46 minute read
WET, WILD WATER PARK
Wet, Wild Waterpark
The Mills' water park includes a dozen or more inflatable lake toys 68 LAKE JULY 2021
When Leslie and John Mills moved to Lake Martin five years ago, they pulled their daughter, Grace, and her friends around Parker Creek on a tube behind the boat, but the girls longed for more adventure. They asked Grace’s father to tie the tube to the dock, so they could jump off of it into the lake. That was such a hit that Mills anchored a few inflatables off the waterfront, so the girls would have a variety of lake toys always at the ready.
“It just grew from there,” Mills said. “It got bigger and bigger every year.”
More than a dozen inflatables accommodating from one to eight persons each are anchored between the Mills’ seawall and two-story boathouse, creating a
water park along part of their 300 feet of waterfront. It’s a playground that draws boaters to slow down, W wave and watch the fun as they pass. A few have even pulled up and asked if the children aboard their own boats might play on the floating amusements. “The price for admission is a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you’ and a smiling child,” said Mills, who along with his wife, Leslie, spends about a month installing the water park features every spring. The couple shops Walmart and Amazon to find cheap, tacky inflatables and floating water toys each year to replace any that were lost the previous year or did not survive the winter in storage. “The tackier the better,” Mills explained. “This effort costs 10s of dollars.” “The kids’ favorite float always seems to be the cheapest. This year, that’s the Cube,” said Leslie. “The girls like to crawl through it. They use the water park as an obstacle course, going form one float to another.”
Mills' tips and tricks for making your own water park
n Choose a location where the water is deep enough for people to fall or dive into the lake safely. n Anchor floats with 60-pound buckets of concrete. Do not use cinderblocks, which will travel away with the current. Insert an eyebolt in the top center of each bucket as it is poured. n Inflate floats prior to attaching to anchor ropes. Electric pumps make the volume of work go faster. As the summer progresses, use a hand pump or a small battery-powered pump to add air to sagging floats. n Avoid bird floats with outstretched wings.
“They will take off and fly away,” said Leslie. n Use locking carabineer clips to attach anchor ropes to floats. They cost more – about $2 – but the less expensive clips rust and break, setting the floats free to roam the lake. n Start with a much longer length of rope than you think you will need, as the lake bottom is inconsistent and the anchor could end up in a deeper-than-averagedepth hole, leaving you with not enough rope. n When placing floats, leave about 20 feet between each one, as they tend to move around within their positions. n Drop the anchors from the deck of a siton-top kayak, with rope and float attached.
Drop as close as possible to where you think you want the floats to stay and tie off with plenty of slack in the rope. Adjust placement by dragging the float with a personal watercraft, and take the slack out of the rope length as needed once you have the float properly positioned. n Create a float area for parents or grandparents to go with very small children, so the little ones can feel a part of the fun, though they might not be able to play on the bigger inflatables. n Never let children play in the water park unattended. n At the end of the season, wash floats while still inflated and dry well before letting the air out of them. Collapse them and store in plastic buckets in a cool, dry location over the winter. The Mills family usually starts installing their Parker Creek water park in early May, and they dismantle it in October.
This year’s course includes taming the Inflata-Bull, wiggling through the checkerboard, lounging at the Parthenon and taking a ride on the back of a giant flamingo named Flo, Leslie explained.
“Flo is 3 years old. That’s about the longest we’ve had any of them,” she said.
“And we don’t get attached to them. They’re cheap, and they don’t last,” Mills added.
The water park also sports a tiki float, a gift from The Landing at Parker Creek owner, Herb Winches. And there’s always a trampoline of some kind, said Leslie, who grew up visiting Lake Martin with her childhood friend, Jennifer Wyatt. Today, Wyatt’s two daughters often play on the course with Grace.
Leslie introduced Mills to the lake in 2004 when they visited Wind Creek State Park on their second date.
“I fell in love at the lake and with the lake at the same time,” said Mills, who grew up in Georgia.
Since moving to the lake full time in 2016, the Mills family lives as much or more on the lake as beside it. While a renovated 1,300-square-foot cabin bears their address, they spend most of their time on the open-air upper level of their 1,400-square-foot boathouse, which offers plenty of living space, a consistent breeze and a clear view of the water park.
Clockwise from facing page top left: Susanna and Josephine Wyatt spin the Stadium Island; Grace Mills and Cassidy Heineman hang out in the Cube; the water park always incudes a trampoline; Diantha Ray does a flip under the watchful eye of Flo the Flamingo; the Parthenon is a great place to chill in the afternoon sun; Josephine, Cassidy and Susanna play Queen of the Mat; Josephne struggles to stay on the Inflata-Bull.
Cherish the Cabin
Idon’t know about you, but Seinfeld is one of my favorite TV shows. It is chocked full of quotable moments and interesting characters that find funny ways to navigate life’s minutiae.
