Lake Martin holds a special place in my heart for holiday memories. I love walking into the lake house and seeing a stocking with my name hanging over the fireplace, or spending Christmas Eve at Church in the Pines as our family sits beneath the string lights, listening to familiar holiday hymns. And of course, my favorite holiday memory is when my husband proposed at Russell Crossroads while I sat on Santa’s lap, bending to one knee and saying all he wanted for Christmas was to spend forever together.
Whether it ends up being 80 degrees outside or the rare chance of snow, I always look forward to the magical feeling of Christmas at the lake. There seems to be a certain sense of excitement that comes with the season, and this year is no exception.
Our team had the chance to fly with Epic Seaplane Adventures, and we’re excited to share that they are returning to the area for the holidays, offering the once-in-alifetime opportunity to see Lake Martin like never before – hundreds of miles in the sky. From sweeping views of the shoreline to iconic landmarks, Epic Seaplane Adventures will offer tours aboard a historic seaplane for a limited time. Take it from me, it’s a truly special way to create lasting moments with friends and family this holiday season. Turn to page 28 to read more.
If you prefer to have two feet on the ground but still looking for a memorable Christmas experience, make your way to Castaway, where one couple transforms their lake property into a winter wonderland drive-thru for families to enjoy year after year. Flip to page 22 to read their story.
On page 43, step inside one of the most unique homes on Lake Martin. Built from the imaginations of Fred and Brenda Chambliss, their lake house reflects their creative spirits through eclectic collections, themed spaces and their most cherished memories, making it a standout holiday showpiece.
This month, we also highlight the Lake Martin CycloCircumnavigation. On page 36, learn how one man’s passion grew into an exciting tradition that now draws riders in from across the region.
We also celebrate local volunteers in the Lake Martin community. Flip to page 18 for highlights of this year’s Renew Our Rivers event, and page 58 for a look at the opening of Lake Martin’s newest landmark, dedicated to the man whose vision made it possible.
As we deck the halls and enter the final month of the year, I hope 2025 was filled with Lake Martin memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Exploration takes flight this holiday season over Lake Martin as Epic Seaplane Adventures makes its way south to Alabama, offering visitors once-in-a-lifetime private tours aboard a historic DHC2 Beaver.
Photo by Kenneth Boone.
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18. SHORELINE SAVIORS
Hundreds of volunteers participated in the annual Renew Our Rivers event, restoring shorelines and inspiring the next generation.
22. CHRISTMAS IN CASTAWAY
A Tallassee couple turns their Lake Martin property into a beloved Christmas wonderland, welcoming families to experience the holiday magic.
28. EPIC SEAPLANE ADVENDTURES
Experience a rare holiday adventure as a historic seaplane comes to Lake Martin, offering unforgettable views and once-in-a-lifetime flights.
36. LOOP AROUND THE LAKE
One man’s vision becomes an adventurous cycling tradition, uniting riders for a 68-mile journey around Lake Martin.
42. WONDERLAND ON THE WATER
From creative collections and antiques to Disney-inspired décor, step inside one of Lake Martin’s most imaginative homes for the holidays.
58. A TOWERING LEGACY
Lake Martin's newest landmark opens to the public after four years of volunteer efforts, dedicated to the man behind the original vision.
LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:
09. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE TO THE LAKE
10. LAKE SCENES
13. WHERE'S LAKE?
14. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS
54. NATURE OF THE LAKE
62. LAKE PROPERTY
64. HOBO
67. FAB FINDS
68. HEALTHY LIVING 70. CHEF'S TABLE 72. BIG CATCHES 75. THE SCRAMBLE 82. PARTING SHOT
Lake’s Quick Guide to the Lake
Lake Martin Area Real Estate Indicators
Hit the Hiking Trails with a Seasonal Adventure
As the winter season settles in at Lake Martin and the shoreline grows quiet, a rare trail begins to emerge from beneth the waves, bringing with it a unique hiking experience.
Island Hop Trail, hidden beneath the lake’s surface for most of the year, appears only during the winter drawdown, when water levels drop about 7 feet. For hikers, it becomes a brief, seasonal chance to explore a path that vanishes again each spring.
Located at Smith Mountain, the trail connects a chain of four small islands, forming a natural bridge for explorers to cross. Access begins near the boat dock at Smith Mountain or from the main parking lot by following Lakeshore Trail to the Island Hop trailhead.
The hike spans roughly 3 miles and is considered moderately challenging. Because the route follows exposed lakebed and island terrain, hikers should come prepared with sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changing temperatures.
For an added element of fun, the Explore Lake Martin
app
hikers to log their trek and earn credit toward the
Martin
can also find more information on Island Hop Trail at crata.org.
By early spring, the island pathway will slip quietly underwater again, but for now, Island Hop Trail offers a glimpse of Lake Martin that only winter reveals, making it a unique and limited-time adventure.
Weather Outlook for December
December 2025 Forecast
Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the high 50s with average lows in the lower 30s and about 5.47 inches of precipitation in the month of December. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be higher than average and rainfall will be below average this month.
Year-to-Date
Precipitation:
Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 486.4 Lowest: 484.17
Lake depth is measured in reference to mean sea level. For up-to-date water levels at the lake, visit lakes.alabamapower.com.
Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and waterrelated equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.
allows
Lake
Hiking Challenge. Hikers
The Island Hop trail is located at Smith Mountain
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Northern Lights over the Eclectic side of the lake. Photo by Kim Holloway. (2) Adaline Clark watching the fireworks at The AMP on Lake Martin Fourth of July. Photo submitted by Kaelin Clark. (3) A bird's-eye view of Kowaliga Restaurant and Marina. (4) Sunset fishing after a day spent on the lake is the best. (5) Tucker wearing his patriotic shades for the Fourth of July. Photo submitted by Taylor Jinright. (6) Jessica Leonard took this photo of the Northern Lights on November 11.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) October's supermoon was on full disaply over Lake Martin. (2) Forget a car ride – Bailey enjoyed a boat ride around Lake Martin. (3) Hayes shows off his sparkler on Independence Day at Lake Martin. Photo submitted by Brock Hodson. (4) Scarlett and Phillip Gorham enjoying the Fourth of July dockside at Lake Martin. Photo submitted by Scarlett Gorham. (5) The Mills family ran outside in 35 degree weather to capture the Northern Lights over the Waterpark. (6) Ripley, the Golden Retriever, would live on the boat if she could. Photo captured by Courtney Bolton near the Kowaliga Bridge. (7) A stunning September sunset near Smith Mountain. Photo by Tony Johnson.
READER SUBMISSIONS
(1) Ronnie and Crystal Shores brought LAKE to the Kalamaku Luau in Kauai, HI. (2) Onaje Brooks, a proud Benjamin Russell graduate and a big fan of Lake Martin, took LAKE on a recent trip to Scotland. (3) Roger and Patty Lucas pose with LAKE during a recent trip to Iceland's "Golden Circle." (4) Crystal Elliott enjoying LAKE in Kodiak, Alaska. (5) Terry, Debra, Mary Lois and Willard Loftin took LAKE to make everlasting memories on a cruise in Ketchikan, Alaska. (6) Sixth graders from Radney Jr. Beta pose with Lake Martin Living at The White House during their trip to Washington D.C. in June.
December 1
Alexander City Chamber Christmas Parade
Light up the night with the annual Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is Heart of Christmas, and spectators are invited to line the parade route for a spectacular display of festively decorated floats and see Old Saint Nick. For more details or to see the parade route, email info@alexandercitychamber.com.
December 5 & 6
Christmas Holiday Market
The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce invites the community to spread holiday cheer in downtown Tallassee. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, with the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. The market opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday and runs until 2 p.m., with the Christmas Parade kicking off at 10 a.m. Bring the little ones to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more details, visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or email chamber@tallasseechamber.com.
December
5,
December 6
Eclectic Christmas Parade and Hometown Holiday
The town of Eclectic will celebrate the holiday season with its annual parade and Hometown Holiday event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Located at the Pecan Orchard off of First Avenue, the event includes photos with Santa, crafts for all ages and warm drinks. The parade will start at 5 p.m. Email townclerk@townofeclectic.com for more details.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN
Wind Creek State Park will lead a First Day Hike on January 1
December
6
Santa on Main
Street
Join Main Street Alexander City as it welcomes Santa Claus to downtown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can capture holiday memories with Santa, sip hot cocoa, enjoy a bounce house and browse holiday goodies from local vendors. Call or text Michelle West at 256-786-0584 for more details.
December 7 Dadeville Christmas Parade
6 & 7
Over The River and Through The Woods
ACT II brings this warm, witty comedy to the stage, where loving grandparents cook up a plan to keep their grandson from moving away. There’s no set or big production – just talented actors bringing the story to life through the script and the audience’s imagination. The show starts at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the ACT II Facebook page.
December 6
Christmas Market at Maple Roe
Santa Claus is coming to Maple Roe Wedding & Event Center in Tallassee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, and the whole family is invited to enjoy holiday-themed vendors and visit with Old Saint Nick. For more details, find Maple Roe on Facebook or visit mapleroe.com.
Join the city of Dadeville for the annual downtown Christmas Parade. Food and crafts vendors will be set up from noon to 5 p.m. with the parade starting at 2 p.m. Visit The Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade Facebook page or email dadevilleparade@gmail.com for more details or to see the parade route.
December
9
RealBells Handbells Concert
Get into the holiday spirit with the Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join conductor Jeff Bonebrake as the DPAC handbell ensemble presents “Silver Bells,” a program featuring popular and traditional holiday tunes. Donations are welcome. Contact office@dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for more details.
