Rodney’s Marine on Logan Martin carries the stunning SilverWave line of boats. SilverWave’s semi-custom line of pontoon boats make finding your perfect boat a breeze. Select from a number of layouts and top off your new pontoon with an exciting array of optional features and hit the water in total comfort and style.
Their swingback is particularly popular this year. The knock-out feature of this model is the large lounge aft. It is a great spot to catch the rays and keep a watchful eye on your water skiers. When you are ready to go, the flip backrest converts this into a forward-facing seat.
Their boats come loaded with everything you need to enjoy a fun day on the water with family and friends. Garmin GPS, a rocking Wet Sounds stereo system complete with color-changing LED speakers, cupholders, table, bimini, vanity mirror, dedicated trash can compartment and more.
University Marine is expecting their Manitou line to be a hit this year. The Manitou XT is their luxury line of boats. The XT’s bold, contemporary looks redefine what is expected of a pontoon boat. A true luxury vessel with everything you need for an exceptional experience, it also has an enviable turn of speed.
With joystick control, painted fiberglass walls, and soft vinyl seating, you get a high-class boating adventure that’s pretty hard to beat. Their LX Sport Model is also a thing of beauty. Boasting stunning looks and delivering amazing performance, the new LX handles like nothing else on the water. It carves and banks like a runabout and treats everyone onboard to a thrilling ride – the perfect sport pontoon boat.
For people looking for a general recreational boat, load up days with great times with the well-equipped Oasis. Along with their signature quality and construction, multifunctional rear seats and multiple cup holders, you’ll experience a surprising number of standard features at a budget-pleasing price.
You can also find Avid fishing boats at Buck’s Island this year. An Avid bass boat is the epitome of where form meets function. With standard features like the ProMaster pad hull, beam forward TruTaper gunnels, oversized storage and rod boxes and SeaDek® cockpit flooring, Avid bass boats are as tournament ready as they are beautiful. Their package on the 18XB include a Yamaha 115 SHO motor, a Minn Kota Fortrex 80-pound, 24-volt trolling motor, your choice of graphs, two fishing seats and a single-axle trailer with custom color fenders.
Headquartered in Amory, Mississippi, Avid Boats are the world’s finest aluminum fishing boats. Built by fishermen, for fishermen, our boats are crafted with your fishing experience in mind. Gone are the days of old, antiquated aluminum boat designs. From our proprietary TruTaper™ gunnels to our ProMaster™ pad hull design, every Avid boat is as beautiful as is it rugged and sure to please even the most discerning fisherman.
Buck’s Island in Southside on Neely Henry points to Bentley as one of their big sellers this year. Bentley series boats combine quality and craftsmanship with affordability.
The Bentley Cruise offers a traditional rear “L” Section seating and sun deck with plenty of storage beneath. The Bentley Navigator Series offers a traditional, center walk-through floor plan with dual captain chairs and an extended rear deck. Navigator Models and Bentley Swingback Series with flexible rear seating offer performance, enhanced style and outstanding fit and finish.
Standard options include their sporty console, Jensen Stereo, Bimini top, integrated cupholders, swim ladder and radius corner caps.
Other options include LED lighting inside and out, ski attachments, locker storage, aluminum underskin, Simrad Go7, digital gauges, raised-helm platform, power electric bimini top and more.
I even tried convincing myself there were more important things to be done on life’s priority list. But just like an infectious disease, it caught up with me and never loosened its mighty grip.
Carol A. Pappas, Editor and Publisher
That’s what new boat fever does to a person. It’s like new car fever, only better – and a lot more fun.
Of course, I had to wait awhile, long after the fever took hold. It seems the object of my affection got stuck in the supply chain shortage, like just about everything else, and it wasn’t until a week before the water went down for winter on Logan Martin that it arrived. But, oh, what a glorious seven days it was!
Every afternoon after work we skimmed across mirror-like water. Fast. Slow. It didn’t matter much to us as long as we were moving. A slight September breeze and a hint of color along the shorelines foretold that fall was indeed on the way. And a long wait for spring, unfortunately, was up ahead.
Just a hunch, but this may feel like the longest wait for spring and the water rising again that I have ever spent on Logan Martin. Just like the fever that caught me this past spring, it just won’t let go.
Rather than experiencing all alone the anticipated euphoria that surely will be lying in my wake come spring, I decided to start the new year off with more than a fireworks bang. We’re turning LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® into our first ever Boat Show Edition. In print, online, in photos and video, you’ll see the 2022 line of boats, watercrafts and water toys, guaranteed to – at the very least – give you a low-grade ‘wish’ fever.
