Lake magazine December 2020

LAKE MARTIN ALABAMA EDITION

LAKE Christmas at the Lake

Martin Dam replaces 94 year-old spillgates How to set up a fishing kayak DECEMBER 2020

LAKEMAGAZINE.LIFE DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 1

Russell Medical offers some of the world’s best health care right here in our little corner of it.

Russell Medical is proud to be a member of the UAB Health System.

Now, in addition to cancer treatment, we are able to bring to bear UAB’s expertise in surgery, urology, eye care, cardiac care, and stroke treatment. You don’t always have to travel for advanced care, we have it right here in our corner of the world.

Visit russellcares.com/UAB for more information.

russellcares.com/UAB

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Assisting buyers & sellers with their real estate needs in the Lake Martin Area Rhonda Gaskins, Broker Century 21 Lake Area Realty, Inc.

256-749-3644 rhonda@lakearearealty.net

lakearearealty.net

Let Me Move You!

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 3

Staff

Letter from the Editor

M

ore than eight years ago, I first heard the expression ‘string of pearls’ applied to Martin Dam. Dr. George Hardy was explaining to me that he enjoyed looking out across the water at the dam at night at the vintage lamp posts that dot the dam’s parapet.

“They look like a string of pearls,” he said, and the term stuck.

Now, just shy of her 100th birthday in 2026, Martin Dam is getting some serious dressing up this winter while the water level is down, but never fear, she still will wear her antique jewelry for us all.

Alabama Power is replacing the 20 spillgates atop the 168-foot wall that creates our Treasured Lake Martin. On page 40, Michael Sznajderman takes us back in time to when the dam was built and the original spillgates were installed.

Kenneth Boone puts us on the scene in the photographs he took during the installation of new, stronger and lighter gates that will take the dam – and our lake – into the future.

We’re so appreciative of our beautiful lake here in Central Alabama, and we show it best on the first weekend of November every year at the annual cleanup. Some 200 volunteers turned out Nov. 6 and 7 to pick up trash on the islands and shorelines and along the roadways that circle the lake. The annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup is coordinated

by Lake Martin Resource Association’s John Thompson, and on page 18, Lake magazine salutes the volunteers who turned out this year to preserve our Treasured Lake.

And turn to page 9 for a special presentation: The awarding of the 2020 Golden Picker Prize Bag to Corey Hamlett, a Campfire mom who came out to clean up Lake Martin on Saturday, Nov. 7. Local businesses and individuals donated gift cards, towels, hats, koozies, T-shirts and more to this year’s prize bag, which was valued at $1,000 in merchandise and gift certificates. It was almost like Christmas.

And as Healthy Living writer Julie Hudson shares in her column on page 62, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Lake Martin, especially at the home of Drs. Katie and Nelson Cooper. Their children having left the nest, the Coopers are ready to downsize but not until they have shared with us their last Christmas in the lake home where they raised their family. Step into the magic of Christmas at the Cooper home on page 48.

Then, join Katy Shelton and Anna Nash on page 26 as they add depth and meaning to your 2020 Christmas with a Bible-based devotional focused on the 24 chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Katy is an occasional freelance writer for Lake magazine, and it brings her great joy to share this study, hoping it will foster peace and joy for you in this very special season.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

Betsy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

Chairman KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Publisher STEVE BAKER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemagazine.life

Assistant Editor BRITTANY SMITH

editor@lakemagazine.life

Art Director AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation ERIN BURTON

erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing RACHEL MCCOLLOUGH

rachel.mccollough@alexcityoutlook.com

MARILYN HAWKINS

marilyn.hawkins@thewetumpkaherald.com

JULIE HARBIN

julie.harbin@alexcityoutlook.com

LIZ HOLLAND

liz.holland@alexcityoutlook.com

ANDY CARR

andy.carr@thewetumpkaherald.com

Digital Success Manager ELLE FULLER

elle.fuller@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JULIE HUDSON MICHAEL SZNAJDERMAN GREG VINSON CLIFF WILLIAMS LONNA UPTON STEVE ARNBERG MATT SHEPPARD STEVE SMITH SIRI HEDREEN JACOB HOLMES SANTANA WOOD

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

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

On the Cover Decked out in shining lights and red bows with touches of holiday green, the Cooper family lake home is all set for Christmas.

Drs. Katie and Nelson Cooper have spent 23 family Christmases in their Lake Martin home, decorating it with bright colors and treasured keepsakes, such as a Nativity collection, a variety of ornaments and lots of draping greenery that frames the beautiful lake views.

Photo by Kenneth Boone

Dr. George W. Hardy General Dentistry

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DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 5

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DECEMBER 2020

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Contents 18. CLEANUP HONOR ROLL This year's annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup yielded 20 tons of trash that was collected from the lake area 26. CHRISTMAS MATTERS Lake Martin's Katy Shelton teams up with Birmingham's Anna Nash to lend greater meaning to the celebration

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34. CAST FROM A KAYAK Alexander City's Mike McKay has fine tuned the ultimate setup for year round kayak fishing 40. NEW SPILLGATES FOR MARTIN DAM Alabama Power is replacing Martin Dam's 94-year-old spillgates with new gates that are stronger and lighter 48. MERRY AND BRIGHT The Coopers spend one last Christmas in the family lake home as it's time to downsize 33. BOAT BUSINESS BOOM The lake area's boat business boomed this spring as Alabama's freshwater coast became a popular refuge

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE 10. LAKE SCENES 14. LAKE MARTIN EVENTS 16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS 28. NATURE OF THE LAKE 56. LAKE PROPERTY

59. HOBO 60. FAB FINDS 62. HEALTHY LIVING 65. CHEERS! 66. CHEF'S TABLE 68. BIG CATCHES 70. PAR FOR THE COURSE

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.lakemagazine.life.

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 7

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services • 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

A Place To Worship Lake Martin Area Churches

WATERFRONT Church of the Living Waters Inside StillWaters, Dadeville 256-825-2990 New Hope Baptist Church 529 Peppers Road, Alexander City 256-329-2510 Church in the Pines Kowaliga Road, Kowaliga 334-857-2133

OFF WATER Equality United Methodist Church 281 AL Hwy 259, Equality 334-541-4063

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

OFF WATER

Hillabee Baptist Church Hillabee Road, Alexander City 256-234-6798

Alex City Church of Christ 945 Tallapoosa Street, Alexander City 256-234-6494

First Baptist Church 178 South Tallassee Street, Dadeville 256-825-6232

Red Ridge United Methodist Church 8091 County Road 34, Dadeville 256-825-9820

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2602 Gilmer Avenue Tallassee, AL 36078 334-252-8618 (12 Miles South of Lake Martin)

First United Methodist Church 310 Green Street, Alexander City 256-234-6322 First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Street, Dadeville 256-825-4404 First Presbyterian Church 371 Jefferson Street, Alexander City 256-329-0524

Lake Martin Baptist Church 9823 County Road 34, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-825-7434

St. James Episcopal Church South Central Avenue, Alexander City 256-234-4752

Lake Pointe Baptist Church La 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 256-373-3293 Faith Temple Church 425 Franklin Street, Alexander City 256-234-6421

ASK ABOUT OUR

Flint Hill United Methodist Church 2858 Flint Hill Road Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-5047 Good News Baptist Church 10493 Hwy 280 Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 256-825-2555

WE WILL CUSTOMIZE A PLAN SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR NEEDS! PAGE A7

God has our names tattooed, us won’t forget

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St John The Apostle Catholic Church 454 North Central Avenue Alexander City, Al 35010 256-234-3631

DECEMBER 2020

Call one of our marketing representatives today!

Small Space Advertising Works.

256-234-4281

Call Liz Holland 256-414-3174 & ask for Lake Church Page

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

46 24 24

$795,655 $476,064 $411,902

$625,375 $428,500 $346,000

90 183 178

73 227 296

1.91 7.69 12.04

October 2020 October 2017 October 2014

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).

Corey Hamlett wins this year's Golden Picker Bag Congratualtions to Campfire mom Corey Hamlett Corey Hamlett of Alexander City, (right) and her who won $1,000 in gift cards and daughter, Avery, merchandise in the Golden Picker cleaned up in Prize Bag drawing last month. Hamlett’s this year's ROR name was drawn from the nearly 200 event at Lake volunteers that turned out Nov. 6 and Martin 7 for the annual cleanup at Lake Martin.

Along with her daughter, Avery, and other Campfire girls and moms, Hamlett has participated in six Renew Our Rivers cleanups. This year, the group cleaned up shorelines at Wind Creek State Park, and together, they collected 10 bags of trash.

“My husband and my son have participated in years past, but this year, it was just me and my daughter with other girls from the Campfire group – the Groovy Gals,” Hamlett said.

The Golden Picker Prize Bag is a gift from local businesses and individuals, as a gesture of gratitude to one lucky cleanup volunteer. Lake magazine coordinates the giveaway, which this year included items from real estate broker John Coley, Main Street Alexander City, Goat Island caretakers, Stacie and Ricky Baker, Karen Channell at State Farm Insurance, Cloud Nine, Russell Lands and Russell Marine, Wind Creek State Park, Lake Martin Tourism Association, Alabama Power, Children’s Harbor,

Love Lake Martin, Carlisle’s and the St. James Pottery Guild. The cleanup is coordinated by Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson.

“There’s a lot of stuff in there,” Hamlett said. “Cups, towels, a computer, T-shirts. My daughter’s already claimed the laptop, but we’re going to have to talk about that.”

But her favorite items, Hamlett said, were the restaurant gift cards.

“That’s some date nights right there,” she said.

Lake magazine Managing Editor Betsy Iler said the prize bag is one way the community shows their appreciation for all of the volunteers who help with the cleanup every year.

“We collect photos of volunteers cleaning up the lake area every year and publish them in our cleanup honor roll in the December issue. We put all the names of the volunteers in a bowl and draw out one name as the Golden Picker Prize Bag winner,” Iler said. “We’re grateful to all the businesses and individuals that donated items to the bag this year, and we’re very grateful to all the volunteers who turn out every year to help keep our Treasured Lake Martin clean and healthy for all of us to enjoy.”

Weather Outlook for December December 2020 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the mid-50s with average lows in the mid-30s and just shy of 5 inches of precipitation in the month of December. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures could be slightly above normal and rainfall averages will be below the normal range this month.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 71.42 inches Avg. high temp.: 77.5 Avg. low temp.: 55.3 Avg. temp.: 66.3

Our Normal December Precipitation: 4.90 inches Avg. high temp.: 57.3 Avg. low temp.: 33.9 Avg. temp.: 45.6

Information from the National Weather Service.

DECEMBER 2020

Last Month's Lake Levels Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 487.54 Lowest: 484.98 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.

LAKE 9

Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Will and Sara Tate Schroeder take a long look at the Willow Point golf course before returning home to Calera after quarantining at the lake for five months. (2) Hayden, Pearce, Brittany and Brad Yeargan brought pup Bentley to the lake this summer. (3) The Hare family's Goldendoodle, Magnolia, looks forward to coming to the lake every summer. (4) Tony Johnson caught a beautiful sunset after the rain had passed over the lake. (5) Jones Lutz enjoying the condo life on Lake Martin. (6) Goat Island's residents can't get enough of Ian's cheese puffs. (7) Lilly and Heath Sullivan and Tyler and Davis Fuller put out flags on the bank for July 4 every year in memory of their grandmother.

