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In the Kitchen

Cooking with the Hartleys on Logan Martin Lake

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Kelsey Bain

A sign at the water’s edge of Donna and Lee Hartley’s Logan Martin Lake home offers a greeting to visitors, as well as the couple’s only rules. “Welcome to our Cottage,” the sign reads. “Relax, Unwind, Enjoy.”

It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s one that the Hartleys have embraced in the four years they’ve lived in the cozy three-story retreat. They’ve renovated the home and created an outdoor wonderland where the retirees enjoy the peace and quiet, in addition to their brand-new hobbies. “It’s perfect for us,” said Donna, who has taken up gardening while Lee has become an avid kayaker. “It’s so peaceful, and we love just being still and being appreciative.”

The Hartleys, who were high school sweethearts in Mobile and dated for a decade, have been married for 38 years. They lived in Moody for most of that time and had their eye on the Clear Creek home for years before making it their own. They first discovered it during the 15 years they had a camper at Powell’s Hideaway before deciding to downsize and make lake life a permanent state of mind during retirement.

“We rode all through these sloughs,” Donna said. “I kept telling Lee, ‘I want that house.’ ” Lee promised to make it a reality. “I kept telling her, ‘One of these days, I’m going to knock on their door, and I’m going to buy that house for you,’” he said.

When they finally got serious about looking, the house had come on the market, and he took her there one day. This time, however, they went by car, so Donna didn’t realize where they were. “Go down to the water,” Lee told her, and that’s when the realization that they were at her dream home finally dawned.

Reflecting their style

Although she’d loved the house from afar for years, Donna and Lee both realized some changes were in store. “The inside was set up like a lodge, and I told Lee, “We’ve bought a Holiday Inn,’” Donna said with a laugh. “Everything was very vanilla, but we’d redone two houses and knew we could eventually make it ours.”

One major focus was the kitchen. “It had to go,” said Lee, who is the cook in the family. “I like Cajun food the best. I love to cook it, and I love to eat it. One of my favorite dishes is to put crawfish etouffee over a grilled steak.”

Lee and Donna Hartley with their dogs Tiny Princess and Pancho

He comes by it honestly. Lee, who followed in his father’s footsteps, worked offshore as chief engineer on supply boats and as a commercial fisherman for most of his career. As a result, “I lived in Louisiana off and on for most of my life. Dad worked over there, and we moved there during the summer to be closer to him. I learned to cook when I was 13,” he said.

In order to work his magic, “the whole kitchen had to be reconfigured,” Lee said. The original design had a small peninsula with the sink under the kitchen window. “You couldn’t open the cabinets in the peninsula unless the oven door was open,” he said.

Now, the peninsula is gone, making way for a table that Donna loves to set with china that’s been handed down in Lee’s family for generations. The sink is in a large island, and the cabinets across the back of the kitchen have been extended. A quartz countertop and a subway tile backsplash have been added, and the result is a cheery, sunny space that’s perfect for gatherings.

“It’s more convenient now and much more usable now,” Lee said. The only thing missing is about 40 cabinets. “We had 60 cabinets in the kitchen in our old home, and we’re down to about 20,” said Donna, adding that the home where they raised their daughter, Victoria, was about 3,700 square feet while this house is about 1,800. “When I say we downsized, I mean we downsized.”

Even their furniture was larger at their previous home – too large, in fact, to fit in their new space. “This house has all 8-foot ceilings and our other house had 10-foot ceilings,” Donna said. “We couldn’t even get some of my armoires in the house because the doors were so small. We had to enlarge the door just to get the appliances in.”

One thing they made sure they had room for was a collection of old mirrors that hold sentimental value for the couple. “Between his family and mine, we had a lot,” she said. “I just love old mirrors.” Their daughter gave the collection new life with chalk paint and wax, and Donna said the result is an even better reflection of their more casual, relaxed lifestyle.

Although the cottage has three floors, the lower level is home for Lee’s 98-year-old mother. His parents moved in with the Hartleys about 18 years ago, and Lee’s father passed away three years ago at 95. “Dad lived offshore all those years. He never lived on the water and always wanted to,” Lee said. “He enjoyed it a year or so before he passed away.” Now, the arrangement gives Lee’s mom her privacy, a separate patio and a beautiful view of the lake.

The great outdoors

The view is something they never get tired of, Donna said. While the water is the main attraction, the outdoor oasis the Hartleys have created has taken things to a whole new level.

“When I retired, I took on planting flowers,” said Donna, who worked for AT&T for 30 years before leaving the corporate world a year and a half ago. “I’d never planted anything before, but Lee bought me two landscaping books.” Donna loves color, and she has since created beautiful beds filled with lantana, dwarf crape myrtles, Mexican heather, daylilies and other flowering plants.

Lee set the stage for her gardens with all the yard work he did the first year they were in the home. He leveled the yard, laid sod and removed bushes that were hiding the house. “He dug up 28 holly bushes,” Donna said. “You couldn’t even see the bottom porch or the railing.

Although the yard is a focal point, there’s one feature in the water that catches the attention of boaters, especially boats filled with children. A whimsical cement dragon, which has been in the water for decades, came with the house and has become a favorite of the Hartleys. “I bet it weights three tons,” Lee said. A neighbor, who is an artist, is going to paint the dragon when the water level is lowered this fall, he said.

Now that the hard work of creating their own little piece of paradise is done, the Hartleys are able to enjoy what they’ve created together. “We love to sit on the porch, even when it’s raining, and we eat dinner out here a lot,” Donna said.

They’ve also recently created an outdoor living room under the carport, complete with comfortable seating and a fountain, which Lee’s mother particularly enjoys. They’re planning on adding a television and creating a fun ceiling from either tin or old, colorful shutters, Donna said.

“We sit out here in the mornings,” she said. “I’ve got my Diet Coke, and he’s out here with his coffee.” Although they toyed with the idea of turning the space into an outdoor kitchen, they quickly decided they’d enjoy the extra living area more. “We didn’t want to have another kitchen to clean,” Donna said.

