ELVISH CHARM

The 24-foot handmade garland at the Phillips' front door only hints at the festive air inside 36 LAKE

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

SStephanie 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

The living room scene is made festive with elves on a 10-foot tree, Santas, pillows, ribbons and more

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 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

Every nook and cranny Christmas very special for is decorated for the season me. That meant a lot, and 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

Magnolia leaves, berries and green bows adorn the walnut dining table LAKE 41

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 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

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.

The Candyland tradition began when Judson was born

Phillips began collecting elves more than 20 years ago

Better ask Santa

It’s official. Santa is having trouble finding enough lake homes to make all those Christmas dreams come true. For the past two years, there have been so many people buying lake homes that the available supply has all but dried up. The shelves where Realtors keep available homes are as bare as the toy store shelves reserved for the Barbie Dream House 2021. People making virtual shopping trips to Google, Zillow or Realtor. com are coming up empty.

That inventory shortage has caused a considerable number of potential lake homeowners to consider buying waterfront home sites and having custom lake homes built. That has created a backlog of work for local homebuilders, causing many people to consider resorting to the same tactic as Ralphie in A Christmas Story. With Christmas right around the corner, they are thinking about calling on the big man himself to get new lake homes built.

Now everybody knows that nobody does custom construction quite like Santa. After all, the work performed by the elves in his workshop is legendary. The problem is that Santa does not have enough elves to build toys and lake houses. Clearly, since Santa tries hard to deliver on the dreams to good girls and boys, he could use some more elves.

It appears that even Santa is subject to the supply and labor shortages that we are all experiencing in this COVID-19 environment. Who knew that even elves are in short supply this year? Maybe Mrs. Claus should quit baking those stimulus cookies, so the elves can get back to work.

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, 15 were under contract pending inspection. That leaves

36 lake homes available. Over the last year, 331 lake homes were sold. You can do the math. We could really use 295 more lake homes to supply the demand for the next year. When the lake homes supply dried up, many folks decided to build. Over the last year, 158 waterfront lots were purchased, and if you took a quick ride around the lake in Santa’s sleigh, you would see lots of lake homes under construction. No one keeps a good count of houses under construction. LAKE PROPERTY I think it is reasonable – given the fact that BY STEVE ARNBERG 189 waterfront lots sold the prior year in addition to the 158 noted above – the total projects under way could easily exceed 200. Local builders are working really hard to get lake homes built. Home designers are busy; civil engineers are busy; subcontractors are busy; and suppliers are busy. Everyone has reorganized, so they can keep up with current demand, and they could use some assistance from the North Pole. With that much demand for lake homes and the limited demand, even Santa and a host of elves can’t deliver by this December; however, if you get your letter postmarked by Dec. 23, you might have a chance for next year. For all the Realtors and homebuilders who are working hard to help your Lake Martin dreams come true, we wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings of the season. I hope that there will be a lake home under your tree after all. The data used in the article was derived from the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service. Steve Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands.

True Blessings

This is the time of year for giving thanks and spiritual renewal celebrations of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ; I wanted to reflect on the true blessings of Lake Martin for my family and friends. Lake Martin is known as a Treasured Lake. It has been a treasure to me, my family and many others.

My family and I came to Lake Martin in July of 1990. We found this lake by way of an elderly couple from our church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It was really by circumstance and God’s hand. My wife and I had been searching for lake property near Atlanta but could not afford it. The elderly couple had pictures of Lake Martin on their wall. I inquired, and they told my wife and I about Lake Martin. Back then, Alabama Power was leasing lots for $100 per year. We came over to the lake that weekend. We found a 900-square-foot cabin and made an offer that Saturday. Within a month, we were the new owners of a do-it-yourself cabin. We became known as part-timers at the lake. Little did we understand the impact Lake Martin would have on us, our family and friends in the years to follow.

We began having family reunions every July 4, a new family tradition. At one point, 28 members of our family slept in our 900-square-foot cabin over the July 4 holiday. Let it be stated: In that small of a cabin over four days, you get reacquainted with your family in unexpected ways.

We have had several friends come to the lake to visit us and like it so much they ended up purchasing homes on the lake and live close by to this day. One of my friends tells me how much my friendship has cost him over the years since his family stayed at our cabin for free. He bought a cabin here. He purchased a ski boat, two PWCs, a fishing boat, etc. He knows the blessings of Lake Martin.

We have had our children grow up here. Our grandkids have grown up here. Our nieces and nephews have grown up coming here. Their children are now growing up coming here. They understand the beauty and blessings of Lake Martin.

We have had a friend from Florida whose daughter came here as a child. She chose to get married at Children’s Harbor Chapel. Coming here every summer, she and her parents had fallen in love with Lake Martin.

