Hello, summer!
There’s something magical about July in the South. The days feel a little longer, the sunsets a little brighter and life seems to slow down just enough for us to truly enjoy it. Around here, summer is more than a season — it’s a feeling. It’s lake days and porch nights, road trips with the windows down, backyard cookouts, fireworks reflecting on the water and memories being made in the middle of ordinary moments.
This month, we are celebrating all things summer and exploration. From hidden gems and local adventures to businesses helping make this season unforgettable, our July issue is designed to inspire you to soak up every bit of sunshine this community has to offer. Whether you’re spending weekends on Smith Lake, exploring our growing downtown, planning a getaway or simply enjoying sweet summertime with family and friends, we hope these pages encourage you to slow down and savor it all.
Summer has a way of bringing people together. It reminds us to gather around tables a little longer, stay outside a little later and appreciate the simple joys we sometimes overlook during the busyness of the year. Some of my favorite memories have always been tied to summertime in Alabama — the smell of sunscreen and fresh-cut grass, chasing lightning bugs at dusk, swimming until your skin wrinkled and ending the day with a tired heart and a full soul.
As always, thank you for welcoming Cullman City Lifestyle into your homes each month. Thank you to our readers, local businesses and community partners who continue to support what we do and help us tell the stories that make Cullman so special. We are grateful to celebrate another beautiful season with you.
Here’s to sunshine, adventure, community and making memories that last long after summer fades.
Happy Summer,
MISSY GURLEY, PUBLISHER @CULLMAN_CITYLIFESTYLE_
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Missy Gurley | missy.gurley@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Wendy Sack | wendy.sack@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brooke B Photography, Jay Betts, Joseph Cecil at Launch Production & Design, Siarra Hollingsworth
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Congratulations to Jack’s Western & Outdoor Wear’s Kris Allred and Shaun Mazur on your engagement! 2: Congratulations to The Uniform Initiative on your grand opening! 3: The Hawkins Medical team looked amazing at Cullman’s Dinner on First event in May.
JACK’S WESTERN WEAR
KATHY SIMS - ALFA INSURANCE
HAWKINS MEDICAL
MAKING WAVES
HOW RUSSELL MARINE IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SMITH LAKE
ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUSSELL MARINE, JAY BETTS
On the surface, Russell Marine looks like a premier boating dealership — a place to buy a wake boat, schedule a service appointment or grab gear before a day on the water. But talk to Emily Sprayberry, director of marketing, and a different picture emerges. Russell Marine isn’t just selling boats. It’s building culture. It’s fueling local economies. It’s shaping the way Alabama experiences the water. And on Smith Lake, that influence is only getting stronger.
A LEGACY BUILT ON THE WATER
Russell Marine is owned and operated by Russell Lands.
“Russell Marine’s role in the Smith Lake community goes beyond selling boats. The company has a responsibility to create a positive experience for both residents and visitors.”
This beautiful pontoon boat from Russell Marine is perfect for enjoying a day on Smith Lake!
“Its structure centers on a network of strategically placed marinas and retail locations designed to support boaters across Lake Martin and Smith Lake,” said Sprayberry.
On Lake Martin, the company’s footprint is unmistakable. Four full-service marinas — The Ridge, Kowaliga, River North and Real Island — offer everything from boat sales and service to fuel, storage and pro-level gear. Each location is staffed by factory-certified technicians, reinforcing the company’s reputation for high-quality service.
But the crown jewel sits inland: Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors, a 150,000-square-foot retail complex on
Highway 280 in Alexander City. It’s the region’s largest showcase of new and pre-owned boats, personal watercraft and off-road vehicles, featuring premium brands like Nautique, Chris-Craft, Godfrey, Sportsman, Key West and Can-Am.
This is where the boating lifestyle becomes a year-round experience — not just a seasonal pastime.
