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Remember When: General Lee Campground and Marina

50 years and counting on Logan Martin

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted photos

Ask just about anyone who lives or plays on Logan Martin Lake for directions to General Lee Campground and Marina, and they’ll point you toward Treasure Island, across the water from St. Clair Shores.

The 16-foot-tall orange and blue Gulf sign easily identifies the campground and serves as a beacon for sunbaked campers coming home from a day on the lake.

Ashley Morton has never known a life that wasn’t heavily influenced by the campground, both the business end and the people who make up the community. She was born into the business, and it has matured alongside her. Now she and her husband, Scott, have continued what her grandparents and great grandparents built, managing the day-to-day operations of the campground at General Lee.

Craig, Ashley and Scott in front of a classic Gulf sign

Ashley grew up around the campground, spending most afternoons and summers helping her grandparents, Jean and Sonny (Floyd) Goodgame, with chores around the property. Jean made sure Ashley learned life skills while in her care. “Grand momma taught me what I know about handling money and running a business,” says Ashley.

“In the store, we played what we called ‘grocery games,’ where she would give me a $10 budget and tell me to bring as much food as I could buy with it. But I had to figure in taxes as well. We had fun and learned a lot.”

“My family lived really close to the campground, so my cousin, Blair (Goodgame), and I would ride our bikes to the campground to play,” continues Ashley. “It was so much fun that Blair and I would hide under a pier when they called us to go home. We didn’t ever want to leave.” To this day, summers at the General Lee are teeming with children. It’s a tradition of summer fun that Ashley hopes to share with her own two girls, 3-year-old Aspen and 9-month-old Presley.

Grand momma Jean made things fun for her grandchildren, but she also made sure they learned and practiced the right way do chores, like raking leaves. “Grand momma taught us that you don’t rake them into piles,” Ashley explains. “Of course, we did a little bit, so we could jump in them. But she taught us to rake them into lines so we could burn them safely.”

Leaf raking was, and still is, a never-ending need at the campground. The beautiful trees that provide much-needed shade in the summer relentlessly cover the roads with leaves in the fall and winter months. It is those trees around which the children ride their bikes and conduct squirt gun battles and play hide and seek games in the thick of the summer heat.

And around those trees are nestled the campers and tents that house visitors in spring, summer and fall. There are 111 camping spots, some with full sewer hookups, and others with just water and power. A bathhouse, store with bait and covered storage round out the amenities.

People have been enjoying the amenities at the General Lee since just after the impounding of the Coosa River, which created Logan Martin Lake in 1965. Jean and Sonny, along with Jean’s parents, Clarence and Pauline Lee, built the campground and marina, which opened in 1966, originally selling Chevron gas. Shortly thereafter, they changed to Gulf brand gas and erected the sign, which, though the oil company went out of business in 1985, still stands today.

For people around the lake, that sign has become a landmark. “People tell me all the time that they find their way here by looking for that sign,” laughs Ashley. The marina no longer sells gas, offering only a boat launch and dry boat storage.

“My parents and grandparents built the campground together,” said Craig Goodgame, Ashley’s dad, and owner of the campground. “I was just three when they opened, so, like Ashley, I grew up helping and learning about the business my whole life. It was a great playground. I remember having a good time with the kids who were here at the campground, playing our made-up games of crow and snake.

“When I was a bit older, I used to work all day on the gas island,” he adds. “I’d lather up with suntan oil and lay out on the island until a boat came up for gas. Then when they left, I’d get back to sunning.” He also admits to slipping off while he was supposed to be working, on occasion, to ski with whoever was running a ski boat nearby.

In those days, the campground was run by Jean, Craig’s mom, and Ashley’s grandmother, along with Jean’s best friend, Nita Staggs. “Nita and Grand momma did everything that was needed, from pulling out trailers to launching boats. They had an old Willys jeep to pull things in or out,” remembers Ashley. “Everyone thought they were sisters because they were always together. When Nita passed away from cancer in the late `90s, Grand momma ran it alone. She worked seven days a week.”

“Mom was a very, very hard worker,” said Craig. “There used to be a game room and a hot dog hut and an ice cream counter. Then, later, when they sold the hot dog hut, they added an ice cream hut. We still rent kayaks and canoes, but we also used to rent tubes. My mom ran all of that.” These days, the hot dog and ice cream huts are gone, replaced by a picnic area that doubles as an entertainment space that often features live music.

David Burrage has been camping at the General Lee for 54 straight years. He is from Hueytown and camped and fished at the General Lee every summer with his family as a young boy. “I remember my dad would go to work from the camper, and my sister and mom and I would spend our days playing on the lake,” Burrage said. “I brought my own kids here every summer, too. Now that they’re grown, they still come some and bring my grandkids. It’s very family oriented. Everyone watches out for each other.”

Providing a place to make family memories are what Ashley and Scott Morton hope to continue to offer at the General Lee Campground and Marina for many years to come.

And, in case you were wondering, the General Lee is not named after the noted Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The general in this name is Ashley’s great grandfather, Clarence Lee, not a military general, but a man, his family says, who had many of the leadership qualities of a general and ran his world with similar decisiveness.

Catchin’ the Coosa January 2024

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

Logan Martin in the winter can be your best chance to catch the biggest ones in the lake. Last February, I caught my personal best bass on Logan Martin. It was a once of a lifetime fish for Logan Martin, but during these two months, this could easily happen for anyone.

The water temps usually vary this time of year, but here are a few ways I approach to catch fish during this time on Logan Martin. Water temps can vary from as low as 48 degrees to as high as 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Typically, when you read any article on fishing in the winter, it’s going to include fishing deep most of the time. I’m not saying you cannot catch fish deep on Logan Martin in the winter, but usually, a lot of my bigger fish come out of shallow water – even in the winter – especially if the weather is on a warming trend and the water temps are in around that 55-degree mark.

Cold weather is great for spectacular catches

I’m still going to start around the main river areas. There’s a couple ofthings I look for in order to feel like I’m fishing the most productive waters. First, there must be some type of baitfish in the area. Second, I’m looking for more vertical structure this time of year.

The baitfish change daily on what part of the water column they might be in. Vertical structure allows fish to move up and down easily with them. A couple examples of this might be deeper docks or steep river banks with rock and laydowns.

A few of my favorite bait choices would be a flat-sided crank bait, spinnerbait and jig. I’m going to throw some type of red or crawfish color pattern on the crank bait. This is one of the better baits to use if the water is colder than 60 degrees. The flat-sided crankbait is a great way to get those fish to react in cold water.

If the water has a little stain to it, a spinnerbait can be a killer on warmer days. The spinnerbait works best slow rolling it on the bottom, and I’ll use a 1/2oz spinnerbait with a single Colorado as the blade.

With the jig, it really depends on water color. If it’s dirty, I will flip a black and blue jig. If it is a little clearer water, I’ll stick with the more natural colors, like green pumpkin. A jig is a great way to get really big bites this time of year.

Another way to target fish in these winter months is in the creeks. Same as the main river, I’m looking for baitfish. If I do not see baitfish on my electronics, I usually will not fish in a particular area long.

Bass are heavy on shad this time of year. Their metabolism is slower. That’s why the bass get very fat and lazy. Slow rolling a single swimbait like a Rage Swimmer 3.75-inch is great way to get bit. Another is using a damiki rig, which is just small minnow type bait on a jig head.

Using forward facing sonar helps with this lure. If you don’t have it, you can still catch fish without it. Just make long cast across points in the creeks and slowly bring them back to the boat. Make sure to wear proper clothing and get out there on even those coldest days of the year.

