February 2017 Lake magazine

Rustic Warmth at Blue Creek Real Estate Champs!

Wine with WOW

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FEBRUARY 2017

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Letter from the Editor

F

airy tales are my favorite, especially when they come true, and nothing is more dream-cometrue than a Lake Martin wedding. Just look at the smiling faces of the brides and grooms in this, the annual bridal issue of Lake magazine.

The fairy tales just rolled into the TPI office this year, as right before Christmas we learned that Garrett Dagostin had asked for the help of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) in his plan to propose to Katheryn Donati at the top of Smith Mountain.

The folks at CRATA were happy to oblige, and they opened the gate at the parking area, allowing Dagostin to drive up the steep road to set a stage of twinkling lights against the deep twilight sky for the magic moment. See Katheryn’s reaction on page 42.

Then, we heard about plans for a January bachelorette party on Lake Martin. We couldn’t think of a better place for a bride’s slumber party with her ‘besties.’ The ladies graciously let us crash their party, which included a luncheon at the Lake Martin home of the bride’s aunt, chill time on the dock, and best-ever memories at the lake. Join the party on page 34.

From New Water Ministries to the SpringHouse lawn, Lake Martin spun dreams come true for countless couples last year.

We bring you just a few in these pages, and we hope you have a great time reading them. Cut up with Dylan Ferniany, a member of the Hardy Family Band, which was recreated during the festivities at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough in November when she married Austin Senseman. Pick up a tin can banjo and join the fun on page 30.

Then, slip over to page 38 at Church of the Living Waters where Virginia Duffie married William Fife in a church that her grandparents built. Now that’s a serious fairy tale.

Not all of the fairy tales in this issue are wedding related though; Russell Medical Foundation is making plans to host the first-ever Storybook Ball to raise funds for the hospital’s pediatric unit. This black tie affair is a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to make enchanted memories with their beloved children for children. As the adults dance into the evening, the children will be having their own party that will include – of course – reading fairytales and storybooks! Turn to page 57 for ticket information – children not required.

But children are going to love what’s happening at Smith Mountain Park because it includes technology! The educational phase of CRATA's restoration project will include interactive signage features that will help visitors learn even more about the history and ecosystem of the Lake Martin area. Read about this aspect of the restoration effort on page 22.

Thanks for joining us for this issue of Lake magazine, and now, in the words of the late stylist. fashion director and editor Annabel Tollman, “Make a fairy tale and go and live in it.”

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

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Staff Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor LONNA UPTON

lonna.upton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

EMILY GREGG

emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com

TABBY EDWARDS

tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com

SCOTT HARDY

scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com

DONNA JONES

donna.jones@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

HALLIE HOLLOWAY

hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE LEE WILLIAMS JOHN COLEY MITCH SNEED HENRY FOY GREG VINSON JOHN THOMPSON MIA OSBORN JULIE HUDSON KATY SHELTON CLIFF WILLIAMS KRISTIN GREENE ANN WADE PHOTOGRAPHY SIMPLY SARAH PHOTOGRAPHY COTTON AND CLOVER RGUIDRYPHOTOGRAPHIE All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of:

256-234-4281

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011

On the Cover Cover: Katherine Askew became Mrs. Aikens last August at her Russell Crossroads wedding to Garrett. The bride and her maids dressed for the wedding at The WellHouse, and on this month's cover, the bride waits for the time to ride to The Stables for the ceremony.

Photo by Ann Wade Photography

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Contents 22. SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY New educational signage at Smith Mountain will include scanable codes and more

OUR ANNUAL WEDDING EDITION 24. A STABLE WEDDING 27. INSURING THE NUPTIALS 28. STARTING A LIFE AT NEW WATER 30. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

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34. CELEBRATING THE BRIDE TO BE 38. STILLWATERS MEMORIES 42. A TOWERING PROPOSAL 44. NATURAL ELEGANCE

49. RUSTIC WARMTH An inviting lake home brings the outside in at Lake Martin's Blue Creek 57. STORYBOOK BALL Russell Medical Foundation hosts a black tie affair to benefit the hospital's pediatric unit

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

e

- edition

28

9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE

60. FAB FINDS

TO THE LAKE

61. LMRA

10. LAKE SCENES

62. HEALTHY LIVING

12. WHERE IS LAKE?

64. BIG CATCHES

14. LAKE EVENTS

66. CHEF'S TABLE

16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

68. FROM THE CELLAR

19. NATURE OF THE LAKE

71. PRO TIPS

58. LAKE PROPERTY

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.issuu.com.

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Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators Sales Month December 2016 December 2013 December 2010

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

Inventory/ sales ratio

16 26 12

$491,531 $362,685 $463,333

$467,500 $324,500 $372,500

168 284 141

189 239 338

7.41 11.12 21.02

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 Lake Martin Realty, LLC. (A Russell Lands, Inc. affiliated company.)

Fishing Forecast

Adopt a Treasured Mile

Anglers can expect a normal February experience as fish begin to move into staging areas for the upcoming spring spawn, said Randy Baker of Alexander City’s Fish Tales Bait & Tackle.

“It has more to do with the time of year than the weather conditions at this time, though they will need that warming trend,” Baker said.

While the National Weather Service forecast for February indicates precipitation will hit average levels after previous months of drought, Baker said the rain will muddy Lake Martin’s water but is not likely to greatly affect fish behavior.

“Catch bass on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and jigs near cover close to spawning areas this month,” he suggested. “Rock, sand, brush piles and the mouths of creeks.”

Crappie also will be found in shallower brush piles, and at this time of year, anglers can catch them on artificial and live baits.

Striped bass will start moving up into the creeks as well, he said.

“We call it the fake spawn. They really can’t reproduce, but they think they can, so they go through the process,” he explained. “They will start moving upriver to running water. As the month goes on, artificial baits will work better than live baits.You’ll find them toward the mouths of big creeks now, and then work your way back as the month goes on.”

Billy and Mollie and Billy Mollie Barrett Barrett adopted have a home a stretch of Lake in Alexander Martin shoreline City but spend that is near the site as much time of a farm her famas possible ily owned before at the famthe lake flooded ily’s cabin on the valley the end of Wicker Point.

Mollie’s grandfather selected this site for a Russell cabin in 1951 because it overlooked the Hardy family homestead where he was born, which is now flooded by the lake. The cabin site provides a view of New Hope Baptist Church, which was built on property donated by his grandfather in the 1860s. The Barretts got involved in the Renew Our Rivers cleanup program first; then, Billy - the President of the Lake Martin National Shuffleboard Club - decided to keep their cleanup effort going by adopting Tallapoosa River Segment R through the Treasured Mile program.

Lake Levels During the Last month

Lake Martin's Weather Outlook for February

Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 485.80 Lowest: 483.22 Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and water-related equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

Year to Date

For up-to-date lake levels, log on to https://lakes.alabamapower.com.

Precipitation: 8.62 inches Avg. high temp.: 52.2 Avg. low temp.: 32.8 Average temp.: 42.5

Our Normal February Precipitation: 5.35 inches Avg. high temp.: 59.3 Avg. low temp.: 34.6 Average temp.: 47 FEBRUARY 2017

February 2017 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s with lows in the low mid 30s and slightly more than 5 inches of precipitation in the month of February. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will remain slightly above average this month while rainfall will be average.

Information from the National Weather Service.

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LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Andy Gordon fishing with Grant at Cedar Creek on Lake Martin. (2) Kyle Thornton took this photo of the Children's Harbor Lighthouse at Kowaliga. 3) Emily and Courtney Shaw and Jayda Williams take a leap from the pier at Wind Creek. (4) Rhett Farrior catches the day's last light at Dead Timbers Cove. (5) Kim Mazzili sent this beautiful photo of her beloved Lake Martin.

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LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Despite the drought, Lake Martin showed her colors on Thanksgiving Day in this photo by Cheryl Gainer McCall.

(2) Mays Edwards dressed out for his first visit to Lake Martin with Erica and Jonathan Edwards of Atlanta and Emette and Robert Dawson at StillWaters. (3) Ryker and Rorie Mask took in a Lake Martin sunset last summer. (4) Thomas Walker sent this beautiful photo of steam rising like smoke on the water off the deck of his Windermere West home on Lake Martin. (5) Michael Thomas sent this brilliant photo of the sun setting near Chimney Rock on Lake Martin. (6) Lauren Wellington snapped this photo of a pair of water skiers catching one last run at sunset near Real Island.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Kathy and Nick Nicholson took Lake to the Arena in Nimes, France. (2) Tamme Seale took Lake magazine to the Colosseum in Roma, Italia. (3) Jonathan and Kara Bloom and Joy and Mark Washington took Lake magazine to Eagle Point at the Grand Canyon. (4) Will and Charlotte Denton took Lake magazine to Athabasca Falls near Jasper in Alberta, Canada. (5) Lake went to Niagara Falls with Tracey Hodge. (6) Mabry Cook Sr., Marty Cook, Gabby Madrigal and Mabry Cook Jr. took Lake magazine to a Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Feb. 4 8th Annual Millbrook Mardi Gras Run

Register online at active.com for this 1-mile, 5K and 8K race to benefit the missions work at First United Methodist Church in Millbrook. Early registration is $30. Race day registration and bag pick up is 6:30 a.m. The 5K and 8K races start at 8:30 a.m. and the 1-mile starts at 9:45 a.m. at Grandview YMCA on Grandview Road.

Feb. 11 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

early as 8 a.m. for coffee and a sampling of sausage and grits

by Dirt Road Gourmet owners Jackie and Reuben Thornton.

Drop filled bags at the meeting site and enjoy a cookout hosted by the Thorntons. This annual event has become one of the most popular cleanups with volunteers. For information, contact John Thompson at lmra@lmra.info.

Feb. 19 Storybook Ball

Russell Medical Foundation will host a Storybook Ball from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Willow Point Golf and Country Club to benefit the Russell Medical pediatric unit. The event will All the pancakes and Conecuh sausage you can eat plus the include dinner prepared by Willow Point Executive Chef Chris hottest coffee in town from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Benjamin Doggett, dancing to the music of The Sweet Young Uns and Russell High School in Alexander City for $6. This event three bar tickets. Onsite benefits the children’s childcare will be providCALENDAR OF EVENTS programs supported by ed with a children’s party the Kiwanis. For inforthat will include storyWHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN mation, contact Stephan book characters in cosSimms at steffsimms@ tume, dinner and enteryahoo.com. tainment. RSVP by Feb. 9 to reserve space at the Feb. 11 children’s party. Event 2017 Miss Winter tickets are $150 each.

Pageant Attire is formal. Free The 2017 Miss Winter admission for children.

Pageant will be held Gold ticket sponsors will on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. receive six tickets for at the Dadeville High dinner and dance and School Auditorium. six tickets to the pre-ball Rehearsals will take reception in the Willow place Friday, Feb. 10, at Room with open bar, as 5 p.m. Applications may well as acknowledgment The Feb. 18 Sporting Clay be picked up at Little on the event sponsor Classic will benefit the Lambs and Ivy Day board.

Boys and Girls Club School or by emailing Sherri Williams at misswinterpageant@gmail.com. There will be a Baby Miss, Tiny Feb. 18 Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss, Miss, Elite Miss Pancake Breakfast and Miss Winter Princess.

Bibb Graves Community Center on Highway 9 at Millerville will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 11 Buy a plate of pancakes with sausage, orange juice and coffee Critter Crawl for $6. Proceeds benefit renovation of the old high school secThis 5K trail event takes runners through a portion of the tion of the community center.

