When it comes to careers in aviation, the sky’s the limit.
That’s why the St. Clair County Airport is hosting its 5th Annual Aviation Career Day and Open House, set for Oct. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The goal of the free event is to showcase some of the many opportunities in the flight industry and to introduce youth and adults to exciting career paths they may never have considered. It also highlights the impact that airports make in the state and local communities.
Precision flying can be seen for miles around
“We had over 3,000 attend last year,” said Wendy Watson, airport manager, who along with Ike Newton, organizes the event. “It’s a great way to promote aviation in our community and to try to get more kids involved in aviation.”
According to a 2020 Economic Impact Study conducted by the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Bureau, the aviation industry accounts for more than 44,000 jobs in the state with an average yearly salary of $65,000. Statewide, airports generate more than $267 million in tax revenue.
The St. Clair County Airport has a $9 million financial impact on the region, according to the study, and the Federal Aviation Administration has designated it a “reliever” airport for Birmingham. It also has hangars available for rent, a flight training school, aviation maintenance facilities and an avionics shop.
“We can be proud of our airport system in Alabama and the daily contributions (airports) make to improve the quality of our lives and grow our economy,” Governor Kay Ivey said following the report’s release. “Aviation is a thriving industry in our state and an important part of our economic health.”
Sea plane a regular sight over Logan Martin
The Career Day fun begins with a free pancake breakfast, complete with pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, which will be served from 7 :30 to 9 a.m. A free hotdog lunch with chips, soft drinks and water will be available from noon to 1 p.m.
Aerial demonstrations will be held during the lunch hour, and a variety of aircraft – from antique planes and military helicopters to private jets and kit planes – will be displayed. Helicopter rides will also be available for $75 per person.
In addition to pilots, there are many aviation careers in the commercial, military and corporate sectors, including air traffic controllers, avionic engineers, mechanics and more. Seminars throughout the day will explore some of those options. In addition, representatives from flight schools and universities will be on hand to answer questions.
The St. Clair County Airport is located at 240 Airport Road in Pell City. For more information about the event, contact Wendy Watson at wendy@plrairport.com.
Their early story is much like any other boy growing up around the water. When they’re old enough to walk and talk, they’re old enough to hold a fishing rod and reel them in. After that, they’re perpetually ‘gone fishin.’
That’s the story of Peyton and Colin Smith, a pair of Pell City cousins who just returned from national competition, representing their bass fishing team at Pell City High School. It’s the first time a Pell City team went to nationals since the team captained by now bass pro angler, Zeke Gossett, did it back in 2016.
“We’ve been fishing on the team for five years, and we finally did it our last try. It’s a compliment to fish with the best of the best,” said Colin, noting that they were thankful for “the opportunity to make it there.”
“It was an accomplishment just to be able to go and prove we can do it,” added Peyton. “It was a humbling experience.”
Peyton and Colin show off their catches
The road there was not an easy one. On the state level, they fished in Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association (ASABFA) tournaments, finishing in the top tier to earn a state finals spot. They finished in the top five to capture a bid to the nationals, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Among 480 teams competing from across the country, they finished “middle of the pack” at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. While it wasn’t the finish they hoped for, the two are proud of their angling successes so far in their careers, and they’re pursuing even more.
Both graduated in May, and now they hope to head to collegiate level competition – together. They plan to attend the same college and compete on the same team. “We want to do it together so we don’t have to split up,” Peyton said.
Peyton and Colin’s fishing history together goes way back. “We’ve been fishing since we’ve been able to walk,” said Colin. “We’ve always fished together. We’ve had our ups and downs for sure, tempers flare when you lose a fish, but …” “We’re a team and family,” Peyton said, finishing the sentence and the sentiment they share.
They have been teammates for Pell City since eighth grade and earned “Angler of the Year” honors in 8th, 10th, 11th and expected – 12th grade – when the final tally comes in. Their 9th grade year was when COVID hit, and activities were cancelled.
As for their younger counterparts coming up through the ranks of the Ronda Parker-coached high school team, they do offer advice:
“Be patient,” Colin said. “There are times when we didn’t finish out the limit until five minutes before. Don’t give up on what you’re doing. Just fish, really.”
