JULY 2015
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W O ! N PEN O
Used Boat Super Center NOW OPEN! Singleton Marine has been serving Lake Martin families since 1988. We’re excited to announce that we’ve opened a dedicated Used Boat Super Center on Highway 49 South in Dadeville. Stop by and see our wide selection of tow boats, pontoons, sport boats, and more. Or, check out our entire New and Used inventory online at SingletonMarine.com. Singleton Marine Used Boat Super Center 5792 Highway 49 South Dadeville, AL 36853 888-606-3535
Selling Your Boat? We want it! Get a buy bid at SellUsYourBoat.com.
Used
Boat
Super
Center
JULY 2015
888-606-3535 LAKE 3 SingletonMarine.com
Letter from the Editor
Staff
L
ake Martin holds more than 528 billion gallons of water and probably just as many memories, with more created all the time, especially during these long, lazy days of summer. The folks at Big Beach made some happy memories one weekend last month when they welcomed Outlook editor Mitch Sneed to the social event on Woods Island. Mitch will be a regular there now, as long as he follows the rules. Find out what those are in this month’s Geography 101 feature on page 26. Just around the corner on another island beach, memories are made at regularly scheduled mid-week picnics all summer when the Lutz family meets friends to watch the sun set over the lake. They started the counting-blessings ritual five years ago, and it just keeps getting better. Kenneth Boone caught the festivities in pictures on page 50. Lauren Meredith is a fourth generation lake-lover who started coming to Lake Martin long before her first memory was formed. Read her story on page 58 and learn why Lake Martin will always be special to her. Dixie Sailing Club members took a more formal approach to creating Lake Martin memories on June 20 when they held their annual introduction to sailing class at New Hope. Cliff Williams was there, and he shares those memories with you in pictures on page 43. The Fourth of July is always a great opportunity to make new memories at the lake, and Ed Bailey helps with those plans in his preview of holiday activities on page 34. Whether you choose to attend an arts and crafts event, boat parade, games for the kids, fireworks or all of the above, Lake Martin opens her heart to show you a good time. But please remember that caution, sound judgment and safety are key to having a good time at the lake. Make certain you have all of the essential tools, equipment and spare parts on board (see Jennifer Brady’s article on page 38) to ensure that you’re prepared for every possible situation. Just before this issue of Lake went to press, we received news of a boating accident with a fatality on Lake Martin. As the incident was still under investigation, it was not yet clear what happened, but we offer our condolences to the families involved. And we urge our readers to enjoy the lake responsibly and with care and respect, so the hundreds of billions of memories made here may be happy ones.
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Managing Editor BETSY ILER
editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER
tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing Coordinators SCOTT HARDY
scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com
MISSY FONTE
missy.fonte@alexcityoutlook.com
KIM MORSE
kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com
HEATHER GLENN
heather.glenn@alexcityoutlook.com
Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK
david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com
Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS
audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com
DARLENE JOHNSON
darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com
HALLIE HOLLOWAY
hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com
Contributors KENNETH BOONE JOHN COLEY HENRY FOY JULIE HUDSON ROB MCDANIEL GREG VINSON CLIFF WILLIAMS
LEE WILLIAMS MITCH SNEED DAVID GRANGER SAWYER DAVIS JENNIFER BRADY ED BAILEY ROBERT HUDSON
All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of:
Betsy Iler Managing Editor
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Editor & Publisher KENNETH BOONE
256-234-4281 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011
JULY 2015
On the Cover Cover: The annual Fourth of July Boat Parade at Kowaliga is one of the most popular events on Lake Martin, as hundreds of boaters participate, and even more watch from Children's Harbor, the bridge and nearby roadways. Photo by Kenneth Boone
JULY 2015
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JULY 2015
Langley Funeral Home PO Box 130 21837 U.S. Highway 280 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-896-2571 www.langleyfuneralhome.com
Contents 20. BY-THE-NUMBERS Alabama Marine Police on Lake Martin give as many warnings as they do tickets 32. CEDAR POINT A new development opens on Lake Martin at Little Kowaliga Creek 34. LET FREEDOM RING Lake Martin celebrates Independence Day with enthusiasm and style 38. WHAT YOU NEED ON THE BOAT Experts tell you how to gear up for boating at the lake this summer 43. LEARNING TO SAIL Dixie Sailing Club spreads the Gospel of the Wind 50. THE MID-WEEK SLOW DOWN When the weekend traffic goes home, the real fun begins at the lake
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58. WHAT LAKE MARTIN MEANS Fourth generation lake-lover Lauren Meredith shares vacation memories at Lake Martin 61. HOBOS START NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH See something; say something to protect property at the lake 64. ON THE VERANDAS Russell Lands On Lake Martin unveils the latest cabin design
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES: 9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. LAKE EVENTS 18. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 22. Q&A 26. GEO 101 28. NATURE OF THE LAKE
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74. BEHIND THE BOAT 78. LAKE PROPERTY 79. FAB FINDS 81. LMRA 82. HEALTHY LIVING 84. BIG CATCHES 86. CHEF'S TABLE 89. FROM THE CELLAR 91. PRO TIPS & ANOTHER GOOD LIE
50 Lake magazine also features an online, digital edition, available 24 hours a day, free of charge. This edition is perfect to share with friends and family and provides you complete access to stories, photos and advertisements from anywhere in the world with Internet access. View our digital edition today at www.issuu.com.
JULY 2015
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR JOHN THOMPSON Dear Editor: This letter is to express appreciation to Sawyer Davis for his article in the June issue of Lake magazine. His topic, “We can afford to be neighborly,” addressed several issues that most of us have encountered on Lake Martin. Sawyer spoke directly to the wakeboard community in a manner that only a person with his talents could. Hopefully, those who enjoy the sport of wakeboarding will follow his advice and watch their wakes in crowded areas. He suggested they maintain a considerable distance, at least 100 feet, from a pier. Lake Martin is large, and there is plenty of space for this popular activity if those who enjoy participating will be more respectful and considerate of others. Thanks, Sawyer. John Thompson President Lake Martin Resource Association
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JULY 2015
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month
Number of sales
Average selling price
Median selling price
Days on the market
Total houses for sale
Inventory/ sales ratio
33 31 24
$508,879 $466,137 $430,154
$350,000 $393,000 $322,500
201 242 166
372 394 605
15.08 21.99 49.93
May 2015 May 2012 May 2009
The above numbers are derived from raw sales data from the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors MLS.The sales noted above are for Lake Martin waterfront residential (single family and condominium) sales only. This informtion is provided courtesy Lake Martin Realty, LLC. (A Russell Lands, Inc. affiliated company.)
pendence - on July 2 - that the day of the vote would be the most memorable in the history of America, and he believed succeeding generations would celebrate with festivals the great anniversary of this day of deliverance. "It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more," he wrote. The confusion of dates seems to have its origin in the date of print for the Dunlap edition of the Declaration of Independence, the version that was circulated to the states. That date was July 4, 1776.
Did You Know?
Technically, July 2 might more appropriately be celebrated as Independence Day in the United States of America instead of July 4; at least, that's what John Adams (1735-1826) wrote to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776. Adams, the second U.S. president and one of three U.S. presidents to die on the Fourth of July, wrote his wife the day after the Continental Congress voted for inde-
Some information for this article was found in The Fourth of July Encyclopedia by James R. Heintze (2007 McFarland & Company, Inc.)
July's Fishing Forecast “Fish at night or leave the poles up on the dock and go swimming instead,” joked B.J. Barnett at Fish Tales Bait & Tackle in Alexander City. “I say that, but it’s almost true. “If you have to fish during the day, go up above the railroad trestle and drift across with live worms and find the catfish in 15 to 20 feet of water. “If you can fish at night, fish around pier lights. Find some underwater brush, set up some lights, and you can fish all night,” he said. “But whatever you do, be careful, slow down and pay attention. When the lake gets crowded in the summer, it’s hard to see. Just be safe out there.”
Sheriff Abbett: Protect Your Property at the Lake To deter breakins, a solid core door with a single-cylinder, horizontal deadbolt lock is the best choice in home construction, according to Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett and the National Neighborhood Watch Insti-
tute. Because there is no glass in the door, a wide-angle viewer with good peripheral vision of 180 to 200 degrees is recommended. Metal doors have been known to bend inward under sufficient pressure, and the beveled shapes
of panel doors contain weak spots, rendering these types less effective for home protection. French doors also can be compromised with minimal pushing or kicking and are not the first choice for home protection.
Weather Report
Lake Levels
Year to Date
Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 489.64 Lowest: 489.43 Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and water-related equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
Precipitation: 26.97 inches Avg. high temp.: 69.1 Avg. low temp.: 45.5 Average temp.: 57.3
Our Normal July Precipitation: 5.55 inches Avg. high temp.: 98 Avg. low temp.: 62 Average temp.: 80.1
July 2015 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s with lows in the mid 60s and about 5.5 inches of precipitation in the month of July. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly above average levels this month, but rainfall is expected to be in the average range. Information from the National Weather Service
JULY 2015
For up-to-date lake levels, log on to https://lakes. alabamapower.com.
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LAKE SCENE
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
PEOPLE AND PLACES
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Reader Submissions (1) Audra Spears watched a shelf cloud move across the lake near Sturdivant as the storm blew in on Memorial Day.. (2) Roxanna "Roxy" Bain Rayfield, 2 years old, this summer got to swim in Lake Martin by herself for the first time. (3) Randy McClendon was thinking of his daughter Kimberly (6/8/81 to 6/10/04) when he photographed a storm moving over the lake at Little Kowaliga Creek. (4) Two-year-old Jakob McDonald spent a wonderful three-day weekend on beautiful Lake Martin. (5) "Tank" keeps watch over Sophie Burks as she wakeboards on Lake Martin. (6) Dale Burns posted this photo on our Facebook page - few scenes are as beautiful as the sun setting over Lake Martin. This one was taken in Coosa County.
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JULY 2015
LAKE SCENE
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
PEOPLE AND PLACES
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Reader Submissions (1) Lawton and Brice Webb leap into summer with Grady (the dog) at their heels. (2) Will and Sara Tate Schroeder are glad to be at the Willow Point condo on Lake Martin. (3) Eight-year-old Zachary Lancaster couldn't wait to get out on the lake for some wakeboarding this spring. (4) Alex Graydon wakeskates on the lake at sunset.. (5) Ashleigh Taylor snapped this shot of alert lake dog Clyde Murphy watching the storms roll in on Memorial Day. (6) Jack Russell rescue dog Olive has adjusted well to lake life, as she helps Reese Davis drive the boat.
6 JULY 2015
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12 LAKE
JULY 2015
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?
Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
PEOPLE AND PLACES
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Reader Submissions (1) Gail Zeanah and Jack Hitchcock took Lake to Monaco on a 10-ports-of-call Mediterranean cruise. (2) Rick, Emily, William and Hays Marks of Montgomery took Lake to Disney World in May. (3) Grady James took Lake to the White House in Washingto,n D.C., on Horseshoe Bend's fifth and sixth grade school trip. (4) Al and Liz Teel stopped outside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican while on their honeymood in Rome, Italy. (5) Angela Allen, Nina and Tony Johnson, Lita Snellgrove and John Garrett toured the Bacardi Rum Distellery in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during a family trip with Lake magazine.
JULY 2015
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
Now through July 24 Lindsey Christina at Gallery 128
July 3-4 Arti Gras
July 3 Fireworks Bash
July 4 Boat Parade
Birmingham artist Lindsey Christina brings Old World press art with a modern twist to Gallery 128 through July 24. The downtown gallery is located at Emporium Wine on Calhoun Street in Alexander City. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department will hold its third annual Fireworks Bash 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., featuring Rexton Lee, Joey Gettings, Jimmy Jones and the Time Pieces and more. Admission is $5 per person. There will be barbecue, hamburgers, hotdogs and other refreshments, arts and crafts and activities for the children. Bring family and friends!
July 3 Alexander City Celebrates Freedom
The annual celebration of America’s independence will be held at Benjamin Russell High School from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The family-oriented event will include fun for all ages. Musical artists include The Spirituals and The Martins. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/alexcityscelebratefreedom. 14 LAKE
This annual juried art show on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads has expanded to two days this year, starting at noon on Friday until 8:30 p.m. and open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Come visit with friends, browse the tents and take home some great conversational art pieces from this year’s Arti Gras.
Bring a lawn chair and watch the decorated boats parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s Harbor and back at this year’s boat parade, sponsored by Russell Lands On Lake Martin. Or better yet, join the the fun and drive your boat in the parade. Entry is free, but participants must register at the marina. Prizes will be awarded for largest flag, tallest flag, most patriotic decorations and most creative. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.
July 4 Concert & Fireworks
Nationwide Coverage returns this year for the prefireworks concert at The Lake Martin Amphitheater. Bring lawn chairs, coolers and kids. Spread a blanket on the hillside and then settle back for some great music at 6 p.m. and the most spectacular fireworks show in the Southeast at 9 p.m.
JULY 2015
Watch this year's Fourth of July Boat Parade at Kowaliga, or decorate your boat and join the fun!
July 4 Crossroads Garden Pancake Breakfast
The Community Garden Club will host a pancake breakfast benefit in the Arts Cabin at Russell Crossroads from 8 to 10 a.m. Pancakes, juice and coffee will be served. The cost is $5 and should be paid with cash or check.
