Lake Magazine March 2016

MARCH 2016

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Letter from the Editor

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f you think of winter as the slow season on Lake Martin, let this issue set you straight. Although the boarders, surfers, skiers and Chimney Rock jumpers hibernate from October until late April, the fishermen, hikers and runners take advantage of cool temperatures and turn out in big numbers this time of year.

Last month alone, Wind Creek State Park hosted three major fishing tournaments with the ESPN television network and big name suppliers pulling in with trailers to make celebrities of fishing teams from across the country. Cliff Williams followed the teams, rolling in at the launch site before daybreak to bring you the story in beautiful, vibrant photos.

Turn to page 36 to catch this month’s cover article.

Winter also is a great time to hike the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association paths around the lake. We talked with three Birmingham clubs that make a point of hiking here each year. In fact, they told us that the CRATA trails are among their favorites. Take a walk with them on page 20.

Russell Forest also is a busy place in winter. The annual Russell Forest Run, which benefits the local schools, took off after presstime for this issue, but the Towne Green will host another major running event March 19 and 20 in the 4th Annual Lake Martin Ultra. This year, the race will attract some famous 100-mile participants, including Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, who holds the world’s record for the most 100-mile wins at 35. Check out the story on page 19 and make plans to stop by Russell Crossroads to take in the action.

On page 28, you’ll meet Larry Amerson and Kurt Pfitzner who spent their winter refurbishing a sailboat. The 21-foot MacGregor Venture had lain idle in the woods for more than 20 years when the pair rescued and repaired it. They launched the “Freebird” last month, and she made a beautiful show of being in the water again.

SpringHouse executive chef Rob McDaniel seems to have made a habit of being nominated each winter for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award. David Granger talked with McDaniel on page 26 about the four-time honor.

Of course, this month, I do have to ask you to look forward to those busy days of summer and send us information about the activities, events and other happenings at Lake Martin through Labor Day. We will start working on our annual May summer calendar issue this month, and we don’t want to leave out any of the exciting goings-on. Please send notices to editor@ lakemartinmagazine.com by April 15.

Staff Editor & Publisher KENNETH BOONE

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Managing Editor BETSY ILER

editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

Assistant Magazine Editor MIA OSBORN

mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing/Advertising Director TIPPY HUNTER

tippy.hunter@alexcityoutlook.com

Marketing Coordinators KIM MORSE

kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com

EMILY GUILL

emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com

DEBBIE DeWILDT

debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com

Circulation Manager DAVID KENDRICK

david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com

Creative Services AUDRA SPEARS

audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com

DARLENE JOHNSON

darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com

HALLIE HOLLOWAY

hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com

Contributors KENNETH BOONE JOHN COLEY HENRY FOY JOHN THOMPSON JULIE HUDSON ROB MCDANIEL CLIFF WILLIAMS

LEE WILLIAMS MITCH SNEED DAVID GRANGER ANNE MATTHEWS BEN MOON MIMI AMERSON JOHN EVANS

All content, including all stories and photos are copyright of:

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

Besy Iler, Managing Editor 4 LAKE

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On the Cover Cover: Collegiate anglers launched at daybreak from the Wind Creek pier for the Bassmaster Southern Regional tournament on Lake Martin last month. The three-day event contributed some $2 million to the local economy.

Photo by Cliff Williams

MARCH 2016

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Contents 19. ULTRA RUN The world's winningest ultrarunner will race this year's 100-miler at the lake 20. TRAVELING THE TRAILS CRATA trails at Lake Martin are a favorite of visiting hiking clubs

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26. BEST CHEF OF THE SOUTH NOMINEE Rob McDaniel of SpringHouse is honored with a fourth nomination for James Beard Award 28. ‘FREEBIRD’ SAILS AGAIN A die-hard sailor restores life to an old boat that was found rotting in the woods 32. THE ART OF RUTH NABORS Accomplished Lake Martin artist picked up a paintbrush only three years ago 36. TOURNAMENT BASS FISHING Big name contests draw crowds at Lake Martin during the recreational off-season

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44. BREEZY BAY A new home takes advantage of the higher winter pool at the lake

LAKE MAGAZINE’S MONTHLY FEATURES:

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- edition

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9. LAKE’S QUICK GUIDE

52. HOBO

TO THE LAKE

54. FAB FINDS

10. LAKE SCENES

55. HEALTHY LIVING

12. WHERE IS LAKE?

56. LAKE PROPERTY

14. LAKE EVENTS

58. CHEF'S TABLE

16. LAKE MARTIN NEWS

60. FROM THE CELLAR

22. NATURE OF THE LAKE

63. PRO TIPS & TEE TALK

42. LAKE Q&A

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

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

January 2016 January 2013 January 2010

Number of sales

Average selling price

Median selling price

Days on the market

Total houses for sale

12 7 12

$657,125 $389,414 $517,762

$562,500 $192,000 $375,500

212 253 241

246 310 418

Inventory/ sales ratio 8.27 16.32 23.5753

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

This Month's Fishing Forecast

Relicensing Fast Facts

Randy Baker at Fish Tales Bait & Tackle on U.S. Highway 280 in Alexander City said fishing will definitely pick up in March on Lake Martin as the water starts to warm.

“The fish are still out deep now, and you’ll catch bass on crankbaits, Carolina rigs, jigs and swimbaits,” Baker said. “Of course, you can fish with shaky heads any time of the year on this lake.”

Stripers have started moving into creeks and upriver areas and can be caught on live baits, Red Fins, Rapala and Shad Wrap 09.

“The bigger fish you’ll still catch right at daybreak,” Baker said.

Crappie will start moving onto shallow brush piles this month, and live baits will yield the best strings.

Bream also will move into more shallow areas as the water warms, and Baker advised live bait for the bream – worms and crickets.

As the lake level begins to rise mid-month, the fish will move more shallow, he said, though the bigger fish especially will stay out in deep water for the first part of the month. Towards the end of March, anglers will start to see some movements toward bedding season, Baker said.

During the present height of fishing season, Lake Martin is more susceptible to invasive non-native aquatic vegetation, including hydrilla and Eurasian milfoil, as fishing boats could transfer weeds from lake to lake.

The winter water level increase that has come with the recently issued new license for Martin brings with it increased potential for invasive plant growth. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffers noted in the Final Environmental Impact Statement released last April that deeper water in winter provides a continuous growing season for weeds rooting in the lakebed below 6 feet at 20 sites totaling 858 acres.

The new license requires Alabama Power Company to file a control program plan by the middle of next month, specifically identifying any areas where nuisance aquatic vegetation could create a public health hazard, restrict recreational use, affect generation facilities or pose a threat to the lake’s ecological balance. The plan also will include a schedule for implementation of any control measures and monitoring methods. In the meantime, fishermen on Lake Martin are asked to take extra care in cleaning vegetative growth from props and boats prior to launching.

Lake levels during the last month

Lake Martin's weather outlook for February

Summer: 491 MSL Winter: 481 MSL Highest: 484.93 Lowest: 482.74 Lake elevations are subject to change. Individuals who recreate below Martin Dam and those with boats and water-related equipment on the lake should always stay alert to changing conditions.

For up-to-date lake levels, log on to https://lakes.alabamapower.com.

Year to Date

Precipitation: 7.92 inches Avg. high temp.: 55.5 Avg. low temp.: 31.6 Average temp.: 43.5

Our Normal March Precipitation: 5.85 inches Avg. high temp.: 81 Avg. low temp.: 26 Average temp.: 54.6 MARCH 2016

March 2016 Forecast

Historically, the Lake Martin area experiences average high temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s with lows below freezing and nearly 6 inches of precipitation in the month of March. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures and rainfall will be at average levels this month.

Information from the National Weather Service.

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LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) A late fall sunrise turns Doris Gainer's Japanese maple to gold. (2) Gorgeous "Heather Lynn" azaleas blooming near the shores of Lake Martin. (3) An unseasonably warm Black Friday began with a beautiful sunrise. (4) Pals Reggie and Dora stand guard at Little Kowaliga Creek. (5) Tony Johnson snapped this shot below Martin Dam during the heavy holiday rains. (6) Sandy Thompson came across this mother raccoon and her three babies on Willow Point Road.

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LAKE SCENE

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

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PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Clarence Abernathy took this photo of a towering cloud over the river bridge in August. (2) The moon rises over Emerald Shores in this photo by Ted Wilson.

(3) Reed McMahon wakesurfing at River Oaks. (4) This Texas Longhorn paused for a portrait along Highway 63. (5) Irving Blanco snapped this gorgeous sunset from a dock in Dadeville.

MARCH 2016

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LAKE?

Email your photos to editor@lakemartinmagazine.com

PEOPLE AND PLACES

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Reader Submissions (1) Forty-seven members of Alexander City's Parks and Recreation Department and 50+ Activity Center brought Lake to Branson, Missouri. (2) Mike and Diane Guillot took Lake with them to visit France. (3) Koby – who lives with the Campbell family of Parker Creek – lounges with Lake on Bald Rock in Cheaha State Park. (4) The Alexander City Youth Soccer 11U All Stars took a magazine with them to the ARPA State Soccer tournament in Dothan. (5) Lake went to San Diego with Jeff Hilyer of Opelika, referee in the 2015 Poinsettia Bowl.

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March 7 Horizons Unlimited

March 15 Spring Break Movie Day at Mamie’s

Susan Webb will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library in Alexander City will hold a kid’s movie day with features starting at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call 256-234-4644 for information.

March 8 Live Music of the Old South

March 15 Art Association of Central Alabama

Preserving the rich history of Southern Appalachian Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Martin Area United music and cultural history of the Deep South, the Way building at 21 Main St., Alexander City. Artistic Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1921 of Tallassee technique in painting, drawing and other arts taught at will perform at 7 p.m. at each meeting. For informathe Tallassee High School tion, call Martha McKnight CALENDAR OF EVENTS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 256-825-6503 or Jerri for adults; $5 for students.

Hallmark 256-825-0595.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON LAKE MARTIN For information, call Mona Mills at 334March 17 201-4892.

Wine Tasting

Emporium Wine in Alexander City welcomes Marty Dietrich from Rush wines for a tasting to introduce the new Cannonball line. Tasting runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call 256-212-9463.

March 10 PATH FINDERS

The PATH Finders stands For Individuals Needing Dementia Education, Resources, and Support with a mission to improve the quality of life in the Lake Martin area by providing support to those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia and to reduce the More than 400 women - and even risk of developa few men - attended last year's ing these diseases Lead Forward event at CACC through the promotion of lifestyles that improve brain health. If this disease affects you or someone you know and you need more information or resources, you are invited to attend. Meeting begins at noon in the United Way Conference Room, Main St., Alexander City. For more information, call 256-234-4568 or 256-786-1685.

March 11 Lead Forward

Sister Schubert Barnes will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Lead Forward luncheon and business expo at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center at Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City. The expo will be on display in the building lobby from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the ballroom. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. Call 256234-4361 for details.

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March 19 PATH Trash Walk

New Water Ministries will host this month’s PATH Trash Walk from 9 a.m. until noon with lunch served after the cleanup effort. Register at newwater.com and meet at 460 Civitan Rd., Dadeville. Volunteers also will meet at Siggers Grocery on Young’s Ferry Road to receive supplies and road assignments. Call John Thompson at 334-399-3289 for information.

