Lake Magazine August 2021

July 4th in Pictures n Poker Players Party for Charity

Lake Martin Songwriters Festival 16 songwriters 10 venues 5 days

AUGUST 2021

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Assisting buyers & sellers with their real estate needs in the Lake Martin Area Rhonda Gaskins, Broker Century 21 Lake Area Realty, Inc.

256-749-3644 rhonda@lakearearealty.net

lakearearealty.net

Let Me Move You!

AUGUST 2021

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Letter from the Editor

Staff

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really great time usually starts with the people you’re with, and there’s no better backdrop for those times than Lake Martin. The lake did just that for me last month, starting with July 4 when my daughter paid a surprise visit for my birthday.

We spent a lazy Sunday afternoon playing dominoes – she even let me win – and then we headed to Lake Martin Amphitheater with my husband, our son and a friend of his for the annual concert and fireworks display, courtesy of Russell Lands. While I don’t care to divulge my age in print, I can tell you that I have seen a great number of fireworks displays over the years, and none compares to the color show seen from the grassy hillside at The Amp. The rockets exploded right overhead, so big that I couldn’t actually take in the whole view at once. It was like a 30-minute finale, and we sat in our lawn chairs, sipping margaritas from insulated cups and marveled at the boat lights on the lake and the fire in the sky. The pictures in Kenneth Boone’s photo essay on page 32 might give you just a taste of the fun.

Eclectic’s Hornsby family has a sense of how people make the place. When Clay Hornsby was growing up, he spent time on a beach at his grandparents’ Lake Martin cabin.

Those happy years made such an impression that when his wife, Nancy, and he were ready to build a lake house, they bought the lot next door and now share the beach with family. They graciously share it with you, too, on page 58.

And while they’re technically not family, the poker players at the Lake Martin Lions Poker Run are a blast to hang out at the lake with every July. The costumes and decorated boats get better and more fun year after year. The energetic smiles just keep rolling in all morning long for registration at Kowaliga Marina. Check out this great time at the lake that raises monies for local charities on page 48.

More good times on Lake Martin are kicking off this month, too. Sandra Fuller at Tallapoosa Tourism has spearheaded the planning for the inaugural Lake Martin Songwriters Festival – 16 songwriters at 10 venues over five days. If that doesn’t sound like a great time at the lake, I don’t know what does. Learn more in the article on page 44; and then, gather your favorite people for a great time at Lake Martin.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Magazine Department Manager BRITTANY SMITH editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH

rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

JULIE HARBIN

julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com

ANDY CARR

andy.carr@thewetumpkaherald.com

CARSON WAGES

carson.wagesw@alexcityoutlook.com

Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON GREG VINSON JOHN THOMPSON CLIFF WILLIAMS SIRI HEDREEN JACOB HOLMES JAKE ARTHUR

AUDRA SPEARS PETE MCKENNY MARK GILLILAND STEPHANIE COLEY MATT SHEPPARD LONNA UPTON ANDY ANDERS

Betsy Iler, Editor

All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

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AUGUST 2021

P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281

On the Cover

W E R EQUI

MAYVILLE & WEST BEND, WI

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ISO 9001 Registered

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The living room of this Eclectic lake home speaks serenity and relaxation to a family that purchased a small cabin next door to one that was owned by grandparents at the lake. With a long, loving history of lake life, the owners knew the importance of living spaces and were able to incorporate all the musthaves in this 2019 construction project at home on the lake.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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

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

AUGUST 2021

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(256) 234-6366

V (256) 487-0308

(256) 825-9244

We Touch the Lives of the People You Love

Assisted Living & SCALF Short Term Rehab

(256) 839-6711

(334) 864-8854 6 LAKE

Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Skilled Nursing Care AUGUST 2021

Contents 24. MORE VISIBILITY FOR HOBOS The new president of Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners outlines an advocacy plan 28. LAKE MARTIN ESSENTIALS A host of college students keeps the lake working all season long

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31. WIPEOUT CONTEST You still have time to show off your fail behind the boat to win a prize package worth $150 32. JULY 4TH REVIEW Relive July 4th at Lake Martin in this colorful photo essay by Kenneth Boone 38. PICKLEBALL The fastest growing sport in the country holds court at Lake Martin's StillWaters Resort 42. FOR LACK OF A DOLLAR How ceiling breaker Wilbur Jackson of the Crimson Tide and the 49ers almost quit football 44. INAUGURAL FESTIVAL SET FOR THIS MONTH 16 songwriters will play 10 venues around the lake in the first ever Lake Martin Songwriters Festival 48. FOUR OF A KIND FOR THE WIN The 8s have it in the 18th Annual Lake Martin Lions Poker Run for local charities 58. ALL IN THE FAMILY An eclectic couple builds a beach house next door to their grandparents' cabin at the lake

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 15. WHERE IS LAKE? 16. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 22. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 54. NATURE OF THE LAKE 72. LAKE PROPERTY

74. LMRA 77. FAB FINDS 78. HEALTHY LIVING 80. CHEF'S TABLE 82. CHEERS 84. BIG CATCHES 87. THE SCRAMBLE

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

AUGUST 2021

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Dr. George W. Hardy General Dentistry

A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches

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

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

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OFF WATER

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AUGUST 2021

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

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

39 36 49

$955,609 $652,074 $465,272

$776,422 $453,750 $375,000

112 142 147

68 299 359

June 2021 June 2018 June 2015

Inventory/ sales ratio 1.65 11.32 13.46

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).

Plan now for your winter dock improvements Residents on Lake Martin are for Lake Martin. “We strongly This year's winter drawdown at Lake Martin encouraged to begin securing encourage residents and propwill be 10 feet, giving homeowners permits for work on shoreline erty owners to contact our an opportunity to make extensive structures ahead of a 10-foot shoreline permitting offices repairs to docks and seawalls drawdown this winter. The early to allow sufficient time to lake could begin lowering next secure their permits and line month and will be down an up any contractors they may extra 3 feet from Dec. 31, 2021, need.” to Feb. 17, 2022, to provide Residents interested in perresidents and property ownforming shoreline maintenance ers more lakebed access for during this drawdown should improvements and maintenance. apply for the necessary lakeThe additional drawdown every shore-use permits now. Call the six years also helps to manage Shoreline Management Office at weed growth.

256-825-0053 before beginning Beginning Sept. 2, the water any construction or complete a level at Lake Martin is scheduled to gradually lower from permit application at apcshorelines.com/permits. its summer operating level near 491 feet to near 481 feet As always, Alabama Power encourages people with boats

by New Year’s Eve. It will remain near 481 feet until Feb. 17, and other water-related equipment and facilities to pay 2022. Lake levels will then slowly rise toward summer pool. close attention to the changing conditions on the lake, If operational conditions allow for the fall extension of remain mindful of personal safety and be prepared to take Lake Martin water levels, the drawdown will begin Oct. 15. necessary steps to protect their property.

The additional drawdown is performed every six years Weather conditions could impact this drawdown schedand is a requirement of Alabama Power’s license with the ule. Lake elevations and projections are subject to change.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Visit apcshorelines.com for details about Alabama Power “Drawdowns offer a great chance for lake property own- lakes, and add the free Alabama Power Shorelines app ers to work on repairs and improvements to docks, ramps to your mobile device or call the automated Reservoir and other permitted construction projects,” said Rhett Information Line at 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).

Hanks, Alabama Power’s Shoreline Management team leader

Weather Outlook for August August 2021 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the low 90s with average lows in the upper 60s and just under 5 inches of precipitation in the month of August.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be in the normal range, and rainfall averages will be slightly above the normal range this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 23.88 inches Avg. high temp.: 70.9 Avg. low temp.: 47.4 Avg. temp.: 59.2

Our Normal August Precipitation: 4.70 inches Avg. high temp.: 90.2 Avg. low temp.: 68.6 Avg. temp.: 79.4

Information from the National Weather Service.

AUGUST 2021

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 490.41 Lowest: 490.21 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.

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Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Suzanne, Danielle, Dawson and Blake dish out the treats on Goat Island. (2) This mama mallard appears to have adopted two juvenile ducks that are much larger than she is. "They're inseparable!" said Eric Reutebuch.

"They trot right up the steps and on my dock and nip at my shorts for a snack." (3) Catherine enjoys ice cream from the Yellow Top Ice Cream Shop on Lake Martin. (4) Merrill & Martha Davidson celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary with a sunset cruise on Lake Martin after dinner at Kowliga Restaurant. (5) Jennifer and Mackenzie Gulledge visited the mural at Patriots Gas Station. (6) Marian Skipworth took this photo of Brooks Essig, Thad Swartzentruber and Greg Essig at their cabin across from StillWaters Marina on Turner Point.

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AUGUST 2021

Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Sweet Caroline Grayson is totally at peace after a day of play at The Ridge Marina. (2) Logan Griffis had a lot of fun at Lake Martin over the 4th of July weekend. (3) Laken and Ella are ready for a boat ride on Lake Martin. (4) Hondo, Buddy and Josey are exhausted after a day of swimming at the lake.

(5) Hamp Weissinger is living the good life with Anna Keesee at Lake Martin. (6) Riley and Davis Heflin take in the sunset at Wind Creek. (7) Gina Murray's Marley will follow a tennis ball anywhere.

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Lake Scene n People & Places 1

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Palmer Ware, 3-1/2 years old, donned a red, white and blue hat to celebrate July 4 at Lake Martin. (2) Maycey Kight wanted something unique for her senior picture, so she donned her cap and gown behind the boat at Real Island. (3) Addie Shoemaker strikes a patriotic pose at Lake Martin on the 4th of July. (4) A rainbow arches over the lake near Smith Mountain. (5) Caroline Clark and Cooper dressed for the boat parade on Lake Martin July 4. (6) Brady and Mason Moore do their best balancing act – Lake Martin style. (7) Blue Gill Cove is teeming with new visitors this summer.

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AUGUST 2021

496 North Ridge $480,000

Lake living made affordable! This beautiful one level LAKE ACCESS home offers 4 BR and 3 BA, open floor plan with tall ceilings, large kitchen and huge screened porch overlooking the backyard! The lot is mostly flat with plenty of space to run and play or to sit back and enjoy the wildlife. Enjoy all the amenities of The Ridge; beach club, boat ramp, pools, tennis courts, walking trails, Marina etc. Seller is offering a $50,000 allowance for improvements and repairs. Located minutes from Russell Crossroads, Catherine's Market, Springhouse and Kowaliga. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

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

AUGUST 2021

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Where is Lake n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Whitney Simon, Somer Carr, Emily Jemison, Jennifer Gallops, Ashley Ware and Jennifer Abt pose with Lake magazine at a resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. (2) Bo Lewis completed the Royal Slam at El Durangueno Ranch in Mexico. (3) John and Judy Ireland, Tamie and Damon Story and Debbie and Neal Butler took Lake magazine to St. John, Virgin Islands, in February after they all had received their second coronavirus vaccines. (4) Wendy Bedran, Jamie Witter, Jennifer Gregory and Vickie Houser hiked along the Appalachian Trail with Lake in tow.

AUGUST 2021

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The Annual "A Little Love" concert on Main Street in Alexander City will close out the inaugural singer/songrwriter festival Aug.17-21

Now through Aug. 21 More Music on the Square

CALENDAR OF EVENTS WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Just when you thought summer was winding down, Zazu’s Verandah has extended the schedule for music on the courthouse square in Dadeville. Performing inside this month on selected Thursday and Saturday nights, starting at 6:30 p.m., will be Josiah Rodda, George Maddox and Apalachicola Sound, Jayla and Brandon Prince, Chasing Shadows and Jazz with David Jones. Zazu’s also will host the Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival on Aug. 19. Check the Zazu’s Facebook page for details.

Now through September Main Street Farmers Market

Visit Broad Street Plaza in downtown Alexander City from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday for farm-fresh produce, delicious homemade baked goods and unique arts and crafts.

Aug. 1 Wishes on the Water

Join Bluffs Daiquiri Bar at Harbor Point Marina at noon for this event to benefit Make-A-Wish Alabama. There will be music, food, signature frosty cold drinks and chances to win cool local lake swag. Kids will host a blue lemonade stand with hand painted lake signs and many more surprises.

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Aug. 3 Summer Series: Allie Gilmore

Artist Allie Gilmore will offer this one-day beginner level workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tallapoosa School of Art to introduce abstract painting in oils. Tuition is $150 and includes supplies, lunch, coffee, tea, bottled water and snacks. Email dorothylittleton@gmail.com.

