Feb_March 2011 by Lake Wedowee Life

even Lake Wedowee Life

February/March 2011

Table of

Contents

Vol. 4 No. 1

Special this Month

22 28 35 32 44 20

11. Weddings 101: Lessons from a Professional Bridesmaid 20. Wedded Bliss: Local couples use family and friends to make day special 22. For Better or For Worse: Trashing the Dress 28. Readers’ Photos: Lake Wedowee enjoys a snow day 35. News to Know: Local “Slow Foods” group sends member to Italy 42. Market Conditions: Lake Wedowee Real Estate is “Freaking” Unbelievable 44. Where in the world is Lake Wedowee Life? Readers take Lake Wedowee Life around the world 46. News to Know: Southern Union presents Tartuffe 47. Chamber Chatter: Chamber celebrates professional women March 29

Monthly Features 7. Enjoy Life! - Letter from the Editor 8. Built on the Lake 10. Southern Living House Plan 14. Creative Crafting 17. Charley’s Treasures 26. Lake Map 38. Hooked on Lake Wedowee 32. Simply Fabulous 50. Redneck Adventures

contributing writers Darlene Bailey, Leisel Caldwell, Amanda Causey, Max Fulbright, Kesa M. Johnston, Reed Montgomery, Charley Norton and Skeeter

On the Cover Jamie Sanchez braved the cold January waters of Lake Wedowee to make our cover dreams a reality. To see more of Jamie’s photo shoot, turn to page 22.

General Manager LEISEL CALDWELL info@lakewedoweelife.com

Editor KELLY CALDWELL news@lakewedoweelife.com (256) 276-7959

Advertising Sales LAVOY CALDWELL ads@lakewedoweelife.com (334) 863-0737

Lake Wedowee Life 877.959.LAKE (5253) 18285 Highway 431 Wedowee, AL

www.LakeWedoweeLife.com

Lake Wedowee Life magazine is published six times a year and available around the Lake Wedowee area which includes Randolph and Clay Counties in Alabama as well as parts of West Georgia. Paid mail subscriptions are available for $18 a year. All content in this publication is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Neighborhood Publishing. © 2008 Neighborhood Publishing

Having Fun and Being Fearless “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” In 1976, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, now a professor at Harvard, coined the phrase in a scholarly article as a graduate student. But, in the last few years, it has become a statement of empowerment for women of all generations. That statement came to mind when we were discussing our plans for this issue of Lake Wedowee Life. The last two wedding issues have featured a bride and groom on the cover and while those have been great, we didn't want to do the same thing yet again. So we tossed around several ideas before we came up with “Trashing the Dress.” I didn’t know how we were going to pull it off because it’s the middle of winter, and not too many people would be brave enough to be outside in a wedding dress much less dare to get in the lake!! So I pitched the idea to a few photographer friends and Amanda Causey stepped up to the plate. She saw my vision and ran with it. She found a bride not only willing to dress up for an outdoor shoot in January but also not afraid of getting in the freezing water of Lake Wedowee. The day of the photo shoot Jamie Sanchez was fearless. We spent hours on the lake that afternoon attempting to capture the perfect cover shot. We were all freezing but Jamie was a ROCK STAR! She rolled around in the mud and played in the lake all with a smile on her face. That’s the fun about being fearless. You never know what kind of magic you will create. So what do you think of this issue’s cover? Let us know at www.facebook.com/lakewedoweelife or email us at news@lakewedoweelife.com. We also welcome any of our other Fearless Female Friends to send us their “Trash the Dress” pictures. Get creative with your wedding or prom dresses, and it might appear in an upcoming issue of Lake Wedowee Life.

Enjoy Life! Kelly Caldwell

Lake Wedowee Life 7

Tales from the Father I tried not to Do you rememthink about Faber where you ther of the Bride. were twenty I refused to watch years ago? I do. it. I coached little I was in a small girls softball and movie theater in basketball teams. Gainesville, GeorI went to twirling gia. I was seated exhibitions and on the left side of cheerleading the theater…near competitions. I the back. I had my attended Daddypopcorn and coke Daughter dances. and a little six I watched the year old girl on Spice Girls movie my lap. I’m sure (one of my all she had her two time favorites). fingers in her But I did NOT mouth as we setwatch Father of tled in to watch the Bride. Father of the Then one day it Bride. It’s a day happened. One neither of us will day I was the ever forget. man of the house Amanda and I and in control of were both fine as my family. The we started watchnext thing I knew, ing. We both there was a police laughed as Steve car in my driveMartin struggled way with flashing with his daughlights. He had ter’s engagement pulled in behind announcement the kid that was and the ensuing about to take my wedding preparadaughter on her tions. But slowly, we both realized we When Max Fulbright’s daughter married in 2009, the family created first REAL date. Today that kid is were watching our- this poster for her. my son-in-law, selves in the not so Jake. distant future. The night before Jake has been a part of the famthe wedding, Steve Martin is ily since he was a sixteen year old thinking back on memories of his by Max Fulbright kid determined to take my daughdaughter as a little girl….back ter away. They are best friends when he was the only man in her more. We got up and left the life. By the time they showed the movie….both sobbing uncontrol- and he makes my daughter laugh. He makes all of us laugh. He aclably. daddy – daughter basketball Over the next nine years or so, tually tried to send me a TEXT scene, we couldn’t take it any-

Built on the Lake

8 Lake Wedowee Life

message to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage. I didn’t have my phone with me and he ended up having to do it in person. Suddenly, I found myself in my own Father of the Bride movie. The following year was a whirlwind of going to fancy parties, writing checks, and writing checks. It was a lot of fun for my daughter and her mom. I thought the check writing was fun. One day I was a young man playing basketball out in the driveway with a beautiful little girl. The next day I was a not so young man watching my daughter being swept away and I was powerless to stop it. Amanda was so happy, I didn’t really want to. Amanda and I both knew it was inevitable. Time flies and on a beautiful spring day in 2009 I walked my little girl down the aisle. The preacher asked who was there to give her away. GIVE HER AWAY?? Like a good father, I said, “Her mother and I”. Then I sat down in the pew and I cried just like I did twenty years ago in that theater in Gainesville, Georgia. Max Fulbright has designed and built dozens of homes on Lake Wedowee.

