Lake Magazine June 2022

Restored SuperJet Corks & Canvasses Watusi Cattle

JUNE 2022

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When it comes to cancer, we’re in your corner.

If you have to fight cancer, you don’t want to have to travel up and down the road for quality care. UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center, located in Alexander City, is right here at home where we’ve assembled a team of world-class cancer specialists and revolutionary technologies to fight these deadly diseases with precision and expertise. We’re your neighbors. We’re the UAB Medical- Russell Medical Cancer Center, and we’re proud to be in your corner!

Exceptional care just around the corner 256.329.7888 • russellcares.com/cancercenter 3446 Hwy 280 Alexander City, AL 35010

ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Top-of-the-line brands – Sea Ray, Nautique, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Supreme, Scarab and Bryant Boats. Fishing boats from Bass Cat, SeaArk, Key West and Crevalle Boats.

Off-road vehicles from BRP Can-Am and personal watercraft from Sea-Doo.

View all of our inventory from the comfort of your home at RussellMarine.net or visit any one of our 6 locations. Financing is available.

RUSSELL MARINE BOATING & OUTDOORS 256-397-1700 l SMITH LAKE 256-841-6365 l KOWALIGA MARINA 256-397-1210 RIVER NORTH MARINA 256-397-1500 l THE RIDGE MARINA 256-397-1300 l REAL ISLAND MARINA 256-397-1200

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Letter from the Editor

Staff

he content in this month’s issue of Lake magazine may seem to be all over the map, but that’s the perfect reflection of life at Lake Martin. This is a place for all manner of fun, from grabbing a beer for an outdoor concert in the park to bidding on a fine bottle of wine at an exclusive hospital fundraiser. Lake Martin offers a great time to everyone, and everyone is welcome.

Jazz Fest is a favorite event that attracts a wide audience, from tables set with gumbo served in paper bowls to those with neatly arranged china and chandeliers.

Thousands of concert-goers turn out for the music and to be part of the ongoing history of this signature event that has entertained audiences for 32 years now. This year, Jazz Fest welcomes five bands to Alexander City’s Strand Park and the Lake Martin Amphitheater. Read more on page 22.

Many events around the lake benefit nonprofit organizations that work for the health and welfare of local residents and visitors. Russell Medical Foundation last month curated Corks & Canvasses, an invitation-only gathering at a private lake home. Local artists donated works, and some of the finest bottles of wine were pulled from private collections for the event that raised more than $250,000 for cancer treatment equipment at The Cancer Center – Russell Medical. More funds are needed, and continued donations are welcomed and appreciated. Find out more on page 26.

Lake Martin has a long history of hosting generations of families, like Zac Contorno’s grandparents and parents, and each generation finds its niche for fun here. For Zac, that niche includes taking a restored stand-up SuperJet out for an afternoon of tricks on the water. Kenneth Boone’s camera caught Zac in action one sunny afternoon. Join the fun on page 30.

As Zac mentioned in that article, the lake has changed a lot since its early days when fishing cabins lined the banks, but it’s still all about the good times with family and friends.

Whether you plan a laid back, relaxing summer on the water or boating to fine wine and art events in style, be sure to check the manufacture date of your onboard fire extinguisher. A new statewide regulation is on the way, and you’ll want to be in compliance before the effective date. Turn to the Quick Guide to the Lake on page 9 for details.

So whether your glass holds beer, lemonade or champagne, raise it high, and let’s toast the opening of another great summer season at Lake Martin. Happy summer to all!

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

T

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor in Chief BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Business & Digital Publishing Director Angela Mullins angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com

Audience Development Director 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

DAVID LEE

david.lee@thewetumpkaherald.com

Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON GREG VINSON CLIFF WILLIAMS PETE MCKENNY HARRY DENEGRE

LONNA UPTON STEVE ARNBERG WILL MARLOW KAITLIN FLEMING PAXTON TIDWELL CRAYTON WALTON

All content, including all stories and photos

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 | lakemagazine.life are copyright of:

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On the Cover

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Birmingham's Zac Contorno inherited his love of Lake Martin from his parents, growing up spending summers and weekends at their cabin on Lake Martin. He also inherited a love of restoring fast and unique watercraft. One of his favorite restorations is a 1997 Yamaha SuperJet with a wild paint job and a few modifications to boost the speed.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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Serving Lake Martin Since 1997 docksunlimitedllc.com | 256-203-8400

Stationary and Floating Docks | Pile Driving Seawalls | Boat Lifts | Boat Houses

JUNE 2022

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Apply by Responding to Our Job Postings on Indeed.com

Recruiting Top Quality Healthcare Professionals

SAINTJAMES CROSSLOGO TAGLINE GOES HERE Episcopal Church Summer Services at Lake Martin 12 noon at Church in the Pines JUNE 12th and 26th

JULY 10th and 24th

AUGUST 14th and 28th

RNs and LPNs

3701 Dadeville Road Alexander City, AL 35010

V 260 W. Walnut St. Sylacauga, AL 35150

385 East LaFayette Street Dadeville, AL 36853

RN and LPN Management and Charge Nurse positions available, 100% pre-paid scholarships for aspiring nurses, tuition reimbursement, sign-on bonuses, short-term contracts, and we consider buying out existing employment contracts

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Medication Assistant Certified (MAC)

Tuition FREE, paid training classes, prepaid exam fees, signon bonuses, and we consider buying out existing employment contracts.

Dietary and Housekeeping Positions Excellent Pay and Benefits

16 Jones Hill Road Goodwater, AL 35072

805 Hospital Street LaFayette, AL 36862

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Low co-pay & deductible BCBS Health/Dental/Vision/Prescription Drug Insurance, paid vacation, 401K, company paid life insurance, Longevity Bonus up to $1000 a year, employees and their children receive priority for scholarship opportunities, shift differential, and additional weekend differential that starts on Friday

JUNE 2022 11/4/21 11:15 AM

stjamesalexcity.com

Contents 22. JAZZ FEST PREVIEW Five bands will be featured at Alexander City's signature event at Strand Park and The Amp. 26. CORKS & CANVASSES Russell Medical Foundation raises funds for cancer treatment equipment at unique wine and art event.

30. STAND-UP FOR FUN Zac Contorno fills lake days with fun on a restored Yamaha Stand-up SuperJet.

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36. WATUSI CATTLE Visit this new, exotic species that has taken up residence at The Stables at Russell Crossroads.

44. EMBRACING THE GOOD LIFE Watching birds and grandchildren at a Willow Glynn home built for enjoying retirement at the lake.

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LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 16. LAKE AREA EVENTS 56. NATURE OF THE LAKE 60. LAKE PROPERTY

62. HOBO 65. FAB FINDS 66. HEALTHY LIVING 68. CHEF'S TABLE 70. CHEERS 72. BIG CATCHES 75. PAR FOR THE COURSE 82. PARTING SHOT

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.

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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

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

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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

JUNE 2022

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

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

Inventory/ sales ratio

27 27 24

$1,146,515 $616,714 $508,908

$880,000 $400,000 $375,000

63 225 146

47 286 353

1.63 11.52 12.31

April 2022 April 2019 April 2016

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).

New statewide fire extinguisher regulation on the way for Lake Martin boaters Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Deputy Chief Capt. Matt Brooks urged boaters at Lake Martin to be in compliance with a federal mandate for onboard fire extinguishers, as the regulation will be adopted and applicable as a statewide regulation later this year.

"The federal regulation only applies to federal navigable waters, so it does not apply to Lake Martin; however, it would be best for boaters to get in compliance because a new state regulation will go into effect sometime this year," Brooks said.

The federal regulation became effective April 20 and mandates a 12-year expiration date for disposable fire extinguishers.A disposable fire extinguisher is one that is non-rechargeable.The device expiration will date from date of manufacture stamped into the bottom of the bottle or near the UL label, which could be two or four digits.A manu-

facture date of two digits, for example '10,' indicates '2010,' and the device would expire this year.

The regulation does not change the type or quantity requirement for U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers but specifies that the minimum UL classification of extinguishers be carried, depending on the boat's model year.

The new regulation coincides with the phasing out of older B-I and B-II labels for newer 5-B, 10-B and 20-B classifications.The number in the new rating system refers to the square footage of the potential fire that a device is suitable to extinguish, not the weight of the dry chemical in the bottle. See the chart at BoatUS.org/fire-extinguishers for the federally mandated vessel length and corresponding fire extinguisher requirement.

A compliance date for the statewide regulation has not yet been established, according to Capt. Brooks.

Weather Outlook for June June 2022 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the upper 80s with average lows in the mid 60s and close to about 4 and three-quarter inches of precipitation in the month of June.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be above average and rainfall will be normal this month.

Year-to-Date

Precipitation: 17.94 inches Avg. high temp.: 64.7 Avg. low temp.: 38.5 Avg. temp.: 51.6

Our Normal June Precipitation: 4.76 inches Avg. high temp.: 88.2 Avg. low temp.: 66.1 Avg. temp.: 77.1

Information from the National Weather Service.

JUNE 2022

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 491.28 Lowest: 489.17Lake

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

Lake elevations 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.

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Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Brice, David and Claire Collins celebrated spring break 2022 with a chilly plunge into Lake Martin. (2) Lyla McDade Tucker making the most of her opporunity to run along the lake bottom during winter pool. (3) Martha Tucker was in the right place to catch this shot of a screech owl and a gray squirrel hanging together. (4) This bass must have been really hungry; even though he had one fish already in his mouth, he went for the bait Kathryn Bryan threw from the seawall. (5)Kyle Thornton visited his honorable mention photo of the Chilldren's Harbor chapel in the 2022 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. (6) Amanda Baker watched the sun set at Kowaliga on Lake Martin. (7) Wilks Turner loves Lake Martin in the springtime.

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Lake Scene n People & Places 1

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) The sun sets on another wonderful Lake Martin weekend. (2) Tallapoosa School of Art visited Dixie Sailing Club with visiting artist Qiang Huang and 10 students for technique instruction in plein air painting. (3) Heather Vickers took this photo of the lakebed at Piney Woods before the water started its climb toward full pool. (4) Joyce Reeves dressed up a big hat for Derby Day at The Stables. (5) Debbie Jo Spivey had a great time at her first Derby Day at The Stables. (6) Johnny Spears enjoying an afternoon of fishing.

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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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Where is Lake n People & Places 1

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) John and Susan Prophitt and Nina and Tony Johnson took Lake to the Azores Islands of Portugal.