And from Peyton, “Keep your grades up. You can’t fish if you don’t have the grades. Keep your head down. Stay focused. Never give up.”
Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett
Logan Martin
As we start to enter the fall time of year on Logan Martin, there are a lot of things beginning to happen.
One of the main things going on and happens every year is the fall water turnover. This is where the lake begins to lose oxygen out in deeper water and the lake turns over. You can even see the thermocline line on your 2D sonar and downscan.
During the turnover, you will begin to see shad starting their migration to the backs of the creeks, and usually the bass will follow. This is especially true once the nights begin to get cooler.
Another thing that begins to happen is the winter drawdown of the lake. Last year, the water level only dropped three feet compared to the usual five in prior years. This can be a very tough time of year to fish, but hopefully these tips can help you get a jump start to find fish quick.
Typically, I’m going to fish in shallow water during this time of the year. When I say shallow, I mean anywhere from 10 feet or less of water. I’m usually looking for docks, brush and grass in this depth.
I will try to start in the grass, especially in the earlier part of September. First bait I am going to reach for is a frog. The frog, in my opinion, is probably one of the best ways to get your better than average bite this time of year.
Another good option would be a buzz bait. Both baits can be fished fast and cover a lot of water in a short amount of time. Once the sun starts to get up, I will shift my focus to the docks and brush.
There are a couple of rods I reach for this time of year when fishing docks and brush. Usually, when the water temperature is still in the 75 degree-plus mark, I will fish a neko rig. The fish are still usually pretty finicky this time of year. The Neko rig is a great option for getting those finicky fish to bite when they’re not in the biting mood.
Once the water temperature gets under 75, that’s when I’ll reach for the jig. The jig is a very versatile bait this time of year. You can fish it around brush and docks. I might even flip it in grass and lay downs as well.
The early fall time of year can be some of the toughest times to fish on Logan Martin, but it can be the most rewarding if you figure them out. Keep it simple this time of year, and you will find success.
Neely Henry
On Neely Henry, these two months can be an interesting two months for those of us that fish Neely Henry. The fish are starting to feed up for the winter, and this is especially true after the first few cool nights we have.
I really like to focus on docks and grass just like at Logan Martin. Typically, I’ll focus on the back half of the creeks this time of year. You also want to make sure there are baitfish in the area. Most of the time the baitfish will be up near the surface of the water column. Make sure you keep an eye for schoolers as well.
The fall turnover is usually right around the corner or is already happening at this point. What that means is the oxygen levels in deeper water are beginning to get very low. That is the reason the shallow water tends to have a lot more bass activity due to food and oxygen levels. It also is why the baitfish tend to be near the surface as well.
When fishing docks I will typically start on the shallower docks. When I say shallow docks, I’m talking any docks five feet or less.
Don’t be afraid to try deeper docks as well. The deeper docks will sometimes get overlooked by a lot of fishermen. This allows fish to use every bit of the water column if they choose to. They can either stay shallow or move deeper if they please.
A few baits I like to try in these areas are either the neko rig or jig. These two baits give me options throughout about every depth. If it is cloudy and windy I tend to reach for the buzzbait and cover a lot of water.
If it’s more of a slick calm, sunny day, I like to pitch and flip the jig around wood and docks.
Lastly, another great place to try and find a bigger bite is in the grass. Throwing a frog early in the morning is a great way to get a bigger than average bite.
Once the sun gets high, don’t be afraid to flip the jig in the grass as well. Typically, you will not get many bites using these techniques, but the ones that do bite will usually be better than average.
One important point about fishing grass on Neely Henry this time of the year, don’t be scared to fish extremely shallow. The bigger fish will sometimes be in just inches of water.
Give these tips a try and keep your fishing simple this time of year. The fall time is all about trying to find activity. Fish tend to move around a lot, but don’t let that fool you. Keep your bait selection simple and keep covering water and you will find success.
Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.
This is a story of war and love, heartbreak and hope.
It’s a tale of an earthly hell and two parents’ dream of an earthly heaven for broken veterans and their families and a town that answered the call of duty.