December
11
Christmas with Friends Benefit Concert
Alex City Arts presents a festive benefit concert featuring the talents of Scott Blake and friends. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., enjoy an evening of music, community and holi-
day cheer at the Central Alabama Community College. This free event celebrates the Christmas season while supporting local charities through generous donations. For more details, email alexcityarts@gmail.com or call 256-794-2204.
December 13
Wind Creek State Park Holiday Market
Join Wind Creek State Park for its first ever holiday market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food and merchandise vendors will be set up in the day-use area. Entry is $5 per vehicle. Contact the park at 256-329-0845 for more details.
December 13
Christmas in the Park
Join Alexander City Parks and Recreation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex transforms into a winter wonderland. Attendees can enjoy cookie decorating, hot cocoa, vendors and visits with Santa Claus, as well as a complimentary ice-skating rink. Contact 256-392-5762 for more details.
December 13
Jingle Jump at Camp ASCCA
Get ready to make a splash at the 11th annual Jingle Jump fundraiser at Camp ASCCA. Starting at 1 p.m., participants will take the icy plunge while raising funds to help send children and adults with disabilities to summer camp. For more details, email dana@campascca.org or visit campascca.org.
December 13
Carriage Rides on Main Street
Join Alexander City Main Street for a magical evening aboard a festive horse-drawn carriage from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guests will jingle all the way as they glide through historic downtown, sparkling with festive lights and holiday cheer. Reservations are required. For more details or to reserve a spot, call or text Michelle West at 256-786-0584.
December 14
Dadeville Historic District Christmas Tour
The Dadeville Historic District Committee will host a self-guided tour of historic homes and buildings adorned in festive holiday décor. The tour runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance online, at Tallapoosa Nutrition or day of at the tour’s check-in location, Zazu’s Verandah. For more information, visit historicdadeville.org.
December 20
Christmas Storybook Reading
Gather for a festive campfire outside the Clubhouse at Wind Creek State Park at 5 p.m. The park naturalist will be reading classic Christmas stories by the cozy fire-
light. There will be delicious s’mores and hot chocolate available for everyone to enjoy while they listen. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For more details, email dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.
December 31
New Years Eve at Zazu’s Verandah Ring in 2026 without the late-night stress at Zazu’s Verandah in Dadeville. Muse of Auburn will be playing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the Zazu Drop at 10 p.m. A $20 tip is recommended for the band. Doors open at 6 p.m., or once sound checks finish; seating is first come, first served. Guests must be 21 or older. Charcuterie trays are available for pre-order. Call 256-307-2188 for more details or to pre-order a snack tray.
January 1
First Day Hike
Start 2026 on the right foot with Wind Creek State Park’s naturalist, Dylan Ogle. Beginning at 10 a.m., participants will leave from the boat launch parking lot and embark on a guided four-mile, moderately challenging hike along the Alabama Reunion Trail. All participants will receive a commemorative First Day Hike sticker. For more information, contact dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Season-long Events
Naturalist Presentations and Guided Tours
Come see naturalist Marianne and her lively nature presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads. There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature. Visit russelllands.com/events for the scheduled subject topics, dates and times.
Weekly Birdwatching Adventure
Join the Wind Creek State Park naturalist on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. to learn about feathered friends that call Lake Martin home. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For details, email dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Holiday Movies at Mount Vernon
Performing Arts Center
Enjoy a dose of holiday cheer at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center throughout December. Each weekend leading up to Christmas, the theater will screen a lineup of timeless holiday movies, with double features at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Doors open one hour before showtimes, and concessions will be available for purchase. Arrive early for movie trivia and live holiday music. Admission is $8 for children and $10 for adults. For a full calendar of showings, visit the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center Facebook page.
Lake Martin News
The "Bridge to Nowhere" may now lead somewhere after a decision by the Elmore County Commission
The bridge to somewhere
The Elmore County Commission voted unanimously to approve the road building plan that will provide access to the southern end of the roughly 150-acre Ridge Island.
The island has been accessible to Russell Lands, the owner of The Ridge island, since the early 2000s via a bridge locals love to call “The Bridge to Nowhere.” The bridge will now provide access for construction equipment that will be used to build the first road on this famous Lake Martin landmark. Since the completion of the bridge, Russell Lands has continued to inspect and maintain the bridge for its eventual use.
Once the road has been completed, The Ridge Island will be included in the overall Ridge development, Russell Lands’ largest waterfront development on Lake Martin to date. Development details, such as the road completion date and property use, are being reviewed by Russell Lands senior management. All will be announced at a later date.
TPI Staff
Patriot Park unveiled in Dadeville
Pennington Park has been a staple of downtown Dadeville for years. It’s a gathering place of sorts and has become a community center for events and more.
When owners Kurt and Leigh Pfitzner decided to sell the park, worry immediately set in. What would happen to the beloved gathering place?
That’s when Patrick Michael stepped in.
Originally from Texas, Michael has lived in Chelsea for the last 20 years and discovered Lake Martin about six years ago; he now owns a lake home and spends much of his time in the Dadeville area.
“I just happened to hear that the park was going to be sold, and there were rumors that it was going to be sold to some people who wanted to put housing on it or something,” Michael said. “I didn’t want to see that happen, so I figured, ‘Well, I’ll just buy it and leave it the
way it is.’”
Upon purchasing the park, Michael decided to rename it Patriot Park but much of the legacy of Pennington Park will remain.
The staple gazebo will stay intact, and some of the most memorable events will still occur in the park.
“I’m struggling right now to get everything in line to be able to do the Christmas in the Park,” Michael said. “It’s kind of a last-minute thing, but we still intend to do that this year. It might be as elaborate as Pfitzner had it, but we’ll get there.”
Another staple of the park is the farmer’s market, and Michael said he’s already been in touch with Mayorelect Chad Ledbetter, who wishes to keep the farmer’s market in Patriot Park and even extend it to be held more frequently and for a longer period.
“We’re really going to try to keep up the traditions that have already been established, and then maybe make a few new ones as we go,” Michael said.
Michael said there are also plans to purchase some property adjacent to the park where he can establish some parking areas.
Lizi Arbogast
Bill Nichols honors residents on Veterans Day
Residents at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home are often celebrated. They are, after all, America’s heroes. And that was never more obvious than November 11 during the annual Veterans Day celebration.
During the program, residents of Bill Nichols gathered together to celebrate past memories and honor those lost during previous wars.
Guest speaker Senior Master Sgt. Mariana L. Navarro, of the Air Force, shared her journey through Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa. She served as a medic during many mass casualty events, she said.
“I never stopped instilling the core values the military
Bill Nichols State Veterans Home held a Veterans Day celebration for residents
ingrained in me, including service to our country and excellence in everything we do,” Navarro said.
During Navarro’s speech, she said being a veteran is one of the ultimate connectors.
“We may have served in different times and different places,” she said. “But we are bound by the same promise we made to defend this great country no matter what. We carried memories that only a veteran can truly understand.”
Then she spoke directly to the Bill Nichols’ residents.
“Today, on Veterans Day, take pride in what you’ve done and who you are,” Navarro said. “You are the reason this country stands free and strong. You are and will always be America’s heroes.”
Lizi Arbogast
Northern Lights dazzle over Lake Martin
In a stunning display rarely seen this far south, the skies over Lake Martin erupted in shades of pink, crimson and violet on November 11 as a severe geomagnetic storm brought the Northern Lights to east-central
p.m. While the Aurora Borealis is typically associated with the Arctic Circle or northern U.S. states, intense solar activity allowed the lights to dip deep into the South, earning the nickname “Aurora Bora Bama” on social media.
While the lights appeared as a faint, reddish glow to the naked eye in areas with light pollution, those in darker pockets of Tallapoosa County were treated to ver-
The "Aurora Bora Bama" shined bright on the evening of November 11
Shoreline Saviors
Renew Our Rivers annual cleanup
STORY BY SAM VISE
PHOTOS BY SAM VISE, SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & COURTESY OF STEVE ROBINSON
FFor 21 years, the first weekend in November has brought cooler air, lowered water levels and hundreds of dedicated volunteers to a crucial call to action.
On October 31 and November 1, the Lake Martin community gathered for the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup, adding another substantial haul to a legacy that has now removed more than 160 tons of trash and 600 automotive tires from the lake and its surrounding roadways.
This year’s effort saw more than 200 registered volunteers picking up trash and delivering their collections to centralized dumpsters, a process that is as much about community bonding as it is about environmental rescue.
The massive cleanup is made possible by a longstanding, powerful partnership between the Lake Martin Resource Association and the program’s founder, Alabama Power. The Renew Our Rivers program started in 2000 when Alabama Power employees at Plant Gadsden organized a community cleanup to address litter on the Coosa River.
It has since grown into one of the largest river cleanups in the country.
LMRA has been leading the Lake Martin effort for more than two decades, joined by key local partners such as Russell Lands, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, TowBoatU.S. Lake Martin and Lake Martin Dock Company.
“The success of Renew Our Rivers has evolved so much over the years,” said LMRA President Jodie McGirt. “We have seen a great improvement on the cleanliness of the lake since this project began. We’re excited to partner with Alabama Power so that we can keep Lake Martin’s shorelines and waterways clean and pristine.”
The cleanup is strategically timed in the fall, allowing volunteers to access the exposed shoreline when the water level is lowered. This reveals years of debris that has blown in or floated into coves and shallow areas. The collection points this year – including the Kowaliga public boat ramp, Real Island Marina, Wind Creek State Park Marina, Big Fish Real Estate, Sigger’s Family Market and the Union Boat Ramp – ensured easy disposal locations for lake residents across Tallapoosa, Coosa and Elmore counties.
To celebrate the dedication of local volunteers, LMRA donated s’mores machines to various cleanup crews in addition to LAKE’s annual Golden Picker grand prize drawing. This year’s prize was awarded to local high school student Baylee Hammock and included gift cards, lake items, outdoor gear and more.
