LAKESIDE Living
Meet Gin Phillips, author of the new mystery novel, “Ruby Falls”
u Five fall weekend getaway ideas u The gift of the Coosa River u Lakeside Flora & Fauna SEPTEMBER 2026
See inside for more!
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Contents
Features
26 10 A Conversation with Novelist Gin Phillips 12 5 Fall Getaway Ideas 26 Appreciating the Coosa River 34 Seeing the Lake with Sarah Elizabeth
Between The Lines............................................................................ 6
LAKESIDE Living
Covering life along Logan Martin Lake since 1994
PUBLISHERS Blucher Ehringhaus John Fry
Hook, Line & Sinker.......................................................................... 8
EDITOR Buddy Roberts
Calendar Of Events........................................................................50 Lakeside Chats with Cherith........................................................66
LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Tucker Webb
Lakeside Flora & Fauna................................................................. 38
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ON THE COVER: Author Gin Phillips on the shoreline at the Birmingham Sailing Club. Photo by Buddy Roberts 4 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
GRAPHIC DESIGN Darla Allen
PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Badgwell WRITERS Cherith Glover Fluker CJ Knight Sarah E. Moreman GENERAL MANAGER Ginna Gray
A product of
The Daily Home Talladega | 124 Court Sq. E, 35160 | (256) 362-1000 Pell City Towne Park | 1911 Martin St. S, Suite 2, 35128 | (205) 884-3400
BETWEEN
THE LINES
See you in September
I
’ve always been ambivalent about September. •September 15: National Double Cheeseburger Day It’s still summer for most of the month -- and the •September 22: American Business Women’s Day summer weather sticks around here in Alabama for •September 24: National Punctuation Day some time after the equinox -- but gears have already been •September 25: Hug a Vegetarian Day shifted to autumn. While I can’t deny the charms of fall and •September 28: National Drink Beer Day winter, I’d be perfectly happy if it stayed summer all year long. Here at Lakeside Living, we’re observing September by Like every month, September has its share of special days, joining author Gin Phillips at the Birmingham Sailing Club as she observances and designations -- some educational and welltells us about her new novel, Cherith Fluker as she introduces intentioned, some just plain wacky. Yes, it’s probably trite and us to five destinations that are ideal for a fall getaway, Sarah cliché to consider the subject in a forum such as this – actually, Elizabeth Moreman as she recaps the recent Low Country I know it is, but I’ve always been a sucker for them, and besides, Shrimp Boil and Drawdown, and Kasey Hayes (director of the it’s not an unpleasant diversion. Coosa Riverkeeper) as she reflects on how we benefit from our So if you were wondering (or even if you weren’t), local waterways. September is: Happy September, everyone. As always, thank you for • National Suicide Prevention Month. joining us. •Classical Music Month. •National Rice Month. •National Mushroom Month. •National Courtesy Month. •National Americana Month. •National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. •National Italian Cheese Month. •Whole Grains Month. •Baby Safety Month. •National Chicken Month. And if you’re so inclined, here are some days available for observing this month. •September 1: National Acne Positivity Day •September 2: National Blueberry Popsicle Day •September 4: National College Colors Day •September 4: National Macadamia Nut Day •September 5: National Tailgating Day •September 7: National Acorn Squash Day •September 10: National TV Dinner Day •September 13: National Kids Take Celebrate National Americana Month by enjoying the sounds of local singer-songwriter Mandi Rae. Over the Kitchen Day Visit mandiraemusic.com.
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Hook, Line & Sinker
Keep things simple when fishing in early autumn
S
eptember, arguably the toughest time of year to fish, presents many challenges to recreational fishermen. Fall is coming, yet summer seems to be super persistent. Usually, September can host long, hot days, but the nights will typically start to cool off. This will cause rapid changes in water quality, due to the mixing of cooler nights and hot days. Dissolved oxygen will become scarce in certain depths of the water column as the water flips due to temperature changes. Cooler water mixing with warmer water gives way to the fall turnover. Gamefish will become lethargic and sluggish. During these times, it’s important to understand what’s going on so you can maximize your time on the water. Changing thermoclines will really damper bass from eating and feeding. The main concept during this time of year is to keep it simple. I love to fish really shallow this time of year. The
abnormal conditions of the turnover can force a lot of fish to the shallow water. I also look for moving current or natural springs. Springs and fresh water can really play during the month of September, as it offers stable conditions. My baits of choice for the shallow water bass fisherman are a Zoom Trick Worm and a Senko. Both soft plastics work well this time of year. Slow and persistent, these worms worked slow with a dead sticking presentation will often get that big bass to eat, even in unfavorable conditions. If you find a natural spring, try using live bait if you have it available.
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Gizzard shad and threading shad free lining around natural springs can yield a giant spotted bass of striped bass in September. As always, stay safe and good fishing Tight Lines & Strong Hooksets,
C.J. KNIGHT
A Conversation with novelist
“P
Gin Phillips
Written and photographed by BUDDY ROBERTS
ossibility is always very ripe when you throw a group of strangers together and see what happens,” Gin Phillips said with a smile that was as much knowing as it was puckish. “Don’t you think?” She was on the Logan Martin shoreline, at the Birmingham Sailing Club, to discuss her latest novel, “Ruby Falls,” which was published earlier this year. Described as “excruciatingly suspenseful…electrifying” (by Booklist) and “mesmerizing” (by Kirkus Reviews), “Ruby Falls” – Gin’s seventh novel – is a historical mystery set during the Great Depression, almost entirely underground at the famed Chattanooga, Tennessee, tourist attraction. Following is an excerpt from the publisher’s synopsis. In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names after his wife: Ruby Falls. Within months, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. Ada Smith has been sneaking into the caves at night, entranced by the natural wonders around her and the freedom granted by this new underground world. But it’s tough timing for a natural wonder. As the country
flounders in the Great Depression, a shrewd public relations ploy seems like the only way to save Ruby Falls. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to launch himself into the Ruby Falls caverns where he will attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He’ll be joined by five others: his manager, his wife, a guide, a Chattanooga businessman, and a reporter from the Chicago Times. But they’re not alone in the caverns. Ada and another guide, Quinton, have been asked to follow the mind reader’s party at a distance, staying out of sight. They are a safety net, in case of a broken leg or busted flashlights. One of them will be dead before the end of the day. During the waterfront interview, Gin discussed aspects of the novel’s setting, characters, and origins with Lakeside Living. LL: How long did it take you to write the novel? GP: Once I get the idea, usually I’m a pretty fast writer, so let’s see…this one, I’d say probably less than a year for the first draft and then another year to to tweak it and polish it up. There’s some breaks in there, since there’s always waiting as agents or editors peruse for months at a time, but a couple of years is about right. LL: Was writing a murder mystery your goal from the start? GP: I’d say it was part of the design. I would say that was the last piece of the puzzle that came to me. I liked the notion of bringing in this supposed psychic and everyone being
