July 2018 Lake magazine

WHIZ BANG BOOM! Celebrate July 4th on Lake Martin

JULY 2018

LAKE 1

SHHHHH!

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idden away at Wind Creek Montgomery is a special place. It’s called Itta Bena, an exquisite dining experience with a taste of Beale Street on the side. From the 10 oz. bone-in pork chop to the 8 oz. filet, every dish at Itta Bena is gourmet southern cuisine. So come on up to the 3rd floor, discover our modern day speakeasy, and enjoy a FREE appetizer on us. But remember, it’s our little secret!

Present this coupon to your server for a:

FREE APPETIZER with an entrée purchase.

Limit one per table. Offer expires 8/31/18.

May not be used in conjunction with any other offers.

1801 Eddie L. Tullis Rd., Montgomery, AL | WindCreekMontgomery.com | ©2018 Wind Creek Hospitality

JULY 2018

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Letter from the Editor

Staff

s a young child, I dreamed about living the glamorous life of a writer – taking off on wonderful adventures and writing stories that thousands of people would read. I saw myself smiling and nodding at the compliments I would receive from my fans as I shared with them my daring escapades and startling revelations through carefully chosen prose.

It’s true, you know. We do live out the experiences of the writers we read.

Through Amy Passaretti’s “CAST Striper” article on page 62 in this issue of Lake magazine, you will be transported to David Hare’s fishing boat with a group of men and women who are members of the Lake Martin chapter of the Christian Amputee Support Team. You’ll watch as they overcome the limitations and obstacles of their daily lives, and you’ll thrill along with them at landing a fighting striper on a rainy, windswept day on Lake Martin.

You will sit with me and get to know Chris Goodman through the casual conversation of this month’s “Lake Q&A” feature on page 72. Chris is the new Tallapoosa River manager for Alabama Power Company; a very important position, as he oversees the operation of the dam that regulates Lake Martin’s water level. You’ll appreciate the passion he has for his job; grow to respect the man he hopes to be and picture him sitting at a miniature table, holding a tiny, pretty cup at a tea party with his three young daughters.

Like me, you’ll be shocked when the bass explode over deep water in Greg Vinson’s “Big Catches” column on page 86; your mouth will water for ice cream when you read Julie Hudson’s list of healthy varieties on page 84; and once you read about the floating ice cream boat on page 71, you’ll be craning your neck and searching the horizon for a taste of that Chimney Rock Cheesecake.

You’ll stretch through your fingers and your toes to make the turn in the Lake Martin Slalom Championship, like Peyton Phillips and Kate White in the photos that accompany Lizi Arbogast’s article on page 42.

Along with Cindy Burell in Lonna Upton’s article on page 52, you’ll labor over the house plan and decorating to make a new home on Lake Martin work as well for two as it does for 32.

And you’ll ride along with Luke Robinson – maybe even share a beer together – while someone else drives the boat in his special appearance in Lake magazine on page 31.

Like Luke, Julie, Chris, Greg, the other writers in this issue of Lake – and me – you’ll be living the dream through the carefully chosen words of writers’ prose.

Dream on, friends. Dream on.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

A

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor AMY PASSARETTI

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

KATIE WESSON

katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

KAT RAIFORD

kat.raiford@tallasseetribune.com

CARTER SINGLETON

carter.singleton@alexcityoutlook.com

JAYLAN REYNOLDS

jaylan.reynolds@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

SHELLEY MCNEAL

shelley.mcneal@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JOHN COLEY JULIE HUDSON CLIFF WILLIAMS MITCH SNEED LONNA UPTON GREG VINSON

ROB MCDANIEL DONALD CAMPBELL LIZI ARBOGAST HENRY FOY ERIC REUTEBUCH BEN WATTS

All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of: Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

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

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

JULY 2018

On the Cover Lake Martin is one of the most magical places to spend the 4th of July. In addition to the Southeast's most spectacular fireworks show and summer concert on the grassy lawn at Lake Martin Amphitheater, there is the annual Russell Marine boat parade at Kowaliga, the Arti Gras juried art show at Russell Crossroads and parades, music and barbecues all around the lake.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Organizing Lighting Fabrics Furniture Design

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

JULY 2018

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IN-HOME CARE SERVICES

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

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

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

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

Making your house your home

Since 2007, Folds of Honor has carried forth this singular, noble mission.

To provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air is teaming up with the foundation to help this great organization fulfill its mission.

Your Home May be your Largest Investment

Protect it with Fresh Paint

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Lin Rogers 205-453-2294 www.lakemartinpaintingllc.com

Promo 10956. Not valid with any other offers or on previous purchases. See company representative for all details that may apply. Promotion ends 7/31/18. AL #15033

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JULY 2018

Hunter Harris 205-910-8800

Lin Rogers 205-453-2294

Contents 24. NIBBLERS' FAREWELL Lake Martin's float-thru grill closes as owners retire and put the restaurant up for sale 31. WATER-U-WAITING FOR? Luke Robinson proposes a new business idea for Lake Martin, or does he just need a boat ride home?

32. BOATS AND BOOM! The best 4th of July spectacular in the South takes place at Lake Martin

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36. JAZZ FEST The 28th annual signature music event on Lake Martin drew big crowds 42. MAKING THE CUT This year's Lake Martin Slalom Championship drew a few beginners, as well as experienced skiers 52. HOTEL BURELL A family getaway at Lake Martin sleeps 32 people in comfort and style 62. CAST STRIPER Amputees tackle unique challenges on a guided Lake Martin striped bass fishing tour 71. FLOATING ICE CREAM Opelika ice cream parlor floats a new ice cream treat boat on Lake Martin

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES: 9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO

74. FAB FINDS

THE LAKE

76. BEHIND THE BOAT

10. LAKE SCENES

79. LAKE PROPERTY

13. WHERE IS LAKE?

80. LAKE WATCH

14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS

82. CHEF'S TABLE

20. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

84. HEALTHY LIVING

26. NATURE OF THE LAKE

86. BIG CATCHES

49. LETTER TO EDITOR

88. FROM THE CELLAR

72. LAKE Q&A

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- edition

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

JULY 2018

LAKE 7

Celebrating 25 Years!

Your Local Electrical Experts Serving Lake Martin and Surrounding Areas

Stop by Today!

SUN - THU 10:30am - 8:00pm FRI - SAT 10:30am - 9:00pm

Your FULL SERVICE Electrician

Southern-Style Cuisine Catering Available from 5-500

at Blue Creek

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• Troubleshooting • Old House Wiring • Lighting Fixtures

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JULY 2018

• Circuit Breaker Upgrades • Outlets/Switches/Fixtures • Boat Lift Wiring • Underground Service • Pier Lighting • Back-up generators & more!

256-234-0007 www.candtelectricllc.com

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

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

Inventory/ sales ratio

32 34 31

$653,337 $508,394 $466,137

$515,000 $384,950 $393,000

114 196 242

305 382 394

11.12 15.03 21.99

May 2018 May 2015 May 2012

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).

The Mother of Cherokee Bluffs A seldom mentioned Dadeville When she was offered payment for woman played an integral part in advancher services, Miller declined and reporting the state of Alabama when she edly replied that she was only interested guided Alabama Power in being a part of the Company representadevelopment of Alabama. tives around the area She became known as for their research the Mother of Cherokee prior to the building Bluffs, the original name of Martin Dam. Nora given to what today is E. Miller was a well known as Lake Martin. respected resident of Mitchell also presented Tallapoosa County, and her with an engraved silshe knew the land and ver trowel, which was to the people like the back be used to lay the dam's of her hand. cornerstone.

Miller loaned her But Miller died automobile to early in 1924, before the surveyors who came cornerstone was laid, to locate potential and at her bequest, a dam sites. She hosted cousin of her husband's, Alabama Power James Curtis Lovelace, Company President assumed her ceremonial James Mitchell in her role. home and took him to Miller is buried Nora E. Miller (1857-1924) meet landowners in the at Dadeville City area. She also is credCemetery. ited with helping to secure several vital Some information for this article came locations regarding the construction of from the book, Lake Martin: Alabama's the dam.

Crown Jewel, by Elizabeth D. Schafer.

Did You Know?

Wakeboarding got its start in 1985 when a San Diego surfer named Tony Finn developed a board that was a cross between a water ski and a surfboard. He promoted the new sport heavily, and in the late 1980s, Herb O'Brien, a leading water ski manufacturer, designed the first compressionmolded neutral-buoyance wakeboard.

The new board was easy for anyone to use, which catapulted the sport onto the main water scene, around the world and at Lake Martin.

Last Month's Levels Weather Outlook for July July 2018 Forecast at Lake Martin Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the Summer: 491MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 490.59 Lowest: 490.17

Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level.

For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit the website 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.

upper 80s to lower 90s with average lows in the upper 60s and about 5 inches of precipitation in the month of July. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be slightly above normal and rainfall will be moderately above normal this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 27.71 inches Avg. high temp.: 68.1 Avg. low temp.: 43.5 Average temp.: 55.8

JULY 2018

Our Normal July Precipitation: 5.31 inches Avg. high temp.: 90.7 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 69.5 National Weather Average temp.: 80.1 Service.

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Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Mari Luttrell's dog, Jaxson, enjoyed a late winter sunset at Sunset Point in StillWaters. (2) This family of ducks swam past Nikki Traylor during a Lake Martin sunset near Kowaliga Restaurant. (3) Diane Riccio took this photo on a windy Easter Sunday after eating at Catherine's Market. (4) Brant Youngblood drops from a rope swing as his niece Briley flies past. (5) Toni Triggs Hathorn found these three otters relaxing on a dock near the Bridge to Nowhere.

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JULY 2018

Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Ella Kate and Ann Margaret love the swings at Moonbrooke Park in StillWaters. (2) Fog rolled in at Blue Gill Cove on Lake Martin as Johanna McCain started her day. (3) Karyn and Jeff Rowell's rescue dog, Lizzie, took her first boat ride on Lake Martin and thought she was in heaven. (4) Thomas Sprayberry knows the only way to start the summer is with a cruise on Lake Martin. (5) Mary Lauren couldn't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day than time on the lake.

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Lake Martin’s Marine Construction Company 6732 Highway 63 South, Alexander Cit y, AL 35010 | (256) 392-5200 | www. sunrisedock sllc.com

• Drive-On PWC lifts • Easy to Use • Made for the largest Sea Doos

256-794-1443

• Cover your boat in seconds • Increase the use of your boat • Save hours of cleaning

REMOTE CONTROLLED | SUPERIOR PROTECTION | UNMATCHED CONVENIENCE | WWW.TOUCHLESSCOVER.COM 12 LAKE

JULY 2018

Where is Lake? n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Randi Woodruff shared the magazine with Hope from Dolphin Tale 2 at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida. (2) Steve and Ellen Sain took Lake magazine to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. (3) Gray, Sam, Alex and Lilly Buchanan show off their copy of Lake magazine at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

(4) Lake magazine enjoyed a day on the Panama City beach with Melinda Henderson. (5) The Alexander City Parks and Recreation 50-Plus Club took the May issue of Lake magazine to Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. (6) Fred and Carla Enslen took Lake magazine to Eastport, Maine, the northernmost port city in the United States.

JULY 2018

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July 4 4th of July Parade at Blue Creek

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

July 4 4th of July Boat Parade

This marks Russell Marine’s 40th annual boat parade and it seems to grow each year. Boats parade from Kowaliga to Children’s Harbor decked in festive displays and patriotic themes. Two prizes will be awarded for each category: Tallest Flag, Largest Flag, Most Creative Theme and Most Patriotic Crew. First prize is a $150 Russell Marine gift certificate, and second prize is a $75 gift certificate. Best Overall Boat and Crew will receive $500 in cash. Get your crew together to decorate your boat, or enjoy the colorful parade from the shore at 10 a.m. Call Kowaliga Marina at 334857-2111 or stop by any Russell Marine marina to register today.

CALENDAR

July 6-7 Arti Gras

Featuring artists from throughout the South, this two-day juried art show event is held on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Vendors will sell handmade paintings, jewelry, photography, sculpture and much more.

OF EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

July 7 Alabama Avenue at Copper’s Grill

Come early and stay late to dance under the stars at Stillwaters with Alabama Avenue. The band will play classic and Southern rock, new and traditional country and fun party songs. Bring the kids; there’s no cover charge. Pull up in the boat and call 256-373-3536 for the shuttle from the lake.

For information, call 256373-3536.

4th of July festivities include the annual fireworks display and concert at The AMP

July 4 4th of July Blast

Celebrate this holiday at The AMP with muisc by The Bank Walkers and The Grains of Sand Band. The Southeast’s largest fireworks display will start at 9 p.m., and the band will return at 9:30 p.m. when the fireworks show is over. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Bring chairs, coolers and friends to stake out a spot on the grass. The annual Twist and Hula Hoop contests will keep kids entertained. For more information, visit www.theamponlakemartin.com.

July 6 A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League Meet and Greet

The Lake Martin chapter of the shooting league is hosting a ladies-only meet and greet at Lake Martin Machine Gun, 2920 Red Hill Rd. in Eclectic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

During the open house event, there will be information on the AGAG mission, events and how it will support the introduction and development of shooting in a ladies-only envi14 LAKE

ronment. AGAG is a shooting club established by women shooters for women shooters. For more information, contact Jodie McGirt at 334-202-1730.

July 7 Community Garden Club Pancake Breakfast

Come to the Artist Cabin at Russell Crossroads for breakfast and support the Community Garden Club.

A $5 bill buys pancakes piping hot off the griddle with butter and syrup, coffee and juice from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Please bring cash. Visit www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com for more information.

July 9 Russell Marine Wakeboard/Wake Surf Clinic

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit Kowaliga Marina for individualized, small group instruction from professional wakeboard riders and skiers, coaches and enthusiasts. Cost is $50 per person. To sign up, contact Scott Goslin at Russell Marine at 256-496-0713 or sgoslin@russelllands.com.