Lake Wedowee Life 9

2,259 Square Feet Plan #1379 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths Ceiling heights: 8 feet 11 inches ground floor; 9 feet second level Basement foundation Pricing Category E

Search over 800 exclusive Southern Living home designs @ www.southernlivinghouseplans.com

Call McKinney Builders, Inc. at (770) 527-7355 The exclusive Newnan-based member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program

Lessons from a professional bridesmaid I will start by saying I am not a wedding expert, but I have been a bridesmaid or part of a wedding more than a dozen times and have attended at least double that in my lifetime. That being said, I know a thing or two about the ins and outs of weddings. Weddings can be an expensive affair for all involved considering the average wedding in the United States cost $28,000 in 2009 (which by the way is more than I paid for my car). Granted, every bride wants her day to be this magical event she has been dreaming of since she was six years old, but sometimes the meaning of the day is overshadowed by the flash. And, in these economic times, the word budget is used more and more. But, with a little imagination and creativity, the wedding of your dreams can still happen with money to spare... 1.Identify what is most important to you... For some brides, the dress is the most important thing because they want to look their best. For others, pictures or the reception is most important. It's kinda like when I wrote my letters to Santa all those years ago...My parents told me to ask for three things your really want and let the rest be surprises. In other words, prioritize your wants and budget accordingly. 2.Don't be afraid to ask for

help... You can't come right out and ask for money to help pay for your beau-

Weddings 101 by Kelly Caldwell tiful day, but who says you can't ask for people to help out in other ways. Your friends will remember the day even more if they are a part of the events. I am not saying you have to have 20 bridesmaids and groomsmen. But if you have a friend that is a photographer, florist, d.j. etc. Don't be scared to ask if they would do-

nate their services as a wedding gift (because how many toasters can a girl use...) 3.Use what is around you... When it comes to decorating for the event study your surroundings. It doesn't make a lot of sense to have a December wedding decorated with spring flowers. (go for a Christmas wedding in a church and a lot of the decorations are done for you!!! If you are having an outdoor wedding, keep it natural... Ferns are a lot less expensive than floral arrangements of the same size. You can jazz them up with twinkling lights and ribbon for a sunset wedding and you will be amazed at the impact. On the topic of decorations...Creative brides can do a lot themselves (with the help of friends and family of course) Picking up flowers at a wholesaler will save you tons and if you want tips on arranging check out youtube.com for video tutorials. 4.Do the trimmings really matter? You can save tons if you think outside the box when it comes to the veil (you want it to match the color of your dress of course but other than that does it matter where you get it), shoes (I have seen many a bride wear flip flops on the Lake Wedowee Life 11

big day) and jewelry (Make use of those something old, borrowed and blue traditions because your dress is probably new). 5.Remember you aren't the only one paying...When picking bridesmaid dresses PLEASE pick something affordable (yes I am being selfish on behalf of bridesmaids every where). We are extremely honored that you chose us to stand up for you on the big day but just understand we are paying too...For the dress, the shoes (because bridesmaid's shoes always show), jewelry and a place to stay for the weekend. 6.Smile pretty for the camera...Pictures are worth a thousand words but change that to dollars and it can get expensive. To cut down on some of the cost be very specific with your hired photographer.

20 Lake Wedowee Life

Their time is money and you want to get the most out of it. Make a list of the pictures you want that day and put someone else in charge to make sure each is taken. After that make sure you have plenty of friends with their digital cameras handy. Candid pictures capture the day in ways you will forever cherish. 7.Tasty treats...I have been to a few weddings where it was truly a family affair with the family and friends providing food for the reception. This is a great idea in the South because you know we can cook down here!! 8.Timing is everything...Pick the time of your wedding wisely and you can save tons. A caterer friend of mine did a brunch wedding a few years ago and I thought this was a terrific idea. She even did the

groom's cake out of doughnuts. If you are interested in saving money you don't want to have your reception at meal times (lunch or dinner) because then “etiquette” says you should do a sit down reception. 9.Let them eat cake... A wedding cake can be elaborate, simple or somewhere in between. If you have always dreamed of a huge wedding cake ask your baker if they can use faux layers to make the cake appear bigger. You get the look you want at a reduced cost (not to mention saving all that wasted cake). Another option that is growing in popularity is having a “Wedding Cake” made out of cupcakes. 10.When all else fails...Forget 1-9 and elope! Just don't forget the camera!!

Lake Wedowee Life 13

A Wedding Apology from the Man A

long time ago when I was a young man living very far from home, an older couple that lived in the apartment next door decided to take it upon themselves to look after me. It started as a dinner invitation, but eventually it got to the point where I would get scolded if I was late. I ate there pretty much every day. Marge ( my neighbors wife) was a good cook and made me lots of different tasty foods. But at almost every meal I could count on one thing to always be on my plate and that was cauliflower. Now I don’t know if she had read somewhere that southern people loved cauliflower or if she and her husband loved it but the fact was, I couldn’t stand it. But being raised right and taught to clean my plate, I would choke it down. The first few times were the most difficult but eventually I learned that if I mixed it with the potatoes and doused it with brown sauce, it was tolerable. But I never got used to it or found the taste any less than repulsive. Put simply, there are things that a body and mind just don’t like, but can tolerate if it has to. And that leads me to the male species and weddings. Now I’m sure there are those out there somewhere that may be the exception but for most men, there is almost no part of a wedding and the events that lead up

to one that they will enjoy any more than I did Marge’s cauliflower. And for this majority, I would like to apologize to all the brides to be. I apologize for the

Charley’s Treasures by Charley Norton many times you will hear him say “Whatever you think” and the empty and uncaring comments made to end an issue to which the subject escapes him because he was so bored that only his body was present at the time when it

was discussed. Keep in mind that when he is helping you pick a dress or make wedding invitations, he is eating Marge’s cauliflower and is looking for the potatoes and brown sauce by drifting away in his thoughts. Please appreciate that it is his undying love for you that motivates him and understand his moments of weakness. He loves you with all his heart so please remember that when he threatens to burn down the next store you want to go register in, it’s the cauliflower talking, not him. I know that it is hard for the bride to understand why her man isn’t excited about the details of the wedding, but there may be a way for them to get an idea. I think some empathy can be found by the brides if there was a trade of tasks. Like when a bride has her groom help her pick out the wedding cake. The next day, the groom should have his bride help him gut a deer or go hunting with him at 4 am in 12 degree weather. Maybe she could spend a day with him at a gun show or stay at home and watch a Mythbusters marathon. The point is that what’s fun for one can be downright awful for the other. But that’s what true love is all about. It’s doing awful things for the one you love because (trust me on this) they are going to do a lot of awful things for you. Mom used to tell me, “Sometimes you have to do things Lake Wedowee Life 17

you don’t want to”. Such a wise woman she is to say so much in so few words. As for myself, I was fortunate. When Kim and I decided to get married, we called the preacher, met him at the church, got married (with the cleaning woman as a witness) and went home. I called her dad just before her curfew and told him I wasn’t bringing his daughter home. I think he was the second happiest man on Earth that night. His daughter was married and it didn’t cost him a dime (just kidding Billy)! I admit that I do sometimes feel a little guilty that I didn’t have to earn my bride by the emasculating ordeal which is often a wedding. But you know, it really doesn’t help matters when the man is called the “groom”. I looked it up and other than the guy that cares

