Lake Martin Living Magazine August 2021

Lake Martin Living People, events and culture in the Lake Region

BRHS New Football Coach

AUBREY BLACKWELL

A Little Love Concert Jessica Keyes' Love of Flowers August 2021

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

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.

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© 2021 Alabama Power Company

2 Lake Martin Living

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Let Me Move You!

Lake Martin Living 3

From the Editor’s Desk

W

ow! I’m still trying to wrap my head around what happened in 2020, and here we are in 2021, and it is already August. Time has flown by so fast. My mom used to tell me not to close my eyes for too long because life would pass me by in a flash.

Boy, was she right.

The August issue of Lake Martin Living magazine is different from those that I’ve created over the past few months. This month’s magazine features guest columnists Lonna Upton and Michael Bird. Both Upton and Bird, who write for other TPI publications, reached out with ideas for articles, and I thought they would make an excellent fit for the August issue.

So make sure to check out Dear Ole Tallassee High on page 32 and Family Ties on page 44.

This month, we also feature Jessica Keyes, who found a passion for gardening during quarantine last summer. She now runs a little business and offers cut flowers right out of her garden to those who want to add a little color to their lives.

View those photos on page 24.

Talking cut flowers is not the only time we discuss getting down and dirty in this issue. Chad East shares the importance of irrigation on page 17 and what our readers can do to save their flowerbeds when it is not raining.

Then, on page 20, BRHS Coach Aubrey Blackwell discusses what it takes to build a strong football program. He shares where his drive to coach came from and his philosophy behind what it takes to turn boys into men.

Another great coach, Dave Jennings, is also familiar with what it takes to turn boys into men, and he enlightens us this month with news that made my heart hurt. You’ll just have to read that column on page 14 to find out what he has in his bag.

This issue of Lake Martin Living is full of love and hope for a prosperous future, and it is my hope that all of our readers enjoy what we’ve nestled together between these pages as every moment of building this magazine was crafted with love.

It’s been a wild ride from November until now, but I am loving every minute of it.

Happy almost fall!

Brittany Smith, Editor

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Lake Martin Living Chairman Kenneth Boone Publisher Steve Baker Editor Brittany Smith Contributors Kenneth Boone Dave Jennings Lacey Howell Chip East Lee Williams Kimberly Carter Lonna Upton Michael Bird Jake Arthur Cliff Williams Siri Hedreen Andy Anders Carmen Rodgers Kyle Thornton Betsy Iler Audra Spears Magazine Distribution Manager Erin Burton Creative Services Audra Spears Marketing/Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Rachel McCollough Marilyn Hawkins Julie Harbin Andy Carr Carson Wages Digital Services Elle Fuller Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 www.lakemartinmagazine.com Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

Lake Martin Living 5

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation

ON THE COVER

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

BRHS Football Coach Aubrey Blackwell began his adventure as the head football coach at Benjamin Russell High School back at the start of 2021.

While football is his passion, so is building leaders among young men.

Photo by Jake Arthur

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IN EVERY ISSUE 9. AROUND THE AREA 10. BUSINESS MATTERS 14. FROM THE TEE 17. GARDEN TALK 38. MEDICAL NEWS 41. MONEY MATTERS 47. OH SNAP! 52. LAKE REGION EVENTS 55. GOOD EATS 62. CULTURE SHOCK

FEATURES 20. NEW BEGINNINGS Aubrey Blackwell introduces new routines and leadership responsibilities to football players.

24. FOR THE LOVE OF FLOWERS Jessica Keyes discovered a passion for digging in the dirt and watching beauty grow while quarantined last summer.

28. CHAIRS FOR CHARITY Local philanthropists urge creativity in Dadeville to raise money for renovations at the public library.

32. DEAR OLE TALLASSEE HIGH The Tallassee High School that everyone once knew has been demolished and a new, state-of-the-art facility is being built in its place.

36. A LITTLE MORE LOVE Main Street Alexander City will turn up the love on Aug. 21 as local artists take to the stage for the second annual A Little Love Community Concert.

42. FAMILY TIES Actor and filmmaker Leslie Hardy returns to her grandparents home in Goodwater.

Jessica Keyes creates cut flower arrangements from her personal garden.

Photo by Jake Arthur

24

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AROUND THE AREA

FUMC tower gets new roof

The First United Methodist Church bell tower went up in flames on May 4, 2021, when Alexander City was rocked by high winds and lighting.

Multiple fire crews joined forces with the Alexander City Fire Department, dumping water into multipe access points to contain the fire to the bell tower, which is just under 100 feet tall and about 24 feet wide. Crews worked tirelessly and eventually were successful in smothering the fire.

On Aug. 5, 2021, almost exactly

Raise the Roof

Top Left: The FUMC tower was removed for the new roof to be lifted on by a crane; Top Right: The crane lifts the new roof; Bottom Left: The new FUMC tower roof is stable and in place.

three months after the fire, the bell tower received a new roof symbolizing the revitalization of FUMC and maintaing the church's promise of building back better. ~Staff report

Schools waive out-of-district fee for 2021-2022 Alexander City Schools announced July 21, 2021 that the school district will waive the out-of-district fee for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.

All out-of-district enrollment fees that have been collected up to this point will be refunded. Consistent with longstanding practice and board policy, certain students residing outside the area served by Alexander City Schools may attend the schools of the district. Out-of-district enrollees must meet the following criteria: n Their educational needs can be met within the existing instructional program by existing employees and within existing facilities; n Their prior disciplinary record is free from class ii or above infractions as defined by the Alexander City Board of Education’s code of conduct; n Students must not accumulate more than four unexcused absences during the school year; n Students must not receive an average lower than a C+ during the school year in any class; n Their continued enrollment will be contingent upon their

adherence to the Alexander City Board of Education’s student code of conduct, and any violation of this code of conduct at a level ii or above will result in withdrawal from the system; n Out-of-district students seeking to enroll in a school in the school system must live with their biological or adopted parents or their guardians/custodians; To protect the educational interests of students residing within the area served by the school district, the board may, at its discretion, limit or discontinue enrollment or attendance of students who reside outside the area served

by ACS. Refunds will be issued and mailed to the address listed on the tuition receipt for families that have paid fees for the upcoming school year.

ACS does not provide transportation for any out-of-district students.

Any questions regarding registration, out-of-district enrollment, or tuition payments should be directed to the district secretary at 256-329-6552. ~Staff Report Lake Martin Living 9

BUSINESS MATTERS

Liquid Outdoor Lighting STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY ETHAN MCDANIEL

O

ne year ago, 20-year-old Ethan McDaniel didn’t know where his future would take him. A move to Orlando to attend the

create my business,” McDaniel said. “Kira showed me how to do all of the behind the scenes work, like the LLC paperwork. She helped me to understand the legal jargon and get Motorcycle Mechanic my business set up Institute fell flat after so that I could legally COVID-19 forced operate. She also the trade school to shared her knowledge close their doors. Not of QuickBooks and knowing how long how to run a business. the lockdowns would Then, Justin taught me last, McDaniel moved to have the confidence home. He was stressed to stand up in front out and stuck, with no of people and speak vision in sight. about my business. He “I went back to invested in me and led flipping pizzas at me to my first client. I Lake Martin Pizza am incredibly blessed Company; and to have them both in then, one day Justin my life.”

Woodall, the owner, McDaniel’s first came in and showed client was a neighbor of me pictures of a Justin’s. The neighbor lighting project that stopped by one day to he’d completed at his talk lighting and Justin house,” McDaniel said. dropped McDaniel’s “He’d gotten a lot of name. compliments on them, “When Justin and we collectively told me about the came up with the conversation, he gave idea of doing it as a me a name and number. business, but it was I called, and before I just an idea because I knew it, the business wasn’t ready yet.” was up and running,” McDaniel sat on McDaniel said. “My Getting Lit the idea of creating client has three homes, Top: Ethan McDaniel believes that designing the layout for an outdoor lighting one here at the lake, a ourdoor lighting at homes allows him to tap into his creative company and let it home in Auburn and a genius; Right Page Clockwise from Top Left: Every outdoor incubate for about home on Destin Beach space calls for a different design technique, layout or style; three months. Then last Draw attention to grand entryways; Illunimate walkways; in Florida. He knew I November, something Create safety around all elements of the home. was new and agreed to clicked, and he decided give me a try. to embrace the outdoor lighting business and go for it.

“The first project I did was his home here on the lake “Justin and Kira were instrumental in helping me and to this day, it was the largest project I’ve completed.

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Lake Martin Living 11

It had 43 lights, and it looks really great. I still go back from time to time to check on the lights or fix settings as I learn new things,” McDaniel explained.

