Lake Martin Living July 2023

L A C E Y H O W E L L

From the Editor’s Desk Lake Martin Living

After the Fourth of July has passed, it’s easy to skip over the remaining weeks of the month and turn our minds to fall. Maybe the calendar prompts us as we struggle to believe that this time next month, the kids will be back in school, our summer company will have gone home, and we’ll be prepping for football season. But the calendar also promises eight full weeks of summer from the end of May to the end of July, so let’s not rob ourselves of what could be the best two weeks of the season. There’s still plenty to see and experience.

Coming up at the end of this month is an event that quickly has gained momentum. The Third Annual Lake Martin Songwriters Festival started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 with 16 songwriters at 10 area venues. This year’s event will kick off Wednesday, July 26, with 28 artists at 16 local venues, and it will cost you nothing to enjoy. No ticket prices or admission charges, as some 40 local businesses have partnered with Tallapoosa County Tourism to host this growing event free of charge. Turn to page 34 to learn more.

And while I’m on the subject of music, check out Breanna Manley’s story on page 14 about Larry Gatlin’s upcoming appearance at the Central Alabama Community College BCG stage. Gatlin and his brothers became a country music sensation nearly 70 years ago, and as a guest of Alex City Arts, this music icon will regale fans with stories from the road and some of your favorite tunes.

We’ll introduce you to another local celebrity in this issue as well, though this one might seem a little ‘stuffy,’ as he started life as a child’s toy before he joined our news staff at TPI. Our very own office mascot, Snowflake, was recognized in the June issue of Editor & Publisher Magazine for his community service as a Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., ambassador. When he won such an esteemed honor in the news publishing industry, we knew we had to shine a local light on him. Read his story on page 16.

I wonder … would the summer feel longer if we reached back to July 4 and relived it? It’s worth a try! Revisit the parades, the art show, the fireworks and more in our holiday photo essay on page 18_.

Then, get ready for a fun fall with the Annual Lake Martin iving Art & Photography Contest. Our full event will be back this year, with cash prizes for the winners and a reception exhibit. You’ll find preliminary information on page 33 but be sure to pick up the August issues of Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines for the details as we make plans going forward.

Enjoy these last precious weeks of summer life in the South and the memories we’ve made all summer long.

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

General Manager

Tippy Hunter

Editor-in-Chief

Betsy Iler

Creative Services

Audra Spears

Business & Digital Development Director

Angela Mullins

Contributors

Kenneth Boone

Breanna Manley

Lacey Howell

David Han

Terry Mitchell

Gina Abernathy

Audra Spears

Cliff Williams

Abigail Murphy

Henry Zimmer

William Marlow

Lizi Arbogast Gwin

George Miranda

Brandon Wood

Audience Development Director

Erin Burton

Marketing/Advertising Sales

Renee Trice

Craig Howard

Emily Gregg

Sheryl Jennings

Hidey Arrington

Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011

256-234-4281

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome. Please address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses and subscriptions are $25 annually.

Photos

FEATURES

14. LARRY GATLIN

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Larry Gatlin comes to town.

16. SNOWFLAKE

Tallapoosa Publishers' office mascot gains national acclaim.

18. JULY 4TH IN REVIEW

Revisit these holiday events around the area as our community celebrates national pride.

33. ART & PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Lake Martin Living magazine's annual art and photography contest is back with cash prizes.

34. SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

Six new venues are added to the Dadeville side for the annual Songwriters Festival.

38. LAKE MARTIN BREWERY

Eddie Durrett shares his passion of brewing through new business Lake Martin Brewery.

42 ART IS GOOD FOR YOU

Local artist encourages patients to turn to creative outlets.

IN EVERY ISSUE

9. AROUND THE AREA

10. GO LOCAL

24. GARDEN TALK

30. GOOD EATS

46.. MEDICAL NEWS

48. MONEY MATTERS

50. OH SNAP!

56.. LAKE REGION EVENTS

66. CULTURE SHOCK

The sky over Lake Martin Amphitheater lit up with color at the annual fireworks show.

Scent Wizards joins downtown Alexander City

Owners Tim and Charlie Hinkle said this is something they have been wanting to do for a while now. They decided to bring the second Scent Wizards here after talking to the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Alexander City about the possible commercial properties in the area.

“Our goal is to have a chain of these stores, and this is the beginning of that chain,” Charlie said.

By May 17, Scent Wizards had its ribbon cutting ceremony with the chamber.

At both locations, Scent Wizards sells natural and organic products, from soaps to bath bombs to lotions to 100 percent soy candles.

“We specialize in small mom-and-pop businesses,” Charlie said. “None of the products that we have in here we actually make. What we do is find those small businesses that don’t have brick-and-mortar stores, and we buy directly from them.”

Scent Wizards started as a vendor selling Naked Bee products at flea markets around the state. Slowly, the Hinkles added more providers to their vendor list, and by 2016 they had enough to open a store.

Tim said they made about $24 on their first day in Wetumpka, but all of that changed as the business’ popularity

grew. With an emphasis on quality over quantity, the owners test their products before putting them on the shelves.

“Sometimes we think, ‘OK, it’s a good quality product; this candle is going to last you 7080 hours,’” Tim said. “So, it’s good for you, bad for me. But we like doing this stuff.”

Charlie explained he also values helping creators improve their products and partnering with local providers.

Charlie said he wants to see downtown thriving again with more foot traffic, as well as businesses having longer hours to accommodate those with full time jobs.

“That’s what Alex City needs, and that’s my goal,” he said. “I plan on being here for the long haul.”

As Scent Wizards continues to develop, the store will add wind chimes to its inventory. Then, Scent Wizards plans to host a basket raffle for shoppers at the store.

Scent Wizards is open seven days a week at 15 Main St. Its operation hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

~ Abigail Murphy

Ben Russell FFA earns top honors at state convention

Benjamin Russell High School’s FFA chapter represented the Wildcats, as well as Alexander City, this summer during the 95th Alabama FFA Annual State Convention.

Several of the chapter’s students qualified for the state-level competition following central district competitions in April.

Ben Russell FFA advisor Josh Williams described the state contest as intense and said 25 of his students traveled to Auburn and Opelika to compete in numerous categories at both Auburn University and Southern Union Community College.

“They’ve learned a lot, and we were pretty proud of every team that

made it on stage at the convention,” Williams said. “We had seven teams that we took, and the top four got recognized on stage this year.”

Students competed as teams and individuals, culminating with an award ceremony in Montgomery at the state convention.

Among some of the chapter’s top honors included: Ag Construction— First Place; Small Engines — First Place; Public Speaking — First Place; and Ag Mechanics — Second Place. With 32,000 FFA members in Alabama, Williams added the moment was an honor for students and the school’s FFA program.

Beyond state recognition, several

students also qualified for the organization’s national competition in October. He expressed excitement at the prospect of students once again traveling to Indianapolis to compete against FFA members from across the nation.

“Last year at nationals, we had our best year ever,” Williams said. “We had one that was a national winner, and one that was a national runnerup, and we’ve got six of those going this year.”

In the weeks ahead, students will hardly rest as they prepare to demonstrate their knowledge and skill on the national stage this fall.

~ William Marlow

More Ways To Shop Locally In Downtown Alexander City Scent Wizards' owners celebrated the official ribbon cutting with Main Street board members and Alexander City Chamber of Commerce staff.

The Jazzy Daiquiri Factory

Camp Hill native Jessica Wilson turned her favorite de-stressor into a local Alexander City business last month when she opened the Jazzy Daiquiri Factory, a music and dance lounge, at 849 Cherokee Rd.

Exciting New Venture

Facing Page: Daiquiris add a popular, festive touch to Jessica Wilson's new business venture;

Above: Decorated in midnight blue velvet and shimmering gold, the lounge space is intimate but elegant; Left: Last month's opening was a dream come true for Wilson, who has always wanted to offer a gathering entertainment space to the community.

“I have always liked to dance. It was a way to relieve stress, listening to music and dancing,” Wilson said. “I thought, if it makes me feel good, it must make other people feel good as well.”

So, after 20 years in law enforcement with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Wilson looked for a place to open an entertainment venue where she could invite

STORY BY ABIGAIL MURPHY & BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

people to gather and unwind.

“I think that’s why entertainment has really been on my heart to do,” said Wilson, who graduated Edward Bell High School in 2000 and Selma Police Academy in 2010. “There’s so much going on in the world. I just want people to come and have a place where they can relax. We need that.”