After all, boat dealers from around the Logan Martin and Neely Henry region stand ready to showcase the hottest vessels on the water this season. While I suffer in silence, already recovering and ready to return to the water, I have to warn you, the photos and stories in this issue can be contagious. New boat fever spreads pretty quickly. Take it from me.
But the allure of this edition doesn’t stop there. New boats aren’t your thing?
No worries. There’s plenty more inside.
We’ll take you inside the kitchen of Ronnie Harkins and wife Deb Mattison. Actually, we’re taking you outside to this kitchen. It’s an outdoor paradise, a gathering place for good times, good food and a panoramic view that makes it the perfect place for entertaining.
Go back in time with us to Neely Henry’s Little Bridge Marina in Remember When, an in-depth look at the story behind our lakes’ landmarks, people and places. This time, it’s the storied history of the bridge and the community.
How about a mechanic who makes house calls? Boathouse calls, that is. That would be Paul Davis of Paul’s Mobile Boat Repair, an innovative twist on getting the job done without putting it in ‘the shop.’
At Greensport Marina, we’ll relive another first – Rocking the Banks of Greensport – a music-filled evening along the shoreline of this historic destination point, ushering yet another new era for this centuries old homeplace.
Ride along with bass pro Zeke Gossett in Catchin’ the Coosa as he provides anglers with tips and trends for nabbing ‘the big ones’ this time of year on Logan Martin and Neely Henry.
There’s more. Just turn the page and discover it all with us.
Three years ago, the City of Gadsden introduced a premier, multi-purpose rental facility with the heart of its community’s interests in mind. Today, The Venue at Coosa Landing resides at the forefront of Gadsden’s entertainment scene, housing spectacular events each week on the banks of the Coosa River.
The Venue’s inception symbolizes the third phase in the further development of Gadsden’s riverfront, coinciding with the Coosa Landing Boat Launch and The Riverwalk at Coosa Landing. The Riverwalk debuted five years ago in late 2016 as a two-year project including pedestrian boardwalks along the river, a pedestrian bridge, a pier, docks and three pavilions. While The Riverwalk neared completion in October of the following year, the Gadsden City Council approved a $12.5-million bid for The Venue’s construction, announcing its creation in early 2017.
“The mayor (Sherman Guyton) wanted to purchase the property when it was available, and we had all talked about developing the riverfront,” said Director of Governmental Affairs and Economic Development for the City of Gadsden, who was instrumental in The Venue’s establishment. “We had just opened the boardwalk there, and we were working on The Venue at the same time. We were also working to recruit some retail businesses and some developments from the hotel industry. After talking with several people, we thought we needed an entertainment-type venue, so we started with that.”
Though Gadsden provides ample rental properties in spaces such as the Pitman Theatre, the Downtown Civic Center and 210 at the Tracks, The Venue served as a replacement for its antiquated predecessor, Convention Hall.
Birmingham architectural firm Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds, Inc. was responsible for The Venue’s design, converting the pre-existing vacant building at 201 George Wallace Drive – once a Kmart – into a 21st-Century masterpiece.
When The Venue opened its doors to the public in September of 2018, it emerged as 55,000 square feet of possibility. As a multi-purpose facility designed to accommodate a plethora of events, The Venue houses three meeting rooms capable of separating into individual spaces for more privacy or smaller sizes or combining to form one grand hall.
The meeting rooms seat up to 200 people, with the facility’s 15,000-square-foot Main Hall housing 1,200 visitors. Like all areas of The Venue, the Main Hall adapts to each event’s precise needs, dividing into two expansive ballrooms at the snap of a finger. A stage equipped with a premier audio-visual system (that extends to all areas throughout the facility) proves perfect for concerts, plays and other performances.
The Venue’s stainless steel commercial kitchen caters approximately 2,000 people, alongside a concession stand in the main lobby. Two mirrored dressing rooms with bathrooms and nearby backstage access join a multi-functional green room and a fully furnished patio, directly intertwining with the riverfront parks and marina, so guests can freely filter indoors and out. A special opening allows for vehicle access inside the facility, making event preparation, assembly and organization simple and efficient.
“Mayor Guyton, the administration and the City Council all bought in on the project,” said Davis. “The Venue has helped with local events, but it has also expanded what kinds of events we can host and bring to Gadsden. I don’t know of another facility like it in Northeast Alabama.”
