The Lakeside Life - Lewis Smith Lake - Summer/Fall Issue - 2018-QTR3

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In His Wakes Going strong 6 years on Smith Lake – a weekend for children from Alabama to learn Christian lessons about life taught through watersports

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Shapiro Wake Camp The Albright Home A weekend of training with the incomparable and famously decorated wakeboarder & coach Darin Shapiro

A lovely view of an iconic lake home - The Albrights work with White Willow to create a masterpiece interior of style & sophistication

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Wh at ’ s I n s ide S U M M E R / FA L L

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SMITH LAKE QUILTER FEATURE NEIGHBOR

PAGE 10 Christine Williamson

PAGE 70 Rob Beckman/Skid Vicious

FEATURE HOME BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

PAGE 32 Smith Lake Marina/Brothers on Smith Lake

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WATER PAGE 38 In His Wakes

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PAGE 48 The Albrights

Something About Smith �������������������������������������06 Meet the Natives ������������������������������������������������������ 16 Pass The Handle, Shred The Gnar ����������������� 18 Lindsey McClelland/Elle Rae Salon ��������������� 76 Smith Lake Pets �������������������������������������������������������� 78 Advertiser Index �������������������������������������������������������80 RECIPES ON SMITH D elightful D ock D rinks ����������������26 S tuffed B ully C hicken & B acon P oppers ������������������������������28 S trawberry P udding ������������������������ 30

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ON THE COVER PARTNER/EDITOR IN CHIEF: Syndi Sumner Hanna PARTNER/MANAGING EDITOR/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Haley May PARTNER/MANAGING EDITOR/ SALES DIRECTOR: Scott Hanna

Illusion Rock

Rock Creek, Lewis Smith Lake

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jennifer Beckman (JWB Photography) Julius Bloomston Dave & Lynne Chambers Shane Cook (WakeFactory) Scott Eric Day Photography and Videography Leslie Dyar (Soulful Snaps) Peggy Hill Tom King MasterPro Audio Geri Simpkins Terry Turner The Team of In His Wakes Dave Warren (Cullman Aerial & Real Estate Photography) Christine Williamson Lewis Smith Lake Community The Lakeside Life Team CONTRIBUTING EDITORIALS: Tom Bailey Peggy Hill Stephanie G. Lepore John David Palmer Ellen Roberts The Lakeside Life Team CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGN: Sparta Creative PRINTED BY: Freeport Press Inc. PUBLISHED BY: The Lakeside Life – www.thelakesidelife.com FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS CALL: 256-708-7679 – or complete the subscription form @ www.thelakesidelife.com/magazine-subscription.html FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CALL: 205-470-8250 – or complete the advertising form @ www.thelakesidelife.com/advertise.html INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING CONTENT? Please e-mail thelakesidelife@gmail.com to obtain a content submission form and agreement.

@THELAKESIDELIFE_SMITHLAKE

@THELAKESIDELIFE

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SOMETHING ABOUT

Smith An Open Letter to “All the People Who Have ‘Been There’” Photography - Terry Turner

Dear fellow lakers - have you ever experienced the moment of sheer panic when you’re out in the middle of the lake, miles from your home, with no friends in sight and your boat decides not to crank? Have you ever been cruising down the lake in your brand new (to you) boat, feeling like you’re on top of the world, and it just suddenly quits? Or, have you ever worked tirelessly on a boat all week, and then finally you eagerly go out to test it - it works like a charm! …until it doesn’t, and it leaves you stranded once again. Well, you know what they say BOAT stands for, Break Out Another Thousand!

This letter isn’t to digress about the many times our good ‘ole boats strand us, it’s to thank the folks who come to our rescue.

To the father who decided to take his daughter out for a final afternoon wakeboard run and graciously cut it short to rescue a stranded family. Not only did you tow the family to your beautiful home and invite them inside and offer refreshment, but you also took them to get their truck. Your entire lake afternoon interrupted by someone else’s bad luck, but you helped because you had “been there” yourself before.

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To the man who saw a boat drift up to a dock near his home and came down to see what was going on. A frustrated boat owner was inspecting the problem, certain that something major was wrong, to find that the boat had only run out of gas.

The helpful man responded, “I’ve been there,” and off to the gas station they went.

To the fellow skiers who drifted up to a still boat to say “Hi!” only to find that those folks were having some serious boat problems. They paused their day to make sure that others were safe, and stuck by them until the towing service came. They were teaching their boat full of anxious children that helping others is what is most important.

That’s what we love about this lake. None of us is ever truly stranded. There are so many amazing people always willing to help one another. Thank you for staying true to our reputation as southerners. You folks are what make this world a little brighter.

There is just something about Smith Lake… we believe that something is its people. ~ “The Lakeside Life Team”

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l t i e u Qon Smith Lake d -

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Christine Williamson WRITER STEPHANIE G. LEPORE PHOTOGRAPHY SCOTT ERIC DAY

Local lake dweller Christine Williamson’s bold and beautiful designs have earned her recognition across the region and commissions from all over the country.

One look at Christine’s bold quilts filled with pattern and color, and you might wonder where she gleans inspiration for her patchwork pieces of art. That answer is as intricate as her work, weaving in pieces of her NOLA childhood, along with her current surroundings right here on Smith Lake.

“New Orleans has beautiful architecture and very colorful houses, and I find I am drawn to bright colors in my quilts,” says Christine. “But I also love the browns and blues found

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in nature, so the water and woods on our property inspires me too.” While growing up, Christine’s family spent every holiday in bustling New Orleans, she never experienced beach vacations, much less to have imagined the serenity and inspiration that would eventually come from a place like Smith Lake.

Christine is no stranger to sewing—her mother was well-known in their community for her sewing skills and handmade Raggedy Ann dolls—but it took a while for her talent to manifest. Along the way to discovering her colorful hobby-turned-new-“job,” Christine left a career as a medical transcriptionist due to carpal tunnel, worked in Outdoor

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Education for the YMCA for about 10 years, and after moving around the southeast with her family, finally landed on Smith Lake.

“New Orleans will always be home—we go back for a few weeks every April—but we really fell in love with Smith Lake,” says Christine. It took a year of driving back and forth from Georgia, working with realtor Greg Young as they looked at home after home, before Christine and her husband finally found a place that felt right. It would be another year of back-and-forthing to sell their house in Atlanta, long drives that, Christine points out, really made them appreciate arriving back home to Smith Lake.

During the unpacking process, Christine came faceto-face with a literal piece of her past. “About 20 years ago, a friend encouraged me to join her and several others who were making a “block of the month” quilt,” she says. “I never did finish that quilt—but I found it packed up when

we moved here, and couldn’t remember what to do with it.” Undeterred, Christine called up the county extension center to see if there were any quilters who could help.

Instead, she found the local quilt guild, and that’s when the quilting bug bit—hard, Christine says.

“I’ve been a member of my guild for about 10 years now,” Christine says. “I’ve made many wonderful friends and have learned so much—these ladies have been so generous with their time, knowledge, and tools. I wouldn’t be a quilter if not for them!” The evidence of her mentored education is seen in the careful, elaborate stitches she painstakingly applies from her new, above-the-garage studio space.”

Drawn to bright colors—that New Orleans influence!— Christine’s quilts are vibrant and beautiful interpretations of the places she loves and the place she calls home. (Though the lake’s primary influence is greens, blues and browns, Christine’s avid gardening skills bring in plenty of color.)

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“I started out quilting in my dining room,” Christine says. “When I outgrew that, I moved to our garage, and that was great for a while. But I now have a beautiful new studio—the upstairs of a

two-story garage we built.” It houses her well-loved 35-year-old

workhorse Kenmore that has been serviced only once in its lifetime, right in downtown Cullman. She depends on this classic machine to help her piece together her prized quilts. She has made the

studio cozy with antiquing finds like a beautifully restored hutch with glass doors that displays her carefully folded fabrics, and

a favorite small recovered vintage upholstered chair for studio

guests - both among many other treasures she has collected over time, pieces that now have a real purpose. The 700-square-foot space was worth the wait: “I believe that starting out small,

working with whatever you have, gives you a much greater

appreciation when you finally have your own dedicated space.”

This vintage Singer sewing machine is a treasured family heirloom from a relative who can no longer sew, it is a favorite decoration in the studio.

“I tend to be drawn to bright colors, and I also love the scrappy-style quilts. They remind me that all quilts used to be “scrappy,” as people used whatever they had available to make a quilt. Nowadays, we go to the fabric store, buy beautiful fabrics, cut them up, and then sew them back together to make a quilt!” she says.

When she’s not busy cultivating her garden, hitting the concert circuit with her husband, or hanging out with their tight-knit crew of Smith Lake friends—we have so many wonderful friends here, more so than any neighborhood we’ve ever lived in, says Christine—she’s scouring the Internet for “de-stash” sites, on the hunt for unusual and vintage fabrics to weave into her latest project, be it a custom commission or

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one where her creativity is free to flow.