18 Lake Wedowee Life

for horses, there isn’t anything manly about the word. Most definitions of groom have something to do with being a servant, EEEEK! Most manly men won’t be too cool with that! So I thought it would soften the blow if we called the groom something else. I think I would handle it better myself it she was called the bride and I “The Man”, and maybe reverse the order so it would be “The Man and Bride”. I like that better. That way when he is dragged in to look at wedding pictures, the photographer will ask him “Are you the Man?”, he can say “Yes, I am the man”. And when the bride insists he go to one of those wedding showers, a nerve raking torturous event, at least when he enters all the ladies there will say, “Oh look, she brought the man”. And he could respond proudly “Yes, I am

the man”. It would be a constant reminder to him, even when there is no testosterone left, that he is and always will be, the man. So when the fateful day arrives, and the future husband stands there at the altar with his loyal friends at his side, being gazed upon by an anxious crowd. They will all know that there before them stands The Man and his Manly Men and all is good. He knows as he watches his future wife doing the step and stop, bride hop down the aisle drawing ever so near, that he can look forward to a life of steak and potatoes, with a little cauliflower on the side. Charley Norton is co-owner of Norton’s Flooring, a company started by his mother and father in 1976. Norton’s Flooring products are in countless homes on Lake Wedowee.

Lake Wedowee Life 19

Brittany Smith Story...

hen Richie Smith the event because we all asked Brittany had jobs to do to make it Keling to marry him, they happen,” Lisa said. “We both new one thing for had so many things dosure, they wanted to get nated or given as wedmarried outdoors. ding gifts that it really “We first thought we helped keep things in wanted to get married at budget.” Chimney Cove, but it was There was no caterer for booked for the weekend the event. Different we wanted,” Keling-Smith friends and family prosaid. “So we went to Rice vided the food that fed Pavilion and it was perBrittany and Richie's 150 fect.” guests. Brittany and Lisa The couple exchanged bought the flowers for wedding vows October 2, Brittany Keling and Richie Smith said “I Do” in front of the wedding at a whole2010 on the dock at Rice friends and family Oct. 2, 2010 at Rice Pavilion on Lake saler and had a friend Pavilion. arrange the bouquets for Wedowee. “I thought it was going the bridal party. Simple to be so hot and muggy that day,” arrangements of daisies were used Lisa Keling, Brittany's mother, said. as centerpieces on the reception ta“But, I was wrong. It was a perfect bles. Story by Kelly Caldwell day with wonderful weather.” “We couldn't have done any of Photos by Tammy Woodard Richie and Brittany had a very this without the help of our family short engagement and relied on the their day magical. and friends,” Lisa said. “It also help of family and friends to make “Our guests were really part of made the day memorable for every-

Married on the Lake

one because they were a part of the festivities too.” A professional photographer was not hired either. Lisa's dad Tony Mirabella, Richie's mom Tammy Woodard and a family friend took on the role of photographers for the event. “Richie's mom has taken some photography classes and did an awesome job that day,” Lisa said. “Really our biggest expenses for the wedding were renting the place and Brittany's wedding dress. “We got my dress from Susie Q’s (in Tallapoosa, Ga.) and my parents let me pick out my dress (within reason of course) because I wanted to look my best on our day,” Brittany said. “Our wedding day was special because so many of our family and friends made the trip to be with us,” Brittany said. “Most of my family lives in Georgia and haven’t really been on Lake Wedowee before. So it was fun to have our wedding at such as beautiful place on the lake.” To be included in next year’s Lake Wedowee Life wedding issue, please contact Kelly Caldwell at news@lakewedoweelife.com

The couple asked friends and family to pitch in to make their special day magical. Richie’s mother and Brittany’s grandfather along with another family friend were the photographers for the day.

fter the wedding is over what do you do with the dress...Spend hundreds of dollars to have it professionally cleaned and preserved? Not anymore. A new photojournalism trend is giving brides another option for what to do with their dress after the big day is over. “Trash the Dress” has become a popular term in wedding photography. Photo sessions are typically staged days, months or even years after the initial wedding and showcase the Bride’s individuality. It involves a bride wearing her dress in unusual places which may result in a "trashed," or ruined, dress. “Trash The Dress” is not always about destroying the gown beyond recognition. It is a way for the bride’s style and personality to come out from the restraints of a traditional wedding ceremony. Sometimes called “Rock the Dress” or “After Sessions” to deter from the term trashing, these post wedding photo sessions are an opportunity for the bride and groom to let their imagination and creativity fly. The photography session traditionally takes place a few days after the wedding. In some cases women who have been married for years are dusting off their wedding dresses and giving it a go. These shoots are stylistic and creatively staged at Victorian mansions, lakes, barns, forests

or even amusement parks. Although gown trashing has become a popular postwedding trend for brides, it is not for everyone. One of the most frequent criticisms is, it is wasteful to ruin a gown that can be donated to charities or even resold. However, many brides feel they have purchased the gown and can do with it what they please. Other brides only engage in trash the dress if their gown was stained or ripped during the actual wedding, therefore making it difficult to donate or re-sell. The idea of damaging the dress that was specially chosen for such a momentous occasion is another reason some brides find dress trashing in poor taste. The gown is a piece of history,

“Trashing the Dress” does not necessarily mean destroying it. It is a state of mind that leads to creativity with your gown. It can be in any number of places and the only limits are your imagination.

representing the beginning of a new life, one where two people committed their lives to one another. Finally, some women consider the potential uses for the dress to be a reason to avoid trashing it. They may want to hold

onto it and wear the gown during a future vow renewal ceremony or in case their daughter or daughter-in-law may want to wear it during her wedding. Whichever position you take, the trend is here to stay. This

trend is something that will always be a buzz worthy topic of discussion for years to come. To see the complete album or more “Trash the Dress” ideas visit: beaumondephotography.blogspot.com.

About our Models Jamie and Salvador Sanchez Jamie Gipson was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee. Salvador Sanchez was born in Tampa Florida but raised in Miami. They met in Memphis in 2003. At the time Jamie was a student and Sal was the lead guitarist in a popular local band. They dated for three years and decided to move to Jacksonville, AL to be closer to Sal’s family when they learned that they were expecting their first child, Audrey Piper Sanchez. Two years later they got married at the Calhoun County Courthouse. Since then they have lived happily ever after and now have amazing “wedding” photographs to share with their family and future grandchildren.

1 Information is deemed to be correct but is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and is subject to change.

Locations on the map are approximate, for directions to properties displayed, call the listing agent.

We have had our share of winter weather this season and our Lake Wedowee Life readers have submitted some of their favorite scenes.

Submitted photos (above, clockwise) By Bonnie Huddleston, Mike Burns and Nancy Barrett.