April 9 Book Sale

The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale in the library basement at 205 N. West St. from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Friends will supply plastic bags for you to fill to the brim for $5 each or buy two and get the third one free. Books include fiction, non-fiction, classics, cookbooks, crafts, art, romance, decorating, self-help, religion, history, beautiful coffee table books and books to read to your children this summer. Baked goods will also be sold. All proceeds go to improve the library. Call 256-825-7820 for information.

MARCH 2016

Season-Long Events Dadeville Library Storytime

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

Mamie’s Place Storytime

Mamie’s Place Children’s Library holds themed storytime every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Upcoming themes include St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Dr. Seuss.

Movie Days at Mamie’s Place

Watch a kid-friendly movie at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library on the first Tuesday of each month. The show starts at 10 a.m.

Santuck Flea Market

The Santuck Flea Market is held the first Saturday of each month. The Santuck Flea Market is located at 7300 Central Plank Rd., Highway 9 in Wetumpka.

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Exhibit

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

Children’s Harbor Thrift Store

Located at Children’s Harbor at Lake Martin on Highway 63, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You never know what gems you might find – from clothes and household items to boats. Proceeds are used to help fund the activities at the Lake Martin campus of Children’s Harbor and the Family Center at Children’s Hospital. Call 334-857-2008 for more information.

Memory Makers Quilt Guild

Meets the second and fourth Mondays at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Jr. Sportplex campus.

Participants come and go between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a business meeting at 5, followed by show-and-tell. Bring sewing projects, machines and questions.

Real Island Supper

The Real Island community hosts a covered dish supper every third Friday of the month at the Real Island Volunteer Fire Department and Community Room, 1495 Real Island Rd., Equality. We have a lot of fun, and everyone is welcome. Admission is $3 per adult; bring a covered dish to share. Some nights are “themed,” so call ahead to find out if costumes or certain types of food are in order. For more information, contact Dianne Perrett at 256-329-8724.

Antique Car Cruise-in

On the first Saturday of each month, car enthusiasts cruise into Arby’s parking lot on Highway 280 in Alexander City from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join the fun and enjoy an era of classic cars and classic music.

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Lake Martin News

Peanut Point founder dies

The founder of Lake Martin's Peanut Point passed away Feb. 12 after complications following surgery for throat cancer, family members said.

Louis Dunham started selling boiled peanuts in 1988 at a location between Our Town and Woods Island on Lake Martin.

“He was such a sweet man,” said his niece Tammy Reeves.

“He loved people, his family and loved his business. He couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone he knew.”

A native of Goodwater, Dunham originally started the waterfront peanut business to pass the time when he wasn’t fishing. Already an accomplished peanut boiler, he’d been selling peanuts from a stand on U.S. Highway 280 at Kellyton on Auburn University football weekends for several years while he worked in security at Russell Mills, retiring 20 years ago.

Along with several others, he held an interest in the point property north of New Hope, and in 1988, he became the sole occupant.

“I got in here one day and decided to do it just to have something to do,” Dunham told Lake magazine last summer.

When he started the operation, Dunham cooked the peanuts in a large iron pot over a wood fire.

One of his customers made a sign declaring the area “Peanut Point,” and business took off, Dunham had said.

Peanut Point founder Louis Dunham passed away last month and will be greatly missed on Lake Martin

In recent years, the business had been handled by his son Tim and Tim’s wife Brenda, but it wasn’t unusual to see Dunham and his wife, Eyvonne, sitting under the shade of a big pine in a lawn chair on a pretty summer day as boaters stopped by for a peanut fix. ~ Mitch Sneed

Lefleur addresses Lake Watch Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Director Lance Lefleur thanked the standing room only crowd at last month’s annual Lake Watch Lake Martin meeting, praising volunteer water monitors as scouts who alert ADEM to potential problems.

“You are the canary in the coal mine. It’s wonderful to have an organization like this working with us,” Lefleur said.

Lefleur was the keynote speaker at the meeting, which was held in the residential community building at StillWaters in Dadeville. During his presentation, Lefleur offered statistical evidence that Alabama’s water quality is improving, despite ranking as very low in the nation in financial receipts.

“We are 49th in funding per capita, but we are 25th in quality,” he said. “Ours is the only state in the nation in which the environmental department gave money to the general fund.”

Also at this year’s annual meeting, outgoing president Kathryn Braund was presented the Woodfin Martin Award for serving the organization with passion and conviction.

Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners Association donated $2,000 to Lake Watch at the meeting, and Braund said the contribution is sufficient to purchase chemicals for water quality monitors for an entire year.

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Ultra Run STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTO BY JOHN EVANS, SLC UTAH

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he world’s winningest ultrarunner will visit Lake Martin for this year’s 100-mile run through Russell Forest, Lake Martin Ultra coordinator David Tosch announced last month. Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer holds the record for winning the most 100-mile trail runs on Earth, and he hopes to add another win at Lake Martin on March 19 and 20.

“Karl Meltzer is one of the best in the world,” Tosch said in a telephone interview. “He has won more 100miles than anyone alive, and he’s one of the best.”

The event, which includes three races – a 27-mile, a 50-mile and the 100-mile – drew close to 190 runners last year. Nearly 100 runners had already registered for the event by the end of December last year, and Tosch said he anticipates more than 200 entries for this – the third – ultrarun event at Russell Crossroads.

Registration for the event closes on March 16.

The Lake Martin race has quickly gained popularity among ultrarunners because the course avoids paved roads and is one of the prettiest in the race circuit, Tosch said.

“We get more compliments about how pretty the course is at Lake Martin than any other course,” he said. “For one thing, all of the race is on private land.

There are no road sections. In most races, some sections are on paved road. Here, the only paved roads are one crossing and a short stretch at the beginning in front of Catherine’s Market.

“It’s pretty out there, and with more water in the lake this year, I think it will be even prettier.”

Russell Forest, Tosch explained, is very “runnable” for an ultra event, though it is not an easy course, even for experienced racers.

“The course is very hilly. There are 14,000 feet of elevation gain on the 100 course. It’s not flat by any means,” he said.

A trail crew will visit the area early this month to conduct maintenance on the course and transition the trails from horse paths to running trails.

“We’ll have to blow off the leaves in some sections where they are too thick, and we’ll create some cutoff trails and mark them for runners only,” Tosch said.

“There is a creek on the backside that dams up easily and turns into a little lake, so we’ll have to dig out some and let the water flow.”

Meltzer is expected to arrive on Monday, March 14, to prepare for the race, which he hopes to complete in 15 hours.

All three races will start at 6:30 a.m. The 27- and 50-mile races have a 16-hour limit and will end at 10:30 p.m. The 100-mile ultrarun has a 32-hour time limit and will end at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.

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World record holder Karl Meltzer will run in this year's Lake Martin Ultra

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SEO hikers started the New Year with a hike at CRATA's Overlook Park trails

Traveling to the Trails CRATA trails at Lake Martin are a favorite among visiting hiking clubs STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER & ANNE MATTHEWS

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irmingham’s Doris Hatch started the year with a Jan. 2 Southeastern Outings (SEO) day hike on Lake Martin’s Overlook trail system, and the following weekend, she joined members of another hiking club – Vulcan Trail Association (VTA) – to traverse the Smith Mountain trails.

She is part of a steady stream of hikers that take advantage of cooler temperatures in the off-season to traverse the 17 miles of footpath only trails under the care of Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) along the Lake Martin shoreline.

“These are great trails around the lake,” Hatch said.

“It’s beautiful, and I always enjoy coming here.”

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On any given late fall to early spring weekend over the last five years, hiking clubs from outside the local area have scheduled day trips to the CRATA network of paths at Overlook Park, the Deadening Trail and Smith Mountain. CRATA also is building the first of another set of trails just south of Martin Dam in Elmore County.

“We’re just so appreciative that Alabama Power set aside the property and the CRATA group maintains the trails here. It allows us to see some beautiful parts of Alabama that we would never see otherwise,” said SEO organizer Dan Frederick.

The Pennsylvania native founded SEO in 2003 as a social hiking club that organizes outdoor activities –

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mostly hiking – across Alabama.

They visit Lake Martin several times during the year, sampling different sections of the CRATA trails from visit to visit and adding to the local economy whenever they arrive.

And they are just one of several groups that do so.

VTA treasurer Anne Matthews said her membership makes trips to the lake for fall and winter hiking and a summer picnic that is attended by more than 50 people. VTA outings have included bicycle-riding trips to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park as well as hikes.

“We really love coming to Lake Martin.

The people are very friendly and make it easy for us to have a good time there,” Matthews said.

She also works with an orienteering club that visits the area and has assisted with mapmaking at Wind Creek State Park.

The Birmingham Adventure Group (BAG) visits the area each year, as well.

“We try to get down there in the springtime,” said BAG hike organizer Ken Hatch. “A lot of people in our group like to photograph the wildflowers. It is a beautiful area around the lake, especially the Deadening Trail. That is the favorite. It is a pretty walk and is really good exercise.”

The Cahaba Sierra Club also schedules hikes in the area. Auburn Outdoors participants frequent the CRATA properties and have a trip in the area scheduled for next month.

In fact, CRATA board member Jimmy Lanier said, the Smith Mountain trails alone get so much traffic that the signup notebook in the box at the bottom of the fire tower fills up from cover to cover about every three to six weeks – even in winter.

Most of the hiking groups make a full day of their trips and spend money on their way in and out of the woods.

“When we head in, people stop and get gas and buy a snack or water. Pick up lunch or fast food,” Ken Hatch said. “We hike until dark and then have dinner at a local restaurant at the end of the day and leave about 7:30 p.m.”

The SEO hikers also stay in the area to have dinner at a local restaurant before returning home, and Matthews said the VTA visitors often spend the night at a lake house her family owns near Wind Creek State Park.

“We usually go to the grocery store quite a bit, before and after the trail. We stop for sandwiches to take on the hike, and some spend quite a bit at the liquor store, too,” she said.

The trails include high rocky ridges with long leaf pine and mountain laurel, as well as native azalea, magnolia, redbud and thickets of rhododendron. Deer, turkey and numerous bird species – including bald eagles – can be seen on the trails as well. Trail maps can be viewed at each trailhead sign. To learn more about hiking Lake Martin’s CRATA trails, visit www.crata.org.

VTA of Birmingham made a January hike at Smith Mountain

Cool temperatures are perfect for hiking at Lake Martin

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Sweet Gum This bane of bare feet has a history of keeping people healthy

NATURE OF THE LAKE

BY KENNETH BOONE

Sweet Gum is a colorful fall addition to the landscape

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Sweet Gum grows to more than 100 feet tall

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ost people in this part of the woods are not Sweet Gum fans.

There are plenty of reasons for that. Sweet Gum trees are wildly prolific and very fast-growing in the Lake Martin area.

They are one of the first trees to grow on recently cleared land, which vexes people who cleared the land in the first place, and it’s one of the primary reasons that foresters burn pine plantations in our area.

The ground under a Sweet Gum is often littered with its fruit – spiny brown gumballs that have caused pain to almost every Southerner who has ever walked barefoot. And sawing down a Sweet Gum won’t usually kill it. The tree just starts growing again from its stump or, if you ground down the stump, from its roots.

