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prep roadsides
hydroseeding
litter cleanup
Join a new endeavor... and others who have already committed to help make Hwy 63 the example of how beautiful the Lake Martin area can be.
Help beautify the area through volunteer commitment and community involvement.
Ask a buddy to join you! Volunteer to adopt a mile of Hwy 63 and commit to
keeping it litter free. If you are interested, just go to 63PrideDrive.com and sign-up.
Volunteers will receive a Pride Drive t-shirt, safety vest, trash picker and bags. Help your friends and neighbors bring Pride back to the community. SEPTEMBER 2020
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TO VOLUNTEER OR TO LEARN MORE, VISIT 63PrideDrive.com
Staff
Letter from the Editor
S
ummer may be drawing to a close on the calendar this month, but Lake Martin didn’t get the memo. There’s still plenty going on, from movies at the lake to new businesses, sailboat races, great food and lots of fun. Shellee and Jared Smith stretched a movie screen across their Blue Creek boathouse earlier this summer to provide an outdoor entertainment option for friends when they hosted a movie night. Neighbors anchored their boats nearby, and others took to floats and tubes to watch. It was so popular that the Smiths have upped their game this month with an inflatable screen on the shoreline to accommodate more boats. Last month’s movie featured more boats but fewer floaters, as the film's cast included a big fish with sharp teeth. See the highlights on page 20. Perhaps the coronavirus pandemic that brought an influx of visitors to Lake Martin this summer also provided a bit of an entrepreneurial spark, as three businesses started up or expanded services at the lake in recent weeks. Auburn University collegiate fishing team members Jake Maddux and his brother, Carson, launched a catch-and-release bass fishing guide service as part-time jobs while in college. The Bassin’ Bros share their story on page 38. Then, recreational scuba diver Alex Mask created a side hustle to his Montgomery firefighter job; on his off days, Alex helps folks find things they lost in the lake – like Apple watches, jewelry and even dock furniture. Learn more on page 42. And if you’re getting a little hungry after diving with Alex, you could soon get lunch at Harbor Point Marina’s floating dock, where Gus’s Hot Dogs is relocating after closing the kitchen at state Route 49 and Tallapoosa County Road 34. Get the scoop on the new hot dog stand and the history of those famous dogs on page 29. Also in this issue, Dixie Sailing Club’s Jim Simons shares the racing course layout on page 30 and invites spectators to come out on breezy autumn Saturdays to watch the races. As summer temperatures give way to those soft breezes, the lake is the perfect place to curl up on the swing bed with a good read. Share the fun with a local book club. Lake Martin has several already, but you could always start your own, too. Turn to page 36 to get started. Before you even begin to think about putting the boat in winter storage, check out the winners in Lake magazine’s summer wipeout contest on page 12. It’s one for the record books as we ignore the calendar and keep summer alive at Lake Martin. Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
Chairman KENNETH BOONE
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Publisher STEVE BAKER
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Managing Editor BETSY ILER
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Art Director AUDRA SPEARS
audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation ERIN BURTON
erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER
tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH
rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com
MARILYN HAWKINS
marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com
JULIE HARBIN
julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com
LIZ HOLLAND
liz.holland@alexcityoutlook.com
ANDY CARR
andy.carr@thewetumpkaherald.com
Digital Advertising Coordinator ELLE FULLER
elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com
Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON AMY PASSARETTI CHRIS MORINA GREG VINSON CLIFF WILLIAMS LONNA UPTON STEVE ARNBERG MATT SHEPPARD STEVE SMITH CAITLIN CELKA JIM SIMONS SARAH CHILDERS
All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281
On the Cover Lake Martin native Alex Mask displays two watches he picked up off the floor of Lake Martin below Chimney Rock. Mask dives several times a week and usually finds a variety of valuables that visitors to the lake have lost to the depths. After he posted his finds in an effort to return them to their proper owners, folks started calling Mask to dive for items they lost, including Apple watches, jewelry and even furniture. Photo by Kenneth Boone
6400 Highway 63 South, Alexander City, AL 35010 docksunlimitedllc.com (256) 203-8400 Check out our Facebook Page: Docks Unlimited
SEPTEMBER 2020
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(256) 234-6366
V (256) 487-0308
(256) 825-9244
We Touch the Lives of the People You Love
Assisted Living & SCALF Short Term Rehab
(256) 839-6711
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Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Skilled Nursing Care SEPTEMBER 2020
Contents 12. WIPEOUT WINNER The best of the worst fails behind the boat this summer at Lake Martin 20. SUMMER MOVIES ON THE BOAT Shellee and Jared Smith entertained friends and guests with a dockside blockbuster 26. MISS LAKE MARTIN 2020 Blakley White won a CACC Ambassador Scholarship and will represent the lake area this year 29. GUS'S HOT DOGS AT LAKE MARTIN Birmingham's famous Greek recipe moves dockside at Harbor Pointe
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30. RACE TO WATCH As autumn breezes replace summer's heat, the races pick up at Dixie Sailing Club 36. WHAT ARE YOU READING? Lake area book clubs foster friendships and frank discussions 38. JAKE MADDUX – BASSIN' BROS Guiding came naturally to an Auburn University sophomore on the fishing team 42. BELOW THE ROCK A Montgomery firefighter moonlights underwater finding lost stuff on the lake bottom 52. LAKE-TIME TEMPTATION An Atlanta couple could almost be persuaded to quit the city for fulltime living at the lake
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:
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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS 16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 19. LETTER TO THE EDITOR 49. NATURE OF THE LAKE
61. LAKE PROPERTY 62. HOBOS 64. FAB FINDS 66. HEALTHY LIVING 68. CHEF'S TABLE 70. BIG CATCHES 72. CHEERS! 75. PAR FOR THE COURSE
Lake magazine also features an online, digital edition, available 24 hours a day, free of charge. This edition is perfect to share with friends and family and provides you complete access to stories, photos and advertisements from anywhere in the world with Internet access. View our digital edition today at www.lakemagazine.life.
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Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing Candi Tate, Clinical Liaison
2334 Washington Street, Alexander City | 256-329-9061 | www.crownehealthcare.com
A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches
WATERFRONT Church of the Living Waters Inside StillWaters, Dadeville 256-825-2990 New Hope Baptist Church 529 Peppers Road, Alexander City 256-329-2510 Church in the Pines Kowaliga Road, Kowaliga 334-857-2133
OFF WATER Equality United Methodist Church 281 AL Hwy 259, Equality 334-541-4063
OFF WATER
OFF WATER
OFF WATER
First Baptist Church Court Square, Alexander City 256-234-6351
Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa Street, Alexander City 256-234-6494
Hillabee Baptist Church Hillabee Road, Alexander City 256-234-6798
Red Ridge United Methodist Church 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078 334-252-8618 (12 Miles South of Lake Martin)
First Baptist Church 178 South Tallassee Street, Dadeville 256-825-6232
St. James Episcopal Church South Central Avenue, Alexander City 256-234-4752
First United Methodist Church 310 Green Street, Alexander City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Street, Dadeville 256-825-4404 First Presbyterian Church 371 Jefferson Street, Alexander City 256-329-0524
Lake Martin Baptist Church 9823 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist Church La 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293 Faith Temple Church 425 Franklin Street, Alexander City 256-234-6421
St John The Apostle Catholic Church 454 North Central Avenue Alexander City, Al 35010 256-234-3631 Flint Hill United Methodist Church 2858 Flint Hill Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-5047 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy 280 Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 256-825-2555
Small Space Advertising Works. Call Jolie Waters 256-414-3174 & ask for Lake Church Page
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Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month
Number of sales
Average selling price
Median selling price
Days on the market
Total houses for sale
72 23 34
$656,469 $623,613 $387,790
$600,000 $487500 $284,675
177 171 218
113 294 378
July 2020 July 2017 July 2014
Inventory/ sales ratio 3.32 10.38 15.70
The above numbers are derived from raw sales data from the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors MLS.The sales noted above are for Lake Martin waterfront residential (single-family and condominium) sales only. This information is provided courtesy of Lake Martin Realty, LLC (a Russell Lands, Inc., affiliated company).
What does the name of your boat say about you? While a boat’s name can be as varied as the owner at the helm, certain themes do stick out, according to a recent survey by BoatUS. “It’s always a challenge to decide on a boat name because the options are endless,” said BoatUS Vice President of Public Affairs Scott Croft. But some themes repeat, like: relaxation; new chapters in life; fishing; the boating life; and music. n Serenity: One of the most common boat names of all time. This owner likely has a high-stress job and is looking for a little peace and quiet. Watch out for yoga mats on deck. n Island Time: Everything is slower on the islands. Let down your hair; feel the sun on your face and dip your feet into the clean, clear waters off the dock. That is Island Time. n Scout: The owner of this boat is adventurous. Whether flinking with friends and family, cruising Lake Martin landmarks or chasing down a secret fishing spot, Scout’s skipper is on a mission. n Pura Vida: A way of life in Costa Rica. At Lake Martin, it translates to living a good life with family, cherishing simple pleasures and a slow, relaxed pace. Though this name is popular with sailors, it’s not just for sailboats. n Seas the Day: This boat owner is in charge and intends to get the most out of the boating lifestyle. This boat is also the last one back to the marina at night, haivng experienced every ounce of fun the day had to offer. n Shenanigans: This boat owner is obviously up to
something, and it may have to do with the big family on board. Think of Mr. Brady’s boat, if he’d had one, at your local Saturday afternoon anchorage with Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby, Cindy, Mrs. Brady and, of course, Alice on board. n Black Pearl: Like the fictional ship of Disney movie fame, this vessel may not look like much, but she’s brought her captain home every time and had a lot of fun along the way. n Cool Change: Little River Band sang about the Australian term for the change from a hot summer day to a cool afternoon breeze and thunderstorms ahead. This boat’s owner likely believes in the transformative nature of “cool and bright clear water,” as the song goes. n Liberty: Just like its popular cousin, Freedom, a boater who chooses this name is a patriot to his or her core. There’s a fair chance this owner served in the military or has family who does. n Knot on Call: A name once chosen by doctors and nurses, Knot on Call now appeals to a wider group of boaters where technology has increased the intrusive reach of the office or added 24-hour job demands. There are numerous variations on using the word, knot, in a boat name, including Knot a Care, Knot a Chance, Knot a Problem and the name that was on the cover of last month’s issue of Lake magazine, Knot Free.
Weather Outlook for September September 2020 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to high 80s with average lows in the upper 60s and about 4 inches of precipitation in the month of September. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly above average, and rainfall averages will be slightly above normal this month.
Year to Date
Precipitation: 49.82 inches Avg. high temp.: 74.5 Avg. low temp.: 51.6 Avg. temp.: 63.1
Our Normal September Precipitation: 4.10 inches Avg. high temp.: 84.8 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 62.0 National Weather Avg. temp.: 73.4 Service.
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Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 490.55 Lowest: 490.33 Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit the website lakes.alabamapower.com.
Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
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Lake Scene n People & Places
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Jack and Ellie enjoying their Memorial Day. (2) Hanna Hill (7 years old) stood on her brother Hudson's shoulders for a surf at the lake during quarantine. (3) Jackson cools down on the lakeside lawn. (4) Sarah Grace Montgomery spent a fun summer day at Wind Creek State Park. (5) Cheryl Gainer McCall shares her momma’s roses. (6) Rena Minnifield enjoys the summer break at Wind Creek State Park. (7) Cheryl Gainer McCall woke to mist rising off the water at Lake Martin on a cold spring morning.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Lake Scene n People & Places
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Eleanor loves riding on the boat with her Papa Joey. (2) Lake Martin evenings are for hanging around the fire under a fiery sky. (3) Gavin and Rachel McNatt share a laugh while spending the day on Goat Island. (4) Kellen, Troy, Warren and Ace had a great time over Memorial Day weekend at PawPaw’s house on Lake Martin. (5) Just a little dust in this Saharan sunset photo by Patrick Farrell. (6) Mia Clayton was tickled to be in the boat on her way to dinner at Kowaliga Restaurant. (7) Goldendoodle Henry has a most-favorite-place at the lake.
