Lake Magazine August 2017

Things to Do Before Summer Ends Naming the Boat Rafting Up

THE GOATS OF GOAT ISLAND AUGUST 2017

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Russell

Medical

Being sick is inconvenient.

SEEING YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR DOESN’T HAVE TO BE. Russell Medical is excited the new facility for Total Healthcare is currently under construction. The state-of-the-art building will make for much easier access and parking for patients. The Russell Medical Staff proudly welcomes Dr. Justin Vines and Dr. Tate Hinkle to the Total Healthcare team! As construction continues, physicians are seeing patients in the Professional Building. Dr. Adams and Dr. Vines are located in Suite 108/109 on the 1st floor. Dr. Edwards and Dr. Hinkle are located in Suite 218 on the 2nd floor. Call 256-329-7887 to schedule your appointment today.

Exceptional care just around the corner • russellcares.com

Dr. John Adams

Dr. Justin Vines

Dr. Robert Edwards

Dr. Tate Hinkle

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AUGUST 2017

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Letter from the Editor

ake Martin is a welcome retreat come August. As heat indices advance into three digits, the cool, clean lake water offers a respite from climbing temperatures until autumn brings cooler days, back-to-school and football, but summer doesn’t really end until October.

There’s still plenty of hot days, sunshine and lake time in August, even if fall beckons with the cares and responsibilities of life off the water.

To help you make the most of the summertime you have left at the lake, we’ve put together a bucket list of ‘must-do’ activities. Check out the bulletin board and posted notes starting on page 26 and send us photos of you and your friends and families completing the list. We’ll publish the pictures in Lake magazine to keep your memories fresh until lake time returns next spring.

Though we hope you’ll stick around to enjoy what we think is the best time on Lake Martin – September through November – we also look forward in this issue to some off-season activities, including hiking at the lake and college-football Saturdays to come. So we’ve included a few stories on those subjects as well.

Turn to page 70 for the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) 2017 Land Conservationist of the Year, Jimmy K. Lanier, who will be honored for his contributions in connecting people with the land during the annual AWF banquet in Prattville this month; and then, visit the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association Facebook page and let Jimmy know how much his work is appreciated.

On page 38, visit with brother and sister Tommy Spraggins and Nancy Hodges, who will take on the presidencies of alumni associations at Lake Martin – for opposing Iron Bowl universities. While they claim that it’s a good-natured rivalry in the family, there’s also a bit of subtle ribbing that goes on.

But wait! There may even be lake time alongside college football this year, as preliminary research at Alabama Power Company indicates this could be the year for a fall extension of the summer pool.

We’ll be right there with you through it all.

On the Cover

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor Mary Ellis, 11, of Birmingham had a great time visiting the goats on Goat Island. “It's really cool to be in the middle of the lake and see a bunch of goats that you can play with and feed,” said Ellis. Goats on this iconic Lake Martin landmark love to eat chips, bread and pizza.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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AUGUST 2017

Staff Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor AMY PASSARETTI

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

EMILY GREGG

emily.gregg@alexcityoutlook.com

TABBY EDWARDS

tabby.edwards@alexcityoutlook.com

SCOTT HARDY

scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

HALLIE HOLLOWAY

hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JOHN COLEY HENRY FOY JOHN THOMPSON JULIE HUDSON CLIFF WILLIAMS LEE WILLIAMS MITCH SNEED

GREG VINSON ROB MCDANIEL SAWYER DAVIS LIZI ARBOGAST J. HAROLD BANKS DONALD CAMPBELL BARRY CHRIETZBERG

All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of:

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

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

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 5

IN-HOME CARE SERVICES

For elderly and disabled individuals needing assistance with activities of daily living.

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

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

Lake Martin innovation Center 175 aLiant Parkway • aLexander City, aL • (256) 414-6090

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AUGUST 2017

Contents

64

26. THINGS TO DO BEFORE SUMMER ENDS Complete Lake Martin's summertime bucket list before lake season draws to a close 34. WHAT'S IN A NAME? Stories behind the titles Lake Martin boat owners give their vessels 38. ALL IN THE FAMILY Brother and sister duke it out as alumni association presidents for Iron Bowl rivals 48. COUNTRY LIVING LAKE HOUSE OF THE YEAR Distinct building and design details designate this Russell as Country Living's best of the best 58. GOAT ISLAND A friendly family of goats welcomes visitors to this Lake Martin landmark 64. RAFTING UP Grab a few simple essentials and a group of friends for this fun, relaxing Lake Martin tradition 66. LABOR DAY AT THE AMP James Otto headlines this year's end-of-summer concert at Lake Martin Amphitheater

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68. SMITH MOUNTAIN MEMORIES J. Harold Banks shares the history of the Smith Mountain and the lookout tower 70. CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR Jimmy Lanier's vision and ambition earn him AWF's 2017 award

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

e

- edition

9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE

72. LAKE PROPERTY

TO THE LAKE

75. BEHIND THE BOAT

10. LAKE SCENES

77. LMRA

15. WHERE IS LAKE?

78. HEALTHY LIVING

16. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS

80. BIG CATCHES

20. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

82. CHEF'S TABLE

22. GEO 101

84. FROM THE CELLAR

37. FAB FINDS

87. PRO TIP

44. NATURE OF THE LAKE

& GOLF NEWS

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

AUGUST 2017

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AUGUST 2017

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

June 2017 June 2014 June 2011

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

Inventory/ sales ratio

48 34 22

$593,008 $410,308 $508,245

$550,000 $367,500 $341,000

154 187 271

298 385 436

10.19 16.38 25.52

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

Sailing kids ‘Treasure’ the DSC shoreline

Is it time to donate the boat?

When Dixie Sailing Club's (DSC) Jim Simons noticed an open trash fire on a bank one Saturday afternoon, he put the fire out and reported it.

The fire had been set in the shoreline section the club adopted through the Treasured Mile program. The following Monday afternoon, a crew of kids from the DSC Youth Program cleaned up the trash to restore beauty and balance to the undeveloped shoreline of Lake Martin.

Sarah, Ethan, Norah and Olin Childers clean up the DSC Treasured Mile

End of season boat sales could land substantial savings on a boat upgrade as the regular traffic on the lake subsides, but if the trade-in value of your current model isn’t what you’d hoped for, you could choose to donate it. In that case, you might be better off to make your deal now to optimize the tax deduction value of the donation.

IRS regulations allow a donor to claim the actual sales price of watercraft donated to a qualifying charity, but the tax deduction cannot be taken until the sale has closed. If the sale doesn’t take place until the spring season opens at the lake next year, the donor would not be able to take the deduction in the current tax year.

The timing matters, said Children’s Harbor Thrift Store Assistant Manager Roger Pearson.

“If someone donates a boat this time of year, it usually sells within a week or two – sometimes they sell on the same day – but later in the year, it probably won’t sell until the weather breaks,” Pearson explained.

When the boat sells, the donor will receive copies of the bill of sale and the applicable tax forms.

The thrift store prices donated boats according to the NADA Guide, a fair market valuation resource for watercraft, but the IRS applies certain conditions to fair market value deductions.

Consult a tax professional to learn more about boat donations.

Now might be the best time to donate your old boat

Weather Outlook for August August 2017 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s with average lows in the high 60s and 4.5 inches of precipitation in the month of August. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be above normal and rainfall will be normal this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 43.82 inches Avg. high temp.: 75.2 Avg. low temp.: 51.1 Average temp.: 63.1

Our Normal August Precipitation: 4.5 inches Avg. high temp.: 89.9 Information from Avg. low temp.: 68.4 the National Average temp.: 79.2 Weather Service.

AUGUST 2017

Lake Levels During the Last month Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 490.6 Lowest: 490.46 Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and water-related equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

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

LAKE 9

LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Riley Kay Hodges and Jackson Sprules started their Memorial Day weekend at Friday on the Green. (2) Rhea McVay captured a beautiful sunset over the lake from her camping spot on Wind Creek July 4th weekend. (3) Emma Kate and Cash relax on the deck after a day of swimming at Lake Martin. (4) Mary Walls took a photo of this colorful sunset over Lake Martin in late June. (5) Camden Pouncey shows off his catch at Mimi Susan's lake house with his Big Daddy and Ya-ya (Rob and Katie Pouncey). (6) Don Thurlow shot this picture of a beautiful blooming dogwood at sunrise over Lake Martin. (7) Carl Collins and Gary Hobbs at the Hobbs eighth annual family reunion at the Lodge at Cocktail Slough.

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) “Mini Mac” McClendon teaches granddaughter, Virginia McClendon, the art of balancing on the stand-up paddleboard. (2) This pod of white pelicans was spotted near Sand Island in late March.

(3) Marshall Reese takes his grandkids for a ride on the lake in Pawpaw's boat. (4) Matt White and his dog, Ray, take a boat ride Memorial Day weekend. (5) An aerial view of Shipwreck Sam's yogurt taken by Ray Smith.

AUGUST 2017

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LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Wilson Patterson loves catching fish on Lake Martin.

(2) Lauren and Brian Burgess' French Bulldog, Murray, relaxes on their dock on Lake Martin. (3) Jakob McDonald, age 4, enjoying a boat ride and feeling the wind off Lake Martin on his tongue. (4) Kyle Thornton took this picture of a boat passing by his uncle's lake home in Jackson's Gap. (5) Larry Bailey took this photo in the spring while fishing with his grandson Preston Pitts near Young's Island.

(6) Close friends Michael Ann Wagoner and Charlie Conn enjoy an afternoon at the lake.

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AUGUST 2017

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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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 13

PREVENT A TRAGEDY:

“Find Your Own Slice of Paradise on Lake Martin” Chuckwalla’s Pizza Open Thursday - Monday Ship Store Open 7 Days a Week The bar will open until 11 pm once music starts on Friday and Sat. Music is played on Fri. and Sat. 7:30-10:30 and Sunday Holiday Nights 6pm-9pm

• Friday, August 4th: Russell Craig & Garrett Pittman • Saturday, August 5th: Visit our Facebook for event info.

• Sunday, August 6th: Music Sets 2-5pm (Lake Martin Idol Winners) • Friday, August 11th: Tony Brook • Saturday, August 12th: Blane Rudd • Friday, August 18th: Sidney Phelps • Saturday, August 19th: Alabama Avenue • Friday, August 25th: Jonathan Bloom & Brian Hinton • Saturday, August 26th: Greg Shirley

Marina: 256.825.6871 • Chuckwalla’s Pizza: 256.825.7733 237 Marina Road • Dadeville, AL 36853

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Inspect Your Docks and Boats Now

Across Alabama families are spending time at the lake or on the river without realizing they could be in danger. The recent deaths of two women in Lake Tuscaloosa are being called a case of electric shock drowning (ESD). It happened almost exactly one year after a 15-yearold girl died the same way on Smith Lake.

WHY ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING IS A HIDDEN DANGER: • No one really knows how many people die from ESD • Many deaths are simply called a drowning • Even low-level current can paralyze a swimmer who then drowns • The autopsy shows no sign of electrocution For everything in your home that carries current, water or air, you know who to call.

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AUGUST 2017

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Tom and Nancy Jacobus took Lake magazine on a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords at North Cape, Norway.

(2) Suzanne Burns and Sue Pemberton took Lake magazine to the Galapagos Islands. (3) Tony and Nina Johnson and Charles and Cindy Gillenwaters took Lake to see The House on the Rock at the Wisconsin Dells. (4) William and Diana Lemmond, Beverly Johnson, Donald and Christine Neese, Mary Lee Radney, Gary and Elaine Mask, Mike and Mary Mallory, Ed and Yvonne Funderburk, Mike and Cathy Parker, Waynell Davis, Julia Ann Grant, Joyce Robinson, and Martha McGill, Bettie Ray, Claudia Mayfield, Joe Walker, Martha Jordan took Lake magazine to Savannah, Georgia. (5) Shirley and Herbert Fuller, David and Deborah Sanford, Martha and Oscar Thompson, Linda Taylor, Lana Sharpe, Joyce Catrett and Jacob Jones took Lake magazine on a luncheon cruise on the Harriet 2 in Montgomery. (6) Michael, Christy, Logan, Audrey and Luke Champion and Vickie and Randy Camp took Lake magazine to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 15

Aug. 3 Strand Session

The Lake Martin Young Professionals will host live music at Strand Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free. Bring chairs and coolers.

Aug. 5 Fit in 22 with Ty Levett

Join top fitness trainer Ty Levett for a free 22-minute workout at 8:30 a.m. on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. For more information, call Robert Gunn at 256-496-4232.

Aug. 13 Sunday Night Supper

Sept. 3 New Water Worship

Terry Slaughter will preach at 9:30 a.m. for the Labor Day weekend chapel service at New Water Farms, 460 Civitan Rd., Dadeville. Worship at the outdoor chapel on the banks of Lake Martin will be led by Robert Brandon. All are welcome by boat or car. Dress is casual. For information, contact Micah Simpson at 205-725-1460.

Sept. 11 Horizons Unlimited

Dolores Hydock will present The Red-Headed Woman Meets Mr. Death and Southern Comfort in a Cast-Iron Skillet, one of the last traditional tall tales of the American frontier, at the Alexander City Board of Education building at 375 Lee St. The presentation will be held 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hydock is a touring artist for the Alabama State Council on the Arts, a speaker with the Alabama Humanities Foundation and a member of the Southern Order of Storytellers.

