Lake Magazine April 2023

Annual Edition

BUILDERS & BUYERS

compassionate cancer

BRILLIANT MINDS. BIG HEARTS.

In partnership with UAB, we continue to invest in new talent, new technology, and new support structures so that, in the unfortunate event you are diagnosed with cancer, you can fight it right here at home.

By mid-month, Lake Martin’s water levels will be warming up at full pool, and we’ll be kicking off another idyllic season on the water: It’s time to reopen the lake house. Doing so can be an arduous task, and you’re likely to find a few things to consider, like is it time to renovate? Upgrade? Overhaul the landscaping?

In this “Annual Builders and Buyers” issue of Lake magazine, we hope to ground those thoughts with articles that get you started.

Begin on page 44 with a fabulous renovation by Steve and Andrea Kraft. The couple put a modern twist on their purchase at Longleaf, showcasing local contractors and craftsmen. Their spectacular home combines Lake Martin charm with a breath of clean, fresh air that could inspire you to do the same.

If your renovation is aimed at preparing to age in place at the lake, be sure to check out the tips offered by Amy Potter Lamberth on page 28. A certified aging-in-place consultant, Amy tells you what to think about as you plan a long-term retirement at Lake Martin.

We even provide you with information on the newest neighborhoods and developments, so you can match your home plans to amenities and price points. Check out the article on page 32 for a quick rundown on where you might find the perfect lot, and get started on your search.

Local builders chime in on page 56 with design trends and new building materials they are seeing in the homes they’re working on now. From cool materials for docks to weather resistant home siding and creating storm shelters in usable spaces, maintenance-free is the word of the day.

Lake Martin is a wonderful place to gather with friends and family, but you might want to be a little choosy about the outdoor life you invite. On page 22, Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne Gauldin weighs in on how to attract the wildlife you want while discouraging the animals you don’t want around the lake house.

Then, we’ll tease you into the lake experience with a preview of the Second Annual Lake Martin Water Cycle & Dam Jam. This Alabama Power sponsored event raises funds that provide fresh drinking water to peoples in Bolivia and Guatemala through Auburn University’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders. If you don’t want to ride a bicycle in this road event, you can still sign up to attend the party at Martin Dam. Find details on page 20.

Another season begins at Lake Martin, and it’ll be filled with wonder for grandchildren, brides, boaters, dock jumpers, wake enthusiasts and dogs. Keep cellphones handy to snap photos of them all; then, visit lakemagazine.life to send us the pictures for our Lake Scenes pages, as Lake magazine reflects the life on Lake Martin.

Chairman

KENNETH BOONE editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

General Manager

TIPPY HUNTER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor in Chief

BETSY ILER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director

AUDRA SPEARS audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Business & Digital Development Director

ANGELA MULLINS angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com

Audience Development Director

ERIN BURTON erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing

RENEE TRICE renee.trice@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

SHERYL JENNINGS sheryl.jennings@thewetumpkaherald.com

EMILY GREGG emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com

HIDEY ARRINGTON hidey.arrington@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

KENNETH BOONE

BREANNA MANLEY

JULIE HUDSON

GREG VINSON

CLIFF WILLIAMS

PETE MCKENNY

MATT CAMPBELL

JOHN COLEY

WILLIAM MARLOW

LIZI GWIN

DAVE JENNINGS

HENRY ZIMMER

ABIGAIL MURPHY

HENRY FOY

LONNA UPTON

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

Andrea and Steve Kraft created their own renovation plan when they bought their third Lake Martin house. This one at Longleaf is a bold remodel that includes clean, bold lines, a mix of metals and fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows but still holds the charm of a cozy lake home on the shores of Alabama's only Treasured Lake.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Apply by Responding to Our Job Postings on Indeed.com

Recruiting Top Quality Healthcare Professionals

RNs and LPNs

RN and LPN Management and Charge Nurse positions available, 100% pre-paid scholarships for aspiring nurses, tuition reimbursement, sign-on bonuses, short-term contracts, and we consider buying out existing employment contracts

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Medication Assistant

Certified (MAC)

Tuition FREE, paid training classes, prepaid exam fees, signon bonuses, and we consider buying out existing employment contracts.

Dietary and Housekeeping Positions

Excellent Pay and Benefits

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

20. MORE MILES, MORE FUN

A 15-mile ride has been added to this year's Water Cycle ride at Martin Dam.

24. WILDLIFE @ THE LAKE HOUSE

How to balance your love/hate relationship with wildlife and lake house ownership.

28. BUILD TO AGE IN PLACE

A certified aging-in-place consultant explains what to think about including in your retirement home.

32. NEW NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE LAKE

Find the best fit for your lifestyle in one of the area's newest developments.

40. CASTAWAY HIT HARD

Homes, boathouses and property were severely damaged as another storm hits the lake.

44. THOROUGHLY 'KRAFTED'

A bold, modern renovation retains all the cozy charm of a Lake Martin lifestyle.

56. WHAT'S NEW IN THE LAKE HOUSE?

Builders talk about the mainentance-free materials and popular amenities they're adding at Lake Martin.

FROM THE CELLAR 82. BIG CATCHES 87. LOVE OF THE GAME

PARTING SHOT

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake

Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators

Fourth tornado this year hits lake area March 26

The possible tornado that swept through the Lake Martin area on March 26 just before Lake magazine’s presstime was the fourth damaging storm event so far this year.

The first occurred less than two months ago on Jan. 4 when an early morning tornado caused damage in the Horseshoe Bend area. On Jan. 12, a long-track EF-3 funnel destroyed homes and felled trees from Equality to River Bend and beyond, missing Wind Creek State Park by less than half a mile. Residents in these areas of the lake continue to deal with the storm’s effects.

On Sunday, March 12, an EF-0 tornado touched down southeast of Alexander City near U.S. Route 280, causing tree damage with gusts of 65 to 85 miles per hour.

The March 26 storm spun out several damaging tornadoes from Mississippi through Georgia. No deaths were reported in the lake area, but 26 died in Mississippi where the tornado originated.

The most damaging lake area tornado in recent history occurred on April 27, 2011, when a hundred tornadoes pummeled the state. A funnel half a mile wide cleared the Lake Martin Amphitheater shoreline of trees before spin-

Weather Outlook for April

April 2023 Forecast

ning across Lake Martin. It cut a stripe across Midway Island near the mouth of Blue Creek and demolished homes in the Mountain View area, killing two women.

Tornadoes most often develop during severe thunderstorms as warm, moist, unstable air meets cold fronts. As with the Jan. 12 and March 26 storms here, large hail also could be generated. Marble sized hail fell in Alexander City on Jan. 12, and golf ball sized hail was reported in southern areas of the lake March 26.

Timely precautions are urged to prevent damage and death during spring’s volatile tornado season. Stay alert to changing weather conditions and sign up for local weather alerts with the Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency. When storms are predicted, pack supplies in an easy-to-transport box or bag, including water, a first aid kit and some snacks. Decide where you will seek safety in the event of a storm, and keep abreast of the storm’s progress through local news, cell phone weather apps and the use of a weather radio.

Last Month's Lake Levels

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid 70s with average lows in the upper 40s and more than 4 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of April.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will lean above average and rainfall will be normal this month.

Year-to-Date

Precipitation: 14.17

Avg. high temp.: 63.7

Avg. low temp.: 41.0

Avg. temp.: 52.4

Information from the National Weather Service.

Our Normal April

Precipitation: 4.64 inches

Avg. high temp.: 75.3

Avg. low temp.: 48.4

Avg. temp.: 61.8

Summer: 491 MSL

Winter: 481 MSL

Highest: 484.19

Lowest: 489.72

Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.

Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

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).

Sunken boathouses and fallen trees and limbs were left in the wake of Lake Martin's latest storm event

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) James Negaard celebrated his first birthday at his grandparents' Lake Martin cabin in Eclectic. (2) Mandie Peppers sent in this photo of the beginning of another beautiful day at the lake. (3) Carol Simms, who lives in the southeast lake area, said she gets beautiful sunsets at the lake. (4) Elmore County High School angler Paul Rhett Smith loves living fulltime at Lake Martin, where he pulls in strings like this one! (5) Lake Martin is like a mirror on this late October photo taken by Tony Johnson.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Kowaliga Bay is alight with splendor in this sunset photo by Amy Caputi. (2) Mary Leigh Meredith discovered Lake Martin, the pot of gold at the end of a double rainbow near Real Island. (3) Children's Harbor stands in ethereal silhouette on a foggy morning at Lake Martin in this photo by Sharon Blair. (4) Kaylin Jackson took this photo of her dad, "Happy" Ken Debardelaben and his grandson Lawson Jackson fishing on the Boston Whaler near Goat Island on Lake Martin. (5) This wing-beating duck at Children's Harbor was thrilled that Jack Powers wanted to take his picture.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Lake magazine spent Christmas at Lake Louise in Canada with Mike and Linda Lawler. (2) Lake magazine took a winter vacation to Florida's Key West with Garrett and Emily Jemison and Michael and Jennifer Gallops. (3) Dana and Will Ferniany took their December issue of Lake magazine on an adventure in Antarctica. (4) Barbara Muenzmay took the magazine to Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, at Christmas, where 15 inches of snow fell. (5) Lake magazine traveled with Marilyn Dewberry, Anita Holley, Kitty Graham and Debbie Venable to Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, Italy, and Paris before returning home to Eclectic.

April 1, 7 - 9

Bunnies & Chicks

Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne Gauldin will share the gentle innocence of new life with all ages when she brings baby rabbits and young chicks to the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 1 and 8 and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 7. She will bring them to SpringHouse from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 9. Call Marianne at 256-496-2710 with any questions or email her at naturalist@russelllands.com.

April 1

Third Annual Easter Egg Dash

Kids from infancy to age 14 are invited to Pennington Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an Easter egg hunt, free snacks and meeting the Easter Bunny.

3 Hilltops Acts/B Chill Entertainment sponsors this event.

April 1

Second Annual Backyard Boilers

review boating rules and safety procedures from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This course will prepare boaters to take the boating license exam and prepare boaters for the upcoming season. Email corey.robinett@alea.gov or tracy.morgan@alea.gov to register.

April 5

Reenactment of the Lord’s Supper

Union Church at Lake Martin will present its second annual reenactment of Jesus’ Passover meal with his disciples at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public at no charge.

April 6

Registration begins at 9 a.m. for Dadeville's annual cornhole tournament at Copper's Grill on April 8

Mitch Emmons at Zazu’s Verandah

The first Backyard Boilers crawfish boil and music fest was such a great success that Reeltown’s Lions Club is at it again this year. Musical guests include Dan Lee, Dixie Red, Russell Craig Band, Shades of Gray, DJ Red and special guest, songwriter Ashton Shepard. Bring coolers and chairs to 19700 State Route 49 South in Notasulga at 2 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults; $10 for 12 and under. Be sure to enter the raffles and sign up for door prizes. This event will benefit Reeltown Fire Department. Vendors are welcome. Vendor fee is $25. Call Jimmy Browning at 334-415-9611.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WHAT’S

HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Mitch Emmons is a performing songwriter in the Lake Martin area. He is a former member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and is NSAI certified. He plays acoustic cover gigs throughout the Lake Martin/Auburn/ Montgomery areas, as well as on the Alabama Coast. In pursuit of honing his songwriting craft, Mitch spends as much time in Nashville as he can, playing writer nights around town and songwriting. Follow Mitch and hear some of his work at reverbnation.com/ mitchemmonsmusic; and at facebook.com/mitchemmonsmusic. Contact him at lilboogiemusic@gmail.com. He will play from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This concert is free to the community. Please generously tip the musicians. Beverages will be available for purchase at Zazu’s Verandah.

April 8

Boating Safety/License Class

April 2

Auburn University Singers

Alex City Arts invites Auburn University’s 36 vocalists and 10 instrumentalists under the direction of Dr. Dale Farmer to Central Alabama Community College’s Betty Carol Graham Technology Center stageat 2 p.m. for traditional and contemporary music and dance. This program is open to the public and free of charge.

