Lake magazine February 2021

LAKE MARTIN ALABAMA EDITION

LAKE

The Bridal Issue

FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE

LAKE 1

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Assisting buyers & sellers with their real estate needs in the Lake Martin Area Rhonda Gaskins, Broker Century 21 Lake Area Realty, Inc.

256-749-3644 rhonda@lakearearealty.net

lakearearealty.net

Let Me Move You!

FEBRUARY 2021

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Staff

Letter from the Editor

T

he bridal issue of Lake magazine is one of my favorites.

Big or small, with or without accommodations for COVID-19, every wedding at Lake Martin is a dreamcome-true event, a happily-ever-after in progress, a fairytale. I am all about fairytales, so perusing wedding photographs, interviewing brides and retelling sweet wedding stories in Lake Martin’s spectacular venues is just the very best ‘isn’t-it-great-that-I-getpaid-to-do-this?’ job I’ve ever had.

This year, some of our favorite people were married at the lake, including Scott Hardy and his charming and bubbly wife, KK. Scott holds a special place in our hearts because he used to work at TPI, and like KK, we grew to appreciate what a great guy he is. COVID-19 demanded some pretty drastic changes to the dream wedding they had planned for last April, but as KK puts it in the article on page 22, from his sweet, incredibly orchestrated proposal to their intimate ceremony on the lake, “It was just fabulous.”

Our own “Lake Property” columnist, Stephanie Simon, married T.C. Coley in New Orleans in early December.

Live streamed on Facebook and by Zoom meeting invitation, the wedding was the digital equivalent of a standing-room-only event.

The photo featured here was taken by Silver Loop Studios in New Orleans.

Congratulations to a wonderful couple that works hard to make our corner of Heaven a better place to live, work and play.

Another truly beautiful local wedding was that of Alexis Ingram to Donnie Findley. The granddaughter of Linda and Stanley Ingram, who manage The Stables at Russell Crossroads, Alexis knew hers would be an extra special wedding – and she was so right. This delightful, beautiful bride, pictured on page 46, was married at the Carriage House adjacent to the main barn at The Stables.

Lake Martin also provided the background for a fair number of romantic proposals last year. We are happy to share with you three of those, including Jordan Abbett’s proposal to PaceLea Shaw. Lake magazine learned of this engagement from Mae Lynn O’Neil at Kowaliga Marina, who was so excited that she sent a photo of the happy couple to Lake magazine on the spot.

Love is in the air, and there’s no better place for the unfolding of a fairytale than Lake Martin.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Magazine Department Manager BRITTANY SMITH editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH

rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

JULIE HARBIN

julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com

ANDY CARR

andy.carr@thewetumpkaherald.com

Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON GREG VINSON STEPHANIE COLEY JOHN THOMPSON CHRIS MORINA MARK GILLILAND

LONNA UPTON CAITLYN CELKA SARAH CHILDERS LANCE LEFLUER AMY PASSARETTI AUDRA SPEARS

TIFFANY HALLMARK WITH HALLMARK STUDIOS SILVER LOOP STUDIOS SOUTHERN CINEMATICS BE LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY T2 PHOTOGRAPHY SWEET JULEP PHOTOGRAPHY MEGAN MULLINS PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Betsy Iler, Editor 4 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

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

On the Cover Dunn found the perfect wedding dress at Carriage House in Birmingham. A fit and flare style featuring a long train with buttons down the back.

Her bouquet included majolica roses, white O’Hara roses, Sahara roses, hybrid delphinium, oakleaf hydrangea, white ranunculus, butterfly ranunculus and ivory lisianthus.

Photos by Sweet Julep Photography

6400 Highway 63 South, Alexander City, AL 35010 docksunlimitedllc.com (256) 203-8400 Check out our Facebook Page: Docks Unlimited

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 5

(256) 234-6366

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We Touch the Lives of the People You Love

BeST 2020

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Assisted Living & SCALF Short Term Rehab

(256) 839-6711

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Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Skilled Nursing Care FEBRUARY 2021

Contents

20. PLUG DAY Join Lake magazine for the countdown to summer pool 22. MEANT TO BE A surprise proposal had KK Hardy reeling when Scott included her colleagues and her students in the event 26. BRIDAL EXTRAVAGANZA The 2nd annual Bridal and Event Expo will benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way 28. MEMORY LANE PROPOSAL Andrew takes Lindsey down memory lane before proposing 30. NO WAITING Hanna and Patrick Grimes pushed forward with their wedding plans despite the pandemic 36. AFTER THE RAIN Rain storms and rainbows bring promises of happily-everafter for PaceLea Bryan and Jordan Abbett 40. A RIVA RIDE AWAY Maggie and Connor say their vows then escape to the reception at cocktail slough on a Riva ride away 46. A TALE AS OLD AS TIME Alexis and Donnie were the first to be wed in The Carriage House at The Stables at Russell Crossroads 50. A DREAM DESTINATION Aidenn and Allan had never visited Lake Martin but when they found New Water Farms, it was a dream come true 54. TOGETHER, AT LAST Patrick and Emily had known of each other for years but ran in different crowds. Church brought them together 60. MAGGIE'S GARDEN PARTY The women in Maggie Dunn's life wanted to start her wedding weekend off with a surprise 64. A LAKESIDE WEDDING AT THE RIDGE Brannen and Bailey shared an intimate ceremony while friends looked on from their boats in the slough

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

Photo by T2 Photography

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS 18. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 68. LAKE PROPERTY

70. NATURE OF THE LAKE 74. LAKE WATCH 78. HEALTHY LIVING 80. CHEF'S TABLE 82. BIG CATCHES 86. CHEERS

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

FEBRUARY 2021

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

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

Dr. George W. Hardy General Dentistry

A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches

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

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

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Alexander City Outlook or The Dadeville Record

256-234-4281 548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 8 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

Small Space Advertising Works.

Call Julie Jolie Harbin Waters256-252-8558 256-414-3174 && ask for Lake Church Page Call

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

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

30 22 15

$711,444 $463,541 $624,500

$606,000 $347,500 $570,000

90 173 232

50 163 228

December 2020 December 2017 December 2014

Inventory/ sales ratio 1.24 5.34 9.67

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

5 DIY safety improvements for older boats 1. Install ground fault protection aboard your boat with an Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter (ELCI), which can prevent a dangerous electrical leak.

2. Hose clamps.

Double hose clamp standards were first put in place as part of the Federal Boat Safety Act, but in 2010 the EPA added evaporative emission requirements.

3. CO detector. Expanded to address diesel-powered vessels, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are now required on all new gas and diesel powered vessels (or equipped with such a generator) that have 1. a head, 2. a galley with a sink and 3. sleeping

accommodations.

4. Engine cutoff switch. ABYC manufacturing standard A-33 requires all new boats less than 26 feet overall in length and capable of developing 115 pounds or more of static thrust (roughly the size of 2-hp motor) to have an engine cutoff switch. The provision includes inboard engines, outboard motors and sterndrive engines.

5. Navigation lights. The standards for navigation lights have not changed; however, some manufacturers sell navigation lights that don’t meet regulations.

These lights are typically cheaper and do not provide the proper color quality, brightness or cutoff angles that boaters rely on to avoid collision.

Weather Outlook for February February 2021 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid-50s with average lows in the lower 30s and more than 3-1/2 inches of precipitation in the month of February.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly below average, and rainfall averages will be in the normal range this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 5.55 inches Avg. high temp.: 53.8 Avg. low temp.: 31.9 Avg. temp.: 42.3

Last Month's Lake LevelsLake elevations Summer: 491 MSL

Service.

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

FEBRUARY 2021

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Our Normal February Precipitation: 3.5 inches Avg. high temp.: 61.0 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 39.1 National Weather Avg. temp.: 50.0

Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 483.91 Lowest: 483.73

Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.

Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) The Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads was decorated for Christmas when Diane Riccio was there for a walk in mid-December. (2) Penelope Stubblefield gets some lake chill at Lake Martin. (3) Bentley is ready for a ride behind the boat with Pearce and Hayden Yeargan. (4) Di Riccio took this picture of the new steel sign installed at the Alexander City airport to welcome visitors to the area. (5) Cousins Davis Fuller, Heather Sullivan, Tyler Fuller and Lilly Sullivan took in some float time at the lake. (6) Cheryl Gainer McCall took this pastel sunrise photo beneath Smith Mountain on a lovely November day before winter arrived. (7) Kyle Thornton took this photo of the Christmas Star at Russell Crossroads.

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FEBRUARY 2021

Lake Scene n People & Places 1

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Pepper Stubblefield doesn't mind a case of boat hair if she can be out for a pontoon ride with her dad, Ben. (2) Maria Daugherty made a friend at Goat Island this summer. (3) The sun sets over Dogpatch Hollow Point in this photo by Tatum Moseley. (4) Lure maker Cooper Jones, 16, wonders where the big fish are today. (5) Riely loves the challenge of riding the tube behind the boat through StillWaters. (6) Luke has learned early to appreciate a view of Lake Martin. (7) Despite the loss of many leaves in recent lake area storms, the trees are putting on a colorful show this year.

FEBRUARY 2021

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LAKE MARTIN'S PROFESSIONAL TOWING AND SALVAGE COMPANY We refloat sunken boats.

Call today for a free quote!

•On water towing •Battery jumps •Fuel delivery •Soft ungrounding

256-307-1313

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

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FEBRUARY 2021

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Feb. 6 Nature Adventure

Join Kids Club at Meadows Farm for an afternoon in the woods and on the farm. Wear old clothes but dress accordingly with the weather. The cost is $10 per kid, which includes water, a snack and a treat. RSVP on Facebook @meadowfarms or purchase tickets at www.eventbrite. com/e/kids-club-nature-adventure-tickets-134423866403.

Feb. 6 OGS Windcreek Bass Trail Event

Registration begins at 4 a.m. in the store and is $110 per boat. There is a $10 big fish pot and a $10 Average Joe Pot (voluntary). The total would be $130 if you applied both.

Registration can be made with cash or The Russell Forest Run will have check the morning both an in-person and virtual of the tournament or component this year online. Checks can be made out to OGS Tournaments with the letters WCBT on the notes section.

Instructions: Boats will pass by the last dock in the order of entry. Look for the strobe lights and listen for the megaphone.

Livewell doors need to be open for inspection as each boat passes by. Idle past the buoys and take off. Blast off is at safe light. Boats 1-25 in the First Flight have a 3 p.m. weigh-in; boats 26-50 are due in at 3:15 p.m.; and boats 51-75 are due in at 3:30 p.m. First place wins $2,500 based on 60 boats entered.

Angler's who are also fishing the Alabama BASS Nation event the same day can register for both tournaments. Just bring the weigh-in slip from the scales over at the ABN site.

Scales will be set the same and weights will be honored.

Feb. 13 Wildlife Presentation

Marianne Hudson, the Russell Lands On Lake Martin Naturalist, will give a free presentation from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. about what the wildlife is wearing these days. Hudson will examine the features that wildlife uses to meet its needs and also discuss the ways that humans take advantage of these accessories for their own use. There is no charge for this program. Contact Hudson at naturalist@russelllands.com or call 256-496-2710 for more information.

Feb. 13 Beehive 9U Bass Tournament

Feb. 13 Guided Nature Tour

Marianne Hudson, the Russell Lands On Lake Martin Naturalist, will give a guided tour of the winter forest from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hudson will search for which forest residents are dormant and which are dynamic. She will point out signs of increasing activity while the day warms. This hike is recommended for hikers who have a moderate fitness level between the ages of 5-105. There is a $10 fee for this program.

To inquire/register, contact Naturalist Marianne at 256496-2710.

Feb. 21 Second Annual Wedding & Event Expo

The Mitchell House in Dadeville once again will host this vendor CALENDAR OF EVENTS OGS Tournaments fair event that will help will host a fundraiser local brides and event for the Beehive 9 and WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN planners to complete under All-Star Baseball all the details in one Team at Wind Creek place at one time.

Visit one of the lake areas most beautiful State Park. and historic venues from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with floAll OGS Tournament rules apply. Entry with Big rists, decorators, wedding planners, caterers, cake bakers and Largemouth and Big Spotted bass is $130 along with an more.

Tickets are $10, and the expo benefits the Lake Martin optional Average Joe Pot for $10. To register go to www.

Area United Way. ogstournaments.org or register the morning of the event.

Registration/check-in will begin at 4 a.m. inside the marina store.

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FEBRUARY 2021

February 22-23 Driving Miss Daisy ACT II Auditions

Alexander City Theatre II will hold open auditions for Alfred Uhry's classic play Driving Miss Daisy from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 216 Tallapoosa St., Alexander City. There are parts for two men and one woman. This heartwarming, sometimes funny 1988 Pulitzer Prize-winning script begins just prior to the Civil Rights movement and tells the 25-year story of a rich, sharp-tongued Jewish widow and her thoughtful, dignified and good-natured Black driver as the two learn to respect and appreciate each other. Socially distanced outdoor performances are scheduled for the end of April. Call director Karen Kison at 256-212-1486 for more information.

February 27 12th Annual Russell Forest Run

The 10K and 5K Russell Forest Run will feature a virtual component for runners who cannot attend the event in person.

The 10K will begin at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K will soon follow.

From the starting line to post-race, 2021 Russell Forest Run runners can expect a few changes, but the outcome will be the same – raising much-needed dollars for the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. Precautions will be in place for the safety of runners, volunteers, staff and others involved in the run. More details about the virtual race and in-person race are available and registration is open at russellforestrun.com.

February 27 Wildlife Presentation

$20 on the 20th

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber asks our community to spend $20 on the 20th of each month to help our local economy.

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin exhibit is on display all year long at the Alexander City Board of Education building, located at 375 Lee St.

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 7 p.m.

Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place gets $15. Grab a group of friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. Thursdays.

Real Island Supper

Marianne Hudson, the Russell Lands On Lake Martin Naturalist, will give a free presentation from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. about what the wildlife is wearing these days: fur, feathers or antlers. Hudson will examine the features that wildlife uses to meet its needs and also discuss the ways that humans take advantage of these accessories for their own use. There is no charge for this program. For more information, contact Hudson at naturalist@russelllands.com or call 256-496-2710.

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 information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256329-8724.

Open Studio

Season-long Events Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Saturday of the month. Meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For additonal information, contact Jacob Meacham at jacob.meacham@alexandercitychamber.com.

In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. For more information, contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups.

In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third

The Artists Association of Central Alabama meets from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Senior Center and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Dadeville Senior Center on Columbus St. Beginners are welcome, and there is no charge for open studios. For more information, call June Dean at 334-301-5317.

lamberthandlamberth.com

256-234-6401 6 Franklin Street • Alexander City

Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 15

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Millerville Trade Day

Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Bibb Graves School on state Route 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m with free outside setup for vendors, yard sale, flea market and swap meet items (no food vendors). Donations from sales to BGHS Alumni and Friends Association would be appreciated. There will be a designated area to bring vehicles for sale with $20 donation to BGHSAFA upon sale. For information, contact Bruce Lowery at 205-522-5794.

Equality Neighborhood Watch Second Friday Open Mic Night

The Equality Performing Arts Center invites all musicians to its monthly jam sessions on the second Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no cover, but donations are greatly appreciated. There will be an intermission for snacks, and people are encouraged to bring a dish to share.

The EPAC is located at 560 state Route 9 in Equality. For more information, visit the EPAC Facebook page.

The Equality Neighborhood Watch Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the old Masonic Lodge at 6:30 p.m. During the colder months, it meets at Equality Methodist Church on state Route 259. For more information, email Richard Penton at drichardpenton@gmail.com.

To have your upcoming event featured in Lake magazine’s Lake Calendar Events submit details by the 15th of prior month to editor@lakemagazine.life.

Tallassee Lions Club

The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For information, email Ron McDaniel at ronmcd416@gmail.com.

Lake Martin’s deBeer Representative

• QUARTZ • QUARTZITE • GRANITE • SOAPSTONE

Denise Booth 256-749-6177

debooth.al@gmail.com homeologylakemartin.com Located at The Wellborn Industries Showroom 59 Wellborn Way, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861

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FEBRUARY 2021

BEST BOATS | BEST SERVICE | BEST DEALS We are excited to announce our new Singleton Jackson’s Gap location on the North end of Lake Martin. Providing new and used boat sales and a full service center. With the largest selection of the industry’s top-selling brands and award winning customer service, no other dealer can upgrade your lifestyle like Singleton Marine.

Singleton Marine Blue Creek Marina 7280 Highway 49 South Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-8888

Singleton Marine Jackson’s Gap 124 Edgewater Drive Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861 256-269-0088

Singleton Marine Parker Creek Marina 8300 Parker Creek Marina Dr. Equality, AL 36026 256-329-8550

SingletonMarine.com FEBRUARY 2021

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Lake Martin News A letter from the Director of ADEM Despite criticisms, Alabama’s environment is best it’s been since standards were first measured.

As the director of the state agency charged with safeguarding Alabama’s environment, I have great respect for and deep appreciation of our state’s wonderful natural resources and rich biodiversity of species and habitats, including many that are unique to Alabama. Protecting human health and those environmental treasures is precisely the reason the Alabama Department of Environmental Management exists.

Lance LeFleur That’s why it concerns me when critics take unjustified cheap shots at ADEM and the work it does to protect, preserve and enhance the environment.

Some blame “lax enforcement” of environmental regulations in part for the loss of rare species or attempt to paint ADEM as an underfunded agency under threat of federal takeover by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Those characterizations are clearly and demonstrably wrong.

Let’s look at the facts.

By any environmental quality measure – fewer impaired waters, more waters classified or designated as high quality, exceptionally high-quality drinking water, air meeting all quality standards, extensive remediation of legacy soil contamination – the quality of the environment in Alabama is the best it’s been since environmental quality was first measured. And it’s getting even better.

For example, 82 percent of the rivers and streams that were listed in 1998 as impaired for any combination of pollutants have since been removed from the list. There are also welldocumented significant reductions to pollution impairments of lakes, reservoirs, bays and estuaries in Alabama.

Since 1982, the state has had 805 miles of rivers and streams classified as Outstanding National Resource Waters, 343 miles classified as Outstanding Alabama Waters and 40,065 acres (Lake Martin) designated as a Treasured Alabama Lake.

ADEM had a direct hand in those achievements.

In 2019, less than 2 percent of the public drinking water systems in Alabama had any health-based water quality violations for the 89 contaminants monitored. Based on EPA data, only one state, Hawaii, had a lower number of violations than Alabama.

With air, Alabama has been in attainment with all National Ambient Air Quality Standards since 2015. Those standards cover particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. Over the past 30 years, releases of those contaminants have dropped by an average of 83 percent.

That is a collective breath of fresh air for Alabamians.

Since 1989, ADEM’s land division has overseen the closure of all 141 unlined municipal solid waste landfills, the elimina18 LAKE

tion of 1,880 unauthorized dumps and the cleanup of 341 illegal tire dumps containing nearly 10 million scrap tires. Statewide waste reduction through recycling increased from 5 to 25 percent, more than 11,000 leaking underground storage tanks were cleaned up, and more than 400 of the 611 brownfields (polluted industrial sites) have been cleaned and returned to productive use. ADEM led each of these efforts.

While it’s true that some rare species in Alabama are under threat, it’s also true that in recent years many species have come under more protection and are less endangered than in the past.

The bald eagle, osprey, beach mouse, gopher tortoise, salamanders, freshwater mussels, crayfish and darters are among them.

Unfortunately, a lot of what ADEM does to protect the state’s water, air and land goes unnoticed or is misunderstood by the public and the media. Several environmental organizations even sued to end ADEM’s authority to oversee federal Clean Water Act programs in Alabama, falsely claiming ADEM was not tough enough on polluters.

EPA data show a different picture. According to that data, Alabama is consistently among the states with the lowest levels of non-compliance by entities subject to environmental regulation. Yet, despite low non-compliance, total monetary penalties assessed by ADEM have been among the top five in the nation.

That is clearly not lax enforcement.

Not surprising to us, the federal court soundly rejected the groups’ claims and maintained ADEM’s authority. We enforce Clean Water rules and other federal regulations – and do it more effectively, EPA data says, than most states.

Can more be done, such as improved local land-use practices and citizen action, to add to the protections we already have in place? Of course. Good environmental stewardship and economic prosperity are not mutually exclusive.

But let us not ignore the fact that the state of the environment in Alabama is among the best in the nation and getting better.

I can assure Alabamians this department will continue to work to protect human health, the environment and all of our state’s natural wonders. ~ Lance LeFleur Director, Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Sheppard wins PGA Professional Development Award On January 7, the Alabama-NW Florida PGA Special Awards Committee unveiled the 2020 Special Award Honors. Our very own Matt Sheppard won the Professional Development Award. This honor goes to a PGA Member who displays commendable contributions to the education of PGA Professionals. In a year which brought unimaginable loss and heartache for many across the world, Matt and other award recipients embody what it means to live in hope and go above and beyond the call of duty as a PGA Professional. ~Willow Point Golf & Country Club

FEBRUARY 2021

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Plug Day Fuel the Fun at Lake Martin STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY AUDRA SPEARS

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Lake magazine this month launched the Plug Day preview to its annual Countdown to Summer Pool, a social media wind-up campaign to boating and vacation season at Lake Martin.

Captioned as the event that drives tourism and lake activities, Plug Day is when the rule curve at Martin Dam changes from maintaining the winter pool water level at 484 mean sea level feet to filling the lake with another 7 feet of water to achieve the summer pool level at 491 feet msl by April 19.

Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson will again be the Plugmaster for the campaign. Thompson, who coordinates the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup at Lake Martin, will drop the metaphorical plug into the lake to signify the rule curve change. He will be assisted by this year’s Plug-In Partner, Brandy Hastings at Lake Martin Tourism, who will help viewers get plugged in to fuel their fun at the lake this summer.

Midnight on March 1 is the actual time and date for the rule curve change, according to Alabama Power River Manager Chris Goodman.

This year’s Plug Day social media campaign focuses on fueling readers’ fun at Lake Martin.

From Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, the event staff will post

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photographs of Lake Martin – some submitted to the magazine and some taken by staff. Each post will invite viewers to share what fuels their fun at the lake.

During the 50-day Countdown to Summer Pool, the campaign will highlight upcoming activities and lake fun with more Lake Martin photographs and interesting lake area tidbits and facts. The Countdown posts will present occasional opportunities to win giveaway items from lake area merchants and organizations. The project will culminate with a celebration, dubbed the Full Pool Party, on April 19.

Fewer than two weeks after the lake level reaches summer pool, Lake magazine will print its annual summer calendar issue, which highlights activities and events at Lake Martin from May 1 through Labor Day. To have your upcoming summer event included in the summer calendar issue, email details to editor@lakemagazine.life on or before April 19.

Visit the Lake magazine Facebook page and follow @Lake magazine on Instagram for chances to win giveaway contests during the countdown to full pool, and add what fuels your fun at Lake Martin to the posts.

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Meant to be

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY MEGAN MULLINS PHOTOGRAPHY

When Alexander City District 3 City Council Representative Scott Hardy proposed to his girlfriend, KK Hines (now Hardy), two years ago, there was nothing spur-of-the-moment about it.

“He had this planned out to a T,” said KK Hardy, an elementary school teacher in Opelika.

“He proposed to me in my school lunchroom, and everybody was in on it – my principal, the whole faculty, even my students and my bridesmaids.”

Scott had talked to the school principal to secure cooperation and the date; then, he put together a proposal plan that involved all 14 of the friends that he knew his bride would want in attendance

at the wedding, as well as her students and fellow faculty.

“That was the most special thing because teaching is something I love and am passionate about, and to have them involved was great,” Hardy said.

Once Scott had set a date for the big ask with the principal, he invited all 14 future bridesmaids to be at the school on the day of the proposal.

“Scott told me later that he knew he had a good team for pulling this off when 14 girls could keep a secret from me,” Hardy laughed.