Aug. 6 2nd Annual Lake Martin Realty Charity Invitational

Benefitting the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, this golf tournament will tee off at 11 a.m. and wrap up by 5 p.m.

Hole sponsorships are still available for $100 each. For information, call 256-825-9092.

Aug. 7 How to Eat Without Meat

Wrap up your summer at Lake Martin with a class that explores different plant-based cooking recipes from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with Chef Joe at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga.

Discussion topics will include building a flavorful pantry of condiments, stocks and sauces to expand your repertoire and using spices, ingredients that add bold yet lean flavors to your cooking, healthy fats and the Mediterranean diet and even options to please picky eaters. The cost of this class is $40. Tickets are available through pursellfarms.com.

AUGUST 2021

Aug. 7 Last First Saturday Market

Standard Deluxe in Waverly will host its final First Saturday Market of the season from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick up lunch, local artwork, T-shirts, posters and more. Visit standarddeluxe.com for details.

Aug. 9 Driving and Docking Clinic

Singleton Marine will host free clinics for sterndrives at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Call Liz Nowling at 256-825-8888 to reserve your spot.

Aug. 13 Inaugural Chamber Golf Tournament

Visit the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce website for coming details about the chamber’s inaugural golf tournament at Lakewinds Golf Course, sponsored by Engineered Cooling Services and Valley Bank.

Aug. 16 Driving and Docking Clinic

Singleton Marine will host free clinics for towboats at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reserve a spot by calling Liz Nowling at 256-825-8888.

Aug. 17-21 Singer/Songwriter Festival

Over five days, 17 songwriters will perform at 10 Lake Martin venues in this inaugural event. Featured artists include Chad Wilson, Charlie Argo, Clay Barker Lance Dubroc, Kensie Coppin, Eric Erdman, Blue Foley, Angela Hacker, Cameron Havens, Kristen Kelly, Ella Langley, James LeBlanc, Megan McMillan, Chancie Neal, Lee Tucker and Emma Zinck. See the article on page 44 for more information or visit tallapoosacountytourism.com.

of snacks and beverages to the grassy hillside at the Amp to bid farewell to summer at the lake. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the music begins at 6 p.m. Visit theamponlakemartin.com for ticket information.

Oct. 1 Lake Martin Living Annual Art and Photography Contest

Entries are now being accepted for this annual art show and contest that reflects the unique lifestyle of Lake Martin and its surrounding communities. Look for the official rules and details of the show in the upcoming August issue of Lake Martin Living magazine; follow Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines on Facebook, and visit the website at lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving.

Oct. 7 CASHBACK

Alex City Arts will present this popular Johnny Cash tribute band at 7 p.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. The band, featuring six professional musicians, will perform classics from the “Man in Black᾿s” 51-year career. Visit alexcityarts.org for details and ticket information.

Oct. 15-17 Fall Boogie

Standard Deluxe will host three days of music at the 9th annual Fall Boogie. The lineup includes Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Seath Walker and Joshua Ray Walker; Maggie Rose Blue Mountain, Lee Bains III and the Gloryfires, Early James and Janet Simpson and Jon Spencer and the Hitmakers with Lee Bains III solo. For ticket information, visit standaraddeluxe.com.

Season-long Events

Aug. 21 A Little Love Concert

Friday on the Green

Sept. 4 Labor Day Weekend Nora Munger Regatta at Dixie Sailing Club

Yoga on the Green

Chad Wilson will return to Alexander City for another blowout concert on Main Street. Bring a lawn chair and pick up a take-out meal from downtown restaurants. This is going to be a great night. Look for details on the Main Street Alexander City Facebook page.

This annual race at Dixie Sailing Club celebrates women in sailing. Spectators are welcome on land and water, so check out the details at dixiesailingclub.com.

Sept. 5 Labor Day Concert at the Amp

Close out the summer at Lake Martin Amphitheater with great music from The Bank Walkers, Sam Burchfield and The Vegabonds. Bring your friends, lawn chairs and a cooler

Get the weekend at the lake started early when you meet friends and family at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads on Friday nights all summer long. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and the pup on a leash. Pick up dinner at Catherine’s Market or bring a picnic and your favorite beverages. Visit russelllands.com/blog/events for the lineup and detials.

Meet at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads Saturday mornings all summer long for a free yoga session in the beauty of nature. Class starts at 7 a.m., so bring your mat, a towel and water.

Third Thursdays Downtown

Every third Thursday through September, Alexander City downtown businesses will stay open later for shopping and specials. Main Street Alexander City will coordinate an art walk, live music and other events. Purchase a glass of wine at a downtown bar or restaurant and stroll through art at this entertainment district event before dinner.

AUGUST 2021

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Bingo Wednesdays

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

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.

This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge, the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. An example of each manufacturer’s highest horsepower cars of 1970, from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Buick, Porsche and Oldsmobile are on exhibit.

The inventory 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 tour or private tours, call 256-329-8474 or email the museum at wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com.

Charity Bingo

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

Soup to Go

Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Ave. in Alexander City between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. every Tuesday and pick up a free brown bag dinner with soup, sandwich and more. COVID19 precautions are taken by volunteers who prepare, pack and distribute the meal, which is open to the whole community.

Music at Copper’s Grill

Copper’s Grill hosts music outdoors on the lawn at 7:30 p.m. every Friday. Bring your own lawn chairs and please keep a proper social distance.

Episcopal Church Services at the Lake

St. James Episcopal Church will hold Holy Eucharist services at noon at Church in the Pines Aug. 8 and 22. For more information, visit stjamesalexcity.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 Our Town Volunteer Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assign18 LAKE

ments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City.

For more information, contact John Thompson at 334-3993289. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. For information, contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.

Lake Martin Creativity

Anyone interested in art, crafts and hobbies is encouraged to come to and participate in the weekly activities through Sept. 27 to learn from each other and make new friends that share the same interests. Bring your own water and share what you are currently working on. For more information, contact Suzie Ham at 334-464-2882 or call Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506.

Paint Party

Kay Fincher will host a paint party every Wednesday at 1 p.m. through Sept. 8 at the Lake Martin Wellness Center.

All supplies are provided. Cost is $30, cash or check please.

Pre-register at vkfincher@aol.com or call 256-825-2506.

Millerville Trade Day

Bibb Graves School on state Route 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. with free outside setup for vendors, yard sale, flea market and swap meet items (no food vendors). Donations from sales to BGHS Alumni and Friends Association would be appreciated. There will be a designated area to bring vehicles for sale with a $20 donation to BGHSAFA upon sale.

For information, contact Bruce Lowery at 205-522-5794.

Library Storytime in Dadeville

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

Children’s Library in Alexander City

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children. In addition, the children’s library hosts board games and puzzles every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call Melissa Finley at 256-234-4644 for more information.

Santuck Flea Market

The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month at 7300 Central Plank Rd., state Route 9 in Wetumpka.

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin exhibit is on display all year long at the Alexander City Board of Education building, located at 375 Lee St.

$20 on the 20th

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

AUGUST 2021

Children's Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

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

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus.

Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

Real Island Supper

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

Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 7 p.m.

Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place gets $15. Grab a group of friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m.

Thursdays.

Coffee & Connections

Every third Tuesday of the month, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event at 8 a.m. open to any chamber member. Participants should meet at the TPI bullpen at the Lake Martin Innovation Center for coffee, a light breakfast and a chance to network with community members.

Second Friday Open Mic Night

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

For more information, visit the EPAC Facebook page.

Tallassee Lions Club

Charity Bingo at Jake’s

Play charity bingo at Jake’s Restaurant at 16 Broad St., Alexander City, at 6 p.m. every Thursday night. Cards are $1, and proceeds benefit local charities.

The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For more information, call Ron McDaniel at ronmcd416@gmail.com.

Amateur Radio Club

Equality VFD Cookout and Bake Sale

The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City, with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. Contact either Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710.

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

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

The Equality Neighborhood Watch Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the old Masonic Lodge at 6:30 p.m. During the colder months, the association meets at Equality Methodist Church on state Route 259. Email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com for more information.

Naturalist Marianne Hudson 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.

For the scheduled subject matter, dates and times, visit RussellLands.com/blog/events.

Equality Neighborhood Watch

Fourth Fridays at EPAC

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

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LAKE 21

Lake Martin News BRHS angling team qualifies for national competition

It was all jokes in the beginning for Jackson Kelly and Stihl Smith, but before the spring 2021 season, the high school fishing partnership joked that they were going to fish in the national championships.

When their coach Josh Williams called to let them know they had been selected for the title competition, they thought he was joking then, too.

“I didn’t believe it, I thought he was messing with me at first,” Smith said.

Once they were convinced it was true, the excitement started setting in.

Smith called his mother and then his father, who joked that he’d need to get a job to pay for the trip.

Kelly celebrated in his pickup.

“He was so excited in the truck, oh my gosh,” Gracy Dean, Kelly’s girlfriend, said. “He said, ‘What? No way.’

He was grinning.”

Kelly and Smith became the first fishermen in the history of Benjamin Russell High School, and perhaps Tallapoosa County as a whole, to be selected for the Bassmaster High School National Championship fishing tournament.

With Kelly being a senior and Smith a junior, the national competition will be the last tournament the two fish together as they compete for the highest honor available to high school anglers.

“Each year we always talk about trying to improve on where we were the year before,” Williams said. “Whether it’s the way our team finished, overall standings or how we compete in each tournament. Four or five years ago, we didn’t have any trophies. If we ever get to the point where we’ve got two or three qualifying for nationals, we’re gonna win the state championship that way. That’s just a benchmark that they set for the other ones to look forward to.”

Kelly and Smith’s fishing journey began in 4-H. The two were mere acquaintances at that time, but both were on the youth organization’s shooting team.

Then Kelly invited Smith for a day of fishing on Lake Jordan. Following that first trip, the duo made an effort to go as often as possible.

“We went to Lake Jordan, fished one time.” Kelly started.

“And then it was me begging him to take me ever since then,” Smith said, finishing Kelly’s thought. “Until I got a boat, it was every weekend, ‘Take me fishing.’”

Once Smith did get a watercraft, their weekend trips turned into near-daily occurrences. Soon, they were the top partnership for the Benjamin Russell anglers.

From there, Kelly and Smith started setting milestones for the Wildcats’ young fishing program.

Kelly took the team’s first individual crown, also on Lake Jordan, before teaming up with Smith. They came through with the highest individual finish at the ASABFA State Tournament Classic last month, finishing seventh to set 22 LAKE

themselves up for the Bassmaster selection, once again on Lake Jordan.

Now they’ll be the first to contend for a national title.

Williams said the duo has brought reliability to the Wildcats’ growing program. Schools are allowed to send up to six boats on the water at tournaments, but only the top three count toward the team’s score.

“I bet if you go back and look at a boat that Kelly’s been in, the nine tournaments that we’ve had, the three qualifiers for the last three years, probably eight if not all nine of them, they’ve been in the top three,” Williams said. “It’s consistency, a lot of it, that you know you’ve got one boat that you can depend on with some of the other ones. That’s why our program’s been successful.”

Jackson Kelly and Where the upperclassmen also set a Stihl Smith standard is in work ethic and preparawith the tion. catch that Since December, they have logged got them 147 hours on the water in preparation to nationals and practice alone.

“They get the recognition sometimes on tournament days, what they don’t get recognized for is the three, four, five days a week, that entire month ahead of time that they spend on that body of water,” Williams said. “Takes a lot of money to travel three times a week for a solid month over there. It’s a reason that they’re in the top 10 in the state and now have a bid to go to nationals.”

With roughly 250 to 300 boats hitting the water at the national championships, according to Williams, there will be incredible competition for Kelly and Smith on Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee.

The ultimate goal is a national championship, of course, but getting to the event in the first place is the crowning achievement of the pair’s career.

“It’s definitely gonna be a little different than what we’re used to, but I’m sure we’ll go at it the same way,” Kelly said. “Pre-fish, try to find a pattern, and if it doesn’t work out during the tournament find something different. Just try to find something.”

Kelly’s graduation and subsequent enrollment to Central Alabama Community College, where he’ll still fish competitively, will break apart the partnership following the tournament.

Together they sparked interest in a sport that’s become their main passion in life.

