RIVER CITY DRIFTER

2nd Ingalls pavilion adds $34K to project's cost

2012-02-17T08:43:00.000-06:00

The $3.6 million publicly funded Ingalls pavilion has been complete for more than two months, but the city is still getting bills.
On Monday, the Decatur City Council will vote on a $34,810 change order submitted by Decatur firm GBW Architects on behalf of Decatur contractor Fite Building Co. The new costs are covered by a $250,000 contingency clause for unforeseen expenses in the contract. However, this latest bill, combined with $37,867 in change orders GBW filed in July, increases the cost of the 27,000-square-foot facility by $72,677.
“This is just a housekeeping item so the builders get paid,” said Tom Chappell, Decatur Parks and Recreation assistant director. “The project is still within its $3.6 million budget.”
The pavilion structure now costs $3,089,204, up from the original contract price of $3,016,527, according to the latest change order dated Jan. 16.
The remaining $510,796, including the rest of the contingency money, was used on the parking lot and landscaping.
“We knew going in there would be some expenses we weren’t sure about,” Chappell said. “That’s why we had the contingency fee. We didn’t want to go back to the council and ask for more than the $3.6 million they already gave us for the project.”
Repaving the access road into the pavilion, a $26,285.96 expense, made up the bulk of the $34,810 change order.
Other costs included installing custom plastic laminate in bathrooms ($742.50), relocating two heaters ($1,977.03) and adding electric circuits and breakers for bathroom hand dryers ($1,406.51).
The city financed the pavilion by borrowing $2 million from its reserves and $1.6 million from the Morgan County Commission’s landfill fund. The Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association will repay both loans over a period of 15 years, using revenue raised by its $2-per-night tax on local hotel stays.
When the pavilion was conceived in 2010 to attract more tourism, the city set a budget of $2.4 million to build the structure and a maximum of $2.8 million for the entire project. The first round of bids came over those figures, with the lowest being $450,000 over budget. Designs were scaled down and the project rebid in January 2011.
Since opening in late November, the pavilion has played host to events such as the NAIA women’s soccer tournament welcome dinner and Decatur General Hospital Foundation’s Gala. And bookings for corporate and private events continue to come in, Chappell said. Rental fees go into the city’s general fund.
This spring, the pavilion will host proms for Decatur and Austin high schools and a banquet for the Hartselle High School state championship football team.
The city-owned facility is jointly-managed by the parks and recreation department and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The council will vote at its 10 a.m. meeting.

The Circus Is Coming to Town

2012-02-17T08:38:00.002-06:00

The Piccadilly Circus is coming to Decatur on February 27at the Morgan County Celebration Arena with two scheduled performances at 4:30p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In its 26^th year, Piccadilly Circus providesaffordable family entertainment with everything you would expect to see at acircus.

Along with plenty ofcomedic clowns, the 1 ½ hour show features daring feats high in the air andfabulous human agility on the ground. Children particularly love the “ElephantExtravaganza” where an elephant balances on one foot. All of the action takesplace in a one ring Cirque du Soleil format with state of the art lighting andsound.

Adult tickets are $30general admission in advance or $32 the day of the show. Ticket price forchildren is $11 general admission. Free children’s tickets will be distributedat elementary schools in the area. Free tickets are also available atsponsoring businesses in the area and special “buy one get one free” adulttickets are available online at www.TheFunCircus.comfor a limited time.

Piccadilly Circus is aproduction of ICE CAPADES producersand plays mostly one or two days in cities throughout North America.

The Morgan CountyCelebration Arena is located at 67 Horse Center Road in Decatur. For moreinformation, call 256.584.6725.

Decatur Hits a Homeroom with Shorter University Softball Invitational Tournament

2012-02-16T11:03:00.000-06:00

Wilson Morgan to serve as host venue 2012 to 2016
Shorter University recently announced it will relocate its NAIA Softball Invitational Tournament to Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur under a five year contract. Set for February 23-26, 2012, the four day tournament will be hosted by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department and is expected to attract 20 women’s teams from across the southeastern United States.

For the past 4 years, the Softball Invitational has been held on the college’s home field, Alto Park Softball Complex located in West Rome. Organizers recently announced the relocation of the event from Rome to Wilson Morgan Park to accommodate and allow for its continued growth. The 2011 event attracted 16 teams from six states.

“We are thrilled Decatur, Alabama and its officials will be the host of this softball tournament. Their experience of previously hosting the NAIA National Softball Championship will certainly be a beacon of light as we move forward to prepare for this growing event,” said Al Thomas, head softball coach for Shorter University.

“I am ecstatic the Decatur Parks & Recreation Department, Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shorter University, and Head Coach Al Thomas could reach an agreement to bring the Shorter University Invitational Softball Tournament to the city of Decatur and Wilson Morgan Softball Complex,” said David Wisdom, Wilson Morgan Complex Softball Manager. “We feel by bringing this tournament to Decatur it is a win, win situation for everyone involved. We will be able to increase the number of teams that will be able to participate in the tournament as well as extend the tournament from two days to a four day event. This event will bring welcomed revenue in February to the hotels, restaurants and shopping centers during a time that is typically slow for the hospitality industry.”

Wisdom is credited with bringing the tournament to Decatur. According to Kelly Varnell, Recreation Superintendent for the Decatur Parks and Recreation, Wisdom served as a host coach for Shorter University during the NAIA Softball National Championship in Decatur in 2009 and 2010. He not only became friends with the coaching staff but to the players and their families and traveled to their home field to watch them play. David took a simple task of serving as a host coach to developing a strong bond between him and the entire softball family of Shorter University.

“I am very proud and honored to have played a part in bringing this tournament to Decatur but I believe this agreement was made due to the City of Decatur's dedication and reputation earned while hosting the NAIA Softball National Championships the previous 13 years at Wilson Morgan Complex in which Shorter University was a participant. The city of Decatur, Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, hotels, Parks & Recreation's facilities, dedicated employees and the best grounds crew in America all aided in securing this tournament,” added Wisdom.

Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box and batting cages. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. The facility can seat over 2,000 spectators with additional seating available. For more information on Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, visit www.decaturparks.com.

For additional information on the 2012 Softball Invitational Tournament, contact David Wisdom at 256.341.4934.

Shorter University is a liberal arts Southern Baptist-affiliated University located in Rome, Georgia. For more information, visit www.goshorterhawks.com.

Alabama Artic Blast

2012-02-16T09:26:00.000-06:00

The Shorter University Invitational that will take place February 23-26, 2012, will be changing the tournament name. The tournament will now be known as the "Alabama Artic Blast".

UAH Charger Chillout Set for February 17-19, 2012

2012-02-09T09:22:00.000-06:00

Twenty-four collegiate softballteams from eight states will be traveling to Decatur in February to compete inthe 2012 Charger Chillout hosted by UAHuntsville. The three-day tournament isset for February 17-19, 2012 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur,Ala.

According to the Decatur/MorganCounty Convention and Visitors Bureau, 740 room nights were sold generating aneconomic impact of $385K with the 2011 tournament, a significant increase fromthe 2010 event which brought in an impact of $243K from 481 room nights.

Games are scheduled for 10 a.m.,12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.,and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Daily admission is $10/adult and $5/student or an adultweekend pass is available for $20. Wilson Morgan Softball Complex is a 6-field softballfacility located at 300 Beltline Road Southeast in Decatur.

Formore information, contact Complex Manager David Wisdom at 256.341.4934 orAssistant Complex Manager John Sanchious at 256.341.4810.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & VisitorsBureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan CountyConvention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promotingtourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special eventsand attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028;or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.

She had faith the world would Change

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

By Catherine Godbey The Decatur Daily

2011 Decatur, Alabama's African American Pioneers from Juergen Beck on Vimeo.

This is the first in a series offeature stories during Black History Month. Stories will run each Tuesday inFebruary. Nominate an individual who is making an impact on his or hercommunity by emailing a brief description and contact information to living@decaturdaily.com.

Three years ago, Lucy Ford, dressedin patriotic red, white and blue, watched in awe from her cream recliner at herEighth Street Southwest home.

The woman who worked in cottonfields, sat in the back of a bus, drank out of cups marked with a black slash —the designation for black customers — saw a black man take the oath of officeas the 44th president of the United States.

She heard President Barack Obamaissue a challenge:

“Let it be said by our children’schildren that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that wedid not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon andGod’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and deliveredit safely to future generations.”

Obama received the “gift offreedom,” a gift centuries in the making, from generations before, and peoplelike 104-year-old Ford, who endured the height of prejudice and racism.

“She never thought she would see ablack man be president,” said Mary Gilbert, great-niece of Ford. “Never ever.She sat right here and watched the whole inauguration.”

Born on Jan. 13, 1908, 43 yearsafter the end of the Civil War, Ford grew up among former slaves — thosedeclared “personal property” by the 1857 Dred Scott Decision. She lived on afarm in Colbert County with her four brothers, four sisters and mother andfather, who worked the fields.

At age 12, after eight years ofschool, Ford, too, walked the rows of cotton, dragging a burlap sack downAlabama’s red dirt.

“When it was time to chop cotton, Ichopped. When it was time to pick cotton, I picked,” she said. “I would pull inabout 100 (pounds) a day.”

When she got older, Ford cleanedbuildings and worked for a white family in Leighton. On Sundays, she sat in apew in St. James Mission Baptist Church in Leighton.

She worked and prayed. She had faiththe world would change, that one day blacks and whites wouldn’t have to drinkfrom a separate water fountains, ride in separate train cars, use separaterestrooms, live separate lives.

“There was a place in Leighton thatsold the best hamburgers. We couldn’t enter from the front,” said Gilbert, 62.“There was an entrance in the alley we had to go through, even when I wasyoung. That’s just the way it was.”

Slowly, the change Ford prayed foroccurred.

In 1947, the woman who spent hourslistening to baseball games on the radio heard the announcers utter a new name— Jackie Robinson, the first black Major League Baseball player.

In 1954, Ford watched as her niecesand nephews, once designated to all-black schools, integrate with whitestudents.

And in 1965, she saw black voterscast ballots.

The joys, however, came with sorrow.Attackers firebombed a bus ridden by the Freedom Riders, James Earl Rayassassinated Martin Luther King Jr. and the 16th Street Baptist Church inBirmingham was bombed and four girls were killed.

“Back in them days, it was reallybad, that prejudice was real bad. It’s hard for us to understand today,” Gilbertsaid. “One of Aunt Lucy’s brothers, a white man spit in his face. That stuffhappened all the time.”

Despite the advancements, the fightmust continue, Ford said.

“We are not where we need to be yet.There is still hatred by whites and blacks, on both sides, and there’s noneed,” Gilbert said. “But God has brought us so far. Back in them days, thewhite folks didn’t want the black folks and now it’s the Mexicans.”

Every night, Ford prays for her morethan 300 great-nieces and nephews and the world around them. It is a faith thatFord passed down to her family.

“You know, in the Bible, God said inthe end nobody’s going to know whether you’re black, whether you’re white,whether you’re Mexican,” Gilbert said. “Color shouldn’t matter, but for somereason it did and still does.”

LiftEvery Voice and Sing

To preserve history and the storiesof individuals who built Decatur, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention andVisitors Bureau created “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The video profilesnoteworthy African-Americans and their contributions to the religion,education, military, athletics, political and social scenes of Decatur.

Some of those profiled include:

Bertha Lee Polk Lyle: The first African-American female preacher in Decatur.

Herschel V. Cashin: Served two terms in the Alabama Legislature as arepresentative of Montgomery County. He was Decatur’s first African-Americanattorney and served on the city council.

Dr. Frank Sykes: Sykes attended Morehouse College and Howard University,where he earned a dental degree. He played professional baseball in the NegroBaseball League. After his baseball career ended, he moved back to Decatur.

Robert Murphy: Born a slave, Murphy received quasi-free status. After theCivil War, he helped rebuild the city’s homes, churches and business district.

Athelyne Banks: Decatur’s first female principal.

Burrell Lemon: A grocer and the city’s first black city councilman.

Matilda Hall: A notary public and the first female pharmacist in Decatur.

Lawrence to keep state cross country meet

2012-01-13T09:03:00.000-06:00

By Nancy Glasscock, The Decatur Daily

The high school state cross country championships will remain in Lawrence County for the next three years, race director Stanley Johnson said.
The Jesse Owens Runners Club received verbal notification Thursday that it would host the meet at Oakville Indian Mounds park, Johnson said.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association chose the park over Veterans Park in Birmingham because of organization and atmosphere at the park, Johnson said.
“There was just an overwhelming response from Scottsboro, Florence and even in Mobile during the committee meeting,” he said. “That says something when coaches and teams and parents are willing to drive from Mobile for the state meet.”
The race, held Nov. 10, will be the 11th high school state cross country championship held at the park.
The runners club must re-apply to host the race again after three years.
Johnson and others want to keep the race in Lawrence County because of the economic impact on Lawrence, Morgan and Cullman counties. More runners and their families stay in hotels in Cullman and Morgan counties than in Lawrence County because of the availability of rooms, and more revenue is generated by guests spending money at gas stations and restaurants in Lawrence County.
Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said 49 room nights were booked in the Decatur area during the weekend of the race in 2011, bringing the economic impact to $23,233. In 2010, 61 hotel room nights were booked, for an economic impact of $27,919.
“We have a soccer tournament that takes place that same weekend, so for that race, Decatur can’t take as much business in because of those other events,” Reist said.
Cullman County receives more hotel revenue from the event than Morgan and Lawrence, but Cullman doesn’t track bookings from the event.
About 1,200 to 1,500 runners participate in the races. To be considered by the AHSAA to host the race, Johnson said the runners club had to submit a plan dealing with issues such as safety, parking, the race course, personnel and volunteers. Cost to host the race is $21,000, which comes from sponsorships, the Chickasaw Trails and Jesse Owens Classic cross country races in September and October, and from fees that schools pay to participate.
Johnson said the running trail at Oakville Indian Mounds is “one of the best venues in the nation.”
“And how the staff works with us out there just makes it even better,” he said. “It really is a genuine team effort with Morgan and Lawrence counties and everyone involved.”

Bureau 'caches in" to lure tourist

2012-01-11T09:06:00.000-06:00

Geocachers follow Civil War trail, visit 3 local historic sites

By Johnny Kampis, The Decatur Daily

A new program is spurring treasure hunters to descend on some of the area’s Civil War-era sites, and local officials hope they learn a bit of the region’s history while they are there.
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau recently launched the Appalachia Civil War: The Home Front in Alabama Passport, which tasks geocachers with visiting 20 historic state sites, including three in Decatur.
Tami Reist, president of the bureau, said the challenge was born from a project last year for the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Signature sites were featured on a map inserted into American Heritage magazine.
“I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be neat if we geocached this trail?’ ” she said.
Geocachers use GPS devices to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using map coordinates.
The containers on the trail contain stamps that participants use to mark their passports, verifying they’ve traveled to the locations.
Each box also contains a quick response code, which, when scanned by a smartphone, will provide more information about the site.
“It encourages them to go in and explore and learn more about history,” Reist said.
Local geocacher Owen Chapman helped set up the challenge by placing containers at most of the locations.
Chapman said he had to improvise in some spots, because geocaching rules prevent new caches from being placed within 500 feet of existing containers.
The caches for Old State Bank and Blue & Gray Museum of North Alabama, both in Decatur, were put in alternate locations in the city because the sites are too close to a cache in Lafayette Street Cemetery.
Geocachers must visit these sites to gather clues to the cache locations. For example, a participant must count the columns of Old State Bank to help determine one of the coordinates.
Chapman said geocachers are enjoying the new challenge. A couple have already completed the passport and brought the document to the visitors bureau, where they received a Civil War commemorative coin for their efforts.
“Anytime you get new caches, you get a rush to them,” Chapman said. “People like being introduced to something new. I’ve been all over North Alabama to places I never would have been if I wasn’t geocaching.”
You can pick up your passport at the visitors bureau, 719 Sixth Ave. SE, or download a copy at decaturcvb.org.

Area spots on the Civil War geocaching passport

Pond Springs, Courtland

Alabama Veterans Museum, Athens

Blue & Gray Museum of North Alabama, Decatur

Old State Bank, Decatur

Bennett-McEntire House (also known as Rhea-McEntire House), Decatur

Alabama Veterans Museum, Huntsville

Huntsville Depot, Huntsville

EarlyWorks History Complex (formerly Alabama Constitution Village), Huntsville

No decistion yet of city riverboat

2012-01-05T09:08:00.000-06:00

Three months after the Pickwick Belle riverboat’s trial run in Decatur, no decision has been made whether Decatur will become the new home of the Tennessee-based attraction.The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau has been trying to court the Belle away from Florence. Bureau President Tami Reist said she plans to meet with the riverboat company this month.
“We’re hoping to hear some positive feedback from them soon,” Reist said. “Tanya Irwin (Pickwick Belle’s marketing director) attended the opening of the Ingalls Harbor pavilion last month and seemed very excited about the possibilities.”
The riverboat held cruises, launching from Ingalls Harbor, from mid-August to mid-September to gauge interest from the Decatur area. All cruises either sold out or came close to capacity, Reist said.
The 90-foot-long paddle boat is scheduled to stop in Decatur again in May for a lunch cruise chartered by Daikin-America, according to Pickwick Belle’s website. Irwin did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
TIFFENY OWENS, The Decatur Daily

NAFECO

2012-01-04T11:09:00.000-06:00

In January, Ingalls Harbor Pavilion will play host to over 20 manufacturer representatives from several states at North America Fire Equipment Company's

NAFECO 2012 Vendor Expo. The event will bring companies that provide equipment and apparel to fire, police, sheriff, EMS and industrial safety personnel to Decatur. Companies from as far away as Virginia, Indiana and Colorado will be coming to the River City to display their products for members of area public safety departments as well as the local public.

The event, sponsored by NAFECO, has been held on a smaller scale for several years, however due to the absence of a larger venue, only NAFECO employees have been able to participate. “We are excited to bring an expo of this scale to the public safety personnel here in the Southeast.” said Jerrell Oaks, President of NAFECO. Mr. Oaks believes the benefit will go beyond that of our local public safety personnel by bringing exposure to the Decatur area and this new facility, as well as bringing increased revenue to the city as these manufacturer representatives will be staying in local hotels, eating at local restaurants and purchasing gas from local stations.

In addition to the vendor representatives, Mr. Oaks stated that public safety personnel from not only Morgan and surrounding counties, but from departments within a 150-mile radius are being invited to attend. “This will be the first event of this scale in our area. We look forward to showing departments from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi what is available to them, right here in their own backyard.”

The 2012 Vendor Expo will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 2:00 – 7:00pm at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

North America Fire Equipment Co., Inc.

(NAFECO)is a Decatur-based company owned by Jerrell Oaks and has been in business since 1968. NAFECO maintains their corporate office, warehouse and retail stores in Decatur, along with their

Fire Division, Public Safety Division and Fire Apparatus Repair and Service Center. NAFECO also has offices located in Ashland, VA, Rock Hill, SC, Morganton, NC, Norcross, GA, Clearwater, FL and New Braunfels, TX.

# # #

If you would like more information about this upcoming event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Mr. Kevin Naumann, Director of Marketing, at 256/353-7100, ext. 145 or via email at

knaumann@nafeco.com.

Ingalls pavilion offers local business space it needs for nearing expo

2012-01-03T09:12:00.000-06:00

By Ronnie Thomas, The Decatur Daily

For the past 15 years, North America Fire Equipment Co. hosted a small vendor expo at its headquarters on West Moulton Street or at local motels.
“We’d have about six manufacturers to come and speak to our sales force of about 40 people during our annual sales meetings,” said Ronald Woodall, vice president of the company.
But at NAFECO’s 2012 vendor expo Thursday at Ingalls Harbor pavilion, Woodall said 21 vendors will display their equipment and apparel for emergency responders.
The public event will run from 2-7 p.m. Admission is free.
“There are other type of expos in which manufacturers come in and set up their displays, but this is the first time one the size of this one will be in Decatur,” Woodall said. “The reason we’re able to do it is because of the city of Decatur and the new pavilion.”
The $3 million Ingalls Harbor pavilion, the city’s largest event space, opened Nov. 27 and hosted a banquet for almost 600 players and coaches participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics women’s soccer tournament at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex.
On Dec. 9, about the same number of people came to the pavilion for the Decatur General Hospital Foundation’s XXVII Gala.
“We’ve had other smaller events,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Nucor had two parties there for employees’ children and the Kiwanis Club held its meeting at the pavilion last Thursday. But what NAFECO is doing will be totally different from our other events.”
NAFECO will spread the displays featuring the manufacturers’ equipment for firefighters, police officers, industrial safety crews and others over more than 18,000 square feet of the 25,000-square-foot facility.
“We’re a distributor for these manufacturers rather than being a manufacturer ourselves,” Woodall said. “We’re expecting vendors from throughout the Southeast, as well as from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Our sales people are coming from the Southeastern region of the United States, from Virginia, to Florida and to Texas.”
Woodall said he expects public safety personnel from north and central Alabama and central Tennessee, as well as representatives of local industry.
He said with the expo being open to the public, he has no idea how many people will attend.
“But there will be 80 to 100 people among our sales force and manufacturing personnel,” Woodall said. “They are spending two and three nights in the city in preparation for the expo and working it. That has to be good for the city.”
Reist and city officials will be pleased to know that NAFECO plans to make its vendor expo an annual event at the pavilion.
“We’re excited about what we can do in the future,” Woodall said. “We may expand our expo more hours and more days.”
Decatur Fire Chief Charlie Johnson said he is pleased that the city has a local resource such as NAFECO.
“They’ve grown so much during the past 10 years I’ve been here, and I’m happy to see that they’re able to put together an expo such as this for the local and area fire and police departments, and for the whole region,” he said.
Johnson said the pavilion itself is a showcase for Decatur and the Parks and Recreation Department.
“NAFECO’s expo is a win-win situation — a local company showing off what they can do and being able to put everything together in one place,” he said. “This is a good use of the facility.”

Historic Decatur’s Annual Christmas Tradition Set for December 10th

2011-12-02T11:01:00.000-06:00

The Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts announce their annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour where seven traditionally decorated homes and buildings complete with luminaries, fruit and greenery, and thousands of lights welcome visitors in celebration of the holiday season. The self-guided holiday tour provides a rare glimpse into private homes located in the city’s two historic districts sharing many untold stories and holiday decorating tips and also offers an evening of carriage rides, refreshments, and live holiday music. Always the second Saturday in December, this year’s event is scheduled for December 10^th from 3 to 8 p.m.

Residences in the Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts are not normally open for public viewing except when a select number of homes open their doors during the annual holiday tour. This year’s tour features five stunning homes, along with the Girl Scout Little House and a special event venue, The Columns of Decatur. Homes participating this year include the Henkel-Cox House, the Barrett-Faison House, the Edwards-Digges House, the Dancy-Polk House Inn, and the McEntire-Bennett House. The Dancy-Polk home and McEntire-Bennett home join the tour this year in celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.

Along with the tour of homes, neighborhood churches will open their doors for inspirational concerts and refreshments. The Brass Choir, Handbell Choir and other vocal and instrument ensembles of the First Baptist Church music ministry will perform, First Presbyterian Church will present “Jazzin’ the Season” featuring Trish Brown along with Keith Taylor, and First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian Churches will feature Carillion Christmas Music. “A Collection of Nativities” will be on display at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Fellowship Hall and First Baptist Church will host a guided, narrated tour of the 111 year old Stephenson Chapel beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

Carriage rides will be offered beginning at 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center or at Delano Park near the tennis courts. Cost for the carriage ride is $10 per person. Shuttle bus service will also be available from First United Methodist Church to the tour sites. Many merchants and restaurants throughout the downtown area will also be open during the tour.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased in advance at the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bank Street Antiques, Trish Land Designs, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and Jimmy Smith Jewelers. On the day of the tour, tickets can also be purchased at Trish Land Designs, Bank Street Antiques, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, and the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Old State Bank, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and First United Methodist Church from 3 to 7 p.m. For groups of ten or more, tickets are $10 each and must be purchased in advance at the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Proceeds from the tour are used for neighborhood improvements such as tree replenishment and neighborhood public parks restoration.

