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.
America’s longest paddle race navigates Neely Henry, Logan Martin en route to finish
In the quiet of a Saturday evening and Sunday morning in September on Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes, you just might have heard the sound of a boat paddle slapping the water in staccato precision, propelling the paddler toward the finish line.
It would be a week before the first of the group reached that goal as they made their way across lakes, rivers and creeks on a 650-mile trek that takes stamina, will and determination. Lots of determination.
First to arrive at Logan Martin portage near the dam
It’s America’s longest paddle race, and it’s right here in Alabama – along the state’s Scenic River Trail. It began at Weiss Lake near the border with Georgia and ended in the Alabama Gulf at Fort Morgan as the final racer crossed the finish line Oct. 1.
The first leg of the race took paddlers through Gadsden and Neely Henry, arriving there during the night of the first day. The next morning residents up and down the shores of Logan Martin caught glimpses of paddlers all day long as they headed to the portage at Logan Martin Dam.
Watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Gadsden
One of the first to pass through the local area was Trey Reaves, who went on to win the race in seven days, three hours and 20 minutes. The first-place finish was familiar territory to Reaves. He was Alabama 650’s first back-to-back solo winner.
Also coming in quickly at Logan Martin’s portage was Lindsey Tilton, the first female to complete the course exclusively on a paddleboard. She finished in 9 days, 19 hours and 35 minutes.
To underscore the grueling challenge of the race, only 47 percent actually finish. At the end this year, there were only 10 claiming that achievement. l
Editor’s Note: The Great Alabama 650 is part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, a network of more than 6,500 miles of river trails throughout Alabama, spanning from mountain streams and whitewater rapids in North Alabama to the river deltas in the South. It is one of the most diverse in the country. For more, go to: ASRT.me.
Lindsey Tilton in historic paddle board finish at Fort Morgan
Experience the magic of Gadsden on the Memorial Bridge
Story by Cherith Fluker Submitted Photos
Imagine standing on an historic 100-year-old bridge, the sun setting over the Coosa River, a glass of wine in hand and the hum of jazz music floating through the air. This is the scene at Gadsden’s Sunset Sips on the Memorial Bridge.
Scheduled for Oct.15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Downtown Gadsden Inc. hosts this intimate, laid-back event that has become a beloved tradition in the community.
DGI Director and event organizer, Kay Moore, says Sunset Sips began in 2012, inspired by the vision of creating a unique, community-centered gathering where attendees could savor wine and beer while enjoying one of Gadsden’s most picturesque spots. Held annually on the third Tuesday of October, this year’s event will mark the 12th edition, with the only break being in 2020.
“The event was originally a catered affair”, says Moore. “Sunset Sips now features light snacks, encouraging attendees to explore and dine at downtown restaurants after the event.”
Tickets for Sunset Sips are limited to just 300 to maintain an intimate atmosphere. They go on sale around Sept. 15 and may be purchased online at downtowngadsden.com or at the Downtown Gadsden Inc. office.
Additionally, you can find tickets at local favorites like The Stone Market wine shop and King’s Olive Oil. Priced at $50, each ticket includes multiple wine tastings from The Stone Market, beer from Back Forty Beer Company, and a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres. The event is exclusively for those 21 and older.
Moore says what sets Sunset Sips apart from other community events is its serene and welcoming vibe. Unlike larger, more boisterous gatherings, Sunset Sips offers a rare chance to stroll and socialize on a historic bridge, enjoying breathtaking views that are usually reserved for passing vehicles. As one of the first events to close the bridge for an event, it has become a highly anticipated highlight of the local calendar.
Sunset Sips is more than just an evening of enjoyment; it’s a fundraiser that reinvests in downtown Gadsden. Over the years, proceeds have funded new banners, a speaker system for Broad Street, and other enhancements that beautify the Downtown Gadsden area. Local restaurants show their appreciation by offering discounts to ticket holders who choose to have dinner downtown after the event. The impact of Sunset Sips goes beyond the immediate experience. Local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic and sales, and community members come together to support and celebrate their town.
The perfect time of the year at the perfect place to enjoy company and the view
Sunset Sips on Memorial Bridge is a standout event in the Gadsden community, thanks to the incredible support from local businesses, Moore said. “Lucy Edwards, investment manager at Morgan Stanley, reached out to me to ask about sponsoring the event.” Sponsors like Morgan Stanley play a crucial role in helping cover expenses so more of the funds raised can be directed back into downtown improvements. Several local businesses also contribute various items that are raffled off during the event. To ensure the safety of attendees, police officers are situated at both ends of the bridge throughout the event.
