Lake Martin Living November 2022

From

his month, the calendar creeps ever so stealthily toward the holidays. Its progress seems nonchalant, but there are telltale signs of what is to come – an art show here, a bit of garland strung there. It’s not Thanksgiving yet, but if we don’t get started now, we’ll never be ready in time. That explains the Dadeville Beautification Board’s idea behind a late October decorating day around the courthouse square. Board members wanted visitors and shoppers to catch a glimpse of the Christmas spirit when they arrived for the holiday open house on Nov. 6. Check out their breathtaking decorations on page 18.

Gina Abernathy at Cedar Springs Farm slips a little closer to the holidays with a delectable sweet potato casserole recipe on page 20. I’m a big fan and can’t wait to see what she prepares for our Christmas tables next month.

And even our ‘Go Local’ feature writer, Erin Chesnutt, tested a toe in holiday fare this month with a story about One Oak Pottery Garage in Dadeville. Turn to page 10 for a preview of the Christmas spirit in this charming workshop space.

But these are not the only shining stars around us. Betty Stricker and Jimmy K. Lanier share stories of Eclectic’s iconic star logo on page 14, just in time for the opening of the town’s museum. Stop in for a visit with us in Breanna Manley’s article.

Also in this issue, we’ve addressed the tough issue of adolescent mental health. After viewing a television news story on the subject in September, we wondered what measures are being taken locally to help kids navigate the pitfalls around them. We’re pleased to say that help is in place and active at schools all around the county. Turn to page 30 to learn what school systems are doing for our kids in partnership with parents and mental health professionals.

The new Respawn Arcade made headlines in recent weeks as the entertainment business launched in Alexander City, but we had questions, like ‘How does a couple find and collect dozens and dozens of vintage arcade games? Where do they keep them? What do they cost?’ and most importantly, ‘Why?’ So we dug deeper to bring you the arcade collection story on page 26.

With the holiday spirit dancing at the edge of life these days, go ahead and mark your calendars with all the wonderful events coming up this month and next. We’ve listed as many as we could find on page 40 and wouldn’t want you to miss any of the fun.

After all, it’s almost ... but not quite yet ...

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

TLake Martin Living

Chairman Kenneth Boone

General Manager

Tippy Hunter

Editor-in-Chief Betsy Iler

Creative Services

Audra Spears

Business & Digital Development Director Angela Mullins

Contributors

Kenneth Boone

Breanna Manley

Erin Chesnutt Chip East Lacey Howell Teresa Grier

Gina Abernathy Cliff Williams Kaitlin Fleming Will Marlow Abigail Murphy Henry Zimmer

Audience Development Director Erin Burton

Marketing/Advertising Sales

Renee Trice Jennifer Welch Emily Gregg Marilyn Hawkins Sheryl Jennings

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

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copy righted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

When Betty Stricker moved to Eclectic several years ago, she was intrigued with the town ’ s star-shaped ‘ Welcome to Eclectic ’ sign. She asked around to learn the legends behind the star, and Jimmy K. Lanier assisted with information behind the iconic sign. Photo by Cliff Williams

Expo for local manufacturers

The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance last month hosted the Lake Martin Manufacturer’s Expo to celebrate the industry’s presence in the community and educate community leaders about what manufacturing companies do in the area.

“We really just tried to get the companies to display what they manufacture here in Coosa and Tallapoosa counties,” said LMAEDA’s Denise Walls. “A lot of times, people don’t know what is being made in the area. We invited our elected officials and community leaders to come and have lunch to show our companies some love.”

What's Made Here

The expo gave manufacturers an opportunity to show off their products.

The Oct. 13 event was limited to those businesses that manufacture something, but Walls said there are plenty of other businesses around in areas such as distribution.

“One of our biggest roles as economic development is to connect our companies to the workforce institutions in the

area — career tech at Coosa, career tech at Tallapoosa, CACC,” Walls said. “We always try to include them because they are a great resource for our companies.”

Area leaders from Tallapoosa and Coosa counties, Alexander City, Dadeville and beyond came to the luncheon not only to see the industries but also to hear from Manufacture Alabama’s Robin Ricks on the impact manufacturing has in the state.

Ricks said more than 266,000 Alabama residents are employed in manufacturing, receiving an average wage of more than $35 per hour and average annual salary of more than $70,000. Ricks also said manufacturing makes up 12 percent of Alabama’s employment.

“It is a good way to earn a family sustaining wage in Alabama,” Ricks said.

Manufacture Alabama is a trade association that offers resource access opportunities to manufacturers.

Cliff Williams

Boo Weekend Success

Alexander

last month received the

for Male Country Vocalist of the Year and was nominated for three other Josie awards. The Josie awards are one of the largest and most respected and prestigious awards in the independent music industry.

Dinosaurs, Videogame Heroes and Pizzas Oh, My!

Wind Creek State Park hosted the Annual Boo Weekend last month with several thousand children and adults in attendance to view decorated campsites, carve pumpkins and gather baskets of treats. Photo by Cliff Williams

Chad Wilson Wins Male Country Vocalist

City's Chad Wilson

Josie Award

One Oak Pottery

STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT PHOTOS BY BREANNA MANLEY

When Misty Ward decided to move back to her hometown of Dadeville after 10 years raising her children in Auburn, she was ready to re-enter the workforce. She had experience running a business in the town, as she had owned a barbershop in Dadeville years ago. This time, she wanted to do something different, so she asked her 22-year-old daughter for ideas.

Her daughter gave her some of the advice she had learned from her mother, “Do what you love.”

Ward had always loved to hand build pottery. She took her

daughters advice but wanted to start a business that would offer a new experience to the residents of her hometown. One Oak One-of-a-Kind Pottery Garage is a business ready to offer a fun, creative new hobby to the people of the area.

One Oak offers a variety of ways to test your creativity. Group classes are offered once each week and last for four weeks. Students spend one day each week learning the fourstep process of hand building pottery. The $150 fee includes 25 pounds of clay, a tool kit, glazes, Bisque firing and glaze firing to provide each student with their own handmade pottery creations at the end of the course.

“I limit the classes to six people, so I have plenty of time to work one-on-one with each student,” explained Ward.

In addition, students have access to the shop 24/7 to work on their art. Not everyone wants to take on a four-week course, so the shop also offers pieces that are already created and ready to be glazed by participants. These mugs, bowls, serving pieces and ornaments range in price from $10 to $75 and usually could be completed in a couple of hours. The shop can also be reserved for private parties, and the party has use of all the tools and equipment needed to finish their pieces. It takes about two weeks to complete the glazing and firing process and the creations can be picked up after the two-week curing time is complete.

