MERRY CHRISTMAS LAKE MARTIN Lake Cleanup Honor Roll Christmas Boat Parade
DECEMBER 2021
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Custom Home Builder | Interior & Exterior Remodels Additions | Outdoor Living Spaces | Seawalls
David Robinette | Steve Fuller Andrew McGreer 205-383-9222
DECEMBER 2021 lakemar tinsignatureconstruc tion.com
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Letter from the Editor
Staff
O
ne thing that put me in a Christmas state of mind this year was chatting with Stephanie Phillips about the traditions her family observes every year. From gathering greenery for the handmade garlands that decorate her home to the Christmas Adam pajama party and picture she tells us about in the article on page 36, Christmas is extra special at the Phillips’ house, and I hope it is in your house, too. Early in my own family’s clergy life, we learned that, while truly wonderful and awe inspiring every year, Christmas also is incredibly exhausting, not only for my husband whose whole month is extra active, but also for the rest of us, who go and do with him and for him all month long. Christmas Day traditionally is our recovery day. We sleep late and, later on, open gifts in our pajamas. In fact, we might just stay in our pajamas all day, napping at will and grazing through the cupboards because no one has the energy to actually cook. Our grownup children tend to plan on coming home, not as much for Christmas Day, but they are excited to be with us on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. My husband’s mother grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, and his father was from Toronto, Ontario. Since they were Canadian, it was natural that we would adopt this traditional English holiday and, coupled with our clergy lifestyle, that it would become a day of celebration for us. While several theories of Boxing Day’s origins circulate, Nana and Papa taught us that Boxing Day was the day that house servants in English manor homes celebrated with their families. They boxed up the leftovers from the manor house Christmas dinner and gathered with extended family. In the meantime, on the day after Christmas, the manor house residents boxed up used items to give to charity. We do neither of these things on Boxing Day. Instead, we prepare a meal of our favorite holiday dishes, watch old movies, read the books we received as gifts and play board games, dominoes and cribbage. We laugh until we cry – over and over again – we hug often, and we feel very special because we get to stretch the celebration out for an extra day. So this year, I wish all of you a blessed and holy Christmas filled with the love of family, friends and your own special traditions. And also, I wish you a wonderful Boxing Day, whatever you choose to make it.
Chairman KENNETH BOONE
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Publisher STEVE BAKER
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Magazine Department Manager BRITTANY SMITH editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Editor BETSY ILER
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Art Director AUDRA SPEARS
audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation ERIN BURTON
erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER
tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH
rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com
MARILYN HAWKINS
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CARSON WAGES
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BRITTANY HORNSBY
brittany.hornsby@alexcityoutlook.com
KERRIE THOMPSON
kerrie.thompson@alexcityoutlook.com
CATHY PARR
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Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER
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Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON GREG VINSON PAXTON TIDWELL CLIFF WILLIAMS SIRI HEDREEN
PETE MCKENNY ANDY ANDERS STEVE ARNBERG HARRY DENEGRE JOHN THOMPSON JAKE ARTHUR
All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281
Betsy Iler, Editor
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DECEMBER 2021
On the Cover
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A single, simple Christmas tree alight in white proclaims the joy of the season at Brett and Stephanie Phillips' dock. The tree once belonged to neighbors that put it on their own dock. "It was a tradition," Stephanie Phillips told us. When the neighbors moved away, the Phillips family got the tree, so the Lake Martin tradition would continue through the years. Photo by Kenneth Boone
YV
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DECEMBER 2021
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Don’t Forget, We’re On Mobile Too! You can find all the most recent breaking news stories from Tallapoosa County and the Lake Martin region right in your back pocket! Visit us at www.alexcityoutlook.com
256.234.4281 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
DECEMBER 2021 10/18/21 4:55 PM
Contents 20. RENEW OUR RIVERS HONOR ROLL Some 400 volunteers turned out for this year's cleanup around the lake 26. LAKE MARTIN IN LIGHTS An inaugural boat parade will launch Dec. 18 to benefit lake area charities
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28. CHRISTMAS AT THE LAKE A host of parades, plays and parties could make this Christmas at the lake the best ever 36. ELVISH CHARM Santa's elves find a joyful, happy Lake Martin home in which to celebrate the season
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES: 9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 11. WHERE IS LAKE? 13. LETTER TO EDITOR 14. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 32. NATURE OF THE LAKE
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46. LAKE PROPERTY 49. HOBO 51. FAB FINDS 52. HEALTHY LIVING 54. CHEF'S TABLE 57. BIG CATCHES 59. PAR FOR THE COURSE
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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.
DECEMBER 2021
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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
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OFF WATER
OFF WATER
OFF WATER
First Baptist Church Court Square, Alexander City 256-234-6351
Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa Street, Alexander City 256-234-6494
Hillabee Baptist Church Hillabee Road, Alexander City 256-234-6798
Red Ridge United Methodist Church 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078 334-252-8618 (12 Miles South of Lake Martin)
First Baptist Church 178 South Tallassee Street, Dadeville 256-825-6232
St. James Episcopal Church South Central Avenue, Alexander City 256-234-4752
First United Methodist Church 310 Green Street, Alexander City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Street, Dadeville 256-825-4404 First Presbyterian Church 371 Jefferson Street, Alexander City 256-329-0524
Lake Martin Baptist Church 9823 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist Church La 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293 Faith Temple Church 425 Franklin Street, Alexander City 256-234-6421
DECEMBER 2021
St John The Apostle Catholic Church 454 North Central Avenue Alexander City, Al 35010 256-234-3631 Flint Hill United Methodist Church 2858 Flint Hill Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-5047 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy 280 Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 256-825-2555
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month
Number of sales
Average selling price
Median selling price
Days on the market
Total houses for sale
31 23 26
$1,090527 $553,774 $540,602
$915,300 $485,000 $547,500
101 145 179
59 216 291
October 2021 October 2018 October 2015
Inventory/ sales ratio 1.77 8.44 10.21
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).
Give the gift of safety to someone you love this year With the holidays around the corner, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a buying guide for technology geeks and anyone interested in innovation that increases safety aboard a boat. Today’s portable, floating handheld VHF radios can be used anywhere aboard a boat and are a great communications-navigation solution. The newest handhelds incorporate GPS, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), one-button distress, Bluetooth, FM receivers and even SOS blinking lights, giving boaters more ways than ever to speed a rescue. Models start at $200. Just a little bigger than a breath mint box, today’s personal locator beacons can be carried in a shirt or lifevest pocket or easily attached to clothing or outerwear. Prices start at a little over $100. Today’s smallest inflatable life
A personal locator beacon could be a great stocking stuffer
jackets, worn belt-style across the waist, are incredibly not much larger than a box of mac and cheese; however, while they do provide for U.S. Coast Guard life jacket wear requirements, manually activated inflatables need to be donned while in the water and are not intended for
Weather Outlook for December December 2021 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the upper 50s with average lows in the mid 30s and nearly 5.5 inches of precipitation in the month of December.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will lean above average and rainfall averages will be lower than normal this month.
Year to Date
Precipitation: 42.19 inches Avg. high temp.: 75.6 Avg. low temp.: 53.5 Avg. temp.: 64.5
Our Normal December Precipitation: 5.47 inches Avg. high temp.: 58.4 Avg. low temp.: 34.9 Avg. temp.: 46.6
Information from the National Weather Service.
DECEMBER 2021
the unconscious. For that, harnessstyle inflatables can be utilized in automatic mode, which will keep the victim’s head above the water. Belt-style life jackets generally start at under $100, while harness-styles start around $150. At about $200, hybrid life jackets also offer a mix of inflation and foam floatation, keeping them smaller, yet, allowing for comfort and a full range of movement. Technology has even come to the basic throwable device, a U.S. Coast Guard-required safety item meant to be kept within arm’s reach while underway. The newest throwable devices are small, simple to stow and touted as easy to toss to a crewmate in the water. Once the device hits the water, a rescue yellow raft automatically inflates, offering a minimum of 20 pounds of floatation. Prices start around $150. Staff report
Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 487.78 Lowest: 484.93 Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.
Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
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Lake Scene n People & Places
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Lucy the city dog from Birmingham loves fishing at Lake Martin. (2) Adaline Lawhorn turned 4 years old at Lake Martin. (3) Randy McClendon caught this bald eagle surveying the lake area on a clear summer day. (4) This great blue heron has taken a liking to Tony Johnson's boathouse and pier, appearing several times a day. (5) Willa Grace and Margaret McClendon, 5-year-old twin daughters of Ryan and Anna McClendon, love fishing from the pier of Big Mac and Mini Mac’s lake house in Cedar Point. (6) While we don't know if the anglers in this photo had any luck, photographer Kyle Thornton sure made a great catch. (7) As the sunrises over Smith Mountain, Tony captures the wonderful artwork that is Lake Martin.