Call 256-215-7080 to reserve space at a table for this special one-seating dinner service at SpringHouse Restaurant. Scott Burlingame will mix up a tasty seasonal cocktail mingling at 6 p.m., and Front of House Manager and Sommelier Daniel Goslin will plan a small selecCALENDAR OF EVENTS tion of wines for dinner at 6:30 Season-Long Events p.m. The menu will include shareable dishes that have been WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN PATH Garden Harvest hand-selected by Chef Rob. Cost Every Thursday at is $40++ per person (does 8:30 a.m., volunteers and not include alcohol) and New Water completed Lake Martin Area Boys $15++ for children under an outdoor chapel last and Girls Club members 12. spring and will hold a harvest vegetables at the Labor Day weekend PATH Community Garden Aug. 19 worship service there on Green Street next to the Alabama Avenue Jacob’s Ladder playground.

The harvest is donated to the at Chuck’s Salvation Army for distribuAlabama Avenue will tion. As the harvest increases, spend the night at Chuck’s more helping hands are needMarina on Lake Martin to ed and welcome. For inforend the summer with singmation, email Kim Fraher at ing and dancing. Music kimfraher@yahoo.com. starts at 8 p.m.

Millerville Trade Day

Aug. 21 Lake Martin Bama Club

The Crimson Tide's new athletic director, Greg Byrne, will give the address at the local alumni association's annual event, which will be held at the Willow Point Golf & Country Club ballroom. Admission is $50 per person, which includes membership fees. The evening will include an auction and raffle ticket sales ($25 each) for two season ticket giveaways. For information, contact Nancy Hodges at rhodges@russelllands.com.

Sept. 3 Labor Day Weekend Concert

The summer concert series at The AMP comes to a close as concert goers of all ages gather for the final event of the year, featuring headliner James Otto. For details, keep an eye on The AMP Facebook page, visit www.theamponlakemartin.com or call 256-397-1019.

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Bibb Graves School on Highway 9 hosts this trade day on the third Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Find books, toys, models, coins, lamps, original artwork, jewelry, clothing, antiques, glassware, quilts, home decor and more. Refreshments available.

Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. until noon, hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or identify plants and animals; splash through the creek; or catch insects in the meadow.

General admission applies and is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. The Alabama Nature Center is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org.

AUGUST 2017

Alabama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature

Every Monday and Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m., come learn about Alabama’s woods, water and wildlife. Get upclose and personal with some of the creatures you may find in your own backyard and even some you may have never heard of. General admission applies and is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. The Alabama Nature Center is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit www.alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

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. and offers kid-friendly movies on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.

Ladies’ Book Club

Ladies 18 years of age and older are invited to participate in the club at Adelia M. Russell Library on the last Thursday of every month. Meet in the conference room at 4 p.m. Call the library at 256-234-4644 for each month’s book title.

Electronics Recycling

The City of Alexander City Public Works Department hosts an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Items accepted include computers, computer mouse, keyboards, modems or routers, CD and DVD players, power supplies, PC mix systems, home or cell phones, printers or copiers, mainframe servers, audio/ video adapters, laptop chargers, cable boxes, nickel cadmium or lithium ion batteries and flat screen monitors and televisions.

CRT monitors and televisions are no longer accepted. For more information, call the Alexander City Public Works Department at 256-409-2020.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

Antique Car Cruise-in

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

Lake Martin Area Amateur Radio Club

The radio club meets the second Thursday of every month at the Alexander City Church of Christ with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. Interested persons may contact Club President Tim Mayfield at 256-329-1172 or Secretary John Philips at 256-212-4063.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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

Music at The Equality Performing Arts Center

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events the second and fourth Friday nights of each month at 6:30 p.m. Country/Western, bluegrass, Southern gospel and instrumental music featured. For information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334-541-3302.

Yoga on the Green

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

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

Meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Jr. 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.

Real Island Supper

Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 Real Island Rd., Equality. Everyone is welcome. Admission is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share. Some nights are themed, so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain types of food are in order. For more information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256-3298724.

Discover your inner being with free yoga at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads at 7 a.m. Saturday mornings through Oct. 1. Great for beginners and experienced; just bring a mat and water bottle.

Friday on the Green

Wind down the busy work week at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with live music, lawn games and time with family and friends. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kids and pets from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 15.

Catherine’s Market Wine Tastings

Come by Catherine’s Market for wine tastings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays through Sept. 15. It’s $5 to sample a variety of wines; and then, apply that $5 to your purchase of a wine bottle of your favorite from the night’s sampling.

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month at the Real Island Volunteer AUGUST 2017

LAKE 17

Crossroads Community Garden Club Pancake Breakfast

The Crossroads Community Garden Club members will be up early cooking pancakes at the Artists Cabin at Russell Crossroads. Help out the garden club and feed the family. For details, visit www.RussellCrossroads.com.

Live Music Sundays at Kowaliga

On the first and third Sunday in August come enjoy live acoustic music on the deck of Kowaliga Restaurant from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kowaliga will serve a full menu all day on Wednesdays through Sundays at the lake this summer.

First Sundays Crawfish

One of the best things about summer at Lake Martin is the tradition of the crawfish boil, and on the first Sunday of every month, Kowaliga Restaurant’s Chef Ban Stewart will be boiling this Southern favorite, along with all the usual fixin’s, in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu.

The crawfish will be available only on the first Sunday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 256-215-7035.

Free Driving and Docking Clinics

Blue Creek Marina will host free clinics on Mondays this summer to teach driving and docking a boat.

Registration is required, and clinics run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Snacks and bottled water are provided. Bring your own lunch. Space is limited, so call Jennifer or Nicole at

256-825-8888 to reserve your spot. Pontoon clinics will be held Aug. 7 and Sept. 11; towboat clinics are scheduled for Aug. 14 and Sept. 18; and sterndrive clinic dates are Aug. 21 and Sept. 25.

MainStreet Farmers Market

Set up to run every Saturday through October, this event will offer fresh-picked local produce, along with homemade goods, such as jams, soaps and honey. There will be roughly 20 vendors each week from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., located on Lee St. in Alexander City, next to the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Downtown After Dark

MainStreet Alexander City hosts this monthly event on the last Tuesday of every month. Stores and businesses will stay open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and each familyfriendly event will have a theme, with activities for all ages, special offerings from local businesses and a chance to spend time downtown. For information, call MainStreet director Breanna Smith at 256-329-9227.

Charity Bingo

Play charity bingo at Jake’s Restaurant at 16 Broad St., Alexander City, at 6 p.m. every Thursday night. Cards are $1 and proceeds benefit local charities.

256.215.FISH (3474)

2190 Cherokee Road , Alex City, AL

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AUGUST 2017

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Lake Martin News Best Ultra Run in North America

Fall Extension Likely

In just four short years, Lake Martin’s very long race ran away with the award for the best 100-mile run in North America, ultra-running powerhouse community RunUltra announced last month. The Lake Martin 100 also took the title for the Best 100-Mile Race and was the finalist in the award for the best multi-stage race. And Lake Martin 100 coordinator David Tosch said he’s already seeing the impact of the announcement.

“Everywhere I go – to races in other parts of the U.S. – I run into people who say, ‘hey, aren’t you the guy with the Lake Martin race?’ Being the top race in the U.S. is a real honor,” Tosch said.

The winners were chosen by popular vote, and Tosch said the voting style of the contest made the results that much more meaningful. Runners in the Lake Martin race, which includes 50-mile and 27-mile races, as well as the 100-mile race, gave it five-star reviews across the board.

“Our runners like the race enough to take the time to go vote for it. That’s saying something,” Tosch said.

RunUltra is a global community of ultra runners with a following in 111 countries. The RunUltra website lists more than 1,400 races in 83 countries and has gained a reputation as the go-to site for runner race reviews, upcoming races, training support and more. This is the first year the organization has made the awards, which were driven by ultrarun participant nominations, said RunUltra Marketing Director Kathryn Bullock.

“Many were very impressed with the organization and the fact that it was a looped race,” Bullock said. “Some were surprised by the elevation for Alabama, and there were more than two ‘awesomes’ in the reviews.”

The 5th Annual Lake Martin 100 will be run from Russell Crossroads on March 17-18, 2018, said Tosch, and while he’s grateful that the RunUltra awards will shine more attention on this local event, he also recognized that some adjustments might need to be made if the awards draw a larger crowd at Lake Martin.

“At some point, we have to look at the numbers,” he explained. “I know we could handle 300 in any of the individual races, but we would need to ease up the crowding of the trails. We might have to start the 27-mile a couple of hours later. That would be better than having to have a cutoff on the number of runners.”

Still, he said, that’s a great problem to have.

To see race reviews, visit www.runultra.co.uk. ~ Betsy Iler 20 LAKE

Fall at the lake is a quiet, relaxing escape from busy weeks

Preliminary research indicates the fall extension of Lake Martin’s summer pool level is somewhat likely this year, Alabama Power Company Hydro Services Manager Jim Crew said.

“Where Lake Martin water levels are and looking out at future rainfall projections right now, I think this year it’s definitely a possibility,” Crew said. “We’ll know more as time goes on. As we get closer to September, the analysis becomes more realistic.”

The fall extension of the lake’s summer pool, a new provision of Alabama Power Company’s license to operate Martin Dam, could be implemented if four conditions are met on Sept. 1. Those criteria include Lake Martin levels measured above the operating curve; a surplus inflow from the Tallapoosa Basin and the Coosa Basin; and elevations at four other projects on the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers operating within 1 foot of their respective operating curves.

Research models indicate conditions for the fall extension could be expected to occur in only one out of six or seven years.

Last month, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported rainfalls at Lake Martin were more than 11 inches above normal, an indication that the fall extension criteria could be met as the all-important date approaches. Year-todate precipitation reported by NWS was 43.92 inches for Alexander City, compared to the normal year-to-date figure of 32.38 inches.

“This is good news for our local economy,” said Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ed Collari. “In general, Lake Martin is our economic engine. The longer people are able to access and utilize the lake, it means people filling up with gas, shopping for food and beverages at our grocery stores and shopping and dining in our community.”

“September and October is just the best time at the lake anyway,” said Russell Lands Director of Special Events and Social Media Robert Gunn. “The temperatures are perfect; the colors are beautiful. It’s the perfect time to be here.”

Autumn island picnics, dinners on the dock and sunset cruises take on their own unique style apart from the heat

AUGUST 2017

and activity of summer. Fall at the lake is quieter, more relaxing and more of a true escape from the busy-ness of weekday life. And though the social calendar isn’t filled with art shows, ski clinics, visiting grandchildren and music festivals, autumn holds its share of attractions, including the Fall Family Festival at Russell Crossroads, Oktoberfest at Alexander City’s Sportplex and the Fall Boogie in Waverly, which features up-and-coming and top entertainment names in an intimate concert setting.

And present data is a pretty good indication that those days are on the way, Crew said – barring any abrupt changes in the current weather patterns, that is.

“Conditions would have to change dramatically. The rain would have to stop, and temperatures would have to be really hot over the next month, and we would have to generate more electricity than we are now,” he explained.

“It could turn on a dime, of course, but all conditions look good now, and we probably won’t get anything that would dramatically change things.” ~ Betsy Iler

Sailing into the National Championship Lake Martin resident Keith Bennett tied for second place at the Catalina 22 National Championships this year.

Bennett, a member of the Dixie Sailing Club (DSC), has competed in the national championship for nearly 20 years, and this was his highest rank as of yet in the Gold Fleet. After a series of tiebreakers, he technically placed fourth over the course of eight 3-mile races.

The race took place on Lake Worth in Forth Worth, Texas, and Bennett said the winds were blowing around 20 mph for the first three days before settling down to about 10 mph for the final day.

“We sail in that type of wind a lot,” Bennett said. “In Texas, because it’s so flat, it blows around 15-20 miles all the time, so we were prepared for that.”

Bennett's crew included Keith Bennett competing in his wife, the National Championships Jennifer, his 11-year-old son, Matthew, and a family friend, Keith Kulhman, of Guntersville.

Also representing DSC was Mickey Richardson, who placed eighth out of 20 competitors in the Gold Fleet.

He scored a total of 70 points with three topfive finishes. ~Lizi Arbogast AUGUST 2017

LAKE 21

63

Timbergut Landing

22

280

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Alexander City

Camp ASCCA

9 Flint Hill Church 280

49 22

Jacksons Gap Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

280 Pleasant Grove Church

11

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

63

Dadeville

Bethel Church

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

57

280 New Hope Church

20

Liberty Church

Camp Hill

Smith Landing Willow Point

Pleasant Ridge Church

24

34

63 Camp Alamisco

Equality

Kowaliga Boat Landing

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

55

Seman

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

Trillium

Stillwaters

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor The Amp Ko

wa

lig

80

9

Central

Overlook Park

a Ba

y

Walnut Hill 50 90

50

Union

Union Church

Red Hill 63

49 229

Eclectic

GEOGRAPHY 101 Tallassee

Kent

Reeltown

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

I

f you happen by Overlook Park this month and find it overrun with road equipment, please be patient and tolerant as Alabama Power Company makes improvements to the scenic picnic area that serves as trailhead to the original Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail.

Alabama Power Company Land Supervisor Sheila Smith prior to Lake magazine’s presstime said construction would begin any day now, and though she did not expect the area to be closed for use, she hoped visitors would be patient and travel carefully in the area.

