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

Missing: Coosa Island Marina Sign

The old sign on the ground after the storms

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.

Wild Game Cook-off

Returns to Talladega Superspeedway

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

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.

On the Water: Docks and Shoreline 2025

More than a place to park your boat

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.”

Downtown Gadsden

Thriving at the Heart of the City

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.

Front of the boat

Love of fishing deepens father & son bond

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Mackenzie Free

Zeke Gossett has loved fishing as long as he can remember. A smile spreads across dad Curtis’ face as he tells of Zeke watching him get ready for tournaments when the toddler was just two years old. “He’d watch me get ready and if I didn’t take him, he was at the window all day waiting on me to come back home.”

By the time he was six years old, Zeke was soaking in every bit of information he could on fishing – the conditions and variables that make an angler successful.

At that time, Curtis would watch him and challenge him, insisting that he fish in the current, not in the easier flat water. “He struggled because you have to use certain angles to make different baits work correctly,” explains Curtis. “He’d cast and cast. I’d watch him a while. Then I’d ask him if he wanted me to show him how to do it. When he was just six, I took him out with me, and he rolled that spinner bait across that stump, and he caught one. It gave him the confidence he needed.”

From that point on, Zeke got to fish in the back of the boat with his dad in many tournaments. “One of my earliest memories is when we used to fish club tournaments,” recounts Zeke. “I was probably eight years old. He could have fished with anyone, but he chose to fish with me. He was so much better, but it was him and me together.”

Father and son share fish stories

They were competitive then, just as they are now. “We kept the fish separate,” Zeke remembers. “We were kind of fishing against each other, even on the same team.”

From the moment you meet these two, you can feel the close bond they share. Curtis is intensely proud of his son, who has gone on to become a professional B.A.S.S. angler. The pride is evident when he brings in the six-inch-thick binder with photos and laminated clippings heralding the achievements his son has earned on his fishing journey.

“I got serious about fishing when I was about 10,” says Zeke. Beginning the next year, the focus paid off. He’s been reeling in trophies since he won his first tournament at age 11 – first place in the B.A.S.S. Alabama Junior Bassmaster Tournament for his age division and second place overall. The following year, he won first place overall in the Alabama Bass Federation/FLW Junior Tournament.

Zeke continued to excel throughout middle school and high school, winning and placing in more than 50 tournaments and receiving recognition from numerous fishing organizations.

He was named B.A.S.S. Alabama Nation High School Angler of the Year in 2015 and was named a B.A.S.S. High School All-American. After high school, he continued fishing in college at Jefferson State Community College, then Jacksonville State University and was named 2020 B.A.S.S. Collegiate Angler of the Year. His team won the national championship.

Zeke is just as proud of his dad as Curtis is of him, describing his dad as competitive, encouraging and loving. “He was always so patient, as a parent and as a coach. He’s always supported me from the time I decided this is what I wanted to do.” In addition to being his dad, Curtis was his fishing coach for seven years.

A former school principal and high school fishing coach, who also coached middle school volleyball, Curtis spent many years exercising the patience required to inspire extra effort from his student athletes.

During his nine years as principal at New Directions Alternative School, he also served as head coach for Pell City High School’s fishing team, then for Briarwood Christian School for another three years. In that time, he led his teams to six top five finishes in high school national championships, including two B.A.S.S. High School National Championships at Pell City. He’s coached three B.A.S.S. High School All-American Anglers.

The end of 2020 took a difficult turn for the Gossett family. That October, while Zeke was in Kentucky at a fishing tournament, both his dad, Curtis, and his mom, Laura, were hospitalized with COVID. Laura was released within the week, but Curtis, who suffers from asthma, struggled, eventually being put on a ventilator. “We didn’t tell him right away because he needed to stay and win that tournament,” admits Curtis. After Zeke returned, he was able to bring his mother home, and the two focused on praying for Curtis. “We’d get video calls from the hospital every night,” says Zeke. “It was not really a conversation with him being on a ventilator, but we spent time with him.”

After nearly a month in the hospital, Curtis was strong enough to be released. “His hair was long, and he was so skinny,” recalls Zeke. “But he got his strength back after about a month.” They won the first tournament they entered after that. Winning a tournament is great, but for these two, any day spent fishing together is a win. “Since COVID, fishing with Zeke has become even sweeter,” says Curtis. “I do not take it for granted!”