But it didn’t end there for McDaniel. The client was so impressed that he hired him to complete lighting projects at the other two homes as well.

“I was so blessed. Not only did he hire me for three projects, he also offered for me to stay at his beach house in Destin while I worked on that project,” McDaniel said.

“That was pretty exciting; and then, I did the outdoor lighting for his home in Auburn, as well.

“The great thing is that my client understood that I was learning, and we worked together to create exactly what he wanted at his homes.”

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McDaniel offers his clients personalized quotes, which include aerial photography so the client can see everywhere a light will be placed.

“I place a light everywhere on the photo that would look good, without over doing it; and then, we work backwards together to eliminate what they do not like or want,” McDaniel explained. “I am hyper focused on customer satisfaction, so my clients have a say so from the very get go.

“I have access to such a large inventory that I can change the wattage of the bulbs, the color temperatures, the warmth of the color, and the way a fixture looks can be changed, too. If there is a spot where the fixture is easy to see, we can change it and make it easier to hide.

Ultimately, it is whatever the client wants.

“The end goal is to create a piece of art out of our lighting in the clients yard or around their homes but also to increase security if necessary.”

McDaniels business provides a beautification aspect by highlighting key architectural or landscaped features of the home and land. It also provides increased safety after dark and, if the owner so chooses, enables way finding.

For more information about Liquid Outdoor Lighting, call Ethan McDaniel at 256-794-7374 or message @ Liquid Outdoor Lighting on Facebook.

Lake Martin Living 13

I

Everything has its season

n 1966 Alexander City State Junior College hosted its first men’s golf team. The first head coach was Maxie Boles. Boles had a niche in recruiting. He brought some of the finest young golf talent found around the world to Alexander City. He coached the team from 1966 through his retirement in 1998. In 1990, his 24th year, Boles finally won the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship; then again in 1996 and 1997.

John Sadie, from Montgomery, followed Boles for two years and was fortunate to have Nick Rousey on his team, which Boles had secured before his retirement. With Rousey, who is the only golfer in the NJCAA to win the National Championship as an individual, back-to-back years, Sadie picked up two more National Championships in 1999 and 2000. Unfortunately, after the 2001 year concluded, it was announced that Central Alabama Community College would cancel its men’s golf program. Make sense? Not to me either; however, it happened.

In the spring and the following fall quarter of 1976, I played golf for Alex City State Junior College, and the experience I found here drove me to choose a career in golf.

My first professional position was at Inverness Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. I tried to play mini-tour events, but I realized they would not be a viable means of income without long-term financial resources. So I returned, as a pro, to country clubs and found a love for teaching the game.

I had no preference to teaching men, women or junior golfers, as long as they worked on their game. Hearing about them breaking 90, 80 or 70 for the first time always made me smile.

In 1997, by an odd coincidence, I came across a cap manufacturer one day in Atlanta. On a whim, I proposed hiring me as the national sales manager and creating a golf division to acquire and manage independent sales representatives to carry the company's headwear. The company liked the idea and gave me the opportunity.

Within a couple of years, we began to make a reasonable dent in the industry, and the future looked bright. Then in the summer of 2001, during a golf trip to Montgomery, I read about the closure of the golf program at CACC. To make a very long story short, with the help of Hoyt Carlisle, Billy Hardy and Al Hartley, we were able to convince CACC President Dr. Jim Cornell to reinstate the golf team.

Through the meetings with these gentlemen, I became interested in the possibility of me coaching the team, as former coach John Sadie had accepted a position at the University of Arkansas. As things worked out, I took the job.

For a long time as an adult, my idea of success was to climb the ladder, make a bunch of money, buy a bunch of things I didn’t need and have the white picket fence house. That was my American dream, or so I thought.

Over time, life slowly reveals its secrets to us. We just have to pay attention.

In just a few seasons as the golf 14 Lake Martin Living

coach for CACC, I realized that I was experiencing a different and more fulfilling sense of accomplishment from helping these young people start their adult lives than I had in climbing the ladder.

More than 85 percent of my former players have successfully transferred to play golf at the four-year college level. In addition, more than 90 percent of my former players have acquired their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Those two facts tell me that I was doing something right.

The demands that I place on my players to develop a strong work ethic have proven to be a good strategy for our play on the golf course, classroom and preparing for life.

With the list of outside distractions in today’s world, it is not easy to get young people focused on their priorities, but we’ve been pretty successful in doing that. To witness hundreds of young men develop into hard-working, God-fearing family men is a blessing, and I don’t mind calling it – priceless.

CACC golf has been very successful over the years. Willow Point Country Club is the home course for the program, and I can’t think of another team that is so fortunate.

The boys also utilize many other golf courses in our area like Farmlinks, Moore’s Mill, AU Club, Saugahatchee, Wynlakes, Lagoon Park, Arrowhead and Montgomery Country Club.

Once a year, The Country Club of Birmingham and Shoal Creek allow us to play their courses, as well. But, let there be no doubt, Willow Point is our home, and we are the luckiest college team in the nation in that regard.

Whenever I bring a recruit in, if he isn’t overwhelmed by the golf course standing on the 13th tee overlooking the green with Lake Martin gleaming behind it, my interest in that young golfer is extinguished.

The student-athletes who have played for me have worked extremely hard to improve their golf game and succeed in the classroom. Over the last 21 years, 18 have consisted of golfers who have earned Team Academic All-American honors.

To work hard at practice and perform well enough to win a dozen conference championships, six district championships, two national championships and too many collegiate tournaments to count, all while being successful in the classroom, displays

From the Tee

their character, pride and will. golfers.

For nearly all junior colleges, it is vital to fundraise At the college, Jeff Lynn is the president. He is to make ends meet. The people in our community, exactly what CACC needs at the moment to ensure Willow Point members, alumni and friends of that the school continues to be a viable part of our CACC Golf have all seen fit that the golf program is community and will continue to grow. He also loves well funded. Having the support of this magnitude is athletics and appreciates our athletes. I see him so humbling to me. taking CACC to the next level.

Often, I am asked, “When are you going to send With these great things happening for the golf out your donation request letter? I have a check program and our college, I have chosen to make waiting for you.” this upcoming year of 2021-2022 my final year as I have been blessed by so many. the Head Men’s Golf Coach for Central Alabama Over the years, I have acquired many friends Community College. The baton is best handed off who manufacture golf equipment or sell it, and while things are going well rather than when they whenever the program hosts a fundraiser like a golf are in the dumps. tournament, those friends always seem to step up to The president has assured me that he wants help. I have witnessed so much good from people. to maintain a high-profile golf program and that When I left the Atlanta area in 2001 for Alexander this will be an essential hire. Over these next few Dave Jennings City to take over the golf program, I took a whale of months, I will be making people aware, who I feel a hit financially. After 21 years as the head men’s golf would do a good job, of the pending open position. coach, I am still quite shy from the annual income The college will post the job opening, and I expect a I was making while in Georgia in 2000; however, I couldn’t reasonable number of people will be applying. be happier with my decision to move here and coach this As I have stated so many times in my Lake Martin Living tremendous college golf program. articles, I am blessed to have the job I have as the head men’s golf People in Alexander City have been good to me. As a military coach for CACC. I know that there will be times in the future dependent and a golf professional, I traveled all of my life. I when I will wish that I had not left it, but I have other things that never lived in one place for long, but this has been different. I I need to do. I feel confident that the college will make a good have been in Alex City for 20 years, and I feel that God placed decision in my replacement. me here. I do not care to leave.

My son lives in Lubbock, Texas, and I would like to visit with Some of you may remember when Jim Brown, the amazing him more often. I plan to stay right in Alexander City; this has Cleveland Brown running back, retired from football. He was become my home. I enjoy player development, and maybe I young, healthy and at the top of his game. So many people will do more of that at a different level over the next few years. I were in shock, but we all remember him by his tremendous don’t want to sit in a rocking chair yet, and to be honest, there’s accomplishments. not much that interests me on television when golf or college A few years later, I watched as my NFL hero Johnny Unitas football isn’t running live, so I will do something. God directed continued to play well past his prime. He couldn’t give it up. me here, and I am sure he will lead me to my next chapter.

Watching Unitas play football in his last few years was painful.