From the stunning sunset views to the friendly camaraderie, Sunset Sips leaves a lasting impression on attendees. “We aim to keep the event small and special to retain its unique charm,” Moore said. “That’s what keeps past participants returning year after year to relive the magic.”
Whether you’re a long-time Gadsden resident or a visitor looking for a memorable evening, Sunset Sips on the Memorial Bridge offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
Tickets are on sale Sept. 15 through Oct. 14. All tickets must be purchased before the day of the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit downtowngadsden.com
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!
Serving up compassion and confidence one plate at a time
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Richard Rybka
Tucked away inside the Gadsden City Library is a beautifully written story. It’s a tale of inspiration and impact, of dedication and determination, of encouragement and expectations.
And the authors of this unfolding story are a bunch of high school students who simply want to be productive citizens in their community.
Quesadilla ready to go
It’s still two hours before lunchtime, and a group of six students and their mentors quietly work in the kitchen prepping food and garnishes for the lunchtime crowd at Beautiful Rainbow Café in Gadsden. During the next hours, a handful of additional students hurry in, stashing backpacks and washing up to join in the preparations.
These are the stars of the Beautiful Rainbow project, a work-based learning program through Gadsden City Schools.
Offering an array of organic and vegetarian dishes, the café is staffed and run by students with significant cognitive disabilities. Menu favorites include the vegetarian crabcake on mixed greens, the grilled pimento cheese sandwich and the corn and poblano pepper quesadilla. All the ingredients are locally grown and sourced.
Inspired by his vision of a productive future for his students, Chip Rowan started the Beautiful Rainbow project out of his high school special education classroom housed at Litchfield Middle School. Combining his personal interests in food and gardening, Rowan guided his students in planting and nurturing a garden and used the experiences to teach his students graphing, reading, math and language skills.
Rowan had studied post-graduate employment levels for high school students who were graduates of the school’s Special Education program. He found that no graduate in the five-year study period had achieved employment or entry into a program that would lead to employment.
“I felt we were not getting good results in the program we were using, so I felt we needed to radically change our approach,” said Rowan. “We needed to teach them the things that the state required for graduation but needed to add things that would maximize their potential for independent living and community-based employment.”
The students learned to measure the plants in their garden, to graph specific variables like growth rates and to journal about them. “Several students who had been non-readers began to read functionally,” Rowan added. They used the vegetables they grew to start making and selling salads to teachers. The students later branched out into baking, offering sweet treats people could order online.
Talking to the customers
Encouraged by their success and armed with a grant from the Alabama Department of Education, Rowan developed a summer program for high school students with special needs, the only one of its kind in the area. They renovated space at the middle school to provide a commercial kitchen where high school students were taught culinary techniques. From that experience, they started offering lunches for community VIPs each Thursday.
Former Gadsden City Librarian Amanda Jackson was one of their VIP guests one Thursday, and she suggested the library clean out a space for the students to open a café. That was approved by the city, and in 2017, Beautiful Rainbow Café opened its doors.
In that time, the program and café have received countless awards, including one this past year from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who chose the café as the best work-based learning program in the state.
The awards are fine, Rowan says, but the real success lies in the successes he sees in his students. “We have 112 successes to be proud of,” says Rowan. “That’s how many students have been involved in the program so far. They can take the class for a semester, or they can stay in the program until we get them a job.”
Twenty one-year-old Candido Lucas, whose family is from Guatemala, has just graduated from the program and is now happy to be working at Publix. He says he learned a lot while studying and working at Beautiful Rainbow Café. “I like working with customers and cooking and greeting customers,” says Candido.
He loves to make the café’s grilled pimento cheese sandwiches. Nathan Melville lives just two blocks from the café and loves to eat them. Melville gives the food five stars and is equally impressed with how the business focuses on meeting the needs of the students. “I think it’s the way more businesses should be,” he adds. “Profit is important, but we need to be better to people.”
The program strives to meet the employment needs for each student who is graduating. “We try to match the student’s interests and abilities with employers who need those skills,” says Rowan. “We definitely court employers. The community is so important to this endeavor. They’re the potential employers who may be able to offer jobs to our students.”
To date, more than 50 students from the program have been paired with local employers. Two students have gone on to attend Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
Jamari Jelks, another of this year’s graduates, was extremely quiet and withdrawn when he started the program. “I didn’t know how to do anything then,” he says, then smiles. “Now I run the kitchen, and I can do anything.” He is about to start a job at Back Forty Beer Company.