However, if Sweet Gums share a spot on your annoyance list with fire ants, kudzu, mosquitos, wisteria, deer flies, chiggers and mimosa trees, you might want to reconsider.

Especially if you’ve ever had the flu.

Because Sweet Gums are one of the top natural sources of shikimic

The bark resembles alligator hide

Southerners have learned to wear shoes around sweet gum trees

gum this tree produces. Its species acid, which is the prime ingredient in oseltamivir phosphate, a drug also name is styraciflua. This tree goes by a slew of common names like known as … wait for it … Tamiflu.

American sweetgum, hazel pine, redShikimic acid inhibits a protein gum, satin-walnut, alligator wood, that allows the influenza virus to star-leaved gum, bilsted, American reproduce. storax, gum tree.

Sweet Gum tea has long been Green Deane of the foraging weban herbal remedy for the flu by site www.eattheweeds.com, says the American pioneers. Cherokee and name “Sweet Gum” is a little misother Native Americans used Sweet leading.

Gum tea as medicine long before “The only edible part of the tree is that.

A more potent source is star anise, the dried sap which makes a fragrant, bitter chewthe Asian gum. It’s herb used “Sweet Gum” is a little misleading. ing called “Sweet in cooking. to sepToday, most “The only edible part of the tree Gum” arate it from shikimic is the dried sap which makes a a different acid used in species altofragrant, bitter chewing gum.”

Tamiflu is gether, the made using ~Green Deane Black Gum bacteria. But … which is if you can’t extremely get your hands on Tamiflu, you can take com- sour and bitter,” Deane writes. “In comparison the mildly bigger Sweet fort that a potential flu cure is probGum is definitely sweeter.” ably growing in your yard.

It is native to the Southeast United Sweet Gums are members of States – one of the most common the uniquely understandable scientrees in our forests – and ranges tific genus Liquidambar – Latin for from Texas to Florida and north to “liquid amber” and a reference to Connecticut. It also grows native the sweet-smelling, golden juice or MARCH 2016

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in parts of Mexico and Central America.

The earliest known written record of this tree was in 1519, when Cortez and Montezuma drank the amber liquid from a Sweet Gum during a ceremony.

The Sweet Gum usually is a medium size tree that in extreme circumstances can grow to 150 feet tall and live up to 400 years. The current national champion Sweet Gum is 136 feet tall and resides in North Carolina.

Sweet Gum bark is gray, light brown or reddish colored and deeply ridged and scaly looking, which gives this tree its “alligator wood” nickname. Bark on twigs and branches is especially distinctive and may appear as flat plates or wings along the edges of the branch.

Leaves usually have five pointed lobes (sometimes three or seven

lobes) and appear almost star-shaped.

During spring and summer, they are a rich, bright green. During the fall, Sweet Gum leaves turn vivid shades of red, yellow and purple and are show-offs of the Southern forest.

The gumball fruit of this tree, which have another whole set of derogatory nicknames like monkey balls and space bugs, are plump and green on the tree. They dry to become the sharp brown foot-stickers known to all Southerners.

In addition to its Tamiflu connection – the yellow unfertilized seeds found inside of the Sweet Gum balls have the most shikimic acid – the Sweet Gum has a world of other medicinal uses, including treatments for rheumatic pain, dysentery and diarrhea. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic characteristics have been used to treat skin infections and other problems, such as bedsores,

herpes sores, piles, ringworm and scabies.The resin has been chewed to treat throat problems, asthma and cystitis. Recent research shows Sweet Gum extract may reduce hypertension.

Members of the Cherokee tribes applied sweet gum resin to wounds and also used it to treat sore throats and coughs, and they boiled the inner bark of a Sweet Gum to make a calming tea used as a sedative.

Sweet Gum resin is still used as a type of chewing gum, as an additive to tobacco and as a stab. The resin also has been used in soaps, perfumes and as incense – including those burned in religious ceremonies.

Sweet Gum wood is used as a veneer and as a component of plywood. It is sometimes sold as “satin walnut” for use in furniture or flooring and is often used to make boxes, crates and pallets.

Sweet Gum leaves usually have five lobes

24 LAKE

MARCH 2016

364 Highway 280 Alexander City, AL 35010

(P) 256-329-1180 (F) 256-329-1173

MARCH 2016

LAKE 25

Best Chef of the South Nominee

T

he James Beard Foundation has selected Rob McDaniel, general manager and executive chef of SpringHouse Restaurant at Russell Crossroads, among 20 semifinalists for Best Chef of the South for 2016.

This is the fourth consecutive year McDaniel has been nominated for the award. He is one of 20 nominees and one of only three from Alabama.

“I hope that this is maybe the year that I get a nod into the Top 5,” said McDaniel. “But of all the chefs in the South, to be one of 20 is pretty awesome to me.

“But I don’t come to work every day to win a James Beard Award. We come to work every day here at SpringHouse to do the best we can do to put out the best food possible for our customers. It takes the people in the front of the house and those in the back of the house to make it all work.”

The two other Alabama chefs that received Beard nominations for Best Chef in the South for 2016 were David Bancroft of Acre in Auburn and Bill Briand of Fisher’s Upstairs in Orange Beach.

In addition, Dolester Miles of Birmingham’s Highlands Bar & Grill received a nomination

for Outstanding Pastry Chef and Highlands Bar & Grill was also nominated for Outstanding Restaurant.

McDaniel said Bancroft and Briand are “close personal friends.”

“I’m super excited for the state,” said McDaniel, a Haleyville native and a 2002 graduate of Auburn University.

“In the past, we’ve only had one or two nominations from Alabama, and Florida and Louisiana are pretty saturated. We got three this time, and I’m super-stoked about that and excited to share a nomination with David and Bill.”

The Beard Foundation will announce the final nominees for all award categories March 15. The winners will be announced and honored at the James Beard Awards Gala on May 2 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Selected from an extensive number of online entries, the prestigious group of semifinalists in 10 regions represents America’s best culinary talent.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and further the Foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.

McDaniel has been nominated in the 'Best Chef' category for the fourth year in a row

26 LAKE

STORY BY DAVID GRANGER PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

MARCH 2016

THE LAKE IS THE PART OF US THAT

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27

Freebird catches a breeze near Crowne Point

28 LAKE

MARCH 2016

“Freebird” sails again A die-hard sailor renews the life of an old boat

STORY BY MIMI AMERSON & BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & MIMI AMERSON

MARCH 2016

LAKE 29

N

eighbors told Kurt Pfitzner that the boat had been in the woods since 1990. Rumor had it the late owner’s son just wanted it moved from his property, so after some investigation and conversations, Pfitzner, along with Larry Amerson, rolled the 1970-era mold and tree sap encrusted sailboat off the wooded grove where she’d been parked 20 years ago.

They moved her to Pfitzner’s lot around the corner last July for restoration, but from the beginning, it was Amerson’s boat, Pfitzner said.

A die-hard sailor, Amerson started sailing in 1971 on Lake Sinclair in Georgia.

“I bought a 17-foot Daggerboard Sloop and went to the library. Then I bought a book,” he laughed. “I bounced off docks and banks for a while, but I learned to sail.”

Later, Amerson and his wife Mimi owned a 41-foot Hunter and lived aboard for a little more than a year.

They sailed to the Keys once and twice to the British Virgin Islands, taking lessons in 2008 to earn certification up to offshore sailing. They took keelboat lessons in Charleston; private livaboard lessons in St. Petersburg and navigation and offshore passage lessons in the Virgin Islands.

“Someone told us once to take all of our lessons in different places, so we could experience different

tides,” Amerson said.

They had lived in StillWaters for six years in the 1990s while Amerson worked in Tallassee, and two years ago, they found their way back to the area.

“We always said that when we retired we would move back to Lake Martin,” Amerson said, “so in 2014, we sold the boat and moved here.”

Those “in the know” would say that a “free” boat is the most expensive kind of boat to own, but that wasn’t the case with this simple, well-constructed sailboat, Mimi said.

Pictures posted to a livaboard sailboat group on a Facebook page helped determine that the Venture 21 Pfitzner found had been designed by Roger MacGregor. The hull number identified her as a 1978, and the previous property owner verified that his dad had purchased her new in Opelika. She had been a regular racer on Lake Martin in her day, he said.

More Internet research reported the Venture 21’s basic claim to fame is speed. She was one of the first hot retracting keelboats and one of the fastest of its type. The high sail area to weight ratio and long underbody enables the boat to plane and surf easily. She has a deep, wing-shaped keel with a maximum draft of 5 feet 6 inches and a minimum of 1 foot.

The retracting keel concept was pioneered by

Kurt Pfitzner and Larry Amerson rescued the boat from the woods, and Amerson restored her

30 LAKE

MARCH 2016

MacGregor Yacht Corporation, making it possible for easy trailering, launching and storage while preserving the safety of a true keelboat. The retracting keel is a heavily ballasted fin (the keel weighs 400 pounds) that is raised and lowered by a winch in the boat.

This one needed a new winch, as well as replacement of rotted wood and other repairs.

A new winch was installed, and though lowering of the keel couldn’t be tested until the boat could be launched, it worked as intended.

The lowered keel serves two functions. It is heavy and deep enough to make the boat self-righting and stable. Its long, slender wing shape provides lift and resistance to keep the boat from sliding sideways when sailing into the wind.

When the keel is up, the boat can be floated on and off its trailer and maneuvered in shallow water.

Restoration included replacing all the wood on the boat.

The fiberglass on the Venture 21 is hand laid, layer-by-layer, with a high percentage of tough woven roving reinforcement.

Fortunately, the hull integrity was sound, but some 30 gallons of water that had accumulated over the years had to be removed from the hull.

The wood trim on the cabin companionway, the outboard motor mount and the keel winch brace also were replaced.

The cabin windows were resealed. The rubber rub rail was removed, cleaned, replaced and sealed. The mast step was straightened and sealed.

The wooden tiller was sanded and varnished. It had suffered little, as along with the mast, boom, standing rigging, rudder and sails, it had been stored safely in a boathouse all those years.

The sails were in excellent condition, stored dry in their original sail bags. She came with a main sail, jib and genoa.

A main sail cover was found in the sail bag, and both jibs came with a complete set of jib hanks. All she needed was new halyards.

A missing pulley was replaced at the end of the boom.

A couple of folding cleats were added to the foredeck to secure her to the dock, and the smallest outboard available was mounted to the stern.

After more than six months in restoration, she was ready to launch.

Her trailer needed a little work to get her to the dock, so more time was spent in replacing tires and the trailer winch, after which the mast was secured to a removable brace on the stern, and the rudder was removed for traveling.

Amerson and Pfitzner knew she would float, but without being able to lower the keel until the boat was in the water, they were not sure if she would sail.

After a brief champagne toast to the four winds in her name, the sailors stepped the mast and launched.

They named her “Freebird” because she was free one more time and because a sailboat’s sails act much like a bird’s wing to propel her.

Amerson said the boat needs a little more tweaking to be able to trim her sails properly, but maybe racing on Lake Martin is in her future again. For now, she’s back on the water and bringing joy to a lifelong sailor.

MARCH 2016

The Venture 21 had been in the woods for some 20 years

Amerson replaced the rotting wood

He also installed a new winch

He added the smallest motor available

LAKE 31

The Art of Ruth Nabors

Irene was a Ugandan village woman who cooked for visiting missionaries.