It just might reward you a fish of a lifetime!

Neely Henry

Neely Henry historically is one of the better lakes on the Coosa River for winter time fishing. It is because it is set up really well for winter time fishing.

Neely Henry is full of rip rap banks and vertical bluff walls in certain sections of the lake. This allows bass to really pull up and down with ease according to the weather and water temp.

It also has a lot of docks and flat clay points which are another wintertime hot spot.

On the rip rap, I’ll first reach for a square bill crank bait. I keep colors fairly simple. Either I’ll throw a red or some sort of shad pattern.

Boat positioning is a big key to success with the crankbait as well. I will hug the boat fairly tight and make parallel cast with the bank. This allows me to cover more water efficiently and keep my bait in the strike zone longer.

The next bait would be a jerkbait. A jerkbait can be killer if the water is a little clear. I’ll fish it around clay points and deeper docks in creeks.

Lastly, the jig can probably be one of my favorites for Neely Henry. The reason I like the jig is because I can fish it around a lot of things, such as around rock, docks, or lay down trees.

If the water is below 60 degrees a jig will always be in the back of my mind when fishing Neely Henry. Creeks are some of the places I check first. This really depends on how cold the water is.

Most of the time the creeks can be three to four degrees warmer than the main river. This warmer water will most of the time attract the baitfish, which in turn, the bass will follow.

If the water is up around that 60-degree mark, I’ll focus on the main river, especially if the current is on.

Just fish the conditions whenever you’re on the water this winter. Stay around the baitfish and warmer water, and you will find success on Neely Henry!

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.

On the Water: Docks and Shoreline

Creating wonders along the shoreline

Story by Paul South
Submitted and staff photos

One of the indescribable joys of lake life is beginning a day, or punctuating day’s end on the dock, boathouse or pier, sipping coffee, tea or something stronger as the sun slowly rises or sinks into a palate of colors, hues of red, orange or deep purple.

On the lake, these structures are as much a part of a home as screened porches, crackling fireplaces and picture windows. Docks are spots for relaxation, contemplation, fishing, laughter and sometimes tears. And they are often as breathtaking as their accompanying homes, as if they belong together.

And nearby seawalls of riprap, stone, concrete, rock or wood protect precious property from being eaten away by erosion.

On Logan Martin and Neely Henry, there are companies that make magic – crafting piers, docks, seawalls, boatlifts and the like. Their tools are engineering, art, architecture and the environment, state-of-the-art composite materials, treated wood, stone and more than a bit of vision, conjured up year ‘round by the companies and their customers.

Here’s a look at four of the area’s builders and the water from their perspectives:

Mackey Docks: Experience and faith

For the Mackey family, their dock business is a “generational company,” says Eric Mackey. His father, Sonny, and uncles, Kenneth and Jerry, began working the industry in the 1980s.

“My Uncle Kenneth started working in 1983, and started building barges on Weiss Lake, and we just started expanding after that,” Mackey says.

The company specializes in turnkey work.

“We build the complete boathouse and boatlift and all the bells and whistles,” Mackey says. “Sometimes we just do the dock. Sometimes, we do seawalls. Sometimes we do just the boatlift if someone already has a dock, or we replace an older boat lift. We also do simple repairs and maintenance on structures over the water.”

He adds, “I try to focus not on land, but focus on water. It kind of makes it a specialty for me. We do seawalls, but typically prefer boathouses and docks. That’s what we’re really good at.”

What makes Mackey Docks good at its work?

“Experience and the crews we work with,” Mackey replies. “I’ve got some guys who have worked with us over 20 years.”

One of the hot trends in the industry is crafting structures from composite materials that in the long run are more durable, less expensive and require less maintenance than traditional treated lumber docks and boathouses.

“Typically, we used to do 80 percent wood as decking material back in the day,” Mackey says. “Nowadays, we’re a PVC and composite specialist. We’re probably installing 60 to 80 percent composite and PVC material. Long term, the cost is a little bit higher, but the low maintenance is worth it.”

Along with experience, Mackey says a commitment to quality and a strong religious faith drive the business.

“It’s not about me. It’s about people and the team we’ve built, and we’re all sticking together,” Mackey says. “For me, not all the guys in my company are Christians, but my Christian faith sets the standard for me and for my company … I think that sets us apart.”

Unique Waterfronts: Capturing a customer’s vision

While Unique Waterfonts in the Pell City-Cropwell area focuses its work on Logan Martin, Neely Henry and Lay Lakes, the business will travel the length and breadth of Alabama to do its work.

Chelsea Isbell grew up in a family of homebuilders – her father, Greg, and uncles, Jeff and Mike Isbell, began its work 30 years ago. Following the housing crash 14 years ago, the Isbells began subcontracting for Tradesman Company. Unique Waterfronts opened its doors two years ago. The Isbells are now co-owners of Unique Waterfronts. They do work on land and water.

“We have our own barge and our own crew,” Isbell says. “That’s the good thing about us. We’re family owned. We handle everything ourselves.”

Chelsea began working in the construction industry while in college and was hooked. The company does everything – from houses to pool houses, docks and boathouses.

“I was intrigued by the different designs that you can do. The uniqueness that we can make your boathouse look like your house or your house look like your boathouse,” she says. “There are so many different things we can do. I can’t physically do it. But my dad and them can do it. I can have the vision for it and tell them, or the homeowners can have the vision, and we can make it happen.”

She pointed to a recent boathouse project in Alpine.

“We even went as far as to dull the metal roof so that the boathouse looked as old as the house,” she says. “I love that uniqueness. That’s what I love. You turn (customers’) vision into a product, and they love it.”

Unique Waterfronts is willing to tackle just about any job.

“We don’t care how big or small a job is, we’re willing to help get it done. We’ll do a 6-by-20 (square foot) boathouse, or a 2,500 square foot house. Whatever you want us to do, we can do it.”

Advantage Plus: Building docks and building relationships

Advantage Plus began building docks in 2020, but the company’s umbrella opened in 2014 with excavating and construction.

The Turner family also operates Turner Family Farms, a popular Christmas and wedding venue as well as a Halloween pumpkin patch destination.

As far as its water-based business, Advantage Plus, the company does dock building and repair and only does riprap for seawalls. Riprap is a stone that protects lake banks against erosion. The company also builds concrete walls.

“These are services that we already offered elsewhere. But with us living on the lake and so many people needing it … we continued to offer the services,” Victor Turner says.

With lake properties being hot real estate, docks are hot. And in keeping with trends, composite decks are in high demand because of their longevity of 20 years or more.

“Building a dock is not a one-time investment. It’s a relationship,” Turner says.

Of the composite decks, Turner says, “You’re going to get a more comfortable use out of it. You’re not going to have to stain it, or sand it, or replace boards, or have splintering when you walk on it. It’s definitely a desired product.”

Maintaining seawalls has a positive environmental impact. Unprotected land erodes at a rate of six inches a year. But riprap is not a one and done proposition, Turner says, and it must be maintained.

Every job is unique. “It’s not a cookie-cutter business. You’ve definitely got to go out on site and come up with a good schedule to make that job make sense.”

The companies that do the type of work on the lake have “a great vision,” to work with the natural environment and help the customer satisfy their vision, Turner says.

“It’s definitely some art and some vision and hard work, for sure.”

At the heart of Advantage Plus: building relationships and living a deep faith, Turner says.