“It’s meant a lot. It’s really shaped us as people, because we’ve gotten addicted to it,” Smith said. “Both of our dreams are to fish professionally. If you asked either one of us what we want to do, it’s to fish professionally. This started it off, great memories to be made.”

The national competition begins July 29. ~ Andy Anders

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Wetumpka man wins new bass boat in Crank4Bank fishing tournament

Every winner in the Crank4Bank tournament was required to pass a lie detector test prior to the awards event, which was held July 10 at Wind Creek State Park Marina.

Registered anglers caught 16 tagged Virtual tournament winners were fish in this year’s Crank4Bank fishawarded a variety of prizes based on total Rufus McNeill shows off his ing tournament, taking home a total of length of fish caught. Prizes included a drawn number with Vivian $22,500 and a $50,000 Skeeter bass boat Yeti cooler, fishing rods, gift cards and Autry of OGS Tournaments from Ashley’s Boat and RV in Opelika. gift certificates, as well as backpacks Another 14 fish were snagged by anglers loaded with more prizes. A portion of who wished they had registered. funds from the virtual tournament will be Rufus McNeill of Wetumpka qualidonated to the State for fish research on fied for the boat drawing when he caught Lake Martin. a fish that was tagged No. 0063 from A bounty division of Crank4Bank will under a dock outside Madwind Creek start around Sept. 1, wherein anglers around 2:30 one afternoon this spring. who registered for previous Crank4Bank He was thrilled when his number came tournaments will win cash by collecting up for the bass boat prize. tagged fish from any previous tourna“The timing is great. I’m having ment year. trouble with my motor on the NitroZ7 I “They could win their registration currently have,” McNeill said. fee for the next tournament, plus a little Having fished Lake Martin all his life, extra,” explained Vivian Autry, who McNeill said he fished that afternoon owns OGS Tournaments with her huswith his 88-year-old father, who had band, Mike. already given up for the day when his son hauled in the More than 700 anglers registered for the tournament, tagged fish. some from as far away as Kentucky.

“It just couldn’t get any better than with me fishing with Tournament operators surveyed anglers, who said they my dad when this happened,” he said. spent an average of $85 on food and gas in the area per day William Miller caught three tagged fish and went of fishing if they were not from the Lake Martin area. Each home with a check for $4,500, and Chris Smith and Tyler of the entrants averaged 16 days of fishing.

Winchester each caught two tagged fish. Brody Milsap took ~ Betsy Iler home the Big Fish award.

lakemartindock.com

334.857.2443

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 23

More visibility for Lake Martin HOBOs STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Lake Martin HOBOs President Harry DeNegre outlines a busy year

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There’s a Gator at Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners, but rather than lurk in swampy sloughs waiting for its next meal to come along, this one plans to be a positive influence on life at the lake. Harry DeNegre, a University of Florida alumni, was elected president of the local HOBOs organization in the spring and, along with the HOBOs board of directors, has outlined goals to improve quality of life for the nonprofit’s members.

DeNegre and his wife of 52 years, Bonnie, have had a presence at Lake Martin since 1990 and have lived here fulltime for six years.

“We had been looking for property at Lake Lanier, since it was close to where we were living outside of Atlanta, and I was at a dinner with some church members. They had pictures of Lake Martin, and when I asked where it was, I was surprised that it was just two hours away. The hooker for me was when my friend said they leased a lot on the lake for $100 a year,” DeNegre explained. “We bought a fisherman’s cabin then, and in 2018, we took the cabin down and built the lake house.”

Lake life is an important element in the DeNegres’ life.

They bought their first boat when they married, and as their family grew, they found boat ownership was a great way to spend time together.

“It’s especially great for teenagers. We always had the kids’ friends here all the time, and it keeps us young, too,” DeNegre said.

Spending time at the lake was a welcome respite throughout DeNegre’s long career with public and private commercial construction companies, spanning materials manufacturing and distribution, as well as construction company ownership.

“I managed a 300-person sales force and administration staff, and most of what I did was find solutions,” he said.

He looks forward to putting his executive and sales experience to work for Lake Martin through HOBOs during his tenure as president. Working alongside other existing lake-oriented organizations and businesses, DeNegre hopes to expand HOBOs’ reach across the lake with assistance in establishing localized Neighborhood Watch chapters, organizing boating safety courses and sponsoring efforts to educate members and others about the lake.

He plans to engage members in the work of the organization and in supporting programs that address water quality and quality of life at the lake. Being accessible and visible are key components of the plan, he said.

“We are a voice for homeowners and boat owners and advocate for them on issues that come up at the lake, as well as a liaison when parties involved don’t always have the same priorities. We will have booths at events around the lake, where we can talk to folks about what their concerns are. We will be working with the chambers, with LMRA and continue to work closely with Lake Watch Lake Martin,” he said.

While HOBOs was active during the relicensing of Martin Dam from 2008 to 2015, today’s issues focus on water quality and development, DeNegre said.

“We’ll never be able to stop it, so the best we can do is manage it – to be an influence in the guidelines for things like multi-use docks for off-water residents. I think

we will see more of those kinds of things. We can’t keep them from coming in, but we can hope to influence the regulations that allow them by working with the agencies involved in the decision making,” he explained.

DeNegre said he has been impressed with the work of past HOBOs presidents, including Jesse Cunningham and Dave Heinzen and outgoing president, Steve Smith, but he also looks forward to working with Alabama Power and others around the lake.

“My experience with Alabama Power has been extremely positive. They do a great job of monitoring the lake. And when there’s an issue, Alabama Power will sit down and talk to you and work out solutions that are acceptable to all parties. Nobody really gets everything they wanted, but everybody can live with the solution,” he said.

HOBOs also will be present at county commission meetings for all three counties that border the lake.

“We want people to be able to reach out to us. If I go to county meetings with an issue – maybe about a lake access road that needs to be paved – it will be easier to talk about it if they know me,” he said.

To rebuild its ability to influence, DeNegre said, membership needs to increase. The organization’s membership rose to more than 2,100 during the Martin Dam relicensing process but has dropped since then in the absence of crisis. But lack of a crisis does not mean there are no issues.

“Water quality will always be an issue, and right now, a water quality concern is the rising number of chicken houses. Homeowner value, road access to the lake, boat traffic, speed and safety are growing concerns,” he said.

“We’re also working with the relicensing effort at Harris Dam. They are upstream of us, and what they do there – their water level – will affect Lake Martin. We want to help them but also influence what they do as being positive for Lake Martin.”

In addition to building the individual and family memberships ($15 and $25, respectively for annual membership), HOBOs hopes to rebuild business memberships that will benefit member interests.

“The lake is the big economic force in our community, and what happens in business affects all these factors of living here,” DeNegre pointed out.

Members will be invited to bi-monthly board meetings, and a quarterly newsletter will help to keep members informed. The organization recently launched a new website at lakemartinhobos.com and updated the Lake Martin HOBOs Facebook page, where timely notices regarding meetings, throw-away days and other important information will be available to the public as well as members.

“I am proud of the work HOBOs did for the relicensing at Martin Dam and the Neighborhood Watches we’ve helped to establish. I appreciate and respect Jesse Cunningham and Dave and Judy Heinzen. They’ve worked hard for the membership and have done some great things for the lake. I’ve got some big shoes to fill, and I want to make them proud, make our members proud,” DeNegre said.

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LAKE 25

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AUGUST 2021

Preserving Alabama’s natural resources starts in our backyard.

Did you know longleaf pines are home to roughly 120 endangered or threatened plant and animal species?

That’s why Alabama Power is working hard to help them grow. We’ve teamed up with partners across our state to preserve the natural resources that make Alabama a great place to put down roots – especially if you’re a longleaf pine.

AlabamaPower.com/Environment

© 2021 Alabama Power Company

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 27

Lake Martin Essentials A host of college students keeps the lake working all season long STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT

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While service labor positions remain unfilled across the country, college students are working hard at Lake Martin. Summer jobs are a necessity for most of them.

Many students use their time away from school to earn much-needed funds for the coming year, and Lake Martin provides them the opportunity to enjoy the lake while earning money for school.

Southern Methodist University Senior, Payton Kaufman, is from Indiana, but he has been able to live at his father’s lake house in The Villages for the last three summers. A pre-law student, he spends his summer as a server and bartender at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters.

“I have a scholarship, and my parents pay for my additional tuition, but I use the money I make in the summer to pay for my fraternity dues and other expenses,” explained Kaufman, who plans to use the bartending experience that he learned at Copper’s to pay for law school. “I will be looking for bartender jobs when I return to Dallas since I will be paying for law school tuition on my own.”

Fellow Copper’s bartender, Georgia Edwards, will graduate from Southern Union in August and then plans to attend the University of Alabama or Troy University to continue her degree with an on-line program.

“Because of this job, I have been able to pay for my entire education in cash,” the Dadeville resident explained.

Ranzaydria “Ran” Woodyard has been working at Kowaliga Restaurant since 2015. The University of

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Alabama nursing student is entering her senior year but will have fond memories of her summers working at the lake.

“I got an application for Russell Lands in the counselors’ office my senior year of high school,” the Eclectic resident explained. “I started as a hostess; worked in the kitchen making sure the orders were correct; and then, when I turned 21, I became a server.”

Working at Kowaliga taught her that every job contributes to the success of the restaurant.

“I know the hospital environment will be different, but I’ve learned that every job and every worker is essential, and it’s so important to get along with everyone. Because we stay so busy, I make enough money to

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cover my school expenses, and it’s never boring here.

Plus, I get to enjoy a beautiful view while I work,” she added.

The dockworkers at The Ridge know they have to work hard all weekend, but they are finding that working at the lake has some unique advantages.

Trey Thompson and Caleb Walker see additional advantages to their summer jobs besides earning money for college.

Thompson grew up in Eclectic and joined the Army after high school. He has finished his service as an Army Ranger and will be heading to Auburn in the fall to use his GI bill.

“It’s a great job to work on your conversation skills.

You can find out about a lot of interesting people while you work,” Thompson said.

Walker, an Auburn senior majoring in marketing added, “My uncle works here and helped me get the job.

It’s a great way to make the money I need to cover my expenses during the school year, and learning how to make conversation with all kinds of people will help me in my marketing career.”

Brianna Jarvis is a senior music education major and one of the four drum majors in the Auburn University

Marching Band. She started working at Chuck’s before her sophomore year after one of her friends encouraged her.

“It’s hard to find a job that will accommodate my busy band schedule, but the management here is very flexible; they all want us to put our personal interests and career goals first,” Jarvis said. “I need to save my summer earnings to pay rent during the school year and pay for what isn’t covered by my scholarship. The band requires a lot of time outside of class, so it would be difficult to find a job during the school year.”

Chuck’s Marina dock hands, Carson Granberry and Chris Kruggel, are students at Auburn University and are finding the experience invaluable. Granberry, a sophomore building science major, grew up in Auburn but spends the summer at his parents’ lake house in StillWaters.

“I always loved coming to Chuck’s growing up, so I really thought it would be fun to work here,” Granberry said. “It’s been a great way to learn social skills, and I need to save money to pay for my fraternity, water and power bills during the school year. My parents and a scholarship cover my tuition costs.”

Kruggel has been working on the dock for the past

Clockwise from top of facing page: Georgia Edwards; Caleb Walker; Brianna Jarvis; Ranzaydria Woodyard; Carson Granberry; Katie Rook; Aiden Chesnutt; and Trey Thompson

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Clockwise from top: Payton Kaufman; Paige King; Karlee Cotton; and Chris Kruggel

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five years while earning his degree in professional flight. He already has earned his private pilot license and will earn his commercial license and graduate next semester. The Montgomery resident plans to join the Air Force after graduation and hopes to have a long military career.

“Working here has allowed me to meet some great people. I have met several pilots that have shared their experiences, and I even fly with one of the customers in his personal plane,” Kruggel said.

“The professional flight program is very expensive.

It’s $17,000 for a flight instructor, plus I have to cover the cost to use the plane. It’s so important to work hard in the summer to help with the expenses.”

Recent high school graduates Aiden Chesnutt, Katie Rook and Karlee Cotton decided working at the lake was a good way to spend the summer before heading off to college.

Chesnutt, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, will be a freshman at the University of Alabama in the fall. He’s spending the summer at his parents’ lake house while working for new home builder Chad Stearns in The Ridge. He is saving for his personal expenses during the school year.

