Lake Martin Living Magazine March 2021 by Tallapoosa Publishers

Lake Martin Living People, events and culture in the Lake Region

Mad About Mushrooms Fabulous Fruit Shop Like A Chef

THE ANNUAL

GARDEN ISSUE March 2021

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

2 Lake Martin Living

™

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Lake Martin Living 3

From the Editor’s Desk

pring is in the air, and so are the honeybees, pollinating away to bring us beautiful flowers and an assortment of other plant life. March is always exciting at TPI because we are gearing up for the gardening issue of Lake Martin Living. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Shane Harris, our local Extension office coordinator about gardening, and boy, was that enlightening. I had no idea how many free services the extension office offers to residents of Tallapoosa County. I am certainly going to take them up on a class or two. I have always considered myself green thumb-less. I even managed to kill a cactus once. That still baffles me today, but now perhaps, I feel a little more prepared to take on a garden. Not a giant garden, but a few tomatoes and some perennials may be in my near future. I know right, big goals! This issue is jam-packed with gardening goodness. On page 22, Harris discusses fruit trees and how important it is to choose the correct tree for your orchard. He even supplies the reader with a list of recommended trees for Alabama soil. Betsy Iler writes about the bird irruption happening here in the South. It appears that pine siskins began to show up in November, and now they are crowding feeders and trying frantically to find food. It is still too cold in the north for them to return, so flip to page 16 to discover how you can help these birds survive through these last cold weeks of winter. Then on page 28, we sat down with Allen Carroll, owner of Fungi Farm in Dadeville, to learn a bit about mushrooms and what it takes to grow them consistently. Chef J and food enthusiast Brian Smith get real with us on page 18 about what it takes to Shop like a Chef. They talk herbs, meat and buying locally to support our economy. Speaking of buying locally, we also feature Coosa Fancy in this issue on page 10. Coosa Fancy is a full-service, organic farm in Rockford that frequents the Main Street Farmers Market in Alexander City. The farm offers a great CSA for the local area. But on page 14 we switch gears, with Dave Jennings talking visualization, a topic close to my own heart, while Lacey Howell delves into the RobinHood app and discusses keeping it simple since, apparently, it is actually not. Susan Foy shares wonderful news on page 26 about the new geriatric facilities coming to Russell Medical, and Teresa Grier enlightens us with five money tips that will help stretch the monthly budget on page 35. This issue has truly been a joy to create, and as we venture into the spring, I look forward to learning more about the area and the people. Also, we are seeing an uptick in events, so be on the lookout with big smiles in case I catch you for the Oh Snap pages. Happy almost spring!

Brittany Smith, Editor

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Lake Martin Living Chairman Kenneth Boone Publisher Steve Baker Editor Brittany Smith Contributors Kenneth Boone Dave Jennings Lacey Howell Susan Foy Shane Harris Teresa Grier Siri Hedreen Betsy Iler Audra Spears Magazine Distribution Manager Erin Burton Creative Services Audra Spears Marketing/Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Rachel McCollough Marilyn Hawkins Julie Harbin Andy Carr Susan Stroschein Digital Services Elle Fuller Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 www.lakemartinmagazine.com

Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

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Lake Martin Living 5

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Allen Carroll, mushroom enthusiast and owner of Fungi Farm in Dadeville, hosts cultivation classes where students spend time foraging for mushrooms and discussing new developments in growing these gourmet superfoods for use in their own kitchen, as well as for commercial endeavors. Photo by Kenneth Boone

FEATURES 16. DON'T TAKE UP THE FEEDERS Now, more than ever, migratory pine siskins need your help, says Auburn University ornithologist Dr. Geoff Hill. 18. SHOP LIKE A CHEF Choose a primary focus, like colorful meats or fresh produce, and plan meals around it. 28. MAD ABOUT MUSHROOMS Allen Carroll educates on the growth process of mushrooms, the newest superfood. 32. SPRING GARDEN A guide to planning, planting and tending a beginner's first garden of flowers or vegetables.

IN EVERY ISSUE 9. AROUND THE AREA 10. BUSINESS MATTERS 14. FROM THE TEE 22. GARDEN TALK 26. MEDICAL NEWS 35. MONEY MATTERS 36. OH SNAP! 43. GOOD EATS 40. LAKE REGION EVENTS 50. CULTURE SHOCK Pear tree bloom. Photo by Audra Spears

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AROUND THE AREA

Design a T-shirt and win $200 Local artists have until April 9 to enter the 2021 Jazz Fest and Sun Festival T-shirt design contests for a chance at a $200 prize. Artists have two shots at two different contests, but the rules are the same. Design entries are limited to four colors that are suitable for screenprinting onto a T-shirt, with the chosen designs being the exclusive property of the Alexander City Jazz Fest Committee and the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. This year’s Sun Festival will take place from June 3 to June 12. Jazz Fest shows will take place Friday, June 11, at Strand Park and Saturday, June 12, at The Amp on Lake Martin. Last year’s 30th annual Jazz Fest was postponed and scaled back due to the pandemic. For those interested in the contest, the chamber and Jazz Fest committee have instructed the following: n Entries may be emailed as a JPG or PDF document to kim.dunn@alexandercitychamber.com or mailed to the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce;

n Fine art and digital design will be accepted, n Art in digital file format should be vector format (.eps, .ai or .psd), high resolution (300dpi) and include type/copy (fonts provided) on layers; n Art must be minimum 65-line screen if computer-generated; n Art must be vertical and no larger than 16 inches by 20 inches; Let's Get Creative n There is no cost for T-shirts are a tradition entry and a limit of three for Jazz Fest and Sun Festival, as well as a source of funding entries per artist; n Entries must include to keep the events free. “Alexander City Jazz Fest June 11-12, 2021” or “Alexander City Sun Festival June 3-12, 2021” in the design to be considered; n The artist’s name and phone number must be printed on the back of the artwork. ~ Siri Hedreen

Dadeville names new fire chief The Dadeville City Council appointed Scott Atkins as fire chief by unanimous vote this month. Atkins, retired assistant fire chief for Opelika Fire Department, was the best of three applicants, Mayor Jimmy Frank Goodman said. The council unanimously approved Atkins’ appointment as fire chief without discussion. Councilmembers Terry Greer and Teneeshia Goodman-Johnson were absent. Atkins said he

volunteered at Dadeville Fire Department for five years before he was hired in Opelika, where he worked for 28 years. “I appreciate the opportunity that’s been given to me,” Atkins said. “It’s not going to be a lot of change overnight; it’s going to take a while for things to be done a different way, but it will be the right way.” Atkins thanked the mayor, council and the volunteer firefighters in attendance for the opportunity. ~ Siri Hedreen

Unmasking the Coronavirus

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey this month announced that the state's mask mandate to curb the spread of COVID-19 will expire on April 9. After the mandate expires, wearing masks will be a matter of personal responsibility, not a government requirement. (Photo by Hal Yeager)

Lake Martin Living 9

Coosa Fancy

STORY & PHOTOS BY BRITTANY SMITH

arm. Flower. Forage. That is the motto for Coosa Fancy, a full-service, organic farm on 20 acres in Rockford. The owner, John Burke, spends his days tending heirloom vegetables, fruit trees and heritage hogs. The land has been in his family for more than 100 years and has always had an active farm in place. Although Burke has been running the farm for the last five years, when COVID-19 hit, he and his wife, Kelsie, decided to go full-time into the business. To fund Coosa Fancy, the couple decided to start a community supported agriculture project in the area. These projects have become popular in recent years, as they allow the consumer to buy directly from the farmer. The food is grown and serviced locally, which ensures fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. Coosa Fancy is also a completely organic farm, and its produce can be found at the local farmers market on Main Street in Alexander City or the Eastchase Farmers Market in Montgomery. The focus of the owners is old-style heirloom vegetables, some of which are not very common anymore, and a culinary variety of herbs, which tend to be harder to grow. They also grow a large variety of gourmet lettuces, fresh greens and salad mixes. “We are a market garden,” said Burke. “ When we go to market, our table is full of color and variety. We are giving customers the option to build a meal when they shop with us.” Coosa Fancy usually adorns their farmers market table swith fresh-cut flowers, canned vegetables and homemade honey, jams and jellies that were prepped and canned in a special full-service, farm-only kitchen. And of course, all of the lovely vegetables and fruits they have grown for the season are on full display and available for purchase. The CSA that Coosa Fancy offers is similar to the table on display at the farmer markets they attend. The box of food is rich in color with Heritage Hogs on Heritage Land a mixture of fresh, The owners at Coosa Fancy raise seasonal, organic hogs and grow produce on land vegetables and fruits that has been in the family and occasionally for more than 100 years. 10 Lake Martin Living