“In everything under our umbrella and what we do at the farm, our values are to build relationships for the honor of Christ and to help our community while doing so.”

Shoreline Creations: Cutting edge building and consumer education

Shoreline Creations opened its doors in the spring of 2018, but Margaret Isom has been in the marine construction business for 16 years and has worked in commercial construction and in banking doing construction loans.

“I do have a lot of experience in the industry and understand the nuts and bolts about it,” Isom says.

She decided to open Shoreline Creations because “I wanted to take things further and do some of my own things with it,” she says. “I wanted to go in my own direction. It’s all been a giant learning experience.”

The firm offers a wide array of services and products and is the area’s exclusive dealer for SnapJacket.

“We pride ourselves on piers and boathouses and landings and boardwalks,” Isom says. “We’ve gotten into a lot of rock patios and firepits and dredging, seawalls of all types, stabilization of your bank, and boatlifts.”

The company carries Golden Boatlifts.

Lake residents are becoming more conscientious about maintenance, Isom says. The company also tries to bring its clients up to speed on cutting-edge construction methods and the options available to them on materials and maintenance.

“A large part of what we also do is education, because construction methods have changed,” Isom says. “It’s a wonderful time to explain to people the importance of maintenance for their future endeavors. We do pride ourselves on that. And because the economy is tight, cost is a concern.”

Meeting customer desires and safety are paramount, Isom says. Part of the company’s commitment is building Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant docks, walkways and the like for customers who want it.

“We want to provide what (customers) want, but we want them to be safe, and with good construction methods. Once you get that in place, you get that relationship in place to know what their needs and wants are and what they are anticipating.”

Weather and keeping crews are challenges.

At its heart, the business puts the customer first.

“We always do a site visit. We don’t just throw out numbers, or push generic boathouse plans, Isom says. “We do it with their specific needs in mind.”

Tradesman Company: New owners carry on proud tradition

For Tara and Danny Buchanan, the owners of Tradesman Dock Building Company, since buying it from founder Fred Casey in early 2022, the focus has been on carrying on the company’s commitment to excellence.

For them it’s not just about docks, boat lifts, composite materials, and pilings. Tradesman had built four docks for the Buchanans over the years and the couple – veterans of the homebuilding industry – told Casey if he ever wanted to sell, they were interested.

“It wasn’t a huge jump to go into the dock business,” Danny Buchanan says. “Although, it would be pretty intimidating if you didn’t have an extensive construction background as a licensed contractor.”

When the Buchanans bought their first Lake Logan Martin home, they inherited a “terrible” existing dock.

“We quickly realized the dock is your connection to the water,” Danny says. “We met with Tradesman, and it was a wonderful experience. Their longstanding reputation, dating back almost two decades, made choosing to work with them an easy decision.”

He adds, “Our dock actually changed our relationship with the lake. If you’ve got visitors and family and friends and the dock is terrible, you don’t feel safe and can’t have fun.”

Their new Tradesman dock transformed the lake experience, Tara says.

“It went from everybody spending time inside and bypassing the dock to get to the water to the new (Tradesman) dock becoming the central part of our entertaining. It made a huge difference. Everything was focused on the dock, instead of just being the walkway to the boat, it becomes your outdoor living area.

Tradesman does everything from minor dock repairs to full scale construction of docks and piers, demolition, boat lifts and seawalls. We are working toward building a team so everything can be completed in-house.

“We want to be a one-stop shop,” Tara says.

The company uses composite materials and PVC in its construction, providing a lower maintenance, environmentally friendlier option compared to traditional wood decking.

“We just have a commitment to quality,” Tara Buchanan says.

Danny agrees. “We weren’t looking to buy a dock company. But when Tradesman became available, it had such an excellent reputation as a market leader, it was like ‘Wow!’ Being a part of a company that had that history and reputation was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

He adds, “There are other dock companies out there, but Tradesman has the reputation for being the best. We have a vision for growth and are excited to take the company to the next level.”

Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours

Seeing things from a very different view

Story by Linda Long
Contributed photos

Sounds of a different sort fill downtown Gadsden streets these days.

The clip clop, clip clop of horseshoes against pavement, lend a staccato hoofbeat keeping a brisk pace this winter’s day.

Wheels on the jaunty orange-fringed carriage provide tickety-tick clicks on the hard surface. An occasional neigh and a whinny are appropriate sounds to take this scene straight to what could be another era.

It’s a scene that brings a smile to Gadsden businessman and former state Rep. Mack Butler’s face. He is the mover and shaker behind Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours, an idea which he says came to him as he toured other cities.

“In our travels, we love to visit historic cities, and we always take carriage rides if they’re available because you get such a unique perspective of the city, the ambience and the history. It’s just a passion of mine.”

He figured Gadsden would be a “perfect” city to offer such an attraction. “Here, we’ve got this unique history. We live in this beautiful historical town.”

Gadsden began in the 1840s as a stagecoach stop called Double Springs.

“Life was along the river. So, I kept reaching out to other people to try to get them to start this,” said Butler. “I kept on trying to get somebody else to do it.”

When there were no takers, Butler decided to take on the project himself. He reached out to friends, Emery and Emily Williamson, who run an animal farm in Cherokee County called Feathered Friends Cockatoo and Horse Sanctuary.

He asked if they would be interested in partnering with him and according to Butler, “they jumped at the chance. They have about 50 or 60 horses and know how to handle them. So, that’s how we got rolling. “

Butler is renovating a downtown building which he says is a perfect place to park carriages. “The Williamsons can trailer their horses here, hook them up, and we’re ready to tour.”

Perhaps the stars of the show are the four-legged critters who are often the main attraction, especially when children are passengers — Mr. Smack and Miss Betty.

“Mr. Smack is a horse from Amish country and Miss Betty is a mule,” he said.

They alternate pulling the carriage though Mr. Smack goes on most tours.

The carriage tour follows a route along Chestnut, Broad and Locust streets.

“We’ve done history tours and the carriage tours (and most recently Christmas tours), but the thing we get the most requests for is the ghost tour,” said Butler. “We pick you up and take you to as many spots as we can in 30 minutes, and we tell you the haunted history of Gadsden. We take you to what was originally the county jail and of course, there was the first execution there. That gentleman is rumored to haunt the building.”

Butler said the site of a Confederate hospital and cemetery are also on the tour. “The cemetery is said to be very haunted.”

Another stop, the Phoenix Hotel, was supposed to have been the site of “a grisly murder. I’ve had people tell me about the ghost they see there. We have a number of stops like that.”

There’s one building on the tour, he continued, that back in the 1800s used to be a hotel. Another, a house of ill repute and across the street was the medical clinic where they took care of the ladies of the evening.

“We have a very colorful past,” he added, “which makes for a great ghost tour as we offer these rides.”

Ghost Tour of Downtown Gadsden on Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours

Butler says he personally has never actually seen a ghost, “but I have talked to a number of people here in town that are well respected. They tell me they have actually seen ghosts in some of these buildings.”

According to Butler, the carriage rides complement what is already going on in downtown Gadsden. “We’re in total transformation now as the new administration (Mayor Craig Ford) is focusing on all the positive attributes we have that have not been utilized. There’s talk of creating green space and a new river walk. I’ve never before seen the spirit of cooperation we have right now between city and county and state. Everybody is holding hands and pushing in the same direction.”