Combined, the Old Decatur and Albany Historic Districts represent one of the finest and largest collections of Victorian and earlier 20^th century craftsman and bungalow homes in Alabama. The homes date back, in some instances, to the early 1800s, while most were constructed around the turn of the 20th century.

A walking/driving tour map of the historic districts is available from the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information, call 256.350.2028. For a schedule of events and more information on the historic homes, visit www.decaturchristmastour.com or www.historicalbanyalabama.com.

Annual Parade of Lights Set for Saturday, December 10th

2011-12-02T10:59:00.000-06:00

Decorated boats will be on display beginning at 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Riverwalk Yacht Club and Extreme Marine, the annual Parade of Lights will take to the waterway, illuminating Decatur’s Wheeler Lake, on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The free holiday maritime event features approximately 20 boats of all types and sizes decorated with lights, holiday themes, and other festive trimmings for the holiday season. New for this year, the public is invited for a leisurely stroll around the docks for an up close look at the brightly lit boats prior to the parade.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the docks at Riverwalk Marina open allowing the public for the first time to admire the boats and their holiday decorations before they set sail. In addition, the Morgan County Humane Society will be on-hand with various animals available for adoption. With Christmas just around the corner, a new pet would be a wonderful present for someone. The Morgan County Humane Society will also be accepting donations of pet food, supplies, and cash.

At 6 p.m. the boat parade will take its usual route, making a circle from the entrance of Riverwalk Marina located on Highway 20, west to the Railroad Bridge, east in front of Rhodes Ferry Park and then back into the Marina. The best viewing will be at Rhodes Ferry Park, the Hard Dock Café or the Marina entrance.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade or for more information, contact Bob Namie at 256.306.0909.

Kota Kiriyama’s American Dream Tournament returns in 2011

2011-11-25T10:57:00.000-06:00

Over 100 anglers are expected to travel to Decatur for the 2^nd annual American Dream Tournament where the winning team receives an all-expense paid guided trip to Japan or a $3,000 cash prize. Organized by professional angler, Kota Kiriyama, the tournament will take place on Wheeler Lake December 3, 2011. Ingalls Harbor located at 802 Wilson Street NW will host the takeoffs and weigh-ins.

For the past four years, Kiriyama has hosted the American Dream Tournament in Japan where the winning team receives an all-expense paid trip to the BassCat Invitational to experience American bass fishing. In 2010, the American Dream Tournament was held for the first time on Wheeler Lake attracting 42 teams from across the United States. Jason Meninger of Gainesville, Georgia, grabbed the first place prize at the inaugural tournament.

The prize for first place is $3,000 cash or an all-expense paid guided trip with Kiriyama to Japan to experience the country’s culture, history, and food and to fish on Lake Biwa. Cash prizes are also up for grabs for the biggest bass and the top ten teams.

The tournament is open to all anglers throughout the United States. Registration is a $150 team entry fee (one or two persons per boat) with $25 of the registration fee going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help the victims of the April 27 tornado outbreak in Alabama and the people of Japan with their recovering efforts from the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that followed in March, 2011.

Kiriyama is a six-time Bassmasters Classic qualifier, champion of the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament at Lake Erie, New York, and a top international angler. For more information, visit www.kotaamericandream.com or follow Kiriyama’s blog at ninjatacklebox.com.

NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship to Bring Over $580K To Decatur & Morgan County

2011-11-21T10:56:00.000-06:00

Set for November 28-December 3, 2011, over 500 student-athletes and coaches will travel from the United States and Canada to Decatur, Alabama to compete in the 2011 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Soccer National Championship. The 15-game tournament is estimated to pump more than $580K into the Decatur and Morgan County area where local restaurants, hotels, and retail stores will all be directly impacted.

All games will be played at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex located at 2616 Modaus Road SW in Decatur and are open to the public. Game times are 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday; and 5 p.m. on Saturday. No games are scheduled for Thursday. A kick-off banquet for all competing teams is set for Sunday, 6 p.m. and a Semifinalist Banquet will be held at noon on Thursday at the new Ingalls Harbor Indoor Pavilion.

Admission is free. Parking is $10 per day/per car and $20 per day/per bus or an all-tournament pass is available for $30 per car or $60 per bus. Parking passes will be available at the complex entrance.

The NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship in 2011 will mark its third time in the state of Alabama. The Jack Allen Recreation Complex hosted the prestigious event in 2009 and 2010.

NAIA is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. For more information on NAIA and the women’s soccer national championship, visit www.NAIA.org.

Sentell, Bailey honored during DMCCVB Annual Tourism Awards Breakfast

2011-11-17T15:29:00.001-06:00

Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell and Decatur tourism icon Squee Bailey were two of those honored by the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB) and the Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association (DMCHA) during the annual Tourism Breakfast and Awards Program here on Thursday at the Holiday Inn and Suites.

3M was recognized by the Hospitality Association as the 2011 Top Corporate Award Winner for generating 4,159 hotel room nights in the Decatur area during the past year.

SoulStock received the Event of the Year Award,

theUniversity of Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout Softball Tournament was named “The Good Neighbor” of tourism winner, and Country Inn and Suites Sales Director Anthony Viator was named the Young Professional of the Year.

A new African-American heritage video produced by the DMCCVB entitled “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was also debued at the meeting and a new :30 second commercial promoting the Year of Alabama Food that includes Decatur’s Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q was also shown.

“The tourism and travel industry generates more than $161 million for our local economy and provides jobs for over 2,400 residents,” said DMCCVB President Tami Reist. “The annual breakfast is an opportunity for us to provide information on the marketing programs the Bureau is utilizing to develop the local industry and to recognize those businesses and individuals who have made vital contributions to Morgan County’s tourism and travel industry.”

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. The Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association works to promote a better understanding of the hospitality industry, to represent the interests of the industry, and to promote good fellowship and free exchange of ideas. Members of the Association include hotels, restaurants, shopping venues, attractions, and festivals.

The Gilmer Blackburn Legacy Award was created last year as a means of recognizing an individual who has shown a long lasting and permanent contribution to the industry over the years and has helped change the tourism landscape of Morgan County. It is named in honor of of the late Mayor Blackburn who was instrumental in developing the foundation of the tourism industry here.

As the first recipient of the Blackburn Legacy Award, Sentell is considered one of the most respected tourism professionals in the state of Alabama and the Southeast. Before working professionally in the tourism industry, he worked for 12 years as a reporter, business editor and later city editor at the Decatur Daily. He was the first paid touris staff member ever hired by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, which led to the establishment of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was inducted into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame in 2000 and has served as president of the Alabama Travel Council and as chairman of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel Advisory Board.

Sentell was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley in 2003 to serve as the Director of the Alabama Tourism Department and under his skilled leadership, the Alabama Tourism Department won several awards for its marketing campaigns from the Travel Industry Association of America, the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the Public Relations Council. The department has also been named Tourism Organization of the Year for three years in a row by the Southeast Tourism Society, and has won the Odyssey Award for 2008 from Travel Industry Association for the Year of Alabama Arts.

Bailey, honored with the Julian Walker ‘Mr. Tourism” Award, has been involved with the local tourism and travel industry for the past 20 years. She serves as the leader of Decatur’s Saturday Walking Tours, a welcoming guide for tour groups, and was the developer and innovator behind the Familarization Tours for front-line hotel and attraction employees.

Bailey also serves on the Downtown Merchant Committee, on the Old State Bank Board, is a liaison to the Christmas Tour of Homes Committee, and is a past winner of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association Legacy Award.

The Young Professional Award is presented annually in honor of Layna Sorrell, a long time tourism employee who truly had a passion for the tourism industry. The “Young Professional of the Year” is presented to the person who has been in the tourism industry less than seven years and has exhibited extraordinary leadership skills and initiative associated with their position. As this year’s winner, Viator was noted for his enthusiasm, attention to detail and extraordinary efforts he goes through to insure his guests enjoy their stay in Decatur.

The Event of the Year winner, SoulStock, moved to Decatur in 2009 and is a two-day event featuring Christian music and worship. The free admission festival averages more than 20,000 visitors and is sponsored by churches, businesses, and individuals mostly in the surrounding communities. Due to its’ popularity, SoulStock will expand to a three-day event in 2012.
“Good Neighbor” of Tourism winner, the UAH Charger Chillout Softball Tournament, attracts some 22 collegiate teams from eight states to Wilson-Morgan Park for three days of intense competition each February. The Chargers finished Number 2 in the country this year and were also one of five 2011 Easton “Team of the Year” Award Winners.

Other Top 10 Corporate Award winners for room-nights booked in local hotels included: ULA with 4,072 room nights,

Nucor Steel with 3,167 room nights,

TVA with 2,839 room nights,

International Paper-Courtland with 2,825 room nights,Daikin with 1,857 room nights, Wayne Farms with 1,692 room nights, Lockheed Martin with 1,505 room nights, CSA with 1,219 room nights and Alpha Pet with 1,208 room nights.

Among the marketing and development programs instituted by the Convention & Visitors Bureau during this past year included a new Morgan County Outdoor brochure, sales materials for the new Ingalls Harbor Pavilion which opens next month, a new Civil War Geocaching trail and coordinating the docking of the Pickwick Belle Riverboat here this past summer.

For information on special events and attractions in Decatur and Morgan County, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.

Catch the Holiday Spirit in Downtown Decatur

2011-11-16T11:52:00.001-06:00

Monthly 3^rdFriday Celebration Set For November 18th

The merchants of historic downtown Decaturare ready to spread holiday cheer and invites everyone to join in as theholiday spirit fills the air with its monthly 3^rd Friday celebration.Along with festive holiday music, gift ideas, holiday decorating tips, and hotcider, the evening includes visits with the jolly old man himself. Set forFriday, November 18^th, the block party officially kicks off at 5p.m.

There will be plenty of live entertainment, and varioussnacks and refreshments will be offered throughout the evening at many of theestablishments. Briley Sandlin will be performing outside at Downtown Dawgs, BarbCarbon and Arrie Bozman will entertain the dinner crowd at Simp McGhee’s, andspecial acoustic Christmas music will be offered outside of Bank StreetAntiques.

Bring your holiday shopping list; many of the merchants willremain open until 8 p.m. providing a variety of gift ideas from stockingstuffers to that hard to buy for person. Store specials, giveaways, anddiscounts will be offered at selected retailers and restaurants includingAlbany Framing, Bank Street Antiques, Cottage House, Downtown Dawgs, GleeInteriors, Memi’s, Ruggiere…A Gallery, Sam Frank & Moore, Tallulah’s, ThePaper Chase, and Trish Land. Local photographer Brandie Hatfield will besnapping complimentary pictures with Santa at Divas, Doodlebugs and Debutantes.Set up outside of The Paper Chase, RE/MAX Platinum Alabama will have “OperationChristmas Cards for Our Troops” where anyone can sign Christmas cards to bemailed to members of the Armed Forces. The Carnegie Visual Arts Center willoffer a $5 admission to its Friday@5 featuring Cutting Edge: Paper Art byMichael Liv with a receipt from any downtown merchant.

Participating streets in 3^rd Fridays include 2^ndAvenue, Bank, Market, Moulton, Grant, and Johnston Streets. For moreinformation, call Ashley Ashwander at 256.355.8993.

2011 Decatur-Morgan County Christmas Parade

2011-11-10T11:26:00.000-06:00

“Rocket City Rednecks” to Make Special Guest Appearance at the Rick and Bubba Turkey Toss in Decatur

2011-11-09T10:54:00.000-06:00

Rick and BubbaTurkey Toss Rescheduled for Thursday, November 17th

Due to inclement weather predicted forWednesday, the Rick and Bubba Turkey Toss has been rescheduled for Thursday,November 17^th. The event willtake place from 6 to 10 a.m. at Academy Sport + Outdoors in Decatur, and alongwith flying turkeys, reality stars from “Rocket City Rednecks” will make aspecial guest appearance bringing with them their own hand-made contraption tolaunch a turkey into the air.

National Geographic Channel’s latest reality series “RocketCity Rednecks” features self-proclaimed rednecks from Morgan and Madisoncounties. Each episode shows how they combine redneck ingenuity withengineering and physics to solve real-world problems. Travis Taylor, Charles“Daddy” Taylor, Michael “The Kid” Taylor, “Pistol Pete” Erbach, and Rog “The Sidekick”Jones will be in Decatur where they will launch a frozen turkey using thetrebuchet they built for the “Hillbilly Armageddon New” episode that aired onOctober 5, 2011.

Academy Sport + Outdoors located in Decatur was chosen bythe general public to host the 2011 Rick and Bubba Turkey Toss from an onlinevoting contest on the Rick and Bubba website in early October. The annualcompetition serves as a fundraiser for a local charity while determining whocan throw a frozen turkey the farthest where $5K in Academy Sport + Outdoorsgift cards are up for grabs. The nationally syndicated radio hosts of the Rickand Bubba Show will broadcast live providing a play by play action of thecompetition to their listeners from 6 to 10 a.m. in the parking lot of AcademySports + Outdoors.

One by one, contestants line up to see who can throw thefrozen turkey the greatest distance. While the wildly popular contestdetermines who can throw the farthest, it also raises money and food for alocal charity. Those interested in participating must donate a non-perishablefood item or cash. Neighborhood Christian Center of Alabama will be on hand toaccept donations.

The 2010 event took place in Montgomery where the winner inthe male division threw a distance of 121 feet with the female winner takinghonors at 76 feet. Divisions include men’s, women’s, military, kids (12 andunder), and high heels (women only). Prizes, totaling $5K in Academy Sport +Outdoors gift cards, will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rdplaces in each division.

For more information on the Turkey Toss, call Eric Herrera withAcademy Sport + Outdoors at 281.646.5422. Rick & Bubba are heard by over3.5 million listeners every day on 60+ radio stations across the United States.For more information, visit www.RickandBubba.com.

Alabama High School Athletic Association to Hold 2011 State Cross County Champtioship at Oakville Indian Mounds

2011-11-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) will hold its 39^th annual State Cross Country Championship at the Oakville Indian Mounds Park on November 12, 2011. Hosted by the Jesse Owens Runners’ Club, approximately 1,500 elite runners from across Alabama will take part in the race to be held on the championship course located on the grounds of the Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum. The first race begins at 8:30 a.m.

According to Coach Stan Johnson of the Jesse Owens Runners’ Club, this is the Club’s tenth time to host the state event. The championship course is great for spectators who want to witness competitive racing from the sidelines. Admission is free. A small parking fee will be charged daily.

Oakville Indian Mounds and Park is located approximately 8 miles south of Moulton on Alabama Highway 157 and 1/2 mile from the Jesse Owens Memorial Park. For more information on the championship course, visit www.alabamahighschoolrunner.homestead.com and click on “Oakville Indian Mounds Cross Country Course”.

For more information on AHSAA, visit its website at www.ahsaa.com.

Cut paper Artist- solo Exhibit at The Carnegie

2011-11-04T14:05:00.000-05:00

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center presents the exhibitCutting Edge: Paper Art by Michael Liu, November 15, 2011 through January 14,2012. The solo exhibit includes pieces of art which the artist createsutitilizing his own intricate paper cutting techniques, and his detailedportraits in charcoal and graphite on paper.

MichaelLiu was born in Kweishan, Taiwan in 1962, the grandson of the city’smayor. At the local high school he was both an avid artist and trackstar, winning several national medals. In 1985 he graduated from theCollege of Engineering in Kaohsiung and began his military service. Afterworking as an engineer for several years, he returned to his early interest inart and opened galleries in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Evadon, Switzerland. Atfirst he handled only works by other artists, specializing in prints from theYunan School, but then he began to produce his own art both in charcoal andacrylic. At this time Michael also worked actively as an interiordesigner, often providing the art that his clients needed.

Michael’sart is self taught and reflects his personal interests and his experiences inboth the Chinese culture in which he grew up and the Western culture which heexperienced as an adult. Using his detailed and realistic style he doesportraits in charcoal and in pencil. Often these are interesting peopleand sometimes animals, especially dogs.

Since2008 Michael has explored an interest in paper cutting, an art form that hasroots in both Chinese and Japanese art. In the US we may think of thecut-paper silhouettes that were popular in our Federal period as an earlyantecedent, but anyone who has seen Michael’s cut paper portraits knows that hehas pioneered a new approach to capture personalities in three dimensions.

Today,Michael divides his time between Taiwan and Alabama. His bicultural lifeis expressed in his signature which overlaps his western name with his Chinesepersonal stamp. Michael creates art as inspired and by privatecommission.

SpecialEvents

ArtistReception and Fri. @ 5

Fri. @ 5,the monthly member reception, will be November 18, 2011 and December 16,2011 from

5 PM- 7 PM eachevening. The November Fri@ 5 will also be the artist reception with Michael Liuas the guest of honor. Appetizers and complimentary beverages will be served.Food will be provided by friends of the artist on November 18th andcourtesy of Albany Bistro on December 16th. Suggested admission is$5 for Carnegie members and $15 for non-members. Attendees should be 21 yearsof age.

Lunchand Learn - Paper Cutting Demonstration

On December 2nd fromNoon to 1 PM, Micheal Liu will demonstrate his intricate cutting techniqueshe uses to make his unique art. He will show samples of his work and answerquestions about his art and his inspirations. The demonstration is freebut reservations are encouraged because of limited seating. Call 256-341-0562to make reservations.

Hi-resimages available by request. Regular museum hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM -5 PM and Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM.

The Carnegie is located at 207Church St. NE Decatur, Alabama 35601.

Best in Show to be Selected at the Cotton Cluster Dog Shows

2011-11-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

The Decatur Alabama Kennel Club and The Huntsville Kennel Club come together each November for the largest area dog shows licensed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Set for November 10-13, 2011 at the Morgan County Celebration Arena located on Highway 67 East in Decatur, dogs ranging from puppy to the most experienced show dog compete for the best in show at the annual Cotton Cluster Dog Shows. Over 1,200 dogs from all over the United States registered and competed last year.

Shows are held daily and spectators are welcome to attend. On Thursday, the Huntsville Kennel Club will award a $2000 scholarship for Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine to a student from northern Alabama.

Event organizers encourage anyone considering the purchase of a purebred dog to attend the Cotton Cluster Dog Show and talk to exhibitors about their breed. Admission is free. A small parking fee of $5 will be charged daily.

For show times and more information, visit the Huntsville Kennel Club on Facebook or visit the Decatur Kennel Club’s website at www.DAKC.org.

For additional information on the American Kennel Club, visit www.akc.org.

What's Happening this November in Decatur-Morgan County, AL

2011-11-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

Event: The Music Lives On: Folk Song Traditions Told by Alabama Artists Where: Carnegie Visual Arts Center Contact: 256-341-0562	Sept. 13-Nov. 3
Event: Pat & Peeps Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	3
Event: 2011 Morgan Co. Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet Where: Point Mallard Expo Center Contact: 256-341-7379	3
Event: The Secret Sisters Where: Princess Theatre Contact: 256-350-1745	3
Event: The Carnegie Cabaret featuring The Company 2011 Where: Carnegie Visual Arts Center Contact: 256-341-0562	3-4
Event: Todd Stovall Band Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	4
Event: 5ive O'Clock Charlie Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	4
Event: Motorcross Where: Morgan Co. Celebration Arena Contact:256-584-6725	4-5
Event: AYSA DI & DII State Cup Tournament Where: Jack Allen Soccer Complex Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	4-6
Event: Bone Dry Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	5
Event: Christmas Open House Where: Hartselle Downtown Contact: 256-773-4370	5-6
Event: Kiwanis Pancake Day & Civitans Bake Sale Where: Hartselle Depot Contact: 256-773-4370	5
Event: Morgan Co. Business Leaders' Cummit on Early Childhood Education Where: Turner-Surles Community Resource Center Contact: jim@dcc.org	8
Event: Reverse Trade Show benefitting United Way of Morgan Co. sponsored by Manufacturing Alabama Where: Calhoun Community College Aerospace Training Center Contact: 256-353-6643 ext. 303	8
Event: Tim Tucker Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	9
Event: Newcomers Club od Decatur Monthly General Membership Meeting & Luncheon Where: Decatur Country Club Contact: http://www.decaturnewcomers.org	9
Event: Barry Hall Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	10
Event: Downtown Decatur’s Christmas Open House Where: Downtown Decatur Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	10
Event: Cotton Cluster Dog Show Where: Morgan Co. Celebration Arena Contact:256-584-6725	10-13
Event: The Breakers Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	11
Event: Veteran's Day Parade (7:30 am) Where: 2nd Avenue & Gordon Dr. to Lee St. to Bank St. & Church St. Contact: grovesrt@charter.net Theresa Groves	11
Event: Veteran's Day Ceremony (11 am) Where: Morgan County Courthouse Contact: grovesrt@charter.net Theresa Groves	11
Event: Applebee's Restaurant serving Veteran's on Veteran's Day (selective menu from 11 am to 1 am) Where: Applebee's on Beltine Road Contact: 256-340-0114	11
Event: Byron Green Band Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	11
Event: AYSA Governor's Cup & Final Four Where: Jack Allen Soccer Complex Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	11-13
Event: Jeffery Smith Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	12
Event: AHSAA Cross Country Where: Oakville Indian Mounds Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	12
Event: Lava Lamp Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	12
Event: Decatur Acoustic Concerts presents Blue Mother Tupelo Where: The Magnolia Room Contact: 256-686-1382	12
Event: The Music Lives On: Folk Song Traditions Told by Alabama Artists Where: Carnegie Visual Arts Center Contact: 256-341-0562	Nov. 13-Jan. 14
Event: 2011 Morgan Co. State of the Schools Address Where: Burningtree Country Club Contact: jim@dcc.org	15
Event: Dusty & Gilby Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	16
Event: Turkey Toss 2011 with the Rick & Bubba Show (6am to 10am) Where: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Decatur Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	16
Event: DMCCVB & DMCHA Annual Tourism Breakfast Where: Holiday Inn & Suites Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	17
Event: Blagburn Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	17
Event: 3^rd Fridays Where: Bank St. & 2^nd Ave. Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	18
Event: Friday @ 5 Where: Carnegie Visual Arts Center Contact: 256-341-0562	18
Event: Group 6 Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	18
Event: American Idol's Bo Bice Live! Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	18
Event: NSA Tournament Where: Wilson Morgan Complex Contact: David Gregory 256-783-2892	19
Event: Decatur Thanksgiving Festival Jr. Tennis Tournament Where: Jimmy Johns Tennis Complex Contact: 256-341-4948	19-20
Event: Open @ Night with Plato Jones Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	22
Event: Thanksgiving Eve Party featuring The Cheesebrokers Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	23
Event: 5 O'clock Charlie Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	23
Event: Applebee's Restaurant OPEN Thanksgiving (at 4pm) Where: Applebee's on Beltline Road Contact: 256-340-0114	24
Event: Sideshow Band Where: Club Xplosions Contact: 256-686-1200	25
Event: Chocolate Cracker Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	25
Event: Decatur Acoustic Concerts presents Michelle Malone Where: The Magnolia Room Contact: 256-686-1382	25
Event: HOTC Agility Trail Where: Morgan Co. Celebration Arena Contact:256-584-6725	25-27
Event: Black Label Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	26
Event: Silver Stick Hockey Where: Point Mallard Ice Complex Contact: 256-341-4910	26-27
Event: NAIA Women's National Soccer Championship Where: Jack Allen Soccer Complex Contact: DMCCVB 256-350-2028	Nov. 28-Dec. 3
Event: Mike Roberts Where: The Brick Tavern & Deli Contact: 256-355-8318	30
Event: Networking @ Noon Where: Hartselle Chamber of Commerce - Depot Contact: 256-773-4370	30

Decatur to Host Division I and II State Soccer Tournament

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000-05:00

The Jack Allen Recreation Complex will host the Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) Division I Powerade State Cup (U15-U18), Division II State Cup (U14-U18), Governor’s Cup, and Division I Powerade Final Four in November, 2011. The city of Decatur has hosted the tournaments since 2007 and will also serve as host venue in 2012.