July 4 Heart of Waverly Bluegrass Festival
The second annual concert will start at 11 a.m. at Standard Deluxe in Waverly, and the bands will play until 8 p.m. Bring blankets, coolers, chairs and friends but no dogs or glass, please. For information and tickets, visit www. standarddeluxe.com.
July 11 Faux Bitik Workshop
The Art Association of Central Alabama will hold a Faux Bitik workshop at The College Gallery at 10 a.m. Dottie Holdren will be the instructor. Cost of the class is $37.50, and participants can pick up a supply list at the gallery. Registration deadline is July 6. For information, call Holdren at 256-377-4918.
July 14 Dadeville Library Underdog Program
Company of the Midsouth to focus on animals that may seem ordinary but in fact have developed heightened senses or other traits that often are overlooked by the casual observer. The exhibit will include chinchilla, fennec fox, sulcate tortoise, black-headed python and more. For details, call 256-825-7820.
July 18 Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run
This annual charity event on Lake Martin, sponsored by Russell Marine, raises funds for area charities. Players can sign up at 8:30 a.m. at The Ridge Marina before visiting each of the Russell marinas to collect a hand of cards. Highest and lowest hands win prizes at the post-event party at Kowaliga Restaurant. Best costumed crew wins a prize, as well. Call 256-212-1416 for entry details.
July 18 Horseshoe Bend Militia Day
A Tennessee Militia living history drill will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Horseshoe Bend National Park. Demonstrators will show how militia men trained before taking up arms in the Creek War of 1813-1814. For details, call 256-234-7111.
July 18-25 Sun Festival
The library will host the National History Educational
The third annual SunFestival in Alexander City kicks off
JULY 2015
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Saturday, July 18, and features a week of parties, paddling races, arts and crafts fun, concerts in the park and a battle of the bands, theatrical productions, barbecue cook-offs and a finale concert with headliner David Nail, followed by a fireworks show. Fun for the kids and the whole family. Call the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 256-234-3461 for information.
July 18 Book Sale
The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will sponsor a book sale in the library basement (205 North West Street) from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Stuff a plastic bag full for only $5 and spend the rest of the summer reading! Best sellers, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, travel books, books for young readers, coffee table books, self-help and more. All proceeds benefit the public library. Call 256-825-7820 for more information.
MainStreet Farmers Market
Shop the produce of local growers every Saturday morning at the Broad Street Plaza in downtown Alexander City to pick up fresh and seasonal, fruits, honey, jams, jellies and relishes, eggs, herb plants, lotions, creams, shampoo and conditioner, soaps made from goats’ milk and beeswax byproducts. Local growers will offer their products from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Catherine’s Market Wine Tastings
Gather around a table with friends at Catherine’s Market from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 4 to taste a selection of wines. Your $5 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any featured wines for the evening.
Yoga on the Green
July 19 Tallapoosee Historical Society
The quarterly meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Call Will Ponder at 256-825-4492 or Sharon Gaither 256-825-4687 for meeting location and details.
July 28 Clay Greer at Gallery 128
Rising Alexander City artist, Clay Greer will exhibit his collection entitled “Decadence” at downtown Alexander City’s Gallery 128. Greer will present a new collection of works inspired by both his Southern upbringing and time spent apprenticing under master artist Nall in France. The artworks exhibited will include oil paintings, thermographic prints and sculpture, each with a unique story to tell. Gallery 128 is located in Emporium Wine at 128 Calhoun Street in Alexander City. The exhibit will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July 21, 24 and 26 A Very Rich Woman
Patti Smith of Alexander City takes the lead role in Ruth Gordon's comedy in three acts about a very wealthy widow whose children become alarmed when she starts spending her fortune. Performances will be held at the Central Alabama Community College auditorium in Alexander City at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are available online at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets also are available at A Second Act on Cherokee Road in Alexander City or from any board member or cast member.
Aug. 22 Horseshoe Bend Muster on the Tallapoosa
Horseshoe Bend Military Park will hold a commemoration of its establishment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A living history show will illustrate life during the early 1800s for both American Indians and the earliest American settlers. For details, call 256-234-7111. 16 LAKE
Season-Long Events
Bring a mat and a bottle of water to the Russell Crossroads Town Green at 7 a.m. Saturdays through to Sept. 5 to start the day with yoga.
Fridays on the Green
What could be better than bands, lawn games and beautiful sunsets on the Town Green all summer long? The music starts at 6:30 p.m. every Friday, just in time to drop your luggage at the lakehouse and meet your friends at Russell Crossroads.
Library Storytime
Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Electronics Recycling
The City of Alexander City Public Works Department will host an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in conjunction with the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership. Electronics contain a number of harmful chemicals. The events give citizens a chance to get rid of old and outdated electronics without risking the water supply by sending them to a landfill. Items accepted include desktop or laptop computers, computer mouse, keyboards, modems or routers, CDs and DVDs, power supplies, PC mix systems, home or cell phones, printers or copiers, mainframe servers, TVs, audio/video adapters, laptop chargers, cable boxes and nickel cadmium or lithium ion batteries. There is a $10 fee per television. For more information, call Sabrina Wood at 334-429-8832 or Amanda Thomas at 256-409-2020.
Real Island Supper
The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month at the Real Island Volunteer Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 Real Island Road, Equality. It's a lot of fun, and everyone is welcome. Admission is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share. Some nights are “themed,” so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain types of food are in order. For more information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.
JULY 2015
HANDMADE INDOOR/ OUTDOOR TEAK FURNITURE Show this ad & receive additio nal 10% discount off already wholes ale prices.
Sofas & Benches - Coffee Tables Side Tables - Dining & Conference Tables Chairs & Bar Stools - Pub Bar Sets - Consoles - Sofa Sets Carvings: Horses, Eagles, Tigers, Elephants Antler Lamps & Coat Racks - Brazilian Cow Hides Silk Plants Call for viewing of 3,000 sq. ft. showroom 256-896-1111 or 334-559-6625 1405 Old Hwy 280, Camp Hill, AL 36850 See the map on page 92-93 for directions.
JULY 2015
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Lake Martin News State Park shows growth
At a time when state budgetary concerns have cast a shadow on the future of some state parks, numbers suggest that Wind Creek’s future should remain bright. The Lake Martin campground – the largest in the state park system – accommodated more than 10,000 visitors over Memorial Day, a 25.8 percent increase over the previous year. According to Alabama State Parks Chief Management Analyst Thomas Dunlap, statistics show that Wind Creek continues to be one of the state’s most popular parks with visitors and is one of the few that are consistently profitable. “We look at parks several different ways, but in terms of park visits, Wind Creek was ranked fifth last year,” Dunlap said. “Only Gulf State Park, Oak Mountain, Lake Guntersville and Joe Wheeler were ranked above Wind Creek. That ranking comes even though there were about 80 campsites closed for renovations. So Wind Creek is, and will likely continue to be, one of the state’s most popular parks.” The park offers 586 campsites – including 157 waterfront sites – and seven camping cabins, within its 320 acres. According to state park records, there were 233,811 visits to Wind Creek in 2014. Wind Creek had 139,283 overnight visits in 2014, up from the 136,359 reported in 2013. There were 50,726 rental nights logged at Wind Creek in 2014. Again, those numbers are skewed slightly due to the reduction of the number of sites during construction. Though Wind Creek has just seven cabins, the units have been a hit with visitors. In 2009, there were 1,289 rental nights in the units, but last year that number ballooned to 1,638. “What that means is that all of those cabins are full almost every night from May through October and pretty full in the off-season as well,” Dunlap said. “It makes you wonder how that could grow if we were able to make more cabins available.” Popularity is one thing, but profitability is even better when you are talking about a government entity in a state where there are major budget issues. According to statistics, Wind Creek is one of only seven Alabama state parks to operate profitably over the last four years. According to Dunlap, Wind Creek was in the black by about $55,000 in 2014. “That means a lot for a park to be self-sustaining,” Dunlap said. “That means after all expenses – including supplies, utilities and salaries – Wind Creek transferred back $55,000 to the state parks division.” The park also contributes to the local economy. “Our records show that the park spent $394,000 locally,” Dunlap said. “That number doesn’t include utilities, but represents things like supplies and materials, fuel and things of that 18 LAKE
Wind Creek State Park showed a 25.8 percent increase in visitors over Memorial Day
nature. In addition to that, the park paid $557,000 in salaries in 2014, and obviously a large portion of that went to Tallapoosa County residents. “Wind Creek is a tremendous asset to that area, but also to the state as well. We are proud of what has been done there and know that there are even better days ahead. Those campsites have been totally renovated and were opened to the public in time for the Memorial Day weekend. I think that will lead to even better numbers at the end of this year.” ~ Mitch Sneed
Register boats online
Boat owners can save time by renewing boat registrations online, noted Col. John E. Richardson, director of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) Department of Public Safety. The service is open to resident and non-resident boat owners whose information requires no changes or corrections. “In today’s fast-paced world, we all seek ways to be more efficient. We at ALEA are pleased to offer this online service, which is quicker and more convenient for our customers,” said Richardson. Online customers must have access to the Internet, possess a valid credit or debit card and visit the website at www.alabamainteractive.org/boat_registration/home/welcome.action. Immediately upon payment, registrants may print their temporary boat registration certificates, which are valid for 30 days, or until they receive their official certificates via mail. First-time applicants and those who are making transfers or submitting applications for replacement must continue to complete the process at their local license commissioner or probate office.
JULY 2015
~ Staff Reports
Boys and Girls visit Martin Dam
Students from Dadeville Elementary School's Summer Camp and Boys and Girls Program last month took a look at how the dam holds back 44,000-plus acres of water to form Lake Martin and generate electricity. “This is cool,” said Tatyana Williams, one of 46 students who looked over the spillway from the dam. The students were able to see and walk along the 2,000-foot structure that backs water up the Tallapoosa River for some 30 miles. In addition to walking along the top of the dam, the students got to take an up-close look at the powerhouse. “This was built in the 1926,” dam operations manger Billy Bryan told the students from the control room in the powerhouse on the Elmore County side of the river. “Everything used to be controlled here. We can still do that if needed, but an engineer in Birmingham controls it. “When you turn on the light switch, we don’t want you to think about the electricity. Here, we use water to generate electricity. Alabama Power and the Southern Company generate electricity with gas, coal, biomass and nuclear generators. We even have some solar plants. And we buy some wind generated power.” The students also got to walk around the dam’s four massive generators. Outside, between the dam and the powerhouse, some of the students were getting a little worried at seeing water coming through the dam, especially being some 75 feet below the lake’s surface. “All dams leak,” Bryan told the students. “It does not matter if they are made from earth or concrete, they will leak. We monitor it to make sure everything is good. We have divers come in every five years to inspect the dam from the lake side.” The students have been coming to the dam from Dadeville Elementary School for the past three years. ~ Cliff Williams
Tatyana Williams was impressed with Martin Dam
Authorities have verified several black bear sightings in the Lake Martin area
Bear sighted in lake area
Conservation Officer Sgt. Michael East confirmed there is an investigation into a recent series of bear sightings in the Shady Bay area near Jacksons Gap and in the Pitchford Hollow area north of Willow Point. A bear described as “medium sized” in mid-June was spotted crossing the lawn of Jim and Pat White’s home in Shady Bay. “We stayed on the screened porch and kept our distance, but it was amazing to see. We sure didn’t expect to see a bear here in our own yard,” said Pat White. A few days later, what may have been the same bear was spotted in the Willow Point area. While the two areas by road are quite a distance apart, the direct route over water and land is just a little over eight miles, East said. “I don’t think that’s out of the question at all,” East said. “Male bears have been known to roam a 50- to 100-square mile area. They’ve even confirmed one that swam across Mobile Bay to give you an idea of how far they can travel.” East said black bears are typically shy animals that will avoid human interaction and should be left alone if encountered. “People also need to remember that they are protected. There is no open hunting season for black bears in Alabama. So if you see one, it’s best to call us and try to avoid it,” East said. What should you do if you are lucky enough to encounter/observe a black bear? East offered these suggestions: n Do not be frightened. n Do not approach the animal. n Do not run from the bear; back away slowly. n Stand tall and upright and make loud noises. n Avoid direct eye contact with the bear. n Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape. n Never purposely feed a bear. n Feed pets indoors and do not leave pet food where it might be accessible to a bear. The calls reporting sightings were so numerous that Russell Lands Director of Security Mack Daugherty sent out an email to warn people of the possibility of bears in the area and offered direction on what to do if one is in a resident’s area.
JULY 2015
~ Mitch Sneed
LAKE 19
By-The-Numbers
1
Lake Martin Marine Police Activity in May
4
Operating a vessel without a license
8
Boating under the influence
Expired or unregistered vessel CHILD UNDER 8 NOT WEARING PFD
1
Operator's license not in possession
8
14
20 4
RULES OF THE ROAD Violations
1
Warnings Issued
126 5
24
insufficient Personal Floatation Devices
emergency shut-off switch not in use 20 LAKE
No Type 4 Personal Floatation Device: 9
Improper Navagation Lights
Boating accident with injury
3
Operating a PWC without a PFD
3
1
Complaints filed with Marine Police *
May 2 – Abandoned/adrift/derelict boat May 4 – Abandoned/adrift/derelict boat May 9 – Personal watercraft adrift unattended May 23 – Boating accident, person left scene May 26 – Resident placed unauthorized bouys May 26 – Missing hazard bouy * Most calls for service/complaints are forwarded directly to the individual Troopers from the respective Highway Patrol Posts/County Sheriff's Depeartments for response.