Rowan says that giving these students work to do with expectations of quality and consistency meets an important human need – the need to be productive and to be independent. “They’re often segregated, and very little is expected of them. In this program, they have a whole new perspective and experience, which promotes a higher self-esteem,” he explains. “And we treat our students as adults, with respect.”
The students are paid minimum wage or above, depending on whether they have earned their ServSafe certification, with those salaries being administered by one of the program’s partners, the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama. Additional financial support comes from the Daniel Foundation in Birmingham and from an anonymous donor.
The Beautiful Rainbow Café grosses about $70,000 per year in sales and boasts excellent reviews on Google and Happy Cow (a site for vegetarian and vegan restaurants). The café staff work to provide an upscale experience for patrons. Complementing the tasty offerings are beautiful fresh flowers or plants provided by the Etowah Garden Club. Members of the club bring flowers for the tables every Tuesday morning, even adding decorations for special occasions.
The success of Beautiful Rainbow program has inspired other organizations to work toward similar programs for their students. “Our program is pretty well known in the world of special education,” says Rowan. “The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind is working on replicating the program there, as is Randolph County High School. Albertville High School has a similar program on a smaller scale. Today a group is here from Vestavia Hills to see if they could produce a similar program for their schools,” Rowan adds.
Katherine Gorham and Dr. Ammie Akin are part of that visiting Vestavia group. Akin is a former special education teacher and school principal and serves on the board of Unless U, a non-profit that supports adults with developmental disabilities.
Gorham is helping to start a special education parent advisory panel for their school system. “We would want to promote this type of program for Vestavia for vocational training,” she says. “We brought our administrators here because we wanted to show them an example of meaningful vocational training.”
Rowan is retiring from the program this year and moving to Spain. His interest in that country was piqued by his high school Spanish teacher. When his best friend from high school moved there, he began visiting and fell in love with the culture. He leaves the program in the hands of program veteran, Chef Chris Wood.
“There’s nothing like this anywhere else,” says Wood. “It’s both challenging and rewarding, and you just can’t put a price tag on the impact we make on the lives of our students.” Wood graduated from Culinard school in Birmingham with a degree in culinary arts but will be going back to school to add a degree in special education as he takes over leadership of the café late this summer.
The next chapter of this incredible story of determination and dedication is now being written, inspiring students and community alike. You can find them in the back of the library on South College Street in Gadsden. l
Editor’s Note:You can experience the cuisine at Beautiful Rainbow Café Tuesdays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Through today’s lens, it seems improbable that a parson could start a war over whiskey, but legend – and history – has it that Parson and Reverend Gideon Blackburn came close to sparking a war between the United States and the Creek Indians in 1809.
In sharp contrast to most religious circles today, it was perfectly acceptable for a man of the cloth to dabble in distilling.
Blackburn, a Presbyterian minister of Maryville, Tennessee, started the first Presbyterian mission among the Cherokee in 1803 and was successful in his work among the Indians.
However, the good parson had another side to him besides preaching. He was a proprietor of a whiskey distillery.
In those days, distilling and selling was a respectable home industry, conducted by laymen and sometimes by clergymen. Common as it was among the white people, it was against federal law to sell it to the Native Americans.
Spring Frog
Let’s set the stage and the location. Fifty-nine years earlier, around 1750, Chief Chinnaby brought his people from Mississippi to the Coosa River. They settled at the south bank of Big Wills Creek. Originally, they were Natchez Indians trying to escape from the decimating French. They became allied and integrated into the Chickasaws of this area, and this new town became known as Natchez Village.
The Chickasaws had already established a trade route with the British from Charleston, S. C. through now Gadsden to near Memphis, Tennessee, called the High Town Path. The Chickasaws and English established posts along this route, including one that eventually became Turkeytown.
On the north side of Big Wills Creek was Cherokee land and a small village called Frogtown. It ran from the Coosa River to Black Creek and beyond. Frogtown was named for Cherokee Spring Frog who lived there, according to the Cherokee Phoenix, a Cherokee newspaper printed in both Cherokee and English.
This is the same Spring Frog, born in 1754 at Chickamaugua Creek near Chattanooga, Tennesse, who died July 31, 1859, in Oklahoma. Spring Frog was the grandson of the Raven of Chota, making him the last line of the Great Chiefs of Chota.
