Lake Martin Living February 2024

Lake Martin Living People, events and culture in the Lake Region

Plant Pecan Trees Today Joseph Harper hikes the Appalachian Trail

For the LOVE of Animals Tara Bramblett Newberry shares her rescue story

February 2024

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

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From the Editor’s Desk

I

n this issue of Lake Martin Living magazine, we introduce you to three people who have followed their passions, sometimes through years of preparations. They held onto their dreams, despite the struggles they met, and they’ve grown in the process.

We were inspired by Joseph Harper, who in middle school dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail. He finally did it as a college graduate some 10 years later. Harper fed his dream with dedication, foregoing electronic toys to be outside, learning survival skills and developing the perseverance that drove him on when the boots hit the ground. Ben Smith sat down with Joseph to talk about the experience. Read his report on page 24.

Tara Bramblett Newberry is something of a heroine around these parts. A chance meeting with a dog two years ago led her to a mission that now fills her days. She rescues dogs because she has to. It drives her, and she has embraced the endeavor to find an ever-elusive peace in her own heart. Newberry would tell you she’s no hero. The heroes are the animals themselves and the people who offer them forever homes, Tara would say, but we know differently. Check out the story on page 28 and decide for yourself.

Then, prepare yourself for a treat. Eric Essix, artist-in-residence at University of Alabama Birmingham, pushed himself to rise above the average–or even the great–guitarists of our time. He admired and tried to emulate others, and in doing so, he excelled. With the help of Alex City Arts, he will share his talent and his story with us in person on Feb. 22. Learn more on page 14.

Also in this issue, Lacey Howell returns to Fun February on page 50, a concept she employed to help her negotiate the grief of losing her father three years ago. This concept continues to help shape her thoughts and actions today. We might all do well to accept the challenge and find our own fun things to do this month.

Then, turn to Gina Abernathy’s Good Eats column on page 20 and treat yourself to a triple chocolate Bundt cake, because chocolate is especially delicious in February.

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

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Lake Martin Living Chairman Kenneth Boone

General Manager Tippy Hunter Editor-in-Chief Betsy Iler Creative Services Audra Spears Business & Digital Development Director Angela Mullins Contributors Kenneth Boone Ben Smith Lacey Howell Shane Harris George Miranda Lee Williams Gina Abernathy Audra Spears Cliff Williams Abigail Murphy Henry Zimmer Melody Rathel Lizi Arbogast Gwin Dalton Middleton Erin Chesnutt Tomiko Essix Audience Development Director Samantha Himes Marketing/Advertising Sales Renee Trice Sheryl Jennings Hidey Arrington Rachel Hubbard Haley Ingram Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

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Tara Bramblett Newberry and one of her rescues, Bingo, cuddle up with one another. Bramblett cares for about 50 dogs, many of which she's rescued from various areas around Lake Martin. It's hard work, but moments like these are what make it worthwhile.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

14. ERIC ESSIX GROUP Alexander City Arts hosts UAB jazz musician Eric Essix at Benjamin Russell High School.

9. AROUND THE AREA

24. A JOURNEY OF 2,000 MILES Five days after graduating from Auburn University, Joseph Harper set off to hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety.

34. MEDICAL NEWS

28. FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS Running her own rescue has been difficult, but it’s nothing new for Tara Bramblett Newberry, who has been helping lost and stray dogs since she was a child.

16

10. GO LOCAL 16. GARDEN TALK 20. GOOD EATS 36. MONEY MATTERS 37. OH SNAP! 42. LAKE REGION EVENTS 50. CULTURE SHOCK

Pecans used to grow in abundance in Tallapoosa County, but the lack of new trees has resulted in fewer pecans being harvested every year. Turn to page 16 to hear how local Extension officers propose fixing this issue.

We Touch the Lives Best of the Nursing Home & People Assisted You Love Living

Assisted Living & SCALF Short Term Rehab Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Skilled Nursing Care 8 Lake Martin Living PM24_AD_Mag_3.535x9.75_Half_Award.indd 1

1/4/24 10:00 AM

AROUND THE AREA

Camp Hill celebrates Phil Dowdell Day

A crowd sang Happy Birthday to the late Philstavious Dowdell as they released balloons in his honor.

Loved ones, community members and former classmates alike gathered late January in honor of the late Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell’s birthday.

Dowdell died April 15, 2023, during the mass shooting in Dadeville, but his loved ones remember him for all the good he brought into their lives. His uncle Antreal Allen said since April 15, there hasn't been a day that he doesn’t think of Dowdell.

“It’s that smile,” Allen said. Dowdell’s smile is one everyone might remember.

Allen said they never would have guessed Dowdell would have a town holiday.

Before the balloon release, Rev. Justin Freeman led the crowd in a prayer, thanking the Lord for Dowdell and asking for God to continue to watching over his family.

The crowd sang Happy Birthday to Phil and released lime green balloons into the air.

The balloon release was held at Camp Hill Town Hall at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29. ~Abigail Murphy

Jordanville Park officially opens Officials from around Elmore County held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Jordanville Park on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The park is located on the corner of C.C. Blaloch and Cherry streets, and has been in the works for just over a year.

All of the playground equipment, tables and chairs have been in place for weeks, and children and adults alike have already begun to frequent the park.

“It’s wonderful for our children to have the opportunity to walk and to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe, clean environment,” Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said. “We have protective fencing. We have all the updated equipment. It means that they can gather together and meet each other, and learn about each other.”

Bishop Adolphus Gauntt first envisioned a park for the community he serves and calls home. He believes that Jordanville Park will bring a lot of good.

“For this day here, it’s been a long time that we’ve been waiting to see something like this happen,” Gauntt said, “and we thank God for the City, the commission and people like you all helping us to make this happen. This is an opportunity to help our children, because they get to use it.”

The park was funded through two $20,000 grants, one from the Elmore County Commission, and the other from Mid-South RC&D Council. The lot was donated by God's Congregational Holiness Church.

While Jordanville Park has been in the planning stages for more than a year, an earlier grant cleared the way for construction to begin. A dilapidated structure was removed from the lot through a Community Development Block

Community members, state representatives and non-profit members cut the ribbon to officially open the park.

Grant that was provided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in 2019.

Now, Jordanville Park is officially open to the public, providing a space for children to gather and play. ~Carmen Rogers

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GO LOCAL

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Vintage ERA STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH

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J

asmine Oliver loves to go treasure hunting. Enough for her to create a treasure trove of her own, ERA Waverly, a shop which houses a collection of handpicked housewares, furniture, clothing and jewelry items. The store’s slogan is “Cherry Picked Vintage,” because each item on display is carefully selected.

