Discover St. Clair April and May 2021 by Discover The Essence of St. Clair

Heathermoor Farm • Buc-ee’s Opens Odenville’s New Ford Dealership • LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®

April & May 2021

Inside Moody’s

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Garden

SPRING DECORATING SPECIAL

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Pell City | 1905 First Avenue South | Phone: 205-338-7273 | Fax 205-338-6094

LAKEFEST 2021 PRESENTED BY

celebrating 10 years on logan martin lake!

MAY 21-23

lakeside park in pell city in- water boat show, live music, vendors, food, massive giveaways, and fireworks

Discover The Essence of St. Clair April & May 2021

HEATHERMOOR FARM

MAD BATTER

HOME & GARDEN

Some of the best horse training in Alabama

Cookie making raised to an artform

Decorating your home inside and out

Traveling the Backroads

Home and Garden

Picking out the right sod

Museum of Pell City

Landscaping is a gateway to outdoor enjoyment Choosing the right plants What to plant and when

Outdoor cooking spaces Page 27 Page 34

Page 36 Butch and Martha Walker’s Azaleas and home Page 40 Indoor spaces

Counters and Cabinets

Page 44

St. Clair Business All American Ford coming to Odenville

Page 48 Page 52 Page 56

Page 62 Local effort to attract Ford Page 70 Buc-ee’s opens in Leeds Page 76 LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® coming Page 80

w w w . d i s co v e r stc l a i r . co m

Writers AND Photographers Carol Pappas

Jackie Romine Walburn

Carol Pappas is editor and publisher of Discover St. Clair Magazine. A retired newspaper executive, she served as editor and publisher of several newspapers and magazines during her career. She won dozens of writing awards in features, news and commentary and was named Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist at Auburn University. She serves as president/CEO of Partners by Design, the multimedia group that publishes Discover.

Jackie Romine Walburn, a Birmingham native and freelance writer, is an Auburn journalism graduate who has worked as a reporter, editor and corporate communications manager. She’s had recent writing published in the Birmingham Arts Journal and Alalit.com. Jackie is currently seeking an agent and publisher for her first novel, Mojo Jones and the Black Cat Bone.

Joe Whitten

Elaine Hobson Miller is a freelance writer with a B.A. in Journalism from Samford University. She was the first female to cover Birmingham City Hall for the Birmingham Post-Herald, where she worked as reporter, food editor and features writer. A former editor of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine and staff writer for Birmingham magazine, she has written for a variety of local, regional and national publications. She is a member of Alabama Media Professionals and NFPW (the National Federation of Press Women). Follow her weekly blog about life with a dozen four-legged critters, life in the country and life in general at www.countrylife-elaine.blogspot.com.

Joe Whitten was born in Bryant on Sand Mountain. When he arrived in Odenville in 1961 to teach at St. Clair County High School, he found a place to call home. He and his wife, Gail, taught across the hall from each other. He continues to live in Odenville in a 1904 house they called home for 36 years. Joe was active in the Alabama Writers’ Conclave and the Alabama State Poetry Society. The society named him Poet of the Year in 2000. Joe has also published a number of St. Clair County local history books.

Leigh Pritchett Leigh Pritchett is a wife and mother. She earned the Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Montevallo. In the late 1990s, she left a career with a New York Times Regional Newspaper to be a stay-at-home mom and freelance writer. She was blessed with the opportunity to spend 22 years homeschooling her three

Linda Long Linda Long has worked in communications for more than 25 years in print, broadcast, nonprofit promotion and special event planning and implementation. Her writing has appeared in Business Alabama Magazine, Technology Alabama, Mobile Bay Monthly, Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, Partners Magazine, Birmingham Magazine, Alabama Alive, Cahaba Talk, Hoover Outlook and Shelby Living. She served as news and special projects producer for NBC13 News, where her work won national, regional and state honors, including two Emmy Award nominations.

Kelsey Bain As the owner of Kelsey Bain Photography, Kelsey is a regular contributor of photos and editorials for our publications. An Alabama native and graduate of Auburn University, Kelsey now resides on Logan Martin lake with her husband Adam and their daughter, Sawyer.

Elaine Hobson Miller

Scottie Vickery

Scottie Vickery is a writer with a degree in journalism from the University of Alabama and was a reporter for The Birmingham News. Her first assignment was covering St. Clair and Blount counties. She has more than 30 years of writing and editing experience and her work has appeared in a variety of publications. She also has worked in the nonprofit industry.

Paul South

Paul South, a native of Fairfield, is an Auburn graduate with a degree in journalism and a double minor in history. He also has a Juris Doctorate degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Although sports writing was always his first love, he had a versa¬tile career as reporter, columnist and first full-time sports information director at Samford University.

Eryn Ellard

Eryn Ellard is a freelance writer living in Pell City. She graduated with her B.A. in Journalism in 2010 from The University of Alabama. She was on the editorial board for The Crimson White while earning her degree, and also served as the communications director for Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa), who now serves as an Alabama State Senator. She has been published in the St. Clair News Aegis, Al.com and The Tuscaloosa News, which ultimately led to her securing an internship and becoming internationally published in Cosmopolitan Magazine in New York City.

From the Editor

A time for new beginnings

Springtime is one of those times of the year that seems to always offer a fresh start. Flowers are beginning to bloom anew. A palate of green hues of the landscape form a masterful backdrop for the colors of the season. People emerge from the warmth of their homes and head straight for the outdoors. As we put this magazine together, I couldn’t help but recognize the parallels of our own new beginnings. It’s Spring, and our first ever Home & Garden section is debuting inside. It’s Spring, and a major automobile dealership just broke ground on its new, state-of-the art location on I-59 in Odenville, predicted to be the beginning of driving more business to the heavily traveled corridor. It’s Spring, and we’re having a new beginning of our own. In May, we ‘give birth’ to another magazine for our county and beyond. Like Discover does for St. Clair County, LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® will be capturing the essence of life on Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes. Springtime in St. Clair brings to life the phrase that Tourism aptly uses to describe it: “It’s in our nature.” It’s in its mountain vistas, its shimmering lakes, meandering creeks, those rolling hills and its pastures of green. You see all kinds of possibilities from all the different vantage points St. Clair has to offer – atop a horse at Moody’s Heathermoor Farm, inside the kitchen of Mad Batter Cookie Company or strolling though hundreds of azaleas at Butch and Martha Walker’s spectacular home.

Discover

Inside the plans for a new museum in Pell City, you see the potential for the future by remembering the past. And over at Buc-ee’s in Leeds, stay tuned for another economic shot in the arm for that city as it adds yet another tourist destination point to its little corner of the I-20 corridor. It’ s Springtime. New beginnings are all around. Turn the page and discover them all with us. Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher

The Essence of St. Clair

April & May 2021 • Vol. 59 • www.discoverstclair.com

Carol Pappas • Editor and Publisher Graham Hadley • Managing Editor and Designer Dale Halpin • Advertising Toni Franklin • Graphic Designer Brandon Wynn • Director Online Services

A product of Partners by Design www.partnersmultimedia.com 1911 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL 35125 205-335-0281

Printed at Russell Printing, Alexander City, AL 7

Even the miniature horses get their fill at feeding time 8

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

HEATHERMOOR FARM

One of the largest horse training facilities in the state Story by Elaine Hobson Miller Photos by Graham Hadley If a gaggle of giggly girls is any indication, Heathermoor Farm is the greatest place in the world to take horseback riding lessons. A visit to the farm any given hour on any given Saturday reveals at least a dozen young teens and pre-teens scattered about. Those who are not actually astride the horses are hanging out and hanging all over each other smack in the middle of the indoor arena. They are laughing, playing on their cellphones and, occasionally, watching their peers take lessons. “I want to do a winter tournament, the fun shows and then the National Academy Finals,” says 10-year-old Evie Campbell, who lives in Hoover. She has been taking lessons since September 2020, having discovered Heathermoor through her good friend, Alex Mountz, who also takes lessons there. “She talked about it, I looked into it and told my mom.” Evie has always liked horses and feels quite comfortable on the back of one. “My first time here, I was a bit nervous, but I was excited, too,” she says. “Now I take lessons twice a week.” Katie Bentley of Trussville, who takes lessons Thursdays and Saturdays, also discovered horseback riding through a friend. She now owns a mare named Secret, a gift from her mother, Amy Jones, for Katie’s 12th birthday in November 2020. “I love it,” she says of riding. “It makes me feel calm and relaxed. I go there three times a week. I just ride for fun on the third (non-lesson) day or play with Secret.” Heathermoor Farm can claim more than just the adulation of a bunch of young girls, though. With over 100 equestrians, both men and women ages five to 68, either taking lessons or training for horse shows, it is probably the largest horse-teaching facility in the state of Alabama. “We’re the only American Saddlebred horseback riding academy in the Birmingham area with an indoor arena,” says co-owner Jennifer Fernambucq. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.” Jennifer knows exactly what Churchill meant and how the teenage girls feel about horses. “It’s an incredible thing, the way a horse touches a human being,” Jennifer says. “It’s such a gift.” She was 10 years old when a friend in her ballet class took her to Heathermoor, where the friend was

The entrance way has been used for weddings.

The sturdy stalls leave plenty of room for the horses to interact

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

HEATHERMOOR FARM

For Richie and Jennifer Fernambucq and their children, running the farm is a family affair.

