The South's Best Kept Secret 2023

The South’s Best Kept Secret

The Lake Martin area is the jewel of Alabama, drawing visitors from across the nation to live, work and play in Alexander City and at the lake. Whether you are here to drink in the retreat offered by a second home, live your dream of retirement on the water or join the local workforce, you couldn’t have picked a better place than Alexander City and the Lake Martin area to call your new home. Welcome to

The South’s Best Kept Secret.

On the cover

Birdwatching is a popular past time at Lake Martin, as throughout the year, the stunning beauty of birds abounds, like this great blue heron posing in the back of a slough on Elkahatchee Creek.

The South’s Best Kept Secret is an annual publication of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., in conjunction with the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. It is designed to acquaint newcomers with Alexander City and the Lake Martin area.

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

General manaGer

Tippy Hunter

editor-in-Chief

Betsy Iler

Creative ServiCeS

Audra Spears

BuSineSS & diGital

puBliShinG direCtor

Angela Mullins

ContriButorS

Kenneth Boone

Breanna Manley

Cliff Williams

Audra Spears

Lizi Gwin

Abigail Murphy

William Marlow

Henry Zimmer

diStriBution manaGer

Erin Burton

marketinG/advertiSinG

Renee Trice

Craig Howard

Hidey Arrington

Sheryl Jennings

Emily Gregg

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-4281

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Welcome to Alexander City

Meacham President & CEO

Welcome to Alexander City, Alabama! My name is Jacob Meacham, and as president & CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and a native of Alexander City, I am happy to have the opportunity to introduce you to our town.

Let me start by thanking you for visiting and wanting to learn more about our community. Whether you are joining our community permanently, living here part time, visiting a while or just passing through, we hope your experience is one you will remember for all the right reasons.

Secondly, I think it would be bad manners if I didn’t let you in on a local tip. Alexander City quickly becomes Alex City for short, and if you want to really sound like a local, pronounce it “Elleck City.” Don’t ask, just go with it.

Now that you have a little local knowledge, you’re ready to go.

The publication you’re reading is The South’s Best Kept Secret, and I remember seeing it on coffee tables and places of business when I was growing up around here in the ’90s. I thought to myself then, “What is such a secret about Alex City? Secrets are things that people want to know!”

Now, all these years later, I know what the secret is all about, and it’s that Alexander City and the Lake Martin area offer boundless opportunity and a ton of activities.

Serving as the crown jewel of the area is Lake Martin, which boasts nearly 900 miles of beautiful shoreline and more than 40,000 acres of pristine, deep water. Lake Martin’s unrivaled beauty and recreation have earned it the title of Alabama’s Freshwater Coast. In a state known for its coastal region along the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Martin brings the on-water fun with freshwater flare.

Fed by the Tallapoosa River and numerous accessible creeks and streams, the Lake Martin lifestyle extends beyond the shorelines and reaches into the surrounding areas through fishing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, trail riding, camping, agriculture and more experiences that have been enjoyed for generations of locals and visitors alike.

Not only does Lake Martin provide abundant recreational and hospitality offerings, but also it is a key driver of economic and business activity through the residential construction industry. A wide array of skilled trades is in high demand to fuel development activity, and the demand in those areas will continue as new developments occur and

President

President

others require ongoing maintenance and service. In addition, tourists and part-time resident consumers are added to the mix of full-time residents to create a diverse base for businesses in retail, restaurants and professional services.

A centralized location in the automotive manufacturing supply chain continues to produce jobs in that sector, and new capital investment in graphite production could soon position the area as a player in battery-grade graphite. Electric vehicles, electronics and many other products use these batteries.

We continue to see advances in other strategic areas, such as healthcare and education. Russell Medical, a top-rated, not-for-profit acute care facility and part of the UAB Health System, is undergoing facility expansions and adding new services to enhance the healthcare offerings in the area.

The Alexander City and Tallapoosa County school systems have recently received long-term financial support, enabling capital projects for new schools and facility updates.

The City of Alexander City continues to make investments in city services and infrastructure improvements and expansions, providing residents with reliable services while positioning untapped areas for growth.

Entertainment and recreational offerings are seemingly nonstop with a vibrant live music scene around the area, including community festivals, arts, special events, youth sports and activities for all ages.

While we want you to come here and never leave, we also like to point out that it’s easy to get anywhere from here, just in case you do want to take a trip. With U.S. Route 280 connecting you to Birmingham an hour to the north and the Auburn/Opelika area 45 minutes to the east, interstate highways 65, 85 and 20 are short drives away, putting you on your way to Atlanta, Nashville and the Gulf Coast in no time at all.

When you add it all up, I guess it does make for something worth knowing about – a community that features one of the most treasured lakes in the United States, a diverse economy, major investment in education and healthcare, amazing outdoor recreation, vibrant entertainment options and all of that in a centralized location.

The South’s Best Kept Secret might not be a secret for much longer. So, hurry up and come join us!

~ Jacob Meacham

Jacob

Kim Dunn Vice

Special Events & Sponsorship

Liz Holland Vice

Marketing & Membership

Lake Martin

Join the fun on Alabama's Freshwater Coast

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

No doubt, proximity to Lake Martin played a role in your decision to move to the area, and small wonder, as Alabama’s Freshwater Coast offers an elevated quality of life beyond imagination. From swimming and boating to kayaking and paddle boarding, fishing, hiking, sunset cruising, dining and more, Lake Martin is a great place to live, work and play.

The Lake Martin reservoir was created in the 1920s with the building of Martin Dam for power generation and recreation. The dam at Cherokee Bluffs on the Tallapoosa River, is 2,000 feet long and 168 feet high, holding back 31 miles of water. During World War II, Martin Dam supplied electricity to the country’s eastern seaboard, including Washington, D.C., and was No. 7 on the list of enemy targets in the U.S.

Following the war, the lake became a recreation area. Mill houses in town were moved to the lake and served as fishing cabins and weekend abodes. Boating and water skiing grew in popularity, but fluctuating water levels barred the area’s growth, as the lake level could change by 20 feet

or more without notice.

There was no standard regulation of water levels until the 1970s when a contingent of businessmen took their concerns to Washington. They saw the potential for the lake to generate quality of life, as well as electricity. When the power company’s license to operate the dam was renewed in 1972, it included a projected summer pool level of 490 feet with a 10-foot drawdown of the water level in winter.

By the mid-1990s, homes dotted the shorelines and a few businesses had sprung up to cater to homeowners and vacationers on the lake.

Lake Martin is Alabama’s only Treasured Lake, as it meets an environmental standard that was adopted by gubernatorial executive order in 2010. As a Treasured Lake, the reservoir qualifies for certain industrial use restrictions based on data indicating a level of cleanliness and nutrient enrichment that surpasses any other lake in the state.

Three nonprofit advocacy organizations work hard to

positively impact your enjoyment of the lake. Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association addresses safety concerns and legislation; Lake Watch of Lake Martin monitors water quality; and Lake Martin Resource Association maintains hazard buoys, coordinates cleanups and more.

Lake Martin HOBOs are passionate about conserving Lake Martin for present and future use. HOBOs organizes citation-free boat inspections each season, as well as boating safety classes with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol instructors. They also monitor legislation that could impact lake levels, water quality, zoning, boating safety, shoreline preservation, fishing and local wildlife.

Lake Watch of Lake Martin trains and purchases testing supplies for volunteers who regularly sample and test lake waters to monitor chemical, bacteriological and biological data. Their work ensures early detection – and prompt remedies – to any water quality threats.

In addition, an interactive Swim Alert map can be viewed at lakewatchoflakemartin.wildapricot.org. Click

on any of the 18 popular swimming sites on the map for access to a swimguide.org water quality report and sitespecific historical data from Alabama Water Watch at Auburn University.

Lake Martin Resource Association is an active advocate for clean water and boating safety. In conjunction with Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers program, LMRA leadership organizes a major cleanup at the lake on the first weekend of November that includes as many as 400 volunteers with pickers and trash bags and another cleanup each spring. Over the last 10 years, LMRA volunteers have worked year-round to clean up trash that had accumulated in the backs of seldom-visited sloughs through the life of the lake, nearly a hundred years. Their efforts resulted in the collection of more than 160 tons of trash from Lake Martin’s shorelines and roadways. LMRA also coordinates monthly cleanups throughout the year.

While the Marine Patrol authorizes hazard buoys and No Wake zones on Lake Martin, LMRA purchases, places and maintains some 400 buoys that protect people and

The Annual Russell Marine July 4 Boat Parade draws a crowd near Kowaliga

property on the water. About one quarter of the buoys are lighted to better serve boaters at night, including fishermen and boaters returning home after dining at one of the lake’s great restaurants.

In addition, LMRA sponsors a $5,000 reward program for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of lake home break-in perpetrators. Thanks to this program and the combined efforts of local law enforcement, lake area crime is minimal.

For more information about LMRA, its programs, projects and mission, visit lmra.info.

In 2008, the power company’s license was up for renewal again. This time, it was clear that Lake Martin was the prominent economic engine for the area, and efforts were made to extend the summer pool by six weeks and reduce the winter drawdown to 7 feet, which would facilitate lake access to a large number of boat ramps and private docks throughout the winter.

When the initial environmental impact study was released in 2014, the requested provisions were not included, but local media and stakeholders turned out en masse at a public hearing to voice their concerns. More than 600 homeowners and business owners crowded the hearing venue, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission personnel were overwhelmed with the response. The public outcry prompted more research and modeling, and when the license was issued in December 2015, it included a mandated 7-foot drawdown and a conditional fall extension of the summer pool level.

Once every six years, the winter pool level is drawn down 10 feet to kill off invasive weeds and provide access for dock maintenance and repairs. The next 10-foot drawdown is scheduled for 2027-2028.

A conditional fall extension is declared or denied on Sept. 1 of each year. If enough water is retained throughout

the Tallapoosa and Coosa river basins, Alabama Power will maintain the summer pool level at 491 mean sea level feet until Oct. 15. If the season has been a dry one and water levels are not at peak throughout the river systems, the winter drawdown would begin on Sept. 1, drawing the water level to 484 msl feet where it would remain until the rule curve changes again on March 1.

Alabama Power regulates all construction on Lake Martin. Permits are required for dock and boathouse maintenance and construction, seawall or rip-rap placement and any home construction. In addition, best management practices are recommended for wildlife and shoreline buffers. Visit apcshorelines.com for permit guidelines and application forms, as well as aquatic plant management and other guidelines.

Lake Martin is patrolled by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol troopers in District III with offices in the marina parking lot at Wind Creek State Park. In an emergency on or off the water, call 9-1-1. For nonemergency marine patrol matters, call 256-329-2268. Visit the alea.gov/marine-patrol/boating-rules-and-regulations website for boating rules and regulations.

You have chosen a wonderland for your new home, but that’s a choice that many people are discovering every year. As you enjoy countless hours of watersports, hiking, fishing, shopping and dining and more at Lake Martin, please be courteous and allow others to enjoy the lake, too.

Look for Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines in racks for free at merchants throughout the Lake Martin area. Through these pages, you will meet new people; see fabulous lake area homes; learn to navigate, fish and recreate on Alabama’s only Treasured Lake; discover great dining options and recipes; and find fun places to be and things to do in your new home. Welcome to the lake!

Dixie Sailing Club hosts lessons and races

Fishing is a popular activity on the lake

Swimming and hanging out near the water is a great way to spend a day

Hit the local trails

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & AUDRA SPEARS

If it’s a walk in the woods that you crave, Lake Martin offers more than 150 miles of options, from the footpath-only CRATA trails to Wind Creek State Park and Russell Forest. Each of the area’s hiking, biking or horse trails shares its own spectacular beauty, wildlife and geographical features. It’s not unheard of to run up on a roosting bald eagle along the cliffside of the Deadening Trail; to happen across a rare bottomland wildflower on the return hike from Smith Mountain Fire Tower; or to hear a turkey call when strolling the Big Way through Russell Forest. And now, Lake Martin Tourism rewards hikers who complete mileage on 10 or more local trails. Earn a Lake Martin Hiking Challenge patch when logging miles and sending your trail record to the tourism office. Visit explorelakemartin.com for the hiking challenge details; then, strap on your boots, grab a staff and hit one of these delightful trails.

CRATA Trails

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association boats 26 miles along four footpath-only trail locations near the

east and south shorelines of Lake Martin. The oldest of these trail systems can be accessed at Alabama Power’s Overlook Park. From State Route 50 at Martin Dam, turn north onto Overlook Drive. The park and trailhead are about a mile up the road. Alabama Power has provided picnic tables and an observation platform at the trailhead to three paths that total 7.2 looped miles. These trails can be hiked in a variety of distance combinations between 1 mile and the full 7.2.

The Overlook trails were constructed in 2004 and feature stands of longleaf pine, native azaleas and charming mountain laurel teacup blossoms in season.

Up the road from Overlook Park, the James M. Scott Deadening Trail features unique rock formations, including the Needle’s Eye and Jasmine Bluff, and a spectacular view of Lake Martin’s most popular landmark, Chimney Rock on Acapulco Rock Island. The full loop measures 4.2 miles, but a crossover route hikes only 3.1, and an emergency trail at the crossover leads back to the parking lot. A challenge even for experienced hikers, the Deadening Trail is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Wear sturdy

shoes with a good tread and pack plenty of water, as well as a snack, for this unique hiking experience. The trailhead is about 3 miles from the turn onto Overlook Drive from Martin Dam. Turn into the Harbor subdivision. The trailhead is 600 feet on the left at 83 Harbor View Blvd., Dadeville.

A second firetower restoration project is now under way near the Overlook and Deadening trail systems.

Four trails at Smith Mountain are complemented with an outdoor education center at the foot of a fire tower that offers Lake Martin’s most spectacular panoramic view. In Dadeville, turn onto West Lafayette Street and follow the brown landmark signs to Smith Mountain just off Youngs Ferry Road to reach the parking lot.