Submitted photos (above, clockwise) By Bill Staib, Julie McCrae, Harold Bonner, Rhonda Hall, Bill Staib, Martha Burnett, Laddie Carter.

We love to see what Lake Wedowee means to you. Email your photos to news@lakewedowe elife.com. High resolution photos are preferred.

ow that the holiday's are behind us, and we have all probably eaten our way to Disney World and back, I know what you are thinking... Time to loose some of that weight gain. The big question is which diet are you going to try and tackle? I have learned the best way to loose weight is not, that's right not go on a diet but change your eating habits.

Time for you and your sweet tooth to join me in the kitchen Let's Get Cookin. Please let us know what you think of our recipes. You can email me directly at baileydp1@aol.com. I love feedback. Glass Slipper Events 256.449.2946

Simply Fabulous Story by Darlene Bailey Photo by Kelly Caldwell A few simple adjustments such as buying lesser calorie items like bread, milk and soda make a huge difference. Microwave popcorn is a great late night snack because you can honestly eat an entire bag with little damage. Switching to decaf. tea and soda help to assist your body in ridding itself of water gain. (caffeine retains) Instead of 3 large meals in your day balance with 2 lighter choices and 1 not so light. By making smarter choices you'll never have to diet again. After you have dropped a few pounds reward yourself with my mouth watering chocolate pie. No one will ever know this is a "diet" desert.

Light Chocolate Pie 8 oz. cream cheese (fat free) 11/2 cup cold milk (skim) 1 T spoon Splenda 2 cups cool whip (light) 1 sm. pk. instant chocolate pudding (sugar free) graham cracker crust Cream 1 T spoon of milk, splenda and cream cheese together. Fold half of cool whip into mixture and pour into crust. Mix pudding and rest of milk well and pour over mixture. Top with remainder of cool whip and chill.

“Slow Foodie” learns new methods in Turin, Italy “Those who cook meals as a family and eat meals as a family are not only performing a great service to themselves, but to their fellow man in general,” Stan Edwards, owner of Mt. Gilead Farms, said. It's a simple concept, but one that is often forgotten in this world of instant gratification and “want it now” mentality. Edwards, raised on a family farm, knows the value of “living off the land” and hopes to encourage others to think of ways to do the same. The farm has been in Edwards' family since 1919 when his great-grandfather purchased the land in Newell, Ala. and through the years the Edwards' clan has continued the family farming tradition with his grandfather, father, uncle and cousin Tim raising hogs and cows, growing vegetables and operating Edward's Brothers Farm Supply Store (now known as Burgess Feed and Seed.) Although Stan grew up on the farm, his first profession was as a surveyor traveling the world including Canada, Alaska, California, Costa Rica, Mexico and many other foreign locales. Stan was still surveying with his cousin Tim Shelton, who now owns Newell Farms, when he met Will and Laurie Moore. Will and Laurie own Moore Farms, a local farm that brings together others in East Alabama and West Georgia who offer locally grown foods to those interested in good tasting “slow food” (as opposed to convenience driven fast food). At the time Stan met the

This is one of the farms Stan Edwards toured while attending Terra Madre in Turin, Italy. Moores, he had just finished reading the book “Five Acres and Independence” by Maurice Kains. The book had encouraged Stan to consider what he could do with his own five acres, especially since his surveying business had significantly decreased with the recession. Stan set out to change not only his own way of doing things, but also to encourage others to buy local and to consider the source of the food they eat.

News to Know by Kesa M. Johnston The first crops that Stan raised and sold to Moore’s Farms included eight orders of radishes, turnips and three dozen eggs. Since then he has learned how to get the most out of his

land and to survive “off the grid.” Stan’s farm, Mt. Gilead Farms, was founded on the premise of versatility and stepping away from what Stan calls “the monoculture.” Stan plants approximately six to eight “immediate” crops that take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to produce. These are the crops that Stan lives on, not only for a profit, but also for his own food. Some of Stan’s favorite “immediate” crops include the Scarlet Red Stemmed Turnip, the Hakurai Japanes Turnip, a filet bean and cherry tomatoes. He also plants “staple” crops which take anywhere form 90100 days to produce but that tend to yield larger profits so that he can buy equipment to sustain his farm. Such longer growing “staple” crops would Lake Wedowee Life 35

include big onWe work to ions, butternut inspire a squash, sweet potransformatatoes and others. tion in food Edwards’ perpolicy, prosonal philosophy duction is that he is helppractices ing to provide to and market the masses “the forces so option of good, that they clean, fair priced ensure eqfood.” Stan takes uity, suspride and strongly tainability believes in his and pleascommitment of ure in the giving back to the food we earth instead of eat.” only taking. Stan As part of stresses that Stan’s in“Everybody eats; volvement Not that everyStan Edwards, far left, provides produce for Moore’s Farms and Friends with the body physically to sell. He is pictured with some of the other growers including Will and local slow performs the act food Laurie Moore, far right. of eating only, but group, Stan that everyone has the right was asked to be a to eat as the Earth has delegate to 2010’s plenty of food for everyTerra Madre one.” Edwards, many of (terramadre.info) his other friends and slow event in Turin, Italy “foodies” feel that when where more than you involve a family or 5,000 representatives other individuals in the act from the worldwide of farming that the family Terra Madre network unit and community as a met. whole becomes stronger. Terra Madre, which “Instead of sitting down means Mother Earth, and watching television, a brings together those family who participates in players in the food This is one of the buildings on Edwards farm. farming their land and then chain who together participates in the processsupport sustainable ing of the food to put it on the individuals and are the founders agriculture, fishing, and breeding dinner table becomes a stronger of the new East Alabama / West with the goal of preserving taste family,” Edwards said. Georgia Slow Food Group. and biodiversity. The five-day Many local businesses partici- (www.usaslowfood.org) meeting brought together food pate in purchasing from local According to the website, communities, cooks, academics, farmers and recently the Farmyouth and musicians from all “Slow Food USA seeks to create house Restaurant in Roanoke dramatic and lasting change in over the world, who are united in along with Jon Boy’s and the the food system. We reconnect a desire to promote sustainable Grapevine in Woodland have Americans with the people, tradi- local food production in harmony purchased turnips from Stan. The tions, plants, animals, fertile soils with the environment while reMoores also service many local and waters that produce our food. specting knowledge handed 36 Lake Wedowee Life

down over the generations. Stan traveled to the event with the help of Moore’s Farms and its supporters who assisted Stan with airfare and accommodations. There are approximately 1,100 plus chapters of Slow Food Groups throughout the world. Stan was very excited to share his experiences at Terra Madre and to meet other farmers he could identify with. Among Stan’s newfound friends are a 78-year-old Baptist preacher from California who singlehandedly started eight community gardens and helped two gangs to disband to help run gardens in their community. Stan also befriended two brothers from Ghana and a young Hurricane Katrina victim displaced from her home, who at the age of

24 is now farming her own 6 acres in Savannah, Georgia. Edwards shared that when he was younger, he felt that no one had it any better than the USA, but now that he has traveled around the world, in particular to Terra Madre, he has seen exactly what is left for Americans to do to protect their future and better their way of life. “Italians appear to have a great appreciation for their fellow man and tend to enjoy life, the center of the land, healthy living, great food and great conversation,” he said. “In general, there is somewhat of a fellowship around the art of growing food, preparing food and eating food.” Stan hopes to continue to share his newfound knowledge from Terra Madre as well as his

hard earned personal knowledge of farming, living off the earth’s bounty and protecting our food sources while supporting local farmers.