The long wings house the stalls. 10

taking lessons. Started in 1965 by John and Anita Cowart, the farm was located off Highway 119 in Jefferson County then. It only took one visit to hook Jennifer for life. Later, when she was in her early 20s and working for a financial consulting firm, she received a phone call from Mrs. Cowart. She needed an instructor, was Jennifer interested? “I had not ridden in several years,” she says. “College, then becoming a working mom, kept me busy. But I quit my job and joined her. It worked well. I could stay with my babies mornings and teach in the afternoons.” Five years later, the Cowarts retired, and Jennifer and a business partner bought the farm. That was in 1999. “In a few years, we dissolved the partnership, and my partner started her own stable, Stepping Stone in Columbiana,” Jennifer explains. “I’ve been at it 20 years now.” She and her husband, Richie, who met through their love of horses, moved Heathermoor to its present, 16-acre spot on Carl Jones Road in Moody five years ago. They built a 42-stall barn and quickly filled it up. Constructed in a U-shape, with the 55-by-175-foot enclosed arena in the center and 200 feet of stalls along each side. The overflows are in the pastures, for a total of 55 horses. On one side, the stalls are home to performance or show horses owned by individuals. On the other, which is the lesson or school side, some animals are owned by Jennifer and Richie and others by individual riders. The door to the center of the “U” features a long window with barstool seating that allows parents, grandparents and friends to observe the arena riders without disturbing them. An office and storage rooms flank the lobby. “We lease our lesson horses out,” Jennifer says of the horses

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Riding classes in the large indoor arena

An instructor stands in the middle of the riding area giving instructions. 12

Work continues on the outdoor riding area.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

HEATHERMOOR FARM

the facility owns. “I own them, but the riders treat them as theirs. They can come and ride them any time.” Performance riders take part in 10 shows a year all over the Southeast, she says. “We work the performance horses five days a week, and their owners ride once a week. However, they come in several times a week.” As for her and her husband’s respective roles, she says, “Richie teaches the horses, I teach the riders.” She and employee Brittany Campbell (no relation to Evie) teach about 120 lessons per week, 40 of them on Saturday, their busiest day. “Knees tight, don’t move your arms, and walk,” she instructs a rider one recent Saturday. “Heels down, hands up.” Some riders take lessons in small groups, many in private lessons. The former costs $30 per half hour, the latter $40. Most advertising is by word of mouth. “His head’s too low. Remember, his ears need to be even with your eyes,” Jennifer tells another student. “Use your left leg to push his body so he’s straight.” Meanwhile, her husband demonstrates a maneuver for another student. “These horses are athletes,” Richie says. “We bring in farriers from Kentucky who specialize in American Saddlebreds. We also bring in chiropractors. We spend a lot of money to keep them healthy.” They specialize in show horses, but Saddlebreds are also used as hunter-jumpers and sometimes for the trail, according to Richie. “American Saddlebreds are bred to be high-strung, and they’re supposed to give with everything they have in a short period,” he says. “Most of their competition performances last about 10 minutes.” Brittany has been a full-time instructor at Heathermoor for two years. She started riding when she was 7, left for a few years, then came back to help Jennifer and Richie. In fact, she gave up a bank job to work at Heathermoor. “My mom, my sister and I all ride,” she says. “We’ve had three horses here for 10 years.” Boys and girls, men and women take lessons from Brittany and Jennifer, but the females far outnumber the males. “I have ladies in their 60s, and one of the men is 68,” Jennifer says. “He started taking lessons a couple of years ago. You’re never too old to learn to ride.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

BACKROADS Traveling the

Museum of Pell City Communitywide project finds new home in municipal complex

Concept sketch of plans for the new museum

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Story by Eryn Ellard Submitted Photos When the doors opened six years ago to a Museum on Main Street exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution and Alabama Humanities Alliance, the Pell City and St. Clair County community didn’t know quite what to expect. The Smithsonian component, The Way We Worked, was intriguing and compelling and drew an inquiring audience. But it was the local exhibit, Pell City Works, that pulled it all together to form a vision that is now becoming reality. In coming months, Pell City will have its own historical museum – Museum of Pell City – featuring the original Pell City Works exhibit, the Making Alabama bicentennial exhibit and countless other features and additions all under one roof in a 4,000-square-foot suite at the Pell City Municipal Complex. The Way We Worked and Pell City Works debuted in 2014 and drew over 7,000 visitors from multiple states during its first five weeks of exhibition. The primary focus of the professionally designed Pell City Works exhibit was on the city’s local history and how Pell City came of its unique footing. It tells a story of growth, family and hard work through photographs, stories and local artifacts. After seeing its popularity and success, project co-chairs at the time – Pam Foote, Deanna Lawley and Carol Pappas – began to research ways that it would eventually become more permanent or perhaps grow into something even more special for the community. The exhibit was preserved intact and stored in the basement of the Municipal Complex while they worked off and on over the years trying to find and fund a permanent home. That grassroots movement evolved into a partnership with the Heart of Pell City, a local nonprofit, and the city council. The effort has led to the founding by Foote, Lawley and Pappas of a separate nonprofit dedicated solely to the museum and its operation in the future. Fundraising so far is over the $15,000 mark with a goal of $100,000 initially. The city is providing the 4,000-square-foot suite as a permanent home for the museum, and the Making Alabama exhibit, worth about $100,000, has been awarded to the group as a permanent exhibit. Pell City is one of only five communities in the state to be so honored. Making Alabama focuses on the 200-year history of the state, its working class, families and complexities of its heritage. Making Alabama will be the perfect complement to Pell City Works, valued at more than $40,000, and is a project that organizers are proud to make a part of the community permanently, Pappas said. “These will be an ideal centerpiece for the museum – the making of Pell City and the making of Alabama together under one roof,” Pappas said. “We have been waiting on this moment for a long time.” “Every year that passes, more history is lost about our town, especially the years before the lake and I-20 so drastically changed it,” Lawley explained. The local exhibit from 2014 generated all kinds of interest in those early years. “Emphasis was put on the primary industry, Avondale Mills. People would stay for hours looking at pictures, often shedding tears or laughter.” Without such a movement for a museum to preserve and protect those moments in history, “there will soon be just a void as those who experienced them leave this earth,” she said. Foote, who served as the actual project manager, agreed.

One of the original bicentennial interactive displays that will be used in the museum

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

A concept sketch of what the children’s area could look like

BACKROADS Traveling the

Sketch of how the bicentennial exhibit and Pell City exhibit complement one another under one roof

Using a digital touch screen to scroll through a period of Alabama history

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Each display has two interactive digital tablets for visitors to use.

“There were so many people who thanked us for telling ‘their’ history. They had a father, a brother, an aunt who worked at the mill. They grew up in the mill village. Everyone seemed to connect.” Even though upwards of 7,000 people saw the exhibit, “others to this day come up to me and tell me they were so sorry they missed it – that they had heard about it and wished they could see it now. Now, they can.” The museum space has been prepared by the city, and museum organizers are preparing to open within the year. The new museum is being designed by Jeremy Gossett, a professional designer who helped create the Pell City Works exhibit, as well as others across the state. The museum showcases a hearty collection of local and state historical exhibits, as well as interactive learning tools for students and history buffs of all ages. “Traveling exhibits and cultural programming also are part of the vision for this new museum, engaging audiences from near and far,” Pappas said. Pell City Manager Brian Muenger said the space above the library is the perfect home for the new exhibit – thanks to its open concept and three separate offices, and he is excited to see the project come to fruition. “My hope is that the museum will become a bridge between generations and a means for newcomers to Pell City to gain an appreciation for the fascinating history of how the city was formed, has grown and how it has evolved,” Muenger said. “The preservation and presentation of this information, specifically to the youth of the community, will ensure that the contributions of the generations before are not soon forgotten.” Pappas said the museum will feature a children’s area with STEM skills featured for students. Upon completion, the museum also could be a regional, multi-county field trip destination for fourth grade students learning about state history. Planned is an oral history recording studio, which will help preserve the community’s history even more as the years go by. There is space for presentations, lectures and the showing of documentaries. Its location above the Pell City Library, which features a genealogy section, enables a solid partnership between the two entities for joint programming and other projects.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Traveling the

BACKROADS Actual Pell City Works exhibit section

Several unusual artifacts have already been donated to the project, including an 1890s player piano and a 1926 Victrola console in mint condition, both of which will be used to showcase state and local music history. In addition, the project will also be home to many traveling exhibits to keep the museum fresh and compelling for visitors for years to come, Pappas noted. Fundraising efforts for the museum have been fruitful and many local businesses and citizens have donated time and money to the cause. Urainah Glidewell, president of the Heart of Pell City, said the outpouring of support has been graciously received thus far, and there are many opportunities to get involved along the way. For instance, any business or person wishing to donate $100 or more will be recognized as a founding member of the museum, known as Museum 100. “Plans are to have a donors wall to honor those who helped make the museum a reality,” Glidewell said. “Of course, once the museum is open, we will continue to need donations for operating costs, bringing in new exhibits, etc. As of now, the plan is to have free admission for visitors, but donations will always be welcome.” “We are so excited that this dream is finally coming to fruition,” Pappas said. “We’ve had a lot of help along the way, and we’ll continue to need that support. But the end result is going to be an impressive museum that preserves, honors and treasures our history. This is truly a community effort and will benefit generations to come.”

Artwork and digital storytelling come together in state exhibit.

