Lake Magazine December 2022

John Thompson passes the gavel

Sleep... in Heavenly Peace

Whoever said that winter is an offseason at Lake Martin didn’t know what they were talking about. There is nothing ‘off’ about being at the lake during the winter drawdown.

You can see the truth of that in a lot of ways, but probably none more astounding than during the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup that took place at Lake Martin last month. Our honor roll photos of volunteers outnumber any previous year’s feature. Turn to page 20 to see the smiling faces of just a few of the many who picked up trash to pre serve and protect our Treasured Lake, including a picture of this year’s Golden Picker Prize Bag winner. With the outstanding support of so many volunteers and a dedicated board, John Thompson accepted the Alabama People Against a Littered State Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award last month. And Tallapoosa Publishers also brought home the governor’s Media Award for ALPALS. You’ll find all of this news in the honor roll feature.

John, who coordinates the cleanup through Alabama Power’s ROR program, passed the Lake Martin Resource Association gavel to Jodie McGirt last month (see the story on page 54), but never fear: He will continue to head up the cleanup effort.

Dixie Sailing Club’s Chris Norris and his son, Cade, found a great way to enjoy the lake in low water. Join them for a spectacular night of sunset sailing on page 28.

And then, head over to page 36 for details about Camp ASCCA’s annual Jingle Jump. This fun-raiser also raises funds that support programs at Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults. It’s not too late to get in on that fun. Sign up to donate and win the privilege of taking a cold swim to make life better for a bunch of folks at Lake Martin.

Winter turns attention to fishing at Lake Martin, and Alexander City’s John Moore is on it. He created a collection of fishing lures for last month’s bazaar at St. James Episcopal Church, and we just had to share his art through Breanna Manley’s article on page 32, with photographs by Kenneth Boone.

Greg Vinson invites you to fish for some crappie along with those winning bass on page 68, and Julie Hudson dishes on the many choices of holiday beverages on page 64. And on page 40, John and Nancy Hodges share their first Christmas in their new home in The Willows. Dull off-season? Never!

Wishing you the very best of seasonal blessings at Lake Martin.

Iler, Editor-in-Chief

KENNETH BOONE editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

TIPPY HUNTER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor in Chief BETSY ILER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com Art Director

AUDRA SPEARS audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Business & Digital Development Director

ANGELA MULLINS angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com

Audience Development Director

ERIN BURTON erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing

RENEE TRICE renee.trice@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

SHERYL JENNINGS sheryl.jennings@thewetumpkaherald.com

JENNIFER WELCH jennifer.welch@thewetumpkaherald.com EMILY GREGG emily.gregg@thewetumpkaherald.com

Betsy

On the Cover

Wearing a wide smile, John Thompson has been picking up trash around Lake Martin for more than 15 years. He has motivated hundreds of people to do the same, and together, they have removed some 170 tons of trash from lake shore lines and roadways. Last month, his passion for picking up trash was recognized with an Alabama PALS Governer's Award.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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lake for an

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THE LURE OF BUGS Alexander City's John Moore creates flies to whet the appetites of Lake Martin's fish population.

JINGLE JUMP It's not too late to win the privilege of jumping into the cold swimming pool at Camp ASCCA.

CLEANUP HONOR ROLL Featuring PAL's Awards to LMRA and TPI, the Golden Picker Prize winner and 150-plus volunteers. 40. HOLIDAY LIVING Nancy and John Hodges decorate in style for Christmas at their new home in The Willows.

JODIE McGIRT LMRA's new president is dedicated and passionate about Lake Martin.

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake

Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators

Say goodbye to 'Social Distancing'

SPRINGFIELD,Va., Nov. 8, 2022 – Now that recreational boating is coming to a close in much of the country, BoatUS takes a look back at the top 10 boat names ordered this season through its online boat graphics service and provides some commentary.

1. Andiamo: Meaning “let’s go / we go / come on” in Italian, Andiamo remains in the No. 1 spot from last year’s list. It’s also a happy refrain heard from the person behind the helm as they put the throttle down and head to open waters.

2. Osprey: This year marked the premiere of Osprey, hav ing never before made the top 10. In a unique twist, Osprey bumped last year’s No. 2 boat name, Social Distancing, com pletely off the list. ‘Nuff said, right?

3. Serenity: This No. 3 name is so popular it has made the top 10 seven times since 2010, tying the record with Second Wind.Yep, you guessed it – both are popular with sailboat owners.

4. Encore: Also a newcomer to the top 10 this year, Encore may be the boat name of choice for an entertainer. Or, it could indicate the “next” boat – either satisfying the 3-foot-itis or scaling down, or maybe even coming back to boat owning after a hiatus.

5. Zephyr: Last appearing on the top 10 in 2010, sailors will welcome this reference to a gentle breeze back to the list.

6. Second Wind: Is this boat named for a new chapter in life or achievement? A comeback? A new strength? We’ll never know for sure, but gosh is it perennially popular.

7. Adventure: A boat with this name is usually out of the slip

every weekend putting miles of water under the keel.

8. Knot on Call: This boat name serves as a notice that on-the-water time can’t be tam pered with. Of unique importance, the owner of this boat can silence their cellphone ring in just under two seconds.

9. Shenanigans: Quit fooling around. Shenanigans are a part of every boating culture.

10. Grace: In its fourth appearance on the top 10 boat names list since 2010, Grace likely holds deep meaning for vessels with beautiful lines or for those that navigate with finesse. This is the one boat in the marina that also makes docking look easy.

For a look at all of the BoatUS Top 10 Boat Names lists over the years, go to BoatUS.com/BoatNames.

Weather Outlook for December

May 2022 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the upper 50s with average lows in the low 30s and about 5 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of December.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly above average and rainfall will be slightly below normal this month.

Year-to-Date

Precipitation: 43.12 inches Avg. high temp.: 76.6 Avg. low temp.: 36.6 Avg. temp.: 65.1

Information from the National Weather Service.

Our Normal December

Precipitation: 5.47 inches Avg. high temp.: 58.4 Avg. low temp.: 34.9 Avg. temp.: 46.6

Last Month's Lake Levels

Summer: 491 MSL

Winter: 481 MSL

Highest: 487.85 Lowest: 484.86

Lake depth is measure d in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabama power.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.

Social Distancing

'Social Distancing' didn't make the list this year

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Daisy Sherum isn't sure what to think of her first visit to Lake Martin. (2) Audra Spears took this pan oramic from the north end of the lake near Camp ASCCA. (3) Robert Muglio found this marbled orb weaver at his lake house in Dadeville. (4) As Wilks Turner demonstrates, there's no better place to take a nap than on a float at River Oaks on Lake Martin. (5) Todd Skinner and Greyson Lawhorn enjoyed an afternoon chat while fishing off the dock. (6) Bruce Bright caught this Aug. 25 sunset from Windy Crest Road in Jacksons Gaps just as the last rays of light turned the clouds purple over Lake Martin.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Abby Jackson gets into the spirit of celebration at the Russell Marine July 4th Boat Parade. (2) Friday mornings are for coffee and boat rides with Todd and Linda Skinner and Jimmy Fables. (3) Adaline Clark spent the first game day of the season at Russell Crossroads for the Labor Day Music Fest. (4) Rob Henry and Ken Williams made their second metric century around Lake Martin in November. (5) Parker and Erin Harris make a great day even better with homemade ice cream at Lake Martin's Pleasure Point. (6) Molly takes in a late summer sunset on Lake Martin. (7) Tony Johnson snapped this photo of golden light reflecting on the lake in early October.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Randy and Kathy Kirkland took Lake on vacation to the town of Kirkwall in Orkney, Scotland. (2) Dwight and Sherry Henderson and Richie and Larkin Radney took Lake magazine to Friday Harbor at San Juan Island in Washington. (3) Lake Magazine traveled to Skogafoss Waterfall in Iceland with Reggie and Sandi Landrum, Tammie McVicker and Brenda SIlva. (4) Roger and Edith Montgomery, Bre and Nelson Smith, Cathy and Ryan Montgomery, Layton Mask, Bo Wickersham, Chris Worthington and Russell and Janet Montgomery spent a great weekend with Lake magazine at Encounter Cove, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. (5) Lake put on a tuxedo and won big at the Grand Casino with Aleem Gillani in Monaco.

(6) The women of Family Worship Center took a magazine with them on a trip to Pigeon Forge.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

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

Dec. 3

Breakfast with Santa

Bring the children to Dadeville Performing Arts Center for arts activities, goodies and a visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children will explore centers to create music, make art and visit with Santa. Admission is $20 per person but limited to 25 children at each session. For details and reservations, email kim. walls@dadevilleper formingartscenter.com.

Dec. 4

Christmas Cantata

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

Dec. 4

and dance troups perform and see the festive floats. This year’s parade theme is Santa’s Helpers.

Dec. 8

Christmas Music

Zazu’s Verandah invites you to get in the spirit from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with live music in the Listening Room. Jazz great David Jones will perform some of his favorite seasonal songs. For more information, check out the Zazu’s Verandah Facebook page.

Dec. 10 8th Annual Jingle Jump

Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults will host the annual Jingle Jump in the swimming pool on campus. This event helps to raise funds for campers with disabili ties in a barrier-free environment on Lake Martin. Visit the web site at campascca.org to donate or volunteer.

Dec. 10 Wildlife Presentation

CALENDAR OF EVENTS WHAT’S HAPPENING

Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade

Dadeville’s annual holiday parade takes a new spin this year with the formation of its own 501(c)3 organization, a new route and renewed dedication to its beneficiary, the Dadeville High School band. In addition to the host of food vendors and displays by local artisans from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the parade will start at 2:30 p.m. at DHS and process down South Street, turn at Spring Street and then at Lafayette Street before return ing to the high school. For entry information, contact Rhonda Gaskins at 256-749-3644.

