Lake Martin Living August 2023

L A C E Y H O W E L L

From the Editor’s Desk

My yard is a work in progress. It changes almost every day. Last December, the fence went up. Over Memorial Day weekend, the patio was installed, along with walkways to the gates and doors. In June, the arduous task of pulling grass and weeds for future flowerbeds started – only one of five or six is ready.

While these changes inside the fence have been – and continue to be – hard work, messy and expensive, they are small steps toward a vision. Our goal is to create a charming retreat where birds build nests, corners invite reading, friends visit over wine and peace pervades at a glance – not only for our family but also for the home’s next tenants. The best kinds of change, I think, are those borne with vision, with hope in making something wonderful that endures for the future.

There’s a lot of change happening across our communities. It’s taken hard work to bring it about; most of it is or will be pretty messy; and all of it costs money. But all these changes started with a vision to make life better, and every change holds opportunities. In this issue, we look at a few of them – some just beginning; some in process; and some beautifully completed and ready for use.

Pam and Tim Wellborn recently purchased the City Automotive building next to the Wellborn Musclecar Museum and plan to restore the exterior to its 1040s service station appearance. Read more about the expansion of the museum’s footprint on page 14.

In Dadeville, local artists are turning a blank, weathered brick wall into a tourist attraction with the painting of a selfie station mural. There’s more work to be done, but the first phase – a pair of colorful butterfly wings – is ready for visitors. Take a peek on page 22.

Pursell Farms in Sylacauga emerges from the pandemic with a fresh look at the pub, a new garden, a creative chef and an enthusiastic approach to entertainment and education. Pop in for a quick visit on page 28 to see what it’s all about.

In his Money Matters column on page 34, Lee Williams discusses a charitable giving course that began 15 years ago and now reaps rewards greater than originally imagined. On page 32, George Miranda highlights astounding changes that have occurred since Russell Medical opened in Alexander City 100 years ago, and Erin Chesnutt shares a Go Local story on page 10 about the success of a couple who changed their business model.

All these stories encourage approaching change with hope. So, I’ve hung hummingbird feeders and baskets of flowers in the yard, dragged an arbor and garden obelisks out of storage (even though they need painting) and arranged Adirondack chairs on the patio. As Lee Williams notes, why wait to enjoy the reward?

Lake Martin Living

Chairman

Kenneth Boone

General Manager

Tippy Hunter

Editor-in-Chief

Betsy Iler

Creative Services

Audra Spears

Business & Digital Development Director

Angela Mullins

Contributors

Kenneth Boone

Breanna Manley

Lacey Howell

Shane Harris

Gina Abernathy

Audra Spears

Cliff Williams

Abigail Murphy

Henry Zimmer

William Marlow

Lizi Arbogast Gwin

George Miranda

Erin Chesnutt

Lee Williams

Marketing/Advertising Sales

Renee Trice

Sheryl Jennings

Hidey Arrington

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

256-234-4281

www.lakemagazine.life/lakemartinliving

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

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

Dadeville High School senior Hunter Palfrey is the school’s cheer captain and a member of the Beta and Key clubs. The daughter of Lisa Jones and Wes Palfrey stopped by the new mural in downtown Dadeville the day after school started to add some fluttery fun to the adventures of life ahead.

Photo by Jim Denney

FEATURES

14. WELLBORN

Pam and Tim Wellborn expand the footprint at the musclecar museum.

22. FLUTTER AND FUN

Local artists create a colorful selfie-station mural in downtown Dadeville.

28 NEW VIBE AT THE OLD PUB

Pursell Farms iconic pub adds more history to the mix.

32. 100 YEARS OF CARE

George Miranda looks back at 100 years of medical history and Russell Medical.

IN EVERY ISSUE

9. AROUND THE AREA

10. GO LOCAL

18. GARDEN TALK

26. GOOD EATS

34. MONEY MATTERS

37. OH SNAP!

42. LAKE REGION EVENTS

50. CULTURE SHOCK

Elegant dishes and desserts are on the menu at the Founders Pub at Pursell Farms.

Giant pet tortoise roams Reeltown

Ruby the tortoise went on an adventure that got all of Reeltown’s attention.

After returning home from church one day last month, the Cox family discovered its 75-pound Sulcata tortoise had gotten loose. Nicolette Cox said she never expected this to happen.

When it comes to Sulcata tortoises, it’s more likely for them to burrow under something than to climb over to get out of her pen. Cox said she felt if Ruby had started to burrow, she might have been caught before actually escaping.

After discovering the escape, the Cox family looked all around the 10-acre farm. Cox also made a Facebook post asking the Reeltown community to be on the lookout for Ruby. The post spread far and wide.

“We were the talk of the town,” she said. “It was the first night of

Vacation Bible School; we went to drop our kids off. Everybody was worried about the tortoise and wanted to know if we found her.”

Luckily, she was found that afternoon. By about 3 p.m. Cox got a call from her neighbor telling her the tortoise had been spotted two streets down at another neighbor's house. Cox said this was another

surprise – Ruby crossing streets.

The family went over to the neighbor’s house and began to search, but it wasn’t easy to find Ruby.

“It had gotten so hot that afternoon that she had just laid down somewhere and was quiet,” Cox said.

“She blends in with everything on the ground. So, my husband walked past where she was three times.”

Fortunately, the neighbor spotted her, and Cox’s husband, Brian, came back, loaded Ruby into the bed of his truck and returned home. Ruby had made it back from the day by around 4 p.m.

Since Ruby adventured off, Cox said the family has come up with a couple of ideas to help avoid a repeated breakout.

~ Abigail Murphy

Outdoor Alabama photo contest now open

The 2024 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest began accepting entries Aug. 1. This year’s contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Tourism Department. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31.

The 2024 photo contest will focus on traditional photography techniques and the use of handheld cameras. No cellphone, smartphone, game camera or drone photos will be chosen as winners for nine of the 10 categories. Smartphone and tablet photos will be accepted in the Young Photographers category.

The photo contest is open to state residents and visitors alike, but qualifying photos must have been taken in Alabama in the past two years. Any amateur photographer not employed by ADCNR is encouraged to enter.

A total of 10 photos per person may be entered in the following categories. You may enter all 10 in one category or among several categories.

The 2023 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Categories are Alabama State Parks, Birds, Bugs and Butterflies, Cold-blooded Critters, Nature-Based Recreation, Scenic, Shoots and Roots, Sweet Home Alabama, Wildlife and Young Photographers– ages 17 and under.

First, second, third and one honorable mention will be awarded in each category. Winning images will be featured online and in a traveling exhibit at various venues across the state during 2024. If your organization or venue is interested in hosting the 2024 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit, please contact Kenny Johnson with ADCNR’s Communications and Marketing Section at kenny. johnson@dcnr.alabama.gov.

For complete 2024 category descriptions and contest rules, visitoutdooralabama.com/photocontest.

