The Lakeside Life - Lewis Smith Lake - Spring Issue - 2020-QTR1

SPRING

MARCH 2020

VOL.3 ISS.1

LEWIS SMITH LAKE

Wakeboarding

Smith Lake local wakeboarder, Zac Miller, a 2019 National Champion, is aiming for a return to 2020 Worlds

Photographer David Warren

The artist who is known for capturing Smith Lake’s homes and scenery, captures your heart with his story

The Hoff Home

Meg and Ronnie Hoff invite you into their lovely lake home, full of color and life, in Stillhouse Point

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WATER

PAGE 80

Richard Trae Anderson

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHER DAVE WARREN

It was a hard choice this issue for the cover photo, there were so many great submissions. We’d usually pick something more obvious to represent spring, but this lovely photo full of calm and peace caught our eye. During the week we were preparing to print the magazine our nation suddenly fell into uncertainty during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. We thought this photo was best to remind us of something we all need a lot of right now, and it speaks to the great message God has given us, which we celebrate annually in the Easter season… HOPE. Obviously, let’s all exercise safety through this undefined period that has become known as #socialdistancing, learn from this predicament, but also become more careful, thoughtful, thankful, loving and kind towards each other. Have faith, pray for one another that we get through this sooner than expected, and that it changes us for the better as a nation, a world. This too shall pass. A new day will dawn.

PARTNER/EDITOR IN CHIEF:

Syndi Sumner Hanna

MANAGING EDITOR/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Sandra Slate

PARTNER/MANAGING EDITOR/ SALES DIRECTOR: Scott Hanna

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: John David Palmer

MARKETING DIRECTOR: Cathy Wolfe

CREATIVE ADVISOR:

Emma Doss

COPY EDITOR:

Tylar J. Hanna

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Richard Trae Anderson

Arley Women’s Club

Jennifer Beckman (JWB Photography)

Rob Beckman

Scott Eric Day Photography and Videography

Emma Doss

Duskin Point Marina

High Point Furniture

Peggy Hill

Scott Hipp

Jamison Skinner Photography

Kevin Kolk | The Vanderkolks

Bryanna Miller

Nelems Marine

Oh Snap Photography | David Bean

John David Palmer ( @longjohnpalmer)

Michelle and Greg Parrish

Russell Marine

Terry Turner

Dave Warren (Cullman Aerial & Real Estate Photography)

The Lewis Smith Lake Community

The Lakeside Life Team

CONTRIBUTING EDITORIALS: Richard Trae Anderson

Arley Women’s Club

Tom Bailey

Savannah Bullard

Scott Hipp

Stephanie Gibson Lepore

John David Palmer

Ellen Roberts

The Lakeside Life Team

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGN:

Sparta Creative (SpartaCreative.com)

Shane Cook

PRINTED BY: Freeport Press Inc.

PUBLISHED BY:

The Lakeside Life – www.thelakesidelife.com

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@THELAKESIDELIFE_SMITHLAKE

OOPS – Credit for the Dowdy family photo on p101 of the Happy Tails article goes to Leslie Dyer of Soulful Snaps

Smith

The Warrior Within

Each day holds trials and triumphs, but each day is also a blessing. We wake up every day with a choice. We can choose to look at the good, or we can choose to look at the bad. The power lies within each of us.

One of my favorite quotes is: “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change,” by Wayne Dyer.

Notice the beauty, feel the blessings. Spring is a great time to set your roots and bloom.

Nobody’s life is perfect, we all have struggles. However, it’s not how many times we fall, it’s how many times we choose to get back up. Mistakes are not mistakes if we learn from them. Two people can have the same exact reality, but totally different perspectives. Choose to see the good, rise and grow.

“That’s not a mistake, that’s a lesson. Look again.”

Life can knock us down, but our power lies within our reaction.

This is something each of us has complete control of.

Sure, there are people in this world that may judge, or put us down, but for every one person against us there are hundreds of people reaching out with love and grace offering us a hand up. Take that hand, be that hand. We are in this life together.

Look up, look within, and look out. In our own backyard, we have one of the most magnificent lakes in the world. Take the time to take a fresh look. Enjoy the breathtaking banks and healing, clear water. Allow your heart to see past the fog and it will lift. Just breathe, be open, and take it in. Open your eyes to all the blessings, and kind hearts, floating amongst us.

Wake up, little warrior. Our world needs you.

Ellen Roberts Twitter: @ellenroberts1

THE MAN behind the lens

WRITER ELLEN ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID WARREN

IF YOU HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF SMITH LAKE, AND REAL ESTATE AROUND THE LAKE, CHANCES ARE YOU HAVE BEEN ADMIRING THE AMAZING WORK

OF DAVID WARREN OF DAVID WARREN REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY.

Real Estate Agent Justin Dyar of Lake Homes Realty and The Lakeside Life Magazine, are just two of Warren’s local clients, but his work reaches far beyond our lake community. He photographs all over Alabama and beyond, and has recently started working on the shores of the Florida Gulf Coast, recording gorgeous shots of pristine white beaches, eye-catching sunsets and magnificent homes along 30A and in the Destin, Florida area. His photos are exquisite, often gracing the pages of our magazine brilliantly exhibiting the beauty of local properties and scenery, as well as on social media, where he is truly a staple resource conveying the beauty of the tri-county lake area. His weekly sunset shots are always a huge draw, he instinctively and patiently knows just the right moment to click.

Photography comes from two Greek Words, “phos” meaning light and “graph” meaning draw, and that is exactly what Warren does. He creates art with light, and his photographs draw in admirers far and wide. There is depth to his art that obviously tells a story evidenced by its popularity, but the man behind the lens is an important narrative subject in his own right.

David was raised in McCalla, Alabama, by Susan and Eugene Warren, two “God-fearing parents,” that worked hard to provide an all-American childhood for David and his older brother Justin. By all accounts, it was a loving, stable home. “I grew up in the perfect household,” David said.

However, the yoke of addiction, and resulting turmoil, does not care where you come from. It can strike anyone, any family, at any time. In his early 20s, David was given a popular pain medication, Lortab, by a doctor for a minor injury and the moment the pill hit his tongue, his life path took a new direction. At first he thought, “If the doctor gave it to me, it can’t be that bad,” but that is far from the truth.

Let’s put this into wide focus: over 2 million Americans suffer from opioid addiction and according to The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s May 2019 statistics, “In 2017 Alabama providers wrote 107.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons. This was the highest prescribing rate in the country and was almost twofold greater than the average US rate of 58.7 prescriptions.”

David was regrettably one of the millions that got hooked fast. For over 10 years he chased that initial high and, like so very many in our country, could often think of little more than getting a fix to recreate that feeling. That initial Lortab prescription opened the floodgates to oxycontin and methadone. His life began to revolve around addiction and his 20’s spiraled out of focus and into a blur.

His parents believed in him and loved him unconditionally, such is the love of devoted parents––so, although innocently, “…they enabled and believed anything I told them,” Warren said, “They never kicked me out.”

However, true love when tried can finally come in the form of tough love. In 2010 Warren was arrested with a $60,000 bail and an ultimatum. “We’re not getting you out unless you go to rehab, The Foundry, for one year,” Susan and Eugene told their beloved son. Warren had to come to terms with his life. He detoxed, in jail, for 50 days. That will bring a man’s life into narrow focus for sure. And then, with the choice of extended jail time or The Foundry, David chose The Foundry. He knew he needed to get away from his hometown though, so he came to Cullman and entered the local program. The Foundry is a Christian based recovery program helping people break the chains of addiction. Their mission is to “restore hope and rebuild lives.” However, the work and commitment ultimately lies within the individual.

Addiction isn’t just “cured.” Addiction recovery is a lifelong process.

Bridges were burned and trust was breached, but he worked hard to overcome his addiction and was doing quite well. After 6 months at The Foundry, David and some of his new “crew” had earned a weekend pass to get out, and so that weekend they went to Smith Lake Park. I thought, “Alcohol wasn’t my thing, so I can drink.” Well, that one drink opened the doors for his addiction to take hold again. He was kicked out of The Foundry for drinking and that one weekend strung out 3 months and David began seeking a high again.

Luckily one day, David realized he was meant for much more. On September 2, 2011 Warren went back to The Foundry and made his life decision. “I can’t put myself in a situation to do anything stupid, because I’ll do it every time,” he said. He detoxed again, got clean, and fully committed his life to God and to a life of sobriety.

On October 5, 2013, David’s life took another turn for the better when he married the love of his life, Karen, and it was time to find a more serious occupation to help build a life for his new family. It’s hard to get a job with a felony, but with motivation and a “Find a job right now!” demand from the wifey, a man can do pretty much

anything. Warren went to AK Rentals in Cullman and spoke with the owner, Alex Kontogeorge, where he realized that even when the world seems against us, there are good people reaching out their hand and extending kindness and grace. Kontogeorge is one of those souls. He gave Warren a chance. That tiny flame of hope within the darkness, was the flash of light needed to put Warren’s life into a sharper focus.

AK Rentals specializes in the sale, rental and repair of light construction equipment. While working the front desk there, Warren made many connections and began to thrive. One day, a customer came in and was selling aerial photos for $400 and that lit a spark within David and he began looking into photography.

Kontogeorge supported Warren’s interest in photography and his hopes of starting a career in that field. He even helped him buy his first drone with encouragement to embrace his new passion, and with the agreement that David would repay him when he got on his feet.

However, drones can be difficult to maneuver and soon the drone was no contest to a local landmark “Big Bridge” on Smith Lake. Big Bridge = 1, Drone = 0. Another crossroad.

But, Warren was determined. He’d overcome so much before, he could overcome this. So, he got another drone with Karen’s help and forged on. Warren knew he was onto something, so he continued. He emailed local realtors and got a call from agent Justin Dyar to do aerial photographs. That one call jump-started his career.

He soon made money and paid Kontogeorge back, but he quickly realized the need for ground videography and photography as well, so he seized the opportunity and learned how to take still photos concentrating on residential and commercial real estate. That path has paid off. As soon as he was on his feet, and with the blessing of the man who gave him a shot, he left AK Rentals and went out on his own.

Warren jokes, “According to a recent study, houses that I shot the listing photo for tend to sell 100% more than homes that are not for sale.” Truth is, his artwork really is spectacular. And if you ask any of his regular clients, chances are high that they’ll enthusiastically tell you their properties certainly do sell significantly faster with Dave’s talent on display.