The shop opened in April and is enjoying early success. Ward will participate in Dadeville’s Christmas open house on Nov. 6. She will offer refreshments and sell premade ornaments that are ready to glaze. This will provide visitors to her shop an opportunity to see what the process is like. This introduction also offers an opportunity to consider

taking the next step of enrolling in a class.

The little pottery garage is in downtown Dadeville, directly behind Bob’s Fine Foods. Ward’s father was “Bob,” and the landmark is now leased to new owners. The family still owns the property, so it offered the perfect spot for the new business.

Playing with Clay

Clockwise from Above: Misty Ward fashions a work in clay; Her Dadeville studio is filled with works in progress and finished pieces; Christmas on display; Her pottery inventory includes jars, bowls, wine cups, platters with scripture and more.

Now that her children are grown and live in other cities, Ward is starting a new business after years of being somewhat retired.

“I always knew when I left that I would someday find my way back home, and I know that, this time, I am here to stay,” she said.

One Oak Pottery is located at 113 E. Lafayette St., Dadeville. Call Ward at 256-749-4043.

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

and services. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2019 U.S. Bank 257701c 10/19

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Be Merry & Shop Local

Stars fell on Eclectic

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & KAITLIN FLEMING

Elizabeth “Betty” Stricker noticed the signs when she moved to a farm right outside of Eclectic several years ago. Cut to the shape of a star, the signs boldly declared, “Stars fell on Eclectic,” and were scattered throughout the town. Stricker remembers feeling so welcome at the time, mostly because of the signs and their genuine reminder that Eclectic is special. She wanted to know why: Why is the town of Eclectic was so special? and what makes the inscription so much more than a slogan?

Everyone she talked to offered a different story. Some credited the slogan to a magical phenomenon from 1800s; others gave credit to a widely accepted belief amongst townsfolk that each child in Eclectic would grow up to be a star.

Regardless of the answers she received, Eclectic residents agreed there’s no place quite like Eclectic.

History Collected

Above: A museum commemorating the city's history opened in September; Facing Page: Star-shaped signs welcome visitors to the City of Eclectic.

“When I moved here, driving up and down the roads, I noticed these stars along the roadside, just all over the place. The more I got involved with the town of Eclectic, the more stars I seemed to see around the town. Getting involved with the town museum, I started learning more about the founder of Eclectic,” Stricker explained.

The Eclectic Museum, which opened in September, showcases donated items from the residents of Eclectic. Each item helps to share a little bit of the town’s history. Located between the Eclectic Fire Department and the

public library, the cinderblock building now serves as the perfect place for those interested in the history of the town to see memorabilia from recent eras and learn more about the city’s history.

Through generous donations from local residents, the museum showcases artifacts dating back to the early 1900s, such as a large phone from the 1920s; school albums from a number of years past; old cheerleading uniforms; and a large collection of photographs. The museum also has a number of Teague Bottles, which were saved by people within the community from the 1960s when the Teague Bottling Company had a plant in Eclectic. Old accounts of history also can be found in newspaper clippings.

The idea of a museum was initiated by one proud Eclectic resident, Betty Coker, who is also the librarian for the local library. With dedication and determination, and a bit of funding from a grant Coker applied for, the museum came to fruition. Coker and local volunteers, including Stricker, made the museum happen because preserving history for generations to come has always been important to them.

Through her work with the museum, Stricker learned about Dr. M.L. Fielder (1835-1911), the town’s founder and a practitioner of Eclectic medicine, which was a branch of American medicine oftentimes using botanical remedies as a form of healing.

According to local historian, Jimmy K. Lanier, Fielder moved to the area as a boy with his parents. In 1877, Fielder purchased 122 acres that had once been the site a Creek village named Tumkeehatchee. That land is where the present City of Eclectic, Alabama, now stands.

Fielder chose to go into the medical field, probably

due to his family’s close ties in medical career fields. He attended the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, where he learned about Eclectic medicine, before continuing his education at Grafenberg Medical Institute in Tallapoosa County.

“He named Eclectic after his favorite medical practice class, and it uses more of a holistic approach to medicine and looking at the whole body and thinking about the different aspects,” Stricker said.

As Stricker’s curiosity grew, she began researching the meaning behind the star signs by talking to Eclectic residents. Auburn professors also shared information about the historic meteor shower, otherwise known as the Leonid Meteor Storm.

The Leonid Meteor Storm was a beautiful display of more than 150,000 meteors that fell each hour Nov. 12, 1833. Though the entire United States could see the show, those who lived in Eclectic shared a tale of the stars falling over the town. This tale has remained part of Eclectic’s history ever since, leading a large number of residents and surrounding community members to feel the significance of the small town.

Whether the town’s slogan is based on the once-ina-lifetime meteor shower or the holistic environment brought on by the town’s founder, the stars found throughout Eclectic are a treasured part of the community and contribute to Eclectic’s reputation as a one-of-a-kind place to visit, shop and live.

In 1999, William Teague fashioned the signs, which are

dedicated to his late wife, Betty Jo Teague, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 90.

Stars Shine Brightly in Eclectic

Clockwise from Above: Museum displays feature costumes and other memorabilia in chronological vignettes; Photographs and documents are among the exhibits; A plaque on the back of Eclectic's welcoming signs dedicates them to a recently deceased citizen of the community.

“Eclectic, the star of Elmore County, has a rich and wonderful history. This is where the charm of the old South and all of its wonderful traditions clash in a friendly manner with its passion for progress in creating a dynamic future for itself and its citizens. It is said that when the spectacular meteor shower of Nov. 12, 1833, lit up the night sky in Alabama, the stars actually fell on Eclectic, Alabama. It has not been determined whether this Leonid meteor shower actually sent any debris anywhere near Eclectic, but the romantic in all of us would like to think so,” Lanier wrote.

Take some time out of your weekend to visit the Eclectic Museum to see some of the artifacts on display. More displays will be added in the coming months, as donations are still being accepted. The museum is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

It's beginning to look like ...

There’s nothing quite like Dadeville during the holiday season. With the Dadeville Beautification Board in charge of the Christmas decorating again this year, the city could be the destination for residents to enjoy the season.