July 16 All Wake Surf Clinic

From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., visit The Ridge Marina for individualized, small group instruction from professional

JULY 2018

riders, coaches and enthusiasts. Cost is $50 per person. To sign up, contact Scott Goslin at Russell Marine at 256-4960713 or sgoslin@russelllands.com.

July 16-17 Throw Away Day

The Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership and the Tallapoosa County Commission will team up to provide dumpsters for the disposal of household items at five locations from noon on Monday through Tuesday evening. The dumpsters will be available free of charge at the Alexander City Annex, 395 Lee St. in District 1; Double Bridges on State Route 63 in District 2; Old Daviston School on state Route 22 in District 3; Young’s Ferry at Gibson Rd. and Mullican Rd. in District 4; and Union Community Center at 4191 Highway 50 in District 5. No liquids, appliances with compressors, tires, batteries, light bulbs, televisions, computers, propane tanks or hazardous or medical waste will be allowed. For more information, contact Sabrina Clark Wood at 334-429-8832.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2 Labor Day Weekend at Chuck’s Marina

Close out the summer with music and embrace fall football at Chuck’s Marina on Lake Martin on Labor Day weekend. Sean Heninger from Birmingham will be the featured musician on Friday night, and Blane Rudd will close out the summer music schedule on Sunday. Saturday will be all about football. For more information about weekend activities, visit the Chuck’s Marina Facebook page.

Sept. 2 Labor Day at The AMP

Gates open at 5 p.m. at The AMP for the annual summer close-out concert. Bring coolers, kids, friends, lawn chairs and blankets and turn out for one last great big party at the lake. Music starts with The Bank Walkers at 6:30 p.m., followed by Sister Hazel at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Visit the website at www.theamponlakemartin.com for tickets and more information.

Sept. 3 Summer's End Cornhole Tournament

July 21 Lake Martin Cornhole Championship

Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the tournament starts at 12 p.m. at The World Famous Rodeo Club in Dadeville.

For information, contact the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce at 256-825-4019.

The Landing at Parker Creek will host this annual cornhole tournament at the lake on Labor Day. An officially sanctioned, regulation tournament, participants play double elimination to win the money and the right to wear the crown. Visit The Landing Facebook page for entry details.

July 21 Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run

Season-Long Events

This annual event gets bigger and better every year. Boat crews crisscross the lake to collect cards for the best poker hand while the party revs up at Kowaliga with music, food and fun. Proceeds benefit local charities. Prizes are awarded for the most original crew costumes as well. Start at The Ridge Marina at 8 a.m., and when your hand is complete, head to the party at Kowaliga Restaurant to see if you won.

Contact Emily Sprayberry at esprayberry@russelllands.com for information.

Summer Saturdays at The Landing

July 28 Heart of Waverly BBQ

Meet up with other paddleboarders at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of July for demos, tours and relays. Call Paddle Lake Martin at 334-799-0529 to sign up or for more information.

Standard Deluxe will host this daylong event featuring good food and a five-band lineup that includes Futurebirds, Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory, BB Palmer, Nikki and the Phantom Callers and Brett McDaniel and the Fellers. Music plays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there will be barbecue and arts vendors all day. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Kids under age 14 get in free.

Visit standarddeluxe.com for details and ticket purchase.

July 30 Russell Marine Wakeboard/Wake Surf Clinic

Pull up the boat and park the car at the The Landing at Parker Creek for karaoke and occasional live music duos on Saturday nights. This open-pavilion dining destination is great casual fun at the lake any time. Karaoke starts at 6 p.m., but during the day, join in the volleyball and Jenga games while the kids play on the beach.

Summer Paddleboarding

Yoga on the Green

Start summer Saturdays through Sept. 29 with relaxing yoga stretches on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads at 7 a.m. Bring your mat and a bottle of water to this free event that is led by experienced instructors.

Free Driving and Docking Clinics

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit Kowaliga Marina for individualized, small group instruction from professional wakeboard riders and skiers, coaches and enthusiasts. Cost is $50 per person. To sign up, contact Scott Goslin at Russell Marine at 256-496-0713 or sgoslin@russelllands.com.

Boost your confidence and learn to safely and properly operate and dock your boat. Blue Creek Marina will host free clinics on Mondays all summer long with experienced captains who will offer instruction, demonstration and coaching. Registration is required, and clinics are held at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Space is limited so email j.shockley@singletonmarinegroup.com or call the marina at 256-825-8888 to reserve a spot, or send an email to m.bishop@singletonmarinegroup.com. Pontoon clinics

JULY 2018

LAKE 15

will be held July 7 and Aug. 6; sterndrive clinics are scheduled for July 16 and Aug. 13; and tow boat clinics will be held July 23 and Aug. 20.

Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Every Tuesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. until noon, hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced Alabama Nature Center naturalist by your side. Learn how to bird or identify plants and animals; splash through the creek; or catch insects in the meadow. General admission applies and is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family. The Alabama Nature Center is located at 3050 Lanark Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife. org for holiday closings.

Take the

​Alabama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature

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

Summer Reading at Dadeville Public Library

Electronics Recycling

n July 18 – Campfire Trail Hike – 9 a.m. – 1.8 miles – Meet at trail head in North Picnic. n July 25 – Campfire Trail Hike – 9 a.m. – 1.8 miles – Meet at trail head in North Picnic. n July 27 – Full Moon Night Hike – 8 p.m. – Campfire Trail – 1.8 miles – Meet at Pavilion No. 3 in North Picnic.

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and offers kid-friendly movies on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.

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

The City of Alexander City Public Works Department hosts an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Items accepted include computers, computer mouse, keyboards, modems or routers, CD and DVD players, power supplies, PC mix systems, home or cell phones, printers or copiers, mainframe servers, audio/ Challenge video adapters, laptop chargers, cable boxes, nickel cadmium or Wind Creek State Park schedules lithium ion batteries and flat100 Alabama Miles screen monitors and televisions.

CRT monitors and televisions hikes to promote active, are no longer accepted. For more healthy lifestyles information, call the Alexander City Public Works Department at n July 11 – Reunion Trail Hike (South) 256-409-2020.

– 9 a.m. – 1.8 miles – Meet at trail head near marina parking lot.

Sarah Carlisle Towery

Young readers will explore all things musical this summer as the Dadeville Public Library presents the summer reading program, Libraries Rock! Activities will include group games, musical crafts, art projects, science and engineering experiments and more. The program is open to children aged preschool through young adult and, along with regular programs, will include prize drawings, story times, a reading club and more. Families are invited to join the Read-to-Me portion of the program. Program events are held on Thursdays at 3 p.m. through July 19. For information, call the library at 256-825-7820 or visit www. dadevillepubliclibrary.com.

Children’s Library in Alexander City

Ladies’ Book Club

Art Colony Exhibit

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin exhibit is on display all year long at the Alexander City Board of Education building, located at 375 Lee St.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

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

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

These quilters meet the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City. Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

JULY 2018

Real Island Supper

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supEvery Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 7 p.m. per every third Friday of the month at the Real Island Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40, Volunteer Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 second place gets $25 and third place gets $15. Grab a Real Island Rd., Equality. Everyone is welcome. Admission group of friends and come out for a night of games. A is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share. Some nights bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 are themed, so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain p.m. Thursdays. types of food are in order. For more information, contact Clean Community Dianne Perrett at 256-329Partnership Cleanups 8724.

Summer Church at the Lake The third Saturday of each

Antique Car Cruise-in On the first Saturday of each month, car enthusiasts cruise into Arby’s parking lot on Highway 280 in Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join the fun and enjoy an era of classic cars and classic music.

Charity Bingo

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

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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

Church of the Living Waters Summer Services

Church of the Living Waters at StillWaters hosts guest preachers through Labor Day. Services begin at 9 a.m. Dress is casual. Come by car, bike, golf cart or boat. Address is 782 Lakeview Ridge, Dadeville. GPS coordinates are N 32 44.554, W 085 48.867. For the guest speaker schedule, visit the website at www.colw-sw.com.

Roman Catholic Worship at Church in the Pines

The parish at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church of Tallassee will hold confession at 5:30 p.m. and Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m. on Saturdays at Church in the Pines through Sept. 1. Confession also can be arranged by appointment. Call Fr. Matt Rudzik at 251-599-4597. For more information, email StVincent620@gmail.com or visit the website at stvincent-tallassee.org.

Church in the Pines

Church in the Pines at Kowaliga will host guest speakers at services held at 9 a.m. every Sunday through Sept. 9.

Episcopal Services at Church in the Pines

St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City will hold come-as-you-are casual Eucharist services at noon on the second and fourth Sundays of July and August.

month, volunteers throughout the community are encouraged to meet at Broad Street Plaza at 9 a.m. to pickup supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. For more information, contact Jacob Meacham at jacob.meacham@ alexandercitychamber.com.

Coffee & Connections

Every third Tuesday of the month, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event at 8 a.m. open to any chamber member.

Participants should meet at the TPI bullpen at the Lake Martin Innovation Center for coffee, a light breakfast and a chance to network with community members.

Music on the Deck at Kowaliga

On the first and third Sundays of the month, from now through August, Kowaliga Restaurant will offer live acoustic music on the deck from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For the artist lineup, visit kowaligarestaurant.com.

Wine Tasting

Music at Equality Performing Arts Center

The Equality Performing Arts Center hosts music and other events on the second and fourth Friday nights of each month at 6:30 p.m. on State Route 9 in Equality. Country/ Western, bluegrass, Southern gospel and instrumental music will be featured. For more information, contact Wayne Glenn at 334-541-3302.

Visit Catherine’s Market at Russell Crossroads every Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a $5 wine tasting. Purchase a bottle from that night’s selections for 15 percent off.

Friday on the Green

Start the weekend at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with great music, friends and family, lawn games and even the family dog (on a leash, please). Bring a cooler, a picnic, lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy this free weekly concert every Friday through Sept. 14. Visit the website at www.russellcrossroads.com for the schedule and links to the artists’ pages.

JULY 2018

LAKE 17

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JULY 2018

D I S C OV E R

I T TA K E S A V I L L AG E T O M A K E A H O M E

What makes kes a home in National Nationall Village Villlage so special is the sum Vil s of the parts of National Village. age. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand Gran National, the pool, the lake, the hiking trails, the dining, the friendship, and of course Auburn Football. Perhaps the saying is true, the whole is equal to the sum of its parts.

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JULY 2018

LAKE 19

Lake Martin News Auburn basketball coach hosts Willow Point golf event for Children's Harbor

For five years and counting, Auburn University Men’s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl has raised money for Children’s Harbor through his annual BP Fore the Children Charity Golf Tournament. The fifth – which was held recently at Willow Point Golf and Country Club – brought the donation total to nearly $1 million.

“There’s a chance that after today’s event, the five-year total will be at a million,” Pearl said.

“When Brandy (Pearl’s wife) and I first came to Auburn, we were looking for some charities and some things to do in the community. We heard Coach Bruce Pearl about Children’s Harbor welcomes golfers — kids, families, health to this year's tournament issues, thousands of kids and families every summer getting to go to camp. Then we met some of the campers, including some students at Auburn, and they were explaining that this was the best thing in their life, like period, and it was an absolute no brainer.

“So Alabama Power, Russell Lands and Alfa Insurance are our major sponsors (of the golf tournament) and really make it possible for us, along with all our players.”

There were 30 foursomes out on the course at Willow Point participating in the tournament, and Pearl said there were 10 foursomes on the waiting list.

Not only did Pearl take the time to address the crowd and get out on the course to interact with some of the golfers, he also spoke to the media and talked a little basketball.

The biggest question on most people’s minds during the offseason is the potential return of the Tigers’ big four contributors, Bryce Brown, Mustapha Heron, Jared Harper and Austin Wiley, who have all had contact with NBA teams.

Brown and Harper have both worked out for the Atlanta Hawks, while Mustapha Heron has either worked out or will work out with the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. Austin Wiley attended the NBA Combine.

But Pearl isn’t giving up hope that all four could return to Auburn.

“Everybody is asking a lot of questions in the springtime about how is recruiting going, and it’s almost more about retention than it is about recruiting,” Pearl said. “I 20 LAKE

think there’s a good chance they’re all going to consider coming back and they all could come back, but that’s been the case since the very beginning. I just feel as we get closer to the deadline and they gather more and more information, I think that chance improves.”

Pearl said a big part of his job is helping studentathletes get to the next level, so even though Auburn is dealing with some uncertainty now, he’s OK with how things are progressing during the offseason.

“Our mission is to get student-athletes from here to there,” Pearl said.

“My job is to get those guys their degrees and have an opportunity to play professional basketball. It’s been the case all spring long that you have to focus on the individual. It’s not time to worry about the team. It’s time to worry about them and what they’re doing and help them realize those individual goals.” ~ Lizi Arbogast

Burglaries down, Water Wars heating up at LMRA annual meeting

It was standing room only at Kowaliga Restaurant the morning of June 2 when Lake Martin Resource Association held its annual meeting.

“I guess we broke the code,” said LMRA President John Thompson. “We just needed to include breakfast to get a great turnout.”

Alabama Power Company Employees Credit Union and restaurant staff hosted an estimated 150 people for the event, which was held in the main dining room and featured lake burglary reports, a Water Wars update, marine patrol update and a rundown on the scope of events going on around the lake and in Alexander City this summer.

Russell Lands’ Chief of Security Mack Daugherty told the crowd that intense efforts to curb lake home burglaries are enjoying notable success, as this year has seen fewer incidents than previous years.

“This is one of the best years we’ve had. We’re seeing low numbers of burglaries,” Daugherty said.

He attributed that success not only to cooperation among local law enforcement agencies but also in proactive homeowners.

“We’ve seen the biggest impact from homeowners installing alarm systems and cameras – even wildlife cameras in the driveway help,” he said. “We had two burlgaries in the same neighborhood. One of the houses had an alarm. The other one did not.

