a non-invasive CT Scan that provides enhanced 3D heart images to find the presence, location, and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries
not recommended for patients who have had a prior scan within the last 3 years or have history of cardiac stents and/or bypass surgery
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
$125.00
ultrasound generates 3D moving images of the heart to assess the functionality of chambers & valves
not recommended if you are an established patient of a cardiologist who has had a cardiac visit within the last 12 months, or have had an echocardiogram within the last 6 months
STROKE PREVENTION ULTRASOUND
$75.00
carotid artery ultrasound that detects thickening of the artery walls that lead to stroke
Staff
Chairman
My office is tucked behind the conference room at Tallapoosa Publishers.
I have a double window in a bit of berm, and my view includes a doublewide HVAC unit and a wide expanse of sky. It’s the secondmost daylight view in the building (Audra, our art director, has six windows in the curve on the opposite side of the building). I love the eastern exposure, but its price is the outside temperature. In the summer, I keep a fan running, and in the winter, I wear long underwear almost every day. After last month’s freezing temps, I’m dreaming of spring days like the one on the cover of this issue of Lake magazine.
Though Alexander City bride Katie Ledbetter and her husband, David Law, had their issues with the weather (rain moved the nuptials inside), Lake Martin provided an ethereal backdrop for the Laws’ special day. Diehard romantics that we are, the Lake magazine staff is delighted to share their story on page 36.
This year’s selection of weddings also includes one of our own. In fact, it was Shaylee Beck and Stephen Moore’s locally focused lakeside wedding that led to Shaylee joining our TPI team. Read their larger than life story on page 32.
But February at Lake Martin is about so much more than weddings because there is so much more here to love.
I, for one, live vicariously through the lens of Kenneth Boone’s camera, especially when he is scouting a rare bird in the area. This month, he came upon an uncommon shorebird, the Greater Yellowlegs. While I’ve seen this species once or twice before on the Gulf coast, it’s generally not a frequent visitor to the lake. Like so many of us who discovered Lake Martin and made this place our home, this bright-legged shorebird seemed to find much to love in our little corner of heaven. Get to know this delightful visitor on page 58.
Locals Steve and Traci Roy grew up in the shadow of Lake Martin and knew it for the gem it always has been, so building their home at The Heritage was about sharing the lake with family and friends. They moved in last September and focused their décor on cozy comfort. Join them on page 50 as they look forward to their first summer season in their new home.
Fishing is another great love at the lake, and Major League Fishing pro Greg Vinson discusses one of the most soughtafter attributes of any angler – patience. But contrary to popular belief, our local pro doesn’t hold a lot of stock in it. Find out what he values more on page 72.
It’s the season of love at Lake Martin, so grab a cup of something warm and cozy up next to the fire with someone you love to read this issue of Lake magazine. There’s plenty of winter still to enjoy!
content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 | lakemagazine.life
David Law and Katie Ledbetter were married in May at Willow Point Golf & Country Club on the shores of Lake Martin where the bride grew up, after meeting through friends at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Spring rains moved the ceremony inside but didn't dampen their spirits.
Photo by Megan Mullins Photography
We Touch the Lives of the People
16. MISS AMERICA LOVES LAKE MARTIN
After we featured Miss Alabama Abbie Stockard in Lake's January issue, she won the Miss America title.
20. WEDDING & EVENT EXPO
Plan your entire event in a single afternoon at this show benefitting Lake Martin Area United Way.
THE BRIDAL ISSUE
Lake Martin provides breathtaking scenery at unique venues as a backdrop for hundreds of brides every year. Our featured couples provide the love.
24. Lynden Blacke & Chad Balyo
28 Kodee Elizabeth & Payton Miller
32. Shaylee Beck & Stephen Moore
36. Katie Ledbetter & David Law
40. Ashlee Little and Austin Bailey
42. Danielle Yates & Sam Cooper
46. Grace Palenapa & Jacob Hohn
50. RELAXING RETREAT
Steve and Traci Roy came home to Lake Martin in a house built for family times at The Heritage.
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:
9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE
11. LAKE SCENES
12. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
58. NATURE OF THE LAKE
62. LMRA
65. FAB FINDS
66. HEALTHY LIVING
68. CHEF'S TABLE
70. CHEERS!
72. BIG CATCHES
75. THE SCRAMBLE
82. PARTING SHOT
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.lakemagazine.life.
- edition
Lynden Blake and Chad Balyo married at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake
Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators
Crank4Bank comes to Lake Martin early this year
Crank4Bank kicks off this month with new dates, lower registration fees and more than $1.1 million in prizes, including new boats and big fish prize packages, said OGS Tournaments Manager Mike Freeman. Traditionally, the tournament that offers cash prizes for tagged fish has launched later in the year and wrapped up on July 4, but registered anglers can count tagged bass as early as February 15 this year and collect $1,500 for every tagged fish caught.
“We changed the dates to allow more tournament anglers, and bass anglers in general, the opportunity to take part,” Freeman explained. “In the past, the tournament got beyond the times of year when bass fishermen are out on the water. We wanted to increase the access this year.”
Marine Boating & Outdoors in Alexander City.
Increasing angler access also increases the chances of someone catching the $1 million fish. Last year, an unregistered tournament angler caught the top prize, but because he hadn’t registered for the tournament, he was unable to collect.
White-tagged fish are worth $1,500 or more from February 15 through May 15
This year’s tag color is white, Freeman said.
The 2025 Crank4Bank tournament will conclude on May 15. Prizes will be awarded May 17 during an event at Russell
“I didn’t have the heart to tell him,” Freeman said. Historically, the tournament draws between 300 and 400 Lake Martin anglers, who cast their lines to win the big money. Additional prizes include a bass boat valued at $72,000 or a Ranger RT188 aluminum bass boat valued at $40,000. The remaining 197 tagged fish win $1,500 each. In the virtual contest, the top two biggest catches also win prize packages from Realtree Fishing and Green Monster Fishing Lights.
Read the complete rules and register at crank4bank.com.
Weather Outlook for February
February 2025 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s with average lows in the mid to low 30s and about 5 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of January. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly higher than average and rainfall will be slightly below average this month.
Year-to-Date
Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 483.97 Lowest: 483.85
Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.
Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Beth Miller sports Auburn colors on a wakeboard at Lake Martin. (2) Early fall morning reflections of moon on the water, taken at The Village Lake Martin. (3) Bertie can hardly wait for that wind-inhis-face feeling he gets when the boat pulls a skier. (4) Gemma Chambliss thinks Wind Creek State Park at Lake Martin is wonderful at any time of year. (5) Another beautiful day on Lake Martin. (6) The sun burns through the morning mist on a beautiful October day at Lake Martin.
February 1
The Hutchersons and Friends Show
Long-time duo Danny and Edwina Hutcherson have been performing country and gospel music together for more than 20 years. They will invite a few musician friends to join them at 6:30 p.m. in playing selections for the Dadeville Performing Arts Center community. Advance tickets are $10 online at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com or $15 at the door. Children attend free.
February 13
Rex Havens
Courtesy of Alex City Arts, nationally-touring comedian Rex Havens will bring his tribute to strong, funny women to a local stage at 7:30 p.m. with video, still images, audio clips and music. Appropriate for all ages, tickets are $20 in advance at alexcityarts. org and $25 at the door. Visit the Alex City Arts website for the performance location and more information.
February 14
February 15
Storytime Extravaganza
Dadeville Public Library will present local children’s author Negrita Smart as she shares her stories from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center.
February 17
Sax on the Square
Tommy G will bring his sweet, soulful saxophone to Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Purchase an Instrumental Concert Series Pass for $30 to see this concert and three other performances scheduled for March 24, April 14 and May 26. Visit dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for details.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast to support local charities on February 15
Valentine’s Day
Fur Ball
The Mitchell House in Dadeville will host a formal evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to benefit Lake Martin Animal Shelter. The night will include live music, dinner and dessert, a cash bar, silent auction, door prizes, games and more. Dress up for a great cause. Tax-deductible donations will support local animal rescues. Visit Lake Martin Animal Rescue on Facebook for more information.
February 15
Pancake Day
Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Kiwanis Club will host a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School cafeteria. Tickets are $8 and are available from any club member or at the door on the day of the event. Funds raised will benefit the high school senior scholarship fund.
February 21 Tom Tyson and Band Branching out beyond traditional bluegrass music into other musical genres, this 7 p.m. event at Dadeville Performing Arts Center is a follow-up to Tom and Ben’s previous guest appearance with Town Creek Ramblers Bluegrass Band. Tickets are $10 in advance online at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com or $15 at the door.
February 22
Russell Forest Run
This exhilarating run through Russell Forest has raised almost $133,000 over 16 years. Be a part of something big and sign up today. Registration is $40. Choose the 5K or 10K event. The starting gun fires at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads at 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m., respectively, and the after-party at The Stables can't be beat with the World Famous Grits Bar. Visit russelllands.com/blog/events for details and registration information.
February 23
Gospel Extravaganza and Black History Celebration
Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host popular regional gospel groups to celebrate the area’s rich heritage of true American spiritual music. For details and tickets information, visit dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.
March 1
Chili & Gumbo Cook-off
First prize in this year’s Main Street Alexander City Mardi Gras celebration is $500 in each category. Enter a five-member cooking team for free. There will be live music, food and a kids zone from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $20; ages 12 and under admitted free. Visit mainstreetalexandercity.org for details.
March 1
HOBOs Annual Meeting
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association will be held at 8:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Dadeville. Visit lakemartinhobos.com for details.
March 8
Acoustic Jam Session
Acoustic musicians of all levels gather on the second Saturday each month from from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to jam acoustic music. The public is invited to come, play and listen for free. Email officeat dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for more information.
Season-long Events
LMYP Game Night
Every third Thursday of the month, grab your crew and meet at The Local at 41 Main in downtown Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for games, laughs and exclusive LMYP drink specials. It’s free to play the games, like trivia and bingo and more, and the grand prize is always $50. For more information, visit the Lake Martin Young Professionals’ Facebook page.
Stillwaters Dog Fight Golf
Join golfers of all ages and abilities at Stillwaters Golf Club at 10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for an open golf event. In addition to regular golf fees, players pay a small entry fee of $7 or $15, depending on the day. For details, call the golf shop at 256-825-1353.
Lake Martin Civitan Club
The Lake Martin Civitan Club meets at noon in the private room at JR’s Sport Bar & Grill, 145 Alabama Street, Alexander City, on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call Audrey Moore at 256-786-0465.
Everything’s Art Classes
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays, children in grades three through five will learn the elements of art as they complete projects in class with Everything’s Art teachers. Visit dadevilleperformingartscenter.com/Classes to enroll and complete permission forms. No fees for Tallapoosa County children. Email Delaine Hanson at delaine.hanson@gmail.com for details.
Artists Association of Central Alabama
AACA artists meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds with a general meeting followed by open studio. Club dues are $20 for the year.