“We’ve been doing it for several years now. I’ve been involved with the beautification board for over 40 years from the time it started in the ’80s, and we used to decorate years ago,” explained Mickey Forbus, beautification board president. “When the original beautification board kind of aged out, we lost the enthusiasm for it, but having started back again in 2019, we’ve done several projects. The Christmas decorating is probably one of our bigger projects, probably the biggest.”

The decorations, mostly located on the Dadeville Square, include wreaths, garland and the community Christmas tree, which will go up right out in front of the Tallapoosa County courthouse on Broadnax.

This go-around, the beautification board saw volunteers from all across the area, including Jackson’s Gap and even a few out-of-towners who were once part of the community and have since returned to help with the decorations.

On Nov. 1, beautification board members and volunteers took to the downtown square in the first phase of decorating. Lampposts and sidewalk railings at the local businesses on the square were strung with long strands of garland and red ribbons. Along with wreaths displayed at the top of the lampposts, some of the garland sports twinkling

lights to add even more to the festive spirit. The community tree will be put up at a later date, and it will be lit the afternoon of Nov. 27, just before the lights are turned on for the annual holiday display at Pennington Park down the hill on Spring Street.

“I think we have close to 900 to 1,000 linear feet of garland we put up on the square. It takes a lot of zip tying,” said Forbus’ wife, Elaine, who also serves on the beautification board.

Beautification board members hope to improve the annual displays with additions to the decorations, and the City of Dadeville has donated to the endeavor in the past. With more and more decorations coming year after year, the square lights up even more. This year, one of the newest additions to the decorations are stick trees lit with LED lights.

“The first year that we put the decorations up, they weren’t as impressive as the second year. The next year, we added more garland. People think it’s like a Hallmark Christmas. The square is really looking good anyway because of all the activity downtown, but it’s different around Christmas,” Elaine said.

The decorations will remain up throughout the month of December and will be taken down sometime in January. Be mindful when driving through the square of volunteers decorating alongside the streets.

“It’s a pretty good little program, and we really enjoy it. Everybody who’s involved really enjoys it. I think we’ve gotten a lot of good comments from the city and the surrounding areas from people who saw it and enjoyed the lights,” Forbus said.

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled day in Dadeville on Nov. 27 and witness both the lighting of the community Christmas tree by the beautification board and the lighting ceremony at Pennington Park.

STORY & PHOTO BY BREANNA MANLEY

Making Dadeville Beautiful

Volunteers strung some 1,000 feet of garland around the courthouse square in preparation for holiday events in downtown Dadeville.

Sweet Potato Casserole

My favorite time of the year is fall and Thanksgiving.

I love fall and everything associated with the changing weather. The cooler temperatures, falling leaves, sitting by a fire, s’mores, sweaters, cozy blankets and food – everything needed to make the season perfect. Along with the changing temperature comes my desire to bake fall dishes. Sweet potato casserole is one of the many items that comes to mind when I think about fall weather and Thanksgiving.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the side dishes. Of course, the turkey is great, but the side dishes are the best. This casserole is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and is one of my favorites.

This easy sweet potato casserole is a traditional side dish that always appears on our Thanksgiving table. It’s creamy, delicious and melts in your mouth. It has a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping that completes this dish. It’s perfect for your holiday table or just any time you have a taste for some pure Southern comfort food.

How To Bake Sweet Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes and place them on a sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour or until soft. The time will depend on the size of your potatoes. Let cool. Remove and discard skins. Place in a large bowl and mash with a fork until they are creamy and have no lumps.

Side dish or dessert? This recipe works beautifully for both. Got leftovers? Just warm slightly and add a scoop of ice cream. It will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Tips and Variations

n Look for small to medium-sized potatoes.

n Bake or boil sweet potatoes. This is based on personal preference.

n Add walnuts instead of pecans.

n Add a few marshmallows to the top if desired.

n Add cinnamon for warmth.

n Make this casserole ahead of time. Just keep the topping separate and add to the top before baking. Remove from the refrigerator at least 20 minutes before baking.

So if you’re wondering what to make for your next holiday celebration, add sweet potato casserole to the menu. This has been a family favorite for years, and I’m sure it will wow your guests.

Be sure to check out my blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm, for more holiday recipes.

Ingredients

3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

Topping

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 cup pecans, chopped

Wash sweet potatoes as per directions above. Combine mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup softened butter, milk and vanilla; mix well. Spoon into a greased 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.

GOOD EATS

Combine brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup melted butter and pecans in a bowl; mix well. Drop by tablespoon over the top of the sweet potatoes. Lightly spread the topping over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

~ Gina Abernathy is the author and recipe creator behind the blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

Gina Abernathy

There's a right way to do this

Important tips for fall tree planting

The fall and winter seasons are ideal times to plant landscape trees to beautify homes, businesses and parks and take advantage of benefits trees offer, such as shade, screening and freshened air.

When choosing or planting a landscape tree, think about the mature height of the tree and how much space it will need as it grows. Plant the right tree in the right location. It may be best to stay 50 feet or more from a swimming pool, septic tank, field lines, vegetable garden and flowerbeds. If there are any aboveground or belowground utilities in the area, it may be best to choose another location. If you plant trees in heavy shade, they will probably grow very slowly and might not grow as straight as you would like;

however, early morning and late afternoon shade could be an advantage for species that have thin bark, such as maples.

If you purchase bareroot plants from an Arbor Day tree event or from an online nursery and cannot plant them immediately, they should be healed-in. This means to bury the roots in compost or soil to prevent them from drying out over a few weeks until a later planting date or conditions are favorable for proper planting. This could be as simple as several trees being placed in the same hole or laid down and the roots covered with soil or compost.

To plant, dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the rootball but no deeper than the root system/rootball. It may even be best to dig the

Chip East

Extending Knowledge, Improving Lives

planting hole 2 inches to 4 inches shallower than the root ball. This is important with all trees, but extremely important when planting balled and burlapped trees. These plants are dug and sold with native soil around the root balls, and they sometimes are extremely heavy.

These heavy root balls may be planted at the correct depth but might sink after planting, which could bury the trunk and roots too deep. It is not uncommon for a root ball to sink several inches after being planted in a hole at what seemed to be the correct depth. Even larger, container-grown trees and bareroot or smaller container-grown plants often settle in the planting hole, so pay close attention to getting the depth correct.