Spring Frog lived on the most southernmost border of the Cherokee Nation known as Turkey Town (sometimes known as Little Turkey’s Town, Sennecca, or Esenaca) near today’s Turkey Town in Etowah County. It was ruled by Principal Chief Pathkiller.
The 1809 incident all started when Blackburn was descending the Coosa River with two flatboats of 2,226 gallons (or 65 casks) of whiskey and other supplies when he arrived at Chief Pathkiller’s home.
Pathkiller informed Blackburn that there was a large camp of Creek Indians downstream at the Ten Islands and thought that if he went there, the Creeks would take his whiskey from him.
Upon hearing this news, Blackburn determined he would not go down the river any further. He had Pathkiller temporarily store his whiskey in one of the chief’s houses, where it could be locked up. Pathkiller and Blackburn then went home.
After Blackburn was gone, the Creeks, led by Chief Big Warrior, heard of the whiskey. They demanded Pathkiller hand it over and threatened to break down the door if he would not open it. Pathkiller was compelled to hand over his key, and upwards of 100 Creek Indians took Blackburn’s whiskey.
Parson Gideon Blackburn
Two young men had been left to guard the house, but the Creeks broke open the door, rolled out three or four barrels, broke in the heads and commenced drinking. They filled two bottles and gave them to the young men and told them to leave as soon as possible or the Creeks would kill them when they got drunk.
The young men watched for some time at a great distance. The Creeks killed and butchered each other with knives and clubs and crowded around the house. They were all drunk. Somehow, the building caught fire and the whiskey exploded like a powder magazine.
Everyone in and near were killed, with many burned up. How much whiskey was destroyed was never ascertained, as Pathkiller’s land was located some 120 miles from a white settlement.
According to Blackburn’s brother Samuel, they had unloaded the cargo simply to await permission from the Creeks to sail on down the river to Mobile. There, they planned to dispose of the whiskey, powder and lead.
The Creeks, who seized what was left of Blackburn’s cargo were already disputing with the U.S. government about the right of trading parties crossing Creek territory.
The Cherokees were against the Creeks for sending 100 warriors into the Cherokee Nation to seize the cargo and the boats.
The Creeks claimed the cargo was left with the PathKiller “to sell the goods for the benefit of the owner,” so the Creeks had confiscated Blackburn’s whiskey on the grounds it was being illegally sold en route.
When the Cherokees were called upon for compensation, they excused themselves and said the Creeks owned the land beyond Wills Creek and could do as they pleased in their own country.
Because it was illegal for any white person to sell alcoholic beverages to the Indians within their territory, Chief Big Warrior felt justified in seizing this illegal cargo.
Many heated correspondences were made among the Creeks, the Indian agents and the United States, but nothing resulted from these communications.
Soon, but for other reasons, the U.S. did come to war with the Creek Indians during the Creek War of 1813.
But just four years earlier, Parson Blackburn came close to starting an actual war between the United States and the Creek Indians – over whiskey.
Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Mackenzie Free, Graham Hadley and submitted
Move over pontoons, bass boats and other lake and river-faring vessels. There’s a couple of new watercrafts navigating their way around these parts this summer.
On Neely Henry, that distant tune reminiscent of ice cream trucks and days gone by is actually coming from an ice cream boat, which launches and regularly ‘patrols’ Neely Henry Lake.
On the Coosa River in Gadsden, you’ll find a parade of dragons, ducks and swans floating by at Coosa Landing – a fleet of pedal boats the city has launched for renting this summer.
Greg and Peggie Watson offering tasty memories on the lake
The ice cream boat is the creation of Greg and Peggie Watson, Ashville residents who saw a need and filled it. Greg is a retired sheriff’s investigator, and Peggie works for the district attorney’s office.
“There really isn’t much on Henry Neely as far as food, etc., unless you go to Southside or Gadsden,” explained Greg. “We know it gets hot on the lake, and people need some relief. So, we decided to provide a unique and fun way to help them with ice cream. That’s where the ice cream boat idea came from.”
The boat’s 11-foot ice cream flag is hard to miss. So is the ice cream truck song that plays continuously. Boaters and those on dockside have been lining up for a tasty respite from the summer heat.
“People on the docks can hear us coming,” Greg said. “We have met some really great people. We had some people that actually messaged and asked for our location this last weekend. We were near Southside. They came from all the way from Ragland Dam and tracked us down.
“They said they wanted the ice cream and were looking for us all day. They also had a furry friend with them that devoured the pup cup ice cream from us.”