The big day was a Friday, which usually is a casual-dress day at the school, but Scott knew she

Both families joined together to witness the Hardy's big day

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A long awaited wedding, with hustle to change plans left Scott and KK Hardy over joyed to finally say, "I do" #It'sHardyTime

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Clockwise from Top Left: The bride and groom celebrated with a cake cutting and champagne toast; The Hardy's said their vows on the shore of Lake Martin behind KK's girlhood home; The beautiful couple and their families were truly overjoyed to see the couple wed; The bride and groom recited their vows in an intimate setting; Hardy shares a moment of sublime happiness with her mother after marrying Scott

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Hardy wore her mother's wedding dress, which had been remade into a pantsuit

would want to be dressed up a bit for the pictures. On Thursday, the principal told the teachers that they needed to dress more professionally than usual the next day.

“He said there were some people coming in to observe, and we should all be a little more dressed up. I didn’t think anything of it,” Hardy said. “I didn’t have a clue.”

In the lunchroom the next day, with her friends assembled and the entire faculty and student body there in eager anticipation, Scott got down on one knee while his girlfriend’s thirdgrade class held up lettered posters that together spelled out the words, “Will you marry me?”

“It was just so sweet,” she said.

The couple planned to marry on April 4 at Church in the Pines, but when COVID-19 hit, they had to adjust the event. They moved the nuptials to Hardy’s girlhood home on Lake Martin, where they invited just close family, though friends drove by in their cars or boats to offer congratulations.

The day before their first anniversary this year, they will have a wedding party with a vow renewal at Church in the Pines and a reception at Kowaliga Restaurant.

Instead of wearing her wedding dress for the lakeside event last year, Hardy wore her mother’s wedding dress, which had been remade into a pantsuit by Taylor Yates McDonald.

The outfit originally was planned as her rehearsal dinner attire.

Grace’s Flowers in Alexander City made her bouquet, and her mother and grandmother decorated an arch with flowers.

“It was upsetting to have the day we were waiting for come and not be able to do it the way we had planned, but this was just perfect,” she said.

“The plan was to have a big wedding, but God had different plans. It was the most intimate ceremony, and it was just fabulous.”

Friends paraded by the ceremony in cars and boats to offer congratulations to the happy couple

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2nd Annual

Lake Martin Wedding and Event Expo STORY BY BETSY ILER

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he second annual Lake Martin Wedding and Event Expo is set for Feb. 21 at Dadeville’s Mitchell House and will benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way, said LMAUW Director Sharon Fuller. The event, which will open at 1 p.m. and close at 3 p.m., includes a bridal show featuring Lake Martin area wedding and event vendors.

Last year’s inaugural event showcased almost 50 vendors, including florists, dress shops, caterers, photographers and wedding directors.

“A bride could come to this show and leave with all of her vendors selected and her whole wedding planned,” said Paige Patterson, who coordinates the event for LMAUW. The event also highlights local stores and services, Fuller said.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

Fuller said the expo helps to support the 27 agencies and five initiatives that LMAUW serves annually. That support is especially important this year, Fuller said, as a number of the nonprofit organization’s fundraising events for this year’s budget were canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We lost our Quail Fry, Fashion Show, 100-hole marathon and our bingo event, so we are starting in the hole by $50,000,” Fuller said. “We are thinking outside the box to help our community.”

The agencies supported by United Way help to supply families with food boxes, assist those who lost jobs in the coronavirus lockdown and offer utility assistance, as well as many other services to help others in the area.

The historic Mitchell House at 357 W. Columbus

26 LAKE

St., Dadeville, was the childhood home of Sidney Z. Mitchell, who was instrumental in developing the nation’s electricity grid and worked with Thomas Martin in the planning and initial operation of Martin Dam. Today, the home is owned by Vivian Autrey and her husband, Mike, and is operated as an event center. When Patterson suggested the bridal and event show to benefit LMAUW last year, Autrey offered the center as the location for an annual charitable event.

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Memory Lane Proposal Groom leads a trail of memories before proposing at Lake Martin STORY BY BETSY ILER

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Last summer, Andrew McGehee tricked Lindsey McMahon into thinking a spontaneous trip to Auburn was for dinner with friends when he actually was planning a proposal, much the same as their first date.

“We met our freshman year at Auburn, though we both grew up in Birmingham,” McMahon explained. “We had a lot of mutual friends and all started hanging out in groups. Toward the beginning of sophomore year, he started to pursue me. I told him I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, so he tricked me into our first date.”

McGehee claimed his mother had given him a gift card to one of the group’s favorite restaurants. When he casually mentioned it, McMahon asked how she could get in on using the card.

“Well, you could come if you want to,” McGehee shrugged, knowing the gift card did not exist, and he had just asked her for their first date.

“I thought it was a casual thing, but it all started falling into place after that. We hung out together all summer, met each other’s families and dated all through college. After we graduated in 2018, we both moved back to Birmingham,” McMahon said.

When Labor Day weekend rolled around last summer, the couple spent time with family at the lake.

“We love to wake surf, tube and wakeboard. My family grew up on the lake, so we ski – we love the retro lake activities,” McMahon said.

Over the weekend, McGehee let McMahon think she was arranging a dinner date with friends at the restaurant where they had their first date.

“I did think it was odd that we were meeting them so early – 5 p.m. But I thought maybe it was because they had a new baby,” she said. “While we were waiting for it to be close to time to meet our friends, he drove around Auburn like it was Memory Lane and

28 LAKE

started pointing out places where we had some of our early dates.

“At 4:55, we got a phone call that our friends had tested positive for COVID-19, which was a complete lie. I didn’t know then, but it was all part of the plan.”

They changed the dinner reservation from four to two, and things were falling into place for a very special evening.

“He was cool as a cucumber all through dinner,” she said. “And he mentioned that if we ate quickly, we might be able to get back to the lake for the sunset, which was not unusual for us. My grandparents built a house on the north end of the lake in 2009, and our thing was to go on the pontoon boat for a sunset cruise. He called my family on the way back from Auburn and said we would pick up the boat and come pick them up at my parent’s house around the point. A very normal thing to do.”

McMahon thought it was strange that the keys were already in the boat when they arrived, but nothing else seemed out of the ordinary, so she was unsuspecting when they got on the boat and cruised around the point near a neighbor’s house.

“As the sunset came into view, Andrew started slowing down the boat and turned to me. We were in the middle of the lake watching the sunset, and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Our siblings had been hiding in the bushes at our neighbor’s house, and they all came out cheering.”

When the couple cruised back to the house, their families were in the yard to celebrate.

“It was the sweetest surprise to see all of them

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there to celebrate us. So perfect to involve our families,� McMahon said.

The couple is planning a February wedding in Birmingham, where they both work. A materials engineer, McGehee took a position as a product engineer with Honda and works on new model testing and development. McMahon, a graphic designer, works for sports marketing creative agency Knight Eady, building websites and branding for a variety of clients.

She also creates wedding invitations and stationery in her spare time.

This year, they look forward to family time at the lake as a married couple.

McGehee captured McMahons heart and hand when he took her on a trip down memory lane before proposing at sunset on Lake Martin

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No Waiting

C

STORY BY CAITLIN CELKA & PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HALLMARK WITH HALLMARK STUDIOS

Church of the Living Waters in StillWaters is an especially important venue for newlywed Hanna Grimes because her aunt and uncle, Stacey and Mike Carroll, were married in the same venue 30 Though the pandemic years ago. Grimes met prompted changes to the her husband, Patrick, wedding plan, Hanna two and a half years and Patrick Grimes ago on a dating app didn't let it stall called Coffee Meets their plan Bagel. She was getto marry ting ready to delete last April the app, but lucky for her, she chose to keep it; and therefore, she met the man she married.

The couple went on several dates and spent time together after their first meeting getting to know each other. Less than a year after meeting online, Patrick realized he wanted to marry Hanna.

“I really started thinking about marriage,” he said.

After one full year together, Patrick proposed. He flew in from a job the night before the proposal with the intention of going to Kowaliga Restaurant on Lake Martin to propose at sunset with the beautiful sky as a backdrop. Unfortunately, his plan was ruined by a thunderstorm, and he had to propose inside the restaurant.

Some of their family members were there for the big surprise, waiting in another room. Patrick dropped

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Grimes off at the door, so she wouldn’t get wet, but he had to make a mad dash through the rain.

“I had to run through the torrential downpour!” he said.

Once inside, he was nervous waiting to see her. As soon as she rounded the corner, everyone grew quiet, and Patrick dropped to his knee and asked her if she would marry him.

The couple chose Lake Martin as the perfect place to wed because of Grimes’ aunt and uncle. She has always admired them, as they have set such a good example of what she wants her life and marriage to look like.

Though the couple spent quite some time picking out what they wanted for their wedding, the onset of the COVID19 pandemic completely changed their plans.

“It killed me because I wanted it to be what we both wanted,” Grimes said.

They were devastated to learn that none of their wedding guests would be allowed at the ceremony. The only people allowed were the bride and groom’s parents, the bride’s aunt and uncle, the preacher, the photographer and their videographer, Riggs Symonds.

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With only their parents in attendance, the wedding was intimate and peaceful

The April nuptials at a lakeside chapel opened the next chapter of their life together

Wedding guests delight in the unification of Hanna and Patrick Grimes

The couple made their home at Lake Martin

Patrick proposed during a torrential downpour

The cake was made by the same baker that made her aunt and uncle's cake

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They had to accommodate the new regulations and said that never in a thousand years did they think it would be this bad.

“It was going to get a lot worse before it got better,” Patrick said to his then-fiancé.

They eventually worked through the shock of not being able to have the wedding they had always wanted; and instead, they reminded each other that at the end of it all, the most important thing was that they were going to be married.

“It was what God intended,” Grimes said.

Although they had the option of postponing the wedding, they decided that they were so ready to start the next chapter of their lives together that they did not want to push off their big day.

On the day of their wedding, they were excited to have overcome many challenges, and everything had finally come together.

They decided to do a “first

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look” and could not stop staring at each other and smiling because they were so happy and full of overwhelming peace that they had finally made it to their big day.

“It was the easiest day of celebration I’ve ever had,” Patrick said. “It could not have been more perfect. We did not have a single problem.”

Their preacher, Faron Golden, did a wonderful job delivering a sermon during the ceremony and also sharing their story of the challenges they faced due to the pandemic.

The couple had decided on an untraditional, but creative, unity ceremony: They watered a Japanese maple tree together.

Pastor Golden explained the symbolism behind the tree and how it takes its time growing, is associated with serenity and virtue and remains at peace, which is how the couple strives to live.

Grimes and Patrick also held a small reception for family members after they said, “I do.”

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Their first look was an especially sweet moment

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And Grimes added a few sweet touches by asking the same woman who made her aunt and uncle’s wedding cake to make one for Patrick and her. She also had a tribute made for them that they did not know about. She placed the same type of flowers that her aunt had in her wedding in a small vase and had a wedding picture of her aunt and uncle set up at the venue.

Although the wedding did not go as planned, Grimes and Patrick shared one of the best days of their lives and, now happily married, they reside on Lake Martin with their fur babies, Bruce and Lola.

The bride wore her hair in braids and loose curls coupled with a stunning crystal hair piece

Grimes holds a handkerchief with G embroidered in blue

Grimes met the love of her life through an online dating app that she almost canceled

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PaceLea Bryan and Jordan Abbett celebrate their engagement at Lake Martin

After the rain STORY BY SARAH CHILDERS & PHOTOS COURTESY OF PACELEA BRYAN

F

or some people, romance is a dying concept, and happy endings are something found only in Hallmark films. For people like PaceLea Bryan and Jordan Abbett, romance is quite alive and happily-ever-afters are real.

On June 5 last year, the young couple celebrated Bryan’s 19th birthday together at a place close to both of their hearts, the lovely Lake Martin. The two launched a boat at Kowaliga, only to be caught in a sudden rainstorm. When the storm ceased and the clouds cleared, a breathtaking rainbow appeared.

Caught up in the wonder of the moment, Bryan turned to her boyfriend and saw him down on one knee, a ring in hand. The proposal soon followed.

“Of course, I said, 'yes.' I was bawling. He was everything I wanted,” Bryan explained.

Both natives of Alexander City, the couple grew up 36 LAKE

living only 2 miles away from each other. They had known each other through mutual friends for many years, but it was only while working together with one of Coosa County’s volunteer fire departments that their story began.

