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True confession: I am a big time lister. It started when I was a child. My mother used to leave chore lists on the refrigerator every Saturday morning. Her lists included not only what each child was assigned to clean that day but also what was for lunch and who was to prepare it. She fostered this and many organizational skills in her children, and I learned the lessons well.
I have a list for everything –personal and business. Better yet, give me an excuse to create a spreadsheet, and I will hold you in my heart forever. I create daily and weekly to-do lists, packing lists for RV trips, itineraries, grocery lists, gift lists, reading lists and prayer lists and more. While my own children like to razz me a bit about my many lists, they also appreciate how effective a good list can be, and on more than one occasion, my children have enlisted my help in creating lists to organize their projects as well.
To this end, I am delighted to share a great list with you in this issue of Lake magazine. I cannot claim it as my own creation, but its originators – a family dear to my heart – offered up their checklist in the hopes of making it easier for you, our readers, to share Lake Martin with your friends and family.
While hosting a Lake Martin house party has its own rewards any time of year, doing so during the holidays can be overwhelming and exhausting. In addition to the gift lists and menus and scheduled holiday events around the lake, hosting creates an entirely different list of things to see to. So, look over the checklist on page 60 – a list you can add to or take from to make it your own, any time of year.
Also on the list of articles in this issue of Lake magazine, you’ll find several pertaining to the outdoors.
Fishing probably is the most popular fall and winter sport on our beloved lake, if the number of bass boats in town are an indication. We unexpectedly got to play host to some of the best professional anglers in the world last month when the final Bassmaster Opens tournament was moved here from Lake Hartwell following flooding in the Carolinas from Hurricane Helene. Shaylee Beck Moore and the Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., newspaper team covered the event from beginning to end, including how it happened that Lake Martin was chosen as the substitute tournament location just two weeks before the first cast. Check out that story on page 20.
Then, Shaylee introduces you to the fun adventure of finding treasure in hidden places. She’s been a geocacher at Lake Martin for years, and she loved the opportunity to share the search with you in the article on page 56.
You’ll find many more articles of interest as you explore the pages of this month’s Lake magazine. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram with a list of your favorites.
Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief
Staff
Chairman
KENNETH BOONE editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
General Manager
TIPPY HUNTER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Editor in Chief
BETSY ILER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com
Art Director
AUDRA SPEARS audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com
Business & Digital Development Director
ANGELA MULLINS angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com
Audience Development
BAILY TERRY baily.terry@alexcityoutlook.com
Marketing
RENEE TRICE renee.trice@alexcityoutlook.com
SAMANTHA HIMES sam.himes@alexcityoutlook.com
GENA KAY DIXON genakay.dixon@alexcityoutlook.com
CARMEN RODGERS carmen.rodgers@alexcityoutlook.com
ERIN VICKERS erin.vickers@alexcityoutlook.com
Contributors
KENNETH BOONE
JULIE HUDSON
GREG VINSON
CLIFF WILLIAMS
PETE MCKENNY
LIZI GWIN
ABIGAIL MURPHY
MELODY RATHEL
MARK GILLILAND
JODIE MCGIRT
AUDRA SPEARS
SAM HIGGS
ROB "GABBY" WITHERINGTON
SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
SHAYE BAKER
All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 | lakemagazine.life
This time last month, these anglers expected to launch from Lake Hartwell for the final opportunity to be named to the Bassmaster Elite Series membership, but when Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in that area, the tournament was hastily moved to Lake Martin, which greeted their first day on the water with a glowing sunrise.
Photo by Cliff Williams
20. ON SHORT NOTICE
The lake area pulled together to host the final Bassmaster Opens tournament with only two weeks' notice.
28. DIXIE SAILING CLUB REGATTA
Lake Martin sailors and shipmates hosted a regional regatta and dinner to raise funds for Children's Harbor.
34. GUIDES TO SUCCESS
Local fishing guides focus on making their clients' experiences at Lake Martin memorable.
44. SLOW-PACED LAKE LIFE
A Birmingham family escapes the hustle and bustle to weekend at Lake Martin.
54. GET SERIOUS
Lake Martin hosts a season full of tournaments to take your fishing to the next competitive level.
56. SEARCH FOR HIDDEN TREASURE
Geocaching offers a whole new way to adventure in the outdoors at Lake Martin.
60. HOLIDAY HOSTING AT THE LAKE
Anonymous lake homeowners share their go-to checklist to make your holiday hosting easier and fun for all.
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:
9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LAKE MARTIN NEWS
NATURE OF THE LAKE
LMRA
CHEERS!
FAB FINDS
HEALTHY LIVING
CHEF'S TABLE
BIG CATCHES
THE SCRAMBLE
SHOT
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake
Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators
LMRA coordinates 20th annual cleanup effort
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Renew Our Rivers at Lake Martin. The event continues to grow in participants, as well as the areas impacted by the cleanups. As in years past, Lake Martin Area Resource Association will provide the local program coordination and cleanup execution.
The event’s success is accredited to the dedicated volunteers and sponsors. Alabama Power Company always assists with the materials and promotion.
Model Tees assists with T-shirt production using the winning Renew Our Rivers artwork created by a local Stephen’s Elementary School art student. The contest serves as an environmental education opportunity for the students. Keep Alabama Beautiful and People Against a Littered State helps with materials and promotion. GFL provides dumpsters at designated collection points. Lake magazine and the Alex City Outlook do a great job promoting and sharing the Renew Our Rivers information.
Creek State Park serves as a collection point for trash and provides students a place to participate in the pickup efforts. The Tallapoosa County road and bridge shops and staff assist with collecting and disposing of the trash.
An Alabama Power pontoon boat brings in a load of trash during the Lake Martin cleanup
Many sites have been collection points through the years. Volunteers will coordinate cleanup efforts in the areas around Real Island, Jacksons Gap, Chuck’s Pizza, Young’s Ferry, StillWaters, Madwind, Old Suzanna, Genie Martin, Parson Hills, Siggars, Big Fish Realty, Main Street Alexander City and the north side of Alexander City, as well as near the intersection of county Road 34 and state Route 50, the Union and Kowaliga boat ramps and at Wind Creek State Park.
About 400 to 500 volunteers usually respond to the call for this effort. Civic groups, neighborhood associations, businesses and churches all help with the effort. Volunteers recognize what a great opportunity this is to remove trash from the shoreline and roadsides.
LMRA provides the trash boat used to collect trash from designated collection points on Lake Martin. Wind
Get involved. Join the effort November 1 and 2. To learn more, please contact Steve Robinson at 256 654-0047.
Weather Outlook for November
November 2024 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid 60s with average lows in the low 40s and about 4 and a half inches of precipitation in the month of November.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly higher than average and rainfall will be slightly below average 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.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Kasen Moore, Brooks Adams and Houlton Moore checked out the Kowaliga beach during a recent Lake Martin visit. (2) It's so easy to tie up the boat at a waterfront campsite at Wind Creek State Park, and Kaci Lackey discovered it makes a great photo as well. (3) The northern lights were visible on October 10. (4) Adalyn and Levi Turner create a timeless memory on Lake Martin, fishing with their puppy, Finn. (5) Linda Faulk was at Overlook Park when she caught this photo of the Russell Lands July 4th fireworks show. (6) Jen Nicosia captured this photo of the northern lights.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Audra and Johnny Spears took part in the viral ghost photo shoot. (2) The Russell Medical surgical team got together to share the holiday at Lake Martin Pizza Co. on state Route 63. (3) Goose takes a swim break as the sun ducks behind a cloud at Lake Martin. (4) Lyles Forbes sailed his 16-foot trimaran, Pompano, at Blue Creek in July. (5) Audra Spears snapped this photo of the aurora borealis from her dock. (6) Bailey Jones, Tori Nolen and Kayla Pemberton climbed into the big chair at The Social. (7) Huxton Steward celebrated his fourth birthday with his great-grandmother, Peggy Clayton, at Willow Point.
(1) Cassidy and Cole Rothrock and Jodi and Tommy Cline took Lake magazine with them to Loch Ness in Inverness, Scotland, going across the world from one lake to another. (2) Lake magazine accompanied Andy and Sara Lott and Danny and Amy McKinny on a visit to Santorini, Greece. (3) Lake magazine made an Alaskan cruise stop in Skagway with Kevin and Connie Murphy. (4) Tracy Verheyen and her husband took Lake magazine on a 24-day vacation to Europe, including a stop at the Eiffel Tower. (5) Lake visited Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, Maine, with Brandon and Amanda Baker. (6) John and Kate Phillips, Cameron and Derrill Crowe and Matt and Janet Lusco took Lake along on a trip to Split, Croatia. 1 2 3 4 5
READER SUBMISSIONS
October 1-November 23
Art Gone Wild
The Kelly’s annual wildlife art exhibition will feature the works of artists and collectors from across the Southeast in the gallery at 301 Hill Street in Wetumpka. Best of Show wins $10,000. Visit thekelly.org/wewa/art-gone-wild for details.
November
3
Dadeville Business Christmas Open House
Local businesses will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to showcase new products and services to start the Christmas shopping season. There will be refreshments, lively decorations and overflowing Christmas spirit in downtown Dadeville and beyond.
November
6-8
Capture the Light
Join a three-day Tallapoosa School of Art workshop with artist Manon Sander to explore capturing the light in still lifes, replacing random decisionmaking with intentional choice and diving deep into color mixing and use. Visit tallapoosaworkshops.com for details.
November 9
ALEA Boating Basics & License Course
Alabama Law
November 9
Tom’s
Foolery Improv Comedy
Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host an evening of laughter, spontaneity and a dash of the unexpected. Advance tickets are $10 at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com: Tickets will be $15 at the door.
November 12
Duo Baldo
Join Duo Baldo at 7 p.m. at Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium as Alex City Arts presents a program of classical piano and violin with a comic twist. Tickets are $20 in advance at alexcityarts.org and $25 at the door.
Create sunflower art in any medium November 20 with the Arts Association of Central Alabama to brighten the King's Home women's and children's shelters
Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol will offer an in-person boating basics and licensing course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wind Creek State Park Marine Patrol headquarters in the marina area. Senior Trooper Jonathan Walker will lead the class, which will review the navigation rules and prepare participants for the licensing exam. Children 12 years and older are eligible for a vessel operator’s license. The class is free. There is a $5 application fee for anyone taking the licensing exam, as well as a $36.25 issuance fee for the license. To register or for more information, email jonathan.walker@alea.gov.
November
9
November
14
Going the Extra Mile
Storyteller Dolores Hydock will present a monologue about the extraordinary journeys of Elizabeth Bisland and Nellie Bly at Red Ridge United Methodist Church from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free program is made possible by the Alabama Humanities Alliance.
November
14
Coffee & Connections
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will host this opportunity to meet likeminded professionals and build meaningful relationships from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to network.
