David Sturdivant takes the reins at Russell Lands Grae Drake visits Lake Martin JANUARY 2024
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On the Cover Central Alabama Community College Ambassador Anna Wilson lends her beautiful smile to Lake magazine for this annual Swimsuit & Lifestyle edition. Wilson plans to create beautiful smiles for others as she continues her education and embarks on a career as an orthodontist, a vocation she fell in love with when she was 13 years old and embarrassed to smile. Photo by Kenneth Boone
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Contents 16. DAVID STURDIVANT Alexander City's David Sturdivant steps up to Russell Lands CEO as Lamberth retires. 20. GRAE DRAKE Renowned film critic discovers Lake Martin – and never wants to leave. 25. SWIMSUIT & LIFESTYLE EDITION Local students and professionals showcase new boats and recreational equpment. ANNA WILSON ARMANDO LOPEZ MEGAN MULLINS DIEGO ABAD SKYE WALKER HALEE DUNAWAY DALEY SIMS
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES: 9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 11. LAKE SCENES 12. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 61. CHEF'S TABLE 62. LAKE WATCH 64. LAKE PROPERTY 66. BIG CATCHES 69. FAB FINDS 70. HEALTHY LIVING 72. FROM THE CELLAR 75. LOVE OF THE GAME 82. PARTING SHOT
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Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month
Number of sales
Average selling price
Median selling price
Days on the market
Total houses for sale
Inventory/ sales ratio
13 37 21
$1,562,415 $ 685,897 $ 727,859
$ 999,000 $ 625,005 $ 575,000
165 86 181
72 61 210
4.33 1.53 6.98
November 2023 November 2020 November 2017
The above numbers are derived from raw sales data from the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors MLS.The sales noted above are for Lake Martin waterfront residential (single-family and condominium) sales only. This information is provided courtesy of Lake Martin Realty, LLC (a Russell Lands, Inc., affiliated company).
Best Practices for Safe Winter Boat Storage SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 11, could have been included above, 2023 – Out of sight, out of mind it deserves its own mention. does not apply to boatcare just Undersized and multiple cords because the boat is in storage until connected together are not only a spring. Boat Owners Association of potential source of ignition but also, The United States (BoatUS) offers they make whatever they are plugged three best practices for winter into, such as a battery charger or storage to ensure the off-season heater, another fire issue. If you need goes smoothy and safely. power to the boat, check with your 1. Read the storage facility marina first. Some marinas may also contract. Every page, including the require notification of any work you safety rules. Contracts are not wish to do. all the same. Different contracts 3. Visit your boat – safely. BoatUS apply to the specific types of recommends checking on your boat winter storage, such as outdoor, at least once during the off season, indoor or boats stored on a rack. though more often is better. This Contracts also include work will help ensure animals don’t make rules. Some common ones may homes and your cover or shrink include no work of any kind, wrap is still effectively shedding ice prohibiting outside contractors, and snow. When visiting the boat, it’s no heaters or portable generators best to find a parking spot away from or disconnecting batteries. Vessels vessels on jackstands. Don’t move or tightly stored together tee up an adjust jackstands, and never tie off a If storing your boat in the water or on a lift this winter, increased fire hazard. So, for the winter cover to them. If you need to greater good of everyone in winter take someone with you, so a fall into icy waters doesn't use a ladder to climb aboard, tie it doesn't end in tragedy. storage, follow these rules to the off at the top. If your boat is stored letter. in the water, bring a friend with you, 2. Say “no” to power cords. While this best practice so a slip off an icy dock doesn’t go unnoticed.
Weather Outlook for Month
Last Month's January 2024 Forecast Lake Levels Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid 50s with average lows in the low 30s and about 5 and 3/4 inches of precipitation in the month of January.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be in the average range and rainfall will be significantly above average this month.
Year-to-Date
Precipitation: 51.38 inches Avg. high temp.: 77.3 Avg. low temp.: 53.6 Avg. temp.: 65.4
Our Normal January Precipitation: 5.72 inches Avg. high temp.: 56.0 Avg. low temp.: 32.1 Avg. temp.: 44.1
Information from the National Weather Service.
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Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 483.87 Lowest: 483.68
Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.
Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
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Lake Scene n People & Places Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com 2
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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Steve Lyles treats Bob and Brittany Maye and Steve and Kristen Griffin from Alexandria,Virginia, to a drive around Lake Martin. (2) Tracy Spinks-Wood's Jake was excited to visit one of Lake Martin's iconic landmarks. (3) Lake Martin is a show of color year round, as Missie Moler illustrated with this photo. (4) Ann Wilkerson surprised this sweet little deer baby at Windermere. (5) A golden sun sets at Bull Gap Mountain in this photo by Missie Black. (6) The blue moon at the end of August wasn't very blue, but it was full, said Tony Johnson when he sent in this photo. (7) Mel Long sent us this spectacular photo of a sailboat at sunset on Lake Martin. (8) Tony Johnson said when the tree fell, a branch damaged the WaveRunner, but it mostly missed everything else. (9) Josh Hornsby, Ben Ledbetter and Hayden Bragg were determined to go tubing this summer at Lake Martin.
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December 29 Blackberry Breeze at Martin's
Jan. 13 & 27 Wildlife Wintertime Bustle
December 31 Sweet Young'uns Anniversary Party
Jan. 18 Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber Annual Banquet
Start your New Year’s party early with Blackberry Breeze at Martin’s at Lake Martin. $60 tickets include an all-you-can-eat steak dinner buffet, complimentary champagne, unlimited photo booth snaps and a three-hour concert performed by Blackberry Breeze. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Martin’s bar will be open and offering drink specials.
The 50th anniversary of the Sweet Young’uns will take place this New Year’s Eve at the Elks Lake Lodge in Alexander City. Come hear classic rock and country music as the group commemorates their first gig in Tallassee in 1966. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door and include party favors, champagne at midnight, breakfast food and continuous music. All proceeds benefit Camp ASCCA.
Join Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne for an informative discussion about the animals that are more active in the winter. Program is free for all. Event will begin at 9 a.m. in the Naturalist Cabin on Russell Farms Road. Call Marianne at 256-496-2710 for more information or email her at Naturalist@ Russelllands.com
Come celebrate the chamber and special guests at 5:30 p.m. at the annual awards banquet at New Water Farm. There will be live music, door prizes, member booths and more. Admission is $50 and includes a steak dinner. RSVP by Thursday, Jan. 11, at 256-825-4019, or email chamber@dadeville. com.
Jan. 19-25 Throw Away Days
Dec. 31 Last Sunset Guided Hike
Take advantage of free dumpsters available throughout the county to clean up and throw out items too large for regular residential trash pick up. Dumpsters will be located at Alex CALENDAR OF EVENTS City Annex, Jan. 19 through WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN 21; the intersection of Young’s Participants take the plunge at the 2023 Lake Martin Ferry and Mullican roads and Young Professionals Polar Plunge. at Double Bridges on State Route 63 south Jan. 22-23; and at the old New Site School and at StillWaters Jan. 24 through 25. No liquids, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, Jan. 1 appliances with compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, First Day Hike televisions, computers, propane tanks or hazardous waste. Bring in the New Year with Wind Creek State Park Naturalist Dylan Ogle as he leads a 3-1/2 mile hike around the Speckled Snake Trail. Meet in the marina parking lot. Step off Jan. 25 time is 10 a.m., so arrive early with water and snacks. Wear Two Crows for Comfort sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Join your friends at Zazu’s Verandah from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for music with this original, engaging and funny duo. There will be a food truck on site and beverages for sale. Jan. 13 Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne will lead a hike to the highest point in Russell Forest Heaven Hill. As the sun sets, hikers will discuss their accomplishments from the past year and plans for 2024. Then, there will be snacks and a toast. There is a $10 fee for this program. To register, call 256-496-2710.
LMYP Polar Plunge
The Lake Martin Young Professionals encourage you to join them at Kowaliga Restaurant and plunge into the lake to raise money for Lake Martin Resource Association’s lighted buoy program. Doors open at 10 a.m., and the plunge happens at 12 p.m. There will be drinks, food and live music. Visit the lakemartinyp.com for details. 12 LAKE
Season Long Events Stillwaters Dog Fight Golf
Join an open golf event at Stillwaters Golf Club at 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to
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regular golf fees, players pay a small entry fee of $7 or $15, depending on the day. Call t 256-825-1353 for details.
Lake Martin Civitan Club
The Lake Martin Civitan Club meets at noon in the private room at JR’s Grill, 145 Alabama St., Alexander City, on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call Audrey Moore at 256-786-0465.
Dulcimer Club
All levels of mountain dulcimer and blending traditional instruments are invited to gather at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday to rehearse for performances at a variety of community events. Club fee is $25 annually. Memberships are $30. Email kim.walls@dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.
Dadeville Community Chorus
Rehearsals will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center for a May performance. Email kim.walls@ dadevilleperformingartscenters.com.
Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake
Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 6:30 p.m. Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place gets $15. Grab a group of friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
Tallassee Lions Club
The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For more information, contact Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or marilyn.speake@tcschools.com.
Equality Neighborhood Watch
The Equality Neighborhood Watch Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the old Masonic Lodge at 6:30 p.m. During the colder months, it meets at Equality Methodist Church on state Route 259. Email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com for more information.
Lake Martin Creativity
LMYP Game Night
Millerville Trade Day
Artists Association of Central Alabama
This group meets every Monday at 1 p.m. in the downstairs community room at the StillWaters Residential Building. Anyone interested in arts and crafts is encouraged to join. Bring something to work on, or come see what others are doing. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the use of the space. Contact Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506. Bibb Graves School on State Route 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m with free outside setup for vendors, yard sale, flea market and swap meet items (no food vendors). Donations from sales to BGHS Alumni and Friends Association are appreciated. A $20 donation to BGHSAFA will be included in each vehicle sale. For information, contact Bruce Lowery at 205-522-5794.
Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit
The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin exhibit is on display all year long at the Alexander City Board of Education building, located at 375 Lee St.
Memory Makers Quilt Guild
This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. and sew until 2 p.m. Bring your lunch or a snack, sewing projects, machines and questions.
