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Praising in the Pines

Chapel in the Pines celebrates 60 years of worship on the banks of Logan Martin Lake

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted Photos

The engine of the approaching personal watercraft quiets to idle speed, the unit plowing through the water headed for the pier. Arriving at the pier moments later, its driver allows it to spin and stop and begins to tie off.

Wearing T-shirts, shorts and visors, the driver and his passenger hop onto the pier, greeting passengers of another arriving boat. Walking past the parking lot, they follow the path into the woods. It’s Sunday on the lake, and they’re headed to church at Chapel in the Pines.

For 60 years now, residents of Logan Martin Lake, along with their guests and visitors to the area, have gathered at the river to worship at the outdoor chapel known as Chapel in the Pines. Since its inception, the plan has always been for the service to be short and informal, allowing both time to worship and time to play on Sunday mornings. Visitors are encouraged to come to the 30-minute non-denominational service in casual attire, then hit the water to continue lake-loving activities for the rest of the weekend. Services are held at 8:30 a.m. beginning the first Sunday in May and continuing through the September.

Weekly church services at Chapel in the Pines are a ministry of Pell City First United Methodist Church. “We are happy to be able to offer the community an opportunity to gather at a weekly ecumenical service,” said Pell City FUMC senior pastor Rachel Gonia. “People who are here visiting during the summer have a place to come when they’re away from their home church.”

The message is delivered by a different preacher each week, with a representation by each religious denomination in the local area. That was one of the unique things that drew Sue Pat DuBose and her late husband, John, to Chapel in the Pines in 1984, eventually serving on the chapel board for five years. “We lived across the street, and we’d hear people singing, but we couldn’t hear the speaker,” says DuBose. “So, we walked over, and we enjoyed it so much. It was exciting, because, at that time, you never knew who the preacher was going to be or who was going to do the music.”

These memories were among many shared at the end of this season of Chapel in the Pines during an anniversary celebration honoring the history of this Logan Martin tradition. Deanna Lawley, a former chapel board member, recounted events from its early years. “It was like a homecoming when the season began,” she remembers. “We’d go over there when it was still dark to sweep off and around the benches before the people arrived.”

That was when Chapel in the Pines was in its first location in Pine Harbor Marina, where University Marine at Pine Harbor Marina is now. Pine Harbor Resort developer Thomas Casaday set aside land there with an outdoor chapel in mind to encourage lakeside residents, particularly those in Pine Harbor, to make time to worship while enjoying the lake.

For 49 years, the 16-foot tall cross at the marina at Pine Harbor drew people to the outdoor worship space. When the long-team lease expired in 2014 and negotiations to renew the lease with the new owners failed, the search was on for a new home.

A cross marks the way to the outdoor chapel

Sam Huffstutler, Pell City FUMC pastor at the time, worked with the Chapel in the Pines Board and found a partnership with city leaders in Pell City. The resulting deal with Pell City gave the church authorization to build a 300-seat outdoor amphitheater at Lakeside Park. The traditional Christmas Eve service that year was the first service held at the new location.

Chapel in the Pines welcomes believers from all denominations at any stage of their faith journey. Creating a community of faith in the lake community and serving local and global partners through acts of faith and service is their mission. Any money collected above small operating costs goes back to the community through grants given out to local nonprofits, such as the St. Clair County Boys Ranch, Gateway Community Garden, The Gideons International and First Priority.

Celebrating community and common ground is an important reason that Carl Wallace, author of Lake Ramblings, attends Chapel regularly. “Love of the lake provides us a common ground for a diverse community,” says Wallace. “Chapel in the Pines is an extension of the common ground and provides a predictably safe place, a place of encouragement, a place of worship.”

When the world went sideways during the height of COVID-19 when many places of worship shut their doors for a time, Chapel in the Pines became a place of spiritual peace for many in the Logan Martin area. Organizers found a way to still gather for worship, allowing seating in every other pew and encouraging social distancing.

During that time, Wallace was still writing his Saturday morning “Lake Ramblings” on Facebook and posted about the precautions he and his wife, Mar, would make to allow them to participate in chapel.

“We’d take our lawn chairs and sit up on the hill across from the entrance to the amphitheater. We’ll be socially distanced, but we’ll be part of the service,” Wallace recalls. “We talked about that experience in ‘Lake Ramblings’ the next week and comedically called the hill ‘Scaredy Cat Hill.’ The next Sunday, we had nine more on the hill, then 12 more, then a bunch of us. Scaredy Cat Hill allowed us to gather in that common ground of Chapel in the Pines and gave us the encouragement we so desperately needed.”

Scaredy Cat Hill is no longer necessary, thankfully. Still, Chapel in the Pines continues to be the source of encouragement to many families, even as they say their final goodbyes to loved ones. DuBose chose to hold the memorial for her husband at Chapel after he passed away in April. “My husband loved Chapel so much and always told me when he passed, he wanted his service held to be held there,” said DuBose.