SMITH LAKE: A GROWING CHAPTER IN THE RUSSELL MARINE STORY
When Russell Marine expanded to Smith Lake, it wasn’t simply opening another dealership. It was stepping into
a community with a strong identity and a deep love for the water.
The Smith Lake location on Alabama Highway 69 brings the company’s signature full-service approach to the northern part of the state: boat sales, service, shrink-wrap storage and a fully stocked ship store and pro shop. But the impact goes far beyond convenience.
According to Sprayberry, Russell Marine’s presence has helped attract boat buyers and lake visitors from across north and central Alabama, increasing traffic to nearby businesses and strengthening the local recreation economy. The expanded showroom and pro shop have become a destination in
"It means helping families create memories on the water, supporting a lifestyle that brings people together and contributing to a community that values lake traditions.”
their own right — a place where lake culture is celebrated, not just serviced.
MORE THAN A DEALERSHIP: A COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
What truly sets Russell Marine apart is its commitment to the people who call Smith Lake home — whether for a weekend or a lifetime.
“Russell Marine’s role in the Smith Lake community goes beyond selling boats – the company has a responsibility to create a positive experience for both residents and visitors,” Smith Lake Russell Marine Manager Daniel Uline said. “That responsibility can include building long-term relationships with customers and supporting local events and spaces where people can gather and enjoy the lake lifestyle.”
This summer, the dealership is hosting Pop-Up Sales Events at Smith Lake Park on July 11 and Aug. 8, designed to connect with boaters where they already love to be. These events give families a chance to explore new boats and gear in a relaxed, community-driven setting.
Sprayberry described the company’s role simply: “Russell Marine’s relationship with the community means being part of something larger than just a dealership. It means helping families create memories on the water, supporting a lifestyle that brings people together and contributing to a community that values lake traditions.”
IMAGINING THE FUTURE
If Russell Marine could dream big — and it often does — the next big adventure for the Smith Lake community would be a Smith Lake Summer Weekend Festival.
Picture it: A multiday celebration of boating, watersports, live music and community experiences both on and off the water.
It’s the kind of event that could become a signature tradition — one that reflects the energy, passion and spirit of Smith Lake.
Russell Marine’s growth on Smith Lake is more than a business expansion. It means the best adventures are still ahead.
Russell Marine is located at 690 Alabama Highway 69 S, Hanceville, AL 35077. Find it online at www.russellmarine.net.
A summer day on Smith Lake is a day to remember.
PRIORITIZING WELLNESS
Gray Urology Wellness helps patients feel better physically and mentally
ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BROOKE B PHOTOGRAPHY
When the Cullman Urology office closed in early 2025, many patients wondered where they would turn for specialized, compassionate urological care. For Amy Burdette-Gray, CRNP, CUNP, the closure marked not an ending, but the beginning of something deeply personal, and deeply needed.
Gray Urology Wellness uses noninvasive solutions designed to increase muscle strength with electrical muscle stimulation.
"We celebrate the small wins, which reinforces confidence in a patient's body image and mental health.”
In March 2025, she opened Gray Urology Wellness LLC, a practice built on a decade of experience and a mission to bring nonsurgical urological and wellness services to both men and women in a warm, accessible setting. After beginning her urology career in 2015 at Cullman Urology, P.C., and continuing through its transition to Urology Centers of Alabama in 2021, Burdette-Gray said she saw firsthand how vital local, relationship-based care is. When the Cullman office shuttered, she stepped forward to fill the gap.
“Opening this practice was an opportunity to continue caring for the community I’ve served for years,” she said. “Patients deserve continuity, compassion and options that help them feel their best.”
A NEW APPROACH TO STRENGTH AND WELLNESS
At Gray Urology Wellness, summer confidence isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about empowering patients
with tools that improve how they feel, move and live. The practice offers a suite of advanced, noninvasive technologies designed to strengthen the body, improve circulation and support overall wellness.
EMPOWER RF: CONFIDENCE FOR WOMEN
The Empower RF by InMode device addresses a wide range of women’s wellness concerns, including stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence; weak pelvic floor muscles; poor circulation; and pain.