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Where is Lake n People & Places
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Anita Holley, Brenda Moseley and Margaret Day shared Lake Magazine with the butterflies at Callaway Gardens. (2) Scott Cone and Liz Lowe took Lake magazine to Roatan, where they love to scuba dive. (3) Robert and Rhonda Gaskins took Lake magazine to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (4) Johnny Spears took Lake magazine along on a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida. (5) Kim McAdams, Betsy Iler, Maria Elliott, Rebecca Raulerson, Paula Smalley, Ralph Shuey, Isabel Evans, Bill Curry, Rita Winters, Kevin Fouts and Laura Carlson, spouses of clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, took Lake magazine on retreat to Camp McDowell. (6) John and Susan Prophitt and Nina and Tony Johnson stopped at Yellowstone National Park with Lake before heading home to Lake Martin.
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Lake Martin’s Marine Construction Company 6732 Highway 63 South, Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 | (256) 392-5200 | www. sunrisedock sllc.com
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DECEMBER 2021
LETTER TO THE EDITOR BY JOHN THOMPSON
Dear Editor of Lake magazine, The 2021 LMRA Renew Our Rivers Lake Martin Community cleanup was the most successful overall cleanup ever in the 18-year history of this annual event. There were volunteers working together in removing both roadside litter and shoreline trash from most of the high traffic areas surrounding Lake Martin. The total weight of the removed trash was nowhere near the 21 tons that was removed in 2019 but the clean roadsides that resulted from the hundreds of volunteers battling the chilly weather while removing unsightly litter from our “treasured” community was a joy to behold. Thanks to Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands, Green for Life, TowBoat Lake Martin, Lake Martin Dock, Wind Creek Park, Lake Magazine
and Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors for supporting this effort. Combining these groups with the recruiting efforts of super volunteers Jerry Bynum, Debra Griffith, Ann Goree, John Coley, Jeff Cochran, Windy Carter, Tina Walker, Megan Blake, Jane Garrett and Mary Reynolds, we saw Audra Spears great results throughout presented the Golden the community. Picker Prize Bag Hearing visitors comto this year's winner, ment on the beauty and Tiffany Sanders cleanliness of Lake Martin builds pride in our community and the volunteers who step up and get involved deserve appreciation from all residents. Thanks to all! John Thompson President, Lake Martin Resource Association
DECEMBER 2021
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Dec. 2, 3 & 5 It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play
Alexander City Theatre II, in partnership with Central Alabama Community College, will present three free performances of Joe Landry’s classic Christmas tale in 1940s radio-studio style on the Betty Carol Graham Center stage. Performances on Thursday and Friday will begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s performance will be a matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but audience is limited to 300 per performance, so arrive early to get a seat.
Dec. 2 Holiday Open House
Join the celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as Creekside Lodge and Event Center in Dadeville partners with Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center for a night of giving. Call 256-307-1440 for details.
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN Chuck Clark will play the role of Angel Second Class Clarence in the ACT II production of It's A Wonderful Life Live Radio Play Dec. 2, 3 and 5
Dec. 11 Holiday Festival
The Town of Eclectic will celebrate the season with a vendor market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; community-wide caroling at 3 p.m.; photos with Santa and the Grinch from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ;and a parade at 6 p.m. Email assistantclerk@townofeclectic. com to register for a free booth space or for more information.
Dec. 11 Downtown Christmas
Bring the kids out to The Square in downtown Alexander City from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to have breakfast and photos with Santa. There will be downtown holiday decorations, gift shopping and making memories. Visit mainstreetalexandercity.org.
Dec. 5 Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade
Events begin on the Dadeville Square at 12 p.m., so stop by to browse the arts and crafts booths and food vendors and let the kids ride the train and play in the bounce house. The parade begins at 3 p.m.
Dec. 6 Hometown Christmas Parade
The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will light up the night as the parade winds through the city streets on the first Monday of December, bringing Jolly Old St. Nick to town. The parade will line up on Comer Street before processing down Cherokee Road, and turning up Church Street. For entry information, visit alexcitychamber.com/christmas-parade.
Jazz virtuoso David Jones will perform Christmas music and more live from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Listening Room at Zazu’s Verandah on the courthouse square in Dadeville. Beer and wine will be available for sale. Visit ZazusVerandah.com or call 256-307-2188. 14 LAKE
St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Alexander City will hold a traditional Hispanic celebration at 7 p.m. A statue of the Virgin Mary will be processed from the church down Parks Avenue to Houston and Forrest, accompanied by a mariachi band, and make a loop back to the church. Mass will be said after the procession with a community meal to follow. The public is invited to attend.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec. 4 Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 9 Christmas Music in the Air
Dec. 11 Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
Downtown Alexander City is the place to be for the annual Christmas experience hosted by Main Street Alexander City and Alexander City Parks and Recreation. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., children can ride the Polar Express, write letters to Santa, decorate ornaments and sip hot cocoa. There will be dance and music performers on Main Street, and Frosty’s playground will be open for smaller children to enjoy. Snowzilla will be back this year to offer sledding fun, and the holiday market will be open to help shoppers wrap up the best gifts this year. Visit the Main Street Alexander City Facebook page for more information.
Dec. 18 Lake Martin in Lights Tour
Join the inaugural decorated boat parade from The Social to Harbor Pointe. Boats will leave The Social at 4:30 p.m. and slowly make their way up the lake, turning into Blue Creek. Homeowners along the route are encouraged to decorate their docks and be entered in the contest for best decorations. First, second and third place winners will be chosen for boats and docks. This event will benefit Camp ASCCA and Encompass Health Hospice in memory of Andrew Milwid. Contact Michael Langston at discoverlakemartin@gmail.com.
DECEMBER 2021
Dec. 18 Wreaths Across America
Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville will host a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery next to the church at 11 a.m. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political community event open to all. There will be a short ceremony; and then, a wreath will be placed on each veteran’s grave in the cemetery. Their names will be said aloud and thanks will be given for their service.
Dec. 19 Christmas Dreams
Red Ridge United Methodist Church will present its Christmas cantata, Christmas Dreams, by Heather Sorenson and Joseph Martin at 9:30 a.m. Using traditional carols, newly composed seasonal selections and thoughtful narration, this rich work delivers a tapestry of sound and emotion. Refreshments to follow. Arrive early to get a seat.
Jan. 15 LMYP Polar Plunge
Soup to Go
Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Ave. between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. every Tuesday and pick up a free brown bag dinner with soup, sandwich and more. COVID-19 precautions are taken by volunteers who prepare, pack and distribute the meal, which is open to the whole community.
Feast of Sharing
Mark your calendars now the annual Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge at Kowaliga Restaurant, featuring food, music, fun and the daring plunge into Lake Martin's winter waters. Look for details coming soon.
First United Methodist Church serves a free meal to the community every Thursday in the Green Street campus fellowship hall. Doors open at 5 p.m., and meal service begins at 5:30 p.m. Takeouts are available.
Clean Community Partnership Cleanups
Jan. 22-23 Lakeside Marina Boat Show
Visit Lakeside Marina in Blue Creek for the annual boat show, showcasing Bennington and Robalo lines. Enjoy good food, refreshments and great company from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Season-long Events Artists Association of Central Alabama
AACA is back. The 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.
Bingo Wednesdays
Come out to the alley next door to Castelluccio on Wednesday nights for bingo. Order dinner and wine from Castelluccio or your favorite downtown restaurant and have it delivered to your table. The event is limited to six people per table, and the number of tables is limited to 20, due to social distancing. Reservations for this weekly event go quickly, so email Main Street Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat at sjeffcoatmainstreetac@gmail.com to reserve your table.
Wellborn Musclecar Museum
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 tour or private tours, email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.
Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s
Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Ourtown Volunteer Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.
Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours
Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl, just to mention a few. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature in the wild and the outdoor classroom. For scheduled subject matter, dates and times, check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events.
Coffee & Connections
Every third Tuesday of the month, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event at 8 a.m. open to any chamber member. Participants should meet at the TPI bullpen at the Lake Martin Innovation Center for coffee, a light breakfast and a chance to network with community members.