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Wipeout Winners Maddie Bentley and Luke Hess
People have fallen hard for our summer Wipeout Contest. A big thank you to our readers for all of your submissions. The votes have been tallied and the winners of our first wipeout contest are Maddie Bentley and Luke Hess. Photo submitted by Amanda Bentley.
Submitted by Kimberly Duffett
Tucker and Zac Contorno
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Lake Martin’s Marine Construction Company 6732 Highway 63 South, Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 | (256) 392-5200 | www. sunrisedock sllc.com
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Now-November Confronting Covid-19
The KellyFitzpatrick Memorial Gallery̓s online Treasure Hunt Exhibit 2020 addresses the phases of coping with the coronavirus pandemic. Part I is entitled Isolation, to be followed by Activities, Healing and, finally, Reunion. Visit the exhibit at thekelly.org and on the museum’s Facebook page.
Sept. 3 Strand Sessions
Moore’s Mill Country Club in Auburn. Entry fee for a fourperson team is $1,000, and all proceeds benefit the Trojan golf team. Registration will open at 8 a.m., and tee time is 10 a.m. There will be post-round food and prize drawings, as well as a silent auction. First-, second- and third-place teams will be awarded prizes for net and gross team golfer. Closest-to-pin prizes will be awarded for each par-3 hole. Mail checks, payable to CACC, to Coach Dave Jennings, CACC, 1675 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City AL 35010. To charge by credit card, call Gina Wall at 256-215-4355. A portion of the entry fee will be tax deductible. For more information, call Dave Jennings at 256-215-4242 or email him at djennings@cacc.edu.
Lake Martin Young Professionals will host the last of this year's concert series from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the top of the hill at Strand Park in Alexander City. Bring lawn CALENDAR OF EVENTS chairs, blankets, coolers and a picnic supper or purchase from downtown restaurants. WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
Sept. 5-6 Art on the Lake
Children̓s Harbor will host this juried show of works by artisans across the Southeast on its beautiful lakeside campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Come to Taste and Paint at the StillWaters Welcome Center at 2 p.m. You may bring wine or another beverage of choice and sip while you paint a lovely, easy lake-themed canvas. Cost is $30 and includes the supplies needed. Social distancing will be respected. Bring a friend, but you must pre-register by calling Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506 or emailing vkfincher@aol.com.
Sept. 12 Back the Blue/ First Responders Parade
Lake Martin Boaters, with Backwater Marine Towing and Salvage and Lake Martin Resource Association, will host the inaugural Back the Blue/First Responders parade on Lake Martin at 10 a.m. Boats will travel from Chuck̓s Marina to Real Island. Visit Lake Martin Boaters Facebook page for details.
Central Alabama Community College Trojan Golf Team will host a four-person scramble golf tournament at 14 LAKE
Zazu’s Verandah will host Tales of Dadeville, a community gathering to share memories, events and historical knowledge that helped make Dadeville what it is today. A food truck will be on site at 6 p.m. Storytelling will begin around 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Oct. 2 Lake Martin Living Art, Photography and Sculpture Exhibit
Sept. 12 Taste and Paint
Sept. 14 CACC Fundraising Golf Tournament
Sept. 24 Tales of Dadeville
The annual Lake Martin Living magazine art and photography contest this year will expand to include 3D art and A Sept. 14 sculptures. Works will be on tournament will exhibit in the Main Street alley raise funds from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with for the Trojan live music, food trucks, a cash Golf Team bar and live art, with awards presented at 8 p.m. The first place award in each category will be $200; second place awards will be $150, and; third place awards will be $100. The event is sponsored by Alabama Press Association and Main Street Alexander City. River Bank and Trust is sponsoring the People’s Choice Award. Tickets to the exhibit are $5 and are available for purchase at TPI, 548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, and include admission to the exhibit, as well as a vote for the People’s Choice winner and eligibility for door prizes. Entries are now being accepted. See page 24 for entry details and more information.
Oct. 10 Angling for Autism Tournament
Wind Creek State Park will host this annual bass fishing tournament to benefit The Learning Tree in Tallassee. Fishing begins at safe daylight, and the weigh-in starts at 2 p.m. The top 10 placements win money, with the first place winner earning $1,500. Entry fee is $120 per boat with a
SEPTEMBER 2020
$10 optional bigfish pot on a 70/30 split. Sponsorships are available as well. For registration form and other details, visit learning-tree.org/event/anglingforautism/.
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. For information, call 256-234-4644.
Season-Long Events
Santuck Flea Market
Soup to Go
Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Ave., Alexander City between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. every Tuesday and pick up a brown bag dinner with soup, sandwich, fruit and dessert. COVID19 precautions are taken by volunteers who prepare, pack and distribute the meal, which is open to the whole community, not just those in need.
Friday on the Green
Start the weekend with music, games and more at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads on Friday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring friends, family and the dog on a leash. Please remember to maintain social distancing.
The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month at 7300 Central Plank Rd., state Route 9 in Wetumpka.
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.
Memory Makers Quilt Guild
Farmers Market
The Alexander City Farmers Market downtown is open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday through September. You’ll find fresh produce, jams, jellies, herbs, soaps and lotions, homemade goods and more at Broad Street Plaza.
Music at Copper’s Grill
Copper’s Grill hosts music outdoors on the lawn at 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. 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 Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. Contact jacob.meacham@alexandercitychamber.com for more information. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8:30 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.
This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus. Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.
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. Visit RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.
Amateur Radio Club
The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City, with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. For more information, contact Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710.
Church of the Living Waters
Guest preacher services are held at Church of the Living Waters in StillWaters from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings through Labor Day. Dress is casual.
Dr. George W. Hardy General Dentistry
Library Storytime in Dadeville
Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Children’s Library in Alexander City
Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and SEPTEMBER 2020
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Lake Martin News Inaugural parade set for Sept. 12
The winning plate was served in a COVID-19 friendly to-go box
A parade to honor law enforcement and first responders will leave Chuck̓s Marina at 10 a.m. on Sept. 12 and travel up the lake to Real Island. Hosted by Lake Martin Boaters, Backwater Marine Towing and Salvage and Lake Martin Resource Association, the Back the Blue/First Responders parade can be joined at any point on the route. The parade will operate with docking lights on, by special permission of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Police to honor Trooper J.R. Southerland, who was injured in a traffic accident last month. “He always gets a good laugh out of the docking light posts and enjoys our sarcasm,” explained Lake Martin Boaters administrator Jamie Burnett. A flag sale will be scheduled on an upcoming date, so participants could pick up U.S. flags, police flags and first responder flags for the parade. “Please note this is not a political event but a show of support for our police and first responders,” Burnett said. Visit the Lake Martin Boaters Facebook page for details. ~ Staff Report
Glamping Destination breaks ground at Lake Martin The Destination will include several furnished standing tents on platforms
Local team takes AWF first place again
Rhonda and Skip Courtney last month broke ground for a new vacation retreat at Dadeville̓s Sandy Creek on Lake Martin. The Destination will be a glamping campground, featuring elevated tents on wooden platforms. Each site will be set up for luxury camping with full-sized furniture, electricity, televisions and beds with mattresses. The couple held a ribbon cutting Aug. 13 with Dadeville city officials and Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber members. The Destination has one glamping tent completed and expects to open early next year with more sites available. ~ Amy Passaretti
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When Alexander City̓s Biscuit and Gravy Chillin̓ and Grillin̓ team of Daniel and Shanna Thompson won first place in last year̓s Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off, it was only the beginning. The pair returned to the competition this year and on Aug. 8 brought home another first place trophy. This year, the Thompsons entered a venison-focused plate with tenderloin deer steaks, bacon-wrapped venison-stuffed jalapenos and venison and bacon sliders. On the side, they served Shanna Thompson᾿s famous collard greens in a bell pepper shell. They also treated judges to homemade-fromscratch potato chips. Observing health safety mandates, the dish was served in a to-go clamshell box that was decorated for the occasion with a vinyl silhouette of deer in a meadow. If the collard greens weren᾿t intimidation enough, the Thompsons warned off competitors with a booth display of the four awards they took home from last year᾿s event, the first time they had ever entered a cook-off. Last year̓s winning entries included ribs, cornbread and Thompson̓s collard greens, as well as the venison chili concocted by the couple̓s son Owen, who was just 5 years old at the time. ~ Betsy Iler
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Naturalist Marianne Hudson named AWF Communicator of the Year
Alabama Wildlife Federation Aug. 7 presented naturalist Marianne Hudson with the the AWF Governor̓s Conservation Communicator of the Year award at the Governorឿs Conservation Achievement Awards held at the AWF Marianne Hudson was headquarters in Millbrook. recognized for her efforts Hudson was honored to educate the public for her efforts to inform about Alabama's wilidlife the public on human/ and how to interact wildlife interactions, spewith and protect it cial programs and laws and regulations, as well as her work in social media for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. In addition to her work as Conservation Outreach Specialist, Hudson is the naturalist for Russell Lands On Lake Martin and conducts guided hikes and presentations about the flora and fauna at Russell Forest. As a wildlife educator, Hudson is a lifelong student of nature and an avid outdoorsman. ~ Staff Report
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, If you could write a love letter to a lake, I would write one to Lake Martin. Since the pandemic hit in March, we have taken refuge in this beautiful place and soaked in nature and time spent with our family. The lake welcomed us with open arms and healed our hearts and souls. With the fall, we start back to school and work and routines and schedules, but I’ll never forget the memories, and the love our neighbors have shown us during this difficult time. When I think back on 2020, I’ll remember the sunset boat rides, visiting the goats, jumping off the dock, telling stories by the fire pit and an early morning kayak ride to see the perfect sunrise. Yes, life can be scary, but life is also so very beautiful if you just open your eyes to see the creation around you. Lake Martin, we are forever indebted. Meredith Ginn
Innovative Design, Stylish Ideas Computer Generated Room Designs
Cabinets & Countertops Countertops displayed at Wellborn Industries Showroom 329 Piedmont Road, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861
Denise Booth 256-749-6177 homeologylakemar tin.com homeology3D@gmail.com
Ask about the traveling granite car! SEPTEMBER 2020
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Summer movies on the boat
Boaters anchor offshore to view the Smith family's movie selection on a 20-foot screen
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A Lake Martin family shares their outdoor movie screen with passing boaters
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Lake Martin’s Jared and Shellee Smith put a nautical spin on the drive-in movie concept this summer when they set up an inflatable 20-foot screen in their lakeside backyard and projected a blockbuster film on it. About 30 boats anchored offshore from the Smith’s cabin near Crowne Pointe condominiums on Friday, Aug. 21, to watch the 1975 thriller, Jaws, and Shellee Smith said they would show another movie every other weekend as long as weather permits. “We just love to entertain, and this is a fun way that we can do that,” she said. The idea was hatched last Halloween when Smith said they knew they would need to have a big screen for a football game if they wanted their friends to come to a gathering they planned to host. “We tied a 12-foot screen to the supports for our deck, and it worked out great,” she said. This summer, they upped their game, showing the 1978 horror comedy Piranha at the end of July. “That was fun. The kids were in the water with floats, and we put green glow-sticks in the water to attract the fish,” Kilee, Shellee, Jared and Smith said. “It Mariner set up an inflatable was kind of corny, movie screen to watch Jaws but it was fun.” Two weeks later, they showed Finding Nemo. Jaws was the couple’s third movie of the summer, and the Smiths plan to continue the entertainment into the fall and early winter. “We hope to do a Christmas movie before it gets too cold,” Jared said. Married one and a half years, Smith and Jared each had children from previous marriages. On alternate weekends, all of their children are with them at
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the lake, so the lakeside movies are something they do together as a family. To improve the quality of the experience this summer, they exchanged the 12-foot screen under their deck for a free-standing inflatable 20-foot model, which they erected between the two houses they own near the mouth of Blue Creek. They also purchased the old sound system from Chuck’s Marina, along with a new projector. “We’re learning the technology as we go along,” Smith said. “We got the old sound system from Chuck’s after the first movie because the sound we had wasn’t good,” Jared said. Smith uses her laptop computer to run the DVD movie, and the projector throws the image up to the screen. The couple bought the cabins last summer. They moved to the lake full time and are making changes to the houses. They renovated the smaller house first and rent it through an online vacation service. Work began on the addition to their personal home this year. Jared, who owns JSC Docks and builds docks on Lake Martin, grew up at the lake and started his company five years ago. Shellee and he looked forward to hosting friends and family during their first full summer at the lake, but the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult. “This is just us being with friends and having a good time. Everyone else is welcome to stop by and watch the movie in their boats,” Smith said. “Just please anchor out past the docks because the kids are in the water off the dock.”