Dec. 5

Christmas Parade

Come out to light up the night when the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade winds its way through the streets of Alexander City to spread cheer and wel come Santa. Spectators line the parade route down Cherokee Road, up Church Street and past Strand Park to watch bands

ON LAKE MARTIN

Bring the kids to the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the features that enable Russell Forest critters to survive the winter. There will be live ani mals on hand. This program is appropriate for all ages at no charge. Everyone is welcome. For more information, email naturalist@russelllands.com.

Dec. 10

Lake Martin Mini Mall

Annual Christmas Party

Visit Lake Martin Mini Mall for this annual customer appreciation event with free food, drinks and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 10

Downtown Christmas

Visit downtown Alexander City between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for this annual Christmas experience hosted by Main Street Alexander City and Alexander City Parks and Recreation. 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. The holiday market will be open to help shop

Alexander City's Christmas Parade features music, dancers, floats, bright lights and much more

pers wrap up the best gifts this year. Visit the Main Street Alexander City Facebook page for more information.

Dec. 13

Dadeville Community Chorus Christmas Concert

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

Dec. 31 Night Hike

Meet at the Adamson Road Trailhead for a hike through Russell Forest at the last sunset of the year. Bring the kids along as Naturalist Marianne guides this hike to the top of Heaven Hill. She’ll discuss all the changes that have taken place for wildlife through the year, and everyone will have an opportunity to talk about their own successes from the last year, as well as plan successes for 2023. As the sun sets on 2022, there will be snacks and a toast. This hiking experience is appropriate for age 5 and up. The fee for this program is $10. Register in advance at 256-496-2710.

Jan. 14

LMYP Polar Plunge

Ready to get cold and wet at this year’s Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge? This annual event cel ebrates the New Year at Kowaliga Restaurant with costume prizes, great food, beer, music and the cold water swim in Lake Martin. There’s also a Dash for the Cash. But you don’t have to get in the water to have a great time. Watching from the shoreline is allowed. For details, call Liz Holland at 256-234-3461.

Season-long Events

Artists Association of Central Alabama

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

Dulcimer Club

All levels of mountain dulcimer and blending traditional instruments are invited to gather at Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday to rehearse for performances at a variety of community events. Club fee is $25 annually. Performer memberships, patron memberships or quarterly memberships are $30. For details, email kim.walls@dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in down town Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call the museum at 256-329-8474.

Rhythm-Antics

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

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encour aged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Our Town Volunteer Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. Contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289 for more information. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volun teers 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 Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

Lake Martin Creativity

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

Fiber Fridays

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

Library Storytime in Dadeville

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

Children’s Library in Alexander City

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed story time every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never

know what gems you might find – from clothes and house hold items to boats. Proceeds help fund activities at Lake Martin’s Children’s Harbor campus and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for information.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

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

Real Island Supper

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

Amateur Radio Club

The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. For more information, contact Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710.

Fourth Fridays at EPAC

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events on the fourth Friday nights of each month (except December) at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 in Equality. Visit the Equality Performing Arts Center Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming artists.

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 7 p.m. Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place gets $15. Grab a group of friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. Thursdays.

Tallassee Lions Club

The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. Call Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or email her at marilyn.speake@tcschools.com for more information.

Equality Neighborhood Watch

The Equality Neighborhood Watch Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the old Masonic Lodge at 6:30 p.m. During the colder months, it meets at Equality Methodist Church on state Route 259. Email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com.

'Clean Up Crew' wins lake-focused T-shirt contest

Stephens Elementary School fourth-grader Ally Limbaugh won the 13th annual Celebrate Lake Martin T-shirt contest, and her winning art now graces more than 500 Renew Our Rivers T-shirts. Limbaugh received the honor for the picture she drew encouraging her peers to pre serve Tallapoosa County’s natural beauty.

“I tried the hardest I’ve ever done, and after I painted it, I felt really good about it. I drew the lake, and I put a camp site beside it because I really want to do that one day.” she said.

Due to her dedication, LMRA president John Thompson explained that Limbaugh and other Alexander City children will help ensure the Lake Martin waterways can be enjoyed for years more without risks from garbage or litter.

“The fact that we can talk to them at this age, and show them what has to happen to make sure our roadsides and communities are clean is I think really one of the most important things we achieve with this environmental school program,” he said.

Stephens principal Lekishia Richardson agrees and immediately latched onto the tradition when she assumed the leadership role earlier this year.

“We wanted to make sure to bring it back this year, so students could understand the impact that they can have on the environment,” she said. “We wanted them to learn about the importance of the lake, and how it’s such an important place within our community.”

Richardson explained that students learned about the Lake Martin watershed during art class, including watching videos about the lake’s natural ecosystem as inspiration for their drawings.

The school hosts the competition in conjunction the annual Renew Our Rivers initiative, a clean-up opera tion coordinated by Lake Martin Resource Association with Alabama Power, Russell Lands, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, TowBoatUS Lake Martin and Lake Martin Dock Company.

According to Thompson, since the initiative’s inception, the annual cleanup has removed some 167 tons of trash from the shoreline and roadways surrounding Lake Martin.

Thompson praised Richardson for preserving the school

tradition and believes warning children about the damage of litter will foster environmental stewardship as they age into adulthood.

“We want to start them at this age learning about the cleanup because what they enjoy about the lake relates back to the cleanup, and it really will help maintain the beauty of our wonderful community,” Thompson said.

William Marlow

Jacob Meacham named chamber CEO

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce last month named Jacob Meacham as its president and CEO. The Chamber’s board of directors approved the decision at its board meeting on Nov. 8, following the executive board's acceptance and review of applications throughout October.

Meacham was appointed interim president and CEO Sept. 23, following the resignation of Ed Collari, who had served in the role for eight years.

Meacham has been vice president of business develop ment for the Alexander City Chamber since July 2015 and was named executive director of the Lake Martin Innovation Center in August 2021.

“We as an execu tive board and board of directors are excited for Jacob,” said Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chairman, Lee Williams. “You will not find anyone with more passion for Alex City than him. We are confident in his leadership skills and vision. The future is very bright for the Alexander City Chamber.”

“I am thankful to the Chamber board of directors for trusting me with this amazing opportunity,” Meacham said. “The work we’ve done in the last seven years here has absolutely been fun, motivating, challenging and reward ing. Being able to continue that as president and CEO to me means it will be all those things and then some. Kim Dunn, Liz Holland and I, along with whatever pieces our team can add in the future, will work hard to be a progressive and valuable organization to our membership, local businesses, community stakeholders and strategic partners in com munity growth and improving quality of life. I’m blessed, thankful and ready to go.”

Ally Limbaugh

Jacob Meacham

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

BY JOHN THOMPSON

Dear Editor,

Another annual Lake Martin Community cleanup is in the record books after the annual Renew Our Rivers event at Lake Martin Nov. 4 and 5. While we didn’t come close to reaching the most ever tonnage, having removed 19 tons a few years back, this year we will be in the 7 tons range.

We did, however, have the most drop-off trash locations manned by volunteers passing out sup plies and assisting with handling filled bags. These locations were situated in high traffic areas that tend to be heavily trashed. The locations were Siggers Crossroads, Lakeside Marina on state Route 49, Union boat ramp, Kowaliga boat ramp, Big Fish Real Estate on county Road 34, Real Island Marina and Wind Creek State Park Marina. Having this number of locations helped to reach more volunteers and cover heavily traveled roadsides.

More than 400 volunteers turned out for the twoday event, and trash was removed from portions of Elkahatchee Road, state routes 63, 49 and 50, county Road 34 and Coley Creek Road, as well as busy roads in the Real Island community. These are much

cleaner today than before our cleanup. Coley Creek Road was cleaned from U.S. Route 280 to state Route 9 by volunteers from the Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department.

The shoreline of Lake Martin was not ignored, as Junior Leadership Lake Martin provided 25 young folks who boarded boats provided by Wind Creek State Park Marina and cleaned shoreline near the park. A new organization, the Lake Martin Civitan Club, stepped up and got involved recruiting volun teers who cleaned areas that we have not been able to clean in the past.

The list of key volunteers and organizers is too long and much too important to take a chance of leaving someone off that I’ll just say, “Great Job, all.” You know who you are, and you will have the same opportunity in the future as we work together to keep the Lake Martin community litter free.

Thanks to all.

John Thompson Lake Martin Resource Association

Cleanup Honor Roll

LMRA and TPI take home Governor's PALS awards

MANLEY

LLake Martin Resource Association became the Alabama People Against a Littered State Governor’s Volunteer of the Year last month, following LMRA’s 16th annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup Nov. 4 and 5. John Thompson, former LMRA president, said he believes the award is a direct result of volunteers and businesses coming together to make the event happen every year.

“It’s grown to the point that, with the participation we get now, we’re not cleaning up the large items and the big amounts that we had for so many years. We’re starting to really have to look for trash. We’re no longer finding the bigger deposits that we did early on. It’s really pay ing off,” Thompson explained.

Over the past 16 years of ROR cleanups, volunteers have collected over 170 tons of trash from Lake Martin shorelines and roadsides, including plastic and glass bottles, tires, television sets and refrigera tors.

Including younger generations is an important part of the event for Thompson. Every year, artwork from a third- or fourth-grader at Stephens Elementary School is displayed on T-shirts distributed to cleanup volunteers. Alabama Power prints some 500 of the T-shirts for the ROR program, which the util ity company started more than 20 years ago. Alabama Power also provides trash pickers and bags for the volunteers.

“It’s extremely important to me to involve the younger generation. The kids love being outside, and it’s just a great time when they’re young to show them the trash. Let them see it, let them realize that not only is it ugly and makes a bad influence on people, but there are certain items that are dangerous to the environment,” Thompson said.

“We couldn’t have done this without the team effort. Wind Creek State Park, TowBoatUS, Lake Martin Dock and, of course, Alabama Power and Russell Lands, all have come together. Having entities like that work together, we just couldn’t have done it with a handful of employees and volunteers,” Thompson explained.

