Lake magazine December 2018

2018 Cleanup Honor Roll CHAINSAW CARVINGS AT STATE PARK

Shoot like a Girl

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 1

We are UAB Medicine - Russell Medical Cancer Center And we’re in your corner.

If you fight cancer, home is your fortress.

If you fight cancer, you seek to focus your energy On beating the disease, not traveling exhausting miles searching for your care.

If you fight cancer, you fight here, Where your people live and your soul is strong, In this corner of the world Where the whisper of wind through pines Brings peace and tranquility And a summer storm breathes new green into the earth.

For we are UAB Medicine - Russell Medical Cancer Center This is where we’ve built our team of expert physicians, Who’ve faced down these deadly cells before And won --- compassionate physicians Who treat patients where we live So that if you fight cancer, you stay here to do itHere in your home.

We are UAB Medicine - Russell Medical Cancer Center And we are in your corner for the fight.

And best of all, we’re in your corner of the world.

Exceptional care just around the corner 256.329.7888 • russellcares.com • uabmedrussellcancer.com 3446 Hwy 280 Alexander City, AL 35010

256-596-3081

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 3

Staff

Letter from the Editor

T

his month, Lake magazine is honored to applaud the efforts of individuals who make a difference here; folks who see a need and execute an idea for meeting it; folks who turn up when the call goes out; folks who recognize that more could be done and set about doing it.

Kudos to Myrle Grate at Children’s Harbor and to his hardworking, dedicated staff; and the volunteers who make happy-placemoments possible for seriously ill children and their families. And kudos to the Children’s Harbor board of directors that dreams big and the donors and construction crews that fund and build so more can be done.

In the last year, Children’s Harbor added a zero-entry pool on the lodge-side of the campus, and while that might seem like a simple project, it greatly changed the camp experience for hundreds of kids. To make better use of buildings that serve children in the center of the campus, Children’s Harbor recently started construction on a new welcome center at the Harbor House entrance.

Check out the improvements at this lakeside campus on page 20.

Then, turn to page 26 to peruse the Renew Our Rivers honor roll that includes just a few of the 300 volunteers who turned out to clean up some 20 tons of trash from lake shorelines and roadways last month. And kudos to Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson who organized the campaign and led the charge with a trash bag and a picker.

Thompson recognized that, in addition to the litter that collects over an ordinary summer at the lake, the accumulation of trash over the generations since the formation of Lake Martin needed to be cleaned up. He determined that the job was not too big to accomplish and several years ago started rounding up volunteers. This year, the goal of catching up with that years-old litter and trash was reached.

And kudos to Ken Carter, the unassuming wood carver who has enhanced our own Wind Creek State Park with a small zoo of animals for the simple delight of campers and visitors. Carter has turned his chainsaw and chisels to projects that help visitors find their way to the campground and provide popular photo ops for campers. It’s just something he does because it makes a difference. Find out more about how he does it on page 36.

These are only a few stories about people who make life better, healthier and happier at Lake Martin. This month, look around for others, and be sure to applaud their efforts.

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor AMY PASSARETTI

amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

KATIE WESSON

katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

KAT RAIFORD

kat.raiford@tallasseetribune.com

JULIE HARBIN

julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com

JOLIE WATERS

jolie.waters@alexcityoutlook.com

JESSICA WARE

jessica.ware@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@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 LONNA UPTON GREG VINSON ROB MCDANIEL

DONALD CAMPBELL LIZI ARBOGAST JOHN THOMPSON MARK GILLILAND JESSE CUNNINGHAM JIMMY WIGFIELD

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

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

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

On the Cover Lake Martin shows off her brilliant gold, orange and red foliage on a shoreline below Kowaliga Bridge. As the water level has receded to winter pool now, exposed sand-and-pebble beaches, dotted with driftwood, provide a neutral palette for the autumn colors and contrast with the blue of the lake. Sunny fall days hold an open invitation to take the boat on a color tour before the hectic holiday activities begin. Photo by Kenneth Boone

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DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 5

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Contents 20. CHILDREN'S HARBOR A new zero-entry pool and a welcome center foster a 'happy place' atmosphere at this Lake Martin camp for seriously ill kids 26. 2018 RENEW OUR RIVERS HONOR ROLL Lake magazine celebrates the hard work and dedication of the 300-strong volunteers who collected 20 tons of trash from around the lake 36. FROM WOOD TO WONDER Chainsaw carvings enhance visitors' experiences at Wind Creek State Park

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42. HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Decking the halls is all that it should be at the Smith house at Lake Martin 50. A GIRL AND A GUN Women gain skill and confidence through this new girlsonly Lake Martin shooting club 54. THE LONG RIDE North American Trail Ride Conference Region 5 brings its last endurance competition of the season to Wind Creek State Park

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES: 9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 13. WHERE IS LAKE? 14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS 18. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 32. NATURE OF THE LAKE 59. HOBO

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60. LAKE PROPERTY 62. LAKE Q&A 64. HEALTHY LIVING 65. CHEF'S TABLE 66. BIG CATCHES 68. CHEERS! 70. FAB FINDS

42 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.

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 7

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DECEMBER 2018

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

23 26 21

$553,774 $540,602 $605,429

$485,000 $547,500 $350,000

145 179 245

216 291 340

8.44 10.21 18.55

October 2018 October 2015 October 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).

Boating is big business

Did You Know?

Lake home makes the wish list Congratulations to Jan Ware, whose Lake Martin escape ("Ware House," featured on p. 48, in the August 2018 issue of Lake magazine) was recognized as the No. 1 most wish-listed Airbnb home in Alexander City and Tallapoosa County.

The Airbnb list includes 95 homes available for vacation rentals on Lake Martin.

In addition,VRBO, a popular vacationrental-by-owner website, lists 178 rental

Weather outlook for December December 2018 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s with average lows in the low 30s and close to 5 inches of precipitation in the month of December. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be in the normal range this month and rainfall can be expected to be slightly above normal in December.

Precipitation: 51.84 inches Avg. high temp.: 77.3 Avg. low temp.: 54.3 Avg. temp.: 65.8

The house includes gorgeous views and luxurious amenities

Jan Ware's Lake Martin destination is Airbnb's most-wished-for vacation spot at the lake

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, recreational boating and fishing accounts for $36.93 billion of gross domestic product. Boating and fishing is the single largest category of activities identified in the nation’s outdoor recreation classification, which employs 4.5 million people with $214 billion in annual compensation. The analysis was reported as a provision of the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016.

Year to Date

options on Alabama's only Treasured Lake. Photos by Jean Allsopp

Our Normal December Precipitation: 4.90 inches Avg. high temp.: 57.3 Information from the Avg. low temp.: 33.9 National Weather Avg. temp.: 45.6 Service.

DECEMBER 2018

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 486.97 Lowest: 485.71 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.

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Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) A cool, foggy October morning in Lake Martin's Bluegill Cove. (2) When he found an Auburn National Championship flag in the lake Labor Day weekend, Cruz Ballard raised it high behind the boat. (3) Cousins Katherine, Elizabeth, Charley, Mallory and Caroline Sain have a blast at their grandparents' Windover lake house. (4) Fall on Lake Martin is full of brightly colored leaves like these photographed by Jan Hodgson. (5) White pelicans captured in flight between Madwind Creek and Youngs Island on Lake Martin by Laura Broome. (6) Charles Murrell's granddaughters being goofy out on the lake.

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DECEMBER 2018

Lake Scene n People & Places 1

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) A December super moon shines down on Smith Mountain. (2) Laura Broome's grandsons Lane and Finn last Easter at Point Windy on Lake Martin. (3) Ella Kate and Ann Margaret continued their Lake Martin adventures on Goat Island.

(4) Last year in the 9-degree weather, Johanna McCain captured the beauty of snow in her backyard in Goodwater. (5) Kristen Fountain's golden retriever, Rosie, loves to jump off the dock at Lake Martin – for hours.

DECEMBER 2018

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12 LAKE

7995 KOWALIGA ROAD, ECLECTIC, AL 36024

334.857.3900 | LakeMartinMiniMall.com DECEMBER 2018

Where is Lake? n People & Places

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Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Members of the DHS Class of 1964 took Lake to Sho'nuff for lunch. (2) Connie Ransom, Nancy Sewell, Debra Easterwood and Victoria, Tony and Natalie Parsons took Lake magazine on their Hawaiian cruise.

(3) Beth and Tony Brown and Caroline Skinner took Lake siteseeing at the Parliament Building in Victoria, B.C., Canada. (4) Toni and Ashton Celka and Bailee Wilson of Wetumpka took Lake to Venice, Italy. (5) Rick Kilgore took Lake magazine to Havana, Cuba. (6) Cory and Cathy Broome picked up a copy of Lake magazine during the Lake Martin Lions Poker Run. (7) Natalie Durden in front of the Lincoln Memorial with Lake magazine.

DECEMBER 2018

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Dec. 3 Hometown Christmas Parade

Dec. 1-Dec. 23 Christmas on the Hill

Every Saturday and Sunday in December, nonprofit Double D Animal Rescue will host a Christmas event for children starting at 12 p.m. Santa will be in attendance for photos; there will be hayrides and hot chocolate; and a chance to see or meet the horses. Decorations will fill the property, along with the showroom. Admission is by donation to the animal farm. Double D Animal Rescue is located at 124 Edgewater Dr. in Jacksons Gap. For more information, call 256-307-7791.

Dec. 1 2018 Spirit of Christmas Parade

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN

Design your entry around your favorite Christmas song to match Millbrook’s parade theme this year: A Musical Millbrook Christmas. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at the Sports Complex behind Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and will end at the intersection at City Hall. Call Kathy Kelley at 334322-9871 for guidelines and entry forms. Sign-up deadline is Nov. 26.

Lake Martin Young Professionals will host a New Year's Eve casino night at The Mill Two Eighty

Red Ridge UMC will present Sing Christmas, a chorale experience composed and arranged by Joel Raney and Mary McDonald, at 9:30 a.m in the church sanctuary. The performance will include staging, musical and theatrical treatment under the direction of Dr. Kim Walls, accompanied by a full orchestra of musicians. Refreshments and coffee will be served following the concert. The event is open to the public. Red Ridge is located at 8091 county Road 34 in Dadeville. For more information, contact Pastor Vicki Cater at 256-825-9820.