November 16
St. James Bazaar
St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Avenue in Alexander City will host its annual bazaar from 9 a.m. to noon, featuring crosses, platters, bowls and new pottery items by the St. James Pottery Guild, as well as a variety of homemade cakes, casseroles and soups; handcrafted items, woodworks and more. All proceeds benefit local community outreach programs.
Lake Martin Cyclo-Circumnavigation
This year’s bike ride around Lake Martin is set to leave Wind Creek State Park at 8 a.m. An informal ride with minimal support, organizers will host an aid station with snacks, drinks, water bottle refills and bathroom break at the 25-mile mark at Church of Christ on Hebron Road. There will be a pizza break at Lake Martin Pizza at mile 47. View the turn-by-turn 66-mile route at ridewithgps.com/routes/44524658. For more information or to sign up, email lakecycling66@gmail.com.
November 17
Holiday Open House
Continue your holiday shopping when local merchants show off their Christmas displays during the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event kicks off the ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign. Pick up a card at any participating businesses and earn a stamp for every $10 you spend. When you’ve spent $50 and filled up
your card, turn it in for a chance to win one of three $250 gift cards from your choice of participating local retailers. Pick up another card when you turn one in. There’s no limit to the number of times you can enter. For a list of participating merchants, visit alexcitychamber.com/tis-the-season.
November 18
Roaring Twenties Revue Celebrating 100 Years
Celebrate the G.A. Veazey 1924 cornerstone at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center at 128 Broadnax Street at 7 p.m. A number of local acts will share musical styles from the red hot early 20th century, and Dadeville’s rich history will be reviewed and celebrated. Mark your calendar for this once-in-a-century event. Look for details at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.
November
20
Sunflowers at AACA
The Arts Association of Central Alabama will create sunflower art for King’s Home to brighten the women’s and children’s shelters. Still life displays will be set up, and members will work in the medium of their choice from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center in the sportplex in Alexander City. Call Joe Fehrmann at 205-746-0322 for details.
November 26
Dadeville Community Chorus
Fall/Holiday Concert
Enjoy an evening of pops and holiday arrangements at 7 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center with conductor Lila Meadows and accompanist Nancy Wilson. Advance tickets are $10 at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com. Tickets will be $15 at the door.
November 29
Holiday Bazaar
Find gifts for everyone on your list at the annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Russell Crossroads. Choose from an extensive array of unique, handcrafted items, including jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodworks and more. Visit russelllands.com/blog/events for more information.
November 29
Christmas at Crossroads
Get those Christmas lists and cameras ready because Santa Claus will visit Russell Crossroads from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be arts and crafts for the children, games to play and more activities on the Town Green. For more information, visit russelllands.com/blog/events.
December 1
Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade
Dadeville’s Annual Christmas Parade will wind through downtown at 2 p.m. on South, Broadnax and Tallassee streets as some 50 to 75 entries celebrate the season. Food vendors will be set up near PNC Bank and City Hall. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place floats. Entry fee for
floats is $25; $15 for individual entries. Call Carol Sellers at 256-749-0630 to register an entry.
December 2
Downtown Christmas Parade
Bands, businesses and believers in Christmas will parade through the streets with seasonal music, lights and decorations at 6 p.m., courtesy of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. Visit alexcitychamber.com/christmas-parade for route and entry details.
Dec. 6
The BEV and Band Holiday Show
Join the jazzy, soulful celebration of life during the holiday season at 6:30 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Expect special activities for the kids and refreshments, as well as an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children admitted free by reservation. Advance tickets for adults are $10 at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Dec. 6-8
Have Yourself a Crazy Little Christmas
Alexander City Theatre II will stage Collin Andrulonis’ delightful holiday play at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Benjamin Russell High School auditorium. Admission for this hilarious, family-friendly production is free. Visit the Alexander City Theatre II Facebook page for details.
Dec. 8
Historic District Christmas Tour
The Dadeville Historic District Committee will offer a self-guided tour of historic homes and buildings that are on or in the courthouse square area in honor of Bill Ponder. Tour sites will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Start the tour at Zazu’s Verandah to purchase tickets, get a wristband and obtain a map of the homes on tour. David Jones will play Christmas music at Zazu’s Verandah from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Light snacks will be provided, and there will be a cash bar. Tickets are $25 each and are available at Tallapoosa Nutrition during regular hours of operation. Nine buildings are on the tour, including the Sturdivant-Easterwood-Jones home, The Mitchell House, the Bulger-Dennis-Treadwell building and more.
Season-long Events
Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours
Come see Naturalist Marianne and her lively nature presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature. For the scheduled subject matter, dates and times, check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events.
Tallassee Lions Club
The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For more information, call Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or email her at marilyn.speake@tcschools.com.
Christmas in Pennington Park
Pennington Park and Everything’s Art will host Dadeville’s 6th annual Christmas in Pennington Park. Each year, Pennington Park allows any family, business or church to put up a Christmas-themed display in the park. Last year, the park hosted 112 beautiful displays lit by more than 35,000 lights. The park displays will be lit from approximately 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly during the month of December. A full-sized Santa sleigh will be present, along with periodic visits from Santa himself. A North Pole mailbox will be available for sending letters to Santa. If you are interested in learning more, please send a private message on Pennington Park’s Facebook page, email kppfitzner@gmail.com or call 334-233-9852.
Red Hill Dance Hall
Every Friday night and on select Saturdays, the old Red Hill Schoolhouse is filled with rhythm and dancing. A rotating schedule of bands perform each night, playing renditions of Hank Williams, Otis Redding and anything else to get you up and grooving. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. and lasts until 8:30 p.m. Attendance is completely free. Food will be provided, but alcohol is strictly prohibited. Call Red Hill Community Center President Paula Castleberry at 334-541-2474 for details.
Real Bells Handbells
Carol Bonebrake directs handbell skill training sessions and rehearsals on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Dadeville Performing Arts Center at 128 N. Broadnax Street. Email office@dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for details.
Grief Support
Red Ridge United Methodist Church hosts an on-going grief support program at 10 a.m. lead by Pastor Dorothy Scott and Kay Fincher. There is no charge for participation, and it does not matter if the loss was recent or long ago. For more information, call Fincher at 256-825-2506.
Clean Community Partnership Cleanups
Pick up trash in Alexander City to win money for your favorite charity. Volunteers meet at Strand Park at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. Turn in your collected trash and get points for each person on your cleanup team and each bag of trash you collect. The team with the most points gets a $500 check made out to the nonprofit charity of their choice. Second place is $200, and third place is $200. For more information, contact Michelle West at 256-786-0584 or John Thompson at 334-399-3289.
In Dadeville, a monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.
Lake Martin News
Fire destroys Sunset Drive lake house
Firefighters worked to extinguish a fire at a Lake Martin home on Friday, October 17.
The Union Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a fire on Sunset Drive off of Centerpoint Road just after 7 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they could see flames through the roof of the home on the shore of the lake, according to a firefighter on the waterfront.
Hoses were quickly used to stop the blaze from consuming the covered dock with two boats on lifts. The walkway and posts were charred. Another dock wasn’t so lucky.
The home itself is a total loss. Some of the walls facing the lake fell into the water. Other parts burned more than two hours after the fire was called in.
A neighbor said they used a water hose to wet pine straw between the fire and another home.
Another neighbor said the homeowners were not at home.
Volunteer fire departments from Stillwaters, Red Hill and Reeltown responded with fighters and tankers to aid in a water haul operation.
Tallapoosa County EMA director Jason Moran said there were no known injuries.
Cliff Williams
Dadeville puts rich history on display
The Dadeville Historic District will host a new Christmas tradition this year when it launches an inaugural home and building tour to honor the late Bill Ponder.
Anne Marie Jones with the Dadeville Historic District Committee presented to the council its plan for the December 8 event. The tour will showcase historic homes and buildings around the courthouse square and will raise funds for the recently formed historic district.
Tickets will be $25 with the tour running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The check-in location will be at Zazu’s Verandah, where David Jones will be playing jazzinspired Christmas music coverages from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
With the walkable set up, Jones said once individuals have their wristbands from check-in with their tickets, it’s a touras-you-please style, so people can visit any of the stops in any order they choose.
The sites will be all decorated for Christmas. Some of the buildings on the tour will include the Tallapoosa County Bank building; The Mitchell House; the First Baptist Church’s Youth House, which once served as Dr. Banks’ office and home; the SturdivantEaswood-Jones home, the Bulger-DennisTreadwell building and The Miller Hotel. The tour will feature nine historic buildings in Dadeville in all. Advance tickets may be purchased at Tallapoosa Nutrition on the courthouse square during regular business hours.
Abigail Murphy
WCSP plans fall/winter activities
Wind Creek State Park Naturalist Dylan Ogle has planned winter activities through the end of January for park campers and day-use visitors. From cozy indoor classes and games to hikes, art and campfire events in the great outdoors, there's something for everyone at Wind Creek State Park all winter long.
In addition to weekly birdwatching adventures on Saturday mornings, Ogle has planned frequent walks in the woods on the Speckled Snake and Alabama Reunion trails. Some hikes are focused on discovering specific animals, such as the Dusky Deer Trek on November 17.
Other events will help nature lovers better enjoy the park's animal life, like common birdsongs workshop on January 5.
A lake home destroyed by fire smoldered into the night
Nine historic buildings will be included in the tour
Several guided hikes are on the schedule for Wind Creek State Park's activities
"Everyone likes music. We listen to it while we work, while we drive and while we hang out. It turns out that the natural world has a taste for music as well," Ogle said. "There may be no better example of such interest than the birds. Each bird has its own preferred playlist. Join me at the clubhouse to learn the bird songs that you will commonly hear in the park, and next time you go outside, you’ll know who’s singing to you."
For the complete list of winter activities at WCSP, visit alapark.com/parks/wind-creek-state-park and click on Park Events under the Things to Do tab.
Staff Report
Children's Harbor and UAB celebrate 8 years of football partnership
Children’s Harbor, an Alabama-based non-profit dedicated to strengthening the families of seriously ill children, is celebrating the 8th anniversary of the “Champions for Our Children” partnership with UAB Football. The partnership began in 2016, when former head football coach Bill Clark and his team began volunteering at the Children’s Harbor Family Center in Birmingham. In 2017, Coach Clark enhanced the program by having his players wear the names of Children’s Harbor patients on their homecoming jerseys. Presently, under head coach Trent Dilfer’s leadership, UAB football’s partnership with Children’s Harbor continues.
On Saturday, November 2, more than 100 children will be represented on the custom Children’s Harbor/UAB jerseys. Each child will receive their special jersey at the end of the
180 Birmingham Rd
Eclectic, AL 36024
334-857-2443
sales@lakescape.com
UAB football season.
“Football is such a great game, but it’s even better when we play for something bigger than ourselves,” said UAB Head Coach Trent Dilfer.
