On its way to becoming resort destination point on Neely Henry
Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Graham Hadley and Carol Pappas
Tillison Bend’s roots run deep along Coosa riverbanks in Gadsden. Settled in the mid-1800s, generations have called this picturesque waterfront community home.
Today, a group of businessmen is breathing new life into a 16-acre section of the bend with three quarters of a mile of shoreline and its very own island, transforming it all into a destination point for RV campers. And plans are to share some of its amenities coming soon with the public.
Opened in June, Tillison Bend Marina and Campground accommodates 60 full-service camp sites. Twenty-four more are planned along with five piers, a boardwalk, boat ramp and 20 cabins.
Aerial view of the resort at sunset
The island is already becoming a destination point for all kinds of outdoor activities, including cornhole, volleyball and Gaga ball, where players compete in an octagonal pit in a form of dodge ball.
A pavilion on the island hosts live musical entertainment for special events and holidays, and is likely to grow into a year-round draw to the public.
Meanwhile, campers from around the world have already been settling in all summer and fall. They hailed from Canada, England and all over the country. They have home grown visitors as well. A couple from nearby Hokes Bluff camped there in recent months, noting that even though it was a close drive, they felt like they were away at a vacation resort. “They told us, ‘We’ll be back. We love it,’ ” said Joey Fortenberry, one of the partners in Tillison Bend.
The partners are no stranger to the business world and what it takes to mold success. Illustrating their entrepreneurial spirit, among them, they have five businesses. Together, in addition to Tillison Bend, they own Marine Worx, which builds docks, piers, seawalls and boat ramps – anything marine-related, they say. The Fortenberrys, who are cousins, also own JF Development, which builds barndominiums and custom homes, and Sadler owns S&H Waterproofing and Construction.
Together, they’re a team with a vision to create something special at Tillison Bend.
“That’s the goal – to be an RV resort,” said Sadler. “We want this to be a first-class experience.” At Tillison Bend, they can enjoy that kind of experience with plenty of activities and excellent service onsite “without having to pay a monster amount of money.”
Judging by the smiles of a family enjoying a day in the impressive, heated pool on an October afternoon or the laughter of a mother and child playing in the nearby hot tub, it’s easy to see Tillison Bend is well on its way.
Amenities continue to be added. A $27,000 sound system has just been installed. A projector is ready for “movie nights” at the pool. Eight big screen TVs will be strategically located at “Tilly’s Bar,” a sports bar with an island vibe.
Aerial view of the resort at sunset
The Rusty Hook Trading Post at Tillison Bend, a massive convenience store with all kinds of offerings await campers, and soon, it will be open to the public, serving food and drinks. Bait and tackle sales are available there as well as canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Future plans call for boat and personal watercraft rentals.
The Bend, only five minutes from downtown, is also a place where boaters can get gas on the water.
Jody Fortenberry talked of the Trading Post’s signature delight – a homemade ice cream bar made especially for them by a local creamery. And while it might seem a small amenity, it’s that attention to detail and quality that sets this venture apart. One taste of the Cookies ‘N Cream version surely underscores that notion.
So do plans for an indoor recreation center with basketball and pickleball courts, a game room, fitness center and indoor playground expected by next spring.
While Tillison Bend welcomes campers with all amenities offered at affordable prices in an RV resort, Sadler is quick to point out, “We don’t want to be the cheapest. We want to be the most desirable.”
From the foundation already laid, it looks like that goal is just around the bend.
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, the cooler weather will drop the water temps on Logan Martin, and the fish will begin to eat and fatten up for the winter time.
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 used to be five feet down.
The new winter pool level has changed the way I’ve fished Logan Martin 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 bait fish, the bass won’t be far behind.
A small damiki rig and deep diving jerk bait 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. During this time of the year, to get a bigger bite, I usually use fishing a jig. This is especially true in the latter part of December when the water temp is below 55. 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 of baits I always start out with is either a bladed jig or square-bill crankbait. The current should have the fish setup 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 jerk bait 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 square bill crankbait or jerk bait depending on watercolor.
I also choose 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.
Coosa Riverkeeper has had a lot of events and patrols throughout 2024 and we’re gearing up for more events this November! We’re happy to share with you some of our accomplishments this year, by the numbers.
Of 8 volunteer clean-ups that were hosted on the Coosa this year, Coosa Riverkeeper staff and volunteers were able to collect over 2,000 pounds of litter by boat ramps, parks, and popular fishing and swimming locations. These clean-ups are hosted monthly and will continue after the holidays! Get involved with our volunteer clean-ups at CoosaRiver.org/Take-Action/Volunteer!
We’ve hosted 12 individual Free Fishing Clinics which totals to teaching over 245 kids how to fish! Not to mention, through our after school programs, Free Fishing Clinics, workshops, and more we’ve educated over 470 kids through 2024 about the Coosa. We also hosted 7 town hall meetings in 2024 to ensure folks are informed about what’s happening on their river and in their community. Want to volunteer for an education event? Become a River Rat today by visiting CoosaRiver.org/Take-Action/Volunteer!