I want to thank all of you for being so supportive of the golf He was the best at one time, and then at the end, he was team and me along the way. Your encouragement has made anything but the best. He is not remembered as highly as he it easy for me to be motivated. I feel confident that you will should be. Everything has a life expectancy. support the next coach well, too. Before I go, I know that I have Presently, I have a very good golf team. In speaking with Tom one year ahead. I’m planning and hoping for another great Lamberth, CEO of Russell Lands, the other day, he told me that fall and spring. This summer, I have been recruiting players to CACC Golf would always be welcomed at Willow Point, and he compete for CACC in the 2022 and 2023 years and look forward wants the team to also practice and play at Wicker to this year’s group of boys showing up on campus in midPoint when it opens. Wow, what a August. wonderful opportunity for When I write my monthly article, it usually takes me about all of the future an hour. Have you ever been with someone you didn’t care CACC much for? Have you ever been somewhere that made you feel uncomfortable? It doesn’t take much to say goodbye to that person or place. On the other hand, when you’re with people you really enjoy or have a great time somewhere, it takes longer to say goodbye or leave. Writing this article has taken me three weeks to write. I will be spending the next 12 months saying goodbye.

Go Trojans! ~Dave Jennings is the men's golf coach at Central Alabama Community College.

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16 Lake Martin Living

T

Irrigat ion

Improve your garden

he entire root zone needs to be wet when leave one zone on a different amount of time than another. irrigating, and this could be several inches deep.

Remember to irrigate early in the morning to decrease the Irrigating only the top of the soil and not the chance of disease problems and never late in the evening or entire root zone will cause roots to stay near at night. the surface, leading to drought stress if water is not applied.

Overhead irrigation is used with turfgrass, but drip Shallow-rooted plants will readily show signs of nutrient irrigation is the recommended practice for fruits and deficiencies. vegetables. Drip irrigation is very economical in price and Drought stress can cause a delay in maturity, significantly easy to install. It also uses much less water than overhead reduce the harvest in many fruits and vegetables and lead to irrigation. You can purchase a thin wall irrigation line called cracked produce and even blossom end rot in some crops. drip tape that is cheap and designed to be used in a vegetable Therefore, frequent irrigation events are recommended for garden for one year. vegetables and other shallow-rooted crops.

I know of people who take care of the drip tape and Irrigation is another way of improving your garden, are able to use it on a small scale for more than a year. It is specifically drip irrigation. common to purchase drip Drip irrigation conserves tape for vegetables with the water by directing water to emitters spaced twelve inches the root zone of plants where apart. A thicker walled line is it is needed. Since the water used for blueberry, blackberry, is displaced down the row, and muscadine plants and can garden chores such as scouting be left in the field for many or harvesting can be done years. The thicker walled while irrigating. Overhead line can also be used in the irrigation uses more water, vegetable garden for many wets row middles where it years, but I recommend rolling is not needed, and increases it up and storing it during disease problems. Vegetable the off-season. A line can be crops need 1 to 1–1/2 inches purchased, and emitters can of water per week. Every be manually installed at any farmer and gardener needs distance for plants that may Have a plan Top: Drip tape conserves water by directing it to a rain gauge to keep up with not be evenly spaced. With how much additional water is the root zone of the plants where it is needed. Next plants evenly spaced in a row, necessary. Remember, getting Page: For the best outcome and healthiest harvests, it is common to purchase the should be turned on when there is not three inches of water one week irrigation irrigation line for blueberries adequate rainfall; do not just have it on a timer. does not supply adequate and blackberries with emitters water for the next two weeks. already in the line spaced In theory, an inch of water was applied per week, but in 3 feet apart. Even if muscadines are spaced 20 feet apart, reality, the plants have been suffering from drought for two I like to use lines with the emitters 3 feet apart down the weeks. muscadine row, as well.

If possible, turf irrigation is recommended, as well.

Roots will grow in the environment best suited for them, About 1 to 1–1/2 inches per week is needed there too. The and under the trellis where weeds are managed is typically water can be applied simultaneously or split up into two where most of the roots are found. applications of about 3/4 inch each. Put out a rain gauge to Rodents can and will chew and damage the line, but determine if the irrigation system needs to be turned on. it can be easily fixed. With crops that use a trellis, such as Do not just have it on a timer that turns on a certain day of muscadines, it is easy to install another wire 10 or so inches the week. The system should be turned on when you know off the ground and attach the drip line to the wire. Getting you are not getting adequate rainfall. Put out rain gauges the drip line off the ground will really help the rodent issue. in different areas of the yard to check your system to see Depending on how many gallons of water per minute is if water is being evenly distributed. Is one zone getting 1 available at the site, the system can run all at once or have inch and another getting only 1/2 inch? Consider making more than one zone. adjustments to the sprinkler if it is not working properly, or A water hose, a known container size such as a 5-gallon Lake Martin Living 17

Garden Talk

bucket, and a watch are all you need to determine the gallons of water per minute. The most common drip tapes apply 1/2 gallon of water per 100 feet per minute, but 1/4 gallon per 100 feet per minute drip tapes are available. The emitters we use for fruit will drip a certain amount per emitter per hour. It is common to have 1 gallon per hour emitters for fruits, but 1/2 Chip East gallon and 1/4 gallon per hour emitters are available, as well as emitters that drip more than a gallon per hour. The water will spread out better with a slow drip, and sometimes we cycle the drip irrigation to help the water cover a wider area. Instead of leaving the irrigation on for an hour, try running it for two 25-minute cycles, which would use less water and provide water over a wider area. This method saves water but can take a little extra time to manage. If the field was on a slope and irrigation water runoff was a problem, I would encourage the use of emitters that apply less water per hour and cycle irrigate. The impact sprinklers commonly used on turfgrass irrigation require a lot of pressure, but the drip systems on fruits and vegetables run on much less water pressure. We still need pressure reducers, water filters, fittings, valves and a supply line to get the water to the field, but all that can be used from one year to the next and makes the system very economical. It takes a lot of work, such as pruning, training, weed management, mulching, staking, etc., to produce fruits and vegetables, and we do not want a lack of water to prevent us from making a crop.

The irrigation system is a wonderful tool to help crops, but do not use it when it is not needed. Too much water, especially overhead, can contribute to disease problems, leach out fertilizer and cost money. I like the idea of irrigating fruits, vegetables and turf; however, I have visited many landscapes over the years that had major problems caused by too much water. I like irrigating ornamentals when needed the first year after planting; however, unless you are in a major drought, the established ornamental plants may not need supplemental water.

If you cannot find the irrigation supplies you need or have additional irrigation questions, give us a call at the Extension Office.

~ Chip East is a regional extension agent for commercial horticulture for Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

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Lake Martin Living 19

New Beginnings BRHS Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell introduces new routines and defines what leadership looks like for athletes STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR & ANDY ANDERS

P

assion and dedication dictate who you are. foundation of toughness in me.

“In everything we do, we must have passion, When I moved on to high school, my head football energy and accountability,” said Aubrey coach at Robert E. Lee was Jimmy Perry, who was, and Blackwell, the head football coach at Benjamin still is, my mentor. During my sophomore year, Coach Russell High School. “Every day when we work, we must Perry almost passed away from total kidney failure the outwork our opponents and our minds.” week of our playoffs; yet, he did not miss a practice or a Blackwell came to BRHS to coach football in the game. spring of 2021 and is a I remember how sick he proponent for empowerment was when he got back on the and growth, both on and off bus, and the very next day, his the field. He works daily to brother gave him a new kidney. instill leadership capabilities in That showed me right away the the team and will not settle for depth of love a coach can have anything less. for his players.

Blackwell’s love for coaching I went on to play college began when he suffered a baseball for four different head season-ending injury his senior baseball coaches in four years. year in high school, moving All four men were completely him from quarterback to wingdifferent. I signed here at back and tight-end. Then, Central Alabama Community during the playoffs, Blackwell College to play for the legend, reinjured his shoulder. But as Ronnie Baynes and my his love for the game was so teammates still call him. He strong, his coaches moved him was persistent and demanding to the box to help with spotting but a lot of fun. and charting offensively.

He allowed us to grow Standing in that box, reading within ourselves, giving us the plays and assisting to call shots, best stories and life lessons is where Blackwell fell in love along the way. Then, after with the game. a third-place World Series Q:1 – Why did you decide to finish that year, he moved to become a coach?

New York City to the NFL A: I was very fortunate as a headquarters to run all league Preparation is Key young man to have some very Blackwell has introduced new, intense problem officials. influential people in my life My second-year head coach solving exercises at practices and in life; Facing who were coaches. was Don Ingram. An ex-drill Page: Blackwell said his career goals have always been to coach at a high level The first real, impactful sergeant in the military, Coach in a town that shuts down on Friday nights person in my life was Marc Ingram had me in the best to support their team. He found that support MacDonald, my seventh and shape of my life. But the most at BRHS. eighth-grade coach at George important thing that he taught Washington Junior High in me was never to be satisfied.

