This is the last issue of Lake magazine that will have my name on it. At the end of this month, I will retire as magazine editor-inchief at Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. So, this is my goodbye letter to you, the readers who have made my work a dream job for the last 13 years. It would be great if this was a lighthearted and funny goodbye, but if you’re familiar with my writing style, you know I’ve never been very good at funny. I’m much better at tugging on heartstrings, so you might as well grab a tissue before you read any further.
It has been a privilege and a delight to write for you all, to explore Lake Martin with you, discovering its charm like children and becoming part of it together. You’ve been very kind to welcome me into your homes and trust me with your wonderful stories. I have learned much from you, and I am so very grateful. You made my tenure at TPI a successful one, and you will always be a part of who I am going forward.
By a twist of serendipity for which I always will be thankful, Kenneth and Mary Lyman Boone offered me an opportunity to join the TPI team in 2012. They have been my guides and my friends, faithful to God and their community. They have made TPI the best place I’ve ever worked.
TPI General Manager Tippy Hunter nurtures a caring culture among the staff, pulling everyone together toward the common goal of reporting the news honestly, fairly and with integrity. Magazine Art Director Audra Spears has made me look good for 13 years. It wasn’t always easy, but she pulled it off with style and never uttered a word of complaint. From the ad reps to the newsroom and the pressmen in the back, a terrific bunch of people work here. I will miss seeing them every day, and I hope you will continue to appreciate and support them. They are your best and most reliable source of news information in the community.
You all mean so much to me that I could not leave you without entrusting your readership to someone as special as you are. Shaylee Beck Moore cannot believe she landed the dream job of editor at Lake magazine, so I feel confident in entrusting your stories to her care. Along with her staff, Shaylee will put her own spin on lake life and take the magazines into the promising future that awaits. And I will enjoy watching her do just that.
She probably will do ‘funny’ better than me, too.
God bless you and keep you close to His heart. Thank you again and again.
Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief
Note: On page 34 of last month's issue, David Jones was identified as a saxophonist. He is a trumpeter and vocalist.
All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 | lakemagazine.life
the Cover
Lake magazine turns 20 years old this month, as the first issue was published in March 2005. As we celebrate 20 years of adventure, progress and growth at Lake Martin, we look forward to the next 20 years with great anticipation and with gratitude to our readers and advertisers who have played important roles in Lake's success.
Photos
by Kenneth Boone
20. PLUG DAY
Steve Robinson shares his thoughts on this pivotal day for Lake Martin.
24. LEAVING A LEGACY
Longtime Lake editor Betsy Iler reflects on her adventures as she retires at the end of this month.
28. LAKE MAGAZINE'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Revisit Lake's first 20 years in this anniversary edition as we look forward to the magazine's future.
36. THE LODGE AT LAKE MARTIN
A Chelsea couple renovates a commercial property to create a unique rental property at Lake Martin.
52. A SWEET REUNION
Two years after losing a cherished canoe at the lake, the boat that holds 60 years of memories was miraculously returned to Dale Lane.
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:
9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE
11. LAKE SCENES
13. WHERE IS LAKE?
14. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS
19. LETTER TO THE EDITOR
48. NATURE OF THE LAKE
54. LAKE PROPERTY
56. HOBO
58. CHEERS!
59. FAB FINDS
60. HEALTHY LIVING 62. CHEF'S TABLE 64. BIG CATCHES 67. THE SCRAMBLE 74. PARTING SHOT
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake
Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators
Prepare for lake visitors of the winged variety
The harbingers of spring are in bloom, namely daffodils and forsythia, and bluebirds are already choosing nesting sites. Some Lake Martin area residents also have noted that purple martin scouts have been seen in the are, so it stands to reason that by midMarch, that favorite sprite of Lake Martin birdwatchers will arrive hummingbirds.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that breeds at Lake Martin. Attracting, feeding and watching them is a popular pastime in our area from spring to fall. If you're hoping to make your yard part of their summer neighborhood, now is the time to prepare, as hummers can be expected to arrive any time after March 20, according to hummingbirdcentral.com.
Clean hummingbird feeders and prepare a sugar water
Weather Outlook for March
March
2025 Forecast
mixture of one part sugar to three parts water. Do not use honey. Fill your feeders and hang them near areas that provide cover from predators. Be sure to discard syrup before it turns cloudy or discolored.
Next, set up your viewing area with comfortable chairs and a table large enough to accommodate a beverage and any reference materials you might need as questions arise during your viewing.Then, just sit back and prepare to be entertained.
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s with average lows in the low 40s and about 5 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of March. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly higher than average and rainfall will be in the average range this month.
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.
Hummingbirds could arrive as early as mid-March to spend the summer at Lake Martin.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Shaylee and Stephen Moore snow boatin' during the last winter storm. (2) Parts of Lake Martin were transformed into a winter wonderland. (3) Nora bundled up while playing in the snow. (4) You never know what you will find on the shores of Lake Martin. Johnny Spears found a homemade bow and arrow on a late Sunday afternoon hike. (5) Jessica Leonard snapped this photo of a snow covered Kowaliga Bridge. (6) Fall colors grace Lake Martin on Powell Drive. (7) Jack and Charlie Ball of Birmingham enjoy a little fishing with their cousin, Graham Lee, at Crosswinds in Windermere.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Wayne and Denise Lewis and Lisa and Andy Weil took the January issue of Lake magazine along on a Carnival Mardi Gras cruise. (2) Emily Jemison and Lake magazine were stuck in gridlock traffic on the way to the Atlanta airport during the January snowstorm. (3) James and Rhonda Stewart, Terry Willard and Debra, Louis and Mary Loftin celebrated Debra's birthday with Lake magazine in Cozumel. (4) Eileen and Keith West and Kay and Ken Johnson took Lake magazine on a river cruise to Southern France. (5) Scotty and Hattie Lett, Damon and Tamie Story and Kyle and Donna Johnson took Lake to Mykonos, Greece, last October. (6) Lake magazine toured the Thomas Edison Museum and Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida, with Anita Holley, Loretta Sylvester and Kathy Moore.
March 1
Chili & Gumbo Cookoff
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. Find additional details at mainstreetalexandercity.org.
March 1
HOBOs Annual Breakfast 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. For more information, contact office at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.
March 10-16
Throw-away Days
Dumpsters will be available for disposal of household goods free of charge on March 10-11 at StillWaters on state Route 49 and at Double Bridges on state Route 63; March 12-13 at the intersection of Young’s Ferry and Mullican and at Old New Site School; and March 14-16 at the Alexander City Courthouse Annex at 395 Lee Street. No liquids, compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, televisions, computers, propane tanks or hazardous waste.
March 13
Singer Emmet Cahill
in Millbrook on August 2. For more information, call Heather Buesinger at 334-285-4550.
March
17
St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Show and Dinner
Join the Lake Martin Dulcimer Club and friends for a private dinner and an evening of Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day. Dinner will be held at Camellia Café followed by a Celtic concert at Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $40 online and include dinner, concert, tax, fees and gratuity. The deadline for 5 p.m. reservations is March 1. Visit dadevilleperformingartscenter. com to purchase tickets online and for more information.
Celebrate spring at Dadeville Performing Arts Center's toe-tapping bluegrass concert
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
March 21
Town Creek Ramblers
Bluegrass Band
Outstanding bluegrass band the Town Creek Ramblers perform toetapping, soul-touching bluegrass and new grass. Each show starts at 7 p.m. and features special artists from the region. Purchase tickets online at dadevilleperformingartscenter. com or at the door at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center, 128 Broadnax Street, Dadeville.
March 21-23
Dearly Departed
ACT II will present this Southern comedy at the Betty Carol Graham Center stage at Central Alabama Community College at 7 p.m. March 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. March 23. Written by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, the play illustrates that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Admission is free.
March 22
Reuben Thornton Memorial Spring Cleanup
Internationally acclaimed tenor Emmet Cahill will perform at 7 p.m. at The Mill Two-Eighty. Tickets are $20 in advance at alexcityarts.org and $25 at the door.
March
15
Talladega Wild Game Cook-Off
Alabama Wildlife Federation will host the wild game competition at 4 p.m. at Talladega Super Speedway, so gather your team and finalize your recipes. The winner of this competition advances to the state finals at Lanark
In honor of Reuben Thorton, join Lake Martin Resource Association in a trash cleanup day for a cleaner community. Participants will meet at the Red Hill Community Center in Tallassee for cleaning assignments and supplies, including bags, pickers and vests. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. with the clean up taking place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lake Martin Mini Mall will host lunch and an after party starting at 11 a.m. with live music sponsored by Lakescape. Contact lmra@lmra.info for more information.
March 24
Classical Concert Flute Duo
Nancy Vinson and Robert Scott
As a part of the Dadeville Performing Arts
Instrumental Concert Series, two professional flautists will perform duets and solos from the wide range of classical music for flutes. Vinson recently retired as long-time principal flute of the Montgomery Symphony, and Scott is the current principal flute of Montgomery Symphony. Their music, narrations, and banter starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door or online at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.
