This must be the place for fly fishing

Keeping Black Creek stocked with trout is key

Story by Paul South
Submitted and staff photos

Something fishy will be going on at Alabama’s most picturesque waterfall on Black Creek.

New residents – $10,000 worth of future feisty and flavorful trophy size rainbow trout – will make the creek their home.

The restocking is expected to  take place in mid-January. That’s great news for the growing number of fly anglers who flock to the stream every trout season. There’s no need for a long trip to the Appalachians or to the Rockies to catch the legendary fish.  Rainbows are right here at home.

The annual event is a joint collaboration between the City of Gadsden, Noccalula Falls  Park, the Rainbow Fly Fishing Club and Greater Gadsden Tourism. A grant championed by State Rep. Craig Lipscomb, (R-Gadsden) – a fly fisherman himself – funded the restocking effort, which began in 2020.

“When I was first elected, I was fishing in the Appalachians and realized that my hometown of Gadsden had a very similar climate, insect life and water conditions which would likely support trout,” Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb’s legislation provided grant funding to stock the stream below the falls with a few thousand Rainbow trout. He calls the ongoing effort, now in its sixth year, “a tremendous success.”

The trout provide another revenue stream for tourism in Gadsden and the surrounding area for anglers and their families, who visit local hotels and motels, shops, restaurants and other attractions at Noccalula Falls State Park and beyond.

“It’s become an exciting, one-of-a-kind fly-fishing opportunity for people who love fly fishing and want an experience that is rather unique,” Lipscomb said. “Noccalula Falls provides an incredible backdrop due to its enormity, and you have several miles of fishing downstream from there.”

Lipscomb added, “More so, you have all the camping and recreational activities at the falls to create a well-rounded trip that the entire family can enjoy.”

The annual restocking effort has landed a big catch on social media. Some 838,000 views were hooked on Facebook alone in 2025. More than 100  day permits and 91 seasonal permits were purchased by fly anglers last year, said Tina Morrison, executive director of Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. The city gets a big  economic bounce from trout fishing. The falls are located three miles from downtown.

“Just from the permits, that’s about $7,000 that goes back into Noccolula Falls Park,” Morrison said.

The city is also committed to growing the sport. Earlier this year, two fly fishing clinics for kids were conducted at the falls sponsored by Rainbow City Auction and Fly Shop. The shop, co-owned by Frank Roden, provided each participant with a free fly rod.

Fly angler Frank Roden shares expertise with new generation

Roden, an Orvis certified fly instructor, is perhaps  Alabama’s biggest evangelist for the sport. Known as “the guy with the tie,” whose fishing attire always includes a necktie, helped with the annual restocking.

Roden has been part of the restocking effort since the beginning. Drought conditions have hindered the fish in some ways. But there has been natural spawning going on. And fish – about nine inches long – enter the stream and can grow as long as 22 inches, he said. The fish that are part of the restocking weigh about a pound when they enter Black Creek.

If you think that the buzz about fly fishing at Noccalula Falls is just an exaggerated fish tale, consider this:  Representatives from Gadsden had a booth at the East Tennessee Fishing Show in Knoxville, one of the South’s largest such events.

“We go up there and have a booth to talk about fly and bass fishing. We have a banner that says, ‘Bass or Fly Fishing, Why Not Both?’.”

The booth drew a multitude of visitors. “People would come up and say, ‘We had no idea you could fly fish there, or anywhere in Alabama.’”

Roden saw the positive response coming.

“We anticipated this,  that we would have a lot of response and a lot of good fish,” he said. “People are coming from all around. They’re coming from Illinois. They’re coming from Florida. They’re coming from Texas. They’re coming from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina. We’re getting a lot of people and a lot of tourism associated with the fish. And that tourism is bringing a lot to the city.”

But fly fishing is only  part of the story at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground.

“ There’s so much to do there,” Morrison said. “You can really bring your whole family, stay in an RV or a cabin. The campground is  all brand new. Everything is beautiful, gorgeous, and new. And with the fly fishing, we’ve got miniature golf  and a new train that has a wheelchair accessible seat on it. You’ve got hiking trails and an animal barn that has so many animals it doesn’t seem fair to call it a petting zoo. And there are always special events.”

She added, “You could plan your whole vacation and find plenty to do, just at Noccalula Falls, even if you didn’t set foot in any of the other things we have to do.”

Lipscomb offered a word of advice to his fellow fly fishers about Noccalula Falls.

“If you haven’t been there,” Lipscomb said,  “then you are really missing out.”

WANT TO FISH THE FALLS?

Trout fishing is open from Oct. 15 through June 30. Catch and release is in effect until April 1. Harvesting is allowed from April 1 through June, with anglers allowed to keep up to five fish.

NOTE: Residents and non-residents must have a valid Alabama fishing license is required, as well as either a day or seasonal permit to fish at Noccalula Falls A state license can be purchased at Coosa Landing, 200 Lake Street in Gadsden, or online. 

Day or seasonal trout passes can be purchased at the Noccalula Falls Park office near the Kiwanis Pavillion. Costs are $10 for a day pass, $35 for a seasonal pass. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fishing should be done with fly rods only. Limit one line and one pole per angler. Barbless hooks and artificial bait are allowed. Fishing is allowed between dawn and dusk and no fishing is allowed in the pool below the falls. Catch-and-release is required until April 1. This is a new policy. During the harvest season, a maximum of  five fish is allowed.

Legends Boat Show

Returning to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame

A pair of boat dealers on Logan Martin Lake had an idea that grew from a simple open house. And as good ideas often do, it’s still growing.

Mark Hildebrant of Woods Surfside Marina and Rodney Humphries of Rodney’s Marine began their joint venture as an open house at their respective dealerships. From there, they moved to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame as a small boat show.

Indoor venue makes the perfect all-weather boat show location

It’s appropriately called Legends Boat Show because it brings legends in the boating world at the place where motorsports legends are built.

In contrast to other boat shows, “we wanted something people did not have to pay to get in or park,” Hildebrant said. “We will see how it grows over the coming years.”

By the looks of it so far, they have the makings of a thriving new year’s tradition as the first area boat show of the year – Jan. 16-18.

For 2026, the boat dealers will be Woods, Rodney’s and Woods and Water Powersports. Also featured will be Town & Country Ford, which will have vehicles onsite.

AmFirst federal credit union will be providing onsite financing for boats and vehicles.

Legends showcases pontoon boats from Bennington, Evotti, Starcraft and Manitou along with ATVs and 4-wheelers, golf carts and Waverunners. Dock companies and Realtors have joined the show as well, giving attendees an opportunity to see lake life and the outdoors up close from all angles.

Admission and parking aren’t the only perks free with this show. There will be a free concert Saturday night with Deputy 5.

In the Kitchen with Brooke Tollison

A new generation finds the perfect Coosa retreat

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free

If it’s a holiday or her father’s birthday, chances are Brooke Tollison is making a pie. An apple pie, to be precise, that’s baked in her grandparents’ cast-iron skillet.