(2) Aleem and Cindy Gillani enjoyed the view of the Tiber River and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. (3) Lake barely avoided being eaten by a camel at the Great Pyramid of Giza with Aleem and Cindi Gillani. (4) Karen and Scout Treadwell took Lake to St. Thomas Virgin Island. (5) Krystal Voss Floyd, Walker Allene and Brinlee Foshee took Lake to the 36th Annual Pickle Festival in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. (6) February's bridal issue of Lake magazine dropped in to meet authors Tanya Agler, Lindi Peterson, Heidi Main, Jennelle Hovde, Lenora Worth, Marilyn Turk, Missy Tippins, Laurel Blount, Allie Pleiter, Tracey Lyons, Virginia Vaughan, Janet Ferguson, Lizzi James and Tracy Fredrychowski at the Gulf Coast Christian Romance Writers Retreat on Okaloosa Island, Florida, in May.

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Lake Martin News Water Festival returns after COVID

Local elementary school students learn about protecting water at Wind Creek event

The Water Festival hosted by the Alabama Extension Service at Wind Creek State Park returned last month after two years off due to COVID-19. Fourth grade students from local elementary schools were treated to presentations from water-related agencies about the importance of clean water. Representatives of Alabama Law Enforcement Agenc Marine Patrol, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Master Gardeners, Auburn University Fisheries and more presented activities to demonstrate concepts that included the water cycle, how pollution affects water quality and how waater quality affects fish and other marine life.

Cliff Williams

City’s Super 8 motel.

The three-story building will include outdoor charging stations, where vehicles and fishing electronics could be charged, as well as double parking spaces, so boat trailers could remain hooked up to tow vehicles overnight.

Continental breakfast will be available at 4 a.m. for anglers that need to be on the water at daybreak.

In addition, the hotel will house 70 guest rooms, a conference room, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and business center.

The hotel will offer inside corridor access to guest rooms, a feature often requested by visiting sports teams and businesswomen traveling alone, said Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller, who helped to broker the deal.

“With an investment of $8 million and a promise of 20-plus new jobs, we are excited to see what this new upper-midscale hotel will do for the area,” Fuller said.

“We have many sports and fishing tournament that bring in a lot of visitors. This hotel will be able to accommodate the fishermen, as well as the family.”

Alexander City City Council president, Buffy Colvin described the announcement as good news for Alexander City’s future.

“This hotel means that the needle for Alex City is moving in the right direction. The impact of a new hotel of this caliber will be felt for years to come.”

One of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels and Resorts owns the Holiday Inn brand, along with 16 additional hotel brands, with nearly 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries.

Will Marlow

Boat operator goes overboard, pronounced dead

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division are investigating an incident that occurred at approximately 5 p.m. April 30 and claimed the life of a Pell City man. A 30-foot Sea Ray Sundancer was east bound on Kowaliga Bay in the main body on Lake Martin between Castaway Island and Wares Slough when the operator went overboard.

Another vessel in the area recovered the victim from the water and transported him to the Kowaliga public ramp adjacent to Alabama Highway 63, where he was pronounced deceased. Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Russell Lands Security and Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department also responded to assist.

Staff report

New hotel coming to lake area

Groundbreaking is expected early next year on a new hotel in Alexander City. City leaders last month announced the project with Holiday Inn Express and local businessman Jay Patel, who also owns Alexander 14 LAKE

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The new hotel will begin construction next year

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June 2-11 Sun Festival

Come out to celebrate summer in Alexander City with more than 30 planned activities over nine days. From music in the park to food and beverage lessons, a trivia contest, movies and kids' events, including the long-time favorite Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Medallion Hunt, it's a great time to visit the area. For up-to-date information on activities and events, check out the Sun Festival Alexander City Facebook page.

June 3 Free Movie Night

First Baptist Church of Dadeville will host a free movie night for the whole community. Bring blankets and chairs for a showing of Disney’s How to Train Your Dragon under the stars on a 33-foot screen. There will be popcorn, treats, giveaways and more. The fun begins at 7 p.m., and the movie will start at dark.

June 4 Main Street Farmers Market Opens

Main Street Alexander City will open the Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, breads, baked goods, handmade items and more at the market’s new location in the old City Hall parking lot on Main Street.

June 9 Didgeridoo Down Under

At 2 p.m., Mamie’s Place Children’s Library at 318 Church St. in Alexander City will present the DDU Show, a unique fusion of Australian music, culture, puppetry, comedy, storytelling and audience participation in conjunction with the summer reading program.

June 10 & 11 Jazz Fest

Don’t miss Alexander City’s signature concert event the second week of June. Featuring five great bands at two locations over two days, Jazz Fest is a great time to be at Lake Martin.

The music starts at 6:30 p.m. at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City on Friday with two bands. Pick up a picnic dinner at a downtown restaurant and buy a brew at any downtown entertainment district establishment or bring your own dinner and a cooler. Then, be at Lake Martin Amphitheater at 6 p.m. for Saturday night, featuring three bands under the stars. Dogs on leash are welcome at the Friday night concert, but leave the pup at home for the night at the Amp. Now in its 32nd year, Jazz Fest is hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and is the longest running free outdoor concert series in Alabama. Visit the Alex City Jazz Fest Facebook page for the lineup and other details.

June 11 LMRA Annual Meeting

June 6 Oceans of Possibilities

Kick off the summer reading program/challenge from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex gymnasium with a Bright Star Touring Theatre production of Treasure Island. This event is open to the public at no charge.

Lake Martin Resource Association will hold the annual meeting at 8 a.m. at Kowaliga Restaurant. Hear updates on cleanup, buoy rewards programs and learn more about what is happening at Lake Martin. This is an open meeting, members and prospective members are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the Facebook page or the website at lmra.info.

June 6-11 Friends of Children’s Harbor Auction

June 11 23rd Annual Charity Poker Run

Support Children’s Harbor through these online and live auction events. Online bidding opens June 6 and closes June 10.

Register to bid as friends2022.ggo.bid. A live silent auction will be held at Willow Point Golf & Country Club at 6:30 p.m. on June 11. Dress is resort casual for the heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar event. Tickets are $125 per person. Items available at the virtual and in-person auctions are exclusive, so participate in both evemts. RSVP to Erin Slaughter at erinslaugter@childrensharbor.com or call 205-994-4667.

June 7-10 Youth Sailing Camp

Dixie Sailing Club at 767 New Hope Church Rd. in Alexander Ctiy will host sailing classes for youth ages 7 to 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Students should bring their own lunch and snacks. Bottled water is provided, and long-sleeved sailing camp T-shirts are included in the $125 fee. There is a $15 discount for additional siblings or friends.

Students should bring their own personal flotation device and should be comfortable swimming in deep water. Class size is limited to 15, so register early at dixiesailingclub.com.

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Register now for this annual fundraiser to benefit the Sheriff’s Girls Ranch, as only a limited number of tax-deductible entries are available. Tickets are $450 per boat. Call Tillie at 334-887-9999 for details or register online at thetiger.fm.

June 11 Backyard Boilers Crawfish & Music Fest

The music starts at 3 p.m. at The Sports Gin in Tallassee, and the crawfish will be ready at 4 p.m. Featured artists include Daniel and McDaniel, Russell Craig Band, Jeff and the Johnsons and DJ Red. Entry fee is $10, cash only.

June 12 Pennington Park Farmers Marketplace

Visit the producers-only market at Pennington Park in Dadeville from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to find quality homegrown produce and homemade goods. Live music is scheduled at the pavilion. Booth spaces are free. Call 334-233-9851 or email klpfitzner@gmail.com to request an application or for additional information.

JUNE 2022

June 14 Mr. Larry’s Magic

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library will present a magical dive into oceanography with Mr. Larry’s An Ocean of Commotion Taylor Hicks returns magic show at 10 a.m. to the Jazz Fest stage The library is located this year to close at 318 Church St. in out the concert series Alexander City. at Lake Martin

June 21 Gene Cordova

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library will host ventriloquist Gene Cordova at 10 a.m. at the library at 318 Church St. in Alexander City, continuing the summer reading program theme, Oceans of Possibilities. It’s not too late to register and read.

Amphitheater

June 26 Pennington Park Farmers Marketplace

Visit the producers-only market at Pennington Park in Dadeville from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to find quality homegrown produce and homemade goods.

Live music is scheduled at the pavilion. Booth spaces are free. Call 334-233-9851 or email klpfitzner@gmail.com to request an application or for additional information.

June 27 thru 30 Summer Bazaar

Lake Martin Laubach Literacy Council and Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, Inc., will hold a bazaar behind Karen Channell StateFarm to support their nonprofit programs.

Find softly used hardback CALENDAR OF EVENTS and soft cover books, Christmas items and home goods, plants, June 21-24 WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN pound cakes, cranberry bread, Youth Sailing Camp sourdough bread, brownies, Dixie Sailing Club at 767 New Hope Church Rd. in cookies, jams and jellies, flea market items and other handmade Alexander Ctiy will host sailing classes for youth ages 7 to 17 items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Students should 3 p.m to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, bring their own lunch and snacks. Bottled water is provided, contact Carley Cummins at 256-234-0347. and long-sleeved sailing camp T-shirts are included in the $125 fee. There is a $15 discount for additional siblings or friends.

July 1 Students should bring their own personal flotation device and should be comfortable swimming in deep water. Class size is Free Movie Night limited to 15, so register early at dixiesailingclub.com.

First Baptist Church of Dadeville will host a free movie night for the whole community. Bring blankets and chairs for a showing of Disney’s Over the Hedge under the stars on a June 23 33-foot screen. There will be popcorn, treats, giveaways and Starshine Faces more. The fun begins at 7 p.m., and the movie will start at dark.

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library at 318 Church St. in Alexander City will host a storytelling and face painting presentation at 10 a.m. in conjunction with the Oceans of Possibilities July 2 & 3 summer reading program.

Arti Gras The 11th annual Arti Gras will open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with artisans and patrons June 25 from across the Southeast displaying their handmade works.

Boating Safety Class Jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association and more will be on display and available for sale. Contact will host a boating safety class with Alabama Law Enforcement Hannah Henley at hhenley@russelllands.com for details or for Agency Marine Police from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Zazu’s more information.

Verandah on the Courthouse Square in Dadeville. The class is free, and lunch will be provided. A test will be given at the end of the class for those who want to gain boat operation certifica- July 4 tion/license. For more information, visit lakemartinhobos.com.

Fourth of July Boat Parade Russell Marine will once again host their annual Fourth of July Boat Parade, leaving from Kowaliga Marina at 10 a.m.

Register online up to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event at russellmarine.net/event/4th-of-july-boat-parade. Prizes will be JUNE 2022

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awarded for the tallest flag (must go under the bridge), largest flag, most patriotic crew, most creative theme and best overall boat and crew. Best overall boat and crew will win $500. First place winners in each category will win a $150 gift certificate from Russell Marine. Second place winners will win a $75 Russell Marine gift certificate. Registration is free, so gather your best friends and family, pick a theme and go all out with costumes and boat decorations for one of Lake Martin’s most fun summer events.

the tennis courts and walk along the pond to the tree by the pond. Bring mat and water. Cost is $15. Register at lakemartinyoga.com.