March 27
Dolores Hydock
Dadeville Public Library will present Dolores Hydock in Footprint on the Sky: Voices from Chandler Mountain from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Red Ridge United Methodist Church.
March 29
Women on Lake Martin Boating Class
Get ready for the boating season with this informal, down-to-earth review of the basics in boating. Hosted by Russell Marine and geared specifically for women, this four-hour hands-on course refreshes women on the basics of boating safety and operation, with on-water demonstrations on many of the most popular boats on Lake Martin. The boating class runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event fills fast because of the limited number of slots available. Contact Kendra Naile at Russell Marine’s Kowaliga Marina for more information and to register by calling 256-397-1208 or email KNaile@russelllands.com.
April 3
UNwineD at Zazu’s Verandah
Zazu’s Verandah, located on the beautiful Dadeville Square, presents their sixth season of live music inside the Listening Room every Thursday evening starting April 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is free to the community, and guests aged 21-plus are welcome to attend. For weekly updates, call 256-307-2188 or visit the Zazu’s Verandah Facebook page.
April 5
Women on Lake Martin Boating Class
Get ready for the boating season with this informal, down-to-earth review of the basics in boating. Hosted by Russell Marine and geared specifically for women, this four-hour hands-on course refreshes women on the basics of boating safety and operation, with on-water demonstrations on many of the most popular boats on Lake Martin. The boating class runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event fills fast because of the limited number of slots available. Contact Lee Cook at Russell Marine’s River North Marina for more information and to register by calling 256-397-1502 or email LCook@russelllands.com.
April 5
Boating Safety Course
Alabama Marine Police will conduct a boating safety course at The Ridge Marina from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. to review navigation rules for veterans and help first timers pass the license exam. Hosted by Russell Marine, this course is NASBLA and Alabama Boating Safety certified. To sign up, call Rhonda Perry at The Ridge Marina at 256-397-1300 or email her at rperry@russelllands.com.
Season-long Events
Free Tax Assistance & E-filing
Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, Inc., at 5030 U.S. Route 280 in Alexander City will host IRS certified volunteers to provide free tax assistance and electronic filing of federal and state income tax forms for seniors at any income level and taxpayers under age 60 with incomes less than $68,000, as well as disabled taxpayers. Make your appointment to drop off your information before April 1, 2025, by calling 256-234-0347. Do not come without an appointment. Bring last year’s tax return, a photo ID for taxpayer and spouse, as well as Social Security cards for taxpayers and dependents, W-2s, 1099s and 1095-A if applicable.
Pastry & Paint
Join local painter Kay Fincher for a painting event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at The Grand Bakery on Broadnax Street in Dadeville. All materials will be provided to complete a canvas picture. No previous painting experience in necessary; however, reservations are required. The class is $30 for each person and is limited to 10 participants. Call Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506 to reserve a spot.
Alexander City Kiwanis Club
The Alexander City Kiwanis Club meets at noon every Thursday in the boardroom of the Betty Carol Graham Building on the CACC campus, except on the fourth Thursday of the month. For more information, call Mike Lucas at 256-596-0104.
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.
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. Admission for aduts is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. For more information email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com.
Lake Martin News
Russells donate $3.2 million to hospital foundation
The Russell Medical Foundation is thrilled to announce a generous contribution of $3.2 million from Russell Lands, Inc., and The Adelia Russell Charitable Foundation/Ben and Luanne Russell. This substantial donation underscores the continuous commitment and dedication of the Russell family and associated entities to enhancing healthcare within our community.
Russell Medical CFO Matt Fisher, Russell Medical Foundation Executive Director
Tammy Jackson, Dedie Russell Hendrix, Russell Lands President David Sturdivant and Russell Medical CEO Jim Peace announced the donation last month.
involvement extends over several decades, with a particular focus on healthcare, education, and community development. “Our family, along with Russell Lands, is committed to making a meaningful impact within our community,” Dedie Russell Hendrix said. “We believe that state-of-the-art healthcare services are the backbone of a thriving community, and it is our goal to ensure access to everyone in our area.”
The partnership between Russell Lands, Inc., The Adelia Russell Charitable Foundation, Ben and Luanne Russell and Russell Medical exemplifies a shared vision of fostering a healthy, vibrant community. This donation marks a pivotal moment in ensuring residents have access to the best possible healthcare services.
Staff Report
Smith wins Bama
Division Opener at Lake Martin
Former Benjamin Russell angler Stihl Smith of Alexander City caught a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the Major League Fishing Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Lake Martin. The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Bama Division. Smith earned $4,163 for his victory.
“It was not very good morning bite,” Smith said in a press release, “But at around 8 a.m. I caught my first fish. I caught it on a jig.”
This significant contribution will bolster the efforts of Russell Medical in its mission to provide exceptional, compassionate healthcare services to the residents of Alexander City and surrounding areas, including Lake Martin. The funds were given to ensure Russell Medical remains at the forefront of healthcare excellence.
“We are deeply honored by the unwavering support of Russell Lands, The Adelia Russell Charitable Foundation and Ben and Luanne Russell,” Russell Medical President and CEO Jim Peace said in a press release. “Their generosity enables us to advance our mission and continue delivering high-quality care that our community deserves. This contribution not only supports our current endeavors but also helps secure a brighter future for healthcare in our region.” said Tammy Jackson, executive director of the Russell Medical Foundation. “The gift of equal funds from Russell Lands and The Adelia Russell Charitable Foundation/Ben and Luanne Russell embodies the incredible giving spirit of the Russell Family, as well as the Lake Martin community.”
Russell Lands president David Sturdivant said, “Our community is so fortunate to have a healthcare facility that strives for excellence, and Russell Medical Center does that each and every day. It is also extremely rare for a community of our size to have access to so many medical specialties without having to leave town. Quality healthcare is critical to our residents and to the Lake Martin area in general, and we are proud to continue to support Russell Medical Center.”
The Russell family’s legacy of philanthropy and community
Smith spent the first couple of hours of the day hodgepodging around and fishing a mix of targets. He threw at docks, brush, points and any fish he saw on his Garmin LiveScope. The junk-fishing approach put a couple quality bass in the live well as Smith sorted out a more consistent way to get bit.
“As the sun came up more, I started getting around the bait more,” said Smith. “If the bait was there, the fish were there. I was using LiveScope, just using forward-facing sonar and throwing at fish in the bait balls. I had to catch a bunch to catch a decent one. I was catching mostly spots.”
Smith fished two primary areas in the middle part of the lake.
In addition to earning the win, Smith holds the early lead in the Fishing Clash Bama Division Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Bama Division anglers will be held March 1 at Lay Lake out of Columbiana, Alabama.
Staff Report
Wicker Point Golf Club named best in Alabama
Wicker Point Golf Club was named the best golf course in Alabama in the most recent GOLF Magazine ‘Best in State Rankings’ article published in January. For nearly the past five decades the title was split between Shoal Creek Golf Club and The Country Club of Birmingham West Course, but now Wicker Point is the new top dog in Alabama.
“We were humbly honored, but we didn’t, by any means, expect this,” Wicker Point Director of Golf Matt Sheppard said. “Especially in year one, it’s extremely exciting. I just didn’t think it would happen that fast. Typically courses need time to mature.”
What separates Wicker Point from others is the course itself, Sheppard said. Of course, there is a range of difficulty throughout the course, but what truly makes it special is the scenic aspect of the course.
“It’s the creativity of the architects,” Sheppard said. “The golf course has really three distinct, different feels when you’re playing it. You play through young pine plantations for about a third of the holes. You play through a creek bottom, where multiple creeks run through holes for about five to six holes. Then you’ve got six holes on Lake Martin. So you’ve got really kind of three settings that you play through during the course of a round at Wicker, which is unique. It doesn’t all look the same, so that’s part of it.”
“It was imperative for us, as Russell Lands, to have the golf course on the lake,” Sheppard said. “Because the lake is our most valuable asset. That’s the city, the county, the state. This is about as valuable an asset we have, and not just about the company, but in general, that was very important to us. It was a requirement that the lake was going to be involved.”
Even though Wicker Point now holds the distinction as one of the best courses in the state, it does not change how it wants to go about business. The main goal for Wicker Point is to provide Alexander City, and its golfers, a course that caters to them.
“But the future is really staying with our core reasons for building the golf course accessibility for members,” Sheppard said. “The club was built for the members of the club; it was built for them. So as far as attracting big tournaments and stuff, that’s not really our goal. Our goal is to make it the best experience for everybody to step foot on our property, especially our members and our future members.”
Having Lake Martin in its backyard plays to one of the many strengths of the course. Sheppard knew if they were to build a golf course it’d have to include the lake.
180 Birmingham Rd Eclectic, AL 36024 334-857-2443 sales@lakescape.com
Sam Higgs
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
Lake
Repairs & Maintenance
The new Wicker Point Golf Club is racking up accolades throughout the industry
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
BY WILL FERNIANY, PH.D.