Alabama Nature Center’s (ANC) trail system to benefit education programs. In addition to the 5K run and a 1-mile fun run, Feb. 18 there will be music, food, vendors and even a costume conRonald E. Koon Sporting Clay Classic test with prizes for the winners. Early registration is $25 for This sporting clay event will be held at the Lower the 5K and $20 for the 1-mile. No pets, please. Race packets Wetumpka Shotgun Club in Montgomery to benefit Boys and available for pick up Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at ANC in Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area. Entry fee is $600 for a Millbrook. The 5K starts at 9 a.m., and the 1-mile race starts team of four; $300 for a team of two; $100 for individuals. at 10 a.m.; both races start and finish at the ANC Natureplex.

Sign sponsorships available for $50. Practice shoots on Friday Register at www.active.com. For information, visit www.alaand Saturday mornings.

Biscuits, doughnuts and coffee at bamawildlife.org or call 334-285-4550.

8 a.m. on shoot day; shoot starts at 9 a.m. Lunch and shells included. Call 256-234-4757 for information.

Feb. 11 PATH Trash Walk

This month’s Prosperity Again Thru Health (PATH) Trash Walk will meet at Dirt Road Gourmet on Highway 229 near Martin Dam at 9 a.m. Volunteers are welcome to arrive as 14 LAKE

Feb. 19 Lake Watch of Lake Martin Annual Meeting

CRATA founder Jimmy Lanier will discuss the latest development on the new trails and interpretive improvements at

FEBRUARY 2017

Smith Mountain Park at this year’s annual meeting. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. with a business meeting to follow.

Donation of $8 is requested to cover the cost of food and drinks. Register at www.lakewatch.org.

Season-Long Events

Feb. 21 Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Story

From the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love, faith and family. More than two dozen of his classic hits, including the title tune, are performed by a multi-talented cast, painting a portrait of “The Man in Black” that promises to be a foot-stomping, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a unique American legend. Johnny Cash’s remarkable life story is told through his music, climaxing in a concert that will both move and exhilarate. Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 5th Annual Continental Pheasant Shoot

This annual event at the Shelby County property of Garry Ard benefits New Water Ministries in Tallapoosa County.

Donation of $150 to enter. Register at newwater.com or contact Robert Brandon at rbrandon@durgicaldermatology.com.

Feb. 25 Russell Forest Run

Help to support local education through the annual 5K and 10K Russell Forest Run at Russell Crossroads. There will be prizes for age categories and the famous grits bar and beverages at the post-race party at The Stables. The 10K race will start at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K at 7:55 a.m. Entry fee for the 10K is $40; entry fee for the 5K is $20. Register at www.

RussellForestRun.com. For information, call Robert Gunn at 256-397-1019.

March 17 Tribute to the Music of the Eagles

A stunningly accurate tribute to the music of the Eagles, 7 Bridges Band will perform at 7 p.m. in the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. Using no backing tracks or harmonizers, 7 Bridges Band faithfully recreates the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period. 7 Bridges Band is a tour de force of talent, combining incredible musicianship, vocal precision and a stage presence that has garnered them national attention.

March 18 Lake Martin Ultra 100

race is $55. See the website for details, schedule and contact information for race organizer David Tosch. Spectators are welcome.

No walk in the park, Lake Martin’s endurance trail race at Russell Crossroads includes distance options at 100, 50 and 27 miles. Registration for all races is now open at lakemartin100mile.homestead.com. Racers arrive from across the country for this uniquely beautiful trail on the ultra circuit. The entire race is run in Russell Forest on carriage paths and gravel roads that are not accessible to automobile traffic. Aid stations will be set up along the trail and this year will include sandwiches, hot soup, hot chocolate, coffee and more. A great race for a beginner ultra runner. Entry fee for the 100-mile race is $220; the 50-mile race fee is $100; and the entry fee for the 27-mile

Library Storytime in Dadeville

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

Electronics Recycling

The City of Alexander City Public Works Department hosts an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Items accepted include computers, computer mouse, keyboards, modems or routers, CD and DVD players, power supplies, PC mix systems, home or cell phones, printers or copiers, mainframe servers, audio/ video adapters, laptop chargers, cable boxes, nickel cadmium or lithium ion batteries and flat screen monitors and televisions. CRT monitors and televisions are no longer accepted.

For more information, call the Alexander City Public Works Department at 256-409-2020.

Real Island Supper

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month 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 256329-8724.

Antique Car Cruise-in

On the first Saturday of each month, car enthusiasts cruise into Arby’s parking lot on Highway 280 in Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join the fun and enjoy an era of classic cars and classic music.

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. Your children will love every minute. Check the calendar at Calendar.

RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

Equality Performing Arts Center

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events on the second and fourth Friday nights of each month at 6:30 p.m. on Alabama Highway 9 in Equality. Country/ Western, bluegrass, Southern gospel and instrumental music featured. For more information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334541-3302.

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Lake Martin News Second Annual Plunge not-so polar but great fun

Swimmers hit the water for the Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge last month

Aided by picture-perfect weather, the 2017 Lake Martin Young Professionals Polar Plunge drew an estimated 350 people to Kowaliga for good food, good friends, good times and, for some, a not-sofrigid dip.

A spring-like day in January that featured clear skies, along with a high of 77 and a water temperature of 54 degrees, made for a Kowaliga and all those guys enough. I heard nothing but festive day on the shores of Lake Martin. good things.”

“I don’t think you could have drawn it up any better if you had tried,” said John Howell, president of the Lake ~ Mitch Sneed Martin Young Professionals. “I mean it was perfect. The weather, the food, the people, it was just amazing.”

LMRA, Russell Lands intervene The event was the second for the Young Professionals who kicked off the tradition last year to raise money for in Water Wars case Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) and the Lake Martin Resource Association’s (LMRA) buoy Russell Lands On Lake Martin have taken court action maintenance program. in the ongoing ‘Water Wars’ matter over water retenAt last year’s event, the air temperature was 19 and the water temperature was right at 40 degrees, and spec- tion in the Alabama Coosa Tallapoosa river watershed. tators and participants alike bundled up against the bitter LMRA legal officer Steve Forehand released a statement indicating that LMRA and Russell Lands filed a Motion cold. In contrast, the 2017 crowd looked more like they to Intervene in the U.S. District Court case against the were attending a summer barbecue than a polar plunge.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) over the corps’ They enjoyed games, a foam-filled selfie booth, hula new water control manual. The suit was filed last year hoops and entertainment by Hinton-Bloom, featuring by the State of Alabama and Alabama Power Company.

Jonathan Bloom and Brian Hinton.

The suit centers around the COE operations of Lake “Was this incredible or what?” said John Thompson, Allatoona on the Coosa River system in Georgia, LMRA President. “Weather like this in January – can Forehand said. The recently issued water control manual you believe it? For those of us who got in the water, it provides absolute authority to the COE to limit or stop was a piece of cake compared to last year. I can’t thank discharges from Lake Allatoona to preserve recreational everyone involved enough. This was a great time, and pool levels there until mid-November, which could we appreciate it more than you all will ever know.” adversely affect water levels at Lake Martin.

While the majority of those people in attendance “Due to Alabama Power Company’s agreement with came for the party, plungers came in all shapes, sizes the Corps of Engineers to provide navigation flow in and ages. Some even dressed up for the event. Pirates, the Alabama River, less water coming down the Coosa Indians, superheros and tuxedos were spotted in the River means that more water has to be released from the water.

Tallapoosa River system – and Lake Martin – to satisfy “I wanted to do this since my uncle did it last year,” said 10-year-old Bryan McEntire of Opelika, who stayed the flow requirements,” Forehand explained.

The State’s lawsuit alleges that the COE manual out in the lake with some new found friends about 20 minutes after most of the plungers had dried off. “I even improperly allocates recreational storage of water in Lake Allatoona, which was not a purpose authorized by practiced by jumping in the pool on Christmas Day. It Congress when the dam that created Lake Allatoona was wasn’t too cold today, but I was ready.” built.

Another big hit was the food, including ribeye sandThe Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board of the wiches by SpringHouse Executive Chef Rob McDaniel, City of Montgomery and the Board of Water and Sewer chili, catfish chowder and loaded sweet potatoes and Commissioners of the City of Mobile also have interloaded tater tots and all the fixings from Kowaliga Chef vened in the lawsuit.

Ban Stewart and Kowaliga’s Stacy Jones.

“The food was a big, big hit,” Howell said. “It ~ Staff Report absolutely killed it. It was all so good. I can’t thank 16 LAKE FEBRUARY 2017

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LAKE 17

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The only animal that makes ponds and fells mature trees

American Beaver

Though beavers are usually elusive, this one swam up to have his photo taken

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

FEBRUARY 2017

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Beavers slap the water with their wide tails as a warning to predators and other beavers

I

t’s not a wives’ tale: Beavers are busy.

Really busy.

In fact, they share a dubious ability with us – in the natural world, beavers are second only to humans in their ability to change the environment.

At one time, the trade in beaver pelts, which were used for clothing and felt hats in Europe, was one of the top Beavers have nearly chewed economic drivers of the North through the trunk of this American colonies. Today beatree at Russell Pond vers, especially those around Lake Martin, are known primarily as pests that can wipe out expensive lakeside landscaping and gardens literally overnight.

The American beaver, Castor canadensis, is the largest native rodent in North America. Like other rodents, beavers sport large upper incisors designed for chewing and cutting. Unlike other rodents, a beaver is the only animal that has the ability to chew through mature tree.

Think about that for a minute.

They gnaw through mature trees.

And they are able to fell up to 200 trees a year, often using those gnawed tree trunks and branches to dam up creeks and create ponds, making massive changes to the landscape. The largest tree on record that fell to a beaver was 46 inches in diameter.

American beavers are native to North America, from northern Mexico to Canada. They have a close relative in the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber found in northern Europe.

Both species were nearly wiped out by hunters at one time but now both Eurasian and American beavers are making a 20 LAKE

comeback in their former ranges.

American beavers spend most of their time in the water, where they are graceful and fast swimmers. They waddle awkwardly on land.

These rodents can get quite large, weighing up to 80 pounds and stretching almost four feet long. A beaver will live 10-20 years in the wild.

Beavers are highly valued for their fur, which is waterproof, luxurious and reddish or blackish brown. The fur has two types of hairs, long guard-hairs that protect fine underhair. Beaver pelts are highly valued for fur coats, and the fine hair has been used for making felt hats and other garments for centuries.

Beavers have short, round ears and a distinguishing wide paddle-like tail covered in blackish scales. Their long back legs have webbed feet and their short front legs haved clawed feet, which give it a characteristic head-down look when walking on land. In the water, all that is visible is the beaver’s head and sometimes its back.

Beaver incisors are bright orange and about an inch long.

The orange color is a result of iron in their tooth enamel, which helps strengthen the teeth. A beaver can exert a bite force of about 175 pounds, and they use that to gnaw at tree trunks, leaving a pile of wood chips at the base of the tree. Beaver teeth grow as long as a beaver is alive.

Well-adapted for aquatic life, beavers have goggle-like transparent eyelids and the ability to make their nostrils and ears water-tight when swimming underwater.

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The anal and castor glands, found in both sexes, are Pop beaver look after their kits for one to two years before found at the base of the tail, and give the beaver an unusual kicking them out of the lodge. Young beavers usually build odor. Beavers use their scent glands to mark their territories. their own lodges within a mile of their parents’ lodge.

