We Make It Great Here! by Tallapoosa Publishers

t a e r G WE MAKE IT HERE!

LAKE MARTIN, ALABAMA

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

2022 Progress Edition 1

Lake traditions begin at The Heritage. Build yours.

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in The Heritage development to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, or to residents of any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. The Heritage is a proposed planned master development on the shores of Lake Martin, Alabama that does not yet exist.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Russell Lands extraordinary lakefront community and Coore & Crenshaw golf

ne of the South’s most distinguished companies, Russell Lands, has unveiled plans for Lake Martin’s newest luxury residential development,

The Heritage. With stunning lakeside living, families will build memories, season after season. The centerpiece of the neighborhood will be Wicker Point Golf Club, a signature Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw private golf course, with 18-holes in an extraordinary natural setting of pine plantations, meandering creeks and lakefront holes. A flagship lake club for residents will offer fun, family recreation. Don’t miss the life that will rewrite your heritage for generations. Opportunities coming summer 2022.

RussellLands.com/The-Heritage 256.215.7011 RealEstate@RussellLands.com

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

FROM THE PUBLISHER

STAFF

Life is great here. Our communities are teeming with great ideas and people motivated to bring those ideas to fruition, through products, services and quality of life. From a history steeped in determination and hard work, success has followed our innovators through the generations. The phenomenon of making it great here has taken hold with historic energy and imagination. We are strong, and we are growing. In Dadeville alone, Chamber Steve Baker of Commerce membership has doubled in fewer than three years. In Alexander City, the chamber’s Partners in Progress initiatives are seeing fast results that include advances in education, healthcare, technology, workforce development, destination marketing and more. At Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., we are proud to highlight some of the products, services and innovations that represent this great community in our annual progress magazine edition. The following pages tell just a few stories of our past, from European exploration in the 16th century to the founding of the Russell textile industry in 1902 and the construction of Martin Dam almost a hundred years ago. We have included a small representation of the great products that are made here, as well as the memories made at Lake Martin, Alabama’s Freshwater Coast. Woven into these articles, you’ll find the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance ha played a significant role in the growth and success of our communities. Then, we invite you to meet some of the additional agencies and people who are making it happen – industry leaders, chamber directors, tourism directors and others who promote the area, recruit jobs and make this a great place to live, work and play. We introduce you to the crew that keeps Lake Martin – and our tourism industry – viable and explain how we make the future great through schools, healthcare advancements, the arts and entertainment. We all are part of the success of our local businesses, schools, hospitals, charities, arts organizations and parks. In this issue, we invite you to celebrate that success as we strive forward, continuing the progress and making it great here.

Chairman - KENNETH BOONE Publisher - STEVE BAKER Editor-in-chief - BETSY ILER Art Director - AUDRA SPEARS Director of Marketing - TIPPY HUNTER Audience Development Director - ERIN BURTON Newspaper Managing Editor - KAITLIN FLEMING Business Manager - ANGELA MULLINS ALEXANDER CITY Writer & Photographer - CLIFF WILLIAMS Writer - SIRI HEDREEN Sports Editor - ANDY ANDERS Production Manager - LEE CHAMPION Production Assistant - MAC DAVIS Advertising Manager - RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH Digital Success Manager - ELLE FULLER Office Clerk - LINDA EWING ELMORE COUNTY Advertising Manager - MARILYN HAWKINS Advertising Sales - CATHY PARR CONTRIBUTORS Kenneth Boone Lonna Upton Erin Chesnutt Lynn Cox Audra Spears Jake Arthur Amy Passaretti

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-4281 | alexcityoutlook.com | lakemagazine.life 127 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 thewetumpkaherald.com | tallasseetribune.com

Steve Baker, Publisher

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune, The Eclectic Observer, Lake Magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2022 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

INSIDE 78_

56_

Letter from Publisher...................................................4

We have great history here

Wickles Pickles .......................................................... 10

Staff...................................................................................4 Jamie’s Brunswick Stew ........................................... 14 Monumental Robinson Iron..................................... 18 Automotive Industry Suppliers............................... 23 Utility poles keep the country connected .......... 31 Tangible Ministry at New Water Farms................ 28 Jobs created in New Site ......................................... 30 Bring on the Game ................................................... 32 Jeffery Long Designs ................................................. 34 Your Home Away from Home................................ 36 Lake Martin.................................................................. 40

40_

Adventure on the River ........................................... 44

We make the future great

Get out and play ....................................................... 49

Love on Lake Martin ................................................ 46 Miles to explore ........................................................ 50 A Park for the Community...................................... 53 Greatness that changed the world......................... 56 Tales of Dadeville ...................................................... 66

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

120_ Community support

106_ We make great memories

98_ Remembering what happened here ...................... 70 A Fine Arts Community .......................................... 74 Where fun meets life ............................................... 78 Shopping and Dining.................................................. 82 News Coverage Plus a Whole Lot More ............ 87 Education makes a workforce greeat ................... 88 Fighting for Futures at LMAUW ........................... 93 Fresh Surroundings at City Hall.............................. 94 A Legacy of Care at Russell Medical .................... 98 Quality Care in the Neighborhood .................... 102 Urgent Care in Under an Hour ........................... 104 Faces of the Lake .................................................... 106 Promoting Community in Dadeville ................... 116 Downtown Alexander City .................................. 118 Helping business happen ....................................... 120 Tell everyone about it ............................................ 122 Bringing new jobs to the community ................. 125 Business Directory.................................................. 128

ON THE COVER: The Lake Martin area has produced items of quality workmanship for more than a hundred years, and our cover photo features just a few of them: quality textiles by Russell Brands; decorative fountains by Robinson Iron; sports fields by Hellas Construction; delicious soup by Jamie’s Brunswick Stew; awardwinning publications by TPI; and wickedly delicious pickles by Sims Foods. Photo by Kenneth Boone

Ad Index..................................................................... 129 WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

“Providing Quality ElEctrical construction sincE 1961”

Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS (256) 234-4555 1814 Airport Blvd Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 8

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Wickles Pickles The South’s Finest Pickles STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS COURTESY OF WICKLES PICKLES

Wickles Pickles continues to elicit pride from the locals, as this homegrown startup pickle producer with a great story now includes 15 popular varieties that are distributed nationwide, including two new products that were released last year. Sims Foods, mother company to the Dadeville pickle brand, was founded by brothers Trey and Will Sims as a means of staying close to the community in which they were raised. Trey started selling stocks and bonds in Atlanta after college, but after the first year, he knew it wasn’t the career for him. “I just wanted to get home,” the Dadeville native said. So he called his brother, Will, who had just finished photography school in Montana and proposed that they partner up to make pickles from a recipe that had been in the family for 90 years. Tagged as the South’s best pickles, the recipe for the original Wickles

Pickles was a closely held family secret for more than four generations until the brothers purchased it and in 1998 started making pickles in a Dadeville warehouse. The following year, they brought in Andy Anderson and six years later moved production to North Carolina to keep up with the growing demand. They moved production back to Alabama a couple of years ago, and the brand now includes an array of pickled okra, peppers and relishes, as well as a line of T-shirts, hats, aprons, towels and even a Wicked Pickle Christmas ornament. While other food industry companies fell on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anderson said data indicates the company has grown. “I think people being at home opened them up to venturing out to new supermarket finds and that people in Alabama and surrounding states have continued to tell their family and friends about Wickles Pickles,” Anderson said. While the South remains the largest distribution region, the brand’s presence is growing all around the country, especially in the Northeast and on the West Coast, Anderson added. In late summer last year, Wicked Garlic hit the market. These whole cloves in a sweet brine offer a mild flavor and are a great addition to any charcuterie or cheese tray, explained Anderson. “The flavor is kind of like a roasted garlic,” he said. “We’re also very excited about the Wickles Hula Pickles, which are a mix of our Original Wickles Slices, chunks of pineapple and sliced jalapeno.” The Hula Pickles were launched in the fall for the holiday season. Anderson said they could pop up the flavor of tacos, sandwiches and even pizza. Check out the recipes at wicklespickles.com/recipes for more on how to use all of Dadeville’s own Wickles Pickles products.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Wickles Bloody Mary Bar Ingredients

Cathead Vodka Struggle Bus Bloody Mary Mix candied bacon celery Wicked Okra Dirty Dill Okra Original Wickles Dirty Dill Spears lemon, lime shrimp

Worcestershire sauce horseradish hot sauce

Directions

Fill glass with desired amount of ice, vodka and bloody mary mix; stir to combine. Add other mixing ingredients, such as hot sauce, horseradish, for desired flavor. Add all the toppings your heart desires. We like a lot of Wickles on ours. Cheers!

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

NEW waterfront D E V E LO P M E NT Come and discover the peace and serenity of one of Lake Martin’s newest waterfront developments encompassing nearly 200 acres.

CALL

VIRGINIA PETTUS

334-549-3933

SERENITY 4 bedroom • 3 1/2 bath • office/playroom • 276sq. ft.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

N OW S E L L I NG

MINER’S COVE PHASE II HURRY BEFORE THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY PASSES YOU BY Lots can be purchased and held with no timeline. You can build at your leisure or sell at a later date. All piers, seawalls, and cottages are permissible with developer approval.

CALL VIRGINIA PETTUS 334-549-3933 Virginia.pettus@aronov.com

Spec homes by

Located in the city limits of Alexander City, off Hwy 280 on County Rd 40, Sturdiant Road, convenient to Auburn, Alexander City and Birmingham.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

The maker of Jamie’s Brunswick Stew, Jamie Griffith lives on Lake Martin and last year put his stew mix on grocery shelves 14

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Jamie’s Brunswick Stew STORY BY SIRI HEDREEN PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF JAMIE GRIFFITH

As pleasant as Lake Marrtin’s weather has been in recent weeks, temperatures are likely to dip again before winter makes its exit. When they do, there’s no better time to cook up a simmering pot of stew for supper. The great thing is that doing so also supports a Dadeville business by picking up a pound of meat and a jar of Jamie’s Brunswick Stew at the grocery store. “It was just a recipe that I came up with, maybe going on 20 years ago,” business owner Jamie Griffith said. “I haven’t had anybody tell me yet they don’t like it.” Griffith was stationed at the Kings Bay naval base in Georgia 20 years ago and took the stew to a church potluck, where it was an instant hit. The tomatobased, meat and vegetable stew – with possible origins in Brunswick County, Virginia; Brunswick, Georgia or Braunschweig, Germany – has been his specialty ever since. The product comes in a 32-ounce jar with satisfyingly simple preparation. Traditionally stewed with small game, Griffith suggests adding cooked pulled pork, shredded chicken or ground beef. “It’s a meal in a jar. Just add a pound of meat and a jar of water to it,” he said. “That’s why it just kind of sells itself.” Griffith, born in Jasper, has since retired from the military and moved back to his home state in 2016, settling in Auburn. Once his son graduated high school, he and his wife, Michele, moved to the Lake Martin area. Last year, at the suggestion of a friend – the Auburn man behind salsa brand Uncle Keith’s Red Sauce – Griffith decided to step

out on a limb and commercialize his famous stew. Until then, the recipe was only something he had published in a few church cookbooks. Last June, Jamie’s Brunswick Stew became a grocery shelf item. Now, the stew mix is produced at a food processing facility in Mobile and is stocked by more than 50 vendors in Alabama and Georgia, including 34 Market and Floyd’s Feed and Seed in Dadeville, Cloud Nine and Catherine’s Market in Alexander City and about two dozen Piggly Wiggly locations. More vendors are catching on. Bama in a Box, a monthly subscription service of Alabama-made products, selected Jamie’s Brunswick Stew to be included in one of their bundles. The stew was also selected by Publix, Griffith recently learned, for its local end cap program, promoting Jamie’s Brunswick Stew alongside other products grown or manufactured in Alabama. If successful, the stew may become a part of Publix’s regular stock rotation. “I never anticipated it would do that well just to begin with,” Griffith said. “This Publix thing is hopefully going to be the springboard.”

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Add a pound of meat and a jar of water to the stew mix to make a hearty meal

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

— SM A LL CH A NGE —

BIG

DIFFERENCE

Program your thermostat to 68° or lower.

Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter.

Raise your blinds to let the sun help heat your home.

For more ways to save by making your home more energy efficient, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

Follow these tips to lower your power

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Monumental Robinson Iron

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, CLIFF WILLIAMS & COURTESY OF ROBINSON IRON

Though the foundry he opened in 1946 did not focus on items like fountains, vases and garden furniture, Joe Robinson, Sr., occasionally made such pieces for a small group of friends and family. The Alexander City native purchased the ornamental patterns for these pieces from some of the country’s foremost Northeastern foundries that closed when styles and politics demanded a change from the Classical age to Arts and Crafts. Among them were patterns from the highly acclaimed foundries of J.L. Mott and J.W. Fiske. Today, those patterns are key in the restoration of historic monuments and landmarks across the nation, and much of that work takes place right here in Tallapoosa County. Joe Robinson’s sons, Joe Jr. and Ricky, saw a future in the egg-and-dart details, leaf embellishments and grand decorations, according to his grandson, Luke Robinson, who has worked in the family business since he was 14 years old. “Joe Jr. and Ricky started Robinson Iron Corporation in a trailer in the back parking lot of my grandfather’s foundry to do catalog items,” Luke Robinson explained. J.L. Mott Iron Works was a maker of cooking stoves, furnaces, fire irons, water tanks and iron pipes that changed the way people lived. Plumbing fixtures, including cast iron enameled bathtubs were a J.L. Mott specialty. The company also exhibited an elaborate cast iron fountain that stood 25 feet tall at the country’s centennial exposition in Philadelphia. J.W. Fiske & Company was among the most prominent American makers of decorative fountains, statuary

and planters and published beautiful catalogs showcasing their wares. These patterns and more were added to the collection of Joe Robinson, Sr., over time, as he acquired them mostly out of a love for cast iron. Using those classic patterns, the Robinson brothers built a business that has grown to include a variety of fountains, benches, tables, planters and urns. They also were perfectly poised in a go-to position when the aging works of Mott, Fiske and others began to need repairs. “The fountains that Mott and Fiske cast were now 75 to 150 years old, and we had those patterns when these historic fountains needed repairs. And then, those repair jobs brought new fountain jobs,” Robinson said. The projects included the restoration of canopies and subway entrances in New York’s transportation system;

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

The works of Robinson Iron enhance the beauty of the Lake Martin area through signage, fountains, garden benches, planters, filagree trims and more

the New Jersey Statehouse Dome; the Raffles Hotel in Singapore; and Alabama’s own Vulcan Statue in Birmingham. The local team even performed restoration work on the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Bartholdi Fountain in Washington, D.C. The Bartholdi Fountain was created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), who is best known for the Statue of Liberty. The fountain, which stands 30 feet high and weighs more than 15 tons, was purchased by the U.S. Congress for $6,000 following the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Though the fountain was regularly repaired and maintained, a full restoration was needed early in the 21st century. Robinson Iron Corporation was charged with the task. The Alexander City craftsmen coordinated the dismantling and removal of the fountain and

Robinson Iron created the figures and fountain for Mt. Vernon, Ohio’s, Dog Park

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

the 12 basin lampposts surrounding it. They documented, tagged and prepared each piece for shipping to Alabama, where it was cleaned to bare metal and repairs were made. Energy efficient bronze fanjets were installed in the fish and turtles that spout water from the fountain base and the second–tier basin. In addition, the electric globe lamps, which in 1915 replaced the original gas fixtures, were replaced with energy-efficient replicas of the original gas lamps. Then, the piece was repainted: First with a hand applied zinc coating; and then, a primer was sprayed on before a finish coat was applied. The pieces were transported back to Washington, D.C., and the fountain was reassembled under the care of the craftsmen who had come to know it best during its spa restoration treatment. Last summer, the company was heavily involved in a similar process for the restoration of the Garden Key Lighthouse in Dry Tortugas. The restoration process walks a fine line, Robinson said, as repairs must be done in such a way that modernizes the historic pieces and yet preserves the original artist’s inspiration and expression. “Landmarks like these are very special. They need to be restored, but we also want them to still look weathered to a degree. We want to keep the character marks that they have earned over the years,” Robinson explained.

And it all starts with a pattern in a back lot warehouse at a family owned business in Alexander City, a small town in rural East Central Alabama with a population of about 14,000. Ricky Robinson, Joe’s son who, along with his brother, envisioned the ornamental market, still serves as president of Robinson Iron Corporation. The third generation includes Luke Robinson’s brother, Austin, who is the project manager, as well as Luke, who works in sales and marketing. Operations Manager Paul Spickard, Bronze and Architectural Metals Specialist Darlene Lynn and CAD department head Adam Roberts round out the team, along with 30 extraordinarily talented craftsmen who translate the paper plans into spectacular finished works that honor the historians and artists who created some of our country’s most beloved monuments in metal. “People in these places where we travel to work always ask me why a company like this is located in such a small town in Alabama,” Robinson said. “I tell them it’s fantastic being in this community. The great thing is that we have a lot of folks in this area that are very, very talented. We’re very proud that we can bring these great pieces back to Alexander City and restore them to their original beauty and grandeur.”

As the owner of the antique patterns used to create the originals, Robinson Iron has become caretaker of many national fountains and monuments, including the Bartholdi Foundtain in Washington, D.C.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Serving Lake Martin Since 1997 docksunlimitedllc.com | 256-203-8400

Stationary and Floating Docks | Pile Driving Seawalls | Boat Lifts | Boat Houses

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

The Lake Martin area has the skilled workforce that Tier 1 suppliers need

Automotive Industry Suppliers STORY BY LONNA UPTON

The Lake Martin area has become a thriving center for the manufacturing of auto parts, making this community part of the fast-growing automotive supplier industry in Alabama. Vehicles are Alabama’s number one export, according to Made in Alabama, but 24,000 jobs are attributed to the auto parts manufacturing. Of the approximately 150 automotive parts companies in the state, three are located in Tallapoosa County and employ more than a thousand local residents. Specifically because of the growth in the automotive industry in Alabama, C&J Tech Alabama, Inc., opened a 242,000-square-foot facility in Alexander City in 2011 and currently employs 231 people. C&J manufactures and sells plastic injection molding parts for Tier 1 automotive suppliers. In 2007, KwangSung American Company opened in Alexander City. Employing 355 people, the company manufactures and sells more than 200 different types of auto parts for Kia, Hyundai and Mazda models. Manufactured parts include floor housing, molding, air ducts, trim, cover fenders and bridge consoles, among others. SL-America established a plant in Dadeville in 2003 and produces all kinds of lamps for automotive use, including headlamps, rear lamps, fog lamps and CHMSLs. The company leads the market with highquality LED lamps and advanced automotive lighting

systems. The company also produces auto/manual shifters, pedals and park brake levers for a variety of car models all around the world, as well as e-shifters using shifter-by-wire technology. In addition, SL provides turn signal/power folding outside mirrors and inside mirrors that include special features, including camera display. The Around View Monitoring system uses four cameras installed at the front, rear and sides of the vehicle provide 360-degree imaging to help prevent accidents by eliminating blind spots. Sejin America, Inc., located in Dadeville in 2008 to be accessible to customers and for the labor and education level of the population. The automotive supply manufacturer employs 380 people in two facilities covering 206,000 square feet and 148,000 square feet. The company manufactures plastic interior trim pieces, such as consoles and glove boxes, for Hyundai, Hyundai Mobis, Kia and Volkswagen. To supply the workforce for the growing automotive-related industries in the area, Central Alabama Community College recently hired a Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. Michael Barnette acts as a liaison between existing and potential industries to ensure a properly trained workforce for automotive, marine and other industries.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Utility poles keep the country connected STORY BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Some 70 percent of Alabama’s 32.5 million acres are planted in timber, which makes Dadeville in East Central Alabama the perfect location for the Ziebach & Webb, Inc., Dadeville Pole Company. The telephone pole maker opened a plant in the William Thweatt Industrial Park last year. The company employs about 12 people with their initial $5 million investment, said General Manager Mark Byal, and more job opportunities are expected in the future. “There will be foresters working here, more loggers and more truckers,” Byal said. “We anticipate another 40 jobs will be created in the surrounding area.” Byal said the utility pole manufacturer seeks logs from areas up to 75 miles away. The plant will generate about 50,000 poles per year. “It’s a good time to be in the business,” Byal said. “With storms and construction, there is a market for poles.” Ziebach & Webb, the Tallapoosa County Commission and the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance finalized the deal with the local team of Byal of Tallapoosa County and Joey Holley of Elmore County to bring the idea to life. “We are excited to add Dadeville Pole to our industrial base and look forward to a long-term partnership ensuring their success,” LMAEDA director Chad Odom said. “This announcement is not only a great opportunity for job expansion in our area, but also demonstrates that the Thweatt Industrial Park was a wise investment for the City of Dadeville and Tallapoosa County.” Odom said the company is a great fit for the area. “Alabama is No. 2 in the nation as far as forest products is concerned,” Odom said. “This fits in for the history and what will be the future of Alabama using our natural resources to create jobs, to create taxable equipment investments to move Alabama, Tallapoosa County and Dadeville forward.” Byal said the company was very pleased with the help it received while finalizing plans for the new

industry. “We knew we wanted to locate our facility in or near Tallapoosa County,” Byal said. “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. 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.” Joey Holley is also involved with Dadeville Pole and hopes the company sees the same success Ziebach & Webb has seen elsewhere with similar operations. “We are looking to putting some of these younger kids to work who are not going into technical jobs or going on to college,” Holley said. “We found out before it works out well. They acclimate very well to the work.” Tallapoosa County Commission chair John McKelvey hopes the public understands the work it took to make the venture possible. McKelvey also sees an opportunity for Dadeville Pole to start to bring up the wage base in the area. “A lot of people don’t know where y’all are coming from, but I appreciate the type of jobs you are bringing to the area,” McKelvey said. “It will give some people opportunities they might not otherwise have here with these salaries.” The industrial park in Dadeville is named after longtime Tallapoosa County commissioner Bill Thweatt. His wife, Emma Jean Thweatt, is now county commissioner for the same district as her deceased husband and is proud to see another company locating at William Thweatt Industrial Park. “The commission is extremely pleased that Dadeville Pole chose the Thweatt Park,” Thweatt said. “We welcome them to Tallapoosa County.”