Oliver has been looking for quality vintage items since she was a young girl growing up in Waverly and, later, in Eclectic.

“We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so I was always looking for stylish things at an affordable price,” Oliver said.

Oliver worked in admissions for the medical school in Auburn, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, she knew she didn’t want to go back into the medical environment.

That’s when she decided to open ERA Waverly. She originally opened the store in Opelika but decided to return to her hometown of Waverly two years ago. She quickly found this was the perfect community for the shop.

“Everyone here works together to provide great customer experiences,” said Oliver.

Oliver is constantly looking for unique vintage items to add to the store’s collection.

“I love that each item has a story,” said Oliver. “I like to think about the original owners and what that item must have meant to them.”

Oliver carefully researches each item to learn its history and to make sure it is priced fairly. She finds her treasures 12 Lake Martin Living

in a variety of ways, but her best finds come from the tips she receives from friends about estate sales, yard sales or abandoned properties. At times, customers have come into Oliver’s store only to find an item that had previously belonged to their families.

“It’s great to be able to save an heirloom and return it to the owner,” Oliver said.

In addition to the regular store hours, Oliver creates exciting events for shoppers outside her store. Oliver runs an outdoor vintage market twice a year, supplied by vendors she finds on social media. She plans to have a jewelry themed event in time for Valentine’s Day is looking forward to a Jell-o mold competition this summer.

The shop has plenty of sentimental items for shoppers to enjoy. When Oliver finds old family photos, she keeps them for display in the store.

“These were cherished memories for someone. I feel that they should be honored in some way,” she said.

Visit ERA Waverly at 1473 Patrick Street in Waverly.

The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Facing Page: ERA Waverly sports an eclectic mix of furniture, decorations, knick-knacks and plenty more; Clockwise from Top Left: Wedding dresses are popular among shoppers; Enjoy the vintage atmosphere from inside the store or from the curb; Retro video games are included on display; Discover truly unique items at ERA Waverly.

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Eric Essix Group Alex City Arts hosts UAB artist-in-residence for Black History Month STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY TOMIKO ESSIX

A

lex City Arts will host the Eric Essix Group this month at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium on Feb. 22. The group is led by contemporary urban jazz guitarist Eric Essix, and will be joined by talented vocalist Tracy Hamlin.

Alex City Arts President Mary Wood Perry said she was determined to book Essix after hearing his group in concert at Auburn’s Gogue Performing Arts Center.

“He did a great job of engaging the audience. We are very excited to bring someone of his caliber to Alexander City in recognition of Black History Month,” Perry said.

For more than 34 years, Essix has pushed the boundaries of contemporary jazz with chart-topping results. Early in his career, he was signed by Warner Brothers’ Zebra Records label, and his For Real single reached the top five several times during its 25 weeks of play. His second album on the label included a reimagined rendition of Brook Benton’s Rainy Night in Georgia, which also became a radio hit in 2001.

Subsequent hits have included Sweet Tea, Shuttlesworth Drive and the smoothjazz.com indie chart No. 1 hit, Foot Soldiers.

In 2010, Essix joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s prestigious Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and now is the venue’s director of programming.

Booking talent such as Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmylou Harris and Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino has given Essix a new perspective of the creative arts.

In 2013, he was appointed artist-in-residence at UAB, a position through which he continues to perform and teach workshops.

Essix traces a long history of love for the jazz and gospel genres, starting in childhood when his father played Wes Montgomery’s California Dreaming for him.

“I had never heard anyone play jazz interpretations of pop melodies until then.

I could hear that the guitar was actually ‘singing’ the melody. That’s when I realized

jazz was the natural style of music for an instrument to achieve the same emotions that a vocal could. I started playing guitar two years later and right from the start tried to make the guitar sing,” Essix said in a Jonathan Widran interview.

Essix said his mindset has shifted from that of the young guitarist who focused on being flashy and showing people how fast he could play.

“In those days, it was all about speed and lots of notes.

As I have matured as a musician and as a person, I’d like to think I have found my niche as a composer and songwriter, as well as becoming a better guitar player,” he said.

Essix recently released his 28th album, STRiDE, on his own Essential Recordings label. The album features nine original compositions along with an arrangement of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine, featuring American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

For the Alex City Arts concert, Essix will bring with him Tracy Hamlin, an accomplished songstress who fuses the boundaries of soul, jazz, R&B and dance music.

Educated at Baltimore School of the Arts and Peabody Preparatory School of Music, Hamlin has performed with Carlos Santana, Peabo Bryson, Esperanza Spalding, Chaka Khan and other greats and toured internationally with Pieces of a Dream.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance are $21 in advance at alexcityarts.org or $25 at the door.

Facing Page: Gospel and jazz have shaped Essix's musical tastes; Below: Performing with Essix will be accomplished singer-songwriter Tracy Hamlin.

Lake Martin Living 15

Plant new pecan groves today

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E

very fall, people wonder why their beloved pecan trees fail to produce a crop larger than a handful, or any crop at all. Alabama has thousands of mature pecan trees around homes and farms; naturally, one might assume those would produce an abundance of pecans. Yet, most of our trees have sparse and erratic production, as our area’s pecan trees and small orchards are very old and outdated. The main issue, which is consistently ignored, is the lack of new pecan orchards being created in east central Alabama. No one is planting new trees to replace the old, dilapidated ones that have been around for 75 to 100 years.

There are usually multiple reasons why a pecan tree may produce a poor crop. Barring extreme weather like hurricanes, severe droughts and heavy amounts of rain, pecans are fairly predictable and always yield a decent crop if cared for properly. Many pecan trees tend to be alternate bearers, meaning they tend to produce a heavy crop one year and a light crop the next. Even though pecans do have some off years when they don’t produce regularly, it is usually due to a major reason. There are indeed many problems and factors to consider.

Poor variety: Almost all the old pecan trees found around homes today are the Stuart variety. Introduced in the late 1880s and early 1900s, they were considered highly resistant to pecan scab when first planted. However, since that time, specific physiological forms of the pecan scab fungus have evolved and led to diminished yields from pecan trees. Most of the Stuart trees around today were planted between 1940 and 1970 and are still disease prone. The bottom line: New cultivars and new pecan tree plantings are much needed today.