Alexander City Theatre II and Flint Hill United Methodist Church teamed up to perform this original musical production that retells the Nativity story with a cast that includes 27 voices in the choir and 17 acting roles. Tickets are $12 for this 2 p.m. performance that will be held at the ACT II Fine Arts Center at 216 Tallapoosa St. Seating is limited. Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Visit actheatre2.com for details.

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Dec. 8 Christmas in the Park

The City of Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department will host this annual holiday event from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex with arts and crafts, food, music, reindeer races and more activities and shopping along the 1-mile road through the park from state Route 22 to Elkahatchee Road. For information, visit the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

Dec. 8 Little House Concert

Dec. 2 Red Ridge United Methodist Church Cantata

Dec. 2 All is Well

The 2018 Hometown Christmas Parade will wind through Alexander City at 6 p.m. with a Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree theme. Santa arrives in town during this annual festive occasion, and spectators are invited to line the parade route from Comer Street, down Cherokee Road to Church Street, through the round-about to Tallapoosa Street and Strand Park.

Standard Deluxe will host Susto Stories with Justin Osborne and Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, an intimate acoustic experience. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and Cosby-Q BBQ will be on site serving up food. Tickets are $15, and the show starts at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit StandardDeluxe.com.

Dec. 9 Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade

The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual spectacular that includes pictures with Santa, arts and crafts booths, food, inflatables and train rides from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Courthhouse Square. The parade begins at 3 p.m. For details, visit dadevillechamber.com or call 256-825-4019.

Dec. 10 Country & Christmas

Alexander City Arts will host this Christmas performance with Grammy-award winners Linda Davis, Lang Scott and Cheryl White. The show will be held at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium and begin at 7 p.m. For additional information, contact Mary Wood at 256-749-8073.

DECEMBER 2018

Dec. 15 Jingle Jump for Camp ASCCA

Rd. in Millbrook. Visit alabamawildlife.org to check holiday closings.

Fundraising is under way for this annual splash in the Camp ASCCA pool to raise money for camp scholarships.

Camp ASCCA offers exciting and unique camp experiences for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Donate to the campaign at campascca.networkforgood.com or contact Kasey Langley at kasey@campascca.org to sign up for the jump.

Dec. 15-16 The Magic of Christmas

The Talisi Historical Preservation Society’s Friends of Tuckabatchee will present the Christmas program, The Magic of Christmas at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16.

The story is based around the Faulkner family during the Great War. Set in the backdrop of the mountains and filled with classic songs of Christmas, this family-friendly performance is all about the Christmas spirit. Tickets are $10, and advanced purchaes can be made at mtvernontheatre.net.

Dec. 21 Free Comedy at Standard Deluxe

The Little House at Standard Deluxe in Waverly will host a night of comedy hosted by Rivers Langley and featuring David Perdue, Samm Severin, Ben Sawyer, Monika Scott and Joe Raines. The event is free of charge and begins at 8 p.m. For more information, visit StandardDeluxe.com.

Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Casino Night

The Lake Martin Young Professionals will host a New Year’s Eve event from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Mill Two Eighty. Tickets are $50 per person and include $1,000 in chips to play the games, which include blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and slot machines. It also includes prizes, live entertainment, food and a champagne toast. The event is presented by MXK Events and Weddings and is open to anyone. For information, contact Jacob Meacham at jacob.meacham@alexandercitychamber.com.

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.

Library Storytime in Dadeville

Storytime for children ages 5 and younger is held at the Dadeville Public Library every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Children’s Library in Alexander City

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged and younger children. In addition, the children’s library hosts board games and puzzles every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call Melissa Finley at 256-234-4644 for information.

Ladies’ Book Club

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

Santuck Flea Market

The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month, except January and February. The Santuck Flea Market is located at 7300 Central Plank Rd., state Route 9 in Wetumpka.

Sarah Carlisle Towery 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.

Season-Long Events Millerville Trade Day

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

Alabama Wildlife Federation Naturalist Hikes

Alabama Wildlife Federation Creature Feature

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

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. For information, call 334-857-2008.

To have your event included in the Lake magazine Calendar of Events, email date, time and other details to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com.

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 15

Merry Christmas!

Contact us today.

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Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services

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• Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing Candi Tate, Clinical Liaison

2334 Washington Street, Alexander City | 256-329-9061 | www.crownehealthcare.com

DECEMBER 2018

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DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 17

Lake Martin News Cleanup collects 20 tons of trash

More than 300 volunteers participated in this year’s Renew Our Rivers cleanup event at Lake Martin Nov. 2 and 3, removing an estimated 20 tons of trash from the shorelines and roadways of Alabama’s only Treasured Lake. Volunteers filled dumpsters located at Wind Creek State Park, Kowaliga boat ramp, Union boat ramp, Real Island Marina and the Alexander City boat ramp. Three dumpsters were filled at Wind Creek. More than 100 tires and a refrigerator were included in the removed trash.

A small hardworking group of volunteers concentrated on the shoreline in the Elkahatchee Creek and Camp ASCCA areas on the east side of Lake Martin and filled an estimated 1,000 large bags with trash that had accumulated over many years.

The Dixie Sailing Club was present with its young sailors, who cleaned a heavily trashed area near New Hope Church.

Boats provided by volunteers, Lake Martin Resource Association, Alabama Power Company and Lake Martin Dock Company loaded the heavy bags and large pieces of beaded Styrofoam for transportation to Wind Creek State Park Marina and the Alexander City public ramp, where they were off-loaded into dumpsters.

Wind Creek park superintendent Bruce Adams once again supported the annual event by providing personnel and equipment to off-load the trash. A volunteer group from Martin Dam provided equipment and manpower to handle the trash at the Alexander City Public Ramp.

On Saturday, Wind Creek State Park was filled with Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and third- and fourth-grade students from Stephens Elementary School, as well as parents and Stephens art teacher Debra Griffith. These youngsters, armed with bags and orange trash pickers, picked up litter throughout the park, stopping periodically to enjoy the park’s attractive playground.

There was also a large amount of trash removed from adjacent roadways by the Russell Lands associates who cleaned from Our Town to the Kowaliga Bridge. Volunteers from Lake Martin Dock Company cleaned from Highway 229 north to the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store. Coven Abbett Highway was cleaned from Highway 280 to Wind Creek State Park by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce staff and other volunteers.

Forty students from Reeltown High School did a great job cleaning roadsides in the Union area. Thirty-one residents in the Real Island area gathered at the volunteer fire department and cleaned roadsides throughout the community. The Real Island Marina provided a dumpster for disposal of the bagged trash.

County Commissioner Steve Robinson provided manpower to remove the tires for recycling.

The event concluded on Saturday at noon and was fol18 LAKE

Barges and boats loaded with trash pulled in to unload

lowed by a hotdog cookout courtesy of Alabama Power Company Manager Marshall Griffin and his crew. In addition, snacks and drinks were provided by Alabama Power Shoreline Management’s Rhett Hanks, Kristi Cheany and Clint McKelvey.

This was the 13th annual LMRA Renew our Rivers Lake Martin cleanup, and each year, the number of volunteers has increased. ~ John Thompson

WCSP hosts successful Fall Festival Close to 4,000 visitors attended this year's Fall Festival

Wind Creek State Park celebrated one of its busiest weekends of the year last month with the 12th annual Fall Festival event.

“All of our 586 campsites were booked up,” Wind Creek Superintendent Bruce Adams said. “Everyone enjoys it. We already have people booking campsites for next year’s festival.”

Adams said the fun began for campers Friday evening, with a pumpkin carving contest and an educational presentation. The main event kicked off Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run. A carnival was set up in the equine camping area offering rides, inflatables and a game area where guests could earn tickets to win prizes. ~ Donald Campbell

DECEMBER 2018

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

Contribution Form Name_____________________________________ Date_______ Address_______________________________________________ City_______________________ State_______ ZIP____________ Phone________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________

Giving Levels

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

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

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

Amount enclosed $_____________________

lakemartindock.com For more information visit us online or call

334.857.2443

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 19

Children's Harbor New pool and welcome center foster 'happy place' atmosphere at Lake Martin camp for kids STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER & COURTESY OF CHILDREN'S HARBOR

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Drive by Children’s Harbor this winter for a glimpse of the new welcome center now under construction inside the main gate at the Lake Martin campus, said CEO Myrle Grate. The construction began this fall and will open late spring of 2019 in time for the camp’s 30th summer of serving seriously ill children and their families. In addition, Children’s Harbor will look at adding amenities to the fully accessible swimming pool complex that opened last May on the lodge side of the campus.

“The new welcome center will be close to the main entrance on that side of campus, making it easier for visitors to find, and it will better use Harbor House to meet our No. 1 priority of serving ill children,” Grate explained. “In addition, opening the zero-entry pool for the more severely disabled children we serve created a destination spot and effectively changed the way we use the lodge side of our campus. With that in mind, we’d like to eventually enhance the new swimming pool area even more with an outdoor kitchen.”

Children’s Harbor consulted with Lakeshore Foundation, which enables people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions through physical activity and recreation.

The cost of the pool and welcome center projects, including renovation of the camp’s current administrative space at Concord, comes in at just over $1.5 million, Grate said. And while much of the funding for these projects is already in place, fundraising continues to ensure their completion.

The lodge-side pool construction included new bathhouses and covered picnic space beside an 85-foot by 35-foot pool with a graduate-slope ramp along one 35-foot side to accommodate entry for campers with physical challenges. Railings on one side of the ramp offer additional entry stability while steps and additional railings assist swimmers into the deeper water at the opposite end of the pool.

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The new zero-entry pool offers handicapped access to fun on the lodge side of the Children's Harbor campus

“The lodge side is where we host family retreats.

These are camps for children with more severe illnesses.

These are kids who cannot come to Children’s Harbor by themselves; they need the assistance of caregivers, parents and siblings,” Grate explained.

“Before we opened the lodge-side pool on Memorial Day weekend earlier this year, the campers would have to load up in a vehicle and transport three-quarters of a mile to the pool on the main side of the campus. If it rained or if a camper needed to return to the cabin for care, they had to load up for the return trip and usually never did make it back to the pool for the rest of the day.

It was just a tough trek to make two times or more in one day.

“Now, they don’t have to transport, which makes accessing the pool infinitely easier. If someone needs to

DECEMBER 2018

Campers thanked donors with bright smiles and bold 'Thank you' signs

go back to the cabin, a return to the pool on the same day is far more realistic. If there is a brief shower, they can come back out when the rain stops.