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Russell Medical offers some of the world’s best health care right here in our little corner of it. Russell Medical is proud to be a member of the UAB Health System. Now, in addition to cancer treatment, we are able to bring to bear UAB’s expertise in surgery, urology, eye care, cardiac care, and stroke treatment. You don’t always have to travel for advanced care, we have it right here in our corner of the world. Visit russellcares.com/UAB for more information.

russellcares.com/UAB

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Tangible Ministry STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

New Water Farms ticks more than one box when it comes to great places around Lake Martin, as the staff here fulfills its mission of teaching, training and transforming in the context of working the beautiful lakeside farm. Founded 11 years ago as a 22-acre working farm and training facility for missionaries and discipleship leaders, the farm has grown into additional roles

as a local event space, wedding venue and worship center. Through its early years, the farm grew to include a lodge for guests and an event space for weddings, meetings and workshops, along with an outdoor lakeside chapel. Now the New Water Farms Board of Directors looks toward the future and has implemented a plan that

Sowing seeds carries biblical overtones at Dadeville’s New Water Farms

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

includes greater visibility in the community; a new propagation greenhouse and farm manager; and a renewed commitment to leadership development, marriage enrichment programs and individual spiritual growth. “It was sort of a ‘farminary’ – seminary that happens on the farm,” explained Birmingham dermatologist Dr. Chris Harmon, a New Water Farms board member. “It was the kind of thing where you can study passages in Matthew where Jesus says, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches.’ And when you couple that with working in the vineyard, it becomes much more tangible.” New Water also forged a relationship with the Tallapoosa County Sheriffs’ Girls Ranch, a residential program that provides a stable home environment for neglected and abused young girls. Farm staff and volunteers teach the girls to plant, care for and harvest vegetables, and house parents teach the girls to prepare the harvest for the table.

The commercial side of the farm – growing and harvesting fruit and making preserves, jellies, salsa, syrup and honey – helps fund farm activities and operational expenses and offers a segue to community relations and the ministries at New Water. New Water also developed strong community relations on the east side of Lake Martin through the use of farm facilities for weddings, chamber of commerce events, church services, school events, meetings, workshops and more. To expand community relations opportunities in the region, a farm stand and retail kitchen are nearing completion at the intersection of county Road 34 and Civitan Road in Dadeville. “The farm stand broke ground in July, and the goal is to be ready to open in spring 2022,” said Rob Parker, who recently joined the board and moved to a cottage near the farm. “The farmstand is part of the sustainable philanthropy concept of farm-to-table, events and our desire to share healthy, good quality products. It gives us a presence on county Road 34 and will help us build community relations.” One aspect of its mission will include caring for a 30-foot by 96-foot propagation greenhouse that was added last year to raise plants that could be sold on the farm stand. Vegetables also could be grown here, with excess harvest sold in the farm stand, Harmon said. “We put the fruit farm in 10 years ago with a strategy in mind for six months of harvest. Blackberries at the end of May; blueberries to soon follow until mid-July. Then, pears come into season; followed by figs and muscadines. The last crop is Asian persimmons in November and early December,” Harmon explained. “The farm stand will include a coffee shop, a sandwich shop and a gift shop. It moves our front door to a busier street.” And that visibility is expected to aid in furthering the farm’s three most critical missions. “Individual spiritual growth, with retreats and mentoring opportunities. Marriage health – not just a venue for doing weddings, but also offering marriage enrichment and perhaps some pre-marital programs. And leadership – training missionaries, which we’ve done a lot of – as well as business or corporate leadership training,” he explained. With a delicious, quality product line, a picturesque lakeside wedding venue and conference space with lodging options, New Water Farms is a great place for growing.

New Waters’ greenhouse will shelter plants for the farm stand and orchards WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Jobs created in New Site Cushion Source expands in Tallapoosa County STORY & PHOTOS BY SIRI HEDREEN

As Cushion Source has discovered, the Lake Martin area is a great place to expand a business. A custom order indoor and outdoor cushion manufacturer, the Montgomery company is bringing 25 new cut-and-sew jobs to New Site, owner Gerry Monroe announced last month. The operation will move into a building that previously was used in the textile industry and is located on the state Route 22 corridor. The move allows the company to continue their dedication to keeping jobs in the United States, Monroe said. “From the very beginning, the Cushion Source brand has been built on ‘Made in the USA,’” Monroe said. “With all that has happened over the last few years, more people are realizing how strategically important it is for us not to depend on some offshore company to provide us what we need. Cushion Source is doing our part to bring back these skilled jobs at a company that values the contribution of our team members.” Monroe also hopes to turn a new generation of employees on to working with their hands here in the U.S. “Hopefully, we can also encourage young people to consider learning these skills and realize how they can make a long-term positive difference in their lives and in their own community,” Monroe said. “The fact is that we are seeing customers become more appreciative of the fact that talented American hands are making these cushions with pride. That is a strong signal for a healthy future for our team.” Monroe believes Tallapoosa County is the ideal place to expand Cushion Source. “We believe that New Site, Alabama, is the perfect location to hire a qualified, dedicated team to create the highest quality cushions available anywhere,” Monroe said. New Site Mayor Phil Blasingame is pleased to see 25 new jobs come to town. 30

“I saw the potential that this building could have as far as a manufacturing operation early on in my term as mayor, and I reached out to the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance to see if they could market the building to potential industry,” Blasingame said. “They added the building to the state’s building database, and when Mr. Monroe’s project was looking in the area, I think they felt that it was a no-brainer to give him a tour. Luckily for us, he felt it was a perfect fit.” The new industry is represented at the Tallapoosa County Commission by Commissioner John McKelvey. He is proud to see new jobs coming to any part of Tallapoosa County but especially to rural areas like his district. “We are extremely pleased that Cushion Source chose New Site for their new operation, and we welcome them to Tallapoosa County,” McKelvey Cushion Source said. “As District 3 opened a plant in a Commissioner, it’s former textile exciting for me to see building in New Site a new manufacturing facility in my area. Job creation is always a priority for me, and I think the jobs associated with this operation are excellent.” LMAEDA Executive Director Chad Odom said vision and partnerships are bringing new jobs to Tallapoosa County. “I applaud Mayor Blasingame for his leadership in bringing this building back to its highest and best use,” Odom said. “We are happy that our partnership with the Town of New Site and the Tallapoosa County Commission has resulted in 25 high paying jobs for the area. This project is a direct result of the teamwork between Mayor Blasingame and Commissioner McKelvey to work together and partner with LMAEDA to bring these jobs to the area. This announcement, along with other recent announcements, is a signal to our citizens that their leaders are actively seeking to improve the prospects for the local work force.”

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Praise & Worship Service 9:00am

Pastor: Ronnie Palmer, Jr.

Sunday School 10:00am

Traditional Service 11:00am

Alexander City Methodist Church

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Bring on the Game Hellas supplies the playing fields STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI

When Super Bowl LVI kicked off at SoFi Stadium in quality control everything from manufacturing, installaInglewood California in February, a piece of Dadeville tion, the base work, and assures our customers they are was there for the game. Local sports construction manugetting the premium product they paid for.” facturer Hellas Construction contributed to the field Norsworthy added that the countrywide demand for turf on the play floor. Hellas is the largest sport selfthe products are evident, which has led to the natural performing contractor that also produces need for expansion. polyurethane running tracks and tennis court “We make the best, and a lot of people Robert Norsworthy surfacing. want the best and are willing to pay for it,” Employing more than 1,000 in local jobs, he said. Hellas recently added $4 million of equipThe employees of the company are what ment to the Dadeville plant, increasing its truly make Hellas Construction stand apart size by 50 percent since it opened about from the rest, said Norsworthy. seven years ago. “Competitors can buy the same machin“We’ve become more aggressive ery and raw materials we buy, but it’s the with recruiting employees by offering an people that truly make a difference and their increased starting pay. It’s had an impact on passion for a quality product,” he said. the quality of employees, and we invest in The company has had a positive ecoour people as much as anything else,” said nomic impact in the area, and Norsworthy Ron Norsworthy, director of manufacturing said they are open to more involvement in at the plant. the community. From hosting Hellas Night The Dadeville plant spins the yarn from raw materials. at football games to working with other local companies The yarn is then sent to northwest Georgia to be turned and industry, the company has an impact on local living. into fabric for the tufted fields. Construction crews locat“My perception is that Dadeville has a lot to offer. ed in various parts of the U.S. then install the product, so Lake Martin seems to be a big part of that. It’s a small Hellas has control throughout the entire process. town with positive quality of life and fairly close to other “We are one of the few companies that is completely larger locations,” said Norsworthy. vertically integrated,” said Norsworthy. “This helps us

Hellas Construction in Dadeville manufactures the yarn used to create sports fields across the country 32

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Jeffery Long Designs STORY BY LONNA UPTON

Jeffery Long has been making great things in the Lake Martin area for 26 years. Long started creating and designing in his family’s flower shop, The English Cottage, in Ashland, Alabama, at a young age. After attending Samford University, he moved to Alexander City to work in a second family-owned flower shop. When that shop closed, he began designing for weddings and events in the Lake Martin area, Birmingham, Dothan and Fairhope through his freelance company, Jeffery Long Designs. He also creates the scent and pours his popular line of candles, along with painting beautiful, faith-inspired art. Long said he finds great inspiration in the Lake Martin area. His faith and his Church family at St. James’ Episcopal Church are very important to him. His connections to family and friends are also inspirational. But he credits his grandmother with encouraging his artistic nature, which he believes he has had since birth. “My grandmother was a true artistic cheerleader and hero to me. She was so artistic, into gardening and crafts. She influenced both me and my brother, who is also a designer. I think it’s just in our genes to love the beauty and scents of flowers,” Long said. Long’s grandparents helped start a country church years ago, and Long feels blessed to have found hymnals from the old church in his grandmother’s barn. Now, he combines his faith, her treasures and his art. “I call what I create with those hymnal pages Simple Blessings. The pages have become background for angels and churches, and I’m sure my grandmother is smiling down on me. It’s almost like I am working with her,” he said.

Long sells his Simple Blessings at venues on Lake Martin, such as Art on the Lake, Arti Gras and the Russell Crossroads Holiday Bazaar. “We are so lucky to have so many artists in our area. The shows on the lake draw extremely talented makers and painters and pottery, and so many people want to come and see. Plus, doing the shows helps me stay connected with friends. I get to see so many people. I love what I do, and connecting with people through my art or the scent of a candle is special and really keeps me motivated,” Long said. Besides Simple Blessings, Long’s seasonal items include candles. His candles, especially the Lake Martin Collection named for landmarks on the lake, are extremely popular, and his paintings are in demand by locals and visitors to the lake, as well. “I love creating scents and pouring candles, but COVID put a temporary end to that. I had been working with a small, familyowned business in South Carolina for those supplies, but unfortunately, the pandemic forced them to close. I was able to keep the recipes for my candles though, and I hope I am pouring again by the spring,” he said. Long began working at his family’s shop in Ashland to help out during the pandemic, but he remains free to do weddings and events with his freelance business. “I was so blessed to participate in a lot of sweet, sweet weddings, even in the middle of COVID. To be part of such beautiful things, to see the bride smile or the mother cry because they love what I designed for them is very special.” “Lake Martin is an inspirational place. It is such a gorgeous backdrop, a canvas if you will, for art and design. I am proud to call it home,” Long said.

Lake Martin is an inspirational place. It is such a gorgeous backdrop, a canvas if you will, for art and design.”

Jeffery Long

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Jeffery Long creates candles, arrangements and Simple Blessings

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Your Home Away from Home STORY & PHOTO BY BETSY ILER

Wind Creek State Park makes memories to last a lifetime Making memories is what Wind Creek State Park does best. From volleyball at the beach to fishing tournaments at the marina, putt-putt, the zipline canopy tour and one of the largest state-owned campgrounds in the country, there is plenty to see and do here year round. The park’s 1,444 acres on Lake Martin originally served as a private recreation area for employees of Russell Corporation, then manufacturer of Russell Brands athletic wear (see page 36). The park was founded and directed by Robert A. Russell, and the State of Alabama purchased the property after Russell’s death in 1969. The park was closed in 1979 for extensive renovations and reopened in 1982. The renovations cost more than $5 million ($14 million in today’s dollars) with new cabins, bathhouses, campsites, offices and more. Upgrades and renovations in sections of the 36

campground are ongoing, and new recreation options continue to open at the park. “Wind Creek is a core park,” explained Greg Lein, director of Alabama’s state park system. “Most of its revenues come from camping and day use. That’s different from the resort parks in the system, which are designed around other amenities.” The beach and picnic areas at Wind Creek are popular destinations on sunny summer days, and fishing tournaments launch at daylight from the park marina, booking as much as a year in advance, especially in the winter months. Hiking, putt-putt and zipline canopy tours also are popular adventures at the park. WCSP offers more than 5 miles of trails for hikers and bikers. At 3.8 miles, the Alabama Reunion Trail takes hikers through hardwood forest bottoms and pine stands, passing an old home site, fern beds and pictur-

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Wind Creek State Park offers a myriad of options for making memories, including camping, boating, fishing, grilling, zipline adventures and more

esque streams. The 1.8-mile Campfire Trail comes alive with dogwoods, wildflowers and oakleaf hydrangeas in the spring. The park also maintains more than 20 miles of horse trails and offers guided trail rides for groups of up to four people. Park visitors can climb the 55-foot silo where grain and cotton were stored before Martin Dam was built and the valley below the silo was flooded. Boaters use the silo as a navigational aid. Sixty years ago, the silo was the site of the Miss Wind Creek beauty pageant, a preliminary contest to the Miss Alabama title. From the top of the silo, viewers can see into the blue waters of Lake Martin below. Nestled beside the north picnic area, concessionaire Creem at the Creek sells snacks, sodas and ice cream from a shack near the entrance to a fishing pier. Park

patrons also can rent kayaks and canoes here. Twice each year, Birmingham’s Vulcan Orienteering club hosts events at WCSP. Using a compass and a map, participants meet the challenge of finding their way through the woods to designated field stations. Registering their success at each station, they navigate through the course for the best time. The park is dotted with large woodcarvings that were made by a volunteer. A bear cub carved from a log guards the park office, and an eagle soars at the entrance to the campground store. At the turnoff for the equine campground, a large horse head stands sentinel, pointing the way. The main campground boasts 586 campsites in six designated sections. Full hookups are available at 268 RV and tent sites. Some 157 sites are waterfront, and 39 of these waterfront sites were recently renovated. Nicknamed the “Hollywood section,” these sites now include 16-foot wide and 60-foot long concrete pads with 50-amp electrical service. Another section of campsites is earmarked for renovation later this year. Inside the campground gate, campers ride bikes on paved roads lined with pine and oak trees. They tie up boats, kayaks and an array of tubes and floats on the waterfront below their campgrounds. Children play on a multi-feature playground, choosing from at least four slides, a host of climbing and jumping options and numerous forts to defend. Grandparents teach the children to fish from the banks and point out a wide variety of birds on this section of the Piedmont Plateau birding trail. They tell stories around campfires in the evening while the aroma of dinner on the grill wafts across the sea of RVs and tents. Throughout the summer, a schedule of campground activities adds interest and value to campers’ stays here. Children create seasonal crafts, learn about the park and draw pictures to illustrate the animals and other features they studied. On occasional evenings, families gather with lawn chairs and blankets to watch movies in the park. Special events and decorating contests are held on holiday weekends. Coordinated by volunteers, these activities draw thousands of local children and adults for Halloween pumpkin carving and costume contests, Easter egg hunts, games and more. The park employs 17 fulltime positions, adding another nine part time employees during the summer months. WCSP is among the most profitable of Alabama’s 21 state parks, earning more than $922,000 in 2020 alone, ranking third in the state behind Gulf and Oak Mountain state parks. Camping reservations can be made at alapark.com/ parks/wind-creek-state-park/camping. Memories can be made throughout the park.

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WINTERTIME IS FAMILY TIME, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY? The cooler weather means more time with family – whether it’s bundled up outdoors or staying cozy inside. 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

HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL Make an appointment today by calling (256) 234-2644. 3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 • Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell

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Lake Martin Maker of Memories for Almost a Hundred Years

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS

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The Children’s Harbor lighthouse is one of Lake Martin’s iconic landmarks

Lake Martin’s acreage generated memories long before the dam was complete and the turbines began to turn in the powerhouse at Cherokee Bluffs. During the construction of the dam in 1923, it is told, families came from miles around every Sunday afternoon to picnic on the hillsides above the river and monitor the progress on the 2,000-foot long dam that would create the largest manmade lake in the country at the time. Before it was even completed, the lake was expected to become Alabama’s most significant landmark and a tourist draw. That was not the case during its first 30 years or so, as Lake Martin was at first little more than a mosquito-infested backwater. It was a dangerous place to play, as the water hid waterlogged trees, household goods and other debris that floated freely when abandoned homes were overcome with the flood waters. The lake entertained few visitors in its earliest days, and most of those were fishermen. When the water came up for the first time, the lake was stocked with bass and bream, and attempts were made to protect it from fishing to allow the fish populations to grow. Though the water was muddy, people eventually began to purchase property for future cabins and to swim in the lake. In the 1936, Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell chaired the dedication ceremonies that named the dam for Alabama Power’s Thomas W. Martin. The camp where dam builders had lived during construction was converted to a village where dam operators lived with their families. Dadeville’s Barbara Cole, who grew up in Martin Dam Village on the east side of the bluff, remembers that the men would set off in boats to spray the shoreline weeds with pesticides in the battle to prevent malaria. Cole remembers World War II and the day the lights were turned off to hide the dam from potential enemy surveillance. “Martin Dam was No. 7 on the list of places that Germany wanted to bomb,” Cole explained. “The dam was connected to the grid that supplied electricity all up the East Coast. If Germany could take out Martin Dam, that entire part of the country would have no electricity.” Following the war, Lake Martin became a budding vacation spot, and its popularity has grown exponentially since then. Tourism now makes up almost 30 percent of the local economy and

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Clockwise from far left: The Russell Marine July 4 Boat Parade attracts hundreds of specators every year; the pristine waters of Lake Martin are perfect for boating and swimming; Lake Martin is home to a number of national water ski champions; Dixie Sailing Club hosts races in season; fishing tournaments are Lake Martin’s “other” season; Russell Lands hosts one of the South’s most spectacular fireworks shows on July 4.