April 8

Boating Safety/License Class

This free class at The Ridge Marina is open to anyone age 12 and older. Troopers Corey Robinett and Tracy Morgan will

This free class at The Ridge Marina is open to anyone age 12 and older. Troopers Corey Robinett and Tracy Morgan will review boating rules and safety procedures from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This course will prepare boaters to take the boating license exam and prepare boaters for the upcoming season. Email corey.robinett@alea.gov or tracy.morgan@alea.gov to register.

April 8

Eighth Annual Cornhole Tournament

Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the bags fly at noon for Dadeville’s eighth annual event at Copper’s Grill, hosted by Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce. There will be a food and beverage vendor on site and a 50/50 raffle.

April 13

Chad Jernigan at Zazu’s Verandah

Chad Jernigan is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Phenix City, Alabama, who delights his audiences with classic rock and country hits from the ’60s through the ’90s, as well as with some of his own originals. Please be certain to generously tip and thank the musicians. Hear Chad live from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Zazu’s Verandah will be selling beverages.

April 14-16

ACT II presents Inherit the Wind

Alexander City Theatre II will stage the classic courtroom drama, Inherit the Wind, at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. April 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. April 16. The performance is free and open to the public. The play was inspired by the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 and examines the inherent right of human being to think.

April 15

Gumbo Get Down

Main Street Alexander City will host the Gumbo Get Down from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Old Courthouse parking lot on the downtown traffic circle.

April 18

Assisted Living Musical

Young and old alike will love this Alex City Arts theatrical presentation at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Technology Center stage. Laughter will come naturally as this hilarious story unfolds when an elderly couple enter heaven suspecting their son pulled the plug on them to get his hands on his dad’s vintage Corvette. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door.

April 20

Art Show Reception

Raining Dogs Studio and Gallery and Everything’s Art in Dadeville will host an art show opening night reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for featured artist Kathy Collie. The exhibit will be on display through May 28.

April 20

Greg LaFollette at Zazu’s Verandah

Dadeville native Greg LaFollette started his music career as a band director involved with choir, church and community theater, but his first love has always been the piano, having played since the second grade. Please tip musicians generously and thank Greg for playing. Hear him inside The Listening Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Zazu’s will have beverages available for purchase. The concert will be free.

April 21

Bro. Billy Bob Bohannon King at Dadeville Performing Arts Center

Bro. Billy Bob Bohannon King will regale the audience with stories about Alabama culture through humor with a message at 7 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center. King is the author

of several books. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and are available at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

April 21-22

Singleton Marine Spring Demo Days

Join the fun and check out the latest boat models at Singleton Marine’s on-the-water demo days in Jacksons Gap. Demo the new Cobalt, Barletta, Regal, Harris, Malibu & Axis boats and Starcraft pontoons from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

April 22

The 22nd Annual Old 280 Boogie

Join this celebration of music, art, food and Southern culture in the yard Standard Deluxe in Waverly from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., rain or shine. This year’s lineup includes Maggie Rose, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Heavy Heavy, Billy Allen and the Pollies, and The Pine Hill Haints. Tickets are $40 in advance until April 1; $50 online after April 1 and at the gate. Kids 12 and under admitted free.

April 22

Water Cycle

Alabama Power will host the second annual Water Cycle at Martin Dam with 30- and 60-mile gravel races and a 15-mile fun ride to raise funds that improve the lives of those in need in Guatemala and Bolivia. Join the fun after the ride for music and food at the Dam Jam. Visit aub.ie/watercycle for details and registration.

April 27

Richard Murray & Brett Foshee

at Zazu’s Verandah

This duo plays country, rock, folk, easy listening and original music. While you can catch them playing around Auburn/ Opelika, Montgomery and Birmingham, why travel out of town when you can hear them at Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful Dadeville square from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.? Beverages will be available for sale. Admission is free, but please generously tip and thank the musicians.

April 28-30

Russell Marine In-Water Boat Show

Visit the Russell Marine In-Water Boat Show at The Ridge Marina to see and demo models from Godfrey Pontoon, Nautique ski and wake boats, Sea Ray, Key West, Chris Craft, Bass Cat and Sea Ark, and check out the new gear from Hyperlite, Billabong, Life is Good, Costa Sunglasses, Yeti, Hook & Tackle, Huk and more.

April 28

Elvis by Forrestt Forbus

Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host The King in all his glory at 7 p.m. Wear styles from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door; and are available at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

May 4

Tina Marie at Zazu’s Verandah

The music moves outside on the beautiful Dadeville square this month, so bring lawn chairs. Performance starts at 6:30 p.m. Beverages will be available for sale. Admission is free, but please generously tip and thank the musicians.

Season-long Events

Lake Martin Civitan Club

The Lake Martin Civitan Club meets at noon in the private room at JR’s Grill, 145 Alabama St., Alexander City, on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call Audrey Moore at 256-786-0465.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds with a general meeting followed by open studio. Club dues are $20 for the year.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. To arrange discounted group tours or private tours, email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.

Dadeville Community Chorus

Rehearsals will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at Dadeville Performing Arts Center for a performance in late May. Email kim.walls@dedevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

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 doing. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the use of the space. Call Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506 for more information.

Fiber Fridays

Bring knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery and other fiber art projects to The Yarn Shop Around the Corner in Dadeville from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays to meet fellow fiber artisans, share tips and techniques and talk with others who share your interests. Call 334-444-1038 for information.

Library Storytimes

Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children.

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. Contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

Naturalist Marianne Gauldin fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl, 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.

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 Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or email her at marilyn.speake@tcschools.com.

Lake Martin News

Carter’s inventory includes boats, paddles, life jackets and other paddling equipment. Boats rent for $40 for the day. Paddles and life jackets rent for $15.

“It’s getting nice outside, and the phone’s ringing all day, even though I don’t open until April 15,” Carter said. “I wasn’t expecting to purchase the business, so it’s a lot of inventory and more work than I anticipated, but I think this is going to be a good thing.”

Contact Carter at the store or call 256-373-3004.

River shuttle under new ownership

Alex Carter of Dadeville’s Float Alabama last winter purchased the kayak rental and shuttle business that once operated on the Tallapoosa River under Chuck Browne as Off the Beaten Path Alabama. Carter will reopen the business April 15 from his paddlesports storefront at 16871 U.S. Route 280.

Browne had sold the business to Auburn/Opelika-based Tallapoosa Wilds a few years ago, and Carter said he worked with those owners, providing parking for the shuttle service, partially as a means of bringing shoppers to his business. He was looking forward to working with them again this season, but when he mentioned it, he was given an opportunity to own the popular service.

“I’m glad to get that business back here at the river now,” Carter said.

He purchased 22 rental boats from Tallapoosa Wilds but already had 25 that he rented from his store. In addition, he has a 14-foot raft and inflatable paddleboards, as well as paddleboards and other equipment.

“I started this business during COVID when nothing was available. I had to take what I could get from whatever dealers had to offer. I only bought quality merchandise, but I had to piecemeal for all the equipment from different makers,” Carter explained. “Now, there’s more available, so I’ll be getting down to one or two brands and will operate the shuttle Wednesday through Saturday during regular business hours. The rest of the week, I will shuttle by appointment only. If you want to go early, that’s not a problem. I’ll be happy to shuttle you.”

Carter said he doesn’t plan to schedule trips back and forth from the river but will run a consistent loop, as he thinks that will be easier than having to keep up with changes and adjustments to a published schedule.

“The store is 15 minutes away from the Horseshoe Bend bridge, which is where most people put in, and also 15 minutes from Jaybird Landing, where they take out. So, I’ll be running the circuit,” he said.

“If you have your own boat, you could park at Jaybird and shuttle up to Horseshoe Bend, or you can park at the shop and shuttle up. If you rent a boat from me, you can park at my shop, and the shuttle is a free service to anyone who rents equipment from me. We’re open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Wind Creek State Park volunteer wins statewide award

Betsy Iler

Barbara Greenlee and her husband, Art, purchased an RV and camped at Wind Creek State Park every fifth weekend. As they became regulars, they got to know more people at the park. Greenlee started helping with the bingo games, and the couple soon decided it was time to fill out volunteer applications.

After 13 years of volunteering, Greenlee was presented with the Eagle Award last month for her contributions to the park.

She was one of 11 award recipients across the state who were honored by the State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“I was shocked,” she said. “I had never heard of the Eagle Award. I didn’t know anything about it. My first thought was ‘I wish I could thank whoever did that.’”

Greenlee works in the office answering phones, helping with reservations and working the door for day-use guests. She has also helped with putt putt golf and other activities, cleaning grills and picking up litter.

Before volunteering, Greenlee worked 44 years in the catheterization laboratory at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.

“I’m a people person, and I love helping people. When my husband and I started this, it was a new adventure,” Greenlee said. “I ended up retiring from the hospital, and it was just a place I wanted to continue my retirement.”

While volunteers at the park are asked to work three days a week, she volunteers whenever she can.

Float Alabama recently purchased the shuttle and rental service on the Tallapoosa River

WCSP volunteer Barbara Greenlee was recognized last month

“I don’t like to feel like I have to keep my time to a certain hour because even though I’m a volunteer, I never want to think I owe them time or they owe me time,” she said.

Superintendent Bruce Adams said Greenlee continues to put in more than her fair share.

“She’s always there when we need her. Sometimes, she’s there when we don’t need her, but she’s there, and she’s always willing to work,” he said. “If she finds we are covered here, and we tell her she can go home, she usually doesn’t go home. She will go get on her golf cart and go pick up trash or clean grills.”

“I can’t imagine being anywhere else. You’ve got to want to serve in love, and I do that, and it’s not hard. Sometimes it is, but when I look at my life here, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. “The Eagle Award was wonderful, but the people and all here, they make my job easy.”

The Eagle Awards for 2023 were presented during Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville.

Abigail Murphy

More Miles, More Fun

STORY BY BETSY ILER

AAdding a timed race element and a 15-mile fun ride this year, Auburn University’s Engineers Without Borders will hold the Second Annual Water Cycle event at Lake Martin Dam Saturday, April 22.

“We had a great ride last year and raised $20,000 to help bring clean water to people in Bolivia and Guatemala,” said Chris Goodman, Tallapoosa River manager for Alabama Power.

Bicycle riders could choose from three distance events this year. The 60-mile rides will be timed, andawards will be presented to the first, second and third place participants in both men’s and women’s categories. There also will be an untimed 15-mile fun ride, Goodman said.

All routes are out-and-back, ending at Martin Dam where they began. The 15-mile ride will follow Overlook Drive from the east side of the dam to Pine Forest Road, Lovelady Road and onto Obed Loop before returning along the same route. The 30- and 60-mile races will follow the 15-mile route but continue on to Buck Creek Road from

Obed Loop; then, turn south on Stillwaters Highway to Churchill Road before the 30-mile race turns around on Sycamore Creek Road. The 60-mile race will take Buck Creek Road to Hayes Mill Road, turning onto North Moss Flat Road; then, County Road 217 to Self Page Road and County Road 66, and changing direction for the return route just before McRitchie Mill. The entire route includes some gravel but mostly paved roads.

The 60-mile race will leave the dam at 8 a.m.; 30-mile riders will take off at 9 a.m.; and 15-mile riders will start at 10 a.m. When riders return to the dam, they will join an after-party that includes Durango’s Taco truck and the live music Dam Jam. Tickets to the Dam Jam also are available to non-riders.

Entry fees are $70 for the 60-mile and 30-mile events and $35 for the 15-mile fun ride. Students may enter for $25 but must obtain a student discount code from Goodman or from Chris Brodbeck at registration. Event T-shirts will be included in the race entry fee, but non-riders also will be able to purchase shirts at the Dam Jam. All proceeds from the event benefit the Auburn EWB chapter’s humanitarian projects.

Riders are allowed to use e-bikes for the casual 15-mile and 30-mile rides, but e-bikes will not be allowed to enter the 60-mile competitive race.