BUSINESS MATTERS

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jams, jelly or honey. Butcher cuts of heritage pork are also included in the CSA. Weekly deliveries are guaranteed in the Lake Martin area. Pick-up dates are available for all other locations. “The weekly CSA share is enough for several meals, depending on the size of the family,” said Burke. “Our target market is people who live on the lake and want fresh produce delivered to their doorstep.” The meal plan is set up to be enough food to feed a family of four to five people for the week. Don’t have four or five people to feed? That’s okay, too. Invite a friend or two over for a nice meal and serve up these beautiful vegetables; however, vegetables and fruit are not the only tasty treats found on the grounds at Coosa Fancy. They also raise heritage hogs. “Heritage hogs are breeds that can be traced back to the Old World or Europe,” said Burke. “They tend to be much bigger than the average hog and even have tusks and hair.” These cute little buggers live a very natural pig life. They feed on sweet acorns, roots in the dirt, fruits, vegetables, bark – the list goes on and on. “These hogs get to about a year and a half before we process them. They live a natural life out on the pasture and in the woods. Having the availability of sweet fruits, acorns and vegetables gives the pigs a chance to add flavor to their meat naturally. They are happy, and happy pigs taste better,” said Burke. 12 Lake Martin Living

At the End of the Day

Above: Burke and Kelsie take a break at the end of a long day on the farm; Left: The farm kitchen was built for canning and processing farm-fresh products.

Recently, Coosa Fancy purchased a Mangalitsa heritage hog that was imported by Auburn University directly from Hungary. It was bred with a Berkshire heritage hog, coining the term, ‘Berkalitsa,’ as the heritage of the newborn baby hogs. “We like working with heritage hogs because the meat is excellent. It is a craft product, and we enjoy raising craft pork,” said Burke. In addition to farming, Burke and Kelsie keep busy foraging for chanterelle mushrooms, native pawpaw fruit and other wild plants and berries throughout the year. Kelsie has also decided to add another leg of beauty to the farm by growing a plethora of flowers. She wants to bring fresh-cut flowers right to people’s doorsteps, too. She is in the process of planning currently but looks to unveil a small-cut flower CSA for the Lake Martin area as soon as March. For more information or to join the CSA, find Coosa Fancy on Facebook and Instagram @coosafancy or visit the website at coosa-fancy.com.

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Lake Martin Living 13

Good show

CACC's team starts the year right

am feeling better about some things these days. Now that I have taken both of my vaccinations for COVID-19, I am honestly experiencing an inner calm that was lost last year. I cannot stress to you how badly I would like to see everyone receive this medication that may allow us to put this madness in our rearview mirrors. To tell the truth, due to my bout with cancer 11 years ago, I have been fearful of contracting COVID-19. Nearly 14 people, who I either knew well or knew of, have passed away because of this horrible virus; I was indeed afraid. After the vaccinations, I was waiting for the well-documented side effects to come. But for me, they were mild. The first shot gave me a sore shoulder for a day or two, and the second vaccination came with much less discomfort than the first shot. I experienced a little fatigue, but nothing that slowed me down from working. Do not be afraid of this thing. The National Junior College Athletic Association and our conference have allowed us to resume a more normal schedule. This past fall season, we were not allowed to travel out of state, and we could not invite anyone from out of state to compete in our home tournaments. Gratefully, those restrictions are no longer in place. At the beginning of February, we traveled to Melbourne, Florida, for a tournament hosted by Eastern Florida State College. As I was driving that morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks that I had not traveled out of the state in 12 months. That is nowhere near my normal schedule. We have continued with certain safety protocols; however, I am looking forward to a day when masks are no longer mandated, and social distancing is a thing of the past. Currently, masks are to be Dave Jennings worn in the hotels, golf course’s clubhouse, and on the practice putting green at tournaments. There is no indoor restaurant dining. Social distancing is required, as are constant temperature checks and COVID-19 team travel forms must be documented and stored continuously. I am tired of pointing thermometers at foreheads. I am ready to see people smile in groups again. Our Florida trip did surprise me a bit. I have to say, Alabama residents are

From the Tee

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wearing masks much more than what I found in Florida. The Central Alabama Community College Trojan Golf Team just got back from Coastal Alabama Community College’s tournament in Fairhope, Alabama, on the Azalea Course at Lakewood Golf Club. The boys played really well, especially on the first day. They shot rounds of 69, 71, 71, 72 and 73. Anytime we can throw out a score of 73, our chances of winning are pretty good. We had a 10-shot lead over Eastern Florida State College after the first day. At the start of the second day, we were quickly leaking some oil, and I became concerned if Eastern Florida or Jefferson State, which started 11 shots behind, would catch us. Our Trojan golfers kept grinding and managed to acquire a 9-stroke victory over Eastern Florida and Jeff State by the end of the day. Freshman Hayden Carner finished runner-up and sophomores, Tanner Guthrie and Keith Watkins tied for fifth. Hayden has been a great addition to the CACC Golf Team. He has finished in the top five of every tournament we have played so far this year. He is in line to play SouthEastern Conference level golf when he leaves CACC. January and February, will all of the rain and crazy cold temperatures we endured, made it very hard for the team to improve as I would prefer. The last week of February and early March were beautiful, and my boys are anxious to be on the golf course as much as possible. Who doesn’t like spring-like weather? Of course, all of my players have been working on their full swing, as usual. But I have been focusing on long putts when working with them individually. Lag putting is somewhat of an art. I’ve been pretty good at it over the years. To keep three-putts away, golfers do indeed need to be confident with putts from 5 feet and shorter. For the longer putts, realizing what you have to traverse and using your imagination is the secret to success. How to read a putt and from the various angles is key to good lag putting. If I have an uphill putt, I want to first read the green from behind the ball. I would do this by looking

at the terrain going towards the hole. I never want to look at this putt from behind the hole. After getting a good idea that this putt will break from the right to the left, I will walk midway between the ball and the hole, about 10 feet below my intended line, and in my mind’s eye, I imagine a ball rolling from the ball towards the cup. I watch how the imaginary ball rolls up the hill and where it begins to break. I keep visualizing until I can virtually see the ball fall into the hole. After that bit of imagery, I will return to a few feet behind the ball again. I have to find a spot 3 to 5 feet in front of the ball to line my putter up. This spot should go down my start line. As I address the ball, I first align my putter to that aligned spot, then I square my feet, hips and shoulders to that spot. I look down my starting line, just right of the hole. Sidenote: I never look at the hole from the address location. Looking at the hole in a breaking putt will usually pull the putt. Then, I go back into my mind’s eye, back to the imagery from earlier, and I only concern myself with having the correct speed; no thoughts in the mechanics of the stroke or worry of getting the ball on line. It was funny to me, while working with one of my players and describing what I wanted him to do with this lag putting philosophy. He asked me, “How far do I take the putter back?” I handed him a golf ball and walked about 10 feet away. “Toss me the ball,” I said. He did; and then, I asked him, “How far did you swing your arm back to toss me the ball?” Of course, his reply was, “I don’t know. I didn’t think about that.” The same thing goes for this stroke; do not worry about

Off to An Excellent Start things like that. Fill your CACC golfers (from left) Keith mind with information Watkins, Hayden Carner, about the putt and allow Tanner Brown, Jarod Edwards your subconscious to and Tanner Guthrie do the rest. There’s very picked up a 9-stroke victory little in the mechanics at their first tournament that a decent player of the year. needs to do to become a good lag putter other than being mindful and allow the body to respond. For the remainder of the year, I have a lot on my plate. Hosting a college tournament is a bear on its own, especially when doing it out of town and during these COVID-19 times, but I will be hosting three this spring golf season. We will be hosting at Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley in mid-March; then, off to Decatur for Calhoun’s Spring Invitational. For our post-season, I will be hosting our conference championship at Lagoon Park in mid-April; and then, again in Montgomery at Arrowhead Country Club for our district championship. In May, we travel to Lubbock, Texas, for our national championship where CACC won in 2013. Oh yeah, I would love to duplicate that again. Due to last year’s shutdown, we remain the defending national champions from our win in 2019 in Florida. I expect our Trojan golfers to put up a whale of a fight to acquire another ring. Go Trojans! I hope to see you all on the course soon. When available, please take the vaccine. If not for you, please do it for your family and friends. God Bless you all.

~ Dave Jennings is men’s golf coach at Central Alabama Community College.

