Lake Magazine October 2023

Breast cancer shows no symptoms in the early stages.

BREAST SURGEONS

Helen Krontiras, M.D. Surgical Oncology

Rachael Lancaster, M.D. Surgical Oncology

Catherine Parker, M.D. Surgical Oncology

Lily Gutnik, M.D. Surgical Oncology

Peabody Hotel may have their ducks, but here at Lake Martin, we have turtles – painted turtles like the ones you can buy in the pet store. Except, if you buy one in the pet store, its shell is about an inch long, and ours are 15 to 18 inches or more. Lake Martin’s turtles don’t actually parade; instead, they almost congeal in their efforts to get at the kibbles that are tossed off the porch at Kowaliga for their pleasure. To be honest, the pleasure usually belongs to the food tossers, who are frequently children visiting the lake, but adults have been known to marvel at the spectacle as well.

And it is a spectacle. The turtles come in droves when the lakeside restaurant opens. They are accompanied by ducks and fish of every kind – even squirrels get into the act. But the squirrels don’t swim for the food; they just gather it from the shoreline. Ben Smith and Kenneth Boone bring us this uniquely Lake Martin story from a fresh perspective – underwater – in the article on page 24.

The turtles are simply one example of the fun and friendly life at Lake Martin. You’ll find another wonderful example in John Coley’s column on page 62. Seems John got caught in a storm with a bunch of strangers and witnessed the perfect demonstration of Lake Martin neighborliness.

And while the turtles and John Coley are actually from here, newcomers pick up on it pretty quickly as well. Take bestselling author Dawn Barton, the laughing woman in the photo on page 32.

When local Realtor Lacey Howell welcomed Dawn to Lake Martin in a Facebook post, I had to read her books and meet the woman who has learned to laugh her way through whatever life throws at her. Dawn is a wonderful addition to Lake Martin, and as she also is a joyful survivor of breast cancer, this October issue of Lake magazine seemed the perfect opportunity to get to know her.

The icing on the cake of life at Lake Martin in this issue, of course, is our cover story, which features the Bentley grandchildren who made social media news when they paddled their homemade raft to Chuck’s Marina for ice cream in July. This is one of those stories that exemplifies what a gift it is to have a childhood on Lake Martin. We loved getting to know this wonderful Lake Martin family and are excited to share their adventure on page 42.

There’s more, too. There’s always more, so take your time browsing this month’s issue of Lake and let us know what you love about Lake Martin on our Facebook page.

Chairman

KENNETH BOONE editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

General Manager

TIPPY HUNTER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Editor in Chief

BETSY ILER editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Art Director

AUDRA SPEARS audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Business & Digital Development Director

ANGELA MULLINS angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing RENEE TRICE renee.trice@alexcityoutlook.com

SHERYL JENNINGS sheryl.jennings@thewetumpkaherald.com

HIDEY ARRINGTON hidey.arrington@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors

KENNETH BOONE

BEN SMITH

JULIE HUDSON

GREG VINSON

CLIFF WILLIAMS

PETE MCKENNY

WILLIAM MARLOW

LIZI GWIN

HENRY ZIMMER

ABIGAIL MURPHY

LONNA UPTON

DAVE JENNINGS

MATT CAMPBELL

JOHN COLEY

Betsy Iler, Editor-in-Chief

After viewing the black and white movie based on Mark Twain's classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Barbara and Earnest Bentley's grandchildren built a raft and set across Lake Martin on their own adventures. But while Huck was running away from home, the Bentley grands paddled toward something – ice cream at Chuck's Marina!

Photo by Kenneth Boone

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

Staff and Residents for being voted

the Lives of the People You Love

Best Nursing Home & Assisted Living

Assisted Living & SCALF

Short Term Rehab

Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy

Long Term Skilled Nursing Care

20. REFLECTIONS OF SUMMER

Three families look back and smile at their summer on the lake.

24. FEEDING PHENOM

Kenneth Boone shares an underwater view of the fish and turtle feeding at Kowaliga Restaurant.

30. LAST ART COLONY

Next month's event will be the final gathering for the Sarah Carlisle Towery/Alabama Art Colony.

32. THE BEST MEDICINE

Bestselling author and breast cancer survivor Dawn Barton on laughing and Lake Martin.

42. HUCK FINN ADVENTURES

Cousins recreate Mark Twain's classic novel on a mission for ice cream.

50. IF YOU BUILD IT ...

A resort-styled home at The Ridge invites friends and family for relaxation and fun.

62. LAKE PROPERTY

64. CHEF'S TABLE

66. HEALTHY LIVING

68. LAKE WATCH

70. FROM THE CELLAR

72. BIG CATCHES

75. LOVE OF THE GAME

82. PARTING SHOT

Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake

Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators

Did You Know?

Lake Martin teems with wildlife

During the early fall, days at Lake Martin remain sunny without the extreme heat of summer, making this the perfect season to learn about the diverse landscape and wildlife of the lake area. And there are lots of opportunities to do just that.

Visit the Smith Mountain Firetower Education Center off Powell Drive on the lake's east shoreline for a panoramic view of Lake Martin. Displays at the base of the tower explain the unique flora and fauna of the area, and more displays in the tower's cab help viewers locate local landmarks.

Russell Lands Naturalist Marianne Gauldin introduces visitors to the wild residents of the area year-round through presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads. This month, she'll feature some creepy critters, like spiders and insects that play essential roles in the ecosystem. Her presentations are free and open to the public. Be sure to bring a camera.

On Halloween night, she takes creepy to the next level with a night hike through the forest. Guided hikes require reservations and cost $10. Bring flashlights and wear costumes. Make reservations and get the details by calling Marianne Gauldin at 256-496-2710.

Or join Wind Creek State Park Naturalist Dan Ogle for a variety of activities that include trekking through the park, learning through arts and crafts projects and meeting forest friends. Call the park at 256-329-0845.

Weather Outlook for Month

October 2023 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid-70s with average lows in the low 50s and less than 3 inches of precipitation in the month of October.The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will lean above average and rainfall will be average this month.

Year-to-Date

Precipitation: 38.12

Avg. high temp.: 75.4

Avg. low temp.: 51.7

Avg. temp.: 636.6

Information from the National Weather Service.

Our Normal October

Precipitation: 2.86 inches

Avg. high temp.: 76.7

Avg. low temp.: 50.8

Avg. temp.: 63.7

Last Month's Lake Levels

Summer: 491 MSL

Winter: 481 MSL

Highest: 490.36

Lowest: 489.97

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

Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

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

Clockwise from Right: Regal Moth; Naturalist Marianne at the Russell Crossroads cabin; Salamander.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Finch Allen and Sadie take in a beautiful afternoon on the dock in Kowaliga Bay Estates. (2) Even children take a few minutes to appreciate a beautiful sunny day at Lake Martin. (3) Grayson Walker ready for a ride in Pee Paw’s boat. (4) Kayli Wawrzynski is ready for a ride on the lake, as soon as her Aunt Sharon puts away the camera. (5) The great-grandkids from Louisiana love visiting the Matthews' cabin near Wind Creek State Park – there are no alligators here. (6) These pups found a shady spot on the dock in Jim Harris' shadow.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Daisy Propst prepares to dine al fresco at Kowaliga Bay Estates. (2) Haig Lee and Avery Sanders take a dip in the lake on a hot summer day near The Ridge. (3) Maddox Tennyson takes Remi for her first dip in Lake Martin at Shore Lines off Castaway Road. (4) Weseley and Will and their best friend Darla sport some patriotic sunglasses near StillWaters. (5) Smith Mountain Fire Tower is silhouetted against a golden Lake Martin sky. (6) Cheryl Gainer McCall took this photo of the azaleas blooming at her mother's house on Powell Drive.

READER SUBMISSIONS

(1) Lake magazine visited the Yukon Suspension Bridge 65 feet above the Tutshi River Rapids in Canada with Peter and Vickie Scann and Tim and Pam Cronin. (2) Jeremy Hunt took a magazine to the end of the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway near Washington, D.C. (3) Lake magazine visited Niagra Falls with Mary Shockley, Bette Anderson and Jackie and Dan Bennett. (4) Lake magazine enjoyed a beverage at The Keys Bar, St. Andrews, Scotland, after a round of golf with Rucker Brown, Ricky Perry, Joey Turner and McGowin Miller. (5) Lake magazine vacationed on Crooked Island in the Bahamas with Heath, Lacey and Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes and Gary, Amanda, Kyler, Briston, Chandler and Willow Hardy. (6) Doug Reid took Lake magazine to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota.

Now through Oct.16

GriefShare

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

Now through Oct. 5

Build and Play

From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, children grades one through seven who have mountain dulcimers will learn to play and sing traditional music and will perform at Dadeville Fall Festival with Lake Martin Dulcimer Club. Email Kim Walls at kkcwalls@gmail.com or text her at 256-825-4958 for details. Enroll and complete permission forms at deadevilleperformingartscenter.com/Classes. No fees for Tallapoosa County children.

Oct. 1

Lake Martin MultiHull Rendezvous

Dixie Sailing Club invitees catamarans and trimarans to a multi-hull regatta for races and general hospitality. For information, email jsimons944@aol.com.

Oct. 1

Home is Sweeter

Organized

Kim McBrayer will offer a Lunch and Learn presentation at the Jes and Gray Living Loft from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit the Backpack

drawings for prizes, pick up a door prize and listen to live music by Ricky Brand. This event is hosted by Main Street Alexander City.

Oct. 6-8

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop

Registration is now open for this fall workshop hosted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and sponsored by the Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The workshop will take place at the 4-H Center near Columbiana, Alabama.

Participants may choose four courses from more than 50 offerings, including shooting sports, fishing, nature photography, bird watching, mountain biking and more. Registration fee is $275, which includes meals, dormitory-style lodging, program materials and instruction. Enrollment is limited, so register soon at outdooralabama.com/bow.

Oct. 7

Book Sale

Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents; fill a grocery bag with books for only $5 or buy a DPL cloth bag and fill for $8. Proceeds go toward the support of the children’s and community programs of the library.

