WELCOME TO HERON HOUSE

Welcome to the Heron House

STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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 Jknew, 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.

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

The main living area features comfortable furnishings on red brick floors

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

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

The well-appointed outdoor kitchen includes a grill, ice maker and refrigerator 50 LAKE APRIL 2022

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

APRIL 8-9

RATES AS LOW AS 0.99% *APRLOGO 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.

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

Cottonmouth

“Cottonmouth” 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

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

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 third tried to bite a researcher 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.

This snake's flat, triangular head is larger than its neck

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.

How to interview a real estate agent

One 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 perfect.

My wife and I were friends with this couple that were from down there but lived in Montgomery at the time. They decided that they wanted to buy a beach condo. They let me know that they knew Orange Beach super well, since they had been going there for years. They had narrowed it down to a couple of different buildings and were ready to buy. Since I was licensed, they reasoned, why didn’t I just tag along, show them the condos and write up the offer? I get a weekend at the beach; they get their condo; and they help their buddy (me) get some easy commission money. I accepted their invite and started packing my bathing suit and my zinc oxide.

The problems started when I tried to prepare for the business side of the trip. They had forwarded me some ads of the condo units that they liked. Some came furnished. Some had boat slips, and some didn’t. Some were near a marina they liked; some were out near Fort Morgan. Some units allowed rentals, and that was supposed to add value. Some buildings did not allow rentals, and that was supposed to add value, too.

My head was spinning. I was lost and suddenly felt totally inadequate to help them. What if they bought a condo and ended up hating it? What if it was because of some reason that we could have and should have discovered in our research? What if they ended up blaming me because I didn’t know what I was doing? What if

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 help them. But should I have been the agent to help them? The way Alabama real estate law works has some bearing here. There is one department of the state government that handles real estate law. It is the Alabama Real Estate Commission. This commission oversees all of the legal aspects of the real estate law in the state – exams, continuing education, licensing, agent ethics and the like; therefore, when a person sits for (and hopefully passes) the real estate exam, ARE YOU A MEMBER that person has a statewide license. Someone OF THE LOCAL MLS? that is a licensed real estate salesperson in Alabama could legally sell a home in Arab, Alabama, just as ARE YOU THE BEST legally as they could a AGENT TO HELP ME home in Andalusia. AT LAKE MARTIN? We agents get this question a lot, “Can you sell in (fill in the blank place in HOW LONG HAVE YOU Alabama)?” The operative BEEN SELLING THERE? word in the question is ‘can.’ The answer is always, “yes,” from a legal standpoint. HOW MANY PROPERTIES As mentioned above, HAVE YOU SOLD HERE RECENTLY? any agent that is licensed in Alabama is licensed for the entire state and can legally sell anywhere in the state. CAN YOU SELL A better question IN ORANGE BEACH? for a consumer to ask, in my opinion, is “Are you the best agent to help me in (fill in the blank place in Alabama)?” The best-agent-to-help-me question should lead to a lot more questions like, “How long have you been selling there?” “How many properties have you sold there recently?” and “Are you a member of the local MLS?” The MLS question is really another way to ask,

“Do you have access to all of the latest information of properties for sale now, and what properties have sold for in the past?”

Maybe now it is appropriate to talk more about the term MLS. It stands for “Multiple Listing Service.” There are many different MLSs across the state and the nation. The National Association of Realtors defines MLS as, “… a private offer of cooperation and compensation by listing brokers to other real estate brokers … MLSs are private databases that are created, maintained and paid for by real estate professionals to help their clients buy and sell property.” It is a really big subject, but for the purposes of this article, just remember that any local MLS (like Lake Martin’s) is owned and operated by the local association of Realtors.

The association of Realtors is a professional organization. It is voluntary. It is not legally necessary to be a member of the National Association of Realtors or a local unit like the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors; however, membership has many benefits to agents and even more benefits to the people that those agents serve. So many, in fact, that I can’t cover them here in this space.

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 a real estate agent, they should place a heavy priority on access to the most accurate and most current information about that market. I think any agent serious about helping people in an area should be serious enough to be a member of the MLS in that area. To consider the inverse, lack of membership indicates a lack of seriousness, in my opinion. That is why if I were a consumer, one of the first questions (among many) that I would ask when interviewing an agent LAKE PROPERTY would be, “Are you a member of the

BY JOHN COLEY local MLS?” My answer in the above Orange Beach example was, “No, I am not a member of the MLS down at the beach.” I ended up helping them find an excellent agent down there. He helped them look around and actually suggested a property that was more suited to their needs than the ones they had found themselves. They bought it and were extremely happy. I was glad I referred them to the agent and learned a big lesson that has stuck with me to this day. John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Contact him at john@lakemartinvoice.com.