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The Smiths began their Aug. 21 set up at about 7 p.m., testing the movie and sound with the help of Jared’s son Mariner. After making sure the equipment was functional, they adjusted the projection to center the show on the screen. Boats started to pull in around 7:30 p.m., just as the light faded from the sky and the temperatures cooled after a hot day on the lake. Friends who arrived by car settled into lawn chairs on the dock while the Smiths played country music through the sound system until the movie started at 8:30 p.m. “As it gets dark earlier, we’ll start the movie sooner, but we wanted to make sure everybody had time to get here and relax before the show started,” Smith said. They chose Jaws for the Aug. 21 show because it was Shark Week, and they liked the idea of keeping with the theme. Labor Day weekend, the family will watch Smokey and the Bandit, Smith said. “We put it out on Facebook and asked for suggestions for the movies. We’ll definitely show Grease sometime. A lot of people suggested that one. Maybe Goonies. We like the scary movies. They’re just fun when you’re floating in the lake,” Smith said. For the first movie at the end of July, 12 boats pulled up to watch. For Finding Nemo, there were 15 boats. For Jaws, the estimate was close to 30, but it was hard to get an accurate count once darkness fell and boaters continued to arrive. Though most of the boats anchored apart, a few rafted up. “With movie theaters closed and people not able to get out and do things they normally would do, this is just an opportunity to get out and have some fun,” Smith said.
IT’S TIME FOR SUMMER FUN IS YOUR HEART READY? We all want to get back out there again. Make sure your heart is healthy and ready for the season with an appointment at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama, conveniently located at Russell Medical. Dr. Kevin Sublett and his staff provide complete cardiovascular care in your own community. Patients receive the latest in testing, treatment, and preventive care for the full range of heart and vascular conditions. The clinic is backed by the knowledge and expertise of UAB Medicine, including: • The most advanced ultrasound testing technology • Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs • Management of cardiac rhythm disorders • Care from a physician board-certified in interventional cardiology MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY BY CALLING (256) 234-2644. UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic of Central Alabama 3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/heartcentralAL
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Event Description Lake Martin Living magazine will host a juried art show from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 in the arts and entertainment alley of Alexander City, with an awards reception at 8 p.m. Event will include outdoor music, a cash bar, food trucks and eligibility for door prizes. Face masks and social distancing will be encouraged. Handwashing stations and portapotties will be provided. An indoor location will be available in case of inclement weather. Tickets are $5 each and include one vote for People’s Choice Award.
sponsorships
Entry Details ➡ Entries must reflect local area or its lifestyle. ➡ Three divisions: hanging art, hanging photography and sculpture/3D art. ➡ $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. 25 at 5 p.m. Artwork must delivered to the TPI office, 548 Cherokee Road. ➡ Each entry must be clearly labeled on the back with artist’s name and contact information. ➡ Submissions must be ready to hang or artist to provide an easel or a stand for sculpture. ➡ Pick up submissions on site following the awards presentation or artists must pick
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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.
Award sponsorships available: Art - $500; Photography - $500; 3D/Sculpture - $500; People’s Choice - $125. If you would like to be an award sponsor please contact Amy Passaretti at amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com or Betsy Iler at betsy. iler@alexcityoutlook.com
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Now Accepting Submissions through september 25!
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STORY BY SARAH CHILDERS & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE
Blakley White will represent the lake area this year as Miss Lake Martin 2020
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Miss Lake Martin
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When Blakley White was named Miss Lake Martin 2020, she was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Central Alabama Community College. And while the 18-year-old is grateful for the assistance, her recent victory means much more. Along with the title and scholarship, White will serve as an ambassador for CACC. If COVID-19 restrictions lessen, she will represent the two-year college at school fairs and other campuses in the Southeastern states. She is, understandably, proud of her accomplishments. “It was something I worked hard for. I’m proud that I could accomplish something like this during the pandemic,” White said. To qualify for the scholarship, she underwent a long process that included writing an essay about her desired career. Contestants were required to video themselves discussing why and how they would serve well as a CACC ambassador. The top candidates were then selected and interviewed by the judges. Although White was challenged by the extensive process and daunting demands of the pageant, it was nothing new to her. This driven young woman has been competing in pageants since she was 3 years old. Pageants are something that White takes very seriously. For her, the friendships are a big part of the experience. They are what she loves most about her pageant hobby. Another bonus she has enjoyed in competing is the skills learned. Skills such as interviewing, personal presentation and public speaking are useful when pursuing a title, as well as being essential in many career paths. Aside from winning the Miss Lake Martin title, in the last year White has won three other pageants, these being the Alabama Southern Miss, Miss East Alabama and Distinguished Young Woman of Elmore County titles. Pageants are a torch White’s mother, Wendy, passed to her and her older sister, Brantley. While White got the idea of competing from watching her sister, both girls inherited this passion from their mother, a former pageant competitor. The tight-knit family includes her mother and sister, father and brother, Brady. “They’re definitely my support system,” White said. The industrious young blonde plans to earn her associates degree in science from CACC; then, she’ll
move on and study at a four-year university, where she hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her passion is working with children, and her ambition is to pursue that passion and to pay a tribute to her childhood friend, Ms. Calloway. White says that her third grade teacher, Ms. Calloway, was largely the inspiration behind her decision. “She’s an amazing teacher and person. Her personality and character have always been a big influence to me,” said White. “She’s just such an inspiration.” White had the opportunity to work as her beloved teacher’s aid through her junior and senior years in high school and to work as a child caregiver at the Minnow Bucket Daycare in Deatsville, Alabama. These experiences have convinced White that this is what she wants to continue to do. “Going to work with the kids is definitely the highlight of my week. They’re always so excited,” she said. White said she’s learned much in her childcare work. “I don’t know where to begin,” she laughed. “It’s taught me so much. Working with the kids has definitely taught me patience. I’m more confident knowing I can handle a large group of kids.” Aside from competing in pageants and working at The Minnow Bucket, White enjoys singing with the praise team at her church, modeling and spending time with friends and family at Lake Martin, a childhood gem. She grew up visiting Lake Martin with friends and family and has spent many a day camping at Wind Creek State Park. She looks forward to many more such days as a young adult. “I love it. It takes me back to when I was a child,” she said. She encourages any girls who are interested in competing in pageants. “Remember to be confident in the person you are and in who God created you to be. Don’t try to be someone else,” she advised. “I’ve competed in Miss Lake Martin for six years. It has largely impacted my life. There are girls that I met when I first started when I was 12 that I’m still friends with today. If you’ve thought about competing, go for it. I wish you the best of luck. It helped me with college, yes, but it also helped me with life.”
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Gus's Hot Dogs at Lake Martin
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STORY BY CAITLIN CELKA
Lake Martin’s Blue Creek will offer a new food option this month when Gus’s Hot Dogs makes the move from state Route 34 to the floating dock at Harbor Pointe Marina. Having recently closed the inland location, Gus’s Hot Dogs will open an outdoor stand on the deck of Bluff’s Daiquiri Bar to offer both food and daiquiris in one location. The hot dog is one of America’s favorite and most notable foods, and Gus’s Greek-style dog has earned a reputation for historic flavor. For years, people from all walks of life have gathered in the heat of the summer and into the fall for a great hot dog loaded with the toppings of their choice. Gus’s Hot Dogs is owned by Trey and Amelia Barden. The couple is from Orange Beach, and they have been living on Lake Martin for the last five years. Last month, the Bardens opened Bluff̓s Daiquiri Bar in Blue Creek, and they will add the hot dog stand this month. Gus’s Hot Dogs was established in 1947 by a Greek immigrant named Gus Alexander. When Gus Alexander moved to America, he started Gus’s Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham. Amelia Barden’s grandmother bought the recipe for the hot dogs from Gus, and when she passed away, she left the recipe to her granddaughter in her will. It has always been Barden’s dream to open a Gus’s Hot Dogs like her grandmother’s place, and now she finally gets to have that dream come true on beautiful Lake Martin. All of the hot dogs
are Greek style, and the recipe is Greek-inspired. Gus’s will continue to serve some of the items from the original menu, and as soon as they open, they will offer surprise specialty items inspired by local people. Gus’s will serve hot dogs outside throughout the remainder of the summer, as well as into football season. They also will serve hot dogs for special events and holidays throughout the year. Even though the water level at Lake Martin drops 7 feet in winter, the deck extends far enough out that the water is 30 feet deep at the floating dock. Any boat could dock on the floating deck without problem. The Bardens’ plan is to eventually build a location for Gus’s in the future. The Bardens are excited to offer a different option of waterfront food. The daiquiri bar and hot dog stand are located at 397 Marina Point Rd. in Dadeville. Visit Gus’s Hot Dogs Facebook page for more information.
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Race to Watch A primer for sailboat spectators on Lake Martin STORY BY JIM SIMONS & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Some say that any time two sailboats are within sight of each other, they are racing. It’s true to a degree, as sailors constantly adjust the sail trim and course to sail just a little faster, and when another boat is out on the lake, there’s an opportunity for comparison. Most Saturday mornings, the members of Dixie Sailing Club race in the bay east of New Hope Church on Lake Martin. Sailboat racing is simple, once you understand Kabuki dance. All the boats start at the same time; the finishing times are recorded. Many DSC members sail the Catalina 22, a very popular boat. If the race is just C22s, the finish positions are obvious. When members with other boat classes race, handicaps are applied for all the boats. If a member is sailing a slow boat well, his calculated finish will put him ahead of another member who might not be sailing his fast boat very well. The moral here is that spending a lot of money for a new, fast boat will not guarantee first place. A sailor still must sail the boat. As with most races, sailors are racing all the time. If a sailor decides he or she is ahead of the pack and
becomes lax, that just might mean losing to another member who would be sailing the entire race. Races start at 11 a.m. on most Saturdays from the last week in February through the first week in November. To have an official race, conditions required including having at least three boats – and wind, of course. DSC usually conducts three races on a given Saturday. The Race Committee Boat is on an anchored pontoon boat. The starting line is between that RC Boat and a flagged float (mark) off to the left of the RC boat, looking into the wind. There is a five-minute countdown to the start signal. During this five-minute sequence, the boats sail back and forth, checking for wind shifts and remaining Racing sailboats cut a behind the starting line. beautiful sight on the lake At five minutes to start, a red flag is raised; at four minutes, a blue and white flag is raised; at one minute, the blue and white flag is dropped; and at the start, the red flag is dropped. Each time a flag is raised or lowered, a horn is sounded. Any boat that is over the line early must sail back behind the line and start properly. DSC members usually run a windward-leeward course. This means they
Full sails make for an exciting run
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Boats turn at the race committee boat and sail back to the starting line to finish the race
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Peanut Point
Dixie Sailing Club Racing Area
Woods Island Youngs Island
Dixie Sailing Club New Hope Church
Best Spectator Area
WIND
START PRE-RACE START
Best Spectator Area
FINISH
Race Committee Boat
race from the starting line to Body weigght helps to keep a mark that is set directly to the boat balanced in the wind windward or upwind to the RC Boat. After passing that mark on port (the left side), they sail back to the finish line. The boats cannot sail directly upwind, so they sail 45 degrees off the wind on one side; then, they tack to 45 degrees off the wind on the other side. Tacking to windward is the most challenging point of sail, as the crew must concentrate and sail as efficiently as possible to keep pace. Of course, the other boats also tack back and forth, causing interesting crossing situations, which are covered by the Rules of Sailing. Once a boat rounds the windward mark, it sails back to the starting line. If the RC Boat has indicated the race will include two or more loops, the boats round the pin at the starting line and head back up to the windward mark. The length of the race is determined by the strength of the wind, the length of the course and the finishing time of the slowest boat. Ideally, the first boat should finish in 45 minutes or so. If the last boat finishes 15 minutes later, then the starting sequence is immediately started for the next race. DSC members try to finish the last race by 2 p.m. or no later than 3 p.m. If the wind is good, and there’s a minimum of three boats, as many as five races might run. After the last race, everyone returns to the club docks and puts away the boats. 34 LAKE
Crewing on one of the race boats gives a spectator the best view of all the action and might be the best way to watch a race; however, for a non-crew spectator, it’s best to watch from a boat, as the starting line is usually not close to land. The most concentrated action takes place at the starting line and the windward mark. For an inexperienced spectator, the boats would seem to be tacking and gybing at unexpected times, so it’s best to stay well clear of these traffic areas. To watch the start, park about 100 feet or so to the left of the starting mark, looking. This way, the starting line from the mark to the RC Boat could best be seen. To watch the turn at the windward mark, park about 100 feet or so past the windward mark, that is further to windward. When the boats pass the windward mark, they will turn and go back to the leeward mark or finish line. The sailing area between the starting line and the windward mark is a large circle – where spectators should not be, as the boats could be anywhere in this circle, and a spectator would not want to interfere with them. As the boats tack to the windward mark, they can go farther to the left or right than a spectator might expect. To watch a race, arrive in the area just before 11 a.m., and park out past the end of the starting line or past the windward mark. And enjoy the races!
