With a walking trail, mural, butterfly garden and more, community looking better than ever
Story by Paul South Photos by Richard Rybka Submitted Photos
Imagine Riverside without its new playground or there was no colorful mural welcoming one and all to town. What if there were no annual community soup supper, Santa’s arrival or Poker Run?
For the 2,251 who call this lakeside town home or the thousands more who visit each year, the allure wouldn’t be quite so inviting; the quality of life so appealing.
That’s why Riverside Beautification Organization is key to Riverside’s everyday life, making it better – brighter.
RBO began as a grassroots effort to beautify the city. Its premise is two-tiered: Organize events, activities and projects to benefit and showcase Riverside. And hold fundraisers to achieve those goals.
More than a garden club, the seeds for RBO were planted in 2008, right after Mayor Rusty Jessup took office.
“I knew there was a need for a good civic group here in town,” Jessup said. He met with several women interested in making Riverside a better place to live.
“I just wanted an organization interested in making Riverside a more beautiful place,” Jessup said. “It took off, and they’ve just done so much for our town.”
The small group of five blossomed into a small, all-volunteer group of women. In its early days, the group focused on planting flowers at city buildings and promoting volunteer recycling.
A stroll or drive down Depot Street these days showcases the RBO’s work – flower beds, a welcome sign, Landing decorations for the holidays, city building signage, a new playground at Riverside Park and walking trails in the park. Jessup could make a list.
The 501 (c) 3 nonprofit has grown into a catalyst for the construction of walking trails at the city park, maintaining the Lotus Pond – home to the native American Lotus only found in three places in St. Clair County – and building sanctuaries for birds – bluebirds, osprey, purple martins and wood ducks.
“When we adopted Lotus Pond, we realized that it would be nice to have walking trails throughout the park,” said Laura Pounders, who serves as RBO president. “With several grants and fundraisers, we’ve just now been able to complete the walking trails that connect the playground area to the ballfield area to the ponds and to the back fishing pond.”
The RBO hopes that one day, the area will be part of the Alabama Birding Trail.
“You know, we’re a small town. We don’t have a lot of resources,” Jessup said. “What we do have, we have to spend on police officers, the fire department; we just don’t have a lot of frills. Riverside Beautification Organization has helped to provide these things.”
Chimes in the Park
Grants, contributions from citizens, businesses and fundraising efforts finance the RBO’s efforts, and volunteer labor keeps the work more affordable.
It seems the RBO has done things great and small – from city hall landscaping to logo designs to signs pointing to city businesses and the new playground to lighted snowflakes and a nativity at Christmas.
Their work impacts the city’s ability to attract new businesses and new residents, Jessup said. It’s about quality of life
“It’s a tremendous help,” Jessup said. City parks and signs and the new playground are “things that add to the quality of life. That’s why a civic group (like RBO) is important. Everybody in town wants (these amenities). But they don’t want a tax increase. It’s great to have volunteers who step up and make these things happen.”
The RBO spent over three years writing grants and raising money for playground equipment and the park, Pounders said.
The organization is also trying to do more than beautify. It wants to build stronger ties between Riverside residents. A yearly, communitywide Soup Supper was held in late February and Santa’s arrival came in December.
A new community event to promote local crafters and artists, Spring Fling, is set for March 23. In 2023, 35 vendors sold their wares along with activities for children, including an egg hunt and the Easter bunny. More are expected this year, Pounders said.
Spring Fling turned out to be a fundraiser along with the Poker Run on the river in June, which has become an annual community event.
Future projects to be completed by the Poker Run in addition to the Riverside Post office mural is another mural behind the Landing designed and painted by Penny Arnold that will greet boaters as they prepare to dock or dine at nearby Buck’s Barbecue.
But the RBO is always looking for new ideas and new members in the growing city.
“The biggest thing that they do is that they create a sense of community, a sense of pride in the Riverside area,” Jessup said. “And it’s the kind of pride only citizens can provide. City leadership, we can do everything as far as making ends meet and meeting the basic needs of the community. But the citizens and volunteers of community are really what make quality of life. Without them, we would sorely miss the quality of life that Riverside offers.”
“We’ve clearly gone beyond planting flowers,” Pounders said. “We’ve all fallen in love with Riverside. The river and all the little tributaries that come off of it are beautiful.”
Riverside, she added, is “a pretty little town. Because it’s a small town, you get to know your neighbors. We’ve made so many friendships by opening up the RBO to anybody that’s interested in volunteering and being part of us.”
RBO has a wish five or 10 years down the road. “We could be more of an educational group,” Pounders said. “We could have school groups come into the park and learn about native plants and animals. Community education and participation are important.”
Just like its quality of life.
Editor’s Note:The Riverside Beautification Organization meets monthly and open to all residents. For more information, contact Pounders at juliepounders@yahoo.com
Artisans throughout the Southeast, laden with wares ranging from handmade mustache cups to molasses, are heading to Gadsden this spring for a favorite, southern tradition – Art on the Rocks at Noccalula Falls May 4-5.
This semi-annual event is a celebration of beautifully created, handmade arts and crafts of pottery, paintings, jewelry, jams, jellies, candles, soaps, dream catchers, crochet, metal works, wood carvings, and, well, rocks.