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underground, and the a murder was the last thing that popped into my head. But when I was a huge Agatha Christie fan growing up, and classic tropes like the locked room mystery were certainly in my head. No one else could have gotten into the cave, but could they have? I liked that setup a lot, and it’s not until the end that we really know whether or not someone else has managed to get into the cave. And even the characters are mysteries in themselves, just like how everybody is a mystery in real life. When you start peeling them back, everyone has endless layers. LL: Are those layers of character significant to the story? GP: I always think plot is great for cracking open character. Whatever’s going on externally, whatever the twists are, as a writer and as a reader, what’s most interesting to me is what does that do to these people? How is someone changed? What comes to the surface? What do you see about them you didn’t know? And with a limited number of characters in a locked room, the unexpected rises to the surface with each character. LL: As a native of Alabama, do you feel that your interest in character leans into your Southern background? GP: That term Southern writer…I’ve spent a long time trying to figure out how I feel about it. There’s a reason why my first book was deeply Southern, set in a small Alabama town, and the next one was set in New Mexico. I don’t love the sense of being constrained by the South. I never have the notion that somehow you have to write about things within certain constraints, like if you go too far north or too far west, that’s out of bounds. I don’t
think they do that to writers from places other than the South, but stories and characters are certainly part of Southern culture. It’s built-in, but I don’t I don’t think that’s only Southern. I do think that we are a culture that appreciates stories and the layers of family, which I think is another way of saying character. What’s interesting about character is the layers piled on top of each other, all the different versions of someone that can exist at the same time. LL: Did you spend time in the Ruby Falls caves in preparation for writing the novel? GP: I did. The people at Ruby Falls were helpful and set me up with one of their tour guides who also does some caving to take me around to see another see another couple of spots in Chattanooga just to get a a feel for being underground and for caves in general. I needed to understand the textures of the caves, and I had done no caving before I wrote this book. The caves were a big part of the characters’ lives, so I needed to understand why they loved them. If I’d been claustrophobic or hated it, I don’t think I could have written the book. I had to at least, to some extent, find them fascinating and be able to understand why you would want to come down there every chance you get. Published by Atlantic Crime, “Ruby Falls” is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Audible. The author’s website is ginphillips.com. SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 11
Sunset at Mentone
Five weekend
At the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
getaways with one thing in common:
WATER
L
Written by CHERITH GLOVER FLUKER
iving near Logan Martin Lake has changed the way I travel. I used to choose destinations based on the attractions or the restaurants or whatever happened to be trending. Now, without even realizing it, I find myself searching for something else entirely: water. Over the years, I’ve learned that many communities built around water seem to understand something the rest of the
world forgets. They invite you to slow down. They encourage long walks instead of packed itineraries. The people prioritize lingering over coffee instead of rushing to the next stop. Lately, I’ve discovered that some of my favorite getaways have this in common. Whether it’s a mountain spring, a rushing river, or a lakeshore, the water is the heartbeat of the place. If you’re ready for an extended weekend away but still want that easygoing, lakeside feeling, here are five destinations worth exploring.
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Mentone, ALABAMA
Perched atop Lookout Mountain less than two hours from Logan Martin, Mentone feels like a place that collectively decided there was no reason to hurry. That slower rhythm makes sense when you learn the town grew around mineral springs that people once believed had healing properties. In fact, the town was named after Menton, France, a celebrated spa town known for its restorative springs. It’s a fitting tribute to the water that first drew visitors here. Whether or not the springs lived up to the legend,
the peaceful atmosphere certainly has a way of restoring you. I love wandering through Log Cabin Village, browsing through local shops and stepping inside the Mentone Arts Center to see the work of regional artists. But my favorite part of any visit comes just before sunset. A short walk from downtown, Brow Park overlooks the valley below, and as the sun sinks beneath the mountain brow, conversations almost cease as nature becomes the main attraction.
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The Mentone Arts Center celebrates both visual and performing arts.
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Florence, ALABAMA
The Tennessee River is the heartbeat of Florence, shaping not only the landscape but also the creativity that has flowed from this corner of Alabama for generations. Just across the river in Muscle Shoals, the water helped create the perfect setting for a music scene that would change American music forever. At FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, artists from around the world came to capture what became known as the Muscle Shoals sound. Standing inside those legendary studios, I was struck by how a place can leave its fingerprints on the art created there. Of course, the water is also part of what makes Florence such
a beautiful escape. Just a short distance upstream, Wilson Lake adds another layer to the landscape, and catching the sunset while driving alongside the Tennessee River offers those quiet, uncomplicated moments you chase when you’re looking for a relaxing getaway. Beyond the river, Florence offers plenty to explore. I enjoyed a visit to the Rosenbaum House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only Alabama design, before wandering downtown to browse local shops, visit galleries, or stroll through the farmers market. Like the river, Florence doesn’t rush. It invites you to slow down, settle in, and appreciate where you are.
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Ships cruising the Tennessee River often dock at Florence. SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 17
Chattanooga, TENNESSEE
The Tennessee River also runs through Chattanooga, carving its way through the heart of the city and creating a place where adventure and relaxation naturally flow together. The Riverwalk winds along the water, connecting the Tennessee Aquarium to the base of Lookout Mountain, where the Incline Railway climbs high enough to put the whole river valley in view. Crossing the Walnut Street Bridge afterward, with the river running
beneath you, might be the best way to end an afternoon in the city. Still, the moments I enjoyed most are the quieter ones. The ones I spent sipping coffee in the Bluff View Art District, strolling through the Southside, and watching kayakers drift along the river. Chattanooga – also home to such iconic attractions as Ruby Falls and Rock City – has plenty to keep you busy, but it lets you do so at a slow, rhythmic pace.
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Ruby Falls
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The Southern Belle Riverboat cruises the Tennessee River.
Columbus State University’s Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
Columbus, GEORGIA
Similar to Chattanooga, Columbus also has water woven into its downtownscape. The Chattahoochee River isn’t simply part of downtown—it is downtown. Home to the longest urban whitewater course in the world, Columbus gives visitors a chance to experience the river from two completely different perspectives. One day, I found myself watching people bounce through rapids, and admiring how they navigated them fearlessly. The next morning, I walked the RiverWalk with a cup of coffee, watching the same river move at an entirely different pace. That contrast is what makes Columbus so memorable.
And then there’s the zipline. Twelve stories up, I clipped in and launched out over the Chattahoochee with 1,200 feet of cable carrying me from downtown Columbus, Georgia, straight across the river into Phenix City, Alabama. It’s the only dual zipline in the country that connects two states. I landed in Alabama, wandered through a canopy course in the trees along the Phenix City shoreline, then zipped back across for a second pass over the water into Georgia. Beyond the river, downtown buzzes with locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops, while attractions like the National Civil War Naval Museum, the Columbus Museum, and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center are all nearby.