Our son and daughter-inlaw decided to get married here at the Church in the Pines. What a wonderful setting for a beautiful wedding and celebration. Our grandchildren have grown up visiting Grandma and Poppa’s cabin. Over the last 31 years, our entire family and group of close family friends have come to know the blessings of Lake Martin. We have had more than 30 years of life and life’s memories at Lake Martin. In 2015, we moved to Dadeville as fulltimers. In 2018, we chose to tear down our beloved cabin and build our forever home at the lake. No doubt, Lake Martin is our forever place. It will be the place where we will be laid to rest. I have spoken with many friends concerning the impact of Lake Martin on their lives. They have similar stories to ours. One friend told me she wakes up every day and thanks the good Lord for the beauty of Lake Martin. It is truly a blessing. Think and reflect how our Treasured Lake has affected your family and friends. Think of all the memories you and your loved ones have shared while enjoying Lake Martin. The lake has brought my family and friends closer HOBO together over the years. As we give thanks for the blessings of Lake BY HARRY DENEGRE Martin, we must understand the responsibility we have for preserving and protecting this blessing. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect the lake and to share it with future generations. Lake Martin is changing and will continue to change. We can influence the change. Each of us must become active in one or more of the lake associations. At the very least, become a member of one of the associations and support its efforts. These associations will keep you informed and allow your voice to be heard. If you can, become active. These are volunteer associations. They can always use additional helpers. There will be many issues facing Lake Martin over the coming years. We can influence the outcomes if we have membership and active members. We are blessed with Some of the Associations having this beautiful and outstanding Treasured Lake. around the Lake: Become a good steward of the blessing of Lake Martin. It is all our responsibility. n Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners From my family to yours, Association (HOBOs), www.lakemartinhobos. Merry Christmas and Happy com New Year. n Lake Watch, www.lakewatch.org n Lake Martin Resource Association, www.lmra. Harry DeNegre is presiinfo dent of Lake Martin HOBOs.

Each Association has a different focus, but Follow the Lake Martin all work to preserve and protect Lake Martin. HOBOs Facebook page and Please consider joining one of these associations. visit the HOBOs website at

There are other associations around the lake lakemartinhobos.com. that are not listed.

1147 Willow Way North, Alexander City • $8,995,000 Beds: 11 • Baths: 9 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 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

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 540 Windy Wood, Alexander City • $2,200,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • 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

79 Shady Wood, Alexander City • $4,950,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com 865 Holiday Drive, Dadeville • $899,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031 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

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

Simplify with sheet-pan meals

As 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 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.

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 not to cook the eggs.

Chill and spin for four to seven minutes.

CHEF'S TABLE BY PETE MCKENNY

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.

Give life to your bait

Presentation gets the bite

Success in fishing can nearly always be narrowed down to two main components: Locating fish and how to catch them. There’s usually some crossover that occurs between the two as an angler dials in on the perfect pattern for the target species.

At our disposal, we have amazing tools that could make this quest more achievable more often. Consider advancements in boats and motors that have improved our range even in the toughest weather conditions. In a relatively short period of time, advancements in electronics with high-definition mapping, GPS and multiple sonar features have made finding fish much more efficient. Then there’s the bait selection on the market that has fed off the productive features of previous lures of old. Rods are more sensitive; reels are faster; and various types of line are less visible, more sensitive, have less stretch and are stronger. Trolling motors are stronger, quieter and can hold position on a dime in the strongest wind and currents. Shallow water anchor systems can hold the boat in stealthy positions as an angler methodically picks a piece of cover apart. These equipment features alone aid at both locating and catching fish.

Anglers often talk a lot, too. If you fish, you know the folks you talk to and share helpful information with – bouncing ideas off each other, telling fish stories and trying to crack the codes of catching the biggest and the most fish. We often refer to it as dock talk. Within the range of dock talk could be game-changing insight that leads fellow anglers right to the juice or some less reliable info that, intentionally or not, takes them down a rabbit hole. For some, the talk can be very helpful. An insightful angler can hear a few comments about conditions, bait color or depth and apply instincts to fill in the blanks, leading to a solid pattern.

And we are all probably guilty of putting too much stock into what we hear. I know I have. Personally there are times I wish I had listened more and paid better attention, and other times I wish I had plugs in my ears. Too much info can be confusing and leave an angler trying to do too many things in too many places without really focusing on what the fish are doing at the moment.

Generally when anglers share info with each other, it involves a bait, a location, or at least a type of location, and oftentimes, both. For example, Joe tells his buddy, Jeff, that he was crushing them on points around Madwind Creek in 8 feet of water on a Green Pumpkin jig. Now this can be very helpful info to Jeff the next time he goes out. He’s sure to try this area and this bait and this depth, just like Joe mentioned, especially if Joe is a trusted friend.

