November 2019 Lake magazine

50 Years at the Lake Donkeys at The Ridge Renew Our Rivers Preview NOVEMBER 2019

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SpringHouse, Catherine’s Market and Kowaliga Restaurant offer an enticing array of catering options.

Memorable occasions at our place or yours—we’ll take care of the details, so you don’t have to.

256.215.7070 CatherinesAtCrossroads.com

256.215.7080 SpringHouseAtCrossroads.com NOVEMBER 2019

256.215.7035 KowaligaRestaurant.com LAKE 3

Staff

Letter from the Editor

H

arold Campbell, who is featured on the cover of this month’s issue of Lake magazine, gathers with family and friends at Parker Creek all year long but most especially at Thanksgiving every year. The whole clan – and then some – turn out to share their gratitude over this traditional November holiday. This year, Campbell has something extra special for which to be thankful – the restoration of a pickup truck that has been part of his life at the lake for more than 50 years. Turn to page 20 to hear of Campbell’s adventures at the lake with his 1954 Chevy truck.

Sometimes, thankfulness goes both ways, as in the case of Birmingham Chef Chris Hastings and Children’s Harbor.

Hastings came to the lake as a consultant; he fell in love with lake life and, as a way to give back to the lake community, he began to host an intimate dinner to benefit Children’s Harbor.

And Children’s Harbor, which maintains a lakeside campus and a Birmingham center that support families of seriously ill children, is grateful for Chris Hastings, whose celebrated Hastings Dinners have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the work of this Lake Martin charity. Erin Chesnutt was a recent guest at one of Hasting’s dinners, and she shares that experience with Lake readers on page 24.

At Lake magazine, we are thankful for the hundreds of volunteers who support our Treasured Lake through the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup. Over the years, local volunteers have collected more than 105 tons of trash – much of it from the backs of remote sloughs where it had accumulated since the day the lake began to fill.

Every year, we encourage volunteers to take pictures with their trash during the cleanup and to send those photos to us for inclusion in the cleanup honor roll in our December issue of Lake. It’s our way of applauding the efforts to keep our Treasured Lake clean. This year, we’re adding another element to our gratitude: the Golden Picker.

With the help of local businesses and individuals that also are grateful for the cleanup volunteers, we’ve collected a Renew Our Rivers bagful of goodies and have tied the bag up with a golden picker. There’s some great stuff in this bag – beach towels, T-shirts, koozies, caps, a $200 gift certificate for Niffer’s and more.

When you send in your photo for this year’s cleanup honor roll, we’ll put the names of the cleanup volunteers pictured in your photo in a hat, and on Nov. 12, we’ll draw one name.

We will present that person with the Golden Picker prize bag, as a thank you for helping to keep Lake Martin clean.

Send your ROR cleanup photos by Monday, Nov. 11, to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com. See page 35 for details, and thanks for working to support our Treasured Lake!

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor AMY PASSARETTI

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing KATIE WESSON

katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

JULIE HARBIN

julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com

Digital Advertising Director KAT RAIFORD

kat.raiford@alexcityoutlook.com

Digital Advertising Coordinator ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE ERIN CHESNUTT HALEY HOPPE JULIE HUDSON GABRIELLE JANSEN ROB MCDANIEL GREG VINSON CLIFF WILLIAMS LIZI ARBOGAST JOHN THOMPSON LONNA UPTON MATT SHEPPARD

All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281

On the Cover Hope Hull's Harold Campbell has shared 50 years of lake life with family and friends and a 1954 Chevy pickup truck that once belonged to his father. For more than 50 years, Harold, his wife, Becky, and their three children, loaded up the truck and headed to the lake. Last month, Harold's family surprised him with the restoration of that pickup truck, and Lake Martin was the perfect place to spring the surprise.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

www.Scag.com

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NOVEMBER 2019

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Contents 20. 50 YEARS AT THE LAKE Hope Hull's Harold Campbell traces 50 years of family history at Lake Martin through a restored pickup truck

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24. THE HASTINGS DINNER Renowned Birmingham Chef Chris Hastings hosts an annual event to benefit Lake Martin's Children's Harbor

35. CLEANUP PREVIEW Clean up at the lake during the annual Renew Our Rivers event and send in pictures to win the Golden Picker bag 38. FIT FOR A KING The King family settles in at their StillWaters cabin, one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood 46. DONKEYS AT THE RIDGE Visit Thelma, Louise, Lucy and Ricky − the newest residents at The Ridge Barn − and bring some snacks 51. LOW WATER Lack of precipitation and a late heat wave draw the lake level down two weeks ahead of schedule

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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- edition

9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 16. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS 30. NATURE OF THE LAKE 52. FAB FINDS

53. LMRA 54. CHEF'S TABLE 56. HEALTHY LIVING 58. BIG CATCHES 60. FROM THE CELLAR 63. PAR FOR THE COURSE

Lake magazine also features an online, digital edition, available 24 hours a day, free of charge. This edition is perfect to share with friends and family and provides you complete access to stories, photos and advertisements from anywhere in the world with Internet access. View our digital edition today at www.lakemagazine.life.

NOVEMBER 2019

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Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing Candi Tate, Clinical Liaison

2334 Washington Street, Alexander City | 256-329-9061 | www.crownehealthcare.com

Dr. George W. Hardy General Dentistry

A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches

WATERFRONT Church of the Living Waters Inside StillWaters, Dadeville 256-825-2990 New Hope Baptist Church 529 Peppers Road, Alexander City 256-329-2510 Church in the Pines Kowaliga Road, Kowaliga 334-857-2133

OFF WATER Equality United Methodist Church 281 AL Hwy 259, Equality 334-541-4063

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

First Baptist Church Court Square, Alexander City 256-234-6351

Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa Street, Alexander City 256-234-6494

Hillabee Baptist Church Hillabee Road, Alexander City 256-234-6798

Red Ridge United Methodist Church 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078 334-252-8618 (12 Miles South of Lake Martin)

First Baptist Church 178 South Tallassee Street, Dadeville 256-825-6232

St. James Episcopal Church South Central Avenue, Alexander City 256-234-4752

First United Methodist Church 310 Green Street, Alexander City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Street, Dadeville 256-825-4404 First Presbyterian Church 371 Jefferson Street, Alexander City 256-329-0524

Lake Martin Baptist Church 9823 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7434 Lake Pointe Baptist Church La 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293 Faith Temple Church 425 Franklin Street, Alexander City 256-234-6421

St John The Apostle Catholic Church 454 North Central Avenue Alexander City, Al 35010 256-234-3631 Flint Hill United Methodist Church 2858 Flint Hill Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-5047 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy 280 Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 256-825-2555

Small Space Advertising Works.

Call Jolie Waters 256-414-3174 & ask for Lake Church Page

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NOVEMBER 2019

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

40 37 23

$589,076 $527,238 $501,887

$499,250 $440,000 $375,000

178 171 156

215 288 354

September 2019 September 2016 September 2013

Inventory/ sales ratio 7.54 10.67 17.85

The above numbers are derived from raw sales data from the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors MLS.The sales noted above are for Lake Martin waterfront residential (single-family and condominium) sales only. This information is provided courtesy of Lake Martin Realty, LLC (a Russell Lands, Inc., affiliated company).

Breakfast on fish at Lake Martin It is safe to eat range. There are ADHP's recent report OKs the fish you catch no restrictions for Lake Martin fish for eating in Lake Martin, Lake Martin. That’s though that canbecause Lake Martin not be said of fish is pretty big, so taken from all of the we’re looking at feeder creeks on widespread dilution,” the lake, according Guarisco explained. to a recent report “While some feeder by the Alabama creeks do have adviDepartment of sories for mercury Public Health. in certain species, by ADHP’s Alabama the time the water Fish Consumption hits the lake, it gets Advisories report diluted out and released in July doesn’t affect the advises against eatfish much. ing largemouth bass “There’s a saying from Sugar Creek that dilution is the and approximately solution to pollution, 1/2 mile downstream of the Elkahatchee/ and that’s basically what we’re seeing.”

Sugar Creek confluence. In samples tested In addition, Guarisco said, the contamifrom this area, mercury levels were connated largemouth bass upstream are not sidered unsafe for consumption; however, likely to migrate downstream into the lake. fish sampled downstream of the 1/2-mile “Typically, largemouth bass are homemark tested as safe to consume, said bodies. They don’t move a lot,” he said.

ADPH environmental toxicologist Dr. John So break out the fishing poles and go Guarisco. catch breakfast at the lake.

“The fish in the lake tested in the safe

Weather Outlook for November

November 2019 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s with average lows near 40 and about 4 inches of precipitation in the month of November. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be above normal, and rainfall could be slightly below normal this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 42.44 inches Avg. high temp.: 72 Avg. low temp.: 57 Avg. temp.: 64.5

Our Normal November Precipitation: 3.9 inches Avg. high temp.: 67 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 41 National Weather Avg. temp.: 54 Service.

NOVEMBER 2019

Wax the hull now to get on the water faster next spring

Winterizing Tips

Save yourself some time and energy next spring and take these small steps toward better boat storage: n Give your hull a pre-storage wax job to make the spring cleaning faster and easier. n Be sure to drain all of the water from your engine. Even a little water left in the engine compartment during a freeze can cause damage that could keep you off the lake during spring repairs. n Remove the batteries and take them home, where you can keep them topped off with a charger, so they'll be up and running when the season opens next year.

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 489.18 Lowest: 486.77 Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit the website lakes.alabamapower.com.

Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

LAKE 9

Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS

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(1) Abigail Clark, Kate Howell and Maddie Ross live it up at the lake before they start their junior years. (2) Mack and Millie chill out after a hard day on the water. (3) At 2 years old, Isabella Young already has learned to wave at passing boaters.

(4) Max puts his webbed feet to work to retrieve a frisbee from the lake. (5) Trey Pelham, 6, caught this catfish all by himself. (6) Riley Swango, granddaughter of John and Susan Prophitt, loves Lake Martin sunsets. (7) Lyles and Steve enjoy a beer while waiting for pizza at Chuck's. (8) Philip Swords of Newnan, Georgia, captured this image of the sun setting at Lake Martin's The Landing at Parker Creek over Labor Day weekend.

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NOVEMBER 2019

Lake Scene n People & Places 1

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) There's nothing a dog loves more than a boat ride on the lake. (2) An airplane races a boat down the Tallapoosa past the River Bridge. (3) Mary Rodgers Prim, the granddaughter of Nelma and Jamie Flowers, enjoyed the last days of summer at Lake Martin. (4) Liz Middlebrooks offers up a mud pie that was made with a very special Lake Martin recipe. (5) A Plum Leaf Azalea blooms in the Gainer garden below Smith Mountain. (6) The lake turns to fire with the last light of a gorgeous Lake Martin sunset. (7) Skylar and John Ryan make a tandem leap into the lake from the dock. (8) Catherine Dasinger and William Miller catch a wave while visiting their grandparents at Lake Martin.

