Lake Magazine April 2022

Annual

BUILDERS & BUYERS Edition

APRIL 2022

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APRIL 2022

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Letter from the Editor

Staff

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his year’s Builders and Buyers issue of Lake magazine looks different from those of previous years. Like the aftershock waves of an earthquake, COVID-19 has left the housing market and the leisurely lifestyle at the lake on unfamiliar ground. The real estate chart on our “Quick Guide to the Lake” page indicates that prices at Lake Martin have doubled from six years ago, and though the number of sales was low in February, that was largely due to extremely low inventory.

COVID-waylaid construction crews took weeks off from building homes at Lake Martin to recover, starting a slowdown that still has not caught up, as Erin Chesnutt explains in her firstperson article, “Building during a pandemic,” on page 22. The crew shortages seemed only surpassed by supply chain delays as manufacturers closed due to employee illness. And all the while, the Chesnutt family waited – on foundations and plumbing fixtures and tile layers and more.

As Russell Lands’ vice-president of real estate sales Steve Arnberg notes in the article about the developer’s newest neighborhood project, “The Heritage,” on page 34, the lake’s demographics are changing. Families fled crowded cities two years ago to avoid infection and discovered they could work and school from Lake Martin. Now, many of those families are making the move permanent, buying lots and adding to the construction jam.

And yet, just as Lake Martin reaches full pool this month, her communities keep a glass-half-full outlook, preparing to welcome part timers back to the lake next month, as well as newcomers moving here amid the aftermath of the pandemic.

To help everyone make the transition to working at the lake a smooth one, Kymberly Donowski offers some very helpful tips for setting up the lake home office and achieving an effective work/life balance on page 36. She also takes on security issues for lake homeowners on page 40.

Lonna Upton talks with some of the lake’s most popular artists on page 26, introducing readers and homeowners to painters whose work hangs in homes across the area. She also features a dual-purpose lake home on page 44, where the owners plan to use their lake home for their own leisure, as well as offer it to visitors at the lake.

And Lake Watch Lake Martin launches a new Swim Alert program on page 62 to keep us safe as, with wide smiles on our faces, we jump into all the wonder and fun that lake life has to offer – even when adversity strikes.

We could all adopt the Chesnutt family’s new mantra: Good things come to those who wait (especially at Lake Martin). We can’t wait to share those smiles on our Lake Scenes pages in upcoming issues, so send your photos to editor@lakemagazine.life or submit them from our website at lakemagazine.life.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor in Chief BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Audience Development Director ERIN BURTON erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH

rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

CATHY PARR

cathy.parr@alexcityoutlook.com

Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON GREG VINSON MATT SHEPPARD CLIFF WILLIAMS SIRI HEDREEN PETE MCKENNY ANDY ANDERS

ERIC REUTEBUCH HENRY FOY LONNA UPTON JOHN COLEY ERIN CHESNUTT KYM DONOWSKI WILL MARLOW KAITLIN FLEMING

All content, including all stories and photos

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 | lakemagazine.life are copyright of:

Betsy Iler, Editor 4 LAKE

APRIL 2022

On the Cover

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From price increases to supply chain delays, work-at-the-lake strategies and demographic shifts, the scope of being a homeowner at Lake Martin has changed considerably in the last year or two. Lake magazine's annual Builders & Buyers issue focuses on just such matters, with a fresh approach to lake house design, art, recreation and living.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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Serving Lake Martin Since 1997 docksunlimitedllc.com | 256-203-8400

Stationary and Floating Docks | Pile Driving Seawalls | Boat Lifts | Boat Houses

APRIL 2022

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Dietary and Housekeeping Positions Excellent Pay and Benefits

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6 LAKE PM21_AD_HalfMag_RecruitRev_10.14.21.indd 1

Low co-pay & deductible BCBS Health/Dental/Vision/Prescription Drug Insurance, paid vacation, 401K, company paid life insurance, Longevity Bonus up to $1000 a year, employees and their children receive priority for scholarship opportunities, shift differential, and additional weekend differential that starts on Friday

APRIL 2022

11/4/21 11:15 AM

Contents

21. LATEST DISTANCE BILL COULD PASS A new distance bill addresses wake surfing, erosion, safety and property issues at the lake.

22. BUILDING DURING A PANDEMIC Erin Chesnutt presents a first-person account of building at the lake in the COVID era.

26. LOCAL ART FOR THE NEW LAKE HOME Once that lake house is built or renovated, Lake Martin artists can fill it with beauty.

30. CONSTRUCTION DELAYS Builders change business models to deal with supply chain issues, but patience is the order of the day.

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34. THE HERITAGE Steve Arnberg discusses concept and fresh design ideas at Russell Lands' new neighborhood.

36. WORKING FROM THE LAKE Structure time and space to create work/life balance from a home office at Lake Martin 40. KEEP YOUR HOME SECURE Technology tips to keep your lake home safe whether you're out on the boat or out of town

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44. WELCOME TO HERON HOUSE A Birmingham couple plays with leisure time and investment on the lake.

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 18. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 56. NATURE OF THE LAKE 60. LAKE PROPERTY

62. LAKE WATCH 64. HEALTHY LIVING 67. FAB FINDS 68. FROM THE CELLAR 70. CHEF'S TABLE 72. BIG CATCHES 74. PAR FOR THE COURS 82. PARTING SHOT

Lake magazine also features an online, digital edition, available 24 hours a day, free of charge. This edition is perfect to share with friends and family and provides you complete access to stories, photos and advertisements from anywhere in the world with Internet access. View our digital edition today at www.lakemagazine.life.

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Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing Candi Tate, Clinical Liaison

2334 Washington Street, Alexander City | 256-329-9061 | www.crownehealthcare.com

A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches

WATERFRONT Church of the Living Waters Inside StillWaters, Dadeville 256-825-2990 New Hope Baptist Church 529 Peppers Road, Alexander City 256-329-2510 Church in the Pines Kowaliga Road, Kowaliga 334-857-2133

OFF WATER Equality United Methodist Church 281 AL Hwy 259, Equality 334-541-4063

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OFF WATER

OFF WATER

First Baptist Church Court Square, Alexander City 256-234-6351

Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa Street, Alexander City 256-234-6494

Hillabee Baptist Church Hillabee Road, Alexander City 256-234-6798

Red Ridge United Methodist Church 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078 334-252-8618 (12 Miles South of Lake Martin)

First Baptist Church 178 South Tallassee Street, Dadeville 256-825-6232

St. James Episcopal Church South Central Avenue, Alexander City 256-234-4752

First United Methodist Church 310 Green Street, Alexander City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Street, Dadeville 256-825-4404 First Presbyterian Church 371 Jefferson Street, Alexander City 256-329-0524

Lake Martin Baptist Church 9823 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist Church La 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293 Faith Temple Church 425 Franklin Street, Alexander City 256-234-6421

APRIL 2022

St John The Apostle Catholic Church 454 North Central Avenue Alexander City, Al 35010 256-234-3631 Flint Hill United Methodist Church 2858 Flint Hill Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-5047 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy 280 Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 256-825-2555

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

1915 13 12

$745,812 $603,731 $365,748

$670,000 $595,000 $326,500

80 133 180

41 230 301

1.35 9.48 10.20

February 2022 February 2019 February 2016

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).

It's almost time to get out on the water – be safe Before the month is out, Lake Martin will be at full pool, and you could be skimming across the water on a bright sunny afternoon at the lake – or you could be broken down on the side of the road or in the middle of the lake.

To avoid the latter, check out your boat, trailer, engine and more using this checklist courtesy of BoatUS. And be sure to make sure your registration is updated on the boat and the trailer before you head out.

forget the spare. n Inspect wheel bearings and repack as necessary. n Test all lights and replace any broken bulbs or lenses. n Inspect winch to make sure it’s working properly. Inspect hitch chains. n Inspect trailer frame and axel(s) for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration. n Inspect brakes and brake fluid reservoir.

On the Boat

Engines and Fuel Systems

n Flares expire after 42 months, so check expiration dates. n Inspect fire extinguishers. A new regulation that goes into effect April 20, 2022, requires a 12-year expiration for disposables and has different carriage requirements for older and newer model year vessels (see the article on page 18). n Ensure you have properly sized and wearable life jackets in good condition for each passenger, including kids. Check inflatable life jacket cylinders and dissolvable “pill” bobbins in auto-inflating models. n Check running lights for operation and spare bulb inventory. n Replenish first-aid kit items that may have been used last season or are expired.

On the Trailer

n Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary. Check air pressure; don’t

n Inspect fuel lines, including fuel tank fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks, and make sure all lines are well supported with noncombustible clips or straps with smooth edges. n Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Ensure portable tanks and lines are completely drained of stale fuel before filling with fresh fuel. Clean or replace fuel filters and/or fuel-water separators if not done before winterization. n Charge battery. n Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Use a wire brush to clean battery terminals. n Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking, and replace any that are faulty. Make sure they fit snugly.

And test the ground-fault protection on your boat and dock. Visit electricshockdrowning.org to learn more.

Weather Outlook for April April 2022 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 70s with average lows in the upper 50s and close to about 4 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of April.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be above average and rainfall will be below normal this month.

Year-to-Date

Precipitation: 8.85 inches Avg. high temp.: 58.2 Avg. low temp.: 32.6 Avg. temp.: 45.4

Our Normal April Precipitation: 4.64 inches Avg. high temp.: 75.3 Avg. low temp.: 48.4 Avg. temp.: 61.8

Information from the National Weather Service.

APRIL 2022

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 488.11 Lowest: 484.37Lake

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

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Lindsey Maraman shared this photo where the reflection looks like she's fishing in the clouds. (2) Tybee Klucas gives a double thumbs up to returning to Lake Martin this spring. (3) Summer McDade's photo is evidence that a day at Lake Martin is as good as a day at the spa. (4) A kiss goodnight from the lake by Summer McDade. (5) Zachary Contorno is looking forward to another summer on the lake with his restored 1997 Super Jet. (6) Georgia Girl strolls among the narcissus on a late winter morning.

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Lake Martin’s Marine Construction Company 6732 Highway 63 South, Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 | (256) 392-5200 | www. sunrisedock sllc.com

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Where is Lake n People & Places 1

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Wendy Bedran, Jamie Witter, Jennifer Gregory and Vickie Houser hiked the Appalachian Trail with Lake in tow. (2) Doug and Barbara Reid took Lake to Magnolia in Waco, Texas. (3) Brenda Coley, Lisa Harris, Vicki Dobbs, Barbara Sokol, Terri Rich and Skeeter Foster took Lake along for a yoga session at the Van Gogh exhibit in Birmingham. (4) Don and Lynda Thurlow brought Lake along as they visited Tchefuntce River in Madisonville, Louisiana.

(5) Aleem and Cindy Gillani took Lake magazine to Cabo San Lucas. (6) Nancy and Clay Hornsby took the August issue of Lake magazine – the one that featured their Lake Martin home on the cover – to Portland, Maine.

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April 1 Lakewind Homemakers Charity Event

The Lakewind Homemakers and Community Leaders will host an inaugural event to benefit Dadeville Beautifucation from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville. There will be a fashion show, food and silent auction for gently used purses.

April 1-July 4 Crank 4 Bank

and grandchildren. This event is appropriate for all ages at no charge. Everyone is welcome at the Naturalist Cabin from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 14 and 15 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16. This event will move to SpringHouse from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 17. Contact Hudson at 256496-2710 or at Naturalist@Russelllands.com.

April 16 Iron Bowl Trash Cleanup

Meet at Lake Martin Mini Mall between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to pick up bags, pickers, vests and water from Lake Martin Registration is now open for this year’s tagged fishing tourResource Association. You’ll be assigned an area where your nament on Lake Martin, which includes the chance to win a help is needed to pick up trash and beautify the Lake Martin $1 million cash prize, one of two new bass boats, a new truck area. Bring your own and $1,500 per tagged gloves. There will be a CALENDAR OF EVENTS bass caught. This year’s tailgate cookout and live tag color is orange, and band at noon. Dress in every tagged fish caught WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN your best team spirit and by a registered angler is come out to support the a winner. Registration Main Street Alexander City community to clean up is $100, which also will host a gumbo cookoff Lake Martin. includes entry into a event downtown April 30 virtual fishing event running concurrent with April 23 Crank 4 Bank. Visit Young Wildlife crank4bank.com for in the Forest details, rules and regisJoin Russell Lands tration or purchase your Naturalist Marianne ticket from a member of Hudson from 9 a.m. to your local high school 1 p.m. in the Naturalist fishing team to help Cabin at Russell them raise money for Crossroads for an infortheir clubs. mative display and discussion about the young April 4-May 6 wildlife in Russell Forest. Examples will Jan Dempsey include mammals, repArt Center tiles and birds. Bring Auburn’s Jan photos of your own Dempsey Art Center back yard, and Hudson will exhibit the works will make tailored of Jill Holt, Laura Lewis, Cecile Morgan and Leslie Brasher. recommendations so you can attract nesting birds and young Some works will be available for sale. A reception with the wildlife to your property. Appropriate for all ages. No charge. artists will be held Thursday, April 14 from 5 p.m to 7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome.