These animals live in lodges, and they build different Beavers are active primarily at night, though they are types depending on the natural environment. All are ovensometimes seen in daylight hours, especially at dusk. shaped, usually with two chambers – one for drying off and They eat bark and the cambium – the soft wood underone as a living space – and the neath bark – of a number of difinside is plastered with mud, ferent trees, including willow, grass and wood chips. Lodges maple, poplar, beech, oak and Did you know? usually include two entrances gum trees. They also eat water from the water. On the side vegetation, such as cattails and n Beavers can hold their breath for up to of lakes, beavers will burrow lilies, and buds and roots, as well 15 minutes. into an over-hanging bank. On as agricultural crops. On Lake n In the 17th century, the Roman Catholic the bank of a pond they will Martin, Ralph Frohsin’s extensive Church ruled that a beaver was a fish construct a lodge that includes rose garden has been inadvertently because it spent much of its time in the a log wall built up from the pruned by beavers in recent years. water and had a scaly tail, which, under bottom of the lake. In shallow Beavers are well known for church doctrine, made beaver meat OK to water, beavers will build an building wetlands by building eat on Fridays. island lodge that will appear large log and mud dams across n During the Ice Age, giant beavers called like a big dome of logs and streams to create ponds where Castoroides grew to 200 pounds and 8 feet branches. These lodges can be they like to live. After the ponds long. huge, up to 8 feet wide and 3 fill in with silt, they will move on n Beavers do not bite off their own tesfeet tall. to create a new pond. This habitat ticles, despite a wide-spread Egyptian and Beavers become sexually building is important for a number medieval European myth. The myth started mature at age 2-3. They are of other animals because beavers were hunted for their valumonogamous; however, if the Lumberjacking is one of the able castoreum which was associated with mate dies ,they will “remarry.” most dangerous jobs in the human testicles, and for the fact that beaver tesIn our part of the world, they world, and it’s not that different ticles are located internally, not externally mate in winter and give birth for beavers: sometimes they are like most mammals. about 107 days later in the killed by falling trees as they bite n Castoreum harvested from beavers smells spring. through them. Predators include something like vanilla and has been used in Mother beavers prepare a man, otters, bears, wolves and medicines, perfumes and as a food ingredisoft bed on the floor of the wild cats. ent for years. lodge and use their wide tails as “birthing mats.” Beavers Some information for this give birth to one litter each article came from the University year, which can include from one to four kits, or baby beaof Michigan’s Animal Diversity web site; The University of vers, which are completely furred and are born with their California, Santa Cruz; Livescience.com; and the Alabama eyes open. Kits can swim within a day of birth.

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

The mother nurses the kits for two weeks to three months, when they are able to take in solid food. Mom and FEBRUARY 2017

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Smartphone technology to play a role at Smith Mountain

New educational signage will include scanable codes

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nteractive labels will be included on the new educational signs going up at Smith Mountain, allowing visitors to access websites – and perhaps even videos – that will provide more information about the content on the signs, explained Alabama Co-op Extension/4-H Natural Resource State Specialist Doyle Keasal.

“There will be a panel about wildlife that you can see on Smith Mountain, and – just as an example – let’s say there might be one about white tailed deer.

There is a lot of information available about white tailed deer, and we don’t need to put it all on the sign. But a person with a smartphone could click on a QR (Quick Response) code on the sign that would take them to, say, a Department of Conservation website where they could read more about white tailed deer,” Keasal said.

Our thanks to recent donors Vista Viewers

Den and Nancy Trumbull John B. Scott

Trail Blazers

Jim and Mary Jo Askew Donna and Mark Abernathy

Teacher Helper Kim Shelton Kim and Greg Shelton

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QR code is the trademark for a type of barcode that can be scanned and read by a mobile device, such as a smartphone. Integrating QR technology, Keasal said, could make more information accessible to the park’s patrons.

“If you put a lot of written stuff on a sign, people don’t always stop and read it all, especially younger people,” he explained. “Put minimum information on a sign, so people could quickly get the idea of what it’s about, click on an embedded code and go to additional sites to learn more about it. Let them choose what they want to look at in depth.”

Keasal developed the Alabama Naturalist program and is the lead instructor for the current class members that will conduct research for the signage project panels and kiosks as part of their volunteer requirement for certification.

The technology is such that visitors to the mountain could scan and enter QR codes on Smith Mountain signs as they walk along the trails, and later, they could open the links to the websites associated with the codes.

The same technology could link visitors to videos on the plants, animals, geology, history and other aspects of the Smith Mountain ecosystem, Keasal said.

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) maintains the park and trails at Smith Mountain, which is the home of the historic fire tower on Lake Martin’s east side. CRATA volunteers raised funds and devoted hundreds of hours of labor to restore the fire tower five years ago. The organization recently was awarded an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs – Recreational Trails Program grant to assist with the cost of the educational project. CRATA will need to raise at least $50,000 in matching funds and supplement the project cost with in-kind contributions.

Gifts to the project are tax deductible and can be made to CRATA-Smith Mountain Restoration at Jimmy K. Lanier, CRATA, P.O. Box 240503, Eclectic AL 36024.

FEBRUARY 2017

Help tell our county's story CRATA is raising $50,000 to make Smith Mountain Park an educational center on the nature and history of Tallapoosa County

Contribution Form Name_____________________________________ Date_______ Address_______________________________________________ City_______________________ State_______ ZIP____________ Phone________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________

Giving Levels

Tax deductible gifts to “CRATA-Smith Mountain Tower Restoration� are greatly appreciated! Please return this form and your gift to: Jimmy K. Lanier, CRATA, P.O. Box 240503, Eclectic, AL 36024 All donors will be recognized in print. All donors of $100 or more will be recognized on a permanent cast plaque. Anonymous gifts at all levels will be respected for confidentiality. Honorariums, memorials and appreciations will be acknowledged per donor direction.

Teachers' Helper Trail Blazers Vista Viewers Summit Toppers Visionaries Legacy Sponsors

Up to $99 $100-$249 $250-499 $500-$999 $1,000 or more $5,000 or more

Amount enclosed $_____________________

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The Stables at Russell Crossroads makes a spectacular background for the Aikens' wedding photos

The Stables was draped with elegance for the event STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY ANN WADE PHOTOGRAPHY

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hen Garrett Aikens proposed to Katherine Askew on May 21, 2016, the two couldn’t wait to be married. In fact, although every wedding planning resource said a wedding could not be planned in three months, they set their wedding date for Aug. 27, 2016. Askew’s mother took over as an extraordinary wedding planner, and everything fell into place.

Because they had both attended Auburn and had grown up nearby (Aikens in Lanett and Askew in Oxford) they both knew about Lake Martin. What they did not know is that they would fall in love with The Stables at Russell

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Crossroads the moment they saw it.

“Lake Martin was perfect and a beautiful central location for both families. We really loved the idea of using VRBO to rent homes for the bridesmaids, the groomsmen and family members. The weekend became an end-ofthe-summer getaway for the wedding guests,” Askew said.

The staff at The Stables made everything easy. Askew’s mother knew that using local vendors for food would be very important, so they selected Willow Point Golf and Country Club for the rehearsal dinner, and Kowaliga Restaurant catered the wedding reception.

Askew, her bridesmaids, her mom and her

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A Stable Wedding

Guests were seated upstairs for the ceremony, and the reception was held on the ground floor

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grandmother established their pre-wedding home base in The WellHouse at SpringHouse Restaurant. They used the hallway for hair styling, and the large table in the room met their needs perfectly for makeup. SpringHouse catered a brunch for the ladies right there in The WellHouse, and the leftovers were packed up and taken down to Aikens and the gentlemen in The Stables, where they had claimed their own territory before the wedding.

After discovering that peonies were out of season in August, the florist had Askew’s favorite flowers flown in from Alaska. Her bouquet, designed with muted colors of pale green and pale pink, plus succulents, provided a beautiful contrast against the navy and white color scheme for the wedding.

Because of the August heat, the decision was made to keep the gentlemen out of suit jackets; instead, they sported suspenders. The groomsmen wore navy bowties while Aikens wore a navy and white gingham tie that matched the ring bearers’ gingham shirts and the bridesmaids’ navy dresses. The men’s neckwear, children’s clothing and ladies’ dresses were all purchased from the same place to assure a perfect match for the navy blue color Askew had chosen.

The ceremony took place upstairs at The Stables. Aikens’ grandfather, a retired Baptist minister from Lanett, officiated, and Askew walked through a flower-adorned arch built especially for the wedding by Aikens’ father.

The arch is now in the yard of their new home and serves as a keepsake of their special day.

The reception was held outside The Stables, under a tent to shade the August heat; Dallas Dorsey and the Rails, a band the couple knew well from their college days at Auburn, kept guests on their feet, and Askew said the most vivid memory she has of the day is her first dance with the groom.

“That was the first chance we had to slow down and talk to each other. It was great,” she said.

Guests were treated to wedding cake, cupcakes and a groom’s dessert bar with wedding cookies, tarts and other sweet treats.

Before they left the festivities in the Russell Farms pink Cadillac, the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Aikens completed the last part of an old wives’ tale purporting that the upside down burial of a bottle of whiskey would prevent rain on the day of the wedding. The burial of the bottle had become a tradition in Aikens’ family, so the couple selected John Emerald Whiskey distilled in Opelika for the job. Although it had poured on the day the bottle was buried, the wedding day weather was sunny and bright.

The newlyweds dug up the bottle for a shot before departing the venue to start their life together.

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To ensure good weather, the couple buried a bottle of whiskey a month before the wedding

Elegant table settings awaited reception guests

The groom's inlaid copper ring was made of wood from the USS North Carolina

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Insuring the Nuptials Recover deposits and expenses when the groom gets deployed or the weather won’t cooperate STORY BY MIA OSBORN

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veryone wants his or her wedding to run perfectly. But what happens if the photographer falls off a ladder trying to take that perfect candid shot of the chicken dance during the reception? Or if the pint-sized ring bearer drops the diamond-encrusted wedding bands into the lake? These are scenarios no one wants to think about, but they do happen. To keep accidents like these from ruining that once-in-a-lifetime-day, it may be a good idea to get wedding insurance.

Wedding insurance is an umbrella term for coverage of a variety of wedding elements, from the venue to the rings. If the caterer fails to show up at the reception, the right insurance policy can recover the deposit.

If the groom throws his back out playing golf the day before the wedding and can’t make that fabulous Mediterranean snorkeling honeymoon, insurance could cover the cost of postponing the trip.

But just what aspects of the wedding should be insured? And for how much?

Heather Daugherty at Karen Channell’s State Farm agency in Alexander City said it’s a good idea to first check with wedding vendors to see if they have their own policies in place for tuxedo rentals, food, et cetera. It can be confusing, but it’s worth it not to pay out of pocket for insurance on something that was already insured.

“It can be added onto a homeowner’s policy, like event insurance, so it’s less expensive than a full policy,” explained Daugherty. “It extends the liability of the homeowner’s policy to the wedding venue.”

Through the local Dark Insurance Agency, wedding insurance can be packaged as a special event policy to protect whoever is paying for the wedding from personal liability.

“General liability covers personal injury or property that’s been injured or destroyed,” said Will Dark.

In addition to personal liability, Dark offers liquor liability insurance, which he said is important for any

wedding where alcohol will be served.

“Liquor liability includes if someone gets drunk, drives off and kills or injures themselves or somebody else,” said Dark. “If you were serving alcohol, they could sue you for letting them drive off.”

Liability insurance will cover accidental injury to people and property damage, but what if something disappears? To insure against theft, a personal articles policy can be helpful.

“We can insure pretty much any high dollar items, such as engagement rings or wedding presents. I was at a wedding not too long ago where all the money was stolen,” said Daugherty.

To collect, a police report would need to be filed for any stolen items, and the theft would have had to occur within a specific period of time – say, within 24 hours before or after the wedding – to be valid because most wedding insurance policies have a very short lifespan.

“We typically offer a one- or two-day policy that includes the wedding setup and takedown,” said Jessica Leonard of the Davenport Agency, which has branches in Eclectic and Montgomery.

Agency limitations differ on how long before the wedding ceremony an insurance policy can be written.

In general, it’s best to look into policies a couple of weeks beforehand.