They had been dating for 10 months before Abbett popped the question during a ride on a boat he had rented at Kowaliga Marina. When Mae Lynn O’Neil, a marina employee, learned about the engagement, she told Bryan and Abbett about the bridal issue of Lake magazine and asked them if she could contact the editor. Since that special evening on Lake Martin, the couple has stayed busy preparing for the wedding.

Bryan and Abbett anticipate marrying on May 8 this year. Behind the date is a story near to their hearts, as that day would have marked 61 years of marriage between Bryan’s grandparents, who passed away only

FEBRUARY 2021

two months apart in the spring of 2018. Growing up, Bryan was very close to her grandparents and drew inspiration from their marriage.

The young couple plans to be married at Rocky Mount Venue in Prattville, Alabama. The wedding will be spring themed with both elegant and rustic elements.

Both Bryan and Abbett want a small and intimate atmosphere in which to exchange their vows, surrounded by family and close friends.

The two have enjoyed the planning process, taking advantage of this time together before the wedding. Bryan is delighted at the interest her fiancé has taken in the planning process and how he has remained actively involved.

“Anything I ask for help on, he’s there.

He’s so excited. We both are,” she said.

Also very involved in the wedding preparations is Bryan’s mother, Nancy Salter, a retired EMT and homeschool mom, as well as Edwina Salter Culver, a special aunt.

Along with Bryan’s biological father, Rex Cosby, her mother will be giving her away at the wedding.

“She’s a wonderful person. She’s my rock,” Bryan said.

The mother and daughter have been through some tough times together, which only drew them closer; from the death of Bryan’s grandparents to the passing of her adoptive father, Jimmy Bryan Jr. Bryan credits her and her mother’s faith in God for bringing them through their losses.

“The family kind of fell apart. It was just me and Mom. We spent several evenings talking and praying together, and we just became so much closer,” she said.

Bryan’s and Abbett’s faith is another line that binds them together.

“From a young age, I’ve had a personal connection with God. I’ve always relied on Him for everything, whether it was family, school or my future husband.

Jordan was the same way. He really includes God in his everyday life,” said Bryan.

The two attend River of Life Worship Center in Alexander City.

They love to spend time with their families, who are excited to come together as one through Bryan and Abbett’s marriage.

“They are all super supportive,” Bryan said.

Bryan and Abbett also take time together to enjoy nature. Fishing on Lake Martin is a favorite pastime for Abbett rented a boat for the romantic proposal the couple, who love to Bryan fishing and love the lake.

“You have to unplug, put your phone down and just spend time together.

Get to know the person you’re dating and enjoy their company,” Bryan said.

“Put God at the center of your relationship. You’re not going to make it without Him. If you’re living for God as a couple, you’ll grow together.

Without God, Jordan and I wouldn’t have what we have. We just acknowledge Him first.”

As their special day grows closer, Bryan grows more and more excited.

“I’m looking forward to us getting to focus on loving each other, growing together and eventually starting a family,” she said.

“He’s a simple man with a big heart. He’s funny, outgoing and down to earth. Even when we started dating, he was pretty forward about his goal to get married and have a family. I was all for it. Not many guys are like that, but he’s special,” she said.

“All of these years, I had no idea that the love of my life lived 2 miles down the road.”

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The Riva

Ride Away STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY SWEET JULEP PHOTOGRAPHY

The newlyweds left the ceremony in a Riva boat, heading to The Lodge at Cocktail Slough for the reception

M

Maggie Fox Dunn and Connor Dunn began dating while students at Auburn. After graduation, and two years of living in separate cities, Connor popped the question at the Smith Mountain Fire Tower in January 2020, and they set a wedding date of June 13 – in the same year.

“We knew that would be fast, but I am a teacher, so we needed to get married in the summer, and that sounded like a great date. We just didn’t know what was about to happen,” the new Mrs. Dunn said.

After making plans for more than 350 guests to attend the ceremony and reception in Auburn, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the couple’s lives, and plans had to change.

“At one point, the plan was to have just the two of us and immediate family. I am from Alexander City, so it made sense to come home, be surrounded by people who could help us and that we knew well.

And the way it worked out, with all our family and friends there, we felt so loved. Now, I can’t imagine it being any other way,” Dunn said.

Dunn spent her childhood working at local camps, and Children’s Harbor holds a special place in her heart. She said she felt God telling her they should use the helicopter pad. With the guest list cut to 150, the event became more intimate. The helicopter pad allowed them to be outside and much more careful with social distancing.

“My mom definitely took control. She knew what she was doing and booked everything as soon as we made the decision to change venues,” Dunn said.

On the morning of the wedding, the bride’s uncles added sod and pine straw to the venue, forming a path from the chapel to the helicopter pad, so Dunn would have a perfect aisle for her entrance.

Connie Forehand was the ceremony director, and Lisa Thorne with Thorne & Thistles in Auburn handled the chairs and wedding flowers, as well as the decorations at the reception.

Flowers in the décor and bouquets included majolica roses, white O’Hara roses, Sahara roses, hybrid delphinium, oakleaf hydrangea, white ranunculus,

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Outdoor seating allowed for social distancing to dance the night away

Fox and Dunn pose for a final look before they ride away in the Riva

The bride chose rich, whimsy pastels to adorn classic crystal and diamond finishes

Roasted peanuts and Cracker Jack were available for all to enjoy

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Fox celebrates her special day with bridesmaids intow

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butterfly ranunculus and ivory lisianthus.

The groomsmen wore black tuxedos with bow ties, and the bridesmaids wore off-the-shoulder taupe dresses from Bella’s Bridesmaids.

Dunn found the perfect wedding dress at Carriage House in Birmingham. She, as well as her family and friends, had mixed opinions at the store, but after looking at pictures of herself in two different dresses, she knew she had the one – a fit and flare style featuring a long train with buttons down the back. Dunn wore her sister Abby’s veil.

Before the wedding, the officiant, who was also the bride’s aunt, Rev. Helen Walton, served communion

for the couple in the chapel. The helicopter pad decoration was a simple cross of flowers for the ceremony and a podium for the scripture reading. A harpist was hired for the processional.

“When I started down the aisle, and I could see everyone there, it was beautiful. We had perfect weather, the setting was so quaint, and I could not have been happier,” Dunn said.

The couple left the Children’s Harbor dock under a shower of rose petals and onto a classic Riva boat with a driver to take them to The Lodge at Cocktail Slough for the reception. The arrival at The Lodge was timed so guests would be there clapping as

Now officially the Dunns, the couple celebrates with a kiss on the dock

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The four-tiered wedding cake was embellished with flowers and greenery

Dunn chose Love Song

by Marcus King as the first dance

the newly wedded Dunns disembarked.

A champagne toast began the evening, while the bride’s father welcomed everyone, and a friend said a prayer.

Guests enjoyed a seated dinner, which was catered

by Jennie Weller out of Montgomery.

Appetizers included pimento cheese fritters and bacon-pecan dip in phyllo shells.

A spinach salad preceded the marinated beef tenderloin entrée with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus as sides.

For dessert, the couple cut the four-tiered wedding cake from Olexa’s Catering, Café and Cakes in Birmingham. Sunshine’s Bakery in Auburn provided the sentimental groom’s cake – two baseballs in honor of Connor’s love of the sport.

“Connor was so supportive of whatever I wanted 44 LAKE

for the wedding – so laidback and so sweet. He loves music, and he did choose our first dance song – Love Song by Marcus King. I danced to Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison with my father, and Connor danced with his mother to Forever Young by Rod Stewart. We opened the dance floor up to anyone who wanted to dance and had a great time,” Dunn said.

Due to the coronavirus, the couple had to cancel their trip to Jamaica, but they enjoyed a week at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach before heading to their new home together.

“The whole day was perfect. A lot of people came together to make it better than I could have dreamed.

It was easily the best day of my life,” Dunn said.

Lila Graves paints a portrait of the bride and groom as they disembark the Riva to join their guests at the reception

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Jerry Purcell 205.382.3417

Allison Ladson 256.750.0711

Damon Story 205.789.9526

Mike Davis 256.226.1238

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256.825.9092

OURTOWN

256.212.1498

WILLOW POINT

256.212.1498

OTHER COMPETITORS

49.1%

OUR CLOSEST COMPETITOR

LAKE MARTIN REALTY/ RUSSELL LANDS ON LAKE MARTIN

*LMAAR/MLS Member Firms Sales Volume Data Jan 2020 – Dec 2020

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A Tale as Old as Time

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY T2 PHOTOGRAPHY

Alexander City’s Alexis Ingram knew she would have an extra special Russell Crossroads wedding because her grandmother, Linda, is the manager and event coordinator at The Stables.

Ingram works with her grandmother on weekends at the barn, helping to set up and clean up after the weddings there, so when it was her turn to be married at The Stables, she knew exactly what she wanted.

Ingram met Bay Minette’s Donnie Findley through friends, and the two hit it off right away over their mutual hobbies.

“We’re both big hunters, and we do similar kinds of work,” said Ingram, who lays out the

46 LAKE

projects for her father’s company, Alex City Grading. “We clicked right away.”

Findley was working on a pipeline project in Kansas. At first, he kept in touch with Ingram by phone and text; however, it didn’t take long before he started visiting her in Alabama, and she started visiting him in Kansas.

“About every two months, we would get to see each other for a week,” Ingram said.

A year after they started dating, Findley took Ingram on her first turkey hunt. On the walk back to the car after she had made the kill, Ingram was walking ahead of Findley. When he called her name, she turned around and found him on one

FEBRUARY 2021

Ingram and Findley found love through mutual friends, despite living in different states

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Ingram and Findley were wed at the Carriage House by The Stables

Ingram's mamaw contributed a personalized handkerchief to be worn as something blue

The Findley's share a sweet moment on a carriage after their nuptuials

The groom's cake is symbolic of how Findley proposed to Ingram

The bride and groom were welcomed into the reception by friends, family, balloons and glowsticks

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FEBRUARY 2021

knee, ring in hand.

“I was not expecting it,” Ingram said. “We had talked about marriage, but I really didn’t know when it was going to happen, and I was definitely not expecting it then.”

As the COVID-19 era guest list included about 70 family and close friends, Linda Ingram chose to stage her granddaughter’s wedding at he Carriage House adjacent to the main barn at The Stables.

“She wanted to do something she had never done before,” explained the bride, who grew up riding horses.

Usually used to store the carriages and wagons at The Stables, the large room in the Carriage House was emptied and chairs were set up to accommodate the guests.

“We staged the carriages around the barn, so people could walk out and admire them. There were plenty of things outside for people to look at and still keep social distance,” Ingram said.

Her grandmother hung a chandelier from the roof on the outside patio and set up tables there.

“It was perfect everywhere you looked,” Ingram said. “Justin Clayton did the video. He did an amazing job. He has an eye for picking out the special moments and details of the day. And I had a friend who used T2 Photography for her wedding, and I loved what they did with her photos, so I knew that was who I wanted.

“I took ideas from every wedding that I have worked on there, so it really was my dream wedding.”

An avid equestrian, Ingram takes a moment to enjoy the company of the carriage horse

Ingrams son, Wyatt Jones, was the ring bearer

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A

Aidenn Faulk and her mother, Cindy, had never been to Lake Martin before Cindy planned a destination wedding at New Water Farms last October that honored her daughter’s cherished childhood memories.

“It was everything we wanted,” said Faulk, who lives in Utah and only made one quick trip to Lake Martin after her parents, who live in Greenville, Alabama, had videoed the venue.

Faulk moved to Utah several years ago to take a medical coding position at a hospital there. Her fiancé, Allan Thompson, was in law enforcement before he moved to Utah to join Faulk. In Salt Lake City, he is a supervisor at a distribution center.

Though they both grew up in Greenville, Faulk and Thompson didn’t become friends until several years after high school, and even then, they didn’t date. They drifted apart when she moved to Utah, but one night, she got an inkling to call him.

“We’ve been together ever since,” she said.

They dated for two years, but Faulk was surprised when Thompson proposed.

“We had gone to see the temple in Salt Lake with all the Christmas lights on. There is a breezeway park with a little bridge, and he proposed on the bridge. The ring was a surprise,” she said.