April 9 - May 1 Phins Fishing Classic

This inaugural virtual fishing tournament spanning eight Southern states will benefit the United Way organizations represented by the zip codes of entrants. The event will feature six fish categories for bi-weekly and tournament door prizes, including both saltwater and freshwater categories. A special high school division will be a qualifier for scholarship applications. Entry fees start at $35. Visit fishingchaos.com for details and online registration.

April 14-17 Bunnies & Chicks

April 23 Guided Nature Tour

Join Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne Hudson at 7 a.m. for an energetic hike that will offer opportunities for learning about forest babies and what's happening in the springtime forest, as well as great exercise. Advance registration is required for this event. Charge is $10 per person. Wear comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing and shoes. Bring bottled water, sunscreen and insect repellant. Binoculars and cameras are welcome. The hike will conclude before 9 a.m. To register, call 256-496-2710 or email naturalist@russelllands.com.

Celebrate Easter at Lake Martin with Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne Hudson and the gentle innocence of bunnies and chicks. Bring your camera to photograph children 14 LAKE

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April 23-24 Old 280 Boogie

Season-long Events

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s festival of music, art, food and Southern culture in Waverly. Saturday’s lineup includes The Sheepdogs, Seratones, Robert Finley, Taylor Hunnicutt and The Pine Hill Haints. Sunday afternoon, Caleb Caudle and Larry Mitchell and Band will appear. Gates open at 11 a.m. both days. Performances will be on the outdoor stage. Saturday only tickets are $60; Sunday only $25.

Purchase a two-day pass for $75. Kids 14 and under are admitted free. Visit standdarddeluxe.com for details and ticket purchase.

April 24 Lake Watch Annual Meeting

Guest speaker Dr. Bill Deutsch will present an overview of 30 years of watching the water on Lake Martin at this year’s annual meeting at Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville. Masking will be encouraged, and the meeting is contingent upon COVID conditions. Registration opens at 1 p.m. with the program from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit lakewatchlakemartin.org.

April 30 Gumbo Get Down

Main Street Alexander City will host a gumbo cookoff with live music, a kids corner, food trucks and more from noon to 4 p.m. downtown. Visit the Main Street Alexander City Facebook page for more information.

May 6 Hope Rising

Join the Ellei’s board of directors at New Water Farms for casual lakeside heavy hor d'oeuvres, wine, beer and an exciting keynote speaker to support this pay-it-forward ministry on Lake Martin’s eastern shoreline. For details, visit Ellei’s Non Profit Ministry on Facebook.

May 7 Derby Day at The Stables

Freinds, residents and guests will gather from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Stables for the Kentucky Derby with fabulous hats, mint juleps, seer sucker and more. The event will be held upstairs with music from The Southern Gentlemen to raise money for Children’s Harbor through a 50/50 drawing and more. For more information, call 256-397-1019.

May 7 Wild Game Cookoff

Music in the Air

Spend your Thursday evenings at Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful Dadeville Square enjoying a variety of live music.

The music begins at 6:30 p.m. indoors or outdoors under the verandah, depending on weather conditions and performers’ preferences. Come early to settle in and be sure to get a seat. Drive-by Tacos will be present at most events on a Food Truck with a Purpose mission; every taco purchase makes a meal available for a food challenged person in Alabama. Free admission but please tip the musicians. Visit Zazu’s Verandah on Facebook for the weekly scheduled programs.

Free Tax Assistance and e-Filing of Federal and State Tax Returns

IRS certified volunteers will provide free tax assistance and e-filing for senior citizens age 60 and over with no income and taxpayers under age 60 with incomes less than $57,414, as well as disabled taxpayers. Dropoff by appointment. Call 256-234-0347 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday to make an appointment and for information about what to bring. This service is coordinated by the Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, a united Way agency.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the third Wednesday of the month at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds.

Meetings are followed by an open studio program, which also is open to the public. Club dues are $20 for the year.

Bingo Wednesdays

Come out to the alley next door to Castelluccio on Wednesday nights for bingo. Order dinner and wine from Castelluccio or your favorite downtown restaurant and have it delivered to your table. The event is limited to six people per table, and the number of tables is limited to 20, due to social distancing. Reservations for this weekly event go quickly, so email Main Street Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat at sjeffcoatmainstreetac@gmail.com to reserve your table.

First Saturday Markets

Standard Deluxe in Waverly hosts the First Saturday Market on the first Saturday of each month from now through August.

Pick up lunch, local artwork, T-shirts, posters and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit standarddeluxe.com for details.

Charity Bingo

Lake Martin Amphitheater will host the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s annual wild game event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with food, wine and good times. Admission is $40 in advance for up to two adults; $50 at the door. For more information, call 334-285-4550.

Every Tuesday in September, stop in at Niffer’s at the Lake at 6 p.m. for eight rounds of bingo to benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way. Cards are $1 each. The first seven rounds pay Niffer’s dollars, but the last round pays a cash jackpot.

Lake Martin Creativity

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 APRIL 2022

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doing. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the use of the space. For more information, contact Christine Glowacki at 205-535-5974 or Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506.

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. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Real Island Supper

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 more information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256329-8724.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl, just to mention a few. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature in the wild and the outdoor classroom. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

Fourth Fridays at EPAC

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events on the fourth Friday nights of each month at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 in Equality. Visit the Equality Performing Arts Center Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming artists.

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, call Ron McDaniel at ronmcd416@gmail.com.

Equality VFD Cookout and Bake Sale

On the first Saturday of each month, the Equality Volunteer Fire Department hosts a bake sale, starting at 8 a.m., and lunch is served starting at 10:30 a.m. at the old Masonic Lodge in downtown Equality. For more information, email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com.

Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to

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L A K E M A R T I N R E A LT Y. C O M

Unlock the value in your lake home and trust the market leaders.

Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417

Allison Ladson 256.750.0711

Damon Story 205.789.9526

Mike Davis 256.226.1238

Lindsay Kane 256.675.6792

Amy Duncan 256.212.2222

Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071

India Davis 256.749.7592

Judy Voss 256.794.0779

Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681

John McInnish 334.415.2149

Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031

Jan Hall 256.329.6313

Sawyer Davis 205.965.7940

Jim Cleveland 256.596.2220

Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017

Becky Haynie 334.312.0928

Adam Yager 205.914.0830

Mimi Rush 334.399.7874

Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099

Judith Jager 205.789.0698

Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372

David Mitchell 256.212.3511

Howard Haynie 334.312.0693

Haley Fuller 256.750.2411

Randall Rogers 334.707.5804

Denise Cochran 256.786.2484

John Shelton 404.858.9198

WE’RE THE MARKET LEADER Lake Martin Waterfront Market Share

DADEVILLE

256.825.9092

OURTOWN

256.212.1498

WILLOW POINT

256.212.1498

OTHER COMPETITORS (49 companies) OUR CLOSEST COMPETITOR

LAKE MARTIN REALTY/ RUSSELL LANDS *LMAAR/MLS Member Firms Sales Volume Data March 2021 – February 2022

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Lake Martin News Willow Point property owners could pay for their own roads

Property owners within Willow Point will decide if they want to take up the maintenance of roads in the gated community.

Seventy five percent of Tallapoosa County voters approved a constitutional amendment Nov. 3, 2020, allowing Willow Point property owners the opportunity to create a private road maintenance district. Now a special election will be held Tuesday, April 26, for those property owners to decide.

“My office received on Feb. 10 a petition and required signatures to start the process of having an election,” Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Talmadge East said. “After reviewing the paperwork and concluding that it was properly compiled, I signed a court order calling the Special Election for April 26.”

If approved by Willow Point property owners, the district will be created with a named board and an assessment of $500 per year to property owners in Willow Point. This would allow the board to have funds to maintain roads within the Willow Point Development.

The roads in the Willow Point community are currently owned by Russell Lands.

East said qualified electors are to be determined by the petitioners and consist of those that own lots at Willow Point. The election hours will be 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on April 26 at Our Town Fire Department.

Cliff Williams

Alabama park might be new southern terminus for Appalachian Trail

missioner Chris Blankenship said in a statement. “Hikers who complete this feat would have the satisfaction of having traveled the entire length of the Appalachian Mountains in America, and it would also realize Benton MacKaye’s original idea of linking Maine with Alabama,” he said, referring to the forester who first proposed the trail in 1921.

Cheaha sits on the Pinhoti Trail, which starts even further southwest in Coosa County. From Cheaha, the trail continues into north Georgia where it connects to the Benton MacKaye trail. The MacKaye trail links to Springer Mountain, the current southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

The designation is not just nominal. As a National Scenic Trail, created by the federal government in 1968, moving the Appalachian trailhead into Alabama would take an act of Congress. But according to the Alabama State Parks System, the number of thru hikers starting their journey in Alabama is on the rise.

“We have worked over the years to buy missing properties in Alabama for the trail, like Indian Mountain, and see trail constructed, and now the word has gotten out and hikers are showing up and making independent decisions to start their thru hike in Alabama,” state parks director Greg Lein said in a statement. “We simply want to support thru hikers who wish to attempt their start or finish their personal journey in Alabama, and Cheaha State Park is an easy and convenient place to support hikers.”

Amending the trail has precedent. The southern terminus has changed several times, from its original location at Mount Mitchell in North Carolina to its current location at Springer Mountain in Georgia. The northern terminus has also moved, from Mount Washington in New Hampshire to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

Last year, Coosa County resident M.J. “Sunny” Eberhart

Two state agencies have backed a campaign to bring the Appalachian Trail to Alabama, proposing Cheaha State Park, the state's highest point, as the new southern terminus.

The Pinhoti Trail at Cheaha State Park While the Appalachian has been endorsed as the official mountain range spans censouthern access to the Appalachian Trail tral Alabama – by some definitions, Coosa County – to Newfoundland, Canada, the famous hiking trail spans Georgia to Maine.

In a joint news release, the Alabama State Parks System and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said they would support making Alabama the southern terminus, frontloading 314 miles to the current 2,190mile trek.

“There’s something magical about the idea of linking Maine’s highest peak with Alabama’s highest mountain,” ADCNR com18 LAKE

APRIL 2022

became the oldest to hike the Appalachian Trail at 83, having started in Alabama 10 months prior. Eberhart, known by his trail name “Nimblewill Nomad,” chose Flagg Mountain as his starting point, where he lives and volunteers as caretaker.

But in a November 2021 interview, Eberhart said he strongly opposed converting the Pinhoti Trail into the Appalachian Trail, citing the foot traffic it would bring.

Earlier proposals had suggested Flagg Mountain, not Cheaha, as the southernmost terminus.

“The degradation is just staggering,” Eberhart said of the Appalachian Trail. “Some places it just looks like you’re walking a creek bed and there’s nothing left but rocks. The erosion is just incredible.”

While promoting awareness of the Pinhoti Trail and touting it as the longest approach trail to the Appalachian, Eberhart said people were hearing about the trail and more people were coming to hike it.

“I just don't want that to get out of control,” he said.

Siri Hedreen

No More Goats?

In an unexpected announcement early last month, Stacie and Ricky Baker said their goats would not return to Lake Martin's Goat Island this spring, but in recent weeks, goats have been seen there.

“Providing our goats for everyone to enjoy has been an honor, and we feel privileged to have had the opportunity.

The last couple of years, we have faced and overcame many challenges and think that it is the best decision for the goats, as well as our family,” the couple posted on the Goat Island

The Baker family removed their goats from Goat Island but new goats appeared there last month

of Lake Martin Facebook page.

The news came as a shock and disappointment to followers of the page, many of whom grew up visiting the Baker family's animals. Visitors have supported fundraising efforts to care for the goats, but in recent years, as the popularity of the island attraction grew, controversy has raged over dogs on the island.

Shortly after the Bakers made their announcement, about a dozen goats were spotted on the island, but their ownership remains a mystery.

Staff report

lakemartindock.com

334.857.2443

APRIL 2022

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Latest distance bill could pass

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

A wake surfing distance bill now under consideration in the Alabama Legislature could be signed into law before this issue of Lake magazine returns from the printer.

Senate Bill 281 passed the State Senate on March 9 and is scheduled for its third and final reading in the State House on March 29.

Sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Dist. 4) and Sen. J.T. Waggoner (R-Dist.16), the bill would prohibit wake surfing, or operating a boat in a manner that creates a wake intended to be surfed, on bodies of water that are less than 400 feet wide or within 200 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse or other structure on any body of water in the state, including Lake Martin.