It could really be helpful. This type of talk happens all the time from coast to coast with anglers. But presentation could be critical, and it doesn’t always make the conversation. An angler using an artificial bait has to give that bait life to trick a fish into taking it. That’s where presentation comes in. It can be as much or more important than what color is working. In the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to get a lot of experience BIG CATCHES with forward facing sonar. With this BY GREG VINSON technology, I often see the fish before I cast to them; and then, I’ve seen how they react to my presentation. This was much more difficult to discern in the past when I just had to use the movements of my rod and reel that had worked before, or I varied the presentation until I got more bites. More times than I can mention, I’ve watched fish approach my bait, follow and not eat it. It can be exciting and frustrating all at the same time. When I have it just right, many more fish take the bait when they see it than turn away. Many times, I can experiment with different movements of the bait and see how the fish react. If they’ve been following for a moment and something I do with the bait triggers them to strike, that unlocks a big piece of the puzzle. One of the most interesting things I’ve observed is how the best presentation can change at different times of the day. One part of the day, they want a bait to move erratically; and then, another part of the day, they want it moving very little. Sometimes, they want to eat the bait while it’s snug against the bottom, and other times, they prefer it up over their heads. This is an important dynamic that forward sonar has allowed us the opportunity to see and learn from. But there are situations where forward sonar can be less effective, like shallow water and heavy cover. Then, there are a lot of anglers who aren’t using it yet. How do you find the right presentation then? One of the first suggestions in finding the best presentation is to consider the conditions and what the mood of the fish could be. This time of year, water temperatures are falling, and the metabolism of all types of fish is slowing down. Baitfish will begin to move more slowly and even begin to die, fluttering through the water if temps get low enough. The bass will move around less, too. They aren’t in as much of a chasing mood anymore. Slower movements of the bait could be good for mimicking the slow movements of the forage. Moving the rod more slowly, letting the bait sit momentarily and/or retrieving more slowly could be

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.

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.

A Gift Guide for Golfers

The holiday season is upon us. With the best holiday stretch and my three favorite holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas and ringing in the New Year – back-to-back-to-back, this is arguably the best time of the year. If you are an early Christmas shopper looking for a gift to give to the golfer in your family or a golfer who wants to add to his or her list, keep reading because this article is for you. Golf gadgets, accessories and clubs have been on the rise in the industry for the last couple of years. I’m here to let you know my favorite Christmas gifts for the golfer in your family, ones that I guarantee they will love. n One of the best gifts you can give a golfer is a brandnew golf bag. Golf bags get tossed around. Zippers break. And the bags even start to smell gross, which nobody wants to be around. A new golf bag is like when you get a new pair of shoes in elementary school. You can’t wait to show it off. Companies like Titleist, PING and TaylorMade continue to be the industry leaders in making bags and offering a wide variety of sizes and color options. If you really want to impress your family, get the name or initials stitched on the ball pocket for a more personalized gift. n Sun Mountain GX Speeder pushcart is a fantastic present for someone who prefers to walk when playing golf but doesn’t like to carry the bag. The pushcart comes with a cup holder, two storage compartments and a scorecard placement holder. An umbrella holder, additional cup holder and a sand bottler grip are just some of the attachments you can purchase to upgrade your pushcart gift. The GX Speeder allows a golfer to walk and enjoy the round without the pain of carrying a bag, especially if it’s a heavier bag or one that does not have shoulder straps. n One of my personal favorite golf gifts is the Theragun mini-massage therapy gun. The Theragun mini is perfect for before or after the round to get a quick massage that relaxes the muscles. There are three settings to choose from, which allows a golfer to choose the one that is most comfortable. I like my Theragun on my calves and lower

back on the medium setting before and after my round. After my first use, I thought it was amazing and made me feel like I was walking on clouds. It is compact and quiet, which makes it easy to transport in a golf bag or car, and it fits perfectly in any locker. n A Bushnell Wingman speaker is a fan favorite this year. The Wingman is a GPS speaker that plays music and, with a simple click of a button, will tell a golfer the distance to the front, middle and back of the PAR for the COURSE green. You can also download the Bushnell WITH PAXTON TIDWELL Wingman app and see an aerial view of the hole in play to know exactly how far a golfer is from the hole. One of the coolest features is the BITE technology, which is a very strong magnet 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 on the golf cart, you are immediately the coolest person in the group. n And here are some small gift items that would be perfect for stocking stuffers. LineMeUp alignment tools make it so easy to draw a line on your golf ball with a sharpie. Custom divot tools or ball markers are fantastic gifts because a golfer can never have too many. Wireless headphones are great for listening to music while practicing, and they eliminate that dangly wire that interferes with the swing. You can never go wrong with a dozen of your golfer’s favorite golf balls either. Trust me, they will use them sooner than you think. The smaller items are some of the best because they usually have stories as to why a golfer needs it or uses it every round. Try out some of these stocking stuffers this year. There are plenty of options to choose from for the golfer in your family, but any golfer would be thrilled to receive these gifts on Christmas Day. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and be sure to go back to the buffet for seconds. Paxton Tidwell is an assistant golf professional at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.

