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Rotary Club of Pell City

A new generation of servant leaders join club

It seems almost fitting that as Pell City Rotary Club just finished celebrating its 50th year, a new generation of leaders believing in Service Above Self has stepped up to join its ranks.

Younger members are getting involved. Among the new generation of members, from left: Jordan Franklin, Hiliary Hardwick, Teresa Harris and Eddie Wilson

Of course, it didn’t happen overnight. Over the past few years, younger members have gravitated to this growing civic club because they wanted to make a difference in their community.

And their impact is being felt in all corners.

Jay Jenkins, the oldest tenured member of the club, sees this new generation as lending to “a greater overall good” for people who may not see that side of a public official, for instance. They only see them in their official role.

But as they roll up their sleeves and give blood during the club’s blood drive for Red Cross, help sort groceries for the Christian Love Pantry distributions or deliver hot meals to first responders, the community sees them as true public servants.

He singled out the presence of the new city school superintendent and three board of education members now on Rotary’s roster. “I’m really proud that the new superintendent and board members got in Rotary. We do a lot of good things around our city,” he said, noting its good works can be found in impacts big and small.

Its major fundraising events – Rax Cox Memorial Golf Tournament, Jingle Bell Run, Father-Daughter Dance and Tennis/Pickleball Tournaments – provide significant support for dozens of organizations and projects needing help. Without Rotary, St. Clair Community Health Clinic, St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, CEPA, Museum of Pell City and countless other organizations might go lacking in their much-needed missions. Rotary also gives two college scholarships each year to deserving high school students.

Jingle Bell Run nets $65,000 in first year for Boys Ranch

A new era

With a younger set of leaders coming in with new and fresh ideas and varying vantage points of identifying needs in the community, Rotary is able to do so much more. “It’s a good trend right now,” Jenkins said. “We’re in a good spot. Hopefully, it will continue.”

As membership climbs upward of 80 members, it’s not showing any signs of slowing anytime soon. President Brian Muenger, who serves as city manager, sees the growth as making the club even stronger, which in turn, makes the community stronger.

“The majority of our member growth in recent years has been from young working professionals in their 30’s and 40’s,” Muenger said. “Bringing together like-minded people of all age groups is what Rotary is all about, and having a diverse membership ensures that we stay attuned to the changing needs and opportunities within our community.”

A sampling of a few of the new members illustrates their dedication to service, leadership and opportunities.

Eddie Wilson, a sales executive and newly appointed member of the Pell City School Board, views his membership as a way to get involved. “The genesis was the intersection of being a new board of education member and being invited to Rotary several times over the past year. It’s important to be involved in service. The service side fits. I like the people of Pell City, and I was really interested in giving back.”

Hiliary Hardwick serves as director of the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home and sees joining as an opportunity to do more. “I wanted to serve our community but also to enhance relationships with fellow business leaders and make new connections. In just the few months I’ve been in Rotary, I’ve met several new people and reconnected with old friends, too. Pell City Rotary Club is the best group of leaders, and I can’t wait to see us continue to increase our impact to our community in the coming years.”

Jordan Franklin, an aviation consultant, echoed Hardwick’s enthusiasm. “I’m honored to join the Pell City Rotary Club and excited for the opportunity to give back to a community that has supported me throughout my life.”

The three are indicators of what this new generation of leadership is focused on as they seek to serve.

Their impact will be felt throughout the community because of support for fundraisers making their mission possible.

The Pell City Rotary Charity Golf Tournament Ray Cox Memorial

The golf tournament is the longest running fundraiser – almost as old as the club itself at 45 years.

Sponsors and golfers make it a success year after year, coming together at Pell City Country Club for a fun event to raise money for worthy causes throughout the community.

As Tournament Chairman Joe Paul Abbott puts it, “We can give because you give.”

Held in June each year, it offers all kinds of opportunities to get involved – as a player, a sponsor or a volunteer. The funds generated by the tournament go to deserving organizations, schools and community projects.