“I want to be known for my business, but more importantly, I want to be known for overcoming drug addiction,” he said. David and his wife Karen are now proud parents of a 19-month-old precious baby girl, Lila, and Dave’s life is now very clearly in focus. And, what a miraculous picture it is.

He has overcome addiction, testicular cancer, and almost every obstacle in his way to date. He’s quick to give credit to his friend and former boss, Kontogeorge, his parents, his wife, and most definitely God. “Jesus saved me,” he said. “I didn’t do this on my own.” t

Many of Dave’s photos of Smith Lake and the local community can be purchased as prints, and he is available for work in and out of the area as well. He enjoys traveling for selected projects. Call Dave at 205-616-8009, email: dave@davewarren.net, or visit his website davewarren.net, and be sure to check out his wide-reaching presence on social media: Facebook @davewarrenphotography Instagram @dave_warren80

SMITH LAKE BOAT GUIDE 2020

BY THE LAKESIDE LIFE TEAM | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY THE MARINAS

IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW BOAT, YOU WILL LIKELY FIND YOURSELF FACED WITH A SLEW OF CHOICES TO MAKE. A vessel’s size, practicality, power, luxury level, as well as your budget, are all important factors to consider, and sometimes finding the right fit can be a daunting task. On the up side, however, boat buyers have to make fewer compromises than ever thanks to the ever-growing selection of innovative and versatile watercraft available at a wide range of price points. Nowadays, there is something on the market to fit nearly every lifestyle and budget. So, to give you a look at what’s

out there for the 2020 season, we compiled the following list of boats available at some excellent Smith Lake dealers, whose knowledgeable staff will be pleased to answer any questions you might have.

We’re going to list a few of our favorite boats for each of these marinas, and show some photos for reference, because you will find many other boat brands, or styles & models of the brands mentioned, when you visit these marinas. Again, these are just a selection of a few favorites to get you excited about the coming boat season. Go ahead, get out there, shop and request a test drive of any boat that captures your interest, it’s time to jump into the lake lifestyle with class – BUY THE BOAT!

Local young wakeboarder Kane Ward and his family are often seen practicng on Smith Lake in a Russell Marine Nautique G23

DUSKIN POINT MARINA

Owned and operated by the well-known Beasley family for over 25 years, but recently purchased by the Laytons of Decatur, who retained most of the former staff, Duskin Point Marina in Jasper has established a solid reputation for accommodating Smith Lake boaters in a variety of ways. They are an authorized Landau and Bennington dealer and carry a large selection of new and pre-owned inventory. When you are ready to invest in a new boat, their friendly and knowledgeable sales, financing, service, and parts department are prepared to make sure your experience is outstanding, from assisting you in making a choice to ongoing maintenance and customization. The staff at Duskin Point values the opportunity to create log-term relationships with customers, and they do that by providing some of the best customer service around.

LANDAU

Duskin Point is the place to go for the latest luxurious Landau pontoon boats. The 2020 Landau Atlantis 230 is 24.2-feet long with an 8.5-foot beam and can hold 46-gallons of fuel. Available engines put out up to 225-hp powered by Suzuki, Yamaha, or Mercury. The Atlantis 230 is their premium cruise model built to last a lifetime. Landau offers multiple seating configurations and color combinations, and their premium furniture is handcrafted in house. If you’re looking for a step up, look no further than the Landau Signature 2300C, their top-of-the-line model. This vessel can be optioned with up to 300 horsepower. Plush couches and lounges join high back captains seats for an elegant look and feel, and the options you want become standard issue. Attention to detail is what makes this boat their Signature Series.

BENNINGTON

Bennington, another great American brand of pontoon boats carried by Duskin Point deserves a close look as well. Founded in 1997 by a group of industry veterans, Bennington is focused on innovation and design and meticulous attention to detail and quality. Check out the 2020 Bennington RX Series and 2020 Bennington 23SX Premium. The 2020 Bennington R23SB Arch features a Yamaha F300 four-stroke.

Duskin Point also has seven brand new rental pontoons. They are all the same – 2020 Landau Island Breeze 232 Tritoons equipped with powerful yet efficient Suzuki 140 four-stroke outboards and 8’ Bimini tops with quick connects. These boats have Bluetooth and an app ready stereo system, full instrumentation, and a ski tow bar for pulling skiers or inflatables. The rate is $300 per day plus tax and fuel in the spring and fall and $325 per day in prime season.

To service your boat, Duskin Point has a state-of-the-art, indoor, well-lit, maintenance shop with certified techs on site all year long. They also have a newly remodeled sales office and annex with private offices for financing and deal closings. Pontoon rentals, boat sales, and the RV Park are all within this facility.

Nelems Marine has been serving Smith Lake for 55 years, first established in 1966, and is Alabama’s oldest marine dealership. They are a celebrated family owned business located in Jasper, AL on the Walker County side of the lake, but they serve customers all over the Alabama area. They are incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. And, at Nelems, customer service is the name of the game. They have your best interests at heart at all times, and they will assist you fully in making the perfect decision about a marine vessel that will fit your lifestyle and budget, and bring great joy to your family for years to come. Their current boat brands are: MB Sport Boats, Manitou & Silver Wave pontoons, and Blue Wave Bay boats.

MANITOU

Manitou, has never been comfortable with the status quo. Instead, they are all about raising the bar. That’s why they patented their exclusive “V-toon” technology for better handling and introduced fiberglass furniture to further blur the lines between a pontoon boat and runabout. They created more user-friendly floor plans and constantly refresh their finishes and colors. Check out their 2020 lineup. Whether it be a 30-foot twin 350powered rocketship, a 55-mph single-engine 250-horsepower tritoon, or a 140-horsepower, 23-foot tritoon perfect for a calm day on the water, Manitou and Nelems has you covered, from mild to wild, in stock and ready to be enjoyed. The point where quality, performance and luxury all meet, you just can’t beat a Manitou.

SILVERWAVE

If you’re seeking luxurious features at a price point that will leave you smiling, take a hard look at SilverWave pontoons, available only at Nelems Marine. These vessels offer a $100,000 look for prices starting at $40,000. Meanwhile, arch boats with 200-horsepower can be had in the mid $50,000 range. Enveloped in stylish fiberglass and offering countless color combinations, SilverWave gives you the ability to build and customize your dream pontoon boat. These boats are topped with timeless upholstery and rugged flooring that perfectly complement the fiberglass exterior for an even more custom look. Equipped with everything you need to enjoy your time on the water, SilverWave boasts a 12” medallion GPS, a rocking Wetsounds stereo, electronics charging stations, full RGB (red, green, blue) multicolor lighting, and much, much more.

BLUEWAVE

Just as comfortable fishing as they are cruising or entertaining the kids on towables, BlueWave boats can do it all and do it well. With plush removable seating, you can be sure there is room for everyone. But where BlueWave really shines is in the fishing department. These boats feature industry leading livewell/baitwell compartments, perfect use of space for all your storage needs, and performance like no other. Take a look at the 20-foot Classic Bay model, which boasts performance numbers of over 50-mph with a 140 Suzuki. If looking for more power, check our the 24 Pure Bay which runs well into the 60s with a 300, all while achieving optimum fuel economy and a smooth-as-glass ride. Can’t live without twin engines? Nelems Marine has that in stock, too, with their 28 BlueWave Makaira. Pay them a visit and let them show you themselves why BlueWave is the number one selling bay boat in the country. In-stock boats are priced starting in the mid 30s.

RUSSELL MARINE

SUPER AIR NAUTIQUE

From the design and construction of their boats, to the performance and long-lasting value, Nautique’s line up is at the very top of the market for watersports. Specializing in boats from 21-25 ft., these sleek boats offer competition level performance (for skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, etc.) with unrivaled comfort for those long days on the water. The award-winning GS series is the ultimate multi-sport boat, capable of running a slolam course or offering big surf waves. Russell’s Smith Lake location stocks most of their models and can always help you find the right one for your lifestyle.

GODFREY TRITOONS

Over 60-years ago, Godfrey pioneered the world’s first aluminum pontoon, and their passion for continuous innovation hasn’t stopped since. Russell Marine proudly offers all of the Godfrey Pontoon and Tritoon lineup: Sweetwater, Monaco, Aqua Patio, and San Pan. They have a full range of boats with sizes from 20 to 28-foot, engines from 90 to 400-hp, and a large variety of seating configurations.

HURRICANE DECK BOATS

Deck boats are a great match for those looking for the capacity of a tritoon with the agility of a runabout or ski boat. Hurricane is the number one selling deck boat in North America and has held that title for a long time. Russell Marine offers these boats starting at 18’ and going all the way up to 23’, with engines from 90-225 hp. These boats are affordable and very versatile!

KEY WEST CENTER CONSOLES

Russell Marine is also a proud dealer for Key West Boats and their Center Consoles. They primarily focus on the Family Sportsman models, which are great for both cruising and fishing. Russell offers center consoles starting at 17’ and going all the way up to twin-engine 26’.

Located in Hanceville, the Smith Lake branch of Russell Marine, the largest marine dealer in Alabama, carries an impressive inventory with some of the most sought-after and innovative vessels on the market. Russell Marine is an authorized dealer of world-renowned Nautique wakeboats, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Hurricane deck boats, Key West center consoles, and more. When it comes to quality products and customer service and satisfaction, Russell continues to raise the bar.

The Smith Lake Swingers

HHave you heard the rumors about the Smith Lake swingers? Well, every word is true. Dale and Peggy Hill are blatant swingers, and they often invite friends and family to join them. Their swing bar is the focal point of their garden, and the culmination of years spent creating a private sanctuary on the rocky shore of Ryan Creek.

They purchased the land for their future playground around 1988 and built the house in 2000. The only “landscaping” was a ring of turf grass around the house and the undisturbed native plants beyond. They were living in Huntsville and spending weekends at the lake, and they believed weekends were for swimming and playing at the lake, not gardening.

That changed after Peggy took early retirement in 2004. Peggy says, “When I retired, I needed something to fill my days, so I took up gardening. At first, it was a harmless hobby, but somewhere along the way, I tripped and tumbled down the rabbit hole. I became obsessed with gardening. It was all I did. If I wasn’t working in the garden, I was taking a class on gardening, or reading about gardening. Once, I

was taking a quiz about gardening, and I didn’t know how to answer a question, so I asked my son how much time he thought I spent on garden-related activities each week. Without hesitation, he replied, ‘ALL of it!’”