Oct. 7

Dadeville Fall Festival

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Buddies weekend feeding program for kids. This event will focus on kitchen and laundry organization. The cost is $25. Email Jamie Dark at jamiewdark@yahoo.com for registration details.

Oct. 3-5

The Classical Landscape in Oils

Join artist Chris Groves for a three-day studio workshop covering a variety of drawing techniques, color studies, mixing colors, monochromatic underpainting and more. Find details and booking information at tallapoosaworkshops.com.

Oct. 4

Fall Festival in Alexander City

Visit downtown Alexander City from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and stroll among the classic cars, trucks and Jeeps. Enter raffle

Dadeville Fall Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville. There will be arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, activities for the kids and more. Visit dadevillechamber.com for details.

Oct. 7

Dink for DPAC Pickleball Tournament

Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host a “Luck of the Draw” pickleball tournament from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. in two categories: “Fun/Recreational” play for beginners to intermediate players; and “Still Fun But More Competitive” for intermediate to advanced players. Players will draw partners and will have a different partner for every game. Entry fee is $65, and proceeds will help DPAC offer children’s fine arts programs and summer camps, as well as additional community arts programs throughout the year. Register before Sept. 29 at simpletix.com.

Alex City Arts will host columnist, novelist and storyteller Sean Dietrich at CACC's BCG stage this month

Oct. 11

VCCA Lunch and Learn

From noon to 1 p.m., Capt. R. McKinney with the Alexander City Police Department will discuss awareness of surroundings and how to protect yourself in today’s world. Bring a sack lunch to the VCCA office at 5030 U.S. Route 280, Alexander City. Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama will provide dessert and tea. This is a free program. To reserve a space, call 256-234-0347 or email vcca.al@gmail.com by Oct. 9.

Oct. 12

Sean of the South

Alex City Arts will host columnist, novelist and storyteller Sean Dietrich on the Betty Carol Graham Center stage at Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City at 7 p.m. Dietrich’s work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader’s Digest, Garden and Gun and is syndicated in newspapers throughout the U.S. Advance tickets are $21 (plus a small processing fee) at alexcityarts.org or $30 at the door.

Oct. 14

Home is Sweeter Organized

Kim McBrayer will offer a Lunch and Learn presentation at The Square from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit the Backpack Buddies weekend feeding program for kids. This event will focus on closet organization. The cost is $25. Contact Jamie Dark at jamiewdark@yahoo.com for registration details.

Oct. 14

Eclectic Cotton Festival

The Town of Eclectic will host its 30th annual Alabama Cotton Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-fun event features more than 250 vendors, events and contests, including the dog show, the classic car show and the first annual cornhole tournament and much more. For more information, contact 256-794-0379 or 334-541-3581.

Oct. 14

Everything’s Art

Holiday Arts and Crafts Market

Everything’s Art and Pennington Park will host Dadeville’s Third Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dadeville’s downtown park. This market features quality handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, seasonal baked goods and food trucks. For a vendor application or more information, email everythingsartguild14@gmail.com or call 770328-2094. Visit the Everything’s Art on Facebook for details.

Oct. 14-15

POK Open Regatta

Dixie Sailing Club will restore the Po’ Ol’ Kowaliga Open Regatta, once a popular multi-hull regatta event that drew beach catamarans from the coast as well as local catamarans. The event will be a fall open regatta, inviting sailors from across the Southeast. Winds should be great by mid-October, and fall is the best time to be at Lake Martin. Spectators also are welcome. For more information, email jsimons944@aol.com.

Oct. 18

VCCA Lunch and Learn

From noon to 1 p.m., Randy Dawkins of River Bank and Trust and Carla Reese will discuss better banking practices and scams aimed at seniors. Bring a sack lunch to the VCCA office at 5030 U.S. Route 280, Alexander City. Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama will provide dessert and tea. This is a free program. Reserve a space by calling 256-234-0347 or email vcca.al@gmail.com by Oct. 16.

Oct. 19

LMAUW Fashion Show & Silent Auction

This popular annual event returns to the runway this year after COVID. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Lake Martin Area United Way office in downtown Alexander City. VIP tables are $500. Visit unitedwaylakemartin.org for details.

Oct. 20-Nov. 3

Build It and Play It

Children in grades three through six will build and decorate cardboard mountain dulcimer kits and learn to play them from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday at Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Email Kim Walls at kkcwalls@gamil.com or text her at 256-825-4958 for details. No fees for Tallapoosa County children.

Oct. 22

Montgomery Chorale

Alex City Arts will present the 50-plus member Montgomery Chorale performing Awake My Soul and Sing, including a variety of uplifting classical, spiritual and contemporary musical numbers. Visit Alex City Arts Council on Facebook for time and venue.

Oct. 23

Ferst Readers Golf Tournament

The Third Annual Ferst Readers Scramble Golf Tournament will be played at Stillwaters Golf. Entry fee for a team of four players is $500. Email events@ferstreaderstc.org for details.

Oct. 25

VCCA Lunch and Learn

Lt. Arrington with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and an FBI associate will discuss ways to protect yourself from identity theft and how to practice safe internet use. The program will begin at noon. Bring a sack lunch, and VCCA will provide dessert and tea. This is a free program. To reserve a seat, call 256-234-0347 or email vcca.al@gmail.com by Oct. 23. The program will take place at 5030 U.S. Route 280, Alexander City.

Oct. 28

Main Street Fall Fest

It’s fall, y’all! And that means fun in downtown Alexander City from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be arts and crafts vendors, a bounce house for the kids, pumpkin decorating, field games, photo ops, face painting and trick or treating from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 28

Fall Festival at Russell Crossroads

Bring the family to Russell Crossroads from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for this one-of-a-kind event that includes a working blacksmith and grist mill, pumpkin patch, games, wagon rides, pony rides and a petting zoo. There will be a presentation by Naturalist Marianne and cash and prizes for the Blue Ribbon Canning and Baking contests. Email rgunn@russelllands.com for more information or call 256-496-4232.

Oct. 28

Circumnavigation Metric Century Tour

Local bike riding enthusiast Rob Henry is planning another metric century around Lake Martin at 8 a.m., leaving from Wind Creek State Park, and he’d love to have some company for the daylong ride. Bring plenty of water and whatever gear might be appropriate for the day, as well as funds to purchase your lunch mid-day, and join the punishing fun. For route details and gathering information, email robh@henrytile.com.

Season-long Events

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.

Elementary Musical Theatre

Now through Dec. 15, Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host after-school singing, dancing and acting workshops from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for third through sixth grade students every Monday. Text or email Elaine Balint Forbus at 256-749-7932 or elaine.balint@gmail.com. Enroll and complete permission forms at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com/Classes. No fees for Tallapoosa County children.

Lake Martin Civitan Club

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

Everything’s Art Classes

From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays, children in grade three through five will learn the elements of art as they complete projects in class with Everything’s Art teachers. Enroll and complete permission forms at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com/Classes. No fees for Tallapoosa County children. Email Delaine Hanson at delaine.hanson@gmail.com for details.

Alexander City Lions Club

Serving 27 local charities in Tallapoosa County, the Alexander City Lions Club meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at Lake Martin Area United Way office on Main Street. A meal is provided at the second meeting of

the month, which features an engaging speaker. For more information, contact Mae Lynn O’Neil at 256-750-7404.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. To arrange discounted group tours or private tours, email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474.

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the second Saturday of the month. Meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, call John Thompson at 334-399-3289 or text or call Michelle West at 256-786-0584. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

Lake Martin Creativity

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

Fiber Fridays

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

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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

Lake Martin News

Alabama Power extends summer pool on Lake Martin into the fall

Alabama Power extended the summer pool on Lake Martin into the fall, giving residents more opportunities for boating and other recreation on the lake.

Due to local conditions, Alabama Power can maintain higher water levels at Lake Martin for a few additional weeks. Under the company’s federal operating license for Martin Dam, Alabama Power has the flexibility to extend the summer water levels at Lake Martin until mid-October, if conditions allow it.

In a normal year, the water level at Lake Martin begins to lower on Sept. 1, achieving winter pool levels near midNovember. The lower water level allows the reservoir to capture and store winter rains. The lake begins to rise in early spring, reaching full summer level around the end of April.

The fall drawdown will now begin Oct. 15. Until then, the lake level will be held as high as possible, up to summer pool, depending on conditions through the six-week period.

DSC nabs another first place

This time, they were competing outside Detroit, Michigan at the two-day C22 Region 4 Championship known at the Throwdown in Motown Regatta. DSC’s own Keith Bennett, the reigning national champion and his crew inched out the competition to bring home the title.

Bennett’s crew included seasoned C22 sailor Mickey Richardson of Columbus, Georgia, who is a two-time national champion and has sailed at DSC since the early 80s. Gene Cochran is a C22 sailor whom Bennett met when racing in Florida. Cochrane frequently sails at DSC.

The trio trailered Bennett's Screamin’ to Anchor Bay on Lake St. Clair on the north side of Detroit. The North Star Yacht Club hosted this race.

Bennett said the regatta was challenging, as 1st place was in dispute until the last race. Unfortunately, with no spinnaker class, Keith didn’t have the opportunity to fly his large “A” in Michigan.

The sailors also reconnoitered the area, as the North Star Yacht Club will host the 2024 National Championships.

After the regatta, Greg Normand of Inside Great Lake Sailing interviewed the local C22 fleet organizers, the Screamin’ crew The video is available on YouTube. Search for Inside

Great Lake Sailing Show 111

The DSC will host the Po’ Ol’ Kowaliga Regatta on Oct. 14 and 15. This event is an open regatta that welcomes nonmembers. In addition to Gold and Silver C22, MC scows, and handicap fleets, large multi-hull boats are invited to come up to DSC.

“We are suggesting that potential sailors have the opportunity to come to Lake Martin and sail with champions,” said DSC Commodore Jim Simons. “It should be an exciting weekend with a couple dozen boats expected.”