~ Staff Reports

The Great Escape Evie Quinn Cox is glad to have Ruby the Sulcata Tortoise back home in her own yard.

Lake Martin Consignment and Surplus City

STORY BY ERIN CHESTNUTT & PHOTOS BY BREANNA MANLEY

It’s hard to believe that summer break is winding down and thoughts are shifting to back-to-school needs. With everything seeming to cost more these days, it’s great to find bargains that help defray some of the expense of setting up a dorm room or apartment for students heading back to college. Lake Martin Consignment and Surplus City offers some incredible deals for students and family homes.

Lori and David Rush have owned the Dadeville business for a little over a year and are seeing great results. The couple has five grown children, so they understand the importance of finding a bargain. Lori is a Delta flight attendant based out of Atlanta, and David is in the auto auction business fulltime. They purchased a lake cabin in the ’90s; then, upgraded to a family lake home in 2016. They moved to Dadeville fulltime in 2018.

David Rush originally bought two warehouse-style buildings to house his antique cars, but he realized the space could be put to better use. They rented one of

the buildings; then, started a new Dadeville business in the other.

Originally from Atlanta, Rush saw the need for a consignment shop to sell gently used furniture and household items. Lori and he opened the business thinking this would be their main allure. With a limited number of quality consignment items coming in, Rush decided to investigate acquiring surplus merchandise from reputable retailers.

“After doing some research, I found that I could purchase pallets of goods from big box retailers, such as Target and The Home Depot,” he explained.

Their store now receives new freight each week, and the items vary from housewares like bedding and towels to small electronics, such as vacuum cleaners, crockpots and other kitchen appliances. Most of the items are overruns or excess that retailers didn’t sell during the season. Rush said all of the surplus items are great quality, and they are able to sell them for much less than the original retail prices.

“I research each item to find out the original retail price; then, show our price, so our customers see what a great bargain they are getting,” Lori said.

When a shipment arrives, the Rushes never really know what might be included.

“Sometimes, we have boxes of random items we weren’t really expecting. Our kids say it’s like Christmas when we open each box and see what’s inside,” Rush said.

The inventory changes from week to week, so it’s a place where shoppers can stop in frequently to see what’s in stock.

“Our regular customers have started referring to the store as a ‘Little Homegoods,’” Rush said.

Rush’s degree was in accounting, so he busily inventories each item and keeps up with sales in addition to researching and ordering new surplus items to arrive each week.

“One of our main goals is to make sure we are getting quality merchandise from reputable retailers,” he said.

Anything that doesn’t seem right for the store, the

couple has sold on E-Bay or Facebook Marketplace.

Some of the surprise items that have been delivered include luggage, screen installation/repair hardware and even cat food.

“We didn’t think the cat food would sell, but word got out, and it was all gone within a week,” Rush said.

While this could be a great stop to pick up items for decorating a dorm room or apartment, it’s also worth stopping in to see what is available on a regular basis.

“We’re already getting in Christmas items,” Lori said.

The shop at 1572 South St. in Dadeville is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers also explore bargains by checking out the Lake Martin Consignment/Surplus City Facebook page or visiting the website at surpluscitylmc.com.

Surplus Bargains Galore

From hostess and holiday gifts to décor and furnishings for the college apartment, the bargains abound at Surplus City.

Wellborn

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS & COURTESY OF WELLBORN MUSCLECAR MUSEUM

Founders Pam and Tim Wellborn will expand the footprint of their vintage musclecar museum with the recent purchase of adjacent property, the former gas station/mechanic garage at the corner of Broad and Clay streets.

The Wellborns scooped up the 1940s-era station about six weeks ago after its long-time owner, Wayne Jones, retired this spring.

Built in the same time period as the Wellborn Musclecar Museum, which is

housed in a former auto dealership, the building was once used by Russell Corporation to store cotton, said Kristy Steele, marketing consultant for the museum.

“After that, it was a Greyhound Bus Station; then, an electric shop before it became the mechanic shop for nearly 40 years. I remember that it was the last place in town that offered full service gas pumps,” Steele said.

“Wayne was always such a great neighbor and a great friend to the

Wheels of Time

Facing Page: The suits at the Dobbs Chevrolet dealership; Above, Clockwise from Top: The former City Automotive building will be incorporated into the Wellborn Musclecar Museum campus; the space will be used to maintain the Wellborns' collection; The showroom now features classics from another era.

museum,” Steele explained. “Whenever the museum had shows or events, Wayne always let us park cars over there. He didn’t mind that there were people walking all over his property. He was just so so nice about it.”

The Wellborns’ collection includes more than 80 musclecars, many of which hold historic significance, and all of which are maintained in street-worthy condition. A portion of the collection is garaged in other locations, so the inventory inside changes frequently; however, regular maintenance is crucial to the condition of the vehicles. The museum itself has limited space for service and detailing, so the former City Automotive building will allow better accommodations for the maintenance of the collection.

“There will be one bay for service and one for detailing,” Steele said.

The first order of business at the acquired addition has been to strip the building of modern interior and exterior features that do not reflect the 1940s era. Museum Manager Alton Freeman has supervised the cleanup since the property closed in late June. Steele said the interior work is near completion, and exterior work, including a new roof, is expected to begin soon. In the meantime, the facility is expected to be in use later this month.

Exterior design work will come a little more slowly,

as the Wellborns hope to mirror the historic vibe of the museum. The gas pumps will be refurbished and remain in place for ambiance, but they will not be functional, Steele said. Signage will be added sometime in the future to reflect the association of the two buildings, and when needs or events call for it, the former gas station could be temporarily converted accordingly.

“The Wellborns count it as a blessing that they can invest in this property downtown and maintain it to museum standards. It is a historic building, and a wonderful anchor for Alexander City’s beautiful vintage downtown atmosphere.” Steele said.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum features automobiles and memorabilia from the iconic American musclecar era of the 1960s and 1970s when Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler MOPARs challenged Fords in domination of drag racing strips across the country. The museum features the 1970 Grand National Champion, the K&K Insurance car that broke Ford’s seven-year win record, as well as the 1970 Plymouth Superbird that bears the signatures of racing greats Bobby Allison, Bobby Unser and others on the underside of the hood. There’s even a 1972 Javelin that Chrysler built for the State police.

“They needed something that could catch the guys in these other cars,” Freeman explained.

The purchase of the property will allow the Wellborns to better maintain the fleet and honor an American age through its iconic automobiles.

The museum and its gift shop are open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekdays by appointment. Visit wellbornmusclecarmuseum.com or call the museum at 256-329-8474.

Times Have Changed

Above Left: The dealership's parts and service areas now display the Wellborns' collection of 1960s and 1970s musclecars; Right: All of the museum's restoration and maintenance work will be done in the City Automotive building.

Pesky Weeds

Unless you are the type of person who pays attention to details or has plenty of time, many areas of your garden may be overtaken by weeds this time of year. Weeds are major nuisances for gardeners and homeowners and are the most aggravating and frustrating challenge of keeping the garden, lawn and landscape looking great. One day everything looks perfect and nice and clean; and then, a few days later, weeds are taking over. Ugh!