DECEMBER 2021
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Lake Martin News
Boating Industry Magazine named Russell Marine the No. 4 boat dealer in the country last month, an outstanding achievement in the wake of the pandemic, said president Dave Commander (third from left)
Russell Marine named No. 4 in the nation
Russell Marine last month was named the No. 4 boat dealer in the nation at the Boating Industry Magazine black-tie ELEVATE Summit gala in Atlanta, Georgia. Russell Marine president, Dave Commander, said the honor is particularly special because it was achieved under the pressure of COVID-19 and supply chain delays. “It’s not just about how many boats you sold or who you sold them to. They look at the scores you get back from customer satisfaction surveys, the processes you use in all of your businesses, your facilities, the brands you carry and how you give back to the community,” Commander explained. “I feel like we were rated so high because of what our customers say about us and because of the experience our employees give to our customers. They’re the ones who make sure our customers stay happy. Really, it’s a testament to our employees who did such a great job in challenging times.” The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers
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in North America. “Moving into the 17th year of the Top 100, we’ve definitely seen plenty of things change over the years. New dealers join the ranks every year, as other dealers join forces to become one,” said Top 100 program director Adam Quandt. “Yet from single-location family-owned dealerships to multi-store organizations, one thing remains the same each and every year, and that is the dealers on the Top 100 list continue to set the pace in sales, customer service and success overall.” The list recognizes dealerships that are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service and more. The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top dealers in North America every year since 2005. Staff Report
Opelika man drowns at Lake Martin
The body of an Opelika man was recovered from waters of Lake Martin the morning of Nov. 10. Roger Milby, 58, was reported missing Nov. 8 by his wife. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol, Alexander City Fire and Police departments and the Alexander City/Tallapoosa County Rescue Squad were involved in the search. Milby’s truck was located by law enforcement at Coley Creek Boat Ramp Nov. 10, and shortly after, his boat was recovered just upriver north of Camp ASCCA. Law enforcement searched Milby’s boat for clues as to how he entered the water. ALEA said no further information is available as the incident is still under investigation. Staff Report
DECEMBER 2021
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DECEMBER 2021
LAKE 17
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DECEMBER 2021
DECEMBER 2021
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Renew Our Rivers Honor Roll Thank you to some 400 volunteers who turned out to keep our Treasured Lake clean this year Peter and Vickie Scann, Bo and Farrow Burks, Todd and Kasi Parsons, Stephen and Frances Morris, Chris and Nan Johnson, Todd Wilder and Joe Street
John Thompson and Lauren Edwards
Windy Carter, Mindy O’Brien, Landry and Michael Carter, Allison Bazzell, Susan McBride, Christy Parker, Haley Mckelvey, Cheyenne Naquin, Vivian Autry, Traci and Steve Toledo, Chad McWhirter, Tiffany Sanders, Jamie Burnett, Tena and Haley Hawkins, James Askew, Hank and Hamp McKelvey, AJ Sanders, Amanda Sherum, Don Morgan, Shelia and Tommy Godfrey, Kameran Mayon and Jaidyn Gossett
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DECEMBER 2021
Dave Commander and Larry Bates
Gina Murray
Bruce Adams
Earle Green
Amy and Christina Kassis
Deb and Mel Carroll
Charlotte and Will Denton and Casie McGinn
Three Sixty Real Estate Group
Bill Murray
David Sturdivant and Tommy Spraggins
This Pepsi bottle was one of the oldest items found this year
Bill and Melissa Duckworth and Westley Wood
DECEMBER 2021
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Jeff Cochran and friends
Obie Olds, Joel Link Steve Malandro, Clay Humphries and Louise McDaniel
Greg Harris
Jeff Cochran
Justin Clayton
Kelley, Emily and Jonathan Hancock and Andy Steele and Rendell Clark
Greg and Susan Womack
Ian Halka
Jeannie Trielobs and Holly Keel
Malibu Mike Wilson
Real Island Volunteers
Don Parrish
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DECEMBER 2021
Merilee Meredith
Jeff Cochran
Jackson Lilly Mike Furlong Jimmy Huett and Charles Franz
Jane Malloch and Jean Deal
Ken Holland
Jeff Lamonica and Gaius Dean
JB Hampton and Hannah Henley John and Palmer Coley, Lea Ann Myers-Nelson, Mark Johnson, Michelle Isenberg, Jamie Nelson, Charlotta LaVerne
Melissa Duckworth and Westley Wood
Lauren and Marlee Edwards, Jadon Sims and Ann and Lindsay Goree
Minny Allen
DECEMBER 2021
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Bonnie Vinson and John Coram
Tabby Spates, Tina Prker and Peggy Spates
Robert Gunn and Tom Lamberth
Tammy Montgomery and Janet Price
Sue Ann McMahan and Laurie Sturdivant Vickie Tuggle and Taylor Day
Donnie McDaniel, Buddy McDaniel, Joel Link, Obie Olds, John Tincher, Steve Malandro, Clay Humphries
Windy Carter
Tonya Holland
Shawn Kennedy and Mary Ann Thilmaney
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Roger Holliday
DECEMBER 2021
New Homes With Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails
Everyday Grandeur D I S COV E R A LU X U R I O U S G O L F L I F E STY L E L I V I N G A LO N G G R A N D N AT I O N A L G O L F CO U R S E Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out. Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.
T O L E A R N M O R E , C A L L U S AT 3 3 4 . 7 4 9 . 8 1 6 5 DECEMBER 2021 O R V I S I T W W W. N AT I O N A LV I L L A G E . C O M .
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A new Christmas event will launch at Lake Martin next month with the inaurgural Lake Martin in Lights Tour boat parade and a dock decoration competition to benefit two local charities in memory of the late Andrew Milwid. Michael Langston, who will coordinate the event, said the parade would process from The Social on the south end of the lake to Harbor Pointe in Blue Creek on the eastern lakeshore. The route will pass the Bridge to Nowhere, The Village, Longleaf, Kennebec, Crowne Pointe, Emerald Shores and parts of StillWaters. “I will be in the head boat, and we’ll have a tow boat at the end. We will be very slow and very close and maybe will have a tow line between each boat,” he said. “We’ll ask people along the route to decorate their docks and will judge the dock decorations from the boats.” Langston said there would be first, second and third place awards for boats and docks. Boat entrants will gather on Dec. 18 at The Social for the parade start at 4:30 p.m. Special batteries will be provided for lights on the entrant boats, Langston said. An entrance fee will be charged, but that amount had not been decided by Lake magazine’s presstime. Donations will be accepted for the Camp ASCCA Scholarship Fund at 5278 Camp ASCCA Dr., Jackson’s Gap, or Encompass Health Hospice, 33 Aliant Pkwy, Suite A, Alexander City. Andrew Milwid of Dadeville, who passed away two months ago, was an active supporter of Camp ASCCA and a member of Elks Lodge, where he served in various local, state and national positions. He was passionate about working to promote drug awareness and worked with First Lady Nancy Reagan to create the “Just Say No to Drugs” program in schools across the country. For more information, email Langston at discoverlakemartin@gmail.com. STORY BY BETSY ILER
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Lake Martin
in Lights
Inaugural Christmas boat parade to launch Dec. 18
The boat parade will benefit local charities
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Christmas at the Lake STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & COURTESY OF AN ECLECTIC CHRISTMAS
The Hometown Christmas Parade will march through Alexander City on the first Monday of December
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Christmas at Lake Martin is a recipe for the best Christmas ever, and it starts now – on and off the lake – with a host of parties, parades and other events to awaken the holiday spirit and set the stage. The spectacular An Eclectic Christmas opens Dec. 1 with tours available through Dec. 11. This 1-mile stroll takes visitors from Nazareth to Bethlehem, past kings journeying to see the newborn King, past angels proclaiming Christ’s birth to shepherds and through the city market of old to a humble stable where the Savior lies in a manger. Roman soldiers on horseback, greedy tax collectors and travelers on the road interact with the touring public in this fabulous sharing of the Good News. More than 200 volunteers take part in the event every year. The tours are free, but donations are appreciated. Reservations are advised, though walk-ins will be accepted on an “as available” basis. Accommodations
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can be made for the handicapped and elderly. Visit An Eclectic Christmas on Facebook or on the website at aneclecticministry.org for reservations, location and details. Alexander City Theatre II kicks off this month’s events with three free performances of Joe Landry’s It’s A Wonderful Life Live Radio Play, directed by Dadeville’s Steve Thomas and Eclectic’s Doug Roberts at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Center stage. The classic tale of George Bailey’s wonderful life in Bedford Falls will be told in 1940s radio-studio style by local actors and crew. Keith Garrett plays George Bailey, with Rodney Meadows as the curmudgeonly Mr. Potter. Rob Iler takes on several roles, changing hats to play head angel Joseph, as well as Mr. Martini and George’s father, Peter Bailey. ACT II newcomer Chuck Clark will be the loveable “angel second class,” Clarence. And Joy
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Johns will play the part of Mary Hatch/Bailey. Chris Baker, John Hill, Scears Barnes, Susan McCrispin, John Jung, Graden Hill, Julia Walters, Julia Kilby Kison and Kendall Sims also will appear in this timeless story focused on the true meaning of the season. But the real stars of this play will be Doug Roberts and Ivana Hodges, who keep the show rolling with an inventive array of tackle and tools to create realistic sound effects throughout the production. From the crunch of shoes in snow to the stiff wind on the bridge where Clarence prevents George from committing suicide, Roberts and Hodges create the background sounds that bring the play to life. The production will be offered without admission charge to the community at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Audience is limited to 300 at each performance, so arrive early to ensure seating. Sponsorships from local businesses and individuals have made it possible to present this show free to the community. Those sponsors include Central Alabama Community College, Realtor Rhonda Gaskins and Billy and Ann Harrison as Jingle Sponsors. Additional sponsors include Dr. Doug Roberts at Alex City Chiropractic; Scears and Barbara Barnes; Bice Motors; Jerry, Cheryl and Brannon Bynum; Alex City Arts Council; Dark Insurance; Phyllis Hurst; Rob and Betsy Iler; John and Jan Jung; Lake Martin Living maga-