Staff Report

“During drawdowns, lake property owners have a valuable opportunity to carry out repairs and enhancements to docks, ramps and other permitted construction projects,” said Rhett Hanks, Alabama Power’s Shoreline Management team leader for Lake Martin. “We highly recommend that residents and property owners reach out to our Shoreline permitting offices well in advance to ensure ample time for obtaining permits and arranging for any necessary contractors.”

Residents interested in performing shoreline maintenance during this drawdown should apply for the necessary lakeshore-use permits by visiting apcshorelines.com/permits or calling the Shoreline Management Office at 256-825-0053 before beginning any construction.

Alabama Power encourages people with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities to pay close attention to the changing conditions on the lake, remain mindful of personal safety and be prepared to take necessary steps to protect their property.

Weather conditions could impact this drawdown schedule. Lake elevations and projections are subject to change.For

Lake Martin sailor Keith Bennett brought home a third championship title this summer

Martin Dam will hold back the lake to full pool until Oct. 15.

details about Alabama Power lakes, visit apcshorelines.com or download the Shorelines app on your mobile device.

Staff Report

Annual ROR cleanup set for next month

Mark your calendars, Lake Martin lovers. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 4 are the dates for the annual Lake Martin Resource Association Renew Our Rivers Lake Martin cleanup.

It is time, once again, to put away the water toys and join neighbors in removing unsightly and sometimes harmful trash from the Lake Martin shoreline and surrounding roadsides. As in the past, trash dumpsters will be placed at various locations around the lake with volunteers available to assist. These locations also will provide supplies, snacks, water, T-shirts and suggested areas for cleaning.

Organize your community, begin scouting the areas of concern and recruit volunteers. This is your opportunity to be part of the annual event that has removed more than 160 tons of trash from Alabama’s only Treasured Lake.

Information on dumpster locations and participating communities with contact information will be featured on social media and in The Alex City Outlook.

For more information, contact John Thompson at 1942jthompson420@gmail.com or email John Coley at john@ lakemartinvoice.com

Staff Report

Golden Picker

Lake magazine will once again sponsor the Golden Picker Award, featuring items valued at hundreds of dollars.

Send in your cleanup photos to be entered in a drawing for a Renew Our Rivers bag filled with gift cards, beach towels, hats, cups, lake décor, T-shirts and more, all donated by local individuals and merchants in gratitude for cleanup volunteers. To donate to the Golden Picker bag, email us at editor@lakemagazine.life.

OneWater Acquires Harbor Pointe

OneWater Marine last month announced that the company has acquired Harbor Pointe Marina, located in StillWaters. This expands OneWater’s presence on Lake Martin, adding to the two Singleton Marine locations in Jackson’s Gap and Dadeville.

Harbor Pointe is an on-water facility in Dadeville. In 2022, the site generated approximately $5.8 million in sales.

“Harbor Pointe Marina presents an exciting, low-risk opportunity to assume a dealership operation at virtually no cost,” said CEO of OneWater Austin Singleton in a press release. “Furthermore, OneWater’s proven dealership integration and growth strategies enable us to expand the product offering available to Harbor Pointe Marina’s customers and broaden our reach in an attractive boating market.”

The acquisition makes Harbor Pointe Marina one of 100 total retail locations owned by OneWater, a result of the company’s self-described aggressive expansion strategy. Other acquisitions include multiple online marketplaces and distribution centers.

OneWater offers a wide range of boating-related products and services. After the acquisition, the OneWater intends to expand the Harbor Pointe inventory to include Benington Pontoons and Regal Boats.

Staff Report

ALEA Labor Day Report

Thankfully, troopers within ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division did not investigate any marine-related fatalities over the Labor Day weekend; however, the four-day period included three boating crashes, with one minor injury reported. Two of the incidents occurred on Logan Martin Lake and one on Smith Lake. This past Labor Day weekend marked two summers in a row that the agency has not experienced any marine-related fatalities during the three major holiday weekends of Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

“Our Marine Patrol Division works diligently to take every opportunity to educate the public whether it is during a patrol stop, vessel check or at a public safety event,” said an ALEA spokesperson. “They have done an outstanding job educating and patrolling the waterways during the busiest weekends of the year; however, this success would not be possible without the assistance and care of each boater. We hope this trend continues each year and we encourage parents to also educate their teens on water and boating safety, as many will obtain their vessel license along with their Alabama Driver License.” Additionally, ALEA’s Aviation Unit once again partnered with the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach e to patrol beaches from the air and to assist with rescuing swimmers in distress as well as other incidents. During the extended weekend, ALEA pilots assisted two swimmers and performed approximately 10 beach safety flights.

For traffic and boating safety tips, please visit alea.gov.

Staff Report

of ReflectionsSummer

Reflections of Summer

STORY BY BEN SMITH

LLake Martin is a lot of things to a lot of people.

To many, it’s a home. A place where everyone knows everyone, from the teenager bagging groceries to the councilman speaking at a fundraiser. To others, Lake Martin is a getaway, somewhere to escape phone calls and board meetings and appointments. And to the rest, the Lake Martin area is everything in between. Despite the various reasons for being here, whether it is a vacation home or a place to raise the children, everyone shares a common love for the area. And that common love is part of what gives the lake its heartbeat.

“It’s truly a blessing to be raised on the

water,” said Taylor McDonald. “We have to remind ourselves not to take it for granted.”

McDonald grew up in the area, and today lives in Auburn. She, her husband and two children find their way to Lake Martin almost every weekend over the summer. She’s been on both sides of the out-of-towner vs. intowner dichotomy, and she wants to provide her children with the same rosy memories that she has from her years living in town.

“I loved this place as a kid,” McDonald said, “and always loved the water and wanted to share these memories with my kids. I want to share with them what I got to experience growing up here.”

Others discovering the lake for the first

time tend to wonder why more people don’t know about the area.

“There’s so much to do, and we find new things all the time,” said Kim Nyman of Alexander City. Her grandchildren, daughters and their husbands make the trip from Colorado to Lake Martin twice a year to reconnect with cousins and experience a different side of life. The family kayaks, fishes, rides jet skis and pulls the kids across the lake on inner tubes. This year, they went to the Blue Ribbon Dairy in Tallassee and bottle-fed newborn calves.

“It’s the kind of stuff we don’t get to do every day where we live,” added Becca McCullis, Kim’s daughter.

But even for those who live and have grown up around Lake Martin, where taking the boat out is often an everyday thing, the magic is not lost.

“You can never get tired of the lake,” said Kristen Powell, a Lake Martin native. “It’s just home. It’s sunshine and good people, and that’s what we enjoy.”

“One of our favorite things to do—especially with our son Judson—is to go find islands and park and let him play around and meet lots of different people,” Powell said.

Emily Cassity from Prattville also finds island-hopping a great way to entertain her child.

“We found an island that’s pretty shallow where he can run around,” said Cassity, referring to her 2-year-old son, Jack. “We like to hang out on an island all day and swim and let our child run free. He loves it. He has the best time. He loves to play in the sand and build castles.”

The Cassitys come into town almost every weekend, especially during the summer. When they’re not lounging on an island, they’re sipping fruity drinks at Bluff’s Daquiri Bar or taking the boat out as daylight fades to watch the sunset.

Whether vacationing at Lake Martin or living here year-round, there’s no denying it brings families together.

“Our time at the lake is mostly spent with family, which is important to us,” McDonald said.

“We don’t get to see each other a lot each year,” said Mandi Nyman, “but one thing I look forward to is ‘cousin week’ at the lake … It’s a good time for cousins to spend a lot of fun time together.”

Previous Pages: The Powells cool off in the lake at the end of a hot summer day; Left Inset: Jack Cassity loves to float near a Lake Martin island; Right Inset: Ready for a boat ride; Clockwise from Below: The Cassitys end another summer at Lake Martin with 2-year-old Jack; Judson Powell reels one in; The Powells spend a lot of time on the boat in the summer; A trip to Chuck's completes the summer.

FEEDING PHENOM

STORY BY BEN SMITH & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

TThe best time to catch them is in the evening when the sunset reflects in an amber hue off the water and boats speed down the lake, heading home for dinner. That’s when swarms of turtles begin to appear in the shallow, rocky waters a few feet below the patio of Kowaliga Restaurant.

These turtles know which days the restaurant is open, and they swarm in droves of sixties and seventies as seating becomes limited and wait-to-be-seated buzzers are issued. They approach slowly, with nothing but their tiny, moss-colored heads poking up out of the water. Only a few skinny heads float toward the porch at first, but as the sun sets, more and more pop out of the water 20 or 30 feet from the dock. Before long, there is an army of leisurely reptiles inching their ways toward an infinite source of food.

As soon as the restaurant opens, there is food in the water. A candy dispenser filled with dog food is planted at the corner of the porch, completely free and flanked on either side by tiny plastic cups. By the end of the day, there are little brown pellets everywhere; in the rocks, washed up on the beach area and between the cracks of the wooden planks on the porch.

“I had to put dog food in there because people would just toss their fries and burgers into the water,” said Stacey Jones, manager at Kowaliga Restaurant.

“And turtles are like birds: You give them too many starchy foods, and they’ll pop.”

The endless bounty of food brings more than just turtles. Black and brown catfish creep around the depths of the shallow shore, and carp as long as a man’s entire arm pop up every now and then to take a bite out of the floating clusters of kibbles. Ducks, geese, squirrel and bird populations have cropped up in the area over the years, and even a couple of stray cats.

Everyone enjoys tossing the food in the water and watching the turtles swarm in a slow, patient manner that’s both entertaining and somewhat comical. From young to old, it’s a novelty for all to see so many turtles in a single place, but most entertained are the children.

Previous Pages: Painted turtles clamor for treats at the Kowaliga Restaurant beach; Clockwise from right: Finn Robertson, age 5, and his brother Luker, 10, throw dog food pellets to feed the ducks, fish and turtles that gather below the seawall; bream and catfish are among the diners at Kowaliga; The turtles have long claws and striped heads; The restaurant provides plastic cups and free food in a dispenser, so children can feed the wildlife; The turtles and fish seem to know when the restaurant is open.