Curtis displays championship fishing rings

At 27 years old, Zeke is out on the water about 200 days a year, either in tournaments or as a fishing guide, doing what he loves. “These days,” laughs Zeke, “it’s Dad who’s waiting by the window for me to come back from fishing.” Zeke is in the front of the boat and putting the bait “on a dime,” just like his dad taught him. And that, he explains, is the difference in a bite or not.

Curtis’ own dad worked a lot, so it was his mom who taught him to fish, taking him fishing from the age of four. He credits his mom with choosing to make family time a priority by taking him fishing as often as she could. When Zeke came along, Curtis passed along that gift of time with his son and the love of fishing grew, just as their love for each other matured.

The fishing duo is really a fishing trio, as both say they couldn’t do what they do without the support of Zeke’s mom, Laura. “She’s Zeke’s biggest fan,” says Curtis. “She never complains about us being away. Without that support at home, you can’t do what we do.” Both agree that she is the most loving, hard worker they know.

Laura and Curtis have been married 31 years. Another fine catch from that year, a six-pound two-ounce Alabama Coosa Bass, hangs on the wall, reminding Curtis of great times had on Logan Martin Lake.

Today is another sweet day for the pair. They’re spending the day fishing together on Logan Martin. With Zeke’s busy professional fishing schedule occupying 43 out of 52 weekends this year, the two still make time to fish together at least a couple of times a month. “There are not many things in this world I would rather be doing than fishing with Zeke and enjoying the great outdoors,” Curtis says.

The two had a banner year in 2022, when Zeke was named Angler of the Year and Curtis, Co-Angler of the Year, for the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation. Their combined scores earned them first place the same year at the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship.

These days, the roles are reversed for the pair. Zeke is in the front of the boat, the place that controls the boat and the decisions for the team. And Curtis wouldn’t have it any other way, adding “the day he took over that position was a great full circle moment.

Tillison Bend Campground

On its way to becoming resort destination point on Neely Henry

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Graham Hadley
and Carol Pappas

Tillison Bend’s roots run deep along Coosa riverbanks in Gadsden. Settled in the mid-1800s, generations have called this picturesque waterfront community home.

Today, a group of businessmen is breathing new life into a 16-acre section of the bend with three quarters of a mile of shoreline and its very own island, transforming it all into a destination point for RV campers. And plans are to share some of its amenities coming soon with the public.

Opened in June, Tillison Bend Marina and Campground accommodates 60 full-service camp sites. Twenty-four more are planned along with five piers, a boardwalk, boat ramp and 20 cabins.

Aerial view of the resort at sunset

The island is already becoming a destination point for all kinds of outdoor activities, including cornhole, volleyball and Gaga ball, where players compete in an octagonal pit in a form of dodge ball.

A pavilion on the island hosts live musical entertainment for special events and holidays, and is likely to grow into a year-round draw to the public.

Meanwhile, campers from around the world have already been settling in all summer and fall. They hailed from Canada, England and all over the country. They have home grown visitors as well. A couple from nearby Hokes Bluff camped there in recent months, noting that even though it was a close drive, they felt like they were away at a vacation resort. “They told us, ‘We’ll be back. We love it,’ ” said Joey Fortenberry, one of the partners in Tillison Bend.

The partners are no stranger to the business world and what it takes to mold success. Illustrating their entrepreneurial spirit, among them, they have five businesses. Together, in addition to Tillison Bend, they own Marine Worx, which builds docks, piers, seawalls and boat ramps – anything marine-related, they say. The Fortenberrys, who are cousins, also own JF Development, which builds barndominiums and custom homes, and Sadler owns S&H Waterproofing and Construction.

Together, they’re a team with a vision to create something special at Tillison Bend.

“That’s the goal – to be an RV resort,” said Sadler. “We want this to be a first-class experience.” At Tillison Bend, they can enjoy that kind of experience with plenty of activities and excellent service onsite “without having to pay a monster amount of money.”

Judging by the smiles of a family enjoying a day in the impressive, heated pool on an October afternoon or the laughter of a mother and child playing in the nearby hot tub, it’s easy to see Tillison Bend is well on its way.

Amenities continue to be added. A $27,000 sound system has just been installed. A projector is ready for “movie nights” at the pool. Eight big screen TVs will be strategically located at “Tilly’s Bar,” a sports bar with an island vibe.