W

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

hen Lake Martin anesthesiologist Ruth Nabors retired, her friend Elaine Gwaltney told her, “You need to do something to get out of the house.”

So Nabors picked up a paintbrush three years ago, with astounding results.

“I took lessons from Bonnie Luckie and just started painting,” Nabors said. “I enjoy going to her studio in town. It’s such an eclectic group of people – young and old – and we talk about each other’s paintings. It’s fun.”

“Fun” is one of Nabors’ favorite subjects. She paints children making sand castles and dogs with curious expressions, school busses, old farmhouses and new babies.

She gives her paintings as gifts because it’s a great way to connect with people. Warming their hearts, she said, warms her own.

32 LAKE

Nabors now divides her time between Lake Martin and Montgomery, and her lake friends recently honored her with a reception and art show at the Gwaltney family lake house at Kowaliga. They brought the paintings she had done for them over the years – portraits of their children and grandchildren, their pets, the landscapes, views and still-lives they love. They displayed the works on easels and tables and across the hearth in a light-filled great room and admired the collection of 50 or more works of art.

There was a sweet portrait of Charlotte Nader wearing her sunglasses and another of Nabors’ son, Sprat, on the followthrough of a golf swing.

There was one entitled “Relief” that showed the backs of three young boys in yellow raincoats relieving themselves in a field.

MARCH 2016

“I had a photograph of them. My son and his friend were two of the boys, and when the friend was married not long ago, I gave him the painting for a wedding present,” Nabors said. “That was hilarious.”

But painting was not part of Nabors’ original plan for her retirement.

The Macon County, Alabama, native grew up on a farm and went to Auburn University; then, to medical school at University of South Alabama and a residency at UAB. She worked in Montgomery and joined the staff at Russell Medical Center when her children were young.

Retirement came early when she was diagnosed ~ Ruth with two kinds of cancer.

After surgery and aggressive treatments, one of the cancers is gone and the other is in remission.

“Cancer makes you live every day. You wake up and put your lipstick on, and you’ll try anything. You’re fearless,” she said. “Every day is a blank canvas, and you paint on it.

“Some days, I don’t like what I painted. That’s OK. I start over. The next one is better.”

Nabors – not one to have ever been not busy – struggled with retirement at first, until Gwaltney encouraged her to find an engaging hobby.

She started, she said, with pencil; then moved on to charcoal; pastels; and oil. Now she’s experimenting with watercolor.

“Each medium teaches me something about the other medi-

ums,” Nabors said. “Watercolor has more contrast. That will help me with my oil painting.”

But she likes portraits best.

“It’s challenging, getting the expressions right,” she said.

She likes to paint from photographs, and although fun is a theme that runs through most of her art, one of her favorite pieces, “Irene,” is a poignant replication of a Ugandan woman in bright fabrics sitting on a dirt floor, an earthen bowl at her side. Irene gazes at something beyond the painting’s frame with longing eyes and a thought-provoking expression that makes the viewer wonder.

Nabors was introduced to Irene in a photo posted Nabors to a Facebook page.

On a mission trip to Africa, Rachel Luckie had taken Irene’s photo. Irene had cooked for the missionaries, and they had worked to improve the quality of life and share the Gospel in her community. Ruth painted Irene before Rachel returned home.

The work is a favorite of others, too, as Ruth has painted Irene more than once and gifted the pieces.

“Our community became part of her community, and now she is part of our community, too,” Nabors said. “I love how that happens.”

Her talent for painting was – and continues to be – a discovered gift, Nabors said, one through which she expresses her love, joy and friendship.

“I love to paint things that make other people smile because if they smile, I smile,” she said.

“Every day is a blank canvas, and you paint on it.”

Nabors enjoys painting children like Virginia from photographs

MARCH 2016

LAKE 33

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LAKE 35

BASS FISHING

Tournaments are big business in the off-season STORY & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Chance Rich looks for fish in Sand Creek while practicing for the Bassmaster College Series

36 LAKE

MARCH 2016

MARCH 2016

LAKE 37

College anglers await a 6:30 a.m. Blastoff on a cold February morning

L

ake Martin belongs to the fishermen in the offseason, and big-time tournaments kept boats on the water and patrons in local hotels and restaurants last month as anglers came in early to practice and pick up supplies.

“I’m covered up,” Randy Baker of Fish Tales Bait & Tackle in Alexander City said Feb. 19 as the third tournament in as many weeks rolled into the area.

In all, 568 boats and 1,136 fishermen competed, spending close to $3 million in total.

The action began with Russ Johnson and Hunter Schrock who proved that anglers don’t need fancy electronics to catch fish at Lake Martin. The Itawamba Community College competitors took the title at last month’s Bassmaster College Series Southern Conference Regional without a depth finder or fish locator.

“We do not have a single bit of electronics,” said Schrock.

“We fish shallow,” explained his teammate.

The Itawamba Indians team fought misfortune all week to win the title from a field of 214 boats, the largest entry count in the history of the series. The first day of the tournament, the pair locked the boat keys in the truck and had to break in with a tennis racket and a pine branch to launch. Their take from the lake weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces.

On the second day, a bearing went out on the truck on their way to the boat ramp. Local law enforcement officers Steve Morgan and Quin Daniels helped to get them back on the road to catch 11 pounds, 9 ounces and make the 26-boat cut for the last day’s fishing in 16th place.

On the final day of competition, they borrowed a boat from another Indians team to avoid damage to the new bearing. Though it was outfitted with electronics, the 38 LAKE

Monroe County anglers didn’t use them for fishing.

“We turned them on to see how fast we were going,” Schrock said. “We were going about 67 miles per hour.

Then we turned it off.”

The pair weighed in on Saturday, Feb. 6, with 14 pounds, 8 ounces, taking a lead that had changed hands every day of the tournament.

University of Alabama team members Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson had the lead at the end of the first day of fishing at Wind Creek State Park; they surrendered to teammates John Davis and Payton McGinnis on the second day. McGinnis also caught the tournament’s big fish at 6 pounds, 12 ounces that day.

Itawamba’s winners had never fished Lake Martin before last month’s event, the first Bassmaster College Series tourney to be held here. They arrived in Alexander City the Saturday before the tournament started to practice, find a few fishing holes and test baits.

“We caught a fish on about our 10 cast with KVD 2.5 square bill crank bait, and that pretty much set the tone for the week,” said Johnson. “As soon as we caught the fish, we decided that was what we were going to go with.”

The three-day tournament was a winner for the Lake Martin area as well. Manager of the Carhartt Bassmaster Series estimated the teams from 214 boats spent 862 hotel nights during the event, plus food and gas.

Bethel University’s Coach Garry Mason said his team spent $6,000.

Alex City Marine owner Steven Yearkey said his company worked late all week to maintain and repair nearly 30 tournament boats.

“We were going to Sylacauga, Newnan (Georgia) and

MARCH 2016

Bassmaster College Southern Conference Regional champions Russ Johnson and Hunter Schrock celebrate their win

just about anywhere to get parts,” Yearkey said.

Throughout the area, fishing teams rented hotel rooms and lake houses, ate out and bought gas, spending an estimated $2 million locally, said Weldon.

The following weekend saw another 192 boats at Wind Creek for the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association tournament. Among them were local teams from Benjamin Russell (BRHS) and Dadeville high schools. It was the first tournament for the new BRHS team, which finished 15th out of 38 teams, said Coach Jeff Hines.

“I think we were nervous and did not know what to expect, but I was still proud. We had five boats and four of them weighed fish in,” he said.

Though the team is new, Hines said, no one on the team is new to fishing.

“Most of these kids have fished most of their lives,” he said.

The Dadeville team placed 27.

The economic impact of the one-day tourney, though considerably less than the previous week’s event, included hotel rentals for long-distance teams and restaurant tabs.

“They come in with their boats already gassed up and usually stay at most one night.”

Still, the one-day tournaments are a plus to the local economy during the lake’s recreational off-season.

College anglers wait for results at Wind Creek State Park

MARCH 2016

LAKE 39

Competitors look for a catch in Elkahatchee Creek on day two of the College Series

40 LAKE

MARCH 2016

The South Division Alabama Bass Trail was up next with a field of 162 boats for the two-day tourney on Feb. 19 and 20. Caiden Sinclair returned to Lake Martin with Ethan Flack, who depended on Sinclair’s local knowledge of the lake and his recent experience at the Bassmaster College Series to take first place.

“Two weeks ago we fished the college tournament and saw some quality but just could not get them in the boat,” Sinclair said. “Today we went back to our creek and stuck to what we knew and it paid off.”

Sinclair found that square-billed crankbaits worked two weeks ago and again Saturday.

“We were throwing some shallow crankbaits and fishing slow,” Sinclair said. “We didn’t catch that much, just quality, maybe 11 or 12.”

The pair won $10,000 for their efforts.

Colby Wells of Pensacola landed the big fish of the day, a monster large mouth tipping the scales at 7 pounds 4 ounces.

“About 8:30 (Saturday morning), I was flipping a green pumpkin jig around brush piles and docks in one to three feet of water,” Wells said. “I flipped under a dock in Manoy with brush under it to get the big one.”

“I was scrambling in the boat to get the net,” Wells’ father said. “I was tripping over stuff and getting hooked my self to make sure we got it in the boat.”

As in the case of the Bassmaster College Series event, few hotels rooms were available in the area over the weekend and local restaurants were busy.

CACC's Holden McBride and Dalton Jennings bag their day one catch

Caiden Sinclair and Ethan Flack hold up their winning string in the ABT

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LAKE 41

What is your connection with Lake Martin?

My parents moved here and retired permanently four years ago. They bought a house on the lake several years ago. My brother lives in Birmingham with his family, and my parents can go to Birmingham and help with the grandkids. I love coming here. It is beautiful. I come during the off-season; it’s great for hiking and jogging around the lake.

So you are visiting family at Lake Martin. Where do you live fulltime?

I have a surf school in Bali, Indonesia. I’ve been living there for seven years, teaching primarily females from all over the world. Many of my clients are Australian and European. I also have been coaching younger kids for a surfer girl team. That’s exciting. I offer surf guiding for intermediate and advanced surfers, taking them to different breaks around the island or to other islands and setting up their arrangements and transportation. Before Bali, I was in Central America three years, one year in Costa Rica, one year in Nicaragua and one in Panama. I did some modeling for a surf magazine called Patagonia Water Girl and was dating someone who was competing at the time. So 12 years teaching.

How did this dream job come about?

It came about because of a crossroads in my life. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee and went to Oregon for a master’s in anthropology and economic development. I did my research in Africa, so that’s when I started traveling.

I had started surfing in Oregon. The person I was romantically involved with taught me. My plans were to go to Canada to do a PhD, but he died suddenly, and that changed my whole direction in life.

He and I had shared a dream of traveling and surfing the world. I had another friend who died six months later, and I decided I needed a break from life. Another friend invited me on a surf trip to Mexico, so I thought I would take some time off and stay there for a little while. I got a housesitting job there for the summer. It turned out that surfing was a really good way for me to deal with the grief. At the end, I decided to stay with it.

What’s that been like?

It has been absolutely wonderful. The best decision for me. I have traveled and surfed places all over the world – different islands and different places. Initially, I was going to do research for a book. I am working on that this year.