July 4 July 4th Concert and Fireworks at The Amp

Music in the Air

Set up your chairs and spread a blanket on the grassy lawn at Lake Martin Amphitheater for the annual Fourth of July concert and one of the Southeast’s largest fireworks shows. Music starts at 6 p.m., and the bands play before and after the spectacular fireworks show. Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, coolers, family and friends, but please leave pets at home. Tickets are $10. Bands will be announced soon. For more information, visit theamponlakemartin.com.

July 4 Parade at Blue Creek

This annual parade starts at 11 a.m. on Olana Drive at the north end of Ponder Camp Road, Dadeville, and ends at Niffer’s. Park anywhere along Ponder Camp Road to collect candy and trinkets thrown by parade entries. To join the parade, arrive at Olana Drive at 10 a.m. For information, contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

Season-long Events

Driving and Docking Clinics

Every Monday through August, Singleton Blue Creek Marina will hold free driving and docking clinics for pontoons, sterndrives and towboats. Call Liz Nowling at 256-825-8888 to make a reservation.

Spend Thursday evenings at Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful Dadeville Square enjoying a variety of live music. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. indoors or outdoors under the verandah, depending on weather conditions and performers’ preferences. Come early to settle in and be sure to get a seat. Free admission but please tip the musicians. Visit Zazu’s Verandah on Facebook for the weekly scheduled programs.

Third Thursday Trivia

Every third Thursday of the month, The Local at 41 Main on Main Street in Alexander City will host a trivia contest with Lake Martin Young Professionals. Drinks specials start at 5:30 p.m., and the competition begins at 6:30 p.m.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the third Wednesday of the month at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds.

Meetings are followed by an open studio program, which also is open to the public. Club dues are $20 for the year.

Bingo Wednesdays

Strand Sessions

Lake Martin Young Professionals invite you to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, coolers and family and friends to Strand Park in downtown Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month through August for free music in the park. Watch the kids play, meet friends old and new and enjoy a pleasant evening. Visit the Strand Sessions Facebook page for details.

Come out to the alley next door to Castelluccio on Wednesday nights for bingo. Order dinner and wine from Castelluccio or your favorite downtown restaurant and have it delivered to your table. The event is limited to six people per table, and the number of tables is limited to 20, due to social distancing. Reservations for this weekly event go quickly, so reserve your table early. Email Main Street Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat at sjeffcoatmainstreetac@gmail.com.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

Friday on the Green

Start your weekend with friends and family on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with free music and lawn games from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Friday night through Oct. 7.

Bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, as well as the pup on a leash. Coolers are welcome and food trucks will be on site. For more information, click Events at Russelllands.com.

Yoga on the Green

Bring your mat and a water bottle to this free yoga class every Saturday morning all summer long. Certified instructors will lead routines that are appropriate for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Meet at 7 a.m. at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads.

Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge, the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. You will see an example of each manufacturer’s highest horsepower cars of 1970, from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Buick, Porsche and Oldsmobile. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474 to arrange discounted group tour or private tours.

Pop Up Community Yoga

Lake Martin Yoga will host 60-minute outdoor yoga classes at 9 a.m. on Saturdays at StillWaters. Park in the lot across from 18 LAKE

JUNE 2022

First Saturday Markets

Standard Deluxe in Waverly hosts the First Saturday Market on the first Saturday of each month through August. Pick up lunch, local artwork, T-shirts, posters and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit standarddeluxe.com for details.

Soup to Go

Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Ave. in Alexander City between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. every Tuesday and pick up a free brown bag dinner with soup, sandwich and more. Open to the whole community.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

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

In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Our Town Volunteer Fire Department at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, contact John Thompson at 334-399-3289. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the second 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. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

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 welcome. Bring something to work on. A monthly fee of $5 is charged to help pay for the space. Call Christine Glowacki at 205-535-5974 or call Kay Fincher at 256-825-2506 for more information.

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. Contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature in the wild and the outdoor classroom. Check the calendar at RussellLands.com/blog/ events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.

Amateur Radio Club

The Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center at the sportplex in Alexander City. Dinner and fellowship follow at a local restaurant. Contact Michael Courtney at 256-825-7766 or Mike Smith at 256-750-5710.

Fourth Fridays at EPAC

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events on the fourth Friday nights of each month at 6:30 p.m. on state Route 9 in Equality. Visit the Equality Performing Arts Center Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming artists.

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

Library Storytime in Dadeville

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

Children’s Library in Alexander City

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children. In addition, the children’s library hosts board games and puzzles every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, call Melissa Finley at 256-234-4644.

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.

Charity Bingo at Niffer’s Place Lake Martin

Niffer’s, 7500 state Route 49 in Dadeville, hosts charity bingo every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Cards are $1 each.

Worship on the Water

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

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 details.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

Real Island Supper

This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus.

Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

Visit outdoor lake area chapels for Sunday services. Church of the Living Waters at StillWaters in Dadeville hosts a nondenominational service at 9 a.m. Church in the Pines services also begin at 9 a.m. Then, at noon on second and fourth Sundays through August, St. James Episcopal Church holds a Eucharist service at Church in the Pines. New Water Farms also holds summer services. Attire is casual. Check Facebook pages.

Dadeville Flea Market

This new outdoor flea market opens the first Saturday of each month through October at 850 Horseshoe Bend Rd., on state Route 49, less than a mile from the intersection with U.S. 280. Find food, antiques, furniture, clothes, live animals, produce and more. Free parking and free entrance. Vendor spaces rent for $10. For more information, Visit the Facebook page or call Andrew Salinas at 256-675-6499.

JUNE 2022

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Alex City Jazz Fest STORY BY BETSY ILER

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression

The Talismen

T

The 32nd Annual Alex City Jazz Fest concert series June 10 and 11 will feature two American Idol veterans, as Taylor Hicks returns to headline the Saturday night concert at Lake Martin Amphitheater while Tristen Gressett opens the Saturday night show. Saturday’s line up also includes Joslyn & The Sweet Compression. Friday’s headliner at Strand Park in Alexander City will be The Hot 8 Brass Band, following The Talismen, who will open this year’s series at 6:30 p.m.

Alabama native Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of the popular singing competition television series, which has become one of the most successful shows in the history of American television. He started his professional music career in his teens, performing across the Southeast and releasing two albums. Known for his energetic performances, Hicks’ shows include music influenced by classic

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rock, blues and R&B. Since his Idol win, Hicks has made appearances with Snoop Dog, Widespread Panic and Willie Nelson and headlined Alexander City’s Jazz Fest concert series four years ago in 2018.

Saturday’s concert at the lake will begin at 6 p.m. when American Idol contestant and Pell City native Gressett takes the stage. At 17 years old, Gressett brings a rockstar persona to his performances. His delivery marveled judges throughout the Idol season as he performed Colors, Try Me, Come Together and With a Little Help From My Friends. Gressett placed in the Top 11 on the network TV show and, with his soulful retro rock n’ roll spirit, has already released his first EP. Funk and soul will take the middle stage at Saturday’s Jazz Fest show as Joslyn Hampton and her band, The Sweet Compression, deliver an engaging

JUNE 2022

The Hot 8 Brass Band

Taylor Hicks

Tristen Gressett

performance at Lake Martin. The band features a professional lineup in Hampton’s stepfather, Marty Charters on guitar, Steve Holloman on keyboards, Smith Donald on bass, Rashawn Fleming at the drums, Trevin Little on saxophone and Chase Fleming on trombone and trumpet.

Friday night’s concert at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City will open with The Talismen, a Montgomery based band formed in 2015. Combining energy with sophistication beyond their years, The Talismen put on a show of soulful and funk-filled originals, along with music from their favorite artists across the spectrum of jam, rock and funk.

And closing Friday’s concert in the entertainment district in downtown Alexander City, The Hot 8 Brass Band will join the fun, coming up from New Orleans to blend hip hop, jazz and funk. The 2021 Grammynominated band was formed in 1995 when Bennie Pete,

Jerome Jones and Harry Cook merged two earlier bands, the Looney Tunes Brass Band and the High Steppers Brass Band.

Put on your dancing shoes and pack some lawn chairs and a blanket for the grassy hillside venues.

Bring a cooler or purchase a beverage and picnic from an entertainment district restaurant or bar as you settle in to enjoy the longest-running free outdoor concert series in the state. The event is hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Russell Medical, Russell Lands, Lake Martin Dock Company, Tallapoosa County District 2 Commissioner Steve Robinson, Tallapoosa Publishers, LBI Media and more than 30 additional businesses and friends.

Visit alexcityjazzfest.com or call 256-234-3461 for details.

JUNE 2022

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LAKE 25

Corks & Canvasses STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

The unique hospital foundation event was held lakeside and indoors at the home of Matthew Meehan and Rod Hildebrant

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Lake Martin seasonal homeowner Matthew Meehan worried about the quality of health care when spending time at his Lake Martin home in rural Alabama, so he was pleasantly surprised two summers ago to find excellent emergency care at Russell Medical.

“In more rural areas, you hear horror stories about the lack of access to good medical care,” said the Miami resident who, along with his husband Rod Hildebrant, last month hosted a unique wine and art fundraiser at the lake. “I had to have an emergency appendectomy. I had gone septic. This was definitely an urgent situation, and I was floored at the level of care, the quality of care and the equipment available at Russell Medical, as well as the talent pool of doctors.

It was equal to or even better than what I had access to in Miami.”

He was impressed not only with the professional care he received but also with the constant effort to keep him updated.

“They were constantly easing my mind,” he said.

Though that visit alone left a favorable impression, a year later, Meehan was back in the emergency room.

“I cut my thumb off. I was prepping food for guests to arrive,” he explained. “Again, I showed up at Russell Medical. I was taken back immediately, and as if it was nothing, they reattached the top of my thumb, and I was on my way in about an hour and a half.

“When I say I have ease of mind knowing that people have access to world class care here, I mean I would trust Russell Medical with my life. I am in

good hands when I go there.”

And he reciprocated when given the opportunity.

Meehan owns Shine Water, a fortified water company, and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell Medical Foundation Executive Director Tammy Jackson asked if his company would donate water for the staff at the hospital. He was happy to oblige and told her to contact him again if there was anything else he might do to help the hospital.

Jackson took Meehan at his word and several months ago reached out to see if Meehan and Hildebrant would host the foundation’s upcoming Corks and Canvasses event in their 25,000-square-foot home at The Ridge.

After attending a business gathering at Lake Martin, the couple found the lake was centrally located to a number of hospices they owned across Alabama and eastern Georgia at the time, so they purchased a cabin on the lake’s east side. When they sold the hospice business, they also sold the cabin.

“We no longer needed to be on the lake, and we sold it. Then we realized we loved the lake and didn’t want to leave. All of our friends and family had been coming to stay with us at the cabin. We have eight grandchildren. So we decided to build something more permanent,” Meehan said.