Take the .4-mile Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail to visit the kiosk displays at the education center and gain a greater appreciation for the flora and fauna you might see as you hike. The trail is steep and will seem longer than its measured distance. Change up the hike on your return to the parking lot by catching the Return Trail on the west side of the tower.

The Lakeshore Trail can be accessed from the Walker Bynum trail near the top of the mountain. The trail makes a sharp descent before winding along the undeveloped shoreline of the lake. The 2.4-mile loop returns to the parking lot.

The Little Smith Mountain Loop is a challenging trail for hikers who are in better-than-average physical condition. It is not a trail for small children or youngsters who like to venture away from the hiking party.

The 2.6-mile trail is known for its beautiful views and rock formations, as well as the variety of flora.

Accessible only during the winter drawdown, the trailhead to the David M. Forker Island Hop/Boat Dock Trail is 1.4 miles from the parking lot via the Lakeshore Trail. During summer’s full pool level on the lake, the path connecting the four islands is submerged.

The trails at Smith Mountain are color coded and blazed on three trunks at adult-eye-level to help hikers navigate. Download maps at crata.org.

South of Lake Martin, the John B. Scott Forever Wild and Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad trails wind

Overlook Park at the Overlook trailhead is maintained by Alabama Power

through a historic wildlife management area owned by Alabama Forever Wild.

The 4.7-mile John B. Scott Trail is named for an influential voice for conservation. The late John B. Scott was instrumental in the establishment of the Forever Wild Land Trust, which sets aside ecologically significant properties for preservation. The trail weaves through old growth forest and along creeks as it invites hikers to experience the rich wildlife abundance and diversity of Alabama. It is a moderate hike, though the trail can be muddy at times.

The Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad Trail follows the historic railroad bed that was used in the construction of Martin Dam in the early 1920s. Follow either the Highline or Lowline trail bed to Saddle Rock Mountain, the highest point in Elmore County. The Lowline trail is an out-and-back hike totaling 5.4 miles that advances as far as Channahatchee Creek.

Visit crata.org for maps and more information about any of the non-profit organization’s projects.

Russell Forest

Russell Lands has set aside some 25,000 acres of woods and streams for the preservation of nature for future generations at Lake Martin. The diverse habitat provides an excellent venue for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding and serves as a staging area for Russell Lands’ naturalist programs and guided hikes. The woods are maintained as a working forest to help protect Lake Martin and ensure that it will retain its standing as one of the country’s cleanest lakes.

Download the free Russell Lands app, which provides GPS locating on the trail map. You can share your location and see friends’ locations or record and display your hikes through Russell Forest, email images or post them on social media. The app also includes links to Russell Lands events and restaurants.

Hikers are invited to travel the trails for free upon completing and submitting a Russell Forest Trail Association application. Bikers pay a $20 annual membership and must display a bike decal on the bicycle’s seat post. Golf cart access is limited to selected trails after payment of a $100 membership fee, and horse riders pay $100 for an individual membership or $175 for a family membership. Horse riders also are eligible for a $25 day pass. See the policies and registration form at russelllands.com/outdoors/russellforest/.

Russell Forest also hosts the annual Russell Forest

Run in late February to raise funds for the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. Monies donated in past years have furnished students with updated technological devices, outfitted school buses with air conditioning and provided for additional health and education needs in local schools. Learn more at russellforestrun.com.

Wind Creek State Park

A moderate-to-difficult hike, the Alabama Reunion Trail at Wind Creek State Park measures some 3.8 miles through hardwood bottoms and pine forest. Though a loop trail, the path is bisected by State Route 128. The North Side Trail is just under 2 miles, and the South Side Trail measures 1.8 miles. The trail can be accessed near the park entrance and is open to hikers and mountain bikers.

The Campfire Trail is 1.8 miles of moderate hiking with several steep climbs and connector trails. Hike each season to watch the transitions of color, the growth and abundance of ferns and other changes in the woods. Visit during an orienteering weekend to gain navigation skills through the forest.

WCSP also offers 20 miles of equestrian trails, including the Jeff Reed Horse Trail. Guided trail rides can be arranged for groups up to four riders. Horse camping and day riding areas also are available at the park. Visit alapark.com/parks/wind-creek-statepark trail for maps, naturalist programs, campsite reservations and more information.

Nature’s Way Preserve

Alabama Power maintains the Nature’s Way dayuse area at Lake Martin, featuring a meandering hiking trail on more than 70 acres. Located on the lake’s south side, the area features three trail options, one of which hugs the Lake Martin shoreline. Benches, bridges, picnic areas and a gazebo provide points of interest and interlude along the way. Access the trail from Overlook Drive via McCarthy and Old Tree roads in the Kennebec area. Visit apcpreserves.com/lakemartin/#_natures to download a map and view a virtual tour.

Russell Forest's Big Way trail offers a leisurely stroll through scenic woods

Take a scenic paddle

Next to Lake Martin, the Tallapoosa River might have been the South’s best kept secret until 2009 when Dadeville native and outdoors enthusiast Harold Banks brought attention to its beauty, serenity and recreational opportunities. Banks traversed the Tallapoosa’s 258-mile journey from its tributary to the point at which it meets the Coosa River, forming the Alabama. A historian, engaging writer and the first person to paddle the entire river, Banks published his travel journal in The Alex City Outlook, unveiling the mystery of the river and inviting others to share its story.

Then, in 2013, Banks joined a small contingent of paddlers for a 25-mile float trip from Horseshoe Bend to the Jaybird Creek ramp area on a scouting mission to have the river designated as part of the 631-mile Alabama Scenic River Trail. Two years later, he was surprised during the ASR commemoration with the naming of this river section as the Harold Banks Canoe Trail and the reveal of a fold-out river map brochure for the trail print-

ed on water-resistant paper.

About that same time, retired Alabama Extension agent Chuck Browne opened a rental and shuttle business on the banks of the Tallapoosa and engaged guides to accompany paddlers down the river. Browne’s nevermet-a-stranger attitude and his penchant for storytelling framed the float experience for novices and experienced kayakers alike.

Other rental businesses sprang up to meet the demand as the river trip’s popularity grew. Soon, bachelor parties chose the river trip over golf outings, and personnel at the local airfield reported that some incoming flights were booked specifically for a float trip on the Tallapoosa.

And justifiably so. The river remains relatively undeveloped as it winds across a series of shoals, past a Creek Indian fish trap, past rock formations, over low grade rapids and through stands of thousands of endemic Cahaba lilies. Eagles fly the blue skies overhead, and fish jump right in front of the boat. The uninterrupted pristine scenery of the river, with its periodic bubbling water and

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

quiet-of-nature immersion experience, offers an adventure with creation seldom found elsewhere, and yet so easily accessed in Tallapoosa County.

It was here, above Jaybird Landing, that Bassmaster Elite champion Takahiro Omori in 2018 caught a bass with two lures in its mouth; one was the lure a fish had taken from him the day before, and the other was the one with which he’d snagged the thief a second time and won the tournament.

The river is as versatile as it is beautiful. Paddlers can vary their routes from one trip to the next, slipping behind islands or choosing the slower, more gradual drops of the main river channel over fast-water side shoots. There are ample places to pull up for a rest or a snack break.

Like any other boating excursion, safety should always be the utmost concern. Wear a flotation device at all times while on the river, and apply sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Take plenty of water and some healthy snacks. Never paddle alone, and always let someone know where you are going and an approximate time for

your return. A waterproof pouch for your cellphone and snacks is a good idea. Plan to get wet and enjoy it.

Please respect the property of the private landowners along the river. Pack out any trash you generate and take care to not damage shoreline, animal habitats or the beauty of the river. Do not pick the beautiful Cahaba lilies – they are fragile and delicate and wouldn’t survive the trip home anyway.

Be prepared for the unexpected treats the river offers – rounding a corner in time to see an eagle snatch a fish from the river or finding a waxy-leafed mountain laurel in bloom. You might even run into Harold Banks himself, who continues to discover the serene beauty of the Tallapoosa River with every float trip.

Off the Beaten Path Alabama recently was purchased by Float Alabama in Dadeville. To arrange equipment, shuttles or river information, call 256-373-3004, visit floatal.com or stop in at the storefront at 16871 U.S. Route 280, Dadeville.

The endemic Cahaba lilies bloom along the Tallapoosa River every spring

For Pet's Sake!

Your dogs will come to love your new hometown as much as you do, as they are part of the good life in Alexander City. The pup will be welcome on a leash at most outdoor venues, and some events are even planned to honor them, like the Bark in the Park pet show during June’s Sun Festival celebration.

They’ll enjoy visiting the dog park at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, where new fencing, seating and attractions make it the perfect place to burn off some energy.

Dogs are welcome on a leash at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City, as well as The Town Green at Russell Crossroads and at Wind Creek State Park. Just remember to always clean up after your pet. Keeping a bag dispenser on the leash is a great way to stay prepared.

There are a few regulations you need to be aware of and follow. The most important are that all dog owners must clean up after their pets (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 39), and all dogs must be on a leash or confined in a home, yard, etc. at all times (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 43).

All dog owners must register their pets with animal control to receive a license and accompanying license tag, which is to be worn by the dog at all times. In order to receive a license, you must have your dog’s rabies tag/certification (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 35).

When the license is issued, animal control will provide a serially numbered tag or decal with the year the license was issued on it. Every dog is required to have its own license and tag, as the serial number will coordinate with the dog listed on the license (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 36)

All dogs must wear both the rabies vaccination tag and the license tag on the collar/harness (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 37).

Any dog that is trained for guard dog protection must be registered with the City police department, chief of police and animal control. A guard-dog-on-duty sign must be posted where it is easily visible (Ord. No. 2012-03, § 46).

Alexander City Police Department maintains an animal control division, and those

officers can be called for any issues with animals, including strays, aggressive dogs or dogs that appear to be unwell. Animals that have been picked up by the officers usually are sheltered at Lake Martin Animal Shelter.

Cats are rarely picked up, as they tend to be more numerous and less bothersome, said Capt. McKinny, supervisor for the animal control division.

If your pet is lost, a call to the animal control officers or the animal shelter might help to bring the pet home quickly. Check social media sites, as owners and finders often post photos and notices of lostand-found pets on Facebook and other platforms.

If you didn’t bring a pet with you and hope to include one in your new life here, adoption options are available. In addition to the local shelter, veterinarians often know of pets in need of forever homes.

For more information about these or other ordinances, or for information on penalties for violation, visit alexandercityal.gov > Resources > Code of Ordinances > Chapter 10 or call 256-329-2470. Call Lake Martin Animal Shelter at 256234-5533.

Local Vets

Alexander City Veterinary Clinic

1068 Airport Dr., Alexander City

256-234-6751 | alexcityvet.com

Wayside Animal Hospital

2630 Dadeville Rd., Alexander City

256-329-9900

Dadeville Animal Clinic

17830 U.S. Route 280, Dadeville

256-825-9308 | dadevilleanimal.com

Animal Care Center

17309 U.S. Route 280, Dadeville

256-825-6737 | animalcarecenter280.com

Kowaliga Veterinary Care

8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic

334-857-1816 | kowaligavet.com

Boarding & Grooming

Southern Star Pet Grooming and Boarding

10390 State Route 259, Alexander City

256-215-5586 | southernstarboard.com

Wagg’n Tails

6068 State Route 63, Alexander City

256-750-3530 | waggntailsal.wixsite.com/mysite

Talli & Friends LLC

792 Commerce Dr., Alexander City

256-392-5664 | talliandfriends.net

Templeton Pet Hotel and Grooming

154-822 Lett St., Dadeville

256-794-0401

Whispering Pines Pet Resort

4240 State Route, Dadeville

334-379-6494 | wpprlakemartin.com

Howlin the Moon Pet Resort LLC

333 Gardner Dairy Rd., Dadeville

256-825-4872

Dog Parks

Charles E. Bailey, Sr. Sportplex

1685 Arena Rd., Alexander City

256-329-6736 | alexandercityal.gov/parks-rec

Rhonda Jaye & Allison Ladson

256-749-8681

256-750-0711

Serving Families on Lake Martin for over 16 years. Looking to Buy or Sell? Call us!

LakeMartinTeam.com

Local vets, boarders and groomers to help care for your furry loved ones.

Edibles & Elixirs

Alana’s Place In The Square **

110 Calhoun St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3650

Azteca’s Mexican Grill

18092 U.S. Route 280 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-307-1898

Big B Bar-B-Que **

1626 State Route 22 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-9996

bigbbar-b-que.com

Bob’s Fine Food & BBQ

306 N Broadnax St. #1307 Dadeville, AL 36853

256-307-1824

Buck’s 1171 Tallapoosa St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3565

Carib Kitchen **

68 Broad St. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-392-4433

carib-kitchen.webnode.page

Carlisle’s **

12 Main St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-4622

Carlos Mexican Grill

136 Wheeler St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-9901

Castelluccio Fine Italian Dining 107 Alabama St. Alexander City, 35010 256-392-5604

Catherine’s Market 17 Russell Farms Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-215-7070 catherinesatcrossroads.com

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant 910 Cherokee Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3991

Chick-fil-A ** 3899 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 938-867-4825 chick-fil-a.com

Chuckwalla’s Pizza at Chuck’s Marina * 237 Marina Rd. Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7733

Copper’s Bar & Grill 797 Moonbrook Dr. Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3536 coppersgrill.com

Creem at the Creek * 4325 State Route 128 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-786-2872

D’s Smoke Shack 868 Gibson Rd. Dadeville, AL 36853 256-307-1959

Dairy Creem 2939 Dadeville Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-6199

Fermenter’s Market on the Green 149 Alabama St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-615-3404

Firetruck BBQ 226 Jefferson St. Alexander City, AL 35010 205-936-0058

firetruckbbq.net

General’s Cafe 11051 State Route 22 New Site, AL 36256 256-234-2121

Good Ole Boys BBQ 4886 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-0011

goodolebbq.com

G’s Kountry Kitchen 480 Laurel St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3828

Huddle House ** 4727 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-215-7267

huddlehouse.com

Jake’s Restaurant ** 16 Broad St. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-234-4300

jakesonbroad.com

Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers **

1264 Cherokee Rd.

Alexander City, AL 35010

256-215-3998

J.R.’s Sportsbar and Grill **

145 Alabama St. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-329-2328

jrssportsbarandgrill.com

Kowaliga Restaurant *

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-215-7035

kowaligarestaurant.com

Lake Martin Pizza Co.