SEPTEMBER 2020
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SEPTEMBER 2020
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StillWaters' Read Between the Wines Book Club gathered at the pavillion to discuss Karen Kondazians The Whip
What are you reading?
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STORY BY BETSY ILER
Book clubs are enjoying a resurgence at Lake Martin in this time of coronavirus caution, as more people spending their safer-at-home time at Alabama’s freshwater coast are looking for ways to connect socially. Read Between the Wines, a club based at StillWaters, met in mid-May to discuss Karen Kondazian’s The Whip, a fictional story based on the true life of Charley Parkhurst, a woman living as a man in the Old West. The club members met in the pavilion at Harbor Pointe. Dressed in Western costume, they snacked on Western popcorn and sipped sangria to match the theme of the book. The club started two years ago and includes women from a cross-section of the country – Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and more. They typically meet every two months, taking turns hosting the discussions with appropriate snacks, guidelines for the attire and, of course, wine. “The club enriches our experience of the book,” said RBTW member Elaine Clements, who moved to Lake Martin from New Orleans and started the club because she wanted to make friends quickly. In no time at all,
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the group grew from the original five or six members to the close group they are today. They stopped accepting new members at 18 to maintain a focus on the books they choose to read. On this occasion, hostess Jennifer McGregor arranged for members to meet Kondazian via an online meeting platform against the backdrop of docked boats at the marina and a spectacular Lake Martin sunset. It’s so beautiful there!” Kondazian said when she joined the meeting. “Where are you? I’ll have to come there in person for my next book.” She went on to discuss her years of research on the book’s protagonist and the use of her own background as a stage and television actress in the story’s embellishment. The meeting led to a discussion of women’s options for survival during the time period of Parkhurst’s life. “Women had three choices,” Kondazian told the group. “They could be housewives, teachers or prostitutes. That was it.” Parkhurst made her own road, choosing to dress as a man and live as a man. She drove a stagecoach
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and voted in an 1868 election, before the Women’s Suffrage Movement took to the streets to win the right for women. The Whip won a USA News Book Award. But not all book clubs actually revolve around books. “Some groups just drink wine and don’t talk about the book at all, and others meet more for the discussions they raise than for the books themselves,” said Dolly Smith, who lives at The Ridge and is a member of two book clubs. She joined one because it gave her a framework for friendships and the other because it challenges what she thinks she believes. “In the Dangerous Creatures club, we can get into some heated conversation, but we’ve all learned to love each other anyway. It’s given me a perspective on antiSemitism, Black Lives Matter and other topics, The Ridge Book which I wouldn’t have Club read and gotten otherwise,” Smith discussed said. “We started this club The Fictional not just because we love Biography of books, but also we wanted Samuel Archer to get to know people in with local author a new way. We wanted Angela Mullins diversity, which is harder to achieve, so we reached out to people on the fringes of our lives and limited the group to 13. “I really think it was divinely inspired and put together. We’re all so very different; and yet, it’s really worked. You can meet people where they are and love
people how they are if it’s personal.” The book clubs offers a safe space for discussion of hot topics, she explained. “I’m not criticizing anybody; I am talking about the character in a book. It’s a safe framework in which to discuss life,” she said. In The Ridge Book Club, the members are more intent on the books, Smith said. They particularly enjoy hosting works by local authors and recently hosted Alexander City’s Angela Mullins, the writer of the “Uncle Henry” series, on the release of her second book, The Fictional Biography of Samuel Archer. “Even though we are diverse, we have more in common than the other book club, and there’s more concentration on the books,” Smith said. Smith grew up reading books and loves the format they provide for fostering relationships. She encourages people to join a book club – or start one if there isn’t a club available to join. “A surprising number of people will join, even those who are not big readers. It’s an easy thing to do. Bookmovement.com will do it all for you. It’s so simple,” she said. “This is a great time for it, too, because you can do it virtually. When you show that you’re interested in people and their lives and their opinions, they want to do that, too.”
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Jake Maddux Bassin' Bros STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
A sophonore on the Auburn University fishing team, Jake Maddux hopes to follow in the footsteps of tour pros that also guide
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Jake Maddux is living an angler’s dream at the age of 20. Maddux grew up coming to his family’s house in StillWaters at Lake Martin, fishing with his grandfather and father off the banks and around the marina. When he started high school, the family bought a bass boat, and Maddux began to compete in fishing tournaments. Entering Auburn as a sophomore this fall, Jake and his brother Carson will fish for the Auburn University Bass Fishing Team. And, to make his fishing life complete, the brothers have their own Lake Martin guide service, Bassin’ Bros. “I’ve been fishing since I was 5 years old, and now I fish three, four, five times a week, whether it’s snowing Maddux fell in love or 100 degrees. I’ve fished with fishing in lakes all over the country at 5 years old now, and Lake Martin is my favorite. One reason is because I know the lake, but it is also perfect for my style of fishing. And it’s a big lake, so you can fish away from the crowds,” Maddux said. Maddux said he learned the how, where and why of fishing as a high schooler. Now that he has had so much experience on his own and has fished on the Southern Union State Community College bass team for the last two years, he is ready to guide while he is in school at Auburn, majoring in public relations, and compete with Auburn anglers. “Being on a college team does more than teach us how to catch bass on new bodies of water. It teaches us how to make sponsors happy, how to build those relationships. I want to follow in the footsteps of professionals who also guide, and to do that, you have to have sponsorships. I am planning now to grow the guide service but to eventually go professional through the Bassmaster Elite Series,” Maddux said. Bassmaster paved the way for youth tournaments all over the country, and now Cabela and the Fishing League Worldwide offer fishing competitions for all ages, which result in individual and team awards. Since participating in tournaments, Maddux has met anglers from all over the United States and Canada. “I just qualified with my roommate (Chase Gregory) for the college level national championship. One college angler per year goes from there to the Classic bracket. That is the super bowl of fishing with a $300,000 first place prize. I’d like to be there,” Maddux said. In the meantime, Maddux is concentrating on guiding,
taking time last year to become certified with a United States Coast Guard captain’s license. Maddux recognizes that Lake Martin has changed over the last 10 years and that it continues to change. He attributes much of the difference in the fishing to the introduction of blueback herring into the lake several years ago. He says that new food source has contributed to an increase in the size of the bass, as well as keeping the fish healthier for more of the year. “Having the herring in the lake as baitfish helps the fish, but it also helps the economy because we have a much better fishery. It makes the lake better for tournaments. But it also changes how we fish. I use a variety of lures, but with the blueback herring here, sometimes the best is to use a topwater lure that resembles the blueback herring. Watching that bite happen is really great, especially for the kids,” Maddux said. Maddux explained that Bassin’ Bros Guide Service takes clients for catch-andrelease fishing for spotted and largemouth bass. Since they have grown up fishing in bass tournaments, which do not allow fishing for striped bass, the brothers do not fish for that species. They also fish for crappie, which they will keep for clients. The brothers charge $350 for four hours of guiding. Depending on where they are catching fish, they can meet clients at Union, Kowaliga or Blue Creek boat ramps. They also will make dockside pickups for an additional charge of $50. “Lake Martin is big. It can be difficult for anglers to understand, so we work hard to be efficient in our service. Even though it’s been hot, the summer has been busy for us, with lots of night trips when it’s cooler. I am looking forward to guiding in the cooler months. I think Lake Martin is the best it’s ever been right now,” Maddux said. Maddux fans, and fans of competitive fishing at the college level, can follow the progress of college anglers at the Bassmaster website,bassmaster.com, and watch for the 2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida, Oct. 29-31. With an ultimate win at the championship, Maddux would be invited to compete in the 2020 College Classic Bracket at Lay Lake in Columbiana, Alabama, Nov. 17-19.