Teaching became a part of it, a way to make some extra money and a great way for me to give back that gift that was given to me. Surfing is life, work, passion. Awesome. I have met people all over the world. I love it. I love to travel.

I love my life.

How much time do you spend on the water?

Well, my classes are two hours. The surf school – FLOW for “For the Love of Waves” – is very busy. There are no more than two people in a class at a time, so I can give personal attention. Part of it is teaching ocean knowledge and surf etiquette. Most breaks are reef, so surfers must have very good knowledge of the ocean and the tides. I have a lot of returning clients.

What else do you do to stay in shape?

Surfing works every part of the body. I also have been a jogger for a long, long time. I love to trail run and bicycle.

The combination of working the upper and lower body is very important.

What is the culture like in Bali?

Bali is 90 percent Hindu. There also are Muslims and Christians. The local people are very accepting, so peaceful, and they are very connected to their Hindu beliefs. Local ceremonies involve the ocean and moon cycles. It’s a peaceful place. December through February are the monsoon season, so it’s off-season there and a good time to come back to the States to visit. March through November is the best time to visit Bali.

What is your favorite thing about being at Lake Martin?

Oh, the beauty. I love it here. My favorite thing to do while here is hiking with my dad. I try to come back twice a year.

Vickers rides a wave during a photoshoot for Patagonia Water Girl magazine

42 LAKE

Photo by Ben Moon

MARCH 2016

Lake Q&A:

Katherine Vickers MARCH 2016

LAKE 43

44 LAKE

MARCH 2016

The new Breezy Bay home takes advantage of Lake Martin's higher winter pool

Breezy Bay

New build maximizes living and bunk space at Bay Pine Island STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE

MARCH 2016

LAKE 45

A stone slab serves as mantel for the wood burning fireplace

L

ake Martin’s higher winter water level and sky rocketing real estate prices have houses sprouting up like wildflowers on now-promising lots that couldn’t return the investment at the low water, recession figures of a few years ago.

Breezy Bay is one of those blossoming areas.

Nestled at the end of a Shady Bay slough between Bay Pine Island and Windy Point, Breezy Bay in Jacksons Gap is 10 minutes from Alexander City.

The end of this wide slough features a cozy beach and a mile-long view, and that’s where long-time Lake Martin resident and builder Bill Kinnebrew planted a home that matches the million-dollar location.

The 2,863-square-foot home includes features that define Lake Martin style, with some added surprises from Birmingham designer David Smelcer.

The home is oriented to take advantage of the long view from the front door forward. The large open entry is situated two steps above the living space, so the unobstructed view can be seen over the furniture instead of through it. The lakeside wall of tall French doors and paned sidelights, topped with square transoms, draws the outside into the warm and cozy – but very roomy – living space.

46 LAKE

MARCH 2016

The great room features a flagstone wood-burning fireplace with a stone slab mantel, constructed by The Backyard, a masonry company. Kinnebrew used the same rocks here that make up the front porch, patio and exterior walks, again bringing the outside in.

The front porch is a new take on living at the lake. Smelcer designed a true porch, one that is large enough to accommodate a small table and chairs and keep guests out of the weather while they wait for the door to be answered.

Kinnebrew widened the flagstone porch railings to create rock benches in a cool setting where someone might even hang out to watch the wildlife in the woods that spill into the front yard.

Father and son owners Jack and William Nix decorated the home’s interior with a decidedly – but not overwhelming – masculine flair that includes leather furniture with nail head trim, weathered woods and iron fixtures. The floors are 6-inch pine with a dark stain to balance the tan butted board walls and the weathered wood great room ceiling with its shipwreck gray stain.

The open concept kitchen features a commercial grade gas Viking range and dishwasher. Metal cone

The woodwork in the home accents dramatic architectural lines

MARCH 2016

LAKE 47

Pecky cypress panels one wall in the downstairs half bath

Hall bunks conserve space and offer extra sleeping quarters

There's plenty of room on the beach for a fire pit and lots of chairs

An upstairs bedroom enjoys a wraparound view

The owners finished the large master shower with wood grain tile and a pebble foor

Oscilating ceiling fans complement the industrial iron accents in the home

48 LAKE

MARCH 2016

The spacious kitchen includes seating for 10 or more

pendants hang above the farmhouse sink and granite island counter at which the owners stationed four bar stools with iron bases. The back counters are poured and glossy-finished concrete, stained black to complement the modern lines of the black pulls on gray Shaker cabinets.

Large enough for several cooks, the galley enjoys lake views, as well as the social company of the living space.

The kitchen also includes a spacious pantry behind a wooden cell door trimmed with hammered nail heads and an iron grate over a peeping window. An icemaker and wine refrigerator make for easy entertaining as well.

In the breakfast/dining area between the galley and another set of French doors that lead to the lakeside covered patio, the Nixes chose a cultured marble IO Metro table with iron bases that look like giant connectors on a railroad car.

Burnt orange leather chairs at the gathering table create a beautiful entertainment space in which guests can linger while the sun sets on the lake like a floor-to-ceiling painting.

Outside, Breezy Bay’s namesake breeze draws cool air from the lake through the trees to

a post and beam covered patio living space with lake views and access to a fire pit. The trees are young, as the lot was hand cleared to minimize construction damage. A flagstone walk leads to the two-slip covered boathouse, which is still under construction but most certainly will be ready for the summer season.

A second flagstone patio adjacent to the first spills into the interior great room, completing the plan for entertainment flow from the house to the lake and back again.

The acre-plus lot includes a deep beach that separates the property from the one next door, which Kinnebrew also built. Rock walls at the beach match the house and were also constructed by the Backyard, so the style and quality are consistent.

Back inside, a half bath off the entry maintains the theme of warm wood and iron with a wall paneled in vertical pecky cypress boards and a hammer-finished vanity counter.

At the end of the hall, the master enjoys a spectacular view of its own. Five windows wrap the lakeside corner of the house with both the long view and the beach view, the best of both.

MARCH 2016

LAKE 49

Patio options include sun and shade

The master bath includes separate vanities and a large, roomy shower tiled in wood grain ceramic.

The owners left room for the addition of a large tub, but in the meantime, the space makes a great dressing area next to a walk-in closet that has been finished with shoe boxes, rows of shelves and rods and still has room for a highboy.

For the entry stairwell, Kinnebrew used construction grade rebar, painted black, instead of the popular cable screen. The textured bars mirror the iron features on the first floor. Two-story stacks of eight-pane windows flood the downstairs living space with natural light in the morning, as the doors and windows on the lakeside walls catch the afternoon shade of the treed yard and the evening sky.

Upstairs, Smelcer used the hall space creatively, dropping four bunks into otherwise wasted wall space. It’s a great way to add sleeping space for the kids at the lake without crowding.

The second level of the Breezy Bay home also includes two bedrooms that share a hall bath and a third, family bedroom or bunk room that features a private bath and two built-in bunks, as well as space for a large bed or additional bunks.

A walk-in closet off this bath offers access 50 LAKE

MARCH 2016

to unfinished bonus space that could be a craft room, home office or a secret playroom for the children.

The corner bedroom also features a wraparound window view of Lake Martin.

All of the bedrooms are equipped with oscillating cage ceiling fans to reduce energy use, and the home’s variable speed heating and cooling system operates at 1.5 or the full 3 tons, depending on the demand created by use and outdoor temperatures. The builder also used reflective roof decking that lowers attic temperature by 15 degrees.

Under the stairs, Kinnebrew included doghouse space – or lake storage if the dog would rather be underfoot in the living areas.

The home was finished last fall with the intention that it would always be for sale as a completely furnished lake house. In the meantime, Bill Nix enjoys bringing his two school-aged daughters to the lake, and Jack hopes to catch another striper like the trophy he caught for the entry wall at Breezy Bay. For information about this Jacksons Gap home, call Paige Patterson of Lake Martin Voice Realty at 205-616-8046.

LAKE MARTIN BUILDING SUPPLY

2695 Dadeville Road

256.234.5500

Alexander City, AL

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Choose Radney Funeral Home PO Box 99 1326 Dadeville Road Alexander City, Alabama 35011 256-234-2511 www.radneyfuneralhome.com

Langley Funeral Home PO Box 130 21837 U.S. Highway 280 Dadeville, AL 36853 256-896-2571 www.langleyfuneralhome.com

MARCH 2016

LAKE 51

HOBO announces plans for annual meeting

T

helps to fund our ongoing he Lake Martin efforts to help organize Home Owners & and promote, in partnerBoat Owners orgaships with each county’s nization, better known as sheriff’s departments, the the HOBOs, is excited to Neighborhood Watch proannounce that on May 14 grams in the surrounding we will hold our annual Lake Martin area. meeting of the HOBO Of course, the free members at Copper’s Grill breakfast served to memin StillWaters. Breakfast HOBO bers during the annual will begin at 9 a.m., and

BY DAVID HEINZEN meetings isn’t free for the meeting will begin no the HOBOs organization. later than 10 a.m. Equally There are numerous additional operatgood news is that the meeting will end ing costs incurred while administering by no later than 11 a.m. to allow for Copper’s Grill to begin serving lunch to the HOBOs vision and purpose. All its clientele. That will leave ample time of this is brought to you by 14 board member volunteers. All of them are for the golfers in attendance to play 18 active and participating. holes.

Our nominating committee is That, my friends, will not be free, working to present its recommended but it is very reasonably priced by golf course owners, Keith and Debbie Hiett. candidates to fill the seven board positions that will become open. The If you haven’t already visited Copper’s slate will be presented to the HOBO Grill – part of the StillWaters Golf clubhouse – or its Tradition golf course, members attending the annual meeting for their elections to two-year terms. you’ve missed a wonderful and unforNominations will also be open to the gettably pleasant experience. floor. Meeting attendees will also hear As we have done since our founding in 2007, the buffet breakfast will be free from a few select presenters regarding timely and topical subjects. to all active HOBO members. That is Lake Martin is very important to to say, it’s free to anyone who has paid nearly everyone in our area. It is our HOBO dues for 2016. If you haven’t hope that all who directly or indirectly already paid your membership dues, benefit from this Treasured Lake will you can go to www.lakemartin.org to learn how to pay. A family membership choose to participate in membership to one or, better yet, all three of the public (two members) costs a mere $25. non-governmental organizations that A portion of our dues pays for the advocate for it – HOBOs, Lake Watch signage that promotes Lake Martin’s status as “Treasured Lake of Alabama.” and Lake Martin Resource Association.

Like church, this all boils down to Each of the ubiquitous four-color signs stewardship – a time, treasure or talent mounted on two steel posts and held decision. Never let what you cannot do with stainless steel security fasteners interfere with what you can do. costs $150. Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa county highway departments Dave Heinzen is president of Lake donate the installation labor. A hundred Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners signs have been erected on roads leadAssociation. Visit the HOBO webpage ing to the lake in our tri-county area. at www.lakemartin.org.

Another large portion of our dues

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MARCH 2016

LAKE 53

FROM OUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISERS

FABULOUS FINDS

136 Oaks Point in River Oaks • $959,000 Incredible custom lake home on large point lot with 424 FT WF near Hwy 280. 4 BR, 4 BA with four car garage.

Solid oak flooring and cabinets, oak panel library, home theater. Call to see today!