“I do enjoy the artistic freedom in designing quilts as compared to those commissioned, only because there is a certain pressure with a commission—especially when the client chooses the pattern,” Christine explains. “I’m currently working on a commissioned quilt, and it requires so much discipline to stay on track and not start creating one of my own.” But the flip side is that being locked into a design forces structure, which is great for self-discipline, so Christine is genuinely grateful for all commissioned work because it allows her to “play” and create her own unique custom quilts on the side.

Asking her to choose a favorite is much like asking a

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1st place winner, “Crazy Love” Charm quilt. Displayed in 2017 in an exhibit

featuring artists of Winston County at the Bankhead House and Heritage Center.

Christine also tinkers

with smaller handmade

creations, like pillows,

totes/selvage bags,

makeup bags, Christmas

stockings and ornaments, etc…, with leftover scraps

of her fabulous fabrics.

orders are welcome!

s

Just ask if you want

something small – custom

mother to pick her favorite child, but when pressed, Christine obliges: “It’s tough, but probably the first quilt I did—a Hunter’s Star quilt—just because it was my first and it was a challenging pattern! I gifted it to my son (my firstborn).”

Her “Crazy Love” Charm quilt, which won first place in the fiber division of a local juried arts show, is prized as well; it belongs to Christine’s husband. Currently, Christine houses quite a few quilts under her own roof—three or four that she made along with a smattering of vintage quilts passed down from her husband’s family. “They don’t have labels, so I don’t know what year they were made or who made them— labeling a quilt is SO important so that future generations will know the history of the quilt.”

“I like variety, so it’s hard for me to stick with one project,”

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she continues. “This is common with quilters; most of us have lots of UFOs—unfinished objects. I have so many ideas in my head, if I ever get around to actually making all of the quilts I think about, I’ll have a bunch!” t You will be delighted and inspired with just a glance through Christine’s social media accounts. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the mind of an artist – not just quilting, but also gardening, cooking, thoughtful life moments that she shares and writes about in captions, and pictures of her family and their life on Smith Lake. We encourage you to

follow her accounts: Facebook & Instagram: @upclearcreek, and you may e-mail Christine at any time: cometw@gmail.com. Get your own piece of art from our lakeside quilter for yourself or as a

special thoughtful gift for an upcoming event. Tell her we sent you!

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MEET THE NATIVES Native plants that grow in the Smith Lake region

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MAPLELEAF VIBURNUM

Without irrigation, it can be challenging to grow plants in the dry, shady areas of the landscape, but mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) can handle those difficult conditions. It grows 4-6 feet tall, and 3-4 feet wide. Occasionally it suckers to form wide colonies.

As the name suggests, the leaves resemble maple leaves. Spring blooms are creamy white, spiraea-like, 2-3-inch-wide clusters appearing in late April or early May. In fall it develops purplish-black berries which nourish birds and other wildlife, and the foliage turns shades of rosy pink or maroon red. Easy to grow and adaptable to different soils and wetter conditions, mapleleaf viburnum is one of our best native shrubs.

Mapleleaf viburnum will be available at Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ fall plant sale on October 20-21. For details, visit bbgardens.org. You’ll find many fantastic plants at the sale, and you’ll support a great cause at the same time! If you miss the sale, Petals from the Past in Jemison usually sells this plant.

This article, written by Peggy Hill, (also the photographer of the two pictures on the right above) is from the 2018 fall newsletter of Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee (SLEPC). For more information about SLEPC, or to sign up for their newsletter, visit slepc.org.

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Pass The Handle,

Shred The Gnar WRITER ELLEN ROBERTS

PHOTOGRAPHY SHANE COOK (WAKEFACTORY)

As you look out over the lake, you see watersports enthusiasts of all variations enjoying the waters. However, every once in awhile you know you are witnessing something extraordinary. If you were lucky enough to be out May 5-6, you very well could have been witnessing Darin Shapiro shredding the wake on our very own Lewis Smith Lake.

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Shapiro is the winningest wakeboarder in the history of the sport. In fact, he officially landed the first ever double-flip on a wakeboard, which he named the “Speedball.” He is the inventor of the “Raley”—a showy and highly difficult trick to conquer—most wakeboarders eventually secretly hope to consistently master that one, it’s a benchmark in top level trick progression. And, he is a legend amongst sports enthusiasts around the world. He has raked in 6 X-Game medals, 3 Gravity Games medals, 6 World Cup Titles, 3 Big Air Wins and over 80 other professional awards during his career.

Shapiro, now 44, is a true machine and is now passing on his love, passion and skill of the sport to the younger generations. In fact, you will often find Shapiro on the waters with his son, Kien, who straight-up holds his own, on the board.

With the encouragement and assistance of Scott Hanna of The Lakeside Life and Lakeside Sports & Recreation, Shapiro was recruited to our lake to give unparalleled, hands-on training to 12 lucky kids and teach them the skills, technique and passion involved in the sport of wakeboarding.

“Darin is meticulous,” Wayne Harris, of US Cable Tours, said. “He is a true master down to the finest detail in what he teaches. He coaches skill sets, not tricks.” He provides fundamentals crucial to every great rider. In turn, “riders with the greatest skill sets are the ones with the biggest, baddest tricks.”

Harris and Hanna met in Orlando at a Watersports Complex when the bond and love of our lake turned strangers into friends, as it so often does. Wayne is a native of Alabama and actually got married in Arley, overlooking Smith Lake. Harris owns US Cable Tours which is an adventure company specializing in connecting wakeboarders, adventure enthusiasts, and pro athletes to experience a new way to vacation and camp. As well as hosting wakeboarding camps, like the one at Smith Lake, they are well known for wakeboard road trips where they combine wakeboarding and other adrenaline rush activities in a family culture.

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When Hanna found out there were connections to a living space for everyone and the location on Brushy Creek would be legend like Shapiro, he seized the opportunity to bring him a great fit.” to our beloved lake. Everything fell into place from there and Families were encouraged to sleep over with the campers and our community pulled together to make it happen. With the everyone came together bonded by the love of the sport and excitement spreading through local watersports enthusiasts the beauty of the lake. “The most memorable thing about our and the help of Justin Ward, trip to Smith Lake was that the the dad of the infamous young people were so welcoming and “There is a common bond that shredder, Kane Ward from anyone who has ever strapped on a had a great vibe. My son and I Cullman, the camp filled up immediately felt right at home on board experiences.

There is a never without ever advertising. It was Smith Lake,” Shapiro said. ending learning curve that keeps $400 a camper, for a weekend of The wakeboarding community priceless memories, experience comes with its own special vibe drawing people back in and gets and skills. where everyone tends to look people supporting each other.”

Bryan and Chanda Miller out for each other like old-time offered up their home in Brushy friends. “Everyone is family,” Creek to host the coaches and kids so they truly were able to Harris said. “There is a common bond that anyone who has experience the Smith Lake lifestyle first-hand. “We love for ever strapped on a board experiences. There is a never ending family and friends to come to the lake and enjoy the water learning curve that keeps drawing people back in and gets together,” Bryan Miller said. “When Justin said he needed to people supporting each other.” In fact, many of the camp find a place to host the camp, I felt our house offered enough participants have started competition wakeboarding after

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leaving the camp. “We all cheer each other on,” Miller said. “We have loved all the friendships started with this camp.”

Lakeside Sports & Recreation and Miller provided their X46 and X30 MasterCraft boats, and Russell Marine of Dodge City donated a Nautique G23 for the weekend with Justin Ward behind the wheel. For those not too familiar with wakeboarding, the boat and the driver have a tremendous impact on the success of the boarder. This camp was top-notch providing an experience most kids, and adults for that matter, only dream of.

“I’m seeing more and more kids, mine included, spending too much time watching electronic devices instead of getting out and playing,” Ward said. “I also see way too many kids riding on tubes and surfing because it is the easy thing to do.

Wakeboarding, like other mainstream sports is hard at times, but also like other sports, there is an awesome feeling of accomplishment you just can’t get by laying on a tube being slung around the lake.”

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Many people and businesses including Patriot Jacks Property Management, Patriot Jacks Tree Service, MasterPro Audio and Hydrohoist of Alabama, also pooled together to create this epic adventure. We have an amazing community supporting, and re-introducing, the sport of wakeboarding to our youth.

“Without the young guns we don’t have a sport,” Wayne said.

“They are the future. They are the ones that will pass the handle to their friends and families in the years to come.”

As with Alabama weather, and the depth of Smith Lake, the water was cold. However, the kids rode like champs and after the initial shock of the jump in, they didn’t even notice.

It sort of numbs your body initially, but the adrenaline soon overtakes the chill. “You could feel the excitement of the kids and the parents,” Miller said. “Everyone was up and ready to hit the water everyday. The experience was absolutely amazing.

We had great coaches and a great group of kids. Everyone who participated improved in just a weekend.”

Shapiro is meticulous in all he does. He is a perfectionist on

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out for the weekend,” Ward said.

Shapiro continues to test his boundaries and push his limits. During his off-time, Shapiro practiced jiujitsu with local Daniel O’Brien at Triad Martial Arts in Cullman.