Editor’s Note: To donate or volunteer or simply to learn more, go to museumofpellcity.org or follow on Facebook, @ museumofpellcity.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Come see the direction of our

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Designs aplenty at Mad Batter

Cookie maker turns hobby into tasty business 20

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Kelsey Bain Submitted photos Mandi King’s first attempt at decorating cookies was disastrous at best. The icing was runny, the colors were off and she had a big mess on her hands. Undaunted, she discovered that determination mixed with lots of practice turned out to be the perfect recipe for success. These days, her cookie designs are nothing short of “a-doughrable,” and King has started a thriving cottage business, Mad Batter Cookie Co., filling orders out of her home in Moody. It turns out that what seemed like a half-baked idea had some real merit, and King is one smart – and creative – cookie. Her cookies come in all shapes and designs – everything from mittens to pencils to fish and trains. She has made edible versions of baby carriages, wine bottles, superheroes, sailboats, cartoon characters and ice cream cones. She’s even made cookies decorated like lipsticks, tubs of popcorn and the poop emoji. “My absolute favorite thing is when someone gives me free rein,” King said. “I love that challenge of being able to design my own ideas.” The 30-year-old King is one of a number of St. Clair County bakers who are turning sugar, butter and flour into tiny works of art. The decorated cookie craze has taken off and King, for one, loves the opportunity it provides to explore her artistic side. “I’ve always loved doodling and drawing, so this has been a lot of fun,” she said. STARTING FROM SCRATCH The first step, though, was to learn how to bake a batch of cookies, much less decorate them. “I love to cook, but I’d never been a great baker,” she said. “I don’t have a sweet tooth, so I’ve never really had the inclination.” So why even bother? Chalk it up to boredom, King said. It was September 2019, and she and her husband, Anthony, had lived in their new home for about a month. Theirs was the first house in the neighborhood, and they didn’t have access to cable or internet yet. “I decided I needed a hobby,” she said. “I looked at my husband and said, ‘I’m going to do this.’” The next day, they bought cookie cutters, icing and the ingredients for a cookie recipe she found online. A few hours later, she had botched her first batch. “It was the biggest blob,” King said. “The icing was too runny and all of it was just a big fail.” King is nothing if not determined, though. “I can be a perfectionist, so I’m going to keep doing it over and over until I get it right,” she said. “They tasted good, so I thought surely I could get the decorating down.” She kept at it, and a few weeks later when the couple threw a Halloween party, she wowed their friends with her culinary creations. After making some cookies for a friend’s baby shower, she started getting more requests. Strangers began to reach out to her via social media. “I wasn’t charging people for the longest time, but my friends convinced me to make it a business and to really grow it.” King can bake and sell her cookies from home under Alabama’s Cottage Food Law, and she has business licenses from the state and city. She officially started her business in February 2020 and has made thousands of cookies since then. Her smallest order has been a dozen, and she once made more than 300 cookies for a corporate order.

Macaroons are always a popular treat.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

These were done especially for the Coosa Riverkeeper

Birth announcement cookies

Mandi makes each cookie a work of art in her kitchen.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Children born into all kinds of circumstances have dreams and dreams are powerful. WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

In addition to iced cookies, she offers cookie cakes, hot cocoa bombs and macarons, which are meringue-based cookies. “Macarons are incredibly hard to make,” she said, adding that she likes to experiment with different flavors like cinnamon sugar and bacon. “They’re incredibly temperamental.” CUTTING UP The iced cookies are her main draw, though, and she’s made them for birthday parties, wedding showers, baby showers, gender reveals, “promposals” and other events. They start at $40 a dozen, which includes up to four colors of icing, and more complex designs cost extra. “Each cookie takes about 20 minutes to decorate, and some take upwards of 40,” she said. “I’m definitely getting faster at it, though.” She’s also added lots of flavors to the mix. After tweaking her original recipe many times, she now offers cookie dough in 14 flavors (including sugar, blueberry, red velvet, key lime and rum) and icing in seven flavors, such as cream cheese, orange, coconut, vanilla and banana. Her cookie cutter collection has grown, too. “I’ve got well over 400 cookie cutters now, and I recently bought a 3D printer, so I can design and print my own cookie cutters,” she said. “I can make any kind of shape anyone is thinking of, and any size, too.” Now that King has turned pro, she’s happy to share some of her secrets. She’s offered a few cookie decorating classes

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Mandi relies very heavily on her tool of the trade -- a Kitchen Aid mixer.

Bridal cookies? No problem!

at Rails and Ales in Leeds, and she said she hopes to have more in the future. She shares a variety of techniques during the 2-hour class, which costs $45, and participants decorate six cookies they get to take home. Although King, a sales representative for a security company, is loving her new business venture, she said juggling a full-time job and a part-time business can be tricky. “This is my 5-to-9 and weekends job,” she said. “I try to limit myself to three orders a week. I had no idea it would take off like this.” Overall, though, the experience has been a sweet one. “It’s so much fun,” King said. “And my husband loves it. He gets to be the taste tester and eat all the reject cookies.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home

Looking at St. Clair’s beautiful spaces inside and out

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Garden

Landscaping is gateway to outdoor enjoyment Story by Leigh Pritchett Photos by Graham Hadley In 2020, thoughts and energy turned to the outdoors in a big way. Nature provided an outlet for exercise, enjoyment and escape. Landscaping not only was an avenue for creativity, but also an opportunity to revive underutilized sections of the yard. Some projects even turned outdoor areas into comfortable, functional living spaces. All this activity and renewed interest made 2020 a busy year for plant nurseries, garden centers and landscape artists. “People who never gardened before wanted to do it,” said Michelle Warren, horticulturist with Warren Family Garden Center and Nursery in Moody. “... We definitely had a huge number of new people from all over Alabama to come see us. ... There was a huge uptick in sales from spring right up to fall. ... I think any garden center could say that.” Geneva Jones of Crawford Nursery in Odenville agreed. Because people were home more, they devoted time to sprucing up their yard. She expects that to continue in 2021. “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens this year,” said Will Crawford, owner of Crawford Nursery. Another trend that came as a bit of a surprise was the surge in vegetable and herb gardening. “That was a big trend last spring and through the summer,” said Warren. “... That was a big trend we didn’t expect.” Warren believes fruit trees and blueberries are likely to see lots of interest this year.

Home Garden MAKING A PLAN

Gardens have a specific purpose, whether it is to beautify, to attract birds or butterflies, or to reclaim some dead space. Every successful landscaping project begins with a plan, say the experts. They suggest photographing the area to be landscaped to give nursery or garden center employees an idea of the layout. Some nurseries and garden centers may even draw a landscaping plan for customers. These plans incorporate the customers’ wishes, while giving attention to essential details, such as the amount of sun or shade, available space, and growth potential of each plant. John Hazelwood, owner of Hazelwood’s Greenhouses and Nursery in Pell City, said a landscaping plan also should take into account other plants and trees in the yard and the impact they will have on the new plants. He gave as an example water oaks and willow oaks, both of which are “heavy feeders.” Their presence can deplete the soil of water, fertilizer and nutrients that other plants need. Once the landscaping plan is drawn, the designer or employees at the nursery or garden center should be consulted if plant substitutions are necessary, said Hazelwood and daughter Shelly Martin of Pell City, owner and manager of Landscapes by Shelly. If the wrong plant is substituted, it may outgrow its allotted space and disrupt the whole design. Hazelwood said homeowners can install landscapes themselves. They just need to be able to read landscape plans to know which plant goes where. Labeling is extremely important. The plants should be labeled before and after placement so that the homeowner knows what each one is.

Autumn Sunburst rhododendron ready for planting at Hazelwood’s

GOING FOR LESS

In the early 2000s, landscaping concepts centered on layering and mass planting, Martin said. In the past five or six years, the theme has been on the minimal and the contemporary, concentrating on the use of specific plants for a certain effect or focal point. Two words – “low maintenance” – describe the kind of landscapes individuals have been wanting lately. “Low maintenance is a big thing,” Jones said. Hazelwood added, “They would really like no maintenance, but there’s no such thing.” Even if the landscape is considered low maintenance, Martin said periodic attention is still necessary. “The landscape will look only as good as the maintenance.” Modern landscapes, Jones explained, are “open designs, where everything is not so crowded. They use a lot of boxwoods and (ornamental) grasses and things like that.” As for boxwoods, Jones noted that those landscape staples from the past – in addition to needlepoint hollies and dwarf yaupon – are receiving renewed interest. Hazelwood said japonica and sasanqua camellia also “are hot right now.” Homeowners are particularly interested in dwarf variations of plants because they think these will always remain small and need little to no pruning. Nonetheless, Martin said dwarf plants can grow to be sizable; they just may take longer to do it. Martin noted that landscaping does not last forever. It will need to

Emerald Green Arborvitae and Sky Pencil Holly at Hazelwood’s

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Home Garden

Warren Family Garden Center has just the right flowers to add that striking color to your garden project.

be redone periodically. “Your landscape is basically like painting your house,” she said. The landscape should be revamped every eight to 10 years, and plants that require heavy pruning should be replaced after 12 to 15 years.

SEEKING VARIETY

In addition to low maintenance, other highly requested landscape features are colors and textures. Martin said color and fragrance lend an air of welcome to a home. Warren and Martin said golds, purples, greens, blues and chartreuse (such as Limelight hydrangea and Little Lime hydrangea) have been the colors of choice. Ornamental grasses – pink muhly grass, adagio grass, dwarf fountain grass, carex, Sassy Grass, etc. – give texture to a landscape, said Jones. A good landscaping design offers beauty for all seasons, Martin said. By using a variety of plants, “you can design a landscape that has color, something happening year-round,” said Jones. For example, a landscape including common azaleas (bloom once in spring), gardenias, Encore azaleas (bloom spring, summer and fall), hydrangeas (bloom in summer), camellia japonica (bloom in February) and camellia sasanqua (bloom around November) would provide bursts of color all year, Jones said.