Wellborn Musclecar Museum
The Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge the 1970 Grand National Champion as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. To arrange discounted group tours or private tours, email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.
Clean Community Partnership Cleanups
Pick up trash in Alexander City to win money for your favorite charity. Volunteers meet at Strand Park at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. Turn in your collected trash and get points for each person on your cleanup team and each bag of trash you collect. The team with the most points gets a $500 check made out to the nonprofit charity of their choice. Second place is $200, and third place is $200. For more information, contact Michelle West at 256-786-0584 or John Thompson at 334-399-3289.
In Dadeville, a monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.
Library Storytimes
Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Mamie’s Place Children’s Library in Alexander City holds themed storytimes every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children.
Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours
Come see Naturalist Marianne and her lively nature presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.
Tallassee Lions Club
The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For more information, call Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or email her at marilyn.speake@tcschools.com.
was crowned Miss America on January 5
Alabama's Abbie Stockard
Miss America loves Lake Martin
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MORE
PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, HOUSTON PHOTOGRAPHY & MACK HOPPER
LLake Martin is a popular destination for individuals of all walks of life: movie producers, influencers, college football coaches – and now Miss America.
Abbie Stockard, 22, was featured as a cover model for Lake magazine’s 2025 Swimsuit and Lifestyle edition, holding the title of Miss Alabama at presstime. In an in-depth interview with Stockard last December, she expressed her excitement at taking pageantry to the next level.
On January 5, her dream came to life as she was crowned Miss America 2025.
“It was just so surreal,” said Stockard. “I remember holding hands with Miss Texas, the first runner-up. She looked at me before they called my name, and she was like, ‘Abbie, you’re going to make for a phenomenal Miss America.’”
“When they announced my name, she gave me the biggest hug. It just made me feel so special and loved, and I didn’t want to let go. I looked at all the other contestants, and they were jumping up and down chanting my name. Then I looked in the other direction and saw the audience, and I saw my family, bawling crying. It was just an incredible moment.”
of gym workouts, five days a week in the dance studio and practicing how to walk in her evening gown, which Stockard said is much harder than it looks.
“I had been preparing for months in advance for Miss America,” said Stockard. “There’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes than what people think and what you see on the competition stage.”
The Miss America competition was held at the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida.
In the six months leading up to the competition, Stockard’s preparations included an intense routine
Stockard’s evening gown was a stunning white silk Jovani couture piece, custom-designed by The Clothes Tree by Deborah in Birmingham, Alabama. The dress featured a beaded halter neckline adorned with shimmering gold and AB crystal accents, while the open back, Stockard’s favorite detail, added a sophisticated touch.
“I felt angelic walking on the Miss America stage in my gown,” said Stockard. “I felt like it exemplified class, but also elegance and old Hollywood glamour.”
Between her workouts and gown fittings, what took up most of her time was
preparing for the eight-minute, one-on-one interview with the preliminary judges. With help from the Miss Alabama board, Stockard participated in two to three mock interviews a week to prepare. She also carried a 200-page binder of questions and information to study, learning as many cultural insights as possible.
“That is what requires the most preparation,” said Stockard. “The judges can literally ask you anything they want about global issues, political matters and
A nursing student at Auburn University, Stockard spends her summers at Lake Martin
As Miss America, Stockard will promote a platform for cystic fibrosis awareness and fund raising
social issues. They expect you to be educated on these topics, as well as be able to formulate opinions on those.”
Stockard’s drive for the competition was far more sentimental than winning a title. Her inspiration came from a childhood promise she made to her best friend, Maddie, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. Stockard has stood by her friend’s side through hospital stays while battling the disease and at 9 years old, promised her friend she would become a lifelong advocate for fighting cystic fibrosis by raising awareness and funds for a cure.
During her tenure as Miss Alabama, Stockard began fulfilling this promise to her friend. She ran with the campaign initiative, “Be the Change,” which supports cystic fibrosis research. She also hosted a fundraising event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Maddie watched from the audience as Stockard was crowned Miss America.
“I was so happy Maddie was there,” said Stockard. “She was so excited and proud of me. I just looked at Maddie, and I got a flashback to our friendship, and I thought of that little girl that I saw in the hospital. That was my best friend showing me that even in the darkest moments, hope shines bright.”
“And so, I decided to use this opportunity to not only be the Miss America for every single person, but mostly be the Miss America for every person affected with cystic fibrosis, like my best friend, Maddie.”
As brand ambassador, Stockard will serve as the face and voice for the Miss America Organization and will continue to work to increase that platform’s visibility and relevance. She hopes to serve as a light and role model to people across the country. She also aims to be a role model for young women to pursue their dreams.
“I think a lot of young women feel like I did, that you had to grow up competing in pageants in order to be successful in the Miss America organization,” said Stockard. “And I’m excited to show other women that it doesn’t matter if you grew up competing or not. This organization values authenticity and just staying true to your unique and beautiful self. I’m hoping to show women that everyone has a story; everyone has a unique struggle; and this is just a platform to come and to share it to really make a difference across your community.”
Following her win, Stockard is enjoying a short visit home to Alabama before setting out to begin her journey across the nation as Miss America.
This summer, Stockard also looks forward to visiting Lake Martin.
“If I have any free time, especially this summer, I will be hanging out at the lake,” said Stockard. “I’ve been at Lake Martin every single summer since I was a little girl, and I can’t imagine not going there to relax and reset.”
Lake Martin homeowners seeking to enhance their lakefront from the front door to the waterline with docks, decks, boathouses, hard and soft scapes, irrigation, lighting and other features or to renovate or service existing ones.
Docks & Seawalls
Decks & Patios
Landscaping
Lighting & Electrical
Repairs & Maintenance
Wedding & Event Expo
Plan an entire event in one day at this Lake Martin Area United Way benefit show
STORY BY BETSY ILER & ABIGAIL MURPHY
Clockwise from Top Left: Florists have sample arrangements and photos on display; Musicians and DJs demo their music at the event; Artists show samples of their work on invitations and as framed mementos; Talk with wedding and event planners about the details of your special day.
PPlan your entire event in one afternoon at the Sixth Annual Wedding and Event Expo on Sunday, February 23, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Mitchell House in Dadeville. The list of vendors at this show includes cake makers, florists, invitation printers, reception bands, photographers and more. Food and beverage vendors will have samples to offer. Other vendor giveaways at the expo could include discounts for contracted services and more. The event is a benefit for Lake Martin Area United Way.
“It’s for a great cause, and the show really highlights what the area has to offer brides,” said LMAUW Executive Director Courtney Layfield. “And not just brides but anyone who is holding an event – anniversaries, birthdays, bridal showers, corporate events and more.”
Attendees can tour the 189-yearold mansion, as well as the new 3,500-square-foot pavilion, an enclosed space that was completed last summer. The pavilion eliminates the need for a large tent during weddings and other gatherings and offers protection from extreme temperatures.
The Mitchell House owner, Vivian Autrey, said the pavilion was designed to complement the aesthetic of the historic home. Shutters frame the outside windows, and elegant black and white accent walls in the bathrooms mirror the famous gingko tree on the lawn of the main house. Rain chains were chosen over gutters to keep the design simple and representative of the property’s architecture.
Parking on the property is limited, but a golf cart shuttle will transport guests from the parking lot at Dadeville First Baptist Church to The Mitchell House.
The new pavilion seats 225 and includes three restrooms and a catering kitchen with warming oven, refrigerator and counter space where dishes can be styled for presentation.
Autrey said she’s excited to
open The Mitchell House again for this event, as the space was closed during the construction of the pavilion. The pavilion expands the year round functionality of the 1,600-square-foot home-turnedparty space. Previously, a tent was used to accommodate large wedding parties and events. The tent was given to Tallapoosa County for use at the future agricultural center, Autrey said. The pavilion multiplies the space available to vendors who are happy to consult with brides during the expo.
“This event is a great way to learn what is available locally, and this year, we’re also getting vendors from other communities, as far away as Georgia,” Layfield said.
LMAUW assists 27 local agencies with funding for everything from operations to equipment procurement and services expansions. In addition, the local United Way is a liaison for the 211 system, which provides information about organizations that serve the needs of the community; organizes two annual Day of Action events to support local schools and assists first responders with volunteer recruitment and the dissemination of information in times of emergency or disaster.
Tickets for the Wedding and Event Expo are $10 and are available in advance on the LMAUW website or at the door. Vendor applications also are available at the LMAUW website and will be accepted until February 14. Vendor reservations are $75.
In addition to The Mitchell House, other supporting vendors include Little Plume & Paper, Mrs. B’s photo booth, Radiant Creations, The Grand Bakery, Those Lake Martin Guys and Simplie Kimmie custom wedding paintings. Visit mitchellhouseevents.com or unitedwaylakemartin.org or find them on Facebook.
WLabor Day Love
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
While the love for SEC basketball and karaoke may have bonded the couple, it was a stroke of fate through a dating app that sparked romance between Alexander City native Lynden Blake and Ohio’s Chad Balyo.
Blake, a reporter for WBRC at the time, met Balyo when she noticed something unusual in his dating profile a photo with a mutual Alexander City connection. The photo initiated a conversation between the two, but a playful bet on an SEC Championship basketball game brought them together to meet face to face.
“The bet was that if Alabama won the basketball game, I would travel to Birmingham to meet Chad,” said Blake. “But if LSU won, he would make the trip to see me in Huntsville.”
Though Alabama ultimately won, Balyo decided to drive to Huntsville, leading to their first in-person meet-
ing in March 2021.
“I was never more nervous to meet somebody,” said Blake. “I felt like I knew I was going to marry him before I even met him in person.”
For Balyo, that realization came during a summer day on Lake Martin in 2021. While the couple enjoyed a peaceful day on the water, Balyo watched Blake drift to sleep on the boat and knew in that moment she was the one.
The couple later commemorated this moment at their reception by choreographing their first dance to Taylor Hicks’ song, Porch Swing. The lyrics, which speak of falling in love on a summer night, took on even greater meaning when Blake’s father sang it to the newlyweds as they embraced each other on the dance floor.
Balyo proposed to Blake at Jes & Gray Living on
PHOTOS BY APRIL BAGLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
November 23, 2022, the day before Thanksgiving. Family members hid behind furniture to witness the sweet moment, watching as Balyo surprised Blake with a gold princess-cut diamond ring.
The following summer, the couple returned to Lake Martin to tie the knot on September 3, 2023, at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough.
“Lake Martin was always super, super special to us,” said Blake. “We threw out the idea of eloping in Las Vegas, or possibly getting married in Birmingham. But I knew in my heart I wanted to get married on the lake I grew up on. I wanted to be on the water exchanging our vows. I wanted Lake Martin to be very much a part of our big day.”