Now that our Swim Guide program has come to an end until next summer, we’re happy to announce that 8 of our seasonal employees helped us take 1,918 samples throughout our watershed, testing for E.coli bacteria, turbidity, pH, and algae! Through our Riverkeeper Patrol program, Coosa Riverkeeper staff also collected 20 PFAS samples across our watershed. To learn more about our Swim Guide or Riverkeeper program visit our website at CoosaRiver.org!
Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.
Like a crack military unit, this patriotic Talladega County community and Dovetail Landing, the growing initiative to help veterans, unified on an October weekend with a single mission: to build community and awareness of veterans’ issues and Dovetail Landing’s resources as a place of resilience and recovery for veterans across Alabama.
Dovetail Landing celebrated its first Rockin for Recovery Fall Festival with barbecue, music, food, fun vendors and even a military touch – a “ruck march” that in this case was actually a walk, with the “ruckers” wearing rucksacks.
Dovetail Landing’s Combat Dining Out Dinner: Pipe Major Joseph R. Morrison (The Birmingham Bagpiper) plays rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
The night before, some 200 camo-clad diners celebrated “Combat Dining Out.,” a donations-only feast far from K-rations or MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). The menu included smoked chicken, pulled pork, red and white sauce, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, ice cold drinks and dessert. It was patterned after formal regimental mess nights, in keeping with military tradition, but no black ties. It was striking to see and hear the toasts to the nation’s military, especially the toast to fallen and missing warriors accompanied by the bagpiper’s rendering of Amazing Grace.
The keynote speaker for the evening was retired Col. Chris Stricklin, former USAF fighter pilot, Thunderbird Solo Pilot, and combat veteran. The colonel riveted the audience with his reflection on being a combat veteran.
If the old military adage is true – that an army travels on its stomach – the Fall Festival crowd was fueled for a long march.
“The purpose is to bring civilians, both from their community organizations, family organizations and business organizations to meet =veterans and have fun that night in a traditional military environment,” Dovetail Landing Executive Director retired Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes said.
The ruck march was an untimed five-mile walk aimed at building community and awareness of Dovetail Landing, vets and their issues. The walk was a lead-up to the events of the day, featuring food, showcases for Veteran Support Opportunities, music and fun.
“It was exciting to see so many veterans and their families come together and meet each other,” Holmes said. “There were over 20 veteran support organizations there to showcase significant opportunities, ready to contribute to (veterans’) well-being … and their future.”
But beyond the weekend’s flavorful fun, the larger mission was to help Dovetail Landing, the facility founded by Alana and Pat Centilli in 2021 to honor their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Centilli, who died in 2019 from traumatic brain injuries suffered in an explosion Helmand province, Afghanistan in 2012. Daniel Centilli was remembered by his brothers in arms as a Marine’s Marine.
“All of this is to create awareness and to showcase the opportunities available to the veterans and their families,” Holmes said.
Dovetail Landing hopes to provide a variety of services to veterans, their families and caregivers – medical help, job training, counseling, food, housing and other services with a holistic focus.
The hope is to establish a Veteran Resilience and Recovery Center this fall to direct the ongoing veteran support opportunities and begin the multi-year buildout of the 57-acre farm campus in Lincoln to include a mental health therapy facility and a training center along with temporary lodging clusters.
Dovetail can be viewed as a “reverse boot camp,” according to Holmes. Just as military boot camp prepares new recruits for military life, this reverse boot camp helps now-veteran soldiers make a smooth return to civilian life.
Alabama Punishers LEMC Mt. Cheaha Chapter: supporters of Dovetail Landing, who led a patriotic motorcycle flag parade in honor of veterans
But more than that, Dovetail Landing is like a Recovery Zone, Holmes added. Just like in combat “we don’t leave a warrior behind, We bring them home.”
Dovetail has expanded since its founding, Alana Centilli said.
“We came out of the gate as hard as we could go, trying to do so many things,” she said.
Since bringing Holmes, a veteran of combat operations in Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror, in as executive director in late April 2024, there has been a shift in focus.
“It’s been such a good thing,” Centilli said of Holmes’ addition. “We started veteran support services. Previously, we had just been so focused on the construction. We’re still doing that. But we are actively helping veterans.”
There are estimates that between 44 and 72 percent of veterans are struggling with physical, mental and emotional issues during their transition back to civilian life.
The Dovetail expansion was driven by an increase in public, private and corporate support. Major contributors have been the City of Lincoln, Honda, Alabama Power, Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the Noble Foundation and the State of Alabama, including a line item in the state budget and a grant from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We’re getting a lot of support, Holmes said. “The more people hear about us the more they want to know about what we’re doing.”
But Holmes says, support is a two-way street. Dovetail’s message to corporations and public and private donors? “We’re not just coming with our hand out,” he says. “We want to know what we can do to make your corporation better because if you’ve got veterans employed there, then we want to be available to your company, to your veterans if you have any kind of need.”