Montgomery. He was the first person in athletics that We were around 12-0 or 13-0 and ranked No. 1 in the demanded that I give my best. He never let me make country in the NJCAA, and we went to play Gadsden excuses and never allowed me to show my opponent any Community College in a mid-week game. Unfortunately, weakness. He gave me so much confidence and laid a we lost 4-3, our first loss of the season.

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Lake Martin Living 21

The next day, Coach Ingram ran us and ran us and ran us. Multiple times as a team, we pushed his black Nissan truck around the loop at the college for hours.

As a sophomore baseball player on the No. 1 team in the country, it never made sense at the time. But he would constantly say, “Your win-loss record doesn’t define you. Your effort and performance day-to-day is what defines you.”

Now, that’s easy to say to a team that is 0-12 who’s not talented, but they try hard; however, it meant so much more because we were really good. Ingram believed that we should have won every game, and he was probably right. We missed out on the College World Series by one game, finishing that season 49-9. He taught me that it’s never the scoreboard or the record but your passion and dedication that dictate who you are.

In my third season, I transferred to Montevallo, where I played for Bob Riesner. His style was much different. I learned a lot that season, mostly how a coach’s philosophy must adapt to the team’s personality for the best outcomes and chemistry.

My fourth year came Greg Goff, who was coming off a run in the SEC at Kentucky and a retiring legend in Keith Madison. My senior year was Coach Goff ’s first head coaching job, and with him, I learned the most.

I stayed on staff with him after completing my senior 22 Lake Martin Living

year through grad school, Down, Set, Hike!

Under Blackwell's and he gave me my first watch, practices at coaching job.

BRHS are all about Goff was 100 percent competition. detail-oriented. He drilled in me the importance of organization, community communication, fundraising, preparation, professionalism and development. Goff also gave me many responsibilities that a head coach normally had, which allowed me to grow quickly in my profession. He instilled in me the ability to be ready for my head coaching job at Montgomery Catholic, even though I had only coached football for five years.

Ultimately, the life-changing impact of every coach in my life has led to me knowing that I wanted to make an impact in this world, that the only true way to live a life worth living would be to coach and help raise young men. I struggled between coaching and going into the ministry. I even met with my pastor my senior year for a few weeks, and he was the one that reassured me that coaching was going to be my ministry, not inside the walls of a church but rather in the field.

Q:2 – What are some of the philosophical approaches you’ve brought to BRHS? A: Our style of lifting has changed significantly, and that is based on my style of play.

We train in the weight room like we play, relentless and fast.

That’s how we are going to play the game of football, so that’s how we are going to lift.

If you walk into our weight room on any day, you’ll see no one standing still, resting or with bad body language. That is by design.

Also, if you’re there long enough, you’ll see someone hold their teammate accountable for their reps or effort or technique.

I want to grow leaders, and leaders can’t develop if they do not practice leading. So, I want to create an environment where that can happen.

I can help young people learn the right and wrong ways to develop their characters and leadership styles. I want to empower our boys to grow. I do not want a bunch of followers. I want warriors and teammates.

Working together to problemsolve and compete is another significant part of what is currently happening here in our program. We find a way to compete for as much as we can. For example, we create mini-teams with a captain and co-captain, much like the philosophies I have studied and read about in many Navy Seal Boat Team books and articles.

I want to create challenging situations where the boys have to compete and solve problems, all working together through those circumstances. On the field, offensively, we will find the best ways possible for our boys to play fast and physically. Defensively, our words are relentless and consistent. We will take pride in our special teams daily and not allow that phase of our game ever to lose focus.

Blackwell brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and determination to BRHS and looks forward to starting the 2021 football season at home on Aug. 20, with Huffman at the MartinSavarese Stadium.

IT’S TIME FOR OUTDOOR FUN, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY? It’s time for outdoor fun, and you don’t want to miss a single moment in the sun.

Make sure your heart is healthy and ready for the season with an appointment at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Russell Medical.

Kevin Sublett, MD, is board-certified in cardiovascular care and offers the latest in prevention, testing, and treatment for keeping your heart healthy.

Our clinic is backed by the knowledge and expertise of UAB Medicine, including: • • • •

Advanced ultrasound testing Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs Management of cardiac rhythm disorders Interventional cardiology care

HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL Make an appointment today by calling (256) 234-2644.

3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 • Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell

Lake Martin Living 23

For t he Love of Flowers L

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR

ast year, bored with the everyday conundrums of quarantine life, Jessica Keyes needed to find something to do with her time.

She tried her hand at many things, such as learning to tie a tie. She learned to whistle really loudly. Keyes even read a boat ton of books to try and pass the time. But, ultimately, at the end of the day, the one thing Keyes decided that she really enjoyed was digging in the dirt.

“I love to see things grow,” Keyes said. “It makes it all worthwhile.”

And so, she started a garden. At first, she only had three raised beds of cut flowers. Then she planted squash and tomatoes and zucchini. She just couldn’t get enough. Soon, she was planning her spring garden.

“Spring was my first season growing cut flowers,” Keyes said. “I did it with the intention of growing enough to share, but I overgrew. I had enough to share and then some.”

She began to create arrangements with her flowers, and through love and support, the desire to share with the community grew stronger.

“One day, I saw an ad for the farmers market in Dadeville, and I just did it,” she said. “I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it. I just did it.”

Since finding her green thumb and opening Liberty Lane Blossoms, Keyes has expanded her garden tremendously. She grows zinnias, two kinds of sunflowers and a multitude of other flowers, such as dahlias and Chinese wool plants.

Her favorite flowers to grow are zinnias because they remind her of childhood and working in the garden with her mom, but dahlias are creeping up quickly because of their beauty.

“I just can’t believe that something so beautiful could come from such an ugly tuber,” Keyes said of a dahlia.

Flowers, digging in the dirt and giving life to beautiful or tasty things really is her happy place.

For more information about Keyes or the flowers that she grows, follow her on Instagram @prayathomemama.

24 Lake Martin Living

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT THE VIDEO

Go to Tallapoosa Publishers you tube page. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more content.

Lake Martin Living 25

26 Lake Martin Living

Growing Beauty

Previous Pages: Keyes finds her santuary while digging in the garden; Clockwise from Facing Page Above Left: Zinnias are Keyes favorite cut flower to grow; Keyes plants the sunflowers close together to keep the heads smaller for flower arrangements; Zinnias are annuals; Keyes arranges flowers at the Dadeville Farmers Market; Sow Zinnias in well-drained soil; With lots of sunlight, seedlings will pop up in just a few days; Keyes original garden is a mixture of cut flowers and summer vegetables; Every Liberty Lane flower arrangement looks different and offers and assortment of blooms.

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Chairs for Charit y Local philanthropists urge creativity in Dadeville to raise money for the public library STORY & PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICK HIDDING

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assion for art and a love for community is what called Raining Dogs Gallery owner Will York to sit down with Zazu’s Verandah owners Mitzy and Rick Hidding to talk about how art could be brought to the beautiful Dadeville Square in support of the community.

York had a vision. He wanted to challenge local artists to create one-of-a-kind chairs, and both parties wanted to support the community and draw attention to the fine arts. As a result of the meeting, Chairs for Charity was born.

“We ultimately decided chairs and other small items such as stools, mirrors, side tables, etc., would be great to have the artists unleash their talents on

Bid on a Chair and raise a few dollars for the Local artists leaped at the opportunity to square,” said Rick Hidding. create beautiful chairs “So together we reached out to be sold at auction personally, through social to raise money for the media and flyers, to artists who Dadeville Library. we thought may be interested in such a unique opportunity.

We have been delighted with the response."

All original works that have been donated for Chairs for Charity will be on display at Raining Dogs Gallery during the month of August. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday, 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. Interested parties may visit the gallery, peruse the beautiful handcrafted furniture and place a silent bid to have the opportunity to

Lake Martin Living 29

purchase their chairs of young adult readers, with the choice. money raised through Chairs When deciding how to for Charity. allocate the money raised “To borrow a word from through by the Chairs for artist Linda Bell,” Hidding Charity fundraiser, the said, “nearly two dozen artists Hiddings already had a began “chair-ing,” and many recipient in mind. finished pieces have already “The Dadeville Public arrived at the gallery.”