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DECEMBER 2020

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Lake Scene n People & Places

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Lance Nevin's black lab Jaylee relaxes on the floating mat Labor Day weekend. (2) Leslie Mills said it's always a sad day when the family has to put away their inflatable water park for the winter.

(3) Lilly James Martin strikes a beauty queen pose on the boat. (4) Stihl Smith found a fisherman's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after a summer shower at the lake. (5) Hampton Haynes nets a big catfish at the lake. (6) A Lake Martin sunrise paints an abstract work on the glassy morning water in this photo by Tony Johnson. (7) Boykin Spaniel, Lola, loves to go dog paddling with Callee Jinright.

(8) Even cloudy days are beautiful at Lake Martin in this photo by Joy Johns. (9) Kenny and Laura Broome's lab, Sadie, loves living at the lake.

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LAKE 11

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124 Old Jay Road $480,000

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DECEMBER 2020

Lake Scene n People & Places 1

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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READER SUBMISSIONS (1) Anniston leans into her first wakeboard ride behind the boat. (2) Catherine Carter is loving the ride in her granddad's boat on Lake Martin.

(3) Anna Kyle and Kingsley Murphy prepare for a hand-in-hand jump into the lake. (4) Davis and Tyler Fuller hung out at the boat during their lake time.

(5) Wrigley is on patrol on the boat. (6) Denny Winn sends a virtual hug to the lake he loves. (7) Jennifer Sellers caught this photo of a double rainbow over Manoy Creek.

7 DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 13

Now-Dec. 19 Food for Fines

Adelia M. Russell Library will forgive overdue charges for patrons who donate non-perishable food to the library’s annual Food for Fines campaign. For more information, call 256-329-6796.

Dec. 3 Tales of Dadeville

Roy Mathis will return to Zazu’s Verandah for the second half of his presentation on Dadeville history.

Bring a non-perishable food item donation. Nannie Bell’s will be open next door. Storytelling begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Dec. 6 Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber will host its seventh annual Christmas Celebration and Parade from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Dadeville. There will be arts and crafts booths and food vendors. The parade will begin at 3 p.m.

To be a vendor or enter the parade, contact the chamber at 256-825-4019 or email chamber@dadeville.com.

This inaugural fishing tournament will launch with a unique format of challenge flights of 25 boats. Flights will be computer generated by random draw. First place will win $1,000; second place will win $600, and the Big Fish winner will receive $250. Big Fish and Top Weight awards also will be presented in each flight.

The entry fee is $120, and all proceeds will benefit local charities. An angler from each team must attend the safety/ rules meeting at Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11. For registration and more information, visit russellmarine. net/event/russell-marine-winter-bass-clash.

Dadeville ushers in the Christmas season with a parade on Dec. 6

This year’s annual Hometown Christmas Parade will wind its way through Alexander City to the theme, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Spectators line the streets to watch the dancers and bands perform, see the floats and welcome Jolly Old St. Nick. Visit www. alexcitychamber.com/christmas-parade for the route, details and entry information.

Dec. 25 Christmas Day Lunch

Comer and Duncan United Methodist churches again this year will offer free Christmas lunch for all from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 427 E. Church St., Alexander City.

Drive through to pick up a to-go plate or enjoy the food and fellowship inside the hall. For more information, contact Stephanie Jennings at 256-675-6494 or email her at jenningssteph@aol.com. Visit the Comer UMC Facebook page.

The World Famous Rodeo Club will host country music icon Jon Conlee at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m.

14 LAKE

Dec. 12 2nd Annual Downtown Christmas

Main Street Alexander City and Alexander City Parks and Rec have partnered again this year to create a magical Christmas event downtown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take a carriage ride; tube down a mountain; make an ornament for the tree; write a letter to Santa CALENDAR OF EVENTS or stop by to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Shop the holiday WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN market vendors and check out the sales and decorations at downtown shops. Restaurants will be open. For vendor information, contact Stacey Jeffcoat at 256-307-3949.

Dec. 7 Hometown Christmas Parade

Dec. 11 Jon Conlee Concert

Dec. 12 Russell Marine Winter Bass Clash

DECEMBER 2020

Season-long Events

at Children̓s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Soup to Go

Drive through the parking lot at St. James Episcopal Church at 347 S. Central Avenue between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. every Tuesday and pick up a brown bag dinner with soup, sandwich, fruit and dessert. COVID19 precautions are taken by volunteers who prepare, pack and distribute the meal, which is open to the whole community, not just those in need.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Charity Bingo at Jake’s

Volunteers in Alexander City and Dadeville are encouraged to participate in community partnership cleanups every month. In Alexander City, the cleanups are held on the third Saturday of the month. Meet at Broad Street Plaza at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the roads within Alexander City. Email jacob.meacham@ alexandercitychamber.com for information. In Dadeville, the monthly cleanup is held on the first Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. There also will be a trash bag drop-off on site.

Contact Dianna Porter at 256-750-0075.

Library Storytimes

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

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library in Alexander City 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. For information, call Melissa Finley at 256-234-4644.

Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store

This group meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex campus. Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5 p.m., followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

Play charity bingo at Jake’s Restaurant at 16 Broad St., Alexander City, at 6 p.m. every Thursday night.

Cards are $1, and proceeds benefit local charities.

Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours

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

Trivia Night at Niffer’s on the Lake

Every Thursday, Niffer’s hosts trivia night at 7 p.m.

Winners receive Niffer’s gift cards. First place gets $40; second place gets $25; and third place gets $15.

Grab a group of friends and come out for a night of games. A bonus question is posted on the Niffer’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. Thursdays.

Open Studio

Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Thursday through Saturday 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

The Artists Association of Central Alabama meets from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex Senior Center and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Dadeville Senior Center on Columbus St. Beginners are welcome, and there is no charge for open studios. Call June Dean at 334-301-5317 for details.

2018 Top Ten Landau Dealer Manitou Dealer

256.215.FISH (3474) 2190 Cherokee Road Alex City, AL

www.alexcitymarine.com

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 15

Lake Martin News Alabama Bass Trail Championship launches from Wind Creek State Park on Lake Martin

This year's championship tournament was delayed until October due to the coronavirus

Large fishing tournaments on Lake Martin are normally held in early spring.

But the Alabama Bass Trail held its annual championship with a $50,000 first place prize Oct. 23 and 24. Alabama Bass Trail anglers are used to Lake Martin, having been here for regional tournaments in February.

Executive director Kay Donaldson said a few things were different for the anglers this time around.

“I think the big thing is less boat traffic,” Donaldson said Friday morning after blastoff. “Normally, there are 225 boats out here.

The fall transitional pattern was different from any other time we have been here, but you have the same great anglers ready to get after them.”

Donaldson said she expected to see the fishermen set a lot of hooks in the two-day championship, but the bags anglers brought to the scales each afternoon were a little different than the February tournaments on Lake Martin because of the difference in weather.

“There were a lot of five fish limits, but I think the weights were down from the early spring,” Donaldson said. “These fish are probably not feeding as much especially with the weather conditions that we got, you are not looking at any storms coming in. ” Blastoff at Wind Creek State Park was at the first safe light, around 6:15 a.m. Saturday. Weigh-ins started at 3 p.m., but the COVID-19 pandemic changed things up a little bit.

“We did not have bleachers,” Donaldson said. “People had to bring their own chairs and wear masks. We only allowed one angler on stage during weigh-in unless they were in the top 10; then, we allowed the second angler to come up.”

Results are posted at alabamabasstrail.org. ~ Cliff Williams

What's Next for Willow Point Roads?

Tallapoosa County voters approved a state constitutional amendment Tuesday allowing Willow Point property owners to create their own road maintenance district. But what is next?

Russell Lands on Lake Martin CEO Tom Lamberth said the constitutional amendment was needed to allow Willow Point property owners to maintain the roads with their own funds.

“We had to get the amendment first,” Lamberth said.

“Now we are going to finalize the legal documents that would create the road maintenance district.”

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Those documents include articles of incorporation and bylaws, nominations to create a board for the district and a survey of the roads in the development to allow the transfer of them to the organization responsible for road maintenance. Tallapoosa County voters said the district could be formed, but it still has several steps.

“Willow Point property owners will have to vote to transfer the roads to the road organization,” Lamberth said. “The board of the road organization will decide the annual fee and collect it.”

Lamberth said the dues to the organization would be equitable for all.

“Someone who moves out will have paid into the road maintenance district,” Lamberth said. “New property owners will be paying into it as well.”

But the road maintenance district is not getting poorly constructed roads.

“We have spent the last few years improving the roads,” Lamberth said. “They all meet the standards for Tallapoosa County. We did that so the newly formed organization wouldn’t have to work on the roads for several years.”

The road maintenance district will help property values in the development. Lamberth said he anticipates property owners voting on the organization of the road district in late spring to early summer after surveys are complete and when most out of town property owners are already visiting the development.

The next referendum will be unlike the amendment on Tuesday’s ballot for Tallapoosa County voters.

“This is not just for registered voters,” Lamberth said.

“It’s for property owners in Willow Point to vote on. It will be a big deal for property owners.” ~ Cliff Williams

DECEMBER 2020

Lake Martin’s deBeer Representative

• QUARTZ • QUARTZITE • GRANITE • SOAPSTONE

Denise Booth 256-749-6177

debooth.al@gmail.com homeologylakemartin.com Located at The Wellborn Industries Showroom 59 Wellborn Way, Jackson’s Gap, AL 36861

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 17

Cleanup Honor Roll Volunteers collect 20 tons of trash at Lake Martin STORY BY SANTANA WOOD

T

The 16th annual cleanup at Lake Martin removed 20 tons of trash from islands, shorelines and roadways leading to the lake, Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson said at the conclusion of this year’s event.

“The teamwork in this very challenging year was the best ever, and the overwhelming results are very impressive,” Thompson said.

Sponsored by Alabama Power Renew Our Rivers, Russell Lands On Lake Martin, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, TowBoatUS Lake Martin and Lake Martin Dock Company, the annual effort has collected more than 160 tons of trash, including more than 600 automotive tires.

Dumpsters were positioned at four locations around the lake. Trash bags, pickers, T-shirts and other supplies were available to volunteers at six locations this year, including Lake Martin Mini Mall and Table 34.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 200 volunteers showed up to support LMRA and clean the heavily traveled roadsides and shoreline in the Lake Martin community.

Roadsides included portions of state Route 63, U. S. Highway 280, 229/50, and state routes 49 and 34. On Saturday, several local teachers and troop leaders used the event as a teaching experience and supervised children who cleaned up areas around the lake. Thompson said more than 30 tires, including one huge tractor tire, were removed from the lake and will be recycled, thanks to Tallapoosa County Commissioner Steve Robinson.