“Ruckin’ For Recovery” ruck march led by Dovetail Landing’s own Sgt. Ben Tomlinson, a Marine veteran who survived a sniper shot while in Afghanistan
Immediate help for vets is today’s priority.
“In my mind what was missing was we really had not gotten strategically where we wanted to be in terms of supporting veterans today,” Holmes said.
He added, “We’re going to need the buildings. We’re going to need the infrastructure. But quite frankly, more important are the people we want to serve and their families.”
Dovetail Landing has begun what Holmes calls “veteran support opportunities.”
One of those opportunities is with Central Alabama Community College and its Skills for Success program. There are currently three certificate programs open to vets, including hands on heavy equipment training and land surveying.
Dovetail has opened therapy to help veterans, which involves outdoor recreation (fishing) and music and art therapies to help veterans and family members who may find themselves in a dark place. All of Dovetail’s resources were on display on Fall Festival weekend, including the Veterans Administration-certified arts therapy program led by the Aspen, Colorado-based Challenge America.
The festival also highlighted Dovetail Landing’s programs for the community, corporations and businesses and for potential donors.
Holmes shared the story of one veteran who found himself hounded and haunted by the black dog of suicidal depression. Fishing saved him, giving the vet the clarity and sanity to be able to return to his family and drive thoughts of suicide out of his mind.
“When we hear stories like that,” Holmes said, “we know we’re on the right track.”
To be clear, these initiatives are for family members as well.
“This is not about the veteran alone,” Holmes said. “Most veterans, myself included, when we put on the uniform and we serve, our families are part of that.
“As veterans want to enter into recovery or into a growth experience, we also want to make that available to families. It’s important not to leave families behind,” Holmes said.
For Centilli, what began as a dream is becoming a reality.
“When all of this started, I envisioned a place where Daniel could have healed and just lived his life,” she said. “We knew he was never going to be on his own. He was never going to get married, would never have children … Seeing where we’ve come and how this has evolved and seeing the passion and the fire of the veterans when we talk about this, or they see what’s happening, it’s what we needed. It’s such a wonderful thing. This is going to help so many people.
“I just want to make sure people understand how important a resource like Dovetail Landing is for veterans and their families and why it is so needed,” she said.
The veteran support opportunities have exceeded expectations.
“We kept thinking we have to get this stuff built before we can help anybody,” she said. “We’ve changed that around and Gen. Holmes has helped us with that.”
She added, “The brick and mortar is going to come. But we are helping veterans today. I think it’s a win.”
That immediate help for veterans is important, Holmes said. The facilities follow.
“We’ve got to help veterans today if we’re going to have any credibility in continuing to ask for money to build buildings,” he said.
“When we go back to our mission: Veterans. Their families. It’s people, not buildings.”
Editor’s Note:For more information or to donate, visit dovetaillanding.com, or call (205) 907-7602.
Celebrating three years of success on Risers Mountain
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Mackenzie Free
The party on a hot fall day was to celebrate an anniversary. There was music, food and wine. The guests lifted glasses to toast a winery that has become an active part of their community in Alpine.
Lee and Lisa Moffett opened Novi Vineyards and Winery on the side of Risers Mountain three years ago, after spending nearly seven years in preparations. In those years, Lee says there were many lessons learned and blessings received. “We’ve learned somewhat on the fly,” said Lee. “I’ve hired various consultants to walk us through the process in the vineyard and in the making of the wine. I’ve learned a lot.”
“We started making wines for ourselves at first,” said Lisa. “Then Lee started taking classes online through the University of California Davis. He’s also gotten advice from many winemakers over the years.” The two have taken that advice to heart and built a winery with a family atmosphere and a menu of wines unlike most produced in Alabama.
One of the first lessons learned was that they didn’t need to grow muscadines. “That market is well covered in Alabama,” Lisa explains. “Most wineries in our state make sweet wines. We decided we wanted to be different. We chose to focus on growing French hybrid grapes and making dry wines.”
The French hybrid varieties they grow have been in the ground for nine years now and produce Norton, Lenoir, and Blanc duBois grapes. Since it takes roughly three pounds of grapes to produce a single bottle of wine, they work approximately 1,500 vines, which produced about 4,000 pounds of grapes this year.
Volunteers and family members did the harvesting in late August. “It was a good time, a little hot, but a good time,” Lisa recounts. “I love how supportive our community is. They heard it was harvesting time, and 25 people came to help.”
Pete and Michelle Bond are from Chelsea and say Novi is their favorite place to hang out. “It’s the best winery owned by the best people,” says Michelle. “I recently went through chemo, and throughout the process of losing my hair, Lisa still recognized me, even with different wigs.” Pete echoes the sentiment, saying the Moffetts take the time to get to know the names of their guests.