“We are excited AYSA has selected the city of Decatur to host the State Cup, Governor’s Cup and Final Four tournaments,” said Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau President Tami Reist, “Over the last three years, these tournaments filled over 3,800 room nights producing an economic impact of $2.4 million through revenues generated by lodging, dining, and retail sales provided by visitors traveling from outside the area to participate in the tournament.”

The Division I Powerade State Cup and Division II State Cup are set for November 4-6, 2011 with the Governor’s Cup and Division I Powerade State Cup Final Four following on November 11-13, 2011 at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. The Governor’s Cup, a recreational competition at the state level, decides which teams are Division III (recreation) state champions and has been previously featured by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the largest recreational tournament for 9- to 18-year olds in Alabama.

“It must be said, the City of Decatur, the CVB and the Parks and Rec have been phenomenal to work with. We are grateful they continue to work with us to host these events,” said Lynn Bertovic, Office Manager/State Administrator for AYSA. AYSA is the governing body for all soccer clubs in Alabama who qualify to participate in these events.

The Jack Allen Recreation Complex contains 10 international size lighted fields with laser-graded certified sports turf and a computerized irrigation system. With the additional fields located in Point Mallard Park, Decatur has quickly become known nationally as a top rated soccer tournament location.

For more information on the State Cup, Governor’s Cup, and Final Four tournaments, visit the AYSA’s website at www.alabamayouthsoccer.org.

Storms, Sports kept local hotels booked

2011-10-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

Decatur lodging tax revenues up 11 percent in fiscal 2011

By Seth Burkett Th Decatur Daily

Devastating storms, sporting events and industry kept tourism revenue in Decatur vibrant this past fiscal year despite a struggling economy, officials said.
The city collected $704,000 in lodging taxes from October 2010 to September 2011, an 11-percent increase, said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“Right now we’re about $130,000 to $140,000 up from last year,” said Anthony Viator, sales manager for Country Inn and Suites on Bank Street Northeast. “Every month has been better than it was last year. With corporate travel, it’s been up. With groups, it’s been up.”

Following the April 27 tornadoes in the Tennessee Valley, many relief workers and people displaced from their homes stayed in hotels.
“It’s not a good thing, but those tornadoes brought a lot of government agencies in town and a lot of contractors,” Viator said. “We actually had several people staying here for whom we set good rates for a long term while they worked with their insurance agencies, and then we had one family stay here whose whole house was blown away.”
Those are not typical sources of tourism revenue, but hotel-motel receipts fall under the tourism budget.
“I don’t like using that as a plus,” Viator said. “But that one month with the tornadoes, we made more revenue lodging than we ever have in the past four years.
“So if that went across the board in Decatur, I’m sure they made a lot of money, too.”
Following the storms, two state soccer tournaments were canceled, creating rooms for workers and evacuees.
“We lost that business to Gulf Shores,” Reist said of the sporting events. “But with that devastation we would not have been able to take them on.”
Reist said it was a growing year aside from the tornadoes.
She said the area saw an uptick in lodging taxes brought in by events and industry.
Reist said the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2011 brought many festivals, sporting events and fishing tournaments to the River City.
More large events took place during the spring.
The biggest event was the President’s Cup soccer tournament at the Jack Allen complex in June, which generated 1,090 room nights in Decatur and more than 4,000 throughout Morgan, Limestone and Madison counties, Reist said.
“We had to use the Von Braun Center for the opening ceremonies,” she said of the Huntsville arena. “... Anytime you have to go to Huntsville to welcome people, that’s a big event.”
“That Jack Allen complex is a major impact when it comes to bringing soccer teams from all over the states,” Viator said. “The same thing with Ingalls Harbor. We’re going to see more and more fishing tournaments coming here.”
Reist estimated about 10,000 people attended a Colt Ford concert held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series Dixie Duel Tournament in June.
“That sort of weekend business is great, but during the week, our industry is rolling,” Reist said.
Reist said companies such as Nucor, 3M and Daikin have been expanding or having outages during which they bring in crews for maintenance and repair.

Dream coming to Ingalls

2011-10-25T11:08:00.001-05:00

International bass tourney to be held in US for first time
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

A U.S. congressman, an Alabama state senator and local leaders gathered at Ingalls Harbor Friday. The attraction — Koto Kiriyama, a professional angler originally from Japan.

“Wheeler Lake was chosen and selected for the launch of the inaugural American Dream Tournament, marking the first time the international bass fishing tournament will be held in the United States,” announced Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, R-Huntsville, called the tournament a recruiting tool.

State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, described it as an international relationship builder.

For Kiriyama, the competition’s organizer, the tournament is about bridging two nations.

“This is about connecting people and having more of a cultural understanding between Japan and the United States,” Kiriyama said. “I have loved fishing since I was 5. My whole life is about bass fishing. When I moved here 15 years ago, I didn’t speak any English and bass fishing helped me survive. I met a lot of good people who helped me learn the language and culture.”

Winners of the inaugural tournament, scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Japan’s Lake Biwa, linking Kiriyama’s adopted country with his native country.

Officials expect more than 100 two-man teams to compete for the trip to the lake, where an angler caught a record-tying largemouth bass weighing more than 22 pounds.

The 2010 competition will be the fourth annual American Dreams Tournament.

North Alabama’s reputation for bass fishing and the support from the area’s tourism officials landed Ingalls Harbor the hosting duties, said Kiriyama, a six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and champion of the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament at Lake Erie.

Originally held in Japan, the tournament awarded the winning team with a trip to fish at the BassCat Invitational in Arkansas.

“The winners come back and talk about how they are able to widen their view of life, and this is what I would like to achieve,” Kiriyama said. “I want to make Decatur an international city and help people understand other cultures.”

The tournament further strengthens an already strong relationship between Decatur and Japan, said Orr, citing the presence of Toray, Daikin and Toyota in the Tennessee Valley.

Along with cultural and industrial benefits, the tournament will produce financial benefits.

“The tournament is expected to provide an economic boost to the local economy through revenues generated by lodging, dining and retail sales, and the international exposure generated from hosting the event will further elevate Wheeler Lake into the fishing spotlight,” Reist said.

Since Ingalls Harbor opened in 2006, Decatur’s fishing reputation has climbed, capturing the industry’s attention and attracting regional and national tournaments.

So far, tournaments hosted at Ingalls Harbor have translated into an economic impact of $4 million.

For more information or to register for the tournament visit www.kotaamericandream.com or www.decatursports.com.

Decatur needs pavilion as meeting place

2011-10-25T11:08:00.000-05:00

Editorial, The Decatur Daily

The proposed pavilion at Ingalls Harbor is an opportunity for Decatur to have a multi-purpose meeting place and help with further re-establishing a resident-friendly waterfront.

City Council members are poised to vote on a funding resolution Monday that probably includes a 25,000-square-foot pavilion that will cost something less than $3 million.

The consideration to build the facility is not if the city needs a gathering place that can seat 1,500, but the city’s ability to finance it.

One proposal is for the city to front the money and for the Hospitality Association to repay the cost from its $2-per-night hotel room occupancy fee. The hotels’ self-imposed fee is for such purposes. The fee is not tax dollars.

The association already is repaying the cost of the harbor improvements through the fee, and a spokesman says it can take on the additional payment.

Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the fee generates about $400,000 per year and is enough to pay for the pavilion and continue to pay the existing debt.

Decatur’s riverfront is a work in progress, but it has made gigantic strides after the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and the city built the Riverwalk at Rhodes Ferry Park.

The addition of a pavilion will bring thousands more people to Decatur. Most of all, it will give Decatur residents greater access to the south bank of the Tennessee River.

Tourism industry grows by 11 percent

2011-10-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

By The Decatur Daily

A lingering recession has not dampened the tourism industry for Decatur and Morgan County. The city collected $704,000 in lodging taxes from October 2010 to September 2011, showing an increase of 11 percent from the previous year.

According to Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau president Tami Reist, the third and fourth quarters of 2010 brought many festivals, sporting events and fishing tournaments to the River City, generating overnight visits and contributing significantly to the 11 percent increase. The April 27 tornado outbreak also played a role when those displaced from their homes utilized accommodations in Morgan County.
In order to meet the needs of the storm victims, two state soccer tournaments were canceled, thereby creating available lodging for those needing shelter.

Mud-Slingin', Music, and More

2011-10-25T10:43:00.004-05:00

Fredricks Equipment and Fredricks Marine in Priceville will host mud riding and ATV enthusiasts for a mud-slinging event Saturday, October 29, 2011. The first annual Muddin’ at the Farm Pro-Am Mud Race and Concert promises lots of mud, live music, special sales and pricing in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Set for 2 p.m., the race takes place at Fredericks Equipment located at 1312 South Bethel Road in Priceville. For those who are up for the challenge and want to get dirty, registration opens at 9 a.m. for race participants. Those interested in competing must have safe, reliable equipment and must adhere to regulations set forth by Championship Mud Racing. The circular course is a standard, short-course mud pit, two feet deep. For complete rules and regulations, visit championshipmudracing.com. Registration fee for the Pro-Am Mud Race is $25 per participant.

Fredricks Equipment boasts a 28,000 square foot retail facility offering outdoor power equipment as well as a wide variety of boats, accessories, and parts from its sister company Fredricks Marine. Showroom doors open at 8 a.m. and special pricing will be offered throughout the day on all boats, tractors, portable power tools, accessories, ATV’s and utility vehicles.

In addition, live music is slated for the mud-slinging event, marking the end of the Fredricks Outdoor Concert Series for 2011. Firing up at 6 p.m. Arkansas native Ryan Couron (www.ryancouron.com) will take to the stage with his blend of new and traditional country, followed by special guest Randy Houser, noted songwriter who co-wrote Trace Adkins’ chart topper Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. The title track from his debut album Anything Goes reached the Top 20 on the Billboard country singles charts. For more information on Houser, visit www.randyhouser.com.

Tickets can be purchased beginning October 5^th and can also be purchased at the gate. Admission is $25 per person for an all-day pass which includes the mud race and concerts.

For more information, visit www.fredricksequipment.com or call 256.340.8899 for ticket purchases.

Free Pancakes, Music, and Fun in Falkville

2011-10-25T10:42:00.000-05:00

Confederate Railroad Slated to Headline Annual Free Event

The town of Falkville rolls out the red carpet for a day of free music, fun and games each year in October welcoming visitors to the rural hamlet. The Falkville Fall Festival, sponsored by the Falkville Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Falkville, is set for October 29, 2011 and offers free pancakes, a car and tractor show, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and more culminating with country rock band Confederate Railroad live in concert. All activities take place in the town’s downtown area.

A free pancake breakfast at the Fire Department kicks things off at 7 a.m. where plenty of the fluffy hot cakes will be served until 11 a.m. Donations to the Fire Department will be accepted at the door. The car show and tractor show follow at 8 a.m. with arts and crafts vendors, bingo, inflatable fun for children, and food vendors set up throughout the day. The Fire Department will host a cake auction at noon where an assortment of yummy desserts will be up for grabs.

Music fills the air beginning at 11 a.m. with a 1 ½ hour performance by the Dusty Winsett Band followed by headliner Confederate Railroad taking to the stage at 1 p.m. The event wraps up around 3 p.m. Founded in 1984 in Marietta, Georgia, Confederate Railroad has released six albums with more than twenty singles earning a spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Hits include “She Took It Like A Man,” “Queen of Memphis,” “Trashy Women,” “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind,” and “Elvis and Andy.” In 1993, they were awarded Best New Group at the Academy of Country Music Awards with a Grammy nomination and a host of nominations from the Country Music Association and the British Country Music Foundation soon following. For more information, visit www.confederaterailroad.net.

The town has more to celebrate in 2011. This year marks its 125^th anniversary of incorporation as a city, and to celebrate a time capsule will be buried during the one day festival. For more information on the annual event, contact the Falkville Town Hall at 256.784.5922.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-10-23T10:28:00.000-05:00

By Chatter Box, The Decatur DailyIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...Or it soon will be. The Historic Decatur Christmas Tour committee met recently for the 2011 tour planning party at Albany Bistro on Grant Street. Those attending included tour sponsors, home and site owners, committee members and neighborhood volunteers. Attendees were Jake Reed, Squee Bailey, Diane Scanland, Gloria Arthur, Sheila Motley, Suzanne Woller, Janet South, Tony Shubert, Jack Thomas, John and Carlyn Deeds, Dave Armistead, John Sisco, Tommy and Bonnie Black, Scott and Susie Schoel, Tolly and Barrett Shelton, Gay and Mark Maloney, Lynn and Ken Schuppert and Julia and Nick Roth. And to have a Christmas Tour of historical homes and sites around the district, you have to have home owners and businesses willing to let you tour their properties. Enjoying the kickoff party were site owners Sharon Faison of the Barrett-Faison House, Berval and Sandi Bennett of the McEntire-Bennett House, Carolyn Mills of the Girl Scout Little House and Trish Brown of First Presbyterian Church. Other neighborhood volunteers and committee members attending were Tim and Libby Britt, Margret Ann Templeton, Joel Weinbaum, Nell Standridge, Andy and Barbara Kelly, Larry and Martha Freeman, Nancy Greenleaf, June Odom, Kathy Taylor, Pat and Sally Smartt, Frank and Carolyn Price and Carol Chenault. The Historic Decatur Christmas Tour will be Dec. 10 from 3-8 p.m. Be sure to mark the date on your calendars and purchase your tickets. For more information, contact the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 256-350-2028.

Hotels ready to cash in

2011-09-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

Hotels ready to cash in

Restaurants also expect to benefit from weekend festivals in area

By Nancy Glasscock, The Decatur Daily

Area hotels and restaurants expect festivals this weekend — starting today with the Decatur Jaycees Riverfest and the Racking Horse World Celebration — to generate more than $342,000 in revenue.

Hartselle’s Depot Days and Eva’s Frontier Days have Saturday events.

Tami Reist, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau president, said last year’s economic impact of the Racking Horse event and Riverfest alone was $342,000.

“A lot of these events on Saturday, people will come out and eat and spend money, so it’s definitely a boost in sales receipts for the city,” she said. “It should be a very good overall weekend for all of Morgan County.”

Managers of restaurants and hotels in the Decatur area said they notice an increase in sales in conjunction with the festivals.

Carolyn Bild, co-owner of the Daily Brew on Market Street, said Riverfest attracts repeat customers.

“People heading down (Alabama) 20 for Riverfest will stop in for breakfast or stop in for lunch, then after a day of sampling barbecue, will come over to enjoy the entertainment we have on Fridays and Saturdays,” she said.

Bild said performers include Microwave Dave, Tim Tucker, Ken Waters and Phil Weaver.

Jane Davis, manager at Big Bob Gibson on Danville Road, said business increases 50 to 75 percent during the Racking Horse World Celebration because of nearby hotels.

Managers at some restaurants said other events bring in more customers.

Mike Arndt, manager of Alfonso’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant near the intersection of Beltline Road and U.S. 31, said the restaurant does best during other events and after ballgames.

Mike Caldwell, manager at BB Perrins Barbecue on Holly Street, said business has been steady all season. He said the restaurant had one of its best summers, possibly because of customers who would have vacationed staying in town.

Decatur-area hotel managers said they expect the usual increase in bookings from visitors to the festivals.

Parkway Inn & Suites on Point Mallard Parkway still had rooms available this week, but usually has an increase in bookings this time of year, a manager said.

Jameson Inn on the Beltline also had rooms available. Hampton Inn on Beltline Road sold out Tuesday, but expected to have rooms available later in the week.

2011-09-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

Meeting Notes Morgan County CommissionDuring a meeting Tuesday, the Morgan County Commission:■Authorized Chairman Ray Long to execute the county’s solid waste management plan.■Approved an application for renewal of the county’s permit for the Decatur-Morgan County Regional Landfill.■Approved a bid from Keep It Clean Janitorial Services for $1,150 per month for the Farm Service Center in Hartselle.■Approved a $7,516.72 sales tax refund for Altec Industries Inc.■Renewed a contract with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to rent space in the courthouse basement for Morgan EMA for $950 per month.■Approved paying $1,000 to Godwin, Barnett and Woods for architectural work on a county parking lot.■Approved giving $2,500 to Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show, $1,000; Hartselle High School Baseball, $100; and Falkville Fall Festival, $1,000.■Approved paying $21,125.22 to Morgan County 911 for dispatch services for the county’s volunteer fire departments.■Changed the voting precinct at Wilson Morgan Park to First Baptist Church at Austinville; and the precinct at Ryan School to Ryan Baptist Church.■Approved paying county bills totaling $4,244,738.19 for the month of July.■Approved paying $2,950 to Nelson Engineering Associates Inc. for work on the new Neel Senior Center.■Approved paying $71,706.09 to E-Tech Construction for the Neel center project.■Approved certificates to subdivide or consolidate properties for Robert A. and Amy G. Mims, Union Hill Road in District 4; Judy K. Cloud, Dellwood Drive in District 4; and Angela N. and Johnathan G. Majors, Given Cove Road in District 4.■Approved paying $15,120 to Godwin, Barnett and Woods Architectural firm for System of Services building.By SHERYL MARSH, The Decatur Dailt

Pavilion pushed back

2011-09-06T10:33:00.000-05:00

Completion date now seen in mid-November for 1,200-seat facility By Tiffeny Owens- The Decatur Daily A completion date for the $3 million publicly financed Ingalls Harbor pavilion under construction on Alabama 20 has been pushed back for the second time.City officials expected the 25,000-square-foot facility — billed to be the largest meeting space in the River City — to be finished by Oct. 20. But merging three different building materials took more time and retrofitting than the builder anticipated.Other hiccups have slowed progress.First, workers discovered unsuitable soil at the construction site that had to be dug up, removed and replaced. Then, a wet spring stalled work for a few weeks. And when summer arrived, the searing heat made roofing an agonizing task. Workers had been nailing down the roof at night when temperatures are cooler. The roof should be finished within three weeks, said Jack Fite, president of Decatur's Fite Building Co.The 1,200-seat open-air pavilion, situated beside the Tennessee River roughly a mile west of the bridge into downtown, has to be ready by Nov. 27. That's when Decatur will host the NAIA women's soccer tournament. The event is the city's opportunity to unveil the facility, complete with its salvaged timber from the downtown Robinson building, to out-of-state teams and their families."We will be done by mid-November, before the tournament gets in town," Fite said. "It's been challenging at times, but it will be one of the most unique projects I've worked on."The pavilion's original completion date was September. But then it was pushed back to late October, and now to November.At a meeting last week, District 2 Councilman Roger Anders said he wants the city to "hold Fite's feet to the fire," suggesting the contractor pay the city liquidated damages agreed to in the contract for missing the previous deadlines.The city and Fite having been going over how many work days were lost, said Tom Chappell, assistant director of Decatur's parks and recreation department."In their defense, Fite had a lot of issues come up over the course of the project," Chappell said.One problem that consumed a lot of time came from the salvaged Robinson building wood. Workers had to remove nails and other metal pieces embedded in the timber before it could be used on the job, Fite said."Then we had to marry three different building surfaces together into one structure," he said. "We had to modify some things to make it all fit together."Last month, the City Council approved nearly $40,000 in change orders, all covered by a $250,000 contingency for unforeseen expenses. When officials first proposed the project, it had a $2.8 million price tag.The city still hopes the facility, with its stone fireplaces, projector screens and 700-table capacity, will attract more local and out-of-town visitors. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau thinks the facility will hook more bass tournaments, which bring hundreds of out-of-town visitors and generates lodging revenue for the city, along with conferences, banquets and receptions for local and regional organizations. Individuals will be able to rent the facility, too."We're anticipating to collect $25,000 in rental fees in the first year," said Tami Reist, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau president.That money will roll over into the city's Parks and Recreation Department general fund to offset the costs of the building's upkeep. The department also will coordinate with the tourism bureau for bookings.Decatur borrowed $2 million from its reserves and $1.6 million from the Morgan County Commission's Regional Landfill fund to finance the project. The Hospitality Association will repay the loans over 15 years using revenue from its $2-per-night tax on local hotel stays.

Ingalls Pavilion Rental Procedures

2011-08-31T10:35:00.000-05:00

City establishing Ingalls pavilion rental procedures Decatur officials and the tourism bureau are devising rental procedures for the new Ingalls Harbor pavilion, slated for a late October opening. The 27,000-square-foot structure will be the largest meeting space in the River City, featuring two stone fireplaces, retractable doors and an exterior built with timber from the demolished Robinson building. Today at noon, Tami Reist, director of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, will discuss reservation policies and rates for the pavilion with city officials. The tourism bureau plans to market the facility to companies for conferences as well as to individuals for receptions, banquets and parties. TIFFENY OWENS- The Decatur Daily

The Restoration of Delano Park

2011-08-22T10:11:00.001-05:00

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Anna Atchison at
http://www.pageduke.com/blog/

It began as a small, grass-roots project birthed in the hearts of a few women. The Friends of Delano Park assembled to raise public awareness of the historic and cultural significance of the park. Today, Delano Park is considered a Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.

“There is nothing more practical in the end then the preservation of beauty.” Theodore Roosevelt

Historic Delano Park was unattended for years. Realizing the value of this asset, Barbara Kelly, Sally Smartt, and Nell Standridge began taking proactive steps toward the restoration of Decatur, Alabama’s Delano Park. “We can all make something out of nothing,” explained Barbara Kelly. “You make your own success story.” The preservation of this civic park carries with it the hope that future generations will enjoy it for years to come. This is a story of hope.

After the combined devastation of the Civil War and Yellow Fever epidemic, the Decatur Land Improvement and Furnace Company chose renowned architect Nathan Franklin Barrett to design a master plan to rebuild the city. This plan centralized around a community park and recreational green space. Since its construction in 1887, Delano Park has been the heartstrings of its community.

The Riverwild Children’s Garden and accessible playground is a significant component of the renovations. Riverwild is a place for children of all abilities and their supporting equipment. Currently, it is the only wheelchair accessible playground in the county.

For this project they sought the help of PAGE½DUKE Landscape Architects. “Ben Page is a poetic visionary, and we valued the concept he developed on our behalf,” said Smartt.

Appropriately named Riverwild, the design coalesces around providing visitors the opportunity to interact with flora and fauna native to the Tennessee Valley. Ben Page was thrilled to be involved in a civic project that accomplishes what so many talented minds had envisioned in its development. The biodiversity and rich history of the Tennessee River Valley is commemorated by way of sculptures, graphic panels, and large river rocks distributed throughout the Riverwild Children’s Garden.

Sculptures of native wildlife inhabit the park. Renowned artist, Bruce Larsen, crafted a sixteen-foot dragonfly on a bending reed. Resting gracefully above the grasses below, the sculpture is constructed mostly of salvaged steel with an antique boat motor for its body. Larsen also welded the archway at Riverwild’s entrance.

“Public art gives people pause. Art is a language that not everybody understands or appreciates, […] but it can make their wheels turn.” Bruce Larsen

Southern sculptor, Frank Fleming, also installed his work among the river rocks and foliage. A bronze family of frogs and a large turtle were among the first of his pieces installed at the park. Fleming most recent edition was a bronze beaver. “It was Ben Page’s idea to have that beaver climbing up over the rock and showing its teeth to the children,” Fleming chuckled.

“We are definitely in an era of building; the best kind of building – the building of great public projects for the benefit of the public and with the definitive objective of building human happiness.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

It is for humanity that we safeguard natural resources. Securing civic parks for public pleasure provides the possibility that natural beauty remain a cherished aspect of our culture. Delano Park exhibits the qualities of a timeless community treasure in a celebration of diversity.

Robbery on the river

2011-08-20T11:13:00.001-05:00

Thieves burglarize, vandalize Pickwick Belle at Ingalls; losses total $23,000
By Ronnie Thomas
The Decatur Daily

Joe Colley, owner of American Steemer in Decatur, cleans the carpet on the lower deck, which was soaked by fire extinguishers in the overnight assault. The Pickwick Belle is cruising out of Decatur this summer as its owners gauge the suitability of moving the operation from Florence to the River City.

Thieves made off with a flat screen, a sound system and other items that totaled $23,000 after they broke into the Pickwick Belle on Thursday night or early Friday while it was docked at Ingalls Harbor.