“It’s interesting to watch as the houses are built.

I’ve learned to work really hard, assisting on the construction sites, and the importance of being flexible,” explained Chesnutt. “Probably the best part is, after a hot day, I can just go jump in the lake to cool off.”

Rook and Cotton are on opposite ends of the lake, both at busy restaurants. Rook is working at The Landing in Parker Creek before beginning her first year at Southern Union to study accounting.

“It’s my first year at The Landing,” the Wetumpka resident explained. “I’m learning that dealing with people requires a lot of patience. We stay very busy, and I enjoy the challenge and the responsibility.”

She will be paying some of her personal expenses with her summer earnings at the lake when she begins school in the fall.

Karlee Cotton is spending her third summer working at Chuck’s Pizza. She graduated from Reel Town High School last spring and has already moved into an apartment in Auburn with friends. She is working to pay for rent and saving for school fees when she begins school at Southern Union as a building science major.

“It’s a fun environment, but we get crazy busy at times, so you really learn to work under pressure,” Cotton explained.

All the students are glad they made the decision to work at the lake this summer. Whether they grew up in the area or are able to spend the summer at a lake home, they are able to enjoy the view of the lake while earning the money they will need during the school year. When these students head back to school to pursue degrees in the fall, they will enjoy answering the question, “What did you do this summer?”

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Wipeout Contest LAKE

A wipeout behind the boat is best when it’s shared, and Lake magazine wants to share your best Lake Martin fails with our second annual summer Wipeout Contest.

Visit lakemagazine.life to view the photos. Deadline for photos is Aug. 16. Send your entries to editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com. View and vote for your favorites on the Lake magazine Facebook page Aug. 17-23. The photo with the most likes and comments by 11:59 p.m. on Aug 23 wins the contest. Winners will be published in our September issue and receive a prize pack valued at $150.

Clockwise from top right: Sideways – Jackson Shoemaker and Braden Thomas turn it sideways; Nimmo kids – The Nimmo family titled this photo of Kylie, Cooper and Mary Kinsley, “Legs;” Flying back – Caroline Ginn, 8, and her 14-year-old sister, Emily, really do flip for Lake Martin.

Thank you to our prize pack sponsors

Waymon Williams realtor®

July

4th

Review STOPHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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AUGUST 2021

Clockwise from above: Spectators gathered at The Amp and on the lake for Russell Land's concert and fireworks show; Sweet Tea Trio put on a great show before and after the fireworks; One Russell Marine Boat Parade entrant celebrated everything; flying the colors is a tradition over the boat parade; The parade route extended from Kowaliga Marina to Children's Harbor; unorthodox materials make whinsically creative lake décor at Arti Gras.

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Clockwise from above: Sweet Tea Trio's Savannah Coker told the audience at The Amp it's always a treat for them to return to Lake Martin; Patriotic flag and cross ornaments were on sale at Arti Gras; By all accounts, even the ground show of fireworks at Lake Martin was spectacular; this year's holiday was a star-studded weekend at the lake.

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AUGUST 2021

Clockwise from above: The Bank Walkers opened the show at The Amp for Sweet Tea Trio; Hand-painted pottery and other unique pieces were among the offerings at Arti Gras; Bathtime fun in a jon boat at the annual Russell Marine Boat Parade; Make plans now to spend July 4, 2022, at Lake Martin for a spectacular holiday.

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

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

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

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T O L E A R N M O R E , C A L L U S AT 3 3 4 . 7 4 9 . 8 1 6 5 O R V I S I T W W W. N AT I O N2021 A LV I L L A G E . C O M .

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AUGUST 2021

LAKE 37

Pickleball The fastest growing sport in the U.S. holds court at StillWaters STORY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

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Lines painted in black differentiate the tennis court from boundaries for pickleball, which is played with lightweight paddles and balls

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What started as a few folks taping off pickleball lines on the tennis courts at Lake Martin’s StillWaters resort five years ago has grown to a league of more than 50 and at least three players competing at the nationals level later this year.

Jim Laws, a level one referee and avid pickleball player, said while a few people in the neighborhood had played casually prior to 2016, the sport took off when StillWaters residents Charlie and Malinda Pope brought more experience and expertise with them from south Florida, where they spend the winter months.

“It’s very popular in south Florida,” Laws said.

The fastest-growing sport in the country, it’s easy to see why pickleball is so popular, especially among America’s retirement communities. Easy on the body and simple to learn, the game was developed in the Bainbridge Island, Washington, backyard of Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard, who invented pickleball to play with his children. It requires only basic, affordable gear and plays on just one third of a tennis court.

“At first, we would come down and tape off lines or mark

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LAKE 39

Gary McBride, Jim Laws, David Gunter and John Tincher play a heated game

Donna Hebson grimaces as she catches the pickleball during a volley

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them with sidewalk chalk, but that wasn’t durable.

We had to redraw the lines every time it rained,” Laws said.

About two-and-a-half years ago, Laws, who was on the residential association committee, petitioned for permanent lines to be painted on the resort’s tennis courts.

“Most of the committee had never heard of pickleball,” he explained.

It’s a fast-paced game that employs elements of tennis and ping-pong (table tennis), allowing players to improve eye-hand coordination and reflex reactions without the weight and size of tennis rackets and balls and the ground coverage of full tennis courts.

The game is played on a 40-foot by 20-foot court, which can be marked out in black lines within existing tennis courts. Players wield paddles that are similar to but larger than table tennis paddles to volley a hole-ridden plastic ball across a net that should be a few inches shorter than that played in tennis.

Scoring differs somewhat from tennis in that only the team serving can make a point, though tournament matches consist of the best two out of three games, similar to a tennis set. Regular play is over when one player or doubles team achieves a score of 11, but a margin of two points is required to declare a win.

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Pickleball was a natural progression at retirement for the Popes, who had played tennis in their younger years. When they moved to the StillWaters community, they brought from Florida a history of playing the game in an official capacity. Pickleball has long been a staple at retirement developments in Florida. At The Villages of Florida, residents choose from more than 100 existing courts, and another 50 are slated for construction this year.

“Residents are requesting this amenity when looking to invest,” Laws said.

The sport is growing in Alabama as well. The Opelika sportplex includes 12 dedicated and covered pickleball courts, with another 12 scheduled for construction in 2022. The local club there boasts more than 400 players and next year will host a regional event that is expected to draw up to 1,000 players.

The Popes brought techniques and strategies to the game at StillWaters, and as players learned the official rules and how to control the net, games became more competitive. With 37 men and 24 women now playing, the league uses a cellphone app, groupme, to coordinate use of the courts. Most games are played as doubles, which utilizes four players, and while most players are residents, nonresidents are allowed to play with a sponsoring resident.

As the competition has grown stronger within the StillWaters group, players have ventured to enter tournaments around the region. At a June tourna-

ment in Opelika earlier this year, six Lake Martin players won medals, and three qualified for play in the Pickleball National Tournament to be held at Indian Wells, California, in December. Gary McBride, David Gunter and Laws hone their skills for the upcoming national competition by playing four or five days every week at their home courts in StillWaters.

“Most anybody who plays here could go anywhere and play competitively,” Laws said.

He suggested anyone interested in playing be sure to wear good court shoes, comfortable clothing that breathes well and a hat or visor. Paddles can be made from wood, graphite, aluminum or other composite materials, and entry-level equipment could be purchased affordably at local sporting goods stores or from Laws, who is a local paddle dealer.

For official rules and regulation equipment descriptions, check out the U.S.A. Pickleball Association at usapickleball.org.

“It’s something social and active to do. You make good friendships, and it’s something you can do with the grandkids when they visit,” explained Malinda Pope.

To join the StillWaters men’s group, call Laws at 205-317-4868. To join the women’s group, call Donna Hebson at 256-872-5172.

The StillWaters Pickleball Club plays early in the day at the resort's pickleball/tennis courts

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LAKE 41

After making the NCAA record book at Alabama, Wilbur Jackson played nine years for the SanFrancisco 49ers

For Lack of a Dollar How ceiling breaker Wilbur Jackson almost quit football

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STORY BY KIRK MCNAIR & COURTESY OF BAMAONLINE.COM PHOTOS BY CAROL SPRAYBERRY & PAUL W. BRYANT MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

When Wilbur Jackson and I spoke for his chapter in the book, What It Means To Be Crimson Tide, he told me about speaking with his former teammate and fellow captain, Chuck Strickland, long after their Alabama careers.

“I told him that it had been tough on me, so tough that I thought about quitting,” Jackson said. “He laughed and said, ‘We all thought about quitting because it was so tough.’”

Each summer former Alabama offensive tackle Steve Sprayberry and his wife, Carol, host a

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reunion of the 1970 Alabama freshman football class at their house on Lake Martin. A few others who played with those ’70 freshmen – Joe LaBue, Ricky Davis, John Hannah among them – are also included. Not many are left from that coaching staff, but Jimmy Sharpe is, and he made the reunion this year. I, too, am included, perhaps because their freshman season was also my first in Alabama’s sports information office; or maybe it’s because I chauffeur legendary practice official and entertainer deluxe Eddie Conyers.

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This year’s weekend, the reunion was much like any other – good food and better stories, including Wilbur Jackson recounting the thoughtabout-quitting tale.

After a tough day in 1970, Wilbur went back to Bryant Hall and packed his suitcase. He then walked to downtown Tuscaloosa to the bus station and inquired about a ticket to his hometown in Ozark.

“It was $7, and I only had $6,” Wilbur said.

So he turned back and returned to Bryant Hall, where he unpacked.

Someone suggested that his teammates, who also were from Ozark, Dexter Wood and Ellis Beck, would have given Wilbur the dollar he needed to go home.

“Yeah,” Jackson said, “but then I would have had to have told them what I needed it for.”

Wilbur was recruited to Alabama as a wide receiver, but prior to his sophomore season in 1971 (freshmen weren’t eligible for varsity play in 1970), he was switched to halfback for the triple option offense. He was All-Southeastern Conference as a senior on Bama’s national championship team in 1973 and captain with Strickland. For his career he carried the ball 212 times for 1,529 yards, averaging a Crimson Tide record 7.2 yards per carry. He was one of four Alabama backs who rushed for over 100 yards in a 77-6 win over Virginia Tech in 1973, making the NCAA record book.

He went on to the NFL, drafted ninth in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers and played nine years. His last game was with the Washington Redskins in the 1983 Super Bowl.

Most think of Wilbur Jackson primarily as a pioneer, the first African-American to sign a football scholarship at Alabama.

As for that, he said, “I felt as though I was treated just like everyone else, and I also felt that is how it should have been.”

Today, I’m thinking it’s a good thing Wilbur Jackson didn’t have $7 in 1970.

Wilbur Jackson, Joe Cochran and John Rogers trade stories at the annual reunion at the lake

The 1970s Crimson Tide meets for a reunion at the Sprayberrys' Lake Martin home every summer

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m o Inaugural festival set for this month

Angela Hacker

16 songwriters will play 10 venues around the lake in the first ever Lake Martin Songwriters Festival

STORY BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & BETSY ILER

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m

Kristen Kelly Chad Wilson

T

The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival will feature 16 songwriters from across the Southeast, including Tallapoosa County native Chad Wilson, at 10 venues over five days with an appearance by super fan Dale Karl. Wilson also will debut his new song Viva Lake Martin during the festival, said Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller.

Fuller and Wilson brainstormed the idea of the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival after a songwriters’ retreat Wilson held at the lake earlier this year.

“I went to it and saw these guys and girls telling their stories behind their songs,” Fuller said.

She reached out to Wilson, and the rest is history. The pair pulled in Main Street Alexander City’s Stacey Jeffcoat, who helped Wilson last summer with the Wilson Brothers’ A Little Love concert on Main Street, and Vivian Autry with Mitchell House in Dadeville. The second annual A Little Love concert will close the inaugural songwriters’ festival in downtown Alexander City on Aug. 21.

“Our idea is for this to be lake wide,” Fuller said. “We have half of the events on the Dadeville

side of the lake, and the other half is on the Alexander City side of the lake.”

Each member of the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival committee has an important part in organizing and launching the festival.

“I help get the talent; I help with the schedule,” Wilson said. “They work on sponsorships, accommodations and food and all kinds of stuff. We all get to do something we all wanted to do together.”