Yes, actual art on actual rocks!
Crowds from all over keep returning to Art on the Rocks
“That’s right,” said Laura Gladden, park administrative assistant and event coordinator. “One of our vendors gets large rocks and paints very detailed delicate pictures on them. They’re beautiful. I have one in my house.”
According to Gladden, products offered during the two-day event are as individual as the vendors themselves. “We have a gentleman who paints really big pieces of artwork – so big, that people can actually put it on the side of a barn. Another one works in 3-D art.
When she talks about paintings, she notes that each artist has his or her own unique style. “One person will paint only animals. Beautiful paintings of animals. Another paints only landscapes with colors that pop out at you.”
Gladden has been with Art on the Rocks in its current incarnation since 2019. That’s the year the event returned to the park, after about a 25-year hiatus.
Long time vendor and event participant, Tina Pendley, who, along with her husband David, owns Sweet Tea Pottery, was instrumental in bringing Art on the Rocks back to Gadsden and Noccalula Falls.
Sweet Tea draws its name from its roots. “We wanted something that clearly said the South and what is more southern than sweet tea?,” she asked.
She recalls the historic roots of the festival as well. The event actually got its start back in 1958 as a project of the Gadsden Women’s Club and art-loving member, Mrs. Frank (Merci) Stowers.
Visitors browse the many vendor stalls at the Falls
“Mrs. Stowers, loved to travel,” said Pendley, “and she loved art. After attending an outdoor event in Texas, she brought the idea to the women’s club about having an outdoor art exhibit. The members loved the idea.”
So, she continued, “they started the planning in January, and held the first Art on the Rocks on May 18, 1958. It was a huge success and continued to be successful for 25 years. Eventually, it shut down for about 25 years.”
At some point during the event’s early history, it had come under sponsorship of the Gadsden Art Association, of which the Pendleys were members. She remembers it was at one of the organization’s 2018 meetings when the topic of Art on the Rocks resurfaced.
“We were talking about a fundraiser,” said Pendley, “and I asked the question had they ever considered bringing back Art on the Rocks, and they had not, but they said they would consider it if I would get some information.”
That go-ahead was all Pendley needed to get the ball rolling. She discovered that Noccalula Falls officials would “love” to have an arts and crafts show but didn’t know how to get vendors.
Noccalula Falls is the perfect setting for Art on the Rocks
It was a perfect match. The Pendleys knew how to get vendors because they worked these events with their pottery, but they didn’t know how to set up the park. It was the proverbial marriage made in heaven.
“I met with Christina Richardson (supervisor, Noccalula Falls),” said Pendley. “I knew if we worked together, we could make this happen. She said we’ve got a great crew here at the Falls, and we can make it work. So, I went back to the Art Association and brought back a lot of information about how we can work together with Noccalula Falls.”
And they voted to return Art on the Rocks to its former home at Noccalula.
“It’s just been a great success,” she added. “We’ve gone from having just one show a year to two shows. It’s been a great event to add to the community.”
Gladden agrees. “I love it. It’s my favorite event to work up here. It’s really got a great energy and vibe from not only the people attending but also from all our vendors. I’ve heard many of them say it’s their favorite show to work.
For Pendley, the biggest drawing card for folks to attend Art on the Rocks is the venue itself. “It’s beautiful here. We’ve got not only the waterfall but the green spaces as well. And there’s something for everybody from the train rides to the petting zoo.”
And yes, there will be plenty of food said Gladden. Vendors will serve everything from blooming onions to funnel cakes and everything in between.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids/seniors/military. Park season passes will be accepted. Pets are welcome everywhere but near the animal habitat. Vendors may register through April 15.
First Fridays are on their way back and not a moment too soon, for most. When Broad Street overflows with crowds, cars and choruses of entertainment, you’ll know it’s the place to be the first Friday in April and every first Friday thereafter until October.
Talk about a growing success story. First Friday is legendary, regularly drawing from multiple communities throughout the region and states all around the Southeast.
Presented by Downtown Gadsden Inc., it began in 2006 as an effort to bring more people to the heart of the city with the aim of promoting what downtown businesses have to offer.
Vendors, entertainment and of course, the car show – something for everyone
A classic car show was the nucleus in those early years, generating bigger and bigger crowds. Entertainment and a showcasing of downtown stores, restaurants, coffee shops and bars gradually combined for a perfect evening out for the whole family.
And that’s what is in store April 5 when First Friday gets underway once more. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” said Kay Moore, executive director of Downtown Gadsden. Just grow it.
Entertainment of all genres will be on 2nd, 3rd and 4th streets and possibly, the 600 block. The sounds of Jazz, R & B, Rock ’n Roll, Bluegrass, Line Dancing and the Cowboy Church Band will fill those streets and so will crowds gathering to hear their favorites.
Live music in Downtown Gadsden
While downtown, you might take a look at some new additions as part of the Main Street program that Downtown Gadsden is investing a great deal of effort. It is an 18-foot kinetic wood sculpture, which comes courtesy of a project envisioned by Moore and spearheaded by Mario Gallardo, Gadsden State art instructor and director of the Walnut Gallery along with Gadsden Museum of Art Director Ray Wetzel.