A New Swim Alert Plan

Eagerly awaiting another summer of fun in the sun and in the water, Lake Watch of Lake Martin remains committed to protecting our lake and all who recreate in the lake. Last fall, Lake Watch tested and reported high E. coli for the first time in the lake upstream of the U.S. Route 280 Bridge, above the lake’s confluence with Coley Creek. We sent out a call for help to recruit more water monitors and, to our delight, around 30 people answered the call. Since then, 17 have gone through training and been certified by Alabama Water Watch in either bacteriological monitoring or water chemistry monitoring, or both. This new batch of volunteers more than doubles the number of water monitors we now have on the lake and its watershed.

You may wonder – what’s the big deal about a few bacteria in the lake? A few are not such a big deal, but when you get 100s to 1000s per cup of lake water, and they are E. coli from feces of warm-blooded animals or humans, that becomes a problem – a public health problem. If contacted and ingested (by swallowing some contaminated water), E. coli may result in serious illness, including fever, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, anemia, dehydration, renal failure, seizures and even death (www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/ article.htm). E. coli could certainly ruin a weekend on the lake.

Lake Watch has identified about 20 strategic sites on the lake, streams and the Tallapoosa River flowing into the lake to assign to these new monitors. Several of these will be Swim Alert sites that we will upload to the Swim Guide at www.theswimguide.org. We plan to use Swim Guide as the medium to broadcast bacteriological test results to the Lake Martin community and

beyond. Swim Guide is a web-based one-stop shop for swimming-area water quality information and the most popular beach information service in the world. It provides free up-to-date water quality information for more than 8,000 beaches, lakes, rivers and swimming holes throughout North America and several other countries. Our Swim Alert sites will be locations that are regularly used for swimming and typically have a swim beach, such as Wind Creek State Park, DARE Park, Camp Alamisco and Camp ASCCA or swimming areas on streams like the one at Hillabee Creek above the state Route 22 bridge. We plan to monitor the sites regularly and will promptly post the results on the Swim Guide website. We plan to sample monthly and after significant rain events. The postLAKE WATCH BY ERIC REUTEBUCH rain event sampling is particularly important since that is when we typically find higher levels of bacterial contamination in the streams, the river and the lake. This is because of fecal material flushing off the landscape into the water with runoff during rain events. We plan to feature the Swim Guide postings on a Swim Alert webpage on our website (www.lakewatch. org). The page, featuring the latest bacteriological test results, will be shared with Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association, Lake Martin Resource Association, municipalities and others, so results will be widely available to the public in a timely manner. Our bacteriological test results will be posted as easy-to-interpret icons used by Swim Guide: green for safe – go swimming; and red for not safe – stop and consider swimming elsewhere since the water is contaminated with E. coli. Following the Alabama Department of Environmental Management standard, an E. coli concentration above 235 per 100 milliliters

(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.

The Benefits of Beans

There is very good reason the consumption of beans is supported by the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Association. Research has shown that bean consumption could greatly improve the quality of the American diet. The recommendation of eating at least one cup of beans two to three times weekly has shown to reduce chronic disease, like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Canned or dried beans are an affordable source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants. The fiber and protein content make beans one of the powerful superfoods.

Beans help stabilize blood sugar levels. Fiber and protein move through the digestive tract at a slow rate, thus converting to sugar at a slow rate, which helps with weight loss, blood sugar control and staying healthy.

Beans contain a compound called alphaamylase inhibitors that reduce the activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme or starch blockers. This is important because this enzyme is involved in the rapid breakdown of food into simple sugars. If this activity is slowed down, this will improve the blood sugar roller coaster to achieve long-term health and optimal weight.

The high fiber content in beans helps to reduce cholesterol and heart disease. The human body needs healthy complex carbohydrates to thrive. The soluble fiber in beans is imperative to promoting healthy gut flora, which preserves a healthy digestive tract. The fiber mix from beans produces a healthy acid for the lining of the colon.

Healthy gut bacteria foster healthy immune function, as well. Beans protect the body against chronic diseases because they are rich in important antioxidants and antiinflammatory compounds.

