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A Clear Winner !"#$%&'($)*&!+,"&$%&+&)-./$%(&*"/-

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SPONSORED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WALKER COUNTY

2012 | LIVABILITY.COM/JASPER/AL®

WALKER COUNTY, ALABAMA

With locations in Curry, Cordova, Carbon Hill, Dora and three offices in Jasper.

We are F!"#$ … for a reason.

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With more branches than any other bank in Walker County, we are F!"#$ when it comes to convenience.

In continuous operation since 1905, we are F!"#$ when it comes to stability.

Involved in civic organizations, churches and schools throughout Walker County, we are F!"#$

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Town of Sumiton

“Remembering the Past, While Embracing the Future”

P.O. Box 10 • Sumiton, AL 35148 • (205) 648-3261 • www.thecityofsumiton.com

Petey EllisMAYOR

Judy GloverCITY CLERK

COUNCIL MEMBERS Bill Fowler

Kenneth Russell Brian Sides

Ricky Thomas Valorie Tucker

“The Friendly City”

Southern Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Associates P.C.MISSION STATEMENTAt Southern Orthopedics, our goal is to provide excellent orthopedic care, while establishing the environment and relationship that will nurture and support the patient during the delivery of care and throughout the healing process.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY/FOCUSOur practice specializes in all aspects of orthopedic care, from preventative medicine to corrective surgery. Our focus is to keep abreast of the many advancements in orthopedics today and offer them locally to our community. One should not have to travel to receive superior orthopedic care. We feel that it is our responsibility as physicians to educate ourselves and bring these new and exciting technologies back to our practice, hospital and the community that we serve.

Kendall C. Vague, MD Gary N. Russell, MD Mark A. Prevost, MD Jeffrey S. Cuomo, MD

www.southernortho.org

Southern Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Associates P.C.

The Southern Orthopedic Spine and Rehabilitation Center now offers a wide variety of therapeutic massages.

Visit our website to schedule an appointment, download forms and watch videos about the different services we offer.

Joint Replacement Spinal & Cervical Surgery Therapeutic Massage

(205) 221-5374 2950 Hwy. 78 E. • Jasper, AL 35502

4 WALKER COUNT Y

HENRY OIL CO. INC.

2621 Whitehouse Rd. Jasper, AL 35501 (205) 221-9427

BP DEALERS

JASPER BPHwy. 78 – Jasper

DOWNTOWN BP19th St. – Jasper

SMITH LAKE BPCurry Hwy.

KATHY’S MANCHESTER GROCERY

Manchester

HWY. 5 BPHwy. 5

HOLCOMB GROCERYCordova Cut Off

CORDOVA BPDowntown Cordova

CRESVIEW BPHwy. 78 – Dora

PARRISH BP4-Way-Stop – Parrish

THE TOAD BPAirport Rd. – Jasper

D’S FOOD MARTWalston Bridge Rd. – Jasper

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ON THE COVER David Kilgore fishes on Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper. Photo by Brian McCord

DEPARTMENTS

8 Almanac

32 Biz Briefs

35 Chamber Report

36 Economic Profile

44 Local Flavor

46 Arts & Culture

48 Sports & Recreation

51 Health & Wellness

54 Education

59 Image Gallery

63 Community Profile

64 Through the Lens

2012 EDITION | VOLUME 1


®

CONTENTS

FEATURES

14 SPECIAL SPOTLIGHTHistory enhances Walker County

18 A CLEAR WINNERLewis Smith Lake is a tourism hero

24 LOOKING UPPrograms help youth gain leadership skills

38 RETAIL ON THE RISEBig names put down roots

14

18

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SPONSORED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WALKER COUNTY

2012 | LIVABILITY.COM/JASPER/AL®


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10 Wright St. Jasper, AL 35501 (205) 221-4281

(205) 221-4899 fax

PARTNERS:

Joe R. Blackston, LPA Fran Blackston Johnson, CPA

Jon Blackston, Sta! Accountant

EMPLOYEES:

Cathy Hadaway, O"ce Manager and Bookkeeper

Michelle Vintson, Secretary

We are a hometown public accounting firm that has been

in business for 41 years. We are a full-service public accounting practice. We o!er compilation,

review and auditing services, as well as small business accounting and new business formation services.

Our tax services include preparation of federal and state business entity

returns, estate, gift, trust tax return preparation, and individual tax return preparation. We provide not-for-profit and governmental accounting services, as well as IRS and state correspondence

and representation.

Our practice also o!ers a full payroll processing and

timekeeping service.

LIVABILIT Y.COM/JASPER/AL 7


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EDITORIAL PROJECT MANAGER MITCH KLINE

CONTENT DIRECTOR LISA BATTLES

PROOFREADING MANAGER RAVEN PETTY

CONTENT COORDINATOR JESSICA WALKER

STAFF WRITER KEVIN LITWIN

COPY EDITOR JILL WYATT

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS RENEE ELDER,

MELONEE HURT, JESSICA MOZO, BETSY WILLIAMS

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER,

JANINE MARYLAND, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS RACHAEL GERRINGER, TAYLOR NUNLEY

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, BRIAN McCORD

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER

COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN ALISON HUNTER

INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER GINNY ELLSWORTH

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AD TRAFFIC ASSISTANTS KRYSTIN LEMMON, PATRICIA MOISAN

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN

SENIOR V.P./SALES TODD POTTER

SENIOR V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY HESTER

SENIOR V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER

SENIOR V.P./BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SCOTT TEMPLETON

SENIOR V.P./AGRIBUSINESS PUBLISHING KIM HOLMBERG

V.P./BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHARLES FITZGIBBON,

CLAY PERRY

V.P./EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS TEREE CARUTHERS

V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER

V.P./CONTENT OPERATIONS NATASHA LORENS

V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SUSAN CHAPPELL

V.P./SALES RHONDA GRAHAM, HERB HARPER,

JAREK SWEKOSKY

CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT LISA OWENS

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE COORDINATOR MARIA McFARLAND

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE COORDINATOR DIANA GUZMAN

SALES SUPPORT COORDINATOR ALEX MARKS

SALES SUPPORT PROJECT MANAGER SARA QUINT

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR DANIEL CANTRELL

DATABASE MANAGER/IT SUPPORT CHANDRA BRADSHAW

WEB CREATIVE DIRECTOR ALLISON DAVIS

WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD

WEB PROJECT MANAGER NOY FONGNALY

WEB DESIGNER II RICHARD STEVENS

WEB DEVELOPMENT LEAD YAMEL HALL

WEB DEVELOPER I NELS NOSEWORTHY

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY ANALYST BECCA ARY

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DEANNA NELSON

DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY KRISTY DUNCAN

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE

RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

Images Walker County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through

The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact

Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at [email protected].