Disease and Pests: There are several pests and diseases that plague pecan trees, including pecan scab, pecan phylloxera, fall webworm, twig girdlers, hickory shuckworm, stink bug, pecan weevil, and black pecan aphids. These pests can greatly decrease the productivity of the tree, as it is difficult for homeowners and small 18 Lake Martin Living

Previous Pages: New and better pecans are needed to replace our old unproductive orchards; Above Left: Choose cultivars that are highly resistant to pecan scab; Above Right: Pecan scab is characterized by small, dark, circular spots on foliage and nuts.

operations to spray fungicide to protect against them.

Scab is one of the more prevalent diseases among pecan trees.

Planting scab resistant trees is highly recommended for anyone growing pecan trees on a small scale, although some scab-resistant pecan trees are hard to find at nurseries and may need to be ordered up to a year in advance. Pecan scab resistant cultivars recommended for home plantings include: Amling, Adams 5, Miss L, Prilop, Kanza, Headquaters, Lakota, McMillian, Elliott, Avalon and Gafford.

Poor soil: Pecan trees grow best on sandy loam soils with well-drained subsoil. Growth and production are often poor on heavy clays, poorly drained soils and on deep sands unless an intensive irrigation and fertilization program is maintained.

Inadequate lime or fertilizer: Lack of lime, nitrogen fertilizer and zinc are common limiting factors in pecan production. Fertilize according to soil and leaf sample recommendations.

It is always important to have a soil analysis done to determine what elements are already present and which elements are needed. A soil test is cheap and easy to do, and information is available at your local Extension office.

A leaf analysis is a little more costly, but provides a great way determine any nutrient deficiencies in the tree.

Too much or too little water: Waterlogged soils do not provide aeration for roots. Lack of water, especially during the dry periods of summer, frequently results in reduced yields and quality, and in weakened trees that may be less productive in the following years. Choose well-drained soil, provide drainage for excess water and keep trees watered during dry periods.

Poor pollination: An isolated pecan tree usually

GARDEN TALK

won’t be effectively pollinated, since most varieties shed pollen either too early or too late to pollinate their own female flowers. If a number of seedling pecan trees or trees of several different varieties are already growing within a few hundred yards, it is probably unnecessary to plant another tree for the sole purpose of pollinating.

Poor pollination can also be caused by wet weather during the Shane Harris rainy months of April and May. Rain washes off pollen and may restrict the pollen’s movement by wind.

Cross-pollination should be a highly considered factor when planting new pecan trees. To ensure pollination, you need at least two trees in the same area. Pecan trees are monoecious, which means they produce both female and male flowers on the same tree; however, that does not necessarily mean they are self-fertile. The male flowers do not all shed pollen at the same time when the female flowers are receptive.

Pecan trees are divided into two categories: type I and type II. Type I trees are called protandrous and shed pollen before their female The U.S. produces flowers are receptive. The nearly 80 percent type II trees are termed of the world's pecans.

Photo by the Alabama protogynous, and the female blooms are receptive before Farmers Federation.

the male blooms shed their pollen.

For this reason, a grower would need a mixture of type I and type II trees for proper pollination.

Pecan trees shed a lot of pollen, so potential pecan growers do not need to have equal numbers of both type I and type II trees. But the trees do need to be planted in the same area to ensure that the wind can move pollen from one tree to another.

If you love fresh pecans, delicious Chip East pecan fudge and candies, and of course, homemade pecan pies, consider planting new pecan trees.

If not for you, for future generations. The older cultivars once took 10 to 12 years to produce a harvest. Today, the new cultivars only take five to seven years to begin producing pecans. Stop waiting for a crop to drop and plant a new orchard this year.

For help on other home and garden questions, contact your local county Extension office or visit us online at aces.edu.

Shane Harris is the County Extension Coordinator for Tallapoosa County. Dr. Chip East is a Regional Extension Agent for Commercial Horticulture for Alabama Cooperative Extension.

Lake Martin Living 19

Triple Chocolat e Bundt Cake

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Lake Martin Living 21

T

GOOD EATS

he month of February brings with it warmth, love and a craving for one particular indulgence–chocolate.

On such a day as Valentine’s Day, the allure of a sweet chocolatey dessert becomes undeniable.

This Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake is a casual yet decadent dessert that promises to take February to a whole new level of deliciousness.

For many, chocolate cravings Gina Abernathy are a force to be reckoned with.

This cake has the power to satisfy all those chocolate desires in a single slice. With

its indulgent, rich flavor and texture, each mouthful takes your chocolate experience to new heights. It’s a celebration of the very essence of chocolate.

The beauty of this cake lies in its ease of preparation.

With the help of a cake mix, instant pudding and chocolate chips, you can have this cake mixed and in the oven in very little time. It’s a minimal-effort dessert that transforms your kitchen into a haven of chocolate aromas.

In the spirit of sharing the love, I encourage all chocolate lovers to savor the flavors of this Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake and pass on this delightful chocolate creation to your friends and family. After all, there’s something magical about the way chocolate has the power to bring people together and create moments of joy. You’re not just offering a dessert; you are sharing a pleasant experience.

Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Ingredients

1 13 to 15-ounce box chocolate cake mix 1 cup sour cream 1 5.9-ounce box chocolate instant pudding mix 3 eggs 2/3 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup water 2 cups chocolate chips

Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a Bundt pan by thoroughly greasing and lightly dusting with flour. Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips in a large bowl for about two minutes or until well blended. Fold in the chocolate chips and stir until mixed. Pour the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Recipe Tips

• I used a triple chocolate cake mix and milk chocolate chips.

• It is very important to grease the Bundt cake pan thoroughly, making sure to coat all the nooks and crannies before pouring in the cake batter.

• Remove the cake from the pan after 10 to 15 minutes, or condensation will begin to form on the outside of the cake. ~ Gina Abernathy is the author and recipe creator behind the blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

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A Journey of 2,000 Miles STORY BY BEN SMITH PHOTOS COURTSEY OF JOSEPH HARPER

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F

ive days after graduating from Auburn University, Birmingham’s Joseph Harper set out to realize a dream he had dreamt since middle school.

Harper took his first steps on the Appalacian Trail, beginning his journey with a clean-shaven face and short blonde hair. He saw the first few rocks slip from beneath his boots. His new grey hiking pants, those he wore throughout the entirety of his epic journey, were dusted with the first specks of dirt. That moment was a culmination of weeks of planning and years of excitement, all of which led to those crucial few steps that began what would be a 2,190-mile walk.

Those first few steps didn’t feel real. To Harper, it didn’t even seem like those first 400 miles were real.