UAB football players will sport children's names on their jerseys
Echoing his sentiment, Cat Outzen, Children’s Harbor’s chief executive officer said, “We’ve heard our game called ‘the greatest tradition in college football,’ and we couldn’t agree more. Our longstanding partnership with UAB Football hits at the core of our mission. These players are playing for something larger than themselves: They’re representing those that can’t play. Together, we’re uplifting these young champions and showing them they have constant support, with the opportunity to build lasting relationships and friendships with the players.”
For information on Children’s Harbor and its services, please visit www.childrensharbor.com.
Staff Report
Lake Martin homeowners seeking to enhance their lakefront from the front door to the waterline with docks, decks, boathouses, hard and soft scapes, irrigation, lighting and other features or to renovate or service existing ones.
Docks & Seawalls
Decks & Patios
Landscaping
Lighting & Electrical
Repairs & Maintenance
On Short Notice
The Lake Martin community pulls together to host the final Bassmaster Opens tournament with two weeks' notice
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & COURTESY OF B.A.S.S.
The boats rolled out just after sunrise and returned mid-afternoon for weigh-ins
WWhen faced with unexpected challenges, the Lake Martin community is known for showing strength and uniting in times of need. This was evident when one of the year’s most significant fishing tournaments in the country was unexpectedly put on hold, prompting the Lake Martin community to step up and take on a leadership role, with just days to pull off what would seem like an impossible feat.
The St. Croix Bassmaster Open series paves the way for bass anglers to qualify for the prestigious Bassmaster Classic and Elite series. With coveted invitations to these tournaments on the line, an estimated 200 anglers contended in the Bassmaster Opens throughout this year, participating in a rigorous schedule of nine tournaments in three different divisions throughout the country.
The final Bassmaster Opens tournament was set for Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, where only nine anglers would advance to the next level; however, following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September, Lake Hartwell and the surrounding communities were left in shambles. Bassmaster faced the difficult decision to move the final tournament.
That’s when Lake Martin came to the rescue. Hank Weldon, executive director of tournaments for Bassmaster, worked with the upper leadership of Bassmaster and the Lake Hartwell tournament host to make difficult decisions.
“The Monday after the hurricane hit, we conversed with the host to gauge how that community had faired,” Weldon said. “While they were hit hard, thankfully they weren’t devastated. But at the same time, the supply chain was significantly hit. There wasn’t gas. There wasn’t food, and there were a lot of places still without power.”
At the height of Hurricane Helene, an estimated 1.3 million people were without power throughout South Carolina and along the Georgia border. In addition, there were concerns that a surge of anglers could cause a strain on the already hurting community.
“We thought, after talking with the host and the host agreed, that the responsible thing would be to step back and not be a distraction or a consumer of their supplies,” Weldon said. “We thought it would be irresponsible to go in and take valuable resources away from a community that needs those.”
As the search began for a new location for the tournament, Bassmaster had specific qualifications that needed to be met – and Lake Martin came out as a top contender.
“We knew we needed to find a lake that was very similar to Lake Hartwell, that wasn’t too far away and wasn’t affected by the hurricane,” said Weldon. “But also, a place that was big enough to handle an Open.”
Lake Martin also met Bassmaster’s two-week offlimits period restrictions, which prevents anglers from practicing on the lake before the tournament.
Josh Butler from Hayden, Alabama, cast his line into a foggy Lake Martin
“After that was all said and done, Lake Martin checked all those boxes more than any other place,” said Weldon.
This was the first time since 2018 that a Bassmaster tournament at this level would be held at Lake Martin. A Bassmaster Elite Series tournament was held at Wind Creek State Park six years ago.
“We’re very grateful that they called us,” said Alexander City Mayor Curtis “Woody” Baird. “The community opened their doors, opened their arms, and everybody was very welcoming.”
When the move to Lake Martin was officially announced, the community had approximately four days to prepare before hundreds of anglers, tournament fans and Bassmaster staff began to arrive.
“We all just worked together to figure out the details,” said Baird. “We asked Bassmaster what they needed to get this set up, and what can we do to get the anglers comfortable. We made a list and got it all done.”
With the clock ticking, the local tourism team quickly became involved. Sandra Fuller, executive
About 220 participants fished the tournament at Lake Martin, including international anglers from Canada and Japan
The Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin was televised nationally
director of Lake Martin Tallapoosa County Tourism, worked behind the scenes with her staff to pull off preparations.
“We printed up about 150 flyers that said Bassmaster was coming,” said Fuller. “And that there could potentially be heavy foot traffic into local stores. Our tourism team went all throughout Alex City, Dadeville and places off of 280 and delivered flyers to hotels, restaurants and gas stations, just letting them know to be prepared.”
Additional supporters included Eric McKinley, who donated last-minute billboard space to welcome anglers, as well as Vivian Autry, owner of OGS Tournaments. Also a member of the tourism board, Autry stepped in behind the scenes to help serve as a tournament advisor.
One challenge Lake Martin encountered was securing lodging accommodations for the increasing number of visitors. To address this, Fuller and her team collaborated with local hotels, bed-and-breakfast locations and private vacation rental homes to expand lodging options. Wind Creek State Park also emerged as a vital part of the solution.
Preliminary figures indicate the event generated more than $200,000 for the local economy
The park, a frequent host of fishing tournaments, happened to have a rare Saturday open on the schedule. This fortunate timing allowed the park to accommodate anglers at its campgrounds and quickly set up a launch site for the tournament.
Around 220 anglers traveled in from nearly 30 states around the country, including California, Wisconsin, Texas and both North and South Carolina, among others. In addition, international anglers from Canada and Japan came in to compete.
Though it is still too early to know the full economic impact of the tournament on the community, the preliminary income estimate looks promising.
“The tentative, early numbers are a little over $200,000 that immediately went into the economy,” said Baird. “We’ll compare the tax revenue numbers from this year to last year to see what kind of boost
Bobby Bakewell hooked the biggest bass to clinch the win
Bakewell lifts the trophy
we got. But it was a really good economic uptick for us, especially going into the off season.”
Bobby Bakewell of Orlando, Florida, won the final event of the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens with a total weight of 35 pounds, 15 ounces. Bakewell trailed in the tournament until the third and final day when he caught the largest bass of week, weighing in at 4 pounds, 10 ounces.
“I was going through a little bit of a dry spell and started thinking that I should have gone to water I had fished before. Then I hooked that giant,” Bakewell told Bassmaster. “It was crazy. I was trying to decide whether to let the boat ram the dock or go for the bass, and I chose the bass. I’m so glad I did, too.”
Will Davis Jr., an Alabama native from Sylacauga, held the lead for the first two days of the tournament, finishing fourth overall.
“I just want to thank all my family and friends for coming out to support me,” said Davis. “Without them, I would not be able to do this.”
He also had a message for those beginning their dreams of fishing.
“If there is anyone out there that wants to get into the sport of professional bass fishing, you can do it. I am a prime example,” said Davis. “If you want to try and make a living out of this, join a club and get on board with them, and start fishing locally. You never know.”
“By bringing Bassmaster here, we feel like there is a level of recognition for us in being able to say we are a bass tournament fishing lake,” said Fuller. “It’s a big deal to bring them in. It’s getting that stamp of approval.”
DDixie Club Sailing Regatta
Dixie Sailing Club raised $5,000 for Children’s Harbor last month during a charity regatta dinner and silent auction to celebrate the e Po’ Ol’ Kowaliga Regatta race at Lake Martin.
The early October event was a wonderful weekend on the water, said DSC Rear Commodore Bobby Edmond.
The event began Friday night, October 4, with the Skipper’s Dinner at The Ridge Clubhouse with great sport and the conclusion of a two-week online and inperson silent auction. The auction benefitted Children’s Harbor, which offers no-cost services to seriously ill children and their families at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham and a retreat facility on Lake Martin.
“Friday night was a great night for feasting and socializing, but it was also a great night to raise money for our selected charity,” he said. “There was a silent auction that our club’s Ship Mates organization planned and executed flawlessly. Bidding began two weeks earlier online on Dixie Sailing Club’s Facebook page.”
“The Friday night dinner and silent auction were enjoyable. Fun and easy,” said Tuscaloosa Catalina 22
third place regatta winner Rick Burnham. “This regatta was a super sailing experience for me. There is a place for new racers and new skippers at the POK Regatta. I am all in for next year.”
Skippers and crews from across Alabama and beyond entered the race, including Birmingham and Auburn University sailing club members, as well as a team from Arkansas.
“The racing was good. The food was good. The fellowship was good. The experience was well worth the trip. I’ll be back,” said Chuck Atkinson of Arkadelphia, who took third place in the Catalina 22 Gold race.
Edmond said the weather and wind could not have been better for the two-day open regatta. Temperatures were in the upper 80s both days with Saturday’s winds starting around 4.5 knots and jumping to 11 knots, plus gusts. Sunday’s winds were 8 to 9 knots.
“Since the wind was strong and steady, we ran four races on Saturday and three on Sunday with no throwouts,” Edmond said. “The competition was great.”
The racing fleets included five boats in the Catalina 22 Gold Fleet, three in the Silver Fleet and six in the
billowed
RACE RESULTS
➤ CATALINA 22 GOLD
1st place, Jennifer Bennett
2nd place, Mickey Richardson
3rd place, Chuck Atkinson
4th place, Bobby Edmond
➤ CATALINA 22 SILVER
1st place, Chris Hodge
2nd place, Luke Bloodworth
3rd place, Rick Burnham
➤ PORTSMOUTH
1st place, Scott Roberts
2nd place, Michael White
3rd place, Don Connolly
STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
Sails
under sunny skies at DSC's Po' Ol' Kowaliga Regatta
Crews came from across the South for the event
Portsmouth Fleet. Portsmouth Fleet starts were only six minutes behind the C22 starts, which allowed four races on Saturday and three on Sunday with 12 laps total.
With East-Northeast winds, the race committee set a course with the start/finish in direct line to the pavilion, which offered maneuvering room to the leeward of the start/finish but long enough that competitors were not crowded.
“After all the dust has settled, the 2024 POK went off without a hitch,” said DSC Commodore Jim Simons. “Usually, these events have some notable messes, but this one was rather smooth, thanks to the skills and energy of the Ship Mates and their helpers.”
Port sponsors for the event were Russell
Lands, JJ Capan Construction and the Nay family. Deck sponsors included Niffers Place Lake Martin, The Cart Source, Auburn Reprographics, Leslie and Richard Chapman and Liz and Don Connolly. Julia Heflin was regatta chair, serving along with Jim Simons, Bobby Edmond, Scott Roberts, Richard Cline, Lana Thompson, Dave Hildgendorf, Leslie Chapman and Richard Chapman. The race committee included Jim Simons, Stephanie Childers, Hank Murrah, Richard Chapman and Steve Phillabaum.
Dixie Sailing Club is a private club on Lake Martin that for more than 60 years has promoted sailing through racing, cruising and sailing education for youth and adults. The POK Regatta has taken place on Lake Martin for more than 30 years.