“What had been there needed to be repaved and was on a schedule for repaving anyway, so we decided to expand the parking area at the same time,” Smith explained. “Rain has delayed the start of it, but we should be able to start it in the next few weeks.”

Smith said the project should be complete within a couple of weeks and will include the addition of six or seven parking spaces adjacent to the picnic area.

Parking in the area often fills to overflowing, especially during the fall and winter hiking season when clubs from larger metropolitan areas frequent the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) foot paths that were added there 12 years ago.

“The additional parking will really help to alleviate the crowding there and make it safer for people who visit the scenic overlook and hike the trails,” said CRATA co-founder Jimmy Lanier. “It’s a very popular area, which is a nice problem to have, and we just really appreciate Alabama Power Company doing the renovation and improvements Renovations will include to make it nicer and safer.” additional parking spots Overlook Park offers a scenic vista from which visitors can view the southernmost stretch of Lake Martin and enjoy a relaxing picnic or an afternoon of hiking on trails that offer length options from 1 to 7 miles. The park, located at GPS coordinates of Latitude 32.68974 and Longitude -85.90264, is part of the project lands of Alabama Power Company’s license to operate Martin Dam and is open to the public free of charge.

22 LAKE AUGUST 2017

Alabama Power Company will make improvements to Overlook Park this month

OVERLOOK RENOVATIONS AUGUST 2017

LAKE 23

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 25

r e m m u S e Befor SSARETTI Y ILER & AMY PA STORY BY BETS NNETH BOONE PHOTOS BY KE

26 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Summer’s s shadows t un slips into the hi back to s s month as kids h ch ea hit the w ool and football ga d mes e but it’s n ekend calendar, ot still time over yet. There’s to do the dreamed of at the things you b the seaso n. So bef eginning of or over, hea d out to e it’s really the wate complete r a the summ er’s buck nd list on La et ke Marti n.

Happy

Ends

Campers

pping d of water la m un so e th to lling asleep pristine cal better than fa ing up to the er What could be ur campsite island and wakls, camping on Alabama Pow ts yo oo ge c of s st er ju eath tin on the bank e? As the w oject lands at Lake Mar any natural is nr su at e k e – on of the la eloped pr free of charg ral and undev island Company’s natu er. Camping is allowed – lands and shoreline. Four ic River is tt better and be Alabama Power Company on with the Alabama Scen the ed op el conjuncti ev posted on d un and gns that are e Treasured designated in si en ue be bl e ve th ha tified by campsites ked on th e can be iden lands are mar Trail, and thes available power company is at www.lmra.info. ve b islands. Other map under the Projects ta by boat or four-wheel dri ture use, fu ly r am on fo gr e l bl ro fu si P ti ces Mile safe and beau e sites are ac Many of thes no facilities. To keep them ires. ve ampf e Martin, vehicle and ha all trash and extinguish c ion of the islands on Lak as t rt please pack ou er Company owns only a po not camp on islands marked o ow d P d a m an Alaba operty ect private pr so please resp private.

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 27

Gettin Wet!

Eat at

If this is the wakeboard, wak year you were going to lear n have plenty of e surf or wake skate, you st to time. On a sunn ill in mid-July, w y Saturday afte e caught up w ith Kevin Swat rnoon Auburn, who th ts of rew the rope in it on his own af ter only a half the boat and went to surf behind dozen attempts th fastest growin e boat. Wake sports are th e g the country, an water recreation activity ac d Lake Martin ross two locations w is here prototypes one of only equipment are for the newes tested. t If you want to le ar n bu t aren’t independent as to strike out on quite so with a local m your own, chec ar also find all of ina for wake sport clinics. Yo k th u Martin’s marin e necessary equipment at L can as, including th ake e essential wak e boat.

Chuck's

Located in the Blue Creek area of Lake Martin, this happening spot includes a marina, a pizzeria and a bar with live music on most Fridays and Saturdays all summer long. Visitors can drive up or park their boats and stop in for a bite to eat, refill on ice for the cooler or grab a cold drink. The store is open seven days a week, and the pizzeria is open Thursdays and Mondays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Chuck’s also hosts the annual Lil’ Caly art show, featuring the works of loca pso spring l artists, so be sure to put the second weekend of June on your calendar for next year’s event.

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AUGUST 2017

F

Picnic

Summer is a gr eat time for spending time at the lake, so picnics and for best of both an w d picnic on an hy not get the island? Many of the 40-some isla and undevelope nds on Lake Martin are natu d lands designat ra under Alabama ed for recreati l Power Company on ’s license to op Martin Dam. O er ve improvements on r the years, visitors have m ate ade so m e of these prop might find fire erties, so you pi ts , ch airs or even pi already there. cnic tables But please tak than you found e care to leave the island clea it bags, and as yo . Pack a couple of big garbag ner ur party progre e ss cans, plates, ga rbage and othe es, put all bottles, r trash in it. W you’re at it, ta k hile other visitors e a few minutes to pick up after who might not have been as ca in their cleanu p; re trash, as well and then, be sure to take yo ful as your memorie ur boat off the be s, when you pu ll ach and head for the shorelin the e.

Goin Nuts!

When it’s snack time at the lake, it’s traditional to head to Peanut Point between the mainland and Woods Island, so if you haven’t gotten your boiled peanut fix yet this summer, point the boat in that direction next time you’re out on the water. Louis Dunham started a boiled peanut business on this island point off Young’s Ferry Road more than 20 years ago.

Now in its second generation, the son of the late founder has added koozies, T-s hirts and more to the product line. There are no regular hours, but the peanuts are hot most any summer day when folks are on the lake.

G N I K N I L F = g n i k Floating+Drin AUGUST 2017

The word ‘flinking’ was coined from the activity’s roots, ‘floating’ and ‘drinking,’ and aptly describes what just might be the most relaxing way to spend time at Lake Martin.

Local marinas have all the gear you need for a successful flinking event, from noodles and floats to waterproof speakers and even floating cup holders. But if you want to flink on the cheap, just slip your legs through the armholes of a personal flotation device and sit on the cushioned back.

You can purchase sodas, beer and other snacks and libations at local grocery stores and gas stations – even on Sunday, which is convenient if you flink spontaneously.

LAKE 29

Nibblers on the Lake Big

Not only is it just crazy fun to say you actually ordered lunch on the lake, but also the food at this float-thru grill is great – and they deliver by wave runner! Just look for the bright blue houseboat. You’ll often find it at Chimney Rock, but if it's not there when you get hungry, look it up on Facebook to get an up-to-the-minute location.

The menu features sweet, juicy meats smoked right on the boat. Look for weekend specials like the Hawaiian burger, the grilled BLT or Twisted Tacos. Pull right up to the boat to place and pick up your order. You also could flag down the Nibblers wave runner to place an order or call 256-404-4305 for a delivery. Tell them Lake magazine sent you!

Beach

artin, s on Lake M ly ot sp r la pu po friend most One of the d on Woods Island is a oy enj cate this beach lo area open to all. People er, throwg at in w om e lc and we ing in th e sand, wad g lawn relaxing in th osting picnics and playin om of the h tt ing footballs, ater is so clean; the bo at spot to w re g e This is a games. Th seen clearly. ul time with lake can be nds or have a wonderf ie make new fr ones. mer, ue tr d yet this sum an re e th tried t ou d swim t been If you haven’ t! Pack up the chairs an each. ou ig B you’re missing to the good times at B when you r ad e e h tt ur li toys and re to pack yo nue to be Just make su so the beach can conti , nd la leave the is ryone. ve e by d e oy enj

By far the as Chimney most popular spot on th e lake, Acap R Martin. Th ock – is where the ulco Rock e real Chim action is on – better k nown ney Rock at hot summer yards west d of the famou th ay s jumping sp e lake actually stands s at Lake base of the ot se 5 water below 0-foot cliff to watch where dozens of boat veral hundred s anchor at . The occas daredevils the leap iona wedding day leap from th l bride and groom also into the 150-foot d eep e Rock. have been k A shorter, nown to tak Chicken R 20-foot cliff positione e a ock, a safe r adventure d below the big jump graffiti-lad is . The Rock en ar is easily re known as Lake Marti twork on its face. c ognized by the the Rock is n hosts visitors from ar ound the w a must-do. orld, and fo In addition, r most, visit the islands ing Tie a few ar ou nd C h im boats togeth er for an af ney Rock are a great your favorit ter e fl plac another popu oat in the cool, clear noon party; put on some e to raft up. lar Lake M la music; throw k e and spend an artin pastim afternoon e e: flinking! ngaged in 30 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

ck I survived the ro

Gym Boat

Outfitted with gym boats offer trampolines, swings, slides and mor a Lake Martin, an thrilling way to spend a hot da e, y at d thrill seekers can choose from options. two The Tarzan Floa t, located at The Parker Creek, Landing at is through The Land available for private party rent als destination at Pa ing Restaurant, a pavilion-dining rker Creek whe served from cont re the food is ai a fast-casual men ner kitchens. The Landing feat ur u tiny home rentals and craft beer, as well as lakes es . For rental info rmation, visit ww ide tarzanlakemartin. com. w.

The Jungle Floa t, a pr iv at e enterprise that can be found just usually of Park, is available fshore of Wind Creek State by the hour or fo Warm up with th r e 6-foot Monke private rental. soon be bouncing y Jump, and you’l fr l Bounce trampolin om the 12-foot high Gorilla e or the 14-foo t www.lakemartinj unglefloat.com fo high dive. Visit r more informat ion.

Kowaliga

l scenery, you can’t beat Kowaliga For good food, live music and beautifu Martin. This popular local eatery is Lake Restaurant on the western banks of subject of Hank Williams’ hit song, the is that home to the Kowaliga Indian pined for the Indian maiden statue at “Kaw-liga,” about a wooden Indian that tty pine,” the Indian on display in the the store next door. Carved from “kno ds 8 nsaw artist Corey Worden and stan restaurant lobby was fashioned by chai the into go le ed at $1,250. Some peop feet tall. His tomahawk alone is valu ue. stat taken with the Indian restaurant just to have their photo Restaurant has a crawfish boil the aliga Kow ths, During the summer mon ays. music on the deck on selected Sund first Sunday of each month and live rs dine es ina, this popular venue welcom Located in front of the Kowaliga Mar by car or boat. sdays, but open Wednesdays and Kowaliga is closed Mondays and Tue and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays sit e inside has a view of the lake, or Sundays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Every tabl and les h and let the kids feed the turt under the fans on the lakeside porc waterfront. ducks that frequent the restaurant’s

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 31

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Reside in award-winning craftsman-style cottages, explore miles of picturesque nature trails, and enjoy multiple fishing and boating options on our lakes. Dive into the resort pools and serve up some fun at the tennis and pickle ball complex. Golfers will love the three courses at Grand National on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Homes from the high $200,000’s to over $500,000 in three distinctive neighborhoods.

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32 LAKE

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 33

34 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

What's in a Name?

Stories behind the titles that Lake Martin boat owners put on the backside of their vessels STORY BY BETSY ILER & AMY PASSARETTI PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

W

hile a rose by any other name might smell as sweet, boat owners are far less serendipitous about the monikers they display on their sterns. The most popular boat name for more than 20 years has been ‘Serendipity,’ according to a USBoat survey, but at Lake Martin, the choices are more deliberate and personal. Here are a few we found as we cruised the lake.

HIDEAWAY II

With its extensive number of shoreline miles, Lake Martin offers a plethora of sloughs where Austin, Tara and Chip Carter can stay hidden away on Hideaway II. They have owned this escape vessel for seven years and named it after its predecessor, a beloved pocket cruiser. Austin and

Tara bought a larger boat when their son grew up and hit the water with his own recreational watercraft.

“We’ve been on the lake 20 years,” said Tara. “There are a million sloughs on Lake Martin, and this lake has the perfect places to hide away.”

LA FAMILIA

The Scott family named their boat La Familia, which is Spanish for family, because that is their focus in life. Lynn, Tommy and Tyler are extremely family-oriented and said they can always be found together. Lynn said this is a concept that is always with them and reminds them to always stay connected. The Scotts are from Chelsea, Alabama, and typically come to Lake Martin every weekend to take out their boat, which is docked at The Ridge Marina.

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 35

PLUM FUN

Scott and Vicki Lewis said they named their Sea Ray SLX ‘Plum Fun’ because they didn’t want anyone to mistake its color for crimson or associate it with a certain football team that is not represented by the orange and blue flag attached to their boat’s gunnel.

Scott is an Air Force retiree, and he and his wife live in Millbrook. Their family has a three-generation tradition at Auburn University.

“We love coming up to Wind Creek State Park,” he said. “We keep the boat at The Ridge and like to take part in things going on around Lake Martin, including the Lions Club Poker Run.”

Y KNOT

Rusty and Rick Wilkinson have owned four boats in the last six years.

“One-foot-itus,” Rusty explained. “Always wanting a bigger boat.”

The Gulfport, Mississippi, couple has been on Lake Martin off and on for about 10 years, but Rick has spent his whole life on the water, his wife said. They get to Lake Martin about once a month to spend time on Y Knot, which they have owned for three years.

“The boat before this one was named R&R, for Rick and Rusty, and before that was The Maine Boat, which was unusual around here. It was much higher in the front, but it was a beautiful boat,” she said.

FEELIN’ NAUTI

Jill Heape’s son came up with this name for her boat as a joke, but she enjoyed the comic relief so much that it just stuck.