“I think it was just because I was looking forward to doing that for so long,” Harper said, taking time to think between each phrase. “I was like … is this really it?”

It was a childhood dream of Harper’s to hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety. His father was a casual backpacker, who exposed a young Harper to the joys of hiking, of simply being in nature.

Harper spent much of that outdoor time at Lake Martin, he visited his grandparents’ lake house on weekends to fish, swim and hike. He climbed the steep trail up Smith Mountain to the fire tower, and for his Eagle Scout Facing Page: Harper project, he built wooden stands victorious at the benches along the John northernmost point B. Scott Trail below of the Appalachian Martin Dam. Trail; Below: Harper Through Scouts, poses alongside some Harper learned the skills friends he made while required to survive five on the trail.

months on the country’s most challenging thru trail. He also learned the pleasures of spending time outdoors, being disconnected from modern electronic distractions and living simply with a singular, clear goal: to walk. Being surrounded by trees, cliffs, dirt, rocks, flowers, wildlife and sunshine intrigued him.

Harper is a tall, soft-spoken man whose face is shaved, apart from an impressive handlebar moustache twisted upward on the ends. He recalled his adventures on the Appalachian Trail enthusiastically but carefully.

“Sometimes, I’d just stop in the middle of the trail and look around,” he said. “I learned to just take a minute to breathe, relax, calm myself down and look around, just to realize it’s a new day.

There was just so much to be thankful for.”

Harper rifled off the names of places where he saw the best of what the Appalachian Mountains have to offer: Picturesque cliffs overlooking dense Virginian forests, the rolling peaks of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, the Veteran’s War Memorial tower standing proud atop Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts. But the full extent of the beauty he experienced is incommunicable.

“Some of the stuff I saw … I could take a photo of it, but there’s nothing that would accurately describe it,” he said.

While picturesque landscapes and jaw-dropping sunsets were commonplace, so were the hardships.

Harper’s diet on the trail consisted mainly of Pop-tarts, granola bars and instant mashed potatoes. He went through about four boxes of Pop-tarts a day, and in his own words, kept Clif Bar in business. He ate cold ramen, Little Debbies and packets of tuna. He drank water, coffee and powdered milk.

Lake Martin Living 25

The odd diet was intentional. First and foremost, Harper needed food that was high in fat, sugar and carbohydrates to ensure he didn’t lose too much weight during his journey. A naturally thin man, Harper’s primary concern was hiking on a calorie defect, which would cause his body to burn his much-needed muscle along with his fat reserves. Harper pinched himself constantly to check for excess fat loss.

Secondly, he needed food that was nonperishable, items that could store for days or weeks if necessary. The food needed to be compact, and it needed to fit into an already tightly-packed backpack. It needed to be virtually ready-to-eat, so hot meals and fresh fruits and vegetables were a luxury he enjoyed only on occasion, when passing through trail towns when restaurants and diners were open.

On his diet of powdered milk and Poptarts, Harper hiked an average of 15 miles a day. His longest hike stretched over 40 miles across Clockwise from Top Left: four states. His Harper stands feet became raw at the Mt. Washington Summit, the highest peak and blistered from wearing of the Appalachian Trail; Picturesque landscapes wet socks for were commonplace the entirety of along Harper's journey; his 2,190-mile Dinner is served. journey. Every

26 Lake Martin Living

morning, he woke up with his body aching from hiking for days on end, and he pulled on a damp, cold pair of socks. It was worse on rainy days. The socks worked like steel wool against his pruned skin, shredding hard-earned callouses into blisters and leaving his feet and socks bloody.

“Those were some tough days. I just had to keep going, even though my socks felt like sandpaper on my feet,” Harper said.

From the days of physical exhaustion, bodily pain and mental anguish, Harper developed mantras for times when he needed the strength to persevere, mantras that he brought forth from his journey across Appalachia to his life off the trail.

After becoming accustomed to the trail, to eating a strict diet of processed foods and pushing his body and mind to their limits, everyday problems seemed less important, less consequential in comparison.

“Sometimes, you just gotta put on the wet socks,” he told himself during his hike – and tells himself now when facing small, everyday problems. “There ain’t nothing to do but doing it.”

“The hill’s not going to climb itself,” Harper said, explaining what those phrases meant to him.

“Just got to do it. And there’s no way to avoid it.”

After five months and 2,198 miles, Harper stood atop Mount Katahdin in Maine: the end of the Appalachian Trail. His face looked 10 years older and a couple thousand miles more feral. Curly blonde hair bounced away from his head like a soft bush. He sported a scraggly, strawberry beard, and

Harper learned to his eyes seemed fuller, more take some time capable of smiling with all to appreciate his his effort. surroundings And just like when he started the journey 147 days prior, it didn’t feel real.

“Weeks go by like months, months go by like weeks,” Harper said. “And I just felt like I hadn’t been out that long. But I felt like I’d been there so long. Like it was normal. Just sleeping in a tent, sleeping in a shelter. Just normal.”

The first few nights back home, Joseph couldn’t sleep. His bed felt too soft. During the day, he made sure to occupy himself with other things, to have clear and defined goals in the absence of a mountain to climb or a rover to cross. He visited friends he hadn’t seen since graduation, and spent time with his family at Lake Martin.

“I’m still kind of questioning – like, what am I looking back on? I grew so accustomed to walking. When I was walking, I had a clear, defined purpose when I woke up in the day. I knew exactly what I was going to do.”

Joseph hopes to continue pursuing his love of the outdoors, as he moves into a career in civil engineering.

“The purpose of the Appalacian Trail is not to through-hike it,” said Harper. “It was designed for the majority of people in the U.S. to get outside and have a hiking trail. So, that’s what I’m gonna be doing more … just trying to get outside.”

Lake Martin Living 27

For the

LOVE

of Dogs STORY BY BEN SMITH PHOTOS BY BEN SMITH & KENNETH BOONE

T

ara Bramblett Newberry watched a brown and white dog roll around in the leaves and grass outside Southern Star Pet Grooming and Boarding. This happy puppy’s name was Molly.

Molly rolled onto her back, begging for a belly rub with her paws hanging beneath her chin, knowing Newberry would bend over to pet her. She did, and the dog smiled, its tongue hanging out as Newberry recounted the pup’s rescue story.

She first saw Molly two years ago, when she spotted a mother and her puppy walking around in the woods near Martin Dam. Newberry had grown up rescuing any dogs she or her father found on their land.