Boats leaned in the wind
Hard work was great fun
The race committee officiated from a pontoon boat
Fair winds made for a successful event
EGuides to Success
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID HARE & ROWELL GUEVARRA
Every angler dreams of landing the catch of a lifetime, hoping that with each cast and spin of the reel they will be one step closer to a thrilling, heartpounding tug on the line. Finding that golden fishing spot, however, isn’t always promised, and at times the waiting game can be filled with little luck.
While Lake Martin is known for its abundant and diverse fish population, its 880 miles of shoreline and numerous hidden coves can also make it challenging to find the perfect fishing hole, even for seasoned anglers. Fortunately, Lake Martin offers a variety of expert guide services for individuals of all fishing interests and experience levels.
Captain David Hare, owner of Alex City Guide Service, has dedicated 30 years to guiding anglers on the waters of Lake Martin. Growing up, Hare learned to fish from the banks of Lake Martin through his parents, and he brings his lifelong expertise to fishermen looking to hook striped bass.
“Striper fishing is a whole different ball game,” Hare said. “As far as striper fishing goes, if you’re not out there every day, most of the time you won’t have a clue where to start if you go fishing on your own. That’s one reason to use a guide. As far as Alex City Guide Service, we are on the water almost every single day year-round, and we keep up with where the fish are.”
Alex City Guide Service can run up to 10 fishing boats at a time and host groups as large as 40 people on Lake Martin at once, allowing them to accommodate large family reunions, wedding parties and corporate outings looking to snag stripers.
Hare operates with a team of experienced guides who also utilize top-of-the-line electronics and specialty striper equipment.
“We provide everything except the fishing license and snacks,” said Hare. “We furnish all the bait, all the tackle and clean the fish for our clients at the end of the trip.”
In addition to striper fishing, Lake Martin is also known for its crappie and diverse population of bass, including largemouth bass and spotted bass. Anglers looking to cast a wider net may consider Hook N Up Fishing Guide Service and Lake Martin Excursions, both owned by Captain Randy Cound. The two companies offer unique fishing experiences for catching
all varieties of fish in Lake Martin.
“I am one of the only guides that does all species of fish,” Cound said. “And my trips are usually multispecies trips, especially when I take children. I want them to have the experience of catching fish, so I don’t limit it to one species.”
Lake Martin Excursions is focused on large group tours and is predominantly geared toward familyoriented experiences, including children wanting to learn to fish.
“I really love putting children on the first fish they’ve ever caught and seeing them have a good time,” said Cound. “I’ve also done trips for children’s hospitals and Children’s Harbor. It’s a joy in my life.”
Though typical Lake Martin Excursion trips consist of six to eight clients at a time, Cound’s Angler Qwest 82, 26-foot tritoon can seat up to 13 people and is a popular choice for families and corporate outings.
“For the last three years, the biggest stripers in Lake Martin have been caught in my boat,” Cound said. “Last year, a big fish weighing in the 30s was caught by a 10-year-old kid. I got the fish mounted for him, and it’s hanging on his wall now. It was really cool.”
Lake Martin is also host to a variety of competitive fishing tournaments in which electronics play a pivotal role.
Bassin’ Bros Guide Service helps anglers navigate the growing use of technology, specializing in using cutting-edge electronics that not only help clients catch trophy sized fish but also learn to succeed in fishing new areas of the lake.
“Lake Martin is favorable to fishermen that like to use their electronics and do deep water fishing,” said Jake Maddux, owner of Bassin’ Bros and a Lake Martin guide since 2018. “We are going to take you out and catch fish anywhere from 20 feet deep all the way to 60 or 70 feet deep using the electronics.”
Maddux co-operates Bassin’ Bros with his brother, Carson Maddux. Together, they run two fully rigged Phoenix 721 bass boats equipped with Shimano and G. Loomis rods and reels, Garmin and Humminbird electronics and multiple fish finders.
“We are loaded to the max as far as equipment goes,” said Maddux.
Bassin’ Bros Guide Service offers advanced fishing trips that are focused on refining techniques,
mastering cutting-edge electronics and learning how to navigate large lakes such as Lake Martin.
Maddux is also a competitive angler and top contender in professional fishing leagues, including the Bassmaster Open. He brings this high-level expertise to his guided tours.
“I tournament fish all over the country, so I get to see the new and cutting-edge techniques,” said Maddux. “I can bring the things I learn on tour to Lake Martin and apply it to my guiding.”
Although the brothers typically guide with advanced anglers, they do provide services for individuals of any experience level. And starting in 2025, Bassin’ Bros will offer private lessons for high school students aiming to advance their fishing skills.
Though it is hard to beat getting out on the open water of Lake Martin, one of the most unique fishing experiences available in Alabama doesn’t include a typical boat.
Flowing into the lake is the beautiful Tallapoosa River, which is not only home to the rare Cahaba Lilies, but is also an excellent location for catching Tallapoosa redeye bass – the only location in the country to catch this species of fish.
East Alabama Fly Fishing specializes in reeling in these beauties. Opened in 2016 by Drew Morgan, the company operates with 10 fly fishing guides year-round and focuses on smaller group floats on the Tallapoosa River.
“It’s something different in Alabama and the South in general,” said Rowell Guevarra, a fishing guide for five years at East Alabama Fly Fishing. “It’s something spectacular and beautiful that we have here. In the springtime, between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, is probably the peak of our season. The shoal lilies are blooming; the weather has evened out and is starting to warm up; and the fish start to get really feisty.”
The company offers guided floats year-round on their fully modified rafts, seating two to three people at a time. The rafts are outfitted with flooring similar to a stand-up paddle board, creating a stable surface and making them easy to maneuver over shallow water.
East Alabama Fly Fishing also provides their clients with the gear needed to snag a Tallapoosa redeye, including flies and a fly rod. Their six-to-eight-hour tours offer anglers a chance to catch the rare fish but also experience new, scenic views of undisturbed nature rarely seen by visitors.
“We always strive to give you a good experience,” said Guevarra, “and give you something of value. Whether it is helping you with your cast, teaching you the history of this place, or the conservation of the fish in the area, we love to show what makes this place special.”
Alex City Guide Service targets striped bass on Lake Martin
East Alabama Fly Fishing focuses on the upriver areas
Sourwood
In late summer and fall, this native beauty puts on a show around Lake Martin
BY KENNETH BOONE
NATURE OF THE LAKE
Sourwood gets its name from the sour taste of its sap, leaves and twigs
Clockwise from Top Left: Sourwoods produce extreme angles in their trunks and branches; The gray or reddish brown bark is deeply furowed; Seed pods remain attached late in the season; Pointed, oval-shaped leaves are 4 to 7 inches long with finely serrated edges.
HHere comes the show.
The second half of the year is when our Sourwood trees really show off, starting with their white, bellshaped flowers that hang like curved fringe during midsummer and continuing into autumn, when they produce some of the most brilliant red leaves in our area.
Sourwood is a medium-sized, understory and midstory hardwood that can grow more than 60 feet tall. Though it usually has a single trunk, Sourwood can take on a bush-like form with multiple stems when its trunk is cut or broken off. And this is a tree known for producing extreme angles in its trunk and branches.
Sourwood grows best in well drained, acidic soil, and it’s commonly found on upland forests on slopes where oaks and pines are growing. This is a tree that can handle shade, but look for the strongest leaf color on Sourwoods growing in full sun.
It’s easy to identify a Sourwood because of its unusual characteristics.
Its bark is dark gray to reddish brown and with deep cracks and furrows. When Sourwoods mature, the bark becomes blocky like Persimmon tree bark.
Sourwood leaves are 4 to 7 inches long, lustrous green in summer and are shaped like broad pointed ovals with finely serrated edges. The leaves grow alternately along twigs and often weep or hang downward. As the weather cools in the fall, Sourwood becomes one of the most beautiful trees in our forests, as the leaves change to yellow, dark pink, purple or deep crimson red.
Flower clusters on long, finger-like stems give the tree a fringed appearance
Sourwood, you’ll find the trunk is not round but oval. That’s because the wood grows thicker on the sides that the trunk is leaning toward and away from to help support the leaning tree.
Sourwood is native to the Southeast U.S., from southern Pennsylvania and West Virginia to northern Florida and the Mississippi Delta, including all of Alabama. This tree is most commonly found along the lower Appalachian Mountains, which, by the way, start in either Coosa or Tallapoosa county, depending on who you ask.
Sourwood – which gets its name from the sour, acidic taste of its sap, leaves and twigs – is the only member of the Oxydendrum genus. It’s scientific name, Oxydendrum arboretum, actually means “acid tree” in Greek. It is a member of the Heath or Heather family (Ericaceae) that includes a number of the South’s most loved plants: azaleas, mountain laurel, rhododendrons and blueberries. Sourwood is sometimes called Lily of the Valley Tree because its blossoms resemble Lily of the Valley wildflowers.
The flowers and seed pods of a Sourwood are one of its most unique features. In June and July, the tree forms long, curved fingers (panicles) of creamy white flower clusters. The small bell-shaped blossoms hang down below the panicles, and from a distance, it can look like the tree is fringed in white. The flowers become seed pods that turn silver as the season turns, and the seed pods remain attached even after the leaves change colors and fall off.
This tree typically takes on a pyramid shape if it is alone in a field, but in a forest, it often grows leaning in one direction, which is unusual and can be a quick tipoff for identification. If you reach around a hard-leaning
As a late-blooming ornamental tree, Sourwood can be a shade-providing showstopper in a yard. But this tree has many other uses.
Members of the Catawba and Cherokee tribes used Sourwood shoots to make arrow shafts, combs, spoons and pipe stems. Sourwood leaves can be chewed to stave off thirst, but actually swallowing the leaves produces a laxative effect.
Tonics made from the bark and leaves have been used to treat kidney and bladder ailments, as well as indigestion, asthma, fever, dysentery and nervousness.
Sourwood honey, which has a flavor similar to gingerbread, is considered one of the best honeys in the world. According to the forager website Eat The Weeds, the Appalachian conservationist Carson Brewer said, “Most honey is made by bees. But Sourwood is made by bees and angels.”
Some information for this article came from the University of Tennessee, an article by Gretchen Spencer of the Fairfax County Master Gardeners, Eat The Weeds, Alabama Plant Atlas and North Carolina State University Extension and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.
Slow-paced Lake Life
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
The Pugh family recently completed their second Lake Martin home
TTucked away in the scenic gated community of Willow Glen is the custom craftsman-style home of Quinton and Courtney Pugh. Designed by Legacy New Homes, this beautiful lake house features, striking architecture and unique artisan decor, creating an ambiance of modern textures and tranquil views – a paradise for any Lake Martin homeowner.
The Birmingham, Alabama, natives frequented Lake Martin for years, dreaming of one day owning a lakefront retreat for their family of four. In 2021, during the pandemic, the Pughs were presented with the opportunity to purchase land at Willow Glen and knew immediately it was the perfect fit for their second home.
But it was the view that captured the hearts of the Pughs.