Sponsors for this year’s event include Russell Lands, BL Harbert International, NEI, Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, Seshazo, Scott Bridge Company, Nelson Brother, Volkert and Litostroj Power. For event details, registration and information about EWB projects, visit ewb.auburn.edu. Email cggoodma@southernco.com or brodbcj@auburn.edu for the student discount code.

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & AUDRA SPEARS

Wildlife @ the Lake House

LLife at Lake Martin is lived outside, so it helps to be intentional about wildlife around the lake house, where deer eat the landscaping; birds really don’t need to be fed; and grandchildren love watching the rabbits, but no one wants to see a predator snatch one. Marianne Gauldin has served the lake community as Russell Lands’ naturalist since 2009, and she said spring is the perfect time to plan for attracting the wildlife you want and discouraging the species you don’t want.

“We have an incredible amount of wildlife diversity in this area. There are so many species that live here – birds, mammals, reptiles. We can make choices about what to encourage or not based on the foods we provide or discourage,” Gauldin said.

Birds are one of the most popular forms of wildlife around lake homes, but they often have to be coaxed out of the woods for viewing.

“Wildlife in this area does not need or rely on human help. It’s important to remember that if you feed them, you do that for you,” she said. “So, put up feeders where you can see them and learn about them, but if you provide feeders, keep them clean and healthy. If you do it, do it right.”

This is the time to hang hummingbird feeders on the porch, and Gauldin offered two important considerations when feeding these delightfully entertaining birds.

“Don’t use red at all in the feeders. Don’t use prepared products that are red. It’s not good for the birds, and it’s a waste of money for you,” she said.

Instead, prepare a solution of sugar water on your stovetop by mixing four parts water to one part granulated sugar. Stir the two ingredients together and heat them to boiling; then, let the solution cool before filling feeders with it. Store

unused solution in the refrigerator.

“The majority of the hummingbirds’ diet is insects and spiders. Feeders are a convenient nec tar supplement, but that’s not all they need,” she said.

Outside of the refrigerator, sugar water will spoil within a few days, so discard unused solution and replace it with fresh sugar water often. When you add fresh solution, be sure to thoroughly wash feeders to keep them clean. Spoiled or moldy sugar water is very unhealthy for the birds and unattractive for viewing. Keeping the feeders clean also would discourage ants and other insects close to the house.

“Put them up where you can see them well, and keep them clean, so you get the benefit of them,” Gauldin said.

A wide variety of feeders and seed mixtures are

Now is the time to put up hummingbird feeders, but if you do it, do it right by keeping feeders clean and mold free and by changing the sugar solution often.

sprays are popular with birds and watchers. Squirrels also are attracted to the seeds, so expect to have them as guests as well.

“And when you feed birds, realize that seed attracts birds and squirrels, and birds and squirrels attract hawks. Enjoy seeing the hawks, and don’t be horrified that hawks enjoy the bird buffet. That’s just part of where we live,” Gauldin added.

When hanging feeders for songbirds near windows, put stickers on the glass to help prevent birds from striking the glass and being injured.

Attract wood ducks with a homemade nesting box – a fun project to do with grandchildren

Expect squirrels to love the seed in your birdfeeders

Waterfowl are a mix of desirables and undesirables. Mallards and other ducks are popular around docks, and wood ducks are a rare and wonderful sight in our area.

“Wood ducks breed in Alabama. They are one of the few waterfowl that breed here. They nest in sloughs, flooded woods and swamps, and they

must be close to water. They typically nest in dead trees. Snags are excellent nesting sites, so if dead trees are not a risk to life or property, leave them up. They are the hotels of the wildlife world.

“You can find plans for wood duck houses online. Building a wood duck house is a great summer project with grandchildren,” she said.

Canada geese are another story. They tend to be noisy and messy, and once they take up residence on a lake lawn, they can quickly become a nuisance.

“Quite honestly, the best way to avoid issues with geese is to not live near the lake. You won’t change a goose’s mind about its natural habitat,” Gauldin said.

“Beyond that, keeping grass tall will make an area less desirable, as they want to have a clear field of vision for dangers. Spooking them away is an option, but if your neighbors are providing feed for them, they will stick around.”

Many mammals also are on the list of undesirables, Gauldin said. While raccoons are fun to watch, they can be very destructive. To discourage them, secure trash cans and remove possible food sources. Block access to hiding places.

Provide cover to attract rabbits, a favorite with grandchildren

Though unpopular, snakes help to keep the rodent population in check

Fun to watch, racoons also can be very destructive

Treat the lawn for grubs and use motion-activated lights and sprinklers. Treating the lawn for grubs would remove that food source, and commercial scent repellents also are available.

Treating the lawn also could help to deter armadillos, which dig for grubs and termites.

“Most people say ‘no’ to snakes, but a world without snakes would be much more unpleasant,” Gauldin said. “Snakes eat rodents and keep that population under control, but it’s understandable that people don’t want them in or around the home.

“Snakes are attracted to food – rodents and birds – that hang out in brush piles, junk piles, old boards, tin, high weeds, piles of old trash, smelly trash cans around sheds. All of these places attract rodents, and rodents attract snakes.”

Rodents are attracted to stored birdseed as well, so store unused seed in covered, inaccessible containers.

In addition, provide places away from the main house where snakes can hide.

“Snakes are not predators of humans. They bite out of defense, not aggression, even venomous ones. If you see a snake, move away from it, and it will move away from you,” Gauldin said.

Deer are another animal that some hope to attract while others want to discourage, she noted.

“We have a love/hate relationship with deer. We want to move to a landscape that provides wooded seclusion and views of wildlife, and that’s the same habitat deer frequent. Deer that live around people become bold and less wary. They also eat ornamental plants, landscaping vegetation. So how do we keep them in the area but not causing damage?

“They will jump over fences to access gardens, so fences are not an economical way to keep deer out. There are sprays you can buy to keep them away, but they have to be freshened up after a rain. There are some commercial applications –powdered blood solutions – but they don’t smell great,” she said.

An outdoor dog will help to keep deer out of snacking distance.

A dog might also discourage red and gray foxes. These elusive mammals prey on small rodents, especially rabbits.

“Kids love to see the rabbits, but rabbits like brush piles because that’s cover from predators like foxes. Keep the brush piles away from the house but maybe in view of the house, so you can see the rabbits. You might also get to see a fox,” she said.

“Kids grow up afraid of wildlife if they have no experience with it,” said Gauldin. “Teach them about the amazing variety of animals here and how to live beside them without conflict.

“One fun way to do that is to spread flour

around outside at night and, in the morning, see what kind of tracks are there. The flour is biodegradable, and this activity is especially fun for kids.

“Remember that we are fortunate to live where we can see wildlife. A large portion of the population never sees these things. We’re spoiled with access to a wide variety of wildlife and can encourage or discourage them by what we provide and what we withhold.”

Lake homeowners tend to have a love/hate relationship with deer, as they are fun to watch in the yard when they aren't snacking on the landscaping

Build to age in place

STORY BY BETSY ILER

WWhen Amy Potter Lamberth and her husband, Lewis, renovated a Lake Martin home where they expect to live out their retirement, the certified agingin-place consultant focused on future practicality as well as current lifestyle needs.

“None of us likes to think about aging. In our minds, we’re so much younger than our physical bodies, but be honest with yourself. The way things are today isn’t the way they will be in five, 10 or 20 years. If you are building or renovating a house for your retirement years, think with a mindset of ‘What does this look like if I have a physical disability? A mental disability? Can I access things?’” Lamberth said. “You may have to make some changes moving forward, so do you do it now or retrofit later? It’s so much easier if you do it initially, or at least prepare for that.

“For example, when we renovated the bathroom, we studded our grab bars but didn’t install them yet.

When we need them, the structural work has already been done.”

Bathrooms are the No. 1 fall danger for aging persons, Lamberth said.

“Because of the water, it’s the most unsafe area in the home, so put extra attention there.”

In designing the bathroom layout, make sure you could get a walker or wheelchair into the commode area and there is plenty of space between the sink and the commode or shower.

“Get the tallest commode available because it’s easier to get up and down from as you age,” she suggested.

And while bathroom, closet or laundry room doors sometimes are more narrow, make sure yours are 32 inches wide, which is the amount of room required for wheelchair access.

With younger families, having all the bedrooms

Though no one likes to think about it, preparing your retirement home for wheelchair or walker access before you need it is a good idea

upstairs can be convenient, but when aging makes stairs difficult, the downstairs den or the living room –which has no closet – has to be converted for bedroom space.

“Think about resale to an older, broader market. All upstairs bedrooms may limit the sale of your home,” she added.

In the kitchen, make sure the space between an island and the sink or appliances is wide enough for a walker or wheelchair – and the appliances themselves are accessible.

“Be sure to design the kitchen for low access to drawers and appliances. I had an aunt who became wheelchair bound. She wanted to stay in her home, but she couldn’t access the oven. So, she lived with a microwave on her counter and ate only what she could cook in the microwave because that’s all she could reach,” Lamberth said.

Be sure refrigerator and freezer handles are accessible from a wheelchair position and install – or make it possible to install in the future – one or two lower countertops and a lower sink.

Keep access in mind and consider the elevation of a home, as well, she said.

“How would you add a ramp in the future if you needed that?” Lamberth asked. “One of the homes we considered buying here was a cabin, but it was situated in a way that would have made it difficult to put a ramp in. When you look at a house, consider which entrance you could use with a ramp.”

Ramps also should be considered in relation to docks and lake access. While flagstones and steps to the waterfront might be picturesque now, they could hinder ready access to lake life later. So, consider the least steep path from the house to the lake and be prepared to replace the flagstones with a smooth, concrete path sometime in the future.

A safe room could be great protection from storms, but it’s no help at all if it can’t be accessed. Descending ladders or steps into the space could be very difficult for a person whose balance or mobility is compromised, Lamberth said.

“You can do things at home to create a safe place,

so you don’t have to go outside or under the house into a cellar. Retrofit a closet with concrete reinforced walls or do that with an interior wine room,” she suggested. “Just make sure you can get in it if you are using a wheelchair or a walker.”

When transitioning from one area of the house to another, even a small threshold could create a problem, so eliminate them when possible, Lamberth suggested.

“Think about the garage,” she added. “If you have even one or two steps into the house from the garage, you would need a small ramp to get into the house, or you would have to use the driveway and go around, which increases the fall risk from walking on uneven surfaces.

“Fall prevention is so important. If you already have some imbalance and have already fallen, even if it was a fluke fall, do some strength training to improve your balance.”

Light is an aging person’s friend and an ally against falls, Lamberth said.

“Overall, you want to live with light. It’s the key to fall prevention. A senior needs 10 times more light than a younger person. We tend to live in the dark. Seniors don’t want to spend money on electricity. Install windows that allow lots of natural light coming through. Make sure they are easy for you to open, and absolutely install electric shades.”

If you are building or renovating, try to find a builder who has completed the aging-in-place certification or has experience in building or remodeling homes with aging in mind. Short of that, she suggested visiting the American Occupational Therapy Association website to learn more about aging in place and making home modifications.

“Reach out to an occupational therapist to tell you what modifications would be needed,” she said.

“Realistically, you probably will make some mistakes anyway, or you may decide it’s worth it to do it one way now and retrofit something later when it’s needed,” she added. “That’s all right. Just be thinking of it and preparing for it.”

Plan enough space to manuever a wheelchair or walker around plumbing fixtures in the bathroom

Include a smooth path to access docks and outside living spaces

New Neighborhoods at the Lake Find

the best fit for your lifestyle

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

Russell Lands will open Phase 2 of The Heritage this spring

The Heritage Lake Club

TThere’s still room around the lake for new developments and neighborhoods, giving residents and potential residents the chance to find their perfect home and create lasting memories. From amenities to a variety of floorplans, lot sizes, proximity to large city or small communities, you likely will find it at Lake Martin, as a number of new developments are on the horizon this spring.