Gadsden Economic Development Director John Moore agrees, saying the city is moving toward becoming “a destination spot, where visitors come to stay for a long weekend. That’s what we’re working on. The Falls (Noccalula Falls) gets 350 to 400 thousand visitors a year. We want to bring those visitors downtown. So, when people leave the Falls, they come right to the downtown area. They grab a a drink. They go out to eat. They shop at downtown shops on Broad Street, and then they go out and utilize the riverfront development,” which he said will include a boutique hotel.

“We’ve got amazing hiking trails. We’ve got rock climbing. We’ve got mountain biking, pretty much anything you want when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts,” Moore said. “So, I think you’re going to be seeing more people coming to Gadsden to enjoy those types of things, and the carriage rides are just something that’s going to entice more people to come into downtown.

“The Mayor and I did the carriage ride for Halloween. To go through Gadsden and get told some ghost stories and some stories of the different buildings in the city was pretty cool. They also had a Headless Horseman that chased you down Chestnut Street. I thought that was great,” Moore said.

“We never did see a ghost,” he laughed, “but I think you might see one next year. They’ve got some plans coming up.”

Plans call not only for the ghost tour, but across the board. According to Butler, “Looking to the future, we’re thinking maybe about Valentine’s and Valentine tours. Or a tour where we shuttle you out to dinner. Or maybe tours associated with prom season.”

The number of carriages and horses they have “is still to be determined based on demand. Of course, we’ll be willing to step up our game if the demand is there. Right now, it’s just a community that’s been booking the tours but down the road, with the new hotel and its rooftop bar and all kinds of neat stuff, I see Gadsden becoming like a Franklin,Tennessee, a town where they have festivals all the time and a lot of trendy shops and eateries.”

Editor’s Note: Tours are all weather dependent. Cost is $25 per person for a 30-minute ride. The carriages hold four people.

Rotary run a success story

Photos by Kathy Burke

On a misty Saturday morning, just after daylight tried its hardest to peek through a solidly overcast sky, Lakeside Park was just awakening.

The gates opened, and volunteers scurried about, preparing for the big event. Tents went up. Swag bags, Tshirts, runner bibs and a host of ‘must haves’ for a 5K run were readied. Sound system? Check. Runner check-in apps? Downloaded. Volunteers in their positions? Ready.

And at 8 a.m. on Dec. 9, runners from throughout the region took off to make history in the inaugural Pell City Rotary 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk to benefit the St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch.

From the starting point to the finish line, the event evolved as a true success story, raising over $50,000 to help build a new home at the Boys Ranch and bringing a community together for a common cause. Santa was there, much to the delight of smaller runners, walkers and spectators, and the event is well on its way to becoming a Christmas tradition for Pell City Rotary Club, a leading civic service organization.

“Since I became president of the Pell City Rotary Club, it has been my goal to lead the club in serving the community,” said Serge Brazzolotto. “I wanted to create a new event that would be close to Christmas and that would involve the entire family from infants to grandparents.” A 5K run/1-mile fun walk was a perfect fit.

After hearing a presentation from Michael Smith, the executive director of the Sherrif’s Boys Ranch, about the need for a new house to be built, “I talked to our Board of Directors and Service Club Committee Chair Bill Ellison about the idea, and everyone said, “let’s go for it,” Brazzolotto said.

“Our only problem was that none of us had experience to prepare for such an event,” he added. “I told myself a few times, ‘don’t fool yourself, it won’t happen.’ We had only three months to get all this done.”

Ellison put a 5K team together, and they were – pardon the pun – off to the races. “That team worked tirelessly for three months, day and night, even weekends to get everything together, to get sponsors, social media advertisement and registration and much more,” Brazzolotto said.

The team – Gay Blackwell, Kelly Furgerson, Melanie Housh, Kathy Burke, Jaxon Phillips and Casey Cambron –were determined to not only meet the goal, but exceed it. And they did. Because of the effort of all involved, he said, the Boys Ranch will now be able to build its third home for youths.

“Teamwork makes the dreams work,” Ellison said. “I picked people with unique and diversified talent to serve on the 5K committee. They all showed strength, wisdom, courage, commitment, passion and focus throughout the planning, fundraising and day of the event.”

Brazzolotto agreed. “I don’t have the words to thank all who have made this event possible and be such a success – the Rotary 5 K team, the Rotary Club members, the sheriff’s department, the police department, the fire department, Pell City Park and Recreation, Partners by Design, The City of Pell City, all the participants and especially, all who have made donations and sponsored this event and fundraising.”

It was all done in service to the community, in keeping with its motto, “Service Above Self.”

“All Pell City Rotary members enjoy giving back through community service to the community that has been so good to them,” Ellison said. “We’re already planning for next year.”

For more images and news about the event, check out the Pell City Rotary website.

On the Water: Boat Preview 2024

Though the weather is still cold outside, it is already time to start thinking about the lake season across Alabama. Boat manufacturers are already starting to promote their most popular models, and local marinas and dealers have stepped up to showcase exactly what we can expect to see for sale in the coming months.

Falcon F215 Bassboat

The F215 has been redesigned for the 2024 year with specific attention paid to the width of the bow area, and Buck’s Island will be the only dealer in the region selling the new model. The F215 is truly a dream to fish out of. Featuring some of the largest overall deck space in the industry, the F215 will allow you and a partner to fish in space and make your co-angler smile all day. Like their other models, the F215 features Falcon’s signature forward-opening front rod boxes with an ample front storage separated by two lids. The ride and overall comfort of this boat is second to none, with plenty of performance to get you there in comfort.

Barletta Lusso

One of the top-tier pontoon boats from Lusso, the Barletta brings it all to the water – luxury, speed, comfort and fun. Designed with you, and your on-water experience, in mind, the Barletta Lusso models offer something for everyone. A classic and stylish rail-set, ultra-soft and ultra-comfortable furniture, a sleek helm loaded with technology and leg room, pet-friendly amenities … the list goes on and on. And with a variety of deck layouts, you can find the perfect boat for you. Rambo Marine in Westover can help you pick out the Lusso model – and other Barletta boats – to fit your needs.

Bass Cat Caracal STS

In line with the growing trend in wide-body bass boats, Bass Cat has stepped up their game with the Caracal STS. They employed a wide-body flow of the existing Caracal while stretching the platform into the newest STS (Soft Touch Series) hull design. What you now have is a 96-inch-wide machine, redesigned inside and out, destined to overachieve in all aspects when compared to other 20-foot bass boats in this class. The model name stretches back decades, and this one in particular will leave a profound mark in the Caracal lineage. Like the Falcon, you can find the Bass Cat at Buck’s Island.

Excel Bay Pro Elite 220

In the fishing world, center-console boats hold a special place, and Excel Boats offers exceptional boats, especially in the Bay Pro lineup. The Pro Elite has the widest deck in their lineup. From top to bottom, customers pick Excel because they pay attention to detail. Every detail, from paint quality, welds, heavy-duty seat vinyl, fiberglass console, non-slip floor and more are what you would expect from an Excel. The all-new console has everything and it is where it should be. The dash will accommodate up to a 12-inch fish finder/nav unit. It has room for a 3-inch Bluetooth radio and extra accessory switches, and the new compact gauge set is arranged perfectly. Rodney’s Marine in Cropwell is the place to go to grab one of these fantastic fishing boats.

Nitro Z20 Pro

The NITRO Z20 Pro gives you a host of the most popular high-performance upgrade options at an incredible value. The brain of this fish-catching powerhouse is two new Lowrance HDS LIVE fishfinders networked together—and to a new Lowrance Ghost trolling motor, giving you the power to find fish and stay on them while the competition is still searching.