“I just love this view,” Courtney Pugh said. “That was what sold us on the lot. We looked at several lots here, as well as at The Ridge, but we just loved this view. It was an easy selling point.”
Completed in August 2024, the
4,000-square-foot home boasts a luxurious layout of interior and exterior entertainment spaces. Complemented by two master bedrooms, three guest bedrooms and six bathrooms, the home is designed with its own distinct style while adding character and personality to every corner.
The Pughs worked with Chris Cooley, project manager at Legacy New Homes, and architect David Smelcer to bring their dream home to life. At the core of their vision, bringing family and friends together became the heartbeat and focus of the home, a concept that was thoughtfully integrated into the design from the beginning.
“We love to entertain,” Pugh said. “We wanted to put our square footage into the main living areas and focus our energy there.”
Guests are welcomed in a spacious, open-concept living area, where the walls are painted in a hand-applied custom white glaze. The color carries throughout all the main living spaces.
In addition, textured patterns and décor
A unique architectural feature denotes the kitchen
The round table was a must-have on Courtney Pugh's list
were used throughout the home, creatively adding depth, warmth and visually interesting concepts to the space. Two show-stopping High Point Market lanterns, which interior designer Laura Dockery of Montgomery found in North Carolina, hang from the living room ceiling.
The Pughs met with Dockery and immediately felt she was the stylist that could bring their vision to life.
“We knew going into this that we would probably need to hire a designer,” said Pugh. “So, we talked to several different people, but Laura’s style fit us perfectly. She was so
much fun and easy to work with. She would take our ideas and just run with them.”
Dockery sourced and curated a diverse selection of art and décor from across the country, including pieces from Alabama, North Carolina and Texas, adding unique regional touches to the home’s overall aesthetic.
“We wanted to use a lot of different textures in our house and give it that kind of homey, cozy feel,” said Pugh.
Among the textured rugs and light fixtures throughout the home is a brilliantly crafted console, uniquely upholstered in
A variety of textures adds interest throughout the home
white cowhide. Anchoring the living room is a large, round dining table, fitting the couple’s vision of hosting friendly gatherings.
“This round table was one of my nonnegotiables,” said Pugh. “Even before we started building, I knew I wanted a big, round table. There’s just something about it and how it naturally brings everyone together.”
Mr. Brown, Bernhardt and Century Furniture were among the top brands chosen to furnish the home. Several large pieces of artwork were sourced through Laura Dockery Design that included Atlanta artists
Augusta Wilson and Nostalgia Fine Art, as well as Alabama artist Lauren Foshee.
The kitchen features a distinctive customcrafted arch, fully wrapped in wood. It is not only a stunning visual but also a one-of-a-kind detail to the Pugh home. The countertops are soapstone marble and feature an integrated sink.
“I knew going in that I wanted soapstone marble. I had seen a house, years and years ago, that had soapstone with the darker cabinets, and I had my heart set on that,” said Pugh. “So, when it came time to order the countertops, we could not find soapstone
The bunk room is a favorite place for the Pugh children
A dual-sided outdoor fireplace expands the entertainment options
anywhere. I was going through Pelham one day and just happened to stop by Surface One. And they just happened to have three slabs, which is exactly what we needed.”
Seamless doorways uniquely hide the pantry and powder rooms, giving the appearance of disappearing entryways.
The home also provides several spacious outdoor patio areas on both the first and second stories, designed with sweeping waterfront views to enjoy both sunrises and sunsets. Key features include a wet bar, grilling area and dual-sided fireplaces for lounging, entertaining and watching football games.
The second floor opens into a spacious living area featuring wood paneling walls and large peacock pavers that transition from the outdoors to the interior, a perfect flooring choice for lakefront living.
“This is probably my favorite room in the house,” Pugh said. “It’s kind of just like a little game room and TV room. We included the leather sofa, so our children can come off the lake and not worry about wet bathing suits. We spend a lot of time in this room.”
A distinctive addition to the second story living space is a black-and-white tapestry that has been uniquely cut and framed into two pieces of art, creating a striking visual element.
Each bedroom on the second floor is styled with vibrant hues and creative tile designs, each reflecting a distinct style influenced by the interests of the Pughs’ children. Their daughter’s room, for instance, was inspired by her love of butterflies and her favorite shade of blue.
“We asked her what she wanted for her bedroom, and she said butterflies and the color blue,” Pugh said. “We wanted it to feel like a bedroom for a child but also be versatile enough for adult guests. Then Laura (Dockery) took that idea and ran with it.”
A defining feature of the lake house is the large windows in every bedroom, providing breathtaking lake views from every angle. The main master also includes a small private patio accessible directly from the bedroom.
“We knew we wanted a view in every room,” Pugh said. “That was very important when we were deciding on the design process of the house.”
The second floor also includes a bunk room, which serves as a perfect hideout for the young children.
“This is probably my kids’ favorite room,” said Pugh. “We went back and forth on whether we were going to do the built-in box concept but finally decided on it. And the kids love them. This is usually where they sleep, and it’s great for when they have friends over, too.”
A cozy reading nook is nestled into a quiet corner
The second living space is one of the family's favorite places
An outdoor kitchen brings all the convenience of state-of-the-art meal prep to the slow pace of lake life
Chris Baker crafted the Pughs’ outdoor landscaping, showcasing a thoughtfully curated variety of plants, including elegant Japanese maples and vibrant black-eyed Susans. These plantings are beautifully arranged along the waterfront, where the blend of natural beauty and serene lakeside views enhances the overall charm of the home.
Complementing the landscaping, the lake house also features a spacious two-car garage with a bonus room above, complete with a full bathroom. This versatile space offers endless possibilities for the couple, whether they envision it as an additional
entertainment area, a lively game room or a cozy private retreat for guests.
For the Pughs, the new lake house is more than just a second home – it’s a serene and peaceful retreat for welcoming friends and family.
“You know, we spend the weeks in Birmingham, and it’s just the crazy, hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially with two small kids,” said Pugh. “So, when we come here, the minute we walk through the doors, we can just take a breath, relax and enjoy the slower pace of the lake life.”
Though smaller at the lake house, each bedroom includes a lake view
The family chose a lot in Willow Glen for their second weekend home at Lake Martin
The home includes six well-appointed bathrooms
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Get Serious
Lake Martin hosts a season of tournaments to take your fishing to the next level
STORY BY SHAYE BAKER &
PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE
IIt’s that time of year again. The leaves are starting to turn, there’s a crispness to the air, and the outdoorsmen are putting up their fishing poles and pulling out their deer rifles. While that’s the case in some parts of the country, around Lake Martin, anglers like to keep a line wet year round. And thankfully, OGS Tournaments keeps them busy with an opportunity to compete nearly every weekend from now through the spring.
First up on the docket is OGS’s Wind Creek Bass Trail, which consists of six regular season events launching out of Wind Creek State Park from October through March. The Mike Oglesbee WCBT Classic serves as the seasonculminating championship in April. In addition to their own team trail, OGS Tournaments will host a handful of charity tournaments in the next few months, starting with the Jim Landers Memorial Tournament on November 2. While these are all team format tournaments, where anglers are welcome to compete two to a boat against other teams, OGS has something special set aside for the lone ranger, as well. If you like the idea of competing solo, OGS offers the Fantastic Four Solo Trail from now through the spring, with its season opener and spring championship held on Martin and three other events between now and then visiting Lake Eufaula, Lake Jordan and Lay Lake. Naturally, you can also compete in any of the WCBT and other OGS tournaments as an individual, if you prefer.
son Wind Creek Bass Trail events, provided a minimum of 60 boats enter in each event. Tens of thousands more in prize money will undoubtedly be awarded through their other events.
2024-2025 Incentive Programs available to OGS Tournament competitors
Caymas Cash
Vexus Rewards
Basscat Quest
Skeeter Real Money
Phoenix First Flight
Ikon Winners Win
Bass Cash
Ranger Cup
Nitro Rewards
Falcon High Flyers
Stateline Marine Rewards
And, thanks to OGS’s diligence in advocating for local anglers, they’ve been able to secure eligibility for a staggering number of incentive programs, as well. These include Ranger Cup, Nitro Rewards, Skeeter Boats Real Money, Phoenix Boats First Flight, Caymas Cash and several more. Contingency programs like this are not often available at the local level, and their inclusion raises the potential purse amounts this season by more than an additional $100,000. Across the last three seasons, $140,000 in bonus money was paid to top finishers in OGS Tournaments by way of multiple contingency programs – of which there are now more than ever.
Aaron Warren State Farm Rewards
If you would like to come out and test your skills to compete for your share of the prize money, entry fees for the Wind Creek Bass Trail and other charity events hosted by OGS Tournaments start at $120 and top out at $150 per event. These entries vary based on the angler’s decision to opt in or out of side pots: Big Fish ($10); Big Spot ($10); and Average Joe ($10). Entry fees for the Fantastic Four Solo Trail are $130 and include all applicable side pots and the championship fund.
If the sheer breadth of events hosted by OGS Tournaments doesn’t pique your interest, consider this: The company has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to area anglers since they began hosting the WCBT on Martin in 2016. And they are poised to present checks for more than $36,000 this year in just the six regular sea-
Our local anglers owe a huge thank you to OGS Tournaments owners and their staff for what they provide to the angling community here in Central Alabama. As one of those anglers who has had the pleasure of competing with OGS for several seasons now, thank you. For additional information on the Wind Creek Bass Trail, the Fantastic Four Solo Trail and other OGS tournaments, visit OGStournaments.org.
SEARCH FOR HIDDEN TREASURE
STORY & PHOTOS BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE
GGeocaching offers outdoor enthusiasts a thrilling new way to experience Lake Martin’s scenic beauty by embarking on an exciting challenge, armed with nothing more than GPS coordinates and a sense of adventure.
Geocaching (pronounced geo-kash-ing) is a real-life treasure hunt that encourages participants to follow GPS coordinates to track down secret, camouflaged containers hidden in plain sight. These containers come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small film canisters to larger ammo boxes. In addition, each geocache includes a scroll of paper or logbook that participants sign after finding it.
This outdoor activity originated in May 2000 when the U.S. government allowed citizens to use highly accurate GPS technology for the first time. Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant from Oregon, tested the potential of these advanced coordinates by hiding a bucket in the woods and posting its GPS coordinates online. Inside the container, Ulmer included various prize items, including books, videos and a slingshot. He challenged others to find it, and within days, individuals located the cache and began adding their own items to the container. They also kept a record of their finds by logging the discovery.
At Lake Martin, an estimated 200 geocaches are hidden at iconic landmarks and scenic locations and on popular hiking trails, such as the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail at Overlook Park. On the back end of the trail, hikers are not only treated to a stunning view of Chimney Rock but also the opportunity to seek out a cleverly hidden geocache containing trade coins and small trinkets.
Geocaches are typically hidden in locations that owners want to highlight with significant meaning, history or unique stories.
