Lake Martin Living magazine August 2015

Lake Martin Living 1

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Lake Martin Living 3

From the Editor

L

et’s play a little game. Flip through the articles in this month’s issue of Lake Martin Living magazine. Right now. A quick browse before you return to this page to finish reading my letter.

Can you tell what this issue is about?

If you said, “Fun!” you’d be wrong. Oh, you could argue the point.

After all, look at all those smiling faces in the Oh Snaps! section on page 50. Two pages of Sun Festival fun, and the Waverly Tomato Showdown sponsored by Wickles Pickles? Wasn’t that fun?

Then there’s the dedication story for the Harold Banks Canoe Trail on page 34. How could paddling the beautiful and historic Tallapoosa River be anything but fun? And that doesn’t even take into account the fun it was, after months of secretive plotting and planning, to reveal the trail’s true name to its legendary founder who thought all along that he was helping to build a trail by a different name.

And Miss Mattie Howard winning the RMC-sponsored pie-baking contest on page 44? Fun and fun: It was fun to watch her win it and fun to eat the rich and delicious evidence!

The Mustang show at the Wellborn Musclecar Museum earlier this month?

Just look at Mitch Sneed’s pictures on page 40; you could easily argue that those folks were having fun.

But this issue really is about economics. Every one of the events featured in this issue of Lake Martin Living was designed to improve the economic health of our community.

In its third year, Sun Festival is becoming a huge draw, bringing people to town to enjoy dances in the park, fireworks, great food and – well, ok, fun.

The canoe trail though, was designed for paddlers across the Southeast and beyond who will come into town to purchase groceries and supplies before hitting the river for a float trip that connects more than 600 miles of waterways in the Alabama Scenic River Trail system. Its primary goal is to boost tourism, so people will spend some of their money when they come here – oh, yeah, to have fun.

The MainStreet Missing Piece Competition, our cover story on page 24, is about strengthening the downtown Alexander City area. No one could argue that’s not economics, but will the folks who run by The Coffee Corner for a specialty cup of coffee be thinking about economics? Or will they just think it’s fun to find on Main Street the espresso drinks they could otherwise only find out of town? Will the kids who stop in after school for a slice of pizza with friends be thinking about how that helps our local economy? Or will they just be thinking it’s fun?

And what about Luke Robinson’s The Last Word column on page 66?

OK, I see your point. A second grade boy with a Sears catalog could only be fun.

You win. Have a great time reading this month’s Lake Martin Living magazine – it’s all about having fun!

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 Lake Martin Living

Lake Martin Living Editor & Publisher Kenneth Boone Managing Editor Betsy Iler Contributors Dave Jennings Luke Robinson Fletcher Scott Susan Foy Fred Muenzmay Cliff Williams Mitch Sneed Robert Hudson David Granger Jennifer Brady Mia Osborn Magazine Distribution Manager David Kendrick Creative Services Audra Spears Darlene Johnson Hallie Holloway Marketing/Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Missy Fonte Heather Glenn Kim Morse Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 www.lakemartinmagazine.com Reader Advisory Board W.L. “Buddy” King Fred Dobbs Ann Goree Donna Burkett Reggie Dean If you have any questions or comments about Lake Martin Living please feel free to contact members of our Reader Advisory Board.

Lake Martin Living is published monthly

by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

Lake Martin Living 5

ON THE COVER Alex and Mary Elizabeth Vardaman this fall will open The Coffee Corner on Main Street with the help of local businesses and city officials after winning the MainStreet Missing Piece Business Competition. Photo by Kenneth Boone

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FEATURES 24. MISSING PIECE FOUND! T he Coffee Corner will open this fall at 107 Main Street in Alexander City 30. ACA OPENS NEW SEASON Big Band music, a theatrical production, a show choir performance and the music of poetry make up the 2015-2016 arts year 34. CANOE TRAIL NAMED FOR DADEVILLE PADDLER T wo years in the making, the 25-mile recreational trail will be marketed to attract tourists 40. SALEEN SUPERSHOW W ellborn Musclecar Museum hosts the country's hottest Mustangs

IN EVERY ISSUE 9. AROUND THE AREA 10. BUSINESS MATTERS Jacob Meacham 14. HAPPY GARDEN 16. OUTDOOR LIFE 22. FROM THE TEE 29. FAB FINDS 44. MEDICAL NEWS 48. MONEY MATTERS 50. OH SNAP! 56. LAKE REGION EVENTS 66. THE LAST WORD

34

Dadeville's Harold Banks canoes the river trail named in his honor.

Photo courtesy of Alabama Scenic River Trail

7 Lake Martin Living

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AROUND THE AREA

“Bama Bull” in the big time Justin “The Bama Bull” Bishop last month placed second with both arms in the World Armwrestling League Championship for his weight division (165) and the Southern region.

Justin, 25, is a husband and father who works building custom homes in his everyday life. Away from that, Bishop becomes “The Bama Bull” when he stands across the table in the world of competitive armwrestling.

What began four years ago as tagging along with his father and brother to armwrestling tournaments has blossomed into a championship career that has him competing and taking big honors and big money in tournaments across the Southeast and the country.

In addition to his place on the national roster, Bishop won three Ultimate Armwrestling League tournaments in 2014, including the UAL 8 Middleweight Championship and is a twotime SEC Champion, a three-time Alabama State Champion with both arms and has taken state crowns in Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee. ~ Mitch Sneed

Success in the Sun

The third annual Sun Festival spanned eight days filled with 59 events, including Saturday’s incredible finale. Regardless of who you ask, 2015 Sun Festival was a big success by all accounts.

After Saturday’s festivities wrapped up with a concert headlined by Grammy nominated David Nail, Winn-Dixie sponsored a spectacular fireworks show attended by visitors from nine states, including an F-150 driven by Lance Patrick from Waco, Texas.

“I have family who have a place on Lake Martin,” Patrick said. “They told me to come anytime this summer I wanted, but said if you can get here during Sun Festival, don’t miss it. So here I am.” ~ Mitch Sneed Lake Martin Living 9

Welcome home, Jacob Meacham STORY BY JENNIFER BRADY & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

A

lexander City native Jacob Meacham has been entrusted with the economical future of his hometown.

No pressure, right? Well, not for him. The calm and collected University of Alabama graduate has come home to fill the newly created position of vice president of business development with the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber created the job as part of its comprehensive five-year plan to help both the city and its businesses not just grow but also thrive. Meacham’s first day on the job was July 6, and he said he hit the ground running.

“The Sun Festival was my first big event to be part of,” he said. “It was great for me to get re-introduced to the community, and I saw a lot of friends and family again.”

Meacham, 30, said he answered the call to come home because he saw the chamber position as a great way to help his hometown.

“I was always interested in moving back, but not just to move back,” he said. “I already had a great job. It was the right opportunity at the right time.”

Meacham had a double major in public relations and political science in college, and after graduating, he worked in the Admissions office at UA in student recruitment. He also helped lead the department’s new digital media efforts. This new position may well be an extension of the experience he gained while working for the university, he said.

“I’ll be working with existing businesses, helping them grow,” he said. “I’ll also be working with Ann (Rye) and the staff in bringing new businesses to Alexander City.”

Meacham will also work with local officials to help create start-up plans for new businesses.

“The idea is that someone wanting to start a business in Alexander City would have a set of plans to do it,” he said. “We don’t want to derail any good ideas because of any issues they might run into.”

The packet Meacham plans to create would help prospective business owners know what licenses they need, depending on their business. It also could include resources that they may find helpful.

“We want to clear the steps, so there’s no roadblocks,” he explained.

Meacham added that he’ll also become a familiar face among the city’s current business owners.

“I’m going to be making sure that the chamber’s objectives are met – helping our businesses reach their growth potential and also seeing what types of businesses are needed here.”

10 Lake Martin Living

He said the chamber recognized that while most businesses are started by adults, their ideas can often start much earlier, so he’s excited to be the chamber’s liaison for its inaugural Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) that begins in October.

“This is a year-long program for grades seven through 12, and it teaches information on becoming an entrepreneur,” Meacham explained. “Participants will not only be learning, but also, actually starting their own business.es” He will be working with teacher, Mandi Durr, and an investor panel that could actually invest in some of the students’ ideas. Meacham added that the chamber is recruiting students now for the YEA, and interested candidates can apply on the chamber’s website.

“We have a lot of potential. I want to make outsiders aware of what we have here,” he noted, citing great educational opportunities, quality workers and the lake as strong attractors of new residents and businesses alike.

“This is a great place to bring in new ideas and for young people to merge ideas with experienced business leaders.”

Meacham added that he still has a pretty large family here, as well as friends in the area. When not immersed in his chamber duties, he said, he likes to travel and play golf, cook and just be outdoors.

“I don’t like to just go and go all the time. I like getting friends together to go camping and canoeing,” he said.

He noted that he’s also looking forward to the upcoming football season.

“I’m looking forward to going back up to Tuscaloosa for some games,” he said. “Be an outsider sort of and experience it that way.”

Meacham has been married to his high school sweetheart, Lindsay Cole, since 2011, and they are expecting their first child, a son they will call Jack, this month. He and Lindsay also have two Schnauzers – Chloe and Cooper – and they recently closed on a new home.

Starting a new job, moving roughly two hours back home and a baby on the way could be a lot for most people to handle, but Meacham said he’s excited about the changes.

“Oh yeah, it’s a lot of Hitting the Ground Running stuff happening all at Alexander City's Jacob once,” he laughed. “I think Meacham returned to his hometown as vice president of most people would be stressing out, but I’m just the Chamber of Commerce to help grow business in the local embracing it all. It’s all community; he arrived just in time for Sun Festival. good stuff.”

BUSINESS MATTERS

Lake Martin Living 11

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ARE YOU AN ARTIST? Now accepting submissions through September 23, 2015 Enter the

2015 Annual Lake Martin Living Art and Photography Contest

Winners will be featured on the cover and inside pages of our October magazine edition, and this year entries again will be on exhibit at Alexander City’s Wine Emporium and Gallery 128. Submissions accepted in acrylics, oil, watercolor, pastels, pencil and photography. All entries must reflect life and scenes in Tallapoosa County. Each artist may submit up to three works of art. All entries must be framed, matted or mounted on boards and ready to hang. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes or monetary awards will be made. The contest is just for fun! A panel of local artists will judge the entries. Clearly mark each entry with the artist’s name, address and telephone number and deliver entries to the office of Lake Martin Living magazine on or before 5 pm September 23. The office is located at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, across from Benjamin Russell High School.