And it’s the story of Daniel Centilli, a Marine’s Marine.
All are part of the story of Dovetail Landing, Pat and Alana Centilli’s mission to honor their fallen son.
First, the Marine.
Hell in Helmand Province
Lance Cpl. Daniel Centilli was a typical American kid. He loved Thanksgiving and fishing and football. A defensive lineman, he was part of Pell City High School’s “Thousand Pound Club,” with membership reserved for the school’s strongest athletes.
Girls loved him. And as it always seems with kids who leave us too soon, Daniel “lit up a room,” his mother, Alana Centilli, remembered.
“He never did anything 50 percent,” she recalled. “He loved hard.”
A day at the pool with family Sarah Morgan Grimes, Jessica Centilli Santos, Mary Esther Krantz, Daniel Centilli and Sam Grimes
A few years after graduation, he joined the Marines. Within months in 2011, he was a machine gunner in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
One soldier who served in the province described it to The Washington Examiner this way:
“It felt like we were on the moon. No trees. No plants. Just gravel.”
It was a hell on earth, where Daniel and his comrades were exposed, sitting ducks for Taliban fighters. An expert marksman, Centilli was in the lead vehicle in a coalition convoy.
As if that wasn’t dangerous enough, Daniel witnessed the murder of his sergeant by an Afghan interpreter.
And at Daniel’s December 2019 funeral, attended by his brothers in arms, one comrade recounted a time when the unit was under attack.
“We saw the red dust flying,” he said, “and I knew Daniel was coming.”
On May 10, 2012, Daniel’s Humvee was hit, and he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, along with PTSD, the result of the “big blast.”
In 2014, after suffering numbness in his arm, he was taken to Duke University Medical Center where doctors discovered a brain tumor they believed related to the blast.
Then came the long road – hallucinations, where he believed their were aliens coming out of his phone. Another time he was unresponsive shortly after being found walking down a road in his underwear. He told Marines he was “walking with Jesus back to Alabama.”
He was later transferred to a hospital in Portsmouth, Va., and remained there until 2016 when he returned home to Alabama.
The next three years were a journey of psychiatric wards, hallucinations and wandering as far away as Arkansas. At one point near the end, he was placed in a medically induced coma, in hopes that his body would reset.
“This became normal life for us,” his mom said. “When he came out of that coma, he was about 15 mentally. It totally changed everything.”
In December, after a three-month stay in a Florida neurological hospital, he returned home. It was two days before Christmas 2019.
That night, he died in his sleep, not on the battlefield, but in his own bed, yet another casualty in the War on Terror.
“Daniel was just the sweetest soul,” Alana said as she wept. “He loved hard. He loved his family and God, he loved the Marine Corps.”
He was 30 years old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBoAxHk-xck
The Parents and Their Dream
For two years after Daniel’s death, it seemed the oxygen was sucked from the earth for Pat and Alana Centilli. He was always present – in pictures, in the flag that draped his coffin, or in his crisp dress blues that hung in his closet.
But the Centillis are “fixers,” Alana said. The couple wanted to do something to free themselves from the shackles of grief and to honor their son. It was “their own personal therapy.”
“That’s the only way we could get out of it,” she said. “A part of it is selfish, never wanting anyone to forget Daniel and what he went through. Any of that.”
From tears that rest just under the surface and flow easily came the idea for Dovetail Landing, a place to provide food and shelter – 30 tiny homes and at least 25 family homes – mental health counseling and job training and other resources for vets, their families and caregivers.
Groundbreaking of Dovetail Landing with Mayor Lew Watson, Alana Centilli and Alan Cook
The project – on 57 acres donated by the City of Lincoln – is a place of peace, far from the pain of war. Work began in January 2022.
Billed as “A Veteran Transitioning and Wellness Community,” Dovetail will also help residents navigate the snarl of government red tape to obtain veterans’ benefits, Social Security and other services. At an estimated cost of $40 million, Dovetail will be a “one-stop shop” for all matters affecting vets.
Private citizens and organizations – like the World Games and Lakeshore Foundation – are getting involved, Alana said.