“Geocaching gives people a reason to explore the world around them using technology,” said Chris Ronan, senior public relations manager at Geocaching headquarters. “Dozens of geocaches are located near Lake Martin and in the surrounding communities. Each geocache offers a living history of a location, and people who find that geocache play a small part in that history by telling their stories, logging their experiences online and re-hiding the geocache for others to find.”
Church in the Pines is one such spot. This open-air worship venue, located on the shores of Lake Martin near Kowaliga Bridge, boasts a fascinating history as one of the first churches formed at the lake. Hundreds of people attend services there each week, unknowingly sitting near a cleverly disguised geocache that is just
Signing a logbook after a find is a proud mark of accomplishment
Logs are often little more than a scroll of paper stashed inside the geocache container
waiting to be discovered. Seekers of this geocache will have their sleuthing skills put to the test, as the waterfront view of the bridge and the challenge make the find worthwhile.
Wind Creek State Park is an ideal starting point for beginning geocachers. As one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the state, the Wind Creek State Park campground offers visitors a chance to explore the outdoors while adding geocaching fun to their stay. Home to a variety of geocaches that range in difficulty levels and terrains, it’s the perfect place to get started and sharpen tracking skills.
Shaylee Beck Moore finds that tracking a geocache on a Lake Martin island is a fun and memorable, though sometimes messy, experience
But spotting a geocache can be tricky, which is where detective skills come into play. Though the containers will never be buried underground, there aren’t many other limits on the creativity of hiding spots. A geocache will likely be an object that seems slightly out of place, such as a false rock deep in the woods or a hidden fishing lure in the trees near the water. Following clues left by the owner and others who have spotted it before can be helpful in finding an elusive cache.
For those eager to put their sleuthing skills to the test, some of the most exciting and advanced
geocaches at Lake Martin are only accessible by water. Hidden away among the lake’s most popular islands, each geocaches invite seekers to explore the island and learn the history behind the find.
Goat Island is a perfect example of this. Once a popular stop where visitors could feed and pet beloved goats, the island still holds one hidden treasure: a medium-sized geocache tucked away near the shoreline.
Inside the Goat Island geocache are small trinkets, following the take-something/leave-something tradition started when Ulmer hid the first cache. This Geocaches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, adding a challenging layer to the game
tradition encourages cachers to exchange items with other seekers, including what are known as “travel bugs,” trackable dog tags with unique codes attached to each one. These travel bugs can be logged on the Geocaching website, and enthusiasts can follow their journeys as they are picked up and placed in different geocaches across the globe.
Other popular geocaching islands around Lake Martin include Sand Island, Young’s Island, Pirate Island and Flag Island. While a boat is needed to access these geocaches, and in some cases a quick swim, finding them makes for a fun and memorable experience while hitting the open water.
An important rule in geocaching is to always maintain stealth while seeking out the container to avoid attracting the attention of “muggles,” a term used by the geocaching community for individuals who are not familiar with the activity. These curious bystanders may unknowingly remove or displace the geocache and unintentionally disrupt the game.
In addition, the geocaching community follows a key principle: Leave no trace. This eco-friendly practice aims to preserve the natural habitat. After locating the geocache and signing the log, participants are encouraged to return the cache to its original location, carefully replacing any leaves, brush or other materials that kept it hidden. This ensures the cache remains a surprise for the next seeker while preserving the surrounding environment and keeping the natural habitat undisturbed.
For those ready to strap on their hiking shoes and set off on their first geocaching adventure, simply download the official Geocaching app and remember to practice patience. Like any new hobby, it takes time to develop the skills and techniques needed to find more advanced geocaches. The best advice is to look high, look low and search all around. A cleverly hidden geocache might be nearby, just waiting to be found.
Geocache containers are often cleverly disguised
Small items are often included and can be swapped with other players
at the Lake Holiday Hosting
AA glance at the calendar listings on page 14 confirms that Lake Martin has a lot going on throughout the holidays, and lake homeowners are eager to share the joy and fun with family and friends. Inviting overnight guests for Christmas at Crossroads, the Historic Home Tour in Dadeville or the delightful ACT II Christmas play multiplies the fun. And rising on Christmas morning to open gifts with the children and grandchildren at the lake house is a recipe for memory making at its finest. But hosting also changes the focus of the holidays, at least for the hosts.
While hosting has its own wonderful rewards, it is an extra burden on the hosts and includes a whole ’nother checklist in addition to the usual gift list, as the hosts’ No. 1 responsibility is to make guests feel welcome and at home. There are menus to create, foods to prep, rooms to clean, pantries and bars to stock, schedules to coordinate – and mountains of laundry before and after guests arrive.
After visiting many people’s homes, as well as hosting friends and family at the lake, and talking to friends around Lake Martin who also have hosted guests – at the holidays and throughout the traditional summer season – two friendly but anonymous hosts offered to share their hosting checklist.
Prior to the visit, ask what they like to eat for breakfast. Are there food allergies or special diets to be accommodated?
Let your guests know about any activities or outings that might call for specific attire. Is yours a casual everybody-wears-pajamas-all-day celebration?
Or will you be dressing for an upper crust dinner at the country club? Let your guests know well in advance of their packing for the trip, so they won’t feel under or overdressed.
Find out what beverages they prefer, from flavored waters to sodas, beer, wine and liquor. Do they take cream with their coffee; prefer herbal tea?
The editorial team at Lake magazine was only too happy to oblige.
The atmosphere is set even before invitations are extended. The hosts’ vision for the event is achieved through an accommodating attitude and good communication. So, prepare your guests with clear, concise expectations.
Be clear about the dates and times for their arrival and departure, as well as any activities around which their visit will occur. Is an afternoon nap a must? A daily walk a necessity?
If they are bringing children, ask about their nap schedules and quiet time activities. If you don’t have the particular toys or movies the children love, invite your guests to bring them from their homes.
Adult guests are more relaxed when their children are enjoying the visit. Next, prepare your home for your guests. Declutter and put away anything that might cause ill feelings if it was ruined or broken.
In the bedroom, make room in closets and dresser drawers for your guests’ clothing.
If possible, supply charging stations, outlets or extension cords on both sides of the bed for phones, CPAP machines or other devices.
Make sure the nighttime temperature in the bedroom is comfortable.
Provide suitcase stands.
Nightstands also are convenient. If you don’t have nightstands, a makeshift end table or a small threelegged stool or chair will work. Your guests may need water by the bed or use their phones as white noise machines.
It is also nice to offer water to people for bed.
An assortment of extra pillows is thoughtful. Offer
a couple of options – firm and soft – to help ensure a good night’s sleep.
Provide extra blankets – and let your guests know where to find them.
A full-length mirror in the bedroom or bath is thoughtful when guests want to look their best.
Leave a couple of books or magazines on the dresser, in case your guests would like a little bedtime reading.
Add a touch of holiday cheer – a Christmas pillow on the bed, a wreath over the headboard or a holiday arrangement on the nightstand – as a thoughtful, personal, celebratory touch.
The bathroom is another area that makes a difference in how pleasant your guests’ stay is. Some thoughtful items to offer include:
Hair dryer – most people don’t pack them and find it awkward to ask for one.
Places to hang wet towels – or instructions on what to do with them.
Shampoo, soap and conditioner (If you keep fullsize containers in the bath, check before guests arrive to make sure they have sufficient quantity.)
Hand lotion
Washcloths and a black makeup washcloth at the sink.
Facial tissues
Cotton-tipped swabs
Extra travel-size toothpaste, shaving cream, toothbrush, deodorant, contact solution and razors for people who might have forgotten to pack theirs.
Makeup mirror (If not in the bath, have one in the bedroom.)
Extra rolls of toilet paper – either in a toilet paper holder or in the cabinet under the sink.
Toilet brush
Lysol wipes under sink for quick clean-up. Before they leave, guests may want to quickly run a wipe over the counter and sink. Wipes are also helpful for people who would like to clean the surfaces in the room, like the doorknobs, etc.
Odor spray
Mornings in an unfamiliar home can be particularly sensitive, so try to make this time seamless for your guests. Everyone has a different wake up time, and some of your guests may rise before you. It’s a good idea to tell them what to do if they get up before you.
Have the coffee ready to plug in or a Keurig/ Nespresso machine ready for them to use.
Let them know where to find the toaster and bagels or cereal and milk if they want a snack before taking a walk or while reading the newspaper.
Provide the Wi-Fi network and password, either on an instruction sheet for the house or on a small chalkboard where guests will easily see it.
If you have an alarm system, it might not be a good idea to set the alarm before bed when you have guests (the authors know this from personal experience!).
If you are a guest:
n Communication in not one-sided: Send the host your travel schedule and any accommodations that will be important to your stay, including dietary requirements.
n Help in any way you can: Offer to cover and prepare a meal. Bring the ingredients and dishes or pots and pans for any contribution you are making to the holiday meal. Bring your own liquor. Pay for a restaurant meal.
n It’s always nice to bring a thought-out hostess gift. Low-maintenance potted plants, holiday guest towels or a sweet Nativity scene or Santa figurine to add to your hosts’ collection come to mind.
n Ask what to do with sheets and towels before you leave.
n As a lovely gesture, send a handwritten thank you note for the hospitality after the tinsel and trees are put away. After all, even if they deny it, your hosts went to a lot of trouble to accommodate you. Let them know you noticed and appreciated it.
Be sure your guests know they should feel free to go in the fridge, pantry, closet or wherever and make themselves at home. Be sure to show them where these things are.
Sometimes, it is nice to have a welcome present for the quests, especially if they are out-of-town or infrequent visitors. Baseball hats or luggage tags are nice mementos. One host we know creates a different T-shirt for her guests every year.
Maintain a collection of extra items that your guests may need, such as sunscreen, hats or sweatshirts. Being at the lake, you are far from emergency services. At the minimum, maintain a first aid kit with these and other supplies:
n Benadryl for allergies
n Pepto Bismol
n Children’s Tylenol
n Thermometer
n Bandaids
n Ibuprofen/Tylenol
n On the more cautious side, it might be a good idea to include an AED because as hosts, we are older, and many of our visitors are older.
n Adult and children’s Epi-Pens for extreme allergic reactions.
These tips are not meant to be conclusive, as a host should always be flexible, willing and able to accommodate the unforeseen and unexpected glitches that can and often do occur. Hosts are welcome to adjust this checklist as needed to suit their own homes and situations.
LMRA partners, volunteers make a great impact
II can’t believe we are already in the final months of 2024. What a great year it has been for Lake Martin Resource Association and our partners. As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible efforts that our partners, volunteers and our working board of directors have put forth to protect, preserve and promote the beauty and health of Lake Martin. The dedication to improving our environment, saving lives on the water and promoting the health of Lake Martin has had a profound impact. From boater safety programs, shoreline and roadway cleanups to habitat restoration and wildlife protection, each of you has played a vital role in making our lake a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
This year has been filled with both opportunities and successes for LMRA, and thanks to your hard work and passion, we’ve made meaningful strides in sustaining Lake Martin’s natural beauty for future generations. Your commitment is the corner-
stone of our progress, and we couldn’t do it without you.