The committee includes members from around the lake – Stacey and Jeremy Jeffcoat, Vivian Autry, Andy Moore, Steven Pace, Marian and Brad Plata, Chad and Haley McKelvey and Danah Gilliland, in addition to Wilson and Fuller.

The festival starts Tuesday, Aug. 17, with a VIP event honoring sponsors and businesses that are covering the expenses for the free festival.

The music will begin on Aug. 18 when 13 of the featured artists will appear at four lake area venues. Lake Martin Pizza in Dadeville will host Eric Erdman, Kristen Kelly and Megan McMillan, and Niffer’s at Lake Martin will feature Kensie Coppin, Blue Foley, Cameron Havens and Emma Zinck.

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m Chancie Neal

Blue Foley

On the west side of the lake, The Square in downtown Alexander City will host Chancie Neal, Lee Tucker and Chad Wilson. Even Wind Creek State Park will be in on the tourism event that is expected to draw an audience from across the Southeast. Clay Barker, Lance Dubroc and Ella Langley will perform at the RV campground in the park.

On Thursday, the venues will include Lakeside Bay Pines, Russell Crossroads, The Social and Zazu’s Verandah. Coppin, Foley, Kelly and Tucker will appear on the lakeside stage at Bay Pines, and Russell Crossroads will host Dubroc, McMillan and Wilson. Havens, Langley and Neal will be the featured artists at The Social while Barker, Erdman and Zinck will entertain audiences on the courthouse square in Dadeville at Zazu’s Verandah.

At the Songwriter’s Round at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters on Friday, Aug. 20, selected songwriters will perform one of their songs and tell the story behind the song; its inspiration or perhaps a humorous anecdote surrounding it.

The A Little Love concert in downtown Alexander City will feature Dixie Red, Charlie Argo and Wilson.

Argo’s In the Name of Love debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Blues Chart, and his Tennessee Will reached the No. 1 spot on the singles Blues Chart.

Coppin performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage at ages 11 and 12 and has expanded her reach to Denmark, Ireland and Belgium. She will tour the United Kingdom later this year. Foley has more

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than 140 label cuts with artists across a spectrum of genres. He was nominated for a Grammy last year with the title track on Ashley McBryde’s 2020 Never Will album.

Muscle Shoals native Angela Hacker recently landed a recording contract with Warner Brothers after winning the Nashville Star competition.

James LeBlanc has written songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Martina McBride, Bryan White, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Square and others. Chancie Neal toured with Luke Bryan for seven years and wrote the song Ducks in a Row, which was featured on the Ducks Dynasty network television production.

Wilson, an Alexander City native, wrote the 2019 No. 1 hit Loving You Loving On Me on the Cranked Up Country Top 25 Weekly Countdown.

Along with his brother, Kyle, he is a fourth generation professional musician.

Wilson spent a day last month filming a video for his new song, Viva Lake Martin, which will be released this month to help promote the festival. The video features scenes and activities surrounding Lake Martin and fictional Lake Martin Songwriters Festival super fan Dale Karl played by Kyle Smithson. Smithson was with Wilson as filming for the video wrapped up at Coppers Grill.

“Lake Martin is amazing,” Karl told fans who had gathered to play extras in the video. “I got to see people jump off a rock. I got some peanuts.”

The video is based on the song, freshly co-written by Wilson.

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m

“I started the Lake Martin song on my own,” Wilson said. “When I got back to Nashville I wrote with Tim Baker and Brittanee Kellogg.”

The festival was already in the works, and Fuller knew of Wilson’s Lake Martin song idea.

“When we finished the song, I called Sandra, sent her a quick copy,” Wilson said. “She called me right back and said let’s do it.

Within 24 hours of the song being finished, we had plans to go into the studio to record and plans to shoot a video. All in 10 or so days.”

Fuller and Wilson hope the festival continues.

“There are large, successful songwriters festivals all over the country from Key West to Austin,” Fuller explained. “We believe this festival can grow into one of those festivals that is a must-attend for music fans all over the South. The songwriters in this inaugural event have written hit songs for major artists, and we anticipate this event growing into something the entire Lake Martin area can be proud of.

“We have already begun to plan next year’s event with more venues and songwriters but also songwriter events throughout the day. We want visitors to plan their vacations around this weeklong event.”

For details about this year’s event and future events, visit tallapoosacountytourism.com and follow the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival Facebook page.

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LAKE 47

♠♥♣♦

FOUR OF A KIND for the win

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The 8s have it in the 18th annual charity event STORY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

In its 18th year, Lake Martin Lions Club neared the $400,000 mark in its cumulative total of monies raised for local charities, Russell Marine President Dave Commander told participants at this year’s poker run event on July 17.

The civic organization’s signature event, and a favorite around the lake, the annual poker run dispatches boaters to five marinas, collecting one card from each to build a poker hand. At The Ridge Marina, the final stop on the run, boaters are treated to a picnic supper, live music and a chance for more prizes. They also are offered the opportunity to purchase additional cards to better their hands. Each player is issued a key that may or may not open a treasure chest filled with gift certificates for goods and services.

Playing the game is serious business, as the winning hand goes home with a check for $2,000. Second and third place hands also win substantial amounts of money, as does the holder of the worst hand.

A prize also is awarded to the best costumed crew and decorated boat. While the costume component takes home

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Four 8s won the big money at the Lake Martin Lions Poker Run this year

$600, the true prize in this competition is bragging rights, as the winning crew receives accolades for originality and creativity, as well as execution. Though not all crews choose a theme and dress the part, those that do get a lot of attention at Buford and Melissa Minor each stop on the route. went home happy This year, some 17 teams after Melissa drew dressed up for the poker run, the winning making the judges work hard to poker hand choose a winner. At the end of the day, the Lakestock crew – a parody on the infamous Woodstock concert – won the bragging rights, but they had some stiff competition.

Honorable mentions were made for the Gangastas boat, which was crewed by fedora-wearing suits bearing inflatable tommy guns and pearl-clad dames in short skirts. A crew of teachers won recognition for turning their boat into a school bus, and the entire cast of ’toon TV’s Sponge Bob Square Pants coasted into the docks blaring the beloved character’s theme song. One creative crew entered as the Lake Martin Landmarks, with each crew member depicting a beloved lake location, including Goat Island, Doctor’s Island, Pirate Island, the Lake Martin Amphitheater and the Yellow top Ice Cream Shop.

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Clockwise from right: Claire Hughes, Callee Jinright, Cissy Agboatwala, Taylor Jinright, Cindy Barron, Jason Bennett, Ross Jinright, Jimmy Barron, Sohail Agboatwala and Dee Bennett were in it for the hold-up; Cindy Aldridge, Cindy Laporte, Pam Deloach, Nancy Turner, Susan Edwards, Andrea Jones and Nancy Anne Turner were fishing for a good hand; Kelly Dennis, Bailey Smith, Mary Baxlee Smith, Amanda Chandler, Savannah Bussey and Ireland McKelvey were Maddie Strong; Jake and Logan Coan, Mallory Caldwell, Benita Caldwell, Leah and Darren Pugh just wanted to free Britney; Ethan, Cooper and Ella Southern; Doug, Nicole and Elise Dellaccio and Jamey, Michelle, Ella Kate and Olivia Ramsey celebrated Christmas in July; and Heather Kwok, Judith and Ryan Sherrill and Amy and Jameson Courtney were the Lake Martin Landmarks.

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While the event has always drawn a crowd, it sold out by 9 a.m. this year. Several boaters that had not pre-registered online waited more than two hours for the chance to purchase a hand if a pre-registered player didn’t show.

“That’s the earliest we’ve ever sold out,” Commander said.

Sponsored by Russell Marine, the event was declared a resounding success under a big white canopy at The Ridge 50 LAKE

Marina while the Russell Craig Band played. Boaters waited anxiously to see if they had won the big bucks for the best hand. That prize went to Melissa Minor, who took home the top prize with a hand that included four eights.

Don’t miss the fun at this event next year; look for information in the Lake magazine summer calendar and at russellmarine.net and register early.

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Facing page, clockwise from top: The Lakestock 2021 crew, Robert Falero, Pamela, Bill and Alex Ochsenhirt, Laura Folero, Chloe Rogers and Scarlet took first place in the overall best costume and decorated boat category; David and Cindy Copeland, Toby and Deb Cook, Jonathon Tuck and Anita Jackson were ready to go back to school; Heather Feathers, Walter and Amelia Barden and Brant Feathers went duck hunting; This page, clockwise from right: The Emojis, Claire, Lila, Allie, Bailey and Truman Ingram and Lisa, Aubrey and Carly Lovelady, found a Connelly slalom ski in the treasure chest; Daniel Bradford, Crystal Sellers, Joseph Bernosky and Ken Sellers were on the waiting list but were able to purchase one poker hand; Jay and Cheryl Hudson and Monica and Ray Dumas were just in it to let the good times roll; All of his ocean floor friends, Abigail Lamkins, Jennifer Williamson, Trinity Holman and Mike and Kimberly Fussell, floated in with Sponge Bob Square Pants, Robert Holman; Thankfully, the lifeguards, Jason and Shawn Adams, Kevin and Kim Williamson, Brady Crowe and Brad and Jessica Macon showed up with Hank the rescue dog; Even Santa, aka Bill Kennebrew, took a vacation at the lake to support local charities with elves Mary Robertson, Laurie Kennebrew and John Johnson, and they brought Rudolph (don't let the poodle costume fool you).

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L a k e M a r t i n R e a l t y. c o m

LAKE 53

Dodder Nature's silly string can be a pest

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“Creepy.”

That’s a word that could have been coined to describe Dodder, the yellow-orange, leafless, creeping vine that winds up and over other plants — and sucks out their life juices.

Many common names for this uncommon type of plant give you an idea of just how creepy folks think it is: Strangleweed, Fireweed, Devil’s Ringlet, Scald Weed, Pull-Down, Beggerweed, Witches Hair, Devil’s Gut, Hellbine and Wizard’s Net. None of those names sound like something you’d like to have in your garden.

And that is certainly the case when it comes to Dodder.

It’s easy to identify Dodder since it’s basically just a thin yellow vine – and there’s nothing else that looks like it.

Depending on the species, Dodder has either no or very low amounts of chlorophyll, the chemical that allows plants to convert the sun’s energy to food and

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gives most plants a green color. So instead of using photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into food, Dodder relies on other plants to do that.

This plant sends thin yellowish tendrils up out of the soil that “sniff” out chemical markers given off by green plants. When Dodder locates a good target, its tendrils lean into the smell and when the vine reaches the green plant, it literally wraps itself around it and sinks toothlike probes called haustoria into the plant tissue; and then, it leeches the host of life-giving water, carbohydrates and nutrients.

Dodders are some of the few true parasitic plants native to Alabama – its hosts receive no benefit from Dodder; and yet, Dodder must have a host to stay alive. Another famous parasite found in our forests is Mistletoe.

Because Dodder does not have the ability to synthesize its own food, once the plant germinates, it must find a host plant within about a week or the seedling will die

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Dodder is one of the few true parasitic plants native to Alabama

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

after it uses up the food supply in its seed.

When Dodder has connected with one host, it reaches out for another and then another, creating a disorganized yellow net on the forest floor, or up and over shrubs or even into trees. Once Dodder matures and is attached to hosts, the original root in the soil dies and the Dodder vines are completely reliant on other plants.

As the parasite shares a host plant’s food, it weakens the plant, which can cause a number of problems, including making the host plant more susceptible to diseases, insect pests, drought and any other challenge.

Dodder can also spread diseases among the many hosts that the vines connect. Most Dodder species are best suited to specific hosts. As an example, Clover Dodder will mostly parasitize clovers.

Dodder moves fast. One day, you might see a strand or two of yellow vine, and a few days later, it looks like somebody emptied a can of yellow Silly String on the ground. If you’re not afraid of having nightmares,

Google time-lapse videos of Dodder tendrils emerging from the ground and waving their thin, yellow wormlike arms in search of green victims.

Technically, Dodder vines are stems with leaves that have evolved into something that looks like a tiny scale on the stem. But to the naked eye, it’s just a vine.

Dodder vines do produce tiny light-colored blossoms that produce tiny pea-size fruits from mid-summer to fall. The fruits contain numerous hard-shelled seeds that can survive for years – up to 20 years, according to some biologists – in the soil before germinating. Dodder seeds collected and held in a herbarium germinated after 60 years, but it is unlikely that the same thing could occur in a wild environment.