Why my wife and I will get our care at Russell Medical
LLet me introduce myself. I am a retired hospital administrator after 47 years, and my last job was CEO of the UAB Health System and St. Vincent’s Alliance. I currently serve on the Russell Medical and University of Miami Health System boards. In my role at Russell Medical, I am familiar with the hospital’s operations, quality, medical staff, strengths and challenges. My wife, an Alexander City native, and I will be full-time residents of Alexander City when our house in The Heritage is completed this summer. We plan to move our care from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to Russell Medical, and I thought you may find it interesting why.
Quality
The most important thing about any hospital is the quality of services provided. Russell Medical has better quality than the national average on infections, such as sepsis, length of stay and readmissions. But don’t take my word for it. In 2024, Russell Medical was ranked by Newsweek as the number three hospital in the state based on quality, accreditation data and patient outcomes. Other awards and recognition include Russell Medical being only one of three hospitals in Alabama to receive a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as being ranked number two in Alabama for Rural and Community Top Hospitals by Chartis.
Medical Staff
Russell Medical is blessed with a variety of specialists and services, with more than 281 credentialed medical staff providers and 47 active physicians representing 28 medical specialties. Most important to me is that Russell Medical has a full-time geriatrician who holds an endowed chair from UAB. Most people do not realize how rare this is. There are very few boardcertified geriatricians in Alabama and, for that matter, in the United States. For comparison, there are only 7,400 board-certified geriatricians in the U.S. versus 33,000 board-certified cardiologists. There are only 66 board-certified geriatricians in Alabama.
Russell Medical’s focus on geriatric services allows it to be designated as an Age-Friendly Facility by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. All of us over 65 living in the Lake Martin area are fortunate to have geriatric services available.
Relationship with UAB
Russell Medical is affiliated with the UAB Health
System. The relationship helps improve the quality of care, reduce the cost of care and increase the scope of care. There are now 12 active medical staff members who are UAB faculty members.
Overall, there are 117 UAB faculty physicians providing care and support at Russell Medical, with 65 being telemedicine and the remainder providing general surgery, breast, colorectal, cardiovascular, radiation oncology and pulmonology care. Russell Medical and UAB also have a joint venture to provide cancer services at the Cancer Center.
Convenience
With the quality and variety of the medical staff, why drive to Opelika, Montgomery or Birmingham, especially for primary care? If I am in need of services not offered by Russell Medical, I am sure the medical staff will refer me to UAB or UAB’s Baptist Health in Montgomery.
Importance to Alexander City and Tallapoosa County
Russell Medical is an important resource to the area, and all of us must support it. It is the largest private employer in Alexander City, and without it, we would not be able to attract businesses and industry. Having Russell Medical locally is critical to the development of Lake Martin, Alexander City and Dadeville as retirement destinations and full-time residential areas.
Challenges
Don’t take Russell Medical’s, or any hospital in Alabama, success or even survival for granted. Alabama has one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation – low Medicare, low Medicaid and low commercial. This makes it hard for all the hospitals in Alabama to operate. This low reimbursement is why Ascension, one of the largest systems in the country, sold its hospitals in Alabama to UAB and South Alabama, and why Tenet sold its hospitals to Orlando Health. The matter is made worse by the fact that Alabama is one of only 10 states that did not expand Medicaid.
Let me leave you with one more thought. One important question to ask a hospital staff member is if they would recommend the hospital and doctors to their family. When this question is asked of Russell Medical staff, the answer is an overwhelming “yes!”
That recommendation alone is the best reason to use Russell Medical.
PLUG DAY
MMarch 1 at Lake Martin is akin to Groundhog Day in northern climes. It’s the day when Lake Martin businesses and homeowners turn their focus on the summer season because March 1 is the day the rule curve changes at Martin Dam. It’s the day when the lake’s winter water level fades to distant memory, as over the next 50 days, Lake Martin’s rule curve rises 7 feet to full pool – and local coffers rise with it.
“Plug Day is an opportunity to celebrate the lake and the economic impact it has on our community,” said Steve Robinson, president and CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and District 2 commissioner in Tallapoosa County. “There’s absolutely no doubt of the impact the lake has on our community.
“About 12 or 13 years ago, Russell Lands, Alexander City and Tallapoosa County had an impact study done on the lake. That study made projections for the next 30 years. That’s when we saw the financial escape of local money spent on groceries, and we started work on getting The Gateway shopping center here. It was a morethan-12-year process, but that has happened in just the last few months.”
With the opening of the stores at Gateway, more shopping dollars are spent here by locals and visitors alike, retaining sales tax revenues for infrastructure improvements, education and other services. But in the years since that study was done, additional growth has happened at the lake as well.
“We’ve had some tough times, but the lake has brought a lot of people here during some of those times,” Robinson said. “Tallapoosa County is one
of two counties in the state that were not negatively impacted economically from the COVID pandemic. A lot of people came here – buying houses or renting – to work at the lake at that time, and our sales tax revenues stayed level or increased during that time.”
Over the last decade, a strong foundation has been laid for more recreation opportunities that potentially will attract visitors, Robinson said.
“The Tallapoosa County Commission and Lake Martin Tallapoosa County Tourism are working with the Muscogee Nation to build a memorial honoring their Native American history in the area,” he said. “Our tourism bureau has brought attention to the river. While the river is a major tributary for the lake, it also provides its own recreation opportunities for groups. And we’re doing more beyond that.”
Robinson said work is being done to make the lake area more accessible for locals to enjoy, as well as visitors.
An agri-tourism center is under construction on the east side of the lake. This center will accommodate statewide 4-H events, animal shows, rodeos, seminars and conferences and more.
Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association expects to complete a second fire tower project near the Overlook trail network, offering a panoramic lake view experience on the lake’s southern banks. This feature complements CRATA’s Smith Mountain Fire Tower project near Dadeville.
Russell Lands recently opened its world-class Wicker Point Golf Club on the shores of Lake Martin.
STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE
As Lake Martin continues to grow it's economy, so does it continue to grow in annual visitors
Just months after the Coore & Crenshaw course opened, it was named among the world’s most elite courses by GolfDigest Magazine. The course continues to garner accolades as it draws an exclusive audience to the area.
“There are plans for a large capacity boat ramp on the south end of the lake, where we could bring dragon boat races, perhaps as soon as 2026,” Robinson said. “We want to provide more resources to accommodate local recreation. We want to see visitors come to enjoy the lake, but we want locals to enjoy the lake as well. It all helps our economy.”
It happens because Alabama Power holds a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to operate Martin Dam and maintain the reservoir that is Lake Martin. Martin Dam is one of four Alabama Power dams on the Tallapoosa River. Primarily constructed for flood control and hydroelectric generation, Martin Dam also was built for recreation, according to FERC’s environmental impact statement for the project.
To those ends, the lake level is held at 484 mean sea level feet most winters, which is 7 feet lower than summer’s full pool. The deficit creates storage room for an influx of water during the winter rainy season. During heavy rains, water can be stored behind the dams and released according to a schedule that minimizes downstream flood damage. As the 50-day rule curve change occurs between March 1 and April 19, the lake’s water levels will go up and down with flood control measures, but barring flood control, the levels will coincide with the rising rule curve to maintain the necessary
storage capacity in the reservoir.
But even during the winter, Lake Martin welcomes visitors, as fishing tournaments fill hotels and lakeside rental homes with visiting anglers.
In some ways, March 1 – Plug Day – the most important day at Lake Martin.
To celebrate, Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., hosts the 50-day social media countdown from Plug Day to full pool. Each day, the number of days until full pool will be posted on Facebook and Instagram, along with photos of summer events and recreation opportunities available at the lake over the summer. Each day’s post will be sponsored by a local business, individual or organization, spotlighting all that the Lake Martin area has to offer. Presenting sponsor for this year’s Countdown to Full Pool is Lakescape, a local design/build/maintain company that creates beautiful access for Lake Martin homeowners.
Check out TPI’s Plug Day video on social media, sponsored by TowBoat Lake Martin and Momentum Marina. Visit Lake magazine on Facebook and Instagram to follow the festivities. To learn more or sponsor a social media post, call 256-234-4281.
Betsy Iler has devoted her energy and career to sharing heartwarming stories around the Lake Martin community
A Leaving a Legacy
Lake magazine's Betsy
Iler reflects on role as she retires this month
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & BETSY ILER
As the end of March approaches, Lake magazine and the community will have the bittersweet honor of bidding farewell to one of our area’s most beloved icons.
For more than a decade, the pages of Lake magazine have come alive with heartwarming stories that have captured the pure essence of Lake Martin, showcasing the vibrant community culture and inspiring individuals who have helped shape the lake we know today. And typing away at the keyboard, making all the behind-the-scenes magic transpire, has been Lake magazine Editor-in-Chief Betsy Iler.
“It has been so wonderful and such an honor to be the one to tell people’s stories,” said Iler. “And that’s the best thing that any of us can do make a difference where we are, when we’re there.”
Iler began her career with Lake magazine in 2012, but her journey as a writer began decades ago. As a high school student in Illinois, she co-wrote a fictional mystery column with her best friend for the school newspaper, leaving readers on the edge of their seats from week to week.