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Don't take up your feeders Now, more than ever, these small finches need your help

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY FLETCHER SCOTT

he pine siskins showed up in November in Martha Tucker’s yard. There were just a few at first, but the numbers have increased over time. Two weeks ago, she counted 40 during one visit of the flock. “Last year, we didn’t have any. It’s amazing how many there are now,” Tucker said. It’s a phenomenon known as a pine siskin irruption, and it is occurring across Alabama, from as far south as Mobile and north to the Tennessee border. The birds are starving, said Auburn University’s Dr. Geoff Hill, an ornithology professor, who last month posted a video on YouTube.com to explain how the irruption has affected the food supply of this migratory population. Having already eaten through the natural food supply over the winter, the bir are frantically fighting to get at the feeders. “The birds have depleted the seasonal food that was there at the end of the last growing season. The siskins are frantic. They are fighting and crowding the feeders,” Hill explained. The crowding also spreads disease among the flock, as some of the food falls to the ground, where it is defecated upon and then consumed by groundfeeding birds. “Birds that are not dominant are getting weaker and weaker. Exposed to disease at the feeders, they are getting sick and dying,” Hill said. “But the best way to deal with the situation is not to take away the feeders. Instead, put up more feeders instead of taking them down. “They have no place else to go.” It is still too cold in the northern regions for the birds to return, and it is too early in the season here for new food sources to emerge. “They may stay through April, so keep feeders up through April,” Hill urged. The best food to supply to the pine siskins is shelled and chopped sunflower seeds, he said. “Unfortunately, it also is the most expensive, but it has less waste. More of the food gets eaten and less is discarded, so it helps to keep birds from feeding on the ground where they could be infected,” he

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explained. Pine siskins have small, thin beaks that cannot accommodate large sunflower seeds in the shells. They bite down on the soft shell and nibble on a small piece of the seed inside, but the remaining seed falls to the ground. “Birds on the ground are eating the partially eaten pieces, and that’s where they likely will get sick,” he said. “Fewer seeds on the ground means less salmonella exposure.” Another way to help the birds stay safe is to clean and disinfect bird feeders frequently in the same manner as cleaning a kitchen cutting board. If using a strong cleaner, be sure to rinse thoroughly. “It doesn’t do any good for the birds to take down your feeders. If you take your feeders down, they will just go to your neighbors’ feeders, or they will die from starvation,” he said. “It’s a sad situation. Birds are going to die either way.” Keep a close watch at the feeder, and if a dead bird were found, Hill would appreciate having it frozen and brought to him at Auburn University. “If you find a dead bird, if you would pick it up and freeze it, we would love to have it at the Auburn museum. We would use them for study,” he said. “Write the date of death on the specimen. That is key information.” To pick up a dead bird, turn a zipper-top plastic bag inside out and slip it over your hand, like a glove. Pick up the bird with the bagged hand and turn the bag right side out, enclosing the bird. Then, zip the bag closed, label it with the date of the bird’s death and freeze the bird. For more information about the pine siskin irruption, view the video, Nothing to Eat Do Not Take Down Your In an irruption year, Bird Feeder, at YouTube. the pine siskins have com. depleted the natural Hill’s office is in food supply, Funchess Hall. Email him and there is no food at hillgee@auburn.edu. available except that in feeders.

Lake Martin Living 17

SHOP

LIKE A

CHEF

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Choose a primary focus, like colorful meats or fresh produce, and plan meals around that element STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH

aking a stroll through the supermarket at 6 or 7 a.m. with a food enthusiast or a chef is slightly different than going with two kids on a Saturday at noon. Although COVID-19 has made shopping online, pick-up services and delivery more attainable, there is nothing quite like walking into a grocery store or farmers market and actually buying with intention. For Chef J of Hester’s Nette, a catering business in Alexander City, buying fresh food in bulk is important. When he arrives at the store, he heads straight for the butcher’s counter to see what they have to offer for the day. But for food enthusiast Brian Smith, hitting the market before others have the chance is key. “Personally, Setting the Standard I like the Alexander City's Chef J begins farmers’ his search for the perfect market. I will meal in the meat department, where he chooses fresh meats get up at the crack of dawn with good color. and drive an hour if I have to. What I would really like is for these local farmers to sell directly to me. Then I would be serving the best possible produce to my clients at a wholesale price and supporting local,” Smith said. Although the meat may be the main ingredient of Smith’s affair, he preps and plans around the produce selection for each meal. “It is important to set meals

Lake Martin Living 19

Plating the Best

Tips for Shopping like a Chef: Prepare. Pick a meal or meals. Design them or settle on recipes that you know. Make a list of the ingredients that you need. *Keep an ongoing list of common ingredients that you use. When you are low, add that product to the shopping list. Always eat before you go shopping. Hunger buys are a real thing, and they tend to be unhealthy and wasteful. Do not buy based on price. Buy because the ingredients are nutritious. Shop the perimeter of the store. This is where the healthier foods tend to be placed. If you are buying dry food, like rice or pasta, look for bulk sales. These foods have longer shelf lives and can be bought in larger quantities. Sales on produce indicate which produce is in-season. If there is a sale on it, it is probably in-season, which means it will be fresh. To avoid crowds, shop early in the morning. Be open to trying new herbs and spices. Adding a different flavor changes the whole taste palette. Do not be afraid to try something twice. Maybe it is perfect the first time or maybe it isn’t, but never lay down the spatula without giving it a second go. This one is last because it is the most important: Support small businesses and farmer markets.

20 Lake Martin Living

Below: The farmers market is the place to find fresh, healthy produce; Left: Farmfresh ingredients, well-seasoned, are the perfect complement to flavorful meats any time of year.

around the produce because people want quality and freshness. I like fresh produce. If I like fresh produce, other people will also like fresh produce,” he said. Chef J said for him the meat, the spices and the color of the food sets the standard. “When I go to the butcher counter, I examine the packaging. I do not want to buy meat with air in the packaging. That takes away from the quality of the meat and could mean contamination. I want to look for a fresh cut of meat or a set of wings that is tightly wrapped. Color is important, too. You want your meat to be vivid in color – the whole plate should be bright when you finish cooking,” said Chef J. “I mean, honestly, with the right spices a good cook can make even the worst cut of meat taste good,” he said. “But we don’t want to do that. We want pretty, colorful plates with good cuts of meat and healthy sides.”

Chef J is in the midst of coining a new idea with his customers that involves a healthier side choice. He would rather pair a double cheeseburger or wings with crunchy asparagus or green beans versus French fries. “It’s not something people around here do. But see, when you order a double cheeseburger and French-fries, you are getting double the grease, double the fat. It’s just not healthy,” he said. “I would love to see my customers choose a healthier side over those high fat, high carb sides any day.” Chef J also recommends looking at what serves the purpose of your meal. He urges people not to buy based on price, but rather quality and cut. Smith encourages saving money by going directly to farmers. “Again, you are buying in bulk at wholesale prices, which is money smart. Plus, you are helping your local businesses, and the food is guaranteed fresh,” said Smith. “Most local farmers are not pumping their cows and pigs with hormones because their families are eating them, too. The vegetables and fruits will be fresh and well maintained because it is their source of food as well. Our farmers are not processing their food like you see at these big plants.” And so there you have it. There is no right or wrong way to shop like a chef. Some like an orderly process with a detailed list and others want to go straight to the farmer.

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Lake Martin Living 21

22 Lake Martin Living

Fabulous Fruits H

aving a home orchard with lots of fruit trees and plants and harvesting fresh, homegrown fruit in the summer is an ideal dream for many people. Picking and eating those beautiful ripe peaches, apples, pears, strawberries and grapes is such a sweet treat; however, wanting a home orchard and having a home orchard can unfortunately sometimes be quite different. It can be a wonderful decision when the recommended varieties are chosen in the beginning. But it can all turn into a nightmare if the wrong fruit plants are selected. Much of the success or failure of having a home orchard lies primarily on your very first decision – choosing the correct variety. Simply going out and buying just any type of fruit tree from just any source can be a mistake. Not doing the homework and making the wrong selection can result in a very bad investment. Here are some basic guidelines for fruit selection.