Holiday parties, exhibits, fundraisers, conventions, trade shows, banquets and conferences are among the ceaseless types of events The Venue houses on a regular basis. From enticing food vendors aligning the walls at A Taste of Northeast Alabama to childhood literacy supporters gathering at elaborately decorated tablescapes at The Girlfriend Gala, from private birthday parties and weddings to Mixed Martial Arts fighting and Gadsden’s first-ever Latin Festival, The Venue encompasses all spectrums of entertainment.
The Venue Administrative Supervisor Scott Elkins oversees the facility’s successful operation, working closely in conjunction with his fellow staff members and Marketing Director Deb Hawkins.
Prior to supervising The Venue, Elkins held a position at Gadsden’s Parks and Recreation Department, managing the Downtown Civic Center, 210 at the Tracks, the Pitman Theatre and Convention Hall. While Elkins’ previous experience with rental venues enlightened him to the importance of premium customer service, he shared that one unique aspect of working at The Venue is the freedom to recruit events to the space himself. He and Hawkins brainstorm events beneficial for the community for citizens to enjoy, giving them the opportunity for new experiences in the comfort of their hometown.
“The Venue reaches the whole community,” said Elkins, describing how its multi-purpose design accommodates all preferences and interests.
Elkins said pleasing his customers remains synonymous with The Venue’s success. He hopes for further growth in The Venue’s future, with the location serving as a hub where the community can convene time and time again.
“What I’ve learned is even though we might have 160-plus events in a year in the Main Hall, to that one person (hosting the event), that’s their only event that year,” said Elkins. “You have to treat that as the only event you have the whole year. You have to make sure that it’s special, regardless if it’s a birthday party for 25 people or an event for 1,500. I enjoy the people the most, of course … seeing them happy. I enjoy the people the most, of course … seeing them happy. Making people happy – that’s what it’s about.”
In August, the City of Gadsden announced the opening of Park Boulevard, yet another addition to the riverfront. As a $1.3-million project financed through Tax Increment Financing funds designated specifically for the area, the road connects The Venue to the Coosa Landing Boat Launch.
Convenience and safety are two positive impacts Park Boulevard poses for the city, with the location home to several fishing tournaments and events throughout the year. Park Boulevard allows for overflow parking at The Venue, improving traffic flow and providing anglers and boaters with a direct route to the boat docks.
“Most cities would love to have a river running through downtown,” said Mayor Sherman Guyton. “This road is an important step in continuing to develop the riverfront and make the area more accessible.”
If you ask Terri and Don Uptain to pick their favorite spot at their Neely Henry Lake home, they’d be hard pressed to choose between the kitchen and the gazebo just outside its door.
Story Scottie Vickery Photos by Kelsey Bain
If you ask Terri and Don Uptain to pick their favorite spot at their Neely Henry Lake home, they’d be hard pressed to choose between the kitchen and the gazebo just outside its door.
Like in many homes, the kitchen is the gathering place for family and friends, and every detail in theirs was planned to accommodate their lifestyle, needs and even their kitchen gadgets. The eight-arch brick gazebo, just off the breezeway that runs the length of the house, boasts cool breezes and is the perfect spot to read a book, enjoy a peaceful meal or spend some quiet time in nature.
Don and Terri Uptain
“This lot was just a hidden gem that sat here for years,” Don said. The Uptains, who built their home near Shoal Creek 11 years ago, were thrilled to make it their own. Each living area – the family room, kitchen and all five bedrooms – has a spectacular view overlooking Rock Island.
One of a series of islands that made up the area of the Coosa River known as Ten Island, Rock Island is the only one that remains visible after the construction of Neely Henry Dam. “All the others were flooded,” Don said. “Before COVID, someone used to do a fireworks show on the Fourth of July on Rock Island. We had a great seat.”
Holidays on the lake were the perfect opportunities to fire up the grill, something Terri said Don do often. “Actually, he’s a better cook than I am,” she said. “I’m definitely a recipe follower. Some people taste to see if the seasonings are right, but I smell. I have to get him to do the tasting.”
Although they share many of the kitchen duties, Don acknowledges that Terri has come a long way. “I’ll say she’s much better than she was when we got married,” he said with a laugh. They both remember the time she served pork chops with undercooked, crunchy rice.
In fairness, the Uptains, who recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary, were only 18 when they got married after graduating from Erwin High School in Center Point. Don joined the Navy a few years later and they count San Diego and Guam among the places they lived.
