Lake Wedowee Life: Five Years Strong

Lake Wedowee Life Celebrates Milestone February/March 2013 • www.LakeWedoweeLife.net •

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A New Company is in Town

New C ompany with Familiar Faces Kelly Caldwell, Agent Cell # 256-276-7959

Leisel Caldwell, Broker/Agent Cell # 334-863-0932

Office: 877-959-5253 www.BamaHomesandLand.com www.iLoveLakeWedowee.com facebook.com/wedowee

We are thrilled to be celebrating our fifth anniversary of Lake Wedowee Life magazine this month. We honored that achievement with the five roses in this picture...

February/March 2013 Vol. 6 No. 1

Table of Contents Special Features 12. LWPOA Association Busy with Year Round Projects 20. Small Town Life While the Tide is Out 22. News to Know It’s Legal...Now What?

24. Focus on Family Family Game Night 30. What’s Cooking Soups On 34. News to Know Scott Adds Artistic Flare to Lake Wedowee Life 44. Instagram Reader Submitted Photos 46. Southern Holiday Life Bonus Homemade and Heartfelt

In This Issue 8. Letter from the Editor 10. At a Glance 16. Creative Crafting 36. Charley’s Treasure 39. Hooked on Lake Wedowee 40. Let’s Go Pickin’ 42. Where in the World is Lake Wedowee Life?

Lake Wedowee Life

877.959.LAKE (5253) 18285 Highway 431 Wedowee, AL

www.LakeWedoweeLife.com On the Cover We decided to celebrate our fifth anniversary with a dozen roses and a bottle of champagne on a dock at Lake Wedowee. Flowers by Elaine provided the roses.

Lake Wedowee Life magazine is published six times a year and available around the Lake Wedowee area which includes Randolph and Clay Counties in Alabama as well as parts of West Georgia.

All content in this publication is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Neighborhood Publishing. Š 2008 Neighborhood Publishing

General Manager

Editor

Writer/Photographer

Advertising Sales

LEISEL CALDWELL info@lakewedoweelife.com

KELLY CALDWELL news@lakewedoweelife.com

AMANDA CAUSEY info@lakewedoweelife.com

LAVOY CALDWELL ads@lakewedoweelife.com

Lake Wedowee Life 7

Opportunity for More in 2013 I know I say this every year but my goodness time flies when you are having fun. I can’t believe we are fortunate enough to be celebrating another year of telling the stories of Lake Wedowee and the surrounding areas. This time we celebrate the 5-year mark which we are truly thankful not only for the community with its ever interesting stories, but also our advertisers because without them none of this would be possible.

We began this magazine on a shoestring, a prayer and the belief that we could accomplish this crazy goal of telling the stories of Lake Wedowee. We began with a bimonthly publication schedule which has served us well for our first five years, but we decided to spice it up a little bit this year.

Instead of doing a traditional every other month printing, beginning next issue (April) we will go monthly for the summer months. The demand is there considering we “sell out” of our issues in those months well before the next one is slated for delivery. (More often than not within two weeks of “hitting the streets” With this change, we will need your help more than ever with reader submissions. We welcome your pictures, recipes and story ideas.

Enjoy Life!

Kelly Caldwell

8 Lake Wedowee Life

upcoming events

lake wedowee in your words

February 2nd LWPOA Winter Dinner RCHS Auditorium March 5th–8th Southern Union Spring Show Wadley Campus To get more information about upcoming events visit www.LakeWedoweeLife.com and click on ‘Events’

Lake Wedowee Fishing Advice

By Brian Morris, Fishing Guide Happy New Year and welcome back to our beautiful Lake Wedowee. I'm looking forward to sharing fishing tips throughout the year to help you land your lunker bass or big slab crappie. Feb and March is the best time to land the biggest bass on our lake. Look for the northern banks with chunk rock. These banks warm quicker than any other banks on the lake.

Keep boat position parallel to these banks and throw a tight wiggling crankbait that will reach depths of 5 -7 feet. I recommend using a brown/chartreuse color according to weather fronts, water clarity and fishing pressure. l will also convert to a drop shot rig supporting a 4" finesse straight tail worm in a June bug or green pumpkin color. I will also throw a 3/8 oz black/ blue jig supporting a green pumpkin trailer. Now

lets get to the crappie fishing. Look for northern banks and water temps that are sustained between 54-58 degrees. Casting 1/16 oz jigs black/chartreuse preferably 2-2 1/2" in size twister tails. Many colors will work according to water clarity so don't give up, you never know when you may stumble over the best trip of your life. God Bless and good fishing!!

Book your trip now for your Spring fling, spots are filling quickly. www.lakewedoweefishing.com 770-634-6212

briangofish@gmail.com

What’s New? Randolph County citizens voted to legalize the sale of alcohol. (see article in this issue) Construction continues on new urgent care facility in Wedowee by Tanner Health Systems.

First State Bank in Wedowee has a new branch manager, Kris Miller.

Wedowee Marine has a new boat line for sale. (see ad in this issue of the magazine)

A new appraisal company has opened in Wedowee, A+ Appraisal and Real Estate Clay Tinney is now the new district judge of Randolph County.

Randolph County Schools has a new superintendent, Rance Kirby.

Lil Annies restaurant in Roanoke has opened.