JULY 2018

“The house with no alarm was robbed. They broke in, took the televisions, computers, all the usual stuff.

The house with the alarm was broken into, but nothing was missing. An alarm is the best $15 or $20 per month you’ll ever spend.”

LMRA Legal Counsel Steve Forehand offered a thorough, succinct summary of the current Water Wars litigation with Georgia and its potential impact on Lake Martin.

Independent of the recent relicensing process for Martin Dam, the Georgia lawsuit hinges on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigational flow requirements downstream of Lake Martin on the Alabama River and the Corps’ apparent disregard for legal limits and purposes for water usage from Georgia’s Lake Allatoona.

The Georgia lake is governed and regulated by an act of Congress that does not include drinking water provisions for the Atlanta metropolitan area.

COE activity has disregarded those limits without consideration for potential adverse effects on Alabama waterways.

Under the current COE water control manual, which was implemented in 2016, illegal retention of water on the Coosa River’s Lake Allatoona could place the burden of navigational flow in the Alabama River on the Tallapoosa basin, forcing withdrawals from Lake Martin to meet requirements.

“Nobody can say that Atlanta can’t have drinking water,” Forehand told LMRA members, “but they need to take measures so they are not negatively impacting downstream users.”

Briefs in the case have been filed, and the parties involved are waiting for the judge’s decision.

ALEA Marine Patrol Captain Gary Buchanan thanked LMRA for buoy assistance on the lake and confirmed that Lake Martin now has four officers operating in the area, up from one officer last year. LMRA purchases, deploys and maintains more than 400 hazard buoys to protect boaters and vessels from injury in shallow and dangerous areas on the lake.

Thompson also thanked community and LMRA volunteers for the overwhelming success of local cleanup programs, which have tremendous impact on the aesthetic and environmental stability of the lake.

Representatives from Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, Dixie Sailing Club, Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, MainStreet Alexander City and Russell Lands outlined a full summer calendar of activities, including this month’s 4th of July celebrations.

“There is a lot going on and a lot to do here, and there

is no reason to be bored in this community,” Thompson added as the meeting concluded. ~ Betsy Iler

Jenkie still leads after McFadden Cup

Despite very light wind conditions, four members of the Dixie Sailing Club took to the waters last month for the McFadden Cup Regatta, which featured two races.

Winning both races and capturing the trophy was former DSC Commodore Roger Smith and his wife, Sherry.

Earning second was Vice Commodore Scott Roberts, and following close behind was club treasurer Bobby Edmonds.

Competing in just his second race with DSC was Tony Berry.

Adding those four scores to the previous standings, Ron Jenkie remains at the top of the spring series racing standings with a total of 47 points, while Smith has moved into second with 40 points.

John Turner rounds out the top three with 36 points.

The Dixie Sailing Club welcomes experienced sailors, as well as beginners who want to learn more about sailing. For information about DSC, visit the website at www.dixiesailingclub.com or follow the Dixie Sailing Club Facebook page. ~ Staff Report

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JULY 2018

LAKE 23

Nibblers' Farewell Lake Martin's float-thru grill closes as owners retire and put the restaurant up for sale

S

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

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Something is missing from Lake Martin this summer.

Nibblers, the float-thru grill that for five years added a fun vibe to the food scene on the water and dockside, closed this spring and is for sale. Though the business was profitable and growing, owners Phyllis and Reay Culp said, it is time to retire and explore other journeys in life.

The seasonal drive-thru restaurant launched the summer of 2013 when the Culps acted on a running fishing joke they shared.

“We were fishing, and we were hungry, but we didn’t want to go in,” Phyllis Culp explained. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be so nice if we could just pull up somewhere and get something to eat without having to get out of the boat?’ We joked about it for a couple of years, and then one day, Reay said, ‘We should do that!’

“We have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, being a part of their 4th of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day events. This has been a very fruitful business, and by that, I don’t mean just monetarily. We served hundreds of people a day on holidays, and it was fruitful in the capacity of being able to be of service to our customers and to be a part of their plans for the day and very meaningful that people wanted to come and enjoy our food.”

A novelty restaurant, Nibblers made national headlines as one of the top 10 restaurants not accessible by land.

“There were a lot of articles written about us,” Culp said.

“When we began doing this, we didn’t realize what a novel idea it was. It has been one of life’s fascinating things for us, and we are honored to have been a part of it. We just want to thank all of our customers, and we want everyone

to know how much it meant to us to serve them.”

The business began as a drive-thru window service for the smoked and grilled meats, sandwiches, tacos and other entrées and side dishes on the menu. Later, the Culps added a personal watercraft delivery service for call-in orders. The Culps also catered special occasions and events dockside.

Nibblers became a part of life at Lake Martin. They kept in touch with customers via Facebook and posted their location, so people could find them easily on the water.

They even helped to put out a boat fire once.

“Reay is the fire chief for our neighborhood fire department, and when we saw this beautiful antique Reay and Phyllis wooden boat on fire at Culp bid farewell The Ridge, he didn’t hesito the float-thru tate. We had several fire grill business to extinguishers on board, enjoy retirement and some of the marina employees came running out with fire extinguishers, and we all put it out,” she said.

Culp retired from her fulltime teaching job at the end of the recent school year, and with Reay’s retirement also approaching, the couple said they have other priorities, including their three grandchildren and another on the way.

“It’s time to sell Nibblers, and we have some people interested.

We hope it will stay at Lake Martin. We can’t thank Lake Martin enough for all the support – all of our customers and our friends on the wet slips at The Ridge Marina and a special thank you to Jeff Ellis and his entire crew at The Ridge. It was great to work with everyone.

There are so many beautiful people here, and we have loved being part of it all.”

Anyone who is interested in purchasing the float-thru grill can contact the Culps through the Nibblers Facebook page.

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JULY 2018

LAKE 25

Fishermen often plant catalpa trees on the banks of creeks because the worms are a favorite fish food

Southern

Catalpa Tree NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

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JULY 2018

T

The Southern Catalpa tree is an icon of the Deep South.

And if you’re standing on the shores of Lake Martin, you’re right in the middle of its home range.

It is a beautiful, extremely useful tree; one you need to know about if you’re going to claim Deep South roots with a straight face.

Catalpa bignonioides is a medium-sized tree native to a rather small region of the Southeastern United States, an area that includes central and southern Alabama, western Georgia, parts of the Florida panhandle and parts of eastern Mississippi. This tree is also known as a cigar tree, lady cigar, bean tree or Indian bean tree because of its long, thin seed pods. The word “Catalpa” comes from the Cherokee name for this tree. It is sometimes spelled Catawba.

This tree is also referred to as a fisherman’s tree, fish bait tree, caterpillar tree or worm tree because at certain times of the year, it is host to hoards of catalpa sphinx caterpillars called “Catalpa or Catawba worms” that are highly prized for fishing.

The “worms” are solid black with white and yellow markings on their sides, and sometimes on their backs, and large, thick, clingy yellow feet.

A large black upraised spike is located on the caterpillar’s tail. When one of these caterpillars is squeezed or hooked, a green goo emerges from its body. Both kids and fish find this fascinating.

Savvy fishermen watch The beautiful bell-shaped catalpa trees, and when flowers bloom in late the leaves start looking spring or early summer ragged, they know its time to go collect the catalpa worms and freeze them for their next fishing trips.

Since this tree is often found on creek banks anyway, fishermen sometimes plant them on the edges of ponds so falling caterpillars will attract hungry fish and create a natural fishing honey hole.

These worms can strip a catalpa tree of its leaves in a matter of days, but the leaves will grow back without damaging the tree. Sometimes it can happen multiple times during a summer as successive generations of Catalpa Sphinx Moths lay their eggs on the trees.

Southern Catalpa generally reaches a mature height of 30-40 feet but in optimal conditions can grow much taller.

Its shape is irregular, and its branches can stretch out as wide as 40 feet, but less is more common. The largest known Southern Catalpa is an 88-footer from Mississippi that is on the National Registry of Big Trees.

This is a deciduous tree (meaning it loses its leaves in fall) with up to 10-inch-long, light green, heart-shaped leaves.

Catalpa leaves have several unusual characteristics. One is that they smell faintly rank when crushed. A related tree, the Northern Catalpa, looks very similar, but its leaves do not smell bad when crushed. A second unusual trait is that the

trees produce copious amounts of nectar, which is released as the Catalpa worms munch away.

Southern Catalpa flowers are stunning, white bell shapes with magenta and yellow markings in their throats. They look very orchid-like, and in contrast to the leaves, they smell nice, too. The flowers reach about an inch and a half across and grow in clusters on upright panicles (flowered stems) in a loose pyramid shape. These are perfect flowers, meaning they have both male and female parts, with five lobes.

Blossoms don’t last long when they bloom in late spring or early summer, but they are beautiful while they last.

The bark of a young Southern Catalpa is thin and a bit fragile, but as the tree grows, its bark becomes thickly fissured with reddish-brown scales. The wood from the Southern Catalpa is used for construction and finish work, and its durability in contact with the soil makes it a good choice for fence posts and rails. It burns well, too, and is sometimes used as fuel.

The roots of this tree are highly poisonous.

Long, thin seedpods grow in the summer and turn brown and split open lengthwise in the late winter and early spring months, spreading the tree’s seeds. The “cigars” are abundant ... and not pleasant to smoke.

Native Americans and pioneers used many parts of this tree medicinally.

Catalpa bark was used to make an antiseptic tea, which was used as a snakebite antidote as well as in treating breathing problems. Flowers and seedpods have been used to make a light sedative, and leaves have been used as makeshift wound bindings.

Southern Catalpa is planted as an ornamental tree and is sometimes included in urban landscaped lawns for shade and for its showy spring flowers. Downsides to landscaping with this tree is that it can be considered invasive in some circumstances, and it litters the lawn with flowers in the spring, leaves in the fall and seed pods in the winter. When planting, it prefers moist, deep, well-drained soil, but this is an adaptable tree that can weather droughts and can handle partial shade as well as full sun. It’s best to plant it in an open field away from buildings, fences, septic systems and other structures that could be damaged as it grows.

The Southern Catalpa has played an important role in the lives of Southerners for generations, and if you like traditional plants, it may be make a good addition to your garden.

Some information for this article came from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center; the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and dengarden.com.

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LAKE 27

Seedpods can grow longer than 10 inches

Catalpa sphinx caterpillars can strip a tree of leaves in just a few days without damaging the tree

28 LAKE

JULY 2018

JULY 2018

LAKE 29

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Water-U-Waiting For? A new business idea for Lake Martin SPECIAL FROM LUKE ROBINSON ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY KING

I

am going to need y’all to bear with me for a moment while I hash out an idea – a multi-million dollar idea, if we play our cards right.

I am sure you have heard of pseudo-taxi services like Uber or Lyft, right? Sure you have, and you’ve probably used them, too. If you haven’t, you should. They are awesome. These ride services provide quick, efficient and clean transportation without the, “why is everything in here sticky?” questions that come to mind when you’ve climbed into some cabs.

The Lake Martin area doesn’t have Uber or Lyft as of this publication (and probably won’t awhile after this publication). That’s no problem though; we are a small and friendly community where we can still hitch rides with our buddies for free.

We may not need a car service like those giant companies offer.

But what about a boatsharing service? Like Uber but on water.

Think about it: Traditionally, when you take your friends or family out on the lake, they get to spend their lake-time conversing or tubing or sunbathing or just overall frolicking. Meanwhile, there you are, driving the boat like a sucker. Being all alert, cautious and sober. Bo-ring!

But what if someone else was driving the boat? What if you got to converse? What if you got to be slung 16 feet in the air when the tube hits the right wave? What if you got to enjoy a sip (or 10) of that special-anniversary boxed wine without having to look out for the lurking water patrol boat?

That’s where “Water-U-Waiting-For” Boat Services

comes into play.

Just like Uber or Lyft, you would be able to tap an app, call your ride and glide across Lake Martin without worry while someone else navigates the vessel. Let that guy worry about crowded boat slips, which in the summertime have less parking than Midnight Star’s dance floor. It’s also now his problem if someone forgets to put that bumper out, and believe you me, that lil’ perk cannot be understated.

All you have to do is command the driver to stop by Chuck’s Marina to grab a to-go pizza or head to Kowaliga for a Styrofoam plate of fried squealers. Just be sure to pack that pitcher of sangria and a couple of extra hard lemonades because you are about to float your cares away well into the evening while some happyto-oblige driver stays sober and doesn’t get you lost.

Is this service going to be expensive?

Probably, but it could strategically be priced just cheaper than the cost of fighting a BUI. Heck, with this new service, you really don’t even need to buy a boat. That’s a monstrous savings alone right there!

The name of my idea needs work though, doesn’t it?

“Bouyant This Nice?” “Drift, Wood-ya?” “Wake Bored?”

“Luke’s Floaters?”

Look, the name’s not important right now. It’s the concept that will make us more money than Nick Saban’s swear jar.

So ... Who’s in? All I ask for is a fair share of company profits with absolutely no risk.

JULY 2018

LAKE 31

The best 4th of July spectacular in the South is at Lake Martin STORY BY BETSY ILER

The annual 4th of July Boat Parade is a favorite event to watch from the banks and on the water

32 LAKE

JULY 2018

BOATS AND BOOM

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LAKE 33

P

Parades, food, fireworks and fun are in store for lake goers this year, starting with a free concert on the field in Alexander City and rolling into street and boat parades, barbecues, fireworks and arts events, including the 40th Annual Russell Marine Boat Parade and 4th of the July Blast at Kowaliga.

Nationally known Christian praise band, Finding Favour, will headline the annual Alexander City Celebrate Freedom event on the Benjamin Russell High School lawn July 3. Finding Favor has toured recently with Toby Mac and is a popular group on Christian radio. Local worship band 49 North and former BRHS student Vy Moon will open the event with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. Concessions will be available. No coolers allowed.