The wedding celebration spanned the three-day Labor Day weekend, centered around Blake’s vision of
Clockwise from This Page Above Left: Greenery flanked a welcome message: Umbrellas shaded the lakeside lawn;The daughter of Scott and Cindy Blake wanted a Lake Martin wedding;The bride and groom on their special day; A cowboy hat with the bride's new name; Groomsmen stood by in style;The bride stunned in a Martina Liana gown;The happy couple in a serene setting;The Lodge at Cocktail Slough celebrated the name change.
a lakeside celebration.
Festivities began Friday as guests arrived and continued into Saturday, when Herb Winches hosted a lively gathering at The Landing at Harbor Point. Dubbed “The Last Blake Day Party,” the event became the heart of the weekend, giving the couple and their guests quality time to relax and enjoy the lakeside setting.
The wedding party also took a trip to Chimney Rock, where everyone took turns jumping into Lake Martin.
On Sunday morning, Blake and her bridesmaids prepared for the wedding at Carol and Randy Lee’s home in Windermere, a sentimental location for the bride.
“I wanted to get ready at Carol and Randy’s house with my bridesmaids because that’s a place where I grew up,” said Blake. “My grandparents had a house near there. I had sleepovers there. It’s a very special
place to me.”
The Windermere home is also where the couple shared their first look.
“I was definitely excited to see her, and obviously a little nervous,” said Balyo. “When I first saw Lynden, she took my breath away. There was a lot of peace being with her before the ceremony because it was a moment when it was just the two of us.”
The couple then ventured to The Ridge to capture wedding portraits and enjoyed a quiet game of pool together.
“My favorite memory from the wedding was playing pool with Chad,” said Blake. “My second favorite memory is singing Oklahoma Smoke Show by Zach Bryan with him on our wedding night.”
The ceremony at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough was officiated by “Good Day Alabama’s” lead weather forecaster, Mickey Ferguson. A trail of white carnations led the way to the waterfront altar, adding a touch of European-inspired décor to the atmosphere.
The wedding menu was filled with classic Labor Day fare, including hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and sliders. The couple also incorporated a famed Lake Martin touch, Kowaliga Restaurant’s Wickles Pickles with Conecuh Sausage.
In true Labor Day fashion, guests donned blue jeans and cowboy hats to the wedding, dancing the night away to ’90s country band, Deputy Five. The bride and groom also sported cowboy hats for their attire, customdesigned by AB.Lino.
“Chad wore a navy blue cowboy hat, and mine was customized with our wedding date and new last name,” said Blake. “AB.Lino also used fabric from my bridesmaids’ dresses to design it.”
To celebrate their shared love for karaoke, Balyo and Blake handed out inflatable microphones to their guests and spent the evening belting out classic country hits with the band.
The couple made a brief getaway in a 1964 Corvette, only to return moments later for a lively late-night afterparty that included even more karaoke fun.
While Balyo and Blake have since started their life together in Nashville, Lake Martin will always be a cherished place where the couple return to relive precious moments from their wedding day.
Clockwise from Above: Strings of lights carried the festivities from afternoon to summer night; The groom danced with the bride's grandmother, Carmen Blake; The happy couple made their getaway in a 1964 Corvette.
Anchored in Faith
PHOTOS
BY
STORY
BY
BETSY ILER
APRIL BAGLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
A bridesmaid gifted the floral arrangements After the lakeside wedding, the party moved to the lodge indoors
New Water Farms was a stunning backdrop for the Millers' ceremony
The March wedding was planned around ski season
The Millers met in high school but didn't start dating until college
The bride shared a heartfelt message with her father
WWhen the April date for their wedding had to be moved, Kodee Elizabeth Miller and Lake Martin slalom champion Payton Miller knew March was the only option.
“We scheduled initially for April, but it turned out to be the same day as my physical therapy school graduation. We knew it couldn’t be ski season, and it couldn’t be football season – my husband is a big Tide fan. We knew we were ready to get married, so we moved it to March,” Kodee Miller said.
Despite being perhaps the windiest day on the lake all month, the 23rd dawned bright and sunny for the lakeside ceremony in the New Water Farms outdoor chapel.
“It was a little chilly during the ceremony because of the wind, but the wind calmed down for the reception at the lodge. It was in the mid-60s. We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” she said.
The Millers met in high school at Alabama Christian Academy in Montgomery but didn’t date then.
“He was a year older than me. We kept in touch in college, talking one or two times a year. When I started physical therapy school, he asked me to dinner, but I turned him down,” Miller said. “I was focusing on school, and I had decided I didn’t want to date anyone. He kept pestering me, and I finally said yes, we could have dinner together, but only as friends. After that first dinner, he said, ‘OK, let’s have dinner once a week.’”
They officially started dating three months later.
Payton grew up skiing on Lake Martin, and through the years, his progress was chronicled in Lake magazine. After high school, he joined the ski team at University of Alabama and competed for several years at the national championships.
After dating for a year and a half, the couple revisited Callaway Gardens, home of the Masters Water Skiing event and the first place where they had traveled together.
“He told me I had to get all dressed up, and we would go watch the sunset before we went to dinner. We like to watch the sunsets. I didn’t know what he was planning, and I tried to derail his plans multiple times. He proposed to me there. The next day, our families and friends were there,” Miller said.
A wedding on the lake was a given as the couple planned their special day, and they chose New Water Farms for the venue’s commitment to faithful service.
“Christ is really important to both of us. It was one of the big things for us dating, being on the same page with our faith,” Miller said.
The only part of the wedding that her groom cared about, Miller said, was that he wanted to leave the event in a boat. As it turned out, they left in a boat that he had designed. A couple of years ago, as a sales representative for Russell Marine, Payton designed a promo boat for skiing, so they used that very boat for their romantic getaway vehicle.
“And it wasn’t intentional, but it just turned out that the boat was in the same colors as the wedding colors, so that was special,” she added.
While they chose not to have a first look prior to the bride’s walk down the aisle, they met back to back and exchanged private vows before the wedding.
The groom’s father was his best man, and the bride’s brother served as a groomsman, along with several members of the UA Ski Team with whom Payton had competed. The bride’s attendants included childhood best friends, college friends and friends
The groom designed the promo ski boat used for the getaway
The groom's party wore their best socks
Guests highlighted their favorite scriptures in a keepsake Bible for the couple
from physical therapy school.
The flowers were arranged as a wedding present by a bridesmaid who owns Moore Blooms.
“That was just something really sweet that she did for me. I know nothing about flowers. I told her I just wanted as many blues as she could get me, and I didn’t worry about it from there,” Miller said.
Amy Ward in Montgomery made the wedding cake to Miller’s instructions for a simple white cake. The groom’s peanut butter-chocolate cake was made by Mrs. McKinney, who has made his birthday cakes since he was very young.
from the beginning.”
Payton took a job in sports medical sales in September 2023 and moved to Paducah several months before the wedding. But the couple was determined to marry at Lake Martin, which made it easier for their grandparents to be part of the event.
“That was very special for us,” Miller said.
Miller moved to Paducah after wedding and now works as a physical therapist for patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions.
“I get to work as the hands and feet of Christ to help people get back
Their new home is on a lake in Kentucky
Larger than Life
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY JOHN DENNEY ART & PHOTOGRAPHY
WWhen Shaylee Beck and Stephen Moore met in Tuscaloosa in 2011, they had no clue as to the rich and meaningful life that would envelop them both. A fourth-generation Lake Martin lover, Moore was in grad school at the University of Alabama, working on a neuroscience Ph.D., and Beck, a Michigan native, was pursuing a double major in telecommunications/film and theatre.
Shortly after the pair started dating two years later, Moore was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare neuromuscular disease that breaks down the body’s muscles and causes painful rashes. A laboratory neuroscientist, Moore researched his disease, sharing his discoveries with Beck, who had launched herself into an event planning career. She worked with nonprofit organizations, like the Muscular Dystrophy Association, planning and pulling off major fundraising and awareness events.
“We had this running joke that I would raise the money for research, and he would come up with the cure,” Beck said.
Moore’s condition is so rare that most people with the disease never even hear of another person who has it, but he and Beck knew that meeting others could help to drive research, as well as create a network of support for those who suffered with it. So, they formed a fundraising team called Strength Through Knowledge, raising more than $35,000 for research and connecting dermatomyositis patients across the country.
When COVID-19 struck Alabama in March of 2020, Moore, who had just finished his Ph.D. in neuorscience at UAB School of Medicine, and Beck did what everyone else with a lake house did: They moved from Birmingham to the family house at Lake Martin. Moore’s late great-grandfather, Ernest G. Moore, grew up in Tallassee and became the town doctor there. He
Church in the Pines was a sentimental venue for the ceremony
Travel bloggers Beck and Moore envisioned an authentic Lake Martin wedding experience
established a cabin at Pelican Point near Kowaliga in the 1940s and was a founder of Church in the Pines. Moore family members since then have spent summers at Lake Martin. It seemed the perfect place to shield from the virus in comfort and beauty.
But at the same time, Moore discovered he had kidney cancer.
“He saw the scans and lab results. He knew what it was, and we always knew cancer was a possibility, that it’s not uncommon for dermatomyositis patients,” Beck said. “We were sitting by the lake at sunrise, talking about this cancer and what it meant for us. It was progressing quickly, and his diagnosis made COVID even more dangerous. So, he had to decide: If this was really the end for him, did we want to shield ourselves from the virus? Or did he want to go out and live life? And he said he wanted to live larger than life.”
To document their travels with family, friends
and their social media network followers, the couple launched a Facebook blog named Pelican Point Expeditions, after their beloved Lake Martin abode. In a video posted in August of 2020, they told their story, hoping to encourage others by documenting their larger-than-life approach to the challenges that beset them. They climbed the Smith Mountain Fire Tower, spent the night in Hank Williams’ cabin at Children’s Harbor and were guests on Kenny Dean’s The Front Porch. They joined the Renew Our Rivers fall cleanup, were awed with a tour at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and took photos with the Paint-Chip Cuda at Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Their blog also included other travel expeditions around the state, and Beck posted photos on trips she took for work around the country.
Along with these exciting excursions around the lake, the couple also posted infusion days for Moore,
medical conference photos and kept their followers updated on Moore’s health issues. They added pictures and information from the Myositis Moon Walk they helped organize in Huntsville and other events between their fun and exciting adventures on Lake Martin.
The number of followers to their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube posts grew beyond their friends, family and health network. They became a Lake Martin sensation.
In 2021, they joined the long line of children and parents who wanted to meet Santa Claus at Russell Lands’ annual Christmas Bazaar at Russell Crossroads. But while Beck flitted about chatting with bystanders, Moore clandestinely flashed a beautiful princess-cut diamond ring to the woman in line behind them and asked her to snap a few shots of their meeting with the jolly big guy. When it came time to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas, Moore bent the knee and told his best friend that, more than anything, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Their rehearsal dinner at Willow Point on May 5 featured local saxophonist David Jones and a colorful Cinco de Mayo celebration. They were married on Derby Day, May 6, 2023.