One of the great opportunities for LMRA in 2024 is the significant milestone in the history of Lake Martin as LMRA celebrates the 20th anniversary of our partnership with Alabama Power Company Shoreline Management in the annual Renew Our Rivers lake wide cleanup effort on November 1 and 2. Over the past two decades, this collaboration has been a beacon of environmental stewardship, playing a vital role in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and ecological health of Lake Martin.
ing that Lake Martin is more than just a reservoir: It’s an essential ecosystem, a recreational haven and a cherished community resource.
In 2004, LMRA and Alabama Power embarked on a shared mission: to protect the integrity of Lake Martin’s waterways and shoreline and ensure that its natural resources would be sustained for future generations. At the heart of this partnership has been a mutual understand -
From the outset, Alabama Power’s Shoreline Management team provided essential expertise, regulatory guidance and resources to help manage and maintain the lake’s tremendous miles of shoreline. Meanwhile, LMRA, led by John Thompson, brought together local volunteers, stakeholders and environmental advocates to promote sustainable practices and community involvement. John is an icon of environmental stewardship, not only around Lake Martin but also across the state.
With John stepping down as the committee chair for environmental education in 2024, LMRA has had to identify several key people to try and fill those huge shoes. Thankfully, several board members have
LMRA
BY JODIE MCGIRT
raised their hands to support environmental education on Lake Martin. Steve Robinson has graciously accepted the responsibility as committee chair and has worked closely with John to ensure a successful transition. I want to thank Steve for his engagement and his first of many successful ROR events. In addition to Steve, several other board members stepped up to support. To call out a few key people, I want to thank Andy Steele for coordinating the environmental efforts in our interim period between transitions; Tammie McVicker continues to support cleanups and volunteer engagement, along with the entire board coming out to support each event alongside our great volunteers. We look forward to the benefits of Steve’s leadership and an expansion of our environmental efforts on and around Lake Martin.
Looking ahead to next year, we
are excited about the opportunities on the horizon to enhance our collaborations with our partners and volunteers. Together, we’ll continue to expand our efforts, explore new initiatives and deepen our commitment to preserving this precious resource. We are confident that, with your continued support, we’ll make even greater strides toward our environmental goals.
From everyone at the Lake Martin Resource Association, thank you for your hard work and dedication. We look forward to working alongside you in the coming year to make an even greater impact.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support us, please visit LMRA.info or reach out to LMRA@lmra.info
Stay safe, be courteous and enjoy your time on Lake Martin.
Jodie McGirt is president of LMRA. Learn more at lmra.info.
H Subtle & Smokey
Henry Clay War Hawk is a medium-bodied cigar with an Equador Connecticut wrapper with Honduran binder and fillers. The cigar is named after supporters of the American Congressman and Senator Henry Clay. This cigar has replaced the Connecticut broadleaf found on many other Henry Clay cigars with the Equador Connecticut wrapper to give it a spicier, natural kick, along with notes of earth, cocoa and cedar. The Basil Hayden Toast undergoes a secondary toasted barrel finish before it is pulled and blended to give it a smokey flavor. This bourbon also contains notes of toffee, butterscotch and almond in the beginning before finishing with a mild cinnamon and leather flavor. As a more subtle bourbon, this pairing will allow the War Hawk to shine with its more robust body and Honduran spiciness while complementing it with smokey and mild flavoring.
CHEERS!
BY MARK GILLILAND
Fall Harvest
IIt is time to “fall back” as cooler days and nights set in and shift gears with our thinking toward colder weather foods. Summer’s bounty may be gone; however, now is the perfect time to celebrate the seasonal produce of autumn. I have featured my favorites below, all of which are very nutritious. These next months, embrace some new recipes using the fall favorites. Challenge yourself to change up your holiday menus.
PUMPKIN: Pumpkin reminds me of fall. Not only the decorations but all the wonderful recipes. Pumpkin offers a lot of dietary fiber, about 3 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving of cooked sugar pumpkin. Beta carotene, which is what provides the orange color, converts to Vitamin A in the body, which is needed for the skin and eyes. A little side note: The pumpkins we carve are not the pumpkins we eat. To balance the sweet taste of pumpkin, add savory herbs, such as sage and curry. Try mixing pumpkin puree into mac and cheese or hummus. Pumpkin is a great addition to pancake batter, oatmeal, smoothies and chili.
kets. The deep red color is a result of a phytochemical called betanin, making beet juice a natural alternative to red food coloring. Beets are a healthy natural source of nitrates and may help support blood pressure. If you plan to roast or steam beets, it is suggested to peel the skin off after cooking. The skin easily slides off after the beet is cooked. Beets are also delicious raw, shredded and tossed into salads or thinly sliced and baked into chips.
SWEET POTATOES: Sweet potatoes are great year-round, but they especially remind me of fall and winter. Sweet potatoes provide a large amount of Vitamin A and dietary fiber. They are a good source of potassium and Vitamin C. These delicious potatoes are perfect for any meal, even as a side dish at breakfast.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH: Spaghetti squash is a kid-friendly, lower-calorie, gluten-free alternative to grain-based pasta. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and place the hull flesh-side-down in a casserole dish with a small amount of water. Cook in the microwave or oven until tender. You will know when it is ready when you pull the flesh out of the shell with a fork and watch the spaghetti strands appear. Toss the strands with your favorite sauce for a quick veggie side dish or add some protein to make an entrée.
HEALTHY LIVING
BY JULIE HUDSON
BEETS: Beets are edible from the bulb root all the way up to their leaves. The leaves resemble spinach and are delicious sautéed. Red beets are the most popular and easily found in most grocery stores. The more unusual colors, like golden or bull’s blood (which has a bull’s eye pattern of rings), are found in specialty grocery stores and farmers mar-
KALE: Kale is known as a nutrient powerhouse. Interesting fact about kale is that it tastes sweeter after a frost and can survive cold temperatures, even in a snowstorm. One cup of kale has only 8 calories and is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, as well as manganese. Kale is delicious sautéed, cooked in soup or eaten raw in a salad. It is important to remember to remove the tough stems and to slice it into thin slivers. Pair with something a bit sweeter, such as carrots or apples. One advantage to using kale is that it doesn’t wilt. You can add dressing
ahead of time while it becomes more tender and tastier.
PEARS: Although this fruit is easily attainable year around, fall is the peak growing season. Pears are unique in that they do not ripen on the tree. They will continue to ripen at room temperature after they are picked. Check the ripeness of the fruit near the stem (called the neck). The fruit is ripe when it gives to a little pressure. There are a wide variety of pear textures and flavors. Similar to apples, some are excellent eaten fresh while others are best when cooked. Experiment with pears on the grill; poached in red wine; thinly sliced on a flatbread or in a panini sandwich; pureed into a smoothie or soup; or sliced and served beside your favorite cheese.
APPLES: Apples are a great source of Vitamin C and dietary fiber. Remember to eat the skin for the full fiber benefits. Sprinkle apple slices with cinnamon or pair with cheese or peanut butter for an easy snack. Apples taste great when stewed and served with a savory food, such as roasted pork.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Brussels sprouts are a member of the powerhouse cruciferous vegetable family. A 1-cup serving of cooked Brussels sprouts provides 4 grams of dietary fiber and is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate and iron. They even offer some protein. You can cut whole Brussels sprouts into quarters, toss with sea salt and olive oil; then, roast until crispy. If you or your family are a bit hesitant, serve them mixed with sweet potato or butternut squash cubes. You can also shred them and sauté lightly in olive oil; then, toss them into your favorite pasta or rice dish. Brussels sprouts are nice boiled and tossed with salt, pepper and butter. Roasting is my favorite way to cook these little gems. Slice in half or quarters and toss with olive oil and seasoning salt. Roast until crispy. You can sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and then swirl some balsamic glaze for a
nice finish.
PARSNIPS: Parsnips are cousins to the carrot family. They exhibit the same root shape with white flesh. They are usually eaten cooked but can be eaten raw. One-half cup of parsnips provides 3 grams of dietary fiber and contains more than 10 percent of the daily needed Vitamin C and folate. These white beauties can be roasted, pureed into soup or mashed. They pair really nicely with roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts and sweet potato.
CRANBERRIES: Thanksgiving would not be the same without these especially tart and nutritious berries. Cranberries naturally pair well with a variety of meats and poultry. Fresh cranberries can be eaten raw but most often are cooked. Dried cranberries are a nice addition to grain and vegetable salads and chicken salad.
It’s time to make the seasonal shift and embrace the wonderful flavors of fall produce.
Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.
Lemon & Herb Butterbeans
Ingredients
1 to 3 pounds butterbeans (also called Lima eans), washed and cleaned
1 pound ham hocks
1 whole head of garlic, cleaned and diced
2 carrots – 1 large-chopped; 1 small-diced
1 stalk celery washed – large-chop one half; small-dice the other 3 yellow onions – 2 large-chopped; 1 small-diced
A few sprigs of thyme, rosemary, chives, finely diced
2 to 3 bay leaves
1/2 cup white cooking wine
Grapeseed oil for cooking
1/2 to 1 pound butter
Clean the field peas by soaking in cold water. Pick out the stems that float to the top. Wash twice. Clean the thyme and rosemary and chop finely, keeping the stems. Place the large-chopped vegetables with the stems from the herbs into cheesecloth with the bay leaves. Tie well, so they don’t escape.
Put some grapeseed oil in a pot that is large enough to hold 2 gallons of water. Brown the ham hocks and add the vegetables and peas to the pot. Cover well with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a medium simmer. Cook until tender.
Cool the beans in the liquid (we call it the liquor). Once cooled, you can remove the vegetables.
Warm a sauté pan up with some grapeseed oil. Sauté the small-diced vegetables until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until it starts to get fragrant. Then, add the field peas to the vegetables and toss to mix. Add the white wine and cook it until three-quarters of the wine has cooked/evaporated off. Add a splash or two of the field pea liquor and season with salt and pepper.
Remove from heat and add the butter a little at a time, until it all melts. Finish with the fresh herbs.
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. CHEF'S TABLE
BY PETE MCKENNY
The Perfect Cast
IIn last month’s article I put forth the case that bass fishing is a sport based on three elements: physical exertion; requires skill; and competition. To see the full article, check out the October edition of Lake magazine, “Is Bass Fishing a Sport?” When tackling the skill portion, one of the first things that came to mind was casting.
Among the multiple skill sets I mentioned in last month’s article was casting. “… experienced anglers know that casting accuracy is critical to catching more and bigger fish. Flipping, pitching, skipping, overhead casts, and roll casts all serve different purposes for the situations at hand...” I wrote.
