Great Gifts for Dad

Summer has a host of things to do and celebrate Father's Day!

Fore!
Tee it up with dad this Father's Day weekend. We've got several courses to choose from:

Cane Creek Golf Course

247 Galloway Gate Rd

Phone: 256-820-9174
18-hole par 72 course located at Baltzell Gate Road on the former Ft. McClellan.

Cider Ridge Golf Course
200 Apple Blossom Way
Oxford
Phone: 256-831-2739
View Website
18-hole par 72 course located on the hills and valleys of Oxford that were once apple orchards.

Indian Oaks Golf Club
201 Cherokee Trail near Alexandria
Phone: 256-820-4030
18-hole par 72 course

Pine Hill Golf Course
Phone: 256-237-2633
18-hole par 72 course and driving range located on Choccolocco Road.

Silver Lakes Robert Trent Jones Golf Course
1 SunBelt Parkway
Glencoe, AL 35905
Phone: 256-892-3268
View Website
36-hole course consists of three 9-hole championship courses a 9-hole short course. One of Alabama’s world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Silver Lakes is located between Anniston and Gadsden.

Stoney Brook Golf Course
Phone: 256-435-3114
18-hole par 72 course located on Country Club Drive.

"I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it."
Walt Disney

CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park

June 2015, the Civilian Marksmanship Program celebrated the grand opening of their Talladega Marksmanship Park. They are open to the public, with no membership required, Wed-Sat 8:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm.
4387 Turner Mill Rd
Talladega, Alabama
(256) 474-4408
http://thecmp.org/

CMP South Range

The CMP also has an indoor air rifle range in Anniston. The CMP South Competition Center is an 80 point electronic target air rifle range. Public open shooting is available Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7 pm.
1470 Sentinal Dr
Anniston, Alabama
(256) 835-8455

Wine & Beer

White Oak Vineyards, producer of Southern Oak Wines, is located in beautiful Choccollocco Valley near Anniston, Alabama and I-20.
1484 Dry Hollow Rd
Anniston, Alabama
(256) 231-7998
http://www.whiteoakal.com/Cheaha Brewing Company is Anniston's local brewpub located in the old L&N Freight Train Station (on the corner of 12th and Walnut - Historic Downtown Anniston). Cheaha serves local foods and flavors including hand crafted beer brewed in their on-site brewery and paired with uniquely prepared dishes incorporating as much locally produced and all natural food as possible.
1208 Walnut Ave
Anniston, Alabama
(256) 770-7300
http://www.CheahaBrewing.com

Enjoy the Outdoors 

Terrapin Creek
4114 County Rd. 175, Piedmont, 256-447-8383
Canoe or kayak down the beautiful Terrapin Creek, and take in scenery like you’ve never seen. Cool off in the spring feed water, and enjoy fun for the whole family. For more information, visit www.canoeshop.net.

Floating Fun
5859 Speedway Blvd., Eastaboga, AL (256)589-4418
Alabama’s ‘Premier Tube Trip’ with many tubes in stock, offers a floating fun trip down Choccolocco Creek, with a variety of rapids and a steady current to enjoy. For more information, visit www.floatingfun.net.

Neely Henry Lake
Ohatchee is also home to Neely Henry Lake, 11,000 acres perfect for skiing, boating and fishing along Hwy 77 North. This area has public boat launches, picnic areas and fishing piers perfect for the whole family.

Oxford Lake and Civic Center
401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, 256-831-2660
Stretch your legs on this paved and gravel track around the lake or spread out a picnic for the whole family, while the kids play on the adventure park playground. This area also houses tennis courts, a swimming pool, baseball complex, indoor basketball courts, a newly renovated and expanded civic center space and more.

The Chief Ladiga Trail

Weaver/Jacksonville/Piedmont
The Chief Ladiga Trail currently runs 32.5 miles from the Alabama/Georgia line into the City of Weaver. The City of Anniston recently acquired more land for the trails extension into downtown Anniston. As Alabama’s first Rails to Trails project, this paved recreational trail follows the former Seaboard/CSX Railroad and connects to Georgia’s 63 mile Silver Comet Trail, making Ladiga part of the longest paved rail trail in the U.S. This recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by walkers, bikers, skaters, strollers and more. Beautiful sights like area forests, farmlands, streams and mountains provide picturesque scenery for each and every visit. For more information, visit www.chiefladigatrail.com.

Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail
Off Hwy 202, Anniston
Located on 4000 acres of Coldwater Mountain in Anniston, this brand-new trail offers both 1.5 mile beginner loops, for riders of any level, and a 10 mile Blue Loop for intermediate riders. This trail is perfect for those looking for a leisure ride or a bit of challenge. The trail is open to hikers and runners as well. Currently, more than 25 miles of trail have been built under the supervision of IMBA Trail Solutions, with more than 75 miles of trails scheduled to be built. For more information, visit www.neaba.net.

Celebrate Summertime

Summer is here, and there's plenty to explore outdoors. It's near Atlanta, near Birmingham, NEAR PERFECT! 