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attracts new industry – and jobs – with the promise of enhanced quality of life. A 2018 real estate advisory study placed the value of the lake at more than $4.7 billion. That’s a substantial sum compared to the $13 million cost of building the dam almost a hundred years ago. Lake Martin offers public boat ramps, marinas and parks along its 880 miles of shoreline, the majority of which features pine and hardwood forests, as well as a smattering of lakeside A Lake Martin home restaurants and beautiful is a wonderful place lake homes. Even a few to escape to of the original fishing cabins remain. The lake’s 41,150 acres attract water sports enthusiasts, vacationing families and second home owners, all in the pursuit of making great memories, and Lake Martin seems happy to oblige. All year round, the lake hosts memories in the making along its 31-mile length from Jaybird Landing to Cherokee Bluffs. Memories are born against the backdrops of venues big and small. Lake Martin Amphitheater hosts a summer concert series, as well as a spectacular fireworks display

on July 4th, attended by thousands every year. More music – in smaller and more intimate settings – plays at lakeside restaurants throughout the season, from The Landing at Parker Creek, Kowaliga Restaurant and Lakeside Bay Pines on the north shores to The Social and Bluffs Daiquiri Bar on the south. Memories are made of finding great art pieces at charity shows featuring local artisans from Lil Calypso at Chuck’s Marina to Arti Gras at Russell Crossroads. These unique, original works recall more memories of great summers at the lake. Those summers include breathtaking sunset cruises; beautiful weddings at lakeside venues like Cocktail Slough, Children’s Harbor and New Water Farms; rafting up below Chimney Rock; and visiting the friendly ruminants on Goat Island. There’s no end to the fun of an island picnic or a beach volleyball game at Wind Creek State Park. The memories just keep flowing at Alabama’s Freshwater Coast.

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Adventure on the River STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

When Chuck Browne retired from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System a little more than seven years ago, the fun loving, jovial people-person that he is couldn’t wait to move to Lake Martin with his wife. They sold their home in Auburn and moved fulltime to a Lake Martin cabin they had purchased in 1993. They had spent vacations and weekends at the cabin for 20 years, raising their children and nurturing the adventuring spirits of family and friends. “We have made a lot of memories here with our children, our children’s friends, extended family,” Browne said. They had so much fun at it that they decided to go into the memory-making business at the lake. Browne owns Off the Beaten Path Alabama, a river outfitting and shuttle service that puts adventurers on the Tallapoosa River and Lake Martin. The Harold Banks Canoe Trail is his most popular route. Above the lake, the Harold Banks Canoe Trail winds through historic lands where the native Creeks thrived in the 18th century. Part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the Harold Banks section is designated as one of the top 10 paddle trips in Alabama. Features along the trail include a Native American fish trap, the beautiful but rare endemic Cahaba lily, wildlife sightings and perhaps the country’s most historically significant river bend at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. At this com-

memorative park, Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Stick Creeks in 1814, which led to the annexation of most of the Southeastern U.S. It is along this unspoiled and undeveloped stretch of the Tallapoosa, where eagles fish and the water runs clean and clear, that Browne chose to establish his memory-making business. “I ran into an opportunity to purchase equipment. There was a kayaking company that was going out of business. The two older guys who had it had aged out. I was just going to buy a few kayaks, but in the end, I bought everything they had. I have tubes, truck, paddles, canoes, kayaks,” he laughed. “I jumped in there with two first feet and hit the ground running. “Kayaking is one of the many different ways this lake offers so many opportunities to make memories, especially with families. I watch this happen literally every day. “ Browne offers rental equipment and rides to put-in points year round at hours that are convenient to his customers. “I try to customize my trips to people’s needs. They seem to like that, and it’s not any more trouble for me. If you want to go out there on Jan.1, I’ll carry you out there. I go when you’re ready to go,” he said. While Browne sets paddlers up with the proper equipment for a float trip through the scenic shoals of

Cahaba lilies bloom in late May and early June on the Tallapoosa River

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the upper lake and ferries paddlers and boats up and those groups, but now, I am seeing dads and moms with down the river, his wife keeps the business moving their kids. They are bringing their kids out here.” along administratively. As an Extension coordinator in Lee County, Browne “She takes care of everyserved on the board of thing business-wise – the tourism there. When he clerical, taxes, files, the moved to Lake Martin and Facebook page. I just run opened Off the Beaten Path trips,” Browne said. Alabama, his name was He works with a number thrown in the pot, and he of river guides and often was invited to serve in that arranges guided paddling capacity here as well. events for groups that might “We’re watching what’s not be familiar with the going on, how people are river. While bachelor pardiscovering the area. Both ties, clubs and tour groups of our tourism directors – are frequent customers, Tallapoosa County Tourism he said he is seeing more and Lake Martin Tourism The bridge at Horseshoe Bend National families sign up for pad– are doing great things Military Park is a popular put-in spot dling trips, and those are his letting people know about favorite. all that the area has avail“When I was with the able. It’s not expensive. Extension service, I wrote a weekly news column, and I You don’t have to fly somewhere. Right here, we’ve got used to write a lot about my family when my kids were trails, camping, watersports, all kinds of ways for famiyoung. I promoted family life,” he explained. “It’s families to be together in the outdoors. lies making memories. “I’m not selling kayak rides. I am making memories “What I’ve seen out here in the last two years is more for people, and that’s rewarding for me,” Browne said. and more families. Before, it was a group of buddies or Visit the Off the Beaten Path Alabama Facebook page a church group, Scouts or good friends. And I still see to plan a river trip.

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Love on Lake Martin STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY HEATHER DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY & MEGAN MULLINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Lake Martin wedding venues are known for making memories that last a lifetime. From rolling hills to lakeside points, under the arms of an ancient oak or in an open-air church, in a historic home or a stable, there is sure to be a location to fulfill the dreams of any bride and groom. Russell Lands’ locations are perfect for the dreamcome-true wedding, as well as receptions, rehearsal dinners and bridesmaids’ luncheons. Locations can be booked separately for each event. The Stables and SpringHouse are located at Russell Crossroads and feature manicured lawns, fenced pastures with horses, scrumptious catering choices and a horse-drawn carriage, as just a few of the enticements. The Grand Oak and Heaven Hill showcase the beauty of a natural, wooded backdrop, and The Lodge at Cocktail Slough is a waterfront option with a large courtyard and dock perfect for a celebration. Plus, Kowaliga Restaurant and SpringHouse offer guests diverse menus that include

chef-inspired dishes and delectable appetizers. In Elmore County just over the Kowaliga Bridge, the quaint Children’s Harbor Chapel, as well as Church in the Pines at Children’s Harbor and Church of the Living Waters at StillWaters and open-air chapels on the lake shoreline allow for more spiritual lakeside settings. Many Lake Martin homes also offer beautiful venues for weddings. Several spectacular event options offer more rustic elegance with barns, ponds, covered bridges and lush forests as the backdrops for memory making. Hodges’ Vineyard and Winery, Ballard Farms, Kylee Cooper Farm, L’amoureux’s Place, White Acre Farms and The Orchard on Washington are all located in the Lake Martin area. In Dadeville, Creekside Lodge can host up to 300 guests on a waterfront deck and offer lodging for the perfect reception location. At New Water Farms, an open-air chapel on the lake, plus an indoor facility

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The chapel at Children’s Harbor is an idyllic setting for a traditional wedding

Lake Martin offers an array of lakeside wedding venues

with exposed beams and white lights, keeps guests happy until the last dance is over. The Mitchell House, an elegant Southern home with a poignant history in downtown Dadeville, and Mistletoe Bough Bed and Breakfast, a historic bed-and-breakfast in Alexander City, charm guests with genteel, shaded settings complete with gazebo or an expansive front porch. Caterers in the Lake Martin area are happy to help with any wedding reception, rehearsal dinner or bridesmaids’ luncheon, as well. Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters, Zazu’s Veranda and Niffer’s at the Lake (all located in Dadeville) offer full catering services off-site and beautiful facilities to host dinners and receptions. “Lake Martin Tourism Association prides itself on being a resource for brides planning weddings here,” said Lake Martin Tourism Association’s Brandy Hastings. “We can help them find the perfect venue, and we even provide free resources, such as welcome bags, including visitor’s guides, maps and other local

information for their out-of-town guests.” Grace’s Flowers and Unique Flowers in Alexander City and LaKay’s Flowers in Dadeville create exquisite bridal bouquets and centerpieces for local weddings, plus designs for other events associated with the big day. Local photographers include Irving Blanco Photography, Lauren Minix Photography and Megan Mullin Photography. And a wedding cake from Sweet Gaga’s is the perfect way to top off a delicious meal. From gift shops to invitation printing, tuxedo rental, event lighting, hair and makeup, lodging and lake house rentals – Lake Martin vendors can help make memories from the beginning to the end of a perfect nuptial celebration in the perfect Lake Martin location.

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Get Out and Play STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Lake area golf courses offer challenging play in beautiful settings

Lake Martin golf makes exceptional memories as golfers are treated to fiery sunsets on Willow Point’s 13th hole; wild turkey ambling across the 18th fairway at Stillwaters as the morning mist rises; and celebrating a chip shot on Lakewinds 14th that doesn’t over-hit the green. And soon, Russell Lands will add Alabama’s only world-class Coore and Crenshaw course to the list of memorable golf experiences at the lake. Designed by renowned architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the new course now under construction at Russell Lands’ The Heritage neighborhood is expected to draw an international audience. One day, the course could even contend for Golf Digest Magazine’s annual list of the top 100 golf courses in the world. The 18-hole course will be located in the Wicker Point area of the lake, just off state Route 63. The course will feature rolling and cascading fairways that are reminiscent of courses in the Northeast U.S. in the early 1900s. Russell Lands also owns the beautiful Willow Point Golf and Country Club, where lake views from the clubhouse are as spectacular as the play on the course. With six ranges of play, the course hits 7,400 yards from the back tees. The links-style front nine challenges players with strategically placed bunkers and thick fescue while the back features gorgeous lake views. The water comes into play on six holes. PGA Pro Matt Sheppard directs the Willow Golf program with the objective of helping every player at every level to enjoy the game. Willow Point also is the home course for the Central

Alabama Community College men’s golf team. The CACC Trojans have won two national titles under Coach Dave Jennings. Visit willowpoint.com to learn more. The Traditions Course (formerly The Highlands) at Stillwaters on Lake Martin’s eastern shoreline made the Golf Digest list in 1997. Playing 6,906 yards from the back tees, the par-72 course includes more than 200 feet in elevation and five ranges of difficulty. Under the new ownership of Keith Hiett and the directorship of PGA Pro Rob “Gabby” Witherington, the Traditions course features well-bunkered, lush and finely manicured greens, as well as rolling fairways. Paired with dinner and drinks at Copper’s Grill in the clubhouse, Stillwaters makes a great day of golf. Visit stillwatersgolf.com to arrange a tee time. Inside Alexander City city limits, Lakewinds Golf Course offers 5,326 yards of par-70 play. Built in 1966, the public course offers challenging play and well managed care. The old-style course features rounded greens and three water hazard holes that require strategic placement of tee shots. In addition, the local woods around the course are home to a variety of wildlife that frequent the fairways, making for interesting and relaxing play. Visit lakewindsolfclub.com for tee times. Within an hour’s drive, the area also offers access to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill in Prattville. Here, three championship courses – Judge, Legislator and Senator – challenge golfers with island greens, a native cypress swamp and secluded settings. Visit rtjgolf.com/capitolhill/ for availability and details.

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Miles to Explore STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

If every step on a great hiking trail holds a memory, Lake Martin forests echo with a thousand moments passed in silent awe by hikers who have walked in great expectation here. For an hour or two of their time, hikers at Smith Mountain, Horseshoe Bend, Wind Creek State Park, Yates Lake and Russell Forest are rewarded with memories born on breathtaking vistas or realized on the precipice of history. On the scenic trails at Wind Creek State Park, Nature’s Way and the Overlook, laughter rings true, and surprise waits at every turn. The wing of an eagle, the breath of the breeze or the turn of a leaf – all create moments of pause in which memories are made. Nearly 200 miles of hiking trails wind through the forests surrounding Lake Martin. Some of them are accessible only in low water. Most are open for day-use free of charge, so strap on a pair of hiking boots, pack some snacks and a bottle of water and prepare to be amazed. Go make some memories on a lake area trail today. The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association has designed and built more than 26 miles of marked and well-maintained footpath-only trails in the Lake Martin area with the assistance of Alabama Power and Forever Wild. In addition, this all-volunteer nonprofit organization has enhanced the educational value of its trail system with exhibits showcasing the history, geology, flora and fauna of the region. CRATA volunteers restored an abandoned fire tower at Smith Mountain and continue to make improvements to the trails in four main locations. The Smith Mountain Fire Tower is located outside of Dadeville off of Youngs Ferry Road. Turn west at Lafayette Street in Dadeville and follow the signs. From the parking lot at the base of the mountain, follow the Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail. Climb the 90-foot fire tower for a panoramic view of the lake and beyond. Educational exhibits in the tower cab point out landmarks, some of which are many miles away. Use the Return Trail to the west of the tower for the fastest route back to the parking lot. Wear shoes for rugged terrain. Catch the Lakeshore Trail at the tower base for a longer, winding, scenic walk back to the parking lot. At 2.4 miles, this trail meanders along the undeveloped shores of the lake. The Island Hop Trail leads hikers from the parking

lot at the base of the mountain to a boat dock on the lake and beyond. At winter pool level, the lake allows access to another quarter mile of trail that crosses the outlying islands. The Little Smith Mountain Loop Trail at 2.6 miles offers spectacular views and rock formations but follows sheer cliffs and traverses rugged terrain. Hikers on this trail should be mature and experienced, as well as sure-footed. About a mile north of Martin Dam on the east bank of the lake, the Overlook Trail System makes up CRATA’s first trail construction project in 2004. The routes here interconnect, creating a 7.2-mile walk through longleaf pine stands, native azaleas and mountain laurel. Named for the Montgomery attorney who has been instrumental in his support of the lake area’s trails, the James M. Scott Deadening Trail makes a 4.2-mile loop that opens to a mountaintop view of Lake Martin’s Chimney Rock and allows hikers to pass through the Needles Eye and Jasmine Bluff formations. The trail is not recommended for children under the age of 12, and hikers are urged to stay on the path and use the utmost caution. Visit crata.org for the trail’s location and additional information. The trails at Yates Lake Forever Wild Management Area are CRATA’s most recent addition to the trail system. Located off Goldmine Road just south of the dam’s westside entrance, this wildlife management area includes two trails on 6,000 acres of Forever Wild holdings. The John B. Scott Trail at 4.7 miles follows the Tallapoosa River through old growth forest on a path of moderate difficulty, immersing hikers in an experience rich in wildlife abundance and diversity. The trail is named for John B. Scott, the brother of James who was a conservation leader and key figure in the legislation creating the Alabama Forever Wild program. The Cherokee Bluffs Dam Railroad Trail is built on the railroad beds that supplied the Martin Dam construction site some 100 years ago. The Highline track brought materials to the dam workers, and the Lowline returned trains to Montgomery and Wetumpka. The Lowline hiking trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike for a total of 5.4 miles. Trail work in this area continues to progress. About 10 miles south of Alexander City on state

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The Lake Martin area offers many hiking options, including those at Yates Lake below the dam

Route 63, Russell Forest includes more than 100 miles of trails on 25,000 acres designated as a living forest. These picturesque trails are open to bicycle riders and horseback riders, as well as hikers. The trails wind through valleys, over streams and up to the top of Heaven Hill. Lovely spots for picnics, bird watching and taking photographs are sprinkled throughout the forest. Download the Russell Lands app for an interactive trail map. The Alabama Reunion Trail at Wind Creek State Park traverses 3.8 miles of hardwood bottoms and pine forest. This loop trail passes an old home site, beds of ferns and an abundance of bird and animal life. Also at Wind Creek, the Campfire Trail, rated as a moderate hike with several steep areas, is 1.8 miles through dogwoods, rock outcroppings, streams and a variety of tree species. To learn more about navigating through the woods, join the Vulcan Orienteering Club on one or both of their orienteering events held in spring and fall. Visit alapark.com and choose the Wind Creek State Park option under the Parks tab to learn more. At Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, take a walk through history. This national park commemorates a pivotal battle in our nation’s history. A 2.8-mile trail takes hikers near the site of a 1800s Creek camp and then to the top of a hill at the edge of the woods, an excellent vantage point to view the battlefield below. It was here in 1814 that Andrew Jackson’s troops

trapped and then decimated 800 Red Stick Creeks in a war that ceded most of the land that now makes up the southeastern United States, opening the frontier. Download the official National Park System app for directions and other details. In Alexander City, a 3-mile walking trail roughly outlines the perimeter of the 212-acre Charles E. Bailey Sportplex on state Route 22 near U.S. Route 280. Built by a Lake Martin Leadership team more than 10 years ago, the trail passes a variety of wildlife habitats and offers excellent siting opportunities along the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail. Keebler Park in Dadeville offers a paved quartermile loop through a beautiful forest where a number of the trees have been identified and marked to help strolling patrons learn about the forest. Festivals and sponsored events in this city park are scheduled throughout the year. Alabama Power recently opened the new Nature’s Way Trail, a 3-mile stroll through a 74-acre park adjacent to the Kennebec Laketown development. Nature’s Way is one of Alabama Power’s Preserves properties, which are found on lakes all around the state. Open and free to the public, Nature’s Way features a nature trail, lake overlooks and interpretive signs to assist families and individuals in learning more about their natural environment. Sounds an awful lot like memory making, doesn’t it?

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A park for the community

Leah and Kurt Pfitzner purchased a vacant block and built a community park in Dadeville STORY BY LYNN COX & PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Pennington Park in Dadeville is a multi-purpose art and music venue designed to offer events for all ages, from babies to seniors. In September 2018, Kurt and Leigh Pfitzner purchased a two-acre lot in downtown Dadeville, Alabama. They named it after Johnnie Fae Pennington, a long-time Dadeville schoolteacher and the land’s previous owner. The lot was the last undeveloped parcel within the boundaries of the town’s historic district, previously occupied by the Creek Indians and owned by Chief Menewa, a famous leader of the Red Stick faction of Creek Indians. “Our intent, inspired by other cities such as Fairhope, Alabama, was to first develop the property into a multi-purpose art and music venue while keeping its natural beauty of open spaces and pecan trees,” said Kurt Pfitzner. “Secondly, we wanted to inspire a revitalization of downtown Dadeville, our new home after a three-decade-long career in the Air Force. “Lastly, we wanted to create memories for our children that may inspire them, someday, to continue what we’ve started in the park.” Following the initial purchase, the couple landscaped three planting berms, added a park sign, installed electricity and water, built a 17-by-25-foot outdoor pavilion with a music stage and installed outdoor lighting. Since the completion of the pavilion in May 2020, they have hosted countless events – summer farmer’s markets, music concerts, art shows, craft festivals, Easter egg hunts, baby

showers, weddings, reunions and high school pep rallies. The park has hosted important displays like the annual Memorial Day display with more than 2,000 flags, Christmas decorations with more than 25,000 lights, personalized Santa letters to hundreds of children and much more. All events are free to the public and almost all at no cost to vendors. “Our greatest joy over the past two years has been the reaction of the community and, more specifically, our children,” Pfitzner said. “To see the excitement in their eyes as they walk through the Christmas decorations, and the thrill as they talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus on the pavilion, see them dash across the park for the Easter eggs, play basketball with our first responders, play in the bouncy castles or simply read their first personalized letter from Santa delivered directly to their home is priceless. “Additionally, the satisfaction of just knowing that our events are filling a much-needed service to our adopted community makes every bit of effort worth it a thousand times over,” he said. This year, Pennington Park will host nearly all of the same events listed above with each expected to be bigger and better. The park’s first chili cookoff has been added to the list of events for 2022. The cookoff will be sponsored by the Dadeville Lake Martin Area Chamber of Commerce and is scheduled for March 12. “Additional events are only limited by the imagination of our residents,” Pfitzner said.