5042 State Route 49

Dadeville, AL 36853

256-373-3337

lakemartinpizzaco.com

Lake Martin Creamery

8212 County Rd. 34

Dadeville, AL 36853

256-373-3246

lakemartincreamery.com

La Posada Mexican Grill

3714 U.S. Route 280

Alexander City, AL 35010

256-329-3005

laposadamexicangrill.net

Lil Smokey’s BBQ

8678 State Route 50

Dadeville, AL 36853

334-530-3959

Lina’s Tienda Mexicana

44 Broad St. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-392-4223

New China **

867 Market Pl. Alexander City, AL 35010

256-329-0308

Nibblers Lake Martin *

On-the-water seasonal food service

450 Ridge Marina Way

Alexander City, AL 35010

256-404-4305

nibblersfloatthrugrill.com

Niffer’s Place Lake Martin

7500 State Route 49 Dadeville, AL 36853

256-825-5950

niffersplace.com/lake-martin

Nirvana Latte

5054 State Route 49 Dadeville, AL 36853

256-307-1253

nirvanalatte.com

Ocie & Belle’s 43 Broad St.

Alexander City, AL 35010 ocieandbelles.com

Ooh Crabs Juicy Seafood

17957 U.S. Route 280 Dadeville, AL 36853

256-307-1163

oohcrabsjuicyseafood.com

Oskar’s Café 6684 State Route 49 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-4827 oskarscafe.com

Poplar Dawg’s Eatery 10277 County Rd. 34 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-9288 poplardawgs.com

Red Hill Kitchen 3284 Red Hill Rd. Tallassee, AL 36078 334-918-0044 redhillkitchen.com

Ruby Tuesday ** 4097 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-4047 rubytuesday.com

Sakura Bistro 4034 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-9833

Sam’s Kountry Kitchen 138 East South St. Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-2028

Sho’Nuff BBQ 651 Alex City Shopping Center Dr. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-7675

SpringHouse 12 Benson Mill Rd. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-215-7080

springhouseatcrossroads.com

Sweet Gaga’s 126 Marshall St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-5676

sweetgagas.com

Taqueria Avita 60 Broad St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3457

The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 8605 State Route 50 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-307-1887

The Landing at Parker Creek * 8300 Parker Creek Marina Rd. Equality, AL 36026 205-410-6091

thelandingatparkercreek.com

The Social at Lake Martin * 2001 Castaway Island Rd. Eclectic, AL 36024 334-458-0260

lakemartinsocial.com

The Station’s Best ** 977 Jefferson St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-3500

The Square 110 Calhoun St. Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-5600

thesquaredowntown.com

Who’s Diner 1560 State Route 22 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-212-1501

Wharf Casual Seafood 4011 U.S. Route 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 256-392-3227

Wharfcasualseafood.com

Yellow Top Ice Cream Shop * On-the-Water Seasonal Ice Cream Boat 205-531-7628

yellow-top-ice-cream-shop.business.site

* Waterfront Dining ** Waitr or DoorDash delivery available

Economic Development

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Economic development means local jobs for local residents, a primary focus of community leaders in your new hometown. From training an effective workforce and preparing the next generation of professionals, to recruiting business and entrepreneurial opportunities for returning college students, a network of education and industrial recruitment supports the area’s future.

At the top level, Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance Interim Executive Director Denise Walls is passionate about and experienced in keeping potential projects moving through the network of elected and industry officials to turn those potential projects into new local employers. With LMAEDA offices located on the Central Alabama Community College campus, Walls and the LMAEDA board work with CACC faculty to identify the skill sets that new industries need, inspiring the workforce today to grasp tomorrow’s opportunities.

When a 2018 study valued the impact of lakefront property on the local economy at more than $4.7 billion, it became apparent that the lake area would need more boat mechanics to meet marinas’ needs. The workforce development team at CACC began conversations with local marinas to develop a curriculum that could address the wide variety of vessels on Lake Martin.

CACC also offers career path education in machining, cosmetology, childcare and development and more.

Luxury neighborhood developer Russell Lands worked with Auburn University to create an apprenticeship program for those looking to enter the hospitality industry, another growing job market in the area. And Tallapoosa County Tourism Executive Director Sandra Fuller routinely provides hospitality workshops to help those currently employed in local hotels, shops and restaurants to better serve guests visiting the area.

At Edward Bell Technical Center, high school students looking to take local jobs after graduation could find a variety of education paths, including welding, law enforcement, programming and software development, health-related fields and business technology.

Since the pandemic, companies seeking sites for new or expanded facilities look for work/life balance benefits for future employees.

“They’re focusing on things like employees being able to go to their kids’ Little League games,” Walls said.

The Lake Martin area scores high on quality-of-life concerns. Healthcare, the ability to age in place and outdoor recreation opportu- nities are becoming increasingly important as firms evaluate potential locations.

“The pandemic, I think, brought these con-

cerns to the forefront of what becomes important to making a company successful. Happy, health employees will do just that,” Walls said.

Recent successes in recruitment include Alabama Graphite, which is constructing the only U.S. graphite processing plant here. When completed, the processing plant could generate as many as 100 new jobs.

But before the graphite plant project was announced almost two years ago, LMAEDA was looking to the future of the battery supply chain and positioning the area for statewide, regional and national interest from related auto industry prospects. Electric vehicle battery factories are an obvious target, not just for the area’s graphite supply but also its proximity to several auto manufacturing plants, including KIA, Hyundai, Toyota, Mazda and Volvo. The area already serves these automotive interests through several Tier 1 suppliers, including SL, C & J, Korens, Kwang Sung and SJA, companies that have representation on the LMAEDA board.

“Then there’s conversations about electric powered airplanes, things of that nature, so that’s another market that’s developing,” said LMAEDA Chairman T.C. Coley. “What’s going to be really interesting is that a lot of work is still under development that we’ll benefit from, having proximity to this critical mineral for battery development.”

Timber, a renewable natural resource, is another industry that historically has played a role in the area’s economic growth. Forest Economic Development Specialist Gary Faulkner told state and local economic development officials who attended last year’s Lake Martin Area Economic Development Summit that Tallapoosa and Coosa counties are the best in the nation at timberland opportunities.

“We’re growing more trees in this country than we’re using,” Faulkner said. “Most U.S. land is used for cattle. We are where it’s at. We are an economic opportunity.”

The industry requires access to transport – highways, rail, water – and utilities. Thweatt Industrial Park recently ticked all the boxes for Ziebach & Webb, Inc., when they opened operations for the Dadeville Pole Company.

“After talking with the team at Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, as well as several of the county commissioners, we knew that Thweatt Park was the right fit for us,” said DPC General Manger Mark Byal.

“You can tell that the economic development office surrounds themselves with a great team; they were able to pull all the players to the table – the county engineer’s office, the commissioners, Alabama Power, the City of Dadeville. No matter what our questions were, the LMAEDA team was able to find an answer for us.”

Academics & Child Development

ALEXANDER CITY SCHOOLS

Jim Pearson (K through second grade)

1250 Scott Rd., Alexander City 256-234-8625

Principal: Stephanie Brooks

Take In: 7 a.m. Dismissal: 2:25 p.m.

After the Bell: 2:25 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. jpes.alexcityschools.net

Stephens Elementary (third grade through fourth grade)

851 Laurel St., Alexander City 256-234-8631

Principal: Lekishia Richardson

Take In: 7:40 a.m. Dismissal: 3 p.m. ses.alexcityschools.net

Radney Elementary (fifth and sixth grades)

140 Alison Dr., Alexander City 256-234-8636

Principal: Johanna Morgan

Take In: 7 a.m. Dismissal: 2:35 p.m.

After the Bell: 2:35 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. res.alexcityschools.net

Alexander City Middle School (seventh and eighth grades)

359 State St., Alexander City 256-234-8660

Principal: Lisa Heard

Take In: 7:30 a.m. Dismissal: 3:15 p.m.

After the Bell: 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. acms.alexcityschools.net

Benjamin Russell High School (ninth through 12th grades)

225 Heard Blvd., Alexander City 256-234- 8611

Principal: Shannon Benefield Take In: 7:25 a.m. Dismissal: 3:15 p.m. brhs.alexcityschools.net

CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Alexander City Campus

1675 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City 256-234-6346 cacc.edu

ALEXANDER CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

256-234-8600

375 Lee St., Alexander City, AL 35010

Superintendent Dr. Beverly Price bprice@acsk12.net

Board Members

Kevin Speaks, President kevin.speaks@acsk12.net

Dr. Chantè Ruffin, Vice President chante.ruffin@acsk12.net

Michael Ransaw michael.ransaw@acsk12.net

Brett Prichard Brett.pritchard@acsk12.net

Adam Wade Adam.wade@acsk12.net

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 256-825-0746 679 E. Columbus St. Dadeville, AL 36853

Superintendent 625 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alexander City 256-234-6964

Board Members

Michael Carter, President michael.carter@tallapoosak12.org

Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton matilda.hammilton@tallapoosak12.org

Martin Johnson martin.johnson@tallapoosak12.org

Carla Talton carla.talton@tallapoosak12.org

Linda Daniel linda.daniel@tallapoosak12.org

LOCAL DAYCARES AND PRESCHOOLS

Cooper Head Start 625 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alexander City 256-234-6964

First Baptist Early Learning Center 64 Court Square, Alexander City 256-392-4438

Harbor Learning Academy LLC 461 Fifth Way, Alexander City 256-234-4739

Happy World Child Care Center 368 F Street, Alexander City 256-329-8029

Jacob’s Ladder Creative Learning Center 310 Green St., Alexander City 256-234-5783

Mother Goose Child Development 645 Scott Rd., Alexander City 256-234-3780

Next Generation Learning Center 870 Terrace Dr., Alexander City 256-329-0304

Robinson Head Start Center 277 Tallapoosa St., Alexander City 256-234-7583

Stepping Stones Learning Center 111 Poplar Rd., Alexander City 256-392-5001

Woody Woodpecker Day Care 151 Jefferson St., Alexander City 256-234-6287

Head Start 170 S Broadnax St., Dadeville 256-825-4204

Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church & Daycare 17363 U.S. Route 280, Dadeville 256-825-7544

Little Lambs & Ivy Day School 580 E South St., Dadeville 256-825-9415

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Veritas Lake Martin Christian School 64 Court Square, Alexander City 256-537-5004

veritaslakemartin.com

Princeton High School International 1410 Hillabee St., P.O. Box 1334, Alexander City 256-215-4211

jjbi.education

For the Kids

The Lake Martin area is booming with activities for your children. Getting settled and making friends in a new city is difficult for some kids, but these programs could help to ease that stress and allow for a smoother transition.

Programs in Alexander City

There is so much for your kids to do around Alexander City. This fun, family-oriented environment has a great deal to offer to help integrate you and your children into the community. With city-league sports and activities, there is always something fun to do. The Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department offers many youth sports leagues, as well as other classes. The department is community-focused, with members and volunteers who go the extra mile with their time and efforts.

Youth sports offered by the department include baseball, both boys and girls basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer and softball.

The parks and rec team frequently polls children to see what sports and activities they might be interested in trying, as the parks and rec team’s desire is to offer constructive, healthy structured activities in an environment where the kids are learning while having fun.

Not only does the department host sports leagues, but it also conducts post-season camps. Many of the kids want to keep playing and training, even in the off-season. The department also provides support for the schools’ sports camps, as well as other community events held by other organizations.

Swimming lessons also are offered during the summer.

Be sure to check out these fun activities for you and your family. More information and updates on sports leagues, including announcements about tryouts, draft selections and games, can be found on the Alexander City Parks and Recreation Facebook page. To learn more about what Alexander City has to offer, visit alexandercityal.gov and check out the Parks & Rec page.

Programs in Dadeville

Just a few miles southeast of Alexander City, on the other side of Lake Martin, is the City of Dadeville. Like Alexander City, Dadeville has many opportunities for your kids to get involved in sports and activities to help them integrate into the community, including Dadeville Dixie Youth and Dadeville Youth Football and Cheerleading.

Dadeville Dixie Youth is a sports program focused on helping kids learn and grow their skills. The program offers leagues for children ages 3 to 12 in T-ball, baseball and softball. Because of the progress the program has made, kids from surrounding areas, including Horseshoe Bend, are commuting to join the teams. The goal is to provide every child in the area with a way to get better at these sports and give them a chance to earn college scholarships.

The baseball and softball leagues are split into three age groups: 7 to 8 years old with an adult pitching; 9 to 10 years old; and 11 to 12 years old. They also have two age groups for T-ball: 3 to 4 years old and 5 to 6 years old.

For more information about the Dadeville Dixie Youth program, visit the Dadeville Dixie Youth Softball/Baseball Facebook page (@dadevilledixieyouth).

Another great sports program available for children is Dadeville Youth Football and Cheerleading. This small, nonprofit organization is invested in the lives of local kids. They desire to help provide activities for children, getting them out of the house and spending time with people.

Registration for the season begins in April, and they provide equipment for the players. While there is a registration fee for equipment, the organization is working to build the program and decrease the cost for families.

The organization hosts fundraisers to help pay for the equipment and provide sponsorships for players.

More information about this program can be found on the Dadeville Youth Football and Cheerleading Facebook page (@ DYFL2020).

