Discover The Essence of St. Clair December 2023 and January 2024

Springville Theater • Eden Manufacturing Program • Fall on the Farm Museum Salutes Veterans • Kurt Russell • Lakeside Hospice

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Green Acres

Springville Preservation Society

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Discover The Essence of St. Clair December 2023 & January 2024

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STARS IN PELL

GREEN ACRES

When Kurt Russell came to town

Springville Preservation Society

SPRINGVILLE THEATER 47 years of rave reviews

Christmas Cooking From around St. Clair

Holiday recipes from local chefs to your table

Page 50

Page 58

Fall on the Farm

Pumpkins, peanunts and more Page 30

Lovestock

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One day of love and music Page 40

Salute to Service

Museum of Pell City veterans focus Page 44

About THE Cover

St. Clair Business

Eden workforce program

Page 62 Mariott TownPlace groundbreaking Page 70 120 years of Union State Page 72 Union State history Page 74 Japanese Summit Page 76 Lakeside Hospice ribbon cutting Page 78 Metro’s Jason Dorough honored Page 80

Final Focus

Page 82

Frank Waid mans the Green Acres counter as part of the Springville Preservation Society event Photo by Richard Rybka

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Writers AND Photographers Carol Pappas

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 and was named Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist at Auburn University.

She serves as president/CEO of Partners by Design, which publishes Discover and LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®.

Roxann Edsall Roxann Edsall is a freelance writer and former managing editor of Convene Magazine, a convention industry publication. She has a degree in (broadcast) journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi, worked as a television news reporter in Biloxi and as a reporter and assignments editor in Birmingham.

David Smith David Smith aka BamaDave, is originally from Birmingham. He and his wife Renee made Logan Martin Lake their home 19 years ago.

He is a freelance photographer, videographer and professional drone pilot. He has worked for ESPN’s College GameDay Show for the last 25 years as a cameraman and for the last 4 years as the drone pilot. He has won 12 Emmys with the show and was ESPN’s first drone pilot. David is also the owner of Spider Be Gone of Alabama.

Mackenzie Free Mackenzie Free is an experienced and nationally published photographer with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She is a Birmingham native now cultivating life on a farm in Steele with her husband & 4 daughters.

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.

Elaine Hobson Miller

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. She is a former editor of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine and staff writer for Birmingham magazine.

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 versatile career as reporter, columnist and first full-time sports information director at Samford University.

Richard (RT) Rybka Richard is a full-time professional photographer based in the Springville area and owner of Natural Light Photography LLC. His 50+ years of experience behind the lens of a camera includes working as a photojournalist for a global technology company. His credentials include many magazine cover shots, standing as a Canon Image Connect Photographer, and member of the Little River Arts Council.

From the Editor

Honored to be a St. Clair storyteller

If you need convincing that St. Clair County is one of the fastest growing areas of the state, just take a look around you. New homes are being built by the hundreds, retail stores are going up or opening their doors, recreational opportunities are climbing, a new suites hotel is on the horizon, and industries are expanding.

If you used a barometer to measure it all, the pressure gauge would likely be nearing the explosion level from the looks of it. It seems there’s a ribbon cutting or groundbreaking just about every week, and officials hint there is more to come.

We strongly suspect that Alabama’s gem has truly been discovered. It’s something many of us have known all along about this spot. It is an ideal place to call home.

We are reminded of that every time we publish Discover St. Clair Magazine. The stories reveal so much about the county’s personality, its proud history, its people and its places.

This month is no different. Our business section is chocked full of new businesses opening, people doing good work and a bank celebrating its 120th year in St. Clair County, underscoring the staying power for business in this county.

In Traveling the Backroads, we detect a glint of pride in the eyes of old timers retelling days gone by – when gristmills turned farmers’ shelled corn into a prelude for something magical called cornbread. Add a pat of real churned butter, and the glint no doubt turns into a mouthwatering memory.

Head up to Chandler Mountain, and Smith Tomato Farm shares its bounty with an annual event meant to give people a taste of Fall on the Farm.

Down in Pell City, four men working in the entertainment industry joined Rodney Burrow to bring music, peace and Christian love to his 123-acre farm, opening it to one and all for a daylong music festival called Lovestock.

Over in Springville, the Preservation Society is making sure the town not only cherishes its past but preserves it. They

even held a Green Acres Day with a nod to a couple of its more well known citizens – two of the stars of the television series. The museum and the restored rock school are among its other success stories, and the organization continues to move forward.

Meanwhile, the Springville Community Theatre celebrated 47 years of bringing the centerstage to life with a tribute to many of the productions over the years.

The county has even become a destination point for movie stars. Matthew McConnaughey and Kurt Russell filmed here in recent months, and St. Clair rolled out the welcome mat as usual.

It’s those kinds of stories that tell a lot about a place. And while we are happy to be among the masses who already have discovered St. Clair County as that precious gem, we are honored to be its storytellers.

See all those stories and more in this issue of Discover. Turn the page and discover it all with us.

Carol Pappas Editor and Publisher

Discover The Essence of St. Clair

December 2023 & January 2024 • Vol. 75 • www.discoverstclair.com

Carol Pappas • Editor and Publisher Graham Hadley • Managing Editor and Designer Dale Halpin • Advertising Toni Franklin • Graphic Arts Director

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

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When Stars Fell on

Pell City Filming a scene out by the pumps

Kurt Russell latest actor to film in St. Clair

By Scottie Vickery Submitted photos For most folks in Pell City, 2023 will be remembered as the year Hollywood came to town.

Stars fell on Alabama – or at least converged upon the state – for several weeks last summer during filming of The Rivals of Amziah King, a crime thriller written and directed by Andrew Patterson and produced by Black Bear Pictures.

By the time filming wrapped, St. Clair County residents were among the many in the state who’d had the chance to rub elbows with the rich and famous.

Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey,

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who stars in the movie, and fellow A-lister Kurt Russell, who has a supporting role, both shot scenes in the area. “It was an experience I wouldn’t have gotten to have anywhere else,” said Lena Parris, of Ragland, who was among the many who waited for hours to catch a glimpse of McConaughey. “I’m not planning on going to California anytime soon, so I figure this was the closest I was going to get to seeing a celebrity.”

If recent years are any indication, Alabamians will likely have more opportunities for star-gazing and all things show biz, according to Brian Jones, media and location coordinator for the Alabama Film Office. It provides economic incentives to attract film and

television projects, and Sweet Home Alabama is serving as a backdrop for a growing number of movies, he said. Each movie filmed in the state often leads to more.

“A lot of times, after doing one movie here, producers and production teams come back and do another one,” Jones said, adding that one reason is the welcome they receive. In larger cities, where filming is a much more frequent occurrence, people get tired of closed streets and other hassles.

“It’s generally the direct opposite in Alabama,” he said. “People are excited, and they’re turning out to see what’s happening. They’re taking photos and having fun. It’s a much more welcoming

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Kurt Russell on set at Town and Country Texaco

Kurt Russell with the Town and Country Texaco crew

kind of feeling.”

That’s exactly what happened when McConaughey came to town to film scenes at Pell City Steakhouse and a farm in Cropwell. A crowd of fans endured rain and the summer heat in hopes of meeting the Oscar winner, who starred in blockbusters such as Dallas Buyer’s Club, The Lincoln Lawyer and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

There already had been plenty of Matthew sightings in the state since filming locations included Birmingham, Bessemer, Jasper, Calera and Columbiana. That didn’t take away from the thrill, though, when the cast and crew made their way to St. Clair County.

McConaughey didn’t sign autographs at the Pell City Steakhouse, but the crowd was eventually rewarded with some great photo ops. The star, a graduate of the University of Texas and a huge Longhorns fan, also flashed a big smile and the “Hook ‘em Horns” sign to those gathered.

Makeup touchup for the star

BEHIND THE SCENES A few weeks after Matthew Mania started to subside, those Crazy for Kurt got their chance to swoon. Russell’s career started in 1963 when the 12-yearold landed a lead role in a Western television series, The Travels of Jaimie

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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McPheeters. Since then, he’s starred in many films, including Escape from L.A., Big Trouble in Little China, and Backdraft. He also played Santa in the Netflix productions Christmas Chronicles and Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, and his real-life longtime partner Goldie Hawn portrayed Mrs. Claus.

Ashley Morton, manager of Town &Country Texaco in Cropwell, has long been a fan of Russell’s so she couldn’t have been more thrilled when she learned he would be filming some scenes for the movie at the convenience store in July. He also shot scenes at a home in the Forrest Hills neighborhood.

Morton said a location scout came by one day when she was away from the store, and one of the cashiers called her to say they wanted to film there. “I didn’t believe her,” Morton said with a laugh. “I accused her of messing with me and hung up on her.”

The interest was real, though, and after the scout returned to take some measurements and photos, they eventually signed a contract.

Filming was scheduled for late at night, “so we didn’t have to close the store down,” she said.

“We were happy about that. The only thing we had to cancel was a Thursday night fishing tournament.” Town and Country is a popular launch site on Logan Martin Lake.

They ended up cancelling it twice after the original filming date was postponed a week.

“We had to cancel again, and we couldn’t tell them why,” Morton said. “That kind of had the fishermen’s feathers a bit in a ruffle.”