The basis of the Z20 is Nitro’s NVT hull—a design that uses a series of parabolic curves instead of traditional strakes, resulting in a hull that’s faster, gives more lift while on plane and improves handling. The Z-CORE seating system with Force Flex suspension and contoured frame, designed in collaboration with Kevin VanDam, gives you the most comfortable ride in Nitro’s history. To check out the Z20 Pro, visit Sylacauga Marine & ATV.

Tahoe T21

Another great boat at Sylacauga Marine is the Tahoe T21. A classic multi-use bowrider, this boat promises loads of fun on the lake. Step into the Tahoe T21 and be amazed. Feel the stability, the power, the smooth coursing of its POWERGLIDE hull with HYDROSTEP strakes as you and up to 10 companions fly across the waves. Note the operational ease and efficiency of its TAHOE CRUISE digital dashboard and switch panel; crank up the KICKER stereo with Bluetooth technology. Need some splash time? Tahoe has got you covered, with a removable ski tow pylon, anchor locker, aft swim platforms and telescoping boarding ladder. And of course, you’ll find smart storage galore.

Sylvan X3 CLZ DH

Combining comfort and handling, the Sylvan Mirage line of pontoon boats is a great option if flexibility is what you are looking for. Featured at Skier’s Marine in Westover, the X3 CLZ DH, this pontoon is a great buy. With its long list of standard features – including Sylvan’s exclusive SPX PR20/25 Performance Package, Performance Shield, low-profile sport console, black anodized rails and deck trim, hydraulic steering, docking lights, a third tube and more – the Mirage X Series is one of the most family-friendly options on the water.

Sunchaser Eclipse

Featuring some of the more affordable pontoons on the market, Sunchaser gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Its plush interior, upgraded upholstery and executive helm station elevated on a raised platform for an enhanced sightline are only the beginning of what set Eclipse apart. Premium standard features like extended stern platforms and full-height panels, high back helm chairs that swivel, slide and recline, X-Treme Performance Strakes and third tube technology put Eclipse in a class of its own. For the latest from Sunchaser, visit University Marine in Pell City.

Starcraft SLS

Another great pontoon boat for the value is the Starcraft SLS series. Starcraft pontoon boat innovation continues with the SLS, featuring HMX tubes. With strategically placed strakes, HMX tubes give you better lift, less surface drag, increased speed, faster planing and a tighter turning radius. In short, it’s one exciting ride. Like most of the pontoon platforms these days, the SLS comes in a number of different seating and floor plans. To find the perfect fit for you, check out the Starcraft SLS at Rodney’s Marine in Cropwell.

Yamaha AR Series

If you are looking for boats tailored to the wakeboarding and other tow-behind excitement, Yamaha put together some great packages with its AR series of boats. Available in several different lengths, the Yamaha AR’s have a distinctive styling that will stand out on the water and have a number of affordable setups that won’t break the bank. They come with additional storage and other features that make these wake boats much more versatile than many similar tow-oriented watercraft. Rambo Marine has a variety of AR series boats ready for customers to come see.

Mastercraft XT23

One of the biggest names in tow-behind boats, Mastercraft does not disappoint with its XT23. Another boat featured at Skier’s Marine, the Mastercraft XT23 is a 23’4”-long bowrider with a beam of 8.5 feet. It can seat 16 people and has a draft of 0.76 meters. The XT23 can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. MasterCraft’s SurfStar system truly shines on the XT23 as it can pump out the friendliest waves for kids or deliver waves for pros with maximum height, pop, and length. Inside the boat, the XT23 boasts unrivaled ergonomic comfort, ample storage, and the renowned MasterCraft fit-and-finish.

Avalon Catalina

With a focus on style and a huge range of premium features, Avalon has created some truly remarkable boats with its Catalina line. The Catalina is a stylish and sophisticated mid–range offering that turns heads and quickens pulses. Its DNA includes the same construction, quality and style found in Avalon’s master collection boats; this model is equipped with core features and then can be personalized with as few or as many additional features as you like. This amazing pontoon is available in eleven different layouts. Poor House Branch Marina on Stemley Road in Talladega has a number of Catalinas in stock ready for customers.

Coach RFC

Coach Pontoons’ top seller is its RFC line, and for good reason. Billed as the SUV of the Coach lineup, the RFC pontoons are a solid combination of flexibility and performance. RFC layout maximizes seating and lounging with its perimeter furniture layout. This open layout is perfect for small and large groups. No one gets stuck in a corner seat and ample room for all your toys with underseat storage. Extended rear swim platform and easy-access stainless steel retractable ladder provide great rear access to and from the water, and the ski tow bar is designed for added strength for your watersports needs. You can find your RFC at Poor House Branch Marina.

Bennington 22 SSR

Bennington continues its tradition of creating striking pontoons with the 2024 22 SSR line of tritoons. The line comes with a large variety of design styles, including narrow beam widths. The Quad Bench configuration maximizes storage, seating capacity and lounge space. Many floor plans feature a sleek Fastback stern with speakers that extend your entertainment space. Features include options like bamboo vinyl flooring, stainless-steel-rimmed cup holders and custom gauge cluster designs with zebrawood accents. Visit Woods Surfside Marina in Cropwell to check out the new model year.

Bennington 24 LXSBA

If you are looking for a premium tritoon, the Bennington 24 LXSBA, also available at Woods Surfside, should top your list. There’s a timeless charm found within the LX Model boats, a blending of superb craftmanship, rugged build quality and premium finishes that are familiar, yet distinctly a cut-above. When you step up to the LX Model of boats from Bennington, you’re automatically enrolled into their premium features club: extras like the voyager helm with locking glove box and 12v and USB charging station, vinyl-wrapped bench bases and larger, bolder side Bennington emblems. And the swingback design, introduced several years ago, allows users to face forward or backward depending on the position of the backrest.

Honda BF350 Outboard

Regardless of what kind of boat you have on the water, matching the right engine to your watercraft is a must. New for this year from Honda is the powerful V8 BF350. University Marine is one of several regional dealers that specializes in Honda motors and points to the BF350 as a top contender. The all-new Honda BF350 V8 is truly a landmark achievement: Honda’s first-ever production V8 engine for use on either land or water. Designed to meet the needs of today’s families who want larger boats and the ability to journey farther from shore, the Honda BF350 was created to deliver maximum power with impressive fuel efficiency.

EZ Dock

With all the different varieties of personal watercraft on the market, EZ Dock has PWC storage solutions to fit them all. River’s Edge Marina in Cropwell, which also specializes in boat rentals and is home to the Tiki Hut, is one of the top local EZ Dock dealers in the region. Designed both for saltwater and freshwater applications, their PWC ports’ self-adjusting designs make loading and unloading effortless, no matter what type of waterfront on which your home or business is located. EZ Ports are the perfect solution for those looking for an easy-to-access, drive-on port to keep their PWC high and dry.

New beginnings all across the lakes

I love happy endings. New beginnings are even better. That’s the way I felt just before Christmas as I left the inaugural Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk at Lakeside Park.

Rotarians had just closed the chapter on the first ever run, and yes, it was quite the happy ending – more than $50,000 raised to build a new home at the St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. But more than that, it was well on its way to beginning a new Christmas tradition around these parts – Rotary raising money for a good cause and putting on a spectacular family event all at the same time.

As we head into this new year of ours, it is with that kind of hope and optimism about new beginnings that we encourage others to share as they, too, build better communities all around us.