Volunteers were encouraged to submit photos to Lake magazine for the ROR Cleanup Honor Roll on the following pages, and one lucky volunteer, Corey Hamlett, won this year’s Golden Picker Prize Bag (see page 9).

18 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

Facing page: John Thompson, Bruce Adams, Caleb Goodwin, Matthew Alford and Rodney Stroud; Clockwise from top left on this page: Casie McGinn and Mary Leigh Meredith; Bill and Melissa Duckworth; Ashtyn Dark and Hanna Gilliland; Macon Daniel, Kaitlyn Ray, Blair Mosley, Whitley Daniel, Kindell Hunt, Riley Heflin and Courtney Powell; Cooper Holland; Jadon Dark

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 19

Clockwise from above: Joe Allen; Jane Kranzusch; Jimmy Huett; Jan and Cad Beale; Darrell Dapprich; Gunner and Maddy Saffold; and Gina Murray and Sylvia Worley

20 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

Clockwise from below: Lee Reynolds; Ken Holland; Ken Bacchus cleaned up this trash; John Coram; Jimmy Lanier; and Lamar Jones

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 21

Clockwise from above: Minnie Allen and Charlotte Denton; Cheryl Bynum, Norm White, Thomas Tate, Taylor Harris, Audrey Owens, Katelyn Henderson and Torie Spann; Matt and Ann Campbell; Paul and Dianne Perrett; Mike Kennedy and Jeff Kranzusch; the LMRA boat hauled in several loads of trash

22 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

Clockwise from below: Tonya Holland; Vicki Sears created a lovely vignette with her full trash bag and supplies; the Real Island Crew; Susan and Greg Womack; Steve Thomas; and Martin Dam Manager Travis Cheaney

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 23

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DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 25

Christmas Matters,

by Katy Shelton and Anna Nash was released online Nov. 27

Christmas Matters

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STORY BY BETSY ILER

Last year at this time, Lake Martin’s Katy Shelton called her childhood friend Anna Nash with a book idea for the two of them to write.

“I was reading one of the parables in Luke’s Gospel, and I didn’t know what it meant. So I called my wise friend, Anna, and said, ‘Hey, do you want to write a book about these parables and bring them down to our level?” Shelton explained.

The two grew up together in Birmingham. They attended Briarwood Christian School and went to church together.

They roomed together at Auburn and kept in touch through Christmas cards after they both married and moved away.

But they reconnected at a college reunion and began to collaborate through Beacon People, a non-profit that connects people with opportunities to make an impact.

“I needed an editor,” Nash said.

Through Beacon People, Shelton and Nash worked together on a number of projects, including Nash’s book and study workshop, pathFinder, A Journey Towards Purpose, so it was perfectly natural that Shelton would suggest a book

26 LAKE

project to Nash.

“She said ‘no, absolutely not,’” Shelton continued. “She said she was not qualified to write that book.”

“I didn’t go to seminary; I’m not a theologian. Other people have written about the parables in Luke’s Gospel, people who are more qualified than I am,” Nash said. “Katy said, ‘I am going to give you 24 hours. Pray about it and call me tomorrow.’”

The next morning, Nash opened her Bible to the first chapter of Luke and prayed for revelation and direction.

“The idea of Luke being 24 chapters stuck with us, and we came up with the idea for a devotional to read while we’re getting ready for Christmas,” Nash said.

Christmas Matters, How the Birth of Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day is a work from a fresh perspective.

“The challenge was to look more deeply into it and see the character of Jesus. Luke talks about it in his Gospel as a Christ-follower, so we were trying to see it through Luke’s eyes, how he perceived Jesus,” Nash said.

Each day’s reading is captioned as a single word

DECEMBER 2020

that captures Luke’s directives, Nash said. “Anticipate,” “Receive” and “Proclaim” start the 24-day series that leads readers through one chapter of the gospel each day.

“Heal,” “Hunger,” “Retreat,” “Hope,” “Wrestle” and finally, “Triumph” encourage readers to adopt the character of Christ.

“We are made in God’s image. It says that a lot in the Bible,” Nash said. “A lot of people in this culture would say they are believers. They have a general understanding of the Bible and what it says about Jesus, but I think, unfortunately, we can get to a place where Christianity becomes more religious and less relational.

“My passion was to look at Luke and the narrative of Jesus life and speak about that in terms that weren’t Christian cliché. That we might see Christmas from a different angle.”

The writers tried to step away from their Presbyterian upbringing to be influenced more in this case by their personal relationships with Jesus than by the theology behind their religious education and study.

“I’m basically a sinner that loves the Lord and wants other people to know,” said Shelton, who shared the writing of each devotional chapter with Nash and picked up the slack when COVID-19 hit.

“Anna and her husband own a coffee shop in Birmingham, and when COVID-19 came along, they had to develop a new business model. They didn’t close; they changed how they served their customers, but for a while there, she couldn’t work on the book,” Shelton said.

“I work in the office at UAB Medicine Russell Medical Cancer Center in Alexander City and live on Lake Martin, and I took a furlough when the pandemic hit. Anna got busier, and I got a vacation at the lake.”

Shelton traded her editor’s hat for that of writer on this project, but having edited Nash’s writing for more than

three years, the chapters flow easily, as Nash poured her heart onto the pages, and Shelton turned the discussions into chapters.

“She knows my voice very well,” Nash said.

Working together on this project added more depth and dimension to their lifelong friendship, as the collaboration required the gifts that each of them brought to it.

“You know sometimes when you are using the gifts that God gave you, you’re in your zone.

I had a lot of moments like that with Katy in this writing process. I think you are most inspiring to others when you feel inspired in your own heart, and we felt that with each other,” said Nash.

The chapter captions took on new meaning as the environment of the pandemic became routine life.

“We couldn’t market this book like it was Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come. The words of Christmas – peace, comfort, joy and hope – these are words that are on Christmas cards, but this year, these words mean something completely different to all of us. This year, we know what it actually feels like to not have peace,” Nash explained. “We need a promise, something we can stand on, and that’s why Christmas matters. If we have hope for tomorrow, things will be different for today.”

Published by SCWC Books, Christmas Matters, How the Birth of Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day is available for pre-order through Amazon and can be read on Kindle, smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. The discounted pre-order price is $6.99. On the release, the writers will offer a PDF format of the book for printing at home.

After the book’s release date on Friday, Nov. 27, the regular price will be $7.99. A companion website, christmasmattersbook.com, is already live. Nash and Shelton hope the hard copy will be available for Christmas 2021.

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 27

Long-tailed Skipper

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The Long-tailed Skipper is one those butterflies that is so distinctive it stands out among the 446 moths and butterflies found in Alabama.

It’s also one of the butterflies that are still around in November most years – these photographs were taken in the middle of the month.

Two stand-out features on this insect are its long “tail,” which is really a long, narrow extended hindwing below its larger and more commonly shaped forewing. Since both lower wings have the same shape, this butterfly actually has two long tails, though they are often together and look like a single appendage when the insect is not flying. The long tail wings are fragile and easily broken; so if you think you see a Long-tail Skipper with a short tail, that’s probably what happened. If that’s the case, look for the other very obvious identifying characteristic: vivid blue-green iridescent coloring found on the top of its body and the base of the wings in stark contrast to the rest of its brownish body.

Long-tailed Skippers have large, broad heads and large eyes, with hairy bodies. Its wings are dark brown on top with light-colored spots. The underside of its body is a lighter brown than the top. The wingspan of a mature Long-tailed Skipper is 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 inches.

In its early stage of life, the Skipper caterpillar is

yellow-green and striped. There is a black line that runs down the top of its body from stem to stern with yellow or orangish-red stripes on the sides of its body. This caterpillar has a black and dark red head with a yellow or orange spot on either side.

Long-tailed Skipper received its scientific name, Urbanus proteus, in 1758 from Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish doctor who created the modern two-word system for naming all living things used the world over.

From a scientific point of view, Long-tailed Skippers – and the entire 3,500-member world-wide family of skippers – may not actually be butterflies because they share characteristics of both true butterflies and moths. But for now, most experts consider them butterflies or something in between.

Long-tail Skippers have a very erratic, unpredictable flight

The Long-tailed Skipper is named for its characteristic extended hindwings

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 29

This Long-tailed Skipper is multitasking as it gathers nectar from a flower while hanging upside down to hide from a predator

pattern, and they move very quickly from flower to flower as they feed on nectar. They tend to seek out grown-up fields, gardens, the edges of forests, roadsides and other disturbed landscapes where they are indiscriminate diners, visiting any flower that contains nectar. When they rest, these butterflies take the protection under leaves, hanging upside down.

Long-tailed Skippers are native to the Americas from Argentina north in South America, throughout Central America and Mexico and the West Indies to the Southeastern U.S. and up the East Coast. In the U.S., Long-tailed Skippers migrate north each summer, and as temperatures cool down, they return south, ending up in Florida and South Texas, which is why they are found in Alabama in large numbers in the fall.

As an adult, the male Long-tailed Skipper exhibits territorial behavior, often finding a high perch 5 feet to 6 feet off the ground, where he can see all activity occurring in his turf. If a creature comes into his territory, he will launch himself at it and try to chase it away … unless the creature is a female Long-tailed Skipper, in which case he will attempt to mate with it.

According to butterfly-fun-facts.com, “If one hits you, it wasn’t because it didn’t see you. It was because it DID see you.”

If a male and female do decide to procreate, they engage in a courtship dance where they fly up together into the air in a spiral pattern and then fall back to 30 LAKE

earth. The relationship is consummated on the ground.

Female Long-tailed Skippers lay clusters of creamy white to blue-green colored eggs on the underside of host-plant leaves. Most clusters are two to six eggs but as many as 20 have been found together.

Host plants include members of the bean and pea family, which can be a big problem for some farmers.

In Alabama, Long-tailed Skipper caterpillars are fond of the many species of native Beggar Lice (featured in the November edition of Lake magazine) as well as kudzu, other native vining plants and garden beans and peas.

Caterpillars cut and roll up leaves, holding them in place with strands of silk, to make a nest. This behavior gives this insect in its caterpillar state a couple of other nicknames: “Bean Leaf Roller” and “Roller Worm.”

And while a rolled up leaf doesn’t sound like much of a house, the caterpillar spends most of its time in the nest when it is not munching leaves. So it takes care of its home by engaging in a practice called “frass flinging.” Frass is another name for caterpillar poop – not the kind of thing you want cluttering up your living space.

When you look into the rolled-up leaf, the redorange spots on their heads may look like eyes, which scientists think makes this caterpillar look scary to predators. If that doesn’t spook one of the wasps or Florida predatory stink bugs that consider Skipper caterpillars good for dinner, agitated caterpillars it will spit a bright green fluid as a second-line defense.

When this caterpillar has reached full size on a diet of leaves, it will pupate and make a cocoon of silk and pieces of leaves. The emerging Long-tailed Skipper butterfly has a lifespan of about a month.

Some information for this article came from the Florida Museum of Natural History, www.butterfliesandmoths.org, the Animal Diversity Web from the University of Michigan and www.butterfly-fun-facts. com.