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 11

Lake Martin’s Marine Construction Company 6732 Highway 63 South, Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 | (256) 392-5200 | www. sunrisedock sllc.com

12 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

Where is Lake? n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Natalie Durden and Lake visited St.Vitus Cathedral, which was built in 926, in Prague, Czechia. (2) Ways Holloway, Hays Marks,William Marks and Gage Holloway took Lake magazine skiing in Steamboat Springs last March. (3) Linda Pitchford and her daughters, Amanda Hall and April Evans, took Lake to Maui, Hawaii. (4) Lake visited Haley Dawkins in Virginia Beach with Kathy Dawkins, Jenny Kiser,Tom Adamo, Ginger Caldwell and Randy Dawkins. (5) Mandy and Wayne Miles, Doug and Kristi Kitchens, Gary Wood and Travis Jernigan, Chris and Jodi Turner, Si and Christy Sexton and Keith and Kay Milam − who all live on Dogwood Drive − took Lake to Key West for a sunset photo. (6) The Lee and Stephenson families took Lake to Zermatt, Switzerland, for a photo with Fritz, the St. Bernard.

NOVEMBER 2019

6

LAKE 13

Lake Martin News ALEA hiring marine patrol officers

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is looking for the next generation of officers for its marine patrol division to protect Alabama’s waterways and coastline.

ALEA State Trooper Jeremy Burkett said the agency is starting the process now, so new officers will be ready for summer.

“Traditionally, officers have spent a good period of time on the road in the highway patrol division and transferred into marine patrol,” Burkett said. “We are currently hiring officers directly into marine patrol. If you are a certified officer in the state of Alabama or if you are an uncertified individual, you have a dream to be a law enforcement officer, you can hire directly into marine patrol.”

Leaders in Montgomery have made the recruitment effort possible for all divisions of ALEA − Highway Patrol Division, Marine Patrol Division and State Bureau of Investigation.

“We have been extremely lucky,” Burkett said. “Legislators and Gov. Kay Ivey have given us resources to do this hiring.

We have a sufficient number patrolling state waterways, but we want to grow that number.”

The recruiting efforts are already paying off for the Highway Patrol Division.

“We have a statewide recruiting effort,” Burkett said. “We have hired a large amount of troopers already this year. We have graduated 32 from the academy already. We have 70 troopers in the academy going through training now.”

Burkett said even for those entering law enforcement for the first time, the new troopers will be fully prepared to serve the public when they complete their training. Burkett said troopers go to the academy for 22 weeks, followed by 10 weeks of field training in the Highway Patrol Division. From there, those in marine patrol go to the boating course, followed by field training with another marine patrol officer. It is all to make sure the officers are ready to serve the public.

Burkett said everyone hired by ALEA for any division will start at the Alabama State Trooper Academy in Selma. Those hired for marine patrol will have additional training, including the boating course for marine patrol troopers at Wind Creek State Park.

Those interested in applying for The Marine Patrol Division or to be a trooper should visit the agency’s website at alea.gov/ about-alea/employment-information. ~ Cliff Williams

B.A.S.S., Alabama Power to award scholarships B.A.S.S. and Alabama Power will award two $5,000 scholarships for students currently attending, or planning to attend, a technical school or community college in the state of Alabama.

The applicant must reside in an Alabama Power service area and be a member of a B.A.S.S. High School Club or the B.A.S.S. Nation, a worldwide network of affiliated B.A.S.S. clubs whose members are active in conservation initiatives and youth programs.

“Alabama Power not only keeps the lights on in our home state of Alabama,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin, “but it also brightens the future of young people in the state through these innovative scholarships. All of us at B.A.S.S. are proud to take 14 LAKE

part in this effort to help young people achieve their dreams."

The award can be used to cover tuition, textbooks or living expenses.

Applications can be found at Bassmaster.com/nation-application. An official academic transcript, a letter of introduction and two letters of recommendation are required to apply. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with B.A.S.S. This initiative provides a great opportunity to teach students the importance of environmental stewardship, while also equipping them with the right resources to be valuable contributors to our skilled workforce in Alabama,” said Zeke Smith, Alabama Power Executive Vice President of External Affairs.

Recipients will be notified by Monday, Dec. 9, and will be featured on Bassmaster.com.

For information, contact B.A.S.S. College and High School Manager Hank Weldon at hweldon@bassmaster.com. ~ Staff Report

Dadeville man keeps 12-year tradition at Oskar's

Dadeville’s Clark Burton reached a milestone last month as he sat down to eat chicken and dressing at Oskar’s for the 550th time. For 12 years, Burton has taken his family to eat at the local Lake Martin restaurant after church on Sundays, and he’s ordered the same thing every time.

“People ask me how long I’ll Burton orders the chicken and dressing every Sunday keep up my tradition, and I say, ‘As long as they keep it on the menu,’” Burton said. “Most of the waitresses don’t ask what I want. They know I’m getting chicken and dressing. They just ask which vegetables I want.”

The tradition started because Burton noticed that no restaurants in the area sold the dish; yet, it is something he thought many residents would like to eat. Burton said a lot of the area church crowds go to Oskar’s after Sunday services, and he suggested owner Mark Albertson serve chicken and dressing.

“We made five or six pans that first Sunday − which is a lot of dressing, by the way,” Albertson said. “It went over well, so I told him we’d do it every Sunday.”

Burton innocently committed to eating it again that Sunday, but before he knew it, the dish had become habitual. Now, it’s grown to be the norm every Sunday for 12 years. Burton said he doesn’t get tired of eating the classic cornbread-based dish once a week. Besides holidays or vacations, Burton hasn’t missed a Sunday.

Oskar’s fall hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. ~ Santana Wood

NOVEMBER 2019

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NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 15

Nov. 1 James Gregory

Russell Medical Foundation will present an evening with James Gregory, “Funniest Man in America” at The Mill Two Eighty. Tickets are $40 and are available at the Russell Medical Gift Shop and at Half Moon Market and Interiors.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The performance will begin at 7 p.m.

For information, contact Tammy Jackson at 256-215-7459 or Emily Williams at 256-329-7177.

Now-Nov. 18 Make a Child’s Christmas Wish Come True

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber is collecting gift items for boys and girls ages 2 to 14. All gifts will be given to children in Tallapoosa County. Label your box/bag with the gender and age range of items in the box and drop it off at the chamber office, 345 E. LaFayette St., Room CALENDAR 102, in Dadeville.

Nov. 1-2 Renew our Rivers Annual Cleanup

Nov. 7 VCCA Lunch and Learn

Sgt. Fred White with the Alexander City Police Department will discuss prescription opioids and opioid addiction during this Volunteers Connections of Central Alabama event at 5030 U.S. Highway 280. Bring a sack lunch, and VCCA will provide dessert and tea. To register or for more information, call 256-234-0347 by noon on Nov. 12.

Nov. 8 Little House Show

Maggie Koerner will perform indoors at the Little House at Standard Deluxe in Waverly at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15, and seating is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit standarddeluxe.com.

OF EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Lake Marin Resource Association, Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands On Lake Martin, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, Lake Martin Dock Company and TowBoatUS Lake Martin once again will join forces to coordinate the annual cleanup of the Lake Martin community. This year’s efforts will focus on the lake’s shorelines and surrounding roadways. Volunteers are encouraged to work independently and deliver bagged trash to the Kowaliga public ramp, Wind Creek State Park Marina, the Union public boat ramp and Real Island Marina. Supplies will be available for volunteers, along with a custom-designed T-shirt featuring artwork from a Stephens Elementary student.

Supplies can be picked up starting at 8 a.m. on each day at any of the participating dumpster locations. Trash can be dropped off until noon each day. For more information, contact LMRA President John Thompson at 1942jthompson@gmail.com.

Nov. 3 Christmas Open House at LaKay’s

LaKay’s Flowers & Gifts, 368 E. South St. in Dadeville, will host an open house with refreshments and door prizes from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Marsha Hartness at 256-825-2890.

Visit Alexander City's Holiday Open House on Nov. 10

Nov. 9 John Paul White at Standard Deluxe

John Paul White and his band will take the outdoor stage at Standard Deluxe in Waverly. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served in the FeedShak. Online advance tickets are $20 and increase to $25 on the day of the show, both online and at the gate. Kids ages 14 and under are admitted for free. Bring chairs, blankets and BYOB, but please no glass. For information and tickets, visit standarddeluxe.com.

Nov. 9 St. James Holiday Bazaar

St. James Episcopal Church will host its annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to noon in the parish hall at 347 S. Central Ave. in Alexander City. Bakery items, pottery and handmade artisan crafts will be available for purchase, and proceeds will support community outreach programs.

Nov. 10 Holiday Open House

Local shops in Alexander City will open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for this annual event that marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Walk from store to store for decorating and gift ideas, face painting for the kids, entertainment and more.

Nov. 14 VCCA Lunch and Learn

Sandra Patten, R.N., will present You are what you think!

Bring a sack lunch; dessert and tea will be provided. The pro16 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

gram will begin at noon at 5030 U.S. Highway 280, Alexander City. Call 256-234-0347 by noon on Nov. 12 to reserve space.

Nov. 16 Vulcan Orienteering Event

Start times are scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon at the Wind Creek State Park Beach, and orienteers of all ages will use detailed maps and compasses to find points on the maps at their own pace − from leisurely stroll to competitive sport.

Courses are provided by the Vulcan Orienteering Club and are color-coded for beginners through advanced. Orienteering fees are $6 for the first map and $1 for each additional map if orienteering in a group; $2 finger-stick rental fee if no one in the group already has one. State park day-use fees also apply.

Learn more about orienteering at vulcanorienteering.org.

Nov. 21 Capitol Sounds Concert Band

The Alexander City Arts will host this Montgomerybased all-volunteer concert band directed by John Jackson at Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at brownpapertickets. com or at the door. For more information, email alexcityarts@ gmail.com or call Mary Wood Perry at 256-749-8073.

Nov. 21 Strength and Perseverance Steak and Burger Dinner

The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin area will host its annual inspirational dinner for youth at St. James Episcopal Church, 347 S. Central Ave in Alexander City. The silent auction will begin at 5 p.m., and dinner will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Mike Goggans II, a former BRHS football player and Auburn football champion.