Amateur Radio Club
The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City, with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. For more information, contact Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710.
Every third Thursday of the month, grab your crew and meet at The Local at 41 Main in downtown Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for games, laughs and exclusive LMYP drink specials. The games are free, and the grand prize is always $50. Visit the Lake Martin Young Professionals Facebook page for more information. AACA artists meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds with a general meeting followed by open studio. Club dues are $20 for the year.
Wellborn Musclecar Museum
Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; $7 for children ages 7 to 17, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Call 256-329-8474 to arrange group tours or email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com.
Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours
Naturalist Marianne fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.
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Lake Martin News Date Set for 2024 LMYP Polar Plunge
Prospect Cutoff Work Almost Done
A major lake area road reopens to heavy traffic.
The detours are almost over for lake area residents in north Elmore County. Since late October, the Elmore County Public Works team has labored to repair a failing bridge on Prospect Cutoff with two 84-inch diameter pipes. “This is being done faster than any state project I have seen,” Elmore County commissioner Henry Hines said. “A state project would take three to four times longer.” Elmore County chief engineer Luke McGinity said the materials cost approximately $85,000 and were funded through an ADEM American Recovery Plan Act Stormwater Project grant. “We used county equipment and labor to do it in house,” McGinity said. “We saved tens of thousands in the process. A contractor would likely charge three to four times what this is costing the county.” The bridge needed major repairs. The county had posted a three-ton limit on the bridge prohibiting larger vehicles from crossing. “No school bus, log truck or even fire truck could cross the bridge,” McGinity said. “It meant a 3-1/2 mile detour for the Kowaliga Fire Department from their station on Prospect Road to get to State Route 63 North.” McGinity said the project is within the county’s capabilities in house. “We can do pipe and even large diameter pipe, but not a bridge,” McGinity said. “If a bridge had to go back in place, we would contract that out.” Sometimes county employees use rental equipment to place very large diameter pipes in place. For the Prospect Cutoff project, the county’s largest excavator handled setting the two pieces of pipe. County employees have since been backfilling and compacting the dirt around the pipe, placing riprap or a layer of stone at the entrances. Traffic was allowed across it last month as worked continued. “They will have to go slow,” McGinity said. “We have rough road signs up. Asphalt should be back on it by the end of the year.” ~Cliff Williams
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It’s time again for one of the community’s favorite events. The annual Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge will return for its seventh year on Saturday, Jan. 13. Presented by Lake Martin Dock Company, the event will benefit Lake Martin Resource Association and will be set at its usual location on Kowaliga Beach. Join the event as a participant or cheer on fellow community members, family and friends from the shorelines. Some of the area’s Above: LMYP raises funds for LMRA's lighted buoy favorite program through the annual polar plunge; Below: Take food trucks the plunge or watch others from dry ground. will be on the premises to offer a variety of choices for attendees. Tickets for those participating in the plunge are $15, and tickets for onlookers are $20. Along with the main event, both the costume contest and Dash for the Cash will be back this year, both with $100 prizes. Don your best costume for a chance to win the highly anticipated contest, or participate in The Dash for the Cash, which seeks out those daring enough to sprint from the shoreline to a buoy beyond the docks and back. Doors open at 10 a.m. with the main event scheduled for noon. The festivities will continue until 4 p.m., and those participating in the plunge will have use of tents to change into dry attire. Event organizers recommend those participating bring a pair of water shoes due to the rocky bottom at Kowaliga Beach. The Polar Plunge draws more and more attendees and participants each year, leading to yet another successful year of giving back. Join in on the fun or cheer on from the sides. Either way, the community benefits. ~Staff Report
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David Sturdivant
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STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & BETSY ILER
Late last November, Russell Lands named David “It has been a wonderful journey for me, and I look Sturdivant the company’s next president. Effective Jan. forward to continuing my service as executive chairman,” 1, Sturdivant will replace Tom Lamberth, who is shifting Lamberth said. from his roles as CEO and president of Russell Lands to Sturdivant identified Lamberth as a vital resource in serve as the executive chairman on the company’s board his own experiences in developing as a leader at Russell of directors. Lands. “I’m honored. I'm humbled,” said Sturdivant. “I think “I’ve got big shoes to fill,” he said. “Tom has been just it's going to be challenging, but a fantastic mentor to me. I’ve I’m really excited. We’ve got enjoyed working for him for a fantastic team that I’m really over 30 years. He’s taught me looking forward to continuing to so much. Not only is he a very work with. I couldn’t be more intelligent guy, he’s also a great excited.” leader and a great visionary. Russell Lands’ portfolio That’s why I say that they’re includes primarily real estate, going to be big shoes to fill. such as lakefront neighborBut he’s not going very far, so hoods, golf and country clubs I can still lean on him when I and restaurants, but the company need to.” also manages a wide variety of Sturdivant said the chalother businesses, including a lenges he and the company will marine division, hardware and face in the coming years depend building supply stores and an primarily on the state of the installed-sales design studio. economy. Sturdivant said that such a wide “As we head into 2024, scope has kept things interesting we’re all keeping an eye on throughout his 30 years with the the economy in general. From company. a real estate standpoint, across “We’ve got so many different the country, you’ve got some businesses that operate under potential headwinds with some one umbrella, so you never know inventory issues, rising interest what the day is going to bring,” rates, so on and so forth. We’re said Sturdivant. going to continue to keep our Left: David Sturdivant has been named CEO at Russell Lands; Above: Sturdivant picks up roadside eye on that. So far, we’ve been Sturdivant has served previtrash with former Alexander City Mayor Tommy ously as the CFO and COO of very successful in our recent Spraggins during the annual Alabama Power Renew Russell Lands, having been in launches of various phases of Our Rivers cleanup. leadership positions at the comdevelopment. And we plan to pany since he joined in 1993 as continue that in 2024. So, we’ll controller. A registered certified see what’s to be, as far as the public accountant, Sturdivant is confident that his past economy goes. We’re optimistic.” experiences have prepared him well to take on this role. Despite the specific challenges to come, Sturdivant “From the financial perspective, I am certainly comfinds comfort in what he considers the guiding philosofortable with evaluating opportunities and reviewing phy of Russell Lands. financials on a regular basis. Digging into the weeds, so “One thing that we try to do at Russell Lands is we to speak,” said Sturdivant. “Over the last few years, havreally want to treat others as we would like to be treating direct oversight of many of our business units has ed,” said Sturdivant. “Sort of a golden rule, if you will. really helped me learn a lot from the smart people who And I think that if you apply that philosophy to business are operating these businesses.” and try to take care of your customers, and do so in a Stepping down from the position is Tom Lamberth, manner that’s responsive and cheerful, a lot of problems who has served as the president of Russell Lands for the tend to take care of themselves.” last 20 years of his 41-year career at Russell Lands.
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1 Chronicles 16:34
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Grae Drake
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STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAE DRAKE
Grae Drake sat on the back porch at Dr. George Hardy’s Lake Martin home. In front of her was a grotto, sprawling with meticulously trimmed plants, lawn ornaments and stone decorations. To her right, Lake Martin was 30 yards away. A canopy of trees hung above her, creating a nook that blocked out external sounds, isolating her to the shade, to the sounds of small birds tweeting and insects chittering, to the smell of flowers and trees and plant life. “I just sat out here on this porch for like, an hour,” Drake said. “Just sitting. It’s so different from where we live. And so beautiful. And
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I just love seeing it. It reminds me more of growing up in Colorado. So, this so nice. This is what people who live here experience every day.” Drake and her husband, Steve Gelder, live in Los Angeles, where she reviews movies, and he is an actor. In October, the couple spent a week visiting their close friend, an Alexander City native and a local dentist with a cultfollowing for his role in the infamously-badbut-famously-funny movie, Troll 2. Movie critic Grae Drake fell in love with Lake Martin while visiting a friend here.
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Gelder is a veteran of stand-up comedy. He handed, zany persona. During interviews, she’s has performed across the United States for 12 licked Paul Rudd’s face. She’s moved Ryan years. He focuses on acting these days, and a Gosling to laughter, then to tears, after premovie-critic wife seems like a well-planned senting him with a dishtowel depicting three professional move in hindsight. Gelder grew hand-drawn pictures of his face. Liam Neeson up in Cavalier, North Dakota, a town with a called her a little bit weird, she said, and she population of just over a thousand people. got Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to wear a He’s familiar with smalltown quirks. Drake, fluffy Panda hat. however, is from Denver, Colorado. “I always felt that acting like an idiot – my “It’s so wonderful to see this part of the normal setting – is very calming to me,” said country,” said Drake. “It’s so different from Drake. ours. It’s gorgeous. What Most of all, Drake is George doesn’t know is that authentic. And she treats we’re probably just going celebrities – who have "I think since the beto move in.” been made out as idols, ginning of time, we’ve Drake is a renowned by many – like human movie critic. She has beings. These are always sort of glorified reviewed movies for people who are chased people who we think Fandango, worked as a by waves of camera senior editor at Rotten flashes every time they are exceptional. But in Tomatoes and has talked leave the grocery store about movies on just or are inundated with doing that, we kind of about any major network requests for selfies lose the humanity of it." you could name. She has and autographs from interviewed the likes of strangers. They often ~Grae Drake are treated as inhuman, Samuel L. Jackson, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lawrence like infallible gods and hundreds of others, and whose selfies might cure she has worked across a multitude of sectors in diseases and whose autographs might conjure entertainment, from Extreme Home Makeover ancient magic. Many see them as fountains of to Ancient Aliens. success or symbols of status. Drake grew up watching and rewatching But it’s hard for someone to feel unduly the Troll movies, constantly entertained by glorified when a journalist licks his cheek. the cheesy dialogue and gaudy special effects. Drake makes them laugh. Not in She was a little nervous to speak to Hardy for attempts to garner respect or favor, but in the first time, a little starstruck. After all, she a self-deprecating way. It’s comforting and was in the presence of a leading actor in the endearing. It eases the tension between both movie dubbed “The Best Worst Movie of All parties and allows them to see each other Time.” But, as she found out, Hardy was just not as job descriptions or collections but as as human as she was. people. “I was so nerded out,” Drake said, laughing. “Seeing behind the curtain isn’t always the “But come to find out when I spend about an most fascinating thing,” said Drake. “Because hour talking to him, I could live next door to I think the more people that I work with, and this guy. He’s so great. And here we are all the more places I go, I realize we’re all just these years later, still friends, and I love it.” hoping for a good outcome. You know what I Meeting Hardy allowed Drake to see behind mean? We’re all the same. It’s like everyone the curtain of entertainment, of stardom and all over the world just wants their family to be fame. She began to understand that most of the safe. They want everybody to have a roof over time, actors are just people. their heads. They want a nice meal together.” “It’s comforting to sit 3 feet away from like, And as for Lake Martin, the area seems one of the most famous people in the world to personify that human element Drake has and think, ‘He’s just like my uncle,’” she said. embodied so well. “I think since the beginning of time, we’ve “I love going places where you’re driving always sort of glorified people who we think on a road, and you can wave at everyone,” said are exceptional. But in doing that, we kind of Drake. “I love that. I get such a charge out of lose the humanity of it.” that. Because in LA, if you wave at someone, It’s this human-first, actor-second approach they immediately mistake it for you flipping that endears many of Hollywood’s perennial them off,” she said, chuckling. talents to Drake. That, and her sort of offJANUARY 2024
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Clockwise from Above: Halee Dunaway climbs the silo at Wind Creek State Park; A golden sunset provides a beautiful backdrop for Megan Mullins; Armando Lopez and Daley Sims take a break from studies at CACC to enjoy an afternoon on the dock; Anna Wilson loves the flexibility CACC offers; Cole and Savannah Maxwell, Cody Hamilton and Sydnee Riley enjoy a clear morning at the lake in a Hurricane by Godfrey from Russell Marine.
