White & Merry Christmas Parade
Don’t let this Christmas parade pass you by. It’s the largest parade in East Alabama with dazzling floats, festive lights, music and plenty of Christmas spirit to celebrate.
Mark your calendars for Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. for the Tree Lighting on the Square immediately followed by theTalladega Christmas Parade makes its way through historic downtown.
Pell City Rotarians are off and running with their plans to make the 2026 Jingle Bell Run the biggest, brightest, best one yet on Dec. 12 at Lakeside Park.
Now marking its fourth year, the Jingle Bell 5K, 10K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk has emerged as a growing regional contest, drawing runners from all over the state and beyond to its picturesque course through the park on the banks of Logan Martin Lake. It has become a community-wide holiday season tradition for the whole family and each year brings more and more incentives for runners to add to the excitement building around it. It is a run that makes a difference in people’s lives, benefiting worthwhile organizations throughout the community and has already raised well over $100,000 for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, The Arc of St. Clair County, Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center, Ann’s New Life and The WellHouse.
This year, they are running to make a difference for local veterans. The proceeds will go to help build an impressive working, handicapped accessible garden for veterans at the Col. Robert L. Howard Veterans Home — complete with an outdoor area with patio and pergola, water feature, flowers and plants.
Gardening at the Veterans Home is more than a pastime – it provides purpose, peace and connection, said Director Hiliary Hardwick. “By creating raised planter beds, an herb garden and a beautiful flower garden with water features, we will offer veterans of all mobility levels a place to grow, gather and thrive.
The 5K and 10K race starts at 8 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Register at runsignup.com by Nov. 30, and the cost for the 5K and Fun Run/Walk is $40, and the 10K is $50. After Nov. 30, each registration goes up to $45 for 5K and Fun Run/Walk and $55 for 10K.
Fees include a race T-shirt and swag bag, but registrants must submit all registration info by Nov. 30 to guarantee a T-shirt and swag bag.
Cash awards are:
5K – 1st place male/female $300; 2nd place male/female $200; 3rd place male/female $100
10K – 1st place male/female $400; 2nd place male / female $300; 3rd place male/female $200
Medal awards go to:
5K/ 0K – Top 3 male and female contestants in age groups 0-14; 15-20; 21-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-60; 61-70; & 71+
Other awards will be given to best costumed runners and teams registering the most members. And, of course, the guest of honor will be Santa Claus from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
New this year is the “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway with major prizes awarded on Pell City Rotary Club’s Facebook page starting Dec. 1 and announcing prizes each day until the race. “The Grand Prize will be awarded the day of the race. Your registration is your raffle ticket, so sign up early to increase your chances of winning,” said Jingle Bell Chairman Whitney Bateman.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our community to come together for a good cause and make a difference for our veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country,” she said. “There are so many ways you can participate – as a runner, a walker, a sponsor or a donor – and we hope you will join us as we run to make a real difference.”
Race Day Agenda
7 a.m.-7:45 a.m. – Registration and Packet Pickup
8 a.m. – Opening ceremony and Start of 5K &10K Races
9:30 a.m. – 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk begins
10 a.m. – Awards Ceremony
Can’t Make It, But Want to Support?
That’s easy. Just go to runsignup.com and select the donate button. No contribution is too small.
WinSouth joins forces with Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association
You might call a new partnership between WinSouth Credit Union and Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association a perfect catch.
At first glance, banking and bass fishing may not seem to go together. But just like a rod and reel, it’s a natural fit.
It marries WinSouth’s commitment to supporting Alabama’s youth, families, schools and communities and ASAFBA’s mission to provide Alabama students with opportunities to compete in bass fishing while developing teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.
Jake Kolb and Ramsey Patterson
“WinSouth Credit Union believes some of the most meaningful investments we can make are investments in young people and the communities they call home,” said Tara Leeth, director of Marketing at WinSouth Credit Union. “ASABFA provides students with so much more than the opportunity to fish. It teaches responsibility, teamwork, perseverance and leadership, while creating experiences that students and their families can carry with them for years to come. We’re proud to be their Official Financial Partner and excited to support the next generation of Alabama anglers.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping young people build strong foundations for their futures. As a credit union, WinSouth believes financial education and community involvement go hand in hand, and the organization looks forward to finding meaningful ways to connect with student anglers, coaches and families throughout the ASABFA tournament season.