“When we were stationed on Guam, one of the wives was from the Philippines, and she could really cook,” Terri said. “She taught us to make lumpia, and it’s still one of our favorite things.”
The dish, which is similar to an egg roll, includes ground beef, carrots, bean sprouts, black olives and corn wrapped in a thin wrapper and fried. “For me, it’s an all-day process, but we love it,” said Terri, adding that she found the lumpia wrappers at Rainbow City International Market in Gadsden.
In recent years, Terri and Don have picked up some more recipes during their travels. One of their favorite dishes is Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops that they pair with Mediterranean rice. “We went on a cruise to the Greek Isles, and I figured that they would know how to do lamb,” Don said. He’d been disappointed when he’d ordered lamb in a Birmingham restaurant, but one bite of the dish on the trip convinced him of its merits.
“The way you season it is important,” he said, adding that he and Terri got some tips from the chef and experimented in their own kitchen until they found the perfect blend of ingredients. “If you overcook it, it’s nothing but shoe leather,” he said.
Property features a boardwalk
the length of the waterfront
Building a home
There’s plenty of room for creating in the Uptains’ kitchen, which features a large island with lots of storage, a Wolf gas range, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a deep, single-basin sink. A huge pantry just off the kitchen offers plenty of room for groceries, serving dishes and small appliances.
Terri, who designed the home before turning it over to an architect to make it official, oversaw every detail. She focused on the flow of the kitchen and even measured her bread machine before determining how wide the cabinet she planned to store it in should be.
“She designed this house and the one we lived in before in Beaver Ridge” in Ashville, Don said. “She’d take her drawing to the architects and tell them that this is what she wanted, but she didn’t know if it would work. They never changed a thing.”
The Uptains weren’t planning on building when they bought the lot with nearly 600 feet of shoreline. They had looked for years for a lot at Logan Martin and kept a boat there when a friend from church told them they ought to take a look at the lot on Neely Henry.
Paul Kell, who was the owner of Kell Realty before he passed away in 2011, had owned the lot and built the boathouse and the boardwalk in the 1990s, Don said. The lot is about eight miles from Ragland’s Main Street, and “once we got here, I said, ‘There’s no way I’ll drive this far out every day,’” Don said.
He couldn’t get the beautiful scenery off his mind, though, so they took another look a few weeks later. “That time it didn’t seem as far,” he said with a grin. They used it as a weekend place for nearly a year before deciding to build and moving to the lake full time in May 2010. “We decided we liked it out here,” he said. “You just can’t beat the views.”
Room for a family
Although they didn’t know it during the building process, their daughter Amber and her two boys ended up moving in with them, and they were there for 10 of the 11 years they’ve been in the home. “When we were building, there was space for a bonus room upstairs over the garage, and the builder said they could add flooring and wiring,” Terri said.
“We weren’t planning on doing anything with it, but we ended up finishing out the room,” she said. “Then we found out Amber and the boys were coming. It was the perfect place for them, and it had to be God’s work.”
Dining room view to patio
The lake was a wonderful spot for the boys, who were 3 and 10 months old at the time, to grow up. The Uptains’ other daughter, Dana, and her family were frequent visitors, as well. “Her husband is an avid fisherman,” Don said. “He took our neighbors’ grandson out one time, and they caught about 20 bass in just a few hours.”
Don and Terri said they have especially enjoyed all the wildlife on the lake. In addition to fish and turtles, they’ve seen everything from red foxes, gray foxes, turkeys and deer to osprey, bald eagles, egrets and herons. “We were sitting in the gazebo one day and looked up and there was a deer swimming across the lake,” Terri said. “I’d never seen that before.”
Don’s favorite spot is the gazebo, and Terri knows that if she can’t find him, it’s the first place she should look. “I’d be out here 80 percent of the time if I could,” Don said. “My favorite thing to do is just sit our here and watch the boats, the people and the wildlife. There’s always something to see here; it’s the most relaxing place on earth.”
Although life on Neely Henry has been a wonderful chapter in their lives, the Uptains have listed their house and are making plans to build a new one in the Friendship community of St. Clair County. “I was an Army brat growing up, so I would move every few years or so,” Don said.
Terri said that 10 or 11 years in one place seems to be their norm. “That’s how long we seem to stay before we move,” she said. “I think our interests change or something happens in our lives. Now that the boys are gone, we just don’t get the Sea-Doo or the boat out much.”
Although they’ll miss the water and the laid-back lifestyle the lake affords, they know it’s time for a mountain view and for someone else to love life on Neely Henry. “I hope someone with a family can enjoy it as much as we have,” Terri said.
Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops
8 Lamb Chops, about 1¼” thick ¼ cup Olive Oil 1¼ teaspoons Granulated Onion 1½ teaspoons Salt 1¼ teaspoons Granulated Garlic Olive Oil Salt 2 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped 2 Tablespoons Fresh Oregano, finely chopped
Wash and pat dry the lamb chops. Drizzle olive oil on the top side of chops and spread with your hands. Sprinkle each chop with salt, onion, garlic, rosemary, and oregano. Use your hands to work the seasonings into the olive oil. Carefully, turn chops over and repeat this process on the other side. Place chops on preheated grill (500 degrees). Cook to medium/rare or medium doneness. Be sure to not overcook. Remove from grill, cover with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Mediterranean Rice
3 cups Jasmine Rice, cooked 1 teaspoon Cavender’s Greek Seasoning ½ teaspoon Salt 4 Tablespoons Greek Dressing ¼ cup Black Olives, chopped ¼ cup Onions, chopped ¼ cup Canned Muchrooms, chopped 3/8 cup Canned Artichokes, chopped 1/8 cup Capers
Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Adjust ingredient amounts to suit your taste. Enjoy!
The months of November and December can be one of the most fun times to fish Logan Martin Lake. Throughout the month of November, the bait fish tend to start their move to the back of creeks, and the bass will follow.
The lake should be at its winter drawdown level at this point in time. I usually target water that is no deeper than five feet. Look for shallow cover – like stumps, docks, and rocks.
I keep my bait selection simple this time of year. My main three baits are usually a squarebill crankbait, bladed jig and some type of topwater walking bait. I can fish with these three baits the whole month of November and find success.
As December rolls around, and the water gets colder, I tend to make a transition out to the main lake. I fish really deep bluff style banks with either a medium diving crankbait or finesse jig. If the current is pushing strong, I might mix in the bladed jig as well.
Look for banks that get the most sunlight first and will warm up quicker. I usually target rocks and clay banks that will hold heat this time of year.
Bites might be a little harder to get, but the ones you do catch will be big!
On Neely Henry
Neely Henry can be fished very similar to Logan Martin this time of year.
Watch for bait fish moving to the backs of the creeks and pockets right off the main body of water.
My three main baits for the month of November are a squarebill, buzzbait and bladed jig. I can put those three rods on the deck of my boat and cover water to find success.
When December arrives, I take a little different approach. I tend to still find fish super shallow on Neely Henry this time of year. It’s hard to beat a flat sided crankbait and finesse jig this time of year.
I will switch my focus to the main body of water and look for stumps and laydown trees. Rocky points and clay are also awesome places to check out as well.
Wintertime fishing can be tricky, but the reward will be big if you can figure out what the fish are doing. Some of the biggest fish bite this time of year.
Good luck!
Editor’s Note: Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide.
Holidays on display on Neely Henry and Logan Martin Lakes
Story by Katie Bohannon Submitted photos
Over 30 years transpired before Etowah County welcomed the Christmas boat parade back on its waters, with the community collecting in droves to witness a spectacular show for the seasons. Last year’s Christmas Boat Parade – the first in decades – inspired a resurgence on the horizon, as twinkling lights illuminated the lake once again, drifting happy golden days of yore closer to home.
This year, Etowah County will have not one, but two Christmas boat parades to usher in the season. The Gadsden Boat Parade is set for Dec. 3, and the Southside-Rainbow City Christmas Boat Parade will launch on Dec. 5, a relatively new addition to Christmas festivities in Etowah.
Southside resident Randy Elrod treasures fond childhood memories of Gadsden’s Christmas Boat Parade and street parade, recalling the excitement and joy he experienced during the holiday events.
Today, Elrod owns and operates Victory Marine & Outdoor Toys, LLC, a boat and outdoor toy repair shop in Glencoe. As a board member of the Neely Henry Lake Association, Elrod understands the importance of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of life surrounding Neely Henry Lake and Etowah County’s neighboring waters.
Formed as a nonprofit environmental and recreational organization, the Neely Henry Lake Association educates the community on practices that directly affect the lake, while partnering with likeminded advocates and municipalities to host engaging activities and projects for the public.
Elrod’s affiliation with both his personal passion for lake life, his professional involvement as a business owner and his public service with the Neely Henry Lake Association coincided with his desire to revive an event unlike any other holiday gathering – the Christmas boat parade. Although the parade returned to Gadsden first, when COVID-19 cancelled the city’s events, Elrod sought other alternatives. Keen to provide the community with a safe, entertaining evening and spread some holiday cheer, he decided to move the parade to Southside and Rainbow City.