The wedding-planning process was cyber-based, as Faulk and Cindy exchanged links to websites that explored décor and other wedding ideas. They texted photos, emailed videos with detailed information and talked on the phone.

Faulk wanted her wedding to be different, out of the ordinary, and she found a wealth of ideas on the Pinterest app, including the 7-foot wreath of flowers that Prattville florist Amanda Rylant recreated. She also came across rifle casing boutonnieres online for the groomsmen, who wore jeans, boots, white shirts, gray vests and purple ties.

“My daughter and her fiancé wanted water and rustic,” Cindy said. “At first, they were talking about a barn and water. I got to looking, searching online, and came across New Water Farms.

“I had never been to Lake Martin – never really heard of Dadeville. We fell in love with it once we started looking.”

Cindy contacted the City of Dadeville about possible rehearsal dinner venues in the area and was referred to Zazu’s Verandah.

The flower girls were eager to see the blushing bride

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Dream a little Dream STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY T2 PHOTOGRAPHY

Aidenn Faulk and Allan Thompson dreamed of a unique and rustic destination for their special day

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Faulk honored her grandfather by including sunflowers as a feature of the wedding

The father-daughter dance was eloquent and memorable

Faulk wore a fit and flare lace wedding gown

“It fit every bill we had as far as finding something Aidenn and Allan wanted. It is rustic – something different. And the people that run it are so nice,” Cindy said.

Faulk visited Alabama last February to shop for her fit and flare lace dress and took a whirlwind tour of the wedding venue. New Water recommended Billy Lee at Terra Cotta Café for the wedding caterer, and the food for the rehearsal was done

by Country’s Barbecue in Lee County. Faulk chose T2Photography and Devon Forbus as the videographer. New Water Farms allowed 90 wedding guests, and tables were set up to promote social distancing.

Everything was set for the wedding of Faulk’s dreams until the officiant tested positive for COVID19 the Sunday before the wedding. Fortunately, another minister was already planning to be present.

“When Aidenn moved out to Utah, she met this lady, and the family took her in,” Cindy said. “They would have her over for holidays, and she was invited to the kids’ ball games. They were already coming to the wedding. Their son was an usher, and their daughter was a bridesmaid. The lady’s husband was an associate minister at a church out there, so Aidenn asked her husband to do the wedding. That made it so special.”

When Faulk was growing up in Greenville, she 52 LAKE

used to “take adventures” with her grandfather.

“Basically, we just walked up and down the dirt road, but I would pick flowers on the adventures,” Faulk said. “My grandfather passed away my junior year in high school, and his favorite flower was the sunflower. I wanted my bouquet to look like I had walked through a field and picked them.

“I had photos in memory of him hanging on my bouquet – him and my Big Mama and also my music teacher.”

As a tribute to her childhood music teacher, Millie McDonald, Faulk and her bridesmaids also wore pearls.

“She was pretty influential in my life. Every time we had choir competition or a solo competition, we wore pearls. She taught us how to pick out pearls in Chinatown in New York. She showed us how to know which were fresh and which were saltwater pearls. She’s passed now, but it was important to me to honor her,” Faulk said.

The wedding was everything Faulk had dreamed of, made all the more special by its coming together one lovely fall day with the people she loves at Lake Martin.

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Together, at last

C

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY BE LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

COVID-19 gave God an opportunity to shine at Emily and Patrick Keim’s wedding, and shine He did, from their first date at SpringHouse in March 2019 to their wedding day just 15 months later.

“Patrick and I both graduated from Auburn University, and we knew of each other, but we lived completely different lives,” Emily Keim said. “He was on the basketball team. He was in the athlete world, and I was involved with my sorority.”

The key is that they both attended the same church, but even then, Patrick was thinking of his future wife.

When Coach Bruce Pearl offered him an athletic scholarship, Patrick saw it as a chance to put money away for his future wife’s engagement ring.

“He honored what he felt the Lord was telling him to do, to prepare himself for this relationship. That’s a sign of his heart; what a man of integrity he is,” she said.

Patrick is the student pastor at Church of the Highlands in Auburn, and Keim teaches at Auburn Junior High School. After graduation, she was serving at the church, where they saw each other frequently.

“The first time he called, I knew he was my husband,” Keim said.

Because they both were well known in the community, they slipped away to Lake Martin for their first date.

“We went to SpringHouse,” she said. “I grew up

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coming to Lake Martin. My family has had a house at Windermere for years. It’s been such a gift to our family to spend time there, and my parents can come to Auburn for a game and spend the night at the lake.”

On March 21 last year, Patrick took her to SpringHouse again, but this time, he had made special arrangements for the Wellhouse courtyard.

“I knew in the car on the way,” she said. “He was being so chatty, asking me such extraneous questions.

I could sense that he was nervous. He is usually super laid back, so chill.”

Patrick had used the money he saved to design Keim’s engagement ring with the help of a woman in the church.

“He has incredible taste,” his bride said.

SpringHouse set up a gorgeous dinner in the quaint courtyard, and after the proposal and the acceptance, Patrick took his fiancé to her family’s lake house, where he had arranged for friends to celebrate with them.

“There was a state mandate for 10 people or less, so he arranged for our friends to come in shifts,” Keim said.

They set a wedding date in June – just three months away.

“As a teacher, the only time I really could take a honeymoon is the summer, and we didn’t want to wait a whole year. We were so ready to be married. We

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Emily and Patrick Keim knew of each other but ran in different circles, until church brought them together

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Keim's bridesmaids created a truly unique ensemble which featured gorgeous dresses of all styles and fabrics

The bride and groom share a first dance

Decorations were light and elegant with a sense of sophistication and charm

The bridal bouquet was a mixture of stunning flowers and greenery

There many enjoyable activities for guests including cornhole, which allowed for social distancing

The groomsmen had a great time celebrating Patrick's special day

The Keims were married at The Stables at Russell Crossroads

didn’t want a long engagement,” she explained.

The first order of business, Keim said, was to book the photographer. She knew exactly who she wanted behind the camera on her wedding day, and when she ran into Hannah Miller of Be Light Photography, who also lives in Auburn, Keim asked if she might have an opening in June. Miller had just had a bride cancel a June date due to COVID-19 and was happy to be able to meet the couple’s schedule.

After that, everything else fell into place.

“I prayed a lot, and the doors just opened. We didn’t have time to be indecisive,” she said. “We picked the lake because it is such a nice middle ground. We’re both from Birmingham, and it was only about an hour from all of our people there and in Auburn.”

Her sister’s friend, Eliza Bishop, handmade the invitations after interviewing the bride, and Keim reserved The Stables for the event and her videographer, Four10Films, even before she engaged her wedding planner, Mary Sanders.

“Growing up, I always loved how beautiful The Stables were. I knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for decorating, but The Stables didn’t need a lot more. It is so naturally stunning. The reception was upstairs at The Stables, too,” she said. “The draping was

beautiful. I am not a horse girl at all, so I was glad they had something to add a touch of elegance.”

The one thing that added pressure, Keim said, was the wedding dress. It usually takes four to eight months to choose, ship and fit the dress, but Keim had only three months to be ready to walk down the aisle and into her new life as Patrick’s wife.

“Carriage House bridal boutique was so wonderful to make it all happen just in time,” she said.

Keim’s two sisters – she’s the oldest of three – attended her, and the women dressed at The Stables.

“The day of was full of delight and ease,” Keim said.

“Brittany Massey did our hair and makeup. She was just amazing.”

They chose to have a first look before the event, which Keim said settled their nervousness, and the rest of the day came off beautifully.

Still, there were some COVID-19 glitches to work through, as well as another potential stressor: June 2, just 11 days before the wedding, the couple closed on a house.

“I know. Get engaged and have three months to plan; and then, we bought a house less than two weeks before the wedding,” she said. “But it was all God’s perfect timing and provision.”

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The bride is accompanied by her sisters, Mary and Caroline, who were also her Maids of Honor

All through it, Keim said, there was a sense of peace. While COVID-19 dealt them a few disappointments, those were minor, and the venue personnel was more than accommodating.

“Russell Lands let us have 100 people. That’s what we could have social distancing. Linda Ingram at The Stables had it set up where guests walked around to the upstairs. The seating was spaced out. There was no mask mandate, but we offered masks to our guests,” she said. “It looked so nice up there.”

Though the couple had planned a buffet, Kowaliga Restaurant could only serve plated food, due to coronavirus restrictions, so the reception fare was changed to a seated dinner. Two weeks before the wedding, Keim had to cancel the big band the couple had wanted to provide reception music.

“We were able to have a keyboardist, and Patrick and I did do a first dance. I still got to dance with my dad, and Patrick with his mom,” she said. “I am so grateful for all the leeway they did give us, and my sweet family was so supportive through it all.

“Stacey at Kowaliga and Emily Sprayberry were so kind. With all the COVID craziness, they were truly willing to make it work.”

It worked, Keim said, because the party was never the point: It always was about the marriage.

“God knew Patrick is just what I needed,” she said.

The reception was set up spaciously on the second story of The Stables at Russell Crossroads

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A Garden Party at Lamberth's Lakeside Gazebo

Bridesmaids, sisters, mothers and grandmothers, gathered under Lamberth’s lakeside gazebo for a brunch they christened Maggie’s Garden Party 60 LAKE

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STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY SWEET JULEP PHOTOGRAPHY

A

When four families have seven girls among them who grow up together as friends, those families share intimately in the joyous occasions of life. For Maggie Fox, whose showers and pre-wedding excitement had been tainted by COVID-19, Sally Lamberth, Patty Hamrick, Debbie Bain and their combined five daughters planned an outdoor bridesmaids’ brunch to rival all others.

“Because of the virus, brides had to reinvent their special occasions, and we wanted to do something extraspecial for Maggie. She is an extra-special girl, close to our hearts, and our girls are like sisters,” Sally Lamberth said.

On Friday morning before the wedding on Saturday, 30 guests, including bridesmaids, sisters, mothers and grandmothers, gathered under Lamberth’s lakeside gazebo for a brunch they christened Maggie’s Garden Party.

“Our gazebo was a place we had all spent time growing up – traditionally, as a place for shade on a hot day or to watch Alabama football in the fall – but this time, it was a girl party and the perfect way to kick off Maggie’s wedding weekend,” said bridesmaid Rosie Lamberth.

Because COVID-19 prompted cancellations for Maggie’s big parties, the group of hostesses made every effort to surprise Maggie with the perfect affair.

Customized invitations with customized stamps, designed to match the flowers they would use in the gazebo, were sent to guests. Susie Kelly, from Grace’s Flowers, used garden flowers and hydrangeas to drape the gazebo and the mantel and adorn the tables used in the natural setting.

“The flowers were beautiful. We used my mom’s white ceramic pitcher collection as vases for the table flowers. We used bright, colorful blues and greens with some yellow, and we set every table differently. The tablecloths were blue and green floral, and we matched a variety of serving ware, napkin rings and glasses to use for full place settings at each table,” Rosie said.

The hostesses wanted fun, fresh, girly food, and Maggie chose quiche, salad and fruit for the brunch. The hostesses prepared all the food for the brunch, adding cucumber sandwiches, Caprese salad bites and breakfast pastries, including muffins, croissants and banana bread.

Sally Lamberth is known for her almond buttercream mini-wedding cakes, so each guest was treated with one for dessert, edible flowers topping each cake.

“Wedding songs were playing in the background for the brunch. We had mimosas and a drink-of-the-day, Maggie’s Mojitos. My dad served as the bartender to make the mojitos. It was just such a fun time celebrating,” Rosie said.

The hostesses spoke to the group about Maggie and how she had been a part of their families for so long.

Maggie took the time to mention each guest, their connection to her and how much it meant to her for each one to be there.

“We really dressed up the gazebo just like the girls.

The day was perfect – beautiful weather, blue skies, a beautiful day and so much fun celebrating Maggie,” Lamberth said.

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Clockwise from Top Left: White ceramic pitchers were used as vases for table flowers and every table was set differently; The hostesses wanted the party to be fun and fresh; Each guest was treated to an almond buttercream mini wedding cake for dessert made by Sally Lamberth; The brunch was the perfect kick-off to Maggie's wedding weekend; The hostesses prepared all of the food for the brunch; Chalkboard signage welcomed guests as they arrived at Maggie's garden party.