For luxury lake living, nothing compares to Russell Lands’ newest neighborhood endeavor, The Heritage. Amenities on this east-facing shoreline will include The Benjamin Lake Club with indoor and outdoor recreation, an event space, fitness facility, tennis and pickleball courts, covered pavilions, firepits, a community dock and a waterfront beach area. Lakefront homes in the neighborhood will include more water frontage than the average Lake Martin home.

But the neighborhood’s signature amenity is the state’s only golf course designed by renowned course architect Bill Coore and champion golfer “Gentle Ben” Crenshaw. Projected to open this fall, the Wicker Point Golf Club will feature pine plantations and meandering creeks in play that lets nature set the course.

Learn more at russelllands.com/neighborhoods/theheritage.

Magnolia Cove developers are focusing heavily on the future of lake residents and plan to provide

a long list of amenities to the neighborhood’s residents. Situated in Blue Creek right off State Route 49, Magnolia Cove includes 130 acres in one of the lake’s most popular locations.

Magnolia Cove is still in Phase 1, according to developers J.R. Adams and Jason Wallace of Lake Martin Land Co., but the prepping process for Phase 2 already has begun.

“We’re building the Phase 1 houses now, and we’ve started clearing and prepping the roads for Phase 2. There’s going to be multiple phases,” Adams said.

The first phase includes 17 waterfront lots and six water access, or interior, lots. Though the lots aren’t large, most measuring in at about a third of an acre, the land is level near the shorelines, and mature trees can be found around most of the lots.

“All of our lots have mature trees, and it just makes it feel more natural. The space has great topography,” Wallace explained.

Along with finishing up Phase 1 and beginning Phase 2, developers and builders are focused on getting construction going on the amenities within the year. According to Adams and Wallace, the plan is to include a resort-style pool, dog park, integrated walking trail systems and a green area space for outdoor fun with the family.

“We’re going to have a big green space area where

Wicker Point Golf Club, a Coore & Crenshaw course, will be the centerpiece of living at The Heritage

residents can have picnics, do Easter egg hunts or take a frisbee out there. We also plan on building a stage, so kids can have movie nights,” Wallace said.

Adams and Wallace believe the amenities that will be offered, along with the location and the topography, set Magnolia Cove apart from other developments taking form around the area.

“It’s the amenities and location. It’s a quiet cove. Our residents are going to get to enjoy the quiet, serene lake life,” Adams said.

Potential Magnolia Cove residents can choose from six to eight floorplans and floorplan renderings can be found on the Magnolia Cove website at magnoliacovelakemartin.com. Also, land has been purchased by Lake Martin Land for another development dubbed Longleaf Ridge, which will feature cottages.

Check out their website for more information about Magnolia Cove and other developments.

Another new development at Lake Martin is The Camp. Michael Dilworth of Dilworth Development, Inc., launched the new endeavor, which offers private docks and beautiful views.

Located near Water’s Edge off State Route 34, The Camp

focuses on providing beautiful, lakefront homes with stunning views.

“I believe we’ve sold 20 homes out of the 29, so the development is a few years old, but we’re still doing construction on lots. I’m still preselling. There really aren’t any phases when it comes to building, we’ve just been selling as the demand was there. The demand is still there, and it has come in increments because of the off-season,” said Debbie Whitley, a Dilworth Development listing agent.

According to Whitley, the development includes cove lots and big water lots to accommodate a variety of residents.

“It’s interesting to see how different families or individuals want different spots throughout the development,” Whitley explained.

Price point varies depending on the package a new resident chooses. The package consists of a home plan on the lot, and the price for the package begins at $900,000.

Those interested in purchasing a home in The Camp development could base their decision on the views alone, according to Whitley.

“We are up off the water. We have a couple of lots that hug the water, but most of

A family-living green space will be among the amenities at Magnolia Cove

Camp boasts beautiful lakefront homes and stunning views

The

them, the big water views, are spectacular and unlike anything else that’s on the market right now that I know of. I think the views have been the draw. Some of the houses are snuggled up to each other, but there’s still plenty of recreational space within the front of your own home. We make sure we get you down to the water. Most of them are basement homes,” Whitley explained.

Most of the lots are at least a quarter of an acre, and generally the homes are vertical when it comes to the placement on the lot.

“They are very efficient homes, too. Some of the houses even have six bedrooms, five and a half baths. We just stack. It could be basement, main level, and then a third story. It just depends,” Whitley said.

To get a glimpse of the four floorplans or to get more information, head over to the Dilworth Development website, dilworthdevelopment.com.

Harmony Cove, another new development, is situated in Eclectic near Trillium and consists of 98 acres. With the land acquired in 2021 by developers Bill Kinnebrew and Jeff Lee, all of the five estate lots in Phase 1 have sold.

“We’ve now sold 10 cabins across from Lake Martin on Harmony Cove Pond,” said Paige Patterson of Love

Lake Martin Realty.

With quiet, peaceful surroundings to enjoy, a smaller price point and the variety of floorplans offered in Harmony Cove, it could be ticking off boxes for future residents.

“The lots are going at or under the $450,000s. I’m not quite sure how many phases the developers are expecting, but they have all kinds of creative ideas. They’re exploring creekside camps, ridgetop cabins, so it’s evolving every day,” Patterson explained.

Homes by Indianwood is the builder for the development, and the lots vary in size.

“In Phase 1, we had lots that were as big as 10 acres. Our current phase and the next phase, around the pond, are sort of set up as a condo where residents will really own the 45 by 45 foundation. It’s all different, depending on the phase,” Patterson explained.

According to Patterson, unlike most lakefront developments, no two houses are the same at Harmony Cove.

“This is craftsmanship at its finest. We want to create PawPaw’s cabin,” Patterson said.

For more information about Harmony Cove and available lots, visit Patterson’s website, paigepatterson.com.

Fine craftsmanship and unique floorplans are the attraction at Harmony Cove

Castaway hit hard by latest storm

LLake Martin took another possible tornado hit Sunday, March 26, as a series of storms pummeled the area from late evening to early Monday morning with most of the damage in the southwest section of the lake. The storm was not yet verified as a tornado at Lake magazine’s presstime, but meteorologists at WAFF TV in Montgomery highlighted the rotation on radar during the storm event.

Numerous downed trees, damaged roofs and no power in the area greeted residents on Monday morning.

Lisa and Joey Davidson were on the couch of a Castaway Road home when the storms came through Sunday. The Davidsons didn’t realize how close the storms were when a tree fell on their roof and deck outside the window.

“It happened so fast, you didn’t know what happened,” Lisa Davidson said. “We were just sitting there. You didn’t realize the tree had fallen. We knew there was some damage as a little water started coming in.”

Joey Davidson has seen and heard a few things in his 20-year career as a firefighter, but it was the first

time he’d dealt with a possible tornado.

“I haven’t had a fire that scared me that much,” he said. “It was pretty rough.”

Monday morning Joey was putting some of his firefighting skills to use, tying knots to help pull partially downed trees away from the lakeshore home.

The Davidsons weren’t the only ones who suffered damage to their home.

“A tree came down and tore up the front and busted the glass,” Scott Ruper said of his Castaway home. “It ripped my deck off. It knocked my boathouse over and made a mess.”

Like other Castaway residents, Ruper was cleaning up Monday and trying to protect damaged homes.

“I got some friends bringing plywood to cover the windows,” Ruper said.

Jennifer Seale was in Montgomery when the possible tornado struck Castaway Island. Monday morning found her waiting on a contractor to come tarp the roof to protect the belongings inside her home.

“It’s not fun, but you have to look at things and be thankful no one was hurt,” Seale said. “It might ruin

STORY & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

our summer plans, but we will figure out how to make it work.”

Not far away from Castaway Island, Alabama Power was making repairs to lines crossing Lake Martin. Overnight, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol reported low hanging lines over the water between The Ridge Marina and Martin Dam in Elmore County.

“The repair time for the power lines is currently undetermined, and all boaters are asked to avoid the area,” an ALEA press release stated Monday morning. “Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division are currently on scene marking the area and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.”

Alabama Power reported as many as 12,000 customers were without power at some point Sunday night into Monday. Most outages were in Elmore, Tallapoosa and Autauga counties.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, 950 customers were without power in Elmore County and 700 in Tallapoosa County.

Alabama Power also opened the floodgates at Martin Dam on Monday. Three generators had been running

early in the day to quickly move water downstream, but as the storm runoff poured into Lake Martin tributaries, waterfalls appeared on the banks where none previously existed. The water level rose nearly 6 feet, topping out close to the summer pool level before journeymen at the dam raised the floodgates and moved a large volume of water downstream.

In the meantime, notices of lost boats and dock furniture flooded local Facebook pages, as Lake Martin residents discovered their items were missing.

Boaters are urged to use caution in the weeks ahead, as water-logged trees and other debris have been washed into the reservoir, making boating dangerous in some areas.

Though the water level in Lake Martin rose to the summer pool level with the storm surge, in accordance with Alabama Power’s license to operate Martin Dam, the water level will drop as soon as feasible to coincide with the rule curve once flood control measures are no longer in effect. At that point, the level will once again continue its gradual rise to 491 mean sea level feet and be at full pool on April 19.

Water flowed swiftly downstream as gates were opened at Martin Dam

Numerous treetops were twisted from their trunks

Several homes suffered extensive damage when the storm hit the lake's southwest corner

Thoroughly 'Krafted'

STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

After years of big city life in Dallas and Atlanta, Steve and Andrea Kraft moved to Windermere West on Lake Martin full-time in 1996. In 2004, they built a house in Emerald Shores, and in 2019, the Krafts began a two-year modern renovation on a house in Longleaf.

“Since our two daughters are grown, we really wanted to downsize from our more traditional lake home in Emerald Shores. We knew the minute we walked into this house that it had great potential for a more modern look. We also loved the point lot –almost 600 feet of shoreline,” Andrea Kraft said.

The Krafts had renovated other homes in the past, so they knew exactly what they wanted and how to tackle the process. They did not hire a builder but did all the subcontracting themselves. Kraft sketched out the interior plans; then, she and Steve hired

Sloan Flourney from Columbus, Georgia, to draw final plans and add exterior finishes.

Brian Koon at Brian Koon Construction leveled the lot and built the couple's first large retaining wall. He also assisted with interior demolition.

“He was wonderful to work with,” Kraft said.

In addition to the interior sketches, Kraft selected every paint color, tile, hardware and light fixture. The front door is on the side of the house, so Flourney designed an iron arbor with lighting to guide visitors along a flagstone path to the front door. The iron work at the front door mirrors the arbor.

Kraft chose paints that complement the renovation’s style – Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty for the exterior with a custom trim color and wide natural wood framing around the windows. The interior

w w A

Clean lines and contemporary details combined for an exquisite renovation

Contrasts of black and white, wood and leather, create a spectacular kitchen

The large living area includes three seating areas and a lake view that wraps in three directions

An outdoor kitchen and fire pit provide lakeside entertaining space

is exclusively Sherwin-Williams Snowbound. Steve was a painting contractor early in life, so the couple painted the entire house, both interior and exterior. In fact, they painted every house they have ever lived in, Kraft said.

The main living area of the home features the original beamed and vaulted ceiling, which meets overhead in the center of the room. The original carpet was replaced with pine floors stained with a 50-percent dilution of Golden Oak.

A round fireplace with glass doors and gas logs is the focal point in the open room, which naturally divides into four purposeful spaces – an entryway, two distinct sitting areas and an area for dining. Walls of windows and sliding doors allow lake views on three sides, while the kitchen and a keeping room are located just beyond the remaining side. The iron staircase railing near the front door and a raised platform for the fireplace were fabricated by Blue Creek Iron Works in Dadeville.

“I had good luck on Facebook Marketplace selling most of our furniture from the last house. Then, I searched all over for comfortable furniture with clean lines for our more modern look. The dining room table is one we’ve had for years. Too many memories were made there to let it go,” she said.