Tune into Alabama 100.7 for their new morning radio show, Morning Madness. (see ad in this issue)

Wings n Things has opened in Wedowee at the old Clay Automotive now has a new Dodge pickup Dari King. truck powered by natural gas. (see ad in this issue for website info) Fox Creek Birding Trail opened on Lake Wedowee (see LWPOA article in this issue) Wedowee has a new dock building company, Boondocks. (see ad in this issue) Bama Homes and Land is a new real estate agency in Wedowee (see ad in this issue of the magazine) WM Grocery is adding 6,000 square feet of retail space to their Wedowee location. (see ad in this issue) Northeast Regional Medical Center has started construction on a new urgent care facility in Roanoke.

If you know of something new that is happening please let us know! Send your “What’s New” to us at There is a new real estate agency in Roanoke, news@lakewedoweelife.com South Home Realty.

Lake Wedowee Life Publication Schedule Release Dates are beginning of the months

February/March Issue (Feb) Guide to Lake Wedowee (April) May Issue (May) June Issue (June) July Issue (July) August Friday Night Life (Aug) September/October Issue (Sept) Southern Holiday Life (Nov)

Home on the Lake We are looking for homes to feature in upcoming issues! If you would like your home to be featured in our ‘Home on the Lake’ please contact us at news@lakewedoweelife.com. Visit us online to see past ‘Home on the Lake” features.

Visit us online for more info.

www.lakewedoweelife.com

LWPOA busy with year round projects Alabama Power Company and the city of Carrollton, GA to collect and install Christmas Tress for our Fish Habitat. We need your help with trucks and trailers to bring the trees from Carrollton to Lake Wedowee. The association plans to install the trees in the lake bed in mid-February and will need volunteers.

The Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association have been hard at work during the off season working on numerous projects to better life on Lake Wedowee. The organization has been instrumental in the Renew our Rivers Lake Cleanup, the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Fox Creek site and improving our fish habitats with the Christmas tree campaign.

Waterfall Cleanup Lake Wedowee's very The Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association invites each of you to get involved. They group works on a variety scenic waterfall is located in a cove off the Big River of projects year round. in the Sandy Creek area.

Over time, this area has collected debris and fallen in to disLake Cleanup repair. With the approval and coopRenew our Rivers is a program eration of Alabama Power Comsponsored by Alabama Power and pany, the LWPOA will undertake with the help of volunteers around to remove the debris and improve the Southeast has removed more this beautiful area for the enjoythan 10 million pounds of trash ment to all. Again, the association from 2000 to 2009. The trash and Volunteers have been working will need volunteers to help. They debris removed includes bottles toward opening the site for a year, are targeting February for this proand cans to tires, water heaters, rerounding up local sponsors and ject. Please contact a Board Member frigerators and boats. This total encoordinating support, cleaning up compasses cleanups in Alabama, trash, marking trails, and building a to help.

Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. parking area and information LWPOA Board Members The 2013 dates of the cleanup will board. At this time more than 1.5 Current officers and board membe October 23-26. Betty and Marlon miles of walking paths have been bers of the Lake Wedowee Property Glover are the LWPOA liaisons for fully developed, with another mile Owners include Chairperson lake cleanup. of rustic trail available and much Melinda Freeman, Vice Chairpermore in the works. The terrain is a son Kevin O'Neil, Treasurer Nan Birding Trail great mix of open land, brush, forFerebee and board members DenThe Fox Creek site is the third est and lakeshore, attracting a wide nis Hightower, Nick French, Betty Randolph County location on the variety of birds from herons to Glover, Judy Haley, Jim McAlear, Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and hummingbirds. Members working Barry Morris and Jim Vice. is adjacent to the Fox Creek boat on the trail have spotted dozens of ramp 4 miles west of the Highway species. A local spotting list should 48 bridge. The site was dedicated in be available during the coming December and is a joint effort of the year.

LWPOA, the Randolph County For more information on the Chamber of Commerce, the AlaFish Habitat property owners association, bama Tourism Department and For the second consecutive year, please visit our website at Alabama Power. the LWPOA will be working with

Lake Wedowee Property Owners

DIY Hypertufa Planters Hypertufa (pronounced hyper -toofa) Planters are a fun way to display your plants & flowers in a natural and stylish way. This craft takes a total of 3 weeks to complete but requires a small amount of time from you. There are many steps so do not let them intimidate you from trying it out!

What You Will Need: Perlite Peat Moss Concrete Mix Plastic Containers Rubber Gloves Cooking Spray Rubber Hammer Plastic Garbage Bag Water I attempted this project twice, my first time was a crash and burn. Complete instructions as well as photos with each step are available online, as well as the crash & burn shots. If cured properly these planters are freeze proof and can be left outside in the elements without damage. Next time I make these I will add texture, color and design. I spent a total of $25 on all of my materials, that averages out to about $2 per planter if you are mistake free. These would make great gifts for friends and family. Enjoy and if you make some send us a photo to share!

18 Lake Wedowee Life

Lake Wedowee Life 19

While the Tide is Out “If a tree falls in the woods without anyone present, does it still make a noise?”

Well, what about…

When we are away from the lake, is it still there?

Yes, I usually think about ridiculous things like that, and today just started as usual.

A quick decision and out the door with coffee in hand, grabbing for whatever I might need, my mind on the road long before I even left the driveway.

Several weeks have passed since our last big bash, but the memories are still fresh. Man, that old grill can cook… Even though nobody every compliments the dude standing over it.