Brooke shows off her cooking skills

They’ve developed quite a system. Once her dad has eaten his fill, “he gives the skillet back to me, all cleaned and seasoned and ready to go,” she said.

The fact that she and her parents, Gary and Lynn Williams, have houses next door to each other on Neely Henry Lake makes the process a little bit easier and a lot more fun. “I love that they are right there,” Brooke said. “Being next to my parents was a big selling point for me. My family has been on this part of the Coosa River for generations.”

 That’s probably why, for Brooke, “lake” has always been synonymous with family.

As a child, it meant long summer days swimming with her cousins, learning to ski and kneeboard, and endless hours of boat rides and tubing. As an adult, it means drinking coffee or hot chocolate around the fire pit while watching the stars with her husband and kids on a crisp fall evening.

The one thing that has never changed is that “the lake” means Neely Henry. She and her husband, Jim, live and work in the Pell City area – she just opened The Brooke Tollison agency, an ALFA Independent Agency, and he is the regional manager for Alabama Farm Credit.

“Pell City has been so good to us,” she said. But in the 21 years they’ve lived there, Brooke said she’s only been to Logan Martin Lake three or four times.

“This is the lake I grew up on,” she said, standing at the water’s edge of the house they bought nearly two years ago. “I made so many wonderful memories here.”

Peaceful oasis

Brooke said she wasn’t actively looking for a lake house when the opportunity presented itself, but it had been in the back of her mind for a while, so she was keeping her eyes and ears open. “I knew I wanted a lake house for retirement,” she said. “I’ve still got 15 or 20 years to work, but I also had been watching prices appreciate.”

That’s why, when she learned that the 3-bedroom, 2-bath house on Palmetto Creek was hitting the market, she jumped at the chance. In addition to her parents, her uncle and several cousins have homes on Neely Henry, and she loved the idea of being close to her extended family.  “I wanted my kids to have a similar experience to what I had growing up,” she said.

The perfect place to gather and watch the
game

That means lazy days surrounded by family and friends. Brooke, who grew up in Hokes Bluff, gets nostalgic watching 16-year-old Claire and her friends having fun on the lily pad float because it reminds her of lake days with her own high school friends, who are frequent visitors to the lake house. Jim and their son, Jay, 19, love to fish, and Jay enjoys canoeing and kayaking, as well.

“This is the perfect spot for that,” she said, adding that the creek has smooth water and meanders about a mile past their house. Although there are several homes nearby, their area of the lake has a peaceful, secluded feel. “It’s private, but it’s not isolated,” she said.

Buying the lake house was kind of a full circle moment for Brooke. Her parents bought their house from her sister in the late ‘90s, and then they also bought the adjacent lot where her house now stands. Her father eventually sold the 3-acre lot to another family member, however, and it’s changed hands a couple of times since.

At some point, one of the owners built the house, and when Brooke bought it, the property became part of the family again. Since then, it’s been put to good use.

She’s helped her parents host a family reunion, and with two docks and two big yards, there was plenty of room for parking and for everyone to spread out. Last summer, she even hosted a wedding with 50 or 60 guests when a cousin exchanged vows by the water’s edge. “It was such a beautiful day,” Brooke said.

Let’s eat

Entertaining at the lake means lots of good food, so what’s on the menu when crowds gather?

“We live on a cattle farm, so we grill a lot,” Brooke said. “We’ll have steak or hamburgers, and my dad likes to smoke wings and briskets. When friends come, everybody brings sides, dips, cakes, potato salad and appetizers, and we all dig in. We love desserts, so there are always plenty of desserts.”  Often, they include a tray of Brooke’s no-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

When it’s just family, they usually take a more relaxed approach. “If we come up on a weekend, we go to Local Joe’s, get some food, eat on the pier, and then we go for a boat ride and watch the moon rise. And the stars – oh my gosh, the stars are fabulous,” Brooke said.

Relaxed getaway

Bedrooms let in plenty of natural light and are decorated in lakeside themes

Although the Tollisons escape to their getaway fairly often, Brooke has listed the home on Airbnb so that others can enjoy it when they can’t. So far, it’s been a great experience, she said, and she loves having the opportunity to help others fall in love with the lake that has meant so much to her and her family.

She wanted to create an inviting environment, so Brooke chose light colors and a mix of old and new furniture pieces to create the perfect oasis. There are some personal touches, as well.  A family friend, Terry Lee, built the bed swing on the dock, and the artwork of two other friends, Jimmie Nell Miller and Shannon Abbott adorn the walls.

“I wanted it to feel like a lake house, a place that is comfy, welcoming and relaxing,” Brooke said. “Hopefully we achieved that.”

There’s plenty of things to entertain guests and friends who gather. Outdoor games like bocce ball and cornhole are favorites, and the Tollisons have a shed full of water toys like paddleboards, kayaks and a double canoe.

The area is a great spot for fishing, Brooke said, and the chances of spotting wildlife are pretty good. “We have ospreys here and the occasional bald eagle,” she said. “We’ve got bunny rabbits and deer. I grew up with creatures.”

It’s part of what makes lake life so special, she said. “This is my happy place, and I want everyone to love it as much as I do. Go kayaking, go paddleboarding, have a cup of coffee on the pier, sit in the sunshine, get some Vitamin D and just enjoy it. It’s a beautiful, beautiful spot.”

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3-4 cups quick cooking oatmeal
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup crunchy peanut butter

Directions

Combine sugar, cocoa, milk, butter and salt in a boiler and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, vanilla and 3 cups of oatmeal. Mix thoroughly. Add more oatmeal for a thicker consistency. Drop onto wax paper and let cool.

Skillet Apple Pie

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Granny Smith apples
  • 1 pound firm, red apples like Gala
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 stick butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 pie crusts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the brown sugar and ¾ of the stick of butter in a cast iron skillet (I use a 12-inch skillet) and melt them together. Peel and slice apples in ¼ inch pieces. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add 1 cup of sugar minus 1 tablespoon to the peeled apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Add salt and vanilla to bowl. Mix to coat. Place one flat piece of crust in the skillet, on top of the brown sugar and butter mixture. Top with apple mixture. Put slices of remaining butter on top of apples. Top with second pie crust and slice vents in the crust. Brush milk across the top of the crust and sprinkle remaining sugar on top. Cover and bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes.

On the Water: Boat Preview 2026

Compiled by Paul South
and Graham Hadley
Submitted Photos

Come January, with lake levels low and 2025 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to dream of sleek new boats for the summer ahead. Area boat dealers are unveiling something new for 2026.

From a sleek tribute to a boat from 1957 sure to whet the appetites of lake lovers, to new product lines, there’s surely something for everyone.

Here’s a glimpse at vessels expected to be on display in showrooms and at boat shows in the coming year:

Rodney’s Marine

At Rodney’s Marine in Cropwell, a blast from the past will be celebrated, as well as a hot new pontoon.

The 2026 Starcraft ‘57 Ski Champ

Rodney’s offers Starcraft pontoons and tritoons. But this year, a hot ski boat may steal the spotlight – a replica of a 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ.