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A Lakeside Wedding at The Ridge Friends and family stepped up to plan and host the perfect wedding in just two weeks when the pandemic shut down this couple's original venue STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY SOUTHERN CINEMATICS

W

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of weddings for so many couples in 2020, Brannen McMahan and Bailey Fuqua made their dream come true with different plans but the same true love.

After a two-year courtship, McMahan and Fuqua had planned for 350 guests to attend an April 4, 2020, wedding at an antebellum home outside Birmingham. On March 13, just two weeks away from the big day, coronavirus restrictions closed the venue, which altered plans drastically.

“We really prayed about what to do. We talked to Brannen’s pastor and our assistant pastor in Birmingham, and both gave us the same advice: Delay the party but don’t delay the marriage. At the time, we didn’t know

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Friends of the couple's parents hosted the wedding on the point at their home in The Ridge while family and friends watched the ceremony from boats anchored in the slough

how important it would be for us to go forward with the wedding, but we are so blessed that it worked out the way it did,” Fuqua said.

McMahan grew up visiting Lake Martin from his Montgomery home, and his parents moved full time to The Ridge in 2011. When the young couple spoke with his mother about the change in plans, she suggested Lake Martin as a new location.

“We started dating in July 2018 after we met at Redeemer Community Church in Avondale. I grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, and had never been to Lake Martin.

That October, Brannen brought me to the lake to meet his parents and to see the lake, and I fell in love with everything. Getting married on the lake was a perfect sugges-

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tion,” she said.

Sue Ann McMahan and her friends set everything in motion to make the day perfect. Marty and Rhonda Stewart hosted the ceremony on their point lot in The Ridge, so guests could attend by boat. Lanterns, ferns and flowers decorated the path from the house to the point.

Maury Miller coordinated the wedding day and all of the floral decisions. Sharon McNatt of Ann’s Flowers in Ashland designed the altar sprays.

“Since we didn’t have our groomsmen and bridesmaids, we were able to spend our wedding day getting ready with just family. I had time with my mom and Brannen’s mom. Brannen had time with his father, my father and my brother. Looking back, the time was so special. And even

though it was just immediate family, I was still so nervous,” she said.

McMahan added that several other things happened in the two weeks before the wedding. The Chattanoogabased photography and videography company, Southern Cinematics, had to cancel the week before the wedding due to the virus, but it sub-contracted with a company closer to the lake for the actual photos. McMahan’s custommade navy suit was lost in the warehouse, and his minister from Montgomery canceled after he was exposed to the virus, allowing the couple’s minister and marriage counselor, Dwight Castle, to officiate.

“We had so many things happen, but it all came together. We realize now that we spent nine months planning the

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The bride and groom acknowledge their family and friends after exchanging vows

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original wedding and ended up planning another one in only two weeks. We figured out that what was important was not the guest list and the big party but our commitment to each other,” he said.

The couple had their first glance at each other before the wedding on the hill behind SpringHouse Restaurant at Russell Crossroads, but everything else happened on the Stewarts’ point.

“Sue Ann’s friends were just wonderful. They used their hobbies and their gifts to make the day perfect for us. We definitely felt celebrated all day,” Fuqua said.

Judy Hooper, McMahan’s godmother and Sue Ann’s friend of 50 years, directed the ceremony, while Mack Daugherty, worship leader at Church in the Pines, and Eric Daugherty were secured two days before the wedding to provide music and sound. Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place had been played at both the bride’s and groom’s parents’ weddings, so naturally, the song was a part of the new couple’s ceremony. They also incorporated It is Well with My Soul and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

The wedding dress was a simple sleeveless gown from Heidi Elnora Atelier in Birmingham, and Fuqua added a lace halter top made from her mother’s wedding dress. Her grandmother loaned blue garters and long, elegant gloves for some of the photographs.

Thirty-six boats filled with friends, quiet and respectful, surrounded the point where the couple said, “I do.”

“We decided to livestream our ceremony on Facebook, and we are so glad we did. We have had over 1,500 views, and we love going back to watch it and read the comments.

For just a little while, people who watched our wedding got to forget about COVID-19, have a little joy and maybe have their spirits lifted,” Fuqua said.

After the ceremony, the families enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres and champagne at a reception hosted by Jamie Ashurst and Linda Thornberry. Janet Sexton baked the threetier wedding cake. McMahan’s grandfather was unable to attend the service, but he waited at the home to dance with the new bride.

On June 17, 2020, just 10 weeks after the wedding, McMahan’s father, Wayne, passed away after a severe stroke. Both bride and groom feel incredibly blessed to have been able to have McMahan’s father take part in their special day.

“When everything was stripped away because of the virus, we really focused on what was important for a wedding. We are so grateful for the wisdom of our ministers who led us in the right direction. And the time with my dad is even more special. I am glad I had Bailey as my wife to walk through his death with me,” McMahan said.

The newly married McMahans cherish the video and photographs from that day. They look forward to their reception, which will be a one-year anniversary party at their original venue. They will take all the traditional photos, including the ones with bridesmaids and groomsmen. They will dance the first dances and cut another cake. And they will celebrate a year of blessings amid strife with joyful hearts that the commitment to each other was made without delay.

The wedding was live streamed for all friends and family who could not be present

Little details make all the difference

The bride and groom were able to share very intimate moments at the lake

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Planning a wedding in 2021?

T

he air is thick with planning all around here is to work through locations and themes us, some of it is related to the new to expand into less commonly used venues normal, but much of it is old age, wedand décor. Or the search can start and end ding planning. with something familiar or important to the The one type of planning that we hope couple. will never change is weddings. Yet, while we Either way, once the location has been know it will not change, we should expect it selected the process can move on to theme; if to evolve a bit every once in a while. it was not established ahead of the site selecCreativity always leads to some semblance tion. of evolution, but 2020 showed many of us Considering the site and the theme, it is LAKE PROPERTY just how expansively necessity can change time to review the elements of the site for the

BY STEPHANIE COLEY things. The 2021 bride wedding and/or recepor groom has to meation setting. A deeper sure the plan they have look into the location Structural elements are used had in their head for helps with both experito build the backdrop many years against ence and photographic and décor at weddings what’s trending and backdrop for those possibly what is safe important memories. for the special day.

Going a step further But no matter what is to incorporate the choices they make, the right colors and mateentire affair must be rials to emphasize or positively memorable. soften the mood created The best way to by the elements that make a memorable will be caught in those moment - besides the permanent images. beauty of the bride in Color is important her gown or the partbecause it not only ner’s face when their enhances the beauty eyes first lock - is to of the occasion but it establish a beautiful also has psychological setting. This is where benefits. If you add a personal ideas, preferscent and visual support ences, trends, location to the picture, you will options and event have multiple layers concepts collide in a to support this lifelong wonderful halo if the mark on the mind of right steps are taken. the participants and Developing the right attendees of the event. formula takes time Moving on from and research, which the normal activities of Photo by T2 Photography requires a lot of perbuilding a wedding or sonal time or the right event setting, let’s move team. Sometimes both. into what motivates a bride like this one to seek something Building positive memories starts with establishing an unique. Very often, this is provoked by social exposure via atmosphere, and the atmosphere creates the feeling you the internet, which has dramatically increased the need to want for those memories. For one bride this means the tra- follow trends and fads over the past 20 years. ditions passed down in stories from her mom, family and To create the perfect plan: friends. For another bride, it is the chance to experience First, create a Pinterest page with all of the elements the pure pageantry of being the center of attention. But you love, including the sites being considered. some brides are looking for that Pinterest moment with Use paint chips or other elements that will help deterelements of surprise and unique experiences. mine the right color combinations.

The last bride will be the focus of this article. The aim Build a Mood Board like graphic to see everything in a 68 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

A mood board often allows the bride to see the layout and color scheme of the wedding easily

collected manner.

If a specific theme is used, make sure that the theme is consistent or respected in every element.

Be sure to account for the number of people being invited to the wedding and/or the reception.

Note: Technology might be quite helpful in developing the right layout and overall plan by testing it through CAD or rendering software. Use online resources like Sketchup or hire someone who uses these technologies.

2020-2021 lists of wedding trends in settings:

n Outdoor weddings are on the rise – parks, rooftops, tents in yards, outside historic buildings, footbridges, arenas in the offseason (allows more social distancing), local beaches n I ndoor weddings are still moving New wedding trends began during to unique venues – libraries, galthe pandemic to accommodate leries, inside historic buildings, for social distancing private dining spaces (closed restaurants, private clubs, etc.) nB ring a distant locale to you – Find a place that is reminiscent of a favorite location and create the venue with color, mini structures and accent pieces nT rends in Décor & Photography (smaller groups allows for deeper dives into details) nA rchitectural influences – windows, doorways, columns, geoPhoto by Southern Cinematics metric elements, period details n I nterior design influences – Color of the Year (varies from Pantone to paint companies), increase textural details on Now that the nuances are laid out it’s time to get back vases/candlesticks/multi-color florals, mix metals (gold, to the plan. What is the plan? Why is it the plan? Where silver, pewter), add patterns to décor (plates, napkins, will the plan be executed? Who will help with the plan? rings) How will the plan be executed? When is the best time or n I ndoor and outdoor living rooms – still popular, but season to host this particular plan? moving from rustic antiques to lush and plush ~ Stephanie Simon is a certified design and construction nL arge plants mixed with Florals (or no florals) – certain professional with more than 22 years of multi-discipline plants purify the air while providing a beautiful setting experience. Follow her on Instagram @scenariodesigninc nF ood and gifts – make it portable since weddings/recep- or contact her by email at ssimon@scenarchdesign.com. tions might be smaller or outdoors nW edding boxes and sendoff kits – Fill one or both with personalized sanitizers custom scented to remind them of the couple, customized masks, postcards or snacks nS maller wedding cake – Don’t skip the cake cutting, but consider individual cakes (minis or cupcakes) for guests n Food and drink – premixed drinks, mini-hors d’oeuvres, to-go boxes

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Green Sunfish 70 LAKE

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NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

G

reen Sunfish are one of the many native Alabama fish that are sometimes lumped together under the generic name “bream.”

Greens are not as common as their better-known cousins, such as Bluegill and Redear sunfish. They are smaller fish and have a reputation problem when it comes to managed fishing ponds.

The scientific name for Green Sunfish is Lepomis cyanellus, which is slightly confusing because the word cyanellus means blue; however, this fish has both blues and greens in its coloration.

This fish is native to Alabama and most of the central

United States – west of the Appalachians and east of the Rocky Mountains – but it has been transported to and is now found in most U.S. states except for Florida and some of the northeastern states. It is also found in many other parts of the world, where it is sometimes kept as an aquarium fish.

Green Sunfish are adaptable to many different types of freshwater, such as clear and murky; slow-moving streams, creeks, lakes and ponds; and muddy, weedy or gravel bottoms. In Lake Martin, they are most likely to be found in swampy areas, the backs of sloughs or the mouths of slow-moving creeks feeding into the lake.

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One of the most obvious identifying features of the Green Sunfish is its large mouth and long body. Other sunfish have a more rounded body.

It is mostly a blue-green color with black or bluish dots on the upper body, and a lighter yellow or orange belly. There is a dark spot on the lower rear part of the dorsal fin and the upper rear part of the anal fin. Greens are one of several sunfish with vivid blue dots or lines on their faces. The edges of their pelvic, anal, caudal and dorsal fins are much lighter than the rest of the fins, usually a yellow or orange color. During the spring breeding season, the males’ fins get a brighter orange tint and their anal fins become black, orange and white. Most Green Sunfish are between 4 to 8 inches long and live four to six years in the wild.

During the breeding season, Green Sunfish build beds in shallow water, usually in open places with lots of sunshine through some low cover items, such as logs, grass clumps or rocks, which are also preferred near their nests. Sunfish make nests by forcefully waving their fins to create shallow depressions in the bottom, which appear dark to people above the water. Bream beds are typically built in large colonies, though Green Sunfish sometimes make a single bed away from the crowd. Male Greens will aggressively defend their beds, which makes fishing easy during the spawning season. They will strike almost anything that comes near their beds, including fishing lures.