Northeast Alabama is surrounded by the North Alabama Wine Trail.

White Oak Vineyards is home to Southern Oak Wines. Located on dry hollow road in Anniston, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 6, they are open for tours and tastings. Not far from I-20, Randal Wilson plants and produces year-round on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by valleys and the rolling foothills of the Appalachian. The Southern Oak Muscadine and fruit wines are sweet to semi-sweet, with dryer wines like their Norton also available. 

Not too far away, and in partnership with Laminack Vineyards, Fruithurst Winery is open from 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday. During the 1890s, wineries in Fruithurst produces 23,000 gallons of wine, but due to prohibition, the last of the wineries closed in 1919. In 2009, two cousins partnered to produce local muscadine a fruit wines, with a full service tasting area and manufacturing facility. They serve various fruit wines from Muscadine, to Blueberry, Peach, Strawberry and Blackberry. 

Founded in 2014, High Country Cellars is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 6 for tastings. These had crafted and custom fruit wines are fermented, bottles and sold at High Country Cellars in Heflin. These local wine makers also host instructional wine making and beer brewing classes on Saturdays. They also serve up chocolate wines, available in small and large bottles. 

Other nearby wineries include Maraella Winery, Wills Creek Winery, and Jules J. Berta Winery. 

This year marks the second East Alabama Wine, Art and Cheese Festival at Smith Farms, just off Exit 205 on I-20, 350 Spirit Drive, Heflin, AL 36264. Join us Saturday, May 30, from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. Enjoy a day of music, arts, crafts, food, wine and beer from Alabama Wineries and Smith Farms. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 256-463-4400. 

For more area attractions and accomodations, visit www.VisitCalhounCounty.com. 

The Climb or the Cruise

 May 17, cyclists from all over gathered to take on the Challenge, The Cheaha Challenge. Family members and fans gathered with them to cheer them on.

At 7:30 a.m., after the JSU Pep Band played The National Anthem, Dr. Meehan sounded the gun to start the ride. It's not a race, but certain groups treat it as such, striving to beat their previous time or beat their buddy to the finish. This ride departs along 204, to Hwy 21, to White's Gap and Hwy 9. Some routes turn around or continue to 78 and to the scenic byway. There, routes vary with how much climbing is desired. "Should I climb HorseBlock and Cheaha? Could I go on to Adam's Gap?" 

For 2015, riders also had the option of adding climbs like Bain's Gap, Cottaquilla, and Chimney Peak. 

Timing also allowed event organizers to reward a King and Queen of the Mountain for climbing the fastest. 

New for 2015, community members also had the opportunity to participate in the first Ladiga Cruise, a 25 mile beginner ride to Piedmont and back. While there wasn't as much climbing, riders could go as fast or slow as they wanted. Kids to adults participated, and it was a lot of fun, with great rest stops and cheerleaders along the way. 

Some JSU students and sororities joined in the fun to cheer the riders to the finish. 

Around 5:00 P.M. riders were still peddling in from the distance challenges like the 124 mile ultra and 100 mile challenge. 

Even through rain, fog, and sun with humidity, riders conquered this challenge and enjoyed a great post ride party with music from Little Known Letter, Classic on Noble food and Cheaha Brewing drinks. 

Thanks to all the great volunteers for making it happen! 

"The Toughest Ride in the South!"

For 23 years, cyclists have assembled in Calhoun County to climb to the highest point in Alabama,

Mt. Cheaha. In 2015, ride organizers will not disappoint, adding additional climbs to this already challenging route, holding true to the title of "the toughest ride in the south."
The picturesque campus of Jacksonville State University again hosts this renowned ride, which provides various route distances, from 24 and 44 mile routes to 100 and the ultra 124 mile route. Beginners could take on the 24 miles, but organizers have also added an easier 24 mile ride, "The Ladiga Cruise" for those new to cycling. It's highly encouraged that only experienced riders take on the ultra 124 mile route, featuring the grueling climbs of Horseblock, Cheaha, Adam's Gap, Bains Gap and Chimney Peak.  The ride includes more than 9700 feet of climbing, with scenic terrains and landscapes to "enjoy" along the way.
If cycling is not for you, join the City of Jacksonville to cheer on the participants and share the road, with routes from 204 in Jacksonville to Hwy 9 in White Plains, the scenic byway to Cheaha and Bains Gap.
The mass start begins at 7:30 a.m. from Jacksonville State's Coliseum and proceeds around the square, so come show your support, clap, cheer, smile, and wave them on their way to a fun but challenging day of cycling.

For more information, including registration information, visit www.cheahachallenge.com.

Girls Getaway

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, you may be rushing to get a gift, but what's better than a Girls' Getaway weekend?

Check into one of our great local hotels, like The Victoria and many others, found at www.VisitCalhounCounty.com.

Book an appointment at the spa. Everyone needs a good massage.
Prestige Medical Spa is conveniently located in Oxford at 1419 Hamric Dr. E #102. Give them a call at (256) 241-6772. Don't forget a manicure and pedicure.