By improving lower urinary tract symptoms and reducing discomfort, Burdette-Gray said, the treatment helps women “regain self-confidence and feel more in control of their bodies.”
APEXRF CIRCULATORY: SUPPORT FOR MEN
For men, the ApexRF Circulatory handpiece uses bipolar radiofrequency to safely enhance blood flow, without prescriptions or surgery. Its precise, pivoting
Wearing shirts by Spirit Shop are, left to right, Deborah Jenkins, LPN; Sherri Pope, LPN; Amy BurdetteGray, CRNP, CUNP; Gracie Thompson, medical secretary; and Brooke Bradford, medical secretary.
applicator delivers targeted energy that supports circulatory wellness and boosts confidence in daily life and relationships.
APEX TONE: SCULPTING STRENGTH
The Apex Tone device uses electrical muscle stimulation to strengthen and tone specific muscle groups, including the upper arms, abdomen, legs and back.
It’s a “walk-in, walk-out” treatment with zero downtime, ideal for patients wanting to feel stronger and more sculpted for summer without sacrificing time outdoors or in the gym.
PREVENTION, PARTNERSHIP AND PROACTIVE CARE
Burdette-Gray’s background spans family medicine, hospitalist work and nearly a decade in urology, shaping her holistic, prevention-focused approach.
“I enjoy working with patients to improve their health outcomes, whether it’s weight loss, muscle strengthening, urinary issues or menopausal symptoms,” she explained. “Trust is important. We work as a team to get the best results.”
Her practice has a strong focus on perimenopausal and menopausal women, a population she feels is often underserved. By offering both medical expertise and wellness-based support, she helps patients navigate a transformative stage of life with confidence and clarity.
WELLNESS THAT FITS REAL LIFE AND REAL SUMMER GOALS
Burdette-Gray said noninvasive toning and wellness treatments aren’t meant to replace healthy habits. They’re designed to complement them. She helps patients integrate treatments like Apex Tone with sustainable lifestyle choices, including weight-loss support and dietary guidance.
“These treatments strengthen muscles and improve skin firmness in targeted areas,” she said. “They’re perfect for those spots that need a little extra help before summer. And because there’s no downtime, patients can spend more time enjoying the season.”
CONFIDENCE BEYOND APPEARANCE
While many patients initially seek treatment for physical changes, Burdette-Gray said she sees something deeper happen over time.
“Our wellness services help patients have more energy, vitality, motivation, mental clarity and self-worth, and encourage consistency,” she said. “When we prioritize wellness, the patient is given a powerful example and message that they are important and deserve to feel worthy as well as healthy. We celebrate the small wins, which reinforces confidence in a patient’s body image and mental health.”
www.grayurologywellness.com
Amy Burdette Gray, CRNP, CUNP
Gray Urology Wellness uses safe and effective solutions designed to improve wellness through treating a broad range of conditions.
Providing compassionate, quality veterinary care for dogs, cats, small ruminants, backyard poultry, & select exotics. Local care you can trust.
Dr. Payden Smith, DVM
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
Rolex Omega Tudor Cartier Patek Philippe
CURATED FOR JOURNEYS THAT DESERVE TO BE REMEBERED
WHA T ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
ARTICLE BY WENDY SACK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VISIT CULLMAN, JAY BETTS, JOSEPH CECIL AT LAUNCH PRODUCTION & DESIGN, SIARRA HOLLINGSWORTH
CULLMAN EXPLORE
Cullman isn’t just a dot on the map between Birmingham and Huntsville — it’s a community with a pulse, a personality and a surprising amount of momentum. If you’ve lived here long enough, it’s easy to slip into routine: the same routes, the same restaurants, the same weekend plans. But have you checked out Visit Cullman, Cullman County’s Tourism Bureau? It’s a reminder that our town is not only thriving — it’s becoming a destination.