Alexander City offers soccer and other sports

Alex City Jazz Fest hosts concerts at Strand Park and Lake Martin Amphitheater

Live Music

In addition to Lake Martin, your new hometown is known for its music. Summertime at the lake and in town comes alive with signature concert events and entertainment in most local restaurants and lounges. The play begins in May every year when Lake Martin Young Professionals host Strand Sessions, a free firstThursday-in-the-park concert at Strand Park in Alexander City. Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, coolers and pups on the leash and find a cool spot in the shade at the top of the hill. Let the kids roll down the grassy hillside and meet new friends at this popular summertime event. Bring a picnic or order something delicious from one of the local restaurants in the downtown arts and entertainment district.

Usually within a week or two of the Strand Sessions opener, Russell Lands kicks off their annual summer concert series, Friday On The Green, at Russell Crossroads. Every Friday night all summer long (except during Jazz Fest and RXR Fest), meet your friends and family on The Green for free entertainment, including lawn games and food trucks. It’s a great way to kick start any weekend at Lake Martin.

Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful downtown square in Dadeville hosts an outdoor concert on Thursday evenings, and in case of inclement weather, the event moves to The Listening Room inside. Wine and beer are available for purchase at these concerts on the street, and as the concerts are free, generous tipping is requested for the musicians.

At the end of May, RXR Fest shares the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with the annual Art on the Lake juried art show over Memorial Day weekend. Shifting summer at Lake Martin into high gear, this event hosts several performances, starting Friday night. Spend the day on the water, but don’t miss the show at the Green when the sun goes down.

Then, Sun Festival hits the calendar the first week of June with games, activities, contests and more all summer long, wrapping up on the second weekend of the month with Jazz Fest in Strand Park and at Lake Martin Amphitheater at Kowaliga. Now Alexander City’s signature concert series, Jazz Fest started in 1990 as a gift to the community when a local department store celebrated their 100th anniversary. It went over so well that when the store closed in later years, the concert series continued.

Russell Lands also hosts a July 4 concert at the AMP with music before and after one of the South’s most spectacular fireworks displays. This year, the AMP will offer an added event on July 22 when Black Jacket Symphony will perform the entire Fleetwood Mac Rumors album under the stars. Visit theamponlakemartin.com for concert dates and details.

Lake Martin Songwriters Festival the last week of July brings some 30 writers of popular music, including a host of No. 1 hit songs, to nearly 20 venues around the lake for a fiveday concert series. The music is free, thanks to the support of more than 40 partnering businesses and individuals and the coordination of Tallapoosa County Tourism.

Labor Day weekend, the concert series wrap up with one last big event at the AMP, but the music continues at smaller venues all around the lake. Check out social media posts and websites of your favorite lake area hangouts for music schedules all year round.

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

Local churches serve community in faith

If you want to get more involved with or serve the community, joining a church is a great place to start. Lake Martin area churches do a lot to serve their communities. Many of the local churches engage in a variety of outreach ministries.

First Baptist Church

Dadeville and Red Ridge United Methodist Church, as well as First Presbyterian Church in Alexander City, are well known for musical programming, especially around significant religious holidays. Visit church websites for more information.

St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City feeds more than a hundred local residents through a drive-through soup and sandwich ministry every Tuesday evening. Initially a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, the response was so great that church members continued the ministry after contact restrictions were lifted. There are no income qualifications to meet, no forms to fill out and no identification to provide. Just drive through the church parking lot around 5 p.m. on a Tuesday and pick up a brown bag supper.

St. James also has an ongoing potter’s guild, through which volunteers craft intricate crosses for patients at the Russell Medical – UAB Cancer Center. Potters also create a variety of platters, bowls, decorations and

gifts that are sold at an annual Christmas bazaar, raising more than $10,000 annually to support outreach ministries.

To find out more about St. James Episcopal Church and its ministries, visit stjamesalexcity.com.

An Eclectic Ministry is an all-volunteer organization with the mission to promote Christian faith and spiritual growth through a Christcentered approach. The ministry began out of First Baptist Church of Eclectic but eventually grew to be an independent event with volunteers from all areas, faiths and walks of life. Each December, An Eclectic Ministry hosts An Eclectic Christmas, a Christmas walkthrough nativity experience for the community. Visitors learn the story of Christmas as a live drama set during the Roman Empire plays out around them. The event includes Roman soldiers on horseback and saucy vendors in the street market. It is an amazing, must-see experience, and though the event is free to attend, reservations are required to prevent overcrowding as the story unfolds.

To learn more about An Eclectic Ministry or to make a reservation for An Eclectic Christmas, visit aneclecticministry.org.

Contact area churches to learn about more outreach opportunities in your new hometown.

Local churches find meaningful ways to connect the community in faith

Growing Health Care

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Your new hometown excels far beyond the typical rural healthcare programs and facilities, as the area also is home to a UAB Health System cancer center, wellness and fitness facilities on hospital grounds and rehabilitative care. In addition, a $25 million stepdown aging facilities project presently is under construction.

Russell Medical

In Alexander City, the not-for-profit, acute care hospital, Russell Medical, was established a century ago and is now a UAB Health System affiliate with 81 beds and a rehabilitative wing that allows patients easy access to therapy facilities at the in-hospital Total Fitness center. Also on the Russell Medical campus, the UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center is staffed with UAB oncologists and offers treatment for more than 100 forms of cancer. The cancer center opened in 2001.

The Russell Medical campus on U.S. Route 280 includes a professional building where many of the physicians maintain offices. An urgent care facility with extended hours and a second physician office facility share another building on the medical campus.

Now under construction on the campus is a threepart aging care project that will include independent, assisted and dependent care facilities. This expansive healthcare project and the care that it will provide to retirees will elevate the Lake Martin area as a retire-

ment destination.

Total Fitness at Russell Medical has a team of therapists and specialists who combine prevention, wellness and health education with physical fitness and rehabilitation services. This team is individual-focused, as each patient has unique needs and goals, said Fitness and Wellness Coordinator Cara Tidwell.

“Our mission is to provide an appropriate and safe exercise prescription for all of our members with their goals in mind,” Tidwell explained.

The facility includes two fully equipped gyms, regular exercise classes, personal trainers, a SwimEx endless pool and more. From rehabilitation programs to physical therapy and fitness programs, Total Fitness offers total-body solutions for everyone.

“Begin your journey to wellness and better quality of life,” Tidwell said.

The Russell Medical Foundation was established in 1988 to enhance the quality of life for patients by securing the latest technology, providing healthcare scholarships, attracting medical staff and so much more. They strive to cultivate lasting relationships between the community and the hospital to generate the best outcomes possible.

Russell Medical is located at 3316 U.S. Route 280 in Alexander City. To learn more about the services Russell Medical Center provides, visit russellcares. com. To make an appointment at Total Fitness, call 256-329-7623 or 256-215-7455.

The new aging facility is now under construction and set to open in 2024

MainStreet Family Care

Also located on U.S. Route 280, MainStreet Family Care is a convenient walk-in urgent care and primary care clinic. Open seven days per week, the center keeps later hours convenient to working patients. Understanding how difficult it can be to take time off work or cut out time in a busy schedule to visit the doctor’s office, the MSFC staff strives to get patients in and out within an hour. They also offer complimentary water, juice, hot chocolate and coffee, as well as snacks for purchase, to keep you comfortable while you wait.

Walk in for urgent care or make an appointment as a primary care patient. The objective of staff is to treat patients with respect and professionalism, treating illnesses or injuries and symptomatic problems quickly and efficiently to help patients feel better as soon as possible.

Some of the services regularly provided include annual physicals, high blood pressure or cholesterol management, chronic care for asthma, diabetes, obesity and weight loss and more.

MainStreet Family Care is located at 2508 U.S. Route 280 in Alexander City. They are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. To learn more about their services or to book an appointment, visit mainstreetfamilycare.com or call 256-414-3013.

Lake Martin Community Hospital

Part of the Ivy Creek Healthcare System, Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville is fully equipped to care for the medical needs of the community. Patient care does not stop with emergencies and hospital services; primary care services are also available.

The hospital and its practitioners are focused on developing a healthy environment for the community. The doctors and nurses provide support for their patients, as well as education to help them live healthy lifestyles.

Lake Martin Family Medicine, Lake Martin Community Hospital’s primary care branch, is the leading healthcare provider for Dadeville and the surrounding communities. This primary care facility is conveniently located next to the hospital. Lake Martin Family Medicine also has added nutrition counseling to the many services they provide.

More information about Lake Martin Community Hospital and Lake Martin Family Care can be found at ivycreekhealth.com. The hospital is located at 201 Mariarden Rd., and the primary care facility is located at 301 Mariarden Rd. in Dadeville.

Play Time

No matter how you slice it, players get hooked quickly on golf at Lake Martin. Golf courses in the area offer opportunities for the novice to learn, the everyday golfer to have friendly competition and the champions to win. Whether putting a green that’s bordered on three sides by the breathtaking Lake Martin or teeing off above a beautiful Southern woodlands course, the beauty of the area’s courses paints the perfect backdrop for a round of great golf at the lake.

Willow Point Golf and Country Club

For members and their guests, the Willow Point golf course provides exceptional play on the 18-hole, 72-par course, which measures 7,465 yards from the championship tees. Twelve of the holes are on the lake, presenting challenges on six holes where the water comes into play. A putting green and a driving range with tee facilities at both ends of the range are available for practice. Dining areas overlook the golf course and lake. Members’ guests can stay at The Villas and are provided with the same amenities as members, including the pool, fitness center, beach, cabana, golf and dining options. For general information about the private club, call 256-212-1407.

Stillwaters Golf Club

On the Lake Martin’s east shoreline, The Highlands course at Stillwaters offers 6,906 yards from the back tees on the 18-hole, par-72 course. Stillwaters has been listed on Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses list, and the course boasts lush greens and rolling fairways with 200 feet of elevation. The club offers public play, as well as several levels of membership, including student, senior and out-of-town. In addition to putting and chipping greens, a driving range on Beaver Lake and bunker practice, other amenities at the course include lodging at the Courtside Inn and Copper’s Grill for dining and entertainment.

Tee times can be arranged online at stillwatersgolf.com. For information, call the pro shop at 256-825-1353.

Lakewinds Golf Club

A public course located just 5 miles east of downtown Alexander City, Lakewinds is located within sight of Lake Martin. Touted as an old school course, its challenging rounded greens require approach shot and chipping accuracy. With 5,500 yards on the par-70 course and three water hazards, Lakewinds is the site of choice for friendly golf tournaments and matches alike.The course is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until dark for walk-ups and players with tee times. Call 256-825-9860 or book online at lakewindsgolfclub.com.

Wicker Point Golf Club

Just dreaming of golf on the lake? The dream can become reality when you become one of the first to join the new Wicker Point Golf Club, a private golf course scheduled to open this fall. The only Coore and Crenshaw designed 18-hole course in the state of Alabama, Wicker Point will boast unique challenges, beautiful landscape and lakefront holes. For more information, and to get in on the ground floor of this spectacular golf opportunity, visit wickerpoint.com.

Putt Putt Golf at Wind Creek State Park

And, just for the fun of it, take the kids to the miniature golf course at Wind Creek State Park. The course has 18 holes themed for Lake Martin landmarks, and putters are provided for all ages and sizes. The course is open Tuesday through Saturday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., weather permitting. Campers pay $3 per child aged 6 to 13 and $5 per person aged 14 and up. Non-campers also pay a day-use fee for admission to the park. For information, call 256-329-0845 or search for Wind Creek at alapark.com.

The area offers play on four local courses

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

The History Behind The Gateway to Lake Martin

STORY BY BETSY ILER

From the first pioneers who established cotton farms here in the early 1800s to its textile peak in the mid 1990s and the flourishing tourism industry of today, your new hometown welcomes you – and invites you to take part in the vibrant, active lifestyle we enjoy here in our little corner of heaven.

Native American Creek tribes flourished in the local river valley when European settlers first moved into the area in the early 1800s. One of the most significant events in early history, the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814, led to the Indian Removal Act and opened the territory to a wave of pioneers from the country’s eastern settlements. The battle also catapulted Gen. Andrew Jackson to the presidency.

Tallapoosa County was established in 1832, and in 1837, Griffin Young opened a post office at a trading post near the present-day intersection of U.S.

Route 280 and Lee Street. He named the new town Youngsville.

The area reaped some prosperity when prospectors descended upon Tallapoosa County to mine gold, but they moved on in the mid-1800s, as richer veins were discovered in California. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that Youngsville once again saw rapid economic growth, though the town’s name was changed to Alexander City to make it happen. The rebranding of Youngsville granted the town a stop along the tracks of the Savannah and Memphis Railroad, as Alexander City honored railroad president E.P. Alexander. Economic activity sprung up, from stores to banks and a hotel built down the street from the railroad depot. The county’s first courthouse was built in 1890, and the local newspaper, The Alexander City Outlook, was founded in 1892.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck only 10 years later when downtown Alexander City burned to the ground.

Constructed entirely of wood, the courthouse, hotel, stores, banks and the railroad depot – all connected by a boardwalk – were lost in a fire that swept down Main Street on a hot, windy June afternoon. The entire business district was converted to ashes in a matter of a few hours.

Determined to not be defeated, the townspeople rebuilt the downtown in four months, and new businesses opened shortly thereafter, including the Russell Manufacturing Company. Owned by Benjamin Francis Commander Russell, the business opened in a small wooden building with six knitting machines and 10 sewing machines. Russell Manufacturing grew into Russell Athletic and then Russell Brands, arguably the biggest and most innovative textile mill in the U.S. until the global economy brought about changes to its operations in the late-1900s.

But in 1926, Alabama Power Company, with the guidance of then president Thomas Martin, completed

construction of a hydroelectric-generation dam on the Tallapoosa River at Cherokee Bluffs. Regarded as a mosquito-ridden backwater in its early years, the 41,150-acre Lake Martin these days draws visitors from all corners of the globe throughout the year.

In the summer, boating, water sports and swimming dominate the lake activity, and in winter, the lake is host to numerous fishing tournaments and off-water recreation activities. The second-home market that flourishes alongside limited sections of shoreline at the lake now stimulates the local economy in area communities, including Alexander City, where visitors and residents alike shop, dine and find enjoyment in local music, theater, art shows and other entertainment options.