Once the invasion of weeds has begun, so does the most hated gardening chore – weeding. Unfortunately, many sensitive situations typically call for removing the weeds by hand. And in the back of your mind, you can only grimace and admit that you never intended for this weed problem to get this bad. Abandoning the situation or ignoring it will only make things much worse.

GARDEN TALK

Shane Harris

Honestly, regardless of what we do or intend to do, there will always be weeds. They will invade our manicured spaces as part of the natural succession process if they are left alone and unmanaged. The crazy part is that by mid-summer, all sorts of unwanted plants are thriving and growing bigger and better than the store-bought flowers and vegetables. Major weeds like chamberbitter, crabgrass, bermudagrass, nutsedge, morning glory and kudzu are so abundant that they just take over. Hated weeds can easily spread, survive and dominate in the summer heat while the plants we love suffer.

There are lots of strategies to consider in tackling these unwanted plants growing where they don’t belong. Deciding what to do is determined by where the weed problem is located. Are they growing in a vegetable garden, lawn, flower bed, orchard or a natural area? Hand pulling, by far, is the best way to alleviate the problem. But in some cases, that can be a major job and require a lot of labor and time. Spraying an herbicide, mowing them down or just doing nothing may be other reasonable alternatives.

Another thing to consider is how the weeds got there in the first place and how the situation got so bad. First of all, there will always be a weed invasion, regardless of what you do to try to prevent them. You can only hope to slow them down and limit their numbers. Weeds need very little room to exist

and just the barest essentials to grow. With the right conditions of loose soil, plenty of rainfall and lots of sunlight, weeds will exist and be a problem. They appear to come up from nowhere, but weed seeds are blown in by the wind, moved by rainfall, brought in by birds and carried in by people, equipment and animals. If there is a bare ground spot, a weed seed will find it and sprout from it.

That is why more attention and effort should be given to weed prevention and pre-emergence herbicides. These herbicides must be applied before weeds develop and come up; they are ineffective when applied to emerged weeds. Products containing trifluralin and corn gluten can be safely applied in areas around established fruits and vegetables and in flower beds to limit weeds sprouting from seed; however, these products have less effective and weak control on some summer weeds.

Commercial products that use prodiamine, pendimethalin or a combination of isoxaben and trifluralin are labeled for in-landscape, ornamental beds. Granular versions of benefin plus oryzalin are safest on most woody ornamentals and some herbaceous plants. Which one to use could be confusing. Read the label or consult with a professional on the best product and proper application for your weed situation.

Using pre-emergent herbicides is a smart move, but this is not a one-and-done treatment. Reapply about every two-to-three months, depending on the product. After planting annuals, apply a layer of mulch; and then, follow that with a pre-emergent application for added weed control.

Disturbed soil, cultivated ground and soft soil, are ideal conditions for weeds and allow the seeds to germinate and root easily. Vegetable gardens, flower beds and containers are good examples of this. Others just manage to survive and thrive because there isn’t a lot of competition from other plants. Weeds take over a lawn because the turfgrass isn’t doing well and isn’t choking out the nuisance weeds. An abundance of weeds in a home lawn indicates

management issues or unfavorable turfgrass growing conditions.

Wrestling With Weeds

Previous Pages: Overgrown weeds will take over flower beds in a very short time; Above Left: Pre-emergence herbicides can help to keep weeds from sprouting; Above: Goosegrass is among the most notorious offenders.

The key is to act and eliminate weeds early, while they’re small and before they become overwhelming or take over the place. Applying mulch along flower beds and vegetables will smother weed seeds and help suppress them. Note that there are very few post-emergence herbicides that can be used over existing vegetables, flowers, groundcovers and shrubs. The herbicide products containing sethoxydim are the exception that can be applied over very specific plants; read the label for usage.

Sometimes, delicately spot treating with an herbicide like glyphosate will also help take them out before they mature. Be careful when using glyphosate as to not let it come in contact with other plants you wish to keep. Tilling will get rid of a lot of weeds but also can contribute to new ones germinating. A good hoe is the next best thing.

The bright side is that most weeds are a temporary problem and will die back at some point; however, with the wide variety of weeds that can grow in the Alabama climate, the death of one usually makes room for another one to take its place. Seasonal annuals re-seed to come back for another generation while perennials will return again and again. When you have an invasion and growth of these unwanted plants, get hold of the weedy situation before it gets worse and literally turns into a jungle.

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

~ Shane Harris is the County Extension Coordinator for Tallapoosa County.

usbank.com/mortgage

From vacant lot to your future home, find help along the way.

You’ve found the perfect lot to build your next home. We’ll help you explore financing options that may fit your needs. Enjoy competitive rates, experienced support and step-by-step guidance that may make your dream of homeownership a reality.

Loan options for those approved:

Lot loans*

Purchase a lot to build now or in the near future and get financing with no prepayment penalties.

Construction loans

Get financing that includes your construction loan and your mortgage – all in one. That’s one closing and one set of fees. Plus, make interest only payments during the construction of your home. Choose from fixed- or adjustable-rate construction loan options.

*Standard maximum of 10 acres; however parcels not exceeding 20 acres may be considered if typical for the area and supported by acceptable appraisal valuation. Lot loans are not intended for investment or speculation purposes. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loans amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products

and services. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2019

U.S. Bank 257701c 10/19

Flutter and Fun

Local artists add a photo station to downtown Dadeville

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTOS BY ABIGAIL MURPHY & BREANNA MANLEY

Abit more color has been added to Dadeville thanks to the addition of a new mural located on the side of The Funky Goat on Cusseta Street. Butterflies now adorn the weathered brick wall with the promise of more to come, including a dedication plaque, which will make its appearance alongside the butterflies in the coming weeks.

The bulk of the mural was created by lead artist Lynda Thurlow and her husband, Don Thurlow, but additional artists from Everything’s Art, Lake Martin Creativity and Dadeville Performing Arts Center summer camp also have contributed to the mural over the past few weeks.

According to The Funky Goat owner Stacey Jeffcoat, these local artists approached her and her husband, Jeremy, along with the building’s owner Dwayne Britton, about the mural, and the collaboration commenced.

“They sent us their thoughts, and we all just collaborated. They wanted us to approve the design before they had to go to city council and get the city to approve the design. They decided to use the colors that are in our logo for the butterflies,” Jeffcoat explained.

Following the approval by city council on the design, work began. The design includes two selfie stations with butterfly wings, one the perfect size for children and the other the perfect size for an adult. Just above the butterfly wings, several smaller butterflies flutter away toward the picturesque

downtown square. Patrons can step in front of the painted wings for fun, fluttery cellphone pictures.

According to Everything’s Art president Kurt Pfitzner, the placing of the mural was a strategic move, and the artists involved are thrilled to have made the mural happen for Dadeville residents and tourists alike.