Aerial view of the resort at sunset

The Rusty Hook Trading Post at Tillison Bend, a massive convenience store with all kinds of offerings await campers, and soon, it will be open to the public, serving food and drinks. Bait and tackle sales are available there as well as canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Future plans call for boat and personal watercraft rentals.

The Bend, only five minutes from downtown, is also a place where boaters can get gas on the water.

Jody Fortenberry talked of the Trading Post’s signature delight – a homemade ice cream bar made especially for them by a local creamery. And while it might seem a small amenity, it’s that attention to detail and quality that sets this venture apart. One taste of the Cookies ‘N Cream version surely underscores that notion.

So do plans for an indoor recreation center with basketball and pickleball courts, a game room, fitness center and indoor playground expected by next spring.

While Tillison Bend welcomes campers with all amenities offered at affordable prices in an RV resort, Sadler is quick to point out, “We don’t want to be the cheapest. We want to be the most desirable.”

From the foundation already laid, it looks like that goal is just around the bend.

Dovetail Landing

Special weekend dedicated to helping veterans

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

Like a crack military unit, this patriotic Talladega County community and Dovetail Landing, the growing initiative to help veterans, unified on an October weekend with a single mission: to build community and awareness of veterans’ issues and Dovetail Landing’s resources as a place of resilience and recovery for veterans across Alabama.

Dovetail Landing celebrated its first Rockin for Recovery Fall Festival with barbecue, music, food, fun vendors and even a military touch – a “ruck march” that in this case was actually a walk, with the “ruckers” wearing rucksacks.

Dovetail Landing’s Combat Dining Out Dinner: Pipe Major Joseph R. Morrison (The Birmingham Bagpiper) plays rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

The night before, some 200 camo-clad diners celebrated “Combat Dining Out.,” a donations-only feast far from K-rations or MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). The menu included smoked chicken, pulled pork, red and white sauce, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, ice cold drinks and dessert. It was patterned after formal regimental mess nights, in keeping with military tradition, but no black ties. It was striking to see and hear the toasts to the nation’s military, especially the toast to fallen and missing warriors accompanied by the bagpiper’s rendering of Amazing Grace.

The keynote speaker for the evening was retired Col. Chris Stricklin, former USAF fighter pilot, Thunderbird Solo Pilot, and combat veteran. The colonel riveted the audience with his reflection on being a combat veteran.

If the old military adage is true – that an army travels on its stomach – the Fall Festival crowd was fueled for a long march.

“The purpose is to bring civilians, both from their community organizations, family organizations and business organizations to meet =veterans and have fun that night in a traditional military environment,” Dovetail Landing Executive Director retired Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes said.

The ruck march was an untimed five-mile walk aimed at building community and awareness of Dovetail Landing, vets and their issues. The walk was a lead-up to the events of the day, featuring food, showcases for Veteran Support Opportunities, music and fun.

“It was exciting to see so many veterans and their families come together and meet each other,” Holmes said. “There were over 20 veteran support organizations there to showcase significant opportunities, ready to contribute to (veterans’) well-being … and their future.”

But beyond the weekend’s flavorful fun, the larger mission was to help Dovetail Landing, the facility founded by Alana and Pat Centilli in 2021 to honor their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Centilli, who died in 2019 from traumatic brain injuries suffered in an explosion Helmand province, Afghanistan in 2012. Daniel Centilli was remembered by his brothers in arms as a Marine’s Marine.

“All of this is to create awareness and to showcase the opportunities available to the veterans and their families,” Holmes said.

Dovetail Landing hopes to provide a variety of services to  veterans, their families and caregivers – medical help, job training, counseling, food, housing and other services with a holistic focus.

The hope is to establish a Veteran Resilience and Recovery Center this fall to direct the ongoing veteran support opportunities and begin the multi-year buildout of the 57-acre farm campus in Lincoln to include a mental health therapy facility and a training center along with temporary lodging clusters. 

Dovetail can be viewed as a “reverse boot camp,” according to Holmes. Just as military boot camp prepares new recruits for military life, this reverse boot camp helps now-veteran soldiers make a smooth return to civilian life.

Alabama Punishers LEMC Mt. Cheaha Chapter: supporters of Dovetail Landing, who led a patriotic motorcycle flag parade in honor of veterans

But more than that, Dovetail Landing is like a Recovery Zone, Holmes added. Just like in combat “we don’t leave a warrior behind, We bring them home.”