Our greatest joy over the past two years has been the reaction of the community and, more specifically, our children.”

Kurt Pfitzner

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Trust us with your memories! Custom Framing, Shadow Boxes, Art Gallery, & Unique Gifts 6 Broad St., Alexander City, AL 35010 thewrightangleframing.com

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Greatness that changed the world STORY BY BETSY ILER

Almost to the day 120 years ago, Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell changed the world – not just the small world of Tallapoosa County, but the whole world. He had vision, and he wasn’t afraid to pursue his dreams. Some folks in these parts shook their heads when Mr. Ben invested his savings and part of his wife’s inheritance in the purchase of six knitting machines and 10 sewing machines to start up a mill that produced women’s and children’s undergarments. It was the first of many new business endeavors Mr. Ben launched, at least two of which have achieved national or global recognition. His undertakings six generations ago continue to make Lake Martin a great place to live, work and play. Mr. Ben’s adventure in business was not an instant success. It very nearly failed in the first year when he discovered that he was losing 40 cents on every item of clothing that went out the door. That was a lot to lose on a garment that sold at $1. Taking the tiny mill’s employees into his confidence, Mr. Ben determined that the only thing to do was to produce a fine-quality product line at minimal cost. Embarking upon this new Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell commitment, his business established a firm foothold and began to expand. In the spirit of Henry Ford, who 10 years later would establish the automobile assembly line that made cars affordable for the average family, Mr. Ben was a forward thinker. He told his friend, A.P. Fuquay – who the following year was elected mayor – that he hoped to vertically integrate the mill, producing the yarn that would be woven into fabric and adding a bleachery and finishing operation. Before the decade was out, Mr. Ben had added a spinning mill, a machine shop and a new boiler plant to his small knitting business.

He built a village for mill employees within the first 20 years of operation, including a church and school. A hospital followed in 1923, and by 1930, he employed more than 2,000 people. Mr. Ben added the bleachery and finishing facility in 1932. That’s when the Russell Manufacturing Company established a foothold in team apparel through a division that would become Russell Athletic. Along the way to the mill’s success, Mr. Ben dabbled in other lucrative business ventures. Shortly after opening the mill, he established the first telephone service in Alexander City, running a line from Dadeville through Alexander City to Sylacauga. He sold the phone service to Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph two years later. In 1910, he organized the Commercial Club of Alexander City, which restructured in 1920 as the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. In 1911, he had the foresight to begin construction of a dam on the Tallapoosa River at Buzzard Roost Shoals. The project was halted when a larger project was proposed downstream at Cherokee Bluffs (today’s Martin Dam), and he sold the property to Interstate Light and Power – a precursor to Alabama Power – the following year. The transaction put him in a fine position to later purchase substantial land holdings along the shoreline of the new lake that the utility company began to operate 15 years later. While his mill grew to include 12 buildings, Mr. Ben opened a wholesale grocery in 1916, and he bought a woodworking company in 1918. He built a creamery, a laundry and a bakery in 1920 and even a hotel that same year. He was a great supporter of the Florida Short Route, a transportation plan that stretched from the Midwest

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The humble beginnings of a company that changed the world

to Florida with the potential to bring customers right through Alexander City. Today’s U.S. Route 280 was part of the plan. He also dammed Elkahatchee Creek, building a pumping station that provided water for all of Alexander City until 1947. This project continued to serve the mill’s water needs into the 1980s. His accomplishments continued to accumulate: He created a farm interest; bought a cast iron and pipe company and relocated it to Alexander City; and in 1928, he opened Lake Hill, the first subdivision on Lake Martin. The subdivision opened one year after Mr. Ben purchased another property upon which former slave John Benson and his son, Will, had operated an academy that taught trades to freed Blacks. While he set aside 3,000 acres of property for cotton production, Mr. Ben planted pine trees on other properties to prevent soil from washing into the lake and to conserve the land. And in 1938, a grandson was born to Mr. Ben. The boy’s parents, Robert Russell and his wife Adelia, named the child after the family patriarch. Ben Russell today is the chairman of Russell Lands. Mr. Ben suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at age 65 in 1941, but his legacy lived on. After World War II, the culture of the country changed, and owning a home became the American dream. Mill families vacated the houses in the mill village Mr. Ben had built for his employees, and they purchased homes in town. The mill houses were removed from the mill complex and rebuilt as fishing cabins on the lake. For many

years, the cabins were leased to families who sought leisure time at Lake Martin, many of which remain today. Prior to taking Russell Mills public in 1963, the lands division was spun off as a separate company. It was a move that proved extremely fortuitous in the latter quarter of the 20th century and beyond. But the heyday of the Russell textile company was just beginning. In the mid-60s and in the 1970s, plants were established in Montgomery, Dadeville, Ashland and Sylacauga. Offices were opened in five states and three countries. There were more than 17,000 employees. But Alexander City remained the hotbed of the company’s innovation. The late Billy Hardy (1920-2017), who served as president at Russell Athletic, helped develop the Russ-Coat treatment that made lettering permanent and durable on athletic apparel. He also was a leader in the success of the tear-away jersey, along with Fletcher Adamson, who headed up research and development. “I noticed that a lot of players were getting tackled when the opponents grabbed their shirts, so I went to the dye house and asked if there was anything they could do to weaken the fabric and make it tear off when the player got tackled,” Hardy said in a 2014 interview with Lake magazine. “We figured out that it took 80 pounds of pressure to tear the shirts, but if we treated the fabric with acid, it would only take 20 pounds of pressure before the shirt tore. So we put players in those tear-away jerseys, and they’d be running down the field. When the defense grabbed their jersey, it would tear off, and the player would keep running and score.”

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The Russell name is associated with qualtiy materials and exemplary customer service

The tear-away jersey eventually were on allocation. We couldn’t was prohibited in football, but it produce product fast enough to was evidence of the innovative give them the quantities they mindset at the Russell company. wanted. Later, Hardy was inducted into “Eugene Gwaltney’s election the Sporting Goods Industry Hall as president coincided with the of Fame for his work in standardcompany’s growth spurt. He was izing the color system for college an innovator with an engineering and professional sports teams so focus. He wanted things done betthat uniform colors were conter and more efficiently. Russell sistent no matter what company Corporation had an advantage on made them. those who didn’t modernize effecThe Russell brands grew as tively.” the company purchased other Dave Commander started workindustry names and operations and ing for the company in 1976 and Long underwear was an expanded their own product lines served as president of the Jerzees early product at Russell by opening new divisions. Some line before joining the Russell Manufacturing Company of the most well-known names Athletic team. Today, he is presiincluded Russell Athletic, Jerzees, dent of Russell Marine, an operatMossy Oak, Cross Creek, Discus, ing subsidiary of Russell Lands. Moving Comfort and others. “In the 1980s, we sold a lot In the 1940s and 1950s, the of T-shirts and sweatshirts to woven fabric business was a major contributor for the Nike. We were making and printing them at our facility. company, said Alexander City’s Steve Forehand, who We produced some of the 1984 Olympics garments for attended the mill village school in the 1960s and worked Levi and T-shirts for Champion. We did a lot of stuff for in the legal department in the Russell corporate office. He Disney, along with Winnie the Pooh kids’ pajamas for now serves as vice president and legal counsel at Russell Sears,” Commander recalled. Lands. In the mid-70s, Russell Corporation began to pay “From the ’50s forward, the athletic uniforms and knit select celebrity athletes to endorse their products. Roger garments began to take over. The knit division became a Staubach, Joe Theismann, Brooks Robinson, Reggie real powerhouse,” Forehand said. “In the ’70s, customers Jackson and Hank Aaron were among the stars that wore 58

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Russell brands. “Donnie Allison represented Jerzees in the Bush series NASCAR. We had our own car,” Commander said. “I remember Russell Athletic sponsored Pop Warner Youth Football from 1983 to 1985. It was a large event for the city, and one year Jim Fowler came to town as part of the event,” recalled Jane Howell, who worked for the company for more than 30 years. “Russell Athletic built a special field for the kids to play on at Alexander City Junior College (now CACC) and, of course, supplied all of the uniforms.” Jim Fowler was the wildlife expert on the popular television show, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, in the 1960s. The long-running nature documentary introduced viewers to exotic locations and the ferocious wild animals that lived in them. Roger Holliday was president at Jerzees when Paul Harvey was selected as the speaker for a distributor conference. “He was this famous guy, and his agent sent a list of all of his requirements for the visit. On his Bob Hope (left) and Charley list, he required that Boswell were guests of the he have a limousine. company in Alexander City Well, there were no limousines in Alexander City,” Holliday said. “I happened to have a big car, so I had it detailed and shined up. We called that his limo for the couple of days that he was here.” Russell Corporation began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1985 under the symbol RML. The company was recognized as the most modern textile facility in the world. “Technology and quality were the key components in the success in the 1960s to 1990s. A lot of good things were happening. Russell was thriving, and stock was doing well. It was one of the best companies in —aAmerica – a well-run company,” Commander said. Under John C. Adams’ tenure as president, Russell Corporation signed a five-year contract to exclusively

produce and market athletic uniforms for most Major League Baseball teams. International sales increased by 40 percent in 1992. But eventually, the competition caught up. The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed into law in 1993, and sewing jobs were moved offshore, where labor costs were considerably lower. Intense competition from competitors and industry-wide price-cutting took a toll on sales and net income in 1997. Russell ended its licensing deals with professional football, basketball and hockey leagues. John ‘Jack’ Ward stepped in as president, chairman and CEO in 1998 and announced a major restructuring. By 2001, headquarters Bo Jackson was had been moved among the celebrity out of Alexander representatives City. In 2002, the of the Russell line company celebrated its centennial with a bell ringing on Wall Street and added Bike Athletic Company and Spalding to its holdings. In 2004, the company purchased the Huffy brand and Brooks Sports. In 2006, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., acquired Russell Corporation, and the company became a subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom, Inc. But since 1960, the lands division that spun off from the textile business has grown. Willow Point Golf & Country Club was established in 1964, and in the early ’70s-1971, Wind Creek Park was sold to the State of Alabama. Also in 1970, Mr. Ben’s grandson, Ben Russell, was elected president of Russell Lands, Inc. Ben inherited much of his grandfather’s acumen for innovation and engineering. An astute businessman and forward thinker, he saw the land as the future and forged a legacy that today seems to have only just started. With the Martin Dam license up for renewal in the early 1970s, Ben and a contingent of local businessmen flew to Washington, D.C., to secure guaranteed minimum water levels on the lake year round. Until then, the water

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levels were erratic, fluctuating as much as 20 feet or more with no notice. Under Ben’s leadership, this group of individuals formed the Lake Martin Resource Association in 1971. With the provisions of the 1972 license, the water level rule curve was established, defining winter drawdown at 481 mean sea level feet and summer pool at 491 feet msl. In 2015, the winter drawdown was reduced to 484 feet msl with a 10-foot drawdown every sixth year. The rule curve lent a level of stability to the lake home market and recreation activities on Lake Martin. In 1972, Russell Lands opened Phase I of Willow Point Estates, a golf community at the lake. Two months later, Lake Hill Estates was begun, and then, Kowaliga Marina was built. Phase I of River Bend Estates and Windermere were launched the following year. Though the fishing cabins continued to be popular, living at the lake became fashionable – and a good investment. Like his grandfather, Ben Russell embraced innovation and pursued novel ideas. In 1975, he founded the Energy Conservation Company – ECON – with the objective of promoting wood and wood residue as an alternative fuel for industry. Under the guidance of Ben Russell, Russell Corporation constructed the first non-forest industry wood-fired boiler in the modern U.S. In 1979, Ben designed the ECAR, a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle that was converted to burn wood. The car drove from Jacksonville, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, using only wood fuel. In 1982, Ben hired Tom Lamberth, a practicing CPA who had moved from Montgomery to a rented office in an Alexander City insurance company building. “In the 1980s, the company had the cabins and the golf club, as well as the energy business producing steam from sawdust. Energy was a big part of our business, but that went away as the textile jobs moved,” Lamberth said. In 1984, Russell Lands bought the True Value Hardware and Building Supply from Mack Horton. The business was combined with Alexander City Building Supply to form Russell Building Supply – the start of Russell Do it Centers. The company continued to buy out existing stores and added new builds. There are now nine stores, Lamberth said. The marina business picked up as well, with the addition of Real Island on property leased from Alabama Power in 1997 and the construction of The Ridge Marina and River North Marina in 2001. “A key event was the renovation of Willow Point in 2002. It was a major expense – close to $20 million – with the golf course, grill, pool, renovated cabana, and a new fitness facility. We rebuilt the greens and traps and installed irrigation. The golf course had been built in 1964, and it was past time to address those issues,” Lamberth explained. “The club was initially built by Russell Corporation to entertain customers and recruit executive talent. The priority for Russell Lands management was to maintain Willow Point as an amenity for Russell Corporation, but when Russell Corporation started downsizing and the corporate office moved to Atlanta, it was apparent we had to change our direction and who 60

we were marketing to.” The dues structure that was in place could not support the cost of improvements, so a change in strategic direction was needed, Lamberth explained. “The change was hard but proved to be very successful,” he said. “We did lose some existing members, but we also gained a lot of new members. We grew the membership during construction. “We’ve got a wonderful resource in the lake. When you add high-quality amenities, it creates a powerful product. Along with the club, we built Russell Crossroads and now offer fine dining at SpringHouse and quality foods, wine and seafood at Catherine’s Market. All that changed the lifestyle of the lake.” Company broker and vice president of real estate sales, Steve Arnberg joined the team in 2003. Building was just starting at The Ridge, and his job included pitching the new subdivision in a way that gave people a glimpse of

The Willow Point golf course originally was built to woo Russell company customers and guests

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what lake life could look like. “Some people thought The Ridge was too far north for people from Montgomery and too far south for Birmingham. The land was steeper, which called for a different home design than that of many other areas around the lake, and there weren’t any builders working in the neighborhood. We had to quickly develop a plan type for the area and put builders in place who could build homes,” Arnberg said. “When I arrived, I found that locals did not recognize the desirability of Lake Martin, probably because they grew up here. What people see as familiar can be taken for granted,” Arnberg said. “What the Russell team learned when we visited other resorts and lakes was that they paled in comparison to Lake Martin. “Other developers have to imagine what they want their development to become. Lake Martin is already great; we don’t have to create a narrative to sell the

lake— – it sells itself. Our job is to be good stewards of the property. “I was 9 years old when my family moved to Montgomery. As soon as we arrived, a family friend urged my dad to get a place at the lake. We had a small trailer, a boathouse, and a pier. You had to wench your boat in and out of the lake. A lot has changed since then. We have evolved from the ‘build it yourself’ cabins of my childhood to master-planned communities with trendsetting architecture and modern amenities. And, COVID justified the wisdom of significant upgrades to technology infrastructure. Many of our property owners have found that connectivity in The Ridge is superior to what they have in their urban homes.” When Arnberg joined the Russell Lands team, only eight properties at The Ridge had been sold, and five houses were under construction there. Today, overmore than 530 properties have been sold at The Ridge,

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and overmore than 450 houses have been built to date. Property values have climbed over time with an average current value of about $1.6 million each. The success of The Ridge grew to other Russell Lands neighborhoods, such as Willow Glynn and The Willows, which have recently sold out. The neighborhoods are built on land Mr. Ben had acquired decades earlier. The relationship with land was always important to Mr. Ben, and his grandson inherited that great love of the land. “Mr. Ben protected the lake by planting pine trees,” Lamberth said. “He did some things to protect it knowing it would be well past his lifetime when it came to fruition. That takes long-term vision. Not a lot of people invest a lot of their money when the benefits will be long past their lifetimes.” In 2012, Russell Lands received the Alabama Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award for Forest Conservationist of the Year. Many acres of Russell Lands holdings have been planted in an effort to re-establish longleaf pine forests. The trees once covered 95 million acres across the Southeast U.S. but were cut for construction over the ages. The longleaf pine grows slowly and requires several generations of growth before it is ready for harvest. Mr. Ben had a knack for seizing opportunities, and in this, his grandson has proven like him. When Russell Corporation was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, he lost no time in recruiting some proven employees from Russell Corporation to join his already successful team at Russell Lands.

In 2006, Roger Holliday was working for Russell Corporation in Atlanta, having joined the company in 1986 in Alexander City. On the day the Berkshire Hathaway purchase was announced, Holliday was listed as the media contact on the press release. “In the barrage of returning phone calls, my administrative assistant stuck a note in front of me that said, ‘Ben Russell is holding.’ I picked up the phone, and Ben said, ‘I want to know if you want to move back to the lake. We’ll figure out what you would be doing.’” Holliday said. “Fruit of the Loom offered me a fantastic opportunity. I was trying to decide what to do, so I went trout fishing with a buddy. I called Ben back and said yes.” Russell Lands was building SpringHouse and Catherine’s Market at the time. “I had a background with a lot of Wall Street involvement, and suddenly, I was in the hospitality business. It was not something I knew how to do,” said Holliday, who now serves as vice president at Russell Lands. The company has thrived. With Willow Point membership on a waiting list now, Russell Lands has launched its next endeavor – The Heritage, a residential community featuring a golf course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw near the Wicker Point peninsula. The Heritage encompasses 1,500 acres and roughly 12 miles of shoreline. This property was dedicated by Ben Russell to honor his grandfather and the family legacy. The neighborhood is already generating great anticipation. “It has created a ton of interest in Lake Martin,” said Lamberth. “The amenities we are building are high quality. There is more interest in this than we’ve seen in any-

Russell Crossroads is home to SpringHouse Restaurant, The Stables, Catherine’s Market and several additional businesses and buildings, as well as The Town Green, an outdoor gathering space and concert venue

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thing we’ve ever done.” Like the real estate, building supply and hospitality arms of the business, Russell Marine has experienced exponential growth, consisting of four marinas on Lake Martin – and one on Smith Lake at Hanceville, Alabama – and Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors which opened two years ago in Alexander City on HighwayU.S. Route 280. “After it moved out of Alexander City, Ben brought Mr. Ben’s grandson, Ben Russell, in a lot of manserves as chairman agement experiof Russell Lands today ence from the former Russell Corporation,” Holliday said. “We knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we didn’t have to earn stripes with each other. There was no dancing around any learning period. That’s short-lived though. Some picked up where we left off, but with others, we were up to speed in a year and a half anyway. I think it’s more about the working environment here. It’s a good, solid organization. The heart is good. Ben is out to help the community, and he’s instilled that in all of us.” The Russell family has a long history of helping the community. In 1989, Ben Russell and his wife, Luanne, donated 50 acres of land, including 1 mile of Lake Martin shoreline, for the Children’s Harbor campus, a ministry dedicated to serving children with chronic illnesses. In 2012, Ben and Luanne Russell pledged $25 million to build a new children’s hospital in Birmingham. In honor of this lead gift, the hospital was named after Ben’s grandfather, the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children. The Russell name is on numerous buildings throughout Alexander City, including the high school, the library and the hospital. Russell Medical Center recently announced a large expansion, which will includes the Center for Advanced Care, an assisted living complex, and 26 independent-

living cottages, all funded by a $25 million gift from Ben and Luanne Russell. Through his own private foundation, the Adelia Russell Charitable Foundation, Ben has contributed approximately $4 million over the last 10 years to many local charities including the Alexander City Board of Education, the Adelia Russell Library, United Way, Main Street Alexander City, the Gateway Foundation, and Children’s Harbor. Russell Lands hosts the annual Russell Forest Run, which has raised more than $100,000 for the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. Russell Marine hosts an annual poker run on the lake that supports the local Lions Club projects, raising more than $250,000 to date. Lake Martin Area United Way is another beneficiary of the Russell family. These are only a few of the many community projects the Russell name continues to support. Investing in the community was a winning strategy for Mr. Ben 120 years ago, and it continues to be a priority for Ben and his family today, Lamberth said. “We continue to feel that Lake Marin is a bargain when compared to other lakes around the country,” Lamberth noted. “When you compare the size of the lake, the amount of undeveloped property, and the depth and clarity of the water, it’s second to none. When you add high-quality amenities to an outstanding resource that is Lake Martin, it is a lifestyle that is very special. The future of Lake Martin is very bright, which means the futures of the communities around the lake are also very bright.” Historical records kept by the late Tom Saunders and other former Russell Corporation employees were consulted in the writing of this article.