When water temperatures hit 70 degrees, spawning begins. Males and females swim in circles above the bed before they release eggs and sperm into the nest. Some male Greens spawn with multiple female partners during the same season.

Scientists have found that a female Green Sunfish can produce up to 50,000 eggs, though most broods are between 2,000 to 25,000 eggs. The tiny eggs are deposited in the bedding depression, which keeps them together until they hatch.

Once the eggs are fertilized, the male Green Sunfish will fan the eggs with his fins to help provide oxygen. In just two days the tiny fish will hatch, and the male continues to patrol and defend

the nest for about a week.

When it comes to managing fishing lakes, the Green Sunfish are usually not welcome since they grow much faster than Bluegills that are typically stocked in ponds, and they compete for food and bedding space on the pond bottom. If the Greens win, then a pond will not produce panfish large enough for the dinner table.

That doesn’t mean that Green Sunfish never grow large.

The Alabama state record Green Sunfish was caught 16 years ago by Caleb Miller in McLamore Pond, located in Walker County. That fish was caught on August 10, 2005, and weighed 1 pound, 9 ounces, which is a big sunfish in any fisherman’s book. The largest recorded Green Sunfish was caught in Missouri in 1971 and weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces. But the average size Green is much smaller than the average Bluegill.

In Florida and New Jersey, Green Sunfish are considered invasive species, and in New Jersey, state fishing laws say that if you catch a Green Sunfish you are required to kill it.

These fish will eat almost anything they can find, from other fish to eggs, aquatic insects and terrestrial insects that fall on the water’s surface, worms, mollusks and plankton. Green Sunfish, in turn, are preyed upon by other fish like largemouth bass and catfish, as well as wading and fish-eating birds.

Green Sunfish are known to commonly breed with other sunfish, producing hybrid offspring. It is common to find hybrid Bluegill-Greens and RedearGreens in waters that harbor both species.

Some information for this article came from the Animal Diversity Web from the University of Michigan, Outdoor Alabama and the U.S. Geological Survey.

2018 Top Ten Landau Dealer Manitou Dealer

256.215.FISH (3474) 2190 Cherokee Road Alex City, AL

www.alexcitymarine.com

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lean water, trash-free shoreline and safe boating are three desirables that all could pretty much agree that Lake Martin is blessed to have. Everyone who hops in a boat and cruises any portion of the more than 800plus miles of shoreline at the lake will see buoys marking hazardous areas alone with numerous No Wake zones, which require idle speed only.

Following these warnings would almost always result in a safe boating experience.

There is no other lake in the South that can boast of having cleaner shorelines or water of a higher quality.

We are truly blessed.

Much of this was not evident a few years ago.

There was no annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup, and there were far fewer buoys installed than the more than 400 that exist today.

Lake Martin Resource Association was formed in 1972 but with very few lake residents and mostly fishermen who knew the lake like the back of their hands. There was little need for hazardous 74 LAKE

area and No Wake buoys.

But trash was amassing in the sloughs because there were no organized cleanups. Without a way to transport and dispose of the huge amount of trash that had been building up for many years, little to no cleanup effort took place.

Fast forward to a new century, and Lake Martin is much different. By some of the old-timers’ standards, it may not be as desirable now as it was in years gone by.

Today, more than 320,000 pounds of trash have been removed from the shorelines, and more than 440 hazardous area and No Wake buoys have been installed. None of this would have been possible without the cooperative efforts of many partnerships that have been formed over the past few years.

Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands On Lake Martin, Lake Martin Dock Company, TowBoatUS Lake Martin, Lake magazine, Advanced Disposal and Wind Creek State Park have worked together to make it happen.

FEBRUARY 2021

Partnerships Make It Work None of these relationships is more years, and most were nothing more important than the great partnership than white objects floating in the LMRA has with WCSP and its supercalm waters. The park provided the intendent Bruce Adams. Adams and buoys late last year, and Buoy Team his wonderful group of volunteers/ Captain Randy Kirkland, along with employees have made the annual volunteers Dave McCabe and Billy removal of nearly 20 tons of trash and Moore, installed 10 new buoys, relotires possible for the past six years. cated one and removed six that were They have allowed the placement of worn out. roll-off dumpsters in the marina parkIt was a hard day’s work and a LMRA ing area, as well as a front-end loader much-needed project. LMRA is BY JOHN THOMPSON and an operator to offload the trash excited to be part of an effort that from barges that come in laden with enhances the safety of the thousands bags, tires and other trash items. of campers that enjoy the peaceful solitude of one Without the support of WCSP, the removal of of the best state parks in the country. the huge amount of trash to date would not have LMRA recognizes that we can do so much been possible. more by working closely with others who share With that, it is easy to understand why, given our values in working for the betterment of Lake the opportunity to perform a service for Adams Martin. and the park, the LMRA buoy team volunteered to replace many of the No Wake buoys within the ~ John Thompson is president of Lake Martin park. These buoys had been in place for many Resource Association. Learn more at lmra.info.

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 75

FABULOUS FINDS

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

Under Construction

Under Construction

South Ridge Harbor, Breakwater • $1,895,000 Builder: Legacy New Homes Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 3,825 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

South Ridge Harbor, Double Rock • $1,495,000 Architect: Mitch Ginn Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • SQFT: 3,445 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Ridge Run, Crestview • $1,395,000 Builder: Lake Martin Signature Construction Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 3,027 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Russell Cabins at The Willows, Verandas • $1,125,000 Builder: Classic Homes Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • SQFT: 2,234 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

61 Jacks Hollow, Alexander City • $2,900,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313 LakeMartinRealty.com

160 Ridge Crest, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty David Mitchell 256.212.3511 LakeMartinRealty.com

664 Longpine, Eclectic • $975,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Ashley Chancellor 334.202.9017 LakeMartinRealty.com

183 Mountain View Way, Dadeville • $1,500,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Water View & Access Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313 LakeMartinRealty.com

340 Eagle Ridge, Alexander City • $1,495,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com

290 Teague Circle, Equality • $749,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071 LakeMartinRealty.com

124 Old Jay Road, Eclectic • $480,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Water View & Access Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681 LakeMartinRealty.com

82 Loft Circle, Dadeville • $475,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Water View & Access Lake Martin Realty Mimi Rush 334.399.7874 LakeMartinRealty.com

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LAKE 77

Healthy Eating for the Heart

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ebruary has been named American Heart Association reports that 33 percent Heart Month since 1963. This is of adults do not make physical activity a not because of Valentine’s Day; but regular part of their lives and definitely rather, to raise public awareness that heart don’t meet the recommended 30 minutes of disease is the leading cause of death in exercise most days of the week.

Americans. In 2004, February became the It is important to keep in mind that there signature month for the American Heart are many risk factors that cannot be conAssociation’s Go Red for Women camtrolled or changed, including race, gender, paign, sending the message that heart disheredity and age. Dedication comes into ease is not only a man’s disease. play to reduce the risk factors that can be Heart disease is a general term that changed. This list starts with consuming a describes diseases affecting the human healthy diet: consuming only good fats in HEALTHY LIVING moderation; limiting sugar and salt intake; heart. These diseases can affect blood vesBY JULIE HUDSON sels and heart rhythm, lead to heart infecincreasing whole grains, fresh produce tions or result from birth defects. Heart and low-fat dairy products; choosing lean disease can ultimately lead to chest pain, stroke and meats, including fish; and watching portion sizes. heart attack. Conditions like heart infections or those Preparing food in a healthy manner also is an that affect the heart valves, heart muscle or beating important recommendation from the American Heart rhythms are also considered forms of heart disease.

Association. In addition to eating a healthy diet, strive According to the Centers for Disease Control and to achieve normal blood pressure, normal sugar levels Prevention, heart disease kills an estimated 655,000 and normal lipid levels. Recommendation for reducing Americans each year. It is the leading cause of death risk factors for heart disease include avoiding tobacco for both men and women. The American Heart products; maintaining ideal body weight; and making Association reports that 94 percent of adults would at least 30 minutes of physical activity a regular part of score a poor rating when evaluating heart health risk the day. factors – such as weight; physical activity; diet; cholesOne very important suggestion made by the terol and other lipid levels; blood pressure; sugar levels; American Heart Association is to limit food with added and tobacco and alcohol use. sugar. The word “added” sugar refers to any sweetener The American Heart Association reports astonishthat is added to a food in processing, cooking or at the ing statistics with obesity being a huge risk factor for table. Research has demonstrated an alarming correlaheart disease. In the United States, 39.6 percent of tion between consuming foods with added sugar and adults and 18.5 percent of children between the ages risk for heart disease. In fact, since 2009, the heart of 2 and 19 are diagnosed as clinically overweight or association has strictly recommended that women conobese. Statistics show that the increase in calorie consume only 100 calories or 6 teaspoons of added sugar sumption comes predominantly from unhealthy foods per day and 150 calories or 9 teaspoons per day for and large portion sizes. Furthermore, the American men. Compare these recommendations to the national 78 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

Heart Healthy Cooking Tips n I nclude plant sources of protein – soybeans, pinto beans, lentils and nuts n S elect lean cuts of meat without skin; stay away from processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, salami and sausage n E at two servings a week of fatty fish such as salmon, lake trout or albacore tuna (packed in water, if canned) nB ake, broil, roast, stew, stir fry or grill lean meats, fish or poultry n Replace higher fat cheese with skim options nC onsume only low-fat or skim dairy products n L imit trans-fat foods such as pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, muffins nP repare foods at home to control the amount of salt in meals, using as little salt as possible n S elect low- or no-sodium broth, soups and vegetables n S eason food with herbs, spices, garlic, onions, peppers, lemon or lime juice

average consumption statistic of 22 teaspoons of added sugar each day.

The most recent dietary guidelines of 2015-2020 include a guideline to limit added sugar intake to 10 percent of total calories per day. To put this in perspective, a person on a 2,000 calories-per-day diet would consume only 200 calories – that’s 12 teaspoons or 50 grams – of added sugar per day.

In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an added sugar category on food nutrition labels. This important addition to the nutrition label has made it so much easier for the consumer to know exactly how much extra sugar is in the food item.

Backing up the American Heart Association’s strict recommendation on sugar, research has proven that eating a diet high in added sugar raises triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation, all of which are very high risk factors for developing heart disease.

The good news is that heart disease is 80 percent preventable.

Please take this information, continue learning more, evaluate risk factors and make the commitment to beat heart disease. Always consult with a physician for any questions and concerns.

So this Heart Month, show that special someone some love and cook a heart healthy meal. ~ Julie Hudson is a dietitian at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 79

Root Vegetable Soup with Coffee Oil

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FEBRUARY 2021

Chris Morina, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and worked with Southern food icon Linton Hopkins at Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta before moving to Mourad and other Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco.

CHEF’S TABLE

BY CHRIS MORINA

Soup Ingredients

1 cup peeled, diced butternut squash 1 cup diced white onion 1 cup peeled, diced apple 1 cup peeled, diced pumpkin About 2-3 cups vegetable stock Chopped, toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Directions

Heat a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil, followed by the onions.

Cook until just softened. Add the rest of the diced vegetables. Add just enough stock to cover the vegetables and continue to cook until all are soft and just starting to break down. Once fully cooked, strain vegetables and reserve cooking liquid. Blend vegetables in a blender on high until smooth, adjusting consistency with cooking liquid. When finished blending, adjust seasoning with salt.

Coffee Oil Ingredients

1/4 cup decaf coffee beans 1/2 cup grapeseed or other neutral oil

Directions

Combine in a blender, blend on high until steaming. Pass though a coffee filter.

To serve: Pour hot soup into a bowl; garnish with a drizzle of coffee oil and some chopped, toasted pumpkin seeds.

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 81

To Catch a Fish 82 LAKE

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atching fish ... it probably seems simple to some. Cast a bait out; wait for a bite; then, reel the fish in. But catching fish is a much more complex process when breaking it down.

That’s the beauty of fishing with artificial baits.

Casting an artificial lure almost brings it to life.

Getting a fish to bite then hooking and landing it is a process that leads to the enjoyment of eventually seeing and holding the fish on the other end of a line.

Catching a fish on artificial bait is like scoring a run in baseball. For the run to count, the runner must still touch all four bases on the field safely.