She started with the idea of an entertainment lounge and added daiquiris when she realized how popular they are around the country. Jazzy Daiquiri Factory held its grand opening last month with special guest Tyrone Oliver, also known as Iceberg Slim, and DJ Twilight.

The Daiquiri Factory specializes in tower drinks, such as Jamaican rum punch, jungle juice and pineapple drinks.

Wilson plans to offer a variety of musical genres at the Jazzy Daiquiri Factory, from country to soul to R&B. Her idea is to create an environment where, after a long week, people can stop by and take a breather.

“I hope it brings unity,” she said. “I just want everybody to get together and have a good time. We pride ourselves in spreading love and light.”

In addition, Wilson hopes to host paint and sip parties in the future.

She chose the location – next to Alex City Package Store – after looking for a venue in surrounding communities, and in mid-January, she started upgrading the former storefront to create an elegant and intimate atmosphere. The classy décor includes sofas and comfortable seating in blue and gold, as well as mirrored walls.

“I had quite a few repairs to make,” she said.

She’s brought her family into the business to help with operation. Wilson’s sister, Valeria Evans, helps to line up the entertainment, and the bartenders – Wilson calls them Jazzy’s Girls – include her daughter, a niece and a cousin.

“There are six of us altogether,” she said.

The Jazzy Daiquiri Factory is open from 6 p.m. to midnight Thursdays through Sundays. Thursday is karaoke night, and there’s a DJ or live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Transformation

Wilson transformed a former storefront to create the lounge.

Do just a little less and make a difference.

When it comes to saving energy in the summertime, we’ve got one top tip: don’t underestimate the power of little changes. From turning off unnecessary lights to bumping your thermostat up just a degree or two, it’s the small things that can make a big difference.

Find more energy-saving tips at alabamapower.com/lazysummer.

Larry Gatlin will appear in concert Aug. 11 at Alexander City’s Betty Carol Graham Center as part of the Alex City Arts 2023 season. A National Songwriters Hall of Fame member, Gatlin will offer an intimate performance of No. 1 hits and stories that could only be told by the artist himself.

Widely known for writing catchy lyrics in songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones and Elvis Presley, Gatlin began exploring music almost 70 years ago with his brothers Steve and Rudy.

“My brothers and I, literally, in March of 2025, will celebrate 70 years of singing together. We won a little talent show in our hometown of Abilene, Texas, in March of 1955. It has afforded us a wonderful way of life. We have nice things, but the things are not the most important,” Gatlin said.

Since then, The Gatlin Brothers became a household name and began releasing original music, such as Broken Lady, which scored them a spot on the country charts and a Grammy. Following their continued success, The Gatlin Brothers were introduced into the

Grand Ole Opry in 1976, and the following year, their first No. 1 hit came along with I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love.

Today, the brothers still play together throughout the year.

“My brothers and I do about 50 days a year together on the road. That’s all we want to do. We do another 30 days every year at the Grand Ole Opry, which gets it up to 80. I do around 10 to 15 solo performances on top of that. The solo shows are geared a little bit more towards the songwriting aspects of the deal,” Gatlin explained.

Gatlin said even after all these years, performing with his brothers, and even performing solo, is a big part of his life that he loves sharing with fans.

“There’s an old saying that the man who loves his job is always on vacation, and I’ve been on vacations for almost 70 years,” Gatlin said.

Over the years of touring with his brothers, Gatlin said they’ve made countless memories and created many inside jokes that you just had to be there to understand.

“Funny things happen on the road all the time. You

Larry Gatlin

Songs and Stories from a Music Legend

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY & PHOTOS BY BRANDON WOOD

know, everybody has those big buses. We don’t do that anymore. We’ll fly in and rent cars. One time, we left at midnight from Nashville and drove. We wound up in St. Joseph, Missouri, and we looked all over for the place that we were supposed to be. We took the contract out, and we were supposed to be in St. Joseph, Michigan,” Gatlin explained.

Though this story is one of Gatlin’s favorites to tell, he and his brothers have many just like it.

“One time, we dressed up to go see our friends, The Oak Ridge Boys. My old road manager, my best friend now, he works for The Oak Ridge Boys. When he was with us, he handled the equipment and such, and he dressed up like what we thought Elvira would look like. Right in the middle of the MGM in the middle of their show, we just walked out there dressed as The Oak Ridge Boys,” Gatlin said.

At the upcoming show on the Central Alabama Community College campus, Gatlin will perform some of the iconic hits and tell stories that have peppered a career spanning more than three generations.

“I’m going to sing the Gatlin Brothers hits. We had eight No. 1 records, and I wrote all those songs. I’ll sing all or part of them. It’s just going to be friendly; it’s going to be like them sitting in my living room or in my den and me just telling stories. Thank God I can still sing the notes, I’m grateful for that,” he said.

On The Road

Gatlin said he hopes those planning to attend feel his thanks for paying to come out and hear him play his beloved tunes.

“I want them to know that we do not take it for granted that people spend their hard-earned money. We appreciate them coming. We had to go to the Opry on four or five occasions during the pandemic to sing to an empty house. That’s not fun,” Gatlin said.

Tickets for Gatlin’s 7 p.m. performance on CACC’s BCG stage are $47 and can be purchased online at alexcityarts.org.

Country music icon Larry Gatlin will tell stories and sing the hits in Alexander City next month.

Snowflake

TPI mascot makes the national scene

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Tallapoosa Publishers’ mascot received national recognition in Editor & Publisher Magazine last month in the trade publication’s “News Pet” segment. The authoritative voice in the news trade, Editor & Publisher solicited nominations for their new feature late last month, and TPI Business Manager Angela Mullins sent in a few photos. Snowflake was handily selected due to his status as community ambassador for TPI.

Now in his eighth year as TPI’s mascot, Snowflake followed receptionist Linda Ewing to work one day after he’d served as her grandson, Parker’s, best friend for several years.

“I found him at a thrift store, and the adoption fee was $4,” said Ewing, who has been with the media company for 11 years. “He came that one day to help me decorate the Christmas tree, and he loved being here so much, he just stayed.”

Snowflake is a full-sized black lab, and though he looks like a pedigreed pup, he has no papers. He’s a bit quirky, as he always looks like he’s on alert, but he never barks. He just never learned how. He can be mischievous at times, too. Employees never know when they might find him sitting at their desks, snooping around on their computers.

He loves to meet new people and eagerly greets visitors to the TPI office from his favorite spot in the window at the front door. It’s a sentry position, as Snowflake fancies

himself the office security guard, though he’s been known to sell a newspaper subscription every now and then as well.

Nationally Acclaimed

Above Left: TPI's mascot, Snowflake, was featured in Editor & Publisher magazine last month;

Above Right: Snowflake makes an annual appearane at Alexander City's Jazz Fest, often winning the table decorating contest; Facing Page: In addition, the life-sized black lab helps during weather events and other news stories.

“But he does sometimes startle people when they come in,” Ewing said. “It’s his eyes.”

Indeed, Snowflake has penetrating brown eyes and a curious expression, which belies his intelligence. He loves to read TPI’s newspapers and magazines – Lake magazine is his favorite because it has lots of pictures of water in it. He also manages to squeeze his way into the occasional company video.

He doesn’t eat much, and he’s never had an accident in the office. As far as Ewing knows, he has never fathered pups, as he’d already been neutered when she found him at the thrift store. The vet tells us he’s up to date on all his shots, and though his nose is never wet or cold, he is in excellent health.

“He’s also very obedient,” Ewing said. “He does whatever we tell him to do the first time we give a command, and what he really wants is a pat on the head or to be scratched

between the ears.

“But he wishes the staff would take him out to more places. Like most dogs, he loves being outside.”

The TPI office pet accompanies staff to many events year-round, as he loves to have his photo made. He often rides on the TPI float in the annual Hometown Christmas Parade. And every year, he poses on the TPI Jazz Fest table; he’s won the Jazz Fest table competition on numerous occasions. In addition, he has frequently been in residence at TPI’s Wetumpka office, timing his visits there to coincide with the annual Mardi Gras parades. He also loves to go to the lake. After all, he is a lab.