Billed as a “tribute to the original 1957 model,” this limited-edition has a riveted aluminum hull, two rows of bench seats and a wood veneer dash. It’s also re-engineered for 2026, with a Suzuki DF25 HP motor. They come in a choice of teal or the All-American version in red, white and blue, perfect for our nation’s 250th birthday.“It’s super cute,” said Kim Humphries, the dealership’s finance manager. “It’s a limited production boat, so when they’re gone, that’s it.”

Starcraft RX Pontoon Boat

Rodney’s also features a 2026 Starcraft RX pontoon boat with a Suzuki 350-horsepower engine. It’s Starcraft’s luxury flagship, designed for comfort and performance. This is the perfect boat for families.

The RX offers a variety of options and colors, ideal for fun on the water. It offers an unsurpassed standard of luxury.

Visit Rodney’s Marine at 6046 Martin St. S., Cropwell, Ala. 35054, or online at rodneysmarine.com.

Poorhouse Branch Marina

Poorhouse Branch Marina celebrates two pontoons for 2026, the Avalon Catalina Pontoon and the LSZ Pontoon, both in a variety of layouts with a number of options that allow boaters to customize their boats with as many or as few options as they wish.

Poor House proudly carries Avalon and Tahoe.

The boats can be powered by either Mercury, Honda or Suzuki engines.

Avalon Catalina

The Catlina is a luxury pontoon that, like all Avalon boats, is known for style and quality features and performance and options like a Blue Ice lighting package, Garmin GPS and a quality Bluetooth sound system.

As with all Avalon craft, furnishings make comfort a top priority that will impress passengers. It’s been described as “a resort on the water.”

You can create the boat of your dreams with a variety of floor plans and options.

Avalon LSZ

The Avalon LSZ is part of the brand’s Signature Collection and is billed as “the ride of a lifetime.” It’s affordable, stylish and well built, in a variety of sizes, with layouts that will fit your lifestyle.

The vessel features a Deco wall design with a choice of four floor plans with plush handcrafted furnishings.

The LSZ models range in a variety of models from the LSZ Cruise, the LSZ Cruise Rear Bench, the LSZ Elite, the LSZ Elite Windshield and more.

Now with three locations, Poor House Branch Marina is Alabama’s only Premier Honda Dealer and is the top Avalon dealer in the state.

On Logan Martin, visit Poor House Branch at 7062 Stemley Road, Talladega, Ala., 35160, or online at www.poorhousebranchmarina.com. Other locations are Lake Martin, 14512 Highway 280 E.; Jackson Gap, Ala., 36831; and Smith Lake, 6167 Curry Highway, Jasper, Ala. 35504

Buck’s Island

One of the iconic local, family-run boat businesses serving boaters and anglers in the new year, Buck’s Island, will unveil a new product line and a new edition of one of the business’ mainstays.

SeaArk Boats

Best known for building the world’s largest Jon Boat – 24 feet long and 6 feet wide – the manufacturer has raised the stakes, crafting an even bigger Jon Boat at 26 feet.

SeaArk’s aluminum watercraft caters to anglers going for catfish, crappie and bass and also caters to duck hunters. Fans of the catfish circuit have no doubt seen the ProCat. But there’s really not a species on the water that SeaArk boats can’t be used for, according to the manufacturer.

Katie Grell, sales manager at Buck’s Island, said SeaArk will call Buck’s Island home in January.

Skeeter ZXE

Skeeter unveiled a new its ZXE for 2026, Grell said.

“We’re super excited. They changed some of the options on it, with a new fiberglass deck lid, which is really nice,” Grell said.

“That model has always been our number one seller.”

The updated boat has a sharp profile from bow to stern, but really struts its stuff below the waterline.

The elegant line above the waterline is perfect for recreation to tournament fishing, promising a comfortable ride.

Buck’s Island, with its expansive product line, will be like a boat show close to home.

In business since 1948, Buck’s Island offers new and used boats, as well as motors, and provides service and also sells tackle and sponsors local fishing teams. Visit the dealership at 4500 Alabama Highway 77 in Southside, (256) 442-2588 or online at www.bucksisland.com.

Woods Surfside Marina

Boat Show season at Woods Surfside Marina will feature exciting new boats, including the Bennington M Series and the Evotti 721 CS. Here’s a glance at both boats.

Bennington M Series

The all-new Bennington M Series is a sleek new pontoon with new features and innovative design. The company celebrates the new line as “a modern expression of style.”

The boat can accommodate 10 to 15 passengers. Models range in length from 22 to 26 feet.

The M Line offers standard features, as well as Luxe and Sport Packages. Other upgrades include Rockford Fosgate audio, sport and luxury trim packages and RGB lumbar accent lighting.

The Evotti 721 CS

The Evotti 721 CS is a new 21-foot pontoon that offers a blend of luxury and performance. With room for 11 passengers, the 721 CS can handle up to 250 horsepower.

It’s perfect for cruising, fishing and water sports and features a convertible stern. The 700 Series strikes a balance between performance, innovation and style, with luxury seating and advanced technology, all standard.

Visit Woods Surfside Marina at 37 Marina Drive, Cropwell, Ala. 35054, or visit online at www.woodssurfside.com. Call (205) 525-5533.

Rambo Marine

Rambo Marine in Westover will feature an armada of some 48 boats at the Birmingham Boat Show. Notably, the 2026 Axis T250 and the 2026 Barletta Lusso 25UC.

The Axis T250

The Axis T250 is billed by the manufacturer as “25 feet of bold design, room for 18 passengers with advanced wake and surf technology.” It’s a state-of-the-art ski and wakeboard boat.

The boat promises “next level comfort” and cutting-edge technology, including a one-touch “Go Home” button. Axis calls the T250 its boldest boat ever, with push- button technology to generate more wake.

Barletta Lusso 25UC

The Barletta Lusso 25UC features standard triple pontoons, RGB lighting and room for 14 passengers. More than 27 feet in length, the 25UC features VIP technology (Vibration Isolation Pad) to provide a smoother, quieter ride. A joystick control is optional.

The helm includes dual screens (12 and 7 inches), integrated storage and a premium steering wheel. There’s also storage under the helm.

Seating includes reclining captain’s chairs and front chaise lounges

Amenities include JBL stereo, power bimini and USB ports, among others.

Rambo Marine in Birmingham is located at 10396 U.S. 280 in Westover, Ala. 35185, or call (205) 543-5415. Visit online at rambomarine.com.

River’s Edge Marina

River’s Edge features some exciting new upgrades to two of its best-selling boating accessories and toys for 2026.

EZE Ladder

First, take a look at the 2026 Lake EZE Ladder. Offering an expanded color palate for 2026, including a red step, and instead of the traditional stainless metal, there will be powder-colored options in black, dark gray and white.

“We recently got to check them out,” said River’s Edge Manager Michael Emerick, “and they are sharp.”

EZ Dock

On the EZ Dock side, the company has just introduced a floating pontoon port. Bigger than the traditional jet ski port, the pontoon port can accommodate a pontoon or tritoon, with easy drive on and drive off capabilities.