Peggy became a certified Master Gardener, and then she took landscape design classes at Auburn and earned the title of Garden Consultant with the Federated Garden Clubs of America. Her expertise needed an outlet, so she began gardening at the lake. Dale still worked in Huntsville at that time. He says, “Peggy started driving her own car so she could go to the lake early Friday morning and garden. Sunday would roll around, and I’d have to leave, but if the weather looked good, Peggy would stay until Monday, more often Tuesday, occasionally Wednesday. You’ve probably heard the term golf widow used to describe women with husbands who spend too much time golfing. Well, I was a garden widower.”

Their son Jesse was in high school, and Peggy put him to work. She instituted a new rule that for every two hours spent boating or riding

PHOTOGRAPHY PEGGY HILL

Everyone loves to swing at the swing bar. Here Peggy is joined by her three children, Jesse, Leandra, and Monica, and her son-in-law, Larry Carlson.

On chilly evenings, the Hills remove the table’s center panel and light the gas fire.

the jet ski, Jesse had to work a half-hour in the garden because gas isn’t free. Peggy says, “We worked together to add new garden beds. Jesse did the hardest part. He broke up the soil. Then I’d add amendments and do the planting.” The size of the garden increased slowly. The plants matured and grew together to give the garden a lush feel, and in 2011 the garden was featured in Alabama Gardener magazine.

Later the same year, a storm toppled their massive oak tree. Suddenly their shady garden was exposed to full, blazing sun, and the plants’ health rapidly declined. The oak tree had been the focal point of the entire garden. The new focal point was the tree’s exposed root structure. It was NOT a pretty sight. Peggy scrambled to relocate the

“Peggy

hung long chains from the four corners of the swing bar and planted two different types of vines. She chose Dioscorea bulbifera, commonly called air potato or air yam, because it sports beautiful, large, heart-shaped leaves. She also planted Cochliasanthus Caracalla for its fragrant, twisted flowers that give the vine its common name, corkscrew vine.”

One look at the Hills’ front porch, and you know someone with a serious plant obsession lives here. There are twenty-four different types of plants in thirty-six containers crammed in this area.

plants to shady spots, and Dale worked to clear the tree’s remains. Once that was finished, they had a blank slate. Peggy knew precisely how to fill it.

Peggy says, “Decades ago, we were on vacation, and the resort had a swing bar. Everyone loved it! I’ve wanted one ever since we returned, and finally, I had the perfect place. The garden is so busy. A lot is going on, and many plants fight for attention. We needed a strong focal point that would steal the show, something large and in charge. The swing bar performs that function flawlessly.”

The couple sold their Huntsville house in 2012 and became full-time residents of Smith Lake. Dale became a beekeeper because he didn’t want to let all those flowers go to waste. Peggy became a garden writer and speaker so she could share her passion, and she started a website, hiddenhillsgarden.com. She still spends much of her time weeding, planting, pruning, and otherwise tending the garden, but at the end of most days, she takes time to relax, enjoy the beauty she created, and swing with Dale at the swing bar. t

Plants, plants, and more plants. Everywhere you look, there are plants. In addition to what is in the ground, Peggy uses a vast number of containerized plants.

The swing bar doesn’t offer a great view of the lake, it’s more about being in a garden than being at the lake, but other areas of the landscape focus on the incredible beauty of Smith Lake.

Enchanted Wedding on the Water

Forget the glass slipper, bride Emma Doss Fry found her fairytale in a glass barn on the shores of Smith Lake

LLike many a college student before her, the story of how Emma Doss and Kendrick Fry finally got together plays out with a little help from her friends—in this case, a best friend who “borrowed” Emma’s phone to ask Kendrick to accompany Emma to a sorority function at Samford University.

“We had mutual friends, so we would often be in the same setting,” says Emma of not-quite-a-stranger Kendrick. “But at first, I was super mad at my friend! I guess it didn’t turn out so bad, though. We hit it off, and you know what they say— the rest is history.”

After a year of college dating, mutual graduations, a designer job in Homewood (she) and admittance to grad school into Samford’s Master of Accountancy program (he), the couple got engaged in December 2018. Right off, Emma knew she wanted a backyard-style wedding, “similar to Reese Witherspoon in [the movie] Sweet Home Alabama.”

It came in quite handy, then, that Smith Lake was a special spot for the couple. Emma, a Cullman native who worked for lake house outfitter Seibels, and Kendrick, who hails from Franklin, Tennessee, and whose family owns a home on Smith Lake, thought the Fry family’s backyard seemed as good a place as any to host their dream day. But, logistically, says Emma, “we just couldn’t make it work. And right about the time we realized this, I was told the barn was in the works.”

“The barn” was The Glass Barn, a wedding and destination venue with a slew of surrounding rental properties, including The Glass House, a five-bedroom, four-and-ahalf-bath Airbnb property adjacent to the venue. The only catch? Well, the barn was still in the beginning stages—as in, trees, dirt, blueprints.

Emma, however, was confident that they’d found their spot. “I called and signed a contract before they even cleared the trees!” she says.

WRITER STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE | PHOTOGRAPHER JAMISON SKINNER PHOTOGRAPHY

A bride’s dream dress is arguably the style star of the show, and while some find The One in the first gown they try on, Emma’s hunt was more elusive. “I had a certain vision, and I wasn’t quite finding it during dress shopping,” she says. So, the designer put her skills to work again and worked with Something Blue in Hartselle to design her own gown. “The ladies there were so helpful,” she says. “They worked with me on every detail and really helped bring my vision to life!” Though the process was “one of the most stressful parts” for her—“I made it way more difficult than it should have been!”—the multiple fittings and decisions were well worth it, as Emma calls her gorgeous lace-andjewel encrusted gown her “absolute favorite thing.”

The mantra for Kendrick and Emma’s design scheme: simple, elegant, and timeless. To that end, Emma wanted pretty but neutral florals all around, so nothing splashy distracted from the organic beauty of the location. All white blooms interspersed with feathery greenery played into the simplistic, breathtaking details, including a large circular “arch” that served as the backdrop to the couple’s vows and a porthole to the lake beyond. Emma chose sleeveless gray bridesmaids dresses for her 17 attendants, who all carried large, loose arrangements of greenery to complement Emma’s earthy green-and-white bouquet.

“We really tried to incorporate little details that were significant to us,” says Emma. “Nothing went unnoticed during the planning process.” That includes welcome baskets for guests, filled with treats like “The Perfect Blend” coffee and gourmet popcorn from Kernel Kullman in—where else?—Cullman. At the reception, guests enjoyed French fries in custom fry boxes, a cute nod to the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Fry. Taking the personalized invitation suite a pretty step farther, Emma commissioned a map of meaningful locations (Nashville, Cullman, Smith Lake) from Porter Rivers Watercolors of Birmingham. And, the Frys’ “something blue” for the wedding was quite unique and came at the end of the day. They were able to leave in an old restored blue 1968 F100 Ford pickup truck owned by Kendrick’s Pawpaw, who just so happens to own Town and Country Ford. What a way to end the day!

The picturesque property, with its finished glass barn and manicured greenspace, fulfilled Emma’s vision, and the timing—fall in the South—couldn’t have been better. “October is my absolute favorite month,” says Emma, “with the leaves changing and the air turning crisper, I knew the lake and the foliage would be the main color elements.”

Though she was certain about her choice in venue, the fact that it didn’t exist when she began planning meant that she could weigh in on design decisions during the building process. After all, as a designer, bringing spaces to life is a regular day at the office for her. “Because we were the first couple to hold a wedding there, I got to make a lot of calls, design-wise,” she says. “I loved being there through the whole process—it just made everything more special. We may or may not have ridden by the barn every weekend we were at the lake to check in on the progress!”

In the end, the floor-to-ceiling glass space and its seamless outside extension was an enchanted spot for a sweet home Alabama wedding followed by an elegant but down-home indoor-outdoor reception— where guests danced to Southern rock, country, and oldies against

BEST BRIDE ADVICE

“The best advice I can offer,” says Emma, “is to focus on what’s important to you. This is the only day that everyone you love will be in one place to show their support for you, so take advantage of making it special. Soak in every minute and don’t lose sight of what really matters!” In addition, a great group of vendors is key to pulling off a wedding with only one hitch in the end—the bride and groom! Below, a few of the ones who helped make Emma and Kendrick’s day run smoothly.

POWER PLAYERS

VENUE: The Glass Barn (Lewis Smith Lake, Bremen)

CATERING: Maynard (Cullman)

BAND: Blue Denim (Atlanta)

DRESS: The Something Blue Shoppe (Hartselle)

HAIR AND MAKEUP: Amber Kennedy (Birmingham)

TUXEDOS: Mr. Hicks Menswear (Cullman)

CAKE: For Goodness Cakes (Cullman)

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jamison Skinner Photography (Birmingham)

VIDEOGRAPHER: High 5 Productions (Montgomery)

INVITATIONS: The Something Blue Invitation Shoppe

WATERCOLOR: Porter Rivers Architectural Watercolors (Birmingham)

the backdrop of a lake sunset. After Emma and Kendrick hit the dance floor to “All Your’n” by Tyler Childers, the band wasted no time drawing everyone else out to two-step, sway, and even Cupid Shuffle. “The crowd knew every word to every song and that even had the grandparents dancing,” says Emma. During Sweet Home Alabama—a must at every good Southern wedding—Kendrick’s dad jumped in to play drums, and even Emma’s dad stole the mic to croon a song or two. “The crowd went wild!”

Possibly one of the sweetest touches of the day, however, took place during the ceremony, as the groom’s dad served as officiant. “Having Kendrick’s dad marry us was definitely one of the most special parts of our wedding day,” says Emma. t

Jamison Skinner Photography based in Birmingham, Alabama, are the ultra talented husband and wife team who captured Emma’s wedding, and whose photos are featured in this article. They are willing to travel for select projects. They can be reached at 864-909-3887. Check out their website jamisonskinnerphotography.com and follow them on social media: Facebook or Instagram as @jamisonskinnerphotography .