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At the National Civil War Naval Museum.
Rafting on the Chattahoochee River.
Whitewater Express Zipline. SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 23
Clarksville, TENNESSEE
The Cumberland River gives Clarksville its rhythm. A walk along the Cumberland Riverwalk was the perfect introduction, with the water quietly flowing beside downtown as locals biked, strolled, and sat on benches taking in the view.
centuries old. Long before Clarksville became a river town, people were already gathering here, drawn to this same water. Walking through it, I felt how far back this landscape’s relationship with water actually goes.
I started one morning at The Amsterdam, a European-style café tucked into downtown, before making my way to the Customs House Museum. Quite possibly the most memorable excursion was Dunbar Cave, just outside downtown, where prehistoric Native American cave art still marks the walls, much of it being
When you feel the need for a change of scenery from Logan Martin, these waterfront retreats invite you to experience them one unhurried moment at a time and are great for an extended weekend getaway. Each community is shaped by water and has a unique story it’s waiting to share with you.
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The Cumberland River.
At The Amsterdam Local.
Inside Dunbar Cave. SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 25
Have you fallen in love with the
COOSA RIVER? D
Written by KACEY HAYES Photography by TUCKER WEBB AND THE COOSA RIVERKEEPER
espite four years of river living under my belt, it still amazes me how much the river gives us. When I first ventured to the Coosa River in the uncertainty of 2020, the river was giving respite to folks who wanted to escape the news reports and regain a sense of normalcy. My in-laws had a riverfront campsite in Lincoln, so my husband and I would pack a weekend bag and drive up from Shelby County on Friday afternoons. Their bass buggy scooted us around to all reaches of Logan Martin and opened my eyes to a whole new world.
The Coosa River introduced me to moments I had no idea existed in my neck of the woods. Secluded coves for a day of conversation and swimming. Mussels in the sand as big as a grown man’s hand. Great blue herons in the shallows, feasting on crawfish. Trees filled with roosting snowy egrets at dusk. Bald eagles gliding soundlessly across the water. We always remember the moment when we fell in love. And when you’ve been around her, you know it doesn’t take long to fall in love with the Coosa River. We fell so much in love that in 2022 we became homeowners along one of the Coosa’s creeks. We left the county we’d called home for ten years, packing up our senior pups and putting down roots in a new place. Our new neighbors said the first summer on the water would be special, and they were right. I learned to listen for
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the rainfall flowing down the ephemeral streams on either side of our house. Two, sometimes three owls would get into hooting contests high up in the pines. We frequently saw deer, turkey, foxes, hawks, and more variety of songbirds than I was used to in the suburbs. My kitchen windowsill became crowded with river rocks, shells of all types and sizes, and a collection of feathers from water and woodland birds alike. That summer, I also discovered Coosa Riverkeeper. I bought a hat from a table setup at Riverside Landing and started following the organization on social media. The weekly Swim Guide alerts during the summer became as crucial as the weather forecast. The more I learned what the organization stood for and the work they were doing, the more I appreciated it. Despite having never met, it felt like we were already friends -- because we had the love of our river in common. Little did I know that after two years living on the river, I’d join Coosa Riverkeeper in working to protect her waters. The river has a head and a mouth, but it doesn’t have a voice to speak for itself. Now I get to be there for the river that’s been there for me. Summer on the river is a special time, but one thing I’ve
learned living on the Coosa is that the river offers beauty in every season, including seasons of life. My little family is in a season of grief. In June, our yorkie crossed the rainbow bridge. He was what my good friend calls my ‘soul dog.’ We had a special bond spanning over a decade, and his absence has been greatly felt. I’ve worked to balance my gratitude for his companionship with the deep loss I feel for him – but mostly it’s just hard to be without him. The river has held me during this time the same way she holds us all. The river is there for our celebrations and our grief. The river offers us respite, peace, tradition, and memories. The river shapes our days, gives life to the plants and animals we love and rely on, and sustains our communities. Please take some time to think about what the river has given you. On the days you’ve laughed and made happy memories, as well as the days you’ve grieved and craved comfort. How you get to revisit that swim hole, sandbar, fishing spot, or slough where your mind finally gets quiet. You showed up exactly as you were and the river welcomed you. The river has been there for you. Consider being there for
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CL00013355
the river. Your gift to Coosa Riverkeeper means supporting the work we do to protect and advocate for the river that’s given us all so much. Whether investigating a citizen complaint, teaching kids how to be river stewards, or publishing data from our water quality monitoring program, we keep the good of the river at the heart of our work. Thank you for supporting our work and being there for the river we all love. Kasey Hayes is executive director of the Coosa Riverkeeper. To learn more, visit coosariver.org.
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“The river has been there for you. Consider being there for the river. -- Kacey Hayes, executive director of the Coosa Riverkeeper
Sunset over the Coosa River..
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At the Low Country Shrimp Boil and Drawdown Supporting Talladega’s Historic Ritz Theatre
Seeing the Lake with
SARAH ELIZABETH
T
Written by DR. SARAH ELIZABETH MOREMAN Photographed by TUCKER WEBB AND SARAH ELIZABETH MOREMAN
he tires hum along I-20 as I enjoy a relaxing drive to Talladega, admiring the cotton-candy sky emblazoning the afternoon twilight. As the familiar exit draws closer, my foot eases off the gas pedal, and I steer the vehicle toward Talladega Superspeedway. No, I am not going to a race. But I am indeed headed there, albeit to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, which serves as a gateway to the racetrack.
I slow down as soon as I see the parking lot surrounding the building, already filled with vehicles of all kinds. I hold my breath and hope for a nearby parking spot, since I am already late to the Low Country Shrimp Boil & Drawdown because of a previous engagement. Bingo, I mouth to myself as I spot a conveniently close parking space between two gigantic trucks. I focus on backing my vehicle into the spot before shutting off the engine. I take a moment to prepare myself for what awaits inside. I do not know what to expect. I do not even know what a drawdown is, and I am curious to find out. Before driving out here, I had to text my editor to find out what I should wear. Clearly, I was stepping into unfamiliar territory.
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Once I step inside, I am instantly greeted by the welcoming committee. I lean over and ask whether Lauren Deal, Director of The Ritz Theatre and organizer of the event, is around. A moment later, a blonde woman in a lovely royal-blue evening gown greets me. She tells me that three hundred of tickets have been sold and that the event is sold out. I glance over her shoulder toward the high ceilings and take in the packed room, with every table filled. Blue, light blue, green, and yellow decorate the tables, surrounded by red chairs filled with attendees raptly listening for the announcement of the anticipated numbers. The sounds of what reminds me of a bingo event reverberate throughout the large space, while the aromas of shrimp and barbecue add another layer to the anticipation. She thanks me warmly for coming and encourages me to enjoy the event. I nod my thanks before making my way toward the buffet-style food and drinks. As I ladle barbecue pork onto my plate, I begin to understand that a drawdown is much like bingo. At the front of the room, three men stand behind a long table draped in black cloth. On the table sits a large brassand-metal contraption resembling a netted cage, filled with numbered balls and looking something like a lottery machine.