Found worldwide in temperate and tropical areas, there are between 100 and 200 different Dodder species.

All Dodders are members of the Cuscuta genus. These plants are all very similar and are hard to identify when the plant is not in bloom.

There are roughly 50 species of Dodder in North America; nine are native to Alabama, and six more are found in surrounding Southeastern states. One species, Cuscuta harperi, is only found in 12 counties — 10 in northern Alabama and two in Georgia.

Here in the Lake Martin area, species of Dodder can be found in the water, along the shoreline and in moist forest soils.

Dodder has long been used in Chinese folk medicine, and modern research has shown the plant may offer some benefit in treating human illnesses.

According to research published in 2017 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, biologists have discovered that by penetrating multiple plants at once, Dodder vines provide a chemical highway that gives individual plants the opportunity to communicate with each other. In the study, a plant on one end of a Dodder vine network was attacked by caterpillars. It sent out a chemical “distress signal” through the Dodder vines, which gave other plants time to raise their chemical defenses and suffer less damage by the caterpillars heading their way.

Nonetheless, Dodder is considered a pest around the world, as it can do tremendous damage to crops like beans, hops, alfalfa, clover and flax. It is largely controlled by hand removing the plant, though when infestations occur outside of agricultural fields, mowing is very effective. Since Dodders only reproduce via seeds, if you do pull up Dodder vines, don’t put them in your compost, as you could spread seeds that could germinate years after the compost is spread in your garden.

Some information for this article came from the U.S. Forest Service, Britannica.com, Michigan State University, Ohio State University and the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

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LAKE 55

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LAKE 57

After Clay Hornsby grew up at a beach next to his grandparents' Lake Martin cabin, he built a home with his wife, Nancy, right next door

All in the Family at the Lake

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Eclectic couple builds a beach house next door to their grandparents' cabin STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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Clay and Nancy Hornsby bought their cabin in Eclectic based on Clay’s years of experience playing on the beach next door. His grandparents owned the 1960s cabin he grew up loving, and they actually did the work themselves to cultivate the beach that holds so many memories. When Clay found out that half the beach actually belonged to the lot next door, he was on a mission to buy it, and in 2012, the dream became reality.

“When the lot was finally ours, and we walked into the cabin, we realized the view was something special.

We kept the little cabin until we began building a new house in 2018, and we moved in full-time into the new house in 2019. We had a long time to plan all that we wanted in a lake house, and we really did manage to work in all the ideas we had,” Nancy Hornsby said.

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The Hornsbys hired David Smelcer Design and Construction to design their home and HendersonCoker to build it. Denise Booth was their project manager, and Hornsby is grateful to her for guidance throughout the building process. Decorators Jeannette Remaley, Jamie Dark and Jeffrey Long assisted Hornsby with fabrics, furniture, artwork, rugs, paint colors and other details.

“We both have family on the lake, and we knew the importance of living spaces, indoor and out. We knew we wanted lots of outdoor living and for the rooms to easily flow outside. We love our porches. We also wanted views of the lake from everywhere possible.

David designed the house exactly the way we wanted it, concentrating more space in the rooms where people gather and having smaller bedrooms,” Hornsby

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Lighted glass cabinets display antique china in the large kitchen

The study offers a quiet place to work or read

said.

An elegant stone front porch and porte-cochere greet visitors. Shiplap walls, painted Gray Mist, set the stage for the main living areas and the stairwell.

The floors are a lightly stained white oak, while the ceiling is unstained white oak, creating a subtle contrast.

In the foyer, a display of antique transferware china in a large yellow cabinet with a hutch – old wood made new, she commented – begins Hornsby’s use of yellow, her favorite color, as an accent in the main living areas. The foyer leads to the vaulted living room and a spectacular view of the lake through an arched window. A neutral upholstered sofa and four club chairs allow yellow patterned ottomans and pillows and pops of blue in the lamps and rug to complete the

picture. French doors frame the stone fireplace – one set leading outside and the other into a study. In the connected dining area, chair cushions match the pillow fabric to carry the color through the rooms.

“I really believe rugs should be taken from home to home and be forever purchases. I bought the rug in the living room in 2002 for our home in Birmingham; then, it was in our home in Tuscaloosa. Here, it set the color scheme for the whole room,” Hornsby said.

The Hornsbys also have forever purchases in artwork, featuring local art from Sarah Carlisle Towery and Lila Graves. Years ago, Graves painted portraits of the Hornsbys’ children, and those portraits now hang in the foyer. Graves’ “Happy Coffee Cup,” among other bright pieces, adds color and whimsy to the kitchen and hallways. Among Hornsby’s favorites

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An upstairs sleeping porch includes two full-sized beds and two sets of bunk beds

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LAKE 63

An elegant master offers a spectacular view of the lake

– her first Graves purchase, which depicts children playing marbles, and a larger Graves piece entitled “Things with Wings” in the stairwell. Their nephew, Will Azar, an engineer and painter, has one of his paintings featured in the upstairs hall.

The Hornsbys’ spacious kitchen, perfect for entertaining a crowd, centers on a White Haze quartzite island, 9-feet by 6-feet, which contains the gas stove to make buffet style serving easier. The butler’s pantry houses a microwave, a sink, and a designated coffee area. The pantry shelves were organized and labeled for ease and effectiveness by Yellow Cottage Living.

Cabinets, custom-made by Roger Hyde, are painted Designer White and feature glass doors and lights in one wall of upper cabinets for displaying her antique china and other special pieces. Custom panels create a seamless look between cabinets and the appliances.

Just off the kitchen, a hallway serves as a mudroom and just one of many exits to the Hornsbys’ nostalgic beach area. The hall contains a half-bath, cubbies for collecting towels and shoes and the laundry room, secluded behind a barn door.

An expansive screened porch offers a seating area and dining area with room to spare. Furniture is from Summer Classics. A grill porch is just beyond one screen door with easy access to the kitchen inside and the diners outside. Three fans keep the lake breezes

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moving in the summer to provide a pleasant place to relax.

A covered flagstone porch just off the living area includes additional seating and dining space. Wide stairs lead to a patio and on down to the lawn and dock. Lighted flagstone paths, created by R and R Landscaping, lead to the water from different entrances in the back of the home. R and R Landscaping designed and installed the landscape.

The home features five bedrooms and five and onehalf baths. Downstairs, a guest room located just off the foyer offers a private bath. Soft navy and cream linens create a welcoming and comfortable space for guests. The master bedroom, appointed in creams and grays and accented with yellow, provides a respite for the couple. Hornsby attributes her well-organized walk-in closet to Yellow Cottage Living. Three additional bedrooms are upstairs, accessed via a back staircase behind the kitchen.

“This is our forever home, so I decided to have specific bedrooms assigned to our two grown children.

I had bookcases built-in around their beds, including the side tables, so I could display some of their special items from childhood. We call the bedroom built over the garage our sleeping porch,” Hornsby said.

The sleeping porch features the only television in the house, a play area for grandchildren and built-in

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A lakeside porch offers comfortable seating in the shade

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The screened porch is the perfect place to entertain a crowd

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LAKE 67

beds to sleep eight. Tierce Williams with Gray Barn Cabinets, built-in full-sized beds with bookcases on either end in both wings with dormer windows. Large drawers under the beds provide storage space. Behind a barn door at the end of the room, two sets of bunk beds with storage underneath were built in.

A cream and navy bedroom contains memorabilia from their son’s childhood, and a bedroom with different shades of pink contains their daughter’s keepsakes.

Both have lake views and private baths. The walk-in closet in the pink room provides access to what would have been attic storage space.

“We had the storage space finished just like the rest of the house. It has a small room just off the closet,

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but the room beyond it could be another rec room.

Having that space already finished really allows us room to grow as the family grows,” Hornsby said.

Creating the vision of their house based on experiences visiting and growing up on the lake allowed the Hornsbys to plan the details of their forever home carefully. Now living in the home they envisioned next door to his grandparents’ cabin, they are continuing the traditions of year-round fun with family and friends on Lake Martin – with two family lots joined by one special beach.

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The stairwell features paintings by Lake Martin artist Lila Graves

The back hallway offers easy access to the beach and serves as a mud room

Hornsby grew up playing on the beach on the lot next to his grandparents' cabin

Custom bookcases around a headboard create a place for memorabilia

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 69

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LAKE 71

Where's the flair?

N

ot even in a sea of sameness would you expect any kindred qualities between the homonyms – flair and flare. Yet, in life, they often collide unbeknownst to the naked eye.

The word “flair” is defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “a special or instinctive aptitude; ability to do something well; stylishness and originality.” The list of synonyms could read as “skill, talent, style, panache.” If you related flair to design or artistry, it could bring to mind words like “mastery, distinctiveness, custom-made.”

Conversely, the word “flare” is described as “a sudden brief burst of bright flame or light; burn with a sudden intensity.” And the synonym list could be dissimilar in much the same manner: “blaze, flash, sparkle, scintillate.” In design, it would relate to trends and fads, something LAKE PROPERTY that fizzles out as fast as it lit up.

Housing is a great example of

BY STEPHANIE COLEY how these word worlds collide, and most often, no one notices it.

Flair has seemingly become a lost art, while flare appears to be replacing it. If you took a ride through most neighborhoods built after 1990, you would find that the starter home and the move-up home have the same issues. Both are drowning in the same boat of obscurity inside and outside while people continuously choose the same trendy facades and interiors.

The buyers have lost their sense of individualism as much as the builder has lost the idea of standing out as uncommon.

From the soul-satisfying do-it-yourself projects turning into kits of parts with different color options to mass produced lower priced products being used in more expensive homes, the shift feels overwhelmingly erroneous. The prices of homes keep climbing; yet, the exchange in value to cost is truly start72 LAKE

ing to flatten.

Not that many years ago, it meant a lot to be able to move from your starter home to a larger one and put your personal flair into the planning and furnishing of your step-up in life; however, nowadays, you will find the same finishes in a basic home as you will in a move-up home.

Who made that okay?

The answer is: all of us, as our expectations are lowered with and without our consent. The world has always had highs and lows when it comes to how people are influenced, but with the advent of television, increases in mass production and dependent internet use, everything seems to have plateaued from passivity in how we live in our homes, among other relaxed thought patterns. These questions beg for answers: n Has HGTV and related entertainment removed our desire to be different? n After hundreds of years of glorious innovation, has everyone’s style nearly melded into one now? n Have we given up on making our homes our homes?

There is a trickle-up effect that is supported by these influences. One such effect is the formulas for replicated housing design over custom or customized homes, which has caused builders to set aside what makes them unique for what makes them competitive. Not a bad thing if the basic builder is escalating details to match the higher-end builder while raising the asking price to match the work and so on with the next level builder.

What seems to be a saddening part of this effect is that it feels like lower level is disproportionately affecting the higher level with buyers feeling squeezed out of the benefits. n Can net profit and net value ever find balance again in the extremely competitive housing market? n New and upscale home demands are at an all-time high, and interest rates are helping to fuel the frenzy. But are location and fitting-in causing a suburban lifestyle to filter in and drown personal sensibilities in specialty and upscale communities? n What happens if the buyers reject builder grade basics and

AUGUST 2021

restrictive cookie cutter floor plans? n Is there any room for individuality?

At a higher level of influence, design and manufacturing are in a constant state of mimicry as well. It feels as if, more and more, the only true difference is the price tag, making flair fizzle like a flare.

If only the consumers knew that they were the real influencers. n What if they decided not to worry about what is in style or popular? n Would builders offer more color options if people left all the products in a particular colorway on the shelves or chose builders who still innovate?

When a person takes a serious look at what they prefer over what they are repetitiously offered in commercials or in a builder’s limited materials palette, an opportunity is presented to represent self. Algorithms and being offered limited options are a result of passivity and avoiding the work of life. The repetition makes many people think that what they see and find to be attractive is an example of their personal style preferences.

But is it too late to change this progression into imitation of lifestyle?

Of course not. We arrive in this world as individuals, including twins. There is always a way to exercise individuality.

Sometimes, all it takes is a desire to see the options in a different way.

For example, subway tile can be installed in a myriad of ways with pattern changes, grout color substitution (or no noticeable grout lines), increase in size, two sizes, two colors of subway in the same or different size.