“We wanted kids stepping out of the library to see the mural. When you step out of the library, you see that wall, and the kids will want to take pictures,” Pfitzner said.

The square is heavily trafficked every day, making the location a great attention-grabbing spot for the mural. With this location decided, Pfitzner and others in the town’s nonprofit Everything’s Art organization knew they wanted to make the mural meaningful and powerful by integrating symbolism into the piece.

“Butterflies are the official State Insect of Alabama, so choosing the butterflies seemed the right way to go,” Pfitzner explained.

Though the incorporation of butterflies is an homage to Alabama, the mural also represents the past, present and future for Dadeville and its residents. According to Pfitzner, when first spotting the location, they decided to keep the weathered look of the bricks to incorporate the past.

“The bricks have flaking paint from years past. It’s a building that’s seen its share of tenants, and we believe it represents the past of Dadeville. It shows its age. It’s not just a wall. It’s the blood, sweat and tears of Dadeville,” Pfitzner said.

The sets of butterfly wings also depict the present. Pfitzner said this component of the mural is as much for the Dadeville residents as it is for the tourists.

“It represents those of us in Dadeville who are here now and bringing in new people. It represents the diversity of Dadeville. We want to celebrate that,” he said.

Finally, the collection of butterflies angled toward the downtown square represents the future.

“These butterflies represent the hopes and dreams for the future of Dadeville. They’re flying into the world, flying into the future,” Pfitzner explained.

The mural is just one of many ongoing projects of Everything’s Art. Pfitzner and his team hope to continue adding color to Dadeville with the integration of art into the community.

Jeffcoat said she couldn’t be more thrilled for the mural and what it means for The Funky Goat and Dadeville.

“It feels good to bring some beauty back into the community. Me, as former Main Street director, I understand the importance of murals and art in a downtown area. It increases foot traffic and tourism. Murals are important. Every time I pull up, seeing the mural makes me happy,” Jeffcoat said.

Flying Away to Dadeville

Previous Pages: Dadeville artists Lynda and Don Thurlow put the finishing touches on the mural's butterfly wings. Above: More elements will be added to the mural later; Inset: Symbolism played a big part in the design of the selfie-station mural.

2023–24 SEASON

featuring

Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan • Patti LuPone • Veronica Swift • The Rainbow Fish

Mark Morris Dance Group • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Step Afrika! • My Fair Lady • To Kill a Mockingbird • and many more

Tickets available August 15!

No-Churn Ice CreamHomemade

As the summer sun blazes overhead, there’s nothing quite like a scoop of ice cream to ease the summertime heat. While there are many store-bought varieties, there’s something special in creating homemade ice cream. This delicious, creamy and easyto-make, no-churn ice cream offers a world of possibilities to unleash your creativity in the kitchen.

GOOD EATS

milk, vanilla and heavy whipping cream – you could have homemade ice cream in your freezer in minutes.

When it comes to ice cream, there’s something undeniably comforting about the classic and timeless flavor of vanilla, but one of the joys of homemade ice cream is its versatility. This recipe has endless variations and lip-smacking flavors that are bound to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Gina Abernathy

Unlike traditional ice cream recipes, which typically require an ice cream maker, the best thing about no-churn ice cream is its effortless preparation. With just a few basic ingredients – sweetened condensed

Vanilla No-Churn Ice Cream

14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions

Line a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir until combined. Whip heavy whipping cream on medium-high in a stand mixer bowl until stiff peaks form. Then, gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk. Note: This is the time to stir in variations if desired.

Pour into prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least six hours or overnight.

Endless Versatility

Get creative – that’s when the fun begins – and don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors and mix-ins. Unleash your creativity and take your no-churn ice cream to the next level. Whether you love the chocolaty crunch of chocolate chips, the sweetness of gooey caramel swirls or the nutty goodness of chopped

The joy of no-churn ice cream extends beyond the young and the young-at-heart. It’s a dessert that brings smiles and satisfaction to everyone. No-Churn Ice Cream is incredibly easy to make, leaving you with more time to savor every spoonful. So, whip up a batch, and enjoy the delight of a homemade cold treat to help take the heat from hot summer days. Happy scooping!

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

pecans, the choices are entirely endless and up to you. Here are a few creative suggestions to get you started.

Oreo No-Churn Ice Cream

Add a 1-pound package of Oreo cookies to a food processor and pulse until cookies are coarsely chopped and crumbs. Prepare the Basic Vanilla No-Churn Ice Cream recipe, but after folding in the whipped cream, add the cookie crumbles and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, stirring to combine. Freeze according to the basic recipe and top with additional Oreos and chocolate chips if desired.

Blueberry No-Churn Ice Cream

Add 1-1/2 cups of fresh blueberries, 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring every minute or so. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the blueberries have cooked down – about eight to 10 minutes. Gently mash some of the whole blueberries to make more sauce. Remove from heat and allow to cool

completely. Prepare the Basic Vanilla No-Churn Ice Cream recipe, adding the blueberry sauce at the mix-in stage. If desired, reserve a small amount of sauce to swirl into the top before freezing. Freeze according to the basic recipe directions and add fresh blueberries when serving.

New Vibe at the Old Pub

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

The thing is we have such a diverse client base from golfers to families to anniversary weekenders, so it was just giving a little bit of everything. It’s very Southern inspired. It’s all about blending flavors, such as blending international flavors with a Southern touch.”

~ Exceutive Chef Sean Butler

The inviting pub at Pursell Farms is even cozier than its pre-pandemic days, as Pursell Farms recently rebranded the beloved Old Tom’s Pub to the Founders Pub. The billiard and lounge space includes even more history of the Pursell family and the legacy of Pursell Farms itself. Paired with the recent arrival of Executive Chef Sean Butler and a new farm-to-table garden, the family has endeavored to enrich guests’ visits with warm, unique elements.

Pub guests are met with lavish, velvet booth seating that overlooks the lush 18th fairway. The stamped ceiling, intricate trim work and subdued lighting encourage an unhurried stay, and vintage photography and memorabilia throughout the room call attention to the farm’s rich history.

Situated in the former corporate office space for FarmLinks, the Founders Pub honors founder James T. Pursell and his son, David, who now is CEO. Anecdotes, fine art pencil drawings and vintage photographs line the walls and make easy

The Best of Casual

Previous Pages: Executive Chef Sean Butler brings Southern charm and flavor to the Founders Pub at Pursell Farms; Clockwise from Right: Art and history adorn the walls in the dining area; Butler adds an international flair to traditional Southern favorites; Blueberries and a slice of jalapeno spice up a cocktail.

conversation starters. A billiards table offers quiet, friendly competition over a smooth beverage from the fully stocked bar. Though there is much to absorb when dining at the pub, nothing is as eye-catching as the Southern-focused menu of made-from-scratch appetizers, entrees and sides by Butler, who joined Sylacauga’s premier golf, dining and retreat venue more than a year ago.