The thieves also vandalized the 90-foot paddle wheel riverboat before making off with the 55-inch flat-screen television, two 21-inch TV sets, the sound system and cash, authorities said.

“We only had about $200 in cash” on the boat, said Jimmy Kennedy, cruise director. “We kept it in the microwave in the kitchen. It appeared they might have tried to take the microwave, too, but it was bolted down.”

The thieves rendered the dining room unfit for use by soaking the carpet and chairs with a fire extinguisher.

But the boat still plowed the Tennessee River on Friday.

“We couldn’t serve out of (the dining room), but we were not going to let someone ruin our party,” said Tami Reist, director of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We cruised and ate out on the top deck.”

Kennedy said Pickwick’s operators do not keep security personnel onboard because the boat has no sleeping quarters.

“Police patrol the area frequently,” he said. “Tami told me she has spoken with the mayor (Don Stanford), and he vows to beef up security.”

Sgt. John Crouch, spokesman for the Decatur Police Department, said the intruders boarded the boat from the pier and went to the river side to gain entrance.

Windows broken

Kennedy said they broke a window in a door that leads to the dining room.

While Crouch could not say whether one or more persons were involved, Kennedy believes it took at least two people to lift the large-screen TV over the railing at the pier.

Erin Mooneyham, who works for The Casual Gourmet, a Decatur catering service, said she and fellow employees got the unpleasant surprise when they arrived at the boat Friday morning.

“We were about to load the food for the cruise when the cops stopped us,” she said. “Then we found out what happened, and they were still checking for evidence. But we only had to wait a few minutes to get the food out of the hot van and into the kitchen. Then we tried to help everybody with the cleanup. There was a blanket of white dust on every surface.”

Reist said Kennedy called her about 9:15 a.m. and told her what happened. She said Paul Floyd and his crew came from the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department to assist, placing chairs on the pier to dry out.

Pickwick Belle Capt. Mike Tyner said fortunately the perpetrators did not damage anything in the pilot house. “We were supposed to depart for the cruise at 11:30 and we were only about 10 minutes late,” he said. “We can’t thank the people of Decatur and the city officials enough for their help.”

On schedule

The Pickwick remained on schedule, pulling back into Ingalls Harbor at 1:30 p.m.

Kennedy said the crew completed its cruise last Sunday and went home to Savannah, Tenn.

“The boat was here all that time and no problems,” he said. “We returned Thursday and worked on the boat, cleaning it up. We left at 5 p.m. We discovered the problems when we arrived at 9 (Friday) morning.”

Hank Mabe of Decatur, who made his first trip on the boat, said the inconveniences didn’t bother him.

“They did a good job cleaning up,” he said. “We had a good time cruising and eating on top.”

Ann Eyster, 88, and her traveling companion, Jackie Harris, 44, both of Decatur, said they enjoyed the experience.

“I’ve ridden it before and loved it then, too,” Eyster said. Harris said she made her first trip but “would love to do it again.”

Larry Brewer accompanied his parents, Calvin and Lucy Brewer, all of Hartselle.

“This was our first trip,” Lucy Brewer said. “I hope they decide to make Decatur their home.”

There were 33 people onboard.

Kennedy said the boat can accommodate 72 people for dinner and 149 for sightseeing.

Cruising today

Cruises are on tap again today and Sunday. The Pickwick Belle will remain in Decatur through Sept. 10 as the company tries to determine if it wants to relocate here from Florence.

Civil War reenactment scheduled

2011-08-19T11:20:00.001-05:00

by Nancy Glasscock staff writer at the Decatur Daily

A Civil War Re-enactment commemorating the four-day October 1864 Battle of Decatur will be Sept. 3-4 at Point Mallard Park.

The 14th Alabama Cavalry, the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry and Camp 580 Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the re-enactment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event tells the story of Decatur’s small, but significant role in the war. More than 200 re-enactors representing both North and South will transform Point Mallard Park into a weekend encampment complete with mock battles.

A Civil War camp featuring displays of authentic equipment, dress and drills is open to the public with maneuvers and battles taking place at 2 p.m.

Admission is free. For more information, call the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-524-6181 or 256-350-2028.

Burglars vandalize Pickwick Belle

2011-08-19T11:16:00.001-05:00

By Ronnie Thomas staff writer at The Decatur Daily

One or more persons boarded the Pickwick Belle riverboat while it was docked at Ingalls Harbor overnight and burglarized and vandalized it, authorities said.

Sgt. John Crouch, a spokesman for the Decatur Police Department, said boat operators discovered the theft at 8:45 a.m. Friday.

“They entered the boat from the pier side and went over to the river side, where they broke out a window on an emergency exit,” Crouch said. “They stole about $23,000 worth of electronics, including flat-screen televisions and a sound system.

Crouch said the culprits discharged one or more fire extinguishers inside the boat.

Tami Reist, director of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, spoke to The Daily while cruising on the boat Friday.

“I got a call about 10 a.m.,” she said. “We called police and they came out and did an investigation. “But we weren’t going to let someone damper our spirits and ruin our party. We couldn’t serve out of the dining room because they sprayed the fire extinguisher all over the carpet. We’re cruising out on the top deck.”

RONNIE THOMAS

Civil War Reenactment

2011-08-18T11:22:00.000-05:00

by Nancy Glasscock staff writer at The Decatur Daily.

A Civil War Reenactment commemorating the four-day October, 1864 battle in Decatur will be held Sept. 3-4 at Point Mallard Park.

The 14th Alabama Cavalry, the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry, and Camp 580 Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the Battle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event tells the story of Decatur’s small, but significant role in the War Between the States. More than 200 re-enactors representing both northern and southern forces will transform Point Mallard Park into a weekend encampment complete with mock battles.

A Civil War camp featuring displays of authentic equipment, dress and drills is open to the public with maneuvers and battles taking place at 2 p.m. The Union troops will win the day during one battle reenactment while the Confederates will capture the contested ground during the next day’s skirmish.

Other activities include a living history of daily camp life where spectators are encouraged to visit with soldiers, Civil War relic displays, drill and firing of mid-19th century muskets mounted cavalry patrols and Civil War related items for sale by sutlers. Everyone is invited to a ladies’ tea at 9:30 a.m. and to the Military Ball at 7 p.m. Both events are held on Saturday at The Chapel in Point Mallard Park.

The historical reenactment is held in honor of General Joe Wheeler and Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan, who both resided in North Alabama at some point during their military careers. The City of Decatur was an important transportation site for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War due to the Memphis and Charleston’s railroad bridge crossing the Tennessee River. During the 1864 battle at Decatur, Confederate General Hood attempted to break Union supply lines at the crucial railroad crossing at Decatur. He was not successful and had to cross the river at Florence. Decatur’s involvement in this campaign and the fierce four day battle caused General Hood to refer to the city as “a hard nut to crack.”

Admission is free. For more information on the Battle for Decatur reenactment, call the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-524-6181 or 256-350-2028.

'You Don't Know Dixie'

2011-08-17T11:10:00.001-05:00

Calhoun professor to provide commentary on History Channel’s ‘You Don’t Know Dixie’
By Catherine Godbey
The Decatur Daily

An article written about George Washington Harris and YouTube videos landed Randy Cross his first nationally televised gig.

The History Channel’s “You Don’t Know Dixie” features interviews with Ty Pennington, Trace Adkins, James Carville, Jeff Foxworthy, Hershel Walker and the Calhoun Community College English professor. The two-hour special, described by producers as a “positive, celebratory and insightful program,” will debut tonight at 8 with a rebroadcast at midnight.

Producers interviewed Cross last month at the home of Glynn and Cathy Tubb. The all-day interview covered topics essential to the South and the region’s influence on the country.

“We talked about everything — Tabasco sauce, Bear Bryant, Alabama football, religion and inventions. I had no idea a Southerner invented refrigeration,” Cross said.

The special aims to answer questions such as “How did the South get its twang?” and “What exactly are grits?”

Country music legend Charlie Daniels will narrate the program, while Cross (who has not been privy to a sneak preview) will provide commentary between some of the segments.

The producers pursued Cross after reading an article he wrote about George Washington Harris. With a little Internet research, the History Channel discovered videos Cross’s wife posted on YouTube of him telling stories at the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts.

“They emailed me first about two or three months ago. I printed it off and took it home and asked my wife if she thought it was a hoax,” Cross said. “She told me not to send my bank card number to them.”

The English professor at Calhoun since 1982 and two-time Fulbright Scholar corresponded with the producers for three to four weeks prior to filming, which consisted of him sitting in a chair all day reading a script.

“One time I tried to get up and see what the shot looked like. But since I wasn’t sitting down, I could only see the chair. The chair looked good,” Cross said.

Cross plans to keep his debut performance low-key, watching the episode with his wife and son.

“It is easier when I get embarrassed to hide from my wife and son than from a whole roomful of people,” Cross said jokingly.

Along with teaching at Calhoun, Cross, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Tennessee Army National Guard, has published articles in American Literature, The South Atlantic Review and the Mark Twain Journal, and has delivered lectures on Southern literature.

Churning River City Waters

2011-08-14T11:25:00.001-05:00

Rain doesn’t dampen spirits in Pickwick Belle Decatur debut
By Holly Hollman Staff Writer at The Decatur Daily

The Pickwick Belle’s paddle wheels churned the murky waters of the Tennessee River on Saturday as rain pelted its passengers on the top deck.

Capt. Michael Tyner maneuvered the authentic paddle wheel riverboat through Ingalls Harbor in Decatur and brought the vessel to rest by a gang plank.

Passengers of Pickwick Belle’s maiden Decatur voyage shouted, “Beautiful,” “Very nice,” and “We loved it,” as they ran from the gang plank to their cars in a hurry to dodge an evening rain shower.

“We enjoyed it even though it rained,” said Dave Bennett, of Madison, who took the summer sightseeing cruise with his wife, Karen. “We went under the train bridge, and they pointed out the Meow Mix plant. I didn’t even know that was there.”

The Pickwick Belle has docked for cruises in Florence and its home port of Pickwick, Tenn., since 2007.

It added Decatur to the schedule this year.

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau set up a tour in February in an attempt to lure the Belle and give the city an economic boost by drawing tourists.

Pickwick Belle’s Hospitality Director Jimmy Kennedy said the Decatur area has shown interest in the cruises. A reservation list indicated the cruises are drawing visitors from Morgan, Limestone, Lawrence and Madison counties.

Kennedy said Saturday’s “Jimmy Buffett Dinner Cruise” was sold out, so the staff has added another on Aug. 21.

That cruise includes dinner and music by a Buffett impersonator. An Elvis impersonator will be on board Aug. 20.

Kennedy said the slow moving riverboat gives passengers a chance to learn about the area because a tourism official points out interesting spots along the way.

“We only reach a maximum speed of 5 mph,” Kennedy said.

“You can see the beauty along the river. We go down toward Point Mallard and then turn and come back.”

The Pickwick Belle will be docked in Decatur through Sept. 10, and will offer lunch and dinner cruises, music, games and a Civil War-theme outing

Firm asks for $38K more for pavilion

2011-07-28T11:28:00.001-05:00

By Tiffeny Owens Staff Writer at The Decatur Daily

The Decatur architectural firm that designed the Ingalls Harbor pavilion is asking the city for an additional $38,000 to complete the project.

The removal of unsuitable dirt at the work site cost an extra $26,402 alone. The Decatur City Council will vote Monday on three change orders, submitted by Godwin, Barnett, Woods, P.C. of Decatur, to amend its contract with the firm, which would increase the pavilion’s budget by $37,867.

The new costs would be covered by the $250,000 contingency for unforeseen expenses that the city included in the contract with GBW and contractor Fite Building Co.

“We went ahead and filed these change orders for the council to review now, instead of at the end of the project,” said Tom Chappell, assistant director of Decatur’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Overseeing upkeep
The department will oversee the pavilion’s maintenance and upkeep. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau plans to hold weigh-ins inside the structure for bass tournaments at Ingalls Harbor and also market it for large events. The facility will host the 27th annual Gala fundraiser for the Decatur General Hospital Foundation in December. The facility will also be available for rent to host parties, banquets and receptions.

Once completed, the $3 million, 27,000-square-foot, open-air pavilion will be more than twice the size of Decatur’s largest meeting space.

Workers were finishing the roof this week, and stonework on the fireplaces, columns and around the foundation is nearly done, Chappell said. The project is still on track for opening Oct. 21, he said.

Change orders
The change orders included features that have been re-configured to save money and others that have incurred additional costs. The biggest money-saver was the elimination of Decatur Utilities’ construction help, which totaled $25,902, according to the change order documents. But the removal of 2,182 cubic yards of dirt — at $12.10 per cubic yard — for the south parking lot was the biggest expense, the documents show. In all, contractors had to remove 4,086 cubic yards of unsuitable dirt over the project’s bid, which provided payment for just 1,500 cubic yards.

“You really don’t know how much soil is unsuitable until you get in there and start digging,” said Chappell. “You’ve got to get down to the compact red clay so you don’t have settling problems with the foundation.”

Dirt for project
Decatur’s Waters Brothers Contractors Inc. used some of the dirt for projects while the rest was hauled to the Morgan County Regional Landfill and used as ground cover.

The city is financing the pavilion by borrowing $2 million from its reserves and another $1.6 million from landfill fund.

Other costs
Other additional costs included:

■$9,544 to convert a large men’s toilet to a small men’s toilet and family toilet and additional fire alarm and electrical changes required by the city’s building department.
■$6,951 to add emergency voice/alarm communication, or EVAC, capability to the fire alarm system.
■$1,540 to add three gas log starters to each fireplace.
■$880 to remove existing railroad tracks from the northeast portion of the site.

Convention center not feasible for Decatur, consultants find

2011-07-19T11:29:00.001-05:00

By Deangelo McDaniel Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

A Georgia-based consulting firm recommended that Decatur suspend its pursuit of a hotel/conference center.

In a feasibility study, Jill Bidwell of PKF Consulting said the “current market conditions do not appear to be supportive” of this type of facility in the River City.

“To be honest, I was surprised, but at least we know where we are at,” said Tami Reist of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s Balanced Economy Committee commissioned the $15,000 study.

Jim Page, vice president of public policy and business development for the chamber, said the group was looking for ways to diversify Decatur’s economy, which is heavily dependent on industry.

Trying to lure a convention center to the River City was the committee’s priority, Page said.

The study, however, cited several reasons why a convention center is likely not a good fit for Decatur at this time.

The report said Decatur’s occupancy rate for its existing hotels was in the upper 40 to mid 50 percentile, with an average daily rate of between $75 and $79.

PKF visited hotels in Florence, Huntsville and Franklin, Tenn., where the average daily rate was in the low $100 range.

“This most likely would not support their (the hotel/conference center’s) development cost if built today,” Bidwell wrote.

She said only 18 percent of the associations surveyed said they would be “likely or very likely to use an appropriately-sized convention center and full-service” hotel in Decatur.

Most of the associations also said they preferred having their meetings in beach locations.

PKF evaluated three sites for a possible convention center. They included downtown near the Holiday Inn, river property in Point Mallard Park adjacent to the golf course and the proposed Sweetwater mixed-use development near Interstate 65 and Alabama 20.

“It is evident that the optimum site for any such facility would be as part of the Sweetwater development,” Bidwell wrote.

Ingalls pavilion more than halfway built

2011-07-17T11:33:00.001-05:00

Project manager: Completion expected by Oct. 20
By Ronnie Thomas Staff Writer at The Decatur Daily

Daily photo by Brennen SmithConstruction is under way on the pavilion at Ingalls Harbor. The project should be completed by Oct. 20, the project’s manager said.

BUY THIS PHOTO
Decatur’s multi-purpose pavilion at Ingalls Harbor is about 60 percent complete and should be finished by Oct. 20, the project’s manager said last week.

“It’s a pretty complicated building with different kinds of structural elements going in, pre-engineered structural steel and wood framing,” said Marty Blackwood of Fite Building Co., the project manager. “We had some weather delays, but we’re looking at the fall completion.”

That’s good news to Tom Chappell, assistant director of the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department, and Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Parks and Recreation Department will oversee the pavilion’s maintenance and upkeep, and, in close conjunction with Reist’s group, the booking of events. Major attractions await.

For example, Chappell said Decatur has a year remaining on its contract for the NAIA soccer championships at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex.

“We’re hoping to host the opening ceremonies at the pavilion in November,” Chappell said. “But we’re planning for an alternate site just in case everything isn’t ready.”

Reist said the Decatur General Hospital Foundation will utilize the 27,000-square foot pavilion for its 27th annual gala fundraiser in December.

On the horizon, she said, is the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association National Conference, which the Decatur Police Department will host. The group is planning a barbecue at the pavilion April 24.

Blackwood described the massive fireplaces with their 52-foot tall chimneys at each end of the 1,200-seat pavilion as “pretty monumental” in gauging progress.

“They’re basically complete and a good milestone on the project,” he said.

Aderholt Masonry of Russellville built the tapered-chimney fireplaces with Alabama brownstone from a quarry in Oneonta. The wood-burning fireplaces, which will have gas starters, are 10 feet long and eight feet wide at the base.

“We lack setting the caps on top, building the hearths and putting the fire brick on the inside,” said Ray Aderholt, owner of the company. “We’re finalizing them now.”

The fireplace facing west toward a 58-by-80 patio consists of interior and exterior hearths.

“We’ve already started the rest of the stonework on the building, which includes an entrance way that is 7 feet, 4 inches tall,” Aderholt said. “We’ve also started the interior columns and have done some work on the perimeter, which will consist of a 1-foot, 4-inch tall wall. The last thing we’ll do is the patio.”

Fite’s Tom Glenn, superintendent on the project, said the only real wood used in the pavilion is the timber framing and decking on the front and back porches.

Workers reclaimed the timber during the demolition of the more than century-old Bailey-Robinson Building.

“The back porch is pretty much finished, and we’re erecting the timber columns and beams on the front porch,” Glenn said Friday.

He said workers have completed covering half the roof of the pavilion with steel decking.

“The walls on three sides will be composed of garage-type, overhead roll-up doors,” Glenn said. “The back side is made of hardy board siding.”

Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long said the pavilion will be a good tourist draw “just like the regional bass tournaments out there” at Wheeler Lake. “Next year, they’ll have a place to hold a reception.”

On Jan. 25, the commission approved the city of Decatur borrowing $1.6 million toward pavilion construction from the Regional Landfill reserve fund. Site work began the next day.

Pickwick Belle plans trial runs from Decatur

2011-07-14T11:35:00.001-05:00

Riverboat testing interest as relocation contemplated
By Jason Lankford Staff Writer The Decatur Daily

The Pickwick Belle riverboat will cruise out of Ingalls Harbor in Decatur from Aug. 13 to Sept. 10 as part of a trial run to see if there’s enough interest to permanently relocate from Florence.

Tanya Irwin, marketing director for the Pickwick Belle, said there is not a specific revenue goal that must be reached during the trial period.

“We feel that the Pickwick Belle, with the right kind of marketing and support, could have a much more successful business than what she’s had,” Irwin said. “We are pleased with the contact we have had with the (Decatur-Morgan County) Convention and Visitors Bureau, and we are glad we found people who are enthusiastic and will help us with marketing.”

Ingalls chosen
Tami Reist, president of the CVB, said Ingalls Harbor was chosen as the Decatur base over Riverwalk Marina and Rhodes Ferry Park because it has a good docking area for disembarking passengers and ample parking.

There are still some issues to be resolved, including the lack of a power supply at the harbor, Irwin said. The boat also will be less visible at Ingalls, off Alabama 20, than it would be at the other two locations near the U.S. 31 causeway.

The majority of Pickwick Belle cruises are booked by private groups, many of them motor-coach groups from outside the area, Irwin said. There already have been several advance bookings for the trial period.

Reist said the route the boat will travel has yet to be determined, but the plan is to showcase the area’s fishing locations as well as the industrialized areas of the riverfront.

The boat is about 90 feet long and 30 feet wide and is a true paddle wheeler. It has two decks, an open-air top deck, an enclosed lower deck and can accommodate 149 passengers. It ideally seats about 80 for dinner cruises.

Many uses
Irwin said the Pickwick Belle’s size makes it versatile for a wide range of affordable uses, including high school proms, wedding rehearsals and weddings, praise and worship services, school groups and educational cruises. The boat uses local caterers for meals and local theatrical ensembles for theme cruises.

During the four years the Pickwick Belle has been docked at Florence Harbor, no audio tours have been provided, but Reist is making plans to have a tour guide onboard to inform passengers about the history of Decatur and local attractions they can visit.

Director of Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Debbie Wilson said Florence would hate to lose the Pickwick Belle because of its aesthetic appeal, but the relocation of the boat is not likely to impact the area’s economy, mainly because the boat doesn’t bring in enough people to significantly increase hotel bookings.

“We certainly have no hard feelings toward Decatur,” Wilson said. “If they choose to dock in Decatur, we certainly understand, but I would hope that there could be a best-case scenario where they could logistically figure out how to share (the boat between the cities).”

Irwin said there are no issues pushing the boat from Florence; operators just want to explore how well the boat could do in another area.

Pickwick Belle
Dimensions: 90 feet long and 20 feet wide

Speed: It generally moves at 5 to 6 mph. Cruises, which are generally 10 to 12 miles round trip, last about two hours.

Seating: 149 people for normal cruises and about 80 for dinner cruises.

Cost: Rates in Decatur will range from $9.99 to $49.99 per person.

Crew: 2 captains, a hospitality director, 3 sailors, 2 chefs and 3 attendants.

Owner: Fred Tull, president of Tull Brothers Inc., a building materials contractor based in Corinth, Miss.

Schedule: Check the calendar at www.pickwickbelle.com

Sightseeing cruises
■3-4:30 p.m. Aug. 13, Aug. 19, Aug. 20, Aug. 26, Aug. 27, Sept. 2, Sept. 3
■9:30-11 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 8
■7-9 p.m. Aug. 13, Jimmy Buffet Dinner Cruise
■11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Lazy Days Lunch Cruise
■7-9 p.m. Aug. 20, Dinner with the King dinner cruise
■1-3 p.m. Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 3, noon-2 p.m. Sept. 10, summer lunch cruises
■11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Fun & Games lunch cruise
■7-9 p.m. Sept. 3, Civil War dinner cruise
Group rates are available. Concessions are offered on board. For more information, call 877-936-2355.

Active Saturday in Decatur

2011-06-19T10:10:00.002-05:00

Blast from the past
Active Saturday in Decatur
Horse, car shows, fishing tournament among day’s events
By Bayne Hughes

Ariel Cole finished off her horse’s Saturday morning bath by kissing him on the nose. Struttin’ Again reacted with a couple of nods of his head, and that’s the way they finished off their preparations for Saturday night’s horse show at Morgan County Celebration Arena in Priceville.

It was one of many events on a very active Saturday in the Decatur area.

A national fishing tournament with music, a car show benefit and softball tournament also made for a bustling community this weekend for visitors and local residents.

“This definitely has been an above-average day for the number of events going on in our community,” said Tami Reist, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau president.

Balmy weather made it a perfect day for outings until the afternoon thunderstorms rolled through. The day’s 10-mph winds kept high temperatures around 90 degrees.

It was a quiet morning at Celebration Arena where horse owners were preparing for the Racking Horse Mid-Summer Classic. Randy and Becky Siniard, Shannon Cole and Ariel Cole came from Temple, Ga., to enter four horses.

“We’ve been here almost two weeks,” Randy Siniard said.

Ariel, 17, said most of the work occurs the day of the show. Struttin’ Again needed the bath because he had a short morning workout.

The horse owners also prepared their horse tack and cleaned their performance clothes if needed.

“One of the things I enjoyed about walking horse is getting to dress up,” said Ariel, who also competes in barrel racing.

The largest of the area events was the Bassmaster Elite Series Dixie Duel tournament in Ingalls Harbor. The event included the Family Music Jam Fest for visitors’ enjoyment.

The crowd was small for Saturday’s opening Jam Fest act while the fishermen were on the water, but Reist said she expected the numbers to grow. The free jam will continue today at noon. She said she expected close to 8,000 for the final weigh-in at 3:15 p.m. today and the Colt Ford concert at 7 tonight.

