Lake Martin Living December 2025

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

Alexander City's Santa Claus Donations into Dreams

New Year, New Leadership

2 Lake Martin Living

$1,950,000

64 Bayview Dr. Jacksons Gap 4BD/4BA

$899,000

110 Manoy Cove Dr Jacksons Gap 3BD/3.5BA

$1,175,000

110 Manoy Cove Dr Jacksons Gap 3BD/3.5BA

$1,750,000

$998,000

Lot 25 Phase 1 The Heritage

180 Glynmere Dr

Alexander City 6BD/3.5BA

256-307-2443

$1,140,000

Lot 24 Phase 1 The Heritage

Lake Martin Living 3 5295 Hwy 280 Alexander City AL 35010

From the Editor’s Desk

H

e’s making a list, checking it twice …

It’s the end of the year, and I’ve spent much of this month reflecting on how naughty versus nice I’ve been throughout 2025.

While football season certainly tested my patience as an Alabama fan, most of my days were focused on different ways to give back to our communities. Whether it’s been through countless hours of volunteer service, offering words of comfort to friends in a time of need or spreading cheer with heartwarming stories in the magazine, the spirit of giving has shaped much of this year for me.

And I’m not the only one feeling that holiday cheer. Around here, our magazine team has been hard at work, with hearts at least three sizes too big, gathering stories that celebrate kindness, joy and community.

While Ebenezer Scrooge waited until Christmas morning for his change of heart, consider this your inspiration to get a jump start on giving back before the ghosts pay an unexpected holiday visit. The end of the year is an ideal time to make charitable donations, and on page 14, we explore how last-minute contributions can become lasting change, turning generosity into dreams that fuel vital local missions long after the ornaments are packed away. From animal rescues to lifesaving nonprofit work, every act of kindness leaves a lasting impact for many in our community.

Looking into the New Year, new leadership from Jaden Tuck brings momentum to one of our most beloved local organizations. On page 31, discover how Lake Martin Young Professionals is returning with a renewed sense of excitement as they plan upcoming events to help engage, connect and inspire the next generation of community leaders.

And finally, we ring in the holiday season with a heartwarming story about Alexander City’s Santa Claus. A popular figure for local photo shoots and parades, one man pours his heart into helping those in need year after year. From emergency room visits to donating to charity, each December Steve Tyson trades his paramedic uniform for a red Santa suit, offering comfort, hope and cheer to countless families.

With a new dream ahead, Tyson now hopes to put his hometown on the map as the first Santa from the South to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Meet the man behind the beard on page 26.

From holiday recipes and healthcare tips to end-of-the year finances and toy shopping checklists, we hope that this issue inspires joy and fills your cup with cheer.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - may your fire be cozy, wrapping paper easy to find and the season of giving be merry and bright.

Editor-in-Chief

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LAKE MARTIN Living Chairman Kenneth Boone

General Manager Tippy Hunter Editor-in-Chief Shaylee Beck Moore Creative Services Audra Spears Business & Digital Development Angela Mullins Contributors Kenneth Boone Audra Spears Sam Vise Lacey Howell Shane Harris George Miranda Gina Abernathy Lee Williams Lizi Arbogast Cliff Williams Samuel Higgs Gwen Bishop Ana Sofia Meyer Sarah Chase Audience Development Baily Terry Marketing/Advertising Renee Trice Samantha Himes Erin Vickers Lake Martin Living P.O. Box 999 Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-4281 lakemartinmagazine.com

Lake Martin Living is published monthly by Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and submissions are welcome.

Address all correspondence, including story ideas, letters, pictures and requests, to: Editor, Lake Martin Living, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011 or email editor@lakemartinmagazine.com. For advertising call 256-234-4281. A limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Subscriptions are $75 annually.

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ON THE COVER

Alexander City’s Santa Claus is more than a holiday photo op. He spends the season bringing joy to emergency rooms, donating to charities and dreaming beyond his small-town roots, hoping to become the first Santa from the South in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Photo by Audra Spears

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FEATURES 14. DONATIONS INTO DREAMS From feeding families to supporting animal shelters, see how end-of-year giving can help fuel a lasting impact for local organizations all year long.

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

26. SANTA HAS A SOUTHERN DRAWL Paramedic by day and Saint Nick by night, Alexander City’s Santa Claus is dreaming of bringing holiday cheer beyond his hometown and to the national stage.

31. NEW YEAR, NEW LEADERSHIP Lake Martin Young Professionals returns under the new leadership of Jaden Tuck, aiming to engage, connect and inspire the next local generation.

IN EVERY ISSUE 9. AROUND THE AREA 10. GO LOCAL 20. GOOD EATS 22. GARDEN TALK 34. MEDICAL NEWS 36. MONEY MATTERS 38. OH SNAP! 44. LAKE REGION EVENTS 54. CULTURE SHOCK

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Supporting local organizations during the holidays is a great way to ensure continuous crucial funding through the upcoming year.

We Touch the Lives Best of the Nursing Home & People Assisted You Love Living

Assisted Living & SCALF Short Term Rehab Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Long Term Skilled Nursing Care 8 Lake Martin Living PM24_AD_Mag_3.535x9.75_Half_Award.indd 1

1/4/24 10:00 AM

AROUND THE AREA

Wellness studio opening in Dadeville Health and wellness journeys are not the same for everyone. The owner of Lake Life Wellness Studio, opening in the spring of 2026 in Dadeville, knows just how complicated that journey can be.

Liv Nay has played softball since she was 7 and was accustomed to training.

She even played the sport for a bit in college at UAB. When softball ended, she found herself either not working out at all or doing it for all of the wrong reasons.

That is when she started attending pilates classes in Auburn, which she said helped her reconnect with moving in a way that feels empowering and sustainable.

“It has really become more mental than physical at this point,” Nay said.

“Throughout this journey of me getting back into shape, I realized pilates would do very well here in Dadeville. I hear a ton of women in the area saying that they either have to drive just so they can

enjoy doing pilates or yoga. That is really where I wanted to fill that need, not only for myself, but for people in the area and even for people who come to the lake and enjoy it during the summer or on the weekends.”

The studio will offer pilates and yoga classes along with an infrared sauna and cold plunge.

“My goal is to make Lake Life Wellness Studio a place where people can come in as they are, they can focus on themselves and they can leave better than when they walked in,” Nay said.

Standard memberships will start at $70 and the elite membership will be around $170. There will be memberships in between those prices. Nay plans to open in March or April, and in the meantime, will be earning her pilates certification.

Pilates Perfection

~ Sarah Chase

Above: Liv Nay plans to open Lake Life Wellness Studio in spring 2026.

Children’s Advocacy Center opens in Dadeville Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center was founded on the principle of providing a safe and child-friendly environment.

Holding strong to that mission, TriCounty CAC is opening an office in Dadeville.

Tri-County CAC is a nonprofit organization for children ages 3 to 18. The center assists in coordinating child protective services, law enforcement family advocates, medical experts and mental health clinicians when addressing a child who may be experiencing abuse. These experts exist inside of CAC so when a child shares their experiences, it is done once to a trained interviewer.

Tri-County CAC works with local police departments in Dadeville, Alexander City, Jackson’s Gap, New Site and Tallassee and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff ’s Office. The center partners with

Alexander City Schools and others to provide prevention programs and works with the Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources.

Executive Director Jacqueline Burgess said the center is not a government agency so it can maintain neutrality; however, as a nonprofit it relies on grants and community support. Another CAC counselor is needed, but Burgess said additional funding is required.

“Our work is vital and important,” Burgess said. “It is our honor to serve the children of Tallapoosa County and we need community support to help us do that. In this season of giving, consider the CAC. As grants are shrinking, we hope the community will join with us to ensure we have the best services possible.”

The center is located at 287 N. Tallassee Street.

Get Lake Martin Living delivered to your doorstep.

Call 256-234-4281 to subscribe.

~ Sarah Chase

A New Look

Above: Downtown Tallassee gets a refresh thanks to grants by the TRA.

TRA provides facade grants Things are looking a little fresher in downtown Tallassee thanks to grants being awarded by the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority.

So far the TRA has issued three grants: one to The Mill Collective to aid installing new

Stay connected: @lakemartinlivingmagazine @lake_martin_living_magazine

signage. The other two have gone to Tallassee Nutrition and Meme Sue’s Bakery and Creamery for picnic tables and umbrellas.

“We’ve approved six applications for funding,” TRA’s Dr. Steve Burak said. ~ Cliff Williams

Scan the QR code to visit our website.

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GO LOCAL

Eclectic's New Brew STORY BY SAM VISE & PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

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T

he air inside the new Runneth Over Coffee Shop is thick with the scent of rich espresso and sweet cream, but the atmosphere is built on something far more substantial than syrup. When owner Nikki Ingram decided to open her latest location in Eclectic, she wasn’t just bringing coffee to the community – she was establishing a place built on the principle of abundance.

The name “Runneth Over” is a testament to her faith, taken from the beloved phrase in Psalm 23:5, “My cup runneth over.”

For Ingram, the shop’s mission is simple: keep the cup, and the community, full.

An Elmore County native, Ingram grew up in Millbrook.

While she and her husband currently live in Pass Christian, Mississippi, her roots are firmly planted in Alabama, driving her desire to keep the focus local.