#1 Maintenance Requirements

First, pay close attention to the maintenance requirements of the fruits selected for harvest. Having a home orchard is not a simple and easy task and can be very laborsome and time-consuming. Many fruits require high maintenance and may be difficult to grow for the average gardener. Almost all fruit plants take three to five years to get established before they produce their first crops. Tree fruits like peaches, apples, pears and plums require a strict and weekly spray

Lake Martin Living 23

Garden Talk

program to prevent and control diseases Make Good Choices Previous Pages: There is more to growing and insect pests. Annual pruning, training pears and other fruits than simply digging and shaping are required each winter. a hole for the sapling; Above Left: Small Tree fruits also need lots of space in full fruits, like these young figs, are less sun to grow and be productive. Keep in vulnerable to pests than fruit trees; mind that late spring freezes and other Above Right: Choose only those apples weather problems can hurt a crop. And and other fruits recommended if all goes well, deer, squirrels and crows by the Extension office. still have to be kept at bay because these sweet fruits are tempting and delicious be grown successfully. One just has to to most free-grazing animals. In certain know what names to look for and which circumstances, it is much easier and more varieties will work in Alabama. Beware convenient to go buy these fruits from of any tag or plant name that is not on farmers and retailers. the recommended list from Extension Small fruits like blueberries, services. muscadines, strawberries, figs and Shane Harris blackberries tend to be a little easier Try these recommended varieties of to grow. They are not pest-free but are fruits to grow in Alabama: less vulnerable than tree fruits. They do not take Apple: Gala, Fuji, Rome, Gingergold, Jonagold, up quite as much space and will produce a decent Cumberland Spur and Granny Smith. crop for homeowners. Annual maintenance such a Peaches: Redhaven, Sweethaven, Cresthaven, pruning (except with strawberries) is still necessary Fireprince, Contender, Georgia Belle, Jefferson and each year. Redskin Pears: Orient, Kieffer or Moonglow for a softer #2 Recommended Varieties peach Second, it is imperative to do research and Plums: AU Producer, AU Roadside and AU homework. Find out what varieties of fruit trees Cherry and small fruits grow best in your area. Do not skip Figs: Brown Turkey, Celeste, Alma, LSU Gold and this crucial step, as this may ultimately determine LSU Purple if there is success or failure. The truth is, it is very Blueberries: Tiftblue, Premier, Brightwell and difficult to grow most of the types of fruits sold in Climax, but new ones worth planting are Alapaha, grocery stores and farmer markets. Vernon and Yadkin. Alabama climate conditions. which are hot and Strawberries: Cardinal, Camarosa, Earliglow and dry in the summer and mild in the winter, do not Chandler just allow for the perfect orchard full of fabulous Blackberries: Navaho, Kiowa, Ouachita, Arapaho fruit. That is why other states are known for growing and Apache certain fruits. Grapes: Muscadines such as Ison, Pam, Darlene, Peaches tend to grow better in Georgia; oranges Fry, Black Beauty and Supreme; newer varieties of do well in Florida; apples are perfect in Washington; bunch grapes may also be considered when deciding and everything grows well in sunny California. But which grapes to harvest. do not worry, fruits can be grown in Alabama and

24 Lake Martin Living

#3 Fruit Biology

One must have a basic understanding of fruit biology when selecting specific fruit crops. Pay attention to the details and growing requirements. Most fruit trees and small fruits require crosspollination. Therefore, you must buy and plant two different named varieties. One plant may need to be the designated pollinator. For example, most Golden Delicious apples are the chosen pollinators for other apples. Muscadine grapes are sold as and labeled as either self-fruitful or female types, with the self-fruitful being the pollinator for the rest. You must buy two different names, like a Tiftblue and a Climax blueberry, for cross-pollination to produce a fruit crop. Peaches, figs, persimmons, pomegranates, blackberries, strawberries and some types of plums are all selffruitful, so only one plant is needed. Other horticulture considerations are rootstocks and chilling hours. All tree fruits, including citrus, are propagated onto the root system of another plant. Certain rootstocks help control size, allow faster fruiting, influence yield and quality and provide disease resistance. Apple trees are often labeled and sold as dwarf trees, which only means smaller than standard. The type of rootstock used for a particular apple variety dictates the mature size, which varies from 7 to 20 feet. Choosing the wrong rootstock can make a difference in mature size and when the tree will produce apples. Waiting three versus eight years for a crop is a big deal. Chilling hours are mostly associated with growing peaches and nectarines. The term is used to describe the amount of cold needed for a plant to resume spring Many are the Rewards growth following Muscadines (below left) and a winter period. satsumas (below right) are the It accumulates delicious and nutritious rewards between the of choosing recommended temperature varieties from reputable sources of 35 degrees and proper care for trees, bushes and vines. and 55 degrees

Fahrenheit. For the grower, chilling hours controls when the fruit crop will bloom. The best way to explain it is like this: When a single peach tree blooms very early, that tree is likely a low chilling hour variety. Trees with low chilling hours are not ideal for central Alabama because they can be killed by late winter and early spring freezes. A higher chilling hour variety will do better because it needs more cold weather to stay dormant and bloom on time.

#4 Reputable Sources

Lastly, by all means, keep in mind where you purchase your fruit trees and small fruit crops. Always buy from a local, reputable nursery, garden center or specialty catalog source. Many of the various choices shipped in and sold by large retail stores do not grow or do well in Alabama. These varieties typically are not labeled or named properly, which leaves the buyer with no idea what they are getting or what size it will be. In most instances, none of the information or tips described are on the label or even known by the sellers. Buyer beware. That’s what the Extension office is here for, to help people decipher it all. Fruit selection is not easy. It is more difficult when all of the facts are unknown. For a complete list of fruits and the varieties that will grow well in Alabama, including many fruit culture publications that go into much detail, contact the Tallapoosa County Extension office at 256-825-1050 or visit us online at aces. edu. ~ Shane Harris is the County Extension Coordinator for Tallapoosa County.

Lake Martin Living 25

Russell Medical announces campus expansion, thanks to a Benjamin Russell Legacy Gift

im Peace, president and CEO of Russell Medical, recently announced the development of a multi-facility expansion project made possible by a generous $25 million donation by Ben and Luanne Russell. The gift is the largest in the history of Russell Medical and will fund large-scale project components, which center upon geriatric medicine and enhanced opportunities for senior citizens. The transformational Russell Legacy Project will be located on the hospital campus in Alexander City and include an independent living community consisting of 26 single-family cottages, as well as an assisted living facility with 32 residential units. The donation will cover the cost of constructing and equipping the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care, which will provide comprehensive geriatric health care and specialty health care services, which includes the creation of the Benjamin Russell Endowed Chair in Geriatrics, by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees pending an approval process, to be held by the medical director of the Advanced Care facility. The announcement was made following a called meeting of the Russell Medical Board of Directors on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The board’s formal resolution to commence with Phase I of its master plan, collectively called the Russell Legacy Project, was a culmination of a strategic planning process that began in 2011. “We are overwhelmed and thrilled to make this momentous announcement,” said Peace. “Ben and Luanne’s extraordinary act of generosity reflects a caring family who are great supporters of Alexander City, the Lake Martin area and the medical community in Alabama. The Russell Legacy Project allows us to grow services centered on the largest sector who are in need of healthcare services, those citizens 65 years and older,” he continued. “As a longstanding member of our hospital board, Mr. Russell has been instrumental in our strategic plan and steadfastly supports 26 Lake Martin Living

our vision to become a Honoring Mr. Ben Ben and Luanne Russell regional hub for geriatric donated $25 million medicine. With his family’s to the hospital expansion legacy gift, this vision will in honor of Mr. Ben, become a reality.” his grandfather. Peace indicated the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care would be built in front of the cancer center with frontage on state Routeay 280 and would house gerontology, women’s health and other specialty clinics. Dr. Cynthia J. Brown, director for the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care at UAB, said the Russells’ generosity in creating an endowed chair in geriatrics will help meet the escalating demand for this specialty and is a huge win for the area. “Each day for the next 20-plus years, approximately 10,000 adults will turn 65, and with this trend, the demand for Geriatricians is expected to skyrocket,” Brown said. “Having an endowed chair in geriatric medicine will allow Russell Medical to recruit an outstanding geriatrician, one of only 6,500 in the nation, who can serve the older adult population of the area.” Both the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care and the Benjamin Russell Endowed Chair in Geriatrics are to be named in honor of Mr. Russell’s grandfather, Benjamin Russell (1876 – 1941). Mr. Ben, as he was known to all, was the early patriarch of the Russell family and a legendary entrepreneur. He began many businesses in the area, most notably Russell Corporation and Russell Lands Inc. The Russell family has provided opportunities for economic prosperity for thousands of Alabamians, and their work has enhanced the beauty of the state dramatically. Speaking on behalf of his family, Ben Russell, chairman of the Board of Russell Lands, said, “As lifelong residents of Alexander City, Luanne and I have supported the Lake