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Anna Wilson
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Stanhope Elmore High School graduate Anna Wilson is kicking off her education at Central Alabama Community College by channeling her love of detailed art into a future career as an orthodontist. Wilson said she realized she could create beautiful smiles when she wore braces at age 13. “I didn’t want to smile, and my life changed because of braces,” she said. “I realized that I could combine my natural talent for detailed art with my interest in doing that for others. I love that I could do that.” She accepted an internship in an orthodontist’s office the summer between her junior and senior years in high school, and the opportunity afforded her a glimpse of the career. She hopes to transfer to Auburn University as a biomedical engineer major to prepare for dental school. In the meantime, she’s getting a solid foundation by taking her core classes at a community college where the teachers are accommodating of her busy schedule. “My teachers are always flexible. They know that I have ambassador duties, work and am a worship leader in my church. They understand. Also, I think it’s easier to learn in a small field,” she said. She wants to take advantage of the focused attention CACC teachers can provide in smaller classes to establish a solid base in the sciences. Last semester, her schedule included courses in chemistry, psychology, pre-calculus, ethics and micro calculations. In addition, she recently stepped into a leadership role in the music department at Coosada Baptist Church, where she made the decision to be accountable to her faith at an early age. “I used to wish I had a cool testimony story, but I grew up in the church. When I was 16, I started driving to church on Wednesday nights, and I was asked to step into worship leadership. It’s always been a main focus in my life, and I’m grateful for that,” she said. In addition to school and involvement at church, Wilson works in the pro shop at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. But she doesn’t play golf. “I have played about every sport except golf,” Wilson laughed. “I have hit a few balls though, and golf is definitely harder than it looks.” She hunts during deer and turkey seasons and loves to create gifts by woodburning, string art, painting and drawing. In the evening, she treasures time with her family. “I have three younger siblings, and I want to be a good example for them,” she said.
Wilson finds relaxation in outdoor activities, especially if she can be with her dogs – a German shorthaired pointer, a lab/pit bull mix and a Yorkshire terrier. Something else she loves is spending time with her friends at Lake Martin. “I have several friends from high school I’ve stayed in touch with, and I’ve visited them at their lake homes in the Eclectic area. We go tubing or fish off the dock. It’s only about an hour away, so it’s easy to get to,” she said. But her parents are the ones who have had the greatest influence on this 19-year-old’s formation. “They are my inspiration. They have pushed me to be the best version of myself that I can be. I don’t know that I would be the way I am if I didn’t have them,” she said. “It also helped having my supportive friends, my Granny and G-daddy. She was a very devout person.” It’s the experiences she has shared with the people in her life – parents, siblings, teachers and close friends – that have helped Wilson deepen her faith and look forward to the road ahead with a positive attitude.
Right: Anna Wilson's favorite lake activities include tubing with friends and fishing off the dock. Facing Page: She plans to major in biomedical engineering at Auburn before entering graduate school.
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Cole and Savannah Maxwell, Cody Hamilton, Sydnee Riley, Lauren Watts and Ian Tatum relax in a metallic black San Pan by Godfrey Pontoon Boats from Russell Marine featuring a black sport arch with JL Audio Tower speakers, a bayside slate interior and a 250 horsepower Yamaha engine.
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Armando Lopez STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Armando Lopez is a trail blazer. His parents moved to Alexander City from Mexico in search of opportunities to work and live in a small town. Lopez was born in Alexander City, the oldest of three siblings in his family. He has had to figure out much of life on his own, through trial and error, navigating cultural and linguistic differences alongside his parents. As a first-generation college student at Central Alabama Community College, he was given little help in going through the daunting gambit – as an 18-yearold – of applying to colleges, applying for federal aid and figuring out the costs of textbooks, gasoline or any of the other hundreds of issues that need to be resolved to enroll in college. Many times, Lopez has had to sink or swim. “So, I’m learning stuff as I go, and I’m the steppingstone for my siblings because my parents didn’t go to college. They didn’t know how it worked. And of course, I didn’t know how it worked either,” said Lopez. “Sometimes, you have to figure stuff out on your own. And when I was applying to all these different places, it was a bit of a hard situation that I was in, because I didn’t have anyone to guide me.” Even before college, Lopez was figuring things out on his own. His father had a cursory knowledge of English, but for the most part, Lopez learned the language himself while at school. Again, he was forced to adapt. “You learn a lot from people around you,” said Lopez. “And everyone has their own culture. So, you just have to adapt to that and learn.” And Lopez has certainly immersed himself in the language. He is beginning his second semester at CACC, where he serves as a student ambassador. In high
school, he had leadership roles in a variety of clubs, and he participated in cross-country and track. He was part of the Family, Career Community Leaders of America, where he gave competitive speeches about a variety of community-centered topics. In all aspects of his life, he is a sociable, friendly person who has learned to turn former disadvantages into skills. He plans to pursue a career in physical therapy, a passion he realized through the care he received during a long bout of sports injuries in high school. “In high school, I did cross-country and track. Throughout that time, I got constant injuries – like, I got a stress fracture. I would get injured every time and the physical therapists just always fascinated me, because I’ve always liked helping others,” said Lopez. “I’ve tried to stay active in my community, and I’ve always liked helping other people. I’ve always known that I wanted to do something in the health field,” he said. Lopez has mapped out a plan to achieve his goal. He hopes to graduate from CACC, finish an undergraduate degree in microbiology at Auburn University, and study physical therapy in graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Although Lopez has his sights set, he still finds time to do the things he loves: Namely, spending time with his family. Facing Page: Armando Lopez plans to pursue a career in physical therapy; Below: He loves spending time at the lake with his family; Next Page: As the first in his family to attend college, he's blazing the trail for his younger siblings.
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“I usually spend time with my family. I really like doing that,” said Lopez. “And my parents have always been a really big part of my life, because they constantly push me to be the best that I can be. They always support my future goals and plans. We always go to the lake for family time.” The Lopez family can be found on Lake Martin riding Jet Skis, going out on the boat or grilling out at Wind Creek State Park. Lopez’s family has grounded him in his trailblazing trials and has provided him with a firm foundation for a future of doing what he loves most – helping others. “The fortunate thing is now I’m going to be able to help my siblings,” said Lopez. “Now, they have someone to rely on, someone to ask, now that I’ve gone through it.”
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Judith and Alex Jager take the Crevalle 33 Sportfish from Russell Marine for a spin, loving the volcanic black and storm cloud grey exterior and the ride of twin Mercury 400 engines.
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Megan Mullins STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Megan Mullins has turned a childhood interest into a career. “I’ve been taking pictures since I was four. That is, if you count my Barbie Polaroid camera as starting photography,” she said. Mullins was influenced by her father and grandfather, who both enjoyed taking photos in their free time, but she was the first in her family to make a career out of the passion. Since her high school days in 2011, Mullins has managed her own photography business, taking wedding photos, portraits and more. The began earning money for her photos by taking senior portraits for graduating high school students. The photos were always taken right in front of Lake Martin. “It just kind of fell into my lap,” said Mullins. “I wasn’t really trying to start a business. I liked doing creative shoots in high school. I started a Facebook page to have somewhere to share my photos. People would see my shoots and ask, ‘Hey, can you take pictures of my family?’ Or they would ask, ‘Can you shoot my wedding?’ And it just happened very organically.” Mullins photographed her first wedding shortly after graduating from Benjamin Russell High School. It was then that she decided to pursue her photography further at Savannah College of Art and Design, where she also met her fiancé, Diego Abad. Mullins graduated from SCAD four years later, and her photography business took off. “I feel like because of the size of Alex City, word of mouth is super powerful,” said Mullins. “Word of mouth really kickstarted my whole career. I guess that can still happen in a big city, but it wouldn’t be nearly as easy.” She began to work full time, managing her business and photographing primarily weddings. She has an apartment in New York City but splits time between there and Alexander City. The majority of her business comes from right here in Alabama. Mullins’ work has taken her all over the globe, from Lake Martin to Jamaica, allowing her to pursue two passions at once. “I actually really love travel photography, as much as I love to travel,” said Mullins. “Whenever we go on a trip, I do a lot of travel photography. I love shooting film photography. A lot of times when I take a trip, I
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won’t even bring my digital camera, just film.” While on trips, Mullins has taken photos of old churches in Iceland, the Roman colosseum in Italy, a baobob tree in Uganda and much more. But throughout her travels, Mullins is always reminded about the place where she first found an inspiration to capture moments of beauty. “When I think back to my childhood, I think a lot about my grandparents’ house. What’s great about Alex City is just the amount of land and open space. My grandparents have a huge yard, so I think bring surrounded by nature and spending so much time outdoors sparked my imagination as a kid and helped lead me down a creative career path,” said Mullins. Previous Pages: As a professional photographer, Megan Mullins usually finds herself behind the camera, not in front of it; Below: She met fiancé Diego Abad in school at Savannah College of Art & Design; Facing Page: Mullins has traveled the world taking pictures.