“All of our guests dressed up in Kentucky Derby attire with hats and seersucker suits,” Beck said. “Our ceremony was held at Church in the Pines, which is very personal to us. This church holds such a special place in our family history and in our hearts, and we couldn’t imagine a more perfect venue.”
Kenny Dean officiated, and John Denney took pictures.
“We wanted a real Lake Martin wedding, so we used as many lake vendors as we could – sound tech, catering, tenting – to support local Lake Martin businesses, which is incredibly important to us,” Beck said. “Our reception was at Willow Point with Blackberry Breeze for the music. We met them at the wedding expo at The Mitchell House, and I think I talked with them for an hour. They had to learn Sweet Home Alabama for us. You know, Trey (Foshee) in the band is an Auburn Tigers fan, but he did it.”
The start of their relationship was prominently honored throughout the festivities, as transportation from the ceremony to the reception was provided by Moore’s uncle, Lee Hammontree, owner of a 1969 Fabuglas boat dubbed the “Crimson Cruiser.” The restored boat was painted Crimson Tide Red. When the newlyweds arrived at Willow Point for their party, their guests met them with red and white shakers.
Lake Martin Events and Rentals provided the reception décor, including the strings of lights across the lakeside Willow Point patio.
“All week leading up to our wedding, the forecast for our wedding day was an 85 percent chance
Wedding day festivities began with champagne
Close friend Kenny Dean of The Front Porch officiated the ceremony
Guests donned fascinators and Kentucky Derby themed attire
of thunderstorms. But when the day came, there wasn’t a single drop of rain. It was a beautiful, sunny day. It was also a full moon that night, and everyone danced under the full moon and stars during our reception, which was so magical,” Beck said.
The layered cake, created by Willow Point’s pastry chef, was five different flavors to satisfy every taste. And their signature drink, of course, was the mint julep, served in official Kentucky Derby glasses.
Beck added a single element from her hometown of Lapeer, Michigan. Past Tense Cider Mill there created the bouquets, boutonnieres, garlands and arrangements of real-feel artificial flowers.
“Not only were they beautiful and really do look and feel like real flowers, but we also felt that they could be a more environmentally friendly
option,” she said. “I hated the thought of all those beautiful flowers being tossed in the trash after being used for just one day, so I have my bouquet to cherish forever.”
Their wedding celebrated a love forged in the midst of life-threatening trials. Keeping a positive outlook and holding fast to joy became the cement that helped them support each other at every turn.
“We’re so close. We have been through so much together. It’s a roller coaster, but we’re so happy to see how it’s unfolded,” Beck said.
Last fall, they returned to Russell Crossroads for the Christmas Bazaar to celebrate the anniversary of their engagement with Santa as they continue to live larger than life at every opportunity.
The couple held their Derby Day reception at Willow Point Golf & Country Club
Each cake layer was a different flavor
Real-feel artificial flowers made for environmentally friendly décor
Showered with Love
TTraditionally, rain on a wedding day is a sign of good luck and fortune for a newlywed couple. For 23-yearold Katie Ledbetter and David Law, it provided the perfect touch of romance to mark the beginning of their new life together.
Ledbetter, an Alexander City local, met Law through mutual friends during their freshman year at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Law was a baseball player at the time, and Ledbetter fell for him quickly.
“I thought he was so cute,” said Ledbetter. “He’s always been genuinely so sweet, and I’ve trusted him from day one. And now, we are happily married.”
During their time as students in Mobile, Mardi Gras grew into more than just a festive celebration – it became a meaningful part of their journey together. In February 2023, while family gathered in town for a Mardi Gras parade, Law proposed to Ledbetter in Fairhope, Alabama. The proposal took place on the Fairhope Pier, where family members hid behind bushes to watch the heartfelt moment when Law knelt down and asked for Ledbetter’s hand in marriage.
On May 18, 2024, the couple originally planned an outdoor wedding affair on the Willow Point Golf & Country Club golf course, but a troublesome weather forecast prompted them to make last-minute changes to their big day.
“We made the decision to move inside the day before our wedding during my bridesmaids’ lunch,” said Ledbetter. “Which ended up being a good thing, because it started to storm during our reception.”
Though disappointed at first, Ledbetter knew it was
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
PHOTOS BY MEGAN MULLINS PHOTOGRAPHY
from
groom's
featured a figurine of the couple's beloved
The nuptials were moved inside after the threat of rain; The golf course provided a beautiful background for wedding photos; The bride and her attendants shared a few special moments together before the day started; They shared a first look before the ceremony; Sage accents matched the bridesmaids' dresses; Willow Point is a favorite venue at Lake Martin.
Clockwise
Facing Page Left: The
cake
Corgi;
the right decision. With help from the Willow Point staff and her floral designer, Jeff Long, the indoor reception area was transformed into a dream wedding venue. Pillars of white roses and blue hydrangeas showcased the altar as Ledbetter and Law repeated their vows.
“It turned out beautiful,” said Ledbetter. “I love Willow Point, and the inside has older aspects to it that make it really pretty.”
Ledbetter wore a stunning Justin Alexander dress that perfectly complemented her pearl necklace and oval-cut diamond ring, sourced from Herrings Fine Jewelry in Dothan, Alabama. Law incorporated a heartfelt tribute into his wedding attire, wearing a pin in memory of his father, who had passed away the year before their wedding.
“DJ had a little pendant up under his coat for his dad on our wedding day,” said Ledbetter. “We also had a seat dedicated in his memory at the ceremony.”
The rain held off long enough for the couple to have their first look on the Willow Point Golf Course, creating an intimate moment for Ledbetter and Law to share before the ceremony.
“I think it honestly made me feel very relieved for the rest of the day,” said Ledbetter. “We had our first look around lunchtime, and I just felt excited after that. I wasn’t really nervous anymore, it just made me feel a lot better.”
The reception was a vibrant celebration. The couple
brought in entertainment from Area 51 to DJ the tunes, while Willow Point provided the catering. Ledbetter and Law delighted their guests with a Mexicaninspired menu featuring queso, guacamole and chicken and steak fajitas – a reflection of their personal style and shared love for the cuisine.
“Our menu was very Mexican-themed,” said Ledbetter. “We love Mexican food. We eat it at least once a week.”
The wedding cake, designed by Deborah Blair, was a traditional design and vanilla flavor, featuring elegant white roses and sprigs of greenery to beautifully complement the overall décor. In addition, the couple had a University of Alabama-themed groom’s cake, topped with chocolate-covered strawberries and a charming statue of their beloved corgi, Phoebe.
Ledbetter and Law ended their wedding celebration with a bubble send-off from guests before making their escape to Cancun, Mexico, for their honeymoon.
Although the rain led to last-minute changes in their plans, the intimate moment they shared at the altar inside Willow Point quickly became their most cherished memory.
“Saying our vows was my favorite part of our wedding,” said Ledbetter. “Just realizing that we were about to be married, it didn’t matter that we were inside. I knew that it was just going to be a great day.”
The couple took a spin in the DJ booth
Guests danced to the sounds of Area 51
Willow Point catered an array of Mexican inspired dishes
Guests showered the newlyweds with bubbles
Wed by the Water
AA summer breeze billowed off the shorelines of Lake Martin as Birmingham couple Ashlee Little, 30, and Austin Bailey, 29, read their wedding vows to each other, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. The couple described their August lake wedding as picture-perfect.
“It was the most beautiful, perfect day there ever was,” said Bailey. “It was a little bit hot, but it was also nice and breezy. We got married right on the water at about 6 p.m. and had a big, beautiful view of the lake.”
The couple chose to tie the knot at a sentimental location, Bailey’s family lake house. Located in Eclectic near Castaway Island, Bailey’s grandfather leased property on Lake Martin in the 1960s and established a small cabin for family gatherings, which have grown over the years to host the growing family. Today, the house has become a staple for the Bailey family to host holidays and events, as well as a cherished part of the couple’s life together.
“My entire life, I’ve spent every summer and all major holidays at the lake,” said Bailey. “So, as soon as we started dating, I would invite Ashlee to our family functions. Before you knew it, she was coming up here all the time with me.”
It was during an annual family Christmas Eve party in 2022 that Bailey surprised Little with a cushion-cut diamond engagement ring. Eight months later, the couple returned to the lake house on August 19, 2023; this time to say, “I do.”
Little donned an elegant wedding dress from McLendon Bridals in Sylacauga. For her ‘something old,’ Little incorporated two meaningful elements into her wedding day. Wrapped around her bouquet was lace from
her mother’s wedding bouquet, detailed with a Bailey family heirloom.
“At the rehearsal dinner, Austin’s aunt gave us a cameo pin that his grandmother on his father’s side got when they went to Italy a long time ago,” said Little. “We actually went to Italy for our honeymoon, so she wanted to gift that to us. My mom gave all of us sisters a piece of lace from her wedding bouquet to put around our bouquets. It was all really special.”
The bright and colorful wedding florals were created by Lisa Bailey Designs and included an array of table arrangements laden with garden roses, peach ranunculus, lavender stock and blue forget-me-nots. The centerpiece for the ceremony was a 7-foot arch, where the couple said their vows.
The vibrant color scheme was inspired by the bubbly nature of the couple’s personalities.
“I wanted everything to be very colorful,” said Little. “All my bridesmaids wore different color dresses, and we used pops of colors in all of our arrangements. We are just naturally fun people, and we wanted to bring that out on our wedding day. It was just beautiful.”
The couple chose to save their first look for when Little came down the aisle, wanting to capture the sentimental moment of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony.
“I just thought she was so beautiful and perfect,” said Bailey. “When she came down the aisle, she just took everyone’s breath away.”
While special moments were incorporated into their big day, such as having their French pointer Lee Roy
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNEDY FORD PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
The family lake house was the perfect waterside venue for the owners of Lake Martin Watersports
Additional security ensured the rings arrived safely
walk down the aisle, Little and Bailey both agreed that their favorite part of the wedding was saying their vows to each other. Both the bride and groom wrote personal sentiments to each other, weaving in humor that captured their relationship.
“Saying our own vows, I think, was really sweet,” said Little. “And sharing with everyone all of our love, and how we got here. It was a beautiful moment.”
Following the ceremony, 150 guests were treated to a waterfront cocktail hour and reception, decorated with string lights and a custom dance floor on the dock. Centered in the middle of the dance floor was a disco ball, a nod to Birmingham’s Brothers Music Co., owned by Bailey’s father. The wedding band consisted of musicians who had all played at Bailey Brothers.
The couple commissioned Wow Catering for their event, featuring an oyster shucking station for guests. For dessert, a three-tier Neapolitan cake was served, baked with different layers of chocolate, strawberry and white almond flavors.
“People were saying our wedding was like being at a Catalina wine mixer,” said Little. “We really wanted everything to be outside, just because we love the lake,
Sentimental details accented the
WOW catering provided food and an oyster shucking station
and we wanted it all to be right by the water.”
