In the Kitchen and around the Lake with Lyman Lovejoy

Lake cabin central to generations of family, friends

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free
Submitted Photos

Anyone who knows Lyman Lovejoy – and the number is a large one since he’s never met a stranger – can testify that the real estate mogul who has called St. Clair County home for more than 50 years, has the perfect last name.

Granddaughter Niah gets an early start at the lake

Known as the “Mayor of St. Clair County,” Lovejoy loves people and radiates joy.  Factor in his fondness for the water and being outdoors, and it’s no surprise that one of his favorite things is spending time with family and friends at his weekend home on Neely Henry Lake.

“If I don’t do a thing but sit right here and throw me a fishing line out there, I’d be fine,” Lovejoy said from one of three wooden swings hanging in his boathouse.  “The view doesn’t get any better than this.”

There’s a lot of view to enjoy since Lovejoy’s three lots boast about 800 feet of sparkling waterfront. “Over the years, a lot of people have asked me if I would sell the place,” he said of the A-frame cottage and 3 acres surrounding it. “The answer is no. My kids and grandkids have known this all their lives. It’s not for sale.”

Another generation is learning to love lake life, as well. In addition to his two children and six grandkids, the 84-year-old Lovejoy now has two great-grandchildren.

Chances are, they’ll learn to ski much like their parents and grandparents did. Lovejoy taught them all in an untraditional manner. Before they were ready to test their new skill behind a boat, Lovejoy gave them skis and a rope, and he ran down the riverbank, pulling them along. “I did that until they were ready to get behind the pontoon,” he said with a grin.

When the family gets together, it’s a pretty big crowd, but Lovejoy said he and his special friend, Sheila Moore, love hosting them, as well as friends, church groups and anyone else who wants to join the festivities.

“There’s always room for more,” Lovejoy said. “We’ve grilled many a hamburger here, and we just love to sit and eat and talk.”

His eyes light up with the memories – the ones he and his family have created, as well as the ones he has from his childhood in Clay. “I grew up with camping, Boy Scouts, fishing,” Lovejoy said. “I’ve always enjoyed being around the water and wildlife.”

Born for it

Lovejoy’s affection for the outdoors comes naturally. Growing up, his parents, Sim and Lucille Lovejoy, were caretakers at YMCA Camp Cosby.  As superintendent, his father “kept everything going” at the camp, which was originally located north of Trussville before moving to Logan Martin Lake in 1972. As a result, Lovejoy spent many a summer lifeguarding.

A-frame cabin he’s had for 40 years

After graduating from Hewitt High School, now Hewitt-Trussville, Lovejoy got a job with an office equipment company before he and his late wife, Catherine, decided to get their real estate licenses.

They bought an office in Odenville, moved to St. Clair County, and Lovejoy has been here ever since. He now lives on a farm in Ashville, about 15 or 20 minutes from his lake home. Lovejoy Realty specializes in selling land for recreation, hunting and farming, as well as residential and commercial development, home sales and new construction.

It’s hard to know what Lovejoy has enjoyed most – his career or the place where he developed it. Either way, whether he’s closing a deal or simply telling a visitor about the virtues of “a quiet life” in the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains, Lovejoy is always selling St. Clair County and working to make it better.

“I’m probably the only one in the county that’s got every commissioner, councilman and mayor in my phone, and I work it,” he said. Lovejoy has served on the St. Clair County Economic Development Council and is a former chair and member of UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair. A past member of the Alabama Real Estate Commission, which is a gubernatorial appointment, Lovejoy is active in his church, First Baptist of Ashville, and has held leadership positions in the St. Clair Association of Realtors.

“There’s not a better place anywhere,” he said. “Folks have been good to us here.”

Down by the water

Although Lovejoy has made many real estate transactions, one of the best ones he made was when he and his wife bought the cottage in the Shoal Valley Creek area of Neely Henry almost five decades ago.

“A couple came in and said they wanted us to sell their house on the river,” he recalled. “We’d been wanting to get a place on the water, so we said, ‘We’ve got to get that.’”

The 2-bedroom, 1-bath A-frame came with two lots, and a year or so ago, Lovejoy bought a third lot next door. “It’s real simple, but it’s all we need,” he said. “We have 30, 40, 50 people out here sometimes. I love it.”

Guests to the home walk into a cozy den that’s painted a bright white and has two sofas and several oversized chairs. There’s a basket of board games, which have gotten years of use, and a small kitchen, dining area and bathroom.

Upstairs are two small bedrooms – one with four twin beds and another with two. Navy and white striped comforters provide a nautical feel and contribute to the homey atmosphere.

“Most of the time we don’t even make it up to the house,” Lovejoy said, standing at the door of a large, free-standing screened porch that he eventually added on the property. “This is about as far as we go unless we’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

Lyman on boat with granddaughters, Tori and Bree Camp

The “cooking shed” has plenty of seating around a fire pit table, and Lovejoy built benches and ledges all around three sides of the outdoor living space. The fourth side is home to cabinets he made, as well as a sink, microwave and refrigerator. A collection of rods, reels and fishing gear is tucked away in the corner.

Lovejoy and Moore believe that the best part of entertaining is the fun and fellowship, so they make it as easy as possible. The menu is usually hamburgers and hotdogs with sides like potato salad, slaw, baked beans, chips and fruit. “There’s always plenty for everyone,” Lovejoy said.  “We can seat about 50 in here,” he said. “We have a lot of fun.”

When they’re not eating, they’re playing. A shed next to the screened room holds all the toys – skis, tubes, floats, fishing poles, kayaks, a water mat and an assortment of life jackets for every age and size. “We’ve got them from infant size on up,” Lovejoy said.

Fishing is another big draw. “We’ve caught some 15- and 20-pounders,” he said. “We’ve caught carp, crappie, gar, catfish, bass, you name it.”

The dock and boathouse area is one of Lovejoy’s favorite places. He recently spent a breezy afternoon there with Moore and Herschel Morgan, a childhood friend who stopped by for a quick visit. “We’ve known each other all our lives,” Lovejoy said as Rascal, his 12-year-old mutt, jumped up to join them. “Look at us. We’re just three old dogs sitting on a swing.”