One of the minor characters in one episode, an aging father who loved his rustic mountain home, advised his family to, “Cherish the cabin.” In doing so, he unwittingly introduced a lot of potential issues to his heirs. Did Dad mean that we could never sell the cabin, no matter what? What if my brother wants to sell, but I don’t? What if the one sibling that uses it the most can afford it the least? If we do decide to sell, how do we make decisions? Should we appoint one manager or all have a vote?
As a fulltime real estate agent here at Lake Martin, I have seen many different families that have had to handle decisions like this. Some families have handled it well, and some … well … not so well.
I have even heard a lot of stories from former owners or former relatives of owners that expressed regret after the fact on a sale. They usually went along the lines of, “I can’t believe we decided to sell our family cabin. We should have figured out a way to keep it. We really miss the place.” or, “We sold our lake home 15 years ago. I saw where it sold again the other day, and the sales price about gave me a heart attack.”
It’s easy to look back and second-guess decisions now that we know how the markets have gone. I can remember a lot of Sturm und Drang in the buyers’ markets of 2007 to 2009, but it was sellers complaining in the opposite direction, “Why didn’t we sell last year when the market was so great?” My advice to would-be sellers or buy-
Take steps to answer ers is to not make decisions based solely potential joint-ownership on the market because your odds of questions before they perfectly timing a market, on the selling become problems or buying side, are slim. The first question to ask is if it is a good time for your family. Then worry about the market. Returning to the present, what about the family that is trying to cherish the cabin, but doesn’t know how? I think this will become an increasingly important issue in the future of real estate for Lake Martin. Why? I see two possible effects from the rising prices for waterfront property here on Lake Martin. First, we will see many more homes that are purchased with multiple owners. That is, we will see a higher percentage of home transactions where two or three families will go in together to buy it. Secondly, I think we will see more homes being passed down to family members instead of selling. That happens a lot at Lake Martin anyway, as this is a second-home market and, frankly, because it’s awesome here. But I do think we will see an increase in the future because rising prices and reduced inventory make it harder for family members to replace the family cabin with another lake home. One solution to both problems might be for families to consider creating a limited liability company to own the lake house. People have been putting real estate in LLCs for years, but the perception has been that they are legal vehicles only for the uberLAKE PROPERTY rich or commercial properBY JOHN COLEY ties. It may seem silly to create an LLC for the family cabin until you consider the low cost and high benefits. Setting up an LLC in Alabama is a pretty painless operation. The recording fees are less than $500. If you hire an attorney to help (which I would advise), you can expect to pay maybe another $500. That is not much of a hurdle for an asset that might be worth $600,000 and that you will keep in the family for decades. In other words, for the cost of two Yeti coolers, your home could be set up legally for life. Once the LLC is set up, the co-owners could go
about the business of treating it like a business. This is one of those good-fences-make-goodneighbors kinds of situations. The owners should address issues like how to split the time or whether to split it at all; how the bills are paid; when maintenance is done; and how any improvements are approved. If everyone agrees to the rules up front, before problems happen, the potential for drama is greatly reduced.
One of the largest benefits revolves around the ownership itself. The legal structure makes it easier to figure out how to decide the answers for the questions brought up in the beginning of this article.
For example, what if one of the four LLC members wants to sell? The LLC documents could set up rules for how that member sells his or her share; how to value the share; and rights of first refusal. If a majority of members wants to, say, add a new boathouse and one doesn’t, it could be handled by the dissenting member selling equity to the majority. All of these actions, at least in my layman’s understanding, would not necessitate going through a real estate sale or closing. It is all handled within the LLC documents. That makes it a lot easier to manage and, hopefully, reduces the chances of family squabbles.
A couple of good books on the subject are Cottage Rules, by Nikki Koski, and also Saving the Family Cottage, by Stuart Hollander. Hopefully, these resources and the advice of a good attorney will allow you and your family to truly cherish the cabin.
~ John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Contact him at john@lakemartinvoice.com.
IT’S TIME FOR OUTDOOR FUN, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY?
It’s time for outdoor fun, and you don’t want to miss a single moment in the sun.
Make sure your heart is healthy and ready for the season with an appointment at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Russell Medical.
Kevin Sublett, MD, is board-certified in cardiovascular care and offers the latest in prevention, testing, and treatment for keeping your heart healthy.
Our clinic is backed by the knowledge and expertise of UAB Medicine, including: • Advanced ultrasound testing • Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs • Management of cardiac rhythm disorders • Interventional cardiology care
HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL
Make an appointment today by calling (256) 234-2644. 3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 • Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell
Lake Watch goes hi-tech with AU microbiologist
In the past year, Lake Watch of Lake Martin reported high levels of E. coli (fecal contamination) flushing off the watershed in streams above the lake. This presents a bacterial contamination risk to our Treasured Lake, which is something nobody wants. Lake Watch uses the Coliscan Easygel bacterial plating method, supported by Alabama Water Watch, to test for E. coli, the bacteria that indicate fecal contamination from warm-blooded animals. The test is easy, reliable and affordable (about $3 per test); however, it does not give information on the source of fecal contamination.