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Shelly Martin tells her workers where some stones will go around a new fire pit on Logan Martin Lake.

Shelly has already completed a large section of the stacked-stone and landscaping on the adjacent property. 32

Encore azaleas, Hazelwood said, “bloom more than once a year. ... There are 33 varieties of them now.” In winter, flowering kale, flowering cabbage, pansies, snapdragons and sweet Williams show their colors. Knock Out roses (a rose bush that blooms for months) have been and continue to be in much demand, Hazelwood said. “I don’t know how many thousands of those we have sold. They bloom their heads off, and they bloom all summer long.” This year, the new Petite Knock Out roses are expected to be popular, said Jones and Crawford. Hazelwood said new plant selections are being produced continuously to keep up with changes in trends. “The breeders are constantly striving to come up with something new.” Hydrangeas are a case in point. “There are so many of those, it’s unbelievable.”

CREATING LIVING SPACE

One of the new trends in landscaping is hardscapes. Hardscapes are gardens, pathways, even outdoor living spaces. “I love hardscapes,” said Martin, who was

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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working on two such projects at the time of this interview. “I love to use natural stone to create fire pits and patios and retaining walls, ... to create for the homeowner a secret garden.” Hardscapes might incorporate a swimming pool, pond, stand-alone fountain, wall fountain. A hardscape could be an outdoor room, so to speak, for grilling, dining, entertaining or warming by a fire. “I love to design swimming pools and outdoor kitchens,” Martin said. “... They are fun spaces to create.” During 2020, the number of hardscape projects she designed and installed grew exponentially. “I really saw a huge increase in the hardscape activity. We did more hardscapes last year than we have ever done,” Martin said. She and her crew locally installed approximately 30 landscapes featuring hardscapes and designed more than that for builders and landscapers in the Birmingham area.

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THINKING COMMERCIALLY

The concept for commercial landscaping is somewhat different from residential landscaping, Martin said. Commercial landscapes need to have appeal, plus longevity. Junipers, dwarf yaupon and Chinese hollies are some of the possibilities, coupled with maples that give beautiful fall color. Choosing the right trees is important in the commercial setting to avoid an invasive root system that eventually bucks the sidewalk, Martin said. The landscaping plan also has to consider the clientele of the business. If, for instance, children will be going into the building, thorny plants would not be suggested. On the other hand, thorny plants would be good for blocking access to a ledge, Martin said. With commercial landscapes, the aim is toward beauty, functionality and durability without creating a “maintenance nightmare.”

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Home Garden

Experts offer tips on choosing the right plants By Leigh Pritchett Photos by Graham Hadley As anyone who has ever tried to grow a plant knows, there is a science to it. Local experts offer the following advice for creating and maintaining attractive landscapes and successful vegetable gardens. The first three tips are so crucial that, together, they determine whether a plant will live through the first year. • Do not assume the soil is good. St. Clair County soil may contain clay or be compacted. Topsoil, compost and a supplement specific to that plant are likely to be necessary. (For soil-testing supplies and direction, check with St. Clair’s Alabama Cooperative Extension Service office, St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation or St. Clair Farmer’s Cooperative.) • Be mindful of moisture requirements. Each week, plants need at least one inch of moisture that soaks down to the roots. If a plant dries out completely one time, it dies. Overwatering is just as detrimental as underwatering. • Place the plant in a hole that is neither too large nor too small. • Bury the plant to the same soil line as it had in the container from which it came. As a general rule, it is better to have the plant a little above the soil line than too deep into the soil. • Choose plants that are right for the climate zone. St. Clair County falls within zone “7” and “7B” of the climate map for plants. Plants acclimated to one zone might not thrive long in another. For example, a West Coast plant is not likely to survive in the South. • Select a plant that, at maturity, will fit the space allotted for it. • Choose a plant that is right for the amount of sunshine 34

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Choosing the right plant for the right soil is key to success.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

• •

•

• • •

or shade it will experience. A plant meant for shade will not do well in direct sunlight and vice versa. Distance plants from the house or building. When the plant matures, the homeowner should be able to walk between it and the house. Replace bark or straw regularly. Bark lasts two to three years. Straw breaks down quickly and has to be replaced twice a year. Other possible “mulches” include shale, pea gravel, river rock and brick pieces. Use weed barrier cloth and pre-emerge herbicide to prevent growth of weeds and germination of unwanted seeds. Weed barrier cloth and pre-emerge herbicide are especially needed with rock-type mulches. Research how to cultivate and harvest vegetables and herbs. Successful vegetable gardening comes with knowledge and experience. It may take years to develop the expertise and to discern what grows best in the garden area. Purchase plants from a nursery or garden center. Employees of nurseries and garden centers are knowledgeable about plants, trees, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides and can give advice on landscape issues and plant deficiencies. The information they provide is specific to the climate zone in which the homeowner lives. Nurseries and garden centers offer a large selection of trees, plants, fertilizers, supplements, bulk materials (mulch, sand, gravel etc.), statuary and decorative stones for pathways and hardscapes. Understand that plants new to the market come with limited information. New plants are studied only three years before they are put on the market. Therefore, their growth potential beyond that may not be known initially, and they might outgrow the space allowed for them. Buy mulch and other bulk material by the truckload. Buying by the bag is more expensive. Periodically inspect plants and trees in the yard to see if they remain healthy. Lichens growing on a plant, for instance, can indicate poor health. Learn how and when to prune each kind of plant. (Pruning a crape myrtle too severely is called “crape murder!”)

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Editor’s Note: Sources for this story were Crawford Nursery, Odenville; Hazelwood’s Greenhouses and Nursery, Pell City; Landscapes by Shelly, Pell City; Warren Family Garden Center and Nursery, Moody. DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Home Garden What to plant and when

Warren Family Garden Center has a wide selection of not just flowers, but statuary and other outdoor decorating pieces.

Story by Leigh Pritchett Photos by Graham Hadley

Larger shrubs are on hand at Crawford Nursery.

Its early in the season, but some plants at Hazelwood’s are already in bloom.

Alabama’s relatively mild winters mean plants can be placed almost all year because the ground does not freeze. Fall, though, is the optimal time for planting, according to experts. In the fall, plants enter a dormant state, a time of less stress because they are not devoting energy to growth or leaf production. Placing plants in the fall allows them to use the dormancy to become well-established before spring. During summer when hydrangeas, roses and perennials are in bloom is when people see them and want to add them to their landscape. However, that is not the best time for those to be planted. In fact, when a plant is in bloom is the worst time to place it. The blooming process requires much energy to move nourishment from the roots to the leaves. Installing a plant while it is in bloom causes even more stress to the plant. Planting during dry periods, such as July or August, also increases stress. During those times, watering diligently and adequately is a must. Here is a quick reference about what to plant and when: • Shrubs – fall and winter • Perennials – almost any time • Bedding plants – spring • Vegetables and annuals – spring and summer • Trees, fruit trees and bulbs – fall Editor’s Note: Sources for this guide were Crawford Nursery, Odenville; Hazelwood’s Greenhouses and Nursery, Pell City; Landscapes by Shelly, Pell City; Warren Family Garden Center and Nursery, Moody.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Home Garden Butch and Martha Walker

400+ azaleas and one spectacular home

A garden light overlooks the property.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Story and photos by Joe Whitten Submiited photos Southern souls start longing for spring in January, and by February, they check daffodil rows each day to see if they have awakened from winter sleep and begun stretching toward the sun. Soon, rows of golden joy grace tended yards and old homeplaces where house and barn no longer stand. March and April find trees on Beaver and Bald Rock mountains leafing out and underneath the trees, native azaleas blossom pink and white. Rural folk used to call these azaleas, “mountain honeysuckle” or “bush honeysuckle.” Azaleas. This springtime glory of the South brings myriad colors through quiet boulevards of old towns and acres of gardens tended by horticulturists. This beauty calls to mind Mobile’s Bellingrath Gardens, 283 miles from Pell City, and Callaway Gardens, 118 miles from Pell City. However, within five miles of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City, Butch and Martha Walker’s unique house sits on reclaimed strip-mine land planted with over 400 azaleas. Butch’s azaleas and seasonal plants complement the home designed by St. Clair County native Randy Vaughan, who grew up in Eden. After graduating from Pell City High School in 1975, he went to Auburn. “He was studying architecture, and this was his senior class project at Auburn,” Butch recounted. “He graduated No. 1 in his class.” Since then, Vaughan has enjoyed a successful career as an architect. He noted that he had worked in nearly every scale of architecture, from custom-designed private residences to largescale projects. As a student, Vaughan designed a two-level home for the Walkers with the great room, dining room, and kitchen on the lower level and three bedrooms and two baths on the upper level. “We both really liked it when we first saw it,” Martha said, with Butch adding, “We were debating whether to build in front of this strip mine cut or behind it, and Randy decided to put the house on piers and span the cut. Originally, it was open underneath, but later we closed it in and poured a floor.” Butch and Martha have added two upper-level rooms – a sunroom across the back and a living room across the front. The focal points of the living room are Butch’s grand piano and the arched double doors, which were a serendipitous find. Martha spotted the doors at Mazer’s in Birmingham and told Butch about them. “I worked just over at O’Neal (Steel),” Butch recalls, “so I went over there at lunch, and they wanted a big price for it. So, I asked the guy if he thought they’d take less. He said, ‘I don’t know, but this guy riding up on the cart can tell you.’ So, he pulled up and I asked him, and he said, ‘Would you pay so-and-so?’ I said, ‘No,’ and I told him how much I’d give. He said, ‘Well, let him have it for that.’ So that’s how we got the doors for about 75% less than he was asking.” With her eye for color and detail, Martha has made their home a warm and welcoming one for family and friends. Whether it be a Sunday afternoon of music in the living room or a holiday meal at the dining table, guests are made to feel at home.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS

Butch had finished college and served in Vietnam when he and Martha Kirkland married in 1974. They lived in two or three different places, but eventually moved into Butch’s

Flowers of every color adorn the property

Azaleas line the walk parents’ home on Highway 174. Butch and Martha’s property lies not far from his parents’ original 23 acres, where their son, Kirk, lives with his family and enjoys about over 100 azaleas Butch has planted there. In some of his college work, Butch studied horticulture. When asked how he became interested in native azaleas, he replied, “My cousin in Mobile, Glen Burnham, collected them. He and a friend of his had gone all over the Southeast collecting and hybridizing. He had azaleas at his house, and when they were in bloom, the traffic would be backed up for miles.” “He had some connection with Bellingrath Gardens, because once when we went down for a visit, he said if he had known we were coming, he could have gotten you in to see the gardens free,” Martha recalled. “Glen Burnham also designed a portion of Disney World’s gardens.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Home Garden

EARLY PLANTING

Before he married Martha, Butch had planted his first azaleas on the homeplace where he grew up. When he and Martha moved into their Vaughan-designed home in 1981, Butch pruned back those plants, dug them up, and moved them to the reclaimed strip-mine property. Now over 50 years old, those azaleas still burst into variegated glory every spring. The annual show of colors traveled much before taking root in Pell City. “I’ve dug them out of the woods, and I’ve bought ’em out of Georgia and Mississippi and south Alabama. And one of my cousins worked for T.R. Miller’s lumber company down in Brewton, Ala., and I have some transplanted from the Brewton area.” Some of his 400 plants result from Butch’s propagation of azaleas. “I’ve done some by cutting, but I do mostly by seed,

and that’s a long, drawn-out process because you’re talking about three or four years from seed to bloom.” Another way to propagate is tissue culture, which Butch describes briefly. “It’s done under sterile conditions. You take a small piece of the plant – the tissue – and put it in a medium under sterile conditions, and it will start multiplying and keep on multiplying. From one little piece, you can get thousands. You keep dividing it. I’ve never done it cause it’s not something you can do at your kitchen table. I do have some plants from tissue culture that I bought out of Pennsylvania.” With tissue culture, the resulting azaleas’ blossom color will be exactly like the tissue donor plant. However, seedlings can result in myriad colors depending on how cross pollination has occurred. “With seedlings, you don’t know what colors you’re gonna

Butch and Martha Walker enjoy their remarkable home. 42

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

get until they bloom. One year, I did some cross pollinating and collected the seeds and planted them in my basement. When seedlings have two leaves, you can transplant them into individual cells. I had done that – had 600 seedlings in cells, and they were up about an inch or more tall. Well, we had a nice warm day, and I thought, ‘I’m gonna set them out and get them a little more light and warmth.’ I did. And out of the 600, I killed 599, but the one that survived was a keeper.” Butch aptly named that azalea, “Walker’s Survivor.” When in full bloom, it caused one friend to say, “It’s a confection, whipped cream and peaches.” “Some people might say we lead a boring life,” Martha comments, “but we are workers and do a lot of work around here. Our life has been an adventure in hard work.” One of those adventures came when Butch decided a tree limb needed to go. “Well, this was in 2011. I was walking back to the barn, and this tree limb was hanging out there – and it could have stayed there a hundred years without hurting anything. Well, I looked at it and decided it was time for it to come down. So, I got my ladder and put it on the tree. Got my chainsaw, and I went up and I cut. When it fell, it sprung back, and I fell 15 feet, head down. I held onto the ladder, and that kept me straight and probably kept me from getting badly broken up. I had thrown my saw when I saw what was happening and it landed on the ground still running. “After I could breathe again, I got up and turned the saw off and came to the house. I turned the fan on and sat in my recliner a few minutes. Then I got in my car and drove over to my neighbor’s, and he drove me to the emergency room over on Hospital Drive in Pell City, and a helicopter took me to Birmingham.” “They called me at Kennedy School,” Martha added, “and said, ‘Mrs. Walker, you need to leave as soon as possible. Your husband has taken a significant fall.’ I said, ‘What!?’ And they said, ‘We are airlifting him out now, even as we are speaking.’ And I told the school receptionist, ‘Bye. I’m gone!’ Martha could see the helicopter whirling ahead of her as she drove to the hospital. “We finally got to see him and Butch really looked awful. They were trying to pull his arm back in place.” Fortunately, Butch fared better than Humpty Dumpty did in his garden wall crackup, for the doctors got Butch put back together after a five-hour surgery on his wrist. Butch wore a cast for five weeks, then went to physical therapy. He asked the therapist if he would be able to play the piano again, and she thought he was pulling the old piano joke: “Doc, will I be able to play the piano?” And the Doc says, “Yes.” And the patient says, “That’s good! I wasn’t able to play it before!” When Butch convinced her that he indeed played the piano, the therapist said, “That will be good therapy.” So, with short periods at his grand piano, he started playing the Southern gospel songs that he had loved playing all his life. Some of those old songs may have flitted through Butch’s mind as he fell from the tree – “I’ll Fly Away,” or “Precious Memories,” or “I’m in the Glory Land Way.” However, one of the first ones he played after the fall must have been “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” for Butch and Martha agree that God’s hand was with them during that event and throughout their lives. After some months, Butch was back to his gardening and propagating azaleas, and from early spring to late autumn, his and Martha’s place is awash in color by blossom and foliage. A place of peace and contentment. Home.

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Home Garden

INDOOR SPACES

Clean design styles popular this year

Small accent pieces like this pillow can make all the difference

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller Submitted Photos White brick on the outside, white kitchen cabinets and white subway tiles are trending in new homes and remodeling jobs these days. If you think you detect a theme here, you’re right. People are really going all out for the clean look of white. “White kitchens are very popular now,” says Renee Lilly of Lilly Designs in Cropwell. “People want white quartz countertops with gray marbling, white cabinets, white subway tiles. They are even painting their brick houses white.” To offset all that white, homeowners often paint their cabinetry or even an entire wall in a bold accent color, such as midnight blue. “I’m seeing a lot of white and gray but a lot of dark midnight blue, especially in more masculine spaces like offices and libraries,” Lilly says. “Few people are doing stained cabinetry nowadays. They might have white kitchen cabinets with a gray island or reverse those colors.” Open floor plans, where the kitchen is open to the television area, are still trendy. So are huge kitchen islands because families like to congregate in the kitchen. Quartz is replacing granite for kitchen countertops because of its neutrality. “Granite has lots of browns and greens that are natural but not trendy anymore,” Lilly says. “People want more neutral colors in their countertops.” White subway tiles are all the rage in kitchens and baths because they present a classic look that never goes out of style. These tiles get their name from the look of the tiles in the New York subway system, although those early ones were made of white glass, according HGTV.com. By definition they are a rectangular, thick, low-fired, glazed ceramic tile, traditionally 3 inches by 6 inches, though they come in a variety of sizes for home use. Nowadays they can be made from a variety of other materials as well, such as stone, glass, marble or clay. Subway tile kitchen backsplashes have been common in commercial kitchens for many years. “Walls are neutral creams and grays throughout the house, but so are pecky cypress and shiplap on walls,” Lilly says. (Pecky cypress is bald cypress that contains small, attractive holes caused by a fungus.) “Wood paneling used to be a sign of the 70s, but not anymore. Shiplap and tongue and groove painted white are brightening up many interiors today. I’m also seeing a lot of detailed paneled doors throughout houses.” Not only are accent walls in, so are ac-

This modern crystal chandelier is the centerpiece of this room.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

A modern contemporary bathroom

Home Garden

cent ceilings. Ironically, while people are using more whites and creams on their walls and cabinets, often they are forgoing the traditional white ceilings for ones with a touch of gray. “Wallpaper is coming back very strong, too, as are other wall coverings, like grass cloth,” Lilly says. People are putting crystal chandeliers in high-end homes, especially in their entryways, along with a modern twist on Edison bulbs and plain chains. “One lighting trend is to drape Edison lights over a beam using a cloth-like cord such as nylon or an actual cloth accent,” Lilly says. “Vintage, Art Deco, mid-century lighting is popular, along with soft gold finishes on bath and other lighting fixtures, as well as on cabinet hardware.” Throughout the house, Lilly is seeing more clean lines in furnishings, such as weathered wood pieces, with less upholstery and overstuffed chairs. “A touch of animal print in pillows and rugs is classy,” she adds. “That never goes out of style. Also, people are using quotes in their interiors now more than I have ever seen in my 31-year career.” The quotes can be on accent pillows or framed and hung on walls. Floor coverings often are rugs made of indoor-outdoor material, but without the grassy look of football fields. “They come in lots of geometric patterns today,” Lilly says. “Also, linen is very popular for furniture and draperies.” The latter have straight lines in today’s homes. Lilly often adds a little pop of fun by putting a fringe on the bottom of draperies, as well as the bottom of chairs and bed skirts, and on pillows. “Tidy is definitely trending, too,” she says. “Open shelving in kitchens and living spaces are very popular. Storage baskets are widely used in home décor to help minimize clutter.” She’s re-doing a lot of closets, and anything with double usage, such as storage plus decor (think storage ottoman) is popular. Even Fido is getting his own special space in many homes these days. “One woman on Lake Martin made space for her dog crates in her laundry room,” Lilly says. “She put in a long counter with a shelf underneath for the crates. Other people are putting in doggy bathtubs or wash areas in their baths or laundry rooms.” When people ask Lilly about her decorating style, she tells them her style isn’t what’s important. It’s the client’s style that matters most. She works with people to create their interiors to suit their own styles and what they like. “In the end, it’s not about trends, it’s about what you like, how you and your family entertain and making it comfortable for you,” she says.