The Golden Picker grand prize was made possible by generous donations from local partners such as Alabama Power, Children’s Harbor, Explore Lake Martin, Russell Lands, Catherine’s Market, BRU 63, River Bank and
Local high school students participated in this year's cleanup
Real Island volunteers
Trust and Wind Creek State Park, demonstrating the widereaching support for Renew Our Rivers.
For community leaders, the cleanup is not about recognition or prizes – it’s about the identity and future of Lake Martin.
“We take pride in our community, and we believe that being clean matters,” said Steve Robinson, president and CEO of Alexander City’s Chamber of Commerce and LMRA’s environmental chairman. “We devote our resources to not just talk about it, but take action. We have Renew Our Rivers events, but there’s a sort of a lifestyle here at Lake Martin. We have people that are out there cleaning up all the time.”
Robinson and McGirt both said the real impact comes from engaging the next generation. A key component of this year’s cleanup was the art contest hosted at Stephens Elementary School in Alexander City. The winning artwork is featured on custom Renew Our Rivers volunteer t-shirts, creating an educational ripple effect as students learn more about the environment, encouraging them to participate in the cleanup as they grow older.
This year, high school students from around the area engaged in the cleanup, joining crews by both boat and land to pick up trash.
“Where we make a difference and the biggest impact is through the educational component,” McGirt said. “A lot of those students will go home and educate their family members on the exact impact of throwing a piece of garbage in the back of your truck without a cover; how it flies out, how it ends up in the lake and how it impacts different animals, the quality of water and things like that.”
This year, LMRA also expanded its reach, adding a preevent cleanup on the Tallapoosa River in September.
“If there’s trash in the river, it’s eventually going to be in the lake,” Robinson said. “We felt like we should go ahead and add a spring version of Renew Our Rivers, so this coming spring, we’ll do another river cleanup.”
While the annual fall cleanup is a highly successful event, the true long-term goal for LMRA is to make the amount of trash collected each year decrease.
McGirt noted that LMRA is working to expand volunteer locations and formalize new drop zones; however, the ultimate goal relies on individual choices.
“Our rivers will continue to be renewed because we’ve got enough people that are willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done,” Robinson said.
He encouraged citizens to adopt year-round habits like securing garbage bags, tying down items on trailers and cleaning roadsides near their homes.
As LMRA looks ahead to Lake Martin’s 100th anniversary in 2026 and the upcoming rollout of a refreshed logo, the core mission remains unchanged: to preserve, protect and promote the beauty and safety of Lake Martin. The Renew Our Rivers cleanup is not just a weekend event; it is the annual, powerful evidence of a community fiercely dedicated to its centerpiece.
For more information about LMRA and its mission to Renew Our Rivers, contact McGirt at jodielmra@gmail. com or visit lmra.info.
Russell Lands volunteers pick up trash on Hwy. 63 Children from Stephens Elementary who entered the art contest
Baylee Hammock (left) was this year's Golden Picker winner
Christmas in Castaway
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
A dazzling array of holiday lights welcomes visitors at Lake Martin
TTucked away in the woods near the quiet sloughs of Castaway, a dazzling world of holiday magic awaits the community each December. As cars line the street and families inch toward the gates of Big Bear Lodge, little ones press their faces to the window glass, gazing in amazement at the sight of towering inflatables, glowing scenes and the faint sound of Christmas music drifting in the background – all while hoping to spot Saint Nick himself.
For eight seasons now, the Big Bear Christmas Light Show has become a beloved Lake Martin tradition. What began as a handful of decorations has grown into a nearly mile-long stretch of holiday enchantment, drawing in hundreds of families year after year to experience the joy of Christmas through this seasonal drive-thru.
But behind the scenes of this winter wonderland isn’t a volunteer committee or corporation. Instead, the display is built each year through the passion, dedication and hard work of Gene and Linda Lawrence of Tallassee, Alabama – two individuals with a heart for their neighbors and a lifelong love for sharing the magic of Christmas.
Originally from West Virginia, Linda grew up visiting Lake Martin at her parents’ home near Real Island. Gene, raised in Montgomery, met Linda when they were both 16, working at a Big Bear grocery store. Married for 56 years, the couple moved to Tallassee in 1967 and went on to own Tallassee Super Foods.
The couple’s interests are as charming as their personalities. While they share a spirited love for Elvis, collecting china and classic cars, there is one thing they delight in the most – Christmas.
“We’ve always loved Christmas,” Gene said. “It’s always been a big thing for our family. Our home seemed to be the place everyone would congregate for the holidays.”
Wanting a place large enough to gather with extended family, the Lawrences began acquiring property in Castaway. They moved to Lake Martin full time in 2003 and named their property Big Bear Lodge, a nod to their grocery store roots where their story began.
But it was their heart for the community that eventually sparked the idea for a Christmas drivethru display.
In 2017, while serving as committee chairman of the Mount Vernon Theatre, Gene suggested creating a drive-thru Christmas light show on the Big Bear Lodge property to help raise funds for theater renovations. With limited decorations but hearts filled with enthusiasm, the Lawrences strung up lights, set up displays and hoped a few people would come.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Within five minutes of opening night, a line of cars stretched down the road with families eager to
Gene and Linda Lawrence begin setting up displays in August every year
see the lights – but suddenly, everything went dark.
“Somebody hit a transformer at a church down the street,” Linda recalled. “It wiped out all the electricity in the whole neighborhood.”
While the blackout was disheartening, the setback didn’t last long. The following night, the lights flickered back on, the community poured through the gates and the annual Big Bear Christmas Light Show was born.
Since then, the Lawrences have stopped charging admission, choosing instead to offer the drive-thru experience completely free. Hundreds of families make the trip each season, taking in the dazzling displays, animated scenes and the couple’s personal favorite – a life-size nativity scene.
The show has also expanded significantly over the years, now featuring more than 100 inflatables along with displays the Lawrences have collected during their travels to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Many of their most distinctive decorations come from The Tin Man in Loxley, Alabama, a retired artisan who handcrafts each piece from metal forms and lights.
“We pretty much bought him out the first year,” Linda said. “Then each year we bought more, so now he’ll call us and ask if there’s anything particular we want. He’s just a nice gentleman and we have a good relationship with him.”
In addition to the drive-thru experience, the Lawrences recently added a walking area where families can take photos and wander through the Christmas décor up close.
Preparing for the Christmas drive-thru is no easy task. With help from a two-man crew, volunteers and neighbors, the Lawrences begin setting up in August to be ready for the holiday season. From stringing lights high in the trees to carefully coordinating each elaborate display with timers, they spend countless hours creating scenes so families can enjoy a new experience at every turn.
Of course, no Christmas tradition is complete without a visit from the North Pole. On Tuesday evenings leading up to Christmas, the Lawrences host Santa and Mrs. Claus, with some traveling in from Birmingham, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, while others are familiar faces from the Tallassee Christmas Parade.
Children climb onto Santa’s lap for photos, share their wish lists and find out if they have been naughty or nice this year.
While each Santa brings his own warmth to the experience, one in particular left a lasting impression on the Lawrences’ hearts.
“There was a mom with a little boy who pulled up, and he immediately started crying,” Linda said. “The mom said, ‘I have never been able to get a picture of
Clockwise from Top Left: The Big Bear Lodge lights up the night sky; The drive-thru is free of charge; The light show is open Thanksgiving to New Year's; The drive-thru features more than 100 inflatables; The display is nearly a mile long; The Lawrences aquire handcrafted pieces for their stunning holiday scenes.
him with Santa Claus. He’s just so scared.’ And our Santa said, ‘Do you mind if I talk with him?’”
Keeping a gentle distance, he chatted with the little boy through the car window, showing the child his new black boots. Slowly, the little boy began showing off his own shoes, and before long, he was out of the car, hugging Santa and grinning from ear to ear.
“She finally got a picture of her little boy with Santa Claus,” Linda said. “It just made her Christmas.”
To the Lawrences, the light show is about so much more than glowing displays. It’s about giving families a place to make memories, feel the joy of the season and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.
“Yes, there’s lots of lights to look at, and of course, Santa Claus,” Linda said. “But we also give out candy canes and little gifts that tell the true story of Christmas.”
At the heart of it all is the couple’s desire to give back to the community they love.
“We’ve been very blessed, and we want to return some of our blessings to the community,” Linda said. “So, this is our gift back to them.”
The Big Bear Christmas Light Show is located at 1175 Andrews Mill Road in Tallassee. The drive-thru opens Thanksgiving evening and runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through New Year’s.
The holiday spectacular is located at 1175 Andrews Mill Road
READY FOR TAKEOFF
Epic Seaplane Adventures brings private tours
to Lake Martin
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
TThis December, Lake Martin is getting a holiday thrill unlike anything it’s seen before.
Epic Seaplane Adventures is heading south for the season, offering guests the rare opportunity to step aboard a historic aircraft and soar hundreds of feet above the lake, catching breathtaking bird’s-eye views and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Behind this sky-high experience is TR Wood, a third-generation pilot from Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, and founder of Epic Seaplane Adventures. His love for aviation runs generations deep, with his grandfather serving as a World War II PBY Catalina pilot before becoming Gillette Corporation’s first chief pilot and president of the National Business Aircraft Association.
Wood’s father followed a similar path as a commercial pilot, retiring as a 777 captain.
“I was really inspired by my dad and my grandpa,” Wood said. “I remember sitting on Grandpa’s lap and staring at airplanes, or steering the airplane when we were flying. He used to take me up every chance he got. My grandpa made it super fun, but my dad kept me
focused on what was serious about flying.”