“This is going to help so many people. This is going to help veterans like Daniel. This is going to help people not go through what he had to go through. This is going to help families not go through what we had to go through. This is our push.”
She sees Dovetail Landing as a “transformational project” that in the years and decades ahead will positively impact generations.
“I think of the veterans and their families. We’re going to change their lives. It just gives me chills,” she said, adding, “To be able to do that is so healing for me.”
Lincoln and a militaryMom answer the call
Alana and Pat Centilli aren’t the kind to take “No” for an answer.
After two years of hard grief, they set about the business of making Dovetail Landing a reality. Land was the first priority.
In the hunt for land, Alana reached out to an uncle, Darrell Ingram, on the Talladega County Commission, who in turn connected her with longtime Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson and the Lincoln City Council.
Watson, a Vietnam veteran in 1966-67, served in country as the American buildup began. Duty took him from the Mekong Delta to the DMZ, two of the hot zones of the Vietnam War.
He’d seen two of his fellow servicemen take their own lives in Vietnam. And later in Lincoln, he counseled a troubled vet who also committed suicide.
After Alana’s pitch, Lincoln city leaders readily embraced the project.
“The reason why was the purpose,” Watson said. “We heard the story that Alana told us. I had seen a story on TV about veterans committing suicide, but I didn’t really get into it too deep, because it didn’t appear anything personal. But after listening to her talk, recognized hey, this is a real need. And if we’ve got the ability to do something about it, by gosh, let’s do something about it.”
The council’s decision to help Dovetail has been warmly received. Watson recounted a call he received from a veteran in Birmingham after the panel’s action.
“This is a good thing y’all are doing,” the man told Watson. “I came back (after serving), and I was totally worthless. My marriage was going to hell in a handbasket. I couldn’t stay off drugs and alcohol.”
The tormented veteran’s wife told him of a facility in Texas that might help. He went.
Daniel enjoying a day on the lake with his service dog, Diesel, and Diesel’s sister Sadie
“I’m here to tell you,” the man told Watson.” It saved my life. It saved my marriage. It saved me.”
The man told the mayor he’s ready to volunteer at Dovetail Landing.
Closer to home, Michelle Tumlin is also on board. She lost her son Houston, a member of the Army’s iconic 101st Airborne, to suicide after his battle against PTSD and CTE related in part to his military service.
Houston Project, a store in downtown Pell City owned by the Tumlin family, donates all proceeds of its sales to help meet the needs of veterans and their families.
Houston Project funded the first tiny house at Dovetail Landing. The house fulfills her son Houston’s dream of helping veterans – a sentiment he expressed a year before his death
“Dovetail Landing is going to be a great thing,” she said. “The main reason I wanted to volunteer aside from the fact that it will help so many veterans, Houston wanted to help veterans process out of the military to give them therapy they needed, a place to live, job training. He wanted to help them be able to re-enter civilian life.”
She added, “The minute I found out about Dovetail Landing, I got chill bumps all over my body.”
Epilogue
While many – individuals, the City of Lincoln, corporations, churches, businesses and groups like Alabama Veteran are joining the Dovetail Landing effort, the Centillis believe something larger is at work in a national effort.
“There’s a greater good out there that’s got control of this,” Alana said.” I think Daniel’s looking out for us a little bit. And I believe we’re going to get it done. I’m not going to stop until it’s done.
“It’s going to take Moms and Dads and sisters and brothers and friends stepping up and doing things like this, because (veterans) fought for all of us.”
At its core, this story that began in the heartache of war, grief and loss, is fueled by something higher.
“There’s so much love and sheer determination that’s going into getting this place built, Alana said. “It will help so many people. It’s a heart project for me.”
Reminders of Daniel are never far away. On Memorial Day, she received a text from one of her son’s Marine brothers.
“Dan was the best Marine I ever had the pleasure to lead … [K]now that he’s never forgotten by the guys he fought with … You gave us a warrior and a lifelong friend.”
For two nights in July, you might hear the roar of the crowd at Pell City’s lakeside Sports Complex, but it won’t be the familiar cheers as runners round the base or when a baseball heads skyward for a homerun.