The only down side to eating beans, it is the flatulence or “gas” that could be created. Soak dried beans for several hours to decrease the components that contribute to gas. Canned beans are more convenient and produce less gas. Add beans to the diet slowly and drink plenty of water to avoid excess gas issues. One (1/2 cup) serving of beans supplies about the same amount of protein (7 grams) as 1 ounce of chicken, pork or fish. Con-suming

1/2 cup of beans per day could improve diet by increasing the intake of fiber, protein, zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium when decreasing intake of saturated and total fat. It is interesting to note that less than 8 percent of Americans consume dry or canned beans on a daily basis. The soluble fiber in beans helps to suppress the appetite and manage blood sugars. Dry beans are sodium free; however, to reduce the sodium in canned beans, buy nosalt-added versions and rinse the beans prior to consumption. Beans are also rich in antioxidants. Whole grains, like beans, have been shown to improve diet quality and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, as well as improve weight management and gastrointestinal health. Pairing beans and whole grains will add shape, texture, colors and size to any dish. Beans and whole grains can be used in hot or cold entrees, side dishes, or salads. An interesting side note: Corn is thought of as a vegetable when actually it is a grain and counts for a whole grain serving. HEALTHY LIVING Anyone not eating dairy, chicken, beef, pork or fish, could benefit from combining

BY JULIE HUDSON beans with whole grains. Beans and grains are incomplete proteins. Combining them makes a complete protein that could replace an animal protein source. Beans and grains combined deliver complementary proteins, an increased source of fiber, and provide better nutrition. The more beans to grain ratio, the better. Studies have shown that even when eating refined grains (white rice) with beans, there is a positive effect on blood sugar levels compared to eating rice alone. Studies have shown black beans and pinto beans lowered blood sugar the most. Another surprising outcome of studies has shown that consuming beans on a regular basis has a preventative effect. The health benefits of beans cannot be disputed. From health and nutrition to convenience, affordability, great taste and variety, beans are a choice of excellent value. The most widely recognized and used beans are kidney, pinto and navy beans. For a different taste and color mix, try adding lima, cannellini, garbanzo, great northern, broad, black and fava beans into the mix. Beans can be incorporated into already established favorite recipes. A chili recipe could become three bean chili. Bean dips could be made with any pureed bean in place of pinto beans. Add beans and whole grains to tacos, soups, pasta and salads or use beans as a side dish. Experiment with whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat couscous or farro, buckwheat, barley and sorghum. Julie Judson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

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.

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128 Restful Cove, Dadeville • $1,600,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jeff & Denise Cochran 256.786.0099 LakeMartinRealty.com

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DID YOU KNOW? When Realtors advertise in Lake magazine they recieve FREE fab finds. Call 256-234-4281 to find out how. LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE

Where it began

It seems like yesterday to me, but as I began this article I realized that if you are not firmly into your 40s or older, it may as well be ancient history. We won’t go back too far, but the whole experience of wine is seeded in time. The essence of wine is time; craftsmanship and legacy are linked with time.

You may not remember the Paul Masson ads from the 1978-81 era, but your parents and grandparents will. The late Orson Welles (1915-1985) played the part of himself as the pitchman for the brand, promising, “We will sell no wine before its time.” It was a powerful and compelling message from one of the most formidable actors, directors, writers and filmmakers in the industry. Beyond his larger-thanlife persona and booming baritone voice, Welles was best known for his 1941 film masterpiece, Citizen Kane, and a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds, which sent listeners into a panic believing that Earth had truly been invaded by Martians.

Paul Masson, a young French immigrant, was one of the earliest pioneers of the domestic wine industry, beginning his career in the early 1880s as the winemaker for Almaden Vineyard and Wine Company, California’s oldest commercial winery. The ads featuring Welles emphasized the excellence and sophistication of the wines. In a very elegant fashion, Welles compared the making of a fine wine to the time and effort it took Beethoven to create great music and for Margaret Mitchell to craft her novel, Gone With the Wind. Welles convincingly asserted that Paul Masson wines tasted so good because they were made with such care.

But the brand suffered immeasurably from its image as a low-end wine. It was just that, but struggled on until wine production finally ceased in 2018. A wide range of inexpensive brandies under the Paul Masson name are still available.

In today’s context, we might be inclined to snicker at the thought of Paul Masson as fine wine. To some extent, what I have described is shrewd and effective marketing, but on the other hand, consider the stage of development of the domestic wine industry in the late ’70s. The Paris Wine Tasting, known as the Judgment of Paris, which destroyed the notion that fine wine only came from France, was held in 1976. As late as the ’60s, Mateus Rosé and Lancer’s, in a clay bottle, had been the top selling wines in America. With our limited exposure and availability to fine wine, Paul Masson helped pave the way for what we enjoy today. Whether real or hype, his concept of craft, quality and legacy verbalized what many winemakers were doing. Honestly: No April fool jokes this year.