“It was one of the best jiujitsu workouts I have ever had,” Shapiro said. Like wakeboarding, jiujitsu requires skill, dedication and perseverance. “We teach people how to defend themselves, overcoming much bigger and stronger opponents through leverage, balance, technique, and learning to be in the present moment using your opponents movements and force against him,” O’Brien said. This is a perfect fit for Shapiro as it is another way to challenge his mind and artistic abilities.

Shapiro plans to continue practicing jiujitsu with O’Brien. In addition, he said, “I already have plans to come back to coach as well as bringing my family here to vacation. I enjoyed the trip, people, and the beauty of the place. I am really looking forward to coming back.”

Once again, the amazing lake within our backyards has made strangers forever friends, introduced kids to an amazing sport, and created a tradition that will bless our waters for many for years to come. ▼ Keep up with everything Shapiro by connecting online – follow Darin on

the board and in his life as he teaches skills and fundamentals to those eager to learn. “The work and discipline he puts into everything he does is incredible,” Ward said. “He preaches the basics and works with everyone of all levels to establish a good, solid foundation. He is a perfectionist, but has a way about him that not only pushes you to be your best, but have fun while doing it.”

“I like to connect with the riders by getting them to understand technique first and then tricks later,” Shapiro said. I have countless drills that prep riders to do basic variations that lead to harder ones. That way they have many small successes with less crashing. Before they know it, they are already to the next level. I like the smile on their face realizing they did something they didn’t think they could do.”

The campers, families and friends also got to witness Darin in action throughout the weekend. “I grew up watching every wakeboard video Darin was ever in, so I have to admit I was a little star struck and beside myself getting to pull him and hang

@darin.shapiro.3 or

@darin_shapiro

Lakeside Sports & Recreation is a small watersports pro shop

located in Cullman right off the Good Hope exits from I65. They

offer brands like Ronix, Radar, Slingshot, and Phase 5. As a small shop, they carry a minimal amount of inventory for display, but any product desired and made by their brands can be ordered and tailored to the customer, shipping takes only a matter of days, and they often hand deliver product right to your door. They also have a high end marine & SxS/ATV/OHV audio shop in the rear of the store, MasterPro Audio. If you need the loudest but clearest sound system around, this is the place in Alabama to make it happen. They offer lakeside/dockside service in the North Alabama area 24/7. You can find them on

&

@lakesidegear or @masterproaudio or call Scott at 205-470-8250.

Many thanks to the sponsors who made this event such a great success - it could not have happened without them: The Bryan Miller Family, HydroHoist of Alabama, Lakeside Sports & Recreation, MasterPro Audio, Patriot Jacks Land Worx & Patriot Jacks Tree Service, Russell Marine (Nautique), and US Cable Tours. If you would like to be involved for 2019, please call 205-470-8250.

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Wakeboarding

LINGO WRITER ELLEN ROBERTS

PHOTOGRAPHY SHANE COOK (WAKEFACTORY)

For those of you who think you may want to start “shredding the gnar,” here’s some more boarding lingo:

Shred the gnar (gnarly) To ride with exceptional speEd and enthusiasm.

Air

How much space you get betweEn you and the water.

Ballast

Eye-opener

This is when you hit the water with your face so quickly that you don’t have time to shut your eyes, or also used when you hit hard enough it opens your eyes.

FLATS

Extra weight may be added to the boat by using a balLast in order to make the wake bigger.

The smoOth water outside of the wake is the flats. When you do a trick on this water surface, you’re doing a trick “out in the flats.

Bindings

Goofy foot

BoOts that are atTached to the board.

When you ride with your right foOt forward.

Butt check

Handle pass

When your botTom touches the water when you land after a trick, this is a butT check.

When you pasS the handle betweEn each of your hands, this is a handle pasS.

Butter

Heel-side edge

SmoOth water

The side of your board that’s closest to the heEls of your feEt.

DIGGER

Invert

A bad crash

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When you’re in the air and upside down.

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Ole

When you lift the handle over your head when you’re doing a spin instead of pasSing the handle from one hand to another.

Ollie

When the rider pushes down with their back foOt and jumps with their front foOt to pop the board into the air.

Stomp

When you land your trick welL, you’ve “stomped” the move.

Style

This refers to how you loOk when you’re riding your wakeboard.

Hope to see you catching some air and stomping it out on our waters soon.

Who knows, the next Shapiro may be hiding deep within you. thelakesidelife.com | The Lakeside Life

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THE COUNTRY TIME Reader Cappie Blackmon generously supplied us with her recipe for this delightful drink using rum. Cappie said this recipe was an “experiment gone right!”

INGREDIENTS

>> Country Time Strawberry Lemonade mix (mix to instructions for desired quantity) >> add fresh sliced strawberries & lemons (additionally and separately we actually muddled some strawberries and lemons with a pinch of fresh mint and sugar to add to the mix for a little extra fresh flavor) >> Ron Zapaca XO Rum (if you can’t find this rum in Alabama, look online @ www.blackwellwine.com to have it shipped – otherwise just use your favorite!)

Garnish with lemon and a sprig of mint. Mix or shake in a cocktail shaker, serve over ice, and enjoy right away!

PINEAPPLE MIMOSAS Reader Jo Ann Milam of Tracy-Barrett Interiors in Birmingham, AL offered this delicious recipe for us on social media.

INGREDIENTS

>> 1/4 part orange juice, chilled (fresh squeezed is best, but quickly for our photos, we used Tropicana Original – no pulp) >> 1/4 part pineapple juice, chilled (fresh squeezed is recommended, but for our photos, we used Dole Pineapple Orange) >> 1/2 part Prosecco, chilled

Mix, serve immediately, garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint - very refreshing!

Jo Ann has incredible Instagram and Facebook accounts that we encourage you to follow, both with the same tag @tracybarrettinteriors—or her website as tracybarrettinteriors. com—and try to get down to her shop as soon as you can, it’s located in Birmingham, AL at Greystone Marketplace 280 – you’re bound to find something there you can’t live without!

PAMPLEMOSAS Our social media friend Janet Suter supplied this fun variation of a traditional mimosa. We really enjoyed this one!

INGREDIENTS

>> 100% grapefruit juice, chilled (fresh squeezed is amazing, but for our photos, we used Florida’s Natural brand Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice and it was really good!) >> Prosecco, chilled

Fill a champagne glass 2/3 of the way with Prosecco & top the glass off with grapefruit juice. Mix, serve while still chilled…enjoy!

We hope you enjoy the recipes above, and remember – always drink responsibly. Cheers!

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STUFFED BULLY CHICKEN & BACON POPPERS

W INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS

>> 4 jalapenos >> fresh bacon >> 1 bar of cream cheese >> 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (we got ours from Brickyard Meats in Cullman, AL – large fresh cuts – so big we could have made this recipe with 2) >> Bully Sauce Sweet Slobba Rub >> Bully Sauce (white or red BBQ sauce – we used white in ours)

W DIRECTIONS DIRECTIONS

>> Cut each jalapeno in half, scrape out the inside, and fill with cream cheese, as much as you like. >> Split chicken breasts in half, place the stuffed jalapenos in the middle, and wrap the whole breast in bacon. (we split almost in half, leaving enough to hold together at the end, stuffed and then wrapped in the bacon using toothpicks to secure ends). >> Rub the breast (covered in bacon) with Sweet Slobba Rub – be generous!

Smoke or bake @ 250-275 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 165. >> Mop on Bully Sauce (white or red) every time you check/turn the chicken. (we simply poured a good amount over the breasts to begin with, covering them, and left them to bake in that goodness until ready). >> Serve hot right off the grill or out of the oven - the juices are great as a drizzle over sliced pieces - and have some Bully Sauce ready for dipping (white or red).

You may ask yourself - is there such a thing as an elegant style BBQ chicken dinner recipe? We will answer, yes, absolutely! And this one from Bully Sauce, whose products are made in Birmingham, Alabama, is undeniably on the top of our list! This has become our new family favorite, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

This dish is perfect for lake weekend entertaining, super quick and easy to make. The thing we love about Bully Sauce is that their sauces do not overtake or compete with the meats you spend so much money on, they are perfectly blended as to be the exclamation point on the overall flavor - they don’t try to rewrite your dish for you, but they amp up the recipe for a truly sophisticated BBQ flavor unlike any we’ve ever had.

This is one you MUST try!

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We served ours with wild rice, broccoli, and a slaw salad, but the possibilities with sides are endless! This easy recipe is a true crowd pleaser. Also, when we first prepared this dish, we didn’t realize how great it would taste as a leftover. We just popped it back in the oven the next evening to warm again on 275 degrees, and it seemed even more delicious & flavorful the 2nd time around.

Recipe provided by Joseph Edens of Bully Sauce Brand LLC. You’ll enjoy following BullySauce on and @bullysauce If you would like to submit a recipe for the magazine, please do not hesitate to email us at thelakesidelife@gmail.com or hit us up on Facebook PM or Instagram DM. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy all the goodies others are sharing!