Elrod partnered with Southside Mayor Dana Snyder and Rainbow City Mayor Joe Taylor to organize the event, where boats launched from Rainbow Landing and aligned with other participants on the Coosa River above Little Bridge Marina. The parade traveled down the river past Buck’s Island and looped back. While 2020’s parade featured only seven boats, its audience surpassed all expectation.
“I was really shocked,” said Elrod, discussing the crowd that arrived. “Since it was such short notice planning), and the weather turned bad on us a couple of days prior, I expected it to be a small crowd. I was really impressed with our community turnout…it was great. It’s really overwhelming to see that many people turn out the first year in Southside and Rainbow City.”
Over 200 cars parked to witness the parade by the bridge, traveling from across Etowah County and neighboring areas, including out of state. Decorated vehicles mirrored the promenade of boats, with lawn chairs ordaining the grounds as viewers settled into their seats. Families and friends gathered along the water, with children brightening and laughing as the parade passed by.
Though the parade is not a city-sponsored event, Snyder and Taylor proved instrumental in ensuring its success. Snyder shared that while Southside only prepared for a week prior to the parade, the community’s response served as a paramount reminder of the support citizens extend to one another countywide.
“It just blew up,” said Snyder. “I think the community is starving for new things to do, and they were excited about the new administration. It was amazing to see who came from other counties and out-of-state to see this Christmas boat parade. We put the parade on within a week, then we had the lighting of the Christmas tree, with the Southside High School band playing Christmas music for our Christmas with Santa event. A lot of people turned out for that, too. Those were two different events that got people excited about what the future was going to bring.”
Taylor expressed that the parade represented more than an enjoyable evening for citizens, but a unified effort that illustrated Rainbow City and Southside collaborating as two municipalities with the betterment of their residents in mind. While Southside and Rainbow City both house populations of approximately 10,000 each, combined, the two make up a large portion of the county. As neighboring cities, the pair’s residents share multiple assets and resources – from educational systems to entertainment and businesses.
Connecting communities
“The river is our connective tissue,” said Taylor. “It’s the muscle strand between our areas that we understand. We’ve called each other our sister city. Our governments (Rainbow City and Southside) work together and we do very well. Southside has a great mayor and council and we’ve been able to do some collective work.
“We’re continuously flowing back and forth in our education, and we just felt if we could do that in entertainment, we could move up and begin to share business and residential opportunities. I think that’s one of the things people want to see – that we’re going to come together and not be the city on the other side of the river.”
Taylor hopes the parade serves as only the beginning for a stronger partnership between Southside and Rainbow City, as both strive to enhance their riverfronts and the quality of life for their citizens. With so many shared areas, from Little Bridge Marina to boat ramps, Taylor and Snyder welcome a positive relationship that benefits both cities, willing to assist one another to achieve success.
Elrod commended the Neely Henry Lake Association, Snyder and Taylor for their contributions to the parade, expressing his gratitude for their efforts. Following the success of last year, preparation for the 2021 Christmas Boat Parade began the moment the boaters returned to dry land. Plans for this year’s parade include 45 minutes to an hour of dazzling boats, garnering a greater quantity than 2020. Elrod anticipates a larger crowd than before, hoping to increase every year.
“It’s a great season to do things that bring the community together,” said Snyder, inviting the community to attend. “I think with COVID going on for these past two years, this will give them something to do outside that they feel safe. Bring your lawn chairs, visit with each other, enjoy the lights and the season.”
Gadsden boat parade returns
In addition to Southside and Rainbow City, a second boat parade is scheduled for Gadsden on Friday, December 3. Gadsden’s boat parade marks its first since COVID-19 cancellations occurred.
“Residents of Gadsden and Etowah County enjoy the Coosa River every day of the year, and the annual boat parade is an opportunity to add some Christmas spirit,” said Gadsden Public Affairs Coordinator Michael Rodgers. “Many cities would love to have a river flowing through downtown, so it’s great that the community is able to capitalize on our special situation with a special event.”
Those interested in joining the parades are encouraged to contact Randy Elrod at 256-490-5959. No entry fee is required – participants just bring their boats, light them up and enjoy the ride.