In Lincoln, we see new life coming to Logan Martin Lake, drawing major fishing and now drag boat racing events to Lincoln’s Landing.

Gadsden continues to amaze us with all it has to offer – from downtown’s resurgence as a destination point thanks to efforts by Downtown Gadsden Inc., to the Venue at Coosa Landing’s draw for all kinds of popular shows and events, like the Fly Fishing Expo and the Alabama Fishing Show.

Now, horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district only add to the allure.

A new year also marks the beginning of a forward look to ‘lake season,’ and that means new boats with all the latest amenities. That’s why we designate January as our Boat Show Edition each year, giving our readers and water enthusiasts a sneak peek at the new year’s new beginnings on our lakes and what’s in store for 2024.

We’ve added docks and boathouses to the preview this year, giving our builders an opportunity to tell their own stories of life on the lake while giving lakeside homeowners a chance to plan their next project.

There’s an old saying about looking back before you can look forward, and that brings us to our historic piece, Remember When. In this edition, we talk with the folks at General Lee Marina, one of the first to make their livelihood on Logan Martin just after the lake was created.

The nostalgic look back gives us a sense of the community that treasure today – neighbors looking out for one another, sharing a common bond of a passion for the water in work and play.

And while you’re here, might as well try your luck at fishing. That’s where our champion bass pro angler Zeke Gossett comes in. From his vantage point, you’ll learn the tips and tricks of the trade for catching the Coosa.

It’s all here and more in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. Turn the page and discover it all with us.

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Storms, Sports and Sunsets

The fine art of drone photography

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Richard Rybka,
David Smith, Joe Paul Abbott, Mike Callahan and Heath Lollar

If you live on or near Logan Martin Lake or Neely Henry, you know that both offer endless opportunities for breathtaking pictures. Whether you’re shooting a closeup of one of our hundreds of bird species, an awe-inspiring sunrise or yet another breathtaking sunset, we live in a place rich in photographic potential. Getting that perfect picture is an art form.

There are a few local photographers who have taken it a huge leap above for a different perspective. They have received acclaim for their photography in and around the lake and beyond. They are producing comprehensive coverage of sports programs. They are chasing storms to help forecast and cover weather events. They’re bringing smiles to our faces with a different perspective of those amazing sunrises and literal birds-eye views of our local wildlife. And they’re doing it from 400 feet in the air.

Pioneering drone photography

David Smith is a certified pilot and a professional drone operator. Because he was already a pilot, he was among the few who could fly a drone commercially before 2016, when the rules regarding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reevaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After that, extensive training was required to be a licensed drone operator, but not to the extent of full pilot certification.

Smith grew up loving radio-controlled planes and had been flying them since he was 15 years old. From RC planes, he graduated to the latest when drones became available beyond their military origins. The first mass-market drone was the DJI Phantom, hitting the market in 2013. “When drones were brand new, I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to take photos and videos.” His DJI Mavic 3 Cine is just one of seven he currently owns.

Until very recently, Smith worked for ESPN’s College GameDay and Baseball Tonight on the Road as a drone videographer. He was the network’s first drone pilot, retiring just this fall. His drone footage added visual interest to the shots of the set and showed crowds of students at the highlighted university. He also shot additional footage around campus that the directors used before going to commercial breaks.

Smith’s impressive resume also includes serving as chief drone pilot for the 2020 World Games held in Birmingham. “It was a truly incredible experience,” says Smith. “My video was seen all over the world. As chief pilot, I was the only one flying live. Other pilots shot extra video to add to the live broadcast.”

That experience ended up leading to being a part of a search and rescue closer to home. On the way home from shooting some early footage for the World Games, he followed some first responders to the area of Logan Martin Dam. He had all his equipment in the car from the day’s work, so he offered to assist the New London Volunteer Fire Department in their search for a missing woman lost while canoeing.

“I put my drone into the area and flew around. I was able to locate her and to let them know where she was and that she was still alive,” Smith said. “The chief was amazed at how quickly she was located with the drone. They didn’t even have to put their rescue boat in the water.”

These days, Smith is enjoying time with his family. “I used to be gone most of football season,” he says smiling. “Now I have time to pursue some other things.” One thing that is bringing him joy is sharing the love of drone flying with his grandson, 11-year-old Calvin. “We fly almost daily. He’s kicking my … well, I can’t keep up with him.” (Editor’s Note: For more on Dave Smith, see sidebar.)

Taking photography to new heights: Mike Callahan

Mike Callahan says fun is what keeps him flying his drone. Every session he has with his drone is the best, he says. “I keep it under 400 feet, but at that height, what you see is from a totally new perspective,” says the Pell City native. He’d been a photographer for many years before deciding to add a drone to his options.

His specialty is nature shots like waterfalls, mountains and wildlife. He enjoys taking his DJI Mini3 Pro into the Talladega National Forest and around Logan Martin Lake. One of his favorite shots is an amazing up-close view of an eagle sitting in its nest.

“You have to be careful with drones around wildlife,” Callahan quickly adds. “I was attacked by an Osprey once and lost my drone. Ospreys are very aggressive.”

He takes that cautionary tale to heart in his work these days. There are guidelines for keeping safe and there are hard and fast rules dictated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specific to drone piloting under their Part 107 certification. Among those very strict requirements is that pilots cannot fly their drones above 400 feet and they cannot fly over people without a special waiver.

While flying, he is also required to always have his drone in his sight.

Flying over open water to capture beautiful sunrises and sunsets is the specialty of Joe Paul Abbott, another of Logan Martin’s drone photographers. His work is seen frequently on the Love Logan Martin Lake Facebook page. He gets up every day at 4:30 to be sure he gets his DJI Mavic Air 2S ready to start shooting from the back deck of his Cropwell home before the sun gets above the horizon. At other times, he’ll take the boat out and have the drone tracking him and grab action shots around the lake using his remote monitor.

A different perspective: Joe Paul Abbott

Abbott picked up photography in the late ‘90s after the birth of his first son with the goal of learning to shoot better family photos. Eventually, he upgraded to digital format, but soon tired of that, too. “I’m a gadget guy,” he admits. “When drones came out, I couldn’t wait. My wife got me my first one.”

He’s been able to use his drone in his work as an independent insurance agent, recalling times when he needed to inspect a house for fire, storm or other damage, but was limited due to an aggressive dog or other challenge. On those occasions, he uses his drone to fly over those challenges.

“When I shoot from my drone, I become 400 feet tall with a wide-angle lens,” Abbott laughs. “You definitely see things up at that height you just don’t see from the ground.” Even local weatherman James Spann is a fan and has aired many of Abbott’s shots on the weather segment of the local news.

Eye on the storm: Heath Lollar

Severe weather is what drove professional storm chaser and drone pilot Heath Lollar into his business. The 2003 Pell City High School graduate was working in graphic design several years after graduation. A customer asked him to work on the design for a truck wrap. They worked together on a couple of jobs for the truck and started talking.

The customer was storm tracker and meteorologist Brett Adair, and the two began sharing their love of all things weather. Adair promised to take him storm chasing, and Lollar has been hooked ever since.

Lollar’s enthusiasm and natural abilities landed him a job as an in-truck videographer and mobile mechanic for Adair’s company, Live Storms Media. He worked with Adair for almost two years before sending a drone into a storm.

“People wondered if drones could handle the winds,” said Lollar. “Turns out, they can. We can take a drone up and look at the wind patterns in the trees. We can tilt it up and time lapse and focus on what the elements of the clouds are doing that we could never see from the ground.” He hasn’t lost a drone to the winds yet, but he knows a pilot who has already lost four drones doing storm work.