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STRAWBERRY PUDDING What a perfectly yummy cool dessert recipe to enjoy after a southern lakeside grilling session on a hot late summer afternoon! Prepare ahead, and this one is ready to scoop up and serve when you are. This scrumptious recipe is brought to us by our reader and Instagram friend Brandi Goodlett.

Thanks for sharing Brandi! Dig in y’all!

>>> INGREDIENTS 3 to 4 cups sliced strawberries Box of vanilla wafers ¾ cup sugar ¼ t salt

1.

¼ cup all purpose flour 1 cup milk 1 ½ cups evaporated milk 4 egg yolks 1 t vanilla extract

>>> DIRECTIONS

In a 2 qt casserole dish layer the vanilla wafers and strawberries.

2. In a saucepan on the stove with a whisk, mix together the sugar, salt, flour, egg yolks, and milk.

3. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, about 7 or 8 minutes until thickened. (It will burn easily so be sure to stir!)

4. Remove from stove and stir in vanilla extract.

5. Pour over wafers and strawberries.

6. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate immediately for several hours until set.

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MERINGUE TOPPING (optional) >>> INGREDIENTS 4 egg whites ½ cup sugar 1 t vanilla extract

>>> DIRECTIONS

1. Beat egg whites on high until stiff peaks form.

2. Add sugar and vanilla and beat into egg whites.

3. Spread over pudding and bake in a 350 degree oven

(or under the broiler) until slightly browned.

Not counting chill time for the pudding, it takes about 45 minutes start to finish. Serves 12-16, unless they are big hungry southern men, then pull that back to about 8.

Make sure the ladies & littles get served first, because the men do seem to gobble this one up. ENJOY!

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Smith Lake

B

MARINA WRITER TOM BAILEY

PHOTOGRAPHY JENNIFER BECKMAN (JWB PHOTOGRAPHY) & LESLIE DYAR (SOULFUL SNAPS)

Bringing Brothers on Smith Lake restaurant to Smith Lake Marina is but the latest venture of first cousins Larry Tucker and Jacob Knight. Their story spans decades, is littered with business success stories. While their paths have sometimes diverged and sometimes merged, the new restaurant situated on a high point of land overlooking Smith Lake and Smith Lake Park is a feel-good success story of family members working and achieving good things together. Tucker’s mother and Knight’s father were brother and sister, and the families were close. Tucker and Knight were not, however, playmates. Tucker is 14 years older than Knight, creating too large an age gap for the two to be playmates.

It was in the 1980s that they became close workmates. Tucker

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was in the homebuilding business—Tucker Homes—and Knight joined him in the venture. Knight was a coach and teacher, working at different times at schools in Vinemont and Good Hope. He left that profession for the construction business, but several years later was approached by an educator to return to coaching and teaching. “I said, ‘yeah, I kind of miss it,’” said Knight, “so I went back to doing that.”

But then, he and Tucker again got together with the idea of building a house at the time, “kind of a side (thing).” That “side thing” evolved into something more elaborate, and L&J Homebuilders was founded in 2004. Located in nearby Good Hope, the business continues as part of Tucker and Knight’s operations.

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PHOTO - SOULFUL SNAPS

While the construction business was ongoing, Tucker began having conversations with the previous owner of Smith Lake Marina. “He had kind of an interest in selling,” said Knight.

Tucker came to Knight and asked him what he thought about buying the marina and, said Knight, “the more we dug into it, the more appealing it got.” After several meetings with the previous owner, Tucker and Knight made an offer and it was accepted. That was in 2007 and the cousins have operated it since that time. Day-to-day operations are handled as a family affair. “There are no set duties,” said Knight. “Larry doesn’t like something, he’ll tell me. And if I don’t like something he’s got going on, I’ll tell him. There’s really no set nothing. There’s so many things that go along with a marina…you just deal with it as you go.” Like family.

Operational changes were minimal under the new ownership.

They did purchase additional property on top of the hill overlooking the lake with the idea of developing the land. That was in 2008, on the eve of the recession. For that reason, the development idea was set aside, but the economy has improved and, said Knight, “it might yet happen.” “This is really one of the best locations on Smith Lake,” Knight continued, mentioning its proximity to nearby transportation corridors and the popular Smith Lake Park.

Presently Smith Lake Marina has 88 boats in covered slips, a marina store, boat rental, launch ramp, fuel dock, fishing dock and locations where boats can tie up when they come by boat

PHOTOS - JWB PHOTOGRAPHY

to the restaurant. A number of mobile homes are on marina property sites, and leased year-around. Many of those living there keep boats at the marina. Additionally, several camper sites with hookups have been developed.

Brothers on Smith Lake has brought a new dynamic to the marina. Boat traffic has increased significantly since diners can dock and walk a short distance uphill to the restaurant. That traffic has Jacob thinking about other ways to serve as a broader destination. “This is like a small Lulu’s,” Knight said, referring to the popular restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway at Gulf Shores. “I was telling Lillie (Tucker’s wife) yesterday, people come in their boats and they’re going up and down (to and from the restaurant)…if we had a place where they could buy apparel, towels and memorabilia stuff…it could be a future thing. “You’re always looking for ways to better accommodate your customers.” t The future looks bright for Smith Lake Marina and Brothers on Smith Lake. Please get out and make a point to go visit, and enjoy some really great food and music. You’ll be so glad you did. In the meantime, you can reach them online as follows: Facebook as “Smith Lake Marina & Resort” Phone number: 256-737-7131 Address: 175 C R 312, Cullman AL 35057 Website: www.smithlakemarina.com Email: info@smithlakemarina.com

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Brothers on Smith Lake

RESTAURANT WRITER TOM BAILEY

PHOTOGRAPHY LESLIE DYAR (SOULFUL SNAPS) & JENNIFER BECKMAN (JWB PHOTOGRAPHY)

As good as it is (and it is really good), the view from the new Brothers on Smith Lake restaurant isn’t its greatest asset.

Anyone placing stock in Internet reviews will recognize that the number one asset is the exceptional food quality. It is a point of pride for Brothers’ owner Will Dowdy, who is quite emphatic that the food quality is not a point for compromise, even when he runs out of an exceptionally popular dish—which has happened as crowds larger than he anticipated arrived for meals.

Brothers on Smith Lake, located at Smith Lake Marina, is Dowdy’s newest location, which opened this year on Father’s Day, and is patterned after his four-plus year old Brothers location in nearby Cullman. The Smith Lake Marina location, directly across from Smith Lake Park, is a venture launched after discussions began in 2017 between Dowdy, Larry Tucker and Jacob Knight.

It is a partnership that they all have high hopes for continued success, and particularly as a year-round lakeside-dining destination. So far, so good.

The idea for a restaurant at the marina came out of conversations between the marina owners.

They owned a building on the property, which had been something of a boat dry storage structure. They changed it to a building and “we used it for community this and that.

We would have karaoke, reserve it for reunions. Things of that sort,” said Knight, “but nothing that we could make much money on.”

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“…it is the food that sets you apart.” Will added, “We’re a family r e s t a u r a n t ( a y e a r - r o u n d r e s t a u r a n t ) . T h a t ’s w h y w e p u t t h e playground in. The motto of the restaurant is eat, drink, listen!”

Then something happened that helped push an idea forward Mitch Baker, a talented local man affectionately described as a for the marina owners: passage of a special law that allowed “Jack of all trades.” Rivaling the whales is a large grouper hanging the sale of alcoholic beverages around the lake, seven days a by its tail beside the bandstand. “That’s Lillie’s grouper,” said Jacob. week. Knight noticed the popularity of Dowdy’s four-year-old “She caught it down at the gulf. I think it weighed over a hundred Cullman restaurant, Brothers Kitchen and Pourhouse, that was pounds.” Enough tables and chairs fill the room to seat more than known for exceptional food and music. It sparked an idea for 100 diners at a time, and there are more seats on the outside where such a place at the marina. “I thought it would be a good fit diners can enjoy a water view. down here,” said Knight. “I asked Doors opened to the public him if he’d ever thought about without fanfare and without alcohol (locating a restaurant on the lake) sales June 17, Father’s Day. The sale or had any interest in it.” That was of alcohol began July 3. “It didn’t near the end of summer 2017. make an immediate difference,” said The notion intrigued Dowdy. “We Dowdy. “But after everyone caught started batting around the idea of on, it definitely made a difference.” what we could do…working out Dowdy describes what has the details of it,” he said. “I knew happened since then as “a blur.” He it would be a good idea. It was just has been in the food service business a matter of what it would take... since age 16, serving food, waiting getting the licensing with the law tables. Through his college years as it is on Smith Lake.” Dowdy said at Jacksonville State University he his vision was a simpler version of tended bar and managed “a couple his downtown Cullman restaurant. of bars.” Then, when Cullman went “It was just a matter of streamlining wet “I’d always had the inclination PHOTO - LESLIE DYAR/SOULFUL SNAPS the menu, making it a little quicker.” to start a restaurant, but I wanted Negotiations were completed and Dowdy began preparing to do something different from what Cullman had,” he said, the building to open the restaurant by summer 2018. The describing the launch of Brothers Kitchen and Pourhouse. rustic building, with metal and raw wood exterior walls, He developed his concept by “thinking about the things that I features an interior design that includes a long row of water enjoyed when I traveled; places I liked to go. And I built a menu skis down one wall, a bar that dominates one corner that can be from there. The atmosphere was a big thing.” Still, with all of accessed from both the inside and outside, a stage for the band the years of experience working in food service, launching and in the opposite corner, strings of overhead lights reaching from running his Cullman restaurant, Dowdy said he still wasn’t sure side to side, nautical flotsam and jetsam randomly adorning what to expect when the doors opened at Brothers on Smith walls. Recently added to the walls are beautiful prints of line Lake. “It was a completely different market than what I knew and wash, watercolors of Smith Lake scenes and landmarks by downtown,” he said. “A little bit of what I was worried about local artist Scott Brown. Perhaps the most intriguing among was being something so new and being on the water, people the various decor are two whales carved from Smith Lake not understanding exactly where to go and get to the parking. driftwood hanging from the ceiling. They were created by We still have to explain it...” Situated on the northeast portion of

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PHOTO - JWB PHOTOGRAPHY

Smith Lake, lakefront dwellers from the northern and western parts of the lake are now beginning to discover and visit the new restaurant.

