The last time Coosa Island residents saw the Coosa Island Marina sign was 3 p.m. on Dec. 29. Coosa Valley Electric had Coosa Island Road closed while they worked on restoring power to the neighborhood following the tornado.
Residents remembered seeing the sign, damaged and loose from its pole, lying on the ground. “It’s an important piece of our history,” says marina owner Matt Kronen. “It was here when my family bought the marina in 1983.”
Kronen hopes that if anyone picked it up, thinking it was trash, they would get in touch with him and return it. He says they will get a new sign but would like to have the old sign to display as part of the history of the area.
Talladega is known the world over as a place where racecar drivers put the pedal to the metal.
But on March 15, hunters and anglers will put the metal – pots and pans to be exact – and meat to the flame, all part of the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s regional cook-off at the Talladega Superspeedway.
The winner advances to the state finals.
Proceeds from entry fees and ticket sales, where hungry patrons can feast on some wild game delights crafted by teams of backyard chefs, go to benefit AWF’s many wildlife education and conservation efforts.
Think grilled quail, flounder stuffed with shrimp and crab and covered with cream sauce, or a grilled venison roll. If your mouth isn’t watering now, check your pulse.
The cookoff attracts more than just chefs, there are vendors galore
The event marks the 19th AWF cook-off for Talladega. But the genesis for the competition began in 1996, according to Tim Gothard, now in his 26th year as the federation’s executive director.
“AWF was talking about the fact that sometimes hunters and hunting can be put in the wrong light,” Gothard said. “What we know is that hunters and anglers properly utilize the fish and game that they harvest. It’s not a wasteful thing … We thought the cook-off would be a great way to show that. And it makes great and healthy table fare.”
Like the first day of hunting or fishing season, the cook-off would also be a social event, bringing AWF members together and spotlighting its conservation and education efforts. And it will generate funds to support those efforts, Gothard said.
Mobile hosted the first cook-off in 1996. Now, the Talladega event is one of 14 regional cook-offs culminating in the state championship later this year.
Regional winners will compete for a $1,000 grand prize and bragging rights as AWF Wild Game Cook-off State Champion for 2025.
Like the popularity of TV cooking shows, these AWF events have exploded in popularity. For example, at that first event in Mobile, five or six teams competed and 100 to 125 folks attended. Now the competitions have become a major event on the calendar. Folks want to be there. And, in every competition town, corporate sponsors are hooked.
“Coming up, at the Talladega cook-off, we will have over 1,000 people at that cookoff and probably 30 to 35 cook teams,” Gothard said. “It has grown absolutely dramatically over the years. Probably in the last 10 years, we have doubled the amount of people that come to those events, the revenue that’s generated to support our conservation projects … It’s just been amazing.”
As for the corporate backing, they provide the largest revenue stream.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Gothard said. “If you’re a sponsor, you’re going to get a bunch of tickets that you can use to reward employees, clients, potential clients and friends to come and enjoy the same great food and the same great atmosphere and camaraderie that we see.”
AWF employees will be on hand to talk about the organization’s work and mission. But make no mistake, food – dishes featuring venison, feral hog, quail, and other varieties of game and fish – is the focus.
And this isn’t just a bunch of guys cooking on the truck tailgate, Gothard said.
“They take great pride in what they prepare,” he said. “And I will guarantee you this: There are restaurant quality dishes that you’ll find at every cookoff that we do. And when you come to that state cook-off, and the teams come to compete for the state championship, every one of those dishes are restaurant quality.”
The secret sauce in the cook-offs’ success? “The format that we do allows people to sample the food,” Gothard said. “We’re not providing them with a meal. But they have a wide selection of dishes that they can actually taste.”
While the boom in cooking shows and in turn, the growth in folks wanting to cook great food at home, have played a part in the cook-off success, there’s a dash of something else beyond great tasting food created from Alabama fish and game.
“More than anything else, we have a large membership across the state and it’s an opportunity for them to get together with likeminded people and really enjoy a night that’s really celebrating the hunting and angling outdoor pursuits that we are all involved with and we appreciate and enjoy,” Gothard said.
“ The social atmosphere, that camaraderie and that uniqueness are the things that in my mind have made the wild game cook-offs so popular and really fueled their growth over the last 10 years, in particular,” he said.
Statewide, more than 100,000 Alabama schoolchildren benefit from AWF’s efforts. And that’s a small part of the story.
Talladega Superspeedway has plenty of room for an event this size
AWF has done five oyster restoration projects in Mobile Bay. It’s been able to add scientists to the AWF staff to work on issues like restoring fish and game habitats. The wild game cook-offs provide a portion of private sector funding for what AWF calls its “on the ground and on the water projects. All told, AWF is making a $1 million investment in these projects and more.”
The Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program gives kids the opportunity to learn math, science, social studies and language arts outdoors in a wildlife habitat and against a wildlife backdrop. AWF has four outdoor education specialists crisscrossing the state to serve in schools.
Close to home, the program worked with Munford Elementary.
“They’ve accomplished a tremendous amount,” Gothard said. “And our wildlife biologists have collaborated with private landowners in that entire (Coosa) region for 20 years helping them develop plans for managing their property so they can have quality wildlife habitat and populatons.