“I want to keep a local feel,” Ingram said. “We’ve had a lot of people ask about franchising, but I have no interest in that. I like getting to know the customers, and strive to have a hometown feel. I don’t want to be a chain, corporate coffee shop.”

Ingram was inspired to open a shop after attending her cousin’s wedding that had a mobile coffee station. Falling in love with the concept, she launched her own mobile coffee truck before expanding to open a physical storefront.

Runneth Over Coffee Shop, which officially opened its doors to the Eclectic community on October 18, occupies the former site of a local bar and grill called The Pub. Ingram already manages two successful shops in Louisiana and one in Mississippi, but she personally oversaw the launch in Eclectic.

“The grand opening was a lot busier than I had anticipated,” Ingram said. “That weekend was extremely busy, so I’m thankful for that. I stayed in Eclectic the first few days we were open to get things running smoothly. The shop has done really well, and we’ve had a lot of support from schools and other organizations in the area.”

The immediate success highlights a deep community need for a gathering spot. This need is met by a space thoughtfully designed with both form and function in mind, featuring an aesthetic wall for taking selfies and a popular wooden bar ideal for studying and Bible study groups.

The shop has quickly become known for its extensive menu, which features breakfast burritos, cake pops, egg bites and of course, coffee.

Customers can choose from a variety of flavors, ranging from blueberry cheesecake to cookie dough. Ingram’s personal favorite and most popular flavor is “The Nikki,” named after her. It blends salted caramel and English toffee.

The shop also features seasonal menus for holidays, such as Casper’s Cold Brew for Halloween and adding eggnog to the menu for Christmas.

For non-coffee lovers, Runneth Over also offers lotus energy refreshers and matcha lattes.

The Eclectic location is also the A Cup of Cheer Facing Page: Runneth Over only store that serves Blue Bell is pouring beauty into Ice Cream, perfect for affogatos each cup; Top to Bottom: and milkshakes.

The shop serves ice cream; While Ingram’s mission is Owner Nikki Ingram at the focused on community, her Eclectic location; The scent method is focused on beauty. of baked goods fills the air.

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She believes that the aesthetic quality of the drink is just as important as the taste.

“I think the aesthetics of our coffee makes us unique and sets us aside from other shops,” she said. “We use large cups, and then we decorate several of our drinks with a colored icing, so it makes the drinks look pretty. I think aesthetics do a lot for us.”

This focus on visual appeal – creating drinks that are as Instagrammable as they are delicious – has helped Runneth Over stand out. This unique branding complements the shop’s local feel, creating a space where people want to linger and share their experience.

The commitment to a local, family-oriented business is literal for Ingram. Her children are often around, with her oldest daughter already showing a knack for the business.

“My daughter loves to work in the cafe,” Ingram said.

“She’s really knowledgeable on the different coffees, she knows everything. She could certainly run the shop one day.”

Runneth Over also offers delivery to all three Eclectic schools every Tuesday morning, using a spreadsheet

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A Brew-tiful Beginning

Left: An extensive menu of aesthetically pleasing creations sets Runneth Over aside from other coffee shops.

system for teachers to easily order their coffee. The shop also partners with local groups and sports teams to host fundraisers using six-packs of their bottled lattes, donating a percentage back to the cause.

“We’re trying to be as active in the community as possible,” Ingram said. “I want to try and do more community events at

the shop, like Bingo.”

From its photo-ready décor to its community partnerships with local schools, Runneth Over is more than just a place to grab a morning caffeine fix. It is a carefully curated spot where the atmosphere is welcoming, the drinks are beautiful and the small-town cup is truly running over.

Runneth Over Coffee Shop is located at 2452 Kowaliga Road in Eclectic. The shop is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to place an order, call 334-639-0062.

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Donations into Dreams STORY BY SAM VISE PHOTOS BY SAM VISE & LIZI ARBOGAST

T

he true gift of the holiday season isn’t just what is wrapped under the tree – it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

December is a peak time for generous donations, and the contributions made now lay the foundation for community support that lasts through the coming year. For local nonprofit directors, the spirit of giving around the holidays provides essential resources to power their missions well after the ornaments are packed away.

“Giving back is truly important year-round,” said Eric Strong, director of ranch life at the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch. “Our community pours so much love into our girls during the holidays, and we are genuinely grateful for that support. As we move past the holiday season, we hope to see that same kindness continue throughout the year, because the needs of our young ladies don’t end when the decorations come down.”

The Girls Ranch, a Christian organization providing a stable home for at-risk young women, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The needs of their residents – ranging from medical care to a sense of everyday life – don’t expire on January 1.

Strong noted that while holiday toys are appreciated, practical donations like gift cards allow the house parents to provide normalcy throughout the year.

“We don’t have a huge food budget and we don’t eat out a lot,” Strong said. “If people give gift cards, then we

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can use those during the year to take the girls out to eat, or if they miss lunch during the school day, we are able to take them to Chick-fil-A or something.

Those kinds of things really help out a lot.”

That need for consistent, weekly support is visible every Tuesday evening in the parking lot of Saint James Episcopal Church in Alexander City.

What began in 2019 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into “Soup to Go,” a ministry that now serves between 120 and 140 people every week.

According to Father Rob Iler, the program partners with the Food Bank of East Alabama and Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry to distribute hot soup, sandwiches and breads to anyone who drives through. The church also has a group of parishioners that deliver food to those who are

homebound or cannot come on Tuesday nights.

“We serve single mothers who come through on their way back from work,” Iler said. “We serve elderly people who want to come out early to socialize. This gives them an opportunity to have a social circle. It’s a diverse group of people that we serve.”

For Iler, the program is about more than meals; it’s about a sustained commitment to the community that lasts through the storms of spring and the heat of summer.

“It certainly is important to give during the holidays,” Iler said. “But we are pretty dedicated to serving the community all year-round. I think that’s what God calls all of us to do.”

While individual ministries tackle specific needs, Lake Martin Area United Way works to keep the lights on for the entire nonprofit network. Executive Director Courtney Layfield said disasters and personal emergencies have no offseason.

“You never know when Spirit of Giving you’re going to be the Facing Page: Practical one that needs the help,” donations help support Layfield said. “Disasters the Girl's Ranch; Top: and personal emergencies "Soup to Go" ministry happen all year, not just at serves families yearthe holidays.” round; Below: More than 120 people depend The United Way is on volunteer meals currently aiming for a each week. $520,000 campaign goal

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to fund 25 local partner agencies.

Layfield emphasized that while the holiday giving spirit is beautiful, reliable monthly giving – such as payroll deductions or recurring bank drafts – is what allows United Way and its partner agencies to plan for the future.

“We’re all in a giving spirit during the holidays, but it’s nice when somebody gives throughout the year,” Layfield said.

“The majority of our money goes right back into the community; more than 98 percent stays here locally.

With the donations we get, we find a way to get them where they need to go and to the people that need the help.”

The post-holiday slump is perhaps felt most intensely by those who cannot ask for help themselves.

Jennie Zinn runs Lake Martin Animal Rescue, one of the only no-kill rescues in the area with an onsite facility. Zinn operates the 1,200-square-foot building primarily on her own, working up to 70 hours a week voluntarily without pay.

Unlike the holiday rush for puppies, the daily grind of rescue work involves electricity bills, water, AC filters and garbage pickup – costs that must be paid every month.

“I don’t receive city or county funding, nor do I get grants for funding,” Zinn said. “That is why it is so important for us to do fundraising from time to time.

We have a fully functioning facility that requires daily operations.”

Zinn relies on events like the annual Fur Ball fundraiser to bridge the gap between adoption fees and the actual cost of running the shelter.

Whether it is maintaining a safe haven for animals, feeding a neighbor on a Tuesday night or providing a home for at-risk youth, the message from local leaders Funding the Future is unified: a gift given today Left: Lake Martin creates a ripple of hope that Animal Rescue relies on fundraisers to operate its lasts through every season. shelter; Top: Lake Martin “Giving back feels good,” United Way supports 25 Layfield said. “It just feels local partners through right to help somebody else crucial year-round giving. in their time of need.”

AREA CHARITIES • American Red Cross • ARISE, Inc. • Boy Scouts of America • Bridgeways • Camp ASCCA • Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association • Children’s Harbor • Coosa County Sheriff’s Rescue • D.A.R.E./S.A.F.E. • Domestic Violence Intervention Center • Empowered to Conquer • Food Bank of East Alabama • Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama • Habitat for Humanity of Lake Martin Area • Lake Martin Animal Rescue • Lake Martin Area United Way • Lake Martin HOBOs • Lake Martin Resource Association • Lake Martin Trailblazers • Lake Watch of Lake Martin • Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry • Main Street Alexander City • Meals on Wheels • Rape Counselors of East Alabama, Inc. • Sav-A-Life • Soup to Go • TallaCoosa Aid to People • Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Girl Ranch • The Learning Tree • The Lighthouse of Tallapoosa County • The Salvation Army • Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center • Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama This list includes many of the active nonprofit and charitable organizations serving the region, though there may be additional groups generously serving in the community.