Overloaded Vessel
Minors in possession/consumption of alcohol
CARELESS OPERATION OF A VESSEL
FISHING WITHOUT A LICENSE
Possession of marijuana 2nd degree JULY 2015
1
Towing a skier without an observer or mirror
1
2 Registration not onboard
7
Violation of restrictive signs/bouys – 9 Operating a vessell with obstructed view – 1 Allowing a person under 12 to operate a PWC – 2 No serviceable fire extinguisher onboard – 1
JULY 2015
LAKE 21
Lake Q&A Shortly after we started publishing Lake magazine 10 years ago, we began to introduce readers to folks around the lake through an occasional feature called “Lake Q&A,” or originally, “Lake People.” We’ve helped you become acquainted with more than 60 personalities in these pages, including fishermen, business owners, World War II veterans, marine police officers, golfers, chefs and restaurant owners, artists and collectors and the presidents of organizations that work for the betterment of Lake Martin. The format for these short articles is easy for our staff and lets the personalities of our subjects shine, as they are presented in interview fashion with our questions followed by their answers. For our 10th anniversary, we looked back through these features and chose a few to highlight for you.
22 LAKE
Ben Russell In February 2014, we met with Ben Russell for a Lake Q&A feature. He remembered the vision of his grandfather, Mr. Ben, he said, and thought his most significant accomplishment in recent years has been the ability to successfully maintain the environmentally responsible development of Lake Martin, which his grandfather started.
JULY 2015
Wendell Elliott In September of 2012, we sat down with Wendell Elliott, the friendly and unassuming gate guard at Willow Point; however, Elliott, we learned, had lived a secret life as a U.S. Marshal, and he shared some stories (only declassified ones) with us during the interview. Among the dignitaries Elliott escorted during his tenure were U.S. Chief Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger, Colonel Sanders, Tom Landry, Johnny Weissmuller and Johnny Unitas. He worked for five presidents and went to Super Bowl III with Vice-president Spiro Agnew but never got to see a single play. One time, he said, his duty was to escort comedian Bob Hope to the airport, and the entire 45-minute experience was just one joke after another.
Ria Jane Chiepalich We made the acquaintance of Ria Jane Chiepalich in October of 2013. A weekend lake resident for some 60 years, at the age of 95, Ria Jane still enjoyed the thrill of a wave runner ride through the cypress trees in Harmony Slough. She was the first director at Camp Kiwanis on Lake Martin when a young Cornelia Wallace worked there as a ski instructor.
Jim Crew In 2010, readers got to know Alabama Power Company’s Manager of Hydroelectric Services Jim Crew who worked with lake stakeholders on the eight-year process of relicensing Martin Dam with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The hardest part about that task, Crew said, is in balancing the many and varied interests of the parties involved, from downstream farmers to upstream developers, advocates of water quality and homeowners. The challenge, he said, is always in working out compromises among those involved; however, the most unusual request he ever received was from a man who proposed dismantling the dam and letting the river set a natural course through the land once again. Crew foretold a great future for Lake Martin at the time, one in which the lake was developed responsibly and with control and concern for its quality and beauty.
JULY 2015
LAKE 23
Scotty Howell One of the first of the Q&A Lake People we featured was Scotty Howell of Robinson Iron. A lake resident since 1971, Scotty’s best advice on the lake was, “Never pass up a bathroom!” His sound advice still holds true today.
Tammy Jackson Tammy Jackson, director of community relations for Children's Harbor, told us in 2009 that her favorite activity on Lake Martin is watching the Fourth of July fireworks at The AMP. The funniest thing she ever saw at the lake, she said, was a rod and reel swimming by with a fish on the line. And though she was a longtime member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church, which once was the home of an annual opossum supper, Jackson said she never did partake. “I cannot make myself eat it," she said. "I believe that there are some things that God just did not intend to be eaten and opossum is one of them. Liver is the other.”
Emily McDaniel And at the end of last year, we interviewed Emily McDaniel, a Russell Lands Realtor and wife of award-winning SpringHouse executive chef Rob McDaniel. Emily is involved with the Council for Prosperity through Health, a member of Alexander City’s Young Professionals and a “War Tide!” fan, having grown up with the red and white but married to orange and blue.
24 LAKE
JULY 2015
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www.MagnoliasGiftShop.com Facebook.com/MagnoliasGifts LAKE 25
Big Beach
A
nyone who has spent time on Lake Martin knows that on a hot summer day, despite the incredible beauty and splendor that surrounds you, it can wear you out. With 10,000 boats on the water, it can get choppy out there, and even at 45 mph, the summer sun can cook you like a chicken leg sizzling in Crisco in an electric skillet. Sometimes you just need a break. Strike up the band and the theme from Cheers. Boaters, I have found the perfect place to make that happen – Big Beach. That name does not appear on the map, but there is a large sandy area on Woods Island that people have discovered and transformed into a haven for anyone on the water wanting a break, a friendly conversation, a shady spot to cool off and a good time. It’s a place where you will find pontoons sitting next to john boats. It’s a place where guys in cutoffs and an aluminum bass boat can beach next to a $115,000 Mastercraft X30 and pass beers back and forth and not even have to hold their pinky out when they drink them. No one knows exactly how it became the spot, but some 26 LAKE
regulars say that local builder Ronnie Sanford could be called the unofficial mayor of Big Beach. There’s a big sign with the location’s given named nailed to a pair of pine trees that some say he had a hand in placing. Below the sign is a homemade bar of sorts, supported by those same trees. Imagine boats lined up on the beach, kids and their parents throwing a football while swimming in water that is so clean you can see the pebbles in the sand below. People lining the beach sitting, some on coolers, others in lounge chairs. Other people standing, chatting about that fish that got away or the boat that just passed. On the sand there is normally a game of horseshoes going on and dogs run about looking for a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. I told you it was Lake Martin’s version of paradise. There are a few rules. You have to smile, you have to relax and you can’t leave any trash behind. Pretty simple. You'll find Big Beach at Latitude 32.82485 Longitude -85.89079. If you still can’t find it, just ask anyone on the lake. While it is a hidden treasure, there aren’t many Lake Martin veterans who can’t get you there.
JULY 2015
63
Timbergut Landing
22
280
Horseshoe Bend National Park
Jaybird Landing
Alexander City
Camp ASCCA
9 Flint Hill Church 280
49 22
Jacksons Gap 280
Piney Woods Landing
Wind Creek State Park
Pleasant Grove Church
11
Alex City Boat Ramp
Mt. Zion Church
259 9
128
63
The Beach at Woods Island
Dadeville
Bethel Church
D.A.R.E. Park Landing
Friendship Church
57
280 New Hope Church
20
Liberty Church
Camp Hill
Smith Landing Willow Point
Pleasant Ridge Church
24
34
63 Camp Alamisco
Equality
Lake Martin Baptist Church
Kowaliga Boat Landing
49 Church of the Living Waters
The Ridge
55
Seman
Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis
Trillium
Stillwaters
Union Landing
Children’s Harbor The Amp Kow
alig aB ay
Walnut Hill 50
80
9
90
Central
Union Church
Red Hill 63
50
Union
GEOGRAPHY 101
49
229
Eclectic
Tallassee
STORY BY MITCH SNEED & PHOTO BY AUDRA SPEARS Kent
Reeltown
JULY 2015
LAKE 27
W
hen people think about shrimp on Lake Martin, it’s usually grilled or fried on a dinner plate and the lake is a beautiful backdrop. But did you know that shrimp also swim in Lake Martin? In fact, there are lots of shrimp in the Tallapoosa River drainage, in the creeks that feed into the lake and, most of the unpolluted lakes, rivers and creeks in the Eastern United States. Riverine Grass Shrimp, also known as Glass Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp or Freshwater River Shrimp are native from Florida to New Jersey. These small, transparent shrimp look very much like the famous Gulf of Mexico shrimp that is a restaurant staple in this part of the world. But it’s hard to get a look at them since they hide in aquatic vegetation, they’re less than 2 inches long and you can see right through them, hence the common names “Ghost Shrimp” and “Glass Shrimp.” Grass Shrimp are members of the genus Palaemontes, and there are several species in our area. According to Paul Hartfield with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the egg-bearing female shrimp pictured here that was netted in the Tallapoosa River is either a P. paludosus or P. kadiakensis. These shrimp are mostly nocturnal, staying hidden in vegetation near the bottom during the day to keep from being spotted by predators. They are filter-feeders that consume algae, plankton, aquatic insects and detritus – dead organic matter in the water. Grass Shrimp have a one-year life cycle, but in warm water they are able to breed twice in their lifetime. Like other shellfish, Grass Shrimp molt, meaning they shed their hard exoskeleton. Within seven hours of molting, when their new shells are still soft, females mate. Spawning occurs in the spring and summer when the water temperatures get above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Females produce from 8 to 85 eggs, and they may carry the eggs for as long as two months before they release them. Eggs hatch out in about two weeks when the water temperature reaches 79 degrees. Grass Shrimp larvae mature in three stages and these shrimp are more plentiful during the summer, from May to August, and less plentiful during the remainder of the year. Freshwater shrimp are usually ignored by people 28 LAKE
except for savvy fishermen, who know that most fish (like most people) put shrimp high up on their list of favorite foods. Bass, bream, catfish, crappie … name a gamefish that swims in Lake Martin and you’ve also named a Grass Shrimp predator. Other predators, like shore birds and waterfowl, enjoy freshwater shrimp at mealtimes. To find grass shrimp, run a fine mesh dip net through grass and other vegetation in shallow water. They are often found under the lip of banks on creeks that flow into the lake, but almost always in grass, vegetation or leaf debris. If the bottom is free of vegetation, it’s probably free of Grass Shrimp, too. It’s more likely that you’ll find these shrimp early in the morning or in low light conditions when they are more active. According to Louisiana Sportsman magazine, during the warm months grass shrimp used for fish bait are difficult to keep alive in a bucket of water and are “nearly useless” as bait when they die because they go from transparent to white and gamefish like them live; however, the magazine says that adding cornmeal to the water will help keep them alive for hours. Keeping water cool by placing the bait bucket in a cooler of ice will help. Florida Wildlife Magazine reports that shrimp will also survive when transported between layers of wet newspapers and they are on par with earthworms and crickets for panfish bait. Grass shrimp are also commonly added to freshwater aquariums, both to keep as a pet and to feed fish in a tank. Some information for this article came from the Animal Diversity Web from the University of Michigan, Louisanasportsman.com, Florida Wildlife Magazine.
JULY 2015
NATURE OF THE LAKE STORY & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
You won't believe what's swimming in Lake Martin
Grass Shrimp JULY 2015
LAKE 29
1551 Hwy 280, Alexander City, AL 256.234.3432
www.tallapoosaford.com
30 LAKE
JULY 2015
䌀伀吀吀䄀䜀䔀 䰀䤀嘀䤀一䜀 漀渀 䰀䄀䬀䔀 䴀䄀刀吀䤀一 一伀圀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀 夀漀甀ᤠ瘀攀 攀愀爀渀攀搀 礀漀甀爀 猀瀀漀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 渀漀眀 䌀攀搀愀爀 倀漀椀渀琀 最椀瘀攀猀 礀漀甀 琀栀攀 漀瀀瀀漀爀琀甀渀椀琀礀 琀漀 琀愀欀攀 椀琀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 甀渀搀攀瘀攀氀漀瀀攀搀 瀀攀渀椀渀猀甀氀愀 栀愀猀 漀渀氀礀 ㈀㐀 挀漀瘀攀琀攀搀 氀愀欀攀昀爀漀渀琀 氀漀琀猀 琀栀愀琀 漀昀昀攀爀 攀砀琀爀愀漀爀搀椀渀愀爀椀氀礀 挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀 眀愀琀攀爀 愀挀挀攀猀猀 琀漀 礀漀甀爀 昀愀瘀漀爀椀琀攀 搀攀猀琀椀渀愀琀椀漀渀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀⸀ 吀栀攀猀攀 渀攀眀 挀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 䌀爀愀昀琀猀洀愀渀ⴀ猀琀礀氀攀 挀漀琀琀愀最攀猀 挀漀洀攀 眀椀琀栀 愀渀 愀洀愀稀椀渀最 氀攀瘀攀氀 漀昀 搀攀琀愀椀氀 愀渀搀 搀攀猀椀最渀 琀栀愀琀 攀洀戀漀搀礀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 愀氀氀甀爀椀渀最 瀀愀爀琀猀 漀昀 氀愀欀攀 氀椀瘀椀渀最⸀ 匀漀 搀漀渀ᤠ琀 洀椀猀猀 漀甀琀 漀渀 礀漀甀爀 漀瀀瀀漀爀琀甀渀椀琀礀 琀漀 攀渀樀漀礀 猀漀洀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 攀砀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀愀氀 猀椀琀攀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀⸀ 倀椀挀欀 礀漀甀爀 猀瀀漀琀 琀漀搀愀礀 愀渀搀 洀漀瘀攀 椀渀 戀礀 匀瀀爀椀渀最 ㈀ 㘀⸀ 䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀 䐀愀洀漀渀 匀琀漀爀礀 昀漀爀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀⸀
䐀䄀䴀伀一 匀吀伀刀夀 ∠ ㈀ 㔀⸀㜀㠀㤀⸀㤀㔀㈀㘀 ∠ 䌀䔀䐀䄀刀倀伀䤀一吀䰀䄀䬀䔀䴀䄀刀吀䤀一⸀䌀伀䴀 JULY 2015 LAKE 31
Cedar Point
24 23 22
New development in Little Kowaliga Creek
21 20
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE 19
A
18
17 16 15 14
13
12 11
8A
10
7A
9
1 4
2 3
5
6
CEDAR POINT
AVA I L A B L E L O T S
32 LAKE
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
new development breaks ground on Lake Martin this month. The Cottages at Cedar Point is set to begin construction in the first phase of the first development the lake has seen since the real estate market crashed more than seven years ago. Located east of Real Island, the Cedar Point peninsula project will feature 24 lakefront lots with homes priced between $650,000 and $800,000, said David Nelson, who last year formed a partnership with Scott Lett of Lett Construction and Stan Graves of the lake’s Nichols Cove to develop a wooded subdivision near the Real Island area of Lake Martin. The partnership purchased the Cedar L A KPoint E Mproperty, A R T I Napproximately 24 acres across the lake from Trillium, from Russell Lands in June and has retained architects in Birmingham and Newnan, Georgia, to design three home models. Because all three partners have long histories at Lake Martin, Lett said, they share a desire to preserve the natural, wooded banks as the lake grows in 8 popularity. “We love the old growth trees, and we 7 wanted to retain that growth and be good stewards of the land,” explained Eclectic native Lett who grew up on Little Kowaliga Creek. Nelson now owns a home at Trillium but spent much of his childhood at a Russell cabin on Pitchford Hollow where he learned to wakeboard and ski. The partnership, they said, is a blend of the trio’s talents and experience. Lett, along with his brother, Jason, founded Lett Construction more than 14 years ago, and the two own Kowaliga’s Lake Martin Mini Mall.