This example is one of several thousand simple solutions right at hand if people were more confident about standing out in a crowd. If unsure about what to do and how to do it, there are myriad images online (yes, back to the internet) and myriad professionals who could hold your hand or make the selections for you based upon your style. One pause to research, a professional consultation or a full hire could save you time, money and, most of all, your sense of individuality. ~ Stephanie Coley is a certified design and construction professional with more than 22 years of multidisciplinary experience. She can be contacted by email at ssimon@scenarchdesign.com. Follow her on Instagram @scenariodesigninc.

Lake Martin’s deBeer Representative

• QUARTZ • QUARTZITE • GRANITE • SOAPSTONE

Denise Booth 256-749-6177

debooth.al@gmail.com homeologylakemartin.com Located at The Wellborn Industries Showroom 59 Wellborn Way, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861

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LAKE 73

Thanks to those who respond when 'Somebody needs to ...'

A

s president of Lake Martin Resource the community, with trained personnel who Association, I have received many are willing to be on call around the clock messages and calls from individuals and respond to situations that can be dangerwho are part of the Lake Martin community ous and most always stressful. There have as either fulltime or part-time residents. The been many times in recent years when storm most frequent messages usually begin with damage has left lakeside roads blocked, and something like: “Someone needs to …” or “I the first person on the scene is a volunteer would like to …” firefighter with a chainsaw on his back. Day I certainly prefer talking with those who and night, these men and women are the first want to get more involved in protecting the on the scene responding to 911 calls. Please Lake Martin community for future generasupport them by volunteering or donating – tions. Volunteers who are willing to step up or both. and get involved are the ones who are makCherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association LMRA ing a difference and deserve a great deal of Volunteers can assist CRATA by helping

BY JOHN THOMPSON credit for making this community so very with trail maintenance and keeping the trails attractive to new homeowners and business clear of dead trees, clearly marked and litter investors. There are so many opportunities for all our free. Visit crata.org for information regarding great hiking residents to get involved and work or support others that trails with beautiful views of Lake Martin. are working for the betterment and protection of our com- Lake Watch Lake Martin munity.

This organization has been very active on Lake Martin Volunteer Fire Departments for many years and plays a valuable role in monitoring the We are so blessed to have these departments throughout water quality we are so blessed to have on Lake Martin.

27

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For those who are not aware, the exceptional water quality in our beautiful lake is not found on another lake of equal size in the South. Lake Watch offers training to volunteers who are willing to play a big role in protecting Lake Martin for future generations by being a part of this valuable organization. Visit lakewatch.org for more information.

Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners

This organization has helped establish Neighborhood Watches in various areas around the lake. It is reassuring, especially for part-time residents, to know that our neighbors are alert to suspicious activities going on around our homes. Learn more about HOBOs at lakemartinhobos. com.

Lake Martin Resource Association

LMRA has been working for the betterment of Lake Martin for more than 50 years. Volunteers are always needed and play a huge role in supporting the major objectives of LMRA: boating safety, litter free roadsides and shoreline, environmental education and membership

advocacy. In addition to organizing a community-wide shoreline and roadside cleanup annually on the first Friday and Saturday of November, LMRA supports monthly area roadside cleanups, which are held in Dadeville on the first Saturday of each month and in the Alexander City area on the third Saturday of each month. More information can be found in the community calendar listings in Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living and The Alexander City Outlook.

Visit our website at lmra.info.

These are just a few of the groups that depend on volunteers for success in their efforts to make the Lake Martin community safe and clean for future generations.

Take a few minutes to learn more about what they do and how you also can be more involved.

You may not ever again have to say, “Somebody needs to…” ~ John Thompson is president of Lake Martin Resource Association. Email him at 1942jthompson420@gmail.com and visit lmra.info to learn more.

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

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

AUGUST 2021

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FABULOUS FINDS

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

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

Russell Cabins at The Willows, Portico • $910,000 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

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

1470 Willows End, Alexander City • $7,900,000 Beds: 10 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com

90 Redwood Circle, Jackson’s Gap • $775,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372 LakeMartinRealty.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

1248 Willow Way East, Alexander City • $8,450,000 Beds: 7 • Baths: 6 • 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

120 Old Harmony Circle, Eclectic • $3,395,000 Beds: 6 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 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

25 Shady Cove, Dadeville • $689,500 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Adam Yager 205.914.0830 LakeMartinRealty.com

119 Hideaway Drive, Dadeville • $1,079,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jeff & Denise Cochran 256.786.0099 LakeMartinRealty.com

94 Driftwood Road, Tallassee • $399,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2.5 • 3+/- acre Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com

496 North Ridge, Alexander City • $480,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Lake Access Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com

33 Pointwood Place, Dadeville • $950,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com

AUGUST 2021

DID YOU KNOW? When Realtors advertise in Lake magazine they recieve FREE fab finds.

Call 256-234-4281 to find out how.

LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE

LAKE 77

A Delicious Summer Meal

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ancho-Tequila Glaze

S

ummer 2021 will probably go down in the books as a summer of freedom.

What an enormous sense of relief it has been to spend time with friends and family, revisit favorite restaurants, attend weddings and gatherings with more than six people, listen to live music, view fireworks in person and travel by air. As we continue into the dog days of HEALTHY LIVING summer, August reminds me

BY JULIE HUDSON that change is going to happen. Daily routines will tighten up, and I need to re-evaluate my forgotten to-do list and commitments. Schools will reopen; summer will culminate with Labor Day weekend, and football season will begin. As summer comes to a close and the community continues to navigate the new normal, stay grounded in good things.

As temperatures and humidity increase, it is always 78 LAKE

nice to take the heat out of the kitchen by cooking on the grill. This month, I am excited to share my favorite summer meal. I encourage you to make enough for leftovers because the flavors only get better with time.

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ancho-Tequilla Glaze

1 1/2 cups hickory wood chips 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic or 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 6 tablespoons amber agave syrup 3 tablespoons tequila 1 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

AUGUST 2021

Grilled Corn, Poblano and Black Bean Salad

Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes; drain.

Preheat grill to medium high heat using both burners.

After preheating, turn off the left burner, leaving the right burner on. Pierce the bottom of a disposable aluminum pan several times. Place pan on the heating element on the heated side of grill; add wood chips to the pan. Let the chips stand for 15 minutes or until smoking. Note: If using a charcoal grill, skip the foil pan and add the chips to the coals.

Combine chili powder, sugar, granulated garlic or garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and salt in medium bowl. Add chicken to the bowl and toss well. Add oil to the bowl; toss well. Place syrup, tequila, hot sauce, butter, lime juice and red pepper in a small sauce pan.

Bring to a boil. Cook until mixture reduces to 1/2 cup and begins to thicken (about 3 minutes). Reserve syrup mixture.

Place chicken on grill rack on indirect heat. Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons syrup mixture; grill 10 minutes. Turn chicken over and brush with syrup mixture; grill 10 minutes. Turn chicken over and move to indirect heat; grill until chicken is done. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges. Note: You can substitute Mexican chili powder in place of ancho chili powder.

Grilled Corn, Poblano and Black Bean Salad

2 ears shucked corn 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 green onions 1 avocado, peeled, halved, pitted 1 large red bell pepper 1 large poblano chile 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 can (15-ounce) no-salt-added black beans, drained and rinsed

Mexican Street Corn

Preheat grill to high heat. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil. Place green onions, avocado, bell pepper, poblano and corn on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill onions 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Grill avocado 2 minutes on each side until well-marked. Grill bell pepper 6 minutes on each side or until blackened; peel. Grill poblano 9 minutes on each side or until blackened; peel. Grill corn, turning occasionally, 12 minutes or until beginning to brown on all sides. Cut kernels from ears of corn; place in large bowl. Chop onion, bell pepper and poblano; add to bowl. Add remaining 4 teaspoons oil, cilantro, juice, cumin, salt, pepper and beans to bowl; toss well. Cut avocado into thin slices; place on top of salad. Note: This side dish is a great accompaniment with any grilled meat or fish.

Mexican Street Corn

4 ears of fresh corn, shucked 1/4 cup Cacique Crema Mexican Sour Cream or your favorite sour cream 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt Juice and zest of 1 lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional) 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or Mexican chili powder Grill corn on indirect heat, turning occasionally, until well-marked. Cut the kernels off the cob; place in bowl.

Mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, cheese, garlic, salt, lime zest and juice, cilantro and chili powder. Add to corn while hot; stir until cheese melts. ~ Julie Hudson is a registered dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center.

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80 LAKE

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Szechuan Roasted Broccoli Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce 4 cups broccoli florets 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 or 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (sriracha) 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated garlic (micro-planer) 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (micro-planer_ 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion, divided in half 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Mix together all ingredients except broccoli and half of the green onions. Check for spice level. You can add more sriracha, garlic or ginger if you like more of a kick.

Cut broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Toss in 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil. Roast broccoli on top rack at 450 degrees. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, checking periodically. Cook just until tops of broccoli start to darken. Turn oven to broil and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes. This could go fast, depending on your oven, check often to reach the desired char level.

Remove broccoli to a mixing bowl and pour Szechuan sauce over to coat. Toss to combine and garnish with remaining green onions.

CHEF'S TABLE

BY PETE MCKENNY

AUGUST 2021

Pete McKenny, executive chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at fourstar 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.

LAKE 81

Recipes that stand on their own

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon, $58.99, 750ml M Bourbon Cigar by Macanudo, $8.50 a stick

82 LAKE

AUGUST 2021

F

our Roses needs little introduction consistently good cigar. Macanudo utito bourbon lovers; however, the lizes a six-step process that begins before story behind the Four Roses Single the first seed is ever planted. The same Barrel is unique. Four Roses is the only process is followed for all Macanudos bourbon distillery that combines five and has been followed ever since the proprietary yeast strains with two sepafirst Macanudo was handcrafted in 1968 rate mash bills to handcraft 10 distinct with consistent excellence being the goal. bourbon recipes, each with its own unique Multiple cigar awards over a relatively character, spiciness and rich fruity flavors. short time for a brand in this industry Up to all 10 recipes are mingled by hand have proven that goal was achieved. to create Four Roses Bourbon. Six recipes And a Macanudo is a perfect match for are mingled for Four Roses Small Batch a glass of Four Roses Single Barrel; howCHEERS! Select Bourbon, and four are mingled for ever, specifically give the M Bourbon by

BY MARK GILLILAND Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon.

Macanudo smoke a try with this bourbon.

Yet, one recipe stands on its own so M Bourbon by Macanudo is a balanced well that, from that one recipe, barrels are hand blend of Ecuadorian tobacco and flavors inspired selected for Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. Those by the iconic Old Fashioned cocktail with notes of barrels are allowed to age for a minimum of seven – bourbon, cherry sweetness and aromatic bitters. M and up to 10 – years. Each bottle is hand marked with Bourbon is an ideal indulgence paired with Four the warehouse and exact barrel aging location. The Roses Single Barrel for a unique departure from the result is a consistently award-winning 100 proof bour- ordinary. bon that is amazingly smooth and mellow.

For those who also happen to enjoy a good cigar, ~ Mark Gilliland is the owner of Grain & Leaf it is difficult not to lose focus imagining the perfect located at 6068 state Route 63, Suite 1, in Alexander cigar to complement this bourbon. It only makes City. sense to select another name that needs little introduction to cigar aficionados: Macanudo.

Macanudo has earned the reputation of being a

“Find Your Own Slice of Paradise on Lake Martin at Chuck’s Marina” Stay updated by visiting our Facebook Page.

Family Owned & Operated.

AUGUST 2021

Chuckwalla’s Pizza 256-825-7733 Chuck’s Marina 256-825-6871

LAKE 83

W

Fish Finder Evolution

ho still remembers the flasher? The flasher was a type of sonar that sent signals down into the water, and when the sonar signal bounced back, it showed up as a small circular pattern on an analog type monitor. The one I remember on our boat had a unique humming sound to it. I’m guessing that’s where the company name Humminbird came from. It was revolutionary at its time, I’m sure.

On first appearance, the image the user saw looked like a bunch of lines in scattered patterns within the circle, but the flasher was the most real time view of what was going on under the water.

Until it came along, there really was no way of knowing what was under the boat without looking over the side.

In deeper or stained water where visibility is limited to less than 1 or 2 feet, it was impossible to know what was under the boat. With the flasher, suddenly, anglers could BIG CATCHES ride around watching that circle spin as they looked for

BY GREG VINSON things like hard bottom, cover, fish and bait. It was difficult to understand, but many of the hardcore anglers were able to translate all from that spinning circular image.