Butler, who came to Pursell Farms following five years at Five Star Preserve, oversees the food production for the three restaurants on the property –Founders Pub, Arrington and The Grille.

“Pursell just felt like it was time to celebrate the people that established Pursell Farms,” Butler said.

When it came to creating the menu for the revamped pub, Butler knew he wanted to incorporate good, basic Southern favorites while offering something fresh and new for dining guests.

“The thing is we have such a diverse client base from golfers to families to anniversary weekenders, so it was

just giving a little bit of everything. It’s very Southern inspired. It’s all about blending flavors, such as blending international flavors with a Southern touch,” Butler explained.

Butler enjoys nearly autonomous control over the menu, and he exercises that freedom to help guests explore unique and different ingredients they otherwise might not try.

“I’m not micromanaged. On the creative side, they let us be who we are. It’s the reason they hired us,” Butler said.

Celebrating ingredients from all over the South by including them in dining options is something Butler loves nearly as much as introducing fresh produce from the garden, which is in view through windows at the back side of the Founders Pub dining space. With plans to expand the garden, fresh produce will be seen more and more throughout the menu as the seasons offer their bounty.

“My staff and I tend the whole garden. We have an herb garden, two boxes of tomatoes, six varieties of peppers, cucumbers and watermelons. We also have zucchini and squash. Our goal, as we move on, is to start producing 50 percent of all produce on the property within the next year. People will see the menu, especially the spring and summer menu next year, will be very vibrant, light and fun,” Butler explained.

All the dining options at Pursell Farms are uniquely their own, and each offers diners a grand experience. Founders Pub offers both lunch and dinner seven days a week in a casual setting with crafted cocktails, wine, beer and spirits.

History buffs, foodies and adventurers seeking new places to discover or gather with friends and family find a welcome setting here. Founders Pub is located at The Inn at Pursell Farms and is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reserve a table at pursellfarms.com.

SUMMERTIME IS A SPECIAL TIME, IS YOUR HEART HEALTHY?

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

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

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

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

• Advanced ultrasound testing

• Nuclear medicine imaging in fully accredited labs

• Management of cardiac rhythm disorders

• Interventional cardiology care

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

Medical miracles of the last century

Russell Medical is 100 years old. You might have seen that mentioned in The Alex City Outlook or on the local television/radio talk show, The Front Porch. So, let’s reflect on the history of healthcare and its impact on medical services in Alexander City.

In 1923, Mr. Ben Russell established Russell Hospital to provide healthcare to his burgeoning employee population at Russell Manufacturing Company. Around 50 years before that, Louis Pasteur revolutionized medicine when he published the germ theory of disease, a paradigm shift that opened the door to effectively treating infectious diseases.

Two decades before Russell Hospital opened, William Röntgen gave birth to the discipline of radiology when he discovered how to use X-rays for medical imaging. The year Russell Hospital opened, Frederick Banting and J.J.R. McLeod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering insulin. They had successfully treated the first severe diabetic with pancreatic extract. The following year, the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, made insulin commercially available.

As exciting as these discoveries were, it tookyears for them to improve human health. In 1923, life expectancies for men and women in the U.S. were 56.1 and 58.5 years, respectively. Pneumonia and diabetes were fatal diseases, and polio crippled thousands of people, including U.S. President

Franklin Roosevelt.

Five years later in 1928, a green mold contaminated Alexander Fleming’s bacterial cultures, and he noticed mold was deadly to the bacteria. It took 12 more years to isolate the active substance, penicillin, from that green mold, and another four years (1944) before penicillin was commercially available. Penicillin was a good thing because prior to its introduction during World War II, far more soldiers died from infectious diseases than died on the battlefield.

As for insulin, even though it was available in 1923, production required harvesting massive numbers of animal pancreas glands. It took 23,500 animals to produce enough insulin to treat 750 diabetics for a year, putting insulin production somewhat at the mercy of the cattle and pork industry. In 1978, the City of Hope, collaborating with biotechnology firm Genentech, developed a process to manufacture insulin through recombinant DNA technology, and in 1982, Eli Lilly made human insulin available in the market.

By 1964, the medical needs of Alexander City residents outgrew the original hospital building on Lee Street, so a new hospital was erected at its current location on U.S. Route 280. In 1964, life expectancy had increased to 73.7 years for women and 66.8 years for men. The main cause for the increase of life expectancy was the progress that had been made in

treating infectious diseases.

In 1927, Philip Drinker and Louis Shaw invented the iron lung, and in 1952, Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine. In 1962, Albert Sabin developed an oral polio vaccine. Widespread vaccination programs have all but obliterated polio worldwide.

With lifespans increasing, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and kidney failure, became more prevalent, and medical science responded with the introduction of dialysis in 1943 and chemotherapy in 1946. Plastic surgeon Joseph Murray performed the first successful kidney transplant in 1954, and Rune Elmqvist invented the pacemaker in 1958.

MEDICAL NEWS

is a 512-slice scanner (512 times faster than the first CT scanner). We acquired our PET scanner in 2003 and were arguably one of the first rural hospitals in Alabama to offer that technology. PET scanners have now been effectively replaced with combination PET/CT scanners. One of my goals as director of the cancer center is to replace our current PET with a state-of-the-art PET/CT.

The first surgical robot was invented in 1985 for brain surgery. In 2000, Intuitive Surgical introduced the more versatile da Vinci robot. We have the newest generation da Vinci at Russell Medical.

The Russell Medical – UAB Cancer Center, where I work, opened in 2001, but cancer care had been provided at Russell Medical since 1971 when Alexander City’s first medical oncologist, John Blythe, returned to his hometown to practice medicine. Blythe was in the first class of oncologists to graduate from UAB Medical School and served as the first medical director of the cancer center.

In 2001, life expectancy in the United States was 74.4 years for males and 79.8 years for females. The significant gain in life expectancy for men was probably due to the reduction in cigarette smoking. Interestingly, while smoking rates were dropping among men, they were still climbing for women – the Virginia Slims effect.

2001 was a groundbreaking year in cancer therapy, with the introduction of the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Gleevec, for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Before Gleevec, CML had a 30 percent five-year survival rate. Now it’s a chronic disease. Within the previous five years, the first monoclonal antibodies were introduced: Rituximab in 1997 revolutionized the treatment of lymphoma, and in 1998, trastuzumab dramatically increased life expectancy for patients with her-2neu positive breast cancer. The tide was turning in cancer care from “carpet bombing” tumors with chemotherapy drugs, to “smart bombing” tumors with targeted therapies, while preserving the patient’s healthy tissues.

Outside of the world of cancer, medical technology was booming between 1964 and 2001. The first coronary bypass surgery and the first human heart transplant were performed in 1967.

The first CT scanner was sold in 1971; the first PET scanner in 1976; and the first MRI scanner in 1980. Russell Medical’s current CT, acquired in 2017,

In 2023, the biggest medical news in recent years is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID vaccines were developed in world-record time, causing some of us to doubt. After all, it took years to develop the polio vaccine. It took nearly two decades to develop penicillin. And yet we had COVID vaccines in a matter of months.