Throughout her entire life, she has found lost dogs, taken them in, cleaned them, fed them and found homes for them. She felt compelled to rescue these skinny, bruised dogs, but it wasn’t easy. Every time Newberry approached, the dogs ran away.

For three months, Newberry scoured the woods, looking for the dogs she would name Molly and AJ. It was coyote season and hunting season. She came across both in her search.

“And the hunters always told me, “You’re never going to find a dog and a puppy, the coyotes done killed it, blah, blah, blah,” said Newberry.

But she did eventually find the two dogs again and, this time, was able to rescue the puppy. The next day, she returned to the same place, sat down with the little dog cradled in her arms and began to pet it as she waited. Sure enough, Molly emerged from the woods, approached Newberry and rested her head on the rescuer’s lap.

Molly – and her puppy, AJ – have been with Newberry ever since.

“The weird thing about it is it’s almost like she’s a therapy dog,” said Newberry. “If other dogs come in that are having a hard time adjusting, they can put them with Molly because Molly, she … I don’t know.

It’s just like she senses if they’re scared.”

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Rescuing Molly inspired Clockwise from Top: Newberry to begin her own Rescuing Molly inspired to officially stray-dog rescue operation, Bramblett begin Black Dog Rescue Black Dog Rescue and and Rehabilitation; Both Rehabilitation.

Carly and Bramblett Currently, Black Dog enjoy when it is time for shelters around 50 stray a walk; Montana is one of the smaller pups seen animals. Newberry is also around the rescue. taking over for a rescue operation in Hackneyville.

The organization also offers a no-questions-asked, low-cost spay-neuter program, established with the hopes of decreasing the growing stray cat and dog population in Tallapoosa and surrounding counties.

“If I could snap my fingers and have one thing in

Lake Martin Living 29

30 Lake Martin Living

the world fixed, it would be for people to get their dogs spayed/ neutered,” said Newberry. “Just because that’s the only way to stop the overpopulation of stray cats and dogs.”

Newberry does all this while working full time managing a cleaning company. She has help here and there; every now and then, some neighbors or volunteers pop in to walk the dogs or buy dog food, or employees from her cleaning company come by. Her children help out as well, but for the most part, Newberry manages the two separate rescue operations on her own.

As virtuous as Newberry’s work may be, it doesn’t come without disadvantages. Newberry said that many rescue owners, including herself, are taxed mentally and emotionally by their work. Every day, they see dogs that have been beaten, starved, malnourished, mutilated and abandoned. The suicide rate is high for people in her profession, because, often times, rescue owners are surrounded by living reminders of just how cruel some people can be.

“I think it has something to do with having an empathetic heart.

It’s almost like a disability,” said Newberry. “It does take a toll. One of my favorite things in the world to do is ride down a dirt road and look at the countryside. But I stay a nervous wreck when my husband and I do that, because I never know what I’m gonna come upon.”

Still, Newberry would not have spent a lifetime rescuing dogs if there were no bright side.

“What helps are the good stories,” she said.

Newberry asks adopters to send her pictures of the dogs she has grown to love, who have gone on to what she calls their “forever homes,” adopted by loving families who will care for them.

“The best day in rescue is when they’re being adopted. The worst day in rescue is when they’re adopted,” said Newberry.

Adoption is bittersweet for Newberry. It’s the reason she continues to work at rescue From Facing efforts, but it’s also when the Page: Carly can't dogs she’s come to know and get enough of love, the dogs she’s seen go from Bramblett; Bramblett bloody and skinny to scarred remembers the and nourished, leave her. stories behind most “They’re getting to live their of the dogs dreams,” said Newberry. “And she has rescued.

that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

Even Molly will one day find another home.

Although that pains Newberry, it’s what she wants for the dog she’s known and loved for two years.

“Whenever the right person comes along, even though I love this dog with all my heart, it’s not fair for me to keep her when her person is going to find her.”

Lake Martin Living 31

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Lake Martin Living 33

P

resident Lyndon Johnson designated February as American Heart Month in 1964, after determining that diseases of the heart and circulatory system were responsible for over half of all deaths that occurred each year.

This month, we emphasize the importance of cardiac health. As with many other health issues, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Financially, it’s much more expensive to treat heart disease than it is to prevent it. And while heart disease can’t necessarily be cured, its effects can be mitigated, and in some cases reversed, through medication, procedures and, most importantly, lifestyle modifications.

In this article, we’re going to focus on what you can do to lessen your chance of developing heart disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the biggest risk factors for developing cardiac conditions are smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high LDL (low density lipoproteins) cholesterol, obesity and poor diet.

The Johns Hopkins Medical Center states that men older than 45 and women past menopause are at the highest risk for a heart event. A family history of heart disease may also hint at an increased hereditary or genetic risk for heart disease.

There is also evidence that chronic stress such as anger, depression and

34 Lake Martin Living

anxiety is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a subsidiary agency of the National Institutes of Health, offers helpful guidance on reducing your risk of heart disease:

Get enough sleep.

Shoot for eight hours of good sleep every night. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Don’t exercise, drink caffeine or alcohol within two hours of bedtime. If your sleep is restless, or if you regularly wake up tired, consider seeing a sleep specialist to be evaluated for sleep apnea. I can personally attest to how sleeping with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine has changed my life by improving my sleep.

Eat a heart-healthy diet.

Read nutrition labels on the food you purchase. Avoid saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. Reduce the amount of meat you consume and eat lean cuts. Eat fish once or twice a week, and stay away from sweets. Snack on whole fruits, dried fruits and raw vegetables instead.

Monitor your carbohydrate intake, and eat complex carbs, which don’t break down into sugars as easily as simple carbs do.

Increase your physical activity.

Shoot for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. That’s 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

If you have a job that keeps you behind a desk all day, consider getting up and walking around every hour. Or, consider getting a stand-up desk. One of my colleagues at work has a standup desk and a treadmill, and she hardly

MEDICAL NEWS

sits in her desk chair at all. It’s the little things that count to incrementally increase your physical activity; like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking at the far end of the lot.

A healthy diet and moderate exercise will help you control three other risk factors for heart disease: obesity, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. Excess blood cholesterol, specifically LDLs, will stick to the walls of your arteries and begin to form plaques, or deposits that restrict George Miranda blood flow, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

High levels of blood glucose eventually trigger diabetes, damages your blood vessels and your peripheral nerves, leading to cardiovascular events and pain, tingling and itching in your hands and feet. The poor circulation, if left untreated, can lead to gangrene.

Stop Smoking.