Suellen and Jim Dargan chose the chapel as their wedding venue and left by personal watercraft after tying the knot

Suellen and Jim Dargan rented the spot for their wedding in May of 2022. Both were serving and volunteering at Chapel in the Pines and consider it a very special place. “We both wanted something special and unique for our wedding,” said (Jim) Dargan. “And we wanted it there so we could travel on our Sea-Doo to and from the ceremony.”

Traveling to church by boat or personal watercraft, whether for church or for special occasions, gives Logan Martin Lake lovers another way to make memories with family and friends. “We’ve made lifelong friends who are more like family through Chapel in the Pines,” says Chapel Board member Amy Stinson.

Chapel in the Pines will hold a Christmas Eve service again this year at 3 p.m. You’ll want to drive the car to that one and maybe bring a blanket or two.

Editor’s note: The amphitheater at Lakeside Park where Chapel in the Pines is held can be rented for weddings, birthdays, or other special events by contacting Pell City Parks and Recreation.

Great Alabama 650 2025

Epic paddle battle returns to Coosa River

Photos courtesy of
Alabama Scenic River Trail

Six times. Six wins. Not bad. Not bad at all for Logan Martin fan favorite Salli O’Donnell as she capped another win in the Great Alabama 650’s 2025 edition with a first solo finish, first female finish and third overall.

Finishing first overall and first tandem winners, Bobby Johnson and Matt Taylor, captured the top titles in a time of 5 days, 9 hours, 3 minutes.

Overall Solo and Female Solo winner Sallie O’Donnell heads to Logan Martin portage

Chris Thomas was first male solo finish, and Trey Reaves, last year’s solo and overall top finisher, was in tandem this year with John Wellens. They finished second overall.

A 650-mile Alabama professional ultra-endurance paddle race through Alabama Scenic River Trail on Weiss Lake, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Coosa River and Alabama River to Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan, the epic event stretched from Oct. 4-14. Racers have 10 days to complete, but the winners arrived at Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan at the 5-day mark.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) maintains and promotes the core National Water Trail, along with a network of over 6,500 miles of paddling trails throughout the state.

The organization’s trail network spans from North Alabama mountain streams and whitewater rapids to South Alabama’s river deltas, making it one of the most varied water trail networks in the nation.

As a nonprofit, ASRT operates through collaborations with local partners, organizations, and outfitters, serving as the state’s paddling resource for all skill levels.

The Great Alabama 650, ASRT’s signature race, highlights the full scope of these waterways, promoting appreciation and recognition of the state’s exceptional water recreation opportunities.

Fall is a special time on the lakes

There’s something about the lake, the Fall and the holiday season. It’s like three gifts all wrapped up in one enticing package.

Of course, the lake is a gift all year long, but Fall adds its own special feel as leaves finally begin their seasonal change in color, their reflection in the water painting a perfect picture. And then there’s Thanksgiving and Christmas – a season where memories are made, traditions return once again, and gatherings take on their own warm glow of celebration.

I saw a sign once that read: “Christmas is better at the lake.” If you’re a lake lover like me, the sentiment goes a step further – Everything’s better at the lake.

After the final summer surge, Labor Day, things around these parts seem to settle down. But not for long. Lakeside Live Musicfest took the stage in September with a bigger, better edition at Lakeside Park.

Chapel in the Pines, Logan Martin’s ‘come as you are’ church at the amphitheater at Lakeside Park, celebrated its 60th anniversary in September with a packed house reminiscing about its formation just after the lake itself was created.

October saw Boo Bashers – dock to dock trick-or-treaters and revelers – making their way up and down Logan Martin for a day of ghoulish good times. There was even a “Boo Slough” with activities and trick-or-treating at the park. The day ended with an after party to celebrate at Tiki Hut.

The lake was busy that day as was Neely Henry with paddlers from all over the world navigating Alabama’s waterways in the longest paddle race in the country – a grueling test of endurance from Weiss Lake in the north to Ft. Morgan in the south.

Downtown Gadsden and the riverfront have been mighty busy these days, taking advantage of their own vantage point with leaders bolstering efforts to enhance downtown and all along the waterfront.

In this issue, we’ll take you inside the kitchen and lakeside home of Erik and Erica Grieve, who cook up something special for our readers. And our bass pro, Zeke Gossett, offers tips, tricks and trends on Neely Henry and Logan Martin this time of year to make the fishing fun and best of all, productive.

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

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Get ready for the Great Alabama 650

Paddle race returns this October

They call it the world’s longest paddle race and at 650 miles across Alabama’s waterways, it is one of the world’s toughest endurance races, too.

Only 47 percent who start the race at Weiss Lake in Alabama’s north even make it to the finish line at Mobile Bay’s Fort Morgan, underscoring the resilience and sheer determination it takes to complete the grueling trek.

The Great Alabama 650 Race returns Oct. 4-14, embarking on yet another adventure that draws fans up and down Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes as paddlers head further south.

It takes paddleboard, canoe and kayak paddlers along the core of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, which sets a couple of records on its own as the longest river trail in a single state and the longest national water trail.