Hershey ice cream is the main provider for their ice cream. They use real cream. “So, the taste is by far the best out of all the ice cream in my opinion,” Greg noted. “We do have another vendor where we get some of the specialty ice cream like Batman, Tweety Bird, and Kung Fu panda. So, it’s the people’s choice on what they want. The funny part is that more adults than kids want the ice cream.”
Meanwhile, Coosa Landing’s new pedal boats are getting quite a workout as are the people who power them. Each boat fits up to five people, and they pedal their way to fun in the sun on the water.
“We are excited to offer families and friends something fun and safe to do together this summer while enjoying the great outdoors in Gadsden,” said Mayor Craig Ford.
You can rent the boats at Coosa Landing bait shop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must be at least 18 years old and provide identification. Life jackets are required, and the city has some available. The rental fee is $20 up to one hour. For more hours, it costs $15 after the initial $20.
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Graham Hadley Submitted Photos
Unusual, exciting, bold … all positive terms for the adventurer. If you seek exciting escapades, exhilarating exploits or prodigious pursuits, the Gadsden area is a place you should check out.
With a renewed passion for sharing all the area has to offer, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism invites adventure-seekers of all levels to explore their expansive list of upcoming cultural, recreational and adventure-filled special events.
“Adventure Begins Here” is the new tourism slogan, one which is punctuated by events like the annual Barbarian Challenge. The six-mile race is scheduled for June 15 through rugged terrain, including 20 obstacles and through the gorge of the 90-foot waterfall at Noccalula Falls.
Noccalula Falls
If that’s not to your liking, then maybe the thrill of finding treasures in the World’s Longest Yard Sale is a better fit. Held the first weekend of August, this 690-mile odyssey offers six states worth of pre-owned plunder stretching from Gadsden to Hudson, Michigan.
The city’s most well-known treasure is the 500-acre Noccalula Falls Park, situated at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. The park’s iconic falls are prominently featured in the new Greater Gadsden Area tourism logo.
Activities beyond viewing the falls include camping, mountain biking, mini golf, fly fishing, a petting zoo, a miniature train, botanical gardens, Veterans’ Park and a wedding chapel. They host an art event twice a year called “Art on the Rocks,” the next one scheduled for September. At this event you can view and purchase all types of art and craft items.
“Christmas at the Falls,” featuring over a million lights illuminating the park, drew over 80,000 visitors this past year, opening on Thanksgiving night and running through New Year’s Eve.
Attracting visitors to the greater Gadsden area to spend one or more nights is the goal of the tourism board, whose website touts the city’s offerings as “boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation.” Funded through the lodging tax, the tourism board is celebrating its 15th year of existence promoting the greater Gadsden area, which, in addition to Gadsden, includes Rainbow City, Southside, Attalla, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Sardis City, and Altoona.
Executive Director of the Greater Gadsden Area Tourism Tina Morrison came to the job less than a year ago from a similar position in Athens, Alabama. The nameplate on her desk reads, “Tina Morrison, Magic Maker,” and she makes it a priority to live up to that.
She traveled the world with an engineering and construction firm for 10 years before returning to the United States and taking a job in Perdido Key, Fla., as their chamber and visitor’s center executive director.
Downtown carriage tours
Six weeks after taking the Perdido job, she was mitigating a crisis caused by a huge oil spill, which seriously threatened the tourism industry. She secured a $1 million grant and led a campaign called “The Coast Is Clear,” which helped people see the conditions of the beach. “We would go across the street every single day and take video of the beach and post it on the website.” That effort was a major victory for tourism in the Perdido area.
Morrison brings that same enthusiasm and head-on problem solving to Etowah County. She got right to work in Gadsden, developing the new logo and branding following the ribbon cutting on their new location on Broad Street. They are in the downtown civic center, a building which also houses the City of Gadsden Parks and Recreation department and the city’s event rental office.
“We’re also working on a brand-new visitor’s guide,” says Morrison. “It will have less text, more pictures, and lots of QR codes. You’ll be able to click on the QR code and immediately get more information about that event or restaurant. Information to make a visitor’s stay more complete and enjoyable will be just a click away.”
The Alabama Department of Tourism has declared 2024 the Year of Alabama Food. “To promote that, we’ve produced an awesome print ad promoting area food establishments and are working on some special restaurant events in August,” adds Morrison. “We’re also working on producing some packaged itineraries for guests, so they can have a list of things for them to do to spend the day, the weekend, or longer.”