Brett Metcalf grew up in southern California but recently lived in Spain for four years. He moved to Hoover in 2022 and recently found out about Novi Vineyards and Winery through a friend. His travels have exposed him to many wine tasting opportunities, and he gives high praise to this local business.
Hoover resident Brett Metcalf (top left) enjoys wine and charcuterie with friends
“This is my second time here. Lee and Lisa are special,” he says. “They treated me like family even the first time I visited. And they have a great wine flight!”
A health crisis caused the Moffetts to reassess their family life and work situations. After making the decision to recenter their focus on health and family, they bought land and began the process of planting the 10 acres as a vineyard and developing plans for the winery. Lee had been sick for close to 15 years, fighting recurrent renal cell cancer.
“That’s actually how we got our name. Novi is the Latin prefix meaning new. Our family was weary,” Lisa recounts. “This place, and our family coming together to work it, gave us a new breath. It was therapy.”
Lee adds, “I’ve always enjoyed the land and being out in the woods. I have fond memories of my grandparents’ farm. I’ve since learned that it is hard work.” Lee is an engineer by trade and manages to find time for that work in addition to his tasks at the vineyard. Lisa is retired from a career in teaching.
The Moffetts have three children, all grown and married. When things get busy, it’s all hands on deck at the vineyard. Lee says July and August (before the grapes are harvested) are the slowest months, but the rest of the year there’s always something to do.
“We’ve just harvested and have the grapes fermenting in the vats,” explains son-in-law Ben Meadows. “Now is the busy season when it’s nice weather to hang out and visit the winery.”
Winter, he says, is filled with shipping gift and holiday party orders. Early spring involves pruning and preparing the plants and ground for new growth. Early summer involves managing the water intake, pest control and watching for mold and fungal issues. Summer is spent trimming the plants and mowing the property. Late summer brings the harvest back around and the cycle begins anew.
Much of the vinification is still manual. They do have a machine to de-stem the grapes and one to crush the grapes. They also have a bottle filler, which handles five bottles at a time. The corking, foiling, labeling and boxing is done one bottle at a time. Their output this year will be about 450 cases, and that, they hope, will help to push the business into the black this year.
Novi is also hosting dinners in the vineyard this fall and early winter. Local chefs cater the events and wine packages are offered to customers at their tables set up among the vines. “We discovered in the spring that people responded really well to dinners in the vineyard,” said Lisa. “We have several scheduled for November. If the weather is good in December, we may add more.”
They also have a unique event that is designed specifically for book lovers. It’s called “Pages and Pairings,” and is led by Nicole Conrad, an English Literature teacher. Conrad picks books to suggest to book club participants or avid readers and compares story elements and the character and nuances of the different Novi wines, ultimately pairing those books with specific wines made at the winery.
“A glass of Blanc du Bois, for instance, might pair perfectly with a light summer romance,” she explains. “We’ve done these three times already, and they’ve been very popular.”
Lee describes each of their wines as having its own unique characteristics. The Blanc du Bois, he describes as a very citrusy, fruity wine, comparable to a Sauvignon Blanc, but with a sweeter nose.
“The Norton is our driest on the palate,” he says. “It gives you an earthy, woodsy, smokey, fruity nose with hints of bourbon and leaf tobacco.” He describes the Lenoir, the third variety made exclusively with their grapes, as having a smokey, blackberry aroma. They also offer a red blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Their wines are in two stores in the Birmingham area – Classic Wine Company in Homewood and Hop City in Birmingham. Thanks to a law passed in the State of Alabama three years ago which allows shipping of wine in the state, you can order from Novi online at www.novivineyards.com. Of course, you can also buy it in person at Novi Vineyards and Winery.
“There is a certain flavor profile that’s brought about by the minerals here in the soil that give it a characteristic flavor that you’re only going to find here,” Lisa says. “Terroir is a term that describes the influence of the terrain, the soil, climate and other factors where the fruit is grown.”
You can come check out the different wines at Novi every Friday and Saturday from noon until 5:00 p.m. They have a wine tasting room to help you decide your favorite or just get a flight and try them all. They also offer charcuterie boards to enjoy with a bottle of wine on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Novi Vineyards and Winery is also available for weddings and other private events.
Come relax with friends and make new ones as you unwind in this relaxing homegrown, yet sophisticated winery. Lee and Lisa Moffett are building community and relationships one sip at a time. And they’re crushing it.
Among the VINES
Pottery, dinner & Wine under the stars
Story by Roxann Edsall Submitted photos
One of the most unusual events to happen near the lake community is happening this week in Alpine. It’s billed as three courses under the stars, but with a twist. Guests at the Nov. 9 event will be making a piece of pottery before enjoying a gourmet meal in the vineyards at Novi Vineyards and Winery.
Josh Miller, senior food editor for Southern Living magazine, is also a recipe developer and food stylist. He is serving as head chef for this special event, his first in collaboration with Novi Vineyards. He has done at least 20 similar events at the pottery studio and garden shop he runs with his partner, Lauren Scott.