First Realty Call Bill Whatley 256-234-5163 • 1-800-471-LAKE www.LakeMartinHomes.net

419 Pine Point, Eclectic • $1,075,000 Quality Living at It's Best...in this well-maintained and elegant lake home! Located in Trillium, this home features 2.5 stories, 5BD/4.5BA, 2 FRs, play room, 2 Kit., expansive decks, salt water pool, hot tub/spa w/privacy fence and more! All overlooking beautiful Lake Martin..so bring the family and friends and begin entertaining and enjoying life!

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

Lot 40 North Willow Way, Alexander City• $395,000 A RARE FIND - lake lot in the gate guarded community of Willow Point. +/Two acre lot that is located in Phase 6B. No association dues. Privacy with nice view from cove. Don't miss out on the one and only lake lot currently available in WP! Build that perfect Lake home in this prestigious neighborhood!

RE/MAX Around the Lake Call Samantha Spurlin 256-786-0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com

Lot 16 Cedar Point, Equality • $810,000 Proposed new construction. Plans by architect Mitch Ginn.

Located in the new development of Cedar Point. Large lots with incredible views. Other plans and lots available.

Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

35 Canoe Point, Equality • $795,000 New Construction. The Shell Cracker XL is a great terrace level floor plan designed by Mitch Ginn. Home features two bedrooms and baths on both main and terrace levels. Terrace also has game room with summer kitchen. Located in the new development of Cedar Point with large lots and incredible views. This pre-sale package includes the lot, cottage, seawall, and dock.

Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

Lot 22 Cedar Point, Equality • $735,000 Proposed New Construction. The Shell Cracker is a great terrace level floor plan designed by Mitch Ginn. Home features 2 BR and 2 BA on both main and terrace levels.

Terrace also has game room with summer kitchen. Located in the new development of Cedar Point with large lots and incredible views. This pre-sale package includes the lot, cottage, seawall, and dock.

Lake Martin Realty Damon Story 205.789.9526 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

The Ridge Phase 2, Ella Belle WOW, what a view from this just completed beautiful lake home by Legacy New Homes!

With a nice open floor plan, this home has 2 master Suites on the main level with a second family room And 2 guest suites on the lower level. Wonderful Outdoor space with a great big water view. Call Today to find out more about this house.

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

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South Ridge Harbor, The Spinnaker Breaking ground soon! Classic Homes will introduce a new house plan to South Ridge Harbor designed by Larry Furlong. The “Spinnaker” has 4 bedrooms and 5 full and one half bathrooms.

Owner’s retreat and guest suite on main level.

Lake Level has second living area with wonderful outdoor living and long water views.

Call today for more details.

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

150 Sixth Avenue, Eclectic • $599,000 Excellent opportunity to own a lake home in the Old Harmony slough on the Montgomery side of the lake. Built in 2014, this home offers a spacious living / kitchen / dining area which opens to a lakeside screened porch and deck. The Master bedroom is on the main level with 3 more bedrooms upstairs. The terrace level is the perfect place to enjoy a football game, card game, movie & easy access to the lake!

Lake Martin Realty Becky Haynie 334.312.0928 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

MARCH 2016

87 Sunset Drive, Dadeville • $925,000 Architecturally designed by ''Mitch Ginn''! Large great room open to upscale kitchen with vaulted wood ceilings, granite, stainless appliances and rock backsplash. Master on the main floor with beautiful bath and big walk-in closet. The terrace level offers summer kitchen, 2nd family room, 4 BR, 2 BA. Outside enjoy beautiful BIG sunset views, covered deck and patio, great swimming area, awesome boat house with two slips and lifts, sea doo port and storage. Call today!

Lake Martin Realty Rhonda Jaye Gaston 256.749.8681 www.LakeMartinRealty.com

Processed Foods

P

They’re not all bad

aware of added sugar. Sugar is added not just to rocessed foods do not have a good reputasweet foods but also to a lot of other products, tion. They are blamed for being unhealthy such as bread, yogurt, sauces and frozen fruit. It and causing the obesity epidemic, Type 2 does not matter if it is labeled as “organic” or high diabetes and high blood pressure. While some fructose corn syrup; sugar is sugar is sugar. of this statement is true, there needs to be some Avoiding added sugar is much healthier. The clarification about what actually is the definition total carbohydrates on the nutrition label will of processed food. include sugar whether it occurs naturally in the Processed food can be defined as any food that food or if it has been added; therefore, look at has been altered from its natural state. If you really the ingredient list to see if “added” sugar is listed think about that statement, it stands to reason that as one of the first few ingredients. Look for the most food can be considered processed to one words “sugar,” “corn syrup,” “honey,” “fruit juice degree or another.

HEALTHY LIVING concentrate,” “cane sugar,” “maltose” or “brown Food is processed to make it easier to eat, easier

BY JULIE HUDSON sugar.” to store or for safety reasons. Some examples of Also look for added salt. processing include turning potatoes into chips, Most canned food, soup and sauces have added salt to proapples into applesauce, salad greens into prewashed salad vide texture and flavor and to act as a preservative. We need greens and olives into olive oil. The problem lies when the sodium in our diets; however, most of us consume a lot more alteration of the food diminishes the nutritional content. This sodium than the recommended 2,300 milligrams per day. degree of processing is what is so prevalent and can be responRecent research indicates that 75 percent of the sodium we consible for compromising our health.

While some processed foods should be approached with cau- sume comes from processed food, not as a result of adding salt at the table or during cooking. tion, there is a place for processed food in a healthy diet. There Still, canned vegetables, beans and soups can be part of a is a drastic difference in heavily processed food and minimally healthy diet. It is definitely not worth avoiding them all togethprocessed. The following are some examples: er, but it would be wise to purchase the low sodium brands and Minimally processed foods: bagged lettuce and spinach, take the extra step to rinse vegetables. Doing these things can chopped vegetables, roasted nuts. These are processed for conreduce the sodium by as much as 40 percent. venience.

Fats are added to foods to make them shelf stable and to Foods processed at peak ripeness to lock in freshness and add body and flavor. Trans fats are on the decline in many pronutritional value: canned beans, tomatoes, vegetables, frozen cessed foods; however, it is still important to check the label. fruits and vegetables and canned tuna.

Trans fats increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterFoods processed to add flavor and texture using spices, ol. The Food and Drug Administration says that a product can oils, preservatives, sweeteners and colors: jarred sauces, advertise zero trans fats if it contains less than a half-gram per yogurt, salad dressings and cake mixes. serving. Check the label, and if the label says partially hydrogeReady-to-eat foods are more heavily processed: crackers, nated vegetable oils than you know the food item contains trans granola, deli meat. fats.

The most heavily processed foods include frozen or preIn summary, if you eat a lot of highly processed foods, your made microwavable meals or frozen pizza. goal should be to work toward eating only minimally processed Processed foods that add nutrition are very important to our foods. If you eat minimally process foods already, stick to the diets. Take milk or juice for instance, which has vitamin D and ones that do not contain added sugar, salt or fat. calcium added. Dry cereals have been fortified with iron and It is wise to focus on whole foods that are nutrient dense. fiber. Canned fruit packed in its own juice without added sugar is a healthy option when fresh fruit is not available. The bagged Cook at home so you have total control of what is going into your food. Avoid, or eat very sparingly, canned foods that confresh vegetables and salad greens provide another healthy tain a lot of added sodium and fat, packaged snack foods – such option. These foods are a quick alternative to healthy eating. as chips and candy – frozen dinners and meats that are high in It is important to take the time to learn about your favorite sodium, packaged cakes and cookies, boxed meal mixes that foods. Start by looking at the ingredient list to decipher if anyare high in fat and sodium and processed meats. thing has been added to the food item.

While it is almost impossible to avoid all processed foods – It is very difficult to totally avoid all processed food because and some of them are processed to our benefit – better health most food is processed in some way or another; however, concan be achieved by discriminating and making healthy choices. sumers need to be aware of food that has added sugar, salt or fat. This is what causes obesity, high blood pressure and Type 2 Julie Hudson is a dietician at the Lake Martin Wellness diabetes.

Center in Dadeville.

As I mentioned in this column last month, we need to be MARCH 2016

LAKE 55

It takes a village!

General Contractor

I

Attorney

Real Estate

t truly takes a village of people to help buyers purchase a home here at Lake Martin.

Sure, you might be tempted to think that the only people involved are real estate agents and lenders. While they are a great idea, agents and lenders are not necessary. I will say that, according to the National Association of Realtors, 87 percent of buyers used Realtors last year to help them in their purchases. Since I am an agent, this recommendation won’t surprise you, but I do think a great agent more than pays for himself or herself. Choose one wisely.

Your agent should also be able to help you find additional people to assist in your purchase. An effective agent should have the contact information of the below folks ready at a moment’s notice.

A first person you might need is a good general contractor or GC. A GC’s advice can give you the data you need to be confident about your decision to negotiate with the seller and get a written contract. You may need them to walk through the home on which you have selected to make an offer if there are big repair items, but please do not drag the GC around to every single home you view. You want them to actually return your call when it really counts.

One of the first things to do after you have a written contract is to think about the land on which the home sits. Before you even get to the house, it is a good idea to hire a surveyor.

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Home Inspector

PestControl

When you consider that most of the value of a waterfront home is in the dirt, it’s a good idea to get data on that dirt. A surveyor can help. Some buyers elect to go pretty light here and only ask the surveyor to “mark the corners.” This means simply finding each point of the property line and putting up some sort of marker.

Another option, albeit more expensive, is to get a complete survey of the property and its improvements. At the end of this operation, you would be handed (or emailed) a survey that shows the home, the dock, the driveway and just about anything else that is on the lot. A drawing like this can be extremely useful for future expansions but also could be helpful in case your neighbors get – shall we say – liberal with the placement of their yard art.

Most buyers are attuned to the fact that a home inspector is a critical part of the process. Make sure the one you hire after you are under contract is certified.

My personal theory on home negotiation is not to use the inspector as a way to nickel and dime the seller into having to repair every little scratch on the home; remember, most of the time the value of a Lake Martin home is in the lot any way. It’s just my opinion, but even though I like an inspector to point out every blemish, I am just looking for the big things. I am mainly concerned about the expensive systems or potential repairs. I think buyers should approach inspections with the mindset of priority, ranking the repairs according to their preferences.

Contrastingly, some aggressive buyers in our current

MARCH 2016

Lake Martin home is different, but this could seller’s market are forgoing a home inspecpotentially be an expensive repair or an tion. The mindset of these buyers is that they important part of a planned renovation. want to make their offers more attractive to If the home you like has a dock that only the sellers, thus beating out any potential needs a few top boards replaced, then it is no competing offers, since the purchase is not problem. Your solution could be a carpenter subject to an inspection. If you choose that if the job is that light; however, if the dock route, be careful, and be sure you understand is about to fall in, or if illegal foam has been all the risks. used on the floating dock, you need to get A septic inspector is also a very importhe advice of a contractor that specializes in tant person, and this inspection also should dock construction. A regular home inspection be set up after the contract is signed. A septic usually does not cover the dock or seawall; inspector is needed because of two factors: LAKE PROPERTY so don’t rely on it here. Get a specialist to 1) most home inspectors will not include

BY JOHN COLEY review the situation. the septic system in the scope of the home Similarly, you might need to get the dock inspection; and 2) almost every single home contractor’s advice if you plan a big expansion. What if on Lake Martin is on a septic system. your planned expansion would run afoul of dock regulaMany of the septic tanks were built in a time when tions? Is that a deal breaker for you? Then you had better there was no building code in effect. In fact, the only include that in your negotiations with the seller. time the word “code” came up back then was to describe Selecting a good attorney is often the last choice the lake’s temperature in January. Septic inspections are not a must for every purchase, but a buyer would be wise made in the purchase process, but that does not mean it is an unimportant one. to at least consider it.