An exception would be insuring the wedding venue when the reservation for the space is made, so a deposit would be refunded if the venue were unable to host the event for any reason.

Most wedding insurance policies cost a fraction of the cost of the wedding itself, but that premium can vary, based on a number of factors.

The size of the guest list, duration of the policy and availability of alcohol all affect the price.

An insurance agent should walk insured through each step of the policy well ahead of time, so everyone can relax before the big day; as much as possible, anyway.

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Starting a life

Katie and Stephen's New Water wedding included many of their family and friends

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t was only fitting that Katie Blastos and Stephen Upton married at Lake Martin’s New Water Ministries Farm near Dadeville, as much of their courtship and the planning of their life together took place between the rows of fruit trees and berry bushes there.

“We spent a lot of our relationship there,” Blastos explained. “Stephen lived in Birmingham, and we would meet at New Water when I was in my last year at Auburn University.”

A horticulture major, Blastos worked for one year at New Water, where Upton had attended the Legacy discipleship school, though they actually met through mutual friends in Birmingham. They married Oct. 1 next to the lakeside orchard that had played a part in shaping their future.

“The whole atmosphere was so life-giving and encouraging,” Blastos said. “I am so thankful to have been married in such a beautiful atmosphere. It was overwhelming to see so many people who love us all together at one time,” she said.

New Water Farm was established on the grounds of the former Camp Civitan after a 2011 tornado destroyed the Sandy Creek facility. In the few years since then, the faith-based facility has grown to include picturesque 28 LAKE

orchards and rows of berries in a horticultural program that provides funding through the sale of small batch preserves.

A lodge at the farm offers lodging for participants in glassblowing, woodworking and other arts workshops, as well as spiritual retreats and the discipleship schools held on the grounds. New Water also is available as an event venue for business events, such as chamber of commerce dinners.

Cabins are planned to provide additional lodging space at the facility. Where an old building once stood, an outdoor cooking studio will be built to teach wholesome food preservation and preparation, as well missionary training.

“One of our goals is to train missionaries in skills that they can teach in missionary settings,” said the Rev. Micah Simpson, who joined the farm as executive director last spring. “Learning a skill can be a game changer for women in rural areas who might otherwise have to resort to prostitution to feed their families.”

A lakeside chapel, now under construction, will serve many needs at New Water, including the occasional wedding.

“We will be able to have a few weddings every year, but we are not primarily a wedding venue,” Simpson

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at New Water

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY RGUIDRYPHOTOGRAPHIE

explained. “We can accommodate the rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception, and we can provide kitchen space for the event’s caterer, as well as tables and chairs for up to 200 guests.”

For Blastos and Upton, New Water Farm, which is nestled under the shadow of Smith Mountain, was the perfect venue. The covered patio outside the lodge was strung with white lights and set with tables and chairs to accommodate their large families. For additional seating, tables were set on the lawn and lights strung in the oak trees to create a background befitting the fairy tale wedding.

“It was just what I dreamed of. Not just because of the dress and flowers – it was so green and beautiful – but it was a day that was about us. The love there – with all of our family and friends – was so apparent that it was wonderful,” said Blastos, who now lives in Homewood with her husband, a private pilot and IT consultant.

The new Mrs. Upton is putting her New Water Farm horticultural experience to work helping clients in the Birmingham area build and grow backyard vegetable gardens. They plan to continue to be part of the Gospel mission at New Water for many years to come.

Lights in the trees and on the covered patio (below) added to the festive atmosphere

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FEBRUARY 2017

All you need is love

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY COTTON AND CLOVER

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Senseman share a dance on the dock at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough

hen Dylan Ferniany married Austin Senseman at The Lodge at Cocktail Slough the first weekend of November, the bride wanted her guests to have the experience of a relaxing weekend at Lake Martin, where she has passed countless hours of fun with friends and family. She chose The Lodge because it was the perfect combination of banquet hall and lakeside cabin.

“It feels like a house – like a big room – but it was big enough to accommodate all of our guests, and it still felt like we were just spending time at the lake,” said Ferniany.

Spending time at Lake Martin is all about family fun for the bride, a granddaughter of Alexander City’s Bill and Mary Ann Hardy and the daughter of Will and Dana (Hardy) Ferniany. The bride grew up in Pennsylvania but often visited her grandparents at their Wicker Point cabin. Those visits became more frequent after her parents moved to Birmingham and built a lake house at Glynmere. When friends visited, the old Russell cabin was a favorite place to hang out with her cousins and play in the Hardy Family Band.

“The Lodge was great because we had out-oftown friends who could stay there. Usually, guests see the bride and groom very briefly, but we were able to spend more time with them,” Ferniany said.

To create the comfortable, homey atmosphere of family and lake time, the bride enlisted the help of Vicki Lux and Robin Holcombe at Madison House Restorations on Main Street in Alexander City.

“I just told them I wanted gold and fall colors, and they really captured my personality. It was really incredible,” she said.

Lux and Holcombe furnished The Lodge’s lakeside lawn with upcycled Victorian sofas and chairs and set the deck tables with bouquets of red and peach roses mixed with eucalyptus greens, baby’s breath, hypericum berries and eye-catching green mums tied with dark red ribbons and placed over candles in faux lanterns to showcase a dinner catered

by SpringHouse. It was just the right mix of fun and fancy, so to make sure they were truly relaxed at the big event, the bride and groom actually married the day before the reception.

On Friday evening before the big party on Saturday, the couple gathered on the lawn at The Lodge with an intimate collection of family and friends for the actual marriage ceremony. And then, the groom’s family hosted a welcome dinner at Willow Point Country Club, where the bride’s parents had celebrated their wedding 38 years ago.

Saturday, then, was just about the celebration.

“We told our friends to do a toast at what would usually be the ceremony,” Ferniany explained. “What they did was a fake ceremony where different people got up and told a different part of the story of how Austin and I met. We didn’t know that was going to happen, and they did a beautiful job. They said

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The couple offered their guests favors of sugared almonds and jars of Wickles Pickles

Victorian furniture on the lawn set the stage

Large enough for a crowd but cozy as a cabin, The Lodge was the perfect venue

Twinkling lights and lanterns added magic to the setting

The newlyweds joined the Hardy Family Band during the reception

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FEBRUARY 2017

things that I didn’t know had happened. It was fun and very sentimental, and at the end of it, they did a big toast. We are glad our friends could be part of it, and it was a good balance between the actual ceremony and the beginning of the reception.”

During the weekend, the bridal party spent time at Hardy cabin, where friends gathered up the tin can banjos, washboards and clay jugs that comprise the instruments for the Hardy Family Band (featured in the July 2013 issue of Lake magazine). At the reception, the instruments came out, and family and friends joined in the fun of recreating the band.

“We had gone online and found glow-in-the-dark instruments – maracas, tambourines. It’s always funny to hear people play these fun instruments,” Ferniany said.

As wedding favors, the bride’s family offered guests jars of Wickles Pickles, as Dana Ferniany’s family were the creators of the original pickle recipe that can now be found in grocery stores across the country.

“That was just a fun thing to share with our new family.

And for those who were traveling, if the pickles weren’t convenient, we had sugared almonds. We put the wedding poem that went with them in the box, and that was really sweet,” she said.

For their guestbook, the couple had provided Polaroid cameras and props for a photo booth, but their guests made much more of the project than they had expected.

“People just went around with the cameras and took all these great pictures and put them in the guestbook,” she said.

“We really put a lot of effort into just making it fun, and it really was,” she said.

Austin and Dylan steal a few moments alone during the reception

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Celebrating the Bride To Be Lake Martin is the perfect place for a party with the bride's friends

STORY BY KATY SHELTON & PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

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FEBRUARY 2017

Elizabeth Drake's friends threw her bachelorette party at her aunt's Lake Martin home in The Ridge

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hen Birmingham native Elizabeth Drake said, “Yes,” to Atlanta’s Eric Mapoles’ wedding proposal last August, her thoughts quickly turned to planning the perfect wedding. The date, the venue and the dress took priority, but the friends that would surround the bride on her big day were of equal importance.

Drake asked 10 friends from high school and college to be her bridesmaids. The next step was to select another venue, this one for the bachelorette party. The girls, who live in Birmingham, Atlanta, Memphis, Athens, Austin and New York, considered going somewhere that would provide a lot of action, but they ultimately preferred a place that was more relaxing, where they could get away from the sounds of the city. Drake thought of the place where she and Mapoles had one of their unforgettable first dates.

“The weekend Eric came to Auburn to see me, the weather was just right for a day on the water, so I decided to take him to Lake Martin,” she explained.

The two drove from Auburn, picked up lunch on the way and rented kayaks at Russell Crossroads. They spent a perfect day kayaking, swimming and falling in love. Drake and Mapoles capped off their day at the lake with dinner at Kowaliga and a walk to the Children’s Harbor lighthouse nearby.

“It was the most fun we’ve ever had on a date,” Drake said.

“Spending the day at Lake Martin allowed me to see a side of Elizabeth I hadn’t seen before,” Mapoles added.

Surprised that Drake enjoyed kayaking and swimming, Mapoles was happy to find the two could enjoy the lake together, and he said he looks forward to returning with her

Festive glasses, candles, pearls and photos of the bride and groom decorated the table

Drake shows off her engagement ring on the dock

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family for many summers to Lake Martin was the perfect come. spot for the bride's The Drakes’ connection to ultimate slumber party Lake Martin goes back a long way. The family has been coming to the lake with friends since Drake was a little girl, and they look forward to spending time at the lake every summer.

When considering Lake Martin for the bachelorette party, the bridesmaids wanted a place where they could stay together in one house. They also wanted the option of going out to a nice dinner. The lake setting provided everything they wanted, so they made arrangements to stay at The Ridge home of Drake’s aunt and uncle last month.

“Elizabeth suggested Lake Martin for her bachelorette party because it is away, but not too far away,” said Katie Darden, one of Drake’s bridesmaids. “And it’s such a beautiful place to spend time catching up.”

Drake’s bridesmaids and friends planned a full agenda for her bachelorette party. The weekend started on Saturday with a catered luncheon given by the maid-of-honor, Mary Rives Drake, the bride’s sister and a sophomore at the University of Alabama. Drake’s friend Addie McElwee provided a handpainted banner and place cards to make the party festive. Then the girls had fun playing bachelorette games including The

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Newlywed Game, and How Well Do You Know the Bride?

Next, the girls spent time talking and laughing before heading out to celebrate with a special meal at SpringHouse Restaurant.

They ended the evening back at the house with every bride’s favorite event, a lingerie shower.

The following morning, the girls slept in, drank coffee and enjoyed a brunch provided by Darden that included freshly baked cinnamon rolls and croissants from Catherine’s Market.

“Lake Martin provided the perfect place for my friends and me to enjoy each other,” Drake said. “We all agreed that this was a wonderful way to celebrate a marriage.”

Drake and Mapoles were introduced two years ago by Libby Hobbs, Drake’s best friend from high school who’s also a bridesmaid. Drake has since graduated Auburn University School of Nursing and works at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Mapoles is originally from Snellville, Georgia, outside of Atlanta, and he recently graduated Wingate University in North Carolina where he earned a Business Management Degree in addition to playing football for four years.

The wedding is planned for this spring.

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StillWaters Memories

Family history and future dreams shape sentimental ceremony at Church of the Living Waters STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KRISTIN GREENE

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FEBRUARY 2017

Left: Virginia Duffee and William Fife were married in a chapel built by the bride's gransparents; the outdoor chapel will be part of the couple's future life together

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irginia Duffee’s Oct. 8 wedding to William Fife was all about family and coming home to Lake Martin.

“There is a photograph of me as a baby in the water with my dad. As long as I can remember, I’ve been coming to Lake Martin. I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else,” the bride said.