JULY 2015
Nelson has worked the development side of conS P O T TA I L struction with Crowne Partners of Birmingham for nine years. This project will be his first venture in single-family development. For sage advice and direction, the two will lean heavily on Graves, a successful oil and gas businessman from Sylacauga who is a longtime resident on the lake. As they wrap up permits and other final paperS P O T TA I L work, Lett said, they look forward to starting the first home, which was dubbed the “Mayfly.” Built on lot 18, the Mayfly will include more than 2,100 square feet of living space on a low mainD E TA I L S & A M E N I T I E S tenance landscape with fireplace, screened porch, deck, seawall and pier. designed by L. Mitchell Ginn and Associates Most of the development’s homes will enjoy oneacre lots with between 140 and 220 feet of water• Open living, dining and kitchen area offers a • 4 bedrooms, 2 on the main level and 2 on the front, with the exception of lot 19, which will have great place to relax or entertain guests upper level a 180-degree view of Lake Martin with 600 feet of • Use of natural materials • 2054 sq. feet of conditioned space plus frontage. While Lett Construction be a &designated • Seawall, pier and waterfront features included • 570 sq. feetwill of porches decks FLOORPLAN builder and CMH of Birmingham and Mitch Ginn LOWER LEVEL • Designed for lake living and enjoyment • Each bedroom has its own private bath and of Newnan, Georgia, have been retained to design view of the lake homes for the new Cedar Point development, other • Lakeside porch • Low maintenance landscape Nelson said, architects and builders will be welcome, as long as they follow the guidelines and covenants established for the project. All of the model homes, including Ginn’s Spot Tail, will have three to five bedrooms with three or more baths. For the most part, the Cedar Point lots are flat, but four of the lots have more slope and will be more conducive to a second CMH design, the Shell Cracker, which features living space on the upper level and a walk-out lower level to the lake. The development is located in Elmore County and is accessible by land via Coosa County Road 2 to C E D A R P O I N T L A K E M A R T I N. C O M Tee Road and Cedar Road. Lake Martin Realty will be the selling agent for FLOORPLAN UPPER LEVEL the development. LAKESIDE PORCH
30’-0” x 12’-0”
GUEST BEDROOM
MASTER BEDROOM
LIVING/DINING
13’-8” x 16’-0”
31’-8” x 28’-4”
11’-6” x 10’-4”
KITCHEN
13’-0”x10’-0”
FRONT PORCH
30’-0” x 7’-0”
BEDROOM 3 12’-0” x 15’-0”
BEDROOM 4 12’-0” x 12’-8”
LOFT 7’-6” x 12’-0”
JULY 2015
LAKE 33
LetFreedomRing
STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
34 LAKE
JULY 2015
T
he Fourth of July weekend is one of the most anticipated holidays in the Lake Martin area, and this year is no different, as the region prepares to celebrate America’s birthday in style. From art shows and boat parades to musical festivals and fireworks displays, you would be hard-pressed to find somewhere better or more fun to celebrate, no matter your tastes. The gamut of commemorative events starts with Arti Gras, which begins on Friday, July 3, on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. Highlighting work by artists from across the Southeast, as well as kidfriendly arts and crafts booths, day one starts at noon and continues through 8:30 p.m. On July 4, the event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “As of right now, we’ve got about 36 artists and craftsmen that will have their wares on display,” said Robert Gunn, director of events and social media for Russell Lands On Lake Martin. “We’ll incorporate our traditional Friday on the Green event into Arti Gras as well. There will be something for everybody.” Richard Murray will be the featured musician at Russell Crossroads' Friday on the Green event over the holiday weekend. Also scheduled for July 3, the Alex City Celebrates Freedom event will be highlighted with musical performances by the Spirituals and the Nelsons, followed by fireworks at Benjamin Russell High School. The music will start at 6 p.m., and the event will conclude at 10 p.m. For those who’d like a fix of sparklers, bottle rockets and the like at the start of the weekend, the Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department will host its third annual Fireworks Bash on July 3. Rexton Lee, Joey Gettings and Jimmy Jones and the Time Pieces will perform, and there will be inflatables for children, along with raffles for a YETI Cooler and a Jumbo Green Egg. Barbecue, hamburgers, hotdogs and other concessions will be available, and the nightcap will be a fireworks show scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Admission is $5, and gates open at 4 p.m. For more information, call Hackneyville VFD Chief David Jones at 256-596-0656. On July 4, the good times continue to roll at 8 a.m. when the Community Garden Club will host a pancake
breakfast in the Arts Cabin at Russell Crossroads. The cost is $5, and the club will serve until 10 a.m. After breakfast, trek down to Kowaliga Marina to watch the annual parade of boats decked out in patriotic garb or check in at the marina to enter the parade. Entry is free, but all parade entrants must register at the marina prior to the event. According to Gunn, prizes will be award edfor the vessels with the largest flag, tallest flag, most patriotic decorations and most creative. Waverly is also celebrating the Fourth of July with its second annual Heart of Waverly Bluegrass Festival at Standard Deluxe, starting at 11 a.m. Performers include Larry Keel Experience, Town Mountain, Rollin’ in The Hay and Woody Pines, and attendees are encouraged to bring coolers, chairs and friends; however, dogs and glass are not allowed. Tickets are $25, but admission for ages 14 and under is free. The StillWaters community will also be getting in on the festivities, as Moonbrook Park will host a Family Fun Festival Day from noon to 6 p.m. The event will include musical performances, activities for youngsters and food vendors. Contact the StillWaters Residential Association at 256-825-2990 for information. All of these events lead to the annual Fourth of July Concert at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre on U.S. Highway 63 at Kowaliga. Local favorite The Bank Walkers will open the event at 6 p.m., followed by Nationwide Coverage, a popular Birmingham-based dance-driven cover band known for its wide selection of 80s and Top 40 hits and Motown favorites, among other genres. After the Nationwide Coverage concert, the stage, which is set on rails, will roll aside at 9 p.m. for the weekend’s resounding close, a fireworks display that is billed as the most spectacular fireworks show in the Southeast, at 9 p.m. Admission into the amphitheater is $15. Historically, boats anchor in the lake just off the bank and cars park along the road and in lots close to the amphitheater, so if you aren’t going in the gates, arrive early to secure your spot. “The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally a great time on Lake Martin,” Gunn said. “It’s fun-filled for families, and we just like to make it even more fun with all the events that we do. It’s a great weekend for everybody.”
JULY 2015
LAKE 35
36 LAKE
JULY 2015
JULY 2015
LAKE 37
What you need on the boat Experts tell you how to gear up for boating this summer STORY BY JENNIFER BRADY
D
o you have what it takes to put a boat in the water on Lake Martin? It has nothing to do with smarts, machismo, nerves of steel or even the score achieved on the required boating license, though the license itself actually is on the list of essential items that should be on the boat before it leaves the dock. Many of these items may not be directly related to comfort and fun but are required by law. Sergeant Mark Fuller with the Department of Public Safety Marine Patrol said paperwork, flotation devices and emergency shut-off switches are among the minimum requirements, but boaters will need more than just the items required by law if they hope to be prepared for a great day on the lake. “If you are an Alabama resident, you need to have a boating license. If you are a non-Alabama resident, then you need to have a driver’s license,” he explained. “You will also need a copy of your registration certificate.” Other items required by law include one life jacket for each person on the boat. The jacket must be the proper size, in good condition, accessible and Coast Guard approved. 38 LAKE
JULY 2015
“If the boat is longer than 16 feet, which most of them are, you have to have a Type 4 Coast Guard-approved life preserver,” Fuller added. “If the boat is less than 24 feet and the engine’s horsepower is greater than 50, then you also have to have an emergency shut-off switch, in case the operator is unable to do that.” All boats must also have operable horns or audible devices, and if the day’s plan includes being on the water between sunset to sunrise, proper navigation lights – unobstructed by any other lights on the boat – also are required. When marine police officers stop boaters for any reason, Fuller said, they conduct safety checks to make sure all required items are onboard. The essentials listed are in line with what the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requires. Check the USCG website at www.uscgboating.org for more items and details. “I would make sure you have a jump box,” advised Steven Yearkey, owner of Alex City Marine. Jump boxes, like the iStart emergency jump starter, serve as back-up batteries that can crank your boat's engine, if needed. “You know when you get a lot of
✁
✁
A Boater's Checklist Clip out this checklist and use it as a handy referral to make sure you have what it takes to put a boat on the lake. Items required by law Alabama Boat Operator License must be onboard, usually a driver’s license Certificate of Number Onboard displaying the number of people the vessel is able to safely carry Validation Decals displayed Approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Type I, II, III or V for each person on board or being towed behind the boat on boats less than 16 feet long Approved Throwable Personal Floatation Device (PFD) Type IV for boats 16-26 feet long Ignition Safety Switch Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher Flame Arrestor Muffler Horn, bell or whistle to signal for help Daytime Visual Distress System for boats 16-26 feet long Night time Visual Distress System Navigation Lights
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people on a boat and they’re playing music or whatnot and it all starts draining on the battery, if you have a jump box on the boat, it’ll give you enough power to get back to land,” he explained. An emergency starter is not the only safety item Yearkey recommended. “I would say also keep a quart of oil or gear lube, depending on your type of boat,” he said. “I would also recommend having an anchor. You can wait a storm out on the water, but an anchor will help to keep you off the rocks.” Finally, Yearkey encouraged boaters to install an automatic float switch on fishing and ski boats, which will automatically turn on the bilge pump when the boat takes on water. Accidents can still happen, no matter how prepared boaters think they might be prior to hitting the water, but having the right tools onboard can downgrade a mishap or potentially serious engine trouble to a minor inconvenience. Some insurance companies that offer coverage for boats suggest their customers be prepared for small repairs with a tool kit containing screwdrivers, cutters and scissors, pliers, emergency repair tape, marine caulk and a flashlight, as well as cable ties, extra rope, spare bulbs, spark plugs and fuses and a battery-operated weather radio. A fully charged cellphone also can come in handy when emergencies or mechanical trouble can’t be solved on the water. It’s an extensive list, but even this one may not be complete. Boaters should check with their personal agents to make sure they comply with company recommendations and coverage requirements. Once the legal and safety requirements have been met, Yearkey said, it’s time to turn the attention to the essentials of recreation. “I would say, definitely, drinking water, towels and sunscreen,” Yearkey said. “My wife always makes sure we have snacks and drinks for the kids.” When boaters make sure they have what it takes to safely be on the water, they’re not only up for a great day at the lake but they’re also ready for anything.
Additional recommended items First aid kit Boat anchor Tow ropes and dock lines Cell phone Drinking water Sunscreen White rag to wave to attract attention JULY 2015
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DSC's Ron Jenkee reviews the parts of a sailboat with students
Dixie Sailing Club Spreads the Gospel of the Wind
Learning to Sail Some 40 new sailors last month took advantage of the Dixie Sailing Club's annual Introduction to Sailing class held on New Hope Slough, with some coming from as far as Texas to learn the ropes. The sunny day with moderate winds allowed the newbies to take the club's Sunfish sailboats out on the water to practice their skills after a morning of picking up the classroom basics. In addition to learning the parts of a sailboat, students learned to use them to turn a boat into the wind, right a boat that's tipped and lean into a fast skim. "I have heard folks say that they would love to learn to sail but that they are too old, or can't swim, or can't tie all those sailor knots, so they just never tried. None of those are valid reasons; use me as the example," said former commodore Dick Cline.
"If you want to learn to sail, join me on my boat and see that you can indeed do it." Sailing club members enjoy bringing others to the sport and encourage anyone interested in learning the sport to come out and crew. Lake Martin's 50-year-old sailing club three years ago moved from The Ridge peninsula to their New Hope location and have made a number of improvements to the site, including construction of new docks, bathrooms and a picnic pavilion where members served lunch to students at the June 20 class. For more information about scheduled cruising, racing and working days or sailing with the club, visit their website at www.dixiesailingclub.com or send an email to info@dixiesailingclub.com.