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Diego Abad STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Diego Abad grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. There, he attended an international school, where he studied English. “I was very fortunate to go to school there,” he said. “I kind of grew up learning English since right before first grade. And I always liked it. I really kind of pushed myself to learn it.” What exposed him to intricacies of one of the most difficult and paradoxical languages on Earth was watching his favorite shows and reading his favorite books in English. Abad described himself as an “artsy” child. He took standard art classes from a young age, illustrating with watercolor, charcoal and paints. But the most impactful of these classes was one that taught him to create comic books. Abad’s father and uncle turned him on to the medium from a young age. The comics he read weren’t the typical Marvel or DC comics with which most American comic-lovers are familiar. They were “fringe,” as Abad describes them, Argentinian detective stories or French comics about Gaulish warriors who fought off the Roman Republic. “I was just like making detective comics books,
because that’s what I was reading at the time,” said Abad. It was this proclivity towards illustration that Abad rediscovered as a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he originally enrolled to study architecture. Though he had a desire to delve into animation, he figured it was too hard and time consuming. Then, he caught a glimpse of a friend’s homework for an animation class. “I was like, I could do that,” said Abad. “And I think I could do it even better. The rest is history. I kind of fell into it really.” Abad completely dropped his architectural studies and focused solely on animation. He began to hang around other animation majors, and he became obsessed with the trade. Today, almost seven years later, Abad is working for an animation company that works in advertising, video games, movies and television. Most recently, his company, Buck, has worked on the newest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie. Abad and his fiancé, Megan Mullins, currently have an apartment in New York City. Being from Alexander City, Mullins has brought Abad back to her hometown on a handful of occasions. Each time he visits, he is reminded of the things that make Lake Martin unique. “I think it’s just maybe the mentality of people and their daily lives. I feel like people in the area really take their time to enjoy the smaller things and just be more present in a way. And in New York City, everything’s always moving on to the next thing. And there’s some nice energy to it, too. I’m not saying one thing is better than the other. But I think there is something calming about going somewhere such as Lake Martin.” “I’ve always just enjoyed my time there. It’s a really beautiful area. I can tell why so many people either vacation there or move there full time. It’s so nice and peaceful,” said Abad.
Facing Page: Raised in Mexico, Diego Abad is an animation designer in New York City; Left: He was introduced to Lake Martin by his fiancé, Alexander City native Megan Mullins.
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Sydnee Riley, Savannah and Cole Maxwell and Cody Hamilton toured Lake Martin in a Pacific blue and ice gray Hurricane by Godfrey from Russell Marine, featuring a Yamaha engine.
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Skye Walker STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Dadeville native Skye Walker is living every child’s fantasy, digging up dinosaurs as a field paleontologist and science communications manager for Elevation Science, a nonprofit dedicated to conservation, research and education for natural history. “It’s my dream job,” said the 29-year-old who started her college career in theater classes at Southern Union Community College. “I attended Chambers Academy in Lafayette from fifth grade on because my grandfather became headmaster there. I graduated in 2013,” she said. “As a kid, I always wanted to be a paleontologist, but as I got closer to college age, a lot of people told me that wasn’t practical, and I couldn’t make a living at that. I decided that made sense, and I looked at other opportunities.” Walker enrolled in the theater program at Southern Union and became involved in Alexander City’s community theater troupe, ACT II, taking roles in A Very Rich Woman, Arsenic and Old Lace and Our Town. “I loved theater, but I probably couldn’t make a living at that either, so I looked at nursing, psychology, radiology. They just didn’t fit,” she said. One day when she was feeling particularly down in the dumps about her future, her then-boyfriend (now husband), Mac Tyson, reminded her that she once was obsessed with the dream of being a paleontologist. “Why not go for that?” he asked. Walker researched programs at nearby schools and found that Auburn University had an excellent geology curriculum. She applied, was accepted and earned her bachelor’s degree in geology. “I took every class that was even remotely related to paleontology,” Walker said. During and after college, Walker volunteered at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and found a few good opportunities for field work with the Black Belt Museum in Livingston. These opportunities allowed her to work with fossil sharks, turtles, mosasaurs and even giant ammonites. “Then, last year, my husband and I were grocery shopping, and I got a call from the director at Elevation Science. One of their staff members had broken her leg, and he wondered if I could fill in for her on a dig in Montana that summer. I told him I would have to call him back,” she said. “When I hung up the phone, Mac said, ‘You know you have to do this, right?’ “It was once-in-a-lifetime. I had been looking for an opportunity like that for ages and had thought it would never happen.” AUMNH directors told Walker they would hold her lab technician job until she finished the stint with Elevation Science. She did finish her project in Auburn, but then was hired as the science communication manager and field technician with Elevation Science.
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Facing Page: Skye Walker, a Dadeville native, dreamed of being a paleontologist as a child; Top Right: Walker sits down next to a Diplodocus femur; Bottom Right: Her dream came true, as she now spends her summers digging up dinosaur bones in Montana's Bighorn Basin.
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Based in Red Lodge, Montana, during the summer digs, Elevation Science hosts volunteers from around the world who sign up to help staff in the Bighorn Basin excavate dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. “I have met the coolest people from Italy, Russia – all over the world – doctors, lawyers, farmers, pharmacists. They come all the way out there just to help us do this, and they each bring their own kind of expertise,” Walker said. Walker runs the organization’s social media platform, posting fun educational content to bridge the gap between the average layman and researchers. “Science is nothing unless it’s understood. It shouldn’t be limited to just people in the scientific world. The public needs to be aware of things going on in science. It’s my job to be that in-between person to help the general public understand what is the root of what’s going on,” she explained. Walker moved to Mississippi last
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year, where Tyson is a district manager for video game retailer, Game X Change, but she loves her hometown. “I love to go out in the boat and look at houses, visit Chimney Rock. When I was a kid, my favorite thing was to hook up the innertube to the boat. My brother Luke and I would get on it, and my dad would do his best to throw us into another dimension. We would drive around the lake and stop at a rope swing. Afterwards, we’d go home, my mom would make us lunch, and my dad, brothers and I would jump off the boathouse into the lake,” she said. “I am grateful to my family and friends for being so supportive of me throughout my life and my career. There were a lot of twists and turns, but I appreciate them sticking with me for the ride.” Below: Walker is the communications manager and a field technician with Elevation Science; Facing Page: Walker and her husband now make their home in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Halee Dunaway STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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About 10 years ago, Dick Bronson, a fervent environmental educator, taught students at Radney Elementary School in Alexander City to test the water in a stream near the school grounds. And he planted a seed that has been growing all these years in Halee Dunaway. An Alexander City native and recent Benjamin Russell High School graduate, Dunaway was greatly influenced by Bronson’s observations and exercises, and she’s set her sights on a career in natural resource management. “The water testing was really interesting to me. I want to preserve the environment, so everyone gets to experience it,” the 19-year-old Auburn University freshman said. “There are so many different fields to go into. I am thinking about a minor in environmental law or coastal management and would like to work either at the gulf or in the Pacific Northwest.” To that end, Dunaway took agriculture-related courses in high school and is taking some exciting courses at Auburn. “I am taking a pretty cool class this semester. During spring break, the instructors take us on a 1,000-mile trip around Alabama, learning about the natural resources,” she said. The curriculum is heavy on biology, and Dunaway looks forward to studying the coastal wildlife, including the birds. She hopes to land a summer internship on an island in the Florida Keyes. She chose Auburn with the enthusiastic support of her stepfather, Chad Morris. “He’s the one who convinced me to go to Auburn. He is a really big Auburn fan,” Dunaway said, though her history with the college dates back to childhood. “I love Auburn. It’s close by. I was raised with Auburn loyalty, always watching the Iron Bowl. Tailgating.” As a student on the Plains, she enjoys attending games and sitting in the student section. “It’s very loud and very chaotic, but I really enjoy the atmosphere,” she said. Living in an on-campus apartment, Dunaway is glad to have her 2-year-old border collie, Lolly, with her at school. “I got her from Lake Martin Animal Shelter at the start of my senior year
in high school. I went to volunteer to walk the dogs and fell in love with her,” she said. “It’s nice to have that connection with home while I’m at school.” When they come home, Dunaway and Lolly enjoy spending time together at the lake. Though the wave action can be treacherous, Dunaway said one of her favorite lake activities over the years has been watching the Russell Marine July 4 fireworks show at Lake Martin Amphitheater from the boat. “I always think the boat is going to sink,” she laughed. She also loves visiting JR’s Grill when she’s home on breaks or weekends. “They recognize me there. They know my exact order as soon as I walk in the door,” she said. Dunaway is grateful for the support she gets from her family, including her older brother but most especially from her mother, Tammy Morris. “She is my No. 1 supporter,” she said. That support has helped Dunaway seek an education and a career that she’ll love.
Facing Page: BRHS graduate, Halee Dunaway plans to work in natural resource management; Right: She lives in Auburn with Lolly, a 2-year-old border collie; Next Two Pages: As part of her curriculum at Auburn University, she will take a 1,000-mile tour of Alabama's natural resources this spring; She learned water testing from Dick Bronson at Radney Elementary School.
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Cole and Savannah Maxwell, Cody Hamilton and Sydnee Riley are ready for some fun on Lake Martin in a Nautique G23 in Tungsten Grey with a metal flake accent and anthracite interior from Russell Marine. This boat features a telescoping flight control tower system and a 450-horsepower engine.