For additional options, check with local beautification boards, civic clubs and other nonprofit organizations to learn how you can make a lasting impact.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

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E

very year, the holidays sparkle with a special kind of charm that’s hard to resist. The twinkling lights glowing in windows, the tree decorated with colored ornaments, Christmas music playing in all the stores and family gathered close in the kitchen create a warmth that fills the whole season. It’s a time when simple moments feel magical, and even the smallest traditions seem to bring everyone a little closer.

The holiday season can be a whirlwind with parties to attend, gifts to wrap, shopping lists a mile long and calendars packed with festive events. With so much going on, it’s nice to have a go-to appetizer that’s as simple as it is impressive. These little bites deliver that perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy and crisp without keeping you tied to the kitchen.

My whole family gathers every year for a lively Christmas Eve party, the house filled with laughter, love, opening gifts and plenty of food. And in the middle of all that cozy chaos, I always find myself reaching for simple appetizers that everyone can’t help but go back for. That’s why cranberry Brie bites have earned a permanent spot on my Christmas party menu.

The combination of creamy Brie, flaky Gina Abernathy pastry and a bright pop of cranberry creates a rich, buttery bite everyone loves. These mini treats are the perfect size, with one little bite of melty goodness guests can enjoy while mingling. Or, if you prefer a heartier appetizer, simply use a regular muffin pan for a slightly bigger, equally delicious bite.

Whether you’re hosting a large holiday dinner or popping into a friend’s party with a tray in hand, these cranberry Brie bites are always a crowd-pleaser. They feel fancy, they taste incredible and they make the season just a little bit brighter. Merry Christmas!

GOOD EATS

~ Gina Abernathy is the author and recipe creator behind the blog, Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

Ingredients

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed 1 cup cranberry sauce 8 ounces Brie 2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Generously spray the muffin tin inside and on top with cooking spray.

Roll out the first sheet of puff pastry and cut into 12 equal squares for a regular muffin tin or 18 squares for a mini muffin tin. Repeat with the second sheet.

Place the squares into the muffin tin wells. Cut the Brie into 24 to 36 equal pieces by cutting the wheel into quarters, then cutting each quarter. Place a piece of Brie in the center of each pastry square. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce over the Brie. Sprinkle nuts on top, if desired. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melty. Let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, using a butter knife, gently loosen the melty cheese around the pastry and lift out with a spoon. Place on a serving platter.

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The Future of Educating Gardeners

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F

or the last five years, this space has provided seasonal gardening and related information for local gardeners, homeowners, landowners and residents. As I compile another one for the last edition of 2025, I wonder: Do folks even read this column?

Are the topics featured each month something that sparks interest and are indeed helpful? Has it answered questions and provided tips to those who wish to better manage their lawn and landscape or aid in the success of flowers, fruits and vegetables? These are the thoughts and concerns of at least one Extension agent – yours truly – who has been providing research-based information for more than 25 years.

There are numerous times we must evaluate how to reach audiences. Newspaper articles, radio, television, newsletters, magazines and publications have traditionally been how Cooperative Extension services educated the public. Plus, the county Extension office has long been known as a local source for residents seeking professional advice and credible information.

The phone would ring often, and visitors dropping by for assistance was the norm. Our mission has always been to help you.

Agents would make personal house-call appearances through farm and home visits, host field days and demonstrations to share updates and teach all sorts of classes and workshops on almost any topic imaginable. Most of the time, our events were well received and would have a big turnout of Shane Harris interested participants.

Not as much anymore.

The growing trend is gardeners and homeowners today are primarily seeking other outlets for answers to basic questions rather than leaning on traditional print media and participating in in-person classes. For Extension, our biggest competition is the various internet search engines and numerous online resources for information. The establishment of the internet, portable computers, social media and smartphones has allowed everyone to access information instantly. Hey, we get it – in fact, we use it daily ourselves for work and personal life. There are more digital options available, and because it is becoming more convenient, people are indeed educating themselves and seeking solutions via new avenues.

For all of us with Alabama Cooperative Extension, we aim to remain visible, relevant and true to our mission to serve. We will continue to adjust and evolve how we share Auburn University’s research-based information in our communities. Facebook and YouTube are currently our top social media platforms we utilize, and we will continue to use them to communicate and educate. We have expanded

GARDEN TALK

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with the latest technological trends to produce and host webinars, apps and podcasts. Convenience and instant access to digital information are the theme today and the wave of the future.

The difficulty for us Extension agents is knowing how you prefer to access basic information and when you wish to be educated. When you find a bug eating the leaves on your plant, who or where do you contact for identification or assistance? Would you call me, or would you look it up on your phone? If your shade tree is showing signs of decline and possibly dying, would you call me to come look at it, or would you research it online? If you wish to learn how to best prune your apple tree, would you attend an in-person workshop hosted by Extension, or would you rather watch an online video produced by Extension or another professional? Why drive to an in-person twohour class when you can tune in while sitting in your comfortable chair at home?

Despite what new methods materialize, always remember to lean on credible resources like Extension and our network of New Year, New Services land-grant universities Below: The Extension aims nationwide when seeking to continue educating information. gardeners with popular As we plan for 2026 services. and continue to adapt how

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to educate and help you, I ask for your honest feedback.

Please take a moment to complete this short online survey to tell me how you prefer to be educated and how you access worthwhile information. Should Extension continue utilizing our traditional media and offering in-person classes, or invest more in digital on-demand videos, online content and smartphone platforms?

Your responses are appreciated and valuable, and I included the survey QR code with this article.

More than likely, as we have done throughout our 100-plus years of existence, we will continue to be available and accessible through all means available. We will broaden our reach to include traditional and digital options, so no citizens are ever left unserved.

For help on other home and garden questions, contact your local county Extension office or visit us online at aces.edu. ~ Shane Harris is the County Extension Director for Tallapoosa County.

Crapemyrtle Pruning Demo – January 17 Before you abuse and prune those crapemyrtles incorrectly again this year, come join me Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Alexander City for a crapemyrtle pruning demonstration. This free and educational event will be held on the campus of Central Alabama Community College.

I want you to come see the very nice plantings of mature crapemyrtle plantings there that have been left alone. Most of them do not need to be pruned at all; some just need some touchup and corrective pruning. This is the proper horticulture principle I have tried to educate citizens for years.

I will discuss the basic principles and techniques of pruning crapemyrtles, show the negative

effects of repeated “crape murder” and demonstrate how pruning should be done, even on those pruned and scarred in the past. We will meet just outside the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center in the parking lot. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 11 a.m. This is an all-outdoor event; please dress appropriately. In the event of rain or other weather-related problems, the workshop will be held the following Saturday.

There is no charge to participate in this pruning workshop. People interested in attending are asked to register at aces.edu/ go/pruning-crapemyrtles or call the Tallapoosa County Extension Office at 256-825-1050 to sign up.

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Santa has a Southern Drawl STORY BY SHAYLEE BECK MOORE PHOTOS BY SAM VISE, AUDRA SPEARS & COURTESY OF STEVE TYSON

S

leigh bells are ringing, carolers are singing and the spirit of Christmas sounds through the air as Saint Nick bellows out his joyful “Ho! Ho! Ho!” With… a Southern accent?

Santa may be known to live in the North, but this familiar voice belongs to Alexander City native Steve Tyson, a man who has committed his life to serving small-town communities and spreading the joy of the holidays far and wide.

A paramedic by day and Saint Nick by night, Tyson is also now chasing a dream as big as the holiday season itself – to become the first Santa from the South to ride in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For more than 44 years, Tyson has dedicated his professional career to being an ambulance paramedic, answering critical calls across Tallapoosa and Elmore Counties and aiding fellow citizens when they need help the most.

“Being a paramedic falls in the line of helping people,” Tyson said. “I ask new students that come in as EMTs, ‘What do you want to do in this profession?’ For me, I want to help people. When you do something as simple as walk up to an elderly person and smile at them, you’ve helped them.”

Merry & Bright While his days are spent Left: Alexander City's caring for people at their Santa Claus greets hardest moments, when children at the annual December rolls around, Christmas At Crossroads

Tyson steps into a different kind of uniform – one trimmed in velvet and white fur, complete with his famous “Merry Christmas” greeting in a sweet, Southern drawl.

Tyson is a popular figure around local communities, often posing at photo shoots as Old Saint Nick. He recently made his first appearance at Russell Lands’ Christmas At Crossroads and rang in the holiday season as Santa in the Alexander City Christmas Parade for the fifth year.

Portraying jolly Saint Nick has been a passion of Tyson’s for 25 years, but his inspiration started long before he ever donned a full beard.

In second grade at Jim Pearson Elementary, Tyson was cast in the school’s holiday play as Santa Claus. His mother crafted him a homemade suit for the performance, not knowing that the simple act would spark a lifelong passion.

“My first version of Santa Claus was the Santa suit my mother made for me,” Tyson said. “I was 8 years old. The prettiest girl in class was supposed to sit in my lap and tell me what she wanted for Christmas. Like most boys that age, I thought that was icky.”

Tyson joked that as an elementary student he also didn’t quite have his “Ho! Ho! Ho!” right, but the magic of bringing smiles and joy stuck with him.

While he still fondly remembers his first suit, Tyson’s Santa wardrobe these days is far more elaborate. He now owns three custom, highly detailed suits, each inspired by a different iconic portrayal of Santa.

event.