The two bantered back and forth, reminiscing, laughing and catching up on each other’s lives. When Moore got up to put something away, Lovejoy, just four weeks out from knee replacement surgery, was quick to quip, “We’d help you if we weren’t crippled.” Not to be outdone, Morgan quickly added, “We’ve got over 100,000 miles on these legs.”

For Lovejoy, it was a perfect afternoon: laughing with friends, sharing a beautiful view, and enjoying the peace and quiet. “A good portion (of the lake) is owned by Alabama Power, so it’s very sparsely built,” he said. “On a really busy day, there might be a few boats. It’s pretty quiet here.”

So what would it take to make Lovejoy leave St. Clair County and his slice of heaven on the water?  “They make ’em about 6 feet long and it’s got a lid on it,” he joked. “If it’s a pine box, that’s OK, as long as it’s well-made.”

And since he doesn’t like any surprises when it comes to making a sale, he was quick to disclose an additional caveat. “And one more thing,” Lovejoy added, “I want a Cadillac hearse.”

Recipes for lake gatherings

Courtesy of Sheila Moore

Georgia Cornbread

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 ½ cups self-rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 dish. Beat eggs, oil and sugars.
Stir in pecans, flour and vanilla. Bake 30 minutes and let cool in dish for 10 minutes on a rack. Serve with whipped cream or enjoy as is with a cup of coffee.

Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups canned chicken
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces of spaghetti, cooked
  • Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients, except for cheese, with the pasta.
Cover casserole with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Add cheese to top and return to oven until cheese is melted.

See you down at the dam

Logan Martin Dam Palooza boat tie-up returns June 28

It has been a dozen years since someone had the idea of a nontraditional get-together at Logan Martin Dam. It would be a boat tie-up, where boats tie to one another and enjoy the day on the lake – in the water, on their boats, on floats and mats, or from boat to boat.

It has become one giant floating party, and it’s returning June 28, when organizers are taking the 12th Annual Logan Martin Dam Palooza to the next level.

Live music by 90 Proof will entertain, and DJIV will be playing the tunes between sets. Sponsors of the free event are Tiki Hut and ABC Towing.

While organizers want everyone to enjoy the day at the dam, there are some reminders and guidelines that will ensure exactly that.

Here they are:

  • Have a responsible boat captain in charge of the boat and the safety of your crew
  • Bring enough ropes to properly secure your boat to your neighbor’s if you plan to tie up to the line of boats.
  • Have sufficient bumpers for the size and type of your boat.
  • Bring an anchor sufficient for the size boat you are operating. Wind will determine which way we toss anchors but please have one.
  • When approaching, please be aware of people in the water and the line of boats tied together. Any waves caused by your boat approaching can cause damage or disrupt the fun everyone else is trying to have.
  • Turn off music when approaching so any help offered for your docking can be heard, and you can easily be tied up.
  • Note there will be all ages attending this float so please refrain from any music that may be offensive to the little ones. We will have the loudest stereo(s) on the lake with us and will try to play general music everyone can enjoy but this is not a competition, if you want to play your music for a while we will let you.
  • We set up a swim area between the boats with big pads and ropes, etc., so please be aware of this area when coming and going.
  • Don’t be ‘that guy!’ When approaching, stop well before you get to the tie up and get your bumpers in place, ropes tied and ready to throw and turn the music down, so everyone can hear the captain’s commands.
  • This is an opportunity to make new friends on the lake and enjoy the day together. When someone approaches your boat, help them tie up safely and securely. If you are approaching, be considerate of who you are tying to, and have all of your bumpers and ropes ready. Return the favor for who ties to your boat.

“We hope to see everyone down at the dam,” organizers say with a final message: “Everyone be safe!”

On Eagles’ Wings

Bald eagles thrive on the Coosa

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted photos from Alabama Outdoors

Top photo by Cathy Flynn

Katie Faught had no plans to take up photography. That is, until she moved to Logan Martin Lake almost six years ago. In that time, she says, she’s seen so many beautiful sights that she just had to pick up a camera and start shooting. Her lenses capture the images of osprey, hawks, and eagles that nest and fish the waters of the Coosa River.

“I got my first Nikon camera and first telephoto lens five years ago and started getting serious about it,” says Faught. “We live in the slough by Knox Landing in Pell City. We have bald eagles and osprey that both nest nearby.” She photographs them just outside her house when the water is down. When the water comes back up, she and her husband, Brian, head out by boat to look for them.

For Faught and other eagle enthusiasts, there is good news. There will be more sightings of bald eagles around Logan Martin Lake, as their numbers nationwide and in Alabama continue to rise. According to Robyn Miller, director of Auburn University’s Raptor Center, there are about 100 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Alabama.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) oversees a program called the “mid-winter bald eagle survey,” a joint effort by many state and federal environmental agencies that annually tracks the location of eagles across the U.S. Dylan Shaw is a biologist in environmental affairs for Alabama Power and participates in the survey each year.

“We have been a part of that effort since 1993,” Shaw explains. “We track the eagles on the Coosa River on a rotating basis over a three-year period, surveying the upper Coosa on Neely Henry, the middle Coosa on Logan Martin, and the lower Coosa on Lay, Mitchell and Jordan lakes.  Logan Martin was surveyed in 2024 and Neely Henry in 2023.” That survey revealed at least 15 bald eagles on Logan Martin and five on Neely Henry.

Eagle and osprey in flight Photo by Katie Wade Faught

The numbers could be much higher, though, since the crews only survey from the water. “We take crews and survey the entire shoreline with about six observers searching with binoculars,” Shaw continued. “It’s all done in one day, and it’s just a snapshot. It reflects the minimum numbers that exist but really indicates that there are many eagles on our lakes.”

It took a special effort to bring bald eagles back to Alabama. In 1985, according to Chris Sykes, executive director of the Alabama Wildlife Center, there were no nesting pairs in our state. “There was a big push by the Alabama Department of Conservation,” Sykes said, “and between 1984 and 1991, they released 91 juvenile bald eagles into Alabama wild lands.”

