JODIE McGIRT

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 transplanted 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 foundation 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 different things to the table.”

As an example of a few of our active board members – John Thompson heads up the ROR environmental education. 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 management of buoys on Lake Martin. As a non-profit organization, 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 clinical 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 certified 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 shortly thereafter and, most recently, started a private aviation business 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 McGirt inventories buoys at LMDC 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 deployment 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 support, protect and prevent in bite-sized pieces, so we can continue to take care of Lake Martin.” Contact Jodie McGirt at jodielmra@gmail.com.

Copper's Mule

CHEERS

WITH COPPER'S GRILL

In much the same tradition of its predecessor, the Copper’s Mule was made from necessity. The original namesake, the Moscow Mule, was made to highlight the crisp taste of ginger and a necessity to sell an excess of ginger beer. The Copper’s Mule was created to showcase the Gosling Ginger Beer. Holding true to the tradition, Copper’s created a tangy and refreshing cocktail. This signature drink represents the Stillwaters clubhouse and the

Copper’s penchant for innovation and forward thinking.

Ingredients

1-1/2 ounces favorite vodka 3/4 ounce Rose's lime juice 4 ounces Goslings ginger beer Lime slice

Directions

Combine favorite vodka and Goslings ginger beer in a copper mug filled with ice. Add Rose's lime juice. Stir gently and garnish with a lime slice.

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 property 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 different 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 compartmentalized: 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 attention 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 The market's performance demand from historically high depends on the perspective to more normal levels. That means that a seller can no longer 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 residential properties sold within the year. This year, only 80 percent 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 negative portfolio. LAKE PROPERTY Since many owners have been able to BY STEVE ARNBERG purchase or refinance at very low fixed rates, the cost of continued ownership is comparatively 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 levels, 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 perspective. Have a happy holiday season and a very merry Christmas. Steve Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands.

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 participation assistance from the community around Lake Martin.

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 beginning of the Alabama Power relicensing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the HOBO organization was founded to represent the lake homeowners 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 quality 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 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 government require accurate information to make their decisions. HOBOs encourages you to visit lakewatch.org to learn more about Lake Watch activities. Lake Watch’s 28 water monitors are all

HOBO uncompensated volunteers. HOBOs and Lake Watch recognize that volunteers’ gifts BY HARRY DENEGRE 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 organization. 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 biological 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

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 member. 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.

Merry Christmas!

To all our Friends and Customers. We wish you an abundantly blessed Christmas season.

Visit us at customdocksllc.com 256-268-8309

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ~2 Peter 3:18

WATER ACCESS

Russell Cabins at The Willows, Verandas II • $1,095,000 Builder: Classic Homes • Beds: 4 Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,396 Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com

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

1245 Willow Way East, Alexander City • $3,650,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com

832 Hancel Road, Equality • $810,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com 155 Yaeger Road, Eclectic • $1,275,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Mimi Rush 334.399.7874 LakeMartinRealty.com

Ridge Run, Bywater • $1,675,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,612 Russell Lands Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com

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

159 Murphy Lane, Dadeville • $399,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372 LakeMartinRealty.com 188 East Ridge, Alexander City • $1,925,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com

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

34 North Cardinal Heights, Dadeville • $499,000 Beds: 3 • Baths: 3 • Water View & Access Lake Martin Realty Mimi Rush 334.399.7874 LakeMartinRealty.com

Hot Chocolate Peppermint Mocha

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 integral 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 success. 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 chocolate, eggnog, cinnamon laced ciders, lattes, mochas, peppermint flavored drinks seem to complete the holiday menu.

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;

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. It’s hard to miss the smell of peppermint mochas at coffee shops. If you love chocolate 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 HEALTHY LIVING BY JULIE HUDSON 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

Latte Apple Cider

less milk and more water. If you order hot chocolate at a coffee shop, choose fat-free milk and no whipped cream. Alcoholic cocktail calories and sugar content add up. Cut calories in half simply by alternating a cocktail with sparkling water or a non-calorie drink. Wine spritzers are a lower-calorie, providing wine flavor with half the calories. Eggnog lattes and peppermint mochas could be made skinnier by requesting nonfat milk, sugar-free peppermint and sweet mocha flavorings. Skip the whipped cream, of course.

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 light or low-fat eggnog,

Did you know? 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk and If counting calories is important, size will matter. 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. 1 teaspoon non-calorie sweetener. Top with nutmeg and cinnamon. Hot apple cider could easily be made at home by infusing cloves, cinnamon 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. 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.

Pumpkin Hummus

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.

Pete 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. CHEF'S 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, looking 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 monstrous 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 chartreuse 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.

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 during the cooler months of fall and winter. Boat traffic

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 excursions 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. 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 former 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 BIG CATCHES do well enough to move into professional BY GREG VINSON 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. 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 locating 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 …

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

manage their minds on the course and other such means of player development. With my new company, I will share this player development 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 tremendous job with this. Another niche in my high school clinics 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. 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 precise 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 LOVE of the GAME their yardage to the hole; and then, go completely braindead for everything else they should consider. This causes

BY DAVE JENNINGS 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 distance 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 bunker, 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-impossible 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 natural 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 community college golf champions at Central Alabama Community College.

Jaybird Landing

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

Jacksons Gap

49

Bethel Church

57

Pleasant Ridge Church

16

Lake Martin Baptist Church

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

28

49

Church of the Living Waters Stillwaters

8 9 6

17

Walnut Hill

27

Lake Pointe Baptist Church

26

49 Horseshoe Bend National Park

Lake Martin Alabama

21

Dadeville

280

25

Camp Hill

50

Marinas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restaurants & Venues

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

14

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

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

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

Business & Shopping

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

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

20

21

22

23

. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort24 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853 . Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717 8421 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

25

26

Churches

Lake Pointe Baptist Church27 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

28

Dock Builders

29

Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

ALEXANDER CITY

Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center SpringHouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina

HACKNEYVILLE

Hackneyville Water Authority

NEW SITE

Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland

DADEVILLE

Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza

CAMP HILL

Link Gas Station

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 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 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 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

Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails

Everyday Grandeur

DISCOVER A LUXURIOUS GOLF LIFESTYLE LIVING ALONG GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

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.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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

Alexander City

1.21.2022

Make it their their

ANNOUNCING

THE HERITAGE FROM RUSSELL LANDS. EXQUISITE WATERFRONT LOTS NOW AVAILABLE.

256.215.7011 RealEstate@RussellLands.com RussellLands.com 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 fl agship 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.