Please call magazine editor Betsy Iler at 256-234-4281 with questions or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

12 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 13

Mid Summer Garden Nightmares

T

he dictionary defines a “nightmare� as a person, thing or situation that is very difficult to deal with. This July has been one of those for the record books in all categories, including heavy rain storms, extreme heat and humidity akin to the rain forests.

Many other elements of the vegetable gardens have been affected by this unpredictable weather. The birds that have two or more broods in a season have been scrambling to find seeds on the bushes and in 14 Lake Martin Living

the trees, and our bird feeder has been filled three times this July; whereas, many summers it remains unvisited.

Our pets look at us like we are punishing them when they have to go outside to relieve themselves.

Blueberry, elderberry and other berry bushes have been a prime target for the deer and popular among the birds for water and nourishment this year.

Squirrels and deer have not nibbled but rather have attacked the peaches, apples, plums and new shoots

Happy Garden

gardens do not require as much water as full-sun on roses and flowers, a situation that we have not gardens, so be careful not to overwater. seen in many years.

Flower gardens also have suffered this summer This past week, my neighbor came to visit and from high winds, too much water – and then no warned me that the shooting that was going on at water – and 100-degree temperatures day after day. his place was to keep the squirrels off the peach To help flowers recover from garden nightmares, trees until evening when he could pick them early consider putting them into pots instead of back in and let them ripen on his porch. the ground if they’ve taken a temperature hit or If any or all of the above has been part of your life uprooted. Prune the plant to a shape, water once this July, keep the faith. deeply and allow the plant to rest. Water only when Here are a few suggestions to move your garden the soil is dry. You may want to use a finger deep spirits to a higher level. gage: If soil is wet at a finger deep, it does not need Southern gardeners, though still dealing with Fred Muenzmay water. high temperatures, can start looking forward to When you water too often, the roots of some relief. the plant turn up towards the water. The I have listed many vegetable and herb Fall Garden plant develops shallow roots and cannot plants that you can plant in August. Unless Considerations: withstand a dry spell. When you fertilize specifically listed as “transplants,” the items the plant and it turns green and lives only in this list can be direct-sown in your Basil, Beans, Beets, Carrots, on the fertilizer, not the microorganisms garden throughout the month of August Cilantro, Collard Greens, below the root system, root rot begins to and into early September.

Cucumbers, Dill, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Radishes, develop from lack of oxygen at the soil Many of the plants listed can be Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale level. Too much of everything kills the purchased in garden shops and nurseries and Broccoli. plant. in six- and nine-packs for quick-start Portulaca, Coneflower, Choosing drought-resistant plants at gardening.

Catmint, Agastache, this mid-summer time will reduce your Many urban gardeners with small Lantana, Salvia, Lavender, cost of watering and provide a more gardens may want to consider upgrading Russian Sage, California trouble-free garden. the soil (amending), if it was from last year, Poppy and Artemisia. and rotating the crop you plant in the pots.

I was asked recently, “When is You will not have as much of a challenge blueberry season over? Can I prune my growing a fall garden as you do with the bushes now that all the berries are gone?” summer garden.

Well, in our region it is over. You may find a few pink berries, Plant what you like, or will serve at your kitchen table. There but they will be very small, and if they do turn blue, most likely are many recent studies unveiling the health benefits of many will have no taste. green vegetables you may not have grown before.

According to Dr. Marvin Pritts, Department of Horticulture, When you plant a vegetable you are not familiar with, start Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life by finding recipes that will fit your style of eating and taste. We eat many vegetables at restaurants and enjoy them – such as red Sciences in Ithaca, New York, early spring is the best time to prune blueberries. Although some growers begin pruning beets, kale and Brussels sprouts – but often do not think about immediately after harvest, it is thought that this makes plants planting them.

This year, we planted red beets in a 50-gallon plastic pot from more susceptible to winter injury and reduces the long-term productivity of bushes. By pruning in early spring, one can seeds and were pleasantly surprised how well they grew and identify winter-injured wood and remove it. Carbohydrates how delicious the tops of the beets tasted. The tops are more produced in autumn will also have had sufficient time to move beneficial in food value than the beets. into the roots and crown for storage.

The deer hunting season is just around the corner, and their The southern varieties we grow in Alabama lend themselves eating habits will change with the activity in the woods, taking a to pruning after the leaves fall off or turn to fall colors. Now you bit of pressure off the garden and more to planted plots. know.

Also, while planting for winter, keep in mind that the sun Have fun. Wear a big brimmed hat, long sleeves or sun will be changing its arc as winter moves in and the location of screen. And happily garden away. your summer garden may not have as much direct sunlight in the winter garden. Vegetable plants will grow more slowly and ~ Fred Muenzmay of Eagles Roost Herb Farms is a Master produce smaller harvests when grown in the shade.

Gardener and has been in the business of growing organic herbs, To maximize your harvest, leave extra space between plantings. This will make it easier for the sun to reach the plants vegetables and blueberries for regional and local farmer's markets for 16 years. Contact him at fmuenzmay@earthlink.net. and help to prevent disease from too-wet conditions. Shade Lake Martin Living 15

How the CCC made Flagg Mountain magic

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I

Outdoor Life

was a direct beneficiary of can vividly remember work done by what could the first time I traveled arguably be called the most to The Great Smoky successful and popular Mountains National program established during Park in North Carolina the presidency of Franklin D. and Tennessee. My Boy Roosevelt.

Scout troop 169 was set As an adult, I eventually to hike the Appalachian discovered the source of all Trail from Newfound Gap the landscaping, masonry southwesterly to the park and buildings I have boundary. In 1964, I was a admired since that first trip seventh grade kid going on a to the Smoky Mountains. grand vacation.

You might think that the We hung up food caches National Park Service was in a futile attempt to keep responsible for the work, but bears from getting them. that is not completely true.

We drank from creeks, told Fletcher Scott It was done by the Civilian campfire stories and endured Conservation Corps, long days of backpacking, better known as the CCC. blisters and hunger. We Within the first week of his presidency, crossed creeks on log footbridges, Roosevelt sent Congress a message oblivious to beautiful stone arches over asking for creation of “A Civilian the roadways and rivers, climbed steps Conservation Corps to be used for made of native rocks and followed long simple work, not interfering with normal walls that formed the borders of trails. employment, and confining itself to The trail shelters we camped in forestry, prevention of soil erosion, flood seemed to reflect the same type of control and similar projects.” stonework found throughout the park.

Congress approved his request on At the time, I never realized that I March 31, 1933, A Glimpse of National History from Flagg Mountain and the CCC was Opposite: Designated as SP-4, Flagg Mountain was noted born. To be eligible as one of the most scenic places in the state of Alabama; Below: Though in disrepair, the old dining hall still stands. to enroll in the

CCC, a worker had to be a citizen of the USA, male, physically fit, between the ages of 18 and 25, unmarried, unemployed and willing to work for at least six months for $30 a month with $25 going home to a dependent.

The country was in the midst of the Great Depression, so finding qualified applicants was not a problem.

These men worked under direct supervision of veteran Army officers, a civilian superintendent, his foreman and local personnel called “Local Experienced Men” or LEMs. As one Washington newspaper editor exclaimed, “The primary purpose of the program is not to get work done but to provide work for men who need it.”

One does not have to travel out of state to see the fine legacy of the CCC. Alabama has a rich history of their work in this state, beginning with the state parks program. In his excellent book, A Great and Lasting Good, the Civilian Conservation Corps in Alabama, Robert Pasquill, Jr., an archeologist with the United States Forest Service, describes work the CCC accomplished in our state parks. The first CCC camp in Alabama was located at Hacoda, near Geneva State Park.

Camp SP-1 was made up of WWI veterans. Their work was very good, and

Lake Martin Living 17

requests were made to have more CCC camps sent to Alabama. Eventually, five state parks, including Cheaha, Monte Sano, DeSoto, Gulf Shores and Chewacla were chosen to host CCC camps. As these parks were developed using CCC labor, the characteristic stonework can still be found along roads, in cabins and in visitor centers, so common to the corps’ style of architecture.

Even closer to home is what Bob Pasquill calls “the greatest state park that never was.” In the early 1930s, while the CCC groups worked the abovementioned parks, three other areas were originally set aside to become state parks. They were Panther Creek, Little River and Weogufka; however, these lands were turned over to the Commission of Forestry to be operated as state forests.

October 20, 1933, marked the day an advanced cadre of 15 men under the supervision of Lt. George H. Toepfer, USN, arrived in Weogufka, Alabama, to establish a CCC camp. Upon arrival, they found nothing but wilderness. The group quickly cleared a site for erecting tents to be used by the new enrollees who were soon to arrive.

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On November 2, 1933, the camp received 175 men from Fort Dix, New Jersey. Most of these men were from Upper New York State and a few from New York City.

On November 13, 1933, State Park Project SP-4 with CCC Company 260 began construction on what would be called “one of the most scenic places in the state of Alabama” at Flagg Mountain.

This last remnant of the Appalachian Mountains ends 1,149 feet above sea level in the heart of Coosa County. Early reports from 1934 offer a view of the camp.

“Just south of the camp was one of the largest yellow pine (longleaf) forests east of the Rocky Mountains. Timbers for this forest would be used by Company 260 to construct log cabins and a lookout tower on the mountain. The sheer isolation of this location taught every man the necessity of being able to use their own resources for work and pleasure.”

The CCC slogan of “We Can Take It” certainly was applicable here.

A Camp Inspection Report from May 2, 1934, noted that Company 260 included 200 men (most under the age

Towering Stonework

Above left: Diagonal rockwork replaces timber supports that long ago rotted away: Above: The Flagg Mountain lookout tower is one of only two built in Alabama by CCC workers.

of 20), including 16 local experienced men (LEMs). Captain Guy D. Field was camp commander and Mr. Stanton G. Ready was the project supervisor.