The Glass Barn

Peter Kuhn, mastermind and owner of The Glass Barn, found his way to the United States via a tennis scholarship from South Africa. Following a few years of pro tennis, he co-founded a medical software company in Birmingham in 1996, running daily operations until he and his partner sold the company in 2018. Because of his hectic work schedule in the city, Peter began hunting for a lake getaway. In 2012, he purchased 40 acres of land near Cocktail Cove.

“When I bought the 40 acres, I always had an idea that I would develop the land into some kind of retreat space for corporate meetings, team building, etc.,” says Peter. “After I built The Glass House in 2015, I started to get requests for people to host weddings there, and after a few, I realized the land was perfectly situated for a larger event center. After researching, I settled on a combination of a country-style barn and a modern structure with a great view.” Peter’s thinking was that this combo-with-a-view would be popular with couples. “Turns out I was right!” he says.

(Indeed, Emma secured The Glass House for her bridesmaids and says it was “so fun to all stay together,” helping her to get in plenty of face time with their large wedding party. The men stayed nearby, too,

and a chartered bus carried the crew back and forth to the rehearsal dinner and venue space.)

Just as Emma envisioned her wedding backdrop, the idea for the barn was to create a beautiful space where the water and surrounding landscape took center stage. Peter situated both The Glass House and The Glass Barn to take maximum advantage of the environment. The Barn can host up to 300 guests indoors and outdoors for weddings, family retreats, proms, parties, and corporate events. Since the completion of the barn, Peter has added four additional high-end rental properties, bringing the compound total to five homes and overnight accommodations for more than 80 people. The perfect solution for wedding weekends with lots of outof-town guests, Peter’s properties create a sort of one-stop-shop for larger events.

“My hope is that people will continue to use the space for gatherings that bring friends and family together in a place that is truly unique,” he explains. “Smith Lake is a hidden gem, and when people find it, they simply can’t believe this exists so close to Birmingham and Huntsville.”

The Barn Smith Lake

The Hoff Family Lake Home on Stillhouse Point

If Meg and Ronnie Hoff’s home on Stillhouse Point was posing for photos, the lakefront side would be its “good” side—it’s the side that captures the windows running the entire length of the house, and the very thing that caught Meg’s eye, too.

The couple talked of owning a place someday while leisurely cruising the lake, taking in properties from the vantage point of their boat. Dreaming out loud during one of their regular rides, Ronnie asked Meg what she wanted in a lake house: “I’ll know it when I see it.” It wasn’t long after that conversation that they floated past a house that caused Meg to look twice.

“I noticed its unique appearance from the water, and I mentioned to Ronnie that I definitely wanted to see the inside,” she remembers. Notes Ronnie, “As they say, the rest is history.”

WRITER STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE | PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID BEAN

Though the exterior first beckoned to Meg, it was the interior of the house that boldly declared it was “the one.”

“When we walked in the front door, the view absolutely took our breath away,” says Ronnie. The Double Run floor plan—“probably my favorite one,” says builder Trent Taylor of Lake & Coast Development Co.—is perched above the deep water of Ryan Creek, with that stunning bank of windows Meg first noticed providing a panoramic view of the sparkling water and pristine shoreline of Smith Lake.

Trent and business partner Nick Moreno called on architect

Marshall Anderson of Design Initiative to bring their vision to fruition: a balance of indoor-outdoor living spaces, an abundance of windows, and a unique design mix of contemporary lake house meets old-school cabin on the water.

“The layout was exactly what we wanted,” says Ronnie. “An open living space facing the lake, one-level living, and spacious, open-air living downstairs.” The breakfast nook, kitchen, and living area can be completely closed off by rustic sliding doors to block out light and noise from the master and guest bedrooms that run the length of the house behind the open main spaces.

A wide, galley-style kitchen is flanked by hangout space on either side, in the form of a cozy dining table that easily seats six plus a pair of leather swivel chairs that turn right around to the captivating view—probably the best indoor spot in the house for morning coffee and evening cocktails. Shiny manmade quartz tops the extra-long island, while handsome oiled wood countertops and gleaming subway tile on the backsplash contrast in the contemporary-cabin feel the builders envisioned. Barstools offer a front-row seat to whomever is doing the cooking—typically Ronnie—who traded out the original cooktop and oven for an eight-burner unit. “We really

felt compelled to use the design to build relationships,” he says. On the opposite wall, a long bank of glass-front cabinets provides ample storage and display space; the gleaming fronts mimic the wall of windows and allow lake light to bounce around the room.

This unique console table and mirror contribute largely to the fun, eclectic vibe of the Hoffs’ dining space. Both were purchased from Townhouse Galleries, a favorite store of both Meg and Ronnie, located in Decatur. See more information on page 61 about Townhouse Galleries.

In keeping with the “old-school lake cabin” vibe Trent and Nick desired, the living area features warm (and nearly indestructible) heart-pine floors, pine ceilings, and tongue-and-groove pine walls. A light stain and wax on the floors render them perfectly suited for the couple’s two chocolate Labs, Muddy and Della. “They can do whatever,” says Ronnie of the floors, “and they will be fine.” The pine ceiling was left stainless to achieve the more natural look Ronnie and Meg desired.

When it came to furnishings, Meg makes clear the first priority: “We wanted it to be nice, of course, but also very comfortable—our desire was for guests to plop right down and feel at home here,” she says. The couple’s eclectic style came in handy, as Ronnie and Meg were already combining separate residences into one home back in Hartselle. “We really used a lot we already had,” says Meg of the pieces she pulled. “And I loved that because I got to replace what I took!”

In the living room, seating for lounge-y afternoons abounds. Pops of color on throw pillows top neutral sofas, while a subtle pattern on a pair of chairs and a handful of faux fur pillows add a measure of texture. Natural stone slabs on the coffee table and fireplace are softened with a vibrant Turkish rug and shiny copper accessories.

Many of the standout pieces around the home came from Salsa Trading Co., which the couple discovered while on a trip to Napa and Sonoma. In just three hours, Meg picked out enough to fill an 18-wheeler. They tell this story while cracking up at the efficiency of Meg’s penchant for furniture shopping—“On our first date,” Ronnie recalls of their five-hour dinner, “I found out she loved to buy furniture, and I knew we were made for each other.” The store owner, Bruce Needleman, threw in a chair, a driftwood sculpture (it lives atop the cabinets above the refrigerator), and a peach painting that Meg loved. “We have peach trees [at the Hartselle house],” she explains, “but they never produced fruit until I lived there.”

The Hoffs mastered the use of texture and color throughout the master bedroom and guest spaces to create a look that is comfortably curated. Painted tongue-and-groove walls continue in all the bedrooms and baths, a clean, casual backdrop for a collection of art that feels effortlessly thoughtful in groupings. In addition to abstract paintings by Meg’s mom, Loretta Troup, the Hoffs are prolific art lovers who also showcase pieces from Mose “T” and Nall, and photographs and paintings by Jennifer Culp all around the house.

Layered bedding and quilts mixed with elegantly worn rugs in the bedrooms invite sweet slumber after a day out on the water. A driftwood-gray color on doors, including the sliding doors that separate the bedrooms from the living area, are a subtle, intentional nod to the watery surroundings.

With five daughters, spouses, and one grandchild—not to mention friends and even employees who sometimes sleep over—plenty of space to bed down was very important. To that end, Meg and Ronnie customized two of the guest bedrooms, turning them into bunk rooms.

One features seven beds, with hot pink and orange accent pillows and bold, happy art that lend the room a youthful, slumber party vibe. A second, smaller bunk room holds four beds and features neutral, fish campstyle decor that is calming and restful. A total of nine beds sleeps up to “13 butts—depends on how well you like each other as to how many we can sleep here,” Ronnie says jokingly. “The house is extremely functional but not overwhelming in size,” notes Trent.

“The Hoff home offers what I perceive as the perfect mix of functional living space and design,” says Trent. “There is an abundance of covered outdoor living space, which basically takes all of the convenience of traditional indoor space and moves it outside.” A huge sundeck sits just steps from the boat dock.

A big draw of the house was its open-air downstairs with an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, half-bath, and outdoor shower, which nearly doubles the home’s size at 2,200 square feet (covered). Both the outdoor shower and bed swing can be blocked off for privacy and shade with wood-stained sliding shutters, making the outside part of the house truly functional.

With plenty of room to lounge and dine, the outdoor living area is a nearly year-round gathering spot for friends and family. Vignettes of chairs and side and bistro tables encourages visiting and slower afternoons. Selected accessories from Townhouse Galleries in Decatur add a homey feel, but don’t compete with the uninterrupted views of the water that stretches out graciously as far as the eye can see. Tucked away adjacent to the outdoor kitchen is an old-fashioned drink fridge, an homage to Meg’s great grandmother, who founded the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Decatur.

A favorite furniture store… Townhouse Galleries

When it came time to get their place photo shoot-ready, Meg and Ronnie knew immediately they needed to call their friend Judy Thomas who, together with husband Dan, has been in business at Townhouse Galleries in Decatur since 1977.

Over the years, both Meg and Ronnie have worked separately and together with the designers at Townhouse, including Rick Treadway, who spiffed up their Stillhouse Point lake home with fabulous florals that add a little bit of drama, a touch of color, and a lot of style to the already pretty space. In addition to the breakfast nook console and mirror, an oversize chair in the master (“I’ve had it forever,” says Meg, “and it’s so comfortable!”), a smattering of art and accessories were purchased from Townhouse. The couple has been working with Judy and her team for so long, they’ve become friends in addition to clients.

“Relationships and making new friends are what makes this business even better,” says Judy, who points out that Dan comes from a long line of family in the furniture business, dating back to the early 1900s. “It’s in his blood,” she adds, “and we continue the family tradition of loving the furniture business. We source our unique pieces from all over the world, and have relationships with other families who have also been in the business for generations. We all understand and value quality and design.” Of the ventures to High Point, Vegas, and California markets, and even to Ohio to buy from

Amish companies there, Judy maintains: “ We love it.”

Judy herself started out as the business’s bookkeeper, between shifts in her other job as emergency room charge nurse, then took an interest in the design aspect and took classes so she could take on part of that business too. Speaking of qualifications, Judy points out that their entire “incredible staff” is very qualified, with interior designers, decorators, and interior architects on staff. “We have a wonderful team, and they have made our business,” says Judy.

