Fall is always a special time of year in St. Clair County. Maybe it’s because of the wide open spaces revealing a stunning backdrop of forests beginning their seasonal change in colors.

The transition from the summer’s greenery to vibrant reds, fiery yellows and the amber glows of orange is a spectacular burst of hues that never fails to evoke a smile, signaling this soul is more than soothed by the scene.

I have always loved the outdoors. The woods, the mountains, the water – all of it – does indeed soothe my soul. I guess that’s why I’ve always been partial to Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve from the very first time I ever heard about it.

You’ll see stories of its evolution gracing our pages throughout its history. And we’re glad to do them. It’s not just a story about the great outdoors, it’s the story of appreciating, protecting, preserving and enjoying a 422-acre treasure found right here in our own backyard.

In the latest development, work is about to begin on an outdoor pavilion. A phenomenal nature playground is coming to fruition, and strides are being made toward the creation of a nature center.

We’ll hear from a Springville woman who hikes the country but found her training ground right here at home at Big Canoe Creek. It’s a story of the impactful experience she discovers with each step she takes winding through the beauty of the preserve.

It’s stories like those that we love to share, another compelling reason we’re glad we call this place home.

Over the years, we have been blessed with a team of talented writers and photographers. Without them, many of these stories would go untold, unseen.

One of those photographers was Wally Bromberg, whom we lost to a heart attack in August. Today, we continue to mourn his loss, and we remember him in this issue of Discover through some of the outstanding work he did as a member of our team.

He would often partner with writer/historian Joe Whitten in our Traveling the Backroads series. Our cover shot for this edition is one he took for Joe just a year ago, capturing the essence of a gifted quilter and spry 99-year-old, Willie Mae “Snookie” Beavers. He tells the story through a single photograph. Through his lens, we see her smile, her colorful handiwork and sense her unassuming playful nature that belies her clear-eyed wisdom.

This issue of Discover is dedicated to Wally – our photographer, our colleague and our friend. Thank you, Wally, for being a part of our own story.

Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher