Terrapin Creek Lodge off Highway 9 was the gathering place for the April Breakfast meeting of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. On this cool brisk morning, those attending had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast on the patio by the creek, in the living room with a huge fireplace or while touring the grounds and cabins.

Located at 5196 Alabama Highway 9 South, the business is owned and operated by Gary, Mark and Patsy Bragg, who are Alabama natives. Gary’s son, Duane Bragg, currently serves as general manager.

“We wanted to thank Patsy Bragg and all of her family members and staff for opening up their doors for us this morning,” said Thereasa Hulgan, executive director, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. “This is a beautiful place and we wanted to share it with as many people as we could.”

Located on the property is the main lodge with dining room/meeting room, and a living room with fire place, five rustic sleeping cabins, bathhouses for men and women, three creek side swings for those who might wish to swing, jump and swim and an outside fireplace with fireplaces on both sides.

Patsy Bragg said they first became interested in the facility a few years ago. Some Florida investors initially purchased the property and the Braggs took up where they left off.

“We saw it and felt very providential about it,” said Bragg. “It is just a beautiful piece of property. It took us about two years to purchase it which we finally did in September. It needed completion and renovation.”

While they were eager to share Terrapin Creek Lodge and its beauty with others, the Braggs originally had no plans to open a business, Bragg explained.

“And everybody that came out here asked, ‘Will you rent it and let us use it?”’ said Bragg. “And we let them. We are hoping that everyone, not just in the county but also in the state, finds us. It is a wonderful, beautiful place.

We’re hoping people will use it for reunions, weddings, business meetings. We want to be very, very flexible, very accommodating.”

Mark and Patsy Bragg currently reside in Tulsa, Okla. and are eager to return to Alabama. They have been impressed with Cherokee County and also the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

“We come quite a bit,” said Patsy. “Cherokee County is wonderful. It really seems to have its act together.”

Those who need more information or reservations at Terrapin Creek Lodge should call 256-927-6175 or 256-310-8095 or go to www.terrapinlodge.net

“We have a brochure, we have a website and we hope everybody loves it as much as we do,” said Bragg