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Tales of Dadeville STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY BETSY, KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS

The Tallapoosa County courthouse went through a series of renovations and still serves as the seat of government today

When the Spanish came to this area up through Florida in the 1540s, they found a rich country where history had been in the making for centuries. Established towns in the area were home to hundreds and sometimes thousands of people, mostly Creek clans, said Ralph Banks, a Dadeville native whose family in the area dates back to 1852. “The Spanish came looking for gold, and early traders wanted furs and hickory nut oil. By the time of the Revolutionary War, every major chief among the Creeks was at least one-quarter European, but they were very good at playing the European powers off each other. Of course, they ran into a problem when they started dealing with the American settlers because they wanted the land,” Banks explained. Following the Revolutionary War, the Upper Creeks and Lowers Creeks, which included the Poarch Creeks, engaged in a civil war over the influx of European settlers. The Lower Creeks were complacent with the

newcomers. “They figured there wasn’t much they could do to stop it, but the Upper Creeks wanted to fight it,” Banks said. During the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Great Britain, four armies converged on what is now Alabama, as the U.S. troops and Federal Creeks came against the Red Stick Upper Creeks at what is now Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in Daviston. “Horseshoe Bend was basically a fortified refugee camp, and the people there thought it was more defensible. They thought they could hold off long enough to escape by the river. That didn’t work out very well for them,” Banks said. The Red Sticks were massacred asthey attempted to cross the river. Through the subsequent treaty, in which the Creeks ceeded most of what is now the Southeast U.S., the chiefs and their households were given land but were encouraged to sell their property and move

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

West, Banks said. In 1835, Major Francis L. Dade commanded 110 U.S. soldiers who were on a resupply and reinforcement mission from Ft. Brooke, which is now Tampa, Florida, to Ft. King, now Ocala. Seminoles attacked the Army, and only one U.S. soldier survived the attack, Banks said. Dade was killed. “When this area here was surveyed for the new county seat (1837-1838), Dade was the hero of the day, so the town was named after him,” Banks said. The town was granted its first charter in 1838, and the first three buildings in the town were a saloon, a horseracing facility and a cock-fighting ring, said Banks. In 1852, Philip Shepard founded the Grafenberg Medical Institute in Dadeville, the state’s first medical school. John T. Banks came to the school and established the family that still thrives in the area today. When war came to Dadeville in 1861, local politician Michael Jefferson Bulger voted against secession but served as an officer in the Confederate Army when the State went to war. “Before the battles, many soldiers wanted to be baptized, so they would go down to the creek, and while the Southern soldiers were being baptized on one side of the creek, the Yankees were being baptized a little ways down on the other side,” said Roy Mathis, a former city councilman and local historian. During the war, the town of Dadeville provided salt to the Confederate effort, and when Yankees blockaded the town, people collected their wash pots and went to the gulf to get salt, Mathis said. When the Union Army came into town on Day Street one Sunday, the people on Lafayette Street dropped their silver into the wells to prevent it being confiscated. Most of it could never be retrieved. Very few people in Dadeville owned slaves, but the men fought to protect their women and children. “In New Orleans, which was occupied by the Union, the young ladies wanted nothing to do with the Yankee soldiers, and the soldiers resented that, so it was declared that the women were classified as women of the evening – prostitutes – and the soldiers could do anything they wanted with them,” Mathis said. On the lighter side, he told the story of a Confederate captain whom the Yankees captured. “His fiancé carried on so with the Yankee officer, just crying and caterwauling, that the Yankees pardoned him just to get rid of her,” Mathis said. The first courthouse was a temporary 20-foot by 20-foot log structure with a dirt floor, which was replaced by a 60-foot by 40-foot building on the site of the present courthouse. “A funny thing: It was against the law to sleep in church,” Banks said. “Apparently, the troops could get out of duty if they went to church, so they would come to church and stretch out on a pew and fall sleep. I think the ordinance actually is still on the books.” The town was incorporated for the second time in 1878, and after the turn of the century, Coca-Cola

The Dickinson mural, Surrender of Weatherford, Creek Indian to Andrew Jackson – 1814, was painted through the Alabama Federal Art Project

Chief Menawa was presumed dead at Horseshoe Bend but managed to escape downriver after the battle

Troops stationed across the bend in the river changed the face of the nation in March 1814

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Roy Mathis jangles the keys to Dadeville’s first jail

A Gingko tree sheds leaves of gold at Dadeville’s historic Mitchell House

Bottling Co. came to the area. “The marketing strategy was that the colacompany would give a kid a nickel to go in a store and ask for a Coke. Of course, the store didn’t have it, so the kid would leave. About two hours later, the Coke truck would come by, and the store owners, of course, would buy a case or two,” Mathis said. The town’s history was played out in its churches and homes, and many of these historic homes still stand in the town’s downtown area, the most promiReuben and nent of which is known Sidney Z. at The Mitchell House. Mitchell (right) founded a Now a popular wedforerunner ding and event venue, of Alabama The Mitchell House is Power named for its affiliation with Sidney Z. Mitchell (1862-1944), the man is credited with developing the country’s electrical grid system, which keeps power flowing continually to homes and businesses nationwide, even when the local power plant isn’t generating. He also wired the first U.S. Navy ship with electric lights to replace dangerous lanterns that had previously lit the shipping industry, and he was instrumental in the construction of our own Martin Dam. Mitchell was the third generation of his family to live in the landmark home, which was built in 1837. Mitchell’s mother died when he was 3 years old, and his father then sent him, along with his brothers, to live in Coosa County with their maternal grandmother, Ann Jordan. Jordan taught her grandsons to work hard, chiding them that, at 60 years old, she was an old woman, and 68

they must learn to find their own way. Mitchell eventually purchased land around his grandmother’s original 350-acre farm and established a hunting club that today is known as Five Star Plantation. He became the richest man in the U.S., amassing a fortune on paper and in physical assets of $44 billion before he lost his wealth in the infamous stock market crash of the late 1920s. Still, he went on to become a powerful man. He developed electrical systems around the country. With his brother, Reuben, Mitchell established the Alabama Power Development Company, which later was acquired by Alabama Power’s first holding company. Mitchell served on the War Industries Board during World War I and was instrumental in the first federal legislation to regulate electrical systems, which helped to shield the industry during the Great Depression. Though he never returned to live in the house that bears his name, Dadeville takes great pride in being the birthplace of a man who played such a large part in shaping the modern world, said Danny Hayes, a president of the Tallapoossee Historical Society in Dadeville. Today, the City of Dadeville treasures its rich history as its citizens continue to build and grow an enviable lifestyle near Lake Martin.

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Exhibitors offer a glimpse of early American life during events at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Remembering

What Happened Here STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS

Experiencing history at the site of a historically significant event provides a unique opportunity to learn, firsthand, what historical figures experienced during events that shaped our country’s future. The opportunity to visit such a protected historical site exists 12 miles north of Dadeville in Tallapoosa County, just upstream of Lake Martin. The Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is the site of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814. This battle led to the end of the Creek War and, eventually, the cessation most of the southeastern U.S. It was here that General Andrew Jackson led an Army of Tennessee Militia, with members of the Creek and Cherokee tribes joining as allies. The Army consisted of 3,300 men. Red Stick Creek warriors had fortified the bank of the Tallapoosa River. The Red Stick Creeks, led by Chief Menawa, built an 8-foot barricade to protect their community. The tribes were not in agreement about working with the settlers and giving up their land. Jackson attacked the fort and, with the help of allied Creek and Cherokee warriors, 800 of Menawa’s 1,000 warriors were killed during the battle. Chief Menawa survived the attack. A treaty was

signed at Fort Jackson, currently the area of Wetumpka, Alabama. The treaty resulted in the United States claiming 23 million acres of land. Jackson became a war hero and was promoted to Major General after the battle. Even though the Creek and Cherokee warriors helped Jackson win the battle, he decided to claim the land and move all of the native peoples out West. Many Native Americans perished during the trip, which is known as the “Trail of Tears.” The land has seen many changes, and it could have been lost completely, but in 1920, when Alabama Power planned to flood the area for the dam, the utility was met with local opposition due to the historical significance of the site. The land was converted to farmland until 1959 when it became a national park. The 2,040-acre property opened to the public in 1964 to commemorate the battle and preserve the land for its history. Today, visitors are invited to enjoy the property and learn more about the battle and the people who made their homes on the land in the 1800s. Visitors can walk through the grounds and take in the history with information panels to guide them along the way. Walking through the park lets them experience the terrain and sight advantage points that made the land so desirable to the Red Stick Creeks.

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Cannon and other firepower demonstrations are part of many re-enactment events

Today, the battlefield is maintained as a commemorative military national park

The park is located at 11288 Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Daviston, Alabama, and admission is free. Guests are welcome to visit the property from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. There is a visitors’ center on the property to provide additional information and maps for a walking tour. The visitors’ center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. An auditorium is located in the center, and a 22-minute informational film is available upon request for guests. Due to COVID-19, facemasks are required in all inside areas. A donation box is located at the center, and all donations are used for special events and to provide school outreach programs. The park also offers two picnic locations. A covered shelter near the visitors’ center can be used on a firstcome, first-served basis. Picnic tables are available near the state Route 49 boat ramp at Miller Bridge. The boat ramp is open to the public and is used primarily by canoe and kayak enthusiasts that want to travel the river the way the Creek and Red Stick warriors did. Fishing is also per-

mitted, and fishing boats are allowed to use the ramp to gain access to the river. As the water levels change from season to season, it is encouraged that visitors check the water level before entering. Local schools visit the park for field trips and could schedule ranger-led tours. Living history demonstrations may be arranged with advanced notice. Large groups of any kind also are welcome. Large group tours can be scheduled for specific dates and times. Special events are held periodically and are listed on the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park page on the U.S. National Park Service website. A commemorative event for the battle is scheduled for Saturday, March 26, 2022. Hiking and biking also are fun ways to explore the park. There is a 2.8-mile nature trail that takes hikers to the battlefield and near the Tohopeka Village where the Red Stick Creeks lived. Bikers can enjoy a 3-mile paved tour road. Exploring a national park is a great way to learn about the history of the region and nation. Plan a visit to explore another treasure in the state of Alabama.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

The cast of ACT II’s It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play by Joe Landry

A Fine Arts Community

Performance and juried shows add quality of life STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR, KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF PARSONS LONGINEAU

The arts scene around Lake Martin is thriving. Advocates and patrons of the arts have prioritized creativity and expressive arts, creating a greater quality of life for residents. The arts educate, broaden horizons and provide endless hours of entertainment for both children and adults. Passionate about making a creative difference in the lives of Lake Martin area residents, many of the same advocates work together from different arenas to bring cultural events to the area. Since the incorporation of the Alexander City Arts in 1968, the goal of ACA has been to bring in professional talent to entertain the community. With one season each year, running from fall to spring, programs through the years have included music, dance, visual arts and theatre. Mary Perry, president of the ACA, believes the arts are important not just for entertainment and education but also for economic impact. “Having exposure to the arts broadens the education and enhances the quality of life of community members, but having artistic performances actually impacts economic development as well. Before a performance, many

attendees go out to dinner locally. If they live out of town and come to Alexander City for a performance or a play, they may stay overnight. Families moving into the area always consider schools and the lake, but they also investigate quality of life, and that’s where the arts come in,” Perry said. Perry serves on the board of Alexander City Theatre II as well, alongside Karen Kison, president of ACT II and past-president Betsy Iler. “ACT II showcases the talents and abilities of our local townspeople through quality theatrical productions, offering another unique entertainment option for residents and lake area visitors. Theater expands our horizons and prompts conversation among friends and family. Our goal is to create fun, lively experiences for our audiences in front of the stage, as well as the cast and crew backstage,” Iler said. Iler believes being a part of the cast or crew for an ACT II production opens opportunities for creativity, whether on stage, designing and building sets, making costumes or creating period hairstyles for the actors. Fast friendships

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are formed when plays are in production, and ACT II vol- France, Canada and Australia. Lessons range from oneunteers are eager to share their skills with others and learn day to weeklong workshops. Artists and art advocates new ones. from Alexander City and Dadeville carry on the legacy of Like so many other Lake Martin the art colony. events, most ACT II productions are Another opportunity for artists to free, thanks to the generous support of gather is the Tallapoosa School of Art, sponsors. Several arts and crafts shows owned and operated by artist Dorothy on Lake Martin are available for free Wells Littleton. Located near Dadeville as well. and on the shores of Lake Martin, the Local artisans, as well as many from school offers a studio, catered meals around the state of Alabama, present and accommodations on site at the their pottery, folk art, fine art, paintBlue Heron, a family-owned lake ACT II showcases ings, metal and woodcraft at events that house, an idyllic hideaway nestled into draw hundreds of art lovers to browse a hillside on the lake. The school offers the talents and the booths. Russell Crossroads hosts fall and spring studio workshops, artabilities of our local the Arti Gras juried arts show over July ist retreats and artist demonstrations. 4th weekend and the Holiday Bazaar The unique setting provides peaceful townspeople through during the Thanksgiving weekend. In mountain views and recreation on the June, Chuck’s Marina sponsors Lil’ waters of the lake while allowing time quality theatrical Calypso Art Fest. for creative expression. In addition to exhibition and sales, Creativity in the Lake Martin area is productions, offering local artists are offered many avenues celebrated in the annual Lake Martin to showcase and develop their talLiving Art and Photography Contest. another unique ents. The Arts Association of Central The magazine welcomes all levels of entertinment option Alabama meets monthly to promote experience from amateur to profesart appreciation in the Lake Martin Submissions are displayed in for residents and lake sional. area. AACA meets twice monthly in a downtown exhibit and showcased both Dadeville and Alexander City for in the October issue of Lake Martin area visitors.” workshops and demonstrations. The Living magazine. The winning submisnetwork of artists has proven invalusion is featured on the cover of the able for creative support and encourmagazine, and monetary prizes are agement. awarded. The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin With no shortage of artists and artisans in the Lake was established by the children of the late Towery in Martin area, creativity among residents is encouraged 1992. Five artists participated in a workshop the first year. and bolstered by the groups that organize opportunities to In the last few years, enrollment has grown to more than learn, grow and showcase art, music, dance and drama. 50 participants who hail from all over the United States,

Betsy Iler

ACA hosted award-winning trumpter Longineau Parsons earlier this year

Mary Timberlake’s Fishing Boy Scouts took first place in the Lake Martin Living magazine Art & Photography contest last fall WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

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Where fun meets life

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & JAKE ARTHUR

Alexander City Parks and Recreation makes life fun for young and old and everyone in-between in the Lake Martin area. Besides four parks, approximately 250 acres, two pools, a boat ramp and a golf course, Sonny Wilson, director of parks and rec for the last 10 years, also manages the Charles E. Bailey, Sr. Sportplex, a forested 212-acre public park that is renowned in central Alabama. “We are so blessed to have a facility like this one in our city. We have something for all age groups – youth, middle years and seniors. Lake Martin and the sportplex are what bring large numbers of people to Alexander City,” Wilson said. The sportplex is a mecca for Alabama High

School Association athletics and youth recreation leagues under the direction of athletic supervisor Nick Hand. The football stadium, which seats 5,000, as well as the baseball and softball fields, are used for Benjamin Russell High School athletics and youth programs for children aged 5 to 12. Adult programs include softball, kickball and flag football. State and regional tournaments bring hundreds of visitors and locals alike to the fields. “We have had up to 40 teams with 15 members on each team plus all their families. That’s a lot of people in Alexander City. Parents always compliment our fields. We have 10 full-time employees on our maintenance crew that keeps our fields

Benjamin Russell High School cheerleaders support their team at the sportplex stadium

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Families cool off at the splashplex

Softball tournaments bring revenue to the city as well as good times

A 3-mile trail offers birding and other wildlife viewing opportunities

looking great and our facilities top-notch. Every day is different for them. They never know what they will be doing, from cutting grass to repairs, but they do a great job,” Wilson said. Also for the kids, programs for soccer, cheerleading and basketball are provided. The splashplex water park in the sportplex allows children to have hours of fun in the sun with dropping buckets of water and numerous fountains. Parents are provided with a shaded pavilion. “I believe we should invest money in our children in their early years and get them on the right track. They need safe places to play and have time with their families. And a good coach can make a huge difference in the life of a child,” Wilson said. For all ages, disc golf enthusiasts can find their fun at the sportplex on a course recognized by the Disc Golf Association. The nine-hole course covers a rolling elevation that challenges enthusiasts to sink their discs into the metal baskets. The Alexander City Horse Riding Club, boasting 200 members, has a riding arena in the park, and the Alexander City Archery Club enjoys an archery range on the park grounds. For adult fitness and fun, the park offers a 3-mile walking trail, which is also included on the list of Alabama Birding Trails as an excellent place to spot the woodland birds that inhabit the region. For added physical challenge, an outdoor fitness circuit provides muscle building and toning with body weight exercises and cardio, a comprehensive regimen that can meet the level each individual prefers. The cabin and pavilion at the sportplex are large

enough to accommodate 40 to 50 people and are available to rent for reunions, celebrations and fun with family and friends. Wilson said the buildings are continuously rented, and he believes the park could rent 20 more buildings if they were available. The senior center focuses on activities, such as art classes, quilting, cards and trips for adults aged 50 and over. Wilson said he realized how important the senior center really was when the seniors could not come due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that they are back, with precautions, he said the center is thriving, thanks to the efforts of Corley Holt, activity center supervisor. Through the years, the sportplex has grown with the needs of the community. Future plans may include a limited campground with full hook-ups, which will meet the needs of some guests who want to camp while visiting the park for ball tournaments. “This would be a small campground, five to 15 lots, not like Wind Creek State Park, but just so people who come for tournaments and play several games a day have some place to go in between games or to cool off. Lots of visitors bring their campers now, but we really don’t have the facilities to accommodate them like we should,” Wilson said. The sportplex in Alexander City has been described as an area with beauty and serenity that offers a retreat for the soul. For locals and visitors seeking open spaces and dozens of opportunities to play, the sportplex makes fun happen year round.