Logan Martin resident Barnett Lawley was a part of Alabama’s efforts to repopulate the bald eagle when he served as the state’s commissioner of conservation under Governor Bob Riley from 2003 to 2011. He remembers participating in a program in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that relocated eaglets to Alabama from Alaska and Florida, states where the species was abundant.

Specialized biologists would remove some young birds from nests in those two states, transport them to Alabama and put them into large, enclosed habitats referred to as “hacking stations.”

“I don’t remember exactly how many, but the hacking stations were all over the state,” says Lawley. “The young birds were fed by humans but would never see the hands that were feeding them. They thrived and would begin to test their wings. They would fly out of the station and come back. They would do that many times and when a bird left and didn’t come back, you’d know it was looking for a mate.”

Each year, conservationists and biologists would survey the state to look for bald eagle nests. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided a small airplane so we could use it in our department,” adds Lawley. “We’d take it to do the yearly bald eagle surveys, and when we were doing other projects and saw a nest, we would put that location in the GPS, too. By the time the program ended, we had identified the locations of over 100 nests.”

Success story

The comeback of the bald eagle from near extinction is largely considered one of the most notable victories in the conservation world. In 1963, there were only 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles known to exist in the lower 48 states.

Fifteen years later, they were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The protections under that act, coupled with the banning of the synthetic pesticide DDT by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, created more favorable conditions for the birds, and their populations began to increase. By 2007, they were no longer listed as endangered.

The same favorable conditions that other anglers enjoy have helped bald eagles thrive on the Coosa. The coves and inlets provide many favorite fishing spots, and since fish is the primary food in a bald eagle’s diet, there’s every reason to love lake life. Small rodents, turtles and waterfowl can also fall victim to the talons of a hungry eagle, though they prefer an easier meal.

Eagles are opportunistic hunters and will steal another bird’s catch when they can. One of Katie Faught’s favorite photos, captured a few years ago, involved an egret who experienced just such a loss to an eagle.

“I call the series, ‘Lose Your Dinner,’” Faust laughs. “It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. I was photographing the egret who had caught dinner and was on the beach with his fish. Suddenly he flew off. I started to follow him with my camera, but then, for some reason, I looked back at the beach, and an eagle was there with the fish. He was eating the fish, swallows the head, then looks right at me. It just captured me. I was spellbound in that moment.”

The plentiful food supply and the abundance of tall, sturdy trees in which to build nests provides all that is necessary for eagles to thrive on Logan Martin and Neely Henry. Bald eagles are a migratory or semi-migratory species but always return to within 100 miles of the nest where they fledged.

“Birds only need nests for babies,” explains Sykes. “Outside of breeding season, birds just sleep in trees. Bald eagles come back because their nests are so durable, and it’s just easier to go back to that nest than to build a new one. Sometimes they may take a break from that one if it gets too dirty. They’ll let nature clean it up, then return another year.”

Up close and personal

Mike Wadsworth, owner of Wadsworth Blueberry Farm, has a bird’s eye view of a bald eagle’s nest on his property just off U.S. 231 South in Cropwell. The nesting pair, who showed up with their juvenile fledgling after the 2011 tornado that touched down near the Logan Martin dam, have returned every year since. 

His family has watched them add to their nest or build one nearby each breeding season. “The other day I saw them working on it. They sometimes bring a limb so big they must work together to get it in,” Wadsworth says.

Bald eagles have a strong pair bond and will usually mate for life. And while they often return to the same nest each year for the breeding season, sometimes they have another nest nearby that they choose to use for a season or two.

Photo by Katie Wade Faught

They will add to the nest each year to make repairs and make it stronger. In doing so, the nests grow larger and heavier, some as large as eight feet wide and weighing more than one ton. The weight of the nest, coupled with strong winds can sometimes break the tree or compromise the nest.

“The first year they nested here, they raised three fledglings,” recalls Wadsworth. “It was great to see how they strengthened their wings. They had three fledglings, and the third one didn’t want to hop out of the nest. The parent on the nest at the time was just fussing at the bird. It would cock its head and step toward it. It reminded me of a parent going after the teenage son who wasn’t doing right.”

Later, he watched as the birds hopped from limb to limb, a strength-building behavior called branching.

Wadsworth says he has learned a lot in the 14 years of having bald eagle neighbors. What surprised him most was the way bald eagles constantly talk to each other. Adults will call out in a scream, chatter or peal to each other, depending on what the circumstances dictate.

“They talk off and on, day and night,” says Wadsworth. “I can hear one of them call and look out across the lake toward River Oaks. That’s a good fishing spot. And you can see the juvenile coming home when he hears the call.”

Eagles’ nests have been spotted on Logan Martin near River Oaks, near the dam, near Riverside and near Ogletree Island. “I’ve tried to get photos of the ones near Ogletree Island,” said Faught. “I finally got pictures of two bald eagles not far from there. They were sitting on a plateau in the water, having just finished their dinner.”

Recognizing the difference

Being able to identify an eagle takes practice. Often osprey and hawks are misidentified as eagles and vice versa. Raptor Center’s Miller says identifying eagles can be tricky, especially with juveniles.

“We often think of bald eagles with distinctive white heads,” Miller explains, “but it takes four to five years for them to get their fully white feathers. Juveniles are uniformly brown and are commonly thought to be golden eagles. Bald eagles also have bald legs, while golden eagles are considered a booted species, meaning they have feathers that go all the way down to their feet.”

Eagles are quite large, weighing between seven and 10 pounds, with a wingspan of up to seven feet. They can be up to 40 inches tall, with males being slightly smaller than the females. Mature bald eagles have white heads and white tails, with yellow legs and feet and a bulky yellow beak.

An osprey is not as big and has a lot of white and brown colorations. Hawks have a shorter wingspan, with rounded wings and broad tails, as opposed to eagles who have straighter wings and longer tails.

Identifying the presence of nesting eagles is important because there are special precautions to take to protect the national bird. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, property building or tree cutting should be limited to permitted activities and not during breeding season.