What this facility has done is create the opportunity for these kids to spend the entire day at the pool. That would otherwise be an impossibility for them,” he said.

The addition of an outdoor kitchen in the pool area would make it feasible to further engage campers who could then enjoy a poolside hot dog or more extensive parties and events there. The kitchen also could make it easier for staff conducting the camps, as transporting and preparing food could be considerably less work than transporting more than a dozen campers with mobility issues and equipment that might include wheelchairs,

walkers, crutches, IVs and other medical apparatus.

On the other side of camp, the Harbor House renovation will turn that under-utilized space into a welcome center, offices and meeting rooms for administrative tasks that presently are performed upstairs at Concord Cottage.

“The administrative offices at Concord Cottage often are not accessible to anyone with mobility issues,” Grate said. “But we realized we could use that space to house counselors and staff for camps and move our adminis-

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trative offices to the main area by repurposing Harbor House.”

While Harbor House has been a popular venue for weddings and community meetings and activities, its configuration was not conducive to use by campers, he explained.

“Our No. 1 priority is hosting camps for children with serious illnesses – along with their families,” he said.

“Our No. 2 priority is to accommodate pediatric healthcare activities, events and meetings. Our third priority is making the camp available for rentals, which helps to supply income that supports our vision, but we don’t make strategic plans for the facility around rentals.”

While children, caregivers and family members lodge in cabins at the 66-acre Children’s Harbor, medical staff and speakers often are assigned accommodations in Concord Cottage. With administrative offices located upstairs, these accommodations have been limited to the downstairs rooms. Moving administration to a renovated Harbor House will make space at Concord Cottage for 10 more support staff upstairs, Grate said. As long-range plans include expansion of camp facilities, more room for staff will already be in place.

The new Children’s Harbor Welcome Center plan includes a pass-through view to the iconic iron spiral staircase that rises from the center of the Harbor House floor, preserving the nautical Eastern seaboard atmosphere of the camp. Other displays in the new center will invite visitors to learn more about the mission of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

Ben and Luann Russell more than 30 years ago donated the property for the Lake Martin campus, which supplements services to patients and their families at Children’s Harbor Family Center on the campus of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children. The lakeside facility last year hosted 4,600 children and their families who struggle with serious illnesses and disabilities and who would not be able to experience a summer at camp without Children’s Harbor.

Camps for children who have been severely burned, are in treatment for cancers and are affected by severe birth defects or debilitating accidents are among those who benefit from activities at the Lake Martin campus.

Many local residents volunteer at the camp, serving meals, acting as aides and counselors and taking children for boat rides.

“I have conversations almost daily with parents who tell me how much this place means to their children,” Grate said. “One mother told me that they live for those few days out of the year that they get to come here. She said, ‘On the last day of camp, when we get in the van to leave, the first thing that happens is that we all cry – because we are leaving Children’s Harbor. Then, we talk about all the great times we had at camp this year, and right then, as we are pulling out, we start counting the days until we can come back next year.’

“This is their happy place.”

The concept of being a happy place shaped the theme for Children’s Harbor’s 30th anniversary celebration next year, Grate said.

“Our theme is: Where is your happy place? For these 22 LAKE

children and their families, this is it. This is the place where they can just be themselves. No one looks at them funny or shies away from them. They get to do things that other kids get to do at summer camp. They are happy here, like nowhere else.”

The qualifying nonprofit service organizations that provide care and programming for camps for the children do so under grants that allow them cost-free use of the facility, he explained. Pediatric healthcare workshops and events are afforded use of the facilities at a 50 percent discount.

The annual operating budget for both facilities tops $3.4 million.

Upkeep of the facility’s existing structures is an ongoing expense, especially as some of the buildings are now 30 years old, Grate said. Projects for 2019 also could include renovation of the outdoor amphitheater on the lodge side of campus, as funding is available.

The strategic plan includes construction of another lodge area with cabins, dining facilities and activity buildings.

“With the two camp areas that we have now we can accommodate two separate camps, and we are full all summer long. We have no room to let more organizations serve more kids,” Grate said. “We hope that, perhaps as soon as four years from now, we could add another area that would allow us to host three camps at once.”

Along with the structural and grounds maintenance, Children’s Harbor must stay up-to-date with technology, especially in the medical field. As new treatment and care options become available for the children who use the campus, the facility would need to be able to accommodate the technological infrastructure that supports them.

“We need to keep pace, so we can continue to offer these services for decades to come,” Grate said. “So we can continue to be the happy place for these families.”

The pool area includes covered dining and a wide Lake Martin view

DECEMBER 2018

The new welcome center should be finished for the 30th anniversary of the lakeside camp for seriously ill children and their families

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24 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

Luke 2: 11

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 25

Volunteer of the Year Ken Holland picks up trash at Lake Martin year round

2018 Renew Our Rivers Honor Roll 26 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

O

Of the 300 volunteers armed with pickers and trash bags at this year’s Renew Our Rivers cleanup, Ken Holland of Brooks, Georgia, led the charge, said cleanup coordinator John Thompson.

“He was over the top. He set the pace,” Thompson said. “Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did. He got other people to go out there with him, or he just went by himself.”

Holland started a pre-bagging effort in conjunction with the cleanup and, along with his wife, Tanya, and sister-in-law Tammie McVickers and other volunteers, collected thousands of bags of trash ahead of the official ROR dates.

It started when the Hollands bought a boat 16 years ago and discovered Lake Martin.

Carla Culligan “We camped at Wind Creek State Park for seven years and finally bought a piece of property at River Oaks,” Holland said.

“We got involved with John Thompson and started going out to clean up.”

“We’re very lucky that we get to do this,” said Tanya Holland. “We see a lot of things, like loons and eagles. A lot of people miss out on it, but we get to clean and see the difference we’re making and see nature.”

This year, the Hollands were able to document the difference they’ve made, as they returned to a slough in which they had collected trash two years ago.

“When we were there two years ago, we picked up 20 bags of old trash – some of the cans we picked up then had expiration dates in the 1990s stamped on them,” Tanya said. “This year, we only got two bags of trash out of there.”

“We just enjoy being out there and cleaning up trash. We have fun, and we make a difference, and we meet a lot of great people,” Holland said.

The following pages feature a few of the hundreds of volJacob Meacham, Kim Dunn unteers who turned and Ed Collari out during this year’s 20-ton trash cache, which was sponsored by Lake Martin Resource Association, Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands On Lake Martin, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, Lake Martin Dock Company and TowBoatU.S. Lake Martin.

DECEMBER 2018

Russell Lands crews turned out en force

Jeff and Taylor Cochran Jeff Hopkins, John Thompson and Hunter Hillanbrand

Cody Duffy and Larry Tuggle

LAKE 27

Robert Iler IV

Reeltown High School students and teachers

Russell Lands employees cleaned Highway 63

Will Denton

Diane Waites

Kevin Drumwright, Mike McKemie and Tim Crowley

Candy Jones

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Will Wiggins

Shirley Cook and Tammie McVicker

The Reeltown Community

DECEMBER 2018

Ashley DeJesus, Maria Rosario and Jorge DeJesus

Omie and Mattie Turner

Kellie, Britt and Will Wiggins

Wright and Alexia Borden

Davis Philhower

Charlotte Denton

Chuck Hicks

Billy Barrett

Vincent Browne and Chuck Browne

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LAKE 29

Annette Huett

Another Russell Lands crew

Hale Borden

Debra Griffith, Caroline Stegall and Jon Owens

Ryan Parker, Norm White and Josh Yerby

Russell Lands crews focused on Highway 63, a main thoroughfare to the lake

Jimmy Huett

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Mike Carter

DECEMBER 2018

Norma Philhower

Mike Squires

John Coram

Ken Holland, Norm White and Bill Thompson collected more than 180 bags of trash near Woods Island Benton, Jeff, Buffie, Leighton and Caroline Stegall and Kim, Palyn and Jimmy Joiner

Mason Kim, Jeony Eun Lee, Ella Kim and Jena and Lonnie

Samantha and Grady Galvan and Presley, Buffie and Taylor Self

Russell Lands crews dropped their trash at the Kowaliga boat ramp

Carole Borden

Lee Reynolds and Lamar Jones

Norah Childers, Emma Scholz and Olin, Sarah and Ethan Childers and Mike and Suzanne Scholz

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NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

Broadleaf Arrowhead 32 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

Broadleaf Arrowhead grows in wet soil or water and has small white blossoms

B

Broadleaf Arrowhead is a pretty wetlands plant you ought to know about.

It produces starchy edible tubers, which native Americans used as a staple … and it’s also called Duck Potato or Indian Potato because that’s kind of what it tastes like.

Fall is the best time of year to collect this wild food, which can be eaten raw (they’re bitter but edible) or boiled or roasted (much more tasty and described as a cross between a potato and a chestnut).

The tubers can also be dried and ground up to make a bread.

This plant is known to the scientific community

as Sagittaria latifolia, which comes from the Latin words for arrow and broad-leaved. It is also known as Wapato (wah-puh-toe), a Native American name.

Broadleaf Arrowhead is endemic to Canada and the contiguous United States, Mexico, Central America and the northern part of South America. People have transplanted it to many other parts of the world where it now grows wild, including Europe, Australia, Russia, Hawaii and even Bhutan.

This plant can grow in either wet soil or in the water. In the water, it can be up to 6 feet tall and can stand up to 3 feet above the surface. Its arrowheadshaped leaves are its most distinguishing characteris-

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tic. Each dark green leaf is attached to the end of a single thick stalk. The leaves themselves have many uniform veins that originate where the stalk attaches and radiate out to the rest of the leaf in a curving fashion. Broadleaf Arrowhead has white flowers with three petals on a thick stalk with no leaf on it. Its white, starch-filled tubers are covered with a purplish skin.

This plant grows alone or in colonies, and it is usually found along the shoreline – both in the wet soil and in the water – on rivers, ponds and lakes. In Lake Martin, you will likely find them in marshy areas in the back of sloughs and along the shores of creeks flowing into the lake.

Broadleaf Arrowhead has played a major role in feeding people in the Americas for thousands of years, but one of the more interesting accounts is how it became a primary food for the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800s.