On July 4, head to Olana Drive at the north end of Ponder Camp Road in Dadeville for the annual Blue Creek Fourth of July Parade. The lineup begins at 10 a.m., and at 11 a.m., entrants will parade to Niffer’s. Line up along the parade route to catch candy and trinkets. For questions or to take part in this year’s event, call Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

On the west side of the lake, Russell Marine will present its annual boat parade at Kowaliga at 10 a.m. Decorated boats will process from Kowaliga Marina to the Children’s Harbor lighthouse and back to win gift certificates for the tallest flag, largest flag, most creative theme, most patriotic crew and overall best boat and crew.

There is no fee to enter the boat parade, but all entrants must register at Kowaliga Marina prior to the event.

Spectators line the banks or anchor just off the route to cheer on their favorite entries.

Take to the lake with family and friends in the afternoon.

There’s sure to be a party atmosphere at Chimney Rock where rafting up and flinking (floating and drinking) while away the day. Take a picnic along – barbecue, baked beans and coleslaw taste their very best on July 4.

But be sure to head to the Lake Martin Amphitheater The 4th of July Blast draws a crowd at 5 p.m. for the annual 4th of July Blast. Bring chairs, coolers, blankets and friends and stake out a spot on the grass for the festivities, including twist and hula-hoop contests.

The Bank Walkers will open the stage show, followed by headliner Grains of Sand, with the best fireworks show in the Southeast at 9 p.m. And the band will return with more music after the fireworks.

The seven-piece Grains of Sand have more than a half century of combined playing experience with artists that include Marvin Gaye, The Platters, Jerry Butler, The Marvelettes, Patti Labelle and more.

Big Kowaliga Creek fills with boats for viewing the fireworks from the water, but the hillside at The AMP affords spectators the best seats for the ground show, as well.

Even then, the show’s not over. Stick around for the weekend when the Arti Gras art show takes center stage on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. This juried show includes the works of artists from across the Southeast.

Paintings, jewelry, photography, sculptures and décor will be featured. Tour the show and find a few pieces to buy from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Finding Favor will headline at the Celebrate Freedom event in Alexander City Spend July 4 at Lake Martin this year, and you’ll be back every year after.

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JULY 2018

Russell Lands On Lake Martin is a breathtaking lake community with 25,000 acres of forest set among Lake Martin’s 40,000 plus acres of pristine water and nearly 900 miles of shoreline. The largest premier neighborhood at Russell Lands On Lake Martin is The Ridge, where ownership comes with an array of extras including The Ridge Club, a 10-acre recreation complex; miles of hiking and walking trails, as well as nature and waterfront parks; and a state-of-the-art Ridge Marina—all designed to connect you with family, friends, nature, and always, the lake.

JULY 2018

LAKE 35

A crowd gathered at The AMP to hear Taylor Hicks

36 LAKE

JULY 2018

JAZZ FEST

A

PHOTOS BY MITCH SNEED AND CLIFF WILLIAMS

American Idol star Taylor Hicks closed this year's Jazz Fest at Lake Martin Amphitheater on June 9.

The high-energy show at Strand Park in Alexander City and at The AMP featured six bands playing to full-house crowds both Friday and Saturday. Jazz Fest was the musical finale to the weeklong Sun Festival series of 60-plus activities and events in the area.

New Devils, Jon Cleary and Hollis Brown lit up Strand Park on Friday night, and Saturday featured Yonrico Scott, Roman Street and Hicks at The AMP. “I would say it was a great success,” said Russell Lands Events Coordinator and Jazz Fest Committee member Robert Gunn.

“Friday and Saturday were both very well attended. People came out in numbers. Everything was great, and everyone seemd to be having a good time.”

“We heard nothing but positive comments,” said Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ed Collari. “We can't thank our sponsors and the community enough for supporting this. This year was hugely successful.”

JULY 2018

LAKE 37

Marty and Derra Sims celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at Jazz Fest, the event at which they were married in 1993

Hollis Brown

38 LAKE

JULY 2018

Josh Thompson of Roman Street

Cornell Williams with the Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Joseph Morris with Roman Street

This year's event attracted large crowds at both locations

JULY 2018

LAKE 39

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LAKE 41

Lake Martin Slalom Championship STORY BY LIZI ARBOGAST & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

42 LAKE

JULY 2018

MAKING THE CUT

Peyton Phillips throws up a wall of water as he cuts from buoy to buoy

JULY 2018

LAKE 43

W

When Kate White was just 7 years old, she began her water ski slalom tournament career right here on Lake Martin. She won first place in the lake’s championship and was hooked.

Fast forward eight years, and White’s journey has come full circle, as she returned to Lake Martin last month as an instructor at that very same slalom championship.

“Russell Marine has sponsored me and helped me out a lot with slalom,” White said. “They were telling me about this clinic, which I first started at many years ago, so of course I said, ‘Yes, I will come help out with this.’”

White and Peyton Phillips, who grew up on Lake Martin and now competes for the University of Alabama, conducted a clinic on the afternoon of June 15; and then, their students competed in the tournament championship the following morning near Kowaliga.

“It’s very fun,” White said. “And it helps younger kids that haven’t had tournament experience and that stress.

It helps them not be stressed. They can come out here and get used to the tournament environment, but they get to have fun and have a stress-free day while they’re at it.”

More than 15 skiers of all different ages came from around the state to participate in the weekend clinic and tournament.

“We had people from all walks of life and all ages, Phillips keeps his center and everybody of gravity low to better had a blast,” River control the ski North Marina Manager Doug Hamrick said.

“From a Russell Lands standpoint, we’re always doing something to promote Lake Martin, and this brings people out to the lake. There were several boats out here watching this morning, so it was good to see the interest.”

Awards were given in four different categories.

Kate White pulls against the boat to round a buoy, just as she did in this same tourament at age 7

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Event winners included Sawyer Davis, Barb Kazmierczak, Emma Nikolic, Igor Nikolic, Robert Bice, Tim White, Jakob White, Hayes McKel and Harrison McKell

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White returned to the clinic and championship this year to teach slalom to young skiers

Winning the girls’ race was Emma Nikolic, and Jake White took first in the boys’ race. Barb Kazmierczak won the women’s event, and Tim White captured the title in the men’s event.

But more important than the tournament itself was Phillips’ and White’s teaching of water ski slalom to the youngsters.

“I love teaching kids,” Phillips said. “They’re willing to listen, and they want to put it in practice. The smile on their faces whenever they figure it out and get a (personal best), that’s my favorite part.”

White said, “It’s very important to me because you want to see the sport grow, and these kids are the ones that are going to do it. When you’re coaching them and helping them and seeing them have so much fun, it means so much to you because you’re like, ‘That was me when I was younger.’ Seeing them enjoy it means everything.”

Although water ski slalom comes with its challenges and dangers, White knows how to work well with the youngsters, being that she was once in their shoes.

“Sometimes they do get scared, but you just have to comfort them, and usually they’re right up and back to normal,” she said. “I’ve been through it, so I know what to say. If you have the right teacher and the right boat driver, you’re up. There are small, little things getting through the course that can be difficult when you’re getting started, but once you get the hang of it, you’re just going.”

Hanging on by his knuckles, Phillips commits to the turn

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Central To You, Central To Your Success.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: Several years ago, my wife and I attended a great party and fund-raising event for Children’s Harbor at the home of Duane and Amy Donner.

While there, one of the Children’s Harbor staff asked the guests to volunteer to provide boat rides and tubing to the campers and their families. There is a new group of campers, supported by amazing counselors and volunteers, almost every weekend. We are all so fortunate to have homes or cabins on this beautiful lake that we sometimes forget that others are not as blessed.

One of my favorite days on the lake is to take our boat to the Children’s Harbor boat dock and pick up families with kids who have serious chronic health or developmental problems. The kids jump for joy when asked if they would like to drive the boat. All you hear for a few minutes is “me,” “me,” me first!” Their parents can relax, enjoy the ride and share the experience away from their daily grind.

Last weekend (June 9), after about six kids had driven – all wanting to go fast – a beautiful blond girl shyly walked up and said, “My name is Claire, and I am 6. Can I drove the boat, too?”

I considered giving her the boat.

So if you really want to enjoy a great trip to Lake Martin, you may want to consider taking your boat and your love to Children’s Harbor and share the happy times with the kids and their families. It is a great experience!

See you there!

Stan and Patsy Graves

Central Alabama Community College www.cacc.edu Now Offering Classes in Millbrook Alexander City Campus 256.234.6346 1675 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 Childersburg Campus 256.378.5576 34091 U.S. Highway 280 Childersburg, AL 35044 Talladega Center 256.480.2066 1009 South St. East Talladega, AL 35160 CentralAlabama1

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Hotel Burell

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The custom walnut dining table features an inlaid herringbone pattern in cherry

A family getaway sleeps 32 people in comfort and style STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

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Cindy Burell has deep roots on Lake Martin’s Madwin Creek in Jacksons Gap. She grew up coming to her family’s rented cabin, playing with her cousins, camping out when the cabin sleeping spaces were full, swimming and bathing in the lake. Making memories continued for her children when her parents bought a home – still on Madwin but a few sloughs away from the original cabin. In 2001, Burell and her husband Dennis jumped at the opportunity to buy the house right next door to her parents’ lake home.

“My memories of the lake are of everybody being there together and always having fun. I wanted my grandkids to have that, too, in the area we call a hidden treasure on the lake,” Burell said.

Several years later, the Birmingham couple decided to build a lake house that could accommodate visits from their seven grown children, their children’s spouses and their nine grandchildren. Burell said they did not want to miss a summer at the lake during the building process, so they felt lucky to find Roger Self with NJT Construction in Birmingham who could demolish the old house right after Labor Day and be ready for the family to move into the new house right before Memorial Day in 2014.

With the help of her son, Birmingham architect Tyler Johnson, Burell used her knowledge from years of visiting the lake and making do with limited space to design a 10-bedroom home to sleep 32 people. Family and friends jokingly dubbed the 6,000-square foot house “Hotel Burell.”

“I grew up coming to our small cabin. Life there was always easy, and I didn’t want this bigger house to be any different.

We went for open, lots of character, lots of light and stress-

free,” Burell said.

She set the tone from the very beginning with a stone walk that leads guests through landscaped beds to the front door.

Johnson designed the entryway so guests would face a shiplap wall in the foyer and anticipate the view of the lake just around the corner through the two-story windows. A half-bath features a white marble countertop, a seafoam green glass sink and the same soft color on the walls.

The Burells selected dark stained hand-scraped hardwood floors for all of the living areas. The walls are sheetrock, painted a creamy white, with whitewashed shiplap strategically placed on two walls to camouflage shiplap doors and on another wall to balance a stacked-stone fireplace. A 26-foot long stone hearth provides a great casual seating area, as well as a place for memorabilia, pillows and lake décor.

Self-supporting Western Red cedar beams stained in walnut Dining area fixtures reflect the home's open style

The dimensional backsplash adds a touch of drama to the décor

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The home's proximity to the water affords intimate lake views

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In the master suite, luxury and privacy await

A screened porch offers space for quiet conversation

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span the 28-foot vaulted ceiling in the main living space. Designer Melinda Hedrick helped the couple with flooring, lighting fixtures and other décor decisions. Upstairs, a loft overlooks the living area and provides space for a game table and an additional sitting area.

The dining table, which comfortably seats 16, was designed by Johnson and Blake Burell, a designer in Nashville, and custom built with a walnut top and an inlaid cherry herringbone pattern down its length. Cubbies and electrical outlets are hidden beneath the table’s edge directly in front of each chair to allow quick and efficient storage of electronic games or computers when the table is needed for dining or other activities. The light fixtures, each 4 feet long with four large Edison bulbs, hang on heavy chains attached to an overhead beam.

The kitchen was designed to accommodate Burell’s need for a cooking area that was separate from a space in which to prepare drinks and coffee. To that end, the home includes two refrigerators – one for the Burells and one in which guests could bring and store food. There are two dishwashers to accommodate a crowd, and there are two sinks.

The large island offers cabinet storage and an area for family and friends to congregate as well. A table with four chairs and banquette seating for the grandchildren to sit all together on one bench were essential for gathering in the kitchen.

The gray painted kitchen cabinets complement darker gray quartz countertops and wavy glass tiles in blue and gray in the backsplash.

For the island, the couple selected a single slab of granite with blue, gray and brown veins that reminded them of a map of Lake Martin.

Also on the main level, the large laundry room includes a wall of shelves for the extra groceries and supplies that guests might bring.

The homeowners added an industrial icemaker in the garage, as well as stairs leading to a basement storm shelter.

The master bedroom on the main level has access to a screened porch that connects to the covered porch on the lake side of the home.

Accent wall finishes help to conceal this door that leads to a guest wing

The Burells' spacious kitchen includes plenty of room for casual dining and multiple cooks

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A ship's ladder and nautical linens lend a sense of adventure to the boys' bunkroom

Burell used frosted glass in French doors for the entrance from the bedroom to the bath to create a spa-feel. Carrera marble, glass tile inserts and a window in the shower exemplify the clean, fresh environment she wanted for the master suite.

The shiplap wall off to the side in the living area camouflages a door into another wing of the home. The wing has two bedrooms and a bunkroom and can be opened up when there are guests in the house. Cabinets are built into the bedrooms, as are eight built-in beds with ship’s ladder access to the top bunks. One bath in each wing is reserved for the adults.

Another bath accommodates the children and is outfitted with a chalkboard towel rack, so each grandchild can write his or her name over the appropriate towel peg.

The entire downstairs hidden wing is exactly mirrored upstairs. The same whitewashed shiplap hides the door, concealing two bedrooms, two baths and a bunkroom for eight.

While blue linens are used in the downstairs bunkroom for boys, the upstairs bunk linens are pastel for the girls. Across from each bunkroom is a large toy closet.