Seven Daughters Scoops downtown is a great place for a treat!
SMITH LAKE: THE CROWN JEWEL WE SOMETIMES TAKE FOR GRANTED
For visitors, Smith Lake is a revelation. For us, it’s the place we’ve spent summers swimming, fishing or watching the sun drop behind the treeline. It’s one of the cleanest lakes in the region, a hub for tournaments and a playground for anyone who loves being on the water. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken the boat out or packed a cooler for a lakeside afternoon, consider this your nudge.
SUMMERTIME ADVENTURES
In addition to Smith Lake, there are tons of outdoor options available. Want to hit a waterslide? Check out WildWater! Feel like glamping? Look no further than the Palomino RV Resort. Hiking more your style? Hit the trails at Hurricane Creek Park or Duck River. And there’s no shortage of local food options when you whip up an appetite – or local breweries when you want to kick back and relax on a summer evening.
DOWNTOWN: THE HEARTBEAT THAT KEEPS GETTING LOUDER
Downtown Cullman has transformed over the past decade, and Visit Cullman captures that energy. The brick-lined streets of the Warehouse District, boutique shops and locally owned restaurants aren’t just for tourists — they’re for us. Whether it’s grabbing a latte on the way to work, browsing new arrivals at a shop you haven’t visited yet or catching live music during 2nd Fridays or another festival, downtown has become a genuine gathering place.
LANDMARKS WORTH A SECOND LOOK
Many of us grew up visiting the Ave Maria Grotto on school field trips or have driven past the Shrine without stopping. But these places draw visitors from across the country — and they’re right here in our backyard! They are prized destinations that add depth to our community and highlight our faith.
The Ave Maria Grotto is beautiful no matter the season.
WildWater is a wildly popular summertime destination.
Smith Lake was made for summer days!
FARM FRESH ISN’T A TREND — IT’S OUR LIFESTYLE
Cullman County’s agricultural roots run deep, and Visit Cullman celebrates that, showcasing local farms, farmers markets, wineries and more. Destinations include (but are not limited to) Festhalle Farmers Market, Berlin Farmers Market, 4D Farm, Grandview Mountain Strawberry Farm, Steele Orchard, Bagwell Blueberry Farm, Haynes Farm Local Market, J. Calvert Farms, the North Alabama Agriplex, Snead’s Farmhouse, Sullivan Creek Ranch and Tally Ho Farms.
A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWS UP
If there’s one thing Cullman does exceptionally well, it’s gathering. The area has a burgeoning social scene, with festivals and events growing exponentially over the last few years. From the Alabama Strawberry Festival to Oktoberfest to the Christkindlmarkt, the Cullman community loves to come together, and welcome visitors.
UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:
Smith Lake Park 4th of July Fireworks Festival – July 4, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
“Independence Day at Smith Lake Park is a full day of summer fun, capped off with a fireworks show lighting up the night sky over the water. Families, friends, and visitors gather for food, festivities, and one of the most scenic fireworks displays of the year, even more special this year as the nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday!”
www.facebook.com/SmithLakePark
30th Annual Sweet Tater Festival – Sept. 6-7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Smith Lake Park
“A longtime tradition, the Sweet Tater Festival celebrates community pride with live entertainment, food and craft vendors, sweet potato favorites, and a popular car show. It’s a relaxed, end-of-summer gathering that feels welcoming and familiar year after year.”
www.facebook.com/SmithLakePark
Cullman Restaurant Week – Sept. 10-21
This will be a communitywide celebration of Cullman County’s growing and diverse culinary scene. The 11-day event will debut with an exciting inaugural kick-off experience,
A beautiful mural at the 2026 Alabama Strawberry Festival
The Cullman Christkindlmarkt was selected as the 2026 Event of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department.