Aspiring to follow in their footsteps, Wood enlisted in the Marine Corps, later earning his degree from Georgia State University. He began flying for Atlantic Southeast Airlines and eventually spent seven years flying for Atlas Air, becoming the youngest 747 captain in the world.
While today he hits the skies as a JetBlue captain, his passion for aviation took an unexpected turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. As flights were canceled and commercial travel came to a near standstill, Wood began looking for a new way to stay in the air.
“When COVID hit, the airline shut down and we were parked,” Wood said. “I was worried that everything was going to fall apart. So, I had my entrepreneurial spirit and applied to get my air tour license.”
Wood began offering private flights in his personal four-seat Cessna seaplane, an experience that quickly drew interest as people looked for safe ways to get out of their homes and spend time outdoors, making his scenic tours an instant hit.
To keep up with the growing demand, Wood knew he needed help. That’s when he reached out to Mark “Woody” Woodruff, owner of Presidential Seaplanes. Like Wood, Woodruff’s fascination with aviation began at a young age, eventually leading him into a long military aviation career as a senior chief in the Navy. After retiring, he transitioned into seaplane instruction. His extensive experience made him the perfect partner for expanding the business.
In their first year, Epic Seaplane Adventures completed more than 90 scenic tours – a clear sign that Wood’s idea had taken flight.
With business growing,
Veteran Mark "Woody" Woodruff will be piloting tours over Lake Martin
“
It'll make a memory that will last a lifetime. There's no forgetting the experience. I tell everybody who wants to take pictures to wait until the end of the flight, because your smile is going to be way bigger.”
~ TR Wood
A historic 1952 DHC2 Beaver takes passengers hundreds of feet in the air
Wood began searching for a larger aircraft that could carry more passengers and offer an even more memorable experience. That search led him to a legendary piece of aviation history – a 1952 DHC2 Beaver.
The rugged, iconic seaplane once served in the U.S. Air Force, including during the Vietnam War. After retiring from military service, it spent nearly a decade preserved in the desert before being transported to Anchorage, Alaska.
The Beaver Wood wanted wasn’t just historic – it had a story and personality. Marked with a King Salmon logo on its tail, the Beaver had accommodated famous passengers over the years, including musician Jimmy Buffett, U.S. Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier.
When Wood heard from a friend that the aircraft was for sale, he didn’t hesitate to make an offer.
“It is iconic and just an amazing aircraft,” Wood said. Acquiring the Beaver itself was a daunting task. The aircraft was based at Lake Hood in Alaska, and getting it back to New Hampshire meant six days of travel, more than 30 hours of flight time and a route planned entirely around water landings – the only option for a plane without wheels.
Wood and Woodruff coordinated each stop across the country with precision, checking weather patterns, identifying refueling points and mapping stretches of remote wilderness where refueling options were limited.
“What a journey that was,” Wood recalled. “I used every ounce of experience as a professional pilot to get back. It was very challenging.”
While traveling across the country may have been intense, the duo was met with excitement at every stop, greeted by people eager to help and see the iconic seaplane.
“The one thing that I’ll say about that trip is that it totally restored my faith in humanity,” Wood said. “When we flew across the country, every time we landed people were excited to see us and offered to help. They were having fun, and that’s an experience that stays with the Beaver.”
Now, as winter is settling into the Northeast and lakes are beginning to freeze, Wood is taking flight toward warmer waters – and this year, that path leads straight to Lake Martin. Through a partnership with WaterWings Seaplane School in
The Beaver served in the U.S. Air Force, including during the Vietnam War
Woodruff travels the country teaching aviation and giving seaplane tours.
Photo by Audra Spears
Calera, Epic Seaplane Adventures is bringing its historic Beaver south for the season, giving Lake Martin visitors the chance to experience the rare and unforgettable seaplane firsthand.
All December long, Wood and Woodruff will be offering scenic tours over the lake, where guests can take to the skies and catch sweeping views of Lake Martin shorelines as well as iconic landmarks from hundreds of feet in the air.
To add to the experience, guests are geared up with headsets and microphones, allowing them to talk directly with the pilot throughout the flight – a feature that makes the experience feel personal, immersive and truly one-of-a-kind from take-off to landing.
In addition to providing a truly remarkable experience, Woodruff hopes that the tours will also help spark a new generation of seaplane pilots. With fewer than 7 percent of pilots holding a seaplane rating, Woodruff hopes their time in Alabama will open doors for aspiring aviators.
“It’s all about keeping the legend and seaplane flying alive,” Woodruff said. “These tours expose people to aviation, and maybe there’s someone that it will spark their interest in flying.”
Wood encourages people to take advantage of this rare chance to fly in the historic Beaver, adding that the experience is a fun, unforgettable way to make holiday memories with family and friends.
“It’ll make a memory that will last a lifetime,” Wood said. “There’s no forgetting the experience. I tell everybody who wants to take pictures to wait until the end of the flight, because your smile is going to be way bigger.”
Flights are offered in 30-minute and one-hour options, and each tour can seat up to six people, with a minimum of four people per tour. A 24-hour advance notice is required for bookings.
For more information or to book a private seaplane tour, visit epicseaplaneadventures.com.
Epic Seaplane Adventures offers visitors a new view of Lake Martin
Passengers have direct communication with pilots during their tour.
Photo by Shaylee Beck Moore
Cyclists navigate the winding roads of Lake Martin during their 68-mile journey
Loop Around the Lake
AAs the fog began to lift in the early November dawn, cyclists eagerly clipped their helmets, stretched their limbs and warmed up on their bikes along the beach shoreline at Wind Creek State Park. Excitement built in the cool morning air as 17 riders anticipated the start of the annual 68-mile journey around Lake Martin.
For 67-year-old Rob Henry, founder of the Lake Martin Cyclo-Circumnavigation ride, the moment represented more than a starting line. It was a step forward in a vision he’d been shaping for years.
A Montgomery native, Henry moved to Lake Martin 30 years ago, bringing with him a lifelong passion for cycling.
He began riding in his 20s, using his bike as a primary means of commuting around town. That routine eventually grew into triathlon training, followed by rides through the Great Smoky Mountains and several months cycling across Europe with only a tent and sleeping bag, pedaling through Greece, Italy, France, England and Ireland.
As the years went by and his schedule changed, Henry’s ambitious rides became less frequent, though his passion for the sport never faded.
“Nowadays I’m just training to do some of these long runs,” Henry said. “It’s good exercise, and it’s a good way to get outdoors. I like being out on the bike, traveling through the countryside by pedal power.”
After moving to Lake Martin in 1993, Henry decided to get back into cycling regularly. He invested in a new road bike and began exploring the roads around the lake.
That’s when inspiration struck. A simple question started turning over in his mind – could someone actually bike the entire way around the lake?
“I started to think, how far would that be?” Henry said. “Could you connect decent roads to make it even feasible?”
He began doing his research, driving around Lake Martin to plan routes and test distances. As the pieces began to come together, Henry realized not only that the ride was possible, but that it could grow into
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
something much bigger than a solo challenge.
“I thought that this could be an event that could actually grow into quite a big tradition,” Henry said. “I was inspired to try and get others to do it.”
His first planned ride was in 2022, hitting the road with just three other cyclists – an old graduate school friend and two family members. The next year, five riders joined in on the experience.
It was a slow build, but momentum came. This year, 35 cyclists registered, marking the largest turnout yet. Beginning at the beach at Wind Creek State Park, the full ride loop totaled 68 miles and took about four and a half hours to complete. Riders also had the option of two shorter routes, a 20-mile and 40-mile ride.
To Henry, the most difficult part of the journey around Lake Martin, yet most rewarding, is the stretch along Highway 50.
“I hate to use the word ‘grueling,’ but that’s what comes to mind,” Henry said. “There’s a lot of ups and downs, but it’s also definitely the most exciting part of the ride. It’s neat to cross the bridge and ride right below the dam. Last year, somebody said that the ride down that hill was worth the whole price of admission.”
Another beloved tradition has grown from Henry’s planning – a mid-ride pizza stop. Cyclists pull into Lake Martin Pizza Company on Highway 49 to rest, refuel and gather energy for the last 20-mile trek of the ride.
Though serious riders were skeptical at first of this midway break, the stop has quickly become a favorite addition to the event.
“I’ve had skeptics,” Henry said. “Serious cyclists are like, ‘Come on, are we really stopping for pizza?’ They’re all about getting a quick energy bar and keep on trekking. I’ve been a little insistent that we’re going to have this pizza stop, and virtually, without exception, the skeptics say that the pizza stop was great.”
Beyond the ride itself, Henry puts in significant work behind the scenes to make the event happen each year. He spends countless hours planning the routes, painting arrows along the course and spreading the
word at cycling events and online.
Partnerships have also helped the event grow.
Henry has connected with groups such as the Montgomery Bicycle Club and the Birmingham Bicycle Club to generate excitement and expand participation in the event.
One big supporter is Birmingham Bicycle Club President Lloyd Maisonville, who discovered the event through a Facebook post last year and immediately recognized its potential.
“When I first came to the Birmingham area, my wife and the family and I would come to Wind Creek State Park and camp,” Maisonville said. “I would bring my bike and ride all over this area. So when I saw Rob’s post, I said, ‘You know what, we’ve got to go do this ride.’”
This year, Maisonville assisted Henry by setting up online registration – a key step in making the event more accessible and helping it continue to grow.
While the scenic views and challenging course draw participants, for both Henry and Maisonville, it’s the camaraderie and friendships made that are the heart of the event.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to come and have fun,” Maisonville said. “It’s a chance to ride your bike, enjoy the people you’re with, eat some food, have some laughs and enjoy the scenery.”
With the recent surge in participation and excitement building around the ride, Henry remains optimistic about the future of the event. In the coming years, he envisions the ride becoming one of Alabama’s premier cycling events, drawing riders from across the country.
With Wind Creek State Park as the venue, he hopes to see it evolve into a full weekend experience with live music, overnight stays and pre-ride gatherings.
“I definitely would like it to grow,” Henry said. “I have a vision that this could be huge.”
To learn more, visit the Lake Martin CycloCircumnavigation Facebook page.
The camaraderie and challenging course draw in cyclists from across the region
Blending imagination and rustic charm, the lake home is a reflection of the couple's creative personalities
Wonderland on the Water
STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE
SSitting on the shorelines of Kowaliga Bay, a lake home unlike any other welcomes in the holiday season.
From nautical touches and heirloom antiques to towering indoor trees, the home’s creative details weren’t pulled from a design book or replicated from a website. Instead, they were drawn from the imagination of Fred and Brenda Chambliss.
Montgomery natives, Fred owns Amity Construction and works as a general contractor alongside their son. Brenda was a former teacher at Jefferson Davis High School. Together, they raised two children, Matt and Mandy, and now have three grandchildren – Olivia, Sara Collins and Cole.
The Chamblisses moved to Lake Martin full time
in 2019, settling onto a point lot that offered sweeping waterfront views and the tranquility of lake life. After building three previous weekend lake homes, they approached this one with a different mindset, creating a space that reflected their vibrant personalities.
“It’s always a unique experience building a house,
especially for yourself,” Fred said. “We wanted to make sure we did some things differently with this one, so it took a while. Brenda did all the decorating and came up with a lot of the unique ideas.”
Unique, indeed. Her ideas define every inch of the 5,600-square-foot home, which features six bedrooms and six bathrooms, each with its own creative theme.
Throughout the lake house, antique furniture passed
Passionate Disney fans, the couple fills their lake house with themed holiday décor
Scenic views make the home’s new addition a favorite escape
Gold holiday cheer meets antique charm in the festively decorated dining room
down through generations complements the rustic atmosphere, blending seamlessly with Victorian lighting and an eclectic collection of family heirlooms. A stunning, hand-carved English set from 1885 is just one of the many showstopping pieces that create a warm mix of history and personality in each room.
Every piece of décor, from anchors to artwork, has a story behind it, and Brenda has placed each one with thought and purpose.
But nothing prepares visitors for their grand entrance.
Upon stepping inside, guests are greeted by five floor-to-ceiling
Each bedroom features its own unique theme
Christmas décor fills every corner of the lake house during the holidays
Old Chicago brick floors and pecky cypress give the kitchen a natural, rustic look
Fred’s study is a cozy retreat, filled with nautical décor and history novels
cypress trees, sourced from Texas.
“I just wanted something different when you walked in that you wouldn’t see in every lake house,” Brenda said. “It took 10 men to get it in here, but it is definitely an attention grabber.”
The main living room features soaring 24-foot tongue-and-groove pine ceilings, while a stone fireplace anchors the space, designed by Lamb Stone in Oneonta. On either side of the mantel sit two stone bears from Brenda’s childhood lake home in the 1960s – a sentimental touch Brenda knew belonged in the new house.
Overlooking the room is a wooden mermaid sculpture, another nod to the couple’s nautical and whimsical vision.
The Chamblisses designed their home to be rustic, yet formal, a place where visitors could relax without
worrying about disturbing anything delicate. Just as important, the house was built for the whole family to gather, while still giving everyone space of their own.
“We needed a place where we could all be together,” Brenda said. “I also wanted it to be an open space where you can see the lake from every room.”
In the kitchen, Matt often cooks meals for the family. The island, crafted from pecky cypress and topped with granite, continues the natural tone for the space. Old Chicago brick flooring still shows imprints and markings from decades past, adding warmth and character beneath their feet.
Upstairs, the grandchildren enter a world built entirely for imagination. The open living area resembles an outdoor camping scene, complete with a faux campfire flickering on a green grass rug – the perfect setting for stories, games and making memories.
Eight bunks line the wall, offering plenty of room for cousins to enjoy slumber-party nights. A cabin-style bedroom adds to the fun, with an exterior wall made of real tree bark, shuttered windows and flickering lanterns that open into a cozy nook with a queen-size bed.
“We’re kind of abstract and whimsical,” Brenda said.
The bathroom continues the home’s lake-inspired theme, with a handcrafted wooden boat that holds a soaking tub, complete with nautical lighting.
Downstairs, the tone shifts into a playful tribute to one of Fred and Brenda’s shared passions. Lifelong Disney lovers, they often revisit the parks and even honeymooned at Walt Disney World in 1978.
“We go a couple of times every year,” Brenda said. “It’s one of our favorite places to be.”
As a hobby, Fred also works as a certified Disney travel planner with Fairytale Journeys in Jackson’s Gap, one of only 19 platinum Disney agencies in the world.
A Disney-themed Christmas tree glows in the downstairs living area, its branches full of ornaments that hang as memories collected from years of vacations together. Nearby, an elaborate Christmas village stretches across one of Brenda’s favorite pieces – a canoe that was transformed into a custom island, complete with a glass top that lets guests look down into the display.
“We just thought that would be something different that you don’t see every day,” Brenda said.
The 2,300-square-foot lower level also features a wood-burning fireplace, three bedrooms, Fred’s study and a room dedicated to Brenda’s extensive glassware collection – a hobby she fondly picked up from her mother.
“My mother was really big into antiques,” Brenda said. “She first got me into depression glass, so it was
The primary bedroom showcases a handmade headboard crafted by the couple
Brenda hangs her mother's cloisonné and hand-blown ornaments in her memory each year
An elaborate Christmas village sits atop the couple’s custom-made canoe table
Brenda collects glassware, a hobby she picked up from her mother
Distressed walls and a handcrafted boat tub add to the lake-inspired theme
The upstairs reveals a warm, cabin-inspired atmosphere
The Chambliss couple opens their home to friends and neighbors for their annual Christmas party
A Disney-themed Christmas tree hangs in the downstairs living area
The Chamblisses spend weeks decorating their home for the holidays
always fun to go with her and look for it.”
Her favorite pieces on display now are Vaseline uranium glass, which glows a brilliant neon under an ultra-violet light.
With Christmas around the corner and their children grown, Fred and Brenda have recently found a new reason to bring out their elaborate holiday decorations – their Lake Martin neighbors. Each year, they spend weeks decorating before opening their home for an annual Christmas party, with Chef Brian Cosby of Prime Steakhouse catering the holiday meal.
“This is our third year hosting,” Brenda said. “For a long time, especially when I was caring for my mother, we didn’t do very much decorating. We had maybe a little tree.”
Following her mother’s passing, Brenda found comfort in decorating again. Now, a tree filled with her mother’s cloisonné and hand-blown ornaments sits in the window – a gentle reminder of her presence. In the primary bedroom, another Christmas tree shimmers with crystal ornaments, also passed down from Brenda’s mother. The sentimental touches keep her memory close during the holidays.
“It just makes it feel like she’s here,” Brenda said.
Opening their home and their hearts, the Chamblisses have created a retreat that is imaginative, meaningful and deeply personal – shaped by family and whimsy, holiday magic.
“We are incredibly blessed and thankful every day,” Brenda said. “This is a peaceful place to be.”
Stone bears from Brenda's childhood accent the stone fireplace
A portrait of Brenda's mother adds to the memories captured within the home
The Trails is the newest waterfront enclave in The Village at Lake Martin. With HOA-managed perks like lawn care and on-site trash disposal, residents can spend their time enjoying the other amenities like swimming pools, nature trails, a fitness center and community boat ramp. Boating access comes with an optional slip purchase.
For info, contact Kira Woodall Slate Barganier Building is offering up to a 1% interest rate buydown if purchasing before December 31, 2025. at 256.625.1714
TI O
Wax Myrtle O
Once you start looking for wax myrtle around Lake Martin, you’ll see it all over. It’s a small, very useful tree – or maybe a large shrub – that smells like bayberry. And in fact, this plant is sometimes called southern bayberry.
Wax myrtle is native to North America – along the coastal states from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. This is a very versatile plant, able to grow in wet soils around water and in dry hilly areas … and even sand dunes, upland forests and pine barrens. It can handle high winds and salt spray and is evergreen in USDA zones 7-10. (Lake Martin is Zone 8A.)
This broadleaf plant has long oval leaves. The leaves are grayish green to olive colored, shiny on top and slightly hairy below and speckled with yellow-orange resinous dots visible on both sides. The
leaves can reach up to 3 inches long. They grow alternately along twigs and have a strong bayberry scent when crushed.
Only female wax myrtles develop berries. The berries themselves are light green, but they are covered with a pretty bluish-white wax. These berries are about the size of BBs, and they grow in clusters along stems and branches during the fall months.
Wax myrtles often have multiple trunks and are irregularly shaped, with thin, smooth gray bark.
They are typically understory shrubs that can handle partial sunlight but can also thrive in direct sun. In the right conditions, wax myrtle is able to grow 40 feet tall and spread out 10 feet, though it is usually much smaller.
One of this plant’s
Wax myrtles are native to North America and common across Lake Martin
NATURE OF THE LAKE
BY KENNETH BOONE
Wax myrtle leaves are shiny and can reach up to 3 inches long
superpowers is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil –which means it creates its own natural fertilizer. Most plants that are able to do this are legumes like beans, peas and peanuts. Few trees have the ability to fix nitrogen. Wax myrtle can do so faster than legumes, which both improves the soil where it grows and allows the plant itself to grow in poor soils.
This shrub goes by the scientific name Myrica cerifera, which comes from the Greek word for “wax-bearing,” a reference to its beautiful light blue berries. Wax myrtle has a myriad of other common names, including bayberry, eastern bayberry, southern bayberry, candleberry, southern wax myrtle and tallow shrub.