Dovetail has expanded since its founding, Alana Centilli said.

“We came out of the gate as hard as we could go, trying to do so many things,” she said.

Since bringing Holmes, a veteran of combat operations in Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror, in as executive director in late April 2024, there has been a shift in focus.

“It’s been such a good thing,” Centilli said of Holmes’ addition. “We started veteran support services. Previously, we had just been so focused on the construction. We’re still doing that. But we are actively helping veterans.”

There are estimates that between 44 and 72 percent of veterans are struggling with physical, mental and emotional  issues during their transition back to civilian life.

The Dovetail expansion was driven by an  increase in public, private and corporate support. Major contributors have been the City of Lincoln, Honda, Alabama Power, Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the Noble Foundation and the State of Alabama, including a line item in the state budget and a grant from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We’re getting a lot of support, Holmes said. “The more people hear about us the more they want to know about what we’re doing.”

But Holmes says, support is a two-way street.  Dovetail’s message to corporations and public and private donors? “We’re not just coming with our hand out,” he says. “We want to know what we can do to make your corporation better because if you’ve got veterans employed there, then we want to be available to your company, to your veterans if you have any kind of need.”

“Ruckin’ For Recovery” ruck march led by Dovetail Landing’s own Sgt. Ben Tomlinson, a Marine veteran who survived a sniper shot while in Afghanistan

Immediate help for vets is today’s priority.

“In my mind what was missing was we really had not gotten strategically where we wanted to be in terms of supporting veterans today,” Holmes said.

He added, “We’re going to need the buildings. We’re going to need the infrastructure. But quite frankly, more important are the people we want to serve and their families.”

Dovetail Landing has begun what Holmes calls “veteran support opportunities.”

One of those opportunities is with Central Alabama Community College and its Skills for Success program. There are currently three certificate programs open to vets, including hands on heavy equipment training and land surveying.

Dovetail has opened therapy to help veterans, which involves outdoor recreation (fishing) and music and art therapies to help veterans and family members who may find themselves in a dark place. All of Dovetail’s resources were on display on Fall Festival weekend, including the Veterans Administration-certified arts therapy program led by the Aspen, Colorado-based Challenge America.

The festival also highlighted Dovetail Landing’s programs for the community, corporations and businesses and for potential donors.

Holmes shared the story of one veteran who found himself hounded and haunted by the black dog of suicidal depression. Fishing saved him, giving the vet the clarity and sanity to be able to return to his family and drive thoughts of suicide out of his mind.

“When we hear stories like that,” Holmes said, “we know we’re on the right track.”

To be clear, these initiatives are for family members as well.

“This is not about the veteran alone,” Holmes said. “Most veterans, myself included, when we put on the uniform and we serve, our families are part of that.

“As veterans want to enter into recovery or into a growth experience, we  also want to make that available to families. It’s important not to leave families behind,” Holmes said.

For Centilli, what began as a dream is becoming a reality.

“When all of this started, I envisioned a place where Daniel could have healed and just lived his life,” she said. “We knew he was never going to be on his own. He was never going to get married, would never have children … Seeing where we’ve come and how this has evolved and seeing the passion and the fire of the veterans when we talk about this, or they see what’s happening, it’s what we needed. It’s such a wonderful thing. This is going to help so many people.

“I just want to make sure people understand how important a resource like Dovetail Landing is for veterans and their families and why it is so needed,” she said.

The veteran support opportunities have exceeded expectations.

“We kept thinking we have to get this stuff built before we can help anybody,” she said. “We’ve changed that around and Gen. Holmes has helped us with that.”

She added, “The brick and mortar is going to come. But we are helping veterans today. I think it’s a win.”

That immediate help for veterans is important, Holmes said. The facilities follow.

“We’ve got to help veterans today if we’re going to have any credibility in continuing to ask for money to build buildings,” he said.

 “When we go back to our mission: Veterans. Their families. It’s people, not buildings.”

Editor’s Note: For more information or to donate, visit dovetaillanding.com, or call (205) 907-7602.

NOVI Vineyard and Winery

Celebrating three years of success on Risers Mountain

Story by Roxann Edsall
Photos by Mackenzie Free

The party on a hot fall day was to celebrate an anniversary. There was music, food and wine. The guests lifted glasses to toast a winery that has become an active part of their community in Alpine.