As a reward to a volunteer each year, Tallapoosa Publishers collects donated items from businesses through out the community for the Golden Picker Prize Bag. Tied up with a trash picker painted gold, the bag contains gift cards and other donated items. The name of the Golden Picker Prize Bag is drawn from volunteers who send their cleanup photos to editor@lakemagazine.life during and after the cleanup.

“It’s wonderful that everybody jumps in to contribute to the bag when we call them. Everybody says yes, and everybody gives us great stuff – gift cards, Bluetooth speak ers. One year, Nicky Spears gave us a laptop. This year, Kenneth Boone put in a beautiful framed photograph taken from the top of Chimney Rock. Seeing how sup portive this community is of the effort to keep Lake Martin liter free is just amazing. And to be able to be part of that is what makes this job really wonderful,” said Betsy Iler, editor-in-chief at TPI’s maga zine division.

Iler was presented with the Media Award at the ALPALS Governor’s Awards banquet for Lake magazine’s promotion of the annual cleanup.

“While I am honored and hum bled to receive the recognition, the award belongs to the entire staff at TPI. Everyone here turns out to take photos on the cleanup days. Our newspapers feature articles about the cleanup, and our leadership –General Manager Tippy Hunter, former Publisher Steve Baker and TPI Chairman Kenneth Boone – have always supported our efforts,” Iler said.

With volunteers by the hundreds supporting the cleanup, it’s no wonder the Renew Our Rivers annual event has been so successful over the years.

“It says that Lake Martin has the best kind of people. Since the day I first landed here, I have been astounded by the way this community gives its heart and soul to things that matter. It’s the best place I’ve ever lived, this commu nity,” she said.

STORY BY BREANNA

Thompson and Iler received awards last month

Martin Dam journeyman Matt Thompson won the Golden Picker Prize Bag

From left to right: Arnold English; Lee Reynolds and Charlotte Denton; Raymond Futural and Caleb Good win; Adam Ashworth, Dax Culligan, Jamie Taylor, Bryan Riddle and Ralph Ziegler; Dax Culligan and Jamie Taylor; Westly Woods; Wendy Powell; Jimmy Huett; Debbie Gibson; Dianne Perrett and Robbie Dial; Trash from Hwy 50; Sam Clippin ger; Becca Wilson; Alana Tolbert, Kahlia Wilson, Hunter Palfrey, Tekevious Heard, Asia Carr and Bill Thompson; Dave O'Neal and Kenny Hubbard; Norm White, Makenzie Smith, Seth Chavar ria, Frank Worsham, Jerry Bynum and Brandon Smith.

From Left to Right: Amelia and Will Tampling; Trence Russell; Ken Holland; Litter Cat; Loading trash at Wind Creek State Park; Anne Funderburk; Annette Huett and Bonnie Vinson; Placing trash in one of the dumpster; Ellie Malkemus, Geethika Pocahana, Kaliegh Robinson and Rosie Aaji; Lar rmy Warren; Cary Cody; Emily Brown; Real Island Volunteers; Candy Jones, Laura Farris and Gina Murray.

From Left to Right: Bruce Adams; Charolette Denton; Kennedy Tate, Katie Hedrick, Mikhia Burt, Raylee Newman, Jackie Dorn, Bethany Kilpatrick, Natalie Spain and Tammy McVickers; Jody Kidd; Wanda Ryals and Cole Daniel; Voulnteers with the City of Alexander City; Jimmy Huett and Will Denton; Kristi and Mark George; Jean Deal and Minnie Allen; Nywanski Russell, Nathan Sogard; Mike Clelland; Melissa and Bill Duckworth; Rhett Hanks, Mike Clelland and Tim Robbins; Cade Beale.

From Left to Right: A boat unloads trash at Wind Creek; Kathy and Mike Talley and Rebecca Wright; Tonya Holland; Norm White and Frank Worsham; Gina Murray and Kandy Jones; Hollands unloading trash at Wind Creek; Mary Leigh Meredith; Jean Deal; Tallapoosa Kayak Club; Gary Hollon; Tallapoosa County Tourism swag; Jerry Bynum; Gayle English; Joe and Tracey Allen and Susan and Greg Womack; Jeremy Freeman, Matt Thompson, Bill Harrell, Mike Coker and Chris Goodman; Another boat unloads at Wind Creek

From Left to Right: Russell Lands crew; Glen Brawley and Randy Kirkland; Minnie Allen; John David Pem berton; Issac Garner, Alex Trasher, Amhal Bullard and Trey Slagoe; Jan Beale; Justin Phillips; Staci Pemberton; Paige Patterson, Jacob Meacham, Liz Holland, Griffin Harris, Kim Dunn and Lindsey Wheeles Fuller; Kaleb Abney; Linda Reynolds; Ralph Ziegler and Bryan Riddle; Love Lake Martin Towel; Lesley Martin, Katie Rasbury, Jon Wesley Jones, Destiny Ray, Natlie Ray, Rebecca Rasbury, Tonya and Ken Holland and Ansley Lewis; Jane Malloch; Jerry Hanks

Be Merry & Shop Local

DSC's Chris Norris last month took an evening sail on the lake with his son

Sailing at Sunset

STORY & PHOTOS BY CHRIS NORRIS

OOver the spring and summer, my son, Cade, and I sailed Full Tilt II, getting familiar with the boat and how it handled in normal, mild to slightly stronger winds. We went as much as we could, but it is hard to coordinate and get a college student to just drop what he is doing to go sailing for a few hours with his father.

Over the course of the summer, the heat became too much, and we started going out in the late afternoon; and then, staying well after dark when it was cooler. We caught some beautiful sunsets on the lake and have watched brilliant reds fade slowly to black some days. On others, just a big orange ball disappears in a cloud less sky to be replaced by countless stars on moonless nights. All while out on a small boat with no other dis tractions around and completely present in the experi ence. For me, being able to disconnect from anything but the present is what I am looking for when I go out. For that, the evenings have always worked better than the busier daytime.

I had been promising Cade that the fall would have better sailing weather and, even though I felt guilty about it for the destruction it would cause in other parts of the country, I was looking forward to the strong winds we would be getting as a hurricane came inland. I told my son that I thought everything was going to be perfect and he would have a great time. Luckily, he was able to break away and had the boat already hooked up and just about rigged when I got there.

We did take extra precautions, based on the winds we were expecting; 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts to 30. We wore life jackets the entire time and had throw-able PFDs in the cockpit, and we had actually practiced man-overboard drills earlier in the summer. We also made sure the cockpit hatches were locked, and we sailed with the companionway completely closed.

We pulled out of the dock about 30 minutes before sunset, planning on sailing for several hours. The wind

was not too strong, so once we got to the main lake, we raised the main to get a feel for the boat under the stronger winds. With the mainsail alone, the boat was controllable without too much worry. We would ease the sheet if the gusts started pushing us over too far for our liking, which ended up being about 15 to 20 degrees for us.

She responded to the rudder well enough, and even when the gusts hit, the boat would just lay down more; it would not round up into the wind under the main only. We sailed under main alone for about 20 min utes, and we decided we were ready to raise the jib.

The winds had grown stronger, and we had trouble get ting the jib raised all the way. I could not figure out why at first, and I thought it was because the winds were so strong. I had to go forward to investigate, and it turns out that the jib halyard had wrapped halfway around the mast and had become wedged under one of the mast cleats. I had to lower the jib slightly to release the tension, but the jib raised completely after that.

We only have the big genoa, but that night we wished we had a smaller jib up. The change in the boat handling was immediate once the big sail was up. As soon as the jib filled and was set, the boat heeled over much farther and was hard to keep from round ing up. If we did not immediately ease the mainsheet when we had a big gust, the boat would round up hard, no matter what we did with the rudder. Luckily, there was still some light to allow us to see the gusts coming, but after dark and once the moon set, we could not see the gusts coming.

We kept our hands on the mainsheet at all times to be ready to ease it when a gust came. We were heeled over at about 20 degrees for the majority of the time, unless a gust hit us, which in some cases pushed us over to over 40 degrees several times before we could ease the mainsheet. Except for when tacking, we just set the jib and left it alone.

I tried once to ease the jib when a gust came, but I was never quick enough before the boat heeled so much I could only hold on and let the boat round up and stand back up. I was not sure how the C22 would handle the stronger winds, but the boat was certainly not troubled by the wind, as long as we paid close

attention. We sailed back and forth for about 45 min utes before we relaxed and started to really enjoy the sailing.

We were worried about how hard the tacking would be, but we found that it was actually easier to tack in the stronger winds. We learned to sheet the main in as we tacked and ease it to the other side to keep the boom from flying across so hard. This was the only time since we have been sailing that we needed to use the winch to get the jib pulled in. We learned that if we were very quick with the jib sheets, we could get the jib set almost perfect and minimize the winching. The only time I was worried was when a very strong gust hit, and I real ized the mainsheet was not in my hand. It immediately fell to the low side of the boat, and I could not reach it. The boat heeled over as far as we have ever seen it, and both of us just hung on for dear life. The boat stayed there for what seemed like 15 seconds, as every thing was in slow motion. In actuality, it probably was more like three or four sec onds, and with us doing nothing but thinking maybe sailing tonight was not such a good idea, Full Tilt II rounded up quickly into the strong wind and stood back up. I looked over at my son, and he had a huge smile on his face.

No cell phones around, no music, no distractions, we were just completely present in this moment, and nothing else mattered. Once we got settled back in and underway, I decided I would get us two small strobe lights to mount on our life jackets. If one of us had fallen overboard, it would have been much easier to see the person in the dark.