According to the explorers’ journal, on Oct. 22, 1805, Meriwether Lewis fell behind the expedition to investigate Wapato roots that were being dug by natives in “great quantities in the bottoms” of the Deschutes River in what is now Washington State.

The explorers first tasted Wapato on Nov. 4, 1805, when it was roasted in their fire’s coals. Clark said it reminded him of “a small Irish potato.”

According to the journal, Lewis and Clark named an island in the Columbia River “Wappetoe Island” after this tuber. The island is now known as Sauvie Island, and it is located in Multnomah County, Oregon.

In the March 29 entry, Clark described Native American women gathering the Wapato “by getting into the water, Sometimes to their necks holding by a Small canoe and with their feet loosen the wappato or bulb of the root from the bottom from the Fibers, and it imedeately rises to the top of the water, they Collect & throw them into the Canoe, those deep roots are the largest and the best roots.”

This became a staple of the expedition; in fact in Oregon, Broadleaf Arrowhead “potatoes” and elk made up the explorers’ everyday meals. The expedition’s famous native guide, Sacagawea, told Clark she suggested they overwinter anywhere there was “plenty of Potas.”

If you’d like to try these round tubers, the best way to dig them is the same way the Native Americans did. Once you break them loose with your feet (or if you don’t like mud between your toes, try a stick or pitchfork), they will float. To prepare the tubers, cut off the sprout and boil or roast them for 30 minutes; then, peel and use them just like a potato. The young leaves, stalks and flowers of this plant also are edible.

Before you take your shoes off and start rooting around in the mud for dinner, you need to know that there is a very similar-looking plant growing here that can be toxic, Arrow Arum. A major difference between the two plants is that Arum leaves have three primary veins in each of the leaf’s three lobes, but the most prominent is the one that goes to the point of the arrowhead. Secondary veins may be very small and barely visible, and they branch off all along the length of the primary veins. Also, Arum has very different, yellow flowers that are packed along a sheathed spike – at a quick glance, it looks something like a tiny ear of corn.

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The veins of Broadleaf Arrowhead generate from the center of the leaf

The veins of the sometimes fatal Arrow Arum, which often grows beside Broadleaf Arrowhead, generate from a long center vein

Arrow Arum is both toxic and edible. Eaten raw, it produces a burning sensation within about a minute of putting it in your mouth, and it can be dangerous or even fatal if swallowed; however, long cooking times – like all day – can make this look-alike edible and results in another excellent source of starch that was eaten regularly

by Native Americans.

Some information for this article came from www.lewisclark.org, www.eattheweeds.com and The Field Guide to Aquatic Plants of Alabama prepared by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

DECEMBER 2018

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Ken Carter's eagle carving at the campground check-in is a popular photo op

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

36 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

From Wood to Wonder Chainsaw carvings enhance visitors' experiences at Wind Creek State Park

K

Ken Carter was a 10-year-old Boy Scout the first time he picked up a carving knife, but he’s come a long way from making feathered arrows for the bow he used then. The Wind Creek State Park volunteer is now retired, and he enhances Lake Martin’s premier campground with chainsaw carvings at buildings, gates and roadways.

“I just do it for people’s enjoyment, for people who visit the park and because I love Alabama,” said Carter.

Park Superintendent Bruce Adams said the carvings add to the experiences that campers have at WCSP. The perching eagle at the campground check-in office is a popular selfie station, and Carter’s most recent addition – a 350-pound horse head – was carved to help visitors find their way to the equine area at the park.

“One day, I was in line at the campground check-in, and the woman in front of me was asking directions to the horse area campground,” Carter explained. “It was kind of complicated, and I thought a carving of a horse’s head might help folks recognize the turn, make it easier for them to find it.”

The horse head is made from a large pine stump that showed some dark coloring in its core. Carter cut the basic shape, along with the mane and facial features, with a series of chainsaws, and the details were refined with a chisel and sandpaper.

“When I first started doing them, Bruce Adams said he wanted the carvings to be things that are native to the area. So I did the soaring eagle at the camp store because of the eagle’s nest on the point near there,” Carter said.

The Montgomery man has created six landmark

carvings since that first eagle, including a bear, spirit face and an owl that greets visitors at the drive-thru checkpoint. Carter asked another wood carver, Gene Houston, to work the feather details on the owl for him.

“I’m really not a chainsaw artist,” Carter explained. “I’m really a blacksmith who got distracted and started carving wood.”

In fact, between his scouting days and retirement, Carter didn’t much pick up a knife to carve.

“I did blacksmith art and made ornamental stuff, all hammered in. I didn’t really think about carving until a blacksmith friend of mine said he was going to a woodworking meeting and did I want to come along. That was 15 years ago,” said Carter.

He begins his works by slicing the excess wood away to create a very basic shape. For the soaring eagle, that meant taking two tremendous cuts on the angle of the wood with a 260 chainsaw and a 20-inch bar.

“Once you’ve got the shape, you just come back in and get more and more detailed with the cuts,” he said. “You have to cut with the grain on the side you want to keep, or you won’t get a smooth line.”

He used a 16-inch bar for the angled cuts; and then, a 180 chainsaw for the detailing.

In addition, he uses a series of grinders and chisels.

“It’s a step-by-step procedure. I’m really more of a craftsman than an artist when it comes to these carvings.”

More often, his artistic pieces are Southwestern Native American busts, Carter said. He also works in clay and does some painting.

“I just like making things. I turn bowls and make

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Carter makes repairs to the first carving he made for the park

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DECEMBER 2018

spoons. Just to get out of the box and be creative,” he said.

He suggested anyone who is interested in carving start with a fish. Its graduating curves and changes provide opportunities to get used to the tools and learn how to handle them. Two chainsaws and a 4-inch grinder could do most of the work on the soaring eagle, he said.

“You have to learn the technique and gain some experience, and you can do whatever you want to do. But the more you do, the more you can do,” he said.

Carter uses a series of four chainsaws for his creations, including a 12-inch dime-tip carving bar that allows him to cut the lower curvature of an eagle’s neck and the underside of a horse’s chin.

“This is different from driftwood carving,” he explained.

“With driftwood, you try to see what shape is in the wood, and you carve to bring that out. With chainsaw carving, you pretty much make the wood do what you want it to do.”

The amount of detail in a carving depends on the artist who makes the piece, Carter said. Some carvers are happy with a basic shape and a few defining details while others are intent on the intricacy of individual feathers on a bird or the fur on a bear.

Whatever their styles or media, Carter said, artists have much to offer public parks.

“I challenge other local artists to contribute to this state park.

We have a lot of talent, and there’s a lot we can do for our park,” he said.

To learn more about carving, visit a local woodworking club.

The carvings represent animals that have a presence in the area

The 350-pound horse head points the way to the equine area at WCSP

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 39

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Christmas STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

42 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

M

Mike and Dolly Smith have cornered the market on the perfect Christmas; rather than decorate to impress others or look for just the perfect piece of pine bough for the mantel, the couple unpacks decorations and memorabilia that reflect their most precious memories of Christmases past. From simple, homespun decorations and bargain store finds to ornaments found in their world travels, each year the Smiths create a warm and inviting Christmas experience in their home, keeping the birth of Christ at the center.

“Mike and I both came from frugal families who taught us to utilize what we had and be thankful. Our favorite things have become the things that we promised we would replace with better when we could afford it. So brilliant how God has taught us more through our lack than through luxury,” Dolly Smith said.

The main living room glows with the light from the fireplace. The stairs and balcony railings are wrapped in garland and white lights, and the Christmas tree stands fully lit near the hearth.

Ornaments filled with memories decorate the Christmas tree in the living room.

Children and grandchildren created many of the ornaments, and many of them were made at the Smith’s kitchen table.

The Nativity belonged “I have two ornaments that to Smith's parents belonged to my mom and dad

that actually survived the moves of our military family.

They are so special. And I love the ones given to me by former students I taught or by friends,” Smith said.

Smith collects antique lamps and trays, which become part of the Christmas décor during this most wonderful time of the year. One of her Christmas trays, a piece depicting a Currier and Ives print of a horse-drawn sleigh, is displayed on the side table in the living room, next to a cozy antique rocker and ottoman, a perfect spot for herlatest quilting project. Over the side table hangs a large frame, which Smith fills with artwork or seasonal items, such as a Christmas wreath with wooden angels.

The Smiths’ Viszla puppy, Elsie, keeps the couple busy, as well as every piece of furniture warm, as she takes every opportunity to curl up and nestle into the Christmas quilts and blankets on the backs of chairs. One special quilt finds its home on a chair next to the Christmas tree.

“That one is actually my first quilt. It was one I started in high school, but just recently finished,” Smith said.

Gold and white reindeer stand poised on the coffee table near a large silver cross from Mike’s father’s funeral wreath.

Originally belonging to Mike’s mother, the family Bible lays open to the Christmas story in

The Bible is opened to the Christmas story in Matthew

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 43

Matthew’s Gospel.

“On the table next to the Bible is a stack of Christmas poetry written by our daughter, Carly, when she was a little girl. I just love those,” she said.

A Valentine’s gift from Mike to Dolly in 2008, a grandfather clock stands as an 8-foot sentry between the dining and living rooms. Two large Christmas mice, with legs dangling, sit atop the clock, and a small mouse ornament made by one of Smith’s former students clings to the keyhole.

The rectangular dining room table is set for 12 guests, and a red velvet runner showcases three decorative pedestal bowls filled with frosted fruit, greenery and pinecones. The 44 LAKE

bowls are interspersed with four gold quail. Napkin rings are simple gold garland, with the exception of four valued pottery Christmas tree napkin rings, which were cleaned, fired and painted by Smith and her daughter. The china sits on gold chargers, complementing additional table décor.

“Mike actually won china in a Chevrolet sales promotion in the mid-60s. I mix it with his mother’s china, and we love it,” Smith said.

The kitchen displays Christmas cards and an open cookbook where family recipes, written in the hands of the relatives, are clipped to the book and ready to go. On the kitchen bar, a snow-covered, Uptown Ford dealership replica includes a show window featuring a 1965 red Mustang

DECEMBER 2018

Winged angels herald the season in the Smiths' main living space

The nostalgic setting includes family photos

The table is set with red velvet and glittering decorations

convertible and Christmas trees beside a Ford billboard.

“That was a very special gift. My childhood friend, Skip, had an aunt, Ellen Arnett, who lived just down the road from my grandparents. She knew I worked for Ford, and she drove all the way here from Alabaster to bring me that gift she’d found,” Mike said.