Bailey and Little shared their first dance to Adele’s song, Make You Feel My Love.
“Oh, he’s the best dancer,” said Little. “We just were so in love. Our first dance was beautiful. We were just crying and holding each other, it was so sweet.”
Guests were also treated to cowboy hats and light-up items to dance the night away. Following a lively reception, Bailey and Little made their exit in a 25-foot Malibu as guests bid them farewell.
Today, Little continues her career as an interior designer and wedding floral designer in Birmingham while Bailey owns and operates Lake Martin Watersports. The couple recently bought a house in Harpersville and celebrated the birth of their first child, James Paul Bailey.
The couple looks forward to continuing to spend their summers at Lake Martin together, hiking the scenic trails and hitting the open water wakeboarding.
“We just love Lake Martin,” said Little. “Having our wedding at the family lake house was so special. There are a lot of family roots and sweet memories made at the house, and we couldn’t have imagined a more perfect place for our wedding day.”
String lights and a custom dance floor set the mood for a Catalina wine mixer atmosphere
bride's bouquet
The Baileys share a passion for watersports at Lake Martin
Happiness at Home
STORY BY LONNA UPTON
PHOTOS BY MEGAN MULLINS PHOTOGRAPHY
DDanielle Yates and Sam Cooper spent their childhoods and school years in Alexander City but since there were four years between their ages, they never met. One day in Auburn, Danielle’s sister and Sam’s roommate, who eventually married as well, introduced Danielle to Sam, and their love story began. They dated five years and became engaged in October 2023 on a trip to Mexico with the Cooper family.
“I never thought he would propose while we were in Mexico. Apparently, he walked around with the ring in his pocket most of the trip, but the timing was never right. The night before we left, truly the last chance on the trip, he said he had a surprise for me. I thought it was a Diet Coke, but there he was on one knee. It was very sweet,” Danielle Cooper said.
The first thing she did to begin preparing for marriage was invite her sister to go dress shopping at Bella’s in Hoover. She was not planning to find her dress that day, but there was not a doubt when she found her dress. She found a sweetheart fit-and-flare – the first dress she tried on.
“It was not at all what I pictured myself in, but I cried when I put it on. I tried on others, but I knew the first one was the one. The dress was fitted but had a
Clockwise from Facing Page: Danielle Yates and Sam Cooper married on his parents' lakeside lawn; The bride's shoes lent a touch of blue; Flowers adorned a cross on the shoreline; A long table on the porch was set for guests; The couple's dogs helped guests stay cool.
poofy skirt and long train that could be removed for the reception. I had approval from my sister and the saleslady, plus I knew Sam would never expect me in something poofy. It is timeless. I think in years to come it will still be in style,” she said.
The wedding dress was ordered, but Cooper really did not want a wedding. In fact, she just wanted to elope, but Sam did not want his grandmother to miss the opportunity to be at his wedding. In March 2024, they finally decided to have a wedding and chose August 24, just six months away but before football season, naturally. She checked with all her immediate family and closest friends, then the photographer and florist she wanted, and everyone was available.
“It was a God thing that everything just fell into place. Our first thought was to get married out of town near my aunt’s new home in South Carolina, but when their house wasn’t finished, I went back to an idea I’d had all along in the back of my mind to get married at Sam’s parents’ house on the lake,” Cooper said.
The couple asked the Coopers, and they were happy to hold the wedding celebration at their home. Preparations began by first contacting a Yates family friend, Michael Mann, who owns Unique Flowers.
Mann became the florist and planner all wrapped up into one. His girlfriend, Sherry Templeton who owns Food by Sherry, was the reception caterer.
Cooper knew she wanted white hydrangeas, so Mann arranged white hydrangeas, white roses, white cala lilies and greenery in vases and in her bouquet. The hydrangeas in the vases were real, but the ones in her bouquet were silk, perfectly designed so they would not wilt in the August heat. Sam’s grandmother, Kitty Robinson, tied most of the bows used in the décor.
Chairs were set up to face the water and a tremendous cross decorated with flowers as the backdrop for the service. Sam’s best friend, Gavin Fuller, married the couple in front of just under 60 guests. Sid Phelps, a Lake Martin musician, played guitar selections while the wedding party walked down the aisle.
“We wanted the wedding to be small, so we invited only family members and friends who were extremely involved in our daily lives. My sisters, Alana and Mischon, and my niece Adeline were my bridesmaids, and Sam’s father was his best man. It was hard to not invite everyone we knew, but I would do it exactly that way again. I got to talk to every person there. It was so intimate and relaxed,” she said.
Cooper envisioned a long table extending the length of her new in-laws' beautiful porch to seat all the guests. She wanted mix-and-match china for the place settings. Mann and Templeton selected serving pieces from the Coopers’ collection of family silver.
The groom selected the menu for the reception: beef tenderloin, hashbrown casserole, macaroni and cheese, green beans, creamed corn, rolls and salad. The bride’s cake was created by Carol Mallory, and the groom’s cheesecake was from Edgar’s Bakery.
First dances were before dinner with the newly married Coopers dancing to Leon Bridges’ Beyond; the new Mrs. Cooper and her father to Jason Isbell’s Letting You Go; and Mr. Cooper and his mother to Jimmy Buffet’s A Pirate Looks at Forty. Phelps serenaded dinner guests with an acoustic guitar.
The couple hoped their dogs, Turner and Boss, could be part of the wedding, but water can be a bit of a distraction. Their two boys were celebrated as important family members with their photo on fans, koozies and cocktail napkins.
“Planning a wedding in six months was a bit chaotic, but it turned out exactly the way we wanted it to be. It took my breath away,” Cooper said.
The couple honeymooned in Turks and Caicos and make their home with Turner and Boss in Birmingham.
Quiet water reflected the beauty of the day
Carol Mallory made the couple's cake
The bride and groom took a few moments alone to celebrate
Airbnb Retreat
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY LIZ NOWLING PHOTOGRAPHY
The Auburn graduates met at freshman orientation
WWhen choosing the perfect wedding venue for their laid-back Lake Martin nuptials, Auburn graduates Grace Palenapa and Jacob Hohn turned to Airbnb to find their dream location.
Palenapa, 24, is a graduate student at Auburn University, working on her Master’s Degree in Bioystems Engineering. Hohn, 24, is currently an engineer at Neptune Technology in Tallassee.
The pair met at freshman orientation at Auburn University in 2019 and began dating their sophomore year. During their time on campus, Hohn and Palenapa were active in the Auburn Wesley Foundation. They formed meaningful connections with their youth minister, who the couple later asked to officiate their wedding.
When Hohn decided to ask for Palenapa’s hand in marriage, he turned to an old friend to help orchestrate the perfect proposal.
“When I got the seal of approval from Grace’s parents, I knew I wanted to get a ring but didn’t know what Grace would like,” said Hohn. “She had never really dropped any hints. So, I coordinated with one of Grace’s friends, JoAnne, to do some investigative work and find out what type of ring Grace wanted. She never suspected a thing.”
Hohn proposed on October 27, 2023, with a brilliant, round diamond ring, at the Donald E. Davis Arboretum on Auburn’s campus. He coordinated for their friends and family to be present, disguising it as a birthday party for himself; however, the proposal was a surprise to Palenapa.
“I already knew that friends were coming into town, so I was sort of unfazed that they were all there,” said Palenapa. “And my parents had season tickets for Auburn football, so I thought everyone was trying to get into town to watch the game and celebrate Jacob’s birthday. It was a complete surprise.”
Knowing Lake Martin was a dream destination for their wedding, Hohn and Palenapa began searching house listings on Airbnb until they found the perfect venue.
Located in Willows End at Willow Point, the house that captured the couple’s hearts was a stunning Lake Martin waterfront estate. Featuring lavish white marble floors and intricate wrought iron accents, the home was not only breathtaking but also spacious enough to host their gathering of guests.
“All of our wedding party was able to stay there, which I think was one of the bigger selling points for us,” said Palenapa. “And we were able to do both our rehearsal dinner and ceremony at the house, so it was convenient.”
In true Southern fashion, Hohn’s family hosted the rehearsal dinner, cooking and preparing traditional dishes, such as barbecue, macaroni and cheese, green beans, salads and desserts.
“His family is just a bunch of kind Southern folks, who just cannot stand the thought of not being hospitable to everybody at a party,” said Palenapa.
Hohn and Palenapa were married inside the Lake
Soap party favors were made by the bride's mother
The couple incorporated games into the guests' experience
Lake Martin was the dream destination for the couple's special day
Martin estate on August 10, 2024, with the space beautifully adorned with a vibrant assortment of wildflowers. Orange and white daisies, blue delphiniums and other blooms decorated the two marble fireplaces, while a stunning cross served as the centerpiece for the ceremony.
Palenapa crafted all the floral arrangements herself in the days leading up to the wedding.
“Auburn offered an art-of-floral-design class that I just so happened to be taking the semester we got engaged,” said Palenapa. “There was a certain color scheme I had in mind for the wedding, and I used flowers that I had worked with in class that I liked. So, I had a formula already and knew what I wanted to do.”
With help from her bridesmaids, Palenapa created seven bridesmaids’ bouquets, 11 floral pocket squares and her bridal bouquet, in addition to the venue décor.
Palenapa also incorporated several traditional items into her wedding day apparel, including a set of her grandmother’s pearl earrings and two pennies on her shoes, a Victorian-era tradition meant to bring good luck and fortune to a newlywed couple.
The pair saved their first look for the ceremony itself, creating an emotional moment as Palenapa descended the elegant spiral staircase toward the altar.
“It was such a surreal feeling to see her for the first time,” said Hohn. “She came down the staircase with her parents, and she was just beautiful.”
Hohn’s younger brother, Ben, set the tone by playing the piano prelude while Hohn’s father, a Methodist pastor, led the couple in communion. A towel from when Hohn was a baby was used during communion service,
Clockwise from Above Left: The couple shared their first dance after a private dinner following the ceremony; The intimate ceremony was held in the great room; The bride's family prepared desserts and the wedding cake.
creating a deeply sentimental and meaningful moment.
Following the ceremony, the couple retreated to the upstairs of the home and enjoyed a private meal together. As Sweet Symphony by Chris Stapleton played softly in the background, the newlyweds also shared their first dance in a spontaneous moment of personal bliss.
“We were planning on having our first dance out in front of everybody,” said Palenapa. “But after we ate, we both felt like we needed a little more time together by ourselves. So, we decided to have a private dance up in the suite where we ate.”
A highlight of the reception was the dessert table, organized by Palenapa’s aunt and grandmother. Among the assortment of chocolate-dipped strawberries and confections was an elegant, white guava chiffon cake, baked by Palenapa’s mother.
“If there was one thing that both Jacob and I were adamant about, it was that we needed our cake to taste good,” said Palenapa. “So, I asked my mom if it wasn’t too much effort, would she make our wedding cake for us. It was delicious.”