“Since childhood, I’ve been a writer,” said Iler. “Even when I wasn’t working in publishing, writing was my hobby. It’s what I do to relax.”
Iler’s career in journalism led her to Marshall County, Alabama, where she met her husband, Rob Iler; however, it was through faith and God that the couple came to the Alexander City community. When Rob was called to be the rector of St. James Episcopal Church, Iler knew this was a dream come true for both of them.
“Alexander City had a reputation as being a great place to be within the Cursillo community in the Episcopal church,” said Iler. “And so, when the opportunity came up to be here, we were very excited. We felt like my husband really got the dream job.”
Iler moved to Alexander City in May 2012, and it wasn’t long before Kenneth Boone, owner of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., recognized her talent as a journalist and offered her the role of managing editor at Lake magazine.
From that moment on, Iler worked alongside publisher and photographer Kenneth Boone to bring the stories of Lake Martin to life, capturing the magic of its beloved traditions and culture. From annual features on the iconic Fourth of July fireworks to the excitement of new attractions and the unique charm of local businesses, Iler transformed current events into narratives that connected, inspired and celebrated the spirit of the community.
Among the hundreds of topics she has covered over the years, none were as important to Iler as her story, High Water, in Lake magazine’s May 2015 issue.
“The most important story I have covered is probably the relicensing for Martin Dam,” said Iler. “It’s the story that had the most impact.”
The relicensing of Martin Dam was a defining
Iler loves exploring the CRATA trails around Lake Martin
moment for the Lake Martin community, as residents united to advocate for a higher winter water level and an extension of the summer pool. When FERC’s initial environmental impact statement failed to include these provisions, residents rallied together for the change. Iler played a key role in motivating the community through her Lake magazine stories, helping lead to an unprecedented turnout of 600 people at a public hearing, leaving federal regulators overwhelmed. Through the community’s persistence, FERC directed Alabama Power to reassess the data, ultimately securing the changes that continue to shape Lake Martin today.
“To see us all make that difference was huge,” said Iler. “It was great to sit there and be the reporter. It was great to be able to push everybody to go to that meeting, to make that campaign in the newspapers and in the magazines, and to have the whole community working together to make that happen.
“We’re so very fortunate here to have three advo-
cacy organiztions that work to preserve our water qualtiy, keep the lake clean and monitor legislation to protect our lifestyle.”
She commends the tireless efforts of John Thompson at LMRA, Jimmy K. Lanier at CRATA and local historian and adventurer Harold Banks, among many others.
When Iler wasn’t writing for the magazine, she was bringing stories to life on stage at Alexander City Threatre II, the nonprofit community theatre company in Alexander City. Her passion for the performing arts led to her and her husband spearheading the establishment of the beloved local theater, bringing the community together through humor, expression and friendships that last a lifetime.
In addition, Iler’s favorite pastime at Lake Martin is enjoying RV trips to Wind Creek State Park.
As Iler’s time at Lake magazine comes to an end in March, her passion for writing will continue on. She’ll spend this summer leading a Cursillo staff team for October, and she looks forward to her new chapter in life as a fiction novelist, writing Christian romance books filled with stories of love, hope and inspiration as her characters overcome challenges and deepen their faith.
As with all things, Iler approaches retirement with humility and gratitude for the opportunities she has been presented while calling Lake Martin home. Through it all, what has inspired her the most in her career is the ability to give people in the community a voice.
“I owe this community so much,” said Iler, “because people have been so willing to open up their hearts, their homes and their dreams, and share those with me, knowing I was going to share them with everybody else. And I’m so grateful, because when you look at it that way, I didn’t make Lake magazine what it is today. Our readers did.”
While Lake Martin may be saying goodbye to a once-in-a-lifetime friend, Iler’s legacy will live on through her stories etched in our hearts, years of selfless giving, deep love for the people and inspiring impact that has truly shaped Lake Martin into the community that we all cherish today.
Wind Creek State Park is one of Iler's favorite places at Lake Martin
A founder of Alexander City's community theatre, Iler played Miss Daisy to Raheem Ruffin's 'Hoke'
STORY BY AUSTIN ELLIOTT & SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
LLake Martin has undergone significant transformations in the past 20 years. One constant throughout it all has been the devotion of Lake magazine, indulging all of those who are fortunate enough to bask in Lake Martin’s glory with intriguing stories, brilliant photography and captivating news. In the 7,300 days that have passed since Lake magazine published its first issue, a collaboration of passionate editors, photographers, writers and columnists has created this award-winning publication that illustrates the magnitude of Lake Martin. Lake’s First Issue
Lake magazine debuted in March 2005, covering a range of topics that included the announcement of the new Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail opening to the public; a hand-built replica of an 1800s museum sailboat setting sail on Lake Martin; and an inside look at how the days of classic water skiing were evolving into the hottest new trend of wakeboarding.
Momentous Occasions and Celebrations
AquaPalooza was one of the biggest events to be held at Lake Martin, bringing 4,000 boats and 35,000 people to Kowaliga Bay. The massive event was headlined by country music megastar Alan Jackson, along with several other artists, and lasted from July 26 to July 28, 2009.
Lake magazine looks forward to covering holiday celebrations annually around Lake Martin. None is bigger than the Fourth of July, attracting visitors from across the country to enjoy firework shows and concerts at The Amp. This festive celebration also includes golf cart parades held at StillWaters, boat parades through Kowaliga Bay and concerts headlined
People gathered by the thousands to enjoy AquaPalooza, one of the many famous Lake Martin events over the years
by famous acts, including American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.
LMRA and the Renew Our Rivers Annual Cleanup
For 20 years, Lake Martin Resource Association has headed up the annual Renew Our Rivers campaign in partnership with Alabama Power, promoting environmental awareness and engaging members of the community. Each year, hundreds of volunteers from local elementary schools, neighborhood groups and civic organizations come together to remove debris and preserve the lake’s natural beauty.
In the last two decades, more than 175 tons of trash have been cleared from the shorelines through this initiative. Lake magazine covers this event each year, highlighting the impact the cleanup has made and the volunteers behind the effort, from longtime lake residents to first-time participants eager to make a difference.
Smith Mountain Fire Tower
In 2012, Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association introduced a new tourist attraction to the lake that sparked the thrill of adventure for many. While the finishing touches were being made on the 80-foot-tall landmark, Lake magazine’s 2010 May issue, as well as a June issue in 2012, captured much of its beauty with a behind-the-scenes story on its development. The tower has provided an eyein-the-sky perspective for many years and will soon be accompanied by a new fire tower near Martin Dam in 2025.
Natural Disasters
While Lake Martin is undeniably a treasured haven for many, there has been trouble in paradise. Covered in Lake’s February 2010 article, The Deep Freeze , communities around Lake Martin saw record low temperatures for nearly two weeks, causing many parts of the lake to solidify. While Lake Martin has also experienced several drought phases, notably, the Shipwrecked story in the December 2007 issue investigated how the lake waters plummeted by more than 5 feet below normal pool and revealed a 35-foot barge used to build Martin Dam.
One of the most impactful natural disasters to hit the area was the devastating tornado on April 27, 2011. This EF-4 tornado caused widespread destruction, particularly in the Kowaliga area, taking the lives of two women and severely damaging numerous homes, businesses and landmarks, including Children’s Harbor. In a Lake magazine interview, local residents recounted their experiences during the storm and the community’s efforts to rebuild in its aftermath.
Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the Lake Martin area. Beginning in 2020, the pandemic led to increased interest in outdoor recreational areas, with many people seeking solace and safety in the lake’s natural settings. Lake Martin saw a surge in visitors and new residents as individuals and families sought refuge in efforts to evade the virus. Local businesses adapted to changing circumstances, with many offering socially distanced services and outdoor accommodations to meet the growing demand.
The community rallied together after an EF-4 tornado devastated the Lake Martin area
Wind Creek State Park Improvements
Dating back to its opening in 1982, Wind Creek State Park has provided a place of entertainment and relaxation for many locals and travelers alike, offering amazing amenities, such as the zipline canopy tour, glamping experiences and horse trails. In March 2024, Lake magazine was there to cover the revamping of several key elements to the property, including the addition of cottages, sewage expansion and improved campground sections made possible by a bond issue for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Relicensing of Martin Dam
In Lake magazine’s 2015 May issue, the relicensing of Martin Dam was the centerpiece of conversation around Lake Martin. The process consisted of an eight-year collaboration between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Alabama Power and Lake Martin stakeholders, revolving around the quality of water in the lake, as well as potentially expanding the landscape of the shorelines. Ultimately, Lake Martin prevailed and the new 30-year license granted higher winter water levels and the potential to extend summer pool by six weeks when certain conditions are met in the river system. Alabama Power officials credited the success to more than 600 local citizens who advocated for these provisions at a FERC public hearing.
Fame on The Lake
Lake Martin has gained national attention as The South’s Best Kept Secret in recent years, drawing a multitude of famous visitors who are captivated by its pristine waters, scenic beauty and vibrant community events.