“A friend and former intern at Southern Living, Nicole Conrad, was telling us about a book pairing event she did here with Lisa Moffett,” said Miller.
“She showed us pictures and we thought it was beautiful and were very interested in doing something with them.” Miller and Scott met with Moffett and connected immediately. The three talked through the idea and developed a plan.
The evening will start with a glass of wine and fellowship on the winery’s terrace. After everyone has arrived and had a few minutes to unwind, participants will move to the side patio for the pottery class and making the harvest bowl project.
Miller calls the project a “hand building” project, because it takes no special tools. “We have people who tell us they’re not creative, but we design these projects to be good for all levels,” says Miller.
“It’s a very forgiving project. If you make a mistake, we can help you smooth it out and fix it.”
The pottery students will simply mold a rolled-out sheet of clay with their hands to form a bowl, invert it onto a bowl shape, imprint the clay with a variety of items (lace, shells, herbs, leaves) and leave it to dry.
Miller and Scott will transport all the bowl projects to dry at WildGoose Garden & Pottery, their Trussville studio, after which they will paint and glaze them. Class participants will schedule a time and place to meet to pick up their finished pieces.
As participants finish their projects and set them aside to begin drying, Miller will lead them to the vineyard, where twinkling lights form a canopy above elegantly set tables.
The first course, a Roasted Shallot and Grape Focaccia and an Autumn Harvest Salad, will be served family style.
While guests enjoy the first course, Miller and his crew will slice and plate the main course – a Stuffed Pork Loin with Aged Sherry Gastrique Over Gouda Grits.
Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème with Crème Fraiche Whipped Cream and a Port Wine Reduction will finish off the meal.
Novi Vineyard and Winery’s Lisa Moffett will be handling the wine service for the dinner. Guests will be able to purchase wine by the bottle or wine packages to go along with dinner. Miller will suggest wine pairings with each course.
Giving a nod to the venue, Miller has included several grape components in the menu.
If you are late in finding out about the event, don’t worry. Miller and Scott plan to repeat this event later in the fall or in the spring.
Miller has graciously shared a recipe for Roasted Root Vegetables and Kale Salad, a dish similar to the harvest salad he will be serving at this event. He has also allowed us to reprint his Caramelized Stuffed Onions recipe.
Roasted Root Vegetables and Kale Salad
Photo by Shell Royster
Roasted Root Vegetables & Kale Salad
Serves 6 to 8
This vibrant fall salad can be made with any variety of hearty fall vegetables you like. Here we’ve chosen acorn squash, beets, sweet potatoes and shallots; butternut or delicata squash would also be welcome additions.
3 shallots, halved
2 red beets, peeled and quartered
2 golden beets, peeled and quartered
2 small sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 acorn squash, halved, seeded and cut into ½-inch-thick slices
1 head garlic, top sliced to expose cloves
¾ cup olive oil, divided
2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus additional, to taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
8 cups torn kale
Chopped pecans, for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place shallots, beets, sweet potatoes, squash and garlic on pan; drizzle evenly with ¼ cup oil; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and paprika and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat. Bake until vegetables are tender, 25 to 35 minutes.
Let vegetables cool slightly. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a small bowl; mash with a fork.
Stir in remaining ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper, vinegar and maple syrup until combined. Drizzle in remaining ½ cup olive oil, whisking constantly until smooth. Season with additional salt, if desired.
Place kale and half of vegetables in a large serving bowl; drizzle with half of dressing; gently toss to coat.
Top with remaining vegetables; drizzle with desired amount of remaining dressing.
Garnish with pecans, if desired.
Caramelized Stuffed Onions
Photo by Shell Royster
Caramelized Stuffed Onions
Makes 6 servings
Humble onions take center-stage in this fast-fix side dish. Stir the filling together a day ahead to make this recipe come together in a snap.
3 medium-sized red onions, peeled and halved
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ cup gorgonzola
½ cup panko
¼ cup softened unsalted butter
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, plus additional, for garnish
Honey, to serve
Preheat oven to 375°. Drizzle half of olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet, rubbing to coat. Using a small spoon, pry out 2 or 3 of the innermost layers from each onion to create a small well in the cut side of each onion.
If needed, trim opposite side of onions so they sit flat on baking sheet. Place onions on baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle with remaining olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn onions cut side down, and place in oven. Bake 25 minutes until slightly tender. Turn onions cut side up; drizzle cut sides with vinegar.
Meanwhile, stir together gorgonzola, panko, butter and thyme. Remove onions from oven; spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon into each onion half. Return to oven, and bake until topping is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with thyme, if desired. l
Recipes and images reprinted courtesy of Edible Charleston
America’s longest paddle race navigates Neely Henry, Logan Martin en route to finish
In the quiet of a Saturday evening and Sunday morning in September on Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes, you just might have heard the sound of a boat paddle slapping the water in staccato precision, propelling the paddler toward the finish line.