“Culinary in Cullman,” bringing together local restaurants for an unforgettable evening of flavors and fellowship. Participating restaurants will offer tastings and interactive experiences, giving attendees a preview of the flavors they can enjoy throughout the week. www.visitcullman.com
10th Annual Bernard Blues & BBQ – Sept. 12-13, at St. Bernard Abbey
“Held on the campus of St. Bernard Prep School, Bernard Blues & BBQ pairs soulful live music with mouthwatering barbecue, arts and crafts, and family activities. The festival’s warm atmosphere makes it a favorite for music lovers and those looking to savor a slower pace.”
www.bernardbluesbbq.com
Discover more about what Cullman has to offer at www.visitcullman.com.
ONE GREAT PLACE TO STAY: BLACK OAK POINT
You’ve decided to visit Cullman, or be a visitor in your own hometown, but where will you stay? There are lots of great options, and one fantastic and unique one is Black Oak Point on Smith Lake!
Calan and Siarra Hollingsworth describe their journey with Black Oak Point as something that unfolded both intentionally and organically. As owners of a growing real estate investment company based in Cullman, the couple brings two very different professional backgrounds — Calan’s experience in commercial construction and homebuilding, and Siarra’s foundation in public relations and business development. After years spent building careers in Atlanta, they felt a pull back to the place that shaped them. Returning to Cullman allowed them not only to reconnect with their roots, but also to invest in a community they deeply love.
Their work in long-term rentals eventually sparked a shared desire to create something more personal — an elevated lake retreat that blends hospitality, design and the natural beauty of Smith Lake. That vision became Black Oak Point.
“We wanted to create a space where guests could slow down, reconnect and feel truly at home,” Siarra explained. Every detail, from
Ryan Lambert, Zach Holmes and James Kelsey pose at Cullman Oktoberfest in 2025.
The interior of Black Oak Point is lavish and cozy at the same time.
CULLMAN ISN’T JUST A DOT ON THE MAP BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND HUNTSVILLE — IT’S A COMMUNITY WITH A PULSE, A PERSONALITY AND A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF MOMENTUM.
the amenities to the atmosphere, was crafted with that intention.
The property itself offered the perfect canvas. With panoramic windows, a quiet slough and water so clear it feels almost unreal, the setting immediately inspired them. The home already had thoughtful updates, but Calan and Siarra refined the space with a focus on warmth, approachability and a seamless connection to nature. Today, whether guests are gathered in the living room or watching the sun dip behind the trees from the dock, the lake remains the heart of the experience.
“From the beginning, we wanted Black Oak Point to feel elevated while still remaining warm, approachable and deeply connected to nature. We intentionally designed the experience around the landscape, allowing the outdoors to become part of the home itself,” said Siarra. “Whether you are gathered in the living room, waking up in one of the bedrooms or sitting on the dock at sunset, the lake is always at the center of the experience.”
Unlike crowded beach destinations, the lake offers a rare stillness — rolling hills, calm water and a sense of escape just minutes from Cullman’s restaurants, festivals and small-town charm. Guests can spend their days boating, swimming, fishing and exploring or simply unwinding in the quiet.
“The lake itself is breathtaking in every season. The sunrises and sunsets over the water feel almost cinematic, and there is something incredibly calming about the natural beauty surrounding you,” said Siarra. “It is the kind of place that invites you to reconnect with nature, with the people around you and with yourself.”
What surprises many people about the vacation rental world, the couple said, is how personal it becomes.
“Beyond the occasional funny story or forgotten item, what has impacted us most are the meaningful connections formed through hosting guests during some of life’s most important moments,” she said. “We’ve had the privilege of welcoming families celebrating graduations, retirements, birthdays, baby showers, reunions and quiet weekends away simply because they needed time to reset. Many guests return year after year, and some have told us they never want to leave because they feel so relaxed and at home here. Those moments mean everything to us.”
“Hospitality is really about people,” Calan reflected. “That’s been the most rewarding part.”
At Black Oak Point, you can relax and take in views of Smith Lake.
Anglers on Smith Lake