It’s not a mystery. One year ago, the complete human genome was mapped, a process that had begun 20 years before. That was made possible by the development of polymer chain reaction (PCR) technology in 1985. The technology that allowed us to map the complete human genome also made it feasible to map the much simpler SARS virus genome in a matter of weeks.

Gene manipulation has given birth to the next revolution in medical science: the development of precision medicine and personalized therapies. We are now sending patients’ tumor specimens to the laboratory, where the cancer’s genetic profile is analyzed and drugs identified to attack weaknesses in the cancer’s defenses. The invention of immune checkpoint inhibitors (Keytruda, Nivolumab, Yervoy and others) has revolutionized cancer care. These drugs were given to former President Jimmy Carter in 2014 when he was diagnosed with melanoma tumors in his brain. Nine years later, at the ripe old age of 99, Jimmy Carter is still with us.

At the Cancer Center, we have witnessed this same miracle firsthand. We’ve treated your family members, friends and neighbors – and ours – with these same drugs. These are patients who would have long-ago succumbed to their cancers, but they are still with us because of these drugs.

I only wish I could be here in 2123 to see what medical miracles are available in our town, at our hospital, in the next hundred years.

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

George Miranda

Why wait?

Buffet makes a case for charitable giving now

In 2006, Warren Buffett said he would give 85 percent of his Berkshire stock – valued then at over $40 billion – to five foundations, with most of the money going to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

His reason for partnering with the Gates’ foundation was that they have been enormously successful thus far in scaling up their foundation. They have a proven record, passion, energy and great ideas, and they put a lot of their own money behind it. Also, given the Gates’ ages in 2006 – Bill, 50; Melinda, 41 – effectively gave them a long runway to manage these gifts.

In finding a suitable charity that checked his boxes, he chose not to wait to donate.

“What can be more logical, in whatever you want done, than finding someone better equipped than you are to do it?” Buffett said.

The plan was to gift an annually declining number of Berkshire shares, beginning in 2006, equating to a 5 percent decreasing number of shares each year (5 percent of Buffett’s share count residually). The majority of the donations will continue to go to The Gates Foundation as long as either Bill or Melinda is active in it.

is very much in line with the stock markets’ return going back over the last 100 years. It goes to show that having the mindset that owning bonds is safe may not be so safe in some cases.

MONEY MATTERS

Imagine if Buffett had been invested 60 percent in Berkshire and 40 percent bonds for his giving, with the mindset that he needed to protect some of this money for charity, like a retiree does in retirement. He and these charities would have significantly less today than they do had he adopted the consensus mindset of someone in distribution mode.

This is by no means a recommendation to not own bonds and be 100 percent stocks in retirement. It is an interesting case study of how Buffett has used his wealth in Berkshire to maximize his charitable giving. He’s done so in a way academia would say is risky. The results would say otherwise.

Lee Williams

Buffett’s goal was to maximize the value of his giving to society. His thought process was always that philanthropy would be as important in the future as it is today. His thought was to let those who can compound money at high rates take care of the future, and those who can’t, take care of the present.

The ownership of Berkshire stock began in the early 1970s when Buffett bought control of a then-textile company with $15 million dollars. Today, even after giving away over $100 billion of gifted shares (by today’s value), he still owns more than 200,000 shares, valued at $100 billion.

He is giving between 4 percent and 5 percent of his remaining shares each year, whether Berkshire stock has had a good year or bad year. Through mid-March 2023, there have been six down years in the price of Berkshire from the previous year’s price. This amounts to approximately one third of the 17 giving years being down years. The largest down year occurred from 2008 to 2009, when the price went down by 34 percent. Other down years averaged 5-1/2 percent. There are no buffer assets outside Berkshire stock to gift from that would allow him to go somewhere else for the yearly distribution.

Since 2006, these charities have received approximately $50 billion worth of stock, which is more than his net worth was in 2006 when this plan began. Today, (I wrote this column on June 22, 2023), his remaining shares are worth around $112 billion. Since 2006, Berkshire shares have compounded at around 10 percent through mid-2023. This

Sources: Fortune Article by Carol Loomis –July 10, 2006 – Warren Buffett Gives It Away; Barron’s Article by Andrew Bary – June 21, 2023 – Buffett Donates $4.6B to Gates Foundation, Organizations Run by His Children.

Important Information

Blalock Williams, LLC (Blalock Williams) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Blalock Williams and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor. The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur. All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability, or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information, and it should not be relied on as such.

DREW BREES

AllCallingArtists

We’re Having An Exhibit-And-Reception Event & You’re invited!

Submission Details

All submitting artists will be featured inside the October issue of Lake Martin Living, with one of the first place works featured on the cover.

Submissions accepted in acrylics, oil, watercolor, pastels, pencil, photography and mixed media. 3D works are accepted as long as they can be hung on the wall. No free-standing sculptures. Entries must reflect the nature, beauty or lifestyle of Alabama. All entries must be ready to hang. Entry fee is $20 for each piece.

Clearly mark each entry with the artist’s name, address and telephone number and deliver entries to the office of Lake Martin Living magazine on or before 5 p.m. September 8. The office is located at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, across from Benjamin Russell High School.

First place winners in each category will receive $200; $150 will be awarded to second place winners; and third place in each category will receive $100. The People’s Choice winner also receives $100.

Please call magazine editor-in-chief Betsy Iler at 256-509-6641 with questions or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

The reception will be held on September 28 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Look for more details about the exhibit and reception in the August issue of Lake magazine and in TPI newspapers, websites and social media.

This event will benefit the Dadeville Performing Arts Center, please let us know if you would be interested in sponsorship. 256-234-4281

Farmer's Marketplace

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Pennington Park

1. Truett and Tendon Smith

2. Shelia Martin

3. Judy and Jimmy Perry

4. David Jones

5. Taylor and Magnolia Bradshaw

6. Bonnie Fields

7. Tony and Lisa Lowe, Debra Kiser and Stacy Foster

Lions Lake Martin Poker Run

The Ridge Marina

Saturday, July 15, 2023

1. Robert and Andrea Cox and Shea Howell

2. Matthew Scott and Lacey Howell

3. Blake and Summer Dawson

4. Nonjula and Chris Maddox

5. Janet and Barry Hurst and Wendy Meadows

6. Mary Jo Johnson and Kara Austin

7. Hannah Cox, Megan Jones and John Henry Brooks

Princess Whatsername

Thursday, July, 27 2023

Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium

Mary Bella Pemberton

2. Layken Joiner, Kenley Simmons, Alex Carter, Soloman Arnold, Harris Goree, Jacob Howell, Addison Simmons and Ella Simmons

3. Miley Goodson, Christale Tuck, Serenity Kelly and Diane Meadows

4. Sadie Snyder, Ansley Toland, Diamond Caldwell, Eden Palmer and Jenna Kim

5. Bronner Rape, Emersyn Bullard, Kennedi Tuck, Cali Harrelson, Sophia Le, Stella Kate Speaks and Presley Johns

6. Dannah Wilson, Graden Hill, Sarah Grace Montgomery, Ayden Miller, Laura Jones, Sophie Hill and Evie Kate Platt

1.