One of those star employees is Rick, who worked his magic around the Hoff’s home before the photos seen here in the article were snapped. He’s a senior designer for Townhouse, who jokes that he’s been at it so long, his white hair was red when he began 20-plus years ago. “I started out poking posies,” he says—meaning he worked as a floral designer. As the Art Institute of Atlanta graduate matured in his career, he turned to design because, as he puts it, “I just love how accessories finish a room.”

“We’ve just been so fortunate to have had so many good years,” Judy says.

Visit the Thomases and their staff at Townhouse Galleries in Decatur: 509 11th Street, (256) 350-1320, and Huntsville: 2011 University Drive NW, (256) 883-4911. Townhouse Galleries offers furniture and accessories, as well as design, concierge, and event services.

About the Hoffs

MMeg Hoff is the hospitable Southern talent behind longtime favorite Decatur restaurant Curry’s on Johnston Street. Recently renamed Social Graces to reflect the passing of the reigns to daughter Grace Davis and Ronnie’s brother Tim, Meg and Ronnie—himself an entrepreneur and owner of professional services company Magnolia River—intend to guide and mentor the new duo as they navigate the restaurant business. But every chance they get to escape their full lives, you will find them at the lake. They readily agree that their lake retreat is all about “friendships and memories.” In addition to their five girls—Meagan, Shelby, Hannah, Gracie, and Gabby—they also share “one extraordinary granddaughter,” Jensen. “When we decided we wanted a lake house, the primary focus we constantly came back to was relationships,” says Ronnie. “Our lives revolve around our family and friend relationships. Just like Magnolia River’s mission—dedicated to making a difference, one relationship at a time—so is our life’s focus.”

“Having friends and family here to share in the wonderful atmosphere, the evening boat rides, the clear water, and great food complimented with meaningful conversation truly warms our hearts,” says Meg.

High Point Furniture

WRITER ELLEN ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT ERIC DAY

HIGH POINT FURNITURE has been a staple of our community since 1983, when Beverly and Chuck Hockenberry opened their doors on 19th Street in downtown Jasper, Alabama in the Old Engel’s building. They named the store ”Chuck-n-Berry’s” and sold a variety of items from antiques to women’s apparel, to estate sale one-of-a-kind finds.

However, the business was driven by the antiques and so in the mid 1990’s, they transformed the business into “Old Town Creek Mall” and began making antiques their primary focus.

The transformation did not stop there. In May 2000, their son Reggie Watts, joined the business. Reggie grew up in Arley, near “Old Falls City Road,” and graduated from Meek High School in 1996 before heading to Walker County College as the Basketball Manager and then on to The University of Alabama where he graduated in 2000 with a Psychology Degree. Reggie had no plans to enter into the family business, but after a year of grad school, he made a final decision and returned to Jasper. After all, Reggie grew up in the furniture business alongside his mom. “I have worked with my mom all my life,” he said. “She used to drag me to antique and estate sales growing up.”

Although, the business has grown and transformed over the years, the family dynamic is still standing strong. “My mom is very hardworking,” Reggie said. Beverly still comes in everyday and arranges the store and how everything looks. “She has a good eye for design. She has a gift for it, and she really enjoys doing it,” Reggie said. Together the two of them own High Point Furniture in Jasper.

They eventually segued into higher end, new furniture, and in August 2007, High Point Furniture expanded and moved to a larger location on Highway 78. The new showroom of 20,000 square feet allowed them to grow and expand to become the Jasper area’s premier furniture dealer. They sell to locals, lake owners, and into Birmingham and the larger surrounding areas.

They sell brands such as: La-Z-Boy, Rowe, Hooker, Bassett and Bernhardt. Within their walls, you are going to find better quality than your average Alabama store. However, they always maintain the small town feel and service. Their service is exceptional and they are hands-on from the management staff, to Wendy Bell in Sales, to a hardworking brother duo, Andrew Dabbs and Zach Harper. Andrew is the warehouse manager and has been with the business for 15 years and brought in his brother, Zach, about 7 years ago. Together this

brother team makes the deliveries and extends the store’s reputation and service into each home they encounter.

Not only will you find furniture at the store, but also impeccable Interior Design services, featuring custom finishes and fabric selections, plus tons of unique home décor items unlike any you’ll see in the area. They also feature locally made items such as “Fishsticks,” custom art made from Smith Lake driftwood.

Reggie has a brother and two sisters, but only one entered the business. John Launius and Reggie own Cullman Furniture Market, and in late 2018, Alisa Thompson, Reggie’s middle sister decided to enter the furniture business full-time and run that store with them. You’ll find the same kind of exquisite sales and service as well as premium furnishings and home décor products.

Reggie met his wife, Audry, in Tuscaloosa, and in 2003, they married at Arley First Baptist Church and made their home in Jasper. They now have two sons, Wyatt (13) and Eli (9). Although they do not live on the lake, they still go regularly to Reggie’s childhood home with Beverly in the Brushy Creek area, so the lake remains a huge part

of their lives. If not pontooning, tubing, or jumping the bluffs, you can often find them camping on a favorite #spotsonsmith, Stoney Point Island, also known as “Spoon Island.”

“I am from here. My name means a lot to me. My reputation means a lot to me,” Reggie explains. That is why he continues to sell high quality furniture. You will not buy something from them that will fall apart anytime soon, that’s for sure. “It may cost a little more, but the quality and value are better,” says Reggie.

If you have not been to High Point Furniture, you must walk in and experience this noteworthy local business that intends to grow and flourish for generations to come. Once you walk through the doors you will feel the love and support of one of our very own. You’ll definitely leave on a “High Point.” We encourage you to go in and dream a little while with their team and experience the hometown feel yourself. And, we’re certain you’re going to find the perfect furnishings or home décor items to spruce up your lake home for a new lake season. Enjoy shopping at this outstanding Smith Lake local business. t

“I am from here. My name means a lot to me. My reputation means a lot to me,” Reggie explains.

TowBoaTUS SmiTh Lake

The sun finally starts setting on a near-perfect lake day spent with the family and a couple of friends on the pontoon when, after stowing away some gear, you decide to cruise over to a lakeside restaurant to feed your crew members, who worked up a voracious appetite swimming and tubing all day long. On the voyage over, you crank up some of your favorite tunes. But then out of the blue, your jam session is interrupted by an unpleasant sound from the motor. Despite keeping a watchful eye for obstructions, you managed to hit something submerged just below the surface. As you raise the outboard to assess the damage, your worst fear is confirmed. The prop is severely fouled, and you’re now immobilized in the main channel with hungry passengers who have places to be.

And to make matters even worse, a fog is expected to roll in later, obscuring visibility.

Unfortunate and frustrating incidents like this and much, much worse can and do happen to even the most experienced and cautious boaters, regardless of whether their vessel is brand new off the lot or 30-years-old. It simply comes with the territory. Therefore, it is wise to be prepared and know who to call on those days (or nights) when things do head south.

Here on Lewis Smith Lake, the person you’ll want to call is Terry Russeau, owner of TowBoatUS Smith Lake, which conveniently operates rain or shine, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year performing tows, soft ungroundings, battery jumps, fuel delivery, and so much

WRITER JOHN DAVID PALMER | PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT ERIC DAY

more. If you spend much time at all on or near the lake, you’ll likely recognize their bright red boats, which can be seen chugging along at all hours of the morning, day and night around the lake.

Originally from Ohio, Russeau has spent much of his life working on the water and around watercraft. For years, he ran boats on several of the Great Lakes before moving with his wife to the Smith Lake area and eventually purchasing the local TowBoatUS franchise from the previous owner Chad Gilliland, who owns the TowBoatUS franchise on Lake Martin. Russeau now has two vessels in his fleet and currently has two employees on staff. Not liking to make customers wait, they take pride in quick travel time. Most days it usually takes under an hour to reach a vessel for a tow, which is quite impressive considering the large size of Smith Lake.

“We try to go to people within an hour or less, unless its a hectic weekend like Labor Day when we have more tows going on,” Russeau said.

Another incredibly valuable service offered by TowBoatUS is salvage assistance. If you find your boat below water, they will assist

in recovering property, refloating the vessel, and towing it to safety. Russeau says boats are usually only able to be recovered from 30 feet or less, but most boats that sink have not completely filled with water, if they are reported quickly, and are still within reach of divers.

Regardless of whether you are a regular or occasional boater on Smith, an annual membership to TowBoatUS is highly recommended. At only $85, it’s an amazing value, offering peace of mind and potentially saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars in hourly rate charges a year. Another perk is that by using the services of TowBoatUS, you can avoid potential liability issues that can come with attemping to doing it yourself. t

The contact information of TowBoatUS can be found in their ad in this issue, see the Index page. Their phone number is 256-385-1966. For all their latest news, you can like their business page on Facebook @TowBoatUSSmithLake and follow them on Instagram @treauwater.

UNCOVERING ANCIENT ART IN

BANKHEAD WITH ROB BECKMAN

Alongside the moonshiner scratch, rusted old horseshoes, weathered pioneer tombstones, and long abandoned logging trails of Bankhead National Forest and its surrounding areas, traces of an even more distant history can be found – that is, if one looks hard enough and knows what to look for.

The average person who traverses the forest will likely walk right over the arrowhead flakes that blend in with the forest floor, and overlook the mortar rocks – used for tasks like grinding nuts, and pass by other obscure remnants of the ancient Woodland and Mississippian societies that hunted and foraged there long ago. But Rob Beckman, a real estate appraiser and rugged renaissance man whose outdoor adventures have been featured in several previous issues of The Lakeside Life, is not your average person. Beckman, now a father and husband in his late thirties, grew up exploring the sloughs of Smith Lake and the Sipsey Wilderness and blazing the trails of Bankhead. Currently, his hobbies include hiking, foraging, whitewater kayaking, caving, and driving his custom mini jet boat named “Skid Vicious” (featured formerly in the magazine).

It was through one of his spelunking friends he met Alan Cressler, a photographer for USGS (United States Geological Survey) who introduced him to an app called DStretch that brings out faint pictographs otherwise invisible to the naked eye by running the images through a series of filters. After seeing what Cressler had found with the app in some of the 5,000 caves he has explored, Beckman became determined to make an archaeological find of his own. For months on end, he meticulously combed the imposing cliff walls and rock bluff of the forest for rock art with his two beloved Labrador Retrievers, Tank and Maggie, who both keep him company and the snakes away. But to his disappointment, nothing was turning up.