With its vintage charm and warm community, Alexander City invites you to join the fun of life in this historic jewel.

The Arts

Fine arts thrive throughout the area

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Ripe with a genuine passion for the arts, your new community nurtures and supports the artistic endeavors of many talented local artists and actors. From the performing arts to juried shows, workshops and more, you’ll find a thriving arts community throughout the area.

Alexander City Theatre II

ACT II provides live community theatre productions, free to the public, throughout each year, with a spectacular lineup of shows that offer something for everyone. Auditions are held for the acting parts; however, volunteers are needed and welcome to assist with props, set construction, make-up, wardrobe and dozens of supportive tasks.

“We are very excited about this year’s productions, “ said ACT II President Karen Kison. “Our summer children’s play, Princess Whatsername by Brian D. Taylor, will open at Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium at the end of July with roles for nearly 40 local children directed by Jim Pearson Elementary School teacher Christale Tuck.

“Our fall play is an original readers play, Little Time to Kill by Thomas Maple, and we’ll stage a live radio play, Miracle on 34th Street Live Radio Play by John Cook, at the Betty Carol Graham Center the first weekend of December.

“We’re also excited to present our first thriller next spring. Rob Iler will direct Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott in March.”

Kison said ACT II performances are free in thanks for sponsors who assist with the costs of each production.

“We are so grateful to have the support of individual and business sponsors that make it possible for us to provide our performances free of charge to the community,” she said.

For more information, watch for updates in The Outlook, Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines. Visit the Alexander City Theatre II Facebook page and check out the website at actheatre2.com.

Art Shows

The Lake Martin area hosts several juried art shows throughout the year, featuring local and regional artists. Russell Crossroads hosts Art on the Lake in May, Arti Gras in July and the Holiday Bazaar in November. The shows feature woodworkers, painters, sculptors, crafters and more under big canvas tents to keep vendors and patrons shaded. Visit russelllands.com/blog/events for details.

In addition, Pennington Park in Dadeville provides the backdrop for several arts and crafts shows throughout the year. Visit the Pennington Park Facebook page for details.

In the fall, Lake Martin Living magazine devotes an issue to the works of local painters and photographers. The October magazine spotlights one of the winners on the cover and all of the entering artists inside. This year, the magazine will hold an in-person exhibit and reception to celebrate the artists. Follow Lake Martin Living magazine in print and online at lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving, as well as the Lake Martin Living Facebook page for upcoming details on the fall competition.

Alex City Arts

For more than 50 years, Alex City Arts has brought traveling musicians and theatrical performances to Alexander City, and this year’s slate of entertainment promises to be exciting and fun-filled, starting with an appearance by Larry Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers Band on Aug. 11. Gatlin will regale the audience at Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium with hit songs and stories from nearly 70 years on the road. In early October, syndicated Sean of the South columnist Sean Dietrich will speak at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham stage, and later that same month, the Montgomery Chorale will perform at Cornerstone First Global Methodist Church. John Bull and Peggy Walker will play on the BRHS stage in November, and following a holiday break in December and January, The Eric Essix Group will appear at BRHS Auditorium in February. March will see The Heart Behind the Music at BRHS Auditorium with Marty Raybon, Cindy Morgan and Lenny LeBlanc, legends in country and contemporary Christian music. The ACA season will wrap up at CACC’s BCG stage in April with Alabama Troubadours Rick Carter, Stan Foster, Donna Hall and William “Moose” Harrell and the music of John Prine. Contact alexcityarts@gmail.com or visit alexcityarts. org for venues and ticket information.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

The nonprofit AACA meets on the third Thursday of each month at the senior center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds. Dues are $20 per year, and the club encourages anyone interested to visit and see what’s going on. Meetings begin at 10 a.m., and from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., the club provides an open studio for members and non-members to engage with one another while they work.

“We really have a beautiful group who come to us from all over the state. We recognize that all art is good, whether it’s on canvas or wood or a jewelry piece or mixed-media. Anyone can just walk in to the open studio, and we will guide you. We also want to help new artists purchase the correct materials, and we are happy to guide them,” said June Dean, spokesperson for AACA.

For more information, visit the group at artistsassociationofcentralalabama.org on Facebook or call Dean at 334-313-7533.

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin brings professional artists to Children’s Harbor each fall for a three-day artist retreat. Participants register to attend classes with one of the artists. At this year’s retreat, set for Nov. 3 through 7, artist instructors will include Aline Ordman in oils; Judy Verhoeven with mixed media and Pat Butynski with acrylics and mixed media. Visit alabamaartcolony.org for information and registration.

Handmade soaps and lotions are among the offerings at Arti Gras

Don't miss Larry Gatlin at CACC Aug. 11

Winners of the Lake Martin Living Art & Photography Contest are featured in the October issue

Get Involved

Count yourself blessed to live in a Lake Martin community, where the neighbors are friendly and the towns pull together for the good of all. You’ll find that volunteerism thrives here, perhaps more than in larger communities where the sense of togetherness often gets lost in the traffic on the way home from work. But many hands make light work, and working together makes new friends and has a positive impact on the community.

You’ll find volunteer opportunities in churches, schools and libraries here, but also in downtown merchant organizations, community theater, arts councils, hospitals, camps and more. Here are just a few of the places where volunteers are an important part of the work, and if you don’t find an organization that fits your interests, ask around.

Lake Martin Area United Way

LMAUW coordinates an annual Day of Action for Coosa and Tallapoosa counties, where community members volunteer in an all-hands-on-deck approach to repairs, clean up and improvement projects at local schools and

other locations.

With the support of Alexander City residents and businesses, LMAUW raises more than half-million dollars each year to assist 27 partner organizations. It’s all-hands-ondeck as Executive Director Courtney Layfield and her staff, board and volunteers press forward to fund as many local projects as possible.

In addition to needing volunteer help in the office answering phones and sorting donations, the organization needs help with its annual fashion show and silent auction fundraiser. This popular event has become part of the city’s social scene each fall and includes the participation of Alexander City businesses.

For more information, call LMAUW at 256-329-3600 or email uw211@unitedwaylakemartin.org.

Renew Our Rivers

Opportunities abound for the Lake Martin community to work together in keeping roadsides and lake shorelines clean and litter free. Lake Martin Resource Association maintains partnerships with Wind Creek State Park, Lake Martin Dock Company, Alabama Power, Russell Lands,

helping hands

Day of Action volunteers clear brush around a local school

Local Alabama Power staff help with the annual lake cleanup

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL MURPHY & BETSY ILER

at actheatre2.com or the Alexander City Theatre ii Facebook page.

Children’s Harbor

The Lake Martin campus of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham hosts camps for seriously ill children in a handicap-accessible setting. The camp’s property was donated by Ben and Luanne Russell more than 25 years ago and was built in the style of a New England seaside village. Volunteers are needed for the various organizations that hold camp sessions at the facility – sometimes as aides for campers, cooks in the kitchen or assembling camp materials. Volunteers also help with session programs or qualified healthcare. Boaters often are requested, so campers are able to take a boat ride on the lake.

For information about volunteering at Children’s Harbor, visit the website at childrensharbor.com.

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association

CRATA maintains more than 26 miles of footpathonly trails around the lake with a volunteer board of directors and volunteers who help to maintain, mark and build the trails. Founded in 2004, CRATA has built a reputation for providing quality trails for public enjoyment. In addition to the trails, volunteers restored a historic fire tower at Smith Mountain on the lake’s eastern shoreline and are restoring/rebuilding a second tower near the Overlook trail network above Martin Dam.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” said CRATA President Steve Thomas.

To join the effort, visit crata.org.

There are myriad ways that hobbies and work experience could be translated into volunteer work to make a positive difference in your new community. Read the local newspaper and magazines and check out Facebook pages and other social media platforms to find your fit.

Stay Informed

When you’re looking for local news, you can’t get any more accurate and reliable than Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., publisher of The Alex City Outlook and The Dadeville Record, as well as Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines and Elmore County newspapers. Published twice weekly – on Wednesdays and Saturdays – The Outlook covers all the news you need to know in Alexander City, from city council meetings to upcoming entertainment, school business, healthcare news, charitable endeavors, new businesses, classifieds and more. You’ll find the same information pertinent to Dadeville in The Record, which is published once a week on Thursdays.

Find stories from all of TPI’s newspapers online at alexcityoutlook.com. Breaking news is reported in a timely manner on the newspaper Facebook pages.

Printed monthly, Lake magazine is available free of charge in racks all around the lake on the first of every month, covering Lake Martin news, events, beautiful lake homes and engaging lake stories. Lake Martin Living, also free, is available in the middle of each month in all the same locations as its sister magazine. Lake Martin Living includes lifestyle stories based in the communities around the lake but not on the lake.

In addition, TPI publishes five annual special edition magazines – two newcomer guides like this one, two progress issues and a magazine dedicated specifically to Dadeville.

TPIDigital connects consumers and the community to businesses through customizable digital marketing campaigns and website building. The digital agency also features video series that focus on local faces and stories.

To subscribe to any TPI publications, complete the online form on the newspaper website or call 256-2344281.

The local television station is WAXC TV, an affili-

ate of Heartland TV and covers local lifestyle stories and area sports. For Charter cable customers, the station can be found on channel 2.

The station features local celebrity Kenny Dean as host of The Front Porch daily from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Dean is joined on weekdays by local community figures discussing events, businesses, people and knowledge of the surrounding area. Additional local content includes gospel music and sports programming.

WRFS-FM 105.1, owned and operated by Marble City Media LLC, is based in Rockford and plays a classic hits format.

Kowaliga Country 97.5, operated by Lake Broadcasting, Inc., is an FM radio station based at 1051 Tallapoosa St. in Alexander City. Broadcasting seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight, the station reaches Tallapoosa, Coosa and Clay counties and parts of Elmore, Talladega and Lee counties. Entertainment includes country music hits. The station also broadcasts news, events and advertising. Kowaliga Country hosts popular musical concerts, as well as the popular Kowaliga Idol musician competition each year featuring aspiring talent found throughout the Southeast. Follow your favorites in American Idol fashion February through March. For more information about Lake Broadcasting, call 256-234-6221 or visit wkga975.com.

Numerous social media platforms host lake area pages focused on boating, swimming, regulations, items for sale, friends of local interests and nonprofit organizations that address entertainment, education and aid. Look around online to find others who hold your interests in common.

And stop by the TPI offices at 548 Cherokee Rd. in Alexander City any time if we can help you find what you need in your new hometown.

Our Signature Park

No matter your age or interests, you will find yourself spending quality time at Alexander City’s Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, a 212-acre public park that has something for everyone all year round. From seasonal community activities to organized sports programs, club activities, war memorials, picnic grounds and fitness amenities, the sportplex always has something going on.

During the summer months, this tournament-ready facility hosts traveling baseball and softball championship play that sometimes includes more than 900 players, along with their families and tournament officials. The park offers 20 sports fields for youth games. And kids are invited to sign up for seasonal sports play and even some travel ball teams.

Come fall, the annual Oktoberfest takes over the park with games, hayrides and activities for the whole family, including arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a car show and much more. Visitors come from far and wide to attend this grand event.

In the spring, the rodeo comes to town, bringing calf roping, bull riding and bronco busting professionals who make the shows exciting and memorable.

But don’t wait for a seasonal event before taking advantage of all the park has to offer.

Take a hike along the 3-mile path around the park’s perimeter. The trail was built as a Leadership Lake Martin project and traverses a varied terrain, from wooded areas to the dog park, archery range, the war memorials at the football stadium and more. The trail is part of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail, so bring

your binoculars and a bird guide to help you identify the variety of winged wildlife you’ll see here.

The sportplex also is home to a nine-hole disc golf course, another Leadership Lake Martin endeavor, as well as an outdoor fitness circuit, a splashplex and a gymnasium.

Picnic areas are dotted throughout the park, where they invite visitors to enjoy a noon meal in the shade on a hot summer day. In addition to pavilions for rent, the park offers a cabin that could be booked for gatherings of as many as 50 people.

From the entrance on State Route 22 to the entrance on Elkahatchee Road, the sportplex measures about 1 mile, an easy distance for the many walkers that turn out at all times of day to get their exercise in. The hills offer a challenge, while the sidewalk pro-

vides a safe route among the trees and past the fields. Bring a friend and make walking here a regular fitness appointment.

The senior center is a hub of activity for residents who gather to learn, grow, socialize and share. Quilting clubs, bingo, exercise classes, games and other social events are scheduled daily.

For more information or to book one of the spaces, visit alexandercityal.gov/sportplex.

Clockwise from Left: Benjamin Russell High School's Wildcats Football team plays in the Sportplex stadium; Oktoberfest draws thousands of visitors for activities in the park; Baseball and softball fields host local and traveling teams.

Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl. Visit RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

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 for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 334-857-2008.

Music in the Air

Spend Thursday evenings at Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful Dadeville Square enjoying a variety of live music. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. indoors or outdoors under the verandah, depending on weather conditions and performers’ preferences. Bring a lawn chair and come early to settle in. Free admission but please tip the musicians. Visit Zazu’s Verandah on Facebook for the weekly scheduled programs.

Strand Sessions

From April to August, Lake Martin Young Professionals present live music in Strand Park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring chairs and coolers. For more information, follow LMYP on Facebook for the line up or call the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 256-234-3461.

Happening

purchase at Chuck’s Marina all summer long. Look for details in upcoming issues of Lake magazine or visit the Chuck’s Marina Facebook page for more information.

September

Labor Day Music Fest at Crossroads

the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. You will see an example of each manufacturer’s highest horsepower cars of 1970, from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Buick, Porsche and Oldsmobile. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474 to arrange discounted group tours or private tours.

Alexander City Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., June through September, buy local, fresh produce, baked goods, jams, jellies and more. Farmers set up in the parking lot on the Main Street traffic circle. Call 256-329-9227 for information.