Ideally, less human disturbance is best for these creatures that are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

“I talk to people all over the world,” says Faught of her photography contacts. “They are aghast that I can walk out my door and get pictures of these beautiful birds. The bad part is that I haven’t had to learn the extreme patience that so many photographers have had to.”

For the rest of us, enjoying the beauty of the bald eagles on the lake is just a time to live in the moment, unless you’re fast enough to grab your phone or your camera before they’ve soared away into a nearby tree or on down the river. But what a beautiful moment it is.

Editor’s Note: To report a bald eagle’s nest, contact the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division’s bald eagle coordinator (334) 242-3469.To report an injured bird, contact Game Warden Jason Bassett (256) 510-2467.

Fireworks, fun in the sun, eagles and more

As a kid growing up in Birmingham, besides Christmas holidays and Spring Break, one of the most anticipated events was the fireworks show on Red Mountain. We watched awestruck as the colorful display lit the nighttime sky, thinking there was nothing more spectacular than their glow against that backdrop.

When I grew up and moved to the lake, I realized I was wrong. There’s nothing more spectacular than fireworks lighting up the nighttime sky reflecting in the shimmering water below. It’s two shows in one, and it’s quite a tribute for our nation’s birthday up and down Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes.

If you want to get in on the action, we’ve included the lineup of fireworks shows throughout the region. Take a look, take your pick and enjoy the show!

As long as you’re in the mood for looking up, catch a glimpse of rare bald eagles now spotted on the Coosa River at Logan Martin and Neely Henry. With spectacular photography and a compelling story to match, learn more about these majestic birds and their path to finding a home right here.

They say home is where the heart is and at Journey’s End on Neely Henry, you’ll find Lyman Lovejoy following his heart to the river. He’s had a cabin there for over 40 years, and he’ll quickly tell you it’s nothing fancy. But it’s the perfect place for family and friends to gather, making precious memories to savor – just like whatever he’s got cooking on the grill.

As what we call “lake season” is upon us, there’s no shortage of things to do and see on the lake. We’ll take you on a trip to the Logan Martin Dam Palooza, a giant tie-up of boats on the lake near the dam, featuring entertainment and a day of fun in the sun on the water.

Want to enjoy the lake in a not-so-conventional mode of transportation. Try the pedal boats at Coosa Landing in Gadsden. Swans, ducks and even a dragon are a delightful addition to water activities this season, rented by the City of Gadsden and enjoyed by all ages from all around.

The city has even added kayaks to its rental program. Self-serve kayak rentals are available at Coosa Landing, too – yet another way the city is sharing its waterfront with the public.

Tiki Hut is back for another season at River’s Edge Marina and Burgers & Breakfast, drawing huge crowds to its shore by boat and by land.

New to waterfront dining and entertainment is the Porky Pirate, a full-service restaurant opening this month at Coosa Island Marina. They join Coosa Creamery, an ice cream shop, and Piece of the Pie, a pizza café at the marina. There’s also an ice cream boat that heads out from there to serve cool treats on hot days to boaters and docksiders.

Of course, that’s not all. There is plenty to do and see as the season gets into full swing. Turn the page and discover it all with us.

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Coming together for each other

People around these parts tend to think of the lake as one big family, sharing a common bond. But on Dec. 30, that bond strengthened well beyond their love of water. As a tornado ripped through Coosa Island and other parts of the southern tip of Logan Martin, neighbors rushed out of their homes into the awaiting needs left in the storm’s wake.

Because it is a peninsula, downed trees, damaged roofs and homes blocked the roads and trapped the community until help could arrive. An army of neighbors, friends and first responders appeared within moments, chainsaws whirring and tarps quickly stretching across gaps where roofs once offered shelter.

Strangers joined neighbors with a singular focus – clearing the debris to help return the island to a sense of functionality as best they could.

That’s the kind of spirit we see up and down our lakes. It is more than water that draws us together, although that certainly was the starting point.

In the polarizing times in which we live, it was an inspiring story of people coming together with outstretched hands to offer help to those who needed it most. Simply put, they were Good Samaritans just doing their job.

Their story is featured in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine along with the people, places and events that make our lakes special places indeed.

Take a ride with pro angler Zeke Gossett for tips, tricks and trends in March and April on Logan Martin and Neely Henry to make the most of your fishing adventures.

Discover what’s in store on the banks of Neely Henry in Gadsden as officials enter the planning stages of a major development – Coosa Harbor.

Get ready for Logan Martin’s biggest event of the year – LakeFest. The Southeast’s largest in-water boat show and festival heads to Lakeside Park May 9-11.

In the case of this national event, where there’s smoke, there’s plenty of good food cooking. Smoke on the Falls is back for its 16th year April 11-12 at Noccalula Falls, a contest featuring pitmasters from all over the country. Kids man the grills, too, in this family-friendly event.

Head over to Talladega Superspeedway in March and see what’s cooking. It’s time for the Wild Game Cook-off from the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Sample the culinary concoctions featuring  the state’s wild game and fish March 15.

And, of course, there’s plenty more in this issue of the magazine. Turn the page and discover it all with us!

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Smoke on the Falls

Iconic cooking competition returns to Noccalula Falls

Story by Scottie Vickery
Submitted Photos

The first time Tony Skiroock heard his name announced as Grand Champion of a national barbecue competition, the moment was as sweet as some of the sauces the judges undoubtedly licked from their fingers.

The fact that it happened in Gadsden at the annual Smoke on the Falls BBQ Competition, which will host its 16th contest April 11-12, made it an experience to savor even more. That’s because Skiroock’s mother, Frances Owens, grew up in Gadsden, and the grill master, who lives in Illinois, visited her hometown every summer as a child.

It’s where an aunt first introduced him to pit barbecue at the tender age of 6, and he was hooked after his first bite. Skiroock said he looked at his aunt and immediately asked her if he could move.

Lake life and barbecue is a perfect combination, and if you’re looking to see how some award-winning pitmasters do it, you won’t want to miss Smoke on the Falls, held at the Noccalula Falls Park Campground, this year.