The project was to be carried out on a 400-acre site, which included Flagg Mountain, now known as Weogufka State Forest.

Initial work involved building roads, trails, firebreaks, cabins and latrines.

Company 260 worked at Flagg Mountain from November 1933, to July 1935.

From here, they were transferred to work out west in Hawthorne, Nevada, a place very different from Coosa County, Alabama. In August of 1935, a new group of workers arrived at Weogufka, Alabama. Company 4498 at Camp SP-4 would pick up where Company 260 had left off.

I only have space to describe some of the activities of these hard working individuals during their tenure at Flagg Mountain. One reason so much is known about their daily activities is that

Cabinbuilding 101

Right: Workmen built the cabins from trees cut to clear the area; Below right: The old CCC cabins are located just off the peak of Flagg Mountain.

they published a newspaper, entitled the Reflector, twice each month.

This paper described classes in automechanics, woodworking, photography, rock gardening and garage building. The second issue for the month of December 1934 included the Christmas dinner menu of sweet pickles, olives, hearts of celery, cream of tomato soup, roasted turkey, sage dressing, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, creamed peas, combination salad, American cheese, mincemeat pie, pumpkin pie, hot rolls, chocolate cake, coconut cake, nuts, candies, apples, oranges, cigarettes and coffee. This was a lot of food, but it only cost $15 dollars for the whole company!

At times, camp life could become tedious, but the best was made of each evening with friendly competition in basketball, tennis, boxing, dominoes, checkers, chess, volleyball and horseshoe pitching. The basketball team finished the season winning 24 of 35 games. They often played against local high school teams.

On April 12, 1935, the camp hosted a dance for the charming and lovely visitors from Sylacauga, Sycamore, Mignon, Weogufka and other nearby towns. Forty “Comely Southern maidens,” the paper stated, came to the recreation hall to dance with the CCC boys to the music of a band from Sycamore, Alabama.

When it came to the work accomplished by CCC under tutelage of the LEMs, the boys did some outstanding carpentry, masonry and cabin building.

“Foreman Jones had a crew of ten to twelve boys that had never done any construction work and were not familiar with the tools being used. Since they all had a keen interest in learning, they were given instruction on stone masonry one at a time. Their masonry was considered the best on all of the cabins,” the reports

read.

Timbers of longleaf pine were harvested from the local forest. All the framing was done by the enrollees with the help of a skilled carpenter.

One camp member named Domagla from New York had mixed all of the mortar for the tower up to this point. As a reward, he was allowed to take the ECW (Emergency Conservation Work) truck to Montgomery to fetch supplies. While in town, he visited the State Capitol and stood on the spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as President of the Confederacy.

When he got back, the enrollee boasted, “How many Yankees can say they have done that!”

Finally, all the hard work building roads, trails, cabins and the lookout tower began to pay off. In February 1935, the Reflector reported that Company 260 had won the title of the best company in District D. The District Commander at Fort McClellan, Colonel George F. Baltzell said in a letter, “It gives me great pleasure to extend my congratulations to Company 260, to each enrollee, to the Camp Educational Advisor, your officers and yourself (Captain Guy D. Field, Company Commander). You have ... collectively worked hard and have set a

high mark of excellence.”

Company 260 proudly displayed the CCC slogan, “We Can Take It,” on a formal gateway at the camp entrance.

Of course, there remained a lot of work to be done. Forty-five new enrollees were transferred into the camp to replace those sent elsewhere.

One project of interest was getting water to the cabins. A spring that produced eight gallons of water per minute was located down the mountainside. It was the site of a dam to be constructed to provide a watering hole. Located in a remote gulch, all materials had to be brought in by “bone cart” (carried on the backs of workers).

The dam was constructed using an ancient type of stonework called “Cyclopean masonry.” This technique involved building a stone wall structure of various sized rocks fitted tightly together without the use of mortar. It formed a nearly leak-proof structure.

The dam was 35 feet long and about 4 feet high. An area was dug out above the Lake Martin Living 19

dam to store 50,000 gallons of water. A hydraulic water ram was used to pump the water up to a tank suspended on a wooden tower that held 1,500 gallons of water for storage.

Being close to the cabins, this water could be easily dispersed to everyone. Of interesting note, Cyclopean masonry was also used to build the Lake Chinnabee Dam in the Talladega National Forest.

This type of work was labor intensive and is now obsolete, but in 1935, labor was cheap, and young men needed work.

As one writer noted after the creation of the CCC, “with this action, Roosevelt put together two wasted resources: young men and land.�

Soon Company 4498 replaced Company 260 and continued the work at Flagg Mountain. These boys were from rural farms in Mississippi and were acclimated to the stifling heat of summer. On the job training, as well as a diverse array of classes that included English literature, history, mathematics, bookkeeping, journalism, chorus and vocational studies, provided the enrollees with educational opportunities that many schools could not offer during this time.

20 Lake Martin Living

It was recorded Restoring the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps Forever Wild and other organizations have taken special that Company interest in the park built by the CCC, and restoration efforts 4498, Camp are being made in the cabins and the meeting room at the SP-4 was closed base of the lookout tower above. during the sixth on the cabins and tower, replaced broken enrollment period, which ended March 30, 1936. World War glass and crafted new doors and mantles for the fireplaces. Their effort certainly II broke out shortly after that, and many gave impetus for more construction to be of the CCC enrollees signed on to fight, done later as funds became available. already having experienced hard work In the meantime, other groups have and military style camps. been working to put Flagg Mountain Since the 1930s, Weogufka State on the map for tourists. The Alabama Forest has seen little change. In fact, the Hiking Trail Society, in cooperation area had become even more remote with with Forever Wild, recently extended the influx of labor to cities, towns and the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail suburbs. into Coosa County, ending at the foot of The facilities the CCC once proudly Flagg Mountain. Forever Wild purchased built fell into decay and disrepair. Only 750 acres to contain the trail. recently has interest been rekindled in A trail dedication ceremony was held saving this remote remnant of what was at the new pavilion and trailhead kiosk to once a thriving community. In 1997, a mark the official opening of this section. group of concerned citizens that lived A new trail shelter was also constructed near the state forest decided to take to provide a place for hikers to stay action and repair the old cabins and overnight. This section of the Pinhoti tower.

Trail is viewed by some as the true The Coosa County Cooperators, as southern terminus of the Appalachian they called themselves, included Joe National Recreation Trail, which has Rogers and his son Pete, along with Stan its northern terminus near Katahdin, Messer, Roger Morris, Randall Morris Maine. and Randy Snyder. They put new roofs Bruce Springer, with the Alabama

Forestry Commission, and Callie Thornton, from the Alabama Hiking Trails Society, are helping to organize cleanups of the area, as well as contract work to begin on Flagg Mountain.

Repairs are needed on the stairwell leading to the top of the tower, and the cabins are in need of restoration.

Additionally, they plan to remove several of the old radio antennas from the lookout tower. Their goal is to restore Flagg Mountain tower and cabins to near original conditions.

Ultimately, they are preparing for the day when tourists, scouts, schools and interested folks are able to use the structures safely.

Also, Springer has created a Facebook page, called Flagg Mountain Community, which interested individuals can view.

There is not much left outside of museums to remind us of how hope can arise from desperation, but that is exactly what happened to this country 72 years ago. In the midst of a crushing depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps left an enduring reminder of settlements and communities wherever they worked. Using their hands, backs and minds, they carved a special niche in American history, one to be revered and preserved as an example of how the best can be brought out among individuals facing difficult circumstances. ~ Fletcher Scott is a retired BRHS science teacher who is interested in nature, hunting, fishing, photography and family. He would like to thank Bruce Springer, Robert Pasquill and Ricky Porch for their help in preparing this article.

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Putt like a pro I

f you’re a golf fan, you’ve had a great time watching some really great golf on TV this year. The Majors have been incredible. The Open, previously known as the British Open, may have been as crazy exciting as any tournament I’ve seen since the 1986 Masters.

There’s no way I would have forecasted that Zach Johnson would win, but the drama of a possible Grand Slam Champion kept fans tuned in.

The tremendous rounds of tournament golf we’ve been privileged to witness this year has been a treat. The U.S. Open was certainly crazy. Chambers Bay was a wild golf course and had horrible greens, which is so different than what is standard for USGA events. If the greens had been reasonably decent, Dustin Johnson would surely have won his first Major; however, the rotten greens finally rattled him and the three-putt bogey on 18 opened the door for Jordan Speith.

Speith is good for the game of golf! If you watch Jordan Speith play, rarely would you say, “Wow!” except on the greens.

He doesn’t hit anywhere as long as Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson. He doesn’t hit his wedges as well as Zach Johnson; he doesn’t hit scramble shots like Tiger Woods; he doesn’t chip or hit greenside bunker shots like Ernie Els; and I wouldn’t teach his swing to anyone. But Speith misses his shots in the right spot.

This practice seems to always keep him in the game.

As you watch Speith play, you see that he often putts short ones while looking at the hole. This practice takes the quick jitters out of his stroke at impact. His longer putts remind me very much of Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus hit his fair share of shots close to the hole but from 15-20 feet, he made thousands of putts.

22 Lake Martin Living

From the Tee

Putting is a weird mind game. Is it technical? Sure, to a degree, but it is mostly between the ears.

When you are faced with a putt that can drastically alter your score for the day, muscles you didn’t even know you had will begin to tighten. When the putt doesn’t matter, you stroke that sucker smooth and true. This is why putts made for par or bogey are much easier than those for birdie or eagle for most golfers.

Dave Jennings When you are faced with a putt for birdie that you are supposed to make, like a 4- or 6-foot putt, things become a little sketchy. You consider the embarrassment of missing such a simple putt, and your muscles naturally tighten up.

When faced with a 10- or 20-foot putt, though, while it is quite understandable to miss these, you’re more apt to put a smooth roll on the ball. If the ball goes in from this longer distance, it’s great. If you don’t, nobody’s laughing.

Speith rolls many of these longer putts in, and in fact, he is the leader in made putts from 20 feet and longer. I am curious as to where he is ranked for 5-10 foot putts.

Take a lesson from Jordan Speith. Don’t be so wrapped up on having the perfect swing or hitting it as high and long as some of the younger guys.