“I just burst out laughing and thought it was so funny. How could I not name it that?” said Heape, who mentioned that this is the second boat by that name.

Initially, she wanted to name the boat Miss Jill, after her dad who always affectionately called her that; however, she allows her son to use the boat on occasion with his friends, and it didn’t seem fair to make him ride around in a boat named after his mom.

Heape is from Pelham, Alabama, and comes to the lake as often as she can.

“I’m here to have fun, and the lake is my heart,” said Heape.

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AUGUST 2017

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 37

Brother and sister Tommy Spraggins and Nancy Hodges will head up Lake Martin alumni associations for Auburn University and the University of Alabama

38 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

All in the Family STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 39

T

he Spraggins family of Alexander City has a long history with Auburn University; from Tommy Spraggins’ grandfather to his grandson, five generations of loyal Tiger fans cry “War Eagle!” and wear the orange and blue.

They’ve been on a first name basis with Aubie since no one remembers when, and they’ve always been proud to support the school through the alumni association scholarship fund and football tailgates on The Plaines that look more like family reunions.

And they continue to do so. Why, next year, Tommy Spraggins will lead the charge as president of the Lake Martin Auburn Club. Yes, loyal and true; staunch Auburn fans through and through – with just one little wrinkle.

“Everyone in the family is an Auburn fan,” Tommy Spraggins announced proudly. “Except one person.”

It’s Nancy. She refused to even apply to the family alma mater, and worse – she went over to the enemy, the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama (UA).

Her father couldn’t bear it, couldn’t make himself write a check to that university.

“That was a hard conversation,” Nancy admitted.

Her father wrote the checks to Nancy, and she paid the school.

But now – well, now, there’s just no answer for it. Nancy has gone and accepted the position of president for the Lake Martin Bama Club. President!

That’s a fine fix. Brother and sister, presidents of the Lake Martin chapters for the alumni associations at opposing SEC schools – Iron Bowl schools.

People most certainly will talk.

“Ask her why she did it,” Spraggins said.

“I was dating someone who was going to Alabama,” Nancy Hodges offered.

“Ask her how long that lasted,” her brother urged.

“We broke up the summer after high school,” she said.

But Nancy didn’t change her mind. She went on to Tuscaloosa, graduated and held onto a fairly benign allegiance to the red and white until just a few years ago when her husband John helped to reorganize and energize the Lake Martin Bama Club. Of course, Nancy has been at his side helping, and this year, she readily took over the presidency from Luke Robinson.

40 LAKE

“We’ve got a great team,” Nancy said of the local UA alumni association. “In the last five years, we’ve endowed four scholarships. Last year, we gave seven scholarships to Benjamin Russell High School students.

“During my tenure as president, I would like to endow another and give eight scholarships this year.”

An endowment is $25,000, and this year, UA will match 85 percent of the local chapter fundraising.

Lake Martin Bama Club will kick off the year on Aug. 21 with the school’s new athletic director, Greg Byrne at the Willow Point Golf & Country Club ballroom. Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner, the evening’s entertainment and membership in the alumni association. Raffle tickets also will be available at $25 each. The prize will be two season tickets, and the drawing will take place at Sportsblitz a few weeks after the kick-off event.

Tommy Spraggins attended his first Auburn football game when he was 10 years old and enthusiastically joined the alumni association the year he graduated.

“We’re pretty civil about it in the family, never ugly about it,” Nancy explained.

The two actually teamed up for the local schools in 2015 with an event at Kowaliga Restaurant for the Bill Myers Backpack Program, which provides weekend meals to kids in the Alexander City school system who might otherwise go hungry.

“We will think about doing another event together,” Spraggins said.

The Lake Martin Auburn Club will hold its annual gathering on Oct. 5. Having recently hosted Head Coach Gus Malzahn for The Ambush – and claiming the highest attendance in the country for the touring event – the local alumni chapter will invite Aubie and other distinguished guests. The speaker and other details of the gathering have not yet been decided, except that it will be held at The Ridge Club, where Nancy Hodges is manager.

“Nancy will have to help us,” her brother said with a smile.

And so the season begins …

AUGUST 2017

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 41

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42 LAKE

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LAKE 43

Spanish Moss

This native bromeliad is not Spanish and isn't even moss

44 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

T

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

hat long, gray beard you see swaying in the breeze in several spots around Lake Martin doesn’t belong to a Duck Dynasty star, though the look is unquestionably similar.

Instead, it’s the most famous native bromeliad of the Southeast: Spanish Moss.

Spanish Moss is wholly misnamed – it’s neither Spanish nor moss.

This plant is native to the Americas, which are roughly 4,000 miles east of Spain, over a little obstacle called the Atlantic Ocean.

The native range of Spanish Moss stretches from northern South America through Central America, the Caribbean islands and Mexico up into the southern United States.

Here in the U.S., Spanish Moss is endemic to the South, from Florida north to Virginia and Texas north to Arkansas. Spanish Moss has also been established in Australia and French Polynesia, where it now grows wild. But not in Spain.

This plant’s scientific name is also misleading. Tillandsia usneoides is its formal name and “usneoides” is Latin for “resembles usnea,” referring to the scientific name for beard lichen; however, Spanish Moss is not a lichen.

It’s also not a moss – or even a close relative – though it definitely looks mossy.

Instead, Spanish Moss is a bromeliad, a family of 3,475 plants found, with one exception, in tropical and subtropical America. It’s a big, diverse family that includes such different species as pineapple, flaming sword and desert-dwelling hechtia.

Spanish Moss is also an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants for physical support to get up into the air but is not a parasite, because it does not take water or nutrients from its host. If it grows thick enough, however, Spanish Moss can sometimes harm a tree by shading out lower leaves or by becoming so saturated with water that its weight breaks a limb.

Spanish Moss is typically found dangling from cypress or oak branches, where it pulls moisture and nutrients from our humid Southern air and leaf litter that falls upon it or gathers on tree limbs. It thrives where the average temperature is around 70 degrees and where there are least 300 days above freezing each year.

It is visible in trees on the shores of Lake Martin in a number of places, including Elkahatchee Creek between Wind Creek State Park and the Highway 63

Spanish Moss grows in trees along stretches of Lake Martin's shoreline

bridge, near Irwin Shoals on the Tallapoosa River on the uppermost navigable point of the lake and on Hardy Point.

Interestingly, this is a plant that has no roots. It literally hangs across tree limbs without anchoring to them.

The plant is made up of thin stems up to 20 feet long with thin, curvy leaves up to 2 inches long. Although it is primarily gray, its tiny flowers can contain the colors orange, yellow, red or green. Spanish Moss produces seeds designed to catch the wind and lodge in tree bark, but it can also reproduce by breaking off “pups,” or smaller pieces that become established away from the mother plant after being blown by the wind or carried off by nesting birds.

It seems to prefer bald cypress and oaks, especially live oaks, but it will also grow on sweet gums, crape myrtles and other trees.

This is a plant that plays an important role in the ecosystem by providing shelter for a great number of insects, bats, lizards, frogs, snakes and other small ani-

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 45

Spanish Moss has no roots and merely hangs from trees without attaching to the branches

mals. Many birds use the fibers of Spanish Moss to line their nests.

People say that Spanish Moss can be full of red bugs, but according to those who harvest it commercially, chiggers only infest moss that hangs down low enough to touch the ground.

Spanish Moss has had a number of commercial uses over the years. One of the most important was about a century ago, when the fibers were commonly used as stuffing for mattresses, cushions and car seats. It is also sometimes used as mulch, for decorative purposes, building insulation and packing material or as livestock feed.

It is said that a mattress made of processed Spanish Moss was exceptionally cool and good for sleeping during the hot summer months.

And it is also used as a component of low-cost aircooling units called evaporative coolers, swamp coolers or desert coolers.

If you want to harvest Spanish Moss for use in your house, it’s smart to cook it in an oven at low temperature to neutralize any critters, fungus or mold.

Back to the naming of this unusual bromeliad – nobody seems to want it. In French, it is called “Spanish beard.” In Spanish, it is called “French hair.”

Some other folks call it “tree hair” or “graybeard.”

46 LAKE

Finally, there are a number of different legends about how this plant came about.

Here’s one from greatstoryteller.com: There’s an old, old legend, that’s whispered by Southern folks, About the lacey Spanish Moss that garlands the great oaks.

A lovely princess and her love, upon their wedding day, Were struck down by a savage foe amidst a bitter fray; United in death they were buried, so the legend go, “Neath an oak’s strong friendly arms, protected from their foe;” There, as was the custom, they cut the bride’s long hair with love, And hung its shining blackness on the spreading oak above; Untouched, undisturbed it hung there, for all the world to see.

And with the years the locks turned gray, and spread from tree to tree.

Some information for this article came from bromeliads.info, greatstoryteller.com.

AUGUST 2017

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LAKE 47

Country Living’s

Lake House of the Year

The open layout of the design allows the space to feel bigger than it is

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AUGUST 2017

Architecture, layout and finishing touches lend unique distinction to a Russell cabin

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 49

T

he perfect melding of an intimate, rustic cabin suitable for a Lake Martin lifestyle, coupled with the refined comforts of modern living, rounded out with a spin of country flare is the perfect equation to achieve the distinction of Country Living’s first-ever Lake House of the Year.

Russell Lands, along with its crew of quality contractors, partnered with the team at Country Living to feature the spirit, style and aesthetics of the lake with a new house plan for its sub-neighborhood section of Russell Cabins at The Ridge.

“We wanted to come up with a design that made a lot more sense in the way people use lake property. People often misapply the look of a house from the lake. To us, that’s the front door,” said Steve Arnberg, vice president of real estate for Russell Lands. “We felt strongly we needed to create a product that looked like it belonged here.”

The Paddock Point neighborhood was developed two years ago, with very few open lots remaining. The design was set to avoid a ‘McMansion feel,’ according to Arnberg, which is why this cabin, completed in May, remained a conservative 2,900 square feet. This style is a fresh take on the original cabins that Russell Lands has leased for decades, but it was designed to be the latest and greatest.

When Country Living’s editor-in-chief, Rachel Barrett, stayed at a Russell cabin one weekend, the experience inspired her to showcase lake living for her readers, and she felt the Russell Lands brand embraced the essence of that culture.

With nine current house designs available for the cabin

section, Country Living chose to feature a house from one of the two latest plans developed by architect Jonathan Torode, of Pfeffer Torode Architecture.

“Country Living was attracted to the smaller scale layout because it lends itself more to our ethos. We do a lot of features on small spaces, and we felt this was more intimate, relaxed and casual. It felt more true to us,” said Page Mullins, style director for Country Living. “Also, the façade and the exterior fit into the surrounding landscape, which seemed more natural.”

Not every plan works on every lot, and topography plays an important role. The cabin lots tend to be flatter than other areas of The Ridge, said Janet Price, director of marketing for Russell Lands, and the setting allows for natural landscaping. The lot is a bit larger and set back further from the lake to create a veil of trees for added privacy.

“Everything is about the lake. The landscape package is not high maintenance because people are making a big investment and don’t want a lot of upkeep, but it looks natural and is beautiful,” said Arnberg.

According to Price, the cabin feels much larger than it is due to the openness of the plan. This factor, along with the seamless connection of outdoor and indoor space, is what really drew Country Living to this cabin and what Arnberg said sets apart a lake cabin from a house found elsewhere.

“There are modest, smaller bedrooms but a large living space for family, and the connection of the outdoor space makes it feel like everyone’s able to be there together. It gives the space a real cottage-like feel,” said Price.

The cabin’s outdoor space features a screened porch

The house is set back from the lake on a larger lot to create a veil of privacy

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AUGUST 2017

The screened porch is an extension of the kitchen so the whole family can be together

Page Mullins added unique details to give the spec house spirit and life

Elements of nature were brought inside to reflect lake living

The different wood elements and stains in the house complement one another

Rustic dĂŠcor mixed with vintage pieces give this cabin a cottage feel

The architecure and facade blend the home with its surroundings

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 51

Double doors lead to the playroom allowing for a more spacious feel

with distinctive architectural columns, a stone terrace for grilling and a lakeside fire pit.

In the bathrooms, hexagonal tile flows from the floor into the shower, making the area seem bigger, and the double doors at the top of the stairs leading to the playroom lend an airy feel to the second floor.

“The house is very inviting. I love what the architect did with the window going up the steps. You’re already in love with the house before you get into the house. It’s well done for the size,” said decorator Nan Jackson of Interiors, Etc. by Nan. The chosen Longleaf cabin design was built around the kitchen as the heart of the house, the project’s architect explained. By placing the kitchen in the direct center, the rest of the design was built around that, based on Russell Lands’ specifications for accommodations.

“The kitchen is the nerve center – the connective center between the outdoor and indoor space,” said Torode, who was thrilled with the outcome of the completed project.

All other elements of the design played into Russell Lands’ strengths and used materials and styles that fit their brand, said Torode. The idea was to play down the house in an effort to create a calmer experience for the owner.

The simplicity of the cabin allows for the focus to remain on Lake Martin.

“There’s a big emphasis on the family living space. The kitchen, living and dining areas are all together. It’s a large open space, beautifully detailed with rustic materials and a focus on how to best use the lake property,” said Arnberg.

Builder Chad Calhoun with Classic Homes interpreted 52 LAKE

this vision to fit the Russell Lands aesthetics with the help of Jackson, who added the finishing touches that make this house unique in the neighborhood.