Enter Auburn University professor Dr. Yucheng Feng and her enterprising graduate student Wenjing Ren. I had collaborated with Dr. Feng over the past few decades before I retired from AU. She is a topnotch microbiologist in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at AU and an expert in microbial source tracking. MST refers to scientific analysis of genetic material of microbes (like E. coli) that originated in the gut of a warm-blooded animal and was passed via feces into the environment, in this case a stream or our lake.
Lake Watch contacted Dr. Feng last year, inquiring about conducting MST analyses to assist in determining the source of fecal contamination originating above the lake. Dr. Feng’s energetic grad student, Wenjing, penned a proposal, in collaboration with Lake Watch and Lake Martin HOBO, for a United States Geological Society grant to analyze fecal contamination in the Lake Martin watershed using MST. She will work in conjunction with Lake Watch volunteer monitors to collect samples from key streams above the lake and then return to Dr. Feng’s AU lab. Under Dr. Feng’s direction, Wenjing will conduct MST using polymerase chain reaction analyses.
“Eric, quit using those big words”, you’re probably saying. And, what the heck is PCR analysis? Sorry – I can’t tell you. You’ll have to attend our Lake Watch annual meeting this October and ask the professor (details to come, see lakewatch.org for more info). What I can tell you is that PCR has revolutionized the diagnosis and monitoring of genetic disorders, the analysis of ancient DNA in archeological studies, the analysis of genetic fingerprinting in forensic science and parental testing and detection of pathogens (like, in our case, certain fecal bacteria) in nucleic acid tests for the presence of pathogens and/or diagnosis of infectious diseases. I can also tell you that these analyses of streams flowing into the Tallapoosa River above
LAKE WATCH BY ERIC REUTEBUCH the lake will go a long way in telling us the source of the fecal contamination. PCR can distinguish whether the fecal bacteria come from human, cattle, chicken or other animal sources. This information, once obtained for each stream, will enable us to work toward resolving the contamination by working with landowners, watershed managers, local and state government and other waste management entities.
The last thing you want to think about as you take a cool dip in our Treasured Lake is fecal contamination. We think that, with the help of AU scientists, you won’t have to. Consider joining us in our ongoing efforts in watershed stewardship to keep our lake clean. Go to lakewatch.org and come aboard.
Wenjing conducts microbial source tracking analysis at AU
~ Eric Reutebuch is president of Lake Watch Lake Martin. Learn more at lakewatch.org.
Under Construction
South Ridge Harbor, Breakwater • $2,095,000 Builder: Legacy New Homes Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 3,825 Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLands.com
90 Redwood Circle, Jackson’s Gap • $775,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372 LakeMartinRealty.com
120 Old Harmony Circle, Eclectic • $3,395,000 Beds: 6 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
33 Pointwood Place, Dadeville • $950,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com Russell Cabins at The Willows, Portico • $920,000 Builder: Classic Homes Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,396 Water-Access w/ dedicated boat slip Anna Speaks, Rhonda Watson 256.215.7011 RussellLands.com
160 Ridge Crest, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty David Mitchell 256.212.3511 LakeMartinRealty.com
208 Wind Crest, Alexander City • $2,990,000 Beds: 6 • Baths: 7.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
605 Beach Island Trace, Dadeville • $699,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com
Ridge Run, Crestview • $1,450,000 Builder: Lake Martin Signature Construction Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 3,027 Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLands.com
1147 Willow Way North, Alexander City • $8,995,000 Beds: 11 • Baths: 9 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
15 Laurel Ridge Circle, Dadeville • $409,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Water Access Lake Martin Realty Jeff & Denise Cochran 256.786.0099 LakeMartinRealty.com 48 Outboard Circle, Jackson’s Gap • $800,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 LakeMartinRealty.com
New Construction • $1,499,000 Almost complete 6 BR, 5.5 BA and carport and dock. Boathouse allowed. Aronov Lake Martin Virginia Pettus 334.549.3933 1470 Willows End, Alexander City • $7,900,000 Beds: 10 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
100 Harbor Place Unit 302, Dadeville • $269,000 Beds: 1 • Baths: 1 • Waterfront Condo Lake Martin Realty Lindsay Kane 256.675.6792 LakeMartinRealty.com
Miners Cove Waterfront lots on Lake Martin from $127,500 to $139,995. Going fast! Aronov Lake Martin Virginia Pettus 334.549.3933
It's simple: Drink water
Water is one of the body’s most essential nutrients. It has been said that a person could survive without food for up to six weeks; however, no one could live without water for more than a few days. Living in a developed country where water is abundant, essential liquid could easily be taken for granted. As summer temperatures rise and humidity increases, remember how important it is to stay hydrated.