By midsummer, the volume of customers had grown significantly, and Dowdy has quickly taken steps to smooth out a few bumps that cropped up during those first opening days, while relentlessly maintaining food quality. “We’re covered up,” he said. “It’s great. It’s just hard to keep up…really fast paced.”

Early challenges were to hire enough staff to care for the crowds that were sometimes much larger than expected, and to have enough food on hand to keep from running out of the most popular items.

Seafood is the backbone of the menu. Most popular dishes thus far are the fish and shrimp tacos. “It’s incredible the amount of tacos we’re selling. I think (July 22) alone we sold 350 (taco shells),” said Dowdy. “That’s 150 orders. Who’d ever thought we would sell that many. You start the day with 150 to 200 taco shells and you think you’re going to be fine” only to be racing to Cullman several times for more. For some dishes, however, racing to Cullman isn’t an answer. Fresh gulf seafood isn’t available there. And as much as he regrets it, Dowdy said that he’d rather run out than to offer a dish of lesser quality.

On that recent July 22 Sunday, somewhere between 350 and 400 diners showed up. Half came by boat. Half came by car.

There was music from the bandstand. Dowdy is proud of the

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musicians he brings in, some of them hit songwriters, “guys who are real talented.” Diners filled up the interior seating and the stools overlooking the children’s sand-filled play area. In addition to 150 taco orders, Dowdy ended the week selling 250 pounds of shrimp. “We’ve been serving great food downtown four and a half years and that’s what kept me alive downtown— the food,” said Dowdy, “so when I came down here it was with every intention of having the same recipe for success. Not leaning on alcohol, which is a necessary part of the business to be competitive on the water. But it is the food that sets you apart.” Will added, “We’re a family restaurant (a year-round restaurant). That’s why we put the playground in. The motto of the restaurant is eat, drink, listen!” t

You will not be able to resist a visit to Brothers after constantly watching them post mouthwatering photos of delicious fare and beautifully prepared mixed drinks. They also keep the audience advised of their entertainment schedule as soon as they have a talent booked and ready to announce.

To keep “in the know”—catch up with them

on Facebook: @BrothersonSmithLake and on Instagram: @brothersonsmithlake

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PHOTO - SOULFUL SNAPS

BROTHERS ON SMITH LAKE

173 County Road 312, Cullman, AL 35057 TELEPHONE: (256) 727-3087

GETTING THERE From Interstate 65 North, take exit 305 >>> >> At the top of the exit ramp, turn left onto County Road 222.

>> Travel approximately six and a half miles and turn left onto County Road 310. >> Travel less than a third of a mile and turn left on County Road 312.

>> Travel less than a quarter mile and Brothers on Smith Lake and Smith Lake Marina are on the left.

From Interstate 65 South, take exit 305 >>>

>> At the top of the exit ramp, turn right onto County Road 222. From that point, follow the directions

as listed above.

HOURS OF OPERATION The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, serving lunch and dinner. Live music is from 5 until 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Watch their Facebook or Instagram accounts to find out which Sundays they offer a “Brunch by the Lake,” usually from around 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Social media is the best way to keep up with what’s going on at Brothers.

A restaurant Facebook page, Brothers on Smith Lake, is online as well as an Instagram page, @brothersonsmithlake

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IN HIS WAKES

get off

THE DOCK WRITER TOM BAILEY

PHOTOGRAPHY THE TEAM OF IN HIS WAKES, OR THE LAKESIDE LIFE TEAM

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Traveling north from Lewis Smith Lake dam, the first tributary flowing into this lake of many tributaries is Ryan Creek. It is a significant length of water, stretching northeastward several miles from its mouth. Each June, near that mouth, the lakeside home of Greg Darnell is the site of a Christian mission event drawing at-risk children. It is an event that opens their eyes to fun on the water, to possibilities that they can achieve things that they may not have thought possible, that there is a better and exciting life available to them, and available through the principles of a Christian life. Those principles, odd as it may seem to some, are woven into the two days of water activities each June. Now in its seventh year, this is an established event at Smith Lake, and one of more than 60 similar events taking place across the United States from spring through fall each year.

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Those events are under a ministry titled In His Wakes, launched in 2003 by world champion slalom waterskier Kristi Overton Johnson.

Known as A Day to Remember, that first year saw but five events and, according to Johnson, it wasn’t easy. Volunteers had to be rounded up. Organizations sponsoring children for the event had to be persuaded of its worth. Children had to be expertly cared for during the event, and safely returned to their homes when it was over. Johnson made it happen. It was a matter, she said, of getting off the dock. She heard God’s message to use her passion and her talent and give the less fortunate a chance at a better life, and an

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understanding of the Christian path to that life. It was no flash in the pan. Johnson attacked this new passion to use watersports as a Christian mission with the same vigor and determination as her waterskiing exploits. She was not to be denied. “A Day to Remember now spans the U.S. and has even crossed international borders,” said Johnson. “Since the programs inception, In His Wakes staff, along with 3,000 program volunteers, have impacted over 15,000 at-risk children!”

The Smith Lake event came about through the efforts of Southern Company co-workers Robert Markham and Greg Darnell. The seeds of its beginning were planted not at the lake however, but at Callaway Resort and

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Christians, both were captured by Johnson’s vision of bringing a Christian message and improving the lives of at-risk children through a day of water activities.

Darnell’s lakeside home is the site of the event. It sits on a grassy, shady peninsula that slopes gently to the water—something that is semi-rare for the often steep-banked lake. It includes a landside area where the children and volunteers can gather, talk and eat a picnic meal, and has space for the multiple boats that are used.

The event is on back-to-back days each June, hosting two different groups of children (although, occasionally, there have been adult groups too) at the lake for one day each. The groups number around 30 each, and are kept active and safe by the plentiful volunteers. Robert’s wife, Nancy, and Greg’s wife, Denise, are deeply involved as are a number of others serving as lifeguards, watersport instructors, boat drivers, and servers. Also deeply involved is a prominent local watersports business Rambo Marine. They provide boats, driver Donnie Moore, and volunteers, and they have helped secure groups to attend for the last two years.

“

A Day to Remember now spans the U.S. and has even crossed international borders.

“

Gardens’ Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament in middle Georgia. Markham tells of attending the tournament and one morning at breakfast met Kristi Overton Johnson. “I was getting coffee,” recalled Markham. “And we struck up a conversation.” It was no accident that Markham was there that morning. “We love Callaway. We love skiing,” he explained. Johnson’s enthusiasm for her mission was infectious. She poured out her hopes and dreams for it to Markham. She planted the seed of an idea. Markham and his friend/co-worker Darnell talked about it. “And we decided we needed to host an event.” Both had homes on Smith Lake, both of them and their families loved watersports, and, as

In His Wakes also has staff at each event. That group is headed by In His Wakes director Nate Miller.

His home is in Oregon, but he lives out of an RV six months each year, traveling to In His Wakes events throughout America. His story is like many others involved in the ministry. “I was doing wakeboarding and waterskiing competitions,” he said. “And at one point I met Kristi and learned about In His Wakes.”

Like Markham and Darnell later on, once Miller heard Johnson’s story he too was captivated. “I had younger kids (at the time),” he recalled. “We hosted a couple of events. Then, one thing led to another…and Kristi called me one December.” The next thing he knew, he and his family were packing up and moving to Florida

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(Johnson’s home base). That move was in the spring of 2007, and Miller has been crisscrossing America ever since. He later moved back to Oregon from Florida, but the job remained the same.

Among his many tasks, it is Miller’s job to work closely with event hosts—in Smith Lake’s case, the Markham and Darnell families, to provide expertise, guidance and assistance in making sure each event is a success. He too met the Markhams at the Callaway Gardens wakeboard and ski event.