Next time you’re playing, look at the shot you are facing and consider where you absolutely cannot go, where you should go and where an acceptable miss might go. Your thoughts on where you should go and where an acceptable miss maybe should be relatively close.

In knowing that you do not have to hit the shot of your life, your muscles will free up and you may hit a much better shot.

If you do not hit a good shot and you are in a reasonably good position to recover and still make par, well, life is good!

When you watch these great players at our favorite game, pay attention to what they are doing. The smart ones aren’t hitting towards hidden flagsticks with long irons in heavy winds. When they’ve got a 9-iron or less, it is certainly game-on to go pin hunting.

Know your game, your strengths and your weaknesses. Play away from the weak spots and to your strength. Scores are sure to come falling down. ~ Dave Jennings is the men’s golf coach at Central Alabama Community College.

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Lake Martin Living 23

Missing Piece Found!

The Coffee Corner will open this winter at 107 Main STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & AUDRA SPEARS

S

pecialty espresso coffees, smoothies, muffins right out of the oven, pizza, yummy cupcakes and more. Getting hungry? There’s more – or more accurately, there will be more when

24 Lake Martin Living

Mary Elizabeth and Alex Vardaman open The Coffee Corner at 107 Main Street as the winner of the inaugural MainStreet Alexander City Missing Piece Business Competition.

The A Winning Concept MainStreet Economic Development Vardamans last month proclaimed Alex and Mary will sign a Elizabeth Vardaman's coffee shop lease on the concept the winner of a downtown start-up business contest with a prize DE General package valued at up to $100,000; building from left: Larkin Radney, Sarah next door Neighbors, Walter Coley, Stephanie Smith, Avalyn, Alex, Isaac and Mary to the newly Elizabeth Vardaman, Tim Evans, Lee renovated Barnett and Richard Wagoner.

Masonic Building on September 1, and after renovations are completed, they expect to be open for business by mid-November.

“We will have a soft opening before Thanksgiving and then will have a big grand opening a little later with a ribbon cutting,” said Mary Elizabeth who entered her coffee shop concept in the business start-up contest sponsored this spring by the downtown merchants organization.

The Vardamans, who own and operate Top Flight Gymnastics and Cheer in Alexander City, won a business start-up package valued at up to $100,000, which includes build-out assistance, legal fees, advertising discounts, business planning consultations, complementary decorating services and more. The City of Alexander City will waive licensing and permit fees, and the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will give the new shop owners a free membership.

MainStreet Economic Development committee chair, Stephanie Smith, said the objective was to help plant a new business with the potential to bring people to the downtown area, and The Coffee Corner is designed to do just that with a specialized menu for different customer demographics throughout the business day.

“In the morning, we’ll appeal to both the regulars and the coffee-on-the-go customers,” Mary Elizabeth explained. “My grandfather had a group of men he met with every morning at a fast food restaurant. They were all retired, and they got together to talk about politics and whatever interested them. So, we hope this is a place where those ‘regulars’ can meet. We’ll have tables and chairs set up in one section of the store, but there will be comfortable, overstuffed chairs and a couch in another section, so they can be comfortable.”

In addition to the comfortable seating, Mary Elizabeth said, the shop will include a couple of televisions, so customers can watch the news or football game or a favorite TV show as they enjoy their meals.

“For the people who want to pick up a good cup of coffee on the way to work, we’ll have the to-go service,” added Alex. “We will have designated parking spots

for call-in, text and online order pick ups. We’ll use a camera to let us know when people have pulled up, and we’ll take their order out to them, so they can be on their way without having to get out of their car.”

Cappuccino, lattés and other espresso-based beverages will be the shop specialties, as well as Mary Elizabeth’s favorite: granitas. The Vardamans also will serve muffins and other pastries, baked fresh daily, and patrons will be able to order breakfast all day long.

The lunch menu will include healthy options, such as tuna, chicken and egg salad, along with teas and bakery desserts.

For the younger crowd, the shop will serve smoothies and pizza and will offer a venue where middle and high schoolers can socialize after school.

“We want this to be the kind of place where college kids can come to study or just hang out in the afternoons. And we’ll have live music on some weekends,” Mary Elizabeth said.

The 2,500-square foot ground floor of the building will need some renovation to accommodate the new business, they noted.

A wall that divides the large room in half will need to be removed, and a kitchen and service bar will be constructed at the back of the room. A small stage will be added to the right of the kitchen area, so shop patrons will be able to easily see bands and entertainers.

The contest award, Mary Elizabeth said, will be a great blessing and a big help in getting The Coffee Corner off the ground.

“It’s tough to do a start-up by yourself,” she said from experience.

Married three and a half years ago, the Vardamans opened Top Flight Gymnastics and Cheer on Cherokee Road in Alexander City six months into their marriage and now have two young children: Their daughter, Avalyn, is 2 years old, and Isaac is 7 months.

The couple met in Mobile where Mary Elizabeth, originally from Chipley, Florida, was a business student at the University of South Alabama. During her tenure there, she worked as a barista at Carpe Diem, an upscale coffee roasting company.

“I loved that, and since then, I have wanted to open a coffee shop,” she explained.

They settled in Alexander City to be near Alex’s family. Alex had attended Central Alabama Community College and Auburn University as a science major. A competitive gymnast for many years, he dreamed of opening a gym where he could teach and coach kids for competitions.

“Our plan was that once we got the gym up and going

Lake Martin Living 25

well, it would be my turn to open a coffee shop,” Mary Elizabeth said.

When she first heard about the Missing Piece competition, she wondered about entering but didn’t mention it to her husband at first.

“I thought maybe it was too early to do it,” she said, “but he told me, ‘You have to go for this.’”

Mary Elizabeth said she spent the next month working on her business plan and was thrilled when she learned her concept was among the semi-finalists, but the hard part was the wait during the public voting period.

“The voting was out there for a long time – three weeks. There was no tally of votes that showed up on the website, and we didn’t know how we were doing, how many votes we had. I was nervous about it, but I really tried to just let it be God’s will. We would have been a little disappointed if we hadn’t won, but 26 Lake Martin Living

we just would have accepted that this wasn’t the time for it,” she said. “But it is! And we’re excited!”

An important aspect of The Coffee Corner’s success, she said, will be in managing the people who work at the shop as well as the customers’ experiences there.

“With the gym, we learned about managing people. With this business, we’ll also need to manage the product quality and be careful about waste,” she noted. “It will be a learning process at the beginning, but we both have food service experience, so we have some idea of what we need to do.”

The shop will employ eight or nine people, including shift managers, baristas and at least one baker.

They also will sell T-shirts and coffee cups and accessories.

Making More of Main Street

The Coffee Corner will join boutiques, cosmetics and wine stores dowtown in Alexander City, as well as an old-fashioned soda fountain, a photographer, a bank and several business offices.

The Missing Piece competition, Smith said, has been a great success for the community.

“We based this on a program that they were doing in Sacramento, California, which is a much larger metropolitan area, but this community put together a start-up business package that is valued at the same amount as the city of Sacramento – up to $100,000.

That says something about the dedication of the community,” she noted. “We’ll do it again next year, starting in January.”

“We’re so excited to have this opportunity, and now we get to be a part of it next year,” Mary Elizabeth said. “I love the idea of encouraging people to act on their business ideas and build the downtown here.”

To contact the Vardamans about The Coffee Corner, email them at coffeecorner.alexcity@gmail.com.

Missing Piece Business Competition Prize Package Contributors DE General: Build-out and 5 months free rent MainStreet Organization: $20,000 cash match TPI: 12-month discounted advertising package City of Alexander City: Fees waiver Service Printing: Printing services Lee Marketing: Advertising blitz Little Black Dress: Point of sale system Chamber of Commerce: Free membership CoC Executive Resources: Consulting services Dianne Naler: Accounting services Jamie Dark: Design services Larkin Radney: Attorney fees

Lake Martin Living 27

Radney Funeral Home PO Box 99 1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, Alabama 35011 256-234-2511 www.radneyfuneralhome.com

28 Lake Martin Living

Langley Funeral Home PO Box 130 21837 U.S. Highway 280 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-896-2571 www.langleyfuneralhome.com

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Lake Martin Living 29

ACA opens new season

Music highlights annual arts programs

A

STORY BY BETSY ILER

lexander City Arts, Inc., will bring big band music, poetry, a theatrical production and the Auburn University show choir to local venues for artistic and cultural entertainment in the 2015-2016

30 Lake Martin Living

season, the 47th for the organization.

The season will kick off October 1 with Smoke on the Mountain, a Wetumpka Depot Players production, at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. The play, written by Connie Ray and Alan Bailey, is set in 1938 in

North Carolina and follows the quirky Sanders Family Singers as they perform at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Saturday Night Gospel Singing. The show features more than 30 classic gospel tunes.

In November, Alexander City Arts will bring The Capitol Sounds Concert Band to the BRHS stage. This all-volunteer, non-profit band has operated since 1972 from the Cloverdale Community Center. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music, including marches, classical, patriotic, show tunes, jazz and swing. Learn more about them at www.capitolsounds.org.

The February offering will be of a more intimate nature, as Alexander City Arts hosts Watermelon Wine and the Poetry of Southern Music on February 25 at Emporium Wine on Calhoun Street in Alexander City. Southern author Frye Gailliard will be joined by syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson and Nashville songwriter and performer Anne E. DeChant. The three will examine the legacy of Southern folk, blues and

RHETA GRIMSLEY JOHNSON

Making Music and More

Opposite: Wetumpka Depot Players will open the season with Smoke on the Mountain; Above: Montgomery's 'Capitol Sounds' play in November; Below: Watermelon Wine and the Poetry of Southern Music will feature (left to right) Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Frye Gaillard and Anne E. DeChant.

country music through the lens of literature and song.

Concluding the season on March 31 will be the Auburn Singers from Auburn University, performing at the BRHS Auditorium. Under the direction of Dr. Dale Farmer, the group of 36 singers, 13 instrumentalists and a technician functions in a spirit of sharing music and perpetual pursuit of musical excellence.

All productions will begin at 7 p.m.

Patron’s tickets cover admission for the entire season at $75 each. Benefactor level tickets are available at $100, and Angel tickets priced at $150.