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One of his most meaningful pieces is a solid white suit trimmed in gold, modeled after traditional depictions of Saint Nicholas. Tyson wears it primarily for religious appearances, and as an ordained minister, offers to officiate weddings for couples wanting to tie the knot with Santa Claus.

The suit closest to his heart, though, is a deep burgundy ensemble with white trim, inspired by the Santa featured in the 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street. To achieve the exact look, the suit was crafted from heavy curtain fabric and required months of fittings and adjustments before it matched the cinematic Santa that Tyson admires most.

“He is the way I fashion myself as Santa Claus,” Tyson said.

“That Santa was very traditional, a true gentleman and very mannerly – everything under the sun chivalrous. Everybody thinks Santa Claus is supposed to have a big, bushy beard or a full head of hair, but he doesn’t. He’s classy, and that is what I was looking for.”

While many imagine Santa returning to the North Pole once Christmas Eve is over, Tyson remains right here in Alabama, continuing the work he’s done for decades as a paramedic.

Since 2008, he has served with Haynes Ambulance in Wetumpka, and to him, both roles share the same mission: helping people when they need kindness most.

During December, Tyson wears two badges on duty – one with his name and another that reads “Haynes Santa.” On Christmas Day, that title takes on special meaning. He spends the holiday visiting emergency rooms across the region, surprising nurses, doctors and staff who spend Christmas caring for others.

“I go to all the emergency rooms and see the people who are working, the ones that are forgotten about until they’re needed on a holiday,” Tyson said. “Haynes gives me a big bag of snacks, and I hand them out and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I’ll probably hit about eight hospitals this year on Christmas Day.” Wearing his Santa badge, he brings the same holiday joy and comfort to emergency room patients.

“I can be sitting there with a patient and say, ‘Oh, and by the way, you’re being treated by Santa,’ and show them the picture,” Tyson said. “It always makes them smile.”

While making his emergency room rounds, Tyson also sees the heartbreaking reality for some of the patients in the hospital during the holidays.

“I’ve been asked questions that are hard to answer,” Tyson said. “Most of the time I bring God into the equation. Kids think Santa Claus is the top of the world. Of course, you’ve got Jesus and God above Santa Claus, and I just try to help them understand that whatever’s happened is because of God’s will, and there was a reason behind it. I’ve had some parents that just come over and hug me in tears.”

While his Christmas mission is important, his heart to give back to the community goes beyond the emergency room doors.

Each year, Tyson takes a portion of his earnings from his Santa Claus appearances Merry Christmas, Y'all and gives back to a local Right: Tyson hopes to put his charity – a mission he looks hometown on the map as the forward to every year. From first Santa from the South animal shelters to crisis in the Macy’s Thanksgiving organizations, Tyson raises Day Parade.

28 Lake Martin Living

“I’ve been asked questions that are hard to answer ... I just try

to help them understand that whatever’s happened is because of God’s will, and there was a reason behind it. I’ve had some parents that just come over and hug me in tears.”

~ Santa Claus

Lake Martin Living 29

money to support those he deems are in the greatest need of a holiday miracle.

He doesn’t do it for credit or recognition – Tyson instead gives in the spirit of Christmas and helping others.

“I choose an organization based on what I deem is the most important or most needy at the time,” Tyson said. “And I’ve always told them, never reveal who gave this donation to you. This is from Santa Claus.”

Yet, even as he gives with humility, Tyson carries a dream that stretches far beyond Alabama.

During the pandemic, curiosity led Tyson to apply to be Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

To his surprise, he made the cut to be Santa, holding the No. 26 spot on the waitlist. As time went on, Santas began falling off one by one, and now Tyson is at the top of the list, making his dream to be in the parade within arm’s reach.

At age 62, Tyson would be the youngest Santa Claus in the parade, and the first Santa from the South.

“One of the emails they sent me was that in the history of the Macy’s Parade, I would be the first Santa from the South,” he said. “And to that I replied, ‘Merry Christmas, y’all.’”

The magic of Christmas comes in many forms. For some, it’s the belief in miracles; for others, it’s small acts of kindness. And sometimes, it’s found in the simple joy of a man from small-town Alabama, who chooses to spend his life making others feel seen and offering a moment of compassion.

For Tyson, Santa represents more than gifts and catchy holiday jingles. He is a symbol of hope for every child who grabs his hand and every adult who whispers a grateful “thank you.”

“If I’m asked if I’m real, my comment is, ‘I’m as real as you want me to be,’” he said. “It’s just to see their smile, more than anything.”

And if his dream comes true, one day soon the world may hear a familiar Southern voice echo through Manhattan, reminding millions watching the Macy’s Parade that Santa doesn’t just live at the North Pole – sometimes, he calls Alabama home.

To schedule an appearance from Alexander City’s Santa Claus, contact styson2006@hotmail.com.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Above: A popular local figure, Alex City's Santa donates a portion of his earnings to charity each year.

30 Lake Martin Living

New Year, New Leadership Jaden Tuck's vision for Lake Martin Young Professionals STORY BY SAM VISE PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & COURTESY OF JADEN TUCK

“I feel a deep connection to this area ... I want to help bring in different industries and be a part of the conversation of what we want our younger generation to look like in Alexander City.” ~ Jaden Tuck

Lake Martin Living 31

I

n a region defined by its deep waters and tight-knit community, the Lake Martin Young Professionals has long served as an anchor for the area’s emerging workforce. But even anchors need to be weighed and reset.

Enter Jaden Tuck, the incoming president charged with bringing new life to the organization. Tuck recognizes that for the community to thrive, its young talent needs more than just a place to live – they need a reason to stay.

“I want to create a safe space where people can be vulnerable and share different difficulties or things that they’re experiencing, whether that’s personal life or on the job,” Tuck said. “I want to build an extended family, a family away from family. That’s my true vision. We all have things that we have to deal with, but I think we can pull together and help everybody overcome problems easier.”

Being the youngest member of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 26 years old, Tuck was automatically elected president of LMYP going into 2026. Born and raised in Alexander City, he currently serves as the workforce and career readiness coordinator at the Chamber, where he works with the school system to expose students to different career paths.

“I wanted to give back to my community in any form or fashion, I feel a deep connection to this area,” Tuck said. “I want to help bring in different industries and be a part of the conversation of what we want our younger generation to look like in Alexander City.”

The overarching mission of LMYP is to bring together young people in the area, particularly those who are new to the workforce.

“There is strength in numbers. I think it’s important to have a collective group of people to stand up and say ‘I don’t agree with this’ or ‘I would like to see this happen,’” Tuck said.

“Therefore, you’re being involved and heard in the future of your city. Involvement is so important.”

LMYP hosts a variety of events throughout the year to bring people together and give back to the community. Its most popular event is the annual Polar Plunge in January, a fundraiser benefitting the Lake Martin Resource Association and its mission to keep the lake safe and pristine.

People from across the region gather at Kowaliga Beach to plunge into the chilly waters, proving that their dedication to the community is strong enough to withstand even the winter cold.

“We have live music, food trucks, s’mores, a ‘Dash for the Cash’ contest and a costume contest,” Tuck said. “Kowaliga Restaurant will also have its bar open where people can buy drinks, so it supports a local business as well.”

Tuck also plans to host Lunch and Learns for LMYP members, events that offer professional

32 Lake Martin Living

development and networking opportunities.

“I want to find a guest speaker who can speak from an employee standpoint about how to deal with managers that might be older than you, or when you feel like you’re not heard at work and things of that nature,” Tuck said. “I think a lot of times you hear from a managerial standpoint, but I think it’s important to hear from an employee standpoint too.”

Before mapping out the full event calendar, Tuck is focused on building a strong foundation: the board of directors. He anticipates that the program’s relaunch in January will spark interest in key leadership roles, such as vice president and secretary, paving the way for a full membership vote.

While establishing a leadership structure is the first step, Tuck wants the group’s impact to be tangible.

He is currently brainstorming seasonal initiatives that balance service with social connection. Ideas range from school supply drives in August and holiday meal distributions to recreational outings, like paddling the Tallapoosa River to view the Cahaba lilies. The goal is to ensure members feel connected not just to each other, but to the region itself.

This mission aligns seamlessly with Tuck’s professional role at the Chamber where he works to show local students that they don’t have to leave Alexander City to find success. By revitalizing LMYP, he hopes to provide the social environment that makes staying in the area appealing for the next generation.

“I think there are pockets of young people in and around our area that we can help connect,” Tuck said. “We can have something that brings everyone together.”

To kickstart this vision, LMYP will host an open house in January to outline the new structure, discuss membership dues and recruit potential officers. Tuck invites anyone “young at heart” who is interested in shaping the future of the organization to reach out to him at jaden. tuck@alexandercitychamber.com.

“It’s going to be fresh. It’s going to be new,” he said. “We can make it our own.”

Making a Splash

Previous Page: Jaden Tuck is the new face of Lake Martin Young Professionals; Above: LMYP hosts its highlyanticipated Polar Plunge each year for charity; Below: Tuck is working to build an engaging environment that connects and inspires the next generation of local leaders.

Lake Martin Living 33

Rising Healthcare Costs

“N

othing is certain but death and taxes,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in 1789. In 2026, we can add another certainty: health care will cost more.