“When you have that, the impact spills out beyond the landowners’ property. It helps ensure that we have good wildlife habitat and populations all across the state.”
It’s part of a scientific, systematic approach to game management, Gothard said. And funds from the cook-offs fuel the effort.
“(The cook-off) is a significant source of revenue to help us do conservation work in this state,” Gothard said. “It makes a big difference.”
The cookoffs reveal something about hunters and anglers, who may guard their favorite hunting and fishing spots like state secrets.
But they’ll brag about a recipe as they might a trophy buck or bass.
“They definitely enjoy sharing with other people how they prepare dishes and how good it tastes,” Gothard said. “That is something hunters and anglers love to do.”
Over the years, Gothard has sampled a slew of savory fish and game dishes. But one some 12 years ago at the Talladega cook-off hooked him.
“There was a team that won the Talladega cook-off with a bluegill fish taco,” Gothard recalled. “This was before fish tacos were a thing. I grew up, you caught bluegill, you fried them whole and picked them with a fork. It tasted great, but it was work.”
The taco chefs took a fresh approach.
“They had de-boned all the meat, cooked it up and then flaked it. That was the meat in the taco,” Gothard said. “It absolutely blew me away.”
For Gothard, every team makes an impression.
“The thing that really impresses me and captures my attention is how (teams) take (fish and game) and turn it into a dish that I hadn’t really thought about.”
The cook-off isn’t only a celebration of conservation, Alabama’s hunting and fishing heritage or culinary creativity. The competition is about pride, with teams coming from as far away as Texas.
“Those cook teams are going to take a lot of pride in telling you what their dish is, how they made that dish,” Gothard. “And you’re going to see them light up when on the spot, someone tastes it and says, ‘Man, this is awesome.’
According to its website, the Alabama Wildlife Federation is “a dynamic, citizen-based conservation organization with over 25,000 members and supporters dedicated to creating and promoting a balance between use, management and protection of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources through education, community involvement, and boots-on-the-ground assistance.”
The organization’s focus is in three major areas: conservation education, resource stewardship and celebrating the state’s hunting and fishing heritage. Founded in 1935, AWF is celebrating its 90th anniversary. l
Editor’s Note:For more information on the AWF and the cookoff, visit AlabamaWildlife.org.
A few years ago, when Kent Back ran for this Coosa River town’s governing council, his message was clear: “I told people that whoever wins this election will get the opportunity to reimagine Gadsden.”
Since taking office, Mayor Craig Ford, his administration and the city council – with Back as its chairman – have worked to reimagine the city. Improvements to Noccalula Falls, growth in the downtown business district and economic development on the Coosa have been big news.
Now, Guntersville developer Patrick Lawler is opening a new chapter on the blossoming waterfront – Coosa Harbor.
Architectural rendering of aerial view
of the complex
The mixed-use development, with an estimated value “north of $20 million” will include 20 condominiums, selling for $500,000 each, as well as retail shops and restaurants, another step toward recasting Gadsden as a destination city.
While the development in its final form may be larger, current plans have the development at 34,000 square feet, said Patrick Lawler, the CEO of P Lawler, LLC.
City officials reached out to Lawler and after a series of meetings with Ford and Director of Economic Development John Moore, the project got the green light.
Gadsden’s biggest attraction for Lawler? Not surprisingly, the Coosa River.
“They had water,” Lawler said. “I don’t build anything that’s not on the water.”
Lawler has one waterfront project up and running in his hometown of Guntersville – City Harbor. The $30 million development on Lake Guntersville has proven wildly popular.
In April 2024, the city of Decatur approved plans for a 75,000 square foot development at Ingalls Harbor.
Lawler and Gadsden officials hope for a repeat performance of Guntersville’s success when Coosa Harbor comes online in a few years. Lawler is currently in discussions with Alabama Power officials regarding electrical infrastructure for the project.
Lawler was attracted to Gadsden after an initial meeting with Ford. “He gave me their vision for the city and what they have in the works right now, I think the future for Gadsden is really going to upturn in a positive direction.”
Lawler has been approached by other cities, but turned them down. Gadsden was different.
“I liked the site, and the numbers made sense as far as what other restaurants were doing down there, gross (receipt) wise. It just checked all the boxes.”
He added, “I’m impressed with their vision for the whole waterfront area. I think we’re going to be the centerpiece of that and a catalyst for development of the whole waterfront area.”
Restaurant tenants confirmed for Coosa Harbor are Big Mike’s Steakhouse, Lost Pizza, Kilwin’s Ice Cream and Levi’s on the Lake, a live music venue.
Aesthetically, the architectural style and finishes are going to be similar to the Guntersville project.
Covered tables, walkways and green space are part of the plans
“Being on the water, it will be a high energy development,” Lawler said. “There will be the right lighting, video boards and outdoor live music. There’s a reason cities call us. We have a proven product.”
Back agreed. He’s visited City Harbor in Guntersville “three or four times. It’s been no secret as far as the phenomenal success that Patrick has had in Guntersville with his project on the lake up there,” Back said. “I think half of Gadsden has been to City Harbor and really enjoyed it.”
He had high praise for the finished product. “(City Harbor) is very clean. The architecture and everything is just really cool.”