In the office, he generally wears his signature red bandana, but he dresses up for most holidays and celebrates office birthdays with a party hat. He also loves Plug Day, when the rule curve at Martin Dam changes to fill the lake for the summer season. But Christmas remains Snowflake’s favorite time of year, as he still loves to help Ewing decorate the tree. He’s nostalgic like that. When the tree is all decorated with newspaper fans, he likes to stand in front of it, guarding the fake presents and re-reading the newspaper decorations.

Stop in at 548 Cherokee Rd. in Alexander City to meet Snowflake and search #snowflaketheblackdog on Instagram.

July 4th in Review

A Holiday to Remember

Clockwise from Top Right: Despite a little rain just before the fireworks started, Russell Lands' annual light show was more spectacular than ever; Some residents went all out for the StillWaters golf cart parade; Whimsical art garnered attention at Arti Gras; A pontoon boat in camouflage and crew in military colors and gear captured attention at Russell Marine's July 4 Boat Parade; Children at Alexander City's First Baptist Church dressed in red, white and blue; Grammy winner Jason Crabb gave a spirited performance at Celebrate Freedom.

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN & CLIFF WILLIAMS

The Fun Never Stopped

Clockwise from Facing Page Top Left: Friends celebrated together at StillWaters; Fireworks were launched from behind the high school; Patriotism was in full display at the boat parade; Colton Dixon headlined the Celebrate Freedom concert; Jacob's Ladder kids marched in their own parade; Sweetsmelling soaps and other beautiful artisan pieces were available at Arti Gras; Celebrate Freedom drew a crowd of thousands.

The four biggest challenges for home lawns

The dream of the perfect lawn may be difficult to achieve, but it is obtainable with a little help. The four most challenging aspects of maintaining a lawn include irrigation, mowing, fertilization and shade.

Irrigation is a balancing act.

Too little, and the lawn wilts and goes dormant. Too much wastes money and a precious natural resource while making the lawn weak and susceptible to pests.

The ideal lawn-irrigation method is to water deeply and infrequently. Grass roots, like the roots of any other plant, seek out water. Good irrigation lets water penetrate the entire root zone; and then, lets the top of the soil dry out to encourage deeper root growth. If the soil is wet down to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, a deep and healthy root system will develop to take advantage of

the moisture that is deep in the soil. On the other hand, wetting only the top 1 or 2 inches of the soil encourages a shallow, weak root system.

Unfortunately, many homeowners have difficulty applying the right amount of water to lawns. There are three main reasons for this.

n They don’t know how much water they are putting on their lawns.

Do you know how many inches of water your irrigation system applies in 15 or 30 minutes? It’s easy to find out. Simply place some cans, jars or rain gauges on the lawn and run the irrigation system. Then, measure how much water is caught in the containers. Many people are surprised to learn that their irrigation systems do not put out as much water as they expected.

To wet the entire root zone, 1/2 inch of water twice

a week may be needed, depending on the soil type. A good lawn is watered deeply each time to discourage a shallow, weak root system; however, simply dumping a large amount of water on top of the soil does not accomplish this.

n Homeowners often put out water at a faster rate than the ground can absorb it.

This is especially true on the heavy clay-rich soils found in many parts of the state. Any water that is applied faster than the ground can absorb it simply runs off and is wasted. Homeowners must be sure that the water is actually soaking into the ground when irrigating the lawn. If water puddles up and runs off, the right thing to do is to shut down the irrigation and wait for the water to soak in before starting it again. Today’s irrigation controllers can be very sophisticated and can

program cycles that will allow time for the water to soak into the soil during runs. This is very helpful, but don’t hesitate to just turn off the switch to let the water soak through the soil.

n Irrigation systems can be tricky to maintain and should be checked frequently.

Make sure all irrigation heads are operating properly, valves are not leaking, water pressure is correct and coverage is good. Also, make sure timers and controllers work properly and are properly programmed.

How often should lawns be irrigated? Daily is not a good idea. When irrigating deeply as described above, daily watering is unnecessary and a waste of money. Warm-season lawns use approximately 1 inch of water per week when green and growing. It is best to supply this amount in two or three irrigation events.

Remember, that 1 inch of water per week includes rain. If it rains during the week, adjust the amount of irrigation downward accordingly.

Mowing is misunderstood.

Mowing is the most commonly practiced maintenance procedure for turfgrass; yet, it is often taken for granted. Proper mowing is important in creating a good-quality lawn because it encourages a dense stand of turfgrass plants, which keep down the weed population through competition for nutrients and sunlight.

For the best appearance and quality, turfgrasses should be mowed at the optimum mowing height for proper growth and health of the specific turfgrass species in the lawn. Each turfgrass species has a range of mowing heights that are preferred for its optimum performance. Lawns under environmental stress, such

as drought, heat, or shade, should be mowed at the higher end of he mowing height range.

Make sure the mower blade is sharp. Dull blades tear and shred the leaves instead of cutting them. This causes the tips to dry out and brown, which looks bad and creates an entry point for diseases.

Also, be sure to mow the lawn often enough. A highly fertilized bermudagrass lawn being irrigated in the middle of the summer in Alabama really should be mowed twice per week. Most homeowners mow once per week on the weekend, but this can lead to unsightly scalping, which reduces a lawn’s competitiveness edge against weeds.

Fertilizing is only helpful when it’s done right. The two biggest mistakes made when fertilizing lawns are fertilizing at the wrong time and using too much. Warm-season grasses, like bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass, should be fertilized in the summer. The most common mistake made with these grasses is fertilizing them too early in the spring.

The lawn will be much better off if soil temperatures are high enough to support root growth when fertilizer is applied. This means that the lawn should not be fertilized until the soil temperature at 4 inches averages 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When a lawn is fertilized very early in the growing season, it produces new, tender shoots, just the kind of growth that is most easily killed in a late frost.

Applying too much fertilizer has several disadvantages. First, it can increase the chances of many diseases invading the lawn. Applying a large amount of soluble fertilizers can burn the turf and produce harmful runoff and pollution. It also increases the need for mowing.

However, some turfgrasses need more fertilizer than others. For example, bermudagrass – especially some of the newer varieties, such as Discovery –requires 4 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet over the course of a summer to remain green and actively growing. St. Augustinegrass requires between 3 and 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, and zoysiagrasses require 2 to 3 pounds per thousand.

Luscious Lawns

Previous Pages: Beautiful lawns are made through care and attention; Top Left: It is difficult to grow a lawn in the shade; Left: Improper mowing could leave lawns susceptible to diseases.

In the case of centipedegrass, it is critical not to fertilize too much. Centipedegrass is very sensitive to nitrogen application, and although it turns green when fertilized, it dies the following year. Do not apply more than 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to centipedegrass per year.

Finally, with all warm-season turfgrasses, do not use weed-and-feed products during the spring greenup period. My recommendation is to wait to use herbicides until the grass is 100 percent green and is being mowed. Grasses that are otherwise tolerant to herbicides could act very differently during greenup, and it is best to wait.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to grow a lush lawn in the shade.

GARDEN TALK

When It's Right

The dream of the perfect lawn is attainable with healthy watering, mowing, fertilization and sunlight.

option.

Plant breeders continue to work on better shade tolerance in grasses. Newer varieties of zoysiagrasses are available that offer some alternatives to St. Augustinegrass in moderate shade, such as, Zeon or Geo; however, grasses are still grasses, and in areas that receive less than four hours of sunlight per day, do not expect turfgrass to thrive.

David Han

Grass simply is not adapted to grow under heavy shade. Grass in shade becomes thin and weak. This provides a perfect opportunity for weeds to move in. No matter how many times the weeds are killed or sprayed, they will come back if the grass is not healthy.

In Alabama, shade is an especially big problem because the most shade tolerant grasses we have are tall fescue and St. Augustinegrass. Summers are too hot in most of the state for tall fescue to grow well, and winters often are too cold in other parts of the state for St. Augustinegrass. In the Tennessee Valley, tall fescue is an option. In the southern two-thirds of the state, or in a protected microclimate, St. Augustinegrass may be an

There’s still time to sign up for the Green Grass Grows lawn workshop led by local Extension officials on Tuesday, July 18, at First Baptist Church in Dadeville. The class will cover all the basic lawn care tips a homeowner needs to know to manage a yard. Types of turfgrass, soil fertility, maintenance, weed control, insect pests and common diseases will be discussed. The cost of the workshop is $5. Register at aces.edu/go/lawn-workshop.

