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From the Editor

In with the new, treasure the old

In the infancy of a new year, the mind tends to gravitate toward new starts. And while we have plenty of examples of new beginnings in this edition, we look back as well.

Historian Joe Whitten takes us on a memory-laden journey of gristmills and cornbread in a tale of what once dominated the landscape of Beaver Creek Valley, transforming shucked corn into a Southern delight making its way into just about every kitchen – cornbread.

You can almost catch a whiff of the aroma of freshly baked cornbread in a cast iron skillet with fresh-churned butter melting on top.

It’s a stroll down memory lane that captures what life was like in early St. Clair County.

The same holds true for archivist Robert Debter’s piece on “Healing Hands,” the pioneer doctors for the county’s early settlers.

They tended to the sick and offered an ounce or two of prevention advice along the way.

In this issue, we not only look back, we look forward as Ashville’s downtown resurgence could only be described as a renaissance for this historic district. What is old is new again. A rock-front storage building for a nearby mercantile store is now a restaurant, bookstore, reading room and gathering place all rolled into one. 

Called LaLa’s Beverages Bites Books, it is the latest example of downtown revitalization, and its early successes are an encouraging sign that a new day has dawned in Ashville. So is nearby Farm Wife and Company, a boutique gift store offering a little something for the entire family inspired by the farm couple who created it.

The GNX Gun Exchange, growing in popularity, only adds to the excitement generated by these new businesses luring people back to the heart of the city once more.

In the same vein of what’s old is new again, check out a “Barndominium” in Ashville, where an old barn is now becoming a trendsetting home for the future.

While Sewing Machine Mart has a 50-year history, it has a relatively new home in Springville, luring customers from around the state to what it has to offer in sewing machines, fabric, repair and a wide array of classes, including quilting.

Town & Country Ford in Pell City is preparing for a new chapter, too. Following its multimillion-dollar investment in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility for its dealership a few years back, Town & Country is now readying for a multimillion-dollar expansion in its quickly growing TC Customs. It will mean another impressive development to showcase its cutting-edge vehicle customization operation.

And at Lakeside Park, a new veterans group took their first ‘plunge’ as part of Project Absolution, a support organization for veterans to help with the transition after war by providing offroad adventures.

Old and new are truly mingling in this issue of Discover. Turn the page and discover it all with us!

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher

Other Stories

Downtown Ashville renaissance

Community bustling with economic growth Story by Roxann EdsallPhotos by Richard Rybka The
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Sewing Machine Mart

Springville’s place for sewing, quilting and learning Story by Elaine Hobson MillerPhotos by
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Polar Plunge

Braving Logan Martin Lake in winter to help support veterans Story by Carol
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Healing hands of St. Clair

County has a long history of medical excellence Story by Joe WhittenSubmitted photos
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These paths …

Did you know it was once rumored that the streets of Boston were
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St. Clair Outdoors

Wester Farms

Odenville home to four-legged world champions Story by Elaine Hobson MillerPhotos by Mike CallahanContributed Photos As horse farms go, Wester Farms in Odenville doesn’t look out of the ordinary. A
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Pirate’s Island

A day in the life of a Logan Martin landmark Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr. Submitted photos Drone Photo by David Smith, Star Aerial It’s a
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Revisiting the Lovejoy Slinghsot Hunt

Annual event continues to draw attention Words and Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr. Legend and tradition meet each year in Ashville when Lyman Lovejoy hosts the Lovejoy Slingshot Hunt in
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Journey’s End

Big Canoe Creek Preserve in Springville is now a part of Forever Wild Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Susan Wall and Emily Y. Horton He was no doubt inspired
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Discover News Today

Sorghum Festival Coming

White’s Mountain Event Set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Making sorghum syrup is a process handed down through generations, and White’s Mountain is sharing its history, how it’s done and of
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St. Clair History

St. Clair Living