It was all worth it, though, when filming began. Morton wasn’t sure at first which actor would be in the scenes, but she delighted to find out it was Russell. “I was more excited about him than Matthew McConaughey,” she said.

“He was all business when they were filming, very professional,” she said. “You could tell he’d been doing it a long time and took it very seriously. In between shooting, he was very nice and normal. He said he had enjoyed his time in Alabama.”

The actors and crew didn’t arrive until about 11:30 p.m. and filming wrapped up about 2:30 a.m., said Morton, who enjoyed watching the whole process. “It’s impressive to me how fast everything goes,” she said. “Everyone shows up, and in 30 to 40 minutes, they’re ready to film.”

The number of takes required for scenes was surprising, as well. “The mics pick up so much background noise,” Morton said. “If a car road by on (U.S. Highway) 231, they would have to re-film it.”

In addition to the photos she took, Morton almost ended up with a souvenir from the evening. “They had this old truck pull up to the gas pumps for a scene,” she said. “At the end of the night, everybody leaves, and this truck’s still sitting there. The windows were down, and the keys were in it. I knew there was no way it was supposed to be sitting there like that.”

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Kurt Russell filming in Forrest Hills

The production side of things

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

After she made a quick call to the location scout, some of the crew returned to pick up the truck. “One of them said they would have been missing it on the next day’s shoot,” Morton recalled.

Although she truly enjoyed the experience, Morton said it seemed odd that a movie set in Oklahoma would be filmed in Alabama. That’s part of the magic of Hollywood, Jones said.

MADE IN ALABAMA Film crews can make almost any setting look like another. “Birmingham is a pretty big city, but it’s no Chicago,” Jones said, adding that movies set in the Windy City can still be filmed in the Magic City. “All they’re looking for is an urban setting.

They’re just catching the actors on the street with big buildings all around. They’re not going to pan up and show that some of the buildings are only 10 or 12 stories.”

Jones said much of the Jesus Revolution movie, which starred Kelsey Grammar and is set in Southern California, was filmed in Fairhope and Mobile last year. “They filmed three weeks in Alabama and three days in California just to get some of the iconic shots you have to have,” he said.

“We’re blessed, fortunately in Alabama, because we’re a very geographically diverse state,” Jones added. In addition to urban areas like Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville, there are plenty of rural areas and beautiful countryside.

“In North Alabama, you start getting into the mountains and that kind of look,” he said. “Heading back down toward Mobile, it can look like Savannah, it can look like New Orleans, it can look like the Florida Everglades. We can find a location that matches pretty much any setting unless it’s the North Pole, Antarctica, or the desert.

We can’t do that.”

The Rivals of Amziah King, which doesn’t have a release date yet, joins a long list of movies made in Alabama. The first movie filmed in the state, according to the Alabama Film Index maintained by the Alabama Film Office, was the 1949 war film Twelve O’Clock High, with scenes shot at Fort Rucker.

The Phenix City Story was filmed in 1955, followed by four movies in the 1960s.

The number of movies filmed in Alabama grew steadily the next few decades, and more than 130 movies or television shows have been totally or partially filmed in the state since 2000.

The lineup includes blockbusters like Norma Rae, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Big Fish, Selma, Woodlawn and 42. In addition, many St. Clair County residents remember when The Ark, a restaurant in Riverside, was transformed into

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Kurt Russell filming near the pumps at Town and Country

the White Cow Diner for The Devil All the Time, a 2020 Neflix film.

Big movies often feature big stars, and Alabama has welcomed its share of famous actors and actresses. Bruce Willis was in at least three movies filmed in Alabama (Wrong Place, Wire Room and Assassin). Nicholas Cage, Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Robert DeNiro, Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford are also on the list.

The Rivals of Amziah King, in fact, wasn’t the first movie McConaughey filmed in Alabama. He shot part of 2006’s Failure to Launch in the state, including rock-climbing scenes at Cherokee Rock Village in Leesburg.

SHOW ME THE MONEY Having movies made in Alabama is good for the state as well as filmmakers, Jones said. The Alabama Film Office is a division of the Alabama Department of Commerce, and its mission is boosting the state’s economy and creating jobs for Alabamians by attracting film and television productions to the state.

A movie production “pumps a lot of money into the local economy,” Jones

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said. “The crews stay several weeks, they’re renting equipment and vans and trucks, and they’re eating in restaurants.”

In addition, Alabamians are often hired as part of the cast or crew.

Producers benefit because filming in Alabama can be easier, faster and less expensive than filming in other places, Jones said. Movies that cost more than $500,000 to produce and are approved by the Alabama Film Office can earn 25 percent of the production costs back in tax incentives, he said. The percentage jumps to 35 percent when Alabamians are part of the cast or crew.

In addition, the process of getting permits and cooperation from city officials is generally shorter in Alabama, compared to big cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York. That can mean significant savings in an industry where time is money.

“Every day they’re filming is money, money, money,” Jones said. “If you can cut down on the hassles and the delays of getting permits or the delays from waiting on the police to put up barricades, you can cut down on costs.”

That’s not the only way producers can

save money. “The cost of filming, like everything else, is lower in Alabama than California,” Jones said. “The cost of gas and meals and everything else is lower. When you’re in Alabama, you’re spending less on all of these other things.

Instead of going over budget, they can come in on budget or even under budget.”

That’s why Jones is optimistic that the Alabama Film Index list will continue to grow. “In addition to regular movies, you’ve got all these streaming services doing their own original content,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to have some really good projects and some cool movies filmed here.”

The Rivals of Amziah King isn’t even the most recent one. Filming for The Life of Chuck, a movie based on a novel

by Steven King, recently took place in Fairhope, Mobile and Bay Minette.

Chances are, more will follow.

“They all make a difference moving forward,” Jones said. “Even if it’s a year, two years or three years later, someone will say, ‘Remember that Matthew McConaughey movie? That was filmed there.’” l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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A labor of love for the past Story by Paul South Photos by Richard Rybka Love comes in many forms.

A dozen roses.

A whispered lullaby A perfumed letter.

Driving a nail or sweating over a grant application.

But the love the Springville Preservation Society holds for its historic hometown can be seen in preserving the iconic Rock School, restoring the Presbyterian Church, the Springville Museum and historic homes dotting the city’s landscape.

It can even be seen in celebrating the life of Springville natives Hank Patterson and St. Clair County native Pat Buttram, stars of the zany 1960s sitcom, Green Acres.

Patterson and Buttram have passed on, but their lives and the TV show are celebrated in Springville with “Green Acres Day”, featuring a doppelganger of the precocious porker pet Arnold Ziffel, the “son” of Patterson’s character.

The society, about 100 members strong, raises money for its all-volunteer labor through grants and membership fees, ice cream socials and appropriate for this season, a festival of Christmas trees.

For Carol Waid, the reason for the tireless work is simple. She serves on the society board, and her husband Frank, an Air Force veteran, is its chairman.

After his military service ended, the couple came home.

“We were born and raised here,” Carol Waid says. “We love this little town. It’s just a wonderful community.”

The Preservation Society has poured its heart into restoring the Old Rock School. Built in 1902 as a general store, it became a center of learning for generations of Springville children. The Preservation Society’s efforts to restore the school have earned recognition from the State of Alabama. The building was

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SPRINGVILLE

Preservation Society

Clay Allison and others take part in the skit

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Inside the museum

Introduction by Kathy Burttram

Organizers Carol Waid, Brad Waid and Kathy Burttram 18

added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The Preservation Society started in 1992. Carol’s father, Marcus Pearson, was among its founders.

The school, the preserved church and other projects are far more than bricks and mortar, sweat and maybe a few tears for members of the organization. They speak volumes about the people who call Springville home, whether those folks are newcomers, or part of a long lineage of local families.

“It’s a real hometown feel,” she says. “Neighbors helping neighbors. You always have a friend.”

While it works to preserve the city’s cherished heritage, the society also strives to help Springville strike a balance between growth and preserving the past.

“That’s one of the appeals of Springville is its history,” she adds. “People love the history of the town, and the old buildings are just full of history. We want to preserve that.”

Frank Waid says that while growth is inevitable, they want residents – old and new – to celebrate and preserve the past.

“You can’t stop growth,” he says. “But we want people coming into the town to know about the town and its history. That’s why we have things like the home tour. We have tour guides who tell the stories of the old homes.

“As people come into town, we want them to know about the town so that they feel like they’re a part of it, and they’re not just moving in. They feel right at home.”

Not only is the society restoring buildings, but it’s building relationships. Ice Cream Sundays at the Rock School are popular events where friendships form.

It’s easy to think that only older people are in love with the older buildings in town. But when Frank Waid strolls downtown to grab a cup of coffee at Nichols Nook, he sees a different, diverse demographic.

“It’s full of people and it’s full of people of all ages,” Waid says. “There are a lot of young people and families – mothers pushing strollers coming in, and you just feel at home right off the bat.”

And younger people are embracing the Springville Preservation Society’s efforts. In October, local fourth graders from Springville Elementary flocked to the museum – some with their parents in tow – to explore and find joy in small things, like pecking on an antique manual typewriter.

By the way, the school was designated a “School of Excellence” by the state of Alabama in the state’s bicentennial year.

Students from Springville Elementary restored a first-grade classroom at the Rock School, where teacher Nina Crandall taught for generations.