“I was walking at such a slow pace that the dogs were biting at my ankles to keep going,” he says. “I wasn’t far from giving up. I wasn’t

WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER JOHN DAVID PALMER

The pictures of Rob’s children on the right, top & bottom, demonstrate the DStretch app filter used to help identify pictographs. These photos were taken at a site in Tennessee. Do you see the pictograph above their heads in the 2nd photo?

finding anything where I thought they would be.”

Then in December of 2018, while thoroughly exploring a remote section of the forest, Beckman’s luck changed when he noticed an unusual red line formation on a rock. He immediately took a picture and ran it through the app on his phone. He couldn’t tell what the image was supposed to be, but he was certain it was man-made. While faded, the bright red ocher paint lines were clearly distinct from the surrounding natural ocher on the rock meaning it was concentrated. His first thought is that it was made with finger paint.

“It was a feeling of pure elation when I saw that red,” he says. “It stood out enough that I knew it wasn’t natural. It looked to be symbolic, like something I couldn’t understand.”

He sent pictures of his find to Cressler who put him in contact with Jan Simek, a world-renowned professor of anthropology and archaeology at the University of Tennessee. Over Simek’s nearly 40-year career, he specialized in cave art, including pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings), in Europe and North America. Taking interest in Rob’s photographs, he agreed to come out to see the site in person in hopes of verifying its authenticity.

Simek finally made his way to Cullman in January 2020 on the evening of the 17th where he delivered an hour-long presentation to the Cullman Archaeology Club on the topic of indigenous rock art found on the Cumberland Plateau. In the presentation, he describes how when settlers came to the region, they would be amazed by the giant red images on rock bluffs along the rivers. Red paint, he says, was used for open-air surfaces while black was used inside caves. The images’ purposes varied from informational to ceremonial. The next day, Simek joined Beckman and Cressler, along

with Scott Shaw of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy and local author and historian Ricky Butch Walker on a hike to the site.

It was cold and wet on the day of the expedition, but the weather wasn’t going to get in anyone’s way. A convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles (and one Toyota Corolla) followed Rob to the entrance to the site on an old logging trail. By the time they reached their destination, every vehicle was splattered with mud. They got out and hiked about two miles down an unmarked trail to the site, avoiding thorns, fallen trees, and twisted ankles. When they arrived, they asked Rob to show them which wall the pictograph was on but not show them its location to see if they could find it themselves. With his highly trained eye, Simek did not take long at all to find it. The big moment had

finally arrived.

“There’s no doubt that it’s real,” he immediately declared after locating the pictograph.

He says that he had seen similar lines before and that it most likely dates to the Mississippian period (800-1600 A.D.) when the civilization of Oakville Indian Mound was at its peak usage, which means it could be up to 1,200 years old. During these periods, the area now known as Bankhead is thought to have been used as a shared hunting ground while the main populations lived closer to the Tennessee River. Simek adds that the pictograph could be a religious marking possibly meant to communicate with a deity, however, it will always be up to interpretation as to what the artist was trying

(Left) Left side of photo represents a naked eye view, and the right side of the photo shows what the DStretch app is able to reveal. (Middle) boulder with a mortar hole

to portray, why the artwork is seemingly by itself and why the artist chose that particular location. Without being able to ask the artist, it is impossible for even the brightest scholars in the field to know for certain, as is the case with most similar sites.

“I tell people it’s the oldest finger painting around,” Beckman says.

Before parting ways, the team explored a few more rock bluffs in the area. While they did not locate any more rock art, they quickly found evidence of human activity including flint chips, and a mortar hole deep enough that you could stick your entire arm inside. Cressler made sure to document everything.

The validation of Beckman’s find in the forest has done nothing but fuel his desire to discover more sites. He is convinced there is much more out there just waiting to be discovered and wants to document

these sites before they inevitability fade away with the sands of time. The find also drew the attention of FOX 6 News, who sent a crew to cover the story earlier in February. In preparation of their arrival, Rob and a few of his friends took a morning to clean up any litter in the area. The footage is expected to have aired in early March. Look for it online. t

If you are interested in archaeology and would like to interact with local like minds, send Robbie Camp an email at robbiecamp75@gmail.com for more information about the Cullman Archaeology Club. Ask to be put on the email list to be updated on meetings and topics. The club usually meets every third Thursday of each month at the Cullman Health Department.

John Palmer and Rob Beckman also recently visited “The Big Tree” in Bankhead.

OPERATION Stripe

Sunrise is still two hours away when Richard “Trae” Anderson, a US Army Special Forces member and fishing guide from Jasper, Alabama, starts his mission at the Smith Lake Dam boat launch.

WRITER JOHN DAVID PALMER | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY RICHARD T. ANDERSON

Navigating by memory and the moonlight, he stealthily pilots his bass boat toward the soft glow of a lighted dock a mile or so away. Coming up on his destination, he switches to his trolling motor, turns on his fish finder and positions the boat near the edge of the light. Like a fleet of miniature submarines, large, elongated masses steadily begin to appear on the screen. It’s time to lock and load.

With one arm, Anderson grabs his pre-rigged rod and reel and reaches in the live well for a shiner with the other and hooks it through the lip. Rather than making a lengthy cast with his rod, he gently pitches his line in front of him and lets it sink to 20 ft below. Before a minute passes, he feels a bite and then another. His line feels light – cleaned off. He swiftly reels in and puts a new shiner on the hook. The next bite lands as the firmly-set drag on his spinning reel begins to squeal. He braces himself.

A 10-minute tug-of-war ensues between Anderson and his submerged quarry. As the fish finally nears the surface, it reveals itself

to be a hearty striped bass, or “striper,” which he nets and hauls into the boat to unhook. It weighs in right at 15 lbs – a decent start for the morning. After a quick picture, he releases it back to the chilly depths from which it came. He catches two more in a close weight range before the bites cease. Not looking to waste any time, he reels in, secures his gear and takes off like a jet down the main channel to his next spot.

For Anderson, a good day on the water is catching at least 10 stripers weighing between 12-25 lbs. This might seem like a lot, but it’s not uncommon to have days like this and better on Smith Lake where these fish thrive in the cold, deep water. According to Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division District 3 Fisheries supervisor Chris McKee, anywhere between 55,000 to 85,000 striped bass sourced from a hatchery in Marion, Alabama, have been stocked in the reservoir every year for over 30 years. Like the rainbow trout that are stocked below Smith Lake Dam (see story in previous issue),

these fish are sterile so the population must be regularly replenished. Growing at a rate of up to 5 lbs a year, striped bass can live as long as 30 years and easily exceed 40lbs. The current record on Smith Lake is reportedly 45 lbs.

While these fish are plentiful, they can sometimes be tricky to locate since they travel in schools. Experienced stripe fishermen like Anderson know the best locations to find them, but true to the nature of fishing, even the best of the best can get thrown off their trail every now and then. Striped bass are caught year round on Smith, but spring is considered to be prime time. Those targeting these fish will often use live shiners or artificial lures like large spoons. Whatever you do, do not use blueback herring as bait. It’s illegal to do so and can get you in a lot of trouble if you get caught. McKee says these nonnative bait fish were unlawfully introduced to the lake a decade ago and have sadly multiplied exponentially. He says the impact of their introduction on the ecosystem is still being evaluated by scientists.

“They’ve (blueback herring) become prolific in there,” McKee says. “They compete with the largemouth bass for resources.”

If you do decide to target stripers on Smith, be prepared for a potentially challenging fight if you manage to hook one. Even fish in the 10-20 lb, range can be formidable opponents on lighter tackle. Medium-size tackle like spinning reels in the 2500-3000 size range and 7 ft medium-heavy rods can handle stripes of most sizes while still allowing them to put up a strong fight. Anderson uses a similar

setup spooled with 30 lb braided line tied to a 17 lb fluorocarbon leader. Some anglers prefer larger baitcaster reels like the Abu Garcia 6500 paired with beefier rods to help haul in larger trophy specimens. If using live bait, circle hooks are widely preferred.

“The thrill of the fight is in the equipment,” Anderson says. “Anyone can reel in a 25 lb fish on large gear. Make the fight enjoyable and go with a smaller rod and line.”

Once a well-kept secret among few anglers, the striped bass fishery of Smith Lake continues to grow in popularity, but it is largely overshadowed by the lake’s healthy population of spotted bass that attract major fishing tournaments to the reservoir every year. Anderson alternates between fishing for the two species and will take clients and friends to fish for either one. On his latest fishing mission for spotted bass, he and his son were accompanied by Tyler Anderson of Tylers Reel Fishing @tylersreelfishing – a popular YouTube fishing channel and social media account on Facebook and Instagram. As their pictures prove, the mission was a success. t

If interested in booking a fishing trip with Trae Anderson of Reel Time Anglers, call 205-657-2844. To see his latest catches, be sure to follow him on Instagram @reeltimeanglers Also, check out a great recipe from Trae for fresh or frozen bass filets on p102.

Zac Miller is a natural when it comes to wakeboarding. Everyone who has watched his rare combination of strength, flexibility and balance says it’s true. The fact that he was up and skiing on his second or third try before age four is just more evidence. And soon, recalls his father, Bryan, “small as he was, he was wanting to jump. He would be riding right behind the boat, would try to jump and be smiling from ear to ear. He just had a very strong edge and he looked powerful back there to be such a small kid—probably 30 pounds.”

It wasn’t too much later that Bryan suggested to his wife, Chanda, that they get Zac a wakeboard of his own. Wakeboarding came very instinctively for the sandy-haired Zac, now a third grader at Saltillo

(Mississippi) Elementary school. He learned the sport on Smith Lake where the Millers have a home in the Emerald Valley subdivision on Brushy Creek, an arm on the lake’s west side. It is where they have spent every possible weekend for the past five years.

With Bryan driving the boat, Zac taught himself the basics of wakeboarding, and was remarkable at it, progressing quickly. Then, as time went along and his enthusiasm for the sport grew, he learned more through lessons from experienced wakeboarders, including a coach near his home in Mississippi.