To add a final personal touch to their wedding day, Hohn and Palenapa gifted guests with homemade soaps, also crafted by Palenapa’s mother, as parting favors. Guests were encouraged to bring swimsuits to the reception to enjoy the pool and a jump into Lake Martin after the wedding festivities.
“We’re both pretty laid-back people,” said Hohn. “We didn’t want it to be too much stress or formality on anybody. It’s a celebration. So that’s what we did, we had fun and celebrated. It was the perfect day.”
Relaxing Retreat
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
WWhen Steve and Traci Roy began envisioning their dream home, one location stood out above all others – Lake Martin. For the Wetumpka and Electic natives, it was more than just a beautiful destination; it was a place filled with personal history and fond childhood memories.
Moving to the lake full time felt like returning home to their roots. Growing up in Eclectic, Roy spent her summers with her family at a rented cabin near Blount Point.
“I learned to swim in the lake, and when I was 5, I learned to water ski,” she said. “We spent every weekend in the summer up at the cabin. For Steve, from the time he was about 14 or 15, his family also had a place on the lake over in the Parker Creek area. So, for us both, to end up here feels like we are truly coming home.”
The couple met in high school. Now, 40 years later, they continue to share their love for Lake Martin with their children and grandchildren, teaching them similar Lake Martin passions.
While the couple raised their children in Dothan, Alabama, they frequented Lake Martin at house in Windermere West; however, over the years, they
developed strong relationships within the Lake Martin community.
When they were ready to live at the lake full time, the Roys found the 1.5-acre waterfront location at The Heritage. Steve, an avid golfer, was immediately drawn to the location for its proximity to the new Wicker Point Golf Course. The location had sentimental value, as the view overlooked a fishing spot Roy had frequented as a child with her parents and grandparents.
“When we bought this lot, my mother came to see it for the first time,” she said. “And she said, ‘Oh Traci, right over there, that’s where we used to fish all the time.’”
The six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home is beautifully positioned on the shores of Lake Martin, offering breathtaking views of both sunrises and sunsets from the back porch. The couple partnered with Legacy Homes to design their house and Corbin Bartgis to bring their vision to life.
One of the home’s standout features is the stunning infinity pool. As guests step through the front door, they are immediately greeted by an expansive waterfront view, with the infinity pool and hot tub
An island extension simplifies breakfast with the grandchildren at the lake
Clockwise from Above Left: Light fills the entry and stairwell; Warmth and light fill the bedrooms; A workspace includes the view; Lakeside windows line a dining room wall; Soft hues create a relaxing atmosphere; A simple waterfall in the pool blends with the tranquilty of Lake Martin.
extending seamlessly from the living room through French doors onto the back patio. The pool’s surface mirrors the waters of Lake Martin, creating the illusion that the lake’s shoreline flows effortlessly up to the house – a design that artfully blends the home with its lakeside surroundings.
The home features natural elements and accents, like hardwood hickory flooring, a stone fireplace in the living room and Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, chosen for their elegance and child-friendly durability. Roy also incorporated her favorite shades of blue and green into the color scheme, infusing the space with comfort colors, as well as her vibrant personality. Bold, playful tiling in the bathrooms adds to the home’s unique charm, while personalized touches help create a welcoming, lake-inspired atmosphere.
The home focuses on quality time spent with loved ones
The Roys' favorite place includes the lakeside view
The rooms are designed for family time
Blue accents add a touch of peace to the sleeping spaces
“My main goal was that I wanted our house to feel homey. I wanted it to feel welcoming and inviting.”
Support for local businesses also was emphasized throughout the decorating process. Centered in the kitchen is a dining table the couplecommissioned from Manufacture Good in Birmingham. The company empowers men transitioning from rehabilitation programs back into the community by teaching them valuable trades and craftsmanship, such as building tables and furniture.
“I love our table,” said Roy. “And I love that it has a story. These are men creating something that they can genuinely be proud of. I feel like our money went to supporting a good cause, and it is my goal to help people and have everything as local as possible.”
The kitchen also uniquely includes a mirrored paneled wall above the wet bar, cleverly designed to reflect the waters of Lake Martin. This small detail ensures that even guests seated at the dining table can enjoy a view of the lake.
The Roys sourced most of their furniture from Johnson Furniture Co. in Eclectic and commissioned artwork from local artists and friends. A notable piece of art is a landscape painting in the kitchen, sourced from Huntsville artist Frankie McCarty. The oil painting features a church in the woods across the lake from the Roys’ home.
Another distinct feature in the house is a pair of wooden door panels that open to reveal the butler’s pantry. Crafted with intricate details, the doors are more than a century old.
“I wanted something with a little bit of character for this space,” said Roy. “My daughter told me about a place in Huntsville called the Preservation Company. She went and took pictures of doors, and we picked these out. They are from Alexandria, Egypt.”
The Roys’ favorite space is the outdoor patio, accessible through double sliding doors that open to sweeping waterfront views. With a wood-paneled ceiling, exposed beams and stone flooring, it offers a rustic cabin feel. Cozy furniture surrounds
the woodburning fireplace, with heaters for cool evenings and shades to block the lake breeze.
Since moving into the home last September, the Roys have spent most of their time on the patio.
“We are always out here. This is our favorite place.”
Hosting family was a priority throughout the building process. In addition to a fully handicapaccessible primary bedroom, the house features two bunk rooms upstairs for the grandchildren, with a second laundry room and six beds ideal for sleepovers. Each bed is topped with a handmade quilt from the children’s geat-great-great-grandmothers, passed down through the generations.
Above the three-car garage, a finished living area with arcade games offers additional space for the grandchildren to play and dance.
“We wanted our house to be a place that the
grandchildren can enjoy and play, and not worry about if they are going to break something valuable. We designed it to be a family home,” she said.
The Roys look forward to spending their years at this Lake Martin retreat, creating memories with their adult children and grandchildren, spending their days water skiing and spotting eagles with their spaniel, Pete.
“Lake Martin has been such a big part of our lives. We both love it so much, and we are happy to be back here.”
Light and love fill this new home at The Heritage
Open living spaces promote togetherness
Bunks are tucked into cozy alcoves
This Greater Yelowlegs shorebird will likely head north this month and be back in Canada by springtime
WWith so much water in our area, it’s not surprising that Greater Yellowlegs shorebirds would visit or even winter along Lake Martin’s shorelines and wetlands, even though they are much more common on the Gulf Coast.
These birds spend their summers in Canada and Alaska and their winters along the U.S. coastlines – and in parts south all the way from Mexico and the Caribbean Islands through Central America and across almost all of South America.
According to range maps from Cornell University and Audubon, Greater Yellowlegs only migrate over northern and most of central Alabama in the spring and fall; however, this Greater Yellowlegs was photographed in the Lake Martin area on January 9.
According to Cornell’s All About Birds, the Greater Yellowlegs’ fall migration starts at the end of July when they leave Canada and arrive somewhere relatively warm by early September. The spring migration starts in late February and by midMarch they are back in Canada.
Greater Yellowlegs are medium sized birds with long, knobby-kneed, bright yellow legs. Their plumage is mostly white, gray and black, with a little brown thrown in. They have white tails and underbodies. Their heads and backs are ticked with gray,
brown and white feathers with black banding on their wings. During the winter, Greater Yellowlegs feathers are grayer than in the summer.
This bird is very hard to distinguish from its close cousin, the smaller Lesser Yellowlegs. One of the primary differences is the Greater Yellowlegs has a bill that is one and a half to two times the width of its head and may be slightly curved upwards, while the Lesser Yellowlegs bill is shorter and straighter, only slightly longer than its head. Both birds have black eyes and dark bills, but the Greater Yellowlegs bill lightens to dark gray near its nostrils and face.
Greater Yellowlegs are usually found in wet, marshy areas. In their winter range, they may be found around both freshwater and saltwater, hunting around lake shores, mud flats, bogs and rice fields, as well as saltwater and brackish tidal flats and shallow lagoons. In their Canadian summer breeding grounds, these birds are found in bogs and wet areas in forest clearings where there are many small lakes and ponds.
The scientific name for Greater Yellowlegs is Tringa melanoleuca. This bird has many other common names including “marshpiper” – for its habit of spending time in deeper water than most shorebirds – and “telltale,” “tattler” and “yelper” for its loud,
This shorebird has bright yellow legs on which it high-steps to chase minnows in shallow water
NATURE OF THE LAKE BY KENNETH BOONE
GREATER YELLOWLEGS
ringing alarm calls.
This wading bird eats mainly what you would probably expect: aquatic animals, like minnows and small fish, snails, tadpoles, marine worms, insect larvae and invertebrates. It also feeds on adult insects and berries.
These birds hunt both day and night, using their eyes during daylight hours and feeling with their bills at night. They move fast in a high-stepping manner, sometimes chasing minnows in the shallows, sometimes poking their entire heads and necks under water searching for prey. Scientists have seen Greater Yellowlegs sprinting across a wet flat with bills open and lower jaws in the water, dashing toward ripples caused by minnows. Although they are primarily wading birds, they are known to venture into deeper water by swimming and have even been recorded fishing while swimming.
When it catches a fish, a Greater Yellowlegs spins the minnow around until it goes into its gullet headfirst.
In breeding season, a male Greater Yellowlegs performs a mating dance by running circles around a female; and then, posing with his wings held up and quivering. Although scientists are not certain, they suspect that these birds are monogamous.
Greater Yellowlegs build grass- and leaflined nests on the ground in mossy depressions to help hide their eggs. Often, the nests are found close to water and near the base of short evergreen trees or shrubs that shade the nest.
The female Greater Yellowlegs has one brood a year and usually lays three to four buff-colored eggs camouflaged with brown blotches in varying shades. Parents take
turns sitting on the nest, and the baby birds hatch out in just over three weeks.
The hatchlings hit the ground running, so to speak. While both parents stay close and look after them, these babies immediately start feeding themselves. If a predator comes near, the parents will send up alarm calls and try to distract the potential threat. Within another three weeks juvenile Greater Yellowlegs are able to take their initial flight.
Some information for this article came from Audubon, Cornell University’s All About Birds and the Animal Diversity Web.
Greater Yellowlegs hunt both day and night, using their bills to feel for aquatic animals at night
For Love of the Lake
LLake Martin holds a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Its pristine water, abundant wildlife and serene landscapes inspire love and connection with the lake and surrounding communities. As a result, Lake Martin has long been a destination for couples tying the knot amidst our pristine waters, lush forests and breathtaking sunsets.
True love calls for guardianship, and protecting Lake Martin means safeguarding it, and those who enjoy it, from harm. Lake Martin Resource Association’s mission is to protect, preserve and promote our cherished resource through stewardship and engagement with members, volunteers, local communities and strategic partners.