During several tours of duty in the Middle East, three of Smith’s nephews sent their Christmas wishes and blessings to family members. These cherished Christmas letters and photos fill a galvanized metal mail holder hanging with a gold bow near the dining table.

One guest room, decorated in pinks and whites for the couple’s granddaughter, keeps Christmas decorations in the

same color scheme with a simple pink nutcracker on the bedside table and white lights strung around the dresser.

In the corner, a simple, small wrought iron Christmas tree displays perfect pink Christmas balls and baubles designed for wide-eyed little girls to love.

Framed photos of the Smiths’ daughter and granddaughter, as well as dozens of stuffed animals and dolls that belonged to Smith, her daughter and her grandchildren, add to the nostalgic feel of the room. Many of the baby blankets and toys were made by Smith, her mother, her grandmother and Mike’s mother.

Just off the kitchen is one of Smith’s favorite pieces – an artificial, double ball-shaped topiary she repurposed

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 45

A vintage mailbox holds Christmas greetings

The Smiths' tree is decorated with photos, lights and special ornaments

Even the foyer is dressed for Christmas

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DECEMBER 2018

Santa arrives on an antique tray bearing a tree and a birdhouse

into a partridge in a pear tree – with a partridge that sits on top while golden pears and white lights wind throughout the greenery. Above the tree, the Smiths display two large, Dutch wooden cookie molds.

The front room near the foyer is set for teatime around a snow-laden ceramic church. Three iron and wood angels stand on the window seat to guard the room. In one corner, red and white scarves and hats, a red top hat and a Santa cap decorate a large coat tree.

On the sideboard under the stairs, the Smiths display a precious Nativity scene that belonged to Smith’s parents.

“My mother met my father at Fort Bragg, and they married just two weeks later. Immediately after that, he was sent to a base in Ethiopia. It took her a year to save the money to go be with him, so they wrote letters. When she finally had enough money, she flew to Rome where she bought the Nativity; then, she took a boat to meet the husband she hadn’t seen in a year. And they have lived happily all these years,” she said.

Perhaps the love and nostalgia her parents share has been passed down to daughter and son-in-law as they prepare to celebrate the Christmas season by remembering days gone by. The Smiths cherish the past but humbly anticipate future blessings as they gather with family and friends.

“We have not always lived our faith and have striven hard to change. To be both blessed and grateful is an essential balance for us. Christmas helps us to never forget that,” Smith said.

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

The Ford dealership replica was a special gift from the aunt of a childhood friend

A vintage dish offers seasonal treats

Pine boughs and bows dress up the front entrance

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 47

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50 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

This new Lake Martin organization mixes skill development and comaradarie

A Girl and a Gun Organization provides a safe and social environment for women shooters STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI & PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 51

D

Dynamic women empowerment, safety and solidarity are the primary merits of a newly-formed Lake Martin sisterhood, A Girl and A Gun. The Lake Martin chapter of this nationally recognized organization, facilitated by Jodie McGirt, is a ladies-only shooting league established by women shooters for pistol, rifle and shotgun operators. The group is designed to teach beginners the basics of firearm handling and accurate shooting by providing training in a comfortable atmosphere. It also presents more opportunities to those with experience.

Its main objective is to improve ladies’ self-defense skills, along with competitive shooting. Other lessons include choosing the right guns, gear and accessories.

The culture of the league is to welcome all demographics of women to participate in events.

“This is the most inclusive group I have ever been a part of. The ladies truly take a personal interest in each other’s growth as shooters and provide a no-judgment environment. We really make sure of that because I want women to feel comfortable asking questions and learning new skills in a safe environment,” said McGirt, who is a range safety officer and NRA certified pistol instructor.

During a trip to a competitive three-gun shooting match in Phenix City, Alabama, McGirt was introduced to a chapter of AGAG. The safe environment and welcoming friendships provided by the women appealed to her.

“All the events we do will have a practice session and a social aspect because it’s all about the camaraderie,” McGirt added.

AGAG Women’s Shooting League has members in 48 states totaling nearly 5,600 women. The Lake Martin chapter currently has nine members, hailing from Alexander City, Eclectic, Dadeville, Tallassee, Deatsville and Montgomery.

The next closest chapter is in Rainbow City, more than 100 miles away, so there are no boundaries for membership to this group.

According to McGirt, the league’s mission is to educate and encourage women about firearm usage and safety. She hopes to increase awareness and promote women’s shooting interests and participation in competitive shooting sports. Women also practice drills and receive instruction on personalized gun needs, while enjoying the company of women with similar interests.

For many, attendance may simply ease the fear of a gun range.

“This is about getting people familiar with shooting. I know a lot of ladies that carry but aren’t comfortable doing so or using their firearms. The goal is to ensure these ladies who carry become comfortable and confident in their firearm usage. The repetition of practice also helps create muscle memory,” McGirt said.

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Learning the basics of grip, stance, sight picture and trigger control are valuable tools to have at any level, explained McGirt.

Only two years ago McGirt began developing her own shooting skills. While she grew up around guns, it was an influx of firearms at her house – and a lack of comfort around them – that jumpstarted her desire to learn more about their use and safety.

“I really enjoy being competitive with shooting because it’s against myself in an environment that’s supportive and encouraging. Also, there is a feeling of accomplishment, and it’s a major stress reliever,” she said.

AGAG Lake Martin meets twice a month for a variety of events, and holds quarterly matches against other women in the nation.

The sessions cover self-defense, firearm cleaning, in-home safety and learning to be your own first responder. McGirt said she hopes to partner with a local gun shop to bring out a variety of handguns so the ladies can experiment and find something with which they’re comfortable.

“Handguns are like shoes, you need to try them on to see what fits best,” said McGirt.

Learning to draw from a holster, shooting while moving and reloading under stress are essential skill sets for gun owners’ self defense.

“There is a huge focus on safety. I will go through a safety briefing each time and have a clearly defined safety plan in place should something happen. Range etiquette, proper attire and arriving with an unloaded gun that is placed in our ‘cold’ range are all important aspects of each gathering as well,” said McGirt. “The primary cause of accidents is ignorance, and I want to ensure these ladies have the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their firearms properly.”

Nationwide, AGAG offers clinics quarterly for special topics, including New Shooter meet-and-greet events. Sister organizations often sponsor get-togethers and provide lessons from national champion shooters or world-renowned instructors.

For some, the organization is a great path to find more competitive opportunities. Many members regularly participate in local matches. A positive environment could generate more opportunities for women and girls in shooting sports.

E-chapters are available online through A Girl and A Gun to help facilitate active training, along with an AGAG shooting journal that tracks ballistic data and professional documentation with guided worksheets.

Lake Martin AGAG primarily meets at Lake Martin Machine Gun, located on state Route 29 in Eclectic for the shooting portion of events.

To learn more about A Girl and A Gun Lake Martin AL, join its Facebook page.

DECEMBER 2018

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DECEMBER 2018

The Long Ride

54 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

North American Trail Ride Conference brings their last endurance competition of the season to Wind Creek State Park

Courtney Woodall lines up for check-in

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF JENIPHER MCDONALD

DECEMBER 2018

W

Wind Creek State Park last month provided the perfect Lake Martin setting for the last competitive equestrian endurance event of the season for North American Trail Ride Conference Region 5 riders. Competitors rode up to 60 miles under the changing colors of fall leaves on the park’s scenic trails, and the area won warm accolades from riders and race organizers alike.

The November competition was first time WCSP hosted the nonprofit association’s ride, and the riders were appreciative of the facilities they found here.

Her first time on the WCSP horse trails, Cindy Keen from Dublin, Georgia, said she was impressed with the trails and assumed local horses would do the best, based on their familiarity with the terrain and climbing.

“The trails were well defined, though, and marked clearly. It was absolutely gorgeous here with the down and up hills,” she added.

Ride manager Patty Lucas also said she was enthusiastic about the amenities at WCSP and the friendliness of its staff.

“Everyone has been absolutely fabulous and bent over backwards to help us out. The trails are beautiful; they have good mileage; and this is one of the rare sites we’ve gone that would be suitable for families,” Lucas said.

The Region 5 Trail Riders Association encourages endurance horse riding; ensures care and safety for horses through rider education; and assists volunteer ride managers in promoting quality trail rides.

“This is an opportunity to be in the saddle for hours and create a partnership and trust with your horse,” said Lucas.

The endurance rides are broken down into three categories: novice, competitive pleasure and open. Participants in the novice and CP categories rode for 17 miles on Saturday and another 17 miles on Sunday. The open category riders completed 30 miles on each of the two days of competition.

“It’s all about pace. Riders have to finish their mileages within a window of time – typically a half-hour – not earlier and not later. You work through a decision-making process to make it from point A to point B, following a map and working with your horse as a team,” said Jennifer Mulligan, rules interpreter for the WCSP location.

Riders may not be on the trails for longer than six hours without a break, so the open group had to come in for lunch before finishing their mileage each day.

LAKE 55

Anita Senecal and Lenox (left) and Caroline Pero and Comanche ride 17 miles each day of the competition

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DECEMBER 2018

Vet checks ensure the animals' health

Dressing up the horse's mane adds points

A rider trots her horse to check for soundness

Veterinarian Natalie Goldberger checks the pulse of Cindy Keen's horse at check-in

While the weekend is about improvement and building the horse-and-rider relationship, participants also are judged at check-in, along the trail and at checkout, making the sport one of personal achievement.

The first in the series of judges is a veterinarian that evaluates the horse based on its physical condition; ensures its soundness and checks its metabolic rate, jugular refill and hydration levels, along with other safety precautions, to encourage proper care of the horse, explained Mulligan.

“It’s all about safety for the animal. They assign points to each test done and deduct throughout the ride, based on the horse’s condition,” said Mulligan.

The rider and horse are considered separately, and the second judge assigns points for horsemanship.

“The campsites are examined for cleanliness and checked for adequate hay and water for the horses. Also, riders are judged on how well they ride; what decisions they make; and how they complete something we call ‘opportunities’,” said Mulligan.

During the course of the trail, there are typically four to five stops at which judges may ask riders to complete certain tasks, such as opening and closing a gate; crossing a stream; or backing up or moving sideways. These tests indicate the preparedness of a horse for safe trail riding, she added.

“The critiquing is really for improvements and education.