Zac joined the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) and entered his first competitive tournament at age eight, in 2018. He

WRITER TOM BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHER BRYANNA MILLER

participated in the Southern Wake Series competitions for beginners. That first year, he won four of the five stops in the series. The next year, 2019, he won first place in the junior boys beginner division at the WWA regional tournament in Orlando and then the national tournament in Seattle. Thus, before he entered the third grade he was the national champion in his division.

That win qualified him for the world championship tournament at the popular Mayan Water Complex at Playa del Carmen, Mexico–a dream destination for high-level competitive watersports. The water is always cool, 68 to 75 degrees year around. And it is blue, “the bluest water you’ll ever see in your life,” said Bryan.

It was last October when the Millers traveled to Playa del Carmen for the World Championship competition. There was a lot of talk about Zac: that he was quite the talent and almost certainly a shoo-in to win his division.

Then things went a little sideways. Zac fell twice during his first heat and because of that he did not get to ride for the world championship. “We just knew he was going to do it (win),” said Bryan. “When we got there we were all convinced that he was going to come in first, second or third. Everyone we talked with just knew he was one of the top riders there. And then he had one of the worst days that he could ever have.”

Dreams of Zac on the winner’s platform were put on hold. Bryan admitted that he was “crushed” by Zac’s loss. He said it took several days for him to get over it. “But then I realized I just took away the greatest thing of this whole tournament because I got to spend every afternoon on a boat with my son. And so this year, I’m looking back and saying, ‘You know what, we want to win, we want to do well but the most important thing we’re doing is spending time together on a boat. And it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Zac was, of course, disappointed. But he wasn’t going to let one bad competition knock him down. “We’ve already got the (tournament) schedule for this year,” said Bryan. “We had a talk about it. When I told him the world championship would be back in Mexico for 2020, he dropped his head and said, ‘back to the scene of the accident.’ I told him, we get to go back and redeem ourselves. But we’re going to take it one tournament at a time and we’re going to do the best that we can do and we’re going to enjoy our journey getting there. Because it’s truly about us spending time together.”

Those who know Zac and have watched him grow as a wakeboarder did not waver in their opinion that he is one of wakeboarding’s rising young stars. A bad day, they know, is nothing more than a bad day. Everyone has them.

Zac’s biggest fans—Mom, Dad, sisters Bryanna and Catie— continue to encourage him as time for the 2020 competitions and tournaments draws nearer. And Zac seems as confident as ever. In

“He is the most wide-open, energetic kid that you’ve ever met in your life,” says a proud Bryan. “He goes non-stop. Very outgoing and personable. He will shake your hand, look you in the eye and tell you his name.”

Photo: Shane Cook

fact, Zac has already been on the water this year practicing. Along with other motivated riders, he has suited up in a wetsuit to defy the late winter and early spring cold water on Smith to get some time in behind the boat. There are some great instructors urging him on these days, such as pro wakeboarder Tony Iacconi who finished this past season third in the world on the pro wakeboard tour, and a local Tupelo, Mississippi rider, Nathan Strange, who also rode on the pro wakeboard tour. Zac is truly enjoying and absorbing all the tips he can get to dial in his ride for 2020. Zac’s current sponsors are Core Cycle & Outdoor and The Board’s Nest, both in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Plus, it isn’t as though he is just waiting for the tournaments to begin. He has school, where his wakeboard exploits are well known and create some positive excitement for him from his classmates. He makes good grades there too. The winter months also had him in the field. He enjoys deer hunting, and is particularly proud of the ninepoint that he killed last year. In Saltillo, he trains at Flip Flop Gymnastics one or two times a week where he picks up and perfects moves that he can transfer to his wakeboarding maneuvers and inverts. And, he is about to take boxing lessons.

“He is the most wide-open, energetic kid that you’ve ever met in your life,” says a proud Bryan. “He goes non-stop. Very outgoing and personable. He will shake your hand, look you in the eye and tell you his name.” In fact, at a Smith Lake wakeboarding camp last year, Pro Wakeboarder and Coach Darin Shapiro affectionately nick-named him “Kid-nado” and it stuck among some of the group last year.

Proud of Zac as he is, and as happy as he is that Zac is enthusiastic about wakeboarding, Bryan says he understands it is a sport and as long as Zac is enthusiastic about it, then Bryan and Chanda intend to support him every way possible. “Kids need something to be passionate about,” said Bryan, “building a work ethic for the future. I hope it will help him become a great person, a great leader.”

In that regard, this spring the Millers are again assisting in co-hosting an annual wakeboarding camp with local companies Lakeside Gear and MasterPro Audio of The Lakeside Life group. The first years proved to be extremely successful, with 10-time wakeboard world champion Darin Shapiro leading the skill training, and with well-known local coaches like Colby Bernier, Justin Ward, Trew Woodley, and also Shane Cook of

Wake Factory assisting at different times for additional training and photography.

“The neatest thing about this is that my boss gave me a copy of The Lakeside Life magazine and the feature story was about Kane Ward (another wakeboard prodigy from Smith Lake). I reached out to Kane’s dad, Justin, and we hit it off immediately. Together with Justin’s friends at The Lakeside Life, and with the assistance of several local sponsors, Justin, Scott and I put together a wakeboard camp and it’s been a great friendship ever since. And it got my son competing. Because (until then) we didn’t know anybody.“

The upcoming annual camp, set for May 2 and 3, will be led by local Smith Lake area and Alabama wakeboarding talent (coaches). This year’s camp, said Bryan, will focus on strengthening basic skills. Campers will eat and sleep at the Miller home like they did for the first camp, and each day will be a full day on the water. Three boats will be dedicated to the two days of wakeboard instruction. The campers truly enjoy the fellowship and bonding that comes from riding and hanging out together throughout the weekend. This is a great way to initiate a newcomer into the local Alabama wakeboarding scene. The camp is now full, but there is a waiting list (in case any riders cannot attend unexpectedly), and if there are enough students interested, there may be a 2nd camp for the year. For more details regarding times, location and other particulars about the camp, contact Scott Hanna of The Lakeside Life at (205) 470-8250 to get on the wait list.

To keep up with Zac’s wakeboarding progress, follow his journey on social media Instagram @zacmiller_ .

Kevin Kolk Singer Songwriter

A talented 16-year old Smith Laker and singer songwriter is making a splash in the music industry having recently released his very First EP titled “Hearts” that is now available to stream and download on Spotify and other major music platforms.

WRITER JOHN DAVID PALMER | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY KEVIN KOLK

KKevin Kolk first entered the pop music scene earlier last year with his debut single “Deep End,” an upbeat yet soulful melody he wrote about the struggle of overcoming anxiety. An accompanying music video was subsequently released on YouTube. Kevin can skillfully play multiple instruments and works hard at improving and developing every day. He aspires to eventually release an album, but for the time being, he lives with his parents in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attends high school and serves as the captain of the cross-country team.

Kevin’s family, the Vanderkolk’s, own a cabin getaway on Smith Lake where last summer Anacrusis Songs, a Nashville-based music publishing and licensing agency that works with Kevin, held a song writing retreat that was featured in an article called “Songs on Smith” in the previous issue of The Lakeside Life magazine. At the

camp, Kevin and 11 other fellow artists recorded a total of 20 songs to be used for several major corporations. Any down time was spent playing on the water.

“Despite being the youngest writer there, he absolutely rose to the occasion and the songs that he wrote were some of the best from the camp,” says Liz Rogers, owner and creative director of Anacrusis Songs. “Kevin is extremely passionate about his craft and is constantly spending hours learning more about production and songwriting.”

She describes Kevin as a naturally talented artist and says his music could easily be described as in the vein of male pop artists like Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, and Austin Mahone.

So our readers can get to know the up and coming artist a little better, we recently sat down with him to ask him a few questions.

Q & A

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF KEVIN KOLK LOOK LIKE?

“Well, I’m 16 so I have to go to school, but I’m always working on music. I’m on the cross country & track teams too, so I spend a lot of time doing that.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?

“I try to take inspiration from everywhere, but I like to keep my sound focused on guitar.”

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN PURSUING A CAREER IN MUSIC?

“I’ve always been around music. I started playing guitar when I was 8 and singing when I was 6. My mother was also very musical and had a big influence on me.”

WHO ARE YOUR TOP MUSICAL INFLUENCES AT THE MOMENT?

“I’d say the band ‘COIN,’ John Bellion, Lauv, and Jeremy Zucker.”

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

“I want to keep making music. I want to be able to release an album, play some more shows and keep developing as a songwriter and artist.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SPENDING TIME ON SMITH LAKE?

“Wakeboarding, wakesurfing, skiing, tubing, anything you can do on the water. I also spend a lot of time there working on my music.”

To keep up with Kevin, follow him on Instagram and all other major social media platforms @kevinkolkmusic where you can find a link to listen to “Hearts” in his bio. For more information about the artist, visit www.kevinkolk.com.

NewATide

IN THE 205:

LAKE TUSCALOOSA

CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF RECREATION,

RESOURCES

Welcome to our new series “Southern Shores.”

We obviously love Smith Lake, but it’s also nice to know about sister lakes in our region since many of us like to visit other bodies of water in our travels, and/or we have friends or family that live on or visit other waterfront areas that we hear about often. We thought Lake Tuscaloosa was a great place to begin this series because it has a direct waterway connection to Smith Lake, plus many of us know young people who attend The University of Alabama, which is very close to it, and it is a huge recreational draw for students who want to take a break from their educational pursuits. If you know of a southern shore you’d like us to visit, or would like to help feature, let us know!

WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER SAVANNAH BULLARD

Nestled in the heart of Tuscaloosa County lies one of the Druid City’s most utilized resources. This man-made body of water, known as Lake Tuscaloosa, has turned into something of a recreational staple in West Alabama, and this year the city will celebrate its golden anniversary.

into one of Tuscaloosa’s biggest attractions. Lake Tuscaloosa’s waters are utilized by waterskiers, recreational boaters, fishermen and cliff jumpers alike. The lake is equipped with plenty of marinas and boat launch ramps for private and public use. Many artisans and performers set up shop nearby, including local favorites like the Alabama Antique Market and Theatre Tuscaloosa. On Saturdays in the fall, football fans can rent lakefront properties for game days and utilize one of Tuscaloosa’s many RV parks to stash their mobile abodes while they enjoy the ball game.