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Cassidy and Kaitlyn Ozcelebi right a sailboat after tipping over
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Wyatt Ross and Austin Cruise, both 10, demonstrate the tip recovery
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A sailing club member checks equipment in a boat before the launch
Tyler Hirn and Lindsay Ozcelebi take to the wind in New Hope Slough
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The Mid-week Slow Down When the weekend traffic goes home, the best times of summer begin with family on the lake STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
Families and friends relax in the golden light of sunset below Smith Mountain
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When the weekend boat traffic fades to a mid-week trickle and a golden summer sun slips toward the horizon, Teresa and Bill Lutz of Lake Martin’s Sandy Creek put the picnic basket on the pontoon boat and head for their favorite island at the base of Smith Mountain. “This is our hamburger island,” said their daughter Chelsea. For more than five years, the Lutz family has gathered with friends nearly every Wednesday night at sunset on
Ricky Jones, Bill and Chelsea Lutz
Bill checks the grill
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Teresa Lutz and Chl贸e the Maltese love the sunsets
The pontoon boat beached, chair are arranged and the evening begins
The table is set
Burgers cook better on the beach
Lucy cbounds into the water after a thrown stick
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"Hamburger Island." They wade waist-deep into the cool, clean water off the sandy beach while burgers sizzle on the small charcoal grill on the bank. As the rippling lake dances with the spectacular color of a stunning sunset, they sip cold drinks, throw a stick for the dog and count the blessings around them. “We use the lake all year,” Teresa explained. “We’ve celebrated New Year’s out here, but starting in about April or May, we’re here just about every week, and we’ll be out here through October.” By now, everyone in the family knows the drill. Charcoal, grill, lighter, chairs and a folding table are standard. Chips, buns, condiments and beverages are packed early, and since that one time when no one remembered to bring the meat, the last question asked as the boat pulls away from the dock every Wednesday is, “Who’s got the meat?” “We had the fire set up, the table ready, and we forgot the meat!” Bill remembered. “Somebody had to go back for it, so now we always ask.” The island is a popular one among those dotting the landscape below the restored fire tower near Dadeville. The Lutz family has noticed that sometimes on a Friday morning, campers have come out early to set up tents on the beach, staking their claim for the weekend. “We come back early the next week and clean up after them,” Teresa said. “Pick up their trash and beer cans. We try to take good care of this place, maintain it. We keep the beach clean.” When their burgers are perfectly grilled to a juicy
Chlóe keeps an eye on dinner
Giving thanks before the meal
Cody Wood guards his dinner
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medium-well, the party gathers on the beach and holds hands to give thanks for fine dining with friends in this favorite of places. Then, they each load up a bun with burger and trimmings, grab a handful of chips and choose a sunsetfacing chair from the line on the beach. From front row seats, they watch the evening fade to night on Lake Martin, with everybody in one place, leaving the troubles of life behind for just a little while. “The best thing is being with family,” Bill said. Flashlights in hand, the Lutzes pack up their picnic supplies after the meal and merriment are finished. Then, they slip the pontoon boat off the beach for another week and head for home, knowing Lake Martin’s mid-week mood just might be her best.
A grilled burger is a happy burger
Friends gather while dinner cooks
Bill, Teresa, Chelsea and Charlie Lutz, Cody Wood and Thomas Lutz settle in to watch day's end
Delicious!
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What Lake Martin means to:
Lauren Meredith
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE
L
ake Martin holds a special place in the heart of Auburn’s Lauren Meredith. “Four generations of my family have grown up spending summers at Lake Martin,” she said. “My great-grandparents built a cabin on the back side of Pace’s Peninsula when my grandmother was young.” Though the cabin was sold years ago, the family continued to spend summers on the boat at the lake. Lauren’s mother and aunt grew up spending summers here, and they carried on the tradition when their own children were born. “I have been coming to the lake as long as I can remember,” said the recent high school graduate who began studies at Auburn University last fall. Lauren was riding behind the boat on a kneeboard at 6 years old. By the time she was 11, she was skiing, and at 14, she learned to slalom. A cheerleader in high school, it didn’t take long before she was combining cheer poses with water sports. “My favorite place to be is not in the boat but behind it,” Lauren said, and she comes back to Lake Martin at every opportunity. “We often take vacations to the lake. Rather than spending a week at the beach, we prefer to rent a cabin on the lake for a week,” she explained. Last summer was an especially important one at the lake for Lauren’s family, as her mother was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer earlier in the year. She died last fall shortly after a family vacation on Lake Martin. “She knew going into last summer that it would probably be her last. For her last family vacation, my mom chose to spend it at Lake Martin with my family. That is a memory that I will always cherish. I’m so thankful that God allowed us to spend one last summer with my mom at our favorite place,” Lauren said. “Lake Martin is very special to my family.” 58 LAKE
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How she does it: Meredith gets up on one ski. Once she gets settled on a smooth stretch of water, she removes her back foot from the binding, lifts her knee and hugs it to her chest. Then she grips her foot and extends her leg into a vertical heel stretch - a cheerleading move on one ski.
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HOBOs start Neighborhood Watch on the lake L
ake homeowners have a new line of defense in protecting their homes and belongings, said Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners (HOBO) member Jesse Cunningham. Along with Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett, HOBO last month launched a campaign to build a Neighborhood Watch network among the 7,500 homes on Lake Martin. “We’ll be working on this program one road at a time,” Cunningham said. “We can’t do it all ourselves though. About one-third of the homeowners on the lake are full time occupants, and that’s who needs to get involved.” A rash of lake home burglaries last winter resulted in the arrests of five Montgomerybased gang members when an aware neighbor alerted law enforcement officials to a questionable situation. Through that tip, authorities were able to locate some of the stolen property and made arrests, but Abbett cautioned that the break-ins aren’t likely to end there. The key to keeping crime down, Abbett said, is to have and to be nosy neighbors. “If you see something, say something,” he suggested. The law enforcement-sponsored Neighborhood Watch program promotes awareness and communication among residents in designated areas through neighborhood meetings and the posting of signs, Abbett said. “Now a sign won’t catch anybody, but it lets would-be burglars know that someone in that neighborhood is watching,” he explained. “Law enforcement officers can’t be in every neighborhood all the time, but we can guide, educate and train residents. More eyes and ears and information benefit the entire neighborhood. “Just training people to be aware is the biggest part of it. Know who is in the area. Learn to recognize who are the house cleaners, boat maintenance folks and lawn care workers who work in the area, and make sure that the folks working in a neighborhood are reputable.” Cunningham said HOBO hopes to grow the
Neighborhood Watch effort one road at a time, beginning with Ridge Road on Pace’s Peninsula. “That’s a good place to start. It’s a strong area for HOBO and has about 25 homes on that road,” explained Cunningham, a full time resident on Ridge Road and former HOBO president. “And we’ve been hit there. A house just four doors down from me was broken into only a week after the house was built.” “Obviously, these gangs are casing the area. They are hitting homes at night and know that no one is there,” Abbett said. “Residents need to be proactive – without taking a vigilante approach.” Cunningham said the Pace’s Peninsula area, which has one road in and out, is a good place to begin the program. “Every road inside is a dead-end, so there’s only one way for robbers to get out,” he noted. The local volunteer fire department facility will be used for a planning meeting, he said, not just for property protection but also for assistance in emergencies and natural disasters, like the 2011 tornado. “We need to be aware of who our neighbors are and whether or not they are at home when something happens,” Cunningham said. During the planning meeting, Abbett explained, an officer will be on hand to answer questions about the program and offer protection tips, including how to best use alarm systems, surveillance cameras and lighting, as well as neighborhood awareness, to thwart potential break-in efforts and offer assistance to neighbors. “We need block captains in each area, someone to organize the meetings and distribute information throughout the neighborhood, so people know who their neighbors are,” Cunningham said. To get started in your neighborhood, contact Cunningham at 256-825-0919 or call the sheriff’s office at 256-825-4264.
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Hydrangeas in glass vases add elegance to a reclaimed timber table in the entry
On the Verandas An easy lake lifestyle
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
D
reams of reliving childhood inspired the latest model in a series of new Russell cabins on the wooded banks of Lake Martin. Named for its varied levels of outdoor living space, the Verandas on May 30 made its debut in the line of upscale cabins with a down-home design. Residential designer Bill Farshee said this year’s reveal pays homage to the original Russell cabin with its nostalgic design and intimate setting but includes modern accommodations for families that gather at the lake today. “This cabin design functions like the original Russell cabins, but with more space,” Farshee explained. “From the approach, you can see that this cabin brings back a look that connects us to the past, reminds us of our childhoods.” While the original Russell rental cabin footprint included roughly 1,000 square feet, the Verandas model, at just more than 2,200 square feet, doubles that space. 64 LAKE
“The original cabins had just one or two bedrooms and usually one bathroom, but the Verandas has four bedrooms and four bathrooms,” Farshee said. The Verandas model also includes a modern laundry room, well-appointed kitchen, dedicated bar space and nearly 800 square feet in porches and decks. “Ben Russell was very involved with this design early on, and he wanted the humble motif of the original cabin but to make it functional for today’s families that bring several generations to the lake,” Farshee said. Verandas is designed for the simple lake lifestyle with a central open concept living space flanked by four bedroom suites. The namesake decks and porches adapt entertainment style to the number of family and friends in attendance without sacrificing the cozy intimacy of life on the lake. Built by Classic Homes, decorated by Nan Jackson and furnished by Trissie Holliday at
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The Verandas designs includes two screened porches
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The great room ceiling peaks at 22 feet
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Seibel’s Camp & Cottage Outfitters, the latest design in lakeside getaways was celebrated at a summer open house at Paddock Point in the new Russell Lands development at The Ridge. The long, wooded driveway approach to the cabin enhances the first impression. “It’s unpretentious and unassuming,” said Russell Lands’ vice president of sales, Steve Arnberg. Originally built as a rental unit, the historically classic Russell cabin does not impose itself on the bank of the lake; but instead, blends seamlessly with its surroundings. This reinvented version mirrors the simplicity of the lake’s first homes with a 4/12 grade roof and teated pine siding. Though the Verandas cabin was completed only a few weeks ago, its setting gives the impression that the home already is filled with memories and, at the same time, invites more. While the original Russell cabin often included a mere stoop – sometimes with the suggestion of cover, Farshee enlarged the entry porch here so that, upon arrival, guests can transfer luggage and groceries to the shelter of a covered porch; thus, streamlining the unpacking process.
Inside, Jackson and Holliday worked relaxation magic from the entry to the opposite decks on the cabin’s lake side. Sparsely furnished with a reclaimed timber table, the cabin’s entry offers a convenient place to shed car keys, wallet and sunglasses without cluttering the open great room beyond. To the left is bedroom number one, comfortably appointed with natural linens, tin-topped tables, a custom-made chest and just a touch of the industrial with modern glass lighting. Through the dining side of the great room, Farshee positioned another bed and bath – this one with a window onto an entertainment screened porch and a view of Ware’s Slough. Just off this screened porch, the designer included a grilling porch. With his own views of the lake from this covered station, the cook remains close enough to the porch party to still be a part of it. On the cabin’s right side, a bunkroom for the kids is conveniently located next to the laundry room, and a spacious master offers the homeowners a morning view of the lake from the comfort of a bed constructed of pesky cypress, part of the new bed line featured in the home.
The spacious master offers beautiful lake and wooded views
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Each of the cabin's four bedrooms includes a private bath
The kids will love the bright bunkroom
Verandas is named for the levels of decks and porches
One porch is a dedicated entertainment space
Verandas' kitchen is open to the great room
Glass globe lamps contrast with relaxed linen bedding and rough timber textures
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Subtle pops of red in the table arrangement, throws and pillows add warmth to the neutral base
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Off the master, Farshee placed another screened porch, this one arranged for conversation over morning coffee, evening cocktails or rainy day board games. The shiplap walls in a creamy French canvas from Benjamin Moore throughout the cabin complement the foundation of a neutral décor with natural textures and pops of red, turquoise and pale yellow for accent and interest. “We start with a color palette we love,” said Holliday. “In this cabin, we added turquoise and coral to warm khaki.” It’s a palette that emphasizes the warmth of Farshee’s design. The 33 by nearly 23-foot great room features a cottage stacked-stone fireplace beside a spacious but cozy living area and a farmhouse dining space under the 22-foot peak of the vaulted ceiling. To the back of the house, a roomy kitchen serves guests with the efficiency of a large island surrounded by top-of-theline appliances and plenty of cabinetry. The island offers additional seating as well. While the kitchen enjoys a wide-open view of the lake from the island, Farshee did not discount the beauty of the Russell Forest views off the lake. To enhance that in-the-woods
feeling, the designer sloped the approach-side ceiling to an 8-foot height over the kitchen, creating the shed-roof style of the original Russell cabin as he embraced the views and natural light of the lakeside. Between the double screened porches, an open deck with a row of Adirondack chairs faces the lakefront, only part of which is finished with seawall, leaving the rest natural to complete the lake-life look of the cabin and blend with its wooded setting. Below the top deck is yet another, this one large enough to accommodate a third dining area, bringing the eating space in this nostalgic retreat to more than 20. Below decks, Farshee built a storage space large enough for all of the outdoor furniture, lake toys and even the wave runner. Flagstone slabs make the space accessible from the decks or grilling porch with ease. And for that return from the lake at day’s end, he included an outdoor shower. Verandas conveniently includes all of the necessities for comfortable life and entertaining at the lake with a nostalgic, convenient approach as a tribute to the generations of lake-lovers past, present and future.