First of all, pick someone that is a good explainer. I Next comes a termite inspector, who is usually paid have been selling real estate on Lake Martin for more by the seller, but that’s negotiable. This is a totally sepathan 10 years, and I still learn something new at each rate inspection, done by a pest control professional. closing. When you have questions about something as Usually a termite inspector issues a Wood Infestation important and expensive as a home purchase, it helps to Report, or a WIR. A WIR will tell you if, on the particular day and time inspected, the home had active or previ- have a good teacher on your side instead of a person that just spouts legal jargon. ous infestations of termites, powder post beetles and/or Another critical point in selecting an attorney is his or wood-decaying fungi. her local title search expertise. Just because your cousin Many people I talk to think this is a bond that guarVinny is awesome at health care law in New Jersey antees against the cost of future infestation. It is not the doesn’t mean he is good at searching title at Lake Martin. same thing. If you want a termite bond, negotiate for it.

Our lake counties are rural places (thank the Lord), and A WIR is only a snapshot of that day. the title chain often includes some cornbread and collards Also, unless the house is brand new, I would expect stains. The local title agents know the twists and turns of some previous infestation. Most waterfront homes on the local courthouses. Pick a good one and trust the one Lake Martin are older and have battled the humidity you pick, but get the title insurance anyway because no of the South. This usually yields some sort of previous one is perfect. infestation. Don’t let this freak you out unless the damI may have left a few villagers out, but hopefully, I age is so great that your home inspector is concerned. have named most of them.

An active infestation, however, is a showstopper. You had better get those nasties out of there before you buy John Coley is a broker and owner of Lake Martin the house.

Voice Realty. He is also the author of the blog Lake A dock person is another lake-specific profession Martin Voice at LakeMartinVoice.com. that might not translate to your hometown. Every

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LAKE 57

Rabbit Soup Ingredients 1 whole rabbit 2 carrots medium-diced 1 large sweet onion medium-diced 3 ribs celery medium-diced 2 packed cups chopped kale, beet greens or Swiss chard 1 head garlic minced 3 bay leaves 1 gallon rabbit or chicken stock (you can brown the rabbit bones and make a quick stock) 2 sprigs of thyme

1/4 cup small diced smoked bacon 2 tablespoons olive oil Directions Bone the rabbit completely. There is a good bit of meat on a rabbit, front and back legs loin and belly or rib flap. Once all the meat has been removed from the bone, cut into quarter-sized pieces.

In a medium-sized Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat; add

bacon and thyme. Cook bacon for 4-5 minutes until rendered; remove bacon and thyme stems. Discard the stems and save the bacon to be added back. Once the bacon has been removed, season the rabbit with salt and pepper; then, brown in pan; then, remove and hold with the bacon. Place the garlic, bay, onion, carrot and celery in the pot and sauté for 5 minutes, being sure to stir constantly, as the garlic will burn if not careful. Add rabbit and bacon back to the pot; then, cover with 1 gallon stock and simmer for one hour. Once the soup has simmered for an hour, add greens; turn off heat and taste for seasoning adjustments.

Enjoy!

CHEF’S TABLE

BY ROB MCDANIEL

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

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MARCH 2016

LAKE 59

Just keep tasting

E

I need to stay, let’s say, focused. Even when veryone has heard the old joke about we spit, a certain amount of alcohol is absorbed getting to Carnegie Hall. A couple visitinto the system. ing New York City stops a man carrying a The routine, as I have described many times violin case to ask for directions. and will again, is the practice, practice, practice “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” the huspart of learning about wine. With the current band asks. routing, Emporium Wine is usually the first stop The violinist who has just come from a of the day, and we, as well as the rep, are getting lengthy and grueling rehearsal replies, “Practice, the first taste of the day’s samples. On occasion, practice, practice.” we will find one that is flawed; when we are My advice for learning about wine is similar; the last stop, any defective wines will have been it starts with and ends with tasting. pulled from the lineup. What we taste is always In the wine business, we often get cracks what is currently available or very near the end about drinking on the job and truth be known, FROM THE CELLAR of the current vintage. it’s no joke. In any given week, we might taste

BY HENRY FOY A taste is about one ounce, and the process 12 or more wines. At other times, it may be starts by evaluating the color, the aroma; and much less, even none at all. The difference is that we aren’t really drinking; we merely taste the wines that then, swishing and spitting. Thus, the spit bucket. If we didn’t spit, nobody would get any work done, and the rep are being shown. The dump bucket, spit bucket or spittoon, would need a designated driver. whatever you want to call it, is an essential tool of the trade.

Another tool we use is a tasting sheet with notes about the It may be difficult to believe but when we taste, we actually varietal or characteristics of the wines we are tasting. These spit out more than we consume. tasting notes are helpful and informative, as are the backHere’s an inside look at what it’s like to be a wine merchant. Anyone with a hankering to get in the wine biz should stories on the winemakers or vineyards that the reps can provide. The tasting sheet is a good place to record my obserpay particular attention. Those with just a casual interest in vations, as I consider purchasing or passing on a particular wine will recognize the similarities to a public wine tasting. wine. Tasting notes and a scorecard for each wine help keep The concept, if you will, is like getting to Carnegie Hall. bits of information and impressions organized.

With wine, it is exposure to the many, many, many varieties, In our February tasting, we compared three Old styles and nuances that make one wine more or less desirable World wines to their New World cousins. The term Old than another. Let’s start at the beginning.

Retailers in Alabama can only purchase alcoholic beverag- World essentially refers to European wines, those areas that are considered the birthplace of wine. New World wines es through licensed distributors who purchase directly from are those with more modern roots like North and South the producers. We cannot circumvent the distributor to buy America, Australia and New Zealand and South Africa. directly from a winery; nor can we buy wine from another Old World wines generally tend to be lighter-bodied and retailer or any other source. Not legally.

So the process begins with a knock on the door and a rep- less fruit-forward with lower alcohol content than New World wines. resentative of the distributor who says, “Would you like to The line-up put a Macon-Village (White Burgundy) taste some wine?” and we say, “Duh.” against a California Chardonnay; A Cotes de Nuit Understand that the distributor’s rep has a territory, a (Red Burgundy) against a California Pinot Noir; and protected territory mind you, which means that the distribua Bordeaux against a California Claret (Red Blend). tors don’t compete at the brand level. Only rarely might two This month, we will replicate almost exactly a presendistributors carry the same brand, and when they do, we can tation of wine from a single producer, Cannonball Wine only buy that product from the one with rights to the terriCompany in Healdsburg, California. Participants will get to tory. see and perform the same process of evaluation, just as we The territories may cover several counties and many do every week. The particular wines will be a newly released outlets, which include groceries, convenience stores and Rosé, a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and their red restaurants, as well as retailers. Point being that when they show up with samples, we are one stop of several. I say “we” blend called Angels and Cowboys.

It’s not the way to Carnegie Hall, but we’ll probably learn because I want my staff to participate whenever possible. something about wine if we just keep tasting.

Personally, I prefer to “taste” in the morning because I

think my senses, particularly smell and taste, are more acute.

Henry Foy is the owner of Emporium Wine, Café 128, Nine o’clock is not a good time for anyone trying to run a Gallery 128 located in downtown Alexander City at 128 business to get sloshed. Plus, though we call them “reps,” Calhoun Street. He can be reached at 256.212.WINE, on they are at their core salespeople whose job it is to sell me Instagram, Facebook and at emporium128@bellsouth.net. their wine.

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MARCH 2016

LAKE 61

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MARCH 2016

Putting 101

Pro Tips From Lee Williams Everyone has heard the saying, “Drive for show; putt for dough.” This one is all so true. Putting can cover up a lot of mistakes throughout a round. There are two basic parts to putting: line and speed. The toughest part is starting the ball on line every putt. There can be a million reasons why you don’t start the ball on the intended line; therefore, I believe I can best help you with speed through this article. The number one thing you must do to have consistent speed is hit the putt solid. A solid putt will produce consistent speed along with a roll that allows the ball to hug the grass. The best drill I know for learning how to hit a putt solid is the coin drill. Place a quarter on the ground and make a putting stroke, hitting the quarter as if it is a ball. You will be amazed at how difficult this simple drill will be at first. As time goes on, it will become very easy to hit the quarter each time. You will notice an increase in the number of putts you hit solid and the roll it produces. Once you can consistently hit solid putts, the next thing you need to focus on is how far past the hole you want the ball to finish. I personally like a putt to finish 1 foot past the hole. When I practice, I constantly focus on this type of speed on every putt I hit from a 40-foot putt to a 3-foot putt.

This focuses my mind on speed instead of mechanics and helps me see break the same on every single putt.

If you always have a different speed, the break always changes, resulting in your eyes never adjusting to how putts break. Think about it: If you hit one putt 3 feet past the hole and the next one 1 foot past the hole, your eyes just saw two different amounts of break in the putt. This is confusing to your mind, and the only way to become a good green reader is to manage your speed. If you can hit your putts solid with consistent speed you will shave strokes off your game and will “putt for dough.”

Good Luck!

Lee Williams, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, grew up playing golf at Willow Point Country Club. As an amateur, Williams was a member of the 2003 and 2005 Walker Cup teams, as well as the 2004 World Amateur Team. He is sponsored by Russell Lands, King Honda, Nowlin and Associates, P.F. Chang’s, Tempus Jet, Hyatt, Adams Golf, Russell Athletic, Titleist, Ameritas Financial Corp. and Southwest Airlines.

MARCH 2016

Getting a good fit

BY BETSY ILER

A golf swing, like DNA, is unique to the person holding the club, said Willow Point Golf Pro Matt Sheppard; to get the most benefit for your swing, clubs should be fitted.

“It doesn’t cost any more to be fitted properly than it does to buy clubs off the shelf at a big box store, but the right fit can make a huge difference in your game,” Sheppard said.

The right fit starts on the driving range, he explained.

Hit some balls with a selection of clubs that you might consider purchasing and see how they feel.

“The major manufacturers all make good clubs, and you can customize them for your swing,” Sheppard said.

Next, step up to a launch monitor, which will provide speed and ball launch data. This information will be helpful in tailoring a club that compensates for your flaws and maximizes distance and forgiveness. The launch monitor also will check the amount of backspin on your drive, and your pro can make recommendations for maximizing the launch angle with lower backspin to maximize your distance.

Then, put a piece of tape on the bottom of the club and hit a few balls to check the lie angle. If you hit the ball off the toe or heel of the club head, the lie angle can be adjusted to help you hit on center.

The club shaft is the engine of the swing, Sheppard said, so a good fit will take into account the bend point and flex of the shaft, front to back and right to left.

Finally, the pro should look atw your club set to make sure you have a consistent distance between your clubs.

Often, a golfer will choose to retain some clubs from an old set and not replace them all.