At the time, they also owned a restored 18th century chateau in France, but ferrying the grandchildren across the ocean for visits was complicated. The decision was made to sell the chateau and build a home at

Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl was a special guest

JUNE 2022

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Mrs. P's provided an elaborate charcuterie board

Lake Martin that could accommodate large parties of guests, as well as the grandchildren and their friends.

“The third floor is all grandchildren space. We can sleep 16 up there, plus there are sofas. The entire home sleeps 60, and all but two wings were open for the event for Russell Medical,” Meehan said.

The event included a home tour with docents in each room to explain to guests the stories behind the furnishings and accessories the couple had collected during their extensive travels. The second floor sitting room, billiard room and guest rooms also hosted an exhibit of donated works from Lake Martin artists.

“The art was arranged so that people could roam and explore the house to find where it was displayed,” Meehan said.

Daniel Jackson provided music for the event on the New Orleans styled balcony overlooking the lake.

The sprawling lakeside patio below hosted red wine stations and speeches from the homeowners, as well as special guest, Auburn University head basketball

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coach Bruce Pearl. And on the entry-level living space, white wine stations and catered food stations encouraged the guests to browse the surroundings.

Several local wine collectors donated bottles for an auction that raised $14,000 alone. Art sales also brought in more than $14,000.

“A percentage of the wine orders taken during the event also will benefit Russell Medical Foundation,” Jackson said. “The art sold very quickly. Matthew and Rod were so easy to work with, so accommodating, and 40 percent of the audience was new to the area, which gave them a relaxed atmosphere in which to get to know the medical staff in attendance. Tickets were very much in demand, and we were so blessed that we were given the opportunity to hold the event there.”

Tickets for the limited attendance event were $150 each, and to maintain the ambiance, guests parked at The Ridge Club. They rode shuttle busses from Alexander City Arise to the home while a docent on the bus provided an overview of the home and the

JUNE 2022

The event included four wine stations and an auction of bottles donated by private collectors

The homeowners welcomed guests on the lakeside patio

event during the drive. Docents also greeted each guest with a glass of champagne upon arrival.

The event raised $250,000 to purchase an updated PET scan system for The Cancer Center – Russell Medical.

“When Tammy called us about hosting the event, it was easy for my husband and I to say yes because I discovered firsthand how incredible the quality of care is at Russell Medical. It was a no-brainer to raise money, especially for new equipment,” Meehan said.

Sherry Henderson chaired the planning committee, which included Courtney Baker, Joanna Vines and Kelly Adams. Debbie Butler, Judy Ireland, Tina Bodine and Lisa Peace coordinated the wine auction, and art sales were coordinated by Tamie Story, Jamie Dark and Sarah Clegg. Mark Gilliland at Grain and Leaf supplied pourers for the wine stations, and sommeliers Sam Fonte and Josh Nagel with Alabama Crown Distributing Co. helped attendees with their wine selections. Noah Griggs of Wharf Casual

Seafood and Amy Potter of Mrs. P’s Charcuterie catered the event, while Jackson and Emily Williams provided support from the Russell Medical Foundation office.

Contact Tammy Jackson at 256-215-7459 to make a donation to the foundation.

JUNE 2022

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Keith Middleton and Zac Contorno jump a wake on sunny afternoon at the lake

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Stand-up for Fun STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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Contorno grew up spending summers at his parents' Lake Martin cabin

He shoots a fire hose of water across the lake

Middleton demonstrates porpoising with the SuperJet in this photo series

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After years of riding, he's learned a few tricks

Zac Contorno loves old rides and fast ones, and he loves combining old, fast rides with his love for Lake Martin, where he grew up spending summers and weekends at Parker Creek. His grandfather built and restored wooden race boats, and Contorno grew up restoring classic cars with his father. Now a professional contract pilot, he collects and restores stand-up personal watercraft, including the 1997 Yamaha Superjet nicknamed Wacky Wild.

“I think it’s in my blood. Anything that burns gas,” Contorno said. “I always liked Jet Skis as a kid. I grew up riding PWCs. I always thought the stand-up kind were cool.”

Wacky Wild is the third stand-up Jet Ski Contorno has owned, and the third he has restored.

“When I go out, I ride a couple of miles, usually staying where another boat can see me, in case I have problems. The tank will last about three hours,” he said.

From his parents’ lake house in Parker Creek, Contorno might ride as far south as Kowaliga Bridge, which is 5 or 6 miles by water. But rather than log miles, his objective is to have fun.

“Mainly, I do tricks on it. Slides, firehoses, that kind of thing. I bought it two years ago in September and restored it over the winter. Phil Hanna painted it with this wild airbrush job in 1999. He was the original owner, and then it traded hands a few times,” Contorno said. “It is mostly original, but there are a few after-market parts. It’s had some steering upgrades and an after-market exhaust system and more power. It’s not the original engine, but it is a factory correct engine.”

In contrast to the modern sit-down personal watercraft that carry two or three riders, the stand-ups are single rider only and have no couch for the long ride. While the sit-down mod-

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The Wacky Wild is the third Jet Ski Contorno has restored

els will get up to 65 or 70 miles per hour, Contorno’s SuperJet ran 42 miles per hour from the manufacturer. With the modifications he’s installed, GPS mounted to the watercraft recorded his top speed at 50 miles per hour, Contorno said.

He often rides with Stand-ups of Lake Martin, a private Facebook group that meets monthly in season for club rides.

“There are about 50 of us in the group, and maybe 10 or 15 have skis. Most people ride the Yamaha Superjet or one of the Kawasaki models,” he said. “We do a meet once a year and just ride and have a good time, talk about skis.”

Contorno’s parents bought their Parker Creek cabin in 1989 when small fishing cabins were the norm on Lake Martin’s shores.

“I’ve seen a lot of change in this lake growing up. Household income has been the biggest change. The lake used to be small cabins. Now, it’s millionaire’s homes,” he said. “I think I get down there more than anyone else in my family now. My main gig is just having fun when I’m there. I plan on loving and riding it, as it should be, for a long time.”

Middleton uses weight distribution and speed to send the PWC airborne

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Unlock the value in your lake home and trust the market leaders.

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JUNE 2022

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The bulls, Kumi and Mchawi lead the way to the fenced pasture as the small herd stays tightly together

Watusi Cattle STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

T

The Stables welcomed four unique new residents this spring when a small herd of registered Ankole Watusi cattle moved into the southside pasture on Stables Loop, said Linda Ingram, who along with her husband, Stanley, manages The Stables operations for Russell Lands. Two steers and two bulls were purchased from a breeder in North Carolina last winter, but clearance to export the exotic African animals to Alabama took more than a month.

To make room for the cattle, the Ingrams moved some of The Stables’ horses to other pastures on the property.

“That takes some doing because horses don’t always get along with each other. You have to see which ones like

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being together,” he said.

Russell Lands Chairman Ben Russell was inspired to bring the exotic animals to Russell Crossroads after he saw them elsewhere, Stanley said.

“He thought they would be interesting for people to see. I had worked with some small ones for roping years ago, so he asked me to find some,” Stanley said.

“They are unusual.”

Watusi cattle have been privately bred in the United States since 1960, Ingram said, but there are only about 1,200 registered Watusi cattle in the U.S. today.

In the 1930s, African nations prohibited exportation of Ankole Watusi, and for many years, they could only be seen in zoos.

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Only about 1,200 Watusi are registered in the U.S., as African nations prohibited exportation in the 1930s

Among some African tribes, the cattle are sacred.

Natives of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Africa, the large, tall cattle are a sign of wealth and pride in the African nations where they live, Ingram said.

“They are part of the bride prize, the dowry,” she explained.

Registered steers can be purchased for about $3,000 each, and the price of bulls starts at $5,000. Breeding females run $12,000 to $30,000 or more – if a breeder is willing to let the animals go, Stanley said.

“We purchased the two steers, and after the breeder saw where the animals were coming to, he called and said he had two bulls for us, too. He could see that the animals would be well cared for and have plenty of room,” he said.

Each of the cattle has been given a Swahili name.

The steer with more brown color on its haunches is Akiki, and the one with more curve to its horns is Kitanga. The bulls are difficult to distinguish from each other and are named Kumi and Mchawi.

To help Russell Crossroads’ visitors learn about the new residents, Ingram is preparing an educational panel that will display a photo of each cow, along with information about the origins of the breed, their lifestyle and habitat.

The animals’ most distinguished features are their tremendous horns, which can grow up to 6 feet from 38 LAKE

tip to tip. An animal’s horns can grow in a variety of positions, from long and lateral to curving upwards or even curling, Ingram said.

The circumference of their horns can reach 20 inches or more and be about 8 inches in diameter. The horns are hollow and act as radiators that help the animals stay cool in extreme heat. Blood cools in the cattle’s horns before circulating throughout their bodies.

Watusi are very drought tolerant and have been known to survive for several months when food and water are scarce.

Russell Lands’ bulls are a dark reddish-brown color with lateral horns. The steers are white with reddish brown blotches, and their horns have curved upward.

The Watusi each also have a small thoracic hump on their backs at the base of their necks. They have long, slender legs compared to most other cattle and measure about 6 feet at the shoulders. Though they weigh up to 1,600 pounds, they are surprisingly agile.

“They can jump, and they run quickly. They’re energetic when they get moving, but they walk slowly.

When they walk, their horns kind of dip from side to side,” Ingram said.

As a breed, they are very protective of each other, and they usually stay close together, especially if they are spooked.

“In the wild, they circle up when they feel threatened, and they put the young in the middle of the

JUNE 2022

The horns can grow to a span of 6 feet

Though they weigh 1,600 pounds, the cattle are very agile

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The Watusi are wary of strangers and do not like to be petted or hand fed, but they are interesting to see

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circle. Here, when they are spooked, you can see them start to walk around in a circle,” Ingram said.

Unlike other cattle, the Watusi cannot be herded into pens or other places but must be lead, Stanley said. And they don’t always respond when he calls them or shows up with feed.

While they are grazing animals, Stanley supplements their diet with mineral salt and cow or horse feed to keep them healthy and their coat colors bright. The Watusi also hook low hanging tree branches with their horns and pull them down to graze on the leaves.

“They need about one lush acre per cow,” Stanley said.

At the bottom of the pasture, Stanley built a small pen for the cattle, and they recently started to amble down to the pen when he appears with feed.

“They are skittish, and they won’t take food from strangers. They’re not pets. They don’t like to be petted,” he explained.

And though Watusi meat is

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reputed to be quite tasty, with lower fat and cholesterol than other commercial beef, these cattle will not be raised for meat or bred, Stanley said.

“They’re just to look at.”

The Watusi like the shade and often can be sighted at the south side of the back fence nearer the top of the Crossroads property.