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Shopping & Dining STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Cloud Nine is just one of the area’s unique boutiques

Lake Martin offers great lakeside dining venues that draw crowds during the boating season. Take the boat to Chuckwalla’s Pizza on the Dadeville side of the lake or Kowaliga Restaurant with its sweeping lake views and a variety of dining options. Off-lake venues are worth the trip into towns around the lake and also present great shopping experiences visitors might not expect to find in small towns. Alexander City bustlesg with unique gift shops, boutiques and dining establishments. The Square on Calhoun Street offers a variety of shopping options all under one roof. Everything from children’s clothing at Moon Pie to boutiques offering jewelry, shoes, clothing and gifts can be found inside. In addition, Alana’s Place is conveniently located to offer shoppers a variety of breakfast and lunch choices Monday through Saturday. Calhoun Street also is home to Emporium Wine, where you can find the perfect wine and browse the humidor to pair a cigar with spirits. The knowledgeable staff is ready to help you with your selections. Recently opened on Main Street in Alexander City

is The Local at 41 Main. This cozy pub is open Wednesday through Saturday and offers specialty drinks with big city taste. A variety of beer, wine and spirits are available, as well as cocktail specials, like mimosas and bloody Marys. While food is not offered on site, local restaurants are happy to deliver orders to The Local. Cloud Nine on Main Street in Alexander City is a great place to find the perfect gift, be it for a hostess, a wedding, a birthday or just because ... Offering a wide variety of home décor, clothing and seasonal items, shoppers will find great gifts in any price range. The helpful staff will even wrap purchases to make giftgiving easier. A short stroll down the street is Carlisle Drugs. Once a smalltown drug store, Carlisle’s (as the locals know it) is an experience not to be missed. From lunch and a limeade or ice cream at the 100-year-old soda fountain to the mercantile, which offers an array of fine goods and gifts, Carlisle’s will delight children and adults alike. Stop in at Carib Kitchen for authentic international

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fare, and for a more up-scale dining experience in Alexander City, try Castelluccio’s Fine Italian Dining, also on Main Street. This great family-friendly restaurant offers a variety of traditional Italian appetizers, pizza, wines and entrees in a relaxing, elegant atmosphere. Stop in for lunch or dinner Tuesday through Saturday. On U.S. Route 280 West, Alexander City now boasts a Chick-fil-a, which opened last fall. Stop at Scooter’s for a fresh cup of Joe. One of the unique shopping experiences on the thoroughfare through Alexander City is at Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors. Browse boats, Can-Am vehicles, coolers, clothing, fishing gear, sunglasses and sunscreen in this marine superstore for everything you need to enjoy a day on or off the water. The Dadeville side of the lake offers more delicious dining options. In downtown Dadeville, Bob’s Fine Food and BBQ is in the center of town and serves hamburgers, a variety of sandwiches and barbecue. Nolabama Snack Shop serves up the real deal, including the best muffuletta you can find outside of New Orleans, in an eclectic atmosphere that makes dining an experience. Check out Fusion Grill, where the unique fare will make your taste buds spin. Lake Martin Pizza Company on state Route 49 will satisfy pizza lovers with gourmet, made-to-order

varieties that were developed on the owners’ backyard Big Green Egg. Lake Martin Pizza Company is open seven days a week with extended hours during lake season. And while you’re in the area, pick up at coffee at Nirvana Latte or ice cream at Lake Martin Creamery and be sure to stop in at Lakeside Mercantile, a charming clothing and accessory boutique, gift and furniture shop where you also can buy delicious frozen entrees, side dishes and desserts to make lake life easy. Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters Golf Club serves a full menu, with cocktails, after an exhilarating lakeside game of golf, and while you’re in the neighborhood, stop in at Bluff’s Daiquiri Bar, a floating sports bar at Harbor Point Marina. Just down the road at Niffers Restaurant in Blue Creek, the burgers and sandwiches are prepared with a wide selection of toppings. This family friendly restaurant offers outdoor games as well. Oskar’s at Blue Creek serves everything from grilled or fried seafood to steak. A secret-recipe-chili is featured on the menu as well. A ride down state Route 63 from Alexander City reveals more shopping and dining gems, from the Tippy Canoe consignments to Grain & Leaf cigars and whiskey. Russell Lands will open the Fanny Goldmine Diner this summer next door to Catherine’s Market at Russell Crossroads, a one-stop shop that’s more than

SpringHouse offers fine dining in a lake-casual atmosphere

Lake Martin Mini Mall features a variety of furniture and décor to help you make the most of your lake life

Castelluccio’s serves Italian cuisine in downtown Alexander City

Pick up some picnic fare for your day at the lake

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just a grocery store. Here, shoppers will find a butcher counter with beef, seafood, chicken and deli meat; a bakery with fresh baked goods and bread, as well as homemade casseroles and sides. Breakfast and lunch items are made to order and can be enjoyed at tables inside or on the patio. SpringHouse Restaurant, also in Russell Crossroads, offers upscale breakfast and dinner options. The menus change to incorporate seasonal and locally sourced products. Reservations are recommended as SpringHouse is one of the area’s most popular restaurants. SpringHouse also is available for weddings and special events. Just across the Kowaliga Bridge, take a selfie with chainsaw artist Cory Worden’s rendition of Hank Williams’ Kaw-liga Indian inside Kowaliga Restaurant with its beautiful lake views and a variety of seafood and traditional menu items. Weather permitting, outdoor seating is also available, and children love to feed the turtles that swim up for treats. Be sure to stop at the Children’s Harbor Treasures & Thrift Store, a great place to bargain hunt. You never know what you might find. Everything from kayaks, home accessories, clothing and boats are donated, and purchases benefit Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and the Lake Martin Children’s Harbor campus, where severely ill children and their families are treated to good old-fashioned camp experiences with accommodations for their health.

Down the road and new to the area is The Produce Patch. Stop in for fresh produce selections, homemade pies and a variety of gift items. Another popular stop here is the Lake Martin Mini Mall. Outdoor statuary, patio furniture and Big Green Egg smokers and accessories are some of the items featured in the store. Additionally, handmake pottery, T-shirts and home décor are also available. Eclectic offers more shopping variety for the west side of the lake. Johnson Furniture is a great place to find or order home furnishings for the lake house. For the bargain hunter, Johnson’s has an outlet center across the street with discontinued items at bargain prices. The Kickin Chicken on Kowaliga Road is a favorite stop for chicken tenders and wings and offers dine-in and takeout. Downtown Eclectic has some great shopping and dining choices, as well. Bless Your Heart home décor and decorating service is open for shoppers to browse unique items. The mother-daughter team is also available for home decorating services. Cornerstone Coffee Company offers a variety of coffee drinks for every coffee lover. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Eclectic has two restaurants to choose from, Cozumel Mexican Grill and El Gran Rodeo. The variety of shopping and dining experiences around Lake Martin continue to expand, creating more opportunities for spending great times here.

Dine in or carry out at Alexander City’s new Chick-fil-A restaurant

The lake area includes several options for a delicious cup of coffee with friends

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

An assortment of fine wines are available at Emporium Wine

Fun • Adventure • Memories

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4325 Hwy 128 Alexander City, AL 35010

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256-329-0845 www.alapark.com/windcreek

News Coverage Plus a Whole Lot More STORY BY BETSY ILER

Alexander City and the Lake Martin area are served by an award-winning full service digital agency and print media organization in Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., as well as local radio and television stations. The dedicated, local digital team at TPI, known as TPI+, is vested in customer success. They focus on building on a solid foundation, designing affordable websites, creating video content, reputation management and increasing visitor traffic with advanced technology and smalltown customer service. Targeted ads and streaming commercials are just some of the tools used to connect consumers, the community and businesses. TPI+ reaches a highly engaged local audience through a plethora of print and digital solutions. “We want our customers to learn, build, grow and thrive,” explained Steve Baker, TPI president and publisher. “We’re all neighbors here. We’re just doing our part for the neighborhood.” The Outlook, Alexander City’s local newspaper for 130 years, won the Alabama Press Association’s General Excellence award – the most prestigious of APA awards – in its circulation division in 2019 and again in 2020. Winners of this category consistently deliver outstanding coverage, from issue to issue, in general news coverage, editorials, photography, layout and design, advertising, public interest and mechanical excellence, according to the Alabama Press Association. TPI won 69 APA 2020 media awards, and in 2018, Editor & Publisher Magazine, the industry standard publication, named The Outlook among the national news ‘Ten Newspapers That Do It Right.’ TPI’s newspaper staff isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, and this team keeps local residents informed of breaking news through print and digital formats with five local newspapers – The Alex City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald, The Tallassee Tribune and The Eclectic Observer. Digital subscriptions also are available through the website at alexcityoutlook.com. Visit the Alex City Outlook Facebook page for videos of breaking news, city council meetings and local updates. The Outlook is published twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday, and offers a thorough discussion of local

issues for subscribers. The Outlook also is available in racks throughout the community. Lake magazine features spectacular photography and articles that showcase the unique beauty and lifestyle of the Lake Martin region, including the area’s fabulous homes, interesting people and fun events happening on the water. Lake Martin Living magazine features people, events and culture in the communities surrounding Lake Martin, including Alexander City and Dadeville. Both publications are free and available in racks at many merchants throughout the lake area while supplies last. Subscriptions can be purchased and e-editions also are available through the magazine website at lakemagazine.life. Online content includes a calendar of upcoming events around the lake and online-only content to help make the most of life at the lake. The local television station is WAXC TV, a Retro TV affiliate that 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 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. 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 Rock ’n Roll music mix. 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 musical concerts, as well as the popular Kowaliga Idol event each year, which features aspiring talent found throughout the Southeast. Follow your favorites in American Idol-style fashion February through March. For more information about Lake Broadcasting, call 256-234-6221 or visit www.wkga975.com.

We’re all neighbors here.We’re just doing our part for the neighborhood.”

Steve Baker

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Education makes a workforce great STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, CLIFF WILLIAMS & AUDRA SPEARS

Every community needs organizations that move relentlessly toward a great future, and through the eyes of its president, Jeff Lynn, Central Alabama Community College concentrates all of its energy and resources on that mission. Lynn took the reins as acting president at CACC two years ago with a single-minded vision, to renew the school’s role as a difference-maker in the community. Within a month, he was named interim president, and he stepped into the fulltime role of president last year. “Community college can make a difference in a person’s life, a company’s life, a family’s life, a community’s life,” Lynn said. Working toward that goal requires the pursuit of progress through myriad routes, from infrastructure to academics, economic development and beyond. Lynn 88

hit the ground running in June 2020 with a review of the campus facilities and has attached infrastructure upgrades to a pending bond issue. “We had a staff meeting recently, and I looked around at the really good team of folks we have who just go above and beyond to bring up the quality of what they do, and I just think we need to get the facilities looking as good as they do. I told them we need to raise the standards for the facilities up to where they are,” said Lynn. A thorough needs assessment suggested improvements in a number of campus buildings and classroom resources, but Lynn – a self-professed man of little patience – was not content to focus on the infrastructure alone. He took a broad view of education and defined student demographics and needs, threw himself

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Early exposure to career options helps keep students in school

Dual enrollment prepares high school students for jobs and further education

CACC is an economic driver for the community and the workforce

into local economic development and partnered with local school systems to improve future outcomes for students, whether they expected to enter the work force after high school or continue their educations through two-year, four-year or graduate studies. “The sad statistic today in Alabama is that on average, 40 percent of high school graduates do not enter the military or continue their education in college. We need to get better at that projection, but we also need to educate those graduates about the great careers available to them and give them options,” Lynn said. CACC is in an excellent position to act as a transition crossroads from high school to college or the local workforce by partnering with local schools and fouryear colleges and universities. “K-through-12 schools are our biggest partner, and

being a good partner for them is critical for our community,” he said. In middle schools across the area, students are invited to attend career options events that present to them a spectrum of future paths they might one day choose. The programs are designed to encourage students to recognize the future value of their educations and to stay in school. Then, dual enrollment in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades better prepares students for the choices available to them, Lynn explained. “We are second in the state for dual enrollment, which better prepares students for the future, whether they are entering the workforce or continuing their education at two-year or four-year schools,” he said. “And adult education is there for those who missed the opportunity during or after high school. The com-

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Postive relationships with teachers helps students get the most out of their education at every age

munity college stuprepare students In addition to transitioning students dent demographic is for the future. to four-year colleges, CACC trains tech anywhere from age “That lets and adult students for trades and local jobs 16 to age 80. We instructors focus meet students where on materials that they are, and we larger classrooms take them to where cannot, whether they need to be so it is a dual enrollthey are successfully ment, traditional or employed. We are adult student. We proud of that.” think we have a Getting students lot of really bright, to that level of sucsharp students in cess requires taking the rural areas we the time to focus on serve.” their needs and helpRetaining those ing them navigate the bright students is path, Lynn noted. In important to the addition, he is forgcities and towns ing relationships and programs with selected four-year surrounding Lake Martin, Lynn added. Investing in institutions to further student’s education options – and children’s education enhances the community’s future, scholarship opportunities – while they are enrolled at as it prepares a workforce at every level of business and CACC. industry. “We are working on articulation agreements for stuAnother important avenue for student’s success is dents that want to take their education on to a four-year the partnership of education with the local business and school. We want to have great opportunities for their industrial community, working closely to develop curscholarships, so they will have good, successful transiriculum and professional relationships that can lead to tions. About 63 percent of our students get some kind jobs for students. of financial aid, so we want to make sure those oppor“The community college is and should be an ecotunities are available for them,” he said. nomic driver for the community and for the workforce. A low student/teacher ratio is one of the best tools That’s how we make the future great.” community colleges offer in fulfillment of the vision to

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children’s harbor WHO WE ARE Children’s Harbor serves seriously ill children and their families through unique, no-cost services at both the Family Center at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in Birmingham and the Lake Martin retreat facility.

FAMILY CENTER Est. 2001 1600 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 638-6123

*Pictured: families served by Children’s Harbor

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Donate: www.childrensharbor.com

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Fighting for futures at LMAUW STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

The Lake Martin Area United Way makes the future great by guiding, encouraging and uniting Lake Martin community members to care for one another. To that end, in 2021, 27 LMAUW partners and initiatives positively changed the lives of 23,074 people in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. Some 350 volunteers assisted in LMAUW initiatives and events and helped in the nonprofit organization’s office. The money pledged by individuals, families and businesses reached $502,711, while a separate Community Crisis Fund raised $67,617. “United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Coosa and Tallapoosa counties. That is kind of our manifesto statement,” said Courtney Layfield, executive director of LMAUW. Of the 27 agencies that partner with LMAUW, 11 have programs aimed at improving physical and mental health, meeting basic health needs and improving the wellbeing of families and individuals. Seven agencies partner with LMAUW to provide programs that help individuals and families meet their basic needs in times of emergency, as well as offer every day help to improve their long term financial stability and independence with services like utility assistance and transportation, among others. The future of children, specifically, is another area of focus for the organization. In fact, 10 agencies partner with United Way to help children and youth achieve their full potential in life and school, with one new agency,

BridgeWay, added in 2022. LMAUW also partners with area schools on a summer reading enrichment program to encourage reading and education. “We offer more than just an avenue for monetary contributions. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, especially for our area students, to help them learn the importance of giving back and investing time in their communities. The United Way Day of Action each June works with our area schools to help clean and improve the schools before the next school year starts. Through donations and volunteers, we help our schools take care of needs, like painting, cleaning or landscaping, that may not be in their regular budget or never quite make it to the top of list,” Layfield said. Also, LMAUW partners with the local The Home Depot to do improvements and minor repairs to the homes of area veterans, so they can continue to live safely and independently. Projects have included ramps, new steps, small porches and small renovations. Pledges during the Hometown Heroes campaign for 2022 have raised $455,888 toward a budget of $515,000 at presstime with more than a month remaining to raise the balance. With this financial assistance from the Lake Martin community, Layfield, her staff, partner agencies and volunteers work tirelessly to make the future brighter for individuals and families in need of assistance in the Lake Martin area.

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Coosa and Tallapoosa counties.” Courtney Layfield

LMAUW director Courtney Layfield with Malorie Shores

Day of Action volunteers help to spruce up Horseshoe Bend School

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Fresh Surroundings Alexander City’s new offices showcase the city

The City Hall atrium floods the building interior with natural light

The City of Alexander City is showcased in its central offices, which are housed in the renovated former corporate sales office for Russell Corporation, just off U.S. Route 280, the central feature of which is an atrium planted with tropical trees next to a waterfall and serenity pool. “I planted a banana tree on the bottom level and a pomegranate tree. We had to take some of the trees out originally, but we tried to retain as many as possible,” said Mayor Curtis “Woody” Baird, who also installed an herb garden overlooking the waterfall. The atrium includes tables and sitting areas where visitors, officials, citizens and employees can mingle or relax just outside of the city council chamber/courtroom 94

under a glass and steel roof that allows natural light to pour into the building. The openness of the atrium carries into the chambers and other offices at the municipal complex. “When we have work sessions, I like to be able to see each other and talk,” Baird said. “So the council chamber and courtroom can be set up any way we want. It also has a great sound system and lighting system,” Baird explained. The new municipal complex is jam-packed with beautiful and relaxing features that were part of the original Russell sales complex. But when Alexander City purchased the 85,000-square-foot building, the intention was to house all or most employees within

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Mayor Curtis “Woody” Baird

The chambers can be set up in a variety of arrangements to suit the events or activities

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

one central location. The scenic views came as a perk. “Everyone loves my office,” Baird said. “I still need to put my touch on it, but the floor-to-ceiling windows always seem to wow people. I’m just fortunate to have a spot that allows me to bring nature into my space like this. I also like being able to see 280.” The building includes a cafeteria/event space that seats up to 200 people indoors, with an additional 50 on the balcony. With its glass walls and a view of green hills, the space will accommodate large meetings in a beautiful setting and makes a great first impression on visiting business and industry representatives. The 911 dispatch office coordinates emergency response teams WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

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Ground was broken for the first building in February

The project will include independent and assisted living care options

A Legacy of Care Russell Medical breaks ground on a new senior complex STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & AUDRA SPEARS

Russell Medical utilizes all aspects of its programs and facilities to help patients and community members choose healthy lifestyles. In addition to the hospital, urgent care, practicing physicians and cancer center, Total Fitness offers everything residents need to maintain physical fitness, and a planned assisted living facility will allow Russell Medical to continue care for elderly residents. After a $25 million donation by Ben and Luanne Russell, the medical center began making plans for the multi-facility expansion, which will pro-

vide comprehensive geriatric health care. An independent living community with 26 cottages and a 30,000-square-foot assisted living facility with 32 resident rooms are part of the plan. The donation will cover the costs of constructing and equipping the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care. Kimberly Carter, manager of physician relations and business development for Russell Medical, oversees the project. “Increasing the longevity of one’s quality of life is our top priority for the new senior living facilities

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The Center for Advanced Care will be built first

at Russell Medical. Not only with plans for barbecues and Russell Medical president will the assisted living faciltailgate parties for residents. and CEO Jim Peace ity and independent living An open-air pavilion will be opened the cottages be state of the art inside the gated entrance to celebration and provide a luxurious livthe independent living cotat the ground ing atmosphere, but also, the tages. breaking plan is to provide an ameCurrently keeping the nity package like no other. community healthy on a dayCurrently, the project team is to-day basis, Total Fitness at designing the entire Russell Russell Medical provides six Medical campus for golf cart disciplines for the commutrails that also will provide nity: inpatient and outpatient walking/running paths for physical therapy, occupationresidents. Based on the cural therapy, speech therapy, rent plan, the paths provide sports medicine, cardiac and a winding, aesthetic opporpulmonary rehab and comtunity for residents to get munity fitness. Cara Tidwell outside and enjoy the rolling is the Fitness and Wellness terrain this city has to offer,” Coordinator for Russell Carter said. Medical. Carter said there might be an opportunity to work “So many benefits surface from making healthy with Alexander City leadership and connect the lifestyle choices, including productivity in the senior living facilities to the city’s recreation depart- work place, an increased immune system, mobility, ment. They have also designed outdoor recreation decrease in chronic illnesses, such as heart disease spaces at the facility that include four porches and and diabetes, better neuromotor skills and increased a main terrace area off of the back of the building, lung capacity. Exercise regulates blood pressure, WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Clockwise from Above: Russell Medical is affiliated with UAB Health System; Total Fitness director Cara Tidwell fits in a workout; Russell Medical is proud to celebrate its hardworking nursing staff during National Nurses Week.

cholesterol and weight while decreasing anxiety and depression and enhancing feelings of wellbeing, just to name a few,” Tidwell said. Tidwell is proud that the community fitness program provides community and corporate health fairs, American Red Cross swim lessons and personal training (medically based, athletics based and general total body conditioning). The center offers Operation FitKids to fifth and sixth graders as a fitness and nutrition program, and the Silver Sneakers program for adults over 65 who have specific Medicare plans. Total Fitness is also an authorized American Red Cross provider and an Arthritis Foundation facility. The Total Fitness 20,000-squarefoot facility offers both exercise and rehabilitation equipment and the only indoor public pool in Alexander City. The pool hosts exercise classes, aquatic treadmills and adjustable water current for swimming laps. Two gyms include treadmills, elliptical trainers, free weights and

cycles. Classes are available in aerobics, Pilates, ball basics, cardio, hip-hop and yoga. Lockers, showers and towel service are provided. Personal trainers and specialized programs also could be utilized. “We provide a safe, effective and encouraging atmosphere in which to gain a better quality of life through rehabilitation and wellness. Our fitness specialists evaluate your health history to create the perfect program for you and your goals. A fitness journey should address cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, nutrition and body composition. These facets are the foundation of a healthy exercise routine. Individuals who have active lifestyles tend to have more energy for the things they want to do, while also being less likely to become disabled or ill,” Tidwell said. With clear priorities, Russell Medical leads the way for Lake Martin community members to make lifelong healthy choices.

We provide a safe, effective and encouraging atmosphere in which to gain a better quality of life through rehabilitation and wellness.”