Medical News

Martin area and this hospital and are pleased Alabama including a local bank, phone company to be able to make this gift honoring my and power company, all supporting his largest grandfather, Benjamin Russell. Mr. Ben did operation, which would become textile and much for this state and its people. This gift apparel giant, Russell Corporation. In 1963, the is one way Luanne and I can recognize his company’s land business was separated from the contributions.” textile operation as Russell Lands Inc. Today, his “This is a red-letter day in the life of Russell grandson, Ben Russell, is the chairman of Russell Medical,” said Hugh Neighbors III, chairman Lands, which has significant land holdings in of the hospital board of directors. “We are Central Alabama, including a large amount of grateful to Ben and Luanne Russell for their shoreline frontage on Lake Martin. The company generosity and believe this legacy gift will have has developed residential real estate for more a significant and lasting positive impact on our than 35 years and has completed several upscale community by offering premier care for the neighborhoods on Lake Martin. The company’s aging population.” additional operations include several hundred Peace added, “We are excited and eager to lakeside for-lease cabins; Russell Marine’s four Susan Foy commence with this transformational initiative full-service marinas on Lake Martin; a marine and look forward to revealing the full scope and and outdoors dealership in Alexander City and breadth of the Russell Legacy Project during our a marine dealership at Smith Lake; and nine groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for late summer 2021.” Russell Do it Center and Russell Building Supply stores. All three facilities are slated for completion in the fall of 2022. Russell Lands also owns and operates several amenities in the Lake Martin community, including Willow Point Golf and About Russell Medical Country Club, Catherine’s Market, SpringHouse, Kowaliga Russell Medical, located in Alexander City, is a Restaurant, The Stables, and Lake Martin Amphitheater. progressive, not-for-profit, 81-bed acute care facility serving Visit russelllands.com or contact, Roger Holliday at Russell the healthcare needs of East Central Alabama since 1923, Lands, Inc., at 256-397-1004 for more information. You may and boasts 53 active staff physicians covering 27 medical also contact Susan Foy at Russell Medical at 256-329-7322 or specialties and approximately 640 employees. Amenities 256-749-5113. include all private rooms; LDR birthing suites; seven OR suites, Obstetrics; Cardiology and Vascular Services; Robotic ~ Susan Foy is marketing director at Russell Medical. Surgery; Oncology Services; Transitional Care Unit; Sleep Disorders Center; Women’s Center and Total Fitness exercise and rehabilitation center. Russell Medical operates three rural health clinics: Health Partners of New Site, Health Partners of Goodwater, and Medical Park Family Care in Dadeville. Campus facilities include; Total Healthcare; UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center; Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine; and Russell Medical Urgent Care. In January 2021, Russell Medical became a member of the UAB Health System. For additional information, visit russellcares.com.

About Benjamin Russell

Benjamin Russell (1876 - 1941) was a pioneering entrepreneur and businessman who left his mark on the State of Alabama. He founded several businesses in Central

Lake Martin Living 27

Mad About Mushrooms 28 Lake Martin Living

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

High in antioxidants and packed with vitamins and minerals, mushrooms are trending as the next super food. They are great for the immune system, giving the skin a healthy glow, and they are even better for the heart. Most people think of a mushroom as a vegetable, or they at least equate it to the vegetable family; however, it is in the fungi family. “Mushrooms are not plants. They are fungi. Fungi eat stuff, whereas plants make their own food through photosynthesis. So growing mushrooms is more like herding livestock than it is growing plants,” said Allen Carroll, self-taught fungi enthusiast, President of Alabama Mushroom Society, and owner of Fungi Farm in Dadeville. “We don’t actually grow mushrooms here, which surprises most people; however, we do supply mushroom farmers with mushroom growing equipment and supplies,” he said. Fungi Farm was founded in 2017 by Carroll and a friend. Recently Carroll bought out the business and now owns it free and clear. He is in the process of expanding the operation and is looking into adding other areas of revenue, such as compost production in addition to expanding the current operations at Fungi Farm. “What we essentially have here is a processing facility where we produce artificial logs that are

inoculated The Art of Growing Mushrooms with specific Fungi Farm owner Allen Carroll supplies farmers species of and mushroom enthusiasts fungi that with mushroom growing produce equipment and kits. mushrooms. Then we sell these production units to farmers,” Carroll said. People can find mushrooms that come out of the lab at Fungi Farm across the state of Alabama, but Fungi Farm has clients across the country. Carroll said that people typically call the various species grown at the Fungi Farm gourmet mushrooms because they do not have a long shelf life. This makes them a great local product for farmers to sell at the market or even for restaurants that prefer serving fresh mushrooms to their customers. Fungi Farm also sells to home growers who love mushrooms and enjoy growing their own. There are many ways that mushrooms can be grown, such as on logs, on artificial logs like Fungi Farm produces, in dark places with no light and in well-lighted areas. Humidity plays an important role in the cultivation of many mushrooms and is an important point to consider for the home grower, but some species and combinations work better

Lake Martin Living 29

than others. Carroll has perfected the art of gourmet mushroom inoculation, which makes the process a simple one for his customers. He says oyster mushrooms are usually the most successful for homeowners because they grow wonderfully in normal household conditions. To create an artificial log, the bags used at the Fungi Farm must be pressure-cooked and sterilized. Carroll said they use a bag created specifically for growing mushrooms. It is made of polypropylene and can be pressure-cooked without melting. The bags also have breathing filters because, like humans, mushrooms breathe. They require quite a bit of fresh air to grow well. A machine is used to add water and raw materials that are the mushroom food to the bag. Then the bags are sterilized and inoculated with a mushroom producing fungus. This process begins the colonization period, where the bag must be kept in a cool room with at least some form of a light source. These are called ready-to-fruit bags, and people can purchase them to begin harvesting mushrooms for a home garden project or commercial production. Each bag comes ready to use. Just follow the directions, set the ready-to-fruit bag up in a cool place with a decent light source and allow the mushrooms to grow. Mycelium is the vegetative body of the fungus and gives rise to the mushrooms. The mushroom acts as the fruiting body of the mycelium. “See, mushrooms do not have differentiated tissues like us. We have blood and bones and different tissues. Mushrooms are made entirely of mycelium and can be easily cloned because of this. It is very similar to taking a cutting of a plant,” he said. “And mycelium is sort of like the tree that a mushroom comes from, and mushrooms are actually

30 Lake Martin Living

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

Above: Carroll's classes include a review of growing conditions and what the fungi needs to produce mushrooms; Right: Mushrooms actually are the fruit of fungi, just as an apple is the fruit from an apple tree.

the fruit – it’s a reproductive structure. So, when you pick a mushroom, you are not harming the fungus. It is like picking an apple off of a tree. A mushroom makes spores just like an apple has seeds.” The reproductive structure of the mycelium is thedesired product for those who purchase the ready-to-fruit bags from Fungi Farm. not only will they begin to see mushroom growth within one to three weeks, but also they will get multiple harvests out of each bag. “Each bag produces about two pounds of mushrooms on the first harvest, and each subsequent harvest reduces in weight by about half,” said Carroll. “After the third or fourth harvest, the contents of the bag make a great compost for other gardening projects.” The overall idea of Fungi Farm is to support local mushroom farmers and enthusiasts in their quests to develop, study, eat and sell many different varieties of mushrooms. For more information or take to a class at Fungi Farm and learn about the intricacies of growing mushrooms, check out the Facebook page @ fungifarmAL, Instagram @fungi.farm or visit the website fungifarmllc.com. As President of the Alabama Mushroom Society. Carroll said the group welcomes newcomers. They meet at the John B Scott Nature Trail south of Martin Dam the first Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. to forage, study and learn about different types and species of mushrooms.

Lake Martin Living 31

Spring Garden W

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH

hether spring has sprung or winter is looming, any time is a good time for gardeners, old and new, to start their journeys. So many good vegetables can be grown right now, and the spring flower options are endless, as is the potential for fresh herbs. But for a first-timer, the idea of planting a garden or digging in a flowerbed could be downright daunting. There are so many options to choose from when gardening, and the internet is chock full of misinformation about plants, flowers and gardening in general. So, when the odds are stacked against you, don’t take to the internet; instead, contact your local county Extension office. They offer a free service and can provide you with quick, adequate and research-based information to get the garden started on the right foot. Here are a few simple tips to get the garden growing while enjoying the journey.

1. Don’t overthink it

Growing a garden is supposed to be fun, and although it may feel like rocket science, it is not. Whether this is the first garden you have attempted or the 43rd, make sure to only plant vegetables that you and your family will eat. Do not try to be a full-service farm right out of the gate. Rome was not built in a day, and your garden will not be either. If flowers are the road to relief, choose flowers that will be low maintenance to start. Decide if a color pattern is 32 Lake Martin Living

important to the desired outcome or if success is more important first. “I would say daffodils are the easiest flowers to grow. They are perennial and require basically no care. They just need sunlight. Look at the old home places right now that have daffodils blooming with no care, and the folks have been gone for decades. They are still blooming,” said Shane Harris, Tallapoosa County Extension Office coordinator.