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LAKE 39
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Below the Rock STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
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Lake Martin native Alex Mask has turned a recreational diving hobby into a side business
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Mask found a nickel on this dive below Chimney Rock
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Alex Mask noticed that a lot of people lose things in Lake Martin – mostly sunglasses but also Apple watches, jewelry and even furniture. He came across such lost items on nearly every weekly dive he made at the lake over the last seven years, especially in the summer months and most especially below the Chimney Rock jump site. When he retrieved a couple of Apple watches he found in June, he posted the finds on Facebook and urged his friends and followers to share the posts in an effort to find the owners. The posts worked, and Mask was just glad to be able to return the items to their rightful owners. “I was glad I could help people out,” said the Lake Martin native. It started happening more frequently: He found stuff, brought it up and looked for the owners. Pretty soon, people started calling him and asking him to retrieve items they’d lost, usually over the side of a dock – and they offered to pay him for the service. Now, he dives between five and 10 times a
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week on off days from his job as a firefighter in Montgomery. “If they call me right away, and they know about where the item went in the water, I can usually find it pretty quickly,” Mask said. “The key is to call right away.” As time passes, the current and waves move items away from the places where they dropped into the lake. Water action also moves silt on the lake bottom, covering the items. “The best chance of finding their stuff is if they take note of where it was when it was dropped and call me as soon as possible. That’s the best chance of getting it back. Light things, like sunglasses, you have to find them within about two weeks. They will be covered up by silt and will blend in with the bottom. Once that happens, they’re pretty much lost forever,” Mask said. Sometimes, people think they will be able to find their lost items when the water level goes down in the fall, but Mask said that’s not the way it works. “When the water level is drawn down, not
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Working full-time as a firefighter in Montgomery, Mask dives on his off days
"The best chance of finding their stuff is if they take note of where it was when it was dropped and call me as soon as possible. That's the best chance of getting it back. Light things, like sunglasses, you have to find them within about two weeks. They will be covered up by silt and will blend in with the bottom. Once that happens, they're pretty much lost forever." ~Alex Mask
Underwater rock formations, like this one below Chimney Rock, offer a glimpse of another kind of scenic beauty at the lake
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Masks' dives often include recovery of costly, sentimental or hardto-replace items
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Mask equalizes his air pressure as he heads to the surface from the lake bottom
When he finds an item on an incidental dive, Mask returns it to the owner at no charge
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much is recoverable. Once the water goes out, it’s lost. The lowering of the water creates a really strong current that carries things downstream,” Mask said. If he gets a call right after the item was lost, finding it usually takes between five and 30 minutes. “If they’ve got a good accurate location on where they’ve lost it, it doesn’t take long at all,” explained Mask, who took up diving eight years ago. A friend wanted to learn to scuba dive, so Mask signed up for the six-week course, too. “It was instant passion,” he said. “It’s really beautiful down there. Chimney rock is my favorite place to dive. There are a lot of rock formations there and a few ledges. A lot of people think the lake is muddy, but there are a lot of beautiful rock formations and things like that. “There is a lot of trash though. It’s amazing the amount of trash that is in the lake. It’s bad. When I’m just diving for recreation, I try to bring a bag with me and get as many beer cans as I can.” Mask, 31, became a fulltime firefighter seven years ago after volunteering with the Union department before he was married in 2013. He works a 24-hour shift at the fire station; then, he has 48 hours off. His wife, Jessica, works fulltime, and his children, ages 5 and 1, are in daycare, so he often made dives during the day. He never thought of making a business out of it but has found he’s often available to help people find their lost items on short notice. “If I’m at work when I get the call, it will be the next day when I go out. If I’m at home, I usually can go the same day. Most of the time, I can respond almost instantly,” he said. His rates depend on the dive depth and location and how far he has to travel from his home near Martin Dam. “I’m not going to get rich by any means, but it pays for my gas and to maintain the equipment,” Mask said. For now, his equipment includes a Jet Ski that gets him to dive jobs around the lake, but eventually, he said, he’d like to get a bigger boat, and he needs to upgrade his diving equipment. He hopes the business of diving will help to finance his hobby. “Mostly, I just like to help people out,” he said. Contact Alex Mask through the Lake Martin Scuba Services Facebook page or email him at lmscuba@yahoo.com.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Chad McKelvey 256.749.4018
Haley Fuller 256.750.2411
John Shelton 404.858.9198
Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417
Allison Ladson 256.750.0711
Haley McKelvey 256.749.8353
Damon Story 205.789.9526
Mike Davis 256.226.1238
Lindsay Kane 256.675.6792
Amy Duncan 256.212.2222
India Davis 256.749.7592
Judy Voss 256.794.0779
Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681
John McInnish 334.415.2149
Jaylen McGriff 256.300.0372
Jan Hall 256.329.6313
Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071
Becky Haynie 334.312.0928
Jim Cleveland 256.596.2220
Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372
Adam Yager 205.914.0830
Michelle Brooks 256.749.1031
Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099
Sawyer Davis 205.965.7940
Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017
David Mitchell 256.212.3511
Howard Haynie 334.312.0693
Leroy Sellers 256.496.2141
Mimi Rush 334.399.7874
Randall Rogers 334.707.5804
Denise Cochran 256.786.2484
WE’RE THE Market Leader
Lake Martin Waterfront Market Share
47.8%
LAKE MARTIN REALTY/RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN
*LMAAR/MLS Member Firms Sales Volume Data August 2019–July 2020
Dadeville
256.825.9092
Willow Point 256.212.1498
a k e M a r t i n R e a l t y. c o m SEPTEMBER L 2020
Ourtown
256.212.1498 LAKE 47
Buttonbush NATURE OF THE LAKE BY KENNETH BOONE
The Buttonbush blossom recalls a favorite Dr. Suess story about an elephant named Horton
The flower lasts about four days, but Buttonbush blooms all summer long
Y
You can’t look at a Buttonbush flower without thinking of elephants. Or at least one elephant named Horton, made famous by Dr. Seuss. In Horton Hears a Who!, the Who Horton hears is shouting from a flower that’s a dead-ringer for a Buttonbush bloom … except Horton’s was pink instead of buttonbush white. Common Buttonbush is a shrub or small tree native to the eastern half of the United States. There is another variety of the same species called California Button-Willow found in the Southwest, southern Mexico and parts of Central America. Here in the Lake Martin area, we have the version
50 LAKE
usually known as Buttonbush, but in other areas it’s also called Button-Willow, Honey-Bell, Button Tree, Globe Flower and Button Ball and Button Wood. The scientific name of this species is Cephalanthus occidentalis. Cephalanthus means “head flower” and Occidentalis means “from the west.” In the Lake Martin area, you’re most likely to see this plant along the shoreline of the lake, or its tributaries, and in swampy or marshy places, including wet roadside ditches. This plant likes wet feet and can even be found growing in water up to 3 feet deep, as well as in damp soil. Buttonbush also likes
SEPTEMBER 2020
The seed head looks like a button after the flower has faded
lots of sunshine and sandy or silty soils that are acidic or neutral. This deciduous plant sprouts multiple stems that can reach up to 9 feet tall and look like a small tree, but more often it is the size of a shrub. The most distinctive feature of this shrub is its very unique flower: a dense, white globe about the size of a golf ball with long styles that give it a pin cushion look. Buttonbush flowers have an intense, sweet smell that attracts a number of insects. Each flower lasts about four days before it loses its pin-like tubular flowers. Once the flowers fade, the fruits that remain are small, highly textured green balls that contain nutlets with two seeds. These green balls look something like buttons, which may have influenced the choice of a common name for this plant. Buttonbush blooms over a number of months in the summer. The leaves of a Buttonbush are 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. They are oval shaped and pointed on the end, smooth and glossy green on top, with distinct lighter green veins. The underside of the leaves may have very tiny hairs. Leaves typically
grow in pairs opposite each other along the branches, but they can also grow in a whorl around the stem, especially near the end of the branch. The bark of this plant varies as it gets older. Young five-sided twigs can be green or red while older wood is craggy and furrowed with a greyish-brown color. The list of animals that benefit from having a Buttonbush around is long and varied. White-tailed deer eat new growth from this plant. It attracts at least 24 different birds, including Kingbirds, Towhees, Robins and ducks – and is a favorite food of Mallards. Wood Ducks often use Buttonbush as a place to raise their ducklings because it provides good cover at the water’s edge. Honey bees are very attracted to Buttonbush, which is planted by some beekeepers. One reason this shrub is so valuable to bees is that it blooms for long periods of time, including the heat of the summer when many other wildflowers disappear. A number of other insects, such as butterflies, moths and native bees, also use Buttonbush nectar. If you would like more Horton Hears a Who! flowers along your shoreline, Buttonbush can be propagated by simply taking cuttings from one shrub and pushing the cut end of the twig into moist soil, where it will take root. This is a plant that does not do well in a drought, so if you do choose to plant it away from the water, make sure your hose will reach it. Some information for this article came from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; Alabama Plant Atlas; Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and Bee Culture Magazine.
SEPTEMBER 2020
LAKE 51
Lake-time
When Chris and John Hutcheson happened across an Auburn city official's lake home, they knew they'd found the perfect house
Temptation An Atlanta couple could almost be persuaded to quit the city for fulltime living at the lake
STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
A
After years of visiting friends on Lake Martin, Atlanta couple John and Chris Hutcheson stumbled upon the house with the perfect flat lot and a wrap-around porch in the Longleaf area of the lake. “We were not neccessarily looking for a house, but when we pulled into this quiet cove, we knew it was everything we could wish for in a lake house. John and I have spent most of our quarantine time here this year, and it has tempted us to become city quitters and move to the lake full-time. We love being here during the week when it is so quiet,” Chris Hutcheson said. The five-bedroom home was built in 1998 by Bill Hamm, former mayor of Auburn, as a personal lake home. The Hutchesons purchased the home in 2017 and lived in it for a few years with only minor changes until they knew exactly how they wanted to live and the exact updates they wanted to make. Updating the interior design from 1998 to 2017 required cosmetic changes and a new kitchen. The floors throughout the home, reclaimed heart pine from the old Sears building in Chicago, were the priority to keep intact. Also, the same wood had been milled and used for tongue-and-groove ceilings throughout the home. The mantel over the fireplace was taken from the old Pony Express stop in Dadeville. With the floors, ceilings and mantel as the starting points, changes to the
home began. An interior designer by trade, Hutcheson couldn’t wait to tackle the job. She designed the kitchen and hired Will Kinnebrew of Williams Ryan Building in Jackson’s Gap for the work to begin in the fall of 2019. Brad Knotts of Knotts Detailing did additional contracting and handyman work for the couple. One wall of the white kitchen is now storage with a built-in refrigerator. The new 10-foot by 4-foot island contains only the range and a drawer microwave, leaving plenty of room for entertaining. Hutcheson selected white quartz with a gray vein for the countertops and backsplash, creating a sleek, clean look. Both the drawer and cabinet pulls are retooled vintage brass from England. Leather pulls, softening with more patina after each use, were selected for the island. The 12-foot woven rug down the center of the kitchen was purchased from Australia. “I used Ivory Lace by Sherwin Williams to paint the walls and a few of the ceilings for contrast. We just changed sheens for particular walls and trim to create a bit of contrast. We wanted simplicity. Comfort and simplicity were our goals. Nothing complicated or overdone,” Hutcheson said. The house is a collection of favorite things the couple has discovered on their travels together and also from sourcing trips for Hutcheson’s former online home-and-
Th 10-foot island was designed to enhance entertaining
The outdoor coffee table was built from a dog ramp
54 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
Hutcheson selected white quartz with gray veining for the countertops and backsplash
They refrubished the porch swing, which was left by the previous owners
Hutcheson mixed elements to create a cozy sleeping space upstairs
SEPTEMBER 2020
LAKE 55
lifestyle buisness, DearKeaton.com, which she sold last year. “I love artisan-made goods that have a story or help support female co-ops around the world. My most recent sourcing trips have been to Bali, Morocco, Mexico, Paris, Sante Fe and Texas. We love mixing vintage, antiques and contemporary with artisan goods,” Hutcheson said. The couple wanted their home to be dog-friendly for their two English cocker spaniels, Sam and Gus. A sofa and two chairs in neutral colors with deep green accent pillows offer comfortable seating for guests and the puppies around the rock fireplace. An antique 9-foot table from Indonesia graces the dining area, complemented by a tall, leather vase with fringe filled with oleander branches cut on one of her walks in the neighborhood. Other items in the space include a bamboo side table in the kitchen area and a modern, glass table under the win56 LAKE
dow in the living area. Downstairs, there are two guest bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bath between them. The queen room, named for the bed size, has an antique rug. A pom-pom blanket from Morocco, and two indigo shibori pillows, hand blocked and hand dyed, accent the neutral linens. Artwork includes one painting by Craig Greene and an abstract by friend Melissa Payne Baker. In the twin room, the second guest room downstairs, beds are raised high for a more adult look and adorned with coverlets from Bali. Jenna Snyder Phillips painted the Native American silhouettes over the beds. An antique dropleaf table sits between the beds to serve as side table for both, complete with contemporary lamps. A square leather stool sits at the end of each bed for suitcases or extra seating. “Our only requirement for the guest rooms was that they were comfortable. And I only used white linens, so
SEPTEMBER 2020
Clockwise from Left: Hutcheson likes to mix vintage, antique and contemporary pieces with artison works that she finds on international forays; The home easily accommodates the couple's English cocker spaniels; An iron canopy bed commands the visual focus in the master bedroom.
everything is easy to wash after each visit. Guests often say they have the best night’s sleep here, but we’re not sure if it’s the beds or the bourbon,” Hutcheson said. The original heart pine treads remain on the stairs, but the railing was updated to carry the simpler lines upstairs. A quilt made in Minneapolis by local artisans hangs in the stairwell over a vintage rug found on a trip to Round Top, Texas. In the corner of the landing, a long, wooden rod from an antique weaving loom holds two hats from Bali that the couple grab on their way to the boat. Upstairs, the loft overlooking the living room became an extra bedroom with an antique brass bed covered with a blanket from Bali. An antique desk, layered with a new ratSEPTEMBER 2020
LAKE 57
tan table underneath, serves as the nightstand. The white leather poufs at the end of the bed are from Morocco, and the pillows in the chairs were crafted from an antique kilim rug. Hutcheson repurposed a handstitched kantha blanket into draperies, and a photo she took of a Shetland pony nuzzling a fence at Serenbe, Georgia, became a larger-than-life photo for the wall. An iron canopy bed provides the focal point for the master bedroom. Hutcheson added lamps made from vintage iron work and a tall 1800s antique English chest found at Scott’s in Atlanta. Laura Young Morgan created the mixed media artwork in the room. A small guestroom upstairs with a sloped ceiling provides a cozy nook for sleeping on a contemporary ivory leather bed adorned with a Moroccan pom-pom blanket and blue hand-woven Indian wool pillows. An original painting from Ukraine and an antique rug complete the space. Outside the home, the porch on the lake side was decorated during the quarantine with a dining table and chairs on one end plus a sitting area with a swing on the other end. The swing was left at the house by the previous owners, but a refinish and new ropes made it new again. It’s one of Hutcheson’s favorite places. Most recently, she added drapes, made with an outdoor fabric, on an iron
rod across the back of the porch to open and close in the afternoon when the direct sun warms the space a bit too much in the summer months. Mostly hardwood trees surround the home, which is fenced unobtrusively for Gus and Sam. The Hutchesons added a new cooking deck on the side of the home that includes a built-in gas grill and Big Green Egg. Under vintage string lights, a long sofa and chairs provide the perfect place to relax before dinner. Knotts made the coffee table out of an old ramp used previously at the house for dogs to enter and exit the lake. “We loved the wood the ramp was built from. When we thought of all the happy times it brought we decided to keep the wood for something special. It was perfect for making the long outdoor coffee table,” Hutcheson said. Hutcheson’s eye for unique pieces – such as an old wooden Parcheesi board, an antique measuring stick, a Mr. Potato Head painted on canvas, paintings from artists she has met – have added charm and warmth to the home. While Hutcheson launches her interior design business in both Atlanta and at Lake Martin, she and John spend time in both locations. The couple enjoy having friends and family share happy times with them and the dogs in their beautiful home on the lake.
Oleander branches in a leather vase top the 9-foot dining table from Indonesia
A bit of greenery and a lantern add a pop of color to the porch
Twin beds in a downstairs bedroom are accented with coverlets from Bali
58 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
The Willows of Willow Point
The Willows
29 premier homesites just released
is nestled in a serene cove among Lake Martin’s more than 40,000 acres of pristine water, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. With large, wooded and secluded homesites, this new neighborhood is the perfect place to enjoy refined lake living with Willow Point Golf & Country Club, dining, shopping, and recreation just moments away.
SEPTEMBER 2020 R u s s e l l L a n d s O n L a k e M a r t i n . c o m | 25 6 . 2 15 . 7 0 11
|
LAKE 59 Lake Martin, Alabama
83 Boardwalk Lane
CUSTOM-DESIGNED BY KEITH SUMMEROUR AND CAREFULLY CRAFTED WITH AN OLD WORLD FEEL, THIS SPECIAL RETREAT WAS BUILT WITH ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL AND DESIGNED FOR LAKESIDE PLEASURE. THE VIEW IS FOR MILES, AND THE SUNSETS ARE GORGEOUS. THE 4 BEDROOM/4.5 BATH MAIN HOUSE FEATURES A 700 SQUARE FOOT SCREENED PORCH WITH SLEEPING SWING, GOURMET KITCHEN WITH COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATOR, OPEN LIVING/DINING AREA FOR EASY ENTERTAINING, AND A LARGE STONE FIREPLACE. ACROSS THE LARGE ADJOINING FLAGSTONE TERRACE AND PAST THE OVERSIZED SPA, OUTDOOR FIREPLACE, AND CUSTOM- CRAFTED SMOKER IS THE GUEST HOUSE. THAT PRIVATE SPACE IS NESTLED IN THE TREES FOR A CAMP FEEL AND FEATURES A 425 SQUARE FOOT COVERED PORCH, FIREPLACE, LAUNDRY, BATH, AND SLEEPING FOR SIX. IT EVEN HAS AN OUTDOOR SHOWER WITH A PRIVATE LAKE VIEW.
$1,775,000
105 Loft Circle
THIS BEAUTIFUL 4BR 3.5BA LOFT LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE HAS INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF LAKE MARTIN AND LAKE MARTIN ACCESS! THIS CRAFTSMAN DESIGNED LAKEVIEW HOME OFFERS BEAUTIFUL WOOD FLOORS, WOOD CEILINGS, STONE FIREPLACES AND THE PERFECT SCREENED PORCH TO CATCH ALL OF THOSE AMAZING SUNSET VIEWS! THE MASTER BATH HAS BEEN ENLARGED AND WITH DOUBLE SHOWER, SHIP LAP KITCHEN AND FAMILY R O O M , E N C A P S U L A T E D C R A W L S PA C E , A N D COVERED FRONT DECK. YOU WILL ALSO ENJOY THE PRIVACY OF YOUR LOFT WITH THE CONVENIENCE OF HOA YARD MAINTENANCE! OWNERS CURRENTLY LEASE BOAT SLIP A4 ANNUALLY. SLIP MAYBE TRANSFERRED TO THE BUYERS . BOAT SLIP AND ISLAND POOL ARE JUST A GOLF CART RIDE AWAY!
$462,000
60 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
"The envelope please ... " Demand for lake property leads to competitive bidding
O
ne of the things my wife and I have really missed during the COVID-19 period is going to the movies; we are big movie fans at my house. We love everything about the movies – the cool air, the sound system, the comfy seats, the dark setting – and there is nothing like movie popcorn. We have especially missed the summer blockbuster movies that the studios started releasing trailers about more than a year ago. I can remember summer blockbusters from years past, like Jaws, Star Wars, American Graffiti and many others I will not mention for fear of showing my age. Those summer blockbusters frequently resulted in Academy Awards the following winter. You know how that goes – the star presenters name the several nominees for the award; and then, say those four suspensefilled words as they open the envelope, “And the winner is…” The talented winner then sprints to the stage and gives thanks to his or her mom and spouse. LAKE PROPERTY BY STEVEN ARNBERG A lake home will not fit in your trophy case like an Oscar will, but it is a whole lot more useful. Given the recent demand for Lake Martin properties and the limited supply, it is not at all unusual to find multiple “nominees” (i.e. buyers) being considered for the lucky winner of a new lake home.
Market conditions set up competitive bidding
As of Aug. 13 of this year, there were just 115 residential properties for sale on the nearly 900 miles of Lake Martin shoreline. Of that number, 36 had contracts waiting to clear financing, inspection or some other pre-closing contingency. This compares with 256 properties for sale this same time last year. Coupled with fewer properties, there has been a 24 percent increase in the number of sales over the last 12 months. That means there is less than a two-month supply of available inventory. More potential buyers for fewer available properties results in multiple offers on those available properties. Prospective buyers’ thinking has changed from, “How much can I shave off asking price?” to, “Will my offer be attractive enough to win the lake home?” ~ Steve Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands On Lake Martin. SEPTEMBER 2020
What it takes to win If you have an interest in a lake home, I have a few tips on how to 1) find a home; 2) determine reasonable value; and 3) make an attractive offer. n You might think that finding a lake home is easy. Last year, going online was the best search method. While historically that has been true, the truth is that if you are looking at a listing online, it is likely that five or 10 other buyers have already toured the property before it was posted. n Your best bet is to get with an agent that will shop for you and has good relationships with other professionals. There is often a week of pre-market preparation on a property before it goes online. Yardwork, touchup repairs, professional photography and other activity is under way before a property goes online. Agents share by word of mouth about upcoming listings. If they know you are serious, they will keep you in the know. n Making a reasonable offering price is easy if you have an agent with MLS access. Buyers can determine asking prices, but selling prices are not kept in public access portals on real estate websites. Agents could gain that information for you, as well as search other public data sites. A good agent will provide a potential buyer with comps to help in making an informed decision prior to making an offer. n And that brings us to the all-important offer. If you are considering a newly-listed lake home that could be used as a year-round home, you can bet that it will have lots of interest in this COVID-19 environment. Your offer will be considered on highest price, the most likely to close, with the fewest potential repairs and with the fewest contingencies. n If you cannot pay cash, ask your lender to give you a loan approval letter equal to the amount you are willing to pay for the property. Make sure your earnest money check is large enough to impress upon the seller that you are serious, such as 5 percent of the offered price. If you want the property inspected and you are willing to do small repairs yourself, offer to buy the property in “as is” condition, subject to your satisfaction with the overall home inspection report. n If you are looking for a lake home, get a good agent to help you out. That way, the name you are most likely to hear at the end of, “And the winner is ...,” will be yours. LAKE 61
For the Good of the Lake
Photo by Audra Spears
I
think we would all agree that Lake Martin has been busier than ever since early spring. In addition to our fulltime residents, many out-of-town homeowners and renters have taken refuge from the pandemic by coming to Lake Martin, where they can enjoy open air, beautiful scenery, going outside without fear, gorgeous sunsets, swimming and boating. The full lake level that we enjoy today is the result of a lot of hard work by many individuals, community leaders, public agencies, organizations – including the Home Owners and Boat Owners Association – and local, state and federal governments. As the incoming president of HOBOs, I wanted to know more about what an important part HOBOs played in making this happen. HOBOs is a nonprofit, all-volunteer advocacy group formed to protect and preserve Lake Martin and to represent the stakeholders of Lake Martin. It was started by a group of individuals that were concerned about our lake levels. We had experienced a severe drought that began in the winter of 2006 and lasted into April 2008. The lake was down 3 feet, and by July 2007, it was down 6 feet. These concerned citizens formed a steering committee, advertised, sent out flyers and put up road signs to encourage people from all areas of the lake to join in the effort to protect Lake Martin. 62 LAKE
There were two organizational meetings of HOBOs. Plans were finalized at a meeting held on July 21, 2007. A nominating committee was chosen to work on a slate, and the original board was formed: president, Jesse Cunningham; first vice president, Steve Merrick; second vice president, Toni Adcock; secretary, Judy Heinzen; and treasurer, Carey Mullican. The six directors-atlarge were Bryan Bartley, Bill Adcock, Kay Thomas, Jim Ankerson, Leon Archer and Bill Chapman. Area managers were named, and committees were formed. HOBOs prepared to go to work. Our board members attended multiple meetings between Alabama Power Company and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the relicensing process for the Lake Martin and Martin Dam Project. During this process, FERC made an initial decision to deny the 3-foot increase in winter water levels. Because of FERC’s denial, the HOBOs and other groups filed objections and requested a meeting for reconsideration of the decision. Due to the efforts of HOBOs’ 2,100 members and other lake area advocates, we were able to organize a group of more than 600 Lake Martin stakeholders who attended the requested meeting with FERC. Because of these efforts, FERC reversed its decision, and our
SEPTEMBER 2020
lake now has 3 more feet of water during Marine Police and State Rep. Ed Oliver, the winter. This volunteer effort lasted for encouraged all stakeholders to contact their many years, requiring a huge amount of representatives to show support of this bill, time, countless emails, revisions, proposwhich was heading toward the Legislature. als, challenges about data and understandWe will continue working toward getting it ing how each piece of the puzzle worked passed. with, or against, the others, including We are entirely funded by our memberthe Federal Power Act, The National ship dues. None of the things we have been Environmental Policy Act and The Army able to accomplish would have happened Corps of Engineers. without a strong membership. The cost to An agreement was reached, issuing join is minimal: Individual membership is Alabama Power a new 30-year license to $15; family $25; standard business $50; HOBO operate Martin Dam, raising the winter supporting business $100; patron business BY STEVE SMITH lake level by 3 feet and conditional approv$250. Members are not required to do anyal to extend summer water levels into the thing or to attend any meetings, although fall when there is sufficient rainfall. attending the annual meeting will get your money’s Through the efforts of HOBOs and other organizaworth with the full, free breakfast that we serve. tions, our lake level now will be reduced each year by 7 Interest has waned since the FERC agreement was feet from Thanksgiving week through the last week of reached; however, Georgia and Florida are still in arbiFebruary. This is a great improvement over the old rule, tration, so Lake Martin could still be impacted. We which was a 10-foot reduction, and it also allows our need to be vigilant and not take our water for granted. lake to fill faster in the spring. HOBOs could not have been successful during the In addition to representing Lake Martin in the FERC negotiations to reach the FERC agreement without the agreement, HOBOs is active in many other ways. We support of a strong membership, which was 2,100 at our initiated a Neighborhood Watch program, working peak. We have many things we want to accomplish. We with Sheriff Jimmy Abbott. We now have 11 active also want to address concerns that have been brought to Neighborhood Watch programs in hopes of making the our attention by individuals and at our annual meeting. lake a safer place. We have purchased Neighborhood We want to continue to push HB 284. With the Watch and Treasured Lake signs that are in locations all increase in PWCs, boats and rental vessels, we want to over the lake. We are grateful to the Tallapoosa County address and improve boating safety concerns. We want Highway Department for installing these signs. to protect the interests of all stakeholders, the homeHOBOs has represented Lake Martin at meetings and owners and boat owners. The more members we have, conferences that might impact Lake Martin and at many the louder our voice will be and the better our chance meetings and hearings of the Alabama Legislature. We of being heard. Please join HOBOs and be a part of the participate in and/or fund many civic, educational and opportunity to make positive changes and to protect and environmental programs. preserve Lake Martin. You can join online at our webWe previously advocated for passage of House Bill site, www.lakemartinhobos.com. 284, but due to the pandemic, the bill was delayed. HB 284 is known as the 100-foot rule, which would require ~ Steve Smith is president of Lake Martin vessels to stay a minimum of 100 feet from any boat, Homeowners and Boat Owners Association, a nonprofit swimmer, shoreline, structure, pier, seawall, etc. The advocacy organization that works to protect the lake. current rule is 25 feet, which is much too close. Learn more at lakemartinhobos.com. At our 2020 annual meeting in February, speakers Lt. Mark Fuller from Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
lamberthandlamberth.com
256-234-6401 6 Franklin Street • Alexander City
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 2020
LAKE 63
FABULOUS FINDS
FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS SOLD
Willow Point, Parkview Cottage • $769,000 Builder: Derryl Thomas Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,580 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
The Willows, Y Knot • $2,075,000 Builder; Classic Homes Beds: 5 • Baths: 7 • SQFT: 4,265 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
Russell Cabins at The Ridge, Tree Top • $1,325,000 Builder: Classic Homes Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,706 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RusellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
Russell Cabins at The Willows, Verandas • $825,000 Water-Access w/ boat slip Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,396 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Anna Speaks, Rhonda Watson 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
83 Boardwalk Lane, Dadeville • $1,775,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com
975 North Ridge, Alexander City • $1,525,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Haley McKelvey 256.749.8353 LakeMartinRealty.com
131 Loft Circle, Dadeville • $438,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3 • Water-Access Lake Martin Realty Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417 LakeMartinRealty.com
279 Fern Road, Equality • $400,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 2.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
15 Cleat Curve, Alexander City • $750,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 LakeMartinRealty.com
147 Rudy Lane, Equality • $678,900 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Denise Cochran 256.786.2484 LakeMartinRealty.com
225 Cedar Ridge, Alexander City • $2,999,000 Beds: 7 • Baths: 7 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
515 Warrior Lane, Dadeville • $435,000 Beds: 2 • Baths: 2 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031 LakeMartinRealty.com
100 Harbor Place - Unit 505, Dadeville • $255,000 2 BR, 2 BA Lake Martin condo comes furnished. Located inside Stillwaters! Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256-749-8681 lakemartinteam.com
49 Bald Cypress East, Eclectic • $2,100,000 Custom 4 BR, 5 BA home on a flat point lot with amazing views and deep water. . Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256-749-8681 lakemartinteam.com