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Daley Sims STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Central Alabama Community College ambassador Daley Sims is on a mission to help people achieve clearer, healthier skin, and she has a plan for making it happen. Her passion for aesthetician work was born from her own experience with acne, and Sims hopes to travel the world to share techniques that could improve skin health for others. “I have always loved skin care. I used to spend all my money on skincare products,” said the 18-year-old Benjamin Russell High School graduate. “When I was younger, I had bad acne, and I did anything I could to clear it up. I tried so many different facial products and learned about the different techniques.” She visited Shay Donna Aesthetics in Alexander City to observe aestheticians there and learn about the field. Once she knew what she wanted to do, Sims did her research and chose to start her education at CACC. “I was thinking of going to Troy or Auburn, but I realized that if I went to CACC, I would be further ahead than if I had gone to a four-year university right away,” she said. “I did dual enrollment in high school, so I should be done at CACC in one year. And I will transfer, but I haven’t decided where yet.” Sims completed her college-level English requirements during her junior and senior years in high school, as well as keyboarding, a history class and macroeconomics. “I recommend doing it that way. CACC is cheaper than starting at a four-year university, and I like the environment. The people are welcoming. I feel at home there. I don’t know if I could go to school with 80 or more people in my class,” she said. “The smaller classroom makes making friends easier, and the teachers and advisors are so helpful. Advisor Mary Beth Farr has helped me so much.” As an ambassador, Sims helps new students navigate registration, greets attendees at meetings and offers input to CACC President Jeff Lynn. “We had a meeting we called ‘Pizza with the President,’ and we told him things about how to improve CACC and get more people to come,” she said. “I even met the governor at an event at the Prattville campus.” Talking to people has always come easily to Sims. At BRHS, she worked in the office. “I’m used to meeting new people,” she said. She’s also worked with children. “I work at After the Bell – at Pearson Elementary School last year but at Stephens this year. I thought I might want to be a
teacher, but after working with kids, I changed my mind. It’s exhausting,” she said. Instead, she will pursue becoming a certified aesthetician, working with Botox, micro-needling and facialing. She’d like to have her own business, adding services worldwide but especially exploring Greece, Italy, the Bahamas and other locations that feature clear blue water. Lake Martin had a little something to do with that. “I love the lake. My grandparents had a lake house, and when they didn’t want to take care of it anymore, they gave it to my family. We are there all summer. I love tubing, visiting Smith Mountain, going to Smith Marina to get yogurt,” she said. “I love spending time with my friends at the lake, making memories with them at Chimney Rock, the Landing. We like to go to Willow Point and look for golf balls. And on the other side of the lake, I like to go to Big Beach, Peanut Point, Wind Creek State Park. We love riding Sea Doos. I’ve been going to the lake since I was a newborn.” While Sims appreciates the opportunities she’s been given, it’s her spirit of going and doing that will continue to drive her forward to achieve her dream.
Previous Pages: Daley Sims fell in love with Lake Martin as a newborn at her grandparents' cabin; Right: She's passionate about skin care and looks forward to a career as an aesthetician; Facing Page: One of her favorite activities as a CACC ambassador has been 'Pizza with the President.'
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Karen and Willie Sturkie take a ride in the GT31 Chris Craft in fountain blue and ivory cream with a chateau interior, featuring twin Mercury v8 engines.
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Crab Rangoons
with Sweet Chili Sauce Rangoon Ingredients
1 pound crab meat 12 ounces cream cheese 1-2 garlic cloves, micro planed 1 nub, fresh ginger, micro planed 1 scallion, thinly sliced Wonton wrappers
Rangoon Directions
Mix the cream cheese, garlic, ginger and green onions together until creamy. Fold in crab meat and mix carefully. We try to leave it on the chunky side. Brush wonton wrappers with an egg wash and place a scoop of crab mixture in the middle. Bring the two sides together and seal. Squeeze the other two sides to the center to CHEF'S TABLE BY PETE MCKENNY form the triangle. Seal and freeze. Fry at 350 degrees for two or three minutes until golden brown.
Sweet Chili Sauce Ingredients 3 cups sugar 1 cup corn syrup 1 quart rice wine vinegar 1 stalk lemongrass 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 cup red chili flakes
Sauce Directions
Bring the vinegar to a simmer with the lemongrass and garlic and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let vinegar steep for about 1 hour. Strain and save for later. Melt corn syrup and sugar together until it starts to caramelize. Stir in hot vinegar. Mix carefully and add chili flakes. Cool to room temperature.
Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio, Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. JANUARY 2024
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Celebrate the clean water of Lake Martin and the entire Tallapoosa River watershed
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Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., works as an affiliate of the Alabama Water Watch statewide organization to recruit and train volunteer monitors, who provide chemical and bacteriological water quality testing at sites across Lake Martin and in the river and streams throughout the middle Tallapoosa River watershed. Lake Watch volunteer monitors post the testing results to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage and to the AWW statewide database. Our testing in 2023 confirms excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin, as befits our “Treasured Alabama Lake” status.
Monitoring our tributary streams
LAKE WATCH
BY MATT CAMPBELL
Friends of the Tallapoosa
In the big picture, we celebrate the good health of the entire Tallapoosa River watershed and its tributary streams. The Tallapoosa is remarkable for its clean water, scenic beauty and recreational value, as well as the general good health of its aquatic and riparian flora and fauna. Its shoal habitats support amazing biodiversity in populations of native fish and other unique Alabama critters. Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural economy. The pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle; however, we must all recognize sources of pollution in the river and streams and address measures that will protect and improve our clean water and protect the health of the river. Lake Watch testing on the tributary streams of the Tallapoosa River often shows high E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable minimum standards of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management quality, particularly following rain events. Too many streams in the Tallapoosa basin are on ADEM’s 303(d) list as water quality impaired. This is generally because of non-point source pollu-
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tion that occurs when stormwater runoff carries surface-applied waste and pollutants into streams. Stormwater runoff also creates muddy water turbidity from soil erosion. Apparent sources of this pollution are the expanding poultry industry in our watershed; stormwater runoff from cattle pastures, agriculture and forestry; and shortcomings in community wastewater treatment. Another villain has caught our eye as well. Lake Watch opposes the surface disposal of sludge onto the fields and forests of our watershed as an ostensible beneficial use as fertilizer. We urge all involved to stop this dreadful practice.
On several occasions in 2023, Lake Watch joined representatives from other community conservation groups and other state and local watershed stakeholders to build a partnership of Friends of the Tallapoosa. We are grateful to Martha Hunter, Alabama Rivers Alliance director of community partnerships, for coordinating these events. The Friends of the Tallapoosa wants to develop clean water advocacy throughout the river watershed. We want to speak with a common voice to protect Alabama’s freshwater resources and to promote best practices and outdoor recreation on our waters throughout the Tallapoosa. Our Tallapoosa watershed meetings included representatives from Alabama Rivers Alliance (alabamarivers.org), Auburn University Water Resources Center (aaes.auburn.edu > wrc), AWW (aaes. auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch), Lake Watch of Lake Martin (lakewatch.org), Save Our Saugahatchee, Native Fish Coalition (nativefishcoalition.org), East Alabama Fly Fishing (eastalabamaflyfishing.com), Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association (lakewedoweepoa.com), Yates Lake homeowners, state legislators and others. Lake Watch and our partners advocate a watershed approach to protecting Lake Martin and all the waters of the Tallapoosa. Everyone on the river and on Alabama
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Power reservoirs needs to consider their own best practices and up their games. Individual citizens and property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners, industry, land developers and local government are urged to join the Friends advocacy group and to help develop best practices to prevail throughout our entire watershed.
Lake Watch 2024 general meeting
The Lake Watch of Lake Martin general meeting is set for Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at New Water Farms, 460 Civitan Rd., Dadeville. The public is invited. We will report our activities, hear a science-based program and socialize. Lake Watch urges all stakeholders to partner in the Tallapoosa watershed clean water advocacy as Friends of the Tallapoosa. To get involved and to join Lake Watch as a member, monitor or partner, visit the Lake Watch website (lakewatch.org). Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy. Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed through water quality testing, public advocacy for water policy and environmental education. Learn more at info@lakewatch.org.