Learn more on the AlexCity Arts Facebook page or send an email to alexcityarts@gmail.com.

FRYE GAILLARD

ANNE E. DECHANT

Lake Martin Living 31

32 Lake Martin Living

䌀伀吀吀䄀䜀䔀 䰀䤀嘀䤀一䜀 漀渀 䰀䄀䬀䔀 䴀䄀刀吀䤀一 一伀圀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀 夀漀甀ᤠ瘀攀 攀愀爀渀攀搀 礀漀甀爀 猀瀀漀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 渀漀眀 䌀攀搀愀爀 倀漀椀渀琀 最椀瘀攀猀 礀漀甀 琀栀攀 漀瀀瀀漀爀琀甀渀椀琀礀 琀漀 琀愀欀攀 椀琀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 甀渀搀攀瘀攀氀漀瀀攀搀 瀀攀渀椀渀猀甀氀愀 栀愀猀 漀渀氀礀 ㈀㐀 挀漀瘀攀琀攀搀 氀愀欀攀昀爀漀渀琀 氀漀琀猀 琀栀愀琀 漀昀昀攀爀 攀砀琀爀愀漀爀搀椀渀愀爀椀氀礀 挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀 眀愀琀攀爀 愀挀挀攀猀猀 琀漀 礀漀甀爀 昀愀瘀漀爀椀琀攀 搀攀猀琀椀渀愀琀椀漀渀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀⸀ 吀栀攀猀攀 渀攀眀 挀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 䌀爀愀昀琀猀洀愀渀ⴀ猀琀礀氀攀 挀漀琀琀愀最攀猀 挀漀洀攀 眀椀琀栀 愀渀 愀洀愀稀椀渀最 氀攀瘀攀氀 漀昀 搀攀琀愀椀氀 愀渀搀 搀攀猀椀最渀 琀栀愀琀 攀洀戀漀搀礀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 愀氀氀甀爀椀渀最 瀀愀爀琀猀 漀昀 氀愀欀攀 氀椀瘀椀渀最⸀ 匀漀 搀漀渀ᤠ琀 洀椀猀猀 漀甀琀 漀渀 礀漀甀爀 漀瀀瀀漀爀琀甀渀椀琀礀 琀漀 攀渀樀漀礀 猀漀洀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 攀砀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀愀氀 猀椀琀攀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 氀愀欀攀⸀ 倀椀挀欀 礀漀甀爀 猀瀀漀琀 琀漀搀愀礀 愀渀搀 洀漀瘀攀 椀渀 戀礀 匀瀀爀椀渀最 ㈀ ㄀㘀⸀ 䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀 䐀愀洀漀渀 匀琀漀爀礀 昀漀爀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀⸀

䐀䄀䴀伀一 匀吀伀刀夀 ∠ ㈀ 㔀⸀㜀㠀㤀⸀㤀㔀㈀㘀 ∠ 䌀䔀䐀䄀刀倀伀䤀一吀䰀䄀䬀䔀䴀䄀刀吀䤀一⸀䌀伀䴀 Lake Martin Living 33

Canoe Trail named for Dadeville paddler 34 Lake Martin Living

Two years in the making, 25-mile recreational trail marketed for local tourism STORY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

Lake Martin Living 35

T

wo years in the making, the 25mile Harold Banks Canoe Trail last month opened with a ribbon cutting under the Alabama Highway 49 bridge north of Irwin Shoals on the Tallapoosa River. Banks, an enthusiastic proponent of the river’s beauty and serenity, was the first person to solo-paddle its entire 258-mile length. He also has been highly involved in the effort to add the 25-mile stretch of waterway to the extensive Alabama Scenic River Trail, which comprises more than 600 miles of water for paddling tourism.

Though Banks was part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System team that mapped the dedicated river route from Bibby’s Ferry to Jay Bird Creek, he was completely unaware of the trail’s name until it was unveiled at the ceremony.

“This is shocking to me,” said Banks.

“We kept this secret for a long time,” Tallapoosa County Extension Coordinator Shane Harris told a crowd of more than 30 dignitaries that included representatives from the numerous organizations, private industry and governmental agencies that participated in the trail’s creation. “We even had a fake brochure that I showed Harold while we were printing up the real one without him knowing about it.”

“I just hope the designation of this trail will help to protect it and keep it clean and beautiful,” Banks said.

A well-seasoned paddler, the 67-year-old Banks canoed from the river’s headwaters in Georgia to Fort Toulouse, a 258-mile route, in April 2009.

He returned to the river in 2012 to complete the waterway journey to the Gulf of Mexico, a 20day solo trip in a 15-foot ultra-light carbon fiber canoe. He lives in Dadeville where he is an active historian and outdoorsman.

A waterproof map of the Harold Banks Canoe

A Big Day on the River

Previous pages: The Harold Banks Canoe Trail was dedicated to the local paddling celebrity in a July 24 ceremony at the Horseshoe Bend access ramp on Highway 49 near Daviston. Congratulating Banks on his efforts to preserve and promote the Tallapoosa River paddling experience were Michael East, Ken Cowart, John McKelvey, Shane Harris, (Banks), Rep. Mark Tuggle, Sabrina Wood, Marshall Griffin, Sheriff Jimmy Abbett, Eddie May, Debra Flowers, Heather Tassin and Jim Felder; Top left: Banks and grandson Jack admire the paddle, brochure and sign presented to the canoeing advocate last month; Left: The commemorative paddle features a wood-burned image of Banks gliding across the waters of the Tallapoosa River.

36 Lake Martin Living

Trail includes points of interest, public access ramps and designated camping spots along the route, which is divided into three half-day paddle sections. The brochure also includes photos of some of the rare Alabama flora and fauna that can be seen along the river route, including bald eagles, Cahaba lilies and mountain laurel.

Harris presented Banks with the first copy of the real map and a display paddle that was burned with an image of the trail’s namesake paddling the Tallapoosa River.

The entire trail is a 15-hour float trip that actually begins in Chambers County. Section 1 is an 8.25mile stretch that will carry paddlers through points of interest that include the Baptistry and Fish Trap areas. It features some brisk shoals, as well as stretches of flat water, a designated campsite just north of Chatahospee Creek and great fishing.

Section 1 ends at the Germany’s Ferry Bridge below the campsite.

Section 2 starts at the Germany’s Ferry Bridge put-in and floats 9.75 miles to the Horseshoe Bend Bridge inside Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and includes Griffin Shoals, Middle Island, Big Turn and the Sweetwater Sandbar areas. The six-hour negotiation rating, of course, does not

include the numerous stops paddlers will want to take along the route for paddling breaks, scenic photos and fishing.

The last section – a four-hour, 6-mile float through patches of rare Cahaba lilies – is the most popular part of the trail. In addition to the spidery white lilies, paddlers have seen bald eagles and a variety of song and water birds, including cuckoos, warblers, thrushes and woodpeckers. Kites, hawks, quail, sandpipers, plovers and even the reclusive wood duck have been sighted along this section of the trail. Section 3 includes the Peters Island, Laura’s Leap and Irwin Shoals points of interest, and paddlers can take advantage of a designated campsite at the Jay Bird Creek access on Boone’s Valley Road in Jacksons Gap. The river also can be accessed from Peter’s Island Road in Daviston.

While the river can be floated year-round, the best time for an excursion is spring and summer Part of Something Even Bigger

Jim Felder and Fred Couch of the Alabama Scenic River Trail officially welcome the Harold Banks Trail into the network of more than 600 miles of river trail dedicated to recreation and economic growth.

Lake Martin Living 37

counties before joining when the flow level the Coosa River at is between 1,500 and Wetumpka to form the 10,000 cubic feet per Alabama River. The second, Harris noted.

Tallapoosa forms the Above 10,000 cubic Lake Wedowee and feet of flow could Lake Martin reservoirs. be dangerous and is The canoe trail not recommended, will be promoted as a and below 1,500 feet, premier recreational paddlers may find low paddle to increase the water and dragging in economic benefits some areas. of the tourism it is Campers along the expected to attract, route are encouraged Harris said. Plans to leave sites cleaner are being made than they found them. to accommodate “The two public outfitters along the campsites on the trail trail. are on private property Information about and are available the Harold Banks for paddlers’ use by Canoe Trail and a permission from the downloadable map landowners, so we ask are available on the folks to respect that Tallapoosa County privilege,” he noted.

Extension System Campers are website at www.offices. encouraged to send thank-you notes to aces.edu/tallapoosa/. landowners through In addition to the The Best Kept Secret the Tallapoosa County extension system, Top: To keep the name of the trail secret from Extension Office (see trail sponsors include honoree Banks, Harris created a fake map and sidebar for address).

Alabama Scenic River brochure for Banks to review in the proofing process and presented the trail's namesake with the real Water quality Trail, Alabama Power thing at the dedication ceremony; Above: Banks on the Tallapoosa Company, Tallapoosa and Rep. Mark Tuggle cheer as Harris cuts the ribbon River is classified as Publishers, Inc., Middle for the newtrail.

Outstanding Alabama Tallapoosa Clean Water (OAW), a Water Partnership, rating of exceptional recreational or ecological Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, Tallapoosa significance. The river originates in Georgia’s County Commission, Tallapoosa County Sheriff ’s Paulding and Carrol counties and flows into Department, Horseshoe Bend National Military Cleburne County in Alabama, flowing through Park, Coosa Valley RC&D Council and Chamber Randolph, Chambers, Tallapoosa and Elmore County Commission.

38 Lake Martin Living

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40 Lake Martin Living

Saleen Supershow Lake Martin Living 41

Wellborn Museum hosts country’s hottest Mustangs While Alexander City’s Tim Wellborn is known as the Master of Mopar for his love of Dodge Hemi Chargers, in early August, his musclecar museum rolled out the red carpet for some Ford muscle.

More than 90 of the nation’s hottest Saleen Ford Mustangs cruised into town for the Saleen Club of America’s four-day 2015 Nationals. A line of cars more than a mile long roared up Broad Street and into Wellborn's museum, filling the lot, the lawn and adjacent areas. All of the cars were equipped with the famed Saleen racing package, the high-performance trademark of special aerodynamics, suspension and handling established by legendary Steve Saleen.

Wellborn welcomed them all to Alexander City.