The judges leave comments and suggestions on riders’ cards as tips for the riders to enhance their abilities,” said Mulligan.

Aside from the judges, who have stringent requirements to be considered, volunteers perform all other job titles on each ride location. If volunteering in some capacity, that rider does not compete during the weekend’s location event. Prizes at each

competition are not monetary; rather, they are typically something useful to the rider, such as a feed bucket.

Region 5, one of the six national regions, includes states east of Mississippi and along the East Coast up to Maine; however, the farthest north the group typically hosts rides is Virginia.

Members compete in about 12-14 rides per year, and each location typically hosts 30-50 participants. Also, this region comprises nearly one-third of all competitors in the nation, and at least nine Region 5 members have won the President’s Cup – a prestigious honor awarded to the top horse in the U.S. “This weekend, we had seven first-time riders and a 10-yearold, which is the minimum age for joining the group,” Mulligan said.

Logan Samuels of Sylacauga and his horse, Watermelon, completed their first endurance ride during the Wind Creek event. He had joined his aunt for practice rides on the WCSP trails preceding the competition on Nov. 10 and 11, so he felt prepared, Samuels said.

“It was a lot of fun, especially the different opportunities.

The last one was the trickiest, and we had to side-step and tie a ribbon to a tree,” said Samuels, who has been riding since he was 7 years old.

His aunt said they both had agreed to participate in the twoday competition, and due to the practice, she was confident Samuels was ready to go.

“He was too young to compete last year, but he did really great,” she added.

Watermelon, at 14 years old, was closer to the average age of horses for endurance riding. A horse must be a minimum of 4 years old to compete, said Mulligan.

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 57

Logan Samuels, 10 years old, completes his first endurance ride

Janna Stanley grins widely with Poco at the start

Open riders, like William Moore, ride 30 miles each day of the event

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Encouraging youth participation is a strong factor for this organization, said Keen, who has won the President’s Cup and two national championships. She encourages her ‘ducklings’ to participate during the equestrian trail rides.

“Kids just started coming to my farm for riding lessons, and the next thing I know, it turned into me hauling a bunch of junior riders to the endurance trails,” said Keen. “I’ve taught them how to ‘fish,’ and now most of them have their own trailers and pursue the sport.”

Junior riders are in the 10- to 18-year-old bracket, and seven of them came with Keen to the ride at Lake Martin. To remain competitive while also acting as a leader to the kids, Keen competes in the competitive pleasure category, which recently was included in consideration for national championships.

“On the trail, I call it loose supervision with the juniors. We ride together, and I teach them along the way about how to read the maps; to pay attention to the horse’s pulse and respiration; and to point out ‘breadcrumbs’ for situational awareness,” said Keen.

At the end of each riding day, horses’ vitals and soundness are checked again to ensure they are healthy enough to ride the next day.

An endurance ride is not only a personal competition but also an opportunity for camaraderie among individuals sharing a hobby, said Mulligan.

“Horsemanship is really about etiquette and helping each other.

Even if it jeopardizes placement, individuals typically choose assisting others,” she added.

And now, with the first endurance competition at WCSP completed with high marks, riders and race organizers look forward to returning to Lake Martin for future events.

DECEMBER 2018

Live the Dream

Retire at Lake Martin M

ost people in America work their Fourth, the cost of living is reasonable. entire lives, hoping one day to be Yes, waterfront property can be expensive, able to retire, end the daily grind, but most retirees find they enjoy downsizstop the long commute in terrible traffic and ing, which – when combined with lower the troubles of metropolitan life, and enjoy property taxes – helps to justify the beauty the remainder of their lives in quiet, beautiof being on the water. And the taxes from ful surroundings. that waterfront property make a difference Thousands of us have made the choice in the surrounding communities. Waterfront to live the remainder of our lives on the homes and property in Tallapoosa County shores of wonderful Lake Martin. More pay 61 percent of all county property taxes HOBO than 7,500 homes have been built on our collected, including school taxes.

BY JESSE CUNNINGHAM lake, and at least one third of these homes Fifth, even though you may live 10 miles are occupied full time, mostly by retired from the nearest traffic light, shopping is people who have made the commitment to themselves close by and abundant. Alexander City, Dadeville and and their families to enjoy retirement to the fullest. The Eclectic offer most essentials, and Opelika/Auburn and Lake Martin HOBOs completed a manual survey – not a Montgomery fill the needs of the majority of retirees. guesstimate – several years ago and determined that one Even Birmingham and Atlanta are reasonable day trips third of all homes were occupied full time. for the adventuresome.

Smart retired people live in most of these homes.

Sixth, your spiritual life could get a real boost at the Do you enjoy one-hour commutes to work? Do you many churches and other religious opportunities in the like traffic lights? Eight-lane expressways? Homes with area. Here, you could find the many talents of retirno views? Homes on 100-foot lots or smaller? Crime? ees are used to improve and invigorate the great rural Undesirable neighbors? High property taxes? If you church services. enjoy these “benefits” of urban life, read no further; Seventh, abundant healthcare facilities and doctors however, if you long to improve retired life, read on. are available with hospitals located in Alexander City The benefits of retiring on Lake Martin are many. and Dadeville. More extensive care is also close by in First, life on our lake is quiet. There are no horns, sirens Opelika and Montgomery. Of course, you’re close by or loud obnoxious music; well, practically none, except the medical centers in Birmingham and Atlanta, as well. on holiday weekends in the summer. We can all live The Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners with a little party noise from other people enjoying the Association was founded almost 12 years ago by a water. group of retirees whose goal is to preserve the memoThe most enjoyable time on the lake for many folks ries for future generations. Let’s all strive for this goal. is from October each year until May of the following year. With cool weather and the lake to ourselves, life is Jesse Cunningham is president of the Lake Martin great.

HOBOs. Learn more about this organization at Second, the new, retired friends you meet could www.lakemartinhobos.com. become the best buddies you’ve ever had. Newly retired residents often notice a shocking difference in conversations. People at the lake don’t discuss the careers they had, how much money they made or where they lived.

They just want to get to know you. This is your new life here; the past is insignificant.

Third, the talents of your new neighbors likely will truly humble you. Even though your new neighbors and friends don’t dwell on their pasts, you might learn that they had incredible careers as rocket scientists, college professors, ministers, military officers, doctors, business executives, teachers, airline pilots or lawyers, just to name a few. All walks of life could be found enjoying retirement on Lake Martin.

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 59

Your seawall is alive L

ately I have been listening to the podcast, that lot owners should have someone like me to help “Everything Is Alive.” them out.

If you don’t know what podcasts are, one JC: How long does the typical seawall last? way to explain it is that they are radio shows that are JSW: You mean like my lifespan? I don’t really like broadcast over the internet. Most people listen to them to think about that much, but I guess it is a fair quesfrom their phones. Many podcasts are documentary tion. Construction folks tell me that a concrete wall is or interview-styled programs during which the hosts the sturdiest choice for materials. I was glad to hear mumble around while trying to be sensitive, yet intelthat since, obviously, I am concrete. My buddies that ligent and funny. Think of it as NPR’s “Prairie Home are wood last a long time, too. Rip rap – you know, the Companion” without Keillor’s patented nose whistle. walls that are made of volleyball sized granite rocks that The “Everything Is Alive” podcast is a are piled up – does pretty well, but they show in which the host interviews inanineed readjustment sometimes. mate objects; or at least, objects that we Really, it depends on things like quality humans think are inanimate, such as lampof construction, and if the wall is exposed posts, cans of generic cola, pillows and to lots of heavy waves. The more waves things of this nature. Through this podcast, that pound against seawalls day by day can I learn a lot about the lives of these objects expose a wall’s faults very quickly. and even about how we humans interact I have seen poorly built wooden walls with them. go down in a matter of months because The podcast inspired me to seek out an they were in high boat traffic areas. A conLAKE PROPERTY alleged insentient thing that lives around crete wall like me – with my deep footings,

BY JOHN COLEY Lake Martin to have a conversation. The tie back, and rip rap at my base – well, following is a partial transcript, edited for they tell me that I can last many decades story arc and potential future sponsors: with routine maintenance; however, I will admit that, JC: Could you introduce yourself, please, and let us as they say, water always wins. Given enough time and know what you do? enough pressure, water is a universal solvent.

JSW: Who is “us?” I am a little confused. Well, JC: That’s pretty deep. that’s all right. My name is Jeremy Seawall, and I am JSW: Thanks, man. Trust me, I think about that cona seawall here on Lake Martin. cept a lot.

JC: And what does that mean to you? What does it JC: Speaking of maintenance, how do you prefer that mean to … to be a seawall? your humans keep you running smoothly?

JSW: First of all, there is a lot of confusion over my JSW: Just the basic stuff, I guess. Like right now name. Obviously, there is no salt water here at Lake during the winter, the lake level is drawn down 7 feet. I Martin, no sea at all. So some humans ask why my last love this time of year. I get to breathe a little, ya’ know? name is Seawall. Well, I always like to point out that Let the wind blow across me; air out a bit. My humans the folks on the coast call their walls, bulkheads. That are pretty good about checking for cracks in me and makes no sense to me, as well. It seems like they should piling back the rocks at my base. That is a key move to be called seawalls, too, but not if that means I have to prevent erosion from happening under my footings, and change my name to Bulkhead. It sounds unflattering, I really appreciate that. and besides, it would render all my Lands’ End monoJC: Any Christmas wishes, Jeremy? gramed luggage completely useless. I just got a cute JSW: Not many. Maybe they could swag some gartote for my birthday. land down me? Like with some of those colorful lights?

JC: Jeremy, do you enjoy being a seawall? Do you I mean, with the water down, I am finally exposed now, find it exclusionary? Restraining? and I have plenty of area for decoration. I hate to see JSW: I absolutely love it! Being a seawall is the it go to waste. If everyone did it, maybe there could best! I don’t feel restrained at all. I am here at a lot be boat parades and tours where folks ride around and with a lake home on it. Some really lovely folks own it. check out the seawalls with the most Christmas spirit.

Since it is on the water, this dirt is worth some money.

But if that is too much of a hassle, I am cool with it.

The value of the land represents a sizable part of my Like I said, I love my job, and if you love what you do, owners’ investment. If something happens to the home, you never have a day of work. That is how I feel. they can always rebuild. But if the land washes into the lake … Well, the way I look at it, I am keeping the most John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin valuable part of their property safe. It only makes sense Voice Realty. Visit his blog at LakeMartinVoice.com.