Tickets for adults are $10 and children ages 5 to 17 are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at The Boys and Girls Club Office, 1009 Cherokee Rd. Alexander City, starting Nov. 16.

Nov. 22 Little House Show

Alvin Youngblood Hart will perform at the indoor stage at Standard Deluxe in Waverly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22, and seating is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit standarddeluxe.com.

Nov. 23 Animal Shelter Fundraiser

The Lake Martin Animal Shelter will host a silent and live auction at The Mill Two Eighty at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 after Nov. 1 and can be purchased at the shelter, Maker’s Market, Alex City Vet Clinic and Wayside Animal Hospital. The shelter is seeking donations to the auction, along with sponsors. For more information, call Mia Chandler at 256-234-5533.

Nov. 23 Denim & Diamonds Charity Ball

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber and Lake Martin Area United Way will host an evening of giving at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50, which includes a steak dinner, good music, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased from any Dadeville chamber member; the United Way office at 17 Main St. in Alexander City or directly from the Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber office at 345 E. LaFayette St.

Nov. 24 Little House Show

Little Mazarn will take the indoor stage at Standard Deluxe in Waverly at 7 p.m. For more information, visit StandardDeluxe.com.

Nov. 29 Christmas at Crossroads and Holiday Bazaar

Make sure your kids have their lists ready for Santa, as The Jolly Elf will make his way from the North Pole to the Town Green Stage at Russell Crossroads. Santa will arrive by carriage around 10 a.m. and will be in place until 2 p.m. There also will be tons of arts and crafts and games for the children.

Come spend Black Friday at Russell Crossroads with Santa and a whole lot more. In addition, the Holiday Bazaar will feature local artisans from Lake Martin and across the Southeast that will exhibit original works in jewelry, reclaimed wood décor, paintings, photography, candles, soaps and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at this annual juried art show at the Town Green.

All works are original and handcrafted. Contact Tyler Mitchell at tmitchell@russelllands.com for a vendor application or for more information. Vendor sign-up deadline is Nov. 15.

Dec. 2 Hometown Christmas Parade

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will host the annual parade of floats, bands and beauties, led by jolly old St. Nick himself. The theme for this year’s parade is 12 Days of Christmas. Entry applications are due before Nov. 22. Visit alexcitychamber.com/christmas-parade for details and the entry application.

Dec. 5-8 A Christmas Carol

Alexander City Theatre II will stage John Jake’s version of the classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7 p.m., and the Sunday performance will begin at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium.

Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults. Purchase tickets at the door or in advance at brownpapertickets.com.

Season-Long Events Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open NOVEMBER 2019

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Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Real Island Supper

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month (second Friday in December) at the Real Island Volunteer Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 Real Island Rd., Equality. Everyone is welcome.

Admission is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share.

Some nights are themed, so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain types of food are in order. For more information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.

Charity Bingo

Play charity bingo at Jake’s Restaurant at 16 Broad St., Alexander City, at 6 p.m. every Thursday night. Cards are $1, and proceeds benefit local charities.

Amateur Radio Club

The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City, with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. Contact Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710 for more information.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl, just to mention a few. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature in the wild and the outdoor classroom. Check RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

Coffee & Connections

Innovative Design, Stylish Ideas Computer Generated Room Designs

Cabinets & Countertops Countertops displayed at Wellborn Industries Showroom 329 Piedmont Road, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861

Every third Tuesday of the month, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event at 8 a.m. open to any chamber member. Participants should meet at the TPI bullpen at the Lake Martin Innovation Center for coffee, a light breakfast and a chance to network with community members.

Charity Bingo at Niffer’s Place Lake Martin

Niffer’s, 7500 state Route 49 in Dadeville, hosts charity bingo every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Cards are $1 each, and funds go to participating charities.

To add your event to Lake’s calendar pages, send details and contact information to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Denise Booth 256-749-6177 homeologylakemar tin.com homeology3D@gmail.com

Ask about the traveling granite car!

18 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 19

50 Years at

H

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Harold Campbell met family and friends at Kowaliga Restaurant last month for his daughter’s birthday brunch – or so he thought. He’d been told that was the plan, but when he arrived on Sunday morning, the gathering took a spin 57 years backward, almost to the day.

Fifty-six years and 364 days before that celebrated Lake Martin brunch, Campbell had stood in the driveway at his parents’ Hope Hull horse farm. He was there to borrow his father’s 1954 Chevy pickup, as he needed to move his mare to his uncle’s farm for breeding. The truck had been purchased eight years prior right off the line.

What happened next changed Campbell’s life.

His father handed him the keys and walked into the house, where he laid down with his newspaper and died.

The truck became an icon – a treasured link to Campbell’s father – and one that has journeyed with Campbell for more than 50 years of hard work, raising a family and spending almost every weekend since at Lake Martin.

Campbell took over his father’s gas station, and the truck became his. When his brother-in-law, Robert Lambert, urged him to take a look at an old cabin on an Alabama Power Company lot at Parker Creek in 1965, the truck took on a new mission in life.

Weekends were spent at the lake after that.

“The whole family started coming,” said Campbell.

Someplace along the line, the truck was brush-painted red and later was sanded down and sprayed green, its original paint color buried under the layers. It didn’t matter to the Campbell clan; they loaded it with supplies, and the five them – Campbell, his wife, Becky, and their three children – climbed in, and they drove up to the lake.

Lake Martin was sparsely populated in those years, Campbell said. Around 1975, he bought a cabin cruiser, and boat rides became the order of the days.

“It was one of the biggest boats on this side of the bridge at the time,” he said.

He used it primarily to pull skiers.

“That was my job. I pulled kids on skis – all day long,” Campbell said.

Being on Parker Creek, it was a long boat ride to go anywhere on the lake in that boat.

“The original wood and concrete bridge at Kowaliga was much lower than the one that’s there now. We used to have to push the boat along with our hands to get under the bridge,” he said. “We would take it to Bama Park and Wind Creek.”

There were no televisions at the lake in those years – no telephones or air conditioning either.

“We all lived outside and were constantly on the water,” Campbell added.

20 LAKE

That first cabin cost Campbell and his wife’s brother $650 back in 1965, and the 800-square-foot house was already too small as soon as the papers were signed.

“We used to put up tents around the cabin for everyone to sleep in,” said Becky, Campbell’s wife of 60 years.

They brought up some windows and building supplies in the truck and closed in the porch to create more sleeping space.

Becky’s family bought cabins in the same Parker Creek neighborhood, and they liked to fish, which made Lake Martin a year-round destination for the whole family.

“We spend Thanksgiving here every year. Everyone comes.

These days, that’s about 60 people,” Campbell said.

Lambert and Campbell owned the little cabin together for 10 years before Lambert decided to purchase a place on his own.

Campbell bought him out and took on the power company lot rental fee of $65 per year, but it alleviated the cabin crowding only slightly. By then, the Campbell children were old enough

NOVEMBER 2019

the Lake

Campbell's 1954 Chevy pickup was painted as close as possible to its original color

Danny (right) did work on the truck behind his place of business

Campbell's family suprised him with the keys at a family lunch

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LAKE 21

The Chevy has been a part of Campbell's lake routine for more than 50 years

The truck underwent a full frame-off restoration

to invite friends to the lake, and the Campbells shared their little cabin with friends as well.

And the pickup truck saw it all.

“We’d all pile in and come up to the lake,” Campbell said.

“It was quieter here then, and the roads weren’t very good.

Sometimes you could leave when you wanted to, and sometimes it took a while to get out.

“In 1993, there was a blizzard, and I skied down the road behind the house.”

In 1988, the Campbells tore down the original cabin and built a stone-and-timber cabin – with air conditioning.

Shortly after the blizzard, the truck went into storage. The years passed, and Campbell occasionally spoke of getting it running again.

One day last year, Campbell’s son Tommy sent a video to his brother Danny that showed the truck running with Campbell driving it. Danny hatched a plan to have the truck towed to Cockrell’s Body Shop in Daphne and told his father he was going to have it painted.

“The real craftsman here is a guy at Cockrell’s named Marty Miller,” Danny explained. “He researched the VIN number and tracked the record back to find the truck’s original color, and he 22 LAKE

got it as close as he could.”

The extent of the work remained a secret, with Campbell thinking the truck was just going in for a paint job. In truth, Danny stripped it down and did a frame-off restoration behind his place of business. When Campbell visited his son’s business, Danny had hidden the truck parts around the yard, so his father wouldn’t recognize them.

One afternoon, Campbell told Danny that he thought he might add seat belts to the old truck when he got it back again, as the original did not include them.

“I went home and ordered seat belts,” Danny said.

He also added air conditioning and plans to put blinkers on the truck.

And on that bright, warm The restored truck is now Sunday morning at Kowaliga outfitted with air conditioning Restaurant on the shores of Lake Martin – 57 years after he first got them – the keys to the ’54 Chevy pickup were handed to Campbell for the second time, but this time, it was brand new and all the family and friends gathered in the parking lot to celebrate a long and happy history at the lake.

“I don’t mind admitting that I shed some tears that day,” Campbell said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

NOVEMBER 2019

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For a map of the neighborhood and house plans, visit RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com or call 256.215.7011.

NOVEMBER 2019

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The Hastings Dinner Renowned Birmingham chef hosts annual event to benefit Lake Martin charity

A

STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT & PHOTOS BY HALEY HOPPE

Award-winning Chef Chris Hastings takes his Lake Martin charity work seriously, but this year, he was over the top. Since 2008, Hastings and his wife, Idie, have hosted an exclusive, intimate charity dinner for patrons of Children’s Harbor, the Lake Martin camp for seriously ill children and their families. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Hastings served a party of 120 at the private lake home of Birmingham oral surgeon Dr. Mark Clark, with proceeds benChris Hastings (right) prepared this efitting Children’s year's dinner for guests at the home Harbor. of Birmingham's Dr. Mark Clark Guests dined on the Hot and Hot Fish Club executive chef’s most popular dishes following a sunset cocktail reception on the elegant veranda overlooking Big Kowaliga Creek at Willow Point. Holman Ranch wines complemented James Beard Foundation’s 2012 Best Chef of the South’s signature Hot and Hot tomato salad and crispy duck breast and confit leg at this special dinner occasion that – at $500 per plate – sold out in just a few days.

In 2019, Children’s Harbor, located at the Kowaliga Bridge on state Route 63, celebrates its 30th year of serving seriously ill children and their families. Ben and Luanne Russell donated the 66-acre campus of lakefront property in 1989 with the mission of creating a special place for children in need.

Since then, this beautiful property has offered escape from hospitals and doctors’ offices for children who deal with illnesses or afflictions that often

24 LAKE

are life-threatening or debilitating. The retreat center hosts camps at no cost to the children and their families.