ASABFA serves student anglers throughout Alabama and offers both senior and junior divisions, with anglers competing as school-based teams throughout the tournament season. The organization’s qualifying tournaments lead to the annual ASABFA Classic, while additional opportunities – including scholarships – help extend the impact beyond tournament competition.
“Having WinSouth Credit Union partner with ASABFA is a tremendous opportunity for our student anglers and their families. This partnership goes beyond supporting a fishing tournament. WinSouth understands the importance of investing in young people and providing opportunities that help them grow as competitors, leaders and members of their communities,” said ASABFA President and District 6 Director Josh Williams.
“ASABFA is incredibly grateful to have WinSouth Credit Union alongside us as we continue to grow the sport of bass fishing for the youth of Alabama. Their support will help us create more opportunities for students to compete, build relationships, earn scholarships and develop skills that will serve them well long after their time on the water. We’re excited about what this partnership means for the future of ASABFA and the students we serve.”
WinSouth officials see the partnership as another opportunity to support programs that help Alabama communities thrive.
ASABFA provides student anglers with opportunities to compete, develop leadership and teamwork skills, participate in community and conservation activities and pursue scholarship opportunities.
“We’re excited to cheer these students on – not just when they’re at the weigh-in, but as they continue into college, careers and adulthood,” Leeth added. “We want them to know that their community is invested in their success, and WinSouth is proud to be part of that.”
Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett
Logan Martin
Finally, cooler weather makes it to East Alabama! Hopefully, tthe cooler weather will drop the water temps on Logan Martin, and the fish will begin to eat up and fatten up for the wintertime.
November and December are my favorite months to fish on Logan Martin, and I hope my tips will help you become more successful during this time of the year.
Remember, there are a few things happening during these months. First, the lake should be at winter pool which condenses the fish into a smaller area. However, don’t forget winter pool for Logan Martin now is three feet down unlike previous years when it use to be five feet down.
The new winter pool level has changed the way I’ve fished Logan a little. Some places are not as shallow now with the extra two feet of water and the fish have adapted quickly.
Another thing that happens during these months is the fish are feeding up for the winter months. What that means is that they’re heavily feeding on shad most of the time.
Finding suspended fish in the creeks is one my favorite ways to catch them. It’s an easy equation. You find the baitfish, the bass won’t be far behind. A small damiki rig and deep diving jerkbait are some of my favorite ways to catch them. Also, a square-bill and spinnerbait are a couple of great choices when covering shallow points or channel swing banks.
I mainly focus on the main river with these two baits. Typically, the banks with deeper water nearby are my favorite. One of my preferred ways during this time of the year to get a bigger bite is fishing a jig. This is especially true in the latter part of December when the water temp is below 55 degrees. It also helps if the lake has a foot of visibility or less.
These two months on Logan Martin offers anglers a lot of options to catch fish many different ways. The fish are getting fat, and there is less boat traffic, so go enjoy some fish catching action.
Neely Henry
Neely Henry is also a great late fall/early wintertime lake. I mainly focus on the bottom end of the lake during these two months. There are a lot of bluffs, docks, and rip rap in this region of the lake that are some of my favorite places to fish.
Rain totals usually dictate where I spend the majority of my time fishing. If there has been a lot of rain, typically, Alabama Power will be generating water. This is when I will focus on main river points and docks.
A couple baits I always start out with are either a bladed jig or square-bill crankbait. The current should have the fish set up and ready to bite whatever eases past them.
Now, once the water temp gets below 50 degrees, that’s when I will ease my way back into the creeks. Typically, I want to be in the region of the creek where I feel like most of baitfish action is taking place. What I mean by that is either I’m seeing bait fish on my electronics or maybe a slight degree or two difference in water temperature.
Once I find that, I’ll heavily depend on my forward-facing sonar and pick off bass that are maybe chasing bait in creek channel bends or just off the banks. I’ll use either a damiki rig or jerkbait, depending on where the fish are in the water column.
Another way to catch fish once the water temp is 55 degrees or lower are in creek mouths. Typically, I fish the smaller creek mouths with either a squarebill crankbait or jerk bait depending on water color.
Another great choice is a bladed jig or spinnerbait. My bait choices really depend on the water color. To find the most productive creek mouths look for shad. The shad will keep fish there in the same general area until they decide to leave.
Over the years, I have found that the colder mornings are, the more the shad will congregate together in the creek mouths. This is when the bass will feed heavily in the creek mouths. It’s an easy meal for the bass as they fatten up for the winter months.
Keep your lure choices simple and keep moving during these two months and find that special spot where the fish are most active. The fish can change by the hour or even minute on this particular body of water.