After digging the hole to the correct size, check for glazed sidewalls. In a clay soil, it is common to create glazed/slick sidewalls while digging. These slick sidewalls interfere with the roots’ ability to grow past the planting hole and into the undisturbed soil. If you have glazed sidewalls, scar up the slick places with a shovel and continue with the planting procedure.

When planting, a balled and burlapped plant should rest on the firm, undisturbed soil at the bottom of the planting hole. For bareroot trees, spread the roots out broadly over a small mound created in the bottom of the planting hole. For containerized trees, pull the circling roots loose with your fingers or cut

shallow slits in the root ball to encourage the roots to grow outward instead of continuing to grow in the circular pattern. Wash away as much of the potting material as possible and plant as described for a bareroot plant. For large container-grown plants, remove the outer layer of potting mix (this is mostly pine bark) to expose lateral roots.

For Long Life and Beauty

Clockwise from Facing Page: To enhance growth, gouge the sides of a glazed planting hole with the shovel; When staking a young tree, use a non-abrasive cord or a section of garden hose to avoid scarring thin bark; With care and attention, trees will provide shade and spectacular scenery for many years.

Place the tree in the planting hole as straight as possible and at the correct depth. The top of the root ball, or the top roots for bareroot trees or container-grown plants, should be at the soil surface or just above the soil surface. If you have a bareroot plant with a long root that will not fit the planting hole, either dig the hole larger to accommodate the root in an outwardly growing direction or prune the root at the edge of the planting hole. Do not wrap the root around the inside of the planting hole, as this will encourage the root to circle and possibly girdle the tree from underground later in the tree’s life.

Refill the hole with the backfill that was removed from the planting hole. It is not a good practice to amend the backfill soil with organic matter unless you amend the entire planting bed/ area. Partially fill the planting hole with the native soil around the root system while keeping the tree as straight as possible. Use a shovel to break up clods and spread the soil around the roots while trying to eliminate any air pockets.

Adding water can get messy but does a great job in eliminating air pockets. Do not try to eliminate air pockets by stepping on the backfill, as this can cause compaction. Repeat this procedure until the soil is even with the top of the root

ball or even with the top root for bareroot plants.

If you are planting balled and burlapped trees, the burlap needs to be pulled away from the trunk, cut and removed from the top of the rootball. It may be hard to remove all the burlap, especially on a tree placed in a wire basket. The goal in removing some of the burlap is to make sure no burlap is exposed above the top of the rootball. Any exposed burlap above the soil line can act as a wick and will allow moisture to be pulled from the soil. Also, if the “burlap” is a synthetic product, it will not rot, and the roots will have a difficult time growing through it.

If the balled and burlapped tree is in a wire basket, removing the entire wire basket is not recommended; however, the wire (especially the top row) can eventually girdle the tree roots later in life. For this reason, it is a good idea to remove the upper portion of the wire basket after the tree is placed in the planting hole but before all the soil has been added around the root ball.

Water the tree deeply the day it is planted. Keep in mind that soil can be saturated on top but still very dry just a few inches below the surface. It is best to plant trees during the dormant season because they will require much less watering, although it is possible, especially with container-grown trees, to plant during warmer times of year. If a tree is planted during the growing season, it is important to water at planting and any time additional water is needed. This usually means watering every couple of days for a few weeks and continuing to provide some supplemental watering throughout the first summer and fall.

Depending on the size of the tree, it may take 10 to 20 gallons

Doing It Right

Top: The correct way to plant a tree gives it the best chance to survive the trauma of being transplanted; Bottom: Place the tree in the hole as straight as possible and at the correct depth.

of water to sufficiently water the tree at planting. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter (near ground level). For example, a 5-inch diameter tree would need 10 gallons every couple of days with decreasing frequency and increasing volume over time.

Mulch is important to keep the soil cool and conserve moisture, and it will aid in weed management. Pine straw and pine bark make excellent mulches, but other materials could be used, too. The mulch should be spread about four times the diameter of the root ball. For large trees, this could be 6 feet to 8 feet from the tree, and a 4-foot mulch diameter should be a minimum for young trees.

The mulch layer should be no more than 1 inch deep over the root ball, but 2 inches to 3 inches from the edge of the root ball and beyond. The mulch layer should be very thin, if any, at the trunk and should never be piled up against the trunk (also referred to as “volcano mulching”), as this can cause various diseases. Managing weeds and mulching around the tree will greatly increase its growth and eliminate the need for mowing or string trimming around the trunk. Do not use a string trimmer around the trunk of the tree.

Most of the time, containergrown and balled and burlapped trees do not need staking, but pay attention to the trees. If stability is a problem, staking is encouraged. Do not drive a stake on top of the root system or even into the fresh planting hole. Drive a stake or stakes in the harder ground outside the planting hole. Feed your string or wire through a piece of old water hose to protect the tree from being girdled from the staking materials.

Leave the tree staked for no more than one growing season. It is also a good idea to check the tree periodically to make sure the staked tree is growing properly and the stakes or staking materials are not causing any problems.

These are just a few thoughts for proper tree planting and care. Remember to plant the right tree in the right place.

For additional help with home and garden information, contact your local county Extension office or visit us online at aces.edu

~ Dr. Chip East is a Regional Extension Agent for Commercial Horticulture for Alabama Cooperative Extension.

Everyday Grandeur

Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out. Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL US AT 334.749.8165 OR VISIT WWW.NATIONALVILLAGE.COM.

Respawn Arcade

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

Jessica Duncan and her husband, James, had a space problem b 2014Before they opened existence of Respawn Arcade, Pinball and E-Sports in September at 148 Calhoun St. in Alexander City. They, couple owners Jessica and James Duncan had filled their entire basement with theira massive arcade collection. BeforeThey had designatinged their basement as the video game hub when the , they had collection outgrew their collection iin a spare room within their houseof their home.

, but as their collection grew, they needed a bigger space.

Duncan, a proud Wetumpka native, and James, an Alexander City native, marriedJames married in 2014 and decided to settled down in Alexander City, James’ hometown. Along with their new businessarcade venture, both Duncan and James havehold full time jobs in the area.

“I teach in the EMS department at Southern Union in Opelika, and my husband is a firefighter and paramedic

with the Alexander City Fire Department,” Duncan said. They couple started collecting arcade machines in 2015, and their collection is still ongoinggrowing. They already due to a recent purchased of a pinball machine just this month.

With encouragement from friends and family, the couple decided to opened anthe arcade in townwhere their collection is not only on display but also is operational. that could spark interest for anyone who decides to stop by.