The Burells have three additional bedrooms upstairs, one of which is a second master suite. Over the garage, Dennis has designated an area in which no unaccompanied grandchildren are allowed. Here, he can relax in comfortable furniture, watch television and shoot pool.

The backyard and lake are straight out the back door, and Burell has thought of everything her guests might need going out or coming in; even towels in a basket near the door are rolled and ready for the next swimmer. Hooks just outside are ready to hang wet towels.

The back porch is constructed with a recycled product to prevent splinters on young children’s tender feet, and a high tongue-and-groove ceiling shades family gatherings. Because the ceiling is too high for fans, Hendrick found oscillating fans mounted on the walls over the sconces. Sidewalks lead to 58 LAKE

Dark industrial light fixtures contrast with whitewashed walls

double docks, a gazebo and a patio with a fireplace, a grill and seating situated at the edge of the seawall.

The Burells’ view reminds Burell of her own joyous sunkissed childhood on Lake Martin. With the building of their new home, this couple is providing a place for new memories to be made on Madwin Creek.

JULY 2018

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LAKE 61

CAST Striper Amputees tackle unique challenges on guided fishing tour

David Hare took a group of CAST amputees striper fishing on Lake Martin

STORY & PHOTOS BY AMY PASSARETTI

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Patty Bowers caught her first fish ever when she reeled in the initial striper bass of the day during a fishing tour on Lake Martin. A member of the Christian Amputee Support Team and being one limb short did not stop Bowers from fighting that 8-pound striper out of the water.

“He was super strong, and I didn’t expect that. It was definitely more fun than I thought it would be though,” said Bowers, a first-time Lake Martin visitor, as well.

Alex City Guide Service owner David Hare introduced the group of amputees to the world of fishing last month. Despite on and off rain, water collecting in their prostheses and soaking wet clothing, the members of CAST enjoyed a day of angling lessons, an opportunity to try something new and a whole lot of laughs.

Hare’s brother Matt is an amputee and part of CAST, which is how the experience came about for the group.

“Our goal is to get amputees out and about and for them to become more active. This opportunity was a good fit for our group,” said Woody

Thornton, founder of CAST. John Holmes also caught his first striper bass on the trip when he reeled in the 14-pounder.

“They do fight a lot harder than I expected, but this is the biggest fish I have ever caught. David showed me a whole new side of Lake Martin – the fishing part – and it just might take hold,” said Holmes, who is from Auburn.

The only other fish caught that day was by Thornton’s son, 16 year-old Noah. The radar screen used by Hare seemed to show an abundance of potential, but the fish just didn’t seem to be biting that day.

“Right before a front with overcast weather John Holmes eagerly learns should be the best time for technique from Hare fishing,” Hare said. “We saw a lot of fish pass by the boat. We should have had about 10 or 12.”

The trip lasted about six hours, which is average for any of Hare’s tours.

The group traveled to at least three remote locations where Hare circled the boat and used a remote control to hunt fish with his radar system.

Hare explained that stripers tend to bite com-

Patty Bowers caught her first-ever fish on her first-ever trip to the lake

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Matt Hare, John Holmes, Patty Bowers, Woody Thornton and Noah Thornton show off their catches of the day

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ing up from underneath, so most of the eight 7-1/2-foot Ugly Stiks he had set out were free range with no weights attached. Eventually, he added weight to two of them to adapt to the changing depth and elevation of the lake’s terrain.

“Early in the morning, the stripers are closer to the top, but as the day progresses, they get a little deeper,” said Hare.

Planer boards attached to the 20- and 15-pound fishing lines were used as the indicators of an interested catch. If one moved, there was probably a fish on the line.

Hare said he is on the lake about 300 days out of the year, and this is his ninth year working as a fishing guide full time, but 35th year in total.

“I try to take out various nonprofit groups like this about three or four times a year,” said Hare, who became an avid fisherman due to his parents’ passion for the sport.

CAST attempts to participate in outings as a group a few times each year, and Thornton said it’s a good support system for members.

The group meets at CAST Life Center, a 24-acre property off Highway 50 near Martin Dam, for monthly meetings that include a potluck dinner and an activity or topic to discuss. Family members also are encouraged to attend.

“It’s not necessarily about always needing support but to remember what you can offer to others,” Thornton said.

When he lost both legs in 1989 as a student at Auburn University, he spent almost a month recovering in Ohio, where he had an elective revision surgery. Thornton bonded with another CAST support group and discovered it was his calling to start a group back home.

Thornton and other CAST members travel to Mt. Sterling, Ohio, at least once a year for amputee water skiing with the sister branch of the organization.

Amputees may join the group at different stages of their lives, including before a known surgery to hear about the experience. Some people are recommended to the group through doctors and physical therapists, while many just strike up a conversation with Thornton on a normal run-in at the store.

“Sometimes, just walking into someone’s hospital room is enough for them to see what it is to come out on the other LAKE 65

CAST Life Center has a beautiful chapel on site with the pond in the background

CAST gathers on 24-acres of land off Highway 50 for monthly meetings and entertainment

EX

side,” said Thornton, who stays positive and encouraging for himself and his team.

The CAST Life Center has all the amenities necessary for a working camp and fellowship center. There are 50 beds in total; four cabins and a lodge; a barbecue pit; a pond for fishing and kayaking; and a big industrial kitchen and dining hall. Thornton said he has added a covered pavilion, and there also is an intimate outdoor chapel on site.

While he said the process of renovations has been a slow one, the space is usable and offers an opportunity for CAST to gather for support. His future goal is to pave over the current softball field with material that’s compatible with wheelchair sports.

Thornton and his fellow amputees gain confidence and thrive while knowing they are not alone. These days, with the current technology available, amputees have the capability of doing nearly everything that anyone with all of their limbs could do, including drive cars.

Through CAST’s LIMP program, members encourage one another to “live intentionally, motivating people.”

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Ice Cream Float

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

O Town Ice Cream will launch a new location at Lake Martin during the July 4 holiday with eight lake-themed frozen treats, including Chuck's Marina Chip, Kowaliga Cotton Candy, Bama Park Banana and Chimney Rock Cheesecake. The bright green ice cream boat will serve hand-dipped flavors with fresh waffle cones, as well as floats, and will post its location online.

“Every Friday, we’ll come out with new flavors for the lake,” explained co-owner Angela George. “This is the real thing – hand-dipped ice cream.”

The float boat is based in Blue Creek and will operate in the Chimney Rock area from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day. “The waffle cones are made fresh daily, and we will stock the boat, but once they’re gone for the day, they’re gone,” George said.

The floating ice cream parlor is owned by George and her husband Chris, along with Chris Niswender of Auburn.

A brainstorming session for new ice cream names was the inspiration for the new business, which is an extension of the George’s brick-and-mortar O Town Ice Cream parlor in Opelika.

The O Town float boat also can be booked for private parties, special occasions and lake events. Check the company’s Facebook page for more information.

Kaylynne Sealy serves a cone of Chuck's Marina Chip

Chris and Angela George will open the O Town Ice Cream float boat on Lake Martin this month

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Lake Q&A:

Chris Goodman

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Chris Goodman, 36, is the new Tallapoosa River manager at Alabama Power Company. He started his new job on Monday, June 18, and we at Lake magazine sat down to get to know him and to officially introduce Chris to the Lake Martin community.

Welcome to Lake Martin! You started your new job as Tallapoosa River manager at Alabama Power Company the end of last month. What does a river manager do?

I am responsible for the dams on the river, their safe operation and reliability, from Harris down to Thurlow, so that includes Harris, Lake Martin, Yates, Thurlow and the Ft. Rucker solar site, which is a 10-megawatt solar plant on the Army base that can power approximately 2,500 homes.

I manage the staff at those sites, though there is no staff at Ft. Rucker, to make sure that the dams are operated properly and are well maintained and the gates operate properly.

It’s pretty amazing, working at a job that provides a product (electricity), recreation, flood control, wildlife management and so much more to our state.

places – Colorado is one of my favorite. There’s a great race in Guntersville next month. I like getting outdoors, and I like the competitive side of it.

How do you train for an event like that?

It’s not much, really. Run a couple times a week; bike; swim in the summer. I would say about three hours of training in a week. I’ve had to scale back some in the kid-raising days, but I’m hoping to do more of it again.

What other hobbies do you have?

I like bird hunting, especially turkey hunting.

Tell us about your family.

My wife, Mandi, and I met in college. We’ve been married 10 years, and we have four children. Our son is the oldest. He’s 6, and we have three girls ages 4, 3 and 1. We are living in Birmingham now, but we will be moving closer to the area. Obviously, Lake Martin will be a big part of my job, so we wouldn’t want to be too far away, maybe Auburn.

What kind of education do you need for a job like that?

I majored in chemical engineering at University of South Alabama. You learn the fundamentals of engineering and apply those across the board. Chemical engineering is about fluid dynamics and flow, and water is what the job is really all about.

My first year out of school, I was with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management in water quality. When you look at the state seal, you see that the rivers are marked in it. We are blessed with great water resources in our state. I developed a love for that when I was with ADEM, and that has stayed with me.

How involved in the lake community do you expect to be?

Alabama Power likes for us to be engaged in the communities, good citizens of the areas where we serve, but that’s something I would just do anyway. Since my first year out of college with ADEM, I’ve been interested in water quality, and I will continue with that. So I will be engaged with the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership, Alabama Water Watch, Renew Our Rivers and other organizations that have an impact on water quality. I look forward to plugging into all of the communities along the river and getting to know the people.

How did that bring you to this position with Alabama Power Company?

When I went to work at Alabama Power, I came in primarily supporting the fossil side of the business – coal and natural gas. When I had the opportunity to support hydro I really enjoyed it because I had this love for water. When this position came open, I jumped at it.

You sound like a very busy, active person. What do you do to relax?

Run, ride my bike. I like to play with my kids – throw a ball with my son; have tea parties with my girls; take my wife out for a nice dinner.

Were you already familiar with Lake Martin?

I grew up in Birmingham and came to the lake with friends and relatives growing up. And of course, Lake Martin is a priority with ADEM, so I became more familiar with the area then.

What do you like to do at the lake?

I like to canoe and go bass fishing; they put up a lot of fight. I am having fun teaching my 6-year-old to fish. The kids like to swim, and we are working on teaching them that. My wife, Mandi, is a pretty good wakeboarder. I grew up doing some of that, too.

What other sports are you involved with?

I am an endurance athlete, so I like triathlons, bike rides, long-distance running, swimming. I was a soccer player in school and a cross-country runner, so I had to run a lot.

Out of school, I kept running. I love the atmosphere at the events; there’s a lot of energy. My wife does triathlons, too.

It’s a destination sport, and I’ve been to some beautiful

What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

My wife said to me, “You’re genuine.” That means a lot to me, and I try to keep moving up to being the kind of man she deserves.

If you could have dinner with any three people from any time period, who would they be and why?

My grandfather – he was a big influence in my life.

The apostle Paul – my faith is very important to me. I think it would be a meaningful discussion.

Bo Jackson – he’s kind of an icon of mine.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who offered it?

My grandfather on my dad’s side. At a young age, you could sit down with him, and he would give you his full attention and make you feel special. For a young kid, that gives you confidence. That stuck with me. I love kids, I love coaching them in soccer and giving them that full attention.

I just strive to give people that attention like he did for me.

It left a mark on me, a good one.

JULY 2018

LAKE 73

FABULOUS FINDS

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Basement walks out to an awesome screenporch. Tons of entertaining space!

RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Amanda Scroggins 256-749-6634 www.amandascroggins.com

1A Kowaliga Bay Parkway, Tallassee ∙ $158,000 The first of its kind on Lake Martin! These tiny homes have been designed for Lake Martin's newest development, Village at Kowaliga Bay. The outside of these homes will feature hardy siding, open eaves, and large covered porches. Inside will boast stained concrete floors, stainless appliances, granite counter tops, upgraded LED lighting and much more! The amenities will include a common waterfront boat ramp, boat storage, garbage facility, clubhouse with kitchen, fitness facility, zero entry pool with bathrooms, fireplace and covered porch, common fire pit areas, water access, common docks, HOA maintained neighborhood.

Three Sixty Resort Living at Lake Martin 256.827.LAKE www.concepttoclosing.com

58 Village Key, Dadeville ∙ $675,000 Unique lake living at its finest. Enjoy 360 degrees of lake views from this home situated on the Village Key, an Island that sits just west of The Village. A beautiful blend of modern elegance and trusty style make this a truly spectacular home! The interior will boast wood floors and concrete, wood wall accents, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Outside will feature wood decking with Cale railing, Hardie siding with stone accents and dark bronze Pella windows.

Comes complete with assigned boat slip and all Village amenities.

Three Sixty Resort Living at Lake Martin 256.827.LAKE www.concepttoclosing.com

78S Cardinal Heights, Dadeville ∙ $799,900 Newly constructed 4 bedroom, 4 1/2 bathroom home tucked away in a cul de sac located inside the gates of StillWaters Resort. This gorgeous home offers a private setting with a breathtaking view of Lake Martin.

If you're looking for upscale, don't miss this home! The Main floor offers views from the Master, living, dining and kitchen areas. Gorgeous hardwood and tile are featured on the main level! The terrace level has second living area that walks out on to the covered patio. This home includes seawall and garage PLUS a $10,000 dock allowance!

Three Sixty Resort Living at Lake Martin 256.827.LAKE www.concepttoclosing.com

458 Paces Way, Dadeville ∙ $550,000 This gorgeous new home has a fabulous floor plan that encompasses four spacious bedrooms with three full and one half bath. The floor plan flows with a sleek, modern kitchen into the dining room and extends onto the back porch where you will be amazed by the most breathtaking lake views you've ever seen! The interior features a vaulted ceiling in the living room and the bathrooms and kitchen wouldn't be complete without beautiful granite countertops! The exterior is composed of hardi siding and finished off with stone. Located in the gated community of Paces Bluff, you’ll have access to boat storage, a pool and tennis courts. This one is sure to please! Call today!