That’s not to say they don’t enjoy cooking out; Lee grills three or four times a week, cooking everything from steaks to marinated chicken or pork chops. “I grill a lot of vegetables,” he said, adding that he loves a good charcoal fire. “There’s more flavor when you use charcoal.”

Although they enjoy their outdoor living spaces, some of their favorite times are down by the water. Lee used to love fly fishing, but now he’s spending much more time on his new hobby: kayaking. “I’m in the water at 5:30 every morning,” he said. “I’ve been from here to the dam and back,” a total of about 8 miles.

Donna, especially, loves listening to the birds – a sound she compares to a symphony. “It’s just delightful to sit out early in the morning before anyone is up and outside,” she said. “The water is so still and peaceful, and you can sit and listen to the birds and appreciate the be beautiful work of God. We feel so blessed and thankful.”

Etouffee served over steak, a favorite pairing.

Crawfish Etouffee

3 pounds crawfish tail, peeled
2 bell peppers, chopped
½ cup crawfish fat
2 onions, chopped
1 cup parsley, chopped
1 bunch of celery, chopped
2 cups green onion, chopped
1 cup flour
3 tbsp roasted mashed garlic
1 cup oil
Cajun seasoning to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp paprika
Water, as needed

Slowly stirring flour and oil over a medium flame, make a light, golden-brown roux. Add all of the chopped onion, garlic, peppers, celery and parsley; cook until onions are tender. Add crawfish and fat. Cook for 20 minutes. Add very little water, stirring slowly and adding just a little at a time. Etouffee should begin to thicken up. Once it’s thick, add salt, pepper, paprika and seasoning to taste. Serve over white rice and garnish with green onions. NOTE: Shrimp, lump crab or chicken can be used as a substitute for crawfish tails and fat.

From Chef Jeff Warner, St. Francisville, La.

Cajun Seafood Gumbo

1 cup flour
1 cup oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 large bell peppers, chopped
1 bunch of celery, chopped
1 pound pork tasso
Mashed roasted garlic
1 bunch green onions, sliced
15 cloves
½ gallon water
Cayenne pepper and salt to taste
1 cup dried shrimp
1 bay leaf
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
½ cup chopped parsley
2 pounds small shrimp
1 pound lump crab meat
1 pound crawfish tails
Cajun seasoning to taste

In a gumbo pot, mix oil and flour on high to medium heat to make a chocolate-colored roux. Add onions, peppers, celery and garlic and sauté well. Stir in tasso and cook for 2 minutes, then add water. Stir well and cook for 1 hour, seasoning occasionally to taste. Add parsley and dried shrimp during this procedure as well. Add shrimp after gumbo cooks for an hour, then cook an additional 20 minutes. Add crawfish tails and lump crabmeat. Cook for an additional 30 minutes. Add green onions, season, and serve over fluffy, white rice.

From Susan Clark, New Iberia, La.

Fishing the Coosa in the Fall

Catchin’ the Coosa with Zeke Gossett

As we move into the fall of year, there will be a lot of changes taking place day to day on the Coosa River. As the days shorten, and those cool, autumn nights start to roll in, the fish begin to make their moves.

A couple of things start to happen. First, the shad begin migrating into creeks and fish will follow them. Second, a lot of schooling action is set in motion during these two months due to the shad being up near the surface most of the time.

Moreover, another phenomenon will begin. The fall turnover will usually finish during this time period. With all of these factors to consider, this is how I approach fishing on Logan Martin.

Topwater baits become a staple in my arsenal this time of year. Whether it’s a buzzbait, walking style topwater bait or frog – I use them all at some point throughout a day of fishing Logan Martin.

Typically, topwater baits work best in low light conditions, such as cloudy days or early in the morning. I also look for schooling fish pushing bait. When I locate schooling fish, I will use a walking style topwater bait to get these fish to bite. This style of topwater fishing is awesome to use in these conditions because it allows me to fish fast and make long casts in case fish start schooling far away from me.

I also like to fish seawalls and grass this time of year especially if there is a little wind blowing on it. One factor that we need to consider is the crazy Alabama weather. It can still be scorching hot and muggy.

My favorite way to approach these kinds of days is to fish deeper and main river docks. I feel like the fish feel more comfortable with this type of cover due to the fact they can move up and down the water column easier.

If the fish are shallow, they will hang closer to the back of the docks, but some days they tend to be out on the end docks. It just varies day to day.

My favorite bait to fish during these conditions is a finesse jig in any crawfish color. When I fish the back of a dock, I focus on fishing my bait on the bottom. When I fish the end of a dock in the deeper water, I really like to let the jig freefall right beside the post of the docks and the fish usually will bite before it ever hits the bottom.

Try these tips for some early fall-time fishing on Logan Martin.

Neely Henry

Bass fishing at Neely Henry can become strange during these two months. After the first few cool nights, the fish will start feeding up for the winter.

I really like to focus on the backs of creeks when this happens. First, you want to make sure there are baitfish that have moved into these areas. Most of the time the baitfish will be up near the surface of the water column, and you can see them flickering on top. Make sure you keep an eye open for schooling fish in this scenario as well.

The fall turnover is usually right around the corner or is already happening at this point. What that means is the oxygen levels in deeper water are beginning to get depleted. These two factors cause the shallow water areas to become more active with baitfish, which in turn draws the bass in to feed on them.

The main types of cover I focus on in the creeks are grass, wood and rocks. I normally focus on channel swing banks as well. This allows fish to use every bit of the water column if they choose to. They can either stay shallow or move deeper if they want to do so.

A few baits I like to try in these areas are a buzzbait, finesse jig or squarebill crankbait. These three baits give me options throughout the water column.

If it is cloudy and windy, I tend to reach for the buzzbait and cover a lot of water. If it’s more of a slick, calm, sunny day, I like to pitch and flip the jig around wood and grass. The squarebill crankbait allows me to cover a ton of water in order to find some active fish.