Library had been the Smaller-framed, decorated beneficiary of the wine tasting or hand-crafted furniture events we did here at Zazu’s in pieces can be submitted at April and May. We knew they Raining Dogs Gallery through were striving to get a new roof the end of July. and wanted additional items On Sept. 16 from 7 p.m. for the library, which made it to 8:30 p.m. there will be easy for us to decide that the an event/party at Zazu’s library would be the recipient Verandah showcasing all of of the proceeds from Chairs the original works of art and for Charity,” Hidding said. where the final silent bids will York, along with the be made.

Getting Artsy Hiddings, is eager for the “The artists have been so York and the Hiddings expanded the rules to auction of the one of-a-kind generous with their time and include stools, mirrors, side tables and other pieces of art. talents to Chairs for Charity, small pieces of furniture.

The Dadeville Library plans and we hope the community to raise the roof, as well as will come out to support purchase new books, e-books, books for children and Dadeville and our library,” Hidding said.

%&0 ¾ B0 +Ū0 ¾ B Support the local businesses who support the area where you live, work, and play.

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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.

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

Lake Martin Living 31

Dear Ole Tallassee High Faithful, loyal, firm and true, A Tallassee High School Tribute STORY BY MICHAEL BIRD & PHOTOS BY CARMEN RODGERS & KYLE THORNTON

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allassee High School has stood in nearly the same location on Barnett Boulevard since 1916; in its most recent incarnation, the same building has been there since 1929.

No more.

On the last day of school in May, Agriscience teacher Dr. Daniel Free presented the Class of 2021 and the faculty of Tallassee High School with pieces of the original wood from his classroom floor, room 221. Free cut sections of the floor for the faculty and seniors as a parting

gift and emblazoned each piece with “THS 1929-2021.”

As the most challenging school year to date because of COVID-19 came to a close, it was difficult not to note the history passing before their eyes. They weren’t only saying farewell to a class, a teacher and administrators; this time, they were saying goodbye to a treasured landmark.

Local historian Bill Goss noted that the original Tallassee School for grades first through 12th was constructed from 1915 to 1916. It was located on King Street, where Stumberg Gym sits today. The original building Lake Martin Living 33

was very modern for the time and even included indoor restrooms. Unfortunately, the original school, built by Mount Vernon Mills, burned on Nov. 11, 1928.

The THS Tallassee has come to know and love opened its doors on Nov. 13, 1929. Tallassee Mount Vernon Mills built the new school in one year and two days.

In that one year and two days, architects and designers sought to imitate the construction of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. Keep in mind, in those days, Lanier was downtown on McDonough Street, the school now known as Baldwin Middle School, which opened in 1910.

Just two days before the dedication service of the new building in 1929, the doors were opened for the Tallassee community to visit and tour the new facility.

The school was constructed for approximately $125,000 and contained 25 classrooms, several science laboratory classrooms, a library and an auditorium with a seating capacity of around 800. Then, the school housed the elementary school students in a separate wing as well.

Tallassee High School has created a great and rich history through the years. Its patrons will not easily forget; 34 Lake Martin Living

however, as the comSay Goodbye Previous Pages: The exterior munity looks toward of THS from 1929-2021; Above: the future, this fall Classrooms and offices will be the beginning had to be completely cleared of an exciting advenout, but memorbilia will find its ture. As the faculty place in the new school. and students await the construction of a new Tallassee High School, classes will be held in trailers on the band field. While there are bound to be challenges, the school is coming off the cusp of the most challenging year in education: the year of COVID-19. Yet, they survived, and if they could do that, then holding classes in mobile learning units will be okay, too. At least they will be faceto-face in classrooms with the students.

And then, next year, we will begin the 2022-2023 school year in the finest and most up-to-date academic facility in the River Region. ~Michael Bird teaches music at Tallassee High School and frequently writes for the Tallassee Tribune.

2 2 READERS’

CHOICE

Art & Photography Contest 2021

ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24!

EVENT DESCRIPTION Lake Martin Living magazine will host a juried art show from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the arts and entertainment alley of Alexander City, with an awards reception at 8 p.m. Event will include outdoor music and door prizes.

Face masks and social distancing will be encouraged. An indoor location will be available in case of inclement weather. Tickets are $5 each and include one vote for People’s Choice Award.

ENTRY DETAILS ➡ Entries must reflect local area or its lifestyle. ➡ Two divisions: hanging art and hanging photography. ➡ $15 per entry fee submission (Each entry includes one admission ticket; one People’s Choice vote; and one entry for door prizes). ➡ Limit five entries per person; entries that were submitted to previous Lake Martin Living Art & Photography Contest will not be accepted. ➡ Entry deadline is Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. Artwork must delivered to the TPI office, 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City. ➡ Each entry must be clearly labeled on the back with artist’s name and contact information.

➡ Submissions must be ready to hang. ➡ Pick up submissions on site following the awards presentation or artists must pick up works at TPI before 5 p.m. on Oct. 22. ➡ Three winners in each category: First Place - $200; Second Place - $150; Third Place - $100; People’s Choice Award - $100. ➡ Each submitting artist will be featured inside the October issue of Lake Martin Living magazine, and one of the first place award pieces will be featured on the cover. ➡ Winners will be recognized in The Alexander City Outlook and The Wetumpka Herald.

SPONSORSHIPS Award sponsorships available: Art - $500; Photography - $500; People’s Choice - $125. If you would like to be an award sponsor please contact Brittany Smith at brittany.smith@alexcityoutlook.com or Betsy Iler at betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com

ART n D E L L E C N A the C lake labor day weekend SEPTEMBER 4-5, 2021 SATURDAY, 9AM TO 5PM - SUNDAY, 9AM TO 2PM

1 OUR CHILDREN’S HWY, ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010

AT CHILDREN’S HARBOR

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A Little More Love

Wilson returns for another free Main Street concert STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

F

or the first time, Tallapoosa County Tourism and Main Street Alexander City will host the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival, Aug. 17 to Aug. 21. The festival will feature 17 songwriters at 10 venues over five days.

“We have so much talent coming to perform,” said Stacey Jeffcoat, director at Main Street Alexander City. “We have venues all around the lake, in Dadeville and here, in Alexander City. We are excited for the week, but a really great part of the event is that we were able to collaborate with Chad Wilson and plan another A Little Love concert to close out the festival. He even wrote a song for us.”

The A Little Love Community Concert will take place in downtown Alexander City on Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m., concluding the first-ever songwriters festival, and is planned to be an extraordinary evening of live entertainment.

Ashley Miller’s band Dixie Red will open the evening. Dixie Red hails from East Alabama and is ready to rock, known as a party band that loves to keep the energy high.

Following this tremendous, high-energy treat is Charlie Argo Music. With songs debuting at No. 1 on blues charts across the states, Argo’s silky, smooth voice will have everyone on their feet, swaying to the music, lighters or cell phones in the air, reminiscent of the days when life was easy and gas was cheap.

Argo is a Nashville recording artist and released a six-song EP album in January of 2021 alongside some of the industry’s key players, including guitarist Joey Landreth of The Bros. Landreth and piano/organist Billy Justineau of Brothers Osborne. According to Argo's website, the project is entitled In the Name of Love and is a collection of musical stories, mostly written in Nashville by Argo, and based on the struggles and trials he faced leading up to his move to Music City.

Closing out the night and turning up the fun is hometown native Chad Wilson. He and his brother, Kyle, along with several other artists, brought the A Little Love Community Concert to Alexander City last year for the first time when they filmed the music video for a song they wrote called A Little Love, and followed up with a community concert featuring many other local artists.

The dynamic of the concert looks a little different this year; however, Wilson is still pushing the boundaries of country music forward by creating an exciting new blend that is emotionally potent and sonically appealing. Viva Lake Martin is Wilson’s newest gem. While it has been released on iTunes and made its YouTube debut, he will premier live performances of the fun-loving tribute to Lake Martin on the stage in downtown Alexander City during the A Little Love Community Concert.

“Last year, we had people from all over who came in for the concert,” Jeffcoat said. “I am excited to see what the turnout is this year. We have such great talent.”

Jeffcoat urged concert goers to bring chairs, blankets, family, friends and even the family pet, but make sure to prepare for a night of excitement, as these artists perform a few oldies but goodies and introduce their newest material to the crowd.

Bring a picnic and a cooler, or stop by a downtown restaurant or bar for a bite to eat and drinks before the magic begins on Main Street.

Show the love Visit tallapoosacountytourism.com for more Chad Wilson information about the Lake Martin Songwriters will headline the A Little Love Festival.

Community Concert.