“They like to hang out there and pull the tree limbs down,” he said.

The trunks of select pine trees in the pen bear the signs of the cattle rubbing their horns on them. As the horns grow, the cows shed the older horn flakes by rubbing the trees.

“It looks like scales, like on a snake, when they come off,” Stanley said.

In captivity, Watusi have a life expectancy of 25 or more years. The youngest of the Russell Lands herd is 3 years old, and the oldest 6, so they’ll be around for the next generation of Lake Martin lovers to learn about and enjoy.

View a video of the cattle at russelllands.com/blog/exotic-cattlenow-home-at-the-stables/.

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A

makers market

showcasing works from

artisans from the Lake Martin area and

throughout the SouthEast.

Find homemade pottery, jewelry, photography,

reclaimed wood décor, painting, metalwork, furniture, and much more!

RussellLands.com

To42a pLAKE p l y c o n t a c t H a n n a h H e n l e y a t 2JUNE 5 6 . 212 2022.14 31 o r h he n l e y @ r u s s e l l l a n d s . c o m

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Embracing

the Good Life STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

A stone patio and steps to the lake extend the couple's entertainment space

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D

Natural light and creamy colors work together to create an inviting living room

Dana Ferniany grew up spending countless hours at her grandfather’s cabin on Lake Martin.

To begin making her own family memories, she and her husband Will lived part-time in Glynmere for seven years, then moved to their current home five years ago where they plan to spend their retirement years making new lake memories.

“We chose Willow Glynn because we loved all the hardwood trees and the natural beauty. Even the drive into the neighborhood is beautiful. Our lot is great because one side connects to the common area, so we have woods and privacy. And on the other side, we just love our neighbors,” she said.

The couple hired Birmingham architect Taylor Dawson to design their four bedroom, fourand-a-half bath home. One of Ferniany’s oldest friends, Lock Hunter, who owns Timberland Construction, built their home. Tish Fuller, owner of Defining Home in Birmingham, handled the many décor decisions involved in a custom build.

The exterior color, including the trim, is Dragon’s Breath. The interior color, for both the main level shiplap and the downstairs sheetrock, is Inner Balance.

The driveway meanders through the trees and across a small bridge before arriving at a house where rocking chairs on a wide front porch greet

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guests in perfect Southern hospitality before they even enter the home.

Double glass doors open into the great room.

A Taylor Dawson signature cupola in the center of the room’s vaulted ceiling adds a unique architectural detail, especially when lit at night.

“We also love the columns and trim in this room, which Lock created from old telephone poles. I am so happy to have two special pieces in this room that belonged to my maternal grandparents who lived in Iowa – a metal rug beater and a handheld wood planer that my grandfather made,” Ferniany said.

The kitchen has a large island with four barstools under two black dome pendant lights.

Cabinets were installed to ceiling height, creating the need for a ladder, which is cleverly tucked around the corner until needed. The ladder is easily removed from its resting place and connected to a rail that runs under all the high cabinets. The cabinets and the island are painted Squirrel’s Tail, and the countertops are white quartz.

“I don’t think I really needed any bar stools, since everyone loves to stand around the island, and it is really fun to have everybody in the kitchen. The high cabinets are great for storing things we don’t need every day. Will has numbered the cabinets and made a list of what is in each one,

Upper cabinets, accessed by ladder, provide great storage space in the kitchen

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Clockwise from Above: Steps lead from the dock to a stone patio that connects with the outdoor ping-pong table and indoor game room; A soaker tub takes center stage in the master bath; The screened porch offers multiple gathering areas; Bumper pool and a pinball machine are two of the many options in the game room; Touches of navy and gold accent the master bedroom.

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The couple enjoys kayaking and rowing on the lake

so we can find what we need quickly,” she said.

The rustic dining table has two leaves, one addition for each end, expanding the table to easily seat 12 or more. Cream-colored upholstered and black Windsor chairs alternate around the table under a three-tiered chandelier.

The living area furniture allows gathering in front of the stone fireplace. A sofa, loveseat and two comfortable chairs are anchored by a large, round ottoman, which provides extra seating, works as a coffee table and functions as a place for grandchildren to pull up safely while learning to stand, she said.

“This room is where we live, and it is usually full of the grandchildren’s toys. The telescope in the corner is just for fun, and we bought the birdhouse on the mantel on a trip to North Georgia where we saw a primitive artist cutting sticks and building birdhouses. My father’s Red Hot Dog putter from playing in a Bear Bryant/Zeigler golf tournament in the 1960s always stands in the corner,” Ferniany said.

The screened porch has a stabilized swing bed for napping or just relaxing. Two rocking chairs with binoculars on the table between them are

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the couple’s favorite place to sit and watch the birds, a passion they share. They have installed two bluebird houses on the property and a purple martin gourd pole several feet from the seawall into the lake.

“We have so many beautiful birds. I could watch them all day. We had two wood ducks hanging around for a while, eagles fly in often.

There’s a heron in the slough, plus the bluebirds and martins. We just really enjoy watching them,” she said.

Both dining and seating areas are also on the porch. The grilling porch is just outside on a deck area. Ferniany has added ferns and bright flowers for natural beauty and pops of color.

The main level master suite is beautifully appointed in neutral colors with gold accents.

The ceiling is vaulted with beams, and the view of the lake through windows across the side of the room is spectacular. The linen upholstered bed is accented with nail heads on the headboard and footboard. Six framed botanicals Ferniany found at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens gift shop hang above the bed. A desk on one side of the room features an abstract painting of blues

An iron chandelier lights the stairwell

Dana Ferniany enjoys fresh tulips in her home

A purple martin keeps watch over the gourds

Accessed by a ladder, the upper cabinets are catalogged for seldom used contents

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Kimberly ferns in large planters are stationed in front of each column

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One of the downstairs guest rooms holds a wooden hall tree that has been passed down through Ferniany's family

with touches of gold.

The master bath has café curtains, so the natural light dominates the room. A soaker tub is front and center. A shower and water closet are to each side of the tub, while separate vanities are across the room. Ferniany used to babysit for local artist Lila Graves, so of course she has one of her paintings near the tub and another downstairs.

The back hallway to the garage has the laundry room and pantry, as well as other featured art – framed handkerchiefs that belonged to Will’s grandmother and a colorful Mose T. rooster painting.

Downstairs, the home includes three bedrooms, three baths and an office. One of the bedrooms is decorated with two twins and a crib/ toddler bed, designed for the grandchildren. The other two include spacious areas for guest retreats – one with a bird theme and another showcasing a hall tree passed down through the family and given to Ferniany by her mother.

A hallway gallery wall of family photos leads to the game room that they and their guests enjoy most. A table for games or puzzles, a Jurassic Park pinball machine and a bumper pool table are available for competition with a ping-pong table just outside on the covered porch. A stereo cabinet with storage for albums holds a turntable for

vintage music that adds to the fun. A backgammon needlepoint by Will’s sister and decorative trays replicating game boards are a great decorative touch for gameroom walls.

The Fernianys enlisted Larry Bates to draw the initial landscape plan for the yard, which Tim Price installed. Eric Brown installed a stone patio with steps leading down to the dock. Tall planters filled with Kimberly queen ferns are placed at each column, while ferns in the beds across the back of the house add an elegant softness to the landscape. A stone firepit near the purple martin gourds has a built-in bench as well as Adirondack chairs. Perfect for their active lives on the water, the couple added a beach and kayak launching area. Avid rowers, the Fernianys enjoy kayaks, rowing shells (Liteboats) and paddleboards. All of their lake toys can be stored in a large outdoor side room, attached to the side house and created for that purpose, near the kayak launch.

The Fernianys built a home designed for everyone who visits to soak in every wonderful moment of life at Lake Martin. Now they are ready for retirement and all its joys – grandchildren visiting; birdwatching; rowing on glasslike water in the early morning; competing on game nights with family and friends; and the peacefulness of rocking on a lakeside porch.

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NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

Muskrats are excellent swimmers and are most active at dawn, dusk and night

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The Muskrat JUNE 2022

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M

Muskrat have a voracious appetite for leaves

Muskrats are often mistaken for small Beavers.

That makes sense because they look very similar. They are found in the same places and do the same things, though Beavers are the more popular rodent because they somehow seem more cuddly and cute. After all, ‘Muskrat’ has the word ‘rat’ in its name.

Muskrats are much larger than Brown Rats, much smaller than Beavers; they range from 1-1/2 feet to a little over 2 feet long. About half a Muskrat’s length is made up of its long, flat tail, which is covered with scales instead of fur like the rest of the animal. Muskrat tracks are easy to identify because its tail drags on the ground when it walks, leaving a slightly wavy line between the footprints.

These rodents weigh up to 4-1/2 pounds. By comparison, a Brown Rat weighs about a pound and a Beaver can weigh more than 60 pounds. So the Muskrat is the rodent in the middle both in size and weight – but is not closely related to either.

Excellent swimmers, Muskrats use their webbed rear feet and their vertically flat, serpentine tails to swim; the tails also serve as rudders. One of the quickest ways to distinguish a Muskrat from a Beaver is to look at their tails: Beaver paddles are broad and flat and move up and down, while Muskrat tails are long and slender and move side-to-side.

Both males and females have musk glands located near their sexual organs that are used to communicate through strong scent. That’s useful because Muskrats do not have good sight or hearing or a refined sense of smell.

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Native to almost all of the U.S. except the Florida peninsula, Muskrats also live in Canada and northern Mexico, inhabiting many types of wetlands from ponds to lakes to rivers and swamps. In Europe, where Muskrats were imported, they are known as an invasive species.

Muskrats are most active at dawn and dusk and at night, though they also have been seen swimming and feeding in daylight.

They live in family groups of a male and female with their young. Where possible, Muskrats make nests by digging into a bank along a body of water. Most nests have underwater entrances so the Muskrats can leave and return without being seen. In flat areas, like swamps, Muskrats will build an above-water mounded den of mud and sticks much like a Beaver.

Like most rodents, Muskrats breed … a lot. They can have two to three litters a year, each with six to eight kits. So one couple can begat more than 20 baby Muskrats a year, each of which becomes mature at the age of six months here in the South. Muskrat populations tend to boom and bust, so one year you might see many, and the next not so much.

A Muskrat wears a fine coat of thick, relatively short fur. The fur is dark brown or black on the animal’s back and lighter brown on its belly. An older Muskrat may have gray fur. Muskrat fur is made up of two layers, which helps provide insulation against cold water.

It’s high insulation factor and luxurious look mean that Muskrat fur is highly sought in the fur industry. A coat made of Muskrat pelts can cost thousands of dollars.

JUNE 2022

Like Beavers, Muskrats are also semiaquatic rodents.