“I’m a Mopar guy, but I’ve owned a lot of Ford muscle over the years, too,” Wellborn told the drivers. “We are so glad you are here and hope you enjoy what you see. You will find a Ford or two back there. We’ve taken the ropes down and want you to

42 Lake Martin Living

get up close. Enjoy them. All of these cars, we drive them, just like you drive yours. It’s a museum, but cars are supposed to be driven. That’s what you will find here.”

Wellborn even brought in Chef Tim Creehan from his Destin restaurant to prepare lunch for the crowd. Judging from the smiles, they weren’t disappointed by the food or the cars.

Jay Rockna of the Saleen Club said being able to tour the museum with Wellborn is something all the members were looking forward to.

“We have events planned for four days,” Rockna said. “From Barber Motorsports to Talladega for the museum and the track, there are a lot of things planned. We have a show and a banquet and track time. But all of the members seemed to really be

looking forward to this.”

Scott Gilleland of Newton, North Carolina, arrived at the museum ahead of the others, and Wellborn gave him a personal tour of the museum. Inside, he found the K&K Insurance 1969 Hemi Dodge that Bobby Isaac drove to the Winston Cup title in 1970.

“I didn’t know that was here,” Gilleland said. “He was a distant relative. I know just about every name on that back fender. They all live right around my hometown. This is an incredible place.”

Cars with tags from Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina filled the lots at Wellborn.

Jeff Green from Chattanooga, Tennessee, said that is the great thing about “car people.”

“It’s a great group, and we all love to talk cars,” Green said.

“This is a great place, and we were happy we got to see it.”

Having big groups isn’t new for Wellborn, but this fall he expects another big event to unfold.

On Oct. 22-25 the museum will host the Aero Warrior Reunion 2015, a reunion for Hemi Dodge enthusiasts.

Mustang Madness

Previous pages: Saleen Mustang Club members got an upclose look at Wellborn's Ford GT 500; This page: More than 90 specialty Mustangs rolled into Alexander City for the club's annual national show.

Lake Martin Living 43

Promoting good health through community service Good food and fun highlight RMC events

C Kentucky Pie 1 cup sugar 2 Tablespoons bourbon, optional 1/2 cup plain flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup chocolate chips 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup chopped pecans 3 eggs slightly beaten 1 9-inch pie shell, unbaked Combine the first nine ingredients and pour into the unbaked pie shell. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Wrap pie edges with foil to keep it from browning too much.

Take the foil off about 5-10 minutes before taking the pie out of the oven. Check the pie after 50 minutes to make sure it is done, as oven temperatures can vary.

44 Lake Martin Living

Medical News

ongratulations to Mrs. Mattie Howard for winning the blue ribbon at our first Sun Festival Pie Fest contest sponsored by Seniority at RMC! Mattie has been cooking since age 5 when she had to stand on a stool to reach the stove. She collects cookbooks and has over 1,000 in her possession. Her passion is cooking and taking food Susan Foy to church suppers, to sick people and to friends who have lost loved ones.

“I guess that is my talent and ministry that the good Lord gave to me,” she said.

Mattie’s mouth-watering Kentucky Pie wowed the festival judges and pie tasters alike. The recipe came from her sister who lived in Kentucky for many years and baked this pie for Kentucky Derby celebrations.

Kentucky Pie will now be added to the menu at Docs Cafeteria at RMC and served at our annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon in October. Mattie was happy to share her recipe with Lake Martin Living readers.

Rich Deliciousness Wins the Day

Mattie Howard of Alexander City took first place in the inaugural pie baking contest at this year's Sun Festival celebration with her chocolatey Kentucky Pie.

Lake Martin Living 45

Speaking of good food, if you haven’t dined in our newly renovated cafeteria, Docs, you are missing a treat. Docs Cafeteria is located on the ground floor of the hospital and serves breakfast and lunch daily. Hours are Monday through Friday: Breakfast from 6:30 a.m.

to 9:30 a.m. and lunch 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Breakfast 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Docs offers an extensive breakfast bar, salad bar, healthy options bar, regular meat and vegetable selections, as well as a Grab-and-Go express line and daily

chef ’s specials.

Contact the menu line at 256-3297625 for daily selections. Join us at Docs!

Several members of the Russell Medical Center medical staff, their children and teenage volunteers recently enjoyed a fun and productive morning painting the Imagination Station playground at the Sportplex. Organized by medical staff president Shirley Lazenby, M.D., the group gave a noticeable facelift to the popular play yard, which was originally built by community volunteers in the early 1990s.

Joining Dr. Lazenby were Drs. Paul and Michele Goldhagen, Dr. Eric Tyler, Dr. Mary Emily Sheffield and Dr. Mathieu Nader. Together, they enjoyed the camaraderie of a designated “project day” outside the hospital, making a difference in the community.

Russell Medical Center now offers online payment options through anew payment portal.

Go to yje website at www. russellmedcenter.com and click on the “bill pay” button under “Online Services” on the sidebar on the home page.

To better accommodate patients, Medical Park Family Care in Dadeville is now accepting appointments to meet your primary care needs. Dr. Karen Mockler and Nurse Practitioner Tara Jones treat a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries and have immediate referral access to the entire range of RMC specialists. Appointments and walkin services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ~ Susan Foy is marketing director at Russell Medical Center.

Imagining a Safe Place to Play

Dr. Paul Goldhagen and his son Dylan joined RMC medical staff volunteers at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Imagination Station playground to paint the equipment, which originally was built by volunteers in the 1990s.

46 Lake Martin Living

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Buck’s Dairy Quick

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Lake Martin Living 47

How your credit score changes depending on what you buy and other credit need-to-know info

B

anks, credit card companies and other businesses use credit scores to estimate how likely you are to pay back money you borrow. Mortgage loan originators often are asked to explain credit scores during the mortgage loan process.

A higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan or lower interest rates.

Many scores range from 300-850, but different companies use different ranges.

MONEY MATTERS

Karen Jennings

You have many credit scores.

You can have more than one score, because lenders use different scores for different products, and there are many different credit scoring formulas. Information can come from different credit reporting sources. For example, your credit card score could be different from your home loan score, and the scores generated based on your online purchases could be different from both of those.

For some people, these differences don’t matter very much, but because lenders use a variety of scores, you might qualify for lower rates with one lender and not another. It can pay to shop around.

Where do credit scores come from?

Your credit scores are generally based on information in your credit reports. This information is reported by your creditors to credit reporting companies. The three biggest firms are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Several variables affect your credit score, including the number of credit accounts you have and how long you’ve had them, how close you are to your credit limit or how much unused credit you have available, as well as how often your payments have been late and other factors.

How you can raise your score.

One way to increase your credit score is to pay your bills on time, every time. Consider setting up automatic payments to make sure your payments are on time. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.

Don’t get close to your credit limit. Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being maxed out, so try to keep your balances low in proportion to your overall credit limit.

Experts advise keeping your use of credit at no more than 30 48 Lake Martin Living

percent of your total credit limit.

A long credit history also will help your score. Credit scores are based on experience over time. Your score will improve the longer you have credit, open different types of accounts and pay back what you owe on time.

But be careful in closing accounts.

If you close some credit card accounts and put most or all of your credit card balances onto one card, it may hurt Kay Thomas your credit score if you are using a high percentage of your total credit limit.

Frequently opening accounts and transferring balances can hurt your score, too.

Only apply for credit you need. Credit scores look at your recent credit activity as an indicator of your need for credit. If you apply for a lot of credit over a short period of time, it may appear that your economic circumstances have changed for the worse.

Your credit report matters as much as your score.

Mistakes in your credit reports could hurt your credit history and credit score, so check them regularly. You can get one free credit report from each of the big three credit reporting companies every 12 months. Go to annualcreditreport.com for details.

When you get your report, look for mistakes in your name, phone number or address, as well as other errors, such as loans, credit cards or other accounts that are not yours.

Check for reports indicating that you paid late when you actually paid on time. And look for accounts you closed that are still listed as open or items that show up more than once, especially an unpaid debt.

How to fix mistakes If you find something wrong in your credit report, you may contact both the credit reporting company and the creditor that provided the information. Explain what you think is wrong on the report and why you think it’s wrong. Include copies of documents that support your dispute; then, follow up to make sure the erroneous information has been removed. ~ Contact Karen Jennings and Kay Thomas at Thomas Mortgage in Alexander City at 256-329-0003.

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Lake Martin Living 49 3/18/15 11:25 AM

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3rd Annual Sun Festival July 18-25, 2015 Alexander City

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1. Tiny Miss Sun Festival Saylor Ayers and her family 2. Wayne and Carla Culligan 3. Junior Miss Sun Festival Carly Railey 4. Derrick Blythe 5. Bill Rye, David Nail and Ann Rye 6. Lacey and Helga Howell 7. David Glaze and Jimbo Spencer 8. Kyndal and Darren Grant 9. Chad Jones and Blake Self 10. CJ and Derek Veazey and James McCullar 11. David Nail and Heather Glenn 12. Haley and Shane Burns 13. J.J. Trimble and Tim Bekert 14. Bailr Dunn, Lydia Ballard, Henry Foy, Taylor McVey and George Ammons 15. Brooke Danielle, TJ Roberts, Baylee McGinnis, Matt Qualls, Jacob Shew and Jeremy Long 50 Lake Martin Living

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Storyline TBA 2015 Summer Camp July 17-19, 2015 Camp Alamisco, Dadeville 1. Savannah Sauceman and Ashlee Chance 2. Jerilyn Smith, Barbara Sharpe, Mary Lou Arnold and Sherri Carter 3. Tristan Coker and Drew Sprayberry 4. Jimmy Sprayberry 5. Zyler Moore 6. Scott Blake and Terry Carter 7. Hunter Baker, Marie Parks and Tanya Knight 8. Bill Turner, Martha Thompson, Donna turner, Jane Ferguson, Kaye Johnson, Mary Smith, Mary Wiggins and Cindy and Gary Clark.