Kraft’s search for just the right look was extensive yet proved successful. The large sectional is from Restoration Hardware, and she found the leather

chairs online at CB2. The two chairs and matching ottomans came from Sixpenny. The coffee table in the living room was custom built by Greg Brock, owner of Plainsman Woodworking in Auburn. Kraft updated a long IKEA console table with a stone top to define one side of the sitting area. The large rug is from Wayfair, while other rugs in the house are from Pottery Barn. Kitchen and bath runners were found at Fig and Wasp in Waverly.

Fred’s Cabinets in Dadeville handled all the custom cabinetry in the home. Kraft chose Chantilly Lace for the cabinet color and a contrasting slightly antiqued matte-black granite that mimics soapstone for the top of the island. Countertops are white quartz, and the backsplash is a white subway tile in a basketweave pattern. The Viking stove is a centerpiece of the kitchen.

Natural oak doors on the top cabinets contrast with the white backsplash. Glass doors on the upper cabinets allow splashes of color and texture in the dishes to complement the space. Kraft enjoys mixing metals in a room, and her choice of polished nickel hardware and sconces from Bellacor works well with stainless-steel appliances and plumbing fixtures. The bar stools are from Wayfair. Two closets were removed along one wall to add cabinets, the refrigerator and double ovens. A wine refrigerator and desk area round out the perfect touches on the new wall.

Asian art from her father's military travels anchors the primary bedroom

Red umbrellas and black chaise lounges contrast beautifully on the deck and dock

An iron arbor and flagstone walkway guide guests from the driveway to the front door

The large office offers plenty of natural light and a view of the lake

Original exterior glass walls work well with the modern tile

Pantry storage includes cabinets and shelves

Outside, the Krafts redid the landscaping and added a large covered deck

The kitchen desk features one of Kraft's artitic finds

The keeping room beside the kitchen offers a lake view and is where the couple really lives, Kraft said. The Pottery Barn sofa and two chairs from McGee and Company are stationed around a marble-topped coffee table. The stack tables, ottoman and sofa table are from Benbrook Antique Mall in Ft. Worth, Texas. Her search for antiques also took Kraft to estate sales and the Montgomery Street Antique Mall, also in Texas.

“The keeping room has a story. Ten days before this photoshoot for Lake , I leaned the marble top against the sofa, and it fell and broke. I contacted Deep South Marble in Auburn, and I am in debted to Amber, who orchestrated a new top for the one I broke and a top for another table out of the broken piece. All in 10 days. They were amazing,” Kraft said.

Kraft collects antique watercolor paintings and frames, with a few oil pieces here and there. Gallery walls have become a way for her to display her finds. She has a gallery over the keeping room sofa and on other large walls. She also used a gallery wall to display a collection of old family photos and another to feature the couple’s two daughters.

To increase the space behind the kitchen, the Krafts took in the garage and added a large pantry, a primary suite, a guest room and an office. The spa -

cious pantry includes cabinets and shelf storage.

A sliding door allows outdoor access to the lakeside from the primary bedroom. The headboard was purchased from CB2, and the custom cabinets were built by Fred’s. Originally purchased by her father while he was stationed in Asia, the artwork over the bed came from Kraft’s parents’ home. The primary bath includes custom cabinets and the same matte black granite countertop as the kitchen island. Transom windows and fluorescent lights over the mirrors provide a perfect combination of light.

The guest suite is beautifully appointed with another large piece of Asian art doubling as a headboard. The bathroom shower features glass doors and a glass exterior wall, filling the room with light and a courtyard view – all hidden behind a privacy fence. Another shower with an exterior glass wall is in the bathroom near the front door.

“Steve’s office is large and bright, and it could be a bedroom if we decided we needed it. I had one little space back here that was a perfect little room for our dog, Levon, but it could hold bunk beds if we need to add sleeping space,” Kraft said.

Downstairs, two bedrooms allow guests plenty of privacy and lake views. Kraft found a vanity for the downstairs bathroom at Room and Board. A woven headboard for one of the bedrooms was found at

The shaded deck is perfect for dining and conversation

Grandin Road. Besides having plenty of storage space downstairs, one room will eventually become a workout room.

The Krafts chose a composite material for their new deck and dock. The exterior iron and cable railings were fabricated and installed by Royce Willis at Royce Willis Cable Railings in Dadeville.

The couple drew their own landscaping plan, and Aaron Alexander of Alexander Landscape Design installed their selections. Alexander did extensive grading and built retaining walls and steps, as well. Stacked boulder walls are situated in strategic placements in the landscaping.

“He worked really well for us,” Kraft said. “He listened to our ideas; and then, he did draw plans for us and did the installation. He also made both of our flagstone patios, as well as the patio dockside, in addition to retaining walls, and he designed our fire pit.”

A patio with a fire bowl and an outdoor kitchen are near the water on one side of the house. A Stump’s Smoker provides the centerpiece of the kitchen. The rest of the kitchen appliances came from Texas Pit Crafters – a gas grill, an infrared grill, a refrigerated section for ice and a large heating element, just perfect for the stock pot needed for a low-country boil.

The Krafts always wanted to be on a lake, and at the encouragement of a friend in Atlanta, they looked at Lake Martin and never looked anywhere else. Along with Levon, the Krafts now entertain friends and family in a newly renovated space that is truly of their own design.

“We have both lived all over the place – New York, Texas, Chicago, Germany, Wyoming, Colorado, Connecticut, and the list goes on, but we feel so lucky to have landed at Lake Martin all those years ago. We truly have a gem here,” Kraft said.

Kraft combined new furniture with antiques for a comfortable keeping room

wA large smoker is the centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen

What's new in the lake house?

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

When interest peaks for the construction of a house at Lake Martin, maintenance-free materials are popular with homeowners and contractors.

According to David Chancellor of Legacy Homes, homeowners are willing to consider all materials if it means living without maintenance.

“A lot of people, especially part-time residents, want to be as maintenance-free as they can get. For example, a lot of people are trying to get away from wood siding products because of pests. Pests can do a lot of damage. A lot of builders are migrating to concrete products because manufacturers make the concrete siding look like a wood product, but the carpenter bees can’t drill holes in it, and the squirrels can’t get

through it,” Chancellor explained.

Choosing concrete siding over wood siding could be a good option when it comes to deterring pests and for durability during tornado season.

Another key element to any build is insulation. When deciding on a type of insulation, it’s important to examine how it could affect your energy bill. Compared to other types of insulation, like fiberglass or organic insulation, spray foam could keep the heat inside your home easier.

“Spray foam insulation is a product that really helps lower power bills. It’s very beneficial,” Chancellor said.

While wine cellars have been consistently popular

in the average lake house within the area, most home buyers and homeowners compromise preferences for additional safety during tornado season.

“What I’m doing a lot of right now is doubling wine cellars as storm shelters. About five years ago, half of the houses I was building had a dedicated wine cellar with temperature regulation. The wine cellars that have that temperature regulation feature weren’t so great for doubling as a safe room or a storm shelter because of the cold. People have gotten away from those and are doubling wine cellars as storm shelters now. These don’t have cooled temperatures. We’ve seen the migration of the combination,” Chancellor explained.

While the wine cellar/storm shelter combination is

popular with customers nowadays, the hot new integrated feature lake homeowners request is a swimming pool. According to Chancellor, the number of swimming pool requests has grown exponentially.

While new materials are fun and oftentimes beneficial, some old material is timeless and is in just as high demand as ever.

“I still love the natural stones and the heavy timbers. After all these years, it’s cedar and stone that are just timeless. Everybody wants those materials, and they’re included in just about every lake house we do,” Chancellor said.

Though using stone and timber on the exterior of the lake homes in the area has been a common practice

Today's lake homeowners are more inclined to spend money on larger, more efficient windows

Natural stone materials remain in high demand

Storm shelters are requested more frequently

for contractors for years, home buyers now want to integrate the same materials on the interior of their homes, too. Doing so connects the exterior and the interior, complementing the concept of bringing the outdoors in.

Another exterior feature being talked about a lot more between contractors and customers are windows. According to Phillip Pouncey of Phillip Pouncey Builder, homeowners are much more willing to spend bigger on windows than in previous years.

“In the last several years, there’s been a transition of people wanting to spend more money on windows. They want better quality of windows for efficiency. Low-E glass, for example, creates a high efficiency. With Low-E, you don’t lose as much of that heat and cooling through the windows that you used to. It’s much more energy-efficient,” Pouncey said.

Much like Chancellor, Pouncey has noticed the idea of temperature-regulated wine cellars dissipating from customers’ wish lists more and more. Despite this, customers still want to have a dedicated wine space and are willing to settle on a wine room rather than a wine cellar.

“As far as wine cellars, those are more sporadic. We’re not seeing as many, but we are starting to see more wine rooms. In the last year, we’ve done an all-glass wine room that had its own air conditioning and dehumidification where it’s part of the room. It was a separation between the dining and living space, so it’s a glass-enclosed room that you walk into,” Pouncey explained.

According to Pouncey, with some customers choosing to spend less money on a dedicated wine space, they have been examining other features for lake houses, like sound system control. Integrating a sound system throughout a home could make playing music and podcasts easier and could be managed with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. With speakers in every room, the audio could play seamlessly from room to room.

Though new architectural practices are happening more frequently around the lake, Chad Calhoun of Classic Homes believes a lot of people are still gravitating towards the use of natural materials.

“We’re seeing a lot of oak flooring, and we’re still seeing a lot of the wood walls and ceilings in the houses that we’re doing,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun echoed Chancellor’s sentiment about maintenance-free homes becoming the top priority for customers.

“We’re still seeing quartz countertops predominantly being used in these homes because they hold up, and they really don’t require maintenance whatsoever. You could do anything to them, and they just don’t get damaged,” Calhoun explained.

“In a lot of cases, when you have a basement-

Swimming pool requests come more frequently as the rental market picks up

Wood timbers, paneling and flooring draw the outside in

Wine rooms often double as storm shelters

style home, like a two-level home that has a walk-out basement to the lake, a lot of people are using luxury vinyl tile on the floors in those areas.

Traditionally, they’re great for kids coming in off the lake; the floors withstand water. Those types of floors are very durable and maintenance-free, and quite frankly, they go for a decent price point,” Calhoun said.

Along with changes on the interior and exterior of homes, dock builds also are introducing changes when it comes to the materials being used. According to David McGirt, owner of Lake Martin Dock Company, lake homeowners are looking for long-term choices.

“Most of our customers are utilizing PVC-based decking. This type of decking means no splinters, it’s moisture resistant and easy to clean. Another great thing about it is that it’s made up of 80-percent recycled materials and doesn’t fade over time,” McGirt explained.

Seawalls also are changing up a bit when it comes to the material.

Lake Martin Dock Company is moving away from past materials.

“The trend we’re seeing is that we’re being asked more and more to build concrete, reinforced seawalls. The days of cinderblock walls and wood seawalls are really a thing of the past. Most of our customers are making a long-term investment, so they never have to replace their seawalls,” McGirt said.

All plans for seawall construction or improvement, including using concrete as opposed to natural materials, must be approved and permitted through Alabama Power Shoreline Management prior to construction.

The trends for maintenance-free living, weather security and long-term durability indicate that Lake Martin homeowners plan to enjoy the lake life for years to come.

More homeowners at the lake are requesting concrete seawalls for their endurance

Low maintenance outdoor living spaces make lake life more fun and less costly

The large, showy flowers of Trifoliate Orange smell mildly of citrus

TrifoliateOrange

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

IIf you’re exploring the Lake Martin area and come across an outrageously thorny shrub with twisting green arms, it’s likely an invader that’s been here for more than a century.

Back in the days before barbed wire, one of the ways to create fenced pasture for livestock was to plant a thorny hedgerow on the outside borders. Today, wire is cheap and plentiful, but in the mid 1800s, fencing was expensive and time consuming.

Enter the Trifoliate Orange.

Native to China and Korea, the Trifoliate Orange is the most cold-hardy member of the citrus family. Unlike other citruses that can’t handle freezing temperatures, the Trifoliate Orange can survive temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees.