For decades, Gadsden has wanted to take advantage of its most visible natural resource that flows through the heart of the city. But until now, that’s never really happened with the exception of riverwalks on both sides of the river.
With projects like Coosa Harbor, that’s changing. “After seeing what was going on in Guntersville, I think it was just, ‘How can we get that guy to come to Gadsden and do the same thing?’ I think he’s caught the vision of the mayor and the Council on how to grow Gadsden and be progressive and moving forward,” Back said.
The projects fits into plans to stretch the city’s entertainment district past Rainbow Drive (U.S. Highway 411) to the river.
“I think Patrick’s vision of how (Coosa Harbor) is laid out and just the quality of the craftsmanship and the workmanship … and the restaurants and the businesses there will give Gadsden something that we never had before on the river. It’ll bring new restaurants and retail that we’ve not had.”
The city is giving Lawler the site, as well as $1.5 million of in-kind services for site preparation.
To critics of that aspect of Coosa Harbor, Back said, “The reality of it is, every project that comes to any city receives those kinds of legal inducements. It’s part of how it works. The reality is you have to make that investment to get that development.”
Based on conservative estimates, the project will mean a boost to city revenues of $700,000 to $800,000 in sales taxes, along with new jobs, Back said.
“That’s a real win for the city,” Back said.
For Lawler, who has been a developer since his early 20s, Coosa Harbor is good news for Gadsden and its citizens, as well as for surrounding areas.
“It’ll be very positive for the community,” he said. “It will be enjoyed by all. It’ll be 100 percent positive for the city and for future development also. I’m excited about being in Gadsden. I’m excited about the forward thinking that Mayor Ford and the Council have. I have to give the mayor a lot of credit. He’s the one who sold me on it.”
It’s another chapter in the transformation in Gadsden. The city is no longer a tire and steel town.
Just as in his campaign, Back has another clear message about Gadsden, evidenced by projects like Coosa Harbor.
Historic Riverside home holds multitude of memories, stories
Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Mackenzie Free
Roxanne Bukacek’s Riverside home overlooking the sparkling waters of Logan Martin Lake is a treasure trove of history, paying homage to the family, as well as the town that shaped her.
There are keepsakes and memories from four generations of family members who have shared meals, hopes, dreams, laughter and tears within the home’s walls. But there’s also a number of artifacts from bygone days that tell part of Riverside’s story.
“This house was built in 1872,” she said. “Riverside was a big logging town, and the sawmill needed a doctor for the employees, and the only way they could get one was to build him a house.”
After the sawmill closed, and the doctor moved away, her great-grandparents moved into the house. Except for a 13-year period, it has remained in the family ever since, and when Bukacek had the chance to buy it back in 1986, she jumped at it.
Bukacek and her husband, Tom Douyard, have a binder full of favorite recipes
“When it came up for sale, I knew I had to buy it,” she said. “Even though interest rates were 16 or 18 percent, I didn’t care.”
Since then, she’s done her best to honor the historical integrity of the house along with its outbuildings, including a smokehouse, on the 7-acre property. When a huge oak tree crashed onto the guest home next door during the April 2011 tornadoes, Bukacek rebuilt the house to look exactly the same from the outside, minus the chimney.
She and her husband, Tom Douyard, have also shared the house and surrounding property with family and friends. “I’ve lost track of how many weddings we’ve had here,” Bukacek said, adding that another one is scheduled for October. “Several of my students have gotten married here,” said the retired art teacher. “I added a gazebo for my best friend’s son’s wedding.”
Family treasure
Walking into the house, which is on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, is in many ways like walking into a time capsule. Bukacek has saved, restored and repurposed relics from the past to preserve her family’s history. “My father was born in this house in one of the upstairs bedrooms,” she said. “It’s real special.”
To the left of the foyer are twin parlors, both with fireplaces as centerpieces. The second parlor features a china cabinet and a chess table built by her great-grandfather, Alois Bukacek. “He graduated from the University of Prague in woodworking and came through Ellis Island to Chicago,” she said. “They came from Czechoslovakia, trying to start a new life.”
Once in America, her great-grandfather designed and built the interior of Pullman trains. “They had a boy that was sickly, so to keep the baby alive, they moved south,” she said, adding that they settled in Riverside because they had friends nearby. “That’s how I got here.”
Her grandfather was Riverside’s postmaster, and the old post office counter separates the den from the kitchen
Although Bukacek never lived in the family home as a child – she grew up in a house at the end of the street – she spent a lot of time in it. Most of it, anyway. “I was such a tomboy, I wasn’t allowed in this part of the house,” she said of the parlors. “Once I bought it back, I came in here and just romped and ran around.”
When Bukacek’s great-grandparents passed away, the house went to her three great-uncles: Jerry, Emil and Frank. “Uncle Frank was dropped on his head when he was on the boat, so he wasn’t quite right,” she said. Bukacek named a metal scarecrow that graces the side yard Frank after her great-uncle, and he’s blamed for anything that goes wrong, she said with a laugh. “If there’s a leak in the bathroom, we say, ‘Frank did it.’”
The great-uncles added a den, dining room and kitchen, and they also made the front porch smaller. “It used to go all the way across the front of the house, but they said it was too much to sweep,” she said. “Doesn’t that sound just like a bunch of old bachelors?”