Kesa M. Johnston is a local attorney who is an avid supporter of local farmers and the slow food movement. Her office website is www.thepowerofadvocacy.com. Please contact Kesa at kesa.johnston@yahoo.com or Will & Laurie Moore at farm@moorefarmsandfriends.com for more information on supporting local farmers or joining the local slow food organization.

Lake Wedowee Life 37

Searching for Late Winter and Early Spring Bass...Get the Point Late-winter warming trends, a full moon phase, the lake’s rising waters and early spring’s sun-drenched, shallow water. These are all triggering aspects that greatly influence the movement of pre-spawn bass. All of which already “instinctively know” its time to make their move towards the lake’s shallow water to produce another year’s offspring. Throughout Alabama’s Lake Wedowee (Impounded in 1983), this pre-spawn migration of both the Tallapoosa River breed of spotted bass and some of the lake’s big, native largemouth bass is always a somewhat slow movement. These “bass of winter” are actually making their first major move in groups of both pre-spawn male bass and pre-spawn female bass, all that eventually congregate together in choice, holding spots near the lake’s shoreline. As these bass come out of a “somewhat state of hibernation” they begin to make their slow, purposeful travels seeking the best spawning grounds. Usually consisting more towards a select composition of some type of sandy or small-pebbled bottom found in the lake’s shallow water, spawning grounds. But before any of these -- both male and female -- bass make their move towards the lake’s very shallow, spawning grounds, they have all got to make a stop-off first and feed heavily along some type of “ Point.” WHAT ARE POINTS? 38 Lake Wedowee Life

Points are actual, “stop-off places” near deep water these pre spawn Lake Wedowee bass congregate around before they begin their trek towards the lake’s shallow, spawning grounds to lay their eggs and produce another year’s offspring, each spring season. Every lake in Alabama has points.

Hooked on Lake Wedowee by Reed Montgomery Points are found along shallow-to-deep water drop-offs and a “point” is one of the very first places both spotted bass and largemouth bass congregate along and feed around, before phase two of the spawning season process takes place. The actual spawn itself. SPRING – THREE PHASES AND THEY ALL INVOLVE FISHING POINTS Phase One -- of this annual, spawning ritual consisting of three cycles -- is dubbed,” the prespawn period”, a time when bass gather in huge numbers and feed

for weeks at a time in select locations, before the female bass actually go on the bed to lay their eggs. They especially gather along points. Phase Two is during the actual spawn, when most bass are bedding. Still, their beds may be near some type of point they may occupy or hang around while bedding. Phase Three is that “seemingly short” period of time when the spawning season has ended, often to the dismay of most reluctant, springtime bass anglers. A time when bass relate to points as well. Phase Three is called, “the post-spawn period,” taking place during the latter part of the spring season. This is when these Lake Wedowee bass are recuperating from the spring spawn. A time when they are rather easy to catch as they feed in reckless abandon Then they begin to fatten up once again, prior to the approaching summer season. Again, getting back to the subject of “points”. Bass anglers should always keep in mind, “not only do these bass gather around these deeper, main lake points and major feeder creek points during these pre-spawn times, but they gather along some very shallow water points as well. When the actual spawn is taking place.” Generally, from late-February all throughout the month of March (on Lake Wedowee and most of Alabama’s lakes), is a short, and very timely six week period often dubbed, ” the official pre-spawn period.” But this is the norm. Pre-spawn bass can be seen

cruising the shallows as early as the first week or two of February or as late as the first week of April. Its is all according to the weather. If there has been a very harsh winter in Alabama -- like during the past few winter seasons, when it was hard to tell the difference in these two months -- the pre-spawn movement of these, ”slightly lethargic bass” will be stalled. That is, until better weather conditions arrive. Like a week or two of unseasonal, very warm weather and rapidly warming waters. Then suddenly, the lake’s water temperature can rise into the upper 50’s to low 60’s, triggering these bass to quickly make their move towards the lake’s shallow, spawning grounds. As the first, weeklong warming trend of the early spring season arrives, there can suddenly be many huge schools of bass found congregating along some type of stop-off, feeding spot, like a point. Rapidly warming shallows, the full moon nearby, and a good bottom composition, all play huge rolls in when and where these bass will move up and this is where they end up spawning each year in the spring. So, when going only by the weather, just like the bass, the angler that pursues these little green

fish may decide to await the best (and most stable) weather conditions, when actually targeting these pre-spawn bass. So, what are points? How do you fish these points? And with what? That’s a three-part set of questions that deserves three good answers! First of all, points can be found both when the lake is at full pool and when it is down for winter pool. POINTS…SOME ARE HIDDEN SOME ARE VISIBLE So what is a point? A point is a mass of land that protrudes out into the lake. No, this not a quote from Webster’s dictionary. Just a fact. All you have to do is look around Alabama’s rocky, timberinfested Lake Wedowee and you will see some type of point. There are thousands of em’! Points can easily be seen around most islands, especially when the lake is at low pool. The mouths of small cuts, pockets and major feeder creeks, can be seen just off of the main lake and all have some type of point on both sides of these lake backwaters as you enter the mouths. Even rock bluffs have points and main lake flats can have hidden, underwater points. But they are exposed during the winter months. During a period, from-late fall

all throughout the entire winter season and on into the early spring season, most of Alabama’s lakes are drawn down several feet for winter pool. In winter’s past Lake Wedowee has been drawn down anywhere from 10-15 feet below a normal, full pool lake level. During lake draw down is the best time, during this early spring, pre-spawn period, to look for points that will soon be hidden underwater when the lake is returned to a normal, full pool lake level. Take pictures, record these points on your GPS and log them in your memory banks. For each and every point will soon be underwater. If you intend to fish these points all throughout the rest of the year, its good to know what’s down there! This goes for thoroughly scrutinizing main lake points, major feeder creek points and secondary creek points as the spawning season grows nearer. Each point has a bass holding feature all its own, one or more features that will soon be hidden underwater (if the lake is currently low), when the lake is returned to a normal, full pool lake level during the mid-portion of the spring season. Even small, in-obscure points can be seen along the lake’s original, full pool shoreline in the shal-

Lake Wedowee Life 39

lows. These shallow water points will hold bass all throughout the months of April, May and June. All bass relate to points during the spring season. Not only will you catch bass right now during the lake’s prespawn spring season, while fishing all around these points, but these exact same points are travel routes that will hold returning schools of bass as they “back track” to the lake’s deep water haunts they inhibit during the summer months. Points are stop-off places you can return to as well! With hopes of fooling these bass during the postspawn period later on in the months of May and June. As you again interrupt their travels when huge schools of bass congregate along these “natural homes” consisting of either rocks, standing timber or some type of bottom composition. FISHING POINTS FOR SPOTTED AND LARGEMOUTH BASS Although points can be fished about any time with just one lure, to thoroughly cover the top, both sides and along the deeper dropoffs found on most points, you really need a good set of lures and the correct rods and reels to fish them with. Just like a golfer needs a good set of golf clubs to help him get the job done!