“Every person that ever came over to our basement to hang out and play games said we needed to open an arcade, but we weren’t sure because we have full time jobs and kids,” Duncan said. “W and we’re just busy. We started talking about it though and kind of looking at the future. We just kind of happened into this place, and it worked out,.” Duncan said.

Before opening anthe arcade was even on the couple’s radar, they enjoyed played the games with their son. According to Duncan, instead of flipping a coin as others might to settle a question, in theis family, they will often challenge each other to a game or two.

“We’ve always liked to play games. We’ve collected standard video games for pretty much our entire lives, and we played arcade games growing up. We always assumed they were really expensive; and then, one day, my husband was scrolling through Craigslist looking for something else when he found an arcade game. It was broken, but it was in our price range. He’s very mechanically inclined. He’s good with fixing stuff, so he started researching. We ended up buying it, and he was able to fix it,” Duncan said.

After their first arcade machine purchase, the couple continued to shop arcade machines online on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

“We just started looking from then on out. We thought they were thousands of dollars, but we found that they were more in the price range of a few hundred dollars. Little did we know that there were lots more for lots more money, but we started looking for ones that were broken or messed up. We would purchase them and fix them up. We got to the point where we filled the room that the machines were originally sitting in, so we cleared out the basement,” Duncan explained.

When coming across machines on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, the couple found they had to move fast to snatch up the machines. With a growing number of collectors, moving fast is key in obtaining a new piece.

“Back when gas was a lot cheaper, we wouldn’t think anything of hopping in the car and driving to the Atlanta area and pick one up. It wasn’t a big deal back then,” she explained.

Through time spent searching for games, they connected with other collectors and sellers. These connections have proved a good thing for them, leading them to even more games.

“A friend of ours actually vends them still. He gets lots of machines from all over the country. He’s from Goodwater, and

When Games are Your Hobbby

Previous Pages: Respawn Arcade occupies a former pawn shop on Calhoun Street; Clockwise from Above Left: Jessica and James Duncan have been collecting pinball and video games for more than six years; They hope to host and stream e-sports game competitions; pinball machines are as popular today as they were 50 years ago.

there are sellers all over,” Duncan said. “Nowadays, it’s a lot harder than it once was to come by these types of games. People are more interested in it, and prices have gone up a lot. There’s a pinball machine we bought for $4,000, an excellent price for that type of machine; now, its value is nearing $6,500. The value of these machines has gone up, which makes it hard to find a cheap machine. This hobby is not for the lighthearted. If you’re patient, deals can be made, but you have to be ready to go right then,” she explained. Opening Respawn seemed like the perfect way to display the couple’s collection. With endless games at their fingertips, visitors could find a variety of great ways to spend some time with friends and family.

In addition, the Duncans hope to host E-Sports competitions as the business grows, reaching an even bigger crowd. E-Sports are electronic sports competitions wherein which multiple multi players battle it out on some of the most thrilling games. With a growing popularity surrounding E-Sports, theis global audience continues to grow, becomingas a fun way for gamers to compete against each other. Some E-Sport competitions are even live-streamed, which has only attractedattracts more gamers and audience members alike.

The growing popularity of E-Sport competitions is known to draw crowds from all over. With plans to host these events in the future at the arcade, tourism numbers withinin the area could increase.

The arcade operates from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. Respawn is closed on Sundays.

Mental Health in our Schools

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

Steadily increasing rates of anxiety and depression in adolescents across the country have prompted local school systems to up their efforts in connecting area students with help.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of adolescents feeling persistently sad or hopeless has increased by 40 percent since 2009. With the pandemic, numbers have continued to steadily rise when it comes to the mental health of adolescents. Teenage girls are especially affected. According to the CDC, hospital admissions data shows the number of teenage girls who have been suicidal has increased by 50 percent since 2019.

Look for these signs of mental health issues in children

partnership, schools provide additional resources through counseling services. The Alexander City School System hired Amber Seymour, a mental health coordinator, who serves all of the schools within the city’s system. Seymour assists not only the students but also families of students in finding mental health resources in the surrounding area.

n Loss of interest

Mood swings

Self esteem issues

Mental health assistance is available for students at little or no cost.

Contact a counselor at your local school or your physician for more information.

Both Alexander City’s and the Tallapoosa County school systems are increasingly active in aiding students in the growing mental health crisis, which ramped up during the pandemic. With an alarming increase in youths experiencing mental health symptoms, local school systems providing resources is one of many avenues in combatting the issues that student in kindergarten through grade 12 face.

Both local school systems in Tallapoosa County maintain ongoing partnerships with the East Alabama Mental Health Center to provide services for students in all local schools. The center works with schools on a caseby-case basis through a referral process.

Along with this

“The position was created in the fall of 2020 because they saw such a need,” Seymour explained.

Seymour’s position was created with help from the State Department of Education and a successful grant application on the school system’s part. While Seymour oversees all of the schools within the Alexander City School system, numerous counselors are available to students at each school directly.

Alexander City Schools uses two primary programs. The first is called Youth Mental Health First Aid, and it helps teachers and other staff in approaching the topic of mental health with students.

“I hold an assembly to teach the staff what to say if a kid comes to them in crisis and how to help them until we get someone who can help them,” Seymour explained.

The second program is geared toward the students.

“We also have a program called Rhythm for the students. It’s a social check in. Students will answer questions each morning, and it goes straight to the teacher. No one else can see their answers, and they can type notes if needed. That way, the teacher knows if they need to check in,” she said.

Additional resources also are available throughout the communities. One of Seymour’s top recommendations is the Nan Coley Murphy Counseling Center in Alexander City. The services the center provides cover a majority of health concerns, both mental and behavioral.

“If I have to go through the process of talking to a parent about their child, I usually refer them to the Nan Coley Counseling Center. They take Medicaid, and it’s just a great

resource,” Seymour said.

Another option for parents is to take children to their regular pediatrician or physician, who can refer patients to local or regional resources.

In addition, numerous online resources are available for kids of all ages. Online therapy erupted during the pandemic and still serves as a way for those suffering from mental health issues to find help. One of the most popular online therapy platforms, Better Help, offers discounts for students. If a child is uneasy about seeking help within the community, sites like Better Help might provide unique means of meeting that need through videos, phone calls or messaging.

“I think online therapy can still be helpful,” Seymour said. “There’s nothing like getting that face-to-face interaction, but I definitely think online therapy could be helpful and could still solve some of the problems youth are facing.”