“We strive to make every home an individual and do what we can to make it different from other homes. That’s what the homeowner wants,” said Jackson. “When it starts out as a spec house though, you have to be very careful that what you put in the home is suitable for a wide audience.”

Jackson said this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home lends itself to easy decorating but includes some novel elements, such as a new color scheme. With different wood on the ceiling, floors, walls and cabinets, the stains and finishes in this house complement one another.

“The walls and trim are both white but different enough that I love that look. The cypress in the ceiling is an original formula, which pulls out some of the grays. You have to make sure that, between the paint colors and the different woods, they all tie together and look like they have been there forever,” said Jackson.

Other unique elements include the herringbone tile in the master bathroom and a copper handmade light fixture that was custom designed for the sleek kitchen, Jackson said.

“We wanted this idea of a really clean kitchen. The cabinets are painted the same color as the walls, but because of the different wood types, it comes off as a different color and looks great. The backsplash is to die for, and this look is what the kitchen was calling for,” said Jackson.

AUGUST 2017

Attention to detail included a hand crafted island light fixture

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 53

Outdoor space is divided into sections, including this patio area

Jackson and Mullins collaborated on the project, selecting pieces that lent a lived-in feeling to the staging.

Mullins said her choices were based on the style of the home, which emphasizes the essence of nature and the lake. She also chose pieces that complemented elements chosen by Jackson, Calhoun and Torode.

“It’s about what you’re seeing outside and bringing that inside. It’s a marrying of our aesthetics. We took Russell Lands’ lake visual and put a Country Living spin on it.

We took our influences from decisions Chad and Nan had already made throughout the building process,” said Mullins. “The furniture and décor did the same thing. We chose earthy palettes of browns, greens and blues to go with the stained wood and the rustic stone fireplace.”

The team chose furnishings from the Universal line found at Holley’s Home Furnishings in Alexander City.

Mullins paired this warm palette with selected antique and vintage pieces to bring in some old style that added a rustic touch.

“The Universal line was perfectly aligned with the aesthetic of the house. The finishes and detailing were a happy medium between rustic textures and silhouettes that were more streamlined to strike that balance between the two ends of the spectrum we were trying to compromise,” said Mullins.

Kevin Little, decorator for Holley’s, said the line is more contemporary with its matching metals and woods, which is a style fitting for the lake. The dining room table and low chairs were not only a new trend for the lake, Little said, but also, the view is vital, and this style ensured that it remained unobstructed.

The great room was sectioned off to demonstrate effective use of the space

54 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

“We are very thankful we could be a part of something so big with Country Living, Universal furniture and Russell Lands,” said Little.

All items staged throughout the rooms can be purchased at either of Holley’s two locations: Alexander City and Montgomery. The company, which has been established for nearly 60 years, has already sold some pieces that visitors to the house saw during tours at the end of June and beginning of July. Tour tickets benefited Children’s Harbor, and Vicki Tuggle, special events coordinator for Children’s Harbor, said they raised more than $10,000 as a result.

Mullins said they broke the great room into sections to showcase the most efficient way to use the space by improvising various nooks. The furniture and décor came together well, with a focus on even the smallest details.

“Any sort of space we go into, we want to make it feel lived in; give it spirit and create a story. By adding props and details, it feels more realistic and shows how you can use the space,” said Mullins.

Arnberg said the Russell Lands goal is a commitment to quality, and that’s evident in the success of their properties. The unanimous sentiment was that it takes a team to make all the various elements work together flawlessly.

From the original thought process of a design to the way that vision is brought to life, everyone involved influences the final product.

“This is definitely the beauty of all this. It’s a ‘we’ thing. It takes a whole team to come together and pull it off,” said Jackson.

Shorter dining room chairs keep the lake view unobstructed

The herringbone tile in the master bathroom is a unique design used by Nan Jackson

Decorators mixed elements of metal, wood and glass throughout the décor

Mullins decorated with a palette of earthy tones

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 55

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56 LAKE

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AUGUST 2017

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 57

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

58 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Goat Island A friendly family of goats is happy to eat your potato chips on this Lake Martin landmark

Allen, the dominant male, welcomes another boat of tourists to Goat Island

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 59

Goat Island's residents are a domesticated mixed boar breed that are used to children

60 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

O

n any given weekend, there may be a dozen boats tied up at Goat Island, where children anxiously disembark to feed and pet the goats that live there from May until October, and the goat guardians think that’s wonderful.

The guardians are caretakers who prefer to remain anonymous but are pleased that their contributions to the health and welfare of the herd enhance the lake life and memories of hundreds of Lake Martin visitors every summer.

“It’s a group effort. Some of us have been helping to take care of goats on the island for more than 10 years,” a guardian representative said.

The herd is not wild but is a mixed boar breed that is regularly cared for and keenly watched.

“We used to rent the goats and put them on the island, but we had to pay for any of them that we lost,” the guardian explained. “That got very expensive when we kept the goats on the island all year long. We would put 10 goats out and by spring there might only be three left.”

So the guardians bought the goats from a breeding farm and now are very involved with their upbringing.

“The big male goat is named Allen.

He’s about 3 years old, and all of the other goats are younger than he is. The little brown one is Bug. She is used to kids carrying her around like she was a puppy dog,” the guardian said.

The goats were named by the grandchildren of one of the guardians and are accustomed to being around children.

From birth, they have been petted and Donations fed and carried about until they were for the weaned. care of the “We wait until after they have been goats are weaned to take them to the island for welcome the summer because the survival rate and just seems to be better that way,” the appreciated guardian said. “We love those goats.

They are dear to our hearts, and we hate to lose any of them.”

The goats are taken off the island sometime after Labor Day. They winter at a farm in Kent.

“There isn’t enough food for them on the island in winter, so they eat hay for a few months. They are watched after and taken care of until springtime, and they are always glad to go back to the island in May,” he said.

From May to October, the goats entertain the hundreds of people who stop to share their chips, fruit and leftover pizza, and the guardians are fine with that.

“Kids love to feed them that stuff, and the goats are happy.

Just don’t bring them whole kernel corn. It’s very hard, and it causes problems for them. Don’t bring them anything real hard, and don’t bring them goat pellets. After eating junk food all day, they will overeat on the pellets.”

The goats won’t eat what they don’t like, he said, but they are very fond of cheese puffs and chips, especially when the treats are offered by an outstretched hand.

“People bring loaves of bread for them, and they will eat that, but the goats really want you to break off pieces that they

can take from your hand,” he said.

Another audience that benefits from the island’s goatherd includes veterinarian students from Auburn University. Vet school instructor Dr. Thomas Passler visits the goats in spring and fall with his classes – and on his own personal lake time during the summer – and the students keep the animals vaccinated and free of parasites.

The students herd the goats into a pen, so they can administer medications and perform any necessary surgeries in the field.

Vet care can be expensive, the guardian said, so the caretakers recently put a donation box on the island.

“We don’t collect much, but it helps some. We had a benefactor help us build the pen, which helps a lot for the vet students, but a vet bill can get to be $500 or $600 pretty quickly, and two or three times a year, that adds up. Last year, we collected $167 from the box.

So far this year, we collected $175 the first time we emptied the box and $75 the next time.

“The goats need three rolls of hay for the winter, and each one costs $50. They go through a bag of food every week, and that comes to about $40 a month.

Plus, there’s the cost of medications. We pay for it out of our pockets, and we’re glad to do it. If people want to help financially, we appreciate that. We just like taking care of the goats so people can come to the island and enjoy them.”

The only visitors that are not welcome on Goat Island are dogs, the guardian said.

“I really have to admonish people that let dogs on the island. I get that it’s fun for the dogs to chase them, but they kill the goats, not outright but the dogs chase the goats all over the island and drive them into the water, and they drown. The people don’t see what happens, so they think it’s fine. They don’t see how terrorized the goat is. The dog comes back, but the goats don’t.”

While goats have been known to swim, they hate the water so much that they run for cover at the first sign of rain. Even when being chased by a dog, a goat will avoid running to the water and will do so only as a last resort for escape. At that point, exhausted and panicked, the goat usually drowns.

The guardians have posted signs prohibiting dogs on the island, but dog lovers don’t always comply.

“They just don’t see the harm in letting the dogs run the goats, but it’s Goat Island, not Dog Island. There are lots of other islands where dogs can run and play at the lake. We want folks to please just respect the signs and keep the dogs on a leash or in the boat at Goat Island,” he pled.

“We are watching,” he added. “We don’t just drop the goats on the island and go away. We’re close by and watching the activity at the island. I guess that’s our reward, getting to see the delight on the faces of all those kids who will remember for the rest of their lives that they fed baby goats by hand on an island at the lake.”

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 61

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62 LAKE

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LAKE 63

Rafting Up

64 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Make the most of time together with a rafting afternoon on the lake

A

ll across Lake Martin, from the River Bridge on the east to Parker Creek on the west, friends gather on the water to raft up. With the boats anchored and tied together, the party on the water grows. Meals are served; drinks are poured; and everyone takes a turn at cooling off in the lake. It’s a tradition at Lake Martin, and people come from across the country to be part of it.

The essentials, said this group of old high school friends who meet at Lake Martin every summer, include three cases of beer, plenty of Chuck’s pizza, swimming

noodles and a football.

A camera also is a great idea, as the sunsets on the water can be spectacular at the end of a beautiful summer day.

Pets are welcome, and music is optional, though highly recommended.

Chimney Rock is a popular rafting spot, but the best experience might just be in a quiet, undeveloped slough, where the party could be more private.

So gather your friends and family and make an ordinary day at the lake a special occasion.

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 65

James Otto

Ashton Shepherd

Rexton Lee

James Otto to headline Labor Day at the Amp Labor Day at Lake Martin Amphitheater (the Amp) this year will feature headliner James Otto, the Nashville singer/songwriter behind the 2015 hit single, Somewhere Tonight.

The song launched a new phase in the musician’s career, one in which he’s created his own unique brand of country music.

“I really wanted to grab people’s attention with something that’s completely different from what they were used to hearing from me,” Otto explained.

Otto grew up in rural America, from a 700-acre North Dakota farm to the apple and cherry orchards of Washington State to Alabama, where he discovered country music. After touring the world on a U.S. Navy ship, he settled in Nashville and in 2008 topped the country charts with the Most Played Country Single of the Year, Just Got Started Lovin’ You. Taking the stage before Otto will be The Bank Walkers at 6 p.m., followed by local favorite Rexton Lee and Alabama’s own Ashton Shepherd, whose country 66 LAKE

albums include Where Country Grows, Out of My Pocket, Sounds So Good and This is America.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for the Sept. 3 concert at the Amp. Tickets are $10; kids age 6 and under are admitted free of charge.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and friends, but please leave dogs at home.

“The Labor Day weekend concert at the Amp is always a great way to end the summer concert series at Lake Martin,” said Russell Lands’ Director of Special Events and Social Media Robert Gunn.

Order tickets at www.theamponlakemartin.com. For information, contact Gunn at 256-397-1019.

AUGUST 2017

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 67

Smith Mountain Memories STORY BY J. HAROLD BANKS

I

first learned how fire towers work from the 1950s TV series, Fury, which starred a boy named Joey and his incredible black horse, Fury. In one episode, Joey saved the day by racing on Fury to an unmanned fire tower; and then, using a sighting instrument to determine the directional bearing to a fire. With a hand-cranked telephone, Joey called a ranger in another tower who determined the bearing from his location. The point at which the sighted bearings from those two towers crossed on a map determined the exact location of the fire, and crews were dispatched to extinguish it.

The sighting instrument Joey used is called an alidade, and the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) is in possession of the one that was used in the Smith Mountain fire lookout tower.

That alidade will be one of the exhibits featured at the Smith Mountain Outdoor Environmental Education Center, along with descriptions and diagrams showing how it was used.

I recently spoke with retired District Ranger Skip Turner, one of the last persons living to have officially used the tower. Lookout personnel in the tower were called watchmen, but the term is not really accurate because at least two women are known to have ‘manned’ the tower. Skip corrected me when I asked for details on how they spotted fires.

He said, “We didn’t spot wildfires from the tower; we spotted smokes. They didn’t become wildfires until confirmed as such on the ground.”

All fire tower personnel in the district could stay in contact with each other and the fire-fighting crews through a private, hand-cranked telephone system. If the Smith Mountain watchman spotted a smoke at a bearing of 31 degrees, he might call the Rocky Mount tower. If the watchman there spotted the smoke at a bearing of 222 degrees, that would have placed the smoke near Old Shepard Road south of Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, and someone would have been sent to check it out.

The Division of Forestry (later Alabama Forestry 68 LAKE

Commission) was usually understaffed, and when wildfire outbreaks were large or numerous, volunteers were called upon for assistance. Hugh Coker was the district supervisor for many years, and there were times when his wife, Geraldine, and their daughters made an excellent but unpaid fire-fighting crew.

Wildfires occasionally were caused by lightning, many times by careless burning, and all too often, by arson. In the early 1960s, there was one resident near Dadeville (name withheld to protect the guilty) who kept showing up a little too quickly as a fire-fighting volunteer. Eventually, he was caught setting the very fires he wanted to help put out, and he then spent a little time in an accommodation devoid of trees.

Smoke spotting and fire fighting were not the only activities on Smith Mountain.