Morrison is quick to credit Administrative Assistant Cheryl Pate, the other half of the tourism staff, as her partner in progress. “She’s great. She’s been here for five years and is amazing.”
She also credits the mayor’s office with inspiring a new sense of excitement in the city. “He (Craig Ford) has been here about two years and is lighting a fire under the town,” says Morrison. “We’re working together as never before.” They also work closely with the Gadsden special events department and Downtown Gadsden, a member-based group that promotes the downtown area.
Communicating scheduled events to prospective visitors and to service providers within the area is a priority for Morrison and Pate. They host quarterly lodging meetings with hotel and campground operators to listen to their needs and to share information on upcoming events that could draw in visitors.
The tourism board has taken over the Etowah County Event Calendar, where visitors can see all the upcoming events in one comprehensive listing. “Since we started that in September, our visitor numbers on that site have increased from 6,000 to 10,000,” said Morrison. “People can scan the QR code in our new visitors guide or go to www.greatergadsden.com/events to view the whole list.”
Gadsden is home to both art festivals and museums
Morrison admits that when she moved to the area, she was shocked by the area’s diversity in cultural arts. “It’s the biggest secret,” she said, telling of the incredible collections currently housed at the Gadsden Museum of Art and its next-door neighbor, Mary G. Harden Cultural Arts Center. “There’s a pretty amazing cigar box guitar collection on permanent display there.” Twice a year, Noccalula Falls hosts an event called “Art on the Rocks.”
This summer, the Downtown Gadsden group will continue hosting First Fridays, with businesses staying open late, followed by free concerts at The Amp. Country group Nash County will perform July 5 and Rubik Groove (80s and 90s rock) is scheduled for Aug. 2. In October, you can enjoy wine and cheese overlooking the water at “Sunset Sips.” During this event, Memorial Bridge is temporarily closed and transformed into a pedestrian gathering spot.
Enjoy that wine. Hike that trail. Challenge your body to perform like a barbarian. Refine your artistic acuity. There are so many options for fun and adventure throughout the year. Go ahead and check out their calendar. You may want to add it to yours.
Paddlers to get new access to Neely Henry through grant
Story by Paul South Photos by Graham Hadley Submitted photos
For Dave Tumlin, the memory is as vivid as summer sunsets on Neely Henry Lake.
As an Alabama kid transplanted to California, he and his family would travel from the West Coast to visit relatives and spend time on the Coosa River. His family eventually moved back to Alabama and built a rock and shake shingle house on the Coosa River in 1968. Dave still lives there today.
The trips – and his parents’ stories of family and the river – would linger in Tumlin’s head, heart and imagination long after returning to California.
“When we were kids in grade school, my brother and I would take the double mattress off my folks’ bed, throw it on the floor, and we would pretend like we were rafting down the river like Tom Sawyer,” Tumlin said. “That’s how long my love has been for this river and this lake.”
NHLA President Dave Tumlin shows where access will be installed
The Tumlins were one of the lake’s first families. He remembers when the area was dominated by the Coosa River and cow pastures.
“It was pretty close to the first house on the lake after the lake came up in the 1960s,” Tumlin said. “We’ve watched it evolve from a beautiful river and bottom land to a more beautiful lake.”
Alabama Power Company created the lake in 1966.
Now retired, Tumlin serves as president of the Neely Henry Lake Association. The organization, representing some 130 lake families working to protect and improve life on the lake, received a $2,200 grant from the Alabama Scenic River Trail Waterway Enhancement Program.
The funds will be used to construct the Rainbow City Paddle Launch. The project will provide the first assisted launch device on Neely Henry Lake, which will benefit paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists, making water access easier and safer for them, particularly enthusiasts who don’t have their own dock.
NHLA was one of six recipients in the inaugural round of ASRT grants.
“The accessibility, if you don’t have your own dock, there is none, quite frankly,” Tumlin said. “That triggered the thought … What could we do with the popularity of paddleboarding and kayaking and so forth to give the public better access. So, it kind of evolved from there. We felt like it was a good thing to do.”
The grant is a first for the association.
Dave Tumlin explains to kayaker Shawn Craven of Ragland how the new system will work
Martha Grace Mize, Development and Outreach coordinator for the Alabama Scenic River Trail, praised the NHLA’s “really thought out” and thorough grant application. In its first year, the grant program attracted 10 applicants. The ASRT, best known for hosting the Great Alabama 650, the nation’s longest paddle race, awarded $25,000 in grants.