August Duck Norris Race

Thousands of rubber ducks are released upstream of Chuck’s Marina, and the first one to reach the finish line wins. But the real winners in this annual event are the neglected and abused girls who reside at Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch in Camp Hill and Tri-County Children’s Advocacy. More than $23,000 has been raised for therapy and transportation through this annual event since the duck race began in 2018. Purchase rubber ducks for $5 each or buy in bulk and get five ducks for $20. Ducks are available for

Russell Lands hosts a free, two-day Labor Day weekend concert series at Russell Crossroads at 6:30 p.m. each night. Bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, blankets and coolers or pick up dinner and your favorite beverage at Catherine’s. Pups on a leash are welcome, too. For lineup details, just visit russelllands.com/blog/events.

October

Dadeville Fall Festival

Gather on the streets just off the courthouse square in Dadeville for fun, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and activities for children, music, inflatables and more. Email the Dadeville Lake Martin Area Chamber at chamber@dadeville.com or call 256-825-4019 for more information.

Fall Family Festival at Russell Crossroads

Enjoy this annual festival at Russell Crossroads, featuring a scavenger hunt, face painting, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides, archery and pie and canning contests. For more information, visit RussellLands.com/blog/events.

Annual Oktoberfest

This daylong celebration at Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City features local arts and crafts, dining, entertainment, children’s activities and more.

November Renew Our Rivers

Hundreds of volunteers turn out for this annual effort to clean up Lake Martin on the first weekend of

November. For information, call John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

Annual Holiday Open House

Hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, local businesses open their doors one Sunday to showcase the festive decorations and gifts and offer one-of-a-kind sales. Bring the kids to visit with Santa and more. Call 256-234-3461 for more information.

Christmas at Crossroads

Enjoy this weekend-long event at Russell Crossroads. Admire town decorations and revel in the Christmas spirit while shopping the arts and crafts at the Holiday Market at The Stables. For information or for vendor registration, call 256-397-1397 or visit russellcrossroads.com

Christmas in the Park

Pennington Park opens a spectacular Christmas display, including a walk-through display of decorated trees by local merchants, churches and individuals. The exhibit remains up until Christmas, but being there for the lighting ceremony is a special treat. Look for details on Facebook or in upcoming issues of Lake Martin Living magazine.

December

Miracle on 34th Street

Every year, Alexander City Theatre II stages a free Christmas play to put you in the holiday spirit. This year’s production will be the delightful classic, Miracle on 34th Street, as a radio play the first weekend of December at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Center. Visit the theater’s Facebook page for dates and times.

Annual Hometown

Christmas Parade

Presented by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, join the fun as one of East Alabama’s largest holiday parades winds through town with elaborate floats, dancers, bands, Santa Claus and more. Call 256-234-3461 for more information.

January

Polar Plunge

The Lake Martin Young Professionals host a polar plunge at Kowaliga to raise money for Lake Martin Resource Association, a nonprofit lake advocacy organization that maintains more than 400 safety and hazard buoys on the lake. Spectators turn out for the music, food, a selfie station, costumes and to watch the plungers hit Lake Martin’s frigid winter water. Visit the website at lakemartinyp.org for information.

February Russell Forest Run

This annual 5K/10K run takes participants through the beautiful scenery of Russell Forest, and entrance fees benefit the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. The after-party features a live band, beer, a fabulous grits bar and the awards ceremony. To register, visit russellforestrun.com.

March

Dadeville Chili Cook-off

Enter your favorite chili recipe at Pennington Park in Dadeville to win prizes for best recipe and best booth. There will be hot dogs for non-chili eaters. Visit the Pennington Park Facebook page for details.

April

Boating Basics Course

Get ready for the season with one of these free boating basics in-person classes offered by the Marine Police at local marinas and businesses. Visit dps.alabama.gov for the complete list of classes offered or check the calendar pages in Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines for details.

Children’s Harbor Auction

Support one of Lake Martin’s local camps for seriously ill children at this annual online and in-person fundraising event. For more information or an invitation, call 205-638-6606.

Old 280 Boogie

Held at Standard Deluxe in Waverly, this event features an all-day concert with six bands, food and vendors, and the T-shirt shop is open. Bring chairs

and coolers and get ready to camp out on the grassy area with friends and family. For more information, visit standarddeluxe.com.

May RXR Fest

This free two-day music festival is held on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads over Memorial Day weekend, along with the season’s first juried art show, Art on the Lake. Visit Russelllands.com for details.

June

Sun Festival

This weeklong celebration of summer in Alexander City offers kids’ activities, concerts in the park, tributes to local veterans, cooking and cocktail opportunities and much more, including the popular medallion hunt – solve the riddle; find the medallion and win $200! Look for the riddle on The Alex City Outlook Facebook page.

BBQ Social

Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this networking event to raise funds for high school student scholarships. Join the fun at Mitchell House with a favorite local band, catered barbecue, beer and wine. Visit the chamber’s website for details and ticket information.

July

Russell Marine 4th of July Boat Parade

Festive boats and patriotic crews parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s Harbor and back again while spectators line the route to cheer them on. For information, or to enter, call 334-857-2111.

Celebrate Freedom

Come out to the Benjamin Russell High School lawn for patriotic displays, live music, food and fireworks. Bring cash, lawn chairs or a blanket, friends and family but leave the pets at home. No alcohol.

Get Connected

The first order of business in your new hometown –after you’ve treated yourself to your first visit to Chickfil-A – is to get connected: utilities; internet; phone services; post office and delivery services; car tags; drivers’ licenses and voter registration. Address these issues right away, so you can relax and have a great time exploring the Lake Martin area and the wide variety of fun things to do here.

Internet and Cable

Thanks to the Alabama Rescue Plan, internet access and speeds in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties are improving.

“We’ve got several competing companies that are in here for the opportunity to receive grants,” Alabama State Rep. Ed Oliver (Dist. 81) said last fall. “They’re installing internet at a rapid rate. There are very few places in Tallapoosa County that are not designated to get internet with the next two years.”

Local cable television and internet services for business and residential customers in Alexander City and portions of the Lake Martin area are provided by Charter Spectrum. Visit spectrum.com to get started. In selected areas, Troy Cable also provides residential service. Get started at troycable.net. Satellite television services are available in outlying areas, and there are flexible options for internet bandwidth and download speed to meet business and residential needs. DirecTV and Dish TV provide satellite service in the area. Check out the websites at directv.com or dish.com for packages and pricing. In addition, Starlink also is an option at starlink.com.

Change of Address and Package Deliveries

Despite today’s mobile society, changing your mailing address is still an important step to take when moving to a new home. Fortunately, it’s a simple task

that can be completed online at usps.com or in person at the local post office. Stop in at the Alexander City Post Office at 233 Lee St. as soon as possible after your move; or take care of this detail about a week prior to arrival to ensure mail is forwarded to your new address. The local post office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Post office boxes are accessible 24 hours a day.

In addition, make sure to notify banks, credit card and investment companies, as well as family, friends and favorite charities of your new address.

To send a package courier, visit Goin’ Postal, a FedEX and DHL authorized shipping center, at 2036 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City. The shipping center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. Goin’ Postal also offers a fax and copy service; postal services that include private mailboxes and stamp sales; eBay trading assistance, passport photos and applications and more.

City Utilities

The utilities associated with most residential buildings in Alexander City are provided by the City and billed on one monthly statement, but there are select areas in town that receive electrical service from Alabama Power Company. To activate City services, visit the Municipal Complex in person at 281 James D. Nabors Dr. You will need two forms of identification, including a copy of your lease or deed to verify the address. There also will be an associated deposit.

The Municipal Complex is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Utility bills can be paid at one of three 24-hour drop boxes, located at the Cooper Rec Center, Old City Hall on Main Street in downtown Alexander City and the Municipal Complex. Bills also can be paid by calling 256-329-6710; mail payment to Utility Collections at P.O. Box 552, pay office in

person; or at alexandercityonline.com/onlinebill-pay. Please include your account number or service address when paying your bill.

To start Alabama Power service, call 800-245-2244 or visit customerservice2.southerncompany.com. These also can be used to report power outages for Alabama Power customers.

Garbage Pick Up

GFL Environmental provides curbside waste collection services for Alexander City. Call 256-329-6700 (Option 1) to set up services. The City of Alexander City provides brush pick-up service to residents in city limits. For pick-up routes and schedules, visit alexandercityonline.com.

Driver’s License & Vehicle Registration

For new licenses or to surrender an out-of-state driver’s license and obtain an Alabama license, the C.J. Coley Courthouse Annex (395 Lee Street) in Alexander City is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Testing is conducted only on the third Tuesday and Wednesday of each month.

The Dadeville office is in the Tallapoosa County Courthouse at 125 N. Broadnax St. and is open on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit tallaco.com for more information.

Voter Registration

Register to vote as soon as possible once you’ve arrived and established residency. You must be registered at least 10 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. To register, download and print the State of Alabama Postcard Voter Registration Application, which is available at tallaco.com. Complete the form and mail it to the voter registration office or hand-deliver it to the Tallapoosa County Courthouse at 125 N. Broadnax St., Dadeville, AL 36853. Call 256-825-1081 to learn your assigned polling place.

Social Security

The Social Security Administration office in Alexander City can help answer questions concerning benefits and supplemental security income. The office is located at 63 Aliant Parkway and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.

To receive a new or replacement card, applicants must provide a valid driver’s license or identification card, insurance card, marriage certificate, divorce papers or school records. It takes about 10 days to receive the new Social Security card, but there is no charge. For basic issues, residents can call the automated Social Security line at 877-405-0483. For residents 65 years and older, the staff can correct earning mistakes or help plan future funding. Visit socialsecurity.gov to apply directly for Medicaid, disability benefits or a Social Security card, check on an application status, plan for retirement or report fraud and abuse of the Social Security system.

SUMMERTIME IS A SPECIAL TIME, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY?

Summertime means time on the water, time away from work, and more time with family and friends.

Make sure your heart is healthy and ready for the season with an appointment at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Russell Medical.

Kevin Sublett, MD, is board-certified in cardiovascular care and offers the latest in prevention, testing, and treatment for keeping your heart healthy.

Our clinic is backed by the knowledge and expertise of UAB Medicine, including:

• Advanced ultrasound testing

• Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs

• Management of cardiac rhythm disorders

• Interventional cardiology care

Our expanded clinical team is ready to serve you. Schedule a visit today by calling 256-234-2644.

ALABAMA

Kay Ivey Governor 334-242-7100

600 Dexter Ave. Montgomery, AL

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

T.C. Coley District 1 256-234-5325

2316 N. Central Ave. Kellyton, AL

ALEXANDER CITY

Woody Baird Mayor 256-329-6730

James D. Nabors Dr. Alexander City, AL

Bobby Tapley District 1

Chairman – Public Safety Committee

256-392-0344

1821 LaVista Rd. Alexander City, AL

Steve Marshall Attorney General 334-242-7300

501 Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL

Steve Robinson District 2 256-654-0047

1225 Warren Circle Alexander City, AL

Buffy Colvin District 2 Chairman – Buildings & Property Committee

256-750-0663

786 "I" St. Alexander City, AL

Ed Oliver (R) 81st District 334-803-1889

11 S. Union St., Ste. 410-B Montgomery, AL

John McKelvey District 3 256-825-4268

125 N. Broadnax St. Dadeville, AL

Scott Hardy District 3

Chairman – Parks & Recreation Committee

256-496-2450

183 Glenhaven Dr. Alexander City, AL

Eric Brown District 4

Tom Whatley 27th District 334-242-7865

11 S. Union St., Ste. 734 Montgomery, AL

Emma Jean Thweatt District 4 256-825-4207

585 Brookwood Circle Dadeville, AL

Chairman – Public Works Committee

256-397-2811

1421 Parrish Dr. Alexander City, AL

Clyde Chambliss Jr. Senate District 30 334-343-7883

clyde.chambliss@alsenate.gov

George Carleton Jr. District 5 256-825-4268

125 N. Broadnax St. Dadeville, AL

Chris Brown District 5 Chairman – Utilities Committee

256-496-2050

191 Hillside Dr. Alexander City, AL

Jimmy Keel District 6 Chairman – Finance Committee

256-392-4108

6764 U.S. Route 280 E Alexander City, AL

Public Safety & Governmental Meetings

PUBLIC SAFETY

To contact the local police department, fire department or sheriff’s department, call one of the numbers listed below, and someone will be able to assist you. All emergency calls should be made to 911, and the appropriate department will be dispatched.

ALEXANDER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief: Jay Turner

Address: 281 James D. Nabors Dr. in Alexander City

Phone: 256-397-1023

Dispatch: 256-234-3421

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

ALEXANDER CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief: Reese McAlister

Address: 281 James D. Nabors Dr. in Alexander City

Station 1 phone: 256-329-6780 or 256-329-6781

Station 2 phone: 256-329-6788

Burning permits: 256-329-6781

Fire marshal: 256-329-6761

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

Sheriff: Jimmy Abbett

Address: 316 Industrial Park Dr. in Dadeville

Phone: 256-825-4264

Fax: 256-825-1012

Email: tallapoosacounty.sheriff@gmail.com

Secret witness line: 256-827-2035

COOSA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

Sheriff: Michael Howell

Address: 296 School St. in Rockford

Phone: 256-377-4922

Fax: 256-377-2690

Email: office@coosaso.com

GOVERNMENT AND TOWN MEETINGS

n Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. at 375 Lee St.

n Alexander City City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in the City Council Chamber at the Municipal Complex at 5:30 p.m.

n Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held in Town Hall at 6 p.m.

n Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa and Coosa counties holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.

n Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.

n Coosa County Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m.

n Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold

its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.

n Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-meeting at 5:15 p.m. in the conference room of City Hall.

n Daviston Town Hall Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.

n Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.

n Goodwater City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

n Jacksons Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. and all Jacksons Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.

n Kellyton Town Council meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Kellyton Community Center.

n New Site Town Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the conference room in the Town Hall.

n Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office. All customers are invited to attend.

n Rockford Town Council meets the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in Town Hall at 6 p.m.

n Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Meetings are held in the central office at 679 East Columbus St. in Dadeville.

n Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session.

n Tallapoosa County 911 Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus St. in Dadeville. Call 256-825-984 for more information.

n Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. Call 256-8259841 to inquire about the agenda.