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County

201 19th Street East, Suite 101, Jasper, Alabama 35501Phone: 205-384-4571 • Fax: 205-384-4901

walkerchamber.us

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J asper City Schools have really been turning heads lately. In 2010, the school district launched a new program through the collaborative efforts with the Chamber of

Commerce called The Leader in Me at T.R. Simmons Elementary, designed to empower students and unleash each child’s full potential.

The Leader in MeThe innovative, nationwide program is based

on principles found in Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Since its implementation, T.R. Simmons Elementary has been visited by Reps. Robert Aderholt and Bill Roberts and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Drayton Nabers.

“The concept is every child has leadership ability, worth and value,” says Dr. Robert Sparkman, superintendent of Jasper City Schools. “Our educators are helping them find it by helping them understand

Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”Those seven habits include (1) Be proactive, (2)

Begin with the end in mind, (3) Put first things first, (4) Think win-win, (5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood, (6) Synergize and (7) Sharpen the saw. Jasper City Schools plans to launch the program in its other two elementary schools, Memorial Park Elementary and West Jasper Elementary, in the next couple of years.

More than 600 schools throughout the nation are using The Leader in Me program, and have seen declines in their dropout rates, fewer tardy students and more parental involvement.

“Business people often struggle to find adults who come to work on time, have a good work ethic, and look you in the eye and shake your hand,” Sparkman says. “Ultimately we want students to graduate with intellect, but also character. I tell students all the time if you are blessed with academic ability but only use it for yourself, it is selfish. But if you use it to help

WALKER COUNTY PROGRAMS HELP YOUTH GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

LEADERS

ShapingTomorrow’s

A teacher leads a class at T.R. Simmons Elementary.

24 JASPER

8 WALKER COUNT Y

Small-Town HistoryAlthough Nauvoo is a small town, it’s a hotspot for

history buffs. Among Nauvoo’s historical attractions are the Nauvoo Depot Museum and the Harbin Hotel. The Nauvoo Depot Museum is a replica of the original structure built in 1897. With the help of the Nauvoo Historical Society, this museum tells the stories of the train station and local industry, featuring an array of artifacts. The Harbin Hotel, built in 1928, is a private residence today, but occasionally allows overnight guests. It features 16 rooms, its original pine walls, numerous period antiques, photographs and more.

Welcome to Walker CountyAN INTRODUCTION TO THE AREA’S PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS

Parading Around TownWalker residents come together several times a year to enjoy various festivities, among them the

Chamber Christmas Parade, Pets on Parade and the Veterans Day Parade. The Chamber Christmas Parade is held each December to celebrate Christmas, and features hundreds of spectators, the

Walker High School marching band, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Pets on Parade is an annual event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County. It’s a family-oriented event to which members of the community participate

by showing off their beloved pets, with all proceeds going to support the Walker County Humane Society. The annual Veterans Day Parade is a long-standing tradition in Jasper. This event honors the sacrifices and service of the men and

women of America’s armed forces who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom.

Almanac

Loving the LakeWalker County Lake has been a prized part

of the Walker community since it first opened in 1958. This lake covers 163 acres, and is popular for a wide variety of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, picnicking and nature-watching. Among the lake’s fish are bluegill, bass weighing up to 13 pounds, and catfish weighing up to 30 pounds, to name a few. To encourage picnicking, the lake features a covered picnic pavilion and woodland picnic areas as well as a nearby country store. For those who prefer to hit the water, the lake offers the Riverside Fly Shop for fishing supplies, a concession stand for midday snacks and a dock with a boat launch.


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POPULATION(2010 ESTIMATE)Walker County: 67,023

LOCATIONWalker County is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains near Birmingham.

BEGINNINGSWalker County was formed in 1824 from portions of Marion and Tuscaloosa counties and was named after John W. Walker, one of Alabama’s first U.S. Senators. The city of Jasper, home to approximately 14,000 residents, is the county seat.

Walker County At A Glance

Historic Home of a Statesman

The Bankhead House & Heritage Center was once the home of William Brockman Bankhead, who represented Alabama in Congress from 1917 through 1940 and was the 47th speaker of the House of Representatives. The Walker Area Community Foundation (WACF) purchased the three-story brick Bankhead House in 2008 and began restoring it. After three years of painstaking effort, the WACF has successfully restored the Bankhead House according to its original plans, in the style of the Colonial Revival architecture with which the home was built in 1925. Inside the home are numerous artifacts that belonged to the Bankheads, including a desk from the Alabama legislature that belonged to Bankhead’s father.

Fast Facts! Walker County is the 20th largest county in the state of Alabama.

! The county has 11 municipalities: Jasper, Cordova, Dora, Eldridge, Carbon Hill, Kansas, Nauvoo, Oakman, Parrish, Sipsey and Sumiton

! The city of Jasper was the childhood home of actor George Lindsey, who is best known for his role as Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show.

! Located in Dora, the Alabama Mining Museum honors Walker County’s mining heritage and features historical artifacts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

! In addition to being the county seat, Jasper is the largest city in Walker County.

! Major waterways in the county include Black Warrior River and Sipsey River, while the major highway is U.S. 78.

Walker County


Making WavesThe Jasper Natatorium is located within Memorial Park, the largest and oldest park in Jasper. The Natatorium is a $3 million facility that offers numerous comfortable meeting spaces as well as indoor and outdoor pools. Its meeting rooms make it a great place to hold family or business-related gatherings, while its pools accommodate swim lessons, swim competitions, water aerobics and more. For special events, the pools are available for private rental, and have even hosted the Special Olympics in the past.

Selling for GenerationsIn 1924, George Washington Posey and his

son, Andrew, established Andrew Posey and Son’s General Store. The business originally sold groceries, feed, seed and other general merchandise. The store continues to operate in its original location on 20th Street in downtown Jasper. The store has remained in the Posey family as it was handed down to third and fourth generations. Today it is run by Randy Posey and his wife Janice. The store still sells seeds, plants, and a variety of home items. The Pilot Club of Jasper recognized the store’s significance as a landmark in the community when it made the façade of Posey’s General Store the design for its 2011 Christmas ornament.