Locally, we have a great mix of national retailers, plus eclectic boutiques and antique shops around the area, and she'll find exactly what she's looking for in Calhoun County! From downtown Anniston to Oxford and Jacksonville, our one of a kind boutiques and specialty shops are unmatched.

After all the shopping, try some local fine dining at Hubbard's Off Main, in historic downtown Oxford.

Just next door, take in local cultural arts with a show at the fabulous Oxford Performing Arts Center. This great venue presents a diverse calendar of national and international touring talent, from comedians and stage productions to touring musical groups and performers. For their upcoming schedule, check out www.oxfordpac.org.

Head back to the hotel to get your beauty rest, and then, top off the weekend with Southern Cuisine at Garfrerick's Cafe. Stop in for their Sunday Brunch, featuring fresh vegetables locally grown each week and homemade desserts. They serve from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Sundays, but if you can't make it then, try one of Alabama's 100 Dishes to Eat Before You Die with their Pecan Encrusted Grouper, available each evening.

Regardless of what your to-do list consists of, we have invigorating outdoors, amazing cultural sights, mouth-watering food and Southern hospitality all wrapped into one amazing destination. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing Girls Getaway or an adventure, Calhoun County is the natural attraction with plenty of fun, memories waiting to be made.

Colorful Start to Spring

 With April showers, the Whirlwind of Color 5K started off with a soggy start, but we decided to make our own rainbows April 18 in the City of Jacksonville.
For 2015, the Chamber decided to celebrate the bright future of education in our community, with proceeds benefiting the Gadsden State and Jacksonville State Scholarship Foundations.
With a route beginning and ending at the Jacksonville Community Center, each half mile of the 3.1 mile course was associated with a different color station. Each participant recieve sunglasses and a nice white t-shirt with the race logo.
On the course, from more than 200 yards away you could hear the folks from the YMCA cheering on the runners as they splattered them with the Hot Pink Holi Paint at the first station. Motivational signs with encouragement or laughable sayings lined the course with more color.  "May the Color Be With You!" "You're not slow, just getting your money's worth."
At Kitty Stone Elementary JSU Volleyball Players and volunteers toseed bright orange paint at the participants, and when they rounded the corner to Mountain Street, you could see a cloud of red at the Struts intersection. Thanks to Coca-Cola United, that intersection was also a great stop for powerade or water. Upon the next turn, participants could see the coliseum, not much further to go. At the coliseum intersection, a bright blue showered each participant with a cloud. Then, the sights were set on the Ladiga Trail for the last mile. That stretch was complete with a color station of yellow at the train depot, and a color station of green at the turn back to the community center. Upon reach the finish, volunteers tossed a royal blue paint on each participant and handed them a paint pack for the color fest.
Once all the participants crossed the finish, and a countdown from 10 was completed, everyone tossed clouds of color into the air.With music blaring and smiles from ear to ear, we created our own rainbow. People were covered from head to toe in bright shades of spring.
It was yet another great community event for the whole family to enjoy. With everything from wagons to strollers, to toddlers being carried across the finish line, everyone, runners and walkers, young and old, enjoyed themselves.

Spring, Spring, Spring!

For Spring in Calhoun County, it's a time to break out the bikes and hit the trails.

Ladiga, so smooth and straight, with its meandering streams, sometimes swift with heavy rains, but peaceful enough to help you catch your breath from a sprint. Turtles, snakes, rabbits and birds, stroll along the path in their natural elements. The hills and trees are a vivid green, and the Sweet Home Alabama sky is really blue. The scattered clouds provide the occasional needed relief from sweat.
If Ladiga is not for you, we have Coldwater's trails too. Run, hike or bike, it's up to you. The full shade of the vibrant green trees is much appreciated during each complex climb, and the quick downhills provide a cool breeze each time. It's a fun and challenging adventure for the whole family. Watch out for the switchbacks and occasional crossing stream after rain. You're guaranteed to get a little mud on your tires.
Spring is Terrapin's prime-time. Great spring rain water levels allow for a steady and relaxing flow. Park the kayak or canoe for an occasional swim. Pack a lunch and enjoy it along the way. You could indeed take your time and spend all day. There are a few very picturesque spots, but make sure your camera or phone have a waterproof case.
If the fairway trails beckon to you, they've also enjoyed the rain and sunshine too. Hit them straight to avoid the hazards and high grass, forget the cart and make your own path. The cool mornings are the ideal time for nine, but play eighteen if you have more time. We've got Silver Lakes, Indian Oaks, Pine Hill, Cider Ridge, Stoney Brook, Cane Creek and the Country Club. The afternoons get crowded with everyone wanting to enjoy, but some of the courses offer specials, just before dark.
Rain calls nothing off because there's still plenty to do, from museums to restaurants and local shops, we have a lot for you. So many community events take advantage of the perfect temps and everyone getting outside. It's a Natural Attraction blooming in spring with much in store and many places and things waiting for you to explore.