Give these tips a try on Neely Henry and hopefully, you’ll have some successful early fall fishing.

Alabama 650

Paddling toward October return

Story by Paul South
Submitted and Archive photos

The Great Alabama 650 is the Iron Bowl, Talladega 500 and marathons all rolled into one 10-day event, the world’s longest annual paddle race

Alabama’s most grueling sporting event is longer than the big races at Talladega and takes more time to win than the Iron Bowl.

Its competitors toil, sometimes night and day, in all kinds of weather, from waters coursing through the Appalachian foothills to Mobile Bay. In some stretches, the only spectators may be a leaping largemouth bass, a great blue heron or the occasional trail angel, good Samaritan volunteers along the course who offer help, water, food and cheers.

While boos and razzing may be college football and NASCAR cultural commonalities, a discouraging word is never heard in this under-the radar-but-growing competition.

So it is for The Great Alabama 650. It is the world’s longest annual paddle race at 650 miles over 10 days, attracting an international field of 20. It is a celebration of Alabama’s waterways and the wonder of the human spirit.

The word, “annual,” is key. The Yukon 1,000 may be longer, but it occurs every other year.

The Coosa River, along with its companion Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes, is a key stretch of the course. This year’s race is set for Oct. 1-11.

Birmingham native Greg Wingo has been race director of the blossoming event since its inception in 2019. The event may have been one of the few international sporting events not hampered by the pandemic. In its brief history, paddlers have come from the United States, Canada and Europe.

The small field – and the built-in social distancing of the event – allowed the race to carry on in the dark days of the coronavirus and its variants, Wingo says.

“Immediately, once the race starts, no one is really able to see each other, so we were able to put it on when all the other races were having to postpone or cancel completely.”

There are 20 paddle races across the globe that are designated as qualifying races for the Great Alabama 650. Racers have to compete in one of those events in the past five years in order to take on Alabama’s rivers. The ability to complete those races is an indicator of a paddler’s ability to finish in Alabama.

“I always feel really confident that once they finish one of these qualifiers, they have a decent idea of what they’re going to experience in this race,” Wingo says.

The event showcases the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the latest chapter in the state’s love affair with its rivers, from the Tennessee to the Tensaw, the Coosa to the Cahaba. As every Alabamian of a certain age might recall, Alabama’s rivers played a key role in the state song written by social reformer Julia Tutwiler.

As for The Great Alabama 650, the race course runs from Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama to Fort Morgan on the Gulf Coast.

Last year the team of Paul Cox and Joe Mann shattered event records, finishing the race in four days, 17 hours and eight minutes. Salli (cq) O’Donnell won the women’s solo competition with a time of four days, 22 hours and 39 minutes.

Paddlers compete in three divisions: male solo, female solo and two-person team. Racers can use kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards interchangeably.

There are intangibles that have made the race so popular for paddle fans. Each year, spectator numbers grow.

“No. 1, people in this state are always supportive of people that come into their state to experience it, whether they are coming here to support the World Games … or whether they’re coming here for Talladega, or coming here for a football game,” Wingo says. “Whatever it is – I guess the easy answer is Southern hospitality – there’s just something about the people who get excited when people visit this state and are here to enjoy it.”

He adds, “In the last few years, once people started to realize it was happening, it did start to snowball and grow, especially in the first third of the race when you’re going through some major population bases on the Coosa. There’s just a huge turnout year after year along the different lakes.”

On the Coosa, Gadsden’s Riverwalk near Buffalo Wild Wings is a great spot for spectators, and the Alabama Power-built park near Logan Martin Dam is a portage, also a great spot. Area portages are at mile 88 of the race on Neely Henry and mile 135 on Logan Martin.

Fans can also follow the race – and racers – on its website, that has drawn more than a million hits, many of them from schoolchildren who follow their favorites through tracking devices on the racers, Alabama Scenic River Trail Board President Sam Howell says.

“From Northport, Ala., to Norway, you can be involved in The Great Alabama 650,” Howell says.

The race itself – as it relates to the competitors – is unique, and not only because of the distance.

“There are elements of this race that don’t exist anywhere else. And so, the racers themselves will talk very positively about the experience of being in Alabama, and I think the more that people who live here hear that, they get more excited about it … That has really helped it grow and grow.”

Another feature: Paddlers encounter every type of water, from calm Coosa waters to whitewater near Wetumpka. There’s tidal water on the coast and bay water. Competitors are allowed to change boats depending on the water. Like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, they never know what they’re going to get,

“About 85 % of this race is flat water, with essentially no flow whatsoever. When the racers come to do this race, they’re not getting the assistance of the river flowing at four or five mph to give them a break and allow them to be able to move. If they stop paddling, they stop moving. And in a race that lasts up to 10 days, no movement means lost time. Very few races in the world are of such duration.

So, racers that come to do this race find out pretty quickly … there’s no easy gimme to this race … It’s a vastly more different race than any in the world. No other race can give you all the things this race has.”

But The Great Alabama 650, like every other endurance race, has more than its share of grit and goodness.

“Trail angels” pitch in to help competitors at portages along the route, fans cheer and paddlers push through the changing waters, often going days without sleep.

“We have an amazing group of people along the river that want to be out there throwing competitors a banana or a beer or whatever … That’s another thing that truly makes us unique,” Wingo says.

And as for grit, consider Texan Martha Avila Adame. She is a breast cancer survivor who competed in last year’s race, even without a lateral muscle in her back, a pivotal body part for any paddler.

Cox and Mann slept a total of six hours on the way to their 2021 tandem win.

And Alabama Scenic River Trail Communications Director Laura Gaddy remembered her post-race encounter with Floridian Salli O’Donnell, the women’s solo winner who has developed a bit of a fan base at the 650.

Where the thumb met the palm of one of O’ Donnell’s hands, Gaddy noticed a battle scar – a blister the size of a half-dollar.