I spoke at length about smoking in my November 2023 column. As I mentioned, smoking damages the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels, degrading circulation. Visit smokefree.gov for additional support.

Manage your blood pressure.

The CDC reports common causes of high blood pressure include: being overweight; eating too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables; not exercising enough; drinking too much alcohol or coffee; smoking; having a relative with high blood pressure; and being over 65. Can’t do anything about those last two risk factors, but the same interventions listed above work to manage blood pressure as well.

Learn to manage stress.

Meditation, relaxation exercises, yoga, deep breathing, prayer, listening to music, long walks… there are many different ways to reduce stress. Some will work for you.

Others will not. Find one that does.

My New Year’s resolution is to improve my health by eating better and exercising. I made it all the way to Jan. 2 until I realized that I needed an accountability partner, or else nothing would change. So, I covenanted with a good friend at work who is in the same sinking boat as I, and we’re going to start encouraging each other, meeting at the Total Fitness Center at the hospital to exercise together.

Maybe an accountability partner will help you achieve your health goals as well. ~ George Miranda is the director of the UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center.

Lake Martin Living 35

What is Risk?

Learn how to plan and assess for it in finance as well as life

T

he Oxford Dictionary defines risk as, “A situation involving exposure to danger, or to expose someone or something valued to danger, harm or loss.”

I think this definition summarizes how we tend to think about risk in our daily lives. But how do we define risk from a financial perspective? Textbooks touch on financial risk in discussions of something called standard deviation, which is a measure of the variation around the mean (average). In the financial realm, standard deviation revolves around volatility. Risk always involves uncertainty, and in finance, it often deals with market forecasts. As I read, study and talk with clients, I’m always thinking about risk. When I was a professional golfer, I constantly thought about risk. I think that my personal perspective on risk is slightly different from the textbook version.

I’m an avid reader of finance books. I, along with many others, am a big fan of Morgan Housel, best-selling author of such books as Psychology of Money and Same Lee Williams as Ever.

In the latter, Housel says, “One thing caught my attention about risk. Risk is dangerous when you think it requires a specific forecast before you start preparing for it. It’s better to have expectations that risk will arrive, though you don’t know when or where, than to rely exclusively on forecasts. Almost all of these predictions are either nonsense or about things that are well-known. My take on Housel’s thinking regarding financial risk is you can only prepare for risk, not predict it. By preparing, you have a base level of expectation.

When the unexpected happens, with proper preparation, the risk that something irrational is done diminishes.”

Regarding risk and economics, most economists try to predict the future. This is a hard endeavor. Another quote

by Morgan Housel sums up the difficulty of the task.

“A good bet in economics: The past wasn’t as good as you remember; the present isn’t as bad as you think; and the future will be better than you anticipate.”

I have to admit, though I was an economics major at Auburn University, I did not like the subject. I thought it to be very dry, dull and not easy to apply. It’s funny, I put very little stock in economic forecasts as an econ major, following Housel’s advice, but possibly for the wrong reasons.

MONEY MATTERS

36 Lake Martin Living

As far as the big picture goes, Housel’s quote here is simply stating that there is always uncertainty. Life in general is uncertain. Do you ever hear anyone talk about the bad ole days? No, it’s always the good ole days that are remembered. Today, you hear a lot of people who are down on society, whether it be politics, wars, the economy, etc. My bet is that when my generation is older, and looks back on these years, we will call those the good ole days.

The point is, risk is typically short term in nature. The great thing about our society is that, over time, we have become more efficient, endured through many difficult periods and have seen remarkable things take place in relatively short spans of time.

Housel writes about a friend of his who said once said, “Risk is what you didn’t think of.” It’s hard to sum it up any better. ~ Lee Williams Important Information Blalock Williams, LLC (Blalock Williams) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Blalock Williams and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.

All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability, or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

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Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday, January 18, 2023 New Water Farms 1. Brandi Weaver and Casey Kelly

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2. Amanda Taylor and Kristen Robinson 3. Pam Hendrix and Elaine Forbus 4. Quentin and Dabretta Johnson and Shun and Javontay Fleetwood 5. Shelly, Tal, Peggy and Alli Bullard 6. Lee Pitchford 7. James and Teneeshia Johnson 8. Lee Vanoy and Randy Dawkins

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Horseshoe Bend Father-Daughter and Mother-Son Dance Thursday, January 18, 2024 Horseshoe Bend School 1. Abby Berry and Alli Edwards 2. Terry and Brilynn Carter 3. Jery and Zaleight Breashears

4. Kensley and Timothy Hendrix 5. Grace and Jackson Gilbert

6. Stacy and Grayson Hartley 7. Nick Queen and Troy Powell 8. Shanna and William Cannon

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MLK Day Celebration Monday, January 15, 2024 Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School 1. Ashley Stone, Shanta Young, Brentina Williamson and BraeAsia Dansby 2. Mae Leonard, Shareka Norris and Joni Traylor 3. Malyah Woody, Tranya Hetcherson, Ianajiah Milliner and Emaysia Flowers 4. Ry Hall and Renita Norris 5. Jasmine and Layla Ellis

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6. Lisa Jackson, Aniyah Robertson, Braiden Huntley, Sherlene and James Robinson

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LMYP Polar Plunge Saturday, January 13, 2024 Kowaliga Restaurant 1. Fred, Glenda and Sara Collins Chambliss and Olivia Lynn 2. Chad Gililand 3. Liz Holland and Damien Gibson 4. Debbie Spivey, Joyce Reeves, Di Riccio and Lola Popov 5. Steven Robinson, Steve Robinson, Abbie Waldrop, Kendall Lee, Leelyn and Amelia Waldrop and Cecelia Lee 6. Sarah and Jake Hill, Allison Bazzell, Kelli Burt, Jenny Sanford and Andrea Richardson 7. Olivia and Sophia Head 8. Sherry Johnston 9. Dora Sammons, Melissa Taunton, Jodie McGirt, Tracy Hart, Stacy Swindall, Jason Lett, Kelly Herring, Tina Lett and Fran Gillespie

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Thursday, January 25, 2024 Zazu's Verandah 1. Jimmy and Lisa Reeves 2. Geraldine Johnson and Marty Daniel 3. Don May and Liz and Don Connolly

4. Anne Marie Jones and Rick Hidding 5. Rick Moore, Marnie Mattei and Jeff and Diana Roman 6. Cindy Gilliani and Mitzy Hidding

Lake Martin Living 41

Calendar

THE LAKE REGION

FEATURED EVENT

Russell Forest Run provides assistance for local schools

M

achine gun blasts will sound at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads on Saturday, Feb. 24, kicking off the 15th annual Russell Forest Run. For the past 14 years, the Russell Forest Run has benefitted the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation, raising money for necessary technology within the Alexander City School system.