Thriving in the WildWhen Boy Scouts in Walker County want to put their nature skills

into practice, they go to Camp O’Rear near Jasper, a 90-acre camp owned and operated by the Black Warrior Council. Located in the Alabama wilderness, Camp O’Rear’s primitive environment gives Boy Scouts the perfect arena to hone their survival skills and earn merit badges. Camp O’Rear’s conditions also make it a great location for the exciting game of geocaching, an outdoor treasure-hunting-style event in which participants use GPS devices to find specific coordinates and then locate hidden objectives. This practice is

perfectly suited for scouts, allowing them to exercise important skills such as backpacking, teamwork and land navigation.

Gol! Course

City of Dora | 1485 Sharon Blvd. | Dora, AL 35062 | (205) 648-3211 | (205) 648-3399 fax

The city of Dora is located in the eastern section of Walker County, Alabama. The city has an approximate population of 2,500 and was once known as Horse Creek. Dora offers public services including police, neighborhood watch, and fire protection. Also, within the city limits of Dora we have a medical clinic, civic center, park and recreation options, gas and water utilities. Electric and sewer services are also accessible. Dora High and T.S Boyd Elementary represent Dora’s educational base, as well as daycare and pre-school operations offered by Dora First Baptist and Aldersgate Methodist Church. Dora is a faithful community with vari-ous churches as well as the attractions mentioned hereafter.

With Birmingham just a short commute to the southeast, the trade-area residents have a multitude of employment opportunities including those within Walker County. The result is a reasonably diversified employer base that has provided a measure of economic stability over the past 20 years.

Horse Creek Commerce Park offers many opportunities for new and expanding business interests. Ideally situated on the well-traveled Horse Creek Boulevard, the park is easily accessible from US Highway 78 and the new Corridor X interstate highway. The park encompasses 140 acres of property available for lease or purchase. Utility services are available.

Horse Creek Municipal Golf Course is open to the public. It is a splendid 7,100-yard piece of gold course architecture, which is easy to play yet offers occasional challenges for golfers of all ages. The 18-hole course is publicly owned and is well maintained and affordable. The beautiful tree-lined course includes a facility with a café, pro shop and golf cart rentals.

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Horse Creek Trail is constructed on an abandoned railroad bed. The paved trail intersects with the park walking track, is 12 feet wide and 13,650 feet in length. The trail consists of numerous ornamental plants and trees, five rest stops and five parking areas. Trail users include walking, jogging, running, biking, skateboarding, roller skating, nature discovery and bird watching.

The primary focus of the Alabama Mining Museum is the total history of coal mining from 1890 to 1940. During this period mining became an important force in the state and a way of life for all the people involved.

The Alabama Mining Museum depicts the mines and their development throughout the period of 1890-1940. The museum shows not only the methods and technical aspects of mining, but just as importantly, it gives the visitor a look into the life of the miner as he was molded into a special person by years of experience above as well as below the ground. In 1984 the Alabama Mining Museum was designated by the Alabama State Senate as “The Official State Coal Mining Museum of Alabama’.

Multimoda% Trail

Ala&'m( Minin) Museum

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Walker County’s legacy involves the humble but hardworking mule, whose usefulness in farming, mining and transportation helped shape the region. Yet its history also encompasses the

vaunted Bankhead family, a prominent political clan whose members included the well-known stage and screen star Tallulah Bankhead.

Despite seeming worlds apart, each of these subjects contributes an intriguing layer to Walker County’s history and is reflected in the vibrant artistic spirit that reigns in the region.

Rooted in CultureFor evidence, look no further than the Bankhead House &

Heritage Center in Jasper. The Colonial Revival home was built in 1925 by William Brockman Bankhead, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and, later, speaker of the House. In 1937, it set the scene for the marriage of Bankhead’s daughter, Tallulah, to actor John Emery. Today, the elegant structure, operated by the Walker Area Community Foundation, is open to the public for gatherings revolving around history, culture and the arts.

WALKER COUNTY APPRECIATES ITS HISTORY AND HERITAGE

STORY BY RENEE ELDER

Above: The Bankhead House & Heritage Center in Jasper Below: Images from Journey Stories, the national exhibit that took place at the Bankhead House

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SpecialSpotlight


Mining Their BusinessMUSEUM CELEBRATES COAL MINING HERITAGE

The Alabama Mining Museum in Dora is “The Official State Coal Mining Museum of Alabama.”

The museum was given that special designation in 1984 when the Alabama State Legislature deemed it so, in an effort to preserve the story of coal mining in the state. Between 1890 and 1940, the coal mining industry was a key driving force in the growth of cities such as the Birmingham Metro Area.

Visitors to the Alabama Mining Museum can learn what it was like to live in a mining camp, plus get an idea of how big companies controlled everything in the area. The museum also explores changes in mining technology.

Even the museum’s building is interesting – it is a former gymnasium built in 1935 under the federal Works Project Act (WPA).

Admission is free. To learn more, call (205) 648-2442.

Then, there’s the 50-Mule Team Project sponsored by the Walker County Arts Alliance. Honoring the animal that helped shape life in the county, the project was first conceived as the 20-Mule Team Project, before participation in the fundraiser more than doubled in size, says Melanie Poole, president of the Arts Alliance.

Fifty almost-life-size fiberglass mules were sponsored by companies, organizations and individuals, each of which picked an artist to help create a unique design statement. Exhibits throughout the county include a Girl Scout-sponsored mule that sports merit badges and goes by the name of “Daisy,” the youngest scout-troop division.

Another, sponsored by Reed Energy, is displayed in the company’s lobby beside a coal-filled wagon.

The Walker Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1995 to help support community causes. The organization assists in a variety of endeavors, from education and health care to recreation and the arts. The foundation often partners with the Arts Alliance, whose mission is to “fill the gap” in arts education in public schools as well as sponsor community exhibits, Poole says.

“We try very hard to bring the arts to all parts of Walker County,” she adds.