Ware's Slough beckons from Verandas' dock
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Testing the Waters W
akeboard/wakesurf demos and clinSome shapes in skimboarding need minor ics at the various marinas around modification to be a wakesurfer; some do not the lake offer a try-before-you-buy work very well. I think the most common eleapproach to these fast-growing water sports, ment that changes is length of the nose of a but more than that, they can even offer the board. Wakesurfers tend to be more compact opportunity to try before anyone anywhere in relation to size of rider, so less nose on a else can buy. board at the bottom turn of a wave makes it BEHIND THE BOAT I have been working with Victoria skimeasier. boards since 2010 when there was one model Some boards take longer to make their BY SAWYER DAVIS for wakesurfing; the Victoria Factor was the way into the line than others. Right now, six only board available in the Victoria wake line. It came in two models are available in the Victoria line: Debut, Factor, Factor types, standard construction or a carbon fiber version called the PCX, Agent, Pixie and Project V. “Factor PCX.” That board is still around, in name only, as we A new shape in the second version of the Factor was develcompletely reconstructed its shape. These days, there are more oped from testing on a little blue skimboard that I still have. boards to try at Lake Martin, because this area has become a That little board has had more feet on top of it than you can testing ground for Victoria’s wake line. The boards that are imagine. It continues to be an unbelievably stable and wondersold here are not available at any other stores in the country. ful riding board. This year, there are two boards being tested here on Lake The Agent is a big version of Bri Cheml’s pro model, which Martin. Of these two, one, for sure, will soon be named and we began getting in 2012. I have the first pass at that shape, introduced in the 2016 line; the other is under consideration. which didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. The next board Victoria prototyped the “Debut” wood core here, and I men- was the one that stuck and became the production model we tioned it in a previous “Behind the Boat” article this year. The get today. The squash tail makes it fast and pushes really hard. Debut has been added to the current 2015 line and has been a Different from the new board coming out with a fish big hit, especially with kids, though we have considered some tail, the Agent is a single fin, which became ideal for new wood for its construction. a big, skilled rider, as In the prototype and design process, the guys at Victoria the Pixie is for the make a board that we theoretically agree will be a good option smaller riders in for a wakesurfer. Since these guys have been designing skimBri’s shape. boards since 1976, their experience and knowledge of how a There are board should perform – taking a rider from shore out into surf quite a few and down a wave face – is second to none. people on They produce one or two of the prototypes and send one to Lake Martin the California crew to try, and I usually get one prototype to surfing on try out. boards that Lake Martin gets the first batches that make it to the conhave made struction stage for all size testing. At this point, these boards the final are 99 percent marketable upon arrival of the batch, which “cut” and consists of three each in the sizes to be sold. will be I keep up with the riders that buy them to see how they released like the boards and how they perform. To my knowledge, that to the feedback has resulted in one item change, an internal material public in change on a board after the first run was made. I don’t think 2016. The any one of us could tell there was a change made, but it lownew ered the price due to a material cost. We all like a better price, board, so it was an easy decision. which has Keep in mind that the skimboard world has to have a much a penciled stronger board for a high level of rider. With so many variables in name, in the surf, skimmers drop off the top of a wave head high. is a fish tail That type of use requires a ton of strength to keep the board in with a tri-fin one piece. set up. It can Wakesurfing has almost the opposite in terms of board be ridden as stress. Wakesurf waves have a nice size, much less speed, and a twin fin or riders don’t drop 6 feet into extremely shallow water. a single for the What is the same – or very similar anyway – is that the loosest ride posboards have to be able to move on top of the water under the sible. weight of a rider without being pulled by anything. I’ve been rid74 LAKE JULY 2015
ing one, and testing it with quite a few other riders, since 2012. This board is already a big hit, but the rest of the world can’t check it out until next year, after all of us on Lake Martin enjoy it early. At 43 years old, I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do, not just having tons of fun riding but also being involved on Lake Martin with families in the sport of wakesurfing, which is the biggest, fastest growing sport to hit the wake scene – and being part of the innovation from the oldest skimboard manufacturer in the world. I couldn’t be more stoked about being associated with Tex Haines and his entire crew at Victoria, and I think they feel the same way about all of us here on Lake Martin. Trying out new product is fun and very beneficial, as the average cost for a wakeboard or a wakesurf board can run in the neighborhood of $500. It is important to get fitted properly for a board, and while I do mean the obvious – height, weight and binding size – I also am talking about a fit to accommodate riding style and ability. Demo and clinic participants receive some good instruction from pro tour riders and local, regionally sponsored riders. Riders of all ages get to experience first class riding and coaching, as well as the newest wake and wave-creating machines. So reserve a spot in a demo or clinic boat and go try out some new gear. See you on the water. Sawyer Davis is a wakesurfer for Victoria skimboards and grew up on Lake Martin.
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LAKE 77
The Triple Crown of Real Estate
H
ave you ever been to a thoroughbred horse because this view reminds a buyer of summer race? If not, you’re missing a treat. I love camp, or that buyer learned to ski in this slough 30 them, and not for the gambling. I’m too years ago. cheap to bet much more than the two-buck miniAs we pass the fourth pole with this month’s mum. I like watching the pageantry, the analysis market report, please remember that it is not a and the athletic skill of the jockeys. But mostly it’s science. It involves decisions by humans, and that about the horses. They are magnificent. unpredictably makes it fun. They have zero body fat, weigh hundreds of The sales through May did well. If we take a pounds, fly like wildfire and are nimble as cats. look at the Lake Martin MLS, we see that May When they come around the final turn and are of 2015 had home sales of 34 while May of 2014 LAKE PROPERTY running flat out with the crowd in their ears, their saw 23 homes sold. If we step back and look at BY JOHN COLEY eyes blazing, hoofs pounding, if you have a pulse the calendar year so far, we see that 2015 has yet you can’t help but feel the flutter of adrenaline in your stomach. another victory. You realize there’s absolutely nothing you can do but watch the This year Lake Martin is tracking about 20 percent above finish. last year. Through May 31, 2014 sold 99 homes while 2015 That’s how real estate is like horse racing. Both disciplines sold 120. This represents all agents, all brokerages reporting to involve heavy study by the math nerds and also gut instinct the MLS. Twenty percent above last year – that really sounds calls by mystics that ignore the numbers. No matter the analylike a huge increase, especially when we recall that 2014 set the sis, in the end a horse race can be decided by things like ankle high mark for waterfront home sales. Anytime a market beats tape and oat-induced indigestion. In real estate, the prior year, that is a de facto healthy real estate market. we can use impersonal terms like “inventory” and So should we be dancing in the streets, expecting 2015 sales “absorption,” but decisions are often made to trounce the previous record by 20 percent? I think there’s a great chance we will sell more homes than we did last year, but I’m not sure about 20 percent more. I think it is instructive if we look at the previous number one sales year, 2005. Compared to 2005, we are actually tracking slightly behind. Through May 31, 2005, 124 homes were sold as compared to 2015’s 120. When we look at it month-to-month, we see that 2005 had really strong sales in the first half of the year, while 2014 came on in the second half. What pattern will Lake Martin waterfront home sales follow this year? Another point to consider is that sometimes real estate sales are momentum driven. The Lake Martin market had a ton of momentum in the last four months of 2014. That momentum has clearly carried over to the current year. Will it last? It will be a tall order for this year to continue its winning ways against last year. But, as they say, records are meant to be broken. Lake Martin certainly has started blazing fast out of the gate. It will be fun to see if 2015 can claim that elusive triple crown of real estate: 1) Most waterfront homes sold; 2) Highest number of waterfront lots sold; and 3) Increased waterfront prices. I think we have a great shot to do it. Don’t say it will never happen again, because it will. If not this year, it will happen for another. Apparently, no one told thoroughbred American Pharoah that winning a triple crown was impossible in modern day horse racing. John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. He is also the author of the blog Lake Martin Voice at LakeMartinVoice.com. 78 LAKE
JULY 2015
FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS
890 Holley Mill Road, Eclectic • $182,500 YOUR FAMILY is all that's needed to fill this immaculate 3BD/2BA home w/a yard big enough for puppies, cows, horses and even a swimming pool! Nice size rooms throughout house, great Master BD and BA w/separate water closet, shower and tub. Nice large closets and storage. Lg. family rm. w/gas FP. Extra rm. for small den, playroom or office. Yard filled w/fruit trees and circle drive. See today!! RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com
FABULOUS FINDS
2389 Skylark Drive, Alexander City • $209,000 Set for Living! COME SEE this spacious home w/ generous storage, 3Br/3BA on main level w/lg fam rm, stone FP. Huge eat-in kit w/wood floors plus dining rm, roomy office/playrm or 4th BR. Full finished basement/apartment, features partial kit, fam rm w/ stoneFP, 1 full BA & 3rms for fam hobbies or kids slumber parties. Like a private park? Step outside to your own oasis boasting FAB outdoor living. RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Samantha Spurlin 256-786-0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com
The Ridge Phase 2, Ella Belle South Ridge Harbor Ridge Redux! New Lake Beauty! Legacy New Homes, a first-class The best got better. We are proud to introduce this builder, is now crafting a superb new lake home. Topnew design for South Ridge Harbor by Krumdieck notch design that features an open floor plan, 2 master Architects. This upscale lake home design features suites on main level, 2 additional guest suites & 2nd carefully crafted indoor family spaces and expansive greatroom on terrace level, ample boat toy storage, & outdoor living. You will love the private owner’s retreat even more fine benefits. Generous outdoor living spaces offering a master den with fireplace, sleeping suite and inspire fun family gatherings and therapeutic sunsets. Of- expansive bath. This ultra-cool design is sure to redefine fered at $1,500,000. Call for more detailed information. lake homes on Lake Martin. Call one of our sales execuRussell Lands On Lake Martin tives at 256.215.7011 today to discover the details. We are Emily or Rhonda 256.215.7011 breaking ground soon so stay tuned! www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
119 Sierra Court, Dadeville • $340,000 PRICE REDUCED! Like new 4BR/3BA lake home ready to move in. Open floor plan. Finished basement with bath, great room and shop. Irrigation system, perfect MotherIn-Law plan! Fruit trees, Knock-out Roses, covered porch located in a quiet cove not far from Hwy. 280. Metal roof, undergroung utilities. First Realty Call Bill Whatley 256-234-5163 • 1-800-471-LAKE www.LakeMartinHomes.net
Cottages at Cedar Point, Equality• $745,000 Lot 15, Proposed New Construction. The Spot Tail plan designed by Mitch Ginn features 4 bedrooms, each with its own bath and an open living area for entertaining or relaxing. Located in the new development of Cedar Point with large lots and incredible views. This pre-sale package includes the lot, cottage, seawall, and dock system. Other plans and lots available. Damon Story 205.789.9526 Lake Martin Realty www.LakeMartinRealty.com
Russell Cabins, The Longleaf Announcing New Phase of Russell Cabins – Paddock Point! This Jonathan Torode design is a perfect plan to consider at Paddock Point. With three bedrooms and three full and two half bathrooms, it’s a perfect layout for family enjoyment. The Owner’s suite is on the main level for easy access to the spacious kitchen area with large dinner island. The upper level is a versatile design that offers two options for Extra living/sleeping. Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda or Emily 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
208 Wind Mist, Alexander City • $799,000 190 Holly Ridge, Dadeville • $ 595,000 68 Fairwinds Lane, Dadeville • $ 585,000 South Ridge Harbor, The Double Main An AMAZING home! Filled with character and This open floor plan with sun room overlooking Looking for a newer home on Lake Martin - this one One of the many designs available to build at charm. Perfect for full time or second home Lake Martin offers 3 Bedrooms,3 Baths with formal was built in 2013! Beautiful views from the house, South Ridge Harbor. Architect Larry Furlong created living. Newly renovated custom kitchen for all dining room. The second floor offers second family porch, deck and pier! Home offers 4 bedrooms the perfect plan for lake living. Owner’s retreat and the gourmet cooks. And for the kitchen friendsroom, couple of workshops and 3 car garage. Decks (Master & guest on main level), 4 baths & a bonus guest suite on main with open kitchen-dining-living --a spacious adjoining gathering room with dual and patio lakeside with pier and covered boat slip. room over the 2 car garage. Interior / exterior area. Laundry on both levels. Terrace level has two fireplace. Main level living features lavish master This one owner, brick home is easy maintenance, finishes include hardwood flooring, tile, granite, options providing two or three bedrooms and baths, suite; 2 guest bedrooms with private baths; separate established landscape and very well maintained. custom kitchen cabinets, Hardi-plank, stone accents family room and lake prep storage. Outdoor living living and dining areas-great for entertaining! All of this inside the gates of StillWaters Resort. & more. Great location --- close to everything! on both levels. Call for additional details. India Davis 256.749.7592 Rhonda Jaye Gaston 256.749.8681 Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Lake Martin Realty Lake Martin Realty Lake Martin Realty Emily or Rhonda 256.215.7011 www.LakeMartinRealty.com www.LakeMartinRealty.com www.LakeMartinRealty.com www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com
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Poor House BrancH Marina Since 1998
7062 Stemley Road on Logan Martin Lake • Talladega cing Open 256-268-2939 Finan ble 7 Day a l i a s www.poorhousebranchmarina.com Av
Using technology until now found in only inboards, Bryant is pleased to be the first manufacturer on the market to offer a sterndrive that is optimized for the exteme watersports. We have combined ballast, surf-tabs, a patented Sportporch and the quick-planning and prop bits of a dual counter-rotating props with the trimability and smooth manuverability of a sterndrive bringing a watersporting dream to life.