Violators would be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and fined $150 or more on the first offense. A second violation in the same calendar year would carry a Class A misdemeanor and a minimum fine of $250.

Second time violators also could lose vessel operating privileges for the remainder of the year. Permitted events would be exempt from the law. For the first year after the bill’s enactment, first-time violators would receive a written warning; second-time violators would be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and fined a minimum of $150.

A number of similar proximity bills, but with wider scope, presented in previous legislative sessions have failed to pass, but this bill has seemingly sailed through both houses of the Alabama State Legislature with little opposition. It is the most specific and limited rendition that has been presented in that it is targeted at only wake surfers and operators of boats creating wakes intended to be surfed. Previous bills addressed the size of the wakes from all vessels and their proximity to shorelines and other recreational water activities.

Big wake activities from a variety of vessels, including fishing boats, have long been controversial on Lake Martin. The erosion effects of large wakes is well documented, as are property damage reports and safety concerns. At the same time, proponents of wake sports are legally entitled to recreate on the lake as much as anyone else. And while the arguments continue, so does the ero-

sion, the damage and possible compromised safety of swimmers in the path of the large, strong wakes created.

The bill could be expected to be viewed as a step in the right direction by advocates for water quality and property owners, but this bill seems to be no more popular with some agencies than the previously rejected full proximity measures.

“It just doesn’t address the problem we have on Lake Martin, where we have wakes being created by other boats,” explained Lake Martin Resource Association president John Thompson. “When fishermen in these sloughs get ready to go from one spot to another, they gear up, take off and kick up a big wake. The same If it becomes law, goes for personal SB281 would prohibit watercraft getting into wake surfing small sloughs and within 200 miles going round and round of shoreline to create big wakes.

And it doesn’t address the problem of rude boaters that come in too fast and too close, endangering property and people in the water. It just doesn’t go far enough.”

Local lake homeowner and business owner Jamie Burnett agreed with Thompson but has a different perspective.

“I am all for a proximity law, but I don’t think going after just one sport is the right way to address it,” Burnett said. “And I don’t think criminalizing one sport will change the erosion. I think, instead, it endangers surfers, and there has to be a better answer.”

Burnett’s fear is that wake surfers will be forced into the center lane of boat traffic, where downed surfers will be less visible to fast-moving boat traffic and vulnerable to injury.

“I also think that when wake surfers move into the center, more boat traffic will move out closer to the shoreline.

We will still have the wake action close to the shorelines,” she said. “If we’re going to regulate, we should regulate all of the sports together. I think there are more questions to answer before we start to legislate it and criminalize people who are not criminals.”

Calls to the bill’s sponsors were not returned before presstime for this publication.

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LAKE 21

COVID and supply chain delays added several months to the Chesnutts' building schedule

Building during a pandemic

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STORY & PHOTOS BY ERIN CHESNUTT

When my husband, Charlie, and I purchased our lot in South Ridge Harbor in 2019, “COVID” and “supply chain” were not part of everyday conversation. Little did we know that these events would greatly affect how our dream home on Lake Martin would be built.

Decisions, delays and frustration were a direct result of how the world changed during the pandemic.

After selling our townhome in The Ridge in November 2020, construction began on our lot in late December 2020.

We were excited and planning the normal 10 to 12 months for the building process for our 3,400-squarefoot house. The home includes four bedrooms, three full baths and two powder rooms with a loft area that will serve as an office and extra sleeping space. There is a kitchenette/bar in the basement with a large family room. We also planned a wine room off the bar area and a lake prep area in the basement, as

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well as storage in the back of the house. The porches run the length of the house, so there is about 1,400 square feet of outdoor living space. The upper porch will be screened, and there is a grilling area of the upper and lower porches.

While the permitting process wasn’t much trouble, our plans to get the dock in early did not work out.

Because of all the rain and COVID, the dock COVID hit the crew was delayed a year. We as foundations were poured had to get the permit for the dock renewed

by Alabama Power at additional cost. The cost actually went up once the construction boom started. The dock was installed last summer.

As soon as construction began, our builder, Chad Stearns, told us to get the windows ordered because of manufacturing delays.

We learned that this was great advice, considering the challenges we were faced with at the time due to manufacturing issues. This was also the first clue that

APRIL 2022

this was not going to be a normal build. So as soon as we broke ground, we had windows on order.

We soon found out that many of the materials and finishes required to build a new home were going to require extended lead time. We began construction with lumber prices at an all-time high. We were advised to wait a while to see if the price would come down. This was an unexpected delay, but we took the advice. Then, we were in the process of pouring the foundation walls when COVID hit the crew. The lumber was able to be ordered, but construction was now off schedule while we waited for the crew to recover and come back to our site to complete the job.

The next big decision before we even began construction was appliances. Lead time on most of the appliances was eight-to-10 months or more. Many of the manufacturers were not even providing possible delivery dates. We had to decide to do the best we could in an environment that was out of our control.

In addition to appliances, plumbing fixtures were also a challenge due to supply chain and manufacturing issues. We quickly learned that selecting a faucet design did not mean that the matching showerhead would be available in time. It required hours of searching and making changes. We finally got everything ordered, and we were fortunate that we had been informed ahead of time about how COVID was causing severe delays in many areas.

As COVID cases increased, more construction crews began to get sick. Almost every crew, including framers and tile installers, took weeks off the job to recover. This created a domino effect, causing crews

to postpone their schedules on our house. We had to wait weeks to get back on track, testing our patience, but still enjoying watching our lake house become a reality.

We had decided to use a cabinet maker and kitchen designer that we had used at our home in Atlanta. By using Dining in Design and Laser Line Cabinets, our hope was to minimize the delay with so much building demand on the lake. The cabinets were scheduled with a delivery date of early March. Our final delay was flooring.

The wood floors had not come in, causing another timeline delay. The floors needed to be installed prior to the cabinet installation, which meant everything was postponed until the end of March.

While we had hoped to move in mid-March, we are now happily looking forward to April. Some of the furniture we ordered is actually coming in ahead of schedule, so we will be able to get settled in our new home quicker than we expected.

We know that we will love our home, and the future memories that we will create with our family will be worth the wait. We’ll have unique stories to pass down about how we started our home at the beginning of a pandemic and the challenges of working through COVID. We’re hopeful that our first summer in our new home hosting family and friends will be sunny and the threat of COVID will be gone.

We’re counting on the old saying “Good things come to those who wait.”

Lumber prices reached an all-time high during construction

APRIL 2022

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LAKE 25

Local Art for the new lake home

Sailboats are one of Alexander City artist Annie Bartol's favorite subjects

STORY BY LONNA UPTON

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Jim Denney frequently paints from his own breathtaking photography

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A passionate community of local artists and artisans celebrate life in the Lake Martin area through their art. Nourished by beautiful surroundings and supported by residents and visitors who love the arts, these artists have a home in Tallapoosa County, where people flock to gatherings, galleries and online venues to support them. Among the most popular local artists at Lake Martin are Annie Bartol, Jim Denney, Lila Graves, Catie Radney and Tara Wilson.

Annie Bartol worked as a corporate graphic artist early in her career but began her art business in 2015. She said her clients recognize her work by the happy, bright colors she uses, as they seem to draw people in.

“Painting is my therapy and how I articulate my feelings. It brings positivity into my life and is a way to purge feelings – both good and bad. I have found sanity in painting,” Bartol said.

She is inspired by feelings, and she always has

music in her ear when she paints. The music brings back memories that affect her paintings.

“My dad taught me to paint sailboats, and they are my most common request. They are my go-to, and I’ve never even been on one. I’m very blessed to be able to do what I love, so if I can bring a smile to someone’s face, I’ve done my job,” she said.

Bartol’s work can be seen on Facebook and Instagram @colormeannieart. Call 850-296-4767.

Jim Denney is an Alexander City native who spent the first part of his career as a graphic artist.

Now, he spends his time in a world of photography and fine art, with freelance graphic design on the side.

“I am inspired by the natural world, by wildlife and nature, and I do my paintings from my photographs. Sometimes, I go out to find specific things, and sometimes I just take a hike to see what I can find. I am also inspired by travel, specifically Key West and New Orleans have been inspirational to my

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LAKE 27

work. I like visiting someplace different,” Denney said.

About 50 percent of Denney’s work is photography, and 50 percent is painting, though he enjoys being able to go back and forth on any given days. Visit jimdenneyart.com.

Lila Graves has been a professional artist for 36 years. She finds great inspiration in all things Lake Martin, as well as travel, experiencing people and just daily life.

“Painting is a visual vocabulary.

It is how I process life and my state of well-being and how I am honest with myself. It is also a conversation between me and God. Whatever is inside of me goes on the canvas,” Graves said.

Graves said she loves being around people, and she wants people to feel they have access to her works. So wants them to experience her art.

“I am never not inspired. I always have something to paint. I just want people who see my art to have a positive and uplifting experience,” she said.

Graves said she is beginning her next journey in art now that she is an empty nester. Contact her through lilagraves.com or Lila Graves on Facebook and Instagram.

Lila Graves paints to express positive, uplifting experiences

Tara Wilson began to paint four years ago and last year was named 2021 Tallapoosa County Artist of the Year

Catie Radney is a self-taught abstract artist who still spends time reading, researching and attending workshops to fuel her passion. She loves to learn new things and finds travel to be her biggest inspiration.

“I love going to countries where I do not speak the language. The sound of the voices are music; their gestures are a dance; the signs I can’t read are art. You can really get a feel for the people when you don’t speak the language,” Radney said.

Radney has a working studio in Alexander City and enjoys having people come to visit (Interested visitors can request a time to visit through her website). She is a self-described workaholic who said the freedom in painting is magical.

“I trust the painting process. I see stories in what I paint, and they are real. They are everyone’s stories, gen-

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Catie Radney finds inspiration in traveling to countries where she does not speak the language

erational stories, the universe’s story. Painting for me is spiritual and meditative,” she said.

See Radney’s work at catieradney.com and visit her @catieradneyart on Instragram.

Beginning just four years ago, Tara Wilson is a newcomer to the world of art. She is self-taught and definitely sees a difference in her work from four years ago to now. In fact, she was named the 2021 Tallapoosa County Artist of the Year.

“I never knew I had any art talent. Four years ago, I decided to paint angels for my mother-in-law, and I found my purpose. I think God gave me the talent when I needed it, in His time, and now I can’t wait to get up every day and paint for someone or myself,” Wilson said.

Wilson has never taken a lesson, but she has done research on the jargon of the art world and how to create certain looks. She enjoys working with different artistic media, such as crushed glass, which she has used to create fish and crabs on canvas boards.

“I paint whatever hits me every day. Most of my paintings are neutral, muted tones, so my steady clients say my work is peaceful. My most requested items are landscapes of the lake and oars, but I’ll try anything,” she said.

Wilson’s art can be found on Instagram and Facebook at Tara Wilson Art and at Tara Wilson Art Shop on Etsy.

Local art can be seen and purchased at summer showcases in the Lake Martin area. Everything’s Art in the Park will be held at Pennington Park in Dadeville on May 14. Check out Art on the Lake May 28 and 29 and Arti Gras July 2 and 3, both held at Russell Crossroads to find the works of these and many more Lake Martin area artists to add color, style, tone and conversation to homes on and off the lake.

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LAKE 29

CONSTRUCTION

DELAYS

Patience is the order of the day STORY BY LONNA UPTON

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Lake Martin builders have certainly seen the worst of times since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, and fuel costs now are skyrocketing. Skilled workers that were in ready supply have seemed to disappear since COVID, builders say, and manufacturing supply simply cannot keep up with the demand. Add to that a huge increase in the price of lumber, fuel and transportation costs. All entities of the building process are caught in a vicious cycle that makes the customer frustrated and angry; the builder stressed and weary; and manufacturers struggling to deliver materials on time at a price point that seems to continually fluctuate.

Andrew McGreer, a partner in Lake Martin Signature Construction, said it is harder than ever to build a house because of the supply chain issues but also fuel and transportation costs. He sees fuel costs coming down, but not any time soon. Lumber costs, he thinks, will see an increase as well.

“We changed our business model about six months ago and started ordering everything needed for a house, plus 10 percent more in case of a problem, within two weeks of breaking ground.

That is the only way we can ensure that everything will be there when we need it,” McGreer said. “In the past, if something arrived with breakage, tile for instance, we just ordered a new box.

Now, if there is breakage, it might be six months before we can get another box because the inventory is not there.

Another issue, companies that sell products but do not have their own trucks for delivery actually go to a bidding website to have truckers bid on the delivery. That’s another reason transportation costs have doubled. There are not enough truckers.”

Chad Stearns, owner of Chad Stearns Builder, is still concerned about the delays in construction but says his delays are not as much due to the drop in available workforce as in the ability to get needed supplies. He said finding skilled workers is difficult, but manage-

APRIL 2022

able, although waiting on workers can pose problems with the schedule.