Traditionally, paddlers arrive in Gadsden on Neely Henry in the nighttime hours of Day 1 and reach Logan Martin on the morning of Day 2. From whatever vantage point fans can find with a view of main channels, a growing base of fans watch each year as paddlers make their way along the lakes.

Popular spots in Gadsden are along the riverwalk at Coosa Landing. Logan Martin tends to watch from lakeside homes or near the portage at Logan Martin Dam.

Or, they keep up with each racer’s progress on a live map on the race’s website, alabamascenicreivertrail.com/great-alabama-650. You can even volunteer for an even closer view and personal experience by registering on the website.

Racers have 10 days to complete the 650-mile course, but the 2024 male solo winner, Trey Reaves, finished in 7 days, 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was back-to-back wins for Reaves, who finished the 2023 edition in 6 days, 1 hour and 31 minutes. Record time was set by West Hansen in 2021 with 5 days, 19 hours and 9 minutes.

Ryan Gillikin was the female solo winner in 2024 in 8 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes. From the race’s inception in 2019 through 2023, Salli O’Donnell won all of them, setting the record in 2021 of 4 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes. O’Donnell has become a fan favorite on Logan Martin.

There’s also a two-person tandem team category, too, with Jessica Nance and Candi Hill capturing the 2024 title in 8 days, 22 hours, 35 minutes. The record is held by Paul Cox and Joe Mann at 4 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes in 2021.

They weather rain, wind, sun and fluctuating temperatures, from rushing whitewater to river deltas – all in hopes of completing this grueling race with prize purses worth $2,000 each. They’ll quickly tell you it’s not for the money, it’s the challenge.

So, grab your binoculars or find a closeup, waterfront perch and enjoy the race. It’s not just an adventure for the paddlers, it’s a lake life event you won’t want to miss.

In the Kitchen and around the Lake with the Ayres

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free

The home is decorated with a mix of antiques and new pieces

For most folks living on the water, entertaining large crowds of family and friends is part of summertime fun. For Lauren and Jason Ayres, who live on Neely Henry Lake in Southside, it’s just everyday life.

The couple has seven children, a son-in-law, and a grandchild on the way, so feeding big groups of people is nothing out of the ordinary. “We cook just about every meal we eat,” Lauren said. “They love to eat whatever we cook.”

The fact that some of the kids have dietary restrictions, coupled with the family’s desire to spend as much time outdoors as possible, means that mealtime can have a few challenges.

“We try to cook big on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so we can have leftovers during the work week,” said Jason, a doctor at Southside Family Medicine. “As our boys get bigger, though, that’s harder and harder to do.”

Dealing with logistics, however, is the couple’s specialty. Lauren has always homeschooled the kids, who now range in age from 13 to 25, and even though there are desks upstairs, a lot of schoolwork has always been done around the kitchen table. “I’ve learned to stay close to the kitchen,” she said. “There’s always something to cook or clean up, and there’s plenty of laundry to do.”

That’s why it’s a good thing the couple makes a good team. “We’ve learned in our house that it’s divide and conquer,” Jason said. “The kids have their chores, and Lauren and I just figure out what works best for us and get it done. Otherwise, we’d never get to sit down.”

Party of 10

It’s a system they’ve had plenty of time to perfect. Lauren and Jason both grew up in Gadsden, and the high school sweethearts have been together since she was 14 and he was 15. They got married after graduating from Auburn University, and they lived in Birmingham while he attended medical school and completed his residency.

Interior French doors work well with the home’s mixed decor

Although they didn’t necessarily plan to move back home, life has a way of working out for the best. “The hospital here called and offered us a job, and 22 years later, we’re still here,” Jason said. “This is where we felt like God was leading us.”

The lure of being near family was a strong one, especially as theirs was growing – sometimes pretty quickly. As their first four children – Maggie, Rebecca, Janie and Porter – got a little older, Lauren and Jason adopted their youngest three – Davidson, John and Patrick – from China over a two-year period from 2012 to 2014.

Even though the girls have left home now (Maggie, now 25, is married and living in Birmingham; Rebecca, 24, is in veterinary school at Mississippi State University; and 18-year-old Janie just started her freshman year at Mississippi State), there are still plenty of mouths to feed each day. Some of the four boys must have gluten-free diets, so Lauren and Jason have adapted recipes to meet their needs.

“Summer food is easy because Jason grills a lot, and we do a ton of fruits and salads,” Lauren said. The boys loved grilled hots dogs by the pool, so Jason uses the outdoor kitchen for that and for making rotisserie chickens, as well. Tilapia tacos and smoked chicken wings are summertime favorites, too.

Salads are even better with blackberries from their three bushes and tomatoes that they grow in containers on the deck. “Our plants were still full of them in October or November of last year,” Jason said. “They wouldn’t ever turn red, so we had a lot of fried green tomatoes. We figured out how to make them gluten-free.”

Homemade ice cream is another family favorite, and there’s always a batch being made or stashed in the freezer. One of their easiest recipes, made from cocoa, whipping cream and condensed milk, is a favorite and a go-to for church gatherings. “Everyone always wants us to bring this because it tastes just like a Wendy’s Frosty,” Jason said.