I have a feeling I am about to find out exactly how this drawdown works. While eating my dinner, I study the large screen suspended against the black wall of the stage, where the announcers stand behind a podium beside the lottery machine. A young boy, probably a preteen, rushes around, retrieving each numbered ball after the announcer calls out its number. He then carries the ball to another table behind the podium, which appears to be the physical grid for the RITZ game. Above the physical grid, the large screen displays a corresponding grid of numbered squares, some already filled in green. I watch as people focus on the screen, occasionally turning to one another and speaking in soft murmurs. This is more than a drawdown, more than a game of bingo. This is a community, with tables filled with people enjoying one another’s company while hoping for the chance to win the big R-I-T-Z draw. I am beginning to see how the game is about more than winning. It helps support the historic Ritz Theatre of Talladega, one of the last remaining theaters with Art Deco architecture from the 1930s. The numbers, the food, the laughter, and the anticipation all come together to support a piece of Talladega’s history.
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Meet Me At The Lake Kacey Hayes
“I
Written by BUDDY ROBERTS
t’s not hard to find peace here,” Kacey Hayes says as she sits on her back porch and surveys the Coosa River shoreline below. On a late summer morning, as an egret launches from the pier and glides over the water, dew glistens in the strands of a nearby spider’s web, and a windchime punctuates conversation with its melody, it seems impossible to disagree with her. “My passion for nature started young,” she continues. “I grew up in rural Alabama – Palmerdale, which is in Jefferson County – and we had four channels, so entertainment was outside. A tributary of Turkey Creek was not far off the property where I grew up, so I like to say I grew up on Black Warrior, lived on the Cahaba for 10 years in Shelby County, and now I’ve wound up here on the Coosa.”
Kacey’s love for the waterways of her past and present led to her work with the Coosa Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to the protection, promotion, and restoration of the river. She serves as its executive director, having previously served as its operations manager and director of operations. Glancing up to watch a hummingbird flutter by, she discussed the purpose of the Coosa Riverkeeper, identified some concerns facing the river, and further extolled the benefits of spending time by the water. What’s involved in the Coosa Riverkeeper’s conservation efforts: “We work with communities and elected officials from the local to state level, providing them with data that we’ve collected through our water quality monitoring, to say, ‘Here’s the science of what we’re seeing in the Coosa, here’s what contributes to the issues of concern.’ We consider how we can work together to enhance the legislation that we have, encourage economic development, and encourage people to
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“She scoots us all over the Coosa,” Kacey says of her boat, Bomb Pop, so named because of its red, white, and blue colors.
come and enjoy the river.” From what things does the Coosa River need protection? “Where to start? It always feels like kind of a bummer, but it’s hard to it’s hard to put a plan in place for the future of the Coosa without looking at where the Coosa’s been and like what it’s been through. So obviously, the damming of the Coosa River changed the watershed completely, from a wide, shallow, rocky bottom to very narrow, silty bottom, much more still water. That changed a lot for the little organisms that we don’t think about a lot – snails, mussels, the different things that contribute to the water quality. “Then, of course, we have the bigger, probably more visible issues like the PCB issue, which is ongoing still to this day. We stay current with the remediation efforts through the EPA. We also have two large leaking coal ash ponds along the Coosa – one in Gadsden and one on Lay Lake – that are not far from drinking water intakes. When you burn coal, all that turns to ash, and they have to have somewhere to put it. Unfortunately, where it’s stored right now is in the groundwater, not far from drinking water intake, so that’s a
concern. We work to raise awareness and provide education as much as we can, which can be tough because people don’t want to hear about that, and I get that. It’s a bummer. You want to enjoy the water and bring your kids to the water and feel like this is something you can give to them for their future, and it’s scary to think about the issues that might be impacting their kids and their kids.” Can it be easy to get bogged down in the negative aspects of water conservation? “It can, and we work really hard to remember the reason for what we do. I am one of only two on our staff that actually live on the water, so one thing I try to do is invite staff out here. I have to try to put myself in their shoes and think how it must feel to them to be working so hard for a watershed that they dearly love and care about but don’t live on and don’t get to enjoy as much. It would weigh on me to not get to like see the happier, positive aspects of the river as often.” To learn more about the Coosa Riverkeeper and opportunities to work with the organization: “The best way would be to go to the website – coosariver.org – and get on
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our email list. We send out emails in the summer with our swim guide results, and we put out action alerts for current issues that we’re facing. For example, there’s a proposed graphite mine in Coosa County, and we’ve had to learn a lot as a staff about open pit mining, just so we understand what this means and what it is, and we’ve been sending emails out about that, just because that’s been something a lot of homeowners want to know about. We send action alerts about things like that where people can take action, the action being come to a meeting or submitting comments and letters to the EPA. There are also volunteer opportunities,
such as at our free fishing clinics, which we share via email. The email list is the best central way to stay informed about what we’re doing.” What she enjoys most about the river: “It’s hard to pinpoint one thing because it gives us so much. There’s even a little bit of a spiritual aspect to it in its constancy and comfort and the way people tend to return to the water for some sense of normalcy, to be able to hear your own thoughts. But the river also gives us life. It’s where our drinking water comes from. It sustains the life of the animals that we all love and rely on.”
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“The Coosa is such a rich habitat for snails and mussels and for so many other critters. Alabama is incredibly biodiverse, including in the waterways. That’s one of the reasons it’s so beautiful.”