The den wall is home to a large collection of family photos, which surround the original map of Riverside that’s dated 1883. “My granddaddy was the postmaster,” she said. The old post office counter, complete with a Money Order sign hanging over the window and 14 mailboxes, separates the den from the kitchen.
A ball point pen is still attached to the counter with a chain, and a sign reads, “The ball point pens placed on this desk for your convenience are the property of the U.S. Post Office Department. Penalty for theft is $500 fine and/or one year in prison.”
“The pen’s still there,” Bukacek said with a laugh. “I’m not going to prison for a ball point pen.”
Dream kitchen
When Bukaceck renovated the kitchen in 2013, she married the old with the new. She kept the cast iron sink that’s original to the home but painted the cabinet blue to match the La Cornue stove that’s both gas and electric. “I ordered it from France; I’m crazy,” she said. “But it was my dream kitchen. I made everything on my wish list come true except I wanted a built-in coffee pot. I didn’t get that.”
Ceiling tins are framed by old wood she found in the barn, and an old “Riverside” sign that’s original to the train depot hangs over the windows. An antique scale that once hung in the post office now has a place of honor in the room.
The element that makes the room unique, however, comes in the form of 50 hand-painted and glazed tiles that Bukacek created, depicting places and details found on the property. The first tile she painted, the brick steps and entrance to the yard, took seven hours to complete.
“I thought, ‘I can’t spend seven hours on each tile,’ so we came to the word, ‘simplify,’” she said. There are tiles illustrating a weather vane, the boat house, the original guesthouse as well as the new one, and the gazebo.
The two-story boathouse is represented, along with an image of a sign that says, “The ‘Douyard Doc,’ ” a nod to Douyard’s career as a dentist. There’s a tile with two wagon wheels and one representing the old Buggy Barn she wasn’t able to save.
The walls are covered with artifacts of local history
Perhaps one of the most special tiles, though, is a painting of a swing that’s just steps away from the back door and reminds Bukacek of her great-grandmother. “That’s where she’d shell her peas,” Bukacek said. “My great-granddaddy put it in for her.”
When Bukacek bought the house back, she discovered the poles and the swing were still there, although they were hidden by decades of overgrowth. “It took me years to finally get the guts to start whacking away at it, but I’m so glad I did.”
That’s the kind of history Bukacek worried was gone forever when the house sold after her great-uncles died. “I was in college, my sister was in high school, and nobody else wanted it,” she said. “I wanted it all my life.”
The new owner operated a tea room for a while, and the home was also used as a recording studio, Bukacek said. “She also put in central air and heat, and I was glad about that. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it.”
Not just a house
Maintaining the home and restoring the property is a full-time job, especially when you consider all the structures and outbuildings. There’s a blacksmith shop and a washhouse where the clothes and vegetables were cleaned. “There’s a two-seater outhouse and a wine cellar is under the greenhouse,” she said.
Her great-uncles made wine, and the arbors still stand in the backyard. She and Douyard also built the “BBQ Shed,” a gazebo that houses all of the grills and smokers. “It was supposed to be a little lean-to, and then she got involved,” Douyard said and laughed. “I just love all the projects we do all the time.”
One project was building a little walkway to a fish pond where Douyard loves to sit. “All the bricks came from the old seawall when it collapsed,” she said. Another pathway leading to the guest cottage was made from bricks she salvaged from the chimney after the house was destroyed during the storm.
Bukacek now operates the guest house, where her Aunt Mary once lived, as an Airbnb, but she taught art lessons there for a while. Bukacek’s career as an art teacher included a stint in a Jefferson County school , 17 and a half years at St. Clair County High School in Odenville and nine and a half years at Pell City High School before she retired.
The cottage, as well as the main house, is filled with her artwork. “This is 18 years work of charcoals,” she said of a series of framed still lifes. “Every year I would teach charcoal and pen and ink, and I made one each time.”
The framed images hang over a console table she made that features tile and a mosaic pattern created from “20 years of broken dishes.” A silkscreen print that was once displayed at the Birmingham Museum of Art, is on the wall by the front door.
She’s also repurposed things she’s found in the outbuildings or salvaged from the original guest house. Two old doors became a headboard in one of the cottage’s bedrooms while old shutters hang behind the bed in another. A piece taken from an antique armoire hangs over a cast iron bathtub in the guest bath. “As an art teacher, I decorate with everything,” she said. “Sometimes, I wish I could stop thinking.”
Some of Douyard’s favorite art pieces of Bukacek’s are the ones hanging in the downstairs bathroom of the main house. “Every year for Valentine’s Day, she makes me a heart,” he said. On one, she cross-stitched the names of the many places they’ve visited together. There are hearts made from feathers, painted bottle caps, buttons and dried flowers. There’s a heart made from antique keys, one made from Easter Egg shells, and one that features dried clovers.
Another heart is filled with lipstick kisses, and the surrounding mat board is made from the foil wrappers from Hershey Kisses. “I really made the sacrifice for that one,” she joked.
Landscape art
Although visitors to Bukacek and Douyard’s home could spend hours looking at all of the architectural details, furniture, photos and artwork inside the house, the view from the front porch is a work of art, as well.