If you are insured through your employer, you can expect your employer’s health insurance costs to increase, and your employer will likely pass along some or all of the additional costs to you, in the form of higher premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Human resources consulting firm Mercer predicts a 6.5 percent increase, although some firms believe the bump will be as high as 9 percent. Contributing factors are increasing hospital costs, the rising utilization of expensive weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and the threat of tariffs.

Medicare beneficiaries will see their Part B monthly premiums rise from $185 to $202.90, and their Part B deductible will inch up from $257 to $283.

Their deductible for inpatient hospitalization will go from $1,676 to $1,736.

If you are covered

by Medicaid, your risk is not increasing premiums, but loss of coverage altogether.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” cuts $911 billion from the Medicaid budget. The American Hospital Association predicts that 15,400 Alabama recipients will lose coverage as a result.

If you get your health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, be prepared for some heavy-duty sticker shock. The amount health insurers charge for coverage on the ACA Marketplaces is rising 26 percent, on average, in 2026. The increase is due partly to inflation and partly to account for the expected 3.8 million mostly healthy people who will drop their insurance if the enhanced subsidies are not renewed by Congress. The folks remaining in the risk pool are consequently sicker, driving up the cost of care.

The ACA always provided a tax relief on a sliding scale for persons who made less than 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. In 2021, the Biden Administration enhanced

those subsidies as part of the American Rescue Plan and extended the subsidies to 2025 via the Inflation Reduction Act. The program increased the level of subsidies for the target population and also provided subsidies for families making more than 400 percent of the FPL limit, providing relief for the first time to the middle class.

At the time of this writing, Congress has not acted to restore the enhanced subsidies. If nothing changes, ACA premiums are expected to more than double, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, with the average premium rising by 114 percent.

Middle income families who benefited from the enhanced subsidies will feel the biggest impact, losing their subsidy altogether and absorbing the premium price increases. For example, according to KFF, “a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 (or 402 percent FPL) would see yearly premium payments rise by more than $22,600 in 2026, after accounting for an annual premium increase of 18 percent.”

If you are on an ACA plan, you can estimate next year’s premium with and without an extension of the enhanced tax credits using KFF’s online calculator, available at kff.org/ interactive/calculator-aca-enhanced-premium-tax-credit.

With all of us facing increases in the cost of health insurance, let’s look at some ways you can manage your health care expenses.

First, dropping health insurance altogether is not recommended. You may be able to pay cash for routine medical expenses, but a catastrophic health event could bankrupt you. You can switch to a plan with cheaper premiums, but insurance plans make up for cheaper premiums by applying high deductibles.

The biggest mistake people make is not reading their health insurance policy and understanding what it does and does not cover. Please don’t rely on the insurance agent’s explanation of your plan. Read it for yourself. Know what your deductible, co-pays, co-insurance amounts and out-ofpocket maximums are.

Remember that plan benefits and costs change annually.

Review your coverage every year during open enrollment and shop around for the best plan for your particular needs.

If you are in a managed care plan, research which providers and facilities are in-network. Check to make sure the radiology, pathology and anesthesiology groups are innetwork, as well. If they are not, ask them – before you need their services – if they are willing to accept the insurance payment without balance-billing you.

If you choose a high-deductible plan to save money up front, consider opening a Health Savings Account to complement your insurance plan. The HSA is pre-tax money, earns value tax-free and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

In addition to managing your health insurance benefits, you can save money by being smart about how you use medical services.

Stay away from the emergency room unless you are having

MEDICAL NEWS

a bona fide emergency. Instead, ask your doctor to squeeze you in or visit an urgent care center. You’ll save money and time. Remember that emergency rooms are not like fast food, where folks generally get their food in the same sequence as they ordered it. Patients are admitted according to how sick they are. The victim of a motor vehicle accident is going to get priority over your sore throat and sniffles.

If you do not have a primary care physician, find one. A regular George Miranda relationship with a physician who knows your medical history will help you make informed decisions about your care. Don’t go straight to a specialist. See your primary care doctor first to discuss whether you really need a specialist, or an expensive test or procedure. A PCP will also help keep you on schedule with recommended screenings and preventive care.

Paying attention to your prescriptions will also help you reduce costs. Choose a generic drug if one is available. Know your health plan’s formulary, or list of preferred and nonpreferred drugs. They are usually listed in tiers, with first-tier drugs being the cheapest.

Shop around for the best drug prices. The GoodRx website (goodrx.com) will compare prices at your local pharmacies.

Sometimes the cash price is less than your prescription copay. Your prescription drug plan will probably give you a better price for 90-day prescriptions, especially if you use its mail-order option.

Consider using Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com/ medications), the mail-order pharmacy started by Mark Cuban of “Shark Tank” fame. Cost Plus Drugs sells only generic drugs but at very low prices.

Finally, read your bills. You should get an itemized bill from your doctor or facility and a corresponding explanation of benefits from your insurance company. Compare them and make sure they match. Look for billing errors or discrepancies, and call the billing office if you find an error. Medical billing and reimbursement have become so complicated that your medical provider is bound to make the occasional error.

Fight every denial issued by your insurance plan. Often the denial results from miscommunication between the provider and the payer. Sometimes the denial is based on an error in judgment (I’m being generous) on the part of the insurance company. Health plans will sometimes reverse denials if you challenge them.

Death, taxes and ever-increasing health care expenses are a fact of life. You can’t do much to avoid death or taxes, but you can limit the damage to your wallet by being involved and aware of your health care. ~ George Miranda is the director of the UAB Medicine – Russell Medical Cancer Center.

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

Lake Martin Living 35

Year-End Tax Planning: Reviewing Your Investment Checklist

T

he close of the year is an important checkpoint for every investor. Reviewing your investment accounts and tax situation now, while you still have time to act, can enhance your financial position and reduce your future tax burden. A simple annual checklist can serve as a powerful reminder.

Maximize Tax-Advantaged Growth

These vehicles offer powerful benefits by either growing tax-deferred or tax-free.

Workplace retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k), 403(b)): Review your contributions to ensure you maximize the annual deferral limit by the December 31 deadline. Increasing your contribution for the final paychecks of the year can help to maximize your contribution if you aren’t already on track.

IRA and Roth IRA Contributions: Remember that you have until the April tax-filing deadline of the following year to make contributions for the current tax year. Be sure to keep this extended window in mind if you want to complete your funding for these personal retirement accounts.

Health savings accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts: Maximize contributions to your HSA, which offers a triple tax advantage. For FSAs, be mindful of the “use it or lose it” rule.

Strategic Investment Management

In your nonretirement (taxable) accounts, the goal is to manage capital gains and be as tax efficient as possible.

Tax-loss harvesting: This classic strategy involves selling investments that are trading at a loss. These realized losses can be used to offset any capital gains realized during the year, reducing your overall tax bill.

If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, you may also be able to deduct a portion against your ordinary income, with any further excess losses carried forward indefinitely.

The wash-sale rule warning: Be careful not to trigger this rule!

Annual gift tax exclusion: Consider utilizing the annual gift exclusion by transferring assets or cash to family members. This allows you to reduce the size of your potential taxable estate without triggering any gift tax implications or using up any of your lifetime exemption amount.

36 Lake Martin Living

Special Considerations for Retirees and Charitable Giving

Certain tax rules apply specifically to older investors and those who are charitably inclined.

Required minimum distributions: If you are required to take RMDs from your traditional IRA or other retirement accounts, ensure these distributions are fully taken by December 31. Failing to do so can result in a significant penalty. Also, with new Inherited IRA rules, make sure you understand where you fall within them. If in doubt, consult your trusted advisor or CPA. Qualified charitable distributions: If you are age 70.5 or older, you can utilize a QCD to transfer funds directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. This distribution is excluded from your taxable income and can be used to satisfy all or part of your RMD, if applicable.

Bunching charitable donations: For itemizers, the recent tax changes (sometimes referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”) have raised the standard deduction.

If you itemize, consider “bunching” two or more years’ worth of charitable giving into the current year to ensure your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction threshold for maximum tax benefit. Always consult your CPA on this strategy.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Finally, take a moment to review the financial safety net protecting your assets.

Property and casualty insurance: Given the significant increase in building and replacement costs over recent years, verify that the insured amount for your home is sufficient to cover a complete rebuild at current market rates – not just the value of the land or an outdated historical cost.

Umbrella policy: Review your coverage to see if any adjustments should be made.

Life Insurance: Review your coverage amounts to ensure they still meet the needs of your dependents, taking into account changes in your financial obligations, debts and future goals.

MONEY MATTERS

Consult Your Trusted Advisors

The strategies outlined here are general planning tips.

Your specific tax situation, investments and insurance needs are unique. For personalized advice, deadlines and current limits, always consult with your trusted Lee Williams financial advisor, certified public accountant and insurance agent. Do not act on tax-related decisions without professional guidance. ~ Lee Williams, CFP®, WMCP® Blalock Williams, LLC (Blalock Williams) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Blalock Williams and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such.

It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.

All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability, or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

Holiday Concert

An Intimate Evening with David Foster & Katharine McPhee Tuesday, December 9 7 p.m.

celebrity series

Matthew Morrison Rhythms & Revelations Sunday, February 1 7 p.m.

celebrity series

Daniela Mack, mezzo-soprano with Keun-A Lee, piano Thursday, February 5 7 p.m.

chamber music series

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Duke in Africa Thursday, February 12 7 p.m.

celebrity series

Tickets available now!