Wingo sums up the race and its athletes. “There is a section of endurance athletes that thrive on events like this.”

For more information on The Great Alabama 650, go to alabamascenicrivertrail.com.

‘New’ news happening all around

Spring is usually reserved for the time of year when talk turns to rebirth and new beginnings, but around these parts, something new is usually on the horizon all year long.

Such is the case with just about every story in LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® this time around. You might liken it to a renaissance for two of them – Pirate’s Island and Kids Kastle – longtime Logan Martin landmarks emerging from makeovers.

Pirate’s Island, the tiny patch of land surrounded by water with palm trees swaying in the breeze, pirate’s flag flying high above and a chest stocked full for eager young hunters of treasure awaits. But regulars will probably notice some new features, and a general improvement project has taken hold.

It’s all about community, its owners say. And the community has returned the favor with ‘work days’ and new additions at their favorite island spot.

Meanwhile, in early August at Lakeside Park, kids rushed onto the new version of Kids Kastle, an unrivaled playground where imaginations can run wild, too. With swings and slides and climbing equipment in abundance, this 21-year-old landmark has been renovated into quite a destination point for making new childhood memories for generations to come.

Of course, that’s not the only ‘new’ news around here. Lakeside Live is back at Lakeside Park, a music festival and car show with new and improved attractions to be enjoyed by the whole family. Over on Neely Henry, check out Southside Park – a lakeside wonder drawing crowds from near and far. It even played host to Neely Henry Lake Association’s annual Poker Run.

Looking for a new watersport? Check out paddleboarding at GadRock, a new sensation growing by the day. This standup, surf-type board you paddle not only is great exercise for the body, the sights, sounds and feel of the water around you is good for the soul, too.

Courtesy of a couple of soon-to-be Eagle Scouts in Lincoln, two lake spots on Logan Martin have new, custom-designed, custom-made signs, welcoming one and all to what they have to offer.

As usual, there’s plenty more in this edition of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® – new and old alike. We’ll take you inside the kitchen of a great Cajun cook, along the route of the Great Alabama 650, the world’s longest annual paddling race, and to the hot spots on Logan Martin and Neely Henry for some of the best bass fishing around.

Turn the page and discover them all with us!

Up the creek … with a paddleboard

Story by Loyd McIntosh
Photos by Meghan Frondorf

“Paddleboards are like a surfboard. Nose at the front, tail at the back. The most stable part is the middle of the board where the handle is at, so that’s where you’ll stand up.”

Carrie Machen, co-owner of GadRock, a rock climbing and paddleboarding facility located on the banks of the Coosa River in Gadsden, is explaining the basics of paddleboarding to this newbie. The sun is finally peeking out from behind the clouds on a day that began with a storm producing sheets of rain of Old Testament proportions.

Convinced that the weather is safe for a little paddleboarding, Machen continues her instructions. “Now the paddle. You want that blade to angle away from your body, you want one hand at the top of the handle, one halfway down the shaft,” she says.

“The most dangerous part of the handles is the ‘T’ part, so be sure that you’ve got a hand on that paddle at all times,” Machen explains, making a special point to emphasize that the upward thrust of the paddle as it moves through the water could force it to pop up and smack the rider in the chops if he/she isn’t careful. Unlikely to happen? Sure. Unpleasant when it does happen? Absolutely.

“The stroke is bending at the waist and thinking about pulling your body to your paddle. You want your paddle to be pretty straight,” Machen continues. “The paddle goes in as far as you can get with that stretch, bend at the waist, and it comes out at your feet. As you come back past your feet, you’re pushing the nose of the board into the water.”

Following a few more minutes of demonstration on dry land, it’s time to toss the paddleboards over and jump into the water. For the next hour, we paddle along the Coosa River, parallel to I-759, the laid-back gurgling of the water drowning out the traffic on the busy interstate.

Before there was a paddleboard, there was a vision

Gadsden native Carrie Machen and a friend, Kate Wilson, initially conceived GadRock as an indoor climbing gym to support the growing rock-climbing community in Northeast Alabama and to promote the sport to a new generation. Machen also gained an interest in paddling sports while attending Auburn University and envisioned GadRock as a place to introduce the region to the joys of paddle sports.

“I took a kayaking class at Auburn and kind of fell in love with paddling on the water. I’m not hardcore like a lot of people, but I do enjoy being out on the water,” Machen says.

“At first, I thought about kayaks but then I tried stand-up paddling for myself, and I loved it,” she adds. “There’s freedom in it. You can stand up or sit down on your boards and they’re lighter in weight than kayaks.” Machen went on to explain the many options in stand-up paddleboards, from entry-level recreational boards, competition boards, boards designed for fishing, and even inflatable boards which can be inflated and deflated quickly and are a cinch to travel with. “The inflatable paddleboards are very easy to transport. I’ve flown with mine before,” says Machen.

Machen has been a certified paddleboard instructor for the past five years and enjoys introducing the sport to newcomers of all ages. While it may seem like a complicated activity to master, Machen says it’s quite simple once you get the hang of it. The most difficult aspects are learning to stand up on the board, which is optional by the way, and learning to climb back on the board when – not if – you fall into the water.

“Some people are a little intimidated by it,” Machen says. “They think they’re going to fall in. You do fall in, but that’s no big deal. “Maybe a little bit intimidating, but it shouldn’t be because it’s not a hard sport to learn.”

Although based in Etowah County, Machen is familiar with the waterways of the surrounding areas, including Henry Neely and Logan Martin lakes, and says both are well-suited for paddleboarding.

Part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, a 650-mile-long trail through many of Alabama’s major rivers, including the Coosa River, Neely Henry and Logan Martin are points along the trail and offer paddleboarders unique opportunities for exploring the diverse and fascinating wildlife throughout the area.

“There are points along the trail in our area on Neely Henry and Logan Martin where there are islands in the water and you can camp,” Machen explained. “There’s a lot of boat traffic in some places, but if you stay close to the shore it’s not a big deal.