We sailed until about 9 p.m., more confident in our abilities and a better understanding of how the boat reacts and sails in stronger winds. I had been waiting and hoping for an experience like that on the boat with my son. Cade has enjoyed the sailing up to now, but he enjoys it more when things are exciting. I think that night it was as exciting as it could have been, and I think he is hooked now.

I wondered to myself how many more sailing days we would have that could match that one. I am not sure, but we will be trying to find out. It was an expe rience and a night that I will remember forever.

Cade manned the tiller as Full Tilt II heeled over in a brisk gust

It might look like a tangled mess to you, but to a fish, John Moore's fly looks like a tasty insect

The Lure of Bugs

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Alexander City’s John Moore took up hand making fishing lures a little over four years ago after stopping in at a bait shop on U.S. Route 280. Mike Tucker, who owned a local bait shop at the time, taught the art to Moore in less than a day.

“I walked into Mike’s store one day, and he was making fly fishing bait. I thought that was interesting. Next thing I know, he was teaching me how to make flies. I picked it up right away. I mean, he had me making flies the first day,” Moore explained.

Since diving into making fishing lures, Moore has accumulated a wide selection of accessories for his lures, from eyes for the bigger baits to colorful feathers, small pieces of foam cut from larger sheets and even multicolored pipe cleaners. Though the bigger feathers in his collection come from online stores, he gets most of his gear from the Dollar Tree or other local variety stores.

To make fly fishing bait, Moore begins by wrapping the thread around a hook. He secures it with clear nail polish; then, he adds a small cut of foam, securing it to the thread and the hook and tying it down with more thread. At this point, the lure resembles the body of a colorful bug. With a dab more of the binding agent, he attaches bright ly colored legs to the hook, tying those down with more thread.

“You can get this stuff anywhere, even the Dollar Tree. I’ve gotten a lot of my stuff from there. I mean, you can use these feathers that are about $40 to $50 a piece online, but for most, you can use the smaller pieces,” Moore said.

Moore said he makes baits three or four times a year. It only takes a few minutes to make each one. Most recently, he took his kit out to make about 80 pieces of bait for the annual holiday bazaar at St. James Episcopal Church. He spent four days tying the flies, most of which sold for about $3.

But most of the time, he gives the lures away, rather than selling them.

“Whenever I see kids that are fly fishing, start ing out fly fishing, I give them some flies to go with their stuff to let them try them out. They do pretty good on those things,” he explained.

“Usually, we take grandkids out to fish. We like to go to Wind Creek and fish off the pier,” said Moore’s wife, Carol.

Though he enjoys making bait as a hobby, Moore doesn’t fish often. He and his wife, Carol, only fish occasionally. If he doesn’t use live bait when he fishes, he loves to use the baits he makes himself.

Moore makes a variety of bait pieces. The little fly bait pieces he makes are wonderful at catching bream. He also makes hair fly bait made out of artificial hair. These are larger and look like fish

Moore starts a new fly by securing thread to a hook

Then, he adds foam for the body of the bug

Legs are added next

And then, the feathers

moving under water.

“You take the hair – it’s like a fiber hair – and you add it to a hook. It makes a fish. It moves in the water, and I make those to catch bass. I color them blue, yellow and white to make them look like bream. The hair, it just moves like a fish. On those, I put fisheyes,” Moore explained.

When Moore is not creating flies for himself and others with his array of materials, he can be found enjoy ing his other hobbies and collections. One of his most prized collections is a military collection. After serv ing in both in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army, he collected quite an amount of memorabilia, which he used to take to local schools to show the children.

He also carves wood and makes pointillism art, a technique of painting with tiny dots that create the illusion of a solid figure. He’s a published artist through Auburn University and has worked extensive ly with the school’s archaeological department.

“I worked with them whenever they were doing the digs at Wind Creek, at the casino. I would do their pottery sherds and skulls,” Moore explained.

As a jack of all trades and a man of many talents, Moore loves to share his hobbies with others and wouldn’t mind teaching someone how to make home made fishing lures. With many hobbies and collec tions to keep himself active, Moore’s interests reflect a rich, full life.

Moore learned to make flies in one day and has spent four years creating them

Jingle Jump

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP ASCCA

Volunteers make a splash to raise cash for Lake Martin's Camp ASCCA programs

DDana Rickman, director of market ing communications for Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults, is hard at work for the eighth annual Jingle Jump fundraiser, set to take place on Dec. 10. With a whop ping $52,000 raised at the Jingle Jump last year, Rickman and the rest of the camp’s staff are excited to see what the community can pull off this go around.

The Jingle Jump is the biggest fundraiser the camp organizes, and since the beginning, the event has involved camp staff, campers and anyone else who would be willing to participate.

“We were looking for a fund raiser to involve a lot of people. We wanted to involve our campers, our staff, friends of Camp ASCCA and anybody who would be interested in an event like this. It’s our eighth year, and it’s been very successful. We wanted to do something unique,” Rickman explained.

Those who choose to participate in the event raise money for the privilege of jumping into the freez ing cold swimming pool at Camp ASCCA. The jump raises money for all the needs of the campers who visit and stay at Camp ASCCA. For those who want to avoid a dip, dona tions are another way to support the camp’s fundraising efforts.

“We have a lot of summer staff participate, and we actually have a few campers participate, either by jumping in themselves or asking a counselor to jump for them. We have board members, camp friends, and a lot of our full-time staff that do it. Anybody can do it,” Rickman said.

According to Rickman, those 16 and under are required to have their parents’ permission to jump in the pool for the fundraiser. All ages love to participate in the event to support the camp.

Though last year’s proceeds from the event were their highest since the fundraiser began, funds raised have remained consistently in the $40,00 to $50,000 range since the beginning.

“The money raised is for our campership fund, and that’s helping someone with disabilities go to sum

mer camp and other special events we do,” she explained.

Sign-up for this year’s Jingle Jump is still open. Those who are inter ested in participating for the cause can find more information about the event and sign up as a donor or jumper on the camp’s website at campascca.org. Camp updates also can be found on social media pages, which are a great way to stay informed on what’s going of around the camp.

Camp ASCCA, which has been operating since 1973, offers weekend and summer camps for children and adults with intellectual and physi cal disabilities while hosting other events tailored to their camp visitors.

“During the summer we have our weeklong sessions running June through the beginning of August, and those are Sunday through Friday camps. The rest of the year, we have our own weekend camps. We also serve groups that serve people with disabilities that will come and use our facilities. We also serve groups that don’t have disabilities. We offer day camps, field trips, organizational meetings. We host those throughout the whole year,” Rickman explained.

One of Camp ASCCA’s most highly anticipated events is the Christmas Camp, which begins Dec. 9 and lasts until Dec. 11. The Jingle Jump takes place during this camp every year. Another popular camp hosted at Camp ASCCA is the rookie camp, which has been a camp event for the past three years. Rookie camp gives children and adults the chance to try out summer camp to see if they like it.

Rickman has held her position at Camp ASCCA since 1999 and has enjoyed seeing how much good the camp does for so many. A couple of her primary duties include focusing on all of the fundraising efforts and manning the marketing campaigns.

“We’re so blessed to have the Jingle Jump fundraiser,” Rickman said.

For the calendar of events, updates and more ways to volunteer and donate, check out the website at campascca.org.

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STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Holiday Living

Two Christmas trees are the main focal points in the vaulted great room

LLast Christmas, John and Nancy Hodges had much to celebrate but no time to decorate. They moved into their new Lake Martin home in The Willows on Dec. 27, 2021, and put up only one Christmas tree. It was just enough to add a bit of holiday cheer to the chaos of unpack ing boxes and placing furni ture. With not enough jingle bells and fa-la-las to suit them in 2021, they took a much dif ferent approach this year.

“We had just that one Christmas tree last year, but this year I wanted to decorate before Thanksgiving, so we could enjoy the decorations longer. I love decorating for Christmas at the lake using natural elements like holly berries, vines and fresh green ery. And since some of our grandchildren were coming for Thanksgiving, I decorated before they came, so we could celebrate a little of both holidays with family at the lake,” Nancy Hodges said.

Traditional Christmas red, the deep red of poinset tias and Santa’s suit, paired with berries, magnolia and cypress, vines and other greenery, provide the color scheme for the Hodges’ festive home. Guests are wel

comed to the front porch by a topiary dressed for Christmas with bows and a pine wreath with a big red bow hanging on the front door. Just inside, the foyer table and mirror above it are decked in greenery with red berries. The greenery pro vides a woodsy backdrop for a woven twig reindeer and dif ferent sizes of wooden trees. Santa stands watch among the green boughs, which have just enough white flocking to remind guests of the often hoped-for but rarely seen snow on the shores of the lake.

The beautifully vaulted and spacious main living area in the house is alive with the lights and sights of the Christmas season. Hodges called in her brother, designer Phil Spraggins, to assist her this year. He suggested show casing groupings of her collec tions and mixing live greenery in with the artificial.

Another tree was added to the single one last year, one on each side of the sliding doors, which provide access to the covered porch. The tree on the left is filled with ornaments, some purchased and some presented as gifts. Hodges has collected Lake Martin ornaments since the first year the Lake Martin Mini

The Hodges' collection of nativities are beautifully displayed on a console table

Sparkling tree lights dance across the room

Berries, vines and greenery create the festive decor in the foyer

Hodges used splashes of red to bring Christmas into the kitchen

Simple touches of Christmas add to the coziness on a screened porch off the master bedroom

Reggie is decked out in a Christmas sweater

Small Christmas items, perfectly placed, have a big impact

Mall started carrying them. This year she added a new topper – gold, glittered branches that accentuate little white lights from Bless Your Heart in Eclectic.

The second tree has red decorations – red satin balls, strands and bunches of red berries, grapevine and pinecones for a natural look. This year, she added an enormous red bow topper, tied by friend, Joy Ferrell. Near this tree, a side door opens onto the screened dining porch, where the table is set for Christmas. Again, natural décor, wooden baskets, greenery and fairy lights blend for the perfect lakeside table setting.