zine at Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.; Diane and Rodney Meadows; and Steve and Julia Thomas. Also on Dec. 2, Creekside Lodge and Event Center in Dadeville will host an open house and grand reopening to benefit the Tri-County Advocacy Center’s Christmas gift-giving for children in their care. New owner Jason Lasure has been busy during the pandemic with renovations at Creekside, and the chamber of commerce will be there to cut the ribbon as this lakeside destination re-opens. Jazz player David Jones will provide entertainment at this festive event, and local restaurants will put out a spread of delicious treats. There will be beer, wine and seasonal cocktails and door prizes, and anyone who donates to the cause will be entered in a raffle. “There is a great need for these foster kids and foster families, and we hope people will turn out to have a good time, see the new renovations and make donations to brighten these kids’ Christmas,” said Creekside Event Center manager Sherri Wilson. “If anyone wants to bring a gift for a child age 8 or younger, that’s fine, but especially for the older kids, it’s easier to donate money.” For more information, call Wilson at 256-307-1440. On Saturday morning, Dec. 4, The Square on Calhoun Street in downtown Alexander City will host a new Christmas event for children. Bring the kids to
A Roman soldier on horseback orders a family to travel to Nazareth for the census in the An Eclectic Christmas production at Falk Farm
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Dadeville's Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade follows a full day of fun near the courthouse square
Santa visits with children at Dadeville's downtown Christmas festivities
Floats, food and fun are part of the activities preceeding the parade in Dadeville
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Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be storytime with Mrs. Claus, one-on-one time with Santa himself and the opportunity for you to take some wonderful pictures. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa. The cost per child is $20. And there’s more Downtown Christmas to come. “This year, we wanted to incorporate more events in our downtown to draw more people into the area,” said Main Street Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat. Three years ago, Main Street Alexander City and the Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department started partnering on a daylong event to warm hearts and toes and make the magic of Christmas accessible for more people. This year’s Downtown Christmas will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with musicians and dancers strolling the city street. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos, and children will be able to write letters to Santa, ride the Polar Express and decorate ornaments for their Christmas trees at home. Frosty’s playground will be open for the littlest children, and the holiday market will be open for shopping. Then, on Dec. 16, Main Street Alexander City’s Third Thursday event will feature a live Nativity and music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stores will be open until 7 p.m. to help you finish your last-minute shopping. Dadeville’s Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade, hosted by the Dadeville-Lake Martin Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, Dec. 5, tops off an afternoon of food, fun and holiday fare just off the courthouse square. The fun begins at noon when arts and crafts and food vendors open, and kids can catch a ride on a holiday train and play in the bounce house. There will be pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo, too. This will be a great place to find gifts for those hard-to-shop-for folks on your list and pick up stocking stuffers. Emcees Ed Shikoski and Jason Flowers will keep the music playing and highlight vendor events, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will tour the event in their holiday golf cart, taking pictures with children and collecting Santa letters. The parade begins at 3 p.m. at the high school with the judges’ station at the library and will end just beyond the festivities off the square. The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will welcome Santa to town with a parade on Monday, Dec. 6. The theme for this year’s event is “Miracle on Main Street.” Line up along the parade route from Comer Street to Strand Park and bring along some hot cocoa. Daytime temperatures could be as high as 60
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The Red Ridge UMC Christmas cantata returns Dec. 19
degrees on the day of the parade, but the low will be around 36, so bundle up to witness the miracle. Add a touch of international history to your holiday on Dec. 11 when St. John’s Catholic Church in Alexander City revives the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tradition has it that in 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Aztec Juan Diego, which led to the conversion to Catholicism of Mexico, Central and South America. In Alexander City, church members will host a traditional parade with prayers and a mariachi band at 7 p.m. along streets near the church at 454 N. Central Ave. As the parade returns to the church, a Mass will be held, followed by a community meal. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to not just read about cultural history but also to experience it. Also making a comeback after COVID-19 this year is the annual Christmas cantata at Red Ridge United Methodist Church, Christmas Dreams, by Heather
Sorenson and Joseph Martin will be presented Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. with traditional carols, as well as newly composed selections. Refreshments will follow in this historic local church. The cantata is one of Red Ridge UMC’s most popular programs of the year, so arrive early to get a seat. These are just a few of the holiday highlights around Lake Martin this year. You’ll find more listed in our calendar section, starting on page 14. Make the most of this blessed season by attending a variety of festivities and events around the lake to have your best-ever Christmas at Lake Martin.
Downtown Christmas in Alexander City features reindeer races, writing Santa letters, sipping hot chocolate, shopping and much more
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Virginia Creeper
NATURE OF THE LAKE BY KENNETH BOONE
This native vine becomes a showpiece when it turns red in the fall
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to remove Virginia Creeper once it is established, and Virginia Creeper is a native vine that often suffers while the holdfasts won’t typically harm the finish, pullfrom a case of mistaken identity – some people confuse ing them off could. it with poison ivy. Virginia Creeper flowers are small and greenish and That’s a big problem for this mostly people-friendly easy to overlook while its fruits are tiny and bluish purplant that can be a beautiful addition to landscaping, ple to black. The reason that Virginia Creeper is “mostbecause absolutely nobody wants poison ivy around the ly” people-friendly is that its berries and leaves contain home. oxalic acid, which is toxic to humans if ingested. Most This time of year – the fall – is when Virginia Creeper of the time, reactions include mouth and throat irritation, really shines. In early autumn around Lake Martin, but it also could damage kidneys. It can irritate some Virginia Creeper leaves change from deep green with people’s skin, too, causing a rash. If you have sensitive light green undersides to a brilliant red, maroon or purskin, it’s smart to wear ple that makes whatever gloves when handling it’s creeping on stand out Virginia Creeper. in a crowd of browns. For birds, which are This vine, which can immune to the oxalic grow up to 100 feet acid, Virginia Creeper long, is usually limited berries are an important by the height of its host food source during the structure. It’s often seen winter months. climbing on trees, teleVirginia Creeper is a phone poles and buildmember of the Vitaceae ings. Savvy gardeners family, which it shares plant Virginia Creeper to with grapes. Its scientific enhance garden walls and name is Parthenocissus fences. quinquefolia, which is a Virginia Creeper is a mouthful. It sometimes long, then woody vine goes by other common that loses its leaves each names, such as Woodbine, winter. Victoria Creeper, FiveIt’s primary identifying leaved Ivy and Fivefeature is its leaves. finger. Each leaf is made up If you want your vines of five leaflets emerging to look their best, it is from the end of a stemsmart to plant them in full like structure called a sun; however, Virginia petiole. Each leaflet is 4 Creeper is a plant that to 6 inches long and oval A gardeners' favorite,Virginia can handle shade or shaped with pointed ends Creeper climbs walls partial shade. A wall or and toothed edges. and fences without fence facing west or east And honestly, Virginia damaging them is probably safest, as a Creeper does look somesouth-facing wall may get thing like the three leaftoo hot and a north-facing lets of a poison ivy. wall may not get enough sun. This vine prefers wellThis confusion has created a famous country saying: drained soil, but it can tolerate many different types of “Leaves of three, let it be. Leaves of five, let it thrive.” soil, including those with wide pH ranges. Rarely, Virginia Creeper with have a leaf with three or Virginia Creeper can be used to make a pink dye. even seven leaflets, but the vast majority will have five It has been used to treat several maladies, including leaflets, so this is one old saying that holds true today. jaundice, gonorrhea and diarrhea. Some people make One characteristic that makes this vine good for a tea from this plant, which is used as a wash to treat gardeners is that it holds onto whatever it climbs with poison ivy – an ironic twist for a plant that is often contendrils tipped with flattened wooden holdfasts. It can fused for the same plant it is treating. climb on brick or stone or boards without damaging the Some information for this article came from Auburn surface, and if it dies, the wooden sucker discs will rot University’s Cooperative Extension Service, uaex.uada. away. This is a vine that climbs without any need for support, so it’s easy to establish: Just plant it near a wall edu and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s wildflower.org page. or fence and leave it alone. Eventually, it will cover a structure as more vines branch out. However, if you’re not sure where you want this vine to grow, it’s best to wait until you are sure. It is hard DECEMBER 2021
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Be Merry &
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& Shop Local
DECEMBER 2021
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Elvish Charm