The new docks and ports will also offer new colors for the new year, including red, dark grey, blue, brown and green.

“I think the brown could be a major color option for our lake, as a lot of people like to stain their piers a dark brown color,” Emerick said.

River’s Edge Marina is home to the Tiki Hut, River’s Edge Burgers & Breakfast, boat rentals, accessories and RV sites and luxury tiny home rentals. Learn more at www.riversedgemarina.net, or call (205) 525-5562. The marina is located at 79 Rabbit Branch Circle, Cropwell, Ala. 35054.

Skier’s Marine

The new year will be an exciting time at Skier’s Marine, as it unveils two completely redesigned boats for 2026.

2026 MasterCraft X24

 First, the 2026 MasterCraft X24. Redesigned from bow to stern, the X24 blends aggressive performance with refined luxury. Dual digital displays with the MasterCraft MyDrive Controller make the boat user friendly. An optional stern thruster provides effortless maneuvering.

“MasterCraft hit a home run with the X24, and I can’t wait to show everyone what it can do on the water,” said Jeremy Talbot, a product specialist at Skier’s Marine.

2026 Harris Sunliner

Also completely redesigned for the new year, the Sunliner series unveils a sleek new exterior and an interior with luxury and ergonomics as a priority. The new design set the Sunliner apart from any other pontoon on the market.

“The new design is perfect for families like mine who love spending time on the water cruising, pulling water skiers and tubers and of course, lounging at our favorite anchor spots,” Talbot said.

The MasterCraft X24 and the Harris Sunliner will be on display at the Birmingham Boat Show. Skier’s Marine is located at 10171 U.S. Highway 280, Westover, Ala. 35147, or visit skiersmarine.com, (205) 678-9099.

University Marine

University Marine at Pine Harbor proudly carries the SunChaser brand. Here’s a glance at two of University’s popular models for 2026.

SunChaser Lucerne 22 LR DH Sport

Offering exceptional value in the popular pontoon market, the Lucerne combines style and function with thoughtful design. The vessel offers a sleek, modern look without sacrificing durability, promising a smooth, stable ride on the water.

The Lucerne offers eight exterior panel color options. An optional luxury package offers features like a power Bimini top, Helix 5 in-dash GPS, high-back helm chairs, interior mood lighting and an upgraded steering wheel.

“This has become one of our most popular and affordable options,” said University co-owner Ricky Ganey. The Lucerne is powered by Honda engines.

2026 SunChaser Eclipse 25

Anchored in comfort and fun, while promising a relaxing day with your pontoon crew, the Eclipse 25 features two standard rear bench seats that provide room to lounge or to enjoy dinner on the water.

The versatile pontoon also gives its crew a license to thrill, thanks to an integrated ski tow for tubing, waterskiing or wakeboarding adventures.

The SunChaser 25 makes performance a priority. The standard PR25 third tube performance package ensures a smooth ride and an enjoyable experience for all on board.

The Eclipse model offers multiple layouts and can be powered by Honda’s new V8350.

University Marine is located at 2120 Fraim Drive, Pell City, Ala. 35128. Call (205) 884-2628, or visit online at www.pineharbormarina.com.

Reimagining the City of Gadsden

Downtown, riverfront & more on the move

Story by Paul South
Contributed photos

Economically speaking, this Coosa River town is hotter than free Taylor Swift tickets in a junior high lunchroom.

Kay Moore remembers not terribly long ago, when Gadsden, especially downtown, seemed to have practically given up the ghost. Back then, she worked at a local bank. The city’s two major employers, Goodyear and Republic Steel, closed. Retail mainstays like Ike Saks, Hagedorn’s and Rutenberg’s tried but did not survive.

But the script has flipped in Gadsden. From downtown to the Coosa riverfront and Noccalula Falls, the city is flourishing. And while others may bill their cities as “comeback towns,” few Alabama municipalities have experienced a resurgence like Gadsden.

Mural artist William Bebee poses with finished product

For the past 18 years, Kay Moore has served as the director of Downtown Gadsden, Inc., the local arm of the Alabama Main Street program, charged with promoting Alabama cities and towns.

DGI sponsors events, promotes downtown via social media, events and in collaboration with local merchants.

“We all work together to make things happen,” she said. “That’s the most positive part of this whole thing. We’ve got a lot of great people here, and we’re continuing to work together. We’ve come a long way in 18 years.”

She added, “My job is to promote what (merchants) do, both individually and as a group.”

And it’s attracting notice well beyond its borders. In August, Downtown Gadsden, Inc., received three Awards of Excellence from Main Street Alabama:

Excellence in Marketing for its banner project.

Excellence in Building Design in the non-historic division, for the renovation of the Mary G. Hardin Cultural Arts Center, and

Excellence in Public Art for the Pitman Hands mural.

Reimagining downtown

What’s now DGI began in 1972 as the Downtown Action Council. Shopping malls were springing up across the country, hurting downtown merchants.

“Back in that day I was just working a block down the street at what was then Central Bank, she recalled. “They got together a group of businessmen to save the downtown, because they could see what was going to happen.”

Despite best efforts, the larger downtown stores closed. Belk Hudson moved to the mall as did Budd’s Men’s Store, Ike Saks, Rutenbergs and Hagedorns.

There are more than 40 lofts in the downtown area

“Belk was the center of downtown. And when that huge store left, it left a big hole downtown.”

The building sat vacant for years until the Cultural Arts Center moved in.

“In the mid-1970s when the mall took off, and downtown became pretty much a ghost town, I was thinking, ‘If I didn’t work downtown, I wouldn’t come downtown. There was nothing. The occupancy rate was about 40 percent. Places were boarded up. It was not a fun thing.”

All that has changed. Gadsden’s downtown is on a roll. Moore, a lifelong resident of the city, says the city center is reminiscent of an earlier, prosperous time. Families are coming to Gadsden. While fathers fish for trout at Noccalula Falls or for crappie and bass on the Coosa, moms and their kids shop and eat, or visit Imagination Place or the Gadsden Museum of Art.

“People who grew up here say, it’s like it was a long time ago. And it kind of is … Retail stores are very, very vibrant, and we’ve got good restaurants downtown.”

Those once-empty storefronts are mostly filled with an occupancy rate of about 90 percent, she added. “The ones not occupied are just not ready to be occupied. It’s a cycle.”

A turning point came in 1998 when the city built a downtown streetscape and businesses began to return. First Friday – a mix of food, music and classic cars celebrated on the first Friday of every month – also sparked a return to the city center.

Sylvia Smith, owner of the Stone Market on Court Street, started First Friday in January 2006.

“I give First Friday a lot of credit in bringing businesses and people back to downtown,” Moore said. “(Smith) started it to bring people into her store. Then, the other people on Broad Street started noticing.”

In 2007, First Friday grew, and it took off in 2008.

People aren’t just working, dining or shopping downtown. There are more than 40 loft apartments downtown, with 27 planned in the old Sears building on Forrest Avenue that looks down on Broad Street. Completion of those lofts is expected early next year. An additional 15 apartments are in their early stages. That more than doubles the number of lofts.