The adult body is comprised of 60 percent water. The human brain is 95 percent water; its blood is 82 percent water, and its lungs are 90 percent water. This would explain why a 2-percent drop in the body’s water supply could bring on signs of dehydration.
Dehydration could be very detrimental, especially to the very young and the old. Water is vital to maintaining body temperature, regulated at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Regulating body temperature can be accomplished through perspiration from the sweat glands in the skin and evaporation, which causes a cooling effect. It helps transport nutrients and oxygen to all cells and carries waste products out of the body. Staying hydrated allows the kidneys and liver to function properly to rid the body of all waste products.
Water helps to maintain blood volume and helps lubricate joints and body tissues in the mouth, eyes and nose. Water serves as a lubricant in digestive processes by helping saliva facilitate chewing and swallowing. Water keeps the eyes moist and healthy and gives joints and cartilage the ability to move freely. Water serves an important function in reducing kidney stones, urinary tract infections and constipation.
Naturally, water is lost throughout the day with normal body processes of urinating, bowel movement and sweating. Very active individuals lose more water through sweat, as the body tries to cool itself down. The same will apply at higher altitudes and in extreme temperatures. The body also loses excess water during illnesses that are accompanied by fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Dehydration occurs when a person loses more water than is consumed. Staying hydrated throughout the day is important to replenish normal body fluid losses, and it is extremely important if excess body fluids are lost due to illness, activity or sun and heat exposure. Mild dehydration could impact mood, memory and the ability to process information. At the first
HEALTHY LIVING sign of dehydration, stop all activity. Rest and get out of the direct sun and into a cool place. Begin
BY JULIE HUDSON drinking 64 ounces of cool liquids, including rehydration liquids, over the next two to four hours. Seek medical attention if feeling faint, dizzy, weak or confused, have a fast beating heart or have not urinated in the last eight hours.
The best way to stay hydrated is to create habits that include eating foods with high water content and drinking water throughout the day. Set a routine of drinking water before feeling thirsty and have water available at all times. Carry a refillable bottle or insulated cup and keep it full. This is especially true if you are exposed to heat, humidity and sun.
Many factors impact exactly how much water a person needs. These include age, gender, activity level and overall health. During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, women require more water. Individuals with kidney disease or congestive heart failure require different amounts of fluid. It is important to check with a physician to be an informed patient.
Adequate fluid needs have been determined for healthy men and women.
Women need a total amount of 11.5 cups of water per day, and men need a total amount of 15.5 cups of water per day. This includes fluids from food and beverages. Typically, water from food makes up 20 percent of a person’s needs. Looking at this, women need to drink about 9 cups of fluids per day, and men need to drink about 12.5 cups of fluids per day to replenish normal fluid losses. A quick and easy way to monitor fluid intake is to check the color of urine. It should always be pale yellow. A darker yellow indicates a need for more fluids.
It is recommended to replace water losses by enjoying nonalcoholic, unsweetened and decaffeinated beverages, as well as foods that have high water content. The beverage of choice is water. Don’t forget to add slices of lemon, lime, orange, strawberries or cucumber to make the water flavor a bit more exciting. Sparkling water or non-caloric flavor drops may be another alternative. Milk also is highly recommended, as it contains almost 90 percent water, serves as a great calcium source and is nutrient rich. Limit sweetened and
Did you know? caffeinated beverages, such as soda, tea, energy Early signs of dehydration could cause a multitude of problems within the body, such as thirst, flushed skin, fatigue, increased body temperature, increased breathing and pulse rate, increased effort, decreased exercise capacity, headaches, dizziness, and digestion problems. For an infant, a sign of dehydration is no wet diapers in a three-hour period of time. If left untreated, dehydration will cause muscle cramping, heat exhaustion, seizures, kidney failure, heat stroke or coma. drinks and coffee, as these provide no nutritional value but contribute calories. Sports drinks are appropriate for athletes engaging in high intensity exercise. Alcohol serves as a diuretic and may dehydrate the body. When drinking alcohol while in the hot sun, alternate each drink with one or two cups of water. There are several foods that are high in water. Fruit and vegetables, such as watermelon, strawberries and cantaloupe, lettuce, cabbage, celery, spinach and cooked squash are 90 percent to 100 percent water. Bananas, grapes, pears, pineapple, carrots, avocado, cooked broccoli, yogurt, cottage and ricotta cheese all have 70 percent to 80 percent water composition. Maintaining adequate levels of this essential liquid could make all the difference in enjoying summer at Lake Martin. ~ Julie Hudson is a registered dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center.
CHEF'S TABLE
BY PETE MCKENNY
Pete McKenny, executive chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained four-star restaurants and Ford resorts in Ohio, Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club 12 years ago.
Fried Quail with Bourbon Glaze
For quail
2 Semi-boneless quail, cut in half 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour, seasoned 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 cup bourbon 1/2 cup yellow mustard 1 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 cup light brown sugar
To make the glaze
Add bourbon, mustard, Worchestershire sauce and brown sugar to a pot and bring to a boil, Reduce heat to a simmer and reduce the liquid by one quarter.