The 2023 Russell Forest Run has raised $12,000 for the ACSEF. In the 14 years of the run’s existence, it has raised over $120,000 for the organization.

The race will include both a 10K and 5K, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m., respectively. The gravel, sand and clay trails will lead runners on out-and-back routes through the Russell Forest, near iconic areas such as Kob’s Knob and Heaven Hill. Both 5K and 10K races will finish near The Stables at Russell Crossroads, where a post-run party

Clockwise from Top Left: Register for the Russell Forest Run to help fund the Alexander City School System; Run or walk the trails; Be prepared to face steep inclines and rough terrain.

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will be hosted, complete with live music and the World Famous Grits Bar. Registration is $40 and includes a 15th anniversary edition Russell Forest Run long sleeve T-shirt. Runners can pick up their race day packets at The Discovery Center in Russell Crossroads on Feb. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on the day of the race, Feb. 24, from 6 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Visit russellforestrun.com for more information.

LAKE REGION EVENTS Feb. 17

Author Negrita Smart

Dadeville Public Library will sponsor local children’s author Negrita Smart at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Smart wrote Grace and the Golden Rule last year to help children understand the importance of being kind.

Feb. 17

Main Street Alexander City Chili and Gumbo Cook-Off

Head downtown and enjoy live music, great food and more at the at the Main Street Alexander City Chili and Gumbo Cook-off. Register to compete for the Best Chili, Best Gumbo and People’s Choice awards.

Teams are limited to five members.

For more details or to sign-up, contact Main Street Alexander City. Email michelle@mainstreetalexandercity.org or call 256-786-0584.

Feb. 17

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Kiwanis Club will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School cafeteria. Tickets are $8 for pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. Proceeds benefit the Dadeville High School Key Club and other local youth programs.

Feb. 18

Lake Watch 2024 General Meeting

The Lake Watch of Lake Martin general meeting will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at New Water Farms in Dadeville. Members will report on Lake Watch activities, present a science-based program and have time to socialize. The keynote address will be provided by Mike Kensler, director of the Auburn University Office of Sustainability, and Dr. Eve Brantley, director of Auburn University Water Resources Center. The event is open to the public.

Feb. 22

The Eric Essix Group

Alexander City Arts, Inc., will present The Eric Essix Group in concert at 7 p.m. in the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. The

event is funded in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. General admission tickets are $21 at alexcityarts.org. Tickets will be $25 at the door. Students and children will be admitted free. The band will also perform an educational show for high school students on Feb. 23., partially funded by a grant from UAB.

March 2

A Gentle Evening

Join guitarist Michael Mason and Friends at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center for an evening of folk/rock acoustic favorites. Visit dadevilleprformingartscenter.com for tickets, reservations and information.

March 14

Celtic Celebration

Start the St. Patrick’s Day festivities early with the Lake Martin Dulcimer Club at Dadeville Performing Arts Center, featuring acoustic versions of Scots/Irish tunes and jigs. Visit dadevilleprformingartscenter.com for tickets, reservations and information.

March 16-17

Lake Martin Ultra Run

The Lake Martin 100 returns to Russell Forest on March 16 and 17.

Runners from all over the U.S. and beyond will take a shot at the course voted the Best 100 Mile Race in North America and the Best North American Ultra. There will be 100, 50 and 27mile courses to choose from. There is no registration on race day, so sign up early at southeasterntrailruns.com.

March 22-26

Windhorse Studio show at Opelika Art Haus

Opelika Art Haus will host a Windhorse Studio show of artists, including Mary Catherine Lowery, Barbara Birdsong, Margaret Cunningham, Nadene Mairesse, Mary Ann Casey, Po Wiese, Debbie Folkerts and Laura and Brian Cooley. Exhibit hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join the opening reception for a gathering of music, food and drinks from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 22.

Season Long Events Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 6:30 p.m. 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.

Lake Martin Creativity

This group meets every Monday at 1 p.m. in the downstairs community room at the StillWaters Residential Building. Anyone interested in arts and crafts is encouraged to join. Bring something to work on, or come see what others are doing. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the use of the space. For more information, contact Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506.

LMYP Game Night

Every third Thursday of the month, grab your crew and meet at The Local at 41 Main in downtown Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for games, laughs and exclusive LMYP drink specials. It’s free to play the games, like trivia, bingo and more, and the grand prize is always $50. Visit the Lake Martin Young Professionals Facebook page for more information.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds with a general meeting followed by an open studio. Club dues are $20 for the year.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

Come see naturalist Marianne and her lively nature presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads.