Board member Tami Spires, a counselor at Springville Elementary and a member of the society board, spearheaded the school’s efforts, not only at the Rock School, but in other winning efforts, like the Blue-Ribbon designation.

The society is also converting the manse at the old Presbyterian Church into a city archive, known as the Springville Heritage Center, where genealogy and family histories can be researched. The society also

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Allan Morton Band

hopes to create a digital oral history archive.

As committed as it is to history, the Springville Preservation Society also makes new memories for this and future generations. Remember Arnold, Jr., the star of Green Acres Day? “We had a huge crowd, and it was a lot of fun,” Frank Waid says. “People are going to say, ‘I saw Arnold run wild.’”

Fittingly, Spires looked back to the construction of the Rock School when early 20th century residents hauled wagonloads of rock to the top of the city’s highest point to build a beacon of learning for future generations. Their ethic survives in Springville to this day.

“They spent a lot of their own money so that the town could have something that they were proud of,” Spires says. “We need to keep that to teach people that this is the way we do things. Friends help friends.

“That’s what a community does,” she adds. “We come together for a common good and do what needs to be done for one another.”

But at the end of the day, the Preservation Society’s driving force hasn’t changed from that of their forbearers, who mined rocks to build a school for future generations. Spires put it simply: “We just love Springville.” l

Susan and Josh Townsend in the iconic ‘farm living’ pose

Editor’s Note: Individual memberships for the Springville Preservation Society are $10 and $15 for families. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 92, Springville, AL 35146. The society meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Masonic Lodge on Main Street. For more information, write info@springvillepreservation.org.

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Springville Community Theater Still getting rave reviews after 47 years Beauty and the Beast

Story by Paul South Submitted photos For 47 years, the story of the Springville Community Theater has been stagecraft by “the seat of the pants,” according to founder June Mack.

Think a line from something like one of the classic Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland movies: “Hey gang, let’s put on a show.”

Everybody contributes. Everybody performs.

SCT is a small volunteer army of amateur actors, singers, dancers, set builders and ticket takers. The company has few rules: Check your ego at the stage door, no divas allowed and get ready to have fun and work hard.

That’s been the story of the theater troupe since Mack started it in 1976 after graduating from Hollins College, and her summer job fell through.

Archie Jones, a neighbor at a nearby farm, suggested that Mack put on a show in Springville. She spent a month writing a children’s fantasy, filled with song, dance and dialogue.

“I put the word out that I needed help to put this thing on, and about 20 people – lifelong friends of all ages – stepped in

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Oklahoma

to be a part of it. We had a blast,” Mack says.

The next year saw another original production that drew 70 cast and crew, including The Shake, Rattle and Roll Senior Citizens Band from Odenville.

“I didn›t exactly know what to do with them so I created a scene with a birthday party so the band (about 25 senior citizens) became the entertainment at the party in the play. They were a real hit.”

Since those initial offerings, Mack, with degrees from Florida State and Harvard, has directed the SCT in a mix of original works and Broadway classics, like Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan. Mack describes the growing troupe with a single word – brave.

“They’re not afraid to take a risk. Especially if it’s funny or unusual – something that would delight a crowd,” Mack says. “When you describe something to them that you’re thinking of them doing, and it could be embarrassing or even dangerous, they get a glint in their eye like ‘bring it on.’”

Risks, it seems, are part of life on the stage, from New York to community playhouses. But in Springville, the theater has no set script for success.

“No formula, just trying to see if we can do it,” Mack says. “It’s not that we decided we’re going renegade and not have a safety net. We just don’t have a net, or we’d definitely use it. We’ve done things that we knew could turn out catastrophic, but we just had to try -- and it always turned out.”

For example, “we did an outdoor performance of Annie Get Your Gun at Homestead Hollow. One of our leads, Madison Forman, decided at age 80 that he’d like to try acting. He was great. To do this show, we braved mosquitoes, record temperatures and humidity plus horses, lots of kids, gunshots, fireworks and longhorn steers. Plus, we moved the audience from scene to scene instead of changing the scenery, which meant relocating sound, lights and orchestra as we moved to the settings around Homestead Hollow. Just had to try it.”

One of the foundations at Springville Community Theater is that everyone who auditions is cast.

Locals from ages 4 to 85 have basked in the applause of joyful audiences. “It’s amazing what people can do when you tell them they can,” Mack says.

“We’ve had 100 (exactly) people audition for several of our shows, and since we cast every person, that meant a cast of... yep, 100. We’re not trying to grow a theater program. We just want to do fun, creative things in front of our families and friends.

“Recently, we gathered old cast and crew lists to create a spreadsheet of everyone who had worked on our shows, and the number was 970 in 47 years.

We were amazed because it’s a small town.”

Mack says that having a community theater isn’t really the important thing – it could be any kind of project that involves a lot of people working together. “The fact that it was theater just means there are a lot of different types of jobs for different

24

Annie Get Your Gun

Beauty and the Beast practice

Mary Poppins

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

South Pacific cast

kinds of people. So, it’s a very practical device for a community project. And then you present it to the community, and you’ve got participation on every level.”

The seeds for what would become Springville Community Theater were planted in the 1970s at Springville United Methodist Church, where Mack, her mother and siblings created and performed church programs along with other members of the congregation. “It was the time of the hit musical, Godspell, and youth programs everywhere were experimenting with drama, music and movement. I was fortunate to work with a lot of really talented people, and this was the norm all over Springville -- not just at the Methodist Church. It’s still true today. It’s a very unusual place.”

What do they think are the secrets behind keeping it going for almost five decades?

In the beginning – for about 10 years – we did a show every year. Now, with the size of our shows, the volunteer staff and crew need a longer break. Spacing the shows is our remedy for burn out. We go off and live our lives, and when we get the itch to do a show, we bring that life energy back to the next play.”

She explains it like this: “The stage really isn’t our lives -- it comes out of our lives. We just pretend it’s about the show (these characters, their stories), but it’s really about community, about our stories as we do this other thing called a show.”

From the beginning, she adds, it was a teaching group. “We teach anyone to act, build, paint, run a box office, operate lighting and sound equipment, make costumes, find the right props, be a stagehand. Since nobody gets paid, anyone can volunteer to do anything. We’re sort of the “no rules” theater troupe.”

As for its staying power, she notes, “Incredibly talented people just keep showing up for sets, art, props, costumes,

26

Painting the set for Mary Poppins

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Holiday ! s g n i t e e r GTO YOU AND YOURS

Wishing you a safe & healthy holiday season!

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Learning to fly for Peter Pan

sound and lights. We couldn’t afford these people if we were paying them. But they’ll work for free because the creative atmosphere is super, and they are so appreciated – it just feels good to be a part of these shows.

“It’s incredibly hard work, but these people know that hard work and long hours come with quality art, and they pour themselves into it, teaching others along the way. That continuity of expertise sprinkled through all of the committees has been key to our ability to handle the hundreds of people who head our way now for every show.”

Mack points to other keys to their success. “We have no overhead because we don’t own a building or have a payroll, and this makes it possible for us to have a lot of freedom to do shows when we want to and take risks – risks that come with doing really big shows and a lot of crazy stunts.

“We keep ticket prices as low as we can to make the shows accessible to everyone. We just want to break even – we’re not interested in socking away any money. With donations from the City of Springville, St. Clair County and a few special friends, we’re able to mount extravagant shows with very low ticket prices.

They keep the spotlight trained where it should be, she says.

“With less focus on money and sustaining a large organization, we’re able to keep our main goal in sight: process is more important than product. The cool part is that, by focusing on the process, the quality of the product is always amazing.

“We focus on the experience of the people who work on the shows. We want everyone to be proud of themselves, and this expands to the pride and love their families and friends feel for them when they see them on the stage. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Mack taught at UAB from 2001 to 2019, where she led the university’s film program. Before that, she taught at Ohio University, The Ringling School of Art and Design and at Florida State.

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The King and I, Shall We Dance

Peter Pan wire work For the former college faculty member, Springville Community Theater teaches a powerful lesson. “Doing something that’s fun and wanting to give back to friends, family and community really works out in the long run.”

And after 47 years, how does Mack see the future Springville Community Theater? “More of the same, only, it’s never the same.” l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller Photos by Richard Rybka

Children playing in the corn

The smell of caramel popcorn, the sounds of children laughing, the sea of tents filled with handmade crafts. There’s nothing like a fall festival to entertain you on a cool, crisp Saturday, especially one like Fall on the Farm on Chandler Mountain.

Held at Smith’s Tomato Farm, this year’s event — the seventh — featured all of the above plus good, old-fashioned guitar and banjo picking for entertainment. It doesn’t get much better than this!

“We just wanna do something for the community, where families can come out and enjoy the day with no admission charge,” said Kista Lowe, manager of Smith Tomato Farm. “We just want families to come have a good time.”

At the entrance to the festival, fall displays such as a rusty Farmall tractor with pumpkins and a scarecrow beside it provided the perfect place for a family photo shoot. Two giant John Deere 200 h.p.+ tractors normally used in the tomato fields were parked nearby.

Carrying the farm theme even further, a “tractor track” allowed tots to ride old toy tractors within the confines of a pumpkin “patch.” A bench at one end provided another photo op, with its backdrop of a slatted wood fence piece bearing a sign reading, “Hello Pumpkins.” Squeals and giggles of delight came from the two inflatable slides nearby.