Wax myrtle leaves and ground-up berries have long been used by Native Americans and others for seasoning meals and sauces. This is a strong-tasting berry and a little goes a long way. The berries can also be made into a wine.
Wax, derived by boiling the berries and skimming the floating wax off the surface of the boiling water, is used to make high-quality, highly scented candles. It has also been used to scent soaps.
If you ever get caught in the woods without any insect repellent, take a tip from Native Americans and other outdoorsmen: crush up wax myrtle leaves and rub them on exposed skin. It deters mosquitoes and you’ll smell better, too.
On the medical front, both early settlers and Native Americans used wax myrtle to treat a number of illnesses, including fever, diarrhea, dysentery, convulsions, colic, seizures, headaches and stomach aches. It was also used as a general pain killer, a gargle, a diuretic and a tonic.
And many beer brewers use wax myrtle leaves to increase a beer’s foamy head.
Birds, including bob white, wild turkey, myrtle warblers and tree swallows, feed on
Wax myrtles have thin, smooth gray bark
wax myrtle berries. Their digestive system strips away the wax, which is required for the seeds to germinate, and as they fly from place to place, the birds’ droppings spread seeds around the countryside.
Wax myrtles are attractive and easy-to-grow native plants; however, the above-ground parts of the shrub are flammable and therefore, this shrub should not be located near structures.
If your wax myrtle does catch on fire, like many do in prescribed burn areas, the above-ground portions will likely be consumed. But the underground parts of wax myrtles are fire resistant, and as long as there are not fires year after year in the same area, burned wax myrtles will regrow from the living root.
Some information for this article came from EatTheWeeds.com, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the North Carolina Extension Service.
The yellow-orange resin dots on its leaves give wax myrtles a strong bayberry scent
A Towering Legacy
The vision behind Lake Martin's newest landmark
STORY BY SAM VISE
PHOTOS BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE & SAM VISE
The new Jimmy K. Lanier Overlook Fire Tower opened November 7
OOne hundred and 10 feet in the air, the world shifts. The familiar, tree-lined shore of Lake Martin transforms into a sprawling, breathtaking map.
From the top of the new Jimmy K. Lanier Overlook Fire Tower, the late-autumn sun glints off the water, the pines of Cherokee Bluffs become a soft green carpet and for the first time, hikers can see the lake’s southern end from the perspective of an eagle.
It’s a view that feels ancient and brand new all at once – and it’s a view the community hauled, pieced together and willed into existence.
The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association opened its new fire tower on Overlook Drive November 7 with a dedication ceremony. The 80-plus-year-old tower stands on one of the highest points of Lake Martin, overlooking Kowaliga Bay and iconic landmarks such as Chimney Rock and the Highway 63 bridge.
“This is a wonderful place for people to see the lake and have an experience they don’t normally get,” said CRATA President Steve Thomas. “We’re trying to leave a legacy for the area. I’m leaving a legacy for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is something that they’ll be able to enjoy for many, many years.”
Until this tower was finished, the highest vantage point for viewing the lake was the Jerry W. Bynum Fire Lookout Tower, situated on Smith Mountain. According to Explore Lake Martin President and CEO Sandra Fuller, an average of 35,000 people walk the Smith Mountain trails each year.
“CRATA has done an amazing job,” Fuller said. “They love what they do, which is taking care of Lake Martin's trails and making sure they are safe for everyone.”
Inspired by the community’s positive feedback from the Smith Mountain fire tower, CRATA members sought
The tower is 110-feet tall and more than 80 years old.
CRATA celebrated the tower opening with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony
The Tower
By Jimmy Lanier
Upward and reaching into the clouds, shining like silver, majestic and proud.
The tower stands on lofted heights, overlooking God’s creation.
Splendid vistas fill the eyes, with sights that lend the heart sensations.
Overlooking lands and waters, like a sentinel in the sky.
The fire tower protects the vast green forest, when nature’s inferno goes awry.
Lifted high by human hands, watching over this historic land, protecting the forest from nature’s command, with strength and beauty the tower still stands.
an additional tower for the south end of the lake. They located a promising structure in New York, but a critical piece was missing – land to put it on.
By the time they finally secured the perfect location, the tower had already sold. It was a frustrating dead end, but as Thomas would later reflect, “it’s amazing how things work out.” That missed opportunity, they felt, was meant to be.
A few weeks later, CRATA’s founder, Jimmy K. Lanier, received a message about a tower in Sedley, Virginia. Mike and Christina Upton had an old tower they were looking to donate to anyone willing to take on the task of removing it.
In 2021, a group of six CRATA volunteers, nicknamed “the Sedley Six,” traveled to the Uptons’ home in Virginia to dismantle the tower and transport it to Lake Martin.
“One of us was 36, but the average age of the other five was 72 years old,” Thomas said. “Maybe we had more wisdom than strength. Maybe not.”
That wisdom was tested immediately. The task of dismantling the massive, old structure was daunting.
“I got out of the truck and looked at that structure,” Thomas recalled. “And I looked at Jimmy and I said, ‘No
way we’re taking that thing down.’ And Jimmy laughed because he knew we could do it.”
After a day and a half of loosening bolts and wrestling off a 35-foot antenna, a crane arrived to finish the job and take down the five sections of the tower. The team tagged every piece of steel, loaded the tower onto a truck and brought it home to Lake Martin.
“Then the fun began,” Thomas joked.
The fun was a grueling, 15-month marathon of local labor – which Lanier referred to as a “labor of love.”
First, volunteers had to clear land. Usable timber was harvested from the tower site and taken to a local sawmill, where it was processed into wood for the tower’s stairs and landings.
The most difficult job, according to Thomas, was the foundation. The four footings of the tower are 8 to 9 feet deep and weigh 28,000 pounds on average. Once the foundation was set, the tower began to rise, piece by piece. The top sections were built on the ground and lifted, while the bottom sections were stick built with the help of donated cranes.
The result is a structure built to last.
“This tower was built to exceed all engineering requirements,” Thomas said. “This is the sturdiest fire tower in America. You can trust me on that.”
The project was built by a village, but it was inspired by one man. As the dedication ceremony concluded, the focus shifted from the steel structure to its 87-year-old architect, CRATA founder Jimmy K. Lanier.
“This has been a four-year dream,” Lanier said. “This is one of the most scenic vistas on Lake Martin; the views are spectacular. Opening this tower means everything to me.”
CRATA board member Jerry Bynum, his voice thick with emotion, tried to capture his friend’s relentless spirit, comparing him to an aging but unstoppable trail dog who simply refuses to be left behind; however, the most powerful tribute wasn’t spoken.
Bynum asked the crowd for a show of hands.
“If you met Jimmy Lanier on a trail, would you raise your hand?” he asked. “If you’ve been on a hike with Jimmy? Worked on a trail with Jimmy? Worked on this tower with Jimmy?”
By the time he finished, the crowd was a forest of raised arms, a living testament to a life spent building community – one trail at a time.
Thomas made it official. After reading a proclamation detailing Lanier’s life’s work – from 26 miles of trails to his 38 years of military service – he made the final declaration.
“Now, let it be resolved that the fire lookout tower on Overlook Drive built and owned by CRATA be henceforth named the Jimmy K. Lanier Overlook Fire Tower,” Thomas said.
The ribbon was cut. The tower was open. And as the first hikers began their climb, they weren’t just seeing a new view of Lake Martin. They were seeing the legacy that Jimmy Lanier built.
A gift that keeps on giving
Rising values boosts equity for lake owners
WWho knew that owning a waterfront home on Lake Martin would be one of the best investments in your portfolio? Most people want to buy a lake home because they want a place to enjoy with family and friends on one of the best lakes anywhere in the world. It turns out that your recreational purchase could be such a great investment.
I do this for a living – and I see the numbers every day – so rarely am I surprised by the sales data. In fact, during the late spring months, the market appeared to be a bit sluggish, most likely due to the “tariff tantrum” and trade wars. Once that problem eased off, the market took off!
For those new to my column, I have a report that my financial assistant, Ann Funderburk, produces from data derived from the Multiple Listing Service of the Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors®. This report sums up a 12-month period of sales data and compares that summary to the same period last year. For the purposes of this article, I’m using the report for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025. This period captures a full summer selling season.
When I first reviewed this report, it was a bit like unwrapping an unexpected present. There was definitely a surprise in the package. In fact, there were many surprises
LAKE PROPERTY
BY STEVE ARNBERG
– good ones!
The first surprise was that the total number of single-family homes sold had increased 14.9 percent to 232 sales over the same period last year. The reason that’s a surprise is that the national market was reporting little to no increase in the number of sales over last year.
The next surprise was that the total dollar volume of singlefamily homes sold had increased 38.3 percent over the same period last year to $384,888,310. This is a significant increase, indicating that a late-spring and summer-long sales surge brought the Lake Martin real estate market to new record highs, even above the COVID-19 peak. (See chart No. 1 top right facing page.)
Both of those data points were very pleasant surprises, so I eagerly looked for the average sales price. I was not disappointed. The year-over-year average sales price had increased 24.1 percent to $1,659,001. This is significant
– Months Rolling
Family
Sales 12 Month Rolling Average Price
because this was a year’s summary of data indicating a trend, not just a one-month comparison. This increase set a record for Lake Martin. (See chart No. 2 above.)
This increase has substance on a variety of levels. The first and most obvious is the new average price for a waterfront single-family home. It was also a surprise because it came without a significant decrease in interest rates or a major improvement in the economy. Mostly, it’s significant in that the increase was 24.1 percent in just one year. Usually, real estate appreciates at a slower pace. The increase follows several years of double-digit increases, doubling the value of a lake home in roughly five years.
What about next Christmas?