On these two nights in July, the complex transforms into an arena with broncos, bulls and plenty of cowboys vying for top spots in the rodeo circuit.
It’s time for Bulls on the Lake – two nights of rodeo entertainment that attracted more than 3,000 people to its stands in 2022. And organizers predict this year’s rodeo presented by 5L Rodeo Company will be even bigger.
These are sanctioned events with the youth rodeo on Friday night and the pro rodeo on Saturday. The youth rodeo is for members of International Miniature Rodeo Association, ages 5-18. You must be a member to compete. There will be bulls, bareback and barrels.
On Saturday, pros are in the spotlight with bulls and broncs.
Gates open at 5 both nights with the Friday night event starting at 7 and the Saturday night rodeo at 8. Tickets for Friday are $10 and for Saturday, general tickets are $15, and kids under 12 cost $10.
Proceeds benefit the Pell City Future Farmers of America Alumni, which helps sponsor the Pell City FFA Chapter.
The offerings both nights are expanding with more vendors being booked, including Carpenetti’s Pizza, Taco Tuesday, Papa Queso, Southern Sno Shaved Ice, D & W Kettle Corn and Royal Slush. Four western boutiques will be offering their wares as well.
Title sponsors for the events are Tri Green Equipment, Smith & Sons Construction and AmFirst.
Tickets will be sold through the Pell City Civic Center and at the gate.
When Casey Cambron and the Five16 Foundation created a music festival three years ago, the idea was born from a desire to give back to the community.
Fast forward those three years, and Lakeside Live Music Fest has grown into a communitywide event drawing more than 6,000 people to enjoy a day of music and fun for the whole family at Pell City Lakeside Park. It’s free to the public, courtesy of the sponsors investing in the effort, and gates open at 10 a.m.
On stage are noted musical groups like the Leverton Brothers, Wingnuts, Deputy 5 and the Ryan Waters Band.
Lining one of the fields is an impressive car show. Scattered throughout the grounds are all kinds of vendors, food trucks and a host of activities for the children.
One of the main events is Battle of the Badges, a friendly but fierce competition pitting the fire department against the police department.
Nearby, you can cheer on your favorites in the corn hole tournament offering a cash prize.
Couple all those features with hourly door prizes and drawings for major prizes like a kayak, flat top grill, a youth four-wheeler and a television, and what you have is the makings of a true family event that does indeed give back to the community.
Proceeds from Lakeside Live benefits worthy causes throughout the city – police, fire, school system, children’s organizations, Museum of Pell City and Pell City Historical Society.
“Our entire goal is to support our community, to bring people into our community to see what we have to offer,” said Cambron. And he and his band of volunteers have done just that. “We couldn’t host this without our great volunteers,” he said, noting how grateful the Foundation is to have a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and go to work to support the effort.
“Our mission is to shine a light in our community,” Cambron said. “That’s our goal.”
Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett
Logan Martin
Logan Martin can be a tricky lake during the months of July and August. However, these two months are still great times to fish if you know where to look.
Specifically talking about July, there are still plenty of offshore fish to be found. Fish may be in offshore brush piles or actual schools. If you find schools of fish, they tend to move around a lot this time year, so you may have to play chase with them!
You must keep an open mind and use your electronics to stay on them. The schools may move from where you previously found them, but they will usually stay within eyesight from where they were.
Once I’ve found a school, I will typically try to catch the active ones first. Usually, the biggest in the school will eat first. My first bait of choice always is a deep diving crankbait. The reason the crankbait is always a good first choice is it allows you to get back in a school more quickly if the fish choose to bite.
If the school doesn’t seem to want to bite, or maybe there’s a lack of current in the system, I will reach for either a flutter spoon or a hair jig. These two baits are a little more subtle than the crankbait and will trigger bites if the fish are not as active.
Transitioning into the month of August, for me, brush piles and docks start to play a major role in catching bass. Once the schools start to break up after being pressured all summer long from being fished on hard, these fish will usually branch off and start getting into brush more heavily.