“When I met the Markhams they knew a little bit about (In His Wakes),” recalled Miller. “But through various discussions they decided to host an event. And now it is two events.” Miller is not a ride in and ride out kind of guy. He knows the Smith Lake event well. He knows where the children come from— Birmingham, Huntsville, as far away as Greene County—and how to best serve them. “We are faith-based so we introduce them to analogies that relate to life,” he said. “Ninety percent (of what we do) is on the water. We have a 15-minute opener to start building the analogies that we use through the day… getting them prepared. At the end, we use everything they experienced, bring in the analogies and bring everything full circle…how (what was done during the day) relates to life and

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that Jesus Christ is there for them.”

Markham retired from Southern Company last November, but has no plans of retiring from his relationship with Darnell and their mission for Alabama’s less-fortunate children. The reward that he and Darnell gain from their sponsorship of the In His Wakes event is obvious as he talks about it. “You realize that it really does make a difference in these kids’ lives. I’m no preacher,” he said, “but I think it important to reach out and help these kids. Many of them have a lot of challenges.

Sometimes they have to make hard decisions about their lives. We want them to know that God is there for them. And that is powerful.” t

For more information about In His Wakes, or to inquire about volunteering or assisting with donations, check them out online:

@In His Wakes @inhiswakes

www

inhiswakes.com 352-478-2098

Nate Miller 352-745-0283 nate@inhiswakes.com

In His Wakes PO Box 120987 Clermont, FL 34712-0987

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IN HIS WAKES

A DAY

M

to Remember WRITER TOM BAILEY

PHOTOGRAPHY THE TEAM OF IN HIS WAKES OR THE LAKESIDE LIFE TEAM

Mixing watersports and a Christian message of hope is the brainchild of waterski world champion Kristi Overton Johnson. It is a day in which children from at-risk situations are given a carefree, fun-filled day on the water, along with a message of hope through Jesus Christ. “Participants engage in watersports such as swimming, boat riding, kneeboarding, waterskiing and wakeboarding,” explains Johnson. “These activities break through walls of fear, distrust, and low self-esteem and expose joy and smiles suppressed by a lifetime of challenges.

“Through on-water activities, time invested in the participant’s day, and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, ‘A Day to Remember’ becomes a starting point for a new life.

Participants gain confidence, self esteem, and new found hope to face life’s challenges,” she said. Those participants, she said, come from group homes, abuse shelters and foster systems, among others.

In Johnson’s words, here is how it works: From start to finish, the purpose of “A Day to Remember” is to share the amazing love of Christ through hands-on watersports activities. It is so much more than just a day on skis! Personal interaction with our staff, the amazing hospitality of volunteers, encouraging words shared throughout the day, and the opportunity of new experiences, combine to make “A Day to Remember” one that allows participants to grab hold of the truth: their lives

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have purpose and there is hope no matter how bleak their circumstances! The event provides a day of breakthrough for healing and a starting point for a new beginning.

“A Day to Remember” is so impacting because of the time and personal interaction required to teach participants on-water activities. For many participants, just entering the water takes patience, encouragement, and a hand to hold.

We create a bond of trust as children experience overwhelming activities for the first time.

They learn to persevere, as they are encouraged to continue to try until they experience victory. Children gain confidence and a sense of self worth as they receive, often for the first time, encouragement and praise for a job well done! They also learn the valuable lesson of second chances as they are reminded of how God, like the boat, will always circle around to pick them up and take them on an adventure of a lifetime, no matter how hard they fall.

“A Day to Remember” also impacts through a unique gospel presentation. God has provided us with amazing analogies between watersports and our walk with the Lord…analogies which enable people of all ages to grasp how deep and how wide the love of Christ is. Ultimately, participants are shown through example how important it is to be hooked to the only power source that will never fail! They realize victory only comes when you are willing to get off the dock! t

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* IN HIS WAKES

THE

Founder

Kristi Overton Johnson WRITER TOM BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY THE TEAM OF IN HIS WAKES

Kristi Overton Johnson no longer participates in the rare world of championship level competitive waterskiing. Still, her reputation, honors and astounding accomplishments are and will always remain a prominent part of competitive waterskiing.

Consider this: • For more than 20 years as a professional waterskier, she was the world record holder in women’s slalom from 1992-2010.

• Already a skier at age five, Johnson had captured state, regional and national records in the slalom, trick and jump events before she turned pro at age 13.

• U.S. Master’s Champion and number-one world ranked athlete in the trick event before specializing in the slalom event in 1988.

• As a slalom specialist, she accumulated 80 professional wins

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and captured more number-one world rankings than any other female skier in history.

• Eight-time U.S. Masters Champion and four-time U.S. Open Champion.

• Winner of the British, French, Italian, Australian and Austrian Masters. Set records as world champion, Pan American Games, and U.S. Pro Tour Champion.

• Inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, May 2012, the USA Water Ski Hall of Fame and Florida Water Ski Hall of Fame in 2013.

Johnson suffered a congenital hip deformity, which limited the ways that she could move which, in turn, led to her specializing in slalom skiing. She backed away from the professional ski circuit in 2004 after ten hip-related surgeries, including a reconstruction of her pelvis. She returned to the

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d n

y

h o

,

Photo by Geri Simpkins - “Kristi helping a child off the shore and onto a kneeboard.”

Photo by Tom King - “Kristi rounding a slalom buoy in a practice run.”

Photo by Geri Simpkins - “Kristi and Nate celebrating participant victories.”

circuit briefly, but underwent more surgeries and again stepped away from competition. Today, her passion is her Christian mission. She was raised in the church, but as she described it, for years she went through the motions of going to church and other activities of church life. But, she explained, “I was on a spiritual dock.” Then came the need for the surgeries. “In 2003 my body was dying,” she recalled. “Waiting for surgery, (I) feared it would be the end of skiing. All my life I had this goal of being the best…performing for man and for myself.” She said she realized at that point that all of her waterskiing abilities and desires could swiftly come to an end. “I had always felt that if I

Photo is an example of the medal given to each kid reminding everyone they are a champion in God’s eyes.

said yes to God, I feared he would take skiing away from me.”

And then it seemed it might be coming true. “But then God showed how I could use the passion (of her skiing),” she said. And “when you begin to let go with your desires and tell God to ‘hit it’ (the words a skier shouts to the boat driver when ready to ski), you bring Him into it. It moves beyond this activity to having an eternal…impact on people. “It turns (the passion) into an adventure with God.” Johnson says with God, who inspired her to launch the In His Wakes program, “Suddenly it was easy to do.” “We just love on people as Jesus would love on them,” she explained.

“There’s no pressure. All we have to do is love.” t

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Jewel An Architectural

on Smith Lake

WORDS STEPHANIE G. LEPORE

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PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID WARREN

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This custom-built on-the-water home transferred owners just one year ago, but its cozy-comfort vibe and elegant interiors make it feel as though it’s been in the family for years.

Rhonda and Richard Albright always knew they wanted a second home on the water, and after exploring lakes within driving distance of their home in Franklin, Tennessee, they also knew they wanted that home to be on the clear waters of Smith Lake. “My husband really did his research before deciding on Smith Lake,” says Rhonda. They made do with a pretty home in Arley for a few years—”a good starting point while we learned the area and figured out where we wanted to go,” says Rhonda—but they boated around on weekends looking for that just-right-spot on the water.

Passing their now-home regularly, the Albrights agreed it was “the one,” and if ever it hit the market, they were coming for it.

“On Memorial Day Weekend in 2017, we saw the sign,” recalls Rhonda. “And we immediately called Justin [Dyar, their real estate agent]. The whole deal was done within a few weeks.” Ironically, they had already purchased two lots with Dyar in the same subdivision six months prior to the house going up for sale, but obviously they elected to purchase their dream home as opposed to building, and they would eventually sell the lots.

The Albrights wholeheartedly agree that the former owners, Melissa and Kevin Dodge, did a great job building the home. But in order to put their own stamp on it, they called in Libby Crider of White Willow in Cullman. “I’ve been to her shop, and I love everything there, so we really just gave her creative control to make the house ours,” says Rhonda. “It turned out perfectly; we didn’t have to change a thing.”

“Working with Rhonda was so much fun!” says Libby.

“She is very easygoing and we hit it off the first day we met. As I consulted with her, it was apparent that the beautiful views and architecture of the house should not be competed with. We chose a clean, neutral palette and furnishings that were comfortable and easy to live with.

The best part of my job is making the client happy—and making a new friend along the way!” The final result is airy, cozy, and fabulously oriented to take in those coveted Smith Lake views.

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Exterior The “amazing architecture” is what immediately drew Rhonda and Richard to their home. Creative angles, Bermuda-style roof pitches, and

a stacked stone wall and columns are but a few elements that make it worthy of a second (and third!) look. The Albrights recently completed a substantial landscaping project with Nathan Fincher of Smith Lake Landscaping, adding to the home’s elegant, manicured style.

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“I ’ve been to Libby’s shop, White Willow and I love everything there, so we really just gave her creative control to make the house ours,” says Rhonda. “It turned out perfectly; we didn’t have to change a thing.”