To make the seasoned flour
Add 1 cup flour to a bowl and mix in the following: 2 tablespoons granulated garlic 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 tablespoon black pepper 2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder
Place the beaten eggs in a bowl; put seasoned flour in another bowl; and the breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Put the quail in the seasoned flour and toss to cover all in the flour. Shake off any excess flour and place into the egg mixture. Toss to wet all of the flour. Remove and place into the breadcrumbs. Heat oil to 350 degrees. Gently place the quail in hot oil and fry until the internal temperature is 160 degrees (5-8 minutes). Remove from oil and pat dry. Drizzle glaze over quail.
New Legislation
If the new direct wine shipping licensing sounds too good to be true ...
What could possibly be better than Independence Day on the lake? It’s summer; the kids are home; and COVID-19 restrictions are being curtailed. This should be a weeklong celebration or maybe a month.
What we’re celebrating this year, in addition to getting our social lives back on track, are several embellishments in how we may purchase alcohol in Alabama. House Bill 437 has been signed by Gov. Ivy and will become effective Aug. 1.
This legislation allows certain wine manufacturers to obtain a direct wine shipper license … to ship limited quantities of wine to Alabama residents for personal use in limited circumstances …”
On the surface, this sounds like a good thing, but it is actually more complicated than the current procedure for having wine shipped to Alabama. We often see a label stating, “Can’t ship to Alabama,” when we try to order directly from some wineries, but anyone could send those packages to the ABC store where the recipient simply pays the modest sales tax to get their wine. It is simple, and the forms are available on the ABC website.
A winery that will not do that will certainly not want to purchase the direct wine shipper license at $200 and comply with the reporting requirements of that license. To ship without said license, the shipper is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor with penalties starting at $500 for the first violation, $3,000 for the second and $6,000 for the third. The common carriers that accept shipments also will have reporting requirements and penalties that will likely kill direct wine shipments, rather than enhance them.
Senate Bill 126 has also been signed by the governor and will become effective Oct. 1. This bill is a little more attractive in that it provides for a delivery service license … to deliver beer, wine and spirits to individuals in Alabama that are at least 21 years of age for their personal use. There are, of course, details, procedures and such, including a filing fee and license fee totaling $350 with the requirement of liability insurance from $2 million to $3 million. This applies apply largely to the increasingly popular delivery services like DoorDash and WAITR. Beverage retailers could also add delivery to an existing license with similar costs and reporting requirements.
When I spoke with a representative from WAITR before this legislation passed, the service was not accepting alcohol for delivery. That may have changed, as the bill allows restaurants to also send alcohol with a food order. Prices on delivered goods are typically higher than regular menu prices and would probably apply to bar charges as well. The services are available in this area.
Check out this service: Alabama Beverage Control has a new phone app, Alabama Beverage Online Services or AL BOSS.
The service launched in early March and is available through Google Play and the App Store. It provides product look-ups, inventory levels, stores near you and information on limited releases. Users could create profiles to rate products and create favorite stores, etc. So this is cool: ABC has entered the 21st century.
The downside is that the allocated and limited release products will not be shown on AL BOSS, so the availability of Blanton’s and most of the Buffalo Trace products and others will likely not improve in this market. There are a lot of good and better alternatives. The question of availability and demand got me thinking about how our product mix has changed over the years. I looked back at invoices from 2005, our first full year in business, to see what we were buying in the early days. A few things are no longer available, like Graceland Cellars, which bottled the Elvis series of wines. We did well with that line, and as I recall they had a good product, a little on the novelty side but good. Now they are gone. The Vampire wines, which also did well, are still available. There were a lot more animals on the labels back then, like Blue Tongue Chardonnay; I don’t remember the featured creature.
We had one gentleman back then who bought nothing but Yellow Tail by the case until he moved away. On the shelf, we couldn’t give it away.
Remember Goats Do Roam? That was a nice Rhone blend from South Africa. It is still being produced but is not available in Alabama.
We do carry many of the old brands. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is a staple, as are La Crema, Duckhorn, Waterbrook, Kris and Ruffino. Some of the current prices are about the same; some are considerably higher. Chimney Rock is now more than $100, up from $53. Don Melchor, the high-scoring Cabernet from Concha Y Toro, is up $55-plus, and Dom Perignon is more than $200, up 50 bucks or more. The Don Melchor was probably the 1997 with a score of 91 points and a drink time to 2023. We should have stocked up when it was $45. As our market has grown, the demand for premium wines has put more of these on the shelves.
Two great summer wines that dropped off our list were Fontana Candida Frascati and Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet; we will have them back before you finish reading this article. That will be something to celebrate.
Here’s to a safe and happy Fourth.