My favorite depth to target these fish is in anywhere from 10-15 feet of water. A couple baits you might want to try are a crankbait or a finesse jig. I let the fish tell me what they want. If you have a low pressure day (during the week), usually they’ll be more in the mood to chase the crankbait down and eat.
On the other hand, the jig is a lot better option if it is slick calm, sunny and a lot of boat traffic. Give these tips a try during the hottest part of the year, and you might find the dog days of summer are not so bad after all.
Neely Henry
Neely Henry has always been a good summertime lake in years past for me. Anglers can catch fish from a foot of water all the way out to 20 feet of water.
Typically, my better than average size fish will come shallow, especially early in the morning. I will usually target the area from the Alabama Highway 77 bridge section down.
Early in the morning, I will always start with either a hollow body frog or swim jig, trying to cover as much water as possible. This allows me to pick off those active fish in the lower light. I will either look for willow grass or seawalls on the main river to start with.
Got to have the right gear
If there is plentiful cloud cover, I will stay shallow – either a lot longer or all day if the fish are still showing activity. If the sun does decide to show up, that’s when I’ll move a little deeper.
In July, there still will be schools of fish to be found. These schools can either be found on road beds, long points and ledges. My first cast in these schools – just like Logan Martin – will be a crankbait. Once the school shuts down, I will play cleanup with either a jig or a drop shot.
Once August rolls around, I still will have the same morning routine as July. The only difference is that I will start mixing in a lot more dock fishing. The reason being, much like Logan Martin, the schools are separated from either pressure or maybe even lack of oxygen out deep if there hasn’t been any rain.
I usually will keep my bait selection pretty simple. I start out with either a finesse jig or Texas-rigged senko. These two baits will get bitten no matter what the conditions might be.
I will target docks anywhere from one foot to ten feet. You have to let the fish tell you what they’re doing on any particular day. Keep an open mind on the dog days of summer on Neely Henry and let the fish tell you where you need to be.
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.
The Black Jacket Symphony is again partnering with The Center for Education and Performing Arts, America’s First Federal Credit Union and the City of Pell City for the summer’s biggest lake event Sept. 2.
This year, it’s on a new night – Saturday – for the Fourth Annual Live at Logan Martin featuring a live performance of the legendary soundtrack, Saturday Night Fever.
This disco dance party will be held at the Pell City Sports Complex on Lake Logan Martin. The event site will open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. A rain date is set for the following evening, Sunday, Sept. 3.
“We are thrilled to once again be the presenting sponsor of this wonderful event. AmFirst is proud to support Live at Logan Martin and help bring this event to the community,” said Phil Boozer, SVP-Chief Sales Officer, Marketing for America’s First Federal Credit Union.
VIP squares and general admission tickets are on sale now at liveatloganmartin.com or pellcitycepa.com/tickets. VIP squares accommodate up to four individuals. Fans are allowed and encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for seating. Table seating is available to sponsors only.
On-site parking will be free but limited. All attendees are encouraged to carpool. Due to the generosity of sponsors, the event is free to boats and will feature large video screens for optimum viewing.
Per regulations from the State of Alabama, bringing alcohol onto the event site is not permitted. Beverages will be available for sale at the event.
“I can’t thank the community enough for the support they’ve given this event over the past four years,” said Jeff Thompson, CEPA Executive Director. “What began as a means to bring joy to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown in an unimaginable way, and we’re so grateful to AmFirst, the City of Pell City and The Black Jacket Symphony for another incredible show.”
Proceeds benefit CEPA Management Corp. and its efforts to increase access to the performing arts in St. Clair County, including live music performances at CEPA in Pell City, and the Spotlight Drama Education and Outreach Program, which helped St. Clair students and community members produce 12 different plays in 2022.
Sponsorship packages are available at Gold, Silver, and Supporter Levels. For more information on sponsoring this one-of-a-kind event in St. Clair County, please email Jeff Thompson at director@pellcitycepa.com.