334.844.TIXS (8497) GOGUECENTERTICKETS.AUBURN.EDU

View our complete 2025–26 season calendar online.

Lake Martin Living 37

OH SNAP! Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Charity Gala 2

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Friday, November 7, 2025 New Water Farms 1. Sophia Robinson and Mellissa Esfahani 2. Angela Young, Meredith Young and Marsha Parkman 3. Marsha Davis, Harry Wooten and Charissa Reynolds 4. John and Mary Bynum 5. Kathy and Dave Nelson 6. Steven and Emily Smith 7. Jeff and Whitney Rice and Tina Hosey 8. Andy and Hope Chamness and Cheryl and Jerry Bynum 9. Roger and Amy Law and Brianna and Carol Sellers

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Overlook Fire Tower Dedication Ceremony OH SNAP! 1

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Friday, November 7, 2025 Dadeville 1. John Prophitt and Walt Hutcheson 2. Jan Bianchi and Jeannie Curtis 3. Carrie Watts, Rebekah Bruner, Julia and Steve Thomas and

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Anna Katharine Stout 4. Jimmy K. Lanier, Mark Haughwout and Gary Weber 5. Sandra Fuller, Katlyn Cotten and Payton Natali 6. Lee Mason and Bill Garnett 7. Walt Hutcheson and Hudson Grace 8. Sybil Stout, Charlotte Bruner, Rahab Stout and Penny Stout 9. Harold Banks, Jerry Bynum, Butch Neighbors and John Alsobrook

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OH SNAP! St. James Bazaar 1

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St. James Episcopal Church 1. Mary Lyman Boone and Audra Spears 2. Galina Durden, Kathy Roy and Joanna Roberson 3. Jerry and Veralyn Lewter 4. Beverly Kile and Jeanne Falgiano 5. Teresa Deloney and Shirley Johnson 6. Ella Kim and Briley Mann 7. Father Rob Iler 8. Debbie and Wayne Hooks 9. Linda Ewing 10. Hugh Neighbors 11. Lexi Garrett and Kole Caylor

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Monday, November 18, 2025 Charles E. Bailey Sportplex 1. Zy Thomas and Alyiaa Dansby

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2. Ryleigh Reynold and Ivyana Wycoff 3. Kaiden Riddle and Gavin Murphree 4. Hozier Keel and Carson Spears 5. Khloe Goss and Kingston Ward 6. Charles Chappelle and Mason Thompson 7. Rocklynde Rivera, Corbin Richardson, Jakya Sims, Jre Hitchins, PJ McNeal and Mckenzie Davis 8. Central Coosa High School

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OH SNAP! Christmas At Crossroads 1

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Russell Crossroads 1. Anna Dees, Mary Saucer, Everett Saucer and Debby Dees

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2. The Poje Family 3. Courtney Heffield and William 4. Bobby, Adam, Alex and Carter Vise 5. Sydney Decker, Cooper Decker and Linda Thompson 6. Jake and Miles Battle, James and Jamie Givins and Loki

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7. Beth Roberts 8. Tiffany, Johnathan and Joanna Myers 9. Peggy and Vaughn Stough 10. Chris and Cheron Gierszewski 11. Maisie Harbor, Hillary Harbor and Alice King 12. Gwen and Saysay Fike 13. Ronin, Halie and Dave Silal

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Renew Our Rivers Cleanup OH SNAP! 1

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Lake Martin Area 1. Mari Grace Jones, Keighly Peters and Bayley Hammock 2. Real Island Volunteers 3. Abigail Hodnett and Rachel Reams 4. Emileigh Williams, Madi Jinwright, Madison Smith and

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Paislee Sharp 5. Bill Thompson and Cheryl Bynum 6. Sydnee Hamilton and Lauren Watts 7. Ella Rose Baker, Caroline Stegall, Brinley Pritchard, Ansley Daniel, Molly Macoy, Addie Sanders, Palyn Joiner and Ava Culligan 8. Clark Cummings, Owen Dye, Mason Kim and Elijah Long

Lake Martin Living 43

THE LAKE REGION

Calendar FEATURED EVENT

All Aboard for Charity The Polar Express movie night and snowball fight

H

oliday traditions usually involve quiet moments like sipping hot cocoa, wrapping gifts or watching classic films by the glow of a tree; however, on Sunday, December 21, the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center is inviting the community to break the silence with a little festive action.

The center is hosting a special screening of the modern classic, The Polar Express, at 7 p.m., but the main attraction begins before the conductor even punches the first ticket. In a spirited twist on holiday giving, families are invited to participate in an indoor “snowball fight.” The catch? The snowballs are pairs of new socks.

Attendees are encouraged to bring packaged socks to hurl in a friendly pre-show scrimmage.

Once the fun settles, the “snow” will be gathered and donated to a local charity, turning a moment of chaotic fun into a meaningful contribution to neighbors in need. It is a rare opportunity to let loose, enjoy the community spirit and support a good cause all at once.

To get the full experience, guests should plan to arrive early. Doors open one hour before showtime, offering a chance to grab concessions, settle in with live holiday music and test your film knowledge with movie trivia.

Admission for The Polar Express and other screenings is $10 for adults and $8 for children 15 and under. For those looking to make memories – and a difference – this is one train you won’t want to miss. For more details and updates, visit the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center Facebook page.

44 Lake Martin Living

Get Ready to Believe

Families are invited to an interactive showing of The Polar Express on December 21 at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.

LAKE REGION EVENTS December 17

Children’s Christmas Painting Class

Get ready for a merry and creative afternoon at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., children are invited to a painting class filled with holiday cheer, imagination and hands-on fun. Young artists will learn simple painting techniques as they create their very own Christmasthemed masterpiece – perfect to display at home or give as a heartfelt gift. Limited spots are available. Call 256-409-7015 to reserve a spot.

December 19

Christmas Wine Tasting

Get into the holiday spirit with a festive wine tasting at Lucky Flight Bottle Shoppe from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a curated selection of seasonal wines – from rich reds to crisp whites and cheerful holiday blends – for pairing with all your winter celebrations. Whether you’re looking to find the ideal bottle for gifting or simply want to savor new flavors, this cozy tasting experience offers something for every palate. Contact info@luckyflightbottleshoppe.com for more information.

December 19

WryGrass Reunion Holiday Show

Enjoy the sounds of the holidays with a show by seasoned performers Bill Richardson, Perry McCain, Mike Mason and Dale Canning. Starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center, guests can enjoy a variety of acoustic and bluegrass music. For more information, contact office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

December 20

Painting in the Park: Christmas Creations

Looking for a creative way to show your Christmas spirit? Join Wind Creek State Park at the Clubhouse to create your own Christmas-themed painting to take home. Painting will begin at noon. Park entrance fees apply to day visitors. Contact dylan.ogle@ dcnr.alabama.gov for more details.

December 20

Christmas Storybook Reading

Gather for a festive campfire outside the Clubhouse at Wind Creek State Park at 5 p.m. The park naturalist will be reading classic Christmas stories by the cozy firelight. There will be delicious s’mores and hot chocolate available for everyone to enjoy while they listen. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For more information, contact dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.

December 21

Scott Blake and Alicia Mann Holina Christmas Concert

Join the Dadeville Performing Arts Center for a lively holiday concert at 2 p.m. Local favorites Scott Blake and Alicia Mann Holina will present a program of holiday songs as a farewell to the festive season. For more information, contact office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

December 27

New Years Eve Eve Eve Get-Down

Martin’s at Lake Martin invites the community to ring in the new year vintage-style at their fourth annual bash. The music kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with The Burn Downs Duo, followed by headliner Blackberry Breeze.

General admission is $20, or VIP packages featuring a steak dinner are availible for $60. Tickets are availible via Eventbrite. Visit the Martin’s at Lake Martin Facebook page for more details.

December 31

New Years Eve at Zazu’s Verandah

Ring in 2026 without the late-night stress at Zazu’s Verandah in Dadeville.

Muse of Auburn will be playing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the Zazu Drop at 10 p.m. A $20 tip is recommended for the band. Doors open at 6 p.m., or once sound checks finish; seating is first come, first served. Guests must be 21 or older. Charcuterie trays are available for pre-order. For more details or to pre-order a snack tray, call 256-307-2188.

January 1

First Day Hike

Start 2026 on the right foot with Wind Creek State Park’s naturalist, Dylan Ogle. Beginning at 10 a.m., participants will leave from the boat launch parking lot and embark on a guided four-mile, moderately challenging hike along the Alabama Reunion Trail. All participants will receive a commemorative First Day Hike sticker. For more information, contact dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.

January 10

Written in Stone: Ryan Downing

Join singer-songwriter Ryan Downing of Dadeville for a free concert at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center. Starting at 6:30 p.m., enjoy an evening filled with retroinspired tunes and acoustic melodies.

For more details, contact office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

January 16

Tom Tyson & Band

Join the Dadeville Performing Arts Center as it welcomes Tom Tyson and his band. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy a lively mix of old-time favorites and original songs by Tyson. Contact office@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com for more details.