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
The 24-foot handmade garland at the Phillips' front door only hints at the festive air inside
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Stephanie Phillips loves her family, Christmas and elves, and the best six weeks of the year include a combination of all three. An Alfa Insurance agent, Phillips starts decorating the bedrooms of her 2,700 square-foot Lake Martin home in mid-November. She puts a tree in every bedroom, dresses the beds with Christmas-themed linens and adds holiday pillows. She works from the back of the house forward, so she can take down the autumn and Thanksgiving decorations in the main rooms while she puts up the Christmas décor. And there’s a lot of Christmas décor. Her 10-foot tree beside the living room mantel is covered with ornaments, many of which feature an elf collection that began more than 20 years ago. “Elves are my favorite,” Phillips said, pointing out some whimsical elf balls she received from a friend over 22 years ago. The whimsical Santa ornaments were found in the floral shop at the local Piggly Wiggly over 28 years ago. The floral shop closed more than 10 years ago, but Phillips still loves to shop local, especially for decorations, like the vintage snow village she found this year at Longleaf Antiques in Alexander City. “My grandson, Judson, loves to play with it. He moves the people around and tells me, ‘GiGi, they want to be on this shelf,’” she said. The village is just one of the features Phillips has added to her annual decorating spree since Judson was born eight years ago. Sweets and treats in colorful Christmas-themed dishes cover the top of a bureau just inside the front door. She recreates this Candyland display for Judson every year. In addition to the foil-wrapped chocolate candies, green and red M&Ms and old-fashioned gumdrops, Phillips sets up one of the four trees in the main rooms of the home she and her husband, Brett, bought when they married in front of the backyard fireplace in 2013. The tree on the bureau wears lake-themed and fishing lure ornaments to honor Brett’s love for the water and fishing. The main attraction is the tall tree in the living room with the elf legs sticking out at the top, as if Santa’s assistant fell into the tree while decorating. And a life-sized Santa stands beside the tree, ready to stack gifts around its base on Christmas Eve. The stockings were selected to coordinate each of her children with his or her spouse, and just to make it clearer who gets which one, Phillips hangs each with a 5-inch wooden monogram. Amid the greenery and ornament columns on top of the mantel, two of Phillips’ most treasured elves reside over the festivities. Gifts from her
The jolliest elf of all presides over the lakeside porch
Wooden monograms help to identify the owner of each stocking above the hearth
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The living room scene is made festive with elves on a 10-foot tree, Santas, pillows, ribbons and more
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The manger scene represents the focus for the family's holidays
daughters, these delightful fellows add whimsy to the magical space. Above them in the center of the wreath, Phillips hangs a large Santa face. He is bedecked with an array of ribbons from Christmases past. “Every year, I add more ribbons. That’s why he has so many ribbons of different colors and patterns on him. I just keep adding them,” she said. All the furnishings are made extra cozy for Christmas morning with a generous assortment of pillows in stripes and plaids, embroidered with festive sayings or appliqued with elven legs. The pillows are two or three deep on some pieces, creating an inviting artistic flair for the room. With commanding presence, a beautiful, tall Nativity scene graces the living room sofa table. Crosses, angels and other pieces of art that have been gifted to her are arranged among the kings, shepherds and animals that gaze upon the Child in 40 LAKE
the manger. “It just reminds us always to give God the glory,” Phillips said. And on the bookshelves that flank the stone fireplace, Phillips interspersed family photographs with elves and Santas and other fun holiday pieces. “When I was a child, my grandmother made Christmas very special for Every nook and cranny me. That meant a lot, and is decorated for the season I’ve tried to always make it special and fun for my children,” said Phillips, who moved to Alexander City the summer before her junior and senior years of high school. She lived with an aunt and uncle that soon moved to Sylacauga, where she finished school. The annual decorating fun begins with gathering materials for the 60-plus feet of garland that adorns the porch rails and frames the home’s front door. “My daughter, Sydney, and I got on the Gator and went through the neighborhood with our clippers, playing Christmas music really loud. We found all
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Magnolia leaves, berries and green bows adorn the walnut dining table
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More bows are added to the mantel's Santa every year
Phillip's grandson, Judson, loves to arrange the figures in her vintage Christmas village
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A lake-themed tree in the entry honors her husband's love of fishing
the greenery in the woods and in our backyard and just around the neighborhood,” Phillips said. She set up a table on the front lawn and filled buckets with water and the greenery they had collected. Then, with the help of her motherin-law, Becky, she created small bundles using pine, cedar and blue spruce and tied each bundle of greenery to a heavy-gauge wire. Three 8-foot pieces make up the 24-foot garland around the front door, and she spritzes the garland with water every day to keep it fresh throughout the season. She added red and gold ornaments to make it pop, and Brett secured it well. On the back porch, Becky and Phillip’s daughter-in-law, Kristen, made some 40 feet of garland with Leyland cedar boughs they picked up at Ballard Farms. They wrapped the cedar garland around the top rail of the lakeside porch, threading tiny white lights through the greenery to make it more festive. And white lights adorn a tree on the dock that offers greetings of this holy season to passersby on the lake. “Our neighbors next door used to put the tree with white lights out on their dock every year, and when they moved, we got the tree, so the
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The Candyland tradition began when Judson was born
tradition can continue,” Phillips explained. The eclectic style of decorating is Phillips’ true self, she said. The ornate walnut dining table, set with gold chargers, white plates and large festive bows, was purchased as soon as they moved in. She bought a beautifully inlaid buffet for the dining room from a friend whose new lake house would not complement the piece, and she picked up the china cabinet at an antiques shop. “I always try to shop local. It’s very important,” Phillips said. Festivities begin on Christmas Adam, which, Phillips said, comes before Eve. Everyone opens one very special gift – the matching Christmas pajamas. And when all have donned their holiday PJs – Phillips and Brett, Madison and her husband, Larry, Christopher and his wife, Kristen, Judson, and Sydney all cozy up to the fireplace to take a family portrait. “It’s just all about making our family time fun and special. Everyone helps to get it ready, and we love being together. That’s what matters,” Phillips said.
Phillips began collecting elves more than 20 years ago
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36 lake homes available. Over the last year, t’s official. Santa is having trouble find331 lake homes were sold. You can do the ing enough lake homes to make all those math. We could really use 295 more lake Christmas dreams come true. For the past homes to supply the demand for the next two years, there have been so many people year. buying lake homes that the available supWhen the lake homes supply dried up, ply has all but dried up. The shelves where many folks decided to build. Over the last Realtors keep available homes are as bare as year, 158 waterfront lots were purchased, the toy store shelves reserved for the Barbie and if you took a quick ride around the lake Dream House 2021. People making virtual in Santa’s sleigh, you would see lots of lake shopping trips to Google, Zillow or Realtor. homes under construction. No one keeps a com are coming up empty. good count of houses under construction. That inventory shortage has caused I think it is reasonable – given the fact that a considerable number of potential lake LAKE PROPERTY 189 waterfront lots sold the prior year in homeowners to consider buying waterfront BY STEVE ARNBERG addition to the 158 noted above – the total home sites and having custom lake homes built. That has created a backlog of work for local home- projects under way could easily exceed 200. Local builders are working really hard to get lake builders, causing many people to consider resorting to homes built. Home designers are busy; civil engineers the same tactic as Ralphie in A Christmas Story. With are busy; subcontractors are busy; and suppliers are busy. Christmas right around the corner, they are thinking Everyone has reorganized, so they can keep up with curabout calling on the big man himself to get new lake rent demand, and they could use some assistance from homes built. Now everybody knows that nobody does custom con- the North Pole. With that much demand for lake homes and the limstruction quite like Santa. After all, the work performed ited demand, even Santa and a host of elves can’t deliver by the elves in his workshop is legendary. The problem by this December; however, if you get your letter postis that Santa does not have enough elves to build toys and lake houses. Clearly, since Santa tries hard to deliver marked by Dec. 23, you might have a chance for next on the dreams to good girls and boys, he could use some year. For all the Realtors and homebuilders who are workmore elves. ing hard to help your Lake Martin dreams come true, we It appears that even Santa is subject to the supply wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings of the season. and labor shortages that we are all experiencing in this I hope that there will be a lake home under your tree COVID-19 environment. Who knew that even elves are after all. in short supply this year? Maybe Mrs. Claus should quit The data used in the article was derived from the Lake baking those stimulus cookies, so the elves can get back Martin Area Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing to work. Service. So how short is the supply of lake homes right now? The data available at presstime indicated that there were just 51 lake homes on the market, and of that number, Steve Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for 15 were under contract pending inspection. That leaves Russell Lands.
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Merry Christmas! To all our Friends and Customers. We wish you an abundantly blessed Christmas season.