A screened sitting area with a wood-burning fire place is on the opposite side of the porch, which includes access from the master bedroom. Pine branches adorn the mantel, and a reindeer wreath made of woven grapevine hangs on the wall as red

bows and berries accent the space.

On a long side table in the living area, Hodges dis plays nativities she has collected through the years. Cypress branches dotted with fairy lights fill in around the manger scenes. One of the nativities belonged to John’s grandparents, and the Fontanini nativity was a gift to Nancy years ago. Small manger scenes, wooden and wire, add to the collection. Larger clay animals, purchased separately, enhance the scene. Underneath the table, two baskets of poinsettias surrounded by cypress branches add a bright splash of color.

The fireplace mantel in the main room is decorated with greenery and a red satin bow. Nutcrackers that once belonged to Hodges’ children stand tall on one side of the hearth, and a reindeer basket holding poin settias and greenery balances the other side.

On the dining table, a Santa Claus collection brings

Nutcrackers that belonged to Hodges' sons hold a special spot on the hearth and in the heart

back memories of Christmases past for the Hodges. The Santas are of all sizes and shapes, materials and design and are set into boughs of cypress.

“I can tell you which Santas students gave me years ago when I was teaching. I know which were my mother’s, and which has a broken piece but is still spe cial enough to save. I enjoy unpacking all these Santas every year. For my grandchildren, I used Santa Claus figurines on every other stair in our stairwell (to the storage room) then added little white lights to make a path to Santa’s workshop. They were so excited,” she said.

The Hodges’ kitchen has touches of Christmas throughout. A wreath on the stove hood invites guests to Christmas at Lake Martin. A dough bowl filled with shiny balls and greenery sits on the island. The bar area is set with four champagne glasses filled with pink grapefruit, prosecco and cranberries. A red-andwhite striped cookie jar is ready to fill with treats. Small green wreaths hang in each of the four win dows, and Christmas vases on the countertop contain poinsettias and greenery.

Hodges has a collection of Christmas pillows, which she spreads throughout the home, with a couple in each bedroom. In the bedroom used for the grand

children, Christmas books that belonged to her own children are unpacked and ready to read to a new gen eration. An elf sits on the shelf, and the crib became the display case for additional Christmas pillows. The twin beds have Christmas pillows at the top of the bed and Christmas blankets folded at the bottom.

“I get excited for the season when I pull out pep permint and pumpkin spice coffee, my favorites. It’s a happy time, watching my children begin their own Christmas traditions while they keep some that they grew up with. And, starting new traditions in my new home, even decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, just fills Christmastime with so much joy,” she said.

The ornament tree holds memories of Christmases past and present

The grandchildren's room has its share of Christmas spirit

The feathers of this noisy backyard visitor actually are not blue, but brown

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

BBlue Jays are backyard celebrities – loud and active – with show-off colors. If they had thumbs, they’d probably post selfies on Instagram.

Blue Jays

This time of year, Blue Jays are focused on acorns in the forests around Lake Martin. One can carry up to five acorns at a time by putting three in its throat, another in its mouth and holding one more between the tips of its beak. Scientists have recorded Blue Jays that cached 3,000 to 5,000 acorns for wintertime meals. Because many Blue Jays bury acorns in the ground, they have gotten credit for spreading oak forests throughout their range, which encompass the eastern half of the United States and up into Canada.

Blue Jays are a little larger than Robins, roughly 9 to 12 inches long and weighing 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 ounces.

They are mostly shades of blue on top, with black and white markings and white or grayish-white on their undersides. They have black collars that go all

the way around their heads. In the world of Crayola Crayons, the blue colors range from Denim on their backs to Sky Blue or Turquoise on their tails.

Like many animals, Blue Jays like to hang out on the edge of a forest, especially where oak trees are growing, since acorns are their favorite food. They usually stay away from forests that are made up sole ly of conifers, so while you are not likely to see them in Alabama’s planted pine forests, they are common elsewhere in the state. These birds are found in urban areas, cities and parks – and on backyard feeders.

These birds are omnivorous, though about three quarters of their meals are plant-based: nuts, grain and fruit. They also eat caterpillars, beetles, grass hoppers, spiders, other bird’s eggs, snails, spiders, frogs and even carrion.

Their best known call is an onomatopoeia – a word that imitates the sound it is describing – so if you hear a bird call that sounds like a noisy, nasal

Blue Jays will agressively defend their nests against much larger predators

“jay,” it could well be a Blue Jay. They often make their calls in pairs, “jay-jay,” but also use a single call and more than two in a sequence. Known for their intelligence, Blue Jays make a wide variety of other sounds – from calls that sound like a rusty pump han dle squeak or a bell or a rattle to mimicking other birds and even human voices. They often make a call like a Red-Tailed Hawk, which ornithologists have heard them use to alert other members of their flock that a real Red-Tailed Hawk is in the area. Blue Jays are usu ally silent when flying and sing out when perched.

In addition to vocal communication, Blue Jays also use body language to get their messages across visu ally. When the Blue Jay’s crest is low or slicked back, it signifies a more peaceful state of mind. This appear ance is usually associated with interactions with a mate, sitting on eggs, feed ing nestlings or hanging out with other members of the flock. Crest up means a more aggressive mood, such as when calling or in times of conflict with potential predators.

Blue Jays have strong and com plex families. Couples often mate for life, and mates stay together year round, even though they only produce a single brood each year.

When they are courting, Blue Jays often chase each other, and the males sometimes bring gifts of food to their prospective partners. They also exhibit head-bob bing during courtship and when fighting.

These birds build nests high off the ground – 10 to 25 feet up – in hardwoods or conifers. The males do most of the gathering of twigs, grass and mud while the females do most of the actual building. The nest is usually lined with tiny roots.

Mom jays lay between two and seven bluish or light brown spotted eggs. They sit on the eggs for 17 to 18 days, and the nestlings, which are totally dependent on their parents when they hatch, leave the nest in about three weeks.

Blue Jays aggressively defend their nests and have been known to attack animals many times larger than

themselves, such as hawks, cats, raccoons, opossums and even people who get too close.

These birds are sexually mature at one year and are long-lived. The average lifespan for a wild Blue Jay is seven years, but a tagged bird was found to be 17-1/2 when it died. In captivity, Blue Jays have lived to more than 26 years old.

Blue Jays are partially migratory, meaning some fly south to escape the cold, and others stay put during winter.

One interesting fact about these birds is that, despite their brilliant blue color, their feathers are not actu ally blue. Instead, when visible light strikes a Blue Jay feather, all col ors except blue pass through, so it looks blue. If you crush a Cardinal feather into powder, the powder is red; however, if you crush a Blue Jay feather, the resulting powder is brown because its light-reflect ing ability has been disrupted. And speak ing of differ ences between Blue Jays and Cardinals –which are about the same size and shape and also are com mon visitors at backyard feeders – Cardinals have been adopted as the official state bird in seven U.S. states. Blue Jays? Not a one.

But that doesn’t seem to bother these very social birds. In fact, the official name for a group of Blue Jays is a “party.”

Some information for this article came from the Cornell University’s All About Birds, Audubon Guide to North American Birds, and the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web and Bird Watching HQ.

The Blue Jay's lowered crest indicates a relaxed state of mind

White Oak Landing

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LMRA's new president is passionate about Lake Martin

Jodie McGirt

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

JJodie McGirt will follow in John Thompson’s footsteps next year as she takes on the role of president of Lake Martin Resource Association while Thompson focuses his time on environmental education for LMRA.

“I told him he couldn’t go anywhere. He’s still on retainer,” joked McGirt, a Montgomery native who trans planted to the lake 22 years ago.

McGirt, who joined the LMRA board in 2019, said she is committed to maintaining the nonprofit lake advocacy organization’s programs to preserve, protect and promote Lake Martin and growing its visibility during her tenure.

“When I moved to the lake, I wasn’t in a integrated lake community, and I hadn’t heard of LMRA. I believe we’re all in the community of Lake Martin – on the water and off the water. It touches everybody – our economy, environment, safety. One of the things I want to do is utilize technology to enhance the brand and visibility of LMRA, so people recognize who we are, understand what we do and how they can help,” she explained.

What LMRA does is a lot of work for the betterment of the lake, though lakegoers may take their efforts for granted. LMRA volunteers coordinate Lake Martin’s Renew Our Rivers cleanup; place and maintain some 460-plus hazard and safety buoys on the water; support boater education, administer a crime prevention reward program; and keep up with the Treasured Mile program.

As LMRA’s vice president under Charles Borden for five years and then president for the last 10 years, Thompson’s legacy includes expansion of the annual cleanup effort. He oversaw the collection of some 170 tons of trash from Lake Martin’s shorelines and roadways since about 2005. An Alabama Power initiative, ROR draws about 400 volunteers from around the lake each November.

“John will continue to lead the lake cleanup, and he wants to grow our environmental education across all three counties and in the local schools,” McGirt said. “We can’t make the impact we want without education. We have a great relationship with Stephens Elementary School in Alexander City. We do a program there with Alabama People Against a Littered State, and we would love to take that program to other schools in the area.”

McGirt said she also would look at how LMRA drives membership in the technological age.

“We’re looking into bringing our technology up to date by using an association management system to expand our reach to members/potential members through email. We want to communicate with our members better,” she explained.

Doing so will help to solidify the organization’s foun

dation and better support future growth and the flexibility to meet new needs as they arise.

“Fortunately, we have a number of very active people on our board. It is a working board that is willing to step up and to serve our community,” she said. “I agree with Will Denton who called the current board of volunteers a dream team, where everyone is engaged and brings dif ferent things to the table.”

As an example of a few of our active board members – John Thompson heads up the ROR environmental edu cation. Randy Kirkland coordinates LMRA’s buoy, safety and training program. And Laurie Sturdivant oversees marketing. Steve Forehand manages the organization’s legal aspects and keeps tabs on legislative concerns that could affect Lake Martin.