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Entryway and Living Room The entryway to the Albrights’ home is a study in texture and polished sophistication, thanks to a mix of materials: wood

beams, shiplap, cowhide, an iron candelabra chandelier, and a framework of stone that leads to the large family room. There, plenty of seating for everyone surrounds two ottomans that double as coffee tables. A mirror with rounded angles softens the massive stone-and-wood fireplace and reflects light and water from the double-decker window views. When cooler weather

settles over Smith Lake, this room is the perfect place to gather ’round a cozy fire. In the family room—and throughout the first floor—all the wood warms up the interiors and keeps the extra-high ceilings and windows from feeling cold.

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Kitchen and Dining Room Rhonda takes charge of gathering groceries and food prep for the weekends: “I do it all ahead,” she says,

“because I want to enjoy the lake too!” But, the oversize kitchen does make cooking and entertaining a

breeze—and a pretty one, too (the view!). Painted cabinets are a hint of contrasting color to the handsome center island, which grounds the space and is a great gathering spot for casual breakfasts or wine chats with the house chef.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room couldn’t get any closer to the water unless it was actually in the

lake. Shiplap and a balance of dark wood beams on the ceiling wrap the space in subtle texture so the

surrounding windows direct focus to sparkling Smith Lake beyond. Glass pendants lend symmetry to the long wood table.

Near-nightly entertaining is common here, as much for the couple’s homemade ribs and brisket and

company as the lake fun. It’s common for their two adult daughters to bring company in for the weekend—who can blame them?—and the Albrights also entertain lake buddies and family from all over, including Texas and Florida.

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Master Suite (main floor) Though there are plenty of gorgeous spaces from which to choose, the Albrights love hanging out in their

spacious master suite. Lake views continue here, in a space that’s bright and airy. Minimal color means the wood here really shines: polished wood crowns the ceiling and grounds the floor; dark wood beams and shiplap round out the trio of stains and textures. Big windows maximize the view and ensure a picture-perfect wake-up call.

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Bathroom When it comes to the home’s bathrooms, creative lighting and pretty tilework ensures that each

space is special and functional. In the master, an alcove framed with a peaked ceiling of dark wood

beams is home to an oversize soaking tub. Its clean, minimal lines blend well with the surrounding shiplap, so the view of the lake is the highlight of the space. The sparkling chandelier is a more

formal contrast to the wood elements. Adjacent to the alcove, a large glass shower with two separate showerheads adds a touch of spalike luxury.

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Guest Rooms Warm, rustic wood on the walls of guest rooms pull in a natural aesthetic from the surroundings,

balanced by crisp neutral linens and lighter wood flooring. A staple in every bedroom of the house: plenty of windows to highlight the water and pull in loads of light.

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Basement Area

Even the basement got the Albright-Crider treatment, with careful attention to detail in each of the guest suites, bunk area,

game and lounge space, and kitchen. Accent walls sheath the spaces in woodsy texture, while polished wood floors lend an

airy elegance and stand up to the elements. An efficiency kitchen with sink and fridge are an extra convenience for visitors.

Though tv-watching is at a minimum, friends and family do pile up on the extra-long black leather sectional to catch a movie from time to time. A ping-pong table is often home to friendly competition too.

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Exterior Porches/Patios/Entertaining Spaces The Albrights boast a fleet of watercraft, including a new pontoon, jetskis, paddleboards, and kayaks, so lake activity is

aplenty; but anyone wishing to take in the fun from afar can choose from a range of porches, patios, and other outdoor

spaces. The Albrights made sure plenty of seating, coverings, and uninterrupted views were available to friends and family— not a single detail was left untouched.

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Getting to Know

the Albrights

Though Richard and Rhonda make their home in Franklin, Tennessee, where they run their business—a medical device company—from the town’s quaint Main Street, they are “every weekend lake people,” they say. And weekends start early Friday and don’t end till Monday.

The two-and-a-half-hour drive to get to their personal paradise is well worth it, they say. “It’s like a vacation every weekend,” says Rhonda. Once here, the Albrights indulge in all their favorites: Favorite float-til-sunset spot: Cocktail Cove, holding a Tito’s and Coconut La Croix with a twist of lime Favorite snack for boating: Cowboy Caviar Favorite room in the house: The master suite, for its oversize windows, phenomenal views, and soothing, crisp-white color palette Second place: The dining room, where they serve a gaggle of guests homemade brisket and ribs—“The windows make it feel as though you’re eating right on the water,” says Rhonda.

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Richard’s favorite room in the house: Living Room, because of how open it is, and you feel like you’re on the lake.

Favorite at-home date: Wine on the porch, where they sit and watch the boats ride by Favorite wine to drink on the porch: Pinot Noir Favorite houseguests: Daughters Brittanie (26), who works for Richard, and Megan (21), a senior at Belmont, who often bring along their friends Favorite holiday at the lake: Thanksgiving Favorite furry friend: Goldendoodle Franklin, who is almost 3 and named after the Albrights’ hometown. “He is a total waterbug!” And brand new to the family, Brittanie’s new puppy, another Goldendoodle, Nash.

Favorite extra-curricular activities – how do the Albrights #howilake?: Taking their girls wakesurfing and, for Richard, scouting the next house transformation. “My husband is always busy changing something,” says Rhonda. “He loves a project!” t

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V kid

S

AB O AR D TH E

V i c i ous WRITER JOHN DAVID PALMER

PHOTOGRAPHY JENNIFER BECKMAN (JWB PHOTOGRAPHY)

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he tranquil waters of Lewis Smith Lake are traversed by a variety of vessels on any given day in late July. Some lake goers prefer cruising along at a modest pace in a pontoon, others prefer the speed of bass boats and jet skis, and a growing number of people prefer to paddle in canoes or kayaks. But for thrill seeker and Smith Lake real estate appraiser Rob Beckman, a more specialized watercraft is needed to satisfy his voracious appetite for adventure.

Enter the Skid Vicious. Named for its ability to rather viscously skid over stumps, logs, rocks, and even land bridges, Beckman’s custom mini jet boat is one of his great pride and joys. The compact, two-seater can reach speeds of up to 60 mph thanks to its powerful, modified Kawasaki STX15F inboard engine and the vessel’s dry weight of only 750lbs.

It also has the ability to do 360 degree turns on a dime in mere inches of water. With an open top and a windshield too short to properly function, the boat, which seemingly defies the laws of physics, could be mistaken for a portable Disney World ride. Wrapped in bright yellow and black, the boat draws attention wherever Beckman hauls it, and many people beg for a ride when they see it in action. “I can barely leave the gas station without someone asking a question about it,” he said with a laugh.

“I can barely leave the gas station without someone asking a question about it.”

Beckman purchased the kit for the boat in 2017 from a British Columbia-based company called Jet Stream Adventure Boats.

The kit arrived on a pallet sometime in October. Full assembly was required and the project took a respectable amount of time, money, and elbow grease to complete. “There’s 150 hours in that boat from start to finish,” said Beckman’s friend Jeremy Williams, who was paid by the hour to weld the hull.

Williams labored from October until April to finish the entire project.

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Beckman said he spent approximately $18,000 on the project but mentioned that similar setups can be acquired for significantly less capital. “Guys on YouTube spend as little as $8,000-12,000 on a boat,” he said. “We basically spared no expense on this one.” For its capabilities, however, the Skid Vicious is a bargain as larger, pre-assembled watercraft with more seating and similar capabilities can easily set you back six figures.

Considerable modifications were made to the vessel after it was assembled.

The engine, for example, came stocked with 165 horsepower, but aftermarket upgrades make it push out closer to 200 horsepower. One of the most advantageous additions to the boat is the skid plate, which allows it to skid over obstacles without sustaining damage to the hull. “The best part is definitely the skid plate,” Beckman said. “It allows it to glide over rocks and logs and even whitewater.”

He said skid plates can be purchased directly from the Jet Stream Adventure Boats website. Other accessories include remarkably comfortable Corbeau suspension seats, Odyssey deep cycle batteries, two 10-gallon hand-fabricated fuel tanks, hydro turf flooring, and mounted lights which allow the boat to be legally piloted at night. The exhaust has also been mounted above water to reduce pollution.

While most people who see Beckman’s boat are receptive to it, he said he has received criticism, mostly online, for his videos of gliding over obstacles in shallow water. Critics say he could be damaging wildlife habitats by getting so close to the shore, but he remains adamant that little to no harm is done.

“I’ve had some people frown on me for

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TOP: Rob Beckman representin’ for Williams Fabrication - the

boat was a joint effort after all!

MIDDLE: Skid Vicious crossing a natural land bridge in

White Oak on Smith Lake.

BELOW: Rob Beckman in

Skid Vicious speeding by,

look fast or you’ll miss him!

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These shots show Rob Beckman

taking Skid Vicious to the extremes

getting airborne and slinging mud by crossing over a natural land bridge

on a peninsula in White Oak on Smith

Lake, see the drone shots of this action on page 72. The boat often gets

airborne when crossing over the right

natural apparatus. He has loads of fun

performing these type maneuvers in this very special custom extreme jet boat.

taking it up into the natural forest, but it’s completely legal and leaves no trace,” he said.