Across town, Wayne Hurt was showing off his white 1951 Ford Convertible in the third annual Rollin’ on the River car show at Decatur Mall.

“We considered putting a tent up, but it’s been a little breezy and we didn’t want it to end up on one of the cars,” Hurt said.

Hurt, a Decatur resident, was one of more than 100 car enthusiasts participating in the Habitat for Humanity benefit. Organizers were hoping to raise close to $15,000. He said he and his wife, Annie, frequent the local car show circuit.

“We enjoy the camaraderie,” Hurt said. “Old car enthusiasts are good lot.”

While Hurt prefers the antique cars, owners were also showing off their modified muscle cars. The car show offered more than cool vehicles. Vendors sold items like homemade jewelry, soy candles, ice cream and food.

Ron and Barbara Terry of Somerville said they planned to attend the car show. They were taking photos of the vehicles they liked.

“We both enjoy seeing the different cars and visiting with owners,” Ron Terry said.

At nearby Wilson Morgan Park, 16 Cook’s Pest Control teams from throughout the state were playing in the corporate softball tournament.

Jacob Ford, 21, said his Montgomery team was eliminated in two games, but he and his family enjoyed his visit. They particularly enjoyed Cook’s company party Friday evening at Point Mallard Aquatics Center.

“It’s nice up here,” Ford said. “The weather has been great. My 3-year-old and 15-month-old loved playing in the water.”

Dixie Duel, River City revenues

2011-06-16T10:16:00.002-05:00

This week’s Bassmaster tourney is catching more than just fish
By Jason Lankford

What do you get when you combine a lake full of elusive bass, four days of competitive fishing and 99 professional anglers?

A tourism official hopes the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society’s Bassmaster Elite Series tournament that starts today adds up to $550,000 in economic impact for Decatur and exposure for the city’s outdoor facilities. ESPN will broadcast one-hour specials on the tournament June 26 and July 9.

“When this is televised on ESPN, people who see this are going to see Decatur showcased, and they’re going to want to come to Wheeler Lake,” said Tami Reist, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau president. “That is something that can’t be measured.”

Reist was able to measure economic impact, she said, based on statistics from 2009’s tournament.

This year’s tournament, called the Dixie Duel, will include professional anglers such as J. Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., a member of the Big Green Egg team. Tucker estimated he’ll spend $110 a day for lodging and $160 a day for fuel and food.

“What a lot of people don’t think about is that every angler will bring about seven to 10 people with them if you include their families and pit crews,” Tucker said. “All of them are going to be spending money in all these places, too.”

Nitro fishing team member David White, known as “Happy” to fellow crew members, said he and his family have eaten at several area restaurants and will “eat at them all before the week’s over.”

Evinrude E-Team angler David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn., said he and his family are staying in their camper at Point Mallard Campground at a rate of $150 per week. Supplying fuel for his two vehicles and boat has been his major expense.

Walker said he has fished in several tournaments, and the set-up at Ingalls Harbor, where anglers will launch their boats, is unique compared to other places because it is located in a city and has more modern facilities and abundant parking spaces.

“Alabama as a whole has better facilities,” he said. “That attracts things like this.”

Royce Figueroa, a vendor for Berkley Fishing from Fort Worth, Texas, who demonstrates equipment at the Elite Series tournaments, is no stranger to being on the road and living out of a suitcase.

“I’m one of the few vendors who’s on the road 200-plus days out of the year,” he said.

Figueroa said he prefers to stay in smaller hotels because he likes to support local owners rather than corporations.

“I like to bring money back to the small people,” Figueroa said.

Registration for anglers was held Wednesday at the Holiday Inn. General Manager Andy Safiano said that with many reservations coming in at the last minute, it is difficult to assess how many rooms will be booked. He does not anticipate a shortage.

“But that would be a very nice problem to have,” he said.

There has been speculation about the BASS tournament headquarters moving to Alabama from its current location in the Orlando area. Co-owner Don Logan, a native of Hartselle, said that it is really a question of when and where at this point.

“We’re trying to aim for some time prior to the end of the year,” Logan said.

Reist has sent Logan a letter proposing that Decatur be considered as a site. Logan said the advantages to relocating to Alabama are its central location in relation to the tournament circuit and the amount of local interest and participation in the sport.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” he said. “More anglers live in Alabama than in any other state. We think it would be a great place to call home.”

Bassmaster Elite Series Dixie Duel
■When: Today through Sunday.
■Boat launch: 6:45 a.m. daily from Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. N.W.
■Weigh-in: 3:15 p.m. daily (live coverage on bassmaster.com).
■Field: 99 professional anglers will compete today and Friday. Field will be cut to top 50 for Saturday and top 12 for Sunday.
■At stake: Tournament winner will receive $100,000. Event also will determine Angler of the Year, which is worth $100,000 to points race winner. Kevin VanDam and Edwin Evers enter Dixie Duel first and second in points.
■ESPN broadcast times: June 26, 7 a.m.; July 9, 8 a.m.

Soulstock was a huge success

2011-05-29T10:21:00.001-05:00

Letters to the Editor
The Decatur Daily

To The Daily: SoulStock, the annual Christian music festival held at Point Mallard, was once again a huge success! An estimated crowd of 15-20,000 filled the Spirit of America field on May 21 for a great afternoon of fun, music and worship. An event like this can only be successful with the help of many people. Obviously, we want to thank God for being the true reason for a great day and give him all the glory.

The City of Decatur, Decatur Daily, Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau, Decatur Police, Fire, Rescue and 911 were all a great help. Many businesses, churches and individuals also pitched in to make this event possible. There is one group, however, that I want to single out with special praise: Point Mallard and the staff there. Tom Chappell, Julianne Lowman, Steve Owens, Paul Floyd and the many employees were absolutely unbelievable in their hosting and help.

We had been at Athens State for 11 years and the university and city of Athens had been invaluable in helping us. In fact, our only reason for looking to leave was because Athens had helped us be so successful we needed more room. After two years, we can say that the move was a good one. Decatur has a special place with special people in Point Mallard. In the early planning all the way through the clean up, the Point Mallard team was outstanding.

We hope the people of the Tennessee Valley realize what a wonderful place and people you have at Point Mallard. We at SoulStock are so thankful for this venue and look forward to many more years of working together. So once again, we want to say a big “Thank You” to all those who helped in Decatur and especially to our great friends at Point Mallard.

Phillip Presley

Tanner

Decatur Walking tours coming

2011-05-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

Decatur walking tours coming

Walking tours through historic downtown Decatur are scheduled for June 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2011.

The one-hour walking tours will begin at 10 a.m. at the Old State Bank, 925 Bank St. NE. Guides will escort participants through the Old Decatur district, sharing neighborhood history.

The free tours will be held in conjunction with a statewide walking tour campaign implemented by the Alabama Tourism Department. For more information, call the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 256-350-2028 or 800-524-6181.

From staff reports
The Decatur Daily

Civil War: 150 years later

2011-05-12T10:36:00.001-05:00

After the smoke cleared ... Old State Bank was still standing; now the historic site is highlighted in brochure
By Catherine Godbey

Clad in blue-and-gray uniforms, soldiers armed with muskets and bayonets surrounded the two-story brick building. The limestone columns provided little cover from the bullets.

For four days, the skirmishes between Union and Confederate troops continued. It was October 1864.

During the Battle for Decatur, an estimated 400 to 500 soldiers died, suffered injuries or became prisoners. They were sons, fathers, black, white, slave and free.

Soldiers wrote home detailing the news.

“Dear Mother, with grief and sorrow I lament to you that brother James M. Robertson sleeps in a soldier’s grave in Decatur,” Union soldier Jefferson Robertson wrote in a letter dated Oct. 31, 1864, to his mother in St. Louis.

“Downtown Decatur is so quaint, peaceful and quiet that it is hard for people to imagine it as part of a war zone,” said Melinda Dunn, director of the Old State Bank on Bank Street. “But almost 150 years ago, it was.”

To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the war that split families and divided the nation, the Alabama Tourism Department created a Civil War Trail brochure.

The guide indicates battles, re-enactment events and historic sites, including the Old State Bank as part of the Decatur Civil War walking tour, which takes visitors past the cemetery and the McEntire House, where a band played on the rooftop.

“It was like the battle of the bands, for lack of a better term. It was like the pep rally before the big game,” Dunn said.

Stationed on rooftops, the Confederate and Union bands swapped songs. From the Union sounded “Star Spangled Banner.” The Confederate band responded with “The Bonnie Blue Flag.”

“According to the story, this went on for a while, until one soldier hollered out ‘I’m going to shoot.’ Then the bands scurried off of the field and the fight began,” Dunn said. “A lot of people that come to the Old State Bank come for those stories. With the 150th anniversary we expect more people to come through.”

Guests will see the quilt a family filled with valuables and buried when Union troops occupied Lawrence County. They will see the bullet holes in the columns and walk through the rooms where Union leaders strategized.

“It is said along with serving as the Union headquarters, the Old State Bank also was a hospital where the wounded were treated during the Battle for Decatur,” Dunn said.

Although called the Battle for Decatur, whether an actual battle took place is disputed.

“There was no battle in Decatur. There were sporadic skirmishes, but (Gen. John Bell) Hood never made an effort to attack the fort,” said Robert Parham, a Civil War historian and owner of the Blue and Gray Museum of North Alabama, also listed as a must-see in the commemorative brochure.

Union troops occupied Decatur, a town of about 600 people, in March 1864 to guard and control the railroad, Parham said. Seven months later, Confederate troops led by Hood set up outside of Decatur.

“If Hood wanted Decatur, he could have taken it. The reason he was here for days was because he couldn’t move,” Parham said. “He had a supply train of 580 wagons, 12 miles long that was stuck in the mud at Somerville. He could not leave Decatur until the supply train was out of harm’s way.”

Parham’s museum on Bank Street features weapons from the Civil War, Confederate and Union uniforms, cannon balls, military drums, canteens and photographs.

Athens
Along with the walking tour and the Blue and Gray museum, other local sites featured in the brochure are Pond Spring, the estate of Confederate Gen. Joe Wheeler in Hillsboro, and the entire city of Athens.

“The war came to Athens in May 1862 under Union Col. Basil Turchin,” said Buzz Estes, a historian and member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. “They behaved themselves for about a week.”

When rumors spread that Confederate Col. John Scott with the First Louisiana Calvary was headed to Athens with thousands of men, the Union troops departed.

“They lit out for Huntsville and as they were leaving, ladies stood on the corner and said ‘get out of here,’ ” Estes said. “The Union troops mistook Southern courtesy and civility for friendship and felt betrayed.”

Scott’s journey to Athens failed and Turchin returned.

“Athens was occupied continually from then on and kept under Union control, except for one brief period in September 1864,” Estes said, recalling the story of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

In an effort to disrupt the Union supply train, Forrest’s troops converged on Fort Henderson, a 26-acre stockade, where Union troops outnumbered Confederate soldiers four to one.

“That didn’t stop Forrest. He was a conniving son of a gun,” Estes said.

Under Forrest’s direction, the troops, clad in butternut and gray uniforms, marched past the fort carrying artillery and riding horses. When out of sight, the troops swapped uniforms and supplies.

“He put on a parade. He showed he had 5,000 men when he didn’t have 1,000,” Estes said. “The Union did surrender. Then the Confederate troops left and a couple of weeks later the Union troops returned and occupied Athens again.”

Want more?
The Alabama Civil War Trail brochures are available at visitors centers and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. To learn more about the battles and skirmishes in Decatur, Athens and Town Creek, visit www.alabama.travel/media-room/brochures. Download a walking tour podcast of Decatur Civil War sites at www.decaturcvb.org.

Tour gardens in historic districts Mother's Day

2011-05-01T10:40:00.000-05:00

From staff reports
The Decatur Daily

From shaded to sunny and formal to eclectic, you’ll find ideas and inspiration May 8 at the Historic Decatur Garden Tour.

Residents of Old Decatur and Albany historic districts will open their gardens to the public Mother’s Day from 2 to 5 p.m.

The tour is free and self-guided. Participating gardens are identified by tour signs.

“We are very excited to be able to include the newest public garden among our gems to enjoy — the Riverwild Garden for All Children in Delano Park,” said Carol Puckett, Albany tour chairwoman.

A performance by the Decatur Youth Symphony is planned at Riverwild for 2 p.m.

The free concert is sponsored by Dr. Charles Elliott and his children as a Mother’s Day gift to his wife, Sherry Bagwell Elliott. Elliott was the wining bidder at the Rotary Club Daybreak YEA Decatur event silent auction. YEA Decatur supports youth activities in the arts.

Maps and refreshments will be available between the Rose Garden and Riverwild.

For more information, contact the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-524-6181 or 256-350-2028.

Fishing Constant

2011-03-27T11:38:00.000-05:00

by Amy Pollick
The Decatur Daily

Forrest Keith felt he was in his element the last time he visited Japan and not just because his hosts were gracious and hospitable.

When a discussion about Japanese bass fishing arose at the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting, Keith, the human resources manager at Daikin America, said a company official took him to visit the country’s largest lake, Lake Biwa. The lake was surrounded by the typical retailers found around any recreational water in Alabama, such as personal watercraft rentals, bait shops, marinas and boat ramps, he said.

Keith said his escort pointed out, “This is redneck Japan.”

Keith said. “I felt right at home.”

Decatur visitors bureau

2011-03-25T11:35:00.000-05:00

by Paul Huggins
The Decatur Daily

The Decatur Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau conducted the following business at its monthly meeting Thursday:

■Reported the bureau received $39,822 in revenue in February and had $55,509 in expenses, for a net loss of $15,686. For fiscal 2011, expenses are $11,808 higher than revenue.
■Reported the city collected $46,654 in lodging taxes in December, which was 6 percent lower than the same month last year. For fiscal 2011, lodging taxes are up 11 percent compared to the same five-month period last year.
■Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy fee generated $28,843 in December, up $1,238 compared to the same month last year. The room occupancy rate that month was 35 percent.
■Reported special events filled 957 room nights in February for an economic impact of $485,598. The largest events were the UAHuntsville Charger Chillout softball tournament, which had 740 room nights (259 more than 2010’s event), and the Southern Collegiate Bass Tournament, which had 162 room nights.
■Announced the Alabama Department of Transportation approved three wayfinding signs for the Jack Allen Soccer Complex. Two will be on Modaus Road Southwest and one on Danville Road Southwest. ALDOT also approved a pedestrian kiosk for Delano Park that maps out Albany and Old Decatur historic districts.
■Announced that the second annual American Dream Tournament by Koto Kiriyama, will return to Ingalls Harbor the first weekend in December.

Visitors Bureau to overhaul site

2011-03-25T11:32:00.001-05:00

by Paul Huggins
The Decatur Daily

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau is giving its website a complete overhaul.

The bureau board of directors approved spending $15,760 with Red Sage Communications to build a custom site for the bureau and a second, smaller site for the Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association.

The existing website was created five years ago.

Tami Reist, bureau president, said the bureau has added many new pages to its site since 2006 but has not streamlined it or kept up with current Internet search trends. The staff has reported it regularly bogs down, delaying time for pages and links to open. The new site will have upgrades that make it easier to navigate with mobile devices.

The bureau did not budget for the overhaul. The 2011 budget has $10,000 in contingency funds for special events and expects to get a $5,000 grant from the state.

Wade Weaver, board treasurer, said the bureau has the reserves to pay for the upgrade.

Paul Huggins

Too fast for riverboats?

2011-03-21T15:35:00.001-05:00

by Amy Pollick
Your Don't Say
The Decatur Daily

Fred Tull, owner of the Pickwick Belle riverboat considering a move from Florence to Decatur, has vast experience behind the wheel of a big boat.
But you won’t see him steering the true paddle wheeler if it comes to Decatur, and not just because he’s busy running a industrial/commercial contractor business, based in Corinth, Miss.
Steering the Pickwick Belle probably would be frustrating for Tull because he’s a former speedboat champion. He once held the world record at 114.8 mph in his Super Vee Class Pier 57 offshore racing boat. The Pickwick Belle’s top speed is 6 mph.
While Tull researched Decatur on Wednesday, he told Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, that he saw promising sites for staging powerboat races here.
Tanya Irwin, marketing director for the Pickwick Belle, has also been race director for The Pickwick Challenge, a three-day series of powerboat races in Tennessee that draws crowds of about 30,000.

Meeting Notes- Morgan County Commission

2011-03-11T15:40:00.002-06:00

The Decatur Daily
by Sheryl Marsh
During a meeting Thursday, the Morgan County Commission:

■Approved paying January expenses totaling $5,049,938.60.
■Approved giving money to: Alabama Fair, $100, Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $2,500, Hartselle-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, $900, and Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce (directory), $2,980.
■Approved paying $1,030 to King Insurance Agency for commercial property coverage of all three license commissioner’s offices.
■Approved paying $180 to the Society for Human Resource Management for membership dues for Morgan Human Resource Director Terry Naccarato.
■Approved paying $25,660 to Hometown Ford Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Opelika, for a vehicle for the transportation system.
■Authorized District 4 Commissioner Greg Abercrombie to get quotes for a storage facility at Huskey Park.
■Authorized the chairman to advertise for bids for fencing at West Park.

Decatur School Calendar in flux

2011-03-09T15:44:00.001-06:00

Board OKs plan, but pending bill could cut 5 days from schedule
By Bayne Hughes
The Decatur Daily

The 2011-12 calendar approved by the Decatur school board Tuesday eliminates fall break, cuts Thanksgiving break to three days, cuts Christmas break to nine days, and has one inclement weather day scheduled.

But the calendar — which Superintendent Sam Houston said the PTA Council, a group of teacher representatives and a calendar committee chose — could change before it goes into effect.

State Rep. Jim Barton, R-Mobile, has proposed a bill that would allow school to start Aug. 22 and end on the Friday before Memorial Day. Barton told the Mobile Press-Register that his bill would help the summer tourism economy.

Decatur approved a start date of Aug. 15 and the same end date as Barton’s proposal, May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day.

“Between hurricanes and oil spills, South Alabama has taken a severe beating over the last few years,” Barton said in a written statement to the Mobile Press-Register. “This legislation will provide a much-deserved break for our tourism industry and has no negative impact on our schools.”

Houston said Decatur’s calendar follows state Superintendent Joe Morton’s request to have a later start to the school year. He is not, however, in favor of losing another five days.

He called Barton’s view “short-sighted” because he said the representative’s statement only considers the interest of one area of the state.

“His (Barton’s) proposal would compromise our ability to perform well on (standardized) tests,” Houston said. “It may affect the economic conditions of a local community as much or more than any potential tourism losses.”

Houston said pushing the start back another five days would probably impact Christmas break the most. He said the second semester probably would start before students celebrate the new year.

He said he wouldn’t want to cut Veterans Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“I wouldn’t want to send a message to students that we shouldn’t observe days that are recognized as important to certain groups,” Houston said.

Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Visitors Bureau, said Decatur’s new school calendar “is a start,” but she likes Barton’s proposal.

She said the tourist attractions, particularly Point Mallard, in Decatur and Morgan County, need the later start to benefit from travelers from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana who are passing through on the way to Florida.

“We’re in a good location down Interstate 65 for them to stop for a rest before heading to the beach,” Reist said.

Reist said at least two school systems, Lawrence and Baldwin counties, started school later in 2010-11. She said it will be interesting to see how the later start impacts academics.

School board President Karen Duke has been in favor of pushing the start date back, but she said Barton’s proposal pushes it too far. She said parents and business leaders tell her school starts too early, but teachers prefer the early start because it gives days off during the school year.

“It’s hard to make everybody happy,” Duke said.

For the 2010-11 school year, Decatur students started school on Aug. 9. Students’ last day is May 31 because of unscheduled weather make-up days.

New school calendar
Highlights of the 2011-12 school calendar that the Decatur City Board of Education approved Tuesday:

■School starts Aug. 15.
■Thanksgiving break is Nov. 23-26.
■Christmas break is Dec. 20 through Jan. 4.
■Spring semester starts Jan. 5.
■Spring break is April 23-27.
■Last day for students is May 24.
■Austin High School graduation is May 24.
■Decatur High School graduation is May 25.

Add playground to soccer at Jack Allen

2011-02-21T15:38:00.001-06:00

By Tiffeny Owens
The Decatur Daily

By late spring, the children of Southwest Decatur will have a new place to play.

City officials will break ground May 6 on a new playground at the Jack Allen Recreational Complex. Decatur’s Parks and Recreation Department hopes to finish the project in time for warmer, spring weather, said Director Jeff Dunlap.

The playground is part of a comprehensive plan for the complex, located on Modaus Road Southwest, which could include a splash pad and a picnic area.

Dunlap met with Pelham-based playground company J.A. Dawson & Company Inc. earlier this month to discuss the project’s layout. The play area would be 49-by-76-feet, according to the company.

“We’ve got to figure out how to restructure the area for irrigation, but our goal is to have it ready by spring,” Dunlap said. “The weather could slow us down though.”

The playground wouldn’t have been possible without the help of state Sen. Arthur Orr, Dunlap said.

“He was able to secure the $125,000 (from the state) to fund the project,” Dunlap said.

Orr, R-Decatur, said that, excluding the Beltline Road area and school playgrounds, families in Southwest Decatur do not have a playground available to them.

“I hope this will be a place for families to bring their kids but also help broaden the appeal of the Jack Allen complex,” Orr said. “I see it helping our local people but also helping the economy by hopefully drawing more tourism to Decatur.”

The money was earmarked to go to the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau’s budget for tourism, Orr said.

Tom Chappell, Parks and Recreation assistant director and visitor’s bureau board member, has said the playground is one improvement the Jack Allen complex needs to continue attracting soccer tournaments.

In November 2009, three large soccer tournaments filled 1,934 hotel room nights, which generated a combined economic impact of $1,139,051, according to the visitor’s bureau.

The playground is just one of many capital projects the city’s Parks and Recreation Department hopes to pursue in an effort to improve Decatur for its residents and also attract visitors, Dunlap said. His department has given Orr a list of projects it would like to undertake for the city.

“It’s just a matter of funding becoming available,” Dunlap said.

The Jack Allen Recreational Complex has 10 international-size, lighted soccer fields. It is open from Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A place to play
The proposed playground at Jack Allen Recreational Complex will include:

■Two slides
■Sky bridge
■Rock climbing wall
■Looped monkey bars
■Curved balance beam
■Various climbers including a chain-link climber and an 8-foot vertical wall climber
J.A. Dawson & Company

Meeting Notes

2011-02-18T15:11:00.001-06:00

The Decatur Daily
by Paul Huggins

Visitors Bureau Board
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board conducted the following during its monthly meeting Tuesday:

■Reported $57,866 in income in January and $47,105 in expenses for a net surplus of $10,760. For fiscal 2011, the bureau has had $227,201 in revenue and $223,284 in expenses for a net surplus of $3,878.
■Reported the city collected $69,908 in lodging taxes in November, up 13 percent from the same month last year. For fiscal 2011, the city has collected $243,345, up 14 percent compared to the same four months last year. The bureau receives 75 percent of lodging taxes for operating expenses.
■Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy fee generated $36,706 in November, up $3,952 from the same month last year. The fund goes toward paying for tourism attractions, such as Ingalls Harbor.
■Reported Decatur hotels filled 46 percent of rooms in November, up 5 percent from the same month last year and the third highest November rate in 10 years.
■Began discussions with Ellen Didier of Red Sage Communications for upgrading the bureau’s website and making it more user friendly for smart phones.
■Formally accepted the annual audit by Byrd, Smalley & Adams, P.C. accounting firm. Report showed bureau ended fiscal 2010 with $669,340 in assets.

22 College Softball teams converge

2011-02-18T15:06:00.000-06:00

The Decatur Daily
Paul Huggins

Twenty-two college softball teams from 11 states will spend the next three days battling it out in the UAH Charger Chillout tournament in Decatur.

Besides the host school, participating teams include, Arkansas-Montecello, Arkansas Tech, Augusta State, Barry University, Delta State, Florida Tech, Georgia College and State, Indianapolis, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lambuth, Maryville, North Alabama, North Georgia, Northern Kentucky, Ohio Dominican, Quincy, Southern Indiana, Truman State, Wayne State, West Alabama and West Georgia.