~ Dr. David Han is an associate professor and Extension specialist in turfgrass management in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University.

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Mexican Corn Salad with Jalapenos and Bacon

Tips and Variations

Feel free to stick to the original recipe or explore these tips and variations.

n Use fresh corn or frozen kernels instead of canned corn. I usually use canned corn because I always have it in my pantry, and it’s easy to grab. That also makes this dish super-fast to pull together for a dinner, a cookout or a year-round side dish.

n Add rinsed and drained black beans.

n Add crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad.

Indulge your taste buds and combine sweet corn, spicy jalapenos and smoky bacon, contrasting flavors that work nicely together. This refreshing and satisfying salad could be a side dish, a tasty addition to tacos or fajitas or a dip with your favorite chip.

This corn salad is one of my favorites. It brings the best of flavors, textures and versatility to the table. It adds a pop of color and makes an attractive dish for any meal or gathering. This is usually one of the first dishes to disappear from the potluck picnic table, and I always get asked for the recipe.

GOOD EATS

Whether it’s a casual barbecue or a family gathering, this Mexican Corn Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will impress your guests and have them craving more. It’s cool, creamy and satisfying, the perfect side dish for summer meals. Your guests will come back for seconds.

Ingredients

4 15-ounce cans of whole kernel corn, drained

1 12-ounce package of bacon

1/3 cup diced green onions

1 jalapeno, diced and seeds removed

1 green, red or yellow bell pepper, diced

1-1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup ranch dressing

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Cilantro, chopped, optional

Instructions

Fry bacon till crisp. Crumble and set aside. In a large bowl, add the drained corn, bacon, onions, peppers, lime juice, cheese and seasonings. Stir well. Add ranch dressing and cilantro. Stir again. Cover and chill for one hour or longer before serving.

~ Gina Abernathy is the author and recipe creator behind the blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

n If using fresh corn, boil it on the cob for about three minutes, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly. Remove the kernels and add them to the salad.

n Or you could grill the corn before removing the kernels, which adds an extra smoky flavor.

n Adjust the spiciness by omitting or adding more jalapenos, or leave the seeds or membranes for more kick.

n Cilantro is optional but adds a delightful flavor. Adjust the amount based on your preference.

Gina Abernathy

Lake Martin Living Art & Photography Contest

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Lake Martin Living magazine’s Art & Photography Contest this year returns to an exhibit-and-reception event with cash prizes for the winners, as well as recognition of every entering artist in the October magazine issue.

Entry fees in this year’s contest are $20 for each work submitted, and each entry includes one ticket to the exhibit and reception, as well as one vote for the People’s Choice Award. Event-only tickets (no artwork entered) will be available for $15 and include a People’s Choice vote. The event will include catered hors d’oeuvres, and each ticketholder will receive two drink tickets. The reception also will feature live music. Ticketholders are eligible for door prizes, which will be drawn throughout the reception.

First place winners in each category will receive $200; $150 will be awarded to second place winners; and third place in each category will receive $100. The People’s Choice winner also will receive $100. All submitting artists will be featured inside the October issue of Lake Martin Living magazine, with one of the first place works featured on the cover. Artists and event sponsors

also will be recognized in The Alex City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, The Wetumpka Herald and The Tallassee Tribune and on TPI websites and social media.

A Setting Sun

Barbara Kazmierczak's setting sun drew the judges' attention and took first place at last year's art competition.

Deadline for entries will be 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. All entries must be ready to hang and clearly identified on the back with the artist’s name, mailing address, email and phone number. Entries must be submitted to 548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City. Each artist will be limited to three entries. Only original works that have not previously been submitted in the contest are eligible for entry. Entries must reflect the nature, beauty or lifestyle of Alabama.

Look for more details about the exhibit and reception in the August issues of Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines and in TPI newspapers, websites and social media.

SongwritersFestival

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Six new venues will host performances during this year’s Lake Martin Songwriters Festival, a five-day event featuring 28 writers of popular music across a spectrum of genres, sponsored by 40 local businesses. Tallapoosa County Tourism’s signature event on and off the lake, these entertainment events from July 26 to 30 are free, thanks to the support of 40 local businesses, said Sandra Fuller, executive director at Tallapoosa County’s tourism office who coordinates the festival.

New to the venue list this year are Fermenter’s Market on the Green, Ocie & Belle’s and The Square in downtown Alexander City and The Funky Goat, The Mitchell House and Martin’s at Lake Martin in Dadeville.

“We’re so glad to bring these new venues to the festival this year. More venues help us to expand the schedule and include more great music,” Fuller said. “And we’re grateful for the support from our local businesses. Without their partnership, we would not be able to offer this opportunity to the songwriters to play or the audiences to hear them.”

Fuller said more than 2,000 attended last year’s festival, including visitors from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and across Alabama.

The Mitchell House in Dadeville this year will host the VIP reception, where event partners will mingle with songwriters.

The festival begins on Wednesday, July 26, at Niffer’s Place at Lake Martin at 5:30 p.m. and Lake Martin Pizza in Dadeville at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday will be a big festival night with performances at Zazu’s Verandah and Martin’s at Lake Martin in Dadeville and Fermenter’s Market on the Green, The Square, Ocie & Belle’s and The Local on 41 Main in Alexander City.

“We wanted to set it up in Alexander City so audience members could stroll down the street in the Arts & Entertainment District to visit the different venues and hear more artists in one night,” Fuller explained.

The Local’s stage will host local artists Kevin Adair, the husband-and-wife Brown Barnes Duo, Sid Phelps and Josiah Rodda, along with Lake Martin’s Haley Hawkins.

On Friday, festival artists will play at The Social at Lake Martin and The Funky Goat, as well two events at Russell Crossroads. The Town Green at Russell Crossroads will host the 20 & Under Songwriters Competition at 5:30 p.m. and

Making Music

Top: Featured songwriters play at local venues, like The Square in Alexander City and (Bottom) Bay Pines Marina; Facing Page: The concerts are free for listeners, as Tallapoosa County Tourism partners foot the bill.

12 featured songwriters from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., including headliner Jeffrey Steele, who will make only this one appearance at this year’s event.

Steele has penned hits for Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Joe Cocker and many more. He’s a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and twice was awarded CMA’s Triple Play Award for three No. 1 songs in a single year.

Five venues will host songwriters on Saturday, July 29, with music playing all afternoon and evening. Bay Pines Marina and The Social at Lake Martin will open Saturday’s music thread at noon, and Chuck’s will host four musicians from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bluff’s Daquiri Bar at Harbor Point Marina will start their festival show at 4 p.m. with Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters hosting 11 songwriters from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., including the evening’s headliner, Adam Hood, who will bring his band this year.

Copper’s Grill was the most popular festival venue last year, and this year will host a second concert at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 30. Chuck’s will close out this year’s festival from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Each venue will add elements to make the concerts festive and fun for everyone – drink and dining specials, lawn games, decorations and more will vary from venue to venue, Fuller said.

Tallapoosa County Tourism is able to invite a wide field of songwriters with the help of individuals who

host songwriters in their homes at no charge to cut festival costs and make hotels room available for visiting audiences. In addition to covering the costs of putting the event together, partnering businesses cover payments to the performers.

“It’s truly a community event for the community, as well as visitors,” Fuller said. “We hope that people will come to our communities to hear these wonderful musicians and stay to enjoy everything the area has to offer.”

This year’s partners include The Pace Place, Russell Lands, Copper’s Grill, The Destination Glamping Resort, The Mitchell House, Miller Hotel, Blackberry Breeze, Budget Blinds, Lake Area Realty, Inc., Lake Broadcasting, Inc. Lake Martin Tourism Association, Those Lake Martin Guys Century 21 Lake Area Realty, Inc., Main Street Alexander City, Niffer’s Place Lake Martin, Bushtec Safari, Lakeside Marina Bay Pines, Love Lake Martin, The Local at 41 Main, MortgagePro The “Eric McKinley Team,” Sellers CPA, LLC, Zazu’s Verandah, Bluffs Daiquiri Bar, Chuck’s Marina, C&T Electric, Farmers Insurance, Forensic Engineering Company, Fermenter’s Market, Lake Martin Mobile Detailing, Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Martin Seamless, Inc., Lake Martin Pizza Co., Martin’s at Lake Martin, Oskars Café, River Bank & Trust, The Social at Lake Martin, The Square, Super 8 by Wyndham, TowBoatU.S. and Wind Creek State Park.