Events and FestivalsA spring festival known as

Art in the Park offers the public a chance to view and purchase artwork and fine crafts, and enjoy music, dance and more. In the fall, the alliance plays host to its Mystery Dinner Theater. The highly popular fundraiser honors the county’s thespian tradition, which spawned not only the great Tallulah Bankhead, but actors George Lindsey and Polly Holliday, as well.

Poole, a graphic designer and illustrator, says art-centric events drive up creativity and give the region a large dose of cultural energy and excitement. In fact, the arts are in evidence almost

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Parade RouteANNUAL HOMECOMING CELEBRATION IS A MAJOR EVENT

The annual Walker High School Homecoming

Parade is always one of the most anticipated events of the school year. The parade honors the school, which was established in 1917 as Walker County High School, and the Vikings football team, which won its first football state championship in 1921.

Prior to the homecoming football game on a Friday night each October, a pep rally and homecoming parade take place. The parade starts from the school parking lot and commences through downtown Jasper, with the WHS marching band leading the way. Floats are built by students in a theme that usually depicts the upcoming game between the Walker Vikings and their opponent. Immediately after the football game, a homecoming dance is held at the Community Health Systems Activity Center.

Walker County is also home to two other large parades in the autumn months. An annual Veterans Day Parade occurs on the Saturday before Veterans Day, with many of the activities taking place at the site of the War Memorial on Jasper’s Town Square.

Also, the largest local celebration of the year is the annual evening Chamber Christmas Parade, which features more than 100 entries. Spectators line both sides of the street for many blocks in the Jasper downtown business district in order to get a glimpse of the floats, bands and parade participants

– Kevin Litwin

anywhere you go in Walker County.“Our Focus on Arts exhibit

can be seen in various facilities throughout the county, most recently in the lobby of Walker Baptist Medical Center,” Poole says of the traveling arts exhibit that features local talent. “It’s our mission to support and develop the arts in the total life of the community.”

Challenging preconceptions at times, the arts community strives to give area residents a broad perspective on the culture of northwest Alabama – and beyond. From June to August 2011, a national exhibit known as Journey Stories made its home at the Bankhead House through a

partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Journey Stories traces the migration of Americans from the eastern seaboard to the west coast through personal accounts illustrated by visual art, manuscripts and audio pieces. The exhibit was based on the America on the Move project at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Smithsonian curator Tiffany Ruhl told the Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle that it was designed to illustrates Americans’ tendency toward mobility, be that by train, auto, aircraft, or yes, even the humble mule.

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Left: This mule, named “Uncle B,” is part of the 50-Mule Team Project. Right: Art in the Park is held in Gamble Park on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend each year.


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A CLEAR WINNER

LEWIS SMITH LAKE IS A TOURISM HERO

18 JASPER

2010 Jasper, Alabama Open on Smith Lake in Walker County

L ewis Smith Lake, which spans three counties near Jasper defies all the criteria that make a

good fishing lake. Typically, bass hang out in murky, shallow waters with lots of algae to feed on. Smith Lake, as it is known by the locals, is deep, clear, and stocked full of big, hungry fish. Rumor has it there is a 50-pounder swimming around taunting anglers of all ages.

Home to Open-Series Angler Tournaments

Combine the excellent fishing conditions with more than 500 miles of shoreline as scenic as it is

accessible, and it becomes clear why Smith is one of the lakes in Alabama slated to be a repeat host for the Bassmaster Open Series Tournament.

Numerous tournaments, sponsored by B.A.S.S. (the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), have landed at Smith Lake, and Michael Mulone, director of event partnerships for B.A.S.S., says his organization looks forward to coming back.

“The community does a great job of taking care of that fishery,” Mulone says. “We won’t continue to get anglers to our tournaments if we put them on waters that can’t

produce catches. The water is crystal clear, it’s gorgeous and people can catch all kinds of fish, and that’s a big deal. “

State, regional and national tournaments draw anywhere from 175 to 200 boats – that’s 350-400 anglers in town for three days. The economic impact from a single tournament can reach upwards of $2 million.

Few anglers know Smith Lake as well as local pro fisherman David Kilgore. Born and raised in Walker County, Kilgore has been fishing the lake his whole life.

“The lake is more diverse than people think,” Kilgore says. “It is a

STORY BY MELONEE HURT

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David Kilgore fishes on Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper.

32 lbs, 8 ounces

STRIPED BASS

8 lbs, 15 ouncesSPOTTED BASS

11 lbs LARGEMOUTH

BASS

Lewis Smith Lake Records


Lewis Smith Lake is one of 11 premier bass fishing lakes located on the newly-created Alabama Bass Trail, which stretches from the mountains of North Alabama south to the Mobile Delta.

The trail was unveiled in March as a statewide tourism, conservation and education initiative.

“Anglers from around the nation will be encouraged to come and fish where the pros fish,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “I firmly believe the Bass Trail will grow into a successful model that neighboring states will want to emulate.”

Visit alabamabasstrail.org for more information.

Alabama Bass Trail

Lewis Smith Lake

Logan MartinLake

Lake Jordan

Alabama River

Lay Lake

Pickwick Lake Wheeler

Lake

Neely Henry Lake

Mobile-Tensaw River Delta

Lake Eufaula

Lake Guntersville

22 JASPER

beautiful lake. There are plenty of boat ramps, plenty of hotels ... During the springtime it’s the best lake in the state.”

Fish Generate Tourism Dollars

But the lake isn’t just a natural beauty. It’s a powerful economic driver and revenue generator because of its tourism draw. The fishing tournaments alone, which the chamber has sponsored annually since 2003, generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in hotel stays and restaurant purchases and also produce media exposure in outlets such as ESPN, Bassmaster Magazine and numerous daily newspapers.

In addition to fishing tournament revenue, 2010 census data show that the seasonal and recreational housing market over the last 10 years has had a $270 million to $400 million impact on the three-county area around the lake.

The Lewis Smith Dam, which rises 300 feet out of the Black Warrior River, draws upwards of 40,000 visitors per year. Neighboring 163-acre Walker County Lake, although too small to host a major tournament, is also known for its fish.

Smith Lake Lures Bassmasters

Mulone says Smith Lake’s prominence as a good fishery gets it considered as a tournament site, but when the rich waters are combined with an enthusiastic and welcoming community, it’s a home run.

“We were blown away by the support from the local area at past tournaments,” Mulone says. “We had a lot of local businesses who put out signs saying ‘Welcome Anglers’. That means a lot to the anglers and us as well. When the community gets behind us it makes it easier for us to come back for future tournaments.”