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Painted ceramic owl

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

31

Promoting agritourism in St. Clair County

Dorries handpainted gourds Kristin Simpson painted smiling faces in her Starshine Faces booth near rows of potted mums in garnet, yellow and white, for sale at $30 a pot. Turning the corner, the familiar smells of festival foods made you hungry, no matter when you last ate breakfast. And the sight of all those crafts made you wish you had left your wallet at home, because you knew you weren’t going to get away without spending some money.

As you turned the corner, the hum of a portable generator provided a backdrop against a cacophony of bargaining voices, squeals of delight, and questions of, “How much does that cost?” Aromas of caramel popcorn and grilled meat filled the air, and the longest line was at the big booth serving tamales, asada (strips of grilled beef) and grilled chicken on quesadillas, tacos and more.

“Our (farm) crew leader’s wife did the asada booth to benefit the family of a little girl hit and killed while waiting on a school bus in Oneonta recently,” said Kista Lowe.

“Her family worked on another farm in

32

Bluegrass band turns out to entertain

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Esther Smith mans her booth at the event

Face painting is always a big draw 34

Blount County. Our crew chief is Pepe Gonzales, and his wife is Estella.”

Although Lowe said the number of vendors was down slightly this year, you couldn’t tell it from gazing at the rows of tents lined up. Some 2,000-3,000 people shopped with vendors selling jewelry, T-shirts and hoodies, water color art, pottery, candles and hand-woven dish towels.

The latter sold for $15 each, with several woven on-the-spot

by Marcia Wells of Springville.

She brought along her loom to demonstrate her craft. “I have several more looms at home, including four I inherited from my mother,” Wells said.

Other booths sold “Welcome” signs for porches, sarapes and ponchos with western art in their designs and brightly-colored Mexican ceramics. Brown Hat Bakery, a north Gadsden establishment, contributed to the sweet aromas of baked goods at another booth.

Fall and Christmas wreaths,

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Bounce houses are always popular with the kids

Marcia Wells shows off her loom

Food truck draws a crowd

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handmade stuffed animals, handdecorated tumblers, caramel and chocolate-covered apples, T’s Nuts (key lime, Cajun, garlic, Parmesan, coconut rum flavors) and Woodcraft30 of Fosters, AL, with its signs, and Christmas ornaments, were lined up nearby.

Moon’s Resin Designs offered trinket trays, tarot boards, charcuterie boards, plus birdhouses made of gourds. Jessica Wade of Bee Leaf of Springville sold candles of beeswax and soaps made with honey. Beau Blossom Blow of Springville had skullshaped flicker lights. Run by Amethyst Blow and Jeremy Varden, who are raising money for their wedding, the business got its name from the nickname Amethyst’s grandfather used for her.

Tiffany Tibbs of Odenville manned the booth called His Grace Creations, which featured embroidered gifts and apparel such as baby bibs, tees and home decor.

This was Tibbs’ third year at the festival. Embroidering, she said, is “a hobby that pays me a little bit.”

Dorrie’s Salvage Art, from Talladega County, featured decorative signs such as smiling pumpkins, prancing roosters and a cabin in the woods painted on wood planks, not to mention banana gourds, egg gourds and birdhouse gourds transformed into Christmas ornaments and, guess what? Birdhouses!

“This is our first time here,“ said Dorrie, whose husband helps in the business. “A fellow vendor from the Rustic Bucket (another festival) in Odenville told me about it.” Fall on the Farm was well worth her time. “I’m a hoarder of wood,” she said. “My husband was a sawmiller before his stroke.”

Stephanie Abernathy of Steph’s Hand-Stamped Jewelry had a booth that sold her own creations as well as bracelets made by her daughter, Sophie. It was their second year at the festival. “I like supporting local fairs by selling something locally made, and I like seeing my students come through,” said Abernathy, who teaches second grade at Ashville Elementary.

She makes jewelry by using a hammer to stamp pre-cut designs

A huge variety of vendors were on hand

onto aluminum, brass and copper. “I’ve been doing this for 12 years,” she said. Sophie, 13 and an eighth-grader at Ashville Middle School, makes Sophie’s Handmade Bracelets from glass and plastic beads.

Music for the day was furnished by Phillip Mulkey and Friends, an old-time bluegrass group that featured Phillip on banjo, Rick Morton on upright bass, Wes Phillips on mandolin, Mark and Adron Willingham on guitars, and Robbie Lawson, female vocalist singing harmony and playing guitar.

“We always hold this on the first Saturday in October, and there’s no charge for parking or admission,” said Kista Lowe.

“Come out and join us next year!” l

38

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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One Day of Love and Music Lovestock Festival Promotes Unity and Love Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Mackenzie Free In August of 1969, there was a music festival of some note, held on a dairy farm a few hours outside of New York City. Attended by over 400,000 people, that music festival, known as Woodstock, was promoted with the slogan, “Three Days of Peace and Music.” The country was in the middle of turbulent times, and organizers thought music could bring some inner peace to festival goers.

Fast-forward 54 years to a farm in the heart of Pell City, Alabama. Hundreds of people have gathered to enjoy a free music festival. The festival is called Lovestock, a nod to the intent of the historic 1969 music mega-festival. As you walk from the parking area toward the stage, you enjoy the serene beauty of this farm, with its expansive views of gently sloping green hills and fields.

As you approach the stage, you hear the master of ceremonies tell the crowd that today there are no races, no black, no white, just love.

“Today,” the voice explains, “will be all about the collective experiences of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and their expressions of love in music.” Throughout the day, the shared joy and community among the participants creates a truly palpable sense of love and unity.

During breaks in the music, squeals of joy can be heard from the children’s inflatables play area.

Groups of festival goers wander about to visit the food truck and vendor area as they wait to hear their favorite group sing. Unlike the rainy, muddy conditions that characterized the Woodstock festival site, the weather on this October day is sunny and warm, with a breeze that hints of the changing seasons.

Individuals and bands from five states share the stage at various times throughout this day-long music festival. The 17 acts will later be edited into four shows for Alabama Gospel Roots, a popular television show which airs on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. on Alabama Public TV (APT).

Al Lewis has been playing saxophone for 64 years. He’s playing with two different bands on this day. “I was around at the time of Woodstock,” he says. “Lovestock is different and so much better. No alcohol, no chemicals, just totally Christian love.” He joins the band, Lite Brigade, in the morning set and Healed by the Blood in the closing act of the day.

Rev. Dr. Renita Allen-Dixon is a popular gospel recording artist from Tallahassee, Florida, and has just finished her set on stage. She agrees with

40

Just like Woodstock, the festival is centered around energetic live performances

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Lewis about the festival and its location. “You can feel life and the presence of God here,” she adds. “It’s an opportunity for God to bring serenity and peace and for faith to be renewed.”

The idea for Lovestock began two years ago as the brainchild of four men working on various projects in the entertainment industry in Alabama. George W. Stewart, host of the Alabama Gospel Roots television show pitched to his friend, Charlie Beavers, the idea of putting on an outdoor music festival.

Beavers, a Birmingham attorney and frequent guest musician on the gospel show, agreed to help, and the idea took flight.

Beavers suggested including Rodney Burrow, a friend he had worked with previously on a charity music event. Michael Sutton, who manages Iron City Collective, a pop-up worship event group which produces worship events at places like Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham, rounded out the group.

APT had been taping Alabama Gospel Roots at venues all around the state since the COVID pandemic shut down their studio in Montgomery. As they continued to talk about it, the plan began to take shape as a Christian Woodstock equivalent, with back-to-back groups playing throughout the day, but without the negative connotations and volatility that became associated with the iconic ‘60s festival.

Lovestock organizers added to their event promotion the tagline, “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” a reference to a popular 1965 song recorded by Jackie DeShannon. “That’s truly what the world needs now,” said Stewart. “There’s a lot of hurt in the world today. We’re going to show a pure expression of love for each other and love for God. We hope people leave empowered to share this example of unity with the world.”

Organizers booked Lovestock at Rodney Burrow’s 123acre farm. Its green, rolling hills and water features project a decidedly golf course feel, with good reason. Burrow purchased the land from the estate of Charles Carter, owner of Carter Golf Company, a world-renowned company that built many famous golf courses, including the Robert Trent Jones courses in Alabama.

“Carter used his company equipment and sculpted it, I’m told, from basically swampland to the tranquil and beautiful hills and lush greenways that it is now,” tells Burrow.

Burrow had been looking for land to buy outside of Birmingham in 2012 when the property became available. He recalls the story of how he knew it was the right land for him.

“A friend came out with me to look at the land. He got down on one knee and scooped up some dirt in his hand, let it sift through his fingers and told me that one day I would be able to call this land my own,” says Burrow, choking back tears.

“I came back a few days later and promised God that if he gave me this property, I would give it back to him.” Thirty days later, Burrow closed on the property, which he now calls Willow Tree Ranch.

His journey to fulfill that promise includes offering sections of the property for use for events like Lovestock and for use in his work with area youth and families. “When I bought it, I really didn’t know what that would look like. What began as a youth camp idea has expanded into something far beyond my expectations,” adds Burrow.