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A Changing Market The numbers are in, and they might surprise you
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Do you have a camera in your car that cuts on when you drive in reverse? If so, how big is the display screen? Is it tiny and located up on your rear view mirror? Or is it a huge display on your dash? If it is one of those huge LCD displays on your dash – be honest – do you still use your side mirrors? I hope so. When you’re driving in reverse, it can be dangerous to look at it only one way. Realtors spend a lot of time looking backward in attempts to predict the future. January is a natural time to consider the likely direction of prices here at Lake Martin. Since our real estate market is so small, I think looking at sales prices once a month could be deceptive. A few large sales might throw off the average. I came into this exercise thinking that prices did not move at all in 2023, based on my observations as a boots-on-the-ground agent. But do the results tell the same story? I added up all the dollar values to see what the numbers would tell us. In 2022, through the 11 months ended Nov. 30, 2022, 269 waterfront homes were sold at a total value of about $291 million. If we compare that to 2023, through Nov. 30, 236 homes were sold at a little over $275 million. Averaged out, we see that the average price actually increased in
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2023 by almost 8 percent. So, what gives? Does this mean that the value of all waterfront homes has increased an average of about 8 percent in 2023? It doesn’t feel that way. In fact, I can think of five or six houses that are for sale or were for sale in 2023 that also sold in 2022. If home prices had increased 8 percent, wouldn’t those individual homes have sold for more than they did one year ago? But none of them did. Common sense would see that and say prices have not gone up. But here is a contra indicator that is hard to ignore: The average price of homes sold increased 8 percent in 2023. I decided to look behind the numbers. When I did, I found a very interesting angle. I looked at the top sales in 2023 and found that many of them were huge. In fact, I was surprised to learn that of the top five sales that we have ever had on Lake Martin, four of them happened in 2023. But am I just cherry picking a statistic that proves my point and ignores other evidence? Am I just looking at a few examples and anecdotally drawing conclusions? I dug deeper still to find out. I added up the top five sales in 2023 and found out that they make up almost $26 million. The top five sales in 2022 totaled about $19.8 million. I compared those numberS to the whole for each year. That
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simple bit of math showed that 2023’s top five sales were actually 38 percent higher in proportion than the previous year. That means that the top sales in 2023 exerted a much greater influence on the average than did its predecessor. Said another way, we had a lot of mega sales in 2023 that are skewing the average. Said yet another way, sales were top-heavy in 2023. All these numbers and percents are just a long way to say that a few huge sales have, in my opinion, skewed the 2023 average. Looking only at the increase in average sales price lends a false sense of the direction of the market for waterfront homes. It makes a little bit more sense when looking at it in context of the market as a whole. Every time real estate results are considered, pay attention to the meat and potatoes of LAKE PROPERTY the business – numbers of BY JOHN COLEY homes sold and inventory. Will the basics of the business tell a different story? Nope. We have seen in these pages earlier this year that the numbers of waterfront homes sold on Lake Martin were down about 12 percent when compared to 2022. Furthermore, the numbers of homes sold have been going down for three straight years. But isn’t that because there aren’t as many homes for sale? Not necessarily. Inventory, while still below five-year averages, steadily increased in 2023 when compared to similar months in 2022. Classic supply and demand economics tells me that the Lake Martin area is no longer in a sellers’ market. This coincides with what I am seeing every day as an agent. Sure, there are still houses here and there that get multiple offers. But by and large, homes are spending longer days on market. Sellers are taking less than list price, and sellers are making concessions, such as repair allowances, etc. How can these results aid the look ahead to 2024? Personally, I will continue to watch the basics – homes sold and inventory. I think inventory will continue to rise in 2024, but I don’t think it will be all that drastic. It would take a lot to get to the five-year average, and while I don’t see that happening, I think the market will be closer to it in December 2024 than we were in 2023. I think sales will be about the same, leading to a slight downward pressure on prices. But I reserve the right to change my mind when the monthly results start coming in for 2024. John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Email john@lakemartinvoice.com.
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What's "good" about Lake Martin 66 LAKE
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One of the greatest things about being a touring bass angler is that it offers opportunities to fish some of the most popular fisheries in the country. Many of these places are considered the best in the world among bass enthusiasts. What I’ve come to appreciate the most is how diverse these destinations are. Some are muddy rivers. Some are deep, clear lakes surrounded by hills or even mountains. Some are tidal, while others are great lakes carved out by glaciers. And then, there’s Florida, a region that includes many types of both shoreline and submerged vegetation. Each of these bodies of water is similar to others, yet exists as its own unique ecosystem with various predator and forage species, habitats, water clarity and water chemistry. I could probably write a book about all the different places I’ve fished. The overall experiences often were jaded by the intensity of competition when I was there, but I’ve come to appreciate them more with time. I viewed most of these fisheries through the narrow lens of a bass angler. Tournament anglers “like” a fishery because it has big largemouth, spotted bass or smallmouth bass. We rate a fishery as “good” based on the numbers and size of the bass we catch. Bass enthusiasts might overlook the other species in a fishery, like crappie, bream, stripers, catfish and so many more if you throw in the northern region of the country. The anglers that prioritize other species would undoubtedly BIG CATCHES classify a fishery as good BY GREG VINSON based on the numbers and sizes of their favorite fish. I grew up trying to catch whatever species I could get to stretch my line on Lake Martin. Bass have always been a favorite, but there’s something special about saying, “I’m going to go catch some crappie today,” and being able to put some in the boat. The same goes for catfish, stripers, bream, etc., at least for me. Generally, I argue there are a few factors that could apply when considering a fishery as good. Regardless of the species of interest, each species has similar needs to thrive. Apply these few necessities to the species considered, and the question is answered as to whether a place is good for targeting that fish. The first feature is water (Yep, it’s hard to be a fish out of water ... haha). But, it’s also much more complex than that. Weird things like turbidity (water clarity), water temperatures, current (flow), pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels and more all
determine how accommodating the water is for certain species of fish. The perfect combination of these factors leads to a healthy environment for the fish. Certain combinations of these variables might be better for certain species of fish and other water dwellers, while not so great for others. Assuming that most places have water suitable for some kinds of fish, the next thing that could play a big role is habitat, which could include the form of structure, changes in bottom contour and composition. For example, a nice piece of structure on Lake Martin could be a point that extends out next to a creek or the main river channel. Structure could be a place fish use to corral prey, move to different zones of the water column, or even to reproduce. Structure could provide opportunities for the fish to take advantage of current or to get out of current, depending on their preferences at the time. Even natural lakes like the Great Lakes or those in Florida have current driven by wind. Good structure generally has some variation of bottom composition. Is the bottom of the lake sand or river rocky? If rocky, are the boulders big or just smaller, chunky rocks? Maybe there’s some gravel or sand along the bottom in places, too. The places where the bottom composition changes are called transition areas, and these are popular with certain fish and forage. Consider how good a fishery would be if it were just bowl shaped with a muddy bottom. Uniform depth changes, no points, no pockets, no humps, just a big slick bowl. Not good for most fish. Even stocked ponds offer better fishing when there’s some character to the layout. The compliment to structure is cover. Cover could be a tree on the bottom, vegetation or a boat dock – some item to which fish might relate. Put fish in an aquarium with nothing else, and they roam aimlessly. Put an object in there for them, and they gravitate to it on a regular basis. A huge lake, river or reservoir is very similar. Various fish prefer different types of cover and occasionally at different times. Sometimes, it has to do with feeding; other times, it has to do with safety or maybe spawning, which is critical to the long-term health of a fishery. A varied and plentiful habitat could rate an incredible fishery if all other variables were the same. Many man-made reservoirs are getting old, and the original habitat in the lake has broken down. Habitat restoration projects have proven a big help in improving the output of these fisheries. Finally, and probably the most important, is forage. Keep in mind that food for fish varies greatly, depending on the species and even the life stage. In most cases, the forage is driven by the same things as the larger sport fish. The forage base needs the right water conditions and habitat to thrive, thereby leading
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to a consistently full dinner plate for the sport fish. There was a time when I would have prioritized structure and cover over forage, but through the use of forward facing sonar, it’s become apparent that habitat is more important to the angler for the fish targeted. For a bass angler, habitat is a target that increases the likelihood of finding fish where a cast could be made. In reality, a huge percentage of fish relate to forage alone much of the time. It gets tricky because good habitat could attract forage, like crawfish, bream, minnows, etc. Are the fish hanging out in a particular place because they’re likely to find food, or are they there for safety’s sake? That might depend on where that fish falls on the food chain. In Lake Martin, for example, the larger sport fish are the apex predators. Stripers, big bass and big catfish are free to roam as they please and need only be close to some food most of the year. The key to their ability to get larger before their expiration date arrives is how much is available and how nutritious their food source is. The debate becomes what type, and whether it’s a good idea to facilitate that key forage item. Usually, it’s whether the water or habitat is suitable for that key forage. In some cases, like in the Great Lakes, there have been invasive species that entered the waterways by accident. Some would argue they changed the ecosystem of that fishery, and therefore, they’re bad. This may be true. As an angler, I’ve seen the explosion that occurred as the water clarity improved from zebra mussels along with the sheer size and number of smallmouth once the round gobies got established. As a bass angler, I thought they were great. But what about the effects on other species of fish or the non-fishing related problems? That leads to another controversial topic closer to home – blueback herring. Yes, they’re considered invasive. Yet, they
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thrive in deep, clear, nutrient-poor water like we have in Lake Martin. In fisheries that have blueback herring, the sport fish grow bigger; take a look at Lake Lanier in Georgia, for example. Similar water conditions, similar habitat, yet it’s full of 3 to 5-pound trophy spotted bass and huge stripers. They get so much attention, people often forget that it kicks out some decent numbers and really nice sized largemouth, as well. Could Martin still be a deep, clear lake that resembles tapwater most of the time for swimmers and boaters and kick out big trophy fish, as well? Maybe it could. But,what would be the cost? Lake Martin is not just good; it’s great for numbers of fish, and that has a lot of value. But this lake has always hurt for numbers of big fish. Would anglers sacrifice getting to catch lots of fish for catching fewer, but bigger fish, if the bluebacks were helped along? In most cases, these variables – water conditions, habitat and forage – are the driving forces to whether a place is good for fishing. Then, discussions of genetics, stocking programs and creel limits come into play. Topics for later, probably. Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.