22 JASPER

J asper City Schools have really been turning heads lately. In 2010, the school district launched a new program through the collaborative efforts with the Chamber of

Commerce called The Leader in Me at T.R. Simmons Elementary, designed to empower students and unleash each child’s full potential.

The Leader in MeThe innovative, nationwide program is based

on principles found in Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Since its implementation, T.R. Simmons Elementary has been visited by Reps. Robert Aderholt and Bill Roberts and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Drayton Nabers.

“The concept is every child has leadership ability, worth and value,” says Dr. Robert Sparkman, superintendent of Jasper City Schools. “Our educators are helping them find it by helping them understand

Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”Those seven habits include (1) Be proactive, (2)

Begin with the end in mind, (3) Put first things first, (4) Think win-win, (5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood, (6) Synergize and (7) Sharpen the saw. Jasper City Schools plans to launch the program in its other two elementary schools, Memorial Park Elementary and West Jasper Elementary, in the next couple of years.

More than 600 schools throughout the nation are using The Leader in Me program, and have seen declines in their dropout rates, fewer tardy students and more parental involvement.

“Business people often struggle to find adults who come to work on time, have a good work ethic, and look you in the eye and shake your hand,” Sparkman says. “Ultimately we want students to graduate with intellect, but also character. I tell students all the time if you are blessed with academic ability but only use it for yourself, it is selfish. But if you use it to help

WALKER COUNTY PROGRAMS HELP YOUTH GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

LEADERS

ShapingTomorrow’s

A teacher leads a class at T.R. Simmons Elementary.

24 JASPER

Comprising six schools including Memorial Park Elementary, T.R. Simmons Elementary, West Jasper Elementary, Maddox Middle School, North Highland School and Walker High School, Jasper City Schools stays up-to-date with the latest technology to ensure students never fall behind.

The district provides approximately 1,100 computers for students to access complete with appropriate educational software; printers, digital cameras, scanners, projectors and other devices are also available. Walker High School offers the most technology with six complete computer labs, a Career Center with seven

computers, two laptop carts that teachers can use in the classroom, an interactive video conferencing lab and more than 50 computers in the school’s library.

For more information, visit Jasper City Schools at jasper.k12.al.us or call (205) 384-6880.

Jasper City Schools TECHNOLOGY IS WELCOME HERE


another person, everybody wins. We want our students to serve others and keep the end in mind.”

Jasper City Schools partners with civic clubs in the community to help students learn what it means to serve and be a leader.

“When students graduate from Walker High School, they’ve put in many hours of service,” Sparkman says. “The greatest enjoyment I get is watching our students excel. I love seeing them working out in the community, whether they are ringing a bell for the Salvation Army, performing in a choral group or band, competing on the math team, or playing on our baseball team. It’s wonderful to see students enjoy the benefits of their education.”

Youth Leadership Walker CountyAnother Walker County program helping to shape

future leaders is Youth Leadership Walker County, developed by the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County and Bevill State Community College. Each year, 40 high school juniors are selected from city, county and private high schools in Walker County to participate in the eight-month program. Participants

meet once a month to hear from community leaders on various topics, including economics, health care and criminal justice. They also travel to local hospitals, courtrooms and the state legislature in Montgomery to experience firsthand how their community operates.

“The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County and Bevill State Community College are dedicated to education and will continue to develop programs that support our community’s students, educators and schools,” says Linda Lewis, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County. “Each of us seeks to meet the demands of our future through an education process designed to improve knowledge, communications, interaction and awareness. Youth Leadership Walker County is one more way in which the chamber, educational institutions and alumni are working together.”

Youth Leadership Walker County is free to participants and funded by the chamber. Students interested in applying must have a C average or above and can obtain an application from their high school counselor or the chamber.

Left: A teacher assists a student at T.R. Simmons Elementary. Below left: T.R. Simmons Elementary Below right: Walker High School students participate in Youth Leadership Walker County.


Goody’s opened in Jasper in late 2011.

RETAILRISEon

theBIG NAMES CHOOSE WALKER COUNTY

28 JASPER

W hen one of the most popular national retail chains opened a new store in Jasper at the end of 2011, the message was clear: Walker County’s future

looks bright.“Goody’s is a billion-dollar company,” says

A.G. Helton, CEO of Action Properties, the project developer. “Companies like Goody’s don’t invest in communities unless they expect to prosper.”

Action Properties specializes in redeveloping properties throughout the Southeast. In Jasper, the company purchased the former Food World location, redeveloped the property and attracted Goody’s and another major tenant, Hibbett Sports. Helton expects

to lease the other available retail spaces in the coming months.

“We’ve taken what was essentially an eyesore and turned it into a thriving business that is creating jobs and economic impact,” Helton says. The project has already generated about 40 new jobs and is expected to create more than $4 million in sales tax revenues, as well as $4 million in property taxes for the county.

Helton praises the pro-business attitude of the city and county governments for helping the project succeed, and notes the assistance provided by the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County. As for the region, he’s confident that growth is on the horizon.

“I see this region growing, otherwise our company

STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN MCCORD


A customer shops in Goody’s.

Hibbett Sports recently opened in Jasper.


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would not have plunked down the sizeable investment,” he says. “This region has a lot of great things going on. With about 15,000 in Jasper and a larger population in the economic trade area, Walker County is in a good position to become the retail center of the region.”

Interstate Access is AssetThat opportunity is enhanced

by the county’s proximity to future Interstate 22, which will link Memphis, Tenn. to Interstate 65 in Birmingham, Ala. Most of the route is complete, with Jasper connected as early as 2005 and already reaping the benefits of its enviable location. In mid-2011, Love’s Travel Stop and Country Stores announced plans to locate on property at Exit 65 in Jasper.

Opening in early 2012, the project will employ up to 80 people. Exit 65 is Industrial Boulevard, home to Bevill Industrial Park, which is undergoing road construction improvements in preparation for the location of new industry.

Retail Strong Across Walker County

In terms of retail, Goody’s and Hibbett Sports join other big names in Walker County, including two Wal-Mart Supercenters, Home Depot, Bath & Body Works, Rue 21 and Belk. While much of the retail strength of Walker County can be found in outlying shopping centers and the Jasper Mall, Helton says one aspect of the region that attracted him was downtown Jasper.