Sixty-seven games will occur today through Sunday at Wilson Morgan Park. Ranked ninth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II, the Lady Chargers take on Kentucky Wesleyan at 12:30 p.m. today, followed by a 2:30 p.m. contest against Northern Kentucky.

Last year’s event filled 481 hotel rooms for an economic impact of $243,349, according to Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau figures.

Decatur makes pitch for Pickwick Belle

2011-02-17T09:11:00.000-06:00

The Decatur Daily

The marketing director for the Pickwick Belle riverboat said she was impressed with the potential of three Decatur docking locations and also was encouraged by partnerships local tourism interests proposed.

That’s welcome news to tourism officials, who said a riverboat has long been on their wish list and that it would help attract more tour buses and conferences to Decatur, giving hotels and restaurants an economic boost, which also would mean more tax dollars for the city.

“The one thing I have learned about the Pickwick Belle is the key to her success is a community that embraces her,” Tanya Irwin, marketing director for the 90-foot paddle wheeler, said Wednesday after a scheduled tour of Riverwalk Marina, Rhodes Ferry Park and Ingalls Harbor.

“It is a tourism tool,” Irwin said. “The people who it brings are not your local people. It is available to local people, but it’s a magnet for motor coach groups.”

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau set up the tour, which included city and county elected officials and Pickwick Belle’s owner, Fred Tull. The Pickwick Belle has operated out of Florence Harbor since October 2007, and in January, bureau president Tami Reist made a pitch to share the riverboat with Decatur. After the meeting, Irwin said Decatur’s approach to marketing Pickwick Belle impressed her enough to consider moving it here full time.

“I think we’re looking for a home for the Pickwick Belle, where she is embraced and supported and there is a willingness to help sell her. So far, it’s been very refreshing to communicate with people who understand what tourism does,” she said.

The Pickwick Belle has provided many types of cruises in Florence, she said, from corporate outings to birthday parties, and it’s most popular with wedding-related activities. The riverboat does a lot of party themes and theatrical cruises, educational tours for school groups and Civil War tours, in addition to sightseeing and dinner cruises.

“We can have a wedding and then two hours later have a Jimmy Buffet theme cruise and two hours later have an educational cruise and then two hours after that have a moonlight cocktail cruise,” Irwin said.

Bus groups
Tour buses are the backbone of the business, she said, estimating at least 65 percent of her cruises are with bus groups of senior citizens and church groups. The recession has reduced the number of corporate outings, she said, but tour bus business has held strong.

Alison Stanfield, assistant director for Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, said the tour bus market probably has increased during the recession because it’s an economical way to travel and has a loyal customer base.

“They’re definitely an asset for us to have,” she said of Pickwick Belle. “It’s not that they didn’t generate the business or no one wanted them. The Pickwick Belle has been a really great river attraction for us. Any town that’s along the river, one of the first things a visitor asks is how can I get access to the river.

“We’ve been very glad to let them know there was a riverboat,” Stanfield said.

Irwin said she wasn’t looking to leave Florence, but for business reasons, she wanted to learn more about Decatur after meeting with Reist last month.

“It would be bittersweet to leave Florence because it has been such a good home,” she said. “I just think there are a lot of opportunities (in Decatur) to partner with the Belle.”

Reist said Irwin and Tull indicated they haven’t been able to get 100-amp electrical hook-ups at Florence Harbor, but didn’t mention any other issues that could cause them to leave.

The manager of Florence Harbor, Eva Scull, was unaware of Pickwick’s Belle’s interest in Decatur until contacted by The Daily on Wednesday. She declined to comment until she had a chance to speak with Irwin or Tull. She did say she doesn’t charge a slip fee for the riverboat.

Stanfield said there are some improvements Florence Harbor and Pickwick Belle haven’t been able to work out, and because both the harbor and riverboat are private facilities, neither her organization, nor the city of Florence can get involved.

Florence/Lauderdale Tourism includes the riverboat in many of its marketing materials, including the list of itineraries for group tours. It also provides walk-in visitors with cruise schedules and advertises Pickwick Belle on its website.

Reist said she would make a yearly budget line item to help promote the riverboat and also emphasized that local hotels are unified and eager to help market it as well. The prospect of getting the riverboat actually started from a phone call from a Decatur hotel, she added.

Sandee Sartain, sales director for Microtel Inn and Suites and Best Western, is friends with Irwin and called her last fall after Decatur sold out two dinner cruises aboard the Cincinnati Belle. She said she simply aimed to see if Irwin would consider sharing the Pickwick Belle with Decatur.

“I’m always looking for new groups to work with, and I need weekend business,” Sartain said. “But really, it wasn’t about my hotel, it’s about all of us. I just think it’s fate. It’s just meant to happen. And I don’t know why I didn’t think of calling earlier.”

Reist told Irwin an advantage of locating at Riverwalk or Rhodes Ferry is it puts the boat in plain view of traffic crossing the U.S. 31 causeway. A traffic study done by the city on Dec. 18-19, a weekend when traffic is down, showed 36,000 vehicles on a Saturday and 28,000 on a Sunday, she said.

A 2009 traffic survey listed on the Alabama Department of Transportation’s website showed between 44,120 and 46,880 vehicles using the causeway daily.

Reist said another advantage of docking at Rhodes Ferry is the city would offer it free of charge. It wouldn’t be an ideal location for embarking passengers, she said, but the riverboat could do that at Ingalls Harbor.

Steve Conner, owner of Riverwalk Marina, said he was sincerely interested in luring the Pickwick Belle, and promoted locating the riverboat on the entry side of the marina, behind the now vacant building formerly occupied by Extreme Marine.

The 6,200-square-feet building could serve as office space, a gift shop and extra meeting space, he said.

Park docking?
Reist also took Irwin and Tull to Point Mallard, and she said they were intrigued by the possibility of docking at a pier in the water park as part of corporate outings.

“I feel good about this,” she said. “We just hit it off. The more we talked, (Irwin) knew we were sincere to be in this for the long haul. When I went to shake Mr. Tull’s hand and say goodbye, he gave me a hug and said ‘We’re very impressed and we’ll definitely be in touch.’ ”

Bethel has big fish, big lead

2011-02-13T09:26:00.000-06:00

By Paul Stackhouse
Daily correspondent
The Decatur Daily

It was so quiet you could have heard a fish hook drop.

During the Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series tournament weigh-in Saturday at Ingalls Harbor, a somewhat noisy crowd in attendance quickly turned to silence when the Bethel University fishing team of Jake Lawrence and Jacob Hardy walked to the stage. A rumor had been floating throughout the fans that the team had a trophy fish to weigh-in and it was their turn at the scale.

The somewhat subdued crowd immediately switched from quiet to a soft roar as Lawrence, who caught the keeper, proudly pulled out a rather large-sized smallmouth bass. When tournament director and emcee Jann Swaim called out 6.05 pounds, those gathered around the stage, including workers, looked in amazement.

It wasn’t as if anybody had not seen a fish that big before, but a 6-pound-plus bronzeback caught in early February on Wheeler Lake in not-so-nice water and weather conditions just caught a lot of people off guard.

Actually, any serious bass angler would be extremely proud to catch a smallmouth bass that size, no matter what time of year it was.

After putting the trophy smallmouth bass back in the bag with four other bass they had caught (each team has a five-bass limit), it was announced that Lawrence and Hardy had a total weight of 13.32 pounds, sending them to the top of the leaderboard. The weight held up for the Bethel pair heading into today’s championship round.

In an earlier Southern Collegiate tournament in January, Wheeler Lake was again the event waters, but there was a twist involved. Since the contest was being held out of Huntsville, anglers could fish from Guntersville Dam to the I-65 bridge. In this tournament being held out of Decatur, the participants could fish any part of Wheeler Lake they wished. Locking through either Guntersville Dam to Lake Guntersville or Wheeler Dam to Wilson Lake however would be a serious rule violation.

Not being able to practice because of weather conditions, Hardy and Lawrence decided to fish familiar territory and they headed east after launching at Ingalls to cast in areas they had worked in the earlier event.

“We talked about it and decided that would be the best thing for us to do,” Lawrence, a sophomore from Union City, Tenn., said. “It looked like we made a good choice. We plan on going back to the same place tomorrow and hope it holds up. I really feel like it will hold up for us. It’s a stretch about 300 yards long and if things go right, we’ll probably stay there all day long.”

The pair made it clear that a Strike King Bitsby Bug and Strike King Rodent were their go-to baits.

“I don’t know about tomorrow, but they worked for us today,” Hardy, a sophomore from Paris, Tenn., said. “We made about a 45-minute run after take-off and we had caught a good limit in about an hour. We knew we had a good weight and we backed off to try and save some fish for tomorrow.”

Lawrence and Hardy are one team out of a total of 61 boats fishing. They got to launch early in the first flight Saturday, which means they will be heading out in the last flight today.

With that in mind, it could create a problem as another team might decide to invade their territory and push them away from the fish they had located themselves.

“We thought about that,” Hardy said. “To be honest with you, we thought about that a lot. But, hopefully we’ve come up with an answer. Some of our teammates who are launching early are going to the spot where we caught our fish and they are going to fish it until we get there. I hope they will be able to protect it until we can get there. One thing I can say for sure is I know I will be able to sleep a lot better knowing they are going to do that for us.”

Daniel Holland, a senior from Springville, and Eric Terrell, a sophomore from Madison, came to the scales with four bass weighing 9.77 pounds. The weight put the two anglers from Auburn University in second place.

“We traveled 80 miles today to catch these fish,” Terrell said. “We went 40 up and 40 back.

“It really was sort of a tough day for us. We starting throwing a jig and that’s what we caught our fish on. And, I’m sure we’ll be throwing a jig again tomorrow. We’re going for the big-fish bite and that’s why we’ll stay with the jig.

“I have no idea at all what tomorrow is going to be like for us. There’s a front coming in and I hear we could have a pretty good wind blowing. Either way, we’ll be out there throwing our jigs and hoping that we’ll have a better day than we did today.”

Rounding out the top 10 are Adam Murphree/Blake Evans (8.93, Auburn), Michael Wilson/Scott Beavers (6.75, Gadsden State), Chase Rampy/Austin Santos (6.32, Gadsden State), Zack Parker/Jason Arnold (6.29, Bethel University), Justin Elliott/Casey Steward (5.73,Gadsden State), Shawn Dalrymple/Ryan Salzman (5.06, University of North Alabama), Andrew Gordon/Xan Hancock (4.84, Mississippi State) and Will Counts/Aaron Martindale (4.34, Northwest Shoals Community College).

“I really don’t expect to see a lot of large bags come in,” said Jann Swaim, tournament director and Auburn University Bass Sports Club adviser. “A lot of teams were fishing in water that was 42 degrees and that’s going to slow things down being that cold. I even had a couple of teams that said they found water that was 38 degrees.

“I think we’ll see some better weights tomorrow with things warming up a bit. Hopefully, we’ll have a warm-up to begin around nine in the morning and that could result in a few good fish and a few good bags, I hope so. That would add to the fun a lot of these kids are having. We certainly appreciate the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Decatur. They have been extra nice to us and keep us wanting to come back.”

Today’s championship weigh-in is slated to begin at 2 p.m., at Ingalls Harbor.

College fishing results
Here are the top 10 teams after Day 1 of the Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur. The tournament concludes today with a 2 p.m. weigh-in.

School Total pounds

Bethel 1 13.32

Auburn 1 9.77

Auburn 2 8.93

Gadsden State 1 6.75

Gadsden State 2 6.32

Bethel 2 6.29

Gadsden State 3 5.73

North Alabama 5.06

Mississippi State 4.84

Northwest-Shoals 4.34

Fishing, hunting to keep area busy

2011-02-06T09:24:00.001-06:00

Paul Stackhouse
Outdoors
The Decatur Daily

It appears as if Decatur and the North Alabama area may be in for a busy week when it comes to outdoor sports.

The Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series hosted by Auburn will stop at Decatur’s Ingalls Harbor and Wheeler Lake on Friday and Saturday in what could be an interesting tournament depending on the weather conditions.

The meeting was changed from late February to this week.

I spoke with tournament official Jann Swaim of Auburn and he to set the record straight.

“We try to get our schedule out early to avoid a lot of the confusion that can come from college fishing tournaments,” Swaim said. “We had a conflict with FLW on the 25th and 26th, with some of their college-fishing tournaments.

“Just to make everything clear, our weigh-ins are set for Friday the 11th at 3 p.m. and Saturday the 12th at 2 p.m. Both weigh-ins are to take place at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur.”

Decatur and Wheeler Lake hosted the SCBFS championship last year with the Tennessee Volunteers taking home the first-place trophy.

It’s a sure thing that college anglers will be serious out on the water.

You also can expect to hear plenty of the anglers talking it up with their big, rival colleges. Of course, the finger-pointing and talk is for the most part fun and friendly. Even when they played “Rocky Top” after the Tennessee victory last year, members of other schools joined in and sang with the Vols.

For more information, you may visit auburn.edu/bass or CollegiateBassChampionship.com or decaturcvb.org. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau also may be reached by calling 256-350-2028 or 800-524-6181.

Youth hunt

Another event taking place this week is the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division’s annual youth waterfowl hunt. The event is to take place Saturday and Sunday.

The Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days are for youth age 15 years and younger. All young hunters must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult supervisor, who may not hunt, must remain within arm’s length of the youth at all times. The adult may accompany up to two youth participants during the hunt, and must have a state hunting license, state and federal waterfowl stamp, and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp.

Before taking any child hunting, adults will need to know the rules.

A good place to start is by visiting outdooralabama.com.

Hunting injuries

The state released information last week that said the 2010-11 Alabama deer hunting season was marred by 14 treestand-related accidents, four of which resulted in a fatality. This is the highest number of treestand-related fatalities Alabama has experienced in a single year.

In six of the accidents, the nylon strap securing the treestand to the tree broke and caused the hunter to fall to the ground. Officials say the nylon straps broke because of dry rot as a result of being left in the woods for periods as long as several years.

The Year of Alabama Music

2011-02-06T09:21:00.001-06:00

State devotes 2011 to celebrating its legacy and influence on American music
By Catherine Godbey
The Decatur Daily

To define the music of Alabama is to tell the story of the blues, country and soul.

“Alabama’s culture, which includes music and

literature and other forms of art comes from the tragedy and triumphs of our people,” said state Tourism Director Lee Sentell. “Music evolved in rural places in Alabama as a way to tell stories and share emotions.”

Alabama music is the hillbilly toe-tapping twang brought by the Scottish and Irish from the Appalachian Mountains.

It is the rhythms of Africa sung by the slaves on the plantations.

It is the rhythm and blues, garage rock, punk, gospel and folk played on front porches, in neighborhood joints, churches and on stages across the country.

“Because of the wealth of musical genres that come from Alabama, and the wealth of great artists within those genres, it is impossible to define Alabama music in a single blurb,” said Marc Smirnoff, editor of Oxford American.

Instead of a blurb, the magazine’s 12th annual Southern Music issue devoted 126 pages, a 26-song CD and a website to telling the story of the Alabama artists that transformed the music industry. Featured artists include Ralph “Soul” Jackson, Dinah Washington and the Sex Clark Five.

The Alabama edition follows last year’s release devoted to Arkansas.

The magazine spurred the Alabama Department of Tourism into action.

“We were aware that Oxford American does this every winter, and we were familiar with the success Arkansas had,” Sentell said. “We thought this would be a unique and appealing way to reach hard-core music fans.”

In January, the tourism department kicked of the Year of Music campaign.

Featuring a guide to the 100 places to hear live music, a profile of Alabama artists and a list of festivals, the department aims to highlight the depth of the state’s history and influence in music.

Alabama legends
“We want to educate people in the South and throughout the United States about the unique contributions Alabama natives have made on the world of American music,” Sentell said. “And we are hoping to bring attention to contemporary and emerging artists.”

Among the legends are Hank Williams, W.C. Handy, Lionel Richie, Odetta, Nat King Cole, Emmylou Harris and Jimmy Buffett.

Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties also contributed to the state’s music identity. From Limestone County came The Delmore Brothers, a country music duo and stars of the Grand Ole Opry.

And from Morgan County there was Elvis Presley’s musician Charlie Hodge, Dean Jones and A.J. Showalter, who wrote “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” at the Hartselle Tabernacle.

Music in Morgan
As part of the Year in Music, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau produced a film by Juergen Beck about Morgan County’s music legacy.

The nine-minute feature includes a history of the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, an overview of music festivals and interviews with classical guitarist Margarita Valls de Quesada, performer Reginald Jackson, singer-songwriter Michelle Malone and Hartselle High band director Randall Key.

The video showcases the past, present and future of Morgan County, said bureau president Tami Reist.

The Year of Music celebration includes a concert at the Princess. On Feb. 25, the theater will host “An Evening with Mac McAnally.”

“ We hope this campaign will encourage travel to other locations in the state and promote music destinations,” Sentell said.

The tourism department will host a songwriters contest about the state and is promoting the Alabama Jammer, an Alabama-shaped guitar made by Gibson.

The Oxford American issue profiling Alabama music will remain on bookstore shelves through February.

Want more?
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Tourism tug of war

2011-01-28T09:19:00.000-06:00

Decatur could pull riverboat permanently away from Florence
By Paul Huggins
The Decatur Daily

Decatur and Florence could be playing tug-of-war to become the full-time home for the Pickwick Belle riverboat.

Owners of the 90-foot paddle-wheeler began exploring sharing their excursion boat, currently based on Florence, with Decatur in December. A meeting with local tourism officials earlier this month, however, enticed them enough to discuss the possibility of moving it here permanently.

“I’ve been very impressed with the (Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau) and their staff on how precise they are and their long-term planning skills,” said Tanya Irwin, Pickwick Belle marketing director. “They, like us, want to be in a relationship that is beneficial to all.”

Tami Reist, visitors bureau president, told her board of directors Thursday that the bureau and the local hotels that lack meeting space would partner with Pickwick Belle’s marketing efforts, she said the riverboat operators want marketing support.

Also, if the riverboat was docked at Riverwalk Marina, it would gain from high visibility of being next to the U.S. 31 causeway. And Decatur is closer than Florence to the research companies in Huntsville that could charter the riverboat for meetings and parties.

Decatur police are gathering up-to-date traffic counts on the causeway that Reist said she will share with Pickwick officials. A 2009 traffic survey by the Alabama Department of Transportation showed between 44,120 and 46,880 vehicles using that stretch of highway daily.

There are multiple benefits to Decatur for having a riverboat, Reist said.

First and foremost is that it attracts out-of-town visitors, many of whom could spend the night, she said. Irwin said in December most of her customers come from outside Florence, with church groups and senior travel groups being the largest parts of the customer base.

Because the Pickwick Belle doesn’t have a kitchen, it relies on local caterers to prepare food for lunch and dinner cruises, and Reist said that’s a second area of the Morgan County economy that would benefit from the Belle.

Having a riverboat in Decatur also gives local residents more entertainment and leisure options, she added.

The next meeting between Pickwick and Decatur officials will include a local hotel manager; Steve Conner, owner of Riverwalk Marina; and Richard Grace, a member of the Decatur Utilities board, whom Reist said will discuss Pickwick’s options for safely unloading waste.

Reist said the only concern raised so far is whether Riverwalk Marina had enough parking left over from its boat launching and Hard Dock Cafe customers.

Conner said he doesn’t see Riverwalk parking being a big issue, especially since most boat launching is done at Ingalls Harbor now.

“I’m sure there would be a few hurdles we’d have go through to make it work, but I’m all for it,” he said. “It would be great for the city, great for Riverwalk, great for the community.”

Irwin said the Pickwick Belle wasn’t looking to move, but because it’s a business, the owners must look at other options that could prove more profitable. She said that there still are a lot of details to discuss at the next meeting with Decatur officials.

It’s still possible both Decatur and Florence could share the riverboat, Irwin said, but economically it’s more feasible to keep the Pickwick Belle in one place, not just from a fuel-cost perspective but time-wise, as well.

“If you’re an authentic paddle wheeler, then 5 or 6 mph is about the fastest speed you’re going to go,” she said. “You’re looking at 12 to 13 hours to travel (from Florence to Decatur). Whether you’re traveling with a customer on board or not, you’re still traveling with a captain and crew, and you have the same expenses as if you’re traveling with passengers.”

Tourism to pay $20,000 for study

2011-01-28T09:17:00.000-06:00

By Paul Huggins
The Decatur Daily

Decatur tourism officials approved spending up to $20,000 for a conference center study they said hopefully would settle the decades-old debate.

Wade Weaver, treasurer for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, made the motion for the expenditure Thursday, saying the study will stand apart from previous studies because it has no agenda.

The study, to be conducted by Colliers PFK Consulting USA, will tell whether Decatur can support a conference center and if so, what size and the best location for it, Weaver said.

Decatur officials have conducted similar studies in the past and even had drawings made for one downtown idea in the 1990s. Conference center discussions often brought on debate about whether it should be downtown or on the river, should it include an arena and would it attract a quality hotel as a joint venture.

The topic resurfaced in 2010 out of the formation of the One Vision, One Voice, One Morgan organization that brought community leaders together to explore improving quality-of-life issues, such as maintaining a balanced economy. After interviewing hundreds of local business and industry representatives, they learned Decatur needed larger meeting space and was missing out on conventions that could fill local hotels.

“This study could come back and tell us we can’t support one,” Weaver said, but he added it also could clearly show Decatur can support one and make it much easier to attract a private investor. “We’re chasing a hotel developer to do this thing.”

Jim Page, vice president of public policy and business development for the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, said the new study’s findings would be a recruitment tool for investors, especially because it removes one of their up-front costs to do their own study.

“And it’s going to carry more weight when we can hand them a study by a reputable firm that doesn’t have a dog in the fight,” he said.

Tami Reist, visitors bureau president, said her former employers used the same firm when deciding to build the Courtyard by Marriott on Beltline Road Southwest, and its recommendation for number of rooms was on target with what the hotel has accommodated.

Colliers PFK’s estimated it would cost them $17,000 to conduct the study over an eight-week period. The bureau board gave Reist the option to add $3,000 to the study should the project require more work than anticipated. The board will pay for the study out of bureau reserves.

Commission OKs Ingalls pavilion loan

2011-01-26T09:16:00.000-06:00

By Sheryl Marsh
The Decatur Daily

Construction of a 1,200-seat pavilion at Ingalls Harbor could begin this week after the Morgan County Commission gave its approval Tuesday for the city of Decatur to borrow $1.6 million from the Regional Landfill.

The commission unanimously adopted a resolution that included a clause forbidding the city from asking the county to contribute to future operational costs of the landfill until the loan is repaid. The loan is for 15 years.

Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Tami Reist, who addressed the commission about the project during a work session, left satisfied.

"We're going to get a purchase order and start construction," she said. "It could start tomorrow (today)."

Reist said she plans to promote the pavilion to attract major events to the city.
The 26,000-square-foot facility is expected to hold up to 700 tables.

The construction contract will be between the city and Fite Building Co., which was the low bidder for the project.

The total estimated cost is $3.6 million.

Reist told the commission that the city pledged to lend $2 million for the pavilion.
Landfill Director Rickey Terry reassured the commission that the loan will not affect the landfill's operating costs.

The landfill has about $4 million in certificates of deposit and $13 million in liquid assets.

Chairman Ray Long said the pavilion will benefit all residents.

"I think everybody in the county can enjoy it," Long said.

"I'm glad we're in a situation where money is available to lend to projects like this."

Decatur Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Dunlap said he hopes to have a contract ready for Mayor Don Stanford to sign today.

Council OKs loan for events pavilion

2011-01-25T09:13:00.000-06:00

By Evan Belanger
The Decatur Daily

The Decatur City Council has approved a plan to borrow up to $1.6 million from the Morgan County Regional Landfill to help finance a 1,200-seat events pavilion at Ingalls Harbor.

The 4-1 decision Monday leaves final consideration of the loan to the Morgan County Commission, which will vote during its 9 a.m. meeting today.

If approved, the city is expected to enter a construction contract with low bidder Fite Building Co. of Decatur by 5 p.m. today, ahead of the Friday deadline.