They spend most of their time in the water eating water plants. Muskrats eat green plants, and they eat plenty of them, consuming about a third of their body weight each day. They use their four large, chisel-like front incisors (two on top, to on the bottom) to cut up plants.

They have the ability to close their mouths and chew underwater; Muskrats also have the ability to seal off their ears when they dive underwater.

A list of Muskrat foods is almost the same as the list of plants that live at the water’s edge. It includes cattails, water grasses, pond weeds, water lilies and the water shield “small lily pads.” At times, Muskrats will eat animals, such as mussels, frogs and fish as well, but their diet is roughly 95 percent vegetation.

Biologists know the Muskrat by its scientific name Ondatra zibethicus. Ondatra is the Native American Huron tribe’s word for this animal, and zibethicus means “musky.” The term Muskrat could have come from an Algonquian word, muscasus, which means “red,” or the name could simply be a combination describing the animal’s musky smell with a more common animal that it resembles, the rat. This animal was also known as a Musk-Beaver and a Marsh Rabbit.

Historically, trapping Muskrats provided trappers with pelts that they could sell and meat they could eat or sell. Cambridge, Maryland, is the home of a somewhat famous Muskrat leg-eating competition – kind of like a chicken wing competition with more bones – that was part of its 10th annual Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Festival this May. The critters that eat Muskrats are numerous and formidable: river otters, hawks, owls, eagles, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, minks and alligators, in addition to folks from Maryland.

The diminutive Muskrat has one defensive tactic when threatened: run and hide. Or actually swim and hide. Muskrats are very good swimmers, and they can hold their breath for more than 15 minutes, which gives them plenty of time to move underwater and seek shelter in a burrow or nest or just by resurfacing a long way away. One scientist reported watching a Muskrat swim 100 meters underwater on a single breath. Muskrats have excellent mobility in the water with the ability to swim both forward and backwards.

Muskrats are not a physical threat to people, but they have been known to eat agricultural grains and cause problems with dams and dikes by burrowing into them and weakening the structures.

This animal figures strongly in culture. Muskrats are the animals that brought soil up from the waters and established the earth in multiple Native American creation stories. In strongly Roman Catholic communities where eating flesh was forbidden on Fridays, Ash Wednesday and during Lent, fish and Muskrat were officially allowed on the dinner plate. Muskrat pelts were once sold as “Hudson Seal” furs to make the fur sound more like something ladies would like to wear.

And then there was The Captain & Tennille’s 1972 hit tune, “Muskrat Love,” that had something to do with rodent romance (see paragraph 7).

Some information for this article came from animaldiversity.org at Michigan State University, inaturalist. org, NatureWorks from the New Hampshire Public Broadcasting Service and Scientific America.

Muskrats often are mistaken for beaver in the water, but the tails are different

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More Popular than Ever Lake home owners are reluctant to part with their properties

38

– 9 – 42. Those are not random n No profit taking here numbers. They represent imporThere is no doubt that waterfront proptant metrics for waterfront property owners are reluctant to sell their erty from the Lake Martin Area Association property, though common sense says that of Realtors MLS at the end of April. The now is the ideal time to sell a Lake Martin number 38 is the total number of singleproperty. Current average sales prices for family waterfront homes on the market. The single-family homes are at record levels. number 9 is the total number of waterfront Try on these numbers. The average condominiums on the market, and 42 is the sales price for all single-family watertotal number of lake front building sites on front for the 12-month period ending LAKE PROPERTY the market.

April 30, 2022, increased 21.3 percent to

BY STEVE ARNBERG 249 – 37 – 108. These numbers represent $1,029,174. According to our records, that the waterfront inventory levels for the same period in average sales price is an all-time high. Add to that the 2019, a year that is considered an example of a nor20.4 percent increase for April of 2021 over 2020, so in mal market. At that time, there were 249 single-family two years, the average price increased $311,851. Part homes, 37 condos and 108 waterfront lots on the marof this increase in average price is due to the increased ket. number of newly built homes, as well as lake homes Anyone remotely familiar with the lake real estate on the upper end of the market. Even factoring in those market knows there is not nearly enough property for sales, it is clear that property values have risen signifisale right now. Trying to find a property for sale on cantly.

Lake Martin is almost like trying to solve a cold-case So what gives? Given that significant property value mystery. This situation has created high anxiety for real increase, we could expect an increased desire to sell a estate professionals and potential property owners alike. property and take a handsome profit. Instead, what we

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hear is, “If I sell my lake property, I need to find a replacement lake property.” When lake homeowners say this, they are not wanting to go to a different lake. Leaving Lake Martin is not an option.

Potential sellers say they do not want to move if there are not readily available replacement lake homes to purchase. They may desire replacement lake places that are bigger, smaller, newer, in different locations, closer to amenities or a variety of other criteria. The common statement is, “We are not leaving the lake. Find me something else to buy, and I will consider selling.”

n What could change the cycle?

I get asked lots of questions about the lake market and what I think will happen in the next five to 10 years. I have observed significant demand changes in the lake market since 2019. What I find most interesting is the change of attitudes toward Lake Martin. There has always been a fairly large number of people that are fond of lake life. That emotion has intensified dramatically.

People have moved from being fond of lake life to becoming passionate about lake life. They have come to appreciate and value the relaxed and restorative effect that Lake Martin imparts to human psyche. Families and friends all grow closer together here at the lake.

I also have noticed new businesses or amenities become value-added features for property owners.

Each addition just makes life better here, extending weekend stays to full-time relocation. I also have noticed how organizations like Children’s Harbor, Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association and Lake Martin Resource Association give people opportunities to improve access to and quality of life at Lake Martin.

People ask if I see something affecting availability of property and property values in the future. The answer is, yes. I think the normal ebb and flow of the business cycle will have short-term effects on the market, but I see new highly amenitized developments coming, such as The Heritage. I think, due to those value-added amenities and organizations, Lake Martin will be even more attractive, relaxing and restorative. You just cannot put a dollar value on that.

If you are fortunate enough to have a place on Lake Martin – enjoy! For those that do not have a place yet, hang in there. The best is yet to come.

Steve Arnberg is Vice President Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands.

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It's just common courtesy I

was reading a post on a Lake Martin Boaters making the world a better place with one little Facebook account the other day. The original seemingly insignificant gesture at a time. Kindness post was someone stating an opinion about goes a long way to making others happier, it boats creating wakes, coming too close to other spreads easily. people’s docks and seawalls and causing damage.

Seems like a pretty simple definition and not a I read the post and quickly scanned the comment difficult assignment for all of us. section. There were differing points of view. Some All of us boat owners should pay attention to were supportive. Some were opposing. our wakes. If you are in a cove, go slow until you I was struck by the lack of acceptance of oppos- get out to big water. Our wakes can cause damage ing points of view and outright hostiland erosion. We should work on being ity toward the people writing comrespectful and courteous. As property ments. It did not matter which side of owners, we should be mindful of the the topic the commenter was on. The fact that we do not own the water. hostility was open and active.

Fishermen are allowed to fish near The writer of the post felt boat ownand under our dock structures. If your ers should be responsible for damage neighbors are driving boats near your to another person’s boat, dock or propdock or boat and creating wakes, go erty damage caused by boat wakes and speak with them as neighbors and mentioned the past and current legisask them to be mindful of your boat HOBO lation attempts to address the issue. and property. Ask them to slow down

BY HARRY DENEGRE Wake boat owners and bass fishermen in your cove. If you approach them had opposing respectfully, points of view most people from those of will be respectthe property ful of your owners. wishes.

There was Bass boats n Do help a boat in distress. no surprise in go out of the n Do invite a boat to your dock when a storm approaches. the differences lake’s coves at n Do offer directions for someone lost on the lake. of opinion. The full throttle. n Don’t play music loud. surprise was the There is no n Don’t use foul and obnoxious language. open hostility reason for this n Don’t create wakes in coves, near swimmers or structures. and senseless speed. Being comments from one minute both sides of later will not the discussion. matter in most Both sides should compromise so that each side is cases. I understand the bass tournament rules and satisfied and still be neighbors, friends, users and the timed tournament, so please do not use this protectors of our beautiful Lake Martin. excuse. Professional bass fishermen do not do this.

My mother and grandfather taught me about Most bass fishermen are respectful. what they called “common courtesy.” In practical Lake Martin is a public lake. Being public does terms, it is the Golden Rule. Somewhere along the not mean you can do anything you want. All of line, many of us have lost the practice of using it. us need to work on being courteous to each other.

Common courtesy seems old fashioned. It seems Legislation cannot fix this issue. That is up to us to have gone to the same place as common sense. and our common courtesy for each other.

I thought common courtesy would be a good It begins with one insignificant kind gesture. thing to write about. Maybe I could persuade some of you to take a minute and reflect on it. I intend Harry DeNegre is president of Lake Martin to look at my own thoughts and actions as well.

Homeowners and Boat Owners Association. Learn All of us may want to take stock of our thoughts more at lakemartinhobos.com. and actions and how we interact with others.

The definition of common courtesy is about

Boating Do & Don't

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FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

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JUNE 2022

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LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE

LAKE 65

Travel Healthy T

ravel and vacations bring so much skinny drinks made with lime or lemon, happiness but can be stressful splash of pineapple juice, coconut water and rough on a healthy lifestyle. and ice instead of the frozen versions.

Vacations or road trips often are opportuniStart your days on the right foot by eatties to let down our guards down, de-stress, ing whole grain cereal or bread, nuts, seeds overeat, indulge and do more relaxing than from chia or flax, protein powder smoothactivity. Unfortunately, the truth is that it ies, avocado or eggs. BYOB stands for can be difficult to manage a quick recovery ‘bring your own breakfast.’ It is easy to from a week away, but food and travel do bring whole grain cereal, instant oatmeal, not have to end in disaster.

HEALTHY LIVING homemade muffins, fruit, yogurt, nuts and The challenge is to continue a healthy granola.

BY JULIE HUDSON mindset of usual habits while away from When you eat out at a restaurant, remind home, relaxing and indulging in new activities and yourself that vacation is not for over indulging. Watch adventures. Taking care of your body while having fun out for the table munchies – chips and dip, crackers and will mean you won’t have to return home to recover. bread that are brought to the table when you sit down.

The best strategy is to plan ahead.