To catch a fish, there are four steps to eventually enjoying the reward of landing that fish.

Was it on the bottom? Moving fast or moving slow?

The right presentation is the marriage of rod action and retrieve. An artificial bait could come to life with a simple twitch of the rod tip. Many times, it’s the rod that’s moving the bait and the reel that retrieves the line along the way. Reeling too much during the presentation might impede the ability of the bait to take on life.

The Hookset (making the turn)

Believe it or not, there are different hooksets for different baits. A one-size-fits-all approach with BIG CATCHES the hookset results in missed bites, bent hooks, broken lines, etc. Most importantly, consider the

BY GREG VINSON capability of the hook and line that are being The Cast (getting on base) used. Most all techniques require a certain level of The first step, and often the most under-appreciated, is the pressure from the angler to set the hook. As a general rule, the cast, which could be narrowed down a bit to distance and accu- hookset should match the size of the hook. Very small hooks racy. Casting distance is important because the longer the bait take less pressure to set. Big hooks – like those in jigs, worms has to look real in the water the more time it has to attract a and frog baits – take a lot more pressure. fish. Distance also essentially conceals an angler’s presence.

A good hookset should be a fluid motion that applies the To optimize casting distance, an angler must match the bait right amount of pressure for the hook being used but also to the equipment being used. These matches must include rod, avoids any slack in the line that could make it easier for a fish reel and line choices. Larger baits can be cast farther on longer to shake free. Too little pressure and the hook point will not rods and larger reels/spools. Smaller baits usually require lightmake it past the barb. Too much pressure, and the hook could er action rods and smaller lines to maximize casting distance. bend; the line break or the fish tear away.

Casting also requires varying degrees of accuracy, and that I would suggest that it’s better to have a stronger hookset; takes practice. The ability to place the bait on target could be and then, dial it back if the line is breaking, hooks bending, etc. the difference between being noticed or overlooked. More Keep in mind that braided line and/or bigger rods will have importantly, a selection of baits could really improve angling a lot more force, so it takes less effort to set the hook than with success. Time on the water is the best practice for angling, but other line types and/or rods. casting distance and accuracy can be practiced at home. Just Landing (run scored) pick out an old bait, lay a target out in the yard at various disOnce a fish is on the line, things get interesting. This is what tances and work on hitting the targets. anglers fish for; the battle between the fish and the fisher. This It’s like throwing a ball to hit the strike zone, only with a rod is also where many things can go wrong and where the-bigand reel instead of a baseball. It’s simply a matter of percentone-got-away stories begin. ages. More quality casts equal more real opportunities to get a The biggest enemy to landing a fish is slackline. When bite. bringing in a fish, it’s best to keep the light-tight at all times, To put it mildly, casting accuracy is critical. The ultimate keeping the hook from swinging free. Fish, especially bass, goal is precision on every cast. often jump and shake, attempting to throw the hook. Keeping The Presentation (scoring position) the right amount of pressure throughout the landing is a delicate Truth be known, presentation could be an article in itself. balance.

There are so many artificial bait choices, along with multiple With heavier line and hooks, an angler could essentially presentations that could be successful for each. To simplify power the fish to the boat, controlling the fish. Power rods, options, the bait needs to look real, or it needs to trigger a reac- reels, line and hooks make this possible, but as is often the case, tion from the fish. Often, it’s a little bit of both. an angler may have to use smaller line and hooks. That’s when The easiest way to start a successful presentation is to know it gets tricky. what the bait is trying to resemble. What type of forage should The best advice is a slow steady pressure through the landthe fish think the bait really is? ing, allowing the fish to tire with each surge. Properly setting For example, how would a minnow look when it’s swimthe drag on the reel would help this process a lot. ming along unsuspectingly? How would that minnow look if it Set the drag heavy enough that a proper hookset is possible were trying to flee from a fish? How would that minnow look but light enough that it will feed the line out if the fish surges if it were wounded? All of these are actions to consider when hard. Check the drag often, especially with a spinning reel, to working a minnow-imitating bait. be sure it’s ready when the moment of truth happens.

Other forage to imitate includes bream and crayfish. Bream The next time out fishing or even just thinking about going, move more slowly through the water, often near the surface, but consider the four phases of catching fish and prepare for each sometimes near the bottom. Crawfish creep along the bottom of them. Breaking this process down has helped me over the but dart upward when alarmed or threatened. years and could help lead to many more successful days on the Experimenting with various retrieves could help determine water for you, too. what the fish want. When a fish actually takes a bite on an arti~ Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major ficial piece of bait, pay attention to the action of the bait that League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew triggered the strike. Was it the fall? Was it near the surface? up fishing on Lake Martin.

FEBRUARY 2021 LAKE 83

HELP BEAUTIFY the area through volunteer commitment and community involvement.

ASK A BUDDY to join you! Volunteer to adopt a mile of Hwy 63 and commit to keeping it litter free.

If you are interested, just go to 63PrideDrive.com and sign-up.

VOLUNTEERS will receive a Pride Drive t-shirt,

safety vest, trash picker and bags. Help your friends and neighbors bring Pride back to the community.

TO VOLUNTEER

or learn more,visit 63PrideDrive.com

84 LAKE

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LAKE 85

The Perfect Pair

F

or the first Grain & Leaf cigar and is loaded with in-your-face flavor. The spirit pairing, we decided to address smoke gives you a strong taste of leather two brands that are bold and fullwith a little pepper and offers light notes bodied from the start. of wood.

The spirit in this pairing was introBooker’s Bourbon and My Father Le duced in 1992 as the world’s first small Bijou 1922 is a perfect match after a good batch bourbon, Booker’s Bourbon. Uncut dinner and final dram and cigar of the and unfiltered, this bourbon is straight day. Cheers! from the barrel. Booker’s Pigskin Batch consists of two different productions and CHEERS! Booker’s Bourbon aged in five different rackhouse locations.

BY MARK GILLILAND Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. Aged for six years, seven months and Location: Clermont, Kentucky seven days and bottled at 63.65% ABV, 127.3 proof, Age: 6 years 7 months 7 days it has a long and warm finish. I would think it goes Alcohol/Volume: 63.65% (127.3 proof) without saying that this bourbon is a sipper. It is big Batch: Pigskin Batch 2020-03 and bold with hints of oak, vanilla, spice and leather.

The cigar we are pairing with this barrel-strength My Father Le Bijou 1922 bourbon is up for the challenge. The My Father Le Torpedo Box Pressed Bijou 1922 is a complex, full-bodied stick that has Factory Location: Nicaragua the credentials to back it up. Produced by Jose Pepin Dimensions: 6 1/8” by 52-ring gauge Garcia and his family on a 7-acre estate in Nicaragua, Filler: Nicaragua this cigar was rated 97 by Cigar Aficionado and Binder: Nicaragua awarded the Cigar of the Year in 2015.

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro-Oscuro The Le Bijou 1922, French for "The Jewel," was created in honor of Garcia’s father who was born in ~ Mark Gilliland is the owner of Grain & Leaf 1922. located at 6068 Al-63, Ste. 1, Alexander City.

With a dark leathery wrapper and the filler consisting of 100 percent Nicaraguan tobacco, the cigar

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FEBRUARY 2021

4-Post Boat Lifts

LAKE 87

Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 19

9

Churches

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

17

Power lines U.S. Highways

280

3

22

County Roads Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

16 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

14 Willow Point

24

6

10

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

11

Kowaliga Boat Landing

22 The Ridge

55

4

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 12

Church in The Pines

24

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

18 80

9

Central

ga

Ba

y

26 90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 Kent

88 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

FEBRUARY 2021

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210

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

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

Jacksons Gap

42. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

280

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Bethel Church

21

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Restaurants & Venues

13

6. SpringHouse 10 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

6. Catherine’s Market 11 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

7 5

8

12 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

15 Walnut Hill

50

82. Lakeside Marina 256-825-9286

7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 9 256-825-0999

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

Pleasant Ridge Church

Church of the Living Waters

3. Harbor Pointe Marina 7 256-825-0600

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

25

50

13 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 14 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt & Flatbread Pizza 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

17 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 18 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 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 21 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 22 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 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 24 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

Churches 25 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Dock Builders 26 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

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

Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

15 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 49

Business & Shopping 16 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

Reeltown

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 89

Lake Magazine Distribution ATTENTION READERS: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic some of our distribution locations have changed.

This month, you may pick up the most recent issue of Lake magazine at the following locations.

ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Piggly Wiggly Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance Vision Landscapes North Lake Condo

90 LAKE

River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers Russell Building Supply Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall Regions Bank Marathon - 280 BB&T Bank Russell Medical Center Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Kowaliga Marina Sunsrise Docks Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales

Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Alabama Power Siggers Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library Pearson's Place Flower's & Gifts Dadevile Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Home Plate Cafe Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Sweet Pickins Century 21, Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters County Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Shell - 280 Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery

FEBRUARY 2021

Lakeside Merchantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Mitchell's Upholstery Lake Martin Mini Mall Cozumel Mexican Grill Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Cartering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Hometown Lenders, Inc. Anchor Bay Marina WETUMPKA Wetumpka Herlad Office TALLASSEE Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber OPELIKA Collaboration Station Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $25 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 harold.cochran.b2cn@statefarm.com IN-HOME CARE SERVICES

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

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

Homemaking... Personal Care... Companionship

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(256) 414-6090

COACH KRAFT

UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery!

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

Some of us have to paddle before we can swim.

Small budget advertising can have you swimming laps around your competitors.

LAKE

256-234-4281

■

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

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 91

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 16

Insurance Solutions Group....................................... 90

Rhonda Gaskins, Century 21 Lake Area Realty....... 3

Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8

Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 91

Rhodes Construction................................................. 59

Alex City Marine......................................................... 72

Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 87

Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty............................. 79

Beyond Home Care................................................... 91

Lake Martin Mortgage................................................ 76

Romar Construction.................................................. 91

Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 91

Lake Martin Realty................................................21, 45

Russell Lands on Lake Martin..................... 19, 84, 96

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

Lake Martin Signature Construction...................... 39

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

Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 91

Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 15

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

Custom Docks............................................................. 92

Mark King's Furniture................................................ 13

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

Davco............................................................................. 91

McClendon Bridals..................................................... 35

Singleton Marine......................................................... 17

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

Moore Wealth Management..................................... 95

State Farm, Harold Cochran.................................... 91

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

National Village............................................................ 93

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

Foshee Boat Doc........................................................ 53

New Water Farms...................................................... 53

Tallapoosa Board of Education................................ 77

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

Odd Jobs......................................................................... 6

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

Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 73

P & K World Travel..................................................... 38

The Mitchell House.................................................... 38

Hodges Vineyard.......................................................... 26

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

TowBoat US................................................................. 12

Holiday Cove............................................................... 38

ProCare, LLC............................................................... 59

Walmart........................................................................ 91

Homeology................................................................... 16

Renaissance Electronics............................................... 5

Wedowee Marine....................................................... 85

1 Chronicles 16:34

(256) 268-8309 Visit us at customdocksllc.com 92 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

We invite you to live a luxurious golf lifestyle at The Yards, our newest community at National Village The Yards, a must-see collection of 21 cottages, is now open at National Village along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama. You will fall in love with these new construction homes within a controlled access neighborhood with sidewalks and community gardens designed by WAS. The home plans for the cottages are designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and feature inviting porches. Best of all, The Yards is adjacent to the Marriott at Grand National and all of the resort amenities including spa, pickle ball, tennis, and pool. Schedule a tour by calling 334.749.8165 or visit NationalVillage.com.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT NATIONALVILLAGE.COM OR CALL 334.749.8165

FEBRUARY 2021

LAKE 93

94 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

Parting Shot

~ Maya Angelo

"Love recognizes no barriers, it jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls, to arrive at it's destination full of hope."

Photo by Megan Mullins Photography

95 LAKE

FEBRUARY 2021

25,000 acres of unspoiled forests in the center of Lake Martin’s 880 miles of pristine shoreline.

Unique venues, chef-prepared menus and a Southern hospitality of a simpler time.

Say I do at our place or yours and experience the memory of a lifetime.

for more information, contact

96 LAKE

256-794-1397

or visit

FEBRUARY 2021

RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com