These butterflies flit indiscriminately from one species of flower to another

DECEMBER 2020

This Skipper's iridescent colors sharply contrast with audtumn's dull hues

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 31

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32 LAKE

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Boating Business Boom

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STORY BY SIRI HEDREEN & BETSY ILER PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 may have wreaked havoc on health, safety and social lives, but the Lake Martin boating industry boomed, especially as interest rates fell to historic numbers at the same time that the price of gasoline went down.

Russell Marine President Dave Commander spoke about the boating industry’s success in the latest installment of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Lake series. The chamber is presenting the annual event as a video series this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been an unbelievable year,” Commander told Chamber President and CEO Ed Collari. “And I say unbelievable because back in March we were looking at the stock market Boat sales increased going down.” by more than 30 percent Boat manufacturers – not to this year, largely due mention entire states – were also to the shutting down, he said. Russell coronavirus Marine itself had to close for a few pandemic weeks per state orders.

Commander feared the worst.

“But just the opposite happened,” he said. “We sold more boats this past year than we’ve ever sold.”

For the same reason that more properties are being sold on Lake Martin this year, boating is amenable to the pandemic.

“What better place to social distance yourself than Lake Martin?”

Commander said. “A lot of people that had all this disposable income were planning on going to Disney World or to Europe. Guess what – they did not go.”

Instead, many of them vacationed locally and bought boats.

Indeed, the number of first-time buyers at Russell Marine increased by 33 percent this year, Commander said. And Russell Marine boat sales overall increased by 40 percent.

“All of the dealers in Alabama have had a really good year,” he said.

Low interest rates also have played a role in the increased sales, said Micah Cornett, a sales professional at Wedowee Marine.

“About half of the deals we have made have been financed,” Cornett told Lake magazine last month. “In fact, some have financed just because the rate is so low. I sold a boat the other day to a gentleman who had impeccable credit and paid a large down payment. His interest rate was 1.99 percent.”

Depending on the yield from other investments, the cash that the buyer might otherwise have paid on the purchase could be working for him longer as he stretched out the boat payments, Cornett said.

And the surge in boat sales doesn’t show any sign of letting up, he added.

“We expected that November and December would be our slowest months; and then, it would pick up again in January.

Instead, we’re still waiting for it to die down,” he said.

Inventory, meanwhile, has been a challenge.

“Not only did we have over-demand because of this disposable income, but also a lot of the manufacturers were shut down for two months,” Commander said.

This made it difficult to fulfill demand for both entire boats and boat parts, as demand for service was up as well.

The last Sea Doo jet ski at Russell Marine, for example, was sold in May, and inventory wasn’t restocked until November, Russell Marine and Outdoor Center Manager Allan Cutts said in the State of the Lake video.

“That’s been the backlog that COVID-19 created,” he said. “That’s probably been the hardest thing, with people coming in wanting a specific boat. There’s lead times with them now.”

The demand for pre-owned boats is up as well, Commander added later in a telephone interview. Preowned boat sales at Russell Marine are up 41 percent over last year, with the highest demand for pontoons.

“I think we might have one preowned pontoon boat in inventory right now. We can’t get enough of those,” he said.

Matt Hinkle at Lakeside Marinas said the demand for boats has exceeded the supply, as well as the ability to get boats during the pandemic, but it was the up-tick in rentals that surprised him most.

“The rentals were the best we’ve had in 17 years,” Hinkle said. “They were up 30 percent. Boating is the perfect outdoor activity for social distancing.

“People had trips planned, and when they weren’t able to go on a cruise or vacation in Hawaii, they decided to buy a boat instead.”

As second-home owners flocked to the lake to escape the pandemic as early as March, and many of them stayed through August, lake time became more accessible, Hinkle said.

In the meantime, travel restrictions drove the price of oil to negative numbers on the worldwide market, as entire fleets of commercial airliners were grounded and gasoline prices at the pump fell to the $2 mark or less, a five-year low.

So when lake traffic increased at the same time that interest rates plummeted and the price of gasoline went down, lake area marinas were the winners.

“It was the perfect storm,” Hinkle said.

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 33

Cast from a kayak

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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Mike McKay’s perspective on fishing changed five years ago when he finally let his brother, Matt, talk him into casting from a kayak.

“Fishing from a regular boat is kind of boring now,” said McKay, who gets out on Lake Martin three times a month or more yearround, depending on the weather.

He carries a rod for everything – spotted and largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and stripers – but fishing stripers from December to March is the best fishing there is on the lake, McKay said.

McKay bought a Hobie PA 14 with a fin drive and researched the setup he wanted,

adding about 60 pounds of gear. His boat holds three rods at each side, as well as two trolling rods behind him. Every rod is always in easy reach, and his nets are stationed where they will be handy at all times. He added a fish finder on a lithium ion battery and mounted a cooler in the back to use as a fish box. And on the sides of the kayak, he has mounted tackle boxes, with more tackle in the bow compartment.

For lighting, he put blue LED strips on the sides of the boat and put the flag on a red, white and blue light pole. He also added low red lights inside the cab to give him night vision. The traditional red and green bow lights would be illegal on the vessel, he said.

Mike McKay outfitted his Hobie PA 14 kayak with 60 pounds of fishing gear

34 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

McKay likes the quiet water and the seclusion of fishing from his kayak

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 35

As the boat is not motorized, he doesn’t have to register it.

Instead of a paddle, he navigates with foot pedals and pulls a cord for forward and reverse.

His safety gear includes a first aid kit and the personal flotation device he always wears while fishing. He keeps a VHF radio onboard and turned on while he’s on the water. In addition, he added a tether, so if the big one pulls him in, he wouldn’t be separated from the boat.

That very well could have happened, he said, when he caught a 15-pound striper at mid-day some time ago.

“I went out early in the morning and fished until about 11, so I was worn out when I came in. My buddy, Randall Baxter, was at the boat ramp when I came in, and he wanted to go out, so I went back out with him. We caught some baitfish; and then, headed to Mallard Point,” McKay said.

“Once we got out there, I dropped my bait, and all of a sudden, my rod was screaming.

This fish turned the boat around, and we took off. He ran me all over. I fought it for about 15 minutes, seemed a lot longer than that. At one point, he came beside the boat, and the first look I got at him, I thought, ‘Whoa! How am I gonna get this fish in the boat?’

“My buddy’s nets were too small, so he had to come up alongside me and take my net, and I had to kind of fold the fish to get him in the fish box.”

Fishing from a kayak puts the angler right down on top of the water at eye level to a jumping fish, as opposed to being above the fish in a motorized fishing boat, McKay said.

The kayak runs silent, which gives him an advantage when checking out the local wildlife, he said.

“I had two otters swim right up to me the other day,” he said. “I see a lot of ducks, and

36 LAKE

I pulled in under a branch one time where an eagle was just sitting there. He didn’t move, didn’t leave, the whole time I was there.

“Fishing from a kayak is more secluded. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can get away from it all,” he said. “I’ve had to outrun a few snakes now and then, but most of them leave me alone.”

At the same time, kayak fishing is more challenging, as an angler cannot easily change locations if the hole he’s on isn’t producing.

“You have to work with what you’ve got where you are,” he said.

So McKay has learned what to put in the boat and where to put in for what he wants to fish and when. In spring and summer, he fly fishes for carp in the grass, launching from Jaybird Landing. He pedals upriver from Jaybird; then, casts away as he drifts downstream.

This time of year is the best for catching the big stripers, which are his favorite target.

“The striper is a big fish in a kayak. It’s the closest thing to saltwater fishing on a freshwater lake, and there’s just something about catching a big fish from a small boat that’s fun,” he said.

Contact McKay through his Instagram at kayak-fishing-Lake-Martin.

DECEMBER 2020

McKay is prepared to reel in whatever he might hook, as the kayak limits his ability to change locations to target species: Inset: Mike McKay would rather fish from his kayak than from a motorized fishing boat

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 37

38 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 39

New spillgates for Martin Dam

Alabama Power is replacing the dam's 94-year-old spillway gates during the winter drawdown 40 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

The 94-year-old spillgates at Martin Dam are being replaced with new, lighter gates, but Alabama Power has retained the vintage look of the original gates

STORY BY MICHAEL SZNAJDERMAN PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF ALABAMA POWER

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 41

A crane lifts the spillgate for installation

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The gates top a 168-foot dam wall with 16- to 18-foot intake pipelines

For nearly a century, the spillgates atop Martin Dam have helped Alabama Power manage the company’s original source of renewable energy: flowing water.

But the decades and the elements have taken a toll on the 20 steel gates that have been operating at the dam since its completion in 1926. The dam created Lake Martin – at the time the largest manmade reservoir in the world.

The spillgate replacement process began last month as the new gates arrived from a fabrication site in Mississippi.

“The replacement process will be different from those early days,” said Chris Goodman, Tallapoosa River manager for Alabama Power. “But the technology of the new gates – it really hasn’t changed much from the old ones.”

The original gates arrived by train, on a rail line built to serve the remote dam construction site at Cherokee Bluffs. That railroad no longer exists, and its bed has been converted to accommodate hikers at the Forever Wild site below the dam.

Those gates – each one 32 feet wide, 16 feet tall and weighing 40 tons – had to be hoisted by crane from rail cars at the bottom of the newly built dam to the top of the structure.

The new gates – essentially the same size but about 3,000 pounds lighter – will roll in on flatbed trucks straight to the top of the dam.

42 LAKE

A railroad transported the original spillgates to the dam site in the early 1920s

The old gates, fabricated in New York, were riveted together – the cutting-edge method of the day. The new gates are welded but incorporate elements to mirror the historic look of the originals.

The company worked with the Alabama Historical Commission to keep the vintage look.

In addition to being lighter, the new gates sport some modest design changes, which Goodman said would provide a tighter seal while making them easier to open and close when water is flowing through the spillgate openings.

Spillgates typically operate only after heavy rains or storms, when there’s a need to manage higher water flows on the river. Under normal conditions, the spillgates stay shut, with water moving downstream through the dam’s four turbines.

“We’d much rather move water through the turbines and produce clean, renewable hydropower,” Goodman said.

What won’t change is how the gates operate.

When a spillgate needs to be opened, a crane on the top of the dam is used to lift it into position. When it is no longer needed to manage water flow, a crane operator slides the gate down into the closed position. How many gates are opened or closed depends on what’s needed to properly manage the flow.

The replacement process is expected to take about five weeks, with one gate being replaced

DECEMBER 2020

The new spillway gates are 3,000 pounds lighter than the original 40-ton gates

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 43

Cranes are used to hoist the spillgate into position

As the new gate is lowered, it holds back the river, maintaining the water level on Lake Martin

The new gates operate the same way as the ones they are replacing

each day, four days a week, and one day a week reserved for possible adverse weather. As one new gate comes in, an old gate goes out and is sent to a metal recycler, Goodman said.

The process will be significantly different from the one recently used downstream at Thurlow Dam, where its 36 historic spillgates were replaced and the crest of the structure modified. Thurlow’s new gates were installed with a crane mounted on a barge, as construction took place while the lake was lowered during the summers of 2018 and 2019. Oscar Thurlow, chief engineer of Alabama Power during the company’s early days, designed the original spillgates at Martin Dam, which is named after one of the company’s founders, Tom Martin.