Designer Renee Lilly

Bright, clean kitchen designs are in.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden

Counters and Cabinets Customer wants, needs are top priority

Black pearl leathered granite, with contrasting subway tile .

Story by Jackie Romine Walburn Submitted Photos

When it comes to popular trends for cabinets and countertops in new homes and renovations, local countertop and cabinet experts say one option is constant – meeting the customers’ needs and wants. “The customer wants what they want,” says Appalachian Stone co-owner Ryan Arnold. “And we generally do not try and change their minds.” Since opening Appalachian Stone in 2018, Arnold and partner Dalton Smith have seen interest in natural stone like granite, quartzite and marble continue in popularity while engineered manmade options like quartz are competing by offering more diverse color options and low maintenance. Like with home improvement stores, which are seeing boosts in business since the pandemic began in early 2020, business continues to increase for Appalachian Stone. “There’s definitely an increase in interest, but as a fairly new business,

it’s hard to tell if the increases are because of the pandemic and folks being home more or because we’re doing an exceptional job and word is spreading,” Arnold says. Either way, it’s good. Overall countertop trends in 2021 include slick, more modern white and gray countertop looks and rustic looks in stone colors, like fantasy brown.

NATURAL STONE AND ENGINEERED COMPOSITES

Appalachian Stone countertop offerings include natural stones like granite, marble, quartzite, slate, dolomite and soapstone, plus engineered composites like the popular quartz countertops fabricated from natural and synthetic materials. Granite, a natural stone in colors ranging from vibrant blues and variegated browns to black, deep red and mottled white, is by far the most popular natural stone countertop material nationwide, according to countertopguides.com. Locally, quartz composite countertops are quickly moving into first place for Appalachian Stone customers, Arnold

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden says, explaining the difference between quartzite and quartz countertops. Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock created when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure from earth’s tectonic plate compression. Like granite, which is an igneous rock formed by slowly cooling magma, quartzite is mined and sawn into slabs which are precisely cut to become countertops. Quartz composites, or engineered countertops, are fabricated using natural, loose quartz (silicon dioxide) blended with a binder and pigment and formed into durable countertops with depth and clarity not always available in natural stone. Quartz is growing in popularity because of its hardness, easy maintenance and color options, Arnold says. Because pigment can be added to quartz, it is available in a wide range of colors and has the appearance of natural stone. Marble, used most by Appalachian clients for bathroom vanities, is a classic countertop stone, Arnold says. Because marble is a softer stone that can need special care, quartz can be an excellent substitute. “Unless someone is just set on marble, we might point them to quartz. It lasts longer, it’s harder and requires the least amount of care.” Slate and dolomite are other natural stones used in countertops. “We can do anything natural stone,” Arnold adds. “it just depends on what the customer wants.” Slate, a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock, resists heat, is non-porous and can be black, charcoal, gray, pewter and brown with some highlights of green blue or red. Dolomite, a sedimentary rock that forms naturally when limestone comes in contact with magnesium-rich groundwater and undergoes a chemical change, comes in shades of white or gray and usually contains streaks that allow it to resemble marble. Dolomite is harder than marble and more scratch and chip resistant, according to countertopguides.com. Most natural stone countertops require sealing before use to prevent stains from penetrating the stone. In addition to countertop options, Appalachian Stone carries and installs backsplash materials, including tiles, mosaic and stone options. Subway tiles are popular and can be installed straight or at angles in colors that complement the hues of new countertops.

CABINETS FOLLOW TRENDS

With new countertops come new cabinets, and St. Clair cabinet makers say that while wants and needs vary by the customer, two trends stand out: White cabinets with shaker doors. “Everybody wants white cabinets,” says Randall Weaver of Weaver Construction. “Some will go with white cabinets and a color, green or blue, on the kitchen island. But, for sure, white is most popular, and 75 percent of customers choose Shakerstyle doors.” A homebuilder, Weaver is now custom-building cabinets for the homes he builds and for other customers, in new homes or for renovations. Islands are part of most cabinet additions, some with sinks and some with dishwashers. Islands provide additional working

Note the contrast between the cabinets and the light countertops. space, storage and seating options as well. Soft-close cabinet doors and soft-close drawers are often on customers’ want list, Weaver says. Most popular for hardware – pulls and knobs – is oil bronze. “What people want varies from customer to customer. Whatever the customer wants is what we want to provide,” he adds. When a couple is making cabinet decisions, it’s often whatever the lady wants. “When it comes to cabinets, he might walk out and leave the lady to decide. That’s probably a smart move.” The cabinet business has remained steady over the last year and the lingering pandemic. “We’re still busy, but some materials are a lot higher,” Weaver says. Lumber, for instance, has increased in price three-fold from pre-pandemic costs.

NOT JUST FOR KITCHENS

Countertops and cabinets are not just for kitchens and bathrooms these days. Appalachian Stone’s recent jobs include outdoor kitchens and office spaces for residential customers and counters and office spaces for commercial customers. Specializing in countertops and backsplash options, Appalachian Stone works often with Switzer’s Custom Cabinets in Riverside and Weaver Construction in Pell City for cabinetry and installs countertops in new homes and for renovations in St. Clair, Jefferson, Etowah and Calhoun counties, Arnold says. They contract with construction companies in the area, including D and G Building, Cline Construction, C and C Properties and Weaver Construction.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden

Greener pastures

Picking out the best sod for your project

Large rolling irrigation systems keep the sod green.

Story by Jackie Romine Walburn Submitted Photos Matt Smith began learning how to grow greener grass at a young age and turfgrass sod is still his passion to this day. Now the third-generation owner and operator of Dixie Sod Farm on Blooming Light Road in Pell City, Smith takes pride in continuing the grass growing family tradition begun by his grandfather in 1978. “We take a lot of pride that it’s a family business,” says Smith. “I go to work every day knowing that what I’m doing is a reflection on their work, too.” Smith learned the business from his father Richard Smith and grandfather M.S. Hugghins, who started the sod farm in St. Clair County almost 43 years ago. When grandfather Hugghins retired in 1989, Matt’s father took the reins of Dixie Sod Farm until his death in 2005. Matt’s been running the operation ever since.

Located on 150 acres, Dixie Sod produces sod for residential and commercial customers across the state. The sod farm specializes in bermuda and zoysia grasses, which are among the most popular and reliable grasses for Alabama lawns, golf courses and ball fields.

KNOWN FOR EMERALD ZOYSIA

The years of experience help Dixie Sod choose and grow the best sod for Alabama homes and businesses. Topping the list is Emerald Zoysia, a high-quality variety associated with Matt’s father Richard Smith, who introduced the shade tolerant zoysia to the Southeast market. “We still occasionally have a customer refer to it as ‘Richard Smith’s Emerald Zoysia’ which, in my opinion, is the absolute highest of compliments.” Dixie also grows bermudagrass – a sturdy grass that likes full sun – and two types of zoysia grass – their specialty Emerald Zoysia, which needs four to five hours of sunlight to be its best, and Meyer Zoysia, also known as Z-52, which is a bit more

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden tolerant of shade. “Our zoysias, especially the Emerald, are what we are known for.” The sod farm has seven full-time employees who make up “a very talented crew.” These include Smith’s wife, Whitney, who helps run the office, and Heath Walker, who handles sales and logistics and the field crew. “Each of them has individual talents they bring to the table, and they share my family’s vision of keeping Dixie Sod the highest quality sod.” Dixie sells sod regionally and statewide. “Anywhere that needs grass, we will send it,” he adds. Sod from Dixie is sold by 450-square foot pallets, half or whole. Smith notes that Dixie, unlike many sod farms, welcomes orders of every size. “Whether it’s an entire yard that requires tractor-trailer loads of sod or just a couple of pieces, we want to accommodate every order and every customer’s individual sod needs.”

LOCATION AND GUIDE TO SOD SELECTION

The types of sod used in Alabama vary according to location, north or south, and intended use of the land, according to sod experts at the Alabama Extension Service. Bermuda, grown at Dixie Sod, adapts well statewide, according to an analysis of turfgrasses at www.aces.edu. Ideal for sports fields and other high-traffic areas, bermudagrass grows back faster than other turfgrass species, responds well to fertilizer and has a good color, Extension experts say. The sunloving bermudagrass, which responds well to mowing low and often, is drought resistant, survives hot summer months and establishes a safe dormant texture in cold winter months, is the most common grass in Alabama. Zoysiagrass, also a Dixie Sod specialty, is adaptive to Alabama. It thrives in full sun like bermuda but handles hours of shade. Dixie’s two varieties of zoysia – Emerald and Meyer (Z-52) – tolerate varying degrees of shade and do not need to be mowed as often as bermudagrass. Zoysiagrass also tolerates lots of traffic before the sod begins to wear down, but takes longer than bermuda to recover after wear, making bermuda a better choice for athletic fields and parks. Other grass species in Alabama noted by Extension experts include centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, fescue and bahia. Centipedegrass is not as cold tolerant as bermuda and zoysia and is only recommended for central and south Alabama. Slow growing with a course texture, centipedegrass has a lighter green color. St. Augustinegrass is the only warm season turfgrass in Alabama that can consistently tolerate shade. Commonly grown in south Alabama, St. Augustine does best in sandy soils, is salt tolerant and should be mowed higher than other warm-season grasses. Fescue grasses are cool-season turfgrasses adopted for north Alabama and can struggle during the hottest summer weather. Just as warm-season turfgrasses go dormant during cooler times of the year, cool-season grasses go dormant during warmer times of the year. Bahia grass performs best on the Gulf Coast, is extremely tolerant to periods of drought and can have fewer issues with insects and diseases such as fungus.