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. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.
How much do you know about your drinking water? Coosa Riverkeeper is surveying people of the Coosa whose drinking water comes from the Coosa River to better understand what our communities know about their water, who is responsible for keeping our water clean, and how Coosa Riverkeeper can better educate and empower folks to protect our water resources. These survey results collect data and community opinions to help our organization advocate to keep this mighty river healthy for the generations to come.
When Katie and Trey Massey were building their beautiful lakefront home in Southside about three years ago, they kept a couple of things in mind throughout the process.
They knew they wanted to use natural materials so the house would blend in with its surroundings, and they also wanted it to be comfortable as well as aesthetically pleasing. Their main goal, however, was to build a place that would be inviting and welcoming for their family and friends.
Check, check, and check.
The elk chandelier and Maynard the Moose are the first things visitors see
“We built this house for people,” Katie said. “Everywhere we’ve lived, we’ve tried to keep a guest room or pool house so people can stay for a while. I feel like we built this house more for our kids and their friends.”
Situated on 19 acres, the home has plenty for the Masseys and their guests to enjoy, whether it’s swimming, fishing or boating on Neely Henry Lake, taking a dip in the infinity pool, enjoying the putting green or combination tennis and pickleball court, or ziplining through the trees and over a creek. “This is our little pocket of privacy,” Katie said. “Anywhere we move, I want property, I want space.”
That’s not surprising, considering that she grew up in California. “We just don’t have the trees and the space there,” she said, adding that when she moved to Alabama, “I just couldn’t get over all the green. I really love the wildlife.”
Annie, Katie, Trey and Gunner Massey
Trey, who was born and raised in Springville, is quick to point out that Katie’s move wasn’t a total culture shock. “She grew up on a farm; she wasn’t a California Valley Girl,” he said. “She drove a pickup truck.”
He’s not wrong. “I’m more country than he is,” Katie said. “I feel like I’ve acclimated pretty well. I can handle the humidity, but I don’t love the bugs. I do love it here, though, and I’m glad we get to raise our kids here.”
That’s why having a home that could accommodate crowds was important to them. They wanted Annie, 15, and 13-year-old Gunner to be able to invite their friends over whenever they wanted. The Masseys have hosted small groups from church, football players at the kids’ school, large gatherings for the Fourth of July, and even a wedding rehearsal dinner.
“We’ve had people everywhere,” Trey said. “The more the merrier.”
Whenever there’s a crowd, Katie pulls out some favorite recipes that are great for feeding the masses. Her spaghetti is always a hit with the football team, and dishes like Italian Tortellini Soup are especially popular in the fall. “It’s my go-to soup, and it’s an easy Crock Pot meal,” she said. The holidays wouldn’t be the same without decorating Christmas cookies, and her sugar cookie and frosting recipes that were handed down from family members ensure that they taste as good as they look.
When it’s just the family, Trey mans the grill or griddle on the downstairs porch, which can be fully enclosed or fully open to the outdoors, depending on the positioning of the glass doors. Philly cheesesteaks, steak fajitas and smashburgers are among some of their favorites.
Bringing the outside in
Lake life has been a new experience for Trey and Katie – neither grew up on the water. “Before we moved here, I’d never even driven a boat,” Trey said.
They weren’t strangers to building, however. They’d built one house in Springville that they designed themselves and used the same process when building on the lake. “We’d just sketch stuff out on computer paper,” Katie said. Although they had a rough set of house plans drawn up, they tweaked, added and took away throughout the process. “We work well together,” she said.
Trey and Gunner try out the putting green
While the Masseys planned all along to bring some outdoor elements, such as log walls and stone, inside the house, they got a lot more intentional about it when they stumbled across the huge elk antler chandelier in the great room.
Trey and Katie were in Waynesville, North Carolina with friends when they happened to see the light fixture through a storefront window. “We fell in love with it,” Katie said. They learned the chandelier was made by a man who owned an elk farm. “They’re all shed antlers,” she said. “We weren’t planning to go quite so lodge-y at first, but it changed the whole look of what we were going to do in here.”
The next happy discovery was an enormous moose head that hangs above the stone fireplace. The chandelier and Maynard the Moose are the first things you notice when you walk into the house.
“You can say I wrestled it like Sasquatch if you want,” Trey said with a laugh. In reality, the Masseys found Maynard in a store in Cullman. “He’s a conversation starter for sure,” Katie said. “He’s got a lot of different hats, and I hang ornaments from his antlers at Christmas.”