One of LMRA’s most visible projects is the manage ment of buoys on Lake Martin. As a non-profit organi zation, LMRA depends on membership/donations and corporate support from local businesses. At today’s costs, LMRA’s hazard buoy investment is $86,000.

A few of LMRA’s most active local supporters comes includes Alabama Power, Russell Lands, Lake Martin TowBoat, Lake Martin Dock Company and Wind Creek State Park.

“Having the backing of these great businesses also allows us to do a lot more. In addition to our corporate sponsors for Renew our Rivers, we get a lot of support from Jane Garrett and her team at Chuck’s, Michael Langston on the northeast side of the lake and John Coley who sets up a Realtor challenge for Renew Our Rivers.”

McGirt would like to continue the momentum and increase the support for LMRA projects in Elmore and Coosa counties.

“We can have more impact if we get more people involved,” she said.

For her part, McGirt brings 30-plus years of global management experience to the table. She manages a team of 3,200 employees around the world to coordinate clini cal trials for pharmaceutical/biotech companies. Because she could live anywhere for her job, she chose Lake Martin.

“The water is calming to me, and it is close to Montgomery, where I grew up,” McGirt said. “My family rented a vacation cabin at the lake a couple of times when I was growing up, and I came to the lake with friends. I love the lake year-round. In addition to typical summer activities, I love walking the shoreline with my dogs in the winter. It is peaceful and quiet.”

Well known globally in the research world, McGirt also is well known around the lake. Married to serial

Jodie McGirt took over as president of LMRA at the end of last month

entrepreneur David McGirt for 14 years, she volunteers with Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department, is an active member and volunteer at Children’s Chapel, is a certi fied firearms instructor and sits on the Lake Martin Tourism and Auburn Club boards. The McGirts purchased Lake Martin Dock Company in 2016, opened Lake Martin Machine Gun short ly thereafter and, most recently, started a private aviation busi ness in Alexander City.

“Since 2016, LMDC has tripled in size and continues to be a premier marine contruction company and supplier to many other dock companies on Lake Martin. LMMG is a destination activity. It started as a machine gun experience, but we added pistol bays, rifle range and a dedicated training facility where I, as a certified NRA/ USCCA instructor, train students in personal protection and firearm safety/use. Our aviation business is a needed tool to facilitate the growth of local businesses in our area.

The energy it takes to keep these priorities moving along is genetic, McGirt said.

“I am my mother’s child. I like to be busy.”

In her downtime, McGirt loves to load up the boat with

snacks and cruise lake with a general direction but no time frame.

“No agenda, completely unscheduled. Don’t get on the boat with me if you have to be back at a particular time,” she laughed.

Her involvement in LMRA developed through an invitation by Charles Borden to the board and Lake Martin Dock Company, which pours concrete to make and store anchors and other buoy deploy ment materials on site.

“People would call Lake Martin Dock Company about LMRA things, like missing or damaged buoys, and may complain about boat proximity and request new buoys, which is good, as we are able to help funnel the inquiries to the right place,” said the new president at Lake Martin Resource Association. “Yes, come to vent, and if you come to me with a complaint, be prepared to be part of the solution. Our community works best when we all share the load of support.

“We welcome ideas about how to fix situations, how to make it better. How to make LMRA grow to better sup port, protect and prevent in bite-sized pieces, so we can continue to take care of Lake Martin.”

Contact Jodie McGirt at jodielmra@gmail.com.

McGirt inventories buoys at LMDC

Copper's Mule

GRILL

Ingredients

A Matter of Perspective

When I meet people in public who know me, I get two questions: ‘Whom is Auburn going to get for their next coach?’ and ‘How is the market?’

My answer to the first is, ‘I don’t know,’ and the second is that it depends on your perspective. Are you a prop erty owner? a property seller? or a property buyer? It also depends on what area of the lake you are interested in or what type of property. For instance, my answer may be dif ferent for The Heritage versus, say, White Oak Landing or for condos versus waterfront home sites.

Every month, I sift through market data to maintain a feel for what is happening in the Lake Martin real estate market. The data I look at is compart mentalized: first, into property types; and then, into different data points. For instance, the current data tells me that the sales volume for single-family residential over the last 12 months is 10 percent lower than that of the same period last year; however, the volume for water-access residential is up 84.6 percent over the same period last year, and waterfront lot sales are up 49.7 percent.

When I look at the waterfront inventory for single-family, I notice that there are only 72 properties for sale, which helps to explain why more people are buying lots. When I look at the average price of a waterfront home and note the sales price is $1,173,402 and that water-access is $413,763, that explains why the water-access category is so robust.

So what I thought I would do in my article this month is give my brief perspective of the market data, as it pertains to buyers, sellers and owners in that order.

n Buyers’ Perspective

This month’s data has some good news and not-so-good news. The good news is that inventory is up slightly from this same period last year. As noted above, there were only 72 waterfront homes on the market, versus 50 this time last year. While that is about half of what a balanced market should have, the current inventory is giving buyers more options. That also means that buyers are not as likely to enter into a bidding war on newly listed property.

The bad news, of course, is that interest rates have risen to roughly 7 percent this fall, which has increased the cost of ownership. Historically, that is still a great rate but higher than what was available a year ago (roughly 3 percent at this time last year). Higher rates are sure to dampen the rapid increase in prices (22 percent over last year) that will

likely give buyers some extra buying power. n

Seller’s Perspective

COVID and social distancing brought a focused atten tion to lake property. Sitting at your dock and going for a boat ride are wonderful ways to shelter in a pandemic. That new attention created increased demand, which led to rapid sales, competition for fewer properties and higher sales prices. That demand pushed the market to historic levels.

However, the increase in interest rates has reduced demand from historically high to more normal levels. That means that a seller can no lon ger name a price and be certain of a sale. In order for a seller to be confident in a sale, a careful study of recent sales price and repairs would be required. Last year, 100 percent of listed resi dential properties sold within the year. This year, only 80 per cent of properties listed actually sold.

n Owner’s Perspective

For those who own waterfront property, the data and market conditions contain great news. First, the market data indicates that residential sales prices have increased 22 percent over last year. That followed an increase of 15 percent in the prior year as well. That means that, as an asset class, Lake Martin waterfront property is likely to be a bright spot in an otherwise nega tive portfolio.

ARNBERG

Since many owners have been able to purchase or refinance at very low fixed rates, the cost of continued ownership is compara tively low. That means, unlike the mid-2000s when many mortgages had variable rates, there is minimal pressure to sell. Additionally, speculative development, speculative construction and speculative purchasing are at very low lev els, which tends to restrain supply and to support property values.

The good news for everyone is that Lake Martin is a large, beautiful lake, and Alexander City, Dadeville and Russell Lands continue to grow and add stores, restaurants and amenities. The quality of life here continues to improve. In fact, it has never been better. At least, that is my perspec tive.

Have a happy holiday season and a very merry Christmas.

Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands.

Steve

LAKE PROPERTY BY STEVE

The market's performance depends on the perspective

Of Vital Importance

In support of the work of HOBO's sister organization

In this month’s article from Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners, I am writing about Lake Watch of Lake Martin and the vital role this organization plays in keeping our Treasured Lake water clean. HOBOs and Lake Watch want to celebrate the clean water of Lake Martin. We had a scare in September 2021 with E. coli in the upper lake. We have had industrial pollution in the past. We have had city sewage issues. It has been the efforts and pursuits of Lake Watch, HOBOs and other lake area associations that have protected us from these issues.

In full disclosure, I was recently elected to the board of directors of Lake Watch Lake Martin. Becoming active in this organization, I have realized the extremely valuable and necessary work they do for the community and the lake. We all recognize the importance of Lake Martin to our community and specifically the clean water of Lake Martin. The work Lake Watch does is extremely vital to the health of our local economy and the health of our Treasured Lake. Lake Watch needs financial support and member par ticipation assistance from the community around Lake Martin.

Lake Watch performs bacteriological testing and water chemistry testing at approximately 40 active sites on Lake Martin and on the tributary streams of the Middle Tallapoosa Basin. Lake Watch recently launched a new program called Swim Alert. Test results from Swim Alert sites are promptly reported on the Lake Watch and HOBO websites (See lakewatch.org/ Swim-Alert).

When testing at a site shows E. Coli levels beyond the safe swim limit set by Alabama Department of Environmental Management, test results are reported on the Lake Watch Swim Alert website, as well on the Lake Martin HOBO website. Lovers of Lake Martin deserve accurate information to make decisions about when and where to swim. Likewise, those in authority in state and local govern ment require accurate information to make their decisions. HOBOs encourages you to visit lakewatch.org to learn more about Lake Watch activities.

BY HARRY DENEGRE

Lake Watch and Lake Martin HOBOs have enjoyed a very close relationship for the past 15 years. Lake Martin HOBOs organization was founded, in large part, by the officers of Lake Watch in 2007. At the begin ning of the Alabama Power relicensing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the HOBO organization was founded to represent the lake home owners and boat owners and ensure the best interests of its members who enjoy boating and fishing on the lake. HOBOs is an active partner of the Lake Watch program and a financial sponsor. We urge all HOBO members and lake lovers to do the same.

I would like to familiarize you with Lake Watch. Lake Watch was formed in 1991 as an all-volunteer non-profit organization in response to citizen concerns about point-source pollution that posed an ecological and public health threat to Lake Martin. Lake Watch’s organizational goal is to work to ensure excellent water quality for the lake. Lake Watch takes a proactive approach to protecting and enhancing the water qual ity of Lake Martin by working with governmental and private organizations within the Tallapoosa River Basin and throughout the state on water quality issues.