Titled “Up from the Depths”, was funded through a collaboration between DGI, Walnut Gallery, Gadsden Museum of Art, the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, The Chamber, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, and the City of Gadsden with additional support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
It is fabricated in brushed aluminum and features abstract, fish-like forms that turn and shift as the wind blows. They chose the site due to its close proximity to the Coosa River, and Phillip Williams, the property owner, agreed to host the sculpture long-term. It’s all about returning downtown to its days of grandeur and from the looks of it, the investment by all involved is paying sizable dividends for downtown Gadsden.
Editor’s note:For more, go to downtowngadsden.com.
On the social media platform “X” – formerly known as Twitter – Eric Housh made a powerful statement:
“I love the lake. Is it summer yet?”
“The lake” is Logan Martin. And Housh helps run LakeFest, a combination boat show, arts and crafts fair, music festival and block party that in 2023 drew an estimated 45,000 people.
Known as the largest in-water boat show in the Southeast, The Logan Martin LakeFest and Boat Show returns to Lakeside Park May 10-12 as “the place to be” for the past 15 Springs, save one coronavirus year. Some might even call it the unofficial start of another spectacular summer on the lake.
Boats on display at discounted prices
“We’re proud that it continues to grow a little bit every year and get bigger and bigger,” Housh said. “This year, we’ve already had a good response from all our sponsors and several vendors, so we’re looking forward to another really good, full event.
The festival will feature over 80 models of boats and personal watercraft, live music on the Tracker Stage, featuring the popular Louisville, Ky. B and The Velcro Pygmies, gourmet food trucks, lake lifestyle vendors and a fireworks show honoring vets from the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City.
Admission is free. But food, drink and vendors’ wares will be for sale, so bring your wallet. Also, for prospective car and truck, boat and personal watercraft buyers, on-site financing will be available courtesy of America’s First Federal Credit Union.
LakeFest is an effort to promote Logan Martin Lake, raise money for local charities and build a stronger sense of community.
The seeds for the wildly popular event took root in a conversation between Housh and his next-door neighbor, Mike Riley, then president of the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, as well as local businessmen Jerry Woods, Lee Holmes, Fred Casey and Joe Paul Abbott. Housh served on the association’s board and ran its website for a time.
“They had this vision of doing an event to really showcase Logan Martin Lake and the surrounding areas,” Housh said.
“If you live here, you know how special the lake is,” he added. “We felt like if we really showcase not only the lake and what it had to offer, but local businesses, vendors, local artisans, craftsmen, restaurants … The event was really about sharing with the outside community. It was kind of a way to welcome them in and share our special little slice of paradise here.”
Folks flock from across the South to the event – Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Atlanta and points in between. Call it a gathering of 40,000 of your closest friends.
“People come to the lake before then. But that weekend, everybody’s there,” Housh said. “You may see your lake friends year-round. But you may only see friends from Birmingham that weekend. It’s a way to have a celebration and look forward to enjoying another season on the lake and the lake lifestyle.”
Housh sums up the uniqueness of LakeFest in one word – “Community – “the people, the sponsors that make it happen. It’s always been a free event. We’re providing entertainment. We’re providing security. We have this massive fireworks show, and we feed the veterans on Friday night. That’s only made possible by people in this community.”
In its 14 years, the event has never had a safety incident, adding to its reputation as a family-friendly festival in this tight-knit community. And volunteers from church and youth groups man parking, concessions and other responsibilities.
“The public really values this event,” Housh said. “And that’s evident in the fact that everyone just comes out and has a good time. It’s a super-positive atmosphere. You can feel it.”
The in-water boat show even has a beach
Logan Martin, it seems, is like New Orleans, in that just about every month, there’s a festival of some sort – LakeFest in Spring, Boo Bash in the Fall, summer’s Rock the Lake in Lincoln, Lakeside Live, Live at Logan Martin and so on. People here respect the lake and its community, celebrating it with family-friendly events.
“There are a lot of different opportunities to come together,” Housh said. “In general, we’re a community that likes to celebrate. We like to celebrate on the lake. We like to celebrate with our friends. So, as a result of that, you see a lot of these festivals popping up.”
Giving back to charity is one aspect that fuels LakeFest. So far, some $500,000 has been donated to local charities – police and fire department foundations, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, animal shelters, Lakeside Park improvements and the like. Sponsors fund the event, but also boost charities.
“We try to be wise stewards of the blessings that we have and then turn around and give away what we don’t invest in the event,” Housh says.
Looking back, Housh remembers what organizers have overcome, like in year three, when heavy rains nearly washed away vehicles and closed Highway 34.
But one thing remains constant, the glowing, joyous faces of kids and veterans and new boat buyers. And after the event, charities receive big donations.
“Yeah, it’s a little stressful over the course of the weekend. But you always see these glimpses of people being happy, living their best life. Every year, something magical happens,” Housh says.
“If they haven’t come out before, I’d encourage them to come check it out,” Housh said. “It’s fully accessible. It’s pet-friendly. There’s something for the entire family.