There is a ring of truth in Welles’ characterization and the influence of Paul Masson. Winemaking is more than squeezing grape juice into a bottle and calling it wine. On the low end today, it certainly seems that neither time nor craft are always important factors. Under the proper conditions, most wines will improve, to some degree, with time. All too often, we don’t give them that chance. Most wines are consumed within 48 hours of purchase. Those that are meant to be held are usually drinkable but would be so much better with a little bottle ageing. Wineries often store these wines for an additional period before release to the market. Older wines could be found and the availability of wines that taste good because they are made with care is huge. Finding and holding onto older wines is not easy, but I personally enjoy building verticals whenever possible. A wine FROM THE CELLAR vertical is simply one from different vintages. Three successive years is com-

BY HENRY FOY mon, but it could be just two, and they don’t necessarily have to be consecutive. They should be from the same winery or chateau. The thrill comes with recognizing characteristics unique to that wine and how the flavors develop over time. On the downside, tasting wine from three bottles is a lot of wine. You may want to call in a few friends. Holding a single bottle until its peak can be very gratifying. When you find an older wine in a store or in the back of your wine cabinet, first verify that it has been properly stored and is of a vintage that falls into an acceptable age range for that grape variety or region. A white Burgundy, for example, will age much better than a California Chardonnay despite the fact that they are the same grape. Red wines typically age better than whites, and Cabernets fair better over time than Pinot Noirs. Ask about current vintages: Is this 2016 Cain Five or Silver Oak a recent release or has it been sitting on the shelf for a while? Has the bottle been lying down or standing up and for how long? Paul Masson’s promise to sell no wine before its time was more than clever marketing. It foreshadowed a trend in wine consumption that continues to give us great wine, not only from California but also from around the world. Having been well crafted, these are the wines that need a little time – and they are so good. Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Spirits at 128 Calhoun St. in downtown Alexander City. Call 256.212.WINE(9463) for current hours and directions. Email emporiumwine128@gmail.com for access to regular notices of wine specials and other events.

Flourless Chocolate Torte

Flourless Chocolate Torte Ingredients

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

Directions

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.

Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

1 pound milk chocolate chips 3-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or 1 whole bean, scraped

Directions

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.

CHEF'S TABLE

BY PETE MCKENNY

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.

Choose wisely

Irecently fished a Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour event on one of the best lakes in the country. Lake Fork, Texas, is known for having big bass, and it lived up to that expectation, even in some pretty brutal conditions.

I caught a few using the forward sonar and a jerkbait, but what seemed to be a solid crankbait bite was more promising. During the event, I fished the same small area on three different days, and ultimately, the tournament was won on that exact spot; however, I missed the potential of it somehow. Other anglers fished that area as well, so that group of winning fish had seen everything – flipping baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits. I know, because I tried them all and had some success with each. I’m sure other anglers passing through did much of the same.

When Alton Jones Jr. rolled in on the final day of the event, we witnessed the full potential of that spot. On his

first pass with a particular crankbait, he had little to no success. Then, he made a change, whether through gut instincts or just to give it a shot before leaving. That change proved worth $100,000 and a big trophy. His decision was to go to a bait with a larger profile that ran a little deeper. It had a much stronger deflection when it crashed into the old stump roots under the water. That triggered the fish to bite better than anything else they’d seen. The anatomy of his bait was the difference between just catching a few and BIG CATCHES unlocking a winning pattern. BY GREG VINSON Here are a few terms that we hear often about different baits, what they mean and how they appeal to the fish.

(Water) Displacement

This is one of the most difficult for terrestrial humans to fully understand. Displacement refers to how much water the bait can move as it’s retrieved. Fish have an extra sense via their lateral line that can finely detect this

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.

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

Golfers craning their necks as they drive boats past the emerging Wicker Point Golf Club on Lake Martin will find the former cabin community site on the river’s west bank now looks very much like a golf course. Several greens have been prepped and are almost ready for grass; some bunkers have been laid with gravel base; and in a few weeks, trucks laden with sod will make their deliveries.

“Everything is starting to materialize now,” said Matt Sheppard, director of golf at course owner Russell Lands. “Every hole seems to come to life on a different day. Every time I go out there now, I can see what has been done, how it is a little different.”

Russell Lands last month debuted a rendering of the clubhouse at the first Coore and Crenshaw-designed course in Alabama. The private club and clubhouse reflect the unique beauty and topography of the 18-hole course, which is scheduled to begin welcoming golfers

in summer 2023. The clubhouse design was created by Hank Long at Henry Sprott Long & Associates, a Birmingham-based firm known as an expert in private and lake club architecture. The clubhouse contractor, Construction will begin on the new Brasfield & Gorrie, clubhouse late this spring is also Birminghambased. Construction on the clubhouse is slated to begin in late spring 2022. The clubhouse will feature a generous wraparound porch with views of multiple holes, with Lake Martin visible from nearly every room – all with a lake-house ambiance providing for dining, events and space for relaxing after a round. “The clubhouse is spectacular,” Sheppard said. “The main dining room will have huge windows. There are windows wrapped around the entire lake side of the clubhouse. You will be able to see golf played on five greens from the clubhouse. And people will be blown away with the décor. We have secured an interior design firm from Charleston. We are looking forward to seeing

Wicker Point Golf Club unveils clubhouse design

what they do, and we hope to break ground in early May.”

Accompanying the clubhouse is a standalone golf shop with pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms. The golf house also will feature a “wind down” room, including a lounge area and adjacent bar. A large, undulating practice putting course will not only allow players the opportunity to sharpen their skills before their round but also will accommodate continued friendly competition well into the evening.

Sheppard said golf merchandise already has been ordered in anticipation of supply chain delays.

Wicker Point Golf Club is expected to challenge golfers and redefine the Alabama golf experience with the course’s distinctive setting, hole variety and unique amenities.

Defined by its pine plantations and meandering creeks, as well as lakeside greens, the course is designed to be playable and offer challenges for golfers at every level.

“Bill and Ben have been adamant from day one that the course be challenging for all golfers. They want to make sure anybody can play this course – and be able to find their balls,” Sheppard said. “The rough will look like quail land with 2-1/2- to 3-foot high, thin grass, so you can find your ball in it. The grass is a wispy

orange. It’s a phenomenal contrast because it is orange, and the fairways are green. The cart paths will be tinted brown to blend. It’s going to be beautiful.” Despite the wet winter and material delays, the project has lost fewer than a month of days since construction began last spring, and although Sheppard does not expect substantial delays, he said an actual opening day is too far off to speculate this early in the construction project. PAR for the COURSE Wicker Point Golf Club is the center-

WITH MATT SHEPPARD piece of Russell Lands’ newest luxury residential development, The Heritage, which will include some 240 waterfront homesites and 130 wooded interior lots. The neighborhood amenities will include a resident-owned lake club facility with a fitness center, saline pool and an adjacent grill facility, eight tennis courts, a tennis pro-shop and eight pickleball courts, as well as covered pavilions, firepits, waterfront beach area and a community dock complex. Please visit WickerPoint.com for updated details and clubhouse rendering. See the article on page 34 for more information about home designs at The Heritage. Matt Sheppard is PGA professional director of golf at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.

Jaybird Landing

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

Jacksons Gap

49

Bethel Church

57

Pleasant Ridge Church

16

Lake Martin Baptist Church

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

28

49

Church of the Living Waters Stillwaters

8 9 6

17

Walnut Hill

27

Lake Pointe Baptist Church

26

49 Horseshoe Bend National Park

Lake Martin Alabama

21

Dadeville

280

25

Camp Hill

50

Marinas

1. Kowaliga Marina1 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. The Ridge Marina2 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

3. River North Marina3 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors4 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Real Island Marina5 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Blue Creek Marina6 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Harbor Pointe Marina8 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

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

2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines10 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

2. Alex City Marine11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo12 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

Restaurants & Venues

6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 6. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

14

Kowaliga Restaurant15 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Pizza16 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853

The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill17 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Business & Shopping

Lake Martin Storm Shelters18 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City)19 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

20

21

22

23

. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort24 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853 . Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717 8421 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

25

26

Churches

Lake Pointe Baptist Church27 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

28

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.

ALEXANDER CITY

Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina

HACKNEYVILLE

Hackneyville Water Authority

NEW SITE

Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland

DADEVILLE

Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery 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.

lamberthandlamberth.com

256-234-6401

6 Franklin Street • Alexander City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heritage South Credit Union .................................55 Hughes Pools ..............................................................20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Off the Beaton Path .................................................... 8 Prime Management...................................................... 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

inSight

DOCK COMPANY

(334) 377-1055

info@inSightDOCK.com

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

Everyday Grandeur

DISCOVER A LUXURIOUS GOLF LIFESTYLE LIVING ALONG GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

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.

Shot Parting

Photo by Kenneth Boone "Reflection of the soul is like looking at a pond. You can only see what is when there is calm." ~ Andy Fox

Lake traditions begin at The Heritage. Build yours.

Russell Lands extraordinary lakefront community and Coore & Crenshaw golf

One 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