“The Creeks are a lot of fun to explore,” she added. “Sometimes instead of going out to Neely Henry, which is fun to do, I like to go in the creeks that feed into Neely Henry and explore those. They are full of wildlife – herons, egrets, cormorants, turtles, bald eagles – and you’re able to get into some of the areas that you can’t get into with a kayak or a canoe.”

Meanwhile, back at the paddleboard lesson

After a spectacularly clumsy and downright hilarious fall into the water during an attempt to stand up, this rookie paddleboarder decided to experience the rest of the adventure on his knees. It doesn’t take long before some basics of paddling, turning and stopping are mastered.

We paddle toward a small island, thick with green vegetation and pine trees, where a flock of white gulls mills about in the marsh. Clearly used to Machen and other paddleboarders, only a handful of these large, graceful, white birds fly off as we paddle closer.

After a few minutes of birdwatching and enjoying the relative silence in the middle of the inlet, we turn our boards around and paddle to the dock – back to the hectic, busyness of dry land.

What’s SUP?

SUP is the acronym for Stand Up Paddleboard, and GadRock features special SUP tour packages designed for beginners, nature lovers, even yoga and fitness versions.

The SUP Eco Tour teams paddlers with knowledgeable guides to learn more about Lake Gadsden’s wildlife, tributaries and historic lore. “Sunset tours are especially fun!,” according to its website.

Beginners are welcome for the SUP Intro Tour. Make sure your techniques are correct and learn the basics en route to more advanced tours available.

Yoga on a paddleboard? That’s right. This tour combines the basics of paddling and an hour of practicing “balance, control and mindfulness.”

What a way to stay in shape with the SUP Fitness Tour. It’s quite a workout focusing on paddling and control, speed, stretching, strength and balance.

Want something a little more laid back? Try the SUP & SIP Tour – a sunset exploration of tributary creeks and wildlife. A relaxing atmosphere, music and a complimentary beverage holder contribute to the ambience of the evening on the water. And if you want to imbibe, BYOB.

Eagle Scout projects mean new signs for lakeside parks in Lincoln

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller
Photos by Graham Hadley
and Submitted photos

Two parks needed signs. Two brothers needed Eagle Scouts Service projects. It was a perfect match.

Scouts gather at new sign: Assistant Scout Master Jacob Turner, Lincoln City Councilman Joey Callahan, Scout Christian Hunt, Life Scout and Eagle Candidate Hunter Smith, Life Scout and Eagle Candidate Allen Hill, Scout Hunter Smiley and Scoutmaster Darren Britton

Hunter Smith, 17, created a welcome sign at Lincoln’s Landing, while his brother, Allen Hill, also 17, created an informational sign at Jackson Shoals Park on Choccolocco Creek. Both members of Boy Scout Troop 137 of Lincoln, the brothers designed the signs, raised construction funds, built their signs and led in the installations. Both signs were installed in July.

The Lincoln’s Landing sign simply says, “Welcome to Lincoln’s Landing,” and has a laser etching of a bass at the top. The Jackson Shoals sign gives information about plants and wildlife in the area.

“Both boys did all the planning and implementations on their projects,” says their Scoutmaster Darren Britton, who is also police chief of Lincoln. “They did the research, got the approvals, did the fundraising and provided the leadership to carry out the projects.”

Smith says he came up with the idea for a new sign at Lincoln’s Landing after observing the inadequacy of the original sign, which was nothing more than a banner. His project required him to draw the sign and present the design to Scoutmaster Britton and the City of Lincoln for approval.

“The 3-by-5-foot sign is made of 3/16th-inch steel,” Smith says. “After I designed what I wanted, I got with Park Director Les Robinson, who gave me the Lincoln’s Landing logo. I sent that logo, along with my design, to Laser Cut Designs in Birmingham, and they cut it.”

Tom Martin, the grandfather who raised both boys, is a do-it-yourselfer who guided them along in the work. “He did none of the work but made sure we did everything right and didn’t mess up,” Smith says.

Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson visits the new sign at Jackson Shoals Park.

Allen Hill went through the same process as Hunter Smith to construct the sign at Jackson Park. That one is made of vinyl-coated aluminum, framed in wood with a metal roof, and measures 4 by 4 feet. It cost $625 to build.

Hill and Smith secured funds from most of the same donors: Laser Cut Designs of Birmingham, Griffin Laser Engraving of Lincoln, Midway Auto of Lincoln, Home Depot of Pell City and Lincoln Hardware. In addition, Lincoln Park Director Les Robinson contributed to Smith’s project, and Eastman Chemicals of Anniston bought the initial supplies for Hill’s project.

“Mine was a personal donation, the park didn’t contribute anything,” Robinson says of Smith’s $450 Lincoln’s Landing sign. “Hunter and the Scouts who helped him install the sign did outstanding work, and I’m glad it turned out so well. Maybe we can get together with those guys on another project another day.”

Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson says the Lincoln’s Landing sign reflects the time and quality Smith put into them. “It’s wonderful,” Watson says. “Now we have a professional-looking sign. People have seen it and commented on how nice it is. It’s a welcome addition.”

Fellow Scouts Hunter Smiley, Christian Hunt and Riley Alvein helped with the construction of both projects, while former Eagle Scout Jacob Turner helped the boys get together the paperwork they need to process in order to become Eagle Scouts. Hill and Smith will be the 42nd and 43rd Eagle Scouts respectively, from Troop 137. “The final result is not what these projects are about,” says Chief Britton, who has been scoutmaster of the troop since 2005. “The main part is the leadership involved in making it happen. Other than minimal adult advisement, they did everything.”

New Southside Landing welcomes one and all

Story by Katie Bohannon
Photos by Mackenzie Free

Summer 2022 proved sweeter for the City of Southside as the village on the Coosa debuted its highly anticipated waterfront park. Lovingly coined Southside Landing, the park beckoned residents and visitors to its pristine property on May 1 – and it has been smooth sailing ever since.