He has plans to develop the land further and build a conference center with lodging, and fishing and recreation areas, along with barns with horses for guests to ride.

Burrow introduces one of his volunteers at the festival.

Joseph Carrion smiles as he tells his story of gratitude and the reason he is happy to help. He had been serving two life

42

Spectators fill the fields in front of the stage

sentences plus 13 years at Donaldson Correctional Facility as a repeat offender convicted on a charge of drug possession.

After participating in a prison ministry event called Kairos in 2003, he turned his life around. Charlie Beavers was working with that ministry on that April weekend at Donaldson. “I asked him if God could really save me,” said Carrion.

“A year later, I was released on parole. The next year, Charlie and some others went with me to Montgomery to receive a full pardon. Helping with these kinds of events helps me to give back for the gift of love and salvation I didn’t deserve.”

Breaking down barriers and offering life-changing love is what has fueled the efforts of all who worked on this music festival. “Lovestock crosses all boundaries,” says Stewart.

“It’s a collective of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and their expressions of love in music. It’s unfacilitated peace through all walks of life.”

Plans are already underway for Lovestock 2024. l

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

James E. Hill, III Candidate for

St. Clair County Circuit Judge “It is my great honor to announce my candidacy for the office of Circuit Judge for St. Clair County. As those who have so faithfully served in the past, I pledge to administer the responsibilities of this office in a fair and impartial manner - consistent with the laws of the State of Alabama. Focusing my career on St. Clair County, its cities, and its citizens has been a tremendous privilege for the past sixteen years and I look forward to continuing to serve in this new capacity.”

Pd. Political Adv. by James E. Hill III, PO Box 1262 Ashville, AL 35953

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SALUTE TO SERVICE

Museum of Pell City’s special focus on veterans

Veterans from Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home honored as special guests

Story and photos by Carol Pappas In its first community outreach program since opening in March, Museum of Pell City presented Salute to Service Nov. 2, hosting a crowd of over 80 veterans and community and governmental leaders.

The event included lunch, speaker, a state senate resolution, a special presentation to veterans, a new military service exhibit and premier of a short film produced by the museum.

“We chose this as our very first community outreach program for a reason – veterans form the very foundation of all of our communities across our country,” Museum President Carol Pappas said in opening remarks. “Their history is what our history is built upon, and we truly thank them for their service.”

Salute to Service hosted a group of veterans and staff from Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home as special guests, and veterans throughout the audience were recognized for their service. The museum presented each with a special memento – a commemorative challenge coin thanking them for their service.

The museum presented its coin with a specially designed

44

Challenge coin presented to each veteran as special thank you

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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card saying: “Historically, military commanders presented challenge coins to members of their units in recognition of special achievements.

Today, we respectfully present it to you for the ultimate achievement – your service and sacrifice in defense of our country, our freedoms and our way of life.”

Museum First Vice President Deanna Lawley directed the day’s program, noting her own roots in a military family. “Veterans are men and women who have put others before self to guarantee the security of our community and country. The sacrifices were also made by your families who often had an empty chair at the head of the table. I know this because for the first 15 years of my life, I watched my mother move four daughters from the dust blown plains of Ft. Sill Field Artillery School, Oklahoma, to Newnan, Georgia, where family took us in as Daddy was deployed to join Patton’s 3rd Army.”

She detailed the family’s moves during her father’s service after World War II – Panama Canal and Boston. Then, he was called to Korea.

When the war ended, she and her sisters thought he would be home soon, but duty called again.

“He remained to negotiate prisoner of war exchanges and saw the harsh sacrifices made by those who had been captured.”

He was home for a time, then orders sent him with family in tow to Verona, Italy, where he’d work to establish SETAF relationships and find a home for us on the Italian economy,” she said, noting that she went to school in a converted shoe factory with a potbelly stove for heat.

“Military families learned to be resilient and independent. I don’t know the length of service each of you gave, but I know it involved many sacrifices from you and your loved ones. My father will always be my hero, Col. Neil Nolen of Alexander City, Alabama, just as you surely are to your family. Freedom is never free, and we thank each veteran here today for all you gave.”

Salute to Service Program “This event was made possible through the efforts of so many,” Pappas said, noting the work of the board of directors, the museum docents and volunteers. Union State Bank sponsored the lunch. Pell City Flower and Gifts donated centerpieces for each table. Metro Bank, through a five-year financial commitment, is making special programs like this and traveling exhibits possible.

“Col. Robert L. Howard Veterans Home and Director Hiliary Hardwick were instrumental in the success of this event, loaning many of the artifacts, uniforms and photographs we have on display, greatly expanding the exhibit we were able to create. Jeremy Gossett, who designed the museum, created our new exhibit, which triples the size of the military portion of the museum’s “For Their Service” displays.

“Jeremy’s talent in bringing this together in such a special way shows the pride in which we all take in saluting our veterans and their

46

A section of the expanded Salute to Service exhibits at the museum

Dr. Marty Olliff talks about Alabama and Pell City’s role in World War I

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

sacrifice,” Pappas said.

“We thank Dr. Marty Olliff, professor, author and historian for his presentation on Alabama’s role in World War I,” she added. “His talk reminds us of how our own story fits into the bigger picture of Alabama and U.S. history.”

The living history studio where oral histories are videoed was turned into a screening room for the event and throughout the rest of the year, where they are showing the museum produced-film, War and Remembrance. The video features local veterans and others from the state veterans home, who represent World War II, Korea and Vietnam, who share their own experiences of conflict.

“This is a powerfully moving video, helping us better understand the sacrifices of war,” Pappas said. The video is the first in a series of such videos made possible through grants from Alabama Humanities Alliance and the Greater Pell City Rotary Community Foundation.

She commended videographers Ed Tyler and David Smith, volunteers who filmed these interviews, and Larry Krantz, who put it all together as video editor. “They did a tremendous job in bringing the battlefield home to us so that we have an even deeper appreciation for our veterans.”

State Sen. Lance Bell presented a resolution proclaiming the month of November as Veterans Month at the Museum, underscoring that “Veterans have earned and deserve such recognition and deep gratitude for their service and sacrifice.”

The exhibit and film are featured through the end of the year. The museum is open Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but will be closed for holidays Dec. 22 and 23.

Any veteran visiting will receive the special challenge coin and card as a special gift from the museum. Admission is always free. l

A crowd of about 90 attended the lunch and events

Screening room view of War and Remembrance film produced by museum

Docent Annette Manning presents veteran Jay Jenkins with challenge coin 48

Stan Batemon, a Vietnam veteran, in Pledge of Allegiance DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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Christmas IN ST. CLAIR Cooking up the Holidays 50

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Area chefs share seasonal secrets Story and photos by Elaine Hobson Miller Contributed photos Christmas time’s a-comin’, and you can almost smell the aroma of holiday foods. Cakes, pies, scrumptious side dishes, standing rib roasts and turkeys take center stage, or should we say, center table, in homes throughout the world.

It’s not just homes that feature holiday dishes, though. Many restaurants, including several here in St. Clair County, also bring out holiday foods that add a touch of festiveness to their daily menus. Discover managed to gather up a few that their chefs were willing to share. Many of them, like those on our readers’ tables, were handed down from mothers and grandmothers, making them extra special at family holiday gatherings.

Special dishes The St. Clair’s signature

Chef de Cuisine Sean Fincher at The St. Clair in Pell City developed an amazing appetizer recipe called, “Spiced Red Wine Braised Sausage Rolls with Caramelized Onion Fig Jam.” In fact, it could be used a side dish, too. It takes a little work but is well worth the effort. Co-owner Rebecca Robinson says the item isn’t on the menu yet but may be during the holidays. Or, they may add it to their catering menu.

The restaurant and The Tavern at The St. Clair are the brainchild of Rebecca and Carson Robinson, business partners for nearly two decades. Their menu is a mix of steaks, seafood, game, chicken, lamb and pork and a variety of appetizers and salads. Offerings are upscale, but not pretentious. This white-tablecloth restaurant doesn’t care whether you dress up or wear jeans, and patrons can be seen in both.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

51

PHILIP K. SEAY

CIRCUIT JUDGE ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ALABAMA PHIL.SEAY@ALACOURT.GOV ST. CLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE 1815 Cogswell Avenue, Suite 308 Pell City, AL 351125 (205) 338-7156 ST. CLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE 100 6th Avenue, Suite 400 Ashville, AL 35953 (205) 594-2181

ANDREW WEATHINGTON JUDGE OF PROBATE

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

James McGowan

_Wishing one and all a

Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year .

BILLY R WEATHINGTON, JR. CIRCUIT JUDGE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL COURT ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ALABAMA Bill.Weathington@alacourt.gov ST. CLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE 1815 Cogswell Avenue, Suite 307 Pell City, AL 351125 (205) 338-9491

ST. CLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1815 Cogswell Avenue Suite 212 Pell City, AL 35125 (205) 338-9449 PH (205) 884-1182 FAX

100 6th Avenue Suite 400 Ashville, AL 35953 (205) 594-2120 PH (205) 594-3567 FAX

EMAIL: AWEATHINGTON@STCLAIRCO.COM

ST. CLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE 100 6th Avenue, Suite 400 Ashville, AL 35953 (205) 594-2189

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Christmas

Always something good at Greasy Cove

IN ST. CLAIR

Scott Holmes with peanut butter pie

Greasy Cove General Store’s contribution, Cranberry Salad, is a recipe handed down from owner/manager Donald Reeves’ grandmother. “She made it at family gatherings,” Reeves said. He also said he may be serving it in his Gallant-area restaurant, affectionately known by customers as the Greasy Spoon, during the current holiday season.