Protecting Lake Martin
Many strategic partnerships elevate our ability to protect Lake Martin and surrounding communities. One great partnership is with Alabama Power in the annual Renew Our Rivers campaign. In November 2024, the ROR event included more than 350 volunteers, who collected approximately 3.5 tons of trash, including 22 tires. What an amazing impact in a single year. Over the 20-year partnership in ROR, the teams have collected 185 tons – that’s 370,00 pounds of garbage – and educated numerous individuals on the importance of trash collection on and off the water.
Another great partnership is with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. ALEA collaborates with and directs LMRA in the placement of buoys that have been approved through their permitting process and assisting in the training of boaters on Alabama waters.
We are proud to support the placement of buoys approved by ALEA, and LMRA manages and maintains them, once placed. As a point of reference of the scope of support provided by LMRA to manage and maintain the buoys in 2024, our team completed 223 volunteer hours to support 16 trips with a total materials cost of $24,261.
In addition to the buoy maintenance teams, 11 volunteers are part of the Buoy Watch Program to observe and report damaged, missing or moved buoys. This allows the buoy maintenance team to more efficiently and effectively support the repaiwrs and maintenance with an amazing response time. The material costs of one lighted buoy alone – not including the anchor, cable, boat or manpower to install it – is $500. The Lake Martin Young Professionals’ Annual Polar Plunge that held last month is an amazing support to LMRA’s lighted buoy efforts, as all proceeds go to the LMRA Light Up The Lake buoy program.
Preserving Lake Martin
LMRA also focuses on water quality and quantity on Lake Martin through involvement in lake level guidelines and relicensing activities for the operations of Martin Dam at the local, state and federal levels.
Partnering with local communities, on and off the water, to assure the roadsides and waterways are clean is an ongoing focus for LMRA members and volunteers. In addition to
the ROR cleanup efforts, LMRA hosts cleanups across Lake Martin, including the Reuben Thornton Spring Cleanup and supporting Dadeville and Alexander City chamber cleanup events. In 2025, we expect to have even greater impact as we expand our spring cleanup to include all three counties surrounding the lake, as well as a continued focus on education at the water festivals and ROR.
In, LMRA hosts the Adopt an Island program through which individuals, families and teams maintain the shorelines of assigned islands. We are reviewing the program to assure all islands are covered, so if you are interested in adopting an island, please reach out to LMRA.
BY JODIE MCGIRT
Promoting Lake Martin
Residents and visitors alike enjoy sharing the recreational, economic and leisure activities that Lake Martin provides to us all. Through collaboration with local businesses, civic groups, chamber of commerce and tourism, we have drawn the community together to promote managed growth and support local events and activities. LMRA and Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association share a love for the lake and surrounding recreational activities by supporting each other’s events to enhance the communities’ experiences on and around Lake Martin.
LMRA hosts two annual meetings a year to provide an overview of the year as it relates to boater safety with ALEA and TowBoatUS, environmental education and community relations. Please join our annual meetings in June at Kowaliga and Stillwaters. We would also love to join you at your homeowner association, garden club or community meetings to provide additional insights into what we do and how you and your community can become engaged with our mission.
We at LMRA appreciate the continued engagement and support for our strategic initiatives, focused on protecting, preserving and promoting the health and recreational opportunities of Lake Martin. Thank you to those who support our mission through membership, donations and time, as we would not be successful without you. We look forward to working alongside you in the coming year to make an even greater impact.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support us, please visit LMRA.info or reach out to LMRA@ lmra.info.
Stay safe, be courteous and enjoy your time on Lake Martin.
Jodie McGirt is president of Lake Martin Resource Association. Visit lmra.info to learn more.
LMRA
DDid you know that there are 1,440 minutes in a day to spend however we choose? Each day when we wake, there is life to experience. Think back as a child, having so much energy that you could not wait to get the day going, and seeing the day come to an end brought a certain sadness. Those nights of sleeping hard and doing it all over again the next day.
HEALTHY LIVING
BY JULIE HUDSON
The teen years and early 20s brought with them a lot of moments you did not want to end, as well as many lessons learned. Life becomes a reality in the 20s and 30s with responsibilities in full swing. The 40s bring much more awareness and perhaps more worry of achieving, reaching goals, dealing with stress and getting through busy days. It can be very hard to take the time to appreciate precious life moments. By the time you reach the 50s, you discover that this is life, and you appreciate the value of each moment and staying intentional.
This sequence is deeply connected with healthy living. Healthy living, by definition, comprises a person’s attitudes and values. The World Health Organization defines health as a complete state of physical, mental and social wellbe-
ing, not simply the absence of disease. Healthy living encompasses physical, emotional, social, mental, spiritual, financial, intellectual, occupational and environmental wellness.
Living your life with purpose means living up to your potential in all facets of life. Purpose encompasses prioritizing what truly matters to you based on your values and beliefs. Acting in accordance with these values and goals, make the most of each day.
Living with a purpose involves:
n Identifying your values – what matters to you, what you are passionate about and what your skills are.
n Setting goals – work toward goals that are important to you and stay true to your values.
n Take action – make decisions and take actions that reflect your goals.
n Being adaptable – stay true to your purpose while being able to adjust as needed.
n Prioritizing what matters – make time for the things that are most important to you.
There are benefits to living a purposeful life:
n Living with purpose can lead to a greater feeling of selfworth, self-confidence and happiness.
n It can help you feel more in control of your life.
n It can improve your mental health and overall wellbeing.
It is important to realize that you are a work of art, unique and beautiful in your own way. If you are unique,
one of a kind, with no one else exactly like you, then how can you compare imperfections? There should be no comparison. Think about admiring someone else without doubting your own beauty or devaluing the way you think of yourself.
It is human nature to compare ourselves to others; however, such comparison can bring about discontent, dissatisfaction, bitterness, resentment and even depression. Life’s journey is about improving yourself, and life satisfaction can be achieved by looking at your yesterday self. Life satisfaction has nothing to do with others; it is all about personal reflection: Are you better today than you were yesterday, last month or last year? What everyone else is doing does not matter. What matters the most is what you are doing to fulfill your journey. Happiness multiplies when you don’t compare yourself to other people.
Many people begin a New Year with a declaration of making changes. They reflect on their habits, lives and actions and pick something they are determined to improve upon or adjust. Some reach their goals, and others do not.
While resolutions or restarts can be very good personal challenges, I also think they can result in disappointment.
A New Year does bring enthusiasm for change, reflection, renewal, cleanout and hope. I’d like to propose some simple resolutions that you can start anytime. They are attainable for all, can be built upon, can increase possibilities, promote a sense of purpose and foster feelings of confidence. Of course, you can raise your own personal bar, but
if you occasionally miss the mark, do yourself a favor and don’t use it as a way to beat up yourself; rather, go back to the list. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.
n Wake and start your day with two big glasses of water. You become dehydrated overnight, and this one little change will improve your health.
n Eat a piece of fruit with your breakfast. The fiber, nutrition and sweetness will add greater satiation to your meal.
n Squeeze in 10 minutes of extra walking daily; parking your car farther away from the building entry counts toward these minutes.
n For lunch and dinner, add two vegetables to your meal. Eat them plain. You’ll get used to the flavors and maybe start enjoying them. Yes, salads and all sorts of vegetables – fresh, steamed or frozen – all count.
n Smile at the first person you see each day. If it’s someone in your household, it will make your home more pleasant. If it’s a neighbor or stranger, you’ll both feel better as well.
n Choose an inspirational quote or scripture and think about it throughout the day.
Living purposefully is deeply personal; no one can dictate your soul’s calling.
Julie Hudson is a certified dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.
Roasted Carrots with a Chermoula Sauce
Chermoula Sauce Ingredients
3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 cloves of garlic
1 serrano pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Blend all but the oil until smooth.
While it is still blending, slowly pour the E.V.O.O. in.
Assembly
Wash and peel the carrots. Drizzle canola oil, salt and pepper over the carrots. Toss to coat.
Roast carrots at 350 degrees until fully cooked. Depending on the size, 15-30 minutes. Drizzle the chermoula over warm carrots and top with goat cheese.
CHEF'S TABLE
BY PETE MCKENNY
Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio,Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.
A Front Seat Smoke with a Touch of Sweet
Ashton, Michter's and El Mayor
The Ashton Maduro is a medium to full bodied smoke made with savory Dominican tobacco, which gives it a robust and smooth flavor. This maduro has incredibly strong flavors of dark cocoa, molasses, almond, maple and, finally, dark pepper, thanks to the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, giving it an extra kick. At the same time, this cigar is surprisingly smooth, considering its full body. It pairs best with sweeter liquors to lighten the darker flavors of this cigar.
The Michter's Small Batch offers a nice Kentucky hug right from the start but quickly mellows to lighter flavors, such as caramel, brown sugar, roasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon and roasted coffee beans. This bourbon
is very light and acquiesces the front seat in this pairing to the cigar, lightening up and adding to those darker flavors without overpowering the smoke.
The El Mayor Repasado tequila has rested for nine months, letting the sweetness of the agave play with the barrel and other flavors that were added during the process. The Repasado is very sweet with flavors of sweet fruit, vanilla and spices, an excellent pairing with the Ashton Maduro, as it adds to and elevates those darker molasses flavors.
Mark Gilliland is the owner of Grain & Leaf at 8469 state Route 63 in Alexander City.
CHEERS!
MARK GILLILAND
Is patience passé?
WWe’ve all heard the saying, “Patience is a virtue,” but does that really apply to fishing? The stereotype of fishing is someone sitting on the bank or a dock with a line in the water, watching a bobber float a minnow, worm or cricket while the fisherman slowly slips in and out of consciousness. Waiting, waiting, … and more waiting, until there’s a bite, and the bobber goes down. Then, the excitement begins and builds until the fish is caught and landed. This is actually a very relaxing and enjoyable experience for many and does require some patience through the wait. Without patience, an angler might give up and reel the line in before a fish has a chance to find the offering.
So, why did a kid like me – who could never sit still and whose mind raced constantly – become so addicted to fishing? I vaguely remember how, at a young age, I complained to my Mom about how bored I was. It felt like I needed to be doing something, somewhere – constantly – or I was going to explode.
BIG CATCHES
BY GREG VINSON
And then, I started learning to fish. First for bream, green sunfish and small spot tail minnows around the dock. They were fun when I learned an easy way to catch them.
Sitting and waiting got old quickly, but walking up
and down our seawall, which had rocks at the base, became the ticket. Then, I went on to the neighbors’ seawalls until I had covered as much ground as I could get away with. Once I learned the fish liked to hang around the little cracks between the rocks, I looked around the bank and saw endless options. After discovering fishing, being bored was not a problem if there was water around.
Fortunately, I grew up on Lake Martin. Bank fishing turned into fishing from a little boat; then, our family boat; and then, a boat of my own. I was constantly looking to catch something somewhere, any chance I got. My mind was occupied with looking for the next spot to try, thinking about the next fish to catch and how.