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H

New Faces and Spaces at Russell Medical Medical News

i! My name is Kimberly Carter, and experiences, and daily activities. Floor plans for I am new to Alexander City. I began these rooms were designed with financial and working with Russell Medical on accommodation flexibility in mind. The care April 1 as the manager of physician center will offer rooms that are 330 square feet, and business development. In a nutshell, I am 430 square feet and 510 square feet. responsible for physician recruitment to our Last, but certainly not least on the construction area, and I am the project manager for the timeline, are 26 independent living cottages. The Benjamin Russell Legacy Project. My husband, community will have a gated feel with a winding Chad, myself and two daughters, Adalyn, 4, and entrance. The houses will sit on natural topo lines Catherine, 2, are so excited to be putting down surrounded by trees, landscaping and nature. roots in Tallapoosa County.

By having four floorplans for the cottages, there I come from your neighboring county, will be something to fit all styles and needs.

Chambers County, where I spent almost 10 years Each cottage will include two bedrooms and two in economic development managing industrial, Kimberly Carter bathrooms with covered parking for vehicles. commercial, retail and community development Amenities included in these leases will provide projects. residents with low-maintenance lifestyles and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with the easy healthcare access.

Russell Medical team alongside Mr. Ben and Luanne Russell Fall 2021 to spring 2022 will be a busy time on the Russell on this new venture into geriatric and senior living. Since Medical campus, and we ask that all employees and visitors my arrival, we have been designing the Benjamin Russell bear with us as we work to expand the services offered. In Center for Advanced Care, which will consist of 32 beds in an addition, we will be pre-leasing the senior living facilities assisted living facility and 26 independent–living cottages. prior to construction completion. For those interested in In early fall, construction will begin on the Benjamin taking advantage of this life-changing opportunity, call me at Russell Center for Advanced Care. The goal is to serve the 256-329-7199. senior population better while also bringing new services While there will be several changes coming to the Russell to the area. The facility will be very eye catching as it sits Medical campus this year, one thing stays the same, and that cantilevered out into the landscape next to The Mill Twois “Being the best because we care!”

Eighty event center along U.S. Route 280. Two stories tall, The Russell Medical team is committed to providing the the Benjamin Russell Center of Advanced Care will be the best care to all patients who visit our facilities and are excited premier facility for geriatric care in this region. to focus those efforts on our seniors.

Shortly after the groundbreaking for Advanced Care, the I look forward to serving you. assisted living facilities will come to life. A 30,000-square-foot building, the Advanced Care Center will house 32 resident ~Kimberly F. Carter is the manager of physician relations rooms and allow seniors the opportunity to live in a resortand business development at Russell Medical. style community. The residents will stay engaged and moving with amenities similar to upscale lodges, premier dining 38 Lake Martin Living

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40 Lake Martin Living

Common Questions in 2021 Is now a good time to buy stocks?

I always advise clients to not buy stocks with money they will likely need in the next few years. The market is a longerterm investment, and anything can happen in a few years' time (good and bad). When legendary investor Shelby Davis was asked if now was a good time to buy stocks, he famously said, “Whenever you have the money is the best time to buy.”

Assuming you have a longer-term time horizon the best time to buy is when you have the money. I would add another caveat; do not buy all at once. Dollar cost averaging over a period of time into the market is a great way to spread money out and buy the highs and the lows rather than investing a lump sum at once.

inflation on sectors.

In addition, deflationary forces have been at work for sometime now. These include globalization, tech developments, Amazon effect and demographics of an aging U.S. population with the baby boomer generation.

I believe that these supply and demand imbalances have to work themselves out; and then shortly thereafter, I believe the true inflation picture regarding its stickiness will be clearer. I also believe that the biggest threat to sustained inflation is higher wage prices that employers have to pay to get help.

MONEY MATTERS

Should I be buying Bitcoin?

Honestly, I don’t fully understand crypto. I have a hard time wrapping my head around how it is truly valued. There are no cash flows attached to it, and it appears the value is in a I get this question regularly, and the truth is, limited amount of bitcoin that can be mined.

I don’t know. What I do know is our economy Lee Williams Also, I have a hard time understanding a still has a lot of Fed support with continued currency that fluctuates so wildly. low interest rates and through their purchase of I’m very reluctant to buy Bitcoin and use it $120 billion in bonds every month. to pay someone when I could buy it today and in a week it Overall, the consumer is in good shape, and most be down a lot. businesses are faring well. Yes, we do have some negatives, Also, there is a lot of talk about environmental, social such as inflation, potential tax hikes and a virus that and governance, and Bitcoin doesn’t fit so well with ESG is still not under control, but at the end of the day, the factors due to all the energy it requires to mine. I could be market follows earnings. If companies are doing well and making a mistake in not owning Bitcoin but only time will growing profits, the market tends to follow suit. Sometimes tell. After all, Warren Buffett says that someone is going to the market gets ahead of this, and sometimes it’s too get rich today trading cocoa beans, it just won’t be him. I pessimistic, but over time it tracks corporate earnings. feel the same about Bitcoin. Someone may get rich trading Conditions are still favorable for solid earnings.

Bitcoin today, but it won’t be me.

The great investor, Peter Lynch, once said, “Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections Lee Williams offers products and services using the than has been lost in corrections themselves.” following business names: Nowlin & Associates - insurance Do you think inflation is permanent? and financial services | Ameritas Investment Company, LLC This is an interesting question. At the moment, (AIC), Member FINRA/SIPC - securities and investments competing forces are affecting prices. On one side, there are | Ameritas Advisory Services (AAS) - investment advisory major supply and demand imbalances due to the pandemic. services. AIC and AAS are not affiliated with Nowlin & These include housing and semi-conductors, which affect Associates. most everyone in one way or another and driving price

How do you think the market will do for the rest of 2021?

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42 Lake Martin Living

Family Ties Where Southern roots run deep STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR

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ncestral roots seem to grow a little deeper in the mother. She has so many stories to tell during the day-to-day South, making them harder to untangle from the time we have together that I might not have heard otherwise,” heart. The soil beneath the feet of farmers who came she said. before; the sound of a gentle, Southern drawl; the Hardy began her first career when she signed with an Atlanta smells of cornbread and fried chicken; a history born out of both modeling agency while she was still in high school. After high turmoil and redemption. Family ties to those Southern roots school, she signed with Ford Models in New York and and spent bring Leslie Hardy, writer and filmmaker, from her home in Los much of her time living and working in Paris and throughout Angeles to her grandparents’ house in Goodwater for extended Europe during those early years. visits with her mother.

In 1987, on a whim and with the push of an agent friend, she During this summer’s visit to Goodwater, Hardy is helping auditioned for Mayflower, Madam, a television movie starring her mother with the care and renovation of the family home.

Candice Bergen, and got the part. She said she was terrified and Hardy’s grandparents, Mary and Charles Franklin, built their felt out of her league, but the experience was the impetus to English country cottage in Goodwater in 1940 and lived there move to Los Angeles. until their deaths. The Franklins “A friend once told me that owned the local Franklin Feed getting your first role is beginner’s and Seed store. Charles served luck and lets you know you’re on as mayor of Goodwater and the right path, but it sure doesn’t two terms as an Alabama State mean you’ll get every role from representative. Hardy enjoys then on. He was right,” Hardy said. hearing stories from locals about As a member of the Screen how good her grandfather was, Actors Guild, Hardy spent 20 years allowing people to take what they in her second career as an actor in needed from the store and pay Los Angeles, taking TV guest roles, later. small parts in films, and doing “I have always loved my tons of commercials. She took grandparents’ house. It just always acting classes from exceptional felt right. My mother tells a story teachers in L.A. and eventually that the first time I was brought began writing stage plays. In fact, through the door into the house Lou Antonio, the director of her as a baby I was laughing. Later in first film, had become a friend my childhood, my grandfather years after her debut role, and he said the house should be left to encouraged her to get into writing me because I loved it better than classes and start writing. Theatre any of them. Through the years I’d was her first love, so the gravitation always think about a time when I to playwright was a natural would be able to stay at the house progression. as long as I wanted, and now I “Unknown to me at the time, can,” Hardy said. acting was fantastic training for Her mother, Joan Franklin what would later become a real Hardy, went to school in love – writing. It was a great segue Goodwater until her senior year of for me. I have so much respect for high school when she transferred actors and what they bring to the to a boarding school in Gulfport, story – how they see characters Mississippi. She attended the and how those characters change University of Alabama, then in different situations,” she said.