“It’s been a perfect storm since COVID. Because manufacturing companies were shutting down when someone on the line got COVID, they could not run at 100 percent capacity, so we could not get what we needed – windows, doors, plumbing, appliances, paint, everything – and they still haven’t caught up,” Stearns explained. “It’s been every problem from A to Z. It’s hard for us to explain delays because they can be due to so many different reasons on that supply chain, and it’s really hard for clients to accept the delays. But I do understand the frustration.”

As a part of the process in building on the lake, dock companies also are seeing customers that may have to wait longer than they want; however, Jim Bain at Sunrise Docks, prefers to remain positive in his assessment of the situation.

“We have been so fortunate and so blessed with the high level of growth of our company and with the workforce we have that I tend to look at the glass as half-full not half-empty. I think because they work directly for us, and the Harrises who own Sunrise are such great employers, we see little turnover.

Although we are always looking for additional workers. As far as material costs, we have seen an increase in price, and with what’s happening internationally, that is unlikely to change immediately. Now we work to order materials further out from when we need them, and we keep a better inventory,” said Bain.

Bottom line, many construction supplies are in demand, supply is low and transportation costs are high.

Throughout the United States, not just Lake Martin, higher prices are a fact of life, and builders are just as anxious as their customers to have normalcy in the home and dock building process.

Positivity and patience on both the building and homeowner side will go a long way to smoothing the often rough waters.

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LAKE 33

Homes at The Heritage will fit the changing demographics at the lake

The Heritage

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What to expect from the new neighborhood STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY JUSTIN CLAYTON

While actual home designs are still on the drawing board for Russell Lands’ new neighborhood at The Heritage, a well-developed concept for future floor plans and renderings is emerging, said Steve Arnberg, vicepresident of real estate sales for the Lake Martin developer.

“Over the years, we’ve seen a number of designers with very successful designs, from the use of the property in relation to the lake to views of the lake, and those things remain true, but driving the property type is a demographic shift that’s happening now,” Arnberg said. “More people are leaving urban environments and seeking traditionally second-home areas. We are so close to Birmingham, Montgomery and Auburn that more people are moving here on a

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permanent basis.”

That shift to building permanent homes at Lake Martin, as opposed to vacation homes, creates architectural demands that differ from the secondhome floor plans seen in many lake home neighborhoods, like The Ridge and The Willows.

“Closets and bedrooms in second homes tend to be smaller, but now that’s changing. Dining rooms are changing. It calls for us to do something fresh and new,” he said. “We’re pretty excited about it. We have a designer we are working with to help us come up with new concepts on how the homes look.”

Typography also plays an important role in the concept, Arnberg said, as contrary to the steeply sloping shore-

lines of many areas around the lake, the Wicker Point property where The Heritage will be located is relatively flat. The area could better accommodate one-story living or one story with a walkout basement.

A similar design concept was introduced on the lake’s east shoreline in 2018 when Alabama Power collaborated with Nequette Architecture and Design on the Kennebec preservation community. That concept included a cabin community with lake access and a strong connection to the natural, flatter landscape. At the time, architect Louis Nequette described the homes as having lower roof lines in a style that borrowed vernacular length from midcentury modern and Frank Lloyd Wright models.

The scenario offers easier access to the lake for older retired residents who would like to remain in their lake homes through advancing age.

“For the changing demographics, that’s a big deal. It means being able to walk out to the pier without a lot of steps in between. That’s a feature of The Heritage that you don’t see at The Ridge,” Arnberg explained.

Making the most of the changing lake lifestyles requires thinking beyond what Russell Lands is famous for – beautiful craftsman and farmhouse styles with rustic exteriors and heavy timbers, he noted.

“But it still needs to fit at the lake,” he added. “We will need to embrace a wide variety of designs. We do have more people who want to do things a little more modern, but still fit the environment at the lake.”

Embracing new designs on The Heritage property opens the lake to a major upgrade in overall design criteria.

“It’s fun talking about different designs. People are loving the idea of doing something new and different,” Arnberg said. “It allows people to have more rooms that face the water instead of just key rooms with views.

Sometimes, rooms get left out on the hillside design.”

The Heritage lot sizes are expected to average 160 feet instead of an average of 140 feet. That size will allow more privacy between the lots as well as wider designs for homes.

“We’re looking at a minimum of 2,500 square feet as a good starting point. We’re more concerned about houses that look like they fit on the land. We’re making the lots a little wider, so the houses are not so close to each other.”

The more open land and design criteria for the lot size means designers and architects will have a clean slate to work with as they create the next generation of homes on Lake Martin, Arnberg said.

The company will release the first phase of lots this summer and at that time will roll out a visual concept that includes a fresh and exciting overall design criteria that accommodates one-level living but remains true to the environmental and architectural personality of Lake Martin.

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LAKE 35

Working from the lake

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STORY BY KYMBERLY DONOWSKI

Working from home became working and schooling at the lake when COVID-19 shut down city offices and schools two years ago. Lake Martin opened early and stayed open when second-home owners flocked here to escape the virus. Many still have not gone back but instead are setting up permanent residence at the water’s edge. But the work-from-home setting often differs from the work-at-the-lake-on-the-long-weekend setting, and there can be some difficulties in transitioning smoothly, as in maintaining a separation between work and home life. When sailing into the adventure of creating a home office at the lake, barriers and boundaries are essential.

By embracing a more relaxed approach, intentional design placement and even breathing and meditation exercises, those transitions could be clearer and easier.

Having a home office space invites simple pleasures, as well as luxurious ones. The room and desk could be chosen to fit your body’s needs, like the use of a standing desk. In a home office, you have complete control over the air temperature, the strength of the coffee and the art on the walls. Working smarter and more efficiently in a custom space could help to get you back on the water with family and friends more quickly.

A home office space might be dedicated exclusively for work. By developing disciplined and intentional practices, the brain will link the space and work together, making it easier to focus and easier to draw the lines between work and home life. This creates an atmosphere where work-related thoughts and actions can flourish.

Practicing this discipline could look as simple as taking all social calls outside the work space. For instance, if your cousin calls, step outside of the home office to take the call and perhaps make a cup of coffee. Similarly, if you receive a business call in the living room, take the call back to your home office. Creating this physical change could mark the difference between work time and family time.

Listening to music on the drive home from a conventional office, for some people, can help to transition to off-work hours. When working from a home office at the lake, you may find more ways to replicate this cooldown period and signal to your brain that work is over.

One option could be to use that usual commute time to swim in the lake, hit a few golf balls or walk the neigh-

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borhood. For some, a five-minute meditation or breathing exercise might be ideal. For others, a quick boat trip.

After conquering the mental changes of a home office, look to the physical ones. Knowing how to effectively design a productive workspace is vital.

Exploring concepts from color design to feng shui are excellent jumping-off points. Thinking about the color themes in your office space will help the room feel more intentional and defined.

Color affects mood, from calming emotions to increasing productivity, said Lake Martin’s Nan Jackson of Interiors by Nan. “After everything people have been through in the last couple of years, they don’t need a room to look like an institutional room. Calm, soothing colors, not stark colors. You don’t want the paint color to overpower what you are trying to do in the room,” Jackson said.

Soothing blues and blue-greens will draw a touch of nature into the room, she said.

“As for colors for productivity, choose not stark white but another neutral that produces a lot of energy. When you are working, you want energy in a room. Light gray or a soft white with gray in it. Light, light, light. That is refreshing. It makes you feel good.”

Paint companies do an excellent job of pairing their colors to produce particular atmospheres, she said, so looking at their charts might be a good place to start.

Ultimately, your opinion and feeling on what works for you are most important.

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, meaning “wind-water,” purports that the correct placement of an

APRIL 2022

Structure your home office at the lake to better balance lake life and work

item in a room creates a harmonious and happy environment. This philosophy could help you with placement of office furniture – desk, tables, printers, etc. – to promote work flow. For example, placing a desk in line with the doorway would make the desk akin to a boulder, thus abruptly stopping the peaceful flow of energy into the area; however, setting a desk on the opposite wall from the entrance creates pleasing sightlines for you and allows energy flow throughout the space.

Another philosophy of feng shui speaks to the idea of meeting opportunities and challenges head-on with confidence. Symbolically, if your back is to the door, you have your back to opportunities and challenges.

Instead, consider placing your desk and chair diagonally with the door to create the most positive energy. Having a window in your home office can be a blessing but also, possibly frustrating. Watching the boats pass by on the lake could help you feel relaxed, but it also could make you feel as if you are missing out. There are several ways to combat this feeling, including adorning the

windows with beautiful blackout fabric. Out of sight and out of mind might be a simple solution for those occasions when a lake view could be a distraction that delays your getting out there. For the more challenging days, consider mental-health-break timers. Cornell Health’s research shows that even five minutes of not thinking about a problem could help you solve it. When facing a difficult task, give yourself permission to leave the problem in your office for five or 10 minutes while you stroll down to the dock to snap a photo of the kids as they leap into the lake.

Like the water to which so many escaped during the pandemic, you can create flow within your mind and office space with thoughtful design and actions. Working in a home office could provide you with more tools to support the home/worklife balance you dream of. The time invested in your home office design might teach you not only more about yourself but also how to make sure the changes you embrace are better for your family and the life you want to live at Lake Martin.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 37

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LAKE 39

Keep your home secure STORY BY KYMBERLY DONOWSKI

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Whether coming to the lake or leaving after a great time on the water with family and friends, knowing your home and cyber footprint are safe affords a little more peace of mind. The key to enjoying lake time is knowing your home and information are secure. Recent advancements in technology and local internet service at the lake have led to the use of smart home systems; however, keeping that cyber presence secure is just as important as locking the front door on your way out.

Introducing reliable internet at Lake Martin is a rainy day that has turned sunny. Although lack of connectivity once was a draw for coming to the lake, more vacationers and home owners are glad to see the laying of fiber cables around Lake Martin, and home security companies like Electronic Technology Group in Montgomery have found ways to use the internet to make lake life easier and safer.

Thomas Williams of ETG said the better access to internet at the lake has made higher levels of security and usability possible.

Smart home devices could make leaving your lake home for a day of boating – or until the next time you can escape to the lake – feel safer. There are helpful technological tools and applications available to keep your property safe and easy to control.

Smart panels have many possible functions and programmable routines. For example, installing a digital keypad could allow you to lock your doors through a custom smart panel.

Instead of giving the housekeeper, maintenance crew or friends using the house for the weekend a key, issue them a temporary code to enter into the keypad. This temporary code assures you

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that no one can enter your home without your knowledge. Smart panels also automatically change the thermostat in preparation for your visit or close the shutters when inclement weather is on the horizon.

Cyber security for personal computers, mobile devices and smart televisions is imperative with present-day technological demands. Cyber security involves protecting all devices that access or use the internet. Without proper cyber protection, a hacker could gain access to in-home smart panels. Nearly every room in the house has access to the internet, so take simple steps to ensure you are fully protected while taking advantage of smart home control panels.

The simplest form of cyber protection includes makeing sure the software is updated on all devices.

Technology companies understand and value keeping their products and customers safe from hacking. Most companies keep a trained team of computer technicians on staff to specifically test and enhance the security of their devices. Keeping all software updated is an easy first step to safer internet practices.

Changing the default password for your internet router is another step towards a more protected home.

Hackers use programs that scan through possible letter and number combinations, so the longer and more random the password is, the safer. When creating a password, think about a random phrase of more than eight characters. The longer the sentence, the more substantial the security.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has found that even more important than special characters and capitation is the length of the password. Avoid using personal information in the password, such as a family member’s name, date of birth or home address.

Information associated with you or your home could be easily guessed and would not make for a safe password.

The use of personal information could be researched and found.

In addition, no two devices should have the same password. Each device should utilize a new and unique password. Having a long and random password is more important than changing it often.

Many internet-based platforms offer settings for secondary layers of protection called two-step verification.

In addition to providing the correct password, a user must also provide a secondary code. This code might be in a text message, email, phone notification or, in a high level of security application, a secondary app.

Some emailing systems utilize a secondary app that requires a finger print or randomized code as the second verification form.Two-step verification settings offer an excellent added layer of protection; however, be sure all backup emails and phone numbers are up to date. If you forget your password, the backup number or email could be vital to reset your account. You don’t want to accidentally lock yourself out as you make these changes.

Verifying an updated email and phone number could help if you find you’ve forgotten your newly devised

long and random password.

Creating a separate network from the primary internet network or a guest network, is another way to keep devices safe from hacking software. Separating devices, such as thermostats, speakers and light fixtures on the guest network creates a barrier of protection from the main internet hub. If hackers broke into your internet, they would need to also hack into the second network that added a wall of protection. The difficulty of decoding a second network could deter hackers and keep you and your information safe.