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True Blessings
Our grandchildren have grown up visiting Grandma and his is the time of year for giving thanks and spiriPoppa’s cabin. Over the last 31 years, our entire family and tual renewal celebrations of the birth of our Savior group of close family friends have come to know the blessJesus Christ; I wanted to reflect on the true blessings ings of Lake Martin. of Lake Martin for my family and friends. Lake Martin is We have had more than 30 years of life and life’s memoknown as a Treasured Lake. It has been a treasure to me, my ries at Lake Martin. In 2015, we moved to Dadeville as fullfamily and many others. My family and I came to Lake Martin in July of 1990. We timers. In 2018, we chose to tear down our beloved cabin and build our forever home at the lake. No doubt, Lake Martin is found this lake by way of an elderly couple from our church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It was really by circumstance and our forever place. It will be the place where we will be laid to rest. God’s hand. My wife and I had been searchI have spoken with many friends concerning ing for lake property near Atlanta but could not the impact of Lake Martin on their lives. They afford it. The elderly couple had pictures of have similar stories to ours. One friend told me Lake Martin on their wall. I inquired, and they she wakes up every day and thanks the good told my wife and I about Lake Martin. Back Lord for the beauty of Lake Martin. It is truly a then, Alabama Power was leasing lots for $100 blessing. per year. We came over to the lake that weekThink and reflect how our Treasured Lake end. We found a 900-square-foot cabin and has affected your family and friends. Think made an offer that Saturday. Within a month, we of all the memories you and your loved ones were the new owners of a do-it-yourself cabin. have shared while enjoying Lake Martin. The We became known as part-timers at the lake. lake has brought my family and friends closer Little did we understand the impact Lake Martin together over the years. would have on us, our family and friends in the HOBO As we give thanks for the blessings of Lake years to follow. BY HARRY DENEGRE Martin, we must understand the responsibility We began having family reunions every July we have for preserving and protecting this blessing. It is our 4, a new family tradition. At one point, 28 members of our family slept in our 900-square-foot cabin over the July 4 holi- responsibility to preserve and protect the lake and to share it with future generations. day. Let it be stated: In that small of a cabin over four days, Lake Martin is changing and will continue to change. We you get reacquainted with your family in unexpected ways. can influence the change. Each of us must become active We have had several friends come to the lake to visit us in one or more of the lake associations. At the very least, and like it so much they ended up purchasing homes on the become a member of one of the associations and support its lake and live close by to this day. One of my friends tells me efforts. These associations will keep you informed and allow how much my friendship has cost him over the years since your voice to be heard. If you can, become active. These are his family stayed at our cabin for free. He bought a cabin here. He purchased a ski boat, two PWCs, a fishing boat, etc. volunteer associations. They can always use additional helpers. He knows the blessings of Lake Martin. There will be many issues facing Lake Martin over the We have had our children grow up here. Our grandkids have grown up here. Our nieces and nephews have grown up coming years. We can influence the outcomes if we have membership and active memcoming here. Their children bers. We are blessed with are now growing up coming having this beautiful and here. They understand the outstanding Treasured Lake. beauty and blessings of Lake Become a good steward of Martin. the blessing of Lake Martin. We have had a friend It is all our responsibility. from Florida whose daughFrom my family to yours, n Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners ter came here as a child. Merry Christmas and Happy Association (HOBOs), www.lakemartinhobos. She chose to get married at New Year. com Children’s Harbor Chapel. n Lake Watch, www.lakewatch.org Coming here every summer, Harry DeNegre is presin Lake Martin Resource Association, www.lmra. she and her parents had falldent of Lake Martin HOBOs. info en in love with Lake Martin. Follow the Lake Martin Each Association has a different focus, but Our son and daughter-inHOBOs Facebook page and all work to preserve and protect Lake Martin. law decided to get married visit the HOBOs website at Please consider joining one of these associations. here at the Church in the lakemartinhobos.com. There are other associations around the lake Pines. What a wonderful setthat are not listed. ting for a beautiful wedding and celebration.
Some of the Associations around the Lake:
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Honest,
Get Experienced, Help Buying or Selling Your Home. LakeMartinTeam.com
256.749.8681
Excellent Customer Service
Rhonda Jaye & Allison Ladson
50 LAKE
DECEMBER 2021
FABULOUS FINDS
FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS
1147 Willow Way North, Alexander City • $8,995,000 Beds: 11 • Baths: 9 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
540 Windy Wood, Alexander City • $2,200,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
865 Holiday Drive, Dadeville • $899,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031 LakeMartinRealty.com
120 Old Harmony Circle, Eclectic • $3,395,000 Beds: 6 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
8164 Deer Trail, Equality • $1,650,000 Beds: 6 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017 LakeMartinRealty.com
160 Ridge Crest, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty David Mitchell 256.212.3511 LakeMartinRealty.com
3509 Bay Pine Road, Jackson’s Gap • $785,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com
79 Shady Wood, Alexander City • $4,950,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com
496 North Ridge, Alexander City • $480,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Lake Access Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com
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Simplify with sheet-pan meals
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s we quickly approach what tends to be the busiest – and what some people would refer to as the most stressful – time of the year, keeping it simple in the kitchen is essential. Planning menus ahead of time will help with the shopping and take the guesswork out of the equation when you come home from a long day. Focus on simple, healthy meals, and eat lighter meals when you know that you have several parties to attend in the same week. Sheet pan meals simplify meal preparation and offer hands-off cooking and very easy clean up. Sheet pans are wide shallow baking pans made from aluminum or stainless steel. They have low sides to encourage airflow and browning. They are the go-to pans for roasting vegetables or meat and, in this case, entire meals. They are also good for meal prep sessions because you can make meals from start to finish to be reheated, HEALTHY LIVING or you can assemble all BY JULIE HUDSON ingredients and bake closer to the meal time. Sheet pan dinners would be much healthier than eating out. You can better control sodium and use healthier fats and cleaning up is really easy. Before you get started with a recipe, line the sheet pan with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray.
Skirt Steak Fajitas Serves 4-8
Steak Marinade Ingredients 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup fresh lime juice from 6 to 8 limes 1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cumin seed 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chili powder
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3 medium garlic cloves, finely minced 2 pounds trimmed skirt steak or hanger steak or sirloin flap steak (roughly 1 whole steak), cut crosswise into 5-inch or 6-inch pieces Fajita Ingredients 1 each – large red, yellow and green bell peppers cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips 1 white or yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices 12 to 16 flour or corn tortillas Optional condiments: guacamole, salsa or pico de gallo, sour cream, shredded cheese Directions Whisk marinade ingredients together. Set aside 1/2 cup marinade for later use. Place steak in a gallon size resealable bag and add remaining marinade. Seal bag, squeezing out all the air. Massage bag until meat is fully coated with marinade. Lay flat in refrigerator, turning every couple of hours for at least three hours and up to 10 hours. When you are ready to cook, move oven rack to top position and preheat broiler. Remove steak from marinade and blot dry with paper towel. Arrange meat in an even layer on parchment-lined rimmed baking pan. Broil without flipping until steaks are well charred on top side, about four minutes. Keep a close watch. Remove steaks from baking pan and let rest on plate. Switch the oven from broil to bake on 450 degrees. Add peppers and onions to baking pan. Pour reserved marinade over ingredients and toss until evenly coated. Arrange peppers
and onions in even layer and cook until vegetables are tender and browned, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Slice steaks into thin strips across the grain; then, add back to sheet pan with any juices. Return to oven to heat through. Serve immediately with hot tortillas and condiments as desired.
Autumn Chicken Dinner
5 servings Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Ingredients 5 (6-7ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon) 1 tablespoon each minced thyme, sage, rosemary Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 1 large sweet potato, peel-on and chopped into 3/4-inch cubes 1 pound Brussels sprouts, sliced into halves 2 medium Fuji apples, cored and sliced into halfmoons about 3/4-inch thick 2 shallot bulbs, peeled and sliced about 1/4-inch thick 4 slices hickory smoked bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces Directions Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and herbs into a gallon size resealable bag. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper. Then, seal bag and massage mixture over chicken, working to evenly distribute herbs. Set aside and let rest while chopping vegetables. Place sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, apples and shallot on a parchment-lined 18-inch by 13-inch rimmed sheet pan. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; then, toss to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread into an even layer. Set chicken thighs over vegetables/apple layer. Separate any bacon pieces that may be stuck together. Then, sprinkle bacon over vegetables/apple mixture. Roast in preheated oven until chicken and veggies are golden brown, about 30-35 minutes (chicken should register 165 degrees in the center). Broil during last few minutes for golden crispy skin on the chicken, if desired.