Lake Martin Brewery

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

The purchase of Mistletoe Bough may have brought Eddie and Jennifer Durrett to Alexander City, but Durrett’s passion for the art of brewing is what convinced him to open Lake Martin Brewing on the traffic circle downtown.

Before settling down in Alexander City three years ago, Durrett and Jennifer traveled across the U.S. during and after Durrett's military service and while supporting the Department of Defense in a civilian role. While traveling, Durrett visited several breweries, and that’s when his interest in the beer-making process piqued.

“I’m ex-military. I’ve traveled the world, and we’ve

lived in many places in the U.S. We moved here because of Mistletoe Bough. We bought the bed and breakfast. We got here and fell in love with the community, the friendships we’ve made and the people we’ve met,” Durrett explained.

Above: Eddie Durrett hopes Lake Martin Brewery will be a place where people will relax, converse and enjoy flavorful beer; Facing Page: Brewing beer requires a highly controlled and sanitized process.

When traveling, Durrett made a point of seeking out craft breweries for more than just the elevated beer options. The atmosphere that accompanies a brewery and distinguishes one

A Gathering Place

from another is as diverse and welcoming as can be, he said.

“I love the diverse atmosphere that it provides a community. I never feel like I’m walking into a bar when I walk into a craft brewery. It’s a place where you can walk in, sit down and just feel comfortable meeting the person next to you and having a conversation. It’s a place where you can go with friends to relax and unwind. I seek that atmosphere,” Durrett said.

Durrett was introduced to craft breweries in D.C. after he’d left active service. He and a friend visited an Irish pub there and became enthralled with the beermaking process. He was surprised at how flavorful

beer could be.

“It was one of those things where my passion really morphed. A military buddy and I were stationed in D.C. I’m a Bud Light guy, and he’s a Miller Lite guy. We started going to this Irish pub where we learned about Guinness. It kind of grew from that into, ‘I’m going to try to brew my own beer at home,’ to ‘OK, this is obtainable,’” Durrett explained.

Having visited hundreds of breweries and experimented with home brewing, Durrett saw a need in the community for more beer options. Fueled by immersion in the brewing industry, he took the leap and opened the Lake Martin Brewery in the spring.

“It’s doable if someone has enough passion for it.

Researching and finding the right equipment is how we got here. Now, here we are. I’m brewing, and we have our own brewery,” Durrett said.

When it comes to the actual beer-making process, math, science, craftsmanship and artisanship come into play, Durrett said.

“When you think about a brewing operation,

it’s 50 percent science and math; and then, 50 percent craftsmanship and artisanship. Your fundamentals are your fundamentals. You know what boil temperatures are. You know how to take readings, and you know how to do math deductions. You must understand that if your pH is not at a certain number, that’s going to affect your efficiency,” Durrett explained.

Once he had the basics down, experimenting and exploring different tastes was one of the most exciting parts of the process, he said.

“Once someone has a grasp of the science and math elements, the sky is the limit. It’s like an artist painting a portrait. It’s the same process with craft beer. What if I introduce a little bit of this or a little bit of that? It just completely changes the complexity. You discover great products by just exploring, and the craft brewing world is exciting,” Durrett said.

The craftsmanship and artisanship in the brewing industry comes into play when developing flavors. Unlike big beer manufacturing companies, such as Budweiser, small breweries typically don’t have monitoring systems to ensure each beer is the same.

Cultivating Community

Upper Left: Long, tall tables encourage patrons to talk to each other; Lower Left: Patrons also can enjoy conversation and a beverage outside.

“When you talk about beer manufacturing, consistency is probably your No. 1 challenge. When you think about major beer companies, they have an exact process that does not deviate one ounce. It is the same thing every time. In a craft brewery world, you have to be really focused and pay attention. A quarter ounce less of water or a pH of .2 difference can change the taste,” Durrett explained.

Though each beer at Lake Martin Brewery has a unique blend of flavors, there are four base ingredients to start off each one – grain, water, yeast and hops.

According to Durrett, being attentive is not the only important step of ensuring quality products in the brewing industry. Sanitation is key when brewing and must not be ignored.

“Sanitization in the beer world is everything. You need to be ultra-aggressive when it comes to ensuring that you don’t introduce any bacteria in beer because it can ruin your batch. Anything that could potentially touch beer, whether it be your hands, the tools you’re working with or the container that it’s in – it has to be sanitary. The beer-making process is about awareness, the ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s and adhering to strict protocol to ensure you’re not messing anything up,” Durrett said.

Along with the passion he possesses for brewing, Durrett has developed a passion for the Alexander City and Lake Martin communities. He hopes to provide a place for people to come together and have fun.

“We want this community atmosphere. That’s why you see long tables. We want people in groups of 12 or 20 to be able to come here and sit together and talk. We want this upbeat, fun atmosphere, almost like a New York style lounge. We’ve got John Denney’s artwork here, and more is on the way. It’s an art gallery, a sports bar, a brewery and a restaurant. We’re trying to bring forth all of it,” Durrett explained.

Lake Martin Brewery at 82 Court Square in downtown Alexander City is open from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Visit them on Facebook or call them at 256-397-5747.

Local artist Kay Fincher appreciated art long before she understood how good it was for her overall wellness, and since making that discovery, she shares the benefits of being creative with as many people as possible.

“I enjoyed looking at art, but I’d never painted. When I moved here, I saw an ad at Hobby Lobby for an evening art class. I thought that looked like fun, so I took the class,” Fincher said. “When the teacher retired, she said I knew enough that I could teach what she had taught me. So, I started teaching a little.”

Quick to explain she’s not an art therapist, Fincher worked as a medical secretary/assistant and later as a practice manager in a variety of specialties for most of her career, taking particular interest in neurology. After she retired – and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic – she read widely on the connections between brain development and creativity. Now, she encourages cancer patients and others dealing with difficult life situations to explore the benefits of art, not as a treatment or therapy but as a creative outlet that could have far reaching overall benefits.

From books, like Sally Springer’s Left Brain, Right Brain and others written by leaders in the neurological field, to research studies in Brain & Life Magazine, Fincher read that art helps Parkinson’s patients with dexterity; boosts immunity, enhances dopamine production, lowers stress levels, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the brain to generate wellness in the body.

“I’d been reading about physical and emotional connections, and it fascinated me when I painted with a woman with cancer who said that when she painted, the pain went away. I was seeing that what I’d read really worked,” Fincher said. “A woman who had been widowed didn’t want to get out and do anything, but a friend talked her into coming to my art class, and in four weeks it made a big difference for her. Art can have dramatic effects, and I come across these things all the time.”

Being good at art isn’t the point, Fincher stressed. The point is to do it.

“Everybody says, ‘I don’t have a creative bone in my body,’ and I think the reason for that is that when we’re little, they give us crayons, and creativity is on the surface. But we don’t have opportunities to do art as we grow up – there’s not much art in schools – so in adulthood, it’s not there. We haven’t done it, so we think we can’t do it,” she supposed. “The remedy is to take up art. All of the arts are good for the brain and good for the body.”

A spectrum of media awaits, and Fincher encourages people to try more than one – or to combine them. Paint on fabric and embroider over it. Use art and text in journaling or combine dried leaves with bits of lace and trims to make a personalized greeting card.

In hopes of sharing the beneficial attributes of art with those who might have much to gain from it, Fincher started looking for an art program that might be associated with a medical facility, and she called UAB Medicine – Russell Cancer Center Director George

Art is good for you

Miranda, who invited Fincher to discuss art journaling with a group of cancer patients who had recently completed treatment. Fincher brought her story and a stack of blank notebooks filled with sketch paper.

Miranda hoped art journaling would provide selfsupport to patients who, at the end of their treatment, no longer see the team that helped them get through the tough treatments.

“When treatment is over, it can be depressing,” Miranda explained. “The support is gone, and for as much as a year after treatment, it can affect patients.”

Fincher encouraged members of the Thrivers Group to add something to their notebooks every day.

“That’s the hard part. It takes commitment, but

when it’s just for you, it makes you relax,” she said. “I noticed that if I was angry, I could sit down and scribble something in my art journal, I would feel better.

“It made me mindful of simple surprises as I went about my day – little yellow and white flowers I saw on a walk or watching bluebirds. It helps you create your own happiness.”