Lee and Lisa Moffett opened Novi Vineyards and Winery on the side of Risers Mountain three years ago, after spending nearly seven years in preparations. In those years, Lee says there were many lessons learned and blessings received. “We’ve learned somewhat on the fly,” said Lee. “I’ve hired various consultants to walk us through the process in the vineyard and in the making of the wine. I’ve learned a lot.”

“We started making wines for ourselves at first,” said Lisa. “Then Lee started taking classes online through the University of California Davis. He’s also gotten advice from many winemakers over the years.” The two have taken that advice to heart and built a winery with a family atmosphere and a menu of wines unlike most produced in Alabama.

One of the first lessons learned was that they didn’t need to grow muscadines. “That market is well covered in Alabama,” Lisa explains. “Most wineries in our state make sweet wines. We decided we wanted to be different. We chose to focus on growing French hybrid grapes and making dry wines.”

The French hybrid varieties they grow have been in the ground for nine years now and produce Norton, Lenoir, and Blanc duBois grapes. Since it takes roughly three pounds of grapes to produce a single bottle of wine, they work approximately 1,500 vines, which produced about 4,000 pounds of grapes this year.

Volunteers and family members did the harvesting in late August. “It was a good time, a little hot, but a good time,” Lisa recounts. “I love how supportive our community is. They heard it was harvesting time, and 25 people came to help.”

Pete and Michelle Bond are from Chelsea and say Novi is their favorite place to hang out. “It’s the best winery owned by the best people,” says Michelle. “I recently went through chemo, and throughout the process of losing my hair, Lisa still recognized me, even with different wigs.” Pete echoes the sentiment, saying the Moffetts take the time to get to know the names of their guests.

 Brett Metcalf grew up in southern California but recently lived in Spain for four years. He moved to Hoover in 2022 and recently found out about Novi Vineyards and Winery through a friend. His travels have exposed him to many wine tasting opportunities, and he gives high praise to this local business.

Hoover resident Brett Metcalf (top left) enjoys wine and charcuterie with friends

“This is my second time here. Lee and Lisa are special,” he says. “They treated me like family even the first time I visited. And they have a great wine flight!”

A health crisis caused the Moffetts to reassess their family life and work situations. After making the decision to recenter their focus on health and family, they bought land and began the process of planting the 10 acres as a vineyard and developing plans for the winery. Lee had been sick for close to 15 years, fighting recurrent renal cell cancer.

“That’s actually how we got our name. Novi is the Latin prefix meaning new. Our family was weary,” Lisa recounts. “This place, and our family coming together to work it, gave us a new breath. It was therapy.”

Lee adds, “I’ve always enjoyed the land and being out in the woods. I have fond memories of my grandparents’ farm. I’ve since learned that it is hard work.” Lee is an engineer by trade and manages to find time for that work in addition to his tasks at the vineyard. Lisa is retired from a career in teaching.

The Moffetts have three children, all grown and married. When things get busy, it’s all hands on deck at the vineyard. Lee says July and August (before the grapes are harvested) are the slowest months, but the rest of the year there’s always something to do.

“We’ve just harvested and have the grapes fermenting in the vats,” explains son-in-law Ben Meadows. “Now is the busy season when it’s nice weather to hang out and visit the winery.”

Winter, he says, is filled with shipping gift and holiday party orders. Early spring involves pruning and preparing the plants and ground for new growth. Early summer involves managing the water intake, pest control and watching for mold and fungal issues. Summer is spent trimming the plants and mowing the property. Late summer brings the harvest back around and the cycle begins anew.

Much of the vinification is still manual. They do have a machine to de-stem the grapes and one to crush the grapes.  They also have a bottle filler, which handles five bottles at a time. The corking, foiling, labeling and boxing is done one bottle at a time. Their output this year will be about 450 cases, and that, they hope, will help to push the business into the black this year.

Novi is also hosting dinners in the vineyard this fall and early winter. Local chefs cater the events and wine packages are offered to customers at their tables set up among the vines. “We discovered in the spring that people responded really well to dinners in the vineyard,” said Lisa. “We have several scheduled for November. If the weather is good in December, we may add more.”

They also have a unique event that is designed specifically for book lovers. It’s called “Pages and Pairings,” and is led by Nicole Conrad, an English Literature teacher. Conrad picks books to suggest to book club participants or avid readers and compares story elements and the character and nuances of the different Novi wines, ultimately pairing those books with specific wines made at the winery.