“We want the kids to have something to do,” said Jones. “Sometimes people may have to wait to be seated, and they need a way to keep their child entertained. A lot of times, the kids don’t even want to be seated because they’re having so much fun.”

Inside the restaurant are five more turtles. Each one has a unique story where Jones found it injured or lost and decided to take it back to the restaurant. They all have names: Hank, Timmy, Alfredo, Sandy and Squirt. Jones admits it’s hard to keep track of them all.

“They’re a bunch of clowns,” she said. “Kids will come in, and the turtles will all go and stack on top of each other.”

At the first sign of attention, Hank, Timmy and Alfredo all charge toward the glass, as much as a turtle can, climbing over and constantly grappling with one another. The entire time with their heads remaining fixated on the strangers, watching them through the glass.

“They’re so picky with their food,” Jones said, rolling her eyes and pointing to a small bottle of turtle food. “This one’s supposed to be for babies, but that’s all they’ll eat.”

Whether inside or out, it’s hard to miss the turtles at the Kowaliga Restaurant. They’re part of the draw, and there aren’t many places where hordes of turtles clamor for bits of dog food. Tthere’s something to be said about the ambiance, as the sun begins to set on a beautiful view of the lake, enhanced by the laughter of children and adults enjoying the friendly local wildlife. And the wildlife certainly enjoys the free meals at Kowaliga.

Top: In addition to the action outside, five turtles live in a tank in the restaurant; Center: A carp surfaces for a tasty nibble; Below: Catfish compete for the best floating treats.

Last Art Colony

TThe 2023 Sarah Carlisle Towery/ Alabama Art Colony will be the last one, said Sarah Towery Wade, who, along with her siblings, organized the first art colony event in 1992 as a birthday celebration for her mother.

“We are proud of the past 32 years where – along with help from our patrons, participants and the surrounding community – we have been able to fulfill our mission of providing an event that promoted art and art education to so many students,” Wade said.

Wade and her siblings, Carlisle and Misha, enlisted the assistance of Ralph Frohsin and Gene Davenport to organize a small group of artists for the inaugural event, which was held at Kowaliga.

“The first group consisted of six painters, Mother’s friends who painted together all over the world, along with instructor Hugh Williams, an Auburn art professor,” Wade said.

The artists painted in a back room at the old restaurant and stayed in small cabins on site. Many returned the next year, and before long, local artists were asking to be included. Eventually, the event moved across U.S. Route 280 to Children’s Harbor.

“It was an ideal venue – beautiful loca-

tion, wonderful facilities and a terrific staff with which to work,” Wade said.

Traditional aspects of the gathering included an art walk that was open to the public, the exchange of painted cards among the artists and an exhibit of works by participating artists.

After Sarah Carlisle Towery’s death, the colony continued in her memory and grew to include three instructors from across the U.S. and sometimes from other countries. The event often included as many as 45 student artists from Alabama and beyond.

“We sincerely regret closing the chapter on this event that is so dear to the hearts of the board members and many others but will take so many wonderful memories with us and hope others do the same,” Wade said.

The final Sarah Carlisle Towery / Alabama Art Colony event will be held Nov. 3 through 7 at Children’s Harbor. Featured instructors include Vermont oils artist Aline Ordman; Judy Verhoeven of South Carolina, who will teach mixed media; and Pat Butynski of New Jersey teaching acrylics. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is recommended. Visit alabamaartcolony.org for details.

The Best Medicine

Bestselling author and breast cancer survivor

Dawn Barton on laughing and Lake Martin

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

BBestselling author, inspirational speaker and successful businesswoman Dawn Barton knows a good thing when she sees it, so when she saw Lake Martin one year ago, she bought a house in Jackson’s Gap.

“About two or three years ago, I suddenly kept hearing ‘Lake Martin,’ ‘Lake Martin,’ ‘Lake Martin,’” said the Florida native. “So, finally, I just had to check it out. Right after I arrived, my husband and I wanted to run home and start packing. We fell madly in love with the lake. Eight months later, I closed on a lake house, one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.”

Barton purchased a five-bedroom, three-bath hillside house with three girlfriends as an investment property.

“We’re four women, all over the age of 50, who came together to do something new and exciting in our midlife season. We wanted to have an investment and a place where we could do good things for others, like host women’s respite retreats for pastors’ wives or mothers of special needs kids.”

Several years before her adventures at the lake, Barton was the No. 7 ranked sales director in the nation with Mary Kay cosmetics.

“I was not a writer; I didn’t even journal. But I had a dream one night, and God called me to write. Yes, I know I sound coo-coo-ca-choo when I say that, but that’s how it happened,” she said.

She woke up from a dream, wrote down six words, and then Googled, ‘How do you write a book?’ Taking a giant leap of faith, she wrote Laughing Through the Ugly Cry and left her pink Cadillac driving career. She sent the completed manuscript to an author friend, who sent it to an agent. The agent signed Barton within 24 hours, and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, picked up the book 90 days later.

Laughing Through the Ugly Cry chronicles Barton’s journey to find joy through a tremendous series of challenges, including the death of her child, a subsequent divorce, a rape in her own home by an intruder that went to a full jury trial, stage 3 breast cancer and so much more. She shares her story with infectious humor in an engaging Southern tone.

“I have found joy in places you’d think it was unfindable,” she said.

Laughing Through the Ugly Cry became a bestseller, and Barton received the ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author of the Year in 2020, but her journey – and her calling – was far from over.

“About a year before the book came out, my life took a bit of a sharp turn. I moved to a 23-acre property with my husband, daughter, parents and motherin-law, and I unexpectedly stepped into the caretaking role for my mother-in-law who became ill suddenly. It was such a foreign role for me, and I’m embarrassed to say, I felt frustrated, alone, and like the world was done with me. I was flailing in this new

country life but also in this midlife season,” Barton said.

“But there comes a time when you must shut down the pity party and participate in your rescue because we are meant to be wild participants of life, not spectators. I worked hard to figure out who I was in this new season of life. I remember walking into my closet one day, and it looked like the closet of Morticia Adams – black, gray and dark. I asked myself, ‘when did I stop dressing in bright colors that I loved?’ The next day, I was in Publix in Pensacola, and they were playing Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma, which I love, and I thought, ‘When did I stop listening to music that stirred my soul?’ Those two moments started me on the journey of redefining who I am today and gave birth to my second book, Midlife Battle Cry –Redefining the Mighty Second Half.”

As Barton rediscovered her new self in the postpandemic, caretaking, middle-of-life world, she found common ground with other women across the country sharing similar frustrations and feelings about this midlife season.

“Granted, our bodies aren’t what they used to be, but the rest of us is the best it’s ever been. We’ve survived 100 percent of what we’ve been through, and we are oozing with wisdom, but for some reason, we start to pull back and stand on the sidelines of life. The world needs more of us in this magnificent midlife season, not less. If we pull back and stop fully living, it stops us from receiving more gifts and blessing others with our experiences,” she explained. “We don’t want to stand at the gates of heaven with unopened gifts at our feet; we want to live in such a way that we’ve opened all the ‘gift boxes’ God has given us in every season of life.”

Both books bring readers to one conclusion: Life is filled with abundant joy and blessings at every age, in good times and in bad, and it is worth fighting for.

Midlife Battle Cry was released in early May while Barton juggled a book tour and closed on her new love, the Lake Martin house. She intends to continue writing books that empower women and buying more properties at the lake, hoping to one day retire here.

“The lake is magnificent, and I feel at home here. I’ve met the sweetest, kindest people at every turn. From my first conversation with my Realtor, Lacey Howell, who became my friend, to my welcoming and loving neighbors, Jim and Regina. This Southern hospitality feels like a big hug whenever I’m here. And let’s be clear, as long as Oskar’s makes those cheeseballs and fried chocolate balls, I’m here to stay.”

Hearts-A-Bustin'

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

HHearts-A-Bustin’ is a colorful plant with a colorful name that’s just plain fun to say.

It is a deciduous shrub, meaning it loses its leaves each winter, that usually grows 4 to 6 feet tall with multiple stems and an airy, spindly shape. Its leaves are lance-shaped with finely toothed edges positioned opposite each other on stems that stay green yearround. The leaves are bright green until autumn, when they turn orange-red.

Hearts-A-Bustin’ flowers are tiny, pale green and numerous in the late spring to early summer. The flowers have five clawed petals with purple stamens. During winter, this plant blends into the forest, but once its seed pods form in the summer, it’s an eyecatching beauty.

Hearts-A-Bustin’ grows seed pods with a highly textured surface that can look warty or covered with short, thick spikes. The pods are very brightly colored, from a raspberry pink to Maraschino cherry red.

Then the “hearts” burst open in late summer or early fall. They split from the bottom and reveal bright orange-red pea-sized seeds that hang below the five triangular pieces of the open hull. The unusual, almost Day-Glo colors are the kind you can only get in a big box of Crayolas, and they make Hearts-

A-Bustin’ really stand out against the greens and browns of the forest.

This is a bush that grows best in moist, shady, well-drained woodlands. It’s most often found along creek banks, near the edges of swamps, in ravines and low areas.

Although Hearts-A-Bustin’ is primarily found in forests with full or partial shade, it can take full sun if it’s planted in good soil and kept watered. Interestingly, this plant likes wet areas but is not tolerant of locations that frequently flood.

There are many ways to add Hearts-A-Bustin’ to your garden. It is sold commercially as a decorative plant. Seeds harvested and stored for three to four months in a refrigerator to simulate winter will germinate in a garden. Cuttings of greenwood in the spring or semi-hardwood in the fall can take root. Hearts-A-Bustin’ also forms suckers that can be divided in winter and replanted.

There’s a long history of using Hearts-A-

Facing Page: Hearts-A-Bustin' seed pods burst open to reveal pea-sized seeds beneath the hull; Below: The bright colors stand out against the green and brown forest in early autumn.

Bustin’ in American gardens. It was one of the native plants in Colonial Williamsburg gardens. At least two presidents, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, included it in their personal gardens.