I’m not the only one. I personally know people of all ages and backgrounds who are fishing fanatics. They would probably hit on every childhood or adult symptom of clinical ADD diagnoses. So, I have to ask myself: If an activity like fishing supposedly requires patience, how in the world could it be so attractive to a segment of the population with notably very little of that attribute?
On the surface, fishing is more about catching. Some days, an angler might fish for hours without catching anything. It may appear that the angler has a lot of patience to fish that long with seemingly little to no success, but then, there’s the process. I call it the puzzle. When fishing is reduced simply to the moment of reeling in a fish, that’s only part of what makes it so intriguing. While reeling in a fish is fun and a pinnacle moment, it’s the process leading up to that moment that can turn fishing into a passion. The expectations,
anticipation, planning, preparing – they’re all part of the process.
It’s a puzzle because there are a multitude of variables (i.e. pieces) that come into play. The final picture mostly remains the same. The finished picture of success is reaching a predetermined goal that day. Are you lookingw to catch a fish? one giant fish? five big fish or 20 or more? or a variety of species? Amy time you go fishing, there’s usually a time constraint. It could be daylight to dark; eight hours of a tournament; or a couple of hours of free time. There’s always a limit to the time you have.
What are the variables?? Many fall under the category of weather; others have to do with the water itself, like temperature, clarity, etc. And then there are the variables in locations – points, pockets, channels, creeks and so on. What about habitat (cover)? On Lake Martin that’s mostly rocks, stumps, docks, trees and some bank grass. Even clay and gravel would have to be considered this time of year. And we haven’t begun to hit on bait selection yet. The inventory in my boat building alone is a testament that there’s at least a few thousand variables there in bait selection – haha!
better they’ll get at putting their picture together. This is why you often see anglers specializing in certain spe cies and/or types of fishing. They’ve put that particular puzzle together more often over time. Even if the com bination of variables changes from time to time, they’ll have a head start being able to draw from past experi ence.
is the picture of success. When you go fishing, you are given an allotted amount of time to try to reach that goal. There are all the variables that must be considered as to where and how they’ll fit together before time runs out.
than patience. In bass fishing, it is referred to as “running a pattern.”
bass anglers of all time are impa tient. Would anyone who follows the bass fishing scene describe the two greatest anglers ever, Kevin Van Dam and Rick Clunn, as patient? Efficient? Absolutely. Patient? Mmm, not so much. Both of these anglers proved on a multitude of fisheries over a long history that putting the puzzle together quickly and using fast-paced techniques yielded the best results. They have the resumes to prove it. Those times that may have looked like patience were more likely confidence in a pattern
that involved timing.
With all that being said, there is some level of patience required. The old adage, “Should I stay, or should I go?” comes to mind. I’ve experienced both sides of the coin in tournaments. Most other tournament anglers have as well. Changing baits and presentations too quickly could result in missing something. The same applies to changing areas. On a good day, having enough patience to determine whether a pattern is viable is important. Too much patience translates into being stubborn, which can derail things.
In other words, If you have good reason to believe that something will work, give it a chance. But don’t crash and burn trying to make it work.
Another example in which patience can come in handy is while developing as an angler. The best approach is to set realistic goals based on your experience level. Maybe it’s learning to catch a different species, a new method of casting, or a new technique. For a tournament angler, it may be qualifying for various levels of fishing or winning a particular event. Be confident, have a plan, put in max effort, and finally, throw in a little patience.
Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.
LoveGolf
HHello, Lake Martin!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year holiday experiences. Football fun followed as we finished the regular season, watched the playoffs and have crowned our College National Champions and NFL Superbowl Champions.
After all that excitement, February has arrived. It might come as a letdown in some way, as the lake is still down, the weather is still a little cold and gloomy with us feeling a little tired. The perfect cure for this moment in time is to celebrate love with Valentine’s Day as our initial focus. Love is defined as a strong, passionate affection or devotion to an object of love. Most heartfelt expressions are directed to our maker, our partner, our family and friends. Some of us direct it to our favorite teams or games we enjoy. In my case, the Denver Broncos and the game of golf.
As a professional, I have been a passionate lover of the game of golf for more than 35 years. I have been blessed to make a career doing something I love. It is not only the principles of the sport that I love but also the people who participate in the game along with me. Over the years, I have enjoyed the different types of golfers who fall into three categories. Read along and see where you or the golfer in your life fits.
First, we have the novice or beginning golfer. I truly enjoy being able to work with the beginning golfer. Having the opportunity to work with this group sets them up for success early by developing positive swing mechanics from the start. The enthusiasm that I see in their quick and early growth matches mine. I love working together to introduce this great game of a lifetime to novice players. My annual junior clinic is a perfect example of this work, and I truly enjoy teaching ladies the game for future growth in that demographic. Harvey Penick captured the essence of this group with his proclamation, “Go out and have fun. Golf is a game for everyone, not just for the talented few.”
Secondly, we have the regular/recreational golfer. These are players who actively participate on the golf course. Golf has become a part of their lifestyle of
THE SCRAMBLE
BY ROB WITHERINGTON
choice, enjoying the game for many different reasons. Some are casual/business golfers who enjoy sharing the game. Others are recreational golfers who participate with a group on a regular basis. This group enjoys the comradery as much as the golf and score. Others are highly competitive golfers who seem to truly focus during any level of golf tournament events. I love having a part in managing their experiences through daily operations and tournament operations. Jim Bishop spoke of this group when he said, “Golf is played by twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out having fun.”
Finally, we have the group that I lovingly call the “golf-aholic.” These are the true diehards that want to play as much as possible. They will play through the most extreme hot or cold conditions all year long. They will hit range balls in search of that secret to playing their best. They will read and research the swing and will attend the demo-day looking for new clubs that will deliver those few precious extra yards. They embody the Harry Vardon mindset, “Don’t play too much golf, as two rounds a day is plenty.” My father fell into this category once I introduced him to the game. I grew up in the Florida panhandle area, and I remember him racing to the driving range to hit his own balls during the eye of a hurricane. Now that is love for the game.
February is the month of love, and I love all the people that play this wonderful game. As always, Gabby is here to help you in any way I can.
Rob “Gabby” Witherington is a PGA Professional and Director of Golf at Stillwaters Golf Club. Learn more at stillwatersgolf.com.therington is a PGA
Lake Martin
Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210
The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300
River North Marina 256-397-1500
Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700
Real Island Marina 256-397-1200
Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888
Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550
Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600
Alex City Marine 256-215-FISH
Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's 256-444-8793
SpringHouse 256-215-7080
Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070
Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035
Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337
The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887
Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075
Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567
Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132
Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256
The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333
Kowaliga Veterinary Care 334-857-1816
Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847
Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717
Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-307-1499
Red Ridge UMC 256-825-9820
Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc 334-857-2443
First Baptist Church Dadeville 256-825-6232
Lakeshore Pharmacy 256-825-0063
Momentum Marine at Lake Martin 256-825-9286
Bolton Cove 256-392-7524
Singleton Marine 256-269-0088
Lake Magazine Distribution
ALEXANDER CITY
Robinson Iron
A & M Plumbing
Carlos
The Body Shop
Walgreens
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
Jake's
Moore Wealth Management
Carlisle's
Emporium Wine
Cloud Nine
Downtown Girl
Shay Aesthetics
JR'S
Hillabee Towers
Senior Nutrition Center
Noel Boone
George Hardy
First Realty
Dark Insurance
Warren Appliance
MainStreet Family Care
Grace's Flowers
Koon's Korner
Larry's General Merchandise
Daylight Donuts
Alfa
Valley Bank - 280
Pricare
Temple Medical
AllState
BB&T Bank
Hometown Pharmacy
Lake Martin Home Health
Allen's Food Mart (Exxon)
Karen Channell - State Farm
Insurance
North Lake Condo
River Bend Store
River North Marina
Lake Martin Building Supply
Petro
Sho'Nuff BBQ
Hair Design
Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture
Longleaf Antique Mall
Playhouse Cinemas
Chamber of Commerce
Winn Dixie
Re/Max Around the Lake
City Hall
A&E Metal
Regions Bank
Marathon - 280
Renfroe's Market
Russell Medical Center
Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors
Koon's II
Tallapoosa Ford
Dylan Johnson - Country Financial
Holley's Home Furniture
Jackson's Drugs
Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark
The Sure Shot
Shell - 280
Big B Bar-B-Que
Russell Do It Center
Russell Home Decor
Holman Floor
Satterfield Inc.
Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars
Tippy Canoe
Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office
Wind Creek Gate
Wind Creek Store
Willow Point Office
Willow Point Country Club
Smith Marina on Lake Martin
Nails
Kowaliga Marina
Kowaliga Restaurant
Children's Harbor
Catherine's Market
Russell Lands Corporate Office
Russell Lands Real Estate Sales
Center
SpringHouse Restaurant
Ridge Club
Ridge Marina
HACKNEYVILLE
Hackneyville Water Authority
NEW SITE
Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland
DADEVILLE
Chamber of Commerce
Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery
Root 49 Salon
Ellaby Boutique, LLC
Alabama Power
Siggers
Siggers Barbershop
Fusion Cafe
Dadeville Library
At the Beauty Shop
Dadeville Courthouse
Payne's Furniture
PNC Bank
Valley Bank
McKelvey Chevrolet
Renfroe's Market
Foshee's Boat Doc
Lakeshore Pharmacy
Russell Building Supply
Lakay's
Tallapoosa Nutrition
Sweet Pickins
Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Jim's Pharmacy
Poplar Dawgs
Still Waters Country Club
Still Waters Home Association
Russell Lands Realty
Fuller Realty
Harbor Pointe
Oskar's
Aronov Realty Lake Martin
Creekside Lodge
Blue Creek Marina
Lakeside Marina
Niffers
Hwy 50 Eagle
Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery
Lakeside Mercantile
Walnut Hill
Chuck's Marina
Deep Water Docks
Lake Martin Pizza
CAMP HILL
Link Gas Station
KELLYTON
Five Star Plantation
EQUALITY
Equality Food Mart
Southern Star
Parker Creek Marina
Charles Borden
ECLECTIC
Lake Breeze Realty
Offshore Marina
Lake Martin Mini Mall
Corner Stone Coffee Co.
Lake Martin Dock Company
Cotton's Alabama Barbecue
Russell Do It Center
Johnson Furniture
WOW Catering LLC
Eclectic Library
Real Island Marina
Anchor Bay Marina
Wetumpka
Wetumpka Herald Office
Tallassee Marathon
Tallassee Eagle
Tallassee Chamber
Parris Mullins Jr. O.D.
Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
Parting Shot
"Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife. " ~
Photo by John Denney Art & Photography
Franz Schubert
In the foothills of Appalachia, Lake Martin’s storied Southern pines and tranquil waters offer an idyllic elegance for any special occasion. Choice venues with chef-inspired cuisine and storybook settings make Russell Lands the perfect place to say, “I do.”