“If you buy club off the shelf, they are more than likely missing something that could help you play better,” Sheppard said. “Get the personal attention. Custom options cost the same. You just have to wait seven days to get your clubs.”

LAKE 63

Legend

63

18

22

280

21

To Sylacauga

17

Public Boat Ramps

Alexander City

13

Churches 9

Camps & Parks

Camp ASCCA

Flint Hill Church

3

280

Power lines U.S. Highways

22

County Roads

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek State Park

Pleasant Grove Church

11

COOSA COUNTY

Alex City Boat Ramp

Mt. Zion Church

259 9

128

63

11 20

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Friendship Church New Hope Church

Liberty Church

Willow Point

24

34

5

7

Equality

Kowaliga Boat Landing

55

4

Seman

8

Camp Alamisco

16 The Ridge

1 9

Church in The Pines Camp Kiwanis

63

Trillium

19

2

The Amp Ko

wa

12 10

lig

aB

ay

80

9

Central

90

Union

ELMORE COUNTY Union Church

Red Hill 63

229

Eclectic

Tallassee

14 Kent

64 LAKE

Union Landing

Children’s Harbor

MARCH 2016

Timbergut Landing

Lake Martin Alabama

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Jaybird Landing

Marinas 11. Kowaliga Marina 334-857-2111

255 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

22. The Ridge Marina 256-397-1300

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

250 River North Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

49

42. Real Island Marina 334-857-2741

270 Real Island Rd., Equality, AL 36026

Jacksons Gap 280

53. Parker Creek Marina 256-329-8550

8300 Parker Creek Marina Rd, Equality, AL 36026 62. Blue Creek Marina 256-825-8888

7280 Highway 49 South, Dadeville, AL 36853

Bethel Church

15

Dadeville

57

280

Camp Hill

Smith Landing

Restaurants 76. SpringHouse 256-215-7080

12 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 86. Catherine’s Market 256-215-7070

17 Russell Farms Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 9 Kowaliga Restaurant 256-215-7035

295 Kowaliga Marina Rd., Alex City, AL 35010

Pleasant Ridge Church

10 Harbor Docks Restaurant at Anchor Bay Marina 334-639-4723

2001 Cataway Island Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 Lake Martin Baptist Church 49 Church of the Living Waters

Stillwaters

Business & Shopping 11 Lake Martin Storm Shelters 256-794-8075 8246 County Rd 34, Dadeville, AL 36024

20

6

125. Lake Martin Mini Mall 334.857.3900

7995 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Do It Center (Alex City) 13 256-234-2567

1750 Alabama 22, Alex City, AL 35010 4. Russell Do It Center (Eclectic) 14 334-541-2132

1969 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic, AL 36024 4. Russell Building Supply 15 256-825-4256

350 Fulton Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 4. The Stables at Russell Crossroads 16 256-794-1333

111 Benson Mill Rd., Alex City, AL 35010 4. Dark Insurance 17 256-234-5026

410 Hillabee Street, Alex City, AL 35010 www.darkinsuranceagency.com . McDaniels Storage Center 18 256-234-4583

1040 Highway 280, Alex City, AL 35010 19 . Kowaliga Whole Health Pet Care & Resort 334-857-1816 8610 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic, AL 36024

Hotels & Lodging 2. Creekside Lodge & Conference and Event Center 20 256-307-1440

6993 Hwy.49 S, Dadeville, AL 36853 21 Cherokee Bend Bed & Breakfast 877-760-7854

5833 Highway 22 East, Alex City 35010

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

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

Walnut Hill 50 50

49

Reeltown

MARCH 2016

LAKE 65

Lake Magazine Distribution ALEXANDER CITY Alex City Marine American Inn Anytime Fitness Baymont Inn BB&T Big B Bar-B-Q Campus of CACC Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine’s Market Chamber Of Commerce Cherokee Quick stop Citgo Cloud Nine Collegiate Deli Comfort Inn Dark Insurance Darwin Dobbs Days Inn Discount Food Mart El Rancho Grande Emporium Wine Grace’s Flowers Hampton Inn Holley’s Home Furnishings Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs

Jake’s JR’s Sports Bar & Grill Koon’s Korner Koon’s Korner II Lake Martin Building Supply Lakewinds Golf Club Larry’s General Store Little Black Dress Longleaf Antiques Mark King's Lake Martin Furniture Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast Queen’s Attic Regions Bank Ridge - Clubhouse Ridge - Marina River North Marina Riverbend Store Russell Home Décor Russell Medical Center Russell Lands Russell Retail Store Satterfield, Inc Senior Nutrition~50+ Center Sho’ Nuff Restaurant Springhouse Restaurant T.C. Russell Airport

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc The Medicine Shoppe The Sure Shot USAmeribank Warren's Appliance Parts Willow Point Country Club Wind Creek - entrance Wind Creek - store Winn Dixie 280 BP 280 Exxon

DADEVILLE American Motorsports Bay Pine Marina City Hall Chamber of Commerce Chuck's Marina Dadeville Wellness Center Foodland Foshee's Boat Doc Homeplate Restaurant Harbor Pointe Marina Lakay’s Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Flowers & Gifts Lake Martin Community Hospital

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

66 LAKE

MARCH 2016

Lakeshore Discount Pharmacy Lakeside Marina Niffer's At The Lake Oskar's Cafe Payne Furniture Pearson’s Place Poplar Dawgs Public Library Pug's Place PNC Bank Russell Building Supply Shell Station Sigger’s Stillwaters Country Club Store 34 USAmeribank

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

EQUALITY Equality Food Mart Real Island Marina Southern Star

KELLYTON

Five Star Plantation

RED HILL Citgo

TALLASSEE Community Hospital Chamber of Commerce The Tallassee Tribune

WALNUT HILL Lakeside Mercantile Walnut Hill Grocery

WETUMPKA

The Wetumpka Herald A limited number of magazines are available at these locations. To start your subscription, call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281.

Lake Martin Business and Service Directory

residential. commercial. interior. exterior.

334-651-0033AL/706-225-8070 GA

columbus-auburn.certapro.com 1550OpelikaRoadSuite6Box294,Auburn,AL36830

H

OLMAN

“WE’RE

F

LOOR

C

dB

OMPANY

THE PROFESSIONALS”

Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner

Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl

• Mowing • Edging • Weed Eating • Blowing

Visit our showroom for samples and a free estimate!

Locally Owned for Over 45 Years

256-234-6071

1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City

256.267.0518 Handrails • Guardrails Welded Fence • Custom Art Stairs • Gates Stainless Steel Cable Railing I-Beams • Steel Posts • Stairs On-Site Welding/Cutting

Professional!

Trey Callegan

Performance!

Call me for your FREE home sellers kit.

Area Manager Call TODAY for quick Pre-approval!

Paige Patterson

A Division of Goldwater Bank, N.A.

248 Inverness Ctr Dr, Birmingham AL

334-332-3435

LAKE

Since 2008

205-995-7283

Call TODAY for quick Pre-approval NMLS #47862 Corporate NMLS #452955

205-616-8046

www.paigepatterson.com

Relax. Enjoy. Lake Martin.

Call to order your subscription 256-234-4281

MAGAZINE

MARCH 2016

LAKE 67

Our Advertisers n To Join, Call 256.234.4281 A&M Plumbing....................................................... 52

George Hardy D.M.D............................................. 8

Rambo Marine....................................................... 34

Advanced Cardiovascular.................................... 25

Henderson and Coker......................................... 18

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

Advanced Heating & Air...................................... 65

Hilltop Landscaping............................................... 68

Russell Lands.......................................................... 27

Alex City Taxi & Shuttle...................................... 66

Holley’s Home Furnishings................................. 72

Russell Marine........................................................ 59

Amanda Scroggins, RE/MAX Around the Lake.........41

Holman Floor......................................................... 67

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

Atkinson Home..................................................... 67

James & Co............................................................. 57

Satterfield.................................................................. 6

Blue Creek Iron Works....................................... 67

Kenneth Ingram, JR............................................... 25

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

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation....................... 51

Kowaliga Whole Health....................................... 67

Seibel's..................................................................... 53

C&T Electric............................................................ 8

Lake Martin Building Supply............................... 51

SportzBlitz.............................................................. 62

Central Alabama Community College.............25

Lake Martin Community Hospital..................... 69

State Farm Insurance/ Harold Cochran..........66

CertaPro Painters................................................. 67

Lake Martin Dock................................................. 15

State Farm Insurance/ Karen Channell..........67

Coach Kraft Upholstery...................................... 67

Lake Martin Mini Mall............................................ 3

Tallassee Community Hospital........................... 18

Com-Link, Inc........................................................... 6

Lakeside Concierge.............................................. 66

Temple Medical Center....................................... 25

Custom Docks....................................................... 34

Langley Funeral Home......................................... 51

The Coffee Corner.............................................. 16

Damon Story, Cedar Point................................. 35

Mark King's Furniture.......................................... 13

TNT Stone............................................................. 52

DAVCO Development......................................... 66

Mitchell's Upholstery............................................. 8

TowBoatU.S.............................................................. 5

DB Lawn Care....................................................... 67

Music Depot........................................................... 66

United Rentals....................................................... 25

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

Odd Jobs................................................................. 17

Walmart.................................................................. 66

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

Paige Patterson, Lake Martin Voice Realty......67

Ware Jewelers....................................................... 71

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

Painting By Allen.................................................... 66

Williams Plumbing Heating & Air........................ 8

First Realty............................................................... 6

Radney Funeral Home......................................... 51

WSC Distinctive Builders, LLC......................... 51

68 LAKE

MARCH 2016

COLON CANCER IS THE #2 CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH. preventable!

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

50+

Recommended age of 1st screening

50K

Expected number of colorectal cancer deaths in 2016

90%

Of those diagnosed will beat it, when caught early.

Call us today to schedule a screening.

State-of-the-art imaging technology & high definition equipment brought to you by our experienced & caring staff.

256.825.3201 Dr. Adkins

201 Mariarden Road, Dadeville, ALMARCH • 256-825-7821 • www.lakemartinhospital.com 2016 LAKE 69 A division of Ivy Creek Healthcare

Parting Shot Photo by Kenneth Boone

"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud." ~ Carl Sandburg

70 LAKE

MARCH 2016

TAG HEUER CARRERA CALIBRE HEUER 01

Four world championships and two league MVP awards. Forty-six game winning drives. The longest winning streak in NFL history. Tom Brady is a champion, and champions never crack under pressure.

111 South College Street • Auburn, AL • 334.821.7375 The Shoppes at EastChase • Montgomery, AL • 334.386.9273 Eastern Shore Centre • Spanish Fort, AL • 251.338.9273 www.warejewelers.com

MARCH 2016

LAKE 71

UNELIEVABLE SELECTION, UNBEATABLE PRICES. WHETHER YOU LIKE...

ALABAMA OR AUBURN TIN LAKE MAR RDAN O J E K A L R O KEITH OR BECKY

in Alex City Our design staff s you covered & Montgomery ha

Let our design department help make your home or office all it can be. Our in house designers can help you with everything from a single piece to an entire house or office remodel.

We specialize in casual and lake design as well as corporate design. Call or stop by today to speak with Keith or Becky!

256.234.4141 Alexander City 72 LAKE

334.279.3101 Montgomery MARCH 2016