Goodman said, based on the lifespan of the old gates, there’s no reason why the new spillgates won’t last a century. Spillgate replacement is one of the more dramatic operations that takes place infrequently at Alabama Power dams to keep the hydro systems operating safely and efficiently.

Nearly 20 years ago, three of Martin Dam’s turbines, original to the 1926 project, were

44 LAKE

replaced with more efficient models. A fourth turbine, added to the dam in the 1950s, is scheduled to be upgraded in 2022. The new turbines allow more renewable energy to be produced from the same amount of water – a benefit to customers, since hydro is one of the most cost-effective ways to generate electricity.

In addition to the periodic major project, daily maintenance by company experts keeps Alabama Power’s hydro system operating safely and smoothly.

“It’s all about our mission: to provide our customers with clean, reliable, affordable power,” Goodman said.

Visit apcshorelines.com and click “Our Lakes & Dams” for more information about Alabama’s hydroelectric dams and the clean, safe, reliable renewable energy they produce.

DECEMBER 2020

Fall is right around the corner

and now is the perfect time to purchase your next adventure. Fishing, hunting, or just enjoying the outdoors, Russell Marine is here for you.

Fishing boats from Bass Cat, SeaArk, Key West and Crevalle Boats. Off-road vehicles from BRP Can-Am. We also offer Nautique, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Scarab, Supreme, Sea Ray, Bryant and personal watercraft from Sea-Doo.

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View all of our inventory from the comfort of your home at RussellMarine.net or visit any one of our 6 locations. Financing is available.

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The Willows of Willow Point

The Willows

29 premier homesites just released

is nestled in a serene cove among Lake Martin’s more than 40,000 acres of pristine water, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. With large, wooded and secluded homesites, this new neighborhood is the perfect place to enjoy refined lake living with Willow Point Golf & Country Club, dining, shopping, and recreation just moments away.

46 R u LAKE s s e l l L a n d s O n L a k e M a r t i n . c o mDECEMBER | 2 5 6 2020 . 2 15 . 7 0 11

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Lake Martin, Alabama

We invite you to live a luxurious golf lifestyle at The Yards, our newest community at National Village The Yards, a must-see collection of 21 cottages, is now open at National Village along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama. You will fall in love with these new construction homes within a controlled access neighborhood with sidewalks and community gardens designed by WAS. The home plans for the cottages are designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and feature inviting porches. Best of all, The Yards is adjacent to the Marriott at Grand National and all of the resort amenities including spa, pickle ball, tennis, and pool. Schedule a tour by calling 334.749.8165 or visit NationalVillage.com.

DECEMBER 2020 TO LEARN MORE VISIT NATIONALVILLAGE.COM OR CALL 334.749.8165

LAKE 47

Merry & Bright

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STORY BY LONNA UPTON & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

Nelson and Katie Cooper moved to Alexander City to practice medicine 26 years ago. Both doctors – Nelson an anesthesiologist and Katie a gynecologist – the couple loved Lake Martin and spent countless hours designing the perfect lake house. Lots of drawings on scraps of paper and napkins later, they hired architect Pete Pritchard for a custom design. Kenny Hill built their dream home on 7.5 acres on the lake, where the Coopers raised their two children, six dogs, two cats, two goats and a menagerie of lizards, guinea pigs and birds over the last 18 years.

This year, with both children grown and on their own, the Coopers decided to put the house on the market, so they can downsize. Since this Christmas may be the last Christmas they spend in the house, the couple asked interior designer Phil Spraggins of Phil Interior Design in Alexander City to use his creativity and inspiration to decorate the home for this holiday season.

Spraggins enlisted the help of local artists and Katie’s friends, Lila Graves and Catie Radney, as well as his assistant Tyler Templeton and friend Rebecca Bates.

“This house has been the place to gather for our family and lots of peripheral kids who I’ve called my own. I have so many Christmas memories – mother/ daughter tea parties, making gingerbread houses, office parties, present-wrapping parties, touch football

48 LAKE

in the yard. We’ve slept 24 people here in beds, so the whole extended family has been here for Christmas. It has been the home place,” Cooper said.

Spraggins explained that he met with the Coopers about two months before the decorating date to discuss the project. When installation time came, three full days were set aside to complete the project.

Votive candle angels Day one allowed them adorn a corner to unpack everything, of the Coopers' so they could see dining room all the decorations and plan. Day two was installation, and day three was spent perfecting the placement of every angel, every piece of live greenery, every bow and bauble.

Spraggins began by designing a truly grand entrance at the front door. Greenery from the Coopers’ yard was used throughout the house, including the front door where a garland of magnolia leaves with white lights and red velvet bows outlines the door frame.

Complementing not only the special glow of the front porch but also adding a delicious aroma for the entryway, six rosemary bushes trimmed to Christmas tree shapes and placed in urn planters are lit with small white lights. Poinsettias, ferns and green wreaths add to the pageantry, along with cinnamon pillar candles on six iron candlesticks, each standing 4 feet tall.

The front door opens into a 12-foot-wide hallway that extends from the front porch through the house to the back porch. Just inside, Spraggins and Cooper set

DECEMBER 2020

The newest addition to the Cooper family, Blue, is picture perfect

DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

A bedecked corner of the wrap-around porch offers a sunset view from the porch swing

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A whimsical pillow is perfectly at home in a favorite leather chair

The grapevine-and-greenery-draped staircase provides a backdrop for a dining room that sparkles in jewel tones, Sterling silver and candlelight

An assortment of ornaments and beads hangs from the kitchen chandelier

the table for a perfect Christmas dinner in the dining room using Sterling silver pieces that have been in the family for generations. White burlap covers the table, and red placemats designate seating around two silver candelabras with red tapers. Gold chargers under gold trimmed china and silver wine goblets are at each place setting.

Spraggins used beaded napkin rings as candle sleeves on the candelabras, which match the sleeves used on the foyer chandelier just outside the room.

Brightly colored ball ornaments and sprigs with glitter and colored sequins fill a large Sterling silver bowl for

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the centerpiece. Ropes of multi-faceted glass beads and assorted sizes of ball ornaments scattered down the center of the table add to the festive dĂŠcor. A corner table in the room displays metal sculptures of angels in all sizes, some holding votive candles, and another table showcases a special nativity scene. “My mother has given me a nativity every year of my life, so I have them made of different materials and in all sizes. My parents lived in Germany for several years, so some are crèches from when they lived there. And I have collected Father Christmas figures through the years. I have one I have to

DECEMBER 2020

completely glue back together every year, but it is a special one,� Cooper said.

The collection of soft Father Christmas figurines stands at the foot of the stairs near a table displaying smaller nativity scenes. Spraggins wove multi-strand grapevine in and out of the staircase rails; then, he added fresh magnolia, cedar branches, bows and lights for a dramatic staircase.

Through the hall toward the back of the house, the Coopers have a bar area, simply decorated with a countertop Christmas tree. The back area of the hall is the library, a warm, inviting space with a wood-

burning fireplace, two large, comfortable chairs and bookcases lining the walls. The stockings are hung on the greenery-covered mantel, which showcases a pewter nativity scene under a pewter mirror. The chandelier, decorated with red holly berry candle sleeves and a ball of red berries hanging from the center, is reflected in the mirror over the fireplace.

Two Christmas trees decorated with white lights and gold trimmings frame the double door entrance to the back porch. Outside, a favorite porch spot has its own flocked Christmas tree and a Christmas rug near the porch swing. A string of tremendous red balls is

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Stockings are hung by the chimney with care

Holiday pillows add color to corners and furnishings

Trees decorated in gold balls and beads guide guests to the back porch

The festive family room showcases a Christmas tree filled with memories

Cooper found the mantel creche in a shop outside Amman, Jordan

In a twist on tradition, a unicorn dons a bright red bow to celebrate the season

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DECEMBER 2020

Double doors open from the porch into the warmth of the library

attached to the swing chains, and a same-sized string of gold balls is tucked under the tree. A star on top of the tree casts stars onto the ceiling.

“That tree is a favorite that was saved from a dumpster. We spruce it up and love it every year.

This corner of the porch has been a favorite location for everyone who has ever visited our house. We sit outside here on the swing year-round; in fact, many world problems have been solved right here,” she said.

The family room, with a 24-foot ceiling and windows on two sides, flows into the kitchen. A 12-foot tall Christmas tree is positioned in the corner for a view from both rooms and the porch outside the window. All of the family members’ favorite ornaments hang on this tree – children’s handmade memories, keepsakes from travels and Christmases past and Nelson’s mother’s petit point ornaments.

Christmas pillows create cozy corners of chairs and a sectional. The square live-edge coffee table holds a simple arrangement of poinsettias.

“This is our place to relax. I have collected local art for years, and I love what is hanging here. I have Lila Graves, Catie Radney, Blanche Warr, Joyce Willis, Lauren Thomas and my grandmother just in this room and the kitchen. Adding Christmas to the room makes it even more special,” Cooper said.

For a touch of Christmas in the kitchen, Spraggins placed two Christmas trees that mirror each other on

the countertop. A wreath hangs in the kitchen window.

A large unicorn figurine, gifted years ago, is dressed up for the holidays with a brilliant red bow. Graves added a whimsical touch in the space by hanging an assortment of ornaments from the chandelier – salt shakers, a frog, an angel and a red jingle bell, to name a few of the eye-catching treasures.

“Decorating with Katie, Nelson and Miss Kitty (Katie’s mother) was a treat. My team and I immediately felt as if we were a part of the family and their time-honored traditions. From Sterling silver to grapevine garland to magnolia and cedar harvested on the property, we created a celebratory feeling for the season,” Spraggins said.

The Coopers plan to celebrate their last Christmas in the house by gathering with friends and family over the coming weeks. Their traditions will mingle with the changes each year of life brings, offering more memories to cherish. Their wish for this season on Lake Martin: weather cold enough to add logs to the fire but not too cold to watch the sunset from the porch swing.

Questions concerning the sale of the home can be directed to Jan Hall with Lake Martin Realty.

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All I want for Christmas M

erry Christmas! This is that time of year when everyone makes a Christmas list in hopes that the personal elf delivers. If a place on Lake Martin is at the top of your wish list, I wanted to share some tips for your personal elf as he or she starts Christmas shopping.

If your first choice is to find a lake home already

Task List Lot Selection

n Location – proximity to amenities, marinas and stores, plus drive time for family and friends n Lot – size, topography, view, water depth and available utilities n Shoreline – pier location, seawall, extra features and neighboring encroachments n Neighborhood – attractiveness of available properties, conformity of design, average value of neighboring homes and community standards

Getting under way

n Home design – custom to lot, predesigned by developer, predesigned by builder or a plan modified for you and the land n Home builder – reputation, references, experience, services provided, insurance carried and work load n Décor – decorator, suppliers, allowances and availability n Approval process – building permits, ADEM permits, architectural control and Alabama Power Company shoreline permits n Budgeting – land, house, shoreline, landscape, furnishings and water toys n Financing – Construction, permanent, one closing or two and insurance n Documentation – Plans, specs, budgets, contracts and change orders The above list is not meant to intimidate you but to serve as a guide to ensure the project moves smoothly. If is seems a bit over-powering, you might use a Realtor®, builder or architect to help you through the process. After all, even Santa employs expert elves to help him deliver the goods. If you start now, you could have a Merry Christmas in 2021 in your new Lake Martin home.