Honestly, I don’t think I can top this year’s gift of good news for property owners on Lake Martin. Those are eyepopping numbers for sure. I can say that the underlying fundamentals of the market bode well for 2026. Forsale inventory is still near record lows, which provides upward pressure on property values. Properties sell for 95.4 percent of list price, which indicates that buyers and sellers are willing to negotiate a little, but if inventory remains at this low level, I expect that ratio to rise above 96 percent.
Center Advanced Care facility have improved the quality of life here. When State Highway 63 South reopens next spring, access to the central lake corridor will be much more convenient. Increasingly, people are moving to the lake full time, not just for weekends as in the past.
Lastly, likely lower interest rates will provide buying power for purchasers as well as unlock those “golden handcuffs” that have prevented some property owners from selling a lake property. It’s been hard for property owners to sell a home with a 3 percent mortgage and replace it with one at 6 percent or higher. Now, with rates poised to fall below 6 percent, a move into something larger or smaller may bring more inventory to the market.
Yes, I think Christmas 2026 is going to be pretty merry too. Owning Lake Martin property is a gift that keeps on giving!
Steve Arnberg is Vice President of Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands. Illustration by Russell Lands.
Chart 1
Chart 2
Lake Martin Single Family Waterfront Sales Volume – 12
Lake Martin Single
Waterfront
Change is Inevitable –Preservation is Not
HOBOs and the mission to protect Lake Martin
II was elected president of Lake Martin HOBOs in March 2021. After the election, one of my friends and I engaged in an interesting conversation about two subjects – change and what is a HOBO?
The first subject is a large, philosophical one, of which I am probably not smart enough to comment on unless I bring the parameters into a more reasonable scope: change on Lake Martin.
We are Florida transplants to Lake Martin by way of Atlanta, but we have been here since August 1990. So, we do have some authority and expertise on change on Lake Martin – at least since that time period and from a part-timer’s and full-timer’s point of view (from summer 1990 as part-timers and since 2015 as fulltimers).
Some of the changes have been good, and some of the changes have not, depending on your point of view. During our conversation, my friend and I didn’t totally agree on whether the changes were good or not, but we did agree that change had occurred and would continue to occur. And boy, has it. Lake Martin has been discovered.
a treasure for future generations? How, as individuals, can we influence the powerful forces at work around the lake to ensure our voices and concerns are taken into consideration? How do we engage the businesses around the lake to keep this powerful economic engine of Lake Martin a vibrant source of economic activity without sacrificing the lake to unchecked growth? It is our responsibility to become involved. This leads me back to the conversation with my friend, Dave. Dave asked me, “What is a HOBO?” I thought about it for a minute. It seemed like a pretty simple question with a pretty simple answer. I stated that HOBO is an acronym for Homeowners and Boatowners. My friend quickly said he knew that, but he didn’t know what a HOBO did or why he should join or care. I was being called to task.
Again, I went for the straightforward and simple answer. I said, “Lake Martin HOBOs preserve and protect Lake Martin for future generations.”
Some want no change to occur – for everything to remain as is forevermore. Others embrace change as progress. It depends on your point of view.
I have come to know that regardless of your point of view or your wishes, Lake Martin is changing and will continue to do so. So, the question becomes, how do we influence the changes to ensure our beautiful lake remains
I felt pretty good that I already knew the association’s motto. Again, my friend pushed for more information. That’s when the conversation started becoming more interesting and involved.
I started discussing some of the issues facing our lake, such as:
n Water quality, with upriver pollution from chicken farms and other agricultural enterprises
n Off-lake development wanting multiuse boat dock usage
n Boating safety and wake boat usage
n Lake levels
n Shoreline development – how to manage and guide this so Lake Martin does not change
n Work with Alabama Power Shoreline Management and Russell Lands, as these organizations are the two largest influencers on the lake.
My friend said he knew about some of these but was uninformed about how they might affect him and where he is located on the lake. I told him these were just some of the issues the HOBOs were involved in.
Then we discussed an issue he had with the rules of the lake changing without his knowledge or input. He asked, “How is an individual homeowner supposed to know about or influence the changes?”
My friend unknowingly opened the door for my soapbox speech.
Lake Martin HOBOs is a completely volunteer organization. The association is an advocate for all homeowners and boatowners on Lake Martin. Our customers are the homeowners and boatowners. Their concerns and issues are the ones that we try to address and influence around the lake. We work with local political leaders, other organizations and associations around the lake. HOBOs help keep members informed and engaged.
BY HARRY DENEGRE
HOBOs need our membership to be informed, engaged and ready to preserve and protect our beautiful lake. We want and need more members. Like my friend, become a member, get involved and work with local leaders.
Businesses around the lake, please sponsor our association. Our association will help keep the lake a treasure.
What does the future of Lake Martin look like? Help influence and guide that future. As an organization, we can influence the growth of the lake.
Please take another look at us and join the HOBOs. Our website is lakemartinhobos.com. Single memberships are $15 per year and family memberships are $25 per year. We hold an annual breakfast meeting every spring and an executive board meeting every two months. These meetings are open to the public. You can also visit our Facebook page.
What does the future of Lake Martin look like? The lake will continue to change. How it changes is up to all of us. Get involved and influence that change.
We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.
Harry DeNegre is president of Lake Martin HOBOs. Visit lakemartinhobos.com to learn more.
HOBO
Recycle Your Leftovers
AAccording to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 120 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States each year. To break these statistics down, it looks like this: 40 percent of the entire food supply in the United States is wasted per year; 325 pounds of waste per person; and $218 billion of food waste, or 130 billion meals are wasted per year.
This food is disposed of as trash and carted off to landfills, producing methane gas, which can be more harmful to the environment than emissions released from driving a car.
Most importantly to note, as we are throwing food away, let’s be mindful that 1 in 6 people in the United States go to bed hungry. This equals 35 million people in America, including 10 million children, who are suffering from food insecurity.
It’s easy to point the finger at farmers, food producers and retailers for our food waste; however, facts show that many people in the farm-to-table industry are working diligently to reduce food waste. Their main objective is to produce food that can be sold. According to ReFED, a nonprofit organization that fights food waste in the United States, American consumers account for 43 percent of the food waste; 40 percent comes from restaurants, grocery stores and food service companies; 16 percent from farms; and 2 percent from manufacturers.
A current topic of discussion is sustainability. According to researchers, the current focus on sustainable food management is greatly influencing the val-
ues, attitudes and actions of more than 85 percent of American consumers. Through sustainable management of food, we can help consumers and businesses save money, bridge the gap in our communities to feed people who don’t have enough to eat and conserve resources for future generations.
HEALTHY LIVING
BY JULIE HUDSON
The concept of “reduce, reuse and recycle” changes the thought process toward protecting our environment and informs consumers about the impacts of food that is wasted. As consumers, we can start by taking small, simple steps in our everyday lives that could make a big impact.
As we leave the Thanksgiving table with great thankfulness and enter a season of magic, joy and surprises, I find myself reflecting on those who struggle to get food on the table or may go to bed hungry. As we gather with friends and family throughout this next month over what seems like an endless amount of food, let’s be mindful of what we put in the trash. Let’s recycle, reuse and repurpose what’s in our kitchens. The saying goes, we can turn overripe lemons into lemon zest.
There are two approaches to leftovers. The first is learning how to create fewer leftovers, and the second is how leftovers can be used to produce another meal or side dish.
To create fewer leftovers, try to plan as closely as possible for how much food you need depending on the number of people you’re serving. Maximize food safety by storing items properly and always checking the quality and dates before you purchase food and bring it home. Turning leftovers into another meal may take some creativity; however, freezing foods for later use, donating nonperishables to food pantries, taking leftovers to people in need and planning meals with grocery lists can all be a good start.
Sometimes planning for leftovers is a good idea. I find it helpful to cook in bulk on the weekend and then reuse some items for a different menu. It makes weeknight meal prep a lot easier.
Here are several suggestions for turning what may be your “trash” into dinner.
Repurpose on purpose
Turn grilled or roasted meat and vegetables into another meal. Top them on a salad, combine with a marinara sauce for pasta, add to a hummus wrap, use as a pizza topping or fold into an omelet, quiche or quesadilla.
Make a bowl
Begin with a starch such as leftover rice, grain or mashed potatoes. Chop leftover vegetables and add leftover beans, meat or seafood. Reheat each layer before creating your bowl. Add condiments on top.
Make a pot of soup
Use leftover or overripe vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms, avocados or zucchini in a blender, then add parsley, basil or other herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper and process. If you prefer a chunkier soup, start by processing tomatoes, onions and herbs, then add vegetables after the sauce base is complete.
Save blemished vegetables and fruit
When you see a rotting potato, tomato, onion or squash, cut off the blemish and save the edible portion. Start with some broth in a stockpot or slow cooker and add vegetables, beans, herbs and seasonings to create a hearty soup. Consume within a few days or freeze for later use.
Make a fruit smoothie
Place overripe fruit in the freezer for later use. Blend frozen fruit, milk or juice, protein powder and peanut butter together for a quick breakfast or snack. Holiday leftovers can be turned into turkey or ham casserole; turkey shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes on top; turkey pot pie; turkey BLT with cranberry mayo; crispy potato pancakes from leftover mashed potatoes; or be frozen for later use.
Leftovers also make great turkey soup or turkey salad. Cranberry sauce or relish can be stirred into
yogurt and topped with granola. Easily make cranberry syrup by heating cranberry sauce with maple syrup, then use it on pancakes, waffles or French toast. Stir cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie filling into overnight oats. Top crostini with goat or Boursin cheese and cranberry sauce. Use leftover pumpkin pie filling or cranberry sauce in a smoothie.
I’ve included one of my favorite recipes that utilizes leftovers. Happy holidays to all and thank you for a wonderful 2025!