“The store building was in our family, but it was falling in, and I wanted to do something difficult,” Reeves said regarding the development of his business. “I always wanted a general store with a produce market and kitchen in it. We opened in 2019, but it took another year to get the restaurant open.” Prior to running a general store and restaurant, Reeves was a machinist. “I like hole-in-the-wall places with really good food,” he said.

Head to The Grill for palate pleasing dishes

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts will make a vegetable eater out of hard-core meat and potatoes folks. Contributed

by The Grill at the Farm, in Cropwell, it is part of a menu 75 percent of which was created by owner Wade Reich, his son/manager Eakin Reich, and Chef Patrick.

Wade Reich says part of his reasoning for opening The Grill (formerly Louie’s) was a lack of properly functioning synapses in his brain. This may be attributed to his having grown up in his family’s hotel business, which started in 1894 in Gadsden, as well as in the food business, with chefs out of New Orleans and 100-year-old recipes. “You get the food business in your blood, and you can’t get it out,” Reich said.

He wouldn’t have done it by himself, but his son joined him. “This used to be Louie’s Grill at the Countryside Farm,” Reich said. “We have 62 acres, and we’re trying to figure out how to develop the rest of the property.”

Besides its 100-seat restaurant, The Grill offers a 140-seat party room and a 40-seat sports or oyster bar. “Then there’s the Residence Inn and a barn we’re trying to do something with,” Reich says. “I also own Butts To Go on May’s Drive.

The Grill at the Farm is at 230 Hamby Road, off US 231, then the Dam Road.”

Chef Sean Fincher at The St. Clair

What’s for dessert?

Chef T (Tony) and partner Carl Byers 54

For a sweet-salty ending to your holiday meal, try Peanut Butter Pie, contributed by Scott Holmes, owner of Charlie’s BBQ in Odenville. In 2016, Charlie’s beat out nine other barbecue joints across the state to be selected Best Barbecue in The Dives division during Alabama Tourism’s Year of Alabama Barbecue.

Holmes thinks his location at the corner of US 411 and Alabama 174 South, in front of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and adjacent to a service station, probably placed him in the right category. “If you’re a barbecue place in Alabama attached to a service station, you’re probably a dive,” he said.

“Briskets are our signature dish,” he added. “We smoke six a week. A brisket is the chest muscle of a cow, and it’s hard to do. We cook them up to 16 hours to get them tender.” There’s a different special every Monday, such as the popular Soul Bowl, consisting of a bed of garlic cheese grits layered with turnip greens, pork and a cornbread muffin on top.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

55

Christmas

IN ST. CLAIR

Greasy Cove

Look what’s cookin’ in Ragland

Anthony Soles and his business partner, longtime City Councilman Carl Byers, opened Chef T’s (for Tony) in Ragland in 2010, building on the success of their original Alexandria location.

Chef T says he inherited his love of cooking from his mother, and he has used that “inheritance” for years as he worked his way up in the food industry.

For the holidays, Soles chose to share Apple Dumplings as the go-to favorite.

The mainstay of his everyday menu is the barbecue pork, and they offer a small-chopped pork sandwich for just $1.25.

The barbecue sauce is homemade and is described by Byers as a “sneaky heat, but not overpowering.” The signature Chef T’s burger is served with a steak knife holding it all together.

In addition to running a Southern, home-style eatery, catering is an aspect of the business and is supported by two food trucks. They cater for many of the large corporations and businesses in the surrounding areas.

If these recipes aren’t enough to inspire your holiday cooking, maybe you should pick up Christmas dinner at one of these St. Clair restaurants.

56

Beautiful table setting at the Grill at Countryside Farm

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Come worship with us!

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Christmas

IN ST. CLAIR

Holiday Recipes SPICED RED WINE BRAISED SAUSAGE ROLLS WITH CARAMELIZED ONION FIG JAM From Chef de Cuisine Sean Fincher at The Tavern at The St. Clair (Pell City) Ingredients for the Braised Sausage: • • • • • • • • •

8 - 5” Lengths of Conecuh Mild Sausages (or your favorite link sausages) 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 cups dry red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir 1 cup beef broth 1 stick of cinnamon, whole 8 whole cloves 1 sprig of fresh rosemary 1 orange, peel only Salt

Directions: Add oil and sausages in a small braising pan (or other pan with 2” sides) heated on medium-high.

Brown links on each side, then add cinnamon, cloves and rosemary and saute lightly for 2 minutes. Deglaze with wine, adding the beef broth and orange peel. Cover with a lid and braise for 1 hour. Remove sausages and allow to cool to room temperature, then chill thoroughly. Reduce braising liquid by half and strain through a fine mesh strainer. Reserve for jam preparation. While the sausages cool, begin making the jam.

Ingredients for the Jam: • • • • • •

4 red onions, thinly sliced (Julienned) 2 Tbs. olive oil 4 cups fresh figs, chopped* ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 Tbs. sugar, or to taste if you prefer it sweeter Reserved braising liquid

Directions: In the braising pan after straining liquids out, add onions. Cook the onions on low heat, stirring often until they are caramelized. They should have a deep brown color to them. Deglaze with reserved braising liquid and scrape the bottom of the pan from all the fond (brown bits) that has developed.

Add figs, balsamic vinegar, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a bare simmer for 1 hour and stir often.

The mixture should have thickened with very little residual liquid left in the pan. Taste for salt

58

and sweetness and adjust to your personal taste.

Remove to a storage container and allow to cool to room temperature. Serve warm.

Bring it all together: • • •

Ingredients: 1 package of puff pastry, thawed 1 egg + 1 tsp of water for egg wash

Cut puff pastry into 8 equal pieces with a sharp knife. Place each sausage in the center of the pastry horizontally. Lightly brush egg wash onto the back edge, furthest from you. Fold the pastry closest to you over the sausage and then onto the back edge, leaving the seam side down on the cutting board.

After completing all the sausages, place them on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Brush each roll with the remainder of the egg wash. Bake at 400* F for 25 minutes or until the puff pastry has turned golden brown.

Enjoy the Sausage Rolls with the Jam *When fresh figs aren’t available, replace with ¾ cup of fig preserves. Don’t add sugar to the jam because the preserves are going to have more than enough.

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

Brandi Williams Hufford Candidate for

District Judge, St. Clair County

Brandi Williams Hufford announces her candidacy for District Judge of St. Clair County in the March 5th Primary.

A native of St. Clair County, she returned home to practice law after graduating from Samford University and Cumberland School of Law. Her extensive legal experience includes: • Municipal Judge for Pell City and Odenville for over 5 years • Juvenile • Probate • Adoption • General Litigation • Real Estate Pd. Political Adv. by Brandi Williams Hufford, 12 Edwin Holladay Place, Pell City, AL 35125

Christmas

IN ST. CLAIR

CLARA’S CRANBERRY SALAD From Donald Reeves at Greasy Cove General Store (Gallant) Ingredients: • • • • • •

2 small boxes raspberry Jello 1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained 1 pint sour cream 1/2 cup chopped nuts 2 cups boiling water

Directions: Put 2 cups boiling water in a large bowl and add Jello. Stir until dissolved. Stir in cranberry sauce.

Let set in refrigerator until syrupy. Add cranberry sauce, pineapple, sour cream and nuts, and fold in.

Put in refrigerator until set.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE From Charlie’s BBQ (Odenville) Ingredients: • • • • • • •

16 oz. jar of natural peanut butter 8 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese, softened ¾ cup of honey 8 oz. Cool Whip 6 oz. chocolate pie crust 2 Tbs. semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ Tsp. shortening

Directions: Beat together cream cheese and honey until well blended. Stir in peanut butter and mix well. Gently fold in Cool Whip. Spoon into crust. Heat chocolate chips and shortening over low heat until melted, drizzle over pie. Chill overnight or freeze.

Serves 8.

APPLE DUMPLINGS From Chef T’s (Ragland) Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

1 1/2 cups sugar 2 cups water 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon divided 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg divided 1/4 cup butter 2/3 cup sugar 2 (15 oz) packages refrigerated pie crusts 8 med apples of your choice peeled and cored 3 tbsp butter cut up

Directions: Boil 2 cups water, 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg in saucepan on med high heat stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low simmering and stirring occasionally for 10 min. This will turn to syrup. Once it does add 1/4 cup sugar and set to the side. In a separate bowl mix your leftover cinnamon, nutmeg and 2/3 cup sugar.

Cut pie crusts quarters and roll out into circles.

60

Place an apple in the middle of each circle sprinkling each evenly with your cinnamon sugar mixture. Dot each evenly with butter. Fold dough over apples, pinching each closed. Place in lightly greased baking dish. Drizzle with syrup. Bake dumplings at 375° for 45 minutes.

You can always find a way to cut corners and use canned fried apples for a sweeter simpler dish.

Serve hot or cold. Goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Hope you enjoy this great dessert like we do.