In the April 2021 edition of Lake , A Pocket of Peace explored former Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn and his wife, Kristi’s, transformation of a rustic fishing cabin site on the former Dixie Sailing Club grounds into a cherished family retreat. Nestled on Dawson Point in the South Ridge area, the home serves as a peaceful retreat where the couple hosts their children and grandchildren.
Up-and-coming country music star Larry Fleet was drawn to Lake Martin’s beauty and laid-back lifestyle when he used an old country church off Nero’s Point as the backdrop for his hit music video, Where I Find God . In a Lake interview in June 2020, Fleet shared his love for Lake Martin, and since its release, the music video has garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube.
2025 Miss America, Abbie Stockard, cherishes her summers on Lake Martin. In her January 2025 interview with Lake , she expressed her love for the lake’s serene environment, highlighting boating, fishing and enjoying sunsets with family
Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn built his lakeside oasis at Lake Martin
CRATA operated with precision and urgency to get the tower completed
Bassmaster has hosted multiple fishing tournaments at Lake Martin
and friends. Featured on the 2025 Lake magazine cover, Stockard emphasized that Lake Martin has been a cornerstone of her fondest memories as she looks forward to spending additional time relaxing on the water this summer.
Bassmaster Comes to Lake Martin
Lake Martin, known to anglers for bass fishing, has hosted a variety of Bassmaster Open tournaments and local high school competitions over the years, drawing anglers from all levels. These events foster a strong sense of community while boosting the local economy, reinforcing the lake’s deep connection to the sport.
Lake’s February 2018 issue highlighted the coming of the Bassmaster Elite Series season opener to Lake Martin. 111 of the world’s best professional anglers entered town, accompanied by a nationwide media crew, sponsors and tournament fans, boosting the local economy by an estimated $1 million and showcasing the area to an approximate 20,000 visitors.
After Hurricane Helene forced the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens tournament to relocate from its original location of Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, Lake Martin answered the call for help. In November 2024, Lake magazine bore witness to the last-minute success story that would be the 2024 Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin.
Developments Around The Lake Area
The landscape of Lake Martin has changed considerably over the past two decades, and Lake magazine has been at the forefront of capturing the evolution. From the largest Russell Lands waterfront development, The Ridge, to numerous marinas and trend-setting homes, Lake Martin has remained the centerpiece of everlasting beauty in Central Alabama.
Notably, The Heritage has become one of the most showcased developments in recent years around Lake Martin. This is largely due to the creation of Wicker Point, a golf course designed and built by renowned architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and recently named among the country’s best new private golf courses by GolfDigest.
With more exciting occurrences and occasions on the horizon for the lake community, Lake magazine aims to continue capturing the thrilling and impactful stories over the coming years, serving as the heartbeat of Lake Martin.
Wicker Point Golf Course was recently named one of the best in the nation
The Lodge at Lake Martin
AAn ambitious Chelsea couple has introduced a new vision at Lake Martin – mountain-style tranquility and a cozy cabin atmosphere –with their new rental property, The Lodge at Lake Martin.
Bob and Debbie Copper stumbled upon the property by chance, thanks to a referral from Crystal Clear Cleaning and Short Term Rental Consultant owner Laura Yoder. The lakeside estate had been built in 2000 and previously served numerous purposes such as an addiction center, a woman’s shelter and a casual rental facility.
STORY BY AUSTIN ELLIOTT & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
Though the home sat vacant for two years and sparked some initial hesitation from Yoder and his wife, Bob Copper saw more than just an empty space. He envisioned a tranquil mountain retreat where guests could unwind and indulge in nature’s beauty.
“When we first looked at the house, it didn’t seem like a lake house to me. It seemed more like a mountain lodge,” Copper said. “It reminded me of rentals we would stay at when we would visit places like North Georgia or Blue Ridge, and I saw this
place being similar to that.”
Nestled on 17 acres of Eclectic’s premier wooded landscape, The Lodge features five bedrooms and five bathrooms, accommodating up to 36 guests and spanning over an impressive 6,200 square feet.
Stepping inside, guests are immediately embraced by the warmth of the living room, where towering 10-foot ceilings and rugged mountain-lodge décor set the tone. Rich wooden furnishings, a grand stone fireplace and striking wild game taxidermy create an atmosphere of rustic elegance.
To achieve the Coppers’ mountain lodge vision, the original home underwent a complete renovation. The new owners added natural elements, such as cedar wood paneled walls, custom designed furniture and extensive landscaping, as well as outdoor amenities. Debbie incorporated her design experience to oversee the project, using multiple resources to furnish the venue and bring her own ideas to life throughout the interior design.
During the renovation process, an important
Lake Martin welcomes a new mountain-lodge inspired retreat to the community
aspect was supporting community businesses. Local contractors were sourced throughout the Lake Martin area, including Salvador Lopez for exterior stonework; Krystal Voss of Like a Voss for bathroom tiling and flooring; and Boswell Tree Service for tree removal and driveway expansions. In addition, custom woodworking designs by Tanner Williams and Ricky Chambers created stunning features throughout the venue, elevating the vision of a mountainside retreat.
The Coppers preserved several original elements of the home in their new design, including the wood flooring and distinctive kitchen cabinetry, mahogany enhanced with a distressed, stained finish to add depth and character.
One of the most captivating spaces in The
Lodge is the dining room, showcasing two custom-crafted wooden tables that seat up to 24 guests, complemented by a bar counterspace crafted from cedar wood sourced from Asheville, North Carolina. Wall accents of Evergreen Fog by Sherwin Williams sets the tone for an inviting lodge atmosphere, brought to life by Christian Brother Ministries Painting.
Presiding over the room is a large, striking portrait – an animated depiction of a dapper grizzly bear, fox and buck engaged in a poker game, each enjoying what one might imagine to be a fine Cuban cigar. Debbie stumbled upon this distinctive artwork while browsing Pinterest, instantly drawn to its whimsical charm. Originally designed as wallpaper, the piece was custom-framed to become the
Interior design concepts were a vision of Laura Yoder
The versatile kitchen has been rennovated to accomodate caterers and large gatherings
The Lodge at Lake Martin brings a mountain escape atmosphere to the lake
dining room’s bold centerpiece.
“I was looking at Pinterest for log cabin inspiration, and that’s where I came across it,” Debbie said. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, that is so cool’. It’s from a company called Happy Wall.”
Another unique feature of The Lodge is the Buck Hideawa y , a spacious game room equipped with a full-sized billiard table, retro arcade system, dartboard and an impressive collection of Auburn and Alabama sports memorabilia, capturing the laidback spirit of the space. Four custom designed pub
tables, created by Billet Woodworks, capture the heart of local sports fans with ‘Roll Tide’ and ‘War Eagle’ engraved on each set.
Perhaps the most beloved space is what the owners affectionately refer to as, The Party Barn The large event space is equipped with a small stage and entertainment area, ideal for hosting karaoke, live music and celebratory dinners. The room features unique wooden carriage doors, crafted by Tyler Watts and YPM Construction, that open to reveal a spacious outdoor patio. Stone pavers and outdoor
Bold artwork overlooks the rustic dining room that seats 24 people
heaters make this the perfect venue for yearround events. With the ability to accommodate up to 150 guests, The Party Barn is a versatile space that truly embodies the spirit of celebration.
“We can fit an entire live band here in here,” said Copper. “It’s also set up for karaoke or for people to watch sports on TVs. It’s a very versatile space.”
The property offers a variety of outdoor spaces designed for relaxation and enjoyment,
Fishing and wildlife décor are featured throughout The Lodge for outdoor aesthetics
The Buck Hideaway makes for an entertaining recreational area
Guests can enjoy waterfront views from the firepit
Custom woodwork designs are showcased throughout the spacious living areas
with the hot tub area in the best location on the property for waterfront views. This area boasts a pool-sized deck with lounge chairs and a hot tub large enough for 10 people. The walking trails, which extend over 2 miles, were personally blazed by the owners and lined with solar lights, making evening hikes a pleasant experience.
“We love the fact that people can use The Lodge for any type of event or occasion,” said Copper. “People have already hosted birthday parties and plan to have weddings here. We just recently had a Valentine’s Day event that sold out. We are looking to expand our parking lot to hold 100 cars.”
With more amenities planned for the future, The Lodge is a versatile venue that caters to any event or occasion. Offering a wide range of entertainment to satisfy guests, Eclectic’s new oasis aims to become a landmark on Lake Martin.
For more information about The Lodge at Lake Martin, contact lakemartinlodge@gmail. com or visit the website LakeMartinLodge.com.
Sleeping spaces are optimized in The Lodge's five bedrooms
The Lodge at Lake Martin can accommodate up to 36 guests
Outdoor amenities include multiple areas for socializing and relaxation
The Party Barn is the owners' favorite space at The Lodge
The master bedroom offers privacy and waterfront views
Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte's Gulls travel in tight knit groups, especially when looking for food
FFlocks of white gulls show up on Lake Martin during the winter months to feed on schools of minnows that rise to the surface. The larger birds are usually Ring-Billed Gulls, which we have profiled in a past issue. But the smaller gulls – often rafted up with the Ring-Billed Gulls – are very likely Bonaparte’s Gulls.