“They (the lake association) were very considerate of thinking about what it would take to bring the project to fruition and what the follow up would be,” Mize said. “They were very intentional about how this project would impact public use and how they could explore other projects in the future on Neely Henry.”
The ASRT was founded in 2008 to enhance recreation and tourism on Alabama’s more than 6,000 miles of rivers and streams, the longest historic river trail in the United States.
The accessibility devices can either be fixed or floating. The NHLA launch will float and be affixed to a dock. The new launch will be able to rise up and down with the lake levels.
NHLA, in conjunction with Rainbow City Parks and Recreation, expects to complete the project by summer’s end. The accessibility device will be located at Rainbow Landing near the Southside Bridge on Alabama 77.
“We wanted to be able to provide something that to our knowledge doesn’t exist for the public,” Tumlin said.
Currently, kayakers, paddleboarders and the like have to go to a public dock and lower themselves onto their vessels. Balance can be tricky. The project will change that.
“You can put your kayak, paddleboard or canoe on top of the floating device and ease yourself into the water using arms that are on there. And the reverse is true when you return. You can pull yourself out of the water.”
The project is in response to the increasing popularity of canoes, paddleboards and kayaks. The COVID-19 pandemic actually boosted the popularity of paddle sports. The global market was estimated at $2.4 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $3.3 billion by 2027, according to the Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (gorp.com).
That increasing popularity underscores the need for the project, Tumlin said.
“With the really rapid growth in the use of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, we need that accessibility on our lake,” Tumlin said.
“I think this will go a long way to help people who enjoy doing that and give them a safer way to access the lake. It seemed like a really neat thing to do to improve life on the lake because a lot of people are going to kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. It’s a great way to connect with the water,” Tumlin added.
While pontoons, ski and bass boats and personal watercrafts, even sailboats, are popular, paddle sports provide a more intimate experience.
“It’s just a whole different way to experience the lake,” Tumlin said. “The shoreline is closer and certainly the water is closer. But it gives you a connection you don’t get any other way.”
He added, “There’s nothing cooler than being on a paddleboard or a kayak and going up quietly into a slough. You really are one with the lake when you do that.”
Paddle sports also benefit the environment, propelled by human strength, not fossil fuels.
“It’s quiet. You get exercise when you’re out there, so that’s a good thing. But from an environmental standpoint, there’s absolutely no impact. So, it’s a very good thing.”
As for the future, NHLA is considering similar paddle sport projects on the lake and plans to pursue more grants, Tumlin said. The group is currently researching possible sites in Gadsden, Southside and in St. Clair County.
“We would like to put one up in Gadsden at Coosa Landing,” Tumlin said. “They’ve got a small inlet area there that I think would be [a good place] to launch before people got out into the river itself.”
Bottom line for Tumlin is, “I’d like to see one in Canoe Creek. I’d like to see one on Southside and one in Gadsden.”
The love affair that he and his family have had since even before his imaginary childhood Coosa River on a mattress has only deepened. The biodiversity and changing topography are only part of the lake’s variety. He’s explored much of it in a flat bottom boat.
North of Gadsden, the lake is riverine, narrow with high banks.
“That’s a whole different world, and it’s really cool to explore that. When you get down below Gadsden in the Southside area, the lake spreads out and the fishing changes. You’ve got mountains and the history of the area. I could talk forever about the beauty of this lake and the river.”
The initial Neely Henry access project is the latest in a series of projects by the association on the lake that improves the quality of life.
“Anything that can improve life on this river, that’s the most important thing,” Tumlin said. “We’ve seen the growth of boats and more families on the water and more kids experiencing what I experienced as a kid on the water. (Paddle sports are) a whole new way of experiencing the water. It’s just great to see that growth.”
For Tumlin, as certainly for other families and visitors, Neely Henry Lake is – to borrow a phrase from an old hymn – a fount of blessings.
“When I’m out there [on my patio looking at the lake], maybe having a glass of wine in the evening, I think how blessed I’ve been that my parents made the decision that they did. That decision – being on this lake – has affected my whole family. Just the joy over the years that my family has been able to experience because we live on this lake.”
What would his parents think of the new project?
“I think they would be really pleased that the lake association and the Alabama Scenic River Trail were able to expand to a whole other group of people the joy of being on this lake.”
Editor’s Notes: For more information on the Neely Henry Lake Association, visit neelyhenrylake.org or call Tumlin at (256)368-5200.