40 Lake Wedowee Life

Thinking like a bass, along with the aid of a good depth finder, fish locator, or some kind of imagingtype depth sounder, helps tremendously. But your eyes play a huge role when fishing points as well. Ask yourself a number of questions, mostly pertaining as to where these bass will be under a certain set of conditions and what lures to use to entice them to bite when targeting points. * Questions such as; What depth should these pre spawn bass be holding, along on each and every point you fish on any given outing to Lake Wedowee? Is there evident current? Is the water clear, stained or muddy? Is the wind blowing or calm? Is it cloudy or is the sun out? What was the weather like yesterday, and a week ago, prior to your planned trip? Is the water still very cold in the 40’s and 50’s, or has it suddenly soared into the upper 60’s? CONDITIONS PLAY A HUGE ROLE Conditions pay a huge role as to where these bass will actually be located on every trip you make to Lake Wedowee this spring season. Putting together a certain set of conditions helps you complete this pre spawn puzzle, before you ever make your first cast along any targeted point. Cold weather, warming trends,

along with cloudy days, rainy days, evident current or sunny, high pressure conditions, will all have some affect on the way these bass will approach and hold along these pre spawn points. Often taking place for several weeks at a time, with very little fishing pressure from most anglers that are awaiting the warmer weather and spring’s very catch-able spawning bass. These conditions also affect the way the baitfish and the crayfish (that these bass will constantly feed on), will act as well. So just imagine what’s down there and how the bass is relating to each and every point and what potential meal that may come its way. Use each lure you choose accordingly, influenced by both what you see and what you can feel that is down there. For not all points are the same. EQUIPMENT AND LURE SELECTION FOR FISHING POINTS Fishing these points involves using your standard, conventionaltype fishing rods and reels loaded with various kinds of fishing line, and selecting among hundreds of types of lures. The latter of which can become an actual task, with today’s mind-boggling choice of modern day fishing tackle. This decision may involve the use of several lure choices that will

range from fishing from top to bottom in the water column. So rigging up several rods prior to your fishing trip is suggested. For more time spent on the water fishing, not rigging rods while others are catching bass! Select several rods you may need. Such as light-tackle outfits, medium-length rods and some very long rods. Even rig up a few rods with several different types of lures and various pound test line you think these bass can be fooled with. That is, if you already know the lake’s conditions. If, as they say, “your are going blind” first, take a good look at each point you decide to fish. Long before you make your first cast. Consider the conditions. Then make your lure selection. Then decide how your going to approach that particular point and

use each one of those select lures, to thoroughly cover every spot, while continuously casting from every angle you can on these points. * Always quiz yourself first; Is it a long, shallow point? One that bass may scatter on and they may hit top water lures, spinner baits, shallow running crank baits and lipless lures? Is it a rock bluff point that suddenly drops right into very deep water, calling for a number of lure selections such as using a deep diving crank bait, jigging spoon oversized lipless, ¾ ounce lure, or bottom fished lures, like worms and jig combos? On Lake Wedowee there are a lot of rocky points that have standing timber. Consider fishing this natural, wood cover for pre spawn bass that may suspend within this timber. Then contem-

plate what depth, what approach, and just as important, what direction your offering should be coming from. Lastly, you have to decide what lure choice you must make, to successfully fool these big, pre spawn bass into biting, during these early, spring season, prespawn times. Choose your lures wisely. Your next cast could land you the bass of a life time! A Time When A Point…should be your target, for some Big, Lake Wedowee Pre-spawn Bass! Thanks and Good Fishin’ Reed Montgomery / Owner of Reeds Guide Service (205) 6631504 E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com Website: www.fishingalabama.com Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first!

Lake Wedowee Real Estate is “Freaking” Unbelievable As a seasoned real estate agent, I have received a lot of educational and motivational training over the past 30 years. The real estate business is constantly evolving and the career I started in 1978 as an agent does not resemble much of the work I do today. We still get the seller to sign a listing agreement, put up a sign and pray it sells, but a good agent knows this is just the beginning of the process. To be a successful agent in today’s market you must be part computer geek, professional marketer, public relations specialist, advertising specialist, negotiator, decorator, mediator, counselor, database manager, etc. Another thing that has not changed from the early days, is everyone who knows you are in real estate will ask, “How is the real estate market?” It is a great conversation starter but sometimes very difficult to answer honestly without appearing negative and pessimistic. And that is not something you want to do when you are attempting to get people to list with you or buy from you. Early on in my career I attended a Tom Hopkins class. Hopkins was one the greatest real estate trainers in the 70s, 80s and 90s in the United States. At this class, he taught us to respond to “How is the real estate market” by saying “it is unbelievable.” As he said you are not lying

and can keep everything on a positive note. So, this all leads me to the current market and the question, How is the Lake Wedowee Real Estate Market? IT IS FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE!

We have definitely seen freakish things happen in the current market such as lenders allowing owners to stay in properties when the buyer is in extreme default and has other assets, appraised values differing more than $100,000 from one appraiser to another, banks and mortgage companies dumping properties for 50 to 60 cents on the dollar, builders signing properties back over to their banks, banks reorganizing and lending practices changing drastically. Yes, it appears many are FREAKING out and bailing out, which in my opinion is keeping the market from correcting itself.

Market Conditions by Leisel Caldwell The current pricing of lake homes is FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE too. As you can see from the chart below, 2010 showed declines in the average price and median price. More than half of the lake houses sold in 2010 sold for less than $275,000. Almost all predictions say we should not see a turn around in the

market for another one to two years. But, don’t be fooled by thinking you will get a better deal by waiting. There are tremendous buying opportunities on Lake Wedowee right now. The best advice I can give a potential buyer is if you find something you like at a reasonable price, you better buy it now, because the opportunity to buy at these low prices and low interest rates are not going to last forever! For those who have to sell. Think like a buyer and make your house the best deal possible. Price it competitively, make needed repairs, get it in the best showing condition you can. It is also advisable to get a good local agent, someone who is experienced, knowledgeable and who will work hard to get your property sold. Don’t just settle for the first agent you call or see, interview two or three agents. Then choose the one you feel is most honest, listens to your needs, and has a real plan to get your property sold. Last but not least, don’t FREAK OUT by low offers, be appreciative you got an offer, discuss your options with your agent and make every attempt to negotiate a deal that will work for you and the buyer. Leisel Caldwell is the broker for RE/MAX Lakefront on Lake Wedowee.