2. Pick the area and test the soil

First things first: Once you have decided what kind of garden to plant, location is key. Place the garden or lawn based on sunshine and water availability. It is crucial that a water source be nearby and that the area gets plenty of sunshine. Also, consider putting the vegetable garden where it is easily seen from a window or porch as a built-in reminder to water and care for the it daily. Once the location has been determined, test the soil. This allows a gardener to know if the soil is currently nutrient-rich enough to grow the vegetables, grass, or flowers. “Testing the soil tells you what nutrients are currently in your soil and if you need to add more. A soil test will also tell you if you need to add lime or fertilize the area,” said Harris. To test the soil, pick-up a test kit from your local Extension office.

3. Get your hands dirty

Once the soil has been tested, there is likely a bit of work that needs to be done to improve the success of the garden. Remember, the more fertile the soil, the more fruit it will bear. Adding organic compost to the area will also increase the nutrients. It is easy to make at home using a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost, decayed leaves, dry grass and old manure. Spread it over the garden bed, and the earthworms will do the rest. It also helps to work the soil, which prepares the new beds for plants and provides easy access to water and nutrients, as they are essential for the plant’s growth. “Prepping the vegetable garden area in the spring is always a welcoming sight,” said Harris. “Tilling or plowing the garden spot is needed to eliminate weeds before planting. Be careful not to till the soil when it is wet or till too much as this hurts soil structure and creates clods. Lime and organic matter can be Unlimited Possibilities mixed in at this time, Planting both flowers too.”

4. Time to plant

By now, the bed should be nutrient-rich and ready for seeds or baby plants. Pay

and vegetables together in a garden allows for multiple colors and textures while also offering a bit of much-needed pollen and nectar.

Lake Martin Living 33

Integrate for attention Abundance to planting Planting flowers times, strongly spacing and and fragrant herbs depth. If among vegetables transplants helps to deter pests. are the route to take, start with plants that already have a wellestablished root system. Also, make sure the danger of frost has passed. According to Harris, “Traditional vegetable gardens have always been planted in April. But with a long growing season in Alabama, gardeners can plant and have some sort of crop growing from February to December. But unless you have a big family or need for lots of produce all at once, consider staggering your planting times. Plant a row or a few plants at first then a few weeks later, plant again, and repeat. This extends the harvest intervals so you are always getting fresh vegetables.”

5. Water

Easiest Flowers to Plant Daffodils Daylillies Azaleas Camellias Lantana Irises Gardenia Forsythia Flowering Cherry Flowering Dogwood

Vegetables & Fruit to Grow Tomatoes Muscadines Figs Blueberries Cucumbers Peppers Lettuce Yellow Summer Squash Green Beans Cabbage Irish potatoes Sweet corn

Just like humans need water daily, so do plants, especially young seedlings. So make sure to water them daily and at the base of the plant. “The best time to water a garden is early in the morning or late in the afternoon,” said Linda Ewing, who spends her free time tending her luscious flowerbeds. “The reason to water early in the day or late in the evening is because it is cooler. Watering a plant in the middle of a day can burn the plant up.” Evaporation is also an issue if watering in the middle of 34 Lake Martin Living

about it,” said Ewin

the day. Stick to the early morning or late evening when watering plants.

6. Protect and Maintain

Pick a time of day and make tending the garden a ritual. During this time, remember to water the garden, pull pesky weeds, get rid of dead vegetation and use deterrents for insects and rodents. “The strategy for controlling pests in the garden or yard is paying attention almost daily to what’s going on. Use preventive actions such as fencing, fungicides, and pre-emergence herbicides, but take quick action when a pest like weeds or bugs show up before major damage occurs. Call me at the Extension office when you identify a potential problem and need help,” said Harris. So, when this adventure begins, do it because it is fun. Do it because it is relaxing. Do it because it is something that will bring a sense of reward and beauty to the world. “Maintaining my garden is almost therapeutic. My son reminds me that they make weed eaters, but there is just something about spending half a day in my flowerbeds pulling those weeds myself. There is just a calming peace

*Disclaimer: Everything can have pest problems or require maintenance/care; some plants, vegetables, flowers grow much higher than others. It all comes down to how much time and tolerance one might have.

Budgeting made simple

f figuring out your budget sounds tedious and terrible, chances are, you won’t do it. The good news is that there are a ton of digital solutions to help you set a budget that you can stick to — and some of them are even sort of fun. After more than 35 years working in banking in Alabama, I have seen countless clients have success with budgeting. Here are five tips for planning that will make your money go farther:

MONEY MATTERS

Set Goals.

habit, it’s time to check your rate. Check online or call your credit card company to figure out what the interest rate is; and then, see if you can get a better rate. The same goes for refinancing your mortgage. Rates are at all-time lows, so many banks are offering deals on refinancing with low closing costs. Even if you just bought your home a few years ago, refinancing could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan and may lower your monthly payment.

Don’t throw money away.

You won’t feel motivated to check Letting interest rack up on a credit card, Teresa Grier in with your budget or cut expenses if or not paying bills on time is an easy cycle there’s no bigger purpose at stake. Maybe to get into, but it’s costly for your financial you’re saving up for your first car, and future. Pay off your smaller debt first; and you want to make a big down payment so you don’t then, start plugging away at your larger debts, like have big monthly payments. Maybe you are starting student loans. If you feel like you can’t get out from a family, and you want to be sure you’re setting aside under debt, call your credit card company or bank to enough money for your little one’s college fund. see if they can help you come up with a plan. Maybe you just want to take a great vacation. Think Think of your future self. about what matters to you and focus on budgeting If you know you have a yearly insurance payment towards that goal. or quarterly tax payment due, set aside a little money

Embrace digital tools.

From making mobile deposits to paying bills, you can do most financial tasks without leaving home. There are free budgeting apps that will help you set goals, see your spending, assess where you could be saving, and even remind you with alerts that you’ve got a bill coming up or you’ve overspent. In my work with Valley Bank, I ask every client if they’re taking full advantage of every app and tool we offer. Take a look at your bank’s website or app, or give your banker a call, to see what tools might be available to you.

Check your rates.

each month to make those payments, so they’re less painful when they come due. Also, if your employer offers a 401K plan and matches any percentage of your contribution to it, you are leaving money on the table if you aren’t contributing. Think of where you want to be in 10, 20 or 30 years, and let that guide some of your savings decisions. If you can pull money directly from your paycheck before it lands in your checking account, chances are you won’t miss it. ~ Teresa Grier is vice president, market manager, at Valley Bank, Alexander City branch. She has been banking in the area for 35 years.

If you’ve had the same credit card for years out of Lake Martin Living 35

OH SNAP! 1

5 6

2021 Russell Forest Run Saturday, February 27, 2021 Russell Crossroads 1. Erin Barrow and Amy Donovan 2. Chris and Wanda Butler 3. Annie Massey and Casey Landrum 4. Tra Cosby, Sarah Summerville, Sawyer Dutton, Nora Cosby and Daniel Marshall 5. Mel and Leslie Loftis, Mary Jo and John Johnson, Payton Larson and Sammy Teel 6. Gray, Dayne and David Burt 7. Don Chappell and Bebe 8. Brian, Bruce and Barrett Dodson, Wyatt Fletcher and Trey Callegan

36 Lake Martin Living

OH SNAP!

Kiddos and Cops Saturday, March 6, 2021 Dadeville 1. Jazelle Morgan, Alexis Spartling and Carter Creighton 2. Chance Hunt and Jason McCullars 3. Deon Green and Chance Hunt 4. Annette Moss, Sara Poole, Geraldine Thomas and Mary Smart 5. Annette Moss and Desmond Thomas

6. Kurt Pfitzner, Rev. Jamal Oliver, Leigh Pfitzner and Melinda Silmon

Lake Martin Living 37

OH SNAP! 1

Alabama Bass Trail Saturday, February 20, 2021 Wind Creek State Park Marina 1. Joseph and Doug Schaner 2. Cody Farr 3. Dale and Tony Mask 4. Derrick Hutchins 5. Tina Taft 6. Eric Bryson 7. Danielle, William, Anna, James and Michael Deroche

38 Lake Martin Living

OH SNAP! 1

2 4

5 7

Meeting of the MOPARS Saturday, March 6, 2021 Wellborn Musclecar Museum 1. Susan and Rick Griffin 2. Wyatt and Kyle Williams 3. Dan Dejournette and Jerry Daniel 4. Linda Turner and Jackson Cowden 5. Ricky and Landyn Halliburton 6. Jackson Oden, Douglas and Rhonda Nations, Eric Perrine and Scott Harris 7. Paul Sanford and Allen Dutton

Lake Martin Living 39

Calendar

THE LAKE REGION

FEATURED EVENT

All About Azaleas

tarting on Thursday, March 25, a fourpart All About Azaleas webinar series will be presented via Zoom by Alabama Cooperative Extension agents and specialists, local Azalea Society members, and azalea enthusiasts. “The goal of this introductory azalea series is to increase the appreciation and knowledge of azaleas as well as build up interest in membership,” said Shane 40 Lake Martin Living

Harris, coordinator for Flaming Beauties Learn all about how the Tallapoosa County to choose, plant Extension Office. and care for azaleas The target audience through the Extension's will be the general public, four-part video series Master Gardeners, horticulturists, Azalea Society members and anyone who loves azaleas. All details found at: aces.edu/go/AllAboutAzaleas.