And Church of the Living Waters is as much a family chapel as any could be, she explained.

“My paternal grandparents founded StillWaters, and my grandmother wanted to pick a special place in the woods for an outdoor church. She found a big rock in the woods that had a cross on it, and she said, Virginia and Will take their ‘This is the perfect place to first walk as man and life build the church.’ And I am the first grandchild to be married in that church,” she said.

The Church of the Living Waters is a nondenominational open-air church at 782 Lakeview Ridge Circle, inside the gates at StillWaters. In addition to weddings, the church offers casual dress summer services with a schedule of visiting officiants. It is one of the meaningful Lake

Martin locations to which Duffee introduced Fife after she met him through a friend more than three years ago.

The couple became engaged in December 2015 when Fife staged a romantic dinner and the viewing of the bride’s favorite television show in which the main characters became engaged.

“He had made a beautiful dinner, nice bottle of wine,” she said. “And when the characters got engaged in the show, I turned around and there he was down on one knee.”

In keeping with the rustic wedding venue, the couple’s reception took place at Creekside Lodge, not far from the chapel.

“It was just perfect with the rustic lake theme to have the reception on the water,” Duffee said. “Lake Martin is very, very important to us. We will pass that sentiment down to our children. We will teach them the family history and the story of our dating; take them to the place where we got married, the church and reception location. It’s such a beautiful place, and it’s very important to me to pass down the sentiment within our family.”

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Extraordinary Service 40 LAKE

Unique Venues

Southern Hospitality

To find out more, call 256.794.1397 or visit FEBRUARY 2017 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com or www.RussellCrossroads.com

FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 41

A Towering Proposal

STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARRETT DAGOSTIN

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FEBRUARY 2017

Garrett Dagostin bent the knee and proposed to Katheryn Donati at Lake Martin's Smith Mountain

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arrett Dagostin met Katheryn Donati through mutual friends at Auburn University. They had been friends for four years and had dated for two, so when Dagostin decided to ask Katheryn to marry him, he knew exactly what had to be included in the proposal: family and Lake Martin.

“In our two years of dating, I had learned what was important to Katheryn, and I knew family would be involved. She is a real family girl,” Dagostin said. “And, because we both grew up coming to the lake, I knew exactly where I would propose – Smith Mountain. It’s a special place for us.”

Dagostin had a great deal of coordinating to do to make the proposal happen. First, he asked permission to marry Katheryn, not just from her parents but also her grandparents. He said he thought asking permission might be old-fashioned, but it was about respect for Katheryn and her family. He traveled from Opelika to Alexander City, Tuscaloosa and Chattanooga to complete that task.

Katheryn’s grandparents, Dr. Tony and Jeanne McKinney, live on Lake Martin in Windermere. When Dagostin visited them to seek permission, he knew the stars were aligning just right; On the coffee table was a copy of the December issue of Lake magazine with the Smith Mountain Fire Tower on the cover.

“That photo was like a little bit of good luck for me,” Dagostin said.

While at Windermere, he borrowed a generator and a tailgate tent from the McKinneys to complete his next step in the process, and they cooked up the rest of the plan.

Dagostin coordinated with everyone in the family, so all could be present for the proposal. He contacted the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association board of directors ahead of time to request that the gate be left open at the bottom of the mountain, so parents and grandparents could drive to the base of the tower.

The weather forecast called for rain, but Dagostin was pleased when the precipitation probability dropped to just 30 percent on the morning of the proposal.

He bought 150 feet of white Christmas lights and wrapped the rails of the tower all the way from the bottom to the top, but his commitment was put to the test when he finished and realized he had wrapped the entire strand backwards; the plug was at the top of the tower. He had to completely redo the job but said he was happy to do it to make the tower look even more spectacular.

In the meantime, Dagostin’s parents and Katheryn’s dad put up the tailgate tent and added icicle lights for a beautiful effect.

To help Dagostin pull off the surprise, Katheryn’s grandparents called and asked the couple to meet them in Dadeville to pick up a Christmas present. After the four of them were together, the ruse continued as the McKinneys told Katheryn her other present was at the lake, and they would need to go pick it up.

When they reached Smith Mountain, Katheryn knew what was up.

Not only did she see her entire family assembled at the top of Smith Mountain, but her dog Birra was there as a special guest.

Birra, a Christmas present in 2006, was now present for her 2016 Christmas surprise.

On Dec. 18 at 4 p.m., with family paparazzi all around, Dagostin knelt on one knee and asked Katheryn to marry him.

She said yes.

And not one drop of rain fell until after the proposal was finished, and the champagne had been poured.

The wedding is planned for May 2018.

Dagostin decorated the tower with Christmas lights twice, as he discovered the electrical connection was at the wrong end the first time he did it, and he had to take the lights off and start over

Dagostin gives his fiance a peck on the cheek at the top of the fire tower

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Natural STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY SIMPLY SARAH PHOTOGRAPHY

Elegance

A

ndrew Letts and Kaci Patterson “I wanted loose, cut flowers everywhere, an met through mutual friends at an effortless feel,” Patterson explained.

Auburn/LSU game. Kaci, a native The bridal bouquet included punches of pink of Alexander City, and Andrew, and peach, as well as shades of green, and flowwho grew up in Alabama, Georgia and Illinois, ers draped the chandelier, spilled from urns at dated for eight years before they tied the knot on the wedding ceremony and wept over the wooden a beautiful April day at cross that was supplied by SpringHouse Restaurant.

The Stables.

Patterson grew up Although the entire resin River Oaks on Lake taurant was reserved for Martin and knew that Lake the wedding, the couple Martin was the perfect added a large tent on the place to be married. grassy lawn outside the “I fell in love with restaurant and strung SpringHouse from the lights inside it for festive moment I saw it for the dancing and additional first time. I loved all the seating at the reception. natural elegance. I knew The reception featured having the wedding there a SpringHouse buffet that would be an experience included several signature for our guests and for us,” appetizers and entrees, as Patterson said. well as the groom’s desThat love of natural sert: Banana Pudding. elegance set the tone for Patterson said her guests the couple’s special day. still talk about the deliTo keep things simple, cious food.

Patterson asked her bridesPatterson said some Views of the valley make a maids to select their own people always say that the lovely backdrop for an April short, blue dresses, and expense of a wedding isn’t SpringHouse wedding the groomsmen wore navy worth it. Or they specusuits. Patterson said she late that couples getting could not have been hapmarried should skip the pier with how they all blended together. wedding and take the money instead. Patterson The long tables on the SpringHouse patio were disagreed. decorated with garlands of greenery, sprays of “I wouldn’t change one thing about the memospring blooms in milk white glassware and votive ries made that day. It was perfect,” she said. candles, along with green bottles of water.

44 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Letts take a post-wedding moment

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LAKE 45

Bridesmaids chose their own blue dresses for the ceremony

Garlands of roses and candles topped the SpringHouse tables

Draping flowers and greenery enhanced the natural elegance of the event

46 LAKE

The boulders that create a cozy fire pit at SpringHouse make a scenic stage for wedding pictures

FEBRUARY 2017

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LAKE 47

Experience the Wedding of Your Dreams!

Debbie White (334) 221-2345 | 641 Ross Road, Camp Hill, Al 36850 | whiteacresfarms.com 48 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Stained panels warm the clean, industrial finishes in this Blue Creek home

Rustic Warmth An inviting lake home brings the outside in at Blue Creek STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

J

onathan and Amanda Parker, professionals living in Auburn with three active children, found what she called the perfect lake house at Blue Creek south of Dadeville.

“The architecture of the house drew me in, and the wood was so warm and inviting. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. This is the perfect house for entertaining. We had 16 people stay here for a week and never felt crowded,” Amanda Parker said.

The home was built in 2014 by John Huff of Huff &Associates Construction, Inc. Parker spent two solid months shopping and lots of legwork to find the perfect pieces, artistic elements and finishing touches to decorate it.

“The greatest thing about this house is that it really has five living areas: the main room, the screened porch, the patio under the porch, the entertainment room downstairs and the game room upstairs. Each of our three children can

FEBRUARY 2017

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have friends, and we can have a group of adults, and we all have our separate spaces,” Parker explained.

The house has three levels with a beautiful view of the lake from each floor, one of the reasons she loved the house when she first saw it, she said. Parker said the painting in the kitchen was the inspiration for all of the décor, so she used a classic neutral palette of cream, gray and khaki with pops of greens and blues in pillows and paintings.

Hardwood floors and stained butted board walls in the main living areas contrast with the white ceilings and trim. Recessed lighting throughout the home and urban industrial lighting and fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchen add a clean, simple look to the natural décor.

The main level includes an open kitchen, living room and eating area in addition to the master suite. The kitchen features concrete counter tops, a large island with five barstools and natural light through two large windows. The home also features a butler’s pantry, the perfect place for a coffee bar, along with a two-drawer under-the-counter refrigerator, a separate icemaker and washer/

Moss and grapevine balls complement the decor

A gently sloping lawn and second-story porch provide views of the lake

The downstairs den is a great place to watch the game or let the kids hang out

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FEBRUARY 2017

Clean lines and concrete counter tops provide visual simplicity in the kitchen

The bunkroom offers sleeping for five

A stone bowl, distressed mirror frame and industrial lighting continue the natural decor into a powder room

dryer connections for an upstairs laundry area. Cabinets and a large countertop offer a perfect, out-of-the-way place to prepare the food for a busy weekend at the lake.

A cozy eating area with an eight-seat farm table with five chairs and a bench is situated near the three sets of French doors across the front of the home, set apart by a beamed ceiling. A powder room on that level at the top of the stairs is convenient for guests while the family entertains.

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The main living area features seven pairs of doors and large windows to bring in the natural light

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LAKE 53

The upstairs loft overlooks an open living area with a stone fireplace, and across the back of the house, four pairs of French doors open onto an outdoor living space in the screened porch and deck areas.

The screened porch, with its comfortable rugs and wicker furniture, provides additional seating and the rustic character of a tin roof. On each side of the screened porch, and still easily accessible through the French doors, are two open decks. One deck is a cooking porch with abundant space for two grills, as well as ample seating, and the second deck includes another large outdoor table and chairs for dining.

The master suite, also on the main level, is spacious and tastefully decorated with the neutral palette extending from the living room into the bedroom. The master bath retreat features marble floors and shower tile, beautiful tin-framed mirrors and a hidden linen closet.

Four rooms downstairs include two additional bedrooms, a galley style kitchen and entertainment space for the kids or a great place from which to watch the game.

The kitchen has a two-drawer under-the-counter refrigerator, microwave and plenty of counter space to spread lunch for a hungry lake crowd that can walk straight in from the lake and lawn with wet feet onto the wood-grain patterned tile floor. Off this kitchen area are the conveniences of a laundry room at one end and a half bath at the other.

One of the downstairs bedrooms could also function as a second master with an en suite that includes a large marbled shower and floor in the bath.

The second downstairs bedroom is a great bunkroom with space for a daybed in addition to the built-in bunk beds, each with a light, outlet and audio jack. The bunkroom also includes a private bath.

On the home’s third level, a game room is ready for action with a game table, television, shuffleboard and skee ball. A large sectional allows another seating option for watching the big game. This space could readily convert to another bedroom when kids, family and friends gather at the lake for summer fun and holidays.

And another bedroom on this floor is large enough for a daybed and two queen beds, providing sleeping space for a family with a large bath right outside the room.

Parker said another advantage to the house is the privacy it affords. There is not much lake traffic in this area of Blue Creek that lies just west of Susanna Slough.

The patio on the ground level offers access to large storage areas shielded from view and ideal for tubes, kayaks and other lake toys. The property has its own boat ramp and a large dock with a covered boat lift and a jet ski lift. And the side yard offers yet another outdoor living area where a new owner could add a sandy beach and a fire pit.