These mostly white birds are easy to identify because during the winter months, they have a black smudge on their cheeks and light orange or pink legs. During the summer breeding season, which these birds spend in Canada and Alaska, Bonaparte’s Gulls have solid black heads and red legs.
Bonaparte’s Gulls are small at 12 to14 inches long, which makes them larger than a robin and close to the size of a crow. Compared to most seagulls, they are delicate looking with a slender bodies, pointed wings and thin black bills. They
NATURE OF THE LAKE
BY KENNETH BOONE
have mostly white bodies. Their wings are gray with white wedges on the leading edge of their wings and black wingtips. Adults have white tails, while juveniles and 1-year-old gulls have black bands across the ends of their white tails.
Boneparte’s Gulls are the smallest gulls that are usually seen inland across North America. They have several unusual characteristics for gulls – diminutive size, the fact that they nest in trees instead of on the ground, and they almost never scavenge around garbage dumps.
In fact, this bird lives mostly on minnows, supplemented with crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates and insects during the winter and almost solely on insects during the summer months.
Boneparte’s Gulls flight is often described as “buoyant” or “ternlike,” and flies with their black bills held downward.
Bonaparte's Gulls swallow minnows headfirst so they can elevate from the water
In our area, you will often see large groups of these gulls circling above the water, watching for minnows. When a fish is spotted, these agile fliers will hover or turn sharply and dive or dip into the lake’s surface.
Once they have a minnow in their bill, they will turn it until they can swallow it headfirst, often returning to the air with a fish tail protruding from their bills. Sometimes, they will steal fish from other birds. They will also follow farm tractors, looking for worms and insects that are turned up by plowing.
are one of the most
This gull is common along the gulf, eastern and western U.S. coasts during the winter and less commonly seen further inland on bodies of water. However, it’s winter range includes parts of most southeastern states closest to the sea, including the southern half of Alabama.
Bonaparte’s Gulls nest in small colonies in northern forests near water. They build a platforms or cupped nests of twigs lined with grass and moss in coniferous trees between 4 to15 feet off the ground. Females lay
2 to 4 olive to buff colored eggs that have brown blotches. Both parents sit on the eggs until they hatch out in a little over three weeks.
Baby Bonaparte’s Gulls are cared for by both parents, feeding them and chasing off predators like hawks and ravens with loud calling. Their calls are described as a raspy “cheeer” or “cherr” sounds.
This bird was named in honor of French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its scientific name is Chroicocephalus Philadelphia. Chroicocephalus means “colored head” and Philadelphia because it was first spotted near Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia; However, Bonaparte’s Gulls are a far-flying birds and they have been observed in places as far away as Iceland, Japan, Brazil, Senegal and the Hawaiian Islands.
Some information for this article came from Cornell Lab’s All About Birds, Audubon and the Universithy of Michigan.
They
agile flying birds of all bird species in the south
These birds contain distinctive features such as their elongated beaks and double tails
Lane and her canoe have been a lot of places together but forever reside at Lake Martin
A Sweet Reunion
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
PHOTOS BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & COURTESY OF CLARA MELLOWN
SSince childhood, Dale Lane’s treasure was a simple aluminum canoe. For more than four decades, the cherished relic from Lane’s early years at Camp Greystone, North Carolina, had been a fixture at her family’s Lake Martin cabin. The Mohawk canoe holds a lifetime of memories – from paddling through the rapids of the French Broad River as a young camper to more recent quiet afternoons on the lake with her children and grandchildren. But when it drifted away from the Lake Martin dock one afternoon, she thought it was lost forever.
Camp Greystone, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was more than just a summer camp for Lane; it was a defining chapter of her youth. She discovered the camp at age 12, spending four summers as a camper before returning as a counselor. She taught swimming and sailing and forged friendships that lasted decades. Camp traditions, from morning devotionals to late-night cabin talks, shaped her summers.
Lane’s favorite memories from Camp Greystone were the whitewater canoe trips down the French Broad River, believed to be the third-oldest river in the world.
“The French Broad River has some history behind it,” said Lane. “It’s over 260 million years old, even older than the Appalachian Mountains that it flows through. The French Broad River is also unique since it is one of the few rivers that flows north.”
Every summer, Camp Greystone’s pickup trucks, outfitted with racks, were loaded with aluminum Mohawk canoes before heading to the river for whitewater excursions. Paddling through rushing rapids, Lane navigated aluminum canoes through the twists and turns of the waters, creating unforgettable adventures and memories with her camp friends.
ing on her 90th birthday. For decades, the canoe has also been a central part of her summers. It has woven itself into the fabric of family memories on Lake Martin, with generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren taking it out on the water to create memories of their own.
Two years ago, her grandson, Matt Mellown, took the canoe out for a day of fishing. After wrapping up his trip, he pulled the canoe back onto the beach, unaware it was too close to the shoreline. A wave swept the canoe back into the lake, and by the time anyone realized it was gone, it had already drifted out of sight.
Following this devastating news, Lane never expected to see her beloved childhood canoe again.
Matt’s wife, Clara, felt a particular weight of responsibility for the loss. She knew the sentimental value of the canoe for Lane – a piece of her past that she had hoped to keep in the family.
Two years after it had vanished, Clara decided to take a chance on recovering the canoe. She took to social media and posted an old photo of it to a local Lake Martin Facebook group, hoping someone had seen it.
An unexpected response came within hours. Pam and Jeff Kent, fellow Lake Martin neighbors at Needle’s Eye, reached out with a hopeful message.
“They found the canoe floating in the lake and went out and got it,” said Linda, Lane’s daughter. “The Kents’ house is right outside of Needle’s Eye. They had dragged the canoe onto their beach between their house and their neighbors. It had been in plain sight this whole time; we just didn’t see it.”
The subsequent reunion seemed almost too good to be true.
“We would go on whitewater canoe trips,” said Lane. “This canoe was one of the ones, I’m sure, that went down the French Broad many times.”
In 1983, Camp Greystone sold its older canoes to make way for new ones. Lane couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring home a piece of her past. She paid $25 for one of the Mohawk canoes that had braved the French Broad time and again. She recalled how the boys at camp tied it upside down on her two-door Ford pickup truck for the long journey home to Alabama, making its way to her family’s cabin at Lake Martin.
“The canoe was longer than my truck,” Lane said. “I drove it home from North Carolina, through downtown Atlanta to Alabama; and then, on down here to Lake Martin. And it’s been here ever since.”
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lane and her husband purchased a lot on Lake Martin 60 years ago near Needle’s Eye in the lake’s northwestern corner. What had once been a strawberry patch became the foundation for their family’s cherished cabin, where generations of family members have enjoyed long summer days on the water.
Even at 90 years old, Lane isn’t one to sit on the sidelines–she still rides her jet ski every summer at Lake Martin, includ-
“It was fantastic,” said Lane. “I didn’t know that I’d ever see it again. It meant a lot to me, and I had wanted to keep it, so the family could use it.”
Last September, Linda and her husband connected with the Kent family and recovered the canoe, paddling it back home across the slough for a sentimental reunion with Lane.
Now, the canoe is back at the Lane family cabin, and Matt wasted no time putting it back to use.
“He’s actually used it since we got it back,” said Linda. “They were up here after Christmas, and he still takes it out and fishes. But now, when he finishes, he puts it in the boathouse.”
Lane still holds the canoe close to her heart, with a new story to tell. It has survived whitewater rapids, road trips across state lines strapped to a truck, decades of lazy lake days and now, an unexpected journey across Lake Martin.
At Camp Greystone, there was a saying among the campers and counselors that “it’s going to be a great day.” When the story about Lane reconnecting with her canoe circulated on social media, a fellow camper from Camp Greystone reached out to Lane, rejoicing in the reunion and saying, “It’s a great day!”
Indeed, it was.
Collective efforts on social media aided the retrieval of the beloved canoe
Price Per Foot
A complicated answer to a frequently asked question
HHow much does a lake house cost per foot? Well, wouldn’t you like to know! So would Realtors®, bankers, appraisers, sellers and buyers. The accurate answer to that question would make it so much easier to calculate value for potential listings, sales or loans. If you knew the going price per square foot, you would only need the house size, and voila, you would have the correct value.
As Coach Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.” It’s just not that easy.
I have received a number of emails on this topic; I wish I could give you a simple answer, but there isn’t one. The Lake Martin market has wide variations that prevent a one-price-fits-all scenario. I will attempt to give some basics of how to use available data and the process one could use to determine a reasonable price per square foot for a given property.
Basics
The process always starts with finding comparable properties. In simple terms, finding similar properties allows a buyer to make like-for-like comparisons. A classic example is that when valuing a condo, look for a sim-
ilarly sized unit in the same complex with a recent sales price. That makes the process easier. See the chart for this simple example. The view adjustment would be an end unit compared with a unit in the center, for instance.
Since data related to unit size is usually available by locating the building plans with the owners association, this is a fairly straightforward process.
Lake homes are more difficult since there are so many variations and locations. Usually, when questioned about the price per foot, the expectation is that the answer will include the price of the house and land combined, like the condo chart on the facing page. But since lake lots vary significantly there is no point in looking at the price per foot in the total package form.