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SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 43
Lakeside Flora & Fauna
Back to the Roots of
GARDENING Written by DR. SARAH ELIZABETH MOREMAN Photographed by BUDDY ROBERTS AND TUCKER WEBB
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he air feels tangibly thick and warm, even as the sun slips out of sight behind the longleaf pines and magnolias beyond the large garden. The white puffiness of the clouds seems brighter as the blueness of the sky deepens into cerulean, making my white buttoned top glow as though the sky were a black light. Carefully making my way between rows of vegetables and fruits, I feel drawn to the row crowded with pole beans. The scent of the long string beans rises sharply, and I run my fingers along their raw, cool skin. Their texture brings back a flood of memories of snapping green beans with Grammy. My bare feet on the rough, ugly avocado-green carpet, a fistful of beans in my still growing hands as I twist and snap them into a large stainless-steel bowl. I breathe in the ache of missing Grammy and her deep well of agricultural, Deep South knowledge, the one-acre garden behind her house,
the sight of her bending over rows of vegetables, pulling weeds or gathering whatever was ready. Blueberries, figs, and crab apples framed the openness of her meadow-like backyard, leading all the way back to the family home, built in the late 1800s, still standing to this day. A throat-clearing sound interrupts my unfocused gaze upon the
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abundance of long beans before me, startling me. I turn to see my friend gesturing at the beans, asking, “Are you going to get those?” I look down at my fingers still resting on the pods before shaking my head no and stepping away. “No. It is not the same without Grammy,” I whisper, then speak louder as my eyes drift past the beans to
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the sunflowers standing guard at the end of the garden. “Oh, look at those sunflowers.” I walk past my friend to get a closer look at their yellow petals. A breeze, warm, but cutting gently through the mugginess, lifts my hair as I take in the fullness of the community garden. Stopping beside a tree laden with small cherry apples, or crab apples, I think about their distinctive tartness, remembering how I used to bite into them after plucking them from the tree in Grammy’s backyard. “Here.” My friend hands me a basket that reminds me of the Longaberger baskets my family loved to collect during my childhood. That familiar wooden basketweave of quality. I smile at her as I take the proffered basket and reach up to pluck a few crab apples. I remember how the fallen crab apples stained the grass beneath the tree and how I would savor the eye-opening tartness of each small fruit. That tartness has become part of my childhood summers at Grammy’s, woven into the memories of long afternoons spent in her backyard. After filling the basket with enough crab apples for a pie that I plan to bake for a family in need, I stroll over to the nearby bushes to pick blueberries. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, and I try to keep plenty on hand for breakfast. Also, homemade blueberry muffins are among my favorites, and I need to find Grammy’s recipe so I can bake some to share with others. I pick a pintful before looking around for my friend, who seems to have disappeared
among the greenery. I walk over to where my friend carefully selects bunches of fruit that look like heavy, condensed versions of grapes. Their thick skins seem so dense that the sunlight cannot illuminate their insides the way it does with a typical grape. Looking up and noticing the question in my expression, she says, “These are scuppernongs.” She pops one into her mouth and nods in satisfaction. Curious, I lean over and
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pick one to try. The burst of flavor as I bite into the fruit makes me hum with wonder. My friend smiles and tells me that it has been a tradition in her family to serve toasted scuppernongs with ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert. My mouth waters at the thought. “Maybe that will be dessert for us tonight when we get back?” I ask. She laughs, “Sure. We need to pick up some ice cream and caramel sauce on the way. Let us not forget the cinnamon and a secret ingredient that I will not let you see.” “Sounds good to me.” I smile as I look out over the
garden, taking in the abundance of vegetables and fruits: squash, corn, tomatoes, okra, potatoes, green bell peppers, leafy greens such as cabbage, watermelon, blueberries, scuppernongs, and many more. A pang of longing catches me. I wish I had taken more time to listen to Grammy as she taught me how to care for a garden. I wish I had paid closer attention to her gardening methods, her knowledge of the soil, and the quiet wisdom she carried in her hands. Perhaps then I could help continue her family legacy of farming and, in some small way, honor the agricultural expertise she so freely shared with me.
X-Dross: X-Dross:
JJewelry ewelr y & C Clock lock R Repair epair
By Appointment Only
205-352-5423
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jamesadenney10@gmail.com 1607 Martin St. S., Suite 6 (upstairs), Pell City 48 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
MONDAY - THURSDAY 7AM-4PM • FRIDAY 7AM-2PM
CALENDAR OF
SEPTEMBER 20 THE RISE TOUR
SEPTEMBER 11-12 RUSTIK BUCKET VINTAGE MARKET The St. Clair Agriculture and Multi-Event Center (100 Arena Drive, Odenville) hosts this event featuring more than 70 vendors selling all things fall, vintage items, handmade crafts, art, home decor, seasonal decor, jewelry, boutique items, Christmas items, small furniture, and eclectic treasures. Food trucks will be on site. The event will be held rain or shine, as the venue is 85% covered. Admission is $5 cash at the door.
SEPTEMBER 19 LAKESIDE LIVE Presented by Union State Bank, this 6th annual music festival returns to Lakeside Park for a day of music and family fun. A lineup of live music, an auto show, a host of vendors, and the Battle of the Badges competition are among the highlights of the event. For more details, visit lakesideliveshow.com and the Lakeside Live Musicfest page on Facebook.
OCTOBER 3 BOO BASH ON LOGAN MARTIN This beloved seasonal event returns for its fifth year, kicking off at 1 p.m. and offering a dock-to-dock spooktacular event that offers fun for all ages. Presented by The Tiki Hut and benefiting the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, participation is free and open to all who want to enjoy one last hoorah for the 2026 lake season. Decorating contests will be held for docks, boats, and costumes. For updates and more details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
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The Oxford Performing Arts Center hosts Melissa Etheridge at 7 p.m. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singers for more than two decades. The lakeside area is one of more than 20 stops on her current tour. For ticket information, visit oxfordpac.org.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DINING OUT
HOURS FOR DELI Breakfast: B eakfa t: M Mon.-Fri. on.-F i. 5 a.m a.m. m. - 10 a.m a.m. m. Lunch: Mon.-Fri. Mon.-F i. 10:45 10: 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Breakfast B eakfast Saturday: Satu dayy : 5 a.m.-10:300 a.m. tuu d y Lunch: Lunn h: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Jade East Buffet Chinese & JJapanese Cuisine Ch C ii
LUNCH & DINNER BUFFET
JIMMY’S
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205-338-3052
2500 Stemley Bridge Rd. Pell City, AL
Made Fresh Daily
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Open Mon. 6am-4pm Tues. 6a-4p Wed. - Fri. 6a-5p Sat. 7a-5p Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch & Ice Cream 10140 US Hwy 231 Cropwell, AL 35054
205-677-0130
47VAUGHAN LANE • PELL CITY, AL
Located In The Wal Mart Shopping Center
Specialty & Signature Sandwiches, Salads and Soup Breakfast Starts at 5 a.m. Call for Daily Specials Monday-Friday
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205-338-7774 | 205-338-7775 Order online at oishiasianrestaurant.com
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1 – Poor House Branch Marina 2 – Aztecas Mexican 3 – Jade East 4 – Triple G’s 5 – Jimmy’s Country Store 6 – Pell City Steak House 7 – Oishi Asian Restaurant 8 – Coosa Cafe & Creamery 9 – Daylight Donuts A– Logan Martin Dam B – Lakeside Park C – Stemley Bridge D – St. Clair Airport E – Mays Bend F – Choccolocco Creek G – Dye Creek H – Blue Eye Creek
Pell City North of I-20 3
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Blair Fields
Brenda Fields
Jeff Jones
Misty Knight
Karen Bain
Alesia Mitcham
Adam Bain
Laurie Brasher
Carey Monistere
Mike Carr
Samantha Crow
Tina Stallings
Nan Morris
Ronnie Foster
Shawn Story
Terry Swinford
Tony Gossett
Lee Higginbotham
Sebastian White
TRAINED PROFESSIONAL AGENTS -
EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS! WATERFRONT, RESIDENTIAL, FARMS, LAND, LOTS AND COMMERCIAL
508 Martin Street South • Pell City, AL 208.884.2300 1.800.806.7741
$1,700,000 - 264 Kradle Kove - BREATHTAKING VIEWS with this custom estate of approx. 8000+ sq ft of exceptional living of 7 bedrooms and 6.5 baths with a grand foyer, Schonbek crystal chandelier, 10' ceilings heavy crown molding, lavish master suit with heated floors, living/dining with fireplace on main level. Others are located upstairs off the grand staircase; making for (2) master suits and (2) kitchens, and amenities of Kohler generator, five dual-fuel HVAC systems,(2) tankless water heaters, security system and a safe room. Located on beautiful lot with approx. 800' of shoreline and 3-car garage. MLS# 21451435 • Call Karen 205/473-4613
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SOUTHERN CHARM with this spacious 5 bedroom, 3 bath 2-story home that features (2) master suites on main level, large eat-in kitchen that flows into the dining area, family rooms on each level, dedicated office on mail level and two storage buildings, plus approx. 14 ACRES FOR THE TRANQUILITY OF COUNTRY LIVING. MLS #21454728 • Call Laurie 205/365-3639
$850,000 - 3500 Griffitt Bend Rd.