HISTORY

Constructed in 1970, Lake Tuscaloosa spans about 5,800 acres with nearly 200 miles of shoreline. With The University of Alabama located only about five miles from its closest shoreline, college students and longtime locals alike can enjoy the lake’s amenities. The entire project to construct the lake cost a little over $7.7 million. Its primary purpose is to provide fresh, clean drinking water to Tuscaloosa and Northport’s residents and businesses. To achieve this, 12 water towers are dispersed around the lake’s shores, holding around 20 million gallons of water.

On average, the lake’s surface elevation lingers around 220 feet with a 230-foot pool capacity. With nearly 40 billion gallons of capable water capacity, the lake operates as a resource and recreation tool year-round.

WORK AND PLAY

One core purpose of Lake Tuscaloosa’s construction is centered around the dam that separates the lake from the North River. The lake’s dam and spillway, located right off Rice Mine Road near the Mary Ann Phelps Activity Center, siphons the reservoir’s waters from the North River, whose waterways continuously flow from the Lewis Smith Lake Dam in Jasper to the Mobile Bay. About three percent of the State of Alabama is made of water – 1.13 million acres to be exact. This is why Alabama is ranked No. 23 out of the 50 states and District of Columbia in terms of water-to-land ratio. Lake Tuscaloosa makes up 0.5% of the state’s total.

But what started as a pragmatic resource system quickly turned

FOR THE LOCALS

Waterfront homes around Lake Tuscaloosa are nothing short of extravagant, attracting notable residents like UA head football coach Nick Saban. And while some of the finer estates can be priced well into the millions, there are plenty of homes around the lake that can fit the average $50,000 annual Tuscaloosa County household income.

A short walk from the southernmost shore is Will May Dog Park, Phelps Activity Center, and Ol’ Colony Golf Complex. Patrons of public facilities like these, and plenty others along the lake’s shorelines, can enjoy everything from hiking and disc golf to kayaking and camping throughout the year. And with a fairly warm climate in the Yellowhammer State year-round, many of these facilities do not close for the winter season.

For Tuscaloosa residents, it takes a village to maintain their lake. One of the City of Tuscaloosa’s premier volunteer programs is its annual lake cleanup day, in which the city organizes a citywide effort to give the lake a little TLC. Volunteers are treated to lunch (and sometimes free Lake Tuscaloosa merchandise) as a token of gratitude for spending a Saturday morning cleaning up the lake. This year’s cleanup day is scheduled for April 4, 2020 at 8 a.m.

FISHING

According to Outdoor Alabama, fishing prospects on Lake

Tuscaloosa may not be the best in the area. The lake is considered to be a reservoir, and therefore its primary responsibility is supplying water to its nearby residents. This being considered, builders did not prioritize wildlife longevity when completing the project. The lake’s infertility is accompanied by crystal clear water, some depths exceeding 20 feet of clarity near the dam and spillway.

Though biologists have projected that the lake may not be a haven for many aquatic species, fishermen can rejoice in knowing that it can certainly still produce some bountiful catches. The lake’s northernmost areas are known to house quite a few varieties of fish. In fact, Lake Tuscaloosa served as the host site for the 2001 B.A.S.S. Federation Qualifying Tournament. Fishermen can expect to find various types of bass, catfish, crappie and carp in Lake Tuscaloosa’s waters.

Whether you’re looking for a casual day on the water or a beautiful backdrop for your favorite outdoor activity, Lake Tuscaloosa is one of the states most versatile attractions. For more information, visit laketuscaloosa.info.

A recent graduate of The University of Alabama, Savannah Bullard is excited to take her cat, Cleo, and embark on her first big adventure as a real-life adult. The Huntsville native and former Crimson White Editor-in-Chief will miss those sweltering summer days that could only be cooled by Alabama’s beautiful waters, but she is excited to pursue journalism and make a difference for whatever big city publication wants to hire her.

For Tuscaloosa residents, it takes a village to maintain their lake. One of the City of Tuscaloosa’s premier volunteer programs is its annual lake cleanup day, in which the city organizes a citywide effort to give the lake a little TLC.

Stetson Parrish

BREED: English Cream Retriever

HOME BASE: Gardendale, AL

HUMANS: Michelle and Greg Parrish

LAKE PASTIME: Running along the bank splashing in the water with his dog relatives, Diablo, Whiskey & Reba, and floating on his float with his humans or taking long boat rides!

FAVORITE LAKE TREAT: Anything. All!

FUN FACT: He sucks on his paw when he sleeps, like a baby sucks their thumb. He LOVES his toys!

Andre & Ruben (brothers)

BREED: Standard Poodles

HOME BASE: Jasper, AL

HUMANS: Amanda Darty and Trae Anderson

LAKE PASTIME: Riding in the pontoon boat.

FAVORITE LAKE TREAT: Biljac

FUN FACT: They are one year apart. Andre is in training to be a Therapy Dog. Andre is 1.7 years old and Ruben is 9 months old.

Reel Time Bass Recipe

PROVIDED BY RICHARD “TRAE” ANDERSON

This is a recipe provided by Richard “Trae” Anderson, of Instagram’s @reeltimeanglers. Give the account a follow. Reel Time Anglers is a Smith Lake fishing guide service, specializing in fishing for Spotted and Striped Bass. Check out our article featuring Trae on page 80 offering more information about his guide service.

Spring is a great time for striped bass fishing. Lots of bass fishing tournaments occur this time of year, and even when there isn’t a large event going on, you’ll find fishermen out daily searching for a sweet spot to catch a few nice fish for good sport, and hoping to bag a few nice enough to take home to grill, bake or fry. This recipe can actually be used on fresh or frozen fish.

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 nice sized bass filets

• pinch of salt

• pinch of pepper

• 2 T brown sugar

• 2 pinches of cayenne pepper

• 2 t Tajin seasoning

• 1 pkg of truffle butter (use to taste, we used about a teaspoon on each side)

• 1-2 lemons (juice or cut in half to squeeze over fish while cooking)

• 3 T olive oil

• 1 pack of green onions

INSTRUCTIONS

• Wash the filets, place them on a large tray (if using frozen filets, thaw fish thoroughly), then gently pat dry. Combine first 5 dry ingredients (seasonings) in a small cup or bowl to mix. Coat both sides of fish thoroughly.

• Heat 3 T of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add filets into the heated pan to cook. As fish cook add truffle butter (one small spoonful at a time), and squeeze lemon juice onto fish. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until done. Add chopped green onions for garnish if desired.

Trae’s family serves their bass filets with Spanish rice and broccoli. We served ours with cheese grits sprinkled with bacon bits, zucchini fritters and a side salad, but it is also great with traditional sides for fish like cole slaw, wild rice and steamed veggies. You decide!

SOUTHERN LAKESIDE Old Fashioned

INGREDIENTS

• Orange Peel

• 1 or 2 Luxardo Cherries

• 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters

• A little more than a bar spoon of simple syrup

• *Optional – a bar spoon of cherry syrup for extra sweetness

• 1.5 jigger of bourbon (Scott recommends Bulleit Bourbon)

DIRECTIONS

• Add all ingredients above into a nice sized cocktail glass (or a cocktail shaker)

• Fill the cocktail glass with ice

• Stir well (or shake in the cocktail shaker with a couple cubes of ice to chill & pour over the ice in the glass)

• For garnish, add a wedge of orange or a satsuma when in season

Serve and enjoy!

Drink responsibly, stay safe, CHEERS!

Recently,we had the pleasure of a particular remarkable dinner with our neighbor and dear friend Larry Watts, the owner of local Smith Lake rental home Cody’s Cabin. He and a couple of his friends from New Orleans, David Broussard and Scott Hipp, invited us and some other neighbors over for the evening. David was the chef for the night and created an out-of-this-world gumbo that we’ll be sharing with you in an issue very soon when we also do a feature on Larry’s cabin. So…stay tuned for that!

After the outstanding dinner, we all sat down to fellowship and found out that Scott Hipp shared a mutual love for an “Old Fashioned” after-dinner cocktail. Scott offered to make one from a favorite recipe. The drink was delightful and soothing, now a new favorite cocktail for winding down a long exhausting lake day, so we aptly named it as you see above. The next time you plan an evening around the fire pit with dear friends, whip up some of these for everyone, kick back and enjoy.

If you would like more information about Cody’s Cabin on Smith Lake, please contact owner Larry Watts at 866-226-1896, and view the cabin at vrbo.com/256923 or on social media – just “Google it.” (He also owns a highly rated lovely Bed & Breakfast in New Orleans, the “1896 O’Malley House” and you will find more information at 1896omalleyhouse.com, same phone as for Cody’s Cabin.)

RECIPE PROVIDED BY SCOTT HIPP

PIE CRUST

• 1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 6 T butter melted

• mix ingredients together & press/pack into a pie plate

• bake @ 375 degrees for 7 minutes

• cool for 30 minutes

KEY LIME PIE FILLING

• 28 oz sweetened condensed milk

• ½ cup sour cream

• ¾ cup key lime juice (It’s always best if you can get fresh key limes to juice. Otherwise you can research some good organic juices by reviewing online. A great one to try is Nellie & Joe Key West Lime Juice which you can buy locally or on Amazon.)

• zest from 2 regular limes or up to 4 small key limes.

• mix ingredients with a whisk and pour into the cooled crust

• bake @ 350 degrees for 10 mins

• let pie cool about 15 minutes

• cover and chill pie in the fridge for at least 3 hours

WHIPPED TOPPING

(We often double this recipe if we want lots of topping for a decorative effect, or just do one recipe and pipe on the edges of the pie. If you are in a hurry, use a favorite canned whipped topping, we recommend one that is extra creamy.)

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1 t vanilla–cool for 30 minutes

• beat cream & sugar in a mixer until stiff peaks form

• beat in vanilla

• pipe onto the edge decoratively or spread softly on the entire top of the cooled pie

• decorate with additional lime zest if desired, and serve

SPRINGTIME KEY LIME PIE

RECIPE PROVIDED BY WRITER ANGEL COKER

We had the pleasure of first meeting one of our writers, Angel Coker, when she visited the lake last summer at our home with her friend our Executive Editor, John David Palmer. She brought a bounty of wonderful snacks, fruit and goodies with her, and the score of the weekend was definitely her rocking homemade key lime pie! We had been eyeballing it in the fridge for two days before we got a bite. Boy was it worth it!