$86,900.00
2015 Bryant Calondra. 23’, Loaded, Powered by Volvo V8-300hp, SST Prop, Wakeboard Tower w/Sunshade, 2 10” Tower Speakers, GPS, Rear Lounge, Custom Tandom Trailer and Many More Options.
$74,727.00
2015 Avalon LSZ Cruise. Powered by 4 Stroke Honda 115, Fish Finder/ GPS, Chrome Docking Lights, Buckskin Vinyl Seating, Vinyl Flooring, Ski Tow Bar, Mooring Cover and Many More Options.
$28,395.00
2015 Bryant Sportabout. 19’ Powered by 150hp Honda 4 Stroke Seastar Hydraulic, Tilt Steering, Snap In Carpet, Deluxe Travel Cover, Tandem Trailer w/Swing Away Tongue and Many More Options.
$41,718.00
2015 Catalina Quad Lounger. 25’ Powered by 4 Stroke Honda 250, Triple Waveglider Pontoons, 50S Inland Fish Finder/GPS, Mooring Cover, Stainless Steel Lighted Cupholders, Chrome Docking Lights.
$49,950.00
“Always wear a personal flotation device Eddie Rush - Sales Mgr. Mike Morris - Owner while boating and read your eddie@poorhousebranchmarina.com owner’s manual.” mike@poorhousebranchmarina.com
JULY 2015
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Thompson advocates a new cleanup program after weekend litter discovered
LMRA calls for Rapid Response L
ake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) is in the process of organizing a volunteer effort to remove trash from Lake Martin shorelines as quickly as possible. Currently an annual cleanup is held in November in conjunction with the annual Alabama Power “Renew our Rivers” effort. Many of the beautiful sandy beaches along undeveloped shorelines are attractive to boaters who enjoy Lake Martin for LMRA will utilize one of its buoy maintenance a day or possibly as an overnight camping boats and will recruit volunteers to accomplish spot. While most boaters and Lake Martin the task. Initially, a cleanup would be scheduled visitors are appreciative of the wonderful each week during the peak boating season. While natural beauty and make certain to depart the most popular areas that receive heavy abuse without leaving a trace, there are some are well known, there may be other areas where who take pleasure in seeing how badly LMRA will rely on the boating public to report they can trash it up before leaving. the location and condition of the littered areas. After this past Memorial Day weekend, During the cleanups, every effort will be made more than 10 large bags of trash were to identify the abusers with the possibility of turnLMRA removed from three popular spots near ing their names over to the sheriff’s department BY JOHN THOMPSON Parker Creek. Other areas, such as Dixie to prosecute for criminal littering. LMRA has a Island and Goat Island, were reported to “report a litterer” program, which offers a reward have numerous tents pitched with a lot of activity on the of $250 to anyone who identifies a litterer and the report beach areas. This usually is a good indication that these results in a prosecution and conviction. areas are also heavily trashed. After years of abuse, a Those interested in volunteering or anyone with a boatload of trash was removed from Dixie Island during report of heavily trashed areas are asked to send an email the 2013 Renew our Rivers annual cleanup. to jthompson@lmra.info or call 334-399-3289. With a "rapid response" approach to the removal of trash left behind by those careless individuals, the shores John Thompson is president of Lake Martin Resource of Lake Martin can remain clean and inviting to all who Association, a nonprofit organization working for the betcome to enjoy its many pleasures. terment of Lake Martin. Find out more at www.lmra.info. JULY 2015
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Eating on the Wild Side Part IV:
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Common Root Crops
ur series reviewing Jo Robinson’s book, Eating on the Wild Side, continues this month, as we learn to maximize the nutrients in our vegetables by purchasing, storing and cooking them in appropriate ways. This month, we’ll study three other important root crops: carrots, beets and sweet potatoes. The original carrot dating back to our ancestors was purple in color. Eventually, Europeans were growing red, yellow, purple and white carrots, but it was not until about 400 years ago that our orange carrot came into existence. Although our orange carrots do not have the same protective qualities as the purple carrot, they are very nutritious. Carrots are low in fat, high in fiber, low in calories and a good source of beta-carotene. Robinson’s first piece of advice is to avoid purchasing “baby carrots.” These cute, tender little carrots have scrubbed and cut down to conHEALTHY LIVING been venient – yet non-nutritious – little BY JULIE HUDSON nubs. When we take away the outer portion of the carrot, we lose up to one-third of its phytonutrients. Buying mature carrots and cutting them into sticks will make a much more nutritious snack. Before storing carrots in the refrigerator, cut off the tops. This will preserve the moisture in the carrot. Fresh carrots are much more nutritious than frozen carrots, and interestingly, cooked carrots provide more nutrients then raw carrots. Boiling allows many of the nutrients to leach into the water; therefore, steaming, sautéing or roasting should be the cooking methods of choice. The latest findings show that it is better to cook carrots whole, followed by chopping or slicing them. The extra time it takes to cook carrots whole is worth it, as research has shown that 25 percent of a cancer-fighting compound will be retained when cooking carrots whole. Finally, you need to know that carrots contain
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a fat-soluble nutrient called beta-carotene; therefore, these nutrients are better absorbed when they are lightly coated in oil. Carrots drizzled in olive oil have up to eight times more beta carotene than raw baby carrots and 25 percent more than just cooked carrots without any fat. Beets are native to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. They still grow there, looking very similar to Swiss chard; rather than our domesticated beets with big bulbs. For several thousand years, people only ate the greens of beets, but as farmers created bigger and sweeter beetroots, the roots became the more popular portion of the plant, while the leaves took a back seat. Although research does show that the leaves are indeed the most nutritious part of the vegetable, the good news is that beets without their greens still rank among the healthiest of all our commonly eaten vegetables, coming in just behind artichokes, kale, red cabbage and bell peppers. Beets provide a sweet taste without impacting blood sugar. They are high in fiber, folate and potassium. They provide nine times more antioxidants than the typical tomato and 50 times more than orange carrots. This root crop gets its dark red color from phytonutrients called betalains. Results from a dietary survey demonstrated that people who ate beets on a regular basis had lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and diseases of the digestive tract than those who did not consume beets. To get the most nutrition out of beets, you have to know how to select them. Choosing the darkest red variety is the best option, and if the names are listed, go with Detroit Dark Red and Red Ace. If you happen to find dark red bunch beets, these are a very good choice. Bunch beets are sold with the leaves attached, and these are one of the healthiest greens you can buy. One more reason to
JULY 2015
choose bunch beets is that they are probably the freshest beets in the store. If you buy bunch beets, store the greens separately from the roots. Cut off the greens; rinse and dry them; and store them in a bag pricked with tiny holes. Eat them within two days. Beets, like corn, do not loose nutritional value when they are canned. They actually become more nutritious and provide more antioxidants than fresh beets; however, they are less colorful and flavorful. Beets become more nutritious when they are steamed, microwaved or roasted. Scrub the beets and cook them with the skin on. The skin protects the water-soluble nutrients. Once the beets are cooked and cooled down, peel the skin off. Use rubber gloves if you don’t want purple hands. If you’ve been following this series, you may wonder why I did not include sweet potatoes in last month’s discussion of potatoes. Well, it may be a big surprise to you, but common Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes are not related. Sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family, not the potato family. Sweet potatoes originated in Central America; whereas, the common potato came from Peru. The original sweet potatoes were not very sweet, but it was not too long before a sweeter variety, called batatas, replaced the earlier variety throughout southern Europe. Today, millions of people in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean consume large amounts of sweet potatoes; however, sweet potatoes are only a minor part of the typical American diet. It would benefit us greatly if we could increase our sweet potato consumption. Sweet potatoes have a much lower glycemic index than white potatoes (45 instead of 75-100). They provide about twice the antioxidants of the common potato, and they cook faster. Look for sweet potatoes with a deep flesh color. These provide more antioxidants than those with pale yellow flesh. If the produce manager can’t tell you the inside color of the potato, purchase the potatoes with the darkest skin. Sweet potatoes can be stored at room temperature for a week. They will last even longer if they are stored in a dark cool spot in a well-ventilated bag. Refrigerating sweet potatoes is not recommended, because that will produce an “off” flavor. Steaming, roasting or baking sweet potatoes will double their antioxidant value, while boiling reduces their nutritional value. The skin is more nutritious than the flesh, so I encourage you to eat the entire root. Julie Hudson is a dietician at the Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville. JULY 2015
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Night Fishing
Cool, quiet fishing that leaves plenty of time for family 84 LAKE
JULY 2015
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ne of the big misconceptions about Lake The most important component of the nighttime Martin is how good a fishery it really spinnerbait is the blade. I like a bigger (No. 5 or is. One of the characteristics that makes 6) single Colorado blade most of the time, but it Lake Martin so popular with recreational boatseems that a No. 4 single Colorado might be better ers and swimmers is its relatively deep and clear for Lake Martin. Typically, I prefer my blade color water. This is also a characteristic that has freto be gold or a black nickel. I know it seems odd to quently haunted the bass angler who is new to throw a black bait in the dark of night. I presume it Lake Martin. Clear water that appears to offer creates the best silhouette for the fish, but whatever limited cover for the fish could be a little intimithe case, it works. I know this, because I’ve caught dating to someone new to the lake. The fact is more on the black colors at night than traditional Lake Martin is producing some of the best qualdaytime colors. ity bass I’ve seen lately, as evidenced by many I throw the spinnerbait on a 7-foot 3-inch BIG CATCHES recent tournament results. heavy action Halo Twilite rod, a 7:1 baitcaster and BY GREG VINSON One of the other misconceptions about Lake 15-pound Seaguar Invis X flourocarbon. This is a Martin is that it’s not very fishable this time of pretty stout rod for a spinnerbait, but I need to be year due to all the recreational traffic. I’ve enjoyed fishing Lake able to get a solid hookset after using such a slow retrieve. Martin more at this time of year the past few seasons, because The flourocarbon line gives me added sensitivity and keeps we take family trips to the lake. I’ve found that if I get out early, my bait from riding up as much on the retrieve. Most strikes the boat traffic is really not all that bad until about 10 or 11 feel like the blade just stops turning, and the line goes slack. a.m. This means I can get a good five or six hours of fishing in When I feel that change of pace in my bait, I immediately set peace; and then, make it back to hang out with the family the the hook upward. It seems like the fish has been tracking the rest of the day. bait when they strike similar to a swimming jig or swimbait, Night fishing is another alternative. There is little to virtually and you need to be able to take up the extra slack as their no recreational traffic most nights, especially the later it gets – momentum continues towards the boat. with July 4th being the exception for obvious reasons. The air Deep down, I enjoy night fishing in the summer, because it’s temperatures at night are much cooler, and it’s a unique type unique; it’s cooler; and it’s usually pretty peaceful; however, I of fishing that you really don’t get to do any other time of the have noticed there are elements that have helped me become a year. For me, night fishing provides an escape from the rigors better tournament fisherman. of tournament fishing, yet it offers elements that help me hone Fishing at night causes me to be more in tune with my bait. my skills. I notice the feel of the bait and how it reacts to the speed of my Of all the fishing I’ve done in my life, there are still indiretrieve and the movement of my rod. It also helps me recogvidual trips that stand out, one of which is a trip I took with my nize a bite better. dad one summer. I imagine I was around 8 or 9 years old. Fishing in the dark is a little like being blind folded. I can I remember him saying that we wouldn’t leave the house see some, but I seem to key in more closely to my electronuntil 9 o’clock that night. We launched our boat at Kowaliga ics for help in determining where I am and what is going on and proceeded to bounce around fishing pier lights that hung around the boat. It has certainly helped me improve my skills close to the water (there were no underwater lights back then). as an offshore angler, and that’s been helpful to a guy who preI was amazed at how many fish we/he caught, and they just fers beating the bank. seemed to bite better the later it got. I dozed off between a few When considering areas to fish at night, remember places stops since I was not adapted to pulling all nighters yet, but in which you’ve had success during the day at this time of the when I was awake, I had a blast. I must have, because that trip year. Those will typically be brush piles, rock piles, stumps, stands out vividly after all those years. etc., that are close to deep water. When I began fishing from a boat by myself, I fished a lot at It’s best if you have a nice creek or river channel swing close night during summer vacations. It’s something that I’ve always to the structure. You might think the fish are more apt to roam looked forward to at this time of year. when it’s dark, but it seems they cling more tightly to cover. When I moved to the Montgomery area, I started fishing The situation is similar to muddy water in which their visibility Lake Jordan some at night and quickly learned that it was a is limited, so having a nice object to relate to seems to give little bit different. I was lucky enough to have a friend show me them a sense of safety as much as an ambush point. I can’t say I how to fish a spinnerbait in the dark. blame them with the big stripers that patrol the open water like I learned that catching bass at night didn’t necessarily require sharks. a pier light, and I realized that bass use other senses (I suspect In the end, if you enjoy fishing, don’t be deterred from the their lateral line and hearing) to hone in on a lure at night. After joys of fishing Lake Martin in the hot summer. Though I can enjoying a lot of success on the Coosa and even Tennessee river choose from a lot of different fisheries when I’m home, I still lakes with a nighttime spinnerbait, I figured I’d give it a try on enjoy all that the lake has to offer. Lake Martin. Sure enough, it worked here, too. I hope this summer you’ll find some time to enjoy what a My nighttime spinnerbait configuration is all about making great fishery Lake Martin can be. It is definitely a multi-sport noise or, more importantly, vibration. I have more success fishreservoir and should get the credit is deserves as such. ing the bait close to the bottom with a pulsing retrieve. A solid black, black-blue, or black-red skirt is best on a 1/2- to 3/4Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the ounce spinnerbait. This may sound a little heavy, but keep in Bassmaster Elite Series and PAA tours. He lives in Wetumpka mind you want the bait to stay down in the water column. and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. JULY 2015
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Grilled Okra with Chile 1 pint okra, baby if possible 4 Arbol chilies cut into thin rings 1 lime Salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Trim and wash okra; toss with salt pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grill over very hot coals until okra starts to brown and slightly char. In a bowl, add lime zest, juice, half the chili and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss hot okra in lime and oil mixture. Pour onto serving dish and garnish with the remainder of the chili.