Just this year, on Jan. 12, Lollar captured drone video of his first tornado. “We were set up in Old Kingston, Alabama,” recalls Lollar. “That one was an EF3 that ripped an 82-mile path through Selma and Autauga County. It was bad. There were three fatalities where we were, but seven over the path of the storm.” He describes the video he took of trees twisting together and being sucked up into the air. “After we watched it cross the road, it started throwing trees, houses and cars across the field.”

Drones are essential tools for assessing the damage following a storm, but they can also be used to assist in early search and rescue efforts. Drone pilots can help find safe ways for emergency personnel to get to victims. The information that can be gathered during storms from the heights drones can go is invaluable to forecasters in alerting people to what the storm is doing and where it might go next.

Drones also give GPS placement of the storm and play a crucial role in assessing the accurate path the tornado took.

While Lollar enjoys working for the Emmy-nominated team at Live Storms Media, he doesn’t do it for the kudos. He is genuinely concerned for the people who face these storms and wants to do what he can to help.

When he is in town and there is a storm on Logan Martin Lake, where he lives, he immediately sends out his drone to take video to warn lake residents. You can see his posts on Facebook’s Love Logan Martin Lake page.

Lake life is indeed better thanks to our drone photographers who readily share their photographic finesse from 400 feet and below.

Nothing to chance

David Smith’s mantra to successful drone photography

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Richard Rybka
and David Smith

Dave Smith doesn’t believe in chance, in fact, his favorite saying is “Nothing by chance.” A man of faith, he believes there is a far greater purpose for everything that happens. That’s why, when he was laid off from his job this fall, he took it in stride and chose to count his blessings and focus on the “ride of a lifetime” he has been on.

If you watch football, specifically College GameDay on ESPN, you’ve likely seen some of Dave Smith’s drone work. BamaDave, as he is known, tells of getting the call to help the show by setting up satellite equipment at Legion Field for the Alabama versus Tennessee game in 1995.

“That one weekend of work ended up working out so well that they asked me to stay on with them and travel all over doing the show as a videographer,” says Smith. “Lee Corso gave me the name. When we first met before that game, he asked me where I was from and when I told him, he said ‘Nice to meet you, BamaDave.’ It stuck.”

It was over 20 years later that the show started incorporating drone photography. “In March of 2017, I got a call from the network’s senior vice president, asking if I wanted to be a pioneer for ESPN, if I wanted to be their first drone pilot,” tells Smith. “I thought about it for all of five seconds before saying yes!”

Since then, he has spent countless hours traveling to College GameDay host universities, shooting campus footage and adding to the show itself. He was the first crew member to have a child enrolled in the school where the show was being hosted (at Auburn University).

He has also worked on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight on the Road. Between the two shows, he’s been a part of 401 shows and has won several Emmy awards. He’s met hundreds of celebrities, from within the sports world and beyond.

Of all the celebrities he’s met, his most cherished meeting was with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “What started as a weekend gig turned into a lifetime of memories,” Smith says with a smile.

During this year’s Alabama vs. Texas game, College GameDay was in Tuscaloosa, and he was invited back to say his farewells to the crew. “They had a cake for me, and we all sat around and shared stories and a few tears,” he said.

Smith is forever grateful for his wife, Renee’s, support and looks forward to spending more time with his family. He grins as he talks about getting to enjoy doing more woodwork and exploring other hobbies, adding, “Now it’s time to ride off into the sunset and make more memories!”

In the kitchen with the Nelsons and McLaughlins

Food, family, fun always on the menu

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free

There are a few givens whenever the Nelson/McLaughlin family gets together, often gathering at Logan Martin Lake. First, there’s gonna be food – and lots of it. Second, laid-back, casual fun is always on the agenda. And third, they’re going to blow the myth that “too many cooks spoil the broth” (or the sauce, in the case of this close-knit Italian family) right out of the water.

For this crew, a great celebration means all hands on deck, whether it’s in the kitchen, out by the grill, or wherever the magic is happening. “We’re a big Italian family, and we all grew up cooking,” said Nicole Nelson McLaughlin. “Nobody shows up empty-handed.”

Cooking whole hogs is a great way to feed a crowd.

Everyone has his or her own specialty, but while they all may be professional grade cooks, Nicole is the only one who made a profession out of cooking. The culinary producer for Allrecipes.com, she stars in the Get Cookin’ video series, demonstrating cooking techniques and sharing food tips and recipes with her ever-growing group of followers.

Recently, her job took her to New York City and the Today show, where she cooked up some favorites with hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. Her hope is that more families will discover the joys of cooking – and eating – together. “Every memory we have centers around food,” she said. I don’t understand people who eat to live because we definitely live to eat.”

Food isn’t the only thing that evokes memories for the family. Nicole and her brothers, Freddie and Mark Nelson, spent an enormous part of their childhood at the Logan Martin Lake home in Mays Bend that their parents, Fred and Gloria, still own. About three years ago, Freddie and his wife, Leigh Ann, bought a house in Pine Harbor, and other family members also have homes on the lake. That’s why, more often than not, a family gathering includes a beautiful view of the water.

“I’d rather be here than anywhere else,” Freddie said. “I grew up on this lake. Boating, skiing, fishing. We love everything about it.”

They especially love entertaining. He and Leigh Ann recently hosted a pre-wedding celebration for her brother, Alec Priola, and his fiancé, Mary Katherine Barrett. Freddie cooked up a big pot of jambalaya, family and friends played Bucket Golf on the lawn, and the guests enjoyed music and the beautiful backdrop the lake provides. “We do a lot of outdoor cooking,” Freddie said. “We love getting out the propane cooker for crawfish boils or jambalaya, and nary a weekend goes by without firing up the Big Green Egg or pit grill at the water’s edge. Life’s just simpler here.”

Get Cookin’ with Nicole

Although she’s always enjoyed cooking, Nicole decided to take things to the next level when she went to The University of Alabama to pursue a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hospitality management. “The Food Network was getting big about the time I was going to college, and it just looked so glamorous,” said Nicole, who lives in Hoover with her husband, Thomas, and three children.

After college, she earned a culinary degree from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston. “I always wanted to be a chef, but I didn’t want to work nights, weekends and holidays,” she said with a laugh. “That wasn’t really going to work.”

Instead, she started freelancing as a food stylist and helping with photo shoots for various magazines. “One thing led to another, and now I’m making videos,” said Nicole, who works at the Birmingham office of Dotdash Meredith, the country’s largest digital and print publisher. In addition to Allrecipes, Dotdash Meredith is the parent company for brands such as Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, People, and Entertainment Weekly.

“I started doing hands-only videos, and I was OK with that because only my hands showed,” she said. “I eventually got on-screen because my boss, who knows me well, wanted to give me a challenge. Gradually, I built a following.”

In the Get Cookin’ videos, she helps viewers unlock the mysteries of everything from grilling the perfect kabobs, to making an easy breakfast casserole, Beef Bourguignon, no-bake cheesecake or lemon squares. “My point of view is about budget and a very realistic approach to cooking,” she said. “I think people would say I take the intimidation out of cooking.”

Developing recipes is one of her favorite parts of the job because she gets to be creative. She’s a big fan of one-pot dishes because they serve a lot of people, and cleanup is easy. “I like cooking anything savory, and I love the ease of one-pot dinners and the way the flavors build upon each other,” she said.