This shrub is native across eastern North America, from most of Florida to Canada and west to Texas. Hearts-A-Bustin’ is just one of many names. It’s also known as Strawberry Bush, Wahoo, American Strawberry Bush, Brook Euonymus, HeartsA-Bustin’-With-Love, Bursting-Heart and Hearts-A-Bursting. The scientific name for this plant is Euonymus americanus

All parts of the Hearts-A-Bustin’ plant – especially the seeds, fruit and bark – are toxic to people. If ingested, this plant can cause severe diarrhea. It is also reportedly poisonous to domestic sheep and cattle; however, the toxin does not affect wildlife the same way.

Hearts-A-Bustin’ is a food source for wild turkeys and several other birds, and it attracts rabbits and Whitetail Deer that routinely eat its leaves and green stems – a fact that is important to remember if you plant it in your garden.

Native Americans used the roots to make a tea to treat urinary tract infections and problems with the stomach. It has also been used to treat malaria and dandruff, among other ailments.

A closely related European bush, the Spindletree or Euonymus europaeus, is involved in the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. Like Hearts-A-Bustin’, the Spindletree is toxic. It gets its name because its wood is hard and strong, and it was used to make the pointed spindles on old-time spinning wheels. If you remember the Sleeping Beauty story, you know that Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on a spindle and fell into a deep sleep. That’s because it was once thought that the Spindletree wood was so toxic that if it broke your skin, or you inhaled dust from the wood, the toxin was strong enough to induce a coma.

Some information for this article came from the Florida Museum, the Columbia Star, gardenia.net and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Cedar shingles and natural stone adorn the lakefront side of the house.

Top: All parts of this plant, including the branches, are toxic to humans; Above: In fairy tales, a European cousin to Hearts-A-Bustin' is blamed for the misfortune of Sleeping Beauty.

Huck Finn Adventure

Cousins recreate classic Mark Twain novel on a mission for ice cream

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

The phone buzzed at Chuck’s Marina at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning in July. The text warned of a band of marauders on a Huckleberry-Finnfashioned raft, headed towards Chuck’s in pursuit of an ice cream breakfast. There were eight of them, between 12 and 5 years of age, captained by Claire Duval of Charlottesville, Virginia, and assisted by her cousin, Anthony Bentley, from Franklin, Tennessee. The intrepid crew paddled the hand-built raft for an hour and seven minutes in their quest for cold, creamy booty.

This small contingent of Barbara and Earnest Bentley’s 19 grandchildren converge several times a year on the Blue Creek property that has been in the family for 59 years.

“My father bought the cabin in 1964, and I purchased it from him in 1991,” Earnest Bentley said. “The original cabin was cinderblock. We tore it down in 2011 and built the house in 2012.”

The Bentleys’ 7,800-square-foot home was designed to accommodate their entire family, with two laundry rooms, two kitchens, multiple living spaces, two bunkrooms and a suite for each of the Bentleys’ own four children.

The home’s purpose is to accommodate adventures like the one that greeted Chuck’s owner Greg Harris at the dock on July 29. Here, boating, swimming, tubing and jumping into the lake from the roof of the boathouse are common pastimes.

“Whenever they’re here, we always have eat-spaghetti-with-your-hands night, and after dinner, everyone jumps in the lake with whatever they’re wearing,” Barbara said.

Bentley built a stage strung with lights for the annual talent show the kids organize during their visits, and he’s pulled as many as 10 of the grandchildren on skis at one time. But the rafting trip to Chuck’s was laketime fun on a whole new level.

The excursion began the previous month, when the Duval kids spent a week at the lake with their grandparents.

“We were all talking one night when someone mentioned Huck Finn, and the kids didn’t have any idea who that was,” Bentley explained. “We told them everyone should know about Huck Finn, so we watched the movie.”

The 1939 film based on the novel by Mark Twain stars Mickey Rooney as the rambunctious boy who rafts the Mississippi River with an escaped slave.

“The movie was funny, and it had important parts from history,” said crew member Mary Grace.

“Jim was a slave who was trying to escape, and Huck was his friend. Huck realized that slavery wasn’t actually right, and he went with his friend because he didn’t like the people he was living with,” explained Capt. Claire.

“The funny part was when they were trying to get on a circus boat. Huck said he was the world’s youngest lion tamer,” Mary Grace added. “It didn’t go well.”

As the grandchildren discussed the movie over breakfast the following morning, Bentley suggested they could build their own raft and paddle it about in the slough behind the house. That was all it took. Inspired by Huck’s bra -

Above: Paddling their homemade 'Huck Finn' raft, the Bentley grandchildren set out across Lake Martin in search of ice cream for breakfast; Next Page: With Crew 1 on the starboard side and Crew 2 on port, the adventurers eventually figured out how to steer the craft toward Chuck's Marina.

vado, the group marched to their grandfather’s workshop to collect supplies: four floats from an old floating dock, an assortment of weathered and warped plywood sections, some 1-by-2s for the railings and plenty of nails and screws.

Though Bentley offered occasional advice, he let the kids do the heavy lifting and construction. Three hours later, the adventurers tested their craft and found it water worthy – as long as the older cousins didn’t climb on. To add to the raft’s authenticity, they draped fabric from an aged sunshade over a bamboo frame they’d taped together to make a tent and added a flagpole to the 7-foot-by-12-foot raft.

Bentley promised to keep the craft intact for their next visit, and the Duval children returned home with visions of pirating and Huck Finn in their dreams.

At the end of July, they returned to Blue Creek and introduced the raft to another group of cousins who had missed out on the movie and raft construction. Following an afternoon of

rafting in the slough, the emboldened cousins asked if they could paddle the raft to Chuck’s for ice cream, which was about three-quarters of a mile up the lake. The challenge was met with enthusiasm, but by the time the crew managed to maneuver the craft around the point from the slough to the lakefacing front dock, it was time for dinner.

Undeterred, the whole family rose just past dawn the next morning and prepared for the voyage. Certain to get wet, the children donned bathing suits, shorts and life jackets. They stashed drinks and snacks in the tent to sustain them in their travels. Then, the captain divided the crew into three teams: Adam, Evelyn and Claire manned the starboard side of the boat as Crew 1 while Anthony, Mary Grace, Margaret and Nick made up Crew 2 on the port side; 5-year-old Juliette was Crew 0 positioned at the stern. As an extra member on Crew 2, Nick spelled the others when they needed to rest or

(Back Row Left to Right) Anthony, Margaret, Gabriel, (Front Left to Right) Juliette, Nick and Adam reenacted the adventure Labor Day weekend.

break into the refreshments.

Around 6:45 a.m., the family gathered on the dock with their coffee and binoculars. Bentley, his granddaughter Catherine and son Patrick followed at a distance in the pontoon boat at idle speed, ready to act as a rescue ship if necessary.

At 7 a.m., the raft paddled away.

It took a bit of time and practice for the raft’s crew members to learn the physics of managing forward progress. By 18 minutes into the trek, they’d managed to position themselves in the center of the lake.

“When we wanted to turn, one side had to steer, and the other crew paddled backwards,” Anthony explained. Juliette, in the rudder position, paddled backward the entire trip.

At the early hour, boat traffic was still light as the fleet slowly made their way toward the ice cream reward. There was only a single boat that passed in the vicinity.

“When we got to the middle of

the lake, we had to paddle harder,” Anthony said.

Exhilarated and yet already exhausted, the adventurers arrived at Chuck’s only to be told by Harris that the marina was closed.

“We started to turn around and paddle back, but Grandaddy said Mr. Greg was only joking,” Claire said. “So, we went in and got ice cream. When it was time to go back, Grandaddy pulled us on the raft behind the pontoon boat.” The event garnered more than 163,000 views on Chuck’s Facebook page, more than twice as many as any previous Facebook post for the popular Lake Martin venue.

Clockwise from Left: Extra equipment and refreshments for the voyage were stored in the raft's tent; The children taped together bamboo sticks to create a frame for the tent; When the venture was over, everyone went for a swim.

If you build it ...

STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

DDr. John DiBenedetto, a native New Yorker, and his wife Debbie, a native Canadian, have lived in 16 houses in eight different states over their 42-year marriage. They had never really considered living in Alabama until they found themselves in the market for a lake house. Their son-in-law mentioned Lake Martin, and so the couple rented a townhouse and a pontoon boat for a month to get a feel for the area.

Thirty days later, they were sold.

“We were living in Peachtree City, Georgia, at the time and had looked at lakes in Georgia and North Carolina, but we didn’t want to drive through Atlanta traffic to get there,” said DiBenedetto. “After renting the townhouse, the next thing you know we bought a house in Windermere West. After renovating it, we enjoyed that house as a vacation home for seven years, but we really wanted a level, point lot for our forever home.”

Architect Jim Mancil, owner of JLMancil, Inc., in Montgomery, designed a one-of-a-kind home in The Ridge for the couple. In 2022, Legacy New Homes, LLC, began the construction process, which included three months of excavation to level the lot. The home features 7,200 finished square feet with five bedrooms, a bunkroom, a pool and a three-car garage with an apartment above. At full capacity, the home sleeps 24 people.

The DiBenedettos moved to the lake full-time during the COVID pandemic. Their former lake house in Windermere West sold very quickly, so they rented for

Previous Pages: The DiBenedettos built their home on 1-1/2 acres in The Ridge; Above: The kitchen island measures 10 feet by 10 feet; Right: The kitchen includes duplicate appliances to make cooking and cleaning a breeze: Facing Page: Architectural details in the master bedroom include a coffered ceiling and corner windows.

two years while their home was under construction. They visited the site weekly and were impressed by the level of detail and construction quality from builders Corbin Bartgis and David Chancellor, owners of Legacy New Homes, and Buddy Chandler, project superintendent.

“We basically built a resort for our children and grandchildren. And it is true – if you build it, they will come,” said DiBenedetto.

Ashley Chancellor, designer for Legacy New Homes, assisted with selections of paint, tile, lighting, artwork, furniture and flooring. She sourced everything the couple

needed; from the pet-friendly floor and area rugs from Jaipur Living to the rosemary linen fabric from Fabricut used for the custom-made drapes.