CHEF’S TABLE
BY ROB MCDANIEL
Rob McDaniel, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the New England culinary Institute.
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National Village is unveiling the newest model home and plan in Quail Ridge. So we’re inviting you to come see this beautifully crafted home. You’ll appreciate the outstanding custom features, newest color palettes and trends in new homes. A flowing home plan with great entertaining areas, large master suites plus two guest bedrooms. Enjoy miles of trails, private lakes, RTJ golf, pickle ball, tennis and the great resort pool. Only 2 homes remain in our award-winning Stonelake neighborhood! All lawn care included in HOA. HOST TO BARBASOL CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Priced from the $300’s MONDAY - THURSDAY: 10 AM - 6 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 10 AM - 5 PM SUNDAY: 1 PM - 5 PM From Hwy 280, take Grand National Parkway. Right on Robert Trent Jones Trail. Go to third round about and turn right on Lake Lodge Blvd. Left on 88National LAKE Village Parkway. Sales Gallery on the left.
(334) 749-8165 JULY 2015 nationalvillage.com
Not a Chemistry Lesson
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t has been a long time coming, but whether A third reason for malolactic fermentation highwe want to know all about wine or just a little, lights the uniqueness of a wine’s complexity. When there’s one thing that can’t be overlooked: It’s we think about the many components of winemaktime to talk about malolactic fermentation. ing, everything being in tune from the soil, the grape I know it’s hot, and it’s summer; there’s a lot of itself, timing the harvest and the winemaker’s artother stuff to do, and nobody came to the lake for a istry, it remains, at the core, a chemical process with chemistry lesson, but this is an important element of some volatility. winemaking that might be intriguing on a rainy day The inherent presence of malic acid in wine is or when it’s just too hot to be outside. a breeding ground for both good and bad bacteria, Malolactic fermentation is basically the biochemiwhich raises the issue of stability. The winemaker cal process whereby bacteria, either naturally occurmust control this chaos by ensuring that the process ring or injected, converts malic acid into lactic acid. happens using time-proven strains of good bacteria. Simple. To allow the secondary fermentation to occur natuFROM THE CELLAR rally could mean disaster in the form of exploding The tart malic acid is like the taste of a green BY HENRY FOY apple. Lactic acid - lactic as in milk - is richer, softer corks and the mess that would follow. And of course, and more buttery tasting. Ah-h, Chardonnay. Now the wine would be awful. we get it. Malolactic fermentation generally enhances body and For our taste test, we will start with two wines, both California augments flavors while giving a softness to the texture of the wine. Chardonnays. Choose Chardonnays, because they are the most But being that it is a process of winemaking, it gets a little more recognizably buttery and oaky, most of the time. It is one of those involved. It’s not just for Chardonnay. Most high-quality reds ben- things that many people take a strong stand either for or against. efit from this conversion, which is often referred to as secondary We either like it oaky and buttery, or we hate it. fermentation. The order in which you taste these won’t matter, but we have Remember that in the primary fermentation, the wine’s natural to start somewhere. So the first is a Central Coast Chard called sugars are devoured by yeasts to produce alcohol. Typically, it is Sisters Forever from Donati Family Vineyard. It is a screw cap and a two-step process of primary and then secondary fermentation, retails at about $11. It is also an un-oaked Chardonnay. You may though some winemakers insist that the integration of fruit and oak be thinking, “Where’s he going with this?” characteristics can be better achieved when malolactic fermentaThe second wine is from Pali Wine Company in tion occurs simultaneously, when the wine is in the barrel, with the the Sonoma Coast area of California. It is called Charm Acres and primary fermentation. is also a screw cap that retails for around $18. This wine was barGrapes grown in cooler regions tend to be higher in acidity, the rel fermented and aged using 25 percent new oak (Some day we’ll results of higher malic acid content. Wines with fruity and floral explore French and American oak, new oak and previously used profiles, such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer, will not undergo barrels, but not today). malolactic fermentation but instead will preserve the tart, acidic The Pali is unique, because after all this talk about malolactic characteristics. Some wines need it, others don’t. When we’re fermentation, the label states, “This wine underwent no malolactic looking for refreshing summer wines, those with high acidity fermentation.” and perhaps little or no malolactic fermentation will be the most Well, what do you know? appealing. If you want to add a third wine to the lineup, I suggest you get Is the contrast that sharp? Yes, it can be. But, isn’t it wonderful an oaky, buttery Chardonnay, such as LaCrema, Kendall Jackson, to have so many choices? or even Mark West. Depending on our mood or the menu, we can have crisp, acidic What we want to compare are the characteristics of the unand refreshing wines, or we can opt for a softer, smoother, even oaked and the no-malo wines. Pour a shot of each into a couple of buttery, mouth feel and flavor. Big reds won’t have the butteriness glasses and start tasting. You may want a spit bucket, so you get associated with a California Chardonnay, but they will be smoothmore taste and less alcohol going back and forth as you evaluate er and less sharp, thanks to a little malo. (A young red may show what you taste. some tannins, but that’s a matter for another time.) You should find that one is clearly more acidic than the other, To keep it simple, the primary purpose of malolactic fermentaand one is softer and smoother than the other. You may discern the tion is to reduce the acidity of some wines. An added effect is flavors that come from the oak fermentation, and you may get a a smoother mouth feel and enhanced complexity of aroma and sense of how the malo influences the buttery flavors. flavor, particularly in red wine. Almost all red wines undergo this It’s all in the chemistry, the details of which I intentionally left secondary fermentation, as do many sparkling wines and a large out. You’re welcome. number of whites. Have a crisp, refreshing summer. In addition to reducing overall acidity, the conversion from the tart malic acid to the buttery lactic acid is highly desirable in some Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine, Café 128, Gallery wines. Producers of super rich, buttery California Chardonnays 128 and the recently enlarged Cigar Shop at Emporium Wine with have been accused of over doing it; thus, the current trend toward the area’s only walk-in humidor located in downtown Alexander less “butter” and many more unoaked Chardonnays coming to the City at 128 Calhoun Street. He can be reached at 256.212.WINE, market. on Facebook and at emporium128@bellsouth.net.
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Two Feet
Pro Tips From Lee Williams This article is going to be very simple. Would you believe me if I told you the golf swing largely can be summed up in two feet? I know it sounds like a stretch, but it’s true. The first two feet of the backswing are critical in setting up the rest of what happens. If you are far off at the beginning of the swing, it can make getting in the subsequent positions correctly really tough. The biggest mistake most amateur golfers make is in taking the club too far to the inside as they take it back. This immediately gets the club stuck behind them and making solid shots tough. Getting the first two feet correct is going to be easy. Grab a golf ball and set it about two feet behind the ball you are about to hit. Make sure it’s directly behind (not to the inside or outside) of the ball you are hitting. Keep focused on where the ball is two feet behind you, and make your club go over it on the way back. I recommend doing this at half speed with a 9 iron. It will be tough to make a foreign move at full speed. The quickest and easiest way to change a bad habit is slow-speed practice. I’ve done it for years, and it works. Keeping the club in front of you on the takeaway will help you hit the other correct positions in the swing, making your shots more solid and straight. Also, this is a great drill to do while chipping, as chipping is nothing more than a short version of the full swing. Good Luck!
Lee Williams, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, grew up playing golf at Willow Point Country Club. As an amateur, Williams was a member of the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams, as well as the 2004 World Amateur Team. He is sponsored by Russell Lands, King Honda, Nowlin and Associates, P.F. Chang’s, Tempus Jet, Hyatt, Adams Golf, Russell Athletic, Titleist, Ameritas Financial Corp. and Southwest Airlines.
New owner's one shot STORY & PHOTO BY BETSY ILER
The course's new owner, Keith Hiett is looking for a hole-in-one at StillWaters Golf Club
As reports of improved play trickle in, new owner Keith Hiett continues to work at updating the semi-private course inside the gates at Dadeville’s StillWaters Golf Club. A part time resident at StillWaters since 2012, Hiett and his wife, Debbie, executed a lease/ purchase agreement for the course and clubhouse in May and have been diligently upgrading the play experience since then. Hiett is the owner of Premium Turf, LLC, a golf course maintenance company based in Auburn. He started working at the company as a teenager and in 2008 purchased Premium Turf from his uncle. While he’s learned a few things about taking care of the course, Hiett also has played the game since the age of 15, and one particular hole stands out in his mind – a hole-in-one at Indian Pines Golf Club in Auburn. “It was the third hole, 130 yards,” Hiett said. “It was early spring, so we were still playing on winter grass.” The greens were still a little tacky, Hiett said, and he teed off with his pitching wedge, watched the ball hop up on the hill and disappear. “I went out there, and I couldn’t find it. When I realized it had gone in the hole, I ran around a little, did some yelling, I think. I won a few dollars on the hole, too,” he said with a smile. The greens were the first order of business when Hiett took over the course on May 18, as it had been several years since they were fertilized. It takes a bit of time to properly improve a golf course, but already players are encouraged with the work the new owners have put into StillWaters, and Hiett is looking forward to hitting great shots there in the near future. JULY 2015
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Legend
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To Sylacauga
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Public Boat Ramps
22
280
Alexander City
14
Churches 9
Camps & Parks
Camp ASCCA
Flint Hill Church
Power lines
12
U.S. Highways
3
280
22
County Roads
Piney Woods Landing
Wind Creek State Park
Pleasant Grove Church
11
COOSA COUNTY
Alex City Boat Ramp
Mt. Zion Church
259 9
128
63
21 20
D.A.R.E. Park Landing
Friendship Church New Hope Church
Liberty Church
Willow Point
24
34
5
8
Equality
Kowaliga Boat Landing
55
4
Seman
Camp Alamisco
9 17 The Ridge
1 10
Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis
63
Trillium
Union Landing
Children’s Harbor
20
2
The Amp Ko w
ali
ga
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y
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Central
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Union Church
Red Hill 63
229
15
Eclectic
Tallassee
13 Kent
92 LAKE
Union
ELMORE COUNTY
JULY 2015
Timbergut Landing
Horseshoe Bend National Park
Jaybird Landing
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22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
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42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741 270 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026
Jacksons Gap 280
53. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550 8300 Parker Creek Marina Rd, Equality, AL 36026
Bethel Church
16
Dadeville
57
280
22
Camp Hill
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Church of the Living Waters
4. Dark Insurance 18 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com
. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 20 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024
7 Teresa’s Catering & Wedding Cakes 256-249-2021 www.teresacatering.com 4890 County Rd. 41, Sylacauga, Al 35150 86. SpringHouse 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
4 Tallapoosa Ford 11 256-234-3432 1551 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010
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4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 17 256-794-1333 111 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
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10 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
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4. Russell Building Supply 16 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
. McDaniels Storage Center 19 256-234-4583 1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010
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4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 15 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024
62. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Highway 49 South, Dadeville, AL 36853
96. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010
Lake Martin Baptist Church 49
4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 14 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010
21 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36024 22 Artistic Teak Traders 256-896-1111 334-559-6625 1405 Old Hwy 280, Camp Hill, AL 36850
Hotels & Lodging 2. Creekside Lodge & Conference and Event Center 23 256-307-1440 6993 Hwy.49 S, Dadeville, AL 36853 24 Cherokee Bend Bed & Breakfast 877-760-7854 5833 Highway 22 East, Alex City 35010
5. Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 12 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010
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5. Eclectic Emporium & Antique Gifts 13 334-541-5060 124 Claude Rd, Eclectic, Al 36024
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Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 30 A Second Act......................................................... 94 Above & Beyond Cleaning & Concierge......... 83 Advanced Cardiovascular.................................... 83 Advanced Heating & Air...................................... 42 Alex City Marine................................................... 62 Alex City Taxi & Shuttle...................................... 95 Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.........97 Amy Clark Real Estate......................................... 94 Artistic Teak Traders............................................. 17 Auburn Dental Spa............................................... 21 Black Sheep............................................................ 27 Blue Creek Iron Works....................................... 95 Brown Nursing Home........................................... 8 Buttons & Bows Boutique.................................. 25 C&T Electric.......................................................... 83 Cardens Gift Cottage.......................................... 25 Carlisle Gifts & Soda Fountain........................... 21 Cedar Point, Damon Story................................. 31 CertaPro Painters................................................. 95 Chuck's Marina ..................................................... 97 Coach Kraft Upholstery...................................... 94 Com-Link, Inc........................................................... 6 Custom Docks....................................................... 96 DAVCO Development......................................... 94 DB Lawn Care....................................................... 95 Designs by Trish....................................................... 5 Docks Unlimited..................................................... 5 First Baptist Church Alexander City.................. 8 First Realty............................................................... 6 George Hardy D.M.D........................................... 42
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LAKE 97
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July 11 , 4:00p
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