Pickleball Tournament

This tournament has evolved over the years, each year bigger and better than the year before and going from tennis to the wildly popular pickleball. But it has one constant. It is held in October during the Halloween season, which lends itself to costumes, decorations and a whole lot of fun for the whole family.

This year’s multiple events for “Vampires and Volleys” on Oct. 23 at Pell City Pickleball Center will include juniors, men’s, women’s and mixed matches.

Father-Daughter Dance

One of the most anticipated events of the year, the Father-Daughter sees hundreds of fathers and daughters taking to the dance floor in a special time for both.

In February each year, Rotarians transform Pell City High School into a gala event venue and serve dance attendees dinner and offer plenty of music and dancing throughout the night.

The entire evening is dedicated to fathers and daughters making memories together that last a lifetime.

Jingle Bell Run

Rotary’s newcomer is the Jingle Bell Run. Now in its third year coming up Dec. 13, the Jingle Bell Run has become a certified 5K and 10K run and a 1-mile fun run/walk through Pell City Lakeside Park.

Benefitting charitable organizations throughout the community, the run has already raised over $100,000 in its first two years for St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch and The Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center.

The holiday season event attracts runners from all over and is supported by community sponsors who value the missions of those on the receiving end. This year’s recipients will be Boys Ranch, Ann’s New Life Center, WellHouse and Arc of St. Clair County.

And of course, Santa, is guest of honor, making it a fun holiday tradition for the entire family.

It’s all about service and making the community a better place. l

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Downtown Pell City

A slate of new businesses calling historic shopping district home

Historic Downtown Pell City’s business district is growing of late with ribbon cuttings and grand openings becoming almost commonplace. In the past few months, four new businesses have opened, a fifth is relocating and expanding and a sixth and seventh say, “Coming Soon.”

Already adding to diversity of what downtown has to offer are Lake House Antiques, Weeping Willow Books, The Grove and Studio on 1^st. Gilreath Printing, a longtime downtown resident in a log cabin building on Cogswell Avenue, is moving to 1^st Avenue behind Venue on 20^th into a much larger facility they are renovating. Gilreath plans to rent its existing building, paving the way for yet another business.

Studio on 1^st is a cutting-edge hair salon located on First Avenue South between 16^th and 17^th streets. Just across the way in the next block facing the railroad tracks is a children’s embroidery shop called Little Stitches & Co. Abbye Grimes is the owner, and she is working toward an October opening.

Inside, beyond the French doors, will be a completely separate business operated by Grimes’ sister-in-law, Tina Dailey, who is planning to run her hair salon and real estate ventures.

Meanwhile, The Grove opened a café featuring acai bowls, smoothies and salads in September and is already garnering rave reviews. It is located on Cogswell Avenue in the former Dot Wood Appraisal building between 16^th and 17^th streets.

Just a couple of doors down is the new Lake House Antiques, an eclectic blend of antiques, vintage and home accessories.

And just beyond Lake House is Weeping Willow Books, the senior citizen on the block at nearly 120 days.

They all represent a shot of vitality for downtown, and residents and visitors alike are already showing their appreciation, following through on the demand for new and diverse shopping, dining and services options in a pedestrian friendly, downtown setting.

Weeping Willow Books

For Samantha Herrington, her Cogswell Avenue bookstore is a dream come true.

She loves to read, and combining her passion with business seemed a perfect fit. She renovated the space with a willow tree theme (hence the name). “I always loved weeping willow trees,” she said, so she gave it an enchanted forest look, and “the name kind of went with it.”

She has created an inviting space. “I really wanted a bookstore downtown that was nice, cozy and welcoming, a place where people could come and get away from everything else.” She achieved those goals basically from the start, opening in June with 21 different genres of books – “a little something for everybody.”

She has books for all ages, “zero to as old as you can get,” she said. She even has a novel approach to novels called “Blind Date With a Book,” which is a book in wrapping so you cannot see the title. On the wrapping are hints so that you can get to know the book without seeing it first. Surprises await inside along with the book – a bookmark, notepad and pen. And just like a blind date, she said, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

The reception has been phenomenal. “Everybody who comes in here is super excited we’re here.” Her biggest surprise? “More customers than I expected.”