According to the NOAA weather records, the Alexander City area’s lowest recorded temperature since 1942 was minus 6 degrees on Jan. 21, 1985. So, there’s a good chance that a Trifoliate Orange hedgerow planted here around the time of the Civil War could still be around.

In fact, if you drive down State Route 259 on the west side of Lake Martin, just south of County Road 20, there’s a pretty bend in the road where it crosses Chapman Creek. That’s where these Trifoliate Orange photos were taken. And the orange trees do create a formidable, thorny barrier between Chapman Creek and the pasture that borders it.

This large shrub or small tree can grow 10 to 20 feet tall and just as wide. It creates a thick, tangled web of long-thorned, green branches on brownish-grey trunks. Trifoliate Orange thorns are wicked looking at up to 2 inches long, and they are very sharp. They’ve been known to puncture tires. Each leaf is made of three green, oval leaflets, usually on a winged stalk. If you crush the leaves between your fingers, it will emit a spicy smell, like other members of the citrus family.

Its flowers, which smell mildly like citrus, are large, showy and white with five petals. They grow on the previous year’s branches in early spring.

In summer the flowers drop and produce small, downcovered, orange-like fruit that starts out green and turns yellow as the season progresses. The golf-ball sized fruits have lots of seeds, and the juice is high in citric acid and very sour.

This is a plant that grows best in full sunshine and acidic, well-drained soil, which you’ll find in sandy or loamy fields and the edges of woods in the Lake Martin area. Trifoliate Orange reproduces from its fruit seeds and

also from root suckers, creating dense colonies that readily form hedges.

Individual Trifoliate Orange shrubs can live for a long time. A hedge at Oklahoma State University has been maintained for more than half a century.

This shrub looks a lot like an Osage Orange, an unrelated native to the U.S. in a range that includes parts of Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma; however, Osage Orange has larger fruit, and its leaves are single ovals.

Trifoliate Orange is also known as Hardy Orange – a reference to its ability to survive winters here – and Japanese or Chinese Bitter Orange – a reference to the super sour taste of its fruit. One cultivar of this plant is commonly known as Flying Dragon because of its wavy, twisting limbs. And it is sometimes also called Mock Orange. But Trifoliate Orange is probably the most useful common name because it describes the citrus’ three-lobed leaves in near-English, and it’s almost the same as the plant’s scientific name, Citrus trifoliata

Speaking of scientific names, there is some debate among botanists whether Trifoliate Orange should be the only member of its own genus, separate from the other citrus plants. Those who favor setting it apart call it Poncirus trivoliata, and they point to Trifoliate Orange’s unusual characteristics – like having deciduous, three-lobed leaves and fuzz-covered young fruit and being so tolerant of cold.

Trifoliate Orange fruit is edible but can be bitter, as well as very sour. Lemonade – orangeade if you will – from its fruit requires more sugar than from ordinary lemons. It can also be made into marmalade.

Because of its dense, thorny nature, Trifoliate Orange is used by many birds as a nesting site that discourages predators.

Besides being planted as an ornamental or creating an impenetrable thorny hedge, Trifoliate is also commercially used as rootstock for other citrus plants. Grafting cuttings from citrus with more desirable fruit onto Trifoliate Orange rootstock creates a more cold-hardy plant that produces the better fruit associated with the cutting.

Trifoliate Orange is found growing in a number of southern states, from Texas to Georgia, but it is considered an invasive species in many places.

Some information for this story came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the Philadelphia Orchard Project and Alabama Plant Atlas with the University of West Alabama.

The golf-ball sized fruits can be bitter tasting

Clockwise from Above Left: Historically, the thorny branches stustituted for fences;The plant's name is derived from its threelobed leaflets;This shrub often grows in thick hedgerows; Large five-petaled flowers grow on the previous year's branches.

II have never reached the status of E.F. Hutton.

Many years ago, in the analog 1980s, there lived a company called E.F. Hutton. They were investment advisors or stockbrokers or Wall Street wizards or something. I don’t know.

Back then, there also lived a young boy in a small town who watched a TV with an aerial antenna that could reliably get about three channels. The boy’s favorite shows, pro rasslin’ events and Kung Fu movies, were sometimes interrupted by E.F. Hutton commercials. Their promotion tagline was, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” The ads were usually set in crowded, fancy restaurants, where the entire restaurant fell silent when one of the characters said, “My broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says …” Every person in the commercial looked at the speaker, hanging on every word and totally focused on E.F.’s advice.

LAKE PROPERTY

BY JOHN COLEY

offer this advice one more time.

It might sound too elementary to some folks, but sports coaches often tell players to master the fundamentals, right? I think the fundamentals of Lake Martin real estate revolve around understanding the core concepts of how property is valued. My observation is that the Lake Martin market, over many decades, has shown that it prioritizes view, privacy, location and improvements, in that order.

The View: Everybody is here for a good view. I’ve never had anybody come to me and ask for the absolute worst view of the lake I could possibly find. Everybody wants the best view the budget will allow. That obviously applies to waterfront homes.

The young boy wanted to command that level of attention one day.

Alas, I became a Realtor in the internet age. Advice is free, and everyone is an expert. It is really hard to break through the noise to get your voice heard.

The only time I come even close to that level of attention is when offering my opinion on how Lake Martin property is valued. I have said it probably hundreds of times to thousands of people, but I still get asked this almost weekly. Since this is the Builders and Buyers issue of Lake magazine, I thought it might be a good time to

An interesting thing has popped up in the last three years at Lake Martin. Water view and water access homes have a been a hot trend lately. With the value of waterfront homes rising, many buyers have opted to go for a water view or water accessible home. The cool part of it is, the better the view, the more valuable it is. It doesn’t have to be necessarily sitting on the water for the view to add value. Water view homes that can see the lake cost more. This is played out in neighborhoods like The Village or The Hideaway that have off-water homes with varying views. The less obstructed the view, the more the market values it.

Privacy: Everybody’s definition of privacy is a little bit different, but nobody wants zero privacy. As a builder or a buyer, think about multiple sides of the home’s privacy.

Master the fundamentals

Always look at the lake side first. The lake side is the most important on Lake Martin. It is why we are here, right? One also must consider the privacy afforded by the home’s position from a car. Do you want to be down the end of a country road where all you see is woods? Or are you an Enneagram Seven that needs to have a lot of people around? Know thyself and be able to answer this question before you buy.

Location: Yes, I know the rest of the world applies the real estate cliché of location, location, location, to any situation. I guess it sort of applies here. What I mean by location is neighborhood. The market has shown tendencies over the years to price up for certain neighborhoods. If you’re not in these neighborhoods, you shouldn’t have to pay at their levels. But, I’ve got to admit, in the last five years, especially, this neighborhood premium has been less influential.

For instance, five years ago, it was rare to see a home sell for over $1 million if it was outside of five or six particular neighborhoods. In 2022, the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors reported that about 100 homes sold for over that amount. These homes were located all around the lake.

Improvements: By improvements, I mean the house, the dock, or anything else that you build on a lot. The trap that a lot of buyers fall into is taking the price and dividing it by the home’s area, yielding the price per square foot. That is the No. 1 most misleading statistic in the history of Lake Martin real estate. Many a homebuilder fell prey to this error in 2007 when they discovered their spec homes were overpriced.

Similarly, I have seen more buyers make mistakes using

that statistic than any others in our area. Because the first three factors in this list carry so much weight, it can easily make the price per square foot into a meaningless statistic. My advice is to ignore price per square foot; instead, consider what the appraisers and Realtors use – the sales comparison method. That’s a fancy way to say, “Just look at other comparable homes and adjust for the differences.” The trick here is finding good “comps” or comparable sales.

Bonus Tip: What about pools? In a very interesting recent Facebook conversation, one of the group members put out the opinion that having a pool at a waterfront home greatly adds to that home’s value. I disagree.

My advice on pools is that they do not add value to a Lake Martin waterfront house. History has shown us, looking through the sales of the last 20 years, that the market does not price up for the existence of a pool; however, I usually add that if you do not plan to move in the next three or four years, and you really want one, go for it. Just don’t expect it to add any value to your home.

One of the dissenter opinions was that renters really like pools. Since the rental market is a growing influence at Lake Martin, pools could be a positive influence on value in the future. Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe it will. Only time and sales will tell.

I know I don’t sound as confident as E.F. Hutton when I say that … Maybe that’s my problem.

John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Email him at john@lakemartinvoice.com.

Lake Watch

Protecting water quality through testing and oversight

Lake Martin water quality monitoring

Now that swim season is upon us, Lake Watch volunteers are back to work providing twice-a-month water quality testing at 17 or more sites across Lake Martin. Lake Watch Swim Alert Director Eric Reutebuch said test results will be posted on the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage.

“Results of our bacteriological testing will be posted at Lakewatch.org/swim-alert and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database. We expect our testing will confirm excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin.” Reutebuch said. “If our testing identifies areas on the lake that at the time do not appear to meet ADEM safe swimming standards, that information can be used by persons recreating on the lake to make their safe swimming decisions.”

LAKE WATCH

BY MATT CAMPBELL

Apparent sources of this pollution include the expanding poultry industry in our watershed, storm water runoff from cattle pastures and shortcomings in community wastewater treatment. Lake Watch is seeking to confirm sources of pollution in the river and streams and to address measures that would protect and improve our clean water. Water quality advocacy for our streams is good for Lake Martin. Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural communities; moreover, the pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle. Property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners, local government ... are urged to help develop best practices to prevail throughout the watershed. Get involved as partners in our Clean Water Priority.

Testing on tributary streams

This swim season, Lake Watch will further expand bacteriological testing on the Tallapoosa River and its tributary streams and report data to the Alabama Water Watch data bank, as well as directly to ADEM. We find that, on many of our tributary streams, testing reveals E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable ADEM minimum standards.

Alabamians, don’t take clean water for granted. Celebrate your clean water and protect it.

Oversight of industrial discharge from Alabama Graphite Products, LLC

Lake Martin area citizens are concerned over Lake Martin receiving industrial pollution from the Alabama Graphite Products plant now under construction in Kellyton. Citizens have asked Lake Watch to provide a

Clean Water Bouquet Awards

A Clean Water Bouquet goes out to the Camp Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Lake Watch understands that ADEM is poised to award a very substantial grant to the Town of Camp Hill for construction of a first class WWTP. Over past years, Camp Hill’s settlement ponds have drained into Sandy Creek and then on to Lake Martin. Thanks goes to all persons who are making this project happen, especially including ADEM Director Lance LeFleur, Rep. Ed Oliver, County Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt and Camp Hill Mayor Williams-Cole. This is great news for Sandy Creek and Lake Martin.

A Clean Water Bouquet goes out to the Wind Creek State Park project for construction of a forced main to Alexander City’s Sugar Creek WWTP. Lake Watch understands that ADEM is poised to award a very substantial grant for this infrastructure project. The Wind Creek State Park settlement ponds have drained into Lake Martin. Thanks goes to all persons who are making this project happen, specially including ADEM Director Lance LeFleur, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rep. Ed Oliver, County Commissioner Steve Robinson and Alexander City Mayor Baird. This is great news for Wind Creek State Park and Lake Martin.

measure of oversight regarding this industrial discharge. Lake Watch has resolved to do so. Our Alabama State administration and local government have been delighted to welcome Westwater Resources, Inc., and its subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, to the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park to produce graphite product for use primarily in electric vehicle batteries.

We understand this will be the first graphite processing plant of its kind in the U.S. and that it will use environmentally friendly, patent pending, proprietary technology. The graphite processing plant is to receive fresh water from Alexander City and, after pre-processing the waste at the plant, will return a stream of wastewater to the Alexander City Sugar Creek municipal wastewater treatment plant. The Sugar Creek plant effluent discharges into Lake Martin.

ADEM has issued to Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, a State Indirect Discharge (SID) final permit, dated Sept. 29, 2022. The public wants to be informed about what will ultimately be discharged into Lake Martin. Lake Watch is concerned that, at this point, the characteristics of discharge and the acceptable wastewater profile referred to in the SID permit may still be open questions.