Pallet of sod ready to be shipped

WHERE, WHEN, HOW

Overall, the choice of grasses to consider depends on where, when and how the grassy area will be used. All grasses need sunshine, Smith says. But some species are more tolerant of shade, like the zoysia varieties Dixie Sod traditionally grow. Even within species outlined here, hybrids can have different characteristics, adding to the importance of trusting the experts when choosing what sod to invest in. Extension experts agree and recommend that growers and landowners take soil samples for analysis. Soil sample information is key to choosing sod type, preparing for sod placement and keeping turfgrasses healthy. Soil sample analysis is available through the Auburn University Soil, Forage and Water Testing laboratory. Soil samples are analyzed for pH, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Access soil testing forms at bit.ly/3sRTJIC. A soil test report is usually sent to the customer by e-mail and/or regular mail within 24 hours after the samples are received by the lab. Also, Smith of Dixie Sod and other state sod experts say the key to keeping grass healthy throughout the year – no matter if it’s the lawn, the playing field, golf course, pasture or park – is to follow recommendations for mowing, watering and fertilizing based on the type of turfgrass, land use and wear.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden

Outdoor Cooking Spaces Thinking outside the walls

Outdoor stone fireplace and patio area

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Arched stone fireplace with circular seating area

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller Submitted Photos Considering the popularity of football parties and the pleasant weather central Alabama enjoys during football season, it’s no wonder that homeowners are building outdoor entertaining spaces these days. Sometimes they’re starting from scratch, other times they’re improving on what they already have. Either way, they’re adding value and beauty to their home. “It’s popular to have football parties outdoors, with the television over the fireplace,” says Katherine Higgins, outdoor sales representative for Alabama Brick Delivery, Inc., a company with a presence in Pell City and four other locations that distributes a full line of masonry products from various manufacturers. “We’re seeing lots of outdoor fireplaces made with brick or stone.” Most often, the fireplace is the centerpiece of any outdoor entertainment area, according to Higgins. Usually, the patio is planned around the fireplace and some homeowners will build a pavilion around that. “This allows you to enjoy the outdoor area in most types of weather conditions,” Higgins says. She emphasizes that homeowners are adding value to their homes by adding additional living space outdoors. “There are a variety of products to choose from to customize your outdoor living space, including pavers for your flooring,” she says. “For those who want to upgrade their existing concrete pad, it’s easy to add pavers. You can also put pavers around pool decks.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

Home Garden

Outdoor fireplace with mortar look.

Fireplaces have fire-proof masonry box centers that are covered with brick or stone. Stacked stone is a popular material on outdoor fireplaces, for example. “The trend is toward stone veneers,” she says. “You have so many stone options to choose from now. Take manufactured stone, for example. It’s lighter in weight and easier to work with than natural stone. On the whole, manufactured stone costs less and comes in more options, more varieties. So, you have more control over what the product will look like.” Manufactured stone is made of durable concrete

aggregate that is poured into molds. The molds are made by casting natural stones in order to mimic their look and texture more accurately. The colors are long-lasting and made to weather outdoors. “Most manufacturers give a 50-year warranty, while some even offer lifetime warranties,” Higgins says. Homeowners have lots of ways to customize brick these days, too. “You have quite a variety of color, texture, size, even a choice of mortar color,” she says. “It’s popular to pair stone with brick, maybe at the foot of a column or around an entryway, then bring that

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Home Garden This simpler stone fireplace leaves room to show off the garden beyond.

look inside to the fireplace.” Earth tones, particularly gray, are popular in brick and stone, although lighter, creamier colors are also trendy. Bessemer Gray and Old Red are two popular reclaimed bricks. “You can use them on floors as pavers or on walls,” Higgins says. “However, they are more expensive than new bricks.” There’s even a company that makes DIY kits that come with a pre-fab firebox and a

stone or brick veneer, so you can build your own fireplace, if you have the skill level. “Talk with your local landscape contractor to see what you may need to do for proper elevation and drainage in your yard first,” Higgins advises. “Then visit your local masonry supply store to see fireplace, brick, stone and paver options. There are lots of possibilities to fit your style, budget and space.”

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates as low as 0.99% on new purchases April 1-17. Special refinancing rates available all month. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. HSCU does not warrant, guarantee, or insure any product or service offered or provided by any dealership. HSCU and participating dealers are separate entities. Contact the Credit Union for further information. Federally Insured by the NCUA.

St. Clair, Alabama

Business ReReview

Architectural rendering of the dealership exterior 62 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Graham Hadley, submitted photos

All American Ford

Auto dealer breaks ground in Odenville, expected to drive growth along I-59 Corridor

When St. Clair County officials and executives of All American Ford hoisted symbolic shovels full of dirt into the air on a piece of land in Odenville overlooking I-59, it was much more than breaking ground on a new business. All involved predict the impact will be felt for a long time to come, not only in Odenville, but Springville and Argo and the entire I-59 Corridor region. It’s the engine that will drive economic opportunities throughout the area for years to come, they say. Ground clearing has begun on the more than 20-acre site on the north side of Alabama 174 and I-59 en route to a 20,000 square foot dealership for All American Ford, owned by John Makovicka, Frank, Jane and Tim Neal. It is expected to open in October. Planning began on the project about two years ago, choosing the location, working out all the logistics and being delayed somewhat by the COVID-19 pandemic. Makovicka and the Neal family own All American Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Oneonta, and Ford determined the Odenville site would be the best market location for their new venture. Makovicka and the Neals concurred with that decision. “This is just a great location in terms of traffic and customer flow. We agreed with Ford that it could serve customers best.” What will rise on that property in coming months is a state-of-the-art showroom,

All American Ford co-owner John Makovicka DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021 • 63

Business Review

All American Ford

St. Clair officials and business partners break ground

EDC Director Don Smith

expansive lot, electric vehicle charging stations and a commercial and private vehicle service department for all makes and models. With All American’s development comes 20-40 new jobs and a spark expected to be the catalyst for further growth and development in the area. For Odenville, Mayor Buck Christian pointed to the “positive economic impact on our budget, which will allow us to provide services like focusing on parks and recreation and resurfacing much needed areas of our city streets.” He noted that future growth should follow. He pointed to other parcels, like the 120 acres across Alabama 174 on the south side that has yet to be developed. “There will be other opportunities on other parcels,” Christian said.

64 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

Lyman Lovejoy, involved in the project, enjoys the ceremony.

Business Review

All American Ford

Architectural rendering of the interior of the dealership

Odenville Mayor Buck Christian talks of the impact. Left is St. Clair Commission Chairman Paul Manning, and right is EDC Executive Director Don Smith.

He commended the “patience and diligence on All American’s part working with Ford to make this happen. It is the catalyst that will make this interstate interchange. You won’t recognize it in five years,” he predicted. The benefits will be far reaching, he added. “It’s going to attract more business development in Springville and Argo and throughout St. Clair County.” St. Clair Economic Development Executive Director Don Smith agreed. Besides the immediate impact of becoming Odenville’s second largest sales tax generator, the dealership will be a “destination point location for Trussville and Gadsden to this interchange gateway. To Odenville and Springville, it means the more people know about these incredible communities the better,” giving them greater opportunities for growth. Smith talked of the impact not only on the city of Odenville and the surrounding areas, “but most important, our schools. It

66 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

WELCOME

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Mayor Rodney “Buck” Christian Council Members: Jimmy Bailey, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Brasher Jeff Forman Brenda Riddle Don Smith

CityofOdenville.net

City of Odenville

A Good Place To Call Home

Business Review

All American Ford Owners take their turn at the shovel.

will be a major economic benefit to Odenville and Springville schools.” Realtor Lyman Lovejoy, who sold the property and worked closely to bring the project to fruition, also talked of the “huge impact on schools. I believe it will change the face of the whole region. What is good for one community is good for all communities,” he said. He noted that it was a team effort with Smith and the EDC leading the way, and “(St. Clair Commission Chairman) Paul Manning and the county were behind it 100%.” Makovicka had high praise for Smith and Lovejoy. “They were the absolute bee’s knees. They were supportive, communicative, and they have a real, long-term vision for the community, and that’s what we wanted.” Just like “a rising tide lifts all boats,” Makovicka said, they realize that facilitating this automobile dealership will create other opportunities and more business partnerships. “They have that kind of perspective.” As a crowd gathered in late February to officially break ground at the site, Mayor Christian talked of a vision being fulfilled there. He credited city leaders who annexed the property into the city when the opportunity arose. “You knew this would be our economic future,” the mayor said. “Thank you so much for that vision. What a milestone that stands before us. What a momentous occasion.”

Socially distanced crowd turns out for ceremony, representing areas well beyond the borders of Odenville.

68 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

If someone is aging in to Medicare (turning 65 this year) or is currently on Medicare/Medicaid, schedule an appointment with our Patient Engagement Center at 205-891-9965 to see what additional benefits may be available for you.