The boys (Porter is 15, Davidson and John are both 14, and Patrick is 13) love to paddle board and ride tubes in the afternoon, so the family’s meal prep philosophy is “the quicker the better.” As a result, the Crock-Pot gets called in to service fairly often.

“On the weekends we’ll stick stuff in the Crock-Pot so we can go sit by the pool or go out on the boat,” Jason said. “We spend hours out here, so when we come back in, dinner’s ready,” Lauren added.

Water time lasts well into the fall, so it doesn’t get a rest once summer’s over. “Last November we were out in the backyard with swimsuits on,” Lauren said. As the weather turns cooler, the meals get a little heartier, but the focus is still quick and easy meals. “In the fall and winter, we like lots and lots of soup,” Jason said. “The boys love soup.”

Creating a home

Sharing all those meals requires lots of dishes, but Lauren has got it covered. She loves china, especially the cabbageware she collects in pink, blue and green. When they moved into their waterfront home two years ago, she had a custom cabinet built between the kitchen and dining room to help house her dishes.

Everything you need to entertain by the pool

The rest is stored in buffets, china cabinets and other furniture pieces she has collected, largely from estate sales and antique stores. “I used to go to antique stores with my father, and he would always say that if you bought something at an antique store, you don’t pay a markup, and it will never lose its value,” Lauren said.

These days, she and Jason enjoy hitting the sales together. “It’s fun for me, too,” he said. “She has a system. If she sees something (online) that she likes, she’ll take a screenshot, and we make a run for it.”

Their home is a beautiful mix of antiques – some they’ve painted and some with the original finishes – paired with newer pieces from one of her favorite stores, Ballard Designs. Over the years, they’ve found a number of Henry Link chests and cabinets, most of which they have painted in colors ranging from a bright Kelly green, navy and salmon to a robin’s egg blue.

The pink, green and blue colors are carried throughout the house, and are most evident in the kitchen, which features navy steel appliances and light blue cabinets. “I’ve had the blue color of the cabinets picked out for years,” she said.

Before moving to their current home, they built a house in Whorton’s Bend, where they lived for 12 years. She wanted to have blue cabinets there, but everyone talked her out of it. “Everyone said to go neutral, so I did, and the people who bought the house painted the cabinets blue, just like I wanted to.”

She followed her heart when they moved to this house, just as she did when she selected the many treasures that make up the rest of her collections. She loves the Andrea by Sadek Fishnet porcelain figurines, and she has cats, bears, a kangaroo, frog and rabbits in the pattern. She also collects chinoiserie pieces, including groupings of blue and white ginger jars, colorful vases, as well as Chinese porcelain planters. Like her furniture, they are a mixture of antiques and new pieces.

One of her favorite collections is her Staffordshire dog figurines. “I bought my first set when I was 22,” she said, pointing at a pair of porcelain dogs on a shelf in a stairwell. “It was my first big girl purchase,” she added with a laugh. Others are perched in cabinets and on shelves and furniture throughout the home.

Although it’s been said that kids today don’t want their parents’ stuff, Lauren said that isn’t the case in their family. “My girls love all of this, too,” she said. In fact, it has become something of a running joke that they write their names on the bottom of things they like with a Sharpie marker.

“When Janie was about 13, she was putting up Christmas decorations and saw something she really liked,” Lauren remembered. “She said, ‘I’m Sharpie-ing that,’ and wrote her name on the bottom. Ever since then, the other kids will say, ‘Has Janie already Sharpied that, because I want it.”

Lauren said she occasionally sells things on Facebook when her collections grow too large. “I’ll post things on Facebook, and one of my girls will call and say, “I wanted that,’ so I’ll have to delete it off my page,” she said.

The treasures will soon be moving with them to a home 15 houses away. While they love the home they’re in the process of selling, Lauren and Jason found one with a layout that works better for married children and grandchildren.

There was never any question they’d be staying on the water, though. “Once you’ve lived on the water you can’t ever go back to not being on the water,” Lauren said. “We have the best sunsets here, and we just love sitting out on the deck and having lunch or dinner with a view of the water.”

There’s a peace about it that has become a vital part of their lives, Jason said. “The biggest boat traffic we have in here is people coming to fish,” he said. “After being at work all day, it’s so nice to come home and just be able to walk out the door and get on the boat. It’s just calming.”

Blackberry Salad

Romaine and green leaf lettuce
Cooked bacon, crumbled
Fresh blackberries. Home grown are the best!
Goat cheese crumbles
Sliced almonds

Dressing

1/3 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey

Season with basil or cinnamon to taste

Steak

We prefer thick filets.

Let meat come to room temperature and season on all sides. We use Kinder’s Seasoning, The Blend (salt, pepper, and garlic).

Place a small amount of low smoke point oil in a cast iron skillet and heat to just the point of smoking. Sear the edges first for one minute each.

Sear the first side for 3 minutes and the second for two. Place several pats of butter and some minced garlic on the steak and place in a preheated 450-degree oven.

We prefer medium, so we cook to 130 degrees and then remove and place on a plate and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice and serve with your choice of sides!!

Smoked Cream Cheese

1 block of cream cheese scored slightly on the top

Cover on all sides with seasoning of choice. We use Kinder’s Seasoning, The Blend (salt, pepper, and garlic).

Place cream cheese block on cast iron or grill-safe pan Smoke at 250 degrees for 2 hours

Cover with pepper jelly of your liking

Enjoy with crackers or chips.

No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 can condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Whip the whipping cream with a stand or hand mixer until the cream has stiff peaks.

Add milk, vanilla and cocoa powder and mix until combined.

Freeze at least 3 hours and enjoy with toppings!

Yields 1.5 quarts.

Boo Bash 2025

Signature lakewide event to be even bigger and better in 2025

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

Boo Bash, one of the lake’s fastest growing and most popular events, is back for its fourth Halloween celebration of costumes, candy and camaraderie for trick or treaters of all ages.

Boo Bash 2025 is set for Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, Oct. 12 from noon to 4 will be the makeup date.

More than 1,500 people participated in last year’s festival of frightful fun, an increase of more than 50 percent over a drought-stricken 2023.

For newcomers who have never participated in the fall event, lake residents decorate their docks and welcome a trick or treat fleet of boaters and their costumed crews. And, taking a page from the 1959 movie Godzilla, Boo Bash will also make mischief on land and water. Boo Bashers can gather at Lakeside Park, where restaurants and other sponsors also get in on the fun.

Don’t panic. While the giant amphibian wanted to destroy Tokyo, Boo Bash remains committed to building a better, safer, stronger lake community. Proceeds from the event will again go toward helping the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association fund solar-powered buoys – “BOO-ees” in Bash lingo – to be placed in shallow water to protect boaters.

Last year, Boo Bash raised enough money to fund 10 of the beacons. So far in the program, LMLPA has placed 70 buoys on the lake.

The 2024 event drew a big crowd, even while going one-on- one with an Alabama football game. “It actually went really well,” said Kelli Lasseter, who along with her partner Sonya Hubbard, leads an ever-growing corps of Boo Bash merry pranksters. “We made the decision to move it back to Sunday because it did interfere with so many of the children’s fall sports. There were also some safety concerns from last year that we hope moving it back to Sunday can help resolve. Safety is priority number one.”

Tiki Hut at Rivers Edge teams up with the LMLPA to put the event together

Boo Bash is again teaming with the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, The Tiki Hut at River’s Edge and the City of Pell City. As of this writing, a sponsorship drive was underway.

For the first time in 2024, the event featured a land component and that, along with the Tiki Hut open in what’s normally the off season, last year was unique, Lasseter said. Tiki Hut, a wildly popular summertime stop, usually closes for the season on Labor Day. But in 2024, it opened for Boo Bash and will do so again in 2025.

“Having Tiki Hut open was really cool, as was the addition of the land stop,” Lasseter said. CEPA also got into the spirit on Pirate Island with a theme that would make Blackbeard raise the Jolly Roger. They will be back in 2025.

Another fun new partner will be the Logan Martin Duck Hunt, which has had folks scavenging the lakeshore for numbered rubber ducks. Lasseter hopes the quackers will attract new Bashers from the upper part of the lake and its sloughs.

The year-round scavenger hunt is another treat in the Boo Bash Halloween bag, boosting the event’s mission to build community.

“We are really excited to partner with the Logan Martin Duck Hunt. A scavenger hunt has been on the list for awhile and this was just a perfect way to make that happen for everyone.” Lasseter said.

Stacy Deegan, co-creator of the hunt, is excited to be joining the Boo Bash spook-tacular.

“Boo Bash stands alone as being a significant event for lake residents and friends of the lake,” she said. “We are honored to be asked to collaborate with the organizers.

“Incorporating the Logan Martin Duck scavenger hunt with Boo Bash just adds a little bonus activity and gives the participants more to look forward to and enjoy,” Deegan added.” You can’t have too much fun, can you?”

Neal Stephenson, president of the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, said the association’s work to place the hazard buoys began in 2019, and the partnership with Boo Bash began last year.

“I think the partnership that our organization has done with Boo Bash has given our organization more visibility on the lake,” Stephenson said. “It’s increased our ability to donate more buoys to this program because our funding is based on volunteer donations. Because of this partnership with Boo Bash, we were able to accelerate and increase the number of buoys we have to donate to the lake.”

Stephenson is excited about the possibilities for Boo Bash 2025 and the LMLPA’s drive to place 100 buoys on the lake.

“If we have another year this year like we did last year with Boo Bash – between that and our own donations – we should be getting close to our goal,” Stephenson said.

Even in the sweltering July heat, momentum for the Fall’s Boo Bash was mounting, Lasseter said. “Excitement is already building. People are reaching out to us – new people who want to host a pier and our incredible host piers that continue to come back every year,” Lasseter said.

An example of the buzz? One new lake family doesn’t have a pier yet but plans to decorate their pontoon and float it out to greet revelers with treats.