Cara Tidwell

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Quality Care in the Neighborhood Lake Martin Community Hospital STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTO BY AUDRA SPEARS

Lake Martin Community Hospital and the Wellness Center at Lake Martin, both part of the Ivy Creek Healthcare system, promote healthy lifestyles every day for Lake Martin area residents. The community hospital staff and physicians are dedicated to providing high quality patient and acute care in the Lake Martin area. They work to support, educate and develop the community while maintaining a financially viable facility, which continues to serve the area. Professional growth and development of all its employees is also a priority. “I am really proud to work in community health, and the Wellness Center is part of a full-fledged campus – the hospital, emergency room, physical therapy, a pharmacy and a family medical practice with four physicians,” said Michael Keating, director of the Wellness Center. Laboratory testing on the campus provides services for outpatients, hospital and emergency room patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pain management, sleep studies and a weight loss clinic are part of the system, in addition to pediatrics, podiatry, orthopedics and radiology. The Wellness Center goals are to encourage the community to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles by providing physical therapy, rehabilitation and fitness services for patients and members. Memberships are available for individuals and families. The indoor saltwater pool is heated and equipped with a lift chair for disabled patients. Hydrotherapy

jets provide massage and treatment resistance. Aquatic exercise classes work on maximum cardio and muscle training without long-term negative effects on the joints and muscles. A certified aquatics instructor is available to geriatric patients, pregnant women and parents, families and everyone in between who would benefit from the positive mental health aspects of water-based exercise and the physical effects of burning calories, improving cardiovascular health and decreasing disability. A personal trainer at the Wellness Center works with individuals to create a personalized fitness assessment, which is used to determine an exercise program with both health and fitness goals. The facility is equipped with up-to-date Nautilus and Cybex machines, plus a number of treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes, as well as free weights. The center offers classes in water aerobics twice a day, five days a week. Yoga and core exercise classes also are available to strengthen and tone, as well as improve flexibility, balance and coordination. “We are happy to announce more accessibility to our facility. In November 2021, we began offering gym access 24/7. So any day of the week, any time of day, members are welcome to workout. We have many members who want to get their workout in before they head out to work, so they are here as early as 5 a.m. They are very excited about adding more accessibility to the gym, so they can be more flexible with their time while staying fit,” Keating said.

Lake Martin Community Hospital provides conveniently located services and support to build healthy lifestyles

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First in COVID prevention Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear scrubs, and it is no secret that frontline workers kept the world spinning in 2020 and 2021, especially in the Dadeville community, where Lake Martin Community Hospital offered the first opportunity for area residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines. “The best thing that happened to us through the pandemic was that Lake Martin Community Hospital was one of just 15 hospitals in Alabama to receive the first round of vaccines,” said Heidi Smith, director of marketing at Ivy Creek Medical. She said there was no particular reason why LMCH was chosen but that pharmacist Johnny Latorre was able to secure the specific freezer required to store the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine weeks before they became available to frontline workers and doctors. “The freezer had to be kept at negative 70 degrees,” Smith said. “But Mike Latorre was instrumental in securing it for the hospital. It cost right at $11,000, but it meant we were able to secure the vaccines, and that was the most important thing for us. “I’ll never forget it. It was Dec. 15 when we received the first set of Pfizer vaccines. We were all a little afraid but hopeful, too. Two days later, on Dec. 17, our CEO here at IVY Creek Healthcare, Mike Bruce, was among the first few to get vaccinated. He wanted to lead by example, and he did. Most of us followed suit, myself included; and then, we got our booster 21 days later.”

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Urgent care in under an hour STORY BY LYNN COX PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

MainStreet Urgent Care is located on U.S. Route 280 near the intersection with state Route 22

MainStreet Family Care focuses on the family aspect of its name by maintaining close ties to the communities in which its healthcare clinics are located, helping to make these communities great places to live, work and play. The Alexander City location opened in October 2016 and has been providing walk-in urgent care and primary care to the residents in the area ever since. The clinic is open late seven days a week to fill the needs of patients; adults and children, that may not be able to see primary care physicians in a timely manner to treat injuries, illnesses and non-life-threatening emergencies. Going through the emergency room for healthcare when a primary physician’s office is closed can be much more expensive and often is a longer wait. And, since the COVID pandemic, emergency rooms have new restrictions and are overwhelmed. The extended hours allow patients to receive care after hours and at times convenient for their schedules. The Alexander City clinic is part of a network of family care offices caring for residents across Alabama. The staff at MainStreet Family Care is dedicated to helping patients heal and feel better, fast. The qualified providers handle a range of illnesses from cold, flu, strep throat, broken bones and stitches. In addition to addressing these ailments, staff provide treatment for chronic conditions, including diabetes, high blood pres104

sure and high cholesterol. Even more, the staff is committed to making sure patients walk out of the doors feeling better. The objective at MainStreet Family Care is to make patients feel like family when they arrive. The waiting area includes complimentary coffee, juice and water. The goal is to get every patient in and out within an hour, so they can get back to what’s most important in life. MainStreet Family Care prides itself on being more than a medical facility. The company has joined the Alexander City Chamber and participates in sponsoring events throughout the community. In addition to treating families, MainStreet Family Care offers a full range of occupational health services, such as pre-employment drug screens, annual physicals and specialty chemicals testing. They have dedicated staff assigned to helping employees who are injured on the job. These staff members ensure the employee is receiving the best of care to get them back to work. Alexander City MainStreet Family Care is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit MainStreetFamilyCare. com or check out the MainStreet Family Care Alexander City Facebook page.

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Faces of Lake Martin STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

In addition to operating Martin Dam, Alabama Power sponsors trash cleanups around the lake, maintains trails and picnic areas, monitors eagle populations and more 106

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From journeymen at Martin Dam to the river and reservoir crews, the real estate, recreation and environmental teams, it’s the people working daily at Alabama Power that make Lake Martin great. How it happens probably does not cross the minds of vacationing families as they load the kids onto a tube for a ride around the lake or set off to hike one of the area’s Matt Thompson beautiful trails. It likely does not enter the mind of a local fisherman as a striped bass puts up a memorable fight. When a retiring couple breaks ground on a dream home after completing the Alabama Power permit process, the guidelines and the staff that upholds them might seem extreme and overbearing, but it’s those very people and practices that make the lake the wonder and economic engine that it is, starting at Martin Dam. Construction at Martin Dam started 99 years ago, and it’s journeymen like Matt Thompson who keep it operating like new. A Sylacauga native, Thompson grew up fishing on Lake Martin with his father and now casts a line with his wife and two young daughters. He’s been Travis Cheaney with the power company for 15 years; he’s been a hydro journeyman for seven of them. “It’s tough to get a journeyman job because you have to have a lot of qualifications. You have to be operator, electrical and mechanic qualified because our job entails working on all those kinds of equipment. You don’t know from day to day what skills you will need for that day’s work,” Thompson explained. “They give you a lot of training. It’s a two-year hydro journeyman program, and you have to pass a written test and a hands-on test. It’s nice, though, because you get to use all of your skills here.” There is no such thing as a typical day for a hydro journeyman, though every day does include wiping down equipment, inspections and creating punch lists of work that needs to be done. “We check oil levels and cooling water daily. Depending on the weather, it can change the oil level, and we need to keep the oil and air pressure in a 108

certain range, so we have to be on top of that. There might be places that need welding or grinding out,” he said. “We have to make sure we don’t let any trash in when we let water into the turbines because that will break the sheer pins – and we have to make sure those are greased. While the water level and turbine operations are handled in Birmingham, any alarms sent to the dam must be handled by the journeymen, including raising and lowering the spillgates in a heavy rain event. The crew may open as many as six of the 20 gates that top the 2,000-foot long dam, moving the crane, hooking the gate in two places and then lifting and securing it. “It’s got two motors on it, but they don’t necessarily run at the same speeds, so we have to keep a real good eye not to wedge the gates. It takes about an hour to get it set up. After it’s hooked up, it only takes about five minutes to get the gate up. After that, it’s smooth. It might take 20 minutes to do the next gate. We usually raise the gates about twice a year, depending on the weather,” Thompson said. “We take pride in our job here. We want to be reliable and do our part to keep the lake levels up and the environment clean where people are happy.” Superintendent Travis Cheaney also grew up in the shadow of Martin Dam, and he echoes the pride Thompson takes in his work, which includes connecting the dam and powerhouse to the local community. “We’ve had to limit it some with COVID, but we’re hoping to get back to giving tours and opening up in the near future,” Cheaney said. “We invite the local fire and police departments down here once a year to discuss any changes in the plant and make them aware of any hazards, like chemicals, that we have on site, so they have an idea of the layout and they have a plan in place if they have to come in here for an emergency.” The crew even saved a woman’s life last fall. “A lady had lost control of her car coming across the bridge and went off the embankment. You

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couldn’t see the car from the road, and people were driving by and didn’t notice her there,” Cheaney said. “One of my crew members found her. Some of my crew at the plant is trained in rescue, and they were able to help her until the life flight ambulance could get here, so they could get her to the trauma center.” Though most days at the dam are not as eventful as saving a Chris Goodman person’s life, such observation skills are important in maintaining all aspects of the four dams on the river. That’s the job of Tallapoosa River Manager Chris Goodman. With a crew of 31 employees, including mechanics, electricians, operators and superintendents, as well as compliance specialists, everyone must wear a variety of hats, said Goodman, who travels up and down the river through each dam weekly. “When I come to the dam, I do walkdowns to make sure the dam is in good working order. I walk through the plant and make observations on housekeeping and operations,” he said. “We’re a fairly lean and efficient group, so we share resources up and down the river. Employees at Rhett Hanks one dam might work at another if we have a large project, and we share equipment and inventory items and coordinate with one another for high flow events. Our primary job is flood control.” Goodman coordinates projects between the dams and sets the budget each year, as well as coordinates with corporate offices and the reservoir team, which manages the flows. The shoreline management team is charged with protecting the lake property and making sure any shoreline activities are completed in compliance with Alabama Power’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to operate Martin Dam and manage project lands and its U.S. Corps of Engineers Army Programmatic General Permit, which authorizes approval authority for certain shoreline activities within these project lands. Kristi Cheaney coordinates the workflow for team leader Rhett Hanks and four independent contractors, along with Clint McKelvey, who are on the lake

nearly every day. They make regular patrols to ensure any construction work is consistent with the general guideline for residential shoreline permitting. Preceded by a 490-page environmental impact statement, the license stipulates setback lines, buffer zones, seawall materials and other regulations. Alabama Power issues the required permits for any construction, repairs or improvements to lake homeowners’ properties. “The regulations also help to protect lake residents’ investments, keeping one person from constructing something that might encroach or adversely affect one of their neighbors,” explained Hanks, who grew up skiing on Lake Martin. “We find a lot of the violations ourselves, and most of the time, someone will contact us if we don’t find it on our patrols. The earlier we can address the problem, the faster – and less expensive – to correct.” The team manages shoreline activity for all of the lakes on the Tallapoosa River system, except Lake Harris, but 90 percent of their time is spent on Lake Martin, Hanks said. “There’s more construction here,” he explained. “We try to encourage people to apply for permits early. The permit is good for a full year, and if they apply in summer or at least in the fall, we are able to turn the applications around faster then.” McKelvey addresses most of the encroachment issues on the lake. “Addressing encroachments ensures that what is being built is within the guidelines. It helps to protect recreational use by making sure things are not being built that would hinder someone’s access. In our dayto-day work, whether we are on the lake or processing permits, we take those things into account, as well as aesthetic values,” McKelvey said. It’s a task he takes seriously, as McKelvey grew up at Eagle Creek, near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. “I’ve been here my whole life. I grew up fishing on

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Lake Martin,” he said. Kristi Cheaney keeps applications moving through the permitting process, from entering information in the system to collecting approval letters and other paperwork. She also schedules inspections and follows up with customers when additional information must be obtained. “I follow every application Kristi Cheaney through the system until the permit is issued,” she said. “I also take any complaints.” “We couldn’t do what we do without her,” Hanks said. “January has been our highest volume month so far. We had more than 200 new applications. Last year, we issued more than 1,200 permits,” Kristi noted. “We try very hard to get everyone what they need, so the work they need to do can be done. I work 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but I work until the work is done. The filing might get put off until I have more time, but the priority is that everybody gets the permit they need.” Over her eight years in the Dadeville office, Kristi has developed a system that keeps Clint McKelvey applications from getting lost in the shuffle. The amount of time it takes to process a permit application varies, as some areas of the lake require additional paperwork, such as approval letters from homeowners associations. “It goes faster if a customer submits the application through the apcshorelines.com website because that gives us more information. They also can drop off hard copies in the box we keep out in the front of the building. Because of COVID, the office is still closed to the public,” she explained. In addition to processing permits and investigating encroachment issues, McKelvey inspects boat ramps and recreational sites. When he finds something amiss – trash dumping or fallen trees that block access – he reports it to environmental affairs. Though the scope of their work doesn’t cross paths with the shoreline management team, they support each other’s missions. The mission of the environmental team is to protect Alabama’s 110

natural resources by promoting conservation and taking stewardship of the lake. “But we certainly don’t do that by ourselves,” said Jason Carlee, water field services manager. “We work with conservation partners in state, federal and private sectors and collect data used to verify regulation compliance. That means we are working with Lake Martin Resource Association, Water Watch, the Department of Conservation and others all the time.” Carlee’s team focuses primarily on water quality, but the work also includes protecting wildlife habitat, controlling invasive weeds, minimizing erosion and monitoring the bald eagle population. “For example, we have requirements to maintain minimum levels of dissolved oxygen. My team makes sure the monitors are calibrated properly and the data is collected and conveyed for analysis and then reported to ADEM,” Carlee explained. Carlee’s team surveys the lake at least twice a year in their vigilance against invasive weeds. “We are on the water quite a bit, but we also rely on homeowners,” he said. “They are pretty quick to let us know if they see something show up that they are not used to seeing.” He urges anyone who suspects an invasive vegetation stand to report it on the website or on the smartlakes app. The team also creates fish habitat and plants water willow, which provides excellent spawning habitat. They monitor the bald eagle population at Lake Martin, too, even though the birds are no longer on the protected species list. “Last year, we counted 11 bald eagles at Lake Martin. We think there are more of them here, but that’s just the ones we saw. Just because there might be an eagle nest on or near a person’s property does not mean a permit for construction wouldn’t be issued. We just want to make sure they are aware of it and they know the regulations and setback lines. The same goes for wetlands and cultural

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Journeymen conduct an array of jobs at Martin Dam, including opening spillgates after high rain events

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resources,” Carlee explained. “At Martin, minimizing erosion is a major focus. We know that shoreline construction is important, and most of it is done while the water is down, which is good, but with a typical block or vertical wall, the waves can hit the toe and wash out the earth from behind it. Riprap or a sloped design can help with that. These are the kinds of environmental conditions associated with the permits.” Buffer zones are another important environmental consideration that the team monitors, Carlee said. “A lot of homeowners on the lake want a well manicured lawn and a clear site line, but it’s important to leave a natural buffer there when you can. That way, fertilizer doesn’t run right into the lake, which impacts water quality. A 15 to 30 foot buffer also leaves access to wildlife. “I grew up in Anniston, but I’ve spent a lot of time on Martin. It’s easier to recreate on Lake Martin because it is in such good shape. It’s a special place,” he added. Building and maintaining the lake’s recreational sites is the job of Sheila Smith, who has been with Alabama Power for 30 years. Smith’s background is in business, but her passion led to the job that is likely most noticed by visitors. “I took over the recreation management role before it was a role,” Smith laughed. “The recreation program has grown and expanded over the years. We’ve taken a lot of classes and

looked at other utilities to see how they operate and to pick up ideas,” Smith said. “We have made a lot of changes as we have learned, changes that not only are good for the public but also are easier for us to maintain, and we partner with the Alabama Department of Conservation and with Freshwater Fisheries with our in-house engineers who are professionals at boat ramps. Georgia Power was in the recreation business before us, and we have learned a lot talking with them. At FERC conferences, we annually visit other utilities’ sites. It’s helpful being on site and working with people who have done it before,” she said. Smith leads a four-person team, along with a host of maintenance contractors and outside vendors, to visit each of Lake Martin’s 12 recreational sites every week year round and some locations daily during the summer season. They are supported by the local shoreline management office and have working agreements with the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries on some projects. In all, the team manages 68 public access sites across the threeriver system. Vandalism is a constant concern, Smith said. “We keep fixing it, and we do inspections frequently. We don’t want someone to show up at our sites and have something be torn up,” she said. “We stay on top of it and make sure we get everything taken care of in a timely manner. “Recently, we finished a new playground and a new paved walking trail at DARE Park. That is our most

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CRATA volunteers take part in Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers annual cleanup

popular day-use park, and Pace’s Point is the boat ramp that gets the heaviest use. That being a bigger ramp parking area, there are a lot of bass tournaments that go out of that one.” The recreation sites include boat ramps, launching piers, picnic areas with grills, restrooms, a playground, gazebos, benches, fishing piers and trails, and many of the amenities are fully accessible. These recreation opportunities are one way Alabama Power is directly involved in the community. “We are filling a need in economics. The fishermen are coming in and spending the night, spending money in the community. Our trails are another way to help the community. They are bringing in people who come to stay for a few days and not just hike one trail but also several others. We are expanding what is already here, but it’s also supporting the community,” Smith said. Community service is a big part of the culture at Alabama Power, said Goodman, who acts as liaison for the inaugural Water Cycle distance bike ride scheduled for this March. Martin Dam will host

the event, which will benefit Engineers Without Borders and will include lunch and entertainment after the ride. “They head up projects in Guatemala and other places to provide clean water and other mission type things,” Goodman explained. Cheaney’s dam team has adopted the mile of shoreline occupied by the dam and powerhouse, so they regularly pick up trash that has washed up near the dam. They are active with the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup and assist Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association volunteers, as well. “We discuss some of the issues CRATA has with vandalism or trespassing and try to support them. We have to run everything by the shoreline management group, so we are abiding by the same guidelines as everyone else,” he said. “Recently, they had someone try to drive around the main entrance gate on the trail and push some trees up. We got in there with an ATV and helped position some big rocks to keep that from happening again.” A similar attitude of stewardship can be found among every Alabama Power crew at Martin Dam and reflects the history of community service the dam represents. “Typically, some of the equipment we install or work on may be there for the next 50 years. We feel the weight of responsibility of the torch being passed to us to leave the dam in good working order, providing power to the community,” Goodman said. “When I am looking out at the river, I am aware of the fact that someone else was looking out at this river 70 years ago and that we need to leave it better than we found it.”

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The Dadeville Chamber hosted a ribbon cutting for the new performing arts center

The annual Denim & Diamonds benefit includes a silent auction

Promoting Community in Dadeville STORY BY LYNN COX & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

The Dadeville Lake Martin Area Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant organization with members who network and raise funds to promote businesses in the Dadeville and Lake Martin area. Along with promoting the businesses, the chamber sponsors events throughout the year that enhance the quality of life for the residents and help to make life great here. “Peggy Bullard, our president, works very diligently all year to make these things happen,” said Jim Cahoon, first vice president of the chamber. “The events that we put together are designed to draw people from the whole area into town and give them a chance to see what Dadeville is about,” said Cahoon. “The member businesses see the value of what the chamber is doing through these events, as they are designed to bring people to Dadeville from all over.” The slate of events for 2022 is an expansive one. A new event added to the schedule is the first Dadeville Chili Cookoff at Pennington Park on March 12. “We plan for this one to be an annual event,” Cahoon said. More events to come are the 7th Annual Cornhole Tournament held May 21 at Coppers Grill. The prize for winning this tournament is $2,000. A follow-up from last year is the 2nd Annual Summer BBQ Social. This year’s event will be held June 21 at Kylee Cooper Farms. “Last year was the first year for this event, and we saw more than 100 attend,” Cahoon said.