LAKEFRONT LIVING AT ITS FINEST is this 3 bedroom, 4 bath home located on the main channel. Home features open concept floor plan with 10-foot ceilings, custom cabinetry , two full kitchens and covered deck to view spectacular views and many new amenities. Outdoor is a carport, several storage buildings and a gated entry. MLS#21455693 Call Karen 205/473-4613
$574,987 - 300 Cherokee Trail - BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED ONE-LEVEL 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that features great room with fireplace kitchen/dining area with good view of the lake and spacious master suite . This home is located on approximately 5 acres with breathtaking views and has a private pier, outdoor fire pit and 2 storage building. Conveniently located restaurants, shopping and Riverwalk. MLS #21453275 Call Lee 205/812-4530
$649,900 - 881 Ridgeway Circle -
PICTURESQUE SHORES OF LOGAN MARTIN LAKE is this stunning 4 bedroom, 4 bath one level home that features great room with cozy fireplace, updated kitchen with granite counter tops, island and new appliances . Downstairs is the walk out basement with den with fireplace and safe room . Community pool, clubhouse and boat launch are some great amenities plus the breathtaking sunset views. MLS #214431087 • Call Karen 205/473-4613
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and very spacious 1.5 story 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home that features large family room with floor to vaulted ceiling stone fireplace, dining room and eat in kitchen, screened in porch and open deck. This and master bedroom, master bath are located on main level with upstairs having walkway that overlooks family room to lead to the two bedrooms. Finished basement with den and bonus room with 2-car garage. Updated dock and fenced, slope back yard. MLS #21447694 • Call Brenda 205/812-4141
$758,000 - 11 Pinewell Drive- CUSTOM
MODERN 4 bedroom 2.5 bath FARMHOUSE that features open-concept design gourmet kitchen, soaring ceilings and flood of natural light. This is located on 5 ACRE peaceful, property with privacy and just minutes from local amenities. MLS# 21439249 • Call Laurie 205/365-3639
$925,000 - 203 Allen Rd. - NEW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WATERFRONT 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath one level home that features living room with fireplace, dining room and with master bedroom and two others on the main level with downstairs to have family room, bedroom, bath and exercise room and 2-car garage. This is a one of a kind lot, located in Pell City and scheduled completion date is July. MLS #21442530 • Call Jeff 205/368-5830
$469,900 - 84 River Terrace Dr. - ENJOY
LAKE LIVING in this low-maintenance 2 bedroom, 2 bath home that features open living room kitchen and view from most rooms. The unfinished basement has potential for additional living space and has 2-car garage with room for up to four vehicles, plus 2-car carport, covered boat parking, pavillion and concrete golf cart path to the covered pier and year round water. MLS #21446083 • Call Laurie 205/365-3639
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D UN $699,000 - 662 Seminole Dr. - COZY, LAKERONT COTTAGE that consists of 3 bedrooms, 3 baths with master bedroom and master bath located on main level. Once entered into large family room with stone fireplace with bookcases on both sides and this carries you into the eat-in kitchen which both room, along with master bedroom have good views of the lake. Enjoy the large screened porch that runs the length of the house to enjoy the custom designed landscape back yard with sun bathing deck and walkway to the boathouse and year round water. This is one to see! MLS #21459624 Call Brenda 205/812-4141
4 bedroom, 3.5 bath HOME WITH PANORAMIC LAKEDRONT VIEWS WITH spacious one level living living and hearth/keeping room with fireplaces and open kitchen that flows into the dining area, infinity pool and 2-car carport. CONVENIENT LOCATION to Hwy. 231 and I-20. MLS# 21451997 Call Karen 205/473-4613
$1,100,000 - 150 Two Eagles Ln - CHECK OUT this unique property in the city limits. A house on 2.8 Acres and another parcel with 7.5 Acres that are metes and bounds. (Not included in the subdivision). This property has beautiful hardwood trees, a large barn/storage building, pole barn, great garden spot. MLS #21422124 • Call Laurie 205/365-3639
LAKE ENJOYMENT with a great view of the lake in this 3 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home located on a leased lot. This features oversized den/family room with plantation shutters, large master bedroom, screened porch, tow storage building, covered car port and fenced yard . This lot is located right beside the boat launch. #21456446 • Call Mike 205/527-4217
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$1,300,000 - 243 Rock Inn Point - ELEGANT
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$729,900 - 1618 Pine Harbor RdUPDATED LAKEFRONT HOME, located in desirable PINE HARBOR community! Home features 4 bedrooms, 3 baths with new kitchen and bathrooms installed in past several years, living room with fireplace, oversized rear deck for gazing at the lake with over 200' of shoreline with floating dock and 2-car garage and detached storage building. MLS #21451014 Call Jeff 205/369-5830
BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED LAKEFRONT 4 bedroom, 4 bath home that features open concept design with living room, dining area and updated kitchen. The main level features three bedrooms and updated master bath with the basement having den, recreation room, full bath and in-law suite with bedroom and kitc henette area. Home has private dock, boat lift, and stone firepit. MLS #21446518 • Call Karen 205/473-4613
$299,000 - 26 Shady Grove Rd. - RUSTIC CHARM with personality with this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home the is beautifully designed with features of soaring ceilings open to the second floor, a piquet balcony open to below, hardwood floors, fresh paint throughout and the home is located on corner lot with fenced yard and 2 utility buildings. Community lake access, boat launch, clubhouse and in-ground pool.