“What I’d like to see in the next five years is a huge population of younger people who want to live downtown and bring their friends. They are going to shop, and they’ re going to eat. It’s just a positive impact,” she said. “Young people are wanting to come back. You just see a more vibrant personality downtown.”

Other changes are four-way stops downtown to improve traffic flow and make the downtown more pedestrian friendly. Other plans to improve traffic flow are being considered.

One of DGI’s major fundraisers – the 13th annual Sunset Sips – was Oct. 21. There are 300 tickets available at $50 each. Memorial Bridge is blocked off, allowing revelers to enjoy music, wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres as the sun sets on the water. They are encouraged to continue the celebration by dining downtown. The money raised is reinvested downtown.

“We’re just trying to do things that will bring a positive look to downtown,” Moore said.

Riverfront, Recreation and Rebranding

Meanwhile, Coosa Harbor, the multiuse residential/commercial and entertainment development on the banks of the Coosa River, continues to move forward. The city is completing its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permit and grant applications, which when approved will allow construction of piers behind Coosa Harbor.

It’s hoped that the pier project will be completed by the late first quarter of 2027. Private sources have already invested some $20 million into the project that’s also being boosted by tax incentives from the city. Coosa Harbor is expected to break ground in 2026 and take two to three years to complete.

Vintage cars one of the many draws at Downtown Gadsden First Fridays

The city has also partnered with Gadsden State Community College to construct 10 tennis courts behind the Gadsden Sports Complex and a cross-country trail that in part, runs along the banks of the Coosa.

The city is also moving forward with its GROW Gadsden plan, and has invested in a $100 million RISE initiative, Reimagine, Invest, Strategic Planning and Economic Development. The initiative is expected to have a $190 million economic impact and create 2,400 jobs.

A gem of the plan is a new Gadsden Athletic Complex, featuring an aquatic center, 16 volleyball courts and 10 pickleball courts, eight basketball courts, four baseball/ softball diamonds and a walking track. The GAC is expected to be online in 2028-29.

A cobblestone hotel is located near the harbor site, but the city is looking for more hotels to meet the expected demand once the GAC comes online. “We don’t have enough hotels to meet the expected demand,” said John Moore, Gadsden’s director of Commercial Development and Community Affairs in Mayor Craig Ford’s office. “We’re three hotels short right now.”

For John Moore, all of this activity from downtown to the river comes down to one word –energy.

“It’s excitement,” he said. “People actually see the vision that the mayor has, that we are progressing, and that we’re a city on the move.”

That progress has even been noticed in America’s corridors of financial power. Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s provide credit ratings for companies, cities and countries.

“Gadsden is no longer classified as an older city (by Moody’s and S&P),” Moore said. “We’re now classified a new and up and coming city. I thought that was absolutely beautiful.”

Changing an image

 Had someone told Kay Moore back in the 1970s how Gadsden and its downtown would be in 2025, they would’ve been met with skepticism and a laugh.

“I would have probably thought you were a little bit crazy. It was so dead. You had boarded up places. Now we have so many people downtown. It’s a great problem to have.”

With this beehive of activity from the river to downtown and seemingly everywhere in between, the bottom line is that the city is poised to improve its citizens’ quality of life, John Moore said, not just in Gadsden, but in Etowah County and in northeast Alabama.

“We are making Gadsden a destination place where people come and spend time with the entertainment we’ll be able to offer, whether its walkability of our downtown or sitting on the Coosa River at Coosa Harbor, or when you’re actually playing night golf over at Twin Bridges once we finish that up,” he said. “There are so many things the city has to offer that aren’t available anywhere else in a 120-mile radius.”

In 2023, the city revamped its seal and logo. Gone are the Emma Sansom Monument, farmland, and the Republic Steel plant, replaced by the Coosa River, Noccalula Falls and downtown. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to create a fresh brand for Gadsden.

“Not only are we changing the culture, but we’re changing the image of Gadsden,” John Moore said. “What I say to our staff is, ‘How do we make the City of Gadsden a cool brand?’ and ‘If the city were a clothing line, would it be a high-end clothing line?’ I don’t know if we’re there yet, but we’re getting there.”

Great Alabama 650 2025

Epic paddle battle returns to Coosa River

Photos courtesy of
Alabama Scenic River Trail

Six times. Six wins. Not bad. Not bad at all for Logan Martin fan favorite Salli O’Donnell as she capped another win in the Great Alabama 650’s 2025 edition with a first solo finish, first female finish and third overall.

Finishing first overall and first tandem winners, Bobby Johnson and Matt Taylor, captured the top titles in a time of 5 days, 9 hours, 3 minutes.

Overall Solo and Female Solo winner Sallie O’Donnell heads to Logan Martin portage

Chris Thomas was first male solo finish, and Trey Reaves, last year’s solo and overall top finisher, was in tandem this year with John Wellens. They finished second overall.

A 650-mile Alabama professional ultra-endurance paddle race through Alabama Scenic River Trail on Weiss Lake, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Coosa River and Alabama River to Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan, the epic event stretched from Oct. 4-14. Racers have 10 days to complete, but the winners arrived at Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan at the 5-day mark.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) maintains and promotes the core National Water Trail, along with a network of over 6,500 miles of paddling trails throughout the state.

Paddler navigates the trail

The organization’s trail network spans from North Alabama mountain streams and whitewater rapids to South Alabama’s river deltas, making it one of the most varied water trail networks in the nation.

As a nonprofit, ASRT operates through collaborations with local partners, organizations, and outfitters, serving as the state’s paddling resource for all skill levels.

The Great Alabama 650, ASRT’s signature race, highlights the full scope of these waterways, promoting appreciation and recognition of the state’s exceptional water recreation opportunities.

Get ready for the Great Alabama 650

Paddle race returns this October

They call it the world’s longest paddle race and at 650 miles across Alabama’s waterways, it is one of the world’s toughest endurance races, too.

Only 47 percent who start the race at Weiss Lake in Alabama’s north even make it to the finish line at Mobile Bay’s Fort Morgan, underscoring the resilience and sheer determination it takes to complete the grueling trek.

The Great Alabama 650 Race returns Oct. 4-14, embarking on yet another adventure that draws fans up and down Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes as paddlers head further south.

It takes paddleboard, canoe and kayak paddlers along the core of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, which sets a couple of records on its own as the longest river trail in a single state and the longest national water trail.

Great Alabama 650 first-place finish

Traditionally, paddlers arrive in Gadsden on Neely Henry in the nighttime hours of Day 1 and reach Logan Martin on the morning of Day 2.  From whatever vantage point fans can find with a view of main channels, a growing base of fans watch each year as paddlers make their way along the lakes.

Popular spots in Gadsden are along the riverwalk at Coosa Landing. Logan Martin tends to watch from lakeside homes or near the portage at Logan Martin Dam.

Or, they keep up with each racer’s progress on a live map on the race’s website, alabamascenicreivertrail.com/great-alabama-650. You can even volunteer for an even closer view and personal experience by registering on the website.