Lasseter hopes Boo Bash and its stories will have a long life – a Halloween treat for generations on Logan Martin.

“I hope that Boo will continue to grow in this community and bring people from all walks of life together long after we’ve passed the torch to someone else.”

Events like Boo Bash and the duck hunt and places like Pirate Island are needed, Lasseter said, especially in tough times like today.

“It’s so important to take a break from the heaviness of day-to-day stuff,” she said. “To have just one day not to have any worries or cares and be able to tap into imagination and fun is everything to so many. Letting go of those worries for a few hours and enjoying the moment is something I love.”

Boo Bash sends a clear message, Lasseter said.

“What an amazing community we have on Logan Martin Lake. How selfless the people are to give hundreds of dollars of their own money to make this event happen,” Lasseter said. “I hope everyone walks away with smiles and memories. Oh, and bags full of wonderful treats!”

And as far as what Lasseter hopes people will remember about Boo in the years to come? Well, she had this to say. “When they think about Boo Bash, I want them to remember the fun they had but more importantly, I want them to remember the amazing people on this lake who made it all possible. Logan Martin is a very special place and Boo Bash is just one example of our residents’ hospitality and generosity. I am not sure you find this everywhere, but you will always find it here.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about Boo Bash on Logan Martin Lake, visit its Facebook page at Boo Bash on Logan Martin or email them at boobashonloganmartin@gmail.com.

Catchin’ the Coosa September 2025

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

Logan Martin

As the weather starts cooling off, and we move into the fall time of year, a lot of changes start to happen on Logan Martin. One of the main things that every year is the Fall turnover.

This is where the lake begins to lose oxygen out in deeper water. You can even see the thermocline on your 2D sonar and downscan. You will begin to see shad starting their migration to the backs of the creeks and usually the bass will follow.

This happens especially once the nights begin to get cooler. On top of this, the winter drawdown begins to happen on Logan Martin. Last year, the water level only dropped three feet compared to the usual five in prior years, which is the new winter level.

This time of the year can be a very tough time to fish, but hopefully these tips can help you get a jump start to find fish quickly.

Typically, I fish predominately shallow water. When I say shallow, I mean anywhere from 10 feet or less of water. I’m usually looking for docks, brush and grass for my three main pieces of cover on Logan Martin.

Usually, I will try to start in the grass, especially in the earlier part of September. The first rod I’m going to reach for is a frog. The frog, in my opinion, is probably one of the best ways to get your better than average bite this time of year. Another good option would be a buzz bait.

Once the sun starts to get up, I’ll kind of shift my focus to the docks and brush. There are a couple of rods I reach for this time of year when fishing docks and brush. When the water temp is still in the 75-degree plus mark, I’m usually reaching for the neko rig. The fish are still usually pretty finicky this time of year. This is a great option for getting these fish to bite when they’re not in the biting mood.

Once that water temp gets under 75, that’s when I’ll reach for the jig. The jig is a very versatile bait this time of year. You can fish it around brush and docks. I might even flip it in grass and lay downs as well.

While the early fall time of year can be some of the toughest times to fish on Logan Martin, it can be the most rewarding if you figure them out. Keep it simple this time of year, and you will find success.

Neely Henry

September and October can be a very tricky two months on Neely Henry Lake. The fish are starting to feed up for the winter and especially after the first few cool nights we have.

I really like to focus on docks and grass just like Logan Martin. Typically, I’ll focus on the back half of the creeks this time of year. You also want to make sure there are baitfish in the area.

Most of the time the baitfish will be up near the surface of the water column. So, make sure you keep an eye out for schoolers this time of the year 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 very low. The shallow water tends to have a lot more bass activity due to food and oxygen levels. This is why the baitfish tend to be near the surface.

When fishing the docks, I will typically start on the shallower docks. When I say shallow docks, I’m talking any docks five feet or less.

Don’t be afraid to try deeper docks as well. The deeper docks will sometimes get overlooked by a lot of fishermen. 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 please.

A few baits I like to try in these areas are either the neko rig or jig. These two baits give me options throughout about every depth. 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 docks.

Lastly, another great place to try and find a bigger bite is in the grass. The frog early in the morning is great way to get a bigger than average bite. Once the sun gets high, don’t be afraid to flip the jig as well. You will not get many bites typically doing these techniques, but the ones that do bite will be better than average.

One last tip on grass, do not be afraid to fish super shallow this time of year. Sometimes the fish on Neely Henry get so shallow you can almost see their fins, and the bigger fish will sometimes be in just inches of water.

Give these tips a try and keep your fishing simple this time of year. Fall time is all about trying to find activity. Fish tend to move around a lot but don’t let that fool you.

Keep your bait selection simple and keep covering water, and you will find success.

Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.

Coosa Riverkeeper’s 15-Year Anniversary

Coosa Riverkeeper celebrates our 15th anniversary this month. That’s thousands of days we’ve patrolled 220 miles of river, monitored popular recreation sites all summer long, including your favorite lake, and educated countless families about the Coosa!

We began like most riverkeeper organizations: with a handful of people. After learning the Coosa River had been named the 10th most endangered river in the United States by American Rivers, a small group of local environmental leaders gathered and took action on behalf of the river, her communities, and her critters. Since our beginnings in a storage shed circa 2010, we have grown exponentially, introducing our Swim Guide program in 2015 and now celebrating its 10 year anniversary! Our Angler Advocacy & C.R.E.E.K (Coosa River Environmental Education for Kids) programs were introduced later in our 15 years of Coosa Riverkeeper, which continue to educate folks all across the watershed about our mighty river and its unique characteristics.

Our boat is small, but 3,500 members join us through their support for every patrol and water sampling. They are the fuel behind our work to answer simple questions like, “What can I do to make the Coosa healthier for my community?” to ensure the public is aware of water quality impacting the river, recreation, public health, and property value.

Rivers bring us all together, so let’s look after our River like it looks after us!

Psst… You can find downloadable coloring books and nature-themed reading ideas for kids and parents. Enjoy! Visit CoosaRiver.org/Education

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Boosting fish habitats on Neely Henry

NHLA leading effort to create angler’s dream lake on the Coosa

Story by Paul South
Photos by Tricia Lybrook

Dave Tumlin has a whopper of a fish story, complete with possibly a spark of the Divine.

It was early Spring. Tumlin and his brother Billy came to fish for Crappie on Neely Henry Lake, the place his family had called home since 1968. The Tumlins were among Neely Henry’s first families.

“There wasn’t anybody here. There was a dirt road,” Tumlin recalled. The brothers went to a spot they’d never fished before. “I always thought it might be a really good place, because the guy had a lit-up cross hanging on his dock. I called it the Jesus Dock.”

Dave Tumlin grabbing a hose for mixing the concrete

They caught – but didn’t keep – over 100 fish that day in that location near the cross. They never moved.

“We were using jigs. We were using minnows. We were using minnow heads off the deck of the boat that fell off the hook,” Tumlin said. “It was a phenomenal day.”

Now president of the Neely Henry Lake Association, Tumlin and the NHLA members, along with a small gathering of devoted volunteers, want other anglers to have divine days on the lake. They’re working to boost fish populations by constructing fish habitat.

For nearly two decades, the lake association, in partnership with Alabama Power, has worked to create new habitats for the Crappie, bass and other species that call Neely Henry home.

The organization joins with the utility biannually to build and place new fish habitats on the lake. The most recent event occurred in March. The date for fall construction has not yet been set, Tumlin said.

The evolution of an angler’s idea

The association got hooked on fish habitats thanks to a member’s idea.

“One of our members, who is a tournament fisherman, ran into a buddy from another lake who told him about this partnership with the power company,” Tumlin said. “So our member got in touch with the power company and asked what we needed to do to do it at Neely Henry.” The answer? “Just ask.”

NHLA did ask, and it all started with hundreds of discarded Christmas trees that had seen their Yuletide glory fade into precious holiday memories.

“As best I can recall, it all started at Ten Islands and at Rainbow Landing,” Tumlin said. “(The utility) would bring two or three giant dump trucks and dump the Christmas trees in the parking lot.”

From there, some 10 to 20 NHLA members and other volunteers would tie the trees together in bundles of five evergreens, weighted with concrete blocks. Some volunteers bundled. Others loaded them om the barges, and still others dropped the weighted trees into the lake.

“Alabama Power supplied it all,” Tumlin said. “Christmas trees. The rope to tie them together, gloves, water for us to drink if it was too hot, concrete blocks, then the barges we would load those on. It’s really been a neat evolution and a great partnership.” The association tells the utility where they want the habitat placed and the water depth.

It takes a large group effort to put the buckets together

There was one problem with that inaugural habitat build. Just as grass withers and flowers fade with the seasons, Christmas trees in lakes disintegrate over time. And the numbers of discarded Christmas trees declined.

That led to another idea: Spider blocks. Hundreds of ‘em.

Tumlin explained: “If you can visualize a two-hole concrete block with half-inch PVC pipe, four feet long or so. Six or eight of those legs, if you will, are sticking out of the holes. Then we would pour concrete in the holes and let it dry. That was not quite as labor-intensive as the Christmas trees. That took a lot of people and a lot of effort.”

But the Spider Blocks created their own web of challenges.

“We had to wait a week for the concrete to set up, “Tumlin said.” It was difficult to load them. The concept was a lot like the Christmas trees, but (the blocks) last a lot longer. We did them for a couple of years.”

An upside of the blocks was that moss would grow more quickly, providing a buffet for fish. Then the food chain took over. “The little fish would eat the moss and the big fish would eat the little fish,” Tumlin said.

In its current incarnation, the NHLA habitat construction relies on durable five-gallon plastic buckets. “We went from Spider Blocks to Spider Buckets,” Tumlin said. “We’ve been doing that for the last six or seven years (including a hiatus during the pandemic).”