LAKE REGION EVENTS March 20

Easter Egg Hunt at Wind Creek State Park

This year's annual egg hunt will be held on March 20 at 10 a.m. The egg hunt will be located in the North Picnic Area – across from the beach. Please be at the appropriate age group by 9:45 a.m. There will be prizes for each age group. Anyone from zero to 15 years of age may participate. All who attend will have to wear face masks, and all social distancing guidelines will apply.

March 20-21

The Lake Martin 100

The 100- and 50-mile endurance races and the 27-mile fun run will return to Russell Forest, with races starting at 6:45 a.m. at Russell Crossroads. The race is run entirely in the Russell Forest Trail System. Lake Martin 100 is destined to become the standard for running your first 100, 50 or Ultra. For more information or to register, visit southeasterntrailruns. com/lake-martin-100.

March 27

Women On Lake Martin

Get ready for the boating season with this informal, down-to-earth review on the basics in boating 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by Russell Marine and geared specifically for women, this four-hour, hands-on course refreshes amateur anglers on the basics of boating safety and operation with on-water demonstrations on many of the most popular boats on Lake Martin. Limited slots available. Contact Mike Marty at 256-397-1500 or email MMarty@russelllands.com.

April 10

Farm Day

Meadows Farm at 3585 Dudley Rd. in Dadeville will host a spring farm day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food, fun and ponies to ride. Donations are appreciated and benefit the Meadows Scholarship Fund. Come out to enjoy a day at the farm and learn about where food comes from and how it grows.

April 16

The Landing at Park Creek Opens

gets $15. Grab your friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. Thursdays.

Season-long Events

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month at the Real Island Volunteer Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 Real Island Rd., Equality. Everyone is welcome. Admission is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share. Some nights are themed, so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain types of food are in order. For information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.

Get your cornhole arm in shape for tossing bean bags because The Landing at Parker Creek will open for the summer with Chef Torrey "Flyin' Hawaiian" Hall, chalkboard menus, outdoor seating and the sandy beach where the kids can play.

Strand Sessions

Live music in Strand Park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month April through August. Attendees may bring their own beverages. This is a free event.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups. In Alexander City, cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Our Town Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For additional information, contact Jacob Meacham at jacob.meacham@ alexandercitychamber.com. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. For more information, contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.

$20 on the 20th

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber asks our community to spend $20 on the 20th of each month to help our local economy.

Bingo at Niffer’s on the Lake

Every Tuesday, Niffer’s hosts bingo night at 6 p.m. Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place

Real Island Supper

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. For more information, call 334-857-2008.

Millerville Trade Day

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 would be appreciated. There will be a designated area to bring vehicles for sale with $20 donation to BGHSAFA upon 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.

Lake Martin Living 41

LAKE REGION EVENTS Open Studio

The Artists Association of Central Alabama meets from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Senior Center and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Dadeville Senior Center on Columbus St. Beginners are welcome, and there is no charge for open studios. For more information, call June Dean at 334-301-5317.

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 cold months, meet at Equality Methodist Church on state Route 259. Email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com for more information.

Tallassee Lions Club

Tallassee Lions Club meets on Tuesdays 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. Email Ron McDaniel at ronmcd416@gmail.com.

Second Friday Open Mic Night

The Equality Performing Arts Center invites all musicians to its monthly jam sessions on the second Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no cover, but donations are greatly appreciated. There will be an intermission for snacks, and people are encouraged to bring a dish to share. The EPAC is located at 560 state Route 9 in Equality. For more information, visit the EPAC Facebook page.

Soup to Go

pick up a free brown bag dinner with soup and sandwich. COVID-19 precautions are taken by volunteers that prepare, pack and distribute the meals. Everyone is welcome.

Nub Chuckers Honors Healthcare Employees

For the month of March, Nub Chuckers will offer an hour of axe throwing for $10 to healthcare employees. Just bring your badge and wear closed-toe shoes. For more information, visit nubchuckers.com. To have your upcoming event featured in Lake Martin Living magazine’s Lake Region Calendar of Events, submit details by the 15th of prior month to brittany.smith@ alexcityoutlook.com.

Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Ave., Alexander City, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays to

2 2 READERS’

CHOICE

$90

42 Lake Martin Living

GOOD EATS

Fungi Fritters & Dipping Sauce

Fungi Fritters Fresh Oyster Mushrooms (1-2 lbs) 1 cup of flour* Salt Black Pepper Paprika 3 Eggs 6 ounces cream** Splash of Tabasco Sauce Cooking Oil (amount needed for frying)

them to the egg-wash bowl. Next, return them to the breading bowl for a double-coated fritter. The fritters are ready to be fried.

Combine flour and seasonings into a bowl for breading Combine eggs (start with 3) and cream with a splash of tabasco sauce in a separate bowl to make an egg-wash Tear the fresh mushrooms into “tender-sized” chunks. The smaller they are, the crunchier they become One or two at a time, place the mushroom chunks into the breading bowl first. Then transfer

Crack one egg into a tall container. While adding oil, use an immersion blender to create aioli. Combine the honey and mustard with the aioli to make a homemade honey mustard. Sprinkle with chives as a garnish. Enjoy!

Dipping Sauce 1 egg Honey Mustard Olive oil Chives

*This recipe can be made gluten-free with a 60:40 cassava and tapioca flour blend **This recipe can be made dairy-free with ½ can of coconut milk

Lake Martin Living 43

Goldville 280

Goodwater To Sylacauga

Legend

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

New Site

Public Boat Ramps 22

280

Churches

Camps & Parks

Timbergut Landing

Power lines

280

U.S. Highways

Alexander City

County Roads

Horsesh Nation

Jaybird Landing

Flint Hill Church

Camp ASCCA

Alex City Boat Ramp

Rockford

128

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek 63 State Park

COOSA COUNTY

Pleasant Grove Church

Mt. Zion Church Russell Farms Baptist Church Friendship Church New Hope Church

259

Bethel Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Smith Landing Willow Point

Seman

4 Camp Kiwanis

10 1

Church in The Pines

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

The Amp

Ko w

ali

Stillwaters

19 5

7 2

Union Landing

22 Red Ridge United 49 Methodist Church

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

Walnut Hill

20 24

Lake Martin Baptist Church

Camp Alamisco

Kowaliga Boat Landing 55

Pleasant Ridge Church

8 63 17 9

Equality

231

12 24

Dade

280

Liberty Church

Jacksons Gap

Union

Central

Red Hill

Union Church

Refuge Church 229

Eclectic Santuck

11 Kent Reeltown

231

ELMORE COUNTY

120

Lake Martin Region Wetumpka

44 Lake Martin Living

Tallassee 229

MACO COUN

Marinas

Daviston

1 Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 2 The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

hoe Bend nal Park

eville

ON NTY

20 Nail's Convenient Store 334-857-3454 8394 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

5 Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 6 Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

21 Creekside Lodge 256-307-1440 6993 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

7 Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853

22 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Camp Hill

88 SpringHouse 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 9 Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 10 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

11 Acapulco Mexican Grill 334-283-2725 2867 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078 12 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt & Flatbread Pizza 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com 280

Business & Shopping Waverly

19 Aronov Realty Lake Martin 256-825-4133 6928 AL-49 S Stillwaters Hwy, Dadeville, AL 36853

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 4 Real Island Marina 334-857-2741 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Restaurants & Venues

CHAMBERS COUNTY

18 Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 www.darkinsuranceagency.com 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010

Hotels & Lodges

Churches

23 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 8352 AL-50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293

Dock Builders 24 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 25 Docks Unlimited LLC 256-203-8400 6400 Highway 63 S., Alex City, AL 35010

Recreation & Entertainment 26 Dixie Sailing Club 767 New Hope Church Road Alexander City, Al 35010

13 Hodges Vineyards and Winery 256-896-4036 230 Lee Rd. 71, Camp Hill, AL 36850 14 Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 15 Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

16 Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

LEE COUNTY

17 The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Road, Alex City, AL 35010

Loachapoka 14

Notasulga 85 81

If you would like to advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map, for as little as $25 call 256-414-3174. Space is limited.