Three Sixty Resort Living at Lake Martin 256.827.LAKE www.concepttoclosing.com

Lot 186 Windermere West Phase II, Alexander City • $334,000 Build your perfect lake home on this great lot with sandy beach and excellent view in Windermere West. Great location near Russell Crossroads. Seller has house plans for lot.

Lake Martin Realty Call Damon Story 256-789-9526 www.damonstory.com

51 Pine Point Circle, Eclectic • $1,295,000 Located in Trillium. Recently renovated living/kitchen area provides open living. Expansive lakeside porch. Cool off in the lakeside swimming pool. The large main level master suite is on the lakeside with a wall of windows. A guest BR and BA is also located on the main level. Upstairs you will find 5 more BR, 3 with en suite BA and 2 with a Jack and Jill BA, along with an exercise room and storage space.

Lake Martin Realty Call Damon Story 256-789-9526 www.damonstory.com

1313 Trillium W Parkway, Eclectic • $875,000 If you're looking for a flat lot, wide open views, a sandy beach area for swimming, and a home with all you need on one level, look no further than this wonderful 3 bedroom, 3 bath lake home in highly sought after Trillium. Don't miss out on this one. A MUST SEE!!

Lake Martin Realty Call Damon Story 256-789-9526 www.damonstory.com

74 LAKE

JULY 2018

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

FABULOUS FINDS

New Price

Willow Glynn, Riverside Cottage • $1,115,000 Move-in-ready RLH Construction & designed by Mitch Ginn, this design offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 living areas and vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and owner’s suite. Enjoy the spectacular water views from both of the spacious covered porches.

Russell Lands On Lake Martin Call Emily or Rhonda 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

South Ridge Harbor, Cascadia • $2,000,000.

The Cascadia, designed by Larry Furlong, includes a great room, expansive covered porch, owner’s suite with private screened porch, guest suite, natural stone fireplace, study, laundry, & powder room all on main level. 2 more guest suites, large den with screened porch, kitchenette, 2 built-in bunks along the hallway, powder room, & lake toy storage on the lower level.

Russell Lands On Lake Martin.

Call Rhonda or Emily 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

South Ridge Harbor, Double Main • $1,599,000 The Double Main features 2 master suites on the main level including a stone fireplace, JennAir kitchen appliances, powder room, laundry room, & a covered deck. The lake level contains 2 more bedroom suites, a 2nd family room w/entertainment bar, a lake prep room, a 2nd laundry room, & 2 separate bunk rooms with 6 built-in twin beds. The space above the garage is prepped for the addition of a 5th guest suite.

Russell Lands On Lake Martin Call Rhonda or Emily 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Willow Glynn, The Abby • $1,165,000 Just completed by RLH Construction. The Abby is a 3,219 sq. ft. plan designed by Chuck Frusterio. Owner’s suite and guest suites on main level with spacious living-dining-kitchen and large covered porch. Lake level offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, generous lake-prep room, family room, wet bar, second laundry, and spacious covered patio for outdoor entertaining.

Russell Lands On Lake Martin Call Emily or Rhonda 256.215.7011 www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

68 Tulipwood Drive, Dadeville • $610,000 Looking for a great family home? This 4 bedroom 3 baths home is located off Turner Rd. Spacious open floor plan, vaulted wood ceiling, large kitchen with breakfast area which leads to a grilling deck and a screened porch, which is perfect for entertaining.

Master suite is just off the screened porch. Lake level offers 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and second family room. Follow the gentle sloping walkway to lake with a large pier and floating dock.

Lake Martin Realty Call Charlotte Hammac 256.496.4434 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

505 Ridgeway Drive, Eclectic • $549,000 Great family lake home to share with friends! Beautiful rock fireplace, large lake level with room for additional bedroom. Two bedrooms on main level and extra-large bedroom on second floor. Lower level has bedroom too.

Heated/cooled garage. Easy walk to the water with many outdoor entertaining areas. Easy access for families from the Montgomery area off of Hwy 229.

Lake Martin Realty Call Amy Duncan 256.212.2222 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

1452 College Street, Alexander City • $399,000 This stately 4 BR, 4.5 BA home is on a gentle hill bordering a shady cul-de-sac in the highly sought after neighborhood of Young Acres. Huge rooms on all three levels including a master suite on the main level, 3 BR and 2 BA on the upper level, and a huge game room, or extra bedroom, with full bath and an office on the finished lower level. The large backyard is landscaped and fenced. Upgrades include granite kitchen counter tops, stainless appliances, a separate bar ice maker, refinished hardwood floors, a gorgeous stone fireplace, extensive crown moulding and a master bath with double vanities and a garden tub. Tons of storage including walk in closets & walk in attics, an extra washer/dryer hookup in an upstairs bathroom.

Lake Martin Realty Call Mimi Rush 334.399.7874 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

157 Southwinds East, Alexander City • $1,135,000 One-of-a-kind 5 BR, 3.5 BA home on an amazing level point lot complete with 367 +/-ft of shoreline. Covered terrace or large side porch. Surrounded by great water depth for boating and swimming while the attached 2-car garage makes storage a breeze! The flowing floor plan offers 12 ft ceilings, extensive crown molding, Mexican tile flooring and oak hardwood. The living room and gathering room provide space and lake views.

The open concept kitchen is offers stone countertops, rich wood cabinetry and a large center island. Main level master suite complete with a lakeside sitting area, jetted tub and separate shower. An attached 2-car garage makes storage a breeze!

Lake Martin Realty Call Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

160 Ridge Crest Drive, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Attention to detail is all here in this exceptional 5BR/5.5BA, 8400+- sq. ft. Lake Martin residence in The Ridge. Built to enjoy its panoramic views of the lake, this spacious one of a kind Timber Peg designed home features all the amenities inside and out for one to enjoy lakefront living at its best. Private with approx. 400+- of deep waterfront, your family will enjoy many years of great memories and fun here at 160 Ridge Crest on Lake Martin. Please call for your private showing today!

Lake Martin Realty Call David Mitchell 256.212.3511 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

New Price

JULY 2018

LAKE 75

Cable Park vs. Boat

Trick Tip: Toeside Wake-to-Wake Last month, we discussed how to do the heelside wake-to-wake. This month, we’ll go over the wake-towake on the opposite side.

To start, you’ll lean out on your heels and edge out on the side of the wake, so your toes are facing the wake. You’ll want to edge out about 20 feet outside the wake. Push the handle over to your front hip and start leaning in toward the wake.

You’ll want to start off your edge slowly and build speed all the way to the wake. This is what we call a progressive edge. You’ll approach the wake with your knees bent so that when you get to the top of the wake you’ll be able to stand tall and pop off the wake. Once in the air, you’ll need to keep your chest down and make sure you don’t let your weight fall back over your heels. When you land, try to think about landing on your toes and continue to edge out as soon as you land.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when doing a wake-to-wake on either side is commitment. The harder you edge, the better off you will be; you just have to commit.

Ben Watts edges up for a toeside wake-towake in this Lake magazine archived photo.

76 LAKE

Which is the better ride?

T

here tends to be a lot of confusion surrounding the side of wakeboarding that involves cable parks. I get asked all the time what they are, where they are, and how they work.

Cable parks can be easily compared to skate parks, as there are ramps (we call them kickers) and rails and other obstacles to ride over.

This type of riding has grown in popularity and is very different from the type of riding we see here on Lake Martin. It is often easier to learn BEHIND THE BOAT and do tricks on the cable because the pull is

BY BEN WATTS straight and consistent, and the speed usually runs a bit slower than a boat.

Most cable parks consist of five towers with wheels on them connected to the main cable. One of these towers is the motor tower, which is what powers the movement of the cable. This is where the starting dock is located. The cable has about five to seven carriers to which the rope can connect.

The cable operator will hand the rider a rope, and when the rider is ready, the rope will be connected to a carrier on the main cable. The rider hops off and goes. A fallen rider simply takes the board off and swims to the nearby shore; then, walks back to the dock to go again.

The closest full-sized cable to us here on Lake Martin is located in Georgia and is called Terminus Wake Park. This park is good for beginners, as the lake is smaller, and the cable’s longest run is only about 600 feet.

Personally, I prefer riding behind the boat because, to me, it is more challenging and often more fun. I like being able to do tricks back and forth and having the wake to land on instead of just hitting a ramp and landing in flat water, which can be hard on the knees.

The boat allows the rider to express more personality and individuality in the ride, which is why I have so much fun with it; however, it is very fun being able to go to a cable park because it’s easy to ride with friends right alongside, and a rider can progress quickly. It’s a much different feel and is also easier in competitions and judging, as the variables are much more consistent.

This is why if wakeboarding ever became an Olympic sport, it would be on cable.

All of this said, both options are a part of wakeboarding. They have both pushed the sport and allowed it to grow in different ways and reach different people, groups and locations.

Ben Watts learned to love wakeboarding on Lake Martin. He is a student at Auburn University and takes every opportunity to get behind the boat.

JULY 2018

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JULY 2018

LAKE 77

78 LAKE

JULY 2018

A bedroom by any other name remains the same

I

magine for a moment that you’re a real estate agent.

Yes, allow yourself to fantasize about the typical agent’s glamorous life of buying car magnets, being awakened by text messages at 4 a.m. and sweeping the floors in a home you don’t own or even have listed. Heady stuff.

Now, imagine that you have just listed a home for sale, and it’s time to enter the home’s data into the Multiple Listing Service. Here’s where you have a chance to describe the home to prospective buyers and other agents. You have many questions to answer. One of the seemingly easy ones is, “Number of bedrooms?”

That should be simple, right?

Maybe not, I say. I have shown plenty of Lake Martin homes with floor plans that don’t exactly match up with the number in the “Bedrooms” field in the MLS data.

LAKE PROPERTY One example that I often hear

BY JOHN COLEY from buyers is when a bedroom lacks a closet. Some go even as far as to claim that it is state law in Alabama (or their home state) that a room must have a closet in order to be called and advertised as a bedroom. Maybe that is so in other states, but I know of no such regulation in Alabama. In fact, most of the time, rules about home sale advertising are created and regulated by the local MLS, not the government.

This means there are different rules in different areas within each state. The definition of a bedroom might differ from city to city.

Besides, what if the mom-closet room has an armoire?

Does that count? An armoire can store extra socks and the trolling motor battery just as well as a closet.

Another one I hear is that a bedroom has to have windows. Really? I’ve seen plenty of houses built over two stories or with finished-out basements. Oftentimes, when some extra space is found, a room might be finished out in

the interior of the floor plan. Without windows of any sort, these rooms are probably the darkest and quietest and easiest sleeping rooms in the home. Call me crazy, but it sounds like a bedroom to me.

Plenty of homes around Lake Martin have been added to over the years. Seeking space, homeowners have enlarged their homes in unique ways. Some of these homes’ bedrooms can only be accessed by walking through other bedrooms. That’s right, there are four walls and maybe a couple of beds and night stands. But if you have to walk through one bedroom to get to it, does it count as a bedroom? It’s a gray area, I think.

So maybe a bedroom is just simply where people sleep, regardless of how they get there or whether or not there’s a closet. In that case, converted screened porches count. You see this especially in older cabins. Desperate for sleeping space, guests (usually the kids) get relegated to sleeping on couches or futons in an area that used to be a screened porch. For that matter, I know plenty of Lake Martin homeowners who still sleep on their outdoor screened porches, weather permitting.

In my view, when looking at a lake home, the question, “How many bedrooms does it have?” is much less important than, “How many people will it sleep?” I’m more interested in how many friends and family can pack in for a fun long weekend. Just how many bodies can enjoy a 4th of July barbecue there? Because that’s what the lake is about. It’s not for each person to be able to retreat behind four walls and stare at a screen.

They can do that back home in the city.

John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty. Visit his blog at LakeMartinVoice.com.

JULY 2018

LAKE 79

Vote leadership for quality water How a decision at the polls could affect Lake Martin

T

he Alabama Water Agencies Working Group we depend; was formed in response to the more than n To allow the State to regulate water use, ensur20-year-old tri-state Water Wars waged ing that homeowners, businesses and wildlife each among Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The effort get what they need; right now, the State has no was established by then-Governor Bentley in 2011 authority over water usage, even in times of drought and was considered a wise, prudent and necessary or flood; tool for sustainable multiuse of our water and pron To have strategies in place, with defined trigtection of the state’s water rights. It was embraced ger points for enacting conservation measures, for by the five state agencies that are primarily responprioritizing between competing water needs, such sible for managing Alabama’s water resources, as providing drinking water versus watering the including: lawn, during times of drought-driven n The Alabama Department of shortages; Economic and Community Affairs n To avoid running out of water (ADECA) – Office of Water Resources during severe drought periods due to n The Alabama Department of lack of planning and/or interagency Environmental Management (ADEM) coordination. Some of you may rememn Alabama Department of ber when Atlanta nearly ran out of Conservation and Natural Resources water when they came within 30 days (ADCNR) of pumping Lake Lanier dry back in n Alabama Department of Agriculture 2007; and in the fall of 2016 when the and Industries (ADAI) Birmingham Water Works waited until n Geological Survey of Alabama their drinking water reservoir, Lake LAKE WATCH (GSA) Purdy, was all but dry before enacting

BY ERIC REUTEBUCH The State climatologist was added to water use restrictions; the AWAWG effort in 2014. n To avoid pumping underground These six agencies, along with water experts aquifers dry during drought periods – a problem from several universities, spent more than four caused by over-allocation of irrigation and lack of years under the governor’s directive meeting reguadequate planning /coordination, which has plagued larly throughout the state to tackle the daunting task South Georgia over the past decade; of drafting a first-ever comprehensive state-wide n To protect our world-class aquatic life – we water management plan. Hundreds upon hundreds have more species of fish, turtles, crayfish, mussels of hours were spent by devoted agency and univerand aquatic snails than any other state in the Union. sity personnel, all voluntary and unfunded, in this So, what would a comprehensive water plan noble and needed effort. mean for Lake Martin? First and foremost, a large Since Alabama was behind the curve, they had part of our lake’s watershed, the landscape that a half-dozen water plans from neighboring states drains into the Tallapoosa River and supplies the to examine and cherry-picked the best-of-the-best lake with its water, lies in west-central Georgia. management strategies and water policies to meet Martin receives approximately 22 percent of its the needs of Alabamians. life-blood from Georgia.