Up to 72 teams from all over the country will compete in the backyard and professional divisions, and the event will also feature a Kidz-Q competition. On Saturday, there will be a variety of vendors offering unique goods and treats, and the Tim Roberts Band will provide live music starting at 2:30 p.m. before the 4:30 p.m. awards ceremony.

“It’s a lot of fun. We’re pretty proud of Smoke on the Falls,” said Janet Tarrance, special events director for the City of Gadsden. Known as the Barbecue Queen, Tarrance brought the competition to Gadsden and has spearheaded the event ever since.

Featured on the Food Network, the competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts. KCBS, which has some 16,000 members worldwide, sanctions more than 400 barbecue competitions.

Three years ago, Smoke on the Falls added the Kidz-Q contest, allowing young chefs in two age groups (5-9 and 10-15) to show off their skills, with a little help from their parents. This year, the younger crew will cook hamburgers while the older kids will strive to grill the perfect pork tenderloin.

In the adult competition, participants in the professional division must cook four meats: ribs, chicken, brisket and butts. The backyard competitors will focus on chicken and ribs. There’s also a sides competition for interested professional and backyard teams, who can offer up their best grilled pizza and desserts.

While there’s plenty of fun to be had and lots of vendors offering mouth-watering wares, don’t go to the event expecting to eat your fill of everything on the grills and in the smokers.

“Some do give out samples, but their ultimate goal is to chase the points and win the prize,” Tarrance said.

Skiroock, whose team We Will Rock ‘Que, was named the Grand Champion at the event the past two years. He has been competing since 2016, he said, noting, “I’ve only started figuring it out.”

He started out watching BBQ Pitmasters and “tried to mimic what I saw,” before taking some classes. After tweaking ingredients, trying out different grills and smokers, and experimenting with cooking times and temperatures, “I finally started hearing my name called,” he said. “It’s a serious hobby.”

Tony Skiroock and son Daniel with the winnings

It’s so serious, in fact, that KSBS hosts full-day classes before judges, who are from all over the country, can be certified, said Tarrance. Although they’re not paid, there are other benefits to the job.

“A judge can gain 5 to 10 pounds in a single barbecue competition,” she said.

The Noccalula event has earned high marks from the KSBS, which selected Gadsden to be the host city for the KCBS World Invitational Championship, its largest competition, in 2022.

The Gadsden competition was chosen after being one of five competitions that Michael Symon, chef and restauranteur, selected to be featured on his Food Network show, BBQ USA.

The judges and competitors may take things seriously, but there’s lots of fun to be had. That’s evident in some of the team names that have competed in Smoke on the Falls. There’s Smoke Me Silly, Cool Hand Cue, Rooters-n-Tooters and Kick ‘Em in the Butt BBQ, to name a few.

In addition to Wine Me, Dine Me, Swine Me, other competitors have included the Dixie Pigs & Chicks, Bar-B-Queterie, Big Fluffy, and Swinging Pig Meat.

Skiroock said he’s enjoyed being a part of the competition world and meeting the other barbecue enthusiasts. “They call it the barbecue family,” he said. “We’re watching each other on Facebook, and we’re all happy for each other when they win.”

To a point, anyway, “It’s just like an Alabama/Auburn game,” Tarrance said. “These people come to win.”nity,” Housh said, pointing to the early vision of Woods. True to that mission, LakeFest has generated more than $500,000 for over 30 different nonprofit organizations over the past 15 years.

Recipes from Tony Skiroock

Pork Ribs

Ingredients:

  • Pork ribs (St. Louis trimmed or Baby Backs)
  • Salt, pepper, and garlic barbecue rub
  • All-purpose barbecue rub for pork
  • Light brown sugar or turbinado sugar
  • Honey
  • Unsalted butter or squeeze “butter”
  • Pepper sauce
  • Apple juice
  • Kansas City style barbecue sauce

Directions:

To prepare the ribs, trim off any excessive fat on the meat side of the ribs. If the membrane is still on the bone side of the ribs, remove it by slipping a butter knife under the membrane, lift it away high enough to slip your fingers under and pull the membrane off. It can also be scored with a sharp knife and left in place.

Sprinkle a basic salt, pepper and garlic rub on both sides of the ribs, then sprinkle both sides with your favorite all-purpose barbecue rub. Press the rubs into the meat, then place in the refrigerator for an hour or until the rubs look damp having absorbed some of the moisture from the meat.

Prepare your grill or smoker to run at 275-300° using indirect heat. Place the ribs, meat side up, on the grill and cook for one hour. Spritz with apple juice every 20 minutes.

After an hour, roll the ribs meat side down and cook for another hour, at which time the rub should have set into a nice “bark” that doesn’t smear with your finger.

Prepare a wrap with two layers of aluminum foil, long enough to cover the rib length plus a few inches on each end. Spread onto the foil ¼ cup of sugar, a drizzle of honey, a stick of butter cut into five planks (or a hearty drizzle of squeeze butter), a line of pepper sauce, a shake of barbecue rub and ¼ cup of apple juice. Place the ribs on the foil, meat side down, and fold the foil tightly around the slab.

Return the rib packet to the smoker.

After about an hour, the rib packet should start to feel floppy when lifted. You can open it up and check for doneness. The bone tips should be exposed by about a half inch, and a toothpick should slide easily into the meat. The slab should be floppy but not fall apart, unless you want them fall-off-the-bone tender, which might need about 90 minutes wrapped.

Gently heat the sauce in a saucepan, stirring regularly. Add a few squeezes of honey and a splash of apple juice to thin the sauce. Carefully open the rib packet and place the ribs on a cutting board. Brush the top and bottom with sauce, add a final shake of barbecue rub and return the ribs to the smoker for ten minutes to set the sauce.

BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
  • Chicken wings
  • All-purpose barbecue rub
  • Unsalted butter
  • Kansas City style barbecue sauce
  • Apple juice
  • Honey

Directions:

To prepare the thighs, trim off any dangling skin or meat. With the wings, cut off the wing tip and, if desired, separate the flat from the drumette. Sprinkle all sides of the chicken with your favorite BBQ rub.