Nonprofit organizations that serve these children at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and other facilities provide programming and, when necessary, medical support for camps that offer escape from the grueling routines of medical care. The campus includes playgrounds, basketball courts, a putt-putt golf course and a swimming pool with wheelchair access, as well as fully accessible lodging options.

“Because we offer the property at no cost to our campers, we rely on events like the annual Hastings Dinner to support our mission,” explained Vicki Tuggle, Children’s Harbor acting CEO. The dinner originally was part of a tour of homes; and then, became an item in the annual Friends of Children’s Harbor Auction. Since 2017, it has been a stand-alone event. When Hastings and Idie started the dinner, they worked alongside their Birmingham neighbors and owners of Duvol Wine, Tom and Susan Curtin, who paired the courses with wine.

“The first dinner was held at the Hastings’ lake house and included 15 couples,” Tuggle said. “It was so popular that it continued to get bigger every year, and we eventually started serving the dinner on the property at Children’s Harbor.”

NOVEMBER 2019

Chef Hastings' signature Hot and Hot tomato salad was on the menu at this year's dinner

The dinner is open to the public, but with limited seating, it usually fills very quickly. Tickets to the exclusive event are now announced through Children’s Harbor’s social media sites and the Children’s Harbor e-newsletter, and the dinner sells out in a matter of days.

“Chef Hastings wanted to reimagine the dinner this year,” explained Tuggle. “Dr. Clark had previously reached out to us, offering to help Children’s Harbor in some way. When we suggested that the dinner be held at his home, and the number of guests be expanded to 120, Dr. Clark agreed to host the dinner.”

Chef Hastings and Idie are co-owners of Hot and Hot Fish Club and OvenBird restaurants in Birmingham. They started the event as a way to give back after falling in love with the lake community during a consultation tenure for Russell Lands On Lake Martin’s SpringHouse Restaurant, Hastings said.

“I was originally hired as a consultant to help design the concept for SpringHouse Restaurant and hire a chef for SpringHouse,” he explained. “My family started joining me at the lake while I was working on the SpringHouse project, and we all fell in love with Lake Martin; then, we decided we wanted to have a home here.”

When Hastings and Idie learned more about Children’s Harbor, they were inspired to put their talents to work for the charity. So they solicited the help of the Curtins. The Hastings donated the food and culinary skills for the dinner, and the Curtins donated Duvol wines to complement the meal.

“We felt a sense of community here that we wanted to be a part of, and we knew we had to give back.

Children’s Harbor seems to be the perfect way to show how proud we are to be part of the Lake Martin Donna and Ted Giles and Sarah Neighbors took a few minutes to admire the mansion before dinner

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community,” Hastings said.

The dinner grew from 15 couples to 50 and was expanded to 60 couples this year. After Tom Curtin passed away last year, the Hastings reached out to Alabama natives Tom and Jarman Lowder, owners of Holman Ranch Winery for the event’s wine selections. Hastings knew that the Holman Ranch wines paired nicely with the dishes he planned for the overthe-top event.

The evening began with a cocktail reception as guests were treated to wide-open lake views from the patio and pool deck of Clark’s elegant Willow’s End home. Attendees were introduced to Chef Hastings 26 LAKE

and Dr. Clark to begin the evening with a toast and a salute to the mission of Children’s Harbor.

The main level of the Lake Martin home was transformed into a dining space decorated with white roses, hydrangeas and greenery. Guests dined in a stone-walled room beneath a soaring crystal chandelier at small-group tables that encouraged socializing in the light of a sparkling sunset over the lake.

Chef Hastings served up his famous salad, featuring sweet corn, purple hull peas, fried okra and smoked bacon, along with a delicious main course accompanied with Hoppin’ John and hunters sauce.

Wine selections for the evening included Holman

NOVEMBER 2019

The enchanting evening began with cocktails on the patio as the sun began to set

David and Jodie McGirt pause to appreciate the view

Russell Lands' Tom Lamberth and Alabama Crown's Will Abner were among this year's guests

The Children's Harbor crew

Ranch Three Brothers Pinot Noir and Estate Chardonnay.

Since the first event 11 years ago, the Hastings Dinners have raised more than $200,000 for Children’s Harbor, and tickets to the event are coveted. Patrons never hesitate, purchasing tickets as soon as the annual dinner is announced. They know it is a buy-now-or-be-sorry-later opportunity for a dinner evening they will never forget.

The next mouthwatering Hastings Dinner to benefit Children’s Harbor is scheduled for August 2020. Look for the dinner announcement on social media next summer.

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 27

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Pokeweed berries have been used to make ink and dye

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

30 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

I

Polk Salad Annie If some of y’all ever been down South too much I’m gonna tell you a little bit about this So that you’ll understand what I’m talkin’ about Down there we have a plant that grows out in the woods And in the fields looks something like a turnip green And everybody calls it polk salad, polk salad Used to know a girl lived down there And she’d go out in the evenings and pick her a mess of it Carry it home and cook it for supper ’Cause that’s about all they had to eat, but they did all right.

According to singer/songwriter Tony Joe White, who also penned Rainy Night in Georgia, Polk Salad Annie “made alligators look tame.”

That shouldn’t come as a surprise if you know much about her only food source. Or if you thought Annie’s middle name means you can eat Pokeweed raw, like a salad.

You can’t.

Mature Pokeweed is a very distinctive-looking, poisonous perennial that grows throughout the Lake Martin area.

Although associated with the rural South, Pokeweed actually grows wild in most U.S. states and eastern Canada.

It’s a large herb that can reach more than 12 feet tall and has dark purple berries and a white, fleshy taproot.

Flowers are white to light green with five sepals, no petals and about 10 stamens per blossom. They grow on long pink racemes (flower clusters with each flower attached to a central stem) and produce berries with six to a dozen seeds.

Pokeweed has smooth, partially hollow stems that can be green to deep purple. Pokeweed leaves are tapered at both ends with green upper surfaces and lighter green undersides.

This is a plant that grows best in edge habitats: forest openings, roadsides, field edges, under powerline clearcuts and in damp thickets. It prefers partial sun and moist soils.

Phytolacca Americana is known by a whole bunch of

common names, including Pokeweed, Great Pokeweed, Poke Weed, Poke, Virginia Poke, Poke Salad, Poke Sallat, Red Ink Plant, Pokeberry and Pigeonberry.

But speaking of names, we need a little more background on Polk Salad Annie before we can go on.

White, who died last October at age 75, recorded the song in 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Polk Salad Annie climbed all the way to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Elvis Presley covered the tune and made it a regular part of his 1970s performances. He also included the song on several albums in the early ’70s. Presley’s version went to the No. 2 spot on the U.K. record charts.

So if you lived in the English-speaking world in the ’60s and ’70s you probably know about Polk Salad Annie, and if you grew up in the Southeast, there’s a fair to middlin’ chance you have eaten this delicious wild green.

But you may not know about the unfortunate mistakes White made when he penned the song.

First, he used the word “Polk,” instead of Poke. The two words sound a lot alike, so that’s probably not the most grievous error in song writing.

Second, he used the word “Salad,” which commonly means vegetables eaten raw.

The Poke leaves are the only This is a grievous error and, in edible part of the plant, fact, many people have been but don't eat them raw poisoned by eating uncooked Pokeweed … but of course there’s no way of knowing if the musical Annie’s name had anything to do with people’s wrong-headed dining choices.

Just to be clear: you should never put Pokeweed in a salad. Harvested and cooked incorrectly, this plant could make you ill or could even kill you.

Both the Pokeweed berries and tuber-like roots are especially poisonous. All parts of this plant can make people sick, but many birds gobble Pokeweed berries like candy with no ill effects.

However, properly cooked Pokeweed is one of the best-tasting wild foods around, and it’s been eaten in the Southeastern U.S. for centuries. It was even canned and

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LAKE 31

sold in U.S. grocery stores until poison-when-raw characteristic.

2000.

A little more about names: “Poke” If you’d like to make a mess of comes from the native American Pokeweed greens, there are two Algonquain word “pakon,” which simple rules. means a plant used for dying or stainNo. 1: Harvest Pokeweed leaves ing. Pokeweed berries have been used (leaves are the only edible part of to make reddish-purple ink and to dye the plant) by cutting the young all kinds of objects – including clothleaves in the spring when they are ing, feathers for arrow shafts, body less than 6 inches tall and have no paint for people and horses – for cenpurple in their stems. Do not dig turies. Pokeweed berry ink is purple up or touch the root, which is very but turns brown with age. Many Civil toxic.

War letters and journals were written No. 2: Boil young Poke leaves in Pokeberry ink. once; then, move them to a new Native Americans used Pokeweed pot of fresh boiling water and do as a medicine to treat a range of disit again. Green Deane, a famous eases from rheumatism to cancer.

Florida forager who writes the Modern scientists are investigatEat The Weeds blog, said he boils ing Pokeweed extracts to treat cancer, Pokeweed for 1 minute in the first HIV and AIDS, and a dye derived Pokeweed plants grow pot; then, 15 minutes in the second. from Pokeweed berries has been best in edge habitats He said if you were worried about found to double the energy-gathering toxicity, it wouldn’t hurt the greens effectiveness of solar cells. to boil them three times.

Deane says Pokeweed is “perhaps the most delicious Information for this article came from The U.S. pot herb of all – one that makes you look forward to the Forest Service, Eat The Weeds, The Lady Bird Johnson next season.”

Wildflower Center, Georgiawildlife.com, LyricFind and And if you’re worried about eating a plant that is toxic Wikipedia. before it’s cooked, both cashews and tapioca share that

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34 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

Cleanup Preview

L

STORY BY BETSY ILER

more than 115 million pounds of trash and debris from Lake magazine will put a twist on its annual salute to Alabama Power reservoirs since the first cleanup on the Renew Our Rivers cleanup volunteers this year with the Coosa River in Gadsden in 2000. inaugural Golden Picker prize bag, which will be awardThis year’s cleanup on Lake Martin will take place ed to one lucky honor roll volunteer. on Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, with dumpsters “When you take part in the annual Renew Our Rivers located at the Kowaliga boat ramp, Wind Creek State cleanup at Lake Martin on Nov. 1 and 2, take a photo – a Park Marina, Real Island Marina and at the Union boat selfie of yourself or your group or get a volunteer at one of the dumpster sites to take your picture with your trash. ramp in the Blue Creek area. Supplies will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at these locations, as well.

