The big winner!

Thanks to everyone who submitted some excellent photos in our “Leisure on the Lake” photo contest. There were so many excellent entries–we had dogs, big fish, acrobatic tubing & wakeboaring and a lot of kids caught flying through the air.

Congratulations to Jennifer Morrissey-Patton, whose photo of a kiddo catching some big air above the Silverock pool got the most votes in the contest. Her family wins a catered dinner in their home from Chef U. And thanks to all the entries in the contest, Silverock Cove is donating $100 to the Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

Check the slideshow below for more great photos from the contest! And thanks for all the great entries–Be sure to save up your photos for our next contest!

Our beautiful state has 117 endangered or threatened species listed, including 99 animals and 18 plants. According to encyclopediaofalabama.org, these species are protected from human impact on both private and public lands and include mostly aquatic or water-dependent species. A species is recognized as endangered upon the threat of its extinction in a considerable segment of its range. A species is listed as threatened when it is likely to become endangered in the near future.

Alabama has approximately 117 endangered or threatened species listed and ranks third in the highest number of threatened and endangered species, behind Hawaii and California. Interestingly, some studies suggest that nearly 100 species have become extinct in Alabama since colonial times—nearly half of which are mussels.

The area around Silverock Cove has been identified as a habitat for the threatened flattened musk turtle. These turtles can be spotted in the Bankhead Forest, Sipsey Fork, Ryan Creek, Rock Creek and Brushy Creek areas. Sadly, their populations are declining, and the turtle is currently listed as threatened. Bioone.org blames a 1985 disease outbreak in Alabama for the endangerment.

If you are lucky enough to encounter the flattened musk turtle paddling near the shores of Silverock Cove, take a moment to admire the rare creature and show him/her some much deserved respect by providing ample space and quiet observation.

What can we say, cool people gravitate toward cool places. And that has to be one of the reasons the first phase of Silverock Cove has attracted such a fun group of residents and friends. The Progressive Dinner was not only a success, it was a party packed with interesting people, delicious food and spectacular views at sunset.

Here are a couple of the recipes that got the most bites that night, and some some good times caught on camera.

Patsy Baird’s Mexican Layered Dip

1 box of Jiffy Cornbread Mix

1 4 oz can green chiles (UN-drained)

1/8 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove of garlic)

Mix together and bake in small pyrex pan for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Salad Layers: 15 oz. black beans (drained)

15 oz. whole kernel corn (UN-drained)

1 large tomato (chopped)

1 large green or red pepper (chopped)

1 medium onion (optional) chopped

6-8 slices of crisp bacon  or 2 cups of cooked chopped chicken (I use the Hormel Real Bacon Bits jar)

2 cups shredded cheese

Dressing: 1 cup lite mayo

1 cup lite sour cream

1 package dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

Mix and set aside

Layer in a trifle bowl or deep dish: ½ cornbread (crumbled)

Add in layers: ½ of black beans, corn, tomato, pepper,onion, bacon or chicken, dressing, cheese. 

Repeat layers.

Keeps well and can be made ahead.

Serve with corn chips or favorite crackers

Patsy Baird’s Buffalo Chicken Dip 

1    8 oz cream cheese, softened 

1/2 8 oz cream cheese, softened

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1/2 bottle Frank’s buffalo sauce

1 bottle Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

1 2 cup bag Colby/Jack shredded cheese

Layer 9×13 with 1-1/2 blocks cream cheese.  Toss shredded chicken in with buffalo sauce and layer on top opf cream cheese.  Pour bottle of Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese dressing over chicken.

Bake 20 minutes @ 350 and then put bag of Colby/Jack cheese on top and bake another 10 minutes.

Serve with Frito Scoops.