ScorecardBUSINESS AT

A GLANCE

$900 million

Annual Retail Sales

$13 millionRetail Sales Per Capita

$73 millionAnnual Hotel

and Food Sales

5,365Total Number

of Firms:

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Business

Biz BriefsBUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE WALKER COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

SCOTT CRUMP TOYOTABiz: Automobile dealershipBuzz: Scott Crump Toyota offers new Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs and vans, and a variety of certified pre-owned vehicles at its superstore, which serves Jasper and the greater Birmingham area. In 2011 the dealership tied for second place for retailer of the year by the Alabama Retail Association, indicating retailers with more than $20 million in sales annually.www.scottcrumptoyota.com

32 JASPER

SOUTHERN ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATIONBiz: Orthopedic facilityBuzz: Since 1984 this four-physician facility has been providing patients with health-care services including orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, sports medicine, on-site diagnostic imaging, and recently a variety of therapeutic massages ranging from Swedish and deep tissue to hot stone and prenatal.www.southernortho.org

BERNARD’S STORE FOR MENBiz: Fine men’s clothingBuzz: Bernard’s has specialized in men’s clothing for more than 60 years. The store is located in the square in historic downtown Jasper and features designers such as Polo, Hart, Cutter & Buck and Alex Cannon, to name a few. Not only can you shop online, if you live in Jasper Bernard’s will hand-deliver your items to you.www.shopbernards.com

FONTAINE TRAILER COMPANYBiz: Trailer manufacturingBuzz: This manufacturing company, headquartered in Jasper, is the largest f latbed trailer manufacturer in the world. Fontaine builds a number of trailer types, including flatbed, dropdeck, expandable and lowbed, and military equipment such as equipment enclosures and trailers, and offers rebuild/reset programs for military products. Fontaine is a Marmon Highway Technologies/Berkshire Hathaway company.www.fontainetrailer.com

THE TERRACE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITYBiz: Assisted living facilityBuzz: Residents of The Terrace Senior Living Community enjoy fully carpeted apartments with personal climate control and emergency call systems. The community strives to promote an independent lifestyle in addition to offering basic services such as meals and activities, and will customize personal services to accommodate a resident’s needs.www.theterraceslc.com

Leave your cares at home …welcome to the

100 Industrial Pkwy. Jasper, AL 35501

For a reservation, call: (205) 221-3334

www.jasperal.hamptoninn.com

HeritageYou Can Trust

For more than 40 years, we’ve built our heritage serving the families of Walker County.

We understand your traditions and beliefs because we share them, too.

caring for people, making a difference®

Kilgore-GreenFUNERAL HOME INC.

1200 Birmingham Ave. • Jasper • (205) 384-9503 www.KilgoreGreenFuneralHome.com

OF JASPER

(866) 395-01004102 Hwy. 78 E. Jasper, AL 35501

www.hondaofjasper.com

We take pride in the vehicles we sell and strive

to succeed with a great customer experience.


COALAlabama’s Greatest Natural Resource

Alabama coal provides jobs and affordable electricity.

• Alabama coal mines employed 4,783 workers in 2011.

• Alabama coal mines produced 19,703,797 tons of coal in 2011.

• Over half of Alabama’s electricity is generated from coal.

• Alabama ranks among the nation’s lowest in energy costs due in large part to coal.

#2 Office Park Cir., Ste. 200 • Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-3734 • www.alcoal.com

Business

Chamber ReportPROGRAMS BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Among several successful leadership programs offered

by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, the most unique is the Groundhog Job Shadow Day. Since 2000, the Chamber has shaped and organized this community event, based on the national program, and in most recent years placed more than 1,000 Walker County ninth grade students into the workforce for a half-day learning experience.

The Chamber looks forward each year to a successful event in which these students have the opportunity to explore the “world of work” through job shadow experience with local businesses and career fair activities. Students have the opportunity to ask questions of those who are skilled and knowledgeable in many professions.

While the Chamber funds this event it recognizes and thanks the business community, Bevill State Community College, superintendents, principals, counselors and all those who partner to make the program such a success.

“It is a huge undertaking,” Chamber President Linda Lewis says. “These partners see the benefits of job shadowing and giving student’s employment choices for the future. Many area teenagers have found their career paths because of this project.”

Walker County is one of only a few counties in the state that have such an extensive job shadowing program.

Leaders and More LeadersThe Chamber, in partnership

with Bevill State, also focuses its outreach initiatives through Leadership Walker County. This

program gives chamber members an opportunity to network with community leaders and work on a community service project.

A recent project was the A.P.E.X (Accessible Playground Extreme Experience) Playground for children with and without

physical disabilities.Businesses Giving Back“The business community

has become some of our best advocates and sponsors,” Lewis says. “We appreciate their interest and continued support.”

– Melonee Hurt


(205) 221-3342

www.airnav.com/airport/JFX

Public Transportation for City and County

Class Tran

(205) 325-8787

BNSF Railway

www.bnsf.com

Norfolk Southern Railway

www.nscorp.com

Interstate 22 Corridor

http://www.wceida.com/I22

www.walkerchamber.us

EDUCATION

75.5%High School Graduates

32.94%

Hold Associate’s Degrees

6.11%Hold Bachelor’s Degrees

5.48%

BUSINESS CLIMATEWalker County is located on the Interstate 22 corridor and is approximately 22 miles away from Birmingham, the largest city in the state, making the area an appealing place for new and existing businesses to set up shop.

ECONOMIC PROFILE

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We love what we do. We are family-oriented, full-time realtors. We are servants – not here to be served – and we want to work for you!