Though the stigma around mental health is decreasing, children still might be hesitant to open up and talk about issues. But they could feel better supported as parents and school systems closely working together to improve students’ mental health.

“I’ve seen a huge increase in the support for mental health from parents, the community and school staff. If we continue to move in the direction that we’re moving now, trying to understand mental health, I think things will improve,” Seymour said.

For parents having difficulty connecting with their children on this tough subject, Seymour believes there are a few easy indicators that a problem is present.

“Look out for loss of interest. If you’re a parent and you see your kid losing interest, dig into that and ask

questions. I would also say excessive moodiness, mood swings. Just really ask the questions. Another common sign is self esteem issues. They need support, and that can easily be addressed, but parents need to ask,” Seymour explained.

A More Visible Need School officials said the pandemic brought more attention to an existing problem.

Signs vary from age to age. Students in elementary school will oftentimes not voice their concerns. High school students are able to verbalize and discuss issues they’re facing but might still need a push, along with support from the adults in their lives.

According to Jim Pearson’s counselor, Brittney Kelly, the elementary school in Alexander City focuses on helping students express themselves through lessons, in case verbalizing is difficult for the students.

“At this level, students sometimes have a hard time expressing in words what might be going on with them emotionally. We work on learning how to express our feelings in guidance lessons,” Kelly explained.

Both Kelly and Seymour believe the pandemic did some good in calling attention to the mental health of our youth.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, check the appropriate school websites, all of which provide links to local, regional and nationwide resources. If you want to contact someone at your child’s school, check in with the counselor or school nurse.

“It’s going to be hard and a lot of work, but worth it in the end,’ Seymour said.

Leadership changes at TPI

STORY BY KAITLIN FLEMING

After six and a half years, Steve Baker is retiring from the position of publisher at Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

The company has announced that Tippy Hunter, the former director of marketing and advertising, stepped into the role of general manager.

“I am very excited about Tippy Hunter taking the general manager’s position,” said Kenneth Boone, owner of TPI and chairman of Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines. “She’s a hometown girl who is very involved in our community and a natural leader to TPI.”

Hunter is a native of Alexander City, a graduate of Benjamin Russell High School and Auburn University and has been at TPI for 11 years. Before TPI, Hunter worked at Russell Athletic in merchandising and development, selling products to businesses across the country.

“When I joined TPI 11 years ago, I had no idea where it would lead,” Hunter said. “Being a part of Steve Baker’s legacy is an honor, and I look forward to continuing the mission of TPI by leading our staff into the next phase of growth and development.”

Hunter said this promotion wasn’t something that was originally on her radar, but she’s passionate about the company and the community.

“I care about the community and the company,” Hunter said. “I am excited to continue building on the momentum of Steve’s tenure. TPI has really taken off in the last five or six years. I’m looking forward to continuing a strong relationship with the community and continuing

to see the company thrive.”

TPI owns and operates four newspapers, two monthly magazines, five special edition magazines and a robust digital presence of print products. The company was recognized by Harvard’s Neiman Journalism Lab in 2018 as one of the leading newspaper companies growing in digital success, as well as being named one of the “Top 10 Newspapers Doing it Right” by Editor & Publisher. TPI has also recently won dozens of awards at the annual Alabama Press Association Media Awards banquet, including general excellence for the fourth year in a row.

“Steve’s done a terrific job here at Tallapoosa Publishers,” Boone said. “He joined us at the end of challenging economic times; and then, went through the pandemic with us. Through it all, he brought us well into the digital age. I am especially proud of how he has become an important part of our community. We are really going to miss him.”

Baker is planning to spend his retired days with his family and is excited to spend days with his grandchildren. But he has no worries about TPI or the future leadership of the company.

“Tippy Hunter is well equipped to continue to move this organization forward,” said Baker, who has spent 42 years in the newspaper industry and has been a big supporter of the local community.

“TPI had some challenges in the beginning, but the strong leadership in the community and the newspaper helped,” Baker said. “It’s a terrific community.”

Baker’s last day at the company was Oct. 28.

Tippy Hunter

Holiday Shopping on a Budget

The holidays have long been synonymous with spending money. This year, as inflation weighs on people’s wallets, there will be challenges for those already on tight budgets. Indeed, it can be easy to overspend. According to a recent survey, last year’s holiday spending levels left more than one quarter of Americans regretting some of their buying decisions.

How can you celebrate an exciting holiday season without damaging your financial health? The key is in the planning. Here are a few tips to spend less and save more this year:

n Create a budget. Figure out who and what you’ll be shopping for, along with any other expenses you might run into this holiday season. Gifts, decorations, parties – they all need to be included. Assign a budget for each category to establish parameters for your spending. This approach also helps you adjust if your plans need to change. Perhaps someone else volunteers to host the holiday party, freeing up that budget to be used to cover some gifts you wanted to purchase.

n Make a list (and yes, check it twice). If you start shopping without a list of gifts you need,

you can easily end up with things you don’t need, like a new sweater for the dog, but no gift for a niece. Keep your list updated by tracking ideas and purchases. I encourage people to use the Notes app on their phones for easy access to make updates.

MONEY MATTERS

n Compare prices before you buy. Look up prices online and check multiple retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you see a lower price at a store after you’ve bought an item, check whether the store offers price adjustments. If you know what you’re looking for, there are ample opportunities to shop various sales and deals, whether it’s Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Grier

n Get creative. A store-bought gift might be fine for some folks on your list, but for others, maybe a homemade (and more cost-effective) gift would be

Teresa

better to show how much you care. Repurposing existing materials or visiting second-hand stores could offer additional ways to minimize your spending.

n Enjoy free entertainment. There’s no time like the holidays to find free fun. Search out events in your community, like tree lightings or sleigh rides, where all you spend is a few dollars for a hot chocolate. Then look closer to home to engage friends or family in a holiday movie marathon or a hotly contested dreidel match.

n Check your interest rates. Last year, 65 percent of holiday spending was paid for with credit cards. Before you use your credit card this holiday season, make sure you’re getting the best interest rate. If your annual percentage rate is higher than you’d like, consider using a card with a lower interest rate or transferring your balance. Seek out offers with lower interest rates for those with good credit, along with offers for cards that allow you to earn cash back on purchases. A few minutes of homework about your credit cards could pay off in big savings over the holiday season.

~ Teresa Grier is vice president, market manager, at Valley Bank, Alexander City branch. She has been banking in the area for 35 years.