Dogs playing harder than the boys because mama’s layering on the sunscreen, beach chairs transformed into dock chairs, and the same old Willie Nelson tape has survived another year.

When I usually take this trip, I think about who’s going to be there, who is coming and where I will sleep. But, this time around

it’s just me and despite my vivid memory of a crowd at the house, today I’m alone.

Small Town Life

by Chris Bridges There are no boats to follow on this trip which allow for a record setting pace of getting downtown.

This is a humble, dedicated, loved and admired place. I’m talking about main street Wedowee.

Yes, downtown Wedowee, Alabama.

A few turns later, I arrive at my destination. The leaves lingering in the trees were few. All the oth-

ers hide the gravel driveway. It’s so nice seeing the water. I cleaned a spot on an old cross tie and sat a while. No boats. No crunch on the road above.

Cool air had replaced thick summer breezes. Everything was there. Everything seemed to be at ease.

Retaining walls at rest. Docks relaxed on the lake bed. Steps were absent of wet footprints. Chairs folded and stacked. Hammock completely still. The porch rails have all dried after holding summer’s towels and the old grill…still there.

Time passed quickly. Some of the things I wanted to do had to wait, but I did get the driveway clean and leaves blown off the deck. I packed up and headed for town then eventually back home, stopping at the local store for a drink. Once again, my mind started to tell me a story.

Unfortunately, we do neglect to go back to Wedowee during the off-season. Jobs, the holidays, and whatever our calendar says we should do take the place of our

www.lakewedoweelife.com

summer retreat. Winter in Wedowee is much different from the summer it has come to know, but it holds on to the memories of summer giggles, refueling, and revving motors.

Back into town, making my turn, my mind still racing. We transient lake people love our summer home. Some have even made the move, while others dream of busting our alarm clocks and retiring here. Today it was slow - it's that time of year. Some of the local businesses rely on the love of summer and summer's crowds, but are making it. Open signs on in familiar places, lights off in a few. It just feels right here.

I have spent hours stopping by the store for a bag of ice then filling orders from waiting family already on the dock complaining about wakes. I don't know many locals yet but that doesn't stop the friendly hellos and handshakes or

the polite cashier from smiling like everything in my buggy is for her.

For a small little town, Wedowee is huge on family...parttime we are the family. We are the ones that will speed into the place and bust a stop sign on the back road near our house. We are the ones that pack the isles of every store during summer break. We are the ones that call it our summer home, our get away...our lake.

Here it comes 431 bridge - the last place to see water when driving north. Crossing over, my head turns left looking down the river like I could see for miles.

Our lake town is still there and doing just fine. Yes, the crowds are gone for now and the water is a little low, but that is just perfect.

So, if you missed this winter, it’s really your loss. The hustle and bustle of mid-summer has gone,

replaced with seasonal pride. The residents here want you to love the place and it shows in the detail. They must band together as a team. Wedowee is a highlight reel.

You just need to see it again.

Wake up. Think about it. Don’t check your To Do List. Make the drive. Spend some time in town visiting the shops, sticking your head in the door and saying your own hellos then buy your own cup of local coffee, clean off a spot in your second backyard and sit...while the tide is out.

Before the fuss of spring or the panic of summer starts we should enjoy the memories and peacefulness of our lake. Maybe it’s just me with my usual unusual way of thinking, but if I’ve got you considering a day trip or weekend stay in winter Wedowee, my job is done.

Illustration by Tom Scott.

It’s Legal‌ Now What On November 6, the people of Randolph County were asked whether or not they wanted to legalize the sale of alcohol in this county. There were intense debates for and against the issue in the weeks leading up to the election, but in the end the majority favored the legalized sale of alcohol.

After the dust settled on the issue, there were more questions than answers concerning alcohol sales in Randolph County. Lake Wedowee Life magazine is a lifestyle publication and does not have a political agenda. However, we do feel this is a subject important to our readers and the community. This is the first in a series of articles pertaining to the impact of alcohol sales on the Lake Wedowee community.

In the three months since Randolph County voted to legalize the sale of alcohol, the leaders of the county and the Town of Wedowee have been diligently working on getting the procedures in place.

"It has been more complicated than I expected," Wedowee Mayor Tim Coe said. "But, we have continued working on this issue since the results of the election were known."

In the short time, Wedowee has passed its local ordinance which will govern the sale of alcohol within the town limits and Wedowee's police jurisdiction.

"We had the option to decide if we were going to govern the jurisdiction as well," Coe said.

cluded. The definition of a church by the ordinance is a free-standing structure not rented or leased. In other words, the 250 foot rule does not apply to churches renting space in a commercial location.

The Town of Wedowee has a fee structure in place for 14 different types of licenses governing the sale of alcohol.

For 10 of those licenses the state has limits as to what can be charged in addition to the state fee.

Businesses not in the town limits or jurisdiction of a municipality are licensed by the Randolph County Commission. The county commission follows state law and only had to pass a fee structure prior to issuing licenses.

"And, we figured we will get the police calls anyway, so we SO WHAT TYPES OF ALCOwanted the revenue from it."

HOL WILL BE FOR SALE? The main difference from state Depending on the license, a law and the local ordinance for business may sell beer, wine or the Town of Wedowee is the liquor to the public either to be consumed at the location or off site. The only type of alcohol that

by Kelly Caldwell will not be available for purchase in Randolph County is draft beer.