There’s a bubbly reason to put LakeFest on your Spring “to-do” list for Mother’s Day weekend: Mimosas for Moms on Sunday. Free Mimosas are in store for mothers on their special day.
And while organizers spearhead the event, Housh is quick to point out that there’s a small army of volunteers – and the community – who help make the magic.
First-time festgoers need to know one thing, Housh said.
“If you haven’t experienced this community yet, this is a great opportunity to feel that. It’s a really special event.”
On the Saturday of the 2023 inaugural Alabama Fishing Show at The Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden’s director of economic development, John Moore, decided to check things out.
What he saw was jaw dropping.
“The doors opened at 10. I pulled in about 9:45, and I swear to you, there were at least 400 to 500 people waiting to get in,” Moore says. “The thing stretched out from the Venue, and it just wrapped around in the parking lot.
“I was like, ‘What the heck?’ There’s something here on this. I was just amazed. People starve for stuff like this.”
Indeed, there was. An estimated 7,500 visitors streamed to the event, anglers shopping for everything from handmade rods and tackle to high tech electronic fish finders.
The Alabama Fishing Show returns to The Venue at Coosa Landing, March 8-10. Daily prices are $12 for adults, $8 for kids. Children under 5 get in free. Food and drinks are available for sale. Parking is free.
Hours are 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Gadsden event was years in the making before its debut. Alabama Fishing Show organizer Shelia Bunch began discussions with the city several years ago about bringing the East Tennessee Fishing Show to Alabama. For Bunch, geography was the draw.
“You guys have some of the greatest lakes down there. You’ve got some of the best pro fishermen from that area. One thing that was missing was a true fishing show,” Bunch says.
A true fishing show is about more than watercraft, she adds. “I’m talking about bringing vendors from all over with products that you can’t even get anywhere else except for this show. You’ve got handmade fishing rods, you’ve got crankbaits. You’ve got jigs that you can’t buy anywhere else but this show. And a lot of these vendors are small business people. Their passion is all about fishing and about catching fish. They work day and night on their products.”
Along with featuring more than 100 vendors casting their wares upon the water to sell, Bunch hopes to reach a new, younger generation of anglers. The 2024 show will host a kids’ fishing tournament at the Venue on March 9.
Introducing kids to fishing is a goal of the show, Bunch, a mother of three, says. “We feel like kids are our future when it comes to fishing. Our goal is to give kids the opportunity to fish and make it a big deal, right there at the show.”
Pro anglers will appear at the show, and seminars are also slated to educate anglers on how to use the equipment and make their fishing experience more enjoyable.
“We try to make it a fisherman’s paradise,” Bunch says. But the show has something to hook the entire family.
“The mothers are really involved in the kids’ fishing tournament,” Bunch says. “We honor the women and give away hats to the wives who put up with the fishermen. The first 200 (women) through the door get a free hat. They really love that.”
She adds, “It’s a great place for families to connect.”
The show will highlight the hottest trends in fishing. Electronics lead the pack.
“Every year, Lowrance or Hummingbird or Power-Pole or any of them, they come out with something new every year,” Bunch says. Those will be on display at the show. A lot of people buy this equipment and don’t know how to use it, so we will have people who come and do seminars to show you how to use your electronics.”
Safety and environmentally friendly equipment are also trending, Bunch says.
“Safety and taking care of your lakes and taking care of your fish is a big thing. That’s why you have catch and release … When you catch fish, you need to save the fish.”
Like Moore, Bunch was “shocked” by the big turnout in the inaugural show, because it was a new event in unfamiliar waters, so to speak. This year, she expects an even bigger turnout.
“We’re wanting about 10,000 this year,” Bunch says. “That’s my goal.”
As an aside, one in six Americans are anglers. And, the sport is growing.
For Bunch, putting on the fishing show are measured in smiles.
“Truthfully, my favorite part is seeing my vendors do well – for them to walk away with smiles on their faces and me knowing that they did well at the show. My second favorite part is seeing the people leave there with smiles on their faces, knowing they got supplies they couldn’t get anywhere else.” Anglers – from offshore to fly fishermen – who attend the fishing show can up their game without breaking the bank, and they share a common mission with vendors.
“The goal is to catch a big fish,” Bunch says.
Moore believes the COVID-19 pandemic that kept folks shuttered for two years played a role in the huge turnout, and something more.
“I think (the pandemic) had something to do with it. Number two is that there’s nothing like it within a 60-mile radius. You have to go to Birmingham to the (Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center) or to Huntsville to Von Braun to see a show of this magnitude with this many vendors.”
And vendors were hooked on Gadsden.
“They signed up that day for (2024),” Moore says.
The show fits with Gadsden’s branding efforts as a tourist destination, Moore says.
“The mayor (Craig Ford) always says that not only do we have a responsibility to our citizens, but we have a responsibility to our merchants, too, bringing stuff like this in here.
“It actually helps grow our economy. Every hotel room in Etowah County is filled. The shops will be filled. It’s perfect. The wife may go and shop downtown, while the husband looks for fishing supplies. There were a lot of buddies going to the show in sort of a guys’ trip.”
At the end of the day, he adds, “what we’re looking for is to be ‘Fun Town’. We’re looking to be that city that people look to spend three, four, five days enjoying the river, the mountains, the downtown area, the shopping,” Moore says. “I think the fishing show plays into that.”
Along with a crowd, Bunch hopes to hook something else – for vendors and attendees alike. “I just want everyone to do well and be happy.”
Clearly an evangelist for fishing, Bunch captures the spirit of the show. “Fishing is a great time for families, and you can’t get those times back.”
Story by Paul South Photos by Mackenzie Free and David Smith
Indy, hit the bricks. Daytona, Schmaytona.
When it comes to racing fast boats and fast cars, this Alabama city of 6,845 may be –at least per capita – the speediest town in America.
After all, Lincoln is home to the Alabama Superspeedway. And in November, the city’s picturesque Lincoln’s Landing on the waters of Logan Martin Lake, hosted its first drag boat race.
Think drag racing on the water in sleek, low-slung boats. The premier category of drag boats, Top Fuel, can pierce the water at up to 270 mph.
These boats look fast even when they are not moving
The city’s inaugural drag boat event was a success. Even though attendance was hampered by rainy weather, Lincoln has gone throttle up, making a pitch for drag boat racing’s world championship later this year.
The November race was an effort for Lincoln to get “a foot in the door” in the sport, with an eye toward hosting the world championship, Les Robinson, director of Lincoln’s Landing says.
“That’s kind of the way we looked at it and how we approached it,” Robinson says. “It was a new venue for these guys as well. It’s never been done on this part of (Logan Martin). I don’t know if it’s been done on any part of the lake.”
Drag boat race organizers traveled to Lincoln two or three times to evaluate the site, Robinson says.
“We felt like the venue that we have here would be more than adequate for what they were looking for. We came up with an idea for where the course needed to be.”
Rain and cold put a chill on the turnout, but the racing continued.
“They still ran. They contemplated calling it off. But they had people come from all over the United States and Canada to be here and they wanted to do it,” Robinson says.
Most of the Outdoor Drag Boat Association’s regional points race was visible from the grand pavilion at Lincoln’s Landing, where race fans warmed themselves by a roaring fireplace. Boaters from 42 teams competed in a variety of classifications.
If the city lands the world championship, it will be held the weekend before the Lowe’s RV Stop 250 and the 2024 Fall Xfinity Series Playoff Race on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 respectively.
The NASCAR 2024 Yellawood 500 is set for Oct.6, and Lincoln officials want the race to coincide with Talladega’s autumn speed week.
“That was the plan,” Robinson says. “It’s not etched in stone that they’re coming, and it’s not etched in stone for the date. But that’s the plan.”
Race start
The ODBA teams arrived at midweek prior to the November race, filling nearby motel rooms and boosting the local economy.
The Lincoln’s Landing staff conducted a post-race review, and the venue and personnel earned high marks.
“The facility and the way the park is laid out was perfect for what (the ODBA) was doing,” Robinson says. “There was one situation where we could have had a little bit better flow where they were weighing the boats and where they were taking the fuel samples … But the park layout was great for the racers as well as the spectators.”
Watson and Robinson praised the work of Lincoln’s first responders – law enforcement, fire and EMTs, a veteran force familiar with staffing these types of events.
“Most of these folks have been with us a long time. This is part of their training. It’s their training and their dedication to the job. It’s the whole team,” Watson says.
The only downside – the park had to be closed for fishing on race day because of the course layout. And there is noise.
“(The boats) do create a bit of noise, but we did put that on Facebook that they would be running from 9-5 every day.”
As far as the city’s pitch for the 2024 ODBA world championship, Lincoln’s Landing did the talking.
“I think the park did all the pitching we need,” Robinson says. “I think our facility gave them the idea that ‘This is where we want to be.’ We hope that’s the case. I’m hoping for a positive outcome.”
Mayor Carroll “Lew” Watson agrees.
“We have facilities that aren’t matched by anybody else,” Watson says. “Our facilities are really the top of the chart. We may have to add viewing stands to attract more visitors so they can sit and watch. We have good sites, so that probably will be something for the future.”
Watson thinks city officials should travel to the sites of similar events to learn how those communities prepare and execute those events.
As for Lincoln becoming a racing capital, Robinson says, “If we’re fortunate enough to land this, and we’re pretty confident the races aren’t going anywhere at Talladega (speedway), (ODBA World Championship) could become an annual event for us, I like the analogy.”
If the city gets the world championship, what about the idea of Lincoln becoming a racing capital.
“It would certainly suggest that,” Watson says.
On drag boat racing, Watson says, “I never even knew such an animal existed. But it was interesting to watch. It came off very well. When you go see a drag race, it’s not much different, except one’s on the road and one’s on the water.”
The race and other events are evidence that Lincoln officials are using the landing for more than just a fishing spot.
“We’re capitalizing on what we’ve got, and we’re making the most of it,” Robinson says. “We’ve had three world class fireworks shows out here attracting thousands of people. We never thought that was anything that could be done at the landing until we tried. Everything we’ve done, we had to work really hard to make it happen.”
And the staff had to weather tornadoes and floods, cold and snow to pull off events.
“My staff and I joke, ‘What are they going to throw at us next?’” Robinson says.
The new year is setting up to be a good one for Lincoln’s Landing, which opened in 2020. Fireworks, bass tournaments, a kayak fishing tournament and other events – and a possible world championship – are on the calendar for 2024.
“No matter whether they’re fishing in a bass boat, a kayak or driving a drag boat, they’re all contributing to the local economy. That’s what this place was built for – to bring in events and bring in revenue.”
One of the indescribable joys of lake life is beginning a day, or punctuating day’s end on the dock, boathouse or pier, sipping coffee, tea or something stronger as the sun slowly rises or sinks into a palate of colors, hues of red, orange or deep purple.
One of the indescribable joys of lake life is beginning a day, or punctuating day’s end on the dock, boathouse or pier, sipping coffee, tea or something stronger as the sun slowly rises or sinks into a palate of colors, hues of red, orange or deep purple.
On the lake, these structures are as much a part of a home as screened porches, crackling fireplaces and picture windows. Docks are spots for relaxation, contemplation, fishing, laughter and sometimes tears. And they are often as breathtaking as their accompanying homes, as if they belong together.
And nearby seawalls of riprap, stone, concrete, rock or wood protect precious property from being eaten away by erosion.
On Logan Martin and Neely Henry, there are companies that make magic – crafting piers, docks, seawalls, boatlifts and the like. Their tools are engineering, art, architecture and the environment, state-of-the-art composite materials, treated wood, stone and more than a bit of vision, conjured up year ‘round by the companies and their customers.
Here’s a look at four of the area’s builders and the water from their perspectives:
Mackey Docks: Experience and faith
For the Mackey family, their dock business is a “generational company,” says Eric Mackey. His father, Sonny, and uncles, Kenneth and Jerry, began working the industry in the 1980s.
“My Uncle Kenneth started working in 1983, and started building barges on Weiss Lake, and we just started expanding after that,” Mackey says.
The company specializes in turnkey work.
“We build the complete boathouse and boatlift and all the bells and whistles,” Mackey says. “Sometimes we just do the dock. Sometimes, we do seawalls. Sometimes we do just the boatlift if someone already has a dock, or we replace an older boat lift. We also do simple repairs and maintenance on structures over the water.”
He adds, “I try to focus not on land, but focus on water. It kind of makes it a specialty for me. We do seawalls, but typically prefer boathouses and docks. That’s what we’re really good at.”
What makes Mackey Docks good at its work?
“Experience and the crews we work with,” Mackey replies. “I’ve got some guys who have worked with us over 20 years.”
One of the hot trends in the industry is crafting structures from composite materials that in the long run are more durable, less expensive and require less maintenance than traditional treated lumber docks and boathouses.
“Typically, we used to do 80 percent wood as decking material back in the day,” Mackey says. “Nowadays, we’re a PVC and composite specialist. We’re probably installing 60 to 80 percent composite and PVC material. Long term, the cost is a little bit higher, but the low maintenance is worth it.”
Along with experience, Mackey says a commitment to quality and a strong religious faith drive the business.
“It’s not about me. It’s about people and the team we’ve built, and we’re all sticking together,” Mackey says. “For me, not all the guys in my company are Christians, but my Christian faith sets the standard for me and for my company … I think that sets us apart.”
Unique Waterfronts: Capturing a customer’s vision
While Unique Waterfonts in the Pell City-Cropwell area focuses its work on Logan Martin, Neely Henry and Lay Lakes, the business will travel the length and breadth of Alabama to do its work.
Chelsea Isbell grew up in a family of homebuilders – her father, Greg, and uncles, Jeff and Mike Isbell, began its work 30 years ago. Following the housing crash 14 years ago, the Isbells began subcontracting for Tradesman Company. Unique Waterfronts opened its doors two years ago. The Isbells are now co-owners of Unique Waterfronts. They do work on land and water.
“We have our own barge and our own crew,” Isbell says. “That’s the good thing about us. We’re family owned. We handle everything ourselves.”
Chelsea began working in the construction industry while in college and was hooked. The company does everything – from houses to pool houses, docks and boathouses.
“I was intrigued by the different designs that you can do. The uniqueness that we can make your boathouse look like your house or your house look like your boathouse,” she says. “There are so many different things we can do. I can’t physically do it. But my dad and them can do it. I can have the vision for it and tell them, or the homeowners can have the vision, and we can make it happen.”
She pointed to a recent boathouse project in Alpine.
“We even went as far as to dull the metal roof so that the boathouse looked as old as the house,” she says. “I love that uniqueness. That’s what I love. You turn (customers’) vision into a product, and they love it.”
Unique Waterfronts is willing to tackle just about any job.
“We don’t care how big or small a job is, we’re willing to help get it done. We’ll do a 6-by-20 (square foot) boathouse, or a 2,500 square foot house. Whatever you want us to do, we can do it.”
Advantage Plus: Building docks and building relationships
Advantage Plus began building docks in 2020, but the company’s umbrella opened in 2014 with excavating and construction.
The Turner family also operates Turner Family Farms, a popular Christmas and wedding venue as well as a Halloween pumpkin patch destination.
As far as its water-based business, Advantage Plus, the company does dock building and repair and only does riprap for seawalls. Riprap is a stone that protects lake banks against erosion. The company also builds concrete walls.
“These are services that we already offered elsewhere. But with us living on the lake and so many people needing it … we continued to offer the services,” Victor Turner says.
With lake properties being hot real estate, docks are hot. And in keeping with trends, composite decks are in high demand because of their longevity of 20 years or more.
“Building a dock is not a one-time investment. It’s a relationship,” Turner says.
Of the composite decks, Turner says, “You’re going to get a more comfortable use out of it. You’re not going to have to stain it, or sand it, or replace boards, or have splintering when you walk on it. It’s definitely a desired product.”
Maintaining seawalls has a positive environmental impact. Unprotected land erodes at a rate of six inches a year. But riprap is not a one and done proposition, Turner says, and it must be maintained.
Every job is unique. “It’s not a cookie-cutter business. You’ve definitely got to go out on site and come up with a good schedule to make that job make sense.”
The companies that do the type of work on the lake have “a great vision,” to work with the natural environment and help the customer satisfy their vision, Turner says.
“It’s definitely some art and some vision and hard work, for sure.”
At the heart of Advantage Plus: building relationships and living a deep faith, Turner says.
“In everything under our umbrella and what we do at the farm, our values are to build relationships for the honor of Christ and to help our community while doing so.”
Shoreline Creations: Cutting edge building and consumer education
Shoreline Creations opened its doors in the spring of 2018, but Margaret Isom has been in the marine construction business for 16 years and has worked in commercial construction and in banking doing construction loans.
“I do have a lot of experience in the industry and understand the nuts and bolts about it,” Isom says.
She decided to open Shoreline Creations because “I wanted to take things further and do some of my own things with it,” she says. “I wanted to go in my own direction. It’s all been a giant learning experience.”
The firm offers a wide array of services and products and is the area’s exclusive dealer for SnapJacket.
“We pride ourselves on piers and boathouses and landings and boardwalks,” Isom says. “We’ve gotten into a lot of rock patios and firepits and dredging, seawalls of all types, stabilization of your bank, and boatlifts.”
The company carries Golden Boatlifts.
Lake residents are becoming more conscientious about maintenance, Isom says. The company also tries to bring its clients up to speed on cutting-edge construction methods and the options available to them on materials and maintenance.
“A large part of what we also do is education, because construction methods have changed,” Isom says. “It’s a wonderful time to explain to people the importance of maintenance for their future endeavors. We do pride ourselves on that. And because the economy is tight, cost is a concern.”
Meeting customer desires and safety are paramount, Isom says. Part of the company’s commitment is building Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant docks, walkways and the like for customers who want it.
“We want to provide what (customers) want, but we want them to be safe, and with good construction methods. Once you get that in place, you get that relationship in place to know what their needs and wants are and what they are anticipating.”
Weather and keeping crews are challenges.
At its heart, the business puts the customer first.
“We always do a site visit. We don’t just throw out numbers, or push generic boathouse plans, Isom says. “We do it with their specific needs in mind.”
Tradesman Company: New owners carry on proud tradition
For Tara and Danny Buchanan, the owners of Tradesman Dock Building Company, since buying it from founder Fred Casey in early 2022, the focus has been on carrying on the company’s commitment to excellence.
For them it’s not just about docks, boat lifts, composite materials, and pilings. Tradesman had built four docks for the Buchanans over the years and the couple – veterans of the homebuilding industry – told Casey if he ever wanted to sell, they were interested.
“It wasn’t a huge jump to go into the dock business,” Danny Buchanan says. “Although, it would be pretty intimidating if you didn’t have an extensive construction background as a licensed contractor.”
When the Buchanans bought their first Lake Logan Martin home, they inherited a “terrible” existing dock.
“We quickly realized the dock is your connection to the water,” Danny says. “We met with Tradesman, and it was a wonderful experience. Their longstanding reputation, dating back almost two decades, made choosing to work with them an easy decision.”
He adds, “Our dock actually changed our relationship with the lake. If you’ve got visitors and family and friends and the dock is terrible, you don’t feel safe and can’t have fun.”
Their new Tradesman dock transformed the lake experience, Tara says.
“It went from everybody spending time inside and bypassing the dock to get to the water to the new (Tradesman) dock becoming the central part of our entertaining. It made a huge difference. Everything was focused on the dock, instead of just being the walkway to the boat, it becomes your outdoor living area.
Tradesman does everything from minor dock repairs to full scale construction of docks and piers, demolition, boat lifts and seawalls. We are working toward building a team so everything can be completed in-house.
“We want to be a one-stop shop,” Tara says.
The company uses composite materials and PVC in its construction, providing a lower maintenance, environmentally friendlier option compared to traditional wood decking.
“We just have a commitment to quality,” Tara Buchanan says.
Danny agrees. “We weren’t looking to buy a dock company. But when Tradesman became available, it had such an excellent reputation as a market leader, it was like ‘Wow!’ Being a part of a company that had that history and reputation was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
He adds, “There are other dock companies out there, but Tradesman has the reputation for being the best. We have a vision for growth and are excited to take the company to the next level.”
Sounds of a different sort fill downtown Gadsden streets these days.
The clip clop, clip clop of horseshoes against pavement, lend a staccato hoofbeat keeping a brisk pace this winter’s day.
Wheels on the jaunty orange-fringed carriage provide tickety-tick clicks on the hard surface. An occasional neigh and a whinny are appropriate sounds to take this scene straight to what could be another era.
It’s a scene that brings a smile to Gadsden businessman and former state Rep. Mack Butler’s face. He is the mover and shaker behind Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours, an idea which he says came to him as he toured other cities.
“In our travels, we love to visit historic cities, and we always take carriage rides if they’re available because you get such a unique perspective of the city, the ambience and the history. It’s just a passion of mine.”
He figured Gadsden would be a “perfect” city to offer such an attraction. “Here, we’ve got this unique history. We live in this beautiful historical town.”
Gadsden began in the 1840s as a stagecoach stop called Double Springs.
“Life was along the river. So, I kept reaching out to other people to try to get them to start this,” said Butler. “I kept on trying to get somebody else to do it.”
When there were no takers, Butler decided to take on the project himself. He reached out to friends, Emery and Emily Williamson, who run an animal farm in Cherokee County called Feathered Friends Cockatoo and Horse Sanctuary.
He asked if they would be interested in partnering with him and according to Butler, “they jumped at the chance. They have about 50 or 60 horses and know how to handle them. So, that’s how we got rolling. “
Butler is renovating a downtown building which he says is a perfect place to park carriages. “The Williamsons can trailer their horses here, hook them up, and we’re ready to tour.”
Perhaps the stars of the show are the four-legged critters who are often the main attraction, especially when children are passengers — Mr. Smack and Miss Betty.
“Mr. Smack is a horse from Amish country and Miss Betty is a mule,” he said.
They alternate pulling the carriage though Mr. Smack goes on most tours.
The carriage tour follows a route along Chestnut, Broad and Locust streets.
“We’ve done history tours and the carriage tours (and most recently Christmas tours), but the thing we get the most requests for is the ghost tour,” said Butler. “We pick you up and take you to as many spots as we can in 30 minutes, and we tell you the haunted history of Gadsden. We take you to what was originally the county jail and of course, there was the first execution there. That gentleman is rumored to haunt the building.”
Butler said the site of a Confederate hospital and cemetery are also on the tour. “The cemetery is said to be very haunted.”
Another stop, the Phoenix Hotel, was supposed to have been the site of “a grisly murder. I’ve had people tell me about the ghost they see there. We have a number of stops like that.”
There’s one building on the tour, he continued, that back in the 1800s used to be a hotel. Another, a house of ill repute and across the street was the medical clinic where they took care of the ladies of the evening.
“We have a very colorful past,” he added, “which makes for a great ghost tour as we offer these rides.”
Ghost Tour of Downtown Gadsden on Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours
Butler says he personally has never actually seen a ghost, “but I have talked to a number of people here in town that are well respected. They tell me they have actually seen ghosts in some of these buildings.”
According to Butler, the carriage rides complement what is already going on in downtown Gadsden. “We’re in total transformation now as the new administration (Mayor Craig Ford) is focusing on all the positive attributes we have that have not been utilized. There’s talk of creating green space and a new river walk. I’ve never before seen the spirit of cooperation we have right now between city and county and state. Everybody is holding hands and pushing in the same direction.”
Gadsden Economic Development Director John Moore agrees, saying the city is moving toward becoming “a destination spot, where visitors come to stay for a long weekend. That’s what we’re working on. The Falls (Noccalula Falls) gets 350 to 400 thousand visitors a year. We want to bring those visitors downtown. So, when people leave the Falls, they come right to the downtown area. They grab a a drink. They go out to eat. They shop at downtown shops on Broad Street, and then they go out and utilize the riverfront development,” which he said will include a boutique hotel.
“We’ve got amazing hiking trails. We’ve got rock climbing. We’ve got mountain biking, pretty much anything you want when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts,” Moore said. “So, I think you’re going to be seeing more people coming to Gadsden to enjoy those types of things, and the carriage rides are just something that’s going to entice more people to come into downtown.
“The Mayor and I did the carriage ride for Halloween. To go through Gadsden and get told some ghost stories and some stories of the different buildings in the city was pretty cool. They also had a Headless Horseman that chased you down Chestnut Street. I thought that was great,” Moore said.
“We never did see a ghost,” he laughed, “but I think you might see one next year. They’ve got some plans coming up.”
Plans call not only for the ghost tour, but across the board. According to Butler, “Looking to the future, we’re thinking maybe about Valentine’s and Valentine tours. Or a tour where we shuttle you out to dinner. Or maybe tours associated with prom season.”
The number of carriages and horses they have “is still to be determined based on demand. Of course, we’ll be willing to step up our game if the demand is there. Right now, it’s just a community that’s been booking the tours but down the road, with the new hotel and its rooftop bar and all kinds of neat stuff, I see Gadsden becoming like a Franklin,Tennessee, a town where they have festivals all the time and a lot of trendy shops and eateries.”
Editor’s Note: Tours are all weather dependent. Cost is $25 per person for a 30-minute ride. The carriages hold four people.