FEATURED EVENT Calendar AnChristmasEclectic

Make reservations now for this remarkable community effort to share the spirit of Christmas. An Eclectic Christmas invites visitors to the Falk Farm Dec. 1 through 10 as the story of Christ’s birth unfolds on a walking trail journey into the Roman Empire.

At long last, they will arrive at a humble stable where a baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes and resting in a manger.

Tours start every 15 minutes between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, 4 and 10). Admission to this unique holiday experience is $5 per person. Reservations are highly recommended, as the tours fill quickly. Limited golf cart tours are offered for visitors with mobility issues. Visit aneclecticministry.org for reservations and more information.

Everyone Must Be Counted

Walkers will feel the rumble of horses and hear the bellows of Roman soldiers ordering compliance with Caesar’s census decree. They will make their way to Bethlehem to watch and listen as angels deliver the message of the holy birth to shepherds in the field. They will visit the city market and narrowly escape enslavement if they can pay off the tax collector, and they’ll run across the wise men who search for the newborn King.

A Roman soldier on horseback tells a family of peasants they must journey to their state of origin for the census.

An Eclectic Christmas is a production of An Eclectic Ministry, an independent nonprofit and nondenominational organization of volunteers who create productions, events and works in the community.

LAKE REGION EVENTS

Now to Dec. 11

Tis the Season to Shop Local

Get a stamp for every $10 spent at a participating Alexander City Chamber of Commerce business, and at $50, write your name and phone number on the card and turn it in to be entered in a drawing for a $250 gift card. When you turn in one card, be sure to pick up another and keep shopping − enter as many times as you want. For details, visit alexcitychamber.com/tis-theseason.

Nov. 17

ACMC Holiday Market

Alex City Methodist Church at 1020 11th Ave. North will hold a holiday market from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shop wreaths, candles, baked goods, goat milk soaps and lotions, handmade earrings, applique, aprons, signs, blankets, tea towels and more.

Nov. 19

10th Annual Horseshoe Bend Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk

Make room for those Thanksgiving calories by burning a few in advance at this fun-filled 5K race to support the Horseshoe Bend School cross-country team. The race begins at 8 a.m. at Horseshoe Bend School in New Site. Awards will be presented to the top male and female runners in each age group. Not a runner? Join the walkers and enjoy a fall day outdoors. Entry fee is $30. Register by Nov. 4 to get an event shirt. Sign up at runsignup.com/ Race/AL/NewSite/HBSTTurkeyTrot. Email HBHSRUNS@gmail.com for details.

Nov. 25

Holiday Bazaar and Christmas at Crossroads

Make sure the kids have their lists ready for Santa because the Jolly Old Elf will usher in the season at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be seasonal crafts for the kids while adults wrap up shopping with unique items from lake area artisans at the Holiday Bazaar. The fare will include jewelry, soaps, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture and many more handcrafted items. The bazaar will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, email Robert Gunn at rgunn@russelllands.com.

Nov. 27

Pennington Park Tree Lighting

More than 200 residents turn out for the tree lighting and concert by the Dadeville Community Chorus at Dadeville’s Pennington Park at sunset.

Dec. 2- 4

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Alexander City Theatre II will stage this holiday classic on the Betty Carol Graham Center stage at Central Alabama Community College at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Admission is free for this heartwarming story about how a family of juvenile delinquents reveals the true meaning of Christmas to their community. Local children and adults lead a cast of more than 30 to welcome the spirit of Christmas.

Dec. 3

Breakfast with Santa Bring the children to Dadeville Performing Arts Center for arts activities, goodies and a visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children will explore centers to create music, make art and visit with Santa. This event limited to 25 children at each session. Admission is $20 per person, and each child must be accompanied by an adult. For details and reservations, email kim.walls@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Dec. 4

Christmas Cantata

Red Ridge United Methodist Church at the intersection of state Route 49 and county Road 34 will host its annual Christmas Cantata at 9:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary. The public is welcome.

Dec. 4

Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade

Dadeville’s annual holiday parade takes a new spin this year with the formation of its own 501(c)3 organization, a new route and renewed dedication to its beneficiary, the Dadeville High School band. In addition to the host of food vendors and displays by local artisans from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the parade will start at

2:30 p.m. at DHS and process down South Street, turn at Spring Street and again at Lafayette Street before returning to the high school. For entry information, contact Rhonda Gaskins at 256-749-3644.

Dec. 5

Christmas Parade

Come out to light up the night when the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade winds its way through the streets of Alexander City to spread cheer and welcome Santa. Spectators line the parade route down Cherokee Road, up Church Street and past Strand Park to watch bands and dance troups perform and see the festive floats. This year’s parade theme is Santa’s Helpers.

Dec. 9

Annual Christmas Concert

Students of violinist Irene Levin will present their annual Christmas concert at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at St. James Episcopal Church at 435 S. Central Ave. in Alexander City. Eloise Franklin will be the featured musician. This event is free and open to the public.

Dec. 13

Dadeville Community Chorus Christmas Concert

Come sing along at 7 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center as the chorus presents a concert and hand bell ensemble to celebrate the Christmas season. Admission is $10.

Season-long Events

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the third Wednesday of the month at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds. Meetings are followed by an open studio program, which also is open to the public. Club dues are $20 for the year.

Dulcimer Club

All levels of mountain dulcimer and blending traditional instruments are invited to gather at Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays to rehearse for performances at a variety

LAKE REGION EVENTS

of community events. Club fee is $25 annually. Performer memberships, patron memberships or quarterly memberships are $30. Email kim. walls@dadevilleperformingartscenter. com.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge, the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. You will see an example of each manufacturer’s highest horsepower cars of 1970, from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Buick, Porsche and Oldsmobile. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. To arrange discounted group or private tours, email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@ gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.

Dadeville Community Chorus

Rehearsals will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Dadeville Performing Arts Center for a Dec. 13 performance. There also will be a performance at Pennington Park Nov. 27. Email kim.walls@ dedevilleperformingartscenters.com.

Rhythm-Antics

Join this music exploration course from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Thursdays at Dadeville Performing Arts Center with Kim Walls. For all levels and ages, this class will teach students to read, write, play, sing and move to music rhythms. No need to know how to read music to start. The class will use a variety of classroom instruments, such as percussion, recorders and hand bells. No materials necessary. Email kim.walls@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

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

Lake Martin Creativity

This group meets every Monday at 1 p.m. in the downstairs community room at the StillWaters Residential Building. Anyone interested in arts and crafts is encouraged to join. Bring something to work on or come see what others are doing. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the use of the space. For more information, contact Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506.