"It's my understanding that proximity to churches, schools would require a separate local and childcare facilities. legislative act to be able to serve "State law does not have disor sell draft beer," Coe said. tances from buildings, but it's Lakeside Marina, north of Wesomething our council felt dowee, could be one of the first in strongly about." Coe said. the county to sell alcohol, but An establishment that wishes to sell alcohol in the town of We- owner John Tinney is quick to say dowee must be 250 feet from the it will not harm the atmosphere of church, school or childcare facil- his establishment.

"We are wanting to sell beer ity as measured from exterior and wine for off premise conwall to exterior wall. However, all sumption," he said. "We are offerplaces of worship are not in-

News to Know

ing as a convenience to our customers that wish to purchase it, but at the same time, we do not want to be 'in your face' with it to those customers that do not.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase in the convenience store side of Lakeside but it will not be available for purchase with a meal in the restaurant.

"We pride ourselves on having the 'Cracker Barrel' family atmosphere in our restaurant and we want to maintain that," Tinney said.

Tinney, along with three other businesses in the county, is on the agenda for the January 28 Randolph County Commissioners meeting. If approved at that meeting, Tinney believes Lakeside could have alcohol for sale by February 1.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LIQUOR STORE AND A PACKAGE STORE? A Liquor Store is a state run by the ABC Board and does not sell beer. A Package Store is a privately run retail business that can sell liquor or beer for off-site consumption.

According to Coe, the Town of Wedowee does have interest in a state-run store being located within its borders.

"The director of the ABC Board came to our meeting a few weeks ago and said there was interest in

putting a state store in the county, however its location would require unanimous support by council."

WHEN CAN YOU BUY ALCOHOL? According to the Town of Wedowee ordinance there are certain hours of a day that alcohol sales are prohibited... But most of that time the majority of the population will be asleep. During the week, "Dry Hours" are 1 a.m. until 6 a.m. and the weekends are 2 a.m. until 6 a.m. on Saturday and 2 a.m. on Sunday until 6 a.m.

Monday. That translates into no Sunday Sales of Alcohol in the Town of Wedowee.

WHAT ABOUT THE TAXES? Prior to the election, Randolph County received $30,627.49 per month in what was once known as TVA money for being a dry county. When the citizens voted to legalize the sale of alcohol, that guaranteed money went away.

"The TVA money stopped when the election results were certified on November 16," Cindy Arrington, county administrator for Randolph County, said.

Until alcohol sales begin, the county's general fund is losing money daily as are each of the municipalities.

"When this all started, we had

a goal of February 1, (to begin alcohol sales)" Coe said. "But it was a lot more complicated than we first thought. So now, we are hopeful for March 1."

The process for the town has one more step than the county in that a prospective licensee has to advertise their intent in the local newspaper for two weeks prior to meeting with town council. To this point no formal applications have been made to the town.

"We have had some businesses express interest and we know that its coming," Coe said. "But we are in a wait and see mode at this point because there are so many unknowns."

When alcohol revenue begins coming in, both the town of Wedowee and the county have elected to put those funds into the general fund.

"There are a lot of people wanting their slice of the 'alcohol pie.' But, I don't want to make any promises until we know exactly what kind of revenue we can expect," Coe said. "We have been losing money for a while due to the economy and other factors and our reserves need to be replenished before we do anything else."

In the next issue, Lake Wedowee Life will explore the legal aspects of alcohol on Lake Wedowee.

Family Game Night My family has always been a competitive group… It doesn’t matter the contest, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Taboo, Texas Hold ‘em...We always play to win.

Even now as adults we still break out the cards or a board game when we are together for an extended period of time.

Over the holidays we were introduced to a new game called Mexican Dominoes and played for hours with our extended family…

And while its not necessary, smack talk is prevalent in our house from the 5 year old all the way to the

soon to be 60 year old.

Yes we like to win, but as we have gotten older it’s just as important spending time together as a family.

have a download to get you started) We promise it will be a night you won’t likely forget.

Also please send us pictures of your family game nights this winter and we will post them on our website. You can email them to

by Kelly Caldwell news@lakewedoweelife.com.

We want to get back to basics in The winter months lend them2013 so there will be more familyselves to more game night opportu- centric articles in the issues to nities because its cold and you come. From planning a graduation can’t be outside as much. party to having fun on Lake WeSo embrace your inner child and dowee, we plan to celebrate our dig out some games… Or you can family this year and we encourage make up your own… (We even you to do the same!

Focus on Family

www.lakewedoweelife.com

From left, clockwise, Kelly Caldwell and Awbrey Lumpkin take a break from Mexican Dominoes at Thanksgiving. Jasmine Burton gets ready for the game at the Lumpkin house.

Jasmine Burton, Erin Rampy, Awbrey Lumpkin and Will Lumpkin had their own game night recently. Erin Rampy is playing her turn in Headbanz.

Want to cook up something fun and quick for your family’s game night? The following recipes are quick, easy and cheap! They are also great ideas of any other party or get together you may be planning.

For more recipes and detailed photos of the steps involved in these recipes visit us online at www.LakeWedoweeLife.com

Mini Taco Bites 1 lb browned ground round Wonton/Eggroll Wrappers Taco Seasoning (Or other flavor you like) Cheese & other toppings Start by browning your beef (or you can use chicken). When cooking with ground beef I prefer to use ground round because it is leaner and has a good flavor.