47 Oaks Knoll, Jacksons Gap • $1,469,000 A great home for two families. Terrace level is another complete home with a full kitchen and laundry. Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256-749-8681 lakemartinteam.com
94 Driftwood Road, Tallassee • $389,900 3BR 2.5BA cabin sits on a 1.4+/- acre lot in the tree tops overlooking Lake Martin! Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256-749-8681 lakemartinteam.com
DID YOU KNOW? When Realtors advertise in Lake magazine they recieve FREE fab finds. Call 256-234-4281 to find out how. LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE 64 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
BEST BOATS | BEST SERVICE | BEST DEALS We are excited to announce our new Singleton Jackson’s Gap location on the North end of Lake Martin. Providing new and used boat sales and a full service center. With the largest selection of the industry’s top-selling brands and award winning customer service, no other dealer can upgrade your lifestyle like Singleton Marine. Singleton Marine Blue Creek Marina 7280 Highway 49 South Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-8888
Singleton Marine Jackson’s Gap 124 Edgewater Drive Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861 256-269-0088
Singleton Marine Parker Creek Marina 8300 Parker Creek Marina Dr. Equality, AL 36026 256-329-8550
SingletonMarine.com SEPTEMBER 2020
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My Favorite Summer Recipes A
t the time I started writing this article in mid-August, September was just approaching. We have been told schools will reopen with caution, and football may happen; however, we have certainly learned not to put the cart before the horse. Living for today, focusing on what we can control in the present moment while being cautious not to jeopardize our health seems to be a new way of life. Each year as September HEALTHY LIVING arrives, BY JULIE HUDSON I cannot help feeling excited that fall is right around the corner. In my eyes, September is a transition month, marking the end of one season as we transition into another with Labor Day celebrations and hopes that relief from the summer heat is on its way. September is the perfect time to savor summer produce before we transition into fall. I am excited to share my favorite summer-of-2020 recipes with you. Salsas can be served with chips or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken, pork, fish, burger or steak. These salads and the veggie stack add color and flavor to any menu. The flatbread works great for an appetizer or a light dinner when paired with a salad.
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Avocado Salsa
2 avocados, cubed 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 2 or 3 green onions, chopped fine (optional) Black beans, drained and rinsed Lime juice to taste (begin with half of 1 lime) 1 tablespoon olive oil
Avocado Salsa
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves) 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Place avocado, tomato, onion and black beans in a bowl. Add lime juice and olive oil. Stir. Add salt to taste. Serve as a salsa or with burgers, chicken or fish.
Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and feta in a large bowl. Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients and shaking or whisking well. Pour dressing over salad and stir to combine. This salad has a fresh taste and is filled with flavor. It will complement any meal.
Fresh Peach Mango Salsa
Grilled Corn Salsa
1-1/2 cups chopped fresh tomato 3/4 cup chopped and peeled fresh peaches 1/2 cup chopped red or sweet onion 1/2 cup chopped yellow pepper 1/2 cup chopped peeled fresh mango 2 tablespoons chopped, seeded jalapeno pepper (optional) 2 garlic cloves, minced 1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips as a salsa or alongside chicken, pork tenderloin, fish or fish/shrimp tacos.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
3 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped 5 or 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped 1 large red onion, chopped 8 ounces feta cheese, diced 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar SEPTEMBER 2020
3 ears fresh corn 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/2inch thick slices 1 red bell pepper, halved 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon lime juice Grill corn, onion and pepper for 8 to10 minutes until tender, turning occasionally. Cut corn kernels off the cobs. Coarsely chop onion and red bell pepper halves. Combine grilled vegetables, tomato, jalapeno peppers, garlic, cilantro, cumin, olive oil and lime juice in a large bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours or up to 3 days. Serve with chips, grilled chicken, fish or beef.
Tee’s Corn Pudding
12 or 13 ears of fresh corn, husks removed 1/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 6 large eggs 2 cups whipping cream 1/2 cup butter, melted Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut kernels from cobs into a large bowl (about 6 cups). Scrape milk and remaining pulp from the cobs; discard cobs. Combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together eggs, whipping cream and butter in a large bowl. Gradually add sugar mixture to egg mixture, whisking until smooth; stir in corn. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes until set. Recipe substitutions: Use 6 cups frozen whole kernel corn. Gluten-free option: Substitute 3 tablespoons cornstarch for the flour. Tee’s pudding is a classic side dish
with a rich soufflé texture that pairs with any menu – BBQ, burgers, beef, pork tenderloin or chicken.
Fresh tomato, sliced Sweet onion, sliced Fresh zucchini, sliced
Peach and Ricotta Flatbread
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray. Prepare the stacks by placing eggplant rounds in single layer on a cookie sheet, covering cookie sheet. Add the sweet onion on top of each eggplant round; then, add the zucchini. I use 2 or 3 zucchini slices per eggplant stack. Top each stack with a fresh tomato slice. Before placing the stacks in the oven, drizzle a small amount of olive oil over each stack and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes until veggies are tender. Serve veggie stacks by themselves or with chicken, fish, pork or beef.
Flatbread of your choice (found in the bakery or bread sections of the grocery stores) Fresh peaches, peeled and sliced Ricotta cheese Fresh basil Balsamic glaze (found near the balsamic vinegar in the grocery store) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread ricotta cheese generously on the flatbread. Next, layer sliced peaches on top of the ricotta cheese. Add fresh basil – you decide how much or how little. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes until peaches and ricotta are hot. Flatbread should be crunchy. Remove from oven and drizzle balsamic glaze on top. Slice to serve.
~ Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.
Veggie Stacks
1 eggplant, peeled and sliced into 1/4inch rounds
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Hickory Grilled Lamb with Summer Squash Salad and Za'tar Braised Lamb Belly
1 pound lamb belly 1 onion, diced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes vegetable stock
Seasoned Yogurt
Combine 1 cup of yogurt with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a Dutch oven, combine first four ingredients. Cover with vegetable stock. Cover with lid or foil and cook for about three hours. Once tender and spreadable, remove from oven and allow to cool enough to shred – think barbecued pork.
Grilled Lamb Loin
Summer Squash and Zucchini Salad
To Plate
In a large bowl, combine thinly sliced round of one whole squash and zucchini, along with a julienned red onion. Season with salt, lemon juice and olive oil. Allow salad to sit at room temp at least 15 minutes before serving. Right before serving, add chopped mint and parsley.
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Season loin liberally with salt and grill to your liking.
Za’atar
Combine equal parts ground sumac, sesame seeds and dried oregano. Smear some yogurt on the plate and place squash on top. Crisp up the belly in a hot pan and place to one side of the yogurt. Sprinkle za’atar over top the entire plate. Once lamb loin has been rested (roughly half of its cook time is a good start), slice and place on top of the belly.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Chris Morina, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and worked with Southern food icon Linton Hopkins at Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta before moving to Mourad and other Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco.
SEPTEMBER 2020
CHEF’S TABLE BY CHRIS MORINA
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Experiment! How to fish with confidence
Y
ou’ve heard about the important correlation between confidence and success in sports, in jobs, in life: Fishing is no exception. Speaking from experience, I make better choices, better casts and just plain fish better when I am confident in what I’m doing. As a former athlete, the same was true. Whether it was a swing, making a throw or a shot, the odds were in my favor when I believed it was going to be on target. I ran across a quote from a Hall of Fame professional football quarterback Roger Staubach, who more recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He said, “Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a result of something ... hours and days and weeks of constant work and dedication.” Other successful people have made similar quotes referencing the work 70 LAKE
put in that leads to confidence. Fishing, in many ways, is like other sports: It might take various levels of physical skill, but it’s unequivocally mental. Fishing is about making choices. Where do I go? When do I go? What do I throw? Where do I throw? Should I stay, or should I go? These are the questions going on in any angler’s head at any given time during the day, on the water and off the water. Trying to get all of those pieces put together in the shortest amount of time possible, before one of them doesn’t fit anymore. It’s the greatest puzzle ever, in my fishing-biased opinion. As the Staubach quote notes, the best source of confidence comes from putting in the work. Knowing you’ve prepared could lead to confidence, which often leads to success, which often leads to more
SEPTEMBER 2020
confidence. So maybe just saying you’re trips. confident isn’t really the answer, but more Consider things like the type of forimportantly, it’s knowing you’ve done the age the fish may be feeding on; then, work and are prepared for the moment. consider why the bait you normally catch If being prepared is so important to them on works with those fish. Build on getting the confidence you need, how you those characteristics. If it’s a topwater, try prepare is a critical component to this something that’s similar, yet different. It equation, too. The answer is practice. may be size; it may be color; it may be Over the years, I’ve gotten funny looks the type of topwater in general. The same when I mentioned practicing for fishing goes for soft plastics, etc. Maybe try the tournaments. In the days before an event, same bait on a Carolina rig vs. a Texas practice can help me dial in a good fishing rig. Or a jig head or wobble head. Try difspot or two or a good bait or two. There ferent weights for rate of fall and different BIG CATCHES are plenty of variables, but this is the gist retrieve speeds. BY GREG VINSON of practice in fishing. Throughout the process, the fish will Personally, fishing confidence comes tell you when you’re close to getting it from past experience. Much of that I’ve gained on right by rewarding you with bites. lakes like Lake Martin and Lake Jordan – or the Then, mix in the bait and presentation you would Alabama River when I was fun-fishing. In the heat of normally use, to see how it compares with the expericompetition, it can be rewarding to experiment; it can ments. Sometimes, it may be only an addition to your also be very costly. Experimentation offers experience, arsenal to show the fish for an extra bite or two. Or which builds confidence that a certain location or a it may be something that proves even better than you certain bait is going to work in a given situation. could have imagined. Experimenting has helped my confidence when Then there’s location. To experiment with location, going to places to fish that I’m less familiar with. the easiest way is to stick with the baits and presenExperimenting is like thinking out of the box in fishtations that you’re having the most success with. If ing. We all hear the talk – except for tournaments it were a scientific experiment, these would be your with no info rules – about how the fish are killing that controls. green pumpkin finesse worm on points, that kind of Then pick out some locations you haven’t tried in thing. Before long, with everyone so connected, that a while or maybe not at all. We all have our favorite pattern that was so good a week ago could be old brush piles to fish. Sometimes, we get caught in the news. It’s more challenging than ever to stay ahead of rut of fishing the same old places every time – because the curve. they work. But what if you took a little time, each Fishing often rewards those who aren’t afraid to time, to look for something else? do things a little differently, those who try different Consider the type of place where you’ve caught fish locations, rather than the norm or try different baits. and look for more that are similar. Or try a different Taking the time and being willing to experiment type of location altogether. Maybe most of the fish is the hardest part because we all want to catch as have been on deep docks at the mouths of the pockets. many fish as possible when we get a chance to go. Experiment with a few shallow docks in the backs of Experimenting means getting away from what we the pockets for a reference. That could be where the already know works in hopes of finding something dif- bigger fish are holding, away from the larger schools ferent. of fish. It may be a bust, but without taking a few minI think the best time to experiment is when I utes to experiment, you might miss it, too. am under the least amount of pressure to perform. So we all want to have more confidence when we Whether fishing with a friend or a child or in a tourna- set off on our quests to put more fish in the boat. If ment, it can be hard to go off the beaten path in hopes we put in the work and take some time to thoughtof finding something special. Experimenting is best fully experiment, we’ll have that experience to draw done when I don’t feel like I have to catch them, as it from. Those positive experiences we’ve had will lead often means a whole lot of failure with an occasional to the much needed confidence to pick up the new bait eureka-type find that could lead to being ahead of the we might not have tried or to run to that new spot we curve. So here is my personal approach, which I hope might not have tried before. And that could make all will help you when you turn right instead of left or the difference. pick up a bait you’ve never tried before. First, experiment with different baits and techniques than you would normally use. The best way to do this ~ Greg Vinson is a fulltime professional angler on is to fish the best spots you know at the time. This the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in ensures that you’re more likely to be around fish. It’s Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. hard to get a good read on a bait or technique if you’re wondering whether the fish are even there. Maybe it’s a place where you’ve caught fish consistently in recent SEPTEMBER 2020
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Niffer's at the Lake's
Famous Lake Martin Lemonade Nothing says ‘It’s summer!’ at the lake like Niffer’s Famous Lake Martin Lemonade. It’s got just the right amount of sunshine, smooth, pizazz and bubble, and this month, Niffer’s at the Lake is sharing the recipe with you. A Labor Day treat, this drink is a great make-ahead for parties.