Social media, at times, provides a false sense of reality and safety. Remember that what you post on social media is in the cyber cloud forever. Even after a post or picture has been deleted, the platform could have saved a copy in its cloud hub.

In addition, once posted, there is no telling who has seen the post and who has saved it. When posting or sharing pictures, be sure to share sentiments that family, friends and future employers would be proud to see.

In the same light, be leery of posting real-time location information for your safety. Refrain from posting pictures or statements that imply or prove you are not currently in your home. For example, if you want to share beautiful pictures of that Lake Martin sunset or your grandchild landing her first toeside roll, wait until you are back at the lake house to share them.

This leaves social media without an accurate time and location stamp. You never know who is reading your messages, and offering strangers proof of your location could leave you exposed to break-in.

Although the internet allows the fast-paced world into your lake home, it also could potentially keep you and your family safe. Most programs offer options for monitoring device or screen time. Timers could provide control over the amount of time the internet can reach you.

Feel free to put the internet on hold as you share ghost stories around the lakeside fire pit.

Even on hold, your secure internet is working hard in the background to keep you safe.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 41

A makers market showcasing works from artisans from the Lake Martin area and throughout the SouthEast.

Find homemade pottery, jewelry, photography, reclaimed wood décor, painting, metalwork, furniture, and much more!

R u s s e l l L a n d s . c o m

To a p p l y, c o n t a c t H a n n a h H e n l e y a t 2 5 6 . 212 .14 31 o r h he n l e y @ r u s s e l l l a n d s . c o m 42 LAKE

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Welcome to the Heron House STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

J

Joe and Mila Hirsch met each other in kindergarten in Birmingham and have been playing together at Lake Martin ever since. Mila Hirsch’s family has had a home in Parker Creek since those early days when they enjoyed each other’s company, but last year, the couple thought it would be great to have their own place.

“I sent my husband a link from Zillow, and the next thing I knew, he had bought a house – site unseen. It was built in 1983, and I was a little nervous to see it the first time, but we loved it immediately and couldn’t wait to make it ours,” Mila Hirsch said.

The purchase gave them two lots that included two houses and a garage. The first job to tackle became the house by the water. Based on recommendations, they hired builder Jason McDade, owner of McDade House in Eclectic, to handle the custom renovations – adding dark wood plank ceilings to tie into existing ceilings; renovating existing baths and remodeling a room to add a new bath; and painting both the interior and exterior of the house, among other details. McDade will continue with additional building outside the home and the renovation of the other two buildings on the property.

“We were very happy with what the previous owner had already done, but we wanted to remodel some areas and update others. Jason did a beautiful job with all of our ideas and plans.

He worked hand-in-hand with us,” Hirsch said.

Classically trained as an artist, Hirsch has taken a break from painting since COVID-19 interrupted her career, so she is focused on their two young children, decorating for family and the new lake house. She previously worked for a decorator, and the couple love antiquing together, so finding just the right pieces has been exciting for them.

The Hirsches look forward to begin new family traditions at Lake Martin, but they also wanted the share their love of the lake. In addition to using the property to create their own memories, they offer it for rent. Both purposes were kept in mind as they planned and furnished the home.

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An antique ladder installed on the porch holds towels

The Hirsches enjoy collecting antique jugs and urns

The Heron House name was inspired by a painting and a heron living in the slough

A private deck is accessible from the master bedroom

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The main living area features comfortable furnishings on red brick floors

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A soaker tub is the focal point in the master bath

A wooden Dalmation guards the bunk room entrance

The kitchen includes a designated bar area

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The professional kitchen includes red Viking appliances

Tri-fold doors open wide to provide access to the porch

“We love collecting, so finding furniture and just neat things to put in this house has been so much fun. We found a heron print on Etsy, perfect for the living room, and decided to call this the Heron House. Everything has revolved around that. When we renovate the other house, it will be called The Nest,” she said.

The living and dining areas have vintage red brick floors.

The previous owners had added a professional kitchen, including red Viking appliances – the refrigerator, a range with six burners and a griddle, plus the hood. A pot rack hangs from the ceiling in one corner. Open shelving and glass doors are above the granite countertops with closed cabinets below. The dining table seats six with light from a unique fixture found at Circa Antiques in Mountain Brook.

The living area has a large creamy sectional from King’s Furniture in Alexander City and a hide-covered square ottoman in front of the tremendous stone fireplace. A caribou from Irondale Pickers is mounted above. The Hirsches repurposed a cypress pedestal from a glass topped dining table to serve as a side table. In addition, vintage animal skin rugs scattered throughout add another rustic touch to the rooms.

Hirsch had the sofa pillows handmade from an African fabric she found. Joe Hirsch enjoys finding old jugs and churns, and his collection can be seen throughout the living area.

Tri-folding glass doors lead to a screened porch across the back of the house that closely mirrors the space of the living room, including the stone fireplace. A comfortable seating area invites guests to feel porch breezes, while a table and four chairs sit on each side of the sofa. An outdoor kitchen with a grill, ice maker and refrigerator is easily accessible from inside the home and out. An antique ladder was installed against one wall to hang beach towels for easy access to the lake.

The repurposed wine cellar is now a powder room in the hallway. The brightly colored wallpaper with insects, fruit and foliage from Amsterdam was inspired by their daughter's love for lizards and gives the room a bit of whimsy. A bamboo framed mirror with vertical light bar sconces were installed above the floating vanity, which she found at Lolo French Antiques in Birmingham. A downstairs laundry room has easy access in the downstairs hallway.

Two guestrooms are downstairs. Bunk beds from Michigan Rustics are placed in an L-shape to fit the corner of one room. One accent wall is painted Windsor Green and a chandelier with wooden beads hangs from the wooden ceiling. An old cedar chest is painted the same green, and the top allows space for a wooden tray next to a few items that lend a nod to the cowboy life. A large wooden Dalmatian greets guests by the door.

The newly added bathroom has a vanity from Stuart’s with two large rectangular sinks added on top. Patterned ceramic tile on the floor gives the impression of a rug. Navy handglazed subway tile at chair-rail height throughout the bathroom and surrounding the shower makes a crisp contrast with the white walls and hexagonal white shower floor tiles. The mixed media art on the wall is courtesy of Hirsch.

“I was painting a feather for the space but decided I didn’t like it, so I put dry wall spackle over the canvas and created the design with a hair comb. I have painted only a couple of APRIL 2022

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The well-appointed outdoor kitchen includes a grill, ice maker and refrigerator

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other things in the house – the arch painted over the headboard in one guest room and the geometric painting in the master,” she said.

The downstairs master was large enough to add a dresser from Stuart’s Antiques at the end of the bed, making it a footboard of sorts.

Cypress lamps are on each side of the bed.

The Hirsches decided to utilize one of two closets in the room as the hiding place for a television.

A natural grass wall hanging is large enough to be of sufficient size for one wall.

The bathroom has white subway tile to the chair-rail height with marble for the floor and shower. The double vanity includes a white, quartz countertop. A painting by Vicky Denaburg is one of Hirsch’s favorite pieces.

The upstairs is entirely devoted to the master bedroom, which has access to a private deck. A mounted kudu head with antlers watches over the four-poster bed while vintage hides are strategically placed on the floor.

An extra-deep upholstered bench sits at the end and extends the width of the bed. To balance having a window over one side table, Hirsch placed a mirror over the other side table. Two white linen chaise lounges, cypress pedestal between, provide the perfect draw to relax in the sitting area under a sloped ceiling.

The tops of two matching Sligh dressers, great finds at Avondale Antiques, were painted Urbane Bronze to match the interior doors, providing continuity of color.

The luxurious master bathroom has large windows, a shower with three walls of glass and a double vanity in an L-shape covering two additional walls. White, hand-glazed subway tile is on the walls up to the chair rail, while marble floors and shower wall complete the impressive picture. An additional full laundry room is upstairs, just off the bedroom, for convenience.

Landscaping will be done this spring by Joe Hirsch’s father, Rick Hirsch, who is a landscape designer. Along with a floating dock and boathouse, Hirsch plans to add two additional structures outside, which McDade will construct.

“I am calling these land docks. Since by law we cannot go further into the water, I want docks that are on the land but right to the water’s edge with sun sails for shade.

They will be great hangout places right by the water,” Hirsch said.

Summer McDade manages rental availability of the home at summeratthelakehouse.com.

Chaise lounges were added to the master sitting area

A bamboo mirror and whimsical wallpaper are featured in the powder room

A screened porch overlooks the dock and boat slip

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APRIL 2022

LAKE 53

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APRIL 8-9 0.99

% RATES AS LOW AS LOGO*APR

UP TO 60 MONTHS! NUMEROUS LOCAL DEALERS! Join us as we partner with local dealers for our 12TH ANNUAL Car Sale Event.

We will have a team onsite to assist with questions and financing. The two-day event is happening at our main office on HWY 280 - but don’t forget we can also help with your auto re-financing needs at any of our five locations from April 1-30.

Trust us - you don’t want to miss this opportunity! Get pre-approved today by calling, visiting us online, or coming by one of our branches.

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates as low as 0.99% on new purchases April 1-9. Special refinancing rates available all month. All loans subject to credit approval.

Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. HSCU does not warrant, guarantee, or insure any product or service offered or provided by any dealership. HSCU and participating dealers are separate entities. Contact the Credit Union for further information.

Federally Insured by the NCUA.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 55

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

The Cottonmouth is so named because its white mouth is a key warning when the snake is threatened

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Cottonmouth

“C

ottonmouth” and “Water Moccasin” are two names for the same creature, a snake that is common here in the Lake Martin area and commonly regarded among the most feared creatures that share the lake with us.

But the fear of venomous snakes is way out of proportion with reality: many more Americans die from boating accidents, lightning strikes and insect bites every year. In fact, every betting man would be impressed with the one in 50 million odds that any American will succumb to a venomous snake bite in a given year.

They say the way to conquer fear is to learn more about it – so let’s get to know this snake.

Adult Cottonmouths can be up to 6 feet long, often with thick girths. The biggest challenge with identifying a Cottonmouth is that its coloring varies considerably, from almost solid black to brown or olive. All colors of snakes will also exhibit irregular banding and spots across their backs that often becomes less obvious as the snake ages. Cottonmouths have a thick, triangular

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head that is flat on top and wider than its neck. They have a dark stripe that tends to hide their eyes.

Like other pit vipers, the Cottonmouth has obvious depressions on both sides of its snout between its eyes and nostrils. Young Cottonmouths are lighter colored reddishbrown with highly visible banding, and very young snakes have sulfur yellow tails.

In Alabama, there are a number of water snakes that are often confused with Cottonmouths.

To distinguish a resting Cottonmouth from a water snake from a distance, look at the angle of its head.

Cottonmouths often rest with their snouts pointed upward, while water snakes rest with their heads flat. A swimming Cottonmouth usually floats with its whole body on top of the water, while a water snake generally swims with its body submerged and its head on top of the water. If you get close enough to see its eyes, a Cottonmouth has vertical pupils while a water snake has round pupils. And of course, if you see a snake with an upward facing, gaping white mouth, it’s a good bet that you’re looking at Cottonmouth.

The Cottonmouth, known scientifically as Agkistrodon piscivorus, is native to the southeastern U.S. from Virginia to Texas and north to southern Missouri and Indiana.

There are three subspecies of Cottonmouths, named for where they are found in the range: the eastern, western and Florida cottonmouths. In Alabama, scientists have discovered interbreeding between the three subspecies.

These snakes are semi-aquatic and are almost always found in or around water, from big water like Lake Martin to tiny streams, swamps, river bottoms, ditches and even salt marshes and bays. They tend to be solitary and stay in a home range of about 4 acres. Males grow larger and have larger home ranges than females, and as a snake grows, its range expands.

If these snakes survive to adulthood, they can live a

long time. The oldest documented Cottonmouth lived 24-1/2 years.

Cottonmouths are active day and night, often basking in the sun on logs or at the water’s edge.

They hunt mostly at night, especially in the heat of summer, for fish like bass and catfish and small mammals, but they also eat insects, birds, frogs, turtles, eggs and other snakes. Most of the time, a Cottonmouth will strike at its prey, extending its fangs, which are normally flattened against the roof of its mouth, to inject venom as it bites. It will either wrap the prey in its coils and hold it until it dies or release the bite and let the prey run off and die before tracking it. Once dinner has succumbed, a Cottonmouth will open its mouth very wide – unhinging its jaw bones – and swallow the prey headfirst.

The list of creatures that kill Cottonmouths is short and includes birds of prey, dogs, cats and snapping turtles, and it is usually only small snakes that are preyed upon.

Humans account for a substantial percentage of adult Cottonmouth deaths.

Cottonmouths mate in early summer. Males sometimes compete, “dancing” with heads and upper bodies held up out of the water to attract females. Females will bear from one to 20 live young snakes every two to three years.