Fincher continues to look for opportunities to share art with others in the hopes of each finding it beneficial for overall wellness. She continues to teach an art class, and next month, Fincher and Red Ridge United Methodist Church Pastor Dorothy Scot will start a GriefShare program. The 11-week program will begin

Aug. 7 and run through Oct. 16. Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and are open to the public. There is a $20 fee for the workbook. For more information, contact Scott at 205-907-5270 or email Dorothy.scott@umcna.org.

Dadeville's Kay Fincher began to notice how art affected her own wellness and that of her art students.

To share more about creativity with Fincher, join the Lake Martin Creativity Group at StillWaters Residential Building at 1 p.m. on Mondays or email Fincher at vkfincher@aol.com.

STORY & PHOTO BY BETSY ILER

Art for Overall Wellness

Medicare Advantage Is it right for me?

Last month, I explained traditional Medicare – or, at least, I tried to. That was in order to give you context to comprehend Medicare Advantage. The choice between traditional Medicare (Fee for Service or FFS) and MA depends on whether you are a healthy senior with few or no medical needs, or whether you have one or more chronic conditions that require frequent physician visits and medical tests.

WHEN IS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GOOD FOR YOU?

If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you will still pay the Part B premium. In most cases, that’s all you’ll pay, though there are a few MA plans that charge an additional premium for a higher level of service. You will get everything that traditional Medicare covers, plus additional benefits that FFS does not offer, like prescription drug coverage and vision and dental benefits, and in some plans you even get free transportation to medical appointments, free health club membership and grocery money. What’s not to like about that?

If you are a healthy Medicare beneficiary and don’t need a lot of healthcare services, a MA plan is probably great for you. You get help with the cost of eyeglasses and dental hygiene, and your out-of-pocket

costs for doctors’ appointments and prescription drugs are affordable.

Right now, you’re probably asking yourself, “How can they afford to offer all these extra benefits for no additional cost?”

Here’s how: CMS pays these commercial plans a capitated payment; that is, the government pays the insurance company a set amount of money per member per month. The insurance company, in turn, spends some of that money to pay for your medical expenses. It makes a profit by not paying for medical care. Because MA plans tend to enroll healthy seniors, the money they save from not paying for health care can be redirected toward perquisites like dental and vision care.

If you sign up for a MA plan, be prepared to have your medical care managed for you. These plans typically require prior authorizations for expensive diagnostic studies or treatments. They will usually approve these tests and treatments, provided they are appropriate; however, if you and/or your doctor overlook this prior authorization requirement, the insurance plan will deny payment, even if the service is medically necessary. Denying payment for medical care increases insurance company profit.

The other main cost-saving tactic used by health plans is to require you to use in-network physicians

and facilities. In-network providers have agreed to accept a discounted payment in return for access to the insurance company’s beneficiaries. If you are a healthy senior, these cost-limiting tactics are a moot point because you’re using your medical benefits sparingly, if at all.

If the perceived limits on choice concern you, remember that CMS requires MA plans to cover everything that traditional Medicare covers, which they do – except when they don’t.

MEDICAL NEWS

The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (the agency over CMS) released a disturbing report in April of 2022 revealing that 13 percent of prior authorization denials issued by MA plans during a sample period in 2019 actually met Medicare coverage rules; in other words, the same service offered to a beneficiary under traditional Medicare would have been covered. Moreover, 18 percent of payment denials by MA organizations in the same period would have been reimbursed under Medicare FFS.

Even if a MA plan approves a treatment, the process of getting prior approval can be so onerous as to delay the delivery of care. This might be merely inconvenient if we’re talking about back surgery, but in the case of cancer therapies, where I have personally seen delays of up to two weeks to get a radiation therapy treatment approved, it can potentially affect a patient’s survival.

WHEN IS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE NOT GOOD FOR YOU?

What if you’re not a healthy senior? What if you have frequent doctors’ office visits or frequent tests, or you have to have frequent expensive intravenous infusions?

What the “Medicare advisers” on the television commercials (you know, the ones who aren’t really advisors but tell you that they are) often overlook when selling you on the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans is the co-insurance trap. MA plans typically require you to pay 20 percent of outpatient costs, just like traditional Medicare does. The benefit of a MA plan over FFS is that MA plans have an outof-pocket maximum cap, whereas FFS has no cap. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, the most a MA beneficiary will pay out of pocket in 2023 is $8,300.

If you have a chronic condition that requires lots of tests, physician office visits and expensive treatments, the 20 percent co-insurance can become financially suffocating.

To illustrate this issue, let me share with you a scenario that I might see every day in the Cancer Center. About half of our patients on Medicare have

signed up for MA plans. And they did so, usually, because it was easier on the wallet on a monthly basis. No additional premiums. Prescription drug coverage. And for low income seniors, once unaffordable dental and vision care is now within reach. But then, the oncologist prescribes one of these great new drugs – immune checkpoint inhibitors, like Keytruda – that have transformed once terminal cancers into chronic illnesses. They are truly remarkable. And truly expensive.

Let’s say you are the patient, and you’ve been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Historically, your survival would have been less than six months; until this new miracle drug came along. Now, you might live for years. But there’s a caveat: Your cost – out of your pocket – for this treatment is $1,600 every three weeks until you’ve reached your $8,300 out-of-pocket max. And next year, you start all over again. How long can you keep it up?

Let’s add another nuance to this scenario. Let’s say you are on a fixed income. If you are receiving less than $1,235 per month in retirement or disability benefits, you will qualify for some level of Medicaid support, which will cover what Medicare does not.

But let’s say your check is a dollar over $1,235 per month. You would still qualify for a limited Medicaid program, but this program pays only your Medicare premiums. It does not cover your co-insurance. Your co-insurance for your life-saving miracle drug is $1,600 every three weeks, but your monthly check is $1,236. What do you do? Do you forgo life-saving treatment? Do you default on your mortgage?

THE GAMBLE

Whether to choose a MA plan or stick with FFS depends on your level of risk aversion. If you had a crystal ball, and you knew exactly when you would transition from a healthy senior to a chronically ill senior, the decision would be easy. The problem is that none of us has a crystal ball. And human nature being what it is, we tend to deny our morbidity and mortality. Chances are, we won’t make the switch in time.

When you are healthy, the additional $1,800 to $2,400 in annual premiums for MediGap and Medicare D is wasted money. When you are chronically ill, that same amount is a bargain compared to the potential $8,300 you’ll pay out in co-insurance. It’s like the mechanic says in the old STP commercial: You’re gonna pay me now or pay me later.

~ George Miranda is the Director of the UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center.

George Miranda

Taking advantage of higher interest rates

With all the uncertainty about the economy, it could be tempting to sit tight and not make any financial moves. You might even be thinking about pulling your money out of your investment accounts.

I don’t agree with that strategy. In fact, I am seeing that it’s a great time to start making your money work effectively for you.

Given today’s higher interest rates, this is probably not the time to refinance your home or car. But the bright side to the rates is higher yields on investments.

So, when my clients come asking what to do with their money right now, I tell them it’s a good time to come up with an investment strategy that’s right for you. Below is information about two accounts that I’ve been recommending to clients, along with a tip for locking in current rates on loans.

MONEY MATTERS

Among the things to consider when opening one of these accounts are how much money you have to invest, the minimum amount required for the account and the account’s withdrawal limit. While this money could be liquid, transaction limits are often in place. So, make sure to work with your banker to understand limitations and requirements.

Certificate of deposit account

A CD is a financial product that pays a fixed interest rate for a set period of time. Again, right now, the rates for CDs tend to be higher than those offered on savings accounts. When opening a CD, it’s important to know the money isn’t liquid, so you will not have access to it while it’s in the account. In addition, withdrawing it early may result in significant fees.

This can be an excellent option if you can let your money sit for the recommended amount of time.

Lock in current rates for large purchases

High-yield savings or money market account

When interest rates are higher, high-yield savings and money market accounts offer rates at 3 percent to 5 percent, which is higher than an average savings account at possibly under 1 percent. This makes these types of accounts a good options, since otherwise you’d have the money sitting in your checking or savings account accruing no interest.

Looking to the future, I don’t see interest rates lowering much this year, so now might be a great time to secure a loan if you are looking to make a major purchase in the next six months. While rates may be higher than this time last year, there is a chance they will increase again. Prepping for that larger purchase now could pay off down the road.