Julie Hudson is a dietician at Lake Martin Wellness Center in Dadeville.
Ham and bean soup made with leftovers
Ingredients
Leftover ham, diced
Ham bone
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
3 cans Northern beans
2 cans whole kernel corn
2 cups carrots and onions, peeled and diced Frozen or leftover English peas (optional)
3 to 4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 to 3 teaspoons dry mustard, depending on preference
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Dash of nutmeg
Directions
In a stockpot, cook carrots, onions and ham bone in a small amount of oil for 5 to 10 minutes. Add 3 to 4 cups of water and bring to a boil until vegetables are tender. Add mashed potatoes, dry mustard and nutmeg. Simmer for one hour. Remove the ham bone and add chopped ham. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Chicken Carbonara
PASTA
Ingredients
400 grams semolina
200 grams all-purpose flour
18 egg yolks
3 whole eggs
40 grams extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Place semolina and flour in a mixing bowl and turn on low. Let it run to make a well in the middle. Add the egg yolks one at a time, allowing each yolk to break up and incorporate before adding the next. Repeat with the whole eggs. Then, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. If the dough is not pulling and forming a ball, add a few splashes of cold water. Once well mixed and a ball has formed, knead on a table for about five minutes. Refrigerate for two hours; overnight is preferred. Roll out to the desired pasta size (using a fettuccine cutter is recommended). Blanch in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1 to 2 cups of the cooking water for the finished dish.
CARBONARA SAUCE
Ingredients
10 egg yolks
4 cups heavy whipping cream
4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine everything on a blender and mix well.
MAKING THE DISH
Ingredients
1 to 3 cups diced chicken (or protein of your choice)
1 zucchini (or vegetable of your choice)
Freshly grated black pepper
Salt
Directions
Season the diced chicken lightly with salt and cook it in a large pan over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the zucchini (or any preferred vegetable) to the same pan and sauté until tender. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the pasta to the pan and toss well. Add 1/2 to 3/4 of the sauce, keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Once it starts to thicken, add a splash of the pasta water. Adjust the seasoning with salt. Finish with freshly grated black pepper.
Pete McKenny, General Manager and Executive Chef at SpringHouse Restaurant, trained at four-star restaurants and Forbes four-star resorts in Ohio, Washington, Arizona and Vermont before returning to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, where he began his career as chef de cuisine at Willow Point Golf & Country Club.
CHEF'S TABLE
BY PETE MCKENNY
WINTER JERKBAITS
Enhance your fishing this season with a tried-and-true bait method
BBy December on Lake Martin, the lake has completely turned over, and winter drawdown is almost complete. The big fall changes have happened, and the lake is settling into winter mode. Expect lake water temperatures to be in the mid to upper 50s. The fish are finally beginning to settle into their winter locations and are roaming much less compared to early fall. This is a time of year when it can be good to slow down a presentation and be more thorough with the areas we anglers have confidence in.
BIG CATCHES
BY GREG VINSON
One of my personal favorite approaches this time of year is a suspending jerkbait. Today’s jerkbaits can dive 4 to 6 feet below the surface. This may not seem very deep, but it gets the bait below that zone at the surface where temperatures change drastically with cold nights. The most important feature is its ability to suspend.
Years ago, most jerkbaits were built to float back to the surface, which provided some benefit to avoid hang-ups and other obstacles. But that age is mostly gone. Nearly every jerkbait that hits the
market today suspends, and that’s a feature that makes this particular bait almost irresistible to bass at times. The jerkbait can be twitched in an erratic motion below the surface, and then comes the allimportant pause. Those initial twitches of the bait let any fish in the area know it’s there. Then the pause – the bait just sitting there, suspending in the water column and waiting to be seen by a slowcruising bass, or maybe just a lazy one sitting in a brush pile or along some dock posts.
I won my first big tournament on Lake Martin with a jerkbait years ago. I had been fortunate enough to fish with George Cochran as a co-angler the year he dominated Lake Guntersville with it. I saw the patience he fished with, and I also got the chance to land an 8-pounder for him – a nervous wreck, like the fish was my own in a $100,000 tournament. I remember thinking, “I don’t care if I get one of those hooks in my hand, I’m going to land that fish for him when it gets to the boat.”
That experience inspired me to put that technique to work on my home lake, Lake Martin, and it led to winning a Walmart BFL. It was one of the biggest tournaments in our area at the time for local anglers and kick-started a desire to try the professional ranks myself.
As it turned out, Lake Martin, being a relatively clear “highland lake,” was just right for a jerkbait.
The fish can hear it since most of them have rattles, but it’s most important for them to be able to see the bait. Unlike crankbaits, jerkbaits rarely deflect off cover to trigger strikes. More often, it’s their ability to draw the attention of a bass either suspending itself or hanging around some cover just below the running depth of the bait. The clearer the water, the easier it is for the fish to notice the bait walking through the water over their heads. Then the pause or suspend gives an interested fish time to close in on the bait. Often, the strike will occur on the pause or the next twitch after the pause.
Colder water temperatures of winter mean the metabolism of both predator (bass) and prey (baitfish) is slowed down dramatically. The shad are less tolerant of cold water temps and will begin to get disoriented in their swimming motion – even to the point that they can hardly swim at all. When this occurs, they flutter through the water column, stop swimming, drift a moment and then kick some as they cling to life. All species of predator fish are tuned to this phenomenon that occurs when water temps drop and take advantage of the easy
meals that a shad kill presents – bass being one of the best at it.
There is no better bait to mimic a vulnerable shad clinging to life and fluttering through the water than a suspending jerkbait. Even the jighead minnows that are so popular in bass fishing today are limited in their ability to suspend. The weight of even the lightest jighead constantly pulls the bait down as the angler tries to keep it in the optimal zone for fish catches.
This winter, experiment with suspending jerkbaits to catch more bass. Fortunately, there are a lot more affordable options on the market that suspend and dart well than in the past. Choose colors that look natural – shad and minnow patterns are the best. The jerkbait is one of the few baits out there that has withstood the test of time while bait trends have changed over the years. There’s something about that twitch-pause combo that fish have a hard time resisting when conditions are right!
Greg Vinson is a full-time professional angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. He lives in Wetumpka and grew up fishing on Lake Martin.
The Gift of Golf
SSeason’s greetings, Lake Martin!
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve entered December, the final month of the year. It just seems that life is moving faster than ever before, although I know that can’t be the case. I do know that I was blessed to enjoy Stillwaters Golf Course and the beautiful people who live and play golf there. It’s said, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” and I would agree that my Stillwaters friends made a difficult year pass by with some degree of enjoyment.
The holiday season is filled with all manner of special moments delivered by special people. Our focus turns to those who have impacted our lives throughout the year. Perhaps it’s your employer and fellow employees you’ve worked with all year. We feel cared for by people in the community who have provided services that positively impacted our lives. We’re drawn to the warmth of our personal friends and think about the gift of their time, attention and support.
And, of course, our wonderful families. The blessing of their impact on our lives goes unmatched as we love them with all our hearts. Thank you to my family for helping me get through a major year of health challenges.
The season of giving is upon us as we try to find the perfect gift to show our love and appreciation to these wonderful people. Being a PGA golf professional, I’ve spent my career catering to those who love the game of golf as much as I do. I understand that golf isn’t for everyone, but those who play the game are rewarded by all the experiences delivered through it.
I agree with the great Arnold Palmer, who said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated. It satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It’s at the same time rewarding and maddening – it’s without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
In the season of giving, why not consider the gift of golf?
There are many ways to reward the golfer in your life this Christmas. If they’re interested in trying the game, purchase some clubs and schedule golf lessons with your local PGA professional. If they already enjoy the game, perhaps an upgrade to newer clubs with the latest technology is in order. If golf is their sport of choice, consider purchasing a membership that provides them with a regular home course, member benefits and new friendships with other golfers. You can always find golf attire, golf-related merchandise or a gift card to fill those stockings on Christmas Eve. No matter which direction you turn, you’ll be sending a loving message to your golfer. They’ll be thrilled by your present, and you’ll be rewarded by their continued enjoyment of the gift that keeps on giving.
It has truly been a pleasure to write for LAKE this year. I hope that each of you has the most wonderful holiday season and that you’re blessed with great things in the year ahead. Learn from the past, plan for the future, but live for today. Grantland Rice once said, “Little good comes from brooding about mistakes. The next shot, in golf or in life, is the big one.”
Rob “Gabby” Witherington is a 35-year PGA Professional – retired.
THE SCRAMBLE BY ROB WITHERINGTON
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Lake Martin
Kowaliga Marina 334-397-1210
The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300
River North Marina 256-397-1500
Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors 256-397-1700
Real Island Marina 256-397-1200
Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888
Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550
Harbor Pointe Marina 256-825-0600
Alex City Marine 256-215-FISH
Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's 256-444-8793
SpringHouse 256-215-7080
Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070
Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035
Lake Martin Pizza 256-373-3337
The Burritos Corner Mexican Grill 256-307-1887
Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075
Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 256-234-2567
Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 334-541-2132
Russell Building Supply 256-825-4256
The Stables at Russell Crossroads 256-794-1333
Kowaliga Veterinary Care 334-857-1816
Off the Beaton Path 205-994-0847
Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage 334-391-0717
Lake Pointe Baptist Church 256-307-1499
Red Ridge UMC 256-825-9820
LakeScape 334-857-2443
First Baptist Church Dadeville 256-825-6232
Lakeshore Pharmacy 256-825-0063
Momentum Marine at Lake Martin 256-825-9286
Bolton Cove 256-392-7524
Singleton Marine 256-269-0088
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ALEXANDER CITY
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Insurance
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Shell - 280
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Parting Shot
"You are the sky. Everything else – it's just the weather."