Then, email the photo to us along with a list of names of Supplies also will be available, on Friday only, at Segars everyone in the picture. We’ll put all the names in a hat Crossroads on Young’s Ferry Road. LMRA members will and draw out the name of this year’s Golden Picker prize be available at the dumpster sites to help unload vehicles winner,” said Betsy Iler, Lake’s managing editor. “We’ll during the cleanup hours. include the photos of cleanup volunteers in our annual Volunteers are encouraged to separate recyclables, honor roll feature in the December issue of Lake. Send which will be delivered to the Alexander your cleanup photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com City Recycling Center.

by Nov. 11.”

For information The bag – an official white Renew Our Rivers trash Hale Borden on the cleanup, visit bag – will be filled with gifts and tied up with a golden proves there is trash picker for the lucky volunteer whose name is pulled. lmra.info/cleanup or no age limit email Thompson at “The cleanliness of Lake Martin is near and dear to to picking 1942jthompson420@ the hearts of the Lake magazine staff, and this is a way up trash gmail.com. that we can show appreciation for the efforts of the volTo submit photos unteers that turn out annually to scour the shoreline and and enter names for the lake roadways for litter,” Iler said. “We are supported in Golden Picker prize, the Golden Picker prize project by local merchants and email photos and the organizations that mirror the sentiment and have donated names of everyone in items.” the pictures to editor@ Inside the ROR bag, the winner will find tumblers and lakemartinmagazine. water bottles, T-shirts, koozies, hats and more that have been donated by local businesses and individuals to show com. their support for this annual cleanup effort. The bag also will include a $200 gift certificate to Niffer’s, donated by John Coley at Lake Martin Voice Realty. Additional items have been donated by Cloud Nine, Lake Martin Resource Association, Children’s Harbor, Main Street Alexander City Chamber members Alexander City, Goat Island caretakers Stacie and Jacob Meacham, Kim Dunn and Ed Collari help clean up roadsides last year Ricky Baker, Wind Creek State Park and others.

“The annual cleanup is important to our Treasured Lake, and it wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of volunteers that turn out for this effort every year,” said cleanup coordinator and LMRA President John Thompson.

More than 105 tons of trash have been retrieved from Lake Martin’s shorelines and roadways since the Renew Our Rivers effort began here some 15 years ago, Thompson said.

Created 20 years ago by an Alabama Power employee, the Renew Our Rivers program was awarded the Governor’s Water Conservationist of the Year Award in August. More than 117,000 volunteers across the Southeast have collected

Makers Market on Main A Southern Made Store

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Barbara Thompson, Owner 33 Main Street, Alexander City 256-392-5555

The original cabin was built almost 50 years ago

Fit for a King A StillWaters family settles in at one of the oldest cabins in the neighborhood

STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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NOVEMBER 2019

M

Mike and Carole King, a Louisiana guy and a Georgia gal, met in Alabama. They purchased a 2,400-square-foot cabin in StillWaters on Lake Martin in 2010, and over the last nine years, they have updated the home in every area, adding 1,100 square feet of living space.

“The cabin looked absolutely terrible when we bought it. It was about 38 years old – originally cinder block – and we are told it was the first or second home in StillWaters,” Carole King said.

Mike is a retired Blue Cross and Blue Shield executive, and Carole is a dermatologist who practices parttime in Auburn, so they had time to oversee the major renovations.

The couple began the remodel quickly, hiring builder Wes Waters to transform the main living area. The pine floors were in great condition but needed refinishing and stain. The couple added a pine ceiling and walls, both with a clear coat of polyurethane to bring out the natural color and wood grain. The room is furnished in neutral, soft colors – upholstered chairs around a square dining table and a comfortable, Restoration Hardware sofa and two chairs covered in linen from Richard Tubb Interiors in Birmingham for the living area.

The Kings added a limestone fireplace with gas logs and updated an existing bar area with a granite countertop and a glass cabinet with shelves. Combining a modern look with nature, nesting tables with cypress tops and iron legs were used in several locations in the home.

King’s black 1912 Steinway baby grand piano completes the room.

A beautiful A-frame window with sliding doors across the back of the home offers a view of the covered deck, which was enlarged to 30 feet by 48 feet during the renovation, along with a backyard filled with tremendous oak trees. The shade trees create a lovely space between the deck and the lake. The Kings built a new boathouse just two years ago, and Mike laid a flagstone path from the deck to the dock.

Two crescent-shaped sectional sofas on the deck provide a comfy and stylish conversation area, while a table and chairs from VivaTerra offer outdoor dining space.

King enjoys her coffee in the morning and wine at night on the deck. Both a Big Green Egg and a Weber gas grill are available for outdoor cooking fun.

“When I told Mike I was ready to take a sledgehammer to the sink, our second project started – that was the kitchen. I had a specific design and modern look in mind, so I decided to hire the subcontractors myself and oversee that project,” King said.

She gutted the existing kitchen space, except for the cabinet bases. For the contemporary look she envisioned, King went to Waverly Stoneworks to select 12-inch by 12-inch black granite floor tiles, Absolute Black granite for the countertops and a complementary polished Titanium granite slab for the island. Glossy black subway tiles were selected for the backsplash. A six-burner

A covered deck was expanded during the renovation

NOVEMBER 2019

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A series of windows showcases the lake view in a renovation that preserves the home's cabin feel

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The Kings' grandchildren love the loft beds, accessed by a sliding ladder

Thermador range with a Miele stainless steel hood invites cooks to the kitchen.

“We love to gourmet cook together, so the new kitchen makes that a lot easier, a lot more fun,” King said.

Cabinetry is painted a creamy white. The lighting in the kitchen includes can lights and a swirled infinity circle LED chandelier over the island, adding yet another modern touch. The Kings replaced all the cabinet doors in the kitchen and added drawers to the island for extra storage. A butler’s pantry increases storage and preparation space.

Before the Kings bought the house, two wings had been added on each side of the existing block cabin.

Both contain sunken rooms with steps from the main level. The wings are entered through barn doors hung on galvanized hardware, lending the space a contemporary look and feel.

One of the wings serves as Mike’s study. In addition to a desk, equipment from his photography hobby and his love of the guitar are part of the décor. The second wing features an entertainment room with television and cozy furniture.

Just off the main room, a hallway leads to a space that Waters reconfigured from just two bedrooms and one bath to three bedrooms and three baths. Two of the guestrooms are joined by a Jack-and-Jill bath while the remaining room serves double duty as guestroom and King’s study.

“We added a cabinet-style Murphy bed to the study,

Mike designed the glass cabinet in the entertainment space addition

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NOVEMBER 2019

A favorite fourposter bed purchased years ago brings a bit of nostalgia to the guest room

The kitchen carries a contemporary look with black flooring and countertops

The pier extends from a level, shady backyard to the dock

A cabinet-style Murphy bed opens to transform the study to an additional guest room

The extended deck provides outdoor living space for a crowd

King enjoyed selecting modern mirrors and light fixtures for the master bath

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The fire pit is ready for cool nights and provides a scenic view

and it is very comfortable. In the other guest room, I have my bed that was purchased from Pizitz in Birmingham in 1987. Even the mattress says Pizitz, and it is still the best mattress in the house,” King said.

King requested a separate bathroom for herself and a bathroom for Mike, so the hall bath is his unless needed for guests. His oversized granite enclosed tub includes a spectacular rain showerhead with several additional showerheads. White subway tiles on the wall contrast with blue-gray granite around the sink and tub.

“He is great to let me just enjoy that master bath all for myself. I chose all the light fixtures and mirrors – very modern. And I knew I wanted glass blocks for the shower wall and no door. I also like that doors open to a small porch outside where I would like to have a Zen garden with a water feature,” King said.

The master bedroom includes plenty of space for a dresser and a king size bed with an upholstered headboard from Richard Tubb with luxurious linens from Crate and Barrel. The television is cleverly situated on a heavy wooden easel.

Outside the main house, the Kings closed in a threecar carport to add three distinct areas – a workshop, an exercise room and an extra bedroom. The bedroom, a favorite for the grandchildren, offers them the choice of a daybed downstairs or two twin beds accessed via a sliding ladder to a loft area.

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Mike’s favorite addition is the man cave, which was initially planned for storage. Based on Waters’ suggestion, the Kings now have storage behind a sheet-metalover-plywood barn door and a comfortable space for entertaining.

A stained, polished concrete floor creates a clean, modern look, while the pine walls and ceiling are replicated from the main house. A large, creamy white sectional sofa allows seating for a crowd to view the 85-inch television. The Kings enjoy wine, but Mike had never been happy with freestanding wine refrigerators.

Instead, he designed a floor-to-ceiling glass cabinet that holds 438 bottles on racks. Light colored brick accents the back wall, and a cooling system in the attic keeps the wine at the perfect temperature.

The Kings’ man cave added the perfect space for hosting friends and family. A popcorn machine, beer fridge and Icee maker took the fun to a whole new level.

The Kings said they travel often – in fact, King earned her private pilot’s license in 2010 – but their time is split about 50/50 between Birmingham and Lake Martin.

Although they said that their cabin is always a work in progress, from the indoor man cave to the outdoor living space on the expansive covered deck, the Kings have combined a vacation getaway with the comforts of home for a spectacular Lake Martin renovation.

NOVEMBER 2019

Distinctive Builders LLC

NOVEMBER 2019

Winner of 11 Remodeling Excellence Awards

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It’s always great to arrive at The Ridge and see horses grazing in the pasture. The horses are beautiful, and they love the attention and the snacks that they get when people visit. Now, there are some new residents to welcome visitors to The Ridge – donkeys. Two donkey moms and their babies are the latest additions at The Ridge Barn and pasture inside Russell Lands’ premiere Lake Martin neighborhood.

A mother and daughter named Thelma and Louise, respectively, and a mother and son that are known as Lucy and Ricky can be found trotting around the pasture waiting to make new friends. Linda Ingram, stable manager and event coordinator, said the donkeys came through an unexpected gift.

“A miniature donkey was donated when

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the owner could no longer take care of him. We named him Jerry Lee because he has very health lungs and can be loud at times,” Ingram explained. “We all just fell in love with Jerry Lee and thought that adding more donkeys to the pasture at The Ridge might be fun for families to see.”

Jerry Lee is a Jerusalem donkey, she said, as he has an obvious cross pattern on his back. The pattern relates to the Bible stories that include donkeys carrying, first, Jesus’ mother, Mary, into Bethlehem; and then, carrying Jesus into Jerusalem before He was crucified. Traditional lore purports that donkeys are born with this cross pattern to honor their importance as part of the life of Christ.

Ingram explained that the donkeys were purchased simply for the enjoyment of

NOVEMBER 2019

Donkeys at The Ridge Animals added to lake neighborhood to entertain and protect STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

The donkeys at The Ridge Barn are just there to hang out as lawn ornaments

NOVEMBER 2019

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NOVEMBER 2019

visitors and residents of The Ridge. While the animals could be used to pull carts or carry riders, there is no plan for these new additions to be put to work.