Songwriters Festival

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Lake Martin Pizza Co

1. Paul Aguirre and Dianne Wise

2. Susan and Stan Stabler

3. Jill and Randy Pierce

4. Liz Lowe and Rhonda Gaskins

5. Joanne Josey and Jackie Harp

6. Stephanie Burton and Amanda Chandler

7. Mel and Leslie Loftis and Jill Yost

8. Sammy and Gayle Jones and Traci and Bob Manuel

Lake

Area United Way 2024

Campaign Kickoff

Martin

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Alexander City Municipal Complex

1. Woody Baird and Kathy Railey

2. Sherri Carter and Courtney Layfield

3. Randy Dawkins and Nancy Ammons

4. Linda and David Boone

5. Kailey and Angie Estrada

6. Hailey Bice and Amanda Thomas

7. Carla Morris, Lori Harrell and Brandy Brazzell

FEATURED EVENT

'Hey! I Know You!'

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library in Alexander City hosts weekly storytimes for the ‘Hey! I Know You!’ reading series every Wednesday at 10 a.m. through December, and all are encouraged to attend. Library staff members are seeking out community members who are willing to donate their time and read a book to local children.

Business owners, educators, medical professionals, moms and dads, retirees and others are invited to sign up for the reading series. Along with reading a story and/or stories, participants are encouraged to provide information about their profession and background or any other antidotes worth sharing.

Storytellers collaborate with library staff members Theresa Holley and Nikisha Marbury when it comes to choosing books for the session.

“All the books are preselected by Nikisha and I,” Holley explained. “The storytellers come by and can look through the books and choose whichever book they would like to read, and they go from there. We ask the storytellers if there’s a specific book, they would like us to pull for them, and we

always try to relate the books to their profession or interests.”

Although several dates are spoken for already, there are still dates that need to be filled. To learn more about the series and available dates, reach out to Holley or Marbury at the library. Both are happy to help.

According to Holley, attendance varies week to week, but each week kids are excited to hear different stories.

“I think offering storytimes each week is a great thing. It’s setting the stage for the kids before they go into kindergarten. They learn how to socialize and learn how to be respectful and sit down while listening. I really enjoy the storytelling, and I believe the kids do, too,” Holley said.

Call 256-409-7015 for more information, or email Theresa.holley@alexandercityal.gov or nikisha.marbury@ alexandercityal.gov.

Storytelling

Alexander City City Council President Buffy Colvin read Dinosaur Rap on Aug. 2.

LAKE REGION EVENTS

Aug. 7-Oct. 16

GriefShare

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

Aug. 23

Reeltown Community Pep Rally

Reeltown will host a community pep rally to help kick off the 2023 football season. The pep rally will be held at 7 p.m. at the Nix Webster O’Neal Stadium.

Aug. 25-26

Little Time to Kill

Alexander City Theatre II will produce Thomas B. Maple’s original, unpublished “Little Time to Kill” at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Filled with hilarious one-line clichés, the full length readers play is about a playwright in a small Southern town who must doubletime his performance or be banned from the theater. Rodney Meadows and Keith Garrett will direct. Admission is free. The venue was not chosen at Lake Martin Living magazine’s presstime, but visit actheatre2.com and the Alexander City Theatre ii Facebook page for the location.

Sept. 1 & 2 Labor Day Music Fest at Crossroads

Russell Lands will host a free, two-day Labor Day weekend concert series at Russell Crossroads at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, blankets and coolers or pick up dinner and your favorite beverage at Catherine’s Market or Fanny Goldmine Diner. Pups on a leash are welcome, too. Visit russelllands.com/blog/events for details.

Sept. 8

Blackbird Pickers at Central Park

Head to Central Park across from Blue Bell in Sylacauga for a performance by the Blackbird Pickers. The show starts at 5 p.m. and features a variety of cover songs and original music with a unique American/Rock ‘n’ Roll sound.

Sept. 8-9 TasteMasters

Enjoy a culinary weekend at Pursell Farms complete with a meet-and-greet reception, a chef-inspired freestyle open-fire lunch and live music. Prepare for an unforgettable evening dining experience culminating in a wine-paired TasteMasters dinner at Hamilton Place. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind culinary weekend. For more information, or email jholmes@pursellfarms.com.

Sept. 9 Creek Run Festival

Head out to Kings Bridge in Rockford for the return of this beloved float trip. Snacks, lunch, local entertainment and more are on the docket for this allday festival. Shuttle service provided from take-out site back to launch site. For registration fees and more details, call 256-307-7495 or 256-377-4713. Information also can be found on the Coosa Chamber of Commerce website and Facebook page.

Sept. 13

Dadeville Community Chorus

Dadeville Community Chorus will begin rehearsals at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center. No auditions are required to join the chorus, just faithful participation. All ages are welcome to join, and there’s a $30 quarterly or patron/ performer membership fee. Enroll at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com. For more information email office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com. Concerts will be held Nov. 26 and Dec. 5.

Sept. 13

Voter Registration

The Tallapoosa County Registrars will host a voter registration drive at the Central Alabama Community College media center in Alexander City from 8 am. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 14

Taste & See the Marble City

Join in on the fun of seeing and tasting what the Marble City has to offer. Head out to the J. Craig Smith Community Center in Sylacauga to enjoy samples of restaurants, caterers and bakeries, along with seeing the community business expo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sept. 14-17 Taking the Old Man Home Tour

Dadeville Performing Arts Center is hosting the readers theatre presentation of Taking the Old Man Home Tour by Patti Smith. Tickets are $10. Performances on Thursday through Saturday begin at 7 p.m., and the performance on Sunday begins at 3 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit dadevilleperformingartscenter.com

Season-long Events

Friday On The Green

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

LMYP Game Night

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

Tallassee Lions Club

The Tallassee Lions Club meets every Tuesday at Cozumel Restaurant, across from the football stadium in Tallassee, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to join for an hour of humor, information, civic pride and patriotism. For more information, call Marilyn Speake at 334-283-6864 or email her at marilyn.speake@tcschools.com.

Main Street Farmers Market

Main Street Alexander City will open the Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday through September. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, breads, baked goods, handmade items and more at the market’s location in the old City Hall parking lot on Main Street.

Legend

Public Boat Ramps

Explore

Lake Martin

Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

River North Marina 256-397-1500

Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700

Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600

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

SpringHouse 256-215-7080

Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

Acapulco Mexican Gril 334-283-2725

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

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

Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

Kowaliga Whole Health 334-857-1816

Aronov Realty Lake Martin 256-825-4133

Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847

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

Creekside Lodge 256-307-1440

Red Ridge UMC 256-825-9820

Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293

Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc 334-857-2443

Docks Unlimited LLC 256-203-8400

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

Your Lake Martin Sightseeing Pass. Scan me!