Once Maynard was on the scene, everything else fell into place. Katie had always loved log cabins, and they knew they wanted log walls, but they decided to go darker once they had the chandelier and moose.
“Everything was going to be lighter in that whole kitchen, but it shifted from there,” Katie said. “We’d planned on lighter wood, fixtures, granite – everything was going to be more soft. Then we found this granite, and Trey really loved it. It looks like it has slash marks in it or something. It’s got a lot more character.”
Doors to downstairs porch open fully to bring the outside in
Trey wanted to make sure they didn’t go too far into the lodge theme, though. “I told Katie we were going for chic fish camp,” he said. Katie wasn’t sure how mixing the two decorating schemes would go at first. She wasn’t sure about the light fixture when it was first hung in the bedroom, for instance, so she took all the crystals off to see if she liked it better that way. “Trey made me put them back on,” she said. “He was right.”
They both agreed on the log walls in the great room, however. Trey wanted to use as little sheetrock in the house as possible, preferring the look of log or stone walls throughout the home. Katie knew she wanted the walls to be flat instead of the rounded logs in many cabins, and she said she’s thrilled with the result.
“I love the look of the natural live edge,” she said. “The logs are persimmon, which is hard to find in pieces that large. We found it at a place in south Tennessee, and we bought every piece they had.” It almost wasn’t enough. “We used every bit of it,” Trey added. “I think we had half a board left.”
It was Katie’s idea to use chocolate chinking, the seal between the logs that resembles mortar, instead of the white or gray used most often. “I don’t remember where I saw it, but I love the look – it’s so seamless,” she said, pointing out that the color blends perfectly with the bark on the logs. “It’s like art. Each slice has a different character.”
The pine ceilings complete the look, and the result is a comfortable, family-friendly space that makes you feel like you’re out in nature. “I know the trend is bright and airy, and that’s a beautiful look, but it’s such a stark contrast from where we live,” Katie said, and she’s glad they made the switch. “We wanted the house to feel like it was part of the surroundings.”
Family first
Stumbling across the elk chandelier wasn’t the only chance occurrence that worked out well for the Masseys. Katie and Trey met at a wedding in California in 2006 when she was a bridesmaid and he was a groomsman. Katie had gone to school with the bride, and Trey and the groom were teammates at Tusculum University in Tennessee, where Trey played defensive end.
“One of the bridesmaids had to drop out about two weeks before the wedding, so we ended up walking together,” Katie said. They hit it off and visited Yosemite National Park the day after the wedding. “I missed my flight, but I didn’t care,” Trey said. The two dated long distance for two and a half years before marrying in 2009.
Since then, the focus has been on family life. Trey has lots of family nearby, and Katie’s parents, who still live in California, come to visit as often as they can. With great rooms and enclosed porches upstairs and downstairs, as well as an exercise room and movie room, there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
Stone wall and backsplash in the kitchen are the perfect complement to the great room’s log walls
The movie room, especially, is a favorite hangout for the kids, and not just for the entertainment value. It’s a perfect spot for hosting sleepovers because it accommodates lots of sleeping bags. It’s a pretty good place for grownups to catch an afternoon nap, as well.
As much as the interior of the house has to offer, Katie is more interested in looking out of the large picture windows or heading outdoors. “I never get tired of the scenery and watching the wildlife,” she said. “We have two bald eagles that fly around here, and we have lots of deer in the yard. We have a mom and two babies, and I’ve seen two bucks. I just love it, and we didn’t have this in California. I feel like a redneck Snow White when she goes out to see all the deer.”
At the water’s edge, she enjoys the otters and beavers, and all the varieties of fish. She especially likes seeing the hundreds of pelicans that sometimes congregate on an island just past their dock. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I just love to sit and watch them.”
The Masseys have a tiny cabin down by the dock that they’ve dubbed the Coosa Cabin. That’s where they keep the board games, some books, life jackets, fishing poles and beach towels. Since Katie won’t agree to having a television in the cabin, Trey had to find a way to improvise.
He’s discovered that the water is a great place to enjoy football and baseball games, so he’s got a television on the dock, and he sometimes brings one out by the pool. And just in case there’s a great game on while he’s out in the boat, he rigged a television stand and installed a smart TV on the pontoon boat and uses a hotspot on his phone to find the action.
“I was kind of shocked, but it works,” he said. “I like to just float around and watch a Braves game.” He’s also become a fan of taking one of the personal watercrafts out and exploring the nooks and crannies of the lake.