When a Cottonmouth is approached and feels threatened, it typically holds still and relies on its camouflage.

If that doesn’t work, the snake will often raise its tail and shake it like a rattlesnake, making a rustling noise since it doesn’t actually have any rattles. The next step in selfdefense is how this snake got its name: It will flip its head back and open its mouth wide, flashing the “cotton” white interior. Other water snakes have light or whitish colors inside their mouths. But they don't issue a stay-away warning that includes an ultra-wide, gaping white mouth pointing toward the sky. Cottonmouths may make a hissing sound to go along with that warning display.

A Cottonmouth usually rests with its head held at an upward angle

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Cottonmouths also have the ability to spray a nastysmelling musk to deter predators. When all else fails, the snake will strike and bite an aggressor. About half of the bites are called “dry bites” where no venom is injected.

The other half of the time the snake does inject venom through its needle-sharp fangs. Scientists have found that Cottonmouths inject less venom in a defensive bite than when biting prey animals.

While many people are terrified of getting bitten by a Cottonmouth, the U.S. mortality statistics involving wildlife show you are roughly 100 times more likely to lose your life in a vehicle that strikes a deer than getting bitten by a venomous snake. That’s for the entire U.S., including big cities.

In the Lake Martin area, our very high Whitetail Deer population would increase the odds substantially.

Cottonmouth bites rarely result in death, especially if they are treated medically, though some people do get seriously ill or suffer irreversible damage from bites.

If you are bitten by a Cottonmouth, move quickly out of the snake’s striking distance. Call 911 immediately and watch for swelling, pain and color changes at the site of the bite. If you have a pen, mark the leading of the swelling and write the time alongside the mark. If you have a cell phone, take a photo of the snake, as proper identification of the snake will help with treatment. Try to keep calm and relatively still to slow the spread of venom, and try to position the bite below the level of your heart while heading for medical help. It is best to get another person to drive you to the hospital, as sometimes bite victims get dizzy and pass out. Remove anything like jewelry or tight clothing before swelling starts. Clean the wound with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Despite what you may have seen in a movie, modern medical advice is to not apply heat or ice or a tourniquet and do not try to cut the wound or suck out the venom.

Do not drink alcohol or caffeine that could speed up your body’s absorption of venom and do not take pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen.

Many emergency rooms stock antivenin drugs and the sooner antivenin therapy begins, the sooner tissue damage from the venom can be arrested.

Russell Medical in Alexander City stocks the antivenin CroFab, according to Dr. Michele Goldhagen, the chief medical officer at Russell Medical and is boarded in Emergency Medicine. She said CroFab treats all pit viper bites, including Cottonmouths, Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.

“When the weather warms up and it’s bright and sunny … we see a bump in snake bites then. That’s usually

Cottonmouths and Copperheads,” Goldhagen said, adding that rattlesnake bites tend to come later in the summer.

“Some of the worst snake bites I’ve seen are from baby snakes because their venom is more concentrated,” Goldhagen said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 6,000 to 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year. The number of people who died from snakebites – from all species of venomous snakes in the U.S. – has ranged from zero to six per year in recent years.

Herpetologists (scientists who study reptiles) will tell you that the Cottonmouth’s reputation for being aggressive is way overblown. One study showed that the snakes rarely bite in self-defense: No snake in the study struck at a researcher who walked up and stood beside it, only one in five Cottonmouths tried to bite a person who intentionally stepped on it and only a This snake's flat, triangular third tried to bite a researcher head is larger than its neck who actually picked it up.

However, there are hundreds of stories about Cottonmouths that appear to act aggressively toward people.

Years ago, I saw a large Cottonmouth about 30 yards away swimming fast across a pond where I was fishing with a friend. The snake turned its head when it saw us, stopped swimming and floated on the water for a moment; then, it made a 90-degree turn and came right toward us, crawling out of the water and up onto the shore. Neither the Cottonmouth or my fishing pole survived the incident, and while I have no idea why it came toward us, it certainly seemed aggressive at the time. But that could have been a coincidence. Researchers have said Cottonmouths on the move will show little regard to humans who get in their way, actually crawling over their boots to reach their goal.

That brings me to a second personal story. Last year while hiking on a CRATA trail just south of Martin Dam, I jumped across a small stream and landed right beside a coiled Cottonmouth that I didn’t see until I was in the air.

That snake didn’t move a muscle, which is in line with what most experts would expect.

That said, it is a safe bet to give every Cottonmouth a wide berth, whether you’re afraid of it or not.

Some information for this article came from The Animal Diversity Web, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory of the University of Georgia, The University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation and the Mayo Clinic.

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How to interview a real estate agent

O

we lost friends just because I wanted to cash in on a theoretical easy commission?

I had my real estate license and was legally able to perfect. help them. But should I have been the agent to help My wife and I were friends with this couple that them? were from down there but lived in Montgomery at The way Alabama real estate law works has some the time. They decided that they wanted to buy a beach bearing here. There is one department of the state govcondo. They let me know that they knew Orange Beach ernment that handles real estate law. It is the Alabama super well, since they had been going there for years.

Real Estate Commission. This commission oversees all They had narrowed it down to a couple of different of the legal aspects of the real estate law in the state buildings and were ready to buy. Since I was licensed, – exams, continuing education, licensing, agent ethics they reasoned, and the like; therefore, why didn’t I just when a person sits for tag along, show (and hopefully passes) them the condos and the real estate exam, write up the offer? that person has a stateARE YOU A MEMBER I get a weekend at wide license. Someone OF THE LOCAL MLS? the beach; they get that is a licensed real their condo; and they estate salesperson in help their buddy Alabama could legally (me) get some easy sell a home in Arab, commission money. I Alabama, just as ARE YOU THE BEST accepted their invite legally as they could a and started packing home in Andalusia.

AGENT TO HELP ME my bathing suit and We agents get this AT LAKE MARTIN? my zinc oxide. question a lot, “Can The problems you sell in (fill in started when I tried to the blank place in prepare for the busiAlabama)?”

HOW LONG HAVE YOU ness side of the trip.

The operative BEEN SELLING THERE? They had forwarded word in the question me some ads of the is ‘can.’ The answer condo units that they is always, “yes,” from liked. Some came a legal standpoint. furnished. Some had As mentioned above, HOW MANY PROPERTIES boat slips, and some any agent that is HAVE YOU SOLD didn’t. Some were licensed in Alabama HERE RECENTLY? near a marina they is licensed for the liked; some were out entire state and can near Fort Morgan. legally sell anywhere Some units allowed in the state. rentals, and that was A better question CAN YOU SELL supposed to add value. for a consumer to IN ORANGE BEACH? Some buildings did ask, in my opinion, not allow rentals, and is “Are you the best that was supposed agent to help me to add value, too. in (fill in the blank My head was spinning. I was lost and suddenly felt place in Alabama)?” totally inadequate to help them. What if they bought a The best-agent-to-help-me question should lead to a condo and ended up hating it? What if it was because lot more questions like, “How long have you been sellof some reason that we could have and should have dis- ing there?” “How many properties have you sold there covered in our research? What if they ended up blaming recently?” and “Are you a member of the local MLS?” me because I didn’t know what I was doing? What if The MLS question is really another way to ask,

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ne of the first couple of years I had my real estate license, I got invited to go to the beach.

Orange Beach, Alabama, in fact. It sounded

APRIL 2022

“Do you have access to all of the latest a real estate agent, they should place information of properties for sale now, a heavy priority on access to the most and what properties have sold for in the accurate and most current information past?” about that market. I think any agent Maybe now it is appropriate to talk serious about helping people in an area more about the term MLS. It stands for should be serious enough to be a member “Multiple Listing Service.” There are of the MLS in that area. To consider the many different MLSs across the state and inverse, lack of membership indicates a the nation. The National Association of lack of seriousness, in my opinion.

Realtors defines MLS as, “… a private That is why if I were a consumer, one offer of cooperation and compensation by of the first questions (among many) that listing brokers to other real estate brokers I would ask when interviewing an agent LAKE PROPERTY … MLSs are private databases that are would be, “Are you a member of the

BY JOHN COLEY created, maintained and paid for by real local MLS?” estate professionals to help their clients My answer in the above Orange Beach buy and sell property.” It is a really big subject, but example was, “No, I am not a member of the MLS for the purposes of this article, just remember that any down at the beach.” local MLS (like Lake Martin’s) is owned and operated I ended up helping them find an excellent agent by the local association of Realtors. down there. He helped them look around and actuThe association of Realtors is a professional ally suggested a property that was more suited to their organization. It is voluntary. It is not legally necesneeds than the ones they had found themselves. They sary to be a member of the National Association bought it and were extremely happy. I was glad I of Realtors or a local unit like the Lake Martin referred them to the agent and learned a big lesson Area Association of Realtors; however, membership that has stuck with me to this day. has many benefits to agents and even more benefits to the people that those agents serve. So many, in fact, John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin that I can’t cover them here in this space.

Voice Realty. Contact him at john@lakemartinvoice.com.

My point is that it is important for anyone considering buying or selling real estate to understand that a local MLS is the most accurate database for that area. I cannot say all, but I can say that about 99 percent of all real estate sales information starts at the MLS level. Since the MLS is not government owned but is owned privately by the local Realtor association, each agent must decide to be a member. Each agent must decide whether or not to have access to that information.

At this point, you might be thinking about Zillow. You might wonder why anyone needs the MLS when they can just look on Zillow. Guess where Zillow gets its information? Yep, the local MLS. Zillow (and the like) are not originators of real estate sales data, only aggregators. There is many a slip between the cup and the lip, and that is why sites like Zillow are so rife with inaccuracies. So many, in fact, that I would need a lot more space to cover that phenomenon.

If you don’t believe me, just look your own home up right now.

This is why I think that if consumers are seeking the help of

APRIL 2022

LAKE 61

A New Swim Alert Plan E

agerly awaiting another summer of fun in the beyond. Swim Guide is a web-based one-stop shop for sun and in the water, Lake Watch of Lake Martin swimming-area water quality information and the most remains committed to protecting our lake and popular beach information service in the world. It proall who recreate in the lake. Last fall, Lake Watch vides free up-to-date water quality information for more tested and reported high E. coli for the first time in the than 8,000 beaches, lakes, rivers and swimming holes lake upstream of the U.S. Route 280 Bridge, above throughout North America and several other countries. the lake’s confluence with Coley Creek. We sent out a Our Swim Alert sites will be locations that are regucall for help to recruit more water monilarly used for swimming and typically tors and, to our delight, around 30 people have a swim beach, such as Wind Creek answered the call. Since then, 17 have State Park, DARE Park, Camp Alamisco gone through training and been certified and Camp ASCCA or swimming areas

by Alabama Water Watch in either bacteon streams like the one at Hillabee Creek riological monitoring or water chemistry above the state Route 22 bridge. We plan monitoring, or both. This new batch of to monitor the sites regularly and will volunteers more than doubles the number promptly post the results on the Swim of water monitors we now have on the lake Guide website. We plan to sample monthly and its watershed. and after significant rain events. The postYou may wonder – what’s the big deal rain event sampling is particularly imporLAKE WATCH about a few bacteria in the lake? A few are tant since that is when we typically find

BY ERIC REUTEBUCH not such a big deal, but when you get 100s higher levels of bacterial contamination in to 1000s per cup of lake water, and they are the streams, the river and the lake. This is E. coli from feces of warm-blooded animals or humans, because of fecal material flushing off the landscape into that becomes a problem – a public health problem. the water with runoff during rain events.

If contacted and ingested (by swallowing some conWe plan to feature the Swim Guide postings on a taminated water), E. coli may result in serious illness, Swim Alert webpage on our website (www.lakewatch. including fever, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarorg). The page, featuring the latest bacteriological test rhea, anemia, dehydration, renal failure, seizures and results, will be shared with Lake Martin Homeowners even death (www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/ and Boat Owners Association, Lake Martin Resource article.htm). E. coli could certainly ruin a weekend on Association, municipalities and others, so results will the lake. be widely available to the public in a timely manner.

Lake Watch has identified about 20 strategic sites Our bacteriological test results will be posted as on the lake, streams and the Tallapoosa River flowing easy-to-interpret icons used by Swim Guide: green into the lake to assign to these new monitors. Several for safe – go swimming; and red for not safe – stop of these will be Swim Alert sites that we will upload to and consider swimming elsewhere since the water is the Swim Guide at www.theswimguide.org. We plan to contaminated with E. coli. Following the Alabama use Swim Guide as the medium to broadcast bacterioDepartment of Environmental Management standard, logical test results to the Lake Martin community and an E. coli concentration above 235 per 100 milliliters

62 LAKE

APRIL 2022

(approximately a cup of water) is unsafe for human contact.