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built, new or pre-loved, you need to know that finding a lake home is like finding the new baby doll or video game at the toy store. The shelves and choices are nearly bare. Available lake homes and condos on the market number only 50, according to the local MLS on Nov. 11. That is only one for every 17 miles of shoreline.

Your next choice, and probably the best for all of your future Christmases, would be to find a waterfront homesite and have a lake home built just for you. WAIT! Don’t put down the article and run.

Building a lake home is not as difficult as you might think. With a little bit of planning and a helpful task list, you might find that this is your best option, especially when you are in this for the long run.

Where to start

I have seen lots of people go through the building process. Some people think that you find a lake home design; and then, you find a LAKE PROPERTY waterfront lot, pick a builder

BY STEVEN ARNBERG and start building. While that might work, usually the best way is to start with the land; and then, look for a design that fits the land. Views and topography of the lot are primary influencers on design and cannot be changed in most cases.

In the sidebar at left, I have provided a task list that I think will help you move from wishing for to building the perfect lake home. I have given some elaboration on some of the points below. If I dug deeper into all the topics, I might end up with a novel rather than an article.

When to start your search

This might not make sense if you are trying to find a summer lake home, but the best time to select a waterfront homesite on Lake Martin is now through mid-February. The reason to look at land now is because you can “look under the hood,” so to speak. The annual drawdown of the lake’s water level started in the fall, and the lake reaches the lowest level by mid-December.

Since the maximum length of a pier with a floating platform for the lake is 62 feet, you should be able to judge the year-round water depth at this

DECEMBER 2020

Christmas through February is the best time of year to purchase a lake home or lot

Photo courtesy of Russell Lands On Lake Martin

time of the year. If there is water 62 feet beyond the shoreline and the lake is down 7 feet from full pool, judging summer water level is simple math. You should also be able to walk the lake bed to determine the need for and the cost of a seawall or other waterfront improvement.

Another good reason to start this time of year is that you will be able to judge the views of the lake, topography of the lot and driveway location more easily without tree leaves blocking the views.

Builders and architects tend to have more free time at this time of year to look at building sites and could offer valuable input that could save you lots of time and money.

The list at left is meant to be a step-by-step approach. Each item also has additional points to

consider. For instance, next to neighborhood, I added average value of neighboring homes. If the neighborhood is a perfect location for you but all the existing homes sell for 20 percent below your overall budget, you might be over-improving the property, making a return on your investment in a future sale more difficult. ~ Steve Arnberg is vice president real estate sales for Russell Lands On Lake Martin.

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Take home

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holidays

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Treasure It

Photo by Audra Spears

Our lake is a refuge from life's storms

T

o say that 2020 has been challenging and affects my enjoyment of Lake Martin. would be an understatement. The HOBOs is concerned about your home and COVID-19 pandemic has forced property. We are concerned about water quality us to make adjustments to our day-to-day and lake levels. We are concerned about boat lives and to find new ways to connect traffic and preservation of our shorelines. We while maintaining that sense of family and are concerned about zoning and construction community. In addition, we have had an in your neighborhood. We are concerned about unprecedented number of hurricanes and our roadsides and our residential services. tropical storms, with some reaching far We work with homeowners and boatowners; enough inland to affect us here at Lake local businesses; local, state and federal Martin. The fires out West have devastated agencies and other organizations to preserve, communities and left paths of destruction protect and enhance the overall quality of life HOBO that will take years for recovery. Our entire in and around Lake Martin. We need your BY STEVE SMITH country has been engulfed in a vicious and support to address these issues, just as we ugly political storm. needed it when we were fighting for the water I am not a political person, and I have very little interest levels on Lake Martin. in politics; however, I do have an interest in having clean Despite the many problems that this year has presented, water and a clean environment. Unfortunately, this is Lake Martin has continued to offer a refuge from the often a political issue. I am not writing this to persuade literal and figurative storms we have faced in 2020. Our political beliefs, but I do want to increase awareness that local economy seems stronger than ever. The real estate maintaining clean water and having a clean environment market is booming; boat sales are at record levels; and new means getting involved. businesses have come to our area. More and more people As I sit here writing, I, like many others, am still are moving here to escape and enjoy the good life that waiting for my garbage pick-up. It seems that corporate Lake Martin offers.

America made a deal and did not fully work out the logisBy the time you read this, the election will be over (I tics of weekly garbage pick-up. Meanwhile, the garbage is hope). Regardless of the outcome, Lake Martin will continstarting to pile up. ue to be a wonderful place to live. The last time I checked, I am sure this will be resolved, but it has me thinking our lake water was neither red nor blue. Let’s all work about our environment. Where is all our garbage going? together by supporting and participating in the many orgaYes, I know we have a nearby landfill, but should I be con- nizations that work to protect and preserve Lake Martin. cerned? Perhaps I would be even more concerned if I lived right by the landfill. ~ Steve Smith is president of the Lake Martin But I do live on the shores of Lake Martin, and what Homeowners and Boat Owners Association. Learn more at happens upstream affects the water in my backyard. What lakemartinhobos.com. happens in front of my house impacts me and my family DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 59

FABULOUS FINDS

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS SOLD

Willow Point, Parkview Cottage • $769,000 Builder: Derryl Thomas Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,580 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Ridge Run, Longerhouse • $1,395,000 Builder: Lake Martin Signature Homes Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

Russell Cabins at The Ridge, Tree Top • $1,325,000 Builder: Classic Homes Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • SQFT: 2,706 Russell Lands On Lake Martin Rhonda Watson, Anna Speaks 256.215.7011 RusellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

1470 Willows End, Alexander City • $7,900,000 Beds: 10 • Baths: 10 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com

61 Jacks Hollow, Alexander City • $2,900,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Jan Hall 256.329.6313 LakeMartinRealty.com

160 Ridge Crest, Alexander City • $2,750,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty David Mitchell 256.212.3511 LakeMartinRealty.com

883 North Ridge, Alexander City • $1,325,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty John McInnish 334.415.2149 LakeMartinRealty.com

82 Narrows Point, Alexander City • $995,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 4.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 LakeMartinRealty.com

340 Eagle Ridge, Alexander City • $1,495,000 Beds: 5 • Baths: 5.5 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty India Davis 256.749.7592 LakeMartinRealty.com

290 Teague Circle. Equality • $749,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3 • Waterfront Lake Martin Realty Hugh Neighbors 256.750.5071 LakeMartinRealty.com

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1450 StillWaters Drive, Dadeville • $319,000 Beds: 4 • Baths: 3.5 • Interior Lake Martin Realty Haley McKelvey 256.749.8353 LakeMartinRealty.com

C403 Marina Pointe Road, Dadeville • $499,000 3 BR, 3 BA, comes fully furnished with boat slip just below your unit. Located inside Stillwaters!

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Cookie Memories

I

t is beginning to look like Christmas.

All over the world, Christmas Trees are in their stands; lights are traditions differ by country or region shining; outside decorations are while others are practiced universally. being hung; Christmas songs can be Traditions and customs are diverse, heard on the radio; baking has begun; ranging from various religious practices and Christmas cards are being printed. and rituals to more cultural or secular in Although the COVID-19 pandemic may nature. Throughout the years, Christmas force Christmas season and celebrations traditions have changed significantly, to look a bit different this taking on the advancements of time and year, let us savor our favorite qualities of geographical regions. traditions. Let us hold on Decorations at Christmas have a to what we can control long history. In the 15th century, it HEALTHY LIVING was customary in London for every and be reminded what BY JULIE HUDSON this season represents for house and church to be decked with any each of us. type of greenery that was in season.

I thought it would be fun to The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were symbolic of take a look at how this beautiful the coming of Jesus to Earth; holly was seen as celebration began and what protection from pagans and witches; and the thorns traditions represent. One and red berries represented the Crown of Thorns of my favorite childhood worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood He memories is the enormous shed. assortment of Christmas Nativity scenes can be traced to 10th century cookies my mom would bake.

Rome. These scenes ranged from elaborate to As I grew older, baking cookies simple representations of the crib. In 1539, the was such a meaningful way to first Christmas tree was placed in the Cathedral of spend time with my mom and Strasburg, Germany, and by 1835, this custom made sister. Each batch of cookies was it to England. It was in the 1860s that commercially stored in beautiful Christmas tins to be displayed prepared decorations were seen in Germany. These on the counter throughout the Christmas season. decorations were inspired by paper chains that were Our traditional dessert would include a scoop of made by children. The United States adopted the ice cream and a selection of beautifully homemade tradition of putting up Christmas trees with lights cookies. The recipes included here are two of my by the 1870s. favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

The traditional colors of Christmas came from

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DECEMBER 2020

the western and northern European customs and was draped from tree branches to enhance the traditions. Green in the evergreen plants, like holly, flickering of the candle-lit branches. ivy and mistletoe, were used for years to brighten Candy canes began as a straight white stick. up buildings during the long winter. Red in the In 1874, they were painted with red stripes and holly berries represents the blood of Jesus when introduced as a Christmas He died on the cross. Red is also the color of the candy. There is a story that bishop’s robes. These were worn by St. Nicholas a German choirmaster and later became Santa’s uniform. gave the young Gold is the color of the sun and light, which children were very important in the dark winter. Red and something to gold combined make eat to help the color of fire that them sit through keeps people warm. the long nativity Holly Cookies Gold represents the service. He wanted 7 cups of cornflakes present that was to remind them 1 stick of butter brought to the baby of Christmas, 1 teaspoon green food coloring Jesus by one of the so he made 30 regular-sized marshmallows wise men, and it is them J-shaped, 1 teaspoon vanilla the color of the star like a shepherd’s In a double boiler, melt butter and marshmalthat the wise men crook, to represent lows. Add vanilla and food coloring. Pour melted followed. the shepherds who mixture over cornflakes that are in a warm bowl.

White means visited Jesus at the Drop by a spoon onto wax paper. Immediately, purity and peace in first Christmas. place red cinnamon candies on top. Let cool and Western cultures Oranges in place in sealed container. and represents the stockings came from winter snow. Blue the Great Depression Egg White Cookies represents Mary, the when fresh oranges 2 egg whites mother of Jesus, and were a very special 1/8 teaspoon salt the sky and heaven. treat. The segments 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar Mary is often painted represent the ability to 1 teaspoon vanilla wearing blue to show share what you have 3/4 cup sugar her importance. In been given.

6 ounces chocolate chips (about a 1/2 of a bag) medieval times, blue Poinsettias are 1/4 cup chopped nuts dye was expensive; originally from Mexico Beat egg whites, salt, cream of tartar and vanilla and therefore, blue and still considered the until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff was worn by royalty Christmas flower. The peaks form. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop and very rich families. leaves represent the from a spoon onto a brown-paper-lined cookie Purple is used during Star of Bethlehem. sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes Advent.