Florida State University, where she Coming home Now beginning her third career, earned a graduate degree in library Previous Pages: Hardy has returned to her Hardy and producing partner, science. She spent one year living Jeffrey Wylie, co-founded Third grandparents' home in Goodwater to visit with her mother, Joan; Above: Hardy loves in Manhattan and working as a Act Productions, a company the nostalgia of her grandparents home. librarian at the Brooklyn Public currently working on several short Library before marrying Norfleet films. Hardy will direct or coHardy, a professor of adult education. Leslie and her sister, Susan, direct many of their projects. were born in Racine, Wisconsin, while her dad was teaching at “I love seeing women getting out of their lanes to not just act, the University of Wisconsin. His career as a professor took them but direct and produce and write,” Hardy said. to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then to Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon, a book Atlanta, Georgia, where they opened The Little Professor Book recommendation from her cousin, inspired Hardy to write Center, an independent bookstore. Joan felt the call back to her Red Dirt Town a stage play which she has now rewritten into a childhood home to take care of her mother after both Joan's screenplay. The story takes place in a small Alabama town and husband and father died. Hardy understands that desire. attempts to reconcile the main character’s love of place with “I’ve always been curious about the pull to a certain place. The the awareness that some of the history of that place does not fit draw for me being in Goodwater is also time to spend with my into her idealized view of home. She continues the draft process 44 Lake Martin Living

while working on Beautiful Memormies Above: Joan Hardy relaxes other projects, all while in the formal living room the Goodwater home under a painting by LArenovation distractions based artist, Siri France, are ever-present, writing represented by Gloria Delson Contemporary in the mornings and The Adirondack handling business in the Arts; Right: chairs on the hill afternoons. in the backyard “I love writing about were handcrafted

by Alabama artisan, the South. I seem to have Cynthia Adair; Below Right: an emotional tie, and Romatic landscaping so do my characters. I adds charm to the home. have a fascination with women becoming more self-reflective as they grow older, more aware of themselves, which can lead them to discover strength within. My protagonists tend to be women at certain junctures in life, at a crossroad of sorts and discovering new strengths as they start down unfamiliar paths,” Hardy said.

Hardy expresses exquisitely her belief that the history of the South has a richness, a texture and a beauty that are juxtaposed with great difficulties and even horrors for many Southerners. Finding that balance is now part of her third act in life as she recognizes that her Southern roots in Goodwater are deeply enmeshed, influencing her writing and her life.

Her daughter, Caroline, born and raised in L.A., now living in New York, also grew up visiting the house her greatgrandparents built. Hardy believes the cycle will continue when Caroline feels the draw to her roots and the house that will one day be hers in Goodwater.

Lake Martin Living 45

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46 Lake Martin Living

OH SNAP! 1

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4H Art Camp Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Dadeville 9

1. Cami Cook 2. Blair Morse 3. Cayle Pounds 4. Jenna Harrelson 5. Alyssa Bevels 6. Emma Nanales 7. Bryant Jones and Gunnar Walker 8. Aubrey Lovelady 9. Courtny Powell and Peyton Geurin

Lake Martin Living 47

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Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Thursday, July 15, 2021 Alexander City 1. Marsia and David McCabe, Melissa and Bill Duckworth and Randy and Kathy Kirkland 2. Jeannine Williams and Ken Faulkner 3. Darlene Meadows, Tanya Knight and Linda Gunn 4. Rashunsky McKinney and Tyler Lashley 5. Chelsey Hall, Lt. T.J. Tuck, Kristi Hardy and Chief Jay Turner 6. Dewayne Rathel, Blake Hudson, Will Windsor, Dixie Harwell and Logan Blair

48 Lake Martin Living

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Wishes on the Water Saturday, August 1, 2021 Bluff's Daiquiri Bar at Harbor Point Marina 1. Laura Tabor, Alechia Simersky and Laura Cook 2. Leah and Cody Barns 3. Jason, Austin and Ally Sanders

8

4. Dalton Broome, Trey Bardon, Joslyn Price, Amelia and Stella Bardon, Heather Feathers, Tabitha and Scott Talley 5. Windy Carter, Mindy O’Brien, Susan McBride, Tiffany Sanders, Stacey McKinley, Michael Carter and Eric McKinley 6. Brent Feathers, Grace Garrison, Lilly Feathers, Creed Feathers, Joslyn Price and Heather Feathers 7. Mark Snodgrass, Greg Schruff, Nolan Schruff, Jackson Snodgrass, Courtney Snodgrass, Liam Schruff, Shelley Schruff, Nathan Schruff and Cash Snodgrass 8. Cynthia Mcalpin, Kim Herring, Rachel Jackson and Bridget Dismukes

Lake Martin Living 49

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Lake Martin Lions Club Poker Run Saturday, July 17, 2021 Lake Martin 1. Buford and Melissa Minor 2. Daniel and Talley Davidson, Dawn and Davis Barnett and BJ Barnett 3. Erica Strong 4. Brooke and Jonathan Lewis, Kristen and Jason Hagler, Suzette and Jake Howell and Jerry 5. Glenn Vickers and Lulu, Stacey Price, Grady Hicks and Mikelle and Jeff Maddox 6. David and Della Lawson, Dana and Martin Adlam, Jon and Kelly Baker and Richard and Liz Knecht 7. Brian and Deanna Miller, Ragan and Cliff Barker and Jody and Dottie Gordy 8. Alana Brown, Lacey Howell and Stephanie Graves

50 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Auburn Club Annual Meeting Thursday, August 5, 2021 Willow Point Golf & Country Club

1. Larry and Jill Jones, Brandy and Bruce Pearl and Stephanie and Bob Gates 2. Kim and Brett Pritchard, Misty and Adam Sanders, Kendra and Jeremy Spears 3. Walt and Ginger Woltosz, Brandy and Bruce Pearl 4. Lil Goodwin, Brenda and Fred 5. Dan and Sue Leonardi, Lyles and Susan Griffin 6. Josh and Amanda Brewer and Austin Teel 7. Perry and Judy Hooper, Brannen McMahan and Logan Powell

Lake Martin Living 51

Calendar

THE LAKE REGION

FEATURED EVENT

A

lexander City Theatre II will present Neil Simon’s comedy in three acts, Plaza Suite, Sept. 16, 17 and 19 free of charge to the community on the Betty Carol Graham ballroom stage at Central Alabama Community College.

Set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the play features three one-act plays that all take place in the same suite at New York’s Plaza Hotel. The first play, directed by Christale Tuck, stars Alexander City’s Katt Abercrombie and Cedric Holley in the roles of Karen and Sam Nash, an unhappily married couple celebrating their 23rd or 24th wedding anniversary at the Plaza.

Karen Nash holds out great hope for the renewal of the marriage until Sam’s secretary/ mistress shows up.

In the second play, directed by Keith Garrett, Dr. Doug Roberts plays famous Hollywood producer Jesse Kiplinger, who has invited his old high school sweetheart, Muriel, up to the suite. Muriel, played by Alexander City’s Lila Dostal, does her best to avoid her old boyfriend’s advances and, at the same time, positively swoons over his star-studded life.

Denise Graves directs the third and probably best known of the Plaza Suite one-acts, which features Scears Barnes of Alexander City as the father of the

52 Lake Martin Living

bride, Roy Hubley, opposite Alexander City’s Ellen Gregg as mother-of-the-bride Norma Hubley. Kendall Sims plays Mimsey, the bride who has locked herself in the bathroom and refuses to come out and get married, with Jackson Gortney as her fiancé, Borden Eisler.

Gortney also plays the bellhop in the first act, and Alexander City’s Kenneth Cochran plays the waiter in acts one and two.

Show times will be 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Seating will be arranged in socially distanced groups, and masks are encouraged for audience members.

There will be a 10-minute intermission between acts one and two.

George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton played the lead roles in all three acts for Plaza Suite’s presentation by Saint-Subber at the Plymouth Theater in New York City on Feb. 14, 1968. Stapleton was nominated for a Tony Award in the production. Stapleton, Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett and other well-known actors have starred in film versions of the play as well.

CACC’s generous sponsorship, along with additional sponsorships and donations, makes it possible for the community to be admitted to the production free of charge.

LAKE REGION EVENTS 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. 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, Dixie Red and Emma Zinck. See the article on page 44 for more information or visit tallapoosacountytourism.com.

Aug. 21

A Little Love Concert

Chad Wilson will return to Alexander City for another blowout concert on Main Street. Bring a lawn chair and pick up take-out meals from downtown restaurants.

This is going to be a great night.

Look for details on the Main Street Alexander City Facebook page.

Sept. 4

Labor Day Weekend Nora Munger Regatta at Dixie Sailing Club

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 Ampitheater with great music from The Bank Walkers, Sam Burchfield and The Vegabonds.

Bring your friends, lawn chairs and a cooler 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. 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 on page 35 of this 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.

Visit standaraddeluxe.com for ticket information.

Season-long Events Friday on the Green

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.