When catching bass, the first things that come to mind are where to go and what to throw. The importance of casting accuracy and efficiency often gets lost in the mix. Having the opportunity to fish with different anglers of varying skill sets over the years has shown me just how critical it is to cast effectively. The casting method used at any given time is determined by the bait, the cover, the
water clarity and even how the fish may be positioned in the water column.
Flipping
Flipping was a technique that first gained popularity when it seemed like Dee Thomas was winning everything on the California Delta. The freshwater portions of the Delta resemble Florida in a lot of ways. There are all different types of vegetation throughout the system. The abundance of cover means the fish can hide just about anywhere between the outside edges of hydrilla to the hyacinth mats that
blanket the surface. Then, there’s emergent vegetation, like buggy whips and cattail reeds. The dense cover and often stained water mean that the angler can be in closer proximity to the fish when casting without spooking them. Flipping is not just for vegetation though. It’s an effective way to dissect a laydown tree in stained water as well.
True “flipping” involves using the free hand to pull the line between the lead guide and the reel. As the line is being pulled, the angler raises the rod then swings the bait as if it were on a pendulum back toward a second target. By slowly lowering the rod tip, the angler can guide the bait (even if it’s relatively heavy) to a precise location, like a tiny hole in the matted vegetation or a single buggy whip reed. A well-executed flip will result in no splash. Almost as if sneaking the bait into the bass’ lair and offering an ever-so-subtle surprise meal.
BIG CATCHES
BY GREG VINSON
Flipping is all about stealth and efficiency in shallow water (4 feet or less). Usually, the reel is never taken out of gear like with all other casting methods. The angler repeats this process of lifting and dropping into every nook and cranny while slowly creeping around the cover. The two most common baits for flipping are a jig or a Texas rigged soft plastic. These baits must be weedless setups because flipping almost always involves thick cover, like vegetation or tree limbs in shallow water.
There are rods designed specifically for flipping. They are usually longer and have much heavier action (stiffer) than the rods used for traditional casting methods. The added length gives the angler more range on each flip. Additional length also means more leverage, which is important in getting a solid hookset and maneuvering a fish up and out of the thick cover.
Most people, myself included at times, look at a sea of dense cover and only have a general idea where to make various flips. An expert flipper like Dee Thomas, or Denny Brauer and Greg Hackney more recently, look at that same sea of grass and immediately notice hundreds of potential casts that could generate a fish. They are going to be more efficient just because it’s a casting technique they’re more experienced with, and that results in more quality casts. Flipping is one of their primary strengths. They’re going to drop their baits into the most likely places a fish will sit, more often depending on how the cover they’re dissecting is laid out.
To practice flipping, place a target, like a cup, about 10 feet away. Let enough line out that by just pulling the line between the first guide and the reel and simultaneously raising the rod tip you can move the bait up and out of the cup. Then swing the bait back to the cup and try to lay it back in without making much sound. That’s what it takes to make a quality flip. Now imagine doing that
about 2,000 times in different little spots in a day in order to get five or eight bites. It’s like hand-to-hand (or fin, I guess) combat when one hooks up.
Pitching
Pitching is what a lot of folks are doing when they say they’re flipping. I even catch myself sometimes saying I was flipping docks when I was actually pitching to them. When pitching, the rod tip is lowered, and the angler swings the bait toward the target backhanded. Usually, anglers hold the bait in their free hand as they load the rod tip up with some tension on the line. Unlike flipping, this is a cast where the reel will be out of gear (thumb bar depressed). The low trajectory allows the bait to be landed softer, so there is little to no splash. The key is to slowly lower the rod tip as the bait is about to land. Then, feather it to its landing spot.
This requires a little more skill with a baitcasting reel because the spool cannot be allowed to run completely free as the bait lands. Without braking the spool with the thumb, a backlash “bird’s nest” is inevitable. The beauty of pitching is that it can be almost as stealthy as flipping, but at much greater distances.
Having a stealthy presentation that offers near pinpoint precision from greater distances can be very effective in cleaner water and lighter cover where the fish are more likely to spook. Being able to engage and disengage the spool, depending on the distance of each target, means it’s a more versatile technique than true flipping. It also allows the angler to impart some action on the bait during the retrieve, which can generate some extra bites.
Docks are some of the most common targets for pitching on Lake Martin. But there’s also trees, shallow brush, stumps and even large rocks that can be pitched to. As with flipping, jigs and Texas-rigged soft plastics are the most common baits used for pitching. Once you get experienced with the technique, it can be used with more dangerous baits with open hooks, like chatterbaits, swimbaits and even topwaters and jerkbaits. Be very careful when holding these baits prior to casting so the tension on the rod tip doesn’t lead to a hook in the hand. The best method is to use the momentum of the bait as it swings in from a previous cast to swing it back toward the next target. This eliminates the need for grabbing an open-hook bait with the free hand.
To practice pitching, cut the hook off an old 1/2-ounce jig. Scatter cups or anything else that could be a target around at different distances and practice landing the jig softly around each one. Picture having the rod in the ready-to-set position as the bait would be sinking. To increase the difficulty level, try walking by the targets slowly to mimic boat movement. Being able to hit targets while on the move can really help increase efficiency when covering water using the pitching technique.
Stay tuned. Next month, we will go in depth on the skipping, overhead and – a personal favorite – the roll cast.
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.
Winterize your game
HFall has finally arrived, and we embrace all that it delivers to us. The leaves flash their brilliant colors briefly before their short gravity ride to the ground. The gradual change in temperature toward cooler surroundings is a welcome relief from the summer heat. Fall brings football, as fans cheer on their college and professional teams each weekend. The child in each of us anticipates the holiday season that soon will bring cherished family experiences and lovely lifetime memories.
THE SCRAMBLE
Fall gives us much, but it also delivers other changes. The drop in the lake level means far less boating activity on our beautiful Lake Martin. The change to daylight savings time means our days grow dark well before dinnertime. The outdoor live music and event offerings slowly fade away until next spring. Life brings an endless supply of changes that we all must adjust and accept.
BY ROB WITHERINGTON
As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday season, I believe we should all focus on the blessings in our lives. Elections, conflicts, weather issues can make normal living a challenging trial for every resident in the earthbound community. Those who know me personally might tell you I am one of the most positive people they have met. These daily challenges force me to focus on remaining upbeat and positive as I live each day. Normal life is not that “normal” right now, and it can bring you down if you allow it.
As we move forward, take some time to count your blessings. Family, friends, employment, food, shelter and good health are all blessings that we should be thankful for each day. It is easy to assume that these blessings will always be there for us, but remember
change is coming.
Many of us prepare for winter by winterizing many of our personal items. A second (lake) home, cars, boats, golf carts, ATVs, mowers, power tools and pools. If you are a golfer, why not consider winterizing your golf game this year. We are blessed to have a Southern climate that will allow for comfortable golfing conditions for most of the calendar year. Rain, cold and freezing conditions come on occasion, forcing us indoors for periods of time. Perhaps we can use that indoor time to our benefit. With that in mind, here are a few ideas for winterizing your golf game.
Review your golf clubs and research the possibility of updating your equipment with new technology. If you love your current set of clubs, see about investing in a new set of grips for the new year.
Search the web for golf specific exercises that you can add to your current workout program. Keep those golf muscle groups from showing signs of winter atrophy. Bring golf indoors with simulator play or netting in the basement to go along with the putting machine in your den or office.
Keeping a club in your hand during the winter months will pay dividends in the spring. Online or indoor golf lessons are available, and you can always put any of these on your Christmas wish list for Santa. Hope you are on his ‘nice’ list.
Enjoy your family, friends and blessings this holiday season, but don’t forget your golf game.
Rob “Gabby” Witherington is a PGA Professional and Director of Golf at Stillwaters Golf Club. Learn more at stillwatersgolf.com.
Hello Lake Martin!
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
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
George Hardy
First Realty
Dark Insurance
Warren Appliance Parts
MainStreet Family Care
Grace's Flowers
Koon's Korner
Larry's General Merchandise
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
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
Russell Medical Center
Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors
Koon's II
Tallapoosa Ford
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.
Wind Creek Gate
Wind Creek Store
Willow Point Office
Willow Point Country Club
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
Queen's Attic
Alex City Courthouse
Alex City Marine
Super 8
Citgo
Bone & Joint Specialist
Hampton Inn
Days Inn
Timberline Glamping
Comfort Inn
Sunrise Docks
Dr. Sublett
Picket Fence
River Bank & Trust
Scent Wizard
DADEVILLE
Chamber of Commerce
Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery
Fusion Grill
Dadeville Library
At the Beauty Shop
Dadeville Courthouse
Payne's Furniture
Valley Bank
McKelvey Chevrolet
Renfroe's Market
Foshee's Boat Doc
Lakeshore Pharmacy
Russell Building Supply
Lakay's
Sweet Pickins
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
Creekside Lodge
Blue Creek Marina
Lakeside Marina
Niffers
Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery
Lakeside Mercantile
Walnut Hill Eagle
Chuck's Marina
Deep Water Docks
Lake Martin Pizza
Bay Pine Marina
City Hall
Dadeville Wellness Center
Lake Martin Realty
Shell
EQUALITY
Equality Food Mart
Southern Star
Parker Creek Marina
Charles Borden
ECLECTIC
Lake Breeze Realty
Offshore Marina
Lake Martin Mini Mall
Cotton's Alabama Barbecue
Russell Do It Center
Johnson Furniture
Eclectic Library
Real Island Marina
Anchor Bay Marina
First Community Bank
WETUMPKA
Wetumpka Herald Office
TALLASSEE
Marathon
Tallassee Eagle
Tallassee Chamber
Red Hill Gallery
Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.
Elaine Bodine Carroll hails om Montgomery Alabama. She has been drawing and painting for over 60 years. At a young age Elaine began creating unique pieces mostly focusing on animals with a concentration on horses. In the early 70’s she began painting almost exclusively on canvas with a broad array of wildlife subjects. rough the years her passion grew for recreating memories for her clients. Today, Elaine’s ability to capture the essence of their treasured pets both living and deceased thru her paintings is what motivates Elaine. Nothing pleases her more than the look on her clients faces when they see what she has created for them. Elaine would be honored to recreate your memories on canvas.
Parting Shot
"If
you can reach out and touch and love and be with wildlife, you will forever be changed, and you will want to make the world a better place."
~ Terri Irwin
Photo by Kenneth Boone
Moore Wealth
Firepits and birthdays. Starry nights and laughter. There’s no life more wonderful than The Heritage on Lake Martin. Set among Lake Martin’s nearly 900 miles of shoreline surrounding over 40,000 acres of pristine water, The Heritage is a 1,500-acre waterfront development along 12 miles of sparkling shoreline—all from Russell Lands, one of the South’s most respected land companies. The stunning community features spectacular waterfront and luxury interior homesites, as well as a flagship resident-owned lake club and private Coore & Crenshaw golf course. Don’t miss your chance to start your own cherished traditions. Opportunities to rewrite your Heritage are now open. Contact us today. THE