The 700 feet of waterfront, right near the historic Riverside Railroad Bridge, offers breathtaking views and a peaceful calm that that can soothe the soul of anyone fortunate enough to visit. There have been many celebrations down by the water, where Bukacek has spent so much of her life, but when she takes in the view, the scenes she sees are from years past.
“That slough over there is where we’d fly kites,” she said, pointing from her front yard. “And I’ve climbed every tree around here.”
It’s those kinds of memories that make her grateful for the opportunity to be the caretaker of her family’s house. “It’s home,” she said. “It’s home.”
See more photos after the recipes!
Soda Cracker Pie
Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
16 soda crackers, crumbled
1 cup chopped pecans
1 jar pineapple preserves (You may use apricot)
2 cartons whipping cream
1 package frozen coconut
Directions:
Beat egg whites, adding sugar, cream of tartar, and vanilla. Beat until thick. Fold in crumbled crackers and pecans. Spread into buttered 9×13 pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Spread with preserves, top with whipping cream (follow the directions on the carton and use their hints for the whipping cream). Sprinkle coconut on top and chill overnight.
Granny Nelson’s Beans and Peas
Ingredients:
1 can English peas, drained (She uses LeSueur Very Young Small Sweet Peas)
1 can lima beans, drained
1 can French cut green beans, drained
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 small, grated onion
2 hardboiled eggs, slightly chopped
1 can French fried onion rings
Directions:
Mix first nine ingredients together and put in a buttered casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until bubbly.
Five Cup Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp cheese
1 cup Pet milk
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained well
1 3-ounce package lime Jell-O
Directions:
Bring orange juice to a boil, then add Jell-O, stirring until it is dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients. Pour into a slightly greased mold or casserole dish. Put in refrigerator to set.
No sooner than Thanksgiving’s leftovers are history, a transformation of Lakeside Park begins to take place – lighting up the nighttime sky to add sparkle to the Christmas season.
While Lights in the Park has grown each year, 2024’s version stepped up to an unrivaled level of spirit.
Presented by the Pell City Parks & Recreation Department with decorative help from businesses, organizations and individuals, the spirit of competition added to the excitement. The holiday-themed displays lining both sides of the roads winding through the park drew over 80 entries.
Hundreds of attendees voted for their favorites, and the final tally crowned these winners:
Overall Winner: Woody’s Tree Service
Anna Otterson / Edward Jones: Silent Night Award – Simple and clean display
Jessica Blackerby / EXP Realty: White Christmas Award – Best use of white lights
Woody’s Tree Service: Deck the Halls Award – Most over-the-top use of lighting
Clean Haul Roll-Off: Christmas is in the Air Award – Best use of inflatables
House of Prayer: The Reason for the Season Award – Best Nativity display
Faith Community Fellowship: Holly Jolly Christmas Award – Best display that makes you laugh
Alabama Clearing & Excavating: Rock Around the Christmas Tree Award – Best use of animation
Metro Bank: The Rudolph Award – Best use of holiday characters
Girl Scouts Troop 24216: Christmas Story Award – Best youth inspired display
“The Pell City Parks & Recreation Department would like to express its sincere gratitude to all participants, visitors and voters of the inaugural ‘Lights in the Park’ Holiday Competition,” said Civic Center Manager and Contest Organizer Valerie Painter. “We commend the community for their enthusiastic participation and thoughtful voting.”
The winners can already plan their next decorating adventure. They have the opportunity to select their locations in the park for next year’s competition.
“The warmth of our community and the wonder of the Christmas season combine every year for ‘Lights in the Park,” Painter said. “It’s heartwarming to see Pell City come together to create such a magical experience. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone involved.”
From start to finish, the 2024 edition of Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell Run 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk had it all.
By the numbers, over 120runners and walkers participated in this second edition of the run, clearing the way for more than $50,000 raised for St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch and other charities in the community.
Santa was there, cheering on the runners, having his picture made with kids of all ages and managing to delight the crowd by giving a hefty lift to the spirit of the season.
Miss Leeds Area 2025 Samantha Hennings performed the National Anthem to rousing cheers, and more than a few spirited runners donned holiday attire for the festivities.
The Dec. 14 run at Lakeside Park was as Pell City Rotarians intended – a fun communitywide event for the entire family. It drew runners from all over the region and state on a 5K route that took them on scenic trails through the park and along the shoreline of Logan Martin Lake.
“We had a tremendous amount of support from the community this year. For our Club, this event is an opportunity for us to make an impact with some very worthy causes like the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. Our Jingle Bell Run is about more than running, it’s about making a difference. Thank you to all who ran, donated and served.”
Citing the $50,000 raised, Furgerson added, “We could have never done that without the generosity and involvement of our community. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”
Run Chairman Bill Ellison echoed the notion that it all comes back to service. “Rotary saw a need in the community for an event of this magnitude that the whole family could enjoy. But more important, it saw the need for funds to build a home and help with other renovations to reopen the Boys Ranch this past year.”
He lauded the efforts of sponsors who made the fundraiser possible, the volunteers and Rotarians who helped with every aspect of the event along the way and to the community and runners who supported it.
“It really does take all of us working together to make our community a better place. All involved in the Jingle Bell Run are testament to that.”
Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett
Logan Martin
During the winter, fishing on Logan Martin is the best time to catch the biggest bass in the lake.