Three years into lake life, Katie said she is thrilled they made the move. “It’s been a huge blessing,” she said. “The views are fabulous, and there’s just something about water. It’s mesmerizing.”
Italian Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
1 pound Jimmy Dean pork sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup water
½ cup white wine
1 16-ounce can stewed tomatoes
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 small onion, diced
3 cups chicken broth
1 8-ounce tomato sauce
1 8-ounce package of tortellini
2 zucchini, sliced
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Directions:
Brown sausage, garlic and onion. Add remaining ingredients except zucchini, tortellini, and parsley. Simmer 30 minutes, then add the last three ingredients and simmer another 30 minutes. Add more chicken broth to thin, if necessary.
The soup is easy to make in the Crock Pot, as well. Let all the ingredients except zucchini, tortellini and parsley simmer on low all day. About 45 minutes before serving, add those ingredients to the pot and continue to cook.
Sugar Cookies
Ingredients for Cookies:
3 ½ cups flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 teaspoons milk
Ingredients for Frosting:
½ stick butter
1/3 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
About 24 ounces of powdered sugar (3/4 of a 32-ounce bag)
Directions for cookies:
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter, adding sugar gradually. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Alternate flour mixture and milk. Chill overnight or at least a couple of hours, or you can freeze mixture at this point. Roll dough to ¼ inch thick or thinner if you prefer crunchier cookies. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 400 degrees for 9 minutes.
Directions for frosting:
Mix ingredients together, gradually adding the powdered sugar. Continue to mix for several minutes.
Katie’s Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork (mild)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
3 29-ounce cans tomato sauce
1-2 pinches baking soda
¾ cup sugar
Dash of garlic salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Italian seasoning to taste
Directions:
Mix beef and pork together. Brown meat, onion and garlic, then drain. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally.
If you really want to celebrate the Christmas spirit, as they say around these parts, “you gotta get to Gadsden.”
After all, the city has one of the nation’s top Christmas light displays and Alabama’s tallest Christmas tree towering over the Coosa River. A spectacular parade makes its way through historic downtown, and there’s skating and bumper cars on ice in their very own rink.
To be precise, Christmas season isn’t just a celebration, it’s an experience – and Gadsden has them all wrapped up and ready to share.
Ice skating in front of state’s tallest Christmas tree
Gadsden has become a Christmas destination point, beginning with its nationally recognized Christmas at the Falls on Nov. 13 and running through Jan. 3.
Millions of lights of the season at Noccalula Falls earned it Mixbook’s 95th spot on America’s 150 Most Magical Christmas Light Displays: Your Holiday Bucket List.
Live music, food court and other amenities only add to the experience of strolling through stunning holiday light displays, decorations and illuminated gardens. You can even take a train ride to see it all.
Don’t forget to stop by the Mistletoe Market at the Venue at Coosa Landing Nov. 13-14. It’s a Christmas village worth the visit.
On the heels of Christmas on the Falls opening and the Mistletoe Market is yet another seasonal event, Christmas on the Coosa. Gadsden Director of Commercial Development and Community Affairs John Moore describes as it as “one of those coolest things Gadsden has to offer.” Perched on the top of a hillside overlooking the Coosa River is a manmade ice skating and bumper boat rink, which opens Nov. 19 to be enjoyed through Jan. 5.
Bumper boats sail from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and skaters take to the ice from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sundays until school is out for the holidays. Then, it’s open seven days a week. The observation deck is free to come out, enjoy live music and watch the fun on the rink below.
Lights at the Falls
Food and drinks are also on the menu each day.
Nearby, on Nov. 21, it’s the lighting of the state’s largest Christmas tree – standing at more than 80 feet tall.
And on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m., you’ll want to head to historic downtown Gadsden for one of the largest Christmas parades in the state. “We’re working on it to make it even bigger,” Moore said.
Of course, downtown is always a destination point, but especially at Christmas, highlighting its unrivaled array of boutiques, specialty shops, dining options, sweet treats and libations. Plaid Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and Small Business Saturday give downtown a spotlight to showcase its offerings.
Moore calls the entire city during the Christmas season a “Hallmark type feel,” one of the best experiences in the Southeast. “Pretty much whatever you want to do, Gadsden can do … anything and everything to get in the Christmas spirit.”
Passing a dog and owner is not an unusual thing in most parks. Passing a parade of a dozen or more walking together might turn a few heads. It’s happening each week at Lakeside Park, and dog owners are happy for the opportunity to get their dogs out to walk and socialize.