"I expect we'll be moving with haste on this now," city purchasing agent Jeff Fussell said.

The impromptu financing plan comes after the project stalled in December when construction bids for the 26,000-square-foot pavilion exceeded cost projections by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Tami Reist said Monday that the latest cost estimate of $3.6 million — more than $800,000 over initial estimates — would be enough. The estimate, she said, includes $100,000 for landscaping, a $250,000 contingency for unforeseen expenses, and money to purchase furniture and sound equipment for the facility, which city officials hope to open in September.

In addition to providing a weigh-in space for the bass tournaments at Ingalls Harbor, the pavilion is intended to provide a large meeting space that the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association will market to help attract large events.

"I know we have several industries that have to go into the Huntsville area because of a lack of space," Reist said. "Now, we kind of close that gap."

With seating for up to 700 tables, the pavilion would be more than twice the size of the largest meeting spaces available in Decatur.

Jackson against

Only Councilman Billy Jackson, who supported the project when officials estimated it would cost $2.8 million, opposed the plan Monday.

While he made no comment during discussion, he said after the meeting that the local economy did not justify the increased expense and that he would have preferred to reduce the scope of the project to meet the initial budget.

"In a time when our economic situation is what it is, I think it's more important to scale back," he said.

Jackson also said he did not want to further deplete the reserve funds of the city and the landfill.

Councilman Greg Reeves, who helped coordinate the project, said city officials had considered scaling down the pavilion to meet budget. But they decided a smaller pavilion would not meet the city's needs.

"The original vision was to have a facility that could seat a certain number of people and could be used to help promote certain events," he said. "There's only so much scaling and cutting you can do and still make the project worth doing."

Under the proposal, the city would loan up to $2 million from its $18 million reserve. The landfill would loan up to $1.6 million from $4 million held in certificates of deposit.

The Hospitality Association would repay the loans over 15 years using revenue from its $2-per-night tax on local hotel stays, which it uses to fund tourism-promoting projects.

During a pre-meeting work session Monday, City Attorney Herman Marks said the county has requested the city's guarantee that the landfill fees will not increase as a result of the loan.

He said they also want the city's assurance that the landfill loan will be repaid, even if the hospitality tax is not enough to cover the debt service.

"If the taxes are not enough, we'll have to take whatever steps are necessary to pay this back," Marks said.

Reist said the hospitality tax, which is projected to generate $450,000 this year, will be enough to cover the annual debt service.

Landfill Director Ricky Terry said the loan would not impact operations funding at the landfill, nor would it impact roughly $13 million the landfill is holding for capital projects and for the future closing of the landfill.

New angle to build pavilion

2011-01-21T09:37:00.001-06:00

Council to consider plan for landfill loan after bids for Decatur facility come in $800K over budget
By Evan Belanger

The Decatur City Council and Morgan County Commission may call upon the local landfill to help build a 1,200-seat event pavilion at Decatur’s Ingalls Harbor.

The troubled project — now estimated to cost as much as $3.6 million, more than $800,000 over budget — has been on hold since mid-December, when construction bids exceeded the city’s cost projections by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But the City Council will consider at 10 a.m. Monday a plan that would have the Morgan County Regional Landfill loan up to $1.6 million from its financial reserves to cover the shortfall.

Commission Chairman Ray Long said the commission will consider the same plan for the landfill, which is owned jointly by the city and the county, at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

“We look forward to working with Decatur on making this happen,” he said. “Because the project will be good for both the city and county.”

City officials discussed the financing proposal in a meeting Wednesday at City Hall.

“This will be one of the first true city-county partnerships, and I think that’s a good thing,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

With a Jan. 28 deadline for the city to award a construction contract, Reist said both the city and the county must approve the plan next week.

After that, the $3.02-million construction bid from low-bidder Fite Building Co. of Decatur will expire. Architect John Godwin said rising steel costs could push prices for the 26,000-square-foot pavilion higher if the city rebids the project.

Under the proposed financing plan, the city would loan up to $2 million from its more than $18-million reserve. That contribution is down from the $2.8 million the council agreed to loan for the project in May.

The landfill would make up the difference, loaning up to $1.6 million from more than $4 million it is holding in certificates of deposit, $2 million of which will mature in time to help fund the construction job.

The Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association would repay both loans over a period of 15 years, using revenue raised by its $2-per-night tax on local hotel stays. The association uses the self-imposed tax to fund local projects like the pavilion in an effort to promote local tourism.

In return for the loans, the city would earn more than $61,000 in interest from the hospitality association and the landfill more than $49,000 in interest. City officials said they plan to dedicate their portion of the interest to maintaining the pavilion though.

Landfill Director Ricky Terry said the loan would not impact the landfill’s operations funding, nor would it impact the roughly $13 million the landfill is holding for capital projects and for the future closing of the landfill.

The loan would temporarily impact the city’s reserve. But according to Finance Supervisor Linda McKinney, the city’s reserves would not drop below the $13 million minimum established by council resolution.

It was not clear Thursday whether the full council would support the new financing plan. While Council President Gary Hammon said he would allow its consideration, Councilman Ronny Russell said he was “shocked by the cost” and needed more information before he could support it.

“I don’t know that $1.6 million is something you need to try to rush through,” he said.

The city has already spent more than $71,000 on the pavilion project for design work and site preparation. The project, coordinated by Councilman Greg Reeves with cooperation from several other local officials, is designed to attract more interest to the city-owned boat harbor, beyond its current use as a popular destination for fishing tournaments.

It would more than double the size of the largest meeting spaces currently available in Decatur with the ability to seat up to 1,200 people or up to 700 at tables. While not air conditioned, wood-panel enclosures and heating would enable its use throughout the winter.

If approved this week, Godwin said he tentatively expects construction to conclude in early September, pending weather delays. That could allow the Decatur Jaycees to use it for this year’s Riverfest, set to begin Sept. 18. Jaycees spokesman Jim Page said they are planning for either scenario.

Basmaster's top angler to be crowned in Decatur

2011-01-21T09:35:00.001-06:00

By Paul Huggins

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society will crown its Angler of the Year at the conclusion of the Bassmaster Elite tournament held on Wheeler Lake on June 19.

Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, compared the event to NASCAR naming its top driver at the end of the race season, as the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year is the highest individual achievement in bass fishing, based on points earned during the season.

“It is a huge deal,” she said, “and the ESPN coverage as well as the added number of people coming to the River City to see this event is incredible news for our area.”

BASS informed Reist on Wednesday of changes in the Bassmaster Elite postseason that set up the award announcement for Decatur.

The $100,000 award will go to the angler with the most points from the 2011 season at the end of the Bassmaster Elite tourney in Decatur June 15-19. But that won’t be the end of the fishing season for top Elite Series pros.

In July, BASS will begin a new playoff. The top eight anglers in points, including angler of the year, will be invited to Toyota Trucks All-Star Week, beginning July 23, with preliminary competition on Lake Jordan near Wetumpka. In addition, Bassmaster fans will be able to select four wild-card competitors from the Bassmaster Elite Series lineup, based on votes cast at Bassmaster.com.

Michael Mulone, BASS director of site selection and event marketing, said it was simply good fortune that the new format fell into place for Decatur, but he couldn’t think of a better place for Bassmaster to have its showcase event.

“Ingalls Harbor is one of the premier fishing tournament places in the country,” he said. “It’s just a fabulous facility that we will get to highlight on our show and through our platforms. So this is just a great win for Decatur.”

The tournament and the announcement of the angler of the year will air on “The Bassmasters” television show on ESPN2, as well as the BASS website and magazine. And because of the national interest, BASS will feed the news to hundreds media outlets.

“This isn’t just any other tournament” Mulone said. “All the stories in all the papers for the other seven tournaments, will say ‘The angler of the year will be crowned later this year in June in Decatur, Alabama.’ And then those same papers and magazines will say ‘And this week in Decatur, the angler of the year was crowned.’ ”

Party atmosphere
The Decatur tournament also will benefit from more spectators coming to see the winner crowned, he said, and all the tournament sponsors will be there for what typically is a bigger party atmosphere than the other series tournaments.

“It will be a celebration of the year, and Decatur will be the site of it,” Mulone said.

Reist said the event gives Decatur another chance to show BASS that Decatur would be an ideal home for BASS headquarters.

In August, Reist sent a letter to new BASS owner Don Logan, a Morgan County native, offering Decatur to become the new headquarters. Its current headquarters is near Orlando.

“We’re going to do a big blowout to let (BASS) know how much our people love bass fishing,” Reist said. “Just imagine the crowds, ESPN, the new owner of BASS all here for this event and seeing the (Ingalls) pavilion 75 percent complete. This shows the people visiting our area that our leaders see the importance in economic development and tourism.”

Top anglers from the past
The B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year has been given annually since 1970, with Bill Dance taking the first of his three crowns that year. Roland Martin won Angler of the Year nine times, the most in B.A.S.S. history. Kevin VanDam is closing in on that record with six crowns, including the past three. The 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series begins in March with 101 anglers vying for angler of the year.

Past 10 anglers of the year:

2001: Mark Davis

2002: Davy Hite

2003: Jay Yelas

2004: Gerald Swindle

2005: Aaron Martens

2006: Michael Iaconelli

2007: Skeet Reese

2008: Kevin VanDam

2009: Kevin VanDam

2010: Kevin VanDam

2011 top Bass angler to be crowned in Decatur

2011-01-20T09:33:00.000-06:00

By the Decatur Daily

Bassmaster’s top 2011 angler to be crowned in Decatur

Decatur tourism officials have learned that BASS will crown its Angler of the Year at the conclusion of the Bassmaster Elite tournament held on Wheeler Lake on June 19.

Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, compared the event to NASCAR naming its top driver at the end of the race season, as the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year is the highest individual achievement in bass fishing, based on points earned during the season.

“It is a huge deal,” she said, “and the ESPN coverage as well as the added number of people coming to the River City to see this event is incredible news for our area.”

BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) informed Reist on Wednesday of changes in the Bassmaster Elite postseason that set up the award announcement for Decatur.

The $100,000 award will go to the angler with the most points from the 2011 season at the end of the Bassmaster Elite tourney in Decatur June 15-19. But that won’t be the end of the fishing season for top Elite Series pros.

In July, BASS will begin a new playoff. The top eight anglers in points, including angler of the year, will be invited to Toyota Trucks All-Star Week, beginning July 23, with preliminary competition on Lake Jordan near Wetumpka. In addition, Bassmaster fans will be able to select four wild card competitors from the Bassmaster Elite Series lineup, based on votes cast on www.Bassmaster.com.

Reist said the event gives Decatur another chance to show BASS that Ingalls Harbor is the premier tournament facility in America and Decatur would be an ideal home for BASS headquarters.

In August, Reist sent a letter to new BASS owner Don Logan, a Morgan County native, offering Decatur to become the new headquarters. Its current headquarters is near Orlando.

“We’re going to do a big blowout to let (BASS) know how much our people love bass fishing,” Reist said. “Just imagine the crowds, ESPN, the new owner of B.A.S.S. all here for this event and seeing the pavilion 75 percent complete. This shows the people visiting our area that our leaders see the importance in economic development and tourism.”

Civil War brochure bringing visitors to Decatur

2010-12-28T09:30:00.000-06:00

By Deangelo McDaniel

A place slaves called home in Lawrence County, a Civil War walking tour in Decatur and a Limestone County city union soldiers looted in 1862 are part of a new state tourism brochure.

In preparation for the 150th anniversary of the start of the War Between the States, the Alabama Tourism Department has released a colorful brochure called “Alabama Civil War Trail.”

The guide features 47 historical sites linked to the Civil War and is

expected to generate thousands of tourism dollars for local communities.

“I think the brochure is wonderful and will bring some people here,” said Pond Spring Site Director Melissa Beasley.

Pond Spring is the home of Gen. Joseph Wheeler.

A slave cabin on the 50-acre site is depicted in the brochure.

Tami Reist is president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She said the River City is already benefiting from the brochure.

Reist said a New Orleans couple recently visited the bureau’s headquarters on Sixth Avenue.

“They had one of the state brochures and wanted to get more information about Decatur and the Joe Wheeler home,” she said.

Reist said the couple got information about Decatur’s September Civil War skirmish re-enactment at Point Mallard and promised to come back for it.

“This is a great thing, not only for the state, but especially for the towns where these events happened,” she said.

The brochure encourages tourists to experience Decatur’s self-guided walking tour, which starts at the Old State Bank building.

The bank, which served as a hospital when Union forces fortified Decatur in 1864, is one of four buildings in the city that survived the war.

The tour concludes at Rhodes Ferry Park, where the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry repulsed a charge from troops in Confederate General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee.

Athens, like many cities in North Alabama, changed hands multiple times between Union and Confederate forces.

The horrors of war, however, visited Limestone’s county seat in 1862 when federal forces under Union Col. Basil Turchin committed acts that led to Turchin’s court martial.

During a two-hour period, he stood silent as his men raped a slave, scared a pregnant white woman who miscarried and died, and took or destroyed more than $54,000 in property, including 200 Bibles that were trampled.

Tourism officials also included Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Athens heroics in September 1864.

Although outnumbered four to one, he used a ruse to convince Union leaders to surrender at Fort Henderson.

In Lawrence County, the brochure includes Pond Spring, the home of Confederate Gen. Wheeler. The site has 13 historic buildings, including the general’s home, which freedmen constructed after the war.

The plantation also has a building U.S. forces used as a paroling office after the Civil War and a dogtrot slave cabin built in the 1820s.

The brochures are available in the eight welcome centers across the state.

Ingalls pavilion plans too expensive

2010-12-21T09:29:00.000-06:00

Decatur to seek new bids in 2011
By Tiffeny Owens

It’s back to the drawing board for the Decatur City Council after all the bids submitted to construct the Ingalls Harbor pavilion came in over the $2.8 million budget.

The city rejected six bids, with the lowest being about $450,000 over budget, according to records. The bids were opened at 3 p.m. Friday.

Despite the setback, Councilman Greg Reeves remained optimistic about the project.

“We’ll revisit it again in 2011,” Reeves said. “It is a bit of a disappointment, but we’re going to take a fresh look at it and see what can be done.”

The council was to award the bid for construction of the pavilion at its meeting Monday but removed it from the agenda after all the bids came in over budget.

The city set a budget of $2.4 million to build the structure itself and a maximum of $2.8 million for the entire project.

“The drawings should have fit the budget, and the architects gave us guidelines,” Reeves said. “This was an unexpected surprise.”

With the issues that hampered construction of the new Decatur Animal Services building in the back of his mind, Reeves said he would rather delay the pavilion in order to make sure the design and construction were right than risk problems in the future.

“We want to make sure all our ducks are in a row first,” he said. “We don’t want to have to go back and ask for more money down the road.”

The pavilion is a project Reeves began coordinating more than a year ago in effort to bring more tourism and local activity to Ingalls Harbor.

Some of the issues that will have to be addressed early next year may be structural and aesthetic, said Wally Terry, director of general services.

“We want to look at what’s driving the costs issues,” Terry said. “There’s something embedded in the design that is driving the price out. ... I don’t think we can change the size and scope of the building because that would make it less than what the city needs in the long-term.”

The money to fund the pavilion was borrowed from the city’s excess reserve at the request of the local Hospitality Association and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Hospitality Association has agreed to reimburse the city over time with funds raised by its $2-per-night room occupancy fee on local hotel stays.

Local architectural firm GBW Architects Inc. designed the plans for the 25,000-square-foot pavilion and other improvement at Ingalls Harbor.

The pavilion is intended to attract more interest to the city-owned harbor beyond its current use as a fishing-tournament destination.

The same firm has worked on other Decatur recreation projects, including the initial design for the Jack Allen Soccer Complex, Ingalls Harbor and parts of Delano Park.

High hopes for Decatur tourism

2010-12-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

Primed by past decade’s successes, officials have big plans for 2020
By Paul Huggins

Point Mallard’s water park and the ball fields at Wilson Morgan Park have served Decatur’s tourism industry well for decades, but both could be living in oblivion by 2020.

Decatur Parks and Recreation’s repeated pleas for upgrades for the J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center and building a new baseball/softball complex have yet to find a willing partner at City Hall to get the money for those improvements.

But local residents have cause to feel optimistic, tourism officials said, because the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 2010 Tourism Development Agenda addresses the above needs, and that comes from the same group that succeeded in fulfilling most of its wish list in 2000.

Nearly everything on the 2000 agenda was realized: a conference center (partially), riverfront attraction, better signage for local attractions, a new boat launch and a re-distribution of city lodging taxes to go directly to those responsible for promoting the city.

“When Tami (Reist, visitors bureau president) gets behind a project and when the CVB gets behind a program, the track record is pretty darn good,” said Tom Chappell, Parks and Recreation assistant director and visitors board member.

Chappell has high hopes that the partnership between parks and recreation and the visitors bureau will produce as good or even better results in the next decade.

So what’s in store for the next 10 years?

A conference center; river boat; lazy river and more water slides at Point Mallard; a new baseball/softball complex; enhancements to Ingalls Harbor, such as a restaurant and museum; and upgrades at Jack Allen Soccer Complex with two more fields, playground and locker rooms.

Some of the minor wish list items include an expanded convenience store at Riverwalk Marina, adding wireless Internet throughout all parks, a restaurant behind the 15th green at the Point Mallard Golf Course and adding cabins along waterways or at Point Mallard Park.

The agenda appears loftier than goals listed in 2000, but tourism officials want to dream big considering how Jack Allen and Ingalls Harbor outperformed expectations.

“We have the leading edge on sports and recreation with Jack Allen and that was not even on our list in 2000,” Reist said.

Ingalls pavillion
Of the five top goals in 2000, only the conference center remains unfulfilled. But tourism officials can point to the 6,000-square-foot Ingalls Pavilion, which the city will accept bids for this week, as an interim facility. It can be enclosed and heated in winter and seat 600 to 700 at tables, double what Decatur can offer now.

Tourism officials worked with city leaders to buy the old Ingalls Iron Works property using money generated by a $2-per-night occupancy fee local hotels imposed on themselves. Then they built a boat launch that is heralded as the top facility for hosting major fishing tournaments in the nation.

“We get to pick and choose tournaments now, instead of begging for events,” said Wade Weaver, visitors bureau board treasurer.

The property also has proved a riverfront attraction ideal for the ever expanding Riverfest barbecue championship and still has room for a riverboat dock, museum, picnic pavilions and restaurant.

Another goal was installing way-finding signs to point visitors to key local attractions. Last year, the city installed the first phase of those signs for downtown attractions. More signs will go up this year, pointing to places such as Jack Allen and Point Mallard.

The visitors bureau also persuaded the city to share 75 percent of the city’s lodging taxes with the bureau, instead of 50 percent, with the added responsibility to more actively promote local festivals and events. The Wet Dog Triathlon is an example of one event that grew under the new arrangements. A record 600 participants competed this year in the race sponsored by the Decatur Jaycees.

Occupancy tax
The $2-per-night occupancy fee has generated more than $3 million since instituted in 2001, and that money has paid for Ingalls Harbor, as well as more than $300,000 in enhancements to Hospitality Park (formerly Day Park) for attracting birdwatchers, and another $96,000 for a press box at Jack Allen.

Reist said that fund is tapped out, but after current debts, primarily Ingalls Harbor, are paid, the bureau will look to add or enhance facilities that continue to draw visitors.

Chappell said the bureau may have to help the city and parks and recreation with some of its wish lists.

Chappell said the loss of the NAIA softball championship revealed Wilson Morgan was too small for such a large event, and Decatur needs a new complex with 14 fields that carries a price tag of at least $12 million.

To ensure Decatur maintains its grip on soccer tournaments at Jack Allen, Chappell said the park needs to keep adding to it, specifically, two more fields, a locker/changing room with showers and a playground/family area with picnic pavilions. Estimates for these enhancements start at about $2 million, he said.

“Just because you build it, it’s not done,” he said. “Other communities come and look at its strengths and weaknesses, build something better and take business away. When you’re on top, people are trying to knock you off.”

As for Point Mallard’s water park, it has long needed new slides and water features, Chappell said, and a lazy river would be the first on the list of additions, probably costing around $3 million. A new double-drop speed slide would add $250,000 more to the wish list.

“In the next 10 years, that’s got to be done or that asset goes away.” Chappell said.

The conference center, preferably with an adjoining hotel, remains the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s top wish.

Weaver and Reist said the bureau must hire a consultant to ensure the city builds what it can support and encourages hotel growth.

“That’s the first thing we need to do, determine what we need, not what we want,” Weaver said, noting the addition of the Westin in Huntsville and Marriott Conference Center in Florence will impact what Decatur can achieve

Decatur seeks to share operations of riverboat cruiser

2010-12-12T09:25:00.001-06:00

By Paul Huggins

long-sought item on tourism officials’ wish list could be cruising into Decatur within a couple months if they can arrange for a way to share the Pickwick Belle riverboat.

Decatur sold out both its lunch and dinner cruises when the Cincinnati Belle stopped in Decatur for one day last month. That success got Pickwick Belle’s marketing director, Tanya Irwin, thinking she could book more cruises on her riverboat, if it has a regular presence in Decatur.

“We’re going to meet in early January to discuss how a sharing operation could benefit each other. We want to come up with something where both (cities) most benefit so it will be a long-term relationship,” she said.

Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she was optimistic a business agreement could be worked out, and had no doubts Decatur would support the venture.

“Just seeing it docked where people drive by and see it every day will generate interest,” she said, adding it would gain a lot of corporate meeting clients.

The Pickwick Belle is privately owned and has operated out of Florence since October 2007.

It’s about 90 feet long and 30 feet wide and is a true paddle wheeler. It has two decks, an open-air top deck and enclosed lower deck. It can accommodate 149 passengers and ideally seats about 80 for dinner cruises.

Irwin said the Pickwick Belle’s size makes it versatile for a wide range of affordable uses.

“We’ve had high school proms, we’ve had wedding rehearsals and weddings aboard the Belle, praise and worship services aboard the boat, school groups for educational cruises,” she said.

“The size of it, the way it’s set up, we can do a wedding cruise at 4 in the afternoon and be ready for a Jimmy Buffet-themed cruise, or like a pirate theme cruise at 7,” she added.

The Pickwick Belle uses local caterers for meals and local theatrical ensembles for theme cruises.

“It’s fun for the local people when they have special events, or corporate parties or church outings. But most of our customers come from outside our home port. Church groups and senior travel groups are our largest customer base.”

Reist said the riverboat could be moored at Riverwalk Marina or the special platform the city built at Rhodes Ferry Park. Ideally, the visitors bureau wants to have a permanent riverboat dock with ticket office/gift shop as well as parking on the west side of Ingalls Harbor.

The riverboat cruises year round, but Irwin said it would take some time off this winter for maintenance. The schedule shows a private Christmas party and Sweet 16 birthday party booked for December and Valentine’s Day dinner cruise in February. Weekly cruises return in late March, April and May. Thirty-six cruises are already set.

Prices range from $7 for educational cruises for school groups to $30 for lunch cruises to $69 for dinner theme cruises. Daily sightseeing cruises range from $10 to $19 depending on age.

Historic Decatur Christmas Tour

2010-12-05T09:24:00.000-06:00

View 10 old homes, churches and buildings Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. during the annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour.

Throughout the Albany and Old Decatur historic districts you can tour the following:

■Hoy-Henry-Kienzle home, 618 Johnston St.
■Godbey-Poer-Haney home, 626 Gordon Drive
■Herron-Lemmond-Ruggiere home, 314 Canal St.
■Kelly-Wallace home, 824 Gordon Drive
■Frazier-Clarke-Richards home, 209 Church St.
■Harris-Roth home, 600 Ferry St.
■Old State Bank, 925 Bank St. N.E.
■Carnegie Visual Arts Center, 207 Church St. N.E.
■First Presbyterian Church, 701 Oak St. N.E.
■St. John’s Episcopal Church, 202 Gordon Drive S.E.
Programs: Two programs are planned at 3 p.m. at St. John’s. Local historian Phil Wirey will speak on the founding women of Decatur, while Kathy Gray-Clay will explain how to incorporate fresh greenery and flowers into your Christmas decor.