The water temps usually vary this time of year because Alabama temperatures vary so much. So, the type of technique you have to use to catch these big bass during this time may vary as well.
Here are a few ways I approach Logan Martin to catch the biggest bass of the year and maybe of a lifetime!
Typically, when you read any article on fishing in the winter, it’s going to include fishing deep most of the time. Not saying you cannot catch bass deep on Logan Martin in the winter, but a lot of my bigger fish come out of shallow water in the winter. This is especially true if the weather is in a warming trend.
Most of the time in the winter, I start on the main river. There are a couple key things I look for in order to feel like I’m fishing the most productive waters.
First, there must be some type of baitfish in the area. Second, I’m looking for more vertical structure this time of year. The baitfish change daily on what part of the water column they may use. Vertical structure allows fish to move up and down easily with the baitfish.
A couple examples of this might be deeper docks or steep riverbanks with rock and laydowns. A few of my favorite baits this time of the year are a flat sided crankbait, spinnerbait and jig.
Usually, I’m going to throw some type of red or crawfish color pattern on the crankbait. This is one of the better baits to use if the water is colder than 60 degrees. The flat-sided crankbait is a great way to get bass to react in cold water.
If the water has a little stain to it, a spinnerbait can be deadly on warmer days. Most of the time, the spinnerbait works best slow rolling it on the bottom. I use a ½ ounce spinnerbait with a single Colorado as the blade.
The type of jig I use depends on water color. If the water is dirty, I typically will flip a black and blue jig. If the water is clear, I’ll stick with the more natural colors like green pumpkin. A jig is a great way to get really big bites this time of year.
The new fad is, of course, using forward-facing sonar. You can still catch plenty of fish without it this time of year, however, if you do use forward-facing technology, this is a great time of year to use it as well.
The first key to success on using forward-facing sonar is to find the baitfish. This is usually dependent on water clarity and temperature. You may find the baitfish in creeks or main river.
If the water is colder on the main river, that will usually help me cut down on a lot of time since they will most likely be in the creeks. Most of the time, this bite is better midday to late afternoon as the shad tend to get higher more in the water column. This is not only a great way to catch bass but any other type of fish species such as stripe and crappie.
Of course, my number one bait while using FFS will be some type of minnow bait on a jig head. I’ll also mix in a jerkbait and Alabama rig. You have to let the fish tell you what they want on any given day.
January and February are not the best for catching numbers of fish, but if you bundle up and brave the elements, you could possibly catch some of the biggest fish in the lake.
Neely Henry
Neely Henry historically is one of the better lakes on the Coosa for wintertime fishing. Why? It sets up really well. Neely Henry is full of rip rap banks and vertical bluff walls on the bottom end of the lake. This allows bass to move up and down with ease with changes in the weather and water temp.
Neely Henry also has a lot of docks and flat clay points. These two choices are also great wintertime hot spots.
On the rip rap, I’ll first reach for a square bill crank bait. I keep colors fairly simple. Either I’ll throw a red or some sort of shad pattern.
Boat positioning is a big key to success with the crankbait as well. I typically will hug the boat fairly tight to the bank and make repeated parallel casts. This allows me to cover more water efficiently and keep my bait in the strike zone longer.
My next bait choice is a jerkbait. A jerkbait can be a real good fish catcher if the water is a little clear. I’ll fish a jerkbait around clay points and deeper docks in creeks.
Another great bait at Neely Henry is a jig. The jig probably ranks up there as one of my favorite baits at Neely Henry. The reason I like the jig is because I can fish it around any type of structure. It doesn’t matter – rock, docks or wood.
If the water is below 60 degrees, a jig will always be my first choice when fishing Neely Henry. Fishing the north end of the lake around the Gadsden region can produce as well.
If they’re generating water, typically the spotted bass will get stacked in around current areas. Much like the bottom end, they like rip rap and docks.
Another place to look is in the smaller creeks where the baitfish tend to try and hide from the current or colder water. Here, the largemouth tend to hide out and feed up during the winter. Largemouth, in my opinion, are more of the “lazier” species of the two, and these smaller creek arms are a perfect place to find them. They might not be far from the river but noticing where the shad or baitfish are will help you find them a lot faster.
Using forward-facing sonar helps a lot with finding them. My baits will stay the same even on the north end of the lake. A jig once again will more than likely be my number one pick to catch the big fish. I tend to catch more numbers on the crankbait and jerkbait as well.
Neely Henry is a great place to catch some big wintertime bass. Get suited up and dress warmly because Neely Henry produces its best quality bass of the year!
Give it a shot, and you might be surprised at what you might catch while others are inside or deer hunting.
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.
Now that the holiday season is over and you’re putting away your Christmas and New Years decorations, Coosa Riverkeeper staff would like to remind you of how to properly sink your Christmas tree for your local fish habitat!
Sinking your Christmas tree allows life to flourish and can provide an entire ecosystem for the smallest level of the food chain (like phytoplankton, the Coosa crayfish, and minnows), to the biggest predators we all love to catch, creating a fishing hotspot over time.
Join other anglers and lake lovers to sink your Christmas tree this winter! Follow the steps below to make sure your tree will be a viable habitat for many years to come.
Secure your tree trunk to a heavy base (like a cement block) to make sure the tree will sink to the bottom of the waterbody and stand straight vertically.