DiBenedetto said Mancil designed the house with the idea that the lake should appear to flow through the home. From the front door to the back of the house, the water peeks through at every point. The foyer opens to a large area with a wet bar to the right, the dining table in the center and the kitchen to the left.

Shiplap and trim throughout the home are painted White Dove. A 10-by-10-foot island is the centerpiece of the kitchen. Painted Van Courtland Blue, the island contains spacious cabinets on three sides and a bar with seating for four on other side. The countertops are quartz. The kitchen features Wolf/ Subzero appliances with duplicate dishwashers, ovens, microwave ovens and refrigerators to handle a houseful of friends and family. The backsplash is a glossy MSI Lakeview Sky picket tile.

The couple wanted their new kitchen to be a space for entertaining.

“One of the benefits of selecting Legacy New Homes, LLC, as our builder was having access to Ashley Chancellor as designer. She was a huge help in the overall interior design,” said Debbie. “I like to blend the old with the new, as we were able to use some of the most meaningful items from our 42-year marriage with modern furniture and fixtures.

“I went with a nautical theme because I grew up on Lake Ontario in Canada and spent so much time around boats during my life.”

A dining table from the couple’s Windermere West lake house easily seats 10. A blue abstract painting is the focal point of the oversized wet bar. The cabinetry is painted the same color as the kitchen island. The bar contains a sink, wine refrigerator, icemaker and plenty of countertop space for prepping and serving.

A treasured item hangs near the entry – a 1952 painting of Debbie’s mother on the deck of their 42-foot wooden yacht. The boat was restored by her father, who was in the Canadian Navy during World War II. He had his eye on a sturdy, wooden supply boat, and when the war was over, he bought it. He and his brother transformed it into a yacht.

“That boat is really the beginning of my story,” said Debbie. “He named it The Sturdee, and we kept the boat at the Toronto Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. We spent our vacation time at a family cottage there and on the boat as much as possible. My father restored old wooden boats as a hobby and ultimately launched a marine manufacturing business, which my husband and I purchased later on. I have spent my life in the marine industry, surrounded by power boats.”

The great room has a high, vaulted ceiling with trussed beams and a limestone mantel over a stone fireplace surround. Floating shelves above cabinets flank the fireplace. Two cream-colored sofas face each other with a square coffee table and two poof ottomans between them. A glass topped console table behind one sofa has a unique cypress root base.

“The DiBenedettos love casual comfort and wanted recliners for the living room,” said Chancellor. “We went

with matching Carson recliners from American Leather to give them the comfort they needed, but a style that worked with the overall look and feel of the room.”

Both the kitchen and the great room open onto the large, covered porch. A fireplace and television, plus an outdoor kitchen and a tower patio heater, make the outdoor living space perfect for year-round enjoyment.

“John and Debbie spend a majority of their time on the porch, so we went with big fans from Minka Air and set up different areas for friends to gather or eat,” said Chancellor. “The outdoor kitchen has a leathered granite countertop with NatureKast waterproof cabinetry.”

David Chancellor explained that the porch floor is

made of composite decking with hidden fasteners by Trex. Legacy also used a membrane and drain system that waterproofs the porch and makes it useable from beneath.

Behind the kitchen, the mudroom opens into a breezeway that connects the house to the garage and provides a fenced area perfect for letting out the dogs. The upstairs laundry room is just off the mudroom. Nearby, a guest room and bath offer privacy from the rest of the house but also enjoy beautiful views of the lake. The couple built a full apartment above the three-car garage as a private getaway for family or friends.

On the opposite side of the house, a hallway from the foyer leads to the elevator and an office built for two

behind double barn doors. The powder room is painted Van Deusen Blue – the only room in the house that is not White Dove – and decorated with a white framed mirror and white sconces that add to the nautical feel.

Chancellor selected Bernhardt furniture and luxurious linens from Amity Home Bedding, including a washable velvet quilt for the master bedroom. The coffered ceiling adds architectural detail, while the drapes soften the room. The master bathroom has a soaker tub and a glass shower, which is beautifully tiled with Vita Bella large format porcelain tile. Brass hardware and a starburst chandelier complete the picture.

Downstairs, the central gathering area is comfortably

appointed with a leather sofa and two leather chairs facing the large screen television, which stays tuned to the DiBenedetto’s favorite University of Georgia football games. Three bedrooms with private baths showcase views of the lake, and the bunkroom sleeps seven. An efficiency kitchen and a large laundry room offer convenience on the lower level.

Concrete Designs in Montgomery supplied Perfect Pavers for the patio and pool decking. The pool and jacuzzi appear to flow seamlessly into the lake. Umbrellas stand in the water on two pool shelves, so swimmers could enjoy the ledge loungers while other guests relax at eating areas around the pool. The entire house is protected

Previous Pages: Windows on three sides of the great room offer exquisite lake views. Clockwise from Top Right: A well-equipped outdoor kitchen on the porch enjoys spectacular views of the lake; The pool includes two sun shelves with loungers and umbrellas; The large covered porch offers distinct gathering, eating and viewing spaces.

Clockwise from Below: A fire pit near the water's edge is surrounded by multi-colored Adirondack chairs; A favorite painting in the downstairs powder room nods to the DiBenedettos' love of dogs; The wet bar cabinetry matches the kitchen island in Van Courtland blue; Downstairs guests have the convenience of kitchen and living spaces; Facing Page: Top: The master bath décor includes brass fixtures and a starburst chandelier; Bottom: The shower features Bella Vita large format porcelain tile.

from lightning and includes a Generac generator.

The 1-1/2 acre lot encompasses 700 feet of concrete seawall and was landscaped by Rick Caldrovicks, owner of Outside Landscape Group. The custom dock was built by Justin Falkner of Lake Martin Dock Company and contains three lifts that accommodate the family’s pontoon, centerconsole fishing and wake-boarding boats.

An outdoor shower and a pool house with a covered dining area are located nearby. A flagstone path leads closer to multi-colored Adirondack chairs surrounding the firepit near the water’s edge, and another lovely path leads to the dock. The DiBenedettos proudly fly the U.S. and Canadian flags near the pool deck, but during college football season, they sport a UGA flag.

“I love the entire house, but the view is what we purchased, and my favorite places are on the deck and by the pool –– just relaxing and watching the boats go by,” said Debbie. “At one point, we thought our forever home might be in Fenelon Falls, Ontario, where our family cottage used to be, but it would have been too far away for our children and grandchildren to visit often. We were so blessed to find this lot and have Legacy build such a beautiful home. It is so calm and peaceful. We absolutely love it here.”

312 Magnolia Way, Dadeville • $1,102,900

Beds: 4 • Baths: 4 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Jeff Cochran 256.786.0099

LakeMartinRealty.com

956 Luanne’s Way, Alexander City • $3,350,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Becky Haynie 334.312.0928

LakeMartinRealty.com

136 Riverwood Lane, Alexander City • $650,000

Beds: 3 • Baths: 2 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Rhonda Jaye 256.749.8681

LakeMartinRealty.com

224 Lakeview Drive, Alexander City • $2,950,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071

LakeMartinRealty.com

Ridge Run, Bywater • $1,700,000

Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Sq Ft: 2,612

Russell Lands

Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks, Thomas Lamberth 256.215.7011 • RussellLands.com

847 Holiday Drive, Dadeville • $3,268,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Adam Yager 205.914.0830

LakeMartinRealty.com

1137

Beds: 6 • Baths: 7 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313

LakeMartinRealty.com

250 Williams Road, Alexander City • $995,000

Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Mimi Rush 334.399.7874

LakeMartinRealty.com

43 Lynwood Path, Dadeville • $1,795,000

Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Adam Yager 205.914.0830

LakeMartinRealty.com

85

Beds: 5 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313

LakeMartinRealty.com

162 Village Circle, Dadeville • $379,000

Beds: 2 • Baths: 2 • Water-Access

Lake Martin Realty

Amy Duncan 256.212.2222

LakeMartinRealty.com

1559

Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront

Lake Martin Realty

Mimi Rush 334.399.7874

LakeMartinRealty.com

Windy Willow Drive, Alexander City • $3,750,000

North Ridge, Alexander City • $5,950,000

Sturdivant Road, Jackson’s Gap • $1,449,000

The Lake Community

People often ask me what it’s like to live at Lake Martin.

I am sure a lot of other people around here are asked that same question. I usually respond with where the stores are, what things there are to do, worship and volunteer opportunities, etc. But those are just aspects of Lake Martin. They don’t tell you about the people in the community or what it feels like to live here.

I had a recent experience I think pretty much answers that question.

I was on the west side of the lake. I was way down Coosa County Road 20, an almost one lane gravel road that stretches several miles. It’s a rural area lined mostly by huge trees. Cell coverage is kind of spotty, and it feels like the lake,

which is to say that it feels like the opposite of a big city. It was a Friday afternoon, and I was headed home when a powerful windstorm hit. There was tons of wind and rain, and I could only see about 20 feet ahead of me. I had to pull over to the side of the road because the wind was so strong. The pine trees on either side of the road were leaning over, almost parallel to the ground. To be honest with you, I thought I was in the middle of a tornado. I considered getting out of my car and laying in the fetal position in the ditch, like they say you’re supposed to. I didn’t, but I came as close as I ever have.

BY JOHN COLEY

Finally, the wind abated, and it was like nothing happened. Not a leaf stirred. I steered back up on the road and started west on Coosa 20 again, heading back toward civilization. I soon found myself in what I would call a Lake Martin traffic jam. There were pine trees down all over Coosa 20, and several cars were stopped. The road was blocked in both directions, and we couldn’t go forward or backward. It was about 5 p.m., and we were seemingly going to start the weekend with a long walk to the highway.

I didn’t really know what else to do, so I got out of my car and looked around. I found a bunch of branches small enough for me to drag out of the way, so I started pulling them to the side of the road. When I looked up, I saw that everybody was out of their cars, doing the same.

I think that was the big moment of the evening.

LAKE PROPERTY

A downed tree provided an opportunity for the neighborliness that makes Lake Martin unique.