Superfood Baked Salmon Serves 4 Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Ingredients 3 to 4 salmon fillets (4 to 5 ounces each) 2 cups Brussels sprouts, quartered 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil, divided 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon minced) 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper Sea salt, divided 2 lemons, one juiced and 1 sliced Directions Clean salmon fillets and place on parchmentlined baking sheet pan. Clean and chop Brussels sprouts. Place on pan with salmon. Generously sprinkle sea salt on top of salmon and veggies. Set aside. Place blueberries in a bowl. Mash slightly with a fork. Add in 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, basil, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Mix all together. Drizzle another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil over salmon and Brussels sprouts. Spoon the balsamic-basil-blueberry mixture over salmon filets. Squeeze lemon on top of salmon and veggies. Place lemon slices on top of veggies on the sheet pan. Sprinkle with extra black pepper. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Broil for 1 to 2 extra minutes to make Brussels sprouts and salmon extra crispy. Remove from oven and serve. Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.
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Ice Cream Ingredients
4-3/4 cups heavy cream (2200 grams) 3-1/2 cups whole milk (1600 grams) 1-2/3 cups sugar (750 grams) 36 egg yolks 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 vanilla bean 1/3 cup malted milk powder
Ice Cream Directions
Bring the cream and milk with vanilla bean, vanilla extract and the malted milk powder to a slow boil. Make sure not to boil hard. Beat together egg yolks and sugar. Slowly add the milk and cream mixture into the egg, making sure CHEF'S TABLE not to cook BY PETE MCKENNY the eggs. Chill and spin for four to seven minutes.
Cranberry Coulis Ingredients 5 cups frozen cranberry 3 to 4 cups sugar 1/3 cup water
Cranberry Coulis Directions
Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil; then, blend and cool completely.
Assembly
When ice cream is ready to extract, drizzle some of the cranberry coulis into the vanilla and repeat with layers of the coulis between layers of the vanilla ice cream. Pete McKenny, executive chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio,Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club 12 years ago.
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Vanilla Ice Cream
with Cranberry Coulis
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LAKE 55
Give life to your bait Presentation gets the bite
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DECEMBER 2021
S
It could really be helpful. This type of uccess in fishing can nearly always talk happens all the time from coast to be narrowed down to two main coast with anglers. components: Locating fish and how But presentation could be critical, to catch them. There’s usually some and it doesn’t always make the convercrossover that occurs between the two as sation. An angler using an artificial bait an angler dials in on the perfect pattern has to give that bait life to trick a fish for the target species. into taking it. That’s where presentation At our disposal, we have amazcomes in. It can be as much or more ing tools that could make this quest important than what color is working. more achievable more often. Consider In the past few years, I’ve been foradvancements in boats and motors that tunate enough to get a lot of experience have improved our range even in the BIG CATCHES with forward facing sonar. With this toughest weather conditions. In a relatechnology, I often see the fish before tively short period of time, advanceBY GREG VINSON I cast to them; and then, I’ve seen how ments in electronics with high-definition they react to my presentation. This was mapping, GPS and multiple sonar feamuch more difficult to discern in the past when I tures have made finding fish much more efficient. just had to use the movements of my rod and reel Then there’s the bait selection on the market that that had worked before, or I varied the presentation has fed off the productive features of previous lures of old. Rods are more sensitive; reels are faster; and until I got more bites. More times than I can mention, I’ve watched fish various types of line are less visible, more sensitive, approach my bait, follow and not eat it. It can be have less stretch and are stronger. Trolling motors exciting and frustrating all at the same time. When are stronger, quieter and can hold position on a I have it just right, many more fish take the bait dime in the strongest wind and currents. Shallow when they see it than turn away. Many times, I can water anchor systems can hold the boat in stealthy experiment with different movements of the bait positions as an angler methodically picks a piece of and see how the fish react. If they’ve been following cover apart. These equipment features alone aid at for a moment and something I do with the bait trigboth locating and catching fish. gers them to strike, that unlocks a big piece of the Anglers often talk a lot, too. If you fish, you puzzle. know the folks you talk to and share helpful inforOne of the most interesting things I’ve observed mation with – bouncing ideas off each other, telling is how the best presentation can change at different fish stories and trying to crack the codes of catchtimes of the day. One part of the day, they want a ing the biggest and the most fish. We often refer to bait to move erratically; and then, another part of it as dock talk. Within the range of dock talk could the day, they want it moving very little. Sometimes, be game-changing insight that leads fellow anglers they want to eat the bait while it’s snug against the right to the juice or some less reliable info that, bottom, and other times, they prefer it up over their intentionally or not, takes them down a rabbit hole. For some, the talk can be very helpful. An insightful heads. This is an important dynamic that forward sonar angler can hear a few comments about conditions, has allowed us the opportunity to see and learn bait color or depth and apply instincts to fill in the from. But there are situations where forward sonar blanks, leading to a solid pattern. can be less effective, like shallow water and heavy And we are all probably guilty of putting too cover. Then, there are a lot of anglers who aren’t much stock into what we hear. I know I have. using it yet. How do you find the right presentation Personally there are times I wish I had listened then? more and paid better attention, and other times I One of the first suggestions in finding the best wish I had plugs in my ears. Too much info can be confusing and leave an angler trying to do too many presentation is to consider the conditions and what things in too many places without really focusing on the mood of the fish could be. This time of year, water temperatures are falling, and the metabowhat the fish are doing at the moment. lism of all types of fish is slowing down. Baitfish Generally when anglers share info with each other, it involves a bait, a location, or at least a type will begin to move more slowly and even begin to die, fluttering through the water if temps get of location, and oftentimes, both. For example, Joe low enough. The bass will move around less, too. tells his buddy, Jeff, that he was crushing them on They aren’t in as much of a chasing mood anypoints around Madwind Creek in 8 feet of water on more. Slower movements of the bait could be good a Green Pumpkin jig. Now this can be very helpful for mimicking the slow movements of the forage. info to Jeff the next time he goes out. He’s sure to Moving the rod more slowly, letting the bait sit try this area and this bait and this depth, just like momentarily and/or retrieving more slowly could be Joe mentioned, especially if Joe is a trusted friend.
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the ticket in cooling water. Jigs and shaky heads are great for the bottom-bouncing approach, but these techniques could be applied to many types of bait. This is a match-the-hatch type approach that convinces the fish what you’re offering is the real deal. Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum is the reaction bite. I picture a lethargic bass sitting hugged up to a piece of cover in cooling water. He may not be in the best of moods and not really on the hunt for a meal, but when a bright and shiny – or even perfectly natural – object bangs into that piece of cover, it could trigger the bass’ reflexes to strike first and ask questions later. The bass has a split second to decide, and with a brain the size of a pea, he often makes mistakes. An erratic movement of the bait as it deflects off a rock, stump, brush or anything that a fish could be sitting on could trigger a reaction bite. This can be done with crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, swimbaits, worms – you name it. The best example of a reaction bait would have to be a crankbait. Same time of year, same water temps and two totally different ways of presenting a bait to catch fish. It’s up to anglers to find that right presentation that produces. It comes with experimentation, and when the bites aren’t coming, it’s time to mix it up a bit.
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As you near the perfect presentation, more bites come. With every bite comes feedback that inches you closer and closer to the big picture that day. Finding the right bait and presentation could make the other big part of the equation – locating fish – much easier. When you’ve got a bait and presentation that’s dialed in and go through an area with little to no action, it’s highly likely that it’s just not the best spot at the time. When you do get a bite, always, always think back to what you were doing with the action of your bait leading up to and when the bite happened. The fish are the best reference and will tell you a lot. Although I’ve always known presentation was important, I have only recently realized just how critical it can be. It can make a huge difference, and it’s something I’m excited to learn even more about in future trips on Lake Martin. Greg Vinson is a fulltime professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.