“They are known as yard ornaments because their main purpose is just to hang out in the yard,” she said. “They are sweet animals and a joy to be around.”

The donkeys also are helpful guardians, in that they scare away dogs, coyotes and wolves that may prey upon the horses that graze in the pasture. Horses from The Stables at Russell Crossroads are transferred to The Ridge Barn pasture when they are in need of a break from trail riding or are ready for retirement. In general, the donkeys will not travel but will be permanent residents at The Ridge Barn.

Visitors are welcome to visit the donkeys as they adjust to their new home, and the donkeys will appreciate treats that visitors bring. The donkeys like to eat the same things as horses; apples and carrots are their favorites. And look for the signature markings on the donkeys’ backs.

“Donkeys and horses are animals of prey, so they will fight back if they feel threatened,” Ingram cautioned. “It’s best to let the animals come to you first. Avoid reaching toward their faces because if they feel cornered, they may bite, kick or just run away.

“In time, they will come to the fence when they see visitors because they will want to see if there is a snack available.”

The more frequently people visit, the animals will recognize that most people are friendly and just want to spend time with them, Ingram said.

“Donkeys are actually a little more bashful than horses, but they love to be around people and should be a great addition to the collection of animals that visitors can enjoy.”

The staff at The Stables tries to bring animals to Lake Martin for people who live in cities like Birmingham and Atlanta that might not get the opportunity to see barn animals up close. The large pasture allows the animals to live in an environment where they can roam around and explore. The donkeys’ coats will naturally adjust when the seasons change to keep them comfortable. They will not be brought back to The Stables at Russell Crossroads unless there is an extreme weather situation that could cause them harm.

If you can’t make it to The Ridge Barn to visit Thelma, Louise, Lucy and Ricky, the miniature donkey, Jerry Lee, will continue to reside at The Stables at Russell Crossroads, along with two miniature horses, Stargazer and Little Man, that also reside there permanently.

The staff at The Stables brings in animals to Lake Martin for people who may live in cities and not see them. The Ridge Barn is now home to Thelma, Louise, Lucy and Ricky. Donkeys are considered animals of prey, so they may be a little skittish until they get used to having visitors. Approach them cautiously and do not reach toward their faces. Note the cross markings on the donkeys' backs. Come meet the donkeys and bring them some snacks.

NOVEMBER 2019

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Lake Martin is Lower Sooner STORY BY BETSY ILER & CHART COURTESY OF NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

T

he lake is lower sooner this year. While the rule curve registered with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission prescribed a Lake Martin pool level at 487.91 feet on Oct. 18, the lake level was only up to 486.84 feet, leaving the water level about 1 foot below the rule curve. That puts the annual fall drawdown about two weeks ahead of schedule.

Since October historically is the driest month of the year, it’s unlikely that the river basin will receive sufficient rainfall to bring the water level back to the rule curve this year, said Alabama Power Reservoir Management Manager Alan Peeples.

“It would take 12 inches of rain over a month-long period to get back to a normal situation, according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index recently released by the National Weather Service,” Peeples explained.

The lower water level is the result of an extreme drought in the Lake Martin area, coupled with a late summer heat wave that escalated evaporation rates, he said.

“July was very dry. We got a little bump up with a rain event in August, but it really wasn’t enough to get us back where we needed to be. Then we had a really severe

September. That took a toll across the whole system. We’re a foot below the rule curve, and some of that is due to high evaporation rates. About 6 inches of that is evaporation,” said Peeples.

“We’ve cut downstream releases at Thurlow Dam as much as we can to still meet the minimum flow requirement, but it’s more than what we have coming in,” Peeples added.

“The Army Corps of Engineers requires a minimum flow to support navigation downstream.”

Once the lake level reaches 484 mean sea level feet – the winter pool for Lake Martin – rainfall amounts will determine whether the lake stays at or drops below the winter pool level.

“If the rains are good, we should be able to stay on it. If it’s dry, we may have to lower it more,” he said.

Some good news in this story, Peeples said, is that the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center recently released projections that show a neutral probability of drierthan-normal or wetter-than-normal conditions for December through February.

“It’s good news in that they aren’t confident enough to forecast dry conditions,” Peeples said.

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 51

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52 LAKE

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NOVEMBER 2019

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ROR battle to include roadside litter

B

y the time many of will read In some undeveloped areas that have this article, we will have been heavily used by day visitors completed the 15th LMRA and overnight campers, trash dumps Renew Our Rivers Annual Lake have been discovered and removed.

Martin Cleanup. Alabama Power Burned out grills, broken bottles, Company actuempty proally started the pane containROR program ers, plastic in 2000, but bottles, beer Lake Martin cans and, Resource of course, Association disposable assumed diapers have responsibilbeen removed ity for coorfrom many dinating the locations. In effort on Lake some cases, Martin at a this has been later date. done more Lake Martin than once. has always As the been known years have for its clean, passed, our Volunteers historically clear water, cleanup collect tons of trash and the lake efforts have each year from some has earned focused on of the lake's most the distinction areas conbeautiful areas as Alabama’s nected to the only Treasured main river Lake based on water run, which experiences quality standards heavy runoff during the established by the springtime or any time Alabama Department we have significant rainof Environmental fall. Some who have witManagement. This nessed this describe it as highly desirable water an “island of debris and standard is separate from trash so thick you could the annual ROR cleanup, walk on it.” When this and the Treasured Lake “island” moves downdesignation leaves no river, it starts to break indication of the amount up as the winds begin LMRA of trash that has littered to push it into the many

BY JOHN THOMPSON this otherwise beautiful sloughs that make up the shoreline. shoreline.

In other words, some undeveloped Much of the trash that has made areas, including many islands, have this journey and been covered over been heavily trashed through the by various pieces of limbs, logs and years. In fact, until LMRA began other bits of debris has been buildmanaging the annual ROR event, ing through the years. Some of it there was no organized effort to has come from careless boaters and locate and remove trash from every uncaring campers, but most of it foot of the entire shoreline of Lake comes from our roadsides through Martin. the watershed.

There is a common belief that Those same heavy rains that move litter begets litter, and that has certrees and limbs from the shoreline tainly been true around Lake Martin. pick up the roadside litter and move NOVEMBER 2019

it into the gutters and the ditches leading straight to Lake Martin. We see it all the time on Elkahatchee Creek, Sturdivant Creek and the main run of the river below the U.S. Highway 280 bridge.

Over these 15 years, more than 120 tons of trash has been removed from our Treasured Lake. We have made great progress with the LMRA Treasured Mile program, and trash is being removed before it becomes an unsightly mess.

Our next big challenge is to control roadside trash. We must find a solution to the litter problem we have in the Lake Martin community. Not only is it ugly as you drive down the highway, but it may find its way to your favorite fishing spot.

John Thompson is president of Lake Martin Resource Association.

Learn more at lmra.info.

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CHEF’S TABLE

BY ROB MCDANIEL

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Rob McDaniel, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.

NOVEMBER 2019

Corn Soup

with Roasted Mushrooms and Sweet Peppers Ingredients 2 quarts shaved corn 1 quart milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme 1/2 small onion, diced small 1 pound oyster mushrooms 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup sliced sweet pepper Salt and pepper to taste

Directions In a medium-heavy bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat; then, add thyme and onion; sweat until translucent – there should be no color on the onions. Once onions are translucent, add the corn and continue to stir until corn is coated in butter, onion and thyme. At this point, add the milk and bring pot to a simmer before turning heat to low. Once the corn is tender, purée completely using a stick blender or standard blender. Adjust seasoning; then, reserve warm until ready to serve. Wash and dry mushrooms before tossing in olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast mushrooms in a 400-degree oven until edges start to turn crispy; reserve until ready to plate. Place soup in a warm bowl; place mushrooms in the center and sprinkle with sweet peppers. I like to finish with a little spicy extra virgin olive oil if I have some on hand.

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W

ebster’s definition of gratitude is: a state of being grateful. Thankfulness. Gratitude is described as an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has, as opposed to what one wants or thinks he needs. Deep gratitude is not just saying, “thanks.” It is much more meaningful and comes from deep within the heart. Experts say that we can practice being grateful by paying attention to what we are thankful for, to the extent of feeling more kind and compassionate toward the world around us.

Practicing gratitude can motivate us to make positive changes in our lives.

It has been said that gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in the palm of our hands. If we are not grateful, we will not be happy – no matter how much we have – because we will always want to have something else. Gratitude is a skill that can be learned.

If it is practiced with the right perspective and intention, there will always be endless things for which to be grateful.

There have been thousands of studies about gratitude. Experts no longer ask the question if gratitude is important, but they continue to study why it is so important. Showing gratitude to others when they do something kind for you is simply the right thing to do. Gratitude tends to make people appreciate what they have instead of what they don’t have.

Studies show that when we practice expressing gratitude we improve our immune systems and lower our blood pressures. Expressing gratitude makes 56 LAKE

us more likely to exercise and eat healthy, and it improves our sleep quality and quantity. Gratitude increases the positive emotions of joy, optimism, happiness, alertness and pleasure.

Gratitude takes away negative emotions. Practicing positive emotions naturally removes the negative emotions. Showing gratitude makes you more social, popular, generous, compassionate, and forgiving and much less lonely.

Research has shown that there are five reasons why gratitude improves wellness. Gratitude studies have shown that people who practice being grateful will see improvements in life satisfaction, happiness, optimism, hope and mood.

As practicing gratitude has been proven to improve wellbeing, the next question may be how to go about expressHelping others is a great ing gratitude. way to be grateful It has been for what you have said that we cannot be grateful for all that a given moment brings us; yet, in any given moment, we can be grateful for something. The gift within the gift of any given moment is opportunity.

Here are some simple ideas to get started: volunteer; show respect for others; call your mom; stop complaining; encourage others to see the positive side of things; engage in random acts of kindness; stop passing judgement on others; smile; nurture your friendships; embrace challenges as opportunities; write thank-you notes; laugh more often; tell someone how much you love them; notice the beauty in nature each day. When someone does something kind for you,

NOVEMBER 2019

reciprocate. Write a note to someone who you have not seen in a long time. To practice gratefulness, we have to think of it as putting stop signs into our daily lives.

Grateful living is a way of life that encourages us to notice what is already present and abundant, from the smallest things of beauty to the greatest blessings, taking nothing for granted. We should learn to acknowledge that life is a gift. Even in the most challenging times, living gratefully can make us aware and available to the opportunities that are directly in front of us, opportunities to learn and grow, and to extend ourselves with care and compassion to others.