Once the beef is browned then add your seasoning of choice and follow instructions amount of water to add.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

If using eggroll wrappers quarter it with a pizza wheel or knife. Put into muffin pan (for this recipe I used mini muffin pans for a more bite sized appetizer). This should make a cup like look with the sides higher than the muffin pan. If the sides of the wrappers are not higher than the muffin pan you need to cut them a little larger.

Put ground round (or what-

ever seasoned meat you decide to use) into the eggroll/wonton “cups”. Top with shredded cheese (cream cheese might also be good).

Bake for about 15 minutes or until cups are brown and cheese is melted. Then top with your favorite toppings.

Funfetti Cake Dip 1 (18.9 oz) box Funfetti cake mix 2 cups fat-free plain yogurt 1 cup lite Cool Whip Fat-free animal crackers In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, plain yogurt and Cool Whip until completely combined and you see no more lumps. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill for about 4 hours.

Garnish with additional sprinkles if desired and serve with animal crackers, enjoy!

Italian Pinwheels on a Stick 1 can crescent rolls or seamless crescent rolls. ½ c. pizza sauce Shredded Cheese (mozzarella works the best but can use cheddar)

Wax paper Toothpicks Lollipop Sticks or Bamboo Skewers Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On a sheet of wax paper roll out your can of dough (or you

can make your own pizza dough from scratch if preferred). If using regular crescent rolls be sure to seal all the perforated marks by pressing together with your fingers.

Using a pizza wheel make small ¼ to ½ inch strips into the dough lengthwise. Do not move from the wax paper. Spread pizza sauce over the dough and smooth it evenly. Sprinkle cheese across.

Start rolling from one end to the other into a “wheel”. Secure the end with a tooth pick and place onto a baking sheet. This should yield about 12 for each can of dough.

Bake for about 8-12 minutes.

When cool pull out the toothpick and replace with the sucker sticks/bamboo skewers (or forget the skewers all together and serve them as is).

Soup’s On! Story and Photos by Lake Wedowee Life Staff Winter months seem to keep everyone staying indoors. Its cold, gets dark way too early and it always seems there’s some kind of sickness going around. So it’s no wonder soup is the perfect comfort food for these cold winter months. We have collected a few of our favorites to share with you.

Enjoy!

Classic Chili 1 pkg. 1.25 oz. chili seasoning mix 1 lb. ground beef 2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce 1 can (15 to 16 oz.) kidney or pinto beans, undrained Assorted toppings: shredded cheese, chopped onions, or sour cream

Classic Chili

Brown meat in a PTO teacher appreciation lunch large skillet on medium-heat. Drain and had several teachers email asking the recipe. fat.

3 (10¾ oz) cans chicken broth 2 cups water ½ cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed ½ cup finely chopped green onions ½ cup margarine or butter ¾ cup all-purpose flour Serve with toppings, if desired. ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning Creamy Chicken ⅛ teaspoon pepper & Wild Rice Soup 2 cups half and half Amanda saw a soup similar to this 1½ cup cubed or shredded cooked online and decided to give it a try chicken or turkey while substituting some ingredi8 slices bacon, crisply cooked and ents for things that her family crumbled liked better. Not only was the soup a hit with her family, she In a large saucepan, combine prepared it for her son's school chicken broth and water. Add wild Stir in seasoning mix, tomato sauce, and beans. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until beans are soft, stirring occasionally.

rice and onions. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30-45 minutes (or until rice is tender).

Once the rice is cooked, there will be some additional broth – do not drain.

In a medium saucepan, melt margarine, stir in flour, salt, seasoning, and pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.

Gradually stir in half and half with the butter/flour mixture and cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Add this creamy mixture back into the saucepan with the rice/broth. Add remaining ingredients (chicken & bacon). Heat on low, stirring every once in a while, for at least a half an hour.

Do not boil. This soup is best served after gently heating for an extended period of time (even a few hours) or the next day! For extra flavor, add more poultry seasoning and/or bacon.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup This Italian soup is a quick and hearty meal for your family. Most people in this part of the world haven’t used gnocchi, but its basically a potato dumpling. You can find them in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone. The risk is worth it with this soup!

1 cup chicken breasts, diced and cooked (can use canned chicken or turkey) 4 Tbsp butter 4 Tbsp olive oil 1 quart half and half (can use evaporated milk) 1 14 ounce can chicken broth 1/2 cup celery, sliced 1/4 cup flour 2 garlic cloves, minced

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup 1 cup carrots, shredded 1 medium onion, diced 1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped 1/2 tsp dried thyme salt and pepper to taste 16 ounce package gnocchi

and cook a minute. Add the half and half.

Meanwhile in another pan, cook the gnocchi. Add the carrots and chicken to the stockpot.

Stir often and when it gets thicker, In a large stockpot, saute the onion, add the chicken broth, gnocchi, celery and garlic in the butter and spinach and seasonings. Cover and heat throughly. olive oil. When the onion is clear, add the flour and form a roux. Stir

Chicken and Dumplings about 3 cups cooked chicken 6-8 cups chicken broth 2 cups flour 2 Tbs. butter 1/2 tsp. baking powder salt to taste (I just shake some in) about a cup of milk, maybe a bit less

Chicken & Dumplings

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork. Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork until the dough forms a ball.