Instead of filling up on these, order a healthier appetizer As you make your travel plans, look for lodgings that or a salad or save your appetite for your meal. would at least offer a mini-fridge, so you could keep You can enjoy good food without splurging. Inquire favorite staple foods on hand. Plan ahead for meals by how the dishes are prepared. Choose higher nutrient researching restaurants, grocery stores and local marmeals that offer fiber, such as an entrée salad with spinkets. Search for the best local vegetables and fruit. And ach or a dish with lots of grilled vegetables. Choose to pack the right clothes for outside activities. share meals with others in your group and ask for extra As you travel to your destination, pack healthy snacks steamed vegetables to add to the meals. and non-calorie beverages to keep you feeling good on Downsize your meal by ordering an appetizer for your trip. This will be a game changer on the road or your entrée or choose the half portion size. Choose traveling by air. It will save you money and take all the fish when possible. Avoid battered and fried fish and guesswork out of finding the perfect snack when you choose grilled, blackened and non-buttered. Share desfeel hungry. sert among the group, as the first few bites are always When you reach your destination, continue the plan the best; and then, you won’t have the feeling of over and shop local. If you are at the beach, search out fresh indulging. seafood markets. If your destination offers access to a Treating yourself with good and unusual food is a full kitchen, plan to eat one or two meals in per day to must. Appreciate the cultural foods while maintaining save calories and money or consider packing a picnic healthy habits. Plan ahead how you will accomplish this and eating lunch outside. goal. Otherwise stick to your normal eating habits. Eat Vacations can catch us off guard from our usual eatslowly to enjoy the taste, always making sure you are ing habits. Reassess your snacks and purchase extra hydrated and avoid getting overly hungry. snacks once you arrive to your destination. Lighten up Stay intentional about health goals while away from your drinks by monitoring sugary drinks. Choose lighter home. Don’t make excuses for not getting exercise. Start versions of cocktails, such as wine spritzers, light beer, your day with exercising first thing in the morning, or 66 LAKE

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it won’t happen. Find an activity you enjoy and make it a priority. Walking or biking after dinner is always a good idea. Even a brisk 20-minute walk is good.

Daily activity is key to achieving healthiness by the end of your stay. Use your vacation as a reason to get moving. Research ways to move so all of your focus is not about eating and drinking heavy drinks. Look for activities such as volleyball, pickleball, tennis, hiking, walking, biking and paddle boarding. Research foot and bike tours, fitness or yoga classes. Foot or bike transportation is always the best.

The stress or excitement of traveling can derail healthy habits, but every good plan continues with a healthy mindset. Practice deep breathing, brisk walking and an attitude of gratitude to manage stress, maintain your health and help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Julie Hudson is a certified dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.

Healthy Snack Options n High protein yogurt with berries or granola n Nut butters, nuts, seeds n Dips like hummus and guacamole n Whole grain bars with controlled amounts of sugar and sodium n Apples, banana, grapes n Baby carrots, cucumber and slices of bell pepper n Biena chickpea snacks, which are high in fiber and flavor n String cheese and an apple or a bag of baked chips, such as Beanitoes black bean chips n Dole spoonable smoothies, which contain real fruit and a granola pack for some crunch n Rind orchard blend dried fruit n Pistachios and almonds n Hummus and pretzels, carrots or slices of bell pepper n Apple and peanut butter n Baked tortilla chips and salsa n A tablespoon of peanut butter and whole wheat crackers.

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Crab Rice Ingredients

1 cup Carolina Gold Rice 1-3/4 cup water 6 ounces pasteurized jumbo crabmeat 2 ribs of celery, 1 carrot, 1 yellow onion – all small diced Fresh dill Fresh parsley 2 fresh lemons, juiced White wine 2 to 3 tablespoons butter

Directions

Wash 1 cup rice and place in a pot. Add 1-3/4 cup cold water and bring to a boil; then, cover with a lid.

Reduce heat to a low simmer for about 20 minutes.

Turn off and let stand for 10 more minutes, covered. Add 2 tablespoons butter to a sauté pan and sweat the vegetables until translucent and tender.

Deglaze with a splash of white wine and cook down until no liquid remains. Add crabmeat and toss to warm. Add the cooked, hot rice and toss to combine. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice, chopped parsley and dill and toss to mix.

Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio,Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club 12 years ago.

CHEF'S TABLE

BY PETE MCKENNY

JUNE 2022

LAKE 69

CHEERS

BY CASTELLUCCIO'S CRAYTON WALTON

Castelluccio's Mixed Berry Kentucky Mule

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Castelluccio's Mixed Berry Kentucky Mule

C

astelluccio’s Mixed Berry Kentucky Mule puts a summertime spin on the classic Kentucky Mule, a variant of an even older cocktail, The Moscow Mule. The story of the Moscow Mule starts with a Russian immigrant who sold copper mugs that she had designed with her father. In the 1940s, she met a bartender and a ginger beer salesman in Cock ‘n’ Bull Pub in Hollywood, California.

The trio created a drink called the Moscow Mule, which quickly took the bar scene by storm. As the drink spread across the U.S, variations popped up. In the southern states, it became popular to replace the vodka with bourbon. This is how the Kentucky Mule was born. Castelluccio’s Mixed Berry Kentucky Mule infuses the sweet taste of fresh blueberries and strawberries with the spicy finish of American bourbon. Serve it in a highball glass because, with a drink this beautiful, it would be a shame to hide it in the traditional copper mug.

IT’S TIME FOR OUTDOOR FUN, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY? It’s time for outdoor fun, and you don’t want to miss a single moment in the sun.

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Kevin Sublett, MD, is board-certified in cardiovascular care and offers the latest in prevention, testing, and treatment for keeping your heart healthy.

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Advanced ultrasound testing Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs Management of cardiac rhythm disorders Interventional cardiology care

Ingredients

2 strawberries, cut in half 6 blueberries 1 ounce simple syrup 2 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon 3 ounces sour mix Ice Ginger beer to top off the cocktail.

Directions

Combine simple syrup, strawberries and blueberries in a mixing tin and muddle. Add whiskey and sour mix to the tin with ice. Shake until cold and strain into a highball glass, halfway filled with ice. Top off the drink with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime slice and serve.

HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL Make an appointment today by calling (256) 234-2644.

3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 • Alexander City, AL 35010 uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell

JUNE 2022

LAKE 71

Ray Scott A tribute to the founder of B.A.S.S. who passed away at 88

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF B.A.S.S.

ast month, we lost a bass fishing icon in the great Ray Scott. For those who grew up on bass fishing, his was a household name. He was and always will be the face of B.A.S.S., which stands for Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Ray Scott built an empire from an idea to, quite frankly, make a lot of money. But what the sport received in return was many magnitudes greater than the fame and millions of dollars Ray eventually earned from his endeavor.

I was only about 8 years old when I learned who Ray Scott was. The tall grandiose man with an infectious smile and a cowboy hat appeared in the old episodes of The Bassmasters TV show. Flying anglers to unknown destinations for their championships. Pulling the trigger on the gun as the first Bassmaster Classic took off in a nearly true shotgun start.

I got a chance to meet him in person at the Bassmasters Southern Regional in South Carolina. It was a championship for the best club anglers in the country that year and a pathway for the weekend angler to make the Classic. My Dad had made the Alabama State Team through Kowaliga Bassmasters (where I got my start eventually), and Ray announced the weigh-in.

While I was running fish to the release boat barefoot and covered in wet grass from the treks through the field behind the stage he called me up there. He knew exactly what to ask since I was from Alabama. “So what team do you pull for, little man?”

I quietly said, “Auburn Tigers.”

“Then give the crowd a big War Eagle,” he said as he stuck the microphone so close it almost hit my nose.

“War Eagle!!!” I shouted, and the crowd immediately chuckled. Little did I know that he was the pioneer for what would later become my career as a professional angler.

I had heard a lot about Ray Scott over the years from 72 LAKE

different sources, but I knew no one better than my good friend Ken Duke for some better insight into Ray’s impact on our sport. Duke was a writer and chief editor for BASS for 14 years and, more importantly, is the closest thing to a walking encyclopedia of bass fishing that I’ve ever seen.

He wrote his first article about bass fishing when he was 14, just after joining the organization Ray Scott started.

He has an insatiable desire to know everyRay Scott created a bass thing about a bass. He fishing industry still writes for many of the top publications in bass fishing.

Duke rattled off a few ways to describe Ray, “He was a pioneer.” “A showman.”

“He never stopped selling.” “He was the fuse!”

Before Ray Scott, there was Hy Peskin, who hosted the World Series of Fishing in the ’50s and ’60s. It was like a decathalon where anglers fished for all kinds of species, even saltwater at times. Ray Scott was an insurance salesman who saw an opportunity to do something big by specializing in bass fishing.

A century earlier, bass were frowned on by the fishing public and industry as a nuisance. They were a trash fish of sorts, and bass anglers got little respect. Trout were the premier species at the time, and Scott noticed the admiration trout anglers had for their fish of choice. He sped the process up of bass fishing and professional bass angling becoming more mainstream, Duke noted.

Ray Scott was from Pintlala, Alabama. In ’67 he held his first bass tournament and in ’68 started B.A.S.S. Clubs and memberships sprang up all over the country generating a platform that he capitalized on. It took a salesman to make it happen. Not just anyone could convince folks that bass were the greatest species on the planet. I once saw an interview with him discussing the venture. He had noticed the desire for folks to beat their chest as they compared who had caught the most and the biggest fish. The formation of bass clubs and tournament trails was his way

JUNE 2022

to capitalize on that characteristic. Through been passed requiring its use. the process, he paved the way for the greatOne that really hit home for me was the est names in bass fishing, names like Glenn focus on fish care. Scott was invited to a Andrews, Bobby Murray, Rick Clunn, Bill trout event where anglers gathered to ooh Dance, Roland Martin, Hank Parker, Jimmy and ahh over 10-inch trout and treated them Houston. And later, Kevin Van Dam, Mike like newborns as the fish were released. He Iaconelli, Skeet Reese and many more who realized that he could create a greater admiwere able to make careers out of professional ration for the fish and public acceptance fishing like myself. of tournament angling by implementing a Ray Scott was a showman. “He knew how catch-and-release policy. Anglers got a stiff BIG CATCHES to fire up a crowd,” Duke said. He was a lot penalty for weighing a dead fish, and soon

BY GREG VINSON like a circus ringmaster turning a bass fishing all bass boat manufacturers were building weigh-in into the greatest show on Earth. His biography, boats with sophisticated live wells to care for the fish until Bass Boss, chronicles how he started B.A.S.S. Despite not weigh-ins. It wasn’t to cast judgment on anyone who kept being a big book reader, I find myself wanting to go back fish within creel limits to eat but to emphasize the value and read the book now that I’ve been a part of this jourof the fish to tournament anglers and organizations. ney. Scott found a way to say yes, Ken said, when most Along with a focus on fish care came a greater interest people would say it couldn’t be done. in water quality and conservation. Scott recognized that I didn’t realize that Ray Scott had already sold for more people to enjoy bass fishing, the fisheries needed B.A.S.S. for millions in 1986 until Duke told me. The to be protected and managed. The Clean Water Act was admiration I built for him was during his stay as the face passed in 1972, and Ray Scott was invested in this movefor the organization through the mid 1990’s. ment for obvious reasons. More bass equals more bass “Selling BASS was simultaneously one of the best and anglers. Habitat enhancement projects sprung up as states worst days of his professional life,” Duke said. He had and water managers realized the growing economic value finally cashed in royally on the value of the organization of their bass fisheries. And tournament anglers recognized he had built, but he also lost control of it. Over the years the importance of prime habitat to the bass they sought. that followed, Ray Scott frequently made appearances on In 2020, there were more than 50 million licensed stage and at events. Though he no longer owned the com- anglers in the U.S. Many of them fish for bass, and Ray pany, he still could fire up a crowd and bring big value to Scott deserves some credit for that. the events.