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DECEMBER 2018

WINTERIZING - SHRINK WRAP - STORAGE - PICK UP

alexcityoutlook.com thewetumpkaherald.com

Lighting the Way for the Lake & River Region for more than 100 Years DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 61

What is your favorite place at Lake Martin, and why is it so special to you?

There’s a cabin in Parker Creek that belongs to my parents, Bill and Betty House. They had this place before I was born.

Every summer of my life has been spent here on Lake Martin.

Since we moved around a lot, this has been the one consistent place in my life.

In addition to English, what other languages do you know?

Sign Language. My mom was a home economics teacher for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) in Talladega. My teachers at the daycare I attended would walk me across the street to her classroom. I don’t remember that, but I do remember learning to sign “Jesus loves me” from my mom.

What is your favorite holiday at the lake?

Thanksgiving. All of our family on my mother’s side would meet here at the lake. I always looked forward to seeing everyone and the adventures we would have. We would skip rocks, walk along the shoreline looking for arrowheads and hike in the woods.

You can often be found at the pro shop at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. What do you enjoy most about your work there?

My favorite thing about Willow Point is the people. Those who know me know that I’m very social. So chatting with people on a daily basis is perfect for me. I love that every day is different. I especially look forward to the activity during the tournaments.

When did you move to the lake area full time?

In the fall of 2003, I was starting a new chapter in my life and was staying at our cabin as I worked out the details.

Needing a haircut, I found a local hairdresser’s information written in the back of the phone book. So I visited Charlene Brown, who recommended I talk to someone about a job.

Before I could open the door to the cabin when I got back from town, the phone was ringing.

“Hello, I’m Steve Lyles, and I’d like to invite you to visit Willow Point for an interview,” the voice on the phone said.

The rest is history; it was 15 years ago this month to be precise.

Tell us how you met your husband, Jerry.

We met online at Match.com. It began with him “winking” at me. I read his profile and discovered we had a lot in common, and I thought we might become good friends. For his favorite activity, he put spending time with his kids and Alabama football. That intrigued me, for I attended many Alabama football games as a child with my family at Legion Field. So I decided to reply with the subject title: Roll Tide.

After we told them this story, our friends bought us a picture frame that reads, “You had me at Roll Tide.”

You are a beast cancer survivor. Tell us about that road and how it may have changed your outlook on life.

June 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer after a routine mammogram. Once the test results finally came in, we took a deep breath and buckled up to fight this thing. Being that my mom fought and beat breast cancer only two years and two months earlier, not only did I have a rock in my corner, but she provided a brave example of this journey lived out right in front of me.

I choose to be treated right here at home, at Russell Medical Cancer Center UAB. All of the people there quickly became our new family. I am happy I made that decision. The toughest part of that journey was hearing I needed chemo.

The thing that got us through it (I say “us” because it also affected everyone who is closest to me) was faith, family and friends, especially our family and friends with faith! A Bible verse frequently found in the numerous cards I received was quickly etched into my heart and affected my thoughts and attitude. Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” It is my favorite verse to this day, six years later and cancer free. Praise God!

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What are your favorite memories made at the lake?

Learning to water ski behind an aluminum fishing boat with a little motor; heading out early in the morning to go fishing with my daddy; picnics on the shores with my family; bonfires on the shore in the winter; laying on the pier on a clear crisp night, staring up into the starry sky watching shooting stars; every sunrise and every sunset and being surprised that each one is more spectacular than the next; going for walks and talks with my dad.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given, and who was it from?

My Nanny House. We were crossing the street in downtown Columbus, Georgia, when a car pulled into the crosswalk.

I caught myself complaining and criticizing as we walked around the car. She said, “You never know what other people are going through. That’s why it’s important to be quick to forgive, slow to anger and slow to speak.” In addition to those spoken words, she had a saying on her wall that also made an impact on my life. The Serenity Prayer: Lord give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the strength to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Those days when I was utterly and completely exhausted from the chemo treatments, these words came flooding back into my heart and mind to comfort me and bring me peace.

What local charities or community services are important to you and why?

Alexander City Lion’s Club. Jerry just received his 10 years of membership chevron pin. He is also on the board of directors for the Alabama Lion’s Eye and Sight. The reason The Lion’s Club partners with eyesight health and care is because Helen Keller spoke at a convention in Chicago and convinced the leadership at that time to become Knights of the Blind. I was raised in the deaf community (AIDB), so Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, have been heroes of mine since childhood.

My grandfather, John W. House, who died before I was born, was a dedicated member of The Lion’s Club in Munford, Alabama. We recently acquired a pin given to him for perfect attendance from 1952-1953. My father tells me that because of my grandfather’s personality, he was the perfect guy to be the Tail Twister. That’s someone who promotes good fellowship and enthusiasm in the meetings.

DECEMBER 2018

Lake Q&A:

Mae Lynn O'Neil

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DECEMBER 2018

Don't underestimate the value of a good night's sleep

D

id you wake up this morning feeling well rested? This Decreasing sleep by just a few hours each day can affect learntime of year may not be the best time to ask that ques- ing, memory, attention and mood. Inadequate sleep triggers tion, as calming the mind can be challenging in the stress hormones that cpi;d lead to increased risk of cardiovasmonth of December. Many people find it difficult to rest peace- cular disease. It interferes with the release of growth hormones fully at night after days that are inundated with shopping, mak- affecting muscle mass, tissue repair and fertility. Insufficient ing lists and checking them twice, decorating, planning menus, sleep reduces the immune response to infections and alters visiting with friends and family or preparing for company. blood glucose and insulin metabolism, increasing the risk for It is well known that healthy living encompasses diet and diabetes. Sleep deprivation could lead to over-consumption of exercise; however, we often forget another important element. carbohydrates and high-calorie food, resulting in weight gain.

Although the mechanics of sleep and how it affects the body The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports and mind continue to be researched, it has been confirmed over that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic. Millions and over that sleep is necessary for us to function in a healthy of Americans suffer from sleep and wakefulness disorders, manner. although sleep is a very modifiable health risk.

Sleep is defined as a condition of body and mind Try these tips if you have difficulty falling such that typically recurs for several hours every asleep or staying asleep: night, in which the nervous system is relatively n Go to bed at the same time each night and inactive; the eyes closed; the postural muscles wake up at the same time every day, even on the relaxed and consciousness practically suspended. It weekends; is recommended that adults get seven to nine hours n Exercise early in the day or at least three of sleep per night; babies and young children need hours before going to bed. Exercise 30 to 60 minmore like 14 hours; and teens need eight to 10. utes most days of the week; There are four stages of sleep, including two n Avoid caffeine and nicotine after noon. stages of light sleep. The lightest stage is when you These substances stimulate the nervous system feel like you could nod off while listening to someby increasing the heart rate, blood pressure and thing or someone; intermediate sleep is deeper, and adrenaline levels; it is harder to awaken from this stage. The third n Limit eating and drinking to only small stage is deep, slow-wave sleep. This is the deepest quantities before bedtime; HEALTHY LIVING and most restful and restorative stage of sleep. If n Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist

BY JULIE HUDSON you are awakened during this stage, you will feel alternatives to medications that interfere with groggy. The last stage is REM sleep, which is short sleep; for rapid eye movement. You dream while you are in REM n Most days of the week, get 30 minutes of sunlight exposleep. sure, preferably in the morning; Adequate sleep restores us physically, mentally and emon Keep the bedroom quiet, dark and cool – between 54 tionally. Sleep makes us happier and more alert and supplies degrees and 75 degrees; us with more energy to perform daily tasks. Sleep gives us the n Avoid watching TV or sitting in front of a computer or ability to concentrate and make fewer mistakes, and it is crucial other electronic screen for at least one hour before bedtime; to our health and weight. n Take a nap if needed, but do not sleep more than 20 minResearch has shown that sleep is an important biological utes after 3 p.m. function without which we cannot live. During the sleep cycle, Hectic lifestyles result in sleeping fewer hours than the body the body physically repairs and recovers from the day’s activity. needs. Add to that an increase in medical disorders that interThe brain is very active “rewiring” itself to help with learning fere with sleep, and we are faced with a public health crisis in and memory. sleep insufficiency.

In addition, the body goes through a lot of changes during Getting enough sleep is just as important to maintaining the sleep cycle. Body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate good health and reducing the risk of disease as eating healthy slow down. Kidney functions slow down, which is the reason foods, exercising, not smoking and limiting alcohol. If you feel that you don’t have the urge to use the bathroom as much as as though you are not able to achieve the recommended amount when you are awake. Increases in growth hormone and testosof sleep and are concerned about how it might be affecting your terone occur during sleep, as well as hormones that regulate health, it may be time to consult with your physician. appetite. Also, sleep plays an important role in the body’s immune system.

Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center Sleep is essential to both short- and long-term health. in Dadeville.

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DECEMBER 2018

Gulf Crab Louie 1 pound picked jumbo lump crab meat 1 cup Duke’s mayo 1 tablespoon ketchup 2 tablespoons chili sauce 1 clove garlic (grated using a microplane) Juice and zest from 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon minced celery 1 tablespoon minced sweet pickle 1 tablespoon minced sweet onion Dash of hot sauce or to your liking Salt and pepper to taste 3 cup thinly shaved iceberg lettuce 2 hard boiled eggs

ing any shells that may have been missed. Place crab in a medium mixing bowl and fold in the dressing, being carful not to break the crab up too much. Place lettuce on a medium serving plate; then, spoon crab mixture over the top. Grate the hard boiled eggs over the top. Enjoy!

Make the dressing before picking the crab, so it can rest before using. To make the dressing whisk everything but the crab, eggs and iceberg lettuce together. While dressing is resting thoroughly pick the crab, remov-

CHEF’S TABLE

BY ROB MCDANIEL

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

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 65

S

uccess in fishing could be narrowed down to two major challenges, locating fish and catching the fish.

Locating fish comes down to understanding the habits of the targeted species. Certain species have different tendencies based simply on their quests for survival and continuation. They adapt to their environments and become very efficient in using the available resources to fulfill their needs. Water conditions are extremely important, as well as habitat, food and suitable spawning areas.

The more an angler understands about how species utilize the resources available in a given water body, the better he becomes at locating the fish at a given time and place.