FROM THE CELLAR
BY HENRY FOY ~ Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Spirits at 128 Calhoun St. in downtown Alexander City. Email emporiumwine128@gmail.com or call him at 256-212-9463.
Finesse
Because finicky fish still bite
Deep clear reservoirs are tailor-made for finesse tactics. Bass can be weary when the water is clear. Line size becomes more important because they can see and, I think, at times even feel the water displacement of heavier line. Fluorocarbon line like Seaguar Invis-X and Tatsu have allowed us to up the size of our line somewhat for finesse tactics because of their low visibility under water, but it’s also important to note that line with larger diameter can affect the action of a bait, especially a small profile bait.
During the late ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, jig fishing, spinnerbait and crankbait fishing were viewed as the techniques in the bass fishing world around here. “Power fishing,” we called it, with large baitcaster reels, heavy action rods and 20-pound test line. To wield what some still call a sissy stick or fairy wand was a test of an angler’s devotion to catching fish.
Those willing to laugh off the stigma of using spinning reels could potentially have a last laugh. Power fishing still has a place in bass fishing, depending on time of year, conditions and fishery. In recent years, many major tour level events, especially on those with deep clear water, have been won with finesse tactics.
Light line tactics work in clear water because the fish are spookier than in stained to muddy water. They also work really well for pressured fish. For a variety of reasons, fishing – and bass fishing in particular – has had a surge of popularity in the past 5 to 10 years. More people are fishing, and more often, than ever before, so the fish get to see more offerings more often. Time after time, it’s been proven that finicky fish still bite finesse offerings.
One of those is the Ned rig. This jighead/worm rig has been around for a while. Many in the industry refer to it as Midwest finesse fishing. Some quick internet research revealed a few names, and there is naturally some debate over the evolution of what is now commonly known as the Ned rig. Named after Ned Kehde, an outdoor writer who refined the technique, the Ned rig is a proven fish catcher of all species of bass, as well as many other fish.
Upon first appearance, it’s hard for a die-hard bass
angler to look at the rig with any seriousness. It’s almost too simple, but perhaps that’s the beauty of this technique. It reminds me of the Senko when it first appeared on the scene. No moving parts, just a straight worm. But when it hits the water, the subtle movements it makes drive bass insane. The Ned rig is similar in that it incorporates a small straight piece of plastic like a Senko cut down to 2.5 inches. The Z-Man TRD is the most popular choice for the rig these days because of its buoyancy. For years, the shaky head has been the go-to rig for finesse fishing in the South. It works because the jig head rests on the bottom while the worm stands up. The Ned rig takes this phenomenon to another level with the ultra-light 1/16-ounce to 1/8-ounce jig head and small buoyant worm. A good Ned BIG CATCHES jig head has a fairly small hook. I like a 1/0 BY GREG VINSON or 2/0, but many of the Ned purists argue that even that is way too big of a hook. For reference, Ned Kehde prefers a No. 4 hook in the jig head ... basically a crappie jig head. The lighter the head and smaller the hook, the better the bait action will be. Along with that would be line size. I personally draw a limit at 6-pound test and more often will go with 8. The idea is to find a balance between being able to get the bites and being able to land the fish. Like with Senko fishing, many of the bites come when the bait falls. With the Senko, the bait shimmies as it falls, but with the Ned, it glides and spirals unpredictably until it lands head down on the bottom. When it lands, the small piece of plastic sticks up, and this is the subtle difference that produces more bites than a traditionally rigged worm. The mushroom shaped jig head aids in the posture of the bait when at rest. Each time thereafter, when the rod tip is moved, the worm always sticks up, triggering the instincts of a predator fish. After watching the rig at work in our pool at home, I’m convinced that the rig most resembles a small crawfish when worked along the bottom. Small crawfish are a staple in the diet of highland reservoir bass like we have on Lake Martin. So it makes perfect sense that they could be duped into thinking that the rig is a small crawfish.
It could be even more simple than that. I think a lot of fish bite based on instincts. Like the Senko, even though it doesn’t necessarily look like much of anything, it has an action that triggers the bass to eat it. The action of the Ned rig gliding and spiraling must trigger the primitive instincts that all bass possess. It’s enough to get the fish to eat it first and ask questions later, rather than the opposite. It’s so small that it poses no real threat either.
One down side to an effective Ned rig is that the hook is exposed. One of the reasons Ned Kehde prefers a tiny No. 4 hook and super-light 1/16 head is that it gets snagged less often. The light head and small hook, coupled with a fairly buoyant worm, allows the bait to glide across and through moderate cover better, even though the hook point isn’t protected like a Texas rigged worm. It’s best when fished around fairly clean bottom areas and large rocks. I don’t get hung up much in these situations, but the open hook becomes a problem around wood like laydowns, brush piles and docks. Either you have to be willing to go through a lot of jigheads and worms or you have to go to a jighead with a weed guard.