Racers have 10 days to complete the 650-mile course, but the 2024 male solo winner, Trey Reaves, finished in 7 days, 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was back-to-back wins for Reaves, who finished the 2023 edition in 6 days, 1 hour and 31 minutes. Record time was set by West Hansen in 2021 with 5 days, 19 hours and 9 minutes.

Ryan Gillikin was the female solo winner in 2024 in 8 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes. From the race’s inception in 2019 through 2023, Salli O’Donnell won all of them, setting the record in 2021 of 4 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes. O’Donnell has become a fan favorite on Logan Martin.

There’s also a two-person tandem team category, too, with Jessica Nance and Candi Hill capturing the 2024 title in 8 days, 22 hours, 35 minutes. The record is held by Paul Cox and Joe Mann at 4 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes in 2021.

They weather rain, wind, sun and fluctuating temperatures, from rushing whitewater to river deltas – all in hopes of completing this grueling race with prize purses worth $2,000 each. They’ll quickly tell you it’s not for the money, it’s the challenge.

So, grab your binoculars or find a closeup, waterfront perch and enjoy the race. It’s not just an adventure for the paddlers, it’s a lake life event you won’t want to miss.

In the Kitchen and around the Lake with the Ayres

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Mackenzie Free

The home is decorated with a mix of antiques and new pieces

For most folks living on the water, entertaining large crowds of family and friends is part of summertime fun. For Lauren and Jason Ayres, who live on Neely Henry Lake in Southside, it’s just everyday life.

The couple has seven children, a son-in-law, and a grandchild on the way, so feeding big groups of people is nothing out of the ordinary. “We cook just about every meal we eat,” Lauren said. “They love to eat whatever we cook.”

The fact that some of the kids have dietary restrictions, coupled with the family’s desire to spend as much time outdoors as possible, means that mealtime can have a few challenges.

“We try to cook big on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so we can have leftovers during the work week,” said Jason, a doctor at Southside Family Medicine. “As our boys get bigger, though, that’s harder and harder to do.”

Dealing with logistics, however, is the couple’s specialty. Lauren has always homeschooled the kids, who now range in age from 13 to 25, and even though there are desks upstairs, a lot of schoolwork has always been done around the kitchen table. “I’ve learned to stay close to the kitchen,” she said. “There’s always something to cook or clean up, and there’s plenty of laundry to do.”

That’s why it’s a good thing the couple makes a good team. “We’ve learned in our house that it’s divide and conquer,” Jason said. “The kids have their chores, and Lauren and I just figure out what works best for us and get it done. Otherwise, we’d never get to sit down.”

Party of 10

It’s a system they’ve had plenty of time to perfect. Lauren and Jason both grew up in Gadsden, and the high school sweethearts have been together since she was 14 and he was 15. They got married after graduating from Auburn University, and they lived in Birmingham while he attended medical school and completed his residency.

Interior French doors work well with the home’s mixed decor

Although they didn’t necessarily plan to move back home, life has a way of working out for the best. “The hospital here called and offered us a job, and 22 years later, we’re still here,” Jason said. “This is where we felt like God was leading us.”

The lure of being near family was a strong one, especially as theirs was growing – sometimes pretty quickly. As their first four children – Maggie, Rebecca, Janie and Porter – got a little older, Lauren and Jason adopted their youngest three – Davidson, John and Patrick – from China over a two-year period from 2012 to 2014.

Even though the girls have left home now (Maggie, now 25, is married and living in Birmingham; Rebecca, 24, is in veterinary school at Mississippi State University; and 18-year-old Janie just started her freshman year at Mississippi State), there are still plenty of mouths to feed each day. Some of the four boys must have gluten-free diets, so Lauren and Jason have adapted recipes to meet their needs.

“Summer food is easy because Jason grills a lot, and we do a ton of fruits and salads,” Lauren said. The boys loved grilled hots dogs by the pool, so Jason uses the outdoor kitchen for that and for making rotisserie chickens, as well. Tilapia tacos and smoked chicken wings are summertime favorites, too.

Salads are even better with blackberries from their three bushes and tomatoes that they grow in containers on the deck. “Our plants were still full of them in October or November of last year,” Jason said. “They wouldn’t ever turn red, so we had a lot of fried green tomatoes. We figured out how to make them gluten-free.”

Homemade ice cream is another family favorite, and there’s always a batch being made or stashed in the freezer. One of their easiest recipes, made from cocoa, whipping cream and condensed milk, is a favorite and a go-to for church gatherings. “Everyone always wants us to bring this because it tastes just like a Wendy’s Frosty,” Jason said.

The boys (Porter is 15, Davidson and John are both 14, and Patrick is 13) love to paddle board and ride tubes in the afternoon, so the family’s meal prep philosophy is “the quicker the better.” As a result, the Crock-Pot gets called in to service fairly often.

 “On the weekends we’ll stick stuff in the Crock-Pot so we can go sit by the pool or go out on the boat,” Jason said. “We spend hours out here, so when we come back in, dinner’s ready,” Lauren added.

Water time lasts well into the fall, so it doesn’t get a rest once summer’s over. “Last November we were out in the backyard with swimsuits on,” Lauren said. As the weather turns cooler, the meals get a little heartier, but the focus is still quick and easy meals. “In the fall and winter, we like lots and lots of soup,” Jason said. “The boys love soup.”

Creating a home

Sharing all those meals requires lots of dishes, but Lauren has got it covered. She loves china, especially the cabbageware she collects in pink, blue and green. When they moved into their waterfront home two years ago, she had a custom cabinet built between the kitchen and dining room to help house her dishes.

Everything you need to entertain by the pool

The rest is stored in buffets, china cabinets and other furniture pieces she has collected, largely from estate sales and antique stores. “I used to go to antique stores with my father, and he would always say that if you bought something at an antique store, you don’t pay a markup, and it will never lose its value,” Lauren said.

These days, she and Jason enjoy hitting the sales together. “It’s fun for me, too,” he said. “She has a system. If she sees something (online) that she likes, she’ll take a screenshot, and we make a run for it.”

Their home is a beautiful mix of antiques – some they’ve painted and some with the original finishes – paired with newer pieces from one of her favorite stores, Ballard Designs. Over the years, they’ve found a number of Henry Link chests and cabinets, most of which they have painted in colors ranging from a bright Kelly green, navy and salmon to a robin’s egg blue.

The pink, green and blue colors are carried throughout the house, and are most evident in the kitchen, which features navy steel appliances and light blue cabinets. “I’ve had the blue color of the cabinets picked out for years,” she said.

Before moving to their current home, they built a house in Whorton’s Bend, where they lived for 12 years. She wanted to have blue cabinets there, but everyone talked her out of it. “Everyone said to go neutral, so I did, and the people who bought the house painted the cabinets blue, just like I wanted to.”

