County’s chapter of Alabama Scenic River Trail becomes official
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The Alabama Scenic River Trail presents the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways, or CCASW, with its chapter charter. Pictured from left are CCASW member Matthew Reams; Shannon Mo’ikeha Taylor, Waterways Program manager with Alabama Scenic River Trail; Amanda Robinson, CCASW treasurer; Sheldon Hutcherson, CCASW president; Tasha Howell, CCASW Board member; Sheriff Michael Howell, CCASW vice president; Amy Gilliland, CCASW Board member; Shawon Haynes, CCASW Board member; and George Long, CCASW Board member. Photo by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways, or CCASW, is now officially a chapter of the Alabama Scenic River Trail.
Shannon Mo’ikeha Taylor, Waterways Program manager with Alabama Scenic River Trail, visited Coosa County Tuesday to present the CCASW Board of Directors with its chapter charter for the association. She presented the CCASW with a framed certificate reading that the CCASW met the qualifications established by the Alabama Scenic River Trail as a chapter located in the Third District of Alabama.
The CCASW Board of Directors is comprised of President Sheldon Hutcherson, Vice President Sheriff Michael Howell, Treasurer Amanda Robinson, and voting Board members Sharon Haynes, George Long, Amy Gilliland, and Tasha Howell.
In addition to the seven Board of Directors’ members, the association has three members, and it is now accepting memberships into the CCASW with annual dues of $25.
Andrew Szymanski, executive director of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, stated, “As the executive director of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, I am thrilled to welcome the newest chapter of river enthusiasts from Coosa County to our network. The Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways is a group of passionate individuals that will help our organization’s mission to promote water recreation and tourism in Alabama. We are excited to work together to create new opportunities for Coosa County visitors and natives to enjoy their time on the water, and we look forward to collaborating with this enthusiastic group.”
Hutcherson said that one of the association’s first projects will be to finish placing mile markers every half mile along Hatchet Creek. He said the group then hopes to also work on put-in and take-out points along the creek to have clearer and safer places for those wishing to float the creek.
Following Tuesday’s presentation, the CCASW Board held its regular meeting Wednesday morning with all board members and some paid members in attendance.
The board unanimously approved the minutes from its April 5 meeting, with minor corrections noted, as well as the financial report.
Hutcherson reported that the CCASW is registered to participate in the Rockford Spring Fling Saturday, May 20.
The board is busily making plans for an upcoming event to be held in the fall, and it spent a good portion of Wednesday’s meeting discussing and planning for that. Big things are coming, and the board will have details officially announcing that upcoming event at the Spring Fling, so attendees are encouraged to visit the CCASW booth for more information.
The board will also have membership forms available at its table May 20. Additionally, the CCASW will have a kayak on display that it will be giving away to those who make a donation for tickets.
That kayak will be given away at the fall event, so individuals have from May 20 until early September to enter the giveaway. Entrants do not have to be present to win.
Tickets are available at a rate of one ticket for each $10 donation, or those interested in joining the association and entering the kayak giveaway can get a membership and two tickets into the drawing for $30. Those who wish to join but are not interested in entering the giveaway can join for the regular $25 membership dues.
The kayak being given away is a Perception Pescador 10.0 in moss camo color, which is a black and green color scheme. The 10-foot sit-on-top kayak is popular for recreational paddlers, as well as anglers.
The kayak has a maximum capacity of 325 pounds, but it only weighs 57 pounds, making it easier to transport and maneuver.
The Pescador 10.0 is reported to have “unmatched stability, speed and straight-tracking performance” that makes it fun and enjoyable for even new paddlers to explore various types of waterways, from lakes and ponds to creeks and rivers.
The kayak features ample storage, fish-ready features, a comfortable seat, and two molded-in rod holders. Individuals will be able to see the kayak at Rockford’s Spring Fling and can contact the CCASW Board for more information.
During its Wednesday meeting, the board also briefly discussed an incentive for association members who help sell tickets. The board unanimously approved that for every 10 tickets a member sells, that member will earn one free ticket into the drawing.
The board also reviewed and discussed logo options and settled on having one logo for the CCASW and a separate logo for the upcoming fall event, with details on that event being reported later.
In discussion, Board President Hutcherson also asked that anyone who has photos of Coosa County’s waterways they would like to share to send them to Treasurer Amanda Robinson to share on social media. Those who share Coosa waterway photos on social media are also encouraged to use hashtags such as #floatcoosa and #coosawaterways.
The CCASW Board will hold its next meeting May 24 at 8 a.m. to follow up on the Rockford Spring Fling and further discuss plans and other business.
For more information on the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways or to join, contact Hutcherson at 256-307-7495.
Individuals can also follow the CCASW on social media at its Facebook page, Coosa County Scenic Waterways, at www.facebook.com/coosawaterways and on Instagram at coosawaterways.
Regarding the state organization, as a nonprofit organization the Alabama Scenic River Trail relies on the support of chapters and outfitters composed of volunteers and donors to create, promote and improve river trails throughout the state.
ASRT’s 6,000 miles of trails connect adventurers with the natural beauty and rich experiences of Alabama’s 132,000 miles of navigable waterways, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for paddlers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Alabama Scenic River Trail is the longest and most experience-diverse river trail in America – from mountain streams and multi-class whitewater to river deltas and the salty waves of the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more, visit alabamascenicrivertrail.com.
The mission of the Alabama Scenic River Trail Inc. is to enhance community development in areas of recreation and tourism with an emphasis on opportunities throughout more than 6,000 miles of rivers and streams with the longest historic water trail in the United States. ASRT encourages and promotes safety and education to all levels of the public that utilize Alabama’s waterways as a gateway for camping, fishing and recreation.