The best first step is to get in touch with your banker. Establishing that relationship is the first step to finding money management options that are right for you. While no situation is the same, a good banker can always make a solid recommendation. The economy may be unpredictable, but right now the iron is hot, and it’s time to strike. Contact your banker to take advantage of the higher interest rates and make an investment in yourself and your future.

~ Terry Mitchell is market manager at Valley Bank, Auburn branch. He has been banking in the area for 24 years.

Terry Mitchell

Alexander City Main Street

Farmers Market

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Downtown Alexander City

1. Erin, Reign and Corey Pouncey

2. Alexia and Alicia Clifton

3. Steven, Erin and Emmett Whitehurst

4. Claire Burns

5. Valencia Caffee and Jaylon Reese

6. Ellen Gregg and Jimbo Spencer

7. Mackenzie and Todd Ledbetter and Martha Ship

Animal Tales

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Mamie's Place Children's Library

1. Eloise Grant and Charlee Jones

2. Nick Clayton, Colton Jones and John Riley Baker

3. Ramona Crowe and Grayson Hartley

4. Paisley and Colton Clark

5. Misty, Kendall and Kennedy Sims

6. Saige, Adalynn, Jack, Benji and Colson Patterson

BBQ Social

Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce Summer

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

The Mitchell House

1. Wayne and Kim Counts

2. David and Audrey White

3. Stephen and Emily Smith

4. Linda Shy, Sis Yarbrough, Cathy Hurley and Liz Bradford

5. Ginger McCollum and Joey and Julie Wright

6. Shelly Keebler and Tal and Ally Bullard

Alexander City Jazz Fest

Friday, June 9, 2023

Strand Park, Alexander City

1. Billy Barrett

2. Lee Williams and John Howell

3. Elizabeth Futral

4. Cyndi Hawkins and Ruby

5. Lt. Orlando Daniels and Officer Alexander Ware

6. Lacey Howell and Mayor Curtis “Woody” Baird

7. Cay, Tayden, Blakelee and Emmy Miller and Skylar Caldwell and Christian Berry

8. Kevin Whitman, Dartia Cook, Donna and Deryll Thomas and Shavon Debardabon

Cooper

Juneteenth Celebration

Monday, June 19, 2023

Recreation Center, Alexander City

1. Crystal Freeman

2. Brooklynn and Courtney Dowdell

3. John and Sarah Russell

4. Wanda Brooks and Sherre Kelly

5. Jackie Strong, Kenyatta Simmons, Jernell Anderson, Romy

Stamps, Brittany Johnson and Stephanie and T.C. Coley

6. Lakita and Bevelyn Hawes

7. Lisa and Dominique Brown and Mercedes Freeman

8. Abram Anderson and Terance Stamps

Music on the Square

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Zazu's Verandah, Dadeville

1. Rick and Mitzy Hidding and David Jones

2. Natalie Bodie and Cheryl Hugaboom

3. Dan Lehman and Jack

4. Starla and Billy Haynes

5. Sara Poole

6. Marie Kostick, Jeri Brown and Barry and Cheryl Parliament

FEATURED EVENT

Princess Whatsername

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

Alexander City Theatre II is proud to present Princess Whatsername by Brian D. Taylor, a delightful children’s play set to debut on the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium stage this month.

The play, directed by Christale Tuck, includes some 40 parts that will be played by local children and tells the story of a princess who has lost her memory. With help from some fairytale friends along the way, the princess just might get her memory back.

“It’s about a princess who loses her memory, and she goes through the forest visiting fairytale characters, like Hansel and Gretel, Snow White and Goldilocks, just to name a few. They help her figure out who she really is,” Tuck explained.

Rehearsals for the play began in early June, and Tuck said the kids couldn’t be more excited for everyone to see the final result.

“They’re excited. It’s been going well. We have about 40 kids ranging from ages 7 to about 17. They’re enjoying it. They’re

learning their parts and their songs. We’re excited,” Tuck said.

Learning Lines

Rehearsals for the play began in early June for the upcoming performances.

A second grade teacher at Jim Pearson Elementary School in Alexander City, Tuck said she is having a great time working on the play with the children.

“I enjoy it. I’ve had a lot of help. There are a lot of people behind the scenes that have been helping out. It’s just been a lot of fun. I enjoy doing these kinds of things. I am on the board for ACT II, and I think they provide a great platform for kids that enjoy arts to be creative and explore different avenues,” Tuck explained.

Princess Whatsername will open on the BRHS Auditorium stage on July 27 and 28 at 6 p.m. and on July 29 at 2 p.m. Performances are free and open to the public. Visit actheatre2. com or the Alexander City Theatre II Facebook page for details.

LAKE REGION EVENTS

July 15

20th Annual Lions Lake Martin Poker Run

This event might just be the most fun you have at the lake all summer. Gather friends, family and/or coworkers and pick a theme to decorate your boat. Then, start this day of boating fun at 8 a.m. at Kowaliga Marina to pick up your first card. Throughout the day, you’ll visit five marinas on the lake to draw your best poker hand and pick up T-shirts, koozies and other giveaways. The event ends with food and prizes at The Ridge Marina. Prizes total $7,250 for highest hand, worst hand and best dressed crew. Register your boat and crew for $175 at Kowaliga Marina from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Purchase an extra card at The Ridge Marina to better your hand. Call 256-794-1397 for more information.

July 18

Zoo2Go

Montgomery Zoo will entertain children at 10 a.m. at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library for the summer reading program, All Together Now. Bring the kids to meet snakes, birds and cuddly animals and learn how animals live together every day.

July 19

Bright Star Touring Theatre

Bright Star Touring Theatre will present a children’s theatre production in keeping with the theme, All Together Now, at 10 a.m. at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library in Alexander City. The program is free.

July

20

Science Guys

The Science Guys promise a morning of fun at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library for this 10 a.m. summer reading program event. This year’s theme is All Together Now

July 22

Black Jacket Symphony

Black Jacket Symphony will make its Lake Martin debut at The AMP with a performance that will include the entire classic rock album, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors. Reserved seat and general admission tickets, priced from $39.50 to $49.50, are available only through ticketmaster.com.

July 23

Pennington Park Farmers Market

Visit Pennington Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to get freshly picked produce and home-baked goods at the farmers market.

July 23

Twitty & Lynn

Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty have country music in their blood. The grandchildren of famed duo Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have taken to the road to honor their grandparents in an intimate evening of music and storytelling as only they can tell. The duo will perform at Pursell Farms’ Hamilton Place. Tickets are $5 general admission (no dinner); $88 (dinner and the show); and $417 (premium overnight accommodations, dinner and show). Call 256-208-7600 to book a premium overnight package. Purchase general admission and dinner and show tickets at pursellfarms.com.

July 24-27

Summer Music and Related Arts Camp

Dadeville Performing Arts Center and associated organizations will offer a four-day integrated music/art/dance/ drama camp from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children in grades one through five in Tallapoosa County. This is a free program for local children. A limited number of spaces are available at $80 for children visiting the area. Program registration information will be available at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com/ classes.

July 26-30

Lake Martin Songwriters Festival

Tallapoosa Count Tourism will host 28 writers of chart-topping tunes in 16 venues throughout the Lake Martin area over five days of free concerts. Visit the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival Facebook page for schedule, venues and more.

July 27

Reading Program Finale

Bill Packard Magic Man will entertain children for the finale event of the summer reading program at Mamie’s

Place Children’s Library. Prizes will be awarded for reaching reading goals as the All Together Now theme wraps up, and there will be snacks, games and lots of fun.

Aug. 3

Lake Martin Area United Way Campaign Kick Off

Lake Martin Area United Way invites you to join them at the Alexander City Municipal Complex for the 2024 campaign kick-off. The event begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and include heavy appetizers with one drink ticket per adult. Enjoy live entertainment by the Blackberry Breeze duo and join LMAUW in celebrating the new campaign.

Aug. 3-31

Watersport Clinic Days at Lake Martin

Head out to Blue Creek Marina to learn more about watersports. Test out new wakesurf boards, foils, wakeboards, skis and more. The clinics are held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and reservations are preferred. Call ,256-825-8888 to reserve your spot.

Aug. 4

Tallapoosa County School District

Tallapoosa County School district will resume classes for fall semester.