She followed her heart when they moved to this house, just as she did when she selected the many treasures that make up the rest of her collections. She loves the Andrea by Sadek Fishnet porcelain figurines, and she has cats, bears, a kangaroo, frog and rabbits in the pattern. She also collects chinoiserie pieces, including groupings of blue and white ginger jars, colorful vases, as well as Chinese porcelain planters. Like her furniture, they are a mixture of antiques and new pieces.

One of her favorite collections is her Staffordshire dog figurines. “I bought my first set when I was 22,” she said, pointing at a pair of porcelain dogs on a shelf in a stairwell. “It was my first big girl purchase,” she added with a laugh. Others are perched in cabinets and on shelves and furniture throughout the home.

Although it’s been said that kids today don’t want their parents’ stuff, Lauren said that isn’t the case in their family. “My girls love all of this, too,” she said. In fact, it has become something of a running joke that they write their names on the bottom of things they like with a Sharpie marker.

“When Janie was about 13, she was putting up Christmas decorations and saw something she really liked,” Lauren remembered. “She said, ‘I’m Sharpie-ing that,’ and wrote her name on the bottom. Ever since then, the other kids will say, ‘Has Janie already Sharpied that, because I want it.”

Lauren said she occasionally sells things on Facebook when her collections grow too large. “I’ll post things on Facebook, and one of my girls will call and say, “I wanted that,’ so I’ll have to delete it off my page,” she said.

The treasures will soon be moving with them to a home 15 houses away. While they love the home they’re in the process of selling, Lauren and Jason found one with a layout that works better for married children and grandchildren.

There was never any question they’d be staying on the water, though. “Once you’ve lived on the water you can’t ever go back to not being on the water,” Lauren said. “We have the best sunsets here, and we just love sitting out on the deck and having lunch or dinner with a view of the water.”

There’s a peace about it that has become a vital part of their lives, Jason said. “The biggest boat traffic we have in here is people coming to fish,” he said. “After being at work all day, it’s so nice to come home and just be able to walk out the door and get on the boat. It’s just calming.”

Blackberry Salad

  • Romaine and green leaf lettuce
  • Cooked bacon, crumbled
  • Fresh blackberries. Home grown are the best!
  • Goat cheese crumbles
  • Sliced almonds

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup of olive oil
  • 1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Season with basil or cinnamon to taste

Steak

We prefer thick filets.

Let meat come to room temperature and season on all sides. We use Kinder’s Seasoning, The Blend (salt, pepper, and garlic).

Place a small amount of low smoke point oil in a cast iron skillet and heat to just the point of smoking. Sear the edges first for one minute each.

Sear the first side for 3 minutes and the second for two. Place several pats of butter and some minced garlic on the steak and place in a preheated 450-degree oven.

We prefer medium, so we cook to 130 degrees and then remove and place on a plate and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice and serve with your choice of sides!!

Smoked Cream Cheese

1 block of cream cheese scored slightly on the top

Cover on all sides with seasoning of choice. We use Kinder’s Seasoning, The Blend (salt, pepper, and garlic).

Place cream cheese block on cast iron or grill-safe pan   Smoke at 250 degrees for 2 hours

Cover with pepper jelly of your liking

Enjoy with crackers or chips.

No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  •  1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Whip the whipping cream with a stand or hand mixer until the cream has stiff peaks.

Add milk, vanilla and cocoa powder and mix until combined.

Freeze at least 3 hours and enjoy with toppings!

Yields 1.5 quarts.

Boosting fish habitats on Neely Henry

NHLA leading effort to create angler’s dream lake on the Coosa

Story by Paul South
Photos by Tricia Lybrook

Dave Tumlin has a whopper of a fish story, complete with possibly a spark of the Divine.

It was early Spring. Tumlin and his brother Billy came to fish for Crappie on Neely Henry Lake, the place his family had called home since 1968. The Tumlins were among Neely Henry’s first families.

“There wasn’t anybody here. There was a dirt road,” Tumlin recalled. The brothers went to a spot they’d never fished before. “I always thought it might be a really good place, because the guy had a lit-up cross hanging on his dock. I called it the Jesus Dock.”

Dave Tumlin grabbing a hose for mixing the concrete

They caught – but didn’t keep – over 100 fish that day in that location near the cross. They never moved.

“We were using jigs. We were using minnows. We were using minnow heads off the deck of the boat that fell off the hook,” Tumlin said. “It was a phenomenal day.”

Now president of the Neely Henry Lake Association, Tumlin and the NHLA members, along with a small gathering of devoted volunteers, want other anglers to have divine days on the lake. They’re working to boost fish populations by constructing fish habitat.

For nearly two decades, the lake association, in partnership with Alabama Power, has worked to create new habitats for the Crappie, bass and other species that call Neely Henry home.

The organization joins with the utility biannually to build and place new fish habitats on the lake. The most recent event occurred in March.  The date for fall construction has not yet been set, Tumlin said.

The evolution of an angler’s idea

The association got hooked on fish habitats thanks to a member’s idea.

“One of our members, who is a tournament fisherman, ran into a buddy from another lake who told him about this partnership with the power company,” Tumlin said. “So our member got in touch with the power company and asked what we needed to do to do it at Neely Henry.” The answer? “Just ask.”

NHLA did ask, and it all started with hundreds of discarded Christmas trees that had seen their Yuletide glory fade into precious holiday memories.

“As best I can recall, it all started at Ten Islands and at Rainbow Landing,” Tumlin said. “(The utility) would bring two or three giant dump trucks and dump the Christmas trees in the parking lot.”

From there, some 10 to 20 NHLA members and other volunteers would tie the trees together in bundles of five evergreens, weighted with concrete blocks. Some volunteers bundled. Others loaded them om the barges, and still others dropped the weighted trees into the lake.

“Alabama Power supplied it all,” Tumlin said. “Christmas trees. The rope to tie them together, gloves, water for us to drink if it was too hot, concrete blocks, then the barges we would load those on. It’s really been a neat evolution and a great partnership.” The association tells the utility where they want the habitat placed and the water depth.

It takes a large group effort to put the buckets together

There was one problem with that inaugural habitat build. Just as grass withers and flowers fade with the seasons,  Christmas trees in lakes disintegrate over time. And the numbers of discarded Christmas trees declined.

That led to another idea: Spider blocks. Hundreds of ‘em.

Tumlin explained: “If you can visualize a two-hole concrete block with half-inch PVC pipe, four feet long or so. Six or eight of those legs, if you will, are sticking out of the holes. Then we would pour concrete in the holes and let it dry. That was not quite as labor-intensive as the Christmas trees. That took a lot of people and a lot of effort.”   

But the Spider Blocks created their own web of challenges.

“We had to wait a week for the concrete to set up, “Tumlin said.” It was difficult to load them. The concept was a lot like the Christmas trees, but (the blocks) last a lot longer. We did them for a couple of years.”

An upside of the blocks was that moss would grow more quickly, providing a buffet for fish. Then the food chain took over. “The little  fish would eat the moss and the big fish would eat the little fish,” Tumlin said.

In its current incarnation, the NHLA habitat construction relies on durable five-gallon plastic buckets. “We went from Spider Blocks to Spider Buckets,” Tumlin said. “We’ve been doing that for the last six or seven years (including a hiatus during the pandemic).”