The best we can hope for is to determine the approximate value of the land and deduct that from the sales price or asking price to determine the value of the improvements, such as the house, garage, piers, etc. Then, in theory, we should be able to determine the price per foot for the house. Unfortunately, the size of the house is not easily determined due to the lack of a single reliable data source for house size.
Factors to Consider
It all starts with good information on the properties used for comparison. That can be a challenge since, in many cases, the exact size of the property is not known. Public tax records typically provide an estimated square footage, and with Lake Martin spanning three Alabama counties, these estimates can vary. The size for additions or renovations is often not known to the tax assessor. Given the potential liability that real estate professionals have for misquoting the square footage, they will be reluctant to quote or print the tax data related to house size, so the MLS lacks this information in many cases.
From my experience, new or newer properties are the easiest to calculate an accurate price per square foot. That is due to the fact that building plans may still be available. The square footage is usually noted on the plans, and since the designer has liability due to inaccurate measurements, one can generally rely on that information.
Then, look for unusual additions to the subject property, such as oversized outdoor living space or extra features, including if the home has an outdoor kitchen, firepit, lake side pavilion, covered dock, garage carport, etc.; and then, deduct the value of those features from the asking price or sales price.
So the simple math would be to do the following: Take the asking price or sales price, subtract from that price the fair market value for the land; then deduct the value for each extra feature to determine the value for the house itself. After that, divide the net value by the known square feet of the improved space to determine the price per foot. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?
Note the chart that attempts to show the variations in land value and extra amenities on the price per square foot for similarly sized homes.
Curveballs
You might note above that I said deduct fair market value for the land. The land is not sold by the waterfront foot or acreage. The valuation is subject to variables such as views, water depth, adjacent neighbors, topography and additional factors. In fact, it is not uncommon for adjacent lots to vary in value by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Therefore, you frequently have to look for comparable lot sales, as well, to get a grasp of variable land values.
The age of the house will also have a tremendous impact on the price per square foot. A home built in 2004 should have a significant price per square foot differential when compared to a house built in 2024. That variation is due to décor, depreciation and design. Newer homes tend to net a significant premium due to these factors.
Information is important
We spend a lot of time gathering data about property sales of all types at our firm. Whenever possible, we try to record sales data for all property types, so we can provide good information when asked. Appraisers spend a great deal of their time looking carefully for comparable properties for like-for-like comparisons. In fact, we receive numerous calls to find the size of homes, as well as questions related to property condition and sales concessions that affect the price per foot and the overall price.
Simply put, Realtors® and appraisers’ livelihoods are based on finding the right data and value. I have found that they are well worth the expense for both sellers and buyers. The lack of correct information could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Steve Arnberg is Vice President of Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands.
The above three comps show the relative effectt of land value and extra amenities (covered dock, etc.) has on price per foot
LAKE PROPERTY BY STEVE ARNBERG
Condominium (Within the same complex)
Waterfront Home (Custom)
Waterfront Home (Custom)
Condominium (Within the same complex)
Drinking Water at Lake Martin
OOver the last several months, the Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association has received multiple complaints from our members concerning the quality of our drinking water. The complaints concern the quality of our drinking water in both taste and smell. As president of the Lake Martin HOBOs organization, I have spent some time attempting to get this issue addressed by our local officials without much action. I have asked the Dadeville and Alexander City officials to address this issue without much of a response. There certainly hasn’t been a call to action to fix this important issue.
I have lived in the area part-time since 1990, and I do not recall our drinking water having any issues of taste or smell until about three or four years ago. Periodically, the water would have an unusual taste or odor. In the past, I have heard stories that it was caused by algae blooming and that this issue would only be temporary. In a short time, the issue went away.
In 2015, we moved to the lake permanently. Since that time, we have had several instances where our water does not taste or smell right. This current issue has lasted four or five months. The water has become unfit to drink. Personally, I have gone to local restaurants and been unable to drink the tea they made using tap water, and I have had to request bottled water or soda to drink with my meal.
We have heard several reasons for this current issue with our water. We are not sure what the issue or issues are, but something has changed with our water. Either our water authorities are doing something new with our water or have discontinued something they used to perform. We will leave it to our local authorities to figure this out. We are just asking them to fix it.
If the word spreads that the Lake Martin community has bad drinking water, the entire area will suffer. Property values will decline, and visitors will stop coming to our treasured lake. Businesses will suffer loss of revenue. All of this is unnecessary if local officials act.
BY HARRY DENEGRE
This issue can be resolved by further filtering the water supply. At home, a Brita filter has been used to address this, effectively improving both the taste and smell of the tap water. By removing the elements responsible for the unpleasant flavor and odor, the filter provides a noticeable difference in water quality.
We are not experts on water treatment and do not know if this fix is practical on a commercial scale, but it has proven effective at home. This is best left to local water experts, and we would appreciate their devotion to finding a solution and taking action to resolve this issue.
We would like to hear from our local authorities. We would like them to develop a plan of action.
We will be happy to meet with and work with any local officials to discuss this issue. We want to resolve this matter and put it behind the community.
Harry DeNegre is president of Lake Martin HOBOs. Visit lakemartinhobos.com to learn more about HOBOs.
HOBO
Kowaliga Lake Water
Nothing says a day on the lake like a Kowaliga Lake Water cocktail – a perfectly balanced blend of sweet and sour that is as refreshing as a jump off the dock. Whether you’re cruising across Lake Martin or unwinding by the shore, this drink brings the laid-back spirit of living the lake life with every sip.
CHEERS! KOWALIGA
Ingredients
1.5 ounces rum
1 ounce blue curaçao
3 ounces sour mix
3 ounces pineapple
Splash of Sprite
Directions
Fill a cocktail glass to the rim with ice and add each ingredient. Garnish with fresh pineapple.
Food Connects Us
NNational Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, this campaign focuses on spreading the news of nutrition with the intent of encouraging the public to learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthful eating and physical activity habits.
BY JULIE HUDSON
The goal of National Nutrition Month is to educate individuals about the significance of adopting healthy eating habits and ensuring proper nutrition for the sake of maintaining an optimal and wholesome lifestyle. This year’s theme is Food Connects Us. The theme stresses the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits, emphasizing the role of nutrition in connecting people and communities. The theme also highlights the idea that food plays a vital role in bringing people together, whether through shared meals, cultural traditions, or simply the act of preparing and enjoying food together.
National Nutrition Month
Key Focus Areas
n Making informed food choices by encouraging individuals to make conscious decisions about their food while considering factors such as nutrition, health and sustainability.
n Developing healthy eating habits through establishing sustainable and healthy eating patterns that support overall well-being.
n The theme identifies the social and cultural aspects of food, highlighting how food can bring people together and strengthen communities.
Ways Food Connects People
n Food builds community through creating bonds that strengthen feelings of belonging.
n Food can promote cultural understanding through exploring different cuisines, helping us learn about the history of various cultures, traditions and social practices.
n Nutrition may be improved as research suggests that people who eat with others may eat more nutritious foods and spend more time eating.
n Food can act as an ice breaker by helping people focus on something other than themselves and ease silences during conversations.
Community Resources and Federal Food Programs
n Food banks are places where basic provisions and nonperishable food items are supplied free of charge to people in need.
n Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the new name for food stamps, which provides lowincome individuals and families with benefits to pur chase food.
n Women, Infants and Children that helps women during pregnancy and children up to age 5 by providing free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to other services.
n The Emergency Food Assistance Program pro vides emergency assis tance to families in need with high-quality USDA foods that can be picked up at state distributing agencies.
n The Commodity
Supplemental Food Program aids lowincome seniors with a monthly package of healthy USDA commodities.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in designated child and adult care centers.
Additional Ways to Observe National Nutrition Month
n Think H2O and drink plenty of water, which helps in all aspects of wellness.
HEALTHY LIVING
n Choose whole food over supplements. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals from food, not supplements. Understand that there are people who are so lacking in vitamins and minerals that they need supplementation along with healthy dietsor are in a season of life that requires supplements, such as pregnancy.
n Always look for color when building a menu and incorporate vibrant greens, reds and blues into your meals.
n Pack your lunch, which will help to meet several goals other than avoiding restaurants and fast food. This can
tion control, choosing healthier food options and saving money. Meal planning and meal prep are associated with food variety, diet quality and lower body weight status.
n Nutrition does not stop at the table. Exercise must be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. If you are stuck in a rut, try a new activity such as Zumba, swimming, spinning, yoga, walking, an exercise class, pickleball, tennis and weight-bearing exercises.
n Get inspiration by purchasing a new cookbook or research recipes online, follow food bloggers on social media or look at
If you feel like you need some accountability, it can be very helpful to meet with a dietician to discuss meal planning, healthy cooking, serving sizes and whatever may be of inter-
Food connects us to our cultures, families and friends. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it, how they made it and where the ingredients were sourced. Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access can all impact relationships with food. While these factors influence the foods we eat, the foods we eat also affect health.