January 17

LMYP Polar Plunge

The Lake Martin Young Professionals invite the community to brave the cold for the 10th annual Polar Plunge. Presented by LakeScape, the plunge will be at Kowaliga Restaurant, with proceeds benefiting the Lake Martin Resource Association.

Doors open at 10 a.m., the plunge is at noon. Attendees can enjoy food trucks, live music and service from Kowaliga’s bars throughout the day.

Tickets are $15 for “Plungers” and $20 for “Dockers” who prefer to stay dry while enjoying the amenities. Tickets are available online through January 14, or at the door. Visit chamber. alexcitychamber.com/events or contact jaden.tuck@alexandercitychamber. com for more details or to register.

Lake Martin Living 45

LAKE REGION EVENTS January 24

Dance & Dinner Party with The Emerald Empire Band

Join Alex City Arts for a night of music, dancing and dinner at Willow Point Country Club. From 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., enjoy a lively evening featuring a buffet dinner, cash bar and the highenergy sounds of one of the region’s most dynamic bands. To purchase tickets, visit alexcityarts.org.

Season-long Events Naturalist Presentations and Guided Tours

Come see Naturalist Marianne and her lively nature presentations at the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads.

There is never a dull moment with this wildlife biologist as she educates on the beauty of nature. For the scheduled subject topics, dates and times, visit russelllands.com/events.

Nature Trivia Night at Wind Creek State Park

Join Wind Creek State Park on the first and third Friday of each month for Nature Trivia Night. Trivia lovers can test their knowledge on wildlife, plants and conservation from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the clubhouse. This event is a great opportunity to learn something new while enjoying a little friendly competition. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For more information, email dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.

Holiday Movies at Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center

Enjoy a dose of holiday cheer at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center throughout December. Each weekend leading up to Christmas, the theater will screen a lineup of timeless holiday movies, with double features at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Doors open one hour before showtimes, and concessions will be available for purchase. Arrive early for movie trivia and live holiday music. Admission is $8 for children and $10 for adults. For a full calendar of showings, visit the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center Facebook page.

Grief Support

Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville hosts an ongoing grief support program on Mondays at 10 a.m., led by Pastor Mike Butler. There is no charge for participation, and it does not matter if the loss was recent or long ago.

Call Mike Butler at 256-412-6945 for more information.

Cocktail Class at The Vinyls Neighborhood Lounge

Covered Dish Social

Come learn to create and enjoy delicious handcrafted cocktails at Vinyls Neighborhood Lounge. Participants receive hands-on training in addition to an inside look behind the history of the cocktails. Classes are $35 and held every third Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit Vinyls Neighborhood Lounge on Facebook for more information.

Weekly Birdwatching Adventure

Acoustic musicians of all skill levels are invited to gather on the second Saturday of each month to share music in a fun and welcoming environment.

The acoustic jam session is free, and the public is invited to attend, listen or join in. The event takes place at 128 N. Broadnax Street in Dadeville. For more information, contact office@ dadevilleperformingartcenter.com.

The Real Island Community hosts a monthly covered dish social on the third Friday of each month at the RIVFD Training and Community Center at 6:30 p.m. at 1495 Real Island Road in Equality.

Whether you’re a longtime resident, visiting or new to the area, everyone is welcome to come fellowship. For more information, call 334-857-3233.

Join the Wind Creek State Park naturalist on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. to learn about feathered friends that call Lake Martin home. Park entrance fees apply for day visitors. For details, email dylan.ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov.

46 Lake Martin Living

Acoustic Jam Session

Clean Community Partnership Cleanups

Pick up trash in Alexander City to win money for your favorite charity.

Volunteers meet at Strand Park at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and area assignments and help clean up the

roads within Alexander City. Turn in your collected trash and earn points for each person on your cleanup team and each bag of trash you collect. The team with the most points gets a $500 check made out to the nonprofit charity of its choice. Second place receives $200, and third place also receives $200. For more information, contact Michelle West at 256-786-0584 or John Thompson at 334-399-3289.

In Dadeville, a monthly cleanup is held on the second Saturday of the month, and volunteers can pick up sanitized pickers and bags at 8 a.m. at Dadeville City Hall. Contact Mickey Forbus at 334-329-0905.

Wellborn Musclecar Museum

The Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge, the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as aero cars designed for NASCAR. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting.

Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 are admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Call 256-329-8474 or email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com to arrange discounted group tours or private tours.

Dulcimer Club

All levels of mountain dulcimer players and those blending traditional instruments are invited to gather at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays to rehearse for performances at a variety of community events. The group plays old-time, gospel and traditional music. Email kim.walls@ dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

AACA artists meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center on the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex grounds, with a general meeting followed by open studio.

Club dues are $20 for the year.

Lake Martin Living 47

9

GOLDVILLE 280

GOODWATER

Legend

To Sylacauga

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY

63

Public Boat Ramps

NEW SI

Churches

★ Points of Interest

22

280

Power lines

Timbergut Landing

9

U.S. Highways

280

County Roads

14 22

ALEXANDER CITY

4

★

Camp ASCCA

★

Alex City Boat Ramp

3

Charles E. Bailey Sportplex

ROCKFORD

Hor Na

Jaybird Landing

49 128

22

COOSA COUNTY

9

★ New Hope Church 9

24

★Smith Landing

27

17

34

63

Camp Alamisco

★

Kowaliga Boat Landing

5

★ Camp Kiwanis

Trillium

Children’s Harbor

★ The Amp 18 ★

Ko w

ali

ga

2 Ba

y

23 49

Church of the Living Waters

The Ridge

1 12

Church in The Pines

25

9

28

Smith Mountain Fire Tower

10 11

7

55

57

DAD

Willow Point

EQUALITY SEMAN

★

Young’s Island

Liberty Church

280

D.A.R.E. Park Landing

Peanut Point

259

20

231

Creek ★ Wind Boat Ramp

26

11

29

Piney Woods Landing

Wind Creek 63 State Park

JACKSONS GAP

Chimney Rock

Stillwaters 22

19 6 30

8

Union Landing

★

WALNUT HILL

90

24 21

UNION

80

50

CENTRAL

Martin Dam

RED HILL

15

★

63 229

SANTUCK

49

ECLECTIC 13 KENT

ELMORE COUNTY

Reeltown

120

14

231

14 14

TALLASSEE WETUMPKA 48 Lake Martin Living

229

MACON COUNTY

Explore

DAVISTON 22

Lake Martin

ITE

1

Kowaliga Marina

256-397-1210

★

2

The Ridge Marina

256-397-1300

rseshoe Bend ational Park

3

River North Marina

256-397-1500

4

Russell Marine Boating & Outdoors

256-397-1700

CHAMBERS COUNTY

DEVILLE 16

N Y

50

CAMP HILL

20

280

WAVERLY 50

5 Real Island Marina

334-857-2741

6 Blue Creek Marina

256-825-8888

7 Parker Creek Marina

256-329-8550

8 Harbor Pointe Marina

256-825-0600

9 Smith's Marina - Shipwreck Sam's

256-444-8793

10 SpringHouse

256-215-7080

11 Catherine’s Market

256-215-7070

12 Kowaliga Restaurant

256-215-7035

13 Acapulco Mexican Gril

334-283-2725

14 Russell Do It Center (Alex City)

256-234-2567

15 Russell Do It Center (Eclectic)

334-541-2132

16 Russell Building Supply

256-825-4256

17 The Stables at Russell Crossroads

256-794-1333

18 Kowaliga Whole Health

334-857-1816

19 Aronov Realty Lake Martin

256-825-4133

20 Off the Beaton Path

205-994-0847

21 Hwy 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage

334-391-0717

22 Creekside Lodge

256-307-1440

23 Red Ridge UMC

256-825-9820

24 Lake Pointe Baptist Church

256-307-1499

25 LakeScape

334-857-2443

26 Docks Unlimited LLC

256-203-8400

27 Dixie Sailing Club

LEE COUNTY

28 Lakeshore Pharmacy

256-825-0063

29 Singleton Marine

256-269-0088

30 Momentum Marine

256-825-9286

Your Lake Martin Sightseeing Pass. Scan me!

LOACHAPOKA 14

NOTASULGA 85 81

Get on the Map! 256-234-4281

Lake Martin Living 49

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Subscribe today or visit one of our local establishments each month for a free copy.