ALEXANDER CITY

Robinson Iron

A & M Plumbing

Carlos

The Body Shop

Walgreens

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

Jake's

Moore Wealth Management

Carlisle's

Emporium Wine

Cloud Nine

Downtown Girl

Shay Aesthetics

JR'S

Hillabee Towers

Senior Nutrition Center

Noel Boone

George Hardy

First Realty

Dark Insurance

Warren Appliance

MainStreet Family Care

Grace's Flowers

Koon's Korner

Larry's General Merchandise

Daylight Donuts

Alfa

Valley Bank - 280

Pricare

Temple Medical

AllState

BB&T Bank

Hometown Pharmacy

Lake Martin Home Health

Allen's Food Mart (Exxon)

Karen Channell - State Farm

Insurance

North Lake Condo

River Bend Store

River North Marina

Lake Martin Building Supply

Petro

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE!

Sho'Nuff BBQ

Hair Design

Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture

Longleaf Antique Mall

Playhouse Cinemas

Chamber of Commerce

Winn Dixie

Re/Max Around the Lake

City Hall

A&E Metal

Regions Bank

Marathon - 280

Renfroe's Market

Russell Medical Center

Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors

Koon's II

Tallapoosa Ford

Dylan Johnson - Country Financial

Holley's Home Furniture

Jackson's Drugs

Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark

The Sure Shot

Shell - 280

Big B Bar-B-Que

Russell Do It Center

Russell Home Decor

Holman Floor

Satterfield Inc.

Grain & Leaf, Bottles & Cigars

Tippy Canoe

Love Lake Martin Real Estate Office

Wind Creek Gate

Wind Creek Store

Willow Point Office

Willow Point Country Club

Smith Marina

Nails

Kowaliga Marina

Children's Harbor

Catherine's Market

Russell Lands Corporate Office

Russell Lands Real Estate

Sales Center

SpringHouse

Ridge Club

Ridge Marina

HACKNEYVILLE

Hackneyville Water Authority

NEW SITE

Piggly Wiggly - New Site Foodland

DADEVILLE

Chamber of Commerce

Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery

Root 49 Salon

Ellaby Boutique, LLC

Alabama Power

Siggers

Siggers Barbershop

Fusion Cafe

Dadeville Library

At the Beauty Shop

Dadeville Courthouse

Payne's Furniture

PNC Bank

Valley Bank

McKelvey Chevrolet

Renfroe's Market

Foshee's Boat Doc

Lakeshore Pharmacy

Russell Building Supply

Lakay's

Tallapoosa Nutrition

Sweet Pickins

Century 21 - Rhonda Gaskins

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Jim's Pharmacy

Poplar Dawgs

Still Waters Country Club

Still Waters Home Association

Russell Lands Realty

Fuller Realty

Harbor Pointe

Oskar's

Aronov Realty Lake Martin

Creekside Lodge

Blue Creek Marina

Lakeside Marina

Niffers

Hwy 50 Eagle

Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery

Lakeside Mercantile

Walnut Hill

Chuck's Marina

Deep Water Docks

Lake Martin Pizza

CAMP HILL

Link Gas Station

EQUALITY

Five Star Plantation

Equality Food Mart

Southern Star

Parker Creek Marina

Charles Borden

ECLECTIC

Lake Breeze Realty

Offshore Marina

Lake Martin Mini Mall

Corner Stone Coffee Co.

Lake Martin Dock Company

Cotton's Alabama Barbecue

Russell Do It Center

Johnson Furniture

WOW Catering LLC

Eclectic Library

Real Island Marina

Anchor Bay Marina

Wetumpka

Wetumpka Herald Office

Tallassee

Marathon

Tallassee Eagle

Tallassee Chamber

Parris Mullins Jr. O.D.

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

Just comes with the territory

Icould write a book about the adventures, wins, trials and tribulations of being a Realtor. I imagine I will someday. Names will be changed to protect the innocent – or not, because it would be great to call out a few characters for bad or crazy behavior.

No one tells you how many animals will play pivotal roles in your real estate stories. I have had closings almost not happen because of missing cats and parrots screaming during showings, and I didn’t know how high I could jump until I had to flee a rabid dog that I couldn’t see. But I could hear it. Driving down Andrew Mills Road between Castaway and the dam last week, I was remembered a fairly good story that might be barely suitable for print.

A few summers ago (2019 to present day is blurry, and I really can only define time by listings, houses and clients), I had a waterfront lot for sale in that area of Tallassee and needed to take a few photos. I parked my Jeep on the side of the road and clamored out.

The welcome committee greeted me in the form of a big, clumsy yellow lab puppy. He was cute, and I petted him. He decided to tag along as I gingerly sidestepped my way down the hill to the lake. I snapped my photos, and my job there done, began to work my way back up the hill.

The lot was wooded with no houses on either side, and I needed to go to the bathroom.

Living and working in rural areas makes one pretty selfreliant, and I resolved it would be fairly safe to do what I had to do. I tossed my phone on the ground, dropped my jeans and proceeded to become one with nature.

Before I could say, “Jack Robinson,” the yellow lab puppy saw his opportunity and took it. He snatched my iPhone from the ground and took off as fast as he could towards the lake.

Culture Shock

I didn’t finish going to the bathroom.

In full panic, I hiked my jeans halfway up and found myself sprinting in fast pursuit, screaming for him to stop. I just knew he was going to catapult into the lake with my phone, and all my hard work and dreams were going with him.

Fate was on my side that day. Because I always have the biggest iPhone you can buy, encased in the bulkiest Otterbox cover you can buy, the puppy could not hold on to it. My phone fell from his mouth, and we both dove for it at the same time. I was on top.

Sweating, breathless and cussing, I stood up and zipped my pants. Dignity was left at the top of the hill, but I was victorious. I didn’t have to call my husband and explain why I was going to need a new phone. There probably were several lessons to learn from this situation, not the least of which is that I will never underestimate a dog again.

Puppy was so pleased with himself, and he eyed me with an expression that said we were having a blast. I leaned over and grabbed his collar, curious as to whom this terrorist belonged. The tag read, “McInnish.” The only McInnish I knew was fellow Realtor, John “Frog” McInnish, and that made sense, as he lived in the area. Back in the jeep, I dialed his number.  “John, do you have a yellow lab?”

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

Lacey Howell

Dr. Edwards is back at Russell Medical after completing a UAB Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine and will begin seeing patients on August 14, 2023 at his new, temporary o ce located on the ground floor of the Professional Building near Total Fitness.

Dr. Edwards will now see patients based on personal health status. If under 80 years of age, talk to your primary care physician to see if you are a candidate. Patients 80+ may see Dr. Edwards for primary care without a referral.

(256)414-6210

35010