View an example of a Swim Guide beach webpage for Lake Jackson in Florala, Alabama, that reported safe swimming conditions at www.theswimguide.org/ beach/5394. The green swim icon tells you that bacterial contamination (E. coli) was below the level that would be a health risk to swimmers. Note: The icon indicates ‘historical status.’ When viewing Swim Guide reports, check the date below the icon for when the water was tested – the most recent Florala data was from October 2021 (bacteriological testing in Alabama at swim areas isn’t usually done in the winter, as folks aren’t swimming then).

We believe the Swim Alert will help keep everyone safer as we work to resolve bacterial contamination issues that arise. We anticipate that the vast majority of the time throughout the lake, we will not find significant contamination in the water since our lake is a very clean lake. But when contamination is detected, we want to protect the public as best we can through Swim Alert, so folks could avoid contaminated waters.

Our ultimate goal beyond Swim Alert is to work toward tracking down bacterial contamination sources as they occur and resolving them at their sources. For updates on all of Lake Watch’s efforts, join us at our annual meeting on April 24. Visit our website for details. I hope to see you there.

Eric Reutebuch is president of Lake Watch Lake Martin.

Learn more at lakewatch.org.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 63

The Benefits of Beans T

here is very good reason the consumption of beans 1/2 cup of beans per day could improve diet by increasis supported by the American Diabetes Association, ing the intake of fiber, protein, zinc, iron, magnesium the American Heart Association and the American and potassium when decreasing intake of saturated and Cancer Association. Research has shown that bean total fat. It is interesting to note that less than 8 percent of consumption could greatly improve the quality of the Americans consume dry or canned beans on a daily basis.

American diet. The recommendation of eating at least The soluble fiber in beans helps to suppress the appeone cup of beans two to three times weekly has shown tite and manage blood sugars. Dry beans are sodium free; to reduce chronic disease, like diabetes, cancer and heart however, to reduce the sodium in canned beans, buy nodisease. Canned or dried beans are an affordable source salt-added versions and rinse the beans prior to consumpof protein, carbohydrates, fiber, folate, potastion. Beans are also rich in antioxidants. sium, magnesium and antioxidants. The fiber Whole grains, like beans, have been shown and protein content make beans one of the to improve diet quality and reduce the risk of powerful superfoods. cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, as Beans help stabilize blood sugar levels. well as improve weight management and gasFiber and protein move through the digestive trointestinal health. Pairing beans and whole tract at a slow rate, thus converting to sugar grains will add shape, texture, colors and size at a slow rate, which helps with weight loss, to any dish. Beans and whole grains can be blood sugar control and staying healthy. used in hot or cold entrees, side dishes, or salBeans contain a compound called alphaads. An interesting side note: Corn is thought amylase inhibitors that reduce the activity of of as a vegetable when actually it is a grain the alpha-amylase enzyme or starch blockand counts for a whole grain serving. ers. This is important because this enzyme is Anyone not eating dairy, chicken, beef, HEALTHY LIVING pork or fish, could benefit from combining involved in the rapid breakdown of food into

BY JULIE HUDSON simple sugars. If this activity is slowed down, beans with whole grains. Beans and grains are this will improve the blood sugar roller coastincomplete proteins. Combining them makes er to achieve long-term health and optimal weight. a complete protein that could replace an animal protein The high fiber content in beans helps to reduce cholessource. Beans and grains combined deliver complementary terol and heart disease. The human body needs healthy proteins, an increased source of fiber, and provide better complex carbohydrates to thrive. The soluble fiber in nutrition. beans is imperative to promoting healthy gut flora, which The more beans to grain ratio, the better. Studies have preserves a healthy digestive tract. The fiber mix from shown that even when eating refined grains (white rice) beans produces a healthy acid for the lining of the colon. with beans, there is a positive effect on blood sugar levels Healthy gut bacteria foster healthy immune function, compared to eating rice alone. Studies have shown black as well. Beans protect the body against chronic diseases beans and pinto beans lowered blood sugar the most. because they are rich in important antioxidants and antiAnother surprising outcome of studies has shown that coninflammatory compounds. suming beans on a regular basis has a preventative effect.

The only down side to eating beans, it is the flatulence The health benefits of beans cannot be disputed. From or “gas” that could be created. Soak dried beans for severhealth and nutrition to convenience, affordability, great al hours to decrease the components that contribute to gas. taste and variety, beans are a choice of excellent value.

Canned beans are more convenient and produce less gas.

The most widely recognized and used beans are kidAdd beans to the diet slowly and drink ney, pinto and navy beans. For a different taste and color plenty of water to avoid mix, try adding lima, cannellini, garbanzo, great northern, excess gas issues. broad, black and fava beans into the mix. Beans can be One (1/2 cup) incorporated into already established favorite recipes. A serving of chili recipe could become three bean chili. Bean dips could beans supbe made with any pureed bean in place of pinto beans. plies about Add beans and whole grains to tacos, soups, pasta and the same salads or use beans as a side dish. Experiment with whole amount of grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat couscous protein (7 or farro, buckwheat, barley and sorghum. grams) as 1 ounce Julie Judson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness of chicken, Center in Dadeville. pork or fish.

Con-suming 64 LAKE

APRIL 2022

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad Serves 6 1-1/2 cups quinoa 2-1/4 cups water 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained 1-1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 1-1/2 cups cooked corn kernels, fresh or frozen or canned 1 red bell pepper, seeded, chopped 4 scallions, chopped 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped 1/3 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/4 teaspoon dried cumin 1/3 cup olive oil Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve under cold water until water runs clear. Put quinoa in a pot with 2-1/4 cups water. Bring to boil; then, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Fluff quinoa with a fork and transfer to a large bowl to cool.

While the quinoa is cooking, in a small bowl toss the

beans with vinegar, salt and pepper.

Combine beans, corn, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, cayenne and cilantro with cooled quinoa and toss well.

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, salt and cumin. Slowly pour in the oil while whisking. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well.

The salad can be prepared one day in advance, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 65

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66 LAKE

APRIL 2022

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APRIL 2022

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LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE

LAKE 67

Where it began

68 LAKE

APRIL 2022

I

t seems like yesterday to me, but as I began There is a ring of truth in Welles’ characterizathis article I realized that if you are not firmly tion and the influence of Paul Masson. Winemaking into your 40s or older, it may as well be is more than squeezing grape juice into a bottle and ancient history. We won’t go back too far, but the calling it wine. On the low end today, it certainly whole experience of wine is seeded in time. The seems that neither time nor craft are always imporessence of wine is time; craftsmanship and legacy are tant factors. Under the proper conditions, most wines linked with time. will improve, to some degree, with time. All too You may not remember the Paul Masson ads from often, we don’t give them that chance. Most wines the 1978-81 era, but your parents and are consumed within 48 hours of purgrandparents will. The late Orson Welles chase. Those that are meant to be held (1915-1985) played the part of himself are usually drinkable but would be so as the pitchman for the brand, promising, much better with a little bottle ageing.

“We will sell no wine before its time.”

Wineries often store these wines for an It was a powerful and compelling mesadditional period before release to the sage from one of the most formidable market. Older wines could be found and actors, directors, writers and filmmakers the availability of wines that taste good in the industry. Beyond his larger-thanbecause they are made with care is huge. life persona and booming baritone voice, Finding and holding onto older wines Welles was best known for his 1941 film is not easy, but I personally enjoy buildmasterpiece, Citizen Kane, and a radio ing verticals whenever possible. A wine adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel The War vertical is simply one from different FROM THE CELLAR vintages. Three successive years is comof the Worlds, which sent listeners into a

BY HENRY FOY panic believing that Earth had truly been mon, but it could be just two, and they invaded by Martians. don’t necessarily have to be consecutive.

Paul Masson, a young French immigrant, was They should be from the same winery or chateau. one of the earliest pioneers of the domestic wine The thrill comes with recognizing characteristics industry, beginning his career in the early 1880s unique to that wine and how the flavors develop as the winemaker for Almaden Vineyard and Wine over time. On the downside, tasting wine from three Company, California’s oldest commercial winery. bottles is a lot of wine. You may want to call in a few The ads featuring Welles emphasized the excellence friends. Holding a single bottle until its peak can be and sophistication of the wines. In a very elegant very gratifying. fashion, Welles compared the making of a fine wine When you find an older wine in a store or in the to the time and effort it took Beethoven to create back of your wine cabinet, first verify that it has been great music and for Margaret Mitchell to craft her properly stored and is of a vintage that falls into an novel, Gone With the Wind. Welles convincingly acceptable age range for that grape variety or region. asserted that Paul Masson wines tasted so good A white Burgundy, for example, will age much betbecause they were made with such care. ter than a California Chardonnay despite the fact that But the brand suffered immeasurably from its they are the same grape. Red wines typically age betimage as a low-end wine. It was just that, but strugter than whites, and Cabernets fair better over time gled on until wine production finally ceased in 2018. than Pinot Noirs. Ask about current vintages: Is this A wide range of inexpensive brandies under the Paul 2016 Cain Five or Silver Oak a recent release or has Masson name are still available. it been sitting on the shelf for a while? Has the bottle In today’s context, we might be inclined to snicker been lying down or standing up and for how long? at the thought of Paul Masson as fine wine. To some Paul Masson’s promise to sell no wine before its extent, what I have described is shrewd and effectime was more than clever marketing. It foreshadtive marketing, but on the other hand, consider the owed a trend in wine consumption that continues to stage of development of the domestic wine industry give us great wine, not only from California but also in the late ’70s. The Paris Wine Tasting, known as from around the world. Having been well crafted, the Judgment of Paris, which destroyed the notion these are the wines that need a little time – and they that fine wine only came from France, was held in are so good.

1976. As late as the ’60s, Mateus Rosé and Lancer’s, in a clay bottle, had been the top selling wines Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine in America. With our limited exposure and availabiland Spirits at 128 Calhoun St. in downity to fine wine, Paul Masson helped pave the way town Alexander City. Call 256.212.WINE(9463) for what we enjoy today. Whether real or hype, his for current hours and directions. Email emporiumconcept of craft, quality and legacy verbalized what wine128@gmail.com for access to regular notices of many winemakers were doing. Honestly: No April wine specials and other events. fool jokes this year.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 69

Flourless Chocolate Torte Flourless Chocolate Torte Ingredients

Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

Directions

Directions

2 pounds bittersweet chocolate 2 cups unsalted butter 1 dozen eggs 1/2 cup sugar

Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Place the eggs in a bowl and place atop another double boiler. Whisk eggs constantly over the steam until eggs read 105 degrees.

Place whisked eggs in a fine mesh strainer and move around until all falls through to remove any cooked or scrambled egg out of the mix. Place eggs in a mixing bowl and add the sugar. Whisk until tripled in volume, about five minutes. Fold the egg mixture into the chocolate carefully.

Place the chocolate into a baking dish and place a larger dish underneath to hold water. You’re making a double boiler to bake in.

Bake at 350 degrees for five minutes uncovered; and then, another 10 minutes covered with foil.

Check with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If still wet, bake for another five or 10 more minutes until the toothpick comes out clean.

CHEF'S TABLE

BY PETE MCKENNY

70 LAKE

1 pound milk chocolate chips 3-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or 1 whole bean, scraped Heat the chips in a bowl over a double boiler until melted. Warm the heavy cream and the vanilla up to just before boiling. You do not want the cream to come to a boil.

Look for small bubbles starting to move around the edges.

Add the cream to the chocolate and stir to combine. Place in an ice bath until it reaches 45 degrees. Once chilled, whip the chocolate mixture by hand until it fluffs up.

Pete McKenny, chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at fourstar 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 12 years ago.

APRIL 2022

APRIL 2022

LAKE 71

Choose wisely

I

recently fished a Major League Fishing first pass with a particular crankbait, he had Bass Pro Tour event on one of the best little to no success. Then, he made a change, lakes in the country. Lake Fork, Texas, is whether through gut instincts or just to give known for having big bass, and it lived it a shot before leaving. That change proved up to that expectation, even in some pretty worth $100,000 and a big trophy. His decibrutal conditions. sion was to go to a bait with a larger profile I caught a few using the forward sonar that ran a little deeper. It had a much stronand a jerkbait, but what seemed to be a solid ger deflection when it crashed into the old crankbait bite was more promising. During stump roots under the water. That triggered the event, I fished the same small area on the fish to bite better than anything else three different days, and ultimately, the tourthey’d seen. The anatomy of his bait was the nament was won on that exact spot; however, difference between just catching a few and I missed the potential of it somehow. Other unlocking a winning pattern.