$259,900 - 118 Saint Judes Ln. - NICELY REMODELED 2 bedroom, 2 bath home located on a quaint street with 3 other homes. Private, wooded setting with view of the lake. Basement has a one car garage, workshop and ample storage or room for additions.
$235,000 - 34 Harmons Island Rd.
MLS #21453289 Call Lee 205/812-4530
MLS# 21441623• Call Karen 205/473-4613
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"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Realtor®
205.365.3639 •Professional Photos •Digital •Digital Marketing •Open •Open Houses
1250 Crossover Rd., Cropwell
11 Pinewell Dr., Cropwell
$758,000
545 Rena Drive, Springville $464,900
Southern Charm meets spacious living on 14 serene acres! This beautiful 5 bedroom 4 bathroom home features expansive front porches on both levels, two master suites on the main level, three additional bedrooms upstairs, and family rooms on each level!
Welcome Home. Imagine waking to birdsong, sipping your morning coffee on the wraparound lanai, and watching the sun rise over your own five-acre paradise. This isn’t just a house--it’s a feeling. A beautifully crafted custom modern farmhouse featuring 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms sits on 5+ peaceful acres.
Beautiful 3+ bedroom, 2 bath Springville home featuring hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, finished basement, expanded covered deck, and your own private in-ground pool! Enjoy a quiet, established neighborhood just minutes from downtown Springville, I-59, schools, shopping, churches, and Homestead Hollow.
1189 Mountain Laurel Circle $386,500
190 Crawford Ln., Springville $264,900
821 Twin Ridge Dr., Gardendale
Open floor plan designed for entertaining, featuring a vaulted living room with expansive windows and scenic views. Gourmet kitchen and dining area open to a covered patio. Spacious bedrooms, walk-in closets, smart home package, and staineless side by side refrigerator included.
Just minutes from the growing city of Springville, this beautifully updated 4-bedroom home offers fresh flooring, professionally painted interiors and move-in ready comfort. Enjoy your private backyard retreat featuring a covered deck, above-ground pool, and fully fenced yard--perfect for relaxing or entertaining all summer long.
Over 1,600 sq ft of updated, one level living with a private wooded backyard. Open living area with soaring ceilings and fireplace, eat-in kitchen plus dining room, and a spacious primary suite with office and in-suite laundry. Fenced yard, carport, and a prime location--don’t miss it!
TWO HOMES—ONE PROPERTY! The main 3BR/2BA home on a permanent foundation features an open floor plan, wood beams, crown molding, LVP flooring, stainless appliances, kitchen island, and an amazing primary suite—PLUS an additional 3BR/2BA manufactured home next door is included!
680 Riverview Dr., Cropwell $545,000
84 Terrace Dr., Talladega $469,900
4604 Lakes Edge Cove, Pinson
15 County Rd. 12, Odenville $244,900
$668,900
Wow! Beautiful full-brick 3 BR 2 BA home with a personal in-ground pool in the sought-after River Run community with Logan Martin Lake access could be yours! Great family living with a finished basement area and a huge garage space. Enjoy the screened-in back porch looking over a large one acre lot complete with a play area.
Lake living at its best in this low-maintenance 2BR/2BA home with an open floor plan and stunning water views from most rooms. Enjoy granite countertops, island seating, covered deck and patios, plus a 1.680 sq ft main level and unfinished basement ready to expand. Covered pier on year-round water, boat parking, pavilion, multiple outbuildings and views of Stemley Bridge.
$268,000
$214,900
This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is conveniently located in the Pinson area within walking distance of Pinson Valley High School. Outside, enjoy a beautiful double lot with a fenced area that's ideal for children and pets. The backyard borders the lake, creating a peaceful setting surrounded by mature landscaping and beautiful plants and comes with a large detached storage shed/workshop.
202 Nassau Street, Talladega $164,900 Beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home featuring an open floor plan, updated kitchen with new appliances, remodeled bathrooms, and a tankless water heater! Situated on two lots with nearly half an acre, this move-in-ready home offers a spacious level backyard and a peaceful location convenient to shopping, restaurants, churches, and schools.
60 Acton Blvd., Ragland $262,500
Just 26 miles from Birmingham, this remodeled 3BR/3BA home offers modern updates and a prime location near dining, shopping, and schools. Enjoy a spacious layout, updated kitchen with new appliances, large back deck, and fenced yard--perfect for entertaining, kids, and pets. Move-in ready! Don’t miss this one!
BUYING OR SELLING? CALL LAURIE!
58 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
Caran Wilbanks Your Friendly Lake & Neig Realtor
205.368.9772
2319 Cogswell Ave Pell City, AL 35125 E
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2317 Fraim Drive Pell City, $319,900
732 River Bend Cir Talladega, $850,000 Beautifully remodeled in 2020, this stunning waterfront property offers year-round water access on a large, level lot with 280 ft of shoreline. Enjoy a 2-slip floating boathouse with lift, boat launch and “Spider be gone” systems on both the house and boathouse. MLS 21432733
Experience waterfront living at its finest in this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhome. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets from two large covered decks overlooking the water. Inside, you’ll find granite countertops, two spacious great rooms, and numerous recent upgrades including a new HVAC system, roof, flooring, water heater, and appliances. The property features a 2-car carport, storage building, private pier, and a saltwater pool perfect for relaxing and entertaining. For added peace of mind, the community is equipped with a Flock camera safety system, and the townhome also has its own camera system. Whether you’re looking for a full-time residence or a weekend retreat, this waterfront gem offers comfort, security, and stunning views in one exceptional package.
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MLS 21457327
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16 Lelola, Lane Cropwell, $135,000
110 Morton Drive Pell City, $310,000
Enjoy lake living with a beautiful view of Logan Martin Lake from a spacious big-screen porch—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. This completely remodeled 2-bedroom, 2-bath home (2011, 14x66) sits on a desirable corner lot, offering privacy and charm. The property includes a 16x32 garage/storage building, ideal for boats, tools, or hobbies. Located in a welcoming community with access to a boat launch and pier, it’s perfect for water lovers. Move-in ready with modern updates throughout, this home combines comfort, convenience.
MLS 21451264
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13 Hickory Lane Odenville, $39,900
Welcome home to this beautiful full-brick 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the desirable Morningside Subdivision! Designed for comfortable living, this home features a spacious bonus room perfect for a home office, playroom, or media room. The open floor plan offers high ceilings, a cozy gas log fireplace, and abundant natural light. The kitchen is equipped with solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of workspace for entertaining. Relax in the primary suite, which features a luxurious jetted tub and Tray ceilings. The attic provides excellent storage or potential for future expansion. Enjoy outdoor living on the patio overlooking the well-manicured, level backyard, which includes a sprinkler system for easy maintenance. Additional features include streetlights throughout the neighborhood, making evening walks enjoyable. This move in ready home offers the perfect blend of style, comfort, and convenience.