The flasher opened up a whole new world to anglers that wanted to seek out fish away from the bank. The flasher was their eye beneath the water, and many, many fish were caught as a result. The better anglers were at setting up and reading the flasher, the more fish they oftentimes put in the boat. Not just bass, but all species.

Now, fast forward past paper graphs, digital sonar, digital mapping, side imaging sonar, down imaging sonar and 360-degree sonar. Each of these was a revolutionary development in the fishing industry, and most of it happened within about a 10-year span. Having depended on most of these while trying to make it in the pro bass fishing world, I got pretty good at using most of them.

Different lakes around the country and stiff competition required it to survive. Early versions would come out and be great; but then, fishing electronics manufacturers kept raising the bar of sensitivity and image quality.

About five few years ago, Garmin introduced a totally new game-changing technology to the fishing world.

It was called Panoptix, and it was a real-time, forwardfacing sonar that was easily interpreted on a monitor. The 84 LAKE

transducer mounted on the shaft of the trolling motor instead of below the head or the bottom of the boat. As the trolling motor turned, the sonar provided a realtime image of the direction the trolling motor pointed. I had seen a lot of sonar technology in my day when this came out, but I knew it would have a profound impact on the sport in the first 10 minutes of seeing it.

No longer did I have to wait until fish or cover passed beneath the boat to know it was there.

The ah-ha moment came when I caught a 3-pound largemouth cruising 40 feet from the boat within the first 30 minutes of trying it out.

As with other sonar technology, within a couple of years, Garmin introduced a newer version called Livescope. It was more powerful, meaning it could look farther out into the water. The image was so detailed that, at times, an angler could see the whole fish – head/tail moving and everything. Not only could an angler see individual fish but also cover so detailed that individual limbs on a sunken tree and the fish moving around them were visible. As if that weren’t enough, an angler could point the trolling motor with precision and even see the bait as it fell to the fish.

Again, I use the term game changer.

In the past two years, forward-facing sonar has become mainstream. Expensive, yes, but so is most of the equipment used to chase fish, including a boat, motor and trolling motor. As in the past, other companies have introduced their versions of forward-facing sonar.

Lowrance has Active Target, and Humminbird has Mega Live. Each empowers the user to see a real-time image of what’s going on around the boat at all times by simply pointing the trolling motor.

To me, forward-facing sonar is an extreme adaptation of what the flasher once was. A real-time view of the world beneath, but now around the boat. With the flasher,

AUGUST 2021

In the last 10 years, technology has had a profound impact on anglers' abilities to locate fish

the angler had to watch closely at all times for the blips on the circle and try to interpret them. It was real time; so looking away risked missing something important.

With forward-facing sonar that’s often the case as well; however, the range has expanded from just a small area directly beneath the boat to essentially a 100-foot radius around the boat at any given time. High-resolution monitors make the image much easier to interpret. Fish look more like fish; trees look more like trees; bait balls look more like bait balls and so on.

The most exciting thing I enjoy when using forwardfacing sonar is observing how fish relate to cover, baitfish, my boat and the bait and presentation. The way they react at times is not at all how I had envisioned it. They have certain formations they use to be more efficient at ambushing prey. Sometimes, they move rapidly in search of food, and at other times, they sit idle waiting on something to come to them. Sometimes, I cast the bait I think they like the best only to see they couldn’t care less; and then, when I change baits, they attack it. Sometimes, I try several things, and they still don’t care – hah hah.

I’ve always wanted to learn to dive. To be able to be beneath the water and watch what the fish are doing from one minute to the next. As an angler, I frequently try to

envision what is going on down there. Forward-facing sonar has put me one huge step closer to that.

Occasionally, I hear the comment that it’s not fair. “To whom?” I might respond.

Forward-facing sonar is not helpful if an angler doesn’t choose the right area to look. Sometimes, anglers fish for fish that are uncatchable where they might have just made a cast and kept moving without knowing otherwise. Forward-facing sonar simply helps anglers to be more efficient with their time on the water; and therefore, it helps them catch more fish.

So in the end, forward-facing sonar, like the Garmin Livescope that I use, is just another amazing tool that is available to help catch more fish. I have had so much fun fishing Lake Martin with this technology. I like to catch a lot of fish when I go, and this new forward-facing sonar technology has allowed me, and many other anglers, to do that more often. The industry has taken a giant leap since the days of the flasher. Who knows what could be next? ~ Greg Vinson is a fulltime professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up on Lake Martin.

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 85

HELP BEAUTIFY the area through volunteer commitment and community involvement.

ASK A BUDDY to join you! Volunteer to adopt a mile of Hwy 63 and commit to keeping it litter free.

If you are interested, just go to 63PrideDrive.com and sign-up.

VOLUNTEERS will receive a Pride Drive t-shirt,

safety vest, trash picker and bags. Help your friends and neighbors bring Pride back to the community.

TO VOLUNTEER

or learn more,visit 63PrideDrive.com

86 LAKE

AUGUST 2021

Learning the ropes M

y name is Savannah Hughes, and I am an intern at Willow Point Golf and Country Club. I have been blessed to be able to spend my summer working at such a wonderful place. My love of golf started at the age of 3 years old when my grandfather purchased my very first set of clubs and took me to the range. As I got older and became serious about golf, I started playing in local golf tournaments. Once I got into high school, I knew I wanted to play in college but had no specific direction on my career path. I started at Wallace State Community College on a golf scholarship in the fall of 2019. This was the beginning of where the Lord has led me in pursuing golf management.

While I was at Wallace State, I met my swing coach, Steven DeBoer, PGA. I had heard amazing things about him from teammates, so I decided to get a lesson from him. At this point in my life, my dad was very sick and was hospitalized for most Savannah of my freshman year. While he was Hughes sick, my dad hoped and prayed that I passed her would be surrounded by good people.

Playing Ability I strongly believe his prayers were Test with 5 answered with Steven. points Not only is Steven a great instructo spare tor and golfer, but also, he is a fantastic mentor. I mentioned to him one day that I would love to do what he did. I had not met a female instructor, and it never really crossed my mind that I could go to school to be a golf professional.

Steven was able to point me to the Professional Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University.

Once I did my research, I was assured this was the right decision. So I moved to Starkville, Mississippi, in 2020 to begin working toward my degree. The fact that I will earn a degree and pursue a career in the golf industry is unreal.

I am learning that internships are an exciting part of this degree and are where students like me can learn hands-on. This summer has given me many opportunities to expand my knowledge and provide experience in this career. I have been able to help organize tournaments, give lessons and aid in daily golf operations.

Giving lessons has grown into one of my most favorite and rewarding things. I feel a sense of gratification when students connect with the lesson and become excited about golf. I am still learning and will continue to improve on my instructing beyond Willow Point. This

internship has prepared me to encounter future situations in the field of golf.

Each experience of this internship has fully surpassed my expectations. The greatest aspect of Willow Point is the community. The warm welcome that the members have shown me has truly blown me away. I experienced the privilege to play golf with many of the members and have had the pleasure to build new relationships in doing so. This part of the position helped me serve them better as their internoving community. I could not have asked for a better place or better people to learn from.

As my time here at Willow Point comes to a close, I will forever remember and be grateful for it. I am honored to have been a part of the team at Willow Point. I am immensely grateful to have spent time under the leadership of Matt Sheppard, PGA, who has allowed me to learn much during my first internship and has been a huge help to me. He encouraged me to learn from my mistakes and attempt things even when I felt unqualified.

Also, this experience would not have been as beneficial or enjoyable had it not been for the incredible staff, who have guided me through this time. They are the backbone of the club and deserve great praise for the job that they are doing. I am thankful for the family I now have in the staff at Willow Point. This summer has provided me with all the tools necessarwy to continue my education. I am saddened by the fact that this summer has been short, but I am excited that this is only the beginning of my career in golf. ~ Matt Sheppard is the PGA Director of Golf at Willow Point Golf and Country Club.

AUGUST 2021

PAR for the COURSE WITH MATT SHEPPARD

LAKE 87

Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

24

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 20

9

Churches

4

Camp ASCCA

11 Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks 280

Power lines U.S. Highways

3

22

County Roads Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

10

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

18 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

12 Willow Point

24

7

13

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

14

Kowaliga Boat Landing

23 The Ridge

55

5

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 15

Church in The Pines

25

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

19 80

9

Central

ga

Ba

y

28 90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

21 Kent

88 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

AUGUST 2021

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

49

Jacksons Gap 280

Bethel Church

22

Dadeville

57

280

26 Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

6

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 20 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

42. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700

19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 21 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

52. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

4. Russell Building Supply 22 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

63. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

234. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010

2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

244. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

83. Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600

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

12 Smith Marina 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

9

Restaurants & Venues

17 Walnut Hill

50

19 Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

2. Alex City Marine 11 256-215-FISH(3474)

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

8

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

10 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 256-825-0999

3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

16

Church of the Living Waters

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

2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286

7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Pleasant Ridge Church

27

50

6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 146. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 15 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

Business & Shopping

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 25 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . Off the Beaton Path 26 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 27 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 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.

16 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 17 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Reeltown

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 89

Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro

90 LAKE

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

AUGUST 2021

Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina Charles Borden ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Offshore Marina Lake Martin Mini Mall Corner Stone Coffee Co. Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Catering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Anchor Bay Marina Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald Office Tallassee Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber Parris Mullins Jr. O.D. Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory KOWALIGA WHOLE HEALTH PET CARE

Mary S. Battistella, DVM

e August Special e

Titer Testing

Call for your appointment today!

(334) 857-1816

8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA

COACH KRAFT

We’re Live! www.lakemagazine.life

UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery!

Floors ■ Carpets Bimini Tops ■ Custom Seats ■ Mooring Covers ■

■

Patrick Mason 334-283-6759

LAKE

676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 91

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 52

Holiday Cove............................................................... 92

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

Alabama Power............................................................ 27

Homeology................................................................... 73

Rhonda Gaskins, Century 21 Lake Area Realty....... 3

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

Insight Securities......................................................... 19

Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty............................. 13

Alex City Marine......................................................... 90

Internal Medicine Associates, P.C............................ 74

Russell Lands On Lake Martin...........................86, 96

Beyond Home Care................................................... 91

Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 91

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

Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 91

Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 23

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

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation....................................... 75

Lake Martin Mortgage................................................ 77

Security Pest Control.............................................. 6, 8

Childersburg Primary Care...................................... 44

Lake Martin Pecan Company..................................... 8

Singleton Marine......................................................... 56

Chuck's Marina............................................................ 83

Lake Martin Realty...................................................... 71

Sparkle........................................................................... 92

Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 91

Lake Martin Signature Construction...................... 57

St. James Episcopal Church....................................... 66

Comfort Home Services........................................... 52

Lamberth & Lamberth.........................................26, 53

Sunrise Dock................................................................ 13

Custom Docks............................................................. 20

Larson & McGowin Properties, LLC...................... 20

Tallapoosa Board of Education................................ 14

Davco............................................................................. 91

Mark King's Furniture................................................ 21

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

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

Moore Wealth Management..................................... 95

TowBoat US................................................................. 70

Electronic Technology Group................................... 91

National Village............................................................ 36

UAB Heart & Vascular............................................... 47

First Methodist Dadeville/New Water Farms........ 8

Odd Jobs......................................................................... 6

Video Vision Media Marketing.................................. 90

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

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

Walmart........................................................................ 91

Gilbert Welding & Design......................................... 26

Oskars........................................................................... 74

Wedowee Marine....................................................... 76

Harbor Pointe Marina................................................ 52

Phil Interior Design.................................................... 75

Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 93

Precise Pressure Washing......................................... 91

Hinson Galleries.......................................................... 40

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

m.plata@charter.net

92 LAKE

AUGUST 2021

AUGUST 2021

LAKE 93

The July 4 concert and fireworks display at Lake Martin Amphitheater is a highlight of summer that creates memores to last a lifetime.

Parting Shot

Photo by Kenneth Boone

"I could never in a hundred summers get tired of this."

~ Susan Branch

94 LAKE

AUGUST 2021

THE

RIDGE

Whether you’re looking to build your own custom designs or would rather choose from 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, fitness, and much more, The Ridge is where lake and life truly meet.

Final Waterfront Homesites Just Released

RussellLands.com

96 LAKE

AUGUST 2021