“We all love a parade, but this offers (the community) something totally different,” said Taylor. “To find out there are people getting out and decorating a boat, requiring lighting and generators, I think it’s one of those things that makes people laugh and smile and have a moment out. It’s kind of small (and we’d like for it to get bigger), but it’s meaningful. It’ll make for a really good evening – it gives us an opportunity to show our hospitality.” “I think the boat parade offers the community a chance to come together and participate in something other than a stand-on-the-street Christmas parade,” said Elrod. “I do it because of the children – seeing them light up when the lights come by…I enjoyed it then like these kids enjoy it now. We are a lake community, so it’s the perfect opportunity for the community to come out and support something on the lake.”
Christmas at the Falls a spectacular light show
Ready to be dazzled for the holidays? Head to Christmas at the Falls as Noccalula Falls and the City of Gadsden team up to provide millions of lights throughout the park. Take in the view from paved walking trails or ride the park’s train.
Christmas at the Falls is slated for Nov. 25 – Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 – Jan. 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
Santa will be appearing in the post office and general store and due to COVID-19 concerns, he’ll be able to talk to the kids from a safe distance.
Weather conditions may cause closure at certain times, and the train will not be running in inclement weather.
Looking for a way to make sure your holidays are merry and bright? Make plans to visit Lights in the Park, the Pell City Parks and Recreation Department’s annual gift to the community. The drive-through lights display at Lakeside Park has become a beloved tradition, and it’s one that keeps getting better.
“It’s gotten a little bigger each year,” said Valerie Painter, who is manager of the Pell City Civic Center and oversees the yearly event. “People really look forward to it.”
The tradition started more than 20 years ago, and the event was designed to give local businesses, churches, organizations or individuals an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer and get free advertising in the process. Participating groups can include signs with their displays, and anything goes for the decorations – as long as the display is lighted, holiday-themed and family-friendly.
“It’s a great way for businesses, especially small businesses to get their name out there,” Painter said. In keeping with the spirit of the holidays, there’s no charge for the organizations or the community members who come to enjoy the displays. “This is just a fun way for the city to give back to the community,” she said. “The park is such a beautiful venue, even in the fall and winter.”
Thousands of people drive through Lights in the Park each year, scheduled this holiday season from Dec. 1 through Jan. 2.
It’s gotten so popular, in fact, that the number of cars has more than doubled over the past three years. In 2020, more than 9,300 cars drove through the light display, up from just over 7,300 the year before and 4,070 in 2018. “We have some people who come through two and three times a week,” Painter said.
Each year, there are spots for 55 to 60 displays, depending on size, and they go fast. “It’s first come, first serve, and the businesses start calling months in advance,” said Painter, who got her first call in April this year. “We hate to turn anyone away, but we only have so much electricity,” she said.
In addition to decorations, various churches have provided live nativity scenes on certain nights. Last year, visitors could sync their drive with holiday music from a local radio station, and that will be the case again this season. Vignettes from past years have ranged from Santa and his reindeer to toy soldiers, Christmas trains and a candy shop.
“Everyone has really come a long way in recent years and stepped up with their displays,” Painter said, adding that a little healthy competition has made the event even more special. “A lot of the businesses will add something each year because they see that everyone else’s is getting bigger and better. They want their display to be the one that everyone’s talking about.”
Story and photos by Graham Hadley Additional photos courtesy of Charles Ard
Most people looking for a new boat to take out on the Coosa buy one from dealers along the lakes.
Pell City’s Charlie Ard, on the other hand, simply builds one from scratch – sometimes in as little as four days.
Moored to the dock at his girlfriend’s house is one such shining example: A 24-foot, center-console mahogany boat that is truly a work of art named the Corabell. And not only is she a thing of beauty, but the all-wood boat is fast, too, powered by a big inboard V8 engine.
“I built her from the ground up in 2009, starting with just a pile of lumber,” he said.
“I built my first boat when I was 12. It was based on a boat in the Pogo comic strips. I had always admired that little boat. Now this was my 10th boat built since then.”
Charlie’s father was an engineer, and he grew up around his father’s shop, so taking on the complicated process of building wood boats was almost second nature to him. Originally, Charlie’s wood shop was in Birmingham, but the retired HVAC technician moved the entire operation to his shop attached to his house in Cropwell years ago. Like his boats, Charlie designed and built both his house and shop – and much of the furnishings, tables and storage cabinets there as well.
Charlie explaining his hull build
The Corabell’s distinctive mahogany build gives the boat that classic antique look, but Charlie chose that wood for more than its looks.