DECEMBER 2021
A Gift Guide for Golfers
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back on the medium setting before and after he holiday season is upon us. With my round. After my first use, I thought it was the best holiday stretch and my three amazing and made me feel like I was walkfavorite holidays – Thanksgiving, ing on clouds. It is compact and quiet, which Christmas and ringing in the New Year – makes it easy to transport in a golf bag or back-to-back-to-back, this is arguably the car, and it fits perfectly in any locker. best time of the year. If you are an early n A Bushnell Wingman speaker is a fan Christmas shopper looking for a gift to give favorite this year. The Wingman is a GPS to the golfer in your family or a golfer who speaker that plays music and, with a simple wants to add to his or her list, keep reading click of a button, will tell a golfer the disbecause this article is for you. Golf gadtance to the front, middle and back of the gets, accessories and clubs have been on the rise in the industry for the last couple of PAR for the COURSE green. You can also download the Bushnell Wingman app and see an aerial view of the years. I’m here to let you know my favorite WITH PAXTON TIDWELL hole in play to know exactly how far a golfer Christmas gifts for the golfer in your family, is from the hole. One of the coolest features ones that I guarantee they will love. is the BITE technology, which is a very strong magnet n One of the best gifts you can give a golfer is a brandnew golf bag. Golf bags get tossed around. Zippers break. that can be placed on the metal frame of a golf cart. Safe to say, if you pull the Wingman out of the bag and snap it And the bags even start to smell gross, which nobody on the golf cart, you are immediately the coolest person in wants to be around. A new golf bag is like when you the group. get a new pair of shoes in elementary school. You can’t n And here are some small gift items that would be wait to show it off. Companies like Titleist, PING and perfect for stocking stuffers. LineMeUp alignment tools TaylorMade continue to be the industry leaders in makmake it so easy to draw a line on your golf ball with a ing bags and offering a wide variety of sizes and color sharpie. Custom divot tools or ball markers are fantastic options. If you really want to impress your family, get the name or initials stitched on the ball pocket for a more per- gifts because a golfer can never have too many. Wireless headphones are great for listening to music while practicsonalized gift. ing, and they eliminate that dangly wire that interferes n Sun Mountain GX Speeder pushcart is a fantastic preswith the swing. You can never go wrong with a dozen of ent for someone who prefers to walk when playing golf but doesn’t like to carry the bag. The pushcart comes with your golfer’s favorite golf balls either. Trust me, they will use them sooner than you think. The smaller items are a cup holder, two storage compartments and a scorecard some of the best because they usually have stories as to placement holder. An umbrella holder, additional cup why a golfer needs it or uses it every round. Try out some holder and a sand bottler grip are just some of the attachof these stocking stuffers this year. ments you can purchase to upgrade your pushcart gift. There are plenty of options to choose from for the The GX Speeder allows a golfer to walk and enjoy the golfer in your family, but any golfer would be thrilled to round without the pain of carrying a bag, especially if it’s receive these gifts on Christmas Day. I hope you all have a heavier bag or one that does not have shoulder straps. a wonderful Christmas and be sure to go back to the bufn One of my personal favorite golf gifts is the Theragun fet for seconds. mini-massage therapy gun. The Theragun mini is perfect for before or after the round to get a quick massage that Paxton Tidwell is an assistant golf professional at relaxes the muscles. There are three settings to choose from, which allows a golfer to choose the one that is most Willow Point Golf & Country Club. comfortable. I like my Theragun on my calves and lower
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Legend
63 280
To Sylacauga
Ti L
22
23
19
9
Churches
4
T
Alexander City
Public Boat Ramps
Camp ASCCA
11 Flint Hill Church
Camps & Parks 280
Power lines U.S. Highways
3
22
County Roads Piney Woods Landing
Wind Creek State Park
Pleasant Grove Church
11
COOSA COUNTY
Alex City Boat Ramp
Mt. Zion Church
259 9
10
128
Russell Farms Baptist Church 63
D.A.R.E. Park Landing
Friendship Church
18 20
New Hope Church
Liberty Church
12 Willow Point
24
7
13
Equality
Paces Point Boat Ramp
63
Camp Alamisco
14
Kowaliga Boat Landing
22 The Ridge
55
5
Seman
Camp Kiwanis
1 15
Church in The Pines
24
2
The Amp Ko w
ali
19 80
9
Central
ga
Ba
y
28 90
Union
ELMORE COUNTY Union Church
Red Hill 63
229
Eclectic
Tallassee
20 Kent
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Union Landing
Children’s Harbor
Trillium
34
DECEMBER 2021
Timbergut Landing
Horseshoe Bend National Park
Jaybird Landing
Lake Martin Alabama Marinas
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY
49
Jacksons Gap 280
Bethel Church
21
Dadeville
57
280
25 Camp Hill
Smith Landing
27
16
6
9
4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 20 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024
42. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
4. Russell Building Supply 21 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
52. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026
4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 22 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010
63. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853
234. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com
2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 83. Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net
Restaurants & Venues
Walnut Hill
26
50
on
33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
12 Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com
17 50
19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010
2. Alex City Marine 11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Stillwaters
8
22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
10 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861
Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters
18 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010
2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853
Pleasant Ridge Church
6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 146. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 15 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
49
Business & Shopping
11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
24. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 25 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853
Churches 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 27 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
Dock Builders 28 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024
Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.
16 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 17 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853
Reeltown
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Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro
Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office
Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina HACKNEYVILLE Hackneyville Water Authority NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin
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.
62 LAKE
DECEMBER 2021
Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina Charles Borden ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Offshore Marina Lake Martin Mini Mall Corner Stone Coffee Co. Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Catering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Anchor Bay Marina Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald Office Tallassee Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber Parris Mullins Jr. O.D. Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
Lake Martin Business and Service Directory
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MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2021
LAKE 63
Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 17
Henhouse Antiques.................................................... 13
Moore Wealth Management..................................... 67
Alabama Safari............................................................. 44
Hinson Galleries.......................................................... 12
National Village............................................................ 25
Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8
Homeology................................................................... 54
Odd Jobs......................................................................... 6
Alex City Marine......................................................... 44
Insight Dock Company.............................................. 64
Off the Beaton Path..................................................... 8
Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 63
Insurance Solutions.................................................... 12
Precise Pressure Washing......................................... 63
Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation..........................................8
Koon's Catering........................................................... 34
Prime Management....................................................... 6
Carden's Gift Cottage......................................................... 45
Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 63
Red Ridge Methodist Church.................................. 35
Childersburg Primary Care...................................... 54
Lake Life Nutrition..................................................... 34
Renaissance Electronics............................................... 5
City of Wetumpka....................................................... 17
Lake Martin Boutique................................................ 35
Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty............................. 50
Creekside Lodge & Event Center........................... 34
Lake Martin Creamery.............................................. 34
Russell Medical.............................................................. 2
Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 63
Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 17
Satterfield........................................................................ 5
Comfort Home Services........................................... 18
Lake Martin Mortgage................................................ 51
Security Pest Control.................................................. 8
Coosa Valley................................................................. 45
Lake Martin Pecan Company..................................... 8
Shoot First Photography........................................... 45
Custom Docks............................................................. 48
Lake Martin Realty...................................................... 68
Singleton Marine......................................................... 47
Davco............................................................................. 63
Lake Martin Signature Construction........................ 3
Southern Star Farm.................................................... 35
Diamond Golf Cars.................................................... 58
Lake Martin Vascular................................................... 34
Steven Mackey M.D..................................................... 35
Difference Architecture............................................. 45
Lakeside Mercantile.................................................... 34
Sunrise Dock................................................................ 12
Docks Unlimited........................................................... 5
Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 62
Temple Medical Center............................................... 8
Electronic Technology Group................................... 63
Larson & McGowin Properties, LLC...................... 55
The Local 41 Main...................................................... 34
Ellaby Boutique............................................................ 34
Lil Smokeys' BBQ........................................................ 35
The Well........................................................................ 35
Four Seasons Gallery................................................. 13
Main Avenue Apartments.......................................... 45
TowBoat US................................................................. 18
George Hardy D.M.D................................................. 16
Main Street Alexander City...................................... 50
Walmart........................................................................ 63
Gilbert Welding & Design......................................... 44
Mark King's Furniture................................................ 19
We-Haul........................................................................ 35
Henderson Glass......................................................... 35
McClendon Bridal....................................................... 45
Wetumpka Chamber.................................................. 17
inSight DOCK C O M P A N Y
(334) 377-1055 info@inSightDOCK.com 64 LAKE
DECEMBER 2021
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DECEMBER 2021
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Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~ Albert Camus
66 LAKE
DECEMBER 2021
Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417
Allison Ladson 256.750.0711
Damon Story 205.789.9526
Mike Davis 256.226.1238
Lindsay Kane 256.675.6792
Amy Duncan 256.212.2222
Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071
India Davis 256.749.7592
Judy Voss 256.794.0779
Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681
John McInnish 334.415.2149
Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031
Jan Hall 256.329.6313
Sawyer Davis 205.965.7940
Jim Cleveland 256.596.2220
Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017
Becky Haynie 334.312.0928
Adam Yager 205.914.0830
Mimi Rush 334.399.7874
Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099
Judith Jager 205.789.0698
Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372
David Mitchell 256.212.3511
Howard Haynie 334.312.0693
Haley Fuller 256.750.2411
Randall Rogers 334.707.5804
Denise Cochran 256.786.2484
John Shelton 404.858.9198
WE’RE THE MARKET LEADER Lake Martin Waterfront Market Share
DADEVILLE
256.825.9092
OURTOWN
256.212.1498
WILLOW POINT
256.212.1498
OTHER COMPETITORS
44.4% 68 LAKE
OUR CLOSEST COMPETITOR
LAKE MARTIN REALTY/ RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN
*LMAAR/MLS Member Firms Sales Volume Data Nov 2020 – Oct 2021
DECEMBER 2021
L a k e M a r t i n R e a l t y. c o m