The down side to a weed guard on the head is that it can throw the action of the bait off. The up side is that the rig can come through cover better. As an angler, I find myself weighing the cost/benefit of whether sacrificing some action with a weed guard is worth it if I can cast it around thicker cover.
The best way is to compare. I’ve come to the conclusion that a rig that is able to bounce around, in and through the cover could trigger strikes that I might not have gotten had I not been able to put the bait there without getting snagged. If I’m fishing more open bottom and rock piles, I go with the original openhook versions.
The technique: Rig the jig head and 2.5-inch plastic worm with lighter line (6- to 8-pound test) on a medium to light spinning rod and reel. Cast it out and let it fall on slack line. Pulling the bait any during its descent will hinder the glide and spiral that makes it so attractive on the fall. When the bait hits the bottom, feel for any fish that may have picked it up. If there’s tension, chances are one has it. Reel steadily while leaning on the fish to get the hook set.
If a fish doesn’t grab the bait after the initial fall, use varying hops of the rod tip, letting the bait come to rest on the bottom after each move. Picture the bait coming to rest each time and standing up on the bottom, giving the fish a chance to strike. Before each hop, feel for tension, anticipating a fish picking it up. Once again, if there’s tension from a strike, reel steady and lean into the fish, letting the small hook do its job. One advantage to small hooks in a Ned head is that it takes less pressure to set the hook.
If you haven’t tried a Ned rig already, I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to catch a lot of fish, and you might be surprised with the quality of fish that will be mixed in.
~ Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.
Share the game
Ihope everyone enjoyed celebrating Father’s Day, and I wish each of you the safest celebration of the Fourth of July weekend. Summertime provides a wide range of activities for each family’s enjoyment. Beautiful Lake Martin delivers many water sports, but I want you to spend a moment thinking about other rewarding activities on shore.
As a PGA member professional, I am constantly promoting the game of golf. I honestly believe it is a game of a lifetime, and I want others to enjoy golf as I do. The rewards of golfing with others are many. The game has strengthened married couples through this shared activity. The same bonding can occur when the rest of the family can join in the activity together. Friendships and business relationships can also be enhanced by playing a round of golf together. Golfing will expose how an individual handles success and failure, which provides great insight into a person’s character.
Feeling as I do, I want to bring new golfers to the sport I love. COVID-19 brought many golfers back to the game, and along with them came new golfers as well. But I have always known that young golfers are the key to the future of our game. By introducing young golfers to the game, we can help to offset those golfers that we lose through normal attrition over time.
So take a moment to think about your beautiful children or grandchildren. I am sure they are active in many sports year round. Why not consider golf as an option?
When I was young, I was the fifth child in a six-child family. Each of us was encouraged to pursue an activity or hobby that interested us. My siblings chose school band, shop, acting, but I was the athlete of the family: I chose baseball. I enjoyed it for years but truly got hooked the moment I tried golf for the first time. (Shot a 104 on a regulation golf course, which at that time was the national average for amateur golf). The modern family stays busier than ever, as they don’t seem to limit their children to just one sport or experience. The seasonal sports like soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis keep parents on the run. Scheduled practices and game/tournament play keep everyone moving throughout the year. My appeal is to consider the benefits of golf and try to work it into your current group of activities. I look forward to my annual Junior Golf Clinic each summer. I enjoy introducing young golfers to the sport that I am so passionate about. Not only do these young people learn the sport, but also they are provided a mentor to act as an influential, positive role model. They not only learn the skills of the game but also are introduced to the more important core principles that enhance their lives, which include:
THE SCRAMBLE n n Living with integrity Playing with perseverance BY ROB WITHERINGTON n Using good judgment n Modeling sportsmanship n Developing confidence n Being honest n Showing courtesy with respect toward others Developing these traits in young golfers is a great value to them as they grow into adulthood. The game of golf provides great life lessons to those who participate. Take the time to consider golf for yourself and any of your little ones who might benefit. Check with your local PGA professional to find out what junior golf programs they provide. Look into the First Tee Program if there is one located in your area. Individual lessons can be a great way to learn the game as well. Introduce golf to your family and reap all the rewards. You won’t regret your decision. Give your local pro, “Gabby,” a call when you are ready to begin.
~ Rob “Gabby” Witherington is the PGA professional at Stillwaters Golf Club in Dadeville. Contact him by email at robwitherington@gmail.com.