Prior to issuance of a permit, representatives from Lake Watch and Lake Martin HOBOs attended an informative and reassuring meeting of executives and engineers from Alexander City and Alabama Graphite. Lake Watch will request a follow up meeting with ADEM soon. We want EPA, ADEM and Alabama Graphite to provide the very highest standards of environmental protection for this new graphite processing technology. We want Westwater Resources, Inc., and Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, to spare no cost in providing clear, clean discharge from its operations.

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a nonprofit, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed.

“Hey folks call or come see us today. We are located at 1965 Eastern Blvd. in Montgomery just across the street from Lowe’s. We have a huge inventory of carpet, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank, ceramic and porcelain tile. We also do custom area rugs, countertops, blinds, and a variety of window coverings. We offer a “Low Price Promise” and professionally install everything we sell. Don’t pay too much or miss out on the great service at Georgia Floors Direct. We’ve been Flooring the River Region for Over 50 Years.”

Jeff Mallinson, Owner

WATERACCESS

Russell Cabins at The Willows, Verandas II • $1,095,000

Builder: Classic Homes • Beds: 4 Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,396

Russell Lands

Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com

1147 Willow Way N, Alexander City • $8,590,000

Beds: 11 • Baths: 12 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592

LakeMartinRealty.com

1774 Pineview Drive, Alexander City • $159,000

Beds: 3 • Baths: 1 • recently updated

Lake Martin Realty

Amy Duncan 256.212.2222

LakeMartinRealty.com

9 Magnolia Way, Dadeville • $1,094,000

Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Judith Jager 205.789.0698

LakeMartinRealty.com

Ridge Run, Bywater • $1,700,000

Beds: 3 • Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,612

Russell Lands

Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com

536 Russell Cabin Point, Alexander City • $3,375,000

Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017

LakeMartinRealty.com

58 Mallard Lane, Dadeville • $837,500

Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty

Denise Cochran 256.786.2484

LakeMartinRealty.com

34 North Cardinal Heights, Dadeville • $449,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3 • Water View & Access

Lake Martin Realty

Mimi Rush 334.399.7874

LakeMartinRealty.com

395 Sunset Point Drive, Dadeville • $569,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Unit 302

Lake Martin Realty

Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031

LakeMartinRealty.com

541 Transom Drive, Jackson’s Gap • $1,241,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Damon Story 205.789.9526

LakeMartinRealty.com

71 Martin Ridge Trace, Tallassee • $429,500

Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Water Access

Lake Martin Realty

Adam Yager 205.914.0830

LakeMartinRealty.com

519 Stillwoods Drive, Dadeville • $1,225,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Becky Haynie 334.312.0928

LakeMartinRealty.com

Clam and Chorizo Pasta

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups semolina

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons olive oil

10 egg yolks

3 whole eggs

Directions

Place the semolina and flour in a mixing bowl with a dough hook attachment. On low speed, slowly add the eggs one at a time. Once all of the eggs are added, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it starts to form a ball. (You might need to add a splash or two of water to bring the dough to a ball). Remove from the mixing bowl and kneed with your hands for about two to three minutes. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for one hour.

When rolling the dough out, we start on the thickest setting. Roll it through and fold the dough in half and press down to seal it. Then repeat the same number and roll the dough out. Repeat this process until you get to the thickness of pasta dough you like. We take ours to a number 2 before cutting into strips. Blanch in salted water for two to three minutes. Fresh pasta will cook more quickly than store bought.

Assembly

Start with the chorizo and cook it until it is fully cooked; then, add clams in the same sauté pan over high heat, covered. Once the clams have opened, add the pasta and toss to coat. Adjust seasoning and add 3 to 6 tablespoons of butter. Off heat, toss the pasta with the butter until the butter has melted and turned into a cream sauce.

Finish with fresh parsley to garnish.

CHEF'S TABLE

BY PETE MCKENNY

Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio,Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.

Proper alignment helps to prevent back and neck pain, headaches, falls and more

Physical Therapy Association

to help you move with less effort, breathe easier and feel great. The secret is good posture, and it plays a starring role in dictating the quality of your life. We have all heard it: “Stand up straight” and “Don’t slouch.” Behind those words is a very simple but important lesson.

Posture Perfect T

and muscles working together to keep you properly aligned. Correct posture occurs when your body parts align as they were meant to do, using the right amount of muscle tension to support yourself.

Posture is subconscious; you should not have to think about it. Certain groups of muscles, called postural muscles, help your body to hold good posture and to keep gravity from working against you. Postural muscles help you stay balanced as you move or walk.

Good posture promotes movement, efficiency and endurance and contributes to overall well-being. Good posture contributes to a positive appearance by projecting poise, confidence and dignity. Good posture is extremely important, as poor body alignment could lead to back and neck pain, poor balance, difficulty in breathing, headaches, incontinence, constipation and heartburn.

Poor posture becomes an everyday habit that sometimes begins with poor muscle tone and low levels of strength and flexibility. Researchers have connected poor posture with a higher risk of injury, especially during exercise.

Posture refers to how your spine curves and your muscles engage when you sit, stand and lay down or perform various tasks. It involves your spine

Good posture will help alleviate straining the muscle groups needed for daily activities. Static posture is the posture maintained when you are not moving, such as when you sleep, stand or sit still. Dynamic posture is how you hold yourself when walking, stretching or running.

HEALTHY LIVING

BY JULIE HUDSON

Good posture starts with aligning your ears evenly over your shoulders, which should be back and relaxed. This will help align your spin, as well. The spine has three curves: one at your neck; one in the middle of your back; and one in your lower back. Proper posture helps maintain these natural curves.

Muscles that are too tight or have a smaller range of motion can make it more difficult to position your body correctly. The strength of your legs and core could affect the way you carry yourself, ultimately contributing to poor posture. Core muscles, including your back, abdomen, pelvis, sides and buttocks, connect the top and bottom halves of your body. Weak

The American

will tell you there is a way

core muscles could cause slouching or force your top half more forward than your bottom half.

Modern lifestyles are a huge contributing factor to back and neck pain. Looking down at phones or sitting at desks for hours looking at computers could impact the way we hold ourselves. Carrying heavy purses or bags on one shoulder and carrying extra body weight also lead to poor posture.

Take notice to see if you lean forward or slouch when performing these tasks, rather than sitting or standing tall and upright. Over time, the body becomes fatigued and wears down, causing pain. At this point, muscles and tendons are not working efficiently, and the body needs to work extra hard to stay upright.

There are many benefits to good posture. Improving posture could improve physical and mental health and help you focus and stay energized throughout the day. This could improve your mood, as well. Research has shown that good posture also increases self-esteem and promotes a sense of pride and confidence. Good posture improves bone, joint and muscle health, too.

Aligning the spine correctly places less stress on joints and bones and allows them to work together. Along with core exercises, practicing good posture is one of the best ways to tone and strengthen your core.

Standing up straight and tall with your shoulders back will improve your breathing, as there will be less pressure on your diaphragm, making it easier to take a nice deep breath. Slouching could cause tension in your shoulders and neck, which leads to tension headaches in your forehead or the back of your skull.

Research has shown that back pain is one of the most common reasons for people to miss work. If you are required to stand for long periods of time, standing properly could help in relieving back fatigue and leg pain or cramps.

Proper posture results in a balanced muscular system, allowing for better range of motion, improved strength and flexibility and a decreased risk of injury. When your body moves more efficiently, you usually feel less fatigued.

The longer we have bad posture, the more difficult it could be to correct. A long, tiring day, a hard workout, working in a poorly designed space or getting a bad night’s sleep all contribute to poor posture. Posture needs to be corrected if you are not standing

or sitting straight and engaging your muscles, if you are rounding your shoulders or your neck is not held high. Raise the height of your computer monitor so you are not looking down. Place the keyboard where your shoulders and arms can be relaxed while keeping your wrists straight, and always sit back in your chair.

Planks, bridges, Supermans and cat-and-cow stretches are just a few exercises that help to build good posture. Make an extra effort to improve your posture for a few days and see for yourself the positive impact it could have.

Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

Wine you love but cannot drink

Anyone who has ever moved – and who hasn’t? –knows that empty wine and liquor boxes are great for packing everything from books to glassware. They are sturdy, uniform in shape, not too big to lift and the dividers can be very convenient. What could be more perfect for moving wine?

When we left Atlanta some 25 years ago, we brought about eight cases of wine that, on arrival, would be returned to our 100-bottle refrigerated cooler. Stemware and other glasses also were packed in wine boxes and labeled. Cookbooks, pantry items and anything that would fit made the journey in wine boxes. Large, sturdy computer boxes were better suited for linens, pillows or burley professional movers.

Those who do not store large quantities of wine might visualize what a mere 100 bottles looks like. A standard case is 12 750ml bottles; eight cases would hold 96 bottles. Never mind the dimensions (roughly 10 inches by 13 inches by 12 inches); we’re all familiar with the typical wine box. That’s two stacks of boxes, four high. For safety, that’s high enough unless you or your mover can support and secure a taller stack. Just one broken bottle of wine makes a mess; 12 would be awful.

an example of something from the cellar that you wouldn’t want to part with. The LeConte White (pictured) from the Smoky Mountain Winery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is from the first case of wine I ever bought. That would have been in the very early 1980s. After enjoying the other 11 bottles, the fate of the last one was that it would never be consumed. It was confined to the cellar only to be celebrated and remembered for being the first. Its value was strictly sentimental.

The grape variety for LeConte White is Vidal, also called Trebbiano in Italy, where it is the primary grape for balsamic vinegar and Ugni Blanc in France, where it is added to Cognac and Armagnac. Vidal may be more famous as the late harvest dessert wine, Icewine. Vidal wines are fruity and floral with caramel and apricot flavors and high acidity. Smoky Mountain Winery still produces LeConte White using locally grown Vidal grapes.

FROM THE CELLAR

BY HENRY FOY

So, a friend called last week needing some boxes. The couple is moving into a smaller property nearby, and the movers will take care of everything except the wine. We usually recycle our excess cardboard but would gladly set some aside.

“How many do you need?” I asked.

“Well,” he said, counting aloud, “it’s about 400 bottles that are going to a storage unit.”

“You’ll need over 30 boxes,” I said. “Not a problem, but give me a couple of days.”

In the end it was 34 wine boxes that found a second, albeit temporary, climate-controlled life.

This 400-bottle cellar is a modest collection containing pricey age-worthy wines at various levels of maturity, as well as a ready supply for everyday consumption. In a 4,000-square-foot lake home, a dedicated wine room with 400 to 500 bottles would be ideal for most people; however, moving an established collection could be a challenge. Factors of size, value and distance may require the advice of movers that are knowledgeable and experienced in handling wine.

People who buy and hold age-worthy wines do so with the intention of not consuming their rewards until an appropriate time that may be 10, 20, 30 or more years away. Moving these wines takes planning and attention to detail. The handling of everyday wines does not generally take as much care but, depending on the quantity and value, requires some thought as to where things would go. Most of us would take the wine with us. The house may be sold furnished, but that doesn’t include the contents of the cellar.

One of the wines we brought from Atlanta is

As you might guess, this wine is way past drinkable, and half of the wine has been lost to leakage despite the cork being intact. No longer the pale yellow to almost clear white wine, this bottle is totally oxidized to a chocolate brown. Most likely, it would have been past prime within five years of bottling, if it made it that long. Though this one was intentionally allowed to ruin on its own, we often hold some of our treasures far too long.

The wines we put in our cellars don’t have to be expensive or capable of aging for 30 years. A modest collection that might rest for five or 10 years could be an exciting window into the process and the effects of time on a maturing wine. It can be an amazing transformation, though proper storage is essential.

Collectors should also heed the advice of former Wall Street Journal wine columnists, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. Their “Tastings” column ran weekly in the Journal from 1998 until 2009, and they are wellknown for their writing and television appearances on CNN, Today, Martha Stewart Living and many others. The couple’s “Open That Bottle Night” resonates with anyone who saves wine for a special occasion. The idea for the event was to encourage people to finally uncork those wines that were always too special to open and kept getting pushed farther and farther back in the cellar until they were only a memory.