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Waverly Tomato Showdown August 1, 2015 Standard Deluxe, Waverly 1. Christy Dittrick

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2. Paul Bennett 3. Scotty and Jane Howell 4. Daniel Jackson, Kyle Sullivan, Ryan Sanford and Matthew Champion 5. Laura, Will, George and Brian Dix 6. Andy Anderson 7. Headliner band Traveller 8. Mimi Ross, Caroline Holder and Lacey Howell

Lake Martin Living 53

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First Day of School August 6, 2015 Horseshoe Bend School, Daviston 1. Kynsley Rae Blasingame, William Kellum, Cade Worthy and James Aulner 2. Conner Sharpe, Yasmine Garcia, June Sharpe, Emma Garcia and Paisley Sharpe 3. Jordan, Dallas and Dale Smith 4. Mrs. Milner and Waverly Chambers 5. Haley, Michael, Blake and Alyssa Missildine

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Calendar

THE LAKE REGION

FEATURED EVENT

Extravaganza Returns!

STORY BY MIA OSBORN

T

his September marks the return of the Fall Gardening Extravaganza lecture series in Alexander City. The Extravaganza, to be held Friday, September 18, will feature lectures from four well-known gardening experts from around the Southeast.

A collaboration between the Tallapoosa County Extension System and Tallapoosa County Master Gardeners, this year’s event already has generated more excitement than last year’s Extravaganza.

“Due to last year’s wild success, having the event again this year was a no-brainer,” said County Extension Coordinator Shane Harris.

The 2015 lineup features P. Allen Smith, author and host of three gardening television programs, including P. Allen Smith Gardens. Dr. Arlie Powell, retired Extension Fruit Specialist for Auburn University, will discuss the challenges of fruit growing in Alabama gardens; Dr. Nancy J. Loewenstein, research fellow at Auburn, will focus on invasive plant control; and Walter Reeves, radio and television’s ‘The Georgia Gardener,’ will present a lecture entitled ‘How to Be Sherlock Holmes in Your Garden’.

The Extravaganza will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Technology Center in Alexander City. The cost is $25 per person, which includes lunch.

Seating is by reservation only, and those interested are encouraged to reserve their places now.

“One hundred people have already reserved, and we are getting calls every day,” Harris said. Reservations can be made online at www.aces.edu/Tallapoosa or via the County Extension Office at 256-825-1050.

56 Lake Martin Living

Gardening Gurus to Gather for Extravaganza

'The Georgia Gardener,' Walter Reeves will be a featured speaker at this year's gardening event, sponsored by the Tallapoosa County Extension System and the Master Gardeners organization.

LAKE REGION EVENTS Now thru Aug. 28

Clay Greer Exhibit

Gallery 128 at 128 Calhoun Street in Alexander City hosts Clay Greer's Decadence exhibit of oil paintings, thermographic prints and sculpture inspired by his Southern upbringing and his apprenticeship with Nall. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 15

Walk the Bend

Meet at 7 a.m. at Tour Stop 2 at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in Daviston with binoculars, water and sturdy footwear for a one-mile habitat bird walk. An instructional program for children at 8 a.m. will include a scavenger hunt. The paved trail is easy-tointermediate. Sponsored by the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail. For information, email ppbirdtrail@gmail.com.

Aug. 15

Summer Bazaar

Vender spaces are available for the Annual Summer Bazaar hosted by Lake Martin Laubach Literacy Program and Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, Inc., at the back of the Karen Channel State Farm Building.

For venders selling handmade or new items, spaces will be located inside the back of the building. There will be some flea market spaces available outside and along the parking lot perimeter. For information, contact Rita at literacylakemartin@yahoo.com or Carley at carleyatvcca@gmail.com or 256-234-0347.

Aug. 21

Rain Barrel Workshop

Tallapoosa County Extension and the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership will host a rain barrel building workshop at the Sportplex Gym in Alexander City from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants will learn about rain harvesting, types of rain

barrels, rain barrel construction and uses and irrigation methods. Registered participants will receive a 55-gallon rain barrel. Fee is $30 per person. Additional barrels with hose bib are $20.

Aug. 22

Horseshoe Bend Muster on the Tallapoosa

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park will hold a commemoration of its establishment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A living history show will illustrate life during the early 1800s for both American Indians and the earliest American settlers. For details, call 256234-7111.

Aug. 22

Guided Nature Tour

Meet at the Wilson Road Trailhead at 5 p.m. to spend some time in the creek with Russell Lands On Lake Martin naturalist Marianne Hudson at Russell Forest, identifying the plant and animal life and keeping cool in the summer heat. Insect repellent and sunscreen will be provided. Bring drinking water and comfortable shoes that can get wet. Advance registration is required, so call Marianne at 256496-2710 to register. Program fee $10.

Aug. 29

Let’s Keep Moving!

Meet at 380 Hickory Drive in Eclectic at 9 a.m. for a paddleboard demo day with Sharon Johnston of Lake Martin Dock or bring a canoe, kayak, tube or raft to keep moving and stay healthy with this PATH event.

Contact Michelle West at mwest@ unitedwaylakemartin.org if you plan to attend.

Sept. 1

Lila Graves Exhibit

Gallery 128 at 128 Calhoun Street in Alexander city will host the works of renowned local artist Lila Graves through Sept. 26. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 5

Crossroads Garden Pancake Breakfast

The Community Garden Club will host a pancake breakfast benefit in the Arts Cabin at Russell Crossroads from 8 to 10 a.m. Pancakes, juice and coffee will be served. The cost is $5 and should be paid with cash or check.

Sept. 6

Labor Day Concert at The Amp

The Vegabonds will headline the final concert of the summer at The Amp at Russell Crossroads. The kidfriendly event has space for picnicking so be sure to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers. Concert starts at 6 p.m. with Railroad Earth and The Lonely Biscuits. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $20 at theamponlakemartin. com/tickets.

Sept. 14

Soldiers in Greasepaint: Entertaining with the USO

Horizons Unlimited will host Birmingham actress and story performer Dolores Hydock, a touring artist for the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Alabama Humanities Foundation who has been featured in a variety of concerts, festivals and special events around the country. The meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

Sept. 17

Book Signing

The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library have invited Dana Gynther, author of The Woman in the Photograph, to discuss her book at 2 p.m. (205 N. West Street). Gynther grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and Lake Martin Living 57

Auburn, Alabama, but now lives in Valencia, Spain, where she and her husband work as teachers and translators. Her book is set in the 1920s in Paris and is a novel about a young woman who leaves New York for the excitement of Paris. Books will be available for purchase. Call 256-8257820 for more information.

Sept. 21

Hot Topic of the Day

Dr. Mark Conversino of the Maxwell AFB Speakers Series will return to the Horizons Unlimited circuit to offer his perspective of the latest hot topic.

Conversino, a faculty of the Air War College, holds interest and expertise in military history, logistics, Soviet and Eastern Bloc history and politics and airpower history, theory and doctrine.

The meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

Sept. 26

Drug Take Back Event

Lake Martin Clean Water Partnership and local law enforcement agencies will accept old, unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medications from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Walgreens in Alexander City. Law enforcement personnel will properly dispose of the medications to prevent contamination of the water system. For information, call Sabrina Wood at 334429-8832.

Sept. 28

Best of Jazz and More

Retired Sylacauga Band Director, Buddy Simpkins, will lead an afternoon of music that will include jazz, rhythm and blues, pop and swing. The meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

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Oct. 5

Alabama Treasures: A Century of Great Writers

Join Horizons Unlimited for this program by Alabama Bicentennial Commission Jay Lamar. The meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

Oct. 12

Monuments Man: Captain Robert K. Posey and the Quest for the Mystic Lamb

Dr. Paul Harris, professor of political science and associate director of the Auburn University Honors college, is widely published on the subject of Russian-speaking Jewish migration to Germany, Israel and the United States.

He also has documented the role of the monuments officers who were responsible for tracking down art that was looted by Hitler and the Nazis. He will present this Horizons Unlimited program at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City.

Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

Oct. 19

Aliceville’s WWII German POW Camp

Author Ruth Beaumont Cook will present the final Horizons Unlimited program of the fall semester at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education Building at 375 Lee Street in Alexander City. Membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple for the fall quarter speaker session.

Nov. 6-7

Renew Our Rivers

LMRA and Alabama Power Company will sponsor the annual fall cleanup of Lake Martin. For information, contact John Thompson at 334-323-7880 or Norm White at 256-307-1052.

Season-Long Events MainStreet Farmers Market

Shop the produce of local growers every Saturday morning at the Broad Street Plaza in downtown Alexander City to pick up fresh, seasonal, fruits, honey, jams, jellies and relishes, eggs, herb plants, lotions, creams, shampoo and conditioner, soaps made from goats’ milk and beeswax byproducts.

Local growers will offer their products from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Catherine’s Market Wine Tastings

Gather around a table with friends at Catherine’s Market from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 4 to taste a selection of wines. Your $5 tasting fee will be applied to the purchase of any featured wines for the evening.

Yoga on the Green

Bring a mat and a bottle of water to the Russell Crossroads Town Green at 7 a.m. Saturdays through Sept. 5 to start the day with yoga.

Fridays on the Green

What could be better than bands, lawn games and beautiful sunsets on the Town Green all summer long? The music starts at 6:30 p.m. every Friday, just in time to drop your luggage at the lakehouse and meet your friends at Russell Crossroads.

Church of the Living Waters

Services are held at 9 a.m. Every Sunday through Sept. 6.

Aug. 16 Rev. Tommy Greer Aug. 23 Rev. Rusty Hutson Aug. 30 Rev. Al Perkins Sept. 6 Billy Coleman

Catholic Mass (Holy Eucharist) at Church in the Pines

Services are held every Saturday at the lakeside chapel at Kowliga at 6 p.m. through Sept. 5. For information, contact the Rev. Msgr. F. Charles Troncale at 334-283-2169.

Library Storytime

Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Art Association of Central Alabama

Meet at 10:30 a.m. at The College Gallery the third Thursday of each month. Artistic technique in painting, drawing and other arts taught at each meeting. For information, call Martha McKnight 256-825-6503 or Jerri Halmark 256-825-0595.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

Meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Jr. Sportplex campus. Participants come and go between 1 and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5, followed by show-andtell. Bring projects, machines and questions.