Grateful living is just like any other learned behavior.

It must be nourished with practice, habits and behaviors that will be translated HEALTHY LIVING and applied into our daily

BY JULIE HUDSON lives. It is also fed through community and relationships. Small, grateful acts every day can lift us up, make a difference in someone’s life and help change the world.

Let gratefulness be your guiding light in good seasons and the more challenging seasons. It will lead us toward kindness, patience and wisdom. It will lead us back to each other. It will take strength to be grateful if your world has been filled with hurt. Gratefulness won’t ignore the most difficult times of our lives. It will remind us of whom we are, despite those difficult times.

You will know you are living a grateful life by seeing how love multiplies itself in the lives of people around you.

As you bring gratefulness into your life, reflect on all the things in your life that bring you pleasure.

You can write in a journal about what makes you grateful. As we enter into the holiday season, it is a perfect time to express your gratitude to friends and family by writing cards and exchanging thoughtful personal gifts. Baking for neighbors and feeding the poor are ways to express appreciation for our abundance of food. Gratefulness will lead to feelings of love, appreciation, generosity and compassion, which will further open our hearts and help to reset our brains to think in more positive ways.

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR HOUSE CLEANING • INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING • GUTTER REPAIRS RE & CLEANING • PAINTING • PRESSURE WASHING • SEAWALLS • DOCKS • ROOFING • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • TRASH PICKUP

Julie Hudson is a registered dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

We want to meet all your household needs!

Wes Waters | 256.596.1428 NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 57

T

he family and I recently enjoyed a weekend getaway to the beach. Our hotel room overlooked the beach, and I found myself enjoying downtime on the balcony looking out over the ocean. While most would be content to just watch the waves crash onshore as the sun rose or set, I was focused on a more obscure scene. Looking out past the surf and into the open sea, I could make out some noticeBIG CATCHES able disturbance in the water. It

BY GREG VINSON looked like just a little irregularity amongst the calm, rolling waves.

And then, I saw a flash of white, followed by another and another. This caught my angling eye immediately, as I realized that what I had been watching was a large ball of baitfish moving across the surface of the ocean. But they really got my attention when they were ambushed by some sort of predatory fish. If I had a rod that could have cast half a mile into the ocean from my hotel balcony, I just might have tried it.

Predators had corralled the bait into a tighter ball and were blasting the baitfish against the surface. Almost immediately, I saw seagulls diving into the same spot where I had seen the fish schooling just seconds before. This reminded me of a pattern that works in freshwater, too.

Seagulls often appear on Lake Martin in the cooler months, along with other birds associated more with the ocean, like pelicans. Loons, cormorants and smaller grebes appear in good numbers, as well. I have always assumed that, even though there are resident populations of seafaring birds on the Gulf Coast year round, there are also some that must move south for the winter. Perhaps they come down from the northern U.S., as many of the fisheries freeze over, leaving fewer opportunities for feeding.

Whatever the case, the fish-eating birds can be a great indicator for schools of bait and, more importantly, the predatory fish that are actively feeding. It seems like some of the birds show up around October, and by November and December, there are numerous groups scattered up and down the lake. For someone into birding, it would be an interesting trip around the lake to see just how many species of birds were present on Lake Martin during the fall and winter.

For an angler, the more important question is how can the birds help us catch more fish? First and foremost, the birds can see much better than we can from their vantage point. It’s amazing to watch a bird hover 50 feet above the surface; and then, dive into open water to come up with a small baitfish. More than once, I’ve seen an eagle catch large fish – like a giant gizzard shad or an unwitting bass.

Birds like seagulls work together in much the same fashion as does a school of fish. They fly over large areas, making large circles as individuals while staying in close proximity to the group. When one of the birds spots an opportunity like a group of bait, the other birds see the activity and join in.

The key to knowing just how the birds can help is to 58 LAKE

know what’s going on beneath the surface of the water.

Balls of baitfish move about in the lake constantly, and fish – like stripers, white bass and bass – cruise, looking for opportunities just like the phenomenon I witnessed from my hotel room balcony at the beach.

Schools of predatory fish work to corral the balls of bait to the surface, essentially using the surface of the water as a wall against which to pin the bait for feeding.

The birds flying overhead with their keen eyes can see as the bait gets pushed closer to the surface, and they begin to circle tighter. When the fish attack the baitfish at the surface, it also presents an opportunity for the birds to feed. In A flock of birds near the water's a sense, the birds surface could indicate a school are using the fish of fish nearby to make it easier to access the bait.

And, I assume that, as the birds crash down on the bait at the surface, some of the small morsels run right into the open mouths of the fish.

With all of the great electronics we have today on our boats, nature still offers an occasional efficient alternative.

The birds constantly cruise overhead and cover way more water with their eyes than we ever could. And in a much more stealthy fashion, as the white gulls are visible from long distances and could give away the location of a good group of fish from a mile or more away.

Oftentimes, it can be best to cruise slowly and watch the activity of the birds. When there’s not much activity, they will fly more spread out from each other, each bird hoping to be the one to spot a feeding opportunity. They also fly a little higher as they search, possibly trying to survey a larger area at a time. One of the keys to watch for is when the birds begin to swoop very close to the surface, even if it’s only one or two of them. This can be an indicator that something good is about to happen.

When an all-out feeding frenzy is taking place, an entire

NOVEMBER 2019

Follow the birds flock of birds will dive-bomb one spot. If you look closely, you could see the flashes of white water being thrown up as feeding fish school in the same spot. This is when the fish are most vulnerable to a variety of baits, as they feed on anything and everything that looks like a shad. It’s no surprise to catch a striper, a bass and a white bass out of the same school when this is taking place because they are all working together to get a meal.

Diving birds – like the loons, cormorants and grebes – are more subtle indicators but can be just as effective at giving away a good location. They paddle around on the surface, sticking their heads below the water as they look for fish. Since they are usually darker in color and travel in smaller groups of two or three, they can be a little more difficult to spot, but they could still lead anglers to prime fishing spots. They can be especially helpful when the fish are in deeper water and not necessarily pushing bait all the way to the surface.

When you see a couple of diving birds, loons or grebes, working in the same general area, it’s worth a look. Either

cast through that location or use your electronics to survey for balls of baitfish and fish relating to structure and cover.

Try a combination of bottom-bouncing baits and baits that can be fished in the middle of the water column. Spoons could be especially good in this situation, as the fish often will pass directly beneath the boat.

You may be surprised to find that the bulk of the fish are positioned on a spot that otherwise would have gone unnoticed were it not for the birds. Getting even just one fish to bite could ignite a deep-water feeding frenzy that might last for 30 minutes or more of action.

This fall and winter, plan to keep an eye out for the birds.

After all, they are keeping an eye out for the same fish that you are.

Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

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LAKE 59

Red, Red Wine

60 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

I

t has been a while since red wine was the focus of Beaujolais and step up to a Pinot Noir, which is also this column, but that is not indicative of the trend. characteristically light and fruit-forward, before tackling Though we think of white wine as more suitable for a big, tannic Cabernet. Pinot Noir is a classic red wine summer, red wine continued to outperform from the first that goes well with food, any food. Depending on the of June through September by sizeable margins. Over growing region, there also is a broad range of styles and that period, in essence the lake season, bottle sales of red qualities among Pinots but rarely what we might call wine in our Alexander City store were 65 percent more tannic. Neither Beaujolais nor Pinot Noir age particuthan white. As autumn and winter finally arrive, the larly well with an average life span of about five years. demand for reds will swell.

That brings us to the holidays and gives rise to a masFor a quick review, red wine is made sive selection of styles and choices to accomfrom dark-skinned grapes in various tints pany hallowed traditions. It is a special time of red, blue, purple and black. The grapes that calls for more than just ordinary. With are crushed, and the clear juice is ferfriends and family gathering from afar, we are mented in contact with the skins. Pigments much more inclined to bring out the best. Of from the skins give red wine its color. The course, the best wine doesn’t have to be the longer the skin contact, the stronger the most expensive, and for a crowd with many color. Seeds and stems often are crushed different tastes and preferences, moderation is with red grapes to extract tannins and a good rule of thumb. With that in mind, here other phenolic compounds that provide are a few suggestions that will take us into the flavor, structure and antioxidants. Tannins coming year. also allow red wines to age longer than A mixed case (12 bottles) provides the most whites. You probably knew that. variety to satisfy any taste. A few whites, Tannins can be good and not so good. something smooth with muted acidity is a FROM THE CELLAR good start. Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay could In addition to leaching into the wine from

BY HENRY FOY the skins, seeds and stems, tannins also are be found to fit any budget, or splurge with added to the wine through the oak barrels the French Chardonnay-based Chassagnaused for fermentation and aging, particularly new ones.

Montrachet at around $65.

Both the tannins and flavors derived from the oak are Easing into the reds, let’s add a dry Rosé; Lafage very desirable for most red wines and even some whites. is elegant and reasonable at $18, but there are many American oak, for example, imparts slightly sweeter others under $20. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving withtraits than French oak, a characteristic that is highly out a Beaujolais, light and fruity and fun. The 2019 discernable to some but hardly noticeable to others.

Beaujolais Nouveau will be available on the third Recognizing little nuances of flavor, texture and so on Thursday of November. This first wine of the vintage is one of the learned skills that makes wine interesting, often is met with mixed reviews, but these Gamay-based more enjoyable and even fascinating. wines pair well with the many flavors of holiday fare.

The downside of tannins in some young reds is the For something a little bolder, go for a light to mediumastringency that often catches us by surprise. Real or bodied Pinot Noir. Christopher Michael Oregon Pinot at imagined, the anticipation of mouth-puckering bitterness $14 is a winner with tons of great Pinots coming in at has ruined red wine for many consumers. That resistance less than $30. Sea Smoke Southing ($65) and Ten ($84) might be overcome by thinking of apples – green apples would be the splurge. that would turn red if left to ripen. That’s what happens Want more? Bigger wines will provide the depth and with red wine as it ages; it evolves from tart/astringent complexity to pair with more hearty menus. There’s no to soft and mellow. Tannins in wine dissipate over time; better time to share a Freemark Abbey ($53) or Caymus with a little practice and appreciation for the aging pro($95) with like-minded oenophiles. Open those high-end cess, we can learn to judge when a particular wine will jewels and enjoy. Great Cabs in the $20 to $30 range reach its peak. will not disappoint anyone.