Convenient to Auburn and Dadeville and right on the lake with easy access to Chimney Rock and Chuck’s, this craftsman styled home is available through RE/ MAX Around the Lake agent Lacey Howell. For information, call her at 256-307-2443.

54 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

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LAKE 55

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805 Friendship Road Tallassee, AL 36078 (334) 283-6541 www.chal.org

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For more information call: (334) 283-3848 or E-mail: bnelson@chal.org

Community Skilled Care and Rehab A division of

Community Hospital 56 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

T

he Russell Medical Foundation will host a Storybook Ball, an evening of magical festivities for both adults and children, on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Willow Point Golf and Country Club.

Tickets to the ball are available for purchase until Feb. 3.

Childcare will be provided onsite and at no cost, and storybook characters will greet families as they arrive and then will guide children to their own private party. As parents dance the night away, the younger guests will enjoy dinner and entertainment, including stories.

The formal dinner for adults includes dancing to the music of The Sweet Young Uns. Tallassee’s Sweet Young Uns have been playing classic rock and new country music together for 50 years, and two of their songs made Billboard’s top 10 list. They have played with Dick Clark, the Hombres, Alabama, Sugarland, Dan Penn, Spooner and others.

Guests can visit a photo booth and will be given an opportunity to win a champagne diamond pendant. One hundred glasses of champagne will be sold for $20 each. If the number drawn matches the number on the glass, the winner will take home the beautiful pendant.

The Storybook Ball is a celebration of Honorary Chairman Dr. Eric Tyler and his love for reading and children. Tyler, owner and president of Pediatric Associates of Alexander City, has been with Russell Medical since 1985.

Proceeds from the ball will benefit eight pediatric units in need of new sleep chairs and bedside tables, extremely important items for parents who stay overnight with their children in the hospital. Sleep chairs range from $2,500 to $3,000 in cost. Bedside tables are $300. Also, the Foundation would like to purchase artwork to brighten the area.

Gold Ticket sponsors will receive six event tickets to the dinner and dance plus six tickets to the pre-ball reception in the Willow Room at the Willow Point Clubhouse from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gold Ticket sponsors will also have name acknowledgement on the event sponsor board. These sponsor tickets are $1,500.

Individual event tickets are $150 per person and include the 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. dance and three bar tickets.

Tammy Jackson, Russell Medical Foundation Executive Director, said the event has much to offer, but more than anything, everyone can leave knowing they have made a difference in the lives of the patients served at Russell Medical.

Anyone who is unable to attend the ball but would like to support the cause may make a donation to the Russell Medical Foundation, designating the gift to the pediatric unit at Russell Medical.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Jackson at tjackson@russellmedicalcenter.com or 256-215-7459.

FEBRUARY 2017

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Real Estate Champs Though we lost the title, it was still a winning season

C

an it be a great season if we don’t win The Championship?

I know, I know. A loss stings. We came so far just to fall a tad short. Right after it is over, I admit that it is easy to feel blue. Easy to think we are suddenly substandard. Easy to point to shortcomings of the year and LAKE PROPERTY how they affected the loss.

BY JOHN COLEY But once we think about it, can’t we all realize how special second place is? How many times in the past would we have traded spots and been excited to get the second best real estate sales year?

No, I am not talking about the second place finish of Coach Saban this year. Nor am I referencing Auburn’s second place finish in 2013 (was it really only four years ago?)

The waterfront home sales in 2016 on Lake Martin were great. In fact, the 301 waterfront homes sold through the Lake Martin Multiple Listing Service (MLS) represent the second highest total ever; however, the best year ever was in 2015 with 354 homes sold. One way to look at 2016 is to be happy that only one year has ever beaten it. Another way to view 2016 is to realize that the numbers of homes sold were down 15 percent from last year.

Did the Lake Martin waterfront market peak in 2015 (as it did in 2005), and did a slide start in 2016 (as it did in 2006)? Or does the data tell us that any year would place 58 LAKE

second to 2015 because it was just that good?

I decided to probe a little further and look for other factors that might have contributed to lower sales in 2016. I found one culprit in the number of homes that were available for sale. It seems that in 2016, there just were not the same number of waterfront homes for sale as there were in 2015. When a market doesn’t have the same number of homes for sale as the prior year, it’s hard to beat that year.

December is usually one of the months with the fewest number of homes available for sale. The last two years were no exception. In December of 2015, 270 homes were on the market. In December of 2016, that amount was 247, about a 9 percent decrease. If we check other months in 2016, the decrease is even more dramatic, but to be conservative, I would say that at least two-thirds of the decrease in sales in 2016 was due to the decrease in inventory.

What about waterfront lot sales on Lake Martin in 2016?

If we check the Lake Martin MLS, we see that 76 waterfront lots were sold in 2016, compared to 82 in 2015. That is about a 9 percent drop.

Again, the questions come around, “What does this mean? Are lot sales trending down?”

I think it is too early to tell for sure. I am closely watching the first quarter of 2017 to see if this trend continues.

My gut tells me that 2016 was a great year for Lake Martin real estate, though not the greatest ever. This opinion is based largely on how the market feels to me right now.

We agents are extremely busy. Homes that are priced correctly are selling very quickly. There still seems to be more demand than supply, which puts upward pressure on prices.

FEBRUARY 2017

(256) 234-6366

(256) 839-6711

(256) 825-9244

(334) 864-8854

The bottom line: Let’s be happy for 2016. It didn’t lift the trophy as the Best Year Ever, but it came pretty doggone close.

John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. He is also the author of the blog Lake Martin Voice at LakeMartinVoice.com.

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FABULOUS FINDS

136 Oaks Point • $879,000 Incredible custom lake home on large point lot with 424 Ft. wf. Near Hwy 280. 4 BR, 4 Bath with four car garage.

Solid oak flooring and cabinets, oak panel library, home theather...Call to see today! Great Value!

First Realty Call Bill Whatley 256-234-5163 www.lakemartinhomes.net

267 South Lands End Road, Eclectic • $378,500 Fantastic One-Level, well-maintained cabin on Lake Martin w/3BDs/4BAs, hot tub, nice yard and good summertime water. Has open Den/DR with lovely stone FP, hearth and beautiful mantle. Open sunroom on lakeside, screened porch, lots of decks, nice size BDs w/big closets and an extra large bonus rm. that could be a family/game/bunk room. Great storage under deck. Nice View and water. Call today!

RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com

53 Scenic Shores Way, Jacksons Gap • $625,000 Welcome to Lake Martin in the exquisite 5Br/5.5Ba home that has spared no expense on beauty & upgrades. Main level living w/ master br, kit w/ stainless steel appl & granite, liv rm w/ gorgeous stone fp, laundry rm &oversized covered porch for relaxing or entertaining. Upstairs has 2Br/2Ba w/ sitting area. Downstairs has 2Br/2ba, kit, den/ playroom area, lots of storage & covered patio. A must see!

RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Samantha Spurlin 256-786-0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com

30 Elysian Way, Equality • $1,150,000 Rare find. Beautiful 4 bedroom 3.5 bath lake home on professionally landscaped flat lot with approximately 380 feet of waterfront. Reclaimed wood floors in living area. Drivethrough garage with boat landing.Two docks, one with pontoon and PWCs lifts and a personal gas pump,the other with gazebo at beach area.Excellent fishing with lighted cleaning station on dock. Lots of room for entertaining​.

Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

139 Cedar Drive, Equality • $770,000 Proposed new construction. Plans by architect Mitch Ginn.

The Spot Tail's design provides a great place to relax or entertain guests with its open living, dining and kitchen area. Located in the new development of Cedar Point. Large lots with incredible views.

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35 Canoe Point, Equality • $795,000 New Construction. The Shell Cracker XL is a great terrace level floor plan designed by Mitch Ginn. Home features two bedrooms and baths on both main and terrace levels. Terrace also has game room with summer kitchen. Located in the new development of Cedar Point with large lots and incredible views. This pre-sale package includes the lot, cottage, seawall, and dock.

Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

60 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Adopt a Treasure

L

MRA’s Treasured Mile program could be the answer to the problem we have with litter and trash on Lake Martin.

With more than 800 miles of shoreline and thousands of visitors annually, it is a huge challenge to get it completely clean and keep it that way year round.

That’s important because, after all, this is Alabama’s only Treasured Lake; we don’t expect to see tires, cans, bottles and other trash piled up on the otherwise scenic shoreline any time.

There are many lake lovers who have always made it a practice to leave the sandy beaches a little cleaner each time they visit and enjoy the area. Some of these individuals have been the first to respond to the recently introduced Treasured Mile proLMRA gram.

BY JOHN THOMPSON These lake lovers take pride in being able to have family outings in a clean environmental setting, and they become very angry when they find litter and trash left by others who choose to use and abuse the land and the lake.

The goal of the Treasured Mile program is to identify and organize these very special lake loving individuals and encourage others to join them in the effort to keep Lake Martin litter free on a year-round basis. There are no new shoreline usage restrictions associated with the program, and though a segment or island may be “adopted” by one party, usage of the shoreline remains open to others.

The adopting parties take on the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining their specific shoreline segments or islands, scheduling and organizing specific cleanups of and/or regularly patrolling the designated areas and removing any trash from the shoreline.

If adopters find large items or heavily trashed spots that are beyond their capabilities to remove, they are asked to report such locations to Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA).

LMRA hopes that this program will attract neighborhoods, organizations, businesses, churches, youth groups and others who love Lake Martin to step up and get involved, either by adopting segments/islands or by assisting others in organizing cleanups.

Adopters are provided with trash bags, litter grabbers, safety vests and T-shirts to assist them in their cleanups. There is no charge to participate in the program.

The Treasured Mile Program consists of 28 islands that are owned by Alabama Power Company and 78 seg-

ments of shoreline that span the lake, starting at Jaybird Creek.

Interested parties will find a full description of the program, and a Google map indicating the areas that are still available for adoption, on the LMRA website at www.lmra. info.

Alabama Power Company will place an attractive 2-foot by 4-foot vertical sign on each of the 28 islands to recognize the adopters of those islands. There will be no other signs erected as part of the program.

Please direct any questions or thoughts about the program to LMRA@lmra.info.

John Thompson is President of Lake Martin Resource Association. To learn more about the Treasured Mile Adoption Program, visit lmra.info.

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LAKE 61

Heart

Month

T

times per week, especially those high in Omega 3 he month of February is symbolized by fatty acids, such as salmon or trout. the color red as we celebrate Valentine’s Select fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Limit Day and National American Heart month. saturated fat and trans fat and replace them with I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the healthier fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsatuimportance of recognizing National Heart Month and raisrated fats. Cut back on beverages that contain sugar. Choose ing awareness about deadly heart disease, which remains at and prepare food with little or no added salt. the top of the list as the leading cause of death in Americans.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (women no more The heart is like any other muscle in the body in that it than one glass per day and men no more than two glasses per needs an adequate supply of blood to provide enough oxygen day). to the muscle, so it can contract and pump blood to the rest One of the most important suggestions made by the Heart of the body. The heart not only pumps blood to the rest of the Association is avoiding added sugar. Research has demonbody but also pumps blood to itself via the coronary arteries. strated an alarming correlation between consuming foods with Heart disease refers to several conditions that affect heart added sugar and risk for heart disease. Since 2009, the Heart function in different ways. Coronary disease affects the arteries to the heart. Heart disease can involve the valves, how they Association has recommended that women only consume 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day and 9 teaspoons function and their ability to regulate blood flow in for men. This is compared to the national average and out of the heart. Cardiomyopathy affects how of 22 teaspoons of added sugar consumed each the heart muscle squeezes. Heart rhythms, such day. as arrhythmias, affect the electrical conduction of The new 2015 Dietary Guidelines limit added the heart. Lastly, heart disease can develop before sugar to 10 percent of calories. To put this in betbirth and involve structural problems. ter perspective, a person on a 2,000-calorie diet As you may have guessed, coronary artery would consume 200 calories a day from sugar (12 disease is the most common type in the United teaspoons or 50 grams a day).