It would be a week before the first of the group reached that goal as they made their way across lakes, rivers and creeks on a 650-mile trek that takes stamina, will and determination. Lots of determination.
First to arrive at Logan Martin portage near the dam
It’s America’s longest paddle race, and it’s right here in Alabama – along the state’s Scenic River Trail. It began at Weiss Lake near the border with Georgia and ended in the Alabama Gulf at Fort Morgan as the final racer crossed the finish line Oct. 1.
The first leg of the race took paddlers through Gadsden and Neely Henry, arriving there during the night of the first day. The next morning residents up and down the shores of Logan Martin caught glimpses of paddlers all day long as they headed to the portage at Logan Martin Dam.
Watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Gadsden
One of the first to pass through the local area was Trey Reaves, who went on to win the race in seven days, three hours and 20 minutes. The first-place finish was familiar territory to Reaves. He was Alabama 650’s first back-to-back solo winner.
Also coming in quickly at Logan Martin’s portage was Lindsey Tilton, the first female to complete the course exclusively on a paddleboard. She finished in 9 days, 19 hours and 35 minutes.
To underscore the grueling challenge of the race, only 47 percent actually finish. At the end this year, there were only 10 claiming that achievement. l
Editor’s Note: The Great Alabama 650 is part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, a network of more than 6,500 miles of river trails throughout Alabama, spanning from mountain streams and whitewater rapids in North Alabama to the river deltas in the South. It is one of the most diverse in the country. For more, go to: ASRT.me.
Lindsey Tilton in historic paddle board finish at Fort Morgan
If the oft quoted cliché is on target – A picture is worth a thousand words – even a wordsmith like me would have to admit this issue is overflowing.
From the Great Alabama 650, America’s longest paddle race, to the jammin’ good time of Lakeside Live to the crowd favorite, Boo Bash, we minced our words so we could better tell their stories through photographs.
The pages of the magazine are filled to the brim with compelling photographs that capture the feeling of being there, even if you didn’t make it. If you did, you’ll enjoy reliving the moments that make each event a special one.
It is our aim to share the behind-the-scenes stories, too. And this edition does not disappoint. You’ll discover a vineyard just a stone’s throw from Logan Martin Lake, where special dinners are held under twinkling lights. The pairings of food and wine are impeccable; the atmosphere unrivaled.
Dovetail Landing, a rising development to help veterans transition from military to civilian life – not so easy a task for far too many of our returning soldiers. It’s an innovative, visionary approach that’s gaining momentum, boosted by a trio of events over a single weekend designed to raise awareness and funding.
Don’t forget the Jingle Bell Run Dec. 14 at Lakeside Park. In only its second year, Pell City Rotary Club’s charity fundraiser is shaping up as one of the premier runs in the region.
We’ll take you on a trip to Tillison Bend in Gadsden. This new marina and campground on the banks of the river is an impressive draw to enjoying the water – in it, on it or just plain gazing at the tranquil view.
Our pro angler, Zeke Gossett, casts a wide net over all the waters of the region – giving us tips, tricks and trends on finding and reeling in the best bass on Neely Henry and Logan Martin in November and December.
So, with words and pictures together, we hope you’ll learn a few things about this place we call home. Turn the page and discover it all with us!
Innovative LMLPA program gives kids up-close look at Logan Martin Lake’ diverse turtle population
Story by Loyd McIntosh Photos by Richard Rybka
It’s Friday night in early June, and a group of parents and their children are wandering through the boggy marsh on the banks of Logan Martin. With flashlights guiding their way, the group follows the lead of Grover Brown, an assistant professor from the Department of Biology at Jacksonville State University.
A specialist in herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians, he waves his flashlight around, shining the light into the treeline until he finds what he is looking for, a pink ribbon tied to a low-hanging branch indicating the general area he set a turtle trap in the shallow water below.
A couple of girls catching turtles
Brown feels around in the murky water until he finds the rope and starts tugging the trap toward the shore. Brown pulls the trap out of the water to a chorus of “Cool!” and “Wow!” The trap is filled with turtles. “We did pretty good,” Brown says as he clears the trap of debris. “What we use as bait is a can of sardines. Apparently, I put two in here because I wasn’t paying attention,” Brown says.
As the kids gather around, shining their flashlights around frantically as they attempt to get a glimpse of the haul, Brown removes the turtles from the trap and explains to the excited children what they caught.
“We have two species in here. We’ve got what we call a pond slider,” he explains as he holds up a small turtle, about the size of a hockey puck.
“This is a male, and I know it’s a male because of his feet,” Brown explains, as he points out the turtle’s long “wolverine” like toes. He asks the assembled children what they think the turtle uses his long claw for and after a few moments of the children shouting out an array of good to goofy answers, he finally gives them the truth.
“The ladies find them very attractive,” Brown says as the group, adults and children, burst out into laughter.
Next, Brown shows the group another catch, a small female turtle commonly known as a stinkpot, inviting everyone to smell the reptile before sharing the smelly truth behind its name.