From 1939 until the tower’s decommission in 1980, Smith The fire tower was the site Mountain hosted many official of sunrise services and unofficial social events for the surrounding communities.

These included Easter sunrise The tower was services, family reunions, civic dedicated in 1939 club cookouts and youth parand decommissioned ties. I have vivid memories in 1980 of my grandfather Dr. Joe T. Banks dressed, as always, in a suit and tie cooking what he called a sawmill breakfast over a wood fire. His sawmill breakfast consisted of bacon and sausage cooked together in a big cast iron skillet and eggs with lots of cheese scrambled in the grease. That was served with pancakes over which we were to pour locally produced sorghum syrup that looked like burnt motor oil and tasted a little strong for my young taste buds.

Division of Forestry employees sometimes kept curiosities on display, such as unusual crystalline rocks, tree burls, relics from the turpentine industry and busted up moonshine stills.

Dadeville resident Sharon Gaither recalls riding up Smith Mountain with her boyfriend in the fall of 1955 to a see a cage full of rattlesnakes captured by the rangers and kept as pets. The trip became more memorable than intended when they collided with another car as they were descending the narrow, twisting dirt road from the mountain.

AUGUST 2017

I heard another 1950s era story about General J. H. Strother’s daughter Helen who borrowed the family car one evening to go to the Three Little Pigs café, the local teen hangout at the time. Helen was given strict instructions to use it only to go to town and back and by no means to drive on any dirt roads. But it didn’t take her friends long to talk Helen into loading the big car with as many people as could squeeze in and drive up Smith Mountain to watch the stars.

When they returned to the lit parking lot, Helen was distraught to see her daddy’s car covered in dust, clear evidence of disobeying the general’s orders; however, all the boys at ‘The Pig’ pulled out their handkerchiefs and thoroughly wiped down the entire car, saving Helen from an unhappy homecoming. Now I’m not quite ready to declare chivalry dead, but how many young men today are prepared to assist a damsel in distress with handkerchiefs from their back pockets?

If you have interesting Smith Mountain stories you would like to share or vintage photos you would be willing to let me scan, please send an email to jharoldbanks@gmail.com.

If suitable, they might add to the new environmental center project now in process through CRATA with the generous support of a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs – Recreational Trail Program. The grant requires $50,000 in matching funds, and your contributions are greatly appreciated. Please make your tax-deductible donation payable to CRATA Smith Mountain Restoration and send to Jimmy K. Lanier, CRATA, P.O. Box 240503, Eclectic AL 36024.

Our Thanks to Recent Donors Teachers’ Helper Ruthmary Williams

Trail Blazers

George & Sara Amonette in honor of Robert and Mischa Harbison

Vista Viewers

Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors Edward A. Brantley A.J. Holley Pam MacAllister in memory of Dough MacAllister

Summit Toppers

John P. and Melissa Oliver

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

Contribution Form Name_____________________________________ Date_______ Address_______________________________________________ City_______________________ State_______ ZIP____________ Phone________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________

Giving Levels

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

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

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

Amount enclosed $_____________________

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Conservationist of the Year Jimmy Lanier's vision and ambition earned him AWF’s highest honor

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY BARRY CHRIETZBERG

clectic’s Jimmy K. Lanier has told people that the Smith company deeded the property to CRATA at Lanier’s humble Mountain project on the banks of Lake Martin changed behest. his life. The building of trails and restoration of a historic “I had never even seen a fire tower, let alone ended up being fire tower there has changed the lives of others, too, and the in charge of restoring one,” Lanier laughed, “but it was one of Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) thinks that is worthy of the best things I have ever participated in. I felt like I could do recognition. anything now.

“AWF feels strongly about basic connections to the land.

“That was awesome, really.”

Those are the important first ingredients of a good conservaAnd thousands of visitors to the Smith Mountain Fire Tower tion ethic,” said AWF Executive Director Tim Gothard. “Jimmy have echoed his words since the restoration project was comLanier’s work to turn the whole Smith Mountain area into an pleted five years ago. outdoor destination that people can really see does that. That Recently, CRATA launched an education phase to the project connection to the land and natural resources helps people to at Smith Mountain. An outdoor environmental education center become more interested and involved. We saw that it was sigwill be constructed at the base of the fire tower, and a series of nificant. It was unique and, we felt, very worthy of the 2017 signs will teach visitors about the area’s history, geology, wildLand Conservationist of the Year Award.” life and local hiking options.

The AWF award program, which was founded in the early In addition, Lanier has spent the better part of the last two 1970s, was designed to recognize and draw attention to the years leading volunteer crews in the construction of trails at work of private individuals, corporations and organizations that Yates Lake Wildlife Management Area, after he coordinated a have significant impact on conservation, wildlife and outdoor Forever Wild Land Trust transaction that involved private landresources, Gothard explained. owners and Alabama Power Company.

“The work that they do serves as an example that others can The first trail in the new Yates Forever Wild section was emulate,” he said. named for John B. Scott, who was instrumental in founding But Jimmy Lanier would be a hard act to follow.

Forever Wild more than 20 years ago.

The former contract engineer for the Department of Defense It was appropriate, then, that Scott nominated Lanier for the started hiking the Appalachian Trail upon retirement and was AWF award. inspired by an old college classmate to build a trail at Overlook Lanier and Scott met at Overlook Park one day while Scott Park above Martin Dam. and his wife were hiking and Lanier was maintaining the trails.

“This place would make a great trail,” his friend told him “John immediately became a lifetime member of CRATA, when Lanier and he visited the scenic overlook. and he’s been a great supporter ever since,” Lanier said.

“Alabama needed some great trails,” Lanier said, “but I never The award will be presented at the annual AWF banquet on dreamed it would be as big as it is.”

Aug. 4, which will take place at the Marriott Legends at Capitol That first foot-path only Loop Trail at the Overlook Park Hill in Prattville. trailhead now measures 7.2 miles, but hikers can shorten the “Naturally, I feel honored to receive the award,” Lanier said. route to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6-mile loops, or they can take on the “It gives me a good feeling of accomplishment. I take pride in challenge of the 4.2-mile Deadening Trail, which Lanier and knowing that all these people are going to be able to hike, and I a team of Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) am most thankful that we have the property available to hike on volunteers built along the rocky cliffs opposite Lake Martin’s from Alabama Power Company. That’s the biggest thing.

Chimney and Acapulco rocks. Spectacular vistas, thickets of “I have had lots of help, too.” mountain laurel and rhododendron, along with unique formaMuch of that help came from Lanier’s wife Judy, who tions like the Needle’s Eye and Jasmine Bluff, reward hikers sent emails, made signs, created posters and kept records for who take this advanced level trek.

CRATA while her husband spent long days on the trails.

Next, Lanier set his sights on Smith Mountain, the highest “She is so good at correcting all of my mistakes and supportpoint in the lake area. ing what I am trying to do,” Lanier said.

For 40 years, the tower at the mountain’s peak played an What he’s trying to do next, Lanier said, is design a trail essential role in protecting homes and business interests from down Channahatchee Creek at the Yates forever property. forest fires. Erected in 1939, the fire tower fell into disrepair “That is such a beautiful spot. I just think people ought to be after it was decommissioned in 1980. The 10-acre section of able to get down there and see that. mountain, then-owned by Alabama Power Company, became a “The award is great, but really, the satisfaction within myself dumping ground for 30 years until CRATA expressed interest of seeing these trails built is enough award for me. I know in building trails and restoring the fire tower there. The power people enjoy them and will continue to enjoy them.”

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Jimmy Lanier

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Extend your stay Fall extension could give the Lake Martin area a great economic boost

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f it keeps on raining, the levee is not charge of relicensing for APC, agreed going to break. In fact, we don’t have that we are ahead of rainfall totals so far a levee holding back the Tallapoosa this year. Obviously, we will know more River. once we hit September, but unless we get We have a dam – and a pretty dang hit by some kind of epic drought, it looks good one at that. Martin Dam has been like we have great potential to keep the serving the area for almost 100 years, water up after Labor Day. and it is not going anywhere. That is While I certainly celebrated the new not changing one bit.

7-foot winter drop, I have always held What is changing in 2017 is that this the theory that the conditional fall full LAKE PROPERTY is the first real chance to see the effects pool would have a greater economBY JOHN COLEY of the recently renewed license for ic impact for the Lake Martin region.

Martin Dam. Although Alabama Power I agree with many others who feel the Company (APC) owns the dam, it has to get 30-year mere sight of more water after Labor Day will inspire permits to run it, approved by the Federal Energy more people to visit here well into autumn.

Regulatory Commission (FERC).

People that own waterfront homes will spend a When FERC granted the new rule curve for Lake few more weekends at their lake homes.

Martin, there were two key changes: The new winter Boating enthusiasts that drive to the lake in water level would be only 7 feet down from the sum- the morning and drive back at night – I like to mer full pool, as opposed to 10 previously. In other call them day trippers – will realize the joy of a words, Alabama Power only drops the lake 7 feet in September Saturday boat ride, once they discover the winter. And Lake Martin will be allowed to keep that, in September, the weather is a tad cooler than the lake full until Oct. 15, given that the area receives August but the water is still warm, the heavy crowds enough rainfall, along with a few other factors. are gone, and there’s always football on the radio (or I think we can all agree that we have had enough at least streaming on their phones). rain this summer to set us up well for the satisfaction As the theory goes, the more people that come to of the requirements to keep the lake full into October. the lake after Labor Day, the more they will need to In a recent article in the Alexander City Outlook, shop retail, stay at hotels, dine in restaurants, and Alabama Power agreed. Jim Crew, the person in use local services. Business owners do realize this,

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and they will stay open and stay fully staffed instead of laying off employees until the spring. The more consumers realize that businesses are still open and that there is plenty to do here in the fall, the more people will come, which will help more businesses, etc.

Now, I am not expecting Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand of Capitalism to kick in overnight, or even this first fall (if it happens, not jinxing it). My guess is that it might take several years for tourists to realize how awesome it is here in the fall, full pool or no.

It might also take a few years for local businesses to trust the crowds enough to stay staffed up in September and October; however, I am going to keep a very close eye on the business hours and scheduled events for places around Lake Martin.

Not only will I watch on-water restaurants like Chuck’s and Kowaliga, but also the marinas and off-water shops in downtown Alexander City and Dadeville. Will they continue to heavily promote into the fall?

I think, as local folk, it is our duty this fall to stand behind our local businesses and give them support.

Let’s face it – it is easy to sit back and say ‘they should stay fully staffed and open’ – but when you are the one writing the payroll checks – when it is your money being spent on extra inventory – it can be a scary act of faith. ‘Build it, and they will come’ sounds romantic, but it risks someone’s hard-earned nest egg that was made over the summer.

So if you hear thunder roll and see flash floods splash in August, don’t groan; instead, take heart.

Look on the positive side: Every drop of rain that falls increases our chances of keeping a full pool until Oct. 15. And whether we have it or not, let’s all shop locally and strengthen this wonderful Lake Martin community.

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

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Togetherness

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Seeing families grow closer is the real joy of teaching wake sports

ummer is tapering down. August is the last say tubing kids is fine, given that it is along with riding a month; then, schools start back from the summer ski, a wakeboard or a surfboard – whatever – but the key break. Plenty of weekends left before it gets cold, but words are along with, not instead of. I cannot count the the summer weekday morning sets unfortunately disapnumber of kids – and this is all ages – but I’d say particupear (enter frowny-face emoji here). One larly with pre-teens that get an enormous great thing about August is that there ususense of accomplishment by learning to ally is still a wakeboard/surf clinic at the ride. local marinas that could help you finish the Anybody can lie on a tube and get summer with some new skills and a trick pulled behind a boat. This is far from the or two. case when it comes to the sense of accomAn added bonus is that all the stores on plishment children get when they ride up the lake usually run summer-end clearance out of the water and begin the progression sales, and if you’ve been eyeballing a parof any water sport. Not everyone can or BEHIND THE BOAT ticular new board, you could probably pick has the opportunity to do it.

BY SAWYER DAVIS it up for a nice little discount with some I have seen the kids that you wouldn’t time left to enjoy it on the water. think were going to be able to get up, come Given all the rain we have had this season, the lake is out of the water on the first pull and ride. still operating at full pool, which is really nice. Hopefully, Lots of times, they get better quickly, when an even if the fall extension water levels lock in, we’ll have more more athletic kid in the boat doesn’t, and the change in water for a longer season. the attitude and outlook of that child is like something you I have the honor of working with lots of families with can’t even describe. all ages of kids and adults learning to ride. Unquestionably, These children know they have done something special, surfing has taken the market by storm since 2013. and everyone else in the boat knows it, too. They know it, When I get to step back and bear witness to what’s hapand they take this pride back into their lives. When they pening and listen to what parents of surfing kids are telling go back to school with their peers, they have a sense of me, one thing has stuck out more and more, and it makes accomplishment to thrive on it and get better at it. me so proud to play any part in it.

I’d say that alone has been one of the biggest factors It’s the family unit, spending time together, doing some- for me to keep coaching, keep writing and being a part of thing together, having fun together. this industry. I may or may not learn a new trick on my The wake boats get ridiculed for a lot of things, but you board this year. If I do, it’s fun, and I’m super stoked, but it can’t slight the sport for this. The sport is bringing famidoesn’t compare with what I see when a child comes out of lies together to make long-lasting memories on the lake. I the water for the first time. hear it often: ‘when we went from whatever pontoon or In the last week, I had two students that had never even runabout into the “wake boat,” our whole family started all been pulled out of the water on anything, but in three pulls, going out together. The kids always want to go out. They they surfed without the rope, and I was more excited about want to bring their friends, and we are out in the boat all that than the last trick I learned myself. day.’