To wrap it up, I’ll finish with one more quote about Ray Scott was not a die-hard angler himself, far from a Ray Scott from my friend Ken Duke. bass head like many of the rest of us. He started the orga“Nobody in history did more for bass fishing.” nization to bring a profit, and the fame was a huge bonus, too. But this business venture spiked an industry and led Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on to many positives for the sport of fishing in general. Scott the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in recognized some key elements that could unite fishing Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. enthusiasts and grow membership. He was a pioneer in boating safety with the implementation of the kill switch, a feature so impactful that boating safety laws now have Scott with 1980 Classic winner Bo Dowden

Scott with Bill Dance, Ricky Green and Rayo Breckenridge in 1974

A lunker bass eyes Scott through an aquarium window

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New Homes With Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails

Everyday Grandeur D I S C O V E R A LU X U R I O U S G O L F L I F E ST Y L E L I V I N G A LO N G G R A N D N AT I O N A L G O L F C O U R S E Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out.

Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.

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T O L E A R N M O R E , C A L L U S AT 3 3 4 . 7 4 9 . 8 1 6 5 O R V I S I T W W W. JUNE N AT I O2022 N A LV I L L A G E . C O M .

Start them playing young

H

ow many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I would have started playing golf sooner,” or “if I would have started when I was a kid, I would be making millions doing this?” I will be honest and say I have 100 percent said that to someone before. Golf is, no question, one of the most difficult sports to learn and to even get started. It can be intimidating to someone who has never been on a golf course. Thankfully, programs like PGA Junior League and Junior Camps today are conducted at clubs across the United States and have made getting into golf so much easier and more available for all ages of junior golfers.

I started playing golf with my dad around the age of 13 but never actually practiced much, and if I did, I probably didn’t know what I was doing. For practice, I probably just played and hit a couple extra tee shots or chips. Luckily, I had friends who played, and they helped me stay connected in the game, PAR for the COURSE eventually leading me to my

BY PAXTON TIDWELL profession. All of this could have started sooner if PGA Junior League and Junior Camps had been more prevalent.

PGA Junior League was started in 2011 and has put 60,000 kids playing on teams nationwide since then. Kids are exposed to the game of golf in a fun and social way, like other sports that kids play. Each kid receives two jerseys with their number and their last name on the back.

During the summer, the kids compete against each other in scramble format from 250 yards or fewer in groups of three. Each child is required to complete three holes per round. Once they have completed their flags, they are eligible to sub out and let another player on their team earn three flags.

Fast forward to the post season where All-Stars are selected to travel to competitions in a series of qualifiers with hopes to make it to the national championship. Last year, our Willow Point All-Star team headed to Huntsville, Alabama, to compete in the regional qualifier at Valley Hill Country Club. Our team did a fantastic job but came up one stroke short of qualifying on to the next round. We are so proud of our team and grateful for the experience, not only for our coaches but also for the kids. We hope to be back this again this year and, with the experience we gained last year, advance even further.

Here at Willow Point, we have had an incredible showing in our PGA Junior League. Last year was my first year to coach a PGA Junior League team, The Lakers, and I had a blast. Being able to teach kids the basics and fundamentals of golf; and then, apply it to a team setting was fun.

The kids made decisions based on their skill levels. I

truly believe the PGA Junior League and their ambassadors, Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson and even NBA superstar Steph Curry, have great vision and are helping to increase junior golf across the U.S. Visit pgajuniorleague.com to find a program near you and sign up.

Another way to get your junior involved and interested in the game of golf is to sign up for your club’s junior camp. Junior camps are great for kids who want to learn in a more relaxed, non-team setting. They will learn everything, from the basics to chipping and putting, how to aim and grip the club, the differences between the clubs, and of course, how to hit the driver. The driver is always a fan favorite.

They also will learn to apply simple motor skills they might have used in other sports to their golf swings.

Baseball and tennis are popular sports among kids, and they will be surprised with how similar the golf swing can be. But without the proper coaching, they will never get to know this.

To keep the kids energized and keep the blood flowing, we play games like golf baseball. This is a great game that helps with their aim, swing, distance control and more.

Golf can be slow at times for kids trying to get excited about a new sport, but games like golf baseball, long drive contests, and mini putt-putt courses help shift the game to a faster paced and exciting time.

Junior golf is easily becoming the fastest growing sport for young children, and it is with the help of programs like PGA Junior League, Junior Camps and even PGA professionals that help keep the kids motivated and passionate about the game.

Golf goes way beyond just playing the game. It teaches valuable lessons and creates lasting friendships. If you would like to sign your child up for a junior camp here at Willow Point, please email me at ptidwell@russelllands.com, and I will be happy to assist.

Paxton Tidwell is an assistant golf professional at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.

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Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 19

9

Churches

4

Camp ASCCA

11 Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks 280

Power lines U.S. Highways

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

10

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

18 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

12 Willow Point

24

7

13

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

14

Kowaliga Boat Landing

22 The Ridge

55

5

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 15

Church in The Pines

24

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

19 80

9

Central

ga

Ba

y

29 90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 Kent

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Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

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Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

49

Jacksons Gap 280

Bethel Church

21

Dadeville

57

280

25 Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Red Ridge United Methodist Church

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

6

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 20 334-541-2132 1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

42. Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700 19 Russell Marine Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

4. Russell Building Supply 21 256-825-4256 350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853

52. Real Island Marina 256-397-1200 2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 22 256-794-1333 288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010

63. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888 7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

234. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026 410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

2. Parker Creek Marina 7 256-329-8550 486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026 83. Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600 397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

Restaurants & Venues

Walnut Hill

27 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church

33. River North Marina 256-397-1500 250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

12 Smith Marina - Shipwreck Sam's Froyo 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

9

17 50

19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567 1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

2. Alex City Marine 11 256-215-FISH(3474) 2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

8

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300 450 Ridge Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

10 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 256-825-0999 3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

28

16

18 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

2. Lakeside Marina 9 256-825-9286 7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Pleasant Ridge Church

50

6. SpringHouse 13 256-215-7080 12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 146. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070 17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 15 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035 295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

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Business & Shopping

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

24. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 25 . Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847 21322 Hwy. 280, Dadeville, AL 36853 26 . Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717 8421 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 27 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 28 Red Ridge United Methodist Church 256-825-9820 8091 County Rd. 34, Dadeville, AL 36853

Dock Builders 29 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.

16 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337 5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 17 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Reeltown

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Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine Downtown Girl Shay Aesthetics 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 BB&T Bank Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance North Lake Condo River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro

Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall A&E Metal Regions Bank Marathon - 280 Renfroe's Market Russell Medical Center Russell Marine Boating and Outdoors 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. Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars Tippy Canoe Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Nails Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office

Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina HACKNEYVILLE Hackneyville Water Authority NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Ellaby Boutique, LLC Alabama Power Siggers Siggers Barbershop Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library At the Beauty Shop Dadeville Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Lakay's Tallapoosa Nutrition Sweet Pickins Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters Country Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Aronov Realty Lake Martin

Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks Lake Martin Pizza CAMP HILL Link Gas Station KELLYTON Five Star Plantation EQUALITY Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina Charles Borden ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Offshore Marina Lake Martin Mini Mall Corner Stone Coffee Co. Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Catering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Anchor Bay Marina Wetumpka Wetumpka Herald Office Tallassee Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber Parris Mullins Jr. O.D. Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year.To subscribe, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

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.

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Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

COACH KRAFT

UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery!

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

■

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

KOWALIGA WHOLE HEALTH PET CARE

Mary S. Battistella, DVM

e

June Special

e

Rabies Vaccines (334) 857-1816

LAKE

8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

JUNE 2022

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Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 15

Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage............... 79

Russell Lands................................................... 42, 43, 84

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

Hughes Pools............................................................... 12

Russell Marine................................................................ 3

Alex City Marine......................................................... 63

Karen Channell State Farm...................................... 79

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

Artic Air........................................................................ 64

Kowaliga Whole Health............................................. 79

Saint James Episcopal Church.................................... 6

As Close As Family..................................................... 61

Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 15

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

AVSP............................................................................... 81

Lake Martin Mortgage................................................ 65

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

Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 79

Lake Martin Pressure Washing................................. 61

Singleton Marine......................................................... 64

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

Lake Martin Realty...................................................... 35

Sparkle Cleaning Services......................................... 24

Buy the Yard................................................................. 63

Lake Martin Signature Construction...................... 25

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

Childersburg Primary Care...................................... 15

Lake Martin Storm Shelters..................................... 63

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

Coach Kraft Upholstery............................................ 79

Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 78

Tim James for Governor........................................... 81

Custom Docks............................................................. 80

Main Street Alexander City...................................... 54

Tippy Canoe................................................................. 54

Davco............................................................................. 79

Mark King's Furniture................................................ 55

TowBoat US................................................................. 20

Diamond Golf Cars.................................................... 20

Moore Wealth Management..................................... 83

UAB Heart & Vascular............................................... 71

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

National Village............................................................ 74

Vacation Rental Management................................... 79

Electronic Technology Group................................... 79

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

Wind Creek Zipline................................................... 54

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

Off the Beaton Path..................................................... 8

Harbor Pointe Marina................................................ 24

Precise Pressure Washing......................................... 79

Hank Staley................................................................... 79

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

Henderson Glass......................................................... 79

Reinhardt Lexus.......................................................... 21

Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 67

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

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Parting Shot

~ Sophie Kinsella

"But what can you do about mistakes except think, 'Won't do that again,' and move forward."

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Lake traditions begin at The Heritage. Build yours.

Russell Lands extraordinary lakefront community and Coore & Crenshaw golf

O

ne of the South’s most distinguished companies, Russell Lands, has unveiled plans for Lake Martin’s newest luxury residential development, The Heritage. With stunning lakeside living,

families will build memories, season after season. The centerpiece of the neighborhood will be Wicker Point Golf Club, a signature Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw private golf course, with 18-holes in an extraordinary natural setting of pine plantations, meandering creeks and lakefront holes. A flagship lake club for residents will offer fun, family recreation.

Don’t miss the life that will rewrite your heritage for generations. Opportunities coming summer 2022.

RussellLands.com/The-Heritage | 256.215.7011 | RealEstate@RussellLands.com

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in The Heritage development to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, or to residents of any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. The Heritage is a proposed planned master development on the shores of Lake Martin, Alabama that does not yet exist.

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