909 Airport Rd. South Jasper, AL 35501 (205) 295-0287 (205) 295-LAKE (5253) (205) 295-0288 fax www.whitepepperrealestate.com

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

TAX STRUCTURE

2%County Sales Tax

4%State Sales Tax

2%Jasper City Sales Tax

$18,707.33Per Capita Income

$46,626.33Average Total Household

Expenditure

TRANSPORTATION

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

5900 Messer Airport Highway

Birmingham, AL 35212

(205) 595-0533

Walker County Airport-Bevill Field

20 Ellis Haynes Drive

Jasper, AL 35503

Hold Graduate Degrees

WORKFORCE

77.48%

White Collar

22.52%

Blue Collar

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County204 19th St. East, Suite 101Jasper, AL 35501(205) 384-4571www.walkerchamber.us

Walker County Economic and Industrial Development AuthorityP.O. Box 1448Jasper, AL 35502(205) 302-0068www.wceida.com

Community Health System204 19th Street East, Suite 100Jasper, AL 35501(205) 387-6000

36 JASPER

City of Jasper

400 West 19th Street

Jasper, AL 35501

(205) 221-2100

Walker County Commission

1801 3rd Ave. South

Jasper, AL 35502

(205) 384-7230

Daily Mountain Eagle

1301 Viking Drive

Jasper, AL 35501

(205) 221-2840

www.mountaineagle.com

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

500+ EMPLOYEES

Walker County Schools

Walker Baptist Medical Center

Bevill State Community

College

Marshall Durbin

Walmart (Jasper)

101-499 EMPLOYEES

Walmart (Sumiton)

Alabama Power

Drummond Company

Jasper Lumber

Jasper City School District

Reed Energy

100 AND FEWER

EMPLOYEES

B & D Industrial Service

Alabama Moulding and

Cabinet

Fontaine Trailer

3.8 miles from the I-22 exchange

Available land and property for development

Award-winning elementary and high schools within the town limits

Largest splash pad in the state

Family picnic areas

Ball fields

Batting cages

Hiking trails

Additionally, the police department offers these community programs:

Summer Youth Community Action Basketball

Walk, Knock, Talk

Good Morning Program

Eddie the Eagle

Neighborhood Watch

Citizen Police Academy

Home Security Program

Monthly Newsletter

6484 Hwy. 269 • Parrish, AL 35580 (205) 686-9991 • (205) 686-9673 Fax

www.townofparrish.org

Town of ParrishA Look Forward …

O nce ranked among the world’s leading

producers of coal, Jasper’s economy was

built on coal mining and cotton production.

Today, Walker County’s prominent location on

the Interstate 22 corridor northwest of Birmingham,

Ala., makes it attractive to businesses looking to

start up, expand or relocate. Companies are also

drawn to Walker County’s Southern hospitality

and relaxed lifestyle.

The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County

is one of the first places new businesses turn to

get information about doing business in the area.

WALKER COUNTY’S MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Major employers in Walker County include

Walker Baptist Medical Center, Bevill State Community

College, Marshall Durbin (a chicken processing plant),

Walmart stores in Jasper and Sumiton, Alabama

Power, Drummond Company, Reed Energy, Jasper

Lumber, B&D Industrial Service, Alabama Moulding

& Cabinet and Fontaine Trailer.

Marshall Durbin is based in Birmingham

and distributes chicken products. The company

has processing plants in Jasper, which employs

approximately 500 people, and Hattiesburg, Miss.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN JASPERVisit Historic Downtown Jasper and you’ll find

an expansive array of shops and restaurants, many of which are members of the Downtown Merchants Association. Browse quality men’s clothing at Bernard’s Store for Men, one of Jasper’s oldest downtown businesses (established in 1949), or shop for fun and unusual gifts at The Secret Place, Girlie Things Boutique, Young Jewelers or G. May and Sons.

Andrew Posey & Son is another historical landmark downtown. Established in 1924, Andrew Posey & Son started as a grocery and feed store, but today it carries a wide variety of products, from hardware and kitchen supplies to general merchandise.

Downtown Jasper also features a jewelry store, furniture store, flower shop, photo studio, tea room, nail salon, bank, fitness studio and eateries.

TOM BEVILL AND JASPER INDUSTRIAL PARKS

Other hotspots for industrial and manufacturing growth in Walker County are the Tom Bevill and Jasper industrial parks consisting of more than 900 acres which are overseen by the Jasper Industrial Development Board and the Walker County Economic and Industrial Development Authority. – Jessica Mozo

Business is Our BusinessWALKER COUNTY’S LOCATION AND LIFESTYLE ATTRACT BUSINESSES

Downtown Jasper

Business Overview

38 WALKER COUNT Y

38 WALKER COUNT Y

Fun Things to Do in Walker County, ALJASPER AND WALKER COUNTY, AL HAVE PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOU BUSY. HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS:

1 Get a history lesson at the Alabama Mining Museum in Dora, and see

1900s-style mining cars, a train, historic schools, post office and depot.

2 Grab your poles and swimsuits, and head out on Lewis Smith Lake

for freshwater fishing and swimming.

3 Tee off at the affordable public Horse Creek Gold Course with a

par 72, or step on the Bermuda fairways at the private Musgrove County Club for a round of golf.

4 Play outdoors or get in shape at Memorial Park, which features a

pond, walking trail, gym, playground and more.

5 Tour the Carl Elliot House Museum which honors the longtime U.S. Congressman

from Jasper.

Walker County Lake


I f you’re looking for Southern barbecue, the Walker County

area offers a number of restaurants that put their own tasty spin on this traditional smoked favorite.

LEO & SUZIE’S FAMOUS GREEN TOP BAR-B-Q

The legendary Green Top in Dora was built in 1951 on new Highway 78 just over the Walker County line. As travelers headed toward Memphis, the Green Top’s Jefferson County location was the

last place you could legally buy beer before driving farther west into Mississippi. The Green Top, a simple 20-by-30-foot concrete establishment, not only attracted thirsty travelers, but became a haven for those who loved great barbecue.

In 1973, Leo and Suzie Hendrick, with their sons Richard and Preston, purchased the Green Top and expanded the business even further, turning the iconic Green Top into a family-oriented restaurant. Pork barbecue sandwiches, plates, potatoes

and even salads are on the menu. The Green Top is listed on Sweet Home Alabama’s website as one of the best “100 dishes to eat before you die.” A second location opened in Jasper in June 2011.

JIM ‘N NICK’S BAR-B-Q Low and slow is the way

Jim ‘N Nick’s in Jasper cooks up its barbecue favorites. Far from the typical restaurant franchise, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q bathes its pork shoulder in hickory smoke

Hickory-Smoked GoodnessWALKER COUNTY RESTAURANTS MAKE TASTY BARBECUE FAVORITES

Local Flavor

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM ‘N NICK’S


Top right: Jim ‘N Nick’s serves barbeque sandwiches. Bottom right: A cheeseburger at Danny’s Downtown BBQ

for at least 14 hours before turning it into delicious menu items, like the pulled-pork plate, kitchen sink barbecue nachos or pig in the garden salad. Everything here is made from scratch.