The look on their faces is priceless; the sound of their We on the industry side literally see the hours logged on voices back in the boat, talking about it, is not the same as the boat as proof; time on the water nearly doubles in some when they first hopped into the water. cases but averages about 30-50 hours more per season for a And to see parents watching their child, their most family in a wake boat. prized possession in the world, get up on a ride and to hear Now I’ve definitely made known my dislike of tubes, their excitement; I don’t even have the words. but even they have their place in this whole phenomeAs a parent myself, I know how exciting and emotional non. They, too, bring plenty of smiles and laughs, and that’s it is, and sometimes I’m really glad I have sunglasses on. what it’s all about. He (or she) who has the most fun wins!

Keep riding. Hope to see you on the water.

I will elaborate on my preference of actually riding something like a wakeboard over being pulled on a tube, Sawyer Davis is a wakesurfer for Victoria Skimboards and to me, this is hugely important. I will caveat this and and grew up on Lake Martin.

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Respect the Hazard Buoys M

any Lake Martin boaters have little to no knowlpercent of the 2016 total – even before volunteers had fully edge or appreciation of the importance of the 440 assessed the damage and replacement inventory from the hazardous-area buoys that are placed over the entire 4th of July holiday week, which always results in a lot of 41,050 acres of our Treasured waters. The replacements. hazardous areas range from large rock beds to LMRA has an exceptionally good hazardlong sand bars or treetops that were left standous buoy program. Under the leadership of ing when the lake was established.

Vice President Rendell Clark with the support Boaters who ignore these markers or miss of board members Rich Lubben, Larry Tuggle seeing them entirely because of distractions and Will Denton, along with numerous volunor carelessness risk severe damage to their teers, they make routine checks of all locations, boats and possible injury to their passengers. in addition to responding rapidly to reports There have been many reported cases of careof missing buoys from boaters or the Marine less boaters who became stranded after hitting Police. sandbars that were clearly marked by buoys Captain Jon Archer who heads up the Marine LMRA carefully placed at each end of the shallow Police Central Division, which includes Lake

BY JOHN THOMPSON areas. There have also been reports of heavily Martin, has said there is no other buoy program damaged boats and motors, as well as injuries in Alabama that comes close to comparing to suffered by both adults and children. the LMRA program on Lake Martin. He acknowledges that The buoys, each weighing about 40 pounds, are attached marking hazardous areas is the responsibility of the Marine to a stainless steel cable that is connected to a bucket of Police, but with only one full-time officer on the lake, there concrete weighing approximately 125 pounds. would be no way for them to manage a comparable proHazardous areas are located by using depth finders and gram. underwater scanners. Since Lake Martin water levels can The LMRA Board of Directors is committed to doing and do vary by as much as 10 feet, the buoy anchors are set everything possible to address boating safety on Lake for the 10-foot variance. The depth of the anchor could be Martin, and we are very concerned about the increase in the lower, based on the type of hazard being marked. number of buoys being hit. We believe most of these colliThe Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) buoy sions occur at night, and we are exploring some options. boat is a 25-foot pontoon boat that has been expertly modiThe expense of this program is paid from membership fied by LMRA board members to handle the difficult task annual dues of $25 per family ($40 per business). of both installing new buoys and retrieving damaged buoys For information about joining LMRA and becoming for replacement. more involved, visit the website at www.lmra.info.

Teams of three volunteers work together, with two of them handling the buoy work and one operating the boat.

John Thompson is president of Lake Martin Resource When deploying a buoy, it is critical that the volunteers Association (LMRA), a volunteer nonprofit organization. get the buoy in the exact spot of the hazard.

Contact John at john.thompson@hcsinc.net or 334-323Once the installation is completed, the GPS coordinates 7880 or visit www.lmra.info. are recorded and maintained for future reference. Wave action created by winds or boating activity could cause a marker to move away from the hazard. This is usually detected during routine checks by the buoy team members, who then drag it back to its correct location using the previously recorded data.

With the ever-increasing number of boaters on Lake Martin and the growing popularity of boating after sunset, it is becoming very evident that lighted buoys are needed in certain heavily traveled areas to protect the safety of the | Unique Gifts boating public. | Home Décor | Bridal Registry | Pottery & Art made in Alabama Currently, fewer than 10 percent of the lake’s buoy loca| Clothing for Ladies, Juniors, Toddlers & Babies tions on the lake have lights on them.

The number of buoys that are damaged or destroyed is 256-329-9797 www.cloudninealexcity.com increasing each year, and as of the end of June this year, 26 Main Street, Alexander City, AL 35010 LMRA had already replaced 60 buoys. That number is 75 AUGUST 2017

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Liquid Asset

wo parts hydrogen and one part oxygen mouth and tongue, muscle cramping, decreased (H2O). The formula looks so simple; urination or dark yellow urine, constipation, nauyet, this liquid asset is one of the human sea, sunken eyeballs or a decrease in the ability body’s most essential nutrients. It has been to function. said that we can live without food for up to six The goal is to stay ahead of the game to avoid weeks; however, we cannot live without water becoming dehydrated. We can accomplish this for more than a few days. Water is so essential goal by eating foods that are high in water, such to the body that humans have a built-in manageas fruit and vegetables, and by drinking several ment system to prevent dehydration and ensure glasses of water per day. Water replacement is survival. Living in a developed country where not an exact science and depends a lot on indiwater is abundant, it is easily taken for granted. vidual activity level and health status, pregnancy Would you ever guess that the body is comor breastfeeding and the climate. prised of two-thirds water? The human brain is The most common recommendation for adults HEALTHY LIVING 95 percent water, blood is 82 percent water, and is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses or bottles of

BY JULIE HUDSON the lungs are 90 percent water, which explains water per day, along with a diet high in fruit and why a 2 percent drop in in the body’s water supvegetables. This should be sufficient to replace ply can bring on signs of dehydration. fluid losses. This amount should increase for anyone who is The human body simply cannot function without water. exercising in extreme heat, pregnant or breastfeeding.

I like using the example of a car needing gas and oil. All The current recommendations for children 4 to 8 years old of the cells and organs in human anatomy depend on water are five 8-ounce glasses or bottles of water per day; seven to to function properly. Water serves numerous vital functions eight 8-ounce glasses or bottles of water for children age 9 throughout the body. Water serves as a lubricant in digestive to 13 years old and eight to 11 8-ounce glasses or bottles of processes by helping saliva facilitate chewing and swallowwater per day for children age 14 to 18 years old. Infants will ing; it keeps our eyes moist and healthy and gives our joints meet their fluid needs with breast milk or formula. If your and cartilage the ability to move freely. infant is sick with diarrhea or vomiting, it is best to consult Dehydration will cause fluid to be withdrawn from the your physician. joints, causing friction that can lead to pain, injuries or arthriBody awareness and the development of good health habtis. Water regulates body temperature. its is the number one key to staying hydrated. Always begin Regulating body temperature can be accomplished with and end your day by drinking 8 ounces of water, and make it perspiration through sweat glands and evaporation, which routine to drink 8 ounces of water at each meal or every hour causes a cooling effect. During cold temperatures the skin to hour-and-a-half throughout the day. regulates body temperature by taking the blood away from Keeping a water bottle with you at all times at work, the exterior surface and conserving heat within the body. home, in the car and during exercise will make it easy to Water removes toxins through urination and perspiration meet your hydration goals. Don’t forget to make fruit and and by keeping the bowels regular. Providing the body with a vegetables a priority when planning meals and snacks. constant supply of water helps the kidneys and liver to funcAthletes and others who are serious about exercising should tion properly, ridding the body of waste products. plan to drink water throughout the day; and then, focus on Transporting valuable nutrients is another function of hydrating two to three hours before exercise with 16 ounces water. Blood transports nutrients and oxygen throughout the of water and 20 minutes before beginning to exercise with 8 body. Nutrients from the food we eat are broken down in ounces of water. If the duration of exercise lasts more than digestion and become water-soluble. These nutrients dissolve 20 minutes, it is recommended to hydrate with 8-12 ounces in water and pass through the intestinal wall into the blood every 20 minutes. and circulatory system, where important nutrients can be disPut your body to the test if you feel as though you are persed throughout into cells and organs. falling short of the current daily water recommendations or Every day, we lose water through breath, perspiration, if you have experienced any of the warning signs of dehydraurine and bowel movements. Excess water loss may occur tion: Meet the recommended hydration goals for two weeks when the weather is hot and humid, during exercise, or if we and see how good you feel! are sick with a fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Water replaceWater is essential for your body to function properly and is ment becomes very important for prevention of dehydration truly a liquid asset that is sugar free, caffeine free and calorie during these times of excessive loss. free. Don’t take it for granted.

Dehydration can be identified in many ways. Signs and symptoms may include headache, fatigue, confusion, weakJulie Hudson is a dietitian at the Lake Martin Wellness ness, dizziness or lightheadedness, weight loss, increased Center in Dadeville. heart rate, low blood pressure, decreased skin turgor, dry 78 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

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ust a few weeks ago, BASS released the 2018 can be found. It’s also one of the few places Bassmaster Elite Series schedule. The Elite where 30-40-plus-pound striped bass are Series is considered by most in the industry as common. And don’t forget the channel catthe most high-profile tournament trail out there. fish (locals call them squealers), crappie and And guess where they are coming first … bream. In short, there are fish of all shapes and Lake Martin. To say that I’m excited would be sizes for a wide range of angling preferences. an understatement.

Having the Bassmaster Elite Series in For my fishing friends, this is where you’re town is a way to showcase Lake Martin and going to find names like Kevin Van Dam, Skeet the surrounding area. Most of the focus will Reese, Mike Iaconelli, Greg Hackney, Gerald be on the fishing, as it should be with a high Swindle and Aaron Martens. There are so many profile professional circuit coming to town. others that I should mention because they are just But woven into the production will be expoas deserving, but let’s save that list of about 109 BIG CATCHES sure for Alexander City, Lake Martin and the anglers for the roster that will be released this surrounding area to the entire nation, as these

BY GREG VINSON winter. tournaments are televised on ESPN2. Since the God willing, my name will be included on that Bassmaster Elite Series is followed by thoulist, as well as Kelly Jaye, Steve Kennedy and others who sands of anglers around the world, it’s safe to say that this are from the area. I’m excited because I hope my experience event will introduce Lake Martin to the rest of the world. on the lake will help. I also know from experience that the I think the best argument for having the Bassmaster Elite BASS Elite field is so competitive that no one ever has a dis- Series come to town in February is that it shows the lake has tinct advantage. That being said, I feel an excitement as a fan great value in other months of the year besides the Memorial maybe more so than as a competitor. I’m a fan of fishing and Day to Labor Day window. In my opinion, the fishing on a fan of Lake Martin and the surrounding area because I still Lake Martin is best during the cooler months. So for those consider it home. who prefer less boat traffic and better fishing, Lake Martin Lake Martin has seen a lot of growth over the years. The is the place to be during the fall and winter. This could be a busy summer weekends and lavish lake homes and weekgood boost to the local economy during an otherwise slow end get-aways have sprung up almost everywhere it seems. time.

It’s a testament to the beauty of the lake, the pristine water My hopes are that by having such a high profile event in and Lake Martin’s convenience to cities like Birmingham, our area, we will be able to spark more interest in fishing Auburn, Montgomery and Atlanta. It’s always been a great and the Lake Martin community. I’ve participated in events summer playground, but without question, it’s busier than all over the country, and Wind Creek State Park – along with ever now. This is especially true during the summer. As much Alexander City as a host – is one of the best venues you can as I enjoyed swimming, riding and skiing while growing up have for a big event. High School and college fishing events on Lake Martin, my true affinity is for what the lake has to held in recent years on Lake Martin have produced record offer as a fishery. participation, showing the booming growth the sport is havBecause it is so popular as a swimming and skiing destina- ing in our area. tion, I’ve always felt like Lake Martin was overlooked as a Having the Bassmaster Elite Series come to town will fishery. Growing up, I was blessed to have parents, neighbors legitimize the Lake Martin area as a beautiful lake with deep and friends that taught me to fish the lake. Fishing was a way water and a deep history, as a fishery and as a place surroundthat I bonded with those people and gained an extraordinary ed by good people. The residual benefits will be economic appreciation for the waterway. For a kid that had all the ragboosts for the area during an otherwise slow period of the ing symptoms of ADD, the lake was a place where I could year; a better appreciation for the lake as an ecosystem; and expend energy. Fishing, along with other sports, kept my a place where people can bond through a common interest in mind and body occupied. I feel like it potentially kept me fishing. from getting into more trouble, too. I developed an appreciaLake Martin and the surrounding area will, hopefully, tion for nature, for the water and the fascinating ecosystem receive the credit it deserves as a place for all types of water that exists within this man-made lake. recreation, not only during the summer but also during the Lake Martin also has been overlooked by anglers because other three seasons as well. there are so many fantastic fisheries in Alabama with which it As you enjoy Lake Martin this summer, keep in mind that has to compete. I will admit that average tournament weights the lake can be just as fun during other times of the year. If on Lake Martin will always be slightly lower when compared you are a fan of fishing already, you’ll be excited to see Lake to some of the other fisheries in the state. Old, deep, clear Martin host the kickoff of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series. reservoirs like Lake Martin typically don’t have the biomass If you are not a fishing fan, please put it on your schedule. found in systems of the Coosa or Tennessee chains, but that Come out and see what it’s all about this February. You might doesn’t mean the lake is not a good fishery. Lake Martin has just be surprised and possibly even inspired to do a little more more than 750 miles of shoreline and 44,000 acres of water, fishing yourself. so it’s easy for anglers to spread out when fishing for fun or Long live Lake Martin! during competition.