And unless it has sentimental value, why move wine that you can’t drink?

Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Spirits at 128 Calhoun St. in downtown Alexander City. Call 256-212-WINE(9463) or email emporiumwine128@gmail.com.

Accuracy Matters

Catch more fish when you hit the spot

SSaying casting accuracy in fishing is important is an understatement; yet, we rarely hear it discussed. Maybe we assume some anglers are just better casters than others. This is true on some levels, just as some are better shooters in basketball, and some are better throwers or hitters in baseball. Casting involves a level of skill that could be easier for some than others, but to leave it at that and assume we can’t improve is leaving a lot on the table. Being able to place a bait, or more importantly a variety of baits, in the right location is one of the quickest ways to up your game as an angler.

In bass fishing, an angler sometimes makes 2,000 casts in a day. Compare that with major League Baseball pitchers, who rarely top 100 pitches in a game. Of course, a cast in fishing does not require the same amount of exertion as throwing a baseball 90-plus miles per hour, though I would argue that a single cast in fishing deserves the focus of a 3-2 count baseball pitch. The way to get to the point where casts hit their spots is practice.

In fishing, we cast to targets most of the time. This used to be more true for beating the bank and the expert offshore anglers who were lining up objects on the bank to hit a spot. Forward facing sonar, like Garmin Livescope, have changed that immensely. Whether casting to visible laydown on the bank or to a fish suspended 40 feet away in 10 feet of water, the right cast could be the difference in a catch or coming back empty.

There’s no substitute for time on the water. This applies to all the elements of fishing, including accurate casting. Varying boat speeds, along with wind speed and direction, is tough to simulate without being out in the elements.

It can be frustrating trying to become more accurate with a bait or presentation because it often feels like wasted time on the water if you don’t catch a lot of fish. But taking a little extra time and patience could lead to being a more well-rounded angler, as well as having the ability to pick that bait up when the situation calls for it in the future. Try devoting just a portion of the day on the water, even if it’s only 30 minutes, to practicing a bait or presentation that needs work. Those minutes will become hours over time, and eventually, there is bound to be some improvement and confidence that follows.

fish for a couple of weeks. The weather turns cold, and all of the sudden, the fish are hugged underneath docks. My ability to put a bait in the right location by pitching or skipping could get rusty. It might take half a day of making those presentations before I hit the target instead of scaring the fish off hitting everything else around it.

Having a certain rod and reel combo for a particular bait could help. For example, experiment with a rod and reel that gives you the most control with a 1/2-ounce jig. Dial in another rod for a favorite hard bait like a crankbait. For Lake Martin, it’s a huge benefit to be good with a spinning rod. If dedicating a bunch of rods and reels to certain techniques is outside the budget, tie different baits to the same selection of rods and continue practicing.

BIG CATCHES

BY GREG VINSON

Fortunately, casting accuracy is one of the few elements that could really be improved off the water. Set up some targets in the yard. Try one at 15 feet, one at 30 feet and one at 60 feet. Rig up an old crankbait with no hooks or cut the hook off a jig and start throwing to the targets. Some 20 casts at each distance might be a good start. See how many times you can hit the target. It might seem boring, and the neighbors may think you’ve lost your minds, but when the fish start rolling in, it’ll all make sense.

To up the difficulty level, walk slowly toward the targets to mimic the boat approaching while trolling along. Pitching the bait with a backhanded motion allows more control and a softer landing (less splash). A side-armed roll cast adds some distance to the longer targets and allows for a somewhat soft landing as well. An overhead cast – bringing the rod back behind your head – adds the most distance but lands much harder. Each of these techniques has value, so practice as many as possible.

The tricky part, and the one that could really take your expertise to the next level, is being able to “locate” with a number of baits and rigs. Oftentimes, I think anglers get really good at casting and working certain baits while other setups get less attention. It’s important to get some practice with a selection of baits, so when it’s time to swap techniques you can answer the call.

I experience this first-hand on a regular basis. For example, I’ve been bombing a topwater at schooling

When fishing visible targets along the bank (like tree limbs in the water), consider whether the fish are biting better by putting the bait right on the target or casting past it and bringing the bait by. The same analysis applies to schooling fish in open water and now, with a suspended fish that’s visible on forward facing sonar. One important revelation I’ve learned from forward sonar is that fish are probably 80 percent more likely to react to my bait if it lands in front of them than behind them. And yes, with some practice you can learn to tell what direction the fish is facing with forward sonar.

Finally, practice skipping a bait with both a baitcaster and a spinning setup. Whether it’s a big shady dock or an overhanging tree, being able to put the bait in the layer of the bass could produce some big ones.

Again, on the water is best. If you’re trying this for the first time, pick a calm day or area where the water surface is slick. If being on the water is not an option, a pool is a great place to practice – or work on a slick concrete surface, like a garage floor.

It may take some work, especially with some of the baits with which you have less experience, but dedicating some time to improving your casting accuracy is one of the most effective ways to improve your angling ability. Hopefully, it will lead to more fish in the boat.

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.

Golf's Next Great Player

IIn every generation, one or two golfers have stood out from all others. In the late 1800s, Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris were heralded as the best competitors in golf, followed by Harry Vardon, then Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson. Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were the major players in the 1950s; then, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus stood out as the very best of the 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s. In the 1990s, Nick Price, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman were the limelight players until Tiger Woods hit the scene.

Tiger’s run of record-setting tournament golf and Tour wins has lasted a long time, and no one knows if his winning career is over yet or not. In recent years, Dustin Johnson had a great chance of making history until he chose to be bought out by the LIV Tour. Surely, Jordan Spieth made a huge impact, especially with his first few years on Tour. Although Jordan is exciting to watch, I doubt he will be the runaway favorite to win every tournament, as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger were. Presently, I feel we may be witnessing a new superstar in the making with Scottie Sheffler.

LOVE of the GAME

BY DAVE JENNINGS

Texas with one of my all-time favorite college golf coaches, John Fields. In his freshman year, Scottie earned the Phil Mickelson Award in NCAA D-1 golf.

John Rahm has enjoyed similar success to Sheffler, but there are differences that make me lean toward Scottie. I admire Rahm, but Sheffler just quietly and effortlessly goes about his business. He handles good and bad situations with grace, which is a tremendous trait. I would wager my house that you’d never find any tabloid-style of gossip on this young man. I’ve watched how he reacts to losing; adverse situations reveal the true person. On each occasion I have seen him beaten, he handled it with class, just as Nicklaus did, time after time. When he wins, he is humble and grateful.

I think this young man could be the face of golf for the betterment of the game. If I were the parent of a young golfer, I would encourage my child to watch Sheffler closely.

Scottie Sheffler will battle for the No. 1 player position with a few Tour golfers, especially John Rahm and Rory McIlroy; however, my money is on Sheffler. There are a few things about him that remind me of Jack Nicklaus. Jack’s golf swing was a bit controversial; his high right elbow at the top of the swing was unique. Scottie’s footwork – left foot spinning out and right foot sliding forward on the follow-through – is different than most. Scottie, much like Jack, doesn’t go out of his way for attention with colorful outfits, crazy haircuts or controversial interview comments; rather, he is humble and gracious in winning and losing. He has the square-jaw, mild mannered reporter look of a greater metropolitan newspaper reporter, aka: Clark Kent. When it counts the most, he turns on amazing skill with birdie runs resembling Superman.

He earned his PGA Tour card in 2020 through excellent play on the Web.com Tour, where he was named the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year. He has competed well, winning multiple events in all levels of play since he was a junior golfer. Scottie won the 2013 U.S. Junior and was a standout player for the University of

Is he a hero? That remains to be seen. Presently ranked No. 1 in the world with eight PGA Tour wins, seven runnerup finishes and more than $32 million in winnings after only two-and-a-half years, he is on his way. I have high hopes that he continues to win big tournaments and multiple major championships for the sake of competition. This man could become your new tournament record-breaker if he is so inclined. His play over the next few years will be fun and interesting to watch and will determine if he is truly the next great player of his time.

I like rooting for people with high morals, Christian and family values. These are the people who make tremendous mentors and heroes to young people. If Wheaties were still a staple cereal today, Scottie’s face should on the box. I like his style and will be pulling for him to repeat at Augusta in this year’s Masters and the major championships to follow. See you on the tee.

~ Dave Jennings is the owner of Jennings Golfhelp LLC. Email him at djenn47495@gmail.com.

Lake Martin Alabama

Marinas

1. Kowaliga Marina

256-397-1210

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. The Ridge Marina

256-397-1300

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

3. River North Marina

256-397-1500

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors

256-397-1700

19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Real Island Marina

256-397-1200

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Blue Creek Marina

256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

2. Parker Creek Marina

256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Harbor Pointe Marina

256-825-0600

397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

2. Alex City Marine

256-215-FISH(3474)

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo

256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

Restaurants & Venues

6. SpringHouse 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

Kowaliga Restaurant

256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Pizza

256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853

The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill

256-307-1887

8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Business & Shopping

Lake Martin Storm Shelters

256-794-8075

970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 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

. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort

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

Churches

Lake Pointe Baptist Church

256-373-3293

8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

256-825-9820

8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Dock Builders

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.

Lake Pointe Baptist Church

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

Lake Magazine Distribution

ALEXANDER

Robinson Iron

A & M Plumbing

Carlos

The Body Shop

Walgreens

CITY

Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture

Longleaf Antique Mall

Playhouse Cinemas

Chamber of Commerce

Winn Dixie

Re/Max Around the Lake

Ridge Marina HACKNEYVILLE

Hackneyville Water Authority

NEW SITE

Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland

DADEVILLE

Lakeside Mercantile

Walnut Hill

Chuck's Marina

Deep Water Docks

Lake Martin Pizza

CAMP HILL

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

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

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

Link Gas Station

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation

EQUALITY

Equality Food Mart

Southern Star

Parker Creek Marina

Charles Borden

ECLECTIC

Lake Breeze Realty

Offshore Marina

Lake Martin Mini Mall

Corner Stone Coffee Co.

Lake Martin Dock Company

Cotton's Alabama Barbecue

Russell Do It Center

Johnson Furniture

WOW Catering LLC

Eclectic Library

Real Island Marina

Anchor Bay Marina

Wetumpka

Wetumpka Herald Office

Tallassee

Marathon

Tallassee Eagle

Tallassee Chamber

Parris Mullins Jr. O.D.

Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

*Standard maximum of 10 acres; however parcels not exceeding 20 acres may be considered if typical for the area and supported by acceptable appraisal valuation. Lot loans are not intended for investment or speculation purposes. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loans amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products

From vacant lot to your future home, find help along the way.

You’ve found the perfect lot to build your next home. We’ll help you explore financing options that may fit your needs. Enjoy competitive rates, experienced support and step-by-step guidance that may make your dream of homeownership a reality.

Loan options for those approved:

Lot loans*

Purchase a lot to build now or in the near future and get financing with no prepayment penalties.

Construction loans

Geoff Hall Mortgage Loan Officer

404.267.7775 office

404.662.6604 cell geoff.hall@usbank.com

Get financing that includes your construction loan and your mortgage – all in one. That’s one closing and one set of fees. Plus, make interest only payments during the construction of your home. Choose from fixed- or adjustable-rate construction loan options. and services. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2019 U.S. Bank 257701c 10/19

NMLS #: 544471

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.

Parting Shot

Photo by Kenneth Boone

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

~ Aristotle

SAVE THE DATE TO ATTEND THE LARGEST IN-WATER BOAT SHOW IN THE SOUTHEAST AT THE RIDGE MARINA ON BEAUTIFUL LAKE MARTIN

Demo 2023 Boat Models and Personal Watercraft

Enjoy fun, food, family and friends • RidgeMarina450RidgeMarinaWay•AlexanderCity,AL35010