Residents frequented Southside Landing this summer, as the community embraced the waterfront park with an enthusiastic celebration of the city’s latest attraction. From boaters and fishermen enjoying the river to children laughing on the playground, people treasure the new jewel on the Coosa each day.

Southside Landing offers a little reprieve for everyone, including a boat launch, pier, playground, picnic tables and restrooms. Blackstone Bait Shack – a tangent of local beloved restaurant Blackstone Pub & Eatery – is in the process of opening soon.

The concept for Southside Landing arose when the previous mayoral administration took the initiative to purchase property for a boat launch, pier, bait shack and boat slips. When current mayor, Dana Snyder, entered her new position, she began discussing the plans formerly in place as one of her top priorities – determining to finish the park and open the space to the public.

Children frequent the new inclusive playground available at Southside’s waterfront park.

“Southside Landing is the gateway to our city,” said Snyder. “It is a place to gather, play, read, relax, exercise and eat – any day of the week. It offers residents and visitors alike a place to enjoy our beautiful river and soon, a place to hang out, with food and drinks! We will continue to improve it yearly.”

Snyder elaborated on these potential improvements, describing the growth she envisions for the space and Southside overall. She foresees future developments on the horizon, including further retail establishments and restaurants, alongside additions to the playground or walking trail.

She hopes to incorporate outdoor exercise equipment in different spots along the path for all ages to enjoy as a motivating factor for children and adults alike to practice healthy habits and exercise outdoors. Purchasing shades to cover the existing playground and the patio at Blackstone Bait Shack emerge as another endeavor. And Snyder is discussing plans for a possible kayak launch on the Landing’s back side, to provide easy access to present kayakers, while sparking an interest in the activity in others.

As locals soak in the sunshine during summer months and indulge in the recreation at their fingertips at Southside Landing, Snyder shared that the waterfront park transcends seasonal appeal. With city- and county-organized events scheduled from month to month, Southside Landing holds the potential to become a beloved tourist destination in Etowah County year-round.

Small tournaments have already launched from the Landing, with the city’s first sponsored tournament debuting on Sept. 17. Plans for Southside’s collaborative Christmas Boat Parade, hosted alongside Rainbow City, is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10.

Southside on the move

Southside Landing marks the beginning of a “New Southside,” according to Snyder, who discussed how the park intwines with the city’s innovative progress. As Southside Landing attracts tourism and creates a safe, pleasant space for residents, Snyder and her team strive to implement updates citywide.

A couple overlooks the Southside Bridge on the pier at the waterfront park.

With the incentive of providing better and more efficient services to citizens and businesses, Southside recently upgraded its city’s software and procedures, including a pay scale that offers more incentive for employees.

A paving project – affecting over 30 city roads – is almost complete, coinciding with the city’s plans for initiating its own garbage service.

A new fire station, which will accommodate the growing need of health and safety services and establish a place for the city’s first responders to serve residents and businesses is in the works.

Next is the expansion of Southside’s police department. Snyder announced that Southside almost has completed its strategic plan, which will provide the city and its officials with essential information in designing blueprints for future development and boosting economic success.

By improving its infrastructure and services, Snyder said, Southside will be ready for the future growth that is expected throughout its city in the near future.

“Southside Landing is here for residents’ use, because of the hard work of the past and present administrations,” said Snyder, noting that the efforts of dedicated individuals who understood the park’s significance and brought such success to fruition.

“The past administration took an opportunity presented to them and purchased the land with a vision for development of a boat launch and facility to provide public access to the Coosa River – our biggest asset for tourism and citizens. We want everyone to enjoy the park and have fun, while taking pride in Southside Landing and treating it with respect.”

Snyder welcomed the community to experience Southside Landing for themselves, celebrating the improvements taking place throughout the city and looking forward to those yet to come.

She invited residents and interested individuals to share their thoughts with her on the project, noting that her open-door policy remains intact, as does her passion for the lovely city she calls home.

Pirate Island Love Story

A wife’s birthday gift to her husband now a Logan Martin treasure

Story by Paul South

Photos by Mackenzie Free
and David Smith

This is a Pirate Island love story.

Don’t panic. This isn’t one of those cheap, 1980s bodice-ripper novels with Fabio and Morgan Fairchild lookalikes on the cover. After all, this is a family magazine.

This is a love story close to home – not set in Tahiti or Jamaica – but right here on Logan Martin Lake. It’s the story of how Laurie Regan’s birthday gift to her husband Jim turned into a gift for anyone who’s ever visited the 50 by 75-foot Pirate Island, a popular meeting place for families on the lake.

It’s not unusual to catch the marvelous aroma of cheeseburgers – yes, in paradise – or frying fish, or to hear an island song of laughter as children raid the island treasure chest for trinkets.

That’s just the way Jim and Laura want Pirate Island. They own the island, but it’s a gift to all who love the lake.

Laurie’s 2008 birthday present to her husband was not without its challenges, including a summer rain.

“I tell ya, wrapping it was a pain.”

And how did she wrap it?

“Sadly, it was crepe paper. We had a big storm after we got it all decorated.”

President of the Pell City Library Guild, Laurie was discussing Jim with a board colleague. “She said, ‘You know, my husband and I have an island.” As Laurie says, “That’s a conversation starter.”

The two women discussed the island and the possibility of the Regans buying it or sharing ownership with the sellers. But Laurie knows her husband. “An island is a one-owner kind of deal,” she says.

A month later, the unique birthday gift was bought, the deal sealed. It beats the heck out of a tie.

“I always loved the island,” Jim says. “I’d take nieces and nephews out there to go seashell hunting.”

To orchestrate the surprise, Laurie enlisted the couple’s niece, Abby, who was soon to return to college at Belmont. She coaxed her uncle into “one last boat ride.”