Heavily flour a work surface.

You’ll need a rolling pin and pizza wheel to cut the dumplings.

Roll the dough out thin with a heavily floured rolling pin. Dip your cutter in flour and cut the dumplings in squares about 2″x2″.

It’s okay for them not to be exact.

Just eye ball it. Some will be bigger, some smaller, some shaped funny.

Use the floured spatula to put them on a heavily floured plate. Just keep flouring between the layers of dumplings. If they will be cooked soon, this method works well. If you plan on cooking them later in the day, layer them on a cookie sheet with wax paper between and

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

lots of flour. You can also freeze them like this and then transfer them to a ziplock bag.

To cook them, bring the broth to a boil. Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them. The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth. Cook them for about 1520 minutes or until they not doughy tasting. Add the cooked chicken to the pot and you’re done!

Visit us online for more recipes and photos LakeWedoweeLife.com

Scott adds artistic flare to Lake Wedowee Life When we decided to turn our Lake Wedowee Life cabin into a gingerbread house for Christmas, we didn't really know what the reaction would be. We figured there would be people that would want to take pictures and it would bring a smile

by Kelly to others faces as they drove by, but local artist Tom Scott surprised us.

Scott used our little cabin as inspiration for his Christmas Card this year and before Christmas he dropped by the cabin and presented us with the original watercolor painting of his Christmas card.

"I like to paint scenes of We-

dowee for our card each year and this was an obvious choice," Scott said. Scott pitched another idea to us and we jumped at the opportunity.

Beginning with this issue, Scott has agreed to lend his artistic talents to Lake Wedowee Life in Caldwell the form of illustrations and drawings of life on Lake Wedowee. We are thrilled to have his talents at our disposal and hope you will be pleased at this edition to our magazine family as well.

He does commissioned work from photographs as well and you can visit his website at www.tomscottpaintings.com for more information.

News to Know

What would mom say?

I am blessed to have had some good influences in my life and for me, I think the preverbal “little voice in the back of my head” is derived mostly from them. But like most people, I don’t always listen to the little voice and sometimes find myself wishing I had. If there was a sound from these subtle thoughts, I’d like to think it would be my mother's voice because she represents most of what is good in me. Of the many ways that she influences me, the one that stands out is her ability to find a positive in almost every negative. I can’t say I am even close to mastering this ability but when I am successful at it, it helps to balance my attitude and see the bigger picture.

Of the many influences that help in my response to a given situation, this particular influence is the one I have used the most, especially a few months ago when I had a particularly bad string of luck.

In the matter of a couple weeks, my truck radiator failed, I ran out of gas on the lake, both my wife and daughters cars broke down, the engine in one of the jet skis blew up (Dismay, of course), a limb fell on my head and my beloved Toyota Supra, which I spent years building, caught on fire and was severely damaged. These events and others definitely dampened the “fun factor” in my little world until I put things in perspective and listened to the little voice.

When I ran out of gas, I had my dog with me so it was nice to have the company. And while I drifted the currents for an hour or more, it gave me time to think how beautiful it was that day and how fortunate I am to live here. I also got to meet a

Charley’s Treasures

by Charley Norton man and his son, who were nice enough to give me a tow until my friends, who had been looking for me, arrived. That weekend, I took Maggie and Briana camping on the peninsula. While pulling the lantern up in the tree, the limb broke and fell on my head. Although unpleasant, it made for a pretty good laugh once the stars cleared from my eyes. Then the engine failed in the jet ski and I left the girls at the camp while I went back for the other one, which I am fortu-

nate to have use of. But as luck would have it (bad luck that is), my truck ran hot and I barely got the steamy piece of crap back to the house. Luckily, my neighbors were home and loaned me their truck (It’s good to have friends nearby). But being able to (eventually) relax in my favorite place and watch the girls having such a good time in nature was worth any bump on the head or busted truck.

The next day, because my truck was busted, I drove the Supra to work . Late in the day, life alert called and said moms emergency button was depressed, which turned out to be a false alarm. Not knowing this at the time, I drove the Supra (like it was stolen) to her house and when I got there, my engine caught on fire. I was so thankful it was my car and not my mom that was in trouble. The next day, Maggie came with me to get the car so I had some quality time with her. I found what a good friend I have with Eddie Creed (Napa Auto Parts). He made use to me a trailer to load my car on. Ken Seiffert (State Farm) did his best with a difficult claim, trying to keep my car from being totaled and even with Maggie and Kim’s cars breaking down, it was good to know there are people I can count on when I need a little help such as Wendell Huddleston (Lakeside Auto), who stopped what he was doing to help Kim get her car going when

she stopped by on her way back from Birmingham.

I can’t help but feel blessed to be able to sit at my desk in the early AM drinking coffee and piddling with these stories. And even though my knee is swollen from the hard work the crew and I have been doing these last few weeks, I still have a desk because of them and that’s a lot considering the struggle we’ve had with the economy these last few years. I’m blessed with a family unit and to have come from a family unit full of caring and compassionate people

and I am blessed to have friends that are there for me as I am for them.

I don’t claim to be the Ned Flanders (the Simpsons) of Wedowee (Just ask anyone who works with me). I have my moments. When I am aggravated, my words can be much more colorful than those in this magazine and I have made a fool of myself

on many an occasion.