Ingredients
Tequila Corona Extra Limeade Sprite Combine ingredients in equal parts and chill.
Please drink responsibly. 72 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
Lake Martin market is hot!
Ca today for a fr market analysis!
SEPTEMBER 2020
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We invite you to live a luxurious golf lifestyle at The Yards, our newest community at National Village The Yards, a must-see collection of 21 cottages, is now open at National Village along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama. You will fall in love with these new construction homes within a controlled access neighborhood with sidewalks and community gardens designed by WAS. The home plans for the cottages are designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and feature inviting porches. Best of all, The Yards is adjacent to the Marriott at Grand National and all of the resort amenities including spa, pickle ball, tennis, and pool. Schedule a tour by calling 334.749.8165 or visit NationalVillage.com.
TO LEARN MORE VISIT NATIONALVILLAGE.COM OR CALL 334.749.8165
Junior golfers have a great summer
F
or the second straight year, Willow Point hosted its wonderful season. own league for the very popular PGA Junior League This year, the Willow Point Landsharks brought home Golf program. This year, a total of 35 children parthe title. Coached by Jacob Morgan, the team included ticipated in the league. Grant Sheffield, Ben Fox, Haver Spurlin, PGA Junior League is shifting the percepRhett Dean, Graham Lee, Cannon Gregg, tion of youth golf and the way the game is Haig Lee, William Ellard and Reynolds learned and played. The program brings famSheppard. ily and friends together around fun, team golf The Willow Point Sticks were coached by experiences with expert coaching and instrucCole Pearson and Ean Dunton and included tion from PGA and LPGA Professionals. It’s Henry Lamberth, Owen Dye, Russell Goree, a game changer, and we have been so excited Parker Benefield, Carson Pearce, Banks to offer PGA Junior League to the Alexander Sheppard, Cooper McCants, Jack Meacham City community. and Kendall Lee. The Willow Point PGA Junior League Coached by Tanner Lewis, the Willow program is open to boys and girls ages 13 Point Dawgs team consisted of Will and under of all skill levels – no golf experiPAR for the COURSE Schroeder, Max Lamberth, Leighton Stegall, ence required. Kids learn the game and enjoy Elijah Thornton, Sawyer Snyder, Radney BY MATT SHEPPARD relaxed competition in a two-person scramble Lovett, William Lovett and Cam Adamson. format that encourages mentorship, builds Zack Casto coached Willow Point Tigers confidence and teaches sportsmanship. Andrew Channell, Will Calhoun, Cash Sassano, Dawson Junior golfers were drafted after their initial tryouts, Barnett, Hank Hunter, Rex Romine, Westin Jones and and the teams were coached by designated staff members. George Dix. Throughout the season, players practiced at least once a week and competed in matches. Coaches named their ~ Matt Sheppard is director of golf at Willow Point Golf teams; hence, the crazy names. and Country Club. A huge thanks to our 2020 coaches and parents for a
The PGA Junior League is a great way to get kids involved with golf early
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Legend
63
22
280
To Sylacauga
23
Alexander City
Public Boat Ramps 19
9
Churches
Camp ASCCA
Flint Hill Church
Camps & Parks
17
Power lines U.S. Highways
280
3
22
County Roads Piney Woods Landing
Wind Creek State Park
Pleasant Grove Church
11
COOSA COUNTY
Alex City Boat Ramp
Mt. Zion Church
259 9
9
128
Russell Farms Baptist Church 63
D.A.R.E. Park Landing
Friendship Church
16 20
New Hope Church
Liberty Church
14 Willow Point
24
6
10
Equality
Paces Point Boat Ramp
63
Camp Alamisco
11
Kowaliga Boat Landing
22 The Ridge
55
4
Seman
Camp Kiwanis
1 12
Church in The Pines
24
2
The Amp Ko w
ali
18
ga
Ba
y
80
9
Central
90
Union
ELMORE COUNTY Union Church
Red Hill 63
229
Eclectic
Tallassee
20 Kent
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Union Landing
Children’s Harbor
Trillium
34
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Timbergut Landing
Horseshoe Bend National Park
Jaybird Landing
Lake Martin Alabama Marinas
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY
11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
49
Jacksons Gap
42. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026
280
53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853
Bethel Church
21
62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026
Dadeville
25 57
280
Camp Hill
Smith Landing
Restaurants & Venues
13
6. SpringHouse 10 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Lake Martin Baptist Church 49
6. Catherine’s Market 11 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Stillwaters
7 5
8
12 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
15 Walnut Hill
50
82. Lakeside Marina 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 9 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861
Pleasant Ridge Church
Church of the Living Waters
3. Harbor Pointe Marina 7 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net
26
50
17 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 18 334.857.3900 7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 20 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 21 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 22 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 23 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com 24 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . The Tiny Rabbit 25 256-307-1998 220 N. Broadnax, Dadeville, AL 36853
Churches 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.
13 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 14 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt & Flatbread Pizza 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com 15 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
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Business & Shopping 16 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010
Reeltown
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Lake Magazine Distribution ATTENTION READERS: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic some of our distribution locations have changed. This month, you may pick up the most recent issue of Lake magazine at the following locations.
ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Piggly Wiggly Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine 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 Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance Vision Landscapes North Lake Condo
River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers Russell Building Supply Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall Regions Bank Marathon - 280 BB&T Bank Russell Medical Center 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. Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Kowaliga Marina Sunsrise Docks Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales
Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Alabama Power Siggers Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library Pearson's Place Flower's & Gifts Dadevile Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Home Plate Cafe Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Tiny Rabbit Lakay's Sweet Pickins Amy Banks Realty Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters County Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Shell - 280 Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle
Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Merchantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Mitchell's Upholstery Lake Martin Mini Mall Cozumel Mexican Grill Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Cartering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Hometown Lenders, Inc. Anchor Bay Marina WETUMPKA Wetumpka Herlad Office TALLASSEE Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber OPELIKA Collaboration Station Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $25 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
2018 Top Ten Landau Dealer Manitou Dealer
256.215.FISH (3474) 2190 Cherokee Road Alex City, AL
www.alexcitymarine.com
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Lake Martin Business and Service Directory
COACH KRAFT
UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery! ■
■ Floors ■ Carpets Bimini Tops ■ Custom Seats ■ Mooring Covers
Patrick Mason 334-283-6759 676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com
IN-HOME CARE SERVICES
Our goal is to keep our clients as active as possible in their own homes to promote overall health and well being. With our personally tailored care plans, you will receive the individual care you need with the dignity and respect you deserve.
Homemaking... Personal Care... Companionship
Lake Martin innovation Center 175 aLiant Parkway • aLexander City, aL
(256) 414-6090
Some of us have to paddle before we can swim. Small budget advertising can have you swimming laps around your competitors. 256-234-4281
SEE ME FOR INSURANCE
HANDRAILS | GUARDRAILS POWDER COAT | SAND BLASTING WELDED FENCE | CUSTOM ART STAIRS GATES | I-BEAMS STEEL POSTS STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILING
LAKE
334-332-3435 or 334-329-4635
Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com
Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin. Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281
MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 17
Homeology, Denise Booth........................................ 19
Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty............................. 60
Alex City Guide Service............................................. 5
Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 79
Romar Construction.................................................. 79
Alex City Marine......................................................... 78
Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 17
Russell Lands on Lake Martin..............................3, 59
Beyond Home Care................................................... 79
Lake Martin Realty................................................28, 47
Russell Marine.............................................................. 35
Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 79
Lake Martin Signature Construction...................... 67
Russell Medical.............................................................. 2
Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation..........................................8
Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 63
Sandra Booker, Fuller Real Estate............................. 8
Carol King Interior Design....................................... 37
Mark King's Furniture................................................ 18
Satterfield........................................................................ 5
Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 79
Mindy Windy Team...................................................... 73
Security Pest Control............................................8, 19
Custom Docks............................................................. 24
Moore Wealth Management..................................... 83
Singleton Marine......................................................... 65
Davco............................................................................. 79
Morris Haynes............................................................... 6
State Farm, Harold Cochran.................................... 79
Docks Unlimited........................................................... 5
National Village............................................................ 74
State Farm, Karen Channell...................................... 79
First Community Mortgage........................................ 6
Odd Jobs....................................................................... 19
Sunrise Dock................................................................ 13
First Methodist Church, Dadeville............................ 8
Oskar's.......................................................................... 37
Tallapoosa Board of Education................................ 48
George Hardy D.M.D................................................. 15
Prime Management....................................................... 6
Temple Medical Center............................................... 8
Harbor Pointe Marina................................................ 73
ProCare, LLC............................................................... 40
TowBoat US................................................................. 40
Henderson & Coker, Inc........................................... 41
Renaissance Electronics............................................... 8
UAB Heart & Vascular............................................... 23
Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 81
Rhonda Gaskins, Century 21 Lake Area Realty..... 13
Walmart........................................................................ 79
Holley’s Home Furnishings....................................... 84
Rhodes Construction................................................. 80
Wedowee Marine....................................................... 25
RHODES BROTHERS/KEY BUILDERS
RESTORATIONS | ADDITIONS | KITCHENS | OUTDOOR KITCHENS | BATHS | METAL BUILDINGS REMODELING | ICF CONSTRUCTION | RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | CONCRETE SEAWALLS
Ge Co nt RHODES BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION
KEY BUILDERS
Builder John Rhodes - 256-675-0217 Custom Home Chris Key- 256-749-0179 rhodesbrothersinc.net chriskeybuilding@yahoo.com General Contractor johnrhodes1@charter.net 80 LAKE
SEPTEMBER 2020
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Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone
" You may delay, but time will not." ~ Benjamin Franklin
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