Aug. 5 Duck Norris Race

This annual fundraiser for Tallapoosa County Sheriffs’ Girl Ranch and TriCounty Children’s Advocacy Center has raised more than $23,000 since the duck race began in 2018. Purchase rubber ducks for $5 each or increase your chance to win by buying in bulk – five ducks for $20. Purchase ducks at Chuck’s Marina. Funds raised through this event help to provide therapy services and transportation. Look for details in upcoming issues of Lake magazine or visit the Chuck’s Marina Facebook page for more information.

Aug. 7

Alexander City Schools

The Alexander City School System will resume classes for fall semester.

LAKE REGION EVENTS

Aug. 7-Oct.16

GriefShare

Meet at Red Ridge United Methodist Church on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for GriefShare. This 11-week program is a community event open to all. Workbooks for this program cost $20. For more information contact Pastor Dorothy Scott at 205-907-5270 or email dorothy.scott@umcna.org.

Aug. 15

Tallapoosa County Cares Meeting

Head out to the East Alabama Mental Health Center from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to join the discussion on ways to resolve the issue of underage drinking. The meeting will be held in the conference room. For more information, contact Ashley Williams at 256-373-3538 or email ashley.williams@eamhc.org.

Aug. 19

Wellness and Healing Retreat Program

New Water Farms will host a retreat from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to enjoy a day of health and wellness that will include a nutrition class, movement and mindfulness exercises, therapeutic drumming and nature activities. Tickets range from $50 to $150. To learn more about the program, call 205-902-8583.

Season-long Events

Friday On The Green

There’s free music on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads every Friday night this summer. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, pups on the leash and coolers. There will be food trucks and lawn games. Friday On The Green is a great way to kickstart your weekend at the lake.

LMYP Game Night

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

The Waverly Local Music

The Waverly Local features live music every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as Saturday in the courtyard from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and for Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For details and lineup, visit The Waverly Local on Facebook.

Music and Related Arts Program

Dadeville Performing Arts Center, with Everything’s Art, will provide an integrated music/art/dance/drama enrichment program for students in Dadeville Elementary School summer school. Register for this program through Dadeville Elementary School.

Driving & Docking Clinics

Boost your confidence and learn to operate and dock your boat during these free clinics at Singleton Marine. Sessions are held at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Call 256-825-8888 or email lnowling@singletonmarine.com to reserve your free spot.

n First Wednesday of each month through August – Pontoons

n Second Wednesday of each month through August – Sterndrives

n Third Wednesday of each month through August – Tow Boats

Lake Martin 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.

Yoga on the Green

Come out to Russell Crossroads on Saturday mornings through September for free 7 a.m. yoga sessions with certified instructors, Barbara Sokol, Teri Rich, Abby Brown Glass and Cammy Day. Bring a mat, towel and water and start the day well.

Lake Martin Civitan Club

The Lake Martin Civitan Club meets at noon in the private room at JR’s Grill, 145 Alabama St., Alexander City, on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, call Audrey Moore at 256-786-0465.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

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

Alexander City Lions Club

Serving 27 local charities in Tallapoosa County, the Alexander City Lions Club meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at Lake Martin Area United Way office on Main Street. A meal is provided at the second meeting of the month, which features an engaging speaker. For more information, contact Mae Lynn O’Neil at 256-750-7404.

Dulcimer Club

All levels of mountain dulcimer and blending traditional instruments are invited to gather at Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays to rehearse for performances at a variety of community events. Club fee is $25 annually. Performer memberships, patron memberships or quarterly memberships are $30. Email kim.walls@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

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. 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.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For 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.

Fiber Fridays

Bring your knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery and other fiber art projects to The Yarn Shop Around the Corner in Dadeville from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays to meet fellow fiber artisans, share tips and techniques and talk with others who share your interests. Call 334-444-1038 for more information.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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

Main Street Farmers Market

Main Street Alexander City will open the Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday through September. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, breads, baked goods, handmade items and more at the market’s location in the old City Hall parking lot on Main Street.

SUMMERTIME IS A SPECIAL TIME, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY?

Summertime means time on the water, time away from work, and more time with family and friends.

Make sure your heart is healthy and ready for the season with an appointment at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Russell Medical.

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

Our clinic is backed by the knowledge and expertise of UAB Medicine, including:

• Advanced ultrasound testing

• Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs

• Management of cardiac rhythm disorders

• Interventional cardiology care

Our expanded clinical team is ready to serve you. Schedule a visit today by calling 256-234-2644.

Legend

Public Boat Ramps

Explore

Lake Martin

Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

River North Marina 256-397-1500

Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700

Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600

Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's 256-444-8793

SpringHouse 256-215-7080

Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

Acapulco Mexican Gril 334-283-2725

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

Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132

Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

Kowaliga Whole Health 334-857-1816

Aronov Realty Lake Martin 256-825-4133

Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847

Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717

Creekside Lodge 256-307-1440

Red Ridge UMC 256-825-9820

Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293

Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc 334-857-2443

Docks Unlimited LLC 256-203-8400

Dixie Sailing Club Church of the Living Waters Lakeshore Pharmacy 256-825-0063

Your Lake Martin Sightseeing Pass. Scan me!

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

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE!

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 & 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

Nails

Kowaliga Marina

Children's Harbor

Catherine's Market

Russell Lands Corporate Office

Russell Lands Real Estate

Sales Center

SpringHouse

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

EQUALITY

Five Star Plantation

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 Martin Living delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

ST YLISH DETAILED ARTISTIC POLITE CLE VER RELIABLE DETERMINED GRE AT

CHARMING PEOPLE READ THE PAPER.

FAITHFUL RE ALISTIC

Ihave always loved cars. I vividly remember getting my driver’s license, what I was wearing, and how it felt to drive that 2002 black Volkswagen bug with the flower vase in it to the Benjamin Russell parking lot. Cars were freedom. Cars say a lot about the personality and style of the drivers.

Once I got into real estate, the car quickly became “the office,” and I realized I was going to need a SUV to comfortably haul tall clients. I also was going to need rear storage for signs and tools. Four-wheel drive would be needed as well (the first time I had to use 4WD is another story).

Culture Shock

Jeep has won many Kelley Blue Book awards for best resale value. I saw that firsthand when I sold my 2017 Jeep for almost what I paid for it during the pandemic with 100,000 miles on it. It is a timeless vehicle because the body style does not change that much. Collectors, like my brother, can take a deep dive of all the different makes, models and hard to find editions. I always snap photos of cool ones I see on the road, and Blake immediately knows all the history.

At first, I really did not want a SUV. I wanted a convertible. There is nothing better than the wind in my hair. It has been a huge destressor for me over the years. So, the obvious choice was a Jeep; it was the best of both worlds. I shopped local and bought a Jeep Wrangler at a local dealership.

I love my Jeep Wrangler. I am now on my second Jeep. Both have been black. I have always had black cars. The coolest feature on the new Jeeps is that the top is like a big sunroof. I just hit the button, and it opens. I used to struggle getting my manual soft-top back on because I am so short. The zippers on the back windows were a pain. I was in a full sweat by the time that task was completed.

Used during World War II, the first Civilian Jeeps were produced by Willys, Kaiser Jeep and American Motors Corporation. The Wrangler was introduced in 1986 with the classic body style of those old military models. Compact in size and equipped with four-wheel drive, this was a practical vehicle.

Did you know there is a Jeep wave? It is only offered up when two Jeeps pass each other on the road. The hand stays on the wheel with the thumb up and the next two fingers. Jeep drivers are friendly folks. Why drive a vehicle that doesn’t have its own secret handshake?

Jeep Ducking is also a thing. There are entire Facebook groups devoted to this phenomenon. As a Jeep owner, I will be parked in a parking lot and upon returning to the vehicle, a rubber ducky will be sitting on my windshield or door handle, often with a little note attached to it. I have been ducked. It makes me smile. It’s silly; and then, I duck the next Jeep I see somewhere. The first time I was ducked was a major moment.

This is all exceptional peer-based marketing. Jeeps signify fun. The top is back on a sunny day. The wind is in my hair, and I am on my way to do something fun and outdoorsy. It is a lifestyle. Tough and fun. Duck Duck Jeep!

~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram @ LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page.

Lacey Howell

Everyday Grandeur

DISCOVER A LUXURIOUS GOLF

LIFESTYLE LIVING ALONG GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

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.