But I think moms point is to “keep the attitude” or in my case to try.

Whatever is bad for you, there is someone else that has it worse. Be thankful for what you have, trust that things will get better and look for the positive in every negative as there usually is one close by.

Charley Norton is the co-owner of Norton’s Flooring with his brother Tom. The company was founded by his parents more than 35 years ago.

Illustrations by Tom Scott.

A lesson in tournament blocking Wendell and I were fishing in a local fishing club where we had tournaments once a month. There was no big money to win but it was meant for fun and competition, which is right up my alley. At the end of the season your total pounds caught are totaled and if you’re lucky you can receive a trophy.

During one of these tournaments we were fishing along the bank. Wendell was in the front running the trolling motor fishing to his right, and I was in the back fishing to my left. The fish limit per tournament is 5 per fisherman. At daylight I started catching the heck out of fish and

Hooked on Lake Wedowee

by Bonny & Wendell Huddleston

by 9 am I had my limit of 5. At that point I started culling, trying to get bigger fish than what I already had. Wendell had zero fish. Suddenly I see Wendell changing his lure to what I was fishing with. And I start to feel the boat turn until we had switched positions. “What in the heck are you doing?” I asked him. “I’m teaching you the meaning of tournament block!” he informed me.

Needless to say at the weigh in he actually had more pounds of fish than I did.

The moral of this story is be sure you run your own trolling motor and if you can’t beat em just block em!

Lake Wedowee Life 55

by Candice Helton

I love this time of year. It doesn't get any better than snuggling up next to a nice warm fire on a cold winter day with the ones that you love. However, who wants to curl up next to a drab fireplace? Did you know that you could create an inviting mantle with junk found at yard sales, thrifts, or even on the side of the road? Pictured are two unique looks I created for under $20 each.

for just $1. Books are another thing that you will find plenty of at yard sales and thrifts. Look for coordinating colors to stack on the mantle. They are a great way to add a small pop of color to your room and cost very little. Leave a few quilts and floor pillows close by so you will always have a soft place to curl up and read a book or take a cat nap. I found these soft crocheted blankets at a local thrift shop for $2 each. I tend to stay away from items that can be purchased from department stores but, I couldn't pass up the beautiful framed canvas painting for just $5 at a yard sale. What a steal! The total cost of this makeover was right around $18.

pretty penny. Plan a weekend to drive down some old winding roads and you are sure to spot and old barn. I am one that will walk up and knock on some ones door to ask if they are interested in letting me rummage through it. You can find some great junk! Look for fallen board and ask if they are interested in getting rid of them. I made the wooden mantle piece out of wood I got completely free from a 100 year old tear down I just hapOn your next outing keep your pened to pass by. I simply screwed eyes open for bottles and jars. You four boards to two 2X2’s and can find these all the time at your added a piece in the middle to replocal thrift store. I have been licate a small barn door but, you known to even save all the empty can easily find step-by-step instrucbottles from my refrigerator too. tions online. Adding a wreath is an These are great for creating small easy way to change the feel of your flower arrangements. You can even room and it can be changed every add twigs for more of a rustic look, I love taking junk and repurpos- season for a new look. I found this like I did in the picture (below, to ing it. Reclaimed wood has become wreath for $1 and made little fabric the right?) I purchased all of these quite popular lately and can cost a rolled rosettes out of scrap fabric

from a previous project. The total for the redo was just $8.

Get out there and dig around.

You will always find unique pieces to add to your home and will not have to feel guilty about breaking the bank for your next decor project.

Visit Candice on her Facebook page Facebook.com/JunkRethunk

(Clockwise from Top) Deployed to Eastern Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom XII Pilot-in-Command- CPT Merritt Thomas (right), with Co-pilot/Gunner - 1LT Dan Cullbreth (left) In front of an AH-64D Apache Longbow; Dustin Wade, Caleb & Waylon Vowell, Gavin Hume, Tanja and Jakob Vowell, Christopher Morris, Megan Hume and Danny Morrow travelled to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina; Beau Causey took his issue of Lake Wedowee Life to Washington DC and posed beside the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History; Pat Norred, Lamar Evans, Dot Snow and Carolyn Carter took along a copy of LWL when they went to Cozumel; Billy & Jeanette smith in Honolulu Oahu at the Hawaiian Luau & Polynesian Culture Center; Barry and Linda Smith with traveling friends the Pushies and the Shockleys at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

If you travel, be sure to take Lake Wedowee Life along with you. Take a picture at a landmark and send it back to us at news@lakewedoweelife.com. Please be sure to tell us where you are and who is with you!! Thanks and Happy Travels!

Clockwise from Top) Joyce Blair & Ethel Lybrand traveled to the Tennessee Mountains with their Summer Celebration copy of Lake Wedowee Life, Teddy Gentry & Chalres English have a copy of Lake Wedowee Life at the Songwriters concert at the Historic Ritz Theatre in Talladega, Sam Hunt, Theresa Goodman, (of Alabama 100.7) and Andy Billy (of Alabama 100.7) have a copy of Lake Wedowee Life outside the Songwriter’s Concert in Talladega.

Visit our website to view our interactive Where In The World map! See previous photos and check out everywhere Lake Wedowee Life has been!

Instagram is a fun and quirky way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures.