Everyone was picking up limbs and helping each other drag smaller trees off the road. There were still two or three giant trees in the road that were going to require heavy machinery to move. Somebody spotted a timber crew in a cutover near us. They flagged the crew down, and one of the timber guys drove over in his skidder to drag the downed trees out of the road. It took him less than five minutes.

We all could have left at that point. The road was passable. We could have left it like it was and gone home. After all, it was Friday. But there were still lots of limbs, needles and debris on the road. En masse, the 10 or 15 people who were on the road with me began to clean up. There was a guy in a landscape truck who had been cutting grass nearby. He cranked up his blower and began to blast away all the pine needles from the road.

In maybe 10 minutes, we had Coosa 20 looking clean as a bell, even better than before the storm. Seeing that the highway was cleared, everyone strolled back to their cars and proceeded on their ways.

That’s what it’s like to live at Lake Martin.

No one asked anybody what to do. No one complained. No one wrung their hands and waited for a big company, the government or anyone else to come by and help. We all just hopped out of our cars and helped one another clear the road. It was unspoken. There was no plan and no hierarchy. We just did it.

That moment is a highlight of the summer of 2023. It’s nice when you feel like you’re from somewhere that is full of people who care about each other.

John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Email him at john@lakemartinvoice.com.

FEELING THE CALL OF FALL?

MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS HEALTHY

As the heat of summer fades and cooler temperatures come calling, we look forward to that feeling of fall. It’s the perfect time to be outdoors with family and friends, and a great time to be alive.

Make sure your heart is 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.

Bourbon Pine Nut & Pecan Pie with Maple-Coffee Whipped Cream

Pie Filling Ingredients

4 cups lightly toasted pecans

2 cups lightly toasted pine nuts

4-1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

5-1/4 cups light corn syrup

1 cup molasses

1-1/4 cup butter, cubed

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoon salt

3 ounces bourbon

6 purchased 9-inch pie shells, prepared according to package directions

Pie Filling Directions

Bring the sugars and corn syrup to a boil for 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce to a simmer and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. While sugars are cooling, beat the eggs until doubled in size. Then slowly pour the sugars into the whipped eggs. Drizzle the sugar very slowly and aim for the side of the bowl. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, whisk the butter in. Add one cube at a time. Add vanilla extract and the toasted nuts. Pour into desired pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Note: I remove the pie when the sides are set and there is a wiggle in the middle of the pie. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

Whipped Cream Ingredients

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons chilled espresso (Add more if you like a stronger coffee taste)

1/4 cup maple syrup

Whipped Cream Directions

Combine all together and whisk on high until firm peaks form. Serve immediately.

Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse

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

CHEF'S TABLE BY PETE MCKENNY

Does an Apple a Day keep the Doctor Away?

IIt all began with Johnny Appleseed traveling the country in the 1800s, planting apple seeds. Apple orchards were a sign that pioneers were establishing new settlements. During this time, land companies even went as far as requiring settlers to plant an apple orchard in order to claim a parcel of land.

Apples are as American as anything. The old adage originated from Devonshire, England, in the 1500s: “Ate an apfel avore gwain to bed. Makes the doctor beg his bread.” This translates into the modern version, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Next to bananas, apples are Americans’ favorite fruit. Statistics show that each American consumes an average of 45 pounds of apples per year. Most of our apple supply comes predominately from Washington, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania, although many other states grow apples as well.

Harvest season runs from August through October, although apples can be enjoyed year-round thanks to their sturdiness and ease of storage. Hundreds of varieties of apples exist, each one offering a unique taste and purpose for eating, baking or cooking.

Apples are extremely healthy. An average medium apple offers about 95 calories, 4 grams of fiber, 19 grams of sugar, 4.4 grams of fiber (18 percent of the daily recommendation), 4 milligrams of Vitamin

Did you know?

Choosing apples can be a bit confusing because there are so many varieties. Here is a quick guide to follow when you can’t decide which variety to purchase.

n Eating: Braeburn, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jazz, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Envy, Red Delicious and Winesap.

n Cooking: Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, McIntosh, Pink Lady and Winesap.

n Baking: Braeburn, Cortland (pie), Crispin, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady and Winesap.

C (14 percent of the recommended daily amount), 4 milligrams of Vitamin K (5 percent of the daily recommendation), 196 milligrams of potassium (6 percent of the daily recommendation), 0.1 milligrams of Vitamin B6 (4 percent of the daily recommendation) and 1 milligram of manganese (3 percent of the daily recommendation).

Each part of the apple has its own unique nutritional values. The skin provides important flavonoids, a broad family of nutrients, including quercetin, kaempferol, catechins and anthocyanidins. These nutrients are famous for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits, as well as for their tendencies to add vibrant colors to food. Of all the fruits, the skins of green and red apples contain the highest level of the flavonoid quercetin.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of quercetin make apples important for heart health. They resolve inflammatory problems, contain cancer fighting capabilities and improve neurological health. Quercetin fights cancer by inhibiting the growth of malignant cells and causing abnormal cells to self-destruct. Studies have shown that consuming apples can result in a lower risk of breast, ovarian, laryngeal and colorectal cancer. The powerful combination of phytonutrients, the soluble fiber- pectin and the relatively high

levels of Vitamin C makes apples a nutritional powerhouse. Research shows that the benefits come not from the pectin and the polyphenols alone, but also from the unique combination of the two.

HEALTHY LIVING

BY JULIE HUDSON

Apples even prove to enhance pulmonary health and overall lung capacity in the absence of lung disease. They help to reduce the risk of asthma, the severity of asthma attacks and bronchial hypersensitivity. In addition to supporting heart and lung health, research has also demonstrated that the antioxidants and fiber in apples have an important role in preventing diabetes and obesity by improving insulin sensitivity.

Eighty percent of the fiber in apples comes from the white flesh. Fiber has two forms – soluble and insoluble. Neither type is absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, but both are valuable. Most of the fiber from apples comes in the form of pectin, a soluble fiber. You may have heard of pectin being used to thicken jellies and jams. Pectin bulks up in the stomach by absorbing water, giving you the feeling of being full. At the same time, pectin binds to sugar and carbohydrates in the digestive tract and gradually releases them into the bloodstream, helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels; however, Pectin’s main benefit is its ability to lower cholesterol. Pectin acts like a giant sponge, soaking up bile acids and cholesterol in the digestive tract. Because the body does not digest fiber, the pectin passes right through the system and takes the bile acids and cholesterol along with it.

When selecting apples at the store or farmers market, look for apples that are firm, fresh smelling and of good color. Avoid apples with bruises, those that have damage to their skins or feel soft.

Apples can serve as a satisfying snack or a healthy accompaniment to any meal. They pair well with almost any food and can be enjoyed in numerous ways—raw or baked, sliced in pancakes or muffins, cubed or shredded in a salad or slaw, cold cereal or hot oatmeal, sliced and topped with peanut butter or cheese, baked in the oven, baked into a crisp or made into a cobbler. And of course, they can be enjoyed as apple pie.

Reap the nutritional benefits of apples this fall season. Go ahead and have at least one apple a day because it very much will help to keep the doctor away.

This exclusive enclave of new homes is made up of 39 lots on a scenic 14 acres, offering waterfront, water view, and hilltop homes by Slate Barganier Building. Dedicated boat slips available on a first come first served basis! Come home to the beauty and planning you already know in The Village at Lake Martin in this brand new development.

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

What's happening in the watershed?

Lake Watch water quality monitoring on Lake Martin

Thank you, Lake Watch volunteers, for spending your time providing quality water testing across Lake Martin. Results of our bacteriological testing are posted to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage at Lakewatch.org, and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database at auburn.edu/ alabamawaterwatch. Our testing this 2023 swim season confirms excellent water quality throughout the area of Lake Martin, as befits our “Treasured Alabama Lake” status.

Testing tributary streams

Bacteriological testing on the Tallapoosa River and tributary streams in the Tallapoosa basin often show E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable ADEM minimum standards, particularly following rain events. Apparent sources of this pollution include:

n the poultry industry in our watershed

n storm water runoff from cattle pastures, agriculture and forestry

n shortcomings in community wastewater treatment

Camp Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant

LAKE WATCH

BY MATT CAMPBELL

In the April 2023 issue of Lake magazine, our Lake Watch article anticipated an important move in overcoming the pollution of Sandy Creek and Lake Martin coming from the Camp Hill community wastewater ponds. Now, with dismay and a heavy heart, we regret to report that the Town of Camp Hill appears to be fumbling this unique opportunity to receive federal dollars for this project. At this time, the number one concern of Lake Watch is that the Camp Hill wastewater ponds should not degenerate further and pose a chronic source of pollution to Sandy Creek and Lake Martin. We implore Camp Hill Mayor Williams-Cole, the Camp Hill Town Council, the Tallapoosa County Commission, ADEM, and Rep. Ed Oliver to please all give your best efforts to save this project. You are the stewards of the clean waters of our community.

“Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority,” a Watershed Management Plan

The good news is that clean water conservation efforts are mounting throughout the Tallapoosa basin, at the universities, ADEM and amongst our government officials. The Alabama Rivers Alliance recently hosted a networking meeting for community groups, watershed stakeholders and state legislators to discuss opportunities to protect and celebrate Alabama’s freshwater resources and promote safe and healthy outdoor recreation in our waters. Special thanks to ARA’s Martha Hunter and Kelly Marshall for this meeting. Lake Watch is grateful to ARA for their excellent program. Visit their website at alabamarivers.org.

Lake Watch advocates a watershed approach to protecting Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa River. Industry, individual citizens, property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners and local government are urged to help develop practices to prevail throughout our entire watershed, and to support measures that will protect and improve our clean water. Get involved in Lake Watch and as a partner in the Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority. Water quality advocacy for our streams is good for Lake Martin. Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural economy. The pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle.

To get involved in the Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority or to join Lake Watch as a member, monitor or sponsor, visit the Lake Watch website at lakewatch.org. Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy.

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc. Learn more at info@lakewatch. org.