States. The job of coronary arteries is to supply The word “added” sugar refers to any sweetenblood to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease er that is added to a food in processing, cooking occurs when there is a buildup of plaque within or at the table. All types of “added” sugar, includthe artery walls, and as the disease progresses, the ing natural, could cause a problem. blood flow through the artery decreases.

HEALTHY LIVING But don’t confuse “added” sugar with fruit A heart attack results when the plaque breaks

BY JULIE HUDSON and dairy products that naturally contain sugar. open and forms a blood clot in the artery, causResearch has proven that eating a diet high in ing a complete blockage. The portion of the heart added sugar raises triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure that does not receive blood becomes damaged and begins to and inflammation. All of these are important risk factors for die. Classic signs of coronary heart disease may include chest developing heart disease. pain or heaviness in the center of the heart that may radiate to Although it would seem easy to reduce added sugar intake, the arm, neck or back; shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; this can be very challenging with the plethora of processed and irregular heartbeat. Some people may only experience indigestion or shortness of breath. Most of these symptoms are foods available. To help the consumer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently proposed adding a category titled brought on by activity and get better with rest. “added sugar” to the nutrition labels of foods. This would take The good news is that heart disease can be prevented. The a lot of the guesswork out of deciphering what sugar is naturisk factors that can be controlled include hypertension (high rally in the product and what has been added. blood pressure); use of tobacco products; diabetes; physical I recently started a challenging 21-day no added sugar inactivity; unhealthy diet; uncontrolled cholesterol or lipids; “fast.” I am avoiding any foods that contain added sugar. The and obesity. Risk factors that may not be controlled as easily most exciting revelation in this fast so far is that I am not cravare age, gender and family history. ing sweets, and I feel so incredibly good. My diet revolves The American Heart Association recommends a dietary around fish, chicken, fruit, vegetables and whole grains. pattern that is primarily made up of a variety of fruit and vegThe statistics remain alarming for heart disease. My hope etables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry for this month is that we can spread the word about the devasand fish, nuts and legumes and non-tropical vegetable oils. tating effects of this disease. Let’s love our hearts and make the Make specific food choices that follow these guidelines. commitment to live an even healthier life.

Eat a variety of fresh, frozen or canned fruit and vegetables without sauces or added salt and sugar. Choose fiber-rich Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center whole grains. Choose poultry and fish without skin and prein Dadeville. pare them in a healthy way. Eat a variety of fish at least two 62 LAKE

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LAKE 63

Reading the Weather

W

hen I was much younger, I used to flip channels on the television as I still do today. But, there was one channel in particular that caught my attention. It was dedicated solely to weather. I wondered, who in the world would be so interested in the weather that there would be a television channel focused on something so insignificant? Rich Thomas had always told us in a less than 10 minutes everything we needed to know to survive the following day. How much did we really need to know about the weather? This was well before I had begun fishing on a regular basis. Fishing, especially during late winter and early spring can be greatly affected by changes in weather conditions. At times, the success we have with certain locations, baits and presentations is driven by weather. During this time of year, fronts typically pass through on a weekly basis at a minimum. Here are three different scenarios based on a passing front, and how you can maximize your success.

64 LAKE

Pre-front

Most fronts in our area of the country seem to pass on a four to seven day cycle. On average this means there will be about two to three days of stable weather, one day or less when the leading edge of the front comes through bringing clouds and rain, and then another two to three days of colder air that follows. During the two to three days of pre-front conditions, daytime highs will usually be warmer.

This is the time when the surface temperature of the water has an opportunity to rise. During late winter and early spring, the fish are eager to move shallow to spawn, and this period usually generates a rise in the activity level of the fish in shallower water. These are often the days of bluebird skies that many anglers fear, but I look at it as a time to take advantage of an opportunity When the sun shines for long periods of time during a pre-front, it causes the areas with stained water to warm quickly. In clear water, the sunlight can penetrate deeper through the water column and heat bottom FEBRUARY 2017

materials, such as like clay, rock and wood. Bluebird skies will also cause fish to hold tighter to cover, making them more accessible when casting at stumps, logs, rocks, etc.

Wind speed and direction are important variables to consider anywhere, but especially on Lake Martin.

The one negative aspect of a pre-front condition is the lack of wind that can cause the fish to be spooky. It’s important to use a certain level of stealth in the approach during a pre-front. Try to avoid using the trolling motor any more than necessary, and make quiet, accurate casts.

As a front approaches, the wind occasionally shifts to a west or southwest direction, and this can improve the bite on the south-facing banks that have been protected from a cold north wind. Cloud cover will often work its way in with an approaching front, as well, and increase the activity level even more. Cloud cover, especially on a clear water lake like Lake Martin, can cause the fish to roam around the targets. This is a prime time to take advantage of their aggressive nature and cover water with faster moving

baits like crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Front

when the barometric pressure is falling, the activity level of the fish increases.

Fronts are generated by the movement of a lowpressure system, so I guess it makes sense that a passing front improves the bite.

When the leading edge of a front approaches in the Southeast, a few things usually accompany it: clouds, wind, rain and falling barometric pressure. All of these factors Post-front represent a plus when The two or three day BIG CATCHES fishing clear water lakes. period following a front

BY GREG VINSON This is usually not the can be a difficult time to most comfortable time fish, but there are ways to to be on the water, but it’s go time adjust tactics and have success. I’ve for fishing. If you’ve ever wondered found that the fish will continue to about this theory, take a look at overbite aggressively until the first cold all tournament weights on days like night following a front. A cold night this versus any other time. The precauses a significant drop in water temfront situation has already warmed the perature in the shallows and can result water, slightly increasing the number in some tight-lipped fish. of fish using the shallows. In addiPost-front conditions usually result tion, the land surrounding the lake in colder air temperatures, strong has been warmed as well. As the rain north winds and rising barometric falls through the warm air, it’s already pressure. One of the best ways to warmer than the surface water. Also, adjust to this situation is to conrain falls on the surrounding land, sider where the fish might move to. being warmed even more before it Oftentimes, the fish that roamed the enters the lake. shallows the day before and during the It must be like a shot of energy to passing front will pull out to the first the fish that have been roughing it in nearby deeper water. The last deep the cold for the past week. I’ve also bank in an otherwise flat area is a typnoticed over the years that the fish ical staging area for fish during a cold feed heavily on crawfish when a front front. The temperature of the deeper passes through. Possibly, the crawfish water maintains a certain level of conemerge from their burrows during a sistency and acts as a refuge until the warm rain. In other words, pick up a weather improves. jig or a crawfish crankbait and get to I typically use one of two types work when the front comes through. of presentations during a cold front.

Clouds and wind affect the way fish The first is a reaction bite. I want to identify prey. Both reduce the amount use a presentation that forces the fish of light passing through the water, to make a quick decision that, hopemaking it more difficult for the fish to fully, will work in my favor. Banging get a good look at the bait. They are crankbaits into cover is one of the best much more likely to bite it first; and ways to generate a reaction bite. then, decide if it’s worth eating …

If the reaction bite is not happentoo late. Again, take advantage of this ing, I shift to much slower presentaopportunity to pick up your pace with tion and “soak” the bait around the a crankbait, even with a jig, and cover piece of cover I’m fishing. Notice more water. that I mentioned cover again because This is a great time to try a spinner- the fish will position themselves very bait too, but most people know to pick tightly around anything that might up a spinnerbait when it’s cloudy and collect some heat. Since the fish do windy. This is the best time to catch become less aggressive during a posta big fish during the late winter and front condition, it’s usually best to early spring. Remember the tournadownsize the bait – and even the line ment weights?

– to maximize strikes.

I’m not an expert when it comes Another tip during this time is to to reading barometric pressure. It’s focus on south-facing banks. The something that I would like to experisteep terrain around Lake Martin can ment with more. Generally speaking, block the north wind that carries coldFEBRUARY 2017

er air while it protects certain areas.

The water temperature on these banks can sometimes be 2-3 degrees warmer than the surrounding area at this time of year.

If falling barometric pressure is good, then rising barometric pressure must be bad, right? Not necessarily, if wind is involved. The wind can cause baitfish to concentrate in certain areas, and this can be an advantage. Look for areas where a south-facing bank forms a point that is exposed to the north wind. This is an excellent transition area that can produce during a cold front.

Learning to adjust to the conditions is never more critical than during the late winter and early spring. Don’t be afraid to change the game plan quickly if the weather is not cooperating. Looking at three-day to five-day forecasts when forming the game plan can better prepare you for a day of late winter/early spring fishing.

Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series and PAA tours. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

LAKE 65

Shrimp with

SpringHouse Cocktail Sauce

As one regular customer said the other day, “Shrimp cocktail is great; shrimp are shrimp but the cocktail really makes it.”

Ingredients 1 pound peeled and deveined Gulf shrimp 1 gallon water 2 heads garlic, cut in half 2 lemons, cut in half 5 bay leaves Add crab boil to your liking Combine everything, except the shrimp, in a 2-gallon pot and bring to a boil. Once a boil has been achieved, add shrimp. Return to a boil and remove from the heat; let sit for three minutes; then, remove shrimp and cool.

66 LAKE

Cocktail Sauce 1 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons fresh grated horseradish (for best result, use a microplane) Zest of two lemons Juice of one lemon 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon spicy whole grain mustard 3 cloves garlic, use a microplane to grate 2 tablespoon siracha hot sauce Mix sauce ingredients together with a whisk and chill for 30 minutes.

To serve, place cocktail sauce in a shallow glass jar, such as a jelly jar. Fill with cocktail sauce; then, arrange shrimp around the edge. I like to serve with a lemon wedge and cracker.

FEBRUARY 2017

CHEF’S TABLE

BY ROB MCDANIEL 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.

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LAKE 67

WOW

68 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

E

ven in February, Lake Martin the market in the spring of 2011. offers an abundance of discoverWe received our order in November ies, like when the water is down 2011, and it has been in the cellar lying on and you follow the shoreline to its back all this time. a spot that in the summer is an island What happens next? The wine has been and you look down to find a pointy piece in the bottle for almost eight years and of rock, an ancient arrowhead resting probably needs to breathe. Because it right there on the ground. It’s called the might have some sediment, it should be “WOW factor,” and if you’ve spent much decanted as a precaution. Depending on time in these parts, you can relate to it. the wine, decanting starts by standing the It is the same thrilling sensation that bottle up for some amount of time to allow sometimes catches us off-guard when we any sediment to drift to the bottom. The experience a fabulous new wine. time varies, maybe an hour or two at miniFROM THE CELLAR mum; then, pull the cork and let the evaluIn this case, it is not a new wine but

BY HENRY FOY also not one that we have tasted recently. ation begin.

The wine is the 2007 Jordan Cabernet Oh no-o-o! The cork broke, leaving Alexander Valley. The Alexander Valley American about half an inch in the bottle. That’s not a good Viticultural Area (AVA) lies just north of San start, but there was no sign of leakage or evaporation, Francisco and just west of the famed Napa Valley no indication that the wine might be flawed.