Trim some limbs off to make space for both large and small fish.
Find an area of the lake where fish hang out that is plenty deep and away from navigational areas. Be sure it is deep enough to avoid creating boating hazards!
Sink your tree and give yourself a pat on the back for helping create more habitat for our fisheries!
If you can’t sink your tree on your own but would still like to learn about Christmas tree recycling, contact your Alabama’s conservation department to learn about designated recycling locations in your area!
Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.
It doesn’t seem so long ago that docks and piers were for storing boats, casting fishing lines and as a practice platform for kids who dreamed of belly-buster dives as an Olympic sport.
But 2025’s piers and docks are bigger and can be designed to be another entertainment space for waterfront homeowners.
They aren’t your grandparents’ docks anymore.
Mackey Docks
And from an economic perspective, trends in the industry include not only traditional treated lumber. PVC and the use of composite decking materials “are providing the best long-term investment for the homeowner.
Treated wood is not lasting as long as it used to, making homeowners switch to “a better option,” said Eric Mackey, owner of Mackey Docks in Ragland.
New treated, long life, low maintenance wood makes for ideal pilings. “I’ve been able to find a great source for the pilings that support the whole dock and also framing options on treatment that will make the docks last a very, very long time.”
There are also a variety of options to jazz up your dock. Personal watercraft/kayak ports make it easier to get in and out of the water. Aluminum dock ladders can also take on the colors of your favorite teams, Mackey said.
Other options include flip up seats, benches and stools that attach to the dock without taking up much room. It’s the same story for kayak and paddleboard racks that attach to the dock.
Dock bumpers also protect boats from damage from rough weather and water as well as bad drivers.
For Joey Fortenberry, who along with his cousin, Jodi, owns Marine Worx in Gadsden, the commitment is to quality.
“We just build good stuff,” he said. “Our work stands out from everybody else. There’s more craftsmanship.”
Double-deckers are becoming a hot item in 2025, Fortenberry said.
“They’ve been around for a long time, but they’re getting more popular in our area,” he said.
The new composite materials, like Owens-Corning’s WEARDECK decking, are wood-free material that stays cool, even on the most sizzling summer days.
“It’s the only one that I know of that you can put on the water, and it’s got a cooling technology, and it just doesn’t get hot,” Fortenberry said. “I’m promoting it highly because it’s so good.”
Decks can range in price from $40,000 to $180,000.
Boat lift on Unique Waterfronts dock
Marine Worx also builds or bolsters protective seawalls, particularly in the late fall and winter, when Alabama Power lowers lake levels on Logan Martin and Neely Henry. As every waterfront homeowner knows, those seawalls protect against property erosion.
“Every five years, they really drop it (the water level). That’s when we get a lot of seawall requests. It gets really crazy, and we only have about a month to do it. We’re working six, seven days a week that time of year trying to get all those done.”
While seawall materials may not change from year to year, there have been changes in technology.
“We use an erosion cloth behind the walls. We put gravel and the drains in, and we use tie backs (an anchor point to make the wall more secure).”
Some dock builders have expanded their businesses. Unique Waterfronts now does homebuilding, clearing property and also works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in disaster relief, according to Chelsea Isbell.
“We’re really excited about growing and expanding the company and having it more like a one-stop place for people wanting a new house, a pool house, a boat house … We’ve been blessed with work and have been able to expand our business.”
Like other area dock builders, Unique Waterfronts uses composite materials, and it also builds double deckers, like the Castle House Air B&B at Logan Martin’s Alpine Bay area. Unique Waterfronts uses the Trex Brand of composite material. As for seawalls, the company uses GeoStone, as well as wood and other materials.
The company also offers a variety of options and strives to live up to its name. “We want every project to be unique,” Isbell said.
Shoreline Creations
At Shoreline Creations, Margaret Isom is optimistic about the future. Waterfront populations are growing, which means seemingly boundless opportunities for new construction and restoration.
As far as trends, she looks to consumers. “We’re seeing educated clients who are value and budget-focused,” she said. Customers are also looking to alternative materials for dock construction, like composite and PVC decking.
“While both composite and PVC decking are low maintenance options, the key difference is that PVC decking is made entirely from plastic, offering superior longevity and resistance to temperature fluctuations.”
For Xtreme Docks owner Daniel Okonski, things are looking up – literally.
“We have a lot of new things in the new year,” he said. “But the biggest thing for us is we’re starting to go up. You can have the lower half of your dock for boats and stuff, and we’re adding platforms up top that you can actually use for entertaining. It’s a really neat concept. Basically you can end up with 2,400 square feet on the lake. It depends on where you live, but most of the time you have 1,200 square feet.”
But beyond construction, Xtreme offers jumping platforms and dock hammocks that give kind of a catamaran feel. Hammocks are custom made for Xtreme.
With an aging population, accessibility is an important factor. Xtreme offers lifts that make life easier for older lake residents or residents and visitors with disabilities.
While he uses traditional treated wood and aluminum in construction, as well as Trex composite decking, Okonski, it seems, has an eye on the future of docks and piers. And that future is vertical.
As an aside, he uses his own deck as an exhibit for potential customers. “Take the dock and turn it into an entertaining spot.”