MAPLE BACON BRUSSELS SPROUTS From The Grill at The Farm (Cropwell) Ingredients: • • • • • •

2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved 2 pieces thick-cut bacon, such as Nueske’s Applewood smoked bacon 3 Tbsp. maple syrup 1/4 tsp. Kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bacon on sheets and cook until beginning to crisp, about 7 minutes.

Remove bacon from oven and transfer to a paper towel- lined plate; reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings. Chop bacon into small strips. Discard aluminum foil and return rimmed baking sheet to hot oven.

Meanwhile, fill large stock pot with water and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add Brussels sprouts and boil until leaves are dark green in color, about 4 minutes. Transfer Brussels and any loose leaves to a large bowl filled with ice water. Drain, pat dry and transfer to medium bowl. Add half of the chopped bacon, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, reserved bacon drippings and salt and pepper to the bowl; toss to combine. Remove baking sheet from oven and evenly spread mixture over sheet; cook Brussels sprouts until caramelized and bacon is crisp, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Transfer Brussels sprouts to a serving bowl and drizzle with remaining maple syrup and bacon.

Serves 6-8

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

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TherapySouth is an outpatient physical therapy practice with a fun, family-oriented environment. For more than 30 years, Tyler McGrady and the experienced physical therapists in Pell City have built relationships with their patients and helped them achieve their physical goals. We know you have a choice for your healthcare, and we’d love for one of our great people to be your physical therapist!

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support, they achieve great things. The discoveries and innovations happening today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures. And it benefits not only the patients and families who come to Children’s of Alabama, but people across the country and around the world for years to come.

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Business Review

Students taking part in the Modern Manufacturing Program 62 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

Story and photos

by Graham Hadley

Modern Manufacturing Honda steps up with SUV for workforce development program at Eden Tech

Once again, St. Clair County is leading the way for the rest of Alabama when it comes to workforce development programs in public education – and Honda Manufacturing is already stepping in to help.

The John Pope Eden Career Technical Center in Ashville, working with the St. Clair Economic Development Council, is taking a lead role in the Modern Manufacturing Program, a partnership between the Alabama Works initiative and local school systems, as the state continues its efforts to boost the number of qualified manufacturing professionals.

The program at is already well on its way to being another workforce development success story for the region. Now, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama has joined those efforts, donating a Honda Pilot SUV and more to MMP at Eden in late October.

“At the Honda Alabama Auto Plant we are excited about the opportunity that the Modern Manufacturing Program can provide for students and industry alike,” said Michael Gaines, division leader at Honda Alabama.

“Modern Manufacturing will provide the necessary skills for entry level manufacturing positions in our company, as well as other manufacturing companies in our region. Almost all industries in our area are experiencing manpower shortages, and this program will give students the basic skills they need before entering the workforce, helping to increase their career options, and hiring potential, while also helping local employers to fill open positions with individuals already advanced in work-based skills.”

Bob Johnson, who helms the program at Eden and a former HMA employee, expressed his gratitude to his former employer for its generosity.

“The MMP program at Eden Career Technical Center is very thankful to Honda. This donation will contribute to ensuring that every student is prepared to meet future opportunities beyond high school.”

And that generosity goes beyond just the Pilot.

“Honda has contributed parts, materials and money and worked with the St. Clair County Board of Education to make this happen,” he said.

Jason Roberts, director of Industry and

Students and officials at the ribbon cutting

Program chief Bob Johnson talks to attendees

DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024 • 63

Business Review Modern Manufacturing Program

Handing over the keys

Students and guests attend the MMP presentation at Eden

Workforce Development at St. Clair EDC, was credited with playing a key role in bringing everyone together. He said the partnership is essential to the success of the MMP program and was quick to point out that across the state, all of the major manufacturers, especially the big automotive companies – Honda, Mercedes, Toyota-Mazda and Hyundai – are stepping in to make sure the skillsets they need are being taught.

The donation is a first for Eden and for schools in the region, said Kristen Holder, executive director for Central Six AlabamaWorks.

She, along with other officials, like Alabama School Board Member Marie Manning, EDC Director Don Smith and St. Clair Superintendent Justin Burns, attended the event.

“This is such an opportunity for our students,” Burns said. “I knew it would be a good opportunity when you partner with companies like Honda or Unipres, and Eden Career Tech is the perfect next step in the workforce development process. … I know this is just the beginning. Thank you for giving us the opportunity.”

64 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024

69

Business Review

Mariott TownePlace Suites Pell City groundbreaking Visitors staying in Pell City for so many different reasons will have another quality lodging option. Shivaay Hospitality LLC owners, Darshen Patel and Vishal Patel, broke ground on their newest Marriott TownePlace Suites at 265 Vaughan Lane today in front of a crowd of supporters Wednesday morning.

“We have been looking at the growing Pell City market for the right location and believe this is the perfect fit for our guests,” said co-owner Darshen Patel.

“Our 89-room hotel will be the first Marriott brand in St. Clair County and is located within view of Premiere Cinema’s movie theater, national brand eateries, and numerous retailers. Our guests can choose to visit those businesses or enjoy their entire stay without leaving our hotel,” added coowner Vishal Patel.

All the rooms will have kitchenettes, and the hotel will have a bar in the lobby, free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast and a firepit and pool outside.

“Pell City is always supportive of new investment, but this new hotel will give more people a chance to see and visit all the great things we are accomplishing here. It will also help support the numerous manufacturers we have by providing another place for their executives and team members from out of state a comfortable stay while on business in town,” said Bill Pruitt, mayor of Pell City.

“Planning, constructing and opening a new $12 million hotel is not an easy task.

I want to thank Mayor Bill Pruitt, the City Council and City Manager Brian Muenger for being so supportive during this process.

I believe they will be very happy with the location,” explained Darshen Patel.

Stan Batemon, chairman of the St. Clair County Commission, echoed his support, “As our county continues to market tourism events in and around our community it is important to have a variety of well-known hotel brands to offer. I believe the word is getting out on what our community offers, and these gentlemen have made a great decision in investing in St. Clair County. We look forward to continuing to support them.”

The new hotel is expected to open in the beginning of 2025 and is expected to have 20 employees.

Breaking ground on TownPlace Suites are, from left: St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith, Darshen Patel, Pell City Council President Jud Alverson, Harry Patel, Vishal Patel, Councilman Jay Jenkins, City Manager Brian Muenger and St. Clair Commission Chairman Stan Batemon.

Darshen Patel addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking

70 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

Business Directory

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71

Business Review

A legacy stretching back 120 years Story and photos

by Carol Pappas Submitted photos

Emily Norris, Union State Bank

When Emily Norris heads to work each day, it’s like returning to a home she never left. She grew up coming to Union State Bank, where her mother worked as a teller. She held her first job there at age 15. In college, she worked there around her class schedule.

As Union State celebrates its 120th anniversary, Norris is now a vice president and represents a new generation at Union State, continuing the legacy of St. Clair County’s oldest community bank.

“It’s like family,” she said. “My great-great grandparents banked with Union State Bank as far back as the early 1920s, and my mother has worked here for the bank for 40 years, so it means a great deal to carry on the legacy here at Union State Bank.

“Union State hired me when I was in high school. I was able to come to work after I finished my classes for the day.”

After high school at Gadsden State Community College, she continued her work at the bank until graduation magna cum laude with a Business Marketing Degree. She went on to graduate from Alabama Banking School located at the University of South Alabama. “I feel as though I gained so much insight about the banking industry during those years,” she said. After working in the banking field at another institution in Birmingham for a few years, she returned ‘home’ – to Pell City and Union State Bank.

“I have so many fond memories of growing up and coming to this bank as a kid. I have enjoyed learning from and working for Mr. Reed,” she said, referring to Reed

72 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

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Business Review Union State Alexander, the bank’s CEO. “I am thankful for the potential he saw in me as a teenager, investing in that potential and allowing me to grow as a banker through the years.

“It has just always been like a family here,” she added, citing a group of encouraging mentors over the years – Wayne Adams, David Jackson, Dorothy Golden and Chuck Truitt. But she credits her mother as her most valued teacher. “She has always instilled a good work ethic and to always have a passion to do my best at whatever I’m doing.”

She has apparently learned her mother’s lessons well, now serving in leadership at the bank she worked in as a teen.

And the bank’s deeply rooted history in the community makes her role even more special, she said. “It is an honor to work for a bank that has such a long history here in Pell City.

I love working, living and serving in the community where I was raised. Knowing that you are investing back into your community makes you feel good about what you are doing and the lives you touch through it.”

Union State: A storied History

First National Bank of Pell City building

The year was 1903 when a group of businessmen, led by J. Fall Roberson Sr., joined forces to form a bank to serve future businesses and citizens of Pell City and St. Clair County. It formed under the name of Bank of St. Clair County and today, it is the county’s oldest successful bank – Union State Bank..

Sumter Cogswell, credited with founding Pell City, served as president with directors McLane Tilton, E.J. Mintz, Arthur Draper, J. Fall Roberson of Cropwell, J.H. Moore of Coal City, Frank Lothrop of Riverside, and Lafayette Cooke, the entrepreneur who built the Cook Springs Hotel and for whom Cook Springs is named.

In 1910, the bank received a charter to establish itself as a national bank and changed its name to First National Bank of Pell City.