“A glass of Blanc du Bois, for instance, might pair perfectly with a light summer romance,” she explains. “We’ve done these three times already, and they’ve been very popular.”

Lee describes each of their wines as having its own unique characteristics. The Blanc du Bois, he describes as a very citrusy, fruity wine, comparable to a Sauvignon Blanc, but with a sweeter nose.

“The Norton is our driest on the palate,” he says. “It gives you an earthy, woodsy, smokey, fruity nose with hints of bourbon and leaf tobacco.” He describes the Lenoir, the third variety made exclusively with their grapes, as having a smokey, blackberry aroma. They also offer a red blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their wines are in two stores in the Birmingham area – Classic Wine Company in Homewood and Hop City in Birmingham. Thanks to a law passed in the State of Alabama three years ago which allows shipping of wine in the state, you can order from Novi online at www.novivineyards.com. Of course, you can also buy it in person at Novi Vineyards and Winery.

“There is a certain flavor profile that’s brought about by the minerals here in the soil that give it a characteristic flavor that you’re only going to find here,” Lisa says. “Terroir is a term that describes the influence of the terrain, the soil, climate and other factors where the fruit is grown.”

You can come check out the different wines at Novi every Friday and Saturday from noon until 5:00 p.m. They have a wine tasting room to help you decide your favorite or just get a flight and try them all.  They also offer charcuterie boards to enjoy with a bottle of wine on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Novi Vineyards and Winery is also available for weddings and other private events.

Come relax with friends and make new ones as you unwind in this relaxing homegrown, yet sophisticated winery. Lee and Lisa Moffett are building community and relationships one sip at a time. And they’re crushing it.

Among the VINES

Pottery, dinner & Wine under the stars

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted photos

One of the most unusual events to happen near the lake community is happening this week in Alpine. It’s billed as three courses under the stars, but with a twist. Guests at the Nov. 9 event will be making a piece of pottery before enjoying a gourmet meal in the vineyards at Novi Vineyards and Winery.

Josh Miller, senior food editor for Southern Living magazine, is also a recipe developer and food stylist. He is serving as head chef for this special event, his first in collaboration with Novi Vineyards. He has done at least 20 similar events at the pottery studio and garden shop he runs with his partner, Lauren Scott.

“A friend and former intern at Southern Living, Nicole Conrad, was telling us about a book pairing event she did here with Lisa Moffett,” said Miller.

“She showed us pictures and we thought it was beautiful and were very interested in doing something with them.” Miller and Scott met with Moffett and connected immediately. The three talked through the idea and developed a plan.

The evening will start with a glass of wine and fellowship on the winery’s terrace. After everyone has arrived and had a few minutes to unwind, participants will move to the side patio for the pottery class and making the harvest bowl project.

Miller calls the project a “hand building” project, because it takes no special tools. “We have people who tell us they’re not creative, but we design these projects to be good for all levels,” says Miller.

“It’s a very forgiving project. If you make a mistake, we can help you smooth it out and fix it.”

The pottery students will simply mold a rolled-out sheet of clay with their hands to form a bowl, invert it onto a bowl shape, imprint the clay with a variety of items (lace, shells, herbs, leaves) and leave it to dry.

Miller and Scott will transport all the bowl projects to dry at WildGoose Garden & Pottery, their Trussville studio, after which they will paint and glaze them. Class participants will schedule a time and place to meet to pick up their finished pieces.

As participants finish their projects and set them aside to begin drying, Miller will lead them to the vineyard, where twinkling lights form a canopy above elegantly set tables.

The first course, a Roasted Shallot and Grape Focaccia and an Autumn Harvest Salad, will be served family style.

While guests enjoy the first course, Miller and his crew will slice and plate the main course – a Stuffed Pork Loin with Aged Sherry Gastrique Over Gouda Grits.

Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème with Crème Fraiche Whipped Cream and a Port Wine Reduction will finish off the meal.

Novi Vineyard and Winery’s Lisa Moffett will be handling the wine service for the dinner. Guests will be able to purchase wine by the bottle or wine packages to go along with dinner. Miller will suggest wine pairings with each course.

Giving a nod to the venue, Miller has included several grape components in the menu.

If you are late in finding out about the event, don’t worry. Miller and Scott plan to repeat this event later in the fall or in the spring.

You can follow them on Instagram or Facebook@wildgoosegardentrussville.