The dock as more than a place to store boats may be sign that the waterfront communities have emerged from the pandemic and are returning as a happening place to be as it was in the early days of Logan Martin and Neely Henry.
“If you think about it, people are entertaining more,” Okonski said. “The lake is becoming a hot spot again like it was in the 60s and 70s. There were hotels and restaurants, everything. And I feel like it’s getting back that way.”
Story by Cherith Fluker Submitted and staff photos
When you stroll down Broad Street in Downtown Gadsden, it’s hard to believe that just a decade ago, this bustling area was a far cry from the vibrant, award-winning downtown district it is today.
Thanks to a blend of vision, determination and a little bit of magic, Downtown Gadsden has been transformed into a regional destination – drawing visitors from across the Southeast and beyond.
Kay Moore, the director of Downtown Gadsden Inc., has been a key player in the area’s revitalization, helping guide the transformation of downtown into what it is today.
One of the pivotal turning points for Downtown Gadsden was the opening of Back Forty Beer Company in 2009. Jason Wilson, a Gadsden native, made the decision to return to his roots and start a craft brewery in his hometown. The decision not only marked a new era for Gadsden but also changed the course of downtown’s future.
According to Moore, “Back Forty was the spark that ignited everything. Jason didn’t just bring craft beer; he brought an audience.”
First Fridays are a huge draw
Back Forty’s success became an anchor for the downtown area. It attracted a crowd of craft beer enthusiasts, some from as far away as China, where the company once shipped beer. The brewery is a stop on the rapidly growing Craft Beer Trail – a route that highlights craft breweries. Even more significant, Moore points out, was Wilson’s advocacy for changes to local laws to make Gadsden more business-friendly, further paving the way for other entrepreneurs to invest in the city.
Along with the opening of Back Forty, Moore credits downtown’s First Friday event with drawing more people to the area. In January 2006, local business owner Sylvia Smith launched the first First Friday event with a simple goal in mind: to bring more foot traffic into her store, the Stone Market. Little did she know, it would become a cornerstone of downtown Gadsden’s cultural and economic revival.
From April to October, every First Friday draws crowds from all over. “We transform Broad Street into a big celebration with food, music and community spirit,” Moore said. “We close off the streets from Broad Street to 1st Street, and attendees can enjoy everything from classic cars to local entertainment to food trucks.” Moore emphasized that these events are not just about fun – they also drive business to over a dozen downtown restaurants and vendors.
“We’ve had people attend a First Friday event and move to Gadsden because of it,” Moore recalls. “One couple bought a house on the river after attending a First Friday event.” The strong sense of community and the lively atmosphere have proven to be powerful attractions for both residents and visitors alike.
Today, Downtown Gadsden boasts an impressive mix of businesses. They each add their own charm to the area. There are over a dozen restaurants that offer diverse dining options, including everything from pizza parlors to upscale eateries. There are also boutiques and antique stores, an olive oil store, a cigar bar, a yarn shop and beauty salons and spas.
The downtown area also has a strong cultural presence. The Mary G. Harden Center for Cultural Arts and the Gadsden Museum of Art and History are both located downtown and offer a variety of events and exhibits.
Moore is particularly excited about the cultural scene’s growth in Downtown Gadsden, saying, “We’re working hard to be more artsy.” Outdoor art installations, such as a kinetic sculpture, and sidewalk art displays have helped cement Gadsden’s reputation as an up-and-coming cultural destination.
Notably, downtown has also become a great place to live. When Moore started in her role, there were just 13 lofts available in the area; today, there are 34, with 25 more planned in the old Sears building. “It takes a good mix to have a successful downtown,” Moore says, referring to the delicate balance of living, dining, shopping and entertainment options that keep the district thriving.
But the revitalization of Downtown Gadsden isn’t just about buildings and businesses, it’s about creating experiences that people want to return to. A prime example is the Sunset Sips event, the largest of its kind in the area, offering an evening of local wine, craft beer and live music.
The Chili Cookoff held every February has become a major draw, attracting 30 to 35 chili teams and crowds eager to taste the best of the region’s culinary creations.
Another fan favorite is the St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl, which has quickly grown into a must-attend event for locals and visitors alike.
Downtown’s cookin’!
One of the most innovative additions to downtown’s landscape is the series of ballot bins designed to encourage people not to litter. These yellow boxes, inspired by a system in London, allow people to “vote” with their cigarette butts in fun downtown elections aimed at making improvements to the area.
The initiative not only helps keep the streets cleaner but also adds a unique, interactive art installation for pedestrians to enjoy. It’s a creative way to engage the community while promoting environmental responsibility, all while making the downtown experience more enjoyable.
As Moore reflects on the success of the downtown revitalization, she shares an insight that sums up the spirit of the movement: “If your downtown is strong, it’s going to positively impact the city. Downtown is the heart of the city. People love to come downtown. If you give people somewhere to live, shop, eat and play, they’ll come to the city.” It’s clear that Gadsden’s leaders have embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly.
For Moore, it’s about more than just making downtown look nice. “If your heart’s not beating, you’re dead,” she says, emphasizing that a thriving downtown is key to a thriving city.
The ongoing revitalization is a testament to the fact that with a mix of vision, leadership, and community spirit, any downtown can come alive again.