The original bank was located on the corner of Cogswell Avenue and 20th Street and was built at a cost of $20,000. It was later demolished. The name changed again in 1918 to Union State Bank, and it operates under that name today.

A driving force in the bank’s success was Gloria V. Roberson, who served as chairman and CEO of the bank from 1964 until her death in 1999.

The family would continue in her footsteps. Her nephews, Reed and Rex Alexander, have been at the helm continuing the leadership. Reed Alexander is CEO and board chairman; Rex Alexander is president; Reed Alexander Jr., vice president, lender; David Alexander, vice president, lender; Chris Alexander, vice president, brokerage manager and Drew Alexander, president, Union State Insurance.

A dedicated corporate citizen, Union State has been involved in a number of civic endeavors, most notably providing “seed money” to help create the Pell City Schools Educational Foundation in 1992 and endowing the first “Chair of the Foundation,” which represented a gift of $10,000. The chair was dedicated in 1994.

74 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

Business Review

St. Clair officials attend summit in Japan Economic development officials from St. Clair County joined others from Southeastern states for the 45th annual SEUS (South East United States)-Japan Conference in Tokyo in October.

St. Clair Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith, Director of Industry and Work Force Jason Roberts and Commission Chairman Stan Batemon were part of the Alabama delegation led by Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield.

While there, they met met with the new president of Unipres and discussed ways to assist their expansion of the plant in Steele while networking with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Japanese business owners. Topics of trade and investment between the two companies were also discussed.

Unipres is preparing for a $10 million expansion with 20-25 jobs. With over 300 employees, Unipres is one of the county’s largest employers and has invested over $100 million in St. Clair County over the past 10 years.

Unipres is a leader in metal stamping technology for the automotive sector. They have dozens of plants worldwide with three of those locations in the Southeast. They include facilities in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Steele, Alabama. Founded in 1998, they are celebrating their 25th anniversary.

“The SEUS-Japan summit is a valuable event for us,” said Smith. “It provides incredible data and networking opportunities as well as creating a base camp for us to visit the top leadership positions making decisions regarding our local Alabama companies.”

Secretary Canfield said the annual SEUS Japan gathering allows members of the Alabama delegation to reinforce bonds that have been established over decades and to explore pathways to future collaborations.

“The long-standing partnership between Japan and Alabama continues to spark economic growth, create opportunity and foster deep friendships,” he said. “That’s why I am looking forward to seeing this relationship blossom for decades to come.”

Today, an estimated 90 Japanese companies have established operations in Alabama, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The roster of Japanese companies includes global names such as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Daikin, Rheem and Dai-Ichi Life.

“The impact of Japanese investment in Alabama has been massive,” Canfield said. “Back in 1999, Honda announced plans to open an auto assembly plant in Alabama, and since that milestone, nearly $10 billion in Japanese investment has flowed into the state.”

Christina Stimpson, who serves as director of

Coporate Officer Hidenori Takeyasu, Senior Vice President Hiroshi Maeda, EDC Executive Director Don Smith, President Nobuya Uranishi, Chairman Stan Batemon, EDC Director of Industry and Workforce Jason Roberts, and Senior Executive Vice President Yukihiko Morita

Unipres’ new President Mr. Nobuya Uranishi and Commission Chairman Stan Batemon Commerce’s Office of International Trade, said the commercial ties with Japan have become an increasingly important economic driver for Alabama.

“The Japanese-Alabama relationship is stronger than ever. Not only do we have significant foreign direct investment from Japan, but for the first time ever Alabama exports to Japan last year reached over $1 billion,” Stimpson said.

“This is a 42% increase from 2021 and represents the largest percentage increase among our top trading partners.”

Besides Alabama, the states represented at SEUSJapan are Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.

76 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

MERRY

Christmas AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Dana Ellison

danaellison@lahsothebysrealty.com

(205) 369-1413

Celebrating 12 years of building strong relationships with my clients to better serve their real estate needs.

Thank you!

Business Review

Mike Aiello Day, ribbon cutting mark hospice celebration

Honoring Mike Aiello

Everyone at the ribbon cutting

Volunteers traditionally are at the heart of nonprofit works, often going about their business to little fanfare or notice.

But Lakeside Hospice and a group of supporting partners turned one occasion for celebration into one that lauded one of its most dedicated volunteers – Mike Aiello.

In a surprise recognition at the ribbon cutting ceremony of Lakeside Hospice’s new renovations, representatives of the hospice and other groups honored Aiello for his selfless acts of offering a helping hand. It was proclaimed, appropriately, “Mike Aiello Day.” Aiello has been volunteering at Lakeside Hospice for at least 15 years, said Executive Director Paul Garing. He is a person that sees a need and always shows up to fill it. Whether it’s making sure the pump in the fountain is working properly, tree limbs are cleared or checking doors to ensure they’re locked, “he just shows up and does it,” Garing said. “He does everything for us.”

As others attested, Lakeside Hospice is not the only recipient of his good works. He volunteers with ASPCI, volunteered with and served as director of the Love Pantry food bank, works with buildings and grounds at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and is known for good deeds in his community of Pine Harbor.

Municipal Judge Brandi Hufford read a proclamation declaring it Mike Aiello Day and noted she will be presenting it to the City of Pell City for official designation.

“They all came together in a surprise party to honor him,” Garing said. Photos and newspaper clippings were hung in a display to pay tribute, and representatives of ASPCI, Habitat for Humanity, Our Lady of the Lake, Love Pantry, Pine Harbor Association and of course, Lakeside Hospice spoke about him and his good works..

As part of the day’s festivities, Lakeside Hospice did cut the ribbon on renovations to its building, including new paint, cosmetic additions and landscaping to create an inviting and welcoming environment for staff and patients.

Lakeside Hospice was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit hospice, not only serving patients with Medicare or insurance, but also patients regardless of their ability to pay.

A cornerstone of Lakeside Hospice is its volunteers, who provide direct care, respite care, comfort care programs, general maintenance, accounting and office services.

Aiello would certainly be tops on that list, Garing said. “I’ve never seen anyone as dedicated a volunteer as he is.”

78 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

Business Review

Metro Bank’s Jason Dorough honored with St. Clair EDC chairman’s award Metro Bank President Jason Dorough at his desk

Jason Dorough, president of Metro Bank, was awarded the 2023 Chairman’s Award from the St. Clair County Economic Development Council for his work and support of economic development efforts in St. Clair County.

EDC presented it at its annual event, held this year at The Grill at The Farm near Logan Martin Dam. Dorough joins a prestigious group of honorees for this award that is given once a year to honor a non-elected person who has shown exemplary support for the organization’s mission to create wealth, increase job growth, and improve the quality of life for St. Clair County citizens.

Past honorees include St. Clair County Commissioner Tommy Bowers, St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon, Judge Bill Weathington, Spencer Weitman, Lyman Lovejoy, Ed Gardner, Sr., Carol Pappas, Bill Ellison and former St. Clair County Commission Chairman Paul Manning.

“The St. Clair County EDC has been very fortunate to have the partnership and support of Metro Bank from its inception.

As a local banking partner, they have been a supportive part of our team of resources for the entirety of the EDC’s existence,” said Joe Kelly, chairman of St. Clair EDC Board of Directors.

“Jason Dorough has been a tremendous and integral part of that partnership, offering assistance and support when necessary. Knowing our organization and Metro Bank have common goals, to bring new wealth and jobs to the local economy, Jason has always made things happen in a way that is welcoming to local industry and investors.”

“We are always excited to welcome new investment into St. Clair County, and we want to be the bank that our local businesses can rely on,” said Dorough. “Our partnership with the St. Clair County Economic Development Council has been very fruitful through the years, and we have a great working relationship. It was a real surprise and tremendous compliment to receive this honor and appreciation for our work in economic development in St. Clair County.”

The EDC is the economic development organization for St. Clair County and its municipalities, facilitating industrial, institutional, commercial and leadership development throughout St. Clair County.

The EDC team, in partnership with state and local partners, focuses on helping existing businesses grow and compete, diversifying the economy through attraction of new businesses, and supporting newly formed high-growth enterprises.

80 • DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • Business Review • December 2023 & January 2024

SPIDER BE GONE OF ALABAMA

S P I D E R B E G O N E O FA L . C O M You’ve invested a great deal of money in your home. Invest in a Spider Be Gone System to keep your home free of spiders, mosquitos, dirt daubers, red wasps and all other flying and crawling insects.

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Final F cus

Life through the lens of Mackenzie Free

Leting children become ...

I decided years ago to just let my children ‘be’.

‘Be’ whoever they are, however they are.

I decided to let them be wild or tame... soft or loud ... friendly or shy ... serious or silly.

I decided to let them draw dragons and pick flowers, play with dolls and dump trucks, climb trees, catch frogs and take mud baths.

I let them be right, I let them be wrong.

I let them be bold and meek, scared and brave, emotional and unmoved.

I let them go barefoot and pick their own clothes.

I let them fall in line or be daringly different.

I let them try, and l let them fail.

I let them take risks and learn to trust themselves.

And it’s an amazing thing to witness ... the miraculous metamorphosis of their “becoming.”

There is so much beauty and freedom found in watching our children become who they are.

- Mackenzie Free -

Wife, mother, photographer & current resident of the unassumingly magical town of Steele, Alabama

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DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • December 2023 & January 2024