Of course, today’s electronics make anglers more efficient than ever. Knowing the preferences of the fish could help anglers pick out high percentage areas and then even scan the areas using sonar.

With that being said, there are still times when we locate fish by catching some first.

It kind of reminds me of the chicken-or-the-egg saying, but it’s true. As we cast this bait or that and fish this spot or that spot, we are constantly getting feedback that could lead us to the ultimate goal; that is, finding the perfect location while using the perfect bait and presentation.

The moment we seek in fishing is when the equation of locating and catching is really solved. Yet change is inevitable, and I think that is what draws us back time and again. Each time we go out, we seek that level of perfection, and when everything is right, fishing seems easy in that moment.

One of the many ways we work toward solving the equation is through bait selection. There are times when we feel confident that a particular location is holding fish.

Oftentimes, we even know the fish are there because we can see them on the electronics.

I, as much as anyone, prefer to power fish and use aggressive tactics, covering water with larger baits and looking just for larger fish. But this can lead to some disappointing outcomes, as well, if I am prideful or stubborn.

Downsizing my offering is a great way to get the ball rolling and sometimes is the perfect way to put quality fish in the boat.

BIG CATCHES

BY GREG VINSON

Match the Hatch

The fish are always more tuned in to what’s going on in their environment than we are, as it’s necessary for survival. Knowing the preferred forage at the time gives us a lot of ammunition to work with. If the fish are feeding primarily on small minnows, crayfish or bream, they are going to be easier to fool with a bait that’s similar in size and profile.

Fishing Pressure

When a location – or even a lake as a whole – has received a lot of fishing pressure, smaller baits are more likely to fool them into biting. If I’m confident a place has fish, but they just won’t bite, I’ll experiment with smaller and smaller baits.

Adverse Conditions

Cold fronts and high barometric pressure could definitely affect how active the fish are on a given day. When I’m getting short strikes or just no activity at all on a day when the weather isn’t in my favor, I downsize.

66 LAKE

Cold Water

In colder water, a fish’s metabolism slows down. Fish don’t need as much food to support their activity level and just simply aren’t eating like they were in the warmer months. Small bites go a long way for fish in cold water, and small offerings may seem just right.

Rogue fish

Oftentimes, the larger fish separate themselves from the larger schools. They aren’t interested in competing with a bunch of smaller and more aggressive schooling fish.

Larger fish will often move in smaller wolf packs or even go solo, as they are less likely to need the comfort and protection of a large school.

Large fish get big for a reason. They’ve often been caught before and learned what not to do. They are more wary in general and just don’t bite as easily. The general thought is that large baits catch large fish because it’s often true. But large fish could be easily fooled by lighter line

DECEMBER 2018

Down size the bait

and small baits, too. Put a small morsel on the dinner plate, and they may have a hard time turning it down. Electronics could play a big role in pinpointing those larger rogue fish.

angler over the top. An angler might catch some key big fish while just trying to put solid keepers in the boat.

Numbers

There are times when sonar could be less effective. This is usually when the fish are so shallow that they spook before the boat passes over. Or they might hold so tightly to cover that they are difficult to pinpoint. Small baits, in general, get more bites, and each bite is a clue. Each bite tells us where the fish really are or the type of areas they prefer. Oftentimes, it’s a combination that can be refined to a pattern.

Putting fish in the boat sometimes means using smaller bait.

Smaller baits can appeal to fish of all sizes. If you want to catch more numbers of fish, try smaller baits. Big fish will still bite small baits, so don’t feel like you’ve abandoned the larger fish by using a smaller bait.

We all like to feel the tug of a fish on the other end of the line, and sometimes it’s more fun to catch 20 decent-sized fish than just three or four bigger ones.

Tournaments

Tournament anglers are notorious for snubbing the small baits because they mistakenly associate small baits with small fish. The days of catching five giants in a tournament day are few and far between, even for the best anglers on the lake. Smaller baits will put good quality limit fish in the boat and set the table for the big bites that will put an 67 LAKE

Locating Fish

Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series and PPA tours. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.

DECEMBER 2018

White Lady An elegant, classic cocktail celebrates its 100th birthday next year

CHEERS!

BY MARK GILLILAND Mark Gilliland is the owner of Ocie & Belle's at 41 Main St., Alexander City.

68 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

White Lady History As the case with most classic cocktails, more than one source has claimed to have created the White Lady. It was first believed that Harry McElhone created the cocktail in 1919 at the Ciro’s Club in London. At that time, the drink consisted of equal parts of white crème de menthe, triple sec and lemon juice. It was not until 1929 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris that he swapped the crème de menthe for gin.

Ingredients The Botanist Gin 1.5 ounce/45ml Cointreau .75 ounce/22.5ml Fresh lemon .75 ounce/22.5ml Egg white (optional)

Treepods

Garnish Lemon zest twist Vessel Coupe or cocktail glass Directions Combine all ingredients in a shaker without ice.

Dry shake. Add ice and shake again. Fine strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

Lake Martin t-shirts and Life is Good t-shirts

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69 LAKE

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DECEMBER 2018

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• Check Power Steering Fluid

(Parts Not Included)

These areas of your boat will need attention before storing it for the winter months.

Right now, our service department has the time and parts in stock to perform this needed service and make sure you are ready to go boating come early spring.

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Right now, our service department has the time and parts in stock to perform this needed service Always wear a personal flotation A FEW 2018 MODELS REMAINING AT ROCK BOT TOM PRICES! device while boating and read and make sure you are ready to go boating come early spring.

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71 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

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Legend

63

20

22

280

To Sylacauga

19

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 15

9 Churches

7

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

13

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

12 20

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church

8 22

Willow Point

24

6

9

Equality

4

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

18 The Ridge

1 11

Church in The Pines Trillium

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

14

ga

Ba

y

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

16 Kent

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Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

21

34

Camp Alamisco

10

Kowaliga Boat Landing

55

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

DECEMBER 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

17

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

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

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 16 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 17 4. Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 18 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

19 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 20 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010

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

2190 Cherokee Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

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

8 3. Smith Marina 256-444-8793

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

Restaurants 96. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Pleasant Ridge Church

6. Catherine’s Market 10 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

11 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

Business & Shopping

5

12 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010 Walnut Hill 50 50

13 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 14 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024

49

Advertise your business on our Lake Martin Region Map for as little as $25. Contact Jessica at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

Reeltown

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 73

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

CHELSEA Winn-Dixie The Ditsy Daisy Boutique CHILDERSBURG Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE Bay Pine Marina Blue Creek Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foshee's Boat Doc Homeplate Restaurant Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts

Lake Martin Community Hospital Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Place Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank 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

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

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are placed at these locations.

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

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

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

Residential | Commercial | Interior | Exterior

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

IN-HOME CARE SERVICES

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

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Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

175 aLiant Parkway • aLexander City, aL

74 LAKE

Lake Martin innovation Center 334-332-3435 334-391-0759

DECEMBER 2018

(256) 414-6090

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

WOODCRAFTS

QUALITY, CUSTOM-BUILT

H

OLMAN

“WE’RE

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OMPANY

THE PROFESSIONALS”

O’Neal Electric Michael O’Neal

Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl

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Visit our showroom for samples and a free estimate!

Electrical • Controls DataCom • Security Serving Central Alabama for over a decade!

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Paige Patterson

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 205-616-8046

www.paigepatterson.com

haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

LAKE

■

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2018

LAKE 75

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing................................................................58

For Heaven's Sake..........................................................40

Poor House Boat Outlet.............................................71

Alabama Makers' Market..............................................40

George Hardy D.M.D....................................................16

Prime Management.......................................................... 6

Alex City Guide Service..............................................16

Gilbert Woodcrafts........................................................75

Queen's Attic..................................................................41

Alex City Marine............................................................61

Heritage South Credit Union.....................................48

Renaissance Electronics................................................16

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.......16

Hilltop Landscaping......................................................... 8

Russell Lands...................................................................35

Beyond Home Care......................................................74

Hinson Galleries.............................................................71

Russell Marine.................................................................69

Blue Creek Iron Works................................................74

Holley’s Home Furnishings..........................................80

Russell Medical................................................................. 2

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation................................16

Holman Floor..................................................................75

Satterfield........................................................................... 5

Cahaba Glass...................................................................49

HomeTown Lenders......................................................58

Security Pest Control..................................................... 8

CertaPro Painters..........................................................74

Jackson Thornton...........................................................61

Shay Dean Aesthetics....................................................40

Coach Kraft Upholstery...............................................75

Kowaliga Whole Health................................................75

Southern Star Farm......................................................... 6

Custom Docks................................................................24

Lake Martin Dock..........................................................19

State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran...................75

Damon Story, Cedar Point..........................................53

Lake Martin Mini Mall...................................................12

State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell.....................75

DAV...................................................................................41

Lake Martin Painting......................................................69

Sunrise Dock............................................................ 12, 77

Davco................................................................................75

Lina's Mexican Store.....................................................40

Temple Medical Center................................................59

Deep Water Dock Services.........................................76

Mark King's Furniture...................................................17

The Body Shop...............................................................40

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

Merle Norman................................................................41

TowBoat US....................................................................24

District Nineteen...........................................................49

Moore Wealth Management........................................79

Walmart...........................................................................75

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

Naturescapes.................................................................... 6

Wedowee Marine..........................................................25

Downtown Mainstreet...........................................40-41

O'Neal Electric...............................................................75

Williams Plumbing Heating & Air............................8,75

Emporium Wine.............................................................41

Off the Beaten Path......................................................58

Wind Creek Zip Line..................................................... 3

Excelsior Ink....................................................................41

Ooh La La........................................................................40

WSC Distinctive Builders............................................49

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty...............75

DEEP WATER DOCK SERVICES, LLC – Licensed and Bonded

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76 LAKE

OFFICE: Donald:

DECEMBER 2018

256.373.3220

334.850.6577 Josh: 256.794.0512

© 2018 MoistureShield® is part of the Architectural Products Group of Oldcastle *CoolDeck® is available on select Vision and Infuse boards.

35% COOLER AND A LIFETIME WARRANTY. For better barefoot walking, MoistureShield® Vision® is available with CoolDeck® technology. It reduces heat absorption up to 35% and optimizes heat reflection for a more comfortable dock.

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77 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone

"Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats." ~ Sue Grafton

78 LAKE

DECEMBER 2018

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79 LAKE

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