Legend
Public Boat Ramps 9 Churches
Camps & Parks Power lines
U.S. Highways County Roads
9
COOSA COUNTY
To Sylacauga
20 24
4 11
Alexander City
280
Flint Hill Church
22
259
20 11 Wind Creek State Park
Piney Woods Landing
Liberty Church Mt. Zion Church Alex City Boat Ramp
Russell Farms Baptist Church
128
18
63 Friendship Church
New Hope Church
12
Willow Point
Equality
Seman
9
Central
24
55
7
5
Camp Kiwanis
80
ELMORE COUNTY
63
13
14
Kowaliga Boat Landing
23
63
1 15
Church in The Pines
Children’s Harbor
Trillium
19 25
The Amp
28
Kowaliga Bay The Ridge
2
Red Hill
Eclectic
21
229
Tallassee
3
Camp ASCCA
Pleasant Grove Church
10
Paces Point Boat Ramp
Camp Alamisco
90
Union Church
Jaybird Landing
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY
Jacksons Gap
49
Bethel Church
57
Pleasant Ridge Church
16
Lake Martin Baptist Church 49
Church of the Living Waters Stillwaters
8 9 6
17
Walnut Hill
27
49 Horseshoe Bend National Park
Lake Martin Alabama
22
Dadeville
280
26
Camp Hill
50
Marinas
1. Kowaliga Marina1 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
2. The Ridge Marina2 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
3. River North Marina3 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
2. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors4 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
2. Real Island Marina5 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026
3. Blue Creek Marina6 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853
2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026
3. Harbor Pointe Marina8 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net
2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853
2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines10 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861
2. Alex City Marine11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Smith Marina12 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com
Restaurants & Venues
6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 6. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
14
Kowaliga Restaurant15 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Lake Martin Pizza16 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853
The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill17 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
Business & Shopping
Lake Martin Storm Shelters18 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010
19
Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900 7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024
4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City)20 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com
21
22
23
24
. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort25 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853
26
Churches
Lake Pointe Baptist Church27 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
Dock Builders
28
Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024
Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.
ALEXANDER CITY
Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina
HACKNEYVILLE
Hackneyville Water Authority
NEW SITE
Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland
DADEVILLE
Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza
CAMP HILL
Link Gas Station
EQUALITY
Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina Charles Borden
ECLECTIC
Lake Breeze Realty Offshore Marina Lake Martin Mini Mall Corner Stone Coffee Co. Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Catering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Anchor Bay Marina Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald Office Tallassee Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber Parris Mullins Jr. O.D.
Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8
Alex City Marine........................................................60
Beyond Home Care ..................................................91
Blue Creek Iron Works ............................................91
Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation ...................................... 21
Childersburg Primary Care .....................................44
Chuck's Marina...........................................................33
Coach Kraft Upholstery...........................................91
Comfort Home Services..........................................56
Custom Docks............................................................79
Davco............................................................................91
Docks Unlimited .......................................................... 5
Electronic Technology Group..................................91
First Methodist Dadeville/New Water Farms ....... 8
George Hardy D.M.D.................................................. 8
Gilbert Welding & Design ........................................40
G. W. Warren, Aronov ...............................................17
Harbor Pointe Marina...............................................13
Heritage South Credit Union .................................76
Hinson Galleries.........................................................40 Insight Securities ........................................................19
Kowaliga Whole Health............................................91
Lake Martin Dock......................................................18
Lake Martin Mortgage...............................................77
Lake Martin Realty...............................................23, 57
Lake Martin Signature Construction.....................61
Lamberth & Lamberth ..............................................40
Larson & McGowin Properties, LLC.....................74
Mainstree Alex City..................................................... 6
Mark King's Furniture ...............................................22
Miner's Cove...............................................................66
Moore Wealth Management ....................................95
National Village ...........................................................67
Odd Jobs ........................................................................ 6
Off the Beaton Path .................................................... 8
Oskars ............................................................................ 8
Phil Interior Design ...................................................21
Precise Pressure Washing.........................................91
Prime Management...................................................... 6
ProCare, LLC ..............................................................44 Rhonda Gaskins, Century 21 Lake Area Realty ...... 3
Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty ............................18
Russell Lands On Lake Martin.............12, 29, 41, 96
Russell Medical ............................................................. 2
Satterfield....................................................................... 5
Security Pest Control ...........................................8, 66
Singleton Marine.........................................................33
Sparkle..........................................................................92
St. James Episcopal Church......................................66
Sunrise Dock...............................................................13
Tallapoosa Board of Education ...............................93
Temple Medical Center .............................................. 8
The Sanctuary.............................................................45
TowBoat US ................................................................74
UAB Heart & Vascular ..............................................73
Video Vision Media Marketing.................................90
Walmart .......................................................................91
Wedowee Marine ......................................................86
WINDOW CLEANING PRESSURE WASHING
GUTTER CLEANING SOFT WASHING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
Serving Auburn, Opelika & Lake Martin Areas!
(334) 759-7080 • sparklealabama.com
Parting Shot
Photo by Kenneth Boone
Scott and James O'Brien sail among the diamonds of Lake Martin.
~ Nancy Reagan
THE RIDGE
Whether you’re looking to build your own custom designs or would rather choose om our portfolio of popular house plans, The Ridge is the perfect place to start creating lake memories. With The Ridge Marina and The Ridge Club, a 10-acre recreation complex with swimming, fi tness, and much more, The Ridge is where lake and life truly meet.
Final Water ont Homesites Just Released
RussellLands.com