Wine is like apples

FFinding the right words to describe a wine’s taste can be difficult. Of the hundreds of terms used to characterize the flavor and aromas of a wine, most are subjective and broadly interpreted. Zesty, floral and woody, for example, don’t identify a taste as well as chocolatey or lemony. For a better understanding of taste, we need only consider five basic characteristics that are unique to wine.

Acidity is easy to identify because we have so many points of reference, like lemons and tomatoes. The palate is very familiar with the tartness

stemming from acids in our foods. Tannins, however, are not as readily identifiable, even though this phenolic compound is present in a wide variety of foods like legumes, coffee, tea, nuts and some leafy vegetables. The tannins in wine come from the seeds, stems and skins of the grapes and provide structure and texture, particularly in red wines.

A wine’s third unique characteristic is body and texture. The body and texture of a wine are essentially how the wine feels in the mouth. In combina-

tion with the other four characteristics, the impression of weight influences perception of taste.

Alcohol is another characteristic that has monumental impact on the taste of a wine. Apart from its intoxicating effects, alcohol serves to carry aromas from the liquid’s surface to nasal receptors, one of the first indicators of how a wine will taste. Winemaking is all about converting the grape’s natural sugars into alcohol. During fermentation, the yeasts eat the sugars, producing alcohol as a byproduct.

As you might have guessed, the fifth characteristic determining how a wine taste is, ta-da, sweetness. The level of sweetness in a wine is the result of all these factors, plus the inherent traits of the grape variety and how well the five characteristics work together to create a balance.

FROM THE CELLAR

BY HENRY FOY

Yes, most wines are “dry,” but even the driest wines have an imperceptible amount of sugar. Wine wouldn’t exist without fermentation, which requires that the natural sugars be consumed by the yeasts. The process all starts with the sugar in the grapes. The more sugar the yeast eats, the more alcohol will be produced, resulting in a drier wine. If the yeast does not eat all of the sugars, the wine will be sweeter and contain less alcohol.

Any fruit works for this process, even apples.

These seven apples range in sweetness from very tart to very sweet. In the middle is a sweettart mix, the Red Delicious. To the right are Honey Crisp, Gala and Fuji. On the other side are Golden Delicious, Pink Lady and Granny Smith.

The Granny Smith is uniformly green and easily recognized. It is tart, and the acidity is discernable with a hint of some sort of raw tobacco, like snuff. Behind that is the Pink Lady, which I thought would be sweeter. It is not as acidic as the Granny Smith. The Golden Delicious has a mild flavor and less acidity and tartness.

Red Delicious has been around since 1872, and for a long time it was the most produced cultivar in the U.S. It is juicy, with no hint of tartness, and shows a bit more sweetness. To its right is a Honey Crisp, very juicy but firm, with a hint of a citrus flavor and no acidity. Below that is Gala, which in 2018 overtook Red Delicious as the most produced. The juice is beginning to get sweeter. Finally, in the lower right is the Fuji. Tender, though not as sweet as I would have expected.

Like our apples, there are just too many variables for one to think all wines are the same. There are many similarities, but the differences are often enormous. In the end, the best products will be those that are most successful at balancing their different characteristics.

Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Spirits at 128 Calhoun Street in downtown Alexander City. Contact him at 256-212-WINE(9463) or email emporiumwine128@gmail.com.

Success in the Unfamiliar Fishery

At its most basic, fishing boils down to two things: finding fish and catching them. Of course, there’s some crossover, as one facilitates the other. But that’s what a good day of fishing all boils down to. We have incredible electronics these days that aid a great deal in finding fish, and there are more innovative baits and techniques that pop up as a means of catching them. Like everything else, the sport of fishing is evolving.

In my opinion, the fish are adapting to the extra fishing pressure that we’ve seen in recent years. There’s no longer a portion of the water column where they can’t be targeted, and there are more people fishing more often. I’ve been fishing my whole life, and it seems to me the fish always find a way to adapt to the situation. Whether it be hour by hour, or year by year, figuring out the fish from one day to the next is an enjoyable challenge for most anglers.

BIG CATCHES

BY GREG VINSON

can lead an angler to bass, especially in the fall. Bream prefer shady spots in the shallows. Other minnow species, like black tail shiners, may prefer a totally different location, like shallow points, sandbars and seawalls.

Then there are crawfish. Crawfish live deep and shallow. On a highland fishery, rocks are the most obvious habitat for them. Wood, like laydowns, stumps and brush piles, is attractive for the bream as well as crawfish, but it ultimately depends on the habitat.

Habitat

A good habitat isn’t worth much if it’s in the wrong place at the wrong time of year. Once an angler has decided what areas the fish should be in based on lake type, time of year and the preferred food source, it’s time to find the habitat to target.

For those who fish Lake Martin on a regular basis, finding fish may not be the biggest challenge. If you’re new to the lake or faced with finding fish on a lake you’re less familiar with, this can be an overwhelming and sometimes intimidating challenge. To break down an unfamiliar fishery, there are a few factors to consider.

Lake Type

The type of fishery will determine what options the fish have, and therefore, what options are available anglers. Lake Martin is mostly a highland reservoir. It has plenty of rocks, steep banks and deep and relatively clear water. The approach to these fisheries is going to be very different than a river, natural lake or flat reservoir.

Other features to expect on a highland fishery are limited food sources, a limited habitat and a high level of movement in the fish. For these reasons, many anglers are not fans of highland reservoirs. On the flip side, the fish follow patterns more often in highland fisheries. When an angler can establish a successful pattern, it can be applied to large sections of the lake and not just that one area.

Seasonal Patterns

General knowledge of seasonal patterns can be applied to just about any region of the country. There are four regular seasons, but in fishing, there are a few more. Spring is often broken down into pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn. These seasons can change quickly depending on weather, water temperature, daylength, etc., and a successful angler must be ready to change with them. We are entering the fall patterns currently. In most fisheries, this is a time when the fish are relating heavily to the baitfish (shad) more than any other.

Food Source

To find the fish, an angler must look for its main food source first. Knowing the primary food source for the fishery during the current season could be critical. In the Southeast, those are going to be primarily minnow species, bream and crawfish. Up north, those can be yellow perch, gobies and rock bass.

Studying up on the movements of baitfish by season

On highland fisheries like Lake Martin, the most obvious habitat is going to be rocks and docks. Points, humps and channel swings could also serve as likely habitats for fish. The brush piles added by anglers, homeowners and conservation groups play a huge role as well. In a grass lake, anglers want to look for grass types, edges and canopies.

Most forage fish have preferred habitats, which translates into targets for the anglers. First, decide where to look on the lake based on the other factors. Then, pick out the targets (habitat) to cast to in those areas.

Fishing

Getting bites is great feedback to find out where fish are positioned and what they might bite. No bites mean something is wrong. It could be the location, or it could be the bait/technique. Every bite gained is a clue that could tell an angler a little bit about where the fish are and what they might be feeding on. Paying attention to these clues can lead to finding even more fish, especially somewhere like Lake Martin.

There’s a lot of talk lately about advancements in electronics. They can be so helpful in finding fish, both while searching and while actively fishing. The question becomes whether forward facing sonar like the Garmin Livescope is “fair.”

Lake Martin alone is over 41,500 acres wide, with some 880 miles of shoreline. Mapping and high quality sonar options are very helpful tools in breaking down such a large fishery, but it’s impossible to scan this much water in a short amount of time. Much less so when considering that the movements of fish could change by the hour.

Fish and the sport of fishing are always changing. Even when all the latest and most advanced tools are available, fishing still boils down to two basic principles: knowing where to look for fish; and figuring out the best baits and techniques to catch them.

Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

Two Easy Tips W

Whew, that was some kind of hot summer! Man, I raise my hand in praise to all of you who battled through the 2023 summer heat to play golf. It was the hottest I can remember. It was most likely payback for us enjoying great golfing weather in February this year. That being said, hold onto to your bootstraps, because you have entered into the best season of the year to play golf.

I love golf in the fall. The air seems a little crisper, the greens roll a little smoother, and there are usually fewer thunderstorms. In October, we have great weather while still enjoying Daylight Savings Time. I know, I know, college football is on your mind. Before and after, the golf course is the place to go to celebrate the upcoming game, the victory or just escape the heartbreak of the loss. Take advantage.

LOVE of the GAME

BY DAVE JENNINGS

up. You just can’t get this true perception when reading putts behind the ball. Simply visualize your ball rolling from its stagnant point down your intended line and into the hole.

This alone will fill your brain with information that helps tremendously with distance control, especially on longer lag putts. After looking at this angle of your putt, take one last look from behind your ball, down your intended line.

In your mind’s eye, watch your ball roll uphill, then down hill, breaking left then right again. Imagine it slowing down in speed and dying just before it drops into the cup. This positive reinforcement will help to build confidence in your putting game.

I want to share a couple things that I know will lower your score. Only a small percentage of golfers religiously do these two things, and neither one takes any physical skill.

When do you start reading your putt? For most folks, it’s just before their turn. For better players, the process begins well back in the fairway as they approach the green. Give this a try: From the fairway, look at the whole green closely. Most likely, you will see that either the left or the right side of the green is higher than the opposing side. Stands to reason that when it rains, water runs off down that lower side of the green. With this in mind, it’s likely your ball is going to break in this same direction. Keep that in mind. Surely the green is not totally flat and tilted to that side. It has undulations that must be considered as well, and making this simple determination a regular practice will help you in reading greens.

The other tip to save you few strokes is in feeding that computer between your ears with a little more information when reading your upcoming putt. Most golfers only read their putts from behind the ball, looking toward the hole. That is the best look, but you can always take it another step further. Go to the mid-point in the length of your putt. Stand at least 10 feet below your intended line to the hole. Look carefully at the changes up and down the green on your intended line. From this vantage point, you could see exactly where your ball will tend to slow down or speed

These two things are simple game changers. If you have any doubts, watch a little golf on television. Pay close attention to how players are reading the greens. The best players do these two things on every hole and every putt. Give these two tips a try, and hopefully, they will help out your game.

Play well!

Dave Jennings is the owner of Jennings Golfhelp LLC. Email him at djenn47495@gmail.com or visit Jenningsgolfhelp.com.

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Parting Shot

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