Imagine your dream home situated on this beautiful 4 acre wooded lot in Odenville. Located in the quiet Hickory Ln subdivision, this property is convenient to Moody, Pell City, or Odenville. It is approximately 6 miles from I-20 exit 152, or approximately 8 miles from I-20 Pell City exit 158. Restricted to 1400+ SF site-built homes. This lot would be great for your basement home. Sorry, no mobile homes allowed.
MLS 21457779
MLS 1357213
REAL ESTATE
SINCE 1969
Visit me at PellCityRealtor.com 60 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
1822 Cogswell Avenue Pell City, AL, 35125
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Where You Mean More!
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BUYING OR SELLING?
UR NEIGHBORHOOD LAKE SPECIALIST
KELLERWILLIAMS kw
www.loganmartinlake.com
5998 County Rd 36 Heflin, 36264
316 5th Street North Pell City, 35125
245 Rome Beauty Circle Oxford, 36203
155 Nottingham Drive Pell City, 35128
MLS# 21461176
MLS# 21458872
MLS# 21462463
MLS# 21449227
$249,900
332 Driftwood Point Pell City, 35128
MLS# 21453935
MLS# 21455274
$799,900
830 Turkey Ridge Rd Ragland, 35131
215 Davis Acres Dr., Alpine 35014
2685 Hollis Hills Rd., Lincoln 35096
$749,900
$399,900
MLS# 21451847
$349,900
$189,900
$1,299,900
MLS# 21460694
200 W Lake Hill Drive Talladega 35160 MLS# 21452540
$379,900
MLS# 21457321
$279,900
607 Hillcrest Drive Talladega, 35160
180 Shoreline View Talladega, AL 35160
141 Lindsay Lane Lincoln, 35096
$179,900
$499,900
$1,190,000
MLS# 21455879
$439,900
2988 Shore Drive Ashville, AL 35953
MLS# 21457980
115 Eastland Way Lincoln, AL 35096 MLS# 21434170
1015 River Oaks Drive Cropwell, AL 35054
233 Digby Road Oxford, AL 36203
MLS# 21458504
38 Coosa Island Circle Cropwell, AL 35054 MLS# 21457639
$574,900
$799,900
$749,900
$299,900
MLS# 21457220
MLS# 21457219
296 River Terrace Dr Talladega, 35160
4203 Masters Road Pell City, 35128
314 Casey Drive Gadsden, 35903
$259,900
MLS# 21452556
$179,900
MLS# 21460125
MLS# 21453472
$329,900
Thinking of selling your home?
Don’t make a move without a professional Real Estate Agent at your side. Experienced agents offer personalized services, market expertise and user-friendly online search tools to help you home in on the perfect property. 64 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
Caran Wilbanks Your Friendly Lake & Neighborhood Realtor
205.368.9772 2319 Cogswell Ave. | P ell City, AL 35125
www.thefalkner m.com
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REAL ESTA
Visit me online at PellCityRealtor.com
MOODY REALTY 205.338.7320
Paula Krafft, Realtor “I represent buyers and sellers throughout St. Clair County and surrounding areas.”
Paula Krafft Life Member Club of Excellence
www.moodyrealtyal.com paula@moodyrealtyal.com
CP00014048 000313658r1
Cell 205-365-9612 Office 205-640-7671 Fax 205-640-5420
Homes - Land - New Construction
Karen Bain 205-473-4613
Adam Bain 205-369-2704
LoganMartinLakeTeam.com SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 65
Lakeside Chats with CHERITH
Summers Past Continue To Influence The Present
T
he driveway gravel was the first test of the day. If you could cross it without wincing, your feet had finally toughened up enough for summer. I never quite passed that test, not once, no matter how many barefoot days I put in. Truth be told, I still fail it today. I’m hoping somebody still lets me keep my country girl card anyway. I grew up in the Winterboro area, where summer meant mostly bare feet and very few plans. We rode bikes down back roads until the heat chased us into the shade, then back out again the second it let up. There was a plum tree in a nearby neighbor’s yard that none of us kids had permission to raid, which of course made it the only tree worth raiding. We’d eat plums until our stomachs ached and swear, every single time, that we wouldn’t do it again. Some evenings, if we were lucky, my friend’s daddy would let us pile into the back of his pickup truck for a ride to the local store. We’d come home with pickled pig’s feet, a bag of chips, and a soda in some flavor too sweet to name. Nobody called us in for dinner by looking at a clock. They called us in when it got dark, which meant we had every daylight hour to invent a game out of nothing: a stick, a ditch, a rule we made up on the spot and argued about just as fast. Fireflies showed up right on schedule, and catching them was a contest. I mostly watched, content to keep score from the porch steps while everyone else ran the yard. Watermelon appeared without anyone announcing it. I’ve spent years
looking for a slice that tastes half as sweet as those summer afternoons, but nothing since has ever come close. I didn’t know, back then, what any of it was actually giving me. I just knew the days felt long and safe and mine. It wasn’t until much later that I understood those bare feet were really about being known by everyone around you, trusted to roam further than you probably should have, certain that no matter how far you wandered, you’d always find your way home before dark. Occasionally, I still go barefoot in the yard sometimes. More out of habit than anything. And every so often the grass under my feet calls up memories of plum trees and truck beds and fireflies all at once. Every now and then I’ll walk the gravel on purpose, just to feel that same sharp bite — the tax on a good summer, and one I never mind paying. I can trace so much of who I am now back to those months: the part of me that still believes most people are looking out for each other even when they don’t say so, the part that isn’t afraid to wander into something unfamiliar because somewhere underneath, I still expect the ground to hold me. I didn’t get that from being told I was safe. I got it from being handed whole summers of proof — and I think that proof is still doing its work in me, decades later, every time I trust a stranger, stay a little longer than I planned, or walk into something I can’t quite see the end of.
66 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • SEP TEMBER 2026
Local • Professional • Trusted • Successful
Don’t let Summer’s End mean the end of your home search, Fall is a great time to buy!
Broker Broker
205-365-8875 205-365-8875
IIff YYou’re ou’re TTired ired ooff M Managing anaging YYour our Rental, Rental, then then Call C al l U Us! s! Wee ccan W an hhandle andle the the ddaily aily ttasks s s ooff pproperty r op e t y m management anagement ffor or yyou. ou .
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30 Comer Avenue, Pell City AL 35125 | Sharon@SharonThomas.net
SEP TEMBER 2026 • LAKESIDE Living & Logan Martin Homes • 67
FIRST ON THE FIELD
First isn’t just in our name. We really were the first bank to open our doors, help grow the local economy and invest in our communities. We’re proud to have been this area’s hometown team for nearly two centuries. We have — and always will be — FIRST on the field to support our neighbors and customers.
FBAL.bank