ALEXANDER CITY CHAMBER MEMBERS DIRECTORY

Allen Food Marts, Inc. (256) 245-5478

AllState Insurance, Parmer Agency (256) 215-3833

Barbara’s Studio of Dance (256) 329-1163

Benton Clearing & Grading, Inc. (256) 329-1631

Carlisle’s (256) 392-4622

Castelluccio Fine Italian Dining (256) 392-5604

Daylight Donuts (256) 392-4446

Days Inn (256) 234-6311

A & M Plumbing, LLC (256) 234-5260

AAA General Contractors (256) 329-9843

Abernathy & Britton, CPA (256) 234-3561

ABS Business Systems (334) 329-7000

Achievement Center-Easter Seals (334) 745-3501

Adam Wade (256) 749-0959

Adams Health & Rehab (256) 329-0847

Adelia M. Russell Public Library (256) 329-6796

ADS Security (334) 749-4180

Advance America (256) 212-9383

Advance Computer Systems & Home Automation 2566261617

Advanced Heating & Air (256) 234-5052

AIDB Senior Services (256) 761-3530

AL & GA Network Group Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (256) 749-6053

Alabama Education Association

Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (334) 387-3501

Alabama Paper & Supply, Co. (256) 839-1050

Alabama Power Company (205) 561-4141

Alabama Technology Network

Alex City Garage Doors (256) 825-5869

Alex City Glass Co. (256) 234-2765

Alex City Grading (256) 234-2765

Alex City Parkway Apartments

Alpha Septic Sanitation LLC 256-827-9021

American Inn (256) 329-8858

Best Copy Products, Inc. (334) 749-2378

Beta Sigma Phi XIXI Chapter (256) 397-4157

Cater 2 Cops (256) 675-0401

Catherine’s Market (256) 215-7070

DE General (205) 414-7501

Deep Water Services, LLC (256) 373-3220

Alex City Reformed Baptist Church (256) 289-7858

Alex City Tobacco & Vapor (313) 231-7750

Alex City Transmission (256) 234-6230

Alexander City Arts, Inc. (256) 749-8073

Alexander City Board of Education (256) 234-5074

Alexander City Career Center (256) 414-6146

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce (256) 234-3461

Alexander City Dental Care & Dr. James Leonard & Myles Wiggins (256) 234-5003

Alexander City Fire Department

Alexander City Housing Authority (256) 329-2201

Alexander City Kiwanis Club (256) 329-7445

Alexander City Lion’s Club

Alexander City Meals on Wheels (256) 329-7382

Alexander City Methodist Church (256) 329-1284

Alexander City Parks & Recreation (256) 329-6736

Alexander City Photo Soceity

Alexander City Police Department

Alexander City Rotary Club

Alexander City Schools Education Foundation (256) 496-2424

Alexander City Theatre (ACT II)

Alexander City Veterinary Clinic (256) 234-6751

ALFA Insurance (256) 329-0544

All Clear Plumbing & Air LLC 2564962056

Allegiance Staffing, Inc. (256) 329-3477

American Red Cross (256) 234-3291

America’s Thrift Stores (256) 445-4978

Anderson Headstones & Memorials (256) 794-2686

Animal Care Center

Anytime Fitness (256) 329-1004

Area 57 Furnishings 8706329091

ARISE (256) 329-8444

Armour’s Funeral Home (256) 234-2776

Armstrong-Holley Plumbing (256) 392-3809

Aronov Realty Management (334) 277-1000

Artist Association of Central Alabama

As Close As Family

(256) 392-6560

Ashley Homestore, Opelika (334) 363-0440

At Your Service

(256) 392-3479

Athletic Department

Auburn IT, LLC (334) 625-1770

Audrey Moore, TLC Real Estate LLC

(256) 786-0465

Azalea Court I & II (256) 234-9999

Azalea Cove Waterside

B.A.B. Trust

(805) 462-8342

Badcock Home Furniture & More (256) 392-5501

Ballard Construction Co., Inc. (256) 329-3771

Ballard Properties, LLC (256) 749-0976

Barbara Young (256) 234-3160

Beyond Home Care, LLC (256) 414-6090

Bice Motors, Inc. (256) 234-2501

Big B Bar-B-Que (256) 329-9996

Bill Barrett (256) 454-1049

Bill Nichols State Veterans Home (256) 329-0868

Bill’s Electric (256) 234-4555

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of AL (334) 213-6634

Blue Ridge Mountain Water (334) 273-1119

Bobby Powell (256) 329-2061

Boosters (334) 263-4711

Bradberry Pointe Apartments (256) 393-4336

Browder & Welborn, LLC (205) 349-1910

Brown Land Management (256) 397-2811

Brown Nursing Home, LLC (256) 329-9061

Bru 63 (256) 215-7077

Buck’s Dairy Quik (256) 392-3565

Burger King (256) 329-2317

Burke’s Outlet (256) 212-2014

C & T Electric (256) 234-0007

Caldwell Electronics (256) 329-8000

Call Kenny (256) 596-2529

Carib Kitchen (256) 392-4433

Carlisle Heating & Air Conditioning (256) 234-0019

Catie Radney Studio (256) 749-1317

Cecily Lee (256) 329-9061

Central Alabama Community College (256) 234-6346

Central Alabama Counseling, LLC Continental Roofing Company

Cooper, Katharine M.D. (256) 234-2464

Corbin, Tim, M.D. (256) 234-4295

Cornerstone First Global Methodist Church (256) 801-1746

Cornerstone Insurance, Scotty Gordon Agency (334) 559-8889

Country Financial, Dylan Johnson Agency (256) 750-0558

Country Financial, Shelia Martin Agency (256) 329-3030

Covey Rise Magazine (256) 329-3020

Creekside Lodge & Event Center (256) 749-1301

Cutwater Marine Services, LLC (256) 392-4276

Dadeville Animal Clinic (256) 825-9308

Dadix, Inc. (256) 749-5500

Dairy Creem (256) 234-6199

Dark Insurance Agency (256) 234-5026

Darlene Meadows (256) 749-3317

Data Plus Security, LLC (205) 994-6130

David Jennings (256) 215-4242

David Mitchell (256) 212-3511

Densmore, Mike & Patsy- Coe (256) 749-9355

Depot Storage (256) 329-3599

Derek Holcombe, M.D. (256) 329-2829

Dianne James Davis, Attorney at Law (256) 392-3172

Dianne Naler CPA, PC (256) 409-1120

Disabled American Veterans, Bill Nichols Chapter 13 (719) 360-5027

Distinct Home Inspection, LLC (256) 749-5340

Divine Treats (256) 496-4684

Dixie Sailing Club (256) 392-9372

Docks Unlimited (256) 203-8400

Doc’s Boat and RV Storage 2566759171

Doc’s Cafeteria

Domino’s Pizza (256) 329-2236

Downtown Girl (256) 392-5225

Durbin Chiropractic Center (256) 234-4223

Early Learning Center (ELC First Baptist) (256) 392-4438

Early Rose Baptist Church (256) 234-6607

East Alabama Allergy & Asthma (334) 528-0078

East Alabama Mental Health (334) 742-2112

East Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission (256) 237-6741

East Dale Realty (256) 749-8772

Easter Seals Camp ASCCA (256) 825-9226

Ed Oliver (334) 803-1889

Eddie & B’s Carwash & Produce (256) 749-2947

Edward Jones (256) 329-9136

Effective Signs (334) 749-0001

Ellen & Terry Martin (256) 839-5670

Emporium Wine (256) 212-9463

Endless Possibilities (256) 234-0887

Engineered Cooling Services (334) 224-2349

Exit Realty Anchor South (334) 402-5028

Exit Realty Anchor South Nancy Pemberton (256) 794-6700

Experience Lake Martin Properties, Stacey McKinley (256) 397-0246

EZ Storage (256) 794-2809

Family Eye Care (256) 329-8400

Fanny Goldmine Diner

Farmers Insurance, Mary Jo Johnson Agency (256) 409-8080

FAWNBROOK home market 256-373-3080

Felder Services, LLC (256) 215-3794

Ferst Readers of Tallapoosa County (706) 590-1175

Fire Website Hosting & Design (856) 845-4327

FireTruck Bar B Que (205) 612-4530

First Baptist Church (256) 234-6351

First Insurance (256) 329-0888

First Realty of Alexander City (256) 234-5163

First United Methodist Church (256) 234-6322

Flint Hill Church (256) 234-5047

Float Alabama (256) 373-3004

For Heaven’s Sake (256) 234-0730

Frontline Outfitters (256) 409-8100

Full Draw Graphic Studios (256) 794-5466

Funding Solutions (512) 382-7270

Gateway at Lake Martin (502) 558-8698

GCI Design (850) 217-8155

Gene Gwaltney (256) 234-7877

GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC (800) 243-5580

Globe Chemical Company (404) 294-5081

Globe Life Liberty National Division (404) 276-0892

Goin Postal 2562343737

Goo Goo Express Wash (706) 563-6110

Grace’s Flowers (256) 234-4238

Grain & Leaf (256) 496-2212

Great Bethel Baptist Church (256) 234-5513

Green Monster Fishing Light, Inc. 334-332-0002

Greyhound Lines, Inc. (800) 231-2222

Griffin’s Outdoor Power Equipment Sales & Service LLC (256) 839-6607

Gunn Homes & Land (256) 749-4867

Guy Industries (256) 496-0023

Hagler & Brocato, LLC (205) 988-5297

Half Moon Market & Interiors (256) 392-5600

Hampton Inn (256) 234-2244

HarborTouch Services of AL (205) 567-0622

Hardy, George D.M.D. (256) 234-5678

Hare & Dunlap CPA Group PC (256) 234-6364

Harper Grey (256) 392-7525

Harrell Orthodontic (256) 234-6353

Harris Painting, LLC (256) 794-2969

Harrison Law Services (256) 825-7393

Hawkins Outdoors (256) 675-0044

Health Partners of New Site

Heart and Sold Boutique, LLC (256) 794-4618

HEMCO Inc. (256) 825-9511

Henderson & Coker (256) 329-9001

Henderson Glass (256) 234-5464

Henderson Towing (256) 392-4554

Heritage Pediatrics, LLC (256) 329-7100

Heritage South Credit Union (256) 245-4776

HighPoint Insurance Group-The Daughtry Agency (256) 234-7781

Hill Petroleum (256) 839-6331

Hillabee Forestry Co., LLC (256) 397-4287

Hillabee Towers (256) 329-0552

Hoar Construction

Holena Agency (334) 430-9165

Holloway Funeral Home (256) 390-3092

Holman Floor Company (256) 234-6071

Home Depot (256) 234-6399

Homes By Indianwood, Inc (205) 987-9112

Hometown Pharmacy (256) 329-0900

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

(256) 234-7111

Horseshoe Bend Regional Library (256) 825-9232

Huddle House (256) 215-7267

Hugh Neighbors (256) 750-5071

Idle Time Family Center (256) 329-8366

In Touch Adult Day Health

(256) 392-3445

IndusTree Companies (334) 398-0375

Inprint4U

(256) 749-1114

Instant Auto, LLC

(256) 392-4744

Insurance Solutions Group (256) 307-2536

Integrative Massage of Alexander City, LLC

2562527644

Ivy Creek Home Health of Lake Martin (256) 397-1440

Ivy Creek Hospice (256) 825-3272

J & J Pest Away (256) 496-0169

J. Andrew Thomas (256) 234-9922

J.A. Smith Construction (334) 531-0199

Jackson Apothecary (256) 392-3448

Jackson Drugs & Gifts (256) 234-2538

Jackson Refrigeration (256) 234-4457

Jackson’s Gap Boat Storage & Marine Services (256) 827-9393

JACO Sales (256) 500-4305

Jacob’s Ladder Learning Center (256) 234-5783

Jake’s (256) 234-4300

James Chiropractic Center (256) 234-2233

Jeff Thompson Alfa Insurance (256) 329-0544

Jehovah-Jireh Ministries (New Millienium) (256) 215-4211

Jerry & Delores Ogletree (256) 234-0054

Jes and Gray Living (256) 430-2356

Jewels by Audrey (256) 794-9697

Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers (256) 215-3998

JK USA Staffing (256) 392-4924

JLT Event and Rentals (256) 322-3211

Jodi Edner & Michelle WatkinsInsurance Agents (334) 413-3101

John & Lacey Howell (256) 307-2443

KBecks Transport

Kenneth Cochran Photography (256) 234-3399

Kerley Clinic of Chiropractic (256) 749-6039

Kerley Motor Company (256) 234-5331

Kevin Dean Construction, LLC (256) 212-4292

KFC (334) 799-9164

Kilpatrick Photography Lake Martin

Kimberly Bellino, Attorney at Law (256) 392-9060

Kona Ice (256) 794-8197

Koon’s Korner (256) 234-3557

Kowaliga Restaurant (256) 215-7035

Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Resort (334) 857-1816

Lake Area Homes, Angela VanHouten (256) 596-0566

Lake Broadcasting (256) 234-6464

Lake Martin Amphitheater (256) 397-1019

Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors (256) 234-7522

Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance (256) 215-4404

Lake Martin Area United Way (256) 329-3600

Lake Martin Auburn Club (256) 234-3609

Lake Martin Boutique (334) 552-0310

Lake Martin Civitan Club (256) 404-5858

Lake Martin CPA (334) 494-6963

Lake Martin Dock Company (334) 857-2443

Lake Martin Garden Shop (256) 252-4988

Lake Martin HOBOs (256) 825-0919

Lake Martin Landlord Association (256) 749-3355

Lake Martin Locations, Team Jager-Yager (205) 789-0698

Lake Martin Machine Gun (334) 202-0507

Lake Martin Medical Center (256) 212-9300

Lake Martin Memorials (256) 794-1334

Lake Martin Mini Mall (334) 857-3900

Lake Martin Mulching & Excavation (256) 794-7393

Lake Martin Painting, LLC (256) 392-5200

Lake Martin Physical Therapy (256) 329-8180

Lake Martin Pizza Co (484) 366-4048

Lake Martin Realty (256) 212-1498

Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye Lake Martin Realty, Damon Story (205) 789-9526