Cooking on Logan Martin Lake with Robert and Ava Ballard
Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Graham Hadley and Robert Ballard
When Robert and Ava Ballard couldn’t find exactly what they were looking for in a house on Logan Martin Lake, they decided to go back to the drawing board. After all, the empty nesters had already changed plans once. They originally thought that, after living in the hustle and bustle of a Birmingham suburb for years, they wanted a house in the country.
Then Ava decided that the only thing better than a view of the land was a view of the water. Their excitement turned to disappointment, however, when they couldn’t find a lake house for sale that met their needs. So, Robert, who has worked in the paper and packaging industry his whole career, took pen to paper and drew one himself.
The deck is the perfect place for grilling
“We couldn’t find a floor plan we liked, so I just started scratching one out,” he said. Their builder brought the drawings to life and four years later, the Ballards are still counting their blessings. “I never dreamed I would have that in my backyard,” Ava said, pointing out the window to the water glistening in the sunlight.
The heart of the home
Most of the “must-haves” on the couple’s list centered around the kitchen area. They’d always had a galley kitchen, so this time around they wanted an open concept so no one missed out on the fun when family and friends visited. Ava wanted granite countertops, something she’d never had, and they wanted the laundry room on the main floor, which they placed just outside the master bedroom. Factor in the view of the water and they got the kitchen of their dreams.
“We cook together a lot, and during the holidays, everyone is hanging out here,” Ava said of the large island where they love to spread an assortment of dips for their young nieces and nephews. “I love trying out new international dishes and looking for creative, flavorful recipes.”
They especially love it when their daughter, Jessica, comes home from New York City, where she is a researcher. “She likes to experiment with different recipes, too,” Ava said. “We love to pour a glass of wine, put on some music and all cook together.”
The Ballards estimate they cook dinner 70 to 80 percent of the time, enjoying leftovers and a dinner out the other evenings. “Robert leans more toward seafood, and I lean more toward red meat,” Ava said. “Growing up, we didn’t have steak a lot, and I’ve developed an intense love of steak.”
Robert loves shrimp dishes and grilled salmon, and they both love a good smoked Boston Butt. They’ve also been known to make a meal from a cheese tray or charcuterie board while enjoying the view from their deck with their dogs, Niko, a 15-year-old black Lab, and Sophie, a 10-year-old Chihuahua. “We sit on the deck almost every evening and just unwind,” Robert said. “There is nothing more relaxing.”
Peaceful, easy feeling
Although they love living on the lake, it was never really on their radar when they started thinking about making a change. They knew they wanted to get closer to family – Ava grew up in Talladega, while Robert is from Sylacauga – and after fighting traffic for years, they were looking for something more peaceful. “We talked about finding 15 or so acres in the country and just getting out,” Ava said.
One of her sisters, who has a lot of land, reminded them that there’s a lot of work involved with acreage, and that’s when Ava started thinking about Plan B. “I grew up coming to this lake,” she said. “We had an aunt who brought us up here fishing all the time. The idea just popped into my head one day, and I mentioned it to Robert.”
He was intrigued, but he said he never really considered that lake life could be a possibility for them. After finding a lot in the Fish Trap area of the lake, though, things fell in place fairly quickly. “Never once have I regretted it,” Ava said. “We’ve been here four years, and we still love everything about it.”
Family ties
Their view wasn’t the only thing that changed when they moved to the lake. Robert, who works in sales, travels some and works mostly at home when he’s in town. Ava, however, worked as a special education paraprofessional in a Shelby County school for 15 years. She didn’t want to commute, so she found a new job that’s close to her heart, as well as their new home.
Ava shows off a piece of hand-painted wood valance from her mother’s kitchen
Raised by deaf parents, Ava works at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), the alma mater of her parents, an aunt and a cousin. She currently serves as the administrative assistance for the vice president of instructional programs. “Sign language was her first language,” Robert said of his wife of 34 years.
Although Ava’s mother passed away before they moved to the lake, the Ballards enjoyed being closer to her father during his final years. Robert’s father has passed away, as well, but his mother and brother still live in the area, and his sister is in Chattanooga. They also enjoy spending time with Ava’s sisters, Molly and Kim, who live nearby, and their families.