“They’re very small and need to come up with a form of protection, and they basically act like the turtle equivalent of a skunk,” Brown says. “When they get scared, they release a really foul, smelly musk.”
After a few more minutes of discussion, Brown allows the kids to handle the turtles and release them back into the water before making their way down the path to the next trap.
The scene is part of Frog Night WithTurtles, an annual event organized by the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association (LMLPA) honoring the late Dr. George Cline, a beloved professor of biology at Jacksonville State who passed away in February 2022. Known affectionately as Dr. Frog, Cline taught biology, ecology, conservation, animal behavior, herpetology and vertebrate anatomy for close to 30 years and also volunteered his time at the Anniston of Natural History, where he founded Herpfest, an annual celebration of reptiles and amphibians.
Brown, who, with good humor, suggests Dr. Turtle as a suitable nickname for himself, is now in his third year leading Frog Night With Turtles. As he prepares for the event underneath a pavilion at Pell City Lakeside Park, he can barely contain his enthusiasm to showcase the unique biodiversity of Logan Martin Lake and the state as a whole.
Hunting turtles
“It’s a great opportunity for these kids to get to see the wildlife that occurs in their own backyard,” Brown says.
“Alabama is really lucky to have a warm climate, and we have topography, so we have species that only occur in the mountains and species that may only occur along the coast,” he adds. “So with that gradient, we get incredible biodiversity.”
For the first half of the event, Brown and his colleague Bethany Adams, an instructor of Biology with a special interest in Alabama’s snake population, talk to the group about the reptiles and amphibians they are likely to encounter in the area.
He and Adams also have a little show-and-tell, bringing out some exotic turtles and even a rat snake, allowing the kids – and their parents – to see and touch these animals. Brown said their goal is to help the group appreciate their natural surroundings in an interactive and fun way.
“They’re going to learn about their ecology without knowing they’re learning about their ecology,” says Brown. “We’re going to say what these turtles do, why they’re important to the environment, and why we should care about them and protect them because we know if the environment is healthy for them, then the environment is also healthy for us.
“We try to weave in a few lessons of why they should care about these species and why these species, in my opinion, make Alabama so special,” Brown adds. “We have more total species in our state than most countries do around the world.”
An evening of wonder
As the sun sets and the moon shines its silvery light on the surface of the lake, the kids show no signs of slowing down as Brown pulls yet another trap from the murky water. Excitedly, they gather around the biologist and wait for their turn to hold a turtle, gently drop it back into the water, and watch it swim away, before hustling back for another turn.
“It was amazing!” said Layon Nixon, an 11-year-old student at Williams Intermediate School in Pell City. “I’ve never gotten to hold a turtle before!”
Layon’s mother, Lisa Nixon, said she brought her daughters, Layon and Adalle, to Frog & Turtle Night to support their interests but also to emphasize the importance of the area’s wildlife and caring for the health of the lake.
“First of all, they love this sort of thing,” says Nixon. “We’ve always known about the association (LMLPA) and support the association, and just knowing the science behind it and knowing the animals that are part of the lake and the need to take care of them is huge.”
Just when you thought Logan Martin’s Pirate Island couldn’t get any better, along comes a new resident.
It’s a giant wooden pirate, in full pirate regalia, complete with a peg leg and a photo cutout for capturing memories.
It was a gift to Jim and Laurie Regan, owners of the island, handcrafted by Jim’s friend, Randall Rigsby, president and CEO of Altex Packaging in Anniston. He created it from a photo of Jim in costume and then “cut my mug out,” says Jim.
It all began with Jim’s appearance at Bucaneer Camp at the Anniston Museum, where Jim talked to the would-be pirates about the perks of being a seafaring adventurer. Randall made the form with marine-grade wood, and now it stands sentry over the island. Jim built a platform behind it for the kids to climb up and have their picture made.
So, step on up, put your face in place and just say, Arrrrrgh, Matey! l
Editor’s Note: Oh, yeah, the pirate needs a name. Won’t you help? Send your nominations to: happenings@loganmartinlakelife.com. The best moniker wins a LakeLife 24/7 Pirate Island T-shirt and a prize pack of treasures!
Flawless casting in fly fishing is like a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers movie routine, explained veteran Rainbow City fly angler and guide Frank Roden.
“The perfect rhythm in fly fishing is almost like the perfect dance. If we’re dancing with a lady, we’ve got to show her what we intend to do next, without pushing her around or stepping on her feet, that kind of thing.”
It only takes a gentle touch.
On Black Creek, that gentle touch – an elegant meeting of rhythm and cast, water and rainbow trout – begins Oct. 15 and continues until June 30, 2025. It’s a new chapter in the City of Gadsden’s successful effort to grow fly fishing at Noccalula Falls.
Twice a year, as weather permits, the city stocks Black Creek with 1,800 pounds of Rainbow trout. The effort to bolster the fish population is in its sixth year. Funding for it comes from the sale of fishing permits on the creek, as well as some state tourism dollars, Roden said.