We needed a water plan for several reasons: Georgia has been eyeing the upper Tallapoosa n To avoid sitting on a one-legged stool in a River for many years to help meet the evercourt of law while neighboring states were sitting expanding city of Atlanta’s unquenchable thirst. In on four-legged stools with their well-established fact, back in the early 1990s, Georgia began plancomprehensive water plans to back up their advoning a large reservoir, the proposed West Georgia cacy for their rights to interstate waters on which Regional Reservoir, on the Tallapoosa River a few 80 LAKE

JULY 2018

miles upstream of the Alabama-Georgia state line.

This proposed reservoir was recognized as a major threat to Alabama’s vital water resources, including Lake Martin.

Members of Lake Watch of Lake Martin were deeply involved in the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) River Basin Water Wars meetings, which were effective in stressing the critical linkage between water quantity and water quality to officials from both states. The proposed dam project was curtailed, at least for the time being.

The linkage between water quantity and quality was, and still is, critical. As population numbers in and around the Tallapoosa River Basin increase, so does pollution draining into the river and its lakes.

Any reduction in water flowing into Lake Martin would inevitably concentrate pollutants.

It was extremely unfortunate that, after tremendous efforts expended by scores of experts throughout the state in producing a roadmap to a top-notch comprehensive water plan – and Alabama being on the verge of having its first-ever state-wide plan – the entire effort was inexplicably terminated by our current governor last fall.

This should give us all pause and a whole lot of ‘food for thought’ (or more appropriately, ‘drink for thought’), as we decide who to entrust with the management of our precious resources in the coming years. The decisions we make this November may very well be the most important decisions that we make for preserving and protecting our Treasured Alabama Lake, not just for today but also for generations to come.

Become actively involved in monitoring and protecting our lake – go to www.lakewatch.org and join Lake Watch of Lake Martin in our lake stewardship efforts.

Eric Reutebuch is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin. To volunteer as a water quality monitor or support water quality efforts on Lake Martin, visit the website at lakewatch.org.

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JULY 2018

LAKE 81

Charred Broccoli with Pecan Vinaigrette Ingredients

1 head broccoli 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Pecan Vinaigrette

1/4 cup sherry vinegar 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon whole grain mustard 1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans

Directions

Place vinegar, chili, honey and mustard in a medium mixing bowl and slowly whisk in the olive oil to form an emulsification; then, add pecans.

Cut broccoli into half-dollar sized florets; then, toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a 400-degree oven for 20-30 minutes until broccoli starts to turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and toss in vinaigrette; serve and enjoy.

CHEF’S TABLE

BY ROB MCDANIEL

82 LAKE

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

JULY 2018

JULY 2018

LAKE 83

Scream for ice cream!

D

id you know that ice options. Coconut milk, almond milk and other nondairy milks cream originated in China? are replacing cow’s milk to create creaminess in these desTraditionally, ice cream is serts. These products look, taste and feel similar to ice cream made from milk, cream, sweetener, while offering a non-dairy option for vegans and those that are flavorings and additional ingredilactose intolerant; however, a word of caution: These products ents, such as fruit, nuts or candy. can be high in calories and high in saturated fat. If you are not It was in 1776 that New York City concerned with plant-based options or dairy free, choosing became home to the first ice cream a light ice cream is a better option. So Delicious and Talenti parlor in the United States. It was Gelato are answering to the dairy-free population. at the 1904 World’s Fair that ice Low-sugar options have been on the market for a while, cream became more portable by but they seem to be getting a lot more attention recently. introducing the ice cream cone.

Consumers are trying to satisfy cravings in healthier ways, In 1984, President Ronald particularly by cutting down on added sugar. Some products HEALTHY LIVING Reagan designated July as National are cutting down on added sugar while others are using artifiBY JULIE HUDSON Ice Cream Month and the third cial sugar substitutes. Low sugar varieties include Halo Top, Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice Enlightened and Breyers Delights. cream as a fun and nutritious food that could be enjoyed by Portion-controlled bites and bars have become a big hit. most of the nation’s population. He asked in his proclamation Pre-portioned food items make it much easier to enjoy favorthat we all celebrate with appropriite foods without over indulging. ate ceremonies and activities.

Choosing one option makes the Frozen desserts, which include number of calories, fat, protein and regular and low-fat ice cream, frozen sugar clear. yogurt, sherbet and other frozen Some frozen treat companies are Julie’s Ice Cream Picks treats, have evolved into a favorite focusing on health and nutrition.

American treat. In the United States, These products focus on decreasing n High indulgence, wholesome: frozen treats generated a reported calories and sugar while adding proBlue Bell ice cream, Blue Bell combined sale of $6.6 billion in tein without sacrificing taste.

Light, Edy’s Slow Churned 2017, making it the largest portion Adding more fruit to frozen or Edy’s Light ice cream and of the frozen food category, accordpops is another way companies are Talenti Gelato ing to Statista. responding to requests for healthier n Light, low sugar, low caloNow, let’s face it, ice cream and desserts.

Frozen fruit bars are made rie: Halo Top, Breyers (no other frozen delicacies may not with real fruit and less sugar, sugar added), Blue Bell (no have been the healthiest in the past; and artificial colorings are being sugar added,) Edy’s Light Slow however, consumers are demanding replaced with real food, such as beet Churned more healthful, less processed – yet juice. Outshine Pops fruit bars are a n Pre-portioned: Dove Minis tasty – treats, and the frozen dessert good example of using real fruit in manufacturers are answering these a bar. requests.

Choosing a frozen treat can be I thought it would be fun to see what’s trending. How to very overwhelming. I think it is best to consider your own satisfy the sweet tooth while staying healthy this summer? nutritional challenge or goal, and it may depend on how often To answer consumer demands, manufacturers are producing you are indulging. products that are wholesome, free of preservatives and addiDo you need help with portion control to avoid overeating? tives. They are developing other treats that are more approIf so, the prepackaged treats could be the best choice for you. priate for anyone who is looking for low calorie, low sugar I need to caution everyone when looking at the “free from …” and low fat versions. Consumers are demanding healthier, items. Just like any other food, if an item is gluten free, it may cleaner, whole foods. It is no surprise that this trend has made have additives or sugar added back. If an item is dairy free, its way to the frozen treat section. Along with offering more it may be higher in sugar and offer less calcium. If an item wholesome ingredients or diet-specific ingredients, there is a is low sugar, it may not be fat free. Keep in mind that most push for frozen treats that are gluten free, dairy free and free low-sugar products are made with artificial sugars and sugar of common allergens. Although some of the frozen varieties alcohols. were already free of dairy or gluten or were considered vegan, The ingredient list on the label is the best place to begin. we are seeing changes in packaging that make labeling much Ingredients are listed by weight. By looking at the first five more clear. ingredients, we can learn a lot about a product. If an item has There has been a big push for plant-based frozen dessert more than five ingredients, it probably has unwanted additives 84 LAKE

JULY 2018

or preservatives. Added sugar is the most difficult to judge with frozen treats.

Until the new added-sugar labeling laws are completely in effect (July 2018 for some and July 2019 for others), it is difficult to determine if the sugar comes naturally from milk and fruit or has been added into the product.

According to a survey, ice cream and frozen treats rank higher than burgers, hot dogs, ribs and corn as favorite summertime foods. Two out of three people say that a frozen ice cream treat is their top pick for a snack or dessert and is by

far the best warm-weather refresher.

It is not necessary to deny yourself ice cream all summer long. Ice cream does count for a serving of dairy and offers a decent amount of calcium. The key is to set limits and consider what is most important – taste, calories, sugar (or what type of sugar), fat content or allergen free. Know in your mind how much and how often works for you, according to your nutritional goals.

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

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JULY 2018

LAKE 85

A changing lake requires moving baits up in the water column

A Blueback Herring Lake?

L

ake Martin is a special place to me. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to build so many great memories from the times I spent on the lake. Many times, that was just me and Lake Martin. I cherish the times I’ve spent with others, as well as the times I’ve had the lake all to myself.

Much of Lake Martin is still very much the same as it was 30-plus years ago, and at the same time, much has changed. The fishing on Lake Martin has changed some as well. I suppose that happens often. Fisheries change, and the populations of fish that occupy those fisheries adapt to the changes.

Sometimes, anglers consider the changes good and sometimes not, depending on our expectations.

In my opinion, Lake Martin is in a state of change as we speak. Indications are that the changes are for the good, as the bass have a relatively new source of food, and habitat has increased with the development around the lake with man-made habitat (brush piles) that has been added over the years. The biggest change I’ve seen over the past five years

or so has been the effect of the blueback herring in the lake.

My first introduction to a lake where blueback herring were a factor was on Clarks Hill Reservoir in Georgia. Clarks Hill was loaded with hydrilla at the time.

Most bass anglers get excited about fishing any lake with hydrilla or other vegetation because it means the fish are usually bigger and somewhat easier to target because of the many grassline edges.

To my surprise, the hydrilla seemed to be an afterthought to the bass. I would be fishing a grassline like an angler is supposed to do on a grass lake, and the fish would explode on the surface over 80 feet of water. To say that blew my mind would be an understatement. The fish did not stay on any one spot either.

They exploded on bait in one area, and as I tried to position my boat on that particular spot for the next episode, they reappeared 150 yards away from me – out of casting distance.

That’s when I realized that the herring had a different effect on how the fish fed and related to structure and cover. Many of the South Carolina and Georgia reser-

Blueback herring draw the bass out of their traditional cover and into deeper water Photo by Mitch Sneed

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voirs have blueback herring in them, and it’s important to know when you fish one of those lakes that your mindset may have to change.

Smith Lake near Jasper is the first lake I heard of in Alabama that had blueback herring. In the case of the South Carolina and Georgia lakes, they supposedly established as a result of routes connecting the freshwater lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of locks means fish can move from one fishery to another, just as commercial barges and recreational traffic move through.

In lakes that didn’t have locks, it was suspected the blueback herring got in through anglers fishing with live bait.

Herring are just as good or better live bait than threadfin and gizzard shad, so live bait anglers may have hauled live bait tanks to the lake and then dumped the remaining bait at the end of the day.

Blueback herring are a prolific species and apparently adapt well to deep, clear freshwater lakes. It only takes two to get things started; and then, the population is off and running.

Over time, the impact of blueback

herring on the South Carolina and is dominated by bluebacks, it’s almost Georgia lakes was noticeable. It seemed pointless to try to mimic any other prey. the overall fish population thrived. The Sure, the bass are opportunistic, and fish were healthier for more of the year, I’ll catch a few on other stuff, but rest and more big fish were caught. These assured, the majority of the bass in that are all positives to which any angler area are herring hunting. would give a thumbs up.

The first rule to remember, and probThe downside was that the way the ably the most difficult adjustment, is lake fished also changed, and the fish that the fish can be anywhere at any could be more difficult to target because time. The fish no longer seem confined they were more willing to move. to specific locations and depths. They As I learned at Clarks Hill years ago, adapt their hunting strategy to open the old rules of engagement water; that’s where the no longer applied. Methods food is. Blueback herring and locations to which we are suspenders. They selwere accustomed in lakes dom relate to the bottom dominated by traditional of the lake. As a result, the forage – shad, bream and fish become accustomed to crawfish – weren’t as effeclooking up. One of the cool tive as expected. things about herring lakes I’m not sure how the is that the fish are likely blueback herring got into to school on the surface at Lake Martin. There are any time of year, even in no locks, so migration the middle of the day in the upstream from the Gulf hottest part of the summer. didn’t happen. They might That means topwater is an BIG CATCHES have been imported as option all the time.

BY GREG VINSON live bait or possibly were When the fish are lookstocked purposely because ing up in clear water, they of the positive impact they can have on are going to get a better look at your fish populations and health. bait. It becomes more important to get Whatever the case, Lake Martin is color, profile and action right, or you’ll quickly becoming what many of us in get a lot of fish following the bait but not my profession call a herring lake. That taking it. term is a clue that we will either have Instead of rigging mostly bottom to make some adjustments to our prebouncing baits and then one or two sursentations or choose locations that are face or suspending baits, it may be best less likely to be affected by the herring to flip flop. When fishing herring waters, population. rig more baits that can suspend or be I’m not an expert on fishing herfished over the fish’s head and less of the ring lakes, but I’ve gotten a lot better bottom bouncing stuff. and have picked up a few tips that have Overall, I think the fish in Lake helped me adapt.

Martin will benefit from the blueback The most important tip I can provide herring, and that’s great. Selfishly, I’m a is that herring are roamers. They don’t little less excited about it because I have seem to need cover as much, as they to throw a lot of what I know about Lake relate to structure and suspending over Martin out the window. These new baitdeep creeks or river channels as home. fish are changing the dynamics of how The fish seem to use structure to herd the lake fishes. the bluebacks to locations where they As a whole, I think the blueback herare easier to catch. ring in Lake Martin will prove to be a Blueback herring are good swimmers. good thing. I expect to see heavier and I’ve heard that they are the fastest swim- healthier bass caught throughout the ming shad species, and if you’ve ever year, as well as some ease of the tension been fortunate enough to witness a big between the bass and striper populations. spotted bass running one down, you’d probably say it’s true. Blueback herring Greg Vinson is a full-time professional must taste extremely good, or the fish angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series must think they’re getting more bang for and PPA tours. He lives in Wetumpka their buck with them. and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

Another common phenomenon I’ve noticed is that when I fish an area that JULY 2018

LAKE 87

Red or White?