There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

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9

GOLDVILLE 280

GOODWATER

Legend

To Sylacauga

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

63

Public Boat Ramps

NEW SI

Churches

★ Points of Interest

22

280

Power lines

Timbergut Landing

9

U.S. Highways

280

County Roads

14 22

ALEXANDER CITY

4

★

Camp ASCCA

★

Alex City Boat Ramp

3

Charles E. Bailey Sportplex

ROCKFORD

Hor Na

Jaybird Landing

49 128

22

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Creek ★ Wind Boat Ramp

26

11

★ New Hope Church 9

24

★Smith Landing

27

17

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63

Camp Alamisco

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Kowaliga Boat Landing

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★ Camp Kiwanis

Trillium

Children’s Harbor

★ The Amp 18 ★

Ko w

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y

23 49

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

1 12

Church in The Pines

25

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Smith Mountain Fire Tower

10 11

7

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57

DAD

Willow Point

EQUALITY SEMAN

★

Young’s Island

Liberty Church

280

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Peanut Point

259

20

231

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek 63 State Park

COOSA COUNTY

JACKSONS GAP

Chimney Rock

Stillwaters 22

8

Union Landing

★

19 6

WALNUT HILL

90

24 21

UNION

80

50

CENTRAL

Martin Dam

RED HILL

15

★

63 229

SANTUCK

49

ECLECTIC 13 KENT

ELMORE COUNTY

Reeltown

120

14

231

14 14

TALLASSEE WETUMPKA 44 Lake Martin Living

229

MACON COUNTY

Explore

DAVISTON 22

Lake Martin

ITE

1

Kowaliga Marina

★

2

The Ridge Marina

256-397-1300

rseshoe Bend ational Park

3

River North Marina

256-397-1500

4

Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700

CHAMBERS COUNTY

DEVILLE 16

N Y

50

CAMP HILL

20

280

WAVERLY 50

334-857-2111

5 Real Island Marina

334-857-2741

6 Blue Creek Marina

256-825-8888

7 Parker Creek Marina

256-329-8550

8 Harbor Pointe Marina

256-825-0600

9 Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's

256-444-8793

10 SpringHouse

256-215-7080

11 Catherine’s Market

256-215-7070

12 Kowaliga Restaurant

256-215-7035

13 Acapulco Mexican Gril

334-283-2725

14 Russell Do It Center (Alex City)

256-234-2567

15 Russell Do It Center (Eclectic)

334-541-2132

16 Russell Building Supply

256-825-4256

17 The Stables at Russell Crossroads

256-794-1333

18 Kowaliga Whole Health

334-857-1816

19 Aronov Realty Lake Martin

256-825-4133

20 Off the Beaton Path

205-994-0847

21 Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage

334-391-0717

22 Creekside Lodge

256-307-1440

23 Red Ridge UMC

256-825-9820

24 Lake Pointe Baptist Church

256-373-3293

25 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc

334-857-2443

26 Docks Unlimited LLC

256-203-8400

27 Dixie Sailing Club 28 Lakeshore Pharmacy

LEE COUNTY

256-825-0063

Your Lake Martin Sightseeing Pass. Scan me!

LOACHAPOKA 14

NOTASULGA 85 81

Get on the Map! 256-234-4281

Lake Martin Living 45

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Lake Martin Living 47

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George Hardy, D.M.D.......................................................................... 6

Red Flag Pest Control.......................................................................... 6

Gogue Performing Arts Center.......................................................... 3 2

Russell Medical.................................................................................. 5 2

Heritage South Credit Union.............................................................. 1 3

Southern Sash................................................................................... 3 2

Highway 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage....................................... 4 9

S&K Offices....................................................................................... 4 9

Hinson Galleries................................................................................... 5

Stanley Steemer................................................................................. 4 9

Holmes Guns..................................................................................... 4 9

Sunrise Docks.................................................................................... 5 1

Jes & Gray Living................................................................................. 3

TowBoatUS........................................................................................ 4 6

Karen Channell, State Farm............................................................... 4 9

USBank.............................................................................................. 5 1

Kowaliga Veterinary Care................................................................... 4 9

Waller Property Maintenance............................................................. 4 9

48 Lake Martin Living

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Lake Martin Living 49

I

Fun-tastic February Culture Shock

n the last few days of January, the sun came share them all in a single article, and even so, out. I was showing a lake house when I new events, activities and opportunities are being tipped my face to the rays, shed my jacket added every week. Check out local Facebook and felt it; the first hopeful sign of spring. pages and groups to stay up to date on the new To get to spring, however, one must first navigate happenings, such as the Funky Goat beginning February. You know what that means: Fun to now serve lunch, and the opening of February is back. And with this year being a leap Castelluccio’s new location in Dadeville. Staying year, we have an extra day available to fill with involved with places like these is not only fun, new experiences. but it also encourages the growth and expansion For those new to my column, back in the of locally owned small businesses. winter of 2021, I grieved the passing of my father.

Hiking is a great way to have new, fun It was a low span of time for me. To shake myself experiences in a healthy way, while also saving from the constant funk I found myself in, I money. I recommend the Russell Forest Lacey Howell some decided to pack February full of fun things to do. trails, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park If the month flew by faster, I might find myself and the Cherokee Ridge Alpine trails. The Smith with longer days, warmer weather and more sunshine. I Mountain Fire Tower is one of the most spectacular views tend to hibernate a bit in the winter, and nothing makes me Lake Martin has to offer. happier than getting dressed up and going out with friends February is a great month to exercise, and registering for or going on a fancy date with my husband. organized races such as the Russell Forest Run (10K and 5K) Here are few tips, discoveries and interests I try to fill my can help ensure you stick to your running goals. It is a fun February with, but be sure to customize your week to suit event with an amazing after party, and the proceeds benefit your own interests. the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation.

Mondays: The start of the week is the perfect day to Setting new goals can help shake you from the winter begin. Many local restaurants are closed on Mondays, but blues. Make a list of books to read or shows to watch. Call the majority of our Mexican restaurants remain open. your friends or find a way to work with your hands.

Mexican Monday has been one of my favorite things for During the colder nights, there are plenty of cozy ways to years. It’s nearly impossible to have a bad time at a Mexican hunker down. Invite people over for a house party, or visit restaurant, because chips and queso are known to cure most with an old friend. Sometimes getting dressed up (even just ailments. If you shut your eyes and focus hard enough, you to visit the neighbors’ house) can be the perfect pick me up may even start to believe you’re in Mexico on vacation. on a dreary day. Break out that dress or fur coat you haven’t Tuesdays: I have always spent my Tuesday nights playing worn this season and rock it. bingo at Niffer’s in Dadeville. There are plenty of prizes to be There are so many new people moving into our area. One won, questions to be answered and fun times to be had. of the greatest things you can do is invite someone new to Wednesdays: Hump days are great for a cruise down hang out. Making new friends in adulthood isn’t always the to the Waverly Local for live music and food and drink easiest, but it can certainly be the most rewarding. specials. Or head down to Stillwaters for music bingo I would recommend spring cleaning, but I don’t want to at Copper’s Grill, starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Wing be a hypocrite. Kick your heels up this February and save Night has a nice ring to it, and I can attest to JRs, 5th the cleaning for March. Turn up the music, dirty up the Quarter or The Station as great spots in Alexander City to kitchen and don’t regret making a mess. get wings and catch a game.

Cheers to an active, exciting Fun February. I’ll see you Thursdays: A Thursday night is well spent at Copper’s soon in spring! famous Prime Rib Thursdays, where 9-ounce and 12-ounce portions of juicy prime rib are served along with two sides ~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from and a dessert. Or, test your knowledge at Niffer’s trivia night. Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, Weekends: There are so many great options for weekend rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram drinks and dinner in the Lake Martin area. I can’t possibly @LaceyHowell and her Facebook page.

50 Lake Martin Living

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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Lake Martin Living 51

• PROUDLY WELCOMES •

Rebecca Young, MD General Surgeon

Dr. Rebecca Young joins General Surgeon, Dr. Lacey Swenson, in the UAB Medicine Russell Medical Surgery Clinic.

Professional Building, Suite 207 3368 Hwy 280, Alexander City 256-215-7479