Information taken from ezMLS an online listing service used by most of the local agents to promote and sale their listings in the Lake Wedowee area.

Lake Wedowee Life 43

Lake Wedowee Life

(Opposite page top left, clockwise) Moriah Autrey, Marilyn Taylor, Hilary Taylor, Becca White and Carolyn Taylor brought two issues of Lake Wedowee Life along with them on trip to Notre Dame in Paris France. Linda and Barry Smith traveled with Lake Wedowee Life to the Sea of Galilee in Israel; Billy Stewart, Susan Crook, Jack Shelton, Betty Shelton, Patsy Daniel visited the Hoover Dam in Nevada with their favorite magazine; Kevin and Brandon Koskey visited the ruins of Tulum, Mexico with the August/September issue of Lake Wedowee Life. Ronnie Underwood brought along Southern Holiday Life to the National Championship game in Glendale, Arizona. Garry and Carol Hendrix brought

Lake Wedowee Life along to Gatlinburg, Tenn. (This page top left, clockwise) Caleb Brown brought Lake Wedowee Life along on a recent business trip to Seoul Korea. Cary Kilgore and Greg Daniel visited the San Diego Zoo with Southern Holiday Life on a recent trip to California. Anne Marie and Jerry Nix brought along their favorite issue of Lake Wedowee Life to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. If you travel, be sure to take Lake Wedowee Life along with you. Take a picture at a landmark and send it back to us! Email your photos to news@lakewedoweelife.com. Please be sure to tell us where you are in the photo and who is with you!! Thanks and happy travels!

Southern Union presents Tartuffe The Southern Union Fine Arts Department begins its spring performance calendar with the theatre department’s production of Tartuffe. The original play, written in 1664 by French poet Moliere, was quite controversial for its time and was even banned by the French Roman Catholic Church. “Tartuffe is most mature play we have done,” Theatre Director Michael Williams said. “And, probably the most ambitious as far as performances go.. “The play is based on a holy man who is not holy at all,” Williams said. “He is constantly using the guise of religion to hide his actual intentions of embezzling money and chasing women. Basically Tartuffe uses this façade to con a patriarch of a family.” Most of the family does not believe in Tartuffe, however the father does completely...So much so that he seeks Tartuffe’s counsel on all matters of his life including his finances, faith and friends. “As you can imagine this puts the rest of the family in a bind because they see through Tartuffe,” Williams said. “But, it is one of those situations where the more the family proves Tartuffe’s true intentions, the more the father believes in him. It causes a lot of conflict as you can imagine.” When Williams was searching for a translation of the play, he wanted to focus more on the actual words the characters were saying instead of a translation attempting to capture the poetry of the original. “This is a comedy but it has a 46 Lake Wedowee Life

The Southern Union Theatre Department will present Tartuffe February 2326 at Brazeal Auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Southern Union State Community College) lot of tragedy in it as well,” Williams said. “There are some moments that are absolutely heartbreaking.”

News to Know by Kelly Caldwell This production will be set in the era of the Great Depression instead of Neoclassic French era of the original. “We are using a contemporary translation that you can relate to today,” Williams said. “It is a case of the Haves and Have-Nots. That is what makes this family so vulnerable. They are not at the highest ranks in class but they are not suffering either, and they don’t want to be suffering.” The play opens at 7 p.m. on February 23 and will run nightly through February 26. Tickets are

$5. “I have been very encouraged by the work and effort my actors have put into this production,” Williams said. “And, if I were to ever complain about my cast I would be insane!” After the production closes, Williams will be taking half of his actors to audition for colleges across the country at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. “We placed several students last year in different programs and we hope to do the same this year,” Williams said.

Southern Union will be conducting scholarship auditions March 14 and 15. For more information on auditions, please visit www.suscc.edu.

Chamber celebrates professional women March 29 Hello Ladies!!! and you must be preMark your calensent to win. (You will dar for the 21st anreceive a ticket as you nual Randolph enter the luncheon) County Chamber Local businesses doof Commerce Pronate the prizes each fessional Women’s year, and if you are Luncheon March interested in donat29 at the First ing, please contact me United Methodist as well. We give away Church’s Family more than 50 prizes Life Center. that day and it is alThemes of past ways a hit with the luncheon’s include attendees. Women’s Wellness Tickets cost $16 per Mind and Body as person with $1 going well as Celebratto the Pilot Club of ing a Successful Roanoke’s Christmas Different groups and businesses decorate tables for the ProfesYou. for Kids program. sional Women’s Luncheon sponsored by the Randolph County The table decoMake plans to attend Chamber of Commerce. rating contest will this year’s Randolph continue this year with the winCounty Professional Women’s ning table receiving a cash prize. Luncheon from 11:30 to 1 p.m. on Over the last two years more and March 29. by Dorothy Tidwell more people have volunteered to decorate the tables for the luncheon. luncheon. If you or your company is inIn order to be judged, tables Dorothy Tidwell is the Executerested in decorating a table for must be fully decorated by 9 a.m. tive Director for the Randolph the event please contact us at the on March 29. County Chamber of Commerce. chamber office, 334.863.6612. You Our annual door prize tradiTo contact her for more informacan decorate your tables from 1 tion will continue this year as tion, please call 334.863.6612; p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday Mar. 28 well with the grand prize being a 334.863.1402 or email her at or you can decorate from 7:30 day at the spa. Door prizes will rancococ@teleclipse.net. a.m. to 9 a.m. the day of the be given throughout the luncheon

Chamber Chatter

Lake Wedowee Life 47

Skeeter game. This was a good plan in theory, but the animals had plans of their own. All the critters had gone into the “layup and hibernate” mode. That first day even the dogs, Ole Roho, Patches, and Snuffy, didn’t want to leave the dog box. Everything was dead still, no sound at all, cept for an occasional limb breaking from the weight of the ice. We had another truck besides the old bus, but it was of no use since the roads were blocked by ice laden trees so we were stranded, the only mode of transportation was afoot. Normally this would not have fazed me and Red, but since we were camped on top of a high ridge covered with ice, walking about was a little bit treacherous, specially if you went down one of them hills and had to climb back up. The first day we pretty much just layed around the camp playing poker and nursing an occasional cold one planning our hunt for the next day. That morning we turned the dogs, but they were not able to jump a deer so by lunchtime we were all back at the camp, pretty much worn out from all the climbing those icy mountains. Later on that afternoon, me and Red took John M. and Lewis P. and hit the woods looking for “tree rats”. I don’t recall seeing one squirrel moving, but we did shoot into several beds and sure enough