With the opening in April of Alabama Cancer Care’s new 10,000-square-foot facility overlooking the Coosa River, Gadsden is expanding its healthcare footprint in northeast Alabama.
One of the things that makes Gadsden unique for a city its size, is that it’s home to two full-service hospitals – Gadsden Regional Medical Center and Riverview Regional Medical Center – as well as Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital. The city appears to be following the lead of neighboring Birmingham, transitioning in part from a “smokestack economy” to one propelled by the service sector.
It will still recruit manufacturing firms, but leaders are diversifying. “We’ve not abandoned continuing to recruit for manufacturing, we’ve just broadened our scope,” said David Hooks, director of the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority.”
Hooks, former executive director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs under then-Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr., said Gadsden is becoming a major health care hub serving northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia.
“I thought it was imperative that we capitalize, not only on keeping those hospitals open, but growing them and adding health care services with them. The cancer centers is one of the first indications of our doing that,” Hooks said.
The push to expand Gadsden’s health care offerings are part of an effort to build a diverse economy, driven by tourism, recreation, health care and industrial growth. The city is also fast becoming a sports and cultural center. City officials hope to transform one-day visits to three-day stays.
“The City of Gadsden has traditionally been viewed as an industrial city,” Hooks said. “As we now move into the 21st century, we are looking to broaden our economic base and become a destination city.”
The $6.5 million center means that residents in a 10-county region won’t have to travel to Birmingham for treatment.
Mayor Craig Ford at the grand opening
In fact, when he became the IDA director in 2019, he targeted the health care sector as a major component of the area’s economic development drive.
“One of the first things we did was look at the target markets that we had in place and looked at where we should be expanding, and we added two (sectors). We added food and farming, and we added health care.
“Health care has been the fastest growing industrial sector of the last 20 years, and it will continue to be the fastest growing industrial sector for the next 20 years,” Hooks said.
“We have a major health care community in the area; we’re a regional health hub, and there’s no reason for us not to continue to develop that growth,” Hooks said.
Mayor Craig Ford agreed.
“We are constantly looking for ways to grow (health care) in Gadsden and recruit companies that offer different types of services and treatments,” Ford said. “Look at Birmingham and what a great job they have done with UAB and how that complex has really grown that area of the city.”
Gadsden City Council President Kent Back said that while Gadsden Regional offers cancer care, Alabama Cancer Center’s market research shows a need for another cancer care facility.
Back believes the natural beauty of the Coosa riverfront will lift the spirits of patients during their treatments.
“I think that’s going to be a game changer,” Back said. “Most cancer treatment facilities don’t have that kind of amenity. This company has a history. They’ve been successful.”
Studies in Europe and in the United States show that cancer patients who are treated closer to home can have more positive outcomes. Area residents won’t face the travel and parking hassles of a trek to Birmingham.
“If you live in Ider, for example, Birmingham can be pretty intimidating to travel and navigate and park,” Back said. “They’d rather come to Gadsden and get treatment.”
The new center is located on the old National Guard Armory site in an agreement forged during the administration of then-Mayor Sherman Guyton.
Kim Clebine, Bobbie Martin and Justin Steinman show off a stereotatic radiation therapy linear particle accelerator
Current Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden was selected as the home for the new, full-service oncology center because of its location. Some 16 new jobs will be created.
The new facility will help the city and county maintain its health care presence to serve Gadsden and the surrounding counties, Hooks said.
“The particular services that this facility will render will allow people that are currently driving out of the county for these services to Birmingham and other areas, to be able to stay close to home and receive the appropriate care that they need here in Etowah County.”
With its proximity to a hospital and to the burgeoning riverfront entertainment district, the growing healthcare facility can fuel Gadsden’s economic growth, both on the Coosa and downtown.
“If you look at what happened in Birmingham with UAB and the resurrection of the southside of Birmingham, Birmingham’s growth has been driven by health care services. I think you can see Gadsden’s economy driven by the health care sector around that facility as well,” Hooks said.
“Gadsden has a similar economic base to what Birmingham used to be, just smaller,” he added. “I think there’s a lot to be learned from that. I think there’s an opportunity for us to redevelop downtown. I think Gadsden has an opportunity to be the gateway to all of northeast Alabama.”
The impact will not be just be felt in Alabama, but reach into Georgia as well. Gadsden has the impetus to improve its services and grow its opportunities, Hooks said.
“We, as a city, need to continue to improve our services, broaden our services and give people a reason to drive in this direction.”