Lake Martin Realty, Jim Cleveland (256) 596-2220

Lake Martin Realty, Steve Arnberg Lake Martin Resource Association (256) 329-0835

Lake Martin Signature Construction (256) 392-5577

Lake Martin Storm Shelters

Lake Martin Tourism Association 256-414-6099x110

Lake Martin Tractor & Outdoor, LLC (256) 329-9536

Lake Martin TV (205) 902-8035

Lake Martin Wedding & Event Rentals (256) 794-2984

Lake Outdoors Marine (256) 392-4801

Lamberth, Brooks & Sally D. M. D. (256) 234-6401

Larkin & Richie Radney (256) 329-8438

Larry E. Speaks & Associates, Inc (334) 262-1091

Larry McAnally Construction (256) 496-2987

Law, Vincent MD (256) 234-4295

LED Solution (334) 799-6495

Lee Marketing Group (256) 825-0197

Lee Marketing GroupAdvertising Agency (256) 392-4250

Legacy Event Center (256) 589-5067

Legacy New Homes, LLC (334) 799-3922

Liberty National Life, Angela Hanson Agency (256) 234-2556

LifeSouth Blood Center East (334) 705-0884

Lighthouse of Tallapoosa County (256) 234-4894

Lil A Transportation (205) 275-8277

Lila’s Engraving (256) 234-6004

Lindsay Kane (256) 215-7029

Liquidation Station

Love Lake Martin, Paige Patterson (205) 616-8046

Lowden Street Capital (205) 494-3007

Lynn’s Quick Stop (256) 234-0024

Madix, Inc. (256) 839-6354

Magnolia Main Boutique (256) 496-1095

Main Street Alexander City (256) 329-9227

Main Street Family Care (256) 414-3013

Main Street Title & Closing Co., LLC (256) 392-3846

Malibu Electronics (256) 397-0800

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library

Marsha C. Mason Law Firm (256) 329-1313

Martin’s Music (256) 496-6347

Marvin & Lou Ann Wagoner (256) 329-1677

Mary Kay Cosmetics, April Price Butler (256) 419-7759

Maxwell AFB (334) 953-3669

McCants Metal Works, LLC (256) 454-0952

McDaniel’s Supply, Inc (256) 234-7076

McDonald’s (256) 435-6527

Me Mama’s Grub Hub (256) 373-3314

Medical Park Family Care

Medicine Express Family Pharmacy (256) 215-8014

Meridith Enterprises

Mike Knox (256) 397-2572

Mike Segrest (334) 799-5112

Miller Hotel (256) 794-1278

Miracle Missionary Baptist Church (256) 215-9788

Miss P’s Cheese and Charcuterie (512) 501-0775

Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast (256) 329-3717

Mitchell Gavin, Attorney at Law (256) 329-2211

Mitchell Roofing, LLC (256) 245-3534

Montgomery Area Food Bank (334) 263-3784

Moore’s Hardware & Power Equipment

Morris Enterprises (256) 749-5407

Morris Haynes, Attorneys at Law (256) 329-2000

Movement Mortgage (256) 794-1003

Music Depot (256) 234-6767

Mutual Savings Credit Union (256) 234-3821

Myrna Walters (256) 234-2676

Neighbors of Lake Martin North & South (205) 540-5544

Nelson Electric (256) 234-3000

New Water Farms (334) 332-0733

Nowlin & Associates Wealth Management (334) 703-3454

Ocie & Belle’s LLC

Off the Beaton Path Alabama (334) 703-2536

OGS Tournaments (334) 740-1267

Onin Staffing (256) 234-3585

On-Site Boat Care (Hardy Companies, LLC) (256) 234-5807

Oral & Facial Surgery of East Alabama (256) 392-4916

Ox Foundation Solutions (205) 690-7272

Papa John’s (256) 409-7272

Patterson Air, Inc (334) 850-3500

Patterson Truck Parts & Towing (256) 234-3981

Pediatric Associates of Alex City (256) 234-5021

PFS Investments (256) 794-8251

Phoenix Physical Therapy (334) 657-3709

Picket Fence (256) 777-3847

Piggly Wiggly (256) 234-3454

Pinnacle Engineering (205) 733-6912

Plain & Fancy Cleaners (256) 329-2695

Plains Benefit Solutions (334) 301-4823

Planet Fitness Alexander City (256) 392-4866

Playhouse Cinemas (256) 234-2509

Praise 87.5 (334) 750-0882

Precision Floor Care (334) 514-5757

Price Property Solutions (256) 749-4060

Prime Fitness (334) 657-3709

ProCare Contracting, LLC (256) 496-1234

ProgreCiv Group, Inc. (334) 332-8407

Purdy Girl Clothing, LLC (256) 794-3241

Qtee Boutique by Teasha, LLC (256) 392-4682

Quality Inn (256) 234-5900

R & D Enterprise (334) 319-2376

RadioAlabama / 105.1 WRFS / KiX 96.3 / WSGN (256) 249-4263

Radney Cemetery Services, LLC (256) 234-3751

Radney Funeral Home (256) 234-2511

Radney, Radney, & Jackson, LLC (256) 234-2547

Ralph Frohsin (256) 329-8084

Ray Poynor Properties (205) 879-3036

Raymond James (256) 414-3355

Re/Max Around the Lake, Amanda Scroggins (256) 749-6634

RE/Max Around the Lake, Angela Smith (256) 397-4400

Re/Max Around the Lake, Bill Yeatman (205) 835-2617

Re/Max Around the Lake, Samantha Spurlin (256) 786-0650

Re/Max Around the Lake, Sherry Johnston (256) 786-0423

Re/Max Around the Lake, Sherry Willis (256) 750-3566

RealtySouth Lake Martin, Sherri McCollum (256) 392-4560

RealtySouth-Lake Martin (256) 749-3355

Red Flag Pest Control ® (256) 825-0430

Regions Bank (256) 234-1053

Reli Settlement Solutions, LLC (334) 887-4266

Renfroe’s Market-Alexander City (256) 392-4472

Respawn Arcade, LLC (256) 392-3293

Reynolds Law Firm (256) 329-1333

Rita’s Italian Ice & Custard (484) 366-4040

River Bank & Trust (256) 329-0555

Robinson Iron, Inc. (256) 329-8486

Ron Hill’s Painting (334) 710-9655

Ronin Sushi Bar (646) 593-2153

Royal Cup Coffee 1800-366-5836

Russell Brands (256) 500-4000

Russell Crossroads Russell Do It Center (256) 234-2567

Russell Home Décor (256) 212-9877

Russell Lands (256) 329-0835

Russell Lands Real Estate (256) 212-1433

Russell Marine (256) 212-1465

Russell Medical (256) 329-7100

Russell Medical Gift Shop

S & S Discount Tire Pros (256) 215-8822

SA Services (256) 794-4035

Sacred Fire Photography (334) 703-9914

Sakura Bistro (256) 234-9833

Salvation Army Service Center (256) 215-3730

Sarah Bella Salon Spa Boutique (256) 307-3600

Sarah C. Towery Art Colony (256) 215-3743

Sassy & Crafty Creations (256) 397-0122

Satterfield, Inc. (256) 234-6388

Scenario Design, Inc.

Scent Wizards (334) 233-1554

Schuler Properties, LLC (256) 750-0399

Scooter’s Coffee (205) 746-3800

Scooter’s Grille (256) 794-4844

Scott Accounting & Computer Service, Inc. 2563291205

Scott Roe Roofing (256) 392-4861

Security Finance (256) 409-2299

Security Pest Control (256) 329-9395

Sellers and Associates (256) 329-1018

Selling Lake Martin (256) 825-8259

Service Printing & Office Supply (256) 749-3333

ServPro (256) 234-6307

Sessions, LLC (256) 392-5141

Shear Concepts (256) 234-4311

Sherwin Williams Company

Sherwood Forest (256) 234-9999

ShiftRX Russell, LLC dba Russell Retail Pharmacy (334) 332-6419

Sigma (256) 234-2514

Simply Lake Martin at EXP Realty - Drew W (205) 566-8876

Sims Electric Heating & Air (256) 329-3360

SK Services (256) 392-5679

SL Alabama, LLC (256) 397-8511

Slate Bargainer Building Southeast District of the United Methodist Church

Southeastern Benefits (205) 369-7178

Southern Design & Materials, Inc. (256) 234-7479

Southern Head & Neck Surgery (256) 329-1114

Southern Star Pet Grooming & Boarding (256) 215-5586

Space Cadets (205) 326-7025

Sparkle Window Cleaning Services, Inc. (334) 759-7080

Specifit, LLC (334) 524-2253

Spectrum Reach (334) 260-3679

Spencer heating and air Sprayberry Services (256) 307-6591

SpringHouse

St. James Episcopal Church (256) 234-4752

St. John The Apostle Catholic Church (256) 234-3631

Stallings Pool Service (256) 234-7538

State Farm Insurance Karen Channell (256) 234-3481

State Farm Insurance, Harold Cochran (256) 234-2700

Steele Marketing (256) 749-1003

Stepping Stones Learning Center (256) 392-5001

Steven Mackey Dermatology (256) 409-2159

Stewart S. Wilbanks, Attorney at Law (205) 939-0005

Stone Ridge Baptist Church (256) 234-2408

Stop for Breakfast (Garrard Enterprises) (256) 504-7328

Strickland’s What’s (256) 234-3298

Studio West Fitness, LLC (256) 786-0584

Sunrise Docks, LLC (256) 392-5200

Super 8 (256) 234-7099

Susan Hardy (256) 794-2897

Sweet Gaga’s (256) 392-5676

Sweet Tee Boutique (256) 794-2393

Tallapoosa County Bar Association (256) 392-9060

Tallapoosa County Commission

Tallapoosa County Commission District 2, Steve Robinson (256) 825-4268

Tallapoosa County Democratic Party (256) 307-2752

Tallapoosa County DHR (256) 825-3710

Tallapoosa County Education Retirees Association (256) 496-1882

Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch (256) 896-4113

Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department (256) 825-4244

Tallapoosa County Tourism (256) 215-3067

Tallapoosa Ford (256) 234-3432

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. (256) 234-4281

Tallapoosa River Electric Co-op (334) 864-9331

Tallapoosa’s Caring REFUGE (256) 496-1484

Talli & Friends Pet Grooming, LLC (256) 392-5664

Taqueria Avita (256) 392-3457

TCC General Contractors (256) 392-4115

The American Legion Post 103 (256) 675-6208

The AMP

The Closing Agency, LLC (256) 329-8832

The Destination Resort, Inc (615) 477-9813

The Five Points Garden Club (256) 794-4406

The Frazer Lanier Company

The Funky Goat

The Local at 41 Main (256) 392-2752

The Mercantile on Main (256) 749-4716

The Mitchell House (256) 749-0920

The New Home Missionary Baptist Church (256) 377-4664

The Orchard on Washington Venue (256) 496-0444

The Square

The Stables

The Studio Arts and Education (334) 327-0805

The Sure Shot (256) 329-0080

The Tippy Canoe (256) 392-4802

The Well Counseling Center (256) 615-2040

The Willows Assisted Living (256) 234-0800

The Wright Angle (256) 496-4175

Thomas Auto Parts (256) 234-5023

Thomas R. Goree, Jr., Attorney At Law (334) 750-0768

Thompson Power Systems (205) 849-4361

Tienda Mexicana Lina (256) 392-3457

Timberland Construction (256) 749-1575

Timberland Silvicultural Services, Inc. (205) 242-9901

Timberline Glamping Lake Martin (256) 212-0582

Tolbert’s Elite Mobile Detailing (256) 786-1007

Tom Whatley (334) 242-7893

ToothMasters (256) 329-8401

Top Gun Pest Control, LLC (256) 234-7375

Total Healthcare

TowBoatUS Lake Martin (256) 307-8718

Town & Country, LLC (256) 234-4281

TR Group, Inc. (256) 234-3435

Treasure Hunt (256) 252-6831

TRO Jung Brannen, Inc

Turner Fence, LLC (334) 444-9008

Tylicki Service Co., LLC (334) 202-4172

UAB Medicine Russell Medical Cancer Center

Valley Bank (256) 329-7400

Varner Electric & Refrigeration (256) 626-0097

Veritas Lake Martin (205) 396-3639

Viva Medicare (334) 451-0708

Vulcan Sales Group (205) 910-4497

Walmart Super Center (256) 234-0316

Walton Law Firm, PC (334) 321-3000

Wayside Animal Hospital (256) 329-9900

Wayside Baptist Church (256) 234-5564

We-Haul, LLC (256) 537-5000

Wellborn Muscle car Museum (256) 329-8474

Wendy Holder, DMD (256) 234-6841

Wendy’s (256) 234-0988

WF Cabinetry (256) 234-7900

Wharf Casual Seafood

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust (205) 410-8840

White Oak Landing, LP (205) 410-8840

Who’s Diner (256) 212-1501

Williams (412) 849-9626

Williams Ryan, LLC (205) 337-0007

Willow Point Golf & Country Club

Woody Woodpecker Learning Center (256) 234-6287

Wright’s Funeral Home (256) 234-6355

Wyatt Tire & Service Center (256) 392-4545

YGM Total Resource Campaign (318) 294-2717

Zajac’s Auto Collision (256) 329-9963

Zaxby’s (256) 234-2181

Zee Company - Member of the Vincit Group (256) 596-0906

ZenBusiness (844) 493-6249

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