She’s enjoyed meeting everyone. “They have been nice and friendly. There is a big book community here,” she said, noting that she discovered a growing local authors community and is featuring some of their work. Authors like Shawn Bailey, Cherith Fluker and Kyle Hannah’s book company clients are among the books she features.

Herrington is already eyeing the future with plans to offer book clubs for different genres, story time for the children, author signings and a café with coffee and pastries.

“I want to grow a place when the outside is too much, they can come in here, get away and read a book.”

Lake House Antiques

Jacob and Adam Castleberry moved their year-old business from U.S. 231 South to downtown in August. Actually, it’s their second business. They own a thriving property management company that operates in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida.

Antiques are a pastime-turned-business. “We’ve been curating and collecting for 10 years,” said Jacob. “Our goal was to open a shop.”

While the property management company was based in Trussville, they never found a spot that “caught our eye,” he said.

When they moved to Cropwell, they found space in Lake Plaza. But when space became available downtown, they knew that’s really where they wanted to be. And customers are showing they’re glad they came.

“It’s been overwhelming,” Adam said. “It’s been great,” echoed Jacob.

The business started from their own experience and abilities. Their former home in Trussville was an eclectic blend, and friends and family encouraged them over the years to design spaces for others or open a shop.

They describe their place as “Grandma’s house,” Adam said, noting that the paintings, quilts and other items blended with vintage and new make it look like Grandma’s. “It’s lived in comfortable.”

He’s right. Alongside an oil painting or a pair of newly upholstered French wing-backed chairs with brass nailheads, you might find a tiffany lamp, a mosaic-top table, a regal dining room suite, an urn, photo frames, china or a Victrola turned cocktail bar.

On Sundays and Mondays, Jacob and Adam are traveling to source new items to feature Tuesday through Saturday, their days of operation.

“We want something new every day or every week at least,” keeping the shop vibrant and fresh, Adam said. And customers are responding with a steady flow of traffic heading their way since opening.

With a nod to the recent growth of that part of the downtown area and the camaraderie that has followed, Jacob said, “We’re excited to be a part of the new business downtown. We hope more is coming. We’re excited to see the growth of downtown Pell City and be a part of it.”

Customers say the shop has an appealing vibe that brings them back. “Hopefully, we’re going to be successful,” Jacob added. “It gives them another spot to browse around on a Saturday afternoon.”

Studio on 1^st

Studio on 1^st is the city’s newest destination point for professional hair care and skin care. The salon offers services for men and women tailored to them.

Owned by Briana Allen, Studio on 1st could be seen as continuing a family tradition of locally owned business. Next door is her father and grandfather’s longtime business, Allen Service Co. “They played a big role in why I opened my own place,” she said.

She opened July 15, but celebrated a grand opening in late September. She had worked in Birmingham but wanted to return to her hometown so that she could become more involved in the community personally and through her business.

“I’m loving it so far. It’s more than I imagined it would be. I really do love it,” she said. Besides being able to locate next to her family’s business, she chose downtown because of its small town charm. “You can walk to all the places. They know me, and I know them.”

Business owners refer business to each other, she said. “We’re all like close together, helping each other. It’s the perfect spot to start this.”

Joining her is stylist Shelby Dunaway, whom she says shares the same goals for the business – offering quality services and being involved in the community.

Coming on board in October is esthetician Morgan Russell, who will be handling the skin care part of the salon with facials and waxes.

Plans call for one more stylist, “then we’ll have a full house,” Allen said. But the planning hasn’t stopped there. She hopes to extend the back of the building to include a nail technician and perhaps a massage therapist.

Studio on 1^st, she said, is “committed to delivering exceptional service and an experience you’ll love coming back to.”