Lake Watch’s 28 water monitors are all uncompensated volunteers. HOBOs and Lake Watch recognize that volunteers’ gifts of their time and their costs for sampling, related transportation on road and water are substantial. Monitors strive to test at their assigned site twice per month: once on a non-rain event occasion and once after a rain event. Consistent with Alabama Water Watch procedures, Lake Watch monitors draw and incubate triplicate water samples for each site testing. It is the practice of Lake Watch to provide volunteers with testing materials free of cost. Lake Martin HOBOs contributes to the approximate annual $6,000 cost of these test kits.

If you are a local business, Lake Martin HOBOs asks you to contribute to Lake Watch. The service Lake Watch provides is vital to your business. If the Lake becomes polluted, the local economy would suffer greatly. Lake Watch is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organiza tion. All donations are tax exempt. Your donations will help supply the monitors with the test kit supplies needed for testing the water for chemical and biologi cal contamination. Go to lakewatch.org and contribute. Lake Watch will recognize your company to the local community for your contribution.

If you are a local city or county government, you can assist Lake Watch as a program partner and a financial sponsor with grant money and contributions for vital

HOBO

supplies for lake monitors.

If you are a local politician, you can be active in raising awareness of the vital role of Lake Watch and celebrate the clean water priority of our Treasured Lake.

If you live on Lake Martin or enjoy water activities here, HOBOs ask you to join Lake Watch as a mem ber. Individual membership is only $20 a year. Family memberships are $30 annually. You do not have to be a water monitor to be a member of Lake Watch. Become a member and learn more about what Lake Watch does. Go to lakewatch.org to join.

If you are interested in becoming a water monitor, Lake Watch needs additional water monitors. Water monitors are trained and certified in their roles. Go to lakewatch.org for more information about attending a training workshop.

My thanks to members of Lake Martin HOBOs and the board of Lake Watch for assisting me in putting this article together. They are dedicated to this cause.

Please consider this call to action. Visit lakewatch. org and join, donate or volunteer to become a water monitor. Clean water is vital to our Treasured Lake and the community.

Harry DeNegre is president of Lake Martin HOBOs. Visit lakemartinhobos.com to learn more about HOBOs.

48 Outboard Circle, Jackson’s Gap • $1,200,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526

LakeMartinRealty.com

Ridge Run, Bywater • $1,675,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,612

Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks,

1137 North Ridge, Alexander City • $5,950,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 7 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313

36 Shady Bay Lane, Jackson’s Gap • $1,999,999

Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty Judith Jager 205.789.0698

LakeMartinRealty.com

56 Magnolia Crest, Dadeville • $435,000

Beds: 3 • Baths: 3.5 • Water View

Lake Martin Realty Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031

LakeMartinRealty.com

Holiday Drinks

Tis the season for eating and drinking with office parties, family get togethers, holiday buffets, cookie swaps and ornament exchanges. Navigating the rest of the holiday season with all of its traditions can be tough when food and drinks play an inte gral part of the celebration. Staying true to a healthy regime while living in the moment is so important to fully enjoying the holiday season. Mental preparation is the key to suc cess. Focus on the flavors, foods and drinks you like the most and enjoy these in small amounts. One area often forgotten in the calorie count is the fun festive drinks. The comforting smell and taste of hot choco late, eggnog, cinnamon laced ciders, lattes, mochas, peppermint flavored drinks seem to complete the holiday menu.

and therefore, are the highest in calories, fat and protein. Cappuccinos contain a bit less milk; however, they still provide a significant number of calories, protein and fat in each serving. Macchiatos contain only a splash of milk, which makes them much lower in calories, fat and protein.

HEALTHY LIVING

BY JULIE HUDSON

Just like food, drinks can be made healthier. Traditional eggnog is made with egg yolk, heavy cream, whole milk and sugar. If you purchase your own eggnog, look for low fat or nonfat versions. Soy and almond milk eggnog varieties are available, too.

Hot chocolate could be made many different ways, but the traditional coffee shop variety is usually made with whole milk and sweet chocolate syrup with whipped cream on top.

Cappuccinos, macchiatos and lattes contain different amounts and types of milk and foam, which could alter their nutritional profiles. Lattes contain the most milk;

It’s hard to miss the smell of peppermint mochas at coffee shops. If you love choco late and peppermint, the peppermint mocha at most coffee shops will put a smile on your face, along with a whole lot of calories and sugar in your body. Hot apple cider infused with cinnamon, cloves and orange is another holiday favorite. Cider can be lightened up if you choose to make a home version.

There are several ways to slim down on your favorites. It is important to remember that just like the plate size matters, so does the cup size. To not overindulge, make a habit of ordering or pouring the smaller size.

For more healthful eggnog, you can mix half eggnog and half low-fat or nonfat milk. To save extra calories, fill a glass mostly with low fat or skim milk and add a small amount of eggnog to fulfill the “noggy” flavor but with fewer calories. If you prefer the full rich taste of eggnog, indulge in smaller servings by using tiny glasses.

Hot chocolate can be modified with low fat, fat-free or sugar-free mixes at home. Add hot milk or hot water or a combination of the two. You could save calories using

Hot Chocolate

Peppermint Mocha

Carmel Macchiato

less milk and more water. If you order hot choco late at a coffee shop, choose fat-free milk and no whipped cream.

Alcoholic cocktail calories and sugar con tent add up. Cut calories in half simply by alter nating a cocktail with sparkling water or a non-calorie drink. Wine spritzers are a lower-calo rie, providing wine flavor with half the calories. Eggnog lattes and pep permint mochas could be made skinnier by requesting nonfat milk, sugar-free peppermint and sweet mocha flavor ings. Skip the whipped cream, of course.

Did you know?

If counting calories is important, size will mat ter. Look at these comparisons.

n Order a Short (8-ounce) instead of a Grande (16-ounce): saves 200 calories.

n Order a Tall (12-ounce) instead of a Grande (16-ounce): saves 90 calories.

n Order a Grande (16-ounce) with almond milk instead of 2 percent: saves 80 calories.

n Order a Grande with nonfat milk: saves 50 calories.

n Order a Grande with coconut milk: saves 40 calories.

n Order a Grande (16-ounce) and skip the whipped cream: saves 70 calories.

light or low-fat eggnog, 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1 teaspoon non-calorie sweetener. Top with nut meg and cinnamon.

Hot apple cider could easily be made at home by infusing cloves, cin namon and/or orange in low-sugar apple cider or apple juice while you warm the cider on the stove or in a percolator. Chai tea and fruit juices make festive holiday cider drinks with only 68 calories per 6-ounce cup.

Pumps of flavored syrup are what gives the drinks extra sugar. For example, in a Grande peppermint mocha, there are four pumps of peppermint syrup and four pumps of mocha sauce. One peppermint pump has 27 calories and 6.3 grams of sugar; a total of 108 calories and 25.2 grams of sugar. One pump of the mocha sauce has 25 calories and 5 grams of sugar for a total of 100 calories and 20 grams of sugar. If you ordered a Grande with half the pumps of each, you will save 106 calories and 22.6 grams of sugar.

Experiment with a skinny eggnog latte recipe at home. Start with 2/3 cup strong brewed coffee and add 1/2 cup

Steep four black chai tea bags in 3 cups of boiling water. Discard the tea bags. In an 8-quart pot, combine 8 cups of apple cider or apple juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, four 3-inch cinnamon sticks, three whole cloves and the steeped tea. Simmer 20 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves. Serve warm with additional cinnamon sticks and/or cranberries.

It is the time of year to enjoy holiday traditions and to indulge in holiday food and drinks. Finding a balance is the key to healthy holiday survival. Go ahead and enjoy the drinks with skinnier solutions, and you might not feel the guilt.

Julie Hudson is a certified dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

Latte Apple Cider

Eggnog

Pete

PumpkinHummus

Ingredients

4 cups pumpkin purée 14 ounces chickpeas

1 teaspoon Tahini paste

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 4 cloves garlic, roasted in oil

Directions

Quarter the pumpkin and roast at 350 degrees for up to 60 minutes. The pumpkin should be soft all over and easily puréed in a blender or chopped fine.

Once the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, squeeze the quarters to remove as much liquid as you can. Save the liquid for puréeing.

Add rest of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Adding a little of the pumpkin liquid at a time.

Adjust seasoning to taste.

CHEF'S

McKenny, General Manager and 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.

TABLE BY PETE MCKENNY

Fish crappie for fun

This fall, I’ve spent a lot of time with friends and family, just enjoying the fun of catching fish. Riding around different parts of the lake, look ing for groups of fish and seeing how many we could catch. It was just what I needed after a hectic tour season.

It’s an escape of sorts, while still honing skills and trying new techniques to catch bass. Occasionally, we ran into a few stripers along the way, which was an added bonus. Sometimes, we even got to hear the drag stripping off our reels after a mon strous striper blow-up on a topwater bait. And we saw more schools of crappie on the Garmin electronics than I can ever remember, but they were much harder to catch than I thought they’d be. When we finally figured out how to catch a few of them, it sparked a renewed interest in these fish that I enjoyed catching many years ago.

Growing up on Lake Martin, some of my best memories of fishing were not with bass, stripers or even catfish; they were crappie. When the crappie moved shallow in the spring, they swarmed into big laydown pine trees and the man-made brush pile in front of our dock. We could stand on the dock casting a small jighead and char treuse grub over the brush and catch fish after fish. Those were some good times. So much fun, I had to rush back to the house many weekday mornings to make it to school on time.

slows down considerably this time of year when the water is a little too cool for swimming. But the fishing is just heating up. Spotted bass, stripers and crappie all feed well on Lake Martin during the fall and winter. It’s a great time to catch larger numbers of fish with some big ones in the mix.

While heading out on one of our fall bass excur sions recently, I ran into one of the best all-around anglers on Lake Martin, Chad Miller. Miller is often at the top of the leaderboard in bass tournaments. He’s also figured out how to put clients on the crappie throughout the year on Lake Martin. After chatting a minute, I learned he’s getting a lot of business from a wide range of visitors to the lake.

BIG CATCHES

BY GREG VINSON

A few days later, I ran into Miller on the water again, and one of his clients was hooked up with a nice slab. As it turned out, Miller’s client that day was my for mer division chief when I was at ADEM Field Operations. He was a big part of the reason I got the opportunity to fish multiday tournaments early on and eventually do well enough to move into professional angling.

A guide is constantly putting in the work to stay on fish. Miller has two boat options to give his clients the best experience. For fewer anglers and more experienced casters, he can take his bass boat to cover more water. For up to four people or younger crews, he can take a pontoon boat to be more accommodating.

During my teenage years, I learned crappie fishing at night with our neighbor, Doug. I helped him build a homemade barge that we lit up like a Christmas tree to attract summer crappie out over the lake channel. Eventually, my parents helped me buy that barge, and I started running some guide trips to help pay for it. It was not uncommon for a group of us to catch 100-plus crappie in a night back then.

For most of my adult life, my knowledge of really successful crappie fishing was limited to these two times of the year. Recently, with the help of Wetumpka guide Jonathan Phillips and my Garmin Livescope Plus, I’ve found that I still enjoy catching crappie. Partially because it’s an escape from the grind of competitive bass fishing, but also because crappie (especially from Lake Martin) are some of the best tasting fish I’ve ever had on the table. Fried filets are hard to beat, but they’re also excellent when baked or blackened in a cast iron skillet or on the griddle. Whip up some hushpuppies and fries or steamed seasoned vegetables, and you’ve got yourself a meal that will rival even the best restaurant’s menu.

Lake Martin has a great reputation as a swimming and boating lake in the summer. For anglers, it’s no secret that Lake Martin is equally good for fishing dur ing the cooler months of fall and winter. Boat traffic

Crappie tend to move around in big schools and spend a lot of their time in deeper water. In some cases, Miller helps his clients make the casts directly to the group of fish. Other times, he’s able to put the boat over the school where they can drop the small artificial or live bait directly under the boat.

From what I’ve seen recently, Lake Martin is loaded with both giant white crappie and great numbers of black crappie. Massive schools that appear to have hundreds of fish in each school, but they can be fickle. Having an experienced guide that knows the spots and, just as importantly, the tricks to catch the fish can lead to some fun times on the water. Whether you’re an experienced angler looking to learn more about locat ing and catching fish or you just want to experience a day on the lake with a bent fishing rod and excellent table fare to take home, consider hiring a guide to put you on some beautiful Lake Martin crappie any time of year.

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.

Aim fat and keep your eyes off the flagstick

Afew weeks back, I received a call from one of my favorite people, Betsy Iler, the editor-in-chief for TPI’s magazine division. As I was retiring from my position as men’s golf coach at Central Alabama Community College, she asked if I would be interested in writing a quarterly article for Lake magazine. Honestly, I was very grateful that she chose to include me, along with the fine writers who have done a great job of writing about golf in Lake. So here goes …

manage their minds on the course and other such means of player development.

With my new company, I will share this player devel opment information with high school aged golfers, as well as other college and university golfers. I will leave golf swing instruction to the club pros, as they do a tremen dous job with this. Another niche in my high school clin ics will be sharing with young players and their parents how to acquire the attention of college golf coaches when aspiring to find a position as a college golfer.

LOVE of the GAME

BY DAVE JENNINGS

Since retiring from CACC, I started a company called Jennings’ Golfhelp, LLC. I am a fairly old guy who has gratefully been involved in the game of golf nearly my whole life. I spent the first half of my adult life as a club golf professional, specializing in teaching. The second half of my adult life has been here in Alexander City, working as the head coach for CACC. Although similar – distinctively different.

Giving golf lessons as a club professional, my lessons were mainly on the swing, short-game shots and the putting stroke. As a junior college coach, although there were plenty of hours spent helping with these same three golf components, the majority of my time was spent in training my players how to practice, how to think around the golf course, how to make plans in playing various holes, pre-shot routines, when to alter trajectory, how to

A key course management component that has helped nearly all of my players over the years is one simple step: These days, virtually everyone who plays the game of golf more than twice a month owns a rangefinder. These are fantastic tools that help players become much more pre cise on shot selection; however, this easy-to-use gizmo has enabled players to become lazy in their preparedness for approach shots. Golfers tend to shoot the flagstick to get their yardage to the hole; and then, go completely braindead for everything else they should consider. This causes golfers to go pin hunting much more often than they should. Although it is great to know the precise yardage to the hole, golfers also should consider the surroundings of the hole more closely.

In the 1990s, golf courses everywhere marked the dis tance to the middle of the greens on sprinkler heads in the fairways. This one addition to golf courses probably helped more players shoot better scores than any other change since the evolution away from hickory shafts. Without a hole location sheet, which is usually furnished daily in tournament play, golfers would estimate distance to the hole from the center of the green by sight alone. Time spent looking at the green oftentimes had golfers

giving greater thought to the surroundings of the green; where the bunkers were located, various tiers in slope on the greens, proximity to penalty areas and such.

At CACC, I had my golfers find the nearest sprinkler head with a yardage marker to the middle of the green. Knowing these two yardages for most approach shots, I had them hit their shots between the middle of the green and the flagstick. Wow, the statistic of greens hit in regulation went way up, and scores improved. Sadly, when golfers only give thought to distance to the hole, missed golf shots often are found short-sided, buried in bunkers or landing in penalty areas.

Aiming for the fat of the fairway or green, rather than the edge of the tree or just to the edge of the bun ker, should have you scoring much better and avoiding trouble. There’s nothing wrong with being safe.

One thought to leave you with … Most golfers have some natural curvature – a fade or a draw – to their shots. Imagine a right-handed player with a natural fade shot. Imagine him playing the par 3, 11th hole at Willow Point Country Club, and the flagstick is in the back right of the green. There is little wind to concern him today. He knows very well that, as a fader, he needs to start his shot toward the middle of the green, allowing the ball to move to the right in flight toward the flagstick.

Most golfers know this, but an error happens. As he addresses the ball, he looks toward the green one last time and focuses on the flagstick. He confidently swings, and the ball takes off – straight at the flag but fading into the right bunker, leaving him a near-impos sible sand shot for par.

The mistake was made at address. The golfer looked up and focused on the flagstick; he should have focused on the middle of the green where he wanted to start the ball. Most of the time, the ball will go where the golfer is looking or focused. There’s awareness; and then, there is focus. To have the best chance for a successful golf shot, a player should focus on the line where he wants to start the ball and allow for the natu ral curvature in the air to get him close to the hole.

Find something in the background of the green to focus on. Find a tree or a house or anything that takes the focus to the start line and off of the flagstick.

The next time you get on the course, give these two tips a try. Find the sprinkler head nearest to your ball; know how far you are from the middle of the green; and try to land your ball between the middle of the green and the flag. Also, focus on your starting line, allow for your natural curvature but don’t look at the flagstick.

I hope these tips help you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all!

Dave Jennings is the owner of Jennings Golfhelp, LLC, and former coach of the two-time national com munity college golf champions at Central Alabama Community College.

Lake Martin Alabama

Marinas

1. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restaurants & Venues

6. SpringHouse 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

Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853

The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887

8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Business & Shopping

Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075

970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 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

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

8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

. Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

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

Churches

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

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

Dock Builders

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@alexcity outlook.com for more information.

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 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

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation

EQUALITY

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.

Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8

Alex City Marine 6

Alex City Plumbing .................................................... 27

Artic Air 27

AVSP 62

Blue Creek Iron Works ............................................ 74

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation 8

Coach Kraft Upholstery 75

Custom Docks. 61

Davco 74

Diamond Golf Cars ................................................... 26

Docks 911 75

Docks Unlimited 5

Electronic Technology Group 75

George Hardy D.M.D. 8

Grove Station.............................................................. 38

Henderson Glass 75

Heritage South Credit Union 71

Hinson Galleries 76

Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 74

Hughes Pools .............................................................. 16

Just Blinds 3

Karen Channell State Farm ..................................... 75

Kowaliga Whole Health 75

Lake Martin Dock 19

Lake Martin Realty ...............................................49, 53

Lake Martin Storm Shelters 35

Lake Martin Wedding & Event Rentals 27

Lamberth & Lamberth 59

Main Street Alexander City 56

Mark King's Furniture ............................................... 17

MedHealth 61

Mid-Alabama Fireworks 26

Moore Wealth Management 79

National Village 77

Odd Jobs ...................................................................... 26

Off the Beaton Path 8

On Site Boat Care 5

Precise Pressure Washing 75

Prime Management 6

Raining Dogs Gallery ................................................ 75

Reinhardt Lexus 39

Russell Lands .........................................................31, 80

Russell Medical 2

Satterfield 5

Security Pest Control ................................................. 8

Singleton Marine 59

Sunrise Dock 12

Temple Medical Center 8

The Cottage Creations 27

The Learning Tree ...................................................... 59

The Salvation Army 74

The Well Counseling Center 27

Tippy Canoe 6

TowBoat US 12

Tree Man ...................................................................... 75

US Bank 38

Vacation Rental Management 75

Everyday Grandeur

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

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

Parting Shot

Photo by Kenneth Boone

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

~ Aristotle

Firepits and birthdays. Starry nights and laughter. There’s no life more wonderful than The Heritage on Lake Martin. Set among Lake Martin’s nearly 900 miles of shoreline surrounding over 40,000 acres of pristine water, The Heritage is a 1,500-acre waterfront development along 12 miles of sparkling shoreline—all from Russell Lands, one of the South’s most respected land companies. The stunning community features spectacular waterfront and luxury interior homesites, as well as a flagship resident-owned lake club and private Coore & Crenshaw golf course. Don’t miss your chance to start your own cherished traditions. Opportunities to rewrite your Heritage are now open. Contact us today.