AVA. The color was a bright, dark ruby with no haze or Modeled after the French system for ensuring cloudiness and surprisingly little sediment. The nose quality wines, the AVA designation of the American was not as powerful as I would have liked, but other system is somewhat less strict than the French than a few pieces of cork, a beautiful wine stood regulations, which require specific grape varieties, poised to breathe in the country air for at least 30 maximum production per acre and minimum alcohol minutes as the grill began to heat up. content, for example. In the U.S., an AVA is defined Do you really think I’m going to let that wine sit solely by geographical area with the only requirement on the counter for half an hour, whispering my name, being that to use the AVA designation on the label 85 daring me to take a premature sip? First of all, as the percent of the grapes must have been grown within “host,” I have a responsibility to verify that the wine the boundaries of that area. That’s it.

I have selected is drinkable. After all, the cork had But by grouping vineyards in growing areas where broken, and the wine may have been ruined. there is consistency regarding topography, soil type But it wasn’t flawed. It was good. Good but not and microclimate, we can detect similarities and a fantastic. At this point, we have to reserve judgment certain unity. More importantly, we are assured that and allow the process to proceed. Over the next two most of the grapes in a product labeled and priced hours, this wine did what it was supposed to do. It as Napa Valley were in fact grown in Napa, rather slowly came around and gradually got better and betthan a vineyard in Texas. ter.

AVA status was granted to the Alexander Valley And that brings us to the moral of the story: Let appellation in 1984, 12 years after wine pioneers Tom it breathe. The first sip was of an okay wine that I and Sally Jordan established their Bordeaux-style thought, at that point, was overpriced. My impression vineyard; thus, setting the standard for domestic wine changed dramatically by the last sip. Good wine is quality and wine country hospitality that continues to not meant to be gulped. be the Jordan hallmark.

The 2007 Jordan, this one, did not provide the In the early and mid 70s, this was not wine WOW factor that I had hoped for, but there’s more country, as we now know it. The rolling hills to tell. Though it was a bit lighter than I expected, of Sonoma County were dotted with cattle farms and the tannins were sufficient to allow at least two more prune orchards. All that had to go to make way for years of ageing. the plantings of Cabernet and Merlot; the first harUnfortunately, that was the last ’07 in the cellar. vest came in 1976, and Jordan quickly became one Not having had Jordan in a while, I now need to evalof California’s most sought-after wines. uate the current vintage for comparison.

The heritage of the Jordan Cab suggests that this Oh, but wait – Silver Oak recently offered a library would be a reasonable candidate in our search for the release of their ’07 Alexander Valley ($95).

WOW factor. That 2007 would be a good year was Excuse me, but I have to get started on next evident with a warm spring, resulting in a smaller month’s installment. Stay tuned! crop than 2006. That was actually a positive thing,

producing a greater potential for more intense flavors.

Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine Ideal weather conditions allowed for six weeks of and Spirits with the area’s only walk-in humiharvesting, as the fruit reached optimal maturity with dor, Café 128 and Gallery 128 in downtown bright acidity and dark fruit flavors. After two years Alexander City at 128 Calhoun Street. He can be of ageing in French and American oak barrels, the reached at 256.212.WINE, on Instagram, Facebook ‘07 vintage was bottled in July of ’09 and released to and at emporium128@bellsouth.net.

FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 69

70 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Putting Out of Your Mind

Pro Tips From Lee Williams Dr. Bob Rotella, who is regarded as the top psychologist in sports, wrote a book years back titled, Putting Out of Your Mind. In the book, Rotella walks the reader through everything putting from the mental aspect. It is a book that I highly recommend reading; however, another sports psychologist and Olympic Gold Medalist, Lanny Basham, has a couple of great books out on the psychology of sports.

When I think of putting out of my mind, I think of Lanny’s work. What I learned from reading Lanny’s writings is that mental practice can be just as good as actual, physical rehearsal. Lanny is known for winning a gold medal in the field of rifle shooting.

He would rehearse shooting just in his mind. He got so good at going through the senses he felt, from the nerves to smells, that mental simulation became just like actual competition and, to an extent, even better. When he rehearsed mentally, he never messed up and only shot perfect scores, which was not always the case with “live” ammo.

Now is a great time to practice mental rehearsal of your golf game, not just putting but also all facets.

It’s important to learn how to visualize more putts going in and shooting lower scores. At first, this could be difficult for most people. Attention span may only be a minute or two long, but with practice comes improvement. Be detail oriented and picture everything from the weather to the wardrobe.

Also, this is something that can help in any aspect of life as well as with a hobby like golf.

- Coming Soon The White Room Upscale Party, Social and Business Meeting Space thewhiteroomac.com thewhiteroomac@gmail.com 256.521.1199

1031 Cherokee Road, Alexander City

Good Luck!!

Lee Williams, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, grew up playing at Willow Point Country Club.

As an amateur, Williams was a member of the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams, as well as the 2004 World Amateur Team. He is sponsored by Russell Lands, King Honda, Nowlin and Associates, P.F. Chang's, Tempus Jet, Hyatt Adams Golf, Russell Athletic, Titleist, Ameritas Financial Corp. and Southwest Airlines.

FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 71

Legend

63

24

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Public Boat Ramps

19

9 Churches

Alexander City

8

Camps & Parks

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

16

Power lines U.S. Highways

3

280

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

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

13 20

7

Liberty Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

17

Willow Point

24

6

9

Equality

63

55

4 Camp Kiwanis

22 The Ridge

1 11

Church in The Pines Trillium

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

18 12

ga

Ba

y

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 Kent

72 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

25

34

Camp Alamisco

10

Kowaliga Boat Landing

Seman

Paces Point Boat Ramp

FEBRUARY 2017

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Jacksons Gap

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

280

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 Bethel Church

21

73. Smith Marina 256-444-8793

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing Pleasant Ridge Church

Church of the Living Waters

4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 19 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 20 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 21 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 22 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 23 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com . McDaniels Storage Center 24 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010

Restaurants

25 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

6. SpringHouse 9 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

11 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 18 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

82. Alex City Marine Sales and Service 256-215-3474

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

6. Catherine’s Market 10 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

15 14

17 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt @ Smith's Marina 256-444-8793

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25.

Contact us at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

12 Harbor Docks Restaurant at Anchor Bay Marina 334-639-4723

2001 Castaway Island Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

Stillwaters

5

Business & Shopping 13 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

Walnut Hill 50 50

14 Lakeside Mercantile 334-850-6357 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 15 EastLake Coffee @ Lakeside Mercantile 334-850-6357 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

49

16 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010

Reeltown

FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 73

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 El Rancho Grande Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs

Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store Little Black Dress Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot USAmeribank Warren's Appliance Parts Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

DADEVILLE American Motorsports Bay Pine Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foodland 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 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

KELLYTON Five Star Plantation

RED HILL Citgo

TALLASSEE Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are available at these locations. To start your subscription, call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281.

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Handrails • Guardrails Welded Fence • Custom Art Stairs • Gates Stainless Steel Cable Railing I-Beams • Steel Posts • Stairs On-Site Welding/Cutting Powder Coat • Sand Blasting

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 334-332-3435 334-391-0759

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Do you want to see your photos in the next issue of Lake? WE DO! Send in your Lake Scene and Where’s Lake photos. Please include the names of everyone pictured, a brief description and your location.

LAKE

MAGAZINE Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com 74 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

COACH KRAFT

Professional!

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LAKE

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Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 75

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 65

Harvey's on Noble................................................ 33

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

Advanced Cardiovascular...................................... 8

Henderson and Coker......................................... 76

Russell Lands.................................................... 40-41

Advanced Heating & Air........................................ 8

Hilltop Landscaping............................................... 23

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

Alex City Guide Service...................................... 17

Holley’s Home Furnishings................................. 80

Satterfield................................................................ 13

Alex City Marine................................................... 61

Holman Floor......................................................... 83

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

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.........56

Jackson Thornton.................................................. 18

Southern Star Farm................................................ 6

APCO Employees Credit Union.................................... 3

Kowaliga Whole Health....................................... 75

Sparkle Window Cleaning................................... 13

Atkinson Home..................................................... 83

Lake Martin Building Supply............................... 17

SportzBlitz.............................................................. 78

Blue Creek Iron Works....................................... 74

Lake Martin Community Hospital..................... 55

State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran..........74

Blue Horizon Travel.............................................. 75

Lake Martin Dock................................................. 17

State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell..........13,75

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation....................... 17

Lake Martin Mini Mall.......................................... 67

Tallassee Community Hospital........................... 56

CertaPro Painters................................................. 75

Lake Martin Young Proffesionals........................ 15

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

Coach Kraft Upholstery...................................... 75

Lakeside Marina....................................................... 8

The Eclectic Warehouse...................................... 47

Crew Lending......................................................... 75

Lila's Engraving....................................................... 83

The White Room.................................................. 71

Custom Docks....................................................... 18

Mark King's Furniture.......................................... 63

TNT Stone............................................................. 75

Damon Story, Cedar Point................................. 79

Mitchell's Upholstery........................................... 21

TowBoatU.S.............................................................. 5

DAVCO Development......................................... 74

MXK Events........................................................... 36

Troy Cable................................................................. 6

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

Nick Frontiero Photography.............................. 37

Walmart.................................................................. 75

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

Odd Jobs................................................................. 47

Wedowee Marine................................................. 77

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty......75

White Acre Farms................................................ 48

First Realty............................................................... 6

Prime Management............................................... 59

Williams Plumbing Heating & Air........................ 8

George Hardy D.M.D........................................... 17

Radney Funeral Home......................................... 59

WSC Distinctive Builders, LLC......................... 54

76 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

242X E-Series

EDGY. EPIC. ENERGETIC. AN ALL NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE WAKE BOAT BOASTING CUTTING-EDGE ENHANCEMENTS. STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE YAMAHA’S TRIPLE BALLAST SYSTEM, AWARD-WINNING CONNEXT™ INTERFACE FEATURING NEW DRIVE CONTROL AND A POWERFUL 1,000-WATT STEREO WITH SOUND BAR, SUBWOOFER AND 18 PREMIUM SPEAKERS.

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www.WedoweeMarine.com 256.357.2045 or 800.780.2045 FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 77

Parting Shot

Dylan Ferniany gets a kick out of hearing friends at her November wedding retell the story of her courtship with husband Austin Senseman.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers but for the wide world's joy.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

78 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2017

Lake Martin Living is Now Within Your Reach.

PHASE TWO NOW OPEN • Private peninsula with 12 new coveted lakefront lots • New construction craftsman-style cottages with amazing design & detail • Prices start in the mid600’s and include plan customization, cottage, land, seawall, pier & incredible views!

Contact Damon Story for more information.

205.789.9526 CEDARPOINTLAKEMARTIN.COM FEBRUARY 2017

LAKE 79

The Beauty You Desire The Performance You Require

The beauty you desire the performance you require.

Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics.

Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics

Even He Can’t Mess It Up EASY CLEAN UP

Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind.

Having to sacrifice what you really want because of sticky fingers, crayons, or an occasional spilled glass of juice is now a thing of the past.

STIMIL EROM ON

® The beauty you desire the performance you require.

Introducing Kid Proof Fabrics.

Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind.

Kid Proof was created with the modern family in mind.

Having to sacrifice what you really want because we all know that teens, small children and the messes that come along with them aren’t always easy to clean.

.eriuqer uoy ecnamrofrep eht erised uoy ytuaeb ehT .scirbaF foorP diK gnicudortnI

.dnim ni ylimaf nredom eht htiw detaerc saw foorP diK ,sregnfi ykcits fo esuaceb tnaw yllaer uoy tahw ecfiircas ot gnivaH .tsap eht fo gniht a won si eciuj fo ssalg dellips lanoisacco na ro ,snoyarc

Having to sacrifice what you really want because we all know that teens, small children and the messes that come along with them aren’t always easy to clean. Sticky fingers, crayons or an occasional spilled glass of juice is now a thing of the past.

80 LAKE

256.234.4141 Alexander City

FEBRUARY 2017

334.279.3101 Montgomery