Continued from Page 50

most of them had squirrels. That night’s supper was fried squirrels, gravy, and hot biscuits, wow..show was good. After a few hands of poker and maybe a couple of cold ones, we all hit the bunks with anticipation of better luck hunting the next day. Day three, we were up early and after a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast and coffee, we all scattered out along the ridges and saddlebacks. As best I remember, Lenard turned the dogs loose and in a few minutes Ole Roho, Patches, and Snuffy were running hot on the trail of a deer. A few minutes more, I heard one shot and the dogs hushed. We all begin making our way toward the sound of the shot by the time we got there, Joe was just finishing up field dressing a spike buck. He had a smile on his face and a steaming deer liver in his hand! We all whooped and hollered, slapping one another on the back, cause we had food. Then we realized we had about a half a mile drag to make..UPHILL..in the ice. About that time, Joe (still grinning and holding onto that steaming deer liver) said “You boys get him back to the bus and I will go ahead and cook lunch”. So Joe took off with the liver while me and Red and Terry started to climb with that hundred pound spike buck. Now Lenard being a little older and somewhat wiser

never left the top of the ridge, so when me and Red and Terry got there with that three hundred pound spike buck he was grinning from ear to ear. By the time we got that five hundred pound spike buck back to the bus and hung up in a tree, Joe was hollering to come and get it…now I have never been much of a liver eater, especially deer liver, but that morning that fried deer liver between two pieces of loaf bread tasted like manna from heaven!! The next day the ice had begun to melt, but it weight had taken it toll on all the smaller pine trees and they still blocked our departure. For the next several days we stayed fat and sassy eating deer and playing cards. We would just lower that hundred pound spike buck down, cut off what we needed, then hoist it back up. We did more hunting and did kill a couple of small bucks, but nothing to brag about. On Saturday we heard chain saws running off in the distance and by that afternoon, Dad, along with Uncle Ronald and Uncle Jerry had come to our rescue. I had figured that Dad would be pretty pissed, but since he and I were cut from the same cloth, he just grinned and said “Well, I hope you got it out of your system for a while”. Skeeter

www.lakewedoweelife.com 48 Lake Wedowee Life

Index of Advertisers A & E Metal

Midway Treasures

A & M Insulation

Norton's Floor Covering

Affordable Tire & Repair

Perryland Foods

AGL

RE/MAX Lakefront Grady & Linda Stone

Bank of Wedowee

RE/MAX Lakefront, Josephine McGuire

Brian Morris

RE/MAX Lakefront, Kelly and Leisel Caldwell

C & M Building Services

REMAX Lakefront

Chad Lee, Attorney At Law

Scott Hewitt, Attorney at Law

Charles Thompson Construction

Sheppard's Jewelry

Cheaha Realty, Billy Robertson

SmallTown Bank

Cooks Pest Control

Southern Union

D & S Marine

State Farm Insurance

Docks ETC

Steele Chiropractic

Farmers Insurance

Summit Storage

Fiberglass Unlimited

Superior Gas

Fishing Alabama

Tallapoosa River Electric Coop

H& M Drugs

TEC Security

Halls Propane

Traylor's Tax & Gifts

Lakeview Auto Sales

W & M Grocery

Lakeside Grill

Wedowee Building Supply

Mac McKinney Properties

Wedowee Lake and Lands

Main Street Animal Hospital

Wedowee Marine

Max Fulbright Designs

Wellborn Cabinet

Williamsburg Manor

3 Lake Wedowee Life 49

Well it’s been a while since our last story and in my case I have no new adventures to tell about. Deer season to say the least has pretty much sucked, so far I’ve yet to kill a deer with horns much less a racked buck! The new thousand dollar “Matthew’s Cap” I got before bow season never came through either!!! Christmas came and went, but was some what uneventful. Now don’t get me wrong, I was together with family and friends which is always a blessing. We shared food and gifts, socialized some, and remembered Christmas’ of long ago; but “Sany-Claws” was a big disappointment! Now I’d seen one of them rigs that fastens on to your four wheeler that lifts stuff up on your rack, was called a HOOKER LIFT. It looked like a pretty handy device to have, so I started hinting around to my wife that I would like to have one. She let me know right quick that I best not be fooling around with no hookers and that I sure as heck didn’t need no lift to be picking them up with!!! You know what she got me? She bought me an “anus extractor”…you know …a “butt reamer”…for the skinning shed!!!!!!!! Today, it is the eleventh of January and we had a little snow and ice, but not too much, not as bad as some of the “ice overs” in past years. As I sat around the past couple of days watching out 50 Lake Wedowee Life

over a green field I have planted just beyond the back yard, I thought back about a big ice storm we had back in 1973, could have been 1974, but it was one of them years. Anyway, Dad, myself and an assortment of friends and family had spent the weekend over in the “Needham’s Bottom” hunting, we had camped in an old school bus that Dad and the guys had fixed up for such times. It had a gas stove, lights, bunks and a table, even had a gas frigate, pretty nice!

Redneck Adventures By Skeeter Everyone knew the storm front was coming in that Sunday night so we all left out pretty early that afternoon with the exception of Red, Terry, Lenard, and Joe, they didn’t have to work the next week and had decided to tough it out in those mountains and hunt until they could get out, a couple of days at the most…leastwise that is what they figured. At that time I was living and working up in Birmingham and Dad had told me that I had to leave early to beat the storm, but I could not stand the thought of Red hunting all the next week whilst I had to work!! So we hatched out us a plan, a couple of the fellers were going to make a trip into town before the storm hit to procure the basic supplies

they would need for a couple of days. You know things like bread, eggs, bacon, coffee, can goods, dog food and last but not least BEER had to have beer. In the mean time I’d leave mom and dad’s on my way back to Birmingham, but instead I would “rondayvue” with the guys. Now I knew the plan would work until they missed me at work and called mom to see where I was, but by then it would be too late. The ice would have us blocked in with trees bent over the road and more importantly it would have Dad blocked out….What a plan!!! Everything went off just as planned, that night it started raining and then turned cold, by morning we were in a winter wonderland. The rain had turned into a thick sheet of ice which was a lot heavier than we had expected. What was planned as a couple of days hunting adventure turned into a solid week, one that we’d all talk about for years to come! That first day, we realized that we’d probably “bit off” more that we could chew, but there was nothing we could do about it. The amount of food and beer we purchased was not going to be near enough, so we decided to start rationing that first day, especially the beer! Now we were on a hunting expedition, so we had our guns and plenty of ammo so we would just supplement our diet with wild

See SKEETER Page 48