Legend

Public Boat Ramps 9 Churches

Camps & Parks Power lines

U.S. Highways County Roads

9

COOSA COUNTY

To Sylacauga

280

19

22

23

4 11

Alexander City

280

Flint Hill Church

22

259

20 11 Wind Creek State Park

Piney Woods Landing

Liberty Church Mt. Zion Church Alex City Boat Ramp

Russell Farms Baptist Church

128

18

63 Friendship Church

New Hope Church

12

Willow Point

Equality

Seman

9

Central

24

55

7

5

Camp Kiwanis

80

ELMORE COUNTY

63

13

14

Kowaliga Boat Landing

22

63

1 15

Church in The Pines

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

19 24

The Amp

28

Kowaliga Bay The Ridge

2

Red Hill

Eclectic

20

229

Tallassee

3

Camp ASCCA

Pleasant Grove Church

10

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Paces Point Boat Ramp

Camp Alamisco

34

90 Union Landing

Union Church

Jaybird Landing

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

280

Jacksons Gap

49

Bethel Church

57

Pleasant Ridge Church

16

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

Church of the Living Waters Stillwaters

8 9 6 27

17

Walnut Hill

26

49 Horseshoe Bend National Park

Lake Martin Alabama

21

Dadeville

280

25

Camp Hill

50

Marinas

1. Kowaliga Marina1 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. The Ridge Marina2 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

3. River North Marina3 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors4 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Real Island Marina5 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Blue Creek Marina6 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

3. Harbor Pointe Marina8 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines10 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

2. Alex City Marine11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo12 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

Restaurants & Venues

6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 6. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

14

Kowaliga Restaurant15 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Pizza16 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853

The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill17 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Business & Shopping

Lake Martin Storm Shelters18 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City)19 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

20

21

22

23

. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort24 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

25

Churches

Lake Pointe Baptist Church26 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

27

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.

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 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.

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.

A&M Plumbing............................................................17 Alabama Safari.............................................................44

Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8 Alex City Marine........................................................44 Blue Creek Iron Works ............................................63

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation .........................................8 Carden's Gift Cottage......................................................... 45 Childersburg Primary Care .....................................54 City of Wetumpka......................................................17 Creekside Lodge & Event Center..........................34 Coach Kraft Upholstery...........................................63 Comfort Home Services..........................................18

Coosa Valley ................................................................45 Custom Docks............................................................48

Davco............................................................................63

Diamond Golf Cars...................................................58

Difference Architecture............................................45

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

Electronic Technology Group..................................63 Ellaby Boutique...........................................................34 Four Seasons Gallery................................................13 George Hardy D.M.D................................................16 Gilbert Welding & Design ........................................44 Henderson Glass........................................................35 Henhouse Antiques ...................................................13 Hinson Galleries.........................................................12

Homeology..................................................................54 Insight Dock Company.............................................64 Insurance Solutions ...................................................12

Koon's Catering..........................................................34 Kowaliga Whole Health............................................63 Lake Life Nutrition ....................................................34

Lake Martin Boutique ...............................................35 Lake Martin Creamery .............................................34 Lake Martin Dock......................................................17

Lake Martin Mortgage...............................................51 Lake Martin Pecan Company .................................... 8 Lake Martin Realty.....................................................68 Lake Martin Signature Construction....................... 3 Lake Martin Vascular..................................................34

Lakeside Mercantile...................................................34

Lamberth & Lamberth ..............................................62

Larson & McGowin Properties, LLC.....................55 Lil Smokeys' BBQ.......................................................35 Main Avenue Apartments .........................................45 Main Street Alexander City.....................................50 Mark King's Furniture ...............................................19 McClendon Bridal......................................................45 Moore Wealth Management ....................................67 National Village ...........................................................25 Odd Jobs ........................................................................ 6 Off the Beaton Path .................................................... 8

Precise Pressure Washing.........................................63 Prime Management...................................................... 6 Red Ridge Methodist Church .................................35 Renaissance Electronics.............................................. 5

Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty ............................50 Russell Medical ............................................................. 2

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

Security Pest Control ................................................. 8 Shoot First Photography ..........................................45 Singleton Marine.........................................................47 Southern Star Farm...................................................35

Steven Mackey M.D....................................................35 Sunrise Dock...............................................................12

Temple Medical Center .............................................. 8 The Local 41 Main.....................................................34

The Well.......................................................................35

TowBoat US ................................................................18

Walmart .......................................................................63

We-Haul.......................................................................35

Wetumpka Chamber.................................................17

inSight

DOCK COMPANY

(334) 377-1055

info@inSightDOCK.com

Parting Shot

Photo by Kenneth Boone

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~ Albert Camus