The Grove

It only took four months for an idea to spring into a full-fledged business. For Whitney Gunnison, the genesis of The Grove evolved from a need. She suffers from celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten that prevents nutrients from being absorbed and requires a gluten-free diet.

There weren’t any good options locally, so she decided to create a restaurant that filled that need. She renovated the building on Cogswell Avenue and set out to create healthier options with fresh, whole ingredients.

Her story blends her food creations with nourishment for the soul, she said. “I am strong in my faith. I wanted to share the love of Jesus in this building so people could feel the joy, hope and love the Lord has given to us.”

While a traditional downtown may spark memories of yesteryear, there’s a new feeling up and down Cogswell and First Avenues these days.

With Acai, smoothies and fresh salads heading the menu at this café, it’s evident that it is more than just a place to grab a healthy bowl or a smoothie — it’s a place to be “rooted, refreshed and renewed,” she said.

It actually got its name from those ideals – and a sign. She and her husband had considered a few different names but couldn’t decide. The Grove was one of their choices, but they prayed for a sign. He was on a job site in Cullman when he spotted a huge white sign up ahead, proclaiming, “The Grove.” It was their sign – literally and spiritually.

They set out to create a menu by gathering her team together, and they would try different ingredients and “figured out what was great and not so great” through many evenings of taste tests.

Team members who helped with the renovation were paid in bowls and smoothies, she said.

The end result was a comprehensive menu of açaí bowls, smoothies and fresh salads. And it appears she landed on a winning recipe. Judging by the response in the opening days, it’s a hit.

“The grand opening was super chaotic, but in the best way, she said. “We ran out of acai. We tripped a breaker. We had to close early because Pell City sold us out. After Friday (opening day), I hired four more people.”

But, she added, “everybody was rooting for me. Everybody has been so supportive. They’re excited to have a healthy spot.”

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Discover writer wins state award

Elaine Hobson Miller adds to extensive list of honors

Ashville’s Elaine Hobson Miller has been named the 2025 Communicator of Achievement of Alabama Media Professionals.

The St. Clair County resident won the award previously in 2017. That year, she went on to be runner-up in the National Federation of Press Women’s COA race when NFPW held its Communications Conference in Birmingham that year.

As the Alabama winner, Hobson Miller again vied for the national award when NFPW held its 2025 conference in Golden, Colorado.

The Alabama honoree has been writing since elementary school, when she penned a piece for her school’s newsletter. Throughout high school, she worked on her school’s newspaper staff and served as news editor during her senior year.

Hobson Miller began her lifelong career as a professional journalist and freelance writer in1968, the summer before her senior year at Samford University. She accepted an internship at the Birmingham Post-Herald, that city’s former morning newspaper.

The following year, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in Spanish. Hobson Miller accepted a full-time position at the Post-Herald. Within a year, she became that newspaper’s first woman to cover the Birmingham city government beat.

She left the Post Herald in 1972 when her first child was born and freelanced for several years. She was a full-time features writer for Birmingham Magazine from 1978-1980, returning to the Post-Herald in 1980, working first as a copy editor and then as food editor and features writer.

As a freelancer, she was editor of PrimeLife, a Birmingham-based magazine for people over 55, during the four months of its existence in 1988. She wrote a twice-monthly house column for the Birmingham News, 1992-1997, and was a regular contributor to Southern Lumberman from 1990 to 2001. She also wrote content for various local corporate and government newsletters, brochures and pamphlets, including Jefferson County, Shelby Medical Center (now Baptist Health Shelby Hospital), First National Bank and Vulcan Materials. She edited Birmingham Home & Garden magazine in 2002.

Hobson Miller took a brief sabbatical from journalism in 1996 following the death of her husband, who owned an independent pharmacy. She did enough freelance writing during that time “to keep my fingers nimble and my brain active,” she said. She sold the pharmacy in 2012 and resumed her focus on writing.

Although the honoree considers herself semi-retired, her work has appeared regularly in the magazine, Discover the Essence of St. Clair, since it was launched 15 years ago. She also writes for its sister magazine, LakeLife 24/7, both published by the Pell City-based multimedia marketing firm, Partners by Design.