Prepare your grill or smoker to run at 300° using indirect heat. Place the chicken on the grate. After about an hour, the skin should be slightly browned and the meat firm.

Typically, at this point, the internal temperature of the chicken will be around 145°. Prepare enough half-size foil pans large enough to contain chicken pieces in a single layer. Place a stick of butter, cut into planks, in the bottom of each pan. Place the chicken, in a single layer, in the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil. The butter and heat creates a steam bath that renders the fat in the skin, yielding bite-through skin.

Return to the cooker for an hour, rotating the pan after 30 minutes.

Gently heat the sauce in a saucepan, stirring regularly. Add a few squeezes of honey and a splash of apple juice to thin the sauce. After an hour, the chicken’s internal temperature should be around 200-208°, super tender and juicy. Dunk each piece in the sauce and return to the smoker for about 10 minutes to set the sauce.

Logan Martin LakeFest

A success story 15 years and counting

Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos

Eric Housh stepped away from his work desk for a few minutes, taking a short break from his regular consulting job in marketing and sales technology solutions to talk about his ‘other job.’

That alternate work has become a passion of his that has evolved over the years, much like the event itself. He’s been heading up organizing and promoting Logan Martin LakeFest, billed as the South’s largest in-water boat show, since it launched 15 years ago. But as Housh will quickly tell you, it has grown into so much more.

While the focus is on a show for boats, personal watercrafts and even cars and trucks, this outdoor festival at Pell City Lakeside Park boasts something for everybody. It features dozens of lake lifestyle vendors, nonstop entertainment, food trucks, kids’ attractions, a spectacular fireworks show and a host of other events, drawing upwards of 40,000 people each year.

It began as a vision of the late Jerry Woods of Woods Surfside Marina; Fred Casey, former owner of Tradesman Docks; Joe Paul Abbott, developer of Horizons, and Lee Holmes, owner of Sylacauga Marine. They wanted to create an event that would draw people to Logan Martin, not only to browse their boats but to discover how special the lake and lake life really are.

Lakeside Park is the perfect location for the boat show

Come May 9-11, LakeFest will celebrate its 15th birthday in a grand way. “We say every year that we are beyond blessed with a community that supports us so well,” Housh said. “All the support makes it easier to do this year in and year out.”

Each year seems to outdo the year that came before it, and the burgeoning crowds attending simply underscore that Housh and company continue to fine tune a winning formula.

This year’s fireworks show will be bigger this year, highlighting special events on Friday night. Veterans from Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home are guests of honor for dinner and the fireworks show, escorted into the festival in a special ceremony saluting them. A record number of veterans attended in 2024.

Veterans, Housh said, always had a special place in Woods’ heart. His brother was killed in Vietnam, and veterans have been a focal point since the beginning of LakeFest.

This year’s version will bring a ‘first’ for LakeFest – an actual wedding will take place on Saturday. A couple had called and asked if it was possible to exchange their vows at LakeFest, and “we thought it was a crazy cool idea. All in attendance at LakeFest will be guests at the wedding,” Housh said. “We’ll have other fun stuff Saturday night. It will be a party atmosphere, something fun I think everybody will enjoy.”

Entertainment for the weekend will be centerstage and represent just about every genre possible. They are even looking to add bluegrass this year to its lineup of country, rock, folk and more. Prizes and giveaways will be awarded throughout the weekend.

Many hands are responsible for this unfolding success story. Justin Hogeland partners with Housh to oversee and plan this huge outdoor festival. Judy Carr and Kasey Flurry keep logistics running smoothly. And an army of volunteers – from golf cart shuttle drivers to traffic directors to helping hands wherever needed – report for duty early and stay late, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the crowds that attend.

The sponsors make the whole event possible, and the vendors and entertainment help give it its wide-ranging appeal. The Splash Pad is sponsored free for kids Friday and Saturday, and for mothers, it’s Mimosas for Moms – free Mimosas and a rose on Sunday, honoring them on Mother’s Day.

LakeFest returns the favor, giving back to the community each year through its profits earmarked for charities as well as upgrades for Lakeside Park. The large Jerry Woods Memorial Pavilion, new docks and other improvements are courtesy of funding from LakeFest’s nonprofit, The Logan Martin Charity Foundation.

“We’re really proud of that. It’s been in our DNA to give back to the community,” Housh said, pointing to the early vision of Woods. True to that mission, LakeFest has generated more than $500,000 for over 30 different nonprofit organizations over the past 15 years.

Catchin’ the Coosa March 2025

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

Logan Martin

Warmer weather and longer days these two months have the fish on the move from their wintertime homes.

Typically, in March, I still believe the bass are in their pre-spawn mood. They are feeding up and fattening up, preparing to move into their bedding areas to get ready to spawn. Usually, I’ll target most of these fish in 10 feet of water or less this time of year. 

Fish love to stage on points that lead into spawning bays. Also, brush and shallow docks are great places to look for fish making a pit stop before they spawn.

A few lures I reach for would be a bladed jig, square bill crank bait, or a topwater walking bait. If the water is still in the mid-50s,  I’ll reach mainly for the bladed jig and squarebill and cover as much water as possible. I target creeks on the lower end of the lake. Generally, this is where the fish will try and spawn first.

I also like to target windy, if possible. Once the water temp reaches the 60-degree mark, that’s when I reach for the topwater walking bait. I do this especially on cloudy, windy days. The fish will usually be one to three feet deep on points.

Do not be afraid to throw it mid-day if the conditions are right. This is my favorite technique to catch these fish, especially in April. Usually, if we have our normal weather pattern, you will really start to see the largemouth bass lock on their beds. This is the time get the spinning rods out and get on the finesse gear.

The tried and true wacky rigged senko is an awesome way to get these bedding largemouth bass to commit. Now, I do switch gears when it comes to fishing for spotted bass. Spotted bass tend to spawn in shallow bays and flats in a little deeper water.

An effective way to cover water and efficiently pick these broader areas apart is with a Carolina Rig. I use about a 2-foot leader with a ½  oz. tungsten sinker. One of my favorite baits to use is a Menace Grub from Strike King Lure Company in green pumpkin or chartreuse pepper.