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JULY 2018

W

hen you stop to think about it, also great with spicy food from various wine is not all that different cuisines. Whites are generally served from many other things in our chilled and can be found with screw lives. That is, we start out at a certain caps and even in cans. Did someone level, gaining skills and knowledge as say party? we grow. Wine may seem complicated, Personally, I still love my reds, and but the basics are fairly simple and easily you might be surprised at how many recalled. people agree with that. A perfect sumAll too often, we think of wine in one mer afternoon means firing up the grill large generalized category rather than and hopefully getting a little char on a the pieces that come together to make juicy chunk of beef. Fish, pork, chickthe whole. The big world of wine is too en, lamb, even rattlesnake, if you will; much for most people to grasp and natuif it’s on the grill, go for the reds.

FROM THE CELLAR rally becomes intimidating. To neutralize Pinot Noir is a great choice because

BY HENRY FOY some of the complexity, we have to break it tends toward lighter and fruitier it down into manageable components. than, say, a Cabernet. But I like a big Here’s a very basic overview of the beverage we call Cab in the summer because I like summer fare with wine. fresh corn and tomatoes and potatoes. The joy of There are really just two important observations summer dining is not to gulp through a meal but to about wine. It is usually some hue of either red or slow down and savor the flavors. Pinot Noir is the not red. If it is not red, it might be pink or what we most popular red wine and goes well with almost commonly call white wine, which is more accurately any food. Don’t overlook the Merlots, Zinfandels, yellowish or clear. So you have red wine and white Syrahs and blends. What boggles the mind is that wine. Simple. Pink wine is actually just a very light there are so many varieties, styles and regions makred wine and may be sweet, like sugary, or dry, like ing great wines. tea without sugar. If you run across a brown wine, Let’s review. White wine, red wine and sparkling it is likely oxidized and not fit for consumption or wine. Armed with the basics, let’s go get some wine cooking. and answer a few questions.

Sweet and dry are two lesser important aspects.

Are we going to drink this wine with a meal or With only a few exceptions, most wine is dry. The will it be sipped as you might a cocktail? The kind exceptions would be some Rieslings, Moscatos, of meal you are having can be a clue to what wine fortified wines, such as Port, and a few reds. A parto serve. Italian wine obviously goes well with ticularly fruity wine may come across as sweet even Italian food, and the same is true for any country of though nothing has been added to make it sweeter. It origin. But this is just a suggestion and not a rule is just fruity grape juice without the taming characcarved in stone. Experiment and do it with gusto. teristics that may be found in more complex blends.

Food is an option. I often enjoy sharing an excepSparkling wines are pretty much in a class of their tional wine and the opportunity to experience just own and can be white or rosé. Champagne from the wine, which leads to another important point: France, Cava from Spain and Italian Prosecco are all Big reds often need to breathe for some period of sparking wines. Some red sparkling Moscatos are a time before they are most enjoyable. Be patient and more vibrant red than most fine Cabernets. give them time.

The most popular white wines are Chardonnay Most of the wine you will find on store shelves and Pinot Grigio. Domestic Chardonnays tend to be is ready to consume right now. Whites rarely need rich, oaky and very buttery; French Chardonnays, aging or breathing, and even most reds are drinkmost common to the Burgundy region, have more able when released from the winery. How do you minerality and are somewhat drier on the palknow? That is one of the skills you will learn and ate. Pinot Grigio, particularly those from northern the knowledge you will gain as you try new and difItaly, are crisp, light and dry. Sauvignon Blanc and ferent wines. The more you learn, the more you will Riesling are also popular whites and good summer enjoy your wine. wines that can be found in any store that sells wine.

Less popular but just as appealing are Chenin Blanc, Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine and Pinot Blanc, Albariño, Gewurztraminer, Grenache Spirits with the area’s only walk-in humidor and Blanc, Gruner Veltliner and many other white wines. cigar lounge, Café 128 and Gallery 128 in downBecause they are light, crisp and clean, white town Alexander City at 128 Calhoun St. He can be wines are perfect for summer, though some are betreached at 256-212-WINE, on Instagram, Facebook ter than others. A big California Chardonnay may and at emporium128@bellsouth.net. Join the email be too heavy for summer fare, but a cold Riesling list to get regular notices of wine specials and other on the sweet side (not all Rieslings are sweet) can events. be very refreshing on a sweltering day. Riesling is

JULY 2018

LAKE 89

Russell Medical

Proudly Welcomes Matthew Knight, MD, FACS General Surgeon

Board Certified: General Surgery Medical School: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Residency: University of South Alabama Medical Center

Ryan Cowley, MD, FACS General Surgeon

Board Certified: General Surgery Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine Residency: University of South Alabama Hospitals & Baptist Health System

3368 Hwy 280, Suite 207 256-215-7479 www.russellcares.com

90 LAKE

JULY 2018

Twenty-eight beautiful, wooded homesites will be released in July in Willow Glynn, situated on the northern shoreline of Pitchford Hollow. Choose from a portfolio of thoughtfully-designed house plans from Russell Lands approved architects, designers and builders or bring your dream plans with you. To find out more, call 256.215.7011.

JULY 2018 Visit RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

LAKE 91

Legend

63

21

22

280

To Sylacauga

20

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 16

9 Churches

7

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

14

Power lines U.S. Highways

3

280

22

County Roads Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

13 20

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church

8 23

Willow Point

24

6

9

Equality

4

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

19 The Ridge

1 11

Church in The Pines Trillium

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

15

ga

Ba

y

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

17 12

92 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

22

34

Camp Alamisco

10

Kowaliga Boat Landing

55

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Kent

JULY 2018

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

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

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

Jacksons Gap

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

280

Bethel Church

18

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Church of the Living Waters

18 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 19 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 20 4. Dark Insurance 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

. McDaniels Storage Center 21 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010

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

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

22 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

8 3. Smith Marina 256-444-8793

23 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt @ Smith's Marina 256-444-8793

Restaurants

6. Catherine’s Market 10 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 17 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

96. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Pleasant Ridge Church

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

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010

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

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

11 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

12 Bezlo's Bar & Grill 334-639-0003

65 Main Street., Eclectic, AL 36024

5

Business & Shopping Walnut Hill 50 50

13 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010 14 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 15 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

49

Reeltown

JULY 2018

LAKE 93

Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY

Alex City Marine American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Q Campus of CACC Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine’s Market Chamber Of Commerce Cherokee Quick stop Citgo Cloud Nine Collegiate Deli Comfort Inn Dark Insurance Darwin Dobbs Days Inn Discount Food Mart Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc Touchless Boat Covers The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot USAmeribank Warren's Appliance Parts Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

(334) 745-7966

primehomehealth.net

Healthcare Provided in the Comfort of Your Own Home Skilled Nursing Care • IV Medication Medication Education • Disease Management Post Operative Care • Wound Management Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy 94 LAKE PHH17_HalfPg_Magazine_8.2017_2.indd 1

Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Community Hospital Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Place Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank Renfroes Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34 USAmeribank

ECLECTIC

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

EQUALITY

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

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation MOUNTAIN BROOK Whole Foods Market

RED HILL Citgo

SYLACAUGA Good Ole Boys BBQ Piggly Wiggly

TALLASSEE

Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce Tallassee Automotive Tallassee Community Library The Tallassee Tribune

CHELSEA Winn-Dixie The Ditsy Daisy Boutique

WALNUT HILL

CHILDERSBURG Piggly Wiggly

WETUMPKA

DADEVILLE

A limited number of magazines are placed at these locations.

To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Bay Pine Marina Blue Creek Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foshee's Boat Doc Homeplate Restaurant

JULY 2018 8/24/17 3:14 PM

Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery The Wetumpka Herald

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

Residential | Commercial | Interior | Exterior

Williams Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

256-307-4061 columbus-auburn.certapro.com Mike&Kris DobbsOwners1550OpelikaRoadSuite6Box294�| Auburn,AL36830 EachCertaProPainters ® businessis independently ownedandoperated.

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Handrails • Guardrails Welded Fence • Custom Art Stairs • Gates Stainless Steel Cable Railing I-Beams • Steel Posts • Stairs On-Site Welding/Cutting Powder Coat • Sand Blasting

Mike Coker

256-329-8488 256-267-5021 mobile 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010

H

OLMAN

“WE’RE

F

LOOR

C

334-332-3435 334-391-0759

COACH KRAFT

OMPANY

THE PROFESSIONALS”

UPHOLSTERY

Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700

Visit our showroom for samples and a free estimate!

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City

Complete Marine Upholstery!

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

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Locally Owned for Over 45 Years

Patrick Mason 334-283-6759

256-234-6071

676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com

Performance!

Visit LoveLakeMartin.com

O’Neal Electric Michael O’Neal

Paige Patterson

256-510-2146 Electrical • Controls DataCom • Security

LAKE

Serving Central Alabama for over a decade!

205-616-8046

www.paigepatterson.com

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

JULY 2018

LAKE 95

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing................................................................85

Henderson & Coker.....................................................47

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Alex City Guide Service...............................................60

Heritage South Credit Union.....................................41

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Hilltop Landscaping........................................................40

Russell Lands................................................35, 50-51, 91

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.......40

Holley’s Home Furnishings........................................100

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Russell Medical...........................................................2, 90

Blue Creek Iron Works................................................95

HomeTown Lenders......................................................87

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Jackson Thornton...........................................................18

C&T Eclectric................................................................... 8

Jan Ware Designs...........................................................68

CACC...............................................................................49

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Lake Martin Dock..........................................................25

CertaPro Painters..........................................................95

Lake Martin Mini Mall...................................................30

Chuck's Marina...............................................................25

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Coach Kraft Upholstery...............................................95

Lake Martin Tractor & Outdoors...............................60

Custom Docks................................................................18

Mark King's Furniture...................................................67

Damon Story, Cedar Point..........................................70

McGhee Furniture Warehouse...................................96

Deep Water Dock Services.........................................68

Moore Wealth Management........................................99

Designs by Trish................................................................ 5

National Village ..............................................................19

District Nineteen...........................................................22

O'Neal Electric...............................................................95

Walmart...........................................................................95

Dixie Electric.................................................................... 6

Oskars................................................................................ 8

Wedowee Marine..........................................................23

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty...............95

Williams Plumbing Heating & Air...........................8, 95

First Baptist Church Alexander City........................... 8

Phil Interior Design......................................................... 5

Wind Creek Casino........................................................ 3

George Hardy D.M.D....................................................60

Poor House Boat Outlet.............................................81

Wind Creek Zip Line....................................................97

Harbor Pointe Marina...................................................61

Powersports of Montgomery......................................66

WSC Distinctive Builders, LLC..................................59

Security Pest Control..................................................... 8 Sparkle Window Cleaning............................................48 St. James Episcopal Church..........................................30 State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran...................95 State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell.....................95 Sunrise Dock............................................................ 12, 77 Temple Medical Center.................................................. 8 Three Sixty Real Estate................................................78 TowBoat US....................................................................22 Touchless Boat Covers.................................................12

FURNITURE WAREHOUSE

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JULY 2018

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JULY 2018

LAKE 97

Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone

"There is magic on this planet. It is contained in water." ~ Loren Eiseley

98 LAKE

JULY 2018

Advertisement

It Won’t Happen to Me

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

The statistics can’t be denied. Seventy percent of Americans will need long-term care before they die. On average, someone needing longterm care will receive over four years of care in their home and then will go on to a facility, such as an assisted living, a memory care facility or a nursing home for another two years. Long-term care includes assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, moving around, toileting or incontinence due to physical limitations or cognitive impairment.

The interesting dynamic is how differently men and woman tend to view long-term care, which relates to how they tend to think about risk. Harley Gordon, an influential elder law attorney, wrote a book about it, “The Conversation,” Helping Someone You Love Plan for an Extended Care Event.” He notes, “Men are wired to minimize if not dismiss risk in life. If there is no risk of a serious event happening, what consequences can there be? If there are no consequences, why put together a plan?” Whereas, he says, “women have an aversion to risk. They see the risk of serious event and the consequences of it as being inseparable.”

conversation about planning for long-term care needs to focus on the consequences to those they love if they fail to take action and long-term care is needed.

local office at 51 Clay Street.

The workshop is free, takes place at 12 p.m. and includes lunch. Please call 256.234.2761 for more information and reservations.

The cost of long-term care can be prohibitive. Genworth, in its annual 2016 Cost of Care Survey, estimated that a home health aide in Alexander City, AL cost $3,337 a month or $40,044. The cost of an assisted living facility in Montgomery was estimated to be $3,675 a month, or $44,100 a year. So, six years of receiving long-term care in the Alexander City area currently costs in excess of $200,000.

Gordon observes that trying to motivate men to plan for long-term care with the statistics doesn’t work because they don’t believe it will happen to them, whereas women hope it won’t but understand that the odds are that it will. He recommends that since men are most motivated by taking care of those they love, the

There are multiple ways to financially plan for long-term care, including traditional insurance, hybrid types of life insurance and long-term care insurance, long-term care annuities, self-insuring, etc.

These methods will be covered in a workshop on Tuesday, July 24th by Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. at the

Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial consultant and principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Alexander City, Auburn, and Montgomery, AL. Susan serves over $150 million in brokerage and advisory assets through LPL Financial and has been a financial planner for over 35 years. *She ranks in the top two percent of LPL’s financial advisors based on total production. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761.

Email contact is susan@ moorewealthmanagement.com.

JULY 2018

*Based on total revenues, as reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2017.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor.

Member FINRA/SIPC

LAKE 99

100

256.234.4141 LAKE Alexander City

334.279.3101 JULYMontgomery 2018