It is a great place to catch numbers of fish at certain times Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the of the year and also produces some really big fish. Lake Bassmaster Elite Series and PPA tours. He lives in Wetumpka Martin is one of the few lakes in the country where the brute and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

Alabama Spotted Bass (also called Coosa Spots by many) 80 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Lake Martin’s Debut The Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament introduces lake’s beauty and history on the professional stage

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 81

Fig, Caramelized Onion, make a lovely and Ingredients

Dough 5 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup olive oil plus 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 1 3/4 cups warm water 1 tablespoon sugar 1 package dry active yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

Topping 2 pounds fresh figs 2 onions julienned and caramelized 1 cup diced raw bacon 1 cup crumbled blue cheese

CHEF’S TABLE BY ROB MCDANIEL Rob McDaniel, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.

82 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Bacon and Blue Cheese delicious focaccia Directions

Place warm water in small bowl; note that the water should be warm – if your water is too hot it will kill the yeast; yet, if it isn’t warm enough, the yeast won’t bloom properly. Add the yeast and sugar to the warm water; stir to incorporate well; then, set aside for 15 minutes to activate the yeast.

In the bowl of a standing mixer with a dough hook attached, add the flour and salt.

Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add half of the olive oil and stir well. Turn mixer on medium-low speed and slowly add water, yeast, sugar and olive oil mixture until incorporated. Allow dough to knead for 3-4

minutes; then, place into a large bowl with the tablespoon of oil; cover and allow to rise for one hour.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. After an hour, place the other half-cup olive oil into a 18x13 sheet pan; place dough in pan and push down with the tips of your fingers to stretch dough over whole pan; dough should and have small dimples from your fingers. It may appear to be a lot of olive oil, and it should – that is one of the reasons this bread is so good.

Place all the toppings on top, except the blue cheese, and allow to rise, uncovered, in a warm place for one hour. After an hour, place focaccia in the oven for 30 minutes, rotating the pan after first 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove and sprinkle blue cheese over the top; then, allow to cool for 15 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy at room temperature or warm. I also like to drizzle with honey.

AUGUST 2017

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WILD WHITE

Tasting the Sauvignon Blanc 84 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

T

he call from the tasting room came early a couple If we wanted to compare apples to apples, our tastof weekends ago. Too early for most people, but ing should pit the New World Sauv Blancs with the Old for a workaholic with wine on the brain, it was World Sancerre. But because Bordeaux Blanc is at least more like Christmas morning. Not something you would partially blended with Sauv Blanc, maybe as little as do every day, but sometimes you just need to get up and 20 percent, we will taste all three. The early morning go check on the ‘toys’ in the cellar. tasting mentioned above put a Sancerre against a White On that particular occasion, it was Bordeaux. research for this very article. Breakfast The Sancerre was François Millet 2016, could wait; I wanted to experience the wines one that has been very popular in our with a fresh palate knowing that, minus a downtown wine shop. The first impression small sample, each bottle would be vacuum at that hour was ‘grapefruit.’ Note that the pumped and returned to the fridge. There’s a first taste of a very acidic wine, almost any big difference between tasting and drinking, wine, early in the day can be somewhat even on the weekend. staggering. With the second sip, the slight This could have been a huge undertaking, grassy flavors came through but nothwhich you will understand in a moment. ing like what you would get from a New I don’t recall having explored this wine Zealand Sauv Blanc. It was acidic with a in so much depth. I should say this grape, dry finish and would probably be a good Sauvignon Blanc, which is used in making breakfast wine if you had any takers. It several wines in many styles. A lot of peowould be perfect for brunch or just sipping ple don’t care for Sauv Blanc. If you were FROM THE CELLAR on the pier. Shelf price: $20. one of them, I would urge you to reserve Next up was the Bordeaux Blanc,

BY HENRY FOY judgment and come along for the ride.

Chateau La Graviere, which was less grassy Sauvignon Blanc is a green grape from than the Sancerre and less grapefruity. It the Bordeaux region of France, where it was likely was also drier and better suited to a meal of grilled fish, introduced by the Romans as early as the first century. chicken, pork or pasta. Shelf price is a modest $12.

The name comes from the French word sauvage meanThis is where it gets complicated. At this writing, ing ‘wild’ and, of course, blanc meaning ‘white.’ It we have five New Zealand, four Californian and one is widely planted all around the world, most notably Chilean Sauvignon Blancs on the shelf along with two in France, California and New Zealand. In the 18th cen- each from Sancerre and Bordeaux. As many as six to tury, Sauvignon Blanc vines were paired with Cabernet 12 more should probably be added. Although they share Franc, resulting in Cabernet Sauvignon, the king and similar characteristics, they are not the same, due to most noble of all grapes. But that’s another story. climate, soil and growing conditions. And though I can What some people don’t like about Sauv tell you what I think, what aromas and flavors I get, our Blanc is the aggressively grassy flavors and acidtastes and preferences are equally as different. ity of the New World wines. The wines of New Here’s my suggestion: Plan a party, a dinner or wineZealand and California enjoy cool, maritime climates and-cheese party featuring Sauvignon Blanc. Three or that allow for a long, steady growing season and the four couples is a good number with each couple bringdevelopment of intense flavors. ing a bottle. Now if Mary only drinks Chardonnay take French Sauvignon Blanc is a different animal but her off the list. You can do Chardonnay another time. don’t waste your time looking for one in the grocery or The idea is to compare different styles of the same variconvenience store. The French rarely use the varietal etal. Go for it and call us if you need help selecting the name on the label, though that is changing to some wines. degree. French wines are traditionally identified and The second option will also be fun and informalabeled by the region in which they are produced. To tive. For the month of August, Emporium Wine and find a French Sauvignon Blanc, you should ask for a Spirits will feature flights of Sauvignon Blanc on the Bordeaux Blanc or a Sancerre. White Bordeaux is genLate Lunch Menu. If you don’t know, we’re in downerally a blend of Sauv Blanc and Semillion; Sancerre is town Alexander City. That’s on the north side of U.S. 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.

280. We’ll do flights consisting of 1.5 ounces each of Sancerre (sahn-SEHR) is a wine-growing region that a Bordeaux Blanc, a Sancerre and a New World Sauv surrounds the bucolic French village of Sancerre, located Blanc. Check out our website or Facebook. about as close as you can get to the middle of France Happy August! in the very important area known as the Loire Valley

and comprised of more than 85,000 acres of vineyards.

Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Sancerre is the ancestral home of Sauvignon Blanc, and Spirits with the area’s only walk-in humidor, Café 128 the wines are among the most celebrated Sauv Blancs of and Gallery 128 in downtown Alexander City at 128 the world. Good Sancerres will be more restrained than Calhoun Street. He can be reached at 256.212.WINE, on intense with more citrus and chalk than fruity; always a Instagram, Facebook and at emporium128@bellsouth.net.

Sauv Blanc but one that stands out among the others.

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 85

86 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Ten Yards Longer

Pro Tips From Lee Williams Chi Chi Rodriguez used to do a clinic years ago at the Bruno’s Memorial Classic at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham. He did an assortment of trick shots and told a lot of great stories. One of the best was how to gain 10 yards of distance. Chi Chi said in order to gain 10 extra yards all you need to do is hit the ball and take 10 steps back, and you gain 10 yards! Fortunately, you can do a couple of other things that will help you gain real yards.

To gain distance off the tee, you need to understand a couple simple fundamentals. The only time in golf you hit up on a ball is when you are hitting a wood off the tee. Otherwise, golf is a game of hitting down.

There are a couple simple setup adjustments you can make to help make this pretty simple. First of all, the ball needs to be even with the inside of your left heel at address (lefty is inside right heel). Next, your shoulders need to be tilted slightly toward the sky. These two adjustments together will help to promote an upward strike on the ball. This will help you hit the ball higher with less spin, which turns into more distance.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a properly fitted club. You can be doing all the right things and have a driver that doesn’t fit. If this is the case, nothing you read or practice will ever overcome the wrong equipment. I always recommend a tune-up each year with your driver to make sure it is still properly in tune with your swing.

But if none of this works, you can always take a few steps back!

Good Luck!

Lee Williams, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, grew up playing at Willow Point Country Club. As an amateur, Williams was a member of the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams, as well as the 2004 World Amateur Team. He is sponsored by Russell Lands, King Honda, Nowlin and Associates, P.F. Chang's, Tempus Jet, Hyatt Adams Golf, Russell Athletic, Titleist, Ameritas Financial Corp. and Southwest Airlines.

Glow the Game Sun Festival adds dark element to Lakewinds golf tournament Brooks Parker tees up during the Glow-in-the-Dark golf tournament

STORY & PHOTO BY LIZI ARBOGAST

There is nothing easy about glow-in-the-dark golf.

It’s nearly impossible to see the golf cart path and keep track of fellow players, not to mention actually hitting a glow-in-the-dark ball and coming even close to par. But that didn’t stop more than 50 people from heading out to Lakewinds Golf Course last month for Sun Festival’s Hittin’ the Links Glow-in-the-Dark golf tournament.

“It’s definitely hard,” said Harrison Kelly, who plays for Benjamin Russell and was a member of the second-place team. “You gotta just go up there and hit the ball. It’s a lot different because the golf ball doesn’t really go far at all and you really can’t see where you’re hitting.”

Interestingly enough, four of the 13 teams actually carded better scores in the four-man scramble during the nine holes of night golf than during earlier daytime rounds.

“You gotta trust your swing, which is the hardest part,” said Lakewinds golf pro Jim Gunnells. “I think it’s more fun (than regular golf) because you don’t get to do it a lot. It’s kinda’ different, and it’s not near as hot.”

This is the second year in a row that Lakewinds has hosted a glow-in-the-dark event as part of Sun Festival.

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 87

Legend

63

24

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Public Boat Ramps

19

9 Churches

Alexander City

8

Camps & Parks

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

16

Power lines U.S. Highways

3

280

22

County Roads

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

13 20

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church

7 17

Willow Point

24

6

9

Equality

63

10

Kowaliga Boat Landing

55

4

Seman

Trillium

22 The Ridge

2

The Amp Ko

wa

18

lig

aB

ay

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 12

88 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

25

34

Camp Alamisco

1 11

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

Paces Point Boat Ramp

Kent

AUGUST 2017

Timbergut Landing

Lake Martin Alabama

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Jacksons Gap

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

280

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

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

21

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing Pleasant Ridge Church

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

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Restaurants 96. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 6. Catherine’s Market 10 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

14 15

11 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

73. Smith Marina 256-444-8793

12 Bezlo's Cafe 334-639-0003

65 Main Street., Eclectic, AL 36024

Stillwaters

16 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 17 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt @ Smith's Marina 256-444-8793 18 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 19 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567

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

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

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 224. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

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

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

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010 25. Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

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

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

5

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

Walnut Hill 50 50

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

49

Reeltown

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 89

Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY

Alex City Marine American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Q Campus of CACC Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine’s Market Chamber Of Commerce Cherokee Quick stop Citgo Cloud Nine Collegiate Deli Comfort Inn Dark Insurance Darwin Dobbs Days Inn Discount Food Mart Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club

Larry’s General Store Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot USAmeribank Warren's Appliance Parts Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

CHELSEA Winn-Dixie The Ditsy Daisy Boutique

Renfroes Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34 USAmeribank

CHILDERSBURG Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE

American Watersports Bay Pine Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foshee's Boat Doc Homeplate Restaurant Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Community Hospital Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Place Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank

ECLECTIC

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation MOUNTAIN BROOK Whole Foods Market

RED HILL Citgo

Children’s Harbor Cotton’s BBQ Eclectic Do-It Center Johnson’s Furniture Kowaliga Marina Lake Martin Dock Lake Martin Mini Mall Nail’s Convenience Store Peoples Bank

SYLACAUGA Good Ole Boys BBQ Piggly Wiggly

EQUALITY

Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star INVERNESS Winn-Dixie Airwalk Ultimate Trampoline Arena Tree Top Family Adventure

TALLASSEE Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL

WETUMPKA

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

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

residential. commercial. interior. exterior.

334-651-0033AL/706-225-8070 GA

columbus-auburn.certapro.com 1550OpelikaRoadSuite6Box294,Auburn,AL36830

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

LAKE

MAGAZINE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com 90 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory Roofing Services By

993 Yeager Parkway Pelham, AL 35124 O: (205)685-0040 F: (205) 685-0049 www.ApexRoofs.com

Full Service Free Damage Inspection Licensed & Insured

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Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2017

LAKE 91

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 18

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

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AUGUST 2017

LAKE 93

Parting Shot

94 LAKE

AUGUST 2017

~ Loretta Young

“There are no ugly ducklings.”

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Labor Day Weekend Concert the aMP

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LAKE 95

INJURED

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96 LAKE

256.234.4141 Alexander City

AUGUST 2017

334.279.3101 Montgomery