I generally want a smaller bait that way because once you drag it across their bed, they can easily just pick it up and hold on to it longer. This a great way to catch those big ole Coosa River Spotted Bass later on in the month once the fish really start to lock down on bed.  

Neely Henry 

These two months are when Neely Henry can really shine and produce some big fish. Just like Logan Martin, these fish are on the move once the days start getting longer and warmer.

Neely Henry bass love to live shallow this time of year. My approach is a little different, though, on this lake. I typically like to target mid-lake areas this time of year. My favorite places to find these fish are creeks mouths and small river pockets.

Neely has a lot of bank grass and wood to offer in these short pockets. These pockets also have a lot of shallow docks that fish like to stage on before they spawn. My three favorite baits to use are a frog, swim jig and stick bait.

In early March, I will fish with the swim jig a lot more than the other two baits because the water temperature is usually still  on the cooler side. Another great way to find fish on Neely Henry this early in the spawn is on rip rap banks. These banks hold heat and tend to hold fish anytime of day.

A squarebill crankbait is usually what I will start with on the rip rap banks. I normally have to play with a number of colors to find the right one! If the bass do not seem to want the crankbait, I’ll slowly fish down the rip rap with a jig – especially if it’s a very slick, calm day.

Just like Logan Martin, you can also catch fish around shallow docks. Typically, the docks in five feet or less tend to be the best. If the fish seem to be active, I’ll start out with a bladed jig. The bladed jig allows me to make more cast in and in turn, I am able to present the bait to more fish.

Just like the rip rap I talked about earlier, sometimes on slick calm days, the jig will outperform any bait on the docks. Once the water temp reaches the 60-degree mark, that’s when I’ll pick up the frog. The frog and swim jig combo is something I can stick with all day.

Once we get into the month of April, that’s when I will start adding in the stick bait. And just like on Logan Martin, you can’t forget about the trusted senko-type bait. I generally Texas rig the senko on light 5/16 oz. weight. I really reach for this bait when I feel like the fish are in full blown spawning mood.

I’ll pitch this bait around stumps and docks or wherever I feel like a fish might be spawning. You might not be able to physically see the fish since Neely is generally pretty dirty water. Just fish slow inside pockets and really pick everything apart. This is the best way to get bit while the fish are really locked on beds.

The bass are in big time transition during these two months, but these months can offer up some of the most rewarding fish catches for the entire year.

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: Spawnsorships

The Spawning Season is officially here, and we’re excited to provide you with some quick tips, information, and best practices to kickstart your fishing adventure on the Coosa this season!

  • Water temperature plays a key role in predicting the fish spawning cycle. Pre-spawn begins in late winter or early spring, with bass feeding aggressively to build up for the spawn. On the Coosa, bass typically spawn in the spring when the water temperature reaches around 60°F. Post-spawn fish tend to head back toward the main channel or deeper waters.
  • During mid to late spring, fish are commonly found in shallow bays at the backs of coves. Before you head out, be sure to check current weather conditions and forecasts—not only for your safety, but also because fish behavior can change with the weather.
  • To help sustain healthy fish populations, never underestimate the power of catch-and-release on the Coosa River! Minimize handling time and exposure to air. If you aren’t planning to take a photo, please consider releasing the fish without touching it or using a net.
  • Keep your livewell clean and ensure the water is circulating throughout your fishing trip. As a general guideline, aim for no more than 1 pound of bass per gallon of water. Understand your livewell’s capacity and fill it to about three-quarters full to start. Be sure to give it a good clean before you hit the water this season!

For more fishing tips, to find your next hot spot, and to learn about local fish consumption advisories, check out our website. It’s your go-to resource for everything you need to know about fishing the Coosa! Visit CoosaRiver.org/FishGuide or scan the QR code!

Also, we’re gearing up for Swim Guide 2025 and looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of this public program! Sponsorships start at just $250 and help your business be seen across the watershed over 2 million times! Swim Guide’s goal is to provide YOU with water quality updates at popular recreation sites along the river, so you can make informed decisions about where to spend your summer days on the Coosa. Ready to dive in? Email info@coosariver.org to learn more!

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

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Logan Martin Lake communities come together after December tornadoes

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted Photos

Melinda Splawn got the call at about 7:00 in the morning on Sunday, Dec. 29. She needed to get to Lee Park in Cropwell right away to check on massive storm damage there. As owner and manager of the park off Coosa Island Road on which 14 mobile homes sit, Splawn immediately began calling to check on residents.

One of her first calls was to her friend, Matt Kronen, owner of Coosa Island Marina, who lives very near the park and knows most of the residents there. He had already been out checking on residents and property, and he told her to be prepared. “He told me it looks like a war zone. And it did. When I got there, I saw trees down everywhere on homes, porches and across the road.”

The storm, later evaluated by the National Weather Service as an EF-0 with peak winds of 85 miles per hour, was part of a weekend storm system that produced 18 tornadoes in four states. The Coosa Island tornado was one of two in St. Clair County. The second was an EF-1, which damaged property on Roberts Mill Pond Road.

The tornado spent just three minutes on the ground beginning at 12:25 a.m.  In those three minutes, sections of the landscape of a two and one quarter mile stretch of land in Cropwell were completely changed. Thankfully, there were no injuries in either of the St. Clair County tornadoes. There were, instead, many stories of close calls, of neighbors helping neighbors, and of neighbors and strangers becoming heroes to those in need.

Kronen was one of those humble heroes who did what needed to be done to help those around him. He recounts having been in bed for 30 minutes, when he suddenly realized he’d left his Christmas inflatables up. He ran to the door and couldn’t open it. “The wind and pressure had it suctioned closed,” he explains.

Crews begin cleanup after December 29 Cropwell tornado

“So, I ran to the sunroom. There was so much rain blowing sideways, you couldn’t see across the lake. Then, as quick as it came, it was gone.”

Kronen headed outside and joined neighbors to survey the area. They discovered they were trapped on the island by debris and trees covering the causeway, so he and other neighbors loaded up chainsaws and started to work clearing a path.