Yoga on the Green

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.

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, Lake Martin Living 53

LAKE REGION EVENTS 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 256329-8474 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.

COVID-19 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.

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 Ourtown Volunteer Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the 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.

Library Storytime

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

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschoolaged 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.

Children's Harbor

Treasures and Thrift Store Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats.

Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. For more information, call 334-857-2008.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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.

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

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.

$90

54 Lake Martin Living

GOOD EATS

Grilled Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

F

ootball reigns supreme here in good ole Alabama, and where there is football there is a grill and delicious food. Grilling is just part of the tailgating experience, and even if it’s not stadium-side, good grub matters when it comes to football.

But, let’s talk about these Grilled Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, shall we? They are super easy to make and absolutely delectable to taste. Add a bit of crumbled bacon or a dipping sauce and garnish with sliced carrots and celery or – whatever your heart desires. Either way these wings are the perfect game time fare.

INGREDIENTS: Chicken Wings 12 chicken wings 2 tablespoon olive oil 3/4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Parmesan Garlic Sauce 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled 8 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

INSTRUCTIONS: Clean grill and preheat to 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a small bowl, mix together wings, olive oil, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Toss to coat.

Place chicken wings on grill and grill for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating two to three times during grilling time. The internal temperature needs to be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit is best to make sure the meat by the joints is cooked through and you don’t end up with any stringy chicken.

When chicken is almost done, mix together the ingredients for the Parmesan Garlic Sauce.

Remove chicken wings from grill and place in bowl. Pour Parmesan Garlic Sauce over the chicken wings and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

NOTES: Wings can also be baked in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Lake Martin Living 55

9

Goldville 280

Goodwater To Sylacauga

Legend

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

63

New Site

Public Boat Ramps 22

280

Churches

Camps & Parks

Timbergut Landing

9

Power lines

280

20

U.S. Highways

Alexander City

4

County Roads

15

Horsesh Nation

Jaybird Landing

Flint Hill Church

22

Camp ASCCA

Alex City Boat Ramp

Rockford

3

49

128

22

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek 63 State Park

COOSA COUNTY

Pleasant Grove Church

28

11

9

Mt. Zion Church Russell Farms Baptist Church Friendship Church New Hope Church

259

Bethel Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Smith Landing Willow Point

7

Seman

5 Camp Kiwanis

9

12 1 Children’s Harbor

Trillium

The Amp

Ko w

ali

ga

80

2

21 6

Union Landing

24

Walnut Hill

y

22 27

Stillwaters

8 Ba

25 Red Ridge United 49 Methodist Church

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

Church in The Pines

19

Lake Martin Baptist Church

Camp Alamisco

Kowaliga Boat Landing 55

Pleasant Ridge Church

34

10 63 18 11

Equality

231

17

57

9 24

Dade

280

29

Liberty Church

20

Jacksons Gap

26

Union

90

50

Central

Red Hill

16

63

Union Church

Refuge Church 229

49

Eclectic Santuck

13 Kent Reeltown

231

14

ELMORE COUNTY

120

14

14

Lake Martin Region Wetumpka

56 Lake Martin Living

Tallassee 229

MACO COUN

Marinas

Daviston

1 Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 2 The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

22

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 43. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700

19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 5 Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026 6 Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

hoe Bend nal Park

7 Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 8 Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600

397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853

CHAMBERS COUNTY

Restaurants & Venues

eville

ON NTY

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

8 SpringHouse 10 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

50

Camp Hill

11 Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

23

12 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 13 Acapulco Mexican Grill 334-283-2725 2867 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078

280

Waverly

Business & Shopping 50

20 Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 21 Aronov Realty Lake Martin 256-825-4133

6928 AL-49 S Stillwaters Hwy, Dadeville, AL 36853 22 Nail's Convenient Store 334-857-3454 8394 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 23 Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21300 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

Hotels & Lodges 24 Creekside Lodge 256-307-1440

6993 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 25 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820

8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church

8352 AL-50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293

Dock Builders 27 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443

180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 28 Docks Unlimited LLC 256-203-8400

6400 Highway 63 S., Alex City, AL 35010

Recreation & Entertainment 29 Dixie Sailing Club 767 New Hope Church Road Alexander City, Al 35010

14 Hodges Vineyards and Winery 256-896-4036

230 Lee Rd. 71, Camp Hill, AL 36850

14

15 Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 16 Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

LEE COUNTY

17 Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 18 The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Road, Alex City, AL 35010

Loachapoka

19 Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816

8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

14

Notasulga 85 81

If you would like to advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map, for as little as $25 call 256-414-3174. Space is limited.

Lake Martin Living 57

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Subscribe today or visit one of our local establishments each month for a free copy.

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

58 Lake Martin Living

Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales

Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina HACKNEYVILLE Hackneyville Water Authority NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina

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

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AD INDEX A&M Plumbing.................................................................................... 6

Lake Martin Mortgage....................................................................... 5 8

A&O Tree Service............................................................................... 4 1

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Precise Pressure Washing................................................................... 6 1

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Prime Home Health.............................................................................. 8 Red Flag Pest Control.......................................................................... 6 Rhonda Gaskins, C21 Lake Area Realty................................................ 3 River Region Dermatology.................................................................. 6 1 Russell Lands on Lake Martin............................................................. 1 3 Russell Medical.................................................................................. 6 4 Satterfield, Inc.................................................................................... 5 Security Pest Control............................................................................ 8 Southern Sash..................................................................................... 5

Heritage South Credit Union.............................................................. 6 3

St. Vincent Catholic Church............................................................... 1 6

Hinson Galleries................................................................................. 4 6

Sunrise Docks.................................................................................... 6 0

Internal Medicine Associates, PC........................................................ 1 2

Surgical Dermatology Group.............................................................. 1 6

Jim DeBardelaben................................................................................ 5

Tallapoosa County Board of Education............................................... 3 9

Jim's Pharmacy.................................................................................. 3 5

Tallassee Health & Rehab................................................................... 1 6

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

60 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 61

I

That's LIFE

was trying to decide what to write about this month, so I googled one of my favorite authors, the great southerner Pat Conroy. I hoped to find inspiration in one of his old essays. Conroy is known for writing about the South in full character and color; South Carolina specifically, in the way most might write about a lover. Conroy was a graduate of The Citadel, and many of his stories were inspired by his military brat upbringing.

I met Pat Conroy completely by accident. I wandered into a small bookstore in Vestavia that has since closed, and there sat Pat Conroy. I eased into the line, which was not very long, considering he was one of the most famous living authors at the time.

I bought his newest novel South Lacey Howell of Broad, in which he penned, “To Lacey, for the love of words and books.”

The other book I purchased, The Prince of Tides, was for my father, and Conroy wrote: “To Blake, For the Love of Family.”

The Prince of Tides is probably Conroy's most famous work. He adapted the screenplay, and it was made into an Oscar-nominated Barbara Streisand movie. Conroy was also nominated for an Oscar.

After perusing Conroy’s website and reading there, I went to my bookshelf and pulled down both books. I have both now because my father passed away last Christmas.

Conroy is famous for writing about his abusive father in The Great Santini and The Death of Santini. But, I lived the complete opposite side of that coin. My dad was my best friend. I majored in English because he did. So I guess I write because he did, too.

I opened The Prince of Tides, and there, tucked in the binding, was a newspaper clipping from The Birmingham News dated Sunday, May 20, 2018. It was about Pat Conroy’s oral biography, My Exaggerated Life, written by Katherine Clark. Conroy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2016, shortly after Clark finished the manuscript, and he passed away soon after that. Friends for years, she taped their interviews over the phone.

The parallels were not lost on me, as my father’s own cancer battle was short. Touched, I can picture my dad carefully trimming out the article with scissors, sitting at his kitchen table or at the TV tray he kept by his chair always piled up with newspapers, magazines and books.

His short retirement years involved lots of reading and writing. Through writing, one’s voice is captured forever on the written page.

62 Lake Martin Living

Culture Shock

My dad clipped the Conroy article from the LIFE section, and that too felt relevant on this cloudy summer day. When there was simply no honest exclamation for something, Dad would say, “That’s LIFE.” He accepted things for what they are and encouraged others to move on about the business of living.

Inspiration is everywhere, and our people never really leave us. You just have to look for them in an old book sometimes.

If you are looking for a summer read, try a Pat Conroy book

n The Prince of Tides n South of Broad n Beach Music n The Great Santini n The Death of Santini n A Low Country Heart n My Reading Life n The Lords of Discipline n The Water is Wide n My Losing Season n The Boo ~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram @ LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page.

Lake Martin Living 63