The concept is similar to the blocks, with PVC “legs” and concrete in the buckets. But with an assembly line process, projects like the one last fall at Greensport Marina, took less than two hours. Volunteers place 100 buckets in the water – 20 in each location, known only to volunteers –  to create artificial habitats. The buckets create an almost permanent presence under the water.

“Then, we wait for something good to happen.” Tumlin said. “Magic.”

He added, “A lot of fishermen come out to help because they want to know where the habitats are going to be.”

Tumlin praised Alabama Power and its partnership with NHLA  and volunteers. “We just supply the labor.”

Spider buckets going in the water

And adults aren’t the only ones getting into the act. Last year, a homeschool group of kids came and helped with the project while learning the science of fish habitats and biodiversity.

“They came out. We gave them gloves, and they helped build with us.”

 A driving force has kept the lake association committed to the biannual habitat builds. “When this came along, all of these members were really pumped up and said, if we can go out and put out 300 Christmas trees that’s got to help the fish habitat, which means we’ll have more fun. It’ll be exciting for us, and it will help the lake at the same time.”

He added, “That’s probably the biggest driver, knowing that on our own, without great expense, partnering with the power company, we could improve the fish habitat and the fish population on the lake.”

The effort also strengthens the Neely Henry community. “You get to see some guys you only see twice a year,” Tumlin said. “It’s always fun to catch up on family and tell the fishing stories.”

It’s rewarding, he said. “Knowing that we’re helping this lake and the camaraderie, those are the two biggest drivers. Knowing that in a small way, we are making this lake a better place, it helps not only us, but everyone who uses and enjoys this lake.”

 And the habitat effort says something about lake residents and folks who enjoy the lake. “There are a lot of caring people who live on this lake that go above and beyond to keep it the beautiful body of water that it is.”

Editor’s Note: For more information on the Neely Henry Lake Association, visit the organization’s Facebook page, or visit neelyhenrylake.org.

Gadsden’s The AMP

Historic landmark a thriving venue

Story by Paul South
Photos by Graham Hadley
Submitted photos

In her off time, Janet Tarrance enjoys crafting healthy, mouth-watering recipes for family and friends.

In her job as director of special events for this growing Coosa River city, Tarrance cooks up feasts of entertainment for Etowah and surrounding counties, including Gadsden’s Summer Concert Series and some sizzling tribute bands celebrating the music of Eagles, Prince and Taylor Swift.

For Tarrance and her staff, whipping up events like the Summer Concert Series make them feel like chefs at a bistro where fun is the specialty of the house.

“I actually never thought about it in that way, but yeah, planning an event is like planning a meal,” Tarrance said. “You’ve got to have all the right ingredients to make the meal taste good.”

 The tasty tribute acts are but a slice of the fun on tap at the historic Mort Glosser Amphitheater – known to locals as “The Amp” – for music lovers of all ages. The Tribute Series as well as the Summer Concert Series are sponsored by Sam Boswell Honda.

While the summer series is free, the tribute shows are $10 per person. Food trucks and pop-up bars are on hand for hungry and thirsty concertgoers.

 Nashville-based “7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band,” performed May 30.  Rolling Stone called 7 Bridges “The best Eagles tribute band on Earth.”

“The Purple Madness: America’s No. 1 Prince Experience Band” performed June 5, when Gadsden got a chance to party like it was 1999.

Taken in the early 1940s, this image captures a special event held in honor of a group of young soldiers preparing to leave for war

 On July 19, the Taylor Swift Experience takes the stage, a treat for Swifties of all ages. For the Tribute Series, tickets are available at cityofgadsden.com/tributeseries.

Now in its 16th year, the Summer Concert Series not only celebrates great artists and their music, but also one of northeast Alabama’s great venues. The Amp was built in 1935 as part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration.

Built from native sandstone, the 2,000-seat amphitheater has hosted an array of events in its 90 years, from sendoff and homecoming ceremonies for area World War II soldiers and sailors to boxing  and wrestling matches and fishing tournament weigh-ins – even weddings.

“The amphitheater is an older venue, but it has so much history, and it’s right here in historic downtown Gadsden,” Tarrance said. “It’s a really beautiful space — it truly is. I’m so glad we’re still using it. It’s such a unique and special venue.”

 In June, the series featured the Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights  Band, a 90’s country cover act named for the monster Brooks and Dunn hit from the era.

On Independence Day, revelers can celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday with Nash County, a band that rocks country covers and 1980s rock n’ roll.

Purple Madness front man Bobby
Miller gives a shout out to Gadsden

Down through the years, the Summer and Tribute Series offer something for all ages, from R&B to funk and soul, to country and Southern rock. Crowds as large as 1,800 filled the seats for the shows.

“That’s one thing that we really strive for,” Tarrance said. “We offer something at some point that will appeal to everyone. Sometime during the Series we will have something for everybody.”

 The concerts at The Amp have become something of an after party for Gadsden’s First Friday celebrations downtown. First Fridays feature multiple musicians on nearly every corner of the city’s historic downtown and give local restaurants and shops a chance to draw new and returning visitors as well as locals. Thousands attend every First Friday.

“We’ve seen that people want that. They want entertainment. They want something to do,” said Gadsden City Council President Kent Back. “We’ve got a one-of-a-kind facility in the amphitheater. “It’s really, really neat. It sits on the banks of the Coosa and it’s beautiful.”

The Amp is at the heart of Gadsden’s drive to become a fun destination. On Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, the city trumpets #GottaGetToGadsden to promote the downtown area. Downtown Gadsden, Inc., is one of the city’s drivers in growing downtown.

“I think that the amphitheater is sitting real pretty because it’s right in the center, and we want to bring in the tribute bands and bigger acts,” Tarrance said. “Whether it is like an older rock band or country performer, or an up-and-coming performer, there’s a lot we can do here at The Amp.”

Tarrance has worked for the city for more than 17 years after nearly two decades at the local YMCA. She loves the energy and excitement surrounding the city and its growth under the leadership of Mayor Craig Ford and the city council.

Full house for Prince tribute band Purple Madness

“If you can’t get excited around them, I don’t know what would get you excited. They love the city, and they want to do more,” Tarrance said. “It’s very infectious.”

 Tarrance and her staff bring that same energy to planning Gadsden’s special events, but she’s quick to point out, she’s not a one-woman show.

“Our department creates fun for others to enjoy,” she said. “I love seeing people at our events with smiles on their faces, truly enjoying themselves. It’s especially exciting when we get into brainstorming mode — building an event from start to finish — and then seeing it all come together. I love that end result.”

She added, “Gadsden is a fun town. We want people to come here — to visit the amphitheater, shop downtown, to explore Noccalula Falls and enjoy our river. Gadsden has so much to offer, and it’s growing. We just hope people can see the hard work behind the scenes. Everyone is coming together to make Gadsden a great place to be.” l

Editor’s Note: Tickets to the Summer Concert Series are free and are scheduled into July.