Miller has graciously shared a recipe for Roasted Root Vegetables and Kale Salad, a dish similar to the harvest salad he will be serving at this event. He has also allowed us to reprint his Caramelized Stuffed Onions recipe.

Roasted Root Vegetables and Kale Salad Photo by Shell Royster

Roasted Root Vegetables & Kale Salad

Serves 6 to 8 

This vibrant fall salad can be made with any variety of hearty fall vegetables you like. Here we’ve chosen acorn squash, beets, sweet potatoes and shallots; butternut or delicata squash would also be welcome additions.

  • 3 shallots, halved 
  • 2 red beets, peeled and quartered 
  • 2 golden beets, peeled and quartered 
  • 2 small sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks 
  • 1 acorn squash, halved, seeded and cut into ½-inch-thick slices 
  • 1 head garlic, top sliced to expose cloves 
  • ¾ cup olive oil, divided 
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus additional, to taste 
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 
  • 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided 
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup 
  • 8 cups torn kale
  • Chopped pecans, for garnish (optional) 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place shallots, beets, sweet potatoes, squash and garlic on pan; drizzle evenly with ¼ cup oil; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and paprika and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat. Bake until vegetables are tender, 25 to 35 minutes. 

Let vegetables cool slightly. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a small bowl; mash with a fork.

Stir in remaining ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper, vinegar and maple syrup until combined. Drizzle in remaining ½ cup olive oil, whisking constantly until smooth. Season with additional salt, if desired.

 Place kale and half of vegetables in a large serving bowl; drizzle with half of dressing; gently toss to coat.

Top with remaining vegetables; drizzle with desired amount of remaining dressing.

Garnish with pecans, if desired. 

Caramelized Stuffed Onions Photo by Shell Royster

Caramelized Stuffed Onions 

Makes 6 servings 

Humble onions take center-stage in this fast-fix side dish. Stir the filling together a day ahead to make this recipe come together in a snap. 

  • 3 medium-sized red onions, peeled and halved 
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper 
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 
  • ½ cup gorgonzola 
  • ½ cup panko 
  • ¼ cup softened unsalted butter 
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, plus additional, for garnish 
  • Honey, to serve 

Preheat oven to 375°. Drizzle half of olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet, rubbing to coat. Using a small spoon, pry out 2 or 3 of the innermost layers from each onion to create a small well in the cut side of each onion.

If needed, trim opposite side of onions so they sit flat on baking sheet. Place onions on baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle with remaining olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn onions cut side down, and place in oven. Bake 25 minutes until slightly tender. Turn onions cut side up; drizzle cut sides with vinegar. 

 Meanwhile, stir together gorgonzola, panko, butter and thyme. Remove onions from oven; spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon into each onion half. Return to oven, and bake until topping is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with thyme, if desired. l

Recipes and images reprinted courtesy of Edible Charleston

Rodeo and Rhythm

A smash hit at Neely Henry’s Greensport

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Mackenzie Free

On the banks of Neely Henry Lake, Greensport Marina and Campground transformed into a thrilling rodeo for two days of family fun people around these parts won’t soon forget.

 Broken Arrow Rodeo Productions put on quite a show, wowing the crowds with non-stop action.

 Sponsors and a host of community volunteers and organizations came together in support of a laudable cause, the Ashville High School Future Farmers of America.

Horses, lassos, cowboys and more against the backdrop of Neely Henry and the mountains formed a stunning scene that are now etched in memories.

Our own Mackenzie Free got in on the action, capturing in photos the moments that defined just how special this event was.

But don’t take our word for it. Check out these reviews from those who experienced it in the moment:

“This was a lot of fun! This is what we need on Neely Henry Lake. Fun by land or water!”

“Had a blast. Can’t believe how y’all pulled this together. Really professional event. Can’t wait till next year.”

“We loved it and rode our boat over for both nights. The food trucks were great, the rodeo was great and enjoyed listening to the music. Thank you for putting this event on. Also, a congratulations to my daughter placing 2nd place in the barrel racing.”

And that was just a sampling of firsthand accounts of Rodeo and Rhythm’s debut.

But perhaps the best quote of all comes from Greensport itself, announcing the rodeo’s expected return: “We hope you loved it just as much as we did, and that you’ll be back for next year’s action, too!”

Thank you, Dave and Stepanie Evans. Job well done!