The first recorded 3 dozen.

Lights on trees Christmas letter was began when Martin sent in 1534, and many Luther wanted to years later, Christmas recreate his view cards appeared in the of the stars. Martin United States around Luther came up with this idea while walking the 1840s. Most people could not afford them; so a in the forest. He took a fir tree home and printer decided to mass produce the cards to make attached candles to make it look like them more affordable. In 1915, John Hall and his the stars. Candles were used on trees brothers created Hallmark Cards, one of the largest until safer electric lights were invented. card makers still today.

Candles remain a staple at Christmas Pickle in the tree was said to originate in the for decoration and during religious 1880s when the Woolworth store received an services. unexpected amount of pickle-shaped ornaments. In Ornaments were originally order to make sure they would be sold, a pickle in made from beads, paper, apples and the tree game was created. painted nuts shells. It was later, in the 1840s, that a German ~ Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin glass blower made the first Wellness Center in Dadeville. ornament.

Tinsel, thin strands of silver, DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

Spiked Christmas Cookie This month's featured cocktail is a holiday specialty from Christopher Gibson at Copper's Grill in Stillwaters.

Ingredients

1.25 ounces vodka .5 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream .25 ounce Kahlua .5 ounce peppermint schnapps

Directions

Coat the rim of your glass with sugar and cinnamon Add ingredients to a shaker; shake and pour over ice. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Let the festivities begin!

CHEERS!

BY COPPER'S GRILL

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 65

Beef tartare with turnips and dill

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DECEMBER 2020

Beef Tartare

Beef: For tartare, it is important to use a lean, flavorful cut of high quality.

We use sirloin; Catherine’s Market or any other high-end grocery store should have this.

Using a very sharp knife, clean off any connective tissue or excessive fat, though some fat is OK. Cut into a fine dice and store on ice, with plastic wrap pressed on it to prevent oxidation. This can be done a few hours ahead of time if need be.

Assume about 3 ounces to 4 ounces per person.

Aioli Ingredients

1 cup Dukes mayonnaise 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 Tablespoon chopped dill 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard Wisk to combine.

Garnish Ingredients

1 cup thinly shaved baby turnips (use a mandolin) High quality olive oil Your choice of crackers or toast Maldon salt Fresh black pepper

To Build

Select a bowl large enough to allow vigorous mixing of all of your beef. Chill the bowl for at least 20 minutes before use. For four servings, add 16 ounces of beef and the diced CHEF’S TABLE garnish. Add a good pinch of salt and a good cracker of pepper. Add about 2 tablespoons

BY CHRIS MORINA of mayonnaise and the zest of the lemon. Beat this vigorously with a spoon. For this much beef, this should take about 2 minutes of stirring. This will give your tartare a better texture.

Plate one quarter of the tartare onto chilled plates and flatten slightly. Top with shaved turnips in a fish-scale pattern. Drizzle with EVOO and a pinch of salt. Serve immediately.

1/4 cup finely diced turnip 1/4 cup finely diced shallots 1/4 cup finely diced pickles (we use a mixture of Swiss chard, wax pepper and ramps, but cornichons would work) 1 lemon

~ Chris Morina, executive chef and general manager at SpringHouse Restaurant, earned a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management from Auburn University and worked with Southern food icon Linton Hopkins at Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta before moving to Mourad and other Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco.

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LAKE 67

A

c ouple of years ago I had planned a day of fun crawfish, one of the big bass favorites this time of year. fishing ... or a tune-up day might be a better Crankbaits are great at triggering reaction bites from way to put it. I had a few crankbaits I wanted to larger fish that have seen a lot of presentations during their experiment with to see how they worked out. Some were lifespans. The key to the reaction bite that a crankbait new models in similar colors to what has worked in the can trigger is the way it deflects off of cover, like rocks, past. Some others were different color patterns, just slight stumps and, in my case with the big one, a dock post. deviations from the ones that have worked before. The That sudden change in direction, along with the thump forecast was a typical day in December: a 50 percent created in the water when the bait bangs into an object, is chance of rain; then, clearing post-front conditions. I slept an element of surprise to the fish. It has a split-second to in; and then, debated whether to risk getting caught in decide whether to engulf the bait or risk a potential meal torrential rain. getting away. Many fish see crankbaits go by and choose I couldn’t resist the urge. So, I suited not to take them, but a certain percentage up and took off to the lake to see what the will get fooled into taking the bait. crankbait experiment might reveal. It didn’t Color is important because as the bait take long to get a few solid fish to bite, and deflects off of cover it will show its sides it looked like one of the new colors that my and create a flash-like appearance. That buddy had painted was going to be a good flash of color says, “crawfish,” “shad” or one. “bream” to the fish that’s having to make I made a cast beside a dock post and – a quick choice. Odds are, if color choice is Bang! close to what the fish are used to feeding on Something knocked slack in my line. Those at the time, they will strike. who crankbait fish a good bit know that the Vibration is another key component bite is usually more subtle. It’s more like a to crankbait fishing. The body shape pressure where there’s a split second that determines how much the body of the bait BIG CATCHES you’re unsure whether the bait is hung, just pitches and rolls on the retrieve. As this is picked up a stick or leaf or it’s a fish. This was happening, the bait is displacing water in a

BY GREG VINSON not one of those bites at all. It slammed it. way that bass can almost recognize before Lots of species of fish will bite crankbaits. even seeing the bait for the first time.

I’ve caught just about any species of catfish, drum, The bill of the crankbait not only determines how deep stripers, bream and crappie. The bite reminded me of how the bait can dive, but also how it vibrates on the retrieve a big flathead catfish had hit one time. and deflects off of cover. For shallow water, perhaps 4 When I set the hook on the fish, the thought in my head feet or less, squarebill crankbaits seem to deflect extra was, “This channel catfish is about to take the only one of well and produce a good amount of vibration along the these baits in this color I have.” way. Sometimes, you may hear someone refer to the bait There was a moment of agitation that soon shifted to a ‘hunting.’ This is when the body and the bill are tuned level of tournament-like focus when I got another glimpse to track one way; and then, suddenly change directions, of the fish. The second time it bulged the surface trying tracking the other way through the retrieve. to throw the bait, I got a better look and realized it was Because most fish do not slam the crankbait this time a giant largemouth bass. The fight was unlike any other of year, it’s good to have a rod that’s a softer action than fish from the past. People say that big fish will fight hard what normally is used for worms, jigs, etc. That soft for a moment; and then, just give up, but this one battled action gives the fish a chance to take the bait better on a fiercely to the finish. I reached into the cold water with quick retrieve. I’ve found that, for winter time cranking, already cold hands and finally got a grip on the lower jaw a 6:1 reel is great for slower retrieves and a 7:1 for faster of a Lake Martin beast. retrieves. Choose 12- or 15-pound fluorocarbon, which I was amazed at the size of the fish. It was, without a adds to the feel you have while fishing and could add doubt, the largest bass I had ever caught on Lake Martin a little dive depth. I prefer Seaguar Invis-X or Seaguar and one of the biggest I had caught anywhere in the Tatsu. Monofilament is not a bad choice, as well, and can country: a personal best for Lake Martin on a day that add a little buoyancy when the bait is deflecting off cover.

I debated whether to even go or not. The fish weighed This December, make a point of doing some cranking nearly 8-1/2 pounds on my digital scale. I put her in my around the lake and see what happens. The casting and Phoenix livewell to revive from the fight and to savor the winding is a great way to stay warm and maybe even burn moment for a minute before setting up to get a picture. off a few calories from Thanksgiving. It could produce a After getting a picture and a video, I took her right back truly big bass. Maybe even a Lake Martin personal best to the dock where she came from to hopefully grow even for you. bigger and possibly someone else could see her again.

In December the weather can be unpredictable; the ~ Greg Vinson is a fulltime professional angler on water is cold; and the wind can be tough. But, this is the the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in time of year to catch really big bass. Crankbaits are great Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin. choices for a few reasons. They are great imitators of 68 LAKE

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Hook your personal best

DECEMBER 2020

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Inaugural Willow Cup Inspiring the next generation of players

PAR for the COURSE MATT SHEPPARD

T

he Alabama–NW Florida Golf Foundation last month announced its unveiling of the Inaugural Willow Cup, a collegiate and amateur event aimed to give a recognized playing opportunity to a diverse network of players, inspire a new generation of golfers and create awareness and support for the Foundation.

The Inaugural Willow Cup will take place on Dec. 13-15, 2020, at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. The tournament will feature an invited field of 60 to 72 amateur golfers from across the PGA Section and the Southeast. The golfers will compete over 54 holes of stroke play.

“Golf has experienced a boom over the last several months in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Foundation President Eric Eshleman, PGA. “On the flip side of this coin, many NCAA and high school golf seasons were cut short, and we wanted to provide a solution which complements this boom and the Foundation itself.”

The Alabama–NW Florida Golf Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm for the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Section and aims to serve a broad audience by enabling life-changing opportunities through the game of golf. Earlier in 2020, the Foundation announced its scholarship program and awarded a total of $7,500 to four students – two of whom were previous Section Junior Tour members and the other two were children of PGA professionals residing in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

“We are so excited to be partnering with the Foundation for this inaugural event. The Willow Cup ties in perfectly with our mission of expanding the game of golf within our Section, for which I serve as secretary, by inspiring the next generation of players. We see this event as another way to inspire golfers from all backgrounds as they continue their own golf journeys,” Eshleman said.

In a letter, Eshleman shed some light in a statement on the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Foundation Classic, which serves as the marquee fundraising event every year for the Foundation: 70 LAKE

“The pandemic has reshaped a lot on our schedule in 2020, and I would be remiss if I did not provide an update on our annual Foundation Classic. We found ourselves in an unfortunate position, which didn’t allow us to host the event safely for our staff, players and constituents. This event remains special to us and our Section, and by no means will the Willow Cup replace the Foundation Classic. We have seen growth in both engagement and funds raised over the last two years and are confident the Foundation Classic will return stronger than ever in 2021.”

The Alabama–NW Florida Golf Foundation will again release its annual impact report on Friday, Dec. 18.

The Foundation is aiming to raise $12,000 in the coming weeks to underwrite the entry fees and other amenities for all players. Tee times, along with the schedule for the Willow Cup, will be released closer to the tournament dates. Please see the accompanying player field list.

Visit www.alabamanwfloridapga.com/willow-cup to learn more about how you can support the Inaugural Willow Cup. The mission of the Alabama–NW Florida Golf Foundation is to positively impact the lives of those who reside in the state of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through community outreaches, programs and initiatives the game of golf provides. The Foundation has three main areas of focus for programming and outreach; these include engaging youth, military communities and diverse populations with the PGA Section. Our dream is to create life-changing opportunities through the game of golf.

Matt Sheppard is a PGA professional and director of golf at Willow Point Golf and Country Club.