Julie Hudson is a certified dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in
Shrimp & Pasta with Roasted Poblano Pepper Butter
Ingredients
3 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1 or 2 poblano peppers, char-roasted, steamed and peeled 1 shallot, minced
Pepper Spice Directions Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Directions for Roasted Poblano Pepper Butter
Roast the poblano peppers until skin is burnt and place them in a bowl, covering tightly to steam. Let them sit for 30 minutes. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and shallots to 1 tablespoon butter. Cook until tender. About 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Remove from pan and cool. Remove the burnt parts from the pepper and remove the seeds. Add the butter to a mixing bowl and whip slightly to soften. Add the spice mix, poblano peppers, shallot and salt. Mix well and adjust the seasoning.
Directions for Shrimp & Pasta
Sauté shrimp on one side. Flip over and add roasted bell pepper and 1 clove minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Deglaze with white wine. Cook the wine until just a little coats the pan. Add a handful of spinach and toss to mix. Prepare 1 serving of pasta according to package directions. Add the pasta and mix well. Once the pasta is hot, remove from heat. Add the poblano butter and toss until butter is melted and coats the pasta.
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.
W Forward SONAR
We’ve just finished two Bass Pro Tour events at the time of writing this article: one at Lake Conroe, Texas, and one at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida. This season, Major League Fishing implemented a new rule limiting the use of forward-facing sonar, like Garmin LiveScope, to only one-third of the fishing day. Those of us using Garmin electronics have been utilizing forward sonar technology since 2016. So, for nine seasons, it has been a tool we leaned on heavily to locate structure, cover and fish, as well as to determine what the fish prefer in terms of bait selection and presentation. It’s a real-time view of what’s taking place underwater when we could only try to feel and visualize before.
With time, more companies have introduced their forward sonar technology, and more anglers have refined its use to the point of specifically targeting individual fish. As a result, catch rates of both the number and size of fish have exploded on the tournament scene. But the downside is that it became such a dominant technique that traditional approaches weren’t able to compete at times.
The past two seasons, the professional fishing scene and much of the local scene have been dominated by forward sonar specialists, and the bass fishing world has been divided between those who either love FFS or hate it. There’s no doubt that most anglers using this technology like it because they can catch more and bigger fish at more times of the year.
But there’s also been a call from the fanbase to eliminate it since the anglers are staring at a screen all day, to a point that in 2025, various fishing leagues and organizations are all over the map in how they allow forward sonar to be used. It reminds me of the old Flying Lure infomercials on TV that repeatedly used the phrase “banned in fishing tournaments” as a major selling point.
BY GREG VINSON
Since the Bass Pro Tour event days are broken into three separate periods, the anglers can choose which period during the day they would like to use their forward sonar. They inform their boat official before the period starts that they are going to use it, and there is a box that I nicknamed the Blaukat box that has to be unlocked to access the power or ethernet cables for forward sonar. We all knew going into this season that when, where and how an angler chooses to use that forward sonar period of the day would be critical in some events. And it only took the first BPT event to prove that point.
Forward sonar is useful anytime you want to know what’s going on under the water, even in shallow water. But it really shines when the bulk of the population of fish is suspended and roaming in open water. These fish
Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
were nearly uncatchable with any efficiency prior to FFS.
Such was the case when we arrived for practice at Lake Conroe, the first stop of the 2025 BPT. The area had just experienced a historical 6- to 8-inch snowfall and cold front. Anglers who spent most of their practice targeting traditional shallow-water targets felt like catching 6 to 8 scoreable bass in a day could possibly rank in the top 20.
Other anglers who leaned more heavily on targeting suspended bass with FFS knew 30 scoreable bass in just one period of fishing was a possibility. As it turned out, the event was dominated by the anglers who chose the right period of the day to utilize forward sonar. The warming trend during the week drove a few fish back to shallower cover for traditional fishing, but the majority of the population was still roaming in open water.
The following event was at the Harris Chain in Florida. Florida fishing generally involves more shallow-water techniques. Submerged vegetation like hydrilla and a plethora of other types of weeds, reeds and lily pads are considered emergent vegetation. Bass use any and all of these at a given time in Florida. Docks and structure can play minimal roles, but that’s usually only the case when the grass is limited in an area.
Forward sonar can play an important role in dissect-
BIG CATCHES
ing a grass flat. An area may have different types of grass scattered below the surface, so being able to see the edges, lanes and holes in the grass is important to fishing. It’s even possible to see fish and baitfish roaming around the grass with forward sonar, and that can help the angler identify a potential hotspot in a massive flat of underwater grass.
Stable, warm weather throughout the event sent the bulk of the fish to shallow cover. The fish occupied the reeds and pads above the surface, which are visible to the naked eye. Being able to see these hotspots above the surface meant forward sonar wasn’t as critical. Many of the top anglers never utilized their forward sonar during the day because they could simply look at the combination of targets in front of them with their eyes and make calculated decisions about where to present a bait. Some anglers did well using their forward sonar period to target fish in submerged grass but couldn’t keep up in the end because the dominant pattern involved the shallower, denser vegetation where fish were either spawning, guarding fry, or just feeding on bream and shiners around the cover.
In the end, there were two very different locations and two very different scenarios regarding forwardfacing sonar and its relevance. In the first, forward sonar was critical, and missing the opportunity it presented
meant it would be impossible to catch up using traditional means. In the second, trying to force a forward sonar pattern in practice and during the event was less efficient than working through the visible cover above the surface and letting the fish tell anglers through bites when it was right.
It all boiled down to conditions, locations and timing, which have always been the case in fishing. When forward sonar is relevant, it’s nearly unstoppable. But it’s also not a magic bullet that can never miss. An angler has to know where and when to use it; then, how to maximize its capabilities. We must also know when to look away and read the key variables visible to the naked eye, just as we always have.
This is an interesting time in the world of competitive fishing. Watch closely as the various leagues’ seasons unfold. 2025 will likely be the year that decides what direction competitive fishing will take regarding forward-facing sonar and future technologies that we may not have even thought of yet.
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.
American Oak
Practice Makes Perfect
MMarch is here, which means we are drawing ever closer to spring and the better weather it provides. Although the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning more winter weather is to come, it is important to keep in mind he is about as accurate as all the other weather forecasters with their high-tech equipment.
As the weather improves and we all get active around the lake again, I want to offer some advice to those ready to ramp up their golfing. Alabama and Auburn are both ready for the NCAA March Madness tournament, but let’s see if we can keep the madness out of our golf games.
Most people are familiar with the idiom, “Practice makes perfect.” No matter what skills you are blessed with, consistent practice can deliver golf improvement. Ken Venturi said, “The amount you are willing to work on your game will determine how much of your potential you will realize.” I wrote an article years ago recommending that golfers arrange their practice; don’t just practice at a range.
The first step is to identify and target the weaker areas in your golf game. The next step is to develop a plan for improvement, so you are not just hitting balls and continuing to reinforce your bad habits.
Sam Snead was quoted as saying, “To get the most from practice, you have to have a plan.” Taking a golf lesson will result in a plan of action. Going to the range with a swing key or a drill will allow you to develop new swing thoughts and enhance your muscle memory.
Another recommendation offered is to practice like you play.
If you have trouble taking your game from the range to the course, why not play a few holes at the range?
Most practice areas have target greens, signs and sometimes bunkers on the range floor. Picture yourself on the tee, build an imaginary fairway with targets on the
range floor and hit your tee shot. Now pick a target green and play your next range ball as your approach shot into the green. You can continue to play as many holes as you like using several clubs in your bag. Preparing to play can help you relax, taking range success to the golf course.
BY
THE
SCRAMBLE
ROB WITHERINGTON
Finally, try to create a firstshot focus.
Most golfers tense up with others watching their first swing of the day. This can be an even greater challenge when starting to play in an actual golf tournament.
I played in a huge scramble event that had our team starting on a par-3 hole in a shotgun start. I looked at the scorecard to see the yardage was set for a 150-yard shot. So instead of going to the range and hitting a bunch of drivers to warm up, I focused on the 150-yard sign on the range floor. I hit several 8-irons, imagining myself on the golf course playing that first hole.
We entered the course and arrived at our assigned hole to begin the round. My first teammate hit his ball into the left woods. My second teammate hit under his ball, falling well short of the green. The third teammate sliced his ball well right of the green. My ladies’ club champion then proceeded to hit her shot into the greenside bunker. She turned around, looked at me, and said, “Well, Pro, that is why we brought you.”
Instead of feeling pressured by the moment, I was prepared for the moment. I pictured that 150-yard sign on the range, told myself, “Just like the range,” and hit the shot to 3 feet from the hole. We tapped in the birdie putt and started our event in a positive way. I had prepared for success and was able to take it to the course.
Remember to arrange your practice, practice like you play and do so with a first-shot focus. Also, remember to be patient in your development. The world took six days, but your golf swing may take a little longer.
Happy golfing!
Rob “Gabby” Witherington is a 35-year PGA Professional – retired.
Explore
Lake Martin
Kowaliga Marina 334-397-1210
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
maintain a little bittle of summer, even the middle of winter."