With power lines completely tangled around trees, they couldn’t get far before having to stop and wait for Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative to turn the power off.

Taking his golf cart and carefully steering clear of power lines, Kronen made his way around the neighborhood and toward the causeway to check on friends. His concern was heightened at the sight of one trailer all but crushed under the weight of a downed tree. The home belonged to Tom and Candi Childers, who had told him they’d be at their Lee Park home over the weekend. The Childers are seasonal residents in the park.

When Kronen saw the giant oak tree lying on the Childers’ crushed residence, he was quick to call them and was relieved to hear they had not come due to the weather. The tree, now resting on their bed, made it difficult to get in to see what was left of their trailer. Before they could come to assess the damage and protect what was left of their belongings from the continuing rain, Kronen collected some of their photos and items of sentimental value.

Kronen later brought his skid steer from the marina to help move larger debris out of the way throughout the park. Doing for others, Kronen explains, is just what lake people do. “We come together when something like this happens.” Splawn agrees, adding, “You don’t feel like you’re in it by yourself.”

Those sentiments are echoed time and time again by those who described their experiences during the storm, including by Mark “Nacho” Hughes.

“It’s amazing how eight seconds can change your life,” says the corporate pilot who lives in Lee Park. “It sounded like a million hot air balloons released their air at the same time. The walls of the trailer were pulsating. My wife, Connie, asked if this was the night we die. I said, ‘no, ma’am.’”

In just moments, the tornado was over, and Hughes went outside to check on things. His home had lost much of the underpinning and had roof damage, along with minor damage to his boat house. He immediately walked across the street to check on a neighbor. “We started walking together and checking on damage,” says Hughes. “We went place to place checking on people who might be here.”

What they saw was shocking. “There were lots of trees down and metal and debris on the road,” Hughes recounts. “We didn’t know what to do, so we started calling people to let them know what was going on.”

A few minutes later, first responders started showing up, and we all started removing metal and debris off the road. We started cutting trees about 3:30 in the morning so we could get cars through here.” Hughes punctuates his story with extra gratitude for the first responders that morning and for the response by the St. Clair County road maintenance and debris removal teams.

Large trees bring down power lines during Coosa Island tornado

“There has been such a spirit of cooperation in all of this,” adds Hughes. “There were people you knew, people you didn’t know. They were up here picking things up, helping in the cold and wind. People brought drinks and food. We don’t even know them all, but they wanted to be a part of the healing. It’s amazing how some people’s big hearts make the day go better.”

It was a bad night for Don Urso, who awoke in the middle of the storm adrift on his 88-foot houseboat. “I was traveling sideways freely, going about 30 miles per hour. It was raining so hard I couldn’t see anything,” Urso recalls. “When I finally stopped, after about 20 minutes, I was parked between two piers against the shoreline.” It was a tricky ride for Urso, who was not able to maneuver himself well, having had a hip replacement surgery just two weeks earlier.

“When I stopped, I looked out the side window and I saw a house,” recalls Urso. “The tornado apparently had me spinning around out there. I thought I would have been in Riverside with as long and as fast as I’d been going.” The houseboat had, in fact, only traveled 600 yards across the water from its mooring on Coosa Island. It came to a stop against the seawall of the home of Scott and Lori Knepper.

The Kneppers, who were awakened from their sleep by the heavy winds and trees falling, discovered that water was coming into their house at the back door. Scott went upstairs to find a hole in the ceiling and realized that limbs from a tree had penetrated the roof. He and his son, Cam, grabbed flashlights to check on the pier. “That’s when I saw a very large white boat that was lodged against our pier and seawall,” said Scott. “Then I saw a flicker of light onboard and realized there was a person on the boat.

“We walked down there with another neighbor and talked to him and found out he was okay,” Scott continued. “We checked the boat, and it was not sinking. We asked if we could help him, but he was already on the phone calling for a friend to come get him.”

One friend, Keith Clemmons, came by pontoon boat and another, Kronen, came by land, but because of the wind and rain they decided to secure it there and retrieve it later in the day.

Back on Coosa Island, David and Angela Buzbee were assessing the damage their home had sustained. David, Angela and their daughter, Courtney, had been watching the weather on television. When it looked like the storm threat was diminished, Angela went to bed. Just a few minutes later, David noticed the wind had picked up and the doors started rattling.

“I flipped the blinds open and noticed how strong the wind was and how the rain was swirling,” said David. “Pretty much immediately, the wind got really strong. The cedar and beams that make up the roof to the porch came in toward the house. We got away from the windows and went to the bedroom to get my wife.”

That’s when they heard a loud crash. Later they found out that crash was a result of half their roof on the porch coming off and landing on the other side of the house. The neighbor next door met them outside to check on them.

The Buzbees, who had completely renovated the house just 2 and a half years ago, say they will rebuild. “This is our forever home,” says Angela, who serves as president of the Coosa Island Homeowners Association. “It’s a really close group of people on the island and in the neighborhood.”

Angela’s neighbor two doors down agrees wholeheartedly. Rebel Negley is so thankful for the people who reached out to help her and her husband following the storm.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputy Lionel Calendar is one of her heroes. Knowing her husband had recently had surgery, Calendar sent Negley a message asking if they needed help and offering to get her anything she needed.

As it turned out, what they needed was power for their refrigerator and for the breathing machine. Calendar contacted his brother, Stevie Bentley, who came over and helped Negley put together their generator.

“Chief Paul Leger with New London Volunteer Fire Department was awesome, too. I can say that, like most folks, we don’t agree on everything,” Negley said. “But when something happens to one of us, we are all here to help each other.”

Kronen, Calendar, Leger, Hughes, Clemmons, the Kneppers – neighbors and friends who were all willing to help shoulder some of the weight of the loss created in the early hours of Dec. 29.

Hughes’ summary of the storm and its aftermath resonates among those in the lakeside community. “It’s just the people you don’t know who come in to lend a hand that gets you. These people didn’t have to spend their money, bring their chainsaws, bring food. They could be home with their families, but instead, they’re down here helping our families try to get back some part of normalcy.” l