But there’s a catch. Once you pull the cork, you may Round out this perfect holiday case with at least a as well enjoy what you have, whether it’s ready or not. couple of bubbles. For Mimosas look at Cristalino Cava This is one of the things that I love about red wine. ($10), and for sipping or with a meal, try the Chandon When you open a bottle that is heavily tannic, it might Blanc de Noir ($23). BiancaVigna is a very dry Italian be a little disappointing, or it might be that it needs food, Sparkling Rosé ($17) that would add a touch of elegance like a slightly charred steak, to complement the tannins. to any holiday gathering.

Maybe it needs to breathe for a while or to be decanted.

For certain, the wine that is too tannic today simply Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and needed more time to rest. This is the wine to buy more Spirits at 128 Calhoun St. in downtown Alexander of and try it over a period of time at six-month intervals. City, with the area's only walk-in humidor and You might be amazed. cigar lounge. He can be reached at 256-212-WINE Keep in mind, too, that not all reds are the same. or emporiumwine128@gmail.com or find him on Anyone new to wine might start with a light, fruity Instagram and Facebook.

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LAKE 61

Tips for your short game W

hat is the key to lowering scores – longer drives, more greens hit in regulation or improving your short game? The key for most weekend warriors is to improve the short game – period. I have had the pleasure of playing with every level of golfer from beginner to PGA Tour player.

At the highest level of play, the PAR for the COURSE PGA Tour, every single player

BY MATT SHEPPARD teeing it up on Thursdays can hit it great – every single player – but not every player has a tremendous short game. Strokes gained on and around the greens separate the champions from the trunk slammers.

While putting is a huge part of the short game, here are some ideas that may help you get on the green more often and in fewer strokes.

Chipping and pitching

When chipping and pitching, ditch the loft. The majority of players will see huge benefit from using a less lofted club around the greens. The idea of a 60-degree lob wedge and an 18-handicap player do not mix. When a player uses less loft, he has more margin for error. More margin for error is key in a game that, as Ben Hogan said, is a game of misses.

Putting from off the green is OK

Though the guys on TV do not make the call frequently, quite often it is the correct selection for most at the club level. Distance from the pin and the type of surface your ball must travel over will help you decide if the putter is the correct play. For example, if you’re in the fairway 4 yards from the edge of the green and the flag is 15 paces on the green, you can use your putter. If you have to putt through 2-inch rough – even if it’s just 3 feet to cover – the putter probably is not the play.

Try using a pitching wedge

You’ll be amazed, and your misses will be better. The pitching wedge (45 degrees to 48 degrees) typically helps a player because of the club having a larger sole and the leading edge is less severe compared to a sand wedge or lob wedge. Setup also is very important in regards to chipping and pitching. If you find yourself sticking the wedge in the turf and the ball doesn’t move very far, try standing slightly closer to the ball. Play the ball more forward in your stance and set up with the heel slightly off of the ground. This setup will help you get the most out of your chipping and pitching.

The bump and run

This is a very standard play amongst your typical club level player. Players generally use something between a 7-iron and a 9-iron. The idea of this shot is to keep the ball on the ground longer, using less loft. Tips for success with the bump and run include mirroring the setup fundamentals of chipping with a pitching wedge noted above, as well as picking a landing area on the green. Obviously, the distance between your ball and the hole would determine how hard you must hit it, but analyzing how much fairway/rough you have to cover will help you decide if you should use a 7-iron or something with slightly more loft.

The hybrid/fairway metal option

This option has helped plenty of players of all levels improve their shots around the green.

Using a hybrid or fairway metal would allow you to use almost the identical setup as you would with your putter, but the additional mass and loft will help the ball carry more and travel farther than the putter strike.

Go out and experiment with some of these options.

I would imagine that, with a little practice, you would lower your scores.

Matt Sheppard is the PGA Director of Golf at Willow Point Golf and Country Club.

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Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

13

22

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 18

9

Churches

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

16

Power lines U.S. Highways

280

3

22

County Roads Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

15 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

14 Willow Point

24

6

10

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

11

Kowaliga Boat Landing

21 The Ridge

55

4

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 12

Church in The Pines

23

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

17

ga

Ba

y

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

19 Kent

64 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

NOVEMBER 2019

Timbergut Landing

Lake Martin Alabama

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210

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

450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 49

Jacksons Gap 280

Bethel Church

20

Dadeville

57

280

24

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Church of the Living Waters

5

8

Walnut Hill

50

17 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 18 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 19 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

3. Harbor Pointe Marina 7 256-825-0600

397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

4. Russell Building Supply 20 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

82. Lakeside Marina 256-825-9286

7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

6. Catherine’s Market 11 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

7

42. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

6. SpringHouse 10 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

24

50

15 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010 16 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010

Restaurants & Venues

13

Business & Shopping

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 9 256-825-0999

3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

Pleasant Ridge Church

14 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt & Flatbread Pizza 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

214. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 22 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 23 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 24 . Off the Beaton Path to Lake 205-708-3127 21322 U.S. Hwy 280, Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 12 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 24 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 970 Hwy. 63 South, Dadeville, AL 36853 13 Lake Martin Pizza

256-392-5454

2 Broad St., Alex City, AL 35010 256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853

49

Reeltown

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 65

Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Alex City Marine American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Q Campus of CACC 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 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 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 Touchless Boat Covers The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot Valley Warren's Appliance Parts Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

CHELSEA Winn-Dixie The Ditsy Daisy Boutique CHILDERSBURG Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE Bay Pine Marina Blue Creek Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foshee's Boat Doc 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 Place Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank Renfroes Root 49 at Lake Martin Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34 USAmeribank

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

INVERNESS Winn-Dixie Airwalk Ultimate Trampoline Arena Tree Top Family Adventure

KELLYTON Five Star Plantation MOUNTAIN BROOK Whole Foods Market

RED HILL Citgo SYLACAUGA Good Ole Boys BBQ Piggly Wiggly

TALLASSEE Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce Tallassee Automotive Tallassee Community Library The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are placed at these locations.

To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Lighting the Way for the Lake & River Region for more than 100 Years alexcityoutlook.com thewetumpkaherald.com tallasseetribune.com lakemagazine.life 66 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

HANDRAILS | GUARDRAILS POWDER COAT | SAND BLASTING WELDED FENCE | CUSTOM ART STAIRS GATES | I-BEAMS STEEL POSTS STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILING

334-332-3435 or 334-329-4635 IN-HOME CARE SERVICES

Our goal is to keep our clients as active as possible in their own homes to promote overall health and well being.

With our personally tailored care plans, you will receive the individual care you need with the dignity and respect you deserve.

Homemaking... Personal Care... Companionship

Lake Martin innovation Center 175 aLiant Parkway • aLexander City, aL

(256) 414-6090

COACH KRAFT

Residential | Commercial | Interior | Exterior

UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery!

256-307-4061

■

columbus-auburn.certapro.com

LAKE

Mike&Kris DobbsOwners1550OpelikaRoadSuite6Box294�| Auburn,AL36830 EachCertaProPainters ® businessis independently ownedandoperated.

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

■ Floors ■ Carpets Bimini Tops ■ Custom Seats ■ Mooring Covers

Patrick Mason 334-283-6759 676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 67

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing.............................................................53

Glitter and Glow.........................................................36

Renaissance Electronics............................................... 8

Alex City Guide Service............................................66

Heritage South Credit Union..................................15

Rhodes Construction.................................................68

Alex City Marine.........................................................34

Holley’s Home Furnishings.......................................72

Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty.............................33

Badcock Furniture......................................................36

Homeology, Denise Booth........................................18

Russell Lands...............................................3, 23, 50, 62

Beyond Home Care...................................................67

Kowaliga Whole Health.............................................67

Russell Medical.............................................................. 2

Blue Creek Iron Works.............................................67

Lake Martin Building Supply.....................................36

Satterfield........................................................................ 5

Bolton Cove.................................................................12

Lake Martin Dock.......................................................15

Security Pest Control.................................................. 8

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation..........................................8

Lake Martin Realty......................................................29

Southern Star Farm....................................................36

C & T Electric...........................................................................6

Lamberth & Lamberth...............................................34

State Farm, Harold Cochran....................................67

Cahaba Glass................................................................18

Lina's Mexican Store..................................................37

State Farm, Karen Channell......................................67

CertaPro Painters.......................................................67

Luck of the Draw........................................................37

Steven Mackey, M.D. Dermatology..........................36

City Pawn Shop...........................................................37

Mainstreet Alexander City..................................36-37

Sunrise Dock................................................................12

Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................67

Makers Market on Main............................................37

Temple Medical Center............................................... 8

Custom Docks.............................................................28

Mark King's Furniture................................................19

The Bottling Plant Event Center.............................37

Davco.............................................................................67

Merle Norman.............................................................37

TowBoat US.................................................................28

Deep Water Dock Services......................................34

Modern Nails & Spa...................................................36

Uber/Lift........................................................................67

Designs by Trish............................................................. 5

Moore Wealth Management.....................................71

Walmart........................................................................67

Docks Unlimited........................................................... 5

New Water Farms......................................................32

Wedowee Marine.......................................................69

First Baptist Church Alexander City...................................8

Odd Jobs.......................................................................57

WSC Distinctive Builders, LLC...............................45

First Community Mortgage........................................ 6

Patterson Air................................................................37

George Hardy D.M.D................................................... 8

Prime Management....................................................... 6

RHODES BROTHERS/KEY BUILDERS

RESTORATIONS | ADDITIONS | KITCHENS | OUTDOOR KITCHENS | BATHS | METAL BUILDINGS REMODELING | ICF CONSTRUCTION | RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | CONCRETE SEAWALLS

Ge Co nt RHODES BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION

KEY BUILDERS

Builder John Rhodes - 256-675-0217 Custom Home Chris Key- 256-749-0179  rhodesbrothersinc.net chriskeybuilding@yahoo.com General Contractor johnrhodes1@charter.net 68 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

LAKE 69

70 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019

Parting Shot

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." ~ Helen Keller

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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Maximizing Medicare for 2020

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

O

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A recent study found that drug costs can vary dramatically even in at the same pharmacy, depending upon which plan you use.1 As a result, experts advise that participants should review the changes and their individual program choices annually.

Medicare’s open enrollment period is underway. It started October 15th and continues December 7th. At the Moore Wealth Management, Inc. office in Montgomery, we offer an annual seminar that explains how Medicare works for new enrollees and examines the changes to local options, including Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. This year, we will also 71 LAKE

Maximizing your benefits and minimizing your costs for Medicare is becoming increasingly more complex.

A number of new changes may impact existing participants.

examine the legislative changes that will impact the Medicare Supplement C and F plans in a couple of years.

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Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan manages over $150 million in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 36 years. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement. com.

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72 LAKE

NOVEMBER 2019