Rya is five years old and is learning to trust people. She’s an American Staffordshire terrier and cattle dog mix that Jayden Hurt rescued when the pup was just a year old. A scar on her neck, likely from an imbedded collar before she was adopted, suggests her previous life situation was harsh and left her distrustful of humans and afraid of other dogs.
Pack walk organizer Cayleigh Payne and great dane Ellie
For more than a year now, Rya has been part of Pell City’s Sunday Pack Walks, a socialization project orchestrated by St. Clair County resident Cayleigh Payne. On this particular Sunday, 20 other dogs with their owners joined Rya and Hurt. The atmosphere was full of energy as the conversation among the humans mixed with the excited yips and yelps from the dogs.
Sunday mornings or evenings, depending on weather, the group meets at Lakeside Park near the Jerry Woods Pavilion. The time is announced on their Pell City Pack Walks Facebook page. They spend a few minutes greeting each other and the other dogs, then head out, letting the dogs dictate the pace. “Our pack walks are a great way to get dogs comfortable in controlled group settings,” explains Payne. “Dogs need socialization as much as we do. We humans may meet a new friend or learn a new training technique.”
“A pack walk is about teaching your dog to be calm around others,” adds pack participant Linda Wyckoff. She and her English creme golden retriever, Rosa, have been with the pack since shortly after it began. “This is a great environment for your dog to safely socialize,” she adds. “It’s not just interaction with people, but with the other dogs as well.”
Wyckoff credits Payne with providing the stability and dependability that have kept the group active as they enter their second year together. Payne’s Great Dane, Ellie, has become one of Rosa’s best friends. “Rosa has a lot of energy and needs a lot of friends,” says Wyckoff.
John Cristini and Mable
When her friend, Pamela Carden, recently adopted a new dog, Wyckoff immediately suggested Carden join the pack. Carden has a bit of a drive from Columbiana but says it’s totally worth it. Her new rescue, Abbie, a 14-month-old lab mix, is just beginning to interact with other dogs. “She’s spent her whole life in shelters,” notes Carden. “She wouldn’t even come around other dogs. Linda told me this would help, and it has.”
Dingo is a Dutch shepherd and Malinois mix. His owner, Isabella Grounds, brings him to the Pell City pack walk from their home in Moody nearly every week. “We started it because he was really shy,” she explains. “He was a year and a half old and would just cower behind me. Now he’s almost two, and he’s doing so well in his neutrality training. He doesn’t get scared.”
Payne says fearfulness, insecurities and reactivity are some of the issues some pet parents face. “I encourage everyone to advocate for their pets’ boundaries to keep everyone comfortable and safe,” she explains. “We’re thankful to have responsible dog owners in our pack.”
For four years, Hurt, a local animal trainer and Troy University student, has been patiently working with Rya. She has also been working with an animal behavioral training specialist. “These walks,” she says, “are helping her. She’s definitely opened up, especially to the other pack members who come more often. I’ve even noticed she’ll go up to some of the newer pack members and sniff them.”
Hurt adds that hanging out with fellow dog lovers has created friendship opportunities for her, too. “Definitely, Caleigh and some of the other pack members have become friends,” she says, adding, “I love to talk. We usually hang out after the pack walks and just talk. It’s been great.”
Jayden Hurt and her rescue Rya
Payne agrees. “I’ve made some lovely friends through the pack walk.” Payne, who also has two cats, started the pack walks after she moved to St. Clair County from Carrollton, Georgia. “My fiancé and I attended pack walks with our two previous dogs in Carrollton,” said Payne. “When we adopted Ellie, I decided to make a group for other dog owners to meet here.”
The pack walks are designed to be a fun activity for both the humans and their pups. “We always hear lots of chatter and laughter between the walkers,” Payne reflects. “And when our loop around the park is complete, and we’ve taken our group photo, a few of us tend to hang around talking, showing off training progression, and taking more photos.”
“When people at the park see us, we often hear, ‘What’s going on?’ or ‘That’s a lot of dogs!’,” Payne laughs. “I try to invite everyone that we pass that seem curious. Maybe it’s been a busy week and you’ve needed a calm, relaxing walk around the park. Pack walks are great for that.” They may be a motley crew, but these pups and their owners are happy to be outside and enjoying the friendship of other canines and their companions. l
Editor’s note:More information on joining the Pell City Pack Walks, check out their Facebook page.