Contact your Pell City Member Service Representative

Dianna McCain (205) 891-9965

Business Review

All American Ford

The businesses that are helping make it happen

Local, local, local is front and center at All American Ford development When a new business or industry comes to town, they are usually talked about in terms of jobs and tax generation for the communities where they locate. In the case of All American Ford, add the economic impact on local businesses involved in the project. St. Clair County is well represented among the businesses that are helping bring this economic catalyst to Odenville and consequently, St. Clair County as a whole. Lovejoy Realty of Odenville, represented by Lyman Lovejoy and Brian Camp, sold the property. Goodgame Company of Pell City is building the dealership. Many of Goodgame’s subcontractors are based in St. Clair County. Massey Paving of Argo is handling the paving work. Seawright Robison Construction of Ashville is excavating the site. When it comes to an economic driver, All American Ford is certainly fitting that bill already.

70 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

Relationships are not the only thing we build, but they are the most important.

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Goodgame Company, Inc., is a Proud Partner of All American Ford, Odenville, Alabama.

Goodgame Company, Inc., is an award-winning supplier of the American Buildings Company.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • April & May 2021

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Business Review

Buc-ee’s opens in Leeds on I-20 Straight out of Texas, and just about as big

No shortage of dining options at the large indoor food court.

76 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

Story by Linda Long Photos by Graham Hadley The newest addition to the Leeds tax base almost defies description. It has been called, among other things, a convenience store on steroids; the Disneyland of roadside travel; and a convenience store cult. Priding itself on having the tastiest, freshest and largest selection of foods, the cleanest restrooms and the most eager beaver, even Roget’s Thesaurus seems lacking in superlatives to adequately describe this huge Texas phenomenon. And, we do mean huge. In Leeds, the store covers 55,500 square feet of floor space, offers customers 200 gas pumps and 120 of the cleanest restrooms around. These restrooms are so clean they’re even advertised on billboards along Texas interstates. Messages read something like: “Only 262 miles to Buc-ee’s. You can wait.” And another reads, “Your throne awaits.” Leeds Mayor David Miller calls getting a Buc-ee’s “a real game changer for our city. We worked on this for three years, and we knew if we could get it, it would be the economic boost we needed to do a lot of things we want to do in the future.” Miller said the mega-store has already “exceeded expectations. I understand the first Saturday they were open marked the largest weekend opening day of any Buc-ee’s anywhere.” Leeds Chamber of Commerce Director Sandra McGuire agrees saying, “the parking lot is packed all the time. I’ve seen car tags from I believe every county in Alabama as well as a lot of out-of-state tags, including Texas.” McGuire said she and her family have already become “regulars. I go for the gasoline and their fried apple pie. It’s the best.” All the food items are made fresh on the spot from baked goods to jerky to fudge and even potato chips. “They have just about anything anybody could ever want,” said Miller, “from a stick of bubble gum to a thousand-dollar pair of boots.” Lee Barnes, an attorney in Leeds is another major player in negotiating the Buc-ee’s deal. On the day we caught up with him, he was on his way to, where else? Buc-ee’s. “I’m going down there today to buy some cheesecake for my mother’s birthday. It’s the best.” Calling the negotiations “tenuous” at times, Barnes said there were “a lot of ups and downs. It was through the leadership of the mayor and the council that Buc-ee’s came to Leeds. We first had to negotiate with the property owners. Then, after it was all set, we had to reach a deal with the city and Buc-ee’s.” “After we had done all that,” Barnes continued. “They still had people trying to get them to go somewhere else. There’s only 38 Buc-ee’s in the whole United States. We were very fortunate to get one.” Barnes had kudos for Pell City developer Bill Ellison who also played a role in bringing the iconic store to Leeds. Ellison was the Buc-ee’s organization’s first Alabama connection. Ellison, a land developer responsible for almost all the growth along I-20 in Pell City, first approached Buc-ee’s on a cold call. He admits cold calling is not usually a recommended sales technique unless it works, but “over the years, I’ve done a

Shopping for everything from sporting goods to clothes.

Lyman Lovejoy talks about the importance of the new developmet. little cold calling.” He first learned about Buc-ee’s while on his way home from a quail hunting trip in Texas. “I was heading home on I-20, and I needed to stop for fuel. Well, I saw this Buc-ee’s sign. Now, I didn’t know what a Bucee’s was. Had never shopped there. Had never even heard of it, but the sign said fuel, so I exited, and I was just shocked at what I saw – 120 gas pumps and a 50,000-square-foot store. “It was 10:30 on a Monday morning, and the parking lot was covered up. I mean cars everywhere. I was just shocked,” he recalled. Shock turned to amazement after he went inside the store. “I learned that people actually plan a trip around Buc-ee’s. It’s a destination point. When I saw it I said, ‘I’ve got to have this for Pell City,’ but as it turns out, this is the big one that got away.” As Ellison explains, the Pell City property didn’t meet the Buc-ee’s specifications, which is why he got the Buc-ee’s folks to meet with the Leeds folks, and the rest – as they say – is history.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021 • 77

Business Review

Buc-ee’s opens in Leeds

Cutting the ribbon is a happy Mayor David Miller

Bill Ellison, left, joins officials at initial groundbreaking.

Ellison describes it as “the greatest cold call ever, and the least compensation ever.” “The Buc-ee’s projected economic impact on the Leeds community is impressive. According to Barnes, they are looking at an increase in over 200 jobs with employees making $15 an hour. They are expected to sell some 18 million tanks of gas and top $25 million in retail sales. “The city of Leeds is better off because a Buc-ee’s is here,” said Barnes. “The citizens are better off. The schools are better off. Travelers coming are better off. Everybody is better off, and that is going to be felt by a lot of people.” According to the mayor, “winning Buc-ee’s is a singular thing. If you lose one box store, you can always go after another one, but there’s only one Bucee’s.”

78 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

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Business Review Creators of Discover Magazine launching lake magazine for Logan Martin, Neely Henry St. Clair Countybased Partners by Design, creators of Discover St. Clair Magazine and the LakeLife 24/7® brand of lake apparel and accessories, is launching its newest venture, LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® on May 7. This magazine will capture life along Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes. “These incredible treasures of the Coosa River in St. Clair, Talladega, Calhoun and Etowah counties are just that – treasures – to be discovered, enjoyed and savored,” said Carol Pappas, president and CEO of the company. “And that’s precisely the aim of this new magazine and its digital components.” This lake lifestyle magazine will be unrivaled in its content, bringing you the essence of life on the lake as Partners has already shown it can do through Discover St. Clair Magazine, now in its 10th successful year of publication. In addition, Partners created its own LakeLife™ and LakeLife 24/7® brands several years ago, and it has grown into an e-commerce website, lakelife247. com, featuring apparel and accessories for 15 Alabama lakes along with the national brand. A brick-and-mortar LakeLife™ shop opened

LOGAN MARTIN & NEELY HENRY

LakeLife MAY & JUNE 2021

24/7

BEST IN BOATING Take a look at what watercraft are drawing attention on the lakes

80 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

Concept cover of new magazine

Dr. Barry Collins

Dr. Rick Jotani

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY SINCE 2009

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Business Review

LakeLife 24/7 Magazine

in historic downtown Pell City three years ago. “With the growth of our LakeLife 24/7® brand, we saw the magazine as a natural next step. It is an opportunity to open another avenue of telling the story of life on the lake and who better to tell that story than a group of veteran journalists, photographers, web and graphic designers?” Pappas said. “In addition to this high-quality publication you’ll be proud to display on your coffee table, awardwinning writers will bring you the stories of life on Logan Martin and Neely Henry that you’ll savor for a long time to come,” she said. “Beautiful photography, stunning video, digital advertising, digital pageturning edition, web extras, social media promotion and electronic newsletters will focus on life along our lakes as no other can. It is truly going to be a multimedia experience that keeps our readers abreast of the goings-on up and down our lakes.” The print magazine will be published and distributed free of charge on the first Friday every two months, beginning in May and on the opposite months Discover is published. “We chose May as our beginning date for this inaugural issue because this is yet another new beginning for our company. It also coincides with what is traditionally seen as the beginning of ‘lake season.’” As a lake resident herself, Pappas noted, “Of course, lake season really lasts all year long. Spectacular sunsets, inspiring sunrises and shimmering water – it’s something you never grow tired of.” Thousands of LakeLife 24/7 Magazines® will be distributed in high traffic areas around both lakes, reaching readers in St. Clair, Talladega, Etowah and Calhoun counties. Like Discover, it also will be available by subscription at a nominal annual cost. Content in the magazine centers on the people, places and things that set lake life apart from other lifestyles. Every issue features an historic piece, the story of days gone by on the lakes and the river before them. It takes you inside the kitchens of some of Logan Martin and Neely Henry’s best cooks and out on the open water as B.A.S.S. pro and fishing guide Zeke Gossett offers tips on how to catch the big ones. The magazine strives to keep readers up to date on the latest trends in boating, water toys and lake life activities. Want to know about events on and around the lake? Pappas predicts Take 5 will be the go-to source in print and digitally. “We are tremendously excited about this latest step for our company,” Pappas said. “Since we opened Partners by Design as a boutique marketing firm 11 years ago, we have always dubbed ourselves ‘the storytellers’ because the story is at the heart of everything we do, no matter the platform, no matter the messaging. “This magazine gives us yet another opportunity to tell engaging stories of life on our lakes, and we hope readers will be drawn to them for years to come – just like our lakes.”

One of the first stories will be about Logan Martin’s social media conversation starter, Carl Wallace, author of Lake Ramblings. From his morning breakfast spot, he shares thoughts of life on the lake.

LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® will take readers inside interesting spots on both lakes.

82 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • April & May 2021

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