FABULOUS FINDS FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS
269 Pitchford Way North, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
Ridge Run, Bywater • $1,700,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,612 Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com
333 Glynmere Drive, Alexander City • $2,300,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 7 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 LakeMartinRealty.com
77 Magnolia Lane, Dadeville • $924,900 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099 LakeMartinRealty.com
1147 Willow Way North, Alexander City • $8,590,000 Beds: 11 • Baths: 12 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
85 Windy Willow Drive, Alexander City • $3,350,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313 LakeMartinRealty.com
541 Transom Drive, Jacksons Gap • $1,400,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 LakeMartinRealty.com
305 Sunset Point Drive, Dadeville • $1,400,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099 LakeMartinRealty.com
1140 Willow Way East, Alexander City • $4,665,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com
224 Lakeview Drive, Alexander City • $2,785,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071 LakeMartinRealty.com
50 Maple Leaf Lane, Dadeville • $1,360,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Denise Cochran 256.786.2484 LakeMartinRealty.com
51 Magnolia Lane, Dadeville • $1,084,900 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Adam Yager 205.914.0830 LakeMartinRealty.com
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The most important meal of the day
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This common adage, “Breakfast is a are crucial for growth in children, youth very important meal of the day,” has been and growing fetuses. Older adults could repeated over and over; however, convincing benefit from eating breakfast, especially for most people to make this meal a priority is those who might need extra calories, added quite a challenge. Few feel they have time protein, extra fiber, vitamins and minerals to fit breakfast into busy schedules, or they in which they tend to be deficient. It is also are not hungry. The American Dietetic beneficial to eat something prior to taking Association position is that everyone could medications, jump starting appetites and benefit from eating breakfast more often. regulating bowels. Developing the habit at an early age may Ready to eat breakfast cereals are quick, help children and adolescents manage convenient, fairly inexpensive and easy to their weight and instill healthy habits into take on the go. RTE cereals are one of the HEALTHY LIVING few foods that could be enjoyed in all stages adulthood. BY JULIE HUDSON Eating breakfast provides many benefits. of life. Cereal is a cost-effective way to get Early risers could delay eating breakfast many important nutrients, but it is important until their bodies wake up. Plan ahead and take breakfast to note that not all cereals are created equal. on the go, if necessary. Breakfast will kickstart the body’s Cereals are made from processed grains, including metabolism from that night sleep when the body and wheat, rice and oats and can be puffed, flaked or shredmetabolic rate run slow. ded with an array of nutrients. The big caution is the Research shows that those who eat breakfast more amount of added sugar. RTE cereals vary greatly in calooften consume healthier diets overall to include the ries, protein, sugars, fats and fiber, as well as vitamins recommended number of vitamins and minerals. Cereal and minerals. Some cereals also are advertised as organfortified with vitamins and minerals are huge contributors ic, kosher, vegan, non-GMO or gluten free. to the concept. In addition, adding milk and fruit to cereal Serving sizes vary with cereals. It is important to be increases the vitamin and mineral intake. Breakfast also aware of the serving size and calorie content. The more is a big contributor to fiber intake. nutrient dense the cereal, typically the smaller the serving Studies show that eating breakfast enhances alertness, size. Calories and serving sizes often range from 90 caloattention span and cognitive ability. When blood sugars ries for a 2/3 cup serving to 280 calories for a 1-1/2 cup remain low after a nighttime fast of eight to 12 hours, the serving. Cereals generally are not high in protein; howbody could become lethargic, irritable, drowsy and restever, eating cereal with 1 cup of milk could add 8 grams less. Research has shown that eating a carbohydrate-rich of protein to the serving. cereal in the morning could improve mood. All cereals are high in carbohydrates, and many are Breakfast is essential for children, youth and pregnant refined, which could cause an increase in blood sugar women. Breakfast cereal, in particular, helps provide levels if the cereal is not eaten with milk. Look for calcium, Vitamin D, folic acid and added calories that cereals that are less refined and contain more fiber.
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On the label, grams of sugar are listed under the carbohydrate category. Added sugars tend to be high in children’s cereals. Choose cereals and granolas with 5 percent or less of the recommended daily value of added sugar per serving. The dietary guidelines for Americans recommend limiting calories from added sugar to 10 percent of the total calories per day. Based on a 2,000-calorie daily diet, 10 percent is the equivalent of 200 calories or 50 grams of sugar. Sodium is not a huge concern with cereals; however, anyone on a diet with a severely restricted sodium level would need to be aware of the sodium content in the cereal chosen. Read the labels on cereal boxes to make the best choices. Many of the nutrients in cereal are due to fortification with iron and B vitamins. Some cereals are high in fiber and sugar but low in other nutrients. Calcium is not found in cereals, which makes eating cereal with milk very beneficial. Adding fruit and nuts (apples, strawberries, blueberries, banana, almonds, pecans or walnuts) to cereal adds more fiber, thus offering more satisfaction for a longer period of time. These tips might help in navigating the cereal aisle. n Ignore buzzwords like “nature,” “fruit” and “organic.” These terms usually do not mean the cereal is healthier. Read the label to get the facts. n Add topping to cereal to enhance the nutritional value. Add seeds such as chia, flax, pumpkin, sunflower and nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts and pecans, as well as fruit-berries, chopped apple, sliced banana and spices like cinnamon or vanilla. n The total calorie and nutritional value of a cereal serving will depend on the type of milk served with it. Choose milk to suit individual needs. Options include whole, skim, 2 percent, 1 percent, almond, oat milk or soy milk. n Look for high fiber cereals. Good sources of fiber contain at least 3 grams per serving, and excellent sources of fiber contain a minimum of 5 grams per serving. n Look for the words “whole grain” when comparing fiber content. n A key recommendation is to choose a cereal with both fiber and whole grains. Balance out the meal by adding protein and carbohydrates, which are digested slowly. n Forgo the milk and top high fiber cereal with almond slivers and Greek yogurt to boost protein and balance the meal. Cereal is the perfect packable, on-the-go meal or snack. Breakfast is a very important meal that can be eaten at any convenient time during the morning hours. RTE cereals offer a convenient, nutritious and portable option for breakfast and snacks. Cereal is a great option for those who are busy and on the go. Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville. JANUARY 2024
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Hooray for Chardonnay
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Ask anyone to name the world’s most popular white wine, and they will likely say chardonnay. It’s pretty much a given, but in a tight race to be No. 1, Chardonnay is clearly the best known of all the white wine grapes and the wines that are made from them. It is also the easiest to remember and easy to pronounce but not easily confused with other grape varieties. It just happens to be widely planted around the globe, thrives in diverse soils and climates and is vinified in many different styles. After years of research and analysis, the Burgundy region of France holds title to the origin of chardonnay. As the primary white grape of Burgundy wines, there is little argument that the world’s best chardonnays are derived from this region. It is believed that chardonnay was first planted near the town of Chablis in the 12th century and that the wines of Chablis remain the purest expression of the varietal characteristics of this grape. The grapes have a light green skin, much like the “white” table grapes in the grocery store. Table grapes are not chardonnay and frankly FROM THE CELLAR are not technically wine BY HENRY FOY grapes. They just look a lot alike. The difference between table grapes and wine grapes has to do with quality and flavor. The thicker skinned wine grapes are more flavorful and, with more natural sugars, are sweeter than table grapes. But chardonnay is not a sweet wine. Though the grapes themselves may be sweet, the process of converting the sugars to alcohol results in a wine that is, on a brix scale that measures sugar content, dry. Chardonnay is a highly versatile grape with a reputation for being quite adaptable to soil conditions, terroir and the magic touch of the winemaker. Unlike many other grape varieties, cultivating chardonnay is relatively straightforward. Harvest time is critical in making chardonnay, as the natural acidity begins to diminish as soon as the grapes ripen. The chardonnay grapes for making champagne are harvested before full ripeness to preserve the acidity necessary for that product’s desired flavor profile. The inherent traits of sweetness and acidity may not be terms we readily associate with chardonnay. We are much more inclined to use words like buttery, oaky or minerality to describe the wine. Minerality is a characteristic of the terroir, as exemplified in the wines of Chablis. The soil there is composed of clay and limestone, and the climate is cool; two factors that help maintain high acidity. The buttery and oaky flavors more often found in New World/domestic chardonnays are achieved in the winery via a process that tempers the acidity.
That process is malolactic fermentation. Also called secondary fermentation, it is a chemical reaction that converts malic acid to lactic acid. The result includes a sensory perception of softer acidity and the reduction of tartness in the wine. The softer acidity paired with enhanced flavors of hazelnut and dried fruits with aromas of freshly baked bread translate to the buttery quality often associated with Rombauer and La Crema Chardonnays. Equally influential to the taste of the wine is the use of oak barrels – or not – for fermentation and aging. Chardonnay isn’t always and does not have to be oaky. The use of oak barrels for aging adds flavor and enhances complexity, allows for slow oxidation and can contribute to a creamier taste. French oak, American or Hungarian oak, new oak, neutral (used) oak and the amount of charring of the barrel are important variables affecting the finished product. The excessive use of oak in many domestic wines has proven a major turn-off for some consumers. The alternatives to oak are stainless steel or even concrete vats for aging. All four of the wines pictured are 100 percent chardonnay. Except for that, they are all different. People who enjoy the buttery, oaky style represented by the Rombauer might not appreciate the acidity and minerality of the Chablis at the opposite end of the spectrum. From California and France respectively, the grape is the same but from different worlds insofar as terroir and vinification. Rombauer ages the wine for nine months in American and French oak, one third of which are new barrels. The more earthy flavored Chablis wines are rarely aged in oak barrels, and if so, they are aged in neutral oak. The Fisher Vineyards Unity is from Sonoma County, California. It was fermented in French oak (12 percent new) and barrel aged for 15 months. The pale straw color has aromas of lemon and citrus with hints of apple and vanilla typical of chardonnay, but it is not particularly oaky or buttery. The wine that may not fit expectations of a chardonnay is the California Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. Blanc de blanc is white wine from white grapes, meaning 100 percent chardonnay. Though it is made in the traditional method of champagne it is not legally considered a champagne. With so many variables at work in the production of chardonnay, it would be hasty to dismiss the entire realm of chardonnay based on limited exposure. I may have been – may have been – guilty of this myself; Chardonnay has not been one of my favorite wines. Though 20 years in the wine business, I’m still learning. Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Spirits at 128 Calhoun Street in downtown Alexander City. Contact him at 256-212-WINE(9463) or email emporiumwine128@gmail.com.