Traces of family can be found all over the Ballards’ home. Robert cherishes the hall tree that belonged to his grandparents, and reminders of Ava’s mom are evident all around the kitchen, especially in the old rolling pin that rests on top of the stove.
“She used it when she made chicken and dumplings, which was one of the best things she ever made,” Ava said. “I have very vivid memories of watching my mother cook. Nobody can fry chicken like my mother could.”
Ava also has her mom’s old flour sifter on a nearby side table, a candy dish that sits on the kitchen island, and a special memento from her parents’ kitchen hanging on the wall. Ava’s cousin, Jana Hadley, had painted dogwood flowers on her parents’ kitchen cabinets, as well as the wooden valance that was over the kitchen sink. When they passed away, Ava and her sisters had the valance cut into thirds, and each kept a piece.
“Family is really important to both of us,” she said, adding that many of their memories and best times are centered around food. “My parents grew up in a mill town in South Carolina, and a lot of times you had nothing to offer a friend or a visitor except a meal,” Robert added.
That’s what they continue to offer friends and family, along with a beautiful view. “We love to watch the hummingbirds, and we’ve seen two litters of squirrels get raised” in a tree that was near their deck, Robert said. “Even if it’s raining, and we can see a storm moving across the lake, it’s beautiful. The view never gets old.”
Black Bean and Corn Salad
(from allrecipes.com)
Blackened Shrimp & Black Bean and Corn Salad
Blackened Shrimp
(from amandascookin.com)
1 pound extra large grilling shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions:
Rinse shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Combine all seasoning ingredients and whisk together. Toss shrimp in seasoning ingredients to coat well. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 3 minutes per side. Be careful not to crowd shrimp in the pan. Serve over a bed of yellow rice.
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1½ cups frozen corn kernels
1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
6 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Place olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper in a small jar. Close the lid tightly and shake until dressing is well combined. Combine beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro in a salad bowl. Shake dressing again, pour over salad and toss to coat.
Beef Stir Fry with Vegetables
(From rachelcooks.com)
Sauce
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Stir Fry
1 pound flank or flat iron steak, cut into very thin slices against the grain
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 small red onion, sliced vertically, or about 1 cup
2 cups broccoli florets
1 ½ cups sugar snap or snow peas
4 cups cooked rice
2 or 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Directions:
Prepare sauce and set aside.
Combine cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss sliced beef with cornstarch mixture and set aside.
Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Tilt pan and swirl to coat the sides. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until desired doneness is achieved. Remove beef from pan and place on a plate. Return pan to high heat and add the onions and carrots; stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the broccoli; stir fry for 3 more minutes. Stir in sauce mixture (stir sauce mixture well before adding), beef and any accumulated juices and snow peas; cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened and peas are cooked to desired doneness. Serve over rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
Whopper of a success at Gadsden’s Venue at Coosa Landing
You can imagine an ear-to-ear smile as Shelia Bunch recounts by telephone her first ever Alabama Fishing Show & Expo.
Held in March at The Venue at Coosa Landing, the show brought in vendors from across the Southeast with wares ranging from rods and reels to lures and lines to boats and everything else perfect for the water.
Bunch is a veteran of these shows, having presented the East Tennessee Fishing Show for the past 30 years. But the Alabama one was new.
In its Gadsden debut, it drew more than 100 vendors and a crowd attendance of over 6,500. “We ran out of space” for vendors before the show even began, which required “thinking outside the box,” she said. Tents were installed outside, making room for even more products.
“Everybody really worked together,” she said, noting that the city, her team and even the vendors joined the effort to make the inaugural show a success.
When a major storm threatened one day, vendors shared or gave away space to accommodate the move inside. “It was wonderful.”
The question she got most often throughout the weekend confirmed a success story in the making: “Are you coming back next year?” Of course, her answer was a quick, “yes.”
“It ended up being a really good thing. I was about as perfect as it possibly could go this year,” she said. “It ended up being great.”
As for next year, additional features are already under discussion, including Crappie vendors, a kids’ fishing tournament and more food vendors.
“We’re going to make it an even better event for next year for everybody,” she said. Save the date – March 8-10, 2024.