ALEXANDER CITY: Abernathy Farm Supply Alex City Airport Alex City Marine Alex City Public Library BeYOUtiful Salon Big B Barbeque Bone & Joint Specialists Carlisle Drugs Carlos Mexican Grill Catherine's Market Central State Bank Chamber of Commerce Citgo City Hall Cloud Nine Court House Annex Dark Insurance Days Inn Dr. Mackey Dr. Sublett Emporium Wine Exxon Fanny Goldmine's Diner George W. Hardy- Dentist Grace's Flowers Hainey's Hampton Inn Heritage South Credit Union Hillabee Towers Hometown Pharmacy Jackson Drugs Jake's Jet Pep/Mobil Gas Station Jim Bobs JR's Sports Bar & Grill Karen Channel- State Farm Koon's Korner Lake Martin Pizza Co Lake Martin Nutrition Larry's General Store Longleaf Antiques Main Street Urgent Care Mark King's Furniture Medicine Express

50 Lake Martin Living

North Lake Condo Picket Fence Pri Care Quality Inn Regions Bank ReMax Ridge Marina River Bank River Bend Store River North Marina Russel Do It Center Russel Marine Boating & Outdoors Russell Home Decor Russell Medical Russell Lands Real Estate Sales Center Satterfield Senior Nutrition Center Shay Aesthetics Smith Marina Springhouse Sun’s Diner Sunrise Docks Super 8 Temple Medical The Body Shop The Ridge Club The Square The Sure Shot Tippy Canoe TR Group Valley Bank Walgreen's Warren Appliance Willow Point Country Club Willow Point Office Wind Creek Gate Wind Creek Store DADEVILLE: Alabama Power Amazin' Grazin' Boondocks Blue Creek Marina Chuck's Marina

City Hall Courthouse Creekside Lodge Dadeville Chamber of Commerce Dadeville Public Library Dadevillle Wellness Center Deep Water Docks Ellaby Boutique Farmer's Merchant Bank Fawnbrook Floyd's Feed and Seed Flutterflies Harbor Pointe Holiday Shores Grocery Hwy 50 Eagle Jim's Pharmacy Lakay's Lake Martin Community Hospital Lake Martin Pecan Lake Martin Pizza Lake Martin Realty Lakeshore Pharmacy Lucky Flight Bottle Shoppe McKelvey Miller's on Broadnax Millstone Nursery Momentum Marina Moore's Hardware Niffer's NolaBama Oskar's Payne's Furniture Poplar Dawgs Raining Dogs Studio & Gallery Renfroes Russell Building Supply Russell Realty on 49 Shell Siggers Stillwaters Country Club The Backyard The Cart Source The Grand Bakery Two Ghosts Coffee Valley Bank

TALLASSEE: 1220 Cafe Chamber of Commerce Community Hospital Eagle First Community Bank Guardian Credit Union Louie's Chicken Fingers MaePop's Barbecue Marathon Red Hill Gallery WETUMPKA: First Community Bank The Wetumpka Herald Office Wow Catering EQUALITY: Equality Food Mart Parker Marina Real Island Marina Southern Star ECLECTIC: Anchor Bay Marina, Inc. Children's Harbor Cotton's BBQ Eclectic Public Library First Community Bank Johnson Furniture Kowaliga General Store Kowaliga Marina Kowaliga Restaurant LakeScape Lake Martin Machine Gun Lake Martin Reflections Nails Offshore Marina Russell Do It Center Get Lake Martin Living delivered to your mailbox for just $50 per year. To start your subscription, call Linda Ewing at 256-234-4281.

Shop natural gas logs and other appliances in our Alexander City showroom located in City Hall – plus enjoy rebates and 0% financing!

281 James D, Nabors Dr. Alexander City, AL 35010 Lake Martin Living 51

AD INDEX Alexander Landscaping ................................................................................................ 5

Natural Gas Connection...............................................................................................5 1

Auburn Charter................................................................................................................. 7

OBGYN Associates of Montgomery........................................................................... 5

Auburn University Real Estate Foundation...........................................................1 9

Phillip Pouncey Builders..............................................................................................1 8

Brown Nursing & Rehabilitation................................................................................. 6

Plastic Surgery Associates of Montgomery..........................................................4 7

C&C Wood Products........................................................................................................ 6 Central State Bank..........................................................................................................5 2 Diamond Golf Cars.........................................................................................................1 3 Father Nature Landscapes..........................................................................................3 0 Four Seasons....................................................................................................................5 3 George Hardy, D.M.D...................................................................................................... 6 Gogue Performing Arts Center.................................................................................3 7 Highway 50 Blue Creek Boat & RV Storage...........................................................5 3 Hinson Galleries..............................................................................................................1 8 Karen Channell, State Farm........................................................................................5 3

Prime Home Health......................................................................................................... 8 Radney Funeral Home..................................................................................................3 0 Red Flag Pest Control...................................................................................................... 6 Russell Medical................................................................................................................5 6 Slate Barganier................................................................................................................5 1 Southern Sash................................................................................................................... 7 Stanley Steemer..............................................................................................................5 3 Sunrise Docks..................................................................................................................3 5 The Cart Source................................................................................................................. 2

Kowaliga Veterinary Care............................................................................................5 3

TowBoatUS........................................................................................................................5 0

Lacey Howell...................................................................................................................... 3

Trinity Custom Homes.................................................................................................... 5

Lake Martin Mission Church.......................................................................................5 3

Viallage Dermatology...................................................................................................1 2

Legacy New Homes.......................................................................................................5 5

Will Tampling...................................................................................................................2 5

52 Lake Martin Living

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY KOWALIGA VETERINARY CARE

Josh Morgan, DVM Mary S. Battistella, DVM

e December Special e $12 OFF

$25.00 Each Heartworm Tests

Ensure Your Pet Is Protected

(334) 857-1816

8610 KOWALIGA ROAD ECLECTIC, ALABAMA

Be A Reader!

The Alexander City Outlook or The Dadeville Record

256-234-4281 548 Cherokee Road Alexander City, AL Lake Martin Living 53

Top Toys of 2025:

Cutting-edge tech, nostalgia picks & everything in between

L

et’s talk about the hot toys for kids this Christmas.

Toys tend to follow the trends in tech, and when I started looking into what’s big for 2025, I was genuinely impressed but also happy to see the classics were still out there!

I don't have kids, so do take my suggestions with a grain of salt, but the internet seems to have spoken and I cherrypicked the ones that seem the most interesting to my forever 7-year-old brain.

Right at the top of the list is the Tikduk Flying Orb, which is a handheld, light-up boomerang that looks like it escaped from a Harry Potter movie. The drawing robot was also on an Amazon list, but does a child learn anything from watching a robot draw for them? Personally, I’d still lean toward gifting classic paints and canvases.

Most kids can get pretty jazzed with anything under $20, and the LED light-up gloves stood out and I had to agree. At under $10, they seem like a great buy as a fun, affordable and safe pick when kids are running around outside after dark.

For the older kids – and adults who never grow up – there’s the music boxing machine. It does exactly what it promises: plays music while you punch it. Honestly, that one might end up in my own house. Classic staples like Karaoke machines and Lego sets continue to reign supreme – Lacey Howell anything that encourages speaking in public or working with your hands is a win in my book. There were tons and tons of Lego sets, even an RV one!

Talking Hamster really cracked me up. It’s very Billy Bass– meets–Radio Shack parrot. He would chirp back anything you said. Speaking of Radio Shack, who remembers those dancing flowers that swayed to music? I wanted one so badly.

Modern takes on the nostalgic classics include but are not limited to: remote-control Tesla trucks (surprisingly aggressive-looking), old-school parachute men, Loom Animal sewing kits, cooking sets, puzzles and of course Elmer’s Fluffy Slime. The Lumi Board drawing kit feels like a modern LiteBrite, and the motorized paper airplane might just be the gift I

Culture Shock

54 Lake Martin Living

give every engineer in the family.

Next we have the big-ticket, big-buzz items. Primal Hatch Jurassic World Dinosaur, complete with an origin story and an egg that actually hatches. This one stands out to me because I was the kid that loved any kind of toy “having a baby.” Remember Puppy Surprise? You had no idea how many puppies were in there until you Velcroed open the mother dog. Some baby dolls did gender reveals as well. I seem to recall putting the birth certificate in water to dissolve and low and behold – I had twins! The other baby came in the mail after I sent in the birth certificate. Wowza, times have changed.

Nintendo Switch 2 seems to be a no brainer. I am totally out of the gaming loop.

FurReal Maggie the Feed and Follow Cow also feels like all the animal toys I had that walked and talked. Love her and rate this toy a 10/10.

The Stomp Rocket Dino-Soar Launcher seems to sneak in a science lesson about force, pressure and flight.

Let’s note these classics were also on Top 20 lists: Easy-Bake Oven, Mr. Potato Head Super Spud with the whole family in one, American Girl dolls and yes – Stretch Armstrong is officially back.

My nieces are getting older and use the Giftly app, where they post links to their wish lists, which are increasingly full of jewelry, clothes and makeup. Kids today don’t know the thrill of the Sears catalog coming in the mail and attacking it with a Sharpie. Walmart was our only big store in Alexander City to hit, and you would point at everything and then commit some vague descriptions to a handwritten letter to Santa that went in the Outlook. Writing to Santa was my absolute favorite tradition and I had to help my brother write his, as he was five years younger. My wish lists had no limits – I once asked for a giant inflatable bounce house and was genuinely confused when it didn’t appear in our backyard. I thought it was an original request! Jeff Bezos probably could make that happen today. ~ Lacey Howell is a recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her on Instagram @LaceyHowell.

Lake Martin Living 55

Your Health.

Our Commitment.

All Year Long.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of good health.

As the year comes to a close, we pause to reflect, reconnect, and refocus on what matters most—family, community, and well-being. At Russell Medical, we’re proud to be your partner in health through every season, milestone, and moment in between.

Whether you need a year-end wellness visit, follow-up care, or help navigating the months ahead, our team is here with the support and expertise you deserve.

As you plan for the new year, let Russell Medical help you start it strong—with confidence in your health and peace of mind that we’re always here.

Make your health a priority before the year ends.

Visit russellcares.com to learn more.

CONTACT US 3316 US-280, Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 329-7100 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, & Linkedin