Active in mission work, Hobson Miller has made four medical mission trips to Peru with Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood and Texas-based E-3 Partners, plus an independent mission trip to Peru. She did one mission trip to Spain and continues to participate in mission trips to Zacapa, Guatemala, where three Alabama churches have an ongoing relationship with the small village of Conevisa.

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$100-million development in works

Moody putting together massive retail project

If all goes as planned, Moody will begin seeing the beginning of a $100 million retail development along U.S. 411 and the Little Cahaba River.

Proposed by noted developer Stan Pate of Tuscaloosa, city officials are hailing it as a “real win” for the city, according to Moody Mayor Bill Lee.

The 200,000 to 250,00 square foot retail space is targeting property between 7 Brew and Joey Adkins Drive on Moody Parkway.

It took some incentives to land the deal, but Lee and the city council believe it to be a wise investment. The property has had its challenges because of the environmental concerns about the creek running through it, but the incentives will help overcome what had been financial roadblocks in the past.

According to the incentive agreement the council approved, worth about $65 million in incentives, it involves abatement of selected sales and property taxes, fees and permits, for up to 40 years or until the total it is paid. Pate has five years to begin the incentive process after his company invests a minimum of $10 million.

The 30-acre site will be mixed use of shopping and dining options. Clearing has already begun on the property. Existing property owners sold their land to Pate and businesses on that property now will be demolished after their leases are up.

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The Fallow Season

Not every season of life will look productive on the surface. Some years are meant for planting, others for harvesting … but the fallow season – the one where the soil rests – often feels the longest and hardest.

But in that rest, unseen forces are still at work. The ground is regenerating and restoring itself and what looks like emptiness now is actually preparation for future abundance.

Our lives often follow the same rhythm. There are seasons where we strive, create, and flourish. And there are seasons where we’re called to pause, recover, and be still.

This time may look and feel unproductive, even wasted. But the fallow season is not for nought – it’s a period of necessary preparation.

It’s a season of hidden and holy work, preparing the soil … and our soul … for the future fruits of our labor.

– Mackenzie Free –

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

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Big things for Big Canoe Creek

Changes, innovation, expanded education on the horizon for nature preserve

Story by Paul South
Photos by Graham Hadley
Submitted photos

“Come to the woods, for here is rest.”
— John Muir, American naturalist

Even in late August on the banks of Big Canoe Creek, change was in the air. Doug Morrison can see it from his side porch as he sips his morning coffee.

Leaves turned red, yellow and gold. Some even surrendered without a fight to the coming autumn. Soon, a crisp chill will be at home in the air, exciting stuff after months of heat and humidity.

But for Morrison, manager of Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, nature isn’t the only architect of transformation. There are exciting human changes coming this fall to the 422-acre preserve in Springville, part of Alabama’s Forever Wild lands.

The preserve, one of the most biodiverse parcels of land in the nation’s fourth-most biodiverse state, has a new education coordinator, Auburn University graduate Lucy Cleaver.

“We’ve got endangered species and threatened species in the Big Canoe Creek watershed,” Morrison said. “She will be working with different educational programs. We’re about to light it up and make it happen.”

Local students learning about the animals found in the Preserve

Cleaver, a native of Salem, Ala., holds a master’s degree in natural resource management from Auburn. She assumed her current role in August but has worked for the City of Springville for about three years.

Her work extends beyond the preserve and area schoolchildren, she said, even though she’s already conducted field trips for classes.

“When people think about outdoor education, they think it’s mostly about K-12 groups,” she said.

“But it’s also my goal to reach out to our landowners in St. Clair County. It’s equally important to me to educate them as to what they can do on their own property to help our entire watershed. It’s not just about what’s going on at the preserve. I want to make sure everybody has access to the knowledge that we have.”