The concept is similar to the blocks, with PVC “legs” and concrete in the buckets. But with an assembly line process, projects like the one last fall at Greensport Marina, took less than two hours. Volunteers place 100 buckets in the water – 20 in each location, known only to volunteers – to create artificial habitats. The buckets create an almost permanent presence under the water.

“Then, we wait for something good to happen.” Tumlin said. “Magic.”

He added, “A lot of fishermen come out to help because they want to know where the habitats are going to be.”

Tumlin praised Alabama Power and its partnership with NHLA and volunteers. “We just supply the labor.”

And adults aren’t the only ones getting into the act. Last year, a homeschool group of kids came and helped with the project while learning the science of fish habitats and biodiversity.

“They came out. We gave them gloves, and they helped build with us.”

A driving force has kept the lake association committed to the biannual habitat builds. “When this came along, all of these members were really pumped up and said, if we can go out and put out 300 Christmas trees that’s got to help the fish habitat, which means we’ll have more fun. It’ll be exciting for us, and it will help the lake at the same time.”

He added, “That’s probably the biggest driver, knowing that on our own, without great expense, partnering with the power company, we could improve the fish habitat and the fish population on the lake.”

The effort also strengthens the Neely Henry community. “You get to see some guys you only see twice a year,” Tumlin said. “It’s always fun to catch up on family and tell the fishing stories.”

It’s rewarding, he said. “Knowing that we’re helping this lake and the camaraderie, those are the two biggest drivers. Knowing that in a small way, we are making this lake a better place, it helps not only us, but everyone who uses and enjoys this lake.”

And the habitat effort says something about lake residents and folks who enjoy the lake. “There are a lot of caring people who live on this lake that go above and beyond to keep it the beautiful body of water that it is.”

Editor’s Note: For more information on the Neely Henry Lake Association, visit the organization’s Facebook page, or visit neelyhenrylake.org.

Choccolocco Creek Watershed

Beyond protecting a place of natural beauty

All of the bodies of water in the region have groups looking to protect them – Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, Neely Henry Lake Association, Coosa Riverkeeper, just to name a few.

Oxford High School students at a Watershed Science Day

Calhoun and Talladega counties have the Choccolocco Creek Watershed.

Flowing from the headwaters of the Talladega National Forest into Lake Logan Martin at Lincoln, Choccolocco Creek drains nearly 376 square miles of land across four Alabama counties. It’s home to about 70 fish species, including the threatened holiday darter, pygmy sculpin and blue shiner, and supports 22% of Alabama’s freshwater fish species despite covering less than 1% of the state’s land area.

Jennifer Yates Hudson, district coordinator for the Calhoun County Conservation District and the Choccolocco Creek Watershed project, said the nonprofit’s role goes beyond conservation science.

“The Choccolocco Creek Watershed is a non-profit organization supporting area projects that improve the quality of life for our communities through promoting recreational and outdoor activities while protecting our natural areas and water quality,” Hudson said.

Inspiring Adventure

Two programs currently encourage residents to get outdoors: the 100 Choccolocco Miles Challenge and the Choccolocco Ambassadors program.

Hudson explained that the 100 Miles Challenge is “designed to inspire our regional communities to lead active, healthy lifestyles while exploring our beautiful watershed areas.” Participants can hike, bike, swim, paddle, walk, ride or roll 100 miles each year within the watershed. All miles also count toward the statewide 100 Alabama Miles Challenge.

Classroom in the Forest is another educational opportunity

The Ambassadors program seeks outdoor enthusiasts who post photos, videos and blogs about their experiences. “Our hope is to inspire communities to get out and experience Choccolocco Creek Watershed firsthand,” Hudson said.

Recreation and Future Projects

The Choccolocco Kayak Center, launched seven years ago in partnership with the City of Oxford, remains one of the group’s most visible projects. The center offers casual paddlers easy access to the creek. Future plans include extending kayaking opportunities and creating a Blueway into Lincoln.

The watershed is also developing plans for a Choccolocco Nature Center and outdoor multiuse trails. Hudson said the project aims to establish “a regional area conservation hub that promotes a love of environmental literacy and serves as a nature-based center for community activity.”

Educating the Public

Education is a key part of the watershed’s mission. Each year, the group hosts workshops and seminars about conservation practices, cost-share programs and current projects. “We also host education workshops and ‘Watershed Science Days’ for students and teachers,” Hudson said, adding that topics include water quality, forestry and wildlife, soil health and land use impacts.

Faith Christian students and teachers help with a cleanup effort

Stewardship also begins at home, she said, encouraging homeowners to be “good backyard conservationists,” using practices such as water conservation, mulching, composting, planting trees and installing rain barrels.

Protecting a Crucial Resource

“Protecting natural resources in any watershed is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of all living things, both now and in the future, and is essential for maintaining community sustainability,” she said.

For Hudson, that means balancing recreation, conservation and education — and ensuring residents understand the creek’s value. “Clean, healthy watersheds depend on an informed public to make the right decisions when it comes to the environment and actions by the community,” she said.

You can follow Choccolocco Creek Watershed on Facebook or visit their website choccoloccocreek.org