Beckman said his passion for extreme outdoor sports began when he was a child living with his family in an 800-square-foot cabin located on one of Smith Lake’s sloughs. This experience allowed him to explore nearly every corner of the lake on a variety of different watercraft. To this day, he fondly recalls whitewater kayaking in the creeks as a boy and catching a 12-pound striped bass from a boat. “I’ve been driving boats since I was just tiny,” he said. “Never did I think I would be jumping boats over logs or land.”

During summer months, Beckman tries to take the Skid Vicious out on the lake at least once a week. While riding solo is always a blast, he also finds joy in taking people for rides.

Passengers usually have a big smile on their faces the entire time as many have found the experience to be exhilarating, even life-changing. “I don’t think anybody’s had a bad time in it yet,” Beckman said. “Everybody that’s gone out on it said it was one of the best boat days of their life. One guy said it was

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the best day of his life. All we’re trying to do is spread some lake joy.”

He insists that the vessel is safe, but still requires all passengers to wear a lifejacket and helmet. Another one of Beckman’s modifications to the boat is a handle securely mounted on the dash for passengers to grip during the wild ride. Some of his former passengers have included elderly individuals, special needs individuals, and small children. Beckman uses Sena Tufftalk headsets to stay in communication with his passengers at all times. Sometimes, he lets passengers drive but only if they have a vessel license to comply with marine regulations. And speaking of the law, Beckman said he spoke with Alabama marine police about possibly using the Skid Vicious in rescue operations due to the vessel’s ability to traverse typically inaccessible environments, much like airboats are used. t To see videos of the Skid Vicious in action, follow Beckman’s Instagram account @ southern_sky_drone_guy.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Lindsey McClelland ELLE RAE SALON

L

indsey McClelland became passionate about skincare and skin health at a very young age due to her own personal struggles with her skin.

“Everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin,” said Lindsey. “That’s why I am always so excited about helping clients reach their own personal skin goals.”

Lindsey had been working in Birmingham for several years when she saw a huge opportunity to introduce Cullman to medical grade treatments such as the HydraFacial.

What is a HydraFacial?

This multi-step treatment cleanses, exfoliates and extracts dead cells, and then rejuvenates the skin by applying a serum infused with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid. HydraFacial employs a unique, spiral suction tip that dislodges impurities and delivers the serum deep into the pores by opening them up during the treatment. The treatment is painless and delivers immediate, long-term results for people with all skin types with no downtime.

HydraFacials Treat

• Fine lines and wrinkles • Dark spots • Hyperpigmentation • Clogged, enlarged pores • Mild acne • Oily skin Clients will see a benefit after just one HydraFacial,

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but for skin to be the best it can be, it is ideal to do a treatment every four to five weeks. HydraFacials paired with a daily skin care regime that is tailored specifically to one’s skin will help achieve maximum results.

Lindsey’s Top 5 “Can’t Live Without” Products: • SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel • Revision Retinol Complete • SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense • SkinMedica TNS Recovery • SPF with Zinc and Titanium Not only are HydraFacials beneficial for your skin, they are very relaxing. Contact Lindsey for more information or to schedule your appointment for a facial and personalized skin regimen. t CONTACT INFO Lindsey McClelland | Elle Rae Salon Ph: 256-822-4613 | @linzmacc

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LINDSEY’S PERSONAL SKINCARE REGIMEN Morning:

LHA Gel Cleanser SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense HA5 Moisturizer | SPF It Cosmetics

Night:

Other:

LHA Gel Cleanser

Mask 2-3 times a week - (alternating)

Revision Retinol Complete Dermalogica Ultra Soothing Eye Cream HA5 Moisturizer

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque Revision Black Mask

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Meet: Uno (born on 1/1/11) hence my name. You can follow me on Instagram @uno.a.day - I started the account for all of my new furiends to keep up with me living my best life here at the lake.

Breed: Miniature Schnauzer Home Base: Huntsville, AL, but I spend my entire summer and fall at

my most favorite place in the world -Catalina Point on Smith Lake .

Humans: Dave and Lynne Chambers

Lake Pastime: Relaxing and napping on the porch in my favorite chair, listening to

and watching the birds and squirrels, car rides, boat rides, fishing with my mom and dad, watching my mom in her garden, watching the amazing sunsets in the evening with my big brother Riley, and sneaking out to go see the most beautiful girl in my world, Angel who lives two doors down. I sometimes get into a little mischief too, I’m not gonna lie! I love my life, I love my peeps and I mostly love sniffing the fresh lake air and sunshine!

Favorite Lake Treat: POPCORN for sure! Pretty much all things crunchy , I’m a big fan of some

Grumpy’s pizza crust if mom and dad are eating it. With my amazing stealth like begging skilz my mom says I am an “ optimistic opportunist” (not sure what it means) all I know is if a crumb drops…I’m on it!!

Meet: Riley (3/1/03 – 8/21/18) & Uno’s brother! Breed: Golden Retriever Home Base: Hunstville, AL – but was a long time resident of Catalina Point, Smith Lake

since he was a wee little pup. When his dad brought him home, he was at the lake on the first day, and he spent his very last day wandering around his favorite place where his life started.

Humans: Dave & Lynne Chambers

Lake Pastime: Swimming with his sister Molly every chance he had, going fishing, and

boat rides with his dad. Wherever dad was, he was right by his side. He loved to wander around and chew on a little sweet grass under the trees. He was loved by everyone he met, and had a smile on his face most always. In his later years, he became a wise old Pup and did his best to be a mentor to his little bonus brother, Uno, who became a part of his family 3 years ago.

After his sister Molly passed away, he and Uno became inseparable, and best buds, spending every moment of their days napping and exploring together until Riley’s last day.

Favorite Lake Treat: Popcorn, Grumpy’s pizza crust, anything seafood related, a raw corncob top, and of course a piece of good old bacon!

Meet: Gatsby Breed: 12 week old Golden Retriever (as of 7/11/18) Home Base: Lives in Birmingham, AL, and on Smith Lake.

Humans: The Bloomston Family - Julius, Heidi, Brandon & Eric.

Lake Pastime: Gatsby has enjoyed summer at the lake and practices water safety

while on the boat. He is learning to jump off the boat and swim, and loves spending time with his human family. Favorite lake past time is watching everyone surf.

Favorite Lake Treat: He loves crushed ice!

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A Lake Living Lifestyle Magazine

ADVERTISER INDEX

ARC Realty................................................................................. 51

John’s Pressure Washing LLC................................................. 31

Birmingham Concrete Design................................................ 55

JWB Photography..................................................................... 75

Brickyard Meats........................................................................ 15

Lakeside Pharmacy................................................................... 31

Buettner Bros. Lumber Company, Inc.................................. 15

Lakeside Real Estate................................................................. 17

Bugs Bite Mosquito Authority................................................ 31

Life on the Lake Realty............................................................. 27

Bully Sauce.................................................................................. 75

Lakeside Sports & Recreation................................................. 25

Cabin Fever Beverages............................................................. 67

MaeMae’s Paws ......................................................................... 79

Cabinet Creations by Joe......................................................... 57

MasterPro Audio....................................................................... 25

Campbell’s Cleaning Your Way, LLC.................................... 79

Mustard Seed Nursery............................................................. 57

Chick fil A at Cullman, AL...................................................... 17

Nelems Marine.......................................................................... 13

City of Cullman (Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center).13

Pat’s Archery & Outdoors....................................................... 69

Ciy of Cullman (Cross Creek Golf Course)......................... 27

Renasant Bank........................................................................... 07

Cornerstone Beverage, Inc...................................................... 27

Russell Marine - Smith Lake................................................... 21

Cornerstone Construction....................................................IBC

Sardis Telecom........................................................................... 53

Cruise Planners.......................................................................... 67

Scott Eric Day Photography and Videography.................... 73

Cullman Savings Bank.............................................................. 57

Seibels Cottage.......................................................................... 63

Culpepper Real Estate.............................................................. 29

Smith Lake Rentals and Sales................................................. 07

Dewey Barber Chevrolet........................................................ BC

Southern Roots Fashion........................................................... 67

Dixie Duds and Décor.............................................................. 79

Target Pest Control................................................................... 79

Elevate......................................................................................... 69

The Blue Eyed Rabbit................................................................ 55

Elite Boat & RV Storage........................................................... 17

The Lakeside Life....................................................................... 17

Free State Boat Docks.............................................................. 08

U.S. Tow Boats........................................................................... 43

Gable Beach Rentals................................................................. 53

Valley Heating & Cooling........................................................ 02

High Point Furniture................................................................ 51

Vintage West Home.................................................................. 55

Hydrohoist of Alabama............................................................ 01

Werner’s Trading Company.................................................... 69

J&D Auto/Tire Service ............................................................ 75

White Willow............................................................................. 53

Jeff Roberts & Associates.......................................................IFC

Whitlock’s General Store and Café........................................ 69

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9/26/18 4:12 PM

A Lake Living Lifestyle Magazine @THELAKESIDELIFE_SMITHLAKE

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The Lakeside Life

@THELAKESIDELIFE

9/26/18 4:12 PM