The secret’s in the sauce – and the sausage

Nicole also likes to share some of her family’s favorite Italian recipes, including sugo, which is Italian for “sauce.” Some people call it Sunday sauce, while others say Sunday gravy, but regardless of the name, “if you come to our houses on Sunday, this is what you’re going to smell,” Nicole said. “We all make our own version, and none of it tastes the same even though we use the same ingredients.”

One thing that remains a constant, though, is that they always use Arnone’s Italian Sausage. Available at most Birmingham-area Piggly Wiggly stores, it’s made from the recipe their grandfather, Anthony Arnone, perfected.

“He was the head butcher at the Piggly Wiggly in Midfield, and he would bring home the trimmings and made his own sausage,” Nicole said, adding that the sausage was eventually sold at the store. Before he passed away, Anthony gave the recipe to his son and sons-in-law, who made batches at Christmas for family and friends. Eventually, they brought it back to the retail market, and now “it’s a staple in our recipes,” Nicole said.

Better at the lake

Another staple for the family is a love for Logan Martin Lake. Freddie said his parents bought the Mays Bend home in the early 1980s, and he and Nicole agree it’s been a preferred gathering spot ever since. “It’s my favorite place,” Nicole said. “There are fewer distractions, and you spend the entire day – from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed – outside.”

Now that they’re all grown, Freddie, Nicole and Mark want the same experience for their families. That’s why they all head for the water whenever possible, even though they already spend lots of time together. Mark and his wife, Erin, and their two kids live in Hoover, not far from Nicole and her family. Freddie and Mark work with their father and two cousins at Nelson Glass, the family business started by Fred and his brother-in-law, Frank Dickinson.

Although they enjoy getting together wherever they can, the family knows that life is always better at the lake. That’s because the focus is on simple pleasures like good food, good company and good fun.

The shrimp is the final addition to Freddie’s jambalaya

“We all have our roles, but Mark’s in charge of entertainment,” Nicole said. “We call him Funcle Mark because he’s the fun uncle. He takes the kids on the boat and takes them tubing all the time. We all want our kids to have the same kind of memories that we do.”

Freddie said he and Leigh Ann love lake life so much, they decided to look for a place of their own about three years ago since their boys love being on the water and fishing. After hearing about the 3-bedroom, 2-bath home from Leigh Ann’s sister and her husband, who also live on the lake, they decided to take a look.

“We pulled up in the boat one Monday, and I didn’t even have to see the inside of the house. I saw all this,” he said, gesturing at the lawn and outdoor living space the lot with 160 feet of waterfront offers. “I knew this was where we wanted to be.”

Now they come pretty much every weekend and spend as much time at the lake all year long as possible. “As soon as we pull up in the driveway, any stress from the week goes away.” Freddie said. “Immediately, I can breathe. I even love coming and just doing yard work or tinkering on our boats or around the house. It’s not work with this view.”

The home has also become one of their favorite places to entertain, and more often than not, Freddie takes on the cooking. “He probably cooks more than I do, and I cook for a living,” Nicole said.

Leigh Ann said she’s happy to turn it over to him. “Before we got married, I would have my friends over a lot, but I have to use my tried-and-true recipes and follow them exactly. Freddie just has a way of making it better,” she said. “He can take whatever’s in the kitchen and make something amazing.”

Freddie said he loves to grill, as well. Ribs and chicken wings are favorites, as are Boston Butts, Cornish game hens, and brisket. They’ve cooked whole hogs and hosted an oyster roast, too.

In addition to wonderful food, Freddie can provide the perfect playlist of music and often the perfect cocktail to accompany the meal, according to Leigh Ann.

“He makes it an experience,” she said. “I was at a Pampered Chef party, and they asked us to describe ourselves in the kitchen in one or two words. Sous-chef instantly came to me. I love being his backup.”

Family time

Although Leigh Ann said the family has been known to fight over who gets to host a particular celebration, the most important thing is that the family is together. That’s 15 people when it’s just the siblings, their parents, spouses and kids. For larger events like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the number can grow to 45 people or more.

“Everyone makes something, and we always have two or three appetizers – the meal before the meal,” Nicole said. “Then we have the huge meal and dessert. We like to stretch it out and make everything an event.”

Most events become traditions. “My husband is from South Carolina, and they have low country oyster roasts every winter,” Nicole said. “Now we have one every year at the lake. My mom started it about 15 years ago, and we’ve had it ever since.”

Whatever the occasion, laughter and love are sure to be on the menu. “My son recently had a birthday, and he called his grandmother and said, “I want dinner to be at your house, and I want pasta and meatballs and banana pudding,” Leigh Ann said.

“We had everyone all together for the first time in a while, and when I say ‘a while,’ it had only been about a month,” she said. “We were laughing and having fun, and I thought to myself, ‘There is nowhere on earth I would rather be than right here.’ ”

Italian Sunday Sauce

From Nicole McLaughlin, Allrecipes

Ingredients:

2 pounds pork neck bones
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ¼ pounds Italian sausage links
1 ½ cups finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (12 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
7 cups water
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
· 12 large cooked meatballs (recipe below)

Directions:
Sprinkle neck bones on all sides with salt and pepper.
Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place neck bones in the pot and cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate. Add sausage links to the drippings and brown for 3 minutes on each side, adding remaining oil as needed. Set aside with the pork. Add onion to the drippings and season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato puree and crushed tomatoes, then add water and sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add bay leaf. Rub basil and oregano between your fingers to release the aroma and add to the sauce. Slice sausages into large chunks and return to the pot with the neck bones. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 hours. Remove neck bones and bay leaf. Remove any meat remaining on the bones, shred, and return to the sauce.

Best Easy Meatballs

From Nicole McLaughlin, Allrecipes

Ingredients:

cooking spray
⅓ cup minced onion
⅓ cup Italian bread crumbs
⅓ cup half-and-half
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 ¼ pounds ground round beef
½ pound ground Italian sausage
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray foil lightly with cooking spray. Combine onion, bread crumbs, half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, eggs, egg yolk, garlic, basil, parsley, and oregano in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Add ground round and sausage and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Mix well until just combined. Dampen hands with water and form mixture into 18 golf ball-sized meatballs. Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a large pot and add marinara sauce. Simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours before serving.

Pine Harbor Jambalaya

(feeds a crowd)

From Freddie Nelson

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken thighs, cut into large pieces
2 pounds andouille sausage, cut into small pieces
1 pound alligator & pork sausage, cut into small pieces (find at seafood or butcher shops or use pork sausage)
1 pound smoked ham, cut into small pieces
4 white onions, chopped
3 green bell peppers, chopped
1 head celery, chopped
1 1/2 heads garlic, chopped
1 (23-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (28-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
5-6 bay leaves
4 quarts chicken broth or stock
4 pounds jasmine rice
2 bunches flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3 bunches scallions, chopped
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3-5 tablespoons Cajun Two-Step Seasoning (or other Cajun or Creole seasoning,) divided
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Hot sauce to taste
2 pounds peeled Gulf shrimp
Additonal chopped scallions for garnish

Directions:

Cook in a 5-gallon pot. Brown sausages and ham. Remove from pot. Lightly season chicken with Cajun seasoning. Brown and remove from pan. Sauté all vegetables for 5 to 10 minutes until softened. Season with salt to taste. Add broth or stock and bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients except rice and shrimp. Add meat back to pot. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Add rice and stir for several minutes. Cover and simmer until rice is tender. Lightly season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and add to pot for final 5 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve.