Sometimes, the hardest part of my work is coming up with an idea for this column – a theme. But this month, as I looked over the story list for this edition, the answer was as easy as understanding the joy in another day on the lake.
It’s more than the water. It’s good people doing good things all around us.
We see it in every corner, especially now, as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays draw near.
In October, we saw an entire lake community come together on Logan Martin to celebrate the fourth edition of Boo Bash, which could be described as a fun, festive, on water, off water good time up and down the lake.
Out on the water, it’s dock-to-dock trick-or-treating for the kids. It’s adult treats for the not so youthful. There’s even treats for our four-footed friends. It’s costumed boats arriving at fully decorated Boo Stop docks.
But it’s also non-stop fun in Lakeside Park for those coming by land. Treats, rides, costumes galore and a sense of community unrivaled around these parts all thanks to good people doing good things. People like Kelli Lasseter and Sonya Hubbard, who gave birth to the idea and then rolled up their sleeves to make it happen.
It’s people like Neal Stephenson and the good folks at Logan Martin Lake Protection Association who pushed their sleeves up, too, and joined the effort. Or people like presenters and sponsors who anted up, not only to make it happen but to provide much needed funding for projects to make the lake a safer place.
Good people doing good things is not unique. It’s contagious. Take the efforts going on in Gadsden around Neely Henry these days – all aimed at bringing community together. How about an ice skating and bumper car rink overlooking the Coosa this holiday season? Or the lighting of the tallest Christmas tree in the state. Or, the holiday lights illuminating Noccalula Falls.
In Pell City, businesses, organizations and individuals come together for Lights in the Park, their holiday spirit shining the community throughout the season. And Talladega brings its spirit to the heart of the city with Christmas on the Square and the longest Christmas Parade in the region.
Oxford’s Festival of Lights draws crowds from all over to bask in its drive-through light show or pay a visit to Santa’s Village, all of which transform Choccolocco Park into a winter wonderland.
Then there’s the Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell Run, a 5K, 10K and 1-Mile Fun Run Walk, raising tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes like this year’s effort to build an impressive working garden and outdoor patio, flower gardens and water feature for veterans to enjoy the outdoors at the state veterans home. It’s a tangible way to say thank you for your service.
And our hats are off to WinSouth Credit Union for its investment in youth fishing by becoming the Official Financial Partner of Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association, giving young people an opportunity to compete and develop leadership, teamwork and responsibility skills.
Of course, there’s more, but it all still points back to a single premise: Good people doing good things. It’s why we are lucky to call this region home.
That’s what this edition of LakeLife 24/7 is all about. Turn the page and discover all the ‘good things’ with us!
Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher