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ti r a ke M 4 a L to f 202 g n i o Com Spring
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Follow the progress on Instagram and Facebook @homesouthbuilders JANUARY 2024
Ball rule changes limit distance
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Christmas came early for a whole lot of could play very short golf courses and still golfers this year. Tiger Woods is back! At hit full shots from the tees and into the least, for the moment. Boy, I hope he stays greens. This golf ball was called the Cayman healthy. For those non-Tiger fans, don’t ball. The Cayman ball was the same size worry, after he plays in four or five golf and shape as the ball of the time, but it flew tournaments, the cameras and tournament about half the distance of a regulation golf announcers won’t spend 80 percent of their ball. The Cayman golf ball was to have the focus on Tiger if he is not competitive; same characteristics as a normal ball but however, I believe that he will indeed be much shorter on distance. Truthfully, become competitive. Nicklaus wanted to build a few courses in And have you heard? The USGA finally the Cayman Islands, and if he could get this made a major decision regarding the modern concept to become accepted, he would have golf ball. The ball is going to be rolled back LOVE of the GAME made his sixth fortune from it. to limit distance. I am uncertain as to when The idea wasn’t very successful, but that BY DAVE JENNINGS this will be enforced, but I would have to doesn’t mean Nicklaus was wrong in saying guess that it would be January of 2025. This the ball was too hot for present-day golf has been needed for a few decades. courses. Even Tiger is behind the USGA’s decision, now The change will do nothing for 95 percent of that he is involved in golf course architecture. It takes a Lake readers; however, for the elite amateur and golf ton of land to develop a new course. Heck, I hope the new professionals, this ball change could make a tremendous golf ball doesn’t make my drives go any shorter. I will difference. For example, in early November, I was helping have to begin peaking behind me if they do. a young amateur college golfer in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is a New Year and Lake magazine is spotlighting We were on the golf course, and I read the yardage of new boats, swimsuits and the lake lifestyle. This makes 205 yards in front of him. He asked me if I thought he me think of some of the visits of young golfers with their should hit a smooth 7-iron or regular 8-iron. I wanted to mothers on golf team recruiting trips. Every one of the walk home after hearing that. I could have hit the smooth mothers would tell me, “Since Johnny was 12, I would 7-iron twice before I finally reached the green. So yes, the drive him to the country club at 8 o’clock in the morning golf ball is too hot, and it needed to be tamed. and pick him up just before dark. He would practice and In 2009, I received calls from both the Royal and play all day long.” Ancient Golf Association and the USGA, asking my Shortly thereafter, I had all the little Johnny recruits opinion on what modern equipment was doing to the play a round of golf with some of my team’s players. game. These conversations lasted about 45 minutes each. Most times, as many of these young golfers finished My first comment to both of them was, “Have you not eight or 10 strokes over par after nine holes, it was my been listening to Jack Nicklaus for the past 25 years?” unfortunate lot to inform the mothers that, “Little Johnny Jack has been telling these legal beagles that the ball was was not practicing and playing all day – every day at the too hot since the mid-1990s. country club; rather, Little Johnny played a quick nine But they kept allowing the manufacturers to stretch holes and spent the rest of the day hanging around the the limit, so they could sell more golf balls to consumers. pool, checking out the girls.” This thought of slowing the ball down is nothing new. In I rarely met a Little Johnny I didn’t like or respect; the 1930s a golf course architect named William Diddle however, not many of them could play on my golf team. was trying to create a golf-like game, using much less Have a Happy New Year, folks. land than a standard-length golf course. It would require a newly designed golf ball with limited flight. The concept Dave Jennings is the owner of Jennings Golfhelp did not go over well. LLC. Email him at djenn47495@gmail.com or Sometime around 1985, Jack Nicklaus visit Jenningsgolfhelp.com. requested MacGregor Golf Company to create a limitedflight golf ball, so golfers
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Legend
63
To Sylacauga
Public Boat Ramps 9
ALEXANDER CITY
4
17
Churches
★
22
280
Alex City Boat Ramp
9
Camp ASCCA
★
★
Charles E. Bailey Sportplex
Points of Interest
280
Power lines U.S. Highways
3
22
County Roads Piney Woods Landing
Wind Creek State Park
★
11
COOSA COUNTY
Wind Creek Boat Ramp 259
9
128
Pirate Island D.A.R.E. Park Landing
★
★Peanut Point 63
16 20
★
New Hope Church
Young’s Island
★
Liberty Church
Smith Mount Fire Tower
10 Willow Point
24
7
Paces Point Boat Ramp
63
11
Camp Alamisco
12
EQUALITY
34
★
Kowaliga Boat Landing
20
55
The Ridge
5
SEMAN
1 Church in 13
The Pines
★ Camp Kiwanis
Union Landing
Children’s Harbor &
★ Hank Williams Cabin 21 ★ The Amp
Trillium
19
2
Ko w
ali
ga
Ba
y
26
★
Chimney Rock
80
9
90
UNION
CENTRAL
ELMORE COUNTY RED HILL
★ Martin Dam
63
229
ECLECTIC
TALLASSEE
18 KENT
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JANUARY 2024
Timbergut Landing
Explore
★
Horseshoe Bend National Park
Jaybird Landing
Lake Martin
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY
Kowaliga Marina
334-397-1210
2
The Ridge Marina
256-397-1300
3
River North Marina
256-397-1500
4
Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700
5
Real Island Marina
256-397-1200
6
Blue Creek Marina
256-825-8888
7
Parker Creek Marina
256-329-8550
8
Harbor Pointe Marina
256-825-0600
9
Alex City Marine
256-215-FISH
10
Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's
256-444-8793
11
SpringHouse
256-215-7080
12
Catherine’s Market
256-215-7070
13
Kowaliga Restaurant
256-215-7035
14
Lake Martin Pizza
256-373-3337
22
15
The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill
256-307-1887
CAMP HILL
16
Lake Martin Storm Shelters
256-794-8075
17
Russell Do It Center (Alex City)
256-234-2567
18
Russell Do It Center (Eclectic)
334-541-2132
19
Russell Building Supply
256-825-4256
20
The Stables at Russell Crossroads
256-794-1333
21
Kowaliga Whole Health
334-857-1816
22
Off the Beaton Path
205-994-0847
23
Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage
334-391-0717
24
Lake Pointe Baptist Church
256-373-3293
25
Red Ridge UMC
256-825-9820
26
Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc
334-857-2443
26
First Baptist Church Dadeville
256-825-6232
26
Lakeshore Pharmacy
256-825-0063
49
JACKSONS GAP 280
DADEVILLE
19 27 57
280
★tain
r
1
Smith Landing
25
14 49 Church of the Living Waters
Stillwaters
8 6 15 WALNUT HILL 50
24
23 50
N
Your Lake Martin Sightseeing Pass. Scan me!
49
Get on the Map! 256-234-4281
REELTOWN
JANUARY 2024
LAKE 77
Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design
Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center SpringHouse Restaurant Ridge Club
Ridge Marina HACKNEYVILLE Hackneyville Water Authority NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery
lamberthandlamberth.com
256-234-6401 6 Franklin Street • Alexander City
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
78 LAKE
JANUARY 2024
Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza CAMP HILL Link Gas Station KELLYTON Five Star Plantation EQUALITY Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina Charles Borden ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Offshore Marina Lake Martin Mini Mall Corner Stone Coffee Co. Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Catering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Anchor Bay Marina Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald Office Tallassee Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber Parris Mullins Jr. O.D. Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
Lake Martin Business and Service Directory
COACH KRAFT
UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery! Floors ■ Carpets Bimini Tops ■ Custom Seats ■ Mooring Covers ■
Patrick Mason 334-283-6759 676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com
KOWALIGA VETERINARY CARE
Mary S. Battistella, DVM Josh Morgan, DVM
e
January Special
e
Puppy & Kitten Vaccines
10% OFF
(334) 857-1816
8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA
We’re Live! www.lakemagazine.life
LAKE
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MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2024
LAKE 79
Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 Alex City Guide Service........................................... 15
Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 18
Phillip Pouncey Builder................................................ 6
Alex City Marine........................................................... 5
Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage............... 79
Pineywoods Mulch Company................................... 71
Azalea Cove................................................................. 65
Hughes Pools............................................................... 63
Precise Pressure Washing......................................... 79
Big Time Handy........................................................... 81
Just Blinds........................................................................ 3
Presley Appliance & Furniture.................................. 68
Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 79
Karen Channell State Farm...................................... 79
Prime Management....................................................... 4
Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation....................................... 63
Kowaliga Veterinary Care.......................................... 79
Rhonda Jaye and Allison Ladson, Lake Martin Realty.......15
CACC......................................................................... 26, 32, 84
Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 15
Russell Marine...............30-31, 35, 42-43, 52-53, 58-59
Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 79
Lake Martin Realty................................................60, 84
Russell Medical.............................................................. 2
Custom Docks............................................................. 18
Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 78
S&K Offices.................................................................. 79
Davis Door and Sash................................................. 81
Legacy New Homes................................................... 19
SiteMix........................................................................... 71
De Meis HomeSouth Custom Homes.................. 74
Lewis Pest Control....................................................... 8
Stanley Steamer........................................................... 79
Diamond Golf Cars.................................................... 80
Mark King's Furniture................................................ 24
Sunrise Dock................................................................ 10
Docks Unlimited........................................................... 5
Medical Marijuana Seminar.................................22-23
Temple Medical Center............................................. 63
Electronic Technology Group................................... 79
Moore Wealth Management..................................... 83
Tippy Canoe................................................................... 5
Four Daughters Veterinary Services......................... 5
Oasis Spa Therapist...................................................... 8
TowBoat US................................................................... 8
Francis Bryant Construction.................................... 10
Odd Jobs....................................................................... 65
US Bank......................................................................... 81
George Hardy D.M.D................................................. 15
Oskar's Cafe................................................................... 5
Waller Property Management................................. 79
80 LAKE
JANUARY 2024
Lake Martin & Surrounding Areas
(334)
777-2303
www. BigTimeHandy.com
usbank.com/mortgage
From vacant lot to your future home, find help along the way. You’ve found the perfect lot to build your next home. We’ll help you explore financing options that may fit your needs. Enjoy competitive rates, experienced support and step-by-step guidance that may make your dream of homeownership a reality. Loan options for those approved: Lot loans* Purchase a lot to build now or in the near future and get financing with no prepayment penalties.
*Standard maximum of 10 acres; however parcels not exceeding 20 acres may be considered if typical for the area and supported by acceptable appraisal valuation. Lot loans are not intended for investment or speculation purposes. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loans amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2019 U.S. Bank 257701c 10/19
Construction loans Get financing that includes your construction loan and your mortgage – all in one. That’s one closing and one set of fees. Plus, make interest only payments during the construction of your home. Choose from fixed- or adjustable-rate construction loan options.
JANUARY 2024
Geoff Hall Mortgage Loan Officer 404.267.7775 office 404.662.6604 cell geoff.hall@usbank.com NMLS #: 544471
LAKE 81
Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone
"You can pour melted ice cream on regular ice cream. It's like a sauce!" ~ Chris Pratt
82 LAKE
JANUARY 2024
84 LAKE
JANUARY 2024