BIG CATCHES anglers fished that area as well, so that group Here are a few terms that we hear often

BY GREG VINSON of winning fish had seen everything – flipabout different baits, what they mean and ping baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and how they appeal to the fish. crankbaits. I know, because I tried them all and had some (Water) Displacement success with each. I’m sure other anglers passing through This is one of the most difficult for terrestrial humans did much of the same. to fully understand. Displacement refers to how much When Alton Jones Jr. rolled in on the final day of the water the bait can move as it’s retrieved. Fish have an event, we witnessed the full potential of that spot. On his extra sense via their lateral line that can finely detect this 72 LAKE

APRIL 2022

displacement of water and tell if it’s something of interest. A jig will displace a lot more water than a shaky head worm.

A vibrating jig will displace more water than a standard jig. Any of these baits could be really good and better than the others, depending on the mood of the fish, the type of forage they’re feeding on, etc. As it turned out, the square bill crankbait with which Alton Jr. won displaced a lot more water than the flat sided crankbait that was successful for me during the early days of the event.

Even more technical is how the water flows across the bait. It’s still displacement, but I think bass recognize the signature that’s created as the water rolls across the bait body and the turbulence it creates.

One extreme example is the spybait. It’s a small, subsurface bait that has tiny props. Other than the props turning, it has little to no action and would displace hardly any water.

The props put off a subtle turbulence under the water, and that triggers bites from some of the most wary fish.

Profile

The profile of a bait is the presence that it has in the water. Larger profile baits usually are larger baits. A fullskirted jig with a large trailer has a bigger profile than a finesse jig with a small trailer.

Action

The action of the bait is how it moves as it falls or on the retrieve. A flat-sided crankbait has a tighter wiggle action, while a wide body, wide-billed crankbait has a bigger wobble action. Both are good. Recognizing when to try one or the other is tricky, as I recently learned at Lake Fork. Generally, the tighter action baits work well in tough conditions, mimicking smaller prey, or when dealing with fish that have been under heavy fishing pressure.

I’m hesitant to mention the last one because it was just the opposite at Lake Fork. Those fish preferred the stronger action of a squarebill instead of the flat-sided bait.

Maybe it was just something different, but likely it had to do with our next bait property.

Deflection

The term deflection is often used to describe how a bait bounces off cover when it makes contact. The best example is with crankbaits, but it applies to pretty much any bait that will make contact with cover during the retrieve.

Thinner rounded-billed crankbaits have subtle deflection when they run into rocks, stumps, etc. In contrast, wider squarebills will have a very hard bounce. This keeps them from hanging as much, too. Both are very good at times, and it simply comes down to letting the fish tell you which one is right that day.

An example of another bait that employs deflection is a football jig. A jig with a football-shaped head will make hard contact with anything it hits. As it’s retrieved, it rolls up and kicks off the cover. Compare that with a traditional casting jig or swimming jig that glides across cover with very little change in direction. Once again, each of these can be very good. It’s important to consider what it’s doing when it makes contact and how that deflection may help or hurt in getting bites.

Sound

Sound is simply what the fish hear from your bait.

Some have small BBs that make high-pitched sounds.

Others have larger balls that make knocking sounds. Some baits are basically silent except for the clicks they make as they contact cover.

A noisy bait can call fish from a long distance or get their attention in dirty water. Choppy conditions from wind are an example of when more sound could be needed. If the conditions are flat calm, clear skies or clear water, too much sound could be a turn off. Topwaters are probably the most diverse when it comes to sound. Think about the differences between buzzbaits, ploppers, poppers, walkers and toads.

Color

Color is mentioned last for a reason. Color is essentially the icing on the cake once your bait has all the other right properties. Even though it’s mentioned last, it is very important. When choosing color, think about these: Forage – What are the fish primarily feeding on? If it’s shad, then whites, chartreuse, transluscents, etc., could be good color choices. Crawfish and bream have more brown, dark green, orange, red, etc.

Water Color – Sometimes it’s just a matter of the fish being able to see the bait. In heavily stained to muddy water, use really dark or really bright colors. If the water is clear, neutral/natural colors work best.

Appreciating the anatomy of your bait choice can seem complex, but it could also lead you to make better bait choices going forward. Consider the properties of the baits that were successful at certain times and in certain conditions. The next time those conditions present themselves, choose a bait that is not only good, but also is closer to the best for the situation.

Greg Vinson is a fulltime professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

APRIL 2022

LAKE 73

A drive by the new Wicker Point Golf Club at The Heritage reveals recent progress on the state's only Coore and Crenshaw design

G

olfers cranin summer 2023. ing their The clubhouse necks as design was created they drive boats

by Hank Long at past the emerging Henry Sprott Long Wicker Point Golf & Associates, a Club on Lake Martin Birmingham-based will find the former firm known as an cabin community expert in private site on the river’s and lake club archiwest bank now tecture. The clublooks very much house contractor, Construction will begin on the new like a golf course.

Brasfield & Gorrie, clubhouse late this spring Several greens have is also Birminghambeen prepped and based. Construction are almost ready for on the clubhouse is grass; some bunkers have been laid with gravel base; slated to begin in late spring 2022. and in a few weeks, trucks laden with sod will make The clubhouse will feature a generous wraparound their deliveries. porch with views of multiple holes, with Lake Martin “Everything is starting to materialize now,” said visible from nearly every room – all with a lake-house Matt Sheppard, director of golf at course owner Russell ambiance providing for dining, events and space for Lands. “Every hole seems to come to life on a different relaxing after a round. day. Every time I go out there now, I can see what has “The clubhouse is spectacular,” Sheppard said. “The been done, how it is a little different.” main dining room will have huge windows. There are Russell Lands last month debuted a rendering of the windows wrapped around the entire lake side of the clubhouse at the first Coore and Crenshaw-designed clubhouse. You will be able to see golf played on five course in Alabama. The private club and clubhouse greens from the clubhouse. And people will be blown reflect the unique beauty and topography of the 18-hole away with the décor. We have secured an interior design course, which is scheduled to begin welcoming golfers firm from Charleston. We are looking forward to seeing

74 LAKE

APRIL 2022

Wicker Point Golf Club unveils clubhouse design what they do, and we hope to break ground orange. It’s a phenomenal contrast because in early May.” it is orange, and the fairways are green. The Accompanying the clubhouse is a standcart paths will be tinted brown to blend. It’s alone golf shop with pro shop and men’s going to be beautiful.” and women’s locker rooms. The golf house Despite the wet winter and material also will feature a “wind down” room, delays, the project has lost fewer than a including a lounge area and adjacent bar. month of days since construction began A large, undulating practice putting course last spring, and although Sheppard does not will not only allow players the opportunity expect substantial delays, he said an actual to sharpen their skills before their round opening day is too far off to speculate this but also will accommodate continued early in the construction project. friendly competition well into the evening.

Wicker Point Golf Club is the centerPAR for the COURSE Sheppard said golf merchandise already piece of Russell Lands’ newest luxury WITH MATT SHEPPARD has been ordered in anticipation of supply residential development, The Heritage, chain delays. which will include some 240 waterfront Wicker Point Golf Club is expected to challenge homesites and 130 wooded interior lots. The neighborgolfers and redefine the Alabama golf experience with hood amenities will include a resident-owned lake club the course’s distinctive setting, hole variety and unique facility with a fitness center, saline pool and an adjacent amenities. grill facility, eight tennis courts, a tennis pro-shop and Defined by its pine plantations and meandereight pickleball courts, as well as covered pavilions, ing creeks, as well as lakeside greens, the course is firepits, waterfront beach area and a community dock designed to be playable and offer challenges for golfers complex. at every level.

Please visit WickerPoint.com for updated details “Bill and Ben have been adamant from day one that and clubhouse rendering. See the article on page 34 for the course be challenging for all golfers. They want to more information about home designs at The Heritage. make sure anybody can play this course – and be able to find their balls,” Sheppard said. “The rough will look Matt Sheppard is PGA professional director of golf like quail land with 2-1/2- to 3-foot high, thin grass, at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. so you can find your ball in it. The grass is a wispy

APRIL 2022

LAKE 75

Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 19

9

Churches

4

Camp ASCCA

11 Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks 280

Power lines U.S. Highways

3

22

County Roads Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

10

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

18 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

12 Willow Point

24

7

13

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

14

Kowaliga Boat Landing

22 The Ridge

55

5

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 15

Church in The Pines

24

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

19 80

9

Central

ga

Ba

y

29 90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 Kent

76 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

APRIL 2022

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

49

Jacksons Gap 280

Bethel Church

21

Dadeville

57

280

25 Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

6

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 20 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

42. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Building Supply 21 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

52. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 22 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010

63. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

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

2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 83. Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

Restaurants & Venues

Walnut Hill

27 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

12 Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

9

17 50

19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

2. Alex City Marine 11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

8

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

10 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

28

16

18 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Pleasant Ridge Church

50

6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 146. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 15 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

Business & Shopping

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

24. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 25 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853 26 . Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717 8421 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 27 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 28 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Dock Builders 29 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25.

Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

16 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 17 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Reeltown

APRIL 2022

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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

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.

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APRIL 2022

Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation 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 WHOLE HEALTH PET CARE

Mary S. Battistella, DVM

e

April Special

e $25.00 Each

Heartworm Tests (334) 857-1816

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8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

APRIL 2022

LAKE 79

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 16

Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage............... 79

Precise Pressure Washing......................................... 79

Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8

Hughes Pools............................................................... 20

Prime Management....................................................... 6

Alex City Marine......................................................... 63

Insight Dock Company.............................................. 80

Reinhardt Lexus.......................................................... 11

Angela VanHouten....................................................... 32

Jim DeBardelaben....................................................... 55

ReKindle the Past......................................................... 6

Artic Air........................................................................ 54

Karen Channell State Farm...................................... 79

Renaissance Electronics............................................... 5

AVSP............................................................................... 24

Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 79

Russell Do It Center.................................................. 53

Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 79

Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 19

Russell Lands................................................... 42, 43, 84

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation..........................................8

Lake Martin Handyman Services............................. 79

Russell Marine.............................................................. 39

Buy the Yard................................................................. 35

Lake Martin Mortgage................................................ 67

Russell Medical.............................................................. 2

Childersburg Primary Care...................................... 16

Lake Martin Pressure Washing................................. 61

Satterfield........................................................................ 5

Chuck's Marina............................................................ 54

Lake Martin Realty...................................................... 17

Security Pest Control.................................................. 8

Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 79

Lake Martin Signature Construction...................... 33

Singleton Marine......................................................... 65

Custom Docks............................................................. 66

Lake Martin Storm Shelters..................................... 25

SiteMix........................................................................... 38

Davco............................................................................. 79

Lamberth & Lamberth................................................. 7

Sparkle Cleaning Services......................................... 66

Diamond Golf Cars.................................................... 20

Laurie Rygial................................................................. 79

Sunrise Dock................................................................ 12

Docks Unlimited........................................................... 5

Main Street Wetumpka.............................................. 12

Swearingen Fence......................................................... 6

Electronic Technology Group................................... 79

Mark King's Furniture.................................................. 3

Temple Medical Center............................................... 8

George Hardy D.M.D................................................... 8

Moore Wealth Management..................................... 83

Tint Factor, LLC.......................................................... 32

Harbor Pointe Marina................................................ 25

National Village............................................................ 81

Tippy Canoe................................................................. 55

Henderson Glass......................................................... 79

Odd Jobs....................................................................... 32

TowBoat US................................................................. 63

Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 55

Off the Beaton Path..................................................... 8

Vacation Rental Management................................... 79

inSight DOCK C O M P A N Y

(334) 377-1055 info@inSightDOCK.com 80 LAKE

APRIL 2022

New Homes With Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails

Everyday Grandeur D I S C O V E R A LU X U R I O U S G O L F L I F E ST Y L E L I V I N G A LO N G G R A N D N AT I O N A L G O L F C O U R S E Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out.

Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.

T O L E A R N M O R E , C A L L U S AT 3 3 4 . 7 4 9 . 8 1 6 5 O R V I S I T W W W. N AT I O N A LV I L L A G E . C O M .

APRIL 2022

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Parting Shot

~ Andy Fox

"Reflection of the soul is like looking at a pond. You can only see what is when there is calm."

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Lake traditions begin at The Heritage. Build yours.

Russell Lands extraordinary lakefront community and Coore & Crenshaw golf

O

ne of the South’s most distinguished companies, Russell Lands, has unveiled plans for Lake Martin’s newest luxury residential development, The Heritage. With stunning lakeside living,

families will build memories, season after season. The centerpiece of the neighborhood will be Wicker Point Golf Club, a signature Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw private golf course, with 18-holes in an extraordinary natural setting of pine plantations, meandering creeks and lakefront holes. A flagship lake club for residents will offer fun, family recreation.

Don’t miss the life that will rewrite your heritage for generations. Opportunities coming summer 2022.

RussellLands.com/The-Heritage | 256.215.7011 | RealEstate@RussellLands.com

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in The Heritage development to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, or to residents of any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. The Heritage is a proposed planned master development on the shores of Lake Martin, Alabama that does not yet exist.

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