Black Creek is a “delayed harvest” stream, meaning that up until May 1, 2025, anglers must practice “catch and release” and cannot keep any fish. After May 1, anglers are subject to the state creel limit of five fish per day.
Fishing of any type is prohibited in the park after June 30.
Roden called the city’s efforts to grow and promote fly fishing, “a great success” for Gadsden’s growing tourism industry and for the sport.
“It’s allowed a lot of people who say, ‘I’ve always wanted to fly fish,’ or ‘I’ve always wanted to trout fish, but I never got a way to do it.’ Well, right here, locally, it’s given them a way to do it.”
Black Creek has also introduced the sport to a new generation, both locally and across the Southeast.
“People that have children bring their kids right hereto the water, and they don’t have to travel any distance,” Roden said.
As for fly angling-related tourism, Roden says it’s growing. And he has an unusual way to gauge that increasing popularity. Along with his wife Tammy, he’s the co-owner of Rainbow City Auction & Fly Shop.
“This last October through January, when we were trying to get fish in (Black Creek), I was just covered up with phone calls, saying ‘Frank, when are we going to get fish in?’ ”
The calls came from South Florida, Kentucky and Illinois, Mississippi and points in between, Roden said.
Trout are stocked in the river to make sure there are plenty fo fish
“This is something people in our area have been and should be very proud of, bringing tourism in,” Roden said.
Polly Dean, the associate editor of the fly-fishing site, OntheFlySouth.com, agrees that the sport is growing in the region, both in fresh and saltwater.
“I see greater interest in the sport of fly fishing, especially with women and young adults, even children,” Dean wrote in an email. “I see the sport growing in southern states, since fly anglers aren’t just targeting trout in warm water.”
The COVID-19 pandemic may have also played a role in fly fishing’s increased popularity, Dean wrote.
“Folks were looking for more recreational opportunities outdoors,” she wrote. “All in all, fly fishing can be quite rewarding and addictive.”
According to the American Sportfishing Association, between 2010 and 2020, the number of fly anglers grew from 5.5 million in 2010 to 7.8 million in 2020.
Some may shy away from fly fishing in the mistaken belief that fly fishing is too expensive, Roden said. But the sport is affordable.
“You can go down here to (a chain sporting goods store) and buy a $49 outfit,” Roden said.
In the six years of the restocking effort on Black Creek, the trout population is mature, Roden said. He is an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing instructor. Orvis is one of the iconic brands of fly fishing clothing and equipment. He’s toiled as a guide on local waters for nearly 20 years, he said.
But a guide isn’t necessary on Black Creek, he said.
“You don’t need a guide because it’s one of those streams where you can go in and do everything yourself.”
Just as the amount of rainfall in the area – the source of precious oxygen for trout – impacts Gadsden’s restocking efforts, precipitation also affects the quality of fishing on Black Creek.
The new fish introduced to the creek are anywhere from 12-16 inches long. Anglers have reported fish as big as 24 inches. “If the rainfall comes, it will be good,” Roden said.
Along with the fishing, there’s $11 million worth of renovation going on at Noccalula Falls Park Campground, which should also boost tourism, Roden said. “It should be a whole lot better environment,” he added.
The key to success for first-time anglers on Black Creek? It’s all in the cast, the graceful 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock motion at the heart of the sport.
“First, take a fly rod and go out and practice your casting,” said Roden, a disciple of the late fly-fishing icon Bernard “Lefty” Kreh. “If you wait until you’re on the stream to get your casting down, it’s not going to work out nearly as well.” Experience is the best teacher.
“Fly fishing is more than just putting a hook and a fly on the water and waiting for something to come get it,” Roden said. “You’ve got to learn where to put it, how to put it there, what to expect when a fish does get it. Get your drift (of the fly) right, then how to handle the fish once it gets on that fly.”
Successful fly anglers have what Roden calls “soft hands.
“It’s not how sure our hands are, or how strong our hands are. It’s how we angle that rod and that line and how we finesse that fish and also how we are going to handle that fish once we get him to the net.”
It’s comparable to how a golfer is able to gingerly chip the ball close to the hole, or a quarterback uses touch to fit a ball into a tight window between the receiver and a defender.
“You’ve got to be able to put the fly where you need to put it for it to have a natural drift in the water. You have to allow the fly to do it.”
A successful cast allows the fly to gracefully float down to the water, not slap it, added Roden. And at the end of the day, it’s all about the dance – elegance and perfect rhythm.
“If you want to spin the lady around, if you just take that left hand out just a touch, they will turn and make (the spin) for you,” he said. “They can make you look good. It’s the same way with the fish,” he added. “If we do what we need to do with this rhythm, this dance, everything else will work out.”
WANT TO GET HOOKED?
Interested in fly fishing? Check out the Rainbow Fly Fishing Club. The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1885 Rainbow Drive in Rainbow City. Dues are $25 annually. For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page or call 256-490-5450.