The island the day before was festooned with crepe paper and ribbon and balloons. Now, it was in tatters, thanks to a Logan Martin monsoon. But a koozie she handed him rescued the surprise. It read, “Welcome to your island.”

Immediately, Jim Regan dove off his pontoon boat and swam to the island – his island.

“I kissed the beach,” he says. “There was a lot more greenery back then. You could not walk across that island. It was totally overgrown.”

In the years since, the island – and life on it – has changed. And the Regans’ gift became everyone’s joy.

Three barge loads of vines, overgrowth, broken bottles and trash were hauled away – Phase 1 of a simple mission, Jim Regan says.

Palm trees and flowers were brought in along with hundreds of yards of sand and rip rap to protect the island shoreline against erosion. “Let’s try to make everyone fall in love with it,” he says.

And over the years, they have. The Logan Martin community has made Pirate Island a regular summer stop. On a typical weekend, some 30 boats tie up there. On holiday weekends the fleet expands to more than 40 vessels.

The island features a grill, a kiddie pool, palm trees and flowers, a hammock and a treasure chest, filled with trinkets that will, in the years to come, trigger precious, lingering memories. The island’s first chest was a bright orange Home Depot bucket, that would soon be replaced by a metal chest anchored by gold-painted rocks and filled with Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets.

But boys being boys, they’d dig deep in the chest to discover “gold.” And the chest was replaced by a small, metal box, adorned with a three-masted schooner and painted to give the look of weathered wood that’s there today.

In the wake of the toil and sweat invested to bring the island to its treasured state, Laurie Regan points out that sometimes wives give husbands gifts to keep them out of their hair – something like a new set of golf clubs.

“(The island) was my equivalent to a nice set of golf clubs, “she says. And Laurie’s gift of love to Jim – and Jim’s labor with others to transform Pirate Island – has turned into a treasure for all who cherish Logan Martin.

“It’s selfish in that you couldn’t possibly see this many wonderful, happy faces and families being together. It’s just a joy to go out and sit on the boat and watch them have such a wonderful time.

“(For kids) it’s a bit of a rest for their parents and they can play … It’s a pleasure. It really is.”

For Jim, Pirate Island is a thank-you gift in return for a blessed life. Pirate Island is the birthday gift that keeps on giving.

“When you’ve been fortunate, there’s a pull to give back. And it does feel good to try to give something back,” he says. “Whenever we run into someone on the island or run into someone who knows something about us and the island, they’re thankful. They’ve had great and meaningful times out there – and boy, it feels good.”

Kyle Anderson of Pell City, owner of Pro Handiman, LLC, has worked with the Regans improving the island and recently finished building a Tiki bar, complete with a thatch roof, and adding more sand and flowers.

He calls the island, “a labor of love.”

And that love, like the laid-back spirit of Pirate Island, is contagious.

Anderson remembers taking his young son, Asher, to the island after catching a 30-pound catfish. He showed him the process of catch-to-table. They fileted the fish and took eggs, flour and cornmeal to Pirate Island for a fish fry.

“I always think of that when I think of Pirate Island,” he says.

The Regans recalled meeting a grandfather on the island, with grandkids crawling all over him with the water and joy flowing over him.

“This is our time,” the grandfather said with a big grin.

It turns out the grandfather had visited Pirate Island many times. But one visit in particular shone like the midday sun.

“The guy asked his wife what she wanted to do for their 50^th-wedding anniversary,” Jim recalls.

Her response? “I just want to be on that island all day.”

Bulls on the Lake returns to Logan Martin

Eight seconds. It doesn’t sound like long –
unless you’re atop a bucking bull whose
sole goal is for you not to be there.

Story by Eryn Ellard
Submitted photos

Eight seconds. It doesn’t sound like long – unless you’re atop a broncoing bull whose sole goal is for you not to be there.

When Bulls on the Lake heads to Logan Martin, crowds come from near and far to see which cowboy can declare victory amongst his competitors – who can hold on to a bucking bull or bronco for a full eight seconds (or the longest time if no cowboy can hold on for eight seconds), with one hand and without touching himself or the animal.

Sound intriguing? Bulls on the Lake will return for its 7^th Annual Rodeo, on the banks of Logan Martin Lake at Lakeside Park Friday and Saturday, July 22-23.

Over the years, countless locals have proudly declared that bull riding is on their list of things they wish to accomplish in this life – their bucket lists. But after seeing a real rodeo in person, most cross that one off their lists and replace it with a less dangerous, safer, feat like summiting Mt. Everest, lumberjacking or sparring with Mike Tyson.

The event is put on by the Pell City Future Farmers of America Alumni Association and is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. They have been working long hours since January –planning, organizing and executing the event with the help of countless volunteers, local businesses, sponsors, advisors and rodeo specialists.

Producer of this year’s event is Mike Hale, owner of Triple H Bucking Bulls and Rodeo Co. Hale is responsible for coordinating all the rodeo’s events and contests. In addition, Triple H also sponsors two scholarships each year for the Pell City FFA. The main sponsor of this year’s rodeo is John Deere Trigreen Equipment.

Pell City FFA Alumni President Tori Castleberry says it is a huge family weekend, with events, shows, games and more for all ages to enjoy. “We love that the rodeo is an all-inclusive event – nobody ever leaves disappointed,” Castleberry says.

The Pell City FFA Alumni Chapter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and uses the proceeds from the rodeo for a host of things throughout the school year, including a wide range of competitions from livestock judging, small-engine competitions, land-judging competitions and so many more.

Many events the Pell City FFA attends each year happen outside of the classroom, so there are transportation costs, lodging and food costs, entrance fees and more. The Pell City FFA officers also attend the FFA National Convention in October in Indianapolis, and the alumni association makes sure that all officers can attend, despite any financial burden a student may be facing.

In addition, the officers attend an officer retreat every June to prepare as a team for the upcoming school year, and the officers also attend the state convention in June where they compete for highly coveted awards, as well as showing the rest of the state what Pell City is all about.