Fiber Fridays

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

Millerville Trade Day

Bibb Graves School on state Route 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m with free outside setup for vendors, yard sale, flea market and swap meet items (no food vendors). Donations from sales to BGHS Alumni and Friends Association would be appreciated. There will be a designated area to bring vehicles for sale with $20 donation to BGHSAFA upon sale. For information, contact Bruce Lowery at 205-522-5794.

Library Storytime in Dadeville

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

Children’s Library in Alexander City

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

Santuck Flea Market

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

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit

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

$20 on the 20th

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

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

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

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus. Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

Real Island Supper

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

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. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature in the wild and the outdoor classroom. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

Marinas

Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

3. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

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

19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600

397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853

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

Restaurants & Venues

8 SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Acapulco Mexican Grill 334-283-2725

2867 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078

Business & Shopping

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

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Road, Alex City, AL 35010

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

8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

Dark Insurance 256-234-5026

www.darkinsuranceagency.com

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010

Aronov Realty Lake Martin 256-825-4133 6928 AL-49 S Stillwaters Hwy, Dadeville, AL 36853

Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847

21300 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717 8421 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Hotels & Lodges

Creekside Lodge 256-307-1440 6993 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches

Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Lake Pointe Baptist Church 8352 AL-50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293

Dock Builders

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

180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 Docks Unlimited LLC 256-203-8400 6400 Highway 63 S., Alex City, AL 35010

Recreation & Entertainment

Dixie Sailing Club 767 New Hope Church Road Alexander City, Al 35010

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ALEXANDER CITY

Robinson Iron

A & M Plumbing

Carlos

The Body Shop

Walgreens

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics

Karen Channell - State Farm

Insurance

North Lake Condo

River Bend Store

River North Marina

Lake Martin Building Supply

Petro

Sho'Nuff BBQ

Hair Design

Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture

Longleaf Antique Mall

Playhouse Cinemas

Chamber of Commerce

Winn Dixie

Tippy Canoe

Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office

Wind Creek Gate

Wind Creek Store

Willow Point Office

Willow Point Country Club

Smith Marina Nails

Kowaliga Marina

Kowaliga Restaurant

Children's Harbor

Catherine's Market

Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate

Valley Bank

McKelvey Chevrolet

Renfroe's Market

Foshee's Boat Doc

Lakeshore Pharmacy

Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition

Sweet Pickins

Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Jim's Pharmacy

Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club

Abernathy Farm Supply 17

Alabama Shakespeare Festival 2

Alexander Landscaping 8

Alex City Plumbing 13

AVSP 47

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation 6

C&C Wood Products 6

Central Alabama Appraisal 43

City of Wetumpka 21

Coosa Valley MRI 49

DAVCO Development 49

Diamond Golf Cars 51

Docks 911 49

Electronic Technology Group 49

Four Seasons 49

George Hardy, D.M.D 6

Gogue Performing Arts Center 35

Grove Station 43

Heritage South Credit Union 5

Highway 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 49

Hinson Galleries 51

Jack Ingram Motors 29

Jes & Gray Living 3

Jim DeBardelaben 8

Karen Channell, State Farm 49

Kowaliga Whole Health 49

Lake Martin Dock 29, 49

Lake Martin Pressure Washing 49

Lake Martin Wedding & Events 13

LiveOak Caregivers 17

Medhealth 35

MidAlabama Fireworks 32

Nail's Convenience Store 13

National Village 25

OBGYN Associates of Montgomery 5

Precise Pressure Washing 49

Prime Home Health 8

Raining Dogs Gallery 49

Red Flag Pest Control 6

ReKindle the Past 13

River Region Dermatology 46

Russell Medical 52

Salvation Army 49

Satterfield, Inc 5

Southern Sash 12

Southern Star Farms 13

Sunrise Docks 32

Tallassee Health & Rehab 12

The Well Counseling Center 13

The Wright Design 13

TowBoatUS 46

Tree Man 46

US Bank 12

Vacation Rental Management 46 Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce 17

Will Tampling, Keller Williams 48

Thanksgiving at Home

Where delicious dressing and great stories originate

I

have travel and Thanksgiving food on my mind. I probably need one more coffee to try to make sense of this column, but what I want to say is that the best part of traveling is coming home. The holidays involve going home for a lot of people. It’s funny how many Southerners have two homes. Home is where you live, but it’s also where your people live. When I was growing up, both sets of my grandparents lived in Alexander City, so we never had to travel anywhere. Family came to us.

The late celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

I write a lot about traveling because all the good stories are in the car, on the horse, in the boat or in the air. Travel is just going from point A to point B.

I am happy to report that I finally shook the dust off my red Samsonite last month and conquered the Atlanta airport for the first time since the pandemic. I flew to Baltimore and attended the birthday dinner of a friend in Washington, D.C. It was a fast 48hour trip with no turbulence.

Culture Shock

spaces and clear starry skies where the most stress you will experience on the road is when you get behind a dump truck on State route 63.

All that to say, as I look through cookbooks for new Thanksgiving dishes to try, I feel fortunate that I will travel only 30 minutes this year to Opelika where we will be frying Thanksgiving turkeys at my brother’s place. True to tradition, I’ll make the dressing again (If your dressing is ever too runny, just keep stuffing white bread in it. It will firm up). We will mix bloody Marys and laugh about a wrecked minivan, my grandmother (Ma) putting Koon’s Korner casseroles in her own serving dishes to pass off as her own, and the time I made the collards too spicy to eat at the Howells.

The older I get, the more I value the tradition of such things and day drinking red wine with my people. Hopefully, we’ll get a few new stories out of this year.

I used to hop on a plane every week for work in my 20s and lived out of hotels. I do not miss that. I barely made it to Atlanta on time, and now that I am in my 30s, I realize I have changed. I increasingly love small towns (everywhere), and I hate traffic.

I realize why everyone wants to move to our Lake Martin area. As a realtor, it’s an easy sell. Wide open

If you are welcoming tired travelers to your home, go easy on them if they came from the airport. If they show up by car and look ready to kill each other, ask them how many things happened between Birmingham and your driveway. I am sure it’ll be enough to fill a book. Happy holidays, y’all.

~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram@LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page.

Lacey Howell