Music: The Huntsville Spiritual Chorale will perform at 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian.

Refreshments will be available from 3-7 p.m. at St. John’s. Many local restaurants and caterers donate refreshments. See a listing at the tour website.

Carriage rides are planned from 4-8 p.m. at the Carnegie and Delano Park. Cost is $10 per person.

Tickets are $15 per person. Purchase them in advance at the Carnegie, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, Trish Land Designs, Bank Street Antiques or the Convention & Visitors Bureau. On the day of the tour, you can also buy tickets at Old State Bank and St. John’s. Call 256-350-2028 for group tickets.

On the Net
www.decaturchristmastour.com

Decatur hotels seek interstate exit sign

2010-12-01T09:22:00.000-06:00

By Paul Huggins

Motorists passing Exit 340 have long wondered what might lay beyond the two gas stations beneath the Interstate 65 off ramp.

It doesn’t look like the bright, electrified exits they’d see at Athens and Priceville. Nor does it have the Department of Transportation’s official blue Interstate Logo Panel, pointing out the businesses waiting to take their money in exchange for gas, food or a pillow.

Decatur’s Exit 340 has never had that blue sign because the hotels and restaurants lie beyond the distance DOT allows for such advertisements. Tourism and hotel officials, however, aim to change that.

They have requested a waiver from the Alabama Department of Transportation to have the Holiday Inn & Suites, Country Inn & Suites and Motel 6 listed on the blue logo service sign.

‘Lost in a bubble’
“Decatur is just getting lost in a bubble,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “If you’re just passing through and didn’t know what was there, you wouldn’t know to stop,” she said.

“We need to be listed on those blue signs so people would know that there is life ahead.”

According to the DOT’s Procedures For Specific Service Signing on Interstate Highway Systems, to qualify for placement of a “Lodging” business logo on a specific service sign, a hotel must meet six conditions.

One of which is being located not more than 3.5 miles from the interstate via an all-weather road.

The Holiday Inn, being the closest to the interstate, lies 4.7 miles from Exit 340. Motel 6 is a block farther and the Country Inn is about half a mile farther.

The hardship case Decatur hotels can claim is there’s a national wildlife refuge and 1.5-mile wide river between them and the interstate.

Reist and the general managers of the three hotels sent letters to Mike Welch, District 1 permit engineer, who has forwarded them to Montgomery.

Welch said the three hotels already meet the other five conditions.

Sean Mobley, who makes the final decision on logo service signs, said DOT has given distance waivers previously and each one has something unique to its situation, so there is not a specific precedent that Decatur can follow.

Walk-in business
Andy Safiano, general manager of Holiday Inn, said walk-in business is important enough for the hotel to have five billboards on the interstate and another one on Alabama 20 coming in from the West.

He said a logo sign at Exit 340 would be “very, very valuable,” even though the visibility doesn’t translate into a spur-of-the-moment decision to overnight in Decatur. Travelers will remember it the next time they pass by, he said.

Reist said getting a logo service sign also would serve the restaurants and gas stations near the hotels because travelers will associate those businesses as always being near a hotel center.

“I wanted to start with the lodging for the signs first because, typically, if you can get them to do the lodging, then we would have the opportunity to look at our restaurants like Waffle House, Louie’s at the Holiday Inn, Jack’s and others,” she said.

“If you can get the head in the bed, the others will follow suit.”

Tourism Breakfast

2010-11-23T09:21:00.000-06:00

Tourism breakfast
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Vistors Bureau hosted its annual Tourism Breakfast and Award Ceremony on Thursday. The event is an opportunity to recognize businesses and individuals who have made vital contributions to Morgan County’s tourism and travel industry, said Tami Reist, president of the vistors’ bureau. Former Decatur Mayor and state Rep. Bill Dukes and wife Juanita Dukes after he was named the recipient of the Julian Walker “Mr. Tourism” award. The visitors’ bureau also presented the family of the “father of Point Mallard,” J. Gilmer Blackburn, with the new “Legacy” award. Juergen Beck won the “Good Neighbor” of tourism award. See www.decaturdaily.com/stories/71473.html for more details.

Beck, Dukes amont tourism bureau award winners

2010-11-19T09:17:00.000-06:00

By Tiffeny Hurtado

Far away from the Black Forest, Germany-native-turned-American-citizen Juergen Beck wowed many with his video presentation, “The Musical Heritage of Decatur and Morgan County.”

The promotional video for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Vistors Bureau showcased the area’s cultural jewels nestled in the Tennessee Valley — its local musicians, festivals and its rich history— at the annual Tourism Breakfast and Award Ceremony on Thursday morning. Beck, 44, began shooting local events in the spring and spent another two weeks editing the shots together. On Thursday, he walked away with the vistors bureau’s “Good Neighbor” of tourism award.

Move to America
“In 1995, Beck sold practically everything he owned to move to America to pursue his life-long ambitions,” said Tami Reist, president of the vistors’ bureau.

He worked as a photojournalist for a Huntsville television station, and in 2003, became an American citizen. Beck then established his company, Freedom Light Production in 2005, a name symbolic of his appreciation of America’s liberties and opportunities for advancement.

“I’ve been here eight years now, and I consider Decatur my home,” Beck said. “I’m proud to be a part of it, and I see the potential this area has. I’m happy to call it my home.”

Reist told the gathering: “This annual breakfast is an opportunity to recognize those businesses and individuals who have made vital contributions to Morgan County’s tourism and travel industry.”

In honor of his tireless dedication to Decatur and its citizens, the visitors’ bureau presented the family of the “Father of Point Mallard,” Gilmer Blackburn, with the new “Legacy” award. Ronnie Dukes cited the former tax attorney’s vision as Decatur mayor, which resulted in the development of Point Mallard, the construction of a new City Hall and the establishment of new parks and recreation centers throughout the city.

Another former Decatur mayor was also recognized at the ceremony. Ronnie Dukes presented the Julian Walker “Mr. Tourism” award to his father, former state representative Bill Dukes, adding another honor to the already-long list of distinctions recognizing the public servant. Beverly Walker praised Dukes for his reputation for honesty and for being “rich in non-material ways.”

The vistors’ bureau’s own Kayla Riggs, special events and sports marketing director, won the “Young Professional of the Year” award while the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic received the “Event of the Year” award. Julianne Lowman, the marketing director for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, also won a marketing college scholarship for the second straight year at the ceremony.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) was honored with the Top Corporate Award winner for generating 7,766 hotel room nights in the Decatur area over the past year.

Other top corporate winners for local hotel room-nights booked included: Nucor with 4,036, International Paper with 2,394, Alphapet Inc. with 2,269, Lockheed Martin with 2,054, Tennessee Valley Authority with 1,857, Daikin with 1,750, BP with 1,663, 3M with 1,555 and General Electric with 1,318.

Council OKs $2.4 million in appropriations

2010-11-04T09:16:00.000-05:00

By Evan Belanger

The Decatur City Council approved more than $2.4 million in appropriations this week, cutting funding to at least 27 public-service agencies and boosting funding to four others.

The fiscal 2011 appropriations were down more than 4 percent compared to the 2010 budget, but a prior commitment to increase the city’s funding toward a downtown college campus negated the savings during the tight fiscal year.

Hardest hit
Those hardest hit by the cuts included the Decatur Public Library, which lost $37,208, and the Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County, which lost $14,820. The appropriations also cut funding to the Morgan County Health Department by $29,640 and to the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts by $9,400.

Receiving boosts
Meanwhile, agencies receiving funding boosts included the Chamber of Commerce’s Cornerstone Partnership, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center, and the Morgan County Area Transportation System.

While the council approved a total of 33 appropriations, Councilman Billy Jackson opposed funding for the Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur Beautification Board, the Princess Theatre, and the Entrepreneurial Center. During discussion, he argued the appropriations, worth a combined $220,882, would be better spent drawing down the city’s more than $1 million budget deficit for fiscal 2011.

“I don’t know that this best impacts our citizens’ interests in the way we should be doing,” he said.

He also complained many of the cuts would not have been necessary if the city had spent more wisely during the first two years of the administration.

Councilman Ronny Russell also opposed funding the Entrepreneurial Center.

While he said he supports the center’s work, he did not agree the city should stick to a previous commitment to increase its funding from $60,000 to $100,000 during fiscal 2011.

“We’ve also made commitments to others that we’re having to basically pull back on...” he said, “I believe that everyone should have a share in that.”

Initially, the council had proposed funding the center $90,000, but Councilman Roger Anders argued the council should keep the commitment it made in July.

“We knew financially where we were then, and we know where we are now,” he said.

Not included in the appropriations was $20,000 to the Carnegie Visual Arts Center — up from $4,940 in fiscal 2010. Carnegie Board President Noel King requested last month the city delay that appropriation while the Carnegie audits its financial records.

The board announced weeks ago its executive director had resigned after “accounting irregularities” were discovered. Police are investigating the matter.

Also excluded was a $4,800 appropriation to the Morgan County System of Services.

City Attorney Herman Marks said that the council will consider that funding later in the year.

Soccer tourneys back in Decatur for 3 more years

2010-11-04T09:14:00.000-05:00

By Paul Huggins

Three state soccer tournaments will return to Decatur for three more years, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau announced.

In addition, the Tennessee State Soccer Association will bring the Olympic Development Program here in January.

The Alabama Youth Soccer Association will bring its Division I State Cup preliminaries for Under 13-14 teams, Division II State Cup for Under 11-13 teams and the Division I Final Four here through 2013.

The Division I and II preliminaries will be May 6-8, 2011, and the Division I Final Four will be May 13-15. All tournaments will be at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex.

“The 2010 tournaments produced an economic impact of over $436,000,” said Tami Reist, visitors bureau president. “The tournaments brought athletes and their families where they used hotels, gas stations and restaurants over the course of two weekends.”

Bureau records show the three tourneys filled 731 rooms nights last year and 350 room nights in 2009.

The Division I tournament is a top-level qualifying event with winners advancing to regional tournaments with an invitation to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship on the line. The Division II tournament decides the state champions to represent Alabama in the United States Youth Soccer Association Region III President’s Cup, which will occur in Decatur in June.

Decatur has hosted Alabama’s Olympic Development Program previously, but this is the first year Jack Allen drew ODP players and coaches from Tennessee. The event typically attracts about 300 players, and it will occur Jan. 22-23.

The elite program identifies the best players in the state and offers technical and tactical training from nationally licensed coaches and college coaches

Last year and in 2009, Alabama’s ODP filled 65 room nights.

Boat dealer helps angler who lost his craft in wreck

2010-11-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

By Bayne Hughes

Massachusetts angler Sheron Brown found himself up the river without a boat Wednesday morning.

Brown, who is in Decatur preparing for this weekend’s FLW American Fishing Series tournament, had a wreck early Wednesday morning on Alabama 20 that destroyed his boat.

The wreck put him in a predicament. If he didn’t have a boat before today’s registration, he and his co-angler would not be allowed to compete.

But all it took was a few phone calls from Tammi Reist of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau and his problem was solved.

Fredricks Marine, a new boat store in Priceville that opens in January on Bethel Road, is loaning Brown a Ranger bass boat for the tournament.

“This state is wonderful,” Brown said. “The people are wonderful here.”

Brown is staying at the Holiday Inn. As is his routine, he got up about 4 a.m. and went with his friend, Wayne Gottobed, to get gas at about 5:15 a.m. before going to Ingalls Harbor for a day of practice.

Brown said a pickup truck plowed into his boat as he crossed Alabama 20 from the hotel to the Shell station.

“I looked back and wondered, ‘Where is my boat?’” Brown said.

The wreck badly damaged the boat, including moving the motor slightly and bending the prop. It bent the trailer in half.

“The truck lifted the boat and tossed it into the air,” Brown said.

Brown said no one was injured.

Now Brown, who is from Shirley, Mass., about 30 miles west of Boston, was not only dealing with the stress of preparing for his first tourney as a professional, he was boatless.

“It cost me a lot of money to come here,” Brown said. “I had made some repairs and improvements to my truck and boat before I left, and it’s a long way from home. It took me two days to get to Decatur.”

As a fellow fisherman, Fredricks General Manager Ken Chambers said he felt compassion for the visiting angler’s predicament.

“I feel for the guy,” Chambers said. “I just put myself in his shoes. What would I feel like if I were that far away from home and lost my boat? I’m just glad I’m able to help out.”

Brown was thankful for the help. He said he is hopeful he can find a way to promote Fredricks as a payback for the store’s help.

“That’s just so awesome for a someone to be willing to help out a total stranger,” Brown said.

Brown is one of 240 fishermen in Decatur competing in the tournament at Ingalls Harbor. Tournament Director Ron Lappin said he heard about the wreck at about 6 a.m. He was relieved that no one was hurt and happy that Brown found a boat.

With the FLW season starting in January and ending at Thanksgiving, Lappin said anglers having wrecks “is not as rare as one might think. It’s happened three or four times this year.”

Lappin said another angler headed to Decatur had a wreck in Pulaski, Tenn., and will not get to compete this weekend.

New fishing tournament offers shot at Japanese vacation

2010-10-22T09:11:00.000-05:00

By Paul Stackhouse

Across the years, plenty of bass tournaments have called Wheeler Lake home. Prizes ranged from cash, boats and even cars.

This week’s fishing tournament offers a week in Japan for two people to the winner.

The inaugural American Dream Tournament is slated for Saturday and Sunday at Ingalls Harbor with registration Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Academy Sports 1205 Wimberly Drive S.W., in Decatur. Entry fee is $150 per team. It is a bring-your-own partner event.

Japan’s Kota Kiriyama, who recently moved to Moody, has had his share of success on the Bassmaster tournament trails. He has received six invitations to fish the Bassmaster Classic and won the 2008 Lake Erie Elite.

“I’ve had three of these tournaments in Japan where the winners came to the United States as the grand prize,” Kiriyama said. “Now, I’m doing just the opposite for this tournament. The winner here on Wheeler Lake will go to Japan for a week.”

The winners will get to fish on Lake Biwa in Japan where the world-record-tying largemouth bass weight was caught.

“But, fishing on Lake Biwa is just the beginning. This is also going to be a cultural trip. I can guarantee they are going to enjoy this trip to the homeland. It will be a week of learning history and culture and bass fishing. And, I want to make sure everybody knows that’s just the first-place prize. We have a lot, lot more. If we have say 150 boats entered, second place could be $1,000.”

Takeoffs from Ingalls Harbor are to begin at 6:30 a.m. or safe-light each day with the weigh-ins slated to begin at 3 that afternoon, also at Ingalls Harbor.

To find out more about the tournament, including rules and regulations, you may visit kotaamericandream.com, or call Doug Nichles at 205-396-5556. You also may visit the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website at decaturcvb.org.

Decatur budget scrapes through council

2010-10-19T09:09:00.000-05:00

Russell, Jackson vote against plan; Reeves ‘optimistic’
By Evan Belanger

Decatur City Council President Greg Reeves said he was “cautiously optimistic” the city can rein in more than $1 million in deficit spending called for in its fiscal 2011 budget.

But Councilman Ronny Russell called the plan “undefined and unrealistic” as the council narrowly approved the new budget in a 3-2 vote Monday.

Prior to the vote, Reeves said the $53.26 million budget would stretch every penny of government spending toward maximum efficiency as the city faces a tight fiscal year.

“We’ve got be to be as efficient as possible and do as much as we can with what we’ve got,” he said.

Russell, however, said he was uncomfortable with revenue projections made by the city’s Finance Department, which overprojected the city’s income during fiscal 2009 and 2010.

Hiring freeze
He also said he did not trust Mayor Don Stanford’s judgment regarding an ongoing hiring freeze designed to reduce the projected deficit. That freeze calls for Stanford to determine whether vacant positions are critical before the city fills them.

“I believe this budget to be the culmination of the past two years of this administration, which, unfortunately, I feel like has left a legacy of arrogance and embarrassment to this city,” Russell said.

Monday’s voting saw Russell and Councilman Billy Jackson in opposition of the budget, which they blocked from consideration during the council’s Oct. 4 meeting. Reeves and Councilmen Gary Hammon and Roger Anders voted yes.

“I think it’s a very reasonable budget,” Anders said before voting. “I think it’s an attainable budget, and I appreciate the work of Linda (McKinney) and the mayor and Wally (Terry) to get it to us.”

Overall, the budget projects $53.26 million in spending versus $52.26 million in revenues for a deficit topping $1 million during fiscal 2011. Compared to the fiscal 2010 amended budget, that means the city’s spending will be up $352,306 while revenues will be down nearly $1.29 million, according to projections.

Actual numbers for fiscal 2010, which ended Sept. 30, will not be available until November at the earliest.

Included in the budget is $125,000 in revenue to be generated by a 1-percent increase in the lodgings tax charged for local hotel stays. The council approved that tax hike Monday in another 3-2 vote — again with Russell and Jackson in opposition.

After the meeting, Jackson cited a letter from the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau cautioning the tax hike would be harmful as his reason for opposing the tax hike.

“This budget is totally unrealistic,” he said.

To eliminate the projected deficit, Stanford, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, called previously for a hiring freeze for all non-essential positions. According to city estimates, that will save about $400,000 during fiscal 2011.

Stanford also proposed previously a host of spending cuts to be implemented as the fiscal year progresses. Those cuts would take $250,000 from the Parks and Recreation Department, reducing operating hours at some recreation centers, cutting funding to swim programs, and eliminating 18 part-time contract positions.

They would also take $400,000 from other departments in the form of unspecific overtime reductions, efficiency enhancements, increased outsourcing, and fewer part-time contract positions.

Stanford said he may also consider employee layoffs and eliminating the annual merit raises city workers get during their first 10 years of employment if his plan fails to address the projected deficit.

Carnegie appropriation
Also included in the fiscal 2011 budget is a $20,000 appropriation to the Carnegie Visual Arts Center — up from the $4,940 the center got in fiscal 2010. But the council will wait at least until its Nov. 1 meeting to consider a contract authorizing that and other city appropriations.

Noel King, president of the Carnegie’s board of directors, said the board requested the delay of its appropriation so the center will have time to evaluate its finances and present the council with any safeguards it plans to implement.

The board announced Thursday the resignation of the Carnegie’s former executive director, Laura Phillips, after the board identified what it termed “accounting irregularities.” A spokesman for the Decatur Police Department said police are investigating a “suspected financial impropriety” at the center.

Despite those reports, Reeves said Monday he was not aware of any discussion aimed at changing the Carnegie’s appropriation. While Jackson said he plans to oppose the group’s funding for budgetary reasons, he said his decision is not related to the ongoing investigation.

Hammon, meanwhile, said the board requested the delay because it was starting a “forensic audit” — an audit suitable for use in a court of law — of its financial records. “They’re wanting to see how that comes out,” he said.

Overall, the fiscal 2011 budget includes $3.02 in appropriations to outside agencies like the Carnegie — down $26,603 from the amended 2010 budget.

Compared to the amended fiscal 2010 budget, it cuts funding to 13 city departments.

BASS anglers descend on Wheeler for Southern Shootout

2010-09-29T09:07:00.001-05:00

By Paul Huggins
Staff Writer

Nearly 400 anglers from seven states are scheduled to begin a three-day tournament today on Wheeler Lake as part of the BASS Federation Nation’s Southern Team Shootout.

The event features 66 six-person teams from fishing clubs in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentucky. Teams will start each morning at 6:30 from Ingalls Harbor. Weigh-ins, also held at Ingalls, will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Charles Graybeal, president of the Tennessee BASS Federation, chose Wheeler Lake for the event based on personal experience that all competitors will catch a lot of fish.

“It’s a great fishing lake. I love Wheeler,” he said. “I wish we had more lakes like this.”

The BASS Federation Nation tournament circuit is not a professional series that focuses on an individual winner. It is strictly a team competition with a foundation in local fishing clubs.

“This tournament is all about fishing with your partner and having a good time,” Graybeal said.

Each team pays a $600 entry fee, and all entry fees go directly back to participants as prize money.

The 66 teams will share in $237,000. The team with the heaviest fish weight from three days will win $2,400. One out of every five teams will win some type of cash prize.

Teams began arriving Saturday for pre-tournament practice, and all were in town Monday for tournament meetings. The Jameson Inn and Holiday Inn & Suites are host hotels for the Southern Team Shootout. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau will report the economic impact of the event after counting hotel rooms filled after the tourney ends.

Racking Up Gain

2010-09-24T09:05:00.000-05:00

Racking up gains
Event’s revenues, participation up
By Paul Huggins

PRICEVILLE — Racking horse officials say they’ve experienced their greatest breeding season in a long time, only they’re not talking about equine genetics.

Revenue and optimism have grown beyond what they hoped for after agreeing to terms to sell Celebration Arena to the State Products Mart a year ago.

“Excitement breeds excitement,” said Chris Walker, Racking Horse Breeders Association of America president, from Crossville, Tenn.

The positive outlook on the racking horse breed’s future is evident everywhere around the arena grounds. It’s in the new registry ledgers that show a 26-percent increase this year.

See Also:
Horsin' around

It’s in the rear parking lot packed with horse trailers. It’s in fuller campsites. It’s in the barns that have more stalls rented than last year.

And it’s in brimming confidence for a 5-year marketing plan aimed at the grass-roots level.

Horse entries for the nine-day World Celebration, which concludes Saturday, are up 10 percent from last year.

The show rented out 530 stalls through Monday, 200 more than last year.

All but three of the 69 camper sites are occupied, the highest in years.

New registrations
Registration of new racking horses rose significantly from 304 in 2009 to 410 so far in 2010.

All that growth points to more revenue than in previous years.

“They say if you’re treading water in this economy, you’re doing good,” Walker said.

“But we’ve done better than treading water, we’ve seen an increase in revenue. We’ve outdone the rest of the economy. I think that speaks volumes.”

Racking horse growth bodes well for Decatur. Until recent years when the RHBAA saw its membership nosedive, World Celebration was the city’s largest tourism event annually. In 2003, World Celebration filled more than 2,500 hotel room nights.

Start of decline
A steep decline began in 2004, and last year, the show filled 302 room nights. The economic impact dropped from about $1 million in 2003 to $150,000 last year, according to figures from the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Walker and other racking horse officials said the growth stems from the most important factor in the economy: confidence.

The membership has regained confidence, they said, particularly with the association staff and with management of the arena. The latter is now under control of the Products Mart.

Judy Jones, RHBAA past president from Naples, N.C., and Fred McRoy, head of the association’s personnel and property committee from Olive Branch, Ill., said for several years, members grew frustrated by overextended staff and volunteers who couldn’t keep pace with basic needs. Often, association officers from out of town had to deal with facility issues, such as electric outages.

Cost issues
McRoy said it usually wasn’t simply a matter of finding someone to do repairs; it was finding someone affordable.

“I hardly ever get a call now,” McRoy said.

“Before, it was almost an every day deal,” Jones added.

The Products Mart, which officially bought the arena and property in January, made upgrades to the facility, including new water lines and a covered warm-up area, and has shown it will quickly respond to needs, both big and small, when horse shows come to the arena.

“When you have a problem and somebody is there to help you, it means a lot, and we didn’t have people who took care of that.” McRoy said.

Jones said selling the arena allows the association to focus full attention on promoting the racking horse breed.

Small shows throughout the spring and summer benefitted from financial and personal assistance this year, she added, and more attention to the grass-roots level should generate more interest in the bigger shows like World Celebration.

Jim Morris, former chairman of the personnel and property committee from Perryville, Mo., credits the extra attention given to association members is probably the chief reason there was a 26-percent increase in racking horse registrations this year. For the first time in years, the general public could see RHBAA officers unstressed and upbeat, he said.

“I’ve seen more enthusiasm with everybody down here, more enthusiasm than I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Morris said.

McRoy conceded he was pessimistic when he joined the RHBAA board three years ago, and it was wearing him out to spend 28 days out of the year in Priceville attending to facility issues.

“When I joined the board three years ago, I had to ask, ‘Why are you doing this. What is the future,’ ” he said.

“After we sold this place, I saw a future. I can see the positives of it. This year, I’ve enjoyed it.”