Lake Martin Living 45

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Subscribe today or visit one of our local establishments each month for a free copy. ATTENTION READERS: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic some of our distribution locations have changed. This month, you may pick up the most recent issue of Lake magazine at the following locations. If you are ordering take out from any of the restaurants listed below or delivery from any of these groceries, request your free copy of Lake magazine with your order. ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Valley National Bank - 280 Carlos The Body Shop Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Wine Emporium CACC Cloud Nine Shay Aesthetics Piggly Wiggly JR's Downtown Girl Russell Do It Center City Hall Dylan Johnson-Country Financial Chamber of Commerce Hillabee Towers Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Mainstreet Family Care First Insurance Dark Insurance Warren Appliance Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Marathon - Cherokee Larry's General Merchandise & Grocery Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark Jackson Drugs Alfa BB&T Bank Alex City Marine Valley Bank Main Mortgage Pro AllState Daylight Donuts Hometown Pharmacy Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance Re/Max Around the Lake

North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design King's Furniture Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers Longleaf Antique Mall Jameson Inn Winn Dixie Regions Bank American Inn Russell Medical Center Citgo Hampton Inn Koons II Tallapoosa Ford Days Inn Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Refrigeration, LLC. Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Home Decor Jet Pep Comfort Inn Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. A & E Metal Wind Creek (Gate) Wind Creek (Store) Smith Marina on Lake Martin Willow Point (Office) Willow Point Country Club Catherine's Market Badcock Home Furniture Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina Kowaliga Marina Sunrise Docks Kowaliga Restaurant Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Children's Harbor Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office HACKNEYVILLE Hackneyville Water Authority OPELIKA Collaboration Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Charles Borden Real Island Marina Southern Star Parker Marina

ECLECTIC Nails Lake Martin Marine South Lake Breeze Realty Mitchell's Upholstery Lake Martin Mini Mall Lake Martin Dock Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Cozumel 1st Community Bank Johnson Furniture Eclectic Public Library WOW Catering LLC Kickin Chicken DADEVILLE Sigger's Barber Shop American Watersports Raining Dogs Bay Pines Marina Siggers Alabama Power Dadeville Public Library City Hall Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Home Plate Cafe Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's TMP Construction Dadeville Chamber of Commerce Farmers & Merchants Bank Store 34 Jim's Pharmacy Shell 280 Root 49 Salon Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Residential Association Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Marina Oskar's Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffer's Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Fusion Grill At the Beauty Shop Chuck's Marina Tallapoosa Nutrition

Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Nannie Bells Cart & Catering CAMP HILL Lake Martin Pecan Company TITUS Kim's Corner MILLBROOK/PRATTVILLE Gene Jones Insurance Stone & Britt, LLC Millbrook City Hall Millbrook Chamber 1st Community Bank YMCA - Prattville SLAPOUT Lake Pharmacy Boy's Store Austin Flowers WETUMPKA Wetumpka Chamber Hampton Inn Russell Do It Center City of Wetumpka - Administrative Building Hog Rock BBQ Holley Mart WInd Creek Casino Convenience Store Wind Creek Wetumpka 1st Community Bank Valley Bank Brandt Wright Realty Jackson Thornton BB&T Bank Must Stop Cafe Emerald Mountain Store Bumpers Store Busch's Grocery Wetumpka YMCA Friendship Grocery TALLASSEE Marathon Tallassee Chamber Hilltop Grocery Road Runner Cozumel Tallassee Public Library True Value Hardware Walmart Red Hill Gallery Tallassee Eagle State Farm Dr. Parris Mullins Jr. O.D. Guardian Credit Union Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $25 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Lighting the Way for the Lake & River Region for more than 125 Years n The Outlook

n The Wetumpka Herald

n The Record

n The Tallassee Tribune

n Lake Magazine

n The Eclectic Observer

n Lake Martin Living

n Elmore County Living

46 Lake Martin Living

Lake Martin Living 47

AD INDEX A&M Plumbing.................................................................................... 6

National Village................................................................................. 2 1

A&O Tree Service............................................................................... 2 7

OBGYN Associates of Montgomery..................................................... 8

Alexander Landscaping ....................................................................... 5

Prime Home Health.............................................................................. 8

Beyond Home Care............................................................................ 1 3 Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation........................................................... 6 C&C Wood Products.......................................................................... 4 2 Coosa Valley MRI............................................................................... 4 9

Red Flag Pest Control.......................................................................... 6 Rhonda Gaskins, C21 Lake Area Realty................................................ 3 River Region Dermatology.................................................................. 4 9 Russell Medical.................................................................................. 5 2

DAVCO Development........................................................................ 4 9 Satterfield, Inc.................................................................................... 5 Electronic Technology Group.............................................................. 4 9 Four Seasons..................................................................................... 4 9 George Hardy, D.M.D.......................................................................... 6 Heritage South Credit Union.............................................................. 4 7 Jim DeBardelaben................................................................................ 5

Singleton Marine............................................................................... 5 1 Southern Sash..................................................................................... 8 Sunrise Docks.................................................................................... 1 3 Surgical Dermatology Group.............................................................. 1 3

Jim's Pharmacy.................................................................................. 4 2

Tallapoosa County Board of Education................................................. 2

Kowaliga Whole Health..................................................................... 4 9

Tallassee Health & Rehab................................................................... 2 7

Lake Martin Dock......................................................................... 48-49

TowBoatUS........................................................................................ 4 2

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48 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 49

Learning the Stock Market in real-time. As a Realtor, I quickly drew the comparison that my investing prowess was like a homeowner attempting to do for-sale-by-owner versus using a Realtor. I was not a pro. Professionals have invested a lot of time and energy into the craft and have earned their knowledge and experience. Being in sales, I relate to people, so I took to uring my long car ride to Florida in late heart the idea of learning about CEOs and decisionJanuary, Gamestop was making headlines. makers. That was another Buffett strategy that made Long story short, hedge funds were out sense to me. Invest in people as well as brands. to short sell the struggling video game I am conscious of how I spend money. I love retailer, which is perfectly legal. Amateur turning anything into a game. But if I investors, acting in unison, from the go to a casino, I’m content on the penny Reddit forum WallStreetBets bought slots. The same goes for horse races. I’ll up shares to drive the price up, which bet on every race, but only $2 or under caused massive losses to short sellers. $20 because it makes me pay attention. It was interesting timing because I I approach the RobinHood app the had started reading Buffett, The Making same way. I am not out to try to get rich of an American Capitalist by Roger on it, but I play with enough to make Lowenstein. I was more interested than I me follow the market. There is power normally would have been in Gamestop in knowing a little bit about everything. that day. When the topic comes up, it is great to be On this same long car ride, I able to participate in the conversation. downloaded the Robinhood app. My February column addressed I proceeded to make my February dating apps, and since then, Bumble, the “Learning Something New” challenge dating app in which women initiate the for Big Ass Calendar Club be the stock conversation, went public. I bought a few market. When I get on a kick about shares of that the day it went public, as Lacey Howell something, I go hard on it. well as Pinterest. For hours, I worked on lists of stocks I would love to hear what brands and and talked to John about it. I was eyeing fitness companies are catching your eye in 2021. brands I really like, such as Lululemon and Peloton. Tesla and Cryptocurrency are all the rage, but did I made notes that many apparel businesses, other you know Elon Musk’s kid is named X Æ A-Xii? than Lululemon, were pretty affordable, under $50 a share. One thing I picked up from the Buffett book ~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from is to invest in something you could understand. Auburn who lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, That sounds like pretty decent common sense. rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Robinhood’s tagline is “investing for everyone,” Instagram @LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page. and everyone can invest any amount and trade

50 Lake Martin Living

Culture Shock

BEST BOATS | BEST SERVICE | BEST DEALS We are excited to announce our new Singleton Jackson’s Gap location on the North end of Lake Martin. Providing new and used boat sales and a full service center. With the largest selection of the industry’s top-selling brands and award winning customer service, no other dealer can upgrade your lifestyle like Singleton Marine. Singleton Marine Blue Creek Marina 7280 Highway 49 South Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-8888

Singleton Marine Jackson’s Gap 124 Edgewater Drive Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861 256-269-0088

Singleton Marine Parker Creek Marina 8300 Parker Creek Marina Dr. Equality, AL 36026 256-329-8550

SingletonMarine.com Lake Martin Living 51