“Mahogany is durable, as durable as fiberglass,” he said. “And it does not take much maintenance. The urethane I use is good. The Corabell has had one coat in the past 12 years. … The mahogany is actually lighter than fiberglass and does not soak up water like other woods.”
He is quick to point out the mahogany he uses is plantation grown, so his boats don’t contribute to over logging or damage the environment.
Charlie credits not only his father, who was also an amateur woodcarver, with inspiring him, but also a host of other people in his life. “I learned a lot from the woodcarvers guild. I am actually the past president of the Alabama Woodworkers Guild.”
Add to that training natural inborn talent for his craft (lots of natural talent), and the end result is a boat builder who can create remarkable and unique watercraft and do it in a surprisingly short period of time.
Boat hulls are complicated creations – because all of the curves and structural strength needed to make a seaworthy vessel, the individual strips of wood are almost abstract creations. The flat piece of wood bears little resemblance to the way it looks on the completed boat.
Charlie says he uses standard measurements for his hull designs, but there is still a large portion of the design that is all his.
Working from a large drafting table outfitted with a rare left-handed drafting machine, Charlie (who claims lefties are more creative) draws out full-size blueprints for his boats. He then takes those designs to his workshop, where he lays them out on a table and builds the boat over them, projecting right from his original drawings.
Despite the complexity and the attention to detail – there are more than 4,000 screws holding the hull of the Corabell together – Charlie builds his works of art in record time.
“The Corabell only took a few months to build,” he said. His shortest time for a build is four days – a beautiful rowboat he put together between Christmas and New Years shortly after his father passed away in 2008.
That rowboat sits in his boat shed on his Cropwell property, complete with the oars he made especially for it.
“I built this in honor of my Daddy. Dad rowed recreationally. I think he did that to irritate me. I like big V8s, but he said, ‘I don’t need a motor, I will just row.’”
Like most of his builds, the rowboat is mahogany, and Charlie said it is the perfect boat for some of the lakes in the national forest where motors are not allowed.
Charlie also honored his father with some of the design elements on the Corabell.
The rowboat and oars Charlie built in memory of his father
“My father made dulcimers – like the Appalachian musical instrument, so I made a finial based on that design on the bow,” he said.
Though the Corabell is not his biggest build – there is a 30-foot twin screw that he put together but no longer owns that is used as a fishing boat in the Gulf Stream out of Bimini – she is one of his favorites.
“She has turned out to be a good boat, no vices, an all-around successful project,” he said.
From bow to stern, the Corabell is full of custom designs, and Charlie’s attention to detail is evident in every piece of work. The top is even made out of canvas stretched over laminated wood bracings.
One of the most impressive features is the center console, which folds forward to expose the engine. The boat has a modified V-shaped hull, with a “good bit of keel,” and between the hull design and the engine, the Corabell will flat-out go.
“This boat will do 40 mph. I have never skied behind it – my only motorboat I have not done that on,” he said. Even though the boat is all wood, it only weighs about as much as a Ski Natique.
Charlie drafts full-size blueprints and then bulds the boat hull right over the drawings. This is his
rowboat he built in four days.
Despite its speed, Charlie prefers to cruise around Logan Martin Lake at a more leisurely pace.
“I like to get up, get my morning coffee, and cruise around the lake at about 10 mph,” he said.
The Corabell is moored to a dock at Charlie’s girlfriend’s house. He built the dock with her blessing – and a covered area for her boat, so he would have a place to tie up on Logan Martin.
Parked up on a trailer on the same property is another Charlie Ard creation – the flat-bottomed boat, Cooney Bonet.
His boat names all have special personal meaning – the Corabell is named after a favorite teacher who made a huge difference in her students’ lives, “mine included” – and the Cooney Bonet is no exception.
“He waded ashore at Omaha Beach in World War II. He was a great American,” Charlie said.
The 16-foot, again mahogany, flat-bottom boat was built for getting around all parts of the lake.
“It will float in 3 inches of water, and with the motor up, you can pole it along. It was not intended for speed, just kvetching about, to have fun in,” he said. While speed was not the original intent, “I designed it for a 10-horsepower motor. Then I got this 18-horsepower motor. This thing will fly.”
Charlie’s love of the water is apparent. The walls of his shop are lined with charts of coastal regions, lakes and rivers, fishing gear and other memorabilia. Equally apparent is his love of woodworking. If you look among the decorations, you can find an award he received for one of his work benches and cabinets he designed and built.
Like so many of Charlie Ard’s creations, it is both functional and a work of art. It sits among his other hand-made cabinets and benches in his shop awaiting his next project.