All these events and costs associated with them can add up quickly, so the alumni chapter knew they had to produce something big, something to drive the community to not only come out and enjoy themselves and their families, but also to participate in, get involved with and spend money at – for a strong and dedicated local organization that helps high school students.

Castleberry also noted that the rodeo helps to spark interest and a love for the world of agriculture in the hearts of so many area children, who will perhaps one day also join the ranks of the Pell City FFA. In the 2021-22 school year, the Pell City FFA had 160 active members and is projected to have 230+ for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.

Pell City Agriscience teacher and FFA advisor Ben Castleberry says the sole purpose of the FFA Alumni Association is to provide support to the FFA chapter.

“We are in a special situation in Pell City because our alumni pay for basically all the things we do, and that is because of the money raised from this rodeo,” he said. “No one else does anything like it.”

Friday’s events will focus on the young cowboys and cowgirls, giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills. Admission Friday night is $10, and ages 5 and under are free to attend.

Some of the highly competitive events include Mutton Bustin’ – an event where children under 65 pounds clamber aboard a wild, woolly sheep and try to hold on for six seconds.

In addition, children 5 and under, as well as ages 6-9, can compete in goat tail untying. In this event, children ride a horse to a tethered goat, untie a ribbon from its tail and hold it up, signaling finished. The time limit is 45 seconds. Dummy roping is also a popular event for the younger age groups.

For the more experienced young cowboys and cowgirls, Pee Wee mini bareback bronco riding will be available for ages 6-8, with a six-second time limit.

Opportunities for junior pony bareback bronco riding for ages 9-11, also with a six-second time limit, and senior bareback bronco riding for ages 12-15, with an eight-second time limit, are available.

Young bull riders also will compete at junior level, ages 9-11, with a time limit of six seconds and senior level, ages 12-15, with a time limit of eight seconds. First place in each event and age division will win a belt buckle.

The stock contractor for Friday night’s youth rodeo is 5L Farms. Both the youth and adult bull riding rodeos are sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association and all contestants will be members of IRMA. Youth contestants competing in any event except for bull riding do not have to be members of any rodeo-sanctioning organization.

Saturday’s rodeo will be for sanctioned riders only, and tickets will be $15 at the gate for ages 12 and above, $12 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Food trucks, inflatables and other novelty pastimes will also be a favorite among both the young and old, including a mechanical bull. Root beer floats and funnel cakes are also crowd favorites. Stock contractor for Saturday’s events is Circle J&K Cattle Co. They will be bringing all livestock, gates, chutes and other equipment.

After taking a year hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event kicked back into full swing last year, drawing in over 4,000 in attendance. “The atmosphere was electric,” Castleberry said. “After being apart for so long, everyone was so happy to be able to come out, have a ball and support a great cause. We are extremely grateful for the support and cannot wait to see what this year holds. To see this event come together enjoying a sport we do not get to see often is awesome.”

Castleberry also noted there are many people and organizations, that without whom, the rodeo would not be possible. “I could not do each year without our alumni parents and friends,” Castleberry said. “Cason Davis, is my right-hand man, our amazing ag teachers and FFA advisors, the parks & recreation department at the City of Pell City, especially Bubba Edge, also Mark Hale, the mastermind behind Bulls on the Lake, and most importantly, the support of our local businesses who sponsor this event each year.”

Fireworks, concerts, Christmas and more in July

There’s more to July than fireworks on and around our lakes, but of course, spectacular shows always take center stage. Or should we say, center sky?

On July 4, there are plenty of options on the water for viewing fireworks displays to celebrate our country’s birthday.

Logan Martin Lake

Pell City Lakeside Park – Come by boat, vehicle or on foot to this huge fireworks show that gets bigger and better every year. Hundreds of passenger-filled boats fill the lake to see the show that can also be viewed from the park. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on July 4.
Wood’s Surfside Marina – July 2 at 9 p.m., fireworks light up the skies over the marina with an impressive show.
Lincoln’s Landing – Festivities at Angler’s Pointe get underway at 4 p.m. with a free concert by Mike Parker, American Idol Season 20 Top-10 finalist. Food trucks and vendors will be set up as well.
River’s Edge Marina will present its fireworks show and event, beginning at 7 p.m. July 2. The fireworks show will end the night. The marina will have bouncy houses, a band, and the restaurant will be open along with their Tiki Hut. Southern Snow and Shaved Ice will be joining the festivities. No outside alcohol will be allowed.

At 8:30 p.m., get ready for the fireworks show at Lincoln’s Landing right next door.

Neely Henry Lake/Coosa River

Coosa Landing – A 4^th of July tradition, the fireworks show over the water in downtown Gadsden, this stunning show kicks off at 9 p.m.
Greensport Marina – This show is reserved for entertaining guests of the marina and RV park, but it can be viewed from the water. It gets underway at 9 p.m.

Summer Concert Series in Lincoln

In addition to fireworks all around on both the lakes, Lincoln Parks and Recreation continues its Summer Concert Series at Randolph Park. Held on the third Saturday of the month from June to October from 5 to 7 p.m., the series features all genres of music, and it’s free to the public.

In July, New Ground, a Southern gospel band will be headlining the concert. On Aug. 20, it will be Official Clutch Band, a jazz and blues group; Sept. 17, Allen Tolbert Unit, a bluegrass band; and on Oct. 15, Tremayne will close out the series with its brand of country music.

Series sponsors are Brandon Tate, State Farm, and Natasha O’Konski, Keller Williams.

Christmas in July at Pier 59

Pier 59 will be hosting the 13th Annual Christmas in July fundraiser on July 23. Benefiting the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, the proceeds from this event help purchase Christmas gifts for students at AIDB.

You won’t want to miss this day of fun for a good cause. Live music is from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Boat Poker Run launches at noon with hands in by 4 p.m. Registration is at 11 a.m.

A live auction starts at 5 p.m., and there also will be a $5,000 giveaway for $50 a ticket.

Save the date and be there!