Later, the Fall Festival will take place in October. The Annual Dadeville Business Open House is in November, along with the 11th Annual Denim & Diamonds Charity Ball. And, of course, the 9th Annual Dadeville Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade comes during the holidays. Attracting industry to the area is also important to the Dadeville Lake Martin Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are involved with the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance and would like to attract industry to the area,” Cahoon said. “It just depends on the size of workforce needed.” One of the chamber’s industry members is Hellas Fibers, LLC, a division of Hellas Construction. Hellas Fibers makes yarn that goes into the turf for many football stadiums. The Matrix Helix Turf in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of Super Bowl LVI, started in the Dadeville Hellas plant. “Hellas is growing again and doubling in size,” Cahoon said. “They are adding another line soon.” Since Dadeville is situated on Lake Martin, most of the chamber’s business members are there to serve and support lake living, too. And the Dadeville side of Lake Martin area is growing rapidly. “In the two and a half years that I have been serving the chamber, the member businesses have grown from less than 100 to more than 196,” Cahoon said. “I just have received notification of another new business joining. Float Alabama, located at 16871 U.S. Route 280, will be open by April 1.”

The events that we put together are designed to draw people from the whole area into town and given them a chance to see what Dadeville is about.”

Jim Cahoon

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Giving people and businesses the power to succeed Alexander City 4643 Highway 280 Alexander City, AL 35010 Phone: (256) 329-7400

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Dadeville 391 North Broadnax Street Dadeville, AL 36853 Phone: (256) 215-7300

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Downtown Alexander City A Vibrant City Center STORY BY LONNA UPTON

Since 1990, Main Street Alexander City has been making things happen downtown. Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat has worked with the Main Street board of directors since 2019 to facilitate major changes in the downtown area, including grants for façade improvements, live events, boost grants to benefit member businesses and directional signage, among many other enhancement ideas. “We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that has been blessed with local foundations that donate generously, a city allocation that benefits our businesses and members in the business community who donate money to be used for advertising, marketing, grants, decorations and events. Besides salary and rental fees for office space, every penny goes back into the city,” Jeffcoat said. In the last 15 years, Main Street has invested more than a half-million dollars into making downtown Alexander City shopping friendly and visually appealing. Businesses join for $100 per year, which gives them the benefit of Main Street’s advertisement, marketing and social media. Member businesses are also eligible to apply for boost grants up to $1,000 to boost their businesses. The grants could cover expenses for everything from shelving to point of sale terminals, anything that will help them grow their businesses, which will then indirectly impact all businesses in Alexander City, as well as shoppers. Façade grants are matching grants to improve the exterior of business spaces in the downtown area. “We work to maintain the integrity of downtown by refreshing and improving the look of the buildings and signage. We have a quaint downtown, and we want to keep it that way. The updated storefronts are inviting and exciting,” Jeffcoat said. Main Street’s lighting project in the trees, creating a Lighting adds a festive atmosphere year round

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festive look year-round, has been a plus for nighttime visitors, and newly installed wireless speakers on the light posts will add music to the streets for all special events. The organization has replaced garbage cans, added tables and umbrellas and provided potted plants that beautify the sidewalks and welcome residents and visitors alike to the city. Events that bring people downtown are part of Main Street’s mission. Making that happen year-round is exhausting, Jeffcoat said, but fun. October includes trick-or-treating downtown and a great pumpkin patch. Christmas has special shopping days and festive décor, which this year will include Christmas music on the street through the new speakers. Throughout the year, monthly Bingo Under the Stars and Third Thursday shopping nights with live music keep customers coming to the downtown streets. “Our restaurants are a great draw. Most people don’t realize that we have become very diversified in our food choices downtown. For example, Carib Kitchen and Taqueria Avita make it happen by only serving fresh food, made daily. We have wonderful Italian at Castellucio’s. And we have great variety of American fare, including wings at J.R.’s and steak at Jake’s,” Jeffcoat said. Jeffcoat is an ambassador of sorts for the businesses that operate downtown. She believes that Alexander City’s smalltown businesses provide customer service that is second to none. She also praises the unique downtown shops that carry items customers won’t find in the big box stores. Helping those businesses succeed keeps Jeffcoat and Main Street Alexander City working hard to make things happen.

Main Street Alexander City hosts street concerts downtown

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Helping business happen here

Alexander City Chamber

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR & CLIFF WILLIAMS

Jazz Fest is the longest running free concert in Alabama

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce has been makand it’s one of the best ways we can make it great in ing the city a great place to live since 1910 when comAlexander City,” explained Collari. munity patriarch Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell helped to The chamber engages students directly through a variestablish the Commercial Club of Alexander City. Ten ety of programs, including CHOICES and the Wildcat years later, the name was changed to the chamber of com- Entrepreneurial Academy. The two-day CHOICES activimerce, and the organization has showcased the business ties, led by chamber volunteers, empower eighth-grade community ever since through events, programs and mem- students with real life examples that highlight the imporbership development, said chamber president and CEO Ed tance of staying in school to increase their career and life Collari. options. WEA is a year-long program “The chamber developed our stratethat supports students in starting and Chamber president gic plan, Partners in Progress, in 2019 running their own real businesses. High and CEO with four main initiatives that showcase school students are guided through the Ed Collari what the chamber can do to make it process of developing business ideas, great here,” Collari said. writing plans, pitching their startups to The focus of the plan is community local investors, obtaining funding and development through support for existlegally establishing their endeavors. ing business and entrepreneurship, a Though the COVID-19 pandemic partnership with education, retail and interrupted some of these programs, commercial recruitment and destination they will resume as soon as possible. marketing and community engagement. Quality of life is enhanced when Stability and growth of existing new retail and commercial business is business is crucial to the community. recruited for the community, and this The chamber’s support for these existinitiative is seeing success, especially ing entities includes workshops and programs that help on the U.S. Route 280 corridor. The popular Chick-fil-A business owners meet identified needs with targeted prechain opened here late last year, and work is under way sentations. This initiative also includes an entrepreneurial on a new Sonic restaurant. The Wharf also has announced recruitment program that is supported by Lake Martin plans to build in Alexander City, and property has been Innovation Center, a business incubator that offers gradupurchased for a grocery-anchored shopping center at the ated services to new and growing startups. intersection of U.S. Route 280 and state Route 63. In addiThe partnership with education initiative calls for busition, Russell Marine recently opened the Russell Boating ness leaders to work directly with school leaders to iden& Outdoor store just off the highway, as well. tify and develop programs, facilities and faculty that will “The objective of the remaining initiative – community better educate the future citizens of Alexander City. engagement and destination marketing – is to make sure “It’s important for the chamber to support education, as there is always something to do here,” Collari elaborated. it’s the foundation of the community and economic devel“It’s the events we put on that make our area unique.” opment. It helps to ensure that our workforce is strong, One such signature event is the annual Jazz Fest, which 120

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will celebrate its 32nd year in 2022. The two-day, twolocation music festival was started when a local downtown department store celIt’s important for ebrated its 100th the chamber to year in business. “It is the lonsupport education, gest running free concert event in as it’s the foundation Alabama,” Collari of the community said. But the chamand economic ber keeps the party development. It helps rolling by supporting a variety to ensure that our of events all year long in an attempt workforce is strong, to improve the and it’s one of the quality of life for residents and to best ways we can attract visitors to make it great in the area. Among the most popular Alexander City.” of these activities is the annual Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge, which raises funds for the Lake Martin Resource Association buoy program on the lake. Lead Forward is a women’s conference that encourages and empowers women in the business community. More than 400 women attend this event year after year. The Sun Festival celebration of summer takes place during the two weeks prior to Jazz Fest and brings families together with fun and meaningful activities to delight children and adults alike. From entering baking contests to scouring the landscape to finding the hidden medallion for a cash prize, Sun Festival celebrates the community spirit in new and unique ways. One of the chamber’s most beloved of events, the annual Hometown Christmas Parade brings citizens out in droves, no matter the weather. The parade route is lined with spectators as floats drive by in the competition for annual bragging rights and parade-goers are invited to join in the singing of favorite carols as the bands march along. “These and other events show how great our community is, as well as what we do to make our city great,” Collari explained. The chamber’s continued progress and success is a testament to the business leaders whose vision of greatness led to the founding the organization more than 100 years ago.

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WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

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The beauty of Lake Martin surpasses many other vacation destinations

Lake Martin Amphitheater hosts a summer concert series

Wildlife is abundant at Lake Martin

Tell everyone about it STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, JAKE ARTHUR & AUDRA SPEARS

For many years, Lake Martin was touted as the South’s best-kept secret. A haven for summer fun, the lake hosted families and friends who relished the lazy days skiing, swimming and picnicking among the islands. Our Treasured Lake grew popular as a secondhome market and vacation destination, and in the last decade, it became apparent Lake Martin was an economic engine that warranted investment. A branding consultant helped business leaders coin the phrase that now identifies the lake as Alabama’s Freshwater Coast. With solid experience in economic development, Sandra Fuller was hired as the executive director of Tallapoosa County Tourism, and Brandy Hastings came on board as executive director of Lake 122

Martin Tourism Association in Alexander City. It is the job of these two organizations to tell the world about the great things to do – the great places to stay, the great food to eat, the great experiences that await – at Lake Martin. “The greatest thing we make at Lake Martin is memories,” said Hastings. “There is nothing more special than making memories with the people we care about. Those are the things that mean more than anything else. “We work hard at telling the story of our destination and showing visitors the types of memories they can make here. Many people don’t even know all of the types of memories they can make until we tell those stories. There was a time in my life when I would never

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

Lake views are second to none

CRATA’s outdoor education center attracts visitors year round

Feeding goats makes you smile

The fireworks show at Lake Martin Amphitheater is one of the best in the Southeast

have thought of going to an island in the middle of a beautiful lake and feeding Cheetos to goats, but anyone who has visited Goat Island will tell you, that is a pretty awesome memory that you will talk about for years to come.” Those memories play a crucial role in bringing revenue and jobs to lake area communities, enhancing the quality of life here even more, Fuller said. “We all have a hand in it,” she noted. “All of us have created this energy. Three years ago, I put together the first list of annual events for the calendar on Tallapoosa County Tourism’s new website, and there are even more events now. I think we feed off of each other’s energy. I’ve seen it on the Dadeville Square with the new businesses that are opening there, and in the growth of our restaurants on Main Street in Alexander City.” The economic impact of tourism filters through the community when visitors spend money at local shops, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels and campgrounds, Hastings explained. “That money goes into the hands of our local residents who are working in those establishments. They then take that money and spend it on their mortgage, doctor visits, babysitters, lawn maintenance and more. The money that comes in from our visitors definitely helps our local business owners and direct tourism related businesses, but it is filtered throughout our com-

munity as well. The dollar that comes from our visitors actually affects many industries. Everyone is affected by the economic impact that tourism makes here,” she said. In addition, overnight visitors – whether staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds or vacation rental homes – pay a lodging tax that funds a variety of city projects and services. Fuller said she is seeing the growth extend well beyond the boundaries of Lake Martin. “The lake is a big draw, but I see a lot of activity growing on the river. There is more interest there than I have seen in a long time,” she said. Fuller also serves on the Alabama Governor’s tourism advisory board, and through that entity hopes to establish better hospitality education opportunities at the high school level. “I want to see us better prepare our workforce for hospitality jobs,” she said. A more educated hospitality workforce could draw more new businesses to the area, influxing the lake’s surrounding communities with more spendable income. “There is a lot of competition for where people can travel, but we work very hard to keep enticing visitors to come here to make their memories, so in turn, tourism can make a greater impact on our community,” Hastings said.

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Bringing new jobs to the community STORY BY LONNA UPTON

Business and government leaders work together to support jobs in the Lake Martin area

The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance makes great things happen by attracting new business and industry while increasing retention for existing businesses and industries in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. LMAEDA director Since 1998, the LMAEDA has Chad Odom helped to locate 20 new companies, to facilitate 22 expansions and to create more than 3,800 jobs in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. Among the recent new businesses is Westwater Resources, which will build the country’s only graphite processing facility in Kellyton. The Colorado-based company will add more than 140 local jobs at the country’s first battery-grade graphite processing plant. Related new business commitments are expected, as LMAEDA and city officials throughout the counties have said they will aggressively recruit complementary industry. Another addition to the local economy will be the expansion of Montgomery’s Cushion Source company into New Site, which will bring 25 cut-and-sew skilled positions. The company announced they would bring some of their operations to a facility there that once was used by a textile company. “As the only truly regional organization that focuses on Coosa and Tallapoosa counties, we take a holistic

approach to creating jobs and creating a workforce. We market sites for primary jobs, for industries that make things here and then sell them. We have a vested interest in industrial attraction and recruitment by offering the great quality of life we have here in the Lake Martin area,” said Chad Odom, executive director of LMAEDA since 2020. The LMAEDA relies on cooperation and funds from well-established local and private entities, individuals and businesses, who believe the Lake Martin area provides a safe community with excellent quality of life, infrastructure and a labor force for companies interested in locating to Tallapoosa or Coosa counties. “One of our greatest draws in the Lake Martin area is Central Alabama Community College. With CACC offering dual enrollment and customized workforce training, we can pipeline workers into the jobs. When we meet with prospective businesses, the dean of workforce and the president of CACC are there to explain how they work to maintain and retain our workforce. Alabama does a great job with funds that help with our workforce,” Odom said. “Once we get companies here, they will come back. We have a history of doing it right with new industry, so it’s easy to show it,” he said.

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AD INDEX

A-1 Lock & Key.........................................................16

Hella’s...........................................................................72

Radney Funeral Home..................................126-127

A&M Plumbing...........................................................64

Heritage South Credit Union............................. 115

Radney, Radney, Jackson........................................ 119

AAA General Contractors.....................................48

Holiday Cove Vacation Rentals........................... 128

Red Ridge United Methodist Church............... 119

Advanced Cardio......................................................76

Holman Floor Company.........................................11

River Bank...................................................................64

Alabama Power..........................................................17

Huddle House............................................................77

Russell Building Supply.......................................... 101

Alexander City Board of Education.................. 119

Hyde’s Kitchen........................................................ 128

Russell Do it Center............................................. 101

Alexander City Chamber of Commerce...........33

Insurance Solutions Group.....................................76

Russell Lands on Lake Martin..............................2-3

Alexander City Methodist Church......................31

Jim’s Pharmacy............................................................11

Russell Marine............................................................43

Alex City Guide Service.........................................31

JK Staffing.....................................................................38

Russell Medical...........................................................27

Alex City Marine.......................................................17

Karen Channell, State Farm................................. 114

Sandra Booker, Realtor............................................54

Alex City Vet...............................................................16

Kent Norris D.M.D................................................ 119

Satterfield....................................................................38

Angela VanHouten, Lake Homes Realty................9

Kerley Motor Company..........................................16

Sav-A-Life.................................................................. 124

Arthur Gallager...................................................... 121

Kona Ice.......................................................................77

Scooter’s Coffee........................................................77

AVS Pros......................................................................69

Koon’s Korner............................................................26

Scotty Gordon, Cornerstone Insurance.......... 119

Bice Motors................................................................76

Lake Broadcasting.....................................................54

Screaming Eagle Eco-Canopy Adventures..........81

Big Fish Real Estate Group.......................................5

Lake Martin EDA.................................................... 113

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

Bill’s Electric..................................................................8

Lake Martin HOBO’s...............................................16

Selling Lake Martin....................................................31

Bill Nichols State Veterans Home...................... 114

Lake Martin Inspections..........................................48

Sheriff Jimmy Abbett.............................................. 128

Buck’s Dairy Quick...................................................77

Lake Martin Mortgage..............................................48

SiteMix of Alabama...................................................97

Caldwell Electronics.............................................. 128

Lake Martin Pizza......................................................38

Skier’s Marine.............................................................73

Central Alabama Community College................21

Lake Martin Realty................................................. 131

SK Services.................................................................45

City of Alexander City.......................................... 124

Lake Martin Resource Association.......................55

SL Alabama..................................................................25

Cherokee Qwik Stop...............................................77

Lake Martin Signature Construction................ 130

Super 8.........................................................................76

Children’s Harbor.....................................................91

Lake Martin Tourism.................................................33

Tallapoosa County BOE....................................... 105

Chuck’s Marina..........................................................86

Lakeshore Pharmacy................................................54

Temple Medical Center...........................................26

Coosa Valley MRI.......................................................48

Langley Funeral Home..................................126-127

The Sure Shot............................................................96

Coosa Valley Respiratory........................................96

Larry McAnally Construction................................26

Thomas Auto Parts.....................................................8

Country Financial......................................................72

Leigh Ann Wren, State Farm..................................22

Those Lake Martin Guys.........................................39

Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce...............8

Lynch Lawn Care.......................................................54

Town of New Site.....................................................96

Dark Insurance..........................................................26

Lynn’s Qwik Stop......................................................77

Trinity Custom Homes......................................... 128

Diamond Golf Cars..................................................85

Madix............................................................................52

UAB Heart & Vascular.............................................38

Dock’s Unlimited.......................................................22

Main Avenue Appartments................................... 121

Valley Bank............................................................... 117

Downtown Body Shop............................................31

Main Street Title & Closings............................... 114

Vapor Queen........................................................... 128

Dunning Roofing..................................................... 129

Millstone Nursery.....................................................48

Virginia Pettus, Aronov..................................... 12-13

Electronic Technology Group................................96

Moore’s Hardware................................................. 128

Who’s Diner...............................................................77

Emporium Wine..................................................... 103

Moore Wealth Management................................ 124

Wind Creek State Park...........................................86

Farmer’s & Merchants Bank................................ 103

Onin Staffing...............................................................16

Wright Angle..............................................................54

First Baptist Church, Dadeville........................... 114

Overlook Farms........................................................92

Wright’s Funeral Home........................................ 121

Gary Ingram Grading & Paving..............................22

Papa John’s Pizza........................................................77

Zajac’s...........................................................................54

George Hardy, DMD................................................31

Playhouse Cinemas...................................................77

Harbor Pointe Marina..............................................65

Premier Pools & Spa................................................86 WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

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L A K E M A R T I N R E A LT Y. C O M

Unlock the value in your lake home and trust the market leaders.

Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417

Allison Ladson 256.750.0711

Damon Story 205.789.9526

Mike Davis 256.226.1238

Lindsay Kane 256.675.6792

Amy Duncan 256.212.2222

Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071

India Davis 256.749.7592

Judy Voss 256.794.0779

Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681

John McInnish 334.415.2149

Michelle Brooks-Slayman 256.749.1031

Jan Hall 256.329.6313

Sawyer Davis 205.965.7940

Jim Cleveland 256.596.2220

Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017

Becky Haynie 334.312.0928

Adam Yager 205.914.0830

Mimi Rush 334.399.7874

Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099

Judith Jager 205.789.0698

Cindy Scroggins 256.794.3372

David Mitchell 256.212.3511

Howard Haynie 334.312.0693

Haley Fuller 256.750.2411

Randall Rogers 334.707.5804

Denise Cochran 256.786.2484

John Shelton 404.858.9198

WE’RE THE MARKET LEADER Lake Martin Waterfront Market Share

132

OURTOWN

256.212.1498

WILLOW POINT

256.212.1498

OTHER COMPETITORS

44%

DADEVILLE

256.825.9092

OUR CLOSEST COMPETITOR

LAKE MARTIN REALTY/ RUSSELL LANDS *LMAAR/MLS Member Firms Sales Volume Data January 2021 – December 2021

WE MAKE IT GREAT HERE! | FEBRUARY 2022

We Make It Great Here!

Articles inside

Tell everyone about it

Bringing new jobs to the community

Helping business happen

Downtown Alexander City

Promoting Community in Dadeville

Fresh Surroundings at City Hall

Faces of the Lake

Quality Care in the Neighborhood

A Legacy of Care at Russell Medical

Urgent Care in Under an Hour

Fighting for Futures at LMAUW

Education makes a workforce greeat

News Coverage Plus a Whole Lot More

A Fine Arts Community

Shopping and Dining

Remembering what happened here

Where fun meets life

Tales of Dadeville

Greatness that changed the world

A Park for the Community

Miles to explore

Adventure on the River

Get out and play

Lake Martin

Love on Lake Martin

Your Home Away from Home

Wickles Pickles

Jobs created in New Site

Jeffery Long Designs

Monumental Robinson Iron

Bring on the Game

Jamie’s Brunswick Stew

Automotive Industry Suppliers

Tangible Ministry at New Water Farms