DECEMBER 2020

Willow Cup Field Wilson Andress – Georgia Southern University Tobin Ayers – Mid-Amateur – Auburn, Ala. Carson Bacha – Auburn University Brett Barron Georgia – Southern University Bo Blanchard – Columbus, Ga. Price Brown – University of Alabama, Birmingham Owen Burden – Furman University Austin Cody – Mid-Amateur – Oxford, Miss.

Austin Coggin – Auburn University Christian Copen – Miles College Luke Dasher – Georgia Southern University CJ Easley – Auburn University Ryan Eshleman – Auburn University Tom Fischer – Mountain Brook, Ala. Matthew Gourgeot – Mid-Amateur – Decatur, Ala. Evans Gross – Mountain Brook, Ala. Garrison Guthrie – University of Alabama, Birmingham Ethan Hagood – University of Alabama, Birmingham David Hancock – Greenville, Ala. Wesley Hanson – Valdosta State University Brinson Holder – Mid-Amateur – Fairhope, Ala. Sam Jeffcoat – University of Alabama, Birmingham Trenton Johnson – University of Tennessee Max Johnson – Auburn University Phil Jones – Furman University Reynolds Lambert – Furman University Jake Maples – Georgia Southern University Kye Meeks – University of Mississippi Drew Miller – University of Mississippi Billy Mitchell – Atlanta, Ga. Dylan Moncus – Samford University Chandler Morton – Miles College Coe Murdock – Mountain Brook, Ala. Thacher Neal – Alabama State University Robert Nelson – Fairhope, Ala. Caleb O’ Toole – Western Kentucky University John Michael O’ Toole – Mid-Amateur – Destin, Fla. John Racciatti – University of Alabama, Birmingham Connor Reid – Samford University Nick Robillard – University of Alabama, Birmingham Cade Russell – University of Tennessee James Salter – Mid-Amateur – Auburn, Ala. Richard Schmidt – Mid-Amateur – Birmingham, Ala. Mac Scott – Furman University Jackson Skeen – University of Tennessee John Snoddy – University of Alabama, Birmingham Matthew Streitman – Dothan, Ala. Bishop Stringer – Alabama State University Andrew Sullivan – Samford University Will Swift – Mid-Amateur – Hoover, Ala. Khavish Varadan – University of Alabama, Birmingham Nick Welden – Loyola University Chicago Stewart Whitt – Mid-Amateur – Athens, Ala. Harlan Winn – Samford University Davis Woodliff – Samford University

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Legend

63

22

280

To Sylacauga

23

Alexander City

Public Boat Ramps 19

9

Churches

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

Camps & Parks

17

Power lines U.S. Highways

280

3

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

9

128

Russell Farms Baptist Church 63

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church

16 20

New Hope Church

Liberty Church

14 Willow Point

24

6

10

Equality

Paces Point Boat Ramp

63

Camp Alamisco

11

Kowaliga Boat Landing

22 The Ridge

55

4

Seman

Camp Kiwanis

1 12

Church in The Pines

24

2

The Amp Ko w

ali

18 80

9

Central

ga

Ba

y

27 90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

20 Kent

72 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

Trillium

34

DECEMBER 2020

Timbergut Landing

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Lake Martin Alabama Marinas

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

11. Kowaliga Marina 256-397-1210

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 256-397-1200

2700 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

280

53. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853

Bethel Church

21

62. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

486 Parker Creek Marina Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Dadeville

25 57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Restaurants & Venues

13

6. SpringHouse 10 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Lake Martin Baptist Church 49

6. Catherine’s Market 11 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Stillwaters

7 5

8

12 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

15 Walnut Hill

50

82. Lakeside Marina 256-825-9286

7361 Hwy 49 S., Dadeville, AL 36853 2. Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines 9 256-825-0999

3455 Bay Pine Rd., Jackson's Gap, AL 36861

Pleasant Ridge Church

Church of the Living Waters

3. Harbor Pointe Marina 7 256-825-0600

397 Marina Point Rd., Dadeville, AL 36853 www.harborpointe.net

26

50

13 Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337

5042 Hwy 49, Dadeville, AL 36853 14 Shipwreck Sam's Yogurt & Flatbread Pizza 256-444-8793 smithmarinaonlakemartin@yahoo.com

17 Karen Channell State Farm Financial Services 256-234-3481 5030 Hwy. 280, Alex City, AL 35010 5. Lake Martin Mini Mall 18 334.857.3900

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

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

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

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 22 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333

288 Stables Loop, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 23 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com 24 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 . The Tiny Rabbit 25 256-307-1998 220 N. Broadnax, Dadeville, AL 36853

Churches 26 Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-373-3293 8352 Hwy. 50, Dadeville, AL 36853

Dock Builders 27 Lake Martin Dock Company, Inc Marine Contractor License #49146 334-857-2443 180 Birmingham Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024

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

Contact our Marketing Department at 256-234-4281 or marketing@alexcityoutlook.com for more information.

15 The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887 8605 AL HWY 50, Dadeville, AL 36853 49

Business & Shopping 16 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 970 Hwy. 63 South, Alex City, AL 35010

Reeltown

DECEMBER 2020

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Lake Magazine Distribution ATTENTION READERS: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic some of our distribution locations have changed.

This month, you may pick up the most recent issue of Lake magazine at the following locations.

ALEXANDER CITY Robinson Iron A & M Plumbing Carlos The Body Shop Piggly Wiggly Walgreens Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Jake's Moore Wealth Management Carlisle's Emporium Wine Cloud Nine JR'S Hillabee Towers Senior Nutrition Center Noel Boone George Hardy First Realty Dark Insurance Warren Appliance MainStreet Family Care Grace's Flowers Koon's Korner Larry's General Merchandise Daylight Donuts Alfa Valley Bank - 280 Pricare Temple Medical AllState Hometown Pharmacy Lake Martin Home Health Allen's Food Mart (Exxon) Karen Channell - State Farm Insurance Vision Landscapes North Lake Condo

River Bend Store River North Marina Lake Martin Building Supply Petro Sho'Nuff BBQ Hair Design Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers Russell Building Supply Longleaf Antique Mall Playhouse Cinemas Chamber of Commerce Winn Dixie Re/Max Around the Lake City Hall Regions Bank Marathon - 280 BB&T Bank Russell Medical Center Koon's II Tallapoosa Ford Dylan Johnson - Country Financial Holley's Home Furniture Jackson's Drugs Selling Lake Martin - Amy Clark The Sure Shot Shell - 280 Big B Bar-B-Que Russell Do It Center Russell Home Decor Holman Floor Satterfield Inc. Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store Willow Point Office Willow Point Country Club Smith Marina on Lake Martin Kowaliga Marina Sunsrise Docks Kowaliga Restaurant Children's Harbor Catherine's Market Russell Lands Corporate Office Russell Lands Real Estate Sales

Center Springhouse Restaurant Ridge Club Ridge Marina NEW SITE Piggly Wiggly DADEVILLE Chamber of Commerce Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Root 49 Salon Alabama Power Siggers Fusion Cafe Dadeville Library Pearson's Place Flower's & Gifts Dadevile Courthouse Payne's Furniture PNC Bank Home Plate Cafe Valley Bank McKelvey Chevrolet Renfroe's Market Foshee's Boat Doc Lakeshore Pharmacy Russell Building Supply Tiny Rabbit Lakay's Sweet Pickins Amy Banks Realty Farmers & Merchants Bank Jim's Pharmacy Poplar Dawgs Still Waters County Club Still Waters Home Association Russell Lands Realty Fuller Realty Harbor Pointe Oskar's Creekside Lodge Blue Creek Marina Lakeside Marina Shell - 280 Niffers Hwy 50 Eagle

Millstone Japanese Maple Nursery Lakeside Merchantile Walnut Hill Chuck's Marina Deep Water Docks CAMP HILL Link Gas Station EQUALITY Five Star Plantation Equality Food Mart Southern Star Parker Creek Marina ECLECTIC Lake Breeze Realty Mitchell's Upholstery Lake Martin Mini Mall Cozumel Mexican Grill Lake Martin Dock Company Cotton's Alabama Barbecue Russell Do It Center Johnson Furniture WOW Cartering LLC Eclectic Library Real Island Marina Hometown Lenders, Inc. Anchor Bay Marina WETUMPKA Wetumpka Herlad Office TALLASSEE Marathon Tallassee Eagle Tallassee Chamber OPELIKA Collaboration Station Get Lake magazine delivered to your mailbox for just $25 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

lamberthandlamberth.com

256-234-6401 6 Franklin Street • Alexander City

Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fri 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

74 LAKE

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Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

COACH KRAFT

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.

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

Homemaking... Personal Care... Companionship

Lake Martin innovation Center 175 aLiant Parkway • aLexander City, aL

(256) 414-6090

Some of us have to paddle before we can swim.

Small budget advertising can have you swimming laps around your competitors.

LAKE

256-234-4281

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

UPHOLSTERY Complete Marine Upholstery!

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

■

Patrick Mason 334-283-6759 676 Dean Circle • Tallassee, AL www.coachkraft.com

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 harold.cochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

HANDRAILS | GUARDRAILS POWDER COAT | SAND BLASTING WELDED FENCE | CUSTOM ART STAIRS GATES | I-BEAMS STEEL POSTS STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILING

334-332-3435 or 334-329-4635

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2020

LAKE 75

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing............................................................. 17

Insurance Solutions Group....................................... 27

Russell Lands on Lake Martin............................46, 58

Alex City Guide Service............................................. 8

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

Russell Marine.............................................................. 45

Alex City Marine......................................................... 15

Lake Martin Dock....................................................... 17

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

Beyond Home Care................................................... 75

Lake Martin Realty................................................39, 61

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

Blue Creek Iron Works............................................. 75

Lamberth & Lamberth............................................... 74

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

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation..........................................8

Mark King's Furniture................................................ 25

Singleton Marine......................................................... 32

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

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

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

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

National Village............................................................ 47

State Farm, Harold Cochran.................................... 75

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

Odd Jobs....................................................................... 71

State Farm, Karen Channell...................................... 75

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

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

Sunrise Dock................................................................ 12

Emporium Wine.......................................................... 75

ProCare, LLC............................................................... 76

Tallapoosa Board of Education................................ 38

First Community Mortgage...................................... 71

Renaissance Electronics............................................... 8

Temple Medical Center............................................... 8

George Hardy D.M.D................................................... 5

Rhonda Gaskins, Century 21 Lake Area Realty....... 3

TowBoat US................................................................. 67

Heritage South Credit Union.................................. 64

Rhodes Construction................................................. 24

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

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

Rhonda Jaye, Lake Martin Realty............................. 12

Wedowee Marine....................................................... 77

Homeology................................................................... 17

Romar Construction.................................................. 75

ProCare, LLC C O N T R A C T I N G

76 LAKE

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DECEMBER 2020

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78 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

Parting Shot

~ Tom Brokow

"I've seen a lot of seasons, change in my time.

It's been a very lucky life."

Photo by Kenneth Boone

CAN’T JOIN LIVE? Just listen to the recording when you have time!

79 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020

BY SUSAN CLAYTON MOORE, J.D. FINANCIAL ADVISOR/ WEALTH MANAGER

80 LAKE

DECEMBER 2020