Jim ‘N Nick’s also serves baby back ribs, beef brisket, smoked chicken and non-smoked items including the fried catfish plate and classic pimento cheese sandwich. Be sure to stop at Jim ‘N Nick’s on “Taco Tuesday” for their unique barbecue pork, chicken or beef brisket tacos.

DANNY’S DOWNTOWN BARBECUE

In business for more than eight years, Danny’s Downtown Barbecue in Jasper specializes in fresh homemade items for takeout. Spare ribs, baby back ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches and plates with Alabama hogwash sauce, smoked half chickens, and pulled-chicken sandwiches with Alabama whitewash sauce are just a few of the flavorful barbecue favorites you’ll find here.

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Don’t want barbecue? Have one of Danny’s rib-eye sandwiches or hamburgers fresh off the grill. Danny’s also features a delicious soup made from scratch every day.

– Barbara Biehler

What’s Online To learn more about Walker County’s restaurants and food offerings, check out livability.com/jasper/al.


Arts & Culture

F rom colorful artwork and fun festivals to fascinating

historic places and beautiful outdoor venues, Walker County features a wide variety of cultural attractions the whole family can enjoy.

ART, CRAFTS AND OUTDOOR FUN

The Walker County Arts Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and enhance artistic expression in Walker County through a series of community events, cultural programs and school projects.

One of the most successful community arts projects sponsored by the Arts Alliance is the 50-Mule Team Public Art Project, a tribute to the county’s rich mining history. Stop by the Arts Alliance’s downtown Jasper location and

pick up a “Mule Map,” which features the locations of colorfully painted fiberglass mule statues located throughout Walker County.

The Arts Alliance also sponsors Art in the Park, a one-day event held in Jasper’s Gamble Park every spring that celebrates arts and crafts, music, dance and culture. Spend the day viewing unique artwork, tasting local food and enjoying live music or theatrical productions.

FALL FESTIVALSSponsored by the Historic

Downtown Jasper Merchants Association, the Heritage Festival, held in October each year, pays tribute to the town’s past through historic photographs, images and displays. Live music performances, art and crafts exhibits and kid’s activities are also part of the event.

Take a short ride to Sumiton and enjoy the day at the Frog Festival. Held on Main Street the first Saturday in October, this lively annual festival features arts and crafts, great food, rides for the kids and even an antique car show.

MUSEUMS, HISTORIC SITES AND OUTDOOR VENUES

Discover the state’s coal mining past at the Alabama Mining Museum in Dora. Located in a gymnasium built in 1935 under the federal Works Project Act (WPA), the museum vividly portrays the stories of the people and communities involved in the mining industry from 1890 to 1940. See an expansive selection of artifacts and exhibits including a 1900s-era train, mining cars, post office and single-room school.

Colorful CultureWALKER COUNTY FEATURES ART, FESTIVALS, HISTORIC PLACES AND MORE

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The Carl Elliot House Museum in Jasper chronicles the life of Carl A. Elliot Sr., a U.S. congressman from 1949 to 1964 who fought for racial equality, better education and quality of life for Alabama residents. View personal photographs, handwritten correspondence, campaign brochures and much more as you make your way through Congressman’s Elliot’s personal residence.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the First United Methodist Church of Jasper is one of the state’s most dazzling examples of Beaux Arts neoclassical architecture. Distinctive features, like white Georgian marble, a mahogany interior and an art glass interior dome make this

Left: Art in the Park is held in Gamble Park on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend each year. Above: Carl Elliot House Museum in Jasper Alabama.

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church a real standout. If you’re searching for a scenic

place for a wedding or private party, look no farther than Huckleberry Farm in Jasper. Hold your event outdoors or in

the farm’s opulent barn, and enjoy a host of luxury services available on site including carriage and limousine rides, lavish floral designs and delicious five-star cuisine. – Barbara Biehler

46 WALKER COUNT Y

Sports & Recreation


From playgrounds and baseball to camping and boating, Walker County offers plenty

of recreational outlets.Golf is a favorite pastime in the South, and Walker

County, home to two distinguished courses, is no exception. The Musgrove Country Club in Jasper features a challenging 18-hole course with bent grass greens, Bermuda fairways and two wooden swinging bridges. The club also includes a pro shop, tennis courts and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Horse Creek Golf Course in Dora offers a beautiful par 72, 18-hole course covering 6,883 yards. This course features Tift Dwarf greens grass, a driving range and a well-equipped pro shop.

PARKSThe county is home to several parks for all kinds

of activities. Blackwater Park, near Jasper, features one mile of waterfront complete with RV hookups.

Memorial Park offers a playground, athletic fields, pavilions, an outdoor walking track, swimming pools and a gymnasium. Gamble Park includes a walking track, beautiful scenery and birdhouses, a playground, and a creek. The A.P.E.X. Playground stands next to Jasper’s prized Natatorium and offers modern playground equipment, a wooded walking trail and a pavilion, as well as a splash pad with more than 25 water sprayers and sun shades. Jasper City’s Parks and Recreation Board operates several parks including Fowler Park, with an outdoor basketball court and two baseball fields; Frisco Park, notable for its well-equipped, publicly accessible gymnasium; and Coke Oven Park, which has an adult baseball field.

RELAXATIONWhen it’s time to get away from the stresses

of life, Clear Creek Recreation Area and the Sipsey Wilderness area offer wonderful places to enjoy

A Sports Fans’s ParadiseWALKER COUNTY’S PARKS ARE NATURAL PLAYGROUNDS

Left: Musgrove Country Club’s swimming pool in Jasper Right: A group plays a round of golf at the Musgrove Country Club. P

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nature. Clear Creek covers 425 acres next to Smith Lake, which gives it majestic waterfalls, high bluffs and white sandy beaches. Clear Creek’s lakefront location is wonderful for boating, fishing and camping. Sipsey Wilderness, with dozens of waterfalls and numerous trails, sets within the Bankhead National Forest and is a perfect place for hiking.

– Braxton Shoop


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Most insurances accepted and discounts available to those who qualify.

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WHATLEY HEALTH SERVICES AT SIPSEY

Martha Keeton, CRNP

3805 Sipsey Rd. Sipsey, AL 35584

For appointments, call (205) 648-5337

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