The following photos were tagged #Wedowee or #LakeWedowee and are used with the consent of the photograph owner. Download the free app today & join in the fun!

Kevin Maholchic @kevinmaholchic

Stefanie Dewhurst @stefdewhurst

Claire Brown @clairebrown22

Bree Robinson @brianarob

David Crabbe @davmelaargretch

Kristen Watkins @kris10watkins

Addison Wells @a_wells_15

Jack Dawson @dawson_jack

Oliver Jones @okjones4

Special Holiday Feature Story by Leisel Caldwell & Photos by Amanda Causey

Southern Holiday Life is excited to offer a special feature series in Lake Wedowee Life magazine about seasonal holidays and events we celebrate throughout the year. Southern Holiday Life will share with Lake Wedowee Life readers new crafts, recipes, party ideas, decorating and beautiful photography revolving around upcoming holidays or

events. There will also be additional content placed on the SouthernHolidayLife.com website throughout the year.

Easy Cake Pops for Valentines and Easter I am sure everyone is aware of the cake pop craze. If not, they are cute little decorated cakes on a stick like a lollipop. Look around and you will find cake pop recipe

books, cake pop appliances, cake pop pans and tools for decorating.

Upon further investigation in recipe books and magazine articles featuring cake pops, I have found pictures of cake pops decorated as baby chicks, bunnies, clowns, ghosts, owls, monster eyeballs and even a bride and groom.

A little over the top for me since all I want to do is make a cute lit-

tle cake ball on a stick.

There are many different ways to make the cake part of the “pop”. The most popular recipe is combining a baked sheet cake with a canned frosting. You crumble the cake and mix with approximately two thirds of the canned frosting. You form small

cake balls with the cake mixture and then refrigerate the balls for a couple hours. Now you are ready to dip the pops in melted chocolate and decorate.

I found a much quicker way to get to the “fun” part of making cake pops by using donut holes!

The little round cake like confection is perfect if you don't want to make anything too fancy. Now that we have our cake already made for us let’s move on to the dipping and decorating.

Besides the donut holes you will need; .lollipop sticks (I prefer the 6 inch length), melting chocolate made for candy making (comes in multiple colors), a container for melting the chocolate in the microwave, a flat piece of Styrofoam or a board made to hold the cake pops on the lollipop

sticks upright Sparkles, tiny sprinkles, and paper plates or foil lined cookie sheet to catch the sprinkles and easy clean up of your work area.

Once you start melting the chocolate you will need to be prepared to work quickly without interruption .

Step one: Melt a small amount of the chocolate in the microwave according to the package instructions.

Step two: Dip one at a time a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and then push the coated end into the donut hole.

Place the cake pop stick upright in the Styrofoam or prepared board.

Step three: Place prepared cake pops in the refrigerator to chill for approximately 30 minutes.

Step four: Melt more of your chocolate for dipping the cake pops. Again, follow the package directions for melting the chocolate.

Step five: Dip your cake pops one at a time in the melted chocolate.

Make sure to cover the en-

tire cake pop and let the excess chocolate run off. Spinning the cake pop slowly after dipping helps take off the excess chocolate.

Work in small batches of 3 or 4 pops at a time when dipping and decorating . The candy coating hardens pretty quickly. Add sprinkles and sparkles to the pops while the chocolate is still a little sticky. Place the dipped cake pop upright on your Styrofoam or prepared board.

This is such a fun project to do with kids and using donut holes you cut down your prep by 2 to 3 hours. Depending on how many cake pops you want to do, this cake decorating project can be done in approximately 1 hr.

Valentine’s Day is the holiday when truly the “thought is what counts”. Take a little time and do something special for the ones you love. Make cake pops, fix a special dinner, or write a personal note to those special people in your life that mean so much to you.

Please visit us online for more photos of this project and more at SouthernHolidayLife.com

64 Lake Wedowee Life

Index of Advertisers A & E Metal

14

Main Street Animal Hospital

21

Affordable Tire & Repair

19

Modern Woodmen of America

19

Alabama 100.7

33

Norton's Floor Covering

29

Bama Homes and Land

2

Perryland Foods

35

Bank of Wedowee

45

Randolph County Cooperative

29

Beaumonde Photography

43

RE/MAX Lakefront Grady & Linda Stone

15

Benefield Funeral Home

19

Scott Hewitt, Attorney at Law

21

Boondocks

7

Sheppard's Jewelry

35

Brian Morris

23

SmallTown Bank

15

Chad Lee, Attorney At Law

14

Southern Restoration

37

Charles Thompson Construction

6

Southern Union State Community College

35

Clay County Automotive

52

State Farm Insurance

45

Corson Tree Service

48

Steele Chiropractic

15

Docks Plus More

34

Summit Storage

38

Dr. Michael Edwards

14

Superior Gas

38

Farmer’s Insurance

48

Tallapoosa River Electric Coop

38

Fiberglass Unlimited

28

Tom Scott

28

Flowers By Elaine

48

Tower Construction

23

H& M Drugs

19

W & M Grocery

51

Hall’s Propane

14

Waste Solutions

34

Lakeside Grill

3

Wedowee Building Supply

45

Lakeview Auto Service

48

Wedowee Lake and Lands

29

Lake Wedowee Construction

13

Wedowee Marine

9

Lake Wedowee Property Owners

38

Williamsburg Manor

29

Mac McKinney Properties

39