Cleaver also plans to partner with entities like The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Geological Survey of Alabama, St. Clair County Soil Conservation District and the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

The preserve, which opened in 2024, boasts some eight miles of trails, including one hiking only trail (Creek Loop), two combination hiking and biking trails (the Fallen Oak and Slab Creek trails) and one combination hiking and horseback riding trail, called the Easy Rider trail.

Biodiversity on display

The magic of the preserve’s flora and fauna – even Creation’s s smallest treasures – captures the imagination of visitors.

Some examples? Consider the Canoe Creek Clubshell, a freshwater mussel found only in the Big Canoe Creek Watershed and listed as endangered on the Endangered Species List. It’s an important barometer of the health of the creek, Morrison said.

“Mussels are important to the water system because they’re livers for the river because they filter the water,” Morrison said. “They are also good bio-indicators. If they are there, it means the water hasn’t been polluted enough to kill them. Their food source comes from the water and as they ingest the water, they filter the water, thereby cleaning turbid water of sediment.”

Lucy and Doug at the cabin and preserve office

The tri-spot darter, featured on the preserve’s logo, is a threatened species. It also calls the preserve home. The small fish features three dark saddle-like markings on its back. But during the mating season, males become brightly colored reddish orange and green.

Other aquatic species in the watershed found in a tributary of the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve are the Western Blacknose Dace, a creature not documented in the area since the 1980s. A new find, the Gold Striped Darter was recently discovered, which is a rare find above the Fall Line.

For plant lovers, there are an array of blossoms – Mountain Laurel in the spring and wild azaleas are plentiful. The oak leaf hydrangea has bloomed out for the season. There are stands of Woodland Spider lilies, similar to the Cahaba Lily and a variety of irises and other wildflowers.

In the fall, Morrison said, the resplendent purple Beauty Berries are plentiful. The forest becomes more open as the leaves tumble to the ground.

“There are beautiful, big patches of old hardwoods,” Morrison said. “We have persimmons, paw paw trees, Muscadine.”

The unique finds fit the preserve’s motto, “Explore and Discover.”

An exciting journey ahead

As far as future goals for the preserve, Morrison is excited.

“We’re wide open,” he said.

An August grant of more than $335,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will help fund the construction of a new open-air educational pavilion. The project will also get a boost of nearly $84,000 in local matching funds.

The new facility will house restrooms, an area to host educational classes and general gathering space.

Initial design renderings of new pavilion

“One of our locals, Mike McCown worked diligently with me and (St. Clair Economic Development Council Grants and Leadership Director) Candice Hill on the grant application. Mike really put a lot of time and effort into this. As a matter of fact, he inserted many links to past articles in Discover (magazine)that I believe helped craft the story. Our journey speaks for itself, a journey of perseverance, faith and huge community involvement. We are beyond thrilled this will be underway soon,” Morrison said.

Also in its earliest phase, a Nature Playscape for kids crafted not from plastic, but from rock and other natural features is planned. It is hoped that the playscape will open in 18 to 24 months.

“We just got the concept plan for that created by Learning Landscapes Design,” Morrison said. “We’re waiting on the projected costs of that, and then we’ll go after grants to help build that. Hats off to donor, G.T. LaBorde, for funding the Concept Plan and coming up with the idea. This design is incredible and will be a big attraction once built. Again, more community involvement.”

Already, Cleaver has scheduled fall field trips with homeschool and other school groups from as far away as Birmingham.

When Cleaver talks about the preserve, she thinks of a spot in Slab Creek where stones like flat dominoes seem to provide a natural footbridge over the water.

“What makes (the preserve) special is there’s nothing else like it in this community,” she said. “We don’t have another nature preserve where people can go for free and go hiking or horseback riding or mountain biking. To me, it’s very special that we offer this to the community.”

With all the happenings at the preserve, Morrison and Cleaver are like kids at Christmas. Cleaver’s addition only adds to the excitement as the preserve charts a course into the future.

“It’s a great journey, and it’s a great job,” said Morrison. “We are beyond grateful for our community support.”

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