Lake Martin Living 59

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New Hope Church

Dadev

280

Union

90

50

Central

Red Hill

15

Union Church

63 229

49

Eclectic

6

Santuck

21 Kent Reeltown

120

14

231

14

25

ELMORE COUNTY Wetumpka

60 Lake Martin Living

14

Tallassee 229

MACO COUNT

Lake Martin Region

Daviston 22

Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 33. River North Marina 256-397-1500

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

hoe Bend nal Park

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

270 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Restaurants

CHAMBERS COUNTY

ville

ON TY

66. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 76. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

50

Camp Hill

54. Teresa Catering & Wedding Cakes 256-249-2021 www.teresacatering.com

4890 County Rd. 41, Sylacauga, Al 35150

86.Homeplate Cafe 256-825-0583

191 East South St., Dadeville, AL 36853

13

Business & Shopping 280

Waverly 50

94 Tallapoosa Ford 256-234-3432

1551 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010 10 5. Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481

5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, Al 35010 11 4. Patterson Air 256-825-8600 334-850-3500

8400 Kowaliga Road, Lake Martin

12

12 4. Hodges Vineyards and Winery 256-896-4036

230 Lee Road 71, Camp Hill, AL 36850

LEE COUNTY

13 4. Artistic Teak Traders 256-896-1111 334-559-6625

1405 Old Hwy 280, Camp Hill, AL 36850

Loachapoka

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 15 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 16 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 17 256-794-1333

111 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 . Dark Insurance 18 256-234-5026 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 19 . McDaniels Storage Center 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010 . Kowaliga Whole Health & Pet Care Resort 20 334-857-1816

8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024 19 Eclectic Emporium & Antique Gifts 21 334-541-5060 124 Claude Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

Hotels & Lodges 34. Creekside Lodge & Conference and Event Center 22 256-307-1440

6993 Hwy. 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 34. Cherokee Bend Bed & Breakfast 23 877-760-7854

5833 Hwy 22 E, Alex City, AL 35010

Churches 34. Red Ridge United Methodist Church 24 256-825-9820

8091 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 34. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 25 334-252-8618

2602 Gilmer Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078

(12 miles South of Lake Martin)

Dock Builders 3. Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc 26 Marine Construction Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443

180 Birmingham Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 14 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

14

Notasulga 85

If you would like to advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map, for as little as $25 call 256-234-4281.

81

Lake Martin Living 61

62 Lake Martin Living

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY As seen on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt – “Home Sweet Home, Lake Martin, AL” Templeton Plantation Pet Hotel & Grooming Spa

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

Where your pets have a room instead of a cage!

By Appointment Only: 256-794-0401

www.

Selling Lake Martin .com

ke Martin Experts” “The La

Amy Clark Estate, Inc Inc. Real Estate @ Lake Martin

256/749-3333 256/749-2102

To Advertise in the Business Directory section of Lake Martin Living please contact one of our Sales Representatives @ 256-234-4281 Lake Martin Living 63

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE OF LAKE MARTIN LIVING! Subscribe today or visit one of our local establishments each month for a free copy.

ALEXANDER CITY

Alex City Marine Aliant Bank American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Que Campus of CACC Carlisle's Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine’s Market Chamber Of Commerce Cherokee Quick stop Citgo Cloud Nine Collegiate Deli Comfort Inn Dark Insurance Darwin Dobbs Days Inn Discount Food Mart El Rancho Grande Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store

64 Lake Martin Living

Little Black Dress Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

DADEVILLE

American Motorsports Aliant Bank Bay Pine Marina City Hall

Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foodland Foshee Boat Dock Homeplate Restaurant Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Community Hospital Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Furniture Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34

ECLECTIC

Children’s Harbor Cotton’s BBQ Eclectic Do-It Center Johnson’s Furniture Kowaliga Marina Lake Martin Dock Lake Martin Mini Mall Nail’s Convenience Store

Peoples Bank

EQUALITY

Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation

RED HILL Citgo

TALLASSEE

Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL

Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA

The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are available at these locations. To be sure a copy is reserved for you, call David Kendrick at 256-2344281 to start your subscription.

AD INDEX 1st Insurance................................................. 8

Designs by Trish............................................. 6

Music Depot................................................ 63

A&M Plumbing.............................................. 6

East Alabama Medical Center...................... 65

Nail's........................................................... 59

Above & Beyond Cleaning & Concierge.........28

Four Seasons Irrigation................................. 63

Patrick Mahaney.......................................... 64

Alabama Power........................................... 13

George Hardy, D.M.D.................................... 6

Patterson Air................................................ 49

Alex City Taxi & Shuttle................................ 63

Harold Cochran, State Farm Insurance..............63

Playhouse Cinemas...................................... 47

Amy Clark Real Estate.................................. 63

Interscapes........................................................21

Radney Funeral Home.................................. 28

Artistic Teak Traders..................................... 39

Jan & David Hall, Lake Martin Realty.................12

Red Flag Pest Control.................................... 6

Auburn Dental Spa...................................... 32

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art................ 2

Reinhardt Lexus........................................... 59

Birchfield Farms........................................... 21

Karen Channell, State Farm Insurance.....................63

River Bank & Trust........................................ 23

Black Sheep................................................. 21

Kelly’s Heating & Air.................................... 63

Russell Lands............................................... 67

Bob Alexander Landscaping......................... 64

Lagasse Construction Inc............................... 8

Russell Medical Center................................. 68

Brown Nursing Home.................................. 59

Lake Martin Community Hospital................... 3

Satterfield, Inc.............................................. 5

Buck's Dairy Quick....................................... 47

Lake Martin Dock.................................... 5, 63

Southern Sash............................................. 28

C&C Wood Products...................................... 5

Lakeside Concierge...................................... 63

Special Arrangements.................................. 12

Com-Link, Inc................................................ 8

Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy...................... 59

Tallassee Community Hospital...................... 62

Cutwater Marine......................................... 32

Lex Wedgeworth......................................... 62

Templeton Plantation................................... 63

Damon Story, Cedar Point............................ 33

Mark King's Furniture............................ 32, 55

Thomas Self Storage.................................... 39

DAVCO Development.................................. 63

Millstone Nursery........................................... 6

Trinity Custom Homes.................................. 39

Deerfield Venue........................................... 28

Movie Rack.................................................. 47

Who's Diner................................................ 47

Lake Martin Living 65

CATALOG SHOPPING

H

Second grade boy style The Last Word

My desk stashed the traditional lot: A year’s worth of broken pencils; chewed gum (which may or may not have been mine) stuck to the inside; elongated triangular rubbery things that were used Catalog? to help prevent finger blisters when writing; and (I assume several flabby, wrinkled arms went up maybe a few unsent love notes. along with mine.)

As I trashed all of those useless items, I reached That’s right, kids; your parents (or their realllllllly my tiny arm way back inside the desk one last older siblings) didn’t get an e-blast letting them time and felt some balled-up waxy paper. I knew know what the Christmas season’s hottest toys immediately what I had found. It was my Sears were. We had to check the snail mail daily from catalog cut-out from five months earlier. late August until mid-September to see when the Unfortunately, Mrs. Foshee, who was making New-York-City-phone-book-sized Sears catalog Luke Robinson rounds through the room as we cleaned, must have was delivered. suspected my discomfort, as she bee-lined for my Oh, it was glorious. It had all of the stuff that our desk. local Walmart, EDCO or Fred’s didn’t have.

“What do you have there, Luke?” she asked.

“You mean there are more Star Wars figures than just Darth Unable to come up with a lie suitable for the situation, I Vader and Luke Skywalker?!” meekly handed her the crumpled mess. She never took her eyes Yes. Yes, there were, according to Sears. off of me as she unfurled the pages and my glasses fogged from Anyhoo, one pre-Christmas day in second grade, Mrs. embarrassment. At this moment, I could only see the back of Delores Foshee was giving her students (of which I was one at the page, but I knew what waited for her on the other side. the time) a pretty cool assignment: Use the Sears catalog and She popped open the edges, slowly peeked at what I had cut out what you really wanted for presents. been saving (but had oddly forgotten about) and then peered “Ok,” I thought, “but I have already told the odd-looking back at me and said, “Seriously?”

Santa Claus in that make-shift open shed in front of Frohsin’s Turns out, while most children were using those safety what I wanted. This feels kinda repetitive.” scissors to extract GI Joes and Lady Bug Lunch Boxes, I had However, anything was better than memorizing sneakily cut out three or four pages of the Sears catalog’s bra multiplication tables, so bring on the scissors! and panty section.

Well, we cut and cut and cut some more. Kids cut out Immediately realizing I had not thought my barely-PG-13 bikes and Barbie dolls ‘til their li’l fingers cramped up. It was scheme out thoroughly enough to escape home with the certainly a joyous time; Mrs. Foshee ran a good, clean-natured evidence, I had just crammed the sheets into the back of my class. desk, where I’d promptly forgotten about them.

I cut a lot of things out, too. Some toys; a skateboard (even In my defense, those pages today wouldn’t even be though I had the coordination of a one-legged, drunk T-rex); considered risqué if they were in a Sesame Street catalog. Some maybe a Batman shirt or two; perhaps a synthetic leather of those bras covered more territory than Texas kudzu. There football. was literally more nudity on C-SPAN. At the time though, I also clipped a few other things out of said catalog, but I quickly shoved those items to the back of the cubby hole in my those women and their gigantic sets of underwear were like pin-up models in thongs to me. desk for reasons that will soon become clear – or scary.

Considering there is no appropriate way to put a bow on this So Christmas came and went. Presents were opened and article, I will just apologize deeply to Mrs. Foshee for what was eventually discarded or broken as the school days drifted by surely one of her weirder teaching moments. way back in 1979-ish.

Meanwhile, I secretly hope Sears will send me a gift card to Finally, after months of painting planets made from offset the counseling costs those sexy seventies vixens forced Styrofoam balls, the last day of second grade finally arrived; upon me. however, before we could collect our run-off sheet declaring our independence from Jim Pearson Elementary School, there ~ Luke Robinson is an Alexander City native who also writes was the minor issue of cleaning up the classroom. This chore a weekly sports column for The Alexander City Outlook. included sorting through the cubby hole in one’s desk. ere’s a random